7 - yooo it's rewind time

a/n: this chapter takes place a year ago. while y/n is asleep on his shoulder, hawks thinks back to the time when he first saw u. so think of this as sorta of a flashback chapter
so like hawks is 20 and ur 19
cool? coolio
oh and this will be in hawks's pov cause wynaut
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"Can't believe that you're out in public, Hawks."


"Yeah! We never see you during the daytime."


"Is it your day off?"


I scratched the back of my neck. "It is. That's good guessing."


"Hawks, how does it feel being in the Top 10?"


"Honestly," I laughed softly, "I'm not even trying to be a top hero. Just doing my job."


More and more people kept surrounding me, and while it might be suffocating for others, I secretly loved it. I liked getting the attention, and never knew anything less. They kept asking me questions, asking for my autograph and for a picture. How could I say no to them?


"Hey!" Someone ran towards us with such urgency. It's probably a fan wanting to ask me something.


Between each breath he said, "there's been an attack in Esuha City!"


The majority took out their phone to look up the news, while everyone else ran to the store where they had a tv in the front window. The attack must have been big since everyone forgot that I was here. No point in staying here. My wings spread and I flew to the usual spot. I sat at the edge of the building, took out my phone, and looked up 'Esuha City attack'.


A live feed showed smoke coming from a building. The reporter mentioned that a villain attacked the building and took hostages with him. While the reporter was looking back at the building, an explosion could be heard in the background. Debris started to fall down, but before it could injure the reporter that was on scene, a hero stood in front of them.


The hero looked back and asked both the reporter and cameraman if they were okay. I immediately recognised him from the past hero events that we've had. Fat Gum turned to his left and motioned for someone to check on the hostages. In the background, an unknown hero jumped into the building that was going to collapse any minute. Even I won't do that. I pulled one of legs up and leaned against it using my elbow. The live feed stopped and an incoming call from the Hero Public Safety Commission. I ignored their call and returned to the live feed.


A fight was happening with the villain and the unknown hero. There was a moment where he had the upper hand, and I thought that the hero would be defeated. To my surprise, she got up, and even though she was hurt, she moved with such grace. Out of nowhere, she had a green blade in her hand and I unknowingly touched the upper part of my wing. How did she do that? Where did she get it? Did she already have it with her? No. I didn't see anything. I don't know what happened to her while she was down, but she easily defeated the villain and rescued the hostages. After all the hostages were brought to safety and the villain got apprehended by the police, Fat Gum was being interviewed by the reporter.


"This would have been a complete disaster if you haven't shown up, Fat Gum."


Fat Gum smiled wide, well, he's always smiling, and shook his head. "That's a lie, miss. The real hero is...is... H/N where are you?!" He looked around and when he spotted the unknown hero, Fat Gum grabbed her with such ease and pulled her towards his body. "The real hero is this hero right here! The Flower Hero: H/N!"


She kept looking away from the camera and her whole face was red. With a lot of encouragement from Fat Gum, H/N finally turned to look at the camera and gave a small smile and hand wave. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her. Wow. She was beyond beautiful and her eyes held such a strong emotion, nothing like I've seen before. The Commission was calling again, and like before, I ignored their call. But when I went back to the live feed, H/N was already gone and it was just Fat Gum on the screen. My phone started ringing again and I groaned.


I answered and didn't let them talk. "Fine. I'll come in today." I hanged up and put my phone away.


Ugh. Why do they have to ruin my day off? I jumped off the building and immediately flew through the air, arriving to commission in no time. Since I stepped foot inside, they started to pester me about ignoring their calls and a 'very important meeting' that we had today. I took off my headphones and scratched the back of my head, while they escorted me to the conference room to start the meeting.


/ / / / /


Sara stood up from her desk and bowed to me slightly. "Good afternoon, Hawks. Didn't expect for you to come in today."


I took off my headphones and let them rest around my neck. "That was the plan. But, well, you know," I rolled my eyes.


"I understand," she nodded, "if that's the case..."


