Tokoyami has always admired Hawks' generosity. He thought maybe it was natural for him since he was a hero, but after seeing him donate more than half of his earnings, Tokoyami began to wonder what made him so generous.
“Where are we going?” Tokoyami asked as he trailed behind Hawks.
“To an orphanage. It’s where I used to spend my free time,” Hawks answers. Tokoyami nods and looks at the boxes behind them.
“I can help you carry them,” Tokoyami offers, but Hawks shakes his head, “my feathers are enough to lift them. Besides, you’ll need your hands when we arrive.”
A fond smile graced Hawks’ lips as he spoke. Tokoyami didn’t understand the meaning of Hawks’ words until they arrived.
The children rushed toward them after the adoption counselor announced their arrival. They flocked toward Hawks.
“Hey, now,” Hawks says, “gather yourselves. I have someone I want to introduce.”
Tokoyami silently walks towards Hawks and stands beside him.
“This is my intern, Tokoyami. Be kind to him, okay?” Hawks says. The children nodded and collectively began to ask him questions.
“What quirk do you have?”
“How old are you?”
“Can you show us your quirk?”
Those were some questions the children asked. Tokoyami looks at Hawks, silently asking if he could. Hawks give him a slight nod and lift both his fists to show encouragement. Tokoyami sighs and entertains the children while Hawks talk to the people in charge.
They spent the day playing with the children. That day, Tokoyami saw a different side of Hawks. For once, he saw his mentor act his age. He’s used to seeing Hawks be mature, responsible, and solemn. But in the closed space of an orphanage on the far side of the country, he witnessed Hawks being playful and childish, most importantly, happy.
The smile plastered on Hawks’ face that day was far more genuine than the one he constantly wore when working. Tokoyami considers it an honor to see Hawks smiling that brightly. He captures the smile and records the laughter to keep in his heart and memory.
“You seem happy today,” Tokoyami says on their way to Fukuoka.
“I’m always happy,” Hawks smiles at him.
Tokoyami opens his mouth to retort to the statement but decides against it. Instead, he asks, “why do you give the orphanage more than they need? You don’t even have enough furniture in your apartment.”
Hawks hums, “what do you want to hear? The truth? Or a lie?”
Tokoyami rolls his eyes, “I can’t believe you’re asking me that. The truth, of course.”
“But I don’t want you to pity me,” Hawks playfully says as he wraps his arm around Tokoyami’s shoulder. He pulls Tokoyami inside a restaurant and orders them a meal.
“I won’t. I promise,” Tokoyami says, making Hawks shake his head, “don’t make promises without even hearing the details. That’s a bad habit.”
“I need your answer to my question, not a lecture.”
Hawks grabs his chest in faux pain, “I didn’t know you could be this harsh to your mentor.”
“Stop stalling,” Tokoyami says, impatient.
Hawks chuckles, “I guess there’s no escaping this conversation,” he whispers and takes a sip of water.
“Well, I grew up in poverty. It was a luxury for me to get proper nutrition, much less a toy.” Hawks start. He glances at Tokoyami, gauging his reaction before continuing, “I remember my mother getting beat for buying me an Endeavor plushie on sale. It wasn’t much, but my mother still suffered the consequences of fulfilling my wants.”
Tokoyami fists his hands, ‘what a horrible father,’ he thinks.
“I grew up in a run-down house. The rain would seep through the roof, and I’d have to find a way to collect them. It was a poor attempt at stopping the house from flooding, but no matter how much effort I put in, it still flooded.” A sad smile appears on Hawks’ lips as he recounts his childhood, “At winter, I’d bear the cold. I only had a few pieces of thin clothing, so I had to find a way to keep warm. I’d curl in a corner and imagine a warm fireplace. If lucky, I’ll collect dry leaves and sticks, then light them on fire.”
Hawks chuckles as he remembers his struggle with lighting a fire. But the look on Tokoyami’s face makes him stop, “do you want me to continue?”
Tokoyami shook his head. He couldn’t handle hearing the stories Hawks shared. It was both painful, pitying, and infuriating.
“This is why I told you not to promise me anything before,” Hawks says. He pats Tokoyami’s head. “You’re horrible at hiding your emotions, you know?”
Tokoyami looks away, “I’m sorry.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” Hawks says.
Silence envelops them as Tokoyami takes in Hawks’ story. The food arrived, and they quietly ate until Hawks broke the silence.
“I give everything I have to that orphanage because they remind me of my younger self. Those children came from poverty and abuse. Since they’re far from the city, they don’t receive much funding.” Hawks says. Tokoyami remains silent as he lets Hawks talk. “Do you know what kept me going when I was young?”
Tokoyami shook his head, “what?”
“The Endeavor plushie. It was my light of hope, and I wanted to be that to those children. The first time I went there, their eyes seemed dead and hopeless. I didn’t like seeing that. That’s when I decided to do my best to support them.” Hawks says and proudly smiles as he continues. “Now, did you see how bright their eyes were?”
Tokoyami nodded with a smile, “they were the brightest smile I’ve ever seen.”
“Even the smallest action can bring the biggest changes,” Hawks says, “the money I spent on that orphanage is small considered to the joy they bring. The money, I can earn it again, but who knows what would have happened if I didn’t support them.”
Tokoyami’s smile grows brighter, “I’m glad I’m under your wing,” he whispers shyly.
Hawks laughs, “why are you suddenly shy?”
“I’ll make sure to continue what you started,” Tokoyami says, “I want to be other people’s hope too.”
The determination warms Hawks’ heart, “I can’t wait to see what kind of hero you’ll be in the future.” He then teases Tokoyami to lighten the mood before flying him home.
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