The Two Types of Wingmen [Bakawks] - Part 12

[Click for Ch11] 

Katsuki fell onto a bench, pressing his water bottle to his forehead as he struggled to regain his breath. It felt like his couple of days off had sent him back to square one, left him exhausted after a simple workout.

“Hey little hedgehog!” Hawks grinned, dropping onto the seat beside him. “Taking a break?”

“Think I’m done for the day,” he sighed, tipping his head back to lean against the wall. “I should probably shower though, I stink.”

“Yeah you do,” Hawks teased, wrapping an arm around his neck and dragging him into a hug. “But so do I, so it’s cool.”

Katsuki looked at him for the first time, grimacing when he saw the mud and grass stains splattered all down Hawks’s costume. He tried to pull away, but Hawks held tight, only laughing at him when he squawked indignantly.

“You’re so gross,” he complained, shoving a sweaty hand in Hawks’s face as a warning. “Let me go, asshole.”

“You’re no fun,” Hawks chuckled, kissing his head sloppily. “Want to hang out in the sauna for a bit? I think we could both use it.”

“Sure.”

Hawks offered him a hand, and Katsuki groaned as he was hauled to his feet, taking a moment to find his balance. Hawks didn’t let go, and Katsuki smiled faintly as he squeezed back, letting himself be led away.

“So how was your day?” Hawks prompted, as they stripped down in the locker room.

“Long,” Katsuki huffed, peeling off his sweaty gym gear – he’d long since stopped training in his U.A. uniform, but he couldn’t help but notice his generic clothes were far more sticky. “Feel like I was just counting the hours until I can sleep. Uh, and hang out with you, obviously.”

“You’re allowed to be tired,” Hawks laughed. “I don’t take offence at that.”

“Thanks, I guess. Um, how was work?”

“Good! Long as well though, I was looking forward to seeing you.”

“Why are you always so cheesy?”

“Because you never know how to react and it’s super cute.”

“Ugh.”

He wrapped a towel around his waist, glancing back to see Hawks ready and waiting. He felt his face warm at the sight, knowing Hawks had likely gotten a peek at him bare-assed, but he bit down on his lip, refused to give him the satisfaction.

“Have a seat, take a load off,” Hawks grinned, waving him into the steaming room. “I promise if you fall asleep I’ll wake you before you get too dehydrated.”

“Thanks,” he sighed, lying back along one of the wooden benches. “So what do you want for dinner?”

“We could pick up something local and eat at my place, if you want a chill night.”

“You don’t want me to cook for you?”

“You can do that any time,” Hawks chuckled. “There’s no rush, you’ve had a long day.”

“I said I would, though.”

“You said it before you wore yourself out. I promise I won’t be offended if we postpone.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. How about… A super greasy, cheesy pizza, some of those crispy chicken bites, a ton of potato wedges, a couple of beers, and a really bad movie?”

“I’m underage.”

“For bad movies?”

“Real funny.”

“Pizza, chicken, wedges, a beer for me, and a chocolate milk for you.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes, but lifted his hand to give him a little thumbs-up all the same.

“Sure,” he said softly. “But I want the chilli wedges. And I’ll cook for you next time.”

“That sounds great,” Hawks said fondly. “How about Thursday?”

“For dinner?” he clarified, yawning. “I can do that. If I do a good job, maybe we can make a habit of it?”

“You want to cook for me every week?”

“Mm-hm. You eat too much fast food.”

“Well, I can hardly say no to that,” he chuckled. “To both parts. I feel like a lucky man, being offered home-cooked meals from my boyfriend.”

“You should.”

“Are you feeling okay? You’re really flushed.”

“Just hot.”

“Hotter than usual?”

“Tired.”

Light footsteps signalled Hawks’s approach, and Katsuki cracked his eyes open just in time to see Hawks reach for him, his cool hand touching Katsuki’s forehead.

“Yeah, you’re way too hot. Come on, let’s go cool off.”

With a little grunt, Katsuki began to sit up, but before he could get more than an inch off the seat Hawks was picking him up gently. He held Katsuki to his chest like he was carrying a toddler, and despite his embarrassment, Katsuki couldn't help but be a little impressed.

