Chapter Text
---
Heat. Fear. Determination.
That is what filled the young boy named Red as he sent feathers engulfed with flames at his target.
He had a simple back story. Born to get rid of what are called “heroes” that disgrace the world with their presence. He was born four years ago and from that day he had started training. With the help of a quirk, he grew up fast. Being aged up, he was about the age of 9, if he aged normally.
What the boy did know, was that he did not have a normal birth. From what he knew of his biological parents was that one had flames and the other wings. He knew this because he inherited their genes.
The life he did have did not allow him to have parents. Parents are just people who use you and hold you back. Or at least that is what he was told. However, he didn’t feel like that was true.
From birth, he was raised by three people to watch over him constantly. One is a woman. She is a doctor who takes care of him when he is hurt, but Red doesn't like her very much. She is mean and never once took his feelings into account when cleans the many cuts he got when training. The other was a man who was also a doctor. He had two jobs. One was to take care of his education and the other was to track his progress mentally, physically, and with his quirk. Through the data, he would come up with diet plans, lesson plans, and changes to his schedule. Red didn’t like him very much because he was always serious and treated him like an experiment rather than a human, but isn't that what he is? An experiment?
The last one was his handler and trainer. His name is Mr. Tyler, and he was his favorite. He was the only one who really cared about him, but that doesn't mean he wasn't hard on him. When Mr. Tyler would tell him to train harder, Red would train till he passed out. When Mr. Tyler asked for hotter flames, Red would go far beyond his limit till his hands and wings were shaking rapidly. Because at the end of the day, he would get a pat on the back and a good job right before he was sent to his doctor.
Even if Mr. Tyler was harder on him than all the others, Red looked up to him. He was cool with dark hair and a power quirk. No matter what he asked, Red would try his best. All Tyler had to do was praise him before he got what he asked for.
When Tyler was scouted to be a handler for this mission, he was shocked. He did not know the first thing about children, but he did know how to use someone, and that is exactly why he was scouted. For Tyler, he knew if this was going to work, he needed to make sure that the boy needed something from him to hold something else over his head. For Red, it was love. It was also too easy for Tyler to sink his claws in the boy to control his every action. All he had to do was smile, tell him he did a good job, and give him a second of attention.
The grooming began the moment a baby with small red wings and ocean eyes were placed in his hands. With a wicked smile, Tyler spoke.
“Now, Red,” he said softly as he cradled and imprinted on the child by being the first the small baby laid eyes on. “Don’t you go and disappoint me. I have big plans for you.”
---
Red had just finished his training for the day it had been about summoning his flames on a single feather that was far out of his reach. It was hard, but the satisfaction he got when he was finally able to do it was worth it.
“Good work, Red. Now go shower up. There is someone who is here to meet you.” That had been Tyler as he rubbed a rag against his forehead to get rid of the sweat.
“Someone wants to meet me?” Red couldn’t help as a smile crossed his face.
“Yes, now I’m not asking again. Go.”
Red swiftly ran out of the training room and into the halls to get to his room. It had been a particularly hard day, and Red couldn’t wait to get undressed and feel the warm water wash away his pain. The shower had always been a happy place for him. It was the only place he felt truly free.
Red wondered what feeling free was like outside of this small room. He looked up at the ceiling of his shower. It was blue, like the sky. He wondered what the sky really looked like. Was it bright like in the pictures he’s seen or is it duller like his bathroom?
He was told that when he was ready he would leave this lab and head into the real world to start his journey in taking down the so-called self-serving government agents that the people worship and overpay. Rage filled his body as he thought about the people Tyler talked about and all the pain they caused him, but Red’s heart hung heavy in his chest. What did he want? He wanted someone to care about him more than just for training and more than just for his quirk. Tyler cared, but he was still just a trainer.
