Red Feathers and Blue Infernos | Dabi x Hawks x reader/OC

two

My fingers tap against the wood counter of the books store. Time is going by far too slowly even though we just opened, and the day has just begun. The bell chimes above the door, and two girls walk in.

“Good morning, welcome to Boundless Books. Let me know if I can help you find anything,” I chime in my best customer service voice. The girls disappear between shelves, and I sigh. Today is going to drag.

After a while of looking around the store, the girls come back to the counter shyly.

“Um, I'm actually looking for a specific book,” one of the girls walks over to me and asks. She goes on about the rough plot since she can't remember the name, and I nod as I vaguely remember what it might be.

“Give me a moment to check our system,” I say and move over to the outdated computer. The door chimes again, and without looking, I chant my greeting, “Good morning, welcome to Boundless Books. Let me know if I can help you find anything.”

After a moment, I point the girl to where the shelf the book she wants is on before turning to the door.

Leaning against the wall stands Dabi. He isn't looking at me as he surveys the store, eyes scanning over books and dusty shelves.

“Fancy seeing you here, stalker,” I say, capturing his attention. He looks so out of place here it's almost comical. Piercings, tattoos, leather jacket, almost too black, black hair and surrounded by plants and worn books.

“Good morning to you too,” he says and places a cup down on the counter. I raise a brow and nod at it, “I was gonna bring you a coffee and check in, but then I realized I don't know what kind you like. Then I was going to get you tea, but I don't know what kind you like so I settled on hot chocolate.” His cheeks ting ever so slightly pink as he looks out the front store windows.

“Oh no, I'm lactose intolerant,” I say.

“Crap really?” He panics.

“Nah, I'm just fuckin’ with ya. Thank you though you really didn't need to do that.”

He rolls his eyes, “figured it's the least I could do.”

“How’d you know I was here though?” I ask as I take a sniff of the warm drink. Devine chocolatey goodness fills my brain and I hum happily.

“I called Fuyumi and asked her where the books store, she always goes to, is. She totally got on my case about it too. Something about getting out the house more. It's fine though I need to pick up some books for Sho anyways.”

“What do you need? I can get them for you.”

Dabi goes on to list several school books along with some teen fantasy novel. I write down all the shelf numbers on a sticky note and move around the counter to go find them all.

“You're close with Shoto?” I ask as I pull a book off a shelf before moving to a new one. Dabi trails close behind me, hands tucked in his pockets.

“We kinda have to be since he lives with me.”

I stop short and Dabi bumps into me grabbing my waist to steady us both, “wait what?” I look up at him and he looks down at me, my back pressed to his chest and his fingers trailing my waist.

“I figured Fuyumi would have told you…” he trails off, “I have custody of Shoto. After everything with my mom and Sho, my dad wasn't seen as fit to care for him anymore. Fuyumi was just starting college and Natsuo got emancipated.”

“No, she did not tell me all of that. Geeze Dabi.”

He shrugs, eyes dancing anywhere but my face, “it was an adjustment but I'm making it work. I have to. I can't let him fall into the system.”

I step forward, his hand falls from my waist and drops at his side. When I turn his blazing blue eyes finally land on mine, “I'm glad you're keeping your family together. If you ever need me to do anything don't hesitate to ask. I make a mean Yaki Udon.”

“I've had him for a while so we have a good rhythm, but I might just take you up on that. He's at UA now, you know. I'm really proud of him.”

“Aw that's so good for him,” I say grabbing another book off a shelf. I glance at the last one and of course it has to be on the top shelf, “hold these?” I ask Dabi passing him the books. I walk over to a stool and step up to reach for it but it's still just out of reach. Whoever thought putting a tiny novel on a top shelf was a good idea, sucks. Dabi reaches over me grabbing the book and adding it to the pile with a shit eating grin.  “Shut up,” I mutter, putting the stool away and heading towards the counter.

“It's not my fault you're five foot nothing,” he says following behind me.

“I'm 5 '4,” I say and then shut up because that doesn't defend my case at all. Dabi chuckles as I ring him up.

“Hm, one more thing,” he says suddenly, sounding nervous, “I was wondering if maybe you would like to come to our family dinner night, this weekend. I know Yumi usually says she means to invite you but forgets, so I figured I'd extend the invitation for her.”

“Oh, that's really nice but I don't want to intrude on your family time.”

“It's not really like that. Hawks usually comes and Natsuo invites a friend, even Sho is bringing one of his friends. We all go see mom in the morning then go to dad's house to cook dinner together. It'll be fun I promise.”

“If you're sure,” I say, then laugh softly with a shake of my head.

“What?”

“You've known me less than a week and you're already inviting me over to meet the family. Sly dog.”

His face flushes, “it isn't like that.”

“I know I'm picking on ya. Chill Dabi.”

“That's another thing. When we’re around my family, call me Touya. They make fun of me for the nickname.”

