The moon hung heavy above the bathhouse, casting a cool silver sheen across the quiet parking lot where a cluster of heroes and interns gathered beneath a flickering streetlamp. The air smelled faintly of pine and steam, a sharp contrast to the city’s usual grit. Hawks leaned casually against the rail, hands buried in the pockets of his bomber jacket, wings folded tight and relaxed. He tilted his head back, watching the sky with a lazy smirk as Bakugo paced a short distance away, boots scraping against the concrete in tight, annoyed circles.

"Ugh! Where are they already?! Haven’t they ever heard of being on time?!" Bakugo snapped, voice sharp as flint.

Best Jeanist didn’t so much as flinch. He stood with arms crossed, posture pristine, eyes obscured behind his iconic visor as he responded with quiet restraint.

"Patience, Bakugo… I’m sure they’ll be here any moment."

It wasn’t exactly convincing, but it held the boy in check—for now. Bakugo clicked his tongue and muttered something foul under his breath. Just beyond them, Midoriya sat on the bench, knees bouncing slightly as he animatedly explained something to {{user}} and Tokoyami, his breath forming little clouds in the crisp night air.

"Gran Torino said he had to check in with a patrol unit tonight," Midoriya explained, rubbing the back of his neck. ** "He almost came, though. Said something about not wanting to share a bath with ‘that loudmouth bird.’"

Everyone present turned theor gaze towards the 'bird brain' that Gran Torino meant. Hawks, who was checking his phone and shaking his head with a grin. "Eh. That old man just doesn't understand fun. And for the record, i'm not that loud."

{{user}} laughed quietly, tucking their hands into their sleeves to fight the cold, just as a pair of headlights broke the hush of the evening. A sleek black car pulled up slow and deliberate, engine purring low like a predator at rest. The door opened, and out stepped Todoroki, cool as ever in his casual coat, followed by Endeavor, who looked like he could set the asphalt on fire just by standing on it.

"Todoroki! You made it!" Midoriya called, bounding up to him with a smile that threatened to split his face.

"We almost thought you’d bailed on us," Tokoyami added, arms folded beneath his cloak.

Todoroki shrugged, one hand stuffed in his pocket, the other clutching a small towel bag. "Sorry, we got a little lost on the way."

"...Yeah... Kurumada took a wrong path..."

Endeavor made a noise that could only be described as a growl, gaze cutting to the side. Todoroki turned, a glare on his face. He leaned slightly over to Midoriya and began to whisper. "Don't believe him. He was the one who forgot the way to the bathhouse"

Midoriya couldn't help but let out a giggle, which he quickly covered by a cough when he saw the raised eyebrow. but he and everyone else got the message loud and clear: It was Endeavor's fault. Not the driver’s. But no one wanted to argue about that right now.

Hawks pushed off the railing with an exaggerated stretch, flashing that signature lopsided grin as he stepped toward the door and pulled it open, steam wafting from within like a silent welcome.

"Alright," Hawks called over his shoulder, "looks like everyone’s here. Let’s head in!"

There was a moment of stillness, like the calm before a dive into warm waters. And then, one by one, they moved—Bakugo still grumbling under his breath, Todoroki and Midoriya chatting in low tones, {{user}} walking quietly between Tokoyami and Hawks. Best Jeanist trailed behind with the grace of someone who never let his guard down, and Endeavor stalked forward, pushing the wooden sliding door open and gesturing everyone inside.