"All right," he says at normal volume, still quiet but resolute. "Plenty of places and people a hero can't reach. There is one here, now, who can."
He curls a hand on each of their shoulders, up towards Paul's, down towards Kaworu's. He's midway between both their heights. Midoriya lets them feel the warm weight of his hands in the same way Paul lets them hear a perfect, soothing reassurance in his voice. Midoriya can almost believe it. Perhaps Paul even does, which makes it true. Instead, Midoriya remembers Paul's fidgeting and, further back, the stricken look on his face just before he jabbed himself with a pin. Midoriya already believes--has always believed--Paul is someone who, at the very least, was trained to take a life.
"Iskierka-san told me that what Anon-san needs is his people, his flock. After this is all over, you need to be there for him. That's also part of saving him. I don't think Anon-san would want you to hurt your heart. So if it becomes too much, know that you can turn back if you need to. I'll see it through."
no subject
"All right," he says at normal volume, still quiet but resolute. "Plenty of places and people a hero can't reach. There is one here, now, who can."
He curls a hand on each of their shoulders, up towards Paul's, down towards Kaworu's. He's midway between both their heights. Midoriya lets them feel the warm weight of his hands in the same way Paul lets them hear a perfect, soothing reassurance in his voice. Midoriya can almost believe it. Perhaps Paul even does, which makes it true. Instead, Midoriya remembers Paul's fidgeting and, further back, the stricken look on his face just before he jabbed himself with a pin. Midoriya already believes--has always believed--Paul is someone who, at the very least, was trained to take a life.
"Iskierka-san told me that what Anon-san needs is his people, his flock. After this is all over, you need to be there for him. That's also part of saving him. I don't think Anon-san would want you to hurt your heart. So if it becomes too much, know that you can turn back if you need to. I'll see it through."