Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If there was one thing that Hawks appreciated from his agency, it was that he was allowed to have a few hours off after Ketsubutsu, the high school he freely choose; If he was going to be a Pro-Hero, as the others wanted, he couldn’t go to U.A. (where everyone in Japan could know its students’ quirks at their annual sports festival), he had chosen to announce himself to the world like he wanted. He knew that his agency only wanted to please him with his wishes in the present, so that in the future he could pay them in the best way.

But well, it’s not like there’s a lot of things to do after leaving school — Maybe hang out with Miruko in some McDonald’s or arcade, however, after a moment, with her explosive nature, they both always got into trouble, and they ended up separating roads before someone could trap them.

Hawks had very few activities with which to spend his time, his favorite was flying and show off his red wings (When he was a toddler, Hawks used to wave them to make it look like fire, like Endeavor’s), and thus test his feathers. Miruko enjoyed pulling a few for her training. “They’re so fucking strong! Nothing like you, noodle.” She had exclaimed during their first physical training class.

However, now Hawks didn’t have much desire to fly, or to return to the house that had been his home for ten years.

“Oops.” The winged teenager said without much emotion when he realized that he had walked aimlessly and somehow ended up in a small park. “I guess I’ll have to use them after all.” Hawks spread his wings, miraculously there was no one around, since he was a child, his wings had always attracted a lot of attention, but after thinking about it for a few seconds, he gave up on the idea, “I guess I’ll skip dinner. It’ll be fine, as long as I’ve good grades they won’t scold me.”

Then someone caught his attention.

One person was lying on one of the park benches. He seemed to be asleep, at least that’s what Hawks expected. Approaching, Hawks noticed that that person was older than him, he didn’t wear an uniform, so he probably wasn’t a high school student. His hair was completely red with white strands behind his ears. Only until Hawks noticed that he had a broken lip, his cheek had a bruise, and his knuckles were bloodied, was that Hawks dared to wake him up.

“Oi, dude,” Hawks gently touched the boy’s shoulder, “Wake up. You need someone to treat your wounds.”

Hawks quickly stepped back as soon as the boy’s eyes widened and his hidden hand released a blue-flamed fist that ended up crashing into the park floor.

Hawks noticed that the redheaded boy was breathing agitatedly, he tried to approach, but the redheaded put his hand to his chest and began to cough, then his breathing became slow but somewhat erratic.

Hawks didn’t know what to do, he had learned some first aid, but he had no idea how to help someone who seemed to have an asthma attack.

“What day is today?” It was the first thing he asked without seeing him, it still seemed to cost him to breathe

“April 9th.” Hawks responded.

“Fuck...” The redhead growled, “I left them alone for four days...”

What was he talking about? Was there someone in trouble? Did he have to do something? Moreover — “Hey, I don’t know what problems you’ve now, but you need a doctor,” His eyes traveled to the burned, bloody hand that lay collided with the ground. A quirk of fire, but he didn’t have much control, apparently, “Those wounds look very serious.”

“Back off.” The redhead answered scathingly, sitting properly.

Sometimes he wondered if the heroes had to deal with ungrateful civilians. “I’m sorry for worrying when you just had an asthma attack...” Hawks was cold before the murderous look the boy threw him, as if he had said something bad.

“I don’t need your help, go tweet to another place.”

Bird puns, huh? Someone’s spicy.

“I’m sorry for wanting to warm this place.” Well, there goes his first poor attempt.

The other boy chuckled — Oh, it wasn’t so bad after all.

“You cackle too much.” Well, it seemed like he had finally regained his breath, “And I thought that only parrots spoke.”

“Please don’t give me a cookie, Paulie doesn’t like it.” Hawks approached him, once certain that the redhead wouldn’t try to burn him. “Seriously, you must go to a doctor.”

“Don’t pay much attention to them.” He finally stood up, he was a head taller than him, it was then that Hawks saw burn marks on his neck and chin, “These are nothing.”

Hawks tilted his head, totally unconvinced, yet he preferred not to press the redhead who seemed to have a hair-trigger temper and his feathers weren’t completely fireproof, yet. “Okay, as you like. I just tried to do my good deed of the day.”

The redhead gave a mhhh in response and turned around.

“I’m Hawks, by the way.”

The redhead turned his head over his shoulder, “Why would I want to know that?”

