#and it wouldn't be like that if he joined hawke in all outcomes! i wouldn't value it this much!

[kaltacore]

unconditional devotion is fun and all but i love when you have to work on your relationships with characters in rpgs. it's so much fun when they openly question mc's decisions if they are not aligned with their morals. when they object and start an argument and must be convinced to do something. when they don't join mc in the final fight if you don't trust each other enough.

the payoff hits so much harder this way. if you're a dick to them they will not put you above their principles and stances because why would they? but if you helped them if you proved yourself to be trustworthy if you were good to them they will stand beside you even if they're conflicted and have to sacrifice something for that. and it's so cathartic when you know they could leave but at the end of the day they didn't! because them and your character are besties! friendship and love are hard to earn but you did it and now it helped you win!

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

Okay I thought I was done but apparently I'm not. I need to talk more about this banter you can get during the Legacy DLC between Aveline and Warden Carver because it makes me want to scream.

Aveline: I'm glad you found a place with the Wardens. Carver: Well, it's not the city guard, but it'll do. Aveline: Carver... it wasn't the place for you. Carver: No, it's all right. It is. It cost a lot, but I get it. I really was a bit of a tit those days, wasn't I? Aveline: Well...

In my last post, I talked about how Aveline had no place telling the guard to refuse Carver's application, regardless of if he was "right" for the job or not. But I believe he would've made a great guard, and getting that job not only would've provided for him and his family during a desperate time, but would've prevented him from either fate of becoming a warden or a templar. He was unfairly robbed of a chance to prove himself because Aveline believed he wasn't right for the guard.

This is one of the banters I brought up but didn't go too in depth about. At this point, it's been between 3-6 years since Act 1, depending on if you decided to do Legacy in Act 2 or Act 3, and every line here is important.

Carver's response to Aveline saying she's glad he "found a place" with the wardens is so telling. Not being accepted by the guard is still on his mind after all this time. He wouldn't bring it up if it didn't still bother him, and implies that he still would've preferred the guard over the wardens.

Which... yeah. Listen, I'm a dedicated "Carver joins the Grey Warden" player. I don't like leaving him behind to become a templar, and I certainly don't like him dying. For me, the Grey Wardens are the best outcome he has. It’s where he seems the happiest and finds the most fulfilment, and it fits well with how I play my Hawke. But it obviously has some tragic issues.

Like the fact that becoming a Grey Warden only delayed his inevitable death within the Deep Roads. Eventually his Calling will come, and Carver will go back down there and fight until the darkspawn eventually kill him. I'm sure that's not traumatic to think about given he was a soldier at Ostagar and then watched Bethany die at the hands of an ogre. Oh, and there's the whole nightmares and voices thing.

Carver didn't choose this life for himself. It was either this or death, but a "what if?" still lingers in his mind about the city guard.

Something Aveline ruined for him.

And continues to ruin.

Aveline: Carver... it wasn't the place for you.

You hear that? In the distance? That's me screaming.

I must reiterate; what makes Aveline believe it's her place to tell Carver whether or not the city guard was right for him? Why did she think she should get a say in whether or not the guard takes him? What's made it HER call?

And still, after all this time has passed, she believes it wasn't right for him and she's unwilling to consider otherwise. Maker forbid she do some reflection and question if she was in the right for interfering at all, too!

Carver is standing right there before her, proving everything she said about him wrong, and she just doubles down. There's no reason to say this to him unless she's trying to remind him of his place; he's a Grey Warden, and she's Guard-Captain of Kirkwall's city guard. But c'mon, Aveline, he's hardly a threat to your precious guard anymore given the whole dedication to killing darkspawn thing he has now.

Maybe if you paid more attention to the threats within your guard, Kirkwall would be a safer place with less murder going around? Just saying!

But isn't that how it's always been? Aveline putting him in his place, making sure Carver remembers she's always outranked him?

Carver: Did you approve my application? Aveline: I can't make you a guard, Carver. Carver: We were both soldiers. Why won't they take me? Aveline: I was an officer. And I follow orders. Carver: [laughs] No you don't. Aveline: I also think of others before myself. You seem tired of that, and that's dangerous. Carver: Just when it's not my choice. You told them not to take me, didn't you? Aveline: Yes.

That he should remember who he's talking to?

Carver: I'm surprised you still travel with us, Aveline. Aveline: Carver, don't. Carver: You're ever so busy with the guardsmen. It must be a burden to slum with the refugees. Aveline: It's oddly comforting that you insult me like I'm family. Carver: That wasn't... no, I didn't mean that. Aveline: I know. But you should be glad that's how I took it.

That she's in charge?

Aveline: Your form's sloppy, Carver. Stiffen up or the darkspawn will take your blade. Carver: Right. I'll keep that in mind. Aveline: And you're angry, why? Carver: You didn't fare any better than I did the last time we faced darkspawn. Aveline: If they take your blade, people die. That's not happening again. Stiffen up. Carver: Yes ma'am.

Oh, and she used to spy on him [and Hawke].

