--

Hawks felt terrible. He never wanted this to happen. He should've been more careful. He should've placed more attention to the well being of his students.

How can he even be a hero, if he himself can get his own students in trouble?

Most of all, why Tokoyami? His determination was unrivalled. He was the best student to teach, yet the one to go.

"Ughh! I'm such an IDIOT!"

He treated Tokoyami like his child, like a dad.

Hawks sat on his bed, his wings curled inwards, covering himself like a blanket. He felt depressed and helpless...

(Few months ago...)

"Hmm, this year's students are quite on the interesting side" Hawks smiled, his eyes looking for a favourite.

Hawk was at home, looking through the TV. He rarely ever look at the UA Sports Festival, much less personally find someone to pick for an intern. In fact, this was his very first time he watched the sports festival.

Usually, it's the other way round. Many come to find Hawks for an intern, many left...

"Well, I can already spot who's the winner, unsatisfyingly." Hawks noted as he ate a potato chip.

Well, Hawks still skips through most battles. Some were quite uneventful. Sure, there were some interesting fights like Todoroki and Midoriya, Bakugo and Uraraka but nothing that he can improve, nor does he have the motivation to...

Until one student catches his eye... In fact, he already saw him from the beginning. Well, he was kind of hard to miss, placing top 10 for the 1st round. (7th)

Tokoyami Fumikage.

A student with a bird for his head.

"Wow... Emo Bird got 7th. Guess he wasn't just for show."

Giving all the attention to Tokoyami only meant that he was going all out on critiquing the teen. (To be honest, there wasn't much to be said truthfully, since Tokoyami battles were extremely quick and one-sided, until the last fight with Bakugo. Yet Hawks managed to find fault in him anyways.)

"No, no, no! You can't just brute force! You supposed to use dark shadow as your attacker while checking your surroundings... You were lucky Momo was inexperienced."

"Ugh, the ground isn't your only move Tokoyami, utilize the air too! You're basically a bird, use it to your advantage!"

"No! Never approach your enemy without thinking! Try to hide your weakness and misdirect your enemy! You're blatantly showing off your weakness to your enemy!"

Yet...

Hawks was secretly rooting for him, he was definitely biased towards him because he looked like a bird, like him. He was cheering silently for him like he was his son.

He felt unusually proud to find him standing on the podium, receiving the 3rd place.

It was the first time he ever felt emotionally attached to someone. He felt related. He wanted to help...

He always wanted a child. To be a father meant a lot to him...

He never ever got true love from anyone before, the pillar of support that all children need wasn't there for him. Therefore...

He wanted to be the pillar of support. He had already became one of the pillar of support for peace... Now he needed to be the pillar of support for love.

Giving another orphan the love that they deserve.

Nurture them.

Teach them.

Care for them.

Love them.

Like they're his sons...

He didn't even know that Tokoyami was unwanted by his parents then.

He already felt that Tokoyami was his son.

His care for Tokoyami wasn't an objective that he wanted to achieve...

Naturally, he chose him for his internship.

Yet, he cannot show his care for him, it wasn't his place to rob a child's decisions. He needed his trust, his determination, his confidence.

Moreover, he had other interns to worry about. He cannot have a favourite. He needed to give him the same treatment he gave the others. Equality is much more important to Hawks since he himself was an orphan. He wanted every person to have too much time on their hands. He wanted everyone to relax. Everyone should be safe.

However... He could barely contain his delight when he saw the 'Emo Bird' came through the double doors.

The crimson eyes of his was striking in contrast to his overall dark appearance. Tokoyami's gaze quickly met his. The eyes seemed to be curious of Hawks, studying Hawks cautiously.

However, he did not lose his manners in the process, greeting Hawks with a bow before approaching him.

"I have arrived, Hawks."

Hawks looked up, flinching slightly at the way Tokoyami addressed him.

"Ahh, seems so. I am quite busy now." He said while gesturing at the mountains of paperwork on his desk. he

"Your interns will elaborate on what your task is." He gestured again to a group of students sitting at a couch. Tokoyami walked towards them slowly.

Hmm, seems like it'll take a while for him to come along. Hawks though, stealing glances at the bird boy. As his interns briefed him, he seemed collected but he did shiver multiple times.

Guess he is still not used to the new environment.

Hawks accidentally stared a second too long and was caught by Tokoyami. He returned the glance, widened his eyes, and looked back. Sweat started beading on his forehead.

That scene made Hawks' heart melt.

Aww, cutie. I just want to cuddle that little birdie!

