Hello everyone! It's been 7 days and here we are with another update ^-^

Warning: as we head into the heavier areas of the plot I will warn of reference to EXPLICIT content. Potential triggers, that sorta deal.


I can't tell how long we've been here in this tiny room. My mind keeps ebbing in and out, that psycho blonde took so much of my blood, but why? What's my blood got to do with anything? Bakugo sits with his back to me, our arms bound together behind our backs. He keeps us upright even if I fall asleep. I don't think we've wavered once. He must have rested at some point, but I don't know when, he's being so strong. The burn on my arm throbs, and the smallest movements makes the rope rip any healing open, weeping over our hands, stinging my nerves. Dammit.

I lean my head back against his shoulder, watching the bare bulb above us flicker. It swings on a rusty length of wire. Moisture drips down the walls, collecting mould at the corners, reaching over the concrete floor towards us but not quite touching. Not yet. It's too god damn familiar. Bakugo's head nudges mine gently. Maybe I started shivering again. He's being so strong, I can be strong too. I can.

I swallow the lump in my throat. "How're you doing Bakugo?"

"Fuckin' bored. You?"

I smile. "Maybe boredom is better than the alternative?"

"Guess so. You cold? Y'keep shivering."

"Sorry." I clench my teeth and take a deep breath. "Have you heard anything from outside?"

"Nothing. Bastards have left us."

I doubt that.

I try to use my quirk, to loosen the binds or stop the damn light moving, but nothing sticks, I barely make contact before backlash threatens. They must have drugged me. Maybe. Or the fear is choking my ability. Because yes, of course there's fear, it's bubbling in my mind like water about to go over on the hob. Like the milk if Dad got distracted whilst making hot chocolate, looking after me after one of my nightmares. A tightness grips my chest. Dad.

The light buzzes, dragging me back to the damp room with Shigaraki. With the rusted bed frame, no windows, no life. That bulb, these walls, it's all so similar, it could even be the same building. No point telling Bakugo that though, it's only going to upset him.

His fingers touch mine. "You scared, Alex?"

"Only if you are." We chuckle together.

"Gotcha. No fear at all then." His fingers squeeze mine and I do my best to keep the tears back.

Yeah. We're both scared. Let's face it, we're both kids. Regardless of our plans to be heroes, or our ability to hold our own in a fight, we're just kids. Fifteen going on sixteen, and possibly about to die. Guilt pinches my side, it should only be me here. He could have been saved. The others had kept him safe until I went and got captured.

I shiver. "I'm sorry. You only got taken because I–"

A door opens. Steps approach.

Bakugo grips my fingers, his frame shaking against me. It's the first time I've felt him shake since we've been here. Words choke me. I should make a fuss, bring the attention to me, but my mouth won't move.

The wiry voice that haunted my nightmares for years scuttles into my ears. "Seems Master doesn't care about you enough young Bakugo. No need to keep you."

For a stupid, foolish moment, I think Shigaraki might let my friend leave. That he's come to undo the ropes and let Bakugo go home, to claim his life as a hero. But then I feel Bakugo press against me more, feet scrambling. Oh god. No. No, please don't.

"Keep that fucking hand away from me, ya freak!" Bakugo yells, writhing against me.

I choke. "Shigaraki don't!"

Shigaraki laughs. "Stay out of this little Alex. You'll get your turn at being in the spotlight."

"No! Leave him! Don't do this, please! No!"

I hear it.

Then I smell it.

Then… Then I feel it.

I stare at the wall opposite, watching the shadows dance with the shifting of the bulb. The distinct spikes of Bakugo's hair blur, the slant of his broad shoulder sinks. Oh god. Bit by bit, choke by choke, Bakugo succumbs to Shigaraki's power. His body crumbles, leaving my back covered in ash, drifting round to stick to my tears, my wounds. The fingers fade away. I cling to nothing but a memory.

"No!" I jolt, barely moving in my bindings as I'm strapped to a chair.

Finally, I'm awake.

The room is well lit; a bar to my left, and soft jazz plays in the background. The smell of sweet liquor hits me, and cigarette smoke drifts against the tear tracks staining my face. I stare ahead at a very confused and worried looking Bakugo. Alive. Apparently unharmed other than some bruising. Stuck like me to a chair, kept prisoner by the League and thankfully still useful to them somehow. Alive. He's alive.

Exhaustion pulls me back against the chair, panting and sweating. A dream, another fucking dream from that Vision Villain. He's been using me for practise, learning my mind like a damn rubik's cube. My head feels like it's going to explode.

Bakugo grits his teeth. "Another dream?"

I nod, looking down at my lap to avoid another set of pointless tears. He'd already seen enough.

His chair creaks as he tries to catch my eye. "Who was it this time?"