“You’re strong,” he murmured, resting his head on Hawks’s shoulder. “You don’t look it.”

“Thanks,” Hawks snorted. “I know I’m not some beefcake like Endeavor or All Might, but I am the Number Two Hero.”

“I know, it’s sexy.”

“I’m rubbing off on you too much, that’s the kind of thing I would say.”

Hawks set him down on a small stool, and Katsuki looked up again to see the small bathroom around them, where he usually changed out of his school uniform. Hawks turned the shower head on, testing the temperature before he turned it on Katsuki.

“Sorry,” he grimaced, when Katsuki flinched at the cool water. “You been feeling tired all day?”

“Pretty much. Guess I went to bed too late last night.”

“I think you’re coming down with something.”

“No. I don’t get sick.”

“Uh-huh, okay.”

Gentle hands cleaned sweat from Katsuki’s back, sliding slowly up his spine, and Katsuki hummed quietly, head falling forward.

“Feel good?” Hawks smiled. “Tell me if it’s too much, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“S’fine.”

Katsuki shivered when the hand ran through his hair, and Hawks chuckled as he planted a kiss on the top of his head, scratching lightly with his fingertips.

“You don’t seem like a very touchy person,” Hawks murmured into his hair. “But you like it, don’t you? When you let it happen? The hand-holding, the hugs, the kisses.”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah you like it?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I’ll keep doing it then,” Hawks chuckled. “Just don’t hesitate to tell me if you want me to stop, okay?”

“I know,” Katsuki hummed. “If you pissed me off I’d punch you.”

“Noted.”

He turned off the water, and Katsuki sighed as he straightened up, turning to look back over his shoulder as Hawks grabbed him a dry towel.

“Think you can get yourself dressed?”

“I’m fine,” Katsuki said stubbornly, eyes narrowing. “Don’t baby me.”

He hauled himself to his feet, clutching at the soaked towel that threatened to fall from his hips, but Hawks turned away politely when he’d handed over the fresh one – Katsuki could always see it in his face that he wanted to tease, wanted to push his luck, but he was so damn respectful and it made Katsuki’s chest feel warm.

“Go get dressed,” Hawks instructed, keeping his eyes on the wall and reaching for his own clothes. “Then we can head home.”

“Home?” Katsuki smirked. “Someone is moving fast.”

“It can be your home whenever you want,” Hawks laughed. “Don’t go thinking I’m all uptight about that kind of thing.”

“You got a spare room?”

”Do I need one?” Hawks teased. “You dressed yet?”

“Almost.”

Katsuki wiggled his way into the jeans he’d brought along for their date, cursing Mina in his head for convincing him to wear them so often – especially after a shower when his legs were all sticky. He was gonna have to get some new ones, before Hawks noticed that he wore the same pair of pants on every damn date.

Best Jeanist would’ve been proud.

“What, no hoodie?” Hawks teased, when he picked his bag up to leave. “Thought you lived in it.”

“What, you don’t like it when I’m not showing off your brand?” Katsuki smiled back faintly. “It’s in my bag, you possessive parrot.”

“I’m glad you like it so much.”

“Course I do,” Katsuki huffed. “You’re my favourite hero, after All Might.”

“Oh yeah?”

“You know that, you dodo.”

“I like hearing it, though.”

Katsuki shoved the rest of his belongings in his bag, slinging it over his shoulder, and Hawks took his hand again with a smile.

“I bet I could find someone to make me a hoodie that looks like your hero costume.”

“Oh yeah, that would be great for the whole subtlety thing.”

“After you graduate,” Hawks grinned. “Then no one will be able to complain.”

“I bet they’ll still do it.”

“Then fuck ‘em.”

“This is why I like you.”

He waited until they were out the front door before he scooped Katsuki up again, ignoring his indignant squawks and sailing into the air effortlessly. By the time they got two metres off the ground Katsuki was clinging to him tightly, arms wrapped around his neck and legs wrapped around his waist, Hawks’s own arms holding him just as tight. No matter how much Katsuki complained the entire way back, he still held tight – he didn’t have a death wish, after all.

