Work Text:
Where the Petals Fall
A gentle wind drifted through the streets. A warm breeze, carrying the scent of spring.
Golden eyes wandered across the sidewalks. The first flowers of the season had begun to bloom in small patches of green. Feathers rustled softly in the wind, basking in the fading light of the setting sun.
Hawks slowly lifted his head.
The door behind him opened. After a brief moment, it closed again. Soft, steady footsteps echoed across the floor of his office.
A smile spread across Hawks’ face. His feathers gave a small twitch.
“Tokoyami, to what do I owe the pleasure?”
Silence.
Hawks waited, his brows pulling together slightly.
“Hawks.”
His feathers twitched again at the sound of Tokoyami’s voice.
“We’ve received calls from concerned citizens… they say they’re worried the Number Two Hero is about to throw himself out the window.”
Hawks blinked.
“And how exactly did they come to that conclusion?”
He could hear Tokoyami inhale slowly. He could practically picture him closing his eyes with quiet dignity. The image immediately pulled a grin from Hawks.
“You are leaning out of the window from the waist up. Please step back inside.”
Hawks laughed. His wings gave a single flap, using the lift to smoothly return upright into the room. His gaze immediately slid to Tokoyami, who stood there without so much as batting an eye.
“That’s called sunbathing, Tokoyami! Winter’s over, you know.”
He kept laughing under his breath as he walked back toward his desk and dropped into his chair.
Only then did he notice the stack of documents in Tokoyami’s hands.
Hawks wrinkled his nose instantly.
“Why would you do this to me?”
His eyes lingered on the papers as if they were something deeply offensive.
“Your sidekicks told me to bring them to you. You mentioned you were bored.”
Tokoyami placed the documents neatly in the center of Hawks’ desk.
A sigh slipped past Hawks’ lips as he let his cheek fall onto the stack, resting his head against them.
“That is not what I meant,” he muttered.
With practiced ease, he pulled his phone from his jacket and began scrolling. Tokoyami, meanwhile, moved to the extra desk and started sorting through paperwork.
Hawks’ gaze drifted back and forth between his phone and Tokoyami.
His brow furrowed slightly.
His attention settled on his feed. Every other post seemed to be about cherry blossoms. Hanami. Parks. Pink petals.
A faint, unfamiliar warmth stirred in his chest.
He had never really taken the time to look at them himself.
His eyes lifted again, landing on Tokoyami, who had just finished putting away the last document.
Hawks tilted his head slightly.
“These cherry blossoms are really trending, huh,” he murmured.
Tokoyami set the final paper aside and stood.
“The cherry blossoms hold cultural significance. Many people go to see them together. With family, friends…”
His gaze lowered slightly.
“…or their partners.”
Hawks’ wings stiffened just a little. The tips trembled faintly.
He sat up.
Partners.
The warmth in his chest grew sharper.
Hawks straightened fully in his chair, his fingers tapping absently against the stack of papers. A quiet moment stretched between them.
“So, what are you doing this weekend?” he asked.
Tokoyami’s eyes widened—just barely. Otherwise, he remained composed.
“I will be viewing the blossoms with my class on Sunday.”
Hawks’ fingers stilled instantly. A subtle twitch pulled at his grin.
“With your class?”
Fumikage tilted his head slightly.
“Well… a few of them, at least.”
Hawks’ breath caught.
Wait.
Just a few?
His heart began to pick up speed. He blinked.
Hadn’t Tokoyami put a strange emphasis on the word partners earlier?
Wait.
Does he have a date?
With who?
And why do I not know about this?!
“So you’re having a hanami?” Hawks asked.
Tokoyami nodded.
“Correct.”
Hawks’ smile widened—though there was something strained beneath it.
“Sounds… romantic.”
Tokoyami blinked, his head tilting slightly.
“Romantic?”
Hawks froze. His pupils trembled faintly before a laugh slipped past his lips.
“Ah, never mind.” He waved it off.
