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Hawks was quickly realizing that today was not going to be as perfect as he’d anticipated.
To start, on his only day off this week, he’d already been called in twice for an emergency villain confrontation, which on most days would be just peachy- it’s not like he had a life outside of work anyway, but today was an incredibly important day, perhaps the most important day of Hawks’ entire adult life.
Today was the day he had his first date with Enji Todoroki.
It had taken months of subtle coercion and brazen flirting before Enji had even bat an eye in his direction. Now though, after all that work to get Enji to give a tentative yes, Hawks was running late for the maybe once in a lifetime chance at properly wooing his crush.
And of course with Hawks’ shitty life luck, he just had to run into the most slippery and infuriating villain of his life.
The villain was nowhere near as fast as Hawks, but every time Hawks managed to corner them they were able to slip right through his fingers. It felt like Hawks was trying to herd a cat into its carrier. Everything he did just seemed to waste his time, and the villain was no closer to being caught. Hawks would blame it all on his pre-date jitters.
After what seemed like forever, Hawks had properly pinned a few feathers in the person’s clothing to a nearby wall. The person was struggling against the feather’s desperately in an attempt to escape, but Hawks knew that was impossible- his feathers were more than strong enough to keep a single person pinned, no matter how strong or slippery they were.
Hawks walked over exhausted and frustrated, but filled with relief simultaneously. After they got this person into custody he could finally make his way over to the cute tea spot that Enji had agreed to take him to!
“Alright villain, your days of harassing old ladies and stealing candy from babies are over-”
The person continued to writhe in frustration, deaf to Hawks’ one-sided banter.
“Hey! Dude, quit squirming! I’m gonna cuff you now. ‘Kay?” Hawks’ voice had lost all it’s previous humor.
Finally the person ceased their struggle, and Hawks was thankful for the cooperation. As they made eye contact, Hawks could feel spite coming off the person in waves.
After a moment of their staredown, the person finally spoke.
“I was hoping you’d give up, but it seems now I’ll have to use my quirk on you.”
Hawks was immediately on edge, moving closer to secure the quirk proof cuffs on the assailant- but in that moment of hesitation the person swung up their legs and kicked them into Hawks' sternum, using the feather’s pinning themself as leverage.
Hawks grabbed at his chest cussing.
“Ugh, shit, alright then.” Hawks coughed out.
Hawks wasn’t too phased by the contact, as a hero he’d had much worse than a small kick to the stomach, but for some reason the feeling wasn’t so much painful as it was warm feeling. It felt like he’d just had a particularly smooth swig of whiskey, and the warmth was spreading down his throat and into his belly.
That couldn’t be a good sign.
Hawks looked over to the person still pinned to the building, a big smile on their face now.
“I hope you like this one- I think the choice I made was pretty on the nose.”
Hawks would have asked what they meant, but he couldn’t find his voice, only able to get out a small grunt before his vision started going in and out.
This was really bad. Without being conscious his feathers would slacken and the person would escape, in a last ditch effort Hawks pushed his body towards the villain, but his legs gave up halfway through, causing him to crash to the ground. By now he was barely conscious, only able to make out the faint laughing of a person who had gotten the best of him.
Hawks awoke slowly, his senses coming back to him gradually. The first thing he was aware of was the sound of police sirens and distant voices chattering. They sounded close to where he was, but he couldn’t make out any of the words being spoken. Next he could feel the sensation of an itchy blanket covering his body, rubbing against his feathers in a way that prickled, causing them to stick up in some places uncomfortably. Slowly, Hawks opened his eyes, blinking away the dark spots that appeared as they adjusted to the brightness. He was still outside, the overcast sky looking as wide and blank as a piece of printer paper. Looking down he saw the offending green blanket covering his body.
To the left he saw an alley with a few policemen standing by the mouth of it speaking with a detective, in the detective’s hands a pad of paper. To Hawks’ right were a number of police cars, that must be where the sirens were coming from.
Hawks tried to sit up but found the process much more difficult than usual, unable to get his body to lift up normally, his wings were constantly coming out to help balance him, and he couldn't seem to get a proper grasp on his balance.
