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Hawks thinks his mission is going well. He can now enter the Leagues base when he wants to. He makes sure to go at least once every week, even if he doesn't have any specific assignments. The Commission left the details up to him so he tells himself it's necessary. Besides, it's nice to have someone to talk to sometimes.
When he got back today from patrol, his house was cold and too quiet… not like the base at all, which was almost never empty and rarely ever quiet. Someone was always up to something. Toga and Twice gossiping in the kitchen, or Spinner and Shigaraki playing video games on the big TV, and Hawks missed it. He wouldn't admit it to anyone, but when he was with them, sometimes he felt like he was one of them. The thought felt like it should burn him, but he just kept it close to his chest and when he looked into the mirror, he decided to never speak about it to anyone.
"Hey guys, I brought food!" He shouted as he kicked at the door a few times, balancing the pizza boxes in his hands.
The door almost immediately opened, Toga was standing to the side, her yellow eyes shining with that teenage joy that cannot be faked.
"Hawks-kun! I missed you so much! Here, let me help!" she said and hopped over to Hawks, reaching for the boxes.
"Thank you Toga!" He said and placed the boxes into her hand. The inside of the base was what looked like it was used to be a warehouse, the walls were left bare letting the bricks show. Rooms opened from the gallery, but the ground floor was arranged like a studio apartment. They used paravans to separate the spaces.
When Hawks walked to the dining table, Toga was already cutting up the pizzas into slices, trying to calculate so everyone had enough.
"Toga, you can leave me out, I already ate before I left." Hawks said, settling into one of the seats, taking off his gloves. His hand was still cold from being outside. He rubbed them together a few times to warm it up faster. The Leagues base didn't have the best heating either. They saved money where they could.
"Are you sure? I can divide equally"
"Yes, I am sure, I brought this for you guys as a thank you… for taking me in" he let a little bit of his media trained smile spill onto his face as he gave a thumbs up.
"Hawks-kun, you are just so adorable! I wish we could keep you." Toga giggled, twirling his knife once in her hands. Hawks's wings ruffled for a second before smoothing back down again. Maybe it was not the best idea to be alone with Toga. He liked her, but she could be pretty crazy. He was still deciding if it was her personality or all teenagers were this unhinged.
Looked like the noise carried upstairs because in a few seconds Shigaraki's door opened and Spinner's head peaked out.
"Hawks is here?" he squinted over the distance.
"Hello Spinner! I brought pizza, I hope you guys don't mind." Hawks waved at him, flaring his wings a bit to make himself recognizable for the lizard man with his poor eyesight.
"Oh, why? Thanks man!" Spinner looked genuinely surprised "We'll be down in a minute!"
Shigaraki's swearing could be heard from inside the room before the door shut closed again.
Toga sighed.
"They are locked in there all day, can you believe that?" Toga said, her voice similar to that of a mother talking about her misbehaving children. "They only come out to eat and go to the toilet."
Hawks would've never imagined that the boss of the League was actually a huge nerd but he was starting to get used to the fact that no one here was what they seemed at first glance. And if Shigaraki was preoccupied with beating this new game, it was just all the better for him, because if he's here playing games, than he's not currently out and about to fabricate a plan that would plunge the whole country into chaos.
"I can imagine, and what were you doing before I came?" Hawks asked, making small talk while they waited for the others. Toga was halfway cutting the last pizza, but she suddenly stopped at that. She put down the knife and hopped over to the kitchen behind one paravan to the left.
"Oh, I almost forgot. I was microwaving this sock with rice." She said, and true to her words she was bringing over a sock shaped lump on a plate.
"Careful, it could be hot." she said, poking it with the knife, which made steam rise out of it. Definitely not hygienic.
Hawks was so confused. She was going to eat that? Oh he was so glad he brought pizza. This poor girl was about to eat actual garbage.
"Wow that's- How did I never think of that? Does it taste good?" Hawks has never seen someone cook rice like that. Homeless teenagers were really the most creative people he has ever met.
Toga just stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Hawks-kun, you are so funny! This is not food! Dabi's stinky sock would actually poison even me" she was jumping around joyously. This was when Twice and Mr. Compress walked out of one of the meeting rooms.
"Jin-kun! Did you hear this?" Toga immediately circled the other villain, who probably didn't know what was going on but spinning with the girl regardless.
