safeword

nine

'So here's what I'm thinking-'

"Yeah. Go ahead."

'Nobody has a problem with Hawks being gay, what they have a problem with is you.'

"Okay? And?"

'His reputation was crystal clear last year when he was dating his sidekick. Though it initially didn't go over well with the public, it humanized him.'

"What are you getting at - come on."

'What I'm saying is maybe if they rekindle their relationship publicly and you keep your ties to Hawks private, this could blow over quicker than we were expecting.'

Touya lowers the phone from his ear, a small scowl on his face. You're across the room, being pulled in multiple directions as your makeup artist paints your face for tonight's dinner. It's the final stretch - Touya has a gun in his pocket and you have poison against your chest. Your well-thought-out idea would finally be put into action - albeit sooner than you were anticipating.

However, you didn't mind. Working quicker than you were expecting was just a formality of your job. What you did mind, though, is the social shit-storm playing out over your phone. Fans and haters alike were taking their turn belittling not only you and Keigo, but Touya as well. It's gotten so bad that you had to talk to Keigo's PR manager, whom you didn't even know until an hour ago. Now, Touya was on the phone with him when he should be getting ready. You weren't sure if it was reasonable to be upset or not.

"I've had to hide him my entire life!" Touya brings the phone back to his ear, hiding his face in his hand as he raises his voice. You've seen too many sides to him, but you're not sure you've seen him so stressed. He doesn't handle it well, and his raised voice makes everyone in the room jump.

'I understand, Todoroki, trust me. I just see no other way.'

Touya taps his feet restlessly. "He wants to retire... what happens then?"

'It's not a smart move, but I suppose he can do whatever he wants. Keep in mind, though, that Hawks will always be a public figure long after he's hung up his wings. You too, now.'

"What about - what if..." He starts, wracking his brain for a conclusion. Everything that comes to mind would directly affect you and your career, something he made an internal promise to himself not to touch. It's tough, though. It feels like he's having to choose between his two partners, and even though he wasn't with Keigo at the moment, he thinks he knows exactly what the blonde would want. "What if we just say... fuck it. Let people think what they think and just not address anything."

'It's not smart. It'll make the world hate you.'

"But it's not their business in the first place! Do you get that?!"

"Touya-" You finally look up from your mindless scrolling, thinking it's best for the rest of the night to keep your eyes off of the negativity online. You had a job to do that, luckily, came with detaching yourself from personal qualms, but it's hard to escape when Touya's grating voice never lets up. "Stop it. Stop yelling."

He doesn't answer you with words - thinking a noticeable glare would shut you up. Touya's right, because you shut your mouth, too exhausted to fight.

'At least... at least put out a statement. Right now, people think you're the reason Storm and Hawks aren't seen together anymore.'

"Okay, but what do I say?"

'Nothing tonight. I'll write up a few drafts - it'll come from us when we think it's smart to speak.'