Chapter Text
Hawks always hated his hero persona. He always thought it was cocky and arrogant but others seemed to love it. He couldn't see why it attracted Villains like bees to honey. But he really doesn't get a say so he chooses not to dwell on it. Hawks was signing autographs and living up to the hero he is supposed to be. when he heard what sounded like a large crack. His head snapped up so quickly he thought it would give him whiplash. He began to analyze the situation in front of him quickly. The first thing he saw was running citizens with dust rising behind them. He shot forward, his wings spreading wide as his eye continued to survey the scene. The second thing was falling debris. He began to shoot feathers out in the dozens to retrieve people as he continued to look around. Until he saw the source was an old two story building collapsing. He continued to send more feathers out to redirect and catch the rubble as it fell as well as removing citizens from the fray. The sounds and sensations his feathers were feeling would have overwhelmed him if he hadn't trained practically his whole life which is why his feathers continued to respond cordially. After all hawks is a hero his brain supplied but his heart seemed to whisper more like a puppet.
He heard a piercing scream to his left. Feathers already on their way he turned his head just in time to see this beautiful green haired lady crouched over a kid preparing to take the full blow. No need for that he thought as his feathers arrived catching the debris and setting it to the side. He let out a huge sigh of relief as they were completely unharmed. As the dust and chaos settled down he Looked past the duo he saw a broken support beam that caved outwards letting out a sigh he began to walk towards the building.
“Hello miss, are you okay?” Hawks asked the green beauty as he took a knee beside the two, his heart pounding so loud he struggled to hear. “Im okay, how about you buddy” She questioned her stunning green eyes peering down at the small child in her arms.
“YUKI,” the boy's mother screamed as she ran towards the trio. Grabbing her child and engulfing him in a hug as her panicked eyes checked him over before moving in an upward motion before locking with the green lady. She stood up still not letting go of her baby “And you” she cried choking on the air. “You saved my baby” She choked out in hard sobs. At this point they were both full on bawling and hugging each other as they continued crying.
Hawks had to take a physical back as he tried not to grimace at the emotions. He stood quietly listening to them rambling. Hawks was glad he endured it because, through it he learned the green haired lady's name was Inko. He thought it was a beautiful name and so fitting. Right as he let out a smile of contentment he was called over by an officer to undoubtedly answer questions and fill out paperwork. His smile fell into a resting bird face as he remembered he doesn't get nice things.
He nodded, handling all the boring stuff. He headed back to his agency where he spent the rest of the day finishing up paperwork. He got out of there about 11:37 pm. On his flight home he heard a quiet sniffling. Instantly he swerved and headed in that direction. With a swift turn he landed on a cute romantic bridge in a super small and quiet park startling the poor women in front of him.
“Oh it's you again,” she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. He looked down at her from where he perched on the bridge post like a little gargoyle. As a hero he got pretty good at reading people and responding to negative emotions. He took a deep breath before saying “Hey, Inko right?”
“Yes, and you were that hero from earlier, right.” she said nervously. Her voice was shaky as turned back to the little river under the bridge. He nodded with an affirming hum as he followed her gaze. The park was a rather small park as they were the only ones there. It had a small river that ran down the middle splitting the park in half with an old stone path leading all throughout the park. The only real lights came from the antique lamp post that glowed a faded yellow color. Hawks never even knew it was here. “It's called Cherry Wood park. Me and my son used to come here all the time” she quietly told him as if reading through his carefully executed mask. As she did he slid the railing down and walked next to her.
She seemed to hunch in on herself as her body started trembling “I- It was the only place my son seemed to be safe.” She began slowly hyperventilating as she fell to her knees. Hawks as the pro, he reacted instantly and followed her down “Ma'am” he said softly. She looked up at him, her eyes swollen with tears. He thought that was a good sign considering she was still responsive. “Miss, I must ask if your son is safe right now.”
Her eyes grew in panic and then relaxed. “I hope so” She said with a sad smile on her face as she seemingly tried to carefully regain control of herself. “Please pardon me ma'am but I must ask what you mean by you hope?” He questioned his brows furrowed with confusion.
She sighed before continuing “My son attends a hero school and they have had a rough year to say the least. He is there now.”. Hawks brain instantly snapped to UA and their new dorms system. Where Tokoyami is going to school. He looked her in the eyes and gave her a soft smile. “That's a relief. I know they aren't perfect but they'll do their best for him.” He told her confidently.
