Chapter Text
(after chp 321)
Everything moved so fast. Too fast yet not fast enough. the battle in the woods leading to so many hero's injured. With little death. But the impact was still devastating. It happened so fast. And everything after felt like both staggering and moving forward too quickly on shaking legs. Unable to see the mistakes along the way. It had been near a month and the top hero's faulty plan had come to a halt.
That was it, with the appearance of class 1-A. There whole plan was shattered. But no one could really be mad about it. In retrospect it was a terrible plan. Using some 16 year old kid as bait for a league of villain's that had effectively shaken and killed many hero's. That had been escaping them for over a year. It was a bad plan. Everyone involved could tell. Another mark on their ever growing failure. This was the end. No more running around trying to lure them out. It was time to go back to plan B. General search. Even if it was going to be worthless. But for now they needed to go home. Tired and dirty from living in cars for the passed month. Sleep deprived from the constant moving and lack of trade off for the drivers seat.
Best Jeanist drove through the town, his passenger seat taken up by Hawks. The skinny man no longer needing his oxygen tank. But the device still sat by his feet. Rattling every know and again when the number three hero would turn or hit uneven asphalt. Hawk's did nothing to stop it.
His marked eyes fluttered closed. Showing how bare they were without his usual make up he use to wear to highlight the shape and his already dark marks. It wasn't the time for vanity. Not with everything they had lost and the league slipping through their fingers yet again. Failure after failure staring at the three of them in the car like a heated glare from someone they kept letting down.
He forced his eyes to stay open to look out at the windows of the car. His body both tense and slumped in his seat. His head swaying a bit as he would lean it against the seat then tilt forward a bit, forgoing the comfort of not holding his head up entirely.
In the back of the drivers car sat the number one hero. Endeavor. Taking up the majority of the back seat. He hunched over a bit, with his wrists on his knees. Enji stared down at the dirty floor. Freshly cleaned from all the garbage that had collected but still looked filthy. His expression was tight. His gaze seeing things much farther then the ground below him while he frowned. It was obvious what he was thinking about.
Not just how their plan failed, but how he let down his son once again. Always chasing the acceptance of his youngest but always messing it up. This time was harsher then the rest. Because he had kept Midoriya from the teen. Has taken his sons boyfriend and dangled him in front of powerful villains in pursuit to end the league as quickly as possible.
He had allowed Deku to put himself in danger and push himself till he was wrecked. Bloody and torn. Till he no longer looked like a hero. Solidifying the youngers notion that he had to do everything alone. It seemed there was no coming back from that mistake in his sons eyes.
Hakamada turned the cars wheel then let out a loud exhale. Presenting his own turmoil to the others if they were paying attention. That everything was for not and all they did was worsen an already bad situation. That the man was at a loss of how to fix anything. His friends, his own status, society. The car stayed silent till they reached the vacant street in fukuoka.
Kegio blinked with recognition as his brain processed the scenery around them. He sat up a bit to stare out the window shield. Waiting till they arrived at his rather large house. Except he couldn't see it. It was hard to miss given he had been living there for years. Even if he had moved out for a short time to give his mom space from the commission and his hero work. He still knew where the house was and he should eb able to see it. His brick fencing came into view. His eyes widened when he saw charred support beams and brunt walls that refused to go down. He took in a silent breath. Something in his torso shattering at the sight before him.
Best Jeanist halted the car rather harshly. The tires screeched and they all jerked forward from the force. Not that any of them complained. Hawks used the force of the motion to turn in his seat. Pressing his arm on the back of the chair to keep himself up as he stared out his window. The car sat in front of his gate now and he could see the damage. His house. The place his mom had lived in since he was taken in by the commission. Was burnt to the ground. He swallowed his shock. Unbuckling himself then pushing open his door.
He stepped out onto the side walk. Taking slower steps then he would like towards the house. He walked passed the front gate with the scorched sign on it reading his mothers maiden name on it. Not that he could see the letters now. Distantly he could hear the car doors opening and his colleagues coming out of the car to see the damage as well.
