He'd had a feeling this was the way things were going to go since day one, but he'd still given it his all. Maybe he was trying to prove something to himself, or to the world. Maybe he was trying to prove that all that training and grueling training the old man had put them through hadn't been for nothing. That he could be a hero for the right reasons. To protect and serve.

Turned out, he hadn't proved a single thing. Except maybe that he was done taking orders from other people. Hargreeves. His instructors. The Law. They could tell him what to do for the rest of his life and it still didn't change the fact that they weren't the one doing it. He wasn't not going to take down some scumbag just because he didn't have the proof he needed to take him to court. He was done looking the other way. Maybe if he'd said something years ago, there wouldn't be a statue of Ben in the courtyard.

He doesn't look up as Derek sits beside him. Though he gives a small huff when he says to put it on his tab. "Drink," he says, picking up his beer and taking a long swig. He looks over at Derek. "Especially if you're paying."