When they landed outside Hawks’s little house – modest, Katsuki couldn’t help but think, though no doubt expensive as hell when he bought it – Katsuki found himself hesitant. He stood awkwardly at the door until Hawks pulled him inside by the hand, walking on tiptoe just in case his clean-as-of-five-minutes-ago socks somehow managed to mess up the shiny wooden floors.

“I have a cleaning lady,” Hawks explained, when Katsuki spotted the gleaming white kitchen, with its marble counters and sparkling stovetop. “I spend enough of my energy on work, may as well let someone else take care of the boring housework.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“The kitchen?” Hawks clarified, grinning. “You can cook in it any time you want. Make a huge mess, and don’t clean up after yourself, it’s all the same to me.”

“I will. Cook in it, I mean. The dorm kitchen is… Shitty. I mean, it’s all basically new, it was only built in my first year, but it’s so cramped, and it doesn’t have a decent oven, plus I have to fight like twenty people for real estate. When I get my own place, it’s gonna have a nice kitchen.”

“As nice as mine?”

“A man can dream.”

“You know, if you still like me by then, and you want to stay in the area to work, you could always just… Have my kitchen.”

“We’ve only been together a few weeks and you’re already asking me to move in?”

“I’m sure we’ve had this conversation already,” Hawks laughed, ruffling his damp hair. “I’m gonna order the food, then I’ll show you around.”

“Don’t forget my spicy wedges.”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

He pulled up an app on his phone to order, happy to let Katsuki hover at his shoulder to watch and help choose, and despite Katsuki’s protests, he put his own credit card number in to pay for it, refused to let Katsuki contribute.

“So this is my living room,” Hawks announced when they finished, marching on ahead even as Katsuki continued to argue. “I don’t actually spend that much time in here, mostly just when I have guests. Which… Isn’t very often. But these couches are super comfy, I really should use them more.”

“It’s nice,” Katsuki admitted, putting his wallet away in defeat. “Would be a good place to entertain, if you had friends over and stuff.”

“Sure, if I had those,” Hawks snorted, making Katsuki chuckle. “My bathroom is over here, I love the huge bathtub. I got someone in to put a TV in here just so I could soak for hours and watch the news. Or trashy reality TV. Usually the latter.”

“Gross,” Katsuki smiled, shoving him lightly. “You have terrible taste.”

“I dunno, I think I did pretty good picking you.”

“Shut up, sappy dove boy.”

Hawks just grinned, grabbing him around the waist and pulling him closer, leading him down a short hallway.

“I have an office here, for when I work from home. I try to use it as little as possible.”

“Sounds like it’s my future bedroom,” Katsuki smirked, peeking through the doorway at a cluttered little office. “Bigger than my dorm room already.”

“Don’t be silly, you can have the spare room!” Hawks laughed, pointing at a door at the end of the hall. “It’s much bigger, heaps of room to spread out! Space for me to buy you pretty things.”

“I can’t win with you, can I?”

“Nope,” Hawks pulled him closer, kissing his forehead. “You feel really warm still, are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“Hmmm.”

Hawks’s hand slid under his hair, resting lightly on his forehead, and Katsuki couldn’t help but lean in a little closer – the cool hand felt good on his face, and being tucked into Hawks’s side was even better.

“Yeah, you’re definitely coming down with something,” Hawks sighed. “You’re allowed to get sick, you know. It doesn’t make you weak or anything, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Show me your bedroom, you shitty cockatoo.”

“Wow, someone is eager.”

“Fine, don’t show me.”

“Come on, Sunshine,” Hawks chuckled. “You can see.”

He opened the one closed door in the house, where the curtains were still pulled from the night prior, and flipped on the light switch to let Katsuki see. 

Katsuki froze in his tracks, jaw falling open. He swore he’d never been lost for words in his life before meeting Hawks, but it seemed to have become a common occurrence lately.

“What?” Hawks asked, when Katsuki didn’t speak for a while. “You don’t like it?”

