(A/N: Part 2 of the double update! Enjoy!)

...

"NO, THEY WOULDN'T!"

They both froze in that moment. Chizome towered over the boy who trembled where he sat. Green eyes, full of fear, took in the intimidating figure. Black of hair and red of eyes with a face twisted in anger. Long tattered lengths of fabric, one of dirtied white and the other bloodstained red, fluttered in the slight breeze. Bandaged arms outspread and hand splayed wide, but thankfully empty, in frustration. Armored chest and boots paired with a multitude of blades in their sheaths on his person. All this illuminated in the moon light. It was enough to make anyone afraid.

The man huffing out breath after his outburst as he looked down at the boy. The greenette cowered where he sat clothed only in his night ware with nothing to defend himself. Body shaking as green eyes looked at him in terror that had not been there a moment ago. But could he blame him? No. Because before him stood an enraged man who spent his time dealing out judgement in the most lethal way. Anyone would be scared in such a situation.

But Chizome did not want the Little Hero to fear him. The boy was a breath of fresh air from all the fakes he had to deal with. A glimmer of hope for the future of this society. Just a few minutes ago they had been talking cordially about Vigilantes. Until the boy brought up his tendency to go for the kill. At first, Chizome had been able to mend the situation by reminding the boy he would not hurt him. But they fell back into this tense atmosphere.

First, Chizome took a deep breath to calm himself, closing his eyes as he did so. As he let it out, he schooled his features to be more composed and lowered his arms to put the boy at ease. When he opened his eyes, the boy was still watching him warily but not as fearful as before. Slowly, carefully, cautiously, the man walked over and sat down next to the greenette, though he gave them a bit more space than before. Again, they fell into an awkward silence unsure how to get out of it, only this time it was Chizome who eventually broke the tension.

"Forgive me, Little Hero," he apologized, letting out a huff. "Perhaps this difference of opinion should be left alone. Let it stand that I believe one way and you another."

"O-ok," the boy let out in a whisper. They sat there for another few quiet minutes collecting their thoughts until Izuku was brave enough to speak. "S-so…if you went after Villains, wh-why did you start going a-after Heroes?"

Chizome sat there with his legs propped up and his arms on his knees reminiscing of the very fight that had caused the change of his path. The alley, his chosen victim, and the fellow meddlers that had meddled too much in his work. Had prevented his justice at the same time they had shown him his true purpose.

"One night, I went after a target only to be interrupted by fellow Vigilantes," he answered staring out into the night. "I had thought that they shared in my sense of justice only for them to turn on me and protect that filth of society. I learned that day that even the other Vigilantes did not understand the truth of this world. That even they were as corrupt as those fakes who legally claim the title Hero but, in reality, have no right to it."

Red eyes glanced down into green as he continued.

"It was then I shed my Vigilante mask and decided to take up a new mantle. To no longer even pretend to be a Hero in any sense. For I was never meant to be a Hero. Rather I was destined to become a faceless ideal who acts without really existing in this warped society. To dye the world red with the blood of the corrupt, leaving behind bloodstains to act as a path to guide others to the truth of this world."

This time it was Izuku who sat thinking, absorbing this new information. Chizome gave the boy as much time as he needed to process his rise to the Villain he was today. Probably the only one in this world to know his story. Which, if it were to be anyone, the man was glad it was the Little Hero.

"I-I may not understand or agree w-with your views on murder," Izuku spoke suddenly, grabbing his attention. "Or your methods i-in general really. But from what you said a-and from my own research into your victims, I do agree that n-not all Pro Heroes act as Heroes should. That there are those m-more focused on power a-and fame than saving people. But there's one thing I think you've o-overlooked in your image of a true Hero."

"And what is that, Little Hero?" Chizome asked, brow quirked in curiosity.

"The Pros, every one of them, are human," the boy stated, gazing up at him with conviction. "Humans are not, nor have ever been, perfect. Hence the phrase 'we're only human'. They still make mistakes, some more than others, but mistakes are moments we can learn from. To be better in the future and work to prevent those mistakes from happening again."

