Feather of Fate - Hawks
When you first bumped into the number two hero you never expected it to be when he was chasing a villain. Not that he stuck around long enough, the villain was bobbing and weaving through people until he rudely shoved you over in the process. Rather than eating asphalt you were held up by a single red feather as he stormed past you. A few of the civilians nearby let out excited chirps of ‘hey it’s Hawks’ or ‘go get ‘em Hawks!’, only one of them bothered to make sure you were okay even though they saw the iconic red feather holding you up.
That was the first and last time you expected to see Hawks, except it wasn’t. He’d for some reason shown up at the daycare center you worked at which not only surprised you, but the children and other caretakers as well.
“It’s Hawks!” One of the children shouted and in no time all the kids were off the playground and circling the number two hero.
“Children calm down!” A coworker made her way over and tried to shoo the kids back onto the playground before turning herself to the number two hero to speak.
You couldn’t hear what was being said and figured maybe it was some publicity stunt, not like this daycare was anything fancy. Just your standard daycare that definitely had seen better days. Not particularly concerned with the thought of a hero outside, you turned away from the view and back to the pup you had been feeding.
The sudden call of your name startled you, sending the baby spoon you held to launch to the right of you. One of those iconic small red feathers shot out and caught the spoon before it could fall and slowly drifted over to you.
“Sorry!” She panicked and shuffled closer. “It’s just that, Hawks asked for you.”
Now why the hell would the number two hero want to talk to you? “Uh, okay.” The blonde stepped closer and your coworker reluctantly left the two of you alone, you could tell she wanted to stick around since she wouldn’t stop eye fucking the poor guy.
“Mean right arm you got there.” Hawks pointed to the spoon still resting on the feather and you flushed, quickly taking the spoon.
He chuckled at your embarrassment and looked over the drawings on the wall as he got closer. “Cute pup, yours?” He teased, you seemed easy to fluster and he was eager to see more reactions.
You rolled your eyes and returned to feeding the pup who seemed grateful to finally be fed again after that interruption. “If you think this one is mine, does that mean you think they're all mine?” You quipped.
His mouth open and closed before he raised his hands in a ‘you win’ gesture. Not the reaction he was expecting but still just as cute. He sat on the other side of the small table resting his chin on his hand and simply watched you feed.
Was he really just going to stare? Didn’t he want to talk to you or something? Cleaning the pup’s mouth off you glanced over at him. “So uh, what’d you want me for?”
One of Hawks' brows rose slightly before he hummed. “Oh right, I just wanted to meet you.” The look of confusion on your face made him laugh and he gently tapped the table with a finger. “A few days ago I saved you from eating the ground--”
“I’m surprised you remembered me given you flew right past me.” You cut in. It was hard to believe a pro hero who saved countless people could remember a single face from three days ago.
Hawks closed his mouth and tapped his finger again, you had some bite and he liked it. “Yeah okay true, I see a lot of people so how could I remember you? Easy.” He tapped again and you glanced at his hand before staring back at him. “You kept the feather that saved you yeah?”
Right the feather. You didn’t really know what to do with it so you ended up taking it home and just keeping it. The feather was stupid soft too so of course you couldn’t bring yourself to just toss it. Wait. “Do you need it back or something? I didn’t know what to do with it so I just took it home.” You paused and panicked. “Shit was I not supposed to or something?”
The male choked back a snicker but it quickly turned into laughter instead, startling you and the pup. “Oh man kid, your a fuckin hoot.” He shuddered at your glare and glanced at the pup, right no cursing. “Sorry.” He watched you pick the pup up and man did you look good with a pup. “Yeah no I don’t need it back, if anything I’d rather you keep it.”
“Keep it? What are you gonna sign it for me too?” After successfully burping the pup you sat back with him against your chest, occasionally giving him a playful bounce.
Hawks laughed and leaned his arms into the table, simply watching you interact with the little pup. God he hated how much he enjoyed the sight. “Would it be weird to sign my own feather?” Probably, but you kept silent knowing the question was rhetorical.