Tokoyami remained still for a moment before giving a small bow.
“I will take my leave—”
Hawks suddenly threw his legs up onto his desk, leaning back in his chair.
“The best cherry blossoms are actually in the park in the south of the city,” he added casually.
His finger kept scrolling through his feed, but his eyes flickered toward Tokoyami again and again, catching every movement. His wings were slightly tense.
Tokoyami nodded.
“Correct. That is where we are going.”
Hawks’ mouth fell open.
A tight, unpleasant pull spread through his chest.
“Oh. Well. That’s good, then,” he grinned.
“I will return to U.A. now. Until next time.”
Tokoyami gave a small nod.
Hawks grinned, lifting his hand in a casual wave.
“Bye bye, see you.”
His expression stayed in place—along with the wave—until the door closed behind Tokoyami.
Then Hawks froze.
The smile vanished. His hand dropped loosely to his side.
His gaze remained fixed on the closed door.
His fingers tapped lightly against the armrest. Slow. Uneven.
“With my class,” he had said.
Hawks’ eyes narrowed slightly, his stare boring into the door.
“At least a few of them.”
His finger stilled.
A few.
Why only a few?
If it’s only a few…
His wings tensed slightly.
“…a group date.”
His brow furrowed.
He pushed his chair back until it bumped against the window. His gaze shifted immediately outside—down to the street.
Below, Tokoyami was just saying goodbye to one of Hawks’ sidekicks. He wore his uniform, a bag slung over his shoulder.
He turned. Walked away.
And all Hawks could see was his back.
“With who?” he muttered under his breath.
His mind immediately began running through the class list of 3-A. His eyes narrowed slightly, still fixed on Tokoyami’s back.
“Shouto? Froppy?”
His eyelid twitched faintly.
“Bakugou!?”
His wings twitched.
He shot to his feet.
“No.”
A nervous laugh slipped past his lips.
“What am I even thinking. As if Tokoyami would be into someone like that.”
He kept laughing.
He started pacing around his office in circles. His wings moved restlessly. His heartbeat quickened. The tightness in his chest grew stronger.
He dropped back into his chair, leaned forward, and pressed his forehead against the stack of documents.
A deep breath. A sigh slipped past his lips.
“Damn…” he muttered quietly.
A low hum rumbled in his chest as he pressed his forehead a little harder against the papers. His wings drooped, half brushing the floor.
That unpleasant pull in his chest refused to go away.
He sighed.
Lifting his head slightly, he shifted position until his chin rested on the stack instead. A faint red mark lingered on his forehead.
His gaze drifted toward his phone. He picked it up, unlocking it with practiced ease.
His thumb scrolled.
Cherry blossoms. Hanami. Parks. Pink petals. Couples.
He paused on a post about the most romantic spots.
His face twisted.
“Way too cheesy,” he muttered.
His thumb moved again—then stopped.
A picture of the park in the south.
His golden eyes lingered on it for a moment. His wings gave a small twitch.
The screen went dark as he locked it again.
He set the phone down, leaned back in his chair, and stared up at the ceiling. His fingers laced together.
He didn’t move.
“…doesn’t matter to me,” he whispered.
Silence filled the room.
His feathers began to rustle softly against each other. His pupils flicked back toward his phone.
He leaned forward again, quickly unlocking it and opening the article.
Images of the park. Descriptions of particularly romantic spots.
A quiet grumble slipped past his lips.
His finger tapped against the desk now. His brows pulled together.
“Well… I’ve never actually seen them myself.”
His feathers lifted slightly.
A small grin formed on his face.
“As a Pro Hero, I should keep an eye on large crowds. Field research.”
He stood, stretching his body as his wings spread out behind him.
A faint smile settled on his lips.
His gaze drifted back out the window. The sun had already set. His eyes followed the direction Tokoyami had disappeared in earlier.
“Besides… coincidences happen.”
A quiet chuckle escaped him as he closed the window.
He turned, walked across the room, and switched off the lights.
