I Don't Forgive You

30. Trial

"Please state your name for the record." The prosecutor stood in front of the desk where Hawks was sitting. A panel of heroes sat watching him, some he knew and some that he didn't. He averted his eyes to avoid those that he recognized from the hero commission. Despite leaving the commission after the war, this trial put him under their thumb again, and he knew it.

"Hawks." 

"Your full name," the prosecutor's voice carried a hint of malice as he spoke, "Not your hero name."

Hawks took in a deep breath, his name had become public knowledge long before, but he had only used it with a small collection of people since, mainly his family. "Keigo Takami."

"Keigo Takami, you are aware of the charges against you," The prosecutor began, "You are aware of the consequences of these proceedings. You are aware that the outcome will be determined by the consensus of this panel, and you have voluntarily submitted to the use of a quirk that will prevent you from answering untruthfully. Is this all correct?"

Hawks would laugh if he wasn't in this position. Voluntary must have been used very loosely in the proceedings. "No."

"Which part do you not understand," the prosecutor asked.

"I did not submit to your quirk voluntarily," Hawks looked at the prosecutor, trying to show as much defiance as possible. "I understand the charges, consequences, and how you have chosen to determine the outcome."

"If you do not consent," The prosecutor sneered, "you may leave. But if you choose to leave you will have your license revoked. The choice is yours." 

The room was silent waiting for a response, but Hawks wasn't going to give them one. He didn't move to leave, giving them enough to go on that he would move forward. But he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of agreeing.

"We will proceed then." The prosecutor continued, turning his attention to the panel of heroes and commission officials. "Before we go any further, I ask of this council if any of you believe that you cannot be impartial to please stand."

No one in the crowd stood, Hawks kept his head down not looking amongst the crowd. Slowly a single hand raised, the prosecutor raised an eyebrow at him. "I said to stand."

"It's not me," Hawks didn't recognize the voice, "I am simply concerned that Endeavor will not be able to remain impartial. Not only is his son married to Hawks, but we all know the rumors. Hawks and Endeavor were romantically involved at one point, he's hardly able to remain impartial."

"We cannot remove someone from this panel on the basis of rumors," The prosecutor turned his attention toward Hawks. "Mr. Takami, is there any truth to these rumors?"

Hawks tightened his jaw, looking away from the prosecutor. If the purpose was solely to remove Endeavor they would have done so based on him being his father-in-law. The prosecutor was trying to embarrass him, to discredit him, and he wouldn't dignify it with a response. 

Hawks' body began to tremble, a clawing pain built up inside of him, as if the unspoken words were attacking him, trying to escape. The prosecutor moved closer to Hawks, a smirk spreading on his face as he waited for the answer that would inevitably come. "It was one time, and I didn't want to. I was drunk, I didn't want to."

A wave of horror spread through Hawks realizing what he had just said, he told them more than was necessary, more than he wanted to, but he had no control over it. He clamped his hand over his mouth, feeling the tears that threatened to fall. 

With a look of satisfaction spreading on his face, the prosecutor turned again to Endeavor, "You may leave. Mr. Takami, as you might be aware now, this will be a lot easier for you if you answer truthfully, and don't try and hold anything back."