Jordan released Hawk just as the group walked through the swinging black doors to the back room, laughing and punching his friend playfully on the arm. “Dude, did you see that girl? Aw, so hot!” 

Hawk barely heard him. His eyes were glued to the swinging black doors where the group had just walked through. 

That boy…no…he wasn’t a boy. He was no younger than Jordan, probably around twenty-five or -six. He was…strange.

Those red eyes hidden behind golden blonde hair held no fear, no trepidation for who was staring back at him. They were purely innocent eyes, eyes that had never witnessed any real trauma in his life. But, how was that even possible? He didn’t appear sheltered, the piercings and tattoo on his wrist proved that much. The way he held himself suggested he knew his way in the world, had real life experiences, not just something over a video game.

He was pale, with full lips, his teeth perfect, his red tongue sharp and enticing. He wasn’t tall, maybe around five-seven, but he held himself up with a level of confidence Hawk had to admire. However, that confidence seemed to falter the moment they locked eyes. Hawk had to wonder…did his heart stop, too? Did he also forget how to breathe? Did his palms begin to sweat the way his had?

Hawk folded his hands into fists, noticing how they shook at his sides. Who the hell is that boy?

“---surprised to see him, too.” Jordan’s voice began breaking through Hawk’s thoughts, bringing him back to the world around him. 

Jordan glanced at his friend, wondering why he hadn’t said anything, or even moved for that matter. He knocked Hawk’s arm with his elbow. “Hey.”

Hawk finally turned to look at Jordan, his vision still blurred by the boy with the strange eyes.

“Dude, did you hear anything I just said?”

“Huh?” 

Jordan rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Apparently not.” He glanced at the doors then back at Hawk. He put his hand on the top of Hawk’s head and ruffled his hair, finally getting a reaction out of him.

“Cut it out!” Hawk griped, swatting at Jordan’s arm.

Jordan laughed. “I was just saying that it’s been a while since Hero’s been in town and that I’m surprised to see him.”

“What? Who’s Hero?”

Jordan’s eyebrow reached into his hairline. “My dude, that would be the guy you were having an intense eyefucking session with in the middle of the goddamn store.”

Hawk stiffened, not realizing just how blatantly he had been staring. He slapped a hand to his forehead, his face going a deep shade of red. “Please tell me no one else caught that…”

“If I did, it would be a lie.”

“Super.” He picked up a case and tore it open, trying to get his mind back on track and off of Hero. 

However, Jordan was not about to let this golden opportunity to give him a huge helping of shit pass him by. He leaned against the freezer door and put his hands in his pockets, a huge grin on his face.

“His name is Hero Grace, we grew up together.”

“Awesome.”

“He’s gay but doesn’t flaunt it.”

“Good for him.” He slammed the freezer door shut and tossed the empty box, reaching out for another one and allowing his long legs to take him to the next section. Jordan followed.

“He moved away after we graduated high school and we lost touch shortly after.”

“Sad shame.”

“He’s single.”

“Oh look, something all three of us have in common.” Another door slam, another hurried step to the pallet for another case.

“Want me to introduce you?”

“Don’t you need to remind him who you are, first?”

Jordan laughed. “Probably. To be fair, I was standing behind you for a hot second before I finally ended that truly uncomfortable-for-me moment. He never once saw me.”

Hawk’s movements slowed as he felt his face heat up again, his brows knitting together as the corners of his lips turned down. He crouched down to fill the bottom shelf full of pot pies.

“He could be our Third.”

That got Hawk to stop. He sat back on his heels and set the empty case aside, his head leaning back as he sighed. He glanced up at his friend who gazed down at him, hopeful and sad. It had been a long time since Jordan had brought up the idea of reforming their triumvirate. Hell, it had been him who said that position could never be refilled in the first place.

“Are you sure?” Hawk asked, his gaze searching Jordan’s face. It was because of Hawk they didn’t have their Third to begin with and it had taken Jordan a very long time to move past it all. While Hawk was no longer going down that path and Jordan knew it, it still caused Jordan a little bit of anxiety to even suggest bringing someone knew into their little group. But then again, he knew Hero, and he knew Hawk. Jordan wouldn’t suggest it if he didn’t have some confidence it would all work out.

