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Hawks' life was utterly complicated for someone who was only 23 years old. For starters, he was the number two hero in Japan, a title that carried many responsibilities and expectations.
Then, due to that same title (and a corrupt organization that liked to present themselves as the “good ones” and had pretty much owned Hawks since he was six), he now had a very, very complex relationship with a powerful villain who was supposed to be his contact and get him into the League of Villains, but somehow ended up being his fuck buddy.
And third, Hawks had a son. Yes, he was the number two hero, a 23 year old handsome man that was known to the public as the hottest bachelor, and he had a son. A four-almost five-year old boy named Ryu, with messy white hair, piercing blue eyes, a pair of white wings that faded to blue at the bottom, and a smile that could light up the darkest place. He was Hawks' little angel, his little bird. It was complicated because no one knew he had a son, and furthermore, his son's dad was dead. Dead at the hands of his now coworker, the number one hero Endeavor, who was also technically his son's grandparent.
Endeavor, of course, had no idea about this. He'd heard of Ryu and was aware that Hawks had a son, but that was it. He could never know that he was related to the kid, and that his now deceased older son had been his father.
It all started back when Hawks debuted as a hero- actually, the story went even before that. Touya and Keigo had met as kids, in the HPSC program meant to train young kids and breed them to be heroes. They grew fond of each other, but their relationships took another turn when they entered Shiketsu to learn how to be heroes.
Touya hated heroes, and he made it clear that the only reason he was going to become one was so he could make sure no more fake heroes like Endeavor got away with abusing their families. Keigo, on the other hand, was going to be a hero because the HPSC told him he had to be, and that it was the only thing he could do with his life.
Somehow they found comfort in each other, and halfway through their first year of high school they started dating.
Their relationship was their best kept secret. Not their friends, not Touya's family, absolutely no one but them knew about it.
But everything went downhill right before they graduated.
Hawks learned he was pregnant, something he himself had no idea could happen, and before he could even break the news to Touya, the news that he’d died reached him first.
Hawks completely broke down. He confessed his relationship and his pregnancy to Miruko and Fuyumi, and it was thanks to them that he managed to get up again.
He considered putting the baby up for adoption or just getting rid of it. The timing was definitely the worst, he wasn't even 18 yet, he was a month away from graduating and debuting as a hero, and the HPSC would kill him and the baby if they found out. However, he couldn't bring himself to get rid of the only thing he had left of Touya. He couldn't abandon their kid when he knew that's what Enji did to his kids. What he did to Touya when he tossed him aside to be the Commission's problem.
So Hawks is not completely sure how, but he managed to keep the baby a secret from the public and the Commission, all while debuting as a hero. Luckily, the first thing the Commission wanted from him was for him to get his own agency, which meant more paperwork and working from home and less field work. Which also meant fewer chances for the Commission to find out and fewer chances for him to get injured.
Once he could not hide his pregnancy anymore, he called in a favor from a doctor that had frequently treated him as a kid. It was thanks to his intervention he managed to convince the
Commission that he was off work due to health problems until one winter evening he had Ryu.
Fuyumi helped him out as much as she could; after all, she was still a high school student. When she couldn't babysit Ryu, Rumi would take her place. But she was also a hero, which meant that the first months were absolute hell for both Hawks and Ryu. He couldn't spend as much time with his son as Hawks wanted, because of that stunt he pulled to hide his pregnancy, his handlers were pissed and he was forced to work extra hours in order to climb his way up the hero chart. Rumi was no better at handling hero work, and Fuyumi was about to graduate and start college.
And now he was number two. A very, very tired, sleep deprived number two hero, that would come home exhausted but still smile for his son.
Because his son was the only one he had left.
Which was also why Hawks felt so guilty about his escapades with Dabi. At the start, it was part of his job, but now, he'd go find the pyro on his own. Whatever time he had to spare he'd spend with either Ryu or Dabi.