“I think I know that. It's just.” she tried before heaving a sigh out and continuing “ His hero career has just begun and he has already been hurt so much. You know it's just hard not to despise the hero work he seems so set to do. I just can't see why he wants this so bad. You know.” she started with what sounded like venom dripping in her voice for what seemed like a split second before it died down into sorrow. Hawks knew this situation was delicate and so he had to choose his words very carefully as he ran through his thoughts. “With all respect, what if it was him?” At her confused face he quickly continued. “If it was him hurt or in danger you would want someone to help him right.” She nodded at that with a quiet huff as she looked down in embarrassment, shame, guilt and hawks couldn't quite tell.
Carefully he continued “So if that's the case why stop him? If he wants to be that for somebody then you should free yourself from those thoughts that aren't helping you any more. Why not let go of them.” Inko turned her whole body away from him as she said something quietly he couldn't hear. “Sorry” He questioned. She turned him and half yelled “Because i'm scared” She let out heavy sobs as she collapsed into his arms sobbing. They stayed, her crying in his arms as he whispered reassurances to her for what seemed like forever in reality it was probably ten minutes.
“Inko, Can I call you that?” She nodded quickly. “ I know its fucking terrifing, I get to watch my firends almost die on the daily but know they get to save people like you and little Yuki makes it all go away for me. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean you can support him in other ways.” He finished looking at her quizzically as he tried to read her face. He found himself having a hard time though. “ What could I possibly do to help him?” she questioned, sounding upset.
“Well I mean you could call the school and figure out if they are offering therapy to the hero students and if not find him outside help. I could get you recommendations to therapists who specialize in heroes. Better yet I could find a therapist that specializes in hot moms in distress.” He saw her face go bright red and eyes widened. As he recalled what he just said, his face mirroring hers he smiled sheepishly. She broke into a giggle that made his heart flutter. He smiled as he continued “I also know for a fact one of the biggest things you could do for him is to show him you are there for him and are going to back him in his endeavors. That'll mean so much to him I guarantee it.” Hawks said confidently and he smiled a reassuring smile. Inko smiled back with a soft smile before she began “your right i've been a bad mom Huh.”
“Naw I don't think so I think you were a confused mom who needed help.” He replied, staring at her. They stood there quietly before she got a notification. She stared at her phone for a solid minute before whispering “Shit, It's already 12:40. I better get going. I still have to walk home.” she softly chuckled. He quickly replied, “ Wait let me walk you home.” Her eyes widened as he realized that came off more rushed and deprates then he meant it to. ‘God Hawks you're so dense.’ He thought harshly. Before steeling himself and adding “ You know cause im a hero it my job to make sure you're safe.” She instantly relaxed and she quickly agreed.
They began the fifteen minute walk to her home in a comforting silence. Upon arriving at her apartment complex he was not a fan of the place it was in a slightly higher crime rate neighborhood. He felt a feeling of dread wash over him at the thought of leaving her. They walked up the creaky steps to her door and she turned to him with her gorgeous eyes staring him down. “Thank you Hawks, I needed this.” She turned and fumbled with her keys as she unlocked her door.
“Inko wait do you have a paper and pen?” He asked as she quickly nodded and rushed inside disappearing for what felt like hours. It was maybe a minute he was just dramatic. Returning she handed him the Sticky Pad and pen. Taking it he began writing on it before handling it back to her. It read, Kiego Takami
(000) 000-0000
She stared at it, confusion clear on her face. Hawks interrupted her thoughts and said “That's my number if you need those recommendations or really anything.” she stared quietly looking back and forth between him and the note. “Thank you, Takami,” She said quietly.
“Please Inko, call me Keigo, I insist.” He told her. She stared before saying “Ok Keigo, Goodnight.” She gave a respectful nod as he returned it. Spreading his wing he flew off. She smiled, shutting the door. She walked towards the kitchen placing the note on the counter. Before proceeding to the couch where she unceremoniously flopped and screamed into her pillow she is pretty sure if it was not muffled by the fabric she would have had the police called on her. She rolled over, turning on her TV and she began day dreaming like a little kid again.
Hawks on the other hand flew above the city he was created to protect. He began to recall the events of the day and he thought about how enchanting Inko was from the start. He sees “Pretty Girls” everyday so he doesn't understand what about Inko caught his eye but whatever it was he was thankful for it he thought with mild amusement as he landed and walked into his apartment, took off his shoes and walked to the kitchen and put chicken nuggets in the air fryer. Rumi always joked that him eating chicken nuggets was cannibalism but she also gave shit for air frying them. What was he supposed to do microwave them? He wasn't a fiend. After finishing his nuggets he graped his ipad and walked to his room where he fell into the puddle of bed and began wrapping himself in blankets and searching the government database for anything on Inko. His one regret was not getting a last name. Apparently there were a lot of Inkos in Japan. He sighed.