Top pic credit: KadeArt

"Talk to me, sugar. What's the sitch today?" Hawks called out, pointing a finger gun at me.

He continued spinning around rapidly in his swivel chair, lightly singing along to some anime song that was coming through the speaker system in the corner of the room.

"Okay, well first thing....never call me 'sugar' again. Second thing, Endeavor has accepted your invitation to meet for lunch. I've arranged the meeting for noon, tomorrow." I explained, watching Hawks continue to sing along to the song on the radio.

It didn't even look like he was listening. But, of course....I knew him a little better than that.

"Noon tomorrow, with Endeavor. Sounds pretty neat." Hawks confirmed, kicking his feet up on his desk now.

"Well....kind of. He didn't sound too excited to see you." I sighed, trying to give it to him straight so he could prepare for Endeavor's possible bitch attitude.

"What? Endeavor? Nah way. I bet that guy's a real softie on the inside. Don't ya think?" He asked, not appearing to be worried in the slightest.

"Uh.....no. I really don't think that. Especially, after your little diva moment at the Hero Billboard Chart Awards. You kind of put him on the spot, you know." I reasoned, walking over to his desk.

Hawks chuckled freely at my words, already knowing what I was referring to.

"Ah. So, you saw that huh? Maybe that's why you hated me so much, when we first met." He teased, watching me lean back against his desk.

"Well, you definitely leave.....a very strong first impression." I smiled, studying his flawless face.

It was nice seeing him without his aviators and headphones on.

"I sounded like a dick, right? At the Billboard Charts?" He asked matter of factly, pretty much already answering the question himself.

"Yep. Definitely." I answered in confusion, not understanding where this was going.

"Good. That was the point. A guy, like Endeavor, won't meet with anyone unless they grab his attention. That goes for everyone, even the number two hero. I knew what I said, at the Billboard Charts, would push his buttons. I knew it would make him notice me. In the end, he gave me exactly what I wanted. A meeting so we could talk." Hawks explained, revealing his perspective from that night.

Wow. Once again, this guy is full of surprises. He had an entire set up that night, and no one knew about it, except for him. Typical Hawks.

"Hmm. You know, even hearing your side of the story...you're still a dick." I teased, causing Hawks to laugh.

"Sticks and stones, chicky. Sticks and stones." He smirked, using one of his feathers to tickle my face.

I've been at the Hawks Agency for about a month now, and I have to say...things have been looking up.

Hawks and I never addressed the weird moment we had on the roof, a few weeks ago. It was clear that neither of us felt the need to. Ultimately, nothing happened that night, so why turn it into something it's not?

I can't deny that I'm attracted to him. Let's face it, the guy's really hot. He's charming and successful. He's someone who knows how to work the room, and win over the crowd.....or the girl, for that matter. I know that, I'm not stupid. I have no doubt the guy gets more ass than a toilet seat. I'm sure of it.

He knows how to maneuver people. He knows how to maneuver women. Which is exactly why I need to be careful not to fall for him. He's probably a player, and I've almost been caught up in his web a few times. I can think he's cute all I want. I'm a woman who's attracted to good looking men. It's bound to happen at some point.

But the emotional feelings.....that's what's dangerous.

And that is what I will stay away from. Especially, if I want to keep my job.

My thoughts were cut off by the sound of Hawks' phone ringing on the table. I instinctively looked down at it, since I'm the one who answers a lot of his calls now. As well as a sidekick/intern, I'm also his receptionist sometimes.

Unknown Number

"Hmm. Unknown number? That's weird. Do you want me to answer it-" I started saying, before Hawks ripped the phone off the table at lightning speed.

"And have you lift your pretty little finger? C'mon now." He stated casually, over the loud ringing of the incoming call.

He looked at the phone for a moment, almost as if debating on what to do.

"I'll take this one. Feel free to take your lunch break, if you'd like. I'll meet you in the kitchen, in a sec." Hawks said dismissively, clearly waiting for me to leave before he answered the call.

Weird. He didn't usually care, if I was around when he talked to someone. Hell, a lot of the times he'd even put important calls on speaker, so we could play a game of ping pong, or throw darts at the dartboard in his office.

But either way...he was technically my superior, and I needed to respect that.

"Sure thing, boss." I smiled, quickly leaving the room.

"Close the door behind you, please. Would ya?" He called out politely.

Without a word, I gently shut the door to his office, on my way out.

That was another action that's out of character for him. He really wanted some privacy for this unknown call.

Which leads me to believe...

That whoever is calling Hawks right now, is definitely not unknown to him.

.......

