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“Absolutely not!"
Great. The perfect, serene afternoon of a June day. The green grass outside was dancing, the sight so beautiful and soothing it almost looks like it was from another world. Hawks, meanwhile, was very much in the real world, much as he wished he wasn’t. Right now, birds were singing, trees were swaying, flowers were blooming, and Todoroki Enji, AKA Endeavor, was ablaze.
No, no, calm your horses. Nothing to be alarmed about. Endeavor was always ablaze; it was part of his Hero costume. What was really making Hawks flinch was that he was shouting. Screaming, really. But then again, Endeavor shouting wasn’t really anything new. Now, if only he could quietly scoot out of the way...
“You get back here, you scoundrel! You villain! You vile creature!”
Oh, looks like he wasn’t getting out of there anytime soon. Too bad. (No need to worry, Hawks could grow back his wings within a few days; what he was really worried about was his lack of regrowing a life if he happened to accidentally lose it here or if Endeavor happened to be really angry and he accidentally-)
“If you weren’t the Number Two Hero, I would kill you right now!"
(Or maybe not accidentally. Correction: He was afraid Endeavor might purposely try to kill him-)
“You know what? Who cares if you’re the Number Two Hero?! I’ll kill you anyway!"
(Correction again: He’s not afraid that Endeavor might, he was afraid that Endeavor will try to-)
”Die, Hawks!"
(Last correction: Endeavor did try to kill him.)
Luckily, Hawks was known for his agility and was able to jump out of the way at the last moment. “What in the world?! Are you trying to kill me?” (Whoops, that was an unnecessary question.)
“YES!” Endeavor boomed. His voice almost sent the whole Todoroki house tumbling down. (If Endeavor ever dies, maybe he should consider being reincarnated as the Big Bad Wolf or if he decides to switch jobs, maybe he can work as the wolf’s associate or something.)
Hawks decided that this was going nowhere. “All I asked was whether or not I could date your daughter! What’re you getting so worked up for?!"
“I’D RATHER GET STRIPPED OF MY HERO TITLE THAN HAVE EVEN A 1% CHANCE OF ENDING UP WITH A SON-IN-LAW LIKE YOU!"
Ouch. ”But Endeavor-san, we worked together! Surely you of all people should know how handsome, charming, good-looking-"
“All I know is how much of a scoundrel, up-to-no-good villain you are, you detestable creature!”
Doubly ouch. “Now, now, Endeavor-san, let’s talk calmly,” Hawks tried, ignoring the fact that the other man had just literally set ablaze his whole house and that he was most definitely not calm at all. “We can discuss this like civilized men or we can fight like bar-"
“Die!"
”Fight like barbarians it is,” the young man said nervously, swallowing. If there was one thing he knew, it was that he would never be able to win a straight-up fight with the Number One Hero, Endeavor. It was bad enough that Endeavor had more fighting one-on-one experience and skill; fire was his greatest weakness and he valued his life.
Of course, that only left one option: Escape.
“GET BACK HERE, YOU VILLAIN!” Endeavor screamed as his eyes trailed Hawks.
“Sorry, but I have to go now! Just remembered I had something to do (This is a lie)!” he called back apologetically.
“YEAH, RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY LIKE A COWARD! DON’T YOU EVER THINK ABOUT MY DAUGHTER AGAIN!”
Didn’t he just tell me to "get back here"...? Hawks shrugged and sighed, flying up into the blue, blue sky. Adults were fickle, although not fickle enough for the young man to even think about a second chance of talking to Endeavor about Fuyumi - without getting killed.
The Dad, Todorki Enji, AKA Endeavor: Fail
“So... I hear you’re considering dating my sister,” Dabi, AKA Todoroki Toya (He doesn’t actually know this), drawled, looking at Hawks, eyes holding emotions somewhere between hate - Nah, it was definitely just hate.
The two were in an abandoned warehouse - of course - after the villain had called the other man, saying that there was something urgent. Hawks, being the hopeless guy he was, came straight to the warehouse, without a care in the world.