Aveline: I don't like some of the people you've been associating with, Carver. Carver: Talk to my brother/sister. He/She's the one in charge. Aveline:  Maybe, but I know you get around. This city's full of people who are dead set on ending badly. I don't want to see you end up the same way. Carver: Would asking you to stop spying on me help in the least? Aveline: No.

That's their banter.

But sure, she's glad he found a place in the wardens. I don't think she's being ingenuine when she says that, but I think it's a little more complicated than a mere "congrats on doing well, I knew you could do it."

But Carver's response? Oh Maker's ass. It actually hurts me.

Carver: No, it's all right. It is. It cost a lot, but I get it. I really was a bit of a tit those days, wasn't I? Aveline: Well...

I... what can I even say?

He accepts it, but you can tell it hurts to do so. It DID cost a lot. More than Aveline will ever understand. And it doesn't matter now! He can't become a guard now anyway, so what would be the point in him disagreeing with her? Carver acts as the bigger person here because he does get it, even if Aveline doesn't.

But it's that last part... that last damn part... Don't be alarmed, that screaming you hear is still me.

Here's the deal; Carver acknowledges that he could be an ass back in Act 1. Hell, he acknowledges it IN Act 1. For example, when you talk to him after finding your grandfather's will, he's an ass to you about Bethany no matter what you say.

But y'know what? You can be the biggest piece of shit to him and have Hawke literally call him a "lazy brat with a chip on his shoulder," and Carver will still be the one to be apologetic for what he said and attempt to explain his feelings.

"Brother/Sister... I feel... I don't know. It's like Mother taking things out on us. She was just scared. I don't have a place in the life she's trying to bring back…"

Carver can be an ass, but he's aware of that and actively tries to change his behavior. If you bring him and Fenris with you on the Mark of the Assassin DLC, there's a moment where Carver says, "You still don't like me? I've tried to change." And if you bring Varric, he once again acknowledges that he used to be an ass.

BUT... that being said. If you don't remember, "I really was a bit of a tit those days, wasn't I?" is referencing back to this conversation in the barracks of Act 1:

Hawke: This must be a very different pace from serving King Cailan. Aveline: It's just one more change, though. The real end for me was Ostagar. What about you Carver? You were there. Do you feel something similar? Carver: No. Aveline: All right, then. Bit of a tit, your brother.

Now, I've already expressed my beef with Aveline over insulting Carver in the middle of the barracks just because he doesn't agree with her view point on Ostagar... but consider the fact that Carver says nothing. He just lets her insult him without a complaint! Carver Hawke, who tends to complain! And he says nothing!

Not only that, but he actually internalized that insult enough that years later he's able to repeat it back to Aveline word for word, and all she has to say is, "Well..."

This isn't the same thing as him reflecting on his past behavior and acknowledging his flaws. This is Carver accepting a snide jab Aveline made that hurt him because apparently he was wrong for not wanting to discuss any trauma Ostagar left him with as openly as she does.

Oh, and don't forget that any other companion you brought along dogpiles on, too!

Carver: No, it's all right. It is. It cost a lot, but I get it. I really was a bit of a tit those days, wasn't I? Aveline: Well... Varric: No shit. Fenris: Insufferable. Isabela: Legendary. Anders: Maker, yes. Sebastian: I've heard as much. [If Hawke has a humorous/charming personality] Hawke: Spoiled, annoying, thick-headed, brattish little nitwit of a... oh, have we stopped?

Y'all ever wonder why he's so on edge or hostile with the other companions?

Also, I have to point out that Merrill is the only companion who doesn't say anything in agreement if she's there. In fact, across all their banter, Merrill's never been rude or insulting toward him. All she does is ask him if he's talking dirty to her and compliments him on what a great sworder he is. It's pretty obvious why Carver develops a crush on her, c'mon.

But to wrap this up-

This banter strikes a nerve due to how telling it is about both characters involved.

Carver has grown and done what he can to improve himself, but there's regret that lingers, a longing for a better life he could've had if given a chance. Maybe he would've failed, maybe he would've succeeded. But there's nothing he can do now, so he looks forward, just as he's always wanted to do. He's a damn good Grey Warden who wants to do right.

Aveline remains stagnant. She hasn't changed, nor has she improved, and maybe she would if she could figure out how to dislodge her head from her own ass. She still believes she was in the right to tell the guard not to accept Carver's application despite knowing the Hawke's were desperate and that Fereldan refugees couldn't find work. She knew Carver's a skilled soldier who fought at Ostagar just as she did. The guard wasn't the place for him so she's in the right to deny him any chance. Aveline knows best.

And y'know what, I think all I have left to say is...

Fine, Aveline. You're right. It wasn't the place for him.

Carver was too good for your city guard.

[alovelyburn]

I already asked someone similar question but you are awesome too and I love all of the best berserk blogs equally. Which of your theories turned up to be true? Was it many? How did it felt? What did you didn’t predict? Would you change those? Anything made you almost quit? Favourite moment?

Baww, all the blogs love you back.

LETS SEE.

