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“Alright everyone, listen up,” Unohana-sensei calls out over the chatter of the group of six year olds and they quiet down. “Thank you. So, you’ve all made so much progress learning to write here in the last few months. I’m really proud of you. So today, we’re going to start a new project. We’re going to write a letter…to a hero,” she says excitedly with a clap of her hands, drawing out the suspense and the room bursts into excited shouts.
“Quite down please,” she calls out and they do. “It’s called the Hero Pen Pal program. There are a bunch of heroes who have agreed to participate in this program. I’ll show you the list of who they are in a second. You can pick any hero and I want you to write them a letter. It can be about anything, okay? Then you’ll bring it to me and I’ll supply the envelope and stamp, as well as the address to their agency and then tomorrow, after everyone has finished their letters I’ll mail them out. It might take a few days but we should hopefully start getting replies back. Does everyone understand?” she asks.
“Yes, Unohana-sensei,” they shout.
“Alright, here is the list of the heroes participating in order of their current hero rank. I’ll call you all up a table at a time to look it over and you can tell me who you are writing a letter to,” she says. “Table one, come up calmly please, no running, and pick your hero. It’s okay if multiple people pick the same hero. They’ll love all your letters,” she adds.
Izuku fidgets in his seat, waiting for his table to be called before walking up quickly, feathers near vibrating with excitement at the idea of writing to a hero of his choice. He has to wait a second to get close to the list, others getting there first and then he starts scanning before one stands out. He’s knows that hero. They’re his favorite, even more than All Might, which is saying something because All Might is number one.
“Um…Unohana-sensei,” Izuku mumbles.
“Yes, Izuku-kun?” she asks.
“I wanna write to him,” he says, pointing.
“Alright, I’ll mark you down for him. Have fun and if you have any trouble with writing, don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she says with a gentle smile, quickly jotting the hero down next to his name on her list.
“Okay,” Izuku chirps and rushes back to his table. Unohana-sensei had already set out paper, pencils, crayons and even stickers to decorate their letters with and Izuku grabs a blank piece and a pencil to start writing.
~*~
Keigo’s bored!
He’s been sitting at his desk working on paperwork for so loooooong. Why did paperwork have to be so boring? He ignores Rumi’s snort at his bored sigh, sending a feather out to poke at her ear and makes her laugh.
There’s a knock on the door, breaking his concentration of messing with Rumi as he works on another report. “Come in,” he calls out, calling the feather back to his wing.
Amina, his personal assistant, opens the door with a smile. “Mail’s come in,” she explains, setting a small stack of letters on his desk.
“Thanks,” Keigo says with a smile and she nods before leaving to get back to whatever she was working on.
“Fan mail?” Rumi asks from her slouch on his couch.
“Hmm,” Keigo says, eagerly grabbing the stack of letters and puts his reports aside to start opening them. He loves getting fan mail…well, most of them. Some of them can be a little creepy. And any excuse to not do his reports is enough for him.
The first one is unfortunately one of the creepy ones and he tosses it in the trash without a care. The next bunch is from teen hero hopefuls asking to train under him because they have a perfect quirk for heroics, and doesn’t that bring back bad memories, or wanting to work for him. If they want to work, they should go through his hiring manager, not sending him letters. And he’s not really looking for any interns right now. He’s only had his agency for about six months. Let him get used to this before he starts seeking out interns and hero hopefuls. He’s got enough on his plate currently.
The last one is makes him pause. The return address is from a school, to an Unohana Kima, with his address written on it. In a corner of the envelope are the words, Hero Pen Pal Program and he grins brightly.
Sliding a talon under the flap, he cuts it open and pulls out a letter and blinks in surprise when a small dark green, almost black feather falls out with it. He opens the letter, there are two pages, and smiles softly at the shaky handwriting of someone who’s only just learned to write and begins to read.
Dear Hawks,
My name is Iza Izuku. I am six years old and I chose you for my letter. Unohana-sensei said to write about us and why we choosed chose you so…um, I like katsudon, and coloring and heroes and quirks. I don’t like tomatoes, they’re yucky. I had a mommy and daddy but they’re gone and I live at an orphanage now. I miss them a lot but I’m okay.
I chose you because you have wings and I have wings and I haven’t seen anyone else with wings like mine except you and I really like your wings. Red is my favorite color. I drawed drew a picture of me and my wings too, so you know what I look like. I put a feather in as well so you could have one. It hurt a bit to pull it but since I haven’t seen anyone with wings like mine except you I figured you might be lonely like me sometimes so I gave you a feather so you know you’re not alone. I hope you like it. You don’t have to keep it. I hope you’ll write back.
Izuku
Keigo pulls out the second page and sees the crude child’s drawing of what he assumes is the boy, Izuku. It shows a mass of green curly lines on his head and green dots for eyes and what he assumes are supposed to be his wings behind him.
Keigo picks up the feather. It’s a baby feather, more fluff than anything else. He obviously hasn’t had his first molt and gotten his grown up feathers in yet. “What’s got you smiling like that?” Rumi asks, coming around the desk and Keigo shows her the letter.
Rumi reads it slowly, a soft aww coming out at the words. “If you don’t write that kit back I will punch you out of your office,” she warns threateningly. “Such a cute little baby bird. He gave you a feather Kei, oh my god!” she slaps a hand on his shoulder. “I want to cuddle him that was so cute.”
