Chapter Text
Hawks had been on quirk suppressants since his first month with the commission. The process was simple; they’d inject some yellow fluid into his arm once a week, then he’d be fine. In all his time with them, they’d never missed a dose. They claimed it was to reduce his more… ‘animalistic’ traits from being a heteromorph, but what even were those? He always wondered back to when he was a kid, thinking about what it was like without them, though every time he tried, all he got was a void; almost as though he never experienced it in the first place.
A lot of his life has been like that now that he thinks about it. He’s turning twenty two in a month and yet he can’t remember anything beyond this past year. The commission doesn’t see it as a problem, so he really should worry about it too much, but it just feels off to him. Hell, he doesn’t even remember his real name.
He knows some basic facts of course. He knows his age and birthdate. He knows the commission adopted him after Endeavor imprisoned his dad. He knows his parents were abusive, and the commission saved him from them. He remembers all of these things, the important facts in his life; but despite that, it still feels wrong somehow. He can’t help but think there’s something more there, maybe something he’s missing.
The sound of heels clicking on the marble floor broke him out of his trance.
“All done Hawks.” The doctor said to him as he finished bandaging the injection site. Hawks gave a quick thanks as he stood up in time with the door opening. He recognized this heartbeat, it was his handler, so there was no need to be shocked when she walked in. He quickly composed himself before she spoke. “Hawks, you’re needed in The President’s office. You have a new mission to work on. We’ll be debriefed shortly.”
Great, another thing to add to his infinitely high list of priorities.
If she noticed his reluctance, she didn’t comment on it. “Yes ma’am, I’ll be right there.”
“Good, now come on, we’re wasting time.” She gestured with her hand for him to follow as she turned and headed back out. She always did make a point about using every second of the day being productive. He wonders how she’d find a partner like that, though he doubts she’s allowed one anyways so it’s not like it matters.
Their conversation was filled with mainly silence, however, after noticing his curious glare, she spoke up. “Go on with it already. You obviously have something to say.”
Hawks had to suppress a flinch at the sudden speech. “Just, your dress is nice today, that’s all.” He replied. The woman scoffed, “I know you can lie better than that Hawks, I was responsible for your training. Now, what is it that’s actually on your mind.” Had she been the one to train him? He couldn’t recall.
“Just… what kind of mission necessitates meeting with The President? Couldn’t you have informed me of its content?” There was a nervous tone to Hawks speech; he truly didn’t want to deal with another mindless assasination, and if he was meeting with The President, then it would probably be someone high-class as well.
Hawks didn’t like murder, even when it was necessary. It just felt wrong to him, immoral. Not that he really had a choice, the commission owned him, and he owed them his life for saving him. It’s not like he could just say no, no matter how conflicted he was about it. And it’s not like he cared all too much, so long as the person deserved it. Just because he doesn’t like killing, doesn’t mean he believes everyone should live either, an important distinction he’s learned over the years.
“Aparently the mission is highly confidential, and deathly important, so in order to prevent more possibilities of leakage, she’ll be briefing us both simultaneously. That’s all I was informed of before coming to get you.” Hawks shifted his weight back and forth inside the elevator as anxiety seeped its way into his body. He could do this. He could handle one mission, it wouldn’t be that bad.
The door to her office was open when they arrived, and they closed it behind them as they walked in. The President herself was sitting in the back right corner, calmly staring out a window.
“Take a seat Hawks,” Hawks was midway sitting down when he froze at her next words, “…it may be your last time in this room.”
What the hell does that mean?!
His leg immediately started bouncing no matter how hard he willed it to stop. His handler would certainly punish him later for giving off signs of fear; signs of weakness. The feeling of her glare alone was enough confirmation to this. He refocused his attention on The President as she spoke back up. “You’ve been with us for… what? Fifteen years almost? During which you’ve endured the most brutal of conditions in order to hone your skills. You’ve gone on dangerous missions that, quite frankly, you shouldn’t have survived. Received numerous injuries, fought with your life for the public, and maintained a perfect image to those around you. A true hero, just like we made you.”
Hawks just stared at her as she spoke. Despite the validation and warmth her words gave him, he couldn’t help but wonder, what was she getting at?
“Well, as of recent, we’ve figured out a potential way at winning this war with the League Of Villains; and your participation is vital in this plan’s success.” God he was dying. Just spit it out already!
“What will be my role in this mission?” He asked, willing away any worry from his voice. The president finally turned towards him, taking in his person with the utmost scrutiny and frowning. “You’ll be sent as a spy; infiltrating the league from within and taking them down from the inside.” Hawks’ jaw dropped ever so slightly. What? Seemingly sensing his astonishment, she reassured him, “Don’t worry, there is still a plan B if you’re compromised, and the war isn’t necessarily lost just from your failure. This is simply the best course of action.” Now his eye was twitching.