“A thank you wouldn’t be bad, you know.”

The young man smiled slyly, “Thanks for being such a mother hen, Hawks. And avoid my fist, I’ve no idea where there’s a veterinarian.” And with that said, he turned around, “I’m Tōya.”

Tōya, uh. When Hawks thought of answering him, Tōya was nowhere to be found.

Well, if he came back here tomorrow, maybe Hawks already knew what to do with his free time.

Chapter Text

Everything hurt. Hawks was sure that several bones in his body were broken, if not crushed. Even if they pulled a single hair, he’d break in pain. His right eye was so swollen that he could hardly see anything. He couldn’t even move his arms, wings or legs, or his toes. Breathing was hard for him, and he was sure that at any moment he’d faint, but he needed to be aware to see the end of all this.

To know who Shigaraki Tomura will send to finish him.

He knew this would happen. That sooner or later, he’d end up being discovered by the League of Villains, and then he’d have to choose a winning side. And he had made his choice, and that choice had left him where he was. In a dark room, laying on his own blood and broken wings... If he managed to get out of this he expected to see Recovery Girl among everyone —

No. Hawks was sure that everyone must have taken him for dead after he sent the signal and didn’t answer his cell phone.

Hawks fought. Hawks fought and kicked the butt of several of them until he was shot — The great Hawks being knocked down by a gun, great. Thank God it wasn’t those immunization bullets that gave so many problems a year ago, even so that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt, leaving him at the mercy of the villains who bruised him.

The creaking of the door opened and closed with a click. Here comes the assassin ready to end his life. God, be quick, because if they turned out to be like that Twice boy —

“And here we are.”

Hawks shuddered to hear his voice.

Why him of all of them?

“Dabi — ” Hawks tried to utter a sentence, however, he was interrupted by feeling Dabi’s hand on his neck, not pressing his throat, but he could see in his turquoise eyes the desire to do so. After all, Dabi was the one who most wanted to crush him — Hawks wondered if Dabi beat him during his fainting; No, Dabi liked to play with his food before killing them.

“Save your breath, Hawks.” Dabi mockingly pronounced the hero name, “I still want you conscious, awake for what’s coming.”

Hawks obeyed. As much as he detested it, Dabi was right, he had to stay awake. He had to record everything in his head, even the smallest detail could serve him if he managed to get out alive... If the heroes managed to find him alive.

“I told you, didn’t I?” Dabi asked, his smile widening when their eyes finally met, “That the moment we discovered that you only played with us, it’d end badly.” Dabi finally released Hawks’ neck, his scarred hands went to the winged hero’s broken wings. “You wanted to fly very high with these pretentious wings, and you ended up burned by the fire of the Sun... So bad.”

“Where do you want to go with this, Tōya?” Hawks knew he was with one foot in the grave, digging a few more inches didn’t scare him.

Dabi pressed his hand to Hawks’ dislocated shoulder, giving him a slight moan.

“That’s why I like you, Hawks. You’re tenacious, or well, you think you are.”

“Save me your chit-chat, Tōya, if you come to kill me do it now or otherwise this boring talk will only make me want to get up and fight against you.”

Dabi grinned, “Do you really think you’re in a position to say that?” His scarred hand approached Hawks’ eye, “A nice scar, the same as Endeavor’s... Same as — ” For a minute his gaze emptied, as if no one was inside his mind, like those first Nōmus.

Hawks said nothing, but wanted to do it, perhaps if he appealed to the little human side left in Dabi he’d have a chance to get out.

“Anyway, my pretty bird,” Dabi returned to see him, his psycho look returned and those turquoise eyes shone before a macabre idea, “Let’s not delay anymore. We’ve to leave as soon as possible.”

Wait — What?

“Did you think I would let you die?” Dabi laughed, “My Icarus, you come with us. With me. You wanted to fly close to the Sun, you’ll have what you want most, but not as you dreamed.”

What did he mean by that? Hawks had a lump in his throat and his heart was beating like crazy. He didn’t like this. This was terrifying him. The scar-skinned villain sat him down, leaning him against one of the chairs, as he spread his wings. “Dabi — ”

“No pleas, Hawks.” Dabi’s scarred hand wrapped itself in its characteristic blue fire. Hawks could feel the infernal heat against his feathers. “I’ll be careful when treating your back. Now it’s my turn to return the favor.”