“You are not kidnapping a child,” Keigo huffs, already pulling out a clean piece of paper. Thinking for a moment, he starts writing.
~*~
“Good morning, Unohana-sensei,” the class calls as their teacher comes in the door with a smile and a greeting.
“Good morning everyone. We’ve gotten a few replies in already. When I call your name, come up and I’ll give you your letter,” she says as she sets her things down and pulls out a small stack of letters.
Izuku hums with excitement, waiting, hoping Hawks wrote back and isn’t disappointed when Unohana-sensei calls out, “Izuku-kun,” and holds up an envelope.
Izuku rushes up, bouncing with excitement and takes the letter with a thank you before rushing back to his spot and slowly opens up the envelope. His eyes widen when he see a small red feather nestled inside along with a letter.
Izuku pulls it out and begins to read.
Hello Izuku,
Thank you so much for that awesome letter fledgling. I was so happy to hear from another bird like me. It can be a bit lonely sometimes so I’m glad to know you’re out there. Us birds got to stick together as a flock so welcome to the flock baby bird. I really like your feather too. It’s a really pretty green. I’ll keep it with me always.
I gave you one of mine back because it’s only fair you have one of mine too and it does hurt to pull them out doesn’t it. Definitely not fun. My feathers are special, though. Keep it on you and if you ever need me, no matter what it is, break it and I’ll come find you, okay fledgling? Even if it’s just you feeling really lonely and needing a hug, I’ll come.
As for me, well, my favorite food of all time is fried chicken. If I could, I’d eat it all the time. I don’t like tomatoes either, so we can definitely agree together that they are super yucky. I also like to fly. Maybe one day we can go flying fledgling. I’ll show you how if you don’t know how yet. I really don’t like boring paperwork but being a hero means doing both fun and boring things, so I’ll survive.
Also my friend wants me to say she says hi. She’s a hero like me and her name is the Rabbit Hero: Mirko. She says she hopes you have a wonderful day. If you would like, you can keep writing to me, baby bird. I’ll always be happy to get a letter from you.
Hawks
Izuku nearly bursts with happiness at the letter and stares down at the red feather on his table. Grinning brightly, he jumps up to Unohana-sensei to ask if he can keep writing back to Hawks since the hero said he could, feather clutched tightly in his hand.
~*~
Hawks
Hi, I had a good day again. Unohana-sensei even let me pick from the treasure chest for being so good and I got bunch of hero stickers and there was even one of you. I don’t know what I want to put them on yet.
My wings have been really itchy lately and I lost a few feathers last night. Do you know what that means? I don’t wanna lose my feathers. I can’t fly then.
I saw your fight yesterday with that villain. You were so cool. I hope you didn’t get hurt. If you did, I hope you get better soon.
Izuku
~*~
Fledgling
If your wings are itchy and you’re losing feathers, it means you’re about to go through your first molt. They suck but you will get your feathers back. Your baby feathers are coming out and your adult ones are coming in. Like our teeth. It won’t be very comfortable but a necessary part of being us bird people.
I had a molt a few months ago and it was so uncomfortable. If it gets bad, a nice warm shower or bath can help. If it gets really itchy, you can scratch but do it carefully you don’t hurt any new feathers that might be coming in.
I didn’t get hurt thankfully though it was really close. Thankfully I had some help from my sidekicks so it wasn’t as hard as it could be. Thank you for looking out for me baby bird. I’m glad you’re keeping an eye on me.
Keep me updated on your wings and feathers, okay? Wing care is important.
Hawks
~*~
“What is he so excited about?” Nishiya, Kamui Woods, asks from his spot in Hawks office. He’d been requested on a team up for a mission. Rumi is sat on the couch in a lazy sprawl, reading over the file of information on the case. Keigo is off at his desk, grinning as he writes excitedly.
“Hmm, oh, he’s got himself a chick,” Rumi says with a shrug.
“A what?” Nishiya asks.
“A chick, a baby bird, an eyas, a fledgling,” Rumi starts listing off with a grin.
“When did Hawks get a kid?” Nishiya asks in shock.
“Oh, they’re not his. He’s pseudo adopted them. They’re pen pals,” Rumi explains.
“Oh, that,” Nishiya says with a sigh of relief. “I’m surprised he’d keep writing.”
“Us bird folk stick together,” Keigo calls out, gold eyes glancing up at them. “Besides, he gave me a feather. I can’t not write him now.” He goes back to writing a reply.
~*~
Keigo
We went to a big park today for a field trip and walked on the trails there. It was so pretty and fun. I saw a bunch of birds in the trees. I wanted to say hi to them but they flew away. One even had blue feathers! I didn’t see any with green or red feathers but that’s okay. They were still so pretty. I even picked some flowers. I put one in the letter. It’s red like your wings.
Guess what, big bird? My birthday is in three days! I’ll be seven. Sensei said she’ll give me a special treat since it will be my birthday. I can’t wait. When is your birthday? I bet you get lots of presents on your birthday and eat sooo much fried chicken.
Have a good day, big bird.
Izuku
~*~
It’s nearly the end of the day, the last hour before he has to go back to the orphanage when Unohana-sensei stands up. “Alright class, I know we’re almost done for the day, but there is still one thing left to do today,” Unohana says with a smile. “We have a couple of guests coming in for a short visit. Please be on your best behavior, okay,” she says and the class agrees.
She walks to the door and opens it, sticking her head out. “You can come in now.”