--------
The sun shone brightly over the city. Birds chirped. Butterflies drifted lazily through the air.
And a very large bird landed in a cherry blossom tree.
That bird was Keigo Takami.
A grin spread across his lips as he crouched on the branch.
It was Sunday, and—purely by coincidence, after complaining endlessly to his sidekick—he had managed to get a day off.
His gaze dropped briefly to himself. Of course, he was dressed in civilian clothes.
His wings gave a small twitch as he remembered the looks his sidekicks had given him earlier—asking if he was sick.
Just because he had tried on multiple outfits.
His brows pulled together slightly.
Maybe I should consider cutting their salaries.
He lifted the brim of his cap a little.
His gaze swept across the park.
He wasn’t looking for anything in particular. Just observing. Seeing what was going on.
Field research. Exactly.
His golden eyes wandered across the open space. A few people were already there, even though it was still fairly early. Under several of the cherry trees, blankets had been spread out—families sitting together, a few couples scattered here and there.
Cherry blossoms drifted gently through the air.
Hawks rested his head against his palm, his expression slipping into something bored.
“Well… it’s not that amaz—”
He stopped.
His head lifted slightly from his hand. His eyes widened just a little. His mouth remained slightly open.
Black feathers immediately caught his attention.
His wings stiffened, tensing faintly. His heart began to beat faster.
There he was.
Tokoyami.
He stood there—calm. Elegant. His gaze tilted upward, his eyes following the falling petals. A small, warm smile rested on his face.
Hawks’ foot suddenly slipped off the branch.
He grabbed onto a higher one, steadying himself quickly. His breathing picked up. His eyes snapped back to Tokoyami. His wings twitched restlessly.
Tokoyami remained where he was, completely undisturbed.
Hawks’ heart pounded hard against his ribs.
Tokoyami’s dark cloak moved gently in the wind. Cherry blossom petals drifted around him, soft pink against deep black.
Fumikage slowly raised a hand, catching one of the petals.
Hawks’ chest tightened briefly. A faint warmth crept into the tips of his ears.
“Hah…”
A crooked grin pulled at his lips.
“Okay… maybe this place isn’t so bad after all.”
Hawks settled back onto the branch, elbows resting on his knees, his head propped up against his hand.
His gaze never left Tokoyami.
The other simply continued enjoying the blossoms.
Hawks found himself smiling.
A warm feeling spread through his chest. A soft, pleasant warmth drifted through his body. His wings relaxed as he focused on nothing but Fumikage.
“Mama? Why is there a man sitting in that tree?”
Hawks flinched. His eyes widened as his gaze snapped downward to a woman and her child.
The mother grabbed the girl by the arm.
“Don’t stare, Yuri. There are… unusual people everywhere,” she whispered—though Hawks heard every word.
A sigh slipped past his lips as he buried his face in his hands.
“Okay, Keigo, what now?” he muttered.
His gaze slipped between his fingers, landing on Tokoyami again.
Should I go over there? Pretend I just happened to be here?
His brow furrowed. His feathers rustled nervously.
Another sigh escaped him.
“Maybe I should just leave,” he murmured.
He slowly stood, stretching his back slightly. His gaze flicked to Fumikage once more before he could take off—
And he froze.
Tokoyami was no longer standing alone.
Someone stood next to him.
Hawks’ chest tightened.
Kirishima.
He was standing close. Talking to him.
And then—he casually slung an arm over Tokoyami’s shoulders.
Hawks’ feathers bristled slightly. His wings spread.
Hanami. Date.
Without noticing, his hands clenched into fists.
A hollow laugh slipped past his lips.
“Okay. Change of plans,” he muttered.
Kirishima leaned in a little closer, still talking.
That tight, unpleasant feeling twisted in Hawks’ chest. His feathers rustled.
“You don’t need to stand that close just to talk…”
Hawks lifted himself silently into the air, flying closer—careful, quiet.
He wanted to hear what was so important.
