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Hawks regretted everything the last 24 hours.
He regretted thinking that he could finish up documentation for the HPSC the night before. He’d just wanted to be ahead with things, making sure that everything was in order so he could sleep in, since his schedule was free the whole morning for once.
Well, it was . But crime never sleeps.
He had been woken up to an emergency alarm, villains robbing a jewelry store having gone wrong and the building had collapsed. It wasn’t even 5 and Hawks had slept less than three hours, yet he was out the balcony door in a minute.
He regretted not spending a few seconds on grabbing some food from the fridge.
By the time they’d gotten the last civilians out and the area had finally been secured, it was too close to his first appointment of the day. A coffee was bought as he made his way to the modeling set. An easy enough job, just pose and look pretty. But constantly being alert and on the look-out for anything meant, that he’d also pick up on conversation not meant for him.
“He looks like a mess without makeup”
“Yeah, didn’t know he had such dark circles under his eyes!”
“I really hope I don’t get in trouble for it. Not my fault the makeup hardly covered it up”
Hawks regretted overhearing that, but kept the smile up for the camera. As much as it stung, he would ignore it. Probably just the lack of sleep making him a bit more touchy.
The following patrol was uneventful, which only grated more on his nerves, making him regret not calling in sick or something. If no villain was going to do anything, why was he even here. People were loud around him, asking for autographs and pictures, touching his wings - without asking - and people seemed to be bumping into him more than usual. He took to flying low instead, high enough that he could pretend not to hear people, but low enough to be seen. By civilians and villains alike.
It didn’t help that he spent his only few minutes of a break today on stopping by at home. Only to find that his fridge was pretty much empty, only offering him a canned coffee and some take out that had clearly gone bad.
He especially regretted his evening with Dabi. On a normal night, the villain was a thorn in his side. One he wasn’t allowed to remove. But tonight, when he was 47 minutes late for a stakeout on behalf of the league? He was really getting to Hawks. He’d even meandered into the dilapidated building like he owned it, the faint scent of beef clutching to him under the constant smell of burnt flesh and smoke. Hawks clutched at his can of coffee, extra annoyed that he hadn’t dared take a detour to get some food for himself. Dabi being late was a given, but if Hawks dared to be just a minute or two late, Dabi would text him and claim he wasn’t there on time, dangling his chance to meet the rest of the league further away. It was infuriating.
Even more infuriating was how Dabi would casually touch him. A tap to the shoe, a nudge with a shoulder. Little things, but Hawks knew where this was going. He’d been down this road before.
Dabi had said something about the target they were trying to get a lead on, and Hawks just grunted in annoyance. Only to have Dabi’s next work be a breath next to his ear.
“Such a focused little bird.” He’d whispered, making Hawks fight the shivers from showing through his wings.
“Shut it, Dabi. Not in the mood.” Hawks growled back, refusing to look at Dabi. He also refused to acknowledge the hand sneaking under his jacket, finding a spot at his lower back to rest against. He could ignore it.
“What, you’d rather spend the evening looking for some dude that doesn’t exist?” The tone was so playful that Hawks almost missed the last part. He turned his head to give Dabi an incredulous look, eyebrows furrowed.
“You’re joking.” He stated, voice low and close to threatening. If Dabi had dragged him out here for nothing, then-
The grin Dabi gave was answer enough, and on any other night, Hawks wouldn’t have minded. He would’ve gladly pulled the villain close and indulged in some carnal needs - under the guise of his mission.
But not tonight.
“Let me know when you need me for a real reason.” He all but snarled as he pushed himself away from Dabi, and left. Something he wasn’t supposed to ever do. But he just wanted this day to be over with.
And if there had been a flash of concern in those piercing blue eyes? Well, Hawks could ignore it.
One last stop, a quick de-briefing with his handler at the Commission, having to come up with a lie about Dabi standing him up. It only resulted in him getting reprimanded for not trying harder. It was always the same; Try more. Be better. Faster. There was always something for them to point out, and Hawks could feel his focus drift. Parts of the conversation were muted gibberish, and his only saving grace was how often he heard these spiels. He knew when to nod, when to respond. Knew how to ignore them. And once he was allowed to go, he hurried out the office - couldn’t get home fast enough.
Returning back home, a bag of takeout fried chicken in one hand and keys in the other, he kicked off his shoes and wrestled himself out of his jacket. He could hardly regret buying too much food, the only thing on his mind was to eat dinner and fall face-first onto his bed and sleep for a week. It wasn’t until he was halfway through his too big living room that he realized he wasn’t alone.
