(After this, I'm really considering doing an AU where Tenko is a hero. 😔)

Songs:

"One Last Time" – Ariana Grande

"Already Gone" – Sleeping At Last

"Mercy" – Lewis Capaldi

"Happiest Year" – James Young

"Always Remember Us This Way" – Lady Gaga

"The Scientist" – Coldplay

----------------------------------

"How are you –"

"You are absolutely breathtaking." Tenko interrupted her, a soft smile softening all his rugged features. White hair out of his face, in a messy man bun. Sharp jawline on display. Ruby eyes holding wisdom.

Fingers reaching out and playing with the material of her white cape. Eyes feasting on her figure for what might be the last time – for what little time he had left on this world, before going back into darkness. At least, he could say he was able to have this.

Taking this opportunity to relish in her presence.

"White's always been your color, just like the lilies you love so much."

His voice was groggy, weak. He also looked worn out. Regardless of him standing in front of her in a pressed all-black tuxedo. His white hair and red eyes popping out more and looking livelier while in her presence, that didn't mean she didn't notice everything else.

As though standing was the hardest thing he could do right now. Breaths sporadic, eyes dead on the inside. The fight within him completely gone. It was like staring at a ghost. The ghost of his presence, for one last time. He was smiling for being allowed to have this. However, he seemed so tired.

Tenko Shimura, as she knew him, was tired.

Y/ns eyes trailed to his hand, gulping down her nerves and calming her emotions so her lovers who were a couple of feet away, wouldn't know that she might possibly be in danger. She wanted to speak with him, and she'd given him a time and location. However, it seemed Tenko decided to come to her instead. Knowing with exact precision where she would be, how, she wasn't sure.

Breathing steadily, she whispered, "How did you know where to find me?" Eyes lingering on his form. Trying to memorize him in this rare moment.

From the years of being away from him, in her eyes – he's grown into such a strong handsome man.

"I have people." His ruby eyes stared intently into her own, warning her seriously, "You shouldn't trust everyone around you Y/n."

His eyes though dark and dead, were warning her with a message. Warning her that someone close to her was conspiring against her. However, she wouldn't be asking about that. She's always been in danger and that never mattered to her. Y/n finally had him here with her. Finally able to speak with each other like they used to. Before they were ripped apart.

Scarlet eyes keeping contact with his own, she murmured, "Should I be worried." She asked him softly. "Am I talking to the real you?"

"If you weren't, we would be having a much different conversation tonight." Why is it that even after everything they both went through, out of the two of them, he seemed the wiser. Probably because of all the pain he's had to endure. "I figured it'd be better to find you since he found out of this location you gave to Touya." Tenko sighed heavily, letting her wrist go. Voice deep and angry for putting herself in danger like that. Staring at her as he told her bluntly, "You can't do that Y/n. That was stupid and very dangerous..."

He balled his hands, fists tight. Wanting more than anything to reach out again. However, denying himself of what he truly wanted, again. If she wasn't strong enough to put up a barrier against him, he'll do it for her.

"If you're here now, why don't you run?" Y/n asked him instead. So many words and thoughts stuck in her mind for wanting to save him. So many unanswered questions, from the many years they weren't with each other. Jumbled up thoughts wanting to spill all at once, knowing they did not have much time together. Unfortunately, however, it would probably stay that way. "There's so much I want to talk to you about, but..." her nails dug into her palms, also wanting to reach out to him. However, afraid to overstep that boundary.

"We don't have a lot of time." He nodded, already agreeing with her thoughts.

He looked up to the night sky, the stars twinkling up above. How he wished things between them were different. To have a different life. Maybe in another life, he did become a hero. Saved at a young age by someone else other than All for One. Maybe even saved by All Might and taken into his wing. Become the predecessor to him instead, because it was his own grandma who held One for All before her passing.

It was supposed to be him. A thought that would eat at him from within.

Most of all, to be with Y/n like he wanted to be.

"I don't want to ruin your engagement party." He stared at her again, wondering what it would've been like to be in their shoes, been the one to hold her, and serenate his love. The beginning to the life they could build. "But this is the only time I could contact you where it wouldn't be too suspicious. I only came to tell you, that you have to stop this."

He told her honestly and voice full of regret. Motioning to himself and her, heart aching and breaking all over again. However, choosing to ignore it. For her sake.

"You can't save me, love. You know this. You gave me peace for a small fraction of my life and I'm thankful. You have no idea what you mean to me. But you have to let me go... I was dead to you when we were young, leave it that way. Don't try to bring me back. This me, talking to you right now, is only a fragment of what's left of me and that's not enough to risk everything you have."

Y/n shook her head, tears forming and burning in her eyes. Throat drying up, refusing to let him go. Ready to fight him on this, defend him from the cruel world they were forced to live in.

"I know... trust me." His deep voice was so soft, always, and only for her. "I know how hard this is." Ruby eyes softened when seeing her reaction, wanting more than anything to wipe those tears from her eyes. "Still, I'm no saint. I've hurt a lot, Y/n. There's a part of you that thinks I can still be saved, but you are wrong. I never left his side because in the end I chose this path, I chose revenge. You are..."