Chapter Text

From his old life, Dabi missed a few things. He didn’t miss the exquisite food, the hundreds of servants, or that his house was five times larger than the standard one. He did miss playing with Fuyumi and Natsuo, hugging his mother, protecting them from Endeavor... Once he fled he left all that behind...

And he also missed Hawks.

He didn’t have many friends, rather said, he didn’t have any friends. He was hardly allowed to leave, his routine was school-house, and nothing more. Not when he was the Number Two Hero’s son and Endeavor’s enemies stalked his home. Many times he wished that one of them would attack his house, so at least he’d have an excuse so that he, his siblings, and his mother could leave Endeavor, and not return. Never.

Only until he became strong enough, he escaped at night, and often didn’t return for days, it wasn’t surprising that only his siblings had noticed his absence, devising a cover to not worry his mother, but Endeavor — Well, the bastard was busy training little Shōto and creating another nervous breakdown for his mother.

Only until he was in a fight, where he got badly hurt, did he meet Hawks.

At first, he couldn’t stand the winged teenager, he was a pest. He didn’t understand at first what made him so cool that Hawks wanted to spend time with him. Later, Dabi became accustomed to his presence and his strange humor, which wasn’t so far from his.

Then he began to see Hawks differently. He wasn’t that bug anymore, he wasn’t just a street brother, Hawks just kept showing up in his head all the time. Every detail of Hawks kept him restless, the desire to caress his hair, touch his face, kiss his lips...

If he was the only one feeling that way, he wouldn’t know, he could never know. His mother attacked Shōto, and she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Fuyumi took over her duties and the time to spend with them decreased. Natsuo rarely left his room and spent his time studying. He exploded against Endeavor causing those burns, screwing everything, and he fled from a cold, empty house.

He didn’t say goodbye to anyone. Not Fuyumi, not Natsuo, and definitely, not Hawks. Who would surely wait for him the next day at their usual meeting point, and the day after tomorrow, and the day after that, and so on until he’s just one more memory.

With one goal in mind, Todoroki Tōya had died that day.

And Dabi was born.

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If there was anything he had never anticipated, it was to see Hawks again, asking them to join their League of Villains. The Number Three Hero being their spy. Of the few worthy heroes that Dabi had no hard feelings, Hawks was the main one.

Shigaraki didn’t put many conditions, only that Hawks was under Dabi’s supervision and that he didn’t give them more problems.

Dabi wasn’t sure if the Number Three Hero would recognize him, with his face, arms and back scarred by his own fire, piercings in his face, lips, and ears, his hair dyed black. Hawks often stared at him until Dabi looked back and the winged hero, when he realized he was caught, avoided looking at him.

Many times he thought of doing something that Tōya would do, but, why open that box of memories?

If Hawks had or hadn’t idea that he was even Todoroki Tōya, he didn’t seem to show it, even so the hero put a lot of effort in trying to gain his trust by helping him to defeat minor villains or unpopular heroes (even if he didn’t know what was whatever Dabi did with them) regardless he was once his old friend.

Hawks was now on his... Their side, Dabi wasn’t sure if he really was, and if things went well then he’d finally trust someone after so long and if not — Well, who had been his friend would become that young man who had flown so close to kiss the sun, only to burn his wings at its touch, and fall into the sea to drown.

Chapter Text

Dabi didn’t hate to teamwork at all, it was easier and the work diminished, that was the point. What he did hate was the people he usually had to work with most of the time.

Toga was a tad crazier than him, the first time he met her, the blonde tried to stick a needle in his neck, saying how pure and beautiful it’d be to be him.

Twice talked more than necessary and confessed many personal things most of the time, and Dabi couldn’t keep up with the madman with multiple personality.

Mr. Compress was too eccentric, and often liked to prattle on, and even criticize some of his recruitment methods.

Shigaraki wasn’t all bad, except he was a Manchild and threw tantrum after one, complaining about everything and everyone, and he was selfish with his video games.

And then there was his newest acquisition. Hawks, Number Two Hero, infiltrated spy, and old friend. Could be said Hawks was the only person to whom Dabi hadn’t contemplated trying to cremate him until there wasn’t even his ashes left, even with all the useless chatter Hawks prattled, Dabi could stand him.