After a few seconds of struggling hawks laid down again, now acutely aware of how strange he was feeling.
His wings felt much too large, and somehow in the wrong places. Now he was completely panicked, trying to get up even more ferociously than before, but this blanket seemed enormous, and was making it far too difficult to get up. Finally he was able to wrench the blanket from his wings, and now that he was upright he could see his surroundings much better. They were still on the street corner where he’d first encountered that villain- the one who’d kicked him in the stomach. Recognition dawned on Hawks, he let the villain escape, Damnit. No wonder the police were swarming the area.
Finally a police woman who was standing nearby noticed Hawks had woken up, walking over to him a bit cautiously. Hopefully she could explain what had happened after he lost his consciousness.
“Hello there, little guy-”
Hawks immediately disliked this woman. Sure he was a little below average height- but that was just downright insulting- although as she walked closer he could see she was of incredible height- completely towering over him- alright maybe he understood why she would call him that- but really she should reconsider talking to people like that!
He was going to ask her what was going on, but he still couldn't find his voice, the words not coming out as he hoped. He needed a glass of water or something.
Hawks cleared his throat, but the sound he heard was nowhere near what he’d expected, a warbled squawk coming out, just like before. Even when he made sure to enunciate each word as it came out, it seemed to be lost in translation from his brain to his mouth.
Strange.
Now that the woman was closer she seemed to be watching him intently. Definitely creepy. Hawks tried to get up off the cot, find someone more normal to ask, but as he looked down to slide his legs off the surface he saw that where his legs normally were, there were two bright yellow taloned feet, connected to some heavily feathered legs.
In an almost dissociative state Hawks continued to look himself over, poring over the feathers that covered his body, shocked to discover he had been transformed into a small bird-like creature. No wonder he found it hard to sit up. With not even a pair of hands to help him pat himself down and check for further irregularities he collapsed once again on the cot, overwhelmed by the ordeal.
“What’s happened to me?!” Hawks thought.
The woman, who had noticed his panicking, was trying to calm him down, but Hawks couldn’t register what it was she was saying- maybe this was all a bad dream, however the dull throbbing pain in his stomach was telling him otherwise.
This was really happening.
Somewhere in the middle of his breakdown Hawks remembered the date that he’d scheduled with Enji- the date he was no doubt going to be late for, and that was even more distressing than the whole bird thing.
“What if he thinks I was joking, or teasing him this whole time and I stood him up- He’s never going to speak to me again! Fuck!” Hawks’ heart was crushed at the thought.
What time was it? Maybe if he hurried he could make his way over and save some face.
Hopping up to his feet, err talons, he looked around once again. He’d travelled the entire country from the air, even without directions he could find the place-
Flapping his wings he decided he’d at least try and see if Enji was still there- He couldn’t tell what time it was, the sky had been gloomy all day, and they’d decided on a 2 p.m. meeting time. Maybe it was already too late- it could be as late as 5 p.m. for all he knew.
Shoving his anxiety down Hawks flew up, at least the feeling of his wings was still familiar, if a little easier to lift off from his smaller size. He could see the woman trying to get him to come down, and he recognized that perhaps it was an idiotic decision to be more concered with standing up his date than figuring out the specifics of his current quirk situation- but, damnit, he was a fool in love!
Being up high was always a comfort for Hawks. When he’d felt like his whole life was controlled by a faceless council of people who decided every second of his life, being completely away from all other people and stuffy meeting rooms was the freest he could be.
Now it was even more comforting, where everything was so confusing, the view from up high was the same as it ever was.
Of course in Hawks’ case, good things could never last.
He felt a few blips of water hit his wings and drip down his feathers. He was never the best at flying through the rain- but now, he had no idea if these little wings would be able to power through rain- let alone if the rain picked up into a downpour.
The tea place wasn’t too far from where he’d first seen that villain- perhaps he’d be able to escape the majority of the rainfall, and with that hope he flapped his wings even harder, rushing to their meetup spot with a renewed vigor.