The inside was black and hallowed, majority of the building laid in rubble and ash on the property. It was gone. Everything was gone. Turned to ash and charred pieces on the ground. The large Kitchen his mother was so happy to have. The big living room they shared to watch the news and play board games when he was a teenager. The photos she had on the walls of the two of them. The whole upstairs where they slept. It was all gone. A few walls still stubbornly standing but they were littered with spray paint. Words scattered all around, over lapping one another.
'Fake' 'not a hero' 'hero's don't kill' 'die' 'we don't need you' and 'killer'.
There were even crude drawings of his wings going up in smoke on one of the walls. It made his back ache with the memory of Dabi's flames burning away his feathers. Leaving behind a large scar on his back. The feathers that had grown since then had malted off and news ones have not grown back. Leaving him bare. With only the ghost sensation of that intense heat boiling his flesh. Hawks took a silent breath. Schooling his own expression. He shouldn't be surprised at this point. This was the leagues plan all along and he was forced into their hand.
Still the words hurt. How could they not, when he gave everything for the people and they threw his mistake in his face. Destroying what life he had built. What life he was allowed to have under the strict rules of the commission. He lowered his shoulders. Tucking the anger away. He placed his hands in his baggy pants. He moved his boot to kick some wood away lightly. Seeing a photo underneath that had survived the fire. It was a bit crisp on the edges but he could still make out his mothers smiling face staring back at him.
"I never thought anyone would resort to this. Burning down your own home" Jeanist muttered, shocked and speaking his mind rather then to the man. This was fine. It's not like this place was ever truly a home. It was just a comfortable place to stay. A luxury both he and his mother knew would be taken away if he miss behaved too much. Just like everything in their life before the commission. At least she wasn't here to see this. His mother was long gone. Finally free from the chains of their agreement. While he was left to stand in the ashes of it all. Hawks let out a long breath, his shoulders sinking even more.
"Hawks" Endeavors deep voice called out in the dark of the night. "It's fine" he told. His voice a bit hoarse. Not from any real emotion he was feeling. He was still unwell from their battle. Still in pain all over and healing rather poorly. They all were. Having jumped into a car as soon as they were all able to walk and driving around the country together.
Hawks forced his body to stand straighter despite the exhaustion wrecking his muscles. He stretched his arms out, cracking some joints that had gone stiff from being in a limited space for so long. He tossed his usual smile on his face then turned to see his colleagues. Both of them stared at him. So stoic as they observed his emotional state. But they wouldn't see anything. Even beaten and battered, Kegio was good at hiding things. Too good.
"Well looks like I'm crashing at a motel or Jeanist's car again" he spoke lightly, a laugh in his sentence. He flashed them his pearly white teeth and the two shared a glance. It was obvious they weren't convinced he was ok. Not because he didn't pull off looking ok. But the ashes and crude words surrounding him countered his attitude. What person wouldn't be upset about loosing their home. Except this place was never a home. Neither was his little apartment when he had one. It was just a place to reside in. And now it was gone.
"Was there nothing here of value to you" the fashionable hero asked. Hawks thought a moment. He glanced up at the open sky. He hadn't really moved into this place. When he was little he had to live at the training grounds with some of the other kids in his situation. He was allowed to visit from time to time. And when he was a teen he spent some years being here. When he built his agency he had designed a room only he had access too. Keeping most of his valuables there. Since it's where he was suppose to be spending most of his time anyway. But.
There was something here. Something that probably didn't make it through the fire. He had left it by accident when he last visited his mother. And he meant to get it back from her. Problem was he couldn't. He had been too deep in his mission, knowing he was being observed. He didn't want to lead anyone to his mother. Though they found her anyways. Hawkes fought the urge to look down at the ground for any signs of his toy. He didn't want to tip them off that he was upset at all by this. They'd worry. Probably even help him look for it in the ashes.
It was late and they were all exhausted. If he showed he was bothered at all, they wouldn't go home and rest properly. So he smiled again and shrugged like he wasn't standing in the ruins of his house.
"Hmm no, just some old clothes. It's fine I needed a new wardrobe anyway" he told.
"And your apartment" Hakamada asked. Now that was tricky. Because he had barely anything in his apartment. Just his hero costume and some street clothes. Plus all his makeup and hair products. But those were the only luxury items he had. He shook his head a bit.
