flamebearing_wings | (no subject)

The evening had gone as well as he'd expected, more or less. Enji had behaved for the cameras but they hadn't had a lot of time to talk in between dealing with the guests at the event and then Enji leaving as soon as he could make his excuses. Of course Keigo stayed longer, finished the evening and then left, making a stop along the way at a small shop.

Then it was simple enough to drive through the gates, letting them close behind him. He left the car back near the gate, though, choosing to walk, gaze taking in the surroundings. To anyone who only knew his outward persona, they'd probably be shocked to see the layout but Keigo knew better and he stopped shy the doors before one of the staff approached and escorted him to one of the rooms.

It was furnished traditionally, the low tables and cushions enough to have him moving to sit, his eyes focusing on the door, the bottle beside him as he waited.

Technically, he was supposed to stay until the end of those ridiculous events, but they were lucky he'd shown up at all. He wouldn't have made an appearance if he'd known what they were plotting. A partner. What did he need a partner for? He worked best alone. His ranking was proof of that. He had no tolerance for the practice of putting publicity over results. The executives needed to stay out of his way and let him do his job.

Obviously, they didn't agree. A partner. It was ridiculous. An insult to him and his successful career. Now that he was home, where there were no cameras to judge how personable he was, he planned to spend his evening alone, training, channeling his irritation into physical activity.

When he received the news of his visitor, Enji breathed out sharply, flames flickering around his face. His annoyance warred with the fact that he had signed a contract he had to honor as a hero. He would have to put off his training session, at least until he could manage to get rid of his uninvited guest. He strode to the room where Keigo was waiting. There was no point in delaying.

He didn't bother to guard his expression as he regarded Keigo. "What do you want?

"Peace offering and a chance to talk without everyone looking." He set the bottle on the table before folding his hands in his lap. Leaning against the wall would be more his preference but this situation was going to take a bit more effort than it would have with anyone else.

"We should at least be on somewhat familiar terms before we're in front of a camera again." Because that was why he'd been paired with the man in front of him. At least it was on paper. His lips twitched slightly before he lifted one of his hands.

"Sit down, please."

"Peace offering?" His tone was skeptical. He wasn't in the mood to accept gifts. He didn't like the thought of someone wanting to placate him. It made him feel disagreeable. "I don't need one. I'm fine."

He stood still for a few moments, gazing down at Keigo severely. "This is my home, and I'll sit when I want to." He paused. He would feel foolish if he kept standing at this point. "I was going to sit down in any case." He lowered himself smoothly and lowered his voice. It was possible Keigo had nothing to do with this decision. Those who were in charge of managing the heroes weren't necessarily the right people for the job. This wasn't the first time they'd made a decision Enji had disagreed with.

"Should we? Personally, I'm hoping this arrangement will be temporary."

He just waited, letting Enji settle before moving the bottle across the table, his expression still unbothered by the other's reactions. He'd expected nothing less and his hands settle back on his side of the table.

"Of course you were." Acknowledgment, nothing else before he continues. "That's not going to happen. It doesn't necessarily mean we'll always be together in a given situation but in terms of your..status, this will only benefit you in the end. I can take the pressure off you if we work as a team."

Enji looked at the bottle, taking stock of it briefly. He didn't comment on it. His gaze shortly returned to Keigo.

"I prefer to work alone. I'm not going to allow them to upend my career on a whim." That was one of the worst parts of being a hero; being subject to the maddening decisions of others. He wanted to do his job as effectively as possible. He was the one who knew the best way to do that.

"I don't need pressure taken off of me. I have no difficulty holding up under any pressure."

"You don't work well with others, that's a very different situation." He hasn't raised his voice, wings shifting slightly as he adjusts his position.

"Your performance in the field is good, but that's not what we're discussing here. The issue is how you handle everything else this job entails. Not to mention you could benefit from someone who can minimize the potential property damage." Keigo rolls his shoulders before moving to his feet and stepping around the table to stand beside the other man.

"They didn't offer me this for no reason, Endeavor, and I didn't accept without looking at every potential outcome. You want to be the best and working with me will raise you to that spot and keep you there."

Enji felt his jaw tense. Not this topic again. He'd heard enough about it already. He didn't need a minder.

"How I handle myself in the field is what this job entails. What I need is to be allowed to work. I don't need a lecture about property damage. And I don't need to hold the hands of the press and the public. My capture and rescue rates speak for themselves."

He pursed his lips, annoyed at Keigo for standing up after having told him to sit down. "I'm sure you all have your reasons, but so do I. I don't need your help."

"If you want to keep working, you do. There's no way around this and I think you'll find it's not going to be nearly as bad as you think." Hawks has his hands loose at his sides, gaze focused on Enji's face as he stands there, posture relaxed.

"So fighting it will get you nowhere and we both know you don't want to end up making an enemy of the media. It never ends well in this business." Whether he thinks it's good or not, it's the only way they're not dealing with personal liability in regards to the work.

"That's exactly what I will do." He didn't intend to stop, or even pause. He made a dubious noise at the suggestion that it wouldn't be as bad as he expected. "I don't take it for granted that it's inevitable. If there's a way to negate this arrangement, I'll find it." Inwardly, he admitted that it was not likely. That didn't mean he wasn't going to make the attempt.

He held Hawks' gaze, frowning. Why was he standing there like that, anyway? Irritating. "I don't intend to make an enemy of them. I'm simply not going to ingratiate myself with them."

"Do you really think they didn't take the time to make sure you couldn't break it before you signed it? That they didn't plan for this knowing exactly what they were doing?" Hawks shrugs a shoulder slightly before exhaling a breath.

"And that's basically the same thing as making an enemy of them. You play the game or you get dropped and this is the last resort for you. They want someone watching your back and I was the best option because I don't have the kind of personality that would antagonize you. " There's a moment of silence before he continues.

And you don't intimidate me at all."

"I'm sure they did. But I have my own lawyers. I'm not going to take it for granted." He shrugged. No, he didn't think it likely, as the lawyers of Hero TV were highly paid and high powered. But so were his own.

"I'd hardly say that would make us enemies. Last resort? They're not going to get rid of me." Yes, he was older, much older than when he'd begun his career as a hero, but he still did as well as the other current heroes—if not better. Usually better.

He frowned. It wasn't as if he'd gone out of his way to intimidate Hawks, but he didn't like the comment, or Hawks' manner. "And this is your way of not antagonizing me?"

"I didn't think laying out the facts would be an antagonistic move." His voice is still mild enough, gaze steady, hands loose at his sides. "We're going to be working together and at least have to appear comfortable on camera. To do that effectively will requiressome time and effort on your side outside of work so I thought getting a head start would make the entire process easier."

MHA tiger and bunny style

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Sometime later

I choose the 2nd one, and while drinking, in person.

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