The warmth of Hawks' small, genuine smile lingered in the air, and for the first time in a long time, I felt... grounded. Not safe—safety felt like a distant memory—but grounded enough to let myself breathe.

Hawks stood, clearing the plates off the table with an easy efficiency. "Why don't you take a quick shower or something? Freshen up before the healer gets here. The bathroom's down the hall to the left. Towels are in the cabinet."

I nodded, standing slowly. My body still felt sore, like I'd been hit by a truck, but it was manageable. "Alright."

"And kid," Hawks added, his tone dropping just slightly, "don't overthink it. Not everything has to be so heavy all the time. Go on."

I managed a small smile, a bit awkward but sincere, before heading toward the bathroom. The shower was warm, the water easing some of the tension in my muscles. As the steam rose, I caught a glimpse of myself in the foggy mirror when I stepped out. There were still shadows under my eyes, bruises darkening my arms, but I looked... better, somehow. Less like a kid who'd just barely survived.

When I came back out, dressed in the oversized shirt and sweatpants Hawks had handed me the night before, the smell of coffee drifted through the apartment. Hawks was in the living room, sprawled across the couch with one leg hanging off the edge, his phone in hand.

"You clean up nice," he joked, smirking at me over his mug.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. "Thanks, I guess?"

Before either of us could say anything else, there was a knock at the door. Hawks stood, stretching with a groan before heading over to open it.

"Right on time," he said as he let in a woman dressed in casual, neutral-toned clothes. She carried a large bag slung over one shoulder, and her sharp eyes immediately flicked to me.

"Keigo," she said, nodding at Hawks before turning her attention to me. "And you must be Izuku."

I tensed automatically, but Hawks stepped between us, his wings shifting slightly as if to shield me. "Relax, kid. This is Dr. Kaida. She's one of the best healers I know. Completely off the books, too, so no one at the Commission's gonna know anything."

That eased some of the tension in my chest, and I nodded slowly. "Okay."

Dr. Kaida smiled gently. "Let's start with you, Keigo. Sit down."

Hawks groaned dramatically but obeyed, flopping onto the couch. "Why me first?"

"Because if I start with the kid, you'll just hover the whole time," she replied dryly, pulling a device from her bag.

I watched as she worked, her hands glowing faintly as she moved them over Hawks' wings and ribs. He winced a couple of times but didn't complain, his eyes flicking to me every so often like he was making sure I hadn't bolted.

When it was my turn, I hesitated, but Hawks nudged me gently toward the chair. "She's good, Izu. Just let her do her thing."

Hearing him call me that—like it was natural, like we'd always been this close—made my chest tighten. I sat down, trying not to fidget as Dr. Kaida began her examination.

"You've been through a lot," she said softly as her hands hovered over my bruises, the glow of her quirk warming my skin. "But your body's holding up surprisingly well. Stronger than it looks."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I stayed quiet. The healing process didn't hurt, but it felt strange, like a deep itch under my skin that I couldn't scratch. When she finished, she packed up her bag and gave us both a few instructions—rest, hydration, nothing too strenuous.

Hawks walked her to the door, thanking her quietly. When he came back, he leaned against the doorframe, watching me.

"How you feeling?" he asked, his tone lighter but his eyes serious.

"Better," I admitted. "Thanks... for all of this."

"Don't thank me yet. We've still got a shopping trip to survive," he teased, pushing off the doorframe. "You ready?"

I hesitated, glancing around the small apartment. It wasn't much, but it already felt more like home than anywhere else I'd been in years. The idea of stepping outside, of being back in the world, made my stomach twist.

Hawks seemed to sense my hesitation. "Hey," he said, his voice softening. "We'll keep it simple. Just grab what you need and get back here. No pressure, no rush. I've got your back, okay?"

His words settled something inside me, and I nodded. "Okay."

"Atta boy." He ruffled my hair, grinning when I swatted his hand away. "Let's get to it, then."

The city was bustling, the streets alive with the hum of people going about their day. It had been so long since I'd been out in the open like this—so long since I'd felt like I could walk freely without looking over my shoulder.

But even now, there was a small knot of anxiety in my chest. Hawks must've noticed, because he stayed close, his wings tucked in but his presence solid and reassuring.

"Alright, first stop," he said, pointing to a nearby store. It wasn't too big, just a local place that looked quiet enough. "We'll get you some clothes. Can't have you living in my old shirts forever."

I nodded, following him inside. The store was quiet, and the lady behind the counter gave us a polite smile before returning to her magazine. Hawks made it seem so easy, picking up shirts, jackets, and pants off the racks, holding them up to me with a thoughtful hum.

"Try these," he said, handing me a small pile of clothes. "Dressing room's over there."

I ducked into the dressing room, pulling on the first outfit he'd chosen. It was weird, seeing myself in clean, new clothes. The boy staring back in the mirror looked... different. Not entirely unfamiliar, but less like the scrappy kid I'd been forced to become.

When I stepped out, Hawks grinned. "Looking sharp, kid."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. "It's fine, I guess."

He laughed, ruffling my hair again. "Don't get all emotional on me."

We left the store with a bag of clothes, and Hawks slung it over his shoulder like it weighed nothing. Next, we stopped by a pharmacy, where Hawks loaded a basket with essentials—shampoo, toothpaste, a first aid kit.

"Anything else you need?" he asked as we walked down the aisle.

I hesitated, glancing at the shelves. "No... I think that's it."

"Alright," he said, tossing in a box of Band-Aids with a grin. "Just in case."

As we walked back to his apartment, the weight of the day began to settle in. It wasn't just the shopping or the fresh clothes—it was the way Hawks treated me, like I was someone worth caring for. Like I was someone who mattered.

When we got back, he dropped the bags on the couch and flopped down beside them, letting out a dramatic sigh. "Man, being a big brother is exhausting. How do parents do this full-time?"

I laughed despite myself, sitting down on the other end of the couch. "You're not that old, you know."

"Old enough to appreciate my nap time," he teased, stretching out his legs. "But hey, we got through it. And we didn't even argue. That's got to be a record."

I shook my head, the smile lingering on my face. "Thanks, Hawks. Really."

He looked at me, his expression softening. "You don't have to thank me, Izu. I'm just... doing what I should've done a long time ago."

His words hit something deep inside me, and I looked away, the lump in my throat making it hard to speak. Hawks didn't push, just leaned back with a sigh.

"Alright," he said after a moment. "I think we both deserve a break. You can unpack your stuff, get comfortable. I'll start dinner in a bit."

I nodded, grabbing the bags and heading to the small room he'd set up for me. It was simple—just a bed, a dresser, and a window overlooking the city—but it felt... safe. Like I could finally let my guard down.

As I unpacked, I couldn't stop thinking about Hawks. About the way he'd been so patient, so determined to make sure I was okay. He didn't have to do any of this. But he had.

And for the first time, I let myself believe that maybe... I wasn't alone anymore.

Later that evening, after we'd eaten dinner and cleaned up, Hawks leaned against the kitchen counter, watching me with a curious expression.

"So, what's the verdict?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his voice. "Am I the best big brother ever, or just pretty great?"

I rolled my eyes, but the warmth in his tone made my chest feel lighter. "You're alright, I guess."

He laughed, ruffling my hair again as he walked past. "I'll take it."

As the night wore on, the apartment grew quiet, the city lights casting a soft glow through the windows. I sat on the couch, my legs curled beneath me, while Hawks flipped through a stack of papers at the kitchen table.