He landed in a nearby cherry tree without making a sound.
Guess that spy training is finally useful.
He crouched down, tense, focused.
“Alright, come join us, Tokoyami!” Eijiro called with a grin.
Fumikage gave a small nod before Kirishima let go of him.
Hawks’ wings were still tense. His brows pulled together. His eyes narrowed slightly, lingering on where Kirishima’s hand had been.
Kirishima’s footsteps faded as he walked across the grass toward the others.
Hawks’ gaze shifted back to Tokoyami—
And he froze.
Golden eyes met red.
Tokoyami was looking directly at him.
Hawks blinked. His breath caught. His feathers rustled softly. The tightness in his chest vanished, replaced by a racing heartbeat.
That warmth returned—spreading through his ears again.
He tried to say something. Anything.
Nothing came out.
Tokoyami tilted his head slightly.
“Good morning, Hawks. It’s nice to see you.”
Hawks stood still for a moment—then a quiet laugh slipped from his lips.
A smile formed. His wings relaxed instantly at the sound of his voice.
He slowly lowered himself to the ground, stopping a few steps in front of him. Warmth filled his chest immediately.
His head tilted slightly. His smile turned into a crooked grin as his hands slipped into his pockets.
He took two steps closer.
“Hey, Tokoyami. What a coincidence, huh?”
Fumikage watched him for a moment, considering.
“You knew I would be here today. Would that still be considered a coincidence?”
Hawks laughed. His heart pounded loudly in his chest. His gaze softened as it rested on him.
“Guess I forgot.”
“Hawks!?” a voice suddenly shrieked through the air.
He flinched. His golden eyes snapped to the side—toward the large picnic blankets where several students were sitting, arranged together to make more space.
Denki was standing, pointing straight at him.
Hawks’ wings twitched slightly.
The others turned, curiosity lighting up their faces. All eyes landed on him.
He raised a hand, slipping into his usual polished PR smile.
“Yo.”
Sero frowned.
“What’s Hawks doing here?”
Mina’s eyes went wide. Her gaze darted between Hawks and Tokoyami.
“Tokoyami brought the Number Two Hero as his date!?” she squealed, hands flying up to cover her mouth.
Silence fell over the group.
Hawks blinked. Once. Then again. His breath hitched as his heart suddenly began to race.
His gaze flickered between the students and Fumikage. His feathers rustled nervously.
He quickly raised his hands in defense, letting out a laugh—though it sounded strained, unsteady.
“No, no, that’s not what this is!”
His hand moved to the back of his head. He didn’t know where to look.
“Don’t say things like that. His date wouldn’t exactly enjoy hearing it.”
He smiled.
He had to.
Even if he felt anything but.
After a moment, the silence around him became impossible to ignore.
He looked up from the grass.
Confused faces stared back at him.
“What…?” Eijiro said eventually.
“What’s he talking about?” Denki asked Jirou beside him. She only shrugged.
A faint warmth crept into the tips of Hawks’ ears. His gaze slowly shifted back to Tokoyami.
His stomach twisted.
Red eyes met gold.
Fumikage didn’t look fazed at all. Calm as ever, he tilted his head slightly.
“I do not have a date today.”
His voice was quiet, steady.
Hawks stared at him. His mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
His brain tried—failed—to process it.
“…What?”
His wings twitched.
He doesn’t have a date.
He blinked.
So… this wasn’t a date.
His wings relaxed. His shoulders loosened. His heartbeat slowly began to calm.
A quiet, uncertain laugh escaped him.
“…Oh.”
His gaze flickered between the different faces around him.
“Guess I got things mixed up…”
The laugh lingered—but it sounded hollow now. Mechanical. His feathers rustled faintly.
Tsuyu tilted her head, tapping a finger against her chin.
“Then what are you doing here if you thought he had a date?”
Hawks’ breath stopped.
His smile faltered.
Yeah…
Why am I here?
That tight feeling in his chest returned, stronger this time.