Which of your theories turned up to be true? Was it many? How did it felt? Well... I try to avoid predicting things for the most part, for various sundry reasons. So I guess my most well-confirmed theories are mostly related to my particular interpretations, which were then confirmed through interviews and etc.

ALL THAT SAID. I can think of two offhand.

-The Moonlight Kid being the baby and also sharing Griffith's body. This one was really popular though so its not like I'm alone here.

I think my less common prediction to come true was: -that Casca wouldn't end up joining the party and would instead end up sidelined again. It seems like most people (at least that I've seen) thought she'd wake up and become part of the team and go after Griffith with them, but that never felt right to me for reasons I have previously discussed (basically just that it would make the story about Casca to a larger degree than it was seemingly intended to be).

Now, I had two main theories on what might happen to take her joining them off the table, and one of them was...

That Casca would end up with Griffith somehow. Now, this one always kind of bothered me because I don't necessarily enjoy the idea of Casca going back to him willingly after the SA (although in fairness I guess going with Guts wouldn't be that much better). But nonetheless it did sort of "seem" like something that would happen when I thought with my writerly/plot analysis brain instead of just kind of wincing at the idea on a personal level.

Now, let's be clear rofl, I did not expect him to abduct her lmfao like that was surprising. Still, I did think there was a good chance she'd end up with him SOMEHOW, it was just a bit of a mind bender because I was hoping she wouldn't like, go join him but I wasn't sure how else she'd get there.

So yeah, that ended up being right although the specific mechanism was more mysterious to me.

As for how many things I was right about, well, so far I haven't been explicitly wrong about anything in terms of the interpretation theories. But that's just reading comprehension. Having that stuff validated felt pretty damn good, not gonna lie.

What did you didn’t predict? Would you change those?

Going back to the other possibility on why Casca would end up not traveling with them, I thought she might decide to retire and live in peace instead of going after Griffith with Guts. This was a thought I had because she is repeatedly shown telling Guts that it's okay to give up and run away and stop fighting, and because the conflict between them during the escape section of the story revolved around his refusal to back down even when it was extremely dangerous whereas she preferred to run or withdraw. That was the case with Wyald for example, and then also with the very concept of dissolving the Hawks. Given Skull Knight's comment about what he wants not being what she wants necessarily this was a pretty good bet. ...obviously it was wrong, though. I think I preferred this idea over the Griffith thing, but I couldn't say whether I'd change it because it's too early to judge the plot turn since I haven't seen its outcome yet.

THE OTHER BIG THING WAS

I did think Puck had a good chance of being gone after Elfhelm collapsed. I also wondered at the time whether Elfhelm disappearing had a wider effect on the world, mostly because I couldn't (and still can't) figure out why the hell Isma disappeared if it was just the Elfhelm residents that went. As it turns out it does seem to have just been Elfhelm (plus, uh Isma for some reason), though, which is fine.

Anything made you almost quit? Well, the very first time I tried to read it I dropped it sometime during Black Swordsman so maybe that counts. But after that? Nah. Not for a single second. I'm ride or die for Berserk to the end.

Favourite moment?

Didn't even have to think about it.

[speedgeek]

Playing around with an idea: I haven’t seen any time travel fics that go back and change the outcome of the skirmish at the Fett farm. Most go to Korda VI or Galdiraan, obvious points for major change. But how different would things be if the Fetts survived and Jaster didn't adopt Jango? I don't know how things would change for Jaster, but Jango ends up being a crucial piece to the future of the GFFA. A lot would change if Jango Fett wasn't the son of Jaster Mereel. He might not become a bounty hunter, certainly wouldn't be Mand'alor, wouldn't be in position to be used by the Sith, no clone army, no Boba- at least not the Boba Fett we know and love. Also, a different Mand'alor means a different future for Mandalore.

Here's what I'm thinking about: Anakin messes with an artifact he shouldn’t and gets sent back in time. Mission, archive duty, I don't know. I'm thinking shortly after the Obi-Wan & Anakin comic, after Palpatine has gotten involved but before he really gets his claws into him. He lands at the Fett farm while Death Watch is looking for Jaster.

Between Obi-Wan and Tatooine, he knows the shriek-hawk and black/blue armor = bad, especially when the people in that armor have somebody (Pa Fett) on their knees in front of their crying kid (Jango). Anakin doesn't need the Force to know which side to choose. He's sure Obi-Wan would attempt to negotiate, but he's not that good with words. He attacks the guy closest to him, which is the guy holding Pa Fett. The Mandalorians were surprised by Anakin's appearance (he just materialized out of nowhere) and weren't prepared for him to immediate start going at them with his laser sword. A woman (Ma Fett) comes out the house with a blaster rifle and takes out the guy holding Jango. Pa Fett tells Jango to run, Jango goes into the fields. Now, in another universe, Death Watch would've followed, gotten shot at by True Mandalorians and then would've set the fields on fire. In this one, they're too busy with Anakin, who knows enough to not bother hitting the armor, but hit where the armor isn't (several Death Watch are already in multiple pieces), and Ma Fett's blaster (she shot someone with a helmet between the eyes at a distance, she's good) to do anything about Jaster Mereel and his crew in the fields. By the time the True Mandalorians join the fight, Tor Visla's pulled out the Darksaber and is trying to hold off Anakin. But Anakin is a lightsaber prodigy and Tor's bes'kad training isn't meant for something with a non-solid blade. He loses his head to a 12/13 year old Jedi padawan.

