Chapter Text
It happened in the quiet in between moments, it must have, because Enji doesn’t know when else Hawks could have slipped through his defences so effectively.
It probably started at press events and mission briefings, the number two hero gravitating to his side, idle conversations, things Enji didn’t need or want to hear, until it started to feel stranger without the younger hero being there.
At some point they exchanged numbers, strictly for work of course, but Hawks started sending him messages, strange things like, ‘you okay?’ and ‘I’m here if you need to talk’. No one has ever been presumptuous enough to think he can’t handle his own problems sufficiently by himself before.
Then there were the late evenings at the agency, stacks of mission reports to read through now that villain activity had increased, extra security requests to filter, media releases to approve, stress leave requests for sidekicks for Heaven’s sake. Sometimes it felt like he had to do everything himself. And then there was Hawks, catching him during moments of mental exhaustion, drawing candid comments of agitation and frustration from him, somehow lightening the load the tiniest bit.
The winged hero comes in through the window now, bypassing security and etiquette, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. No one else would dare invade Endeavour’s personal space without fear of being roasted alive. But Hawks, he does it with a cheeky grin. His audacity really knows no bounds.
“I brought bagels,” Hawks says, holding up a paper bag. “Because you haven’t had breakfast.”
“How do you know I haven’t eaten already?” Enji challenges.
“Because I know you,” Hawks simply states, dropping the bag on top of the report Enji was reading. “Strawberry. Your favourite, right?”
It is, sharp, sweet flavours combat the constant taste of ash in his mouth, but he doesn’t give Hawks the satisfaction of confirming it.
“So, what disasters are we averting today?” Hawks asks with a grin.
Enji pushes the takeout bag aside, straightening his papers.
“Must we go through these tiresome rituals every day?” Enji sighs, it’s not even 8am and he can already feel a stress headache brewing.
“We must. Or how else will I know the number one hero is fighting fit?”
“I can take care of myself.”
“The city depends on you, so let’s say I’m doing my civic duty if it makes you feel better about it.”
“You do know I managed perfectly fine for forty-five years without you.”
“That’s debatable. And I bet you never had this much fun before.”
“Is that what this is?” Enji grumbles, massaging his temples.
Usually Hawks would have another witty line to throw at him, so when it doesn’t come, Enji looks up curiously. What he sees is Hawks watching him, brows furrowed in seriousness.
“I mean it, you know. When I say you can talk to me.”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing now? Isn’t it what you force me to do every day when I really don’t have the time?”
Hawks stares at him for a second longer, wings tucking in a touch tighter.
“Right. Sorry. I’ll let you get on with your work then.”
That sounds too good to be true, he’s usually tortured with twenty minutes of banter before the number two hero leaves him in peace.
Hawks goes back to the window, jumps up on the sill.
“Don’t forget to eat,” he says, before spreading his wings and riding the wind away.
Enji leans back in his chair and sighs, he got exactly what he wanted, but the silence following Hawks’ departure feels louder than any amount of chatter ever did.