Chapter Text
Hawks is aware that going in public right now will bring all kinds of unwanted attention, but he seriously, honestly, swear to god on auntie’s grave, is one hundred percent certain that a part of his soul will rot away if he doesn’t get Starbucks in the next...right now.
Facemask, sunglasses, ah fuck it; wings out. Everyone and their mom knows, anyways (not to braaaag, but he made international news. Yippee, his morality as a hero is once again up for debate, but this time on a global scale).
At least the wait for coffee isn’t long. He signs a few napkins and poses for a group of highschoolers, and then is left to take his coffee in peace. The first sip is like, just shy of sex. The stupid marketing on the cup ain’t wrong.
Hawks is trying to decide if he is yet capable of holding coffee and flying at the same time, when a familiar voice immediately puts him on edge.
“Don’t do it. You won’t make it past the block.”
Hawks spins, and his primaries start to puff instantly. The shift into hero mode is instinctual.
Nobody is on the street corner. One of the busiest roads at lunchtime, and it’s completely dead. That’s not a coincidence, and neither is the presence of Suits.
“You’re already in deep shit for that last stunt you pulled,” Hawks says, wearing his poker face. “Boss has been making some baaad calls.”
“Only following orders,” Suits shrugs, as always. “There’s been…some new developments.” Suits looks at his wings, and Hawks feels the urge to suddenly hide them. Suits clears his throat. “The president is willing to forgive your little legality stunt, if you come back to work for us.”
Hawks exhales, and tries not to grind his teeth. He stands his ground instead, filling his voice with nonchalance.
“You took my last wings, but you’re not taking these ones. I’m done with the spy shit.”
“You have too much talent to waste like this. Quitting isn’t an option.”
“I’m a hero, ” Hawks stresses, flexing the plastic cup in his hand. “It’s time I live up to the name.”
Suits cracks a smile, along with the wrinkles on his face. He doesn’t lower his sunglasses, but Hawks avoids his gaze just in case.
“That’s cute. You can’t atone for your sins. Trust me, I’ve tried.”
“Sorry man, but you taught me too well,” Hawks smiles, and sips his coffee. “I know what bullshit smells like. The commission is trying to save their own ass, but I know Enji. He’s not going to lose. So you can go back to the boss, and tell them they can suck my massive horse cock.”
Suits scowls at his language, and Hawks extends his wings.
He spills the coffee at the second block, so fuck you too.
~
The koi pond is a small comfort.
It’s quiet, and the artificial stream is a good white noise for Hawks’ messy brain. It’s full of TV static and bees and the sound of canvas rubbing on a wall. Sshhk shhk ssshk.
His body is tired and sore from flying less than ten minutes – and that fact frustrates him equally as much as seeing Suits did.
Hawks sits in a squat with his knees up against his chest, staring down at the large koi that swim in stupid circles. He sticks his fingers in the water just to see what they’ll do, and an orange one comes up to nibble at his claws.
The sliding door opens and shuts. The koi flinch skittishly, before they come back to bite at Hawks’ fingers again.
“You’ll confuse the fish if you keep doing that,” Enji says.
Hawks makes a non-committal sound.
A bench, that Hawks could very much be sitting on, exists a few feet away from the pond. Enji takes a seat, but doesn’t say anything more.
His presence makes Hawks uneasy at first – until his brain relaxes long enough to remember that this is Enji, not Suits.
Hawks flicks the water off his fingers, and asks, “How was patrol?”
“Uneventful.” Enji leans over to rest his elbows on his knees, and Hawks catches the shift in his peripheral. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
Hawks plays dumb, and warbles his feathers.
“Why do you assume something happened?”
“I don’t want to say I know you,” Enji says. “But I do.”
Hawks cracks a half smile. He finally turns his head to look up at Enji, and apparently, that’s what Enji was waiting for, because he reaches over to pet his rough knuckles over the top of his wings. Hawks shivers, and then leans closer.
“You’re not going to like it.”
“Try me.”
“Suits tried to get me to come back to the HC.”
Enji pauses. His hand stills in Hawks’ down-feathers, before he pets back up the bone. His voice comes out huskier.
“You’re right. I don’t like it.”
“It messes with my head whenever I see him,” Hawks frowns. “He raised me to be a killer. You know that, right? I was good at it, too.” Hawks swallows, “No matter how hard I tried, I still became my dad, in the end.”
Enji hesitates. Hawks wonders what would’ve happened if the cards had played a different game. If it had been Endeavor, instead of Jeanist.
“I’m not the person to lecture you on this,” Enji starts, and Hawks looks up at him. “But this isn’t about me. Hawks, you are not what you think you are. I’m going to win this case, so continue to be patient. You’re going to get your agency back, and you’re going to prove that you are no longer a lacky for their mind games.”
Hawks’ eyes water. He slides his head to rest against Enji’s knee, and wraps his arm around his calf for safe keeping. His throat gets tight, and Hawks tries to force a laugh to get rid of the burn.
“Sorry. I’m just – tired, right now.”
Enji exhales, and Hawks catches the tail end of the steam as it evaporates over the pond. His hand slides into Hawks’ feathery hair, and tugs gently.
“You don’t have to smile all the time.”
Hawks forces a grin, even though Enji can’t see it.
“But that’s kind of my brand.”
Enji tugs a little harder as a reprimand.
“I meant with me, you fool.”
Hawks’ eyes sting again. Enji might sound big and gruff and cold on the outside, but Hawks knows what he’s trying to say. He noses into Enji’s pantleg, and the koi try to rise up out of the water to nip at his toes.
~
Hawks has taken to flying at night, because he’s less likely to be spotted by cameras. He knows to keep up and away from the airline flight patterns. Also the cold feels good on his face.
Japan looks different at night. It glows with a second breath of life, colors blurring into neon bursts that scatter through the streets. He can fly a little longer each day — but only if he stretched, trained, and worked for it.
It’s exhausting, because Hawks is starting all over again; as if he’s six years old and learning how to fight upside-down and blindfolded.
Enji waits up for him at night, because he knows Hawks will cramp up as soon as he lands. All Hawks does is climb face first into bed, before Enji sets his book aside and rubs warmth into his hands.
