If I Had One Wish

Chapter Sixty Nine

Chapter Sixty Nine - Pigeon Coop

I rarely go down there, the view's just so beautiful from here

And I can see everybody at their worst points

At their worst points

I'm not a sadist, I enjoy just being able to be witness of the loneliness and fear

And be a higher power in case there isn't one

In case there isn't one.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Being able to fly silently had its perks. Silently stalking those below with the view so beautiful from here. One could see everybody at their lowest, worst points while being hidden high above in the clouds. Witnessing the loneliness below while acting like some sort of deity or higher power. A self proclaimed saint.

Hawks was a hero, he found meaning in the exile with this job, even if it made him do some downright shady things.

Standing between rows of stone against one of the buildings on the outcroppings of town, he let his feathers scatter into different areas as he watched the dark figure below sneak his way back into base. The league had always been Dabi's home but recently it'd been becoming something else entirely, the people or.. Or much rather their leader taking on a completely different persona. Tomura had somewhat checked out, going out for days at a time and letting All for One continue to reign supreme and run them around like lackeys, yet still so desperate to garner his approval. The previous, precious feeling of family the League once had was replaced with something melancholic. The base was no longer filled with hope that they were getting somewhere for their goals, no longer tight knit; everyone went their separate ways and only conversed upon prior ideals.

Himiko had even grown silent, murmuring something along the lines of trying to relearn things from her past. Things had become more strung out, as if they'd all had a burnout.

Or perhaps like things were rotting from within, decay and maggots crawling from the darkened edges and infecting everything within its radius.

Regardless, Dabi had been called to a meeting.

And, here, hovering over a gap in the roof, Hawks lay on his stomach and watched the building through his binoculars just a few solid meters away. The shingles dug into his stomach and chest, sitting uncomfortably against his ribs, but he didn't dare move since this angle was perfect.

He could see right through the fogged window into the room with torn wallpaper, dark shadows shading the faces and figures roaming inside. Then the crackling sizzle of a wired device starting up to let him hear inside.

"I can hear you." Hawks confirmed into his mouthpiece, knowing Dabi could hear him but he dared not speak. It was bad enough he had one of the birdbrains feathers attached to him beneath the collar of his shirt for what he called 'moral' support.

The rustling of movement and low hum of voices followed the wail of far away sirens and the early warmth of mid-March settling humidly around him, the thick fume of pavement wafting from the previously waterlogged streets from last night's rain.

"You're late." A gravelly voice grit out, the low rasp and faint hitch indicating its owner.

"I don't exactly live close by, Shiggy. Unlike you, I actually get out." Was Dabi's low effort response, already lighting a cigarette with the metal shift of his lighter filling the silence. More creaking and loud dragging of wood on tile as people took seats. "Who's the kid?"

No one answered him. And for a moment Hawks wondered if asking such a question had been a faux pas, already far too nervous for his partner who seemed all too nonchalant leaning back in his seat and smoking as if he were catching up with old friends. For fucks sake, the mans boots propped up on the old bartable as if he owned the place, the sides of his stitched up trenchcoat skimming the floor.

"He's part of why we're here, he's from UA." A chipper voice chimed in. Himiko Toga. She wasn't sitting, more so her voice shifted as she moved around the room, doing god knows what. "Baldy said that the progress has been taking too long and that we need to start working more collaboratively."

Dabi snorted a sharp laugh, flicking ash into the tin by the bar. "And so he brought in a child therapist?"

"You're awfully cocky for a guy who looks like Freddy Kreugers distant half cousin." The newcomer mused, yet no one laughed. It was almost palpable, even through the earpiece, that no one in that room trusted the kid, let alone each other.

But, well, who could blame them? If this was their rat, well, perhaps he could rat on them at some point. No matter how prized or paid, no one ever trusted a snitch.

"Enough." A command, coming out choppy and static yet holding such conviction and animosity that Hawks couldn't help but repress a cringe of a shiver from the other line. Such a voice evoked a near fear response. "Leave the child be, we don't have much time. In a few minutes two people are going to come in, don't ask too many questions and listen to what they have to say. You'll be paid handsomely by the man, feel free to squeeze him for a bit more cash and ensure that everything runs smoothly. This is far too important to screw up."

Shigaraki raised his head, mouth opening to protest, calling out to his mentor for some sort of explanation. For too long All for One had kept him in the dark and it started to waver his complacent, tight-lipped loyalty; they'd previously had a close bond.

Nearly like a strict father with a son far too eager to please.

Before Tomura could utter a word the line dropped and another knock came to the door. And Hawks began to see that oh.

Oh that makes all the more sense.

Hisashi Akemi and Mazaki Leiko stood rigid and upright outside, personifications of mannequins on display. Thin paper smiles and eyes holding a haunting eeriness behind them.