"Hawks! Hawks, over here!"

"Smile for the camera, you two!"

"Songbird, who are you wearing tonight?!"

"Were the divorce rumours false?!"

Camera flashes made my eyes water, but I continued to smile and pose, my arm hooked with my husband's as we gave the paparazzi what they wanted.
"I'm wearing a custom creation designed by Best Jeanist." I leaned into one of the many microphones that jutted towards me, trying to keep my composure.

"We did go through a bit of a rough patch, but that's how relationships are! It's all sorted, and we're still very much in love." Hawks beamed, pulling his arm from mine and instead curling it around my waist. "Now, sorry to spoil your fun, but we're starved!" Quickly, and without a hitch, he pulled me along with him into the restaurant, sighing in unison with me once the ruckus became muffled.

How can he be so outwardly calm about this..?

The maitre d guided us to our table, way in the back, away from the windows, and Hawks used his quirk to pull my chair out for me. Sitting down, I passed on the wine offered to me and stared at the flickering candle between us.

"So...first thing in the morning, huh?" It wasn't a question, more like a confirmation, even though I already knew the answer. We had briefly spoken to Endeavor earlier that evening, and everything was in motion. We would strike before the sun rose.

Sensing my nerves, Hawks' foot brushed against my calf beneath the table as he prodded the crystal salt shaker on his side.
"First thing, yep." I knew he wasn't being short with me on purpose, but I could understand. His thoughts had already been projected once before.

"You can't change my mind about this, Keigo. I need it." As much as I truly did need it, I was petrified. So much could go wrong. So many could be lost with just one little mistake. The numbers didn't match up, and our side barely had half the manpower.

He met my eyes, and I instantly felt the weight of the situation increase. They were dark, like the depths of a forgotten forest at sundown. Nothing like the rich, vibrant honey that I always drowned in.
"What about what I need?" As he leaned forward, his wings ruffled ever so slightly. "There's just one final thing that I need to do, then the mission is over. I'm glad you want to help, but I just don't see why you can't do it from a safer distance?"

There was no point in getting angry over what he was saying. It was likely the better option, but I had my mind set on a goal.
"I'd get killed for sure if I was anywhere else. I need to be with you. If I'm not, then I'll worry, and that would just lead to poor judgement."

Dabi wasn't the only reason I wanted to be on the front lines. I wanted to be there to do whatever it took to cover the man I married. To make sure he succeeded. It was my duty, after all. I vowed for forever.
"Dammit, Sunshine..." Hawks ran a hand through his windswept hair as the waiter brought our meals over, mumbling a polite thank you before turning back to me. "You're too stubborn."

I knew I was famished, but at the same time I wasn't sure if I could stomach any food. There was so much on our plates, both figuratively and literally.
"You knew that when you married me." I mumbled, prodding at the sweet and sour chicken balls he had ordered for us, watching them bounce away from my fork. "There's nothing you can do to stop me, so give it up. This isn't exactly pleasant dinner conversation."

Hawks pouted, shoving a forkful of his meal into his mouth and glaring at me as he chewed, crumbs dappling his lips.
"When this is over, I want you to resign." His words came as a shock to me. After all, he had been the one to push me towards the career, tirelessly training and supporting me.

"You want me to quit?" I leaned forward to try and get a closer look at his face, having to brush my hair back over my shoulder so it wouldn't catch on the candle's open flame.
"I know, I have no right to order you to do anything, but I didn't realise just how much I'd worry."

Hanging up the metaphorical cape, huh?

Taking a bite of my food, I pondered for a few moments, watching the flame dance and flicker, casting a glow on our table.
"Alright, I'll resign. I could always just do office work at the agency, or Enji's. The second this is over, I'll be done with it." It was obvious he still didn't like the idea of me joining the battle, he seemed to happier hearing me agree, and I finally got to see that sweet smile I had fallen in love with.

"Just think, you might even have enough time to train your demon vacuums to not maliciously attack me!" He laughed, taking a swig of his white wine.
"Are you kidding? It took weeks for me to drill that formation into their systems!" I teased right back, taking another bite and immediately regretting my decision. Nothing was sitting well.

"I still don't get why we can't just replace them with a dog or something. They basically do the same thing, except a dog would love you back..." He whined playfully, having to tuck his wings in a little more so a waitress could get past. "How about it? Scrap the Patricias, and once this mission is over, I'll get you the cutest little puppy you've ever laid eyes on?"

I don't...feel...