I close my eyes, but quickly open them again when the image flashed back into place. So many dreams. So many deaths. I had seen Shouta killed three times now; once in the middle of rescuing us from the bar, once in that small room where he found us and picked me up, only to crumble away seconds later. And finally in the USJ attack. Exactly the same, except I hadn't managed to save him. After Shouta came one dream for Hizashi and Nemuri together, clinging to each other as they were torn apart by nomu. All Might. Midoryia. Mina and Ura. Todoroki. Over and over I watched my friends, loved ones, my family, turn to dust because they dared to try and save me. And now Bakugo.

"C'mon, who was it, Alex?"

I swallow hard. "You."

His shackles rest against his lap and he goes still.

My head throbs, my mind reels and my heart aches. Shivering sets into my frame and I bite my lip. I don't know how much more I can take, it feels like I'm frayed, and any second I'm going to snap. I think Bakugo is trying to speak to me, trying to distract me from the fact that I am the reason he is stuck here, and I am the reason he is at risk. The Vision Villain isn't wrong. I am why Bakugo is here, if not for me, he would have been kept safe.

A bottle on the bar smashes.

A stool crumples.

The jazz music stops and the lackies watching us all stare for a second at the dribbling booze that puddles onto the ground. My power. Their drug was wearing off–

"Don't do it, Gorgeous." Dabi purs, appearing behind Bakugos chair, holding a blue flame near Bakugo's throat. Sweat immediately dews my friends brow and his bared teeth gleam in the eerie light. I don't even know if I can focus enough not to hurt Bakugo, let alone keep him safe.

I dip my head. Defeated.

The flames persist. "Get the blood bags. Told ya the drug wouldn't stick for long, she's quick to adapt. Gonna have to weaken her another way. Hurry up. She won't make a move whilst her little friend is threatened. The last thing she'll do is risk someone she cares about."

I grit my teeth, the furious tears roll down my nose and fall against my upturned palms. Useless. So god damned useless. "I'm so sorry, Bakugo."

"Don't be." Bakugo hisses, shackles rattling as he tries and fails to lean away from Dabi's threat. "Don't let them get in your head, Alex. You're not that stupid."

Dabi chuckles, the flames brighten. "But she is when it comes to guilt, little hero. She's swimming in it, drowning right now. It's how he's getting those dreams into her head so easily, messing with her mind and turning her fears against her. I always said you cared too much Gorg–"

"Fuck you." I snarl, glaring from under my fringe as my hair falls in front of my face. "You don't know me."

"Go ahead and tell yourself that." Dabi glares. "But you know it's a lie. I gave you a choice, you chose badly."

"What was I meant to be choosing?" I wince as the burn splits open again, my binds unkind whilst awake and dreaming. "You've thrown yourself in with the lowest shit there is."

Dabis eyes go wide, but no less hollow. "Heroes are finished. I told you that since day one."

"Daddy issues aside, get the fuck away from my friend." I lean forward, ignoring the way my arm pinches and fresh warmth runs over my broken skin. "Don't go blaming us for his shit. The whole world isn't accountable for his failings."

"You got no idea what you're talking about." Dabi snarls, one eye twitching. "The system of heroes is broken. It leaves so many people behind, like us. Like the kids left on the street to die and–"

"You weren't left, you fucking chose it." I yell. "You knew where home was, you chose the streets. And that's your right. But don't pretend you had no other options." I slump, arm fully torn open again and weeping. I grit my teeth. "You just used me, didn't you? The whole time."

An expression I once thought I understood as pain crosses Dabi's face. Now I simply see false pretence, a whim to play upon my better nature. I was a fool. And he played me well, for years.

Dabi shrugs. "I wouldn't say that, but then again, you did always see the world in absolutes, Gorgeo–"

"Alex." I yell, chair creaking. "My name is Alex, asshole."

Dabi smirks, a needle appearing in each of my arms a second later. I draw a deep breath, the tubes slowly filling with red. More blood. Is it just to weaken me, or for this weird purpose the Blonde Knife girl mentioned? I try to ignore how my heart is suddenly deafening in my ears.

Bakugo strains forward as soon as Dabi has moved away. "Get that shit out of her arms! You bastards! Stop fuckin'-"

"Bakugo." Nausea builds in the back of my throat. "If you don't want me to be stupid about letting them under my skin, don't you go doin' it instead."

He slumps. "This is such bullshit."

"Yup. It's how Shigaraki operates–"

A wiry laugh stalls my words.

How long had Shigaraki even been here? The whole time? The idea of him just watching me struggle, listening to me talk back to Dabi. I'm amazed he hadn't already laughed. I stare at Bakugo's knee. I can't meet his eye, I can't let him know how frightened I am, but I also don't want to look anywhere else in the room. Fuck. Fear fills me, brimming my mind till I'm certain it's going to start leaking out of me in a series of shrill screams. Once again I'm at Shigaraki's mercy. But even worse this time, Bakugo is as well. The blood continues to leave my body and the room swims. Dammit.

