Chapter Text
One step closer towards the edge and a devasting drop awaited, Well. That would be for someone without built in wings to capture them.
Keigo always had wondered how it would feel to let himself finally let go, if his final moments would feel freeing like a bird taking flight for the first time. or if he would still feel chained to the ground even when he has permission to fly. He wasn't suicidal, not in the slightest. But the thought sat with him constantly, like how someone would consider something stupid before shutting it down immediately afterwards.
He had always felt a heavy pit sit at the bottom of his stomach no matter where he was or what he was doing. It was a constant reminder of something he wasn't actually aware about. Was it the grief that he held with every life he had stolen with his wings? Turning individual feathers into sharp razor blades to slice cleanly throughout a persons neck while watching the life drain from their eyes? Or perhaps it was the burden of being born. sure, he was given a purpose at a very early age by the commission - 'to serve and protect innocent lives from the evil' but why did his mothers words ring so loudly in his ears if he was doing good in the world?
‘What were you even born for? what do you even have those wings for?'
There was a hundred of possible answers, but from what he has heard. Not one of them are correct. And truly he wasn't sure if he would ever feel satisfied with the replies that told him any different.
It was a statement that was meant to go unsolved to torment him forever.
Gulping down the last remnants of cheap coffee that swayed in his gloves hand every time he swayed the can, allowing the taste of artificial sweetness to coat his tongue. He finally allowed himself to drop from the tall building he had perched himself up upon, the free-falling feeling that danced in his stomach never felt new to him. It was a sensation he savoured for a little longer than he should've before a red feathered parachute managed to catch him, but even so - that raw intensity was so exhilarating that he could never get bored of it.
Keigo effortlessly maneuvered himself throughout the tight-knitted buildings of the city, every thrust of muscle pushed him forward a little faster than before. And the sound of the city coming to life was always somewhat pleasant to drown out the sorrow that constantly crept into the back of his mind, it wasn't startling whenever he heard a high-pitched squeal from down below whenever the cheers followed along shortly after. It felt nice to know that people appreciated him in some way. He'd flash his pearly whites and a faint wave before going on with his day, The fans loved it, but would they still love him if they knew who he truly was?
He flew a little faster in order for his mind to stutter and to reset before catching up to the present again to where the despair deep down constantly questioned him. But whenever he had the chance to have a few moments to himself and focus on the movement of his wings and his each and every feather shivered silently with the coolness of the wind, truly it felt like a natural blessing.
Today was the day that Miss Kunohana was going to assign him to his next mission - She wasn't someone that Keigo knew well. However she seemed somewhat thoughtful enough, despite her natural stern expression and the way her gaze could cut through glass if you had done something wrong. He had actually grew up around her in his years of training. Every assessment she was there watching him closely, but not in a way that would startle him like it would do with the other kids. It was the type of look you would give to try encourage your child to do well even though it screamed consequence, Her words of praise were rewarding enough.
The other members of staff however such as Mr Akatsuki - One of the many men that set up the tests for hero qualifications and combat, often voiced his opinions in a way that would make you second guess your entire life.
He would often bloat about how you would have to think before you act, and in honesty. Its true. If you don't consider the consequences of your own actions its destined for something to go wrong. However, he disregards the means of life and death situations - Hawks has been trained to eliminate enemies for the greater good. But even losing hostage lives doesn't come into consideration for the commission.
Mistakes happen, sure. but when heros take innocent lives it usually gets shoved under the rug and wiped away like nothing happened despite how much scolding comes with it. And that's what makes the society of good corrupt,
With heroes, taking innocent lives of those who have had dirt on there name are praised. In the eyes of the commission, killing the disease that is the uprise of villains allows society to be safer. But they tend to ignore the complexity of human emotions and the desperation factors, The government barley bat an eye to poverty and children starving of malnourishment, where the people are nothing but flesh and bones crying out to try be heard only to be ignored with those who have money. But when it comes to a person robbing a store for goods and to get into a situation where the need becomes unbearable enough that they threaten others, that alone seems punishable by death apparently. Anyone with eyes could see that it is wrong.