She trailed off and sat back down, looking through one of her small file cabinets. After founding what she was looking for, Sara handed me a manilla folder. "It's from the Hero Billboard Chart. Since it's public knowledge that you're in the Top 10, the Commission wants to review your acceptance speech before the event."


"You make one mistake," I grabbed the manilla folder, "and they will forever make you suffer. I'll be in my office."


"Don't disturb you?" Sara guessed.


"I love that you know me already, kid," I laughed.


I gave her a small wink and closed the doors to my office behind me. My wings stretched out as I made my feathers take my jacket off, not wanting to do it myself. I looked down at the manila folder and thought to myself, if they knew I was going to go to their office, why even send it to my agency in the first place? With such distant, I opened the envelope and started reading the letter:


Dear Hawks,
Congratulations on being chosen to represent Japan's Top 10 heroes! We know that a lot of people will disagree with our choice, given that your relatively young age. Nevertheless...
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Given your past fiascos with the media, we want to give you the opportunity to review your acceptance speech. Just remember to include and avoid the following...
Blah. Blah. Blah.


The letter was three pages long, and it included my speech from last's years event. I rolled my eyes and threw it on my desk, not wanting to look at it anymore, let alone think about it. My phone chimed and saw that I had a notification from the news. Oh, yeah. Guess I forgot that I subscribed to it. I pulled my chair out and sat down, letting my winds droop, and opened my computer. The computer kept chiming with every incoming email that I got. I ignored them and went to the news website and read about the villain attack. In the middle of the article there was a picture of Fat Gum and the that hero. The hero that I couldn't stop thinking about.


Hmm. I wonder.


I opened the Hero Network, wanting to look her up. Fuck. What was her name? She's woking with Fat Gum, so she must have a connection to him. His hero page was on the front page, saving me the time of looking him up. Fat Gum, the BMI Hero. Stationed in Esuha City. I hummed as I scrolled down the page, stopping when I finally saw her. (a/n: the bold part is what's on ur hero page)


H/N, the Flower Hero


Pretty name. Better than mine.


Quirk: Springtime


Interesting quirk name. Again, better than mine.


H/N graduated with honours from U.A. She did her internship and work studies at Fat Gum's agency. Mentors are Alchemy, Eraser Head, and Fat Gum. She specialises in multi-range combat and support combat. The empathetic part of H/N's quirk is always active, this part being able to nullify intense, negative emotions. Therefore, H/N is a key and important hero to have for missions involving search and rescue. She plans to work alongside Fat Gum in Esuha City.


Wow, chickadee. You make my history look dull.


I sighed softly, closing her and Fat Gum's pages.


Guess we'll never meet, baby bird.


/ / / / /


"Honestly, Mirko," I whispered to my left, "did we had to come? Why couldn't we just stay home? And accept the ranking from the comfort of our beds."


Mirko laughed then shoved me slightly. "Do all your thoughts involve being in bed?"


"Can't help it," I winked at her. "I am pretty irresistible."


"More like insufferable, pigeon boy."


I pouted my lips. "Why do you have to be so mean to me, Mirko? Are we not best friends anymore?"


"We're best friends?!" Mirko had a surprised expression on her face, but she quickly grabbed my head in her arm and messed up my hair. "Of course we're best friends. I mean," she released her grip on me, "who else can tolerate you?"


"Hurtful, Mirko," I rubbed my neck, "so hurtful."


Mirko just smiled as the lights dimmed, cueing that the event was starting. I faked sleeping through the opening statements while Mirko was playing with my hair. If we were anywhere else, I would have fallen asleep. I was jerked 'awake' when Mirko kicked my leg as she got up. I looked up at her and she had a huge smile on her face, waving at all the heroes surrounding us. The announcer started to talk about the number seven hero. Oh shit. Mirko is eight? Hell yeah. That's my girl!


Number six.


Number five.


Number four.


And then...


"Number three! The young hero who won everyone's hearts and easily reached the top ranks! Wing Hero: Hawks!"


I got up as everyone clapped for me. Honestly, I don't even want to be in the top ranks. Since I was 'forbidden' to use my wings, thanks to the Commission, I had to walk to the stage. I waved to everyone, but then my eyes landed on Fat Gum. He was holding two thumbs up at me, but it wasn't him that caught my attention. It was the hero that was sitting next to him that caught my eye.