What in the...? How’d he know? “Um... yeah? Is there a problem?” the Pro Hero asked hesitantly, although he was almost sure there was. The people in his life always seemed to have problems.
“Is there a problem...? Well, I do believe so. You, a villain, dating my sister, the purest angel alive?"
Ah, great. He has a sister complex. “How’d you evne know...?"
“Oh, I have my ways. But Hawks-" Dabi’s eyes seemed to peruse straight through Hawks. “One word of advice..."
“Yeah? I think I need advice. I’d be in your debt if you-"
“Die."
“...Uh...?"
And before he could even react, Dabi had Hawks pinned to the ground, the villain’s right hand alight with blue flames of death. His eyes were truly maniacal, the ones only a true psychopath had. “Touch my sister and I’ll murder you."
Wow, isn’t that new. ”Okay, you about done?” Hawks sighed.
“Excuse me?"
“I said, are you about done?” he repeated impatiently, not the least bit bothered that he was on the fringe of life and death. “I’ve still got things to do, you know.” (This is another lie. He’s found out that after his past girlfriends used this one on him, it was very useful. Who knew that there was a multi-purpose excuse lying around for people to just use as... well, excuses?)
“Things... I assume that’s dating my sister,” Dabi spit out. He let the Pro Hero stand up while dispelling the flame floating on his hand. “Am I right?"
“Wow, spot on,” Hawks said dryly. “Congrats."
“Let me give you a word of advice, Pro Hero."
“‘Die’. I know, I know. Seriously, what’s wrong with the people lately? So rude, so mean."
“No,” Dabi said slowly, drawing his words out. “It’s not ‘die’, although you would do well to follow that one too, you scoundrel, up-to-no-good villain."
Why does this sound so familiar? ”Please stop it with the insults."
"I’m not insulting you, I’m describing you."
Hawks sighed a sigh of pure exasperation. “Could you please just tell me that word of advice already? I don’t have all day (This is a lie). It better not be ‘I’ll mur-'"
“If you hurt my sister, I’ll murder you."
(Hawks excelled at everything he did, including guessing) “Why am I not surprised? Dude, do you need a lollipop? A teddy bear? Mommy?"
“I need you to die,” Dabi countered, devilish grin growing on his face. “That would be the most helpful thing, but I do understand that not everything will always go your way.” He looked up, glancing at Hawks and shooting him an icy glare, which was weird since his Quirk was Blueflame. “You know, Hawks, I’ve always... admired you."
Rolling his eyes, Hawks crossed his arms. “Why do I suspect a lie?”
“One day... you’ll go far. And when you do-"
“I’ll stay there, don’t worry.”
Dabi sent him a final glare before turning on his heel and leaving the room, but not without leaving a I’ll never forget you, Hawks. But I’ll keep trying.
The Pro Hero was left standing in the empty warehouse, pouting childishly. “Geez! What did I ever even do to you?"
The Older Brother, Todoroki Toya, AKA Dabi: Fail
“Fuyumi? You want to date my sister?"
Hawks nodded, somewhat nervously. He had been turned down by both the older brother and the father. Dating a girl whose entire family hated your guts was not a good thing, so the Pro Hero had decided that getting on good terms with the youngest brother, Shoto Todoroki, AKA Shoto, would do wonders. He had originally wanted to meet up with Natsuo, who seemed to be the most lax, but he had a test to study for, so their meeting was never set.
“You want to date my sister,” Shoto repeated.
“Um, yes. Of course, I understand that right now, I’m definitely not worthy of her."
“That’s right,” the boy deadpanned.
Blinking twice, Hawks took a second to recover from his blunt answer. Be calm, Hawks. Be calm. ”Um... but I would like to try. I would like to try to be someone worthy of Fuyumi. Of course, I promise to love, care, and-"
“What?"
”Did... did I say something weird?"
“You think you can be worthy of Fuyumi?” Shoto asked, disbelief clear in his voice.
“Um... in time, I hope to-"
“You’re not dating my sister,” the boy interrupted, his indifferent gaze suddenly turning ice-cold. (This was more understandable than Dabi since at least half of his Quirk was ice.)
