"I have the results of yesterday's discussion regarding hero internships for freshmen," Aizawa begins. "Starting with the principal, the majority of the teachers said, 'Don't even think about it.'"

"Whaaat?! Even after the demonstration session with the seniors?!" Kirishima exclaims.

"But if we think about it from the sequence of events that led to everyone living in the dorms, I guess it would turn out like this..." Kaminari voices.

"SERVES YOU RIGHT!" Katsuki exclaims happily as he isn't able to participate because he didn't get his license.

"However..." Aizawa clears his throat to interrupt him. "There are also those with the opinion, that under our current safeguard policy, we won't raise you to be strong heroes. So this will be our policy: We will only allow freshmen to work at offices that have a good track record when taking in interns. That is the conclusion we reached."

The others begin to murmur.

Katsuki clicks his tongue, grunting in annoyance before screaming. "Dammit!"

"Also, Kaida, see me after class."

~~~

The end of class and start of lunch begins. Everyone goes ahead.

Kirishima stops beside Kaida's desk, preparing himself to be rejected. "Want... me to wait for you?"

She glances up at him before sheepishly looking away. "No, go ahead... You... Save... Save me a seat...?"

His resulting large smile is blinding. "Sure!" He quickly leaves the room, skipping happily, to catch up with the rest of the squad.

Kaida sighs with a small smile as she watches him go before getting up to meet Aizawa.

Aizawa wastes no time. "The HPSC contemplated about you actually being able to go do this. They ultimately decided that you will but only with whom they choose. You're being taken in by another pro hero this time instead of Endeavor. They've decided on putting you with someone they trained," he explains immediately.

Kaida rolls her eyes. "Great."

"You'll be with a classmate still," Aizawa says, shuffling his papers. "Tokoyami will be with you as long as he accepts the invitation."

"I'm interning... under Hawks?"

"Yes. He's been informed of your circumstances. He's the best equipped for you."

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. "What would that damn chicken teach me anyway?" she scoffs as she stomps out of the room. She throws her hands up exasperatedly. "Damn chicken!"

Aizawa sighs, rubbing his temples.

~~~

"Hey, so what did sensei want with you?" Kirishima asks as she arrives at the lunch table. He pats the spot next to him in between him and Katsuki.

Kaida throws her bento down on the table. "I'm... interning under Hawks..." She sits, slapping her forehead to the table with a groan.

"Chicken?" Katsuki questions confused.

"Yep."

"Whoa?! Really?!" the table shouts.

"That's so cool!" Mina exclaims and sighs dreamily. "He's sooo hot too!"

"Congrats," Sero says.

"What's wrong?" Kirishima asks as she groans annoyed.

"I don't have a choice in the matter," she answers, sitting up. "He's just taking me in to watch over me. A spy for the Hero Association."

"Ooh..." Mina sighs.

The rest of the Bakussquad was informed about why she's under such close watch. Katsuki was mad he never knew and has repeatedly threatened to kill them. He made her spend the night with him after that conversation. She had a lot of explaining to do.

💥💥💥

Hawks was to pick up Kaida and Tokoyami from the school. He was required to specifically because of Kaida. She has to be under constant supervision. A major inconvenience being he's so far away.

Aizawa and Recovery Girl were waiting with them. Once Hawks finally does arrive, Recovery Girl gives him the required pills and run down of when Kaida's to take them.

Aizawa sighs. "Behave. Don't do anything to make things worse. You'll have eyes on you constantly now being out of UA."

She nods tiredly. "Yeah..."

He places a hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "I promise I'm working on it. I'll get you out of this hell eventually. It's gonna take time."

"I know."

Hawks finishes the medicine info dump with Recovery Girl, and she leaves.

"Well, nice to see you both again. It's been a while, love." Hawks walks up arms spread wide as if to hug them.

"Don't fucking call me that," she grunts.

"L-Love?! You two know each other?" Tokoyami asks confused, gawking at both of them.

"I'm one of her mother's models. Haven't seen you in a few years though," he smirks, putting his hands in his pockets. "You look... different. Taller. You're grown. Oh and I called her dove once, but she thought I said love and tried to pummel me, so now I do it out of spite."

Tokoyami just blinks.

"Baaaakuuuubaaaabe!"

She turns to find Kirishima running up with a familiar suitcase. "Huh?"