"It's you," I said softly, looking at her surprised.


Her face got red by my sudden attention. She looked up at Fat Gum then back at me. The small smile that she gave me made my heart skip a beat. I wanted to talk to her, about her quirk, being really curious about it ever since I read her hero page, but I stopped myself. Her face kept getting redder and there was no doubt that she was hating the attention she was getting. I left and walked up the stage, joining the other ranked heroes. When I was up in the stage, I saw H/N hugging Fat Gum, trying to hide herself from the curious looks the heroes were giving her.


Number two is, to no one's surprise, Endeavor.


And number one is the Symbol of Peace himself, All Might.


The Commission President walked up the stage, eyeing at al the heroes, and giving me a dirty look. What can she honestly expecting for sending that manila envelope? Didn't she spend enough time trying to polish me into becoming the perfect hero? She walked towards the microphone and started to give her monotone and overly scripted speech. Once she finished, she let each of the top ten ranked heroes give their speech.


She finically reached me, but before she let me grab the microphone, she whispered low enough for only me to hear. "Don't fuck this up, Hawks."


Should I? Should I not? Fuck it.


I grabbed the mic. "Does anyone know where the nearest KFC is?"


Laughter irrupted from everyone, with the exception of Ms. President herself and the boring flame boy to my right. Oh, I'm sooo going to get shit for it later. After All Might gave a heartfelt speech that lasted no more than an hour, we were finally able to leave the stage. Mirko waited for me at the stairs and gave me a questionable look, but I couldn't focus on her. All I wanted was to see H/N again, but she was already gone. Fat Gum looked at the empty seat next to him then at me then back to the empty seat then back at me. A huge grin started to form on his face and he was looking at me in awe. Mirko started to push me from the back and she wouldn't stop until we got to our seats.


"What was that about?"


I shook my head. "It's nothing."


/ / / / /


"Cheers," Mirko and I said at the same time, clinking our glasses together before drinking the shot.


Everyone was having the time of their life at the party. Just for once, they could forget about the responsibilities of being a hero and enjoy their night. Mirko and I were sitting at the bar, just talking and sometimes we'll dance whenever a good song started playing. Every once in a while a hero will come up to us, congratulating the both of us for being in the top 10.


"I hate being number three," I admitted after taking another shot.


"You better slow down with the drinks, pigeon."


"I just want to be in the lower ranks." My wings drooped to the floor and I laid my head on the table. "I didn't even want to be in the top ranks."


Mirko rested her head on the palm of her hand. "I've known you for three years now, but I still don't really know anything about you, Hawks. Don't even know your real name."


"Sorry, kid, but that's something I can't say."


"Worth a try." Mirko got up and started to me pull away from the bar. "Come one, pigeon boy. Let's dance. And before you ask, yes, you do have to."


Man, I really do love this girl.


Honestly, after all the years of intense training that I had, I'm both surprised and happy that I developed this close friendship with another hero. Mirko has been there since before my debut and has been one of my biggest supporters. Plus, like she said during the billboard events, who else can tolerate me? Even after having more drinks than Mirko, I can easily keep up with her. We were in sync, but when I saw H/N, Mirko bumped into me.


"Who are you looking at?" She followed my eyesight and shook her head. "Do you have beef with Fat Gum?"


"What? No."


"Then with Eraser Head."


"Mirko," I looked back at her, "I don't have beef with anyone."


"Then who..." she trailed off when she saw H/N. "Oh! Yeah. Sorry, pigeon boy, but that ain't gonna...where are you going?"


I waved bye at her and walked to where H/N was sitting. Next to her was Fat Gum, who was buy giving her enough food to fill her plate, and disheveled hero. So, that's Eraser Head. He looks...intimidating. When I neared the table, Fat Gum's attention was on me first.


"Well, if it isn't Hawks! Hi! Hello! How are you?" He had the friendliest and happiest voice I've ever heard from a hero.


