Chapter Text
Dabi was unsure about what was happening. It had been a couple of weeks since All for One was arrested, and the League had been attempting to keep a low profile. But now, the current Number Three Hero, who was soon to become Number Two, expressed interest in joining the League of Villains. Dabi saw through the deceit immediately and was prepared to end him right then and there.
'Hold on there. I have valuable information to provide for the League. I can be of use to you,'
Dabi saw through the hero's lies, but Shigaraki was intrigued by the potential intelligence this hero might bring. Dabi was tasked with monitoring the hero and sharing information with him. The information Hawks provided was both small and surprisingly useful. Dabi had to admit it was fun to toy with the hero, providing minimal and often humorous information in return. Knowing full well he was getting under the man's skin.
The Hero was annoying--everything about him was off. There was little to no information available on this guy. Dabi couldn't uncover his real name; he wasn't dumb. 'Hawks' couldn't possibly be a real name; he had no idea how the hero hadn't been questioned about that.
Hawks was said to be twenty-two, merely a year younger than the villain. It was awfully young to hold the position of Number Three hero, Climbing to such a rank usually demands years. The guy seemed like chicken; He couldn't shut up about it and he had done several ads for KFC. Dabi remembered a live camera Q&A where Hawks had mentioned that his favorite colors were red and orange. Trivial stuff like that was all the public knew about Hawks. It was as if this guy had appeared out of thin air.
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The flame villain sat down on a box, waiting for Hawks. 'Where is he?' The dumb bird was always late to their meetings. Dabi paced back and forth, when suddenly, a familiar voice emerged from above. "Hope I didn't keep you waiting," Hawks said, landing on the ground with a folder in hand. "You'd think a man known for being fast would get here earlier," Dabi retorted in a bitter tone.
Hawks settled onto the ground, perching on a wooden box beside Dabi. He appeared slightly uneasy. He handed over the folder, saying between breaths, "Sorry, hot stuff. I was a little tied up," Hawks said, slightly out of breath. Dabi rolled his eyes 'He always says the same damn thing,'. Taking the folder, Dabi asked "You seem in a rush. Got somewhere to be?", as he glanced through the folder 'More of these documents? Where is he getting these?'
"It's just the two of us here, right?" The uneasiness in Hawks' laid-back voice was palpable.
"Yeah, it's just you and me at this spot," Dabi replied, his attention absorbed in the documents spread before him.
"It appears the information you're providing is highly confidential. Care to enlighten me on your source?" Dabi looked up, his gaze piercing the hero.
"Being a hero of my rank makes it easy to acquire such information. That's precisely why I'm useful to you," Hawks responded, a perpetually carefree smile on his face. It seemed like that was the only expression the hero ever wore. "There's plenty more where that came from!" He gestured towards the folder nestled in Dabi's hands.
"Well, I suppose our business here is done." Dabi stood up "Don't I get something in return?" The hero inquired, rising to his feet as well.
"Let me remind you, we don't fully trust you. Hence, the information we're willing to share is limited. Besides, there's not much going on at the moment; we're focused on maintaining a low profile." Dabi turned away from Hawks.
"Guess you're right,' the hero conceded. Hawks began to walk away. "See you around, I suppose." He waved casually as he moved farther away.
"Why are you walking? Don't you have wings, birdbrain?" Dabi raised an eyebrow looking over at Hawks."I'm taking a break from flying, considering I'm on a break," the villain narrowed his eyes. "This forest is quite beautiful. I'm opting for a leisurely walk back to the city. That's all." Hawks' voice grew faint as he got further and further. Dabi's suspicions were heightened.
Dabi was, of course, going to follow him. He waited for a while, making sure the hero had moved far ahead before starting to trail him.
When Dabi caught sight of bits of red, he quietly took cover behind a tree. Hawks abruptly halted his steps. 'Did he hear me?' Dabi wondered.
"I know you're here." The hero's gaze swept the surroundings. Dabi was certain the hero was addressing him, but Hawks proceeded away from his direction, toward a dense bush. "Is this you?"
Dabi was thoroughly confused until Hawks turned away and spun to kick the bush, which abruptly transformed into a person. "whoa there, you got me," admitted the man on the ground. "Your senses are as sharp as ever." He pushed himself off the ground.
Dabi recognized this man as one of their new recruits. 'Why is he with Hawks?'
"Long time no see," the man approached the Hero. "And still as beautiful as ever." He attempted to hug the young hero. However, Hawks swiftly seized one of the man's arms, twisting it behind his back and slamming him against a tree. "How are you still alive? I thought-"
"Do you truly believe the commission can eliminate me that easily?" the man chuckled. "Are you happy to see me?" His smile held a touch of mischief as he vanished and reappeared behind the Hero. Hawks reacted instantly, grasping one of his feathers, ready to attack. Yet, the man thwarted him, using one hand to halt Hawks' and the other to shove him back against the tree. "Did you miss me?"