Hawks doesn’t want to know what the world has to say about them. He doesn’t want to hear it. Because he really, honestly, can’t fathom another person understanding him like Enji does. Rumi says he’s like a brick wall. Hawks says yeah , but he’s fluent in mortar.
~
Hawks has been getting photoshoot requests up the hoohaa lately. It’s fucking weird, because hello, have you seen his face? But the world has a strange fascination with ‘the bird whose wings turned black’, so Hawks agrees to a handful of magazine covers, so long as they promise not to make him look like a monster.
“Make sure you get my good side,” Hawks jokes, but it lands completely flat on the photographer.
“None of the pros have a squeaky-clean image anymore, Mister Hawks,” she says. “In a world full of quirks, there are lots of little kids that are still going to idolize you, because you look like them. Be it wings, or scars.”
Hawks gapes, blown completely off his guard.
Oh.
“Wow,” Hawks says. The photographer then has the nerve to smile, the petite, sweet-lookin’ thing.
“Please sit on the stool and spread your wings, Mr Hawks! And look this way!”
Some of the photoshoots come with Q&As. Hawks tries his best to avoid those.
Everyone is asking if he’s going to come out of retirement (something he never even agreed to in the first place), and Hawks can’t tell them all the shit that’s been going on behind the scenes, so he just smiles and waves and tells everyone to follow him on twitter so he can beat out Rumi for the top spot again.
Hawks is actually in his own room this time, laying flat on his stomach as he scrolls through the news on his laptop. Enji comes and finds him sometime after sundown, and it makes Hawks happy whenever Enji seeks him out, instead of the other way around.
“Per your request,” Enji says, setting a warm bag of takeout on the side table.
“You are the apple of my eye.”
“What are you reading?”
“My interview.” Hawks tries to open the box with one hand, and pops a chicken nugget in his mouth. “Mmfh. The devil works fast but the tabloids work faster, huh?”
Enji sits on the corner of his bed, and Hawks’ feathers rustle in anticipation, like they already know Enji is going to pet him. Of course, Enji pushes his shirt as far as he can, and rubs up the scar tissue naturally.
“They’re eager to have more pros on the field. It’s messy out there.”
“Do you want me to move out?” Hawks asks suddenly. Enji isn’t that disturbed by the change in topic. He just simply says,
“Did it sound like I wanted you to?”
“No. I just think people are going to figure it out reeeal fast, with me popping in and out of here so much.”
“It’s your decision,” Enji grumbles. He doesn’t sound too happy about the idea, and it makes Hawks smile.
“Hey, they’ll be your rumors too.”
“Like I don’t have enough going around. Are you attending the rank gala?”
“Huh?” Hawks cranes his neck to look at him. “I can’t go, I don’t have my hero license back, remember?”
Enji sets a manilla envelope on top of Hawks’ keyboard, and his heart suddenly jerks into his mouth.
“Yes, you do.”
Hawks scrambles to sit up right. He can’t get his knees under himself fast enough. Enji pulls back his hand, just in time for Hawks’ wings to spastically go fwap fwap fwap –
“Shut up.” Hawks grabs the envelope, and gapes at Enji. “Shut up!”
“Almost a six month battle,” Enji shakes his head. “The justice system is ridiculous.”
Hawks opens the metal tab, forcing himself to go slow so he won’t cut the paper with his talons. His hands shake a little.
“I thought...I thought it’d be longer.”
“The commission’s desperation was their downfall. That’s your old contract -- you’re free to burn it. That is the right to your agency. Don’t burn that.”
Hawks sets aside the proof of ownership, and wordlessly hands Enji the file labeled contract.
Enji grabs it, and sets it aflame. It burns to ash, then to smoke, right in the palm of his hand. Hawks tries not to choke up. The smoke dissipates into the ceiling fan, and then that’s the end of it.
His entire life, born anew. Hawks swallows thickly.
“Thank you.”
Enji shrugs.
“Your hero license is at the bottom of that folder. You don’t belong to anyone anymore.”
Hawks wipes his eyes and laughs wetly.
“Just you.”
Enji steels his expression, but in contrast, pulls Hawks’ messy bangs out of his face.
“You’re a privilege, not an item.”
Hawks’ chest shudders.
“Ugh!” Hawks whines. “The nerve of this guy!”
“What--”
Hawks pushes the papers aside and squeezes Enji as hard as he possibly can. Enji leans back to account for his wings (donate a dollar, save a broken lamp), and Hawks just squeezes him tighter. Enji sets a hand at his lower back.
“Hawks.”
“You better stay quiet, before I cuff myself to your leg forever. I really -- fuck. I don’t know how to thank you for all this. I’ve never -- no one’s ever --” fought for me like this. “Sorry. I’m overwhelmed.”
Enji hums, and doesn’t flinch when Hawks closes his eyes and bumps his forehead against Enji’s.
“Well, I do have conditions.”
“Name them, I’ll do anything.”
“First, you’re not allowed to sign any more life-altering contracts before my legal team sees them.”
Hawks laughs, nosing over the bubbly texture of Enji’s scar.
“Deal.”
“Second. Our agencies will keep a closer working relationship.”
“Oh, my sidekicks are going to love that. You might want to build a flight pad.”
“Done.” Enji tries to pull away to get Hawk’s attention – and only succeeds by grabbing his chin and forcing Hawks to look down at him, like a disobedient dog. “Third. Only move out if you want to.”
Hawks’ stomach does some impressive somersaults. He turns his head to try and lick his fingers.
“We should hang some shelves around here.”
“What for?”
“Well, our new line of merch.”
“I’m not hanging that kind of crap in my room.”
“Fine, fine, we’ll keep it in the spare. I really miss my Endeavor collectables.”
“I’m sure you’ll find new ones.”
“We should do a team up line.”
“Do you want to be any more obvious?”
“Rumi and I had a team up line once,” Hawks argues. He pauses. “Well, everyone thought we were dating after that, but that’s besides the point. Think about the backpacks. ”
“Four, you’re not allowed to meet my merch manager.”
“Awwww come on.”
