You would never betray me. I know that you wouldn't. You love me! Right, doll? This is…just a precaution. Just until Shigaraki knows he can trust you as much as I do! It's just temporary! Smiling to himself, trying to reassure himself, but tilting his head when he saw someone approaching Amaya.

That boy. That blond boy with the black thunderbolt in his hair. Smiling down at her as he came up beside her and radiating a cheerful, excited energy that made Deku's guts twist in disgust. His teeth started to grit as he watched the boy talk to her, watched a faint hint of pink rise to Amaya's cheeks.

"Ooooh! Look how popular she is! That boy looks like he really likes her," Toga teased him. Sitting close with her hand on Deku's shoulder as she watched what was unfolding across the street on the sidewalk.

From their perch on the rooftop, they had a great view of Amaya's interaction with the blond boy. Deku could taste something bitter rising in his throat. Settling on the back of his tongue as a painful tightening began in his chest.

"Kinda looks like she's into him," Dabi commented. "What do you think? Still think she's that obsessed with you?"

Shaking out of his jealous spiral. He smiled in a sickly sweet way at the fire-wielding villain. "I didn't think you had a sense of humor, Dabi. But that's a pretty good joke!" His eyes narrowed as he toyed with his knife; holding it in his right hand and prodding a fingertip on his left hand. Twisting and tapping against his black leather glove.

"Awww! She looks so cute when she blushes like that." The blonde girl next to him giggled as her face turned pink. "Maybe next time she's at the bar, we can play a little~"

Deku rolled his eyes and pointed his knife at the girl without even sparing her a glance. "If you touch my doll, I'll cut off all of your fingers. You wouldn't want me to have to do something like that, would you, Toga? You don't want me to have to hurt you."

You wouldn't betray me. You wouldn't leave me for him…right, doll? You promised me. And you even tried to impress Shigaraki! Just so you could join and you can always be with me! Always with me…but you can't do that yet. We can't be together yet because of them! This school! Those heroes! Your parents! You have to keep up appearances; I get it. But none of them love you! Not the way that I do! I care more about you than all of them combined! And I'll show you when-!

"You're…seriously pathetic. Lovesick over a hero wannabe. Surprised the leader is letting you waste so much time on her." A smirk when Deku glanced over at Dabi. Turquoise eyes half-closed as he licked his lips and stared at Amaya. "I wanna test her. What do you think? Think your "doll" can hold her own against me?"

The idea made his blood run cold. Imagining her burn alive. The image so vivid in his mind he could practically hear her screaming in agony as blue flames consumed her. His grip tightened on the handle of his knife until his fingers hurt and he shook his head. "If you get near my doll…I'll just have to burn you to ashes. That's what you like to do to people, right? You always talk about people being fuel for your fire. I wonder how it would work if I turned your fire against you."

Toga and Dabi exchanged a glance. His eyes settled on Amaya again, heart fluttering. Thinking about what he was going to do when she got out of school. Planning to meet up with her at the station and take the train home with her. No one's going to touch you, doll. I won't let anyone get close to you except for me.

Thoughts shifting from his love once she disappeared out of his line of sight. Thinking instead about all of the things that were in their way of being together. School. Heroes. Her parents. Two of these things were out of his control, for now.

With her being in school, he had some time. Time in which he could work on one of these obstacles. It's so difficult sometimes, doll. I wish we didn't have to be apart like this, but it's only temporary! Soon we'll be together all the time! I still have to finish your room, though. Just a few finishing touches and it will be ready for you to move in.

Smiling to himself. Walking down the sidewalk in her neighborhood after Kurogiri graciously opened a warp gate for him. I still wish you could've stayed the night last night! But I don't know if I could've controlled myself! It's so nice to hold you…I might've lost control! A giggle escaped him before he bit his lip and shook his head. I just have to be patient! It can still happen! You'll see, doll. When everything's ready for you, we'll do something extra special to celebrate.

Early. Too early for her parents to have left for work; he knew their schedule by now. His heart beat faster and faster as he approached the door with the gift in hand. I'm going to make everything perfect for you. You'll see. I'm going to make it so we can be together and you'll…always be there for me. So I can see your smile all the time. Things might get a little messy, but you won't mind, will you?

The door was opened by her mother. Yawning, still in pajamas. Curly orange hair loosely braided and hanging over her shoulder. "Deku? Sorry, but you know Amaya's in school right now, right?"

"I know! Actually, Kurokawa-san, I wanted to talk to you and Amaya's dad. Is it okay if I come in? I brought a gift." He held up the cake box from the bakery near the station, beaming sweetly. Feeling giddy, almost high, off of the anticipation. So exciting. We're going to take the next step and this…this is what's going to push us forward! I'm doing this for you, doll!

