Dun dun duuuun! I didn't think I was gonna get this done for you guys in time, but PHEW got to it last minute. Sorry for the cliffhanger last time, I'll try to avoid doing them too often haha, just too tempting.

Hope you enjoy!

SHOUTA POV

Hand prints, branded against a thin pale back, like a map to past misery.

Hand prints.

Hand.

Prints.

"Pause the footage." Shouta meant to demand, but the words barely choked out in a rough whisper.

The footage halted.

His eyes grew warm. It couldn't be. Alex was safe at home in the dorms; studying, training, doing theory in place of a Work Study. So why was he seeing her in current footage, sprawled on a lab floor, broken into pieces? How could… How could those jutting shoulder blades be Alex's? Those prominent ribs and open wounds? He rubbed his eyes. The details remained.

Shouta looked to Midoryia. The kid began to pale.

In the paused footage, she sat braced against the tiled flooring. Head shaven, body withered to little more than skin and bones, wounds everywhere; it had been hard to tell before, but those marks made it impossible to be anything else. Unless a clearer picture would help. It could still be his mind playing tricks, couldn't it? Or… Or was Alex really the subject? But it wasn't past footage, it was current. It wasn't some terrible secret from her past as a child on the street, she was her sixteen year old self. It made no sense.

Shouta held himself up against the table. "Knight Eye, can you… Can you clean up the frame at all?"

Knight Eye frowned. "Do you think you know the subje–"

"Can you?" Shouta swallowed.

Midoryia clamped a hand over his mouth. Mirio tried to get him to respond, but the boy couldn't. His eyes shone with the realisation. The truth started to become clear to Ochako, Asui and Kirishima too, rippling through them all in turn. The other pros were lost of course. But her classmates started to realise they knew those marks–be it from when she has gone swimming with them, or felt comfortable enough to wear a strappy top in the Dorms. They knew those hand print scars.

The picture cleared slightly. The marks on the shoulder and arm also matched, down to the newest mark from Bakugo's slip up on her forearm. Every scar a new confirmation. Alex was the subject. Unless it was another trick?

"How many days of footage are there in total?" Shouta wasn't sure how anyone heard him, but the stares from his colleagues let him know they did. And they started to understand that it wasn't a random acquaintance.

Knight Eye pushed his glasses up his nose. "Seven days, we think."

Seven days.

A week.

His daughter had been gone for a week and he hadn't known? Who the hell was back in the dorms then? Unless the video was some kind of trick to lure Shouta into the Yukaza stronghold alone? But why do that? They had no reason to believe it would work once the identity was confirmed in the dorms. So why go to such an elaborate ruse? Unless the girl at the dorms was the ruse.

Mirodyia turned to his teacher, only finding a terrified father. "Sir… How… How can it be…"

"I don't know." He stumbled back into his chair, leaning on his knees as he tried to explain to the room. They needed to know. They needed to understand. But his throat seemed to be closing, his heart clenching like it would implode.

A chair scraped back and Ochako cleared her throat. "I uh… I think what Mr Aizawa has realised and uh… W-What we have as well is…" She swallowed and took Asui's hand tightly. "The subject seems to be Alex Aizawa. Somehow, she has been taken by this group and we have been unaware. Or, this is some kind of trick."

Fatgum frowned. "Thought you said she was still in the dorms? Couldn't go on Work Study due to her injuries from Kamino, or somethin'?"

"She is." Kirishima breathed, wide eyes stuck on the freezeframe. "So… So either this is someone made to look like her for the footage. Or… Or someone's pretending to be her at the dorms. That's a thing, right? Shape-shifting?"

Nods rounded the room.

"Play the footage." Shouta breathed, needing to know what happened to his daughter after her attempted escape.

Knight Eye hesitated, but pressed play.

The doctors got to their feet as she continued to struggle to stand. A few were again thrown back with mad uses of her power. She wasn't aiming properly. Could she? Something seemed to be wrong with her ability to channel her power. Split appeared in her skin, running along her forearms, power ripping her flesh with backlash rather than bruises. She faltered and clasped her arms to her chest, mouth stretched in a scream that the muted video didn't contain. Except Shouta could hear it. Or a version of it. Everytime she woke from a nightmare about Kamino, or getting a brand from Shigaraki. One of those cracked pitches might come close. Every single one echoed in his mind as her mouth stretched round the agonised howl, tears running clear tracks through the grime and blood on her face. And for a moment she looked up, right at the camera, before her eyes rolled back and went dark. A man stepped forward, hand outstretched. She lay back, hands feeling round the tiles as she tried to turn, to crawl away, nails raking at the flooring to gain some purchase. But it was no use. She slipped, she crumpled, she continued to reach as though blind.

The doctors approached.

"Eraser, you don't–"

"Any detail could help." Shouta snarled, eyes drinking in every strike of a boot, every lash of a baton, every new bruise they lay into her body for trying to escape. For a moment it went so still, like it had been paused again, but then she started to laugh. Her shoulders juddered and she looked back at her tormentors, eyes glassy, unfocused. She really was blinded. But still she grinned, and quite clearly yelled 'fuck you' before she was sedated and dragged away. Then the doctors talked amongst themselves.

