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Hawks had to admit, he didn’t mind the retired life. Sure, it was much slower than he was used to, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He got to spend his days passing on his knowledge of hero work onto the next generation, whipping them up into fine heroes. It was rewarding, seeing them learn and grow.
Plus, now he and Miruko had more free time to themselves, which was a huge bonus.
Hawks could honestly say he was shocked that Miruko retired when she did, just a few months after Hawks announced his own retirement. He hadn’t reiterated by choice, but there wasn’t much he could do in the field without his wings, and so there really was no other option for him.
Miruko though, she could have kept going for years. A lost limb didn’t affect her ability as a hero like it did his, but she had still decided to retire, to spend more time with Hawks.
She does still get called into the field, when her skills are needed, but otherwise she spends her days teaching alongside Hawks, terrorizing their students.
She wasn’t really one for teaching before, but taking on that Bakugou kid seemed to open her up to the idea, and Hawks thought she secretly loved it just as much as he did- even though she complained about the “annoying brats” constantly.
Retirement had been good for their relationship too. Whereas before they hardly got to see each other, one of them always off on a mission, now they got to spend every evening together, got to actually sit at their dining room table and eat a meal they had cooked together.
It was a novel experience for both of them, and they never got tired of it, knowing all too well that it was a luxury few heroes- retired or otherwise- got to experience.
They even did weekly date nights now. They were the picture of domestic life, and Hawks loved it,
It wasn’t something he would have chosen himself, but he didn’t regret a thing.
He loved his time as a hero, but that chapter of his life was over, and this new chapter he and Miruko had begun together seemed no less exciting.
Then again, life with Miruko was always exciting.
Tonight, for example, she had insisted they go out to a bar for date night and get absolutely shit-faced. Hawks tended to avoid heavy drinking, the mental aspect of his quirk not mixing well with alcohol, especially after the loss of his wings- but he had agreed regardless, deciding he would have only a drink or two, and spend the rest of the night making sure Miruko didn’t cause too much trouble.
That woman was a handful when she drank- and god did Hawks love her for it.
She was always so honest, she wore her heart on her sleeve and she didn’t care if someone had a problem with it. She was genuinely bright and cheerful- everything Hawks wasn’t.
He was too used to putting up a front- playing at the laidback slacker, go with the flow kind of guy. He hated showing his true face to the public, and Miruko- bless her- she understood.
She never asked him to be anything other than himself- mask included.
The least he could do to repay her love and support was to make sure she stayed out of jail after a night shotgunning beers and whiskey.
“Keigoooo~ Dance with me!” Hawks laughed as he was pulled onto the desolate dance floor- this wasn’t exactly the kind of bar one would go to dance, but Miruko didn’t care, she was feeling dancy and the lack of a club vibe wasn’t going to stop her.
“You’re so stiff! Com’on, dance!” Hawks wasn’t sure you could call what they were doing dancing, but he went along with it, swaying with Miruko to a beat only she could hear.
It reminded him a lot of their first date, actually.
“Hey Rums, you remember the first time we danced like this?” Hawks let out a startled bark of laughter when hands groped his ass. He quickly removed them, putting them around his neck instead.
Yeah- this was definitely just like their first date.
“‘Sa stupid question, ‘course I remember. You were so nervous,” Miruko laughed, leaning against him heaving as her balance wavered, “I thought y’ were gonna pass out.” Hawks pouted down at her, toying with her long strands of hair petulantly.
“Was not.”
“Were too.” They were locked in a staring contest, glaring intensely. Hawks’ eyes began to water, and he was forced to blink.
“Alright fine, I was.” Miruko bounced away, cheering at her victory. Hawks noticed her trajectory too late, and by the time he reached out a hand to stop her, there was already a destroyed chair at her feet.
“Oi! You two! Get out!” Hawks chuckled nervously, quickly grabbing Miruko around the waist as he pulled her out of the bar.
“Put it on my tab!” Hawks called out, before the door shut behind him.
He and Miruko looked at each other for a moment before bursting out in laughter.
“So, where to next?” Hawks swept into a dramatic bow, holding out his hand for Miruko to take.
“Lead the way, m’lady.”