The Tokoyamiverse 3

quality time

Requested by arrowheadman

It had been a grueling patrol, longer than usual. Hawks had pushed Tokoyami hard during training earlier, and now, after hours of patrolling, the kid looked utterly spent—a rare sight for Tokoyami, who usually held his emotions and fatigue close to the vest.

Tokoyami's breathing was shallow, each step seeming to cost him more energy than the last. His usual determined gaze was dulled with exhaustion, his shoulders slumping beneath the weight of his fatigue. Hawks glanced at his watch. Three minutes left. He smirked to himself. Yeah, they could cut out a little early.

"Hey, kid, why don't we—" He felt something bump against his outstretched wing and turned to see Tokoyami stumbling, his head down, clearly not realizing Hawks had stopped.

Tokoyami froze, immediately looking embarrassed. "Apologies," he muttered, steadying himself and attempting to stand straight. "I... didn't realize..."

Hawks chuckled softly, a light-hearted laugh that cut through the night's quiet. "No need to apologize, Tokoyami. Looks like you're running on fumes there." He rested a hand on Tokoyami's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "Why don't we call it a night? You've earned it."

Tokoyami blinked up at him, relief and a hint of pride flickering in his tired eyes. "Thank you, Hawks."

They made their way to the top of a nearby building, a tall skyscraper with a view that stretched across the city. Hawks landed first, guiding Tokoyami down beside him, his arm steadying him until he sat down on the edge of the roof. The city lights below sparkled in the dark, a soft glow that painted their faces in warm hues.

Hawks stretched his wings and settled next to Tokoyami, leaning back with a sigh. "You've come a long way, you know that?" he said, glancing at Tokoyami. "Most pros couldn't handle a day like this without being dead on their feet."

Tokoyami, catching his breath, managed a slight smile. "I suppose... the training has been beneficial," he murmured, though his voice was so tired that it almost sounded like a sigh.

Hawks nudged him lightly. "Beneficial? Kid, you're killing it. There were times today when I thought you might even outdo me."

Tokoyami raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I find that hard to believe."

Hawks grinned, putting his hands behind his head. "Believe it or not, even I get tired," he joked, though there was a warmth in his tone, a gentle encouragement he rarely offered so directly.

They sat in silence for a while, the night wind ruffling Tokoyami's feathers and Hawks' wings. The sky was clear, stars scattered across the dark canvas. It was rare for Hawks to take a moment to just breathe, and rarer still to share it with someone else.

Eventually, Tokoyami spoke up, his voice soft, almost hesitant. "Hawks... why did you decide to become a hero?"

Hawks looked at him, surprised by the question. He thought for a moment, his gaze distant. "I guess... I just wanted to help people, you know? Wanted to feel like I was making a difference." He shrugged, chuckling. "Plus, I mean... who wouldn't want to look this cool, right?" He gave Tokoyami a playful wink, flicking one of his feathers.

Tokoyami shook his head with a small smile. "It suits you."

Hawks leaned forward, studying Tokoyami. "And you? What drives you, kid? Why go through all this? The hard work, the endless training, the late nights?"

Tokoyami paused, looking down at his hands, as though weighing his answer carefully. "For the longest time... I thought I was bound to the darkness, that it was my only path," he said, his voice low. "But... after meeting you, and the others, I began to see things differently. I realized that darkness can serve the light—that I can serve the light."

Hawks looked at him, a mix of pride and understanding softening his gaze. "That's the stuff, Tokoyami. You've got more light in you than you know."

Tokoyami's cheeks flushed slightly, and he shifted, clearly a little uncomfortable with the praise. But Hawks just laughed and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Hey, don't get all serious on me now. Besides," he added with a wink, "you might be the only sidekick who can handle me."

Tokoyami's lips quirked up in a rare smile, faint but genuine. "I believe I can handle whatever you throw at me, Hawks."

Hawks chuckled, standing up and stretching, his wings spreading out against the cityscape. "You know, I don't doubt that for a second. But for now, let's get you home, kid. Can't have my best sidekick running on empty."

He extended a hand, and Tokoyami took it, letting Hawks help him to his feet. They stood together, side by side on the rooftop, and for a moment, Tokoyami felt the fatigue lift, replaced by a quiet sense of strength—a strength drawn not from the darkness within him, but from the connection they'd built.

As they took to the sky, Hawks guiding him through the night, Tokoyami felt a quiet gratitude settle in his chest. He knew that, no matter the challenges or fears ahead, he had a mentor—and a friend—who would stand by him, in both darkness and light.