“Hawks, what is it you're really here for?” Not that you didn’t enjoy his handsome mug but this was a lot to go through for one feather, you watched the normally cocky hero shrink on himself a little and shuffle in his seat. He tapped his finger on the table again and your gaze flicked to it. Why’d he keep doing that?
He sighed and used his free hand to scratch his head some before leaning closer, causing you to do the same. “I take it you don’t really know the ins and outs of my quirk..” You shook your head, children occupied your time so aside from what you caught glimpses of on the tv or heard from the children you didn’t pay much mind to the pro heroes.
“Okay so the best way to word this without sounding creepy.. Who am I kidding, it's still gonna sound creepy.” Hawks muttered to himself and you adjusted the fussy pup in your arms. “I could feel it.” He paused and you gestured for him to continue. “You touching the feather… I felt it..”
“Oh.” Silence fell between the two of you, the children's screams and laughter outside the only thing to fill the void. So when you kept running your fingers over it the past three days he felt it? Fuck. Well this was awkward wasn’t it. Hawks startled slightly when you suddenly stood and walked away, missing his expression of a sad puppy you dug through your bag and produced the red feather.
“You brought it with you?” He chirped and the way his expression changed made your heart flutter. Fuck he was cute.
“Yeah it’s soft and relaxing so I find myself playing with it a lot.. Well as I’m sure you’ve felt.” You lowered your head shyly and sat back down placing it on the table between the two of you.
Hawks hummed and eyed the feather. “I noticed, after work yeah?” He glanced at the kids behind you before looking back at you. “Stressful?”
The pup in your arms fussed again and you gave him your hand to play and teeth at. “That’s one way to put it.” You loved your job, seeing such excitable pups bounce around and being able to take care of them temporarily made your inner alpha jump with joy until the day you had pups of your own. Not to mention your quirk made the job quite easy, and being an alpha meant it was easier for you to handle the more hot headed kids.
“Is this the only reason you reached out to me? Cause I have a feeling that’s not the case Hawks.” Before the blonde could reply the children immediately ran over, play time was over which meant it was time for lessons. You tucked the feather away in your apron pocket and turned to hush the children and get them seated.
“We don’t want dumb boring lessons!” One of the older kids yelled. “I want Hawks to tell us a story!”
“Yeah well Hawks is a busy hero, he only stopped by for a short bit. I’ll read a story later alright?” Noting which child it was that spoke you leaned closer and loudly whispered so that other kids could hear you. “Good kids get to fly around when the little ones hit nap time.”
Hawks watched the children all go silent and eagerly get ready for their makeshift lessons. Guess that was his cue to leave, he gestured outside and you let one of your coworkers take the pup from you before meeting him outside. “Sorry about them, not every day the number two hero literally swoops in.”
He gave a chuckle and scratched at the back of his head, probably not the wisest move but he looked hard for you. A gust of wind came out of nowhere and his wing extended instinctively to cover the two of you.
Being practically pushed to his chest you caught a hint of his scent, how come you hadn’t noticed it before? Berries, dirt and some type of wood you couldn’t pinpoint. And was that, oh my god.
Hawks simply watched you sniff at him, it was actually really cute you only picked up on his scent now. He saw your expression go from confused to surprised, your faces inches from his as you looked up. “Oh my god did you eat fried chicken? Is that why you smell like chicken?” You couldn’t hold the laugh in anymore. “Please tell me the chicken scent isn’t actually you!”
That was most definitely not what he expected to come out your mouth! He let out a nervous laugh and rubbed his neck. “Yeah that chicken smell isn’t me. Wait is that the only smell you picked up?”
Brushing stray tears away you cleared your throat and tried to look at him without laughing. “Ahah no, it was faint but the chicken was what threw me.” You finally calmed down and looked him in the eye. “You smell of berries, dirt and wood.. Though I’m struggling to place the type.. It’s nice.” You paused and Hawks held his breath. “Kind of makes me think of a cozy little cabin in the forest. It’s comforting.”
