Archive of Our Own

Trouble in Paradise? Hawks and Dabi Rumored to Have Split After 4 Years

Published March 12, 2X25

Could the internet’s favorite couple be calling it quits? Hawks, the nation’s Number Two and youngest ever Top Ten Pro Hero, and Dabi (real name: Todoroki Touya), rebellious rockstar and frontman of the band The League, have been at the center of break-up rumors this week.

Hawks has been seen without Dabi, attending events alone and in one case, dining alone, while Dabi hasn’t been seen in public for weeks. Sources claim the Number One Hero Endeavor’s son is throwing himself into his band’s new album. Coincidence? We think not.

As fans ponder on the possibility of this being a temporary pause rather than the real end, here’s a full timeline of Hawks and Dabi’s relationship from the beginning.

April 2X21: Peeps Mag reported that Hawks and Dabi (who were 20 and 21, respectively, at the time) were in a relationship. A source told the outlet that the couple had been dating for months prior. Rumors swirled that the two had been acquainted for years, likely thanks to Flame Hero: Endeavor (real name Todoroki Enji), Hawks’ closest hero colleague and, conveniently, Dabi’s father.

July 2X21: Hawks spent time at the Todoroki Estate in Musutafu. The Fukuoka-based hero was spotted at a local cafe just a short walk from the Todoroki residence. Dabi had just wrapped up a 4-week ‘Never Let Go’ tour with The League and reportedly went home to spend a weekend with his family (and Hawks, apparently).

September 2X21: Dabi attended Japan’s 10th Annual Hero Gala with Hawks. This marked the pair’s first public appearance – and boy, did they take it straight to the big leagues by posing stunningly on the Gala’s mini red carpet, broadcasted on national television. This also marked Dabi’s first and last Hero Gala appearance, despite the pair going on to date for three more years.

January 2X22: Hawks celebrated Dabi’s 22nd birthday in Tokyo with a small group of friends. Hawks also made his first social media post (story post) dedicated to his new lover, wishing him a happy birthday in what we’ve all later come to learn as typical Dabihawks fashion. And since social media posts from the couple have been exceptionally rare throughout their relationship, we cherish all the crumbs we have gotten!

[Image description: Dabi slouches in a booth at what appears to be a restaurant. He’s holding a glass of whiskey in one hand, while the other hovers by a small cake on the table, the tip of his finger alight in a tiny blue flame as he’s in the process of lighting the single candle on the cake. He wears a simple black long-sleeve shirt, and tattoos can be seen peeking out from beneath his sleeves. He doesn’t look at the camera. The caption reads “everyone go tell this pyromaniac happy birthday”]

Click Here to Read More

———

Dabi and Hawks: What Caused The Split?

Published April 2, 2X25

After four years together, numerous public appearances, and some of the cutest candid moments ever captured, Dabi and Hawks have officially split in March 2X25. A source close to the pair confirmed to JPHeroMag that the Number Two Hero and rockbander are going their separate ways. While the split was initially reported to be a mutual decision, differing accounts later suggested conflicting lifestyles, goals, and communication styles.

“Their relationship had always been extremely passionate, with lots of feelings and emotions– good and bad,” the source claimed. The pair had supposedly fought a lot, particularly toward the end and particularly about their vastly different lifestyles, values, and priorities.

The source continued, “But one thing’s for certain– they loved each other very, very deeply.”

We don’t doubt that! While we are bummed about the sour turn of events, Dabi had always embodied a rebellious image, both through his music and appearance, and had even spoken out against the merits of hero society numerous times since a young age, despite having grown up with Japan’s Number One Hero as a father.

For a man so unaccepting of hero society, could his relationship with the Number Two Hero really have lasted? What do you think?

Comments

HonaNelly: Unsurprising. It is never going to be possible for a Pro Hero and a rock musician to make it work, Endeavor’s son or not. Just imagine their schedules

Number2Fan: Of course you pigs try to spin the story and make it about them “fighting”. Not funny. Everyone fights. Doesn’t mean they are immature and didn’t know how to communicate. Why don’t you report on the real REASON they split instead of saying “oh they just fought all the time!”

> FreeCommenter: @Number2Fan no one said they were immature?

Firebaby111: They were probably toxic as hell lmao

Click to view all comments…

———

Keigo runs careful fingers through his hair, fixing loose strands that seem to have a mind of their own, before messing it up again. He lets out a deep sigh as he stares at his reflection in the dimly lit bathroom.

He’s nervous. He has a first date tonight.

He’s been well and truly single for four months before finally giving in to peer pressure (from Rumi) to try his hand at dating again. He suspects Rumi’s been pushing so hard lately because she wanted to set him up with someone she found who would apparently be good for him – a former colleague of hers. She didn’t say from where. Keigo had made it abundantly clear he was not looking to date another hero, or another musician, or an actor or anyone that could pose risk of having a chaotic and unpredictable schedule. If he was going to do this, it would be something different from what he currently knows. Something safe, maybe.

He can have a wild schedule himself, and he’s seen what happens when there’s too much of the same fire under one roof– how different priorities can collide and burn out into exhaustion and anger, how love turns into worry and worry into control until it’s hard to tell the difference at all. It went both ways, though, he gets that. He’s been working on himself too.

For most of his adult life ever since he debuted as a hero, he's been tirelessly committed to achieving his number one career goal of “heroes having too much free time”, making significant strides in bettering hero education and pushing back against the Hero Commission’s dictatorship-like control. And honestly? It’s about time he enjoys a taste of the very freedom he’s worked so hard to kickstart. He’s done with the 12+ hour patrol shifts, sleepless nights pouring over paperwork, and the unnecessary and incessant traveling (caused by taking on a too-heavy caseload with villains all over the country and simultaneously following a certain someone on tour all over the country). For once in his life, he wants to have time for himself. He wants to figure out who he is if he weren't Wing Hero: Hawks; who he is when he’s alone and with all the time in the world. He wants to spend more time with Rumi and his concerningly low number of other friends. Hell, he wants to try and pick up a hobby even.

So, the last thing he’s going to do is throw himself into another messy, inconsistent relationship. He’s not so sure he’s even ready for another relationship, but he’ll take things slow. Baby steps.

Rumi had promised him this new guy isn’t a hero. She also told him to not overthink it, that if it doesn’t work out, he’s still a nice guy who Keigo could be friends with. He’s not sure how much he trusts her word, but he figured a single date wouldn’t hurt. The two of them are set to grab dinner at a small local restaurant that has a hidden bar in the back. It’s just dinner, meant to be simple, low-stakes, and low-stress, and if the guy ends up being boring, well at least he’ll have gotten a decent meal out of it.

This is how dating is supposed to go, right? He and Dabi never started out the classic way…

He messes with his hair again. He can’t help the nerves! He hasn’t been on a first date in… probably ever. Dabi was his first. They’d met so young, often roaming within the same hero circles, before one thing inevitably led to another backstage at a random hero event, just as Dabi had started rejecting the idea of following Endeavor’s footsteps and pouring out all of his volatile energy into punk rock music with a group of musical misfits.

Keigo hits shuffle on a classical music playlist to have in the background while he finishes getting ready. It was either going to be that or KPop’s top hits. Dabi used to make fun of his interest in KPop, but he’s trying to go back to his own roots now and KPop has always been his guilty pleasure. If he just so happened to start liking rock music as well… Well, that was never going to be his first choice. Or second.

He arrives at the restaurant five minutes early – stupid move, he realizes too late, because now he’s going to have to stew in his anxiety while he waits for the other guy. There was no “on time” with Dabi– they’d just go to things whenever they wanted to, almost always together, and, at the rare times they were going to meet somewhere separately, Keigo had to remember to accommodate at least thirty minutes for the chronically-tardy guy. He’d started telling him to be at places thirty minutes early so he’d actually show up on time.

So imagine Keigo’s surprise when he spots the new guy standing outside the restaurant already. He swallows as he approaches. “Hey!” he chirps in greeting. “Kurozawa, right?”

“Ah, Hawks!” He pulls Keigo into a half-hug—a short, casual one—but damn if his heart doesn’t start beating faster immediately. He’s shit out of practice, okay? And the guy is good looking enough. He’s got a firm body and all. “Please, call me Ren,” he says when they pull apart.

“Ren it is.” Keigo doesn’t offer up his own name, but judging from the way Ren smiles, he’s likely not bothered by it.

“Shall we?” He holds the door open for Keigo.

Turns out Ren and Rumi had interned at the same hero agency many years back, Rumi as a hero student and Ren on the legal team. He’s a self-made salary man with a type of levitation quirk. He divulges early on into their conversation that he likes to float in the air sometimes when he gets stressed, just thirty or so feet above ground, to try and see things from a different perspective and calm himself— and hell if Keigo couldn’t relate to that. He’s half-Korean and half-Japanese. He’s polite, has a cute laugh, and loves red meat.

Objectively speaking, it’s a good date. It’s a really good date, as good as it could have possibly been. And yet, Keigo feels a tightness in his stomach that won’t ease. He feels a strange sense of dread, dull and aching, something resembling homesickness. He doesn’t know why, and he can’t come up with any logical reason to decline when, at the end of the night, Ren asks him if he’d like to see each other again.

———

Dabi of The League: What’s Next?

Published June 7, 2X25

Fans continue to wonder what’s next in store for the League’s frontman as he navigates his newfound singledom (after split from Number Two Hero Hawks in March of this year, in case you needed a refresher). Well, look no further, because we’ve got all the deets.