The words the boy spoke rang true even if the man was reluctant to admit it. Heroes were people and people make mistakes. Even All Might apparently when he had told Izuku he couldn't be a Hero because he didn't have a Quirk. But the Symbol of Peace had been wrong and the boy had proved it. That the Quirk did not make the Hero, but the heart and the conviction do.

"Perhaps you have a point," Chizome conceded, earning a shocked look from the boy. "However, I stand by my actions. I may not take children under my consideration as they are still growing and learning, but adults, they tend to be set in their ways and reluctant to change in my experience. As another phrase goes 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks'."

"I guess," Izuku said with a shrug as he relented. Probably seeing him as one of those 'old dogs' on the subject of murder. The man internally chuckled at the thought as the boy continued. "I just…death is just so…final. Like…closing a book half way through and never being able to read the ending."

Sounds like he's speaking from experience.

"Have you lost someone, Izuku?" Chizome asked, watching the boy in concern.

"No, b-but I almost did," the greenette answered, propping up his legs then hugging them with his head on his knees in a guarded stance. Tears started to well in those sad green eyes. "My dad. About five years ago, h-he got injured in an accident at work. He's okay now, mostly, b-but back then he was really hurt. To the point that, w-we thought he wasn't g-going to make it. But he did, f-for the most part, though his health is still a-an issue to this day. Even now, because of his condition, h-he can't travel to come visit us a-and is stuck in the US."

Wanting to comfort the boy, Chizome reached over and placed a hopefully reassuring hand on his shoulder. Izuku flinched ever so slightly and raised his head as he looked up at him in surprise. Green eyes stared into red seeing the concern he had for the teen and so did nothing to shake him off as he turned away again.

"I'm sorry that happened, Izuku," the man said, gently rubbing his thumb back and forth in an effort to sooth the boy.

"It's fine, Ch-Chizome-san," Izuku sniffed, wiping his tears away. "It was a while ago a-and I've gotten over it for the most part. But today, something happened th-that brought back old memories and reopened some old w-wounds."

"May I ask what?" Chizome asked, showing one of his rare moments of politeness.

The greenette nodded as he loosened up his posture, letting his legs stretch out a bit but still held them with his arms. Chizome kept his hand on the other's shoulder as a way to keep him grounded.

"My friend…he has a b-brother who's a Hero," the boy said, eyes cast down as he spoke. "He got h-hurt on patrol today. Got attacked by a V-Villain. I don't know which one. He's g-going to be ok though. Thankfully someone called for a-an ambulance right away. But still, it could have been w-way worse."

Chizome sat there in thought. The circumstances sounded so similar to what had happened to him earlier that day. Of him pursuing his target. Of a Hero stepping in the way. Of his prey escaping. Of him regrettably having to fight and injure the meddling Hero. An act he had not wanted to perform as the Hero had not been his intended mark. Resulting in he himself contacting authorities as a means to atone.

Could it be him?

"This Hero…who was it?" Chizome asked, wanting to confirm but also wary to do so. If it was, how would the boy react?

"H-he's a Hero stationed in Hosu," Izuku answered. Oh no. "Goes by the name I-Ingenium."

It is him.

Guilt was an emotion that was long foreign to Chizome. Ever since he had taken up the mantle of Stendhal and then eventually Stain, he had never regretted his actions when it came to his mission. Every injury, every death. All of it was for the betterment of the future. A price he deemed necessary to pay for the cleansing of this society.

But now, the man found himself filled to the brim with guilt. He had been the one to attack the Hero. Who turned out to be the brother of one of the Little Hero's friends. May have even met the man for all he knew. He had felt a modicum of regret before and now even more so.

To find out that the Hero, or rather the man, would be alright due to his efforts gave him a sense of relief. Even though he was the one to injure the man in the first place. For it seems that fate has decided to keep the Hero in play. To which he was glad as he still believed that Ingenium was a decent Hero despite him interrupting Stain's efforts. But the underlying guilt was still there.