He had a hard time admitting Hawks mattered to him, even when he threatened to incinerate him the moment the winged hero reveals his true intentions. Maybe that’s why he still had some details with him. Like remembering some things he liked and, surprisingly, still likes. Like his favorite food is hot wings. Before Dabi used to mock and tell him it was cannibalism.

It wasn’t until he ate one that he discovered why Hawks loved them. Sure, he’d never replace soba as favorite food, but when you live underground, there wasn’t a decent place to eat a good plate of noodles, so after that, hot wings had been his main food. Junk food was still food after all.

“To think that the terrible Dabi has those details with me,” Hawks chewed chicken meat, swallowing, “It makes me feel special.”

Both were on the roof of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Dabi was still tough on Hawks knowing the current location of the League headquarters. The difference from his previous meetings with the blond: Dabi had brought food with him and had shared it with the Hawks.

“Have you noticed that I could have poisoned them?”

“Nope. You like food.” Hawks responded strangely cheerful, “It’s the first time you do it, what a coincidence that you brought the food that we shared when I skipped classes.”

Dabi rolled his eyes, “Maybe I just want to make you feel safe — So I can crush that little neck of yours and then leave your corpse in your apartment. You can see the headlines in the newspapers saying: The Winged Hero, Hawks, dies from choking on hot wings.”

“Always believed that my death would be a joke, Miruko would go to my grave to laugh at the irony. But she wouldn’t forgive me, I owe her money, so she’ll find a way to bring me to life and pay her, then let me die again.” Hawks stared at him, “What about you, Dabi? Would you miss working with me?”

Yes. Dabi shrugged, “I don’t think so, I’ve two others like you in the League.”

“They’re shape-shifters, but nobody can completely copy my charm. And I doubt they know anything about meme culture.”

One of the things about why Dabi also kept Hawks, was because he made him laugh. Everyone needs to laugh no matter what, and he’d have the last laugh in all this.

“... I change my mind, I’m not going to kill you, yet. I’ll let you carry an even bigger regret.”

Hawks had a comment ready to counterattack when he felt Dabi snatch the box of chicken wings and walk away.

Chapter Text

Christmas, the time when the red and green colors are at their maximum point illuminating the city, there’s snow clogging the roads for the workaholics, but creative snowmen in the parks made by the children, the shopping districts raised to high prices their merchandise, and ratings of depression prevented him from getting a break during this season.

It wasn’t like he had someone to go through with these holidays, though. The Heroes’ work never ended, there was no one to wait for him in his luxurious apartment and his agency wouldn’t let him go to his hometown, though there was no one there to spend Christmas and New Year. His few friends had their own families. And his hero friends... Well. They also have their own families.

“No wonder they say that this makes you depressed.” Hawks pricked his nose, looking for his cell phone in his pocket and checking the time, it was three hours before Christmas. “It’s weird that they didn’t call me to patrol.” Hawks tried to excuse the fact of why he took out his cell phone, not wanting to think that he expected at least one message.

Taking the keys out of his jacket pocket, and placing the hot wings box in the other, Hawks inserted the keys and opened the door, entering his apartment.

He was ready to close his door when he felt someone stopped him. Putting in defense, without dropping his dinner, expecting to see his attacker, Hawks was a bit surprised to see Dabi in front of him, and walking inside his apartment.

To gain their trust, Hawks had allowed Dabi to have access to his apartment — Hawks thoroughly cleaned up his entire apartment, hoping to leave no evidence that he was still on the side of the Pros. That and that he couldn’t continue going to those warehouses, many were in the same conditions as in the orphanage, and he preferred not to have to live them again.

Dabi went straight to his couch, taking the remote control the villain turned on the television. On the screen there was a live broadcast, the artists were dressed as elves, strange because one of them had blue skin and with green, a big no.

It wasn’t the first time that Dabi was in his apartment. At dawn when Hawks returned from his rare nighttime patrol, he saw the kitchen lights on. Dabi went in and out as he pleased, always when there was no one around.

Hawks appreciated that, because as much as his bosses knew about his infiltration as a double agent, he was neither ready nor prepared for the world, especially the media, to see him being pals with a villain.

“Will that be the dinner?”

“If you don’t like it you can leave.” Hawks responded by walking to drop by Dabi’s side and open his dinner, before he could take a hot wing, Dabi had already taken three pieces. “When I said we could meet here and discuss the League’s plans, I didn’t mean that you could watch my TV shows, sleep in my bed, steal my Wi-Fi signal or eat my food.”