The door opens further and the class goes quiet as two heroes come walking in. Izuku’s eyes are wide in shock, recognizing both of them. “Hello everyone,” Hawks greets with a big grin. “A little birdy informed me that today was a certain someone’s birthday and I’ve come to visit and wish him a happy birthday,” he explains.
Whispers break out, eyes looking around, trying to figure out whose birthday it is as Hawks keeps walking further into the room and comes to stand beside Izuku as the boy looks up at him. “Hey, fledgling. I hear you’re seven now,” Hawks says, crouching next to Izuku.
“Big bird,” Izuku squeaks out and then lunges at the hero to hug him.
“Happy birthday, baby bird,” Hawks says with a grin as the class breaks out into excited whispers.
“We brought cupcakes for everyone,” Mirko adds holding up the box in her hands. The class cheers as Unohana-sensei helps the second hero set the box on her desk and starts to distribute the treats. “Don’t eat them just yet,” she adds and a few kids giggle, setting their treats down.
Mirko brings the biggest cupcake and sets it in front of Izuku, pulling out a candle shaped like a seven and sticks it in the cupcake, lighting it. “Alright kit, you’ve got a wish to make and then we need to sing you happy birthday.”
Pulling back from Hawks loose hug, he nods with a big teary grin and frowns before bending forward and blows out the candle to cheers as the class breaks out into the birthday song, Hawks and Mirko joining in.
“Let’s eat,” Mirko says with a laugh, taking one of the two she had grabbed for her and Hawks and proceeds to smash it into the winged hero’s face.
Izuku and the class gasps before laughing, Izuku giggling at the look Hawks sends Mirko. He pulls the cupcake off his face, taking the proffered napkin from Unohana-sensei and wipes the frosting off before taking a bite, looking down at Izuku and winks.
Reaching for his cupcake, Izuku takes a bite and hums in enjoyment. They rest of the class is spent with the other students firing questions at the two heroes as they sit with them, Izuku tucked into Hawks side. Finally, the bell rings and they reluctantly get up to grab their things before leaving.
The two heroes, Izuku and Unohana-sensei stay back as the other kids leave with excited chatter. ‘Well birthday boy, was that a good present?” Hawks asks, looking down at Izuku.
“It was the best,” Izuku cries, jumping up to hug the seated hero again, small arms tight around his neck as Hawks hugs back as well. “Thank you,” Izuku whispers.
“My pleasure, baby bird. What did you wish for?” Hawks asks as Izuku pulls back.
“Um…well, to go flying with you one day,” Izuku whispers, fidgeting with his fingers as he looks down.
Hawks grins, “I think that wish can be arranged,” he says and Izuku looks up with bright green eyes. “Grab your things, fledgling. It’s time for your first flying lesson,” Hawks says excitedly and helps Izuku stand as the boy goes rushing to his cubby to grab his things. Mirko laughs at their eagerness.
~*~
They end up in a secluded park, Rumi watching over their stuff as Hawks stands in front of Izuku. “Alright, fledgling. Flying 101,” Keigo declares and Izuku giggles, bouncing on his feet in excitement. “First rule: no flying without adult supervision, okay?” Keigo asks.
“Okay,” Izuku nods.
“Good. Rule number two: no flying too high until you get stronger, okay? If you fall, you can really hurt yourself, so we’ll keep low until then,” Keigo says.
“Okay, big bird,” Izuku nods.
“Good, now, spread them wings for me, baby bird. Let’s see what we’re working with,” Keigo orders and Izuku giggles, small wings unfurling from his back. They’re darker than his baby feathers had been, black with an iridescent sheen to them where the light hits them, turning the black to green.
“Oh, those are pretty, kit,” Rumi calls out and Izuku giggles again.
Keigo walks around the boy like an officer inspecting his troops and reaches out, running a finger through a patch of feathers before bending and tickling his sides, making the boy burst out laughing, wiggling to get away from clawing fingers.
Laughing, Keigo stands back in front of him, “Alright, baby bird. Follow my example. I’ll show you how you should flap your wings. Watch closely,” Keigo tells him and Izuku does with his eyes focused as Keigo unfurls his own large wingspan and begins to demonstrate how to create lift with his wings, kicking up a bit of wind with each beat until he’s hovering a few feet off the ground. “See,” Keigo says before landing with a thump. “I’ll hold your hands and I want you to try that. Try to flap them at a steady pace. Not too slow, not too fast. We’ll work on more advanced stuff later but for now, we just need to get airborne,” Keigo instructs.
Nodding, Izuku holds his hands and begins to flap his wings, a little frown of concentration on his face as he beats his wings steadily. Slowly, inch by inch, the boy rises, held by Keigo as his wings beat a little unsteadily be getting the hang of it quickly. “I’m flying,” Izuku cries out excitedly.
His excited shout disrupts his flapping slightly and he drops suddenly, Keigo easily catching him as the boy giggles. “Did you see that big bird?” Izuku asks excitedly.
“I most certainly did. Good job, chick. You’ll be soaring in no time. Wanna try again?” Keigo asks and Izuku nods, letting the hero set him down before they try again. It takes less time for him to get the rhythm right and he flies up a few feet before Keigo lets his hands go and the boy is flying a little higher, though he remembers Keigo’s rule and doesn’t go up too high.
Keigo follows with a grin and a lazy flap of his wings, “Look at you baby bird, flying like a proper bird.”