Ultimately, Anakin would be rejected by the Jedi a second time (still has the fear issues from before and he's just killed a bunch of people with little remorse), but without Qui-Gon's support (whatever he felt on Tatooine, he's not feeling now). So, Jaster does get a kid out of that fight, just it's Anakin getting adopted instead of Jango. Fetts offer to adopt him as well and there may be threats given to Jaster regarding Anakin's well being (they owe him a debt, they will see him taken care of). Anakin eventually opens up to Jaster about his life in the future and Jaster might be taking notes about who to kill. Once he gets to Palpatine, because Jaster can't tell Obi-Wan and the Jedi don't currently care, Anakin tells him all the things Palpatine has said and the places Palpatine took him (like in the comic). Jaster's not an idiot, he knows grooming when he hears about it, and makes definite plans to kill Skeevy Sheevy (cause a leopard doesn't change his spots). He's not a Senator at this time (this is just before the election he rigged), and certainly not Chancellor, shouldn't be a problem. It's when the assassination fails, he finds out he's dealing with a Sith Lord, not a child molester. The Jedi get involved because Sith, and the entire thing starts unraveling.

Plagueis offs Palpatine as a loose end, but it doesn't save him in the end.

No Korda VI and no Galidraan, because Death Watch is gone. No Naboo and no Clone Wars because Palpatine and the Sith are gone. And everybody that's not Palpatine lives happily ever after. :)

[all-the-dabihawks]

Quills Chapter 5

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4

Pairing: Dabihawks

Format: RP

Length: Way too long (multiple chaps 100k+)

Warnings: enemies to lovers, eventual smut, eventual happy ending, multichap, hawks acting like a bird, dabi being a shit, hawks being a shit, hawks has a spring season, smut 18+ minors dni, eventual spoilers, hurt/comfort, the commission is evil

Summary: Hawks’ new mission is to join the LOV. Dabi’s not an idiot. Until he is.

🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶🪶

He's up and out of his seat in a moment, reaching for Dabi's wrist to drag him out of the restaurant. His wings tuck in anxiously to his body. "Cmon." Hawks leaves the bucket, ignoring the villain's knowing grin. "Let's get out of here."

-

Dabi is unbearably smug in the knowledge he’s successfully gotten back at Hawks. He expected the hero to get up and leave, or maybe glare daggers into him before telling him to leave.

He is not expecting to be dragged out of the establishment with him, though.

Let’s get out of here? As in, together?

He’s confused as hell. But he’s not complaining. And he sure as hell isn’t about to let on that he wasn’t expecting this outcome. Dabi lets Hawks take the lead, allowing himself to be pulled along as he continues to antagonize him.

“What’s the matter? Worried about your pristine reputation?” He knows that’s true. That’s all part of what life is like for a hero, isn’t it? His voice drops into something low, dangerous. “You’ve been holding out on me. That noise you made sounded an awful lot like some kinda bird noise. Thought you said you didn’t have any more bird traits.”

-

Why does Dabi insist on having this conversation in the middle of a busy street? "Shut up-" he hisses.

He should let go of the villain's wrist once they're out of the restaurant but he wouldn't put it past the other to plant his feet and start making a scene in the middle of the sidewalk. There's no way he's dealing with that. He knows he's not thinking clearly. You're thinking with your dick. But he just needs to get Dabi off the street and get somewhere they can figure this out.

He yanks the villain into a convenient alleyway and behind a dumpster where they can't be seen from the street. A bare modicum of privacy for what comes next.

"Don't burn me." Hawks warns, surging forward to wrap his arms around Dabi. "And hold on."

With two beats of his wings they're in the air, headed toward the number two hero's apartment.

-

Hawks is full of surprises, Dabi is beginning to realize. He’s just about to make a joke about the hero being eager enough to fuck him in an alley, but then he’s warning him and—

The warning doesn’t even have a chance to register before Dabi’s feet are off the ground.

He hisses in shock, winding his arms tightly around Hawks as his survival instincts kick in at full force. His quirk flares up; It’s unintentional, and the result of the sudden rush of panic. As much as he wants to completely incinerate the hero, he was currently the only thing between Dabi and an early demise, and he tries to force the heat down before he actually starts to set fire.

One glance down as the city below them and Dabi has lost the ability to care that Hawks has once again turned the tables on him, and is probably deeply amused by his uncharacteristic fear. He buries his face into his shoulder in an attempt to keep himself from looking down again.

“WhatTheFuckWhatTheFuck?!” His quirk flares up again, only for him to will it back down. “I don’t give a fuck where you put me down, but put me down.”

-

He can't help it, the hero grins at Dabi's hiss of shock. The man in his arms clings on tighter than any panicked civilian and Hawks gets a kick out of how like a scared cat he is.