Hawks' last relationship was Touya. Between everything that had happened, Hawks hadn't even considered getting a significant other until Rumi straight out told him one day that maybe Ryu needed another parent. However, Hawks was sure that by that, Rumi meant a civilian or another pro hero, not a high ranked villain.
He was in deep shit.
More so, considering Hawks felt something that felt like love towards said villain now. He was terrified. And incredibly fucked.
Hawks groaned as he let his face fall to the table of the coffee shop where he had met with Natsuo. Considering his relationship with the Todoroki family, Hawks had pretty much always been around, and since what had happened to Touya, he seemed to have developed a sort of friendship with Natsuo, too. He was one of his closest friends, next to Fuyumi and Miruko.
"Dude, is it really that bad?" Natsuo asked, obnoxiously taking a loud sip out of his boba tea.
"Yes! Yes, it is!" Hawks answered, holding his head up again to glare at Natsuo.
"I don't see the problem. You like him, he probably likes you back, isn't that a good thing? Sounds like you're finally moving on."
"It's complicated..."
"Complicated how?"
Hawks sighed and slouched down even further in his seat, covering his face with his hands and mumbling something under his breath.
"What was that?"
Hawks mumbled something again.
"Kei, for fucks sake, speak clearly or forever swallow your words, bitch."
Ah, wasn't Natsuo just as lovely as his older brother used to be sometimes...
Hawks took his hands away from his face, glaring at Natsuo again and whispering loud enough for the other to hear.
"It's complicated because I'm fucking Dabi."
Natsuo looked at him, seemingly unimpressed, and took another loud sip from his cup probably just to annoy him, the little fuck.
"I've known since you dated my brother that you had a thing for bad boys, but that's fucked up even for you."
"I know that already!" Hawks threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "That's why I'm saying it's complicated!"
"So, how exactly did you end up with one of Japan's most wanted criminals in between your legs?"
"It's a long story..." not to say, a confidential one "But it's just- he reminds me so much of Touya..."
"Now that's fucked up" Natsuo interrupted "Fucking a criminal? Bad enough, but not still terrible. But saying said criminal reminds you of your dead lover? That's seriously fucked up, dude."
"I’m serious! It's almost creepy how much he is like him. His eyes are even the same color, and sometimes when he looks at me it’s just like Touya is looking at me again, and..."
"Let me stop you right there" Natsuo interrupted him again, earning a scowl from Hawks. "What if Touya is Dabi?"
There was a long moment of silence before Natsuo broke down laughing.
"You should've seen your face! Chill, I'm just joking. Shoto came up to me the other day and told me the same thing. I know he loves conspiracy theories, but that's a stretch..."
Natsuo's laughter died down upon seeing that Hawks still looked the same.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Natsuo, don't laugh... But I think Shoto might have a point..."
Natsuo cursed under his breath.
"You have to be fucking kidding me..."
"No, hear me out! He has Touya's eyes, and his blue fire. I've hung out with him enough to know that he doesn't just hate Endeavor because he's the number one, but there's a reason, and he completely despises him. Once he mentioned he had siblings..."
"Kei..."
"... And- fuck, I'm so stupid! His pubic hair is red!" Hawks kept going, ignoring Natsuo's disgusted sound at that last part. He seemed to realize something suddenly, sucking in a breath and looking at Natsuo with wide eyes.
"I'm afraid to ask, but what is it now?"
"He knows my name."
"Bullshit, how does he know that? It's not public knowledge."
"He'd know if he was Touya. Listen, the other day I crashed at his place while Yumi took Ryu and I was really not feeling well. I was running on three hours of sleep and various cups of coffee, and I sort of started to have an anxiety attack? Haven't properly had one in years, and Touya used to know how to bring me down really quickly, and guess fucking what?"
"Dabi helped you through it?"
"Not only that, I didn't really realize this at the time, but he called me 'Kei'! And I think afterwards he also called me angel..."
