AN:I don't own MHA

A damsel

When Izuku was younger, his sister used to read him stories. They were fanatical stories. With dragons, magic, brave heroic knights and the helpless damsel. Being trapped in a tower by a wicked witch. Be caused to sleep for all entirety from an evil spell. Be billed by their stepfamily. One way or another, the damsel would always need saving from a handsome prince. A hero. They would get married and live happily ever after. That's how most end.

The damsel would always wait for her precious hero to save her. Or at least that's how they're usually presented. Sleeping beauty needed a kiss to form her prince charming to save her. But, in the story of Cinderella, she fought her way out of that abusive household. Presented the unbroken glass slipper she saved herself. Then in the story of Rapunzel when her love was blinded by brambles, she helped him find her by the sound of her voice. In some stories, it is the damsel that saved the prince. Like a beauty saving a beast. They didn't have to be completely helpless and wait for their heroes. So why should he?

"Awe, look at you go." A villain named Magne cooed. Unable to contain her coos. Like an excited pageant mother, she fluttered a hand in front of her companion. Never taking her eyes off the adorable sight. "Isn't he adorable, Compress?"

The villain Mr Compress took one glance at her then to the boy. He wasn't sure what to think of it. The child kidnapped was currently in a princess tutu dress in his signature green colour. The ribbon flowers in their curly hair fluttered with them as they gracefully danced across the apartment. They had a surprising amount of grace as a little boy. Twirling and leaping from place to place. Completely aware of their surroundings and avoid all obstacles. He supposed it was cute in a way. "…sure, but why did you put him in a dress?"

"He looks cute." Magne snapped back offended. "And he likes it. Don't you Izu?"

"Big sis Magne made me look very pretty." The child cheered while ending his dance with a curtsey.

Magne cried tears of joy. Praising Izuku for his skill and cuteness. If only she could be that graceful. Compress was harder to read thanks to his mask. Although, with the slow head turn to his partner it was easy to imagine he was confused.

Soon the door to the apartment clicked open and in walked in another muscular figure. They were the largest person in the room, they didn't act like it. With a hunched back to make them look smaller and timid aura. They too wore a dress. It was simple and pink. Almost like a life-size doll dress with lace trimmings. They even had blonde pigtails just like a simple doll would have. Even if the rest of their natural appearance didn't match.

"Hey girlfriend," Magne greeted happily twisting her head back to her friend.

"Hey, Ken." She timidly waved. Then she crouched lower to meet with the child's line of sight. "Hello to you too, little Izuku."

Excitedly, Izuku rushed up to them crashing into their legs. "Big sister Alex." He greeted and received a head pat from them. He leaned into the hand much like a puppy would when receiving affection. Then something caught his sharp eyes. In their hand was a little paper bag. Form its thickness and high-quality it was no ordinary bag. "What's that?"

Alex placed the bag on top of the coffee table and pulled out a black and white box with golden ribbons. Carefully, she unknotted the string and popped open the lid. Inside were 3 cake slices. Each of them was unique, but all looked too good to eat. Notability, there was space for a fourth slice. Only crumbs in its barren place. She then began handing out the slices to the group and explained they're from a place out of town. It was rather popular for good reasons.

They were good. Mouth-wateringly good. All three of them could agree it was the best they ever tasted. They didn't need to say it out loud. It was all in their eyes and actions. The second they took a bite and couldn't stop eating.

Giggling, Alex watched the group happily munch on their chosen cake. "They had some trouble with bad reviews and press, so I wanted to check the place out for myself." It was an unfortunate story that touched her heartstrings. Just because of a few mean people their lively hood was being threatened. "I was a little scared, but they were really nice to me. The owner is such a nice man. His staff were really nice too." One was pretty easy on the eyes, but she'll leave that out for now. "Those reviews really did them dirty."

"You're telling me," Magne muffled as she chomped down her slice. "What do you think, Izu?"

"I really like it." The child cheered after finishing his plate. Innocently, he lifted up his crumbed filled plate. "Can I have some more," he asked politely. Sadly, there was no more. As much as they wanted to say yes, all the slices were taken. It made the child whimper lowering their head in disappointment.

It shot Alex right in the heart. "We can pick up another order if you want."

"Really?" The child asked hopefully, but that was soon dashed away. Guiltily, he looked down twiddling his fingers. "Father never lets me get sweets often. He says it's bad."

"To hell with your crummy old man," Magne exclaimed. No one's going to stop them from having fun. She then gripped a filer menu from the paper bag and tossed it to the child. "Order whatever you like."

"We can place a call in for an order and pick it up tomorrow. They don't do deliveries yet though," Alex encouraged, hoping it would make the child feel better.

It did make the child feel better. So much better. He was jumping on his tiptoes in excitement. "Can I make a call? I've always wanted to use a phone for myself. Father doesn't let me because I'm too young."

