Chapter Text
When Hawks got hired on, he wasn't expecting much of this small fast food joint. It was just a bit of money on the side while he waited for his other paycheck to cash in.
But who knew? Apparently people couldn't get enough of this small joint’s fried chicken. They also couldn't get enough of him either. It would be a lie to say his looks weren't the main reason he got hired. Between him, the fry cook and the manager, they needed someone with a little less of a thug type look.
Within time, Hawks had grown comfortable with the gig, though soon enough he'd have to focus on his main reason for being here.
His agency had sent him to investigate the chain as it appeared there was some money laundering occurring and they needed evidence of it. This particular location seemed to have a direct tie to the CEO, so it was their best bet. And it was appearing to be true with each day he stayed. He began to uncover more and more secrets this small joint held. He wasn't sure when he'd discover them all, but he had time. He could wait, as long as no one else suspected a thing.
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“Ey, bird brain, you daydreaming again?”
Hawks stayed leaning over the cashier counter, glancing to his coworker.
The guy went by the name Dabi. His multiple facial piercings, dyed black hair and arm tattoos should've landed him a job at Hot Topic, but here he was working the fryer. He had the burn scars to show for it as well on his arms.
“Mm, today's been pretty slow, don't you think?” Hawks gave him a glance with a grin.
“For in person orders at least. Don't tell the boss that or else he'll give us more tasks to do.” Dabi crossed his arms, looking out at the store. There was only one table occupied at the moment by a few high-school kids. They were always the messiest to clean up after, and neither were looking forward to it.
“Say, do you think you'll be working this job forever?” Hawks made small talk, standing up straight. He then turned and leaned with his back against the counter.
Dabi sighed. “I hope not. I think I'd burn this place to the ground before I get stuck here for eternity.”
“Well then say you do get your dream job, what would it be?” Hawks put his hands in his pockets.
“What is this? A personality quiz?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Just a curiosity,” shrugging, Hawks kept a light smile.
Dabi paused for a few, looking to the ground with his hand on the counter. “Dream job huh? Guess it doesn't really matter to me what it is, as long as I can rub it in my dad's face. Though, working at a chicken joint is a good way of sullying his name.” He smirked to himself.
“Oh? Revengeful I see. I can respect that.”
“What about you? You got anything?”
“Hmm maybe a pilot? I feel like it'd be freeing to be up in the sky.”
“You wanna fly a plane? I wouldn't even trust you to drive the delivery bike.” Dabi scoffed.
“Ah well,” Hawks put a hand on the back of his neck, an awkward smile following, “that's what dreams are for, right?”
“Guess so. Wouldn't kill you to have an achievable one though.” Shrugging, Dabi looked at the clock. His shift would be over soon enough.
The two glanced to their left as their boss peeked his head around the corner.
“What are you two idiots doing??? We're slammed on the drive through!!” Kai reprimanded them. “Dabi, get back to your station,” he turned to Hawks, “and if you have nothing better to do then we're out of fries- get the new bag from the freezer.
Hawks put on a smile. “Sure thing, boss,” he made his way to the freezer, giving Dabi a look. Looked like neither of them would get off scot free this time.
Their boss was always such an uptight person, and a clean freak as well. The guy constantly wore a face mask and gloves, so all you could see was his short black hair and his yellow eyes peeking out. Normally, they were narrowed in a sort of scowl at the fact his two employees were slacking off. Hawks was convinced he never saw Kai not glaring at them, but who was to say?
Taking the fries out of the freezer, he returned to the fryer area and set up a batch. Next to him, Dabi was getting a few batches of chicken done.
It was a quiet job overall. There was rarely any drama, besides the occasional hangry customer or two. It was stable and mundane, and that was comforting in a way.
But he had also grown comfortable to the things that were slightly off. The chicken definitely wasn't battered fresh. Certain customers got priority treatment over others, usually businessmen of sorts. Kai would have their necks if they managed to turn away any of those specific customers. He also always made sure he was personally the one to hand off those customers’ orders.
Then of course, there was the people Dabi had around him. A strange series of connections between a group of people who all had committed minor crimes in the past (mostly minor theft and such). Hawks wondered if perhaps Dabi simply fell in with the delinquents, but usually delinquents didn't have such high social connections to politicians, nor such a range in ages. A 16 year old girl was his youngest friend, and a 32 year old man as the oldest.
All these little things convinced Hawks more to stay. He could never show how much these things intrigued him, but sure enough something would become clear in time.
“...And it's time,” Dabi announced, tossing his apron off immediately. “I'm clocking off!” He called out to their boss at the window.
“But there's still a rush-”
“I made more than enough to last. If not, bird brain can take over,” he jabbed a thumb towards Hawks. “Anyways, my ride’s waiting outside. See ya.” He waved as he left the kitchen.
Hawks could hear Kai silently curse under his breath but not for long as he had to continue to take orders.
Yup. This was the fast food life some dreamt of. Hawks glanced at the fries. What a time to be alive!