He stops in front of her holding out the silver case. "I'm glad I caught you. You left this in the common room. You'll definitely need your hero suit."

She takes it, looking at her brought luggage. "I can't believe I forgot it... You know my number?"

"Yep! 16. Mine is 8 which is half of yours! It's how I remember." He sheepishly rubs the back of his neck. "Uh, sorry for interrupting..."

"It's fine, kid. Who're you?" Hawks asks.

"Kirishima Eijiro, sir! It's nice to meet you! You're super manly!"

Kaida shoves Hawks from replying. "Don't compliment the bird, it'll go to his big head. Thank you, Kiri."

His skin turns to match his hair. "Y-You're w-w-wel-welcome!! Bye!" He gives her a thumbs up and escapes, mentally scolding himself for being embarrassing.

"We should get going. We have a long trip to get there. It'll be dark," Hawks says amused.

~~~

A few hours later, the three arrive at Hawks' agency in his office. He sends Tokoyami off to his room but keeps Kaida.

"Here's the deal, love," he begins, pulling out her bag of pills. "These? I'm going to burn."

That gets her attention as she looks up in surprise. "What?"

"I've read your file the Hero Association sent me. These? They're basically killing you. I've lived it. I can see it. I'll take out the proper amount to make it look like you've been taking them. Give you a break as much as I can."

She's immediately suspicious, narrowing her eyes. "Fucking why?"

"Cause." He grins as he flops down on his couch. He points between them. "You and I? We're on the same boat. One wrong move, and it's over. Only I have a bit more trustworthiness. I've been dealing with those fuckers my whole life too. I'm able to push my luck a bit more being in the high position I'm in. I'm also a little older. Not a teen they can push around anymore."

She stutters a slight bow. "Thanks."

He waves her off, patting the spot beside him. "No need for that. Now, come sit with me. We have a lot to catch up on. Plus, I'm going to tell you all about what they're making me do and how I'm now a villain. First, I heard through a certain villainous association that you're part of them. Wonder why they would say that?"

She freezes. "Do...Do they know this?"

"HPSC? No, and they won't. Not unless I know why."

Her form deflates. "Double agented them when they kidnapped us."

He smiles as she makes her way to sit on the other side of the couch. "Funny you say that. Let me tell you everything cause it'll piss the HPSC off even though they'll never know. Still makes me feel good though."

~~~

Kaida couldn't believe it. She knew the HPSC was fucked up but not to this extent.

"You... want me to help you get in? I don't even think I can. I can't risk it."

"Then become a villain for a little while."

Her head whips to him so fast you could hear it. "What?"

He shrugs with a mischievous smirk. "We both know how the HPSC works. Either way, they already see you as a loose cannon. We know the truth. If you join the League then at least you'll be somewhat protected."

"I'm not sorry, but I don't think I could trust you."

He mockingly grips his chest, falling back on the couch. "That hurts. With how long we've known each other? I promise you I won't stab you in the back. I'm doing all this to make it easier to live. Besides your mom would kill me. She scares me honestly. Also, I want heroes to have more free time. I will help you. We want the same thing. What reason would I have to take you down?" He placatingly throws his hands up. "Look I get it, you don't trust people. I'm the same way. It's as you should, but I'm one of the ones to trust. You help me. I help you. We watch each other's backs. Capeesh?"

Her body slumps, giving up. "Fine, but if you betray me, I will personally kill you hero or not."

"My weakness is fire, so I don't doubt you could." He leans closer to her, arm draping along the couch behind her. "Your internship is going to be much different than Tokoyami's. I have a meeting tonight with Dabi. You're coming with me."

Her face scrunches at the thought. "Ew, not the rotter."

He chuckles, patting her head. "Alrighty, head on to your room and get dressed. Tell Tokoyami we're all going on a quick night patrol. When we return, come back here without Tokoyami knowing. Don't wear your hero outfit. Something more casual and dark. Hidden. Got it?"

She nods and stands. "Got it."