I have to tell him, he thought. He felt he had to. That he owed the boy the truth. After all, wasn't it said that confession was good for the soul?

"Little Hero, I have something I must confess to you," Chizome said, feeling strangely hesitant as was rare for the man. He removed his hand from the younger's shoulder as the boy looked up at him curiously. "The Villain who attacked Ingenium. I know who it was."

"You do?" Izuku asked, gazing at him expectantly.

How will you look at me after? Will you want to look at me at all?

"Yes…I do," Chizome let out slowly. He took a deep breath, looking out into the night. Not wanting to see the boy's change in expression. "It was me."

...

A silence fell on the shared roof as Izuku processed those three words. 'It was me.' Stain had been the one to attack Ingenium. Chizome had. The man may differentiate between the two identities but in the end, he was one man, one person. One who had raised his blade against another, as he had done many times before, and brought it down with the intent to harm. This time against Ingenium or rather, the elder brother of his friend.

What could have caused Ingenium to become a victim of the Hero Killer?

Of the many Heroes that Izuku thought would have been on his list, Ingenium was not one of them. Coming from the prestigious Iida family, he was a Pro in a long line of Pros who honored the Hero Code. Focusing on helping those in need and saving as many people as he could. He even was an exemplary leader having 65 sidekicks working alongside him. For him to be a target of Stain's didn't make sense.

"You…you attacked Ingenium?" Izuku asked, staring at the man with brows furrowed in disbelief. "Why?"

"It was not my intention to attack him," Chizome asserted, still refusing to meet his eye. "I was after another when Ingenium interrupted. Inserted himself into my business with the fake and let the false Hero get away. He prevented me from passing my judgement allowing the fraud to continue to infect this world. I did not want to fight him and I regret hurting him, but it was the only way. That was why I contacted the authorities before I left."

Green eyes stared at him in bewilderment. This man, this self-proclaimed cleanser of society, had attacked Ingenium but hadn't actually targeted him. The man labeled a Villain had then regretted and called for help for the one he had just assaulted. That it was his efforts that both hurt and helped Iida's brother. Had endanger out of necessity rather than design and yet saved due to his guilt when one would think he would feel no obligation.

Akaguro Chizome. Man turned Vigilante. Stendahl. Vigilante turned Villain. Hero Killer Stain. An enigma of the underworld that had no qualms in taking the life of those he deemed unworthy. Had killed or critically injured dozens of Heroes without a second thought. Until now.

"Y-you were the one to call it in?" Izuku asked, still trying to wrap his head around the contradicting concept.

"I can hardly believe it myself," the man said, letting out a huff of laughter as he side-eyed the teen. "Perhaps you are rubbing off on me, Little Hero."

The greenette couldn't help but let out a giggle as the man's quip relieved some of the tension. Chizome's comment was kind of ironic. Earlier today, after meeting Endeavor, Izuku had thought that meeting and learning about Chizome had affected himself in some way. Had thought that sad excuse of a Hero and a father should be one to go under the scrutiny of Stain. Held accountable for his many misdeeds.

Wait…

Izuku glanced at the man beside him. He had wondered what Chizome would think about a man like Endeavor being a Hero. A man who was obsessed with power and the frivolous title of Number One Hero that only had a one-word difference to the moniker he already laid claim to. A person who had practically bought another person in hopes to create a child to serve as an instrument to help fulfill his failed aspirations. Who beat his wife and harshly trained his son with no regards to their health and safety. Mental, physical, or otherwise.

How would you judge a Hero like that, Chizome-san? What do you look for in a true Hero? Well, I'm here and he's here. Why not just ask him?

And so, he did.

"Can I ask you a question, Chizome-san?" Izuku chanced, peeking up at him and received a nod. "What exactly do you look for in a Hero?"