"There was nothing there. Besides I got evicted before the battle went down. Made the land lord wiry I guess. I do have some stuff at my agency" He halted his sentence when he said that. Right now, he wasn't allowed at his agency. They all knew it. Not since the battle and his name was dragged through the mud. He was forced on a sabbatical by the commission.
Which to most looked like they wanted to rebuild societies trust in the agency before he came back. But Hawks knew. It was them telling him he was fired. That this was his punishment for being sloppy and not dying like a hero on that battle field. A way for them to cover their own asses so they didn't have to stop doing all their shadow programs.
He blinked, taking in the sight of the two hero's again. Endeavor looked up at what was left of the place while Jeanist looked down at the ruble under their feet. It was no good to dwell. They all needed to rest. And Hawks needed to find some place to crash. He could feel how weak his stands was. The fumes of the area not helping with his current fatigue.
"Come on, dwellings no fun. Take number one home, I'll find a motel or something" he told them. It was a feeble attempt at getting them to leave. At least if they did he could search the ruble himself for what he had left behind. Even though eh was sure it was ash at this point it had to be. It was so flammable. But the picture of his mom survived so maybe his toy did too.
Hawks waved them off then placed his hands in his pockets as he grinned. He started heading towards the gate like he was going to leave. He glanced at the two hero's, his sights landing on endeavor. The large man hardened his stare as he looked at Hawks and he knew that meant they weren't just gonna leave him out here. Probably because they both knew his feathers haven't grown back yet and he was mostly defenseless.
"I don't think that's wise, not because your feathers still haven't grown back but I don't think its a good idea for any hero to be wondering on their own right now" Jeanist told, his voice slightly muffled by his collar. Hawks stopped his walk and glanced at him. Crap, he thought to himself. Cursing his heroic coworkers. They weren't gonna leave him be to slip through the cracks like he always had.
"Hakamada is right, it's not a good idea for anyone to be alone right now" Endeavor echoed, crossing his arms over his chest. Hawks smiled as he stood in front of them. No room for argument, that was Endeavor for you. He said in his mind.
"Aw you worry about me that much big guy" Hawks joked. He usually did that to avoid any hard conversations. To make Endeavor uncomfortable so he'd distance himself or drop a topic. And the both knew that by now. Endeavor wasn't backing down this time. The red head hardened his stare as he looked at Hawks. Seeing the small man standing in the ruins of his home. A memory playing in his head of the three of them in Jeanist's car.
The three of them were fallowing a petty criminal, searching for any trouble along the way. Letting Midoriya be flashy about his pursuit outside the car to draw out any bigger villains that might be near by.
As usual the Endeavor was seated in the back. With Hawks right beside him. His hands spread out over the laptop they shared. Havening been in the middle of typing something before his motions stalled. He was turned a bit in his seat so his back was against the corner where the seating met the door. He was slumped against it, his eyes closed as a harsh breathing came from him. In an even rhythm, muffled a bit by the oxygen mask he wore. His eyes were closed, showing how bare they wore from his usual eyeliner. His head leaned back on the window to support him where he was sitting limp in the spot.
Endeavor remembered thinking it was the first time he had seen the man sleep since he left the hospital. His makeup long gone, showing bruises on his face from the recent battle. A growing tiredness forming on his skin. The expression on his face changed drastically as the blond jolted awake. Eyes blowing wide suddenly. He tossed the laptop, throwing it. Endeavor reacted. Grabbing the device that was thrown without warning
The sleeping man was now awake. Turning in his seat and tossing open the door of the moving car. Startling Jeanist. Hawks threw himself out of the moving car with his oxygen tank. Crashing onto the ground and cutting open his hands from impact.
The movement was so fast the other two barely had time to react. Jeanist hit the break and swerved the car by accident. Endeavor put the lap top on the now empty seat then hoped out of the car himself. Too late he concluded. The blond had torn off his mask and was now vomiting on the ground. Shaking where he was on his hands and knees. Unable to stop himself from dry heaving. It almost sounded like screaming in his ears. A harsh crying that came from the depths of a person.