Izuku giggles but his wings are slowing, no doubt tired from so much exertion and Keigo easily scoops him up with a laugh. He lands near Rumi who laughs at their flushed and excited faces. “Hey Rumi, we’ll meet you at the restaurant okay? I’ve got a wish to make true here,” he says and Rumi nods.
“See you there you two. Have fun kit,” she says as Keigo bends slightly at the knee, making sure he has a secure grip on Izuku and rockets into the air, Izuku screaming in excitement as they go higher and higher, the ground becoming so small. He can’t even see Rumi any more.
“Ready baby bird?” Keigo asks, looking towards the child who has his arms wrapped tight around Keigo’s neck, little wings shifting and tilting, catching the wind, instincts helping him understand what he doesn’t know yet.
“Yeah,” Izuku nods with a grin. Grinning back, Keigo tilts to the side and they go into a shallow dive and Izuku screams in his ear excitedly as they fly through the air, Keigo slowly making their way towards the area where they plan to grab some food with him before taking him back to his orphanage. Izuku hugs him tighter and over the wind, Keigo hears, “Thank you, big bird.”
~*~
It’s a month later that Keigo finds himself in the Musutafu area after getting out of a meeting with the Commission. It’s still pretty early in the day, just after lunch and he decides he has enough time to make a pit stop before he has to head back to his agency in Fukuoka. So, flying through the sky, he hangs a hard right and aims for a place he’s only been once before.
He’s not in uniform, thank fuck or he’d have already attracted fan attention, when he lands and aims for the front door of the Yamani Orphanage. It’s an average size orphanage. It’s in need of some repair but overall, it doesn’t look too bad, though Keigo still eyes it up as he waits for someone to come to the door.
The red haired woman at the door blinks in surprise, no doubt remembering him dropping Izuku off on his birthday. She probably assumed he only did it for the publicity and wouldn’t be back. “Hello, Shimura-san. I was wondering if I could visit Izuku for a bit, since I was in the area,” Keigo says, trying to be polite.
“I, um…of course, come in,” she gestures as she opens the door wider for him and Keigo tucks his wings in tight to his back. He also doesn’t miss the annoyed and disgusted look she sends him and his wings but he’s grown used to it. It’s amazing how many people are against mutant type quirks.
She walks off down a narrow hall and a few minutes later, Keigo hears the running of small feet and Izuku comes rushing down the hall, expression excited as he runs at Keigo and jumps at him, Keigo picking him up easily. “Big bird,” Izuku cries out excitedly.
“Hey baby bird. I’ve got the afternoon off and I was in the area, so I thought we could go flying again,” Keigo says easily.
Izuku frowns, looking down. “I…I can’t,” he whispers. “Shimura-san says I’m not allowed to fly.” Keigo frowns at the way Izuku hunches in on himself, tucking his wings in tight and Keigo looks them over, freezing as he notices what seems off about them.
“Baby bird, let me see your wing, please,” Keigo asks and Izuku flinches slightly, tucking in closer as he slowly opens one wing, giving Keigo a clear view of the sheared off flight feathers, their ends jagged by whatever tool was used to cut them. “Izuku, who cut your feathers?” he asks softly.
“Shimura-san,” he whispers. “She said I can’t fly anymore and cut them,” he admits sadly.
“She did, huh,” Keigo says softly, blood boiling at the audacity of the woman. “Well, we can still go flying, don’t worry. They’ll grow back in, I can promise that. Can you wait here while I speak with your guardian?” he asks and Izuku nods, letting Keigo set him down as Keigo heads for the direction he can hear the woman’s voice coming from.
He steps into the orphanage’s kitchen and Shimura looks up in surprise as he enters. “I have a question for you, Shimura-san,” Keigo says evenly, golden eyes sharp as he looks at her.
“Yes, Hawks-san,” Shimura says back with a frown.
“Why did you cut his feathers?” he asks evenly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she says back, turning back to whatever she is cooking on the stove.
“His feathers, his flight feathers. He says you cut them off. Do you understand how traumatizing that can be to a young avian? He needs them to fly. You’ve grounded him,” Keigo hisses back.
“I simply took a problem and found a solution. I don’t have the time to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t hurt himself by trying to fly. So I cut them. I have neither harmed nor severely impaired his wings. They will grow back as I’m sure you’re aware. When he’s older and more mature, he will be allowed to keep them grown out. I don’t know why you’re so worked up. He’s not your child. He’s just a child you’ve taken a mild interest in and eventually, you’ll drop him like all heroes do with those that they interact with for publicity,” Shimura says, glancing back at the hero. “The fact of the matter is, Hawks, you have no say in how I raise him as his guardian. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to continue getting dinner ready for all of the children in my care,” she finishes and dismisses him as she turns back to the food she’s cooking.
Frowning, Keigo huffs and turns away, heading back to where he left Izuku. “Big bird?” Izuku asks quietly.
“It’s okay, baby bird. Come on, let’s go flying,” Keigo says and Izuku nods, letting the hero pick him up and walks out of the orphanage without a backward glance.
~*~
“She cut his flight feathers…his flight feathers!” Keigo huffs out angrily where he’s pacing a path in his office. Rumi, on her day off, is settled on the couch watching him pace. “He was so happy to learn how to fly and she took that away from him.”
“I know what you mean Kei, but she’s also right,” Rumi says evenly.
“What do you mean she’s right?” he demands, turning towards her sharply, golden eyes blazing.