“They are fundamental pieces.”

“I don’t think that’s how you got inside.”

“No, I tried to burn Shigaraki’s face until Kurogiri stopped us. The rest was obtained after the attack on the U.A. camp.”

Hawks bit his inner cheek. If some day the League asked him to attack children... “At least appreciate that you haven’t burned my apartment, yet.”

During the following minutes they let the television fill the silence.

“I can’t believe that I’ll spend my Christmas with you.” Hawks complained, pouting.

“Did you have someone else to celebrate with?” Dabi asked, interested.

Hawks scratched the back of his neck, avoiding seeing him. “No. I always spend Christmas alone.” Even when he was placed in a good family, those who played his parents always sent him to his room after dinner while they met with their bosses to discuss his progress and have their own party. “Miruko sometimes calls, I think she must be busy, though.” Hawks laughed, his gaze softened, “I remember someone who used to be a spoiled older brother, and a son who bought flowers to his mother this day — ”

Hawks didn’t continue speaking, his neck was gently wrapped around Dabi’s hand. The scarred skin caressed his exposed neck. If Dabi wanted, he could attack him.

“You’ve always prattled on too much.” Dabi whispered.

Hawks gulped. “You always say it.”

Hawks noticed that in Dabi’s eyes, though always focused on what was in front of him, something inside him wanted to be able to look back — Hawks wished that at some point, before one of both sides decided to make their move, they could flee, ran away, say fuck off to the system and start again in another place... Sadly, Hawks knew Dabi wouldn’t do that. His desire to take revenge on his father, Endeavor, was much stronger than any instinct that asked him to save his skin.

“They don’t do the television programs like before.” Dabi complained, a grimace of disgust formed on his face as he heard the artist sing Christmas carols, being chanted by the audience in the plaza.

“You must have had green skin and sticky hands, so at least being the Grinch would come in handy.”

Chapter Text

Hawks wasn’t surprised that many things in his life didn’t turn out as he expected. At first, he never wanted to be a knight, no matter how much he admired them. On the other hand, he was born with a good star that brought him good luck, even when he didn’t want it.

And now that he needed that good luck more than anything, Lady Luck decided not to attend their date, and he was trapped in the claws of a sleeping dragon.

He had a mission and that mission would end with him being a toothpick for dragon teeth. But, what could he do? Were orders from the high commands. The Peace Treaty was being threatened, even when the capture of All for One was confirmed and witnessed, and used as a threat to the dark forces, many tried to take that position of power that that evildoer had left; Crime levels increased. Several clans wanted to fight to defend their lands; Others wanted a more diplomatic option.

With the rising tension between clans over their territories, very few seemed to agree on a solution. It was thus that the Clan of the Harpies took the decision between their hands to make their move. Lady Luck made her move and the winner was Hawks.

Hawks didn’t waste time investigating and searching without rest for the lair of their enemies until finally he found a suspicious abandoned castle — Which wasn’t abandoned.

A tremor shook the ground beneath his feet. If not for his quick thought, and the fact that he could fly, he’d have fallen to the bottom. It was in the air when he felt an immense heat and when he turned around a blaze of fire was about to burn it, dodging it in time, but failed to evade the giant claw that caught him, flattened him against the floor of the castle.

With the low range of vision Hawks had, he glanced at his captor. It was a black dragon, but most of their scales were missing, leaving a scarred skin — He had never seen a dragon so close. Their skin was supposed to be fire resistant, what kind of fight could this one have had to leave their body like that? If their draconic skin was like this, he understood why they hadn’t changed to their hybrid form.

Soon more footsteps were heard around him. In the blink of an eye, he was being surrounded by the most dangerous creatures known.

“I ask for the wings!” A blond girl shouted excitedly, her long, sharp fangs shined.

“We aren’t going to tear anyone apart.” Said a hooded figure, preventing him from seeing his face, “Yet.”

One of them approached him, but Hawks heard the grunt and felt the hot air.

“What?” The hooded man looked up, gray tufts of hair emerging from his hiding place.

“Dabi doesn’t let the harpy go.” One of them reported, he was moving strangely, as if he had no joints in his body limiting his movement, “Maybe he’s important!” His voice changed in a second.