The rockstar has been chipping away at a new album with his band mates Shigaraki Tomura, Toga Himiko, and Bubaigawara Jin (Stage name “Twice”) – The League’s third album – over the last few months, and it looks like eager fans won’t have to wait much longer to hear it! A source close to the band teased that a new single could be out “before year’s end”.

Naturally, fans are speculating how many songs will be about Hawks. Our guess? At least one.

———

Spotted: Hawks with a Mystery Man! New Romance on the Horizon?

Published August 13, 2X25

Five months after the end of Dabihawks (we’re still heartbroken), paparazzi have caught the Wing Hero entering a popular Fukuoka lounge with a mystery man, sparking wild speculation. Could this be the start of something new, or is our Number Two just enjoying a friendly night out?

Update: Internet sleuths have identified the “mystery man” as Kurozawa Ren. Kurozawa is a lawyer currently working at one of Japan’s top law firms, after graduating from Harvard University. In other words, he’s a civilian – one with an international and well-traveled background!

[Image description: The photo is grainy and appears to have been taken from a distance around sun-down. Hawks, wearing a purple sweater and sporting baby wings, is seen standing next to a taller man with brown, slicked-back hair dressed in a white button-up shirt. The man is gesturing with a hand and Hawks is watching him with a hand against his mouth, expression contemplative.]

Whether the man is a hot date or just a friend, do you think enough time has passed since Hawks’ previous relationship with Dabi, son of Endeavor and frontman of The League, for him to start dating again? Let us know in the comments below!

———

Blessed @dabicoree: Welp… there goes any hope of DabiHawks getting back together. Bye I’m retiring from life 🙏

Hawksie @hawksheroupdates: Shouldn’t we all be happy that Hawks is moving on and finding someone new? We don’t even know if it was a date! Either way Hawks is going out again and I’m here for it

Stream Legends @leaguefanstop: I just know the League’s new album is going to be depressing as hell

Shouto @shoutoto: I politely request that people please stop spamming my inbox. I do not have the answers you are looking for.

———

Keigo shouldn’t really be surprised.

Of course they’d been papped. He feels a little bad for Ren, who definitely doesn’t deserve the attention and the subsequent hate, which is almost guaranteed to follow. Keigo knows how brash people can be when they hide behind the anonymity of a screen. He himself is still trying to move on, but he can’t even post a picture of his mid-flight meal of fried chicken without someone commenting “remember when Dabi loved you💔”. It’s been months since the break-up– is his whole life just going to revolve around his ex? He’s not even in the entertainment industry for fuck’s sake; he has an important job, one that requires him to constantly risk his life for the safety and wellbeing of this country, and he could do without being treated like some celebrity. That’s one part about hero society that he’d always agreed with Dabi on– the unnecessary fame and everything else that comes with it. It’s ridiculous that some heroes actually chase that high. Although, Dabi was one to talk, as a literal musician, and Keigo was no better, dating one for four years and flaunting their relationship around. Just… sometimes, privacy would be nice.

Keigo figures the Hero Commission will be happy about this though. They never liked his good-boy savior image being associated with the rebellion that is Dabi. He will finally be “rehabilitating his image”, as they’d like to say, settling down with a respectable, worthy gentleman. So why then, does he still feel like a ghost in his own life?

He tries his best to ignore the frenzy.

He’s got another dinner date he needs to prepare for. This time it’s a quiet and peaceful dinner in the apartment, away from curious eyes. It’s the first time Keigo’s invited a guy over since… since. They’re taking it slow, though; doing it the “right” way. Despite having dinner at his apartment, Keigo doesn’t think they will stumble into bed together. He’s not sure he’s ready for that— he and Ren haven’t even kissed yet, though he’s not sure if that’s a result of them taking things ‘slow’ or Keigo’s own aversion to kissing someone that’s not Dabi (again, it’s been years, and he was a fresh, hatchling of an adult when they got together). He puts on soft classical music as he tidies up the apartment. He’s come to learn that Ren too enjoys classical music. On their second date at the lounge they had poured over their favorite classical songs. This one’s their third.

Keigo brings it up midway through their first glass of wine.

“I, uh,” he clears his throat. “I assume you’ve seen the pictures?”

Ren frowns. “What pictures? I’ve never seen a picture in my life.”

“Oh?” Keigo blinks, suddenly unsure, then catches the corners of Ren’s mouth twitching. He huffs out a shaky laugh.

“Yeah,” Ren admits, chuckling. He sets his glass down on the counter. “Yeah, I’ve seen them. My coworker showed me actually, so you can just imagine the ribbing I got at work today.”

“God,” Keigo groans, dropping his head into his hands. “I am so sorry.”

“Hey, none of that now.” Ren tugs gently at Keigo’s wrist until he looks up, giving Ren an apologetic look. “They won’t break me. I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t handle the rumor mill, would I?”

“Still, you don’t deserve that.”

“Excuse my French,” Ren smiles softly, “but I don’t really give a fuck.”

Keigo laughs for real this time, a low, honest sound. “Ugh. And I know it’s only going to get worse after the gala next month.”

“The Top Ten Hero gala?”

“Yeah. I don’t even want to go, to be honest. Whoever thought it made sense for heroes to be paraded around like dolls, dressed head-to-toe in fancy clothing just so the brands can make a profit, like we’re some sort of puppets–”

“I’m sensing a lot of self-deprecation here,” Ren cuts in, still smiling.

Keigo stops. Record-scratch, rewind. Keigo thinks backward but cannot pinpoint anything he’s said that would have led Ren to make such a conclusion. “Huh?”

“Go to the gala,” Ren says simply. “You shouldn’t feel guilty for being celebrated. You’ve done so much for this country. Don’t you think you deserve some recognition for that?”

Keigo stares. He… hadn’t thought about it that way. He’s so used to complaining about the not-saving-people parts that come with being a hero that he isn’t even aware he’s been practically putting himself down in the process. None of his distaste was ever about himself, but rather just about… being a hero. About the Commission and their twisted ways (which Ren obviously isn’t privy to). He wonders if he’ll ever be able to confide in Ren, or anyone else, about the Commission’s discreet corruption. He wonders if Ren’s seemingly high opinion of him would change if he knew the whole truth about his childhood. He doubts it, with how optimistic the man has been so far, but Keigo doesn’t think he’ll be ready to share any of that for a long time. Again, there’s only ever been one person he’s talked about that with.

Maybe some of Keigo’s disdain for hero society was also influenced by someone else’s extremist ideals. Had Keigo mentioned the gala to Dabi, the man would have just rolled his eyes, made some joke about “money grabbers” and “attention seekers". He never actually kept Keigo from attending any of those events though. He never had a problem with him being a hero—just with hero society as a whole. He supported Keigo’s attempts at reform thoroughly, cheered him on when he pushed back against the Commission. But he wasn’t ever the kind of person that tried to control Keigo’s life. Dabi could never ask someone to change their life for him (No. No, that was all Keigo).

And yet, to hear Ren say those words so earnestly, encouraging Keigo to go to a hero event because Keigo deserves to, like his attendance should be an obvious thing— it’s a bit jarring.

Being with Ren feels… soft. Simple, for now. Being with Dabi was the farthest thing from simple… but loving Dabi, somehow, was the easiest and most natural thing in the world. He used to think love could hold people steady through anything. Turns out love doesn’t fix everything, not when they kept dragging each other toward different worlds.

“C’mon,” Ren nudges Keigo lightly, pulling him out of his head. “I think I’ve broken you enough for the day. Let’s eat.”

Maybe, one day, with enough time, Keigo could learn to love being with someone like Ren too. Maybe he could learn to love taking it slow. He could learn to love simplicity.

———

The League Announces New Album Embers, Teases Lead Single “Eyes Closed”

Published September 20, 2X25

On Monday morning, The League officially announced their long-awaited third studio album, Embers, set for release on November 13th and available for pre-order now. The news comes after weeks of speculation and cryptic social media teasers that had fans decoding every post from frontman Dabi (Todoroki Touya).

The 12-track album will feature a blend of the band’s signature gritty rock sound and more melodic, introspective undertones. The lead single, “Eyes Closed”, is slated to drop in October, marking the official kickoff of the album’s promotional cycle. According to the band’s label, it’s “one of their most emotionally raw and ambitious projects to date.”

The League collaborated with several familiar producers, including Arai Ren (who worked on debut album Never Let Go) and newcomer Kumi Sato, known for her work in Japan’s indie rock scene. Based on early credits, fans can expect a fusion of Pop-Rock nostalgia reminiscent of their debut, mixed with indie and experimental textures that echo “Collateral,” the fourth track from their second album.

While promotional plans remain under wraps, insiders hint at a possible intimate concert series and, given Dabi’s flair for theatrics, perhaps something more than just another album drop.

All will be revealed in time.

Click here to read about The League’s musical journey thus far

———

Dabi @dabi: We’re gonna do some shows. Come out and see us if you want. www.theleague.com/ticket-sign-up

8.2K comments, 17K reposts, 95K likes

———

Keigo’s PR manager sternly tells him not to talk about Dabi at the hero gala. He says he won’t.

He does anyway.

A reporter catches him just as he’s about to step off the red carpet, and he plasters on his signature media smile, steps into the camera view, and answers questions about his recent hero work, the Commission, and future career goals.

“Thank you Hawks, and before we set you free,” the woman starts just as Keigo’s about to step away. The urgency and anticipation on her face is almost palpable as her eyes widen and her lips tick upward in a cruel, knowing smile. “The fans want to know. Are you still in touch with Dabi from The League?”