“But-"
“Do you know my Hero name?” he said, once again interrupting Hawks.
This kid needs to learn some manners. ”Um... was it... not... Shoto?"
“Nah... that’s what everybody calls me because I didn’t know what to call myself.” He was looking at his hand kind of creepily. “My real Hero name... do you know what it is?"
For some reason, Hawks was getting nervous. “No...? What... is it?"
“The Hand Crusher,” Shoto whispered quietly, still staring at his hand. “Do you know why?"
He was getting really nervous now. “N-No...? Why...?"
“Because everybody who ever stood against me... got their hand crushed... (This is a lie)."
Hawks was petrified. So yeah, maybe it was foolish to be this scared by a kid, but this kid was Endeavor’s son. If their previous meeting had proven anything, it was that Todorokis just didn’t know when to quit relying on homeowners insurance. Most likely, Todoroki Shoto, AKA The Hand Crusher, wouldn’t hesitate a second to kill him, even if it meant that his house would be burnt down again (Poor house).
“So, Hawks, I’ll give you two choices."
This kid gives me Dabi vibes, Hawks thought to himself. By this point, he was practically trembling in his seat. “U-Um... yes?"
“One: Leave this place, forget my sister, and never return or two: Leave this place, forget my sister, and never return, or three: I kill you here.”
He had to blink twice and slap himself a few times before realizing that Shoto was being serious. “Okay, um, not sure if you noticed, but A – Options one and two are the same and B – You’re much too violent for a boy your age, The Hand Crusher-kun.”
“I wouldn’t mind getting a little violent if it meant preventing a scoundrel, up-to-no-good villain like you from becoming my maybe brother-in-law.”
Like father like son, eh? “I know this may not be my place to say, but I really think your father would be proud of you right now, The Hand Crusher-kun.”
Before Shoto could possibly obliterate him to nothing, Hawks jumped up from where he had been sitting across from the boy. “Well now! I better get going, yeah? Sorry to bother you on this fine day. I”ve got some important business, unfortunately (This is a lie).”
“All right. Goodbye,” he answered stiffly, narrowing his eyes. He wasn’t entirely convinced that this man would leave his sister alone.
“Don’t forget to eat healthy, The Hand Crusher-kun!” Hawks called out as he walked out the front door. “A growing boy like you needs to consume the proper amount of veggies!”
“I’ll be keeping an eye on you, Hawks,” Shoto muttered under his breath.
The Youngest Brother, Todoroki Shoto, AKA The Hand Crusher (This is a lie): Fail
“Date Fuyumi? Sure, why not?”
Hawks nearly choked on his drink. He slowly looked up from his drink, his golden-brown eyes meeting Todoroki Natsuo, AKA Todoroki Natsuo,’s gray ones. Dare he hope? “Wait, what?”
The younger man shrugged nonchalantly. “I mean, why not? You do know that you don’t need my permission, right?”
“I do realize that, but I figured dating a girl whose entire family is against me wouldn’t be the best. But seriously – you’re not joking? I can date your sister?”
Natsuo took a sip of his drink, shrugging again. “Like I said, why not? I can’t make Fuyumi’s decisions. Did you ask her yet?”
“Not yet, although I plan to tomorrow. I just wanted to make sure you guys didn’t mind if I possibly started a relationship.”
“Then ask her. Don’t think another second about it.”
“Wow. Wow...” Hawks nodded slowly, as if only realizing what the boy meant now. “Wow... You know, I always thought you were a pretty chill and cool guy!”
Natsuo smirked. “Why, thanks. Means a lot coming from the Number Two Hero and like, the king of coolness. But-”
Uh-oh. But is never good.
“-since you took the trouble of inviting me out for lunch and everything, I thought I’d ask you a few questions myself.”
Uh-oh. Questions are never good.
“What’s your real name, Hawks?” Natsuo asked, an evil smirk playing on the corner of his lips. “Surely your parents didn’t name you Hawks.”
