What Makes A Hero

3

         Happy Monday everyone! I've been trying to get back into the swing of regular updates and so far... uhhh, I'm doing fine. Anyway, I remembered this week! Good morning/afternoon/evening/whenever to all of you and enjoy the rest of your week.

-T.A.L.A.

(An: I've said it before but please, please, do not deal with literally any situation like Nox does. He is a horrible role model.)

Despite his realization and new start, it wasn't even a week before Izuku found himself drifting back into his old habits. Found his eyes lingering on the sharp knife- there wouldn't even be innocent spectators to find him- found a growing temptation to dunk his head beneath the tub water's surface and then just... not pull himself out again, found getting up for his online classes harder. He once more found himself drifting through life without hope or focus.

He tried to retain whatever he had discovered that first day. To hold onto the speck of life that had been rekindled, but even without the harsh words being physically repeated to him they echoed in his head and he found his smile growing more false towards the oh so helpful townspeople who had quickly warmed up to them, certain that he was only bothering them.

His teachers didn't notice, and neither did the people in the nearby town, but, as Izuku quickly realized, Nox did. Not even two days had passed since he finally decided to act on those desires in just a small way and already it seemed like Nox knew. Where had he messed up? How did they figure it out?

He returned that day from a later shopping trip to see Nox perched in the chair by the counter where he had first seen him a book in hand. Seeing Nox there wasn't unusual- it appeared to be his reading corner or something- but at this time Nox was rarely home.

"H-hello Nox," he was instantly nervous- they'd spoken often, but he'd never managed to get rid of the stutter.

Nox glanced up with a raised eyebrow- inwardly Izuku kicked himself, he was an idiot of course Nox would realize something was off since normally he waited for the other to put his book down first since he wasn't much for conversation when it was open. "Kobayashi." The book was set down on the counter but no further words were offered.

        Well aware of the piercing yellow-orange eyes that tracked his motions Izuku robotically entered the kitchen and put the food away except for the ingredients he needed for dinner that day.  "I- I uh, didn't think you'd be back so- so uh early... anything i-interesting happen?"

           "Yes, yesterday."

            Izuku froze staring into the drawer he had just opened. Staring at the six carefully sharpened and cleaned knives inside. Despite their agreement for letting Izuku stay, Nox was the one who washed and cared for the dishes- he was very particular about it apparently. As such Izuku have known what had happened. It didn't matter how well he had washed it, or that it hadn't been with the dirty dishes. Nox didn't have much silverware- five full place settings, an assortment of cooking tools, and six kitchen knives. And now one was missing. A very specific one.

           "Oh, you noticed." The voice was still its usual clinical calm. Izuku glanced down at the six knives. Five kitchen knives. One scalpel. "Do not use my kitchen knives like that again, each one had a purpose, but kitchen knives aren't for living or human flesh, they are for food. A scalpel on the other hand is for human flesh- as such it's far better and more precise  at cutting it than the one you chose." Izuku stared frozen staring at the final knife when suddenly a hand reached out plucking it from where it rested. He whirled to stare up at yellow-orange eyes that glared down at him, the scalpel glinting menacingly from where it was held with a professional ease in one hand.