Years ago, Red was learning about families, work lives, and home lives. He learned what a father was. Tyler was his father, right? He took care of him. That’s what fathers do, but when Red called Tyler dad one day after his lessons, he got a slap across the face that broke his lip. Tyler told Red to never call him that again. It hurt Red, but he understood why. Because that’s what he is told. Parents are relevant and hold you back, but trainers move you forward. But, he guessed that was just another thing he was told.
The person he met was a young man with a lot of hands, he asked about Red's progress and demanded that things start moving a little faster. When he looked at the man’s face he felt fear. He didn't like this scary man. After that, he was rushed out of the room. No doubt, they were talking about him.
---
“Believe me, Mr. Shigaraki, I of all people want this job done and get this brat off my hands, but the boy is not ready,” Tyler spoke swiftly. “Give him about another two years.”
“You have one.”
“Fine, but I don’t think pushing him this much is going to be beneficial.”
“Make it work or I’ll pay someone who can.”
Something was threatening about his voice. It was ruff, full of anger, and childish impatience, but in the end, he got what he wanted, and Tyler foresaw the repercussions.
---
For Red, training had become so much harder, if he didn't pass out from working he wasn't allowed to take a break. They had a strict deadline and they couldn't take things slow.
As the days went on, the wanting for freedom did not stop. In fact, it only increased. He wanted to be done with being told what to believe, but the fear of losing the one person who truly cared about him always overcame every doubt of thought of disobedience.
What little love, care, or praise, he couldn't afford to make and mistake and lose that. So he stayed quiet. Eventually, he would get out of here. Eventually, he would see the sky, but for right now, he would work hard to please the people around him.
Until one day, where he lost control. That morning, he was going through intense quirk training and he was exhausted. He could feel his wings, hands, and his vision starting to fade. However, he was told at age 12 he should be doing a lot more than simple attack patterns and fire tricks.
“Get up, Red. I’m done with your shitty excuses.” Tyler stood over Red dripping with sweat in the sparring ring.
“I’m tired.” Red could feel vomit trying to make its way out as he was bent over resting on his knees.
“Bullshit you’re tired.”
“I can’t do this anymore.” With tears rolling down the boy’s face, vomit was now covering the floor.
“You can! And you will!”
“I CAN’T!” He screamed and fire erupted from him in the biggest explosion Tyler had seen from the boy.
If not for his quick reflexes Tyler would have been cooked alive.
Red continued to scream and more and more fire came from his body. The building became unstable and the walls, floor, and ceiling started to give way.
“Damnit, Shigaraki, you couldn't just have listened to me.” Tyler sighed in irritation as he watched five years of work go up in flames. “Had to make me push him, didn’t you,” he mumbled to himself.
A screeching alarm went off that initiated an evacuation.
“Doc, what do I do?” Tyler questioned as he looked up at the man who was overseeing the training through a thick glass above the room. Through the speaker, he could hear him.
“The boy is lost, if not dead by his own quirk. With the mess he made, he wouldn't make it out alive anyway. Leave him, we don’t have time for a failure. Most likely heroes are already on their way.”
“Copy that, but you sure? The heroes might find him.” Tyler watched as the poor boy looked him dead in the eyes wishing for the flames to stop.
“P-pples...he..lp m-me,” he cried out and reached for his only support.
Tyler, standing at a safe distance, looked away and up at the doctor.
“With the amount of damage, I doubt it. We can always make more and start over. Preferably one who is stronger. At the end of the day, this was just a prototype with too much individuality. He will go up in flames like the rest of this building. We need to go”
“Very well, doc. Well, I guess this is goodbye.” Tyler wondered if he could hear him. His flames covered his own body now and the ceiling looked like it was about to give way any second. “If only you were a little better, heh, I kind of liked you, kid, but as the doc said, we don’t have time for failure.” With a final glance, he joined the evacuation and could only guess that Red heard him because the flames got bigger.
Red could see his only parent figure, the only person who cared, looking down at him with disappointment before he turned around and left. He wanted to make Tyler proud, but he was too weak.