“Um... why do you want to know?” I knew it; this guy is as dangerous as his dad and brother!
“I don’t know, I just feel like calling you ‘Hawks’ is weird. If you’re going to pursue a relationship with my sister, don’t you think we deserve to know your real name?” His smile was truly creepy. Creepy was the only word to describe it.
“It’s Hawks,” Hawks replied flatly. “Just Hawks. My name is Hawks. I have no other na-”
“How about Keigo Takami, eh?” Natsuo interrupted shrewdly.
How in the world would Todoroki Natsuo know his real name? The one he had thrown away years ago, when he was younger than The Hand Crusher-kun? Nobody knew it. Nobody knew it and he had intended for it to stay that way.
“Hit the jackpot, have I, Keigo?”
Stay calm, Hawks. Stay calm. Remember your training. “I have literally no idea what you’re talking about, Natsuo-kun,” Hawks replied, smiling brightly at him. “I’m afraid Hawks is my name and my only name.”
The creepy smile faded from Natsuo’s face and he shrugged cheerfully. “Oh well, then. I was just looking at your Fandom page and it said that your name was Keigo Takami, but I guess Fandom can be wrong at times. (This is a lie because A - He doesn’t have access to Hawk’s top-secret Fandom page and B - He guessed the name at random.)
“Ah, I see. That’s a shame then. I rather like the name Keigo Takami, though, so it would’ve been nice if that was actually my name. Guess we can’t have everything we want, eh?” he said, forcing a laugh.
“That’s true. You know, the other day-”
“Ah! I better go now,” Hawks interrupted, standing up abruptly. He smiled sheepishly at a confused Natsuo. He didn’t need this college boy guessing more things about him. “Sorry, but I’ve got some stuff to do!” (This is a lie.)
The Younger Brother, Todoroki Natsuo, AKA Todoroki Natsuo: Succes-
“Oh, by the way, Hawks!” Natsuo called after him, cupping his hands over his mouth to project his voice further.
The Pro Hero briefly turned around. “Yeah?”
“You’re not allowed to date my sister!”
“But earlier, you said-”
Natsuo smirked evilly at him, creepy smile back. “Oh that? That was a lie.”
The Younger Brother, Todoroki Natsuo, AKA Todoroki Natsuo: Fail
“So what do you think of him, Mom?” Fuyumi asked tentatively.
“Well now, let me think... Handsome, nice, reliable, Pro Hero...” Todoroki Rei looked up at her daughter, eyes smiling kindly. “I think he’s perfect, Fuyumi.”
The young woman clapped her hands together and immediately crushed her mother into a hug. “Really? I’m so glad you like him!”
Rei chuckled lightly. “Now, now, dear, you’re going to kill me. But I do believe that he’s the best for you, Fuyumi.”
“I do too! He’s really kind, Mom. I just hope...” Looking out the window, Fuyumi sighed. “He said that before he could ask me out on a date, he’d have to ask Dad and my brothers if they approved of it.”
“Why, what a wonderful young man he is,” Rei exclaimed happily.
“Yeah...”
“Is something the matter? You don’t look so excited.”
Fuyumi took a seat next to her mother on the hospital bed. “You know Dad and Shoto and Natsu. Do you really think they’d let Hawks-san have an easy time?”
“I guess not,” her mom laughed. “You have a point there. Well, if he’s asking the family for permission, he’ll ask me too, right? It’s okay, Fuyumi, I’ll be sure to convince your brothers and father for you. After all, he sounds like a promising young man.”
The Mom, Todoroki Rei, AKA Todoroki Rei: Success..?
It would probably be more accurate to say that if Hawks hadn’t given up hope after his interactions with the Todoroki family that it would’ve been a success. Unfortunately, he had given up hope and he had skipped Rei. Alas, everyone would’ve been spared a lot of trouble if he had just gone to her first.
(It also wasn’t until a few days later when Hawks finally realized that Dabi had called Fuyumi his sister. Not much to say, except he might’ve gotten a heart attack or two)
(This is not a lie.)