Work Text:
- Edo period
The first time they’d ever met, Keigo had thought nothing of it. Was he supposed to? After all, he’d just been another nameless face in the streets, passing by him.
No one ever paid him any mind—of course not. With his mother dead and his father an infamous criminal, killed in a gang fight just days ago, naturally no one would want to associate with him. He’s alone, but as he’d realised that fateful day, vision coloured red, he always had been.
He must have been a pretty revolting sight, draped in filthy rags, sitting by the street corner, waiting for someone to take pity on him. His dignity had slipped through his fingers long ago, and yet, he couldn’t help but bow his head in shame, as such well-esteemed members of their village passed by.
Samurai, possibly the best in the region. It’s rumoured that they carry a family secret to unlocking otherworldly power, making them unmatched in combat. Keigo had never believed it.
Footsteps pad past him, and only when it fades out of earshot does he finally dare raise his head.
He hadn’t meant to meet eyes with anyone. It had been entirely coincidental.
Yet, when he glanced down the street, curious turquoise eyes met his, peering behind the boy’s shoulder. It is the gentlest pair that has ever laid eyes on Keigo, and his heart stutters. He wonders if he deserves it.
Someone had pulled the boy sharply—a warning—and he quickly turns away. Keigo had pondered over it all day, but quickly set it out of mind, lest he begin to think himself worthy of anything better than disdain.
It’s three days later before he sees the boy again. This time, he passes by alone, slipping him a bit of bread. He wears the same gentleness, accompanied by a soft smile. Keigo had taken a bite of the warm food and wept.
It’s seven days before he learns his name, and nine when Touya offers him friendship; thirty-two when his heart whispers of something more.
It’s forty-one when he shoves an entire loaf of bread into Keigo’s arms and disappears without a word, forty-two when he vanishes from the village, and forty-four when the village goes up in flames.
- Highschool
Keigo scans through the paper one more time, glancing up at the number outside the door. He folds it up, stuffing it back in his pocket. Readjusting his bag slung over one shoulder, he closes his eyes, inhaling deeply, before pushing the door open, peeking in apprehensively.
The classroom is mostly empty, which isn’t a surprise, with the sun just peaking above the horizon—his nerves had once again gotten the better of him.
Despite his attention to detail, he’d decided to come in extra early, just to get a sense of this new environment and better adapt to the culture of this school...well, and also to navigate his way around and find his classroom because he can’t afford being late on his first day he needs to set a good impression and what if he got lost what if he messed up right from the start and it’s better this way anyway since he gets to escape from the hellhole that is-
“Hello?”
He jumps, turning to the voice.
Right, the classroom is mostly empty—in the far right end of the room, a single student peers up at him, head nestled between his arms, folded across his desk.
He shakes his head, dispelling the haze of thoughts. Gently, he shuts the door behind him, before plastering on a grin, throwing a hand up in greeting.
“Hi, I don’t know if sensei informed you but I’m the new student. I’m sorry if I interrupted anything.”
He raises an eyebrow questioningly as he sidles closer. The boy, half slumped across his desk—evidently dozing off before he’d entered—waves his hand dismissively, straightening up.
“It’s fine, wasn’t doin’ anything anyway.”
Keigo chuckles, crossing his arms as he leans back against the desk opposite the boy. The boy tilts his head up at him, meeting his gaze, and Keigo gets his first proper look at him, underneath the tousled inky mess of hair. The pale orange sunlight of dawn filters in through the windows, reflecting off his bright turquoise eyes, and...
...And......
~~~
Red hair, autumn leaves, cinnamon bread, a breeze swirling around them.
“You know, my eyes are just like his, I can’t stand it. It’s a dead giveaway, anyone can tell right away that I’m-”
“No. No, you’re not. You’re nothing like him.”
“But-”
“In my life, I have never known your Father, I have only ever known you, but your eyes...they are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. They might share the same colour, or the same shade as his, but your eyes...they are yours and yours alone. His eyes will never share the shine of yours when you laugh and smile; his eyes will never know the pain or suffering yours have endured; his eyes can only ever dream to attain a sliver of the life you have in your eyes; and his eyes have never truly known yours, not like I do. Your eyes...I have never known kinder eyes than yours...”
~~~
“Hey, did you hear me?”
For the second time, he startles.