That is until he smells his flight suit burning. Thankfully, the villain seems to get it rapidly under control. He considers this payback for the bird comment.

"Oh?" Hawks quips as they move through the air, higher than any of the buildings in the city. "Should I put you down right here then?" He makes no move to do so, he's not that cruel but fuck- teasing Dabi is too much fun.

The question is clearly rhetorical as Hawks tucks in his wings and dives for his balcony, the penthouse suite coming into view rapidly. Between the flight and taking him straight inside, Dabi won't even necessarily know where they are.

His landing is perfect, despite the growth clinging to him like a sloth. If a little rapid. But that's what makes it fun. He makes no move to peel Dabi off, content to let the villain catch his breath.

-

Dabi doesn’t even need to look up from the safety of Hawks’ shoulder to know they landed. Still, it takes a moment or two to collect himself enough to peel himself off of the hero, one limb at a time.

By the time his feet are firmly placed on the ground, he feels boneless with how wobbly they feel. He grabs Hawks by the collar and glares at him with such intense hatred, he hope it burns him. “You ever do that again and I’ll actually kill you, you fuckin’ asshole.”

He releasing his grip on Hawks’ poor uniform—One could argue that it’s been through enough tonight between Dabi’s quirk flaring up in the sky. It takes him another few moments and a few shaky breaths to get his bearings. When he does, his eyes begin to survey the area.

“Fuck are we? This a hotel?“

It’s way too nice to be someone’s actual home.

…. it isn’t his actual home, is it?

-

Hawks valiantly suppresses the urge to laugh as the villain shakily extracts himself from his person. He's never seen someone react so badly to flying before. His fans beg for it. Hawks holds his hands up in surrender, trying not to get baked. He's surprised the other manages to control himself, surprised and grateful. Not that his hero uniform is really benefitting from it. He's pretty sure those are handprints seared into it.

He can't help smirking at the threat though. "You know, most people are just dying to fly in my arms." Hawks flashes his most charming grin, toothy and cheeky.

While Dabi looks around he approaches one of the huge glass sliding doors, big enough to accommodate his wings fully outstretched. Which honestly, has come in handy more than once. Normally he'd have opened them with the remote in his jacket pocket on approach, but his hands had been full of quivering Dabi, so instead he presses a thumb to the scanner. The door slides open noiselessly.

"This is home." he throws over his shoulder, wandering inside. He strips off the damaged jacket and tosses it over the couch. The place is bare. All shades of white and grey and way too many 'tasteful decorations' that he routinely knocks into with his wings. At no point did he have a hand in decorating the penthouse. Other than his clothes and custom bed, the place is identical to when the commission handed it to him four years ago.

-

“Yeah, well I’m not most people.”

Dabi turns, watching Hawks stroll into the obnoxiously grandiose apartment. Rich asshole. He was pretty sure that if he had saved up every penny he ever earned or stole for the rest of his life, he wouldn’t be able to afford a place like this for a year.

His eyes narrow at Hawks’ back, silently resenting him for his lifestyle before following him.

Fuck, he was perfect. He had assumed Hawks would be scrawny, but seeing him without that bulky jacket, the tight shirt leaving little to his imagination, he could see the toned muscles underneath. It was fuckin’ annoying.

“Taking me back to your place after the first date? Scandalous. What would the fans think?” He teases maliciously, reaching forward to grab a fistful of feathers. The intent, at first, is to burn them in an attempt to feel like he got even after Hawks snatched him up like… Like a fucking hawk and hauled his ass across the city.

But once the red plumage was between his fingers… Well, the texture of them was nice. Despite himself, he begins to run his fingers through them, while he leans forward to survey the apartment from over Hawks’ shoulder.

“Pretty place you got here. Kinda boring, though, don’t you think? Thought an annoying shit like you would be above minimalism.”

-

He chuckles at the accusation. For someone who purports to be such an expert in heroes, he sure hasn't thought much about this.

"My place is about the only safe place in the city to talk." he shrugs. "We get seen anywhere else it'll be all over the news. And I don't think you'll let me join the league if I have to arrest you to keep up appearances."

He glances back in time to see the villain reaching for his wing and goes rigid at the look in his eyes. It's a conscious effort not to sharpen his quills, and even then he's not sure it's the right choice. That is until Dabi's hand slips into his feathers, warm and seeking. Fuck- he can't help the shiver that passes through the plumage. He's suddenly close again. What is it with this guy and personal space? He's like every grabby fan...

The villain's words distract him and Hawks follows his gaze. Minimalist? Is that the style? He wouldn't really know, it's not like they teach that stuff at the commission. Everything style related is handed to them after a roundtable committee brainstorms the correct look for optimal branding.

He shrugs. "It's how it came." He doesn't see anything wrong with it. It's hardly more than a crash pad. He lives here but he doesn't live here. "It's somewhere to sleep." He's really only alive when he's working. The rest of the time is just waiting. Healing. Obeying his body's demands for rest.

