"The best thing to always do, is follow your greatest desire." – Lucifer Morningstar

"The vigilantes first appearance has been recorded to be around mid-January. Sightings were reported throughout the city, but we have found a pattern, a route should we say. The vigilante first appearance normally is noted around the city, then further out with the last one being at the outer edges of the city." Reported the detective to Aizawa, drawing the route with a black marker. Seeing the hero nod in acknowledgement he continued with his report, "The vigilante hasn't done anything discriminatory so far, mostly sticking to the apprehension of criminals such as drug dealers with the occasional trafficking ring."

"How active would you say they are." Aizawa questioned, "The hours which they act in?"

Detective Tsukauchi pondered the question, scanning the folder in his hands as he tried to find the answer. "From what I'm seeing… they have been pretty consistent so far. The first sightings are somewhere around as early to midnight to latest two hundred hours." He closed the folder, walking away from the hanging map to lean on the desk, arms crossed, "It's not like for crime to have a timetable."

The pro hero nodded, dry eyes staring heavily at the map. "No…it doesn't."

The detective sighed, rubbing his own tired eyes. "Why are you so interested in this new vigilante anyway Aizawa? They haven't done anything wrong so far, they're on our radar, but until they cross the line, we're leaving them alone."

Aizawa glanced at Tsukauchi from the corner of his eyes, the man was tiered with slightly purple eyebags prominent under the office light. "He's a vigilante. Last time I checked that was against the law, isn't it?" He replied offhandedly.

Tsukauchi leaned forward, interest sparkling in his eyes, "Yes. But we leave him for the same reason why we leave The Crawler, Pop Step and Knuckleduster. But you already know that."

Fully turning his attention, Aizawa tried to stare the detective down, trying to will him to stop the probing questions. Silence dragged as both men refused to give in, both eyes hard and unrelenting. The stare off was interrupted by the office door opening as another figure walked inside, the individual had a wispy frame with blonde hair and two distinctive long bangs.

"Ahh Toshinori!" Greeted the detective cheerfully, walking over to the malnourished man. He moved him to sit beside Aizawa who had turned away, once again focused on the city's map. "I'm so happy you came. Aizawa has been a bit stubborn and weirdly fascinated with our new Spider vigilante."

Toshinori Yagi nodded but remained silent as he looked over to the other hero.

The barb made Aizawa involuntarily twitch, clenching his jaw to stop his own snide remark. He wasn't fascinated, worried more like. At the start he had been annoyed at a new vigilante popping up from nowhere, the feeling changing into curiosity as he realized that they weren't distributing their own judgement but simply catching criminals. Then he had found the Spider, curiosity giving way to shock and worry as their identity revealed a youthful teen with brown locks and warm eyes.

Since the news of the two teens selflessly running towards the green sludge villain, Aizawa decided that he couldn't, wouldn't leave the kid alone to his own devices. Even if the public didn't know his identity, running out in the open like that was reckless and careless. The situation then could have been much worse.

He silently thanked the man beside him.

"It's a kid. They deserve to go to U.A."

Aizawa shocked the men into silence, their heads swinging in his direction. He would have laughed at their gob smacked faces, "Remember the kid that jumped on top of the sludge villain. That's our vigilante."

He fluidly stood from his seat, moving to the laptop. Rapidly, he found the recording of the attack, turning the device before pressing play. All attention on the screen, he paused the recording at a moment which clearly showed the older teens face.

"This is our new Spider vigilante."

"Are you sure?" asked the detective, uncertainty laced in his voice.

"Yes." Aizawa growled back. "The kid must have had unpleasant experience with heroes. He wouldn't even think over joining U.A and becoming a licensed hero."

"I agree with you Aizawa and from what you're saying it will take time." Imputed Toshinori, a wide grin across his lips, with hands up thrown into Aizawa's face. Smacking the intruding appendages away, Aizawa rolled his tense shoulders, rolling his neck until he heard the audible crack.

"I'm worried because I haven't heard anything about him in a while."

It was true, the appearances of the Spider had decreased until Aizawa hadn't heard much to anything at all about the kid. No talks or hushed whispers about the Spider. They instead had been replaced about an individual in dark clothing, their face always being hidden behind a hood.