“Don’t leave me…” It was a small whisper that was only heard by Red’s ears as he finally fell to unconsciousness knowing fully well he failed and will never get to see the sky or Tyler again.
---
“Found a survivor!- It-...a child! Hurry!”
---
“Must you bother me every day you incessant bird?”
“Whaaat?? Not every day. Don’t exaggerate, big guy.” Pro hero Hawks waves and smiles at fans he passes by on the sidewalk. “Come on. It's not every day we get to spend our lunch together, which reminds me, where are you taking me to eat?” Hawks tilts his head up to meet the eyes of his favorite hero.
“I’m not taking you anywhere. You are tagging along because you feel like it, not because I asked. There is a very distinct difference.” As Endeavor, No. 1 Pro Hero, spoke he moves his hands to illustrate his point. A habit that Hawks noticed in the first few weeks of working with the hero.
“Without me, you would be eating lunch alone in your dark, cold office. You should be grateful!” A cheerful laugh escapes his lips.
It started after the nomu incident. They started doing more and more team-ups, lunch dates (that are not dates, Hawks), and hangouts that are mostly Hawks bothering Endeavor at his office when he claims it's about sharing information on cases and keeping on the same page for the better of the people. However, Endeavor just sees it as an excuse for Hawks to kill his childish boredom.
While Hawks enjoys their almost weekly team-ups and the time they spent together, he was not the only one. Endeavor, much to his dismay, almost (almost) likes(?) having the pro hero around. He was loud, annoying, and energetic, but Endeavor knew at least it would not be a boring day at work. However, he did have a limit to the amount of time he could spend with this irritating hero, and Hawks just loves to push his buttons to see how far he could go without getting thrown out of Endeavor’s office window.
Another reason Endeavor did not mind having Hawks around is because of “fan service.”
When Endeavor was around Hawks, he could approach his fans. He started taking more photos with them and started becoming more popular. More people started liking him. The media even started pointing out that Hawks changed Endeavor, but that was preposterous. Hawks didn’t change anything. He only acted as a gateway. But then, his daughter pointed it out too.
“Ever since you started teaming up with Hawks more, you seem happier.”
Was he happier? I mean sure, Hawks took a lot off his shoulders, but that was just him being a capable No. 2 hero.
“You should invite him for dinner, you guys seem like good friends.” Fuyumi let the innocent words gracefully leave her mouth as she let out a small smile.
However, the idea Fuyumi planted in Endeavor’s head just pledged it until one awkward night after the day’s patrols.
“Long day?”
It was these late nights that Endeavor appreciated Hawks the most. Somehow, Hawks always knew when something was going on with Endeavor. Most people would just see him and think, “He always looks tired and stressed.” But, Hawks knew when something was really bugging him. When something was really troubling, Hawks knew not to say the normal bullshit like, “you need sleep, you are overworking yourself, or let the other heroes handle it.” Hawks knew that Endeavor wouldn't do that because he was the same.
Hawks understood why Endeavor pushed himself because Hawks did the same. If he didn't do the work, then some other hero would have to, and that thought did not sit right on either of them. Because being a hero is more than just protecting the citizens, it is about protecting the other heroes as well. That is why both of them always find themselves overworked with some of the worst cases. At the end of the day, “It's better if I handle it than pass it on to some other unlucky hero.”
Because of this unspoken, shared ideology, Hawks would not pester him about sleep but instead, he would act as support, which is something Endeavor never asked for but found himself relieved when it came. Even if it came in the shape of a chicken nugget-loving dumbass who never had enough say.
All Endeavor had to do was meet his eyes, and it was like a thousand words were spoken. Deciding on changing the subject, Endeavor directs the conversation away from a dangerous slope of spilling his emotions on a, particularly gruesome case.
“Fuyumi, my daughter, she...ah.”
The best thing about Hawks is Endeavor never had to be the one to ask him for team-ups or their inconspicuous lunch meetings that were not dates. This sudden change of pace makes Endeavor regret his last words as he sees the smile creep onto Hawks’ face.