“Hey, I’m on your side, but legally, you have no say in how she raises him. Unfortunately, cutting his feathers is not considered abuse or neglect. In fact, there are some who would consider it good parenting, keeping their child from flying until they’re older and more mature to start flying,” she says, running a hand through her hair. “I love the baby bird as much as you do, but you’re getting awfully worked up over a kid that isn’t yours,” she adds with a raised brow.
Keigo huffs, looking away, wings shuffling a little. “No,” Rumi says with a big grin spreading across her face. “You’re not?”
“I’m thinking about it,” Keigo admits sheepishly.
“Oh my god, Kei, why didn’t you tell me!” Rumi screams out, jumping over the couch to launch herself at him to tackle hug him, the blonde grunting at the impact. “You’re going to make it official?”
“It’s still a maybe,” Keigo huffs out but she can see how thin that excuse is.
“Okay, a maybe, but here’s a question for you,” Rumi says, becoming suddenly serious. “Will the Commission let you?” she asks softly and she sees the way he stills and tenses. “I don’t think a child is in the plans for Hawks,” she reminds him.
“I’m working on it,” Keigo mutters, running a hand through his feathery blonde hair with a sigh. “It’s…it’s a maybe,” Keigo says again and she nods, getting what he’s trying to say.
“Okay, it’s a maybe. I hope it becomes a yes though,” she adds with a small smile, hugging him tight and Keigo laughs, leaning into the hold.
~*~
Izuku’s sleeping in his room soundly when the door bangs open suddenly, startling him into awake with a yelp and he looks up to see Shimura-san standing in the doorway. Get up,” she barks out harshly, stalking in.
“What?” Izuku asks, rubbing at his eyes.
“Get up, brat,” she snaps and reaches out to grab his arm harshly, making him whine as she yanks him out of the bed.
“What’s going on?” Izuku asks as she forces him out of his room.
“Shut up and keep your mouth closed,” she orders and Izuku feels tears well up, heart beating quickly in fear as she drags him down the stairs and into the hall.
He stares in shock at the two men standing in the main entry area. “Here he is,” Shimura huffs out and tosses him forward and holds out her hand.
“Always a pleasure, Shimura-san,” one says, handing over an envelope. He has strange horns sticking out of his black hair. “Shin, tie him up. Can’t have the little birdy getting away or alerting someone,” he adds to his partner.
The second man, purple skin and white hair with weirdly green eyes, nods, pulling out a bundle of thin rope. “Hold still brat,” he huffs out and Izuku pulls away, trying to run but a slap to his cheek sends him stumbling to the ground with a yelp. Rough hands grab his arms and pull them together, rope tying around them before wrapping around his shoulders and wings, keeping them pinned to his back. Izuku sobs aloud before a cloth is tied around his face and muffles him.
“We’ll just let ourselves out,” the first says as Shin picks Izuku up easily and carries him out even as Izuku kicks his legs, trying to get away.
“None of that, little bird or you won’t like your punishment,” Shim murmurs and Izuku still, shivering in fear. “Good birdy.”
They carry him out of the building and down the walkway towards an idling car. The first man opens the trunk and steps back so Shin can set Izuku down in the cleared space. “Don’t worry little bird. You won’t be in here long,” he says with a grin and shuts the trunk with a slam, leaving Izuku alone in the darkness.
He hears the car make a noise and then he feels them move as they drive away from the orphanage. Crying quietly, Izuku fumbles blindly for his shirt, feeling the thin spin of the feather Keigo had given him in their first letters. Sniffling, Izuku clinches his fingers and the feather snaps.
~*~
Keigo sighs softly, listening to Tsukauchi go over the information they’ve gathered on a rather large drug trafficking ring they’ve been planning to shut down for months now. They recently got a tip that a new shipment would be arriving at the gang’s warehouse in the coming weeks and they planned to strike then when most of the major players are there to inspect their wares.
He’s restless though, mind wandering. He keeps going back to Izuku and his conversation with Rumi. He’s been considering adopting Izuku for a while now, but she’s right about the Commission more than likely being against him adopting the child. Hawks’ cocky and arrogant persona doesn’t include a doting father and he’s reluctant to bring the boy’s existence into their line of sight. He won’t let them get their hands on the boy, even if that means he has to keep his distance from the little bird.
“Hawks, are you paying attention?” Eraserhead snaps at him as all eyes turn to look at him.
“I…sorry, my mind wandered,” he mutters, running a hand through his hair and nods for Tsukauchi to continue.
“Everything okay?” Rumi asks softly, resting a hand on his arm.
“Yeah, just thoughts,” he mutters, focusing back on the presentation.
A few minutes later, he feels it like shock to his system, the snapping of a feather and he jerks forward as the eyes of the other pros turn to him as he sits forward. “Kei?” Rumi asks in surprise.
“I felt a feather snap,” Keigo says, heartbeat picking up.
“What?” Rumi asks.
“I felt his feather snap,” Keigo says quickly.
“What is going on? Where are you going?” Tsukauchi asks in annoyance at being interrupted again.
“Someone I gave a feather to just snapped it. I need to go,” Keigo snaps, grabbing his visor and headphones off the table and puts them on, sensing out for that connection, feeling the direction the feather is. Is it’s moving?
“I’m going with you,” Rumi informs him.
