The last sentimental lingering Paul permits himself is the brush of the tip of his nose against Midoriya's when their eyes lock, green to green, every shade where it's meant to be. All the things anyone needs to know most about Paul live in his eyes. It's more a blessing than a curse at times like these.
It means Midoriya knows he'll stay. That Paul will keep trying to do the right thing, however he struggles with understanding what that is, with all the dire stubbornness that dragged him so far towards a worse path in the first place.
If he stumbles on the way, he knows there are hands that will clasp his to pull him up. It's in this awareness that he rests against the boulder at his back, slowing his heart and clearing his blood of the trembling chemical riot that a fight leaves it in its wake. By the time Midoriya returns, changed and ready to depart, Paul will be able to rise to his feet and join him and Kaworu on the walk out of here with an ember of hope still sheltering in his chest, and what more is there he could ask for? What more is there he could want?
/wrap
It means Midoriya knows he'll stay. That Paul will keep trying to do the right thing, however he struggles with understanding what that is, with all the dire stubbornness that dragged him so far towards a worse path in the first place.
If he stumbles on the way, he knows there are hands that will clasp his to pull him up. It's in this awareness that he rests against the boulder at his back, slowing his heart and clearing his blood of the trembling chemical riot that a fight leaves it in its wake. By the time Midoriya returns, changed and ready to depart, Paul will be able to rise to his feet and join him and Kaworu on the walk out of here with an ember of hope still sheltering in his chest, and what more is there he could ask for? What more is there he could want?