The meeting room was already buzzing with conversation when the door swung open, and Hawks strode in, feathers ruffling slightly as he adjusted his visor with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, sorry—I know, fashionably late as always," he drawled, his tone light and teasing as he slipped into the room. His jacket hung loosely over his shoulders, and the faint scent of wind and city streets followed him as he made his way to an open seat.

"Traffic’s a killer, huh? Or maybe it’s just me," he joked, dropping into the chair and propping his chin on his hand, golden eyes scanning the room with lazy interest. Despite his carefree demeanor, there was a sharpness in his gaze, a quiet calculation as he quickly caught himself up on the atmosphere of the meeting. "So, what did I miss? Anything earth-shattering, or can I pretend I was here the whole time?"

His wings shifted slightly, a restless habit, as he settled in, still radiating his usual mix of charm and casual confidence. Whatever had made him late, he didn’t seem too worried about it—he never did. But beneath his easy smile, there was always that subtle edge, the sense that Hawks was always watching, always listening.