It was a jarring scene for both hero's having to watch. Waiting for their college to finish empty his stomach until they could hydrate him. It was also the last time he had noticed the man sleep in their month long car ride.
Endeavor meet the mans golden eyes, the color nearly useable in the dark. No street lamp to illuminate them, just the hidden stars from the cities pollution and the dim moon.
"Get in the car Hawks" he ordered. The man blinked and he could see the struggle for him to keep his sharp eyes open. A playful smile tugging up the side of his face that felt rehearsed. As if eh was trying to play off all the tragedy he was standing in. And knowing Hawks that was a possibility.
"Geez so bossy, aye aye sir" the blond chuckled. But it sounded so hoarse, like it was a lot of effort to do so. He waited till Hawks walked past him before heading back to the car. His eyes observing the way the man tried not to stagger as he walked. The shake in his body that was difficult to see with his large jacket and baggy pants. Jeanist fallowed behind Endeavor at they all made their way to the car. Taking their previous seats.
Right now they needed to find a place for Hawks to rest. Given what he had said. He was kicked out of his apartment and his house laid in ruin. And he wasn't allowed in his hero agency at the moment. They all knew this. So a motel is what they would need to find. Just for tonight till they could rest and regroup.
The two older hero's silently agreeing on this plan while the younger sat in the passenger's seat again. Staring out the window with heavy lids, fighting to keep them open.
Jeanist slowed the car as he came to a building by Hawks burnt home. The motel was tall and skinny with a few rags of fabric over the door. The name of the place printed on the blue fabric. Hawks took a moment, seeming to have to muster the energy to move. He pushed open the door and stood out of the car. He went to close the door when a woman came running out of the place. Her hair tied up tightly behind her head. Her work uniform wrinkling from her quick motions. She held a large sign stating 'No Hero's' and waved it around.
"No get lost you murderer. Leave my property or I will defend my doors" she shouted at him. Hawks held his palms out then took a step to the car. He grabbed the handle then climbed back inside the car. He closed the door and Jeanist was driving away again.
Hawks smile was gone, he didn't force it to stay on his face to reassure them he was still ok. Endeavor noted. Concluding he was in fact faking. That he didn't have the energy to keep up the facade of the happy, optimistic hero unbothered by anything. They drove to another place and the result was much the same. He was turned away for being a hero. Then insulted for being Hawks.
The behavior soured their moods even more. People were so angry with hero's. So angry with him. For things that were only half truths. Hawks got back into the car after another rejection. He glanced at his tired comrades. Seeing the way Jeanist gripped his wheel now. Both in frustration and guilt they all were feeling. A guilt that despite their abilities and actions. They had failed the citizens of Japan greatly.
Even he felt that way. Over analyzing his actions from the past few months. Knowing he could have done better. But the truth was no he couldn't. It was always going to end up like this. Or something similar. And his reputation was growing worse with the commission throwing him under the bus instead of owning up to what they had done. What they made him do. Seeing how the people were reacting, convinced him more and more he wasn't suppose to live after that battle.
Hawks flicked his gaze to the mirror hanging between the drivers seat and passenger. Through it he could see Endeavor. His gaze fixed on the place that had rejected him. His eyes squinting with a growing rage at the situation. They were tired. And this was becoming bothersome. He had to figure out a way to give the hero's the slip. He wasn't going to be able to sleep in a room. He'd have to make an excuse so he could find some place to curl up in. So they could go home and rest and take care of this situation better then they had been.
Jeanist stopped the car again. Situated in front of another motel that looked like all the rest. Hawks got out of the car and made his way to the entrance. So far so good. No one came running out to shoo him away. He headed inside. Stepping into the bright lobby. Squinting his eyes at the lights that came from above and beside him from the line of vending machines off to the side. He took a few steps to the front desk.
The man sitting there looked up at him uninterested. Only for a second before it registered who eh was looking at. The man stood up from his chair and started shouting.
"Get out false hero" he stated. Hawks sighed and held up his hands in surrender to the mans demands. He glanced over his shoulder. Staring out the windows to the car that stills at outside. Great they hadn't left yet. Hawks turned back to the man before him. The citizen almost shaking as he tried to stand his ground. He was afraid more then angry and that annoyed him. The man was afraid of him.
