That night, you hastily called a cab to take you home before Hawks could escape the horde of fans that surrounded him.

His obligations of being the Number 2 probably kept him there as you made your escape.

You laid in bed now - thinking about how you had almost kissed that man. And every time that image interrupted your thoughts, you would dramatically shake your head from side to side; as if that would wipe the embarrassment from your hot-feeling cheeks.

Hawks was someone you didn't really want to get involved with - even IF there was an involvement. He seemed the type to just take what he wants, and then dump it when he's finished. And in all honesty - it really wasn't fair to Hawks on how you would judge him like that... But unfortunately, you were blessed - and cursed - with feelings. And you didn't want those hurt. Though... this was actually one of your downfalls. You never really let anyone close to you in fear of getting hurt. It was probably a shit way to go about relationships - romantically and platonic - but its worked for you so far.

But my goodness - Hawks was making that hard for you. And besides - your business was done with him. You probably weren't going to see him much anymore... if ever again.

And as sleep started to take over - the last thing on your mind was the wonder of how soft that man's lips would have been against yours.

********************

The days went by, and you started your work at the hospital. A shift here and there to get you started. It was easy work to you, and you had already grown accustomed to the patients that resided there. The staff, for the most part, were easy to get along with... except for the head doctor whom interviewed you. He was a married man, and he continually made little advances towards you. It was disgusting - and you told yourself, the minute he even tries to touch you, you were going to break one of his fingers.

It also didn't help that your thoughts would come back to Hawks - and that pissed you off even more. Because apparently you were correct - he certainly was just all about business - as he had not even tried to contact you since that day at the coffee shop. So what the hell was up with that attempted kiss? Just a spur of the moment for that asshole?

To keep your mind off of him, you frequently went to your 'secret' and secluded spot in the trees on the edge of the city. You would flex your powers; sometimes even imagining a boulder as Hawks' face - and end up cremating the stone to dust.

And here you currently were - in your secret place once again - imagining that Bird Brain as your target to get your veins dancing with power.

You were getting a lot better with controlling your limits - curving your abilities to your own will; instead of losing control over it. Less bloody noses too!

Your wings were sometimes exercised as well. But the skies were too risky even in this world. And you swore a few bystanders caught some photos or videos of your attempted escapades in the sky. You certainly did not want to make headlines again, so you tried being more cautious.

A light sheen of sweat coated your forehead as you climbed to the top of one of the stone ruins - resting your bottom on the cool stone as you gazed up at the now night sky.

Today, you had been training extra hard and most of the day. And as night fell, you would enjoy the stars just before you headed home.

You still couldn't believe that you were in the My Hero universe - and despite of already crushing on the Number 2 Pro Hero, you considered yourself the luckiest person alive. You were going to become a Hero yourself, and you couldn't wait.

As you riddled in your own excitement, a sudden shadow blocked the light of the moon for a split second.

You looked up; only to hear what sounded like the flapping of... wings.

'Are you fucking kidding me?' You practically slapped your forehead.

"Hey there, Kiddo!"

This man... this man was going to be the death of you.

"I wasn't expecting company." You blandly exclaimed as you kept your eyes to the sky.

Hawks then landed right beside you; taking a seat close to your side - his legs dangling over the edge of the stone rock with yours. "Well, I thought I'd deliver this to you."

The Pro Hero then dished an envelope from his inner jacket pocket as he handed it to you.

You took it in confusion, and as if he could read the baffled look upon your face - Hawks explained what it was. "Told you - you would catch the attention of the Hero Public Safety Commission." He raised his brows at you as he continued. "That's an invitation to come to UA. They would like for you to participate in a few of their academic tests. Totally up to you... for now."

This was it. This was the opportunity that you were waiting for. To set on the road to become a Hero. And since you've been somewhat training in your spare time... you might impress the Officials.

"Um... thanks." Your voice was genuine for the opportunity... but you were soon irritated that Hawks would come all the way out here just to simply deliver you a message that you were sure to get. Your business with him was done, right? "Though, you didn't have to come out here to give that to me." You shot.

Hawks chuckled. "Well - just making sure you're okay."

You eyed him. "A random day to make sure that I'm 'okay'? You could've just texted me." The impatience in your tone now noticeable. "It would've made more sense to text me that evening after the coffee shop to make sure everything was 'okay'." You made sure to emphasize the word 'okay' every time.