“You have a nest?”

“What else would I have?”

“A bed?”

“This is a bed.”

“Have you ever seen a bed?”

Hawks just laughed, dragging him into the room to look closer. He was relieved to find that it wasn’t held together by mud or spiderwebs, at least, but he still hesitated at the edge, a little nervous to touch.

“It’s just wicker,” Hawks assured him, grinning. “I had it made for me a few years back, it’s super comfy.”

“You have a nest.”

“Didn’t you ever curl up in a pile of pillows and blankets as a kid? To get all cozy and warm and safe?”

“That’s not the same as building a nest.”

“I told you, I didn’t make it! Look, it has a proper mattress lining and everything, just like your boring bed. Come see my pillows, they’re super squishy.”

He fell into the nest, dragging Katsuki with him despite his squawks. Katsuki braced himself for impact, but Hawks held him close to his chest, cushioning his landing with his own.

“You damn Nightjar, don’t do that shit.”

“Feel these pillows!”

He shoved an oversized egg-shaped cushion into Katsuki’s hands, and Katsuki groaned, long and loud.

“You have egg pillows.”

“This is where I spend most nights, all cozy and comfy, watching a movie or something with all my pillows and blankets.”

“Let me guess. In a silk robe, feet propped on your weird eggs, sipping a martini and eating caviar?”

Hawks laughed brightly, and Katsuki’s lips twitched a little as he held back his own.

“Close!” he grinned. “First of all, I prefer beer.”

“Great, you’re so down to Earth.”

“Second, I have silk boxers, but not a silk robe.”

“You seriously wear silk boxers?”

“Only to bed! And I’ve never eaten caviar, that seems weird, but I do have a snack drawer over here!”

He rolled over to the low nightstand beside his nest, sliding the drawer out and producing a few little boxes and packets.

“Dried bananas, raisins, pumpkin seeds- Oh, these little balls are the best! They’re peanut butter mixed with nuts and seeds, I’m addicted.”

“Oh my god you’re such a bird.”

Hawks paused, staring at his collection, then burst out laughing again, dragging Katsuki back into a hug.

“You’re not wrong,” he admitted. “At least they’re healthy! You like healthy!”

“Please tell me you don’t have mice in there.”

“Of course not! Gross! But uh, can I tell you a secret?”

“Oh God. Okay, tell me.”

“You know those seed bells you hang in a bird cage?”

“You don’t.”

“They’re… Actually pretty tasty. Kinda hard to eat, what with my actual human teeth, but sometimes I’ll just sit here and munch on one like it’s a cob of corn.”

“You’re screwing with me.”

“Would it make you feel better if I said yes?”

“You talk about all these fancy restaurants you want to drag me to after I graduate, then you come home and eat bird seed.”

“Wow, someone is judgy tonight.”

Katsuki rolled his eyes, but when Hawks’s hand slid up the back of his head, making his skin tingle, he didn’t bother to fight it. Gently, the hand pulled him in, lowering his head onto Hawks’s shoulder, and Katsuki let it happen.

“Told you it was nice and snuggly,” he whispered, pulling a blanket up over them both.

“Mm…You’re warm.”

“What do you say to eating dinner in bed?” Hawks suggested, stroking his hair lightly. “And then a good nap?”

“Do you have a perch in here somewhere too?” Katsuki mumbled into his shoulder.

“No, but I get really confused by mirrors.”

Katsuki snorted, and despite how incredibly unattractive he knew it was, Hawks didn’t seem to mind. He just grinned, nuzzling into Katsuki’s hair and making him blush.

“You’re so clingy,” Katsuki grumbled half-heartedly. “You cockatiel fuck.”

A buzz sounded from the entryway, and Hawks groaned, his head popping up and ripping away Katsuki’s warm shroud.

“Sorry,” Hawks whispered knowingly. “I’ll be right back, gotta go grab our food!”

“Jerk.”

“Sorry ‘Tsuki, I’ll be right back.”

Katsuki rolled away with a huff, wrapping himself around one of the giant eggs, and Hawks paused for a moment to smile at him before he sneaked away to retrieve their greasy feast.