“Fine,” he huffs out, walking away towards the doors out of the conference room, ignoring the murmurs behind him as they rush out of the police station. “Grab hold, Rumi,” Keigo orders and she does, gripping tightly as he launches into the air.
He hovers for a moment, orienting himself, feeling the feathers tug and banks left, wings flapping hard. Even with his passenger, he picks up speed easily, the lights of the nighttime city passing in blurs below. “Tsukauchi’s coming behind us. He’s tracking our signal,” Rumi yells over the wind and he nods, banking hard around a skyscraper as he searches for the feather’s tug.
It’s definitely moving, fairly quickly, he’d guess a car by the speed. He can feel the gap getting smaller, the thread thickening and he’s starting to pick up sounds as the distance lessens. He can hear muffled crying and he grits his teeth, pushing himself harder, faster.
They come over a range of apartments and he can see in the distance a few cars driving on a stretch of mostly deserted road. They’re aiming for the edge of the city, no doubt leaving it all together. “How close?” Rumi asks aloud again.
“Close,” Keigo says loudly, eyes flicking over the cars, trying to figure out which one was the right car.
Wings flapping harder, he dives down gradually, listening harder to each car, picking up sounds, conversations and…there, he hears a muffles sob, the rustle of feathers, and a conversation about payment. “There,” he points to the black four-door driving away from them. “That one.”
Rumi nods, leaning forward to catch his eye. “Drop me on them,” she orders with a wicked grin.
“Just be careful, he’s in the car somewhere,” Keigo says back and she nods. They’re both in their costumes and it’s not hard to maneuver himself to fly just over the car.
“Bombs away, birdbrain,” Rumi cries out and he lets her drop.
She lands on the top with a heavy thump and the car swerves as the breaks squeal, the car coming to a sudden stop in the middle of the road. Rumi doesn’t waste a moment, heel coming down on the driver side window, smashing the glass and she reaches in, dragging a dark haired man out, tossing him to the road.
Keigo lands heavily in front of the stopped car, wings flaring as he sends feathers into the car, snagging the passenger and pulling him out through the driver’s side window and lifting him up into the air. He sidesteps the strange bubble the purple skinned man throws at him, the bubble popping behind him and spattering strange sizzling goo everywhere. Thankfully none lands on him.
He sends him higher, making the man cry out in fright as Keigo rushes towards the car, looking inside but he doesn’t see Izuku anywhere. Reaching down, he pulls the trunk lever and rushes to the back. Pulling the lid up he sees Izuku in there, trussed up and crying, sobs muffled by a gag.
“It’s okay, I’m here. I’m here,” Keigo whispers gently, pulling the child from the trunk as he sobs harder. Reaching up, he gently tugs the gag free.
“Keigo!” Izuku sobs and Keigo shushes him softly, rubbing his back.
“It’s okay, I’m here, baby bird,” he whispers, pulling a hardened feather free and slowly cuts through the rope until it breaks and he unwinds it from around Izuku, the boy wrapping his arms around Keigo’s neck as he sobs, wings trembling.
Sirens sound in the distance and a few minutes later, two police cars pull up. Tsukauchi steps out of the first car, Sansa following from the second car. Eraserhead comes behind them with Kamui bringing up the rear.
“What happened?” Tsukauchi demands as they come closer, taking in the crying child held in Keigo’s arms and the two thugs being watched over by Rumi.
“They took Izuku. I found him bound in the trunk,” Keigo says, holding up the rope they had bound him in and the snapped feather hanging around Izuku’s neck. “Shh, nestling, you’re safe, I promise you’re safe,” Keigo says softly, still rubbing Izuku’s back as he cries softly.
“We’ll take them in for questioning,” Tsukauchi says with a nod, he and Sansa stepping forward to put quirk suppressant cuffs on the two before taking them towards the police car.
“We’ll meet you at the station,” Keigo says and Tsukauchi nods.
“We’ll handle the investigation,” Eraserhead tells him, Kamui nodding with him.
“Thanks,” Keigo whispers. “Come on, baby bird, it’s okay. We’re going to go to the police station, okay?” Izuku nods mutely against his shoulder. Sighing, Keigo launches himself into the air, Izuku held tight to his chest as they fly towards the station.
~*~
Izuku is an exhausted lump on his chest, zonked out after the events of the night. Keigo hasn’t put him down since he pulled the boy from the trunk. His heart is still beating heavily at the thought of losing this boy, his nestling.
He looks up as Rumi comes out of the observation room, eyes hard and expression grim. “Did they say anything?” Keigo asks softly, keeping his voice low to keep from waking Izuku.
She nods, “Apparently they’re just middle men. Paid to pick him up and drop him off at a predetermined location. They were told where to go to get him and that the head of the orphanage was expecting them and her payment. She sold him,” Rumi says, seething with rage.
“What?” Keigo asks softly, tensing.
“Tsukauchi’s looking into it. There’s been a few reported ‘runaways’ from there already. More than likely, Izuku isn’t the first one she’s sold to child traffickers. He’s already working on getting the warrants for her arrest and to search the orphanage. By the time the sun comes up, she’ll be behind bars,” Rumi reassures him. “He also said he’ll get the emergency foster paperwork for you to fill out,” she adds.
“I…,” he doesn’t know how to finish his thought.
“Don’t even try to deny it, Kei. You haven’t put him down since you got him and you hissed at the medic that tried to check him over without asking,” Rumi reminds him and Keigo flushes a little at the reminder.