Jordan nodded, standing a little straighter. “We were pretty tight when we were kids. It sucked when he left and lost touch. He’s really a cool guy, you’ll like him.”

In what way are you hoping I’ll “like” him, Jordan? I’ve never “liked” anyone.

Hawk crossed his arms over his chest, and tilted his head back forward, sighing. He had to admit it would be cool to have someone else around again, not just Jordan. How many times had Toji told him to make more friends? 

But the way he felt when he looked at Hero…his fingers gripped his arms and a bolt of lightning shot through his chest, a small ball forming at the base of his throat. He swallowed it back, forcing himself to relax like he did whenever he felt he might allow some of his power to come through. He didn’t like this feeling; it was unfamiliar and weird. Yet, he really did want to meet him. 

He sighed and put his hands on his thighs. “Fine, but don’t push it.”

Jordan smiled broadly and clenched his fists to the sides of his chest. 

“I’m serious, Jordan, if the guy doesn’t want to have anything to do with me or hanging out with us at all, then let it go, alright?”

Jordan saluted in the way of the Scout Regiment, right fist upturned over his heart, left arm behind his back. “Sir!”

Hawk shook his head and allowed a small smile to grace his lips as Jordan damn near danced his way down the aisle back to his own pallet of cases.

-*-

“Hero!”

Hero looked up from his sandwich to see two men walking in his and Elaine’s direction, one slightly behind the other. It was the one with the brown hair and thick jacket that was calling out and waving to him. As he neared, a memory stirred in Hero’s mind, set off by that wide, goofy smile he had on his face.

His eyes went wide and he smiled in return. “Jordan Franks? Is that really you?” He set his sandwich down and jumped off the wall to hug his old childhood friend. 

“I can’t believe you’re back!” Jordan said, holding the laughing blonde man at arm’s length. Hawk had to look away and cover his mouth to hide the blood he drew from biting his lip too hard.

“Yeah, I got back about a week ago,” Hero said with an embarrassed grin. “I should have reached out, I’m sorry.”

“Nah, it’s fine,” Jordan said with a dramatic sigh. “I know I’m forgettable.”

Hero laughed. “Whatever, dude!”

“I must be, you’ve already replaced me with someone prettier.” Jordan smiled at Elaine who smiled back and rolled her eyes.

She extended her hand. “I’m Elaine,” she said.

“Jordan,” he said. He pointed a finger at her, something in his own memory stirring. “Elaine…Moore, right? You went to the same high school as us, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, I did,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “You remember me?”

“Actually, yeah!” Jordan said, laughing. 

As the two talked next to him, Hero’s eyes drifted past Jordan to the redhead behind him, leaning against a support pillar. He was looking off into the distance, his hands in his hoodie pocket, ankles crossed, his hair fluttering gently with the breeze. Even in profile, Hero could guess that it was Hawk Helman. He had a pointed nose and an angular jaw, his tanned skin smooth and unblemished. Not even his ears were pierced, he noticed. At least, not the right one.

He was tall, close to six-one if he had to guess, with long legs that ended in heavy boots. His hoodie barely reached his belt, and a short burst of wind lifted it enough for Hero to catch a glimpse of a cut that started at his hip bone and disappeared into the band of his boxer briefs that reached just above his cargo pants. 

He looked away quickly as Hawk’s head turned in their direction, his neck getting hot as he hoped Hawk hadn’t caught him staring again.

Jordan, lost in conversation with Elaine, seemed to have completely forgotten Hawk was even with him. 

Should I just go and introduce myself? Hero thought, wondering if that was even appropriate. Most people just wanted to be left alone, maybe Hawk was no different. But then, would he have joined Jordan outside on their break if that was the case? Of course, he could just want to maintain a small group of friends.

“Oh, hey, Hawk, I almost forgot about you, dude!” Jordan said, finally remembering his manners. He extended his arm backwards and motioned Hawk to join them. The tall man pushed himself off the pillar with one boot and slowly made his way toward them.