When he returned, Katsuki hauled himself up, propping an egg behind him to lean on. Hawks snuggled in beside him again quickly, tucking the blanket over their laps and setting out their boxes of food on top.

“Dig in babe.”

“Eugh. That’s a no.”

“On what, babe?” Hawks laughed. “You’ll put up with hedgehog, porcupine, dandelion, and a thousand other stupider things, but you draw the line at babe.”

“At least they’re original. Babe is gross.”

“Alright, noted,” Hawks agreed. “No more babes.”

“Thanks.”

“Aww, look at you with your manners!”

“I don’t know what I see in you.”

“I’m cute and have cool merch.”

“Damn it, you’re right.”

Hawks picked up a potato wedge, poking it at Katsuki’s lips, and Katsuki opened up obediently, accepting the spicy treasure. He snatched the box as he chewed, claiming the rest for himself, and Hawks allowed it with a fond smile.

“Taste good?”

“Really good,” Katsuki nodded, shoving another one in his mouth. “I’m starving.”

“You should have said so! I could have gotten you a snack!”

“Didn’t realise.”

“When did you have lunch?”

“Didn’t.”

“What?! You can’t skip meals, Katsuki, you work too hard!”

“Wasn’t hungry.”

“Katsuki.”

“I know, I know. I was tired, wanted to hang out in the quiet classroom instead of the shitty cafeteria.”

“You really aren’t doing well, huh?”

“I’m fine.”

“Why don’t you want to admit you’re under the weather? It’s not a big deal, everyone gets sick sometimes. You know that.”

“Don’t wanna leave,” he admitted, leaning his head on Hawks’s shoulder lightly. “I’m okay, just need rest, but I can wait.”

“You’re pretending you’re okay just to spend more time with me?” Hawks asked, the grin clear in his voice even without Katsuki looking up to see it. “You think I’m gonna send you home or something like you’re a child?”

“Shut up.”

“Do you want to stay here for the night?”

“Huh? Really?”

“I can call Eraser Head, let him know that you aren’t well and I’ll bring you back tomorrow. Does he know you’ve been using my gym?”

“Mm-hm, came up after that fight. Knew I’d been going somewhere, didn’t really tell him where until then.”

“Alright, I’ll give him a call then. You know, this is probably a good time to ask, too. Do you want a Work Studies position? I know you’ll complain about getting it by dating me or whatever, but-”

“Everyone gets them through whatever contacts they have,” Katsuki finished for him. “Halfie always goes with Endeavor. Nerd went to Nighteye because of Tin-tin. Can’t be invited if they don’t know who we are.”

“Not quite what I was gonna say, but that too,” Hawks grinned. “What I was going to say, is that I’d offer it to you whether we were dating or not.”

“Oh.”

“So if you do want to, I’ll mention that to Eraser Head while he’s on the line.”

“Yeah.”

“You sure? That wasn’t very enthusiastic.”

“Are you really gonna make me do this?”

“No,” he laughed. “Just checking.”

He dug out his phone, but didn’t leave, so Katsuki remained curled up against him as he made the call. It was over in all of two minutes, approved easily, even with thanks from Aizawa for taking care of him – gag.

“He’s gonna email me about days you can skip class and stuff, we’ll sort it out tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“Aww, you’re so sincere when you’re tired.”

“Don’t make fun of me when I’m tired.”

“Aww, you’re cute when you pout.”

“I give up.”

“Good choice.”

When they’d both eaten their fill, Hawks slid his way out from under Katsuki’s grip again, kissing his cheek when he whined about it cutely. He put the leftovers away in the fridge, then grabbed a pair of boxers and an old t-shirt for Katsuki to sleep in, returning to find him cuddled up with a blanket and an egg again sleepily.

“Get changed for me, Sonic. I’ll give you a minute.”

Katsuki accepted the clothes, holding them to his face for a moment and taking a deep breath. Hawks chose not to address it, shutting the door behind him to give him some privacy.