"The rest is much like what came before. More tests, more experiments." Knight Eye pushed his glasses up and sighed. "Please Eraser, we can continue to study it, you needn't put yourself or your students through this any longer."

Shouta glanced at his students, having forgotten them in his need to know. Kirishima had his head hung, shoulders shifting with sobs as Amajiki tried to soothe the boy. Mirio seemed to be attempting the same with Midoryia, the green-haired boy rocking in his seat, clasping his hair and muttering. Ochako and Asui hugged each other tightly, and even though Shouta needed to be there for all of them, he couldn't think straight.

"Sh… She…" Kirishima sucked in a deep breath and looked to his teacher. "She's still fightin', sir. She ain't ever giving up."

Shouta left.

He barely got out the door and into another meeting room before he vomited into a bin, sinking to his knees. No one followed. He hoped one of his colleagues or students had advised against it. The noise in his head was beyond anything else. It hadn't been mind tricks, it was Alex's voice. Every cry. Every yelp. Every sob and plead for the pain to stop. Every choke on her own blood, every snap of bone as another quirk was forced into her body. It was Alex. His daughter.

It wasn't logical.

It wouldn't help.

But he got up and threw a chair across the empty meeting room. He tore down the screens, upended the tables, cast the bottles of sparkling water to the walls and dismantled anything he could find.

It didn't help.

It wasn't logical.

Eventually he stumbled back to the door and sunk down by the wall, head hung between his knees.

He took out his phone and looked at their messages from seven days ago, when she had been to see Todoroki's mother.

Alex: {In print, it's libel.}

Me: [That's my girl.]

After that it became one word responses. After that, something changed. After that, she had been stolen away and he hadn't noticed.

"You're a damn fool, Aizawa."

Ten minutes later, still sat against the wall, he heard the main meeting door open and close. Then a small knock on his door and in came a pair of red trainers.

"Mr Aizawa sir, we have to get back to the dorms. Knight Eye is going to continue to monitor the situation, and they're going to continue the searches as planned. But… There... There's nothing else we can do right now. Except find out who's back at the dorms."

Shouta nodded.

He had to pull it together, he had to get his head back into reality rather than imagining everything that might have happened in the day since the footage was found. Will they have been harsher since her attempted escape? Where did they drag her off to from the lab? Was it even her? Or just some sick game?

He looked up at Midoryia, finding the boy with pinked eyes from crying and a wobbling lip.

Shouta cleared his throat. "Do not say anything to anyone when we return."

"Sir?"

"You will go to your rooms, and I will handle this with the faculty. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir." He nodded, wiping his eyes quickly.

Shouta stood and put a hand on Midoryia's shoulder. "You saw it just the same as me. She was still trying to get out, still fighting. Alex is still there, and we will find her."

He couldn't quite bring himself to say 'we will get her back', because he had no idea if it would be living or not. The idea itself churned his stomach again and he pursed his lips.

"Gather the others, we should go."

They had all gathered for the meeting separately, but heading back in that manner was out of the question. They had to be careful. A week ago had been when the Work Studies began. When Alex had gone to visit Todoroki's mother and then gone to the shops with Todoroki and Bakugo. It must have happened whilst they were out. But neither Bakugo or Todoroki were stupid, so how it had happened without them knowing, continued to bamboozle Shouta as the small van continued along the city streets. The only thing that stopped him losing his mind was the way she yelled in defiance at her captors, and the fire that had been in her eyes when she looked at the camera. His amazing daughter was still fighting. So they couldn't give up on her yet.

"S-Sir…" Midoryia choked.

Shouta looked back from his seat in the front. Midoryia sat between Ochako and Asui, with Mirio, Amajiki and Kirishima in the very back seats. The boy stared downwards before dragging his bright green eyes up to focus on Shouta. It's the kind of gaze Shouta never wanted to see again, especially from one of his students–a look of fear, confusion and worst of all guilt. Self-loathing pulsed with every sob choked breath, as the boy sought his words.

"Midoryia don't–"

"Sir, I'm so sorry." Midoryia blurted out, teeth bared. Ochako tried to put a hand on his shoulder but he trembled so much she retracted it. "If I had just saved Eri then maybe–"

"Then maybe we wouldn't have even found the footage." Shouta interrupted softly, not needing to yell in order to silence the boy's panic. "If you had saved Eri then and there, we would have had little reason to dig so hard. Knight Eye might have never come across the lab footage and the imposter would have potentially remained undetected."

Midoryia's guilt could not be allowed to fester. It would destroy someone as passionate as the boy, as driven to help as him, as dedicated as him. And the last thing Alex would want, would be her friends to be destroyed by any of this madness.

Shouta had felt his pain. He had destroyed an entire room due to it. But now he had to do something worthwhile. Now he had to be a father and a teacher.