~
Hawks has a lot of phone calls to make. Reworking bank accounts, getting in touch with his PR rep, and dusting off the remains of his hero costume.
Hawks holds his phone between his shoulder and his ear and curses. “Shit. I’m going to need a new outfit.”
“And a new suit,” Rumi adds. “The hero gala is this weekend.”
“Double shit. Fuck me. You know it’s going to be another hero circle-jerk just to make politicians feel less shitty about all the people that died fighting the league last year.”
“Eeeeeh, I don’t think Endeavor will let that happen. They say they’re just going to announce the new ranks and let everyone mingle.”
“Don’t act brand new, you know it's all about the press.” Hawks sighs, and rubs his forehead. “I have to find someone to tailor a suit in three days. B-R-B jumping off the roof.” They both go the roof, the roof, the roof is on fire – before Rumi continues.
“Come on, announcing the end of your retirement at the hero gala is such a big dick move. Everyone’s gonna’ lose their mind.”
“Eh. The internet is going to find out either way.”
“You’ll get to see Endy in a suuuit,” Rumi sings.
Hawks pauses.
“Oh, say less.”
~
It was actually a very effective selling point. Enji looks so goddamn tasty in a tailored suit, Hawks could just cut him up and eat him.
Except, there is a super annoying downside that Hawks forgot about.
“We can’t show up together, can we?” Hawks sighs. He leans up to straighten Enji’s bowtie, and Enji lets him.
His suit is a deep navy blue, a shade darker than his hero suit, with a matching tie and velvet jacket lapels. It’s not a rental, and it definitely costs more than you think.
“Probably not,” Enji answers. “Best keep your hands to yourself, too.”
That… hurts a little.
“How unfortunate.” Hawks wiggles his fingers between Enji’s collar and his neck, feeling all the hot skin under the fabric, before he flips down the top collar and hides the strap of Enji’s bowtie. “That’s like putting meat in a tiger’s cage and telling them to sit. ”
Enji snorts. He grabs Hawks’ attention by setting his thumb under Hawks’ chin, and lifting.
“You don’t know what you’re saying.”
Hawks was able to find a last-minute tailor that was willing to sew a few holes for him. His suit is a swirly, nice maroon color – but you couldn’t pay Hawks enough money in the world to wear a tie, so he keeps the top buttons popped.
Hawks bats his eyelashes, and lets Enji look him over.
“Told you I can clean up when I want to.”
Enji rubs his thumb over Hawks’ cheek, and hums, “You shaved.”
“Just a little. I know you like the goat.”
“I never said that.”
“You thought it.” Hawks’ smile slides off, and he neutrally licks across his bottom lip. “I’m not the number two anymore, but save me a spot at your table. We can pretend it’s coincidence.”
“We’ll see,” Enji says, but Hawks knows it’s a yes.
Hawks isn’t excited about an evening separated from Enji, all while playing the single card. He’ll just have to grin and bear it, like everything else.
~
His entrance to the party is every bit as flashy and dramatic as the public expects from him.
There are so many cameras that he can’t keep track, so Hawks gives up on trying to hide the messy side of his profile, and just does his best to smile and wave.
Microphones are shoved in his face, but it’s all a part of the gig.
“Hey Hawks! Is it true you’re returning to the hero field?”
“Heyo! Yeah, actually! It’s been a long recovery, but I’m going back to the office next Monday.”
“Are you disturbed by any of the old traitor rumors?”
“Not at all. I’m leaving that past behind me.”
“The number one hero Endeavor has recently returned as well. Is there any correlation?”
“Well – yeah. He inspires me to keep going. I might not be the same Hawks as before, but I’m going to show you guys a new, better side of myself!”
Pop, flash.
“Hawks! I love the new wings!”
“Thank you, sweetie!”
“Baby!” Rumi bounces out of thin air, and grabs his arm. “There you are. The party’s inside, silly!”
“My bad,” Hawks laughs. He waves goodbye to the press as Rumi pulls him up the stairs and into the convention center, and when they’re past security, she lets go of his arm.
“Thanks for that,” Hawks sighs. He looks at her dress, and blinks at the slit that goes all the way up her thigh. “Damn, you look sexy. Who are you hitting up?”
Rumi cracks her knuckles outward, “Orca’s transfer sidekick, fresh off the boat from France.”
“Is she gay?”
“We’re about to find out.”
A new round of uproar starts at the door, and that’s how Hawks knows that Enji has arrived. Hawks tries not to look back, even though he really wants to.
Rumi reads him easily. She flicks her bunny ears and pats Hawks on the shoulder, saying, “I know buddy. It’s just a couple hours, then you’re free.” Hawks sighs dramatically, and Rumi laughs. “Wanna’ hit the bar early?”
“You understand me on a fundamental level.”
~
Enji and Hawks spend most of the night separated.
Hawks hasn’t seen any of these heroes since before the war. Everyone looks so different – including himself. New scars, missing limbs; even small changes, like new haircuts and piercings. It’s as if everyone came out of the battle feeling like they’d lost some control in their life.
Hawks’ wings are a heavy conversation topic. People like to pet them, which Hawks was never a big fan of, and they ask lots of questions. Hawks tries to play off the regrowth process, because it’s not really something he wants to talk about, and most pros get it.
The real surprise, is learning that some UA students were invited. Well – they do have hero licenses, so it shouldn’t be a surprise, but these events used to be super stiff pro-only access, so it’s interesting to see how much has changed in a year.
Hell, half of these kids might as well be labeled pros already. Nobody would even be here if it wasn’t for that curly-haired kid.
Hawks waves to him in passing, and Deku waves back. His mean, growly-looking shadow has been trailing him all night, and Hawks doesn’t want to get involved in that.
Hawks is on his second glass of champagne, when he spots a familiar head of feathers at one of the round tables. Hawks presses his wings tight against his back to move through the crowd ( whoop, sorry ma’am, don’t mind me, sorry –) and he grips Tokoyami by the shoulder when he finally makes it across the ballroom.
“Hey, bird buddy!”
Tokoyami jerks, and whips his head around to look up at him. The relief on his face makes his heart hurt.
“Hawks! You’re here.”