“Yeah. I mean— Er, no. Not lately. I hope he’s okay.” Great going, he chides himself. This is almost hilarious. He smiles brightly.

“Will you be listening to The League’s new album expected to release next month?” she asks, nearly tripping over her words to get the final question in.

He looks directly into the camera when he answers. He’s already digging his grave here, what’s a couple feet deeper? “Of course.”

He winks, for good measure.

Then, with one final glance at the reporter’s stunned expression, he turns away.

“Um, well,” he hears the woman gather herself. “There you have it, folks! Hawks will–”

And then she’s out of earshot. He all but scarpers off the red carpet and into the ballroom. He needs alcohol, stat.

He also runs into Enji at the gala, because of course he does. He’s been trying to avoid the Todorokis like the plague, but he figured it would be a long shot to steer completely clear of Endeavor at this gala. It’s not like he hasn’t spoken to any of the Todorokis since the breakup back in March — that first month had been hard, and Fuyumi had even messaged him a couple times to check in — but all conversations dwindled over time, and if Keigo was honest he probably needed his own space away from his ex’s family to heal. He hadn’t seen any of them in person since the holidays last year, not even Enji.

Until now.

Despite Keigo’s best efforts to keep to himself inside this massive hall, the hulking mass that is Todoroki Enji manages to corner him at the champagne table. He had just gone to set down his now-empty glass when his feathers sensed someone hot on his heels.

“Hawks.”

Keigo gulps, tries to summon the ‘friendly coworker’ vibe he once had with Enji, before the “boyfriend’s father” energy became a bit too prominent. He’s not sure he gets there fast enough, but turns around with a smile anyway and tries his hardest to keep his voice steady. “Hey, Endeavor. ‘Sup?”

“Are you well?”

“Sure! You know how boring these things are. Just making the rounds and drinking the booze.” He shakes the empty glass in his hand, finally setting it down. “How are you?”

Enji frowns. “You know I’m not talking about the gala.”

“Right. Yeah. I’m good as ever, I suppose.”

“And how’s work going down in Fukuoka?”

“What, you a reporter now?” Keigo jokes nervously. Enji does not laugh. He simply stares at Keigo with those devastating blue eyes, as if trying to see right through him, an expression that is not so different from a certain someone else’s. Keigo clears his throat. “Yeah, it’s good. Taking it easy, you know? Wanted us heroes to have more free time, and now I’ve kinda got it. Thinking of picking up photography or something.”

“That is good.” Enji nods, resting a massive hand on Keigo’s shoulder. “I’m glad to see you doing well. Truly.”

Has the man seen the gossip rags recently? He isn’t really the type, but one can never be too sure.

Keigo addresses the elephant between them. “And how’s, um— how’s Touya?”

Enji sighs, rolling his eyes and dropping his hand. “I don’t know,” he says, almost defeated. “That child won’t speak to me. Or his mother.”

“Hm.” Nothing out of the ordinary then. Dabi was always one to isolate himself at the slightest of inconveniences. Keigo worries about him… sometimes.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Keigo winces as his ears are suddenly assaulted by the new booming voice. “There you are, hotshot!” Rumi wraps a strong arm around his shoulders as she comes to stand beside him. She squeezes hard. “Not getting drunk without me, are ya? C’mon, the snacks are almost out.”

Keigo tosses an apologetic look in Enji’s direction and lets himself be dragged away, secretly thankful for the distraction.

———

Exclusive: Hawks Breaks Silence on Dabi at Annual Hero Gala

Published September 28, 2X25

Number Two Hero Hawks has finally broken his silence on the question that’s been on everyone’s lips: Dabi. The winged hero, known for his charm and bravado, was asked during last night’s red carpet whether he’s still in touch with the League’s frontman. His answer? “I hope he’s okay.” Whaaaaat.

Click the link below to watch the exclusive interview!

[Video description: Hawks is in a bright red suit and artfully-styled hair on the gala’s red carpet, chatting with HeroNow representative on his career trajectory and stumbling his way through a question about ex-boyfriend Dabi.]

Could this mean the exes are back on speaking terms? Fans are already tweeting their theories faster than Hawks can flap his wings.

If you’re one of the fans feeling nostalgic and missing our favorite power couple after watching this interview, look no further. We’ve got you covered with one of the best DabiHawks moments in TV history.

Click the link below to watch a clip of Dabi and Hawks’ joint interview with HeroNow from the 2X21 Annual Hero Gala red carpet.

[Start 2X21 video clip description:]

Dabi and Hawks stand beside each other on the red carpet. Hawks wears a velvet maroon tuxedo jacket and boot-cut dress pants, while Dabi dons a simple deep-purple dress shirt with the top two buttons undone and black pants. They’re both smiling as they chat with the interviewer.

Interviewer: Don’t you two look absolutely dashing today?! I’ve gotta say, you two have been the talk of the year around here! How long have you known each other?

(Dabi holds up four fingers just as Hawks begins answering.)

Hawks: We’ve known of each other for a long time now probably, but—

(He notices Dabi’s hand, laughs, and catches it mid-air with his own hand, lowering it but not letting go.)

Hawks: Yeah, I guess four years now!

Interviewer: And this is your first time attending the gala together, right? Would you—

Hawks: First, and maybe last.

Dabi: Don’t say that. There’s free drinks.

Hawks (laughing): Yep. That’s how I got him here. I convinced him with the promise of free drinks.

Interviewer: Dabi, how are you liking it so far?

Dabi: Lots of suits. And smiling.

Hawks: He’s suffering.

Dabi: Maybe. But there’s free champagne, so I may just survive.

(They share a grin.)

Interviewer: Any chance of a collaboration between you two? Hero-musician crossover?

Hawks: I can’t sing.

Dabi: He sings in the shower. That’s enough.

Interviewer: You’re both insanely busy. How do you make time for each other?

Hawks: I fly. He complains. It works.

(Dabi snorts, doesn’t add anything else. Interviewer laughs nervously.)

Interviewer: Hawks, what would you say is the hardest part about dating a musician, and Dabi, what is the hardest part about dating a Pro Hero?

Hawks: Hm, good question. I guess I worry about him sometimes. About him getting targeted by villains, about people treating him differently– especially since he’s kind of in the spotlight too. It’s hard to turn the hero off at the end of the day. (Pause. Soft laugh) And man, his schedule is pretty rough too. But we make it work.

Dabi (nodding, looking at Hawks): He likes a challenge.

Hawks (grinning): Guilty.

Interviewer: And you, Dabi?

Dabi (slowly peeling his eyes from Hawks’ face to look back at the interviewer): Oh, nothing. He’s easy to love.

(Hawks snaps his eyes toward Dabi, a surprised yet earnest expression taking over his features.)

Interviewer (mildly flustered): Aw, isn’t that lovely!

[End 2X21 video clip description.]

Comments

FlameThrower118: Man, the way Dabi looked at him in the old interview. I’m sorry but there is NO WAY Hawks moves on from that

Hawkhawk: Dabi has always worn his heart on his sleeve huh?

Click to view all comments…

———

Alana @redwingsupreme: Holy Shit You Guys, that fucking wink at the gala today… He’s deffo still pining over dabi im frothing at the fuckinG MOUTH

Stan Hawks @kainalivess (Replying to @redwingsupreme): and the “i hope he’s ok” are you fucKING KIDDING ME????

awaiting Eyes Closed @xxcremationxx: i’ll bet my entire 401K dabihawks will be back together by the end of the year

rain @afiredabi: Am I the only one that kinda feels bad for the new guy, if he really was some sort of a rebound? Hawks is clearly still in love with Dabi

———

Keigo’s first mistake was going back to the office after patrol to finish up paperwork. Really, he should have just gone home and continued binge-watching his latest obsession, some shitty European reality dating show, until he fell asleep right there on the couch and not bothered to move until morning, as he’s been doing so much lately.

His second mistake was looking at his phone.

He just wanted a quick break from the mindnumbing work, but the second he opens Instagram he’s struck by a post from Fuyumi’s private account, one featuring all the Todoroki siblings, and his heart wastes no time in slamming right into the pit of his stomach.

[Image description: A selfie taken by Fuyumi, whose smiling face takes up a third of the photo. On either side of her are Natsuo, grinning brightly with all teeth on display, and Shouto, who just stares into the camera with a blank face. In the background behind Natsuo stands Dabi, messy black hair sticking out this way and that and neck tattoos peeking out from his shirt collar. He looks at the camera with eyes slightly wider than normal, lips slightly parted, as if he was completely caught off guard by the photo. All siblings are dressed casually for the cooling weather, in sweaters and long-sleeve shirts.]

@todofuyumi: Annual lake house trip was a big success!

Keigo doesn’t scroll from the photo for five whole minutes. He zooms in and out of Dabi’s face in the corner, memorizing every little detail as if he’ll never get to see another, as if the man’s face hasn’t been front lines on every music mag and gossip rag over the past few months, as if he couldn’t just Google “Dabi” and be hit with numerous recent candids of him, on and off stage, with show makeup and without, white hair or dyed black hair. Not that Keigo has been doing that, for obvious reasons.