His eyes trail her as she leaves the room. "Best shot at my way in. Sorry love. You're not gonna like the way I do things, but you can trust me."

~~~

Kaida sneaks out of her room up to Hawks' office in all black. She knows he said no hero suit, but she keeps her hero top on along with her belt of grenades. They're both hidden by her large black hoodie.

"You're comfortable with me flying you, aren't ya?" he asks as she shuts the door behind her.

"I can 'fly' myself."

"Your explosions will draw too much attention. Your choice, princess style or... well, that's really the best way actually. Any other way would block my wings or be uncomfortable for us both."

She sighs. "Fine."

"Awesome. Let's go then, but first mask." He throws her a face mask. "Put that on and pull up your hood. I know we're both being watched. They can't see that it's you I'm leaving with."

She catches the mask, slipping it over her ears and adjusting it over her nose and mouth. She flips up her hood. "What are we meeting about?"

"I'm trying to get in their inner circle. You're hopefully going to be a faster way to do that." He walks them over to the balcony.

"I doubt it. They haven't tried to get in contact with me since I left."

"It's still worth a shot. We're going into this as partners. You okay with that risk?"

"I trust you to get me out the situation if needed. But that only goes once."

"Yeah yeah." They step out onto the balcony with the door closing behind them. "Give me a little more credit, I am the number 2 hero." He's quick to scoop her up, and she makes a girly squeak. He laughs, walking up to the ledge. "That was cute. Didn't think you could make that noise." He steps up, balancing on the rail.

Her eye twitches as she smacks his chest. "Shut up. Some warning would've been nice!"

"Warning." He tips them off the side, and they start plummeting. She squeezes her eyes shut as her whole body tenses. He glances down amused before he brings them up.

"I hate you already asshole."

He laughs in reply. "I'm fast so don't worry."

"That's probably not something to boast about."

"I–" He chokes on his words, as what she said settles in, and coughs. "Ha! Wow, okay." He laughs. "You're definitely... something."

She rolls her eyes. "I'm blunt and don't fucking care. What do you expect?"

"You really are like your mother." He shrugs. "I knew you were crude, but I don't mind. I'm not much older than you. I'm woke."

She cringes. "Ew, please never fucking say that again."

"What? Too cheugy for you?"

"Fucking stop!"

He laughs, throwing his head back. "This is going to be fun. Alright, alright, we're here. Stay back behind me and follow along." He drops them down into an alleyway, setting her down before turning to where Dabi is standing. "Nice to see you're on time."

Dabi steps out from his hiding spot, taking a long drag of his cigarette before blowing it straight in Hawks' face. "Funny coming from the one that's usually late. I should be saying that to you."

Hawks waves the smoke away a bit agitated. "Well, I am a hero. Don't have much time on my hands."

Dabi tilts his head. "You also brought someone with you. That'll be a strike-off."

"Well, you'll take that back once you see who it is," Hawks smirks, gesturing for Kaida to come forward.

"You smell as fucking nasty as ever, rotter," she says, sliding the hood off her head and pulling down the mask to reveal her face. She crosses her arms as she stands beside Hawks.

"Oh joy it's you," he says sarcastically as he rolls his eyes. "Thought we got rid of you."

"Well, you're lame ass got knocked out by an old geezer the last time you saw me. You wouldn't remember anything, would you? Though no one's tried to contact me either."

"We've been... busy."

"AKA you forgot about me."

"Ha, no. Bloodsucker and Bipolar always whine that they miss you. Kinda hard to forget."

"Well, if you feel so inclined, you can tell them that I miss their crazy selves too," she smoothly lies. "None of my classmates are as fun to be around. All so righteous."

"What's she doing with you?" Dabi asks Hawks, scrunching his nose at the thought.

Hawks slides an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close and leaning his head on her own much to her annoyance. "Wanted to be closer, so I made her my intern for a bit." He smiles down at her, squeezing her shoulder.

Dabi's eyes narrow, looking between them a few times. "Isn't she a bit young for you?"

"That's why it's a secret." Hawks winks, making a shushing gesture.

Kaida blanks with widened eyes as he gives her shoulder another squeeze as if saying follow along.

Dabi is quick to notice her expression. "She seems surprised by the news."

She glances at Dabi before looking up at Hawks."No. It's not that..." She searches Hawks' 'admiring-like' eyes. "I'm... just surprised ...he would tell you. We've been keeping it a secret to not have anyone judge us or... people hating the number two hero for it."

"Yeah, if that info was revealed you'd be ruined number 2." Dabi hmms. "But, I call bullshit. I don't know what you're playing at, but I don't believe the two of you are together."

Kaida shrugs, leaning into Hawks. "Believe what you want, stinky."

He shrugs. "Then kiss."

"What?" they both gasp, staring at him.

"Kiss, and I'll believe you."

"You're into that kind of stuff? Get an edge from watching others?" Kaida scoffs.

