Chapter Text
“Shiggy!” Gold eyes light up as he runs, arms outstretched, sprinting for his boyfriend.
“Canary!” Shiggy cries excitedly, running to his hero.
“Shiggy!” the hero chirps, bounding over.
“Hawks!” Shiggy smiles happily as they finally meet, grabbing him into a tight embrace. “You’re back!” The air is sweet, filled with adorable grins and loving gazes.
Dabi rolls his eyes at them, lounging on the couch with his black coffee. Unfortunately for him, the movement calls the attention of the couple and those sweet smiles suddenly seem… sinister.
“Daaabi,” Hawks calls, a scary glint in his eyes. Shiggy grins. Dabi barely has time to set his precious coffee aside before they pounce on him, attacking him in a siege of quick kisses and snuggles. Hawks chirps delighted.
“Seems our little songbird is in a good mood,” Dabi notes, cradling his cheek. “Something going on today?”
Shiggy hugs Dabi from the other side, resting his head on the villain’s shoulder. “Well it is getting close to Christmas… I thought we could celebrate, so I gave him a card and sent him shopping.” He traces random patterns on Dabi’s bicep as he speaks, fidgeting as he always did when he felt shy or nervous.
Dabi glances over at the mountain of discarded shopping bags in the foyer.
“Unsupervised?” he raises a brow.
“A terrible idea really,” Shiggy chuckles in agreement, pressing an affectionate kiss on the hero’s temple.
Hawks blows kisses at them. “Pew pew!” he mimics an explosion happily. Shiggy smiles.
“The hell did you end up getting?” Dabi questions, walking over and browsing through the bags.
“Everything!” Hawks proudly half warbles.
“I think he bought the whole store,” Dabi sighs flatly.
Red feathers move the bags to a corner where the tree will go. “The tree is still outside,” Hawks smirks, testing Dabi’s already thinning patience.
Sensing some monstrosity of a tree probably awaits them, Shiggy sighs and moves to the front door. “Guess I’ll get it,” he mutters over his shoulder, picking at his neck. Dabi considers helping the tweeting bird as he sorts through the shiny ornaments and sparkly garland before shaking his head, opting for more coffee instead.
The soothing brew spews from Dabi’s lips as an irate Shiggy re-enters the property, dragging the most absurd of Hawks’ purchases; a pine tree so large Dabi is shocked Shiggy was able to single-handedly drag it inside at all. “Birdie!”
Hawks appears, tilting his head as though confused. “Shiggy, you should’ve asked for help. That thing’s huge,” he scolds.
“Why’d you get one that big in the first place?” Dabi asks, giving him a pointed look.
“Mm, seemed like a good idea at the time,” Hawks answers noncommittally. “Guess we could return it if you want though.”
“You already know we’re not hauling that thing back,” Dabi snaps at him. Even so, he helps Shiggy lug into place in the corner.
Hawks is a powerful hero. The commission had only been capable of controlling him by breaking his spirit, brainwashing and abusing him. So much so he’d shut down, obeyed, believing he had to save the world and could never mess up. They’d silenced him. How relieved Shiggy and Dabi had been to finally hear his sweet voice again. Except now that the hero is safe, comfortable, accepted in his entirety with the full extent of his quirk, the hero sings and chirps and trills and adores baths. As well as antagonizing his boyfriends (with Dabi seeming to be the birdie’s favored victim), Hawks is surprisingly playful, affectionate - and very, very vocal.
Shiggy had dubbed him their canary for all the songs, chirps and general birdie babble he would go into whenever he became too excited. Fights would result in bemused teasing, but usually ended in the hero’s favor anyway. And he tried so hard for his beloved mates.
It wasn’t uncommon for Shiggy and Dabi to be jarred awake at 5 a.m. to squawks and distressed chirps (that were probably curses) and, upon running to the kitchen, would find a messy Hawks covered with a huge mess of some sticky egg or pancake concoction that had also managed to paint the kitchen. Because Hawks wanted to surprise them with breakfast in bed. Dabi had tried to ban him from the kitchen but the brats had gained up on him with Hawks protesting and going into a birdie frenzy which made Shiggy laugh and scoop the hero up. Saying something to the extent of, “aww but Dabi he tries his best. Maybe if he practices, he’ll get better.” And how could Dabi argue with that? Still, Dabi had kicked the pair out, cleaning until the kitchen sparkled.