Up close, he seemed so much bigger somehow, Hero noticed. While he never considered himself terribly short, he felt small next to the intimidating figure that was Hawk Helman. He was suddenly very nervous, his hands fidgeting within his pockets, his eyes unable to rise to meet Hawk’s.

“Hero, this is Hawk, my best friend I had to replace you with,” Jordan said, putting one arm around Hawk’s shoulder and slapping him on the chest with the other hand.

Elaine giggled and Hero relaxed a bit.

“Hawk, this is Hero,” Jordan said, a little more softly. “My best friend since we were five and who abandoned me eight years ago.”

Hawk’s reaction was so uncharacteristic, even he was surprised. His lips parted, he took in a breath, grabbed the corner of his bottom lip with his teeth, and turned his head, suddenly nervous and shy. What the unholy fuck is wrong with you? Say something, stupid!

Jordan gaped at him. What the fuck?

Hero was the first to break the awkwardness, even though he was also feeling incredibly nervous as well. What the hell, Hero, this isn’t like you!

“Uh–um…” Hero extended his hand, flexing it once. “I’m—it’s nice to—um…” Dear gods, just let me die right now…

Hawk’s eyes went to the hand, taking in how it looked both strong and delicate, with long fingers and smooth, nicely trimmed nails. This man didn’t know what a fingernail tasted like, had never even tried. Slowly, he lifted his own hand and, with a slight hesitation that he wanted to punch himself in the face for, he gently enfolded it over Hero’s.

Later, he would tell Toji, it was like his entire world came to a stop. There was no wind, no sound, nothing. Just him and Hero, standing there, eyes locked on one another, their hearts beating so hard they could feel it in the other’s palm. All that remained in all of existence was just the two of them. The universe could have ended and neither of them would have noticed.

He remembered how Hero’s lips were parted slightly, wet and trembling. His red eyes danced with fire, his blonde hair like gold that continued to wave in Hero’s face, obscuring his soft features. He wanted to reach out, to run his fingers through it, to tuck it behind his ear and trace the curve of it.

What Hero remembered later was relatively the same. Jordan and Elaine were gone, they simply didn’t exist any longer. All he knew, all he cared about, was Hawk’s hand in his, the way his amber eyes seemed to melt like honey, his dark blood red hair almost black under the streetlight. He remembered how badly he wanted to reach up and kiss him right then and there, to put his hand on his chest or to the back of his neck.

They both remembered feeling like this meeting was always meant to happen.

They both remembered the rush of heat that went up their arms when their hands met, almost a spiral of electricity that ran from their hands and through their bodies, coming to rest and spin slowly around a central point within them. For Hero, it was his heart; for Hawk, his core. 

And they both remembered who it was that broke the silence first.

“Hey,” Hawk said, the word broken on a sigh.

Hero swallowed and nodded. “Hey.” The reply was no louder than a whisper but Hawk heard it loud and clear.

They released their hands at the same time, the world flooding back in on them all at once, taking them both by surprise. 

Jordan slapped Hawk on the back and Elaine laughed loudly as she took Hero’s arm. “C’mon, we need to get back inside,” she said, pulling her friend along with her past Hawk.

“Wait, hey!” Hero exclaimed, turning his head just in time before he slammed into the same support pillar Hawk had been leaning against.

“She’s right, break’s over. Man, that went way too fast.” Jordan put his arm around Hawk’s shoulders, and said in a more conspiratorial tone, “If you don’t close your mouth, people are going to start thinking there’s something seriously wrong with you, my dude.”

Hawk’s mouth slammed shut and blinked several times, his mind finally catching up to the world around him. What in the hell was that?

Hero glanced back behind him and his eyes landed on Hawk. He gave a small smile, one that promised they would have to have a real conversation very soon. 

Hawk’s shoulders relaxed as he returned the smile and Hero turned back to Elaine. 

“Jordan,” he said quietly. His friend lowered his arm and glanced his way. “Let’s all hang out at my place tomorrow.”

“Why not tonight?”

“I have an errand to run.”

Jordan nodded. I’ve already won.

-*-