Fumbling with the papers on his desk ridiculously, Endeavor looks up and opens his mouth to reiterate his last embarrassing statement, and his eyes are immediately met with Hawks’. Hawks was now sitting on Endeavor's desk leaning in with his full attention on the big man.
“Spit it out, big guy.” Hawks smirks.
Endeavor let a small fire erupted in his hand to flex his frustration out under his desk, out of sight from the younger man in an attempt to suppress his nerves. He was nervous?
Endeavor clears his throat.
“She thinks we are friends,” Endeavor begins with a death glare, “and wanted me to invite you for dinner so she could meet you.”
Without breaking a sweat, Endeavor extinguished the flame in his hand as he finally got the words out. If it were any other person, Endeavor would have ignored them, but it was Fuyumi. He had to at least try and ask Hawks even though the thought of lying and saying Hawks was busy, was tempting.
“And?” Hawks blinks blankly, smiling brightly at the bigger man’s obvious struggle.
“And what, Hawks?”
“Friends.” Hawks smirks while studying Endeavor’s expressions with piercing bird-like eyes. He could feel the heat coming from the older man. Had this been the push he had been looking for?
Friends. Hawks’ reply is simple but it means more to Endeavor than the other man will ever know. It made him feel vulnerable because he allowed himself to depend on someone. Because that's what friends are. Someone who is there for you, right?
Sweat formed at his temple and Endeavor could feel his heart rate increase. Was it anticipation?
“If you are unable to come, I will let Fuyumi know.” Endeavor leans back in his chair so he no longer feels Hawks’ breath on his face in an attempt for some relief.
It was a simple conversation, but Endeavor could feel that something had changed. Whether it was the acknowledgment of maybe they were not just co-workers, the fact that Endeavor opened up his home, or the shared moment they had briefly, he did not know.
“...eavor! Endeavor!”
Endeavor snaps back to reality, wiping his head over to Hawks who gave him a curious look.
“Daydreaming about me again, big guy?” Hawks slyly side-eyes Endeavor with both hands tucked behind his head with his elbows in the sky.
After Hawks realizes Endeavor is ignoring his antics, he decides on another tactic to grab the No. 1 hero’s attention. “I said whether this is just some tag-along or you’re taking your hot boyfriend on a date to some nice restaurant, I want to know where we’re going to eat.” Hawks slyly clung to Endeavor’s arm.
Endeavor stares blankly in shock.
“Is it seafood or burgers?” Hawks presses successfully, flustering the other man.
“What the hell are you insinuating, boy?” Must he joke like that? Endeavor could feel his heart rate rise in...irritation(?) as he looked down and met Hawks’ eyes.
Hawks getting physical wasn’t a rare occurrence, which made it far too easy to get used to.
As Hawks laughs and lets go of Endeavor’s arm, the older man huffs and keeps walking.
What started off as something that overstepped all of Endeavor’s boundaries now was something he adjusted to and moved on. Endeavor found himself simply ruling this behavior out as another one of Hawks’ foolish habits.
“Joking! Lighten up.” He dismisses him with a simple wave of his hand. “So….” He looked over at him again and gave one of the stupider smiles.
Endeavor just frowns, and the flames increase right above his brows.
“Where are we going to eat! Oh my gosh, where is your head?” At this point, Hawks’ threw his arms up in the air.
Endeavor just looked away and said it was just one more block. It didn’t answer his question, but that was all he was getting.
In the end, as Endeavor thought about it, Hawks never got to have dinner with his family. Hawk’s got a phone call right before they left Endeavor’s office, heading to the dinner party. Hawks made a weird facial expression, one that Endeavor didn’t see often on the boy. After that, Hawks had to go, leaving Endeavor alone to break the news that Hawks would not be joining them. So in the end all of that struggle was for nothing. Whoever was on the phone with him, must have been important.