"Careful, splodey." He chuckles. "Ticking me off isn't for the best. Just do it. Is it too hard for you? Kiss."

"That's it? That's what it's gonna take for you to believe us? As you basically said, what's the point? Why do we need to prove it to you? You're the one that assumed it anyway."

"You arguing about it is proving my point."

She rolls her eyes, swiveling her head up to Hawks and grabbing the collar of his jacket. She scowls and yanks him forward. It's a quick kiss, but it's long enough for Dabi.

"Alright, ick. I don't need to see more."

"Oh grow up, you asked for it," she retorts, pulling away.

Hawks looks at her both surprised and dazed.

"So this is your type? Hm. So, how long and when'd you meet?"

"We–" Hawks starts, gaining his bearings.

Dabi cuts off Hawks. "I wasn't asking you." He looks towards Kaida with a grin. "I was asking her."

"Dating? A month or so? I don't really care to keep track. We actually met a few years ago though." She pulls her mask and hood back up.

"Did you now?" He raises an eyebrow, glancing at a nodding Hawks.

"You see... I'm kinda rich. Mom is a top fashion designer. Mitsuki fashions? He's modeled for her."

Dabi's eyes slightly widen.

"That's true. I'm signed to her agency. We've modeled together."

"Alright, whatever. Guess it's time for us to get you back. You actually wanna be part of us? Figured you only agreed to pee."

"Yes. The HPSC is bullshit. They're fucking drugging me to keep me... manageable. I'm on a thin line. Won't go into specifics, but I've been watched by them all my life. It's torture. For something that was a complete accident. It wasn't preventable. Yes, I'm with you. Fuck them and their fucking lies."

"We have a plan for those fuckers." Dabi grins. "Well, I guess we'll be in contact." His gaze catches Hawks'. "You'll be our middleman then. I'll talk with the others."

Hawks salutes with a fake pout. "You're picking favorites."

"I don't like either fucking one of you. I haven't forgotten what you did," he points at Kaida. "The others like you for who knows what fucking reason. Also, we're short a member. Magne's dead."

"What? How?"

"Some dickbag named Chisaki," Dabi says before taking another drag. "Anyway, alright. Hawks, you still need to prove yourself before meeting the others, but I'll think about it. We'll give your little girlfriend a small test too."

"I already told you I won't kill anyone."

"We can do that part for you if it comes to it. I'm leaving before someone comes snooping." He finishes his cigarette before using his quirk to burn the rest to ashes. "See ya." He waves behind him as his form disappears in the shadows.

Hawks scoops Kaida up, and they return quickly to his office. The trip there was in silence.

As soon as he closes the door to the balcony she starts wailing on him. She moves so fast it made himself question his speed. Kaida punches him straight in the nose with as much force as possible, a disgusting crunch follows before he gets sent through the glass of the balcony door.

"Oww! Fuck!"

She rips off her mask and throws it at him. It smacks him on the forehead. "You deserved that! What the fuck?! Dating?! What psychopath comes up with that shit?! Are you outta your fucking mind?!"

"Fuck! You literally broke my nose! Aren't you overreacting a bit?" He wipes at his eyes, trying to clear the watery image of her.

"Overreacting?! Over..." Her eye twitches. "OVERREACTING?! BITCH! You're fucking LUCKY I don't blast you off this damn building or burn your fucking wings to stumps!" she snarls.

"Chill! Shit... It's not-not like I'm asking for us to fuck. It's fake dating," he groans, sitting up.

"Fake or not, we can't date! You're old! And-And I already–" She quickly loses her voice, cutting herself off as her eyes widen in a realization.

He uses his feathers to clean up all the glass as he holds his bloody broken nose. "What? Ugh... A-Already have a boyfriend?"

"I–no. Fuck! I have... a-a..." Her eyes dart back and forth in a panic, trying to think straight. All she's thinking is fury. "I have a... s-soulmate, and he's certainly not-not you!" Her cheeks flush as she covers her face in embarrassment. Why would you admit that?!

"Soulmate, huh? You believe that shit? Ha. It's that redheaded boy, isn't it?" He grunts as he picks himself off the ground. "Whatever. I went along with it and think it went well. It wasn't my plan to be dating." He groans in pain. "As soon as he brought it up, I figured it was an ideal way to get us in. And it worked. We got a name out of it, Chisaki, and knowledge that one of their members died. Also, what did he mean by what you did?"

She scoffs, closing her eyes and crossing her arms. She takes a few calming breaths, trying to focus. It's a few minutes before she responds. "I wiped my sweat all over him, so he couldn't use his quirk, or he'd explode. I also rummaged through his room. Found out his hair isn't naturally black. Also, yes, I only joined so I could go pee as they had us shackled in chairs."

He blinks. "Ooookaay... ew. Aaannnyway, we only have to pretend in front of them. No one else would need to know."

"Well, I'm certainly not telling anyone."

"Good. You calmed down?" He sets his nose and cries out. His wings fluff and flutter. "Fucking... fuck fuck fuck. Fuck that hurts!" His fists clench by his sides as he squeezes his eyes shut. His whole body shakes. "Was it necessary to break my fucking nose?!"

