Top pic credit: unknown. Tell me if you know

Hawks POV:

I slowly flew through the air, taking my sweet time to get to Kiara. I couldn't say I was looking forward to this....date. If you can even call it that.

I already had no interest in Kiara, so you can imagine how bummed I was when she called and interrupted my flight with Ari.

Ari.

Man, she really was something, huh? 'Course, I always knew she was beautiful. I mean, anyone with eyes can see that. Kamui Woods, Mr. Brave, and a few others have had their eyes on her for awhile. Plus, I'm sure she's very popular with the guys at her school. Maybe, she even has a boyfriend...

I'd like to ask her about that, actually.

But, it wasn't just that. I can't remember the last time I took someone for a flight, and felt completely at ease. Completely peaceful and okay.

I'm never one to let my guard down. No matter what the situation, I can't help but put up these security blankets of humor, sarcasm, and arrogance. Especially, now that I'm double crossing the league of villains. I can't afford to make them feel intimidated. I need to keep acting like myself, or at least....what the public thinks, is myself. Admittedly, I know people also find this behavior funny and charming, and while I'm not one to care about titles or status....I can't help but still want to be a symbol to them. Not for popularity, just for comfort.

I know I ain't enough to make the people feel at ease, by myself.....but, I guess some part of me wishes I was.

I'm a hero, and I want people to feel safe.

But with Ari....it was automatic. Once we were in the air, all feelings of tension, stress, and anything else I was feeling, completely went away. I didn't feel like I had to try with her. There wasn't any pressure to perform for her, and prove to her I'm some amazing hero. I was just myself, and I felt okay with it.

I was surprised when I found out we'd been flying all over the city for two hours. I had to admit, time definitely got away from me. I figured we'd fly for like thirty minutes, and then she'd be on her way. I mean, that's how it normally is when I take my other dates flying-

N-Not that it was a date, or anything...

But, it was different with her. We talked casually. It wasn't forced. Even when we weren't talking, it was...amazing. It wasn't awkward or weird silence. It was peaceful. I didn't want to stop. I probably could have kept flying with her tonight for hours.

I also had to admit, she felt really nice in my arms. I couldn't help but reminisce on the way her body felt against mine. The way her curves warmed into me, or how her hair gracefully blew in the wind. The way her muscles tensed up when she was scared at first, and how she backed up against me.

The way she traced her fingertips on my arms, when we were in the air.

Hah. I felt like I was fifteen, again....getting goosebumps at even the simplest touch from a girl.

I was probably just a little.....deprived, if ya know what I mean. I haven't slept with anyone in awhile. And you can bet your feathered ass, Kiara wasn't about to be the one to break my dry spell.

Not that I'd ever do something like that to Ari. I may have my needs, like every other guy, but I'm not a sleazy asshole.

Ari is my intern. Sure, we're friends now, and she's cute...and funny, and smart, and witty.....and yeah, she smells really good...her body is-but at the end of the day, this is still a strictly professional relationship. I shouldn't even be thinking about something like that.

I should just be grateful her and I are finally getting along. Now, we'll be able to trust each other in battle. That's all that matters.

That's all this is. Ari and I will never be anything more.

"Keigo!! Keigo!! Over here!!" Kiara exclaimed from the ground, frantically waving to me like the ditz she is.

That's right. My dating fate has pretty much, already been sealed. For awhile, at least.

I'm doing this favor for Diane Himura. Going out with her daughter, in order to make her happy. She's wanted me to for a long time, and I always said no. But, after I got the spot of number two hero, she insisted I owed her something for that. Going out with Kiara was something she suggested as payment. I tried to keep an open mind, but Kiara is obviously using me for my title, and gives no fucks about who I actually am. I could be a mass murderer, but if I was famous...she'd still try to get me in her bed.

Problem is...I really had no idea how to get out of this now. Diane isn't exactly giving me an easy way out of breaking this off with her daughter. It's almost like this is a job, just like my situation with the league of villains. That's funny, ain't it?

"Kiara! What's up, buttercup?" I smirked, shooting her a wink as I gracefully landed on the floor.

I internally rolled my eyes when I saw her glaring at me, tapping her sparkly heeled foot on the cobblestone pavement.

"One hour!! You're one hour late to our dinner date. I almost lost our reservations!" She whined, giving me a pouty look as she walked over to me.

I slipped my aviators up to my forehead, shrugging my shoulders slightly.

"Eh. I said we could we reschedule, didn't I?" I asked politely, tilting my head to the side in question.

I saw her eyes widen at my words, about one second away from throwing a bitch fit.

God, she's so immature. The girl's twenty one, but acts like she's five.

"....Did I mention ya look smokin'!?" I quickly exclaimed, trying to stop her from having a tantrum outside the restaurant.

Her glare of fury, was immediately replaced with a smirk of confidence, as I fed her ego with validation.

"Oh please. I'm well aware." She retorted, already sauntering into the restaurant.

Hah. So easy.

"Yeah. I mean, you're so hot...this bird's afraid to touch you! Feel like I'd turn into some Korean barbecue, if I did." I said, trailing into the restaurant as I quietly laughed at my own douchey words.