When he finally starts swiping through the post, he comes to learn there are more photos from the trip. There’s a photo of the lake itself, which Keigo had the pleasure of visiting once – when he and Dabi were together, he was able to join one of these family trips, and he’d be lying if he said it wasn’t the perfect getaway from work, a peaceful excuse to sit down and relax for a few days with his boyfriend and loved ones, family drama or not. There’s a photo of a scruffy-looking Enji, Natsuo, and Fuyumi’s husband all holding a massive fish. There’s a shot of Rei, in all her serene beauty, and Shouto drinking tea at the cabin’s tiny kitchen. More candids of Fuyumi and her husband laughing, swimming, laying on the grass, cuddling. And, finally, at the end of the post, a solo shot of Dabi, lounging back with his weight on his hands on the lake’s dock, legs hanging under him just above the water. He’s looking up and out at the sky, completely lost in thought. There’s nothing else in the photo, just the empty dock, the vast lake, the clear evening sky, and Dabi, right there in the center of it all.

It’s a beautiful, mesmerizing picture.

Keigo begins to spiral. He knows it’s happening, but he can’t bring himself to tear his eyes away. He wishes he were there, he wishes he were sitting out on that very dock next to Dabi as the two of them watch the night fall and the stars rise and talk about everything and nothing and all that’s in between until Rei inevitably calls them back inside. He’s completely unprepared for the sudden, sinking sensation of longing that hits him as he stares, unblinking, at the photo.

What about this man does Keigo even miss? He was an asshole on good days, messy on most, and damn-near villainous on bad ones. He was aggravating, bottled his emotions up more often than not, and had a tendency to disappear for days on end without a single message (which only amplified Keigo’s already growing concern about his safety). Yet — and Keigo acknowledges this for the first time in months, with nothing short of debilitating dread — he does still miss him. So fucking much.

Despite all of his habits that drove Keigo up the wall, there was so much about him that Keigo admired.

They never needed to do anything extravagant to have fun and feel loved— just being in each other’s vicinity at home was more than enough for Keigo to melt into content. Waking up next to Dabi was Keigo's favorite part of every day. The man was so grumpy when he was sleepy. He would curse and complain and shove at Keigo every time Keigo tried to get him out of bed before the clock hit the double digits, but when Keigo eventually gave up and moved back to his own side of the bed to let him be, Dabi would crawl into Keigo’s space, press himself against Keigo’s side, and sigh contentedly as he fell back asleep against his warmth, body buried under the blankets.

Dabi might have been a closed book, but Keigo loved to find his cracks, cherishing every bit of information he could get out of him. He knew how hard it was for Dabi to divulge things about himself, to truly confide in others, how rarely he let himself feel safe with someone, and Keigo used to feel so damn lucky and grateful that he was allowed to be that person for him. Had he taken it for granted?

They argued a lot (mostly about stupid things), they bantered, they teased each other, and it all should have been too much, but it never was. It was the kind of fire that Keigo felt he was always missing in his life. And when Keigo was upset over something— be it the Commission, a case, or just someone who managed to piss him off— Dabi would always be there and ready to support him, even if just meant listening to Keigo go off and on through a phone. Just his presence was enough. He made Keigo feel so loved, in his own quiet and unobtrusive way, always watching him and always paying attention to the little things, even if he didn’t say much himself. He knew Keigo never had a family of his own, and despite his mixed feelings about his own family, he had always made Keigo feel welcome in his home. He consistently encouraged Keigo to hang out with his siblings and mother (he did a good enough job hanging out with his dad by himself), and Rei treated Keigo like he was one of her own children. Keigo also lost Dabi’s family when he lost Dabi.

It hurts to look at the pictures now. He hopes Dabi’s opening up to them more. He hopes the man knows how much they really love him.

Keigo can’t help but think back to their last fight, the one that ripped them apart for good. Keigo was the one who delivered the final blow, pushed the other man away because he didn’t know how else to deal with the anxiety of not being able to protect Dabi. After everything he’s been through, with the Commission, the constant pressure to perform, the trauma of losing people, Keigo’s love had somehow, somewhere along the line, turned into vigilance. He began checking in too much, planning ahead, getting worried when he couldn’t see Dabi. He had believed he was just trying to keep Dabi safe, but really… all he did was control him and try to dampen the very fire that made him who he was, smother one of the very things that made Keigo fall for him. Keigo had come to realize this a little bit too late.

Dabi had come home that night after two days away doing god-knows-what with god-knows-who. He and his bandmates often hung out in the sketchy, underground parts of the city, likely around small-time anarchist groups. Some of them (Shigaraki, in particular) even had a criminal background. Keigo knew this about Dabi, and while he didn’t always support it, he generally trusted the man and left him to his devices. That day though, Keigo had hit a major snag on the villain case he was working on, one that turned dangerous and had him worrying about retaliation — and he knew from experience that the nature of his job made those close to him a target, even worse when the person closest to him already behaved unpredictably and made a name for himself in enemy territory.

Keigo was scared, which made him upset, which then turned into anger, before manifesting in an unprecedented level of overprotectiveness that he knew Dabi did not appreciate. He blew up on him anyway.

It started with Keigo interrogating Dabi, and Dabi acting restless, cracking jokes but clearly frustrated, giving Keigo no straight answers and nothing to abate his anxiety. It was obvious he knew what he was doing, and he was revelling in making Keigo uncomfortable. Why, Keigo didn’t know. Maybe he too had been long tired of this circle they kept going around.

It started like this:

“I just… You can’t expect me to not worry about you. You’re reckless, Dabi, and you don’t see how dangerous this is!”

“Dangerous,” Dabi repeated, his voice low. He was never one to shout when he was really angry. “You think I don’t know what I’m fucking doing.” It was a statement, not a question.

Keigo balled his hands into fists at his side, grown-out talons piercing his palm. He welcomed the sensation— it was a distraction from the slow plummeting of his heart. “Yes, because you don’t fucking tell me what you’re doing. How am I supposed to keep you safe when you disappear without a damn trace, coming home high on god-knows-fucking-what? Yeah, you think I can’t tell? Just… what am I supposed to think?”

Dabi grit his teeth, schooling the rage Keigo knew was simmering beneath his skin into a simple expression of confusion. “You do know you’re not my keeper, right? That I’m a grown fucking man that doesn’t answer to you?”

“Well, with the way you act, you clearly need someone to watch over you!” Keigo snapped. “How can I trust you if you just put yourself in shitty fucking situations all the time?”

It progressed like this: They traded barbs, threw vile things in each others’ faces just to make it hurt, and dodged each other’s attacks by bringing up months-old built up grievances and airing it out like dirty, nasty laundry that no one really wanted to touch.

And it ended like this:

“You can’t save me and love me at the same time,” Dabi hissed, having had enough of the meaningless attacks. “Maybe you need to get that through your thick head.”

It was an age-old argument, between them anyway. They were back where they’d started. Keigo’s heart completed its descent and landed on the floor in front of his feet. After hearing those words, his brain had made up its mind.

“I think I—” He blew out a breath through his mouth, trying to send as much anger out with the air as he could. “You’re right. I love you too much to keep trying to fix you. I… I think you need space. I clearly can’t give you the freedom you need.”

“What?” Dabi’s expression morphed into real, raw confusion. “Are you— If you’re stressed, you can just fucking say that.”

“It’s more than that.” Keigo shook his head, huffed out a laugh completely devoid of humor. “I don’t think I can give you what you want. And I think I’m not letting myself have what I want, either.”

Dabi continued to just watch him, frowning. Keigo could hear his breathing get shallower and shallower the longer the silence stretched. When he finally broke it, his voice was barely above a whisper. “You want space.”

Keigo blinked repeatedly against the stinging behind his eyes. He stood his ground this time. “Yes.”

Dabi’s upper lip curled, and he suddenly straightened. “You want this, Keigo. Just– just remember that.” He grabbed his coat and stormed right back out of the door he came from not even an hour before.

You wanted us to break up, he didn’t say then, because you couldn’t handle your emotions, and you pretended you were doing it for me.

Present day Keigo just drops his head into his hands and groans out loud, thankful that he’s still alone behind the closed doors of his office. He runs his hands through his hair a few times, then drags them down over his face, slumping back in his chair. That wasn’t the last time they spoke, but it sure as hell was the last time they spoke meaningfully. Everything else after that came with a sense of finality– one final check-in, one final drop by at Keigo’s apartment to collect belongings, one final bland text message. They never talked it out further. They’re both too proud to admit their wrongdoings, always waiting for the other to break first until suddenly too much time had passed and it was too late for either one of them to break at all.

Keigo fucked up. He knows that, of course, but he’d really thought they’d both be better off being apart and living their lives separately.

He’s never been particularly good at dealing with the consequences of his own choices.

His phone lights up again with a text from Ren, but Keigo doesn’t think he has it in him to even look. He doesn't crave slow and simple, not really. He misses the fire he used to get with Dabi, the excitement of never truly knowing what the day will bring but having the comfort of navigating it with someone he knew so well down to their core.

He doesn’t know if he’s capable of starting from scratch with someone new. Even if he could, he doesn’t know if there is a single other person on the entire planet that could inspire the same feeling in him.

———

The League Performs a Brand New, Unreleased Song at Secret Tokyo Show, and Fans Are Losing It!

Published October 12, 2X25

Last night’s Tokyo stop on The League’s exclusive mini-tour came with an unexpected surprise — a brand-new, never-before-heard track performed live for the first time. It’s an electrifying indie-rock anthem laced with sharp, almost taunting lyrics that fans are already dissecting line by line. However, given the secret nature of the mini-tour, absolutely no recordings were allowed.

