floating

hawks

minutes passed before bao's heaving came to a stop, soft breathes filled the air as they stepped back, wiping their nose on their sleeve and rubbing away tears before they dried.

"why are you here?" bao questioned, sitting back on their feet while looking up at the man. they were still just as confused as before they cried.

"i was going home and saw you falling. its kinda my job to make sure people don't die on the regular, and even if it wasn't, i couldnt just let you splat on the concrete," the man shrugged, tucking his fingers in his pocket, ruffling his feathers as he stood.

"why are you going home so late?"

"had a long day, don't really wanna talk about it. but hey, just be happy you had a hero around like me to save you," he smiled, keeping eye contact with bao.

"a hero," bao mumbled, "who are you?"

"what," he deadpanned. never had he met someone who didn't recognize his bright red wings and wind-blown hair.

"who are you, like, what's your name?"

"hawks?" he said it more as a question, confused how bao didn't already know him. its difficult not to be known when you're ranked as high as he was previously.

"what, you don't know your own name? and no, your name name, not hero name or whatever." bao rubbed their eyes, it was clear they were slightly annoyed.

"oh, um, my name's keigo, keigo takami."

"keigo, it fits you. you seem like a keigo," bao had the slightest smile. even though it was small, hawks saw it, even with bao's eyes on the ground, head tilted down.

"im going to take that as a compliment. but anyways, its late. are you going to jump again or can i trust you?"

bao glared up at hawks.

"sorry, too soon?"

"yeah. too soon."

"note taken. but as i said, its late kid," before he could continue, bao interrupted him.

"im probably older than you, stop calling me kid."

"yeah, how old are you?"

"25, now you?"

hawks hesitated, knowing bao was right. he was younger. "that's not fair, you look 20."

"and? and thanks, i guess. but anyways, age. now."

"...22," he mumbled.

"and i was right. you cant call me kid. if anything, i should call you kid."

"aye aye, that's where i draw the line," hawks pointed at bao. "only im allowed to call people that," he now pointed at himself.

"okay okay i get it, i don't care enough for this right now. im tired. just go home, ill go to my apartment."

"nope, i don't know if you'll actually do that or jump off again. i can't risk that."

"why do you care? you dont know me. maybe im a villain or something i dont know."

"i know youre not 'cause you said that. and yeah, i dont know you, but i dont want you dead. just, let me get you to your place."

"you wanna know where i live? that's a bit creepy, mister hawks."

"no, i just wanna make sure you're safe. just take me to your door, i need to know you get there."

"fine fine, shut it. we're both too tired for this."

bao stood up, gesturing for hawks to follow. he did, tucking his hand back into his pocket from where it had previously fallen back to his side. entering the building through a door, hawks tucked in his wings and followed bao down the stairs. they went into an elevator, bao pressing floor number 4.

"im sorry. you're probably annoyed and tired, you shouldn't have to deal with this," bao mumbled.

"are you really apologizing? its not a problem, well, you doing that is a problem just, i dont know how to say it. dont worry about how i feel, im glad i was there to catch you. im glad you're letting me help you."

"i didn't say that, but i guess so. you dont even know my name."

"oh, yeah."

"its bao yakemai. you can call me mai if you'd like. should i call you hawks, takami, keigo?"

"keigo. hawks is too professional, and takami is just, i don't know, i dont like it."

"noted."

the elevator dinged, door opening wide. bao walked out first, turning left and walking down the hall, rubbing their eyes. hawks followed, scratching his head.

bao stopped in front of door 43. "so, you can go now."

"you don't want me to tuck you into bed?" hawks smirked, leaning against the wall by the door.

"no, you've done plenty, thank you," bao smiled a sarcastic smile.

"not yet. i want to make sure you live. meet me on the roof again tomorrow night, i usually go home between 10 and midnight. tonight was a late night. just, be there. can you promise me that?"

"yes, keigo, i can promise you that. now go, im fucking tired."

"okay okay i get it. thank you. ill see you then, goodnight, mai," he pushed off the wall, smiling and waving as he walked off.

as he stepped nearer and nearer to the elevator, he heard a small "night, keigo." it made him smile, even if it wasnt a 'goodnight', it did the trick.

he didn't see the small smile on bao's face. they finally felt like someone cared. they had something to look forward to tomorrow.