"And only Touya used to call you that." Natsuo finished "Holy fuck, you might be on to something here..."
"I'm meeting with him tonight. I'll confront him about it."
"Wait, are you sure about that? What if he denies it? Or what if he actually isn't Touya?"
Hawks sighed.
"Guess that's a problem for future me."
Natsuo shook his head, fixing Hawks with a disappointed glare, making him look a whole lot like Fuyumi.
"I know you're supposed to be the fastest hero alive or some shit, but you should really start thinking ahead," Natsuo said "You haven't even thought that if he actually is Touya, then Ryu may just actually meet his other dad."
Hawks suddenly sat up straight in his chair, and by the look on his face, Natsuo could tell that he definitely hadn't even thought about that yet.
"Holy shit! My son's other dad is a criminal!"
"Wanna say it louder? I don't think the reporters heard you"
Hawks let out another sigh, burying his face on his palms again.
"I'm fucked."
"That's an understatement..." Natsuo pointed out, giving a final, very annoying sip at his drink until he apparently finally finished it. "You're completely and utterly fucked. But hey, you got yourself down this hole. Maybe you should have told Touya to keep it in his pants."
"Natsuo..."
"Yes?"
"You're not helping, and if you keep it up, I'm revoking your Uncle Benefits."
Natsuo put down his cup, gasping.
"You wouldn't and you know it! I'm Ryu's favorite uncle!"
"I don't know, he's been hanging around with Shoto a lot lately..."
"Bitch."
"Ass."
And that was the end of their reunion. Natsuo promised not to say a word of this to his siblings until Hawks himself wanted to tell them, and they both went their separate ways.
Hawks arrived home and dismissed his babysitter- luckily, he finally had some time to actually spend with his son, that's why he allowed himself a moment to relax and hang out with Natsuo, even if that ended up stressing him out even more.
Finally, Hawks put his son to bed, and the moment he felt like he was sleeping, he slipped out of the apartment quietly, leaving a single feather behind so he could keep an eye on his son while he was away.
He met the villain (Touya?) at his usual disheveled place, only this time he felt really, really nervous. He had no idea how to approach the subject, or if the villain would deny everything, but this was a conversation that he just needed to have with him now.
Because the more that Hawks thought about it, the more it made sense that he was Touya.
Dabi seemed to catch his nervous mannerisms, something that was impressive by itself, considering no one was ever able to catch on to them unless it was someone that really knew him. Which, again, only added to the theory that he was in fact Touya.
"Hey birdie, what's got your feathers all rattled up? Is there something up?"
Hawks took a deep breath. He had to think of a way to actually tell him without scaring the villain, he had to be smart about his words and...
"I know you're Touya."
And there goes being subtle. Good fucking job, Hawks.
Dabi's manners immediately changed. He crossed his arms over his chest, guarded. But not before Hawks saw his hands shaking.
"What?" was all he said.
"I know you're Touya." Hawks insisted "It just... Makes sense! The way you look at me, and the way you know just about all my mannerisms and little details about myself- no one but you knew that. No one but Touya. And your eyes, they're still the same shade of blue that I’ve always known , your fire is the same, too, and I just... Please, just admit it. Please."
Something seemed to change again upon hearing that last word. Hawks was being vulnerable and open. He was letting Dabi see through him. And with that last word... He just looked devastated. Like he needed Dabi to say it, to confirm for him that he was Touya.
A light chuckle escaped the villain as he let his guard down, letting his arms fall to his sides again.
"Looks like you figured it out, birdie. How long have you known?"
Hawks broke down. A sob escaped his throat as he threw himself on Dabi's arms, hugging him like his life depended on it.
"Touya..."
"Hey, Kei. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Keigo chuckled. In that moment, he stopped being the perfect hero Hawks, and he started being only Keigo again. Hawks was the mask the public knew, and Keigo was the face behind the mask that only his son, best friends and boyfriend knew.