His eyes flickered to Tokoyami again—his calm presence beneath the drifting blossoms. That quiet warmth.
His heart sped up once more.
Damn it…
He looked back at the others. His mind raced, searching for something—anything—that sounded reasonable.
“He is my guest.”
Hawks’ eyes widened.
Tokoyami’s voice cut cleanly through the air.
He stepped forward, his calm footsteps soft against the grass as he moved toward the blankets.
“I invited him, as he wished to experience hanami.”
Understanding murmurs spread through the group.
Hawks stared at Tokoyami’s back, eyes still slightly wide.
He’s… covering for me?
Tokoyami turned his head slightly, his calm gaze meeting Hawks’.
“Come. Sit with us, Hawks.”
A small nod.
Hawks’ heartbeat doubled. That familiar warmth spread through him again.
He nodded in return—still a little overwhelmed—but a genuine smile slowly found its way onto his lips.
And then he realized—
He had not prepared for this situation.
Hawks stood there, looking over the blankets. Over the students sitting along their edges.
They talked. Laughed. Teased each other.
And Hawks just… stood there.
He didn’t know what to do.
He could fight villains. Handle espionage missions. Analyze battles in seconds.
But this?
Spending time with people?
Spending time with Tokoyami?
He had never even dared to imagine it.
His feathers rustled softly.
His eyes scanned the gaps between the students. Should he sit down? Where? He didn’t belong here.
Maybe he should just leave after all.
“Hawks.”
Tokoyami’s voice pulled him back.
His gaze snapped to him immediately.
Fumikage was already seated beside Midoriya, his head tilting slightly toward the empty space next to him.
Hawks’ traitorous heart stumbled—and he moved without hesitation.
His steps were stiff. His muscles tense. His heartbeat loud.
He stopped in front of the space.
It didn’t look nearly as wide as it had from afar.
If he sat there… he would be right next to him.
He swallowed.
Red eyes watched him. Followed every movement.
He lowered himself carefully onto his knees. His entire body tense, his wings pressed tightly against his back, barely taking up any space.
He looked like the perfect participant in a formal tea ceremony.
His hands rested stiffly on his thighs.
A soft sound caught his attention.
He glanced to the side—
—and noticed the smallest hint of a smile on Fumikage’s face.
His eyes widened slightly.
Warmth spread from his chest through his entire body.
A crooked grin appeared on his own lips. His shoulders relaxed—just a little.
“You can sit more comfortably,” Tokoyami said quietly.
Hawks blinked, looking down at him, seated calmly in a cross-legged position.
He nodded slightly and adjusted, shifting into a more relaxed posture as well.
His wings loosened—
—at least until his knee brushed against Tokoyami’s.
A shiver ran across his skin. Warmth flooded his ears again.
The voices around him faded into the background. Laughter. Conversations.
All of it distant.
The only thing he could hear was his own heartbeat.
From that point on, his only goal was simple:
Survive.
And breathe.
-----
A soft whine pulled him out of his thoughts.
He glanced across the blanket. Mina was leaning against Kirishima.
“I can’t believe it’s almost over!”
Hawks blinked.
Midoriya nodded.
“It really went by fast.”
Hawks tilted his head slightly.
He leaned a little closer to Fumikage.
“What are they talking about?” he whispered.
“Our time at U.A.”
Hawks stared at him. His feathers rustled faintly.
“It’s so unfair that Tokoyami even gets to go work directly with the Number Two Hero!” Kaminari suddenly complained.
Jirou rolled her eyes.
“Maybe you shouldn’t have slept through class. Tokoyami actually worked hard.”
Hawks glanced sideways at Fumikage, a crooked grin forming on his lips.
“So you really did study extra hard?”
There was a teasing note in his voice.
Fumikage took a calm sip from his teacup before setting it down again.
“Of course. I have to live up to you.”
Hawks’ breath caught.
He straightened slightly, the warmth in his chest spreading again. His gaze softened.
