The sun sets over a tranquil hillside, casting a warm glow over the peaceful home of Ellen, Izuku, Ochaco, and Hawk. Hawk, now a teenager, has grown into a tall, strong young man—a near carbon copy of his father, Toshinori.
He has Toshinori's sharp features, his warm smile, and the same determined gleam in his eyes. However, there is an unspoken mystery about his father that lingers, though he never questions it.
Ellen, watching her son from the kitchen, smiles at how much he resembles Toshinori.
Hawk walks into the room, his face relaxed but thoughtful, holding a notebook.
Hawk: casually "Mom, you think I'll ever be as strong as Grandpa Izuku? I've been training hard, but it feels like I'm still missing something."
Ellen looks at him, her heart aching slightly at the sight of her son, who mirrors Toshinori in so many ways.
She gives him a warm, motherly smile, keeping her emotions in check.
Ellen: softly "Hawk, you already have so much strength, not just physically but in your heart. And that's what makes you special. You don't need to compare yourself to anyone, not even your grandpa."
Hawk sits down at the table, flipping through the pages of his notebook filled with drawings and training notes. He looks up at her with a light chuckle.
Hawk: grinning "Yeah, but Grandpa Izuku makes it look so easy! It's like he was born to be the strongest hero in the world. And Grandma Ochaco, too—both of them are incredible. Sometimes I wonder where I got my powers from… You never really talk about Dad."
Ellen freezes for a moment, her smile faltering just a little. She knew this question would come someday, but Hawk's contentment with his life and not pressing for answers had allowed her to avoid it.
Ellen: softly "Your father… was an incredible man, Hawk. Strong, brave, and kind—just like you. But there are some things I haven't told you because I wanted to protect you."
Hawk looks at her, sensing her hesitation but never pressing further. He respects his mother's decision and, for years, has trusted that whatever she's holding back is for a good reason.
Hawk: nodding understandingly "You don't have to tell me, Mom. I know you and Grandpa Izuku and Grandma Ochaco have done everything for me. I don't really need to know. I just… feel lucky to have you guys. That's enough for me."
Ellen's heart swells with both pride and sorrow at his words. She knows Hawk deserves to know about his father one day, but for now, she appreciates his maturity and the love they share as a family. She moves over to him and gently ruffles his hair.
Ellen: smiling "You've grown into such a fine young man, Hawk. Your father would be so proud of you, and so am I."
Just then, the door opens, and Izuku and Ochaco walk in, returning from one of their daily walks. They smile brightly as they see Hawk and Ellen together.
Izuku: laughing as he walks in "Looks like someone's been training again, huh? What's on your mind, Hawk?"
Hawk stands up, stretching, his resemblance to Toshinori striking Izuku and Ochaco once more. He grins at his grandpa, admiration clear in his eyes.
Hawk: jokingly "Just wondering if I'll ever catch up to the No. 1 Hero in the world. You and Grandma set the bar pretty high, you know."
Ochaco chuckles, walking over to give him a quick hug.
Ochaco: teasing "You're well on your way! And besides, you've got something even better than just raw strength—you've got heart. Just like your father."
Hawk smiles, though a flicker of curiosity passes through his expression.
Hawk: "Yeah, I guess so… Thanks, Grandma. Grandpa."
Izuku watches Hawk closely, seeing the quiet strength in his grandson and the same determination that once filled Toshinori.
Izuku: kindly "Hawk, you're already more than enough. It's not about becoming someone else or living up to anyone's legacy. It's about making your own path. And you've been doing that every day."
Hawk smiles at his grandfather's words, feeling reassured. He doesn't need to know everything right now. The love and support of his family are enough, and someday, when the time is right, the full truth will come. For now, he's content, knowing he has everything he needs to keep growing stronger.
Hawk: grinning "Thanks, Grandpa. I'll keep that in mind."
The evening is quiet, and Hawk finds himself alone in his room, sitting by the window and looking out at the darkening sky. The day had been filled with laughter and training, but now, in the stillness of the night, his thoughts wander to the questions that have been quietly lingering in the back of his mind. He stares out at the horizon, lost in thought, wondering about the one person who has remained a mystery his whole life—his father.
Hawk: thinking to himself "Who was my dad? And why doesn't anyone really talk about him? It's like he's this shadow… but I can't shake the feeling that there's more to the story."
He leans back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, the same hair that everyone says resembles his father's. He has no memories of him, no stories told in detail, just vague mentions from his mother and grandparents. And no matter how much he loves and trusts them, the unanswered questions have been gnawing at him lately.
Hawk: murmuring to himself "Mom always says I look like him… that he was strong, kind. But how did he die? Why doesn't anyone ever explain?"
He thinks back to moments in his childhood when he would see his mother, Ellen, staring off in the distance with a sadness in her eyes that she tried to hide. Or the times his grandfather, Izuku, would get quiet when the topic of his dad came up. There was something deeper, something no one was saying, and now, as a teenager, Hawk feels the weight of that silence more than ever.