By the time he’d arrived he was completely drenched, and struggling just to stay in the air. He was lucky the place wasn’t another mile over or he may have been doomed. He came to rest on a small rock formation that was next to the front of the building, a nearby overhang protecting him from the rain. He was flicking out his feathers, trying to get them at least somewhat dry when he heard the light tinkling of a chime by the front of the shop.
Out stepped Enji, still in his coat, a scarf wrapped around his neck, and sipping from a cup of something hot. He looked somber, staring out from under the awning into the rainy sky. Hawks immediately felt guilty. Sure, Enji never looked particularly ecstatic, usually sporting a frown, or a dour grimace when a topic he disliked came up, but it was fairly rare to see such a sad expression on the man, Hawks’ only memory of seeing such a thing being that day, so long ago, in a hospital room filled with Enji’s family.
A day Hawks both loved and loathed to remember. How broken Enji had looked, but also how relieved Hawks was to see Enji alright, and how happy he was to see Enji’s children and wife giving their father and husband support.
That was a few months ago now, and Enji wasn’t even married anymore. Today was supposed to be the start of a new relationship with them- but now Hawks found himself feeling as miserable as Enji looked.
Trying to get Enji’s attention, Hawks squawked, the noise sounding pitiful even to his own ears. However the noise sufficed, as Enji turned to look in his direction, his eyebrows raising in surprise when he saw just what was calling to him.
Enji was visibly confused, looking around the area suspiciously before walking closer to Hawks, still perched on the stack of stones.
“Hello, Bird.” Enji’s deep baritone played with the pitter pattering of the rain, making Hawks’ heart flutter.
Despite the situation, Hawks could never help being flustered by Enji. Enji looked noticeably more dressed up than usual, his beard looking even more neatly trimmed than earlier that week.
Hawks’ heart broke a little at the sight.
He had to somehow let Enji know that this was him! That he hadn’t stood him up, and that he really did want to see him today!
Hawks shifted slightly, looking up into Enji’s eyes intently, hoping Enji would be able to see through the quirk’s effects. Like a real love story moment! They stood there, eyes locked for a few minutes, until Enji broke the contact, taking his phone from out of his pocket. Hawks peered over, seeing that it was already after 4pm. That meant Enji had been waiting for him for over two hours.
Ouch.
Enji tapped on his phone before bringing it to his ear, looking over to hawks again as he waited on the line. After another moment of waiting he began to speak into the phone.
“Hello Hawks, I’m just calling again to make sure you’re alright. I’m sure you’re fine, I just…” Enji paused before releasing a long breath, “I just hope you weren’t regretting things. Please let me know- I wouldn’t blame you- and I won’t be upset, I- I’m sorry if I pressured you into this-”
Hawks couldn’t stand this any more, Enji was not allowed to be self pitying in his presence!
Hawks leapt up, squawking at Enji to try and stop him from the pity party he was having in Hawks’ voicemail.
“What the-”
Hawks flapped at Enji, until finally he put his phone back in his pocket, but now that Enji had done so, he had his hands free, and he used them to grab Hawks around his middle, like a feathery, oversized sandwich.
“What is your problem, you birdbrain?!”
Enji’s grip on him was strong. Even if he was trying, Hawks didn't think he could break out of it, so he stopped wriggling, content to be held in Enji’s large hands.
He chirped sweetly, as if in apology, and Enji seemed to accept it to some degree. Enji looked at him sternly before sighing, back to the more somber look he’d been wearing earlier.
“This must be some sort of cosmic joke or something…Either Hawks is in trouble, or Hawks is a real brat. What do you think, Hawky?”
Hawks recoiled at the nickname, but he also couldn’t take the insult laying down, so he squawked in disapproval. He was not a brat! He is charmingly flirtatious, thank you very much!
Enji laughed at the noise, scriching Hawks under his chin affectionately.
“You’re right Hawky, Hawks is most definitely a brat.”
Hawks was torn, one the one hand he loved that Enji was letting his guard down around him, but on the other his reputation was being tarnished, at the additional cost of Enji’s self-confidence. He really had to let Enji know what had happened.
