Yuki (at the mall!)
Shoto had no idea how to take care of a child. He barely had the experience from his own traumatic experience, but when Hawks and Fuyumi asked him to look after Yuki he couldn’t refuse. The only outstanding problem he had was that he was a full-time student at UA. But he was sure Yuki would be able to attend his classes—maybe his teacher likes kids.
Another obstacle the young teen had to face was how to take care of her. It was the day before school started but both his sister and Hawks were too busy. Thus leaving Shoto alone with the four-year-old he barely knew. The only thing he was certain of was that she was Dabi’s.
What do children do anyway? Shoto wasn’t sure. When he was her age his quirk set in and he began training with Endeavour. He highly doubted that was normal for a kid. Maybe she likes malls? Malls were fun. His friends from class 1-A wanted to introduce the concept to him before the camping trip but he never attended. Are malls fun?
“Would you like to go to the mall?” He had asked Yuki once the two adults set off to work. The red-headed toddler looked up at him with wonder.
“I’ve never been before,” she replied happily. “there are so many people!”
“I’ve never been either. Care to come with me?”
Yuki agreed and so here sat the Todoroki and the young girl, eating lunch at the mall’s busy food court. Across from them sat the one and only Fumikage Tokoyami, a close friend to Shoto.
“I didn’t know you had another sister,” Fumikage motioned to Yuki who nibbled on a KFC meal that Shoto bought with Endeavours credit card.
“I don’t.”
The bird looked at him, confused. “Then who is she?”
“Yuki was put in my care by Hawks. I’m spending a few days with her until he’s off work.” Shoto explained calmly, wiping a few crumbs from Yuki’s face.
“Wait, seriously? Hawks is my mentor and I didn’t even know he had a kid. How old is he anyway?” Fumikage asked in disbelief, taking a break from his A&W burger,
“This is hard to explain,” the bi-coloured teen rubbed his chin methodically. “But I have another theory.”
Oh boy, here we go again.
“I believe Yuki is the daughter of the flame villain Dabi. The one we saw at the training camp.” Shoto said it with so much ease that Tokoyami thought it was a joke at first.
He slammed his fists on the table and shot off his seat. “What?? What led you to that conclusion! This is your craziest conspiracy yet!”
“Please, let me explain.” Shoto cleared his throat. “This is the secret lovechild of pro hero Hawks and the villain Dabi.” He leant in closer to his friend so he could whisper. “Just like All Might and Midoriya.”
Fumikage sputtered. “But Hawks doesn’t even know Dabi! You’re insane. The closest resemblance is her wings and that’s it.”
“Plus she can light blue flames. Just like Dabi. My sister believes she’s my older brother's daughter but that’s too crazy. I’ve never even seen my brother with Hawks and he died before he could even have children.”
Tokoyami shifted uncomfortably at his friend's casual mention of his dead brother. “We’ve never seen Hawks and Dabi interact either...” He deadpanned. “Besides, I’m a little confused…where did Yuki come from?”
Shoto sighed. “Hawks apparently found her lost on the streets and brought her to my sister. They know each other apparently—a connection between my father, I’m sure. They ranted about how this is proof of my eldest brother's existence but they haven’t seen Dabi up close like we have. Somehow Hawks and Dabi had this child—maybe through a quirk or something, I haven’t worked out the details.”
Fumikage waited for Shoto to catch his breath before responding. “So you can’t believe she’s really your brother’s? It makes much more sense…”
The Todoroki shook his head instantly. “No, that’s impossible. Touya died when I was young. And my brother would never become a villain.”
“What about the red hair? Last time I checked neither had bright red hair.” The bird teen remarked, stealing a fry from Shoto’s tray.
“That’s where I’m stumped. But there’s no way of knowing Hawks’ or Dabi’s genetic lineage…”
Tokoyami just looked at his friend with disappointment. He’ll connect the dots eventually….
“Are you going to tell Hawks about this? It sounds pretty serious.”
“You’re right. But both Hawks and my sister are too hung up on the flimsy Touya theory and I don’t want to disappoint them. And if I come out with my theory then Yuki could be in trouble.”
The two teens looked over at the four-year-old who so far gave no reaction to Shoto’s rants. She remained happily nibbling on a chicken nugget and ruffling her wings.
“Could you just...ask Yuki if Dabi is her father?”