"Oh great," Eraser Head disinterested, "another loud, annoying blonde."


H/N slightly hit his arm. "Don't be mean."


"Yeah Eraser! Mic isn't even here to defend himself." Fat Gum stuffed a takoyaki ball in his mouth, "plus we all know you have a soft spot for him."


H/N nodded her head in agreement.


"Whatever." Eraser Head got up, "I'll see you two tomorrow for training." Before he left, he placed a hand on my shoulder and gave me a grim looking smile, "congrats on being number three, kid."


Fat Gum whispered to H/N. "Do you really think he's gonna make us train tomorrow?" She nodded her head. "What a party pooper. I'm going to get more food. Do you two want anything from the table? Any drink requests, Hawks?"


"No. Thank you though. I'm good."


"Alright then. I'll be back at my trademark speed!" Fat Gum looked at me with a proud expression. "Was that a good impression of you?"


I chuckled and nodded his head. "That was a good one. You said it better than I ever could."


Fat Gum left, leaving H/N and me alone. I could feel someone staring at me from the back and I knew that it was Mirko. There's no lying that she was looking at my every move, trying to see if she should rescue me from this.


"So," H/N started, "why were you looking at me during the billboard event?"


"Oh, ummm," I rubbed the back of my neck and chuckled awkwardly, "sorry about that. It just caught me off guard."


"Off guard?"


"Yeah," I sat down, opposite of her, "I saw you on the news a couple of weeks ago."


H/N thought about it for a second and lit up. "Oh! The villain attack! Yeah, I don't really like getting the attention from the media. Almost failed at media training when I was at U.A."


She's so cute.


"The way that you moved around effortlessly was like a..."


"A ballerina dressed like a flower," H/N finished my sentence. "Yeah, I get that a lot. Fat Gum said the exact same thing."


"Great minds think alike."


There was a moment of awkward silence between us, something that I'm not used to. Fuck. Why am I nervous to talk to her? Just be yourself. In the back of my mind, all I could hear was Mirko saying that that was a horrible idea. A slow song started playing and I had to hype myself up to ask H/N...


"Would you like to dance with me?"


A faint red tint started to colour her cheeks. "I...I'm sorry. I don't really know how to dance."


Shit.


My hands were getting clammy from the nerves that I was getting. Why was this so difficult? I never had this problem before. Fuck. I wanted to say something but a loud voice stopped me. Thank god.


"H/N!"


She turned around and her whole face lit up. "Kaito!" He pulled her into a tight hug. "I thought you were on a mission!"


"I was, but it ended early! Woah!" His attention was on me now. "You're...you're amazing!"


"Actually," I laughed softly, "my name is Hawks, not amazing."


He blushed slightly. "Sorry! It's just that I'm a huge fan of yours! I never thought I would get to meet you in person!"


"Well, it's nice to meet you both. Maybe we'll get assigned on a mission together in the future."


I waved goodbye and walked back to the bar, taking a seat next to Mirko. She was giving me a sympathetic smile and told the bartender to keep the drinks coming.


/ / / / /


"Dammit, Hawks," Mirko said with a struggled. "Why are you so fucking heavy?"


"Ruuuumi, why are you being so mean to me?"


Mirko searched my pockets for my keys. I kept clinging onto her as she struggled to keep me up while opening the door to my penthouse. She kicked the door opened and basically dragged me to my bedroom.


"It was probably for the best," Mirko said was she undid my tie and took off my dress shirt. "You two wouldn't work out."


I whined when the cold air hit my skin. "It would have, I think."


"Haw-"


"Keigo," I cut in, "my name is Keigo."


Mirko gave me a small smile. "Keigo. That's a cute name." Then she sighed softly, "it wouldn't have worked out, pigeon. You're too much of free bird. You hate being tied down. That's why you're rarely ever home and are busy going out on all sorts of missions."


"You're probably right," I grudgingly admitted.


"Okay. I'm gonna head out," she looked at the clock,"don't wanna make my girlfriend worried by coming home late."


"Wait," Mirko stopped at the door, "can you make me some chicken nuggets before you leave?"

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