Blue Flames

~27~

I quickly helped a fatigued Hawks into his office, ensuring I was careful with him. I sat him down at his chair and quickly looked around the room for a medical kit of some sort. I found one hanging on the wall by the elevator and opened it up, observing the contents inside. I turned to Hawks, kit in hand.

"That was a hell of a fight out there." I said as I sat down on top of his desk and observed his face. Hawks chuckled.

"Was a pretty tough Nomu." He said. I nodded in agreement as I put some burn ointment on my finger and applied it carefully to his face.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" I asked as I leaned in closer to his face, observing it for any other injuries, taking notice of the bleeding on the bridge of his nose. Hawks chuckled.

"I'm fine kid, don't worry."

He said as he put his hand on mine. I sighed.

"Sorry, I was just worried. Especially when Dabi made an appearance." I said as I stood up and grabbed the kit, searching for the bandaids. I turned around with some gauze, wound cleaning solution, and a bandaid.

"Hold still." I said as I applied the solution to his wound. I then wiped off the blood and put a bandaid on top.

"There, all good." I said. Hawks smiled.

"Thanks kid." He said. I smiled.

"Of course."  I said smiling. Suddenly the elevator door dinged open. One of Hawks' side kicks walked in.

"Hawks! Here's what you requested." They said as they placed the bag on his desk. Hawks smiled.

"Thanks." He said. They nodded as they walked back to the elevator. I turned around and looked at Hawks confused.

"What was that?"

"Got hungry after the battle. Needed some food." He said as he pulled out a chicken skewer. I sat down in the chair across from him. I started fiddling with my hands while he ate. The sounds of his munching filled the room as the tension between the two of us thickened.

"You gonna say anything kid or do I have to?" Hawks asked as he finished his skewer. I sighed as I looked up at him.

"What is there to say?" You started everything." I said as I folded my hands across my chest. Hawks looked up at me and sighed.

"I just wanted to tell you as soon as possible."

"But why?"

"I was just a bit emotional after what had happened during our mission. The thought of losing you crossed my mind and-"

"Why do you care so much?" I asked.

"You're just so, I don't know. Just so heroic. You want to be a hero for a good cause, it's really inspiring. You're so kind and caring-"

"Oh stop lying." I said laughing. But Hawks shook his head.

"No, I mean it. You are going to be a fantastic pro hero one day."

"Well, thank you Hawks."

"So... are you going to answer my question."

"This kind of just came out of nowhere." I said as I looked up at him.

"But, I'm willing to give us a try and see where it goes." I said. Hawks smiled as he took my hands.

"Thank you Eria. I won't let you down." He said as he pulled me up from my chair.

"C'mon, I have a meeting with our friend soon." He said. I nodded as I took his hand and followed him. We exited the building and headed a couple of blocks south from it, into a darker area of town.

"Why are we meeting him again?"

"Emergency. That's all." Hawks said as he grabbed my hand and led me down a dark alley. We stopped and Hawks checked his watch.

"Where the hell-" He muttered under his breath. Suddenly a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Why hello there dear comrades." Dabi said as he extended his arms in a welcoming gesture. Hawks grunted as he unsheathed his feather sword and held it up to Dabi's neck.

"None of that was according to plan." He said sternly. Dabi chuckled.

"That so?"

"How about some actual cooperation Dabi." Hawks said. I gulped in fear for what was about to come.

"Hey, I thought you only had those baby feathers left," Dabi said chuckling.

"You'd think I'd meet with a liar like you unarmed?" Hawks asked as he stepped closer, pressing the blade to Dabi's throat.

"It was supposed to be tomorrow. And not downtown, but at the factory by the water. Plus, this Nomu was clearly a cut above the rest. You could've mentioned that beforehand." Hawks said as he furrowed his brows. Dabi scoffed.

"I guess I just changed my mind. Didn't I tell you I'd be testing the Nomu's capabilities?" Dabi asked as he stared down Hawks. He continued to speak.

"But we're both a little guilty. I asked you for someone kinda strong. But you brought the top dog himself! It wasn't much of a test."

"I thought you'd be thrilled to inflict that kind of damage on him. Besides, you're the one who broke our agreement." Hawks said angrily.

"I'm s'posed to believe the number two hero, just like that? This was me testing how much I can trust you." Dabi said as he stepped away from Hawks' sword.

"And tell me, why zero casualties today? Do you really sympathize with us? You came looking to cooperate, but you sure don't act like it."

"Hawks put me in charge of making sure everyone is safe. Blame me instead." I said as I stepped up next to Hawks. Dabi raised a brow.

"Eria, you weren't supposed to interfere with our little experiment." Dabi said. I shrugged.

"Had no idea." I said calmly. Dabi sighed.

"Hey, I gotta keep up appearances. A hero can't go losing the public's trust. The more faith they have in the, the juicier the intel I can get, that's to your advantage. Try taking the long view here." Hawks said. Dabi sighed as he walked past Hawks and I.

"What I do, I do for the League's sake, Dabi." Hawks said as he put down his feather.

"Fine, but you don't get a face-to-face with the boss just yet." He said as he continued to walk off.

"You'll here from us, Hawks." Dabi said as he disappeared into the shadows. Hawks sighed as he turned to me.

"I'm confused, what just-"

"That son of a bitch. I hate him " Hawks said angrily as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"He's hard to work with." I said. Hawks nodded.

"It's getting late. Let's get you back to U.A."

"Okay, but please take care of yourself." I said. He smiled.

"Always."