Still, if heroes hesitate. They deserve the same fate as those who are slaughtered right?
Boots landing upon the concrete sidewalk where the street remained surprisingly empty the large red rack of feathers soon folded in comfortably against Keigos back as he took a step inside the safety commissions building. The building was spotless to the point that there wasn't even a hint of dirt lying around for him to inspect, all the cleaners paid to scrub never failed at making such a devastating building look presentable. The interior had a a simple pallet of whites and different shades of greys with hints of blue popping around every now and then, it kinda looked like a hospital without the bustling life or the sickness that coated the air with sorrow for loved ones.
Still, every time he stepped foot in here. A deep feeling of nausea took over him.
Clicking the button of the elevator as he listened to the hum of the machine dialling down the numbers to his floor. Once he stepped in and the doors closed over it was only a few seconds before he was greeted with guards with armed guns, A taller man stared for a moment, only to step aside.
'Miss Kunohana is waiting for you in the end office.' The mans voice was deep and aged, as if talking sounded painful within itself due to the husk. Though it didn't stop the hero from offering a subtle nod and a grin before walking down the corridor. The bright lights alone enough to give anyone a headache if they stayed long enough.
Reaching the door Keigo delivered a few light knocks with the back of his hand, the gentle sound echoing before a voice replied
‘Come in, hawks.’
he stepped inside there was a few other members of the commission standing nearby, there was no exchange of smiles or acknowledgement. Only when the lady with dark brown hair glanced up with her own form of friendly grin gave him the que to talk.
'Thank you Ma'am, This is about the mission, yeah?' Hawks asked with a bow of greeting, a low hum of approval coming from the woman who finally finished writing down the last piece on her file.
'Yes it is, but im sure you'll be aware of who they are. Afterall they have made quite the statement over these past couple of months.' Miss Kunohana stated, finally making the effort to shift other pieces of stray paper out of the way in order to take out a certain file. To which she gestured her head vividly towards the document before he reached out and grabbed it. Allowing his golden eyes to scan over the information while she continued.
• The league of villains.
The League of Villains is a dangerous underground group known for opposing hero society and causing chaos across Japan. Made up of powerful criminals with unique Quirks, the organization has been linked to several major attacks and disturbances. Though their exact goals and leadership structure remain unclear to the public, heroes across the country consider them one of the greatest threats to national safety.
'This group has been behind quite the stunts as you know. Yet we don't seem to know much about them at all. We are aware that the leader - Tomura Shigaraki is the leader of this bundle of villains however this doesn't seem enough. The heroes are already at a disadvantage with the lack of information about them and we don't know what they are capable of. And by the recent news articles, they aren't petty crimes either.' Miss Kunohana murmured, her tone sounding somewhat conflicted as her eyes continued to glance out the window. But keigo knew fine well where this was going to go.
And the furrow in his eyebrows couldn't exactly hide what he was thinking. 'You want me to infiltrate them.' Hawks said before she could even ask, but the knowing grin on her lips made his stomach twist in a way that didn't feel pleasant.
'We are asking you to establish a connection with them' She corrected. 'It would be of best interest that you are the one that takes care of this mission. After all your quirk is quite extraordinary when it comes down to listening in. All i ask of you hawks is to--'
'With all do respect, ma'am, Aren't you forming a search team to gain intel? with a pro hero showing up at their doorstep wouldn’t it seem suspicious?’ hawks questioned, though with the look being delivered from all the other people in the room they didn’t exactly seem to happy with the way he spoke up.
And neither did Miss Kunohana.
‘Id appreciate it if you didn’t talk over me, hawks.’ She said with a cool tone which only made the hero sink into himself a little more, his jacket somehow feeling much heavier than it a few seconds ago. However, she didn’t seem to notice. ‘But i suppose you’re right, which is why you will come into contact with one of the members first.’