“Sure am. Damn, you look snazzy. My god, you’ve grown fast too – you’re almost done with your second year, aren’t you?”
Tokoyami nods stiffly.
“Yes. Two more months. Is it true you’re coming out of retirement?”
“Yup!” Hawks flexes his feathers. “I’ll probably never hit the number two rank again, but I’m going to give it my best. Hey – we match now, huh? I bet we could take some funny lookin’ pictures.”
Tokoyami is a very serious kid, so Hawks enjoys when he can make him smile. It’s gone quickly, the look in his eyes blurring over into fascination as he studies Hawks’ new wings.
“They are… mesmerizing. I didn’t know feathers could achieve such darkness. Much darker than my own…I am jealous.”
Hawks laughs and pats his head.
“I watched your performance at the sports festival – I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. You were amazing, kid.”
Tokoyami rubs his elbow and looks away.
“Thanks…”
Hawks clears his throat. The ballroom chatter is getting louder as people start to laugh, and Hawks can see Tokoyami’s classmates getting antsy at the table, so Hawks decides to just say what he came here for.
“Honestly, I owe you more than a few pleasantries. I never properly thanked you for saving my life.”
The kids’ eyes go big, and he flounders to cover up his surprise.
“No – that’s – you don’t have to…”
“As soon as you’re out of UA, I want you lined up at my agency door, got it?”
Tokoyami hesitates, and then bows deeply.
“Yes sir.”
“God, stop that. Did you eat yet?”
“No.”
“Go grab some food – and take your friends with you.”
Tokoyami nods seriously, and at that moment, Hawks catches Enji’s eye from across the ballroom. Enji nods subtly towards the table; and that’s his cue, folks.
~
The ranks are pretty much what Hawks expected. Rumi moved up the line, along with Eraserhead and that Deku kid. A highschooler hasn’t ranked professionally since All Might, so it’s kinda’ monumental. Hawks isn’t on the list, also as expected.
“That was a nice speech, number one,” Hawks greets. “Short, sweet, and to the point.” He sticks out his hand, and hooo, Enji glares nasty at him, because he’s forced to shake his hand like they’re distant acquaintances. Hawks grins. “Some would say I like ‘em long, but that’s just a rumor.”
Enji’s voice is gruff, and it never fails to make Hawks hot under the collar.
“Stop causing trouble.”
“Me? I’ve actually been on my best behavior.”
“I disagree. You and Miruko are the hot calamity tonight.”
“We danced to one song, it’s just gossip.” Hawks sits next to him at the table and grins sweetly. “Better her than you, right? Wait, are you jealous of a lesbian? I think she’s eating out a French girl in the bathroom right now.”
Enji grits his teeth and glares, “You’re testing my patience.”
“Did I get a good grade?”
“Hey Hawks!” A sidekick calls in passing, three cocktails balanced in his hand. “Love the wings! Good to have you back!”
Hawks waves, “Thanks, man!”
It’s a funny thing to receive compliments for. Like, hey, I spent a solid month hacking my guts into a toilet and screaming into a variety of throw pillows. Thanks!
Enji is in a grouchy mood, but Hawks can point multiple fingers as to why. He really, really, really wants to take Enji’s hand, but that’s something that they extra really cannot do right now, and it’s deeply upsetting.
The music changes from an edm song, to a waltz. Hawks stares longingly at the dancefloor. Maybe in a different life.
“Hawks!” Burnin’ appears, her wispy flame hair pulled up into a high ponytail. “Come dance with me!”
Oooh, that’ll really piss Enji off.
“Sure! I dance a mean tango.”
Hawks looks at Enji, who obviously isn’t going to stop him. So Hawks runs off, and Enji lets him go.
~
The rest of the gala is spent mingling. Hawks still has 20/5 raptor vision, so he’s very aware of where Enji is at all times.
Women used to avoid Endeavor like the plague, but he’s become more approachable in the last few years, and that fact is annoying.
Hawks would hang off his arm, if he could. He would trophy wife the fuck out of himself, if it meant the world stayed clear out of his personal life. He entertains the daydream of stomping all the way over there, and biting primally into the meat of Enji’s neck, just to show everyone who he belongs to.
The food is fine, the alcohol is whatever, the music is okay. Hawks is happy to see a few old friends, but is already tired from the way his phone is blowing up. As expected, social media is having a meltdown about his official return.
Rumi shows up again with half of her makeup missing, and Hawks sighs into his champagne flute.
“God I wish I was you.”
“You will be,” Rumi says, wiping her mouth. “In about five minutes. Big guy is looking for you.”
“Oh, thanks. I actually have a feeling I’m in the doghouse tonight.”
“Then get on all fours, baby, you know what to do.”
Rumi fist-bumps him, and Hawks makes his way through the hall. It looks like most of the kids took off already, so it wouldn’t be too socially unacceptable to dip soon.
He finds Enji speaking to All Might near the annex hall entrance. Enji’s round arms are crossed over his chest, but his face is the most relaxed that Hawks has seen him all night. It would be fine, if Toshinori didn’t look at Enji with so much reserved softness. They have a history that Hawks doesn’t like, and it nags at the back of his mind.
Hawks does something he knows he shouldn’t. He approaches quietly, and slides his hand along Enji’s wide lower back, leaning into his side as he bats his eyelashes.
“You were looking for me?”
Both Enji and Toshinori startle. Enji looks bewildered, and Toshinori just looks embarrassed.
“Ah, I’ll let you go. It was good seeing you, Todoroki-san.”
Enji grunts, and Toshinori dips back into the ballroom. Hawks pokes the bear just a little more, and slides his hand down to Enji’s ass –
His hand is ripped away by the wrist, and Hawks is forced to jog as Enji pulls him down a less crowded hallway. They find a unisex bathroom, and Enji tugs him in.
Door, slam. Back to the wall – click! goes the lock.
“You are such a brat,” Enji spits. Hawks’ wings flap against the tile, and he puffs out his chest.
“You had to go and make goo-goo eyes at the crypt keeper!”
“Jesus Hawks, are you serious? Do you really think you’re one to talk right now?”
“You told me to stay away!”
“I didn’t say to touch other people!”
