Little Angel

One Fateful Night

Keigo was downright exhausted. Hours and hours of brutal training would do that to you. And here he was walking back to the apartment that the commission had provided for him. He would usually be flying, but tonight his wings were so sore even the thought of doing that caused his wings to ache. 

After walking for a while, Keigo decided to take a break. He leaned against the wall next to an alleyway and took a deep breath. He really hated his life.

After standing there for a few minutes, Keigo heard the small voice of what sounded like a child calling out to him.

Keigo looked around and then stopped when he noticed a little boy walking up to him.

"Hey mister!" The kid waved at him. "Are you okay?"

Keigo raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was unusual to see such a small child out by themselves so late in the evening without adult supervision. 

"What's a little guy like you doing out at this time of night?" Keigo asked the little boy with wild green hair. His hair looked so soft. Keigo really wanted to touch it. No! No, bad Keigo. No touching the hair without consent. But it looked so fluffy...No! Keigo shook his head, attempting to drive the intrusive thoughts from his head.

"It's only 8 O'Clock." The little boy rocked back and forth on his heels with a silly grin plastered on his face. "I was just taking a walk when I saw you. You looked sad, so of course I had to see if you were okay!"

Keigo tilted his head. "All by yourself? Aren't you a bit young to be wandering around alone?"

The greenette pouted, and placed his hands on his hips in defiance. "Excuse me, sir! I'm seven years old! That's plenty old enough!"

Keigo laughed, but promptly stopped at the glare directed at him. "Well then, I apologize. You are clearly old enough. Forgive me for believing otherwise."

The kid beamed at him. Keigo almost gave into the urge to shield his eyes with his wings at the brightness. Why was this kid so freaking bright?

"You're forgiven!" The boy giggled. "Do you wanna hug?"

Keigo lifted his eyebrows in surprise. "A hug? Why?"

"Well, you were sad earlier." The boy pointed out. "and hugs always make me feel better! My mama always said that hugs are the best cure for most anything!"

Keigo felt arrows pierce his heart in that moment as it promptly melted at the sweet gesture. "Oh kiddo, that's so sweet of you. I would love a hug!"

And that's all the boy needed as he immediately dove into Keigo's arms, wrapping his tiny arms around his waist.

Keigo felt tears well up in his eyes. This little boy was so freakin sweet! Keigo knelt down to give the boy a proper hug, but then promptly tensed as he felt the boy's back. Was that...little wings he felt beneath the boy's sweatshirt?

"Hey kid?"

"Mhm?" The boy mumbled in response.

"What's your quirk?"

The boy stiffens in his hold. "Uh...w-why do you ask?"

"Well I was just noticing the lump on your back." Keigo responded. He was a bit curious. It was odd for anyone with an avian quirk to hide their wings like that. Of course, Keigo could be wrong, and the lump on the kid's back could be something else, but judging by the kid's reaction, he was almost positive his suspicions were right. 

The little boy immediately shied away from Keigo, wrapping his arms around himself.

"I, uh, I don't...I don't h-have a quirk." 

Keigo looked at him in surprise. It wasn't very often one met a quirkless child. But part of Keigo suspected that he was lying.

"Is that so?"

"Mhm." The boy mumbled nervously, slowly backing away from Keigo.

"I sh-should g-go." The green-haired boy stuttered, lowering his head. 

"Are you sure?" Keigo watched the boy with concern in his eyes.

"Y-yeah..." The boy nodded. "My parents will be worried if I'm not home soon."

"Okay." Keigo replied soflty. "Are you sure everything is alright?"

"Yeah...yeah, everything is...fine." The kid looked around nervously and then bolted as if he was being chased by a monster.

Keigo looked after him with concern. There was something wrong with that boy, and Keigo knew it couldn't be good. But at this point all Keigo could do was hope that he would be okay.

Unfortunately, Keigo had a feeling that he would not.