For a moment, he blinked once, then again. Trying to hide the way his eyes threatened to widen and the way his jaw almost fell slack. So instead he settled for an awkward smile that only seemed to compliment the confusion that riddled his eyebrows. Hoping she would get the hint to elaborate further, and thankfully she did.
‘One specific member of the league of villains that goes by Dabi will be the one that you’ll first gain contact too. Its been rumoured that they are looking for members, it would be in your interest to act as if you want to join.’ She murmured, allowing her gaze to land upon the hero’s own. Though he didn’t return the look as he started down at the image given in the file.
The man’s photo looked unbelievably blurry but it was clear he had noticeable scars on his face - by the looks of it, it seemed like he had been burned and the texture looked dark. Alongside his hair being noticeably black. But it covered his eyes in the gritty image, though by what he was imagining in his head perhaps the colour was brown or maybe something unnatural? it was a potential theory, he didn't seem the type of guy to have something outstanding about him. He also noted that in the photo, he was tall but somewhat slim. - or maybe it was because it was taking at an angle where it was from a side view. Even so it was vital to take a guess.
‘His name suggests his quirk will be a fire kind as it stands for cremate, it would be wise to make the best impression possible. Though I know you won’t let the commission down, will you?’ Miss Kunohara softly snapped him out of his train of analysis, proving once again that he was needed. And if it was a burden he would have to carry in the long run, he had no choice. It was almost mechanical the way he bowed in respect with his gloved hand holding just above his heart, red wings spreading out as if to express his loyalty.
'I won't, miss.' Hawks voice sounded honeyed, but deep down he knew that the taste lingered bitter on his tongue. But it wasn't acknowledged by Miss Kunohara, she only offered a flash of teeth in response.
'I'm glad, you are a valuable hero. Hawks, i know you will do your best out there in the name of keeping everyone safe.' she said as she tucked a stray brown strand away from her eyes when she met his own, his posture straightening back up to his normal laid-back stance. Even though keeping that up right now was the least of his worries, it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous despite all the training he had been given over the years.
In some ways it actually surprised him that he could feel emotions like nerves, all his life he had been surrounded by big groups of people praising him for his quirk being so magical when he, himself saw it as a curse for all the innocent lives he had stolen. The spotlight was well-known to him. But with the cruelness of the commissions training its shocking that a sensation that was this strong wasn't ripped away from him aswell. Afterall, most of his animalistic habits have been forced away due to his training. As if parts of him deep down have been cut-off the second he was stolen away from his mothers grasp despite her willingly signing the wavier. Whenever he was a young boy, praise would inflict bird-like chirps from him. Only for the look of utter disgust to morph over his mentors expression. He had called it a 'filthy habit' that made him seem less human, when in reality being shut down to not be himself felt like he was losing that right of being a human himself. As if he was disqualified from being normal if he didn't suppress the links that came with his quirk.
Before Hawks could fully get out the door once the meeting was dismissed however, the reminder he was waiting for finally came out.
'We will provide all the support, including how you get in contact with this villain through your phone. A member of staff will be the one to request updates from time to time but remember, if violence is necessary then--'
'I'll do what i must.' Hawks answered for her with a glance over his shoulder, the smile he returned was one that was friendly. Though he knew how it would instantly disappear once he left the building. And pleased with his answer, Miss Kunohara offered a nod and a polite dismissal motion with her hand. The sounds of the door opening up and closing a little longer in his ears as he made his way down the hallway. Back towards the elevator he came up from - And back towards the life he dreaded in the outside world.