"Yes. Fuck off. I'm still angry."

He groans, moving over to his fridge to find an ice pack. "Well, we need to talk this out to make this more believable." He grunts as he places the found ice pack along his nose. "Pet names, backstories, and showing it. If we're faking it we gotta make it. We fooled him this time, but there's no guarantee next time."

"Fuck you."

He laughs then winces as it hurts. "What still salty I took your first kiss?"

"Bold to assume you were." Her eyes narrow.

"I wasn't?" He taunts, finding something to clean the blood off his face.

"Hell no. My first kiss was when I was like 3."

"Ah, that doesn't count."

"Uh, yeah it does. I remember it." She falls back onto the couch.

"Family doesn't count either."

Her eye twitches. "It wasn't with a family member!" She groans annoyed, throwing her hands up. "If you must know! It was with our childhood friend at the time. I've had plenty damn boyfriends after that too. The last kiss I had was literally a few months ago. I'm not scared of a simple kiss."

"Actually your last kiss was a few minutes ago," he jokes. "Want another?" He puckers his lips, making kissing sounds.

"Gross. It's like I kissed my brother."

"Ouch."

"Why you taking offense? Like you and I would ever date."

He shrugs. "Maybe not now. Maybe once you graduated."

She grabs the nearest pillow and chucks it at him. He laughs and stops it with a feather.

"I'm going to bed before I decide to break more of your bones. It's past my bedtime." She sits up.

"It's only 10:15!"

She starts to the doors. "Goodnight, asshole!"

"Night, my lovebird!"

She flicks him off as she leaves the room. She finds her room, throwing herself onto the bed and slamming her face into the pillow, and screams. Screams about the situation, her whole fucking life,  and about her sudden realization. She flips herself over once she's done and stares up at the ceiling. She's hot. Her whole body is red. Kaida flips, phone falling into view. She stares at the attached UA charm. She sighs, pulling it to her and video-calling him.

It only rings once before Kirishima's face appears on screen. "Bakubabe? What's wrong? You never call me. You okay? Did you call me on accident?"

"No... I–" Just wanted to see you. She flushes.

He tilts his head. "I'm surprised you're still awake. Hawks keeping you up?"

"No..."

"Then what's up?"

"You... alone?"

He looks confused for a moment. "Uh, yeah. I'm in my room."

"I don't wanna be here," she sighs.

"...Did you wake up from a nightmare?"

"No, we... just got back from a... patrol. I–" She stops. "I realized something, and I... needed to confirm it."

"Confirm what?"

She hides her lower face in her hoodie. "...You can't laugh."

"I won't."

She groans. "I... wanted to-to see. Fuck, don't make fun of me."

He chuckles. "I won't."

"It's embarrassing, and I don't wanna admit it, especially to you, but I fucking want to because-because I want to say it." His expression softens as she rambles. "I just wanted to-to see your face."

It's his turn to flush more than his hair as he gives her a big goofy smile. He mutes and turns off the camera for a second while he rolls around on the bed. When he turns the camera back on he's squeezing his pillow tight. "I miss you too!"

She scoffs. "I-I didn't say I fucking missed you! Your face is all I wanted to see! That's not cause I missed you! I just saw you a few hours ago!"

"It's okay! You can admit you miss me!"

"Whatever. I'm hanging up now!"

"No, wait! I can talk! Guess what?! Amajiki senpai wanted to invite me to work with him and Fatgum! I got an internship too! I'm headed out tomorrow!"

She sighs, calming down as he talks. For once in her life she's content with listening to someone's rambles. She's... surprisingly enjoying it. She hides her smile behind her blanket.

They end up falling asleep talking to each other.

💥💥💥

Tokoyami knew something was up.

Hawks and Kaida were acting... different. He knows that Kaida sneaks off to his office when they're supposed to be asleep. He knows the two leave together without telling him. It's suspicious.

He doesn't know much about Kaida's situation or why she was sent to be with Hawks. Maybe them leaving without him is part of it. He's not going to ask. It does feel unfair that she's getting special attention though.

He's been observing how they interact. He finds it overly friendly. He knows that they previously knew each other, but this seems different. They're closer. More... intimate?

He might be mistaken, but he swears he heard him call her lovebird at one point.

He didn't know how to feel with that information. If the two of them were actually seeing each other... He shutters at the thought.

He's also confused as to why Hawks had bruising all over his face. His entire nose was purple same as under his eyes. At what point did a villain manage to break Hawks' nose?

Out on patrol Hawks and Kaida were always together ahead of him. He pushes himself to keep up with the two which doesn't go unnoticed by his mentor. Hawks ends up taking just Tokoyami out for one night. He takes him on a flight above the city as a reward.

Hawks tells him all about why he interned him and what he's lacking. How he needs to improve his strengths. He was wasting his potential. 'Be free like a bird.'

Tokoyami gets an idea for a new move.