"Because of your professional actions, you and Mirio, Alex has a chance at being saved. They both do. Had you acted rashly on patrol, both girls could be dead." The word tasted disgusting, but there was no point in being half-assed about any of it. The boy could not fester. They all flinched in their seats.

"But sir–"

"Before this new information had come to light, it had been my intention to have your Work Studies cancelled."

Every face turned to him in alarm.

He sighed. "You heard them. The League is involved in this, that puts you all in danger. And you Midoryia, you hadn't proven to me I could trust you yet… after your rash actions and recent mis-judgement with Bakugo. But…" Shouta closed his eyes for a moment before levelling Midoryia with a stern look. "But with this footage in mind, I feel more comfortable allowing you to be involved. I know no one will be more motivated to help Eri and Alex."

Determination took over those green eyes. "Yes, sir."

Shouta glared. "But do not swap your life for theirs."

The boy faltered.

Shouta continued. "You know Alex would not want that. And nor do I."

"I just want to save them sir…"

"I know. But keep in mind, you'll have still done a lot of good. Just because you didn't hold onto her this time, doesn't mean you didn't give Eri hope."

" S-Sir?"

Their eyes all stared. It was odd, to be so exposed to so many at once. He wanted to hide in his scarf, dismiss what he had started to say and return to his usual facade of aloof coldness. But he couldn't. It wasn't the time for it. It was time to step up and be open with them.

"That's what Alex always said to me, even when she was afraid in the USJ or was scared at Kamino, she had hope because… Because she knew people like me and you were out there. Heroes. Right?"

Tears poured down Midoryia's confused face. "Y-Yes, sir."

Kirishima raised his hand. "Sir… We gonna tell Todoroki or Bakugo about this?"

Shouta considered the question. It was a good point to cover before returning to dorms. Both boys were close to Alex, admittedly Todoroki more so, but Bakugo had been getting close as well. Between training and their shared trauma, he and Alex had formed quite a connection. But would telling them do any good? Todoroki would want to help, of course, he would be determined to do so. Sitting idly by whilst Alex is used like a lab rat felt wretched, Shouta could barely stand it himself. But Todoroki couldn't do anything, not legally. Neither could Bakugo, and he wasn't exactly known for being cool headed.

Shouta pinched the bridge of his nose. "I think… For the time being, until we know more, we should withhold the information."

Kirishima looked taken aback. "But, Sir–!"

"What can they do about it? Legally?"

Kirishima's mouth closed, all the students looked down, other than Mirio and Amajiki but they likely didn't understand the connection being discussed. Shouta didn't like the idea of hiding it from the boys, it could well backfire if they were about to find her already lost, but risking either of them acting irrationally would be worse. It could mean instead of one loss, they had three. Shouta took a sip of water. Thinking of Alex as if she was already gone turned his stomach, but he had to apply a little logic. Sure she had been fighting back, but that had only been four or so days into the footage, it had been a week or more in total. There was no telling what might have happened to her since; physically or mentally.

Essentially he braced for the worst.

"So…" Ochako sniffed. "What do you think you'll say? Presumably you'll be taking the imposter out of the situation as soon as possible? What'll you say when there's no Alex at all?"

"Once the imposter is dealt with…" Shouta swallowed the foolish hope that they would find no imposter, that the footage had been the trick. "Once they're dealt with, we shall tell Todoroki and Bakugo that Alex has gone on a physio trip or something, an intensive recovery treatment."

Asui bit her lip. "Will they buy that?"

"They have to. Either of them could end up simply making things worse by acting rashly and then getting in the way of the investigation. We… We need to be careful, logical, professional. It's exactly what the Yakuza don't want."

He looked forward again and bit his tongue.

Hold on Alex. Hold on.

ALEX POV

These assholes need to get better at cleaning. I can clearly feel old blood against this table, picking at it with my nails as I wait for the latest results to come through on their damn machines. The darkness is familiar now, the cold of the table contrasted against the heat of the lamps above. They want to see every detail. Every split of skin, every bruise, every way in which these fucking quirks don't get accepted by my body and why. So far, nothing has stuck, and I'm glad. I don't need more power. I don't want it. All I want right now is to walk into real warmth, real sunshine, hand in hand with Eri, and show her how big the world can be. Show her all the hope that is possible.

I know how she sees the world to an extent. She sees it as the bubble of pain she resides in, there can be no sunlight, there can be no fun. There can be nothing but this darkness and these horrible bastards. Why else would they have such a strong hold on her? Because she deserves it. That's what she thinks. I know it, I feel it in her hesitant hugs, her confusion when I compliment her or ask how she's doing. Cursed, they tell her. They blame her for something she cannot control, something they do not allow her to control. I don't know what her quirk is, same as she doesn't. It's sick. It's typical bastard behaviour.

At least they hadn't punished Eri for my attempted escape. It was all me, my choice, my mistake, my foolishness. I wasn't ready. I had no plan. My patience just gave way. Snapped. I need to be more careful. Practical. Logical.

I need to think like Dad.

"Hey… Alex?"