There, lounging on the couch was none other than Dabi, legs dangling over the armrest. Uninvited and unwelcome as always, reminding Hawks that crime still didn’t sleep.
Hawks frowned at Dabi, and Dabi just gave him a lazy quirk of an eyebrow before looking back to the muted TV.
Whatever, Hawks could ignore this. Food and then sleep. Feathers lifted and moved Dabi’s legs off of the couch, allowing Hawks to dump himself there instead. He opened the bag of fried chicken and dug in. His stomach growled in rejoice at finally getting something other than coffee, and for just the briefest of moments Hawks thought he might get to relax.
But then a stapled hand reached into the paper bag and grabbed a handful of the chicken, and Hawks could feel his lower eyelid twitch in annoyance. He looked over at the smug face of Dabi, as he bit down into the chicken, completely disregarding any crumps that may have fallen onto the expensive couch, grinning just to spite Hawks even more.
Hawks huffed, whipping his head back to stare at the screen, not caring what pictures were flashing across it. Didn’t matter, he could ignore this, too. He couldn’t finish it all on his own anyways, so what if Dabi stole some of his food?
“Old movies are quite refreshing.” Dabi spoke up, breaking the blessed silence Hawks had been enjoying. The villain sat with an arm on the backrest, Fingers playing with some of Hawks’ feathers. Hawks just grunted, shoving another piece of chicken in his mouth.
“The lack of quirks.. Makes you wonder…”
A few seconds passed by without Dabi elaborating, and Hawks turned his head ever so slightly to peer at him from the corner of his eye. Clearly not sneakily enough, since Dabi smirked the moment he looked.
“Whether or not society was less corrupt back then.” He finished, and Hawks simply rolled his eyes. Of course he’d go there.
“Don’t.” Hawks simply snapped when Dabi opened his mouth again. He really couldn’t care less after an 18 hour workday. Blue eyes narrowed at him, and Hawks promptly dug into his paperbag after another piece of chicken. A feather was given a sharp tug, and Hawks pointed the chicken at Dabi, mirroring the pointed glare the villain was aiming at him.
A few seconds passed before Dabi looked down at the chicken, then back up at Hawks, any displeasure from before dissipated. He leant forward, keeping eye contact with Hawks, and while the hero was focused on bright blue, he took a bite of the chicken aimed threateningly at him.
“What the hell, Dabi!?” Hawks cried out, looking at the fried chicken like it had been contaminated. In his defense: it probably had.
Dabi just shrugged as he got comfortable against the backrest of the couch again. “Looked like a good piece.” There was not a shred of remorse in his voice, and the fingers he had in Hawks’ wing once again carded through the soft down feathers. Usually it would be an appreciated gesture, any gentle touch was. But right now, Hawks was so on edge that the light scrape of nails made him harden his feathers - making Dabi pull his hand back.
“What’s got you so moody? You ‘bout to nest or something?” Dabi asked, sounding as flippant as ever. Hawks promptly smacked him in the face with a wing and got up.
“Fuck off, Dabi.” Hawks snapped, abandoning the rest of his dinner in favor of leaving the couch.
The low chuckle that followed was grating on Hawks’ nerves, his patience running low. He could ignore this. He would ignore this. A shower would be nice, but he was sure to fall asleep under the spray. Instead he just splashed his face with some water and brushed his teeth. Clothes were dumped in the hamper, leaving him in his boxers to make his way to the bedroom, wings dragging along the floor. Dabi had thankfully left, although the TV was still on. Jerk.
Scratch that. Dabi was a massive douche and a nuisance. A villain in every sense of the word.
Hawks stopped dead in his tracks. There, in his bed- on his side of the bed - was Dabi. Neatly tucked under the covers, bare arms under the back of his head as he stared up at the ceiling. He didn’t even offer Hawks the decency to look at him. Hawks let out a heavy sigh. He. Could. Ignore. This. He could ignore his side of the bed being taken. He could ignore a villain in his home at night. He could ignore the bare arms and the pile of clothes on the floor, and he could definitely ignore the implications of what was under those blankets.
Hawks dragged himself to the wrong side of the bed, not liking how he’d have to either face the closet or Dabi. It was fine. Really. The day was almost over, and Hawks pulled the covers over himself none too gently, curling wings around himself, creating a cocoon of feathers and giving himself the feeble illusion of safety.