The kid was good, and he didn't mean it only in the kids' personality, but in how efficient and experienced the teen seemed to be in the whole vigilantism deal. The only reason that Aizawa could think of that would make the kid stop mostly resolves around personal trouble.

Goal set in mind, Aizawa fluidly left the room, scarf billowing behind him and two flustered, wide-eyed men.

Fifty-six hours, twenty-three minutes and seven seconds counting.

That's how much time Aizawa had been searching for his vigilante. There has been no sound or hear of him. Worry turning inside his gut, Aizawa's dry eyes scanned the rooftops of the buildings as he leaped across them, chest heaving with exhaustion as he propelled himself faster. Aizawa refused to give up to the resurfacing dark thoughts, the vigilante brat had to be fine.

His rhythm was knocked of kilter as muffled cries reached his ears mid-jump. Violently skidding to a halt Aizawa swore as he nearly flipped over the edge of the building. Retreating to where he heard the sounds coming from, Aizawa softly landed on a conveniently placed fire escape, from his vintage point his eyes locked onto the two figures directly below him.

A woman with dark auburn hair in a black skintight dress was struggling against a large man who had her harshly pressed against the wall. The man's hand covered the crying victims' mouth, face pressed into the woman's neck; sucking noises seemingly loud In the silent street.

Without delay, Aizawa launched himself at the offender, peeling the man violently off the woman and into the ground. Seeing the man in a temporary stupor, he gently placed the stricken woman down, who's breathing was labored as she choked on her sobs, cheeks dirtied with mascara smudges and tear tracks. Unwrapping his scarf, he slowly wrapped it around her.

Now, just to deal with the guy.

The loud thumps of rapidly approaching footsteps warned Aizawa of the impending attack. Sidestepping the charging man, Aizawa grabbed the back of the man's coat, momentarily choking as he pulled. The attacker's legs flew in front of him, the momentum bringing the man swiftly to the ground as hands flew to hold at the shirt digging into his neck. The only barrier stopping him from strangulation.

"I see you got this covered." Came a voice from above him accompanied with a vigilante crouched beside him. "I'll get the lady."

Grunting in agreement Aizawa ignored the vigilante for now. Arms moving to hold the man in a chokehold. His body slightly ached from the struggling as the man elbowed his sides in hopes to try and loosen his hold. Feeling the attacks lessen in strength Aizawa waited until the man fell limp in his arms, passed out; uncaringly dropping the man.

With the offender out of the equation he turned to look at the vigilante and the woman. The hooded vigilante had calmed the woman down so that she was no longer crying, her breathing slow as steady as she hugged the scarf, he had given her earlier for warmth.

Not taking he comforting arm around the woman the vigilante threw a phone at Aizawa, snatching it out of the air he saw that the phone was ringing the cops, catching on he explained the situation and gave the location for the police to pick up the woman and arrest the man.

"Haven't seen you around." Aizawa prompted.

Having heard the unspoken question and warning the vigilante pulled their hood back revealing a young face with bronze windswept curls and glinting eyes. "Can't say that I haven't."

Aizawa stopped in his tracks as surprise flickered across his face as he came to face the recent subject of his worry, understanding dawning shortly thereafter. "Is your lack of costume the reason I haven't heard any news about the new Spider vigilante?"

"Probably." The kid replied nonchalantly, gently untangling himself from the shocked woman that had latched herself onto the nearest source of warmth. "It's alright lady, he's a hero." The kid reassured as he passed her along to Aizawa.

"Well… I getter be going before the cops arrive and all that."

"Kid, wait."

"Not a kid." Grumbled the teen, "My names Peter or Spider-Man in costume. You don't see me calling you old man now do you?"

Seeing that Peter was about to disappear again, Aizawa tried to placate him, "Alright Peter… listen. No, really hear me out- lets patrol together tonight."

Not having expected the offer to come from his lips Aizawa held steady, slightly pleased that he wasn't the only one affected as Peter openly gaped. Using the silence to his advantage Aizawa pushed a bit more. "Wait hidden until the lady is secure, and the scum arrested then we can go together."

Peter narrowed his eyes at Aizawa, "I don't need a babysitter."