Twice, I think that's his name, he whispers from nearby. I stay still and continue to keep my eyes closed. Is he actually wanting my attention or–

"Nah man she's out of it. Look Toga you gotta get goin', I heard the security dudes talkin' and they were saying something about a hack. They had no idea what they were talking about. Assholes. So I checked it out. Yeah man, it's real bad. Everything is fine. You are entirely safe. They know she's here. Or know something's up anyway. They're totally oblivious. Yeah I'm with her right now, had to check she hadn't got out or somethin'! She looks half dead. Can I bury her?"

They? The Heroes? Have they found something about the facility?

No, he said something about Toga needing to get out specifically.

Oh god, did they find something about me? Has Dad suddenly found out that there's an imposter at home and he never knew? He's going to feel like shit. Dammit. I

can't do anything from here. Nothing but endure, I guess.

"Nah man I can talk, I took out a security guy. Gonna claim he's done some shit. I got rid of the tapes for today, or files, or whatever. I know nothing. Just get back here, things are gonna kick off and you gotta be here when they do. Help me, I'm so outta my depth it's insane. I may wet myself."

So Toga is going to leave. She's going to come back here? Maybe she won't hurt anyone in the dorms after all. Maybe she can't in order to maintain her cover and now just has to flee? Oh please. Please let that be true. That would be so wonderful, to think that my friends, my Dad and Sho are all fine. That they were simply oblivious. Please. A silver lining at least.

"Would ya calm down? No, Dabi don't know shit, okay? Shig was real clear about that. The burny dude is so gonna kick our asses when he finds out!"

Dabi has been kept in the dark about all this? If it wouldn't ruin the illusion, I'd have sat up, scoffed and rolled my blinded eyes. Why the hell are they hiding things from Dabi? Unless he really meant it when he said he wanted to help me. He really wants me on his side. To be our dynamic duo again. What a fool. And what an angry fool he'll be, because eventually he'll find out. Be it from my dead body being reported on the news, or my recovery. Either way, this cat is gonna slip out of the bag.

I hope you get burned good Shigaraki.

To a fucking crisp…

TOGA POV

So I'm busted, huh?

Saves me worrying over the next delivery of blood, I guess. But I wasn't exactly finished playing with these Hero types. There's still so much to do, so many games to play, so many toys to try. But still, if that's the meeting her Daddy rushed off to this morning, I should have some time to work with still. Hmm… If it's a case of cut and dash, I think I'll focus on Alex. First, her little boy toys. They're still around here somewhere. Maybe I should pay them a parting visit. Go out with a bang.

Shigaraki'll like that.

Stainy would as well, they're all pretenders, right? Right.

My knife is all nice and sharp, there wasn't much else to do when sitting around here waiting anyway. Oh well! No more boredom. Time for some fun!

The dorms are totally quiet.

The rest of them are busy, I guess.

I knock on Bakugo's door, then hitch the school skirt higher and undo a few shirt buttons. Black bra today, racy. He'll be fun to play with a bit. I see how he looks at this body, if Alex isn't aware she's fucking blind. Plus, Bakugo seems so much keener to talk to this Alex girl and that 'Sho' boy than anyone else. Except maybe the cutie with the spiky red hair. At the bar, before Kamino, Bakugo had seemed so… prickly. So grumpy. So boring! But with Alex and Sho he seems so lively, so keen to be involved. I wonder why… I wonder how I can play with that…

I knock again. Harder.

"Whaddya want? It's fuckin' open!"

I go inside and lock the door. He's sat at his desk, probably doing more studying or something else equally boring. Time for fun, Bakugo. Time to see how good you really are. I turn and tilt my head, biting my lip.

He frowns and raises a brow at me. "Alex? The fuck you doin'?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something…" I sigh and shrug off my school jacket, only in a shirt and skirt as I wander over. It's easy to swing this girl's hips around, and even easier to watch his eyes go up and down, brow still raised. I pout. "Is that okay?"

"I guess. Why the heck you talkin' so weird?"

"Weird how?"

"Like you're out of breath or somethin'." He turns his chair. "Your back actin' up or…" He leans back when I brace myself on the armrests and lean in. "Alex? What're you doin'?"

"I just wondered something…"

"Like what? Fuckin' spit it out."

I giggle and edge closer still, putting my knees onto the seat either side of his legs, sitting down slowly. The skirt's ridden up my thighs, nearly showing my underwear. I bite my lip harder. "Still okay?"

"No."

I whine. "Why not?"

"What the fuck are you doing?"

Oh dear, not a happy Hero. Bright red, looking to the side, jaw clenched and leaning as far back in the chair as he can. But I have him trapped. He's my plaything. It's not like he'll actually hurt her or forcefully remove her.

I press forward, chest against his, breath against his lips. "Why not, okay? I thought… I thought you might like me…"

He closes his eyes. "You're with Todoroki."

He wants this. Or at least his body seems to if his trousers are any indication

I laugh breathlessly, shifting my hips down a bit more. "That wasn't a refusal."

