Paul's hand feels like it has just held a hot cup of tea. A fine illusion, as if they can just sit and share one together by a fire to drive the nightmares away. It will take more than that. When he touches him (and he does without hesitation) Midoriya still sees the blood on Paul's hand like an involuntary fever chill. They're not done yet, but that struggle is also a hope.

He leads Paul to the far end of the yard away from the clatter of everyone loading the truck and potential questioning looks about the third person not accompanying them. The air is cooler outside. There is a thin breeze coming in from the sea, and it promises to swell. It carries the warning of upheaval, but it does not yet threaten to cleave the sky in two. It clears Midoriya's head. His goal remains unchanged.

He squares his shoulders and says quietly to the trees at the edge of the property, "You can't pay if you're dead. You've studied the Pthumerians; if you think the Reckoning will see it this way, go ahead and do it. I'll protect you so you can see it through."

He turns and looks at him with the solemnity of someone who knows what it means to experience the fear of death and push forward anyway. "Don't be afraid."

He looks up at Kaworu's window, but distance, sun, and shadow obscure what is in it. He thinks of how he left his mother in tears, how he didn't shed any at all, how the light in his eyes had died.

"I can't tell if he's watching us, but sign to him anyway. Tell him you love him. You didn't before. He needs that."