"How the hell do you get that drunk without having one hell of a hangover?" I roll my eyes

"I'm just built different," Koji shrugged with a chuckle

"You know-" my voice died in my throat.

A girl was sitting alone at a table with a drink. She pouted, looking miserable.

"Hey, she's the new girl from the merch shop." Koji smiled

"New girl? What's her name?"

"Fuck if I know. I think...Illisa? Maybe?"

I roll my eyes before devising a plan.

"What do you think you're doing?" Koji raised an eyebrow suspiciously

"Nothing"

"Sus"

"Just watch." I smile, sitting at the chair on the other side of the table.

"Iliza?" No response; she is too focused on her phone. New plan, "Girly" nope, "Baby girl."

Oh shit that got her attention. She flushed lightly, looking up at me, confused.

"I-i think you have the wrong person."

"No, I just didn't know what to call you." I smile, leaning on my hand on the table, "Why the long face?"

She didn't look sure telling me. None of my business anyway. If I can make her smile, at least then I'll be satisfied, "Can I see your straw?"

"My straw?" She looked confused

"It's for a magic trick," I reassure

She gave it over, and I smile, holding my palm out, "Now watch carefully."

I reach my hand back before moving it to touch the straw to my palm. At the 3rd time, I dropped the straw behind me, clapping my hands together.

My feather caught the straw while she looked confused. I smirk, using my feather to sneak the straw back in her drink while her attention is on my hands before pointing to it back in its rightful place.

"Tada!" I smile widely

She giggled, rolling her eyes, "Didn't think of pro hero Hawks as a magician."

"I'm a man of many talents."

"And many faults" Koji butt in, "Let's get moving, or we'll be late."

I pout as he pulls me out of the chair. I give her a quick 2-finger salute as I follow Koji, "Come on, man, I was trying to brighten her day."

"Does that qualify as hero work?" He raised a brow

"Ye-... wait. If I say yes, you're gonna make me file it in, aren't you? " I squint at him, causing him to laugh, and I follow in suit

The day passed normally until I went on break...the merch shop... that's on ground level. No problems, if I just stop by there, right?"

I head down, going into the shop. I'm not looking for anything in particular...nope not at all. I smile, seeing her on the other side of an isle.

I send out a feather, slipping it in one of the plush's jackets before letting it fly off the shelf. I let it follow her, trying not to snicker.

She was stocking a shelf minding her own business. I was about to make the plushie scare her when she stopped working, looking at the product in hand.

"Who approved this...that's gotta be photoshopped."

Oh??? Curiosity caught me, and I wondered over to look over her shoulder. It's one of those mousepads. I think they are funny as hell. I didn't think Koji would sign off on it, though. My pecs as the wrist support is a bit awkward.

"I'd say yes but no." I smirk

She jumped, flipping around to face me while dropping the product back in the box with the dozen others, "Hawks?? What are you doing here?"

"I think the endeavor ones are more accurate. I don't really have the pecs for it. " I open my jacket looking down at myself, "I'm not all that rippling muscle. "

She still looked stunned. That's fair, I guess. Caught eyeing my merch and I decide to show up.

"Knock knock, anyone in there?" I chuckle to myself

"What are you doing here?"

"What? Can't be in my own merch shop? At my own Agency non the less?"

"Well, no-"

"No?" I dramatically clutch fake pearls

"I mean-"

I can't contain my giggles cutting her off once again. "I know what you mean. Just decided to come in. Heard you were new. "

"New is a way to put it. I've been here about a month"

I whistle, "Wow, how's the job treating you?"

"Good, sir."

"Nah, get outta here with that formal sh-" I spy a child on the other side of the isle, "shenanigans"

"Shenanigans?" She raised a brow teasingly

"Shush up" I commit to the bit

"Well, Mr. Shenanigans, is it common for you to greet the quote unquote new employee of the merch shop?"

"What if it was? You'd feel real dumb now, wouldn't you?"

"Almost as dumb as you look right now," she giggled

"Ok, you caught me, so how about coffee?"

"Hmm. What if I have a boyfriend?"

"And what if I just wanted to go platonically?"

"The Hawks, playboy bachelor, wanting to just go out for coffee platonically?"

"Whats wrong with that? Plus you really wanna believe what those tabloids say about me? If they were right I don't think I'd be down here making a fool of myself right now"

She raised an eyebrow but smirked, "I guess you're right. Well fortunately for you I MAY be getting off at 4 and then MAY be stopping by the little Cafe down the street to the right. I MAY even be sitting at a table waiting for some company to chat with"

"Well I MAY see you there" I smirk

She rolled her eyes before pulling one of the mousepads back out, "Geez, that's if I don't get tired of seeing your freaking face. These things are gonna haunt my nightmares"

"Better get that coffee then to stay awake, see you there or your nightmares, your choice" I snicker walking backwards out of the shop.