"I'm not saying you do. I'm just offering to patrol together now that we're here."

Waiting patiently for Peter to decide, Aizawa wondered what could have caused the boy to grow so independent at such an early age and be a vigilante at night. He wasn't deluded to think of some silly notion that the boy did need a minder, he wasn't here to control Peter but simply wanted to witness the kid in action himself, firsthand. If he also did it out of worry and thought that joining U.A. was in Peters best interest, was no one's business but his own.

Getting attached wasn't in his memo.

I'm not attached, just making sure the kid knows what he's doing even as a vigilante, which is completely against the law. Great, now I'm being lenient.

"…Alright." Came the hesitant reply from Peter, "I'll be up there." He finished, pointing to the rooftops from which Aizawa had jumped from.

He watched intently as Peter leapt and stuck to the wall, vertically walking up with no care. Once he faded from sight Aizawa let himself focus on the lady in his arms instead. Her eyes lidded, he hadn't noticed her body weight completely leaning on his own, head resting against his shoulder.

The stillness of the night weighted heavily on Aizawa, questions whether the kid would wait for him, did he have a home? A means to food and shelter? Or was he like all the other neglected kids roaming the streets.

The ringing sound of sirens jerked Aizawa from his thoughts, taking it as his que his gently stirred the woman awake. "The police are here. I need you to walk with me, can you do that?"

It took a minute for the woman to comprehend what he said, tiniest nod in acceptance as they both walked towards flashing car. They were greeted by two officers, as he passed the woman along to one of the men that stirred her to the back seat of the vehicle.

"Other than some bruising the lady is should be fine, physically." He said to the officer left.

"Thank you for your work hero." Thanked the officer, tipping his hat.

Aizawa waited until the car disappeared over the corner to make his way to the rooftop Peter is still hopefully waiting at.

Hauling himself up onto the fire escape he made his way two steps at a time, vaulting over the edge when he got to the top. Releasing a sign of relief as he noticed Peter sitting on the far side with his legs swinging over the edge.

"Why didn't an ambulance arrive?" asked Peter without turning his back.

"I don't know."

"Ok." Peter said, finally rotating to face the slowly approaching Aizawa, "So Mr. Hero, where to?"

Stopping directly in front of Peter he looked away and into the streets below, "We can start from here then go patrol around the night clubs. There's always some trash prowling around looking for intoxicated people."

"Do keep up old man." Peter taunted cheerfully, as he broke into a run. His lean frame coiling as he leapt over the gap between the rooftops, landing lightly on his feet he waved at Aizawa. Not being one for letting taunts go, especially from young brats, Aizawa followed closely behind, pushing himself to catch up to the kid. However, no matter how much he was able to speed up the young vigilante was always a grasp away, slowing then speeding up once Aizawa got within touching distance.

"Not bad." Peter laughed, breath not even labored compared to Aizawa's slightly quicker breathing, "For an old man that is." He added, ducking away from the pro heroes' swipe at his head.

Aizawa rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips from amusement. They both stopped over a short-cut alley, one infamous for the amounts of reported muggings and sexual harassment calls. The street led from one of the dodgier clubs in the city, mostly catering to gang members and the like. The club itself wasn't the issue, it was how isolated from main roads it was, shortcuts and badly lighted streets were the perfect breeding grounds for criminal activity.

"Seems quiet to me." Piped Peter searching the streets.

"It might be quiet now, but it won't be for much longer." Aizawa refuted, pointing at the club, "the club should be closing in a few minutes and we'll have a horde of inebriated individuals leaving. It's almost a guarantee that some will take this route and some trash bag will follow." He finished gesturing to the street below them.

Peter hummed but didn't say anything else. Instead he got comfortable sitting on the edge, feet once again hanging over the side. Deciding to join him Aizawa sat beside him, one leg crossed, the other straight.

"So… how do you know about that?" Questioned Peter, curiosity written all over his face.

Aizawa smirked, "You learn a thing or two being a pro hero."

"Is that all?"

Aizawa chuckled, "I don't distribute information to vigilantes, unless you want to become a licensed hero?"

Peter grimaced, "I'm not going to join you little hero club, I do perfectly fine on my own."