---
It had been a quiet day after Endeavor got back from lunch with Hawks, and they went their separate ways. Endeavor stayed in his office working on his intern reports for the rest of his shift. On a regular day, he would stay long into the night getting as much work done as possible before inevitably giving in to his exhaustion and heading home, but this day was different. Today was family dinner night.
With it being winter, Shoto was out of school and living back in Endeavor’s house for the time being. There was also Fuyumi who stays there part-time when she was not out of town. So, seeing them was not out of the blue, but Natsuo did not come by often. Endeavor could feel that Natsuo avoids the place like the plague and only shows his face when Fuyumi begs him.
Fuyumi was the glue that kept the family together. She was the one who convinced Shoto not to waste money and get an apartment. She was the one who helped their mom get back on her feet, and she convinced her mom to take time off and stay with her parents. Fuyumi was the one who persuaded Natsuo to give their father a chance, and she was the one who made sure that at least once a month they sat at the same table on the same night to have a nice family dinner.
However, even with all the work Endeavor was putting in to better his relationships with his family, things were still not great. Family dinners consisted mostly of Fuyumi asking questions about how everyone's life, school, and work were going.
Besides simple replays from Shoto, quick ones from Natsuo, and occasional comments from their father, the table was quiet, aside from Fuyumi talking about herself. Something that all the men in the family had in common was that they all would prefer to say nothing. However, Endeavor would try to put any effort in, but feeling like Shoto and Natsuo would rather die than hear about how his work was going, he kept mostly to himself.
It was obvious that the road to fixing what had been broken is full of awkward dinners and stiff conversation, but failure is only when one stops trying. And so, Endeavor just hopes that through his actions his family will give him a chance.
With his work packed up, Endeavor heads out of the office to be on his way to face his family.
---
It all went wrong when Fuyumi sent a text right before Enji pulls into the driveway. The text was Fuyumi apologizing that she could not make it because her boyfriend had a family emergency, but Enji couldn’t help thinking they were about to have a family emergency here too.
The moment he walked into the kitchen he was met with his two sons.
“Fuyumi is not coming.” Shoto’s face shows no emotion, but Enji could tell through Natsuo’s stiff poster that they were definitely talking about that just before he walked through the door.
“I know.” Because what else is there to say.
“We started cooking dinner. Normally she does it, but I guess we have to do it now.” That was Natsuo who didn’t take his eyes off of the pot of what Enji could only assume as curry.
“Do you need help?” Enji wasn’t the best cook, but he could work his way around the kitchen with simple dishes.
“Sure, whatever, start cooking the meat.”
Cut, spice, grill(?) and throwing them in the pot was Enji’s job. It was simple enough, but the silence was killing him. How could they all work on their own jobs in complete silence? Enji must try. Remember?
“How’s school going? Getting good grades?” Enji, without looking up, kept grilling the meat on the stove that was meant for the curry.
“My grades are fine.” Shoto kept cutting the vegetables with visible frustration displayed by his shaky hand and his death grip on the knife.
“How are the vegetables coming, Shoto?” Enji gave his youngest son side-eyes and hesitate on whether he should step in and help.
“They are coming along fine, father.” He spoke with his lips pressed in a thin line.
Did Enji say something wrong? He gave Shoto a concerning look and then directed his attention back on the meat. Maybe he had a bad day. The extra classwork during the winter can be tough.
Natsuo chimes in shortly after that. “Did the recipe call for a tablespoon or a teaspoon of salt?”
Not knowing the answer, the other Todorokis let his question hang in the air.
With dinner on the table, the hardest part has come.
“Looks great…”
Natsuo and Shoto just shared looks and served themselves a bowl leaving Enji’s comment on deaf ears.
Enji couldn’t help but envy Hawks' way of also knowing how to start and keep a conversation. With sweaty palms, Enji also served himself a bowl.
With nothing being said between them, the audible crunch could be heard through the whole Todoroki estate.