Hawks pauses. Enji exhales a small plume of smoke out of his nose, and then he squeezes his eyes shut and pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Sorry,” Enji adds quickly. “That was out of line.”
Hawks blinks hard. Then, he bonks his head back against the door, and starts to laugh.
“Oh my god. I can’t believe we both spent the whole night acting like jealous children.”
Enji pouts, and it makes Hawks laugh harder.
“You knew everyone was going to be staring at you.”
“Enji! You’re number one! I can see your tits through your freakin’ shirt! Everyone is looking at you. ”
Enji leans down to kiss him, and it’s like his first full breath of air. Hawks caves immediately, leaning up on his toes and sliding his eyes shut as tingles roll back down his spine.
It’s like coming home.
They break the kiss together, and Hawks sighs as Enji kisses into his hairline.
“Can we go?”
“Yes.”
~
Hawks flies back to avoid any more crazy rumors, even though he’d kill a man to be able to suck Enji off in his limo (for legal reasons, that is a joke).
He gets home first, because the sky doesn’t have traffic. Hawks toes off his shoes at the door, tosses his coat on the couch and flings his socks somewhere.
It’s strange that this large, empty estate has become so homey to him. His agency paperwork is shuffled into a neat pile on the edge of the countertop. His mug rests next to Enji’s in the sink. Extra phone chargers are plugged into the outlets on the island bar. One of Enji’s books is bookmarked, and lays exactly where Enji left it last, right on top of Hawks’ laptop.
Hawks stretches his wings, and extends them to the ceiling, before drooping them and walking towards the bathroom. Maybe he can get a quick shower in before Enji comes home.
He just turned the handle on the shower, when the front door opens. Hawks pauses, glances at his reflection in the mirror, and then continues to undress. His hearing picks up Enji walking a similar trail.
The bathroom door squeaks, and Enji walks in as he’s unbuttoning his cuffs.
“Yo,” Hawks greets. Enji walks up behind him and grips the sink on either side of Hawks’ hips, dipping his nose into his neck, and Hawks purrs. “Oh my, isn’t that sweet.”
“Welcome back, hero,” Enji mumbles. Hawks laughs, and rolls his neck to the side as Enji mouths over the tendon there. He reaches back to fit his fingers into Enji’s short hair.
“Am I still in trouble?”
“You’re always in trouble.”
Hawks turns halfway to meet Enji’s mouth, and he loves the taste of tangy alcohol and a grown man’s raw fucking spit. Sue him.
“Am I finally going to get my shower sex?”
“Is that what you want?”
“Oh yes yes yes baby, you know it is.”
Enji bites his bottom lip and drags it out between his teeth, and it’s like someone flipped a switch right on his dick.
“You let so many people touch your wings.”
Hawks swallows. He didn’t know Enji had seen all that.
“Mostly just the teenagers. They get curious. Ahh -- I don’t really like them being touched.”
Enji hesitates. A strange look crosses his face, and his fingers flex on the bathroom sink.
“Does it bother you when I do it?”
Hawks blinks rapidly, like the very question just spit sand in his eyes. He turns around fully, his wings thunking the cabinet and losing a few feathers in the process. Hawks reaches upwards to cup Enji’s cheeks in his hands; he thumbs over the spot where hair can no longer grow on his upper lip.
“You have no fucking idea how much I love it when you touch me.”
Hawks gets the privilege of watching Enji’s pupils dilate. Hawks is pretty sure his own eyes do the same. He kisses Enji first this time, because he feels like a lion tamer when Enji lets him part his lips with his tongue and flick across his teeth.
Enji’s fingers roll up his back, and he gets a grip on both wings in one hand, and the sound that comes out of Hawks is fucking obscene. Enji pushes his clothed thigh between Hawks’ naked ones, and the pressure is awesome, but not as good as the solid heat of Enji’s erection. Ugh, Hawks loves turning this guy on. It makes him feel powerful as hell.
The shower is still running; Enji suddenly taps his butt.
“Alright, get in.”
“Aye aye, captain.”
Enji has one of those large overhead showers, and Hawks has to constantly blink water out of his eyes as Enji backs him against the tile and works a hand around his dick. It disappears between his large, slippery fingers, and it feels so fucking good that Hawks can’t even be mad about it.
With time, Enji has become more confident over sex; now that he’s less concerned about injuring Hawks. It takes little convincing to get Enji to hold him up in one arm and fuck him properly against the shower wall ( ugh, love your hand, baby — you wanna’ fuck my ass? Yeah you do, c’mere — yeah, yeah, you pick me up, make me your fuckin’ toy— )
“Hawks, shut up,” Enji growls. And then, “Why is there lube in here?”
Hawks flicks hair out of his eyes and smirks, running his tongue hotly from Enji’s jaw up to his mouth.
“Because I’m an opportunist. Don’t slip.”
“Easier said than done,” Enji mutters, then an additional fucking brat, and Hawks laughs until his moans are reverbing off the tile.
He loves how the water evaporates when it hits Enji’s skin. The glass is completely fogged, and Hawks’ wings are waterlogged and soaking but Enji still holds him up easy, the absolute fucking unit that he is. The stretch in his ass is so good, Hawks is sure he’s ruined for anyone else.
He loves to stick his fingers between his legs and feel Enji slipping in and out of him. The pace isn’t brutal, because Enji doesn’t have a death wish, but this is one of those rare times that Hawks doesn’t mind going slow. The rough, wet slaps are loud as Hawks is fucked down by gravity and back up again by Enji’s enormous thighs. Hawks gleefully claws patterns into his shoulders, and he gets off on knowing that it gets Enji off too.
A particular thrust goes so deep that Hawks feels it in his fucking stomach, and Hawks grunts like he just got punted over a france.
“Nghh! Fuck me.”
“You okay?”
“I’m fucking awesome — ahn, that’s dee — oh, you just got harder.” Hawks grins, drooling along the side of Enji’s mouth as their bodies slip together. “Does my filthy mouth turn you on?”
Enji turns his head and bites the side of his neck, like a slap on the wrist. It’s so hot that Hawks almost finishes.