Eyes, strikingly blue, strikingly familiar , gaze at him with mildly-concealed concern. Almost as quick as it’d surfaced, the memory vanishes into the depths of his mind, leaving him grasping at foggy fragments of a moment lost to time.
“Do I...” know you? The words slip out his mouth, against his will, trailing off before the question can escape.
No...no, of course not. He’s lived in the middle of Tokyo his entire life, and only now that he’s transferred here has he stepped foot in a different prefecture, there’s no way they’ve met before. He doesn’t even know this boy’s name, and yet…...
Abruptly, he’s aware that the boy is staring at him intensely, anticipating. He shakes his head, laughing lightly.
“Ah, sorry. I got lost in thought for a moment. What did you say?”
“...It’s nothing.”
Panic bubbles up in his chest, and Keigo waves his hands quickly, bowing his head apologetically.
“No, no, please, I didn’t mean to zone out on you, sorry. You just...reminded me of someone I once knew.”
Who? The name sits on the tip of his tongue, but slips through his fingers all the same, so frustratingly close, yet just out of reach.
“I...asked why you’re here so early. Did you mix up the time? Classes don’t begin for an hour.” He drawls, nodding towards the empty classroom.
“You’re here too, why are you here?” He deflects, pointing out defensively, a part of him taking offence that he would make a mistake as trivial as mixing up times.
“The difference is that you’re new and I’m not. I’m always here. Now what’s your excuse?” The guy retorts quickly, and already Keigo feels himself taking a liking to him.
“Thought I’d get a look around before lessons start, you know, get a feel of things. I have the worst sense of direction, best to scope things out beforehand. Don’t want to end up embarrassing myself because I can’t find the washroom or something, you know? Just because I’m new doesn’t mean I can afford to fall behind.”
He shrugs, extending a hand.
“Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. I’m-”
“Keigo Takami.”
He pauses, smile faltering. He tilts his head curiously.
“Yes...yes, that’s right. How did you know?”
To his credit, the other boy looks just as surprised. He frowns, eyebrows furrowed.
“I...don’t know...” He mutters slowly, more to himself than to Keigo.
His words don’t help the mounting feeling that he’s missing something, been missing something all along, a piece of the puzzle so slightly out of place.
The silence begins to drag, but luckily, he’s always been quick to defuse tense situations. He forces a laugh, clasping the other’s hand and shaking.
“Ah don’t worry about it. You probably saw it on the namelist, or heard sensei mention it before. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you. I hope we can get along.”
Keigo flashes a grin.
“Likewise.”
The boy blinks impassively at him, brushing his fingers through his hair. His gaze flits away to the side, but he doesn’t pull away from the handshake, nodding curtly.
“Sorry, I don’t think I caught your name. You would be-?”
He fixes Keigo with a piercing gaze, sharp and analysing, almost...expectant.
“...Touya.”
Something clicks into place in his brain. The name feels...right. Fitting.
“Touya-?”
It rolls easily off his tongue, so strangely nostalgic over a name he’s only just learned. His tone lilts at the end, a subtle question as he probes, but almost immediately he recognises it as a wrong move.
Touya retracts his hand, shoving it into his pockets, and Keigo can see him closing off, some invisible wall being built up between them. Somewhere, he’d toed at a line he shouldn’t have, and he curses himself for prodding so early on.
“Just Touya.”
Keigo reels himself back quickly, filing his questions away for the future, trying for more charm instead with another smile.
“Of course, that’s cool. Sorry if I overstepped.” He pushes off the desk, moves instead to the one right behind Touya, in the very corner of the classroom.
“Is this taken?” Touya scoffs, leaning back against his chair.
“Might as well not be. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Hachiro, wouldn’t mind keeping it that way either.”
“Oh. That’s…”
Keigo pulls out the chair, wincing at the screech its legs make against the floor. Touya props his feet up on his desk, unbothered.
“Would you? Mind? If I took this seat then, I mean.”
“What’s it matter if I mind? I’m not sensei, It’s not like I can do anything about it. Either way, I don’t care. Sit wherever you want, but don’t complain if sensei decides to move you up front because you can’t keep up all the way back here.”
He tilts his chair back to balance on two legs, crossing his arms behind his head as he rests it against what might now be Keigo’s desk.
“Is this really how to welcome a new student? After all the trouble I go through to arrive early, stay on top of things and make an impression, and this is how you take me.” He feigns a dramatic sigh.