The man hummed in thought as he considered how to respond to such a question. Which was understandable as whatever the answer was held the core idea that defined his entire being. Having shed his societal responsibilities, even going so far as to separate himself from his actions, Chizome's ideals were all that was left to make him who he was. No friends, no family, no actual job. Only the self-appointed mission to purge what he felt was tainting this world.

"Whenever I thought of the image of a true Hero, I would always picture All Might in my mind," Chizome began, gazing out into the night. "A man of power and conviction who used his strength to save anyone he could and found no crime or situation too small for his attention. That although he did garner popularity and wealth, he used his influence to inspire hope in millions of people and, as you so expertly told me the first time we met, would use his earning to help others rather than horde it for himself. That was the ideal I held for the markings of a true Hero."

The greenette's cheeks redden at the reminder he had rambled on about All Might's altruistic efforts for a good few minutes the first time they had met. The day he had been told to kill himself, attacked by a Villain, saved by All Might, and then had his dreams shatter by that same Hero. Only to have them patched back up by words of the very man next to him. The Villain who had believed in him when no one, not even the Number One Hero, had.

Wait, 'was'?

"What do you mean 'was the ideal'?" Izuku asked, brow quirked in confusion.

What changed for him to not think of All Might?

That same creepy but warm smile was back as Chizome said, "Now, when I think of what a true Hero is, I no longer see All Might. After what you told me he said to you, I came to see he was not as perfect as I had once thought. He is still a great Hero and one to aspire to, but he is not who comes to mind as a true Hero anymore. Actually…"

Red eyes peered earnestly into inquisitive green.

"…I see you, Izuku."

The Quirkless boy froze at those last four words. He didn't know what to say, what to think. The only thing his mind could come up with was to say one word.

"Why?"

A fond chuckle burst forth from the man at the sight of the dumbfounded expression on the greenette's face. Chizome ruffled his hair to break him out of his stupor.

"You have all the makings of a true Hero," the man explained as the teen swatted his hand away. "You have the strong urge to help people even when you are tasked to fight for yourself as you had done several times during the Sports Festival. You hold no desire for media attention or praise as you refused to reveal that you were the one to clean that beach. The fact that you have no Quirk is actually a blessing in disguise as you have no fantastical power to let go to your head. Everything that you have and how far you have come is all thanks to your own efforts and hard work. To me, you are the epitome of the true Hero."

Izuku gaped at him in disbelief before he barked out, "But I'm not even in the Hero Course yet!"

"It does not matter, Little Hero," Chizome said, watching the teen next to him attempt to hide his flustered face with his arms. "Since the first time we met, I knew there was something unique about you. Something that has been missing from this warped society for a long time. You are selfless, smart, and your level of conviction is unmatched. Well, except for my own. But most of all, as you have said to me before, all you've ever wanted to do was to help. That is what makes a Hero."

Once again, Izuku found himself overwhelmed with emotion and lunging forward to tackle the man in a hug. This time, Chizome was more prepared and more easily wrapped his arms around the boy. How strange for this sort of gesture to become so familiar and come so easy to the pair in so little time. They had only known each other for a little over a year, meeting in person only four times. Their conversations before this had been relatively brief, especially compared to this one.

The first two had been full of fear on the boy's part until they had a both eased into their conversations. First of Heroes and then of the boy's altruistic actions. The third, though still having an underlying level of unease, had been more cordial. They had even shared little moments of familial bonding with Chizome accidentally and then purposefully ruffling the boy's hair.

But this one, this meeting was more than either of them could have ever even expected. The comfort and closeness. The serious discussions leading to some tense situations. The ups and downs and twist and turns that led to them hugging for a second time. It was strange and new and unexpected. But that didn't mean it was necessarily unwelcome.

The two had not known each other long. The Hero-hopeful and the Villain known as the Hero Killer made an odd pair. Two possibly fated to meet at some point in their lives with their shared yet deferring views, but not expecting their interaction to amount to this level of closeness and understanding. The younger Hero and the elder Villain. Two sides of the same coin meeting neutrally on an ordinary roof in an ordinary neighborhood forming a life changing bond while the city slept around them.