"Alright I'll go. I don't want trouble. Is there a back door I can leave through though" he asked, running his hand through his unkept hair. Knowing if he turned around and walked out the front the three of them would be wondering around for a while to find a place. And he needed to let them leave so they could rest. The man narrowed his eyes.
"Down the hall" he pointed out and Hawks smiled at him. "Thanks your a life saver" he joked. Causing the man to snarl at him in his rage. He began walking past the front desk. Further into the building where he knew the others wouldn't be able to see him anymore.
He walked down the path pointed out to him. Despite his care free persona he knew the situation he was in. It wasn't known his feathers were gone at the moment but he was mostly defenseless. If someone who hated him tried to jump him he'd be in a bit of trouble. He placed his hand in his pocket gripping his keys. Hoping no one would try anything and he wouldn't have to defend himself.
But it didn't seem like a trap, the door lead out to a back alley. Dark with nothing but garbage and trash in piles. He could make out maybe one or two people slumped on the wall sleeping. Hawks moved quietly to leave, not wanting to provoke anyone. He tensed as he watched the bodies around the area. He saw the head lights of Jeanist's car drive off and down the road. Once it was gone he stepped out of the alley way. Turning to head towards his old house.
The reality of his predicament hitting him now that he was alone. He was quirk less, in a town where anyone could be his enemy. The citizens, the country enraged with what he did. With his choice to take a life to give his colleagues a fighting chance against someone with a powerful quirk. Too powerful and limitless to be unchecked. It was a split second decision and he was paying dearly for it. He really was reckless. Wondering around the streets. Duping his hero's into thinking he had a place to stay so they would leave and rest themselves.
But he was far from safe. He cursed himself for making the choice. But it didn't matter, it's not like he was going to sleep even if he stayed in the car for another night. He rubbed his neck and turned his head to crack it. He kept moving, despite the throbbing in his legs, the pain in his back. The way his stomach screamed to be filled. His dizzying head from his self torment.
He ended up back at the rubble of his house. It was dangerous here. Not just cause of the fumes in the air or the unstable structure. But there was a chance people were watching, waiting for him to come back so they could attack. Or maybe that was his growing anxiety. He walked among the rubble anyway. Heading towards the area he was sure use to be the living room. If his lost item survived it was most likely here.
He crouched to the ground. reaching out to the damaged pieces of his house and moving them. Revealing other things hidden in the ruble. But none of them were what he was looking for. There was one thing he needed to find in this mess. One thing he kept from his old life and cherished through his many years of hero training. Something he had learned to keep hidden. Both to keep safe and to avoid some unnecessary embarrassment. he dug through the remains. His hands becoming dirty with the the ash and soot sticking to him. But he didn't stop. He searched the whole area, moving from where one room was to another then another.
He was filthy now. Covered in ash and coughing from the ambers in the air. He pressed on. Picking up a large plank of wood and tossing it. Making the ashes jump into the air. Hawks coughed again. Moving his sleeve over his face. It did little to help given how the substance clung to his beige coat. He turned to the uncovered area. Pushing pieces away till he came across a shoe box. He gasped a bit, recognizing the box.
It was the one thing his mom had taken from their old life. A box from a pair of shoes she had bought him when he was five. He paused as he looked at the charred box that was once purple in color. A little memory playing out in his mind. His mother had meant ot throw the box out after he had put on his new shoes. But Hawks being so little at the time, quickly placed a rock he had thought was pretty cool inside the box instead.
So she kept it. And whenever he found something he thought was neat he would put it in the box. Even when he was a teen he still put things in her box. From rocks to shells. Little broken pieces of toys he found on the ground. Last time he put something in the box he was twenty one. He had placed half a walnut shell inside among all the treasures he had collected over the years. And she kept every single one of them. He pushed down the feelings welling up inside him. He didn't have time to feel them or dwell on them.