“I think you just like to hear yourself talk,” Enji rumbles. Hawks laughs hoarsely; he braces his hands on Enji’s broad shoulders and works to meet his rhythm.
“Maybe. You wanna’ shut me up?”
“Come like this,” Enji demands, so Hawks does without question.
~
Hawks reaches over, shower-clean and buttass naked, and shoves his phone in Enji’s face.
“Look who made international news again. ”
Enji’s eyebrows raise, and he skims the text before burying his face back between Hawks’ thighs.
“You’re still popular. Stop worrying.”
“Ehh, I don’t know about that. I think controversial is more like it.”
“Just wait until your first arrest,” Enji mumbles, licking back up the squish of his inner thigh. He’s still resting on his side, and he pulls Hawks back into his previous position so he can throw his leg over his head. “You’re freaking out over nothing.”
Hawks pauses to moan, and then looks back to his phone, pulling the screen to his nose.
“I dunno’. I think I’m freaking out an appropriate amount. Oh wow, that picture of me and Rumi is everywhere, huh? – ah ah ah, Enjiii,” Hawks whines suddenly, his hand jerking down to grip Enji’s hair and pull him off his cock. “I said I was sensitive.”
“Then stop talking about Miruko,” Enji growls, and Hawks laughs, tossing his phone to the other side of the bed.
“My my, you really do have a jealous side. Maybe I’ve rubbed off on yo – unnn, okay, okay! I’ll stop.”
~
Enji is meticulously washing the rim of a fragile glass cup, when Hawks turns mid-sentence and bows deeply, almost in half. His tone is strangely polite, and quite out of character.
“Thank you for cooking dinner again, Fuyumi!”
Ah, that’s why.
Fuyumi pauses with a bowl in her hand, and then smiles warmly.
“You’re very welcome! I wanted to celebrate your recovery with everyone.”
Hawks stands back up straight again and smiles, “I wouldn’t want to celebrate with anyone else.” Fuyumi looks touched. It’s a relief to see them get along.
“Hey, Hawks!” Natsuo calls. “Show’s on!”
“Shit, coming!” Hawks calls. He wipes his hands on a towel and skids out into the living room. “So like, who do you think I need to call to get you guys on Family Feud.”
Shouto deadpans, “Nuh uh, no way.”
“Why not? I think it’d be hilarious.”
“Someone would definitely commit murder.”
“And by someone you mean…”
“Natsuo.”
“Hey! Dad always starts shit – ”
Enji raises his eyebrows, but shakes it off and sets the glass aside. He grabs another cup to clean, and Fuyumi finishes with the last of the leftovers, sealing a plastic tub with a purple lid.
A comfortable silence settles between them, as the boys jabber on in the living room.
“You know…” Fuyumi starts. “You don’t have to explain anything. But I just wanted to say that I’m happy for you.”
Enji blinks twice, and turns his head to watch his daughter rummage through the fridge.
“What?”
“I’ve never...seen you look at anyone the way you look at him,” Fuyumi says, and Enji feels horror start to crawl into the pit of his stomach. “Not even mom.”
Enji looks back at the sink. He can’t even defend himself. Enji exhales heavily, and lowers his voice.
“Does it bother you?”
“I think, as a family, we’re in a happy place right now,” Fuyumi says. “It’s not perfect, but it’s happy. That’s all I want for any of us.”
Laughter comes from the living room, and Enji turns off the sink.
“Hawks is preparing to go back to work. When he’s settled back in, maybe I’ll have a talk with the boys.”
“I think by then, they’ll have already figured it out.”
“Good, that’s even better.”
Fuyumi snorts, closing the fridge and wiping her hands, and Enji looks back to the living room, where Hawks is perched excitedly on the top of the couch, hugging his wings around himself like a blanket. Enji doesn’t know what Fuyumi means exactly by ‘the way you look at him’ — but he knows that Hawks is beautiful, and he can’t not look at him. He wishes he had the vocabulary to tell him, sometimes.
But Hawks probably already knows. He’s a clever bird, that one.
~
“Are you ready?”
“I still don’t know what I’m supposed to be ready for.”
“For my surprise!” Pause. “Well, are you?”
“Oh my god, Hawks. Just wrap it up, I have a meeting at seven.”
Hawks steps out of the closet (hehehehehe) and hops, making jazzhands in the air.
“Tada.”
Enji blinks, then blinks again.
“What are you wearing?”
“I haven’t had new techwear designed in years,” Hawks says, turning to look at his own ass (nice). “What took the longest were the custom wing-holes in the jacket. I told you so, by the way.”
The new nighthawks costume is similar to his old uniform, but it’s streamlined in the same color of black as his wings. He has additional thigh-straps for a variety of knives (seeing as he can’t use his knife-feathers anymore), and more belts with multiple functions (hogties, tourniquets, you know the drill).
His gloves aren’t as thick as before. These are fingerless, made to expose his talons (talons!!) but protect his hands from the cold while flying. His goggles are still a streamline yellow, but they shift between night and day.
“I am the terror that quacks in the night,” Hawks poses. “Now with more pockets.” Hawks shows off his fancy new flight jacket, with black fur on black leather. “They made me some custom weapons. Look, the knives have little feathers engraved in them! Oh, oh, and look, this is a retractable swo--”
Hawks bites off, as he realizes that Enji is now standing right in front of him. Hawks bumps back against the wall, and his wings go fwap as Enji reaches down and tugs on each of the thigh belts. It puts pressure on the veins there, and it makes Hawks’ legs tingle.
“Put down the sword, little bird,” Enji rumbles. Hawks tosses it to the floor without question.
Clink!
Enji tugs a little harder, and Hawks is forced to hitch up his thigh into Enji’s grip.
“Do you like it?” Hawks smirks.
Enji mouths over the spot of his neck that’s exposed, his cheek brushing Hawks’ furry collar.
“It suits you.”
Hawks inhales as he bites down shallowly; he reaches up to brace his hands on Enji’s round biceps.
“I ah. I thought you had a meeting at seven.”
“It’s been cancelled.”
“That’s convenient.”
“It is.”
~
Hawks has come to the conclusion that he will probably always be sore from flying. The chronic pain is part muscle strain, part damage from the scarring, but it’s nothing he can’t manage. He’s a toy battery that won’t last forever, but he’ll last long enough, and that’s what matters.