“You gonna sleep in my nest tonight?” Hawks asked through the door. “What happened to shitty nest and what’s wrong with a normal bed huh?”

Katsuki huffed quietly, but he didn’t bother to argue. Hawks heard shuffling from within, and after a minute, Katsuki grunted something unintelligible.

“Can I come in?”

“Yeah.”

When he opened the door and saw Katsuki – curled up in his nest, dressed in his old clothes, arms wrapped around his favourite egg – he thought he might have fallen in love. He’d never expected the prickly, grumpy boy who was muzzled on his Sports Festival podium to be so damn cute.

“C’mere you!”

Katsuki grunted when Hawks dove on him, wrapping him up in a hug and covering him in kisses, ignoring his protests in favour of burying his face in blond spikes.

“God you’re adorable,” he whined, squeezing Katsuki extra tight. “You look so good in my clothes.”

“Is that what this is about?” Katsuki huffed.

“I’m sorry, you just look so good in my nest!”

“You’re so weird.”

“I never even considered the idea of sharing my nest with someone, but you just fit in so perfectly and I never want you to leave.”

“Good, I’m sleeping here.”

“Okay,” Hawks chuckled. “I can take the spare room for a night.”

Katsuki pouted wordlessly, and Hawks sat back a little to see his face better.

“You want me to stay a bit longer?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Alright, I’ll wait until you fall asleep first.”

“You don’t… Have to go.”

“You want me to stay all night?”

“Only if you want to.”

“That sounds great,” Hawks hummed, kissing his cheek again firmly. “And we can cuddle? You won’t get sick of me touching you?”

“I won’t.”

“Cool,” Hawks grinned, snuggling in and pulling the blankets up again. “Early night for us both, then. I’ll stay here and keep you safe until you’re feeling better, you just rest.”

“I don’t need protecting.”

“I know that,” Hawks assured him. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t do it anyway, from time to time. Makes me feel good, too.”

“Fine, just this once, then.”

“Okay,” Hawks humoured him. “Never again.”

“Damn right.”

They fell silent, and for a moment Hawks thought Katsuki had already fallen asleep – understandably, considering how tired and flushed he’d been all night – until he wiggled a little, tucking his head into Hawks’s neck.

“I like ‘Tsuki,” he whispered, cheeks burning even warmer. “Babe is gross and impersonal.”

“Yeah?”

“Mm-hm.”

“I’ll take it into consideration,” Hawks chuckled. “Make my decisions depending how cute you’ve been each day.”

“Shut up, m'not cute.”

“The cutest.”

“Dick.”

“That’s not a bird, you’re losing your touch.”

“Mm… Dickcissel.”

“Is that a bird?”

“Think so.”

“Alright,” Hawks chuckled, stroking his hair. “Get some rest.”

“G’night.”

They fell silent again, and Katsuki relaxed into the soft mattress. As much as he’d given Hawks shit for the nest – because come on – it was actually really damn cozy. Not that he’d ever say that out loud.

“You still awake?” Hawks whispered.

“Mm?”

“Keigo.”

“Why?”

“My name,” he explained, making Katsuki’s eyes shoot open. “It’s Keigo.”

Katsuki leaned back a little, getting a good look at Hawks’s face with the tiny, shy smile that waited for him.

“Keigo,” he repeated dumbly.

“Yeah.”

“Mm… Nah.”

“Nah?” Hawks laughed. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s fine, but I prefer budgerigar.”

“You’ve never even used that one before.”

“Smew.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“Great Tit.”

“Thank you, but I thought we were talking about birds.”

Katsuki stifled a laugh in Hawks’s neck, getting another quick kiss for his efforts, before Hawks shoved him back into his cuddle spot fondly.

“Really this time, go to sleep, you need it.”

“Stop distracting me then,” Katsuki laughed, making Hawks soften – that laugh never failed to turn him into a puddle of happy goo. “Just… Keep me warm.”

“I will, I promise.”

He hitched the blankets up a little higher, tucking Katsuki in, and finally he felt Katsuki settle in for real.

“Goodnight ‘Tsuki.”

“G’night Keigo.”

[Click for Ch13]