Dabi was baffled by the situation. Hawks seemed to be familiar with this man. What were they Talking about? The Commission?
"Why are you here? Shouldn't you have informed your family that you're alive?" Hawks maintained his grip on the feathers. "And what? risk being killed? Moreover, when I heard that you, of all people, wanted to join the League of Villains, I felt compelled to see you again."
"Did the commission send you here?" The man's hand gently brushed aside the strands of hair obscuring Hawks' face. "What do you think?" Hawks replied, his gaze locked onto the man's eyes.
"I expected them to, but why so early?" the man questioned. "I mean, with All for One behind bars, they shouldn't be that concern–" His words abruptly halted as Hawks' knee struck his stomach, forcing him to release his grip and double over in pain. "Why did the commission send you here?" He managed to speak through clenched teeth as he settled on a rock.
The villain's suspicion about Hawks seemed to be confirmed, but his thoughts were interrupted by the man's dramatic declaration.
"Oh! This is a suicide mission; they want to get rid of you!" he exclaimed.
"Hmm, that could be it," Hawks replied calmly. "But I'm still useful to them. I carry out missions for them; they can't just eliminate me."
"Oh, you poor thing,' the man responded with theatricality. "Considering Dabi, he might not be offering you much information. The commission must be breathing down your neck."
"I'll ask again, why are you here?!" Hawks demanded, his frustration evident."I want to make your life easier," the man stated as he rose. "I can provide you with valuable information, perhaps more than Dabi ever has."
'Their recruit was going to betrayal them,' Dabi thought from behind the tree.
"What's the catch?" The hero took a step back. The man placed his arm around Hawks' shoulder, handing him a card with a grin.
"No!" The bird hero's response was firm.
"Oh, come on." The man stood before the younger man.
"I am not having sex with you," Hawks retorted venomously.
Dabi widened his eyes.
The man continued, "It's a sweet deal. I'll provide you with information, and all I ask for is Ten minutes in private with you." The man's tone remained casual. "That's all."
"No! I'm not engaging in that for a few sheets of paper. I'm bound to die, whether by the commission or the League of Villains." Hawks crossed his arms.
"I mean, you have done it before." His words caused the birdman's expression to falter.
Dabi felt a sense of disgust creeping in.
"Those men were dangerous, and we needed that information," Hawks explained slowly, his gaze downcast.
"But what's the difference? Sure, they're keeping a low profile, but the League of Villains is far more perilous. They're connected to All for One, one of the most powerful villains ever. All Might is now retired. Some of their quirks remain unknown, and they're even recruiting other villains."
"Imagine the impact they could have on society," the man turned dramatically. "The information Dabi's giving you won't get you anywhere."
"Like you always said, anything for our society," the man walked towards Hawks. "A hero willing to do whatever it takes for societal betterment." He placed a kiss on Hawks' cheek and stepped back. "So why stop now?"
Dabi couldn't see the man's face, but he was certain he was grinning.
Hawks remained silent, his refusal to meet the man's gaze was a sign he was deep in thought. Was he actually considering it?
"Look at me," the man prompted. Hawks finally looked up. "When is your next meeting with Dabi?"
"Don't know. Dabi usually contacts me," the man nodded. "Okay, after your next meeting, come to the motel. Spend ten minutes with me, and in return, I'll give you the information you seek. Simple." The man's tone was as casual as ever despite the gravity of his proposal.
"Go home, think about it. I'll be waiting." With that, the man stepped back once more.
Hawks said nothing in response; he simply took off, clutching the card as he vanished into the sky. The man shrugged and started walking.
Dabi was left unsure of what to think. Surely, Hawks wouldn't actually go through with such an offer.
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"The next time Dabi saw Hawks, something was different. The hero was actually waiting for Dabi for a change, dressed in regular attire and carrying a duffle bag slung over his shoulder. Another folder was in his hand.
"What's with the bag?" Dabi gestured towards it. "And why aren't you in your hero costume?" The villain inquired; arms crossed. "Oh, this?" The hero seemed distracted.
"I'm meeting up with an old friend, and my hero costume is in the duffle bag. I'm planning to head to work right after" He smiled at the villain and then handed him the folder. "Let me guess, no information for me?" Hawks inquired playfully.
"You'd be right. There's nothing significant happening, so there's no information to share." Dabi said in a monotone voice.
"Well, that's okay. I hope the information is useful to you." Hawks bowed down. "I guess we're done here?" The Hero turned, giving the villain a glimpse of a clear pocket on the back that revealed a little card with a picture of a motel on it. Hawks was actually going to meet this guy. 'Was he truly that desperate for information?'
Hawks took off, the card falling onto the ground, but the hero didn't even seem to notice.
Dabi walked over to the card on the ground and picked it up. The villain looked down at the card in his hand.