His eyes drifted to the colorful blanket, over the petals that had already gathered there.
“I would’ve taken you either way,” he murmured quietly. “No matter what your grades were.”
He flinched immediately as soon as the words left his mouth.
His breath hitched.
“I— I mean—”
His eyes darted up quickly, trying to salvage the situation somehow.
But the words died in his throat.
Because Tokoyami was smiling.
Warmly.
Fumikage gave a small nod.
“I am aware.”
Hawks’ wings twitched lightly. His gaze remained fixed on him.
A smile found its way onto his own lips.
He pulled one knee up, resting his elbow on it, his head leaning into his hand.
“That’s good…” he murmured softly.
The conversations carried on around him. Hawks simply listened, letting the different moods settle quietly within him.
Then the sound of a camera shutter made him flinch.
He looked up.
Mina sat across from him, a wide grin stretched across her face, her phone held high.
Another click.
Hawks raised a brow.
“What are you doing?”
Mina’s grin widened.
“Documenting your first date!”
Hawks froze.
He blinked.
“Huh?”
A few of the students laughed. Kaminari leaned closer to Mina.
“Wow, that actually looks really good.”
Mina nodded proudly.
Hawks’ wings lifted slightly.
“Tokoyami, I’ll send them to you later—you can forward them to Hawks.”
Mina giggled to herself.
Hawks glanced carefully at Fumikage.
He simply gave a calm nod.
Hawks’ wings puffed up slightly.
He looked up, trying to steady the rapid beat of his heart.
The petals drifted above them like—
“…snow.”
As he watched them, his muscles slowly relaxed. His wings settled behind him, draping like a soft red blanket.
“Here. Try some.”
Hawks’ gaze dropped from the petals to Fumikage, who was holding out a bento box filled with small fried pieces.
His wings gave a small twitch.
“And what exactly is this?”
Tokoyami didn’t answer. He simply remained where he was.
Hawks sighed.
He grabbed one of the small skewers and picked up a piece.
“If I die, it’s on you.”
Fumikage tilted his head slightly.
“You will not.”
Hawks popped the piece into his mouth, bit down—
—and stilled.
His eyes widened slightly.
He sat up. His wings flared.
“Whoa—these karaage are illegally good!”
He immediately speared another piece and shoved it into his mouth.
Izuku leaned forward slightly, smiling.
“Tokoyami made them himself—he’s really good at it!”
Hawks blinked. His wings twitched.
“You made these?”
Fumikage nodded.
“You like karaage.”
The next piece nearly slipped from Hawks’ fingers.
He leaned forward slowly, his eyes never leaving him.
“You knew I’d be here?” he whispered.
Careful—so no one else would hear.
Fumikage set the bento box down in front of him and straightened, reaching for his tea again.
“I prefer to be prepared for all possibilities.”
Hawks stared at him.
Blinking.
And then—an honest laugh slipped from his lips.
“You’re unbelievable.”
And with that, he pulled the bento box closer, a soft, fond smile settling on his face as he quietly listened to the others again.
The day passed peacefully.
They ate together, laughed, talked.
Hawks hadn’t laughed this openly—this easily—in a long time.
Warmth settled deep in his chest. Quiet. Steady.
But slowly, the warmth of the day began to fade. The sun dipped lower.
“Alright, guys, it’s getting late—we should head back to the dorms!” Sero called out.
The others agreed, beginning to pack things up. Containers were tucked away, blankets folded neatly.
Hawks helped without a word.
That faint, uncomfortable feeling returned to his chest. His smile carried a hint of something softer. Almost melancholic.
“Bye, Hawks!” Kaminari called.
More voices followed, saying their goodbyes.
He raised a hand casually, slipping back into his usual grin.
“Bye bye!”
They began to leave. Midoriya turned back for a moment.
“Tokoyami, are you coming?”
Hawks’ brows lifted slightly—only now realizing that Fumikage was still standing beside him.
“I’ll walk Hawks for a bit,” Tokoyami said with a small nod.