"Jin-kun, Jin-kun, Hawks-kun thought we were going to eat Dabi's sock"
"Wow that's hilarious! I bet it tastes good." Twice said as he mirrored Toga and it looked like they were now having the time of their lives.
Hawks just felt heat creep up his neck at being embarrassed by Toga in front of half of the League. Well, that would be the last time he tried to be nice to the girl.
"So what is it for then?" He asked when the two dancing villains calmed down a little.
"It's a DIY heating pad" Toga answered, getting back to cutting up the last pizza and telling Twice and Compress to grab plates from the kitchen. They both obeyed wordlessly, Hawks could see who was running the house when their boss was not around.
"A heating pad?" Hawks wondered aloud "I was ordered to use heating pads once by my physician."
"Really?" Toga asked, her tone curious.
"For what though?" she gasped and her hands flew to cover her mouth. "Do you also… you know?"
"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." Hawks scratched at his neck awkwardly. "It was after a strenuous mission, I have kind of overworked my wings. Heating pads are good for relaxing tight muscles and they said it would stop them from cramping up too much."
"Hmm makes sense." Toga then touched the heating pad with her hand again, checking the temperature.
"It's perfect!" she exclaimed. "Now I'm just gonna wrap this in a towel."
Twice and Mr. Compress were already munching on some pizza on the ratty sofa.
"Thank you for the pizza Hawks, you shouldn't have brought anything, but it's very delicious" said Mr. Compress with his usual politeness that the other League members barely possessed so Hawks could appreciate it.
"No problem. It's my pleasure that I could help you guys out with something." he aimed for nonchalance, but he has never seen Mr. Compresses face before and he was more handsome than he imagined.
Hawks cleared his throat.
"So uh, actually, where is Dabi?" He looked around, realizing that he hasn't seen the man yet, even though he usually was one of the first people to great him when he visited the League.
"He's in his room. He actually asked me to bring this up to him" Toga said, holding out a plate with 3 slices of pizza and the heating pad to Hawks. "But I bet he would be happy if you went instead."
Her smile was carefully crafted but had that teenage shine that was always followed by mischief.
"Oh? You sure he won't kill me, right?"Hawks laughed nervously, but accepting the plate and the heating pad. While he was sure that him and Dabi had somehow developed a kind of dynamic that could even be called friendship or something more (stop it Hawks), it still felt somehow fragile and the man was lowkey unpredictable even on his best days.
"Nah, it'll probably be fine" Toga smiled at him and started pushing Hawks by his wings. He smacked her back playfully. She yelped before laughing again and going back to her pizza, and putting way more ketchup on it than Hawks thought necessary.
"Good luck, Hawks-kun!" she gave him a thumbs up and took a bite.
Hawks grumbled something about creepy teenagers and how he didn't wanna die and turn into fried chicken but made his way carefully up the stairs.
He stopped in front of Dabi's room, he had a cute nameplate and everything that was definitely a gift by Toga. He balanced everything in one hand and knocked with the other.
"What do you want?" came a muffled sound form the other sound. Dabi sounded a bit different than usual, missing it's edge that meant he was seriously angry, which made Hawks relax a bit. He was supposedly just tired, but not feeling murderous at the moment.
"I brought you pizza!" Hawks answered, trying to act cheery to disguise his nerves. "Can I come in?"
"Fine" came the grumpy response.
When Hawks opened the door, the first thing he noted was that it was rather dark in here. The blinds were down, only letting in enough light to barely see the figure curled into a ball on the floor next to the bed.
"Oh my god, Dabi, are you okay?" Hawks rushed in, almost forgetting the plate and the heating pad. He gently put them down on the night stand at the end of the bed, before carefully approaching the villain curled on the floor.
"No." came the muffled response, without Dabi actually looking at him.
"You're in pain" Hawks observed the villains form and the slight shiver that ran through his body, from his position, still keeping some distance. Why didn't Toga say anything? Dabi had a high pain tolerance, it looked serious, if he acted like this.
"What is happening? Who did this to you?" Hawks let his hero training take over so he wouldn't start panicking.
"Chill out Hawks, I'm just fucking cursed by mother fucking nature. No biggie" Dabi laughed dryly before wincing again and curling even more into himself.
"I don't understand" Hawks just blinked, his wings flexing, scanning for danger, information, anything.