Shigaraki sighs contentedly and the tv on the wall turns off. "It's so nice of the media to give us all this free publicity. You two are quite the story at the moment, and of course, us."

"You guys will be forgotten as soon as..." Bakugo's voice ebbs out of reach and once I again I'm pulled under. I hope this time for real sleep, please. No more visions. No more.


SHOUTA POV

He paced. He had paced since getting home and awaiting the "grand plan" from the faculty, the same faculty that likely had a leak in it, that led to his daughter being taken. The same faculty he had trusted to take her to camp with. He paced. He ran his hands through his hair, eyes flitting to the clock, time seeming to trudge as well as fly. It had already been a day. A whole day. The evening had come round and nothing. Nothing at all. Not even a threat, or demand, or gloat, nothing. Why did Shigaraki want to take Alex? Bakugo was easy to theorise, to deduce that the Villains might seek to take the boy onto their side. Idiots, but the logic was there. Bakugo had a violent streak, a tendency to seem at odds with the Hero system, but he wasn't. The boy was as driven to be a hero as anyone, if not more so. The logic stood.

But why Alex? Clearly she hated Shigaraki, she would never join him or work alongside. Of course not. So why take her? Surely if they wanted her dead they would have just done so at the camp. Shouta paced harder as a sickening idea fell into place. Unless Shigaraki wanted to take his time, to make her death take as long as possible. Nausea brewed. He slowed and leaned against the back of the sofa, counting to ten with every breath in and out. Whatever horrors Shouta's mind had conjured during her recent absence on the streets, they were nothing compared to what it currently concocted.

"Fuck…"

In returning from camp, he had needed every ounce of focus he could conjure to conclude his duties; to get the students home, or to the hospital, and then to give seemingly endless statements with Vlad. On and on the same questions, like new information might magically materialise if they wore the words thin. It didn't. Of course it didn't. Nemuri and Hizashi were at the meeting with the faculty, they would arrive at his apartment any minute.

He paced.

A knock sounded at the door and he wrenched it open, smacking it off the wall in the process, sending a picture crashing to the ground. Nemuri and Hizashi stared; him standing behind her with a worried brow, and her slowly lowering her hand from knocking. Shouta moved away, ignoring the broken glass scattered over the carpet. It wasn't important. It could wait. Everything could wait.

He paced.

Nemuri and Hizashi entered, both perching on the back of the sofa, watching him.

She sighed. "I suppose that answers our initial questions."

"Which are?" Shouta didn't need to look to see the disapproval in her gaze.

"How're you feeling? Have you slept or ate? Have you taken a shower or even changed your clothes?"

He kept moving. "Fine. Not tired or hungry, no and no."

Hizashi cleared his throat. "You wanna hear about the meeting?"

"Just tell me what I need to do."

"You gotta calm down for one thing man, this isn't gonna hel–"

"Then what is?" He stopped and stared, hair shifting with a flare of his power. His mind continued to skitter like marbles on the deck of a ship. "What's the plan? What is going to help me bring her home? Tell me."

Nemuri glared. "Stop. Breathe. Listen."

He grit his teeth, put his hands in his pockets and drew a long breath. He raised his brows. "All right. Done. Speak."

She rolled her eyes. "Look, we're as in the dark as you, don't go turning us into the enemy. You wanna blame someone, we get that but–"

"What." Shouta bit into each word like a sour apple. "Is. The. Plan?"

For a moment she looked ready to argue, ready to trail on and on about his health and his attitude. But then her brow pinched and she took off her glasses to clean them without needing to, trying to hide that wobble of her lip by biting it. They were all in pain. He knew that. Part of him wanted to pull Nemuri close, apologise for his harshness and bring Hizashi into the hug next. But he couldn't. Giving into such sentiment would let everything else out as well. They didn't need a broken Shouta, they needed a functioning Eraserhead.

Nemuri replaced her glasses. "The Principal has suggested a press conference as a diversion for the planned raid on a suspected base. The police have done well and found a couple locations that might be where Bakugo and Alex are being held. We can–"

"Fine. Let's get going."

"Shouta stop." She snapped as he headed for the door. "This isn't happening until tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow?" He spun round, temper flaring with his power. "He wants to wait another day?"

"Giving a conference any earlier would be suspicious. The conference is intended to lull the League into a false sense of security, to make them feel comfortable in their lair so we can strike them and strike hard. There are still a lot of variables being figured out, but by tomorrow they will have a clearer picture. It's perfectly logical."

He glared. "Can't say I'm feeling all that logical right now."

"Evidently." She raised a brow, looking him up and down. "Come back from the door, you've got no information and this is precisely why. At the conference you'll have to present a convincing–"

"Conference?" Shouta stalked over. "I'm expected to go to the conference instead of the raid?"

"Correct."

"Fuck that. I'm going on the raid. Why the hell would I be taking part in some stupid conference, wasting my time talking to the damn press? Like hell I'm sitting back and waiting for–"

"Conference." She stood away from the sofa, hands on hips. "Can you honestly tell me you'd be of any use on a raid in this state?"