"You know," Izuku said letting out a wet chuckle as he pulled away shifting back to a cross-legged sitting position. "For someone who doesn't put much stock in words, you sure know which ones to say."

"Perhaps I merely had to wait for the right one who would actually listen," Chizome responded with a playfully nudge of his elbow to the boy's arm which he returned with a smirk.

Izuku couldn't help but smile at the man's words. Yet again, the second time this evening, he had said something that overwhelmed him with emotions and caused him to act without thinking. Words that had affected the greenette and would be cherished more than the man could ever know. Chizome, who held Heroes to such an impossibly high standard, said that he considered Izuku, a Quirkless boy, to conform to his image of a Hero now more than the Number One Hero himself did.

Endeavor said that my need to help people reminded him of All Might.

Izuku wondered how Endeavor would react to know that a man with such high standards considered little old him better than the Number One Hero. It would probably involve a lot of yelling, posturing, and fire. Because that was what the man was about. Even his fire beard was on purpose as a means to appear intimidating. A fact that before had excited the Hero fanboy but now filled him with anger after finding out how the man acted behind closed doors.

That reminds me…

"Chizome-san, you see All Might as a true Hero," Izuku commented as he remembered why he had asked about Chizome's views on Heroes in the first place. The man beside him gave a curious hum. "What are your thoughts o-on the Number Two Hero?"

"Endeavor? Hmm…," Chizome pondered, thinking for a moment. "He has power, this is true, though his level of collateral damage is excessive. He relies more on intimidation than lifting spirits as All Might does. But he has rid the world of many of the Villains that taint this society."

More like roasts them alive, Izuku thought to himself, remembering the statistics that showed that Endeavor had one of the highest casualty rates for both Villain and civilian alike. The man just doesn't know how to hold back.

"H-he is strong and…'passionate' about his Hero duties," Izuku conceded, looking down at his hands in his lap as he gathered his thoughts. "But I learned s-something today that makes me…question his suitability t-to be a Hero."

A masked brow quirked over red eyes as the man looked at the boy with interest to hear what he was getting at. Chizome gave a nod in way of asking for him to continue.

"I understand th-that not all Heroes are good," the greenette said, gazing up at the man as he spoke. "There are those that c-coast by, garner favors, harbor wealth, use their power a-against others. But what about those who act Villainous b-but in a way they think is for the betterment of Heroes? That they think their actions w-would push the next generation to be a better Hero than themselves. Would you think that is V-Villainous?"

The man sat there for a second pondering the premise before answering, "If they were working towards the creation of a better Hero then no…"

"E-even if they were pushing that next generation past their o-own limits?" Izuku interjected, internally flinching at the word 'creation' as it was closer to the truth of the situation than the man knew. "In a way that would be h-harmful?"

Red eyes stared at him wide at the implication.

"What do you mean?" Chizome asked with brows furrowed in worried consideration.

"I-I can't tell you specifics b-because it's not my place to say," the teen said, fidgeting with his hands. "But if you really are l-looking for fake Heroes a-and want a better class of Hero, you should look i-into the family life of…Endeavor."

"The Number Two Hero?" the man prodded in need of confirmation with one brow raised in confusion.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this, but…I want to help Shouto.

"…yes," Izuku answered simply, quiet as a whisper.

"Hmm…and what if I find out something that warrants me to pass my judgement?" Chizome asked, eyeing the boy critically. "What if I were to turn my blade to the Number Two Hero? Are you aware of the consequences of making this request?"

He knew. Of course, he knew. The man who sat next to him was the Hero Killer after all. Had no qualms killing anyone he deemed false. That Izuku was basically handing the life of another person into the hands of murderer. Like handing a package marked fragile to a rampaging lunatic hell bent on destruction and merely saying 'handle with care' before leaving them to their own devices.