Still, social media has since exploded with theories that the track, rumored to be the upcoming single “Eyes Closed”, is about none other than Pro Hero Hawks, Dabi’s ex of four years. Whether the song is a love letter, a challenge, or both, one thing’s for sure: The League knows how to keep their fans (and the rest of us) hooked.

Fans who were lucky enough to attend the show took to Twitter to describe the song to have a catchy but “biting” tone, with lyrics that could perhaps even be interpreted as a diss at a former lover and their new romantic interest — the classic “no one will ever know you like I do” energy.

Could the song really be about Hawks? If you recall, our Winged Hero was recently spotted hanging out with a new man in his hometown in Fukuoka. Let us know what you think!

———

ecstaticrevolution [reblogged from] live-dabs

Let’s talk about The League’s new song (which is probably about Hawks)

Hello! So I was lucky enough to attend The League’s show at Tokyo last night and got to see the band do their surprise performance of their new, unreleased song. I was definitely very shell-shocked that it happened at all (and Dabi’s energy while he sang it had me so mesmerized I don’t think I paid attention to all of the lyrics) but I thought I would share everything I remember and what I think about it. Obviously this is just my first, dazed impression of it, so take it with a grain of salt!

For starters the song is 100% their upcoming single Eyes Closed, since me and a lot of others in the audience heard that phrase in the chorus multiple times. It’s catchy, has repetitive melodies, and follows the traditional song format of verse I, chorus, verse II, chorus, bridge, final chorus. The sound was a mix of rock and alternative with a strong drum/bass beat (sorry I’m not well-versed enough in music to speak too eloquently on this) and the bridge had less of an instrumental backdrop (more of a tone where the lyrics are emphasized and supposed to hit harder).

The lyrics: I admit I didn’t catch most of it and didn’t spend too much time trying to theorize (read: i was shell-fucking-shocked), but it was definitely a bit taunting and straightforward. Something like “I can treat you better” and “Isn’t it obvious? Open your eyes” → those are NOT accurate lyrics or word-for-word, it’s just the vibe I felt. And WHHIEEEWWWW okay Dabi! Who are you fighting here and for who? Who needs to open their eyes and why?

(the answer is obvious, methinks)

Remember those pap photos of Hawks hanging out with Kurozawa Ren, an international LAWYER that previously had no ties to Hawks whatsoever (therefore unlikely to be an “old friend”)? Yeah. If it’s what I think it is, then based on the lyrics, it may or may not be VERY safe to say that Dabi still thinks Hawks belongs with HIM. Dabi’s still thinking about what Hawks is missing when he’s not with him. It’s kind of like… an obsessive, tension-filled love song? *fans self*

Anyway, whether it’s about Hawks or another lover or about someone else in the band’s romantic experiences or something else entirely — I think this song is going to be an absolute BANGER. Something of a “statement” like Halsey’s “Without Me”, filled with raw emotion and strong opinion. And I just can’t WAIT for the official release!

738 notes

#thank you so much for sharing this OP! #we’re all forever in your debt #dabihawks #the league

———

[Start video clip description:]

The camera shakes as it’s being set up. When the view clears, Hayashi Kaito, host of J-Wire Tokyo radio station, can be seen standing by a grey couch as he watches two men enter the room, a makeshift back-stage green room. The League members Dabi and Shigaraki Tomura walk in, dressed in stage clothes– Dabi wears ripped black jeans, a black tank, and a leather jacket; and Shigaraki wears black jeans and a long-sleeved graphic tee. The three men exchange greetings and shake hands.

Hayashi: Well, that was a fantastic show, wasn’t it? You guys killed it up there as always. Thank you for having me here.

Shigaraki: ‘Course, man. Good to see you again.

(They sit down on the couch.)

Hayashi: I’m honestly still buzzing right now. That last number was really a ride. (He turns to address the camera.) For the listeners’ benefit, these guys just got off the stage at Shibuya O-West here in Tokyo on their Japan mini-tour, and they just dropped a massive stunner at the end of the show. (He turns back to the men.) So obviously that was your upcoming single for the new album. The crowd absolutely ate that up and I did too. And I have to ask— why Tokyo? Why was tonight the show you decided to sing this for the first time?

Dabi (shrugging): Felt like it.

Hayashi: Did you plan to play it tonight?

(Both band members shake their heads.)

Shigaraki: It was pretty last minute. Had some extra time, crowd was great, and we thought fuck it. Yeah?

Hayashi (laughing): Yeah, makes sense. Well, I think you guys have a massive hit on your hands here. Can you talk a bit about what the inspiration behind the song was?

(Shigaraki slowly turns to face Dabi, giving him the floor.)

Dabi: It’s about what it sounds like it’s about. Knowing someone. Loving someone. (Pause) Knowing yourself and what you bring to the table.

Hayashi (nodding): This song is definitely more on the alternative side of things. What can you tell us about the rest of the album?

Shigaraki: The vibe of the single sums it up well. It’s out next week, by the way. (He directs a wide-eyed look at the camera.) There will be more drums, for sure. More electric guitar, too.

Dabi: More honesty.

[End video clip description]

———

Keigo chooses to ignore the media and also uninstall the Instagram app on his phone for good measure. His social media notifications continue to blow up, but he has no intention of seeing them or figuring out why he’s, once again, getting so much attention. He goes so far in his mission to avoid the internet at all costs that he texts Ren back, only two days late— two days that he spent unmoving from his couch, eating an ungodly amount of fried chicken, and ignoring phone calls from Rumi (not unlike how spent the entirety of the month of March).

He really needs to get better at this ‘moving on’ thing.

So, for their fourth hangout, Ren takes Keigo to a fall festival, because Keigo had the misfortune of accidentally disclosing that he’s never been to one. Which is… mostly true. He and Dabi went out to catch the tail end of a festival late one night a couple years back, when the sun had already set and most of the games and food stands had begun closing shop for the day. They’d really only gone because there was a specialty yakitori restaurant based in Hokkaido that had a booth, and Keigo bullied Dabi into checking it out and trying some with him.

This time, Keigo finds himself on festival grounds early in the morning on his day off. Ren had messaged him about all the activities they’re going to try their hand at and all the fun Keigo’s apparently been missing out on.

This is good, right? He’s trying new things. He’s going on another normal date.

Ren is, like, really nice. He’s positively a sweetheart. He meets Keigo at the entrance of the festival, then proceeds to pull out a map of the grounds and ask Keigo everything he’d like to try today.

“Whatever you want to do, I’m game,” he says. “You’ll find that I’m not picky at all.”

He lets Keigo take the reins. They get confectionery for breakfast, try their hand at numerous game stands (which Keigo demolishes, obviously, but Ren isn’t so bad at balloon darts himself), win an All Might plushie that Keigo sneaks into Ren’s bag when he isn’t looking, and treat themselves to lots of fried food and cups of sake for lunch.

And Keigo’s supposed to like being in control, right? Ren is sincerely enjoying everything that Keigo has them do, so why then does he still feel like something’s missing?

After walking around slowly and aimlessly for a while as their bodies try to burn away the alcohol they consumed, they find a park bench in a relatively secluded area to rest.

And that’s when they finally get to first base. They’re laughing softly at a funny story Keigo shares, and when their laughter dies down, Ren takes Keigo’s face in his hand, brushing a soft, uncalloused thumb over his cheek. Keigo knows it’s going to happen before it does, this at least he’s done enough times in the past. His heartbeat picks up pace but he finds that he’s not entirely against the idea. Ren slides his hand around Keigo’s neck, intent clear, and Keigo’s not really sure who leans in first.

The kiss is warm and careful, a gentle press of lips that feels foreign. It’s unhurried, unsure, but there’s a pull beneath the hesitation and their mouths move in sync for a few seconds. Then Ren pulls away.

“Was that okay?” He asks, a small, soft smile playing on his face. Keigo is… not sure how to feel. The man sitting in front of him is so sweet to him, so respectful and mindful in a way that Keigo's never experienced before. Dabi would have just devoured Keigo, uncaring of the audience. The first time he and Dabi kissed, it was rough, hard, and full of teeth and insatiable hunger from both sides. Nothing at all like what just happened. He tries to put that man out of his mind.

“Um, yeah,” he laughs awkwardly. “Yeah. It was. I just– sorry, I haven’t done that in a while.”

“Hm, yeah.” Ren makes a contemplative face. “I can tell.”

“Hey! Wha–”

“Kidding! I’m kidding.” Ren chuckles. “Look, I don’t mean to pry, but… your ex. You never talk about him.”

Of course. Are they really doing this now? Keigo’s experience in the world of dating is admittedly very limited but he’s pretty sure it’s considered weird to talk about an ex right after a first kiss. Keigo had made these plans with Ren in order to avoid thinking about Dabi, yet here he is thinking about— and apparently talking about— Dabi.

“I guess so.” He rubs the back of his neck nervously.

“Was it bad?” Keigo winces, so Ren rushes to add, “And I ask that only because… I just want to understand where things stand, with you in your own life and maybe with us, if there, you know, could be an us.”

This time, Keigo stifles his wince. He doesn’t know how to respond because he honestly doesn’t have an answer to any of those very valid concerns. Was it bad between him and Dabi? Maybe, but he can’t say that and just leave it there. Where do things stand in his life? Hell if he knows. If there could be an “us” with him and Ren? God… he doesn’t even know what he really wants anymore. He thought he didn’t want to be alone, and he thought that meeting new people would help abate that feeling, but all he’s been realizing recently is that seemingly nothing and no one can fill the void in him. Is he just not ready to move on yet? How is he supposed to know when he’ll be ready then? It’s probably not a good sign if he can’t even fully be present in the moment and enjoy kissing someone that he finds objectively attractive. He feels like he’s just going through the motions here.