Natsuo clears his throat and looks over at his younger brother. “Carrots taste great, Shoto.”
Enji could see the displeasure in the corner on his oldest son's lips as they slightly quivered. So, it was a joke, right? Natsuo was teasing Shoto. It seems to lighten the mood as they continue to eat in more comfortable silence.
“Guess UA doesn’t teach you everything, huh,” Enji began in the best teasing voice he could. “If you tried cutting them smaller they would cook through to the middle.”
“If you don’t like it, don’t eat it,” Shoto says sharply with a dead palm facial expression while picking at his food.
With his comment backfiring, Enji drops the subject and instead focuses on his other son. Maybe he will have better luck at light conversation.
“How is your school going, Natsuo?” Did he sound light-hearted enough? Enji could only hope to fill the atmosphere with light-hearted conversation.
“Fine.”
“That’s great.”
“Yup.”
Why family dinners have to be so awkward, Enji did not know.
“Well, I wrapped up a few cases this week so the weekend won’t be too packed.”
“Nice.” Shoto finally spoke after a long pause.
“...Yeah.” It was like they were taking turns having to speak. Enji had never wished for Fuyumi more in his life.
With growing frustration, Enji clenches his fist from under the table and releases some steam from his sweaty palms. He couldn’t stomach another 20 minutes of this. Maybe if he ate faster-
“Why is the food so damn salty?” It was out of Enji lips before he could think over his words. Knowing Enji made a mistake, he signs trying to think of a way to bring the atmosphere to some sort of comfortable silence. Enji had always been a slave to his own anger.
“Sorry, it's not up to your perfect standard, dad.” Natsuo was giving him a death glare. “Must you always be a critic?”
“That’s not what-”
“No! You can’t go one meal without putting us down.” Natsuo glares.
Rubbing a hand over his face, Enji groans softly to himself.
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Natsuo.” A line that Enji picked up not too long ago.
“Arrogant bastard. You didn’t hurt shit.” Natsuo didn’t bother making eye contact
Letting the insult go, Enji spoke, “Natsuo-”
Suddenly, Enji's phone went off, and he sent a small prayer to whatever god was watching over him. Thankful for an excuse to leave the table, Enji stood up and left without a word.
Enji walks to the kitchen and answers the phone.
“Pro Hero Endeavor speaking.”
“Yes, we know. This is the Hero Commission. We need you at headquarters immediately.” It was a woman who was speaking in a strict tone that Enji only heard in a few people. The kind of people who have too much work on their hands and don’t have the patience to deal with uncooperative individuals.
Why the hell the Hero Commission needed him at this hour, he didn’t know. She gave no other detail other than to come as soon as possible and come in civilian clothes, which gave Enji the perfect excuse to relieve his children of his presents. Something they desperately wanted if their faces were anything to go by...
Releasing some steam from his nose, Enji heads back to face his children.
“I have to go. Work.” Getting no reply other than a small grunt, Enji grabs his keys, jacket, and driver's license. He should be grateful he got at least some acknowledgment. Maybe tonight was progress? No, maybe not. Enji left the house in a hurry with a bitter feeling completely unaware that this was the last normal day he will get in a long time.
Enji did not know what to expect when he got there, but his partner who looks as tired as Enji felt was not at the top of the list. However, there he was sitting in the main conference room.
“What the hell are you doing here?” After his terrible family dinner, Enji didn’t have the patience for Hawks at this hour. Why must this day keep getting harder and harder?
“They called you in too huh, big guy. Didn’t expect to see you. It's always just me who gets called in late.” Hawks put his index finger on his bottom lip and moved it around aimlessly.
“I wonder what kinda case needs both of us at this time. Could they not have just waited ‘till morning?” Hawks yawns and stretches his wing out as they quiver. He continues talking as Enji takes a seat. “Must be a pretty nasty villain, huh?”
Knowing the inevitable case debrief was in their near future, Enji huffs as he leans back in his chair with his palms yet again sweaty.
“Must be.”