Before Hawks could come up with a plan, Enji set him back down on the rocks, shaking his hands from the water that had gotten onto them from Hawks’ feathers.
“Goodbye, Hawky.”
Enji turned away, he must have been done waiting for Hawks. Honestly Hawks was surprised how long he’d waited to begin with, but he couldn’t just let him leave like this.
Hawks fluttered his way towards Enji, landing on his shoulder. Enji was surprised but allowed him to stay perched, giving him a once over before he continued walking, making his way to a car parked on the street nearby.
Enji opened the car door before stopping and giving Hawks an expecting look. Hawks didn’t waste any time before jumping off Enji’s shoulder into the seat. He wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth- and he wasn’t looking forward to leaving Enji alone, or making any pathetic attempts at flying home in the rain.
Hawks got comfortable in the oversized seat, plopping onto his tail feathers and stretching out his talons in front of him as he waited for Enji to make his way around the car and into the driver’s seat. After Enji got in, he leaned over Hawks, doing his’ seatbelt for him, as if that would prevent him from flying over the top in the event of an accident.
Hawks is sure if his voice box was capable of laughing he’d be cracking up about now. But for now all he can manage is a few squawks, which Enji seemed to find amusing.
“I hadn’t planned anything else for today, I suppose we’ll just return to the estate, Hawky.”
Well, this was fine he supposed. Hawks was vulnerable in this state, and Enji was probably the safest person one could spend their time with.
The ride was quiet. Enji wasn’t talkative, putting the radio on and listening to it at a soft volume, the rain pattering on the roof of the car and windows provided a calm soundtrack as well. By the time they’d arrived at the estate Hawks was about ready to fall asleep.
The driveway was long. They had to go through two gates just to get to the garage, but then finally they were parked, and Enji undid Hawks’ seatbelt for him like a true gentleman.
Unlocking a door that led inside Enji let Hawks perch in the crook of his arm as he took them both inside, being sure not to bump Hawks into anything as he took his shoes off and replaced them with his house slippers.
They reached what looked like a living room. Two couches were situated in an ‘L’ formation, a television hanging on the far wall, and a coffee table placed in the middle of it all. Enji deposited Hawks onto one of these couches before making his way into the adjacent room.
Hawks just sat there for a moment wondering where Enji had gone and why he’d even bothered to bring Hawks home with him. He supposed he did look a little helpless. He’d been rained on and probably looked like a drowned rat- maybe that heroic urge to help people had caused Enji to take pity on him.
Or maybe he was going to eat him.
Hawks shuddered. Enji would need to have some pretty strange tastes if that were true, and Hawks was fairly certain that was illegal- it was most likely Enji was just softhearted under that gruff exterior.
After a few minutes Enji made his way back into the room, his coat and scarf now gone, leaving just his trademark black turtleneck which had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Hawks took a minute to appreciate his bare forearms.
Walking over to where Hawks was still laying back on the couch, Enji brought out his phone, but after looking at it for only a second he slipped it back into his pocket.
“Alright, bath time, Hawky.”
Bath time?
Hawks supposed that was only natural, it’s probably dangerous to bring a random animal into your house without washing it, and Hawks was looking forward to warming up with a bath. He wasn’t dripping wet anymore but the rain had definitely left him chilly. So, with that in mind he jumped up onto Enji’s exposed forearm, careful not to puncture the flesh with his talons, and waited for Enji to lead him to the bath.
Enji’s bathroom was surprisingly modern compared to the rest of the house. Where everything else was wood and shoji screens, the bath was tiled floor to ceiling. An incredibly expensive looking bathtub was situated against the near wall, an electronic display by the foot of it, and a pad that looked to control the temperature of the water. It even looked like there were lights that could be turned on inside the bath, but Enji hadn’t done those up for Hawks.
Maybe next time..? That is if Enji doesn’t completely break it off with Hawks after today. Well, at least Hawks had a good excuse.
