The alley smelled of rain and asphalt, slick from the evening drizzle. You perched on the edge of the fire escape, hood pulled low, shadow blending with the dark. Your hands rested lightly on the railing, ready to move if anything went wrong.

Izuku Midoriya crept forward, notebook in one hand, his other hand twitching with restrained energy. He’d been tracking a suspicious figure for weeks, but this… this wasn’t what he expected.

“Uh… hey,” he started, voice cautious. “Are… are you okay? Do you—”

You didn’t answer. Not yet. Just tilted your head slightly, eyes unreadable beneath the hood, letting the silence stretch long enough for him to feel it.

Izuku swallowed, his chest tightening. He’d always been drawn to people who tried to make a difference, and whatever you were doing, he could tell you weren’t just playing hero. You moved with purpose, precise and careful—like you’d been doing this far longer than you let anyone see.

“…I—I’m Deku,” he said, taking another careful step forward, curiosity and caution warring in his chest. “I… I want to help. If you… if you’ll let me.”