Soft giggles rippled through the group.
“They still need to properly finish their date,” Kaminari whispered to Mina, who immediately started squealing again.
The group waved and slowly disappeared.
Silence settled between Hawks and Tokoyami.
They watched until the others were out of sight.
The soft rustling of cherry trees filled the air.
Hawks’ wings shifted slightly. His gaze kept drifting to the side—catching that dark silhouette framed by pink petals.
And with every glance, his chest felt fuller.
“You didn’t have to stay,” he muttered quietly.
Fumikage turned toward him, looking at him directly. His head tilted slightly.
“As Kaminari said, something like this should be properly concluded.”
Hawks’ heart stumbled.
He turned quickly, his mind suddenly blank. His heart raced. His mouth opened—but no words came out.
“H-He was just— I mean—”
His wings twitched uncontrollably now, a soft puff of air stirring around them.
Petals swirled wildly between them.
Hawks glanced up briefly—then back at Tokoyami.
A single petal had landed on his dark feathers.
Hawks stared at it.
That soft pink against deep black.
It held something… strangely mesmerizing.
His hand lifted almost on its own.
His fingers brushed gently over the feathers as he removed the petal.
A soft shiver spread from his fingertips.
Then he froze.
Realization came a moment too late.
A nervous laugh escaped him.
“I— uh… petal.”
He held it up awkwardly between his fingers.
Fumikage remained calm.
He gave a small nod.
“It does not bother me when you touch me,” he said quietly.
Hawks forgot how to breathe.
He stared at him, mouth slightly open.
“It is… quite the opposite,” Fumikage added, softer this time.
His gaze dipped briefly.
Hawks followed it.
Fumikages feathers.
They had fluffed up slightly.
Hawks’ brain short-circuited.
His wings spread unconsciously.
“…you’re not being formal anymore.”
Fumikage nodded.
“It felt appropriate.”
Hawks nodded faintly.
Still trying to process everything.
Silence settled between them again.
Petals drifted through the air.
“I should probably head back as well,” Fumikage said calmly.
Hawks blinked.
A quiet ache pulled at his chest.
A smile found its way back onto his lips—but it trembled slightly.
“Oh. Yeah. Right. I’ll see you.”
Fumikage didn’t move.
“You don’t look satisfied.”
Hawks froze.
A quiet, uncertain laugh slipped from him. His chest tightened.
It still surprised him how easily Fumikage could see right through him.
He was just about to make a light remark—
when Fumikage reached forward, fingers catching lightly on the collar of his shirt.
He pulled him down, just slightly.
Hawks’ eyes widened—but his body didn’t resist.
“Toko—”
He cut himself off.
Warmth brushed against his cheek.
Fumikage gently rubbed his beak against it.
Hawks’ wings shot up.
The warmth spread from his cheek through his entire body. His heart pounded wildly. His breath trembled.
And then—
something soft settled inside his chest.
Full. Warm. Real.
His wings slowly lowered again, shifting forward—almost as if they wanted to wrap around them.
Fumikage pulled back slightly, meeting Hawks’ wide eyes.
“I was glad to see you today.”
His feathers were slightly fluffed.
Hawks nodded faintly.
He couldn’t look away.
“Did you enjoy the hanami?”
Another small nod.
A smile spread across his face now—soft. Genuine.
His chest filled with something deep and bright.
“I think…”
A crooked grin tugged at his lips as his fingers carefully reached for Fumikage’s hand.
Slowly. Waiting.
The hand opened.
Closed around his without hesitation.
His grin widened just a little more. His eyes shone.
“…I’ll probably come here every year now.”
Fumikage looked at him quietly. A faint smile formed.
Warmth filled his red eyes.
His fingers tightened just slightly around Hawks’.
“I look forward to it.”
Hawks let out a soft laugh.
His gaze drifted to the petals caught between his wings.
A peaceful smile settled on his face.
He couldn’t wait to see the cherry blossoms again next year.
Together.