“Fuck,” he huffs out but can’t keep the smile from creping over his face as Izuku snuggles in closer, wrapped up in his coat. “I don’t have anything to take care of a chick,” he mutters.
“We’ll go shopping in the morning,” Rumi waves off. “I think right now, he just needs you to not leave.”
“Yeah,” Keigo nods, running a hand over Izuku’s curls. “I almost lost him,” he whispers. “If I hadn’t given him one of my feathers…,” he trails off.
“Stop it Kei. You’ll drive yourself up a wall thinking on all the ‘what ifs’. You did give him a feather and you got him back. That’s the important part,” she reminds him.
Keigo nods, “Thanks, Rumi. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably work yourself to death,” Rumi mutters as Tsukauchi comes out of the interrogation room. The two follow behind in cuffs, led by two other officers towards the holding cells. They’ll be carted off to prison come morning.
A few minutes later, the man comes back with a few papers and a pen. Keigo quickly scans over them before initialing, signing and putting his ID number where indicated. Rumi adds her signature to authenticate it and then they’re free to go with Tsukauchi asking him to bring Izuku back in later so they can interview him about what happened.
A car is waiting for them to take them to their hotel. They’d planned to stay the night for the meeting and then head back in the morning. Izuku barely stirs as he buckles him into the car, tucked into Keigo’s side and they soon find themselves at their hotel and taking the elevator up. Keigo’s thankful it’s nighttime and there isn’t any press to see them take Izuku inside.
“We’ll grab breakfast in the morning, take him to get interviewed and then catch a train back to Fukuoka,” Rumi says and Keigo nods tiredly. It sounds like a good plan.
“Do you think we should stop by the orphanage and grab his things?” Keigo asks as the elevator slows to a stop on their floor.
“We’ll ask Tsukauchi when we go back. I doubt they’ll have any reason to keep Izuku’s things,” Rumi says and he nods, walking towards his room, pulling out his room key.
“Night,” he murmurs, juggling Izuku in his arms to open the door and step inside. Rumi waves back as she enters her room across the hall and then it’s just him and Izuku. Sighing, he settles Izuku in his arms, using feathers to flick on the lights as he toes off his boots and walks barefoot into the room.
Laying Izuku on the bed, Keigo changes quickly into a pair of pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt before picking him back up. Pulling down the blankets on the queen sized bed, he tucks him in, unwinding his coat from around the boy before tossing it aside and pulls the blankets over the child.
Settling in on the other side of the bed, he pulls out his phone, checking his messages, noting emails and notifications. He types off a quick email to Amina about what’s happened and if she and some of the others can get his guest room set up for the habitation of a seven year old, adding that he’s not sure what time he’ll be back but that it will probably be sometime in the late afternoon, early evening range.
Email sent he plugs the device in to charge and settles down to sleep, tugging Izuku closer, the boy snuggling into his side with a sigh and Keigo huffs before letting sleep drag him down.
~*~
The morning comes sooner than Keigo wants, waking to the chirp of his phone announcing an email followed by the steady buzzing of a call coming in. He’s thankful he turned the ringer off last night as he feels the small ball of heat next to him stir slightly before stilling as he fumbles blindly for the phone and answers without even checking who it is.
“Hello,” Keigo mutters gruffly, blinking sleepily up at the ceiling as he runs a hand over his face.
“Morning birdbrain,” Rumi says over the line.
“Ru,” Keigo huffs, slumping back on his pillow before glancing down to see Izuku is curled against his side, small wings lax in sleep as his hands clutch at his shirt.
“I figured you wanted to make a bit of an early start to get everything done quickly so I’m your wake up service,” she chirps and he can hear the grin on her face.
“Ugh,” he groans. Even after years of waking early, he still hates it.
“Yeah, yeah lazy bones. Get up. Tsukauchi called me half an hour ago to say Shimura was taken in and they’ve got someone watching over the rest of her children while they investigate. He’s going to be in his office most of the morning going over what evidence they have so we can just head over once we’re all more awake. I also stopped by a small shop and grabbed a change of clothes for the kit since he’s only got his pajamas right now,” Rumi adds.
“You’re a life saver,” Keigo huffs out.
“I know. All I demand is to be named auntie and I will be appeased,” Rumi says and he laughs softly, reaching down to run his fingers through Izuku’s messy curls.
“I think you already are,” he admits. “I’ll come get the clothes and then we’ll be ready in about half an hour,” he says.
“I’ll hang them on your door handle and meet you down at the restaurant to grab breakfast,” Rumi says.
“Actually, can you bring something up? I don’t want the press getting word of Izuku just yet and I know someone is going to take a picture if we go down there with him,” Keigo asks.
“Sure thing feathers. I’ll bring a bit of everything for all of us,” Rumi agrees easily.
“Thanks, see you soon,” Keigo says and she confirms before the line cuts out.
Groaning, Keigo pushes himself up, slowly untangling from Izuku, the boy whining softly at being disturbed. He hears Rumi stop by his door, the rustling of a plastic bag announcing the arrival of some clothes for Izuku and then she keeps going and he faintly hears the ding from the elevator.
Standing with a huff, he meanders over to the door and opens it a crack to grab the bag and tug it back in. Pulling out what Rumi grabbed he groans internally at the Hawks merch she bought: a red t-shirt with HAWKS written in gold letters with a few gold feather silhouettes, a red hoodie with wings attached, and a pair of tan shorts in a similar style to his hero costume. There’s a pack of underwear and socks inside as well since they don’t have any for him to change into and a pair of red sneakers.