"I need to help."

"You're frantic. Manic, even. These operations are going to take precision and patience, right now you have neither. For god's sake your power is all over the place, so obviously so is your focus. Stop looking at the damn clock."

He brought his eyes back to her. "I can't be expected to sit there and talk nonsense to those mindless goon reporters whilst others go and search for Alex."

"You are expected, and you will comply."

"I'm not one of your boys begging for a telling off, Nem." Shouta snorted, starting his pacing again. "And I'm not about to have the Principal pull this kind of bullshit on me."

"He's right."

"He can't ask me to–"

"Help save her?" Nemuri stepped closer, caging him with her hands on his shoulders, but only holding gently. He paused and tried to take a deep breath, but his whole body fizzed. He needed to move, to act, to help. To bring Alex home and ensure she was all right. Something. He had to do something. They had leads, they had potential points of attack, but they were hiding the information.

Every tick of the clock was another scream, another plead of his name, another whimper. Every minute was a new set of broken bones, bruised flesh, fresh wounds being split open. Every hour was a new streak of white hair as she tried to defend herself, or Bakugo. All of it, piling higher and higher.

He clenched his fists. "I can't stand it."

"Yes you can." Nemuri smiled softly. "For her, you have to."

"How is me being in the conference going to fucking help?" His voice lowered to a broken whisper. His tired eyes itched with unshed tears. "Other than highlighting my failings as both a father and teacher?"

Nemuri leaned back. "Oh, so this is about your ego?"

"Like hell it is." He snapped, patience falling away. He pushed her hands off. "This whole plan. It's about me being made into a damn scapegoat for the school. For the Principal to hand out a damn stick to the reporters to start beating."

Nemuri threw her hands up. "It's just to distract from–"

"He says distract, looks more like yet more fucking manipulation from here."

"You hate the media, the whole damn world knows that if they know your name." She grips his collar. "You being at the conference, making a statement, answering questions politely, will help solidify the idea that we are clueless on the League's whereabouts. Not only that, but the Villains will expect you to be on the raid."

Fucking logic, turning round and biting him in the ass.

Shouta sagged, hanging his head. Logic. So often it had saved him, and yet in that apartment, in those words and facts he felt it tightening around his neck. He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down, but jolted as the image of his nightmare reappeared. Alex bleeding on the balcony, body crumpled against the bathtub, skin turning grey and crumbling to dust. He blinked again. Scars on her back opened, torn by fresh Shigaraki attacks, all angry and oozing blood. The white patch on her hair bleeding out to consume everything, turning her the colour of fresh snow, with only her dark eyes shining out at him desperately, power and body alike spent and withered. Her voice. So often heard crying out from dreaming about memories, sharpened into a present waking nightmare. Please. No. Please don't. He shivered as the memories morphed into present fear.

Nemuri released his collar, putting a hand to his cheek lovingly. "We'll get–"

He moved out of Nemuri's grip, air thin. "I can't do this."

Hizashi stepped forward. "Man you gotta take a sec. You know what Nem's said is right, I know you do. I can see it. We both can. So don't be acting crazy and go out there now. You need to sleep, you gotta eat, you need to be ready for when all this goes down tomorrow. You look ready to pass out."

Shouta choked a breath in. "I can't abandon her again."

Nemuri sighs. "Alex can handle herself for another 24 hours, we have to trust in that as she will be trusting in us to put our best foot forw–"

"You have no idea." Shouta hissed, tugging on his hair, gritting his teeth.

They both waited.

Shouta shuddered. "You haven't heard her scream at night, recalling being stuck with that crazy bastard. You haven't seen her eyes when I finally get her to wake up. The fear that shines there Nem, the fucking fear that's like headlights on a damn car. It doesn't matter how talented she is, or how strong, the fear never dulled. It never weakened."

"Yes but she needs you to–"

"You haven't held her when she wakes either, you haven't felt her trembling so hard that the shivers rock into your own bones, making you fear that she might be having a damn fit. Or seen how long it takes her to thaw out when she's sat in that kitchen, cradling a hot chocolate, trying to either hide the pain or find the right words to explain it."

Hizashi puts a hand on his shoulder. "Shouta man… we gotta–"

"You don't know!" Shouta took a ragged breath, pacing again. "I will not let her endure another minute of this than she has to. I have to get to her, to save her. For god's sake she might never recover from being back there, under that thumb again."

He made for the door.

"Shouta stop! You're exhausted, confused, panicked. You'll only make things worse."

"I can't do it Nem, I can't lose her when I could have fucking done something." He gets the door open before they get hold of him. "Let go for fuck's sake. This is ridiculous, I'm not a child. I'm going and I'm getting her out."

Hizashi struggles to keep hold of Shouta. "Dang it, would ya stop? You don't even know where she's at! And we ain't tellin' ya!"

