Notes: This is my first ever fanfiction. Please review but be thoughtful. I love the ideas of traitor fictions, so I really wanted to write my own.

Be warned there's not a lot of shipping in this! I have a ship planned down the line, but it's mostly going to end in tragedy. Chapter one starts out similar to a prologue or retrospective, but it should jump into action pretty soon.

My characterization of Bakugou might appear to be a little more 'broody'. The narrator is attempting to be more neutral as possible, but the main focus and protagonist will be Bakugou. I apologize if my Bakugou is not over the top in antics, but I hope the story may explain his shift in tone better.

Katsuki would have liked to declare he learned absolutely nothing from his one week internship with Best Jeanist. He would have preferred to be made a fool in front of his classmates than to admit there was truth in what Best Jeanist said. After enduring humiliation and countless lectures to reform his 'brutish' behaviour, If there was anything that stuck in his mind, it was the final words that the pro hero spoke to him after the week came to a close.

'You might have thought I have failed in molding a brute like you into an exemplary hero. As I said, heroes and villains are two sides of the same coin. What is it that really makes someone a hero?'

'Shut your mouth, you shitty denim fop. I don't need to hear your talk about morals and image again,' Katsuki sneered, his lip curling to bare the raw pink of his gums as his anger crescendoed. Best Jeanist's expression remained unfazed by the teenager's aggression tactics. The pro hero's stance slouched with all the cool, false nonchalance of a model, yet he towered over Katsuki menacingly.

'There will come a time when to fight and when to use finesse. I did not pick you out because I believed you to be an idiotic delinquent. Bakugou, you have potential to reach your dream. If you don't increase your appeal, it could be your downfall.'

'You wanna ask me what really makes a hero?' Katsuki spat out every anger-filled word. 'I already know the answers! Being a hero can't be found in the fuckin' drivel you do! You hear me?'

He trudged away from the pro hero's office that day, his teeth grinding as he tried to unfix the side-parted, tidy hair that was inflicted upon him like a stubborn wound. As much as he would keep up the front an abrasive jerk and refuse change, he hated that he was reflecting now on the best thing to do, puzzling over what Best Jeanist said in what had befell him recently: another incident with villains in having to be rescued again; jeopardising his 'image' and 'appeal' as a hero, an outburst with that damn nerd, and now having to be placated with house arrest by the likes of Aizawa.

Something needed to change.

Even though he gained the truth about the connection between Deku and All Might, he could not help but feel alienated by their secret. Even the upbeat company and wide-eyed admiration of Kirishima and Kaminari offered little respite for him. Cleaning the dorm rooms and common rooms was a mindless activity, but there was one good thing about the punishment that Aizawa gave. Even though not keeping up with the others agonized his impatience, it gave him time to observe.

The worst thing about the punishment was Deku and having to endure his babble for the most part of the day. They spent time cleaning the common room kitchen in the morning, and then dusting. Deku used most of the opportunity to talk with Katsuki freely during the tedious intervals, as though their relationship reverted back to how it was when they were children.

'So anyway, Satou won the judging competition for the rooms because of the chiffon cake. I only got to try a bit, but it was incredibly delicious. I didn't think a cake of that size or quality would cook so well in a convection oven – at least, I think it's a convection oven. I wonder if Satou had to adjust the recipe at all; in fact, the cake left unsupervised for at least–'

'Shut the hell up, you damn nerd. I'm going to vacuum my room first.'

'I–I'll help too!' Deku offered. To be honest, he was disappointed he didn't get to see Katsuki's room. There was a grunt of disapproval from Katsuki, before resignation.

'Do whatever you want. Just don't mess shit up.'

Katsuki opened the door to his room. Midoriya looked upon room respectfully, large bright eyes taking everything in. The boy beamed so brightly, a shuddering gasp of excitement escaped his mouth in wonder.

'Wow, Kacchan! This brings back memories. Didn't I get this for your ninth birthday? I still can't believe you held onto this.'

It was a cloth banner of All Might that commemorated the hero's silver age era. Katsuki hung it from a single hook drilled into the wall, tilted at a slight angle as though it was merely a placeholder.

'I didn't keep it because of you.' he grumbled. 'Dammit – I don't know if it's better to remember or to forget,' Katsuki's arm trembled, his open palm forming a fist. Deku paled at the poster of All Might, and remembered. All Might's muscle form was now well and truly history, and his days of heroism were over. He could not stop his voice from faltering.

'Kacchan? Remember, it wasn't your fault – I'm sorry for bringing it up again, really–'

'Shut up!' Katsuki slammed his fist hard against the wall, and the loose items on his desk and shelves shook from the impact. 'Stop apologizing! Is that the only thing you know how to do, chosen one? If it were me, I would be more fuckin' concerned right now about All Might. There has to be another reason why they put us all together like this. It's all too fuckin' convenient.'

When Katsuki removed his hand from the wall, the plastered wall had formed a perfect crater of painted white gypsum, revealing a gaping hole in the wall's construction. In his attack, he felt the smooth, fine cord of a wire, and Deku saw it too, poking out through the wall out like a shiny black snake.

They only built the Heights Alliance three days ago. Even if they had the aid of quirks, it couldn't solve all issues regarding construction quality. They both knew that the wire should not have been there; a non-physical intruder into their private spaces.

'How… How did you hang the banner of All Might?' Deku's voice was soft and careful.

'I borrowed a drill from Kirishima.'

'Do you still have it?'

'He gave me his entire toolkit.'

Katsuki bought a red, metal toolkit over from his desk and opened it up. Its construction was vintage and was a clear nod to Eijiro's masculine aesthetic. He knew what Deku was going to do. The cover for the light switch came off easily with a gentle pry at the corner, it was almost laughably sad at the quality of the interior construction. Katsuki got a screwdriver and gently moved the tool anti-clockwise at the screws that fitted the outlet. When everything was removed, and the wiring was stripped bare, the both of them stopped their breathing as though afraid of being heard.

His room was bugged. Someone was listening to their conversation.