A Touch of Force & Fire -- Hawks X OC // MHA X OC

The Bargain

"Come on, lets go!" Hawks hurried past her. He headed toward the edge of the balcony where there was a number keypad by the window. Arya stood there for a second, taking a look at the surroundings again. Alone with Hawks. She imagined a lot of people probably would have gawked at the situation. Crazy how one thing leads to another, now she was in that position, and she wasn't 'most people'.

"Hang on a second."

Hawks turned back to her, raising his brows at her. "Hmm?"

"What's in it for you?"

He smiled. "Pardon?"

"You live here by yourself, right?" Hawks nodded. "You don't even know me. I know you're a very private person, to the point of making your apartment practically impenetrable. Why would you just invite me to live with you?"

"You didn't think to ask these questions back at U.A.?"

I was a bit blindsided actually, and like I was even given a chance to ask.

"I figured it would be better to talk about this in private. So, answer the question." She folded her arms, waiting. Arya wanted to know what was going through his head, and sometimes all you have to do is ask the right questions. Since using her quirk wasn't an option at the moment, and taking off her gloves suddenly may be suspicious, she didn't see any harm in just asking. Whether he was lying or not, that she could decide later, and keep her guard up.

Hawks sighed, and ran a hand through his messy blonde locks. "Can you just accept that maybe, just maybe, I'm an adult. This is my house, I can do what I want and invite someone to live with me if I want?" Arya just stared at him, with an irritated expression. "Or maybe just accept and appreciate that I'm trying to help."

"No." She answered simply. "I've had too many people claiming to help and actually do more damage. For all I know, you brought me back here to kill me."

Hawks snorted. "You know that's not true. If that was the plan, then I definitely wouldn't have made it known that you left with me."

I guess that's true. If I suddenly disappeared while in his care, he would be the first suspect.

"Well then what is the plan? I think I deserve to know." She crossed her arms across her chest and waited.

He stared at her, searching her face. Hawks seemed to be going over what to say in his head. "I'll tell you what, lets make a deal." Arya sighed loudly, getting more annoyed by the minute. Or maybe more hangry, as she still hadn't eaten anything. "Just hear me out, I do you a favor by answering your question, and you answer one of mine."

"Do I get to know the question before I agree?"

"Nope!" He gave her a toothy grin.

She couldn't help the low groan sound she made. "Fine. Just answer the question."

"You're not going to like it." He replied, still trying to give her a second to change her mind.

Arya raised an arm, looking at the non existent watch on her wrist, then back at him. "Land the plane, bird brain."

Yes, pun intended.

Jeez, you're so stupid. Making jokes right now. Wtf.

"Fine! Jeez," He started. "And don't call me that."

Arya started to notice, the more time she took talking to him, the more his pleasantries and happy mannerisms started to wash away. Almost like his social timer was starting to run out. It could have been from her giving him a hard time, or maybe because he was home. Maybe he didn't feel like he had to keep this mask on. Was he wearing a mask in everyday life like she did?