HotWings

A Family Photo

December twenty-fourth.

It's Christmas Eve.
I'm so glad I get to spend it with you.
But at the same time... it makes me sick.
Our first Christmas together is also our last Christmas together.
And I just wish I could be with you forever.
I'm writing this at night.
You're asleep.
You don't know what's going to happen in only a few days.
I'm going to throw away everything we have for the sake of the innocent people.
They deserve to have a chance at life.
They deserve love and relationships and happiness.
I don't.
You do.
But I don't.
I can only hope that when this is all over, you'll forget about me and find someone better.
Someone you deserve.
You're so damn amazing.
Oh yeah, I hid the disk today.
It's in your room at the bar.
It's really stupid now that I think about it. But what's done is done.
I am so sorry for everything.

When Hawks opened his eyes the next morning he found Dabi sitting on the edge of the bed, just staring at him with a big grin.
The hero stretched, wincing.
"Remind me never to fall asleep at my desk again."
Dabi hummed in response, taking his hand.
"Come on, I want to show you something!"
The villain covered Hawks's eyes with one hand, helping him settle on the couch.
"Can I looked now?"
"Not yet!"
There was a moment if shuffling before Dabi laughed. "Now you can look."
He moved his hand, and the hero's stomach lurched.
On the coffee table before him, was a picture.
A picture of the League and him.
Toga and Twice were hugging a rather pissed Shigaraki. Spinner and Compress were pointing into the distance, the reptilian with a look of mock fear.
Kurogori was behind them, his glowing eyes looking rather happy.
And finally, the hero's eyes fell on himself and Dabi, leaning against each other with huge smiles.
The villain looked at him, scanning his face hopefully. "It's a family photo. Because, the League is your family too."
He bit his lip. "Do you like it?"
Hawks fought off tears.
"I love it."
"Oh there's one more thing!" He fished through his pocket, retrieving a slightly bent piece of paper.
He handed it to Hawks, who unfolded it with shaking hands.

The letter read:

My very dearest, Hawks

I can't express to you vocally how much you mean to me.

We've only been together a short while but I feel like we've known each other for our entire lives.

If I'm honest, I knew you before, in a past life.
And no, I'm not talking reincarnation. I'll explain at the big blow out.
When we change this world.

You're my sunshine.

My world was so broken and empty before you came flying into it.

You changed my life for the better.

I don't know how I ever smiled without you.

I feel like every little shit moment I suffered through was worth it because at the end of all my suffering, is you.
You take the pain away.

So thank you.

I love you.

I always will.

Never change, Bird brain.

- Your One and Only

He couldn't stop the tears.
Hawks openly sobbed.
He made sure to set the letter down so he wouldn't wet it.
Dabi hugged him, and they cried together for different reasons.
Hawks supposed that Dabi was crying from joy and hope for their future together- but Hawks was crying because he knew the bitter truth.

They wouldn't have a happy ending.

December twenty-seventh.

I'm writing to you now before we head to the mansion.
There, you, me, and the rest of the Paranormal Liberation Front will get ready to take the world by surprise.
Only...
That's not how it will go.
The heroes will storm in at my signal.
I'll avoid you because I just can't take fighting you. I would lay down and let you kill me. You'd probably feel guilty. I don't want to cause you any more unnecessary pain.
So I'll go to Twice.
I'll explain what's happening.
I'll save him, because I know he's like a brother to you.
You'll be arrested.
I'll figure something out.
I'll free you, Compress, Shigaraki, Kurogori, Twice, and Toga- no matter what it's costs me.
  When you're all free, I'll stage an accident.
Heroes die in accidents all the time.
People will easily believe that I died because someone shot me out of the sky and not because I did it myself...

Right?

"Come on, Feathers!"

You're calling me.
I have to go.
I'm sorry.

I'm so unbelievably sorry.

But I'll make sure I pay for it.