"Won't be the first time I've broken into the police for information." He continued to struggle. "I don't need rest, or food or a shower, I need to help my daughter."

"And you will, but not like this." Nem sighed and a pink cloud appeared in Shouta's vision.

"No! Fuckin' stop this Nem. Let… Let me…" He tried not to breathe it in, he tried to catch her in his quirk, he tried everything, but the effect dragged him deeper with every second. "A-Alex.. I have to… Alex… My… My… Alex…"

Hands moved from restraining to holding. His body went limp, voice faltering to confused mumbles. No, it wasn't time to sleep. He had to go. He had to get to Alex. The door snapped shut, and he was moved to the sofa. His boots were removed, his capture weapon too. A blanket appeared. All the while his struggle failed, and his eyelids grew heavy.

"We'll be here when you wake. And with any luck you'll have a little sense." Nemuri tucked the blanket close and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "We'll do all that we can, Shouta. Everyone. But we will do it the right way, the clever way. Like we taught her."

"A… Alex…"


SHOTO POV

It was a bad idea. They would likely get in the way or worse, get themselves kidnapped instead and create more work for the pro heroes. But like the others, Shoto couldn't do nothing.

It had been two days since the camp, since Bakugo and Alex were taken; Shoto doubted anyone in class 1A had slept, he used the time to do extra study or walk. It kept him out of the warpath of his father, who couldn't help but be loud about the failings of UA. But Shoto couldn't stand to listen. It hadn't been the teacher's fault. Mr Aizawa had done well to keep up appearances, to help the students and give the police any information they needed, but Shoto saw the mask break occasionally. Mr Aizawa was a good actor, but for those half seconds, if someone said her name or he had a moment between questions, his eyes were haunted. Shoto hoped his teacher had somewhere else to go other than their home. No doubt it would be loud with its silence.

And so here he was, in Midoryias room, listening to Kirishima try to persuade their friend to take part in their mad scheme. The others are right. It's not the correct way, it's not going to end well in all likeliness, but Shoto knows she would go after any of them. She already would have, dragging whatever injury she'd sustained behind her.

Midoryia wasn't a hard one to convince, once he had woken. But Shoto had to admit that he was surprised it had been Kirishima to organise the plan. The red-head had been struck deeply by the loss of Bakugo. It made sense, they spent a lot of time together, and Kirishima had been rendered powerless at the time of the attack. But still, Shoto was impressed. But all that was second to the fact it was a chance to find Alex, to bring her home safely. It was too easy to recall how broken she had been at the USJ, and even easier to fear she would be in worse shape now. Behind closed doors cruelty was even easier, there was no telling what Shigaraki would be making Alex and Bakugo endure.

Momo was kind enough to agree, but a part of Shoto hoped she didn't truly believe that the others would turn back if things got violent. Midoryia seemed to see himself as disposable, and Kirishima didn't seem like the type to be able to turn away if his friend was right there, waiting for rescue. Not that Bakugo would call it that in a thousand years. Alex would only want them all safe, not putting themselves at risk for her. But she also had no idea how loved she was.

Shoto shoved his hands in his pockets.

It was such a big word. Love. He couldn't help but feel stupid for thinking it. What right did he have? She was amazing. The world never stopped trying to drag her down, but she bore it all with that addictive smile and cheeky laugh. Sure she got knocked down. She got bruised and broken. But she got back up. Always. Yeah, amazing summed her up well. He was… Well, he was the son of a madman. A kicked puppy she took pity on and offered friendship to.

Shoto shrugged his coat on and stayed close as the group discussed the plan. As Iida tried to persuade them out of it. But it would do no good. They were set. Shoto wouldn't say it out loud, but he had to find Alex. There was no telling what the villains might be doing to her by now. His fists clenched at his sides. The nightmare she had shared with him sounded innocent enough in detail, but clearly she had been Shigaraki's prisoner for a long time. To see him simply standing at a door and feel terror painted a clear enough picture. She was scared of the villain. Somehow bound to him. Shoto would not stop until he'd gotten her free; she had too much still to do, still to accomplish, still to amaze the world with. He swallowed hard, hoping his nerves would calm soon, his stomach doing flips wasn't going to help anyone.


ALEX POV

They keep draining me. I'm still strapped to a chair and have IV's plugged in. One is keeping me functioning, the other keeps taking my blood every so often. Everything aches deeper than before and my mind is sluggish. Dammit. It was an old trick, but effective, like this I can't do much with my power at all. Not without risking some serious backlash. I blink slow and keep my eyes on the floor. Dabi left pretty sharpish after our spat. I can't tell if it's because he feels guilty, or he just can't be bothered to watch me like this. I guess it doesn't matter. I need to stop thinking of him as anything but a villain.

Turns out that's harder to do than I thought.