He went to set the box down to continue his search then stopped before letting it go. Re telling himself this was a box of his treasures. And she knew that. He raised the box to his lap and pulled off the lid. His eyes widened at the sight before him. His treasures rattled around, almost unscathed by the fire. And sitting on top of all of them was an almost preserved Endeavor doll. Stitched with his signature scowl and flames. It was a bit warn from the years, the shape of it had started to change a little from how he use to hold it. And it was a bit dirty. But it hadn't been scorched. Just a little fire damage on the ends of the fake flames. But otherwise it was fine. It was saved by his mothers box and the treasures inside.
She must have put it in there when he left it by accident. Keeping it safe for him till he could reclaim it. Kegio clenched his jaw as his body began to shake. He set the box down on the ground and grabbed the little plush doll from inside. He held it. Holding it in the same way he always had. The grumpy face of his hero staring back at him, unmarked from the fire. His jaw quivered and he felt the tears fill his eyes then run down his face.
She kept the only other thing he cared about safe. He threw his arms to his center. Holding onto the doll as he curled up in the spot. Partly falling to the ground as he shook. The ash clinging to his hair and on his face. He coughed and wheezed a bit as he started to cry in the ruins of his house. Unable to keep the overwhelming emotions back anymore. His tears stung as they formed and fell but he ignored it. He closed his eyes and pulled his knees closer to himself. Crushing the doll in his hold.
He remembered the day he got this doll. It had been a sunny day, almost too hot to handle. His favorite kind of days. He was use to the heat and he loved it. He was running around town with his mother that day instead of his dad. He was so excited to just be out with her. He didn't even ask to go anywhere. Not to the play ground or the park or any stores. He stuck by her side while she ran her errands.
gathering what little groceries she could with what they had. She was so happy with how well behaved he was. When they were at the check out he helped her to put the stuff she picked out on the counter that he could barely reach. She smiled down at him. It was one of the few times she did back then. One of the few times she was happy he was around. When he finished putting the items on the table and the cashier rang them up he stood still beside her. Not running off or being loud.
She gestured to a bin beside the register where a collection of cheaply made dolls sat inside. In the design of hero's. He practically ran to it. Almost jumping into it to look for one. He hurried to find one he wanted more then all the others before his mother changed her mind. He even let go of a few feathers to search at the bottom of the bin till he found it. Among all the All Might and other mass produced hero's he found the only Endeavor doll in the mix. He pulled it out with his feather and grabbed it.
The felt flames shun in the florescent lighting of the store. The scowl staring at him with such vibrancy. He could almost hear the man shouting one of his combat moves. He pulled the doll close and hogged it with both arms. Which was a bit hard to do even back then. With how small the doll was. But he didn't care. He was just happy to have it. To be allowed to have something of his very own. A present, one of the very few he had received in his life.
He felt the warmth of that day even as he laid in the ashes of his house. His limbs becoming numb, refusing to move anymore. Too exhausted and warn to work anymore. Even his tears had stopped. Too dehydrated to continue crying. But his face still became wet. As the sky opened and rain began to fall in the silence of the night. Hawks opened his eyes. His warm summer day fading away as he met the darkness scorched wood and blackened bricks. He turned his head the best he could which wasn't much. Looking up at the sky to the droplets that began to fall.
He knew he should move. Find shelter from the rain. It would seep into his bones and take away what little warmth he had left. But he couldn't move. The rain came down, harsh and loud. Drowning out everything. He barely felt the cold hit his body. Which he knew was bad. He didn't try to fix it. The smell of the ash making him cough a bit, his breathing coming out in wheezes.
He couldn't fight it anymore. His eyes began to close despite him trying to protest. He knew what would come if he fell asleep. And he couldn't stop it. His eyes closed despite himself and he fell even more limp into the pile of broken walls.
If morning came he was unaware of it. Lost in a sightless world, the only feeling he had was a harsh burn all around him. Like hands grabbing at parts of his body. The base of his wings, burning the flesh around them. His shoulder, his neck. The back of his head, his hips. All sizzling with burning hands, leaving behind blue marks on his skin. He screamed but nothing came out. Another hand appeared over his lips, scorching his face. Again he screamed but it was unheard. Tears streamed down his cheeks, causing the marks to sting more.