Ren interrupts his thoughts once again. “You just seem a bit strung up with me–”

“Strung up?!”

“I don’t mean it in a bad way! Just that I can’t really tell where you are sometimes. And I don’t want to push you to do anything you don’t want to, but I do want to understand what’s going through that gorgeous head of yours.”

‘Gorgeous head’? This is getting embarrassing. Time to break out the acting. He gives Ren a flirty smirk in return for the complement.

“Don’t worry about me now. I’m glad we did this today. And if you want to know– my ex and I didn’t end on the best of terms, but I’m hoping to leave the past in the past. Some things just burn out, you know? Doesn’t mean they didn’t matter, but also doesn’t mean they should be dragged out.”

Ren shrugs. “Okay, Hawks. If you’re sure.” He leans in a little, voice lowering when he says, “In the meantime, I’m sure we can still have some fun.” Brown eyes don’t falter as he stares into Keigo’s soul, and Keigo almost gulps, feeling his face heat up.

“I—”

“The ring toss. I still haven’t beat you at it.”

Keigo huffs out a laugh. He directs a challenging look at the man. “Oh, you wish you could beat me.”

They hop off the bench in tandem.

As nice as Ren is, he’s just a bit too agreeable, isn’t he? He’ll bend whichever way Keigo does, is apparently okay with everything Keigo’s okay with, and has an alarming amount in common with Keigo. It should be everything Keigo wants and more, and yet, it just… isn’t. And he feels so guilty for knowing that, for finding everything that Ren does for him still not enough. Maybe that’s the problem. Maybe he’s only drawn to those who are messy, complicated, and bordering on dangerous. His old Hero Commission handler would have had a right stroke if he’d admitted that when he was younger.

But what does it say about him that he only ever wants the ones who make things hard? How much longer can he keep lying to himself?

———

[Start video clip description:]

Interviewer: What made you want to get into music?

Dabi: It’s a good outlet. I make what I feel. I pour the things I don’t want to feel in it too. It’s better than setting shit on fire. Better than being a hero. (He rolls his eyes.) I don’t pretend that people don’t know who my father is. I wanted to have something for myself, away from the expectations and pressure and him, something that I could do myself that no one could take from me. That’s music. It’s how I met the others in the band– I think we all wanted to make something of ourselves in a world where it’s so fucking easy to get left behind just because of the way you were born or what quirk you have. None of that shit is in your control, so what does it matter? And I like to think music is at least something I don’t totally blow at.

Interviewer: You definitely don’t. That said, if you could go back, is there anything in your life you would have done differently?

Dabi: What wouldn’t I do differently. (Pause) Start music even earlier. I had a Fender Sonic when I was, like, fourteen. But back then I was still striving to be something I obviously wasn’t made for.

Interviewer: You ever regret anything?

Dabi: (Laughs humorlessly.) Sure. Some things you can’t undo. But it’s whatever. You all get better songs when I’m burning, yeah?

[End video clip description]

———

The paparazzi get Keigo at the end of one of his patrol shifts.

Someone with a camera gets right into Keigo’s space as soon as he steps out of a cafe and immediately bombards him with questions. “Rumor has it Dabi’s new single is about you. What do you have to say to that?”

Hawks grits his teeth. It’s his first time hearing about whatever the hell that means, what with his avoidance of all things media. But he’s well aware of how the rumor mill turns, how the majority of gossip it spits are just that– rumors. “He’s a talented musician. I’m sure whatever he puts out will be good.”

“Do you still love him?”

The best part about having wings is that he can fly.

He flies.

———

The League @TheLeague: You want it, you’ll get it. Eyes Closed out now.

5.2K comments, 16K reposts, 105K likes

———

Akemi @shiggyshands: the song. im on the FLOOR. yeah there was a lot of gossip and media coverage hyping it up and all but the song itself? an absolute jam. masterpiece. addictive as hell. i have no words. i’ll be listening on repeat now don’t mind me

Hero Society Updates @proheroupdates: We at Pro Hero Updates are taking a quick break from our regularly scheduled programming to appreciate @TheLeague’s new single! Have you appreciated it? Great, carry on…

Dabi’s #1 Fan @kingghawks: [Image description: screenshot of song credits]. So the song-writing credits for Eyes Closed just lists Todoroki Touya (and Masaru Ryo, long-time collaborator of the band and credited on almost every album), which means that this is literally DABI’S SONG. Dabi sat and wrote this cocky passionate possessive LOVE song and decided to put it out first as a SINGLE. That is so unapologetically DABI of him

Wilde @w1ldch1ld (replying to @kingghawks): Oh my god, thank you for sharing! They really blasted Dabi’s love life as a single… The League is SO DRAMATIC and I am HERE for it

La Brava @LaBrava: Sounds like @HawksOfficial needs to open his eyes.

Riku @rikushigeru (replying to @LaBrava): FHJUWGBHKLS LA BRAVA THE STREAMER IS ON THIS BANDWAGON TOO?????

———

The League’s New Single “Eyes Closed” Tops Charts Overnight

Published October 18th, 2X25

Within just half a day of its release, The League’s newest single, “Eyes Closed,” has debuted at No. 1 on Japan’s Top 100 chart, marking the band’s fastest climb to date. The track, a melodic blend of alt-rock and indie tones, serves as the lead single from their upcoming album Embers, set to drop next month. Fans and critics have praised the song’s raw vocals and sharp lyricism, sparking excitement over the band’s upcoming third studio album…

Subscribe to read more

———

(18th October, 8:39am)

>>>From Bunny Girl: Have you listened?

>>>From Bunny Girl: Holy shit, Kei…

(18th October, 9:22am)

>>>From Moira (HPSC PR Manager): Do not comment, Hawks. I will handle the journalists.

———

Keigo’s trying his hand at making home-cooked Tonkatsu with Ren in his apartment later that day, after a particularly busy and mind-wrecking patrol shift, when it comes up on the TV, where they have been running an endless queue on Youtube as background noise.

“Oh look, it’s your ex,” Ren says casually, and Keigo nearly drops the knife in his hand and stabs himself in the foot with the speed at which he whips around. The sensitivity in his feathers turns up as he tries to locate the intruder in his apartment. Then he sees the TV. He exhales a breath he wasn’t even aware he was holding and immediately feels his face start to heat up from embarrassment.

“Quite the reaction,” Ren comments, and his eyes seem to watch Keigo’s face intently, but Keigo’s not really paying attention to that.

“You scared me, man,” Keigo jokes half-heartedly, eyes trained on the TV, where a new League song that he’d never heard before plays against a backdrop of the album cover— a grungy, edited photo of all the band members.

Keigo had likely left autoplay turned on, and it’s no surprise why the band’s videos are being auto-recommended to him. He’s heard of their alleged new album but has been diligently avoiding it. He supposes he’s got no choice but to catch at least a part of the song now, though he doesn’t think he’s truly strong enough to avoid listening to it forever if it had already been released.

The melody of the song starts slow, a hum of electric guitar that teases what’s coming before the bass kicks in, heavy and steady. And then—oh man—and then comes Dabi’s voice. That unmistakable rasp cuts through the noise, raw and textured, blaring through the speakers as he projects his voice into the vocals in a way that fills every inch of Keigo’s chest.

“I heard you’re having fun, does he know you like the ones that run?” Dabi sings, “He can’t say your name, oh it’s tainted with my flame.”

“Oh fuck,” Keigo reacts, without thinking. His eyes widen as he processes the words, and his breath catches. What. The. Hell.

“…Mmm, and I hate that.” And then it gets worse. “I could love you with my eyes closed, kiss you with a blindfold…”

Keigo feels the moment his heart sinks into his ass. The anxiety that begins to take over his body is almost paralyzing, and he knows he should probably turn the TV off before he gets exposed further in the presence of company or does something utterly ridiculous and unnecessary like ugly crying right then and there, but he’s stuck. His feet are glued to the floor and his feathers won’t cooperate. Dabi said those very words to him before — one morning, when Keigo was forcing the man to wake up already and give him attention, and the other man sleepily mumbled “I can still love you with my eyes closed” before snuggling further into the sheets. The phrase had been repeated a few more times after that instance, had turned into somewhat of a joke between them whenever one of them wanted to sleep in for longer than the other.

“I could treat you so much better, I’ve known you forever,” the speakers put on blast to the universe what feel like Keigo’s deepest, darkest emotions. Keigo’s still not sure he’s taken a full breath since the song started. “I’ve figured you out, when will you learn?”

He stands there, eyes unwavering from the TV screen, until the song peters out to a close, and the room plunges into silence. He continues to stare after the TV as a new autoplay countdown begins.

“You don’t talk about your ex,” Ren says slowly, pulling Keigo’s attention back, “but you don’t stop thinking about him either.”

Keigo lets out a shaky exhale, trying to collect himself. “That obvious?”

“Only to someone who’s done the same thing.” He gives Keigo a sad smile, and Keigo snaps back to reality at once, a sudden wave of guilt crashing into him full-force.

“Ren, I’m–”

“It’s alright,” Ren interrupts before Keigo even has a chance to start. “I think I’ve known for a while that you’re not fully in this,” he gestures lightly between them, “but I don’t want to be a stand-in for someone else.”