“In.” Enji commanded, shaking his arm a bit to get Hawks to follow his direction. To be honest Enji would probably be a horrible bird trainer. As if a bird with no knowledge of human language was just supposed to know to jump in the water. However, Hawks acquiesced easily, landing in the water, his wings splashing water all over the bathroom as he did so.
When he next looked at Enji he let out another round of his half-laugh half-squawks, because Enji was drenched. If Hawks looked silly earlier, Enji looked absolutely ridiculous. His normally spiky hair was now plastered to his forehead, and he had literal steam pouring off of him in annoyance. It was an image Hawks never wanted to forget.
Enji took some deep breaths before kneeling next to the bathtub, looking sternly at Hawks.
“Don’t. Do that.” Enji even raised a single finger at Hawks, as if he was reprimanding a small child. It was most definitely endearing.
Hawks attempted to wash himself, rinsing his feathers off and enjoying the warm water. He didn’t know how long he spent relaxing in the water- but it was the best he’d felt all day. After some time he noticed Enji resting against the sink, watching him in what Hawks assumed was bemusement.
Hawks floated on the top of the water, his wings at his sides like floaties, and he made some chirping noises at Enji. Enji smiled softly at that and Hawks felt his little bird heart skip a beat.
After a bit more splashing and chirping, Enji checked his phone once more before sitting up from where he was leaning, coming over to the edge of the bath once more.
“You done?”
Hawks flapped his wings, getting ready to depart from the bath. Enji put a towel on his arm, and Hawks flew onto it before shaking out his wings and tail feathers. Enji seemed to avoid most of the splash this time, but he was glaring at Hawks when Hawks looked back to his face. What was he supposed to do? Just stay wet?
Enji led Hawks to what looked like Enji’s bedroom, another towel laid out on the bed for Hawks. Hawks took the invitation gladly, jumping down onto the bed before he started preening.
Even in his normal body Hawks knew this was important after getting your feathers wet, so he didn’t delay in moving his beak through his feathers and getting them properly taken care of. Usually he would use his fingers, but the beak seemed to be doing a good job of it as well. Enji simply watched, perhaps he was interested in bird care? Hawks selfishly wondered if it was because of him.
It would take a while to be done preening, and Enji seemed to realize this, pulling out his phone and staring at it again. Maybe he was waiting for Hawks’ reply? Well, Hawks didn’t even know where his phone was at the moment, and even if he did have it he doubted he could get the thing open, let alone reply to Enji in a text message, so he put the worries from his mind. Enji might be anxious, but Hawks really had no control over the situation. Neither of them did.
After he’d preened his feathers enough, Hawks looked up to Enji and squawked to get his attention. He was going to try and communicate, but he would need some help from Enji.
Hawks flew over to the chest of drawers Enji was resting against. Maybe there were some papers and a pen he could get his talons on?
Hawks started pulling open the drawers, much to Enji’s confusion. Enji was trying to coralle him away, but Hawks was persistent. All he was finding was socks and shirts, and it was only when he was flustered from seeing some suspiciously lacy looking things in the underwear drawer that Enji finally wrangled him away.
“What is wrong with you now? Are you hungry?”
Hawks had been so busy being worried about Enji, and well, not being human anymore, possibly indefinitely- but at the suggestion of food Hawks realized he was starving. Perhaps trying to communicate could wait until after he got something in his belly.
Giving an assuring squawk, Hawks let himself be carried to the kitchen.
He could hear Enji asking himself what hawks even ate, before pulling out his phone and likely typing that question into google.
“You eat rats? Snakes? No way in hell am I feeding you a snake...” Hawks was similarly disgusted. Weren't snakes like, 90% scales? What does a snake even taste like?
Finally, as Hawks wondered what part of a snake was even edible, Enji came upon an answer they both liked.
“Chicken, you can eat chicken… Okay.” Hawks was eternally grateful for whatever web page Enji had been reading. No rats or snakes for dinner tonight!
“I wonder if it should be raw, what do you think, Hawky?” Enji turned around, rummaging through the refrigerator.