~~~

While the boys went out, Kaida was left to head to bed. She played on her phone coming across new coverage of a raid on a hero base. She sits up straighter. Is that Deku?! Wait, Fatgum?!

She had a bad feeling. She needed to call Kirishima.

She's quick to exit whatever she's in and video calls Kirishima.

He doesn't answer.

So she calls again.

This time it's answered, but not by Kirishima.

Some else does.

A blond man with a bandage patch on his face along with many scrapes. "Hello!"

Kaida's eye twitches. "Who the hell are you?!"

The man laughs. "I'm Fatgum!"

"I don't actually care who you are! And Fatgum is big and fat! You aren't! Where's Kirishima?!"

"He can't answer right now. He's fine though." The camera is flipped around to show Kirishima on a hospital bed, completely wrapped up.

"Fine?! That's not fine!" She screams, taking in his form. "Why is he like that?!"

"Bakubabe! I'm a mummy!" He grins.

The camera shakes a bit as it's flipped back and then propped up so she can see him.

She takes a deep breath. "Are... Are..."

"I'm okay! Just immense bruising and multiple lacerations from head to toe. Non-life-threatening."

"What the hell?! What did you do?!"

"I became unbreakable!"

Her brows furrow for a moment, eyes moving back and forth between his own. "You're... You're gonna be okay... right?" Her voice is quiet.

"I'll be back to 100 percent before we get back to school!"

"Okay... I... I'm going to bed now then. Just... wanted to make sure you were okay."

Though it physically hurts to, he doesn't show it as he smiles so brightly it's blinding. "Thanks, Bakubabe! Goodnight!"

"Goodnight." She hangs up.

Fatgum grins at Kirishima. "Girlfriend? I didn't know you had one. She's feisty. Which... oddly fits you."

Kirishima flushes. "Sh-She's not... uh, no-not yet."

"Ooh~?" Fatgum teases. "What's her name?"

Tamaki keeps to himself as he watches the two talk. Bakugo Kaida?

💥💥💥

Kaida hated her life.

Not only was the fucking HPSC watching her, but now so was the damn League.

She had to keep up a show with Hawks. They made sure to keep close in public when it was only the two out of view from civilians. It was exhausting.

"You really should give your actual intern more attention," she scoffs, leaning against Hawks' side with his wing covering her from the cold wind.

The two are sitting on a ledge of a skyscraper, watching the city below.

"I have," he responds. "He's impressed me with keeping up with us during day patrol. Think he's got an idea from it. He's been practicing in the training gym alone and won't let me spy on him. My job is completed for the moment. Now, I'm focused solely on my little fiery lovebird." He leans into her hair, snuggling into it.