But Chizome was more than the murderous Villain persona he adorned himself with. He was a man. A fellow human. One with strong convictions about what a true Hero is. Ideals that Izuku found himself starting to adopt into his own views of Heroes. Seeing that not all Heroes were the same. Many are good with equally good intentions. Like All Might and Eraserhead. While others were not.

Some were either in it for the fame or money rather than helping others. Or even still others allowed themselves to be corrupted by the Villainy they had sworn to oppose. Those were the false Heroes that Stain was on a mission to rid from the world. Forcing them out of commission by either injury or death with no hesitation.

Causing injury or death was not new to the man known as Hero Killer Stain. After all, the word 'killer' was literally in the moniker of his Villain persona. But he didn't kill without reason. Nor did he kill everyone he targeted. The majority survived his 'judgement'. Nor did he target children as he had repeatedly stated to Izuku. Assuring him that he would never stoop to such a 'low act' as that of attacking children.

Unlike the League.

The greenette thought back to how the man beside him had sneered at the fact that the League of Villains had attacked a group of children. Had even called them idiots for the act. Further showing his distain for something so low as to attack a child. Someone who didn't deserve it.

Like Ingenium.

The Hero hadn't been a target of Stain's and the man beside him had acknowledged that. Had even been the one to personally call the ambulance despite being the one to injury the other in the first place. An act that seemed out of character for the Hero Killer. One that showed that he cared.

Is Chizome-san changing?

Was it possible? Could their meetings be affecting the Villain? As they were affecting Izuku himself but differently? For Izuku, he learned to be more critical when it came to looking at the world. Seeing it more in tones of grey than strictly the black of Villains and white of Heroes. Even in the Heroes themselves the ranks were also different shades of grey. The morals and motivations differing from person to person.

What had Chizome-san learned from their meetings? Other than that Izuku was a stubborn Quirkless boy who dreams to be a Hero. That he was an impulsive emotional mess at times. That he held the man's words so dear to his heart. The same heart that the man declared as one of a true Hero. Had even stopped picturing All Might as his ideal for a true Hero to instead replace the Number One Hero with Izuku himself. The thought warmed the greenette's 'true Hero heart'.

But other than learning about Izuku and all of his quirks, including his lack of Quirk, what had the man taken away from their meetings? If his helping Ingenium and telling Izuku himself what he had done stood evidence of anything, perhaps Chizome had changed. Izuku wasn't sure how exactly he had changed, but he had a feeling that if they had not met, had not talked, that perhaps the incident with Ingenium could have end very differently.

What kind of effect did their chance meeting have on the world? Was it just another domino knocking down another? Another line in the script of his life. Or was it more of a butterfly effect? Upsetting the established order and becoming something new. An answer Izuku would probably never get nor could Chizome give it to him either. But there was an answer that Izuku needed to give.

Did he know the consequences? Yes. Did it matter to him? Still yes, but he had already opened the can and handed a worm with a request for the Hero Killer to fish out a different kind of fake. He couldn't take that back. Not once he had said the name Endeavor. The seed was there waiting for him to officially plant it.

I don't condone murder, but if Chizome-san has changed like I think he has, even a little, maybe just this once, he won't.

Could Izuku have brought his concerns to anyone other than Stain? Yes. The teachers of UA were an option. But it was also not Izuku's place to say anything. Not in detail at least. And even then, years of built mistrust for authority worked against him, holding him back despite the growing trust he had for his mentors. Izuku could have also told his mother but what could she do if she hadn't been able to help her own child. Unable to cut through the red tape or push past the casual brush offs from his past teachers.

Other than them, who else was there left to tell? Who would believe a Quirkless boy bringing up concerns about the Number Two Hero? Who would take him seriously enough to risk the current social order and challenge Endeavor despite his ranking? Who had the conviction to follow through? Izuku knew of only one man, one person, who could help.

Well, here's to hoping.

"I-I…I'd prefer if you d-didn't try to kill him," the boy stuttered as he peeked up at the man. "Or a-anyone really. But it's not like I can s-stop you from doing whatever you choose t-to do. Or change your mind o-on the matter of murder. You are an 'old dog' a-after all."