Shift P.O.V

Stealing a glance toward Bakugou. Feeling a bitterness rise in her. Staring down at her open textbook as she tried to consider her options. She had not wanted to believe it. She wanted Bakugou to be lying about Deku going missing for three years, but it was true. Now she knew where he had gone.

He had been snatched up by villains. He had been tortured, brainwashed. It was clear from his reaction to killing the general studies student who had pushed her. He was sure he was doing the right thing by killing that boy and it made goose bumps rise on her skin to remember the scene in the alley.

But…it wouldn't have happened if he wasn't bullied. If someone had just believed he could be a hero, he never would have ended up in that position. Right? It's their fault. Bakugou and Deku's mom…and everyone he knew back then. No one believe in him so he…took this path instead. He gave up on his dream.

Her thoughts went to the scars on his arms. Thinking about what he said. Being "educated" by Shigaraki until he felt that Deku could be trusted. A tightening deep at the center of her chest. Biting her lip and gripping her pencil until her knuckles turned white. Not wanting to think about everything he might have been put through, what sort of tortures he endured until his mind snapped.

He's not a bad person. Deku is one of the sweetest boys I've ever met. One of the nicest people. I can't let them hurt him again. I have to do something to save him. I have to get him away from them and show him that he can still be good. I want to save him, but…I don't even know where to start. I can't tell anyone or those villains might hurt him. Shigaraki might kill him. So what can I do?

Kaminari walked alongside her down the hallway after class. Talking nonstop. Excited about going to their work study for the first time in a while. "We should go together. What do you think, Kurokawa-chan?"

Blinking out of her trance. Shaking out of her thoughts. She looked over at her friend curiously. "What?"

"We take the same train anyway. So let's sit together." He gave her a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of his head. "We've been in the same class for three years, but we haven't really talked much. I want to get to know you better. I mean, we're at the same hero agency. If we both get hired there, wouldn't it be cool to already have a friend there?"

Friend? Amaya tilted her head slightly. Before Deku, this would have made her heart skip a beat. It would have made her excited, happy. Since she met Deku, she had become more critical. Scrutinizing her classmates, her teachers, the heroes she saw every day on the news. This offer that would have once made her so happy instead made her frown. It took him three years to reach out. For anyone to reach out to me.

Instead of shaking her head, she nodded and put on a half-smile. "Sounds good, Kaminari-kun." Even if it was late, having an ally would be in her best interest. Especially now that she had someone she wanted to save. If he could help her in some way, she would gladly accept his friendship.

Walking down the sidewalk with Kaminari, she felt eyes on her. Expecting Deku, she glanced around and instead her eyes fell upon a grinning blonde girl in a nearby alley. Blushing and giving Amaya an excited wave when their eyes met. Her blood running cold at the sight of the villain.

Knowing that the League of Villains was watching her now, she forced a smile in response. The blonde's blush deepened from pink to red, grin spreading wider. An anxious twisting in Amaya's stomach. The feeling remaining even after she went to her work study with Kaminari. The thought that the League was watching her stayed with the girl even as she patrolled.

Wary. Trying to stay calm, but wanting to glance over her shoulder every time she felt someone watching her. Still struggling to think of how she could save Deku from those villains. Knowing that, even with Kaminari's friendship, she may have to act alone.

The only other person that seemed to even suspect anything was Bakugou, but talking to him was out of the question. He was part of the problem. Between his bullying, going so far as to tell Deku to kill himself. She knew this was probably one of the biggest pushes to make Deku take the path he was going down.

Bakugou would only make things worse. He's a monster. He chipped away at Deku until he felt like he had no choice. He's almost as responsible as Shigaraki. Exhausted from the mental stress and from patrolling with Kaminari all afternoon, she trudged home.

Thinking about Deku and the deep scars that riddled his arms. He was so sweet to her, even when they were in such a stressful situation. Even when faced with a bar full of villains. He protected her, stood up for her. Confessed his love for her and told her just how much she meant to him. Amaya wanted to protect him, but she struggled to find a way she could do it on her own.

Unlocking the front door, she let herself into the house and was greeted by her chubby white cat meowing as he rubbed against her legs. "Mochi-kun? Are you hungry? I'll get your dinner in a second, okay?"

"Doll! I'm sorry I couldn't meet you at the station, but I have a surprise for you!" Deku stepped into view, coming out of the kitchen and beaming. Gloved hands lifting and gently holding her face. "I'm so glad you're home."