He glares with fire in his eyes, an angry grimace on his lips. "What the fuck are you doing, Alex? Is this why you've been so weird? Because you're planning on dumping Todoroki and–"

I kiss him.

These Hero types are all so stupid observant. I wasn't sure how much longer I'd get away with things anyway. Apparently this stupid Alex girl is oh-so-easy to spot, and so easy to see when she's acting weird. They all know her so well. I caress his tongue with mine, fingers threading into his spiky hair and hips grinding down. He's not responding at all at first, still trying to wriggle free. Then I suck on his tongue and he shudders, hands nearly landing on my hips. So close. But no, his hands slam onto the arm rests. He wrenches his face free of my hold. Such determination. He must really like her and that Todoroki boy.

Damn… We never had a chance at recruiting this guy, did we? Goodie two-shoes.

"Alex. Fuckin' stop. Whatever is going on in your head, this isn't the answer." He growls, chair creaking under his tight grip. "Get. Off. Me."

"But–"

"No, I don't give a shit what the explanation is, get the fuck off my lap god dammit."

"Feels like you want it though…" I grind again.

He growls. "Fuck off."

"She really wouldn't have done that, huh? Never ever?" I ask, arms draped over his shoulders, slowly pulling my knife out of the shirt sleeve.

He blinks and looks at me. "Huh?"

I roll my eyes. "Alex. She'd have never done that? You really can't believe that she'd wanna kiss you? That she'd drape herself all over you and want you? Never?"

"Why're you talking like you're… not…"

He tries to throw me off now, but the knife's already grazing his shoulder. He goes still, eyes sliding towards the blade, complexion paling.

"The fuck is this?" He snarls, "If this is a game, Alex. It's a shit one."

"She was right there, ready and begging to be kissed, Bakugo. Why not give in?" I guess I'm curious now. I don't get it. He's rock hard, his hands are still trembling against those arm rests, he obviously wanted to kiss back. So why not do it? Where does this pious bullshit come from? Who does he think he's helping by refusing? The Todoroki guy? Sheesh. Why bother?

His bright red eyes search hers, brow pinching in concern, confusion. Fucking hell these heroes and their need to save each other.

He swallows hard. "I-Is someone controlling you? Alex?"

I press the knife harder and he flinches. "Why not give in? Answer."

"Fuck! Okay! She… You… Whatever! You wouldn't do that, not to Todoroki and not to me."

"Why?" I breathe, licking the end of his nose. "What makes you boys so special?"

"Maybe it's not us that's special." He shifts, about to get my knife out of the way. They're well trained.

But I fight dirty.

As soon as he moves to grab my wrist, I cry out in her voice. He stalls. He can't even stand to hear her in pain, can he? Silly boys. I slam the handle of my knife against his temple. Whack. A pretty bruise blossoms into view. No blood yet though. He's dazed, blinking slowly and trying to move. I hit again and he slumps in the chair, gorgeous red running down the side of his panicked face. He breathes hard. His brain must be ringing like a bell. Ring. Ring. Ring! I run my blade along his neck and then down his shirt front, cutting the material. I don't wanna kill him, I just wanna… cut him. Make him look a bit messy. They all look better covered in red.

"The fuck…" He grits his teeth. "Have you… done to… Alex. H-How… how've you…" I hit his head again and he groans, eyes starting to close, blood pooling against his shirt and trousers.

"She's had some fun with the Yakuza. Bye bye pretty boy."

"St-Stop.." He tries to reach and I realise he's gonna get up too soon. These heroes never know when to stay down.

I kick his head, slam him into the ground and make a quick stab into the shoulder. Not enough to kill, but it'll bleed enough between now and him waking up to keep him down. Like a helpless little puppy. Don't die yet Bakugo, we wanna play with you some more. Don't make me kill you.

"Time to go see your other little friend. Bye Bakugo!"

"Fuckin… st… stop…" and he goes limp on the floor as I close it behind myself.

Time for the boyfriend.

I knock and he answers the door, looking surprised to see me, or her rather. He opens the door and invites me in. I step inside. He'll be harder to keep down for my fun. This is Endeavour's kid, the one with the freaky powerful quirk. Shigaraki was really clear about being careful with him.

"Did you uh… Did you want to talk about something specifically?" He leans against his desk as I go to the window and wonder how hard it'll be to subdue him. Maybe this one needs a harder approach. A more final one. Shigaraki never mentioned wanting the Todoroki kid alive. I can kill him, right?

"Can't I come see my boyfriend?" I turn and lean against the wall, skimming my hands along my legs, fiddling with the edges of my skirt.

He watches the hands and frowns. "Well… You've been kind of stand-offish all week so I figured–"

"The pain's pretty good today." I smile and tilt my head, standing with my legs a little more apart.

He frowns more. "Alex, what're you doing?"

"What? You don't like it?" I bite my lip and he comes closer, hands on her hips, forehead to hers. So gentle. Like she's made of glass. Why do they care so much?

"Remember what we said?" He sighs. "This doesn't count as communication. C'mon, you've been weird all week. Talk to me."