The man barked out a laugh at his gibe but didn't even try to deny it because it was true. He was set in his ways as all adults are and was sure that just mere words would not change him any time soon. Or really ever.

"That I am, Little Hero," Chizome conceded with another chuckle. "Very well. I will look into the matter and perhaps, just this once, I will attempt to have some form of…restraint."

The word 'restraint' came out bitter and strained as if the very thought was distasteful to the Villain.

"R-really?" the boy asked, surprised the man would actually attempt to even try. He had hoped but didn't expect it.

"Yes, but that also depends on what I find," Chizome replied, knowing that each case he set upon himself was different. The Hero, the corruption, and the verdict. All were unique to each situation.

The teen nodded in acceptance at that fact, knowing that now that he had given the man his request it was out of his hands. That now it was in the hands of the Hero Killer Stain. The pair sat there in companionable silences, both gazing out at the twinkling lights of the city as they waded through a pool of their own thoughts.

Their conversation tonight had been quite the rollercoaster ride. Trading of first names. Talk of the boy's future as well as the man's past. Had ebbed and flowed through so many different emotions. From the happiness that had spurred the surprise hug to the angry outburst that instilled fear in the boy and caused a tense moment between the two. Had been full of compromises and understandings of the other's character. Accepting their differing opinions when it came to how best to better the world.

They even spoke of Heroes. Of All Might and how they both had been inspired by the Symbol of Peace's debut those many years ago. Of Stain's involvement in the attack on Ingenium. His reluctance to fight the man and his guilt that led him to contact the authorities before leaving the downed Hero. And now of Endeavor and Izuku's misgivings of the Number Two Hero. Vague ones for sure but considering who they were from, it peaked the Hero Killer's interest.

As the moon came to its zenith in the sky, the child let out a yawn and the adult of the pair came to realize how late it had become. Chizome looked down at his watch to see that it was now just past midnight. It came as a surprise and yet not. Their conversation tonight had been their longest to date. One that, despite its ups and downs, he had enjoyed having with the thriving young Hero beside him. The man was almost reluctant to go but he knew that he must. That he had to end this moment of peaceful familiarity not knowing when, or even if, it would ever happen again.

"Alright, Little Hero, I believe it is time to call it a night," Chizome announced suddenly as he moved to stand, causing the boy to look up at him in surprise. "It's late and you have had a long day. I'm sure you could use a good rest. You have another big day ahead of you tomorrow. Or rather, later today."

"It's really that late?" Izuku asked in surprise as he got up as well.

"Indeed, it is," the elder confirmed with a nod.

The two stood there in an awkward silence, unsure how to say goodbye nor either really wanting to part. The boy fidgeted as he sent flickering glances up at the man before him. While the man watched him, having an internal debate of sharing one last moment of affection but unsure how to go about it or if it was even wanted. Time continued to pass and eventually Chizome decided to throw caution to the wind and held his arms open in invitation.

The greenette only took a second to see if he was genuine before rushing forward to give the man one last hug. The boy burying his face into his armored chest ignoring the odd poking of the sheathed knives. Bandaged arms wrapped around him and one of the man's hands made it into his green hair. Neither spoke, simply enjoyed the contact. It felt like a goodbye which it technically was but this one felt more permanent. As if that after this night, things would never be the same between them. Like a goodbye to what they were in this moment.

Izuku tightened his grip around the man one last time before letting go. Chizome released the boy reluctantly but knew he must. They stared at each other, green and red eyes conveying what they wanted to say but didn't. With a sigh, the man reached out and ruffled the boy's unruly hair one last time.

"Goodbye, Izuku," Chizome said as he lowered his hand and promptly turned to leave. Leaping to the adjacent roof and leaving the boy behind.

Green eyes watched as the man left.

"Goodbye…Chizome."

...

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Notes extension: post/645207282417893376/chapter-59-black-of-death