Snorting, he takes the items and sets them on the counter in the bathroom before walking over to Izuku’s side of the bed and sitting on the edge. Taking a feather, he starts running it over Izuku’s cheek, ear, and nose, making the boy frown in his sleep as he sleepy swats at it.
“Time to wake up baby bird,” Keigo says softly, tickling his neck and Izuku giggles as he wakes up more, wiggling to get away from the feather.
“Keigo?” Izuku asks after yawning widely, rubbing at his eyes.
“Yep, baby bird. We need to get up and ready. We got some clothes for you to change into so, first, you need to take a shower,” Keigo says.
“Okay,” Izuku says with a smile, slowly crawling over the bed to jump down and Keigo walks him to the bathroom, setting the toiletries down where he can reach.
“Let me know when you’re done and I’ll help you dry your wings. Rumi is bringing up breakfast as well,” he adds and Izuku nods before Keigo steps out and hears the shower stop, a small yelp sounding out as the water starts out cold before warming up.
Twenty minutes later, someone knocks on the door, Rumi calling, “I come bearing food.” Keigo, in the middle of helping Izuku dry his wings, sends a feather to push down the handle and Rumi opens it the rest of the way with a hip as she backs in carrying a tray pilled with three plates and their drinks. She turns with a grin, “Breakfast is served,” she cheers and Izuku giggles.
Wings dry enough, Keigo lets Izuku jump down and clamber onto the desk chair to sit. Rumi sets a plate of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon and two slices of toast in front of him. A small lidded cup of orange juice is set next to him. She sticks a straw in the cup for him and sets his utensils down next to the plate.
Keigo accepts his cup of coffee and plate of a similar breakfast with a hum of appreciation. Taking a sip of the drink, he sighs. Rumi knows just how he likes his coffee. Izuku is a little quiet as they eat, but he still asks a few questions about what they plan to do that day.
“Well kit, first we have to go back to the police station. The nice detective from last night wants to talk with you about what happened. Kei will be with you while you tell your side of things. Then, we’re going to the orphanage to pick up your things and after that, we’re taking a train back to Fukuoka,” Rumi lists off.
“I’m going with you?” Izuku asks in shock, looking at Keigo.
“You are baby bird. I took temporary guardianship of you while they investigate the orphanage and Shimura-san for what she did. After that, well…that’s up to you fledgling,” Keigo admits.
“What?” Izuku asks in confusion.
“It means if you want to go back to the orphanage, you can, or we can find a foster home for you…or you can stay with me,” Keigo adds softly.
“I can stay with you?” Izuku asks with wide eyes.
“Only if you want to,” Keigo reassures him with a smile.
Keigo has to hold up his plate and coffee cup to keep them from spilling as Izuku launches himself at Keigo, wrapping his arms around the hero’s neck. “Yes, yes, yes, yes!” Izuku says excitedly. “I wanna stay with you, big bird.”
“Okay then,” Keigo murmurs, using feathers to hold his coffee and plate as he wraps the boy in a hug back. “Okay, then, you’re staying with me,” Keigo says with a small grin and Izuku giggles.
~*~
The two heroes handle the crowds easily as they work their way deeper into the train station, looking for their train platform, still having a few minutes before it arrived. They’d gone to the police station to get Izuku’s statement recorded by Tsukauchi. The detective had smiled at his request to make the fostering permanent and had agreed to email the paperwork to him before they left for their next stop.
Their stop by the orphanage was quick, getting a bag to stuff Izuku’s few clothes, what toys he had, a few hero merch, mostly what Keigo had sent him over their year of correspondence, and then they’d left, nodding to the detectives on duty there. They stop briefly to eat lunch and then head out to the station.
Now, they’re on their way back to Fukuoka. The train arrives on time and they climb on, following the line of passengers embarking, easily finding their seats, Izuku bouncing excitedly as they settle their things in the above compartments.
It’s a long trip, even by bullet train with stops along the way. They’re looking at a five hour trip and Keigo lets himself relax as Izuku plays on his phone, a few hastily downloaded games keeping the baby bird entertained most of the trip before a nap attack hits him and he and Keigo cuddle up and sleep. He ignores the snort from Rumi and the subtle shutter sound from her phone, no doubts snapping pictures of the two cuddling.
As they emerge from the station into the late afternoon sunlight of Fukuoka, Keigo feels the last bit of tension in his shoulders relax. “Well baby bird, welcome to Fukuoka,” Keigo says and Izuku giggles.
“I’ll leave you two to get settled in. I need to stop by my own agency before heading home. See you tomorrow kit. Welcome home,” Rumi says, leaning in to give the seven year old a hug which he gives back eagerly.
“Bye, Rumi,” Izuku says softly.
Rumi leans into Keigo’s side. “If you need help with the Commission, let me know and I know one person who’d be willing to back you up. He’s always been a thorn in their side,” she huffs out with a knowing look.
“Thanks, Ru. I’ll message him later if they start causing a problem,” Keigo promises and Rumi nods, salutes and waves down a taxi to take her to her agency.
“Let’s go baby bird,” Keigo says, wings unfurling and they take to the air, Izuku giggling excitedly as they fly. Keigo lands on the balcony of his penthouse apartment and opens the door. “Welcome home, baby bird.” Izuku grins up at him.
End.