From a plot based storytelling perspective, Dabi telling Hawks was supposed to enforce the idea that Dabi was trying to actually kill him not just torture.
From a characterization storytelling perspective, telling him gives away exactly how much their relationship impacted Dabi. If it hadn't Dabi's usual sadistic tendencies would've come into play & he would've used Hawks' need for answers to torture him. Instead he gives Hawks the respect he's earned & gives him his answer. Most people would say Dabi wouldn't have any respect for Hawks after Twice if he had any at all but that contradicts Dabi's character. He bases his ideals off of Stain's, that no real heroes exist because ultimately they're only serving their own interests and a better society can only exist if they're gotten rid of. Then here comes Hawks, who Dabi WANTS to be able to dismiss because of his methods, but the fact that Hawks is willing to sacrifice everything about himself to try make a better society by getting rid of villains means he can't. Having all the information. Knowing he's committed to making the world a better place no matter what he has to do, knowing Endeavor was the one who put him on this dark path, knowing he was shaped by forces outside of his control, he acknowledges him as his perfect foil & he hates him for it. That's why he was constantly testing him despite knowing Hawks' intentions already. He was hoping Hawks would crack & he could just get rid of him but Hawks never did. The two things Dabi respects are ability & commitment to ones ideals & he has to begrudgingly admit that Hawks has both in spades.
and OH MY GOD I'M SORRY FOR THE ESSAY BUT NOBODY I KNOW WANTS TO DISCUSS THE INCREDIBLE INTRICACIES OF HOTWINGS && HOW COULD YOU NOT IT'S JUST SO TT.TT
*post*
kdhfkjhdkjhf I hate to admit this cause I know a lot of people will get mad at me but I - actually don’t ship Dabi and Hawks hhhaa I was really surprised when I first got on tumblr and saw people were shipping them together, and then I remember people like the star-crossed lovers angle lol. Which is fine, i just never got that impression from the manga
But I get what you mean- the telling being an indicator he was intending to murder Hawks. Especially since Endeavor is obviously someone Hawks respects, it’d be the perfect smack in the face to be like hey you’re gonna die and it’s Enji’s fault. I like that angle.
I don’t really see Dabi viewing him with any sort of respect, though. When I read the manga I just viewed Dabi as using him as a pawn despite the risks, and was more than happy to rid himself of Hawks after he wrecked his plans and killed his friend hha. I know that’s playing into what you tried to debunk with the stain argument, but idk - I don’t see it personally. Especially since Dabi must be sure Hawks really respects and cares about the man who hurt him, even if it isn’t explicitly stated. But that’s just what I thought when I read through the manga, and my interpretation isn't any more valid than anybody else's.