He shouldn't be ungrateful though, he doesn't. The feelings he has are complicated. The commission gave him a purpose and a reason to live - they made hawks with their own hands and moulded him into something greater than they could have ever imagined. They had saved him as an abused boy when he was living on the streets with his mentally ill mother after his father had been taken away from endeavour. And without being stolen away (well, sort of.) he would probably be dead by now. Hawks knew that the commission cared, they provided a roof under his head for long periods of his life until they bought him an apartment, they fed and watered him and made sure he got his three meals a day. But deep down, he wished he could've stayed in that decaying house on the edge of the city. It would be a lie when he says he doesn't miss his parents or that he didn't know them. Because that isn't true, he cared so much for his mother and never blamed her for all the stuff he went through. and somewhere deep down inside him he believes that somewhere in those few rough years together she loved him too. The fond memories they shared when his dad stormed out weren't forgotten to him. He can still remember the laughter that bubbled up from his throat when Tomie tickled him before she was too mentally drained to play. Despite the cockroaches eating away at the wooden floorboards and how it would hurt his tiny bare feet whenever he walked, he missed the feeling of being in the same vicinity as his mother. They didn't have much, but when they had each other in those rare times. It felt better than anything.
He will never blame his mother for giving him away. He is willing to carry that burden, He was the one that trapped her in the end.
Boots hitting concrete once more before he pushed himself up and into the air with the familiar motion of red feathers boosting him up allowed the fresh air to engulfed him as he drifted off. Following the routine that was on his schedule - today would be a repeat of yesterday and the day that was before that before the infiltration begun. Scouting and watching over the city, hoping a petty crime would spike up to distract him from the thoughts that began to pool his mind once again before he got dragged under.
A week has past since he had been called into the office, and today the commission had came up with a plan to infiltrate one of the many groups the league has found interest in. The villains of focus had been seen coming in and out the same location constantly and appearing at suspicious times during the day, usually when the more effective pros tend to focus on patrolling the city rather than abandoned areas like the run-down hospital. And hawks mission was to purposely tasked with allowing a select few villains to get away with his help in order for word to spread. With a catch that the number 2 pro may be corrupt, it was likely that they would bite the bait.
Though, the heroes he was working with couldn't know about his personal mission. If he messed up now, the fate of his plan might be ruined.
The night had come where a small group of heroes finally made way into the massive building. The hospital was like a corpse of a building - a majority of the windows were smashed and the walls were noticeably decaying both from age and the current condition. although the graffiti probably done by rookie teens at least gave the halls some vibrance. And the heroes infiltrating were separated into 3 separate groups. Team A are a group of tactical heroes that had quirks that could easily restrain or slow a villain were coming in from the east wing. Team B are a group of heroes that had quirks who had skills in complex combat and speed, focusing on infiltrating directly from the main key points and thermals focused on the basement and the third floor.
Though instead of waiting, Hawks made an arrogant excuse to go on ahead alone rather than sticking with his group. The silence that creeped throughout the atmosphere did little to phase him as he shoved his hands into his pockets where his eyes tracked every hallway intersection naturally, the weight of his feathers slowly slipping off his back to scan the halls for any sign of life made his body tingle.
It was like a sudden palpitation in his heart - he could feel the vibrations of somebody talking from up above him. Overturned beds littered the halls with every step he took, his body idly sliding over one that threatened to block his walkway. His eyes met another hero that was coming up from the staircase across the hall. Who made a silent hand gesture to the room he was nearby. As if to say 'I'm going in there.' Hawks nodded, and within seconds. It was like a chain reaction when the first hero stepped in and screamed 'Don't resist and come quietly!' the other group hawks was supposed to be with charged in afterwards. Surrounding one of the large rooms.
He didn't follow. He knew where he was meant to go.
And when he made the movement to step in the end room alone upon the right side of the building where his feather continued to twitch from the now hurried scrambling. His body blocked the door suddenly, Wide eyes now staring up at him. Villains, technically low-level traffickers tied to the black markets support gear distribution looked much younger than he had expected. Though it didn't stop the fire from spitting out from the blue haired mans tongue when he pulled out an knife that seemed to have been sitting out in his waistband
'How did you find us?! Huh? Answer me! Don't think i won't slit your fucking throat just because your famous, hawks!' He spat though by the way his feather on the floor twitched, it was almost like it could sense how fast his heartbeat was going. And before anyone could react, The red feather that was laying within this room - and the others that had sensed signs of movement shot up fast and sliced through the dim overhead lights.