Hawks sat patiently until finally Enji put two pieces of pink chicken breast onto a plate and shoved it towards him. Normally it would be disgusting to think of eating it in such a state, but Hawks was so hungry, and his bird brain was telling him it was fine. So, without much resistance, Hawks grabbed one of the pieces in his beak and started horking it down, doing so in three rough movements. The second one soon followed suit and Hawks felt much better afterwards. Enji, however, was looking at him in thinly veiled disgust.
“Alright, now that that’s over…”
After successfully serving Hawks his dinner, Enji made some reheated leftovers for himself, which he put onto a plate before walking over to the living room, the same one Hawks had been waiting in earlier. Hawks followed after him, his talons clicking on the hardwood flooring all the way.
Enji sat on the end of the couch, putting his feet on the table, and turning on the TV. Hawks fluttered up to the couch and sat next to him. Looking over to the TV he saw the news was playing, what he didn’t expect though was to see his own face.
“-agency reported earlier that he has yet to turn up since earlier this afternoon. The police haven’t made an official statement on the matter- but his agency seems to be in the dark about what happened as well. They have some specialized locating heroes working in the area to find him, but people are left wondering where exactly the number two hero has gone-”
The TV went to black, and Hawks looked at Enji curiously. Enji looked pale, his eyes still affixed to the screen in shock, his hand limply holding up the remote.
“He’s… missing?” Enji sounded completely devastated- both ‘Hawky’ and his food completely ignored as he jumped up and put a coat on. Enji was almost out the door too fast for Hawks to realize that Enji was leaving to go look for him! Hawks flapped his wings, catching up to Enji in the entranceway, begging him to stay in frantic squawks.
Enji looked down at him, his eyes were manic, and at that Hawks was even more worried.
“Let me go, you dumb bird!” Enji yelled. All good naturedness he’d had towards Hawks was gone.
He sounded absolutely livid.
Hawks was flattered Enji cared so much about his well being, but he was also worried about becoming a roast hawk if he continued interfering. Giving out his most commanding squawk, he stared down at Enji seriously, trying to get across the futility of aimlessly wandering the city all night just to look for a guy that was sitting inside his house. If only he had the words to say as much.
Enji put up a fight, but the nervous energy seemed to dissipate somewhat as Hawks tried to calm him down. Enji looked crestfallen as he left the entrance. His coat was still half on, as he walked back to the living room before slumping onto the couch.
“You’re probably right, Hawky...I have no idea where he even is- I...I’m just so worried.” Carefully he picked Hawks up off his shoulder and placed him in his lap.
“We were supposed to have a date today, a real date. I never thought I’d have one of those again…and now he’s...”
Enji’s negative thoughts weren’t helping anyone, especially not himself, so Hawks tried to give a reassuring nudge to the bottom of Enji’s face with his own.
Enji let the nuzzle happen, rubbing his chin lightly against the top of Hawks’ head, but his mood didn’t seem to improve.
“I know it’s not reasonable to think it’s because of me, but what are the odds… I’d at least think he could tell me to my face- ahg, that’s so irrational it’s actually insulting… I’m sorry Hawky,” Enji let a few fingers comb through Hawks’ feathers idly. “I’m sorry Hawks…”
Goddamnit, where was this paper? Enji needed this explanation now.
Hawks flew around the room, finding a pen and bringing it back to the coffee table before making another trip around the room in search of something to write on. Enji didn’t keep much on the countertops, most of it being heavy looking household ornaments, but after some moments scouring each room Hawks found a planner sitting on a desk in Enji’s bedroom. Dropping the planner next to the pen, Hawks began trying to write Enji a message.
Enji watched in fascination as Hawks began prodding at the items.
Getting the pen cap off was both excruciating and fruitless. With no fingers to twist, and his beak having no grip to do so, the pen fell onto the table repeatedly from the effort. He tried to use his talons to scrape the cap off, but it was slotted in place too securely for that, which just left him pushing it around the table ineffectually.
Okay, screw the pen, maybe the planner would prove more useful.
Flipping it open he could see names and times scribbled on all the pages, each page filled with meetings and such until he came to today’s date, which had the least of anything in the planner: just a single name scribbled in at 2 with a small heart next to it.
