Grey Line

Meetings and Witty Remarks

Hallie sat with Mika in Hawks' bedroom while they boys were filled in. The red head was currently playing with Mika's hair, casually talking about her work at UA. Mika quietly listened. Apparently her best friend Mina was away on her honeymoon, after her and the hero Red Riot had decided to elope, so she had been lonely.

"You should come to the school sometime," Hallie smiled, "Those kids are wild."

Mika chuckled, "I don't know. I'm not the best with children."

"Think on it," she held out a pill bottle to her, "I got you these."

She took them, "Iron pills?"

"Yes, but, iron pills on steroids. When you feel like you're overusing your quirk, take one. It'll help your cell count."

"Thank you," Mika quietly said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

Mika turned to face her, "Don't take this the wrong way. But, why are you doing all of this?" She glanced at the closed door before looking back at Hallie, "I'm not stupid."

Hallie sighed with a smile, "A few reasons. One, again, you seem to be pretty important to Hawks, so you're important to me. Two, Mika it's okay to receive kindness. There doesn't have to be terms and conditions." She bit her lip, "I also think you would make an amazing hero."

"I'm not hero material."

"What makes you say that," Hallies blue eyes looked over her.

"I'm damaged goods," Mika let out a breath.

"Mika...we are all damaged goods here." The woman gave her a soft smile, "That's why we fight so hard for each other. We all have our demons, but I promise you, if you give yourself a chance, you'll see."

"I appreciate you believing in me."

"I won't push you to do something you don't want to do," she gave the other woman's shoulders a squeeze, "But if you want, I'll work with you and make you the best damn hero in this city."

Mika's eyes widened slightly. Hallie was serious. "I'll think on it while I'm babysitting."

The red head grinned, "That's all I ask."
_________
"So you're saying there's a few rival groups?" Bakugo sat at the dining table.

Hawks nodded, "Their competing with one another to become the old league...childish, but could seriously cause trouble."

Deku frowned, "Are they all targeting the school?"

"I don't think so. They're just trying to one-up each other."

Shoto rolled his eyes, "Sounds like a bunch of careless kids."

"The ones we arrested were pretty young," Tokoyami stood, leaning against the wall.

"I'll do some digging," Bakugo sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"No," Hawks corrected him, "I'm going to find someone who can."

"You don't think I can do it?"

"It's not that," he nodded towards the closed bedroom door, "You think she's going to go for that Mr. Number One?"

Bakugo glared but remained silent. Deku thought for a moment, "Who are you going to ask?"

"I'm going to pay a visit to a friend," his eyes landed on Shoto, "I haven't been able to stop by in a month or so."

Shoto took a deep breath and nodded, "He might know of someone who can help."

"You can't be serious," Bakugo scoffed.

"I am," Hawks gave him an almost dangerous look, "Pick your words carefully."

"Do whatever you want," Bakugo stood, "but if it backfires, we're doing it my way."

He smirked, "Deal."

Hallie turned her head when a soft knock came from the door. Bakugo opened it and looked over the two women, "Are you two conspiring?"

Hallie smiled, "Of course. Are you finished?"

He nodded and opened the door all the way, "He's cranky."

Mika rolled her eyes, "Says you."

His red orbs narrowed at her, "What was that?"

Hallie laughed, "Ugh this is too good." She stood, "I don't have enough energy to keep up with you, she's my fill in when it comes to witty comebacks."

Bakugo scoffed, "I'm not sure how I feel about that."

Hallie turned on her charm, "You're number one, I'm sure you can handle it."

Mika could see the faintest blush on his cheeks, making her fight her smile. His eyes settled on Mika, "If he keeps smarting off, let me know so I can put him back in the hospital."

Mika stood and nodded, "I'll have you on speed dial." She walked out to see Hawks and Tokoyami talking quietly.

Tokoyami stood, "Mika, it's nice to see you again."

She smiled. He was such a sweet guy, "Thank you. It's nice to see you as well. Don't let Hawks overwork you."

Hawks made a move to speak but her grey eyes stopped him. Tokoyami chuckled, "He's behaving."
________
After they left, Mika showered and dressed in soft, comfortable clothing: an oversized sweatshirt and shorts. Hawks kept the temperature a comfortable warmth to fight the coolness of outside. She walked out to see him looking at a map Tokoyami had left on the dining room table. She could see his mind working.

She walked behind him and looked over the map. He was deducing targets, marking out places he knew wouldn't get hit. "You're so clever," she smiled at his work.

Hawks blushed, keeping his eyes on the map, "Don't go telling people."

"I don't think they'd believe me," she teased him before moving to sit on the couch, pulling a blanket on her legs and grabbing a book she had pulled earlier. He scoffed to himself and smiled. He loved the way she could keep up with him when it came to snarky remarks. Most people either took him too seriously, or not serious enough.

"What are you reading," he marked out another building.

"Smut," she smirked.

"Without me? That's rude."

"It's a book about this pain in the ass, overgrown bird who doesn't know when to behave."

He chuckled, "Sounds like a best seller."

Mika laughed, turning a page, "I got it off the discount rack."

"Oof, that's harsh," he smirked and stole a glance her way before returning to his work.

"But it's my favorite story so far," she smiled to herself as she kept reading. Hawks felt his face heat up again, this time not responding, concentrating on his work. I win this round, she thought to herself.