Kiara simply flipped her smooth hair over her shoulder, taking a seat at the candlelit dinner table.

"I'm just glad I was able to save our dinner reservations. All I had to tell them was that my boyfriend is Hawks, the number two pro hero in the entire world." Kiara stated loudly for everyone in the restaurant to hear, waving our waiter over impatiently.

I'm not the number two hero in the entire world. Only in Japan. Not that it matters to Kiara.

I already saw people getting out their phones, taking pictures of me from afar.

But, something more important in Kiara's statement caught my attention instead.

"Hah, are my ears full of bird seed, or did you just say boyfriend? I bet my ears are just full of bird seed, am I right?" I remarked, immediately nodding in approval to the waiter when he asked if I wanted some alcohol.

She sipped her wine poshly, before drumming her manicured nails on the table.

"No, you heard me correctly. I figured now's as good a time as any, to make things official between us. I mean, we've been out on countless dates now. I'm sure we both know where this is going." Kiara chuckled, rolling her eyes slightly at my question.

So, we've definitely only been out on three dates now, but who's counting? Oh yeah...me. I'm counting.

I quickly gulped down the glass of expensive wine, feeling like I needed at least one drink for every minute I had to sit here with Kiara.

I silently thanked the waiter when he filled up my empty glass, almost to the top.

This man knows I'm suffering here.

"Eh....I wouldn't say countless dates. Besides, you know how busy things are for me right now. I don't know if I'm...really looking for a girlfriend. You know....I mean, like...what if I....die in battle, or something? I'd never wanna leave you heartbroken like that. Better you find someone else for the long term stuff, I think." I suggested, trying to steer Kiara out of my direction.

She didn't even blink an eye at my statement, simply shrugging her shoulders.

"Surely that would be tragic. But, then I'd be the girlfriend of the number two hero, who gave his life valiantly! People would probably want a book deal with me! Maybe even a reality show! Could you even imagine!? Oh-and of course, I'd make sure your legacy lives on, and all of that. Don't worry, baby." She blankly reassured, clearly still thinking about the possibility of her fame.

I leaned back in my chair, already feeling slightly buzzed from the two glasses of wine I just downed. I didn't eat much today.

Luckily, it gave me the strength I needed to end this thing before it started.

"Look, Kiara. I'm real glad to see you'd be super gutted over my death, and all....but, I think it's better to just keep this thing between us casual. And by that....I mean we should just be friends." I blurted out, deciding whether to have another drink, or a breadstick to soak up the alcohol in my system.

Fine. Guess I'll be responsible.

I quickly popped some bread into my mouth, watching Kiara's lip tighten up in irritation for me.

"Interesting you say that. I thought it was clear that you'd date me. You'd be exclusive with me. At least, that's what my mother told me, right after she helped you win the spot of number two hero." She spat, her words coming out in a threatening tone.

While I don't care for status, and I didn't exactly try to be the number two hero, Diane Himura had absolutely nothing to do with my success. I trained hard. A lot harder than I let on. Sure, she put me into the hero world, but I'm where I am today, because of me. Not her.

I ran a hand through my hair, not angry with her words, but slightly irritated. Luckily, I'm good at hiding it.

"Yeah, your mom's been real great through this whole thing. Which is why I'd never wanna ghost you, or treat you poorly! I mean, c'mon. A knockout like you, deserves a guy who'll be around when it matters." I reasoned, continuing to munch on the buttery, warm breadstick.

Kiara was quiet for a moment, making me think she was actually listening to what I was saying.

Until...

"Mother will be so disappointed to hear about how you broke my heart." She stated quietly, once again looking at me with a threatening glare.

I blankly looked back at her, already knowing what she was trying to do.

Well, sorry to say. She can't guilt me into dating her. While, I'm grateful to the people who have helped me get where I am...

Even I have my limits to what I'll do. Sure, maybe these limits depend on the situation, but this is something I'm definitely set on.

Hmm....but, at the same time, I'm also meant to play a role. I play the role of a hero, and Diane also wanted me to play the role of her daughter's boyfriend.

While I won't do that, in order to keep things peaceful...

"Look, why don't we just....take things slow? Let's just see where this goes. Nothing serious right now, okay? No exclusivity between us. But, we can keep seeing each other. Casually. For now, at least." I replied tiredly, feeling my hero attitude slipping away slightly, as I was clearly exhausted from the day.

Kiara looked at me, lost in thought as she took in my words.

After a few moments, I watched her smirk, and reach her hand across the table for my own.

"Fine. No exclusivity right now. Hopefully, you'll change your mind about that soon, though." She whispered, raising her brows at me suggestively.

I simply smiled back at her emotionlessly, grabbing her hand in mine. It felt cold. It was uncomfortable.

There was an awkward silence between us for a moment, before Kiara spoke again.

"How about we just skip the dinner, and go back to my place? I have dessert." She cooed to me, sticking out her chest to expose her cleavage more.

I chuckled softly at her desperation. But, I'm sure she thought I was laughing at how cute she was, or something like that.

"Sorry, dollface. Not tonight." I said curtly, quickly releasing her hand to pick up my dinner menu.

Yeah, Kiara. Not tonight, or ever.