Hawks damned every force imaginable that today had to be the day he got turned into a fucking bird. Ideally the two of them could be kissing right now if it wasn’t for this total bullshit. But, Hawks could be mad at the forces that be later, right now he was on a mission.
Taking the planner over to Enji, making sure to keep the correct page open, he pointed a single talon at the page, and then to himself.
He knew Enji was perceptive, so in theory this should work. However, as Hawks continued the motions, and Enji only stared back at him curiously, he was seriously starting to doubt that. Maybe the old man was dense after all.
Perhaps he didn't have Enji’s proper attention? Hawks squawked a few times before doing his pointing. There, that should do it!
Except Enji just continued staring, before taking the planner from Hawks’ beak, looking at the page, and closing the planner, looking 10 times sadder than before.
“You want to play?” Enji shook the planner in front of Hawks, as if he was trying to get a dog to play tug of war.
Well that hadn’t helped at all.
Hawks sighed, this was going terribly. He knew he was smart, he had been trained to be a quick thinker and good at planning, but as he looked at Enji shaking the planner sadly, Hawks couldn’t think of a single thing to do.
Eventually Enji tossed the planner back on the table, apparently having had enough of attempting to get Hawks to play.
“I just don’t understand any of this. What are you? It has to be a joke- a really bad joke...” Enji huffed, leaning back into the couch and crossing his arms.
His brow remained furrowed as Enji pulled out his phone for the fifth time that day- and Hawks didn’t need to guess just whose number he was punching into the phone.
“Hello Hawks, I’m- Everyone is worried about you.” Enji tried to compose himself, but even through the phone Hawks is sure Enji sounds distraught. Clearly Hawks being missing was bothering him more than Hawks would have thought. “If this is another mission just know I’m here for you like before- and I’ll do anything I can to help… Call me back. Please.”
Enji ended the call, slumping back into the couch looking nowhere in particular, clearly lost in his own head.
Hawks waddled across the table, perching in Enji’s lap in hopes it might bring him back to reality. After a few moments in which Hawks worried Enji might toss him from his lap and try to leave again, Enji just turned the TV back on, going to a recording of some drama Hawks had never heard of.
Glad that Enji wasn’t going anywhere soon, Hawks settled in, content to watch some TV. Enji seemed content as well, running his hands idly through some of Hawks’ feathers.
Maybe Hawks couldn’t tell Enji directly that it was going to be okay, but he would try his best to be a calming presence to Enji through this weirdness, and, while it might be a little selfish, he wanted to be near Enji to calm himself down too. Hawks had no idea about how long he might be like this- forever? Another 5 minutes? He was completely in the dark, but Endeavor had always been a calming presence to him, even as a kid, so being near the man now was a huge relief, if a bit irrational.
Hawks didn’t know how long they sat there, Enji lightly ruffling his feathers as Hawks snuggled into his lap, but some time after he’d lost count of which episode they were on, Hawks noticed some light snoring coming from above him.
Looking up he could see that Enji had drifted off, his face looking far more serene than Hawks had seen it today. It was nice.
Slipping quietly away for a second, Hawks flew to Enji’s bedroom, grabbing a blanket from the top of the bed, and bringing it over to where Enji had fallen asleep, draping it across his chest and lap. After appreciating the sight for a second, Hawks wormed his way into Enji’s lap once more, now covered by the blanket, and only then could Hawks get to sleep.
Hawks woke up feeling incredibly warm. It was still winter, so the feeling was surprising, but not at all unwelcome. Curling up into the warmth, he decided he would lay down for a bit longer, not yet ready to get up for the day. It was only when he felt that warmth shifting that he started to remember just where he was.
Opening his eyes was an ordeal, it felt like he’d had far too much to drink the night before, and all the lights in the room seemed to smear into a bright white mess, but after a few seconds of adjusting, Hawks recognized the inside of Enji’s living room. The TV was still on at a low volume, and he could hear the light breathing of Enji underneath him. Hawks shifted, realizing quickly that he was far closer to Enji’s face than he remembered, nearly smacking foreheads when he turned around to see him.