Thankfully they haven't pinned Bakugo with needles. He stopped threatening the villains an hour or so ago, his voice hoarse from the effort. It was a decent plan, but it didn't work. He kept taunting them, jeering at them for only daring to have a go at me. I hated it too, because I knew Bakugo would blame himself. He pretended not to care, but I knew he cared about the whole damn class in one way or another–except maybe Mineta. Loyalty came easily to Bakugo. His passion showed that much. And I liked to think we had especially gotten on, me and him with Kirishima laughed our asses off plenty times. Now he had to sit there and watch me die.

Damn. I'm so sorry Bakugo. Hands bound in a block similar to at the festival, he's as powerless as I am. We're trapped.

Shigaraki has gone somewhere. That or he decided to go quiet again and simply watch.

They take the blood IV out at last and I sigh as the needle leaves my skin. It's so bruised and torn I look like a regular junkie. My head lolls back against the chair. Cold sweat dots my brow. It feels like the time I got the flu really badly, and Dad had to take a week off work to look after me. He made me ramen, took three tries to get the egg right. I wish he was here. Right before I realise how selfish that is. At least he should be safe. I hope Nemuri and Hizashi are stopping him from hurting himself with worry. Shit, how're they going to deal with him if I actually do die?

Bakugo nudges my foot. "Hangin' in there Alex?"

"Sure am. You?" I breathe deep, doing my best to keep my voice even. If I failed, Bakugo's kind enough not to comment.

"Damn right."

My eyelids droop, mind aching as I fight to stay conscious. You can do this. Don't leave Bakugo on his own. My eyelids flutter. Dammit. I'm about to drift off.

The door closes and a wiry laugh filters into the room. I sit upright.

"So glad to have you back home, little Alex. Sorry about all the blood, but we have some plans that need it." Shigaraki came over and ran a finger along the line of the scars he'd given me at the USJ. Tracing from my throat and along my collarbone to where my collar sat. Then he pushed it further and exposed my shoulder. He snapped my bra strap and chuckled. "How funny to think, isn't it?"

"W-What?" I feel nauseous.

"You were such a little girl when you ran out of here, screaming. Yet here you are."

"Not how I remember it." I laugh and cough, swallowing hard against my stomach churning. I look at Bakugo and see his curious gaze. I smirk. "I broke his arm. I assure you, Shigaraki was the one screamin–"

Slap. A tiny part of my cheek crumbles.

Bakugo's chains rattle. "Hey! God dammit you coward, leave her alone!"

"She has to learn her place, Bakugo. As do you. We're keen to take you into our ranks, but that doesn't mean we won't hurt you if need be."

Shigaraki moves away and I blink back tears. They want Bakugo to join them. No way he'll do that. What're they thinking? What, because the guy has a bad temper he'll want to break into villainy? Bullshit. Bakugo's as passionate about being a hero as anyone. More so. Damn idiot Shigaraki. Not everyone's a brat like you.

I force a grin. "Still an idiot Shigaraki. Even now. Bakugo won't join you, not in a million years."

"Sure about that?" Shigaraki hisses from behind me, holding my chin tightly and forcing me to look right at Bakugo, still trying to get out those damn chains. The guy's not capable of giving in. A true hero waiting to happen. "You've seen his rage, his violence, his–"

"Drive and passion." I spit between my teeth, despite how the grip tightens. "Katsuki Bakugo is a hero already you damn rat. If you can't see that, you really need to get that damn hair out of your eyes."

Bakugo looks stunned. His struggling stops and he slumps in his chair, I don't know if he needed to hear that someone believed that or not. But I hope he knows it's the truth. I don't have the energy to lie.

Shigaraki sighs. "You always did talk too much."

Pain grips my spine as he bends my head back and I just try to keep sucking in air. Chains rattle and I think Bakugo's struggling again. I push my power against his chest for a split second. Calm down. It's just part of Shigaraki's game. No backlash at least.

Chapped lips whisper into my ear. "You remember how we taught you manners last time, right?"

"N-Not sure you've got a week to starve me, Shig." I choke. "The pros are gonna be here a-any… a-any–"

"You're totally right. As always Alex, you hit the nail on the head." Shigaraki laughs. "But that was then. This is now. I've told the men not to bother you, but I can't lie, they're getting impatient."

Another snap of my bra.

Bajugo growls. "Sick bastard."

"Don't worry Bakugo, they're impatient for you as well." Shigaraki laughs.

I use my power and squeeze Bakugo's shoulder, a little focus returning. I won't let them hurt him. Considering everything else I've fucked up, it's the least I can do. Bakugo leans into my hold, and as I'm allowed to sit up again I see him looking down. Shame radiates off him.

Shigaraki snaps my bra again. Harder. "Not speaking, Alex?"