Hawk: his fists clenching slightly "I deserve to know, don't I? Who my father was… how he died. What happened to him? Why is it such a secret?"
He stands up and begins pacing his room, his thoughts racing. He feels an ache in his chest, a yearning to understand the man who gave him half of his identity.
Hawk: determined, whispering to himself "Was he a hero like Grandpa? Did he die in battle? Or was it something worse? Why do they always look so sad when they mention him?"
He looks at himself in the mirror, seeing the resemblance to the man he's never known. It's unsettling, almost like looking at a stranger, yet feeling connected.
Hawk: sighing "Mom always says she did it to protect me, but protect me from what? I'm not a kid anymore… I can handle the truth."
For a moment, Hawk contemplates going to his mother and asking her directly, demanding answers. But something holds him back—maybe the fear of what he might discover, or maybe the thought of hurting her by bringing up painful memories.
Hawk: quietly "Whatever happened, it must've been bad. But I need to know. Someday…"
He sits back down, the weight of his thoughts heavy on his shoulders. He knows that he'll eventually have to face the truth, no matter how difficult. But for now, all he can do is wonder—who was his father, and how did he die? The mystery lingers, filling his mind with questions that remain unanswered, at least for tonight.
Hawk: murmuring as he gazes out the window again "Dad… I don't know who you were, but I hope I'm making you proud."
Hawk remains by the window, deep in thought, when he hears the faint sound of footsteps behind him.
Turning slightly, he notices Izek, his younger cousin and the son of Izana and Eva, standing at the doorway.
Izek, always full of energy and curiosity, can sense something is on Hawk's mind. He steps into the room, concern in his eyes.
Izek: grinning slightly "Hey, Hawk. You look like you're thinking way too hard about something. Everything okay?"
Hawk shakes off the intensity of his thoughts for a moment, offering Izek a small smile. He always had a soft spot for his younger cousin, though they were different in so many ways.
Hawk: lightly "Yeah, just… thinking about stuff. You know how it is."
Izek, not one to leave things alone, walks over and plops down on a nearby chair, tilting his head at Hawk with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Izek: teasing "Oh, come on, don't give me that. I can tell when something's really bugging you. What's on your mind?"
Hawk sighs, knowing Izek won't let it go so easily. He glances at him, wondering how much he should say. Izek was still younger, and Hawk wasn't sure if he should involve him in something so personal. But the persistent look on his cousin's face made him chuckle quietly.
Hawk: softly "I guess I'm just wondering about Dad. I don't know much about him, and lately… it's been on my mind more than usual. Everyone avoids talking about him."
Izek blinks, surprised by Hawk's admission. He had never really asked too much about Hawk's dad either, figuring it wasn't his place. But now that it was out in the open, his curiosity sparked.
Izek: curiously "Your dad? Yeah, I guess no one ever really says much about him, huh? But doesn't that make you want to find out more?"
Hawk nods, running a hand through his hair, which is an uncanny reflection of his father's.
Hawk: quietly "Yeah… I've thought about asking Mom, but every time I bring him up, she gets this look in her eyes. Like it's too painful to talk about. Same with Grandpa Izuku and Grandma Ochaco. It's like whatever happened to him hurt all of them."
Izek, now leaning forward, his eyes wide with interest, taps his chin thoughtfully.
Izek: with a spark of determination "Then maybe it's time we find out. I mean, we can't just let you go around not knowing something so important! You deserve to know the truth, Hawk."
Hawk looks at Izek, a bit taken aback by his enthusiasm but also feeling a glimmer of hope at the idea. Izek had always been the bold one, never afraid to push boundaries, and maybe that's what Hawk needed right now.
Hawk: hesitant "Yeah, but… I don't want to hurt anyone by bringing it up. And what if I don't like what I find out? What if there's a reason they've kept it from me?"
Izek stands up, his face determined, and places a hand on Hawk's shoulder.
Izek: confidently "Whatever it is, you've got us. Me, your mom, our whole family. We'll face it together, like we always do. You can't live your whole life wondering, right?"
Hawk looks at Izek, his younger cousin's words resonating with him. Maybe Izek was right—he couldn't keep wondering forever. He had a right to know who his father was, even if the truth was difficult.
Hawk: with a small smile "You're always so sure of yourself, Izek. But… maybe you're right. I can't ignore it forever."
Izek grins, the playful spark returning to his eyes.
Izek: teasing "Of course I'm right! And who knows, maybe we'll find out something awesome about your dad. Like he was some kind of superhero or something."
Hawk chuckles at that, feeling a bit lighter with Izek's humor.
Hawk: smirking "Maybe. Or maybe he was just like us—trying to figure things out."
Izek: grinning "Either way, we'll figure it out together."
The two cousins sit in the quiet for a moment, the weight of Hawk's thoughts still there, but now with a sense of hope and determination.
He wasn't alone in this, and with Izek by his side, maybe it was finally time to uncover the truth about his father.
Hawk: nodding to himself "Yeah. We'll figure it out."