They never see him coming. Hawks takes most of his shifts at night, and in the new Nighthawks costume, he blends right into the sky.
He has to learn an entirely different approach to his fighting style. Before the incident, he could let his feathers do the work, but Hawks now has to push and train and be clever with his villain takedowns; swooping in from rooftops, staking out hideouts and observing from afar. It’s actually not that new — it’s just a little different.
His first arrest changes the game. Hawks was never much of an All Might fan, but he has his new I Am Here moment, and it feels great.
It’s amazing how much is muscle memory. Hawks sees the villain take off with blood on his hands, and Hawks drops on him right out of the sky.
A kick to disarm the weapon, an elbow to the nose to disorient him, and a knee at his back as soon as he drops. Hawks rips a belt from his thigh, ties his wrists, and the whole ordeal is done in seconds.
Tsuragamae meets him at the scene, and nods as a greeting.
“It’s good to have you back.”
And then suddenly, that’s it. No more debates about Hawks’ allegiance. No more doubts about if Hawks can keep up with the pros anymore. It’s suddenly obvious.
Even if I’m a little broken, I’m still enough.
“A seamless capture,” Enji tells him that night, rubbing the soreness between his wings. “What did I tell you.”
Hawks sighs into his arms.
“Yeah yeah yeah, you’re always right because you’re big and sexy and I’m wrong because of my twinkish inhibitions—”
Enji grips his whole asscheek in one hand. Jokes on him, because Hawks likes it.
“Do you always have to be such a smartass?”
“Yes, or I’ll die.” Hawks wiggles around to his back, pressing his wings flat so he can look up at Enji. “Okay, now roll over, it’s your turn.”
“No thanks.”
“Why not?”
“Because you always—” Enji pauses when Hawks squeezes his left pec and goes honk, “—do that,” Enji sighs. He snatches Hawks’ wrist before he can do it again. “Quit it.”
“But they were made to be honked,” Hawks argues. Thankfully, evolution has given him something called a right hand, and Hawks wiggles it around to try and grab Enji’s butt. He gets a single grope in before Enji is capturing that hand too, forcing Hawks’ wrists above his head. Hawks wiggles to test the grip, and mmm, it’s good and strong.
“Do you want to be punished?” Enji scowls, but his tone is more playful than his face. Hawks has gotten pretty talented at reading him, by now.
Hawks beams, “I’d love that, actually. Thanks.”
Enji raises his eyebrows. Hawks snickers at his expression, and wiggles further to try and nudge Enji’s ass with his heels. Enji just sits on his legs, which is a surprisingly effective solution.
“Fine,” Enji says. Hawks’ heart slams right into his dick — but all too soon, because Enji leans down and blows a fat raspberry into his stomach.
Hawks screeches.
~
Your favorite birdman has a new routine.
Wake up, wash his face, stretch for twenty minutes and then throw on the comfy red robe for some sweet sweet meds n’ coffee.
His shifts don’t always match up with Endeavor’s, and that’s okay. Today is one of those days, and it’s the mid-afternoon, so Enji should be getting off work soon. Hopefully. Probably.
“Babe?” Hawks calls, scratching through his hair as he yawns. “You home?”
He exits Enji’s bedroom. Shouto is sitting on the couch.
Hawks blinks. Shouto blinks. They both blink.
Hawks slowly pulls the robe so that it covers his chest. Shouto sighs.
“Let’s pretend I don’t know which room is my dad’s.”
“You’re a smart kid,” Hawks points. He finishes his journey to the kitchen and digs through the cabinets. “Please act shocked when he inevitably tells you in three years.”
“I’ll work on my surprised face.”
“Coffee?”
“It’s almost four in the afternoon.”
“Hey, you work a nightshift, then come talk to me.”
“You actually can’t tell, but I’m going through the five stages of grief right now.”
“That’s unfortunate. How did you break into the house?”
“I know where the spare key is.”
“There isn’t a spare key.”
“Yeah there is. It’s called the window.”
Hawks stares. Shouto stares back. Hawks cracks first, and Shouto smirks with him.
“You here for your dad?”
“No, I’m here to sit on the couch and eat his food.”
“Hey, me too!”
Shouto rolls his eyes. “Internships are coming up. I need to see if he’ll take me and my friends again.”
“I’ve got spots open.”
“No thanks.”
“You wound me,” Hawks says, covering his heart. “You wound me deep.”
“No. If you don’t take Tokoyami back again, I think he might cry.”
Hawks’ face scrunches up at the thought. Shouto nods in agreement.
The lock on the front door starts to jiggle, and Hawks freezes, barefoot in the kitchen. Shouto sits up straight and waves, whispering, “Quick, run!”
Hawks tries to run as fast as he can with a full cup of coffee, sipping off the top and going ow ow ow when he spills a little on his hands. He makes it to his own bedroom just in time for the front door to swing open. Hawks can hear their voices muffled down the hall.
“Oh. Shouto — you’re here.”
“Yeah. I called your office and they said you were already on your way home.”
“Sorry. Got held up with a villain.”
“How’s uh, crime fighting again?”
“Fine. Hungry?”
“Sure.”
Damn that kid is good. Hawks peeks down the hall, and Shouto makes another shoo motion with his hand. Hawks snickers and closes his bedroom door as quiet as he can.
“Have you seen Hawks?”
“No. The maid let me in.”
“Ah.”
~
Despite his looks, Enji is a light sleeper. It’s years of staying on your toes, of seeing monsters in the dark, of fighting the battles nobody knows about. Hawks gets it.
Most of the time, when Enji wakes and turns over, Hawks tries to ignore the disturbance. Enji is a quiet sleeper; mostly heavy breathing and light snoring. He’s hot and he heats up the bed and sometimes it’s too much with Hawks’ wings scattered everywhere, so Hawks will go back to his own room if it gets too bad, but they tolerate it most nights. Hawks actually likes the heat, and they don’t always get to sleep the same hours.
Enji’s body gives a short jerk and an inhale — and it tells Hawks that he just awoke from something unpleasant. Hawks doesn’t ask if he wants to talk about it, because he knows the answer will be a definite no.