I just stare at the block constricting Bakugo's hands. I'd told the truth before. They'd never done anything like that to me when I was with Shigaraki the first time. It was threatened, for sure. But it never happened. At that point, Shigaraki still had a little humanity. A little. I shiver, knowing full well that time had come and gone. Nothing lingered in his eyes now, nothing but a manic drive. But to what? Was the damn voice beyond the screen still here? Still pulling strings? I should have gotten rid of Shigaraki on that roof in Hosu. I'm a fool. Maybe sometimes we need the darkness, maybe that's what I'm here for. To let the darkness win.

Shigaraki comes to the front of me, clasping my throat tighter, forcing me to look at him. Those damn eyes. At one point I thought I understood them, now I don't know them at all. Not all five fingers are touching though. At least not yet. I cough and wheeze, but otherwise don't move.

"Don't tell me you're giving up, little Alex."

I spit in his face. "Fuck. You."

He tightens his grip. My legs squirm.

Bakugo's chair creaks. "Dammit stop! You're gonna kill her."

"Hardly. She's tough, she can take it." Shigaraki finally lets go and I cough again, hating the small whimper that escaped. "Plus there's no way I can kill her, Master's very keen to see her again. In fact, he'll likely be taking her along, any moment." Shigaraki laughs.

I shiver. "D-Don't lose hope Bakugo." I put a smile in place and close my eyes as they itch with tears. "You know the pros are gonna be making a plan. Th-They'll come for you."

"Us." He snarls and I nod, but I keep my eyes closed. "Dammit Alex, us."

"Su-Sure."

I'm glad I had never gone into much detail with my friends about my past. Even when hanging out and they had asked for details, just idle curiosities, I had kept the details vague. Bakugo didn't need to know about the maze of underground tunnels, the tiny rooms with leaking pipes and noisy rats. He didn't need to know about the exposed heating lines that made cuff's heat up, or the rust that made wounds weep a kind of amber liquid. He didn't need to know. He didn't need to fear. We must have been here at least a day. Maybe more? I can't really tell. My guess at an hour for Bakugo having gone quiet was probably wrong too. I was wrong about so much.

"There is a way out of this Bakugo." Shigaraki steps closer. "Let us show you how life can be without all those stupid hero rules. You could use your power however you want, as much as you want. You could blast anyone away that pissed you off. Doesn't that sound good?"

I hear Bakugo panting, gritting his teeth and nearly growling. I'm glad I managed to say I believe in him. If I hadn't, maybe he would be easier to work on? I don't know. He seems to live and breathe stubbornness, but doubt has a nasty way of sneaking up on us.

Dabi strolls back into the bar, a fresh pack of cigarettes in hand. Shithead.

I hear a lock being undone. They want to earn Bakugo's trust by showing they are willing to let him go. Sneaky. But he won't fall for it. Then again, if he's smart, he'll–

BOOM.

Okay, not a smart move. But he's tired, he's frustrated and he's likely way beyond the point of being furious. But that was still a dumb move. I lay my head back and wait for the lights to stop flaring like that, my head is all over the place. Damn these IVs. But then Bakugo is threatening the League, yelling, being everything that screams 'I'm not going to be controlled ever, so you may as well kill me now'. Dammit no. Bakugo is not dying here. We need time for the pros to find him.

I make myself sit upright. I have to do something… I have to keep him safe. One friend. Save one friend you useless rat.

"Master." Shigaraki sighs. "Lend me your power. This boy isn't going to go along with us, but I think his power will still be of use."

"Master?" Bakugo barks into laughter. "I thought you were the guy in charge. Turns out you're just a sidekick?"

Power. Taking power.

My head aches with memories of similar threats. I never understood them, but I always felt their truth sink into my bones. I wriggle. My chair creaks and Bakguo looks at me finally, frowning at my glare but finally shutting up at least.

I blink hard, I have to sell this well. Get the focus back on me. "Feinting out already Shig? Fucking pathetic as usual. You can't even stick it out for a few days? Jesus…" I laugh hard, trying to think.

I look at Bakugo, normally I'd have tried to persuade him to sit the hell down with my power, but right now I'd be more likely to accidentally break his bones. I won't risk my power again. Careful. Clever. I just have to rile Shigaraki, or something. Just keep them away from Bakugo.

I snort. "Fuck getting hold of his power, what the hell are you planning on doing about me? What is this hoseshit?" I let my power fluctuate down, smashing the chair, sending me toppling. My arm aches but I think it's only bruising.

Bakugo steps forward. "Alex don't–"

"Nah fuck you Bakugo, and fuck all this waiting around! Screw it! I'm done!" I scramble to my feet, quickly winking at him before I turn. "This is the usual amateur crap that Shigaraki does, thinking it makes him some badass villain." I glare at Dabi. "When it only makes him pathetic. He can barely stand up for himself, let alone take down the likes of All Mi… Mi..."

A cold sensation grips me.

It's new; not fear or revulsion at Shigaraki still being so close to me. I don't think it's even bloodloss. No. It's a quirk. I struggle against it and pant, shaking my head as something rises up my throat. What's happening? What new shitshow is this?

