The blue halo--lambent holiness, azure crown, fission wreath--is abruptly and unceremoniously broken by a blunt snout. His Omen nuzzles the side of Paul's hair amidst their clouds of curling wool. They have no scent or warmth, but they are soft. Midoriya is not so stalwart, which is half the reason his taciturn Omen has made one of their rare appearances. Midoriya asks what he's been afraid to ask in a trembling voice,

"What will happen if the fire takes over? Isn't there anything I can do?"

The last time he felt this helpless was when Dabi killed Bakugou at the end of last month. He knew when it happened because Murder Hound wordlessly informed him before going to wait at the Farther Shores for his Sleeper. Before that, another helplessness in the same month, Midoriya's community turned on him for his decision not to slay the Bugge. There is no Sophia in his pocket murmuring encouragement or poking her tiny nose into his hair now.

His throat tightens too much around the scent of scorched air, and he can't say, How will I keep you safe?