Hawks sat on the rooftop of an abandoned building, the wind ruffling his feathers as he gazed out over the glimmering skyline of Musutafu. The vibrant lights twinkled like stars, but his thoughts were far from the beauty of the night. He was reminded of his journey to becoming the number 2 hero, a path that had been paved with blood, sweat, and tears. The government's training program had pushed him to his limits, breaking him down physically and mentally until he was nothing but a tool in their hands.
But the hardest part of it all was the toll it took on Y/N, his only friend in the program. She was the bright spot in the darkness, her laughter a beacon of hope amidst the grueling days. Y/N had a unique quirk—she could heal others, but it came with a cost she could also destroy people by inflicting injuries on them or bringing their injures back even if it was decades ago, she could make it reappear again. It was a balancing act that wore her down over time, and Hawks had watched helplessly as the government's unrelenting pressure had transformed her from a vibrant girl into someone wary and broken.
Lost in memories, his gaze shifted to the bustling street below. There, he spotted someone in a striking red dress, gliding confidently along a red carpet, surrounded by bright flashes from cameras. It was her. Y/N. The very sight of her knocked the breath out of him. The way she carried herself, the elegance paired with those delicate heels—the girl he had known had transformed into a stunning woman, earning the title "Model of the Year."
A pang of pride surged through him. After all she had endured, seeing her flourishing in the spotlight brought a smile to his face. But as the flashes faded and the crowd began to thin, he felt a deep urge to reach out, to reconnect with the one person who had come to mean everything to him.
His heart raced as he reminisced about their past, especially the times spent comforting one another during their training. Before he could think too much, he leapt from the rooftop, his wings unfolding gracefully as he descended. The night air rushed past him, exhilarating, filled with the promise of something unresolved.
As Y/N walked out of the building, trying to evade the eager paparazzi, Hawks knew he had to act fast. He spotted All Might across the street, enjoying a cup of coffee at a local café. The thought struck him like lightning. If anyone could create a diversion, it was the Symbol of Peace himself.
"Hawks!" All Might called, waving vigorously as if sensing the need for a distraction. With a quick gesture, Hawks shifted his focus, calling over the cameras and journalists in a loud, charismatic voice. The throng of reporters turned simultaneously, racing to capture the symbol of peace in action, leaving Y/N momentarily free.
With newfound resolve, Hawks approached her. "Y/N!" he called, stepping into her line of sight. She flinched, startled, but those familiar eyes softened upon recognizing him.
"Hawks?" she said, disbelief clouding her features. "Is it really you?"
"Yeah, it's me," he replied, a grin breaking across his face. "Been a while, huh?"
She looked radiant, but a hint of something—was it loneliness?—shadowed her expression. They stood in awkward silence for a moment before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small keychain. It was a tiny, intricately carved bird she had made for him back when they were in training, a symbol of their friendship and unspoken bond.
"I remember this," she gasped, her hand reaching out to take it. Her eyes widened as memories flooded back. "I made this for you! I thought you forgot."
"How could I? You were the only one who treated me like a person back then," he admitted, his voice softer now. "I've missed you, Y/N. We both went through so much."
A vulnerable smile broke across her face, the kind that reminded him of the girl he once knew. "I didn't think you would want to see me after… everything."
"I want to see you. More than anything," he replied earnestly. "How about we grab a bite? Just like old times?"
"Okay," she said, her heart racing. The air between them felt electric, charged with every unspoken sentiment.
They spent the rest of the evening at a small diner filled with neon lights and the scent of fries and burgers—comfort food for both their souls. As they talked, nearly forgotten memories spilled into the air, laughter punctuating their shared stories like musical notes.
But beneath the surface, something deeper flickered—a rekindling of feelings long buried. Neither of them had ever spoken of the bond that had grown between friends, a bond that had always teetered on the edge of something more. As the hours passed and the dinery's ambiance and patrons faded away, the world around them blurred, leaving only the two of them in sharp focus.
In that moment, he realized—they could be more than just survivors of their brutal pasts. They could be partners in a new life, healing each other's scars, and finally embracing the love that had grown from the ashes of their shared suffering.
"Y/N," he said, his voice steady but filled with hope. "What if we took a chance? After everything, I think we deserve it."
She met his gaze, her heart in her throat. The night was thick with possibility, with the warmth of a rekindled love glowing between them. "I'd like that, Hawks. I'd like that very much."
And under the soft glow of neon lights, amidst the chaos of their respective worlds, they took the first step toward a future together—a future filled with healing, adventure, and the kind of love that could survive even the darkest of times.