Withered Flowers

Chapter 13

Hawks stood in the dimly lit room of his agency, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared out the window. The city stretched before him, its skyline jagged and imposing against the backdrop of a twilight sky. He could see the remnants of the chaos that had unfolded in recent months, the remnants of a world that had once been vibrant but was now tinged with despair. The Hero Commission had a watchful eye on him, their threats echoing in his mind like a relentless drumbeat.

"Keigo?" Y/N's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He turned to find her standing in the doorway, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. She had a way of drawing him in, of making the world fade away, even amidst the turmoil. But now, he felt like a fragile glass ornament, fearing any sudden movement would shatter him.

"Hey," he replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just thinking about the mission tomorrow."

Y/N stepped into the room, her presence a steadying force. "The one in Section 8?"

"Yeah, it's going to be a tough one," he said, avoiding her gaze. The truth was, he wasn't worried about the mutants or the upcoming mission. No, his real concern lay in the shadows of his heart. The Hero Commission's ultimatum loomed like a dark cloud over him. If they continued their relationship, they wouldn't hesitate to take Megumi away from them, and Hawks knew Y/N would snap if that happened.

She studied him, those maroon eyes searching for the truth behind his facade. "You seem off. Are you sure that's all it is?"

Her intuition pierced through his defenses, and he felt a pang of guilt for lying. "Just nervous," he repeated, trying to sound convincing. "It's nothing."

"Nothing?" she echoed, her tone skeptical yet patient. "You've been off for a while now, Keigo."

He wanted to tell her everything—the threats, the fear that gnawed at his insides like a ravenous beast. He wanted to share the burden of his worries, but he couldn't. Not when the stakes were so high. He couldn't risk Y/N's safety, especially when the Hero Commission was capable of unspeakable things.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it," she said finally, a softness in her voice that made his heart ache. She was always so understanding, so patient with him when he couldn't even be honest about his feelings. "We can focus on the mission for now."

"Yeah, the mission," he replied, forcing himself to sound upbeat. But inside, he was churning with doubt. He hated lying to her, hated hiding the truth of how dangerous their situation had become.

Y/N nodded, and for a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of unspoken words heavy between them. He could see the way her brow furrowed, the concern etched into her features. She was worried, and that worried him more than anything else.

"Are you ready?" she finally asked, her voice steady as she reached out to touch his arm.

The warmth of her hand sent a jolt through him, a reminder of what he was fighting for. "Yeah, I'll be ready," he said, hoping to inject some confidence into his words.

But as they prepared for the mission, he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. The Commission's warning lingered in the back of his mind like a bitter aftertaste. He needed to be cautious, to tread carefully around the edges of their relationship.

With the sky darkening outside, they geared up, each movement precise and deliberate. The city was theirs to protect, but the shadows whispered secrets he was too afraid to confront.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Hawks couldn't help but glance back at their agency, the place that had become both a sanctuary and a prison. He felt the weight of Y/N's gaze on him, a reminder that she was more than just a partner; she was a lifeline in this chaotic world.