"Later." I sigh, tugging him closer and kissing him hard.

He responds and I gotta admit he's decent at it. For someone so cold and withheld, the kid has fire in him. I hitch a leg onto his hips, wrapping my legs round him, holding tight. He moans softly and holds her tighter. Poor guy. Poor little Prince. He thinks this is a turning point, that his girlfriend is coming back to him, that whatever's been wrong with her this week is getting sorted out. But no, not even close. Sorry Hero.

I pull the knife from my sleeve and kiss down his jaw. "I'm sorry I've been weird."

"As long as we can talk about it later, it's fine." He breathes, grunting as I bite on his pulse point. "Nngh… Alex… What's got into you?"

I giggle. "She's gonna be so upset."

"What're you tal–"

I shove the knife into his back, near his shoulder blade, wrenching it up till it's embedded in the join between his neck and shoulder.

His words are cut off by a confused cry. Then comes the sing-song of gurgling blood as I nick his throat. So pretty. So very pretty.

We topple to the ground, my legs still wrapped tight as he struggles against his flames activating, not wanting to hurt her. How foolish. As far as he knows she just stabbed him, why not burn her? He tries to reach for the knife. Shouldn't remove it though, that makes it bleed worse. So of course, I rip it out. He chokes on another yell. I cut along his shoulder next, digging deep. The arc of blood is so beautiful as it sprays over his white walls and minimalist decor. Such a simple boy.

"Poor Sho," I sigh, squeezing with my legs before wriggling free and putting the knife away. Blood puddles against the flooring, gushing from the wounds, fuck I wish I had a camera.

His wide eyes stare up in confusion, a few flickers of flame appearing and guttering to nothing. "A-Alex…?"

I wave and kneel by his head. "Not so much lover boy. But thanks for the kiss, I'll let her know how skilled you were. But you'll probably see her soon anyway, I guess. Couple of corpses."

"Wh-What… n-no… how…" He coughs and groans, trying to breathe, think, act, it doesn't really matter. He'll be dead in a couple minutes. Night night.

"Bye bye little Hero, she's gonna be so sad to know you died, and all because she got herself captured. Gee. What a shame…"

As the door closes, he's reaching for me. Or for her? Lips gasping, body failing. Eyes dimming. Such lovely eyes too, I can see why she'd go for him. Quite a pretty boy.

I close the door and look around. Totally quiet. No one is the wiser. No one heard a thing.

One more job. Time to gut Daddy.

I gotta get out, sure, but I want some god damn fun finally. Hiding out, the Yakuza, all so boring. Plus that Eraserhead guy is the reason the USJ thing didn't work out for Shigaraki. I know he's pissed about that. And let's face it! Without her Daddy and her boyfriends, little Alex is gonna fall apart. If she isn't dead already. Dabi will be happy then. He can swoop in and save her, be everyhing she's lost. Perfect.

I head up stairs, sending a quick text to Daddy.

Me: {Dad? I'm scared. I keep seeing those weird things again. I think… I think the Vision guy is messing with me. Are you coming home soon?}

I giggle and skip towards his apartment. I'll wait, and I'll make such a mess of him once he gets home. Don't worry Alex. Your whole world is being tied up in a nice big, dripping, red bow.

ALEX POV

Fuck my head is pounding…

I don't bother opening my eyes though, I know it'll only show darkness. I wonder how much longer I have in the tube. The liquid is so cold around me, sinking into my ears, trying to slip under the breathing mask. It won't. But I admit a small part of me wishes it would. How quick would they notice? Could I drown before they get me out and 'save' me? I clench my hands, fingers moving slow through the viscous slop. Stop thinking like that. This isn't where I die. This isn't where they beat me and leave me as a footnote on their journey. No. That's not happening. I can still do this. They will not win.

I concentrate on breathing, the beeping of machines far off, the tug of the tubes against my back and arms dull. This stuff helps heal me gradually, avoiding any 'measurable' aspects of the quirks being removed by Overhaul's quirk. Because let's face it, the bastard could heal me instantly. But he won't. There's too much to learn in the fallout.

I've never missed a Recovery Girl lecture so badly.

I wonder what everyone else is doing right now. I hope something normal, unaware of the psycho in their midst, because then that means she hasn't hurt them. I'd rather they be ignorant than attacked. What kind of a messed up situation is that?

My head aches.

No. No, don't do it again.

The last stitches of this quirk nip at my mind, trying to break through my resolve. No. I don't want it. Go away. I don't want whatever it is you have to offer me! But the fatigue. Shit. It's sinking so deep, my body is spent. I have nothing left to fight with. Between the ongoing tests, the shitty food and the draining quirk they keep using on me to keep me feeble without sedation… there's only so long I can hold out…

My mind twinges.

The quirk starts to work.

My eyes feel like they're flickering left and right, up and down, almost like I'm having some manic dream. My breathing picks up, bruised ribs objecting to the sudden movement.

No. Stop…

I sink into the vision, it feeling so much more immediate than the Vision Villain's work. His stuff fools me, but this… this feels like it's sinking its teeth directly into my flesh.

