I began twiddling my thumbs nervously, as I glanced at the clock for the millionth time that day.

10:25 pm.

Damn it. This has been the slowest, and fastest day of my entire life.

In case it wasn't already painfully obvious, Keigo and I were never able to come up with another plan, in the past fourteen hours.

My hope was that we'd magically figure out a solution throughout the day that would allow me two things.

The first, being a cushion of time. The last thing I wanted to do was sit around all day, wasting precious minutes, and end up scrambling for the last hour and a half before Dabi's fatal deadline.

Yet here I was, scrambled as eggs, as I waited for Keigo to arrive at my dorm room window so we could start this thing.

The second, was avoiding a betrayal. No matter how many times I try to put my own feelings in this matter to the back of my mind, I can't shake the guilt I feel for betraying Aizawa. He trusted me enough to let me work on this project with him.

Yet here I was, twisting and corrupting that trust and handing it over to Dabi on a silver platter.

Well done, Ari. Well done.

Ah well, the time to feel remorse and guilt has officially passed. Or, it'll be put on hold for the next hour and a half, at least.

My jaw clenched in stress as I snapped my eyes over to the clock again, feeling as though an hour had already passed since the last time I looked at it.

10:25 pm.

Oh my god, it hasn't even been a minute? Guess I really am losing my mind.

Who knew that organizing a betrayal could make time pass by so slowly?

Whoosh.

The sound of familiar, flapping wings quickly grabbed my attention, as I turned my gaze towards the open window.

I saw the dark shadowed figure of a man, outlined with two majestic wings adorning both sides of his body. He was currently crouched on my window sill, his hair softly blowing backwards from the nighttime chill.

It's him.

I could hear his soft puffs of breath as he carefully began making his way inside my open window, unintentionally stepping into the milky moonlight that gleaned on his body like an angel.

Keigo. My Keigo.

As soon as he stepped through my window, I couldn't help but feel myself relaxing slightly from the chaos of it all.

Because now he's here with me.

I don't want to do this mission tonight. I know it will make me feel remorse and regret. Guilt and sadness that I let down my favorite teacher, turned friend. That I let down my friends, fellow classmates, and heroes.

I don't want to do it. But since I have to...

I'm just glad I'm not alone.

Keigo's gaze landed on me now. It was soft, bright as gold, and even bolder from the markings that outlined his beautiful eyes.

My, oh my. I said it once, but I must say it again. He really did look like...an angel.

I smiled softly at the winged man in front of me, causing him to return the gesture and slowly walk over to my spot on the bed.

"Hey, darlin.' How's it hanging?" He whispered sweetly, keeping his tone gentle and careful as he knew the immense amount of pressure we'd be under for the next hour and a half.

Because by that time.....my family will either be dead, or I'll be a traitor.

"Oh, you know. Could be better." I shrugged casually, giving him a carefree grin to try and hide my nerves. Not just from him, but from myself, too.

I need all of my wits tonight. The priority is the mission. Stressing myself out about the situation will only hinder my thoughts and render me useless. Keigo and I are doing this together. I can't leave him hanging.

"Hm? What, you don't think engaging in villainous activities for Dabi is a romantic idea of a date? Well, I'm real gutted about that, chicky. Seriously, that hurts." Keigo teased, leaning down for a quick kiss.

He gently took my chin between his gloved fingers, tilting my head up ever so softly, before his mouth pressed against mine. The taste of sweet coffee was still fresh upon his lips, giving me a mental reminder to scold him later for drinking caffeine so late at night.

I couldn't help but chuckle weakly in amusement at his words, knowing he was just trying to ease the tension of this whole situation.

"Oh, of course I think that part's romantic. I was more referring to your attire. Couldn't have dressed up a little?" I joked, gesturing to the standard hero costume that adorned his body.

He bit his lip playfully at my words, stealing one more quick kiss from me, before he pulled away.

"Yeah? What would you rather have me wear?" He asked in amusement, turning his sharp eyes to my clock on the wall to check the time.

10:29 pm

I watched him stand in the middle of my room now, slowly outstretching his wings to their full capacity, before feathers began floating off of them.

He's already starting the mission.

The plan goes like this: Keigo sends a few of his feathers out to the 1-A classroom, where Mr. Aizawa's laptop is supposed to be. He senses the placement of the laptop through the electricity waves it's emitting. His feathers bring the laptop to my room, I find the information Dabi wants and give it to him, and then Keigo returns everything back to where it was, using his feathers, without a trace.

Easy, right? Everything's going to be okay, right? It has to be-

"Hm, still no answer from you. Nothin'. Does that mean you don't want me to wear anything?" He smirked, closing his eyes in focus as he telekinetically began swirling his floating feathers around his body to get them moving.

Realizing he was attempting to keep the playful atmosphere in the room, I decided to indulge in his fantasies.

"Slow your roll there, bird boy. Keep those clothes on. Eh, if anything.....I think I'd quite like to see you in a tux. I do love a man in uniform." I smirked, hearing him laugh at my words before multiple feathers suddenly slipped out my door and into the hallway.