An amused grin danced across Hawks' face - it was easy to read the annoyance you had with him. "For your information - you left me in danger that day."

"Highly doubtful your fan girls pose any kind of threat to you."

"You'd be surprised." Hawks mused. "They're very scary at times, I assure you. And besides..." He then playfully nudged you with his elbow. "There was no need to text you, I already knew that you made it home safely. But what I was curious about... what was so special about this spot that you continually came to." He then raised his index finger as he twirled it around at your surroundings.

As Hawks' word began to sink in, you rotated your torso towards him - your eyes shrunk into threatening slits. "What do you mean that you knew I was home safely? And wait... how did you know that I've been coming here?! You knew exactly where I was... what the hell, Hawks?"

"Woah, in that tone I prefer you to call me Sweetheart if that's too much to ask."

You grit your teeth - and you seriously contemplated on finally punching him in the gut. But stopped yourself as the Pro Hero rested his index finger and thumb on his lips - emitting a sharp whistle as if calling to a dog.

You squinted to where he was now looking - as your small purse that you had left at the bottom of the stone ruins began to shake. And to your surprise - a brilliant red feather that was no bigger than your pinky finger came rushing out of your bag, and rested in your lap.

"Are you kidding me, Hawks?" You picked up the small quill. "Isn't this like... an invasion of privacy or something?!" You then tossed the feather to his lap; but despite your harsh throw - it gently rested on the Pro Hero's leg.

"Actually - at first it was for your own safety." Hawks countered. "The League wanted you alive, Y/N."

All anger and irritation that was bubbling up within you suddenly subsided. Hawks' tone laced with worry, and as much as you didn't want to admit it - the mention of your name coming from his lips held influence over you.

"You really think that those Villains will leave you alone?" Hawks questioned as his eyes suddenly dilated - boring that striking gaze into you. "You need to be more careful, and this was one way to make sure you'd be okay." The red feather then floated back to you; resting in your lap once again.

You now felt like a complete asshole; not thinking of how he maybe viewed the situation. He was a Hero after all - and to look out for the public's wellbeing was his job.

But then you furrowed your eyebrows in confusion as you fully analyzed his words. "Wait, at first it was for my own safety?" You repeated what Hawks first said.

Hawks hummed in response as a cool breeze caused some of your hair to cascade into your face. You paid no mind to the strands of hair as the Pro Hero veered closer to you. He slowly reached out, and ever so gently tucked your stray locks behind your ear.

You didn't flinch, nor pull away how you normally would. And you wanted to so badly lean into his hand, but refrained - keeping your feelings in check. But what you couldn't keep in check, was your body's response - and a shiver caused you to tremble from the one touch that you were now craving.

Hawks definitely noticed you shiver - and apparently had mistaken your stomach butterflies for you being chilly out here in the night air.

His wings then suddenly dissipated before your eyes; each crimson feather in all sizes gracefully flowed in a shielded display. They floated freely around the two of you - almost as if they were frozen in time as Hawks casually removed his Hero jacket - and placed it upon you.

And quicker than lightening, the quills retracted to their owner - the Pro Hero's massive flaming-colored wings formed to his back once again.

"Heh. Cool." Was all you could muster as your eyes were wide with wonder.

His jacket was soft, and surprisingly light-weight as you snuggled deeper into the cover of it. Hawks' familiar scent lingered within the seams, along with a new smell of... was that fried chicken?

But before you could laugh at his possible love for fried chicken, Hawks finally answered your question.

"At first... it was for your own safety." He recounted - he then looked to the night sky himself. The stars glazed across his yellow visors - and his ash blonde wind-blown hair fell perfectly into place with the crane of his neck. "But then I grew curious of you." He began to admit. "You are absolutely fascinating to me. And my own selfishness took over as I wanted to know more about you. The places you go, where you work, what you like... stuff like that."

You couldn't believe what you were hearing. The Number 2 Pro Hero, Hawks was admitting to wanting to get to know you. You were actually truly flattered. But your snarky attitude got the best of you.

"Ya know... you kind of sound like a stalker." You joked.

"What kind of stalker saves you from Villains?"

"A smart one." You winked.

"Ya know, you are fucking adorable."

You instantly blushed at his shameless compliment towards you as he raised one of his wings closest to you - and inched it around your frame.