The blonde let out a groan and rubbed at his face, you weren’t making this easier dammit. “Gotta say that’s a first, most people usually say I smell like citrus and dirt. Though I’m not sure if it's a compliment saying I smell like dirt.” he half teased.
“Maybe dirt is the wrong word? You smell earthy, like I said it reminds me of the whole cabin thing.” You hummed and cocked your head slightly in thought. “I’d say the wood scent is the cabin itself, the dirt is the earth surrounding the cabin and the berries are from bushes that would be in the forest.”
Hawks froze when you leaned back in to sniff at him. “Maybe the wood is firewood?” You took note of what was likely his discomfort and pulled away. “Shit sorry.” Stepping back you fidgeted slightly, at least he deserved a slight explanation. “I like smells.. Or rather I like scents.” The confused look on his face had you giggle. “Everyone smells different, some good and some bad but everyone always has a scent and it’s just interesting to smell the ones that are mixed.”
You gestured back at the kids and crossed your arms. “Kids don’t really have much of a scent, the younger ones at least, but the ones that do their scents are so simplistic until they grow older and their scent evolves.”
Definitely not the weirdest thing Hawks had heard someone say, but who was he to scent shame you? “You know I don’t think I paid much attention to it. Heroes usually have their scents dulled or wear something to block them. So I don’t really realize the lack of smell.”
“What do I smell like?” Your sudden question threw him, he’d spent days thinking about your scent since he first caught whiff of it.
“Best way to put it? A spice rack.” He watched you sniff yourself and he gave a weak chuckle. “Another way to put it? You smell like home.”
The confusion never left your face, if anything it only further intensified when the blonde pulled something out, scribbled and handed it to you before flying off without so much as a goodbye. You smelt like home? What the fuck did that mean? Curiously you looked to the paper in your hand and unfolded it, he left you his number and a stupid winky face. Shoving the paper into your pocket you turned away and went back inside, you’d taken up enough time already just standing around with the male.
Texting him had slipped your mind, as soon as you went back inside you were hounded by your coworkers on what the pro hero wanted with you of all people. Ouch, but not unexpected with these horny omegas - of course they’d want to try and get with some hot alpha like Hawks. Not that you were ugly but apparently these omegas didn’t care for people who didn’t scream classic “alpha” vibes.
Life had you busy the next few days so it wasn’t too surprising that Hawks showed up at the daycare. This time it was naptime so when he flew in there were only hushed whispers from your coworkers. You made a gesture for him to stay quiet and pointed for him to follow but not before waving to your coworkers.
In the safety of the break room you closed the door and exhaled, he was the first to speak up. “Not even so much as a text, I’m hurt chickadee.” He feigned a hurt expression and it took everything in you not to roll your eyes.
“Yeah sorry, some stuff came up and it kept slipping my mind.” Hawks took note of the nose tingling scent that rolled off you, stress or irritation maybe? He scrunched up his nose momentarily before directing you to sit down at one of the tables. “I’m surprised you showed up though, can’t imagine what you find interesting about me.”
Hawks snorted and took a seat across from you, if only you knew. He noticed the fridge in the room and moved to stand. “Thirsty?” You shook your head and he sat back down, instead the fridge door opened on its own and a water bottle flew out and into your hand. “Lazy.”
“Says the man that can pretty much do the same thing with feathers.” You quipped, he grinned and nodded with a soft ‘touche’.
Realization and curiosity hit him. “So wait.. That day you told the kids about flying..”
“It’s nothing fancy but the kids love it and it makes my job easier.” He rubbed his chin and you heard him mutter ‘telekinesis huh’. “It helps with multitasking, mainly cleaning. God these kids love their messes.” He chuckled and you exhaled leaning forward on the table, burying your face into your arms. “Fuck me..” When was the last time you even sat down, god everything hurt.
“I think we’d get caught if we did.” He purred.
Your head whipped up so fast at that comment before you buried your face back onto your arms. “Oh my god..” Your face felt like it was on fire, that was such a stupid line why did it make you so embarrassed?