A small finger coming up to his own mouth as he gestured a shushing motion. A quiet 'I'm trying to help you' fell past the heroes lips in a soothing whisper. Allowing all that fear to slip away once he side stepped. The undeniable shock riddling the younger boys face was priceless when the knife wavered.
An eye for an eye, in order for his own mission to fall into motion.
'what the fuck is going on?!' someone shouted from down the hall as all chaos was breaking out, the echoing sounds of struggle radiated. As if all the tension that was now forming into fights was taking up the once eerie silence that was within the hospital grounds 'Some bastards cut the lights-!'
The villains stared at him for a moment, dumbfounded. Only for the winged hero to return the look and gave a nod of approval, allowing the young boys to rush out. And once they bolted out the room with hawks faking an attempt at rushing after them, - he blocked the stairwell with his hand pressing against the hero's shiny armour who had rushed up behind him in attempt to take chase, carnage already escalating out into the halls where heroes were now chasing villains, some even trying to throw themselves out windows. His expression automatically falling serious when a hero called death arms looked at him in disbelief, as if he had quickly shoved another mask on the few seconds he wasn't looking at anyone else.
'Easy,' Hawks said smoothly, narrowed eyes locking onto Death arms owns in a look that reflected warning. 'It could be trapped, we don't know if the villains rigged the hospital.'
a noticeable pause between the two of them lingered. and the uncomfortable nature between it felt irregular.
please let me have this one time, please make my job easy.
It was clear there was hesitation in his eyes the way the hero scowled at the stairwell where the emergency lights threatened to reboot. But that two seconds was enough when they both heard the way the rusted door swung. The sound of rain on the outside slapping hard against the concrete creating a more unnerving sound rather than soothing. Especially the way hawks was shoved away by the hero shortly after before his hand swung fist first into the broken wall. Leaving a noticeable imprint.
Though with the battles going on behind them with the sounds of people straining against arrests. It wouldn’t be heard.
'They must've known the layout before hand, Damnit! those goods could be dealt to anyone, even the league!' Death arms shouted, though hawks didn’t move to comfort him. he only stared for a moment and glanced away
A subtle flutter of his wings that slowly began to build back up from all the previous feathers he discarded, His body now leaning back against one of the railings. Not bothered by the sudden show of aggression.
'Looks that way.' Hawks said with a tone that didn't sound that interested, though internally he had catalogued everything. How fast they had given in when they noticed how he wasn't deemed a threat - the raw show of how flabbergasted the group of young boys truly were when they realized they were getting out of their crime scot-free.
That rare act would spread like wildfire - especially amongst villains who encountered a corrupt hero. That of course was the number two pro.
Good.
Though he didn't get time to celebrate properly before the heroes earpiece crackled again, His gloved hand instinctively shooting up to cradle his ear to hear better.
'This is thermals! We have encountered resistance!' A strained voice echoed over the earpiece as a devasting crash echoed beneath them. The full sound vibrating as if the building itself was hollow.
'We need backup, now!' The voice of a woman radiated throughout with heavy pants escaping her lips, almost as if she was running off sheer adrenaline. And for a brief moment Hawks glanced down, then over to death arms who copied the motion.
'Breaks over, huh?' Hawks sighed playfully, barley taking in the heroes reaction that scowled at him before he threw himself over the decaying railing. Red feathers accompanying him as they spiraled like streaks of blood through the dark. Ignoring the complaints that came from the hero above about how was he going to get down if the stairs were 'trapped.'
An issue he wouldn't have to deal with as he relished in the sense of triumph that curled on his lips within the quiet moment alone.
Two days had past since the infiltration and now Keigo was simply sitting in his apartment while the quiet sounds of rain tapped against his window. It was a fairly plain apartment considering how little he was here. It only had the commissions furniture due to him never having the time to change it - or that he didn't exactly have the choice. Afterall, his house that he called home wasn't exactly his own. Though it was a place that he could be himself.