“You are not a stand-in,” Keigo cuts in, forcefully. “Not for him. I… you’re right that I probably should have taken more time to myself, and maybe I’m not as present in this as I thought I’d be, but I wasn’t trying to replace him with you. I was… I was trying to move on from him. But maybe that wasn’t right of me, either.” He suddenly feels very, very exhausted. He’s just going in circles in his head. “I’m sorry. I just don’t really know what I feel anymore.”

Ren nods, understanding. Always so understanding. “I do think that is something you’ll need to figure out for yourself.”

Keigo sighs. “I won’t blame you if you want to leave.”

“I probably should, if only to give you some space.”

Keigo stands there awkwardly, a bit shamefully, while Ren gathers his things. He walks the man out.

“Look,” Ren says, turning to face Keigo for possibly the last time, “I’ve heard some things. Saw some stuff online. And if he really wrote that song about you, maybe you should let him say whatever he couldn’t before.”

With that, he shuts the front door behind himself.

When Keigo returns to the clutter that is his kitchen, he finds that he has no desire whatsoever to continue his dish. He sinks to the floor, uncaring of the mess, and sends a feather to fetch his phone. All he wants to do is listen to that song again. And again. And again.

I could love you with my eyes closed, Dabi wrote. I’ve known you forever.

This wasn’t just a love song. No, it was a shameless acknowledgement of desire, the loudest confession Keigo could possibly imagine, an apology — in Dabi speak. Disguised under arrogance, haunted confidence, and borderline disrespectful shade, sure, but an apology nonetheless.

He hears it, loud and clear. He was, after all, extremely fluent in Dabi tongue for over four years of his life.

———

(18th October, 5:23pm)

<<<To Bunny Girl: He’s going to be the death of me

Incoming call: Bunny Girl

Incoming call: Bunny Girl

(18th October, 5:29pm)

>>>From Bunny Girl: Answer asshole

Incoming call: Bunny Girl

(18th October, 5:34pm)

>>>From Bunny Girl: So what are you going to do now?

———

Four tequila shots and six replays of the song later, Keigo’s still sat on the floor of his kitchen, knees pulled up to his chest and half-empty bottle of booze next to his feet. The air smells vaguely of raw meat and the pungent chemicals of tequila, but he’s barely even noticed. Dabi may as well have screamed “TAKAMI KEIGO” into a microphone from the top of Mount Fuji for the whole nation to hear. Keigo cannot be called narcissistic for believing the song to be about himself lest he argue against the undeniable. He’s apparently not even the only one who thinks so, though he’s pretty sure the true weight of Dabi’s words is lost on the rest of the world.

He’s more than a little buzzed when he redownloads his social media apps. He has a dull voice of reason in the back of his head that tries to tell him he might be making a mistake when he logs into twitter, but that just means he hasn’t yet had enough to drink. He presses the new tweet button, types out the first thing on his mind, and hits “post” before he can think better of it.

Pro Hero Hawks @HawksOfficial: But I want to see the pearly blues

Notifications flood through his phone immediately, threatening to crash the app, but he simply locks the device and sets it down on the floor next to him. Now, how about that other drink? He decides to forgo the shot glass entirely and raises the bottle straight to his lips.

His phone buzzes loudly.

He glances down, and his heart just about stops at what he sees on the screen.

Incoming call: 🔥

It’s Dabi. He’s never bothered to change his contact name for the man from four years ago, when they’d both drunkenly renamed each other as “🔥” and “🐥” in their phones one night and woken up the next day with no recollection of doing so.

He’s been ignoring every phone call, text message, and email all day, but he’s not sure he has it in him to ignore this one. Despite the sudden wave of nerves that slam into him upon seeing that emoji, despite the jumble of emotions fighting for attention within his mind, and despite the bile churning uncomfortably in his stomach— he hates that he still wants to answer the call. As if he didn’t feel a visceral, bone-deep, inescapable need to answer the call. As if he hadn’t been waiting, for nearly every second during these long and dreary months, to receive this very call that he himself had been too much of a coward to make.

He accepts on the last ring. He doesn’t say anything, though. What could he even say?

It’s silent for a few moments before Dabi speaks up, and god did Keigo miss that smoky rasp. He squeezes his eyes shut.

“You listened.”

Keigo takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly, inaudibly through his mouth. “You wrote the song. You could have just… called.” Hypocrite, the part of his brain that is still not subdued by alcohol unhelpfully provides.

“I was giving you fucking space.”

“By blasting my business to the world,” Keigo deadpans, opening his eyes.

“Like you’re any better. Want to see my ‘pearly blues’, hm?”

It’s almost unbelievable how quickly they’re able to fall into a practiced rhythm of banter. Of familiarity. It’s barely been sixty seconds since they’ve begun speaking for the first time in over six months.

Keigo ignores the bait. “And Ren’s business too, jeez—”

“Like I give a fuck about him. No one gives a fuck about him. Rumi even said that you two—”

Keigo frowns. “You talk to Rumi now?”

“How else was I to check up on you?” Dabi says, zero hesitation.

Keigo softens a bit. “You… you checked up on me?”

“Not the point.” Even after all this time, Keigo can practically hear Dabi rolling his eyes, always so averse to admitting he cares. And yet, he was right in his song— Keigo does like the ones that run. From their emotions, from themselves, and from him too, apparently. “I wrote that song in the summer. It’s not really about this Ren character. Just anyone, I guess.”

He says Ren’s name with disdain, and for some reason that stirs something smug in Keigo’s chest, feeds the part of him that still wants to be wanted by this man. Dabi was thinking about him. After all this time, Dabi was still thinking about him and checking up on him and he got jealous.

“It’s a good song,” Keigo says, after a beat.

“Yeah, whatever. Thanks.”

“Topped the charts overnight, huh? Isn’t that your best?”

“Whatever, Kei.”

There it is. Keigo’s brain can’t help but latch on to the way that nickname sounds in Dabi’s voice. He hates how easily it rolls off his tongue, how right it sounds, even now.

Dabi seems to realize his overstep and rushes to add, “Shouldn’t you be too busy with your new boytoy to be looking up my stats?”

“No boytoy,” Keigo offers him some honesty. After all, Dabi was so honest in his song, so vulnerable in front of the whole world. Keigo thinks it’s the least he could give in return. “Not anymore. Just me, in my kitchen. And your song, apparently.” In my kitchen? And was that even a sentence? He’s definitely had more to drink than he thought.

He hears Dabi snort. “Hopeless as ever at cooking?”

“I’ve gotten really good actually.”

“I’ll have to be the judge of that.”

A pause. “You can be.”

Silence. The only sound in Keigo’s ears is the hammering of his heart against his chest.

“I think we should—” they both say at the same time.

Keigo chuckles softly, waits. Dabi remains silent, so Keigo takes the opportunity to broach the dreaded topic. He clears his throat. “Do you wanna talk?”

Dabi exhales audibly. “Yeah.”

“Okay.” A semblance of relief courses through his veins, and butterflies begin to make a home in his stomach. “Me too.”

“Okay.”

Silence. Keigo starts again, “Um, so, when should we—“

Dabi groans on the other end. The corners of Keigo’s lips twitch as he conjures up an image of the other man throwing his head back in exasperation. “I can just come over tomorrow.”

“Okay. Yeah, okay. Tomorrow.”

“Okay.” A pause. “I’m gonna hang up now.”

“Okay.”

After that, sleep never graces Keigo with its presence. So much had happened in such a short amount of time. He dozes off on the couch for maybe an hour, phone still in hand and heart pounding at every phantom vibration. He gives up on rest entirely by the time morning light filters in through the balcony blinds, instead choosing to shower twice, clean the kitchen, and throw away the tequila bottle. When the knock finally comes, he’s expecting it but nearly jumps out of his skin anyway.

He opens his front door to Dabi. That in itself makes Keigo want to collapse— before Keigo’d given him a spare key, Dabi usually climbed the fire escape and came in through the balcony like some damn burglar, and always at odd hours in the night too.

The Dabi that now stands in his doorway appears tamer, somehow. He wears grey sweatpants and an oversized black quarter-zip sweater, and his hair’s its usual spiky mess, though it looks longer and more fluffier now than what Keigo remembers, as though he’d forgone getting it cut for a good few weeks. It makes him look so soft, despite the multitude of piercings lining his ears, nose, and eyebrows. Keigo wishes he could just kiss him.

He greets him instead, swallowing his nerves and holding the door open wider. “Hey.”

“Hi.”

Dabi walks in and takes a moment to scan the main living area. Keigo doesn’t think much has changed at all since the last time he’s been here.

“You smoke now?” Dabi asks, a bit weary. Keigo follows his gaze to the mostly-sparse bookshelf by the TV, where an old pack of cigarettes lies. Keigo didn’t realize he still had those. Dabi holds himself with a sudden air of confusion and nervousness, a slight frown etching his features. It’s cute, Keigo thinks, if he really is worrying about Keigo having picked up smoking or any other ways he’s changed without him around to see it.

As it stands, Keigo simply snorts. “Those are yours, genius.”

Dabi’s eyes snap to him and his lips part, making a perfect ‘o’ shape. Under his stare, Keigo feels his face begin to heat up, the implications of what he’d just admitted to–keeping random things of Dabi’s for so long after they’d broken up–catching up to him. Really, he’d kept that old pack around out of nostalgia for a month or two, then failed to throw them away after he’d come very close to smoking one on a particularly rough night, and then had just kind of forgotten about them.