That was also when he noticed that he was distinctly human shaped again.
Thank God.
It felt like an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders. All the pent up anxiety from yesterday releasing all at once leaving Hawks feeling absolutely euphoric. He would’ve laughed out of relief but he had one tiny problem still.
How was he going to explain being in Enji’s house?
Maybe he could sneak out before Enji woke up. Hawks shifted to get up off the man’s lap but Enji stirred at the motion, and before Hawks could consider bolting through the door, Enji was opening his eyes and looking straight at him.
There was a tense moment where they stared at one another, until Hawks couldn’t take it anymore, raising a hand to wave at Enji awkwardly.
“Good morning.” Hawks’ words sparked Enji out of his bewildered stare, causing Enji to grab Hawks by the shoulders, looking him over for injuries or anything out of the norm. This was also the time at which Hawks realized he was completely naked.
Enji didn’t seem to care though, too confused by Hawks even being there to begin with.
“Hawks?! Are you alright? What are you doing here?!” Enji’s voice was strained with panic.
Hawks didn’t know where to begin.
“Yeah, funny story, So, first things first, I’m okay, but I-uh, ran into a villain yesterday, strangest quirk that guy had I, uhm,” Hawks cleared his throat, he wasn’t sure how to explain just what had happened yesterday, but Enji was staring at him intensely, waiting for him to finish, so he spit it out as best he could. “I uh, y’know that bird? That was me, I guess he had an animal quirk or something? I don’t exactly kn-”
Hawks was cut off as Enji realized just what he was saying, and his face was absolutely mortified.
“That was you?! Why didn’t you tell me! Here I was worried sick about you and you were sitting here the whole time!” Enji’s voice was far too loud for how early it was, and Hawks was feeling incredulous that Enji was blaming him.
“I tried to tell you so many times! It’s not my fault you’re completely oblivious!”
Enji paused in thought, remembering the strange behavior the hawk he’d “rescued” had been doing yesterday, before all the energy seemed to puff out of him all at once, putting his face in his hands before he spoke.
“I’m such an idiot.” The expression on Enji’s face was heartbreaking. Hawks didn’t really mean to hurt his feelings! He’d done enough of that to last the rest of his life!
“Enji, I’m sorry. I’m an idiot too… I totally ruined our first date.” Hawks grabbed one of Enji’s hands, trying to get the man to look at him.
“It’s not your fault, Hawks. Although, maybe next time you can avoid getting turned into some other creature. I don’t know how well I could watch over a giraffe version of you.”
At the subtle suggestion of another date, and the humor in Enji’s voice Hawks brightened up immediately.
“Yes, of course! I promise!!” Hawks hugged Enji around the neck, happy that this whole ordeal was over with. Although he still had one bit of business to address.
“By the way, Enji. Hawky is a terrible nickname.”
Enji flushed at that, and Hawks could feel the air around him getting hotter too.
“Here I went bathing and feeding you, and this is how you repay me.” Enji replied bitterly.
Hawks couldn’t contain his laughter- Enji really cracked him up even when he didn’t mean to.
“Just tellin’ it like it is! And hey, if you ever wanted to, I guess you could call me Hawky.” Hawks’ laughter continued, even as Enji’s face grew hotter in embarrassment, flames starting to lick up the sides of it.
Finally Enji had enough of the teasing, standing up which caused Hawks to plop onto the ground, but that didn’t stop his laughing. By now Enji’s face had become an absolute fireball, and Hawks was practically cackling.
“You are insufferable…. I’m getting you some clothes and then I’m taking you home.” At that Enji left the room, really fled the room, leaving Hawks to his thoughts.
While he hadn’t been able to have the cute date he had planned, he supposed it was a nice date overall. He had gotten to visit Enji’s house, have the man bathe him, have Enji cook for him, sorta. They even got to cuddle together. All in all it was better than most of the days he’d had this year, being turned into a bird aside, and definitely a memorable first date.
So while things hadn’t been perfect, when Hawks was with Enji, they didn’t have to be.