-

Dabi thumbs at the feathers between his fingers as the hero speaks, pinching and smoothing them down one at a time.

He doesn’t miss the shiver that wracks through Hawks at his assault on the feathers, and he quirks an eyebrow and hums. Did he fuck up his wings while flying? That why he’s so flinch whenever he grabs them?

Finally, he leaves the feathers alone and shoves his hands into his pockets, maneuvering around Hawks to come face to face with him.

“Thought we were done back there. Didn’t realize you liked my company so much that you wanted to talk more. Not surprised, though. You’re not very good at shutting the fuck up. You this desperate for a listening audience?”

-

He misses Dabi's hand the minute it's gone from his wing. The arsonist is warm. It's probably his quirk but god it feels good. It's weird to Hawks for touch to feel good. Another thing to not unpack later.

He straightens up when the villain steps around him, shoulders squaring and wings arching. What is it with this guy and personal space?

"Talkings not really what's on your mind is it though?" He knows it's not what's on his mind. Not since the warehouse and those teeth on his neck. And especially not when the other kissed him in the middle of a KFC. Shit. Maybe he should've just caved and asked the commission for a woman. What is he doing here?

The wing hero cocks his head, examining Dabi. He sure seems to know exactly how to shut Hawks up. Avian golden wants to wander but he keeps his eyes firmly on the arsonist's, reading his reaction to the accusation. Does he feel it too? Is this a game? Does Hawks really care if it is?

-

Something akin to surprise flickers in Dabi’s eyes for a split second before it’s gone again, replaced with the controlled apathy he wears so well.

“That a challenge?” His voice is low, warning. He doesn’t back down from the way Hawks holds his gaze.

All he’s thought about the past couple nights was fucking Hawks. It’s the hero’s fault for leaving the way he did last time. At the very least, he was sure that Hawks had felt similarly, if the way he so shamelessly lost control in public was anything to go by.

“Awfully cute noises you made back there. Think I can pull those from you again?” He chooses to word it that way, like it’s a loosely concealed threat.

In reality, he’s looking for any indication that this is all some elaborate set-up to get something from him, or otherwise humiliate him. While the villain’s got no arguments about railing him on the nearest surface… He doubts that the public’s favorite, charming golden boy is so desperate for a fuck that he’d settle for him.

-

"Just a fact." he shoots back with a raised brow. Is everything a challenge with Dabi?

He twitches a little when the pyro mentions his noises. Fuck he hates that, the fact that Dabi heard it. And in public too. He should be better than that. They trained him better than that.

"Don't bet on it." he scoffs. "I was messing with you." He makes a serious effort to keep his wings still at the lie, and he's pretty sure he's successful at it. He won't let Dabi hear it again. He won't mess up like that.

Hawks lifts his chin. He'd like to look down on the villain but as usual, the person standing in front of him is taller. It's annoying being so short, even if he knows it's his quirk that causes it. Just once he'd like a few inches on a villain.

"You fuck all your recruits?" It's a comment to put Dabi on his back foot. But in reality he just wants to know. It won't change the burn of attraction that's building on his side, but it might change his mind about acting on it.

-

Dabi raises an eyebrow, straightening to his full height and leering down at the hero. “My recruits don’t usually tease me, make me pop a boner, and then up an’ leave.” He doesn’t even flinch at his own admission at having been as hard as a fuckin’ knee. If it makes Hawks squirm even a little, it’s worth the jab at his pride. “So no.”

It was honest enough. He’d leave out the part that Hawks had an immediate effect on him, that he was so shallow that he immediately fell for his charm, albeit differently than most people would expect. He wanted to fuck the smugness off of that pretty face and ruin every inch of his perfect skin with ugly blotches of purple and red. That wasn’t something just anyone could offer.

He crowds into Hawks’ space again, grabbing his jaw again and forcing his head up further. He leans in, growling against the hero’s ear. “What about you? Accusin’ me, but how many people do you fuck for you to bring my ugly ass back here so quickly?”

The answer wouldn’t change anything anyway. He’s the last person who would feel jealous over some Fuckin’ hero’s sex life. And besides that, he’s hardly one to judge someone on their lifestyle. Still, he’s curious just how corrupt he is behind closed doors. Does he fuck his fans? Fuck his superiors?

-

That- well- the admission puts a cocky smirk on Hawks' face. "Glad to hear it wasn't one sided." He has no problem admitting the state the villain had left him in. And as much as he knows all villains are liars... Call him naive, he wants to believe Dabi isn't sleeping with all his recruits. Or maybe he's just hard up. That actually sounds more likely. Ah geeze, he's really not earning any hero points here is he? He should schedule a medical if he goes through with this.

"Ugly?" The self depreciating remark surprises Hawks. He frowns at it, genuinely puzzled. I mean sure, the scars aren't something you see every day but hell, the arsonist is lean, nice angles. Great bone structure under the staples. And those eyes. They're what drew him in from the get go, intensely blue. He could drown in them.

That's a stupid thought.