“Surely you can’t be serious; this is a suicide mission.” He tried to reason, letting out small bits of nervousness unbenounced to him. “I’m afraid that we are serious, and you will be taking this mission on. During which, you’ll be gathering as much information as possible, as well as taking the first opportunity you can to kill them all. You’ll be granted a pardon for any crimes you commit while undercover, and will be instructed to gain their trust by any means necessary.”
Hawks could only stare in shock for a moment, still trying to process this with wide eyes and a tense frame. “We have no information to give you that you don’t already know. May you find triumph in your endeavor, and peace within its success. The fate of the world may very well rest in your hands. You’re excused for now.”
Hawks was fucked. Utterly and completely fucked. What could he even do? He was the number two hero, there’s no way the league would accept him. Shit shit shit shit-
“Yes ma’am. We’ll see ourselves out.” His handler stated this with a tone that, if Hawks didn’t know any better, sounded a bit giddy. They both departed, and Hawks took a quick flight to his apartment. He needed a moment to think, and he was nowhere near a mind space that allowed that. He really was beyond fucked.
~~~
Hawks stood atop a water tower in Minato Ward late into the night—or morning, he wasn’t sure. He’d managed to narrow down the locations in which Dabi—the man he assumed (or rather hoped) was handling recruitment—was at, based on the consistent sightings of blue fire, as well as a multitude of burnt corpses.
He had been using all the dozens of his feathers around the city in search of something important he could grasp onto. There was the sound of wind whizzing past the feathers’ bristles predominantly, as well as people talking, dogs barking, a wooden gate creaking shut, so much information Hawks had to process at once. Until finally something happened.
At first it was just warmth, but less than a second later one of his feathers had flown directly into a flame, disintegrating it near instantly.
Hawks’ eyes flashed open. He sent four feathers around that location and called the rest back to him. He jumped off the water tower, plummeting for a second as his wings finished forming before rocketing towards the fire. With just a few flaps of his wings, he could see the blue silhouette coloring the skyline, no longer needing his feathers for location. He landed atop a building quietly, peering down from the ledge as the scarred man spoke. His fire surrounded him on all sides but one, allowing him to speak to the three men in front of him.
“So what’ll it be? Either you join us now, or you die. Simple choice really.” He held twin flames in either one of his hands as he spoke, emphasizing his point.
“We’re not gonna join your fanclub ok?! Fuck off or we’ll turn the threat around on you!”
“Wrong answer.” Was the only warning Dabi gave before barreling turquoise flames at them. The first two men acted as a meat shield, defending the man behind them momentarily before the flames hit him as well. The pungent smell of burnt flesh filled the air, and as Hawks looked down at the bodies, he felt the familiar ache in his stomach. It was painful and uncomfortable, making him feel empty, almost like a hunger. A hunger he supposed was directed at justice or some idea similar. It was strong enough to make him nauseous.
Hawks jumped down, landing flawlessly with a flap of his wings. He had to dodge to his side to avoid the flames that flew towards him. “Heyya Hotstuff. How’s your night goin’?” He asked with the utmost confidence. At least, that’s what he personified for this mission. More flames were sent his way in response, and another dodge was required.
“The fuck do you want number two? It better be important because if not you’ll just be overcooked chicken.”
“A bird joke, how original.” Dabi glared in response to the sarcasm. “Out with it or you’re going ablaze.”
Jesus, what was this guy’s issue?!
Hawks sighed. “No need to be so rude. I was just trying to join your little get together with the league. Any chance that’s an option? I’d love to help.”
Dabi stared for a tense moment in disbelief. Then he burst out laughing. He was bent over in bloody tears. “You- you really think I’d believe that, don’t you?” Hawks just shrugged, eliciting more laughter out of the man. “And why would you—a hero—be interested in joining the league? What? You want a nice vacation from corruption or something?” He continued laughing.
“Kinda… yea actually.” Hawks said with a surprising amount of sincerity. Dabi’s laughter ended abruptly, and he glared at Hawks hard enough to kill a weaker person. “And why should I trust you Birdie?”
“I dunno… aren’t you the one who’s supposed to run the tests Mr.Recruiter?”
After more moments of staring, Dabi sighed dramatically and tossed a burner phone at him. “Kill a hero within a week, then meet me at the location I’ll text you. Bring proof or our meetings are done. Then I might consider your offer.”
“Sheesh, is that it? I was seriously expecting something harder.”
“I could give you something harder if you’d like.” He said firmly as Hawks raised an eyebrow. “Ya’ sure there buddy?” Backtracking, Dabi blushed a bit on his healthy skin, eyes widening as he failed to act like that was on purpose. “I- uh… yea I’m sure.. I mean-.. fuck.” A burst of flames and a few seconds later then the villain was gone. Hawks stared back at the now empty alleyway dumbfounded a few more moments before deciding to head back home.
That was enough for one night… and now I gotta deal with another problem…
Nope, Hawks was definitely not thinking about that comment from earlier, and he sure as hell wasn’t imagining the ways it’d play out. He wasn’t insane, that would be… insane? I’m so fucked…
“Understood. So you’ve made contact?”
“Yes ma’am. Process has begun.”