It's not real. It's not… It… I…

The coffee machine whirs in the corner of the kitchen, grinding beans and then pouring the fresh pot. I'm not sure there's a better noise to start the day. Well, other than maybe a coffee cup being put down beside me when I'm still in bed. I smile and check on the pastries as they gently warm in the oven. All good. I get the butter out and the various jams and juices. Sunshine washes in from the large living room windows, dancing between the glasses and cutlery, our open-plan apartment always so full of light.

As I lay the plates out, strong arms wrap around me from behind and squeeze my waist. A chin lands on my shoulder, nuzzling for a moment before a kiss is pressed into my neck.

I hum. "Morning, Sho. Sleepy start?"

"Mm. Was most irked to find you not still in the bed when I woke up."

"I didn't wanna wake you too early, you had a late patrol." I turn to kiss his nose.

" So did you." He nuzzles again. "How's your hand?"

"It's good. Barely scraped it. And yeah I was late, but I got in before you and I function way better on less sleep." I chuckle and he squeezes tighter, biting on my earlobe. He's always so playful when still half asleep, like he hasn't remembered he's meant to be refined. Silly man. He can be like this all the time.

He yawns. "But to be fair, this breakfast spread is a pretty good reason for waking alone…" He mumbles, kissing again and turning me round to kiss my forehead next, hands resting on my hips. "Though can I ask what the occasion is? I've not forgotten an anniversary or birthday, have I?"

I grin. "Not at all. Like you ever would. I just felt like spoiling you tw–"

"What the fuck smells so damn good?" Kat barks from the hallway, towel around his waist, another still drying his hair after his shower.

He came straight in from his run and went into the bathroom, I don't think he even noticed I was in the kitchen when he trundled past, earphones still blaring. He grins and looks across the table before ducking into the kitchen and seeing the pastries in the oven. He pops up again behind the counter, eyes wide, slinging the towel round his bare shoulders.

He tilts his head. "What's the occasion?"

"Nothing!" I laugh as he comes back round, both of them watching me intently. "I just felt like a treat for us all, okay? Nothing is wrong, nothing has happened, I swear!"

Kat smirks and kisses my bandaged hand, then my cheek, damp hair tickling my temple. "Sure you've not done something you gotta make up for? Seems pretty suspicious to me."

I roll my eyes. "Damn, you caught me. I broke your All Might figurines. They're destroyed, tiny molecules of dust. Impossible to repair."

He flicks my forehead. "Oi, that's blasphemy."

"Go put a shirt on."

"Like you ain't enjoying the view."

I snort. "You don't wanna drop a hot pastry on your bare skin do you?"

He clicks his tongue. "That was one time."

"Exactly. And Sho, can you get some coffee cups?"

Sho smiles sleepily and nods, squeezing my hips. "Yes Ma'am."

Kat huffs. "How come I always get grief when I ask for something and with her it's all yes ma'am?" He ruffles Sho's hair into further disarray.

Sho catches his wrist and pecks him on the lips, smirking. "Because our dear Alex asks nicely, whereas you tend to bark."

Kat scoffs and wriggles away, sauntering down the hall, whistling to himself.

Maybe I was wrong before. Maybe this is the best sound for the morning; playful banter, shuffling slippers and a soft whistling tune. I set out the plates and get some milk for the table. We don't often get days off together, might as well make the... most of... it...

The sunshine fades...

The smell of coffee sours to the inside of my breathing mask...

My smile melts into my teeth sinking into the breathing tube shoved down my throat. My eyes itch, I think I'm crying.

What was that?

Some weird lucid dream?

Or a vision of the future?

I scoff internally, how can that be the future? This present can't lead there, can it?

And why was Katsu–Bakugo. Why was Bakugo there? He's not into me or Sho, is he? What the hell is my mind doing? Like it's so starved for something positive, it's throwing every possibility into place. Pathetic. Right? Or… Or was it the future? Maybe we all get closer, we graduate, we work together, we become even closer still and get together. My heart pounds. I don't understand. Do I like Bakugo in that way? As a friend yeah, and sure he's handsome, but… the affection in that vision. The warmth I felt when he kissed my cheek, the damp strands of his hair tickling my skin. It felt good. I want more of that, I want to know if that's possible. And they seemed so close, Sho and Bakugo. The casual peck to the lips. Like if I suddenly disappeared, Sho would be fine. He'd have Bakugo to lean on. How good would that be?

Fuck. My head. I'm so confused.

A whirring sound fills my ears and the healing solution begins to drain. Time to get back into the bedroom, time to put the rat back in her cage. I sink to my knees. Usually I'd wriggle, I'd claw at them and scramble. For no other reason than making it tricky for the bastards. But not this time. This time I can't fight at all as they remove the needles, the breathing tube and the heart monitors. I barely flinch. I'm like a doll, passed between hands, wiped down half-assedly and flung onto a stretcher to be taken back to my cage.

But I try not to think of the lab. Or the doctors. Or the tubes and needles.

