Chapter Text
Mera stood in the hallway of the commission building looking at Hawks standing before him. The young teen gone through many different handlers over the years. So much time, money and effort went into shaping him. He’s grown from scrawny quite child, to leaner built, young teenager. Clear the boy was in that awkward stage, wings looking even mess, his. Hair the same wild look, his training attire scuffed up, black and gold sleeveless compressed shirt baggy tan pants nearly brown-black gloves and black boots. Camped to rest of them who were wearing a dress. and suits and ties.
“So, you want me to train him?” Mera looked over to the President who stood behind Hawks.
“Yes. Just until we can find a suitable handler to replace his last one.” She said, “I believe your skills can fine toon his, making him even sharper and better tool.”
Mera didn’t like that phrasing, but everyone has treated the boy before him as tool, work him to bone fix him and repeat. He’s still a child. The look Hawks had was unbothered, an indifference perhaps. “Very well. Hawks lets go.”
“Yes sir.”
Hawks zipped around the training room, dodging around lasers, striking at dumbies. His feathers hitting their targets, chest, head, arms, legs. Hawks landed chest heaving getting ready to launch back into the next drill.
“That’s enough.” Mera said as the simulation died off as he turned it off. He walked up to Hawks.
“N-no, I can keep going.” Hawks said turning to face Mera. “Please, I can keeo-“
Mera raised his hand, doing so he noticed subtle flinch from Hawks, wings flex behind him. But he only raised his hand in a stop motion to signal to Hawks to stop talking. They haven’t changed tactics with him. “No. You’re taking a break. We’ll continue in few minutes or an hour. Now sit.”
Hawks obeyed him taking a seat with a huff. Mera just shook his head, one thing dealing with a little boy another dealing with a teenager that was for sure. He stood next to Hawks looking over the charts and info he had been given about the boy. The top speed he can do right now, his skills, what he need to work on, each minute of the day planned out to a ‘T’ for Hawks. He’s smart, skilled, fast for his age too. I wonder…
Over the next few weeks Mera planned. Training Hawks wasn’t easy skill, the boy was quick to master each task being thrown at him. Unlike others, he gave Hawks breaks, let him catch his breath, eat catch a nap longer than he should. Slowly Hawks open more became chatty asking questions, having voice. Treating someone as a person goes along way.
“Hawks come here will you.” Mera called him over as he opened the door to the room the hspc had given the child when he came to live with them. Small as an office, but had all Hawks needed, bed place for clothes.
“Sure, what’s up?” Hawks hurried over. “Is it more training? An assignment?” he asked tilt his head the one stand of hair fell over his face again, clear it had yet to stand up normally if there was such thing for it.
“No, it’s not an assignment. Training will be in five more minutes.” Mera said as he finished out a small box hands it over to Hawks. “Here, these are for you, your old enough to wear them.”
Hawks curiously takes the box and opens them. His eyes widen dilated, seeing a pair of shiny red square earing with gold trim. He stares at them transfixed for a while, bird like trait they haven’t trained him to suppress very well.
Mera chuckled, “Go ahead and put them on. I’ll take the heat.” He said, watching as Hawks snapped from his trance and put them into his ears, the smile flutter of wings. Glad he’s happy.
But time with Hawks wasn’t long, sure Hawks been doing work the commission wanted with a lienee for a while, he didn’t like seeing him come back bloody, not sure if it was his blood or whoever they had him take down.
Mera spent nights awake pouring over new ideas, a way Hawks can pass the test to show he ready to hero work, by what Mera saw the boy was. Boy, was he tired. Quietly he slipped out of his office and crept through the halls until he came to Hawks’ room. Opening door he sighed, relief seeing Hawks was fast asleep, not twitching about or up trying to more training on his own. Leaving Hawks be he went back to finishing the training layout, he’d have run by the others, but. He’s ready, maybe afterwards I can finally get a full night of sleep.
“What?” Hawks stared at his new handler broad man steely grey eyes His eyes wide as his wings sagged. “You can’t be serious.” He hoped Mera would be permanent.
“Shape up. Attachments only will hinder your development. You’ll see him once it’s time for your exam. Don’t you dare slack off. It’s unprofessional of a hero.”