“Well, you shouldn’t underestimate me. I’ll make you eat those words.”
“Bold words for someone who doesn’t know who you’re up against.”
Something resembling a smile plays across Touya’s lips, eyes daring him. Keigo has never been one to shy away from a challenge.
He settles into his chair, before dangling his bag above Touya. The other boy stubbornly remains in his spot, expression nonchalant.
He lets the strap slip from between his fingers.
“Shit!”
His chair springs forward, and the bag hits the table with a soft “thwump” instead. Touya spins around in his chair, aiming a glare at him. Keigo laughs, a lopsided grin spreading across his face.
“Relax, there’s barely anything in it, I haven’t bought my books. Besides, I’m not about to murder someone on my first day. It is my table now. I mean, I did ask you if you would mind. Unless...you change your mind?” He rests his elbows on the desk, propping his chin up with his palms, blinking innocently, tone honey sweet.
Touya rolls his eyes.
“No, do whatever you want for all I care. As long as you don’t get in my way, but it’s not like you’ll ever beat me anyway.”
“Careful, wouldn't want your pride to get hurt when I prove you wrong.”
“As if. I’ve already surpassed the rest of the class, I’d never let some newbie like you take my top spot.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“Do you even know what you’re up against? This class isn’t a walk in the park, the rest of the class can attest to that.”
“The rest of the class, but not you?”
“Of course, they’re great, but I’m a cut above the rest. and it’s best for you to accept it quickly.”
“If you think I’d give up so easily you’re mistaken. What makes you think that anyway?”
“Have you seen how they are?”
“No, obviously not. Tell me about it.”
They’ve just met, but they fall into a conversation so easily, it feels like an old routine. Clicking so smoothly and easily, he’s not sure he’s ever connected this quickly with anyone, and it’s strange, it’s absurd, but it’s right.
His heart knows all the steps to this dance, but from where, or how, his mind can’t wrap around. His soul sings nostalgia over a script, lines he knows at the back of his hand, and yet, he can’t ever recall learning it.
All the questions are forgotten as they slip into a moment so comfortable and achingly familiar. The sun rises too quickly, and the bell rings too fast.
Hearts do not forget easily, and such bonds do not sever clean. What was forgotten, they relearn afresh; what was lost, they rebuild anew.
The physical body and brain might never remember, but their souls could never miss each other, and their spirits find each other again.
~~~
Three months later. a world war is declared, the horizon bursts into flames, and they are once again torn from each other.
- The birth of quirks
The ground tremors, so violently he thinks it might just split apart and swallow him up. He stumbles, but only for a moment. A moment is more than he can afford.
The world spins, a blur of colour, and yet, he can’t afford to falter, or miss a single step. Not now, not with...
His fingers curl tighter around the body in his arms. He tries in vain not to think about the slick liquid coating them, or the warmth dissipating, as he trudges forward.
How could he have known? How could he have ever suspected that it would end like this?
That Friday night, when he’d turned on the TV at 7pm, catching the breaking news reporting the glowing baby in China, he’d grabbed his phone and called Touya immediately, had even chattered excitedly to him about the miracle.
He laughs bitterly. A curse in disguise, that’s all it had been.
It had all been fun and games initially. The glowing baby had seemed surreal, almost as if taken straight out of a comic book, or a fantasy novel, or even an action movie.
The incident had opened the door to a multitude of possibilities, and the world had been entirely taken by it, the idea of having supernatural abilities too appealing to resist. And yet, so lost in fascination were they, that they’d failed to consider the other side of the coin.
Things had spiraled from there. Instances had begun popping up all over the globe, including Japan, too fast for the government to track...or contain.
Scientists could never hope to keep up with the rapid influx of anomalies, and each day brought no logical explanation, but a new concern. After all, a glowing baby might be harmless, but a man with a criminal record and the ability to burst electricity from his hands surely posed a threat to the public. In the eyes of the government, at least.
Since when have we as humans ever unanimously agreed on something? Opinions have always been divided.
With no laws in place to regulate these new abilities, but no information on their origins, and variables more diverse than the stars in the night sky, keeping anything under control was a fool’s dream to begin with.
Tension built as the public demanded a thousand versions of justice, and a million other forms of virtue, officials scrambling desperately to find a solution to pacify their impatient thirst for resolution—all of it in vain.