"God, you're so stupid, how are you a hero?" Dabi said, but his voice was weaker than usual and the insult didn't hit as hard. Besides, the villain was still on the floor, looking rather pathetic.
"I'll give you a hint, I am on my fucking period."
"WHAT" Hawks was so confused.
"I should've known you're so stupid you don't even know what those are." Dabi groaned.
"No I- but I thought only women had those?" Hawks could now remember vaguely that he did learn about what periods were but even he could admit that the education he got from the HPSC was severely lacking in certain departments. Women's health was definitely one of those.
"Well, you're wrong"
"So, you're fine?" Hawks tried again.
"Well, fine would be an overstatement" Dabi grumbled.
"But you're not injured, you are just on your period?" He tried the word on his tongue but it still felt weird.
"God, you are so embarrassing. Do I have to spell everything out for you?" Dabi said, burying his face in his hands to show his immense disappointment in the clueless hero.
"Does it hurt really bad?" Hawks decided to ask, trying a different approach. Maybe they could have a meaningful conversation out of this. He always wanted to know anything about Dabi. He was… not going to think about the reason for that right now.
"Obviously. My insides are fucking shedding and I am literally bleeding into my pants." Dabi buried his face into the side of his bed, changing positions.
"Toga sent this" Hawks remembered the heating pad he got entrusted with earlier. If periods were natural, there was not much he could do about it, but if there was anything, he would do it.
He handed the sock with the rice inside to Dabi, it was still very warm.
"Oh my god, you could've started with this you idiot" Dabi snatched it out of his hands and set up so he could put it on his lower stomach area. He let out a deep sigh as he settled, the line of his brows relaxing slightly.
"You're welcome by the way"
"You didn't do anything, tell Toga she's my MVP" Dabi said, and Hawks detected a drop of fondness in his voice.
"You're starting to talk like Shigaraki." Hawks chuckled. Dabi started to pick up some slangs from the other League members which was the funniest thing in the world because he didn't actually know what they meant half the time.
"Shut up" Dabi said but it lacked the usual bite.
"Toga also said I should bring you food, here" Hawks put the pizza on the floor next to them. Dabi hummed appreciatively and took a slice. He didn't take a bite yet but he was staring at it with a conflicted expression.
"I bought the pizza, it's good, I promise." Hawks said, trying to fill the silence with some chatter. He decided not to mention, that Toga used the knife she used to stab people with, to cut it.
"Yeah, it looks good. I just" Dabi hesitated, still looking at the slice. "I don't wanna throw up again"
"Oh" Hawks was really going in blind, he didn't even know that some men had periods until a few minutes ago and he definitely didn't know that it could make you throw up, but if Dabi was up for it, he was also open to learn. "Does that happen usually?"
"Not always, but this morning I ate some chocolate because I heard that it can help with cramps and I just threw it up. It was the expensive kind too!" Dabi complained, waving his hand for emphasis.
"Damn that sucks! What kinda chocolate do you like by the way?" Hawks asked, scooting closer to Dabi until their arms almost touched.
"You are not slick" Dabi gave him a flat look, but instead of leaning away, he also scooted closer, closing the distance between them, almost leaning on the hero. Hawks tried to fight back the heat that was trying to crawl up his face, probably losing anyways if Dabi's smug look was anything to go by.
"Well then, how am I supposed to please my favourite arsonist if I don't even know what you like?" Hawks teased back to try and regain control of the situation. Somehow his brain has decided that it was extremely important to figure out what he could get Dabi as a present, to make the other feel better.
"I like…" Hawks could swear he saw Dabi's gaze flick down to his lips for a moment "whatever you give me"
"That sounded-" Hawks wet his lips, his mouth suddenly feeling dry "oddly sweet coming from you."
"Shut up, or I'll burn your wings off" Dabi threatened, still fidgeting with his plate of pizza.
"Alright! Didn't mean to make you angry. Maybe if not chocolate, would you be interested in some pain killers?"
"You have some?" Dabi looked at him with hopeful eyes and how could Hawks say no.
"I am a hero, remember? I get this stuff for free. Occupational hazzards and everything" he said as he reached into the one of his many pockets, and held the package out to Dabi. He immediately went to take it, before Hawks moved it just out of his reach.
"Not so fast, Dabs, let's make a deal. You have to eat first. Then you get some drugs"
"I'm gonna call my dealer" Dabi deadpanned.
"Your what?!" Hawks squealed.