"Bakug–" I cough and black ooze comes out, flooding my mouth and nose. It tastes bitter, like bile. I gasp and try to breathe, but it's no good. What the hell?

I look at Bakugo and he's just frozen in place, mouth slightly agape. One of his hands partially reaches towards me. I try to scream, but then the world shrinks to a dot. No! I have to protect him!

"Alex!"

The world falls away and a new room is flung into place. I land heavily on the floor, slumping against cold tiles, hearing the whirring of machines. I lay there shivering and coughing. Some kind of portal I guess, but it wasn't the purple guy. This had been a new power entirely. A thoroughly revolting one.

"I'm glad to see Shigaraki wasn't too rough with you Miss Aizawa." A silken voice rumbles from a dark corner of the room.

I don't respond because frankly I can't. My head is spinning, my lungs are burning, and my body may as well be made of burnt wood. But I know that voice somehow. Like trying to recall a detail from a dream.

"Come now, where's that fighting spirit I remember so fondly?"

Remember?

This guy knows me. The voice rings dull bells in the back of my confused mind. All I can do is groan and try to get up. I barely wriggle. At least my head is clearing from those damn IVs. I might be able to use my power soon. But how much? Maybe just my shield. Maybe that's enough.

The voice continues. "Not impressive, but a valiant effort."

I keep trying to move.

"You may as well stay still my dear, you won't be travelling far ever again."

In the dim room I realise there's a third person present, someone panting. It isn't him, the arrogant speaker, whoever he is. I blink and try to look around, get a read on my situation. But the only source of light is a small screen to my right. The panting seems to be coming from the left, in a far corner. I peer and catch sight of a leg. A pale leg that seems to be shining in sweat. Then there's a hand limply reaching for something, before it all falls still and the panting softens.

"I believe she was a tutor at your charming training camp. One of the 'pussy cats'. Quite the power she had as well."

The past tense doesn't ellude me.

Steps approach the pale leg. A well shined shoe nudges it, but there's no response. Are they dying? Or are they just so broken they can't even cry out any more? Either way I know I'm in trouble. Did he destroy their power somehow? Is that what he means? No wait. Shigaraki nearly gave me away once didn't he? Or at least, my power…

The stranger continues, walking towards me. Shit. The penny drops and I realise he's not a stranger at all. I know this guy. Shigaraki nearly gave me to him once. It was so long ago, but it's the same voice. Shit. The guy from behind the screen. No. No!

"I must apologise for Shigaraki's previous treatment of you, during the USJ incident. He had intended to kill you despite my clear orders. But alas, he is an excitable boy still. So zealous in his actions for me."

I have to get out of here. I have to run.

Oh god.

Please.

"I'm so very keen to try out your power though. A true telekinetic isn't one I've managed to acquire thus far. You're far rarer than you know my dear."

Acquire? He… He can really steal powers?

My bubble forms. It's defensive and instinctual, nothing else, but I'll build on it. I refuse to let this guy near me, let alone take my power. I destroyed things by accident, no doubt he would terrorise the world on purpose. A chuckle skitters over the tiles. I curl into a tighter ball and try to think of somewhere better. I try to imagine Shouta's already tearing buildings down looking for me, finding me any moment. That All Might is gonna burst into the room any second and declare himself. But the cold tiles are hard to ignore. The fear sinks deep.

"You can't keep that up for long. Not with so little rest, food and having already lost so much blood. But I will admit… This is impressive." The bubble shudders under his prodding. "It will be a worthwhile addition to my collection."

Fucking hell. Someone. Save me.


And there we have it, it all goes down next time ^-^ cya soon! Thanks to everyone who has faved, followed and taken the time to review. I love responding to them every single time (responses below) and they really do mean SO MUCH to me as an author. I wrote this fic just for myself initially, just having fun with it and playing with the characters, so in sharing it I was just figuring a couple other MHA fans might enjoy my ramblings. But to know many of you are genuinely invested... yeah that seriously means a lot. So thank you. Genuinely makes my day/week every single time ^-^

Guest: I'm glad I decided to pop the fic onto here and AO3 then! I wasn't sure about AO3 initially, as my previous fics didn't really get much of a response there, but this time with this fic I have found the opposite. Not much response! So i was wondering about whether to stop bothering uploading onto with this one (wasn't sure if people were enjoying or not). BUUUT hey, I'll keep on uploading on here with the offline thing in mind. I had forgotten about that aspect to this site! So thank you so much for chiming in and reminding me! Haha I hope the lighter moments help with the angsty ones but yes... we are heading into a bit of a turmoil-filled area. ^-^ hope you enjoy it all the same! Thanks again cya next time!

Naenae37: Aw thank you so so much, I am honoured to be able to bring you a story you can consider your favourite! Considering how much content is on this site etc that is a SERIOUS compliment! Thank you so so much ^-^ I hope you continue to enjoy the story! Thanks for reviewing, cya next time!