'How can someone stop when you react like this' he heard someone say. A cruel chuckle fallowing and a wet tongue against his ear. He felt sick. His stomach knotting up and his whole body clenching. Shaking from how hard he was tensing. The blue flames threatening to burn him away suffocating him. Making it nearly impossible to breath.
"Damn it Hawks" he heard in a much deeper voice. In an instant sensation was gone. The hands holding him down eased till they weren't there anymore. The uncomfortable burn leaving way for a shiver as a chill ran through him. He felt his body being lifted. Moved with out his command. He felt his arms un curl and something slip out of his hand. Was it his doll. He tried to flex to grab it. Making his body jolt a bit as it tried to respond. Something was bracing his back. Moving his spin. He tried to open his eyes. But they wouldn't. It was a struggle to even grab at the air for what he was loosing.
He didn't want to lose his doll. It was all he had left. It was the last thing of his he had. He couldn't loose it. He fought to open his eyes. To move his body at all but it wouldn't. The ash smell was growing distant now. Something else taking it's place. It smelt like a lit campfire and jasmine flowers. It was familiar but he couldn't place why.
"You're cold and wet" he heard the voice speak again. It sounded so annoyed. Kegio pushed his eyes open just barley. It was all he could manage to do. The bright sky felt so blinding, making him want to close his eyes again. But if he did he wasn't sure he could open them again. He flicked his gaze from the blue sky. Only to meet piercing eyes that held the same intensity in color and emotion.
"En-deavor" he pushed out. The name falling from his lips. His voice was harsh, almost unhear able now. The man scowled at him even further and he almost want to smile at the anger on his face. Because here he was, barely conscious. Covered in ash and soot that clung to him and his wet clothes. Still carrying all the muck from their month in that car stuck together with the odor of hard work and car fresheners. And here Endeavor was. Washed and cleaned. Changed into civilian clothes and freshly shaven it seems.
"Did you come to see me... sorry I'm... limited on seating... at the moment" he struggled to say. His little joke cause the man holding him to tense, involuntarily pulling Kegio closer to his chest.
"You idiot. I didn't come here to see you. I came to see what damage scared citizens can cause. You're not suppose to be here" he shouted. Kegio struggled to blink. He could feel the tension in his own body fading along with the feeling in his limbs. No longer trying to push himself now that he knew who was there and where he was. He still struggled to keep his eyes open, trying his best not to blink. He couldn't even forma smile at the little joke he told or the mans reaction.
Enji loosened his hold only a bit. Seeming to calm down from his outburst. Those blue eyes stared at him, observing him despite Kegio not moving. He couldn't move. He couldn't even feel his legs or his arms anymore.
"You weren't able to get a room at that motel were you" he asked more calmly. The look on his face told he already knowing the answer. How could he not when he was holding Kegio in his arms. Wet and cold, unable to move from how exhausted he was. Endeavor didn't wait for an answer. He made a noise of annoyance then started walking away from the mess. He was leaving and Hawks things were left in the open now.
The little hero threw his hand out and grabbed the mans black sweater. Almost clawing at his chest where his head was leaning against the mans body.
"My treasures" he spoke out with more force then he had been talking with. His sudden motion caused Enji to stop. Looking down at him again, his eyes a little wider. But Kegio didn't meet his gaze this time. He was leaning on the man now. Pressing himself into the hold as he couldn't support himself. But he needed that box. He needed the doll he was holding beside it.
He coughed harshly, his whole body convulsing forward. He staggered in his breathing. Wheezing to try and fill his lungs. He hadn't noticed Endeavor had began walking away again. Leaving the tarnished home behind and his box of treasures. There was nothing Kegio could do about it. He could barely move let alone jump out of the mans hold and grab his things himself. It was just items. Just stuff. It didn't have to mean anything. He could let it go. It was probably better he let it go. It was all trash anyways.
He heard a car door being opened, snapping him out of the thought. Endeavor swung his arms gently, moving Kegio down and around to set him on the seat on the passengers side. He felt the supportive leather taking his weight as he was set down. The seat press onto his back along with the hand that still resided there. Those strong fingers glided across his back. Keeping him set in this upright position while the man pulled away. Moving his other hand from under Kegio's Knees.