"Just kidding" Dabi smirked. "But ok, I'll play your stupid game" and he took an aggressive bite of his pizza before he could overthink.
"This is actually pretty good." he said, mouth full of pizza, so Hawks could only guess it was a positive reaction from the way his eyes lit up.
After a slice was finished Hawks granted Dabi access to the pills and he swallowed them down easily. As they waited for the effects to kick in, Dabi yawned, and claimed he was getting tired.
Hawks thought it was a good thing that he was feeling that much better now that he felt he could relax.
It was getting late now and Hawks was debating if he should leave the man to sleep, until Dabi decided for him, pulling Hawks closer by his waist, and laying his head down, essentially using the hero's thighs as a pillow. Hawks let his hands fall on top of his head. Dabi's hair was so incredibly soft, and very messy from presumably laying around all day. Hawks let out a quiet thrill as his fingers started moving on their own to groom the others hair. It was quiet soothing and Dabi didn't seem to mind either.
" Will you come back tomorrow?" Dabi asked after a while, looking at him still resting his head in his lap.
"Probably. Why, do you miss me already? I didn't even leave yet" Hawks winked down at Dabi.
"Whatever, can you move? I have to go to the toilet" Dabi rolled his eyes and batted Hawks's hand away that rested on his head. He pushed himself up carefully.
"Huh, I feel much better now" Dabi said, stretching his legs out and started to stand up, using Hawks as a crutch, which made him let out a groan at the sudden weight.
"But I feel so gross" Dabi's face scrunched up which reminded Hawks of a cat who smelled a particularly stinky sock. It made him laugh.
"Don't laugh at my misery, stupid bird." Dabi pointed a finger at Hawks "You try bleeding every month and see how it feels"
"I'm sorry" Hawks tried suppressing his smile but found he couldn't. "Your face is just too cute"
"You're hopeless" Dabi said, but he was smiling too.
"I'm plenty full of hope thank you very much" Hawks countered.
"Leave some for the rest of us, damn" Dabi flicked at his forehead as he left for the bathroom.
The room was silent aside from the distant chatter of the other members of the League coming from the common area. Hawks's legs were starting to go numb on the hard floor after Dabi literally used him as a pillow for a while. He stood up to stretch out his limbs and shake out his wings as well. His patrol left him exhausted today and with nothing to focus on, he could feel his eyelids get heavy.
He took a look around the room that was probably an office once, the wall that faced the gallery had a window which would allow the supervisor to take a look at what the workers were doing in there. The glass was missing though, and it was fixed with cardboard and a lot of duck tape, a list of names were scrawled on with black markers, Endeavor's name on the top. Hawks guessed it was probably a hit list. Very edgy.
In the corner there was a bed with a metal frame, probably someone threw it out before, it was also fixed with duck tape and it looked ratty. A thick mattress was thrown on top, which was in a slightly better shape. Even as bare and messy, it looked inviting. Hawks could just… lay down for a minute or two. He would even get up before Dabi got back. It would just feel so good to stretch his back.
So Hawks pat the bed a few times and when he decided that it looked like it won't collapse under him, he carefully flopped on it on his stomach. His wings draped down the sides, and the stretch made him melt even more into the bed. He buried his face in his arms, and sighed deeply. It smelled like Dabi. Slightly burnt with a hint of iodine that always stuck to the other, probably because he regularly used it to disinfect his wounds. It used to sting his nose, but now he wanted to bury his head in it.
When Dabi got back, his bed was occupied by a gently snoring heap of red. He stalked closer and touched the top of the red feathers softly. Hawks stirred in his sleep, his wings shifting slightly, but otherwise no reaction.
Dabi put his hands on his hips and shook his head. Yep, there was no way the hero would be getting up now. He did a few stretches and decided that he was feeling much better after eating the food Hawks brought and laying around all day. The pain killer was probably the biggest help though. Dabi didn't know what they put in hero grade stuff but he bet it was the real thing.
If their hero was needed for an emergency, he had to be ready to go at any cost. He was almost sick at the thought of Hawks being in that situation…
Waking up the exhausted hero now didn't feel right and at the end Dabi decided to socialize with the League a bit, he could still hear their faint laughter from the common room. He patted the blond mess of hair one last time before murmuring a quiet "sleep well" and shut the door to let Hawks rest. It was a long day for him as well after all.