"Wow. And you say I'm the cheesy one?" He teased softly, his eyes blank with focus as he controlled his feathers with his mind.

I shrugged my shoulders lightly, not being able to keep my eyes off him as he worked. The way his brows knitted together every so often in focus. Or the way his pupils rapidly switched between dilating and shrinking, signaling he was in the process of activating his fierce wings.

His gloved fingers were tapping against his thigh rapidly, his shoulders subtly scrunched in tension.

Stress.

It was only then that I remembered to answer his question from before.

"You're still the cheesy one. But, I never said I wasn't cheesy, too." I grinned, watching an absentminded smile slowly make its way onto his face as he kept his blank gaze on the wall.

"Mm, got that right-but, hold on, what was that about wantin' to see me in a tux? You already saw me in one at the Pro Hero Ball. Does that mean you were already lusting for me back then, chicky?" He smirked, suddenly sending more feathers out under my door.

I rolled my eyes, giving him a mock glare of annoyance.

"Oh please. Lusting isn't exactly the word I would use. Drunk is more like it." I defended, remembering the massive hangover I had the day after that little event.

Keigo turned his extra sharp eyes on me now, simultaneously gazing at me, while controlling his feathers.

"Oh, I remember that. How could I forget? That was the first time you ever kissed me." He stated clearly. A small genuine smile curled on his lips at his words, making my heart melt.

Damn, I wish I could remember that very first kiss the way he did.

I cursed myself as I felt my cheeks heating up at his words, wondering how the hell Keigo still manages to get me-

"A little flustered over there, are we?" He asked in mock question, 'innocently' averting his gaze to the ceiling as his wings gave a soft flap.

Pursing my lips in amusement at his adorable body language, I decided to just embrace it instead of deny it.

Not like it matters much anymore.

"What can I say? You looked good that night. Drunk me and sober me both wanted to jump your bones. Is that what you wanted to hear?" I asked condescendingly, watching a stupid smirk form on Keigo's lips from my words.

He stroked his chin in fake thought, causing me to groan as he was purposely trying to draw out my compliment towards him.

"Hm. Yes, actually it is..." He started off, slowly closing his eyes as he continued floating his feathers towards the 1-A classroom.

The sound of his voice again quickly caught my attention a few seconds later.

"But....oh man, chicky. Wanna talk about looking good? You were the one who looked so good that night. I mean, wow, you really took my breath away. That red dress ya wore....it really had me weak at the knees-oh, and your hair. I dunno why, but I really remember your hair. It was curled, and you were all dolled up in some makeup. You looked so pretty. You look pretty all the time. You're the prettiest girl in the world....but, I'll never forget that night. The good parts, anyway....like our jokes...heh, or our little dance." He stated softly, his voice filled with remembrance and memory of the night we went to the ball.

Wow. It seemed so long ago.

So long ago, where I had no idea who Keigo really was. So long ago, where the biggest worry on my mind was trying not to have a school girl crush on my hot boss.

Life was so trivial back then, compared to now. Things were so simple.

But, even so....I won't be sad about it. Keigo and I have come such a long way since the weekend of the pro hero Jp ball. That was the weekend where it all really started between us. It was the weekend we had our first kiss, confessed our feelings for each other, had our real first kiss after that, and started our relationship.

Who knew, huh? Guess I really owe Nejire one for forcing me to go out that night.

Ya know, assuming everyone makes it out of this alive.

"Thanks, Keigo. It was definitely a night to remember. And I really liked dancing with you, too. I wouldn't mind doing it again." I whispered in happy thought.

While the words of my sentence seemed so simple, there was a lot of meaning and love behind them. And judging by Keigo's temporary look of contentment, he could clearly feel what I was trying to say.

"Aw, really? You liked the dancing, Ari? Well, hey, do ya wanna go again sometime? I'll take you, chicky. I'll take you dancing, if you want." He suggested softly, his voice getting more and more quiet as time went on.

It almost sounded like he was getting shy!

I giggled softly, feeling my mind trying to forget the crazy chaos going on tonight. I wanted to stay in this mindset with Keigo. Our own little world. For as long as possible.

"Oh? Is the number two hero asking me out on a date?" I teased, causing him to laugh gently.

All jokes from him had stopped now, as Keigo slowly opened his eyes...looking at me through his constantly adjusting pupils.

And yet, he looked calm right now. Peaceful, as he and I had this rare moment of serenity, even though our world around us was practically burning. With blue flames.

"Yes, I am. I'd love to take you out on a date, Ari. A real date. The two of us. No hero work. No villains. No hiding our relationship. No one tellin' us what's right or wrong. None of...this. Just me and you. On a date. Ah, man...just a wonderful, normal date. So, how 'bout it? Will ya let me?" He whispered gently, his words getting softer and less audible as his mind began focusing itself a little harder now to get the mission done.

I smiled softly at the thought of Keigo and I on a date. An actual date. Man, how amazing that sounds. Just going to catch a movie, or even take a stroll through the city.

