Hawks X Reader Book 2

Hanahaki

(Y/n) smiles slightly as she cheers quietly for Hawks after he saves a bunch of people.
Hawks smirks and waves at her as some reporters talk to him.
She's had a secret crush on him for a while but only recently has it begun to affect her.
Her unrequited love has triggered hanahaki.
It started with chest pains and sometimes she had trouble breathing.
(Y/n) hides her pain from her friend though, she didn't want him to worry.
Especially since in the beginning it didn't cross her mind what was really happening, only believing it was normal sickness.
But then she started coughing up petals.

Hawks finally walks over to (Y/n). "Hey baby bird."
"Hey. That was pretty cool. Fierce Wing is awesome."
"Thanks. You wanna get some lunch, kid?"
The woman opens her mouth to agree but coughs up some petals.
Thankfully she's come up with a way to hide them from the blonde.
"Are you sick? Do you need me to take you home?"
His worry makes her chest tighten.
Her smile hides her tears.
"I'll be ok. I should let you get back to work. People who need saving."
Hawks frowns but nods. "Call me if you need anything baby bird."

(Y/n) goes home and adds her new petals to the old. She sighs softly. "Well this sucks. Damned if I do, damned if I don't. I'm going to lose him as a friend but I'll still be alive. Is it worth it?"
The pamphlet next to the petal jars makes her stomach churn.
"Of course I can't tell him."
A sudden text pulls her attention and makes her jump slightly.
'Hey baby bird you doing ok?'
'Yeah sorry for making you worry.'
'Ok. I hope we can hangout again soon.'
'You should focus on hero work. The people need you.'
She wasn't selfish enough to demand his time.
Even if they did become a couple, she would still push him to focus on his work rather than her.

As the weeks go by her sickness escalates, heightened by her ever growing love for the blonde bird.
Her breathing is now painful enough that she can hardly speak.
Hawks began to worry when she started passing on hanging out.
Finally he decided to visit her, see what's going on.
(Y/n) tries to relax in a bath, hoping to relieve some of the pain.
Hawks flies up to her unlocked balcony door.

Once he's inside he immediately notices the jars of flower petals.
He looks around then sees the pamphlet. Keigo picks it up and his eyes widen. "Hanahaki? Who's the bastard that doesn't love her back? Why hasn't she told him?"
All the signs flood his mind, making him pissed that he didn't realize it sooner.
(Y/n) walks over wrapped in a towel and her eyes widen upon seeing her friend. "K-Keigo!"
"Why didn't you tell me? You've been suffering in silence haven't you? You're my best friend, you could have leaned on me for help."

The woman stands in shock but tears stream down her cheeks.
Hawks walks over and wipes her tears. "I'm here for you. Tell me who is it? Do I know them?"
Her hands grips his jacket, her mouth opens slightly but nothing comes out.
The blonde frowns and frames her face. "Baby bird tell me."
Hot tears blur her vision and her lungs feel like they could explode.
The feeling of the vines contracting around her lungs make breathing impossible.
Her hyperventilating makes the hero worry more.
"Baby bird breathe! Please tell me."

''I'd rather die. That's right, I can't tell him. He'll hate me and leave me alone. Life isn't worth living.'
Her thoughts are interrupted by Keigo yelling at her.
"(Y/n) tell me!"
"It's you!" She screams and collapses onto her knees.
Her breathing is labored and her eyes are wide as she stares at the ground.
"Keigo Takami I love you." She cries and covers her face, bending forward to press her forehead against the floor.
The hero stands stunned by the sudden confession.

Slowly Keigo kneels down and hugs her tightly.
"Thank god," he whispers.
(Y/n) looks at him confused.
"We've been friends for so long baby bird. Except my feelings didn't start being romantic till recently. I've wanted to say something but I was afraid you'd reject me. I figured you'd rather find a partner who wasn't always in danger or spent so much time working. You always push me to be the best and to save as many as I can. My love for you only grew."
"I though you only saw me as a friend. I couldn't believe that you could ever see me as more."
"It's ok. I'm here now baby bird. I promise I love you too. I'll even nurse you back to health until you're completely better."
"Huh?"

"Didn't you read the pamphlet? Once you've confessed and the person returns your feelings you'll recover. You just have to wait until you've coughed up the last petals. The vines will disappear right away though and your breathing will be easier. Tea is recommended to soothe the pain."
(Y/n) cries softly into his chest and grips his jacket.
"Shhhh baby bird, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere either." He kisses her head and holds her close.
She manages a smile and kisses him.
The sudden kiss catches him off guard but he gladly returns the gesture.