The fanged, blond girl made a pout, “Ow, that’s not fair, Dabi!”

So this dragon’s name is Dabi.

The dragon exchanged a glance with the hooded man, who snorted after a few seconds of silence. “All right. Let him have his chew toy.”

That didn’t sound good for Hawks. He’d have protested, but the pressure on him made it impossible to argue.

“Shigaraki, are you sure?” A figure of smoke — A djinn — Approached the hooded man... Shigaraki... Shigaraki Tomura? That creep that attacked the U.A.?

The others soon withdrew, leaving them alone and the dragon named Dabi. The giant reptile raised his giant leg, Hawks thought that this would be his chance to escape, he already had the location of All for One’s successor, it was now or never... And it was never.

Dabi did raise his paw, but his sharp claws encircled him as if they were cell bars, preventing him from even the slightest chance of escape.

It can’t be true. Hawks thought morosely, scowling. With no other chance of success or good luck, Hawks sat frustrated on the cracked ground, now waiting for it to collapse, so at least he’d take flight before Dabi even thought of his next move.

For the moment, Hawks was distracted, staring at the black dragon. Most of the dragons weren’t black, it was rare if one of that color was born. The best known were the reds or golds, rare were those with white. Sharpening his vision, Hawks noticed that most of the scars were below his chest and part of his back, as well as under his jaw.

The dragon realized the analysis the harpy was doing to him, as his jaw opened with huge, sharp fangs, pulling them towards him, clearly challenging Hawks that if he tried to escape, he wouldn’t get very far without his wings or head.

Definitely Lady Luck had abandoned him.

Chapter Text

Dabi knew that all this was a lie. A dream. A hallucination...

Endeavor was always screaming, threatening, burning, beating his mother and siblings, ignoring them — The father in front of him was smiling, hugging his mother, laughing with them, an exemplary father and hero.

His mother was always crying, trembling, protecting them with her fragile body and mind, with a nervous breakdown, covering the bruises — His mother here seemed calmer, relaxed, loving.

Fuyumi always tried to be the mediator, failing at all times, giving soft footsteps, hiding them in her room when their parents fought — Now his younger sister smiled more confidently, spoke with more confidence, and was a teacher at the U.A.

Natsuo always clenched his hands into fists, his teeth grinding with fury inside him, without the power to defend anyone in his family — His younger brother looked happier, admiring his father and him, playing soccer with the two of them, getting ready to be a hero like them.

Shōto — Shōto didn’t exist. His little younger brother didn’t exist in this world. Why? Not that he has remorse for Shōto, Endeavor was the cause of all his family trouble, but if he hadn’t been born with perfect power — His mother wouldn’t continue to be abused and shouldn’t have been snatched from them...

This world didn’t make any sense. This wasn’t his family. No matter how much he’d have given for having this when he was still an innocent child, this didn’t feel right.

As much as he wandered in this alternative world, things were out of control. All Might was still Japan’s Number One. He was a hero, Number Two — But, Hawks wasn’t Number Three, he wasn’t even in the top ten, nor in the lower ranks — Hawks didn’t exist too.

The world around him was spinning. Confusing him.

“Tōya.” Endeavor’s voice sounded proud.

“Don’t call me that way.” Dabi put his hands to his head.

“Tōya.” His mother’s voice sounded loving.

“He died. I killed him.” His unscarred hands went directly to his chest... But his heart was beating normally, his breathing wasn’t shaken — Was this world so perfect that he wasn’t sick?

“Tōya.” Fuyumi’s voice sounded affectionate.

“He doesn’t exist anymore.” Dabi whispered, pleading.

“Tōya.” Natsuo’s voice sounded with admiration.

“Don’t say his name on my face.” Dabi was responsible for erasing any trace that Todoroki Tōya even existed. That Endeavor’s copy coal died that day.

“Tōya!”

And he wasn’t going to let a stupid hallucination-quirk bring Tōya back.

“I’m not Tōya!” Dabi exploded, literally, burning that fake family in front of him.

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“Dabi.”

The black-haired villain woke up feeling the slap on his cheek. Instinctively, the first thing he did was to take out his cobalt-colored flames and wrap his hands, ready to make ashes to the imprudent who had dared to hurt him.

Toga took a step back, “Someone woke up in a bad mood.” The blood-drinking girl chuckled.