His first internship with Tokoyami was interesting. He learnt much more things that he would've liked about Dark Shadow... Tokoyami's potential that he had previously thought of was just the tip of the iceberg. Tokoyami had so much things left to learn!

Now all he need was Tokoyami's determination. Like a bird's first flight, Tokoyami needed the determination to rise from his nest and Hawks will not help him even in the slightest.

By always leaving Tokoyami as well as his interns in his dust, he gave them a sense of hopelessness; cleaning up after his mess. It's up to them whether they want to catch up to him.

At the end of his first internship, Tokoyami was now filled with tenacity and animosity. He ignored giving a farewell greeting to Hawks before leaving. That made Hawks break his heart a little, but it's a risk he's willing to take.

Judging by the situation, Tokoyami now faced the obstacle of being pressured to leave the nest. He faced the pressure of being left behind. It's up to Tokoyami whether he would take the challenge again, to challenge himself that he would change.

That he would give it his all...

Sure enough, Tokoyami accepted the second internship.

"I have arrived again Hawks."

Tokoyami simply said.

He controlled his emotions well, but his eyes are that of a panther's. Eyes that are filled with determination, his eyes glinted in the light of his office, making it seem like his eyes are glowing.

Perfect.

"Hope this time it will be different! " Hawks smiled

Sure enough, Tokoyami's progression improved.

In fact, he improved WAY over Hawks expectations.

Hawks felt dumbfounded by Tokoyami's progress. No one has ever seen Hawks when they were in a chase before, yet there he was. His ferocity could be seen from a distance. A dark fearsome figure bounded over building by building, slowly approaching him.

Proudness overcame him as he looked at his son.

"Ooh?" He simply said.

This one is definitely the one. He thought as he smiled to himself.

"Nice work today."

Hawks said after Tokoyami, the internship had ended for the day and everyone was returning. Tokoyami's anger seemed to have simmered down, more satisfied with his performance today.

"Hey, kiddo!"

Tokoyami looked back and saw Hawks gesturing for him to come closer.

He did without question...

"Ehmm?! “ Tokoyami squawked out as he felt something slide under his arms.

" I'll treat you to a little night flight. " Hawks whispered in his ear.

With a strong flap of his wings, they were in the air. In reply, Tokoyami let out an indignant squawk which Hawks found adorable. He would do anything to make Tokoyami break his stoic character. He found his little chirps addicting.

Hawks rubbed his head into Tokoyami's plumage and nuzzled him. Tokoyami was too concentrated about not falling to notice.

Tokoyami's fear was short-lived, fortunately, or unfortunately. He adapted with the wind well and quickly got comfortable with the height.

"H-HAWKS! WE'VE BECOME ONE WITH THE WIND!"

"Is this your first time flying?"

Hawks felt the head in front nod. He decided to give Tokoyami a little hint of his wasted potential...

He had mentioned to Tokoyami that the reason he chose him. 20% was because they were both birds, 50% was because he wanted information about the league of villains. While that wasn't fully true, although he does need information about the league of villains, the percentages are not accurate in reality.

His actual reason was that he cared for him and wanted to adopt him...

He couldn't say that. He wanted to let Tokoyami know that he needs to act responsibly and get his attention instead of letting Tokoyami know he has his attention. Well, there was still one part missing that he haven't told Tokoyami.

"By the way, the other 30% was because looking at you made me think 'Man, Tokoyami's wasting a lot of his potential'."

Tokoyami appeared to be surprised by the statement, his head jerked upward from looking down at the city lights.

"You see, the sky..."

Hawks and Tokoyami soar over the glowing dots that sparkled the cityscape, flying in the cooling night sky.

"... Is a great place."

"You can get a bird's-eye view of everything."

Hawks flew a higher altitude to prove his point. It was the first time Tokoyami ever flew this high. He never sat on a plane before, so this was truly a new sight to him; a breathtaking sight for him to uphold.

However, his mind was preoccupied by something else...

Hawks flew in the direction of a tower a few hundred metres taller than the rest of the buildings.

"I'm not especially interested in nurturing the next generation or anything but..."

(Absolutely not true)

"What do you mean when you say I'm 'wasting my potential'?" Tokoyami interrupted.

Hawks landed on top of the tower.

"It's great you're putting effort to cover your weak points, like short distance combat, but you shouldn't neglect improving your strong points either."

Hawks released Tokoyami from his 'embrace'.

"You're capable of moving much more freely. Look... Take it from a fellow bird."

They both looked out to the city's nightlife. It was a majestic sight and Tokoyami was starting to appreciate it.