Magne loved the attuite the child was giving her. Wanting to do something they were never allowed to do. She dared claim she's becoming a great rebellious role model for him. "Knock yourself out, kid," she cheered as she tossed a phone to the child.

Swiftly, Izuku caught the phone and used the number on the flyer. The adults in the room watched him intensely. Two of them were more excited than the other. Like mothers about to see their child perform a big role in a school play. The other one simply observed. "Uh…yes hello." The child stared timidly. "I…I…like to place an order. Am I allowed to?" He questioned innocently as if he would get in trouble if he didn't. A smile then formed across his face. "Really? Then I'll have…Oh big sister Alex. You're wearing my cat brooch."

As the child suddenly got distracted, Alex looked down at her chest and the two villains' eyes followed. Pinned at the side of her chest was a crochet cat head. It was a little mangled with a few missing stiches but that's what made it charming. Its buttoned back eyes were stitched in place with a white tread and a bell hanged over its chin.

"Are you sure it's, ok? You said you didn't like green," the child said completely forgetting he was on a call…mostly.

Smiling, Alex gave them a reassuring pat on the head. "We'll you're green so I love it."

"That makes me very happy." Izuku cheered and then he remembered he was on a call. A very important one. "Ah! Am sorry I got distracted. Please forgive me," the child apologised while bowing as if the person on the other side could see. It made the adults giggle at the display. The child was just so sweet and innocent. "Oh...uh…can I still place my order please." The child quickly finishes his order and raised his arms in victory. "I did it."

The two women raised their arms cheering with him. They praised the boy for a job well done smiling with him. It was like a contagious disease. It was impossible not to smile and lower their guard. They would play with the child all day, but it seemed their time will be cut short. Tiredly, the child yawned. Eyes a daze. He tried to rub them awake but he was too tired.

Catching on, Compress decided to end the fun. Much to Magne and Alex dismay. He scooped up the child and cradled his head in their arms. "Let's get you to bed, little one." Soon Compress led Izuku to their room. He tucked them into place making sure all was well. Then he left the room but not before hearing a sweet goodnight. In tuned his masked face to the child and nodded. Without another word, he locked the door behind them.

Izuku counted the seconds. Carefully listened for the other footsteps. The second they disappeared his eyes shot open sharply. They shot at the locked door counted a few more seconds before jumping into action. He got out of bed, making sure not to make a single sound as he tiptoed his way to the door. Cupping his hands, he pressed it against the wall and listened.

"Need I remind you not to get attached. We can't keep that kid for long."

"Come on Compress. I've always wanted a cute little sibling, and what's wrong with having a little fun."

"You two have any idea what your employer wanted with him." There was a pause making the answer clear. "You think he'll be, ok? He's so sweet and already been through so much."

"I'm sure he'll be fine. They clearly wanted him alive and he's too cute to hurt. If anything happens, we'll kidnap him again."

Knowing the conversation was over he stopped eavesdropping and dashed to his bag. It was the only thing he had that was his own. With his medical supplies, the Endeavour toy, and of course his notebooks. It was thanks to them he was able to keep sane. He took the one he was working on and flicked to a fresh page. Seeing all the pages he filled out showed how much he learned. He could only hope it would be enough given he doesn't have much time left.

Once to a new page, he wrote down the new entry.

…

Day 11

I've successfully put plan: sugar sweet in full force. The subliminal messaging seemed to have worked. I finally made a breakthrough before they ship me off to their employer. Still have no idea who they are other than it's a woman. No name was said yet. Nor any physical description.

Time let until the exchange is 3 days. Hopefully, that would be enough for father and the others to find me. If not, I will have to delay it somehow. A sickness perhaps. I have some heat pads in my bag I could use to up my temperature. If need be, I can prepare some fake vomit during the times both Mr Compress and Magne are out. A backup plan: too sick.

With luck, they'll find me before that.

…

These notebooks were never meant to be diaries, but he was desperate. He wanted to put all his thoughts down while he was stuck here. At first, that was all they were. Thoughts. Radom observation as well as fears. He wanted to go home so badly but he couldn't. In the first couple of days he wrote a storm. All of his mangle thoughts. As he was writing them down one word kept appearing over and over again.

Escape.

It was such a strong desire. He didn't like how he was subjugated to one room. Locked up like a caged bird. The walls felt like they were closing in. Crushing him. It was an eerily familiar feeling. He hated it. He wanted out, but how? He couldn't lock pick the door without getting caught. He couldn't escape the windows either since they were locked. Even if he did, how manage a 20-story drop? There was no way he could survive even if he made a bedsheet rope. So, he planned other options.

He recorded the routines of the villains that took him. They would serve him food at the same time every day. That used to be their only interaction since they never bothered to check on him any other time. He listened for whispers outside their door and got their names. Magne and Mr Compress. Both were