Finally the manifestation of one of these anomalies caused an accident that killed three children, and it had been hellfire from there.
With no answers or solutions, the world had collectively descended into chaos—after all, humans despise knowing nothing, and confusion breeds fear.
Hatred and violence runs rampant in the streets, only escalating further into war as time passes. In the midst of it all, it’s inevitable for some to be caught in the crossfire.
He only wishes it hadn’t been them. He only wishes…...
“Keigo...”
A whisper in the wind. The hand tugging at his sleeve is feeble and weak, but no less insistent. He has never been able to refuse Touya. He pauses, glancing down at him, but the moment is all it takes.
The ground rumbles in the distance, a roar crescendoes into a deafening crash—another building going down. It knocks him off his feet, and he falls to the ground. He twists his body, shielding Touya as much as he can. Crumbling bits of debris cut into his back, digging into his shoulder. He hisses in pain.
It takes a minute for the shaking to subside, but when the clamor finally dies away into silence, he no longer finds his strength to get up. His legs tingle with numbness, he can’t feel the ground beneath them, and he knows they’re done for now.
“...Hey...Don’t cry……”
When did he start? He hadn’t even noticed, but his vision is blurred now, and when he blinks, tears stream down his cheeks.
“...’m sorry...I couldn’t save us…”
Touya’s hand trembles, eyes glazed over in pain, but he smiles softly, touch gentle as his thumb brushes under Keigo’s eyes.
“We are...together...that’s all that matters...right?”
Kei go’s heart twists agonizingly, and he chokes back a sob.
“...I know...you’ve never...believed in it...but in our next life...however we reincarnate...let’s meet again, alright Kei?”
Despite the anguish overwhelming him, the tears spilling over endlessly and the cries he can’t silence, a bubble of laughter erupts from his lips, and he’s not quite sure if it’s hysteria or elation.
“...maybe then...the war will be over and we can...can live happily together…” The words trickle off into an unintelligible buzz, his mind too muddled to decipher them anymore, before he hears Touya sigh contently. Darkness is creeping in at the edges of his vision, but all he sees is Touya.
Him and Touya, living together happily.
“...Yeah...that...that sounds…” perfect.
Keigo closes his eyes, and dreams.
+1. Present time
“Keigo Takami!”
Keigo Takami.
The name still echoes in his ears. It has been a long time since he’s heard that name, it’s strange to even consider that it’s his.
He’s not sure if he exists anymore, Keigo Takami. Perhaps he’s been buried, under years and years of conditioning, hidden beneath the flashy hero persona that is Hawks. Perhaps he’s drowned underneath the pressure of expectations and disappointment, or the crushing weight of loss and pain.
He’s not sure he even remembers anymore.
Keigo Takami, Keigo Takami…...
Who is Keigo Takami?
He’s worn the face of Hawks for so long, it’s stuck to his skin, and he can’t peel it off. Now, he wears it like he was born with it, and Keigo Takami disappears, trapped under a false facade—the masquerade mask Hawks.
“Who the hell are you?”
“Touya Todoroki.”
~~~
“Touya. I’m Touya.”
“Here, this should last you long enough for you to find more. I’ll see you again someday, I promise.”
“Just Touya.”
“After the war, let’s find each other again. It’ll give me some reason to try to stay alive at least, you know? So don’t you dare leave me hanging, Keigo Takami.”
“In our next life...however we reincarnate...let’s meet again, alright Kei?”
“...maybe then...the war will be over and we can...can live happily together…”
~~~
He wonders if Touya is trapped away, too, killed by one too many tragedies.
Dabi and Hawks. Touya and Keigo.
For as much as fate loves to break them apart, it weaves their paths together, and they find each other all the same, pulled together like orbiting stars in a stellar collision.
~~~
“Hawks!”
Tsukuyomi…After all his apprentice had done to save them, he can’t help but feel a little sorry to let his efforts go to waste. And yet, he finds he has no energy or will left to fight.
I’m sorry.
The surroundings melt away into darkness as his eyes fall close. He can’t help but smile.
Let’s meet again in our next life, Touya. This way we can start over. We can save each other...maybe then we can finally be together......
And maybe...maybe fate...will finally be...kind enough for...me to......love you......
~~~
“I had never known kinder eyes than yours.”