Just being together. Without a care, or worry, in the world.

Relaxation. It's not something Keigo and I get to do a lot of. But, it's something I'd like very much. Even if just for a day.

"Of course I'll let you take me. I'd love to go on a date with you, Keigo Takami." I whispered sweetly, watching a warm smile immediately spreading across his face at my words.

His brows twitched in focus, yet his wings gave a soft ruffle of contentment at my words.

"Good then. It's settled. I'll pick you up at 8. Someday." He stated, trying to create a teasing tone with his words, but failing as his voice seeped heavy with honest longing.

Someday.

"Okay. I'll be waiting for you." I breathed out quietly, both trying not to interrupt Keigo's focus and mask my own sense of longing at the same time.

Someday. Someday, it will all be okay. The sun will rise and set the way it always does, the cherry blossoms will bloom with rare beauty, the tide of chaos will calm, the days will be long and endless, with nothing but blissful peace...

And on that day, Keigo and I will be free. We'll fly together. Just him and I. We'll live a life of happiness and harmony, and love without a care in the world.

Someday.

Just not today.

I sighed softly at my thoughts, turning my attention back to Keigo. His eyes had gradually started shutting a little tighter as time went on. Brows crinkling together, a bead of sweat slowly rolling down the side of his temple.

My gaze peered over at the clock, noting the time.

10:37 pm.

Aizawa should have left the classroom building of UA approximately seven minutes ago, already back inside his dorm in the teacher's rooms. If everything goes according to plan, his laptop will be in the 1-A classroom.

All that's left to do is wait for an update from Keigo.

"Come on..." He suddenly uttered out under his breath, clearly talking to himself.

What did that mean? Was he frustrated? Confused? Just trying to hype himself up? Oh man, the possibilities are endless, but I can't interrupt his focus.

I pressed my lips together in anticipation, trying to wait as patiently as possible for an update from Keigo on how his feathers were doing in tracking down the laptop.

My internal prayers were answered as Keigo's smooth, deep voice cut through the silent, dark room.

"It's....the classroom on the right side of the hallway, is it not?" Keigo asked me blankly, not opening his eyes just yet.

I'd noticed a slight sheen of sweat had started to lightly coat his forehead now, clearly trying his absolute hardest to focus his mind to the best of his abilities.

"Yep. The room on the right. Are you inside?" I asked weakly, feeling a sense of dread for the answers to any of my questions.

Ignorance is bliss, right?

Keigo was quiet for a moment before answering, almost as if trying to confirm something for good.

"I've been inside..." He mumbled to me, slight hints of frustration with himself coming through his voice.

I swallowed thickly at his short response, feeling my heart beat gradually starting to pick up as I waited for Keigo to give me more information than that.

But, he didn't.

It was obvious that he was hesitating to tell me any more. And I was starting to get a little antsy.

"Okay....and?" I blurted out, the eagerness in my tone of voice starting to showcase my nerves for the situation.

Keigo grit his teeth at my question, still hesitating to answer, as he tried focusing his abilities impossibly harder.

"Come on..." He muttered again, only this time it came out more as a groan.

I felt my jaw starting to tense from his vague responses, running a nervous hand through my hair as I waited for more-

Keigo's intense focus abruptly broke as his eyes suddenly snapped open for the first time in minutes. They looked a little bloodshot and red from trying to focus too hard.

But more than that...

They looked panicked.

"Ugh!! God damn it!!" Keigo growled out in pure anger, pulling at his hair as he began pacing the room now.

Well, that's never good.

"What?! What is it?!" I immediately asked, not being able to stay quiet any longer.

I quickly snapped my eyes back to the clock, feeling more and more anxious every time I check it.

10:42 pm.

Shit. It's almost eleven. This mission deadline ends at twelve.

My attention turned back to Keigo, hearing him calmly mutter inaudible things to himself as he paced the room and ran his hands through his hair.

But, I've run out of time and patience to let him continue thinking in his head. I couldn't wait for answers any longer. I can't afford to.

"Keigo." I said blankly, asking a million questions with just the mention of his name.

Keigo didn't even hear me as he continued thinking and talking to himself, clearly in his zone in terms of already formulating a plan.

10:44 pm.

"Hey!! Hello?! Keigo, there's no time for this. What's going on-" I started saying, before he abruptly turned towards me with a look of dread in his eyes.

No.

Not that look.

I had a feeling, but I didn't want to believe it.

Please, whatever you're about to say...don't say it.

I know it's not going to be good. I don't want to hear it. But, I need to.

"Ari..." Keigo sighed out tiredly, rubbing his tired face with his gloved hands.

I remained completely silent, wanting him to continue, and also not wanting him to continue speaking.

Keigo clearly felt the same, as his mouth kept opening and closing, failing to come up with any words.

It was only when his eyes caught a glimpse of the clock on my wall, did he finally force himself to speak.

"Eraserhead's laptop......it's not there."

10:47 pm.

Ah, maybe Keigo and I will never get that someday, after all.