And that was how it went; with Hawks attempting some various romantic gesture, many of which ended in some disaster or another, and either Shiggy or Dabi having to clean up after him or rein him in. It might sound tiring but the villains learned quickly birdie messes led to sexy punishments and however much of a mess their stupid piedgon got into, he always more than made up for with kisses and teasing. There was never a dull moment with their lovebird around. It was their way, it was endearing.
Or so they thought.
Until the hero’s pockets begin erupting in beeps and rings, sending a sudden horde of notifications at once. “Hm?” he fishes his phone out with an almost bored expression and answers the insistent call. Shiggy and Dabi frown.
“Ayooo,” he answers normally enough.
“HAWKS! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!” a voice screeches at him on the other end, forcing a flinch as he yanks the phone away from his ear.
Whatever it was, it can’t be good. ‘Miruko,’ he mouths to them before returning the call.
“I’m not sure what’cha mean,” Hawks singsongs. “Maybe be more specific?”
“I’m sorry are you not dating villains now? Because in case you haven’t noticed, it’s all over the news!” Mirko yells at him.
“Huh?” Hawks sounds surprised. Surprised but not panicked.
Why does Dabi have a bad feeling about this? Shiggy fidgets uncomfortably.
“They’re there aren’t they?” Mirko accuses. Hawks is silent, not denying it. “You should really turn on the news if you don’t already know,” she growls through the phone. “You better call me back ASAP Hawks!” And hangs up.
Flicking the TV on and switching it to the news, the villains stare in silence as the reporter continues; “Following the number 2 hero’s shocking confession, many are left wondering; Is Hawks really dating not one but two villains in a polyamourous relationship? And if so, will he remain a hero for much longer? Zach, please run the segment.”
And a clip of Hawks appears. “I know that coming out with this could cost me my hero’s license. Of course I understand that.” He’s pensive, serious. He looks up determined and smiles. “But here’s the thing - it shouldn’t. Because I’m a hero through and through. I’ve proven myself time and again. And yes, I happen to be dating two villains,” he shrugs, undeterred. “I’ve had ties to the LOV for quite some time before now and performed as a hero while in a relationship. On the commission’s order.” He drops a new bomb, the headliner.
“So you’re saying the commission is corrupt? Is that why you’re coming out now?” the reporter asks.
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I have evidence and paper trails to back that up as well,” Hawks’ golden gaze is serious. “As for why I’m announcing it now…” he grins. “I really wanna be able to go on dates, y’know? We’re still a normal couple after all.” The segment ends and cuts back to the other reporter.
“And there you have it. Hawks has announced he wants to go on dates and is formally accusing the hero commission, which oversees all active heroes within Japan, of corruption. More coming in later reports.” The reporter closes.
Slowly, they turn jaws dropped, to the hero.
“Hawks,” Shiggy whispers. “What did you do?!”
***
And so here Hawks sits. Knees to his chest, tree abandoned, as he blinks up at the pacing villains. The other LOV members had already come shocked at the announcement and been cleared out so that Shiggy and Dabi could work it out.
“Birdie,” Dabi presses his hands together. “Please tell us what the actual hell you were thinking?”
Hawks has the audacity to sulk. “If we’re going to be together, it was only a matter of time until people found out anyway. I figured it would be better to formally announce it rather than being found out with suggestive photos or something. And at least this way we can control the narrative a little better.”
Shiggy says nothing, biting at his finger.
“You really should be more concerned,” Dabi growls, pissed. “Why would you pull something like this?!”
Hawks sighs. Of course he knew they would be angry with them. But that didn’t make it any easier. “I just wanted to be able to go with you, be seen in public. And it was going to happen sooner or later.”
“I’m going out for a walk,” Shiggy finally speaks.
“Hey, I know it’s stressful but-” Hawks starts.
“You should’ve talked to us first,” Shiggy mutters, cutting him off. His expression is unreadable. “Regardless of the reason, you shouldn’t have blindsided us like this.” And with that, he takes his leave.
“Shiggy…” Dabi frowns, rounding on the quiet hero. “He’s really stressed, I’m pissed and all you have to say is that you wanted to go out? Look Hawks, I know that most of the time you mean well but this… This was too far.” He grabs his jacket off the couch. “Now I’m going to find our boyfriend - if he still even is at this point - and I’m going to try to calm him down. You-” he glares at the stiff hero, “you really fucked up this time.” And Dabi is gone.
And it hurts. And Hawks is sorry. But it had to be done.
***