"Endeavor! My man!" Hawks exclaimed excitedly, sauntering right up to Endeavor and invading his personal space bubble.

I internally cringed upon watching Endeavor's facial expressions immediately sour, as Hawks' wings accidentally smacked him in the face.

Actually, knowing Hawks....it was probably intentional. He sure did like to push people's buttons. Especially, when he was already aware that they didn't like him.

I know that, first hand. Unfortunately.

"What the hell do you want?" Endeavor seethed out, quickly pushing Hawks away from him.

Hawks began scratching his stubbled chin, appearing lost in thought.

What a petty little bitch, just trying to stall time. He already knew exactly what he wanted to say. I guarantee it.

"Hmm. Well, now that you mention it...I could really go for some hot pot, right now. You like chicken? If not, the place I'm thinking of also makes a nice, rich beef stock-"

"I'm not talking about what you want for lunch, you little imbecile. I'm talking about why you dragged me all the way to Kyushu. I'm sure you must have something important to say." Endeavor hissed through gritted teeth, clearly trying to keep his last bit of chill together.

Now that I think about it...why did Hawks bring Endeavor here? What did he want to talk about with him?

"Patience. Patience is the key to all your answers, my friend." Hawks smiled lazily, already leaving Endeavor behind as he began walking down the crowded, populated street.

Endeavor looked at me in pure irritated confusion and disbelief for Hawks' behavior, causing me to shrug my shoulders in hopelessness.

"Is he always like this?" Endeavor mumbled to me, as we began following Hawks to wherever the hell he was going.

"Unfortunately, yes." I simply stated, watching Hawks go out of his way to interact with the citizens.

Someone who wasn't around Hawks very often would think he's just being himself, right now. But, after spending all day, every day with him for the past month, I was very curious to this peculiar behavior he was displaying.

First, with the unknown phone call yesterday. Now, here in the street. Hawks hated attention. He hated the spotlight. He would go out of his way to try and avoid the public, whenever he could. Yet, here he was....walking up to groups of people to make himself know. It was clear to me that he was purposely trying to grab people's attention. Let them know he was here. I wonder why? Is it because Endeavor is here?

What does Hawks know?

"Oh yeah! Endeavor, have you met my intern, Ari Parker? She's lovely, right?!" Hawks exclaimed over the crowd of fangirls, who were surrounding him and touching his wings.

"Endeavor and I met, back in Kamino, Hawks." I reminded, refraining from calling him any of my usual bird based insults.

Just because Hawks and I were friends, didn't mean I'd disrespect him.......in front of his superiors, anyway.

"Neat! Let's go eat, then!" He smiled, laughing as a fan girl planted a juicy kiss on his flawless cheek.

Oh, please. Get a room, you dumb bird.

.......

Endeavor, Hawks, and I arrived at the private dining area, giving us a nice, aerial view of the city below.

However, I couldn't really enjoy the scenery. We were at least 80 stories up right now, so I was definitely feeling a little queasy. I'm still afraid of heights, after all.

"Hey, kid. You good? You look like you're about to hurl." Endeavor pointed out, taking his seat at the table.

Hawks laughed at his words. He clearly already knew my fear of heights had kicked in, lightly tapping my head with his wing reassuringly.

"Yeah." I simply choked out, wiping a bead of sweat from my head, as I leaned against the wall in the corner.

Hawks sat across from Endeavor, quickly looking at the empty spot next to him.

"What? You're not hungry?" He asked, turning around to see me standing in the corner of the room.

I shook my head softly in amusement, realizing Hawks really had no idea how this intern thing worked.

"I won't be joining your meal, Hawks. Interns don't sit in on this kind of important stuff. It's out of my scope." I reminded him, remembering how I was more of a low grade assistant to Best Jeanist instead of an intern or sidekick.

"Nonsense! It's my agency, and you're my intern. C'mere, c'mere. Eat some lunch. Talk some talk." He smiled at me, patting the spot next to him.

I hesitated slightly, shifting my glance over to Endeavor in question.

"You're okay with that, right Endeavor?" Hawks quickly asked, sensing the source of my hesitation.

Endeavor sipped his tea, before nodding subtly.

"I'd also rather have you over here as a buffer, if you don't mind....as well as a translator, to decipher the millennial references this moron makes every five seconds." Endeavor mumbled, begrudgingly looking at the menu.

I chuckled nervously, quickly making my way over to sit next to Hawks.

Having lunch with the number one and two pro heroes of Japan was a little nerve wracking, if I'm being quite honest.

Here's to hoping that everything goes smoothly.