Chapter Text
“Morning Dove.” Keigo knocked on your door, but he opened it before you answered. This was comfortable. Normal. Every day since you were ten Keigo had woken you up like this before he went off to train, to work. He always greeted you before he left. But this time, it wasn’t him leaving. It was you. You groaned, sitting up.
“Morning, Hawks.” You greeted, trying desperately to give him a smile.
He was always like a father to you, even being contractually obligated to pay attention to you, he cared for you like you were his own. He trained you for flight with your air quirk, and he patched you up when you inevitably fell. He came to your classes once a week to keep up morale. Your best friend. Your only friend in these walls. When the two of you met, you were a menace. Five years old with the ability to literally steal the breath from a person’s lungs- he was sweet and gentle and kind to you- genuine, unlike all of the others you’d met in CAPOH. He had every reason to ignore you, or avoid you completely.
You were a kid with issues.
A dad you never met and a mom that left you the second you manifested a quirk, only a few days after you were born. You were angry, you cried a lot, but he was there. He taught you how to bend the air like his wings. He taught you how to make hot cocoa. He taught you kindness, and compassion, and how to pick a lock so you could sneak out to the carnival. He practically raised you, and now he was being forced to hand you off. You didn’t get a choice. You belonged to the commission. Both of you.
You were government property.
“Do you want help with your eyeliner?” Keigo asked, his smile did not reach his eyes.
“You always make it too thick, and the commission hired professionals.” You attempted a joke, but it failed. Everything you did lately failed. You’d been trying to seem useless. Unlikable. Maybe if no one wanted to be around you, You wouldn’t be forced to do what you were about to do. It was a fruitless maneuver, you knew. You knew that you didn’t have to be liked to have a working uterus.
That’s all you were to the commission- a body, a quirk. That’s all any of you were.
You dragged yourself out of bed, twirling a ball of air between your fingers as you eyed the dress hanging on the hook on your door. “I am going to need help with the corset though.” You admitted, and Keigo chuckled.
“You don’t need it. The commission is so stupid. Your curves are perfect the way they are.” He muttered, you laughed. He was always like a father to you- he had a daughter a few years older than you, adopted. He’d attempted to adopt you, but the commission wouldn’t allow it for some reason.
“It always helps, I guess.” You stood, in a Hawks official merchandise shirt, Allmight limited edition sweatpants, and scrunched up Fatgum branded Icecream-themed knee socks.
You didn’t want to wear the dress. You didn’t like white. It was too clean. Too sterile. You’d miss colors. You’d miss Keigo’s Golden hair. You’d miss the multicolored tile floor on the children’s floor of the commission dorms. You’d miss the mural you painted when AllMight retired. You’d miss your bed, with the Deku sheets that Keigo had custom made for you on your thirteenth birthday.
Keigo sat on your bed while you showered, and you used the noise to hide your sobs. You gave yourself a few extra minutes to remove the puffiness from your eyes before you stepped out of the bathroom. Keigo was ready, with the dress. Even your underwear was prescribed. Everything had to be perfect. Perfect for HIM. You tried not to notice how red Keigo’s eyes are, you tried not to blame him for this. You knew he was just as terrified of going against the commission as everyone else, even if he’d been the golden boy for twenty some-odd years at this point. You leaned on Keigo while you stepped into the dress, holding on to his shoulder for support. He pulled the laces on the corset, and you gritted your teeth when he pulled them tighter.
“Say the word and I’ll get you out of here.” Keigo said seriously, suddenly, hands on either side of your face to keep your gaze locked to his. “We can go anywhere in the world, Dove. Just… tell me you want to.” He begged, and you leaned your forehead against his.
“You know I can’t. You know you can’t.” you choked, a broken sob wracked up your throat before you could stop it.
He had a wife, kids- you knew he couldn’t, shouldn’t risk them for you. You’d be fine. Women had been getting into arranged marriages for millennia. Even your intended husband’s own mother was all but bought by his father.
A knock resonated on the door. You separated, and you called out to the room. “Come in!” you feigned a happy voice. No one but Keigo would recognize the pain in it.
“Morning, Hawks, (y/n).” Called Endeavor, smiling widely at you specifically. “I’m talking to the lovely bride, alone.” His words were cold, calculated. He did not ask, he demanded. Keigo flashed you a look before he left, softly closing the door behind him. Endeavor took two long strides across the room, and dropped the smile. “Alright, let’s get a look at you.” He growled, reaching up and gripping your chin, turning your face one way and another as if appraising a piece of jewelry. “Could be prettier.” He noted, and sighs. “But your quirk is what’s important I guess.”
He raked his eyes down your body, a large, hot hand slipping over the exposed skin of your breast. You flinched, stepping backward. He shot his hand upward, wrapping his fingers around your throat. He didn’t tighten them, but he held you still, scrutinizing. “Guess it’s a good thing you’re not used to it. Don’t want a used product.” He spat, lightly tightening his grip.
“You make my boy happy, or I’ll kill you.” He warned, and released your neck. He didn’t choke you- so why couldn’t you breathe? “Hurry up and get ready. We don’t have all day and I’m sure Shouto is ready to go home.” He rolled his eyes, turning toward the door. He paused, glancing back at you for a moment. “And smile, damn it.” He scoffed, opening the door, walking out, and slamming it behind him.