No, Hawks does not love Dabi. Their relationship is characterized by mutual exploitation and deep-seated distrust, rather than genuine affection or care.
The Nature of Their Connection
The interactions between Hawks and Dabi were built upon a foundation of strategic manipulation and self-interest, serving their individual objectives within the clandestine world they inhabited.
A Bond of Mutual Exploitation
Their connection was primarily transactional. Both characters sought to gain advantages from the other, using their proximity to gather information or further their respective goals. This arrangement, rooted in benefiting from each other's positions, inherently lacked the fundamental components of a loving relationship, such as emotional intimacy, trust, or mutual support.
Revelation and Hostility
The true nature of their dynamic became starkly evident when Hawks' identity as a mole was exposed. Dabi's immediate reaction was one of intense hostility and violence. He wasted no time in assaulting Hawks with his powerful Quirk and resorted to physically striking him. This brutal response unequivocally demonstrated that Dabi never placed any trust in Hawks to begin with. The swift and merciless assault highlights a relationship completely devoid of personal attachment or even basic regard, confirming that any perceived rapport was merely a facade for their strategic maneuvers.
Absence of Affection
The confrontational and untrusting dynamic, culminating in overt physical violence once their true roles were revealed, stands in stark contrast to any form of love. Love is predicated on elements such as trust, care, and mutual respect, none of which were present in the interactions between Hawks and Dabi. Their bond was purely opportunistic, collapsing into open conflict the moment the pretense was dropped.