Aizawa nodded, he perfectly understood why Peter would like to work alone, he was a perfect example of a solo act himself, but he could do that legally.

"I understand that -no, here me out." He said, grabbing Peter by his arm forcing him to pay attention. "You can be a licensed hero and still work alone."

Peter ripped his arm out of his grip, "I'm not stupid Aizawa. Do you think I wouldn't have gone over the pros and cons of being a hero? If I accepted your offer I'd have to go through U.A for around two years of study, then get myself apprenticed under a hero, work as a sidekick and through all of that I still wouldn't have the freedom of helping the little guy that vigilantism gives me."

"Being a vigilante removes you from baring responsibility of you actions if something goes wrong, and unless you're secretly hiding the fact that you're filthy rich what are you going to do if you get injured? If your equipment breaks? - Oh right, run around in civilian clothes without any sort of protection. You're reckless and a danger to yourself and others." Aizawa hissed out, trying to keep himself from shouting and throttle the kid; why couldn't Peter see that.

Peters own lips pulled back in a snarl, yet instead of spitting poison the words came out flat, unmovable in their nature. Aizawa's own might as well have been a running river trying to move a mountain. "I'm a vigilante exactly because it's my responsibility. I also don't see how it's any of your business to lecture me on who I should be or what I should or shouldn't do. I've seen how spotlight affects heroes. All might and Iron Man are perfect examples of the burden placed by the people. How they struggle to keep afloat under all the expectations', every move and word they make weighted. Vigilantism keeps me off radar from those who'd wish me harm, it keeps people I care about safe and doesn't restrict me from helping others."

Aizawa was rendered speechless at the end of Peters proclamation. Mind turning, twisting and removing thoughts quicker than he could keep track of. Some of what he had said pinged at his soul, threatening old memories and ideals to resurface from their prisons, the questions such as who was Iron Man, the monotonous voice nearly breaking at the name, longing and pain flashing behind those defiant eyes.

There was so much to unpack in the message Peter has just said, he'll have to do it later however, when his mind wasn't racing too quickly in his head.

Having not realized he hadn't stopped looking at Peter, he jerked to look down at the street they were both patrolling as noise spilled from the club. Shouts and jeers ruled the streets momentarily, people leaving the club in pairs and groups so far. It didn't take long for the crowd to disperse, some still lingering near the entrance, smoking, talking or waiting for their friends.

"There." Whispered Peter, pointing at a middle-aged man who was walking alone, quickly approaching their direction. They stayed motionless but ready. It wouldn't do them any good if they jumped in preemptively.

True to Peter's thought a group of men jogged to catch up to the potential victim, jeers and hateful words such as 'fag' ringing clearly in the night.

Feeling a hand stop him from jumping down, his eyes tracked the appendage to Peter's calm face, "I'll deal with that, I think seeing a younger guy would be better that you." Seeing only the truth in his words Aizawa nodded, moving back to his position.

Seeing that he wasn't fighting Peter's decision, the vigilante let himself drop straight down, worry abated as they simply landed softly, calling the attention of the attackers. He wanted to see how the kid dealt with the group of men, but he couldn't ignore his duty. So, he tried his best to ignore the mocking calls coming from the kid and following grunts as he scanned the club.

This time it was the screeching of car tyres, as a van stopped directly in front of the entrance. Aizawa was moving even before the men had a chance to jump out of their van. Eyes burning red as he moved to intercept the armed men, thankfully amateurs. It was no struggle to knock the guns away from their loose grips and knock the men unconscious. Nodding at the babbling owner that kept tearfully thanking him, confessions spilling how he had been ignoring threats from these men about money- because since when was most crime about anything else. Everything sorted on his end, Aizawa jogged back to his patrolling spot and Peter.

Empty streets greeted Aizawa back, with only unconscious thugs for company.

AN: I got addicted to the show Lucifer, job and Uni work don't leave me a lot of time to work on the fic. So yeah… shorter chap. I have a couple of assignments and a Latin exam coming up so next chap will take a while. I'll probably just do one long chap around 5-8k words a month rather than many little ones around 3k.

So like Aizawa having been left to quickly by Peter so have I finished this chap. Sorry!