Chapter Text
Wow, never thought you’d reach this point in your life, so lost in love with a man who’s so far beyond your reach, the only way he’d possibly ever glance your way romantically would be by pure miracle. Does that make any sense? You feel like many people could relate to the feeling, many of them probably feel for the same man you feel for. How could you be in love with a man you barely know though? You don’t know how he really is.
The most you know is what you’ve seen on the news about busting criminals in the late night, only to see him go by doing a patrol in the early morning as you woke up. Maybe that’s just something you have in common, neither of you can sleep late at night but still have to get up to start the day.
You don’t know, maybe you’re just reaching for an answer. It’s just, after seeing someone at the same time every day without fail, you become attached suffice to say. He’s passed by every morning since you moved in about a year ago.
At first, it was shocking, the Hawks passing by your apartment every day? Then, slowly, everything settled. It became comforting, every day at 5:07 he flew by. His bright red wings stood out in the low light, feathers flowing through the air, catching the breeze as he went by. By the two-month mark, it became a routine, you got your morning drink of either coffee or tea, sat by the window with your computer and phone, and he slowly drifted by as he scanned for criminals. Eventually, you guess you became the routine for him too, because he started interacting with you.
At first, it was the glances, you caught them, you always caught them. They were hard to miss. It slowly turned to nods and waves, you definitely thought they were for someone else. So you just smiled and continued what you were doing. Then he started with the winking and flirty gestures. That was when you realized you were in the top floor apartment and your downstairs neighbors were elderly couples and sleeping college students. There’s no way he was looking at anyone else. You started waving in response, sometimes you made faces to watch him try and hide a chuckle. You even began to wake up early on days off. Now it’s become your thing. Or at least, what you like to think is your thing. You get your things and sit by the window, 5:07 rolls around, and he flys by. A wink is given and a funny face is made, smiles all around. You go on with your days.
Today was a special day you guess, he slowed down just enough for you to see him blow a kiss, in return you gave a finger pointed to your mouth in a gagging gesture. He placed a hand over his heart and feigned hurt before you started laughing together. With a wave he was off, smiling as he went. You figured he was feeling cocky, at least, more so than usual because of the hero billboard chart announcements happening later that morning. Though who could blame a guy like him? Barely 22 and he already has his life figured out, and in the top 3 heroes circle. You headed back to your room to sleep the day away, the only logical thing to do on a day off.
When you woke up later in the morning, just before noon actually, you checked the news only to find half the internet in an uproar about his speech at the billboard charts. The other half marked him as an icon. The usual for anything surrounding that winged mystery. Chuckling at his behavior you went about the rest of your day. Time seemed to fly by almost as fast as he did and before you knew it, it was time for you to go to bed again. You didn’t have to actually, you don’t have work tomorrow either, it’s just the latest you could go to bed without hating yourself for waking up so early. Couldn’t keep the new number two hero waiting for you in the morning could you?
It’s well past 5:07.
You stare at the Tv screen in disbelief. How did you not hear about any of this? Endeavor was hospitalized, the high-end Nomu wreaked havoc, people were in a panic. Were you that out of it yesterday? Hawks was okay, at least, as far as you knew. From what you could gather most of his feathers were burnt. Meaning he’d have to take leave till they came back.
“Which is good! He’ll finally get a break!” You thought to yourself. Even though it had good enough reasoning you couldn’t help yourself from feeling disappointed. That means a few days, hell maybe even weeks, till Hawks would be able to come by with that silly smile of his on his way to work.
You honestly don’t know how long you sat in the window watching the footage from the fight that happened yesterday while you had no idea.
It wasn’t until you heard something tap at your window behind you that you were broken from the trance you were in. When you turned you were greeted with a bright red feather flying around in circles with a little note attached to it by pink string. You opened the window slowly to let it in, while you were confused about why the feather was here at all. It gently flew around the room like it was a show before flying into your hand. You took your time with it as it was way softer than you ever imagined, it was a minute or two of just brushing the feather softly before you decided to read the note.
‘May I come up?’
Careful not to crush the feather you quickly turn to look out and find where Hawks is hiding. Down below he stands on the near-abandoned sidewalk and when he notices you looking out for him he starts to wave his hand around. He’s not wearing his hero costume but a plain grey shirt and a pair of what looks like black sweatpants. He sure looks comfortable. You find a scrap of paper and write out ‘Of course’ as fast as possible, attach it to the feather, and let it go out of the window. You watched as instead of doing its little dance it went straight to his hand, he read it quickly, and with what little feathers he had left he carried himself up to the window. He made himself comfortable on the edge before looking at you and finally speaking up.
“Heyo!”
In all your excitement all you could do was sit and try to respond. You took in his features while you could, who gets to see this guy up close all the time? His eyes were literally shining, and his hair was a lot messier than it usually looked. Not to mention he was wearing a very noticeable cologne and it was intoxicating.
“Hi? Heh, um, aren’t you supposed to be in the hospital?”
He smiled brightly and jutted his finger towards the bridge of his nose where a small band-aid was placed. He crossed his eyes making a show of pointing it out, it made you giggle a bit.
“Come on you think that Nomu could do more than put a scratch on this beautiful face? That’s a little harsh of you thinking so little of me, and here I thought we were friends!” He pouts and slumps his shoulders. Dramatic. You shook your head, this man obviously enjoys teasing a little too much.
“You’re late today, I don’t think friends show up late without warning.” You said poking his band-aid lightly not actually trying to hurt him. His face lit up as you spoke. Obviously enjoying the back and forth.
“Oh, so we are friends? Also, I was injured! You can’t be mad at me for resting after that fight.” You move from the window to get another cup of something warm to drink from the kitchen. You wave for him to come in fully so he doesn’t have to sit in the window any longer. He takes a step in and looks around for a few seconds before following you to the kitchen and sitting at your table to watch you make drinks.
“I thought you just had a scratch? What happened to that, pretty bird?” You motioned to the pot to silently ask him if he wanted a drink. He nodded before he thought of a witty answer.
“Pretty bird? I like the sound of that, got anything else you wanna call me? Yours maybe?” He did not miss a beat in changing the subject. It honestly made you laugh a little too hard at how smooth he made the transition seem. You placed the drinks down on the table before sitting and letting out a sigh.
“You know, now that you mention it…” You trailed off before leaning in close. He leaned in as well. Before he got too close you pulled back and brought your cup to your lips. Leaving him still leaning over half the table confused.
“I think cocky fits you just as well.” You smiled as you took a sip and watched him deflate slowly.
“Who knew you could be such a mean tease?”
“You did.”
“That’s fair.” He sighed and took a sip of his drink. “So, you never told me your name.”