"Definitely, yeah." he finally answered.
"You still haven't answered me." Touya teased, breaking away from the hug only to look at him, poking his nose. Keigo rolled his eyes.
"I guess deep down I always knew there was a reason why I felt so... Interested in you. But I only actually put it together today while talking with Natsuo."
"You still talk with my siblings?"
"Of course, even if Natsuo is an annoying little shit. Oh, and according to what he said, it looks like Shoto figured it out, too."
"Shoto?"
Keigo nodded.
"Kid is way too smart for his own good. Kind of like you."
"Not sure if that was a compliment, angel."
Keigo laughed, resting his head on Touya's chest again.
"I missed you... Like, a lot."
"I know, birdie... I've missed you too."
Keigo stepped away from Dabi now, suddenly looking kind of startled.
"Uh, Kei? You alright there?"
"I... Um, yeah, it's just... I need you to come with me to my apartment."
"Wow, you only figured out it was me now and you already plan on getting me to your bed."
Keigo hit Touya's arm, causing the other to hiss in pain.
"I'm serious! There's... Something you need to know."
"Okay, shit, you actually look serious. What's up?"
"I can't tell you yet! I need you to come with me."
"Fine."
And so they made their way back to Hawks' place, a small silence setting between them on the way.
Dabi had put up some resistance at the beginning, but finally Hawks convinced him to fly them there. After all, it wasn't the first time he would be giving the arsonist a ride.
They landed on Hawks' balcony and quickly walked inside. The bird signaled for the other to stay quiet as he did the same, checking if his son was still sleeping with the feather he'd left behind earlier and then finally signaling for the other to silently follow him to one of the bedrooms.
He cracked open the door just a little before stepping away, letting Dabi enough room to actually see inside. The room looked very big, and there was a night-light on that lit the place with a soft blue light. On the bed there was a small body of a kid laying on his side, facing the door. He had white, messy hair and a pair of small wings that fluttered slightly on his sleep, and judging by the markings around his eyes, he was definitely Hawks'.
Dabi sucked in a breath and stepped away from the door, looking at Hawks and pointing an accusatory finger his way.
"You have a kid." he mumbled, trying not to be loud.
"Yeah..." Hawks looked back inside the room for a second before closing the door again. "Let's talk in the living room." he instructed before marching back into the living room, not bothering to see if Dabi was following him.
He sat down on the couch, waiting for Dabi to do the same. Okay, time to shine again, this time he had to absolutely make sure to use the right words...
"So, long story short... You're a dad!"
And again, the only answer Dabi could manage was a weak. "What?"
"Uh, um... Yeah. He is yours... Let me explain!" he hurried out when he saw Dabi was about to say something else. "So, apparently someone at the Commission didn't deem it important to tell me I can actually have biological children with another man and well... I found out I was pregnant the same day they told me you died..."
Something softened in the villain's eyes and he reached out, taking the hero's hand in his.
"Keigo..."
"It sucked." he carried on, "Finding out I lost you the same day I found out we were going to be parents... Fuyumi and Rumi helped me out a lot back then. If it wasn't for them... I'm not sure I would be here right now."
"I'm sorry..."
Hawks shook his head.
"Is not your fault. It was his, wasn't it?" Dabi's grip tightened, immediately understanding what Hawks meant and nodding.
"Yeah..." Hawks sighed "If it makes you feel better, he loves your siblings. But he's never met Enji, and the walking trash can doesn't even know he's technically a grandfather already."
"Good..." Dabi briefly looked in the direction of the room again, "... What's his name?"
"Ryu."
"Ryu..." Dabi repeated, almost as if he was testing how the name sounded coming from his lips "Means dragon. Makes sense that you named him that."
Hawks opened his mouth to say something, but instead suddenly got up and walked towards the hallway. Before Dabi could even ask what was up, a small voice came from that direction.
"Daddy..."