I concentrate on the vision. It freaked me out, but the sunshine, the coffee, the simple mundane everyday of it, it's soothing. It does far more good than the healing solution ever could. I dunno if that is the future or not. But right now, it helps. I'll concentrate on that. It's a potential light at the end of a tunnel, bathed in a golden sunshine of a Sunday morning. Please. Please make it true?

I'm flung into the room, tumbling against the rug and bedside table.

Ow.

"Yo Eri, your playmate is back. Hey relax, it's just me." The goon walks in after throwing me, no doubt seeing all the toy boxes all still sealed and toys untouched.

Eri stays on the bed, very still and very quiet.

The kids a fast learner. Give them nothing to work with, Eri, that's right.

"Aw what? You haven't touched any of your toys? And after I bought them special for you."

If he gets too close to her, I'll… I'll do something. I can't hide the fact I have control over my power forever. I can't let them keep hurting her. If only I'd gotten further the other day in the lab, those few flickers of sight should have been enough. But I was too weak. Always too weak. If he goes too close, or raises his voice, I'll snap his damn ankle. I'm done with this shit.

I take a deep breath.

Then I take another.

I put my head against the floor. No. Don't give away your progress, not yet, not when you know the Heroes have found evidence of you, like Twice said. They might be here soon. Just… Just hold out a little longer. For Eri. At the last moment I could be the difference between her getting out or not. I have to hold on. I have to wait.

"Stay away from her." I spit the blood to the side, trying to haul myself closer to the bed. It's okay Eri, I'm here now, I can protect you from this creep. I think. She's sniffing. I can feel her trembling as I reach out my quirk and hold her shoulders. Without blurred sight and panic, I have a good hold on it now.

"Shut up, lab rat. C'mon Eri, wouldn't hurt to let your guard down a little, y'know?" He pats her on the head and I stay very still.

I can't let them know I have a little control on my quirk, not until I need to. Fuck, but its so tempting to tear that arm off his body. Or snap his neck. I could rip a femur out. So many options. Hardly heroic either but… right now darkness is all I know. It's hard to ignore the darkness when you literally can't see anything else.

He chuckles. "See? I'm not that scary. Is there anything you want me to bring you?"

Her silence is deafening.

He sighs. "No worries, if I'm in the way, I'll leave you alone…" and he leaves. Finally.

I slump and try to focus on my breathing, keep it steady. Don't scare her. She's had enough fear god dammit, don't add to it. The blanket appears as usual, but instead of sitting next to me, she shuffles under the blanket and hides against my chest. I must be be covered in blood, and cold sweat, but she doesn't seem to care. She nuzzles so close.

I kiss her head and stroke her hair.

She speaks against my throat, always trying to get closer somehow. "Can I ask you something, Alex?"

"Sure thing kid." I snap my rib back into place and bite on the pillow hard. Not a sound escapes. That is going to bruise like mad. The healing fluid will help. It's the only thing keeping me alive, I reckon. A silver lining to that damn tube.

She sniffs. "It was so strange… With that green haired boy?"

"What was strange?"

Izuku I hope you know how much you've affected this girl. How much your kind smile has given her hope of there being good people out there. You need to find her Izuku, you need to get her out of this place. Please. Please.

She sniffs. "Him holding onto me… it felt so different. My entire life… no one's ever reached out like that to me before." She starts to cry. "He felt… so kind. So warm… Like you. You hold me in the same way."

"You'll have that again Eri. If I can do anything, it'll be getting you that again."

She clings. "But you gotta be there too, right?"

I can't lie to her. Not right now.

I kiss her head again and stroke her hair.

Please. Someone. Hurry.

And there we have it, some progress, some developments... some... Toga time... lol Hope you guys enjoyed ^-^ thanks so much to everyone reading, faving, following and reviewing! Shoutous below! Cya in two weeks!

SHOUTOUTS:

TheTardisIsTheFourthHallow: Yeah I never like the pace to be too slow for too long. I like to take my time but not make it a snails pace haha. Hope you're still enjoying the direction! And yeah, I didn't want any of her friends etc to magically have the right answer, because that would be one hell of a leap really, especially as she can have stand offish tendencies. Hope you're liking where it's headed at the moment, thanks so much for reviewing! Cya next time!

Zikashigaku: Haha yeah, I didn't want anyone to magically have the right answer. It would have felt like one hell of a stretch, especially as no one twigs about the girl in the exam and such. So yeah, it was meant to be more believable this way, and yeah, a reflection of what consequences she has to face with those stand offish tendencies! Yeah I knew there had to be Izuku interaction, and I know she goes all goo-goo over him when in normal form, but I feel like there would be at least an attempt on Toga's part to be subtle. She fails obviously haha, but to a slightly less intense extent. Lol and yeah, sorry about the cliffhanger, I wasn't sure where to cut it off last time and... yeah, either a very long chapter or a wee cliffhanger and... I do like them lol. I will try and not overdo them tho! I hope you liked this chapter, and once again thanks so so much for still reviewing, you're amazing! And of course, cya in two weeks.