𝑺𝑾𝑰𝑴 | ᴰᵃᵇⁱʰᵃʷᵏˢ

Sunburned

It was only his second day at the job, Hawks kept telling himself over and over again.

So far all he had to do was yell at a few kids who were dunking their heads underwater or pushing each other into it. And of course, avoid the angry gaze of a specific somebody who had decided to show up again. 

All with a raging sunburn on his face and back.

Hawks was wearing sunscreen now but only because of Mirko pressuring him, but it was too late. For an hour at least they had been swimming and tanning before their workday started and maybe he should have been more thoughtful of his skin.

"Hey Keigo, go on a break for a little. I got this." Mirko grinned at him, her red eyes slightly hidden in the shade of her cap.

God, how thankful I am for this woman. He thought and lazily gave her a thumbs up. "You don't have to tell me twice, i'll be in the back hiding from the sun alright," and with that he retreated for their breakroom at the other end of the pool. His body ached from being on his feet for hours and Mirko must have caught op on that.

The blonde sighed and swung the door open, immediatly he was greeted by cold air basically hugging his overheated body. Just seconds before he was about to rip off his shirt, hands already tugging at the hem of the fabric, he noticed someone sleeping on the couch. Head tipped back and all. 

Dabi? What on earth is he doing in the employee break room? 

He rolled his eyes. Should he wake him up, or just get comfortable next to him? He didn't have many other options, his time was running and he really needed to make use of this break.

So he just did what any other person would have done and just sat down on the other end, feeling rather awkard. He hadn't let his guard down completely and just sat there for a moment, enjoying the cool atmosphere. Only after minutes of dead silence he shut his eyes to finally rest. 

"You're not even gonna take revenge? What a pussy." Dabi muttered, his eyes still closed. Hawks jumped slightly, not expecting the other man to be awake. He spat back in the same attitude "Couldn't care less, honestly, what are you even doing here?" 

Dabi slowly turned his head around, an annoyed look on his face.

"I have a spare key, obviously, " he mumbled, still groggy from the nap. Which made Hawks decide to not ask any further questions.

So he's just allowed to sit here whenever he wants? Just because of his rich dad or what? He huffed and made himself as comfortable as could be and just dozed off with no further thought. Somehow he deemed it safe to just sleep while Dabi was still there, he had to use his time wisely.

The other was still watching him, only now with a pitiful expression. Should he try something?

No, he would have to properly plan something this time. He couldn't afford to make a fool of himself like yesterday.

Even thinking about it make his face burn in embarrassment. He got up in a huff and just slurfed back outside to his friends Tomura and Toga. These two didn't mind him dissappearing for a while, they usually know he's off to some quiet time.

. . .

For half an hour maybe Hawks just slept there, on a worn out couch inside a cramped up room. Up until he stirred awake in panic, realizing he still had work.

Man, I really miss unemployment. 

He cried out in thought and stretched his arms, his gaze suddenly falling upon a tube standing on the table which had been empty before.

He nosily took it, and it said 'cooling gel, specifically made for sun damage,' and he laughed out loud. Mirko must have seen how he suffered, how thoughtful of her. With no further hesitation he put in on his face and shoulders, immediate relief washing over him. The cool and soothing sensation really made his day.

Then he jumped up, pretending as if he hadn't just slept his break away and put on a cap. Ready for the last two hours of work he left the room and went looking for Mirko, who was busy watching over probably the most dangerous part of this place. 

The springboards.

"There you are, for a moment I thought maybe you went home," she exclaimed, now taking her cap off to enjoy the wind that started to blow. Hawks just scoffed at her and sat down, already in agony as the sunshine ate him up again. He replied, "Of course not, but wouldn't you know? Weren't you in the break room while I was napping?"

Her gaze went up and down on him, a curious smile tugging at her lips. "No, had to watch the pool. Can't leave when the 10m board is open." 

Hawks' brow furrowed in confusion. "But then who..." He trailed off, glancing back toward the break room. The only person he'd seen in there was Dabi, but he couldn't imagine him being the type to help some guy who shoved ice cream down his pants.

If anything, he would have hidden any and everything helpful from the medical cabinets.

"You're probably overthinking it, but I'll also go now to have quick break alright?" Mirko pat him on the shoulder and got up from her usual chair, making space so Hawks could sit down. He did so gladly. "Sure, take your time?" his voice sounded more confused, even if he knew now what had happened.

Did dabi really put it there or is he just imagining things?

He couldn't decide, both options did not make any sense. Either it was him or some demon living in there. The demon being the more likely part.

The day went on and on, and all he did for the rest of his shift was sit there, watch over the people jumping backflips and literally any other trick on earth. There hadn't been more than a few warnings and conversations with some citizens when it was already time to pack up and leave.

His shift came to an end and again he was staring at the many many pool areas, all empty and ready to be cleaned. Altough he'd prefer to do it tomorrow.

"I'm gonna go change, you're free to go Rumi." Trying to catch her attention, he waved over exagerratingly with his arms hoping she could hear him despite the distance between them. "I'll lock the gates today."  - "Thanks Hawksie!"

She dissapered behind the gates, totebag on her shoulder and a tired smile on her face.

Hawks stretched his body and a pained sound slipped his lips, eight hours a day in the sun were brutal for someone like him. Don't get it wrong, he loved the summer and the warmth, the tan also. But the tiredness, god, the tiredness from the sun was wrecking him. He could just fall asleep anywhere.

With his last bit of power he kicked open the door to the break room and just put on a different pair of shorts and switched the sandals for his sneakers. Only then he remembered, that he and Rumi weren't the only one with access to this room. 

Franctically he spun around, checking for the usual suspect but to his suprise, the room was empty.

Why am I so wary of this dude? It's not like hes actually a danger, he's just some stupid prankster who doesn't have anything better to do. He calmed himself in his thoughs, just continuing to gather his things and leave everything as he had found it. 

But as he left the breakroom, he looked over his shoulder one last time.

Still seeing no one, unsuprisingly. Maybe he was just too afraid to actually walk into a trap laid by Dabi, just so he could get him fired. Honestly, it was still a mystery how he still hadn't told his dad about their first unfortunate encounter.

Who knows how much he'll let me do to him before he takes proper action?

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published 22.07.24/ 1355 words

What an idiot still gets sunburned in summer, am I right? (No I totally don't have a sunburn rn)