Chapter Text
Hawks knew what he was getting into when he agreed to his latest assignment. Infiltrate the League, gather information about its members and their plans, and don't get too close. Should've been easy for the number two hero. At least that's what he thought. Here he was, two months into the assignment and laughing as Spinner and Shigaraki argued over which video game to play and listening to Toga rant to Big Sis Magne about the girl from U.A. Uraraka, Hawks believes that was the little gravity users name. He would have to ask Tokoyami. Regardless, Hawks felt at home in this little bundle of misfits, no matter how much he tried to deny it. He was a hero, raised from the age of six to despise villains and tear them down. But, was it really in the name of justice if these people just wanted a better life? He was startled from his thoughts when Mr. Compress approached him, spinning a marble between his fingers like one might spin a pen.
"Hawks, you look lost in thought. Is something weighing on your shoulders, friend?" His voice soothed Hawks inner turmoil, calm and collected like everything else about the man. He slides his usual smirk on, a brave face he had grown used to as a second skin.
"Nah man, I'm good. Commissions been ridin' my tail feathers for this low use villain that got out of a temporary cell few days ago. Nothing much, just lots of paperwork and more trouble for those of us who enjoy sleeping at night." He replies smoothly. While it was true that a villain had broken free, the Commission had sent Endeavor out for that one. No, what the Commission wanted from the winged user was intel. Intel Hawks wasn't sure he could give them anymore. Compress nodded, leaning against the counter Hawks was sitting on.
"You know, my friend, if there is something bothering you, we are all here to help you. That's what family does."
Family. That word echoed in Hawks' mind, something foreign and unheard of. What was family at the end of the day? Kami knows his biological parents weren't worthy of being called his family, and the Commission was more his employers rather than family. Shaking that thought out of his head, he hops off the counter in one fluid motion.
"Yep. Of course man. Thanks for the reminder." He states, walking past the taller man and outside, hoping to get away from the confusion that lay tangled up inside his head. None of this made any sense whatsoever. He was supposed to be Hawks, the fastest hero in Japan. Fast didn't mean getting tangled up in the mess that includes emotions and feelings. It meant speeding through them with no time to stop and ponder what each feeling meant. Fast meant safety.
Shaking out his wings and looking over the city, he marveled at how many people could go about their day without a care in the world. Believing they were safe just because they had heroes to protect them or quirks to defend themselves with. Such beliefs were what allowed them to walk around in arrogant ignorance of the dangers that lurk just beyond the shadows.
He sensed the footsteps coming behind him before he heard them, turning to flash a grin at Dabi. "Hey Hot Stuff. What's going on with you today? Someone piss you off again?" He taunts the fire user. Probably not a smart idea, but Hawks loved playing with danger. Besides, it wasn't very hard to piss of Dabi. His fuse was shorter than a ticking time bomb in a heat induced warehouse.
"Just making sure you are ratting us out to your little hero pals." Dabi replies, his voice coming out as a rough drawl that had no right to be as intriguing and hot as it was. But alas, Hawks couldn't deny the fact that Dabi did indeed turn a few heads in the lower establishments of the league, including his own. He blamed his own attraction on his bird brain though and the fact that Dabi's faced looked like a Hot Topic magazine cover.
"I'm wounded Dabs. I've already told you I'm on your side." He smirks, his lips turning up into a grin sharp as is feathers. Dabi merely scoffs, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with the tip of his finger before bringing it between his lips. Hawks wrinkles his nose at the smell, but doesn't comment on it. Just because he didn't like smoking doesn't mean he should get onto Dabi for doing it.
"So," Dabi drawls out after a moment of silence, "Boss said you brought some pretty helpful information to us the other day. Gotta admit Birdie, didn't think you could be useful for more then your looks." The comment stung, but Hawks ignored it.
"What can I say, Staples? I'm full of surprises." He jests, stretching his arms above his head before dropping them back down to rest at his side. Dabi rolls his eyes at the nickname, but doesn't say anything about it. Win for Hawks then.
"There is one thing that amuses me though. Theres one hero you refuse to give us any information about. Miro, Mikru-"
"Mirko, her name is Mirko. And I wont let her get caught amongst this rivalry of villains and heroes anymore than she already is. She was my only friend before this, and I don't want her getting hurt." Hawks states, feeling his wings bristling at the cruel talk of his friend. He rolls his eyes, and Hawks has no doubt that this only makes Dabi distrust him further.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say Birdie." Dabi drawls, inhaling the smoke from the cigarette. "Just remember, one wrong move and I'm frying those pretty little wings." He drops the half used cig, stomping it under his boot as he walks back inside. Hawks sighs, looking out over the city once again. Something told him it was going to be a long night.