"Hey, little bird" Hawks cooed, scooping the kid up in his arms. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"
Ryu shook his head, and Dabi only caught the movement of his hair over Hawks' shoulder. Apparently, the kid hadn't seen him yet, his view being blocked by Hawks.
"Let's put you back to bed."
"Can you tell me a story?"
"Sure, little bird! Any particular one you want?" Hawks walked back into the room, disappearing inside with the kid still on his arms.
Dabi hesitated before approaching the door, sulking on the hallway, out of view from the two birds inside the bedroom.
Inside he could hear Hawks excitedly telling Ryu a story. A couple of minutes went by until Dabi finally risked taking a peek inside the room. Hawks was sitting next to bed and still talking, waving his hands around as he spoke, as Ryu was apparently fast asleep again.
Hawks seemed to realize he was asleep again and stopped talking, a fond smile on his face as he leaned in and gently kissed the kid's forehead, stroking his hair gently too.
And at that moment, Dabi decided he wanted to be in the picture as well. Ryu had grown up only with Hawks, and now that Dabi knew that he existed, he couldn't just simply turn a blind eye and leave. Not like his father did. Dabi had made his choice, he was going to be a better dad than Endeavor. And maybe he'd lost the first almost 5 years of his son's life, but he could always try and make up for the time he wasn't there.
Hawks approached the door then, going out into the hallway and smiling softly at Dabi.
"He's a good kid..."
"He is." Hawks said. "So... Do you think you're going to stay around?" Hawks bit his lip, a thing he only did when he was nervous.
Dabi noticed right away. Hawks was scared, scared he was just going to leave them. Scared he didn't want to be a part of Ryu's life.
"I'd really love to... But what are you going to tell him? What have you been telling him all along?"
"The truth... Or what I thought was the truth. He knows his dad died in a fire before he was born."
"Right..." And that's when doubts started to flood Dabi's mind. "What if he doesn't want me to be his dad? Kei, what if he's scared of me? What if I hurt him one day? Or if I hurt you..."
"Touya." Hawks quickly cut him off. "Relax. He's going to be really happy to meet you, and I don't think he's ever going to be scared of you. Belive me, I don't think you have it in you to hurt us. You're not like your dad, Tou. And you're going to be a great dad to Ryu."
Dabi took a shaky breath, nodding slightly. He’d needed to hear it. He’d needed to hear that he wasn't Endeavor, and never would be. He still wasn't all that sure, but something about Keigo telling him that with such honesty and trust... It calmed him down, even if just a little.
"Now..." Hawks said, taking Dabi's hand in between his. "How about you stay the night and I'll introduce you and Ryu tomorrow morning?"
Dabi nodded. "Yeah... Okay."
Hawks smiled, pulling him towards his room where they promptly layed down, curled up in each other, like they used to do years ago.
Dabi could barely sleep, and the next morning, Hawks introduced him to Ryu, patiently explaining to the kid that he was his dad, and that his burns were caused by the fire where they thought he died. He of course left out the part about Dabi being a well known villain, and just as he was done, big wide blue eyes turned to look at him, and Dabi lost the ability to breath for a moment as a wide smile appeared on the kid's lips and he happily jumped down from the sofa and into Dabi's lap, latching onto him immediately.
Hawks' soft laugh brought him back to the present, and he carefully wrapped his arms around the kid, still somewhat unsure.
Curious eyes looked at his scars and Ryu beamed in excitement, claiming he thought they were cool and he liked them.
And about a month later, Touya reunited with his family-or, at least, with his siblings and mother. Needless to say, the youngest Todoroki was not at all surprised at the reveal. Fuyumi cried her eyes out and then hit Touya across the back of his head, scolding him for becoming a villain, and Natsuo simply shrugged, jokingly telling Touya he should have asked him to join him in the villain life, earning a well deserved smack from Fuyumi.
And boy, wasn't Ryu happy to have his dad.
They were definitely a peculiar family, but that was fine. They would be fine.