Flying Free: My Hero Evolution Wings of Change (X-Men/My hero crossover)

Chapter 22: The Broken Link

Glaring up at the flickering light above him, Hawks desperately tries to regain movement of his wings. Though he's had his fair share of visitors—Hank and his father visited especially regularly—alone has never felt this lonely. No wings to hide behind, no fans to impress, just him and that damn light.

To his left on the side table sits a get-well bouquet of balloons and a note folded in half. Hawks reaches for the note, recognizing instantly his own handwriting on all but one word.

You're not as sneaky as you might think, 'Hawks.' Seriously, you're going to get hurt. Go home.

Staring back at the note as the flickering light danced across it, at a time he didn't think his ego could get any more wounded, Rouge hit him with the humility of all humility.

"That damn light!" he screams, grabbing the get-well bouquet of balloons next to his bed. Trying to throw the balloon weight at the light, the balloons counter-attacked, entangling themselves around Hawks' mending wings and throwing arm, balloon weight slingshotting back and hitting him in the nose.

"Do you know who I am?!" Hawks screams at the balloons. "NOBODY crosses the number 2 pro hero and gets away—"

"Balloons one, Hawks zero," A sweet voice interrupts his balloon retaliation rant. "Glad to see you like your gift."

Hoping it isn't who he thinks it is, Hawks whips his head around to meet the captivating green eyes he can't get out of his mind.

"Oh...uh... hey Jean...I-I was just—stretching, yeah, stretching my magnificent wings," he says as he tries to hide the tangled mess of balloons behind him.

"Need help getting out of that?" Jean asks, gesturing towards the balloons floating up from behind Hawks' back.

"Oh...what, this? Haha, no this is- I was just— nooo, I'm good, really. I was just taking these to put them over here..."

"Hawks, cut out the macho man act and let me help you."

The two stare at each other for what feels like hours waiting to see who would break the silence first.

"Hawks."

Hawks sighs, looking away from her. "Okay, I might need a little help."

"A little?" She crosses her arms, locking her gaze with his once more.

"Okay, fine, I could use some help," Hawks replies as Jean helps him move to the edge of his bed. "This is much harder than it looks to get out of. Really, though, I don't see what all the fuss over me is about. Everyone is blowing this way out of proportion. I'm sure I'll be better in no time-"

Hawks' monologue was interrupted by Jean's gasp as she saw his blood drenched bandaged back.

"Oh my gosh, this is way worse than I could have imagined. What kind monster did this to you?!"

Hawks' body stiffens, flashing back to the sinister laugh, the heat of the fire on his back, the smell of his burning wings.

Feeling as if he was suffocating, his hands grasp for the edge of the bed.

"Whoa, hey, hey, calm down."' Hawks steadies his breath, slowly opening his eye to see Jean kneeling in front of him.

"Look at me and breathe. You're not there anymore. You're here with me. You're safe."

"I-I was so scared. I've never felt so helpless. I don't know what would have happened if Rogue wouldn't have shown up. She could've gotten hurt, too and I couldn't have done anything about it. I'm so ashamed. All I have ever known is being the hero with amazing wings. Who am I now?"