Hawks wiggles his hand up to press against Enji’s chest, as if to say i’m here. Enji exhales when he realizes he’s woken him. His voice sounds grainy when whispered like this.
“Go back to sleep.”
Enji has never explicitly told him, but Hawks is pretty certain he knows what haunts Enji’s dreams.
“Want me to leave?”
“Do what you want,” Enji mutters, and turns over, facing the other way. Ahhh, so we’re going to play that game.
Translation; I really want you to stay but I’m too upset to say it.
Hawks wiggles closer and jetpacks him, worming his arm around him and pressing his nose into the short hairs at the nape of Enji’s neck. Enji tolerates it, which means Hawks’ translation was correct.
The sheets rustle while Hawks readjusts his wings, and then the room settles again.
“Go in late tomorrow,” Hawks mumbles.
“Why?”
“Because I want to cuddle you.”
“That’s not a good excuse.”
“Mm. Sounds like a good one to me.”
It’s really late, and tomorrow Hawks will work a day shift to train some interns, but he doesn’t mind being awake a little longer, just to soak this in.
Enji’s breathing is steady, but he’s not asleep. After a long stretch of intimate silence, Enji mumbles something.
“Do you remember that question you asked me? About Shouto.”
Hawks squeezes his eyes shut to recall the memory. He then blinks in the darkness.
“From all those months ago?”
“Yes.”
‘Would you let Shouto quit?’
Hawks sniffles, and scratches his nose on his shoulder.
“What about it?”
“The answer is yes,” Enji repeats. Hawks’ eyes widen, staring at the back curve of Enji’s ear. “If it meant preserving the relationship we have now. I would.”
Hawks curls his fingers into Enji’s shirt, seeking the warmth underneath.
“Okay. Have you been thinking about that a lot?”
“Mmm.” Enji picks his hand out of his shirt so he can squeeze Hawk’s fingers, and fuck does it hurt Hawks’ heart, it hurts him so badly. Nobody understands this man, not a goddamn soul. “I realized that our relationship has improved because his goals are still similar to the ones I set for him. I need to be prepared for that to change.”
Hawks smiles against his neck, and squeezes his fingers.
“I love you so fucking much.”
Enji tenses, but doesn’t let go of his hand.
“I still don’t understand...how.”
“Very easily, big guy. Very easily.”
Hawks doesn’t need him to say it back, because he already knows. Enji is a man of few words and many actions. Maybe he’ll hear the words one day, but it doesn’t have to be today.
“Me too,” Enji mutters — and that’s how Hawks knows that he’s trying. Hawks grins wildly, and squeezes him as hard as he can, like he’s trying to pop him. Enji grunts, and Hawks succeeds in making him three minutes late to work the next morning. In this house, we call that progress. By next month, he’ll aim for ten.
~
This time, Hawks sees him first.
Coffee in hand, Hawks flicks down his sunglasses and says,
“So you’ve been demoted to the coffee runner, huh?”
Suits turns to stare at him out of the hypnotic swirl in his eye, and Hawks doesn’t shy away from it.
“You can’t train brats when your whole department is shut down,” Suits grits through his teeth. Hawks presses his coffee cup against his lips and beams.
“Aww, that’s a shame. Maybe if you’re a good boy the president let you lick her boots.”
Suits clenches his jaw, and Hawks starts to snicker into the top of his coffee.
“You’re smug now, but the past will always come back to get you.”
“It already has.” Hawks tosses the coffee cup in the street trash can, and pops the collar on his fur jacket. “Maybe you’re the one that should learn to let go, Suits.”
“You best sleep with one eye open, kid.”
Hawks spreads his wings, and the civilians on the street stop to look and stare.
“Oh, don’t you worry about that,” Hawks sings. “Enji and I will be keeping a very close eye on the commission for you.”
Man oh man, the look on Suits’ face. Now that is some fucking good therapy.
~
Out of all the pro heroes in Japan, Endeavor is the easiest to spot from the air.
Besides the obvious, the hot glare of his fire can be seen for miles. He’s a flame that attracts all kinds of moths, so they never notice the bird of prey circling the skyline.
Endeavor is being cautious about collateral, so Hawks keeps his distance to call shots and stay out of his fire line. When a straggler tries to take off down the alley, Hawks makes his move.
All he has to do is swoop in close enough to fwap his wings once; the following wind is so strong it knocks the guy clean off his feet, and Hawks nabs him from under the arms, and flies back around to dump him behind the police line.
“Delivery!” Hawks calls.
The cops jump on the criminal like linebackers, cuffing the guy and shoving him into a van. It’ll never not be entertaining. Hey, that’s what you get for killin’ innocents.
Hawks can feel the heat of Enji’s fire blazing in the plaza, so he takes off again, the following gust stealing a few hats.
When Hawks gets close enough, he realizes that the fight is already over. The concrete is covered in burning embers, and the Bigman Boss villain is knocked out on the pavement. Hawks circles low, looking for a safe place to land.
“Was that the last of them?” Hawks calls. Enji holds out his arm, and Hawks takes the invite to land on his shoulder. Enji hardly even sways from his weight, the sexy bastard.
“I think so. I assume you caught the straggler?”
“Of course I did. Evacuated half the precinct while I was at it. By the way, they blew up the fucking Ihop, and I’m really pissed about that.”
“There are better pancake houses out there.”
“Not with all-you-can-eat for $4.99. I have interns to feed and they eat like a football team.”
Hawks can hear snickering from the sidekicks in his coms, and Hawks leans far enough to see Enji roll his eyes. He tips his head to speak towards the mic.
“Are we all clear, Burnin’?”
“Think so! We apprehended everyone on — wait, get down!”
A second explosion rocks the ground, and Hawks digs his talons into Enji’s arm to duck down and hold on.
“That would be a negative,” Hawks says. “Game plan?”
Enji looks to him. His eyes are a bright, sparkling blue against all the red fire still burning on the ground.
“You go high, I stay low?”
Hawks grins, and Enji smirks back, like he too is thinking about all the ass they’re about to kick.
We’re back in business, baby.