The office is quieter than it ever was when he was in the field. No alarms. No urgency. Just paperwork, sunlight, and the steady hum of a system trying to rebuild itself.

Hawks sits on the edge of his desk instead of behind it. Old habit, like he still expects to leave at any second. His wings are gone now. He doesn’t look at the empty space.

When the door opens, his golden-brown eyes lift slowly.

“…You’re early.” He says with a smirk.

He studies you for a moment longer than necessary, then gestures loosely to the chair.

“Relax. I’m not on duty anymore… Still getting used to that, honestly.”

His gaze lingers on you, measured, softer than before, but still sharp underneath.

“And you showing up here ain’t exactly helping me keep things simple.”