"If you've got wings, you should stretch them out and fly. There's no need for you to be confined to the ground."

These sentences echoed Tokoyami's mind like a broken repeater, questioning his abilities...

Am I really using them correctly? Dark Shadow?

The next day...

Miracle strikes.

It's also when disaster struck.

Tokoyami surprised Hawks for the second time, his learning speed was phenomenal. Tokoyami had already gotten a grasp on what Hawks had said.

Having Dark Shadow to grab Tokoyami to fly, Tokoyami's speed had increased tenfolds.

There are, however, still room for improvement of course. Dark shadow will not be able to attack in Tokoyami's current position, but for under a day, Tokoyami had learnt quickly.

Hawks had tears in his eyes...

Oh my boy, how proud of you I am. I really wish I could tell you sooner...

...

...

...

"Tokoyami?"

Hawks flew towards a building which one side of it was crushed. He flew down it...

Below stood a figure

Tokoyami?

It was the figure of Tokoyami...

Hawks landed behind him...

"Hey, Tokoyami? Why did you stop?"

Hawks walked around Tokoyami to face him.

Tokoyami looked back normally...

Tokoyami wore his normal stoic expression.

His eyes were piercing. His eyes were always piercing, the highlight of his appearance...

Hawks stared at Tokoyami's eyes, unable to leave its beauty.

Then...

Tokoyami cried... Well, not exactly...

His eyes became watery.

Tears...

It was the colour of Tokoyami's eyes...

They flow down Tokoyami's cheek.

It was the colour of Tokoyami's eyes.

They were fading as if they leaked out of his eyes.

Without warning...

Crimson red.

They were everywhere.

Hawks raised his hands... They were stained red. Blood and viscera dripped down his hands.

Where did that come from?

He wiped his hands his shirt, trying to g wet rid of the gunk. It just stained his shirt.

Hawks wanted to scream...

His face was a mix of horror and disgust. What once stood Tokoyami was now a clumped mess of guts and viscera.

He fell to his knees, tears filled his vision.

"T-Tokoyami! I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry for leaving you behind. I should've cared for you better."

He placed both of his hands on his face, tears mixed with blood dripping down his hands. His wings wrapped around him, cowering.

"It... It was never meant to be like this..."

*tchhhh* *plop*

His crying stopped as he looked towards the sound of movement.

There it is again.

He saw in the piles of guts, a movement.

Something he did not want to identify rolled down, revealing a black feather Asa, q.

"!!"

He quickly stood up, eyes wide open. He blinked twice. Walking over, he asked.

"Tokoyami? “

A little hope ignited from his soul.

He removed piles after piles of unknown articles.

Tokoyami's head was revealed.

" Tokoyami! “

He bend down and hug the head.

"I thought I'd never be able to see you again!"

Tokoyami's sticky plumage from the blood around him was soft in Hawks eyes.

He hugged Tokoyami, caressing its beak.

He stood up, pulling Tokoyami out.

*Plop*

There was a sickening sound.

Tokoyami felt light in his arm since he was taller, he lifted Tokoyami off the ground.

Hawks had a smile, his eyes were closed. He hugged Tokoyami like he was his pillow. Tokoyami haven't made a sound yet.

Strange, what's that warm water splashing on my feet?

In reality, Hawks was hugging Tokoyami's head. His body was detached from its head. Blood was spurting out of his head into Hawks feet.

But he didn't care.

Hawks happily grabbed Tokoyami by his feathers and walked away from the ally, blood leaving a trail,

...

Hawks gasped.

He was in his bed. His eyes were watery from crying.

The last scenes of him walking away grabbing a decapitated head still lingers in his memory.

Hawks felt his heartbeat throbbing in his heart. He felt even more depressed now.

The last month was entirely dedicated to searching for him... Not a trace...

"Tokoyami?"

He heard himself say.

Probably dead by now.

gone.

And it's my fault

A parent? A father? What a joke.

Number 2 hero? Can't even save his to-be son.

What a f**king joke.

My life's a joke.

Wind blows through his feathers. The taste of alcohol lingers in his taste buds. He took a step.

He had been higher before, but now the feeling was different. His motive was different.

Another step.

Tokoyami in the air, reaching out a hand for him to grab on to.

Another step.

Orphans, mocking him for his fatal mistakes.

Another step.

His parents, knowing what a disaster they have created.

Another step.

Endeavor, his favourite idol, now looking down at him with commanding eyes.

Another step.

Tokoyami's death, playing in his mind like a broken recorder.

Again and again.

Another...

...