He heavily sighed again, cutting her with every true word.

"You're the only person I don't want to hurt. However, unfortunately I somehow will. Whether it be me, or him in my body. I would rather have you run away – run away from all of this... but I know you won't."

Her heart hurt with every word he told her. A wound so deep that kept opening when she thought of him – when she thought of their time together. Having him only feet away. However, miles and miles away from her reach. Knowing there was truth behind every word he said. For her to leave him behind. To not bring up old wounds, she moved on from a long time ago. She couldn't go down this path.

However, how could she willingly watch him burn on his own? Die and leave nothing of him behind.

He would only be known as this monster, who caused destruction. No one will ever know the kind small boy, who held her hand at night when she had nightmares, who gave her hope of the world they could've had once they left that place together. The person who shared their food with her when her captors always left her to die of hunger. The one who did everything possible to help her with her brother. Sure, she was only nine and he, thirteen. They were so young, still. They took care of each other. Pretending everything was okay, even though the world was burning and falling apart around them.

To them, having each other was enough to keep on living.

Tenko was always a different person when with her. He suffered so much for her; she knows that. Y/n knows the truth that no one will ever know. Regardless of her telling people, it's different than experiencing it. No one will ever see the hero he was to her.

All they knew was the monster All for One presented to them. Harvested and created for his own will and agenda.

"I can't." She shook her head again, "How can I let you keep suffering... you've done so already, for so many years. Was Toga telling the truth, were you really there all those years, watching over me?"

To think this whole time, he'd been suffering on his own.

Y/n had her siblings and he had nothing, no one. Only the memory of a friend who accepted him, who he watched over from the shadows. Because the small withering part of him that was still sane, was only intact to reality because of her.

If Y/n hadn't existed, then absolutely, he would've bathed in darkness. She was the person who was holding him back. The small light left in him was because of her. Though All for One controlled him and everything now – this person in front of her, was all that he was left. And Tenko used all his strength to push forward until she was safe. And now after so many years, she finally was.

He could lie to her. Tenko could tell her she was delusional. To forget about him, and the snippet of time they had when they were younger. Though small, it was impactful. They both took different pathways from that place.

One choosing darkness and the other light.

However, the cynical selfish part of him wanted her to remember him forever. Wanted her to love him... to choose him. Maybe even beg him to take her with him and fight alongside him. Run away, while the world burned around them. However, he can't and won't. He couldn't and would not hurt the person he truly loves. The only person in his life that did not harm him. Or question his motives – was not afraid of him. She was the only one, who truly believed he could become a hero like he wanted to when he was younger.

At least he could say, he was a hero to one person in this world – her.

He would never watch the person he loves burn down with him. He'd much rather die, and he will. It was his time.

The only step left to take, was for Y/n to let him go.

The little boy in him, who died at such a young age, like hers almost did. Wanted to reach out to her. However, the little boy also didn't want to hurt her. He killed his family at such a young age, continued killing countless of people. His mind went into insanity. The flicker of light left in him, was her. She was his serenity.

The bird trapped with him in that cage. The bird he worked so hard to free. To give her the opportunity she has now. The opportunity he didn't have. Because he truly loves her. Not once did he harm her. However, today he would, by forcing her to let him go. She had to move on. Tenko was a believer of letting go of the things he loved for their wellbeing.

They both weren't going to make it out of there. One of them was always doomed. And he took the necessary steps to make sure it wouldn't be her. Because she was still pure at heart. Full of hope, and taking on the world with a smile, kept pushing on even if it was slowly killing her.

Y/n didn't kill like him. She didn't know true darkness. Sure, she was surrounded by it. However, she never willingly breathed it in, become one with it like he did. Take the poison of no return. She always fought it.

Always smiled... still...

"I did. I watched over you." He finally confessed.

"Then –"

"No, Y/n. Don't try to make me a martyr in your mind or give me credit for something that did not happen." He told her as gently as he could, eyes dark and regretful. "I did watch over you. However, that is all I did for you. I did not get you out of there like they did. I did not risk it all for you. Like I should have –"

He reached out and cupped her cheek, wiping away her flowing tears.

Quickly retracting, "– I didn't. There is nothing left of me Y/n, at least not the good, only you know." Her eyes widened, refusing to believe him. "I want everyone to suffer like we did, to know pain like we do. And I'll be gone before I get to watch it happen, because I want you to beat him. I believe in you; you've grown so much. I'm so proud of you." His red eyes were full of adoring love.

Breathing deeply, however, he gulped down the burning lump in his throat, pushing through the pain of all of this.

"– and I want you, to truly free me. You say you want to save me, then do it, by killing me. Please set me free, love."

Her breath got caught in her lungs, burning, and suffocating her from within – feeling doleful. She wanted the same thing at some point, she was still recovering from the wounds of her past. She knew exactly what he was feeling – how much he was suffering. Heart feeling heavy with the weight of all of this.

However, she had people who helped her and were still helping her. He had no one, refusing to accept her help because of how it would affect her.

