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Hawks does what he can but he's coming in too fast. Not that it stops him. He's running out of time. Dabi and Endeavor are already facing off, if he doesn't time this right-
Endeavor raises both fists and Hawks' mind screams. He throws caution to the wind, pulls his wings in tight, and drops.
The gust of wind he creates as he tries to stop nearly knocks Dabi off his feet, making him backpedal as Hawks slams into his chest.
Instead of driving them both to the ground, they stumble backwards, a tangle of limbs as Dabi is forced to catch his weight. Hawks' joints ache with the shock of impact and he can feel something in his leg fracture but it doesn't matter.
His wings snap open wide to form a shield as a wave of searing flame slams into him. It breaks across the hardened surface of his wings, setting everything else on fire and Hawks screams. But he'd been in time.
He holds Dabi closer as his knees give out, protecting him from the worst of it, one hand over Dabi's hair to keep his head down.
"Hawks!”
Hawks ignores Enji. His head is spinning and Hawks wonders if he's concussed. He pulls back to look at Dabi. There's a hand over Hawks' heart, ready to turn him to ash where they're now huddled on the ground.
"Are you alright?" He blinks past the blood and swelling around one eye.
Dabi blinks at him. "The fuck are you doing?"
Hawks winces, pulling one of his longer feathers free. His skin is blistered, hair singed, and he's still burning.
"Choosing," he gasps, struggling to his feet where he's bodily shielded Dabi from the fire. "You asked me- to choose," he pants. Tears of pain slip free from his eyes. "I'm choosing you."
It had been their last fight. Dabi had knocked him out, beaten him half to death and left him for dead. He'd known Hawks was a spy from the beginning.
Hawks can't blame him for his fury. Dabi had verbally assaulted him, forcing Hawks to face reality. They're locked in a war. He can't play both sides. Hawks' loyalties have to fall somewhere. They just fall somewhere Dabi doesn't expect.
"Fuck the Commission," Hawks pants. His hands are shaking, blood dripping from his knuckles. "Fuck the League." He holds Dabi's gaze, cheeks streaked with grime. "I don't care how you feel about me," he says, swaying on his feet. "You asked me what I'd die for." His legs are shaking and tears streak his face between the bruises. "You," he chokes. "I'd die for you."
Hawks sniffles, stumbling back on his injured leg and turns to face Enji. He pulls a second feather free. What's left of his wings are going up in flames, spread wide to create a shield for Dabi for as long as he can.
Dabi's mind is full of white noise and as he stares at Hawks, the only thing he can think is 'He looks like a phoenix.'
For the first time, fire is being used to shield him and Dabi struggles to his feet. Endeavor snarls, ready to incinerate them both.
As Hawks' wings turn to ash, Dabi stands behind him, holding both arms over his shoulders, palms out. A wave of blue fire erupts from his hands, washing over the space between them and forcing Endeavor back. The sound is roaring, the heat of the fire searing Hawks raw and he sways dangerously.
"All right, hero," Dabi says, lips to Hawks' ear. "I've got you. Cover your eyes."
Hawks does and Dabi's fire narrows, sharpens, turning from white to blue to violet. It flickers in and out of focus and Hawks can hear Endeavor scream.