Moments passed and no sleep came for him. Instead, a sigh was released followed by shuffling from the other side of the bed. Hawks ignored it.
More shuffling. He pulled his wings closer to him. Dabi shuffled around once more, and Hawks scrunched his eyes closed harder. He could feel Dabi’s breath against his wings, and he had to fight off a shudder as warm fingers found their way under his feathers, softly digging into the down feathers. Hawks let out a slow breath, trying to pretend that he was asleep, but Dabi was making it increasingly harder as his hand moved to his back, slotting in between the bases of his wings. Another shuffling as the villain managed to wiggle even closer, pressing his warm self up against Hawks’ wings.
Fine,
whatever, Hawks could ignore this, too.
And then there was the slow, wet drag of a tongue against his feathers, and Hawks sat up instantly, wings spreading out behind him as he glared at Dabi. “Dude, gross !”
Dabi sat up too, and Hawks fought the urge to look down to where the covers fell. “You’ve been awfully pissy tonight.” He commented, voice neutral. Not even teasing or a challenge. Just a simple fact.
“No shit, Dabi, you’ve been pestering me all evening.” What was supposed to sound like a snarky fact only came out as a petulant mumble. Hawks blamed it on the lack of sleep.
Dabi leaned in closer, hands cupping Hawks’ face and thumbs stroking his cheeks. His wings fluttered slightly at the touch before cautiously lowering.
“That’s not it, birdie.” Dabi said, having the audacity to sound concerned.
“Yeah? Then what is it?” Hawks challenged, keeping his face neutral, even as the villain gave a cheshire grin.
“You were in a bad mood from the moment I arrived for the stakeout.” He said, and Hawks huffed.
“You were almost an hour late.” He defended.
“That usually doesn’t bother you.” That was a lie, but Hawks wasn’t about to tell Dabi that. Instead he bit his tongue and gave the most unimpressed look he could - hoping it would distract from the way he tilted his head slightly, leaning into the gentle touch on his cheek.
Dabi decided that was his cute to continue. “You left your balcony door open. Something you only do when you’re in a bad mood.” The statement was so simple, easy to explain away. But then Dabi added a teasing “Starting to think it’s an invitation.”
Hawks gave an amused huff. “Sounds like the poor alibi of a burglar.”
“You knew I’d be over. Why else would you buy enough dinner for two?”
Hawks took in a sharp breath, eyes wide as he stared at Dabi. The observation being too acute for someone like Dabi. Blue eyes stared back at him, but accompanied by a smile so soft that it was hardly there. Maybe it wasn’t. It probably wasn’t, Hawks was just tired.
“You haven’t even tried to kick me out. You want me here.” His voice was as smug as the grin that spread across his face, leaning in closer, noses almost touching and his hands slid down to Hawks’ neck.
“Told you to fuck off.” Hawks pointed out, raising an eyebrow confidently, as if he’d just won some debate.
Dabi just grinned wider, staples pulling at his skin in a way that could only be uncomfortable. “You had me at fuck. ”
Hawks gave a breathless grin, looking away and giving Dabi a half-hearted shove. “Shut up, you menace.”
“Make me” Hawks froze for a moment before looking back up at Dabi’s face. It wasn’t just a playful tease, it was a full on challenge. He looked down at Dabi’s bare chest, staples glinting at the edges between healthy and burnt skin. The covers from before had pooled at his lap, leaving his hips unprotected.
Hawks snorted, having half a mind to turn down Dabi just to see him get out of bed naked. Being the burnt ass that he was, he sure had a lot of confidence that he’d get his way, huh? But before Dabi could question what was so funny, Hawks placed his hands on either side of the bare hips and pressed his lips against Dabi’s, shutting him up as requested.
So what if Dabi had made some keen observations? No one had to know that they were true. And if fucking into the villain made him relax, and the warm hands roaming his body melted away his frustrations? Well, Hawks would ignore that. It was all for the mission. Just the mission.
And when morning came, Hawks once again found himself alone. Curling up around his pillow, telling himself that there was nothing to it. Knowing deep down, that if he ever woke up to Dabi next to him, he’d be doomed..
Breathing in the distinct smell of smoke that still clung to his pillow he sighed. “You’re going to be the death of me, aren’t you?” He was falling, hard, and he couldn’t ignore that.