“First names and meeting the family. Wow,” I laugh, and he just shakes his head with a smile.

“Well, I'm already in too deep now,” he bumps his phone out to me, and I laugh loudly. I take it and add my contact info leaving the name as Kana.

“I will text you the details later,” he says with a wave as he leaves the store.

Once he's gone, I busy myself checking out the first two girls and straightening up the front of the store. The smell of old books and hot coco warming me to my core. Something about the way the light shines through the front store windows makes it always feel was and lively even in the dead of winter. Barely any time passes before the door chimes open again, “Good morning, welcome to Boundless Books. Let me know if I can help you find anything.”
“Good morning, Dove,” Hawks says.

“Hawks, fancy seeing you here.”

Just as I say his name the door to my boss's office slams open. With a squeal Harumi comes out of her office quickly.

“Pro Hero Hawks! In my little store! What can I do for you?”

It's then that I notice the plastic smile that suddenly takes over Hawks’ face. It really doesn't suit him. It's most definitely not the smile he gave me in the bar the other night, or when he walked in, and truthfully, I hate it. His eyes don’t crinkle around the edges and it's like it doesn't reach his eyes at all.

“Hi, it's always lovely to meet a fan,” he says, laying on the charm so thick it's almost suffocating.

Harumi is in her 30's, short blonde bob and brown eyes. She opened Boundless Books as soon as she had enough money to. It's a used-book store. People bring in books for credits they can use to exchange for used books or they can just buy them. It's a pretty chill store that makes just enough to stay afloat.

“Is there anything in particular I can get for you,” she asks, bumping me out of the way from the counter. I look at her like she is insane since she's acting like it, and I catch Hawks swallowing a laugh, amusement dancing in his eyes. I pointedly look at her then him and he shrugs. I pick up the cup of hot chocolate Dabi left for me and shake my head.

“Um no thank you. I was just dropping in to say hi to Fukuda,” Hawks says.

“Hi to… her?” Harumi says pointing at me and he nods.

“How the hell do you know Hawks?” Harumi asks turning to me.

“He saved me from a bad date the other night.”

Harumi shakes her head and bid us farewell before returning to her office, door slightly ajar so she can listen in.

“So, what are you doing here?” I ask and he shrugs.

“I saw Dabi leaving. Figured I would pop in and say hi before I went to catch up with him.”

“Yeah, he dropped me off a drink,” I shrug, “among other things.”

“Other things?” Hawks asks, moving to lean on the counter. He’s unbearably close as he grabs my cup from me and takes a whiff.

“He invited me to family dinner this weekend,” I laugh, taking my cup back and holding the warm paper cup to my chest.

“What? No fucking way it took me like a year to get an invite,” Hawks fusses straightening up and looking me with those piercing eyes.

“Ha-ha. He likes me better than you,” I stick out my tongue at him.

“Whatever. It's only because he thinks you're pretty.”

“Don't be so jelly, bird boy. I'm sure he loves you too.”

“Kana!” Harumi yells, “Show some respect to the number two hero. Don't call him that!”

Hawks has a shit eating grin on his face, “yeah, show some respect to the number two.”

“Maybe I would if you were number one... but for now, you get to settle,” I say in a hushed tone, so Harumi stops listening in.

“Is that so?”

“Mmhm,” I sip at my hot chocolate, it's warm and sweet and honestly just what I needed to combat the cold weather. I need to think of a way to thank Dabi for this.

“Well, I guess I just need to become the best then,” he says with a smirk.

“I guess so,” I peek out the store front window. People have gathered, pointing and taking photos of the hero in front of me, “leave you're attracting a crowd.”

Hawks sighs and runs a hand through his hair, “only because I need to talk to Dabi, not because you told me to.”

“Yeah, yeah sure whatever,” I shrug and wave him off. Hawks goes to the front door, the bell chiming as he pushes it partially open, but he stops and turns to be before leaving.

“Fukuda,” he says softly.

“Hmm?”

“See you Saturday, okay?”

“Yeah, Saturday.” I nod and he smiles before taking off.

‐-----

Late that night my phone buzzes on the table besides me. I put down my book and smile as I read through the text.

Unknown: hey it's Dabi. Sho and I are going to pick you up from your apartment around 11 on Saturday before heading to see mom. Hope that's okay.

Kana: Sure thing, stalker. Do I need to bring anything?

Dabi: just your pretty self.

Kana: and you call Hawks the flirt 🙄

Dabi: that's because he is. I'm just stating facts.

“Smooth motherfucker,” I mutter to my empty apartment.

Kana: see you then, Touya 😉

Dabi doesn't text back after that, and I'm left to wonder what he's thinking. With my book interrupted with my brain running wild I decided it's best to head to bed for the night and not dwell on this weekend too much yet. After all, it's only Monday. I have time to stress about it later.