He felt the weight of his limbs once the mans touch was gone. His body too heavy for himself, like he was being held down once again. Kegio blinked, he couldn't help closing his eyes a moment. They stung so bad. He heard the door close beside him and he forced his eyes to re open. To see outside the window to the remains of his house. Where his doll was most likely laying on the ground. It was going to be lost to him forever now.
His golden eyes shook a bit as he struggled to open his eyes. Looking out at the mockingly sunny day. He could see movement, it took him a moment to register it was Endeavor. The man was walking back into the ruins of the building. His shoulders high as he made his way to the area Kegio had been resting in. He crouched out of view then sprung up. Turning around to head back to the car.
Kegio squinted his eyes to try and see the man. He headed towards the car, holding the box that had all the little things he had collected over the years. Even with his foggy processing, Hawks knew he hadn't picked up the doll. There's no way he scooped it up and tossed it in. When he got close to the car he could see there was no plush toy peeking out from the small box. He hadn't grabbed it. Of course he wouldn't. All he was able to say was his treasures, nothing about his little doll. So it was going to be lost forever. He slumped against the seat. He had to be ok with this. He couldn't be upset about this. It was just a doll.
He watched as Enji came up to the car again. The man paused a second, his eyes meeting Kegio's from behind the window. The small hero turned his head the best he could. Looking away from the man. He didn't want to show him how unappreciative he was that he grabbed his trash. He was being nice doing that. Taking the extra step to carry out his desperate plea. He heard the door behind him open and the sound of his things rattling around as they were set on the back seat. The door closed. Closing the car off from the outside.
Hawks turned his head to look back at the house. His body leaning over too much. Slumping against the side. He hadn't meant to push his body but now that he was against the door his legs jolted. Trying to curl up again. He knew why. Now that he was a bit more awake he could feel his clothes sticking to him. Wet against his skin, clinging to him in uncomfortable ways. Making his body feel hot to the touch yet a shiver ran through him. Making his shoulders shake. The driver side door opened and he felt the whole car move.
Enji settled into his seat. Closing his door and placing the keys back in place. Turning the engine on. He pulled away from the house, driving instead down the street. He glanced over to his passenger for a moment. Taking in the sight of Kegio. The man was slumped against the door. His arms crossing on his lap. Like he was trying to lift them to hold himself.
He moved to turn on the heat in his car, noticing how the man shivered in the seat. He stopped before hitting the button. He sat up and placed his hand back on the wheel. His system always blasted the cold air first, taking a long time for the air to heat up. He focused his breathing instead. Rising his own temperature little by little till to warm the space. It didn't take all that long to do in the small quarters. He was barely out of the mans home town by the time the area was decently warmed up.
He glanced over at the passenger. His shaking subsiding, his body unconsciously uncurling. Now in the silence Endeavor could hear how struggled his breathing was. He cursed himself for not noticing what state the other was in. Despite Hawks being good at hiding himself he still should of known. Should have taken him to the hospital when the man vomited.
Should have forced him to sleep, should have watched if he was eating. Looking at him now, the glutton that he had come to know seemed so skinny. Not sickeningly so quite. A lot more then when he first met the number two hero. He refused to make excuses for his neglect. Like how they were all dealing with a crumbled society, trying to take care of those who refused to seek refuge in UA's security.
The batch trying to find the league of villain's. All for one. He should of been paying attention to his colleagues to. His friend. He glanced over at Hawks again. The blond was pressed to his door. Hunched in the corner of the seat and car wall. His head pressed to the window, his eyes closed tightly. His hands loosely gripping his jacket to cover his stomach.
When did he pass out, did he collapse once they got in the car. Once Endeavor had turned up the heat. He let out a struggled sigh as he returned his sights to the road. See the man guarded like that even in his sleep only solidified what he had been contemplating. There was no where or Hawks to go. He had seen that.
The city rejected him, burned away his home. Defaced the ruined walls. Turned him away when he needed something. Yelled at him for even existing. It was no way to be treated for protecting the country. It wasn't safe. Especially with his healing quirk, leaving him open for attack from underground support items, other quirks, or just a lucky hit. He swallowed as his own town came into view. He sat up tall readying himself for an argument.