“I won’t let you put a finger on Toga!” Twice stepped between them, hands outstretched. “You’ll have to pass over me! Us!” His voice changed, “Yes, what he said!”

A dream... No. Someone had dared to put him in a nightmare.

“Are you okay?” Mr. Compress asked, watching his partner in crime stand up, “You were knocked out for a few good seconds.”

Dabi noticed Shigaraki kneeling in front of someone. His leader was watching who must have induced him in that nightmare, she was on the ground, breathing hard, her hands tied while Shigaraki’s four fingers were on her neck and his other hand was scratching his dry cheek.

“We can recruit her to our League.” Shigaraki contemplated the option, “She managed to defeat one of our own with ease. We need more — ”

Shigaraki didn’t finish speaking when the girl was wrapped in blue fire, screaming in pain and suffering while the smell of burned flesh quickly became present in that alley of a seedy neighborhood.

The members of the League present turned around to see the sole responsible. Dabi was walking, giving them back.

“We don’t need something so annoying.”

Chapter Text

“This is the ugliest of all.” Hawks passed the needle through the skin, stitching the nascent scar between the redhead’s shoulder and back. Hawks contemplated his rookie medical work. “I guess you’re not going to tell me what happened at your house today, are you?”

To tell the truth, it wasn’t the first time Hawks had stitched Tōya’s wounds, but it was the first time that Endeavor’s son had appeared in his apartment, a more somber look, his blood-stained T-shirt, his hand had burn marks, and his neck bruised in the form of fingers.

“You can already give an idea.” Tōya answered without much emotion.

Hawks looked down, keeping the first aid kit and sitting with Tōya on the cold floor made of white tiles. A few drops of blood had stained the impeccable white, but the fact that he lived alone didn’t worry him that someone would see it and ask for an explanation. It’s not as if he knew what he could say to them, anyways. He was Todoroki Tōya’s best friend, Endeavor’s son, Hawks’ childhood hero and whose civil life was to be an abusive father of a family... The disappointment of finding out that his hero was a piece of shit had felt like a bucket of cold water.

A weight settled on his shoulder. Tōya’s head leaned to his side. Damn it! He hoped that Tōya hadn’t forgotten his asthma inhaler, he had no idea what he’d do if Tōya had another asthma attack.

“Are you hungry?” Hawks asked, moving his shoulder, relaxing as he felt Tōya nodding. He wasn’t asleep yet from the pain pills, so maybe eating would do him good.

One of the advantages of living alone was that he could cook the food he liked without having to eat something he didn’t like and leave to go to bed with his stomach growling. He was no longer in the orphanage, he’d become a hero and could do everything he wanted — Sure, without his bosses finding out.

“I still have some spaghetti leftover.” Hawks pulled the aluminum-wrapped dish out from the refrigerator, not receiving a complaint from Tōya, Hawks made his way to the microwave, removing the aluminum. “Pasta will be good, it’s soft and you can swallow it without hurting your throat.”

“Soba.” Tōya spoke after being so silent for so long.

Hawks made a mental note that he’d buy soba paste for his next grocery shopping.

“Fuyumi made soba, or at least she tried. She wanted to do something for mom...”

When Tōya talked about his two younger siblings and their mother there was something that changed in those turquoise eyes, his eyes softened. But when he talked about Endeavor or his younger brother it was as if his eyes were filled with a murderous, psychopathic fury, and Hawks feared for his friend in those times.

“If you stay today to sleep, we can go and buy soba tomorrow.” Hawks interrupted, he knew that Tōya would tell him what happened to get so badly beaten, but he didn’t want to hear it, “I also hope someday to meet your siblings, I want to know if it’s true that Big Bro Tōya is as great as you presume to be.”

The microwave beeped, the spaghetti was hot and ready to eat.

In a new dish, Hawks placed it in front of Tōya, as well as a glass of water while he reopened the refrigerator, opened the fridge and took out an ice cream jar, closing the refrigerator with his foot he sat next to the redhead.

“I’m better than I look.” Tōya spoke, eating the spaghetti.

“I know.” Hawks comforted him. He knew that he couldn’t ask Tōya to stay with him, he wouldn’t leave his home, Tōya had to protect his siblings and mother.

But something inside him, told him that if Tōya didn’t leave that house, something very bad could happen.

And it was his fault for not stopping him in time.