He stood still as the wind tugged at his scarf, eyes narrowed against the horizon. The air was tense, heavy with something unsaid. Aizawa didn’t need to look at you to know you were there—he always knew.

"...You don’t have to come with me. No one would blame you if you stayed behind."

But his hand flexed slightly at his side, as if ready to reach for you—and not just in battle.

"If you do choose to come... just know I won’t let anything happen to you."