“I prefer to be called Hawks.” You kicked his leg and he let out a chuckle before placing a bare hand to the back of your head.
Was he trying to comfort you? Now that you thought about it, did he think you were an omega too? Was he trying to use his alpha charms on you of all people? Then the scent of sweet berries hit you, this fucker was trying to calm you. “You know I’m.. not an omega right..? You don’t need to do that whole calming pheromone thing.”
Hawks hummed and his hand continued to rub at your head, his fingers gently wiggling through your hair to your scalp. “I know.” He saw you sniff yourself and gave a weak laugh, you probably thought he was an alpha if you made that comment. “You're not the smartest alpha are you?”
“Wha--” The feather that you kept in your apron pocket flew out and he pinched it between two of his fingers. You looked from him to the feather and almost forgot he could probably tell you had it with you.
“You continue to carry this around and treat it with such care, and yet you can’t even realize why I let you keep it?” He sat back and twirled the feather between his fingertips. “Surely not out of the kindness of my heart, so why else?”
“I guess I hadn’t really thought about it..” And in truth you hadn’t, your mind immediately went to well if he told me to keep it he probably didn’t need it anymore. “Your feathers grow back right?” You gestured towards his thinned out wings and leaned your cheek on your hand.
“Yes,” He extended his hand as if he was going to hand it over but quickly pulled it back before you could take it. “but not this one.” Hawks examined it before looking at you with a serious expression. “There’s a single feather that hasn’t regrown back in place of this one.”
“Why? I thought it would’ve become useless to you once it served its purpose.” For some reason the thought of something being wrong unsettled you, sure it sucked to part but if he had to dispose of it to grow a new one then so be it. It was his feather after all.
“Because it hasn’t finished serving its purpose.” Hawks watched confusion consume your expression and used the tip of it to tickle your nose. You huffed and shook your head before leaning back some. “Since I was interrupted that day by the children,” he stared at the feather and gave it another twist of the fingers. “I caught a whiff of your scent that day when I flew past you, almost didn’t catch that villain.”
Almost? You weren’t a distraction, and he was plenty fast to swerve around you. But the way he spoke made it seem like it was your fault somehow.
“Couldn’t get that scent out of my head for the rest of the day,” he continued. “And then suddenly I felt my feather being touched oh so gently at that? You know chickadee, at first I was confused until I remembered the civilian I helped from eating dirt.”
So was he saying you were a distraction then? He nearly lost the villain because your stupid ass kept the feather and played with it? He noticed the shift in your scent and leaned forward to look at you. “It’s cute to know you sleep with it.”
You choked on spit and he let out a howl of laughter at how quickly your face grew red. “H-how’d you.” It was only once that you fell asleep with it, and that was on accident. Okay maybe you might’ve dozed off with it on naps but still!
“Your heartbeat, I was actually at work when I noticed and almost fucked up some important paperwork you know.” A lie, he didn’t do paperwork that day. But it’s not like he was going to admit he had soaked up the sensation of your heartbeat through the feather like some love sick little omega.
Hawks further explained about the uses of his feathers and by the end of it you wanted to die in a hole, so not only had he felt every time you touched it but when you’d accidentally dozed off with it he could sense your heartbeat. He laughed as you tried to become one with the table and placed the feather near your head.
“So what do you mean it hasn’t served its purpose then?” His words echoed in your head and somehow you couldn’t entirely wrap your head around it. What job did the feather have then? Did he suspect you were a villain or some shit?
“Man I thought alphas were supposed to be more aware of stuff like this.” He sighed and looked away out the window, he wasn’t irritated per say but he was a little disappointed at how slow you were. Did omegas not hit on you often or something? There’s no way, you smelt amazing and just from what little he’d seen of you last time he couldn’t help but need to get closer to you.
Your heart ached for some reason, sure you were slow but it's not like you were playing dumb. “Look let’s agree I’m a tad slow, but I’m not doing it intentionally. I really don’t get it.”
