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December 28th. A day that was supposed to feel more special than it actually did. Instead it just served as a reminder that Hawks’ life was anything but normal.
He couldn’t even remember the last time someone acknowledged it was his birthday, his brain just kept the date cataloged so he never forgot it. But as he sat alone on the couch of his barren apartment, he couldn’t help but wish that he didn’t remember the date every single year.
It was these nights in particular that he allowed himself to simply sit in self pity. Some gift to myself huh… He never gave his intrusive thoughts the time of day- heck, the Commission hardly gave him any time to do that anyway, but one night a year he allowed himself to just question why.
Why was he born to criminal parents?
Why was he born to be nothing more than a puppet?
Why was he even born at all?
He’d stay up until the early hours of the morning with his thoughts until he eventually passed out from exhaustion.
So it was to his great surprise when a knock sounded on his slider door.
He dragged his sluggish body off of the couch and shuffled his feet across the floor. Who or what in the world could be knocking on his door? Or in his sorry state was he just imagining things? He chuckled at the idea that someone could be giving him a birthday visit, but the only people he’d told about his birthday were-
Oh.
Hawks opened the door a crack and poked his head through.
“Are you gonna let me in already? I didn’t come all this way and climb a million stairs for nothing.” Dabi stood there, holding what looked like a paper bag. Hawks could only blink at him in disbelief.
“Did you seriously climb the entire fire escape?”
Dabi theatrically rolled his eyes. “I just told you that, dumbass. Now let me in before someone sees me and calls the fucking cops.”
“Alright, alright.” Hawks complied with a grin and opened the door wide enough for the fire user to enter. He watched as Dabi briefly took in the decor of his apartment. Or rather, the lack of it.
“The room’s sure got a lot of personality,” he snarked.
“Well, you know me, always on the go. Don’t exactly have a lot of time for decorating. Plus, you’re one to talk.”
“Fair point. I just like trying to vex you any chance I get.”
“Yes, they should add ‘master of sarcasm’ onto your file.”
“Wow, I get a whole file. Lucky me.”
Hawks rolled his eyes in amusement. “So, why are you really here? I know I didn’t call for an interior design consultant. Though, I could actually use some help now that you’ve brought it up.”
“I’m sure you’re aware of what day it is?”
Hawks’ expression took a somber turn. “Yeah… You actually just interrupted my birthday plans.”
Dabi raised an eyebrow. “Geez, it’s worse than I thought. The League was right about you desperately needing some company. The rest of ‘em would have come if a group of villains sneaking across the city and up a fire escape wasn’t such a dumb idea.”
Hawks snorted at the visual. “As much as that is funny, I’m glad you guys decided to use common sense.”
“Yeah, yeah. Now sit your ass down, they’d kill me if I just let you mope on your birthday.”
“You make it sound like coming here is a chore for you.” Hawks fake pouted.
“You know what I mean, now sit, for fuck’s sake.”
Hawks finally complied and plunked back down on the couch. Dabi deposited the bag he was carrying onto the table before pulling up a chair and sitting down himself.
“I come bearing gifts.” Dabi gestured to the bag. “The League all contributed to something. Feel free to open at your leisure.”
“Can I open them now?”
“Knock yourself out. That’d actually be preferable since then I can ‘report’ your reactions. Toga said she wants all the details.”
Hawks carefully grabbed the bag and peaked inside. There were multiple crudely wrapped bundles inside so he grabbed the one on top. He read the tag attached and smiled to himself.
Hi Hawksy! Happy Birthday! We’re sorry to leave you with only Mr. Grumpy Pants on your birthday, so you better come visit us soon! Anyway, we hope you enjoy your present and you must wear them when you come over next!
Love, Toga and Magne
Hawks carefully opened the paper revealing a small pouch. When he opened it, small, silver earrings in the shape of feathers fell out onto his palm.
“Gosh, those are beautiful,” he gushed while admiring the detail. “How on earth did they get these?”
“One, we’re not as poor as you think. Two, Toga can literally transform into people, so shopping ain’t a problem.”
“...Good point.”
He carefully took out the earrings he was currently wearing and replaced them with the feathers. “I can’t see, so how do they look?”
Dabi inspected them. “They suit you. Toga and Magne will be thrilled.”
“I still can’t believe that you all actually got me presents. I’m… really grateful, so thank you.”