Asking Yuki who her father last time proved useless...but Fumikage is right...maybe if we ask Yuki if her father is Dabi she’ll reply…
“Hey Yuki,” the kid looked up from her meal and to Shoto in an instant, “is Dabi your dad?”
Yuki smiled, a glint of recognition in her golden eyes. “Yep!”
Shoto gasped. “I was right,” he whispered. “you are a lovechild.”
“Do you know him? Are you gonna take me to Daddy now?” She asked innocently, discarding her lunch.
Fumikage stared at the table as if he was having an existential crisis. “Shoto, do you have any idea what this means?!!” This means your older brother Touya is Dabi!
“It means Hawks did the nasty with a villain.” The Todoroki gagged. “…unless this is the doing of a quirk.”
N-no The bird teen wanted desperately to say, not at all.
Shoto gasped again. “I have to tell Hawks! And Fuyumi! Before they go insane trying to prove Touya is alive…” he turned to the four-year-old. “But not before we buy Yuki toys with my dad's money.”
“Where’ve you been, birdman??” Miruko asked the second Hawks walked into the building, raising her arm to give him a half-hug. “We were supposed to meet up after patrol and you left me hanging!”
The blond returned the hug and laughed her comments off. “Sorry, bunny! Something urgent. interrupted my schedule. Found a lost young girl.”
“And you can’t find the parents? Where’d you take her?” She frowned.
“That’s the thing, Rumi. Pretty sure she’s my kid.” Hawks looked around the corridor to make sure no one was listening in on their conversation.
“Woah? When did that happen?” Miruko reeled back, surprised.
“Well, you know my boyfriend from a few years ago?” Rumi knew. She was his shoulder to cry on when he desperately needed it. There were countless nights the two of them sat on Keigo’s couch emptying a bottle of wine.
“I thought we weren’t allowed to talk about—“
“He’s alive, carrots.” He leaned in. “I just gotta find him.”
“That’s some serious shit, birdie.” The rabbit hero crossed her arms. “Where is this kid?”
“Her name is Yuki, and I took her to Fuyumi before appointing Shoto as a babysitter.” Hawks smiled. “They’re her family after all.”
“Hey, wait, you went to Fuyumi without me? Dude, I would love any chance to talk to that girl.”
Keigo rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to remind me every time I mention her.”
“What? Fuyumi is kind, smart, and has a nice piece of—”
“Ahem,”
The two spun around to come face to face with the Number 1 hero staring at them crossly. Fuyumi’s father.
“Ah! Endeavour!” Miruko exclaimed. “Gotta bounce!” Without another word the bunny hero turned around, practically running towards the meeting room. Leaving Hawks alone with the man he despised.
“Hiya, Endeavour-san! Fancy seeing you here!” The blond squeaked, forcing out a plainly fake smile, gritting through his teeth.
“This is a meeting for all the top heroes.” He replied coldly, his tall figure still looming over Hawks.
“Right! Uh,—better head inside!” Hawks wanted to leave and fast.
Endeavour glowered at him. “The next time I hear your rabbit friend talk about my daughter in such a manner you’ll be fried chicken.”
If only you knew how I used to talk about your so—
“Sure thing, Endeavour-san! Sorry ‘bout that!” I’m gonna kill Rumi.
Hawks turned away from the man to reach the doorknob. Several top ten heroes were awaiting as well as a dozen more Commission officials. Meetings are always better than talking to the flaming pile of trash.
“Let me get the door for you.”
The blonde gulped and quickly stepped away from the door, allowing the larger hero to open the doors for the two of them. Keigo tried not to be, but he was definitely afraid of that man. He remembered looking up to Endeavour before Touya’s death(?) but now he just hated him. Pure hatred. If Hawks could legally burn the man to hell he would. Father in law be damned.
The only positive thing about their relationship was that Endeavour had no clue that Hawks knew Touya. Enji was clueless to the fact that it was the winged hero on the phone that night of the fire. And Keigo would love to keep it that way. He knew Endeavour wasn’t lying about the fried chicken threat.
The meeting was like watching paint dry for hours on end. Hawks was bored out of his mind. He rather be cozying up to Shigaraki than listening to the Commission lady drone on about city crime while his handlers watched.
“The League of Villains have been silent,” the Director pointed to a PowerPoint screen displaying damages done to Musutafu. “Until as of late.”
That caught Keigo’s attention. He looked up from his lap and tried to avoid the gaze of the Number one hero.