"You see... every time I come near you like this..." Hawks planted each of his palms on either side of you - practically pinning you on the spot. "Your heart races, and your breathing becomes uneven. And judging from the cute light shade of pink in your adorable face... I am pretty sure your reaction is not fear."

You forgot how to breathe as you tried tucking yourself even further into his jacket - tugging at the sides of it to try and wrap your face into the collar even more. But you were not something that this man could toy with. If he were simply interested in just getting to know you, then fine. But don't fuck with your emotions.

"I'm not one of your fan girls, Hawks." Your tone sharp.

"No, you're definitely not." He countered; his eyes practically illuminated under his visors in the moonlight. "You are so much better."

'The fuck he mean by that?!' You thought.

You just about had it with this man. Was he insinuating that you liked him in that way? Did you make it that obvious? And if so - was he just playing with you?

And your downfall strikes again - the overthinking of a situation that was related to someone trying to get close to you. You retreated back into your turtle shell; not knowing exactly what to do.

Hawks, on the other hand, still kept his entrapment of you - but also not perusing further. It was almost as if he were waiting to see if you would accept him or not. But you weren't a mind reader. Was he attracted to you? You wanted to know for sure.

As you were about to finally ask him if he were actually attracted you, and what he was trying to accomplish... his phone rang.

If disappointment had a face - Hawks could be the spokesperson of such an emotion in this very moment. Because the disappointment and irritation flooded throughout his features - that much was obvious. Especially when you had felt his feathers behind you stiffen significantly from their softened state.

Hawks leaned back to his original seat as he answered his phone. "Eh, yeah. Mmhmm. Got it - I'll be right there."

As he tucked the device back into his pants pocket, he looked at you with almost saddened eyes. You couldn't quite decipher what he was feeling in that moment, but for a split second - you just wanted to hug him and tell him that everything was going to be okay.

"Can I take you home?" He asked as he reached out for your hand.

You nodded, taking his palm into yours - and picking you up as he usually did when he was about to fly with you.

The flight home was a quiet one - but a comfortable silence as you would catch the Pro Hero just simply gazing at you from time to time - your blush never hesitating to give you away.

As you landed on the balcony of your penthouse, you then turned around to Hawks in a mild panic. "Shit, I forgot my purse - "

But a feather came trailing to you as it dropped your bag in your hands. "Heh, thank you."

"No problem, Sweetheart!" Hawks beamed.

"I thought you wanted to be called 'Sweetheart'." You chuckled.

"Oh? Are you offering? No objections here!"

You couldn't help but to smile at his antics. He was such a ray of light, even on the darkened balcony that you two stood upon.

You then went to remove his jacket to give it back to him, but he stopped you. "No, keep it for now." Hawks muttered. "I like seeing you in my jacket. And besides - I'll be seeing you again."

"Thanks." You smiled as you wrapped the jacket a little more firmly around your frame.

And as Hawks turned around to leave, you couldn't help but to jump forward and grab his wrist.

The Pro Hero was somewhat surprised that you had grabbed for him - because as he turned back around to face you, the soft look in his eyes yearned for something that you couldn't quite pinpoint.

"P-please be safe out there. Goodnight." You gently squeezed his palm before releasing it.

Hawks grinned widely. "Don't worry about me, Kid. I'll be fine! But one thing is certain... I'll have you calling me Sweetheart within a months time."

Your face dropped into an unamused eyeroll. "Bet."

"Challenge accepted."

And with that, the bird-like Hero jettisoned from the ground faster than you'd ever seen him - as he quickly disappeared over the bright city lights.

********************

As you readied for bed, you set your purse upon your kitchen table, only for something to catch your eye within your bag.

You opened your purse, only to reach in there and take out the same exact red feather that was left with you before.

You couldn't help but to laugh as you ran your fingers over the quill; caressing it under your fingertips and wondering how a bundle of his feathers would feel like.

As you made your way to bed, you set the feather down on the night stand next to you - and snuggled under the fluffy blankets when your phone vibrated.

You turned over; grabbing the device as you noticed the text message that was just sent - a beaming smile caressing your face.

Bird Man
11:52 PM
"Texting to see if you're okay, Sweet Stuff 😊"

You rolled over in bed; clutching the phone to your chest. This man was truly going to drive you crazy. And in more ways... than one.