"You're kidding right?" he asks directly, frown in place. "How could anyone be ugly with those eyes?" He shakes his head. Dabi's accusation about sleeping around bounces right off him. The villain doesn't need to know about his sad lack of a love life. Let him assume Hawks lives it up big. That's the image the commission built for him right? Cocky playboy. He's used to the assumptions.

-

“That’s a pretty lie.” He doesn’t believe that, not for a second. It’s clear that Hawks uses his charm to get his way. Not that Dabi minds. He’s at peace with how he looks. And hey, if Hawks’ standards are allow enough for him, he’s not gonna complain.

He’s aware that Hawks ignored his question, but he lets it go. It’s unimportant, anyway. Instead, he busies his mouth, grazing the shell of Hawks’ ear with his teeth.

The hero hasn’t pushed him away yet, so he tries his luck by trailing his mouth down and playfully nipping at his jaw and neck.

“I wanna hear that sound again. Come on, birdie. Sing for me.” He doesn’t buy for a second that it was fabricated. It had been too surprised, to reflexive. It was real.

He stops when he gets to the marks he left the last time they met. They were fading, but still very present. The thought at how much of an inconvenience it must have been to cover them had him grinning in satisfaction. He wasn’t about to let them fade away completely. He bites down into the spot again, and unlike last time, he sucks the spot until it’s bruised.

Dabi releases the grip he has on his chin, lowering his hands to grab at his hips like he did back at the warehouse, and begins to tug him closer.

-

Wow. He really believes it doesn't he? Some part of Hawks wants to argue with him, put him in front of a mirror and point out his aesthetics. The cheekbones, the angles, those piercings he's been doing his absolute damnedest to not look at. It's the hero part of him, itching to save someone again. Dabis not a damsel in distress though. He wants to believe that, he can suit himself.

"It's not a lie." he argues despite himself. Apparently he can't just leave well enough alone. "You've got this whole dark and dangerous thing going on."

There's that lack of personal space again. He bites down on his response to Dabi's mouth, refusing to be caught unawares again. A hand slips into the villain's hair, cupping the base of his skull as his mouth moves over Hawks' jaw and down his neck. His breath catches when the soft drag of lips turns to edges of teeth. Even though he manages to stay quiet this time, his wings betray him, arching instinctively to display, scarlet silently serenading the villain.

Just like before, Dabi tugs him closer, hands on his waist. Except this time they're somewhere secure. This time there's nobody watching. And this time he's spent long lonely nights wondering what would've happened if. Maybe he should indulge. Just once can't hurt. It's not like they're gonna get married or something. It's just a quick fuck.

Hawks is rationalizing. Hawks does this a lot.

When the pull of Dabi's mouth on his throat gets sharp he gives the villain's hair a tug. "Oi- those are a pain to cover." Even so, his wings move restlessly, heart rabbiting under the seal of Dabi's lips. He plants a foot between the villain's legs, bracing himself against the pull. "I didn't say you could mark me up again."

-

The hands currently tangled in his hair were really starting to rile him up. He loved the drag of his fingertips in his scalp, and he didn’t even mind the yank on it when Hawks forced him back. In fact, he easily yields to the action. He can’t remember the last time someone had touched him like that.

“I know they’re a pain to cover, why the fuck do you think I’m doing it?” There’s an annoyed edge to his tone at being pulled away from where he could feel the hero’s pulse fluttering. He relents, though, pulling away to half-heartedly glare at him.

He didn’t want to share control with Hawks. Didn’t want to give him a say in anything, really. But he was sure that if he didn’t give into his stupid little demands, he would be sent out. Dabi could incinerate him, but without the option of straight up killing him, he would have to begrudgingly admit that Hawks most likely had the advantage on physical strength. If he wanted to throw Dabi on his ass and kick him out of the apartment, he could.

“Under the shirt line?” He grumbles, unwillingly offering a compromise.

Hawks is bracing himself and making it impossible to yank him closer, and Dabi is sure if he doesn’t feel the friction of him now, he’s gonna lose his damn mind.

He tried to sweeten the deal, leaning in to press hot, coercing kisses to his mouth.

-

Of course that's why he's doing it. Hawks rolls his eyes. "What're you trying to put a stamp on me? The media'll go nuts. That's the last thing I need." He doesn't really care if they know he's slept with someone, it fits his persona. But the interview requests and questions are a pain, they get in the way of his work and the commission will insist he do them.

He's surprised to hear a compromise come out of Dabi's mouth. "You really are hard up aren't you?" Hawks chuckles. "A villain actually compromising?" Even as he teases, the blond's hands are working at the zipper of his bodysuit.

And then lips are on his, heated and convincing. They make him fumble the pull and tighten his hold on Dabi's hair to pull him in closer. He feels his body respond to it, sharp and hot just like the warehouse. Fuck, this is happening. This is fucking happening.

He shoves at Dabi, walking him backwards to the couch without letting him break the kiss. He's hungry for it, wings flaring, looming over them both. When was the last time he felt this good? He can't even remember. Everything's sharp, his body demanding.