"How c-could you..." Her voice broke, looking away from his piercing eyes. Taking a moment to push the words out. "How can you ask that of me?" She mumbled. Y/n would never heal from it if she did.

However, Tenko knew how strong she really was. He was asking for the impossible. Still, she would prevail, like she always did. She would have the future he could never have. If there truly was a heaven or hell, he'd just hope that at least once, he'll be able to see how far in life she'd get. What family she'd build. What impact she'd leave behind. Her heart was capable of doing great things. Maybe even help reform what it was to be a hero and villain because she was that stubborn.

She was able to save him for a little while. At least he can say, when his time comes. That he was the reason why this world was gifted with such kindness and love, by leaving her behind and freeing her.

"I know what I'm asking is a lot. I know it'll hurt you... and like I told you before. You're the only one that can, you and your father. Maybe even your lovers. However, do you really want to put your father or them in that type of danger?" He gave her another gentle smile, already knowing she wouldn't do that to any of them. "Promise me it'll be you. That I get to die the way I want to. Be held by you one last time."

He was speaking every word so easily, like he'd been wanting to have this conversation with her for the longest time. However, this was difficult to accept. To give him what he wanted...

"I can hold you now." She persisted. "I can save you right now." Her voice broke – hands, trying to grasp at thin air, to anchor him here. "If you just stay... if you let me save you."

However, if she put herself in that position, his anchor would slowly drown her, and she wasn't understanding that. She was a wonderful soul, a gift sent from heaven up above. However, humans, fickle creatures, would be cruel if she shows this much kindness to people like him. Forgive people who've hurt like he has.

Tenko's never met anyone who's been so forgiven like she has, and he was thankful he did. To be shown such compassion, even after fucking up so much in life. It was rare; indeed, everyone needed a helping hand in life, and she was to him, for a small moment.

"So stubborn." He murmured, giving her a saddened smile. Loving how big her heart was, how many chances she was willing to give to him, to anyone. The kindness this world truly needed. "I wished to have given you everything, I truly did. However, sometimes we can't get everything we want. Everything always worked against us. We were never meant to be..."

"Tenko, p-please let me..." Her eyes were begging him. "Please let me help you." She sobbed, hugging her sides. Heart burning with pain all over again. Forgetting to mask her emotions for how hurtful and truthful this conversation was.

"I'm not even here Y/n." He pointed to her mind with his forefinger, "I'm here." With a grateful smile he continued. "You didn't even flinch when it was me who grabbed you..." His eyes held so much pain and longing. "I couldn't risk my quirk hurting you if I came in person. I'm talking to you through your mind love. The only place I know no one will interfere. You can do the same, you're strong enough to make it look like real life too, you've done it once. You're finally ready."

That's right, she did. When at the club before meeting Katsuki, she made everyone believe Rosalinda was her in the dance floor. Her quirk was very powerful when used correctly and cautiously to not cause her harm. She was able to trick everyone to think Rosalinda was her. A trick to the mind, by using her telepath quirk and mixture of her smoke.

She was capable of great things – goals she hasn't reached yet. The sky of achievements was fully open. There was no limit of possibilities of what she could do if she used her quirk to control the mind and the heart.

Taking a moment to push past the pain, the fear, and the ache. Breathing through the thumping of her heart. She finally nodded to his wish.

How could she be selfish to push him to stay if he'd already suffered so much. He wanted out. He was right, the world would torture him, imprison him, and confine him unfairly. He had a lot of enemies, in the hero and villain world. This world was a cruel place. People would not understand that all of this could have been avoided if he wasn't shunned at such a young age.

The same could be said for a lot of villains who've been hurt in life too. Some people just had weaker hearts than others, and they needed more help.

Of course, Y/n knows, Tenko's killed. She's never forgotten, he should be imprisoned for those deaths. However, he's been in a jail all his life.

People were hurt and in pain for all the destruction he caused. People weren't as forgiving as she was. People willingly let their hearts be taken by remorse, grief, and anger. Like she almost did throughout her life. They would make him wish death, because they would think it'll be too kind to just hold him. He would be targeted by villains too if he was taken in. If villains took him down, take down the one person who held so much power, they would be seen as the next king. Carelessly and selfishly going after their goals. Not caring of what Tenko already went through.

However, she wouldn't allow any more pain.

It all had to end at some point. Revenge and aiming to gain power for selfish reasons, never did anyone any good. Sure, vengeance was good for a moment. Still, it never solved anything, it never brought anyone back. It only poisoned those who fell so willingly to get the revenge they wanted. And power – oh, power killed everyone caught in the crossfire.

She could do this one request for him. No matter the consequences on herself. No matter if her heart bled. Y/n's been holding on to the rope that was around him, as tightly as she could when she found out he was alive. Hurting herself and him, for wanting to keep him here.

However, Tenko was right.

Her Katsuki was right... you can't save someone that's already gone.

Tenko came here, gracefully asking for mercy from her. To finally put him out of all this pain he endured. He willingly gave up everything so she could be here. To have this life. Yes, he killed lots of people. Still, he saved her, and she will never forget him and what he did for her.