Jumping up from my seat, I nearly rolled my ankle in my high heels as I sprinted towards the neon bathroom sign, hand covering my mouth. I barely made it to the porcelain basin when it all came up, a shivering pulse tearing up my spine as I wretched. My (H/C) hair was pulled back, and that was when I realised Hawks had sent a few stray feathers after me.

Gusty rubbed gentle circles against my back as I released the contents of my stomach, groaning out explicit curses whenever I could spare the breath. My nerves had caught up with me, and my body just wasn't handling it well. After about fifteen minutes, my stomach had somewhat settled, and I washed my paled face quickly before exiting the bathroom, feathers in tow.

"I've paid the cheque. I'm taking you home." Hawks was right outside waiting for me, giving me no choice when he took me by the hand and started towards the kitchen of the restaurant. Out the back and into the side street, he scooped me up into his arms and took off, refusing to allow me to use my own quirk.

"K..Keigo, I'm fine. This shit is just stressing me out. This may not be your first big rodeo, but it's mine. Plus I stuffed my face with Skiddles at Enji's..." He wasn't having a bar of it, just hushing me over and over before we reached our apartment, the dark living room making me feel less feverish.

Setting me down, Hawks removed his tie and kicked off his shoes, ushering me in silence to the couch so he could take mine off for me. I was frustrated by being babied, but I didn't argue, knowing it would be easier to just let him do what he wanted.
"You threw up at the mansion, too."

Quirking a brow, I nodded, fingers tapping against the hem of my dress skirt.
"Yeah, it's hard not to when the son of Frankenstein's monster is constantly trying to stick his tongue down my throat..." I replied bitterly, dropping the angry act when he met my eyes. He was worried, even more so than he had been at the restaurant.

Placing his hands on my outer thighs, he watched me closely, picking my everything apart with near-glowing amber.
"You don't think..." He didn't finish, but he didn't have to. From the look on his face, I knew exactly where he was going with it, and I jumped straight to extreme defence.

"Absolutely no way!" I insisted, nearly scoffing at the idea. "I'm on the pill, and we haven't had sex for ages! There's no way!" Hawks didn't look convinced, and his gaze dropped down to my stomach, lids drooping slightly.
"It's been enough time for symptoms to show..." He murmured, shifting closer and resting his forehead just below my breasts. "I dunno...sorry...I just...I'd never forgive myself if...I just don't want you to get hurt again...I don't want you to go..."

Releasing a long sigh, I cradled his head, fingers brushing through his soft, wispy locks. He smelled of expensive aftershave and sweet and sour sauce, a mix that wouldn't usually do anyone justice. It smelled like home to me.
"I'm just nervous, Keigo. You get all stoic, and I get all spewy. We handle things differently."

Carefully, I pulled him up, and he ended up basically straddling my lap as I pressed the softest of kisses to his cheeks, avoiding his lips because I hadn't has a chance to brush my teeth.
"Sorry...My head's all over the place tonight. Has been for a while." He admitted, nuzzling into my touch, wings coming to curl around us like a cocoon. "Why don't we get cleaned up, and go snuggle in bed? We have to get up at three, so an early night'll do us some good..."

Nodding in agreement, I gave him one final squeeze and allowed him to climb off of me, accepting his offer to pull me to my feet. From there we showered, got changed, and tucked ourselves into bed, huddled closer than we ever really had in the past.

The next day would be our final step, and then we could have a somewhat normal left. We still had the Commission to deal with, but that worry could be shelved for a later date. All we needed to do was get past this one hurdle.
"Keigo..?" I called to my husband, who in turn dragged my back closer into his chest, his heartbeat matching the speed of mine perfectly.
"Yeah, Sunshine..?"

Wriggling around in his arms, I peered up at his face in the dark, stretching to peck a kiss to his chin.
"Could you sing to me? It'll help me get to sleep..." Hawks weakly chuckled at my request, inserting one of his legs between mine so we could become a perfect tangle.

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine...~" He started, only the slightest bit out of key, stroking the small of my back with his coarse fingers. "...You make me happy when skies are grey...~" As he sang, I closed my eyes and felt the weight of the world wash away for the night, praying for the day when this feeling wouldn't be a luxury, but a routine.

My guts still twisted and complained, but I tried to ignore it, focusing on my husband's whispered crooning, tugging me deeper and deeper into the depths of much needed sleep.

I have been taking my contraceptives...right..? Yeah...no, I definitely have...

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***Half-hour doodle and roughest colour. Felt like this needed more illustrations. (Y/N)'s hair is based off the new wig I got today xD

Next Time: Let's Get Down to Bussiness...***