“Recently there’s been reports of large blue fires that are in accordance with the flame villain Dabi’s quirk.” The slideshow changed and pictures of burning apartment complexes turned up. “As well as several areas in the city being affecting by Shigaraki Tomura’s vile decaying quirk.”
A shiver went down Hawks' spine. Dabi never mentioned anything about spontaneous attacks. In fact, Dabi hadn’t messaged him at all. Hawks looked down at his burner phone. It’s as if the scarred man completely ghosted him. Why was the League on a rampage anyway?
The blond tuned the rest of the meeting out. It wasn’t important to him. He already had too much on his plate. His mind was still focused on Touya and Yuki. He wondered if Shoto was taking good care of her.
Hawks really wanted to hang out with the four-year-old more. I should really take time off from working while I figure this out. I did promise to help teach Yuki to fly after all. He smiled to himself. He’ll make sure to take a day to hang out with his daughter while Shoto’s at UA.
“Ugh, that meeting was fucking dreadful,” Miruko whined as they relaxed in the lobby for a bit. “I’m pretty sure the flaming idiot was glaring at me the whole time for that comment on Yumi.” She smirked.
Hawks sighed. “I wasn’t even paying attention, I’ve got so much on my mind Rumi and not enough time to think about it.”
Rumi looked at her friend softly. “You’ll figure things out soon, Keigo. I’m sure you’ll find Yuki’s other father in no time. You’re the fastest around, remember?”
The winged hero returned the smile. “Yeah, thanks.”
Miruko stood up and groaned. “ I have another meeting in ten, catch you later?”
Hawks nodded. “Good luck.”
“Bye, feathers!”
“Bye, cutie!”
The rabbit hero turned back to her friend and cringed. “Ah, you probably didn’t know, but a bunny can call another bunny “cute”, but when someone else does it it’s a little weird!” She hollered from across the hall.
Hawks laughed at the Zootopia quote as she walked away. His smile dropped when his burner phone buzzed in his pocket. He checked the message from Dabi which was in response to the hero.
Hawks: Yo when’s the next meetup?
Dabi: I said I’ll let you know when it’s time.
The blond instantly pressed the call button, the scarred man instantly answering the phone. “Hey.”
“Hey.” Dabi drawled.
“I was just wondering why I haven’t gotten any word from you lately. And why the League is causing a ruckus is all.”
There was a pause before the villain spoke. “…something came up. The LOV has been busy. I’ll contact you when I need to.”
Hawks frowned. Dabi’s voice sounded rough—not the smoke six packs a day rough (that’s the usual)—no, crying for six weeks rough.
Why does Dabi sound so upset? What came up that has the merciless villain so distraught?
Keigo didn’t want to press the issue. He had a feeling if he pushed Dabi any further he’d combust. He wanted to stay on the man's good side for the sake of his mission.
“Okay man, just don’t leave me hanging!”
And with that, the full abruptly ended and Hawks was left to stew in his thoughts. Why is it so damn hard to complete this damn job?
“Jin, look, look!” The blonde pointed to a display case showcasing a series of plaid skirts. “Aren’t those the cutest?!”
“Why are we here again, Himi? I thought we were looking for Yuki~chan—I know exactly why we’re here!”
Toga shrugged. “I wanted to get a smoothie before we resume our search. I heard the mall had good passion fruit shakes, that taste just like blood~”
“You’re creepy sometimes–I love you!”
The teen turned away from the glass. “Anyway, we should really get ba—“ she stopped dead in her tracks as she spotted something from across the large crowd. “Jin, look, look!” She pointed in the direction of a couple of teens.
“Is it another clothing store?” Jin looked around the vast mall trying to spot what caught Toga’s attention.
“No! Yuki!”
Twice gasped as he spotted the familiar UA students alongside their very own Yuki. And they looked friendly toward each other. “I know those guys!—who are they?”
“That’s the son of the Number one hero! And that bird guy was also on the kill list from Shigaraki! From the training camp!” Toga exclaimed loudly. “They stole Yuki~chan!”
“Those bastards!”
Twice moved forward in an attempt to catch the two but Toga held him back. “Wait, not yet.” She locked her yellow cat-like eyes on the students.
“Why not? I want Yuki back!—screw her!”
“We can’t fight them in public. Not right now. We’ll wait for the right moment to strike~” she smiled. The League will get their revenge.
“I can’t wait to taste their blood.”