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

Chapter 52: Brothers

Fierce Wings puff up against the cold as Hawks shakes snow off them. Hawks lands on the gate in front of the mansion. It's been a few months since he's been able to catch a breather long enough to see her, and video chats were nothing like being able to hold her.

Hawks pulls his coat tighter to his body, eager to get into the warmth of the mansion and hunker into a nest of blankets with Jean. "Why is winter always so damn cold?" He asks himself, trudging through the blanket of snow. He yawns, fighting against urge to sleep as he approaches the front entrance of the mansion, then knocks while pushing the door open thankful for the heat in the other side of the door. "Heyo, I'm here!" He hollers in a sing-song tone.

"Hawks!" Kitty squeals as she and the rest of the X-men join her in welcoming Hawks.

"Where's Scott?" Hawks asks.

"Visiting his younger brother in Hawaii this week." Kurt says.

"Wait, isn't that where they're having storms-" Hawks was cut off as Evan runs up to them.

"You all need to see this now!" Evan panics, running back towards the living room. The group scurries behind him.

***

"The search is still on for two missing teens out at sea, Alex Masters and Scott Summers." The news reporter says showing pictures of Alex and Scott.

"Storm, ready the X-Jet." Professor X orders.

"I'm coming with." Jean says.

"Count me in as well." Hawks responds.

Storm, Professor, Jean, and Hawks set off to locate the duo. So much for hunkering down with my girl tonight. Hawks thinks.

***

*Hawks do you see them?!* Storm's voice crackles through the com link. Hawks squints, trying to see through cold hurricane rain pelting at him.

First snow and now this. He thinks.

"Nothing yet," he responds. Only a fool would be caught dead in this— but here I am, chasing down some fool that's been a complete dick to me. I guess this is what they mean when they say love makes people do stupid things.

Suddenly, Hawks' feathers pick up the faint beating of two hearts through the roaring thunder and crashing water. "I got something!" He shrieks through the com link as he jets towards the beating hearts.

Hawks eyes widen as Scott and his younger brother, caught in a whirlpool of a waterspout, come into view. When Hawks reaches them, he fights against the wind trying to pull him. "Scott!" Hawks shouts, diving towards them.

"Keigo, stop! It will pull you in too-"

Just as Scott finishes his sentence, the water calms. Glancing up, Hawks sees Storm pushing back the water spout.

"Hurry, I can't hold this forever!" Storm shouts. Hawks' feather hooks Scott's shirt and lifts him to the open door to the X-jet. Jean, from the open door, uses telekinesis to pull Alex out of the water and into the X-jet as well.

"Go! GO! Go!" Jean orders Professor as Storm and Hawks tumble back into the X-jet. Hawks grabs one of the large blankets and drapes it over the two shivering brothers.

"Th-Thanks." Scott says. Hawks nods.

"Come on Kei, let's get you warm, too," Jean says, leading Hawks back to where she was sitting.

Finally! Hawks thinks, trying to hide his excitement.

Scott sighs and cuddles with brother to keep him warm.

"What's the matter?" Alex asks Scott.

"I just don't know what to think of this guy. He saved us, but he also has put us at risk. Until now, I was convinced he was just a thorn in our side, but now— maybe I was wrong. "

"Maybe you should talk to him." Alex interjects.

"You might have a point, little bro." Scott says, watching Jean tending to Hawks tenderly. "You know, no matter how hard it has been to see, she's really happy, isn't she?" He says back to Alex. "They trust one another, and, well, I love her enough to love that she is happy."

****

"I Wonder if Alex is getting this same treatment at home. " Scott says, sitting in his bed. Professor X steps out of the room to talk to Kurt, leaving Jean and Hawks alone with Scott. Jean hands Scott a bowl of hot stew.

"From the way Alex's parents reacted, I'm sure he's being pampered right now." Jean says.

Hawks feels a pang of envy watching Jean care for Scott.

"Hey, can I come in? How are doing Scott?" Kurt asks, stepping into the room. Looking, Hawks cannot contain his laughter at the sight of the blue-furred teen's appearance.

"I'm fine, madam." Scott says between his bellowing laughter.

"What, why are you- Ah! Professor!" Kurt gasps as he catches a glimpse of his feminine reflection in the mirror. Professor laughs as he enters.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." Professor smirks.

***

"Haw- Keigo, can I talk to you quickly?" Scott asks as the group prepares to leave Scott's room.

Jean gently squeezes Hawks' hand. "I'll wait for you in the living room." She says, kissing his cheek.

Hawks turns to face Scott. What's up, Shades?" He asks.

"Dude, you need better nickname for me. Anyway, I want to apologize for my behavior and the way I have been treating you. It wasn't right and for that I'm sorry. I like Jean a lot and-"

"-I'm aware of the history between you two. Chickadee told me."

"You are — were — a stranger, yes. But you are also the son of Professor Xavier, the guy who has offered his home and saved many of us. I let jealousy blind me, and that hurt you and Jean. I just wanted to keep her safe. Do you understand?"

"I do, yes. I became pro because I wanted to save others just like I was saved. I wasn't trying to take your place. I was just trying to find myself. I regret putting Jean and you all in danger. I still hold myself responsible for that, so you were right to question me." Hawks stares at his feet.

"Keigo, as crazy as it sounds, I'm thankful today happened. More than you know. Through this experiences, Alex helped me see how much of jack ass I have been to you. Are you willing to try again? Be friends and brothers?" Scott holds hand out for Hawks to shake.

Hawks blinks, then smiles as he pulls Scott in for a hug. "We can, yes. I've always wanted a brother."

"I'll teach you what I can, I promise, Keigo. I'll try to be there more for you."

"Same here."