She'd push him away if they weren't being watched. He snakes an arm around her waist. She withholds the look of disgust she wants to show on her face.

She distracts herself. "I'm assuming you're returning to Shizuoka with us?"

"Have important things to do there. We'll still be seeing plenty of each other."

"Shizuoka?" a new voice cuts in.

The heroes lean back to look at Dabi, walking up behind them.

"Yep," Hawks pops the p. "Wanna be closer to my lovebird." He pulls her closer. "That's what I wanted us to talk about. I'll still return here on occasion as my agency is here in Kyushu. Gotta get a new meetup point in Shizuoka.."

"Perfect, you'll be a bit closer," Dabi admits. "Your first missions will be soon. We'll talk more on it later. Bakugo Kaida... your first mission will be with me."

"Alone? Absolutely not," Hawks rejects, wings stiffening and becoming sharp.

"Calm down, chicken," Dabi placates. "She'll be just fine. We're just gonna track down an annoyance and take him out. Easy. Simple."

"I'm going with."

"No. Don't worry I'm not interested in your lovebird."

"That's not what I'm worried about!" Hawks huffs, standing up.

Kaida follows, still tucked under his wing. She pulls his hand into hers. "Hey. It's fine."

"It's not fine. We agreed to stay together." Hawks looks down at her with a mixture of fury and worry.

She rolls her eyes. "Hawks will have to get me away from UA. I'm under close watch as you know. I can't just leave alone."

"I'll get Twice to make a clone of you. We'll meet and trade-off. Leave the clone with Hawks, and you go with me," Dabi explains.

"Great."

"Not great!" Hawks complains.

"I'm not killing," she reminds.

"Don't expect you to." Dabi maniacally grins. "I expect you to torture. You can do that. I've seen it."

"Oh, yeah, that I can do."

"Great, glad we're in agreement."

"We aren't!" Hawks huffs.

"Gotta go. Have a mess to clean up. Also nice shiner ya got there. See ya." Dabi laughs and walks back into the shadows then vanishes.

"I'm not agreeing to this," Hawks says, turning to Kaida with furrowed brows.

She glances up at him. "I'll be fine."

He grabs her shoulders and turns her to face him completely. "Dabi is a psychopathic sociopath. He could flip a switch at any moment."

"I understand that," Kaida huffs, shoving off his grip. "I can knock him out if I need to. I'm not scared and can handle myself. You need to trust me."

He sighs, figure deflating. "I trust you. I don't trust him."

"Then trust me to be able to handle it."

He pulls her into a tight hug, wrapping his wings around them. "I can't lose you."

She freezes at the suddenly meaningful whisper. "Hah?!"

"Imagine if I did! The amount of trouble and shit I'd be in would be insurmountable!"

She shoves him away as he lightly chuckles. "Asshole."

"But in all seriousness. I'm not kidding. If I lose you... I..." He takes a breath. "I don't wanna lose one of my chicks... Yeah... Let's get back. Gotta get up early for the flight back tomorrow." He pulls her to him, swiping her off her feet.

💥💥💥

"You're coming back and staying?" Tokoyami asks surprised.

Hawks pulls his two interns close. "Yeaaah! Wanna be closer to my two interns! That a problem?"

"What about here?"

"Ah, my sidekicks are plenty capable of taking care of our city while I'm away," he explains. "I wouldn't have taken them in if they couldn't."

They load up on the train. Hawks sits beside Kaida as Tokoyami sits across from them.

Kaida didn't sleep well, wondering what Dabi's gonna make her do and having to be back on her pills tonight. She was dozing off, head bobbing. Hawks pushes her with his wing to lean against his shoulder, but she ends up on his thighs instead. She grumbles in annoyance, back slapping his face, but staying. He winces as his nose is still tender but covers her with his wings.

Tokoyami watches the interaction silently. Too close for just a teacher-student relationship. What the hell is going on?

💥🧡💚💥
I'm still here. I'm still updating. I'm just slow.
I've been busy with work, cleaning, home life, photoshoots, pets, other stories, sleeping, and like not dying from it. 😂
But shit over a year of not posting I'm so sorry. 😅 Also didn't know what I wanted to do.
But still managed to get the Hawks x Kaida relationship somehow but was definitely not planned until it was written.