He shrugs out of the top of his bodysuit, letting it pool at his waist and plants his now free hand on Dabi's chest. The kiss breaks when he pushes, shoving the villain down on his pristine white couch.

-

“Villains compromise all the time, when it’s in their best interest.” Dabi tries to downplay the significance of it. He doesn’t need to feed his ego any more and let him know how fucking desperate he is to have his way with him.

If the way Hawks is currently shoving him toward the couch, kissing him like he’s the air he needs to breath, is anything to go by, the feeling is mutual.

He lets himself be pushed backwards onto the couch, lopsided smirk playing on his mouth when he’s finally allowed some air in his lungs.

The smirk falters when he sees Hawks standing over him. If he had been a sappier man, he might have described at is beautiful. Breathtaking, even. His wings were spread out, each individual feather catching whatever light they could. His eyes were blown to all hell, his expression nothing short of hungry and desperate. His breath hitched, and he allowed himself a moment to rake his eyes over the chest now exposed to him.

He’s too perfect. Dabi hates it.

With a growl, he runs his hands over his hips before sliding them lower and grabbing his ass and yanking him into his lap. He groans at the sudden friction on his hard-on he isn’t even trying to conceal.

“Fuck, I wanna tear you apart.”

-

He lets out a short sound of satisfaction when Dabi goes down without a fight. Hawks half expected the other to try to take him down too. And that lopsided smirk - geeze it does things to his chest. All teeth and pulled staples. They catch the light and for a moment Hawks is distracted by them, his instincts close to the surface. The man is shiny all over. Staples and sparkling blue and piercings that drive him to distraction. It's like he's made for a bird.

Hawks blinks, shaking himself a little to snap out of it. He bares his teeth in a cocky grin, staring down at the villain spread out like a meal before him, long legs dangling over the arm of the couch, unashamed of the way his cock tents his pants. The villain is packing, he notes with a smirk.

Fuck, I wanna tear you apart.

The growl sends a shudder through Hawks' frame, his hands curling into fists. He wants to be torn apart. He wants this man to take him to pieces so thoroughly he forgets his own name. Dabi doesn't need to know that though.

He kicks the villian's knees apart to plant his knees between them, caging him in leaned over with a hand by his head. "I'd like to see you try-" he purrs before slanting his mouth over Dabi's and diving into the heat for another searing kiss. His free hand goes to the villain's pants, impatiently working them open.

-

Damn if his knees don’t feel weak at how the eager kiss presses to his mouth and the way Hawks is already fumbling with the seam of his pants.

Huh. He didn’t think he was the kissing type. Tonight was full of surprises.

The hero’s cocky smirk drives Dabi to remind him of his place and who is actually in charge here. If Hawks thinks he’s somehow taken some control, it’s only because Dabi was feeling generous enough to let him have it.

He props himself up on an elbow and tangles the opposite hand into blond hair, desperately trying to tug Hawks impossibly closer. He forces his tongue into the hero’s mouth, entirely lost in the kiss, hardly even registering that the stretch of skin just above hem of his boxers are now exposed to air.

When he finally does notice, he’s tightening his grip on his pretty blond hair and yanking him back, away from his mouth.

“Pants off, pigeon. Put on a show for me. You’re used to modeling, aren’t you? I wanna see all of you.”

He releases his grip and stares up at Hawks expectantly, smirk present on his lips like he hadn’t been kissed breathless just a moment ago.

-

He's got Dabi's pants half off by the time the villain shoves his tongue down Hawks' throat. Only he's not helping at all, ass planted firmly on the couch when the hero just wants to peel his jeans off his lanky form and get a good handful of what he's packing in his boxers. Hawks pushes a low sound of frustration into the kiss, battling with Dabi's tongue for dominance.

He's panting when the villain yanks his head back, wings flaring to their full span over the two of them. "I'm not a damn pigeon." he snaps breathlessly, frustrated at being pulled away from what is literally the most searing kiss he's ever experienced. Hawks shoves his pants down impatiently, stripping the bodysuit with them. As usual, he's not wearing boxers underneath.

His cock springs free eager and proud as he wriggles out of his clothes before settling back between Dabi's legs. He gives the villain's pants as impatient tug. "Lift your ass. These are coming off. Now."

-

Dabi wouldn’t be able to tear his eyes away from Hawks’ body if he wanted to. It shouldn’t have been sexy, the way he unceremoniously yanks the remainder of his clothes away, but it is. Every new expanse of skin exposed to him has his breath hitching and his quirk stirring underneath the surface, threatening to burn through his skin at any moment.

And then Hawks is on top of him and trying to remove his pants and—

Dabi suffocates the dear of panic before it can rise up, and he sits up suddenly grabbing Hawks by the waist, and flipping them over.

“Look, unless you want to completely kill the mood, the pants stay on.”

The patchwork on his body wasn’t exceptionally different from what Hawks had already seen on his face, but it was different to see the stitches line his body from head to toe. It was morbid, like something out of a horror movie. While he wasn’t necessarily ashamed of it, he didn’t want Hawks to look at him with pity, or with regret for what they were doing. The pants would stay on.