The city glittered below with traffic beeping once every so often, though it wasn't a sound that was necessarily annoying. It was a nice backdrop to the silence that came with the apartment - though sometimes it was too quiet.
Keigo sat sideways on the couch with one of his wings draping lazily over the cushions, the television muttering low enough to become background noise with the traffic in the distance. And honestly, he didn't really like watching TV. Most of it was just a bunch of advertised nonsense rather than the actual show you would want to watch. Though with the thought of the previous mission being a partial success, it made him sink even further into the comfort of the couch. As if he was relaxing as he recalled it.
Overall out of the infiltration, atleast a fourth of villains in the building were arrested though most of them weren't exactly beneficial. A majority of them were probably underpaid workers trying to make a living only to be caught in the unlucky scenario. Though despite the fights that broke out, there were no major casualties or injuries. And some of the support gear was confiscated and sent off to be destroyed and examined.
He twirled a feather absently between his fingers while continuing to stare at the TV screen before a sudden piercing sound cut through the air. A low 'Bzzt' making his phone vibrated against the coffee table. Making Keigo sit up with a expression that was rendered confused when he read that an unknown number sent him a message.
U N K N O W N N U M B E R - >
You let them go.
There was no greeting, no nothing. It was a statement. One that could only be said if they were there 48 hours ago, Or that they heard about it. Keigo looked at the screen for a long moment, knowing that whoever sent this would be aware that he had read the message. But instead of putting on a façade, he laughed softly under his breath. As if the statement was absurd instead of actually being comical by the way his lips twitched up. Leaning back silently against the couch, it was as if the TV wasn't even on when his thumb hovered over the keyboard, typing in an answer quickly with a silent smugness settling comfortably on his face.
< K; Don't know what your talking about
The typing bubble appeared almost immediately when he sent his message, then disappeared. As if this was a carefully calculated game between them. And it would all be over if someone slipped up.
U ; The stairwell, You stopped that hero. Your either stupid or your interested.
Golden eyes narrowed almost immediately as his mind sharpened, This wasn't one of the traffickers then. This had to be someone higher up. And they seemed to be more observant this time, as if they had been watching the infiltration unfold.
K; If i was interested, messaging me directly seems risky.
The next answer was almost immediate. Like he had said something wrong.
U ; Yet here you are answering.
Keigo scoffed and rolled his eyes, he should've expected some dodgy number would've wanted to establish control immediately and he could physically feel them watching for any signs of hesitation throughout the screen. So with a silent stretch he pulled himself up and wandered towards his window with his phone in his hands. His bare feet padding along the flooring while his wings slightly drooped from the awkward position they were holding. Then another message appeared before he could even reply.
U; Heroes usually chase people when they run.
He paused while staring down, typing a quick message in response.
K; Heroes like winning more than chasing, we won two days ago.
It seems as if he had made the the person on the other side of the screen stutter, And for a moment. He believed he might of pushed too hard. His teeth naturally biting into his bottom lip as he chewed nervously. Come on, come on.
U; Maybe, or maybe you were just curious what would happen if you let loose for once.
> U; Tell me, Hawks. Did you look away on purpose?
Keigo knew the tone wasn't exactly threatening. But he knew for once thing that the conversation was narrowing and this might be his only chance to push for an answer for his undying question, so with a silent pause with his golden eyes boring down into the screen. The pale reflection of the blue light bounced off his face
K; depends who’s asking
....
> U; Meet me on the westside of the city at 12;32. don't be late.
He knew he wouldn't of gotten a straightforward answer but it was worth a try. The rain continued to patter down upon the window as the sounds of cars and the television finally became audible again as his lips quirked into a silent smile. Maybe it wasn't who he was looking for and that he would be found dead in a ditch somewhere with his wings hacked off. But even so, this window opportunity if one that he was willing to take. a sign that he might of actually slipped into the good graces.
All he knew was that a certain someone who was dangerous was sitting somewhere in the same city as him, testing him over the line that could change everything.
If this is how this dance was going to go, he's willing to get dirty.
K; cya then stranger.