Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Inky Hearts. Enjoy the 1200-word chapter. I don't own MHA Shonen Jump, Kohei Horikoshi and a few others do.

Nejire looked at Aquatint several times to where Ryuko noticed it. She knew the duo had a connection, they talked several times, were currently on a first name basis.

"You know I hope he becomes one of Fat Gum's apprentices." Ryuko said as she looked at him. "He'll teach Aquatint how to protect the rest of the city as best as a hero can." Ryuko said to which Nejire blinked and looked around.

"He's very dorky." Nejire put in before looking at the painting he had given her. "He likes to make art. I wonder how long it took him to make it…" Nejire said while looking upon the drawing.

Ryuko looked at the detail put into the painting. It was something that would have taken hours. Considering he probably only had some brief memories of Nejire to go off of? Ryuko guessed it DID take Aquatint a fair bit of time to paint, explaining his exhaustion.

"You know, he probably didn't make that for everyone he's around." Ryuko said, keeping her eyes trained on Aquatint and Fat Gum. "I would treasure it; he'd probably only make another if you asked." Ryuko added while cracking her fingers one by one.

She knew more then anything that Nejire was close to him. The girl was constantly interested in what Aquatint was doing at the moment.

The duo finished speaking as Aquatint paused to look at Nejire. Ryuko decided to allow the duo to talk, she had to speak about the rest of the city anyway.

"So…?" Nejire asked, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet.

"Well, he said come in tomorrow bright and early…" Aquatint said while humming to himself as he shook his head. "Least that's something, isn't it? I'm far too nervous to really talk about it at the moment, it's terrifying to really thing about, honestly." Aquatint said while rubbing at his arms over and over.

Nejire hummed and looked around, her arms swinging freely and her constantly carefree attitude remaining intact.

It warmed his heart to constantly see Nejire so happy and peppy even at times when he questioned how it was physically possible for that. Then again? He didn't exactly mind Nejire's carefree attitude, it rather soothed the mood and made him feel more at peace then creeped him out.

"Thanks for the drawing. I didn't think you'd make one for me." Nejire said, stopping on the tips of her toes.

"Really, why do you think that?" Aquatint questioned as he paused and crossed his arms in interest. "Are people that horrible? I thought you deserved that drawing. You didn't like it?" Aquatint questioned, his voice sounding sadder then was possible at the moment.

Aquatint watched Nejire wave her hands back and forth, dispelling any ideas he might have had about the idea when it came down to it. She smiled brightly which always seemed to perk him up.

"No! I'm just… Surprised, I guess." Nejire put in as Aquatint hummed. "Nobody's really made me something like this, you know. They're always saying I talk a lot or that I can be really annoying or something like that… It's just… Nice, you know?" Nejire stated while Aquatint shrugged.

"I thought everyone was that nice." Aquatint said while clicking his fingers together. "I mean, you are technically one of the top heroes at the school, you know. That's something you earn, you aren't just given it, I mean." Aquatint stated while cracking a smile before he looked around.

Nejire was silent, knowing what he was getting at. He wasn't exactly WRONG for assuming that, but it was FAR from the truth when she thought of it. VERY far from the truth.

"Not EVERYONE loves me at the school just because of that." Nejire put in to which Aquatint could only hum at.

"Oh, are you assuming I only think your cool because of the stuff you did as a hero?" Aquatint said and shook his head from side to side. "No, not even close, Nejire. I think your powers really cool. I can't begin to imagine how much training it took to master your quirk. I'm still figuring out how to make enough creations… There's also the fact that I can't just make creations from scratch and have to carry drawing supplies…" Aquatint said while crossing his arms.

Nejire was silent, curious as to why he was so calm now. Aquatint looked over at Ryuko and Fat Gum.

"Is it weird, being a hero like in the books?" Aquatint questioned as he raised an eyebrow and looked around. "I don't read a lot of comics, but I'm still curious what things are going to be like in the future, you know?" Aquatint said and paused to take a breath while rubbing at his helmeted head.

"We've got countless villains all lining up to take their shot at destroying the city. It's something that honestly scares me." Aquatint stated while leaning on a post next to him.

It wasn't like he couldn't be blamed for the idea. There was an army of villains swarming across town. The loss of All-Might meant people were aware of how weak the peace was. While Aquatint respected All-Might's decision? He also knew very well that his retirement meant that everyone and everything was in trouble. Aquatint almost wondered WHO would take up his mantle.

Or at least… Who would take his place if someone didn't take over after his apprentice did?

He was taken from his thoughts by Nejire poking him in the nose of his costume. It caused him to blink in shock as he turned to look at her with interest. She leaned back and forth on the tips of her toes while humming to herself.

"Sorry, I was thinking about the future, it's a thing I end up doing when it comes down to it." Aquatint said while he shook his head, quite curious about what would be happening next.

It wasn't like he could be blamed for the train of thought, there was many things to be considered the more things came down to it. You couldn't be a hero without considering the weight of the future.

"Trust me, Ms. Ryuko knows just what that's like." Nejire said to which Aquatint nodded to himself.

"Someone has to have a plan. I can't imagine what things would be like if someone didn't." Aquatint put in and sighed while looking to the side. "Anyway, back to the drawing. You know I can always make another one if you want? It did take a few hours. The only thing I really had to go off of was a photo of you and Ryuko." Aquatint stated while he hummed.

Author Notes

Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter might be more delayed or such. Next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will be 1200-1500 words or such. It will also show another talk and a fight between Aquatint and Nejire. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!

P.S: Mei is 1200 words, Lady Nagant 1000, Mina, Fuyumi, Rei and such 1200… But Rumi is 900.