“How have you been?” he asks, before Dabi can comment on it.

“Uh,” Dabi huffs out a humorless laugh, shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. Up close, Keigo can see the paleness of his skin and the slight bags under his eyes, probably not very unlike the bags Keigo himself is sporting. “Best year of my life, what about you?”

Keigo sighs. The guy’s the king of hiding his emotions under sarcastic barbs, and it’s Keigo’s own fault for not expecting such a response, for asking such a question to begin with. But he’s fine with being the one to start the honesty. He can handle at least that much.

“I missed you,” he offers, and pretends his voice doesn’t shake. “And god, that song, I– did you really mean it? Do you… still mean it?”

“Well, yeah,” Dabi says, having the gall to look confused. “I’ve always loved you.”

Keigo gapes. “How can you just…?” he trails off, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. Why is it always like whiplash with him?

Dabi simply shrugs.

Keigo swallows, finds his footing. “I tried to let you go. I tried to live my own life apart from you and give you the space I thought you deserved. I tried to move on—” Dabi scoffs at that, but Keigo ignores it, barrels on, “but I don’t think I was very good at it myself.” He looks Dabi in the eyes for the next bit, something he’s always known he’ll have to admit to the other man’s face if he was ever going to feel closure over how they’d ended. “I was wrong, then. And I’m really sorry, Dabi, I… I should have just let you breathe. I kept trying to ‘fix’ you and told myself it was because I didn’t want to lose you but all I really ended up doing was pushing you away. And then I tried to make it sound like it was what was right for you, but really I was the one who wanted it. You were just so… aggravating sometimes, disappearing and acting in your own interests. You would–”

“Yeah, yeah,” Dabi interrupts, rolling his eyes, though it looks to be more in a self-deprecating way than over annoyance at Keigo’s words. “Believe me, I’m aware,” he mumbles. “You can’t tame a wildfire, birdie.”

Boy, if Keigo doesn’t know that. He gestures at the man who’s come crawling back to his apartment nonetheless. Something’s got to give, right? “And yet, here you are.”

Dabi nods. “I know that you did what you did because you cared. I realized that after. And I know I—” he grits his teeth, “I know I don’t react well to being told what to do. My intention wasn’t to stress you out, just… to live, I guess. I was a dick to you more often than I realized. I’m sorry.”

“We burned each other out.”

“I hurt you,” Dabi says, blunt.

“I hurt you too. So where does that leave us?” They can sit here and recognize their past mistakes all they want, but they’re either going to have to admit they’re at an impasse and give up or figure out a path forward where those same behaviors that tore them apart the first time around won’t make a comeback. Keigo thinks he’d be willing to give the latter a try.

They spend the next few hours just… talking. They talk about the past, about the present, and about everything they’d been doing with their time in between, amidst which Dabi also tells Keigo that he’s completely done with the party drugs, which– yeah, Keigo can’t help but feel a little proud of him for. It wasn’t the biggest issue between them, but it did unnecessarily exacerbate tensions. They move to the only two chairs in Keigo’s poor excuse of a dining room. Neither of them notice when the sun begins to set outside.

“I really don’t want to lose you,” Dabi says eventually, his voice cracking on the last syllable. Keigo’s not used to this raw, honest side of Dabi. “If we can’t fix what happened, can we start over?”

“If we can take it slower this time.”

“Maybe set some boundaries.”

Keigo raises a brow. “Alright. No disappearing for days without telling anyone, then.”

Dabi shrugs. “No flying across the country to check on me unannounced and uninvited when I’m on tour and don’t pick up a call.”

“In that case, if something happens or you’re upset, you talk to me. Don’t bottle it up alone and do something stupid as a result.”

“And you don’t take on more than you can handle, work or otherwise, and get stressed out as a result. You can’t save everyone,” Dabi pauses, “work or otherwise.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.”

Keigo huffs out a laugh, exhausted but also… feeling a bit lighter. “Easier said than done, huh?”

“We’re taking it slow, right? One step at a time?”

“Right.” Keigo nods, more to himself than anything. “We’ll take it slow.”

———

Flames Rekindled? Dabi and Hawks Get Steamy at The League’s Album Release Party

Published November 14th, 2X25

Pro Hero Hawks was in Tokyo last night to attend rock band The League’s release party for their third studio album “Embers,” out today! The band hosted a party for industry professionals, the press, a personal network, and some fans who were lucky enough to score an invite at LIQUIDROOM in Ebusu.

Witnesses report that things between the former couple seemed to heat up fast after the band took the stage for a special performance of “Eyes Closed,” the hit single that fans have long speculated was written about Hawks. The Number Two Hero was near the front of the crowd, and when Dabi joined him on the floor after the set, the two were seen laughing, leaning in close, and, according to one attendee, “looking like they forgot anyone else was in the room.”

And if that wasn’t enough, paparazzi later caught the pair leaving the venue together just past midnight, looking quite comfortable with each other.

[Image description: a grainy photo taken at night of Dabi and Hawks near the side exit of the venue. Dabi wears a black dress shirt with the top few buttons undone, while Hawks wears a navy blue bomber jacket and sports tiny wings. Dabi has an arm behind Hawks, likely resting on the small of his back, and Hawks’ head is tilted toward Dabi.]

Neither Dabi nor Hawks have responded to requests for comment on their relationship, but we are definitely in a frenzy over the possibility of a rekindled spark.

Click to view all comments…

———

The second time Dabi came over to Keigo’s apartment to have dinner, they tumbled into bed together afterward. The third time, they skipped dinner entirely and Keigo found himself bent over on his back right there on the kitchen island. The fourth time, Dabi spent the night, as well as the following two consecutive nights, and the two of them remained holed up in Keigo’s bedroom butt naked and living on takeout that was conveniently carried inside by telekinetic feathers.

The fifth time finds Dabi dozing off on Keigo’s couch, dressed in a Pro Hero: Hawks hoodie from an unreleased line of merch and sweatpants that are just a bit too short on him, while Keigo gets ready to leave for an afternoon patrol.

The two of them had always worked backwards, didn’t they? The fire came first, and only then did a semblance of peace. At least they were being honest with each other now.

Keigo feels happy though. They may not be perfect yet, far from it maybe, but the more time he spends with Dabi the more that the void that had been prevalent in Keigo’s chest over the majority of the past year seems to dissolve, albeit slowly. He wants to make it last this time, he wants to try his hardest to keep their love for each other the most important and palpable thing between them.

He briefly lets his mind drift to Ren– he hopes that he’s doing well, dating other people perhaps. Hell, with the way things turned out, he silently hopes that Ren has always been casually dating other people, even when he was seeing Keigo. Because he can finally admit to himself that he never really stopped loving Dabi, despite all of their time apart and all the self-growth Keigo had tried to prioritize. He thinks a part of him will always love Dabi, maybe (hopefully, if things go according to plan), for the rest of his life.

He allows himself one last look at the man who has once again so quickly made himself at home in Keigo’s apartment before he takes off. His chest fills with emotion, potent and threatening to burst, and he recognizes it for it is.

———

[Start video description:]

Reporter: Shigaraki Tomura! Your bandmate Dabi is back together with Hawks. What do you have to say about that?

(A mic gets shoved in his face and Shigaraki jerks back, grimacing.)

Shigaraki: That asshole has always been more tolerable when he’s with Hawks. Now get the fuck out of my face. The fuck does anyone care what I have to say?

Shigaraki (mumbling annoyedly as he walks away): Who does this jackass think I am, Justin Bieber?

[End video description]

———

Hawksie @hawksheroupdates: UM HOLD MY EARRINGS ITS BASICALLY CONFIRMED THAT DABIHAWKS ARE BACK TOGETHER!?!? AM I THE ONLY ONE TOTALLY FREAKIGN OUT OVER THS?????

Kazumi @cmx0707 (replying to @hawksheroupdates): I think that zero (0) people are actually surprised by this

———

Keigo jumps onto the bed and shoves forcefully at a sleeping Dabi until he rolls over onto his back.

“C’mon, get up! Merry Christmas! It’s a big day today and you haven’t talked to me in, like, twelve hours!”

“Fuck off, birdie,” Dabi grumbles, pulling the blankets over his head, as if that would keep Keigo out. “Alr’dy told you. Still love you with my eyes closed.”

“Yes, but— and you’ll never guess what I’m about to say— I want to see your pretty eyes.”

Dabi groans loudly. He shuffles a bit, before a tattooed hand creeps out to pull the blankets down and a head of messy black hair pops into view. Sleepy blue eyes glare at him, half squinting.

Keigo stares for a few seconds, mesmerized. Even when tired and annoyed, those gorgeous aqua pearls will never manage to not take Keigo’s breath away. And he melts further over the fact that Dabi, even when tired and annoyed, will still indulge Keigo’s silly requests— the same request he had always made every time Dabi delivered that line. He leans down to press a kiss to Dabi’s forehead.

Then he yanks the blanket off the other man. “Time to rise and shine, baby!”

“Fuckin’ hell, Kei!”

———

[Image description: Hawks standing in a spacious kitchen, dressed in a particularly ugly neon green Christmas sweater with no wings in sight, holding up a mini Pro Hero: Hawks plushie doll in both hands and grinning widely at the camera.]

@dabi: 🐥 got a 🐥 for Christmas

Liked by @endeavoragency and others

@todofuyumi: Aww!!!

@heromiruko: Would you look at that, the bird is smiling

@leaguefanscentral: OH MY GOD????