“Well, you’re an honorary member of the family now, and we go all out as possible for each other's birthdays. This is no exception. Now, go on, you’ve got several more to get through.”
The next gift was from Spinner and Twice.
“Oh this one is hilarious. I think the two of them nearly died of laughter when they decided on this,” Dabi interjected.
Ever intrigued, Hawks made quick work of the paper… only to burst out laughing upon seeing the contents. “A gift card, to KFC,” Hawks paused to laugh. “I hate that you all know my weakness.”
“Yeah, we all know you’re a glutton, you cannibal.”
“For the last time, I’m a hawk, not a chicken!”
“You’re human, and I’m just giving you a hard time.”
“You’ll never stop joking about this, won’t you? I will continue to enjoy chicken and put this gift to good use regardless.”
“You do that, you deserve it. Now, open Compress’ gift next, it should be the small one.”
“Trying to save yours for last, huh?”
“Yes, but there’s a reason for that.”
“If you say so,” Hawks said with a smile. He grabbed the smallest package and flipped open the tag.
Dear Hawks! I hope that you are having a pleasant birthday and that Dabi is entertaining you well enough in our stead. Next time you visit us, I will let you in on a little magic secret of mine as compensation. Now, I hope you like your present, consider it a new token of luck!
Sincerely, Mr. Compress
Hawks undid the wrapping and a small object fell into his lap. He picked it up and examined it. It was a marble, and not just any marble.
“It’s one of my feathers…” He spoke in awe. “I thought I felt someone tinkering around with one of the ones I left back at the bar! I just assumed it was one of you trying to mess with me.”
“For once, no. Compress tried to be careful so that he wouldn’t disturb you too much, but I suppose it was inevitable.”
“Wait, but how is the marble clear? His marbles are blue?”
“About that. He actually spent several weeks training to change the colors of his marbles. It took him a little while, but he eventually got them to come out clear. He actually thanks you for an excuse to make his ‘act more colorful’. His words, not mine.”
“Woah, so he can make them any color now?”
“For the most part, I think. He’ll have to show you in person.”
Hawks examined the marble again before he slipped it in his pocket. “I’ll always keep this with me from now on.”
“With how much energy you have, Compress figured you could also use something to fidget with. He has a habit of doing that with his own marbles.”
“I’ll have to get him to teach me some tricks.”
“I’m sure he would be more than happy to indulge you. Now, Kurogiri and the Boss’ gift is a lil different, but I think you’ll enjoy it regardless. It’s the box.”
Hawks pulled said box out and opened the flap. Inside was a singular cupcake, decorated and with a candle lying beside it. On the inside of the box there was a note.
Happy Birthday, Hawks. I thought it would be nice for you to have a treat on your birthday, so Tomura and I baked something for you. If you enjoy it, let me know and I shall try some other recipes.
-Kurogiri
Happy Birthday, Bird Brains.
Tomura
“Shigaraki baking, that’s hard to visualize.”
“I know right? We were all equally surprised. I never expected that man to even set foot into a kitchen for reasons other than raiding the fridge, but here we are.”
“I’m so tempted to eat it.”
“Well good, because you need an excuse to light the candle and make a wish.”
“I don’t have a lighter, actually.”
“You say that as if you don’t have the human equivalent of one sitting in front of you, but now’s a good time for you to open your present from me.” Hawks looked at him in confusion. “Just trust me.”
Hawks grabbed the last gift and tore open the paper. Inside was a lighter with intricate feathers engraved on both sides of it. He traced his finger over them before flipping it open. He flicked the lighter on and to his surprise, the flame was blue.
He looked up to Dabi, who had a proud look on his face. “How??” He questioned.
“It’s some sort of chemical reaction. Don’t ask me, I’m no science expert.”
Hawks continued to study the flame. “That’s so cool,” he muttered before turning it off. “Thank you, Dabi.”
“You’re welcome, bird brains.”
Hawks carefully placed the candle into the cupcake and lit it with the lighter. He then looked up at Dabi expectantly. Dabi stared back. “If you’re expecting me to sing to you, then forget about it.” Hawks pouted. “Fine, how about this. The next time you visit us, we’ll all sing to you, ‘kay?” Hawks nodded with a smile, appeased with the compromise. “Good, now make a wish already.”
He thought briefly before realizing exactly what he wanted. He never wanted to be alone for another birthday; he wanted to celebrate with his friends.
I hope I have more birthdays like this one.