Hawks glanced over at you and sighed before sitting up right. “I’m trying to court you.” He mumbled and you leaned forward some. Did you hear that right? Number two hero Hawks, trying to court you?
“You're an omega?” The words left your mouth before you could process them and Hawks was quick to scowl, scent shifting to sour berries. “Shit I didn’t mean that in a bad way!” You explained, “I don’t pay attention to things like alpha and omega, I mean we live in a world with quirks. What difference does something like that make? Alpha’s were said to be strong and big while omegas were small and weak, but we have people with all kinds of quirks and mutations that cancel out what we knew of alpha/omega stereotypes.”
His shoulders relaxed the more you spoke and the sour berries shifted back to freshly plucked berries. You exhaled and ran your fingers through your hair before apologizing again. “I agree.” You took a sip of your water and looked at him. “Stereotypes piss me off, so I got a little ticked off when you called me out on being an omega.”
You hummed and picked up the forgotten feather and looked it over. “So you still wanna court this dumb alpha?” Hawks chuckled and gave a tiny nod before leaning closer. You tucked the feather away and put your hand out for the blonde who placed his in yours. “I’d be honored to be courted by you chicken butt.”
Hawks snorted and used his free hand to pinch your cheek. “Yeah we’re gonna have to work on the nicknames.”
“You call me chickadee, I don’t think you have any right questioning my nicknaming skills chicken butt.” A grin broke out on your face and Hawks had to hold back from trying to kiss you.
A knock to the door caused the two of you to pull away from one another. “Sorry to interrupt but two of the kids got into a fight again.. We need your help.” You plucked up the water bottle and with Hawks following behind, you followed her to the two little troublemakers.
The boy took notice of you and immediately ran over and latched onto your leg. “Haruto said because I’m an omega I can’t become a hero! He said omegas were weak!”
You frowned and crouched down to their height and simply let the omega boy latch onto your arm instead. “Now Haruto that’s not nice, you know that’s not true.” The alpha boy in question crossed his arms but before he could speak you continued. “Omegas can be just as strong as alphas, maybe even more stronger.” The whole in depth speech you gave Hawks would be lost on these kids so you settled for the more simple version.
“With quirks these days? Stuff like alpha and omega doesn’t matter.” You adjusted the omega on your arm and pulled up your sleeve showing off four incredibly long scars on your forearm. “I once lost a fight to an omega over a donut, look at these scars and tell me she isn’t strong.”
Easily distracted the two kids gasped and looked over the pale markings before snickering. “You fought over a donut? How lame.” Haruto snickered.
“It was a good donut!” You huffed and tousled both of their heads before standing up right. “Now no more fighting, just because he’s an omega doesn’t mean he’s weaker than you. Now apologize and run along.”
The two ran off and you glanced over to find Hawks staring a hole in you. “Wh-what?” He stepped closer and looked at the scars on your arm, did you really get those from a fight over a donut? Part of him wanted to ask but he didn’t want to be nosy. A smirk rose to your lips as you leaned into him and whispered. “I lied, but if you want, maybe one day you can scar my other arm to match?”
Hawks froze trying to process your words before his cheeks flushed red. “Oh my god.” He slapped your arm and you let out a howl of laughter before gently bumping into him. “Is that the only one you--”
“The only one, promise my skin is free for you to mark up.” Hawks hit your arm again, you’d take as many hits to the arm if you got to see his stupidly cute flustered face. “So about our first date, I’m thinking of dinner at my place?”
The blonde exhaled and ran his fingers through his hair, that did sound pretty good. A nice quiet dinner without the pain of being recognized every few minutes, it’d been ages since he had a home cooked meal on top of it. “Only if you actually text me this time.”
“Right, I’ll do that now.” You pulled your phone out and sent him a simple winky face and heard a snort come from the right of you when he checked it. “That’s right, there’s something you said last time that’s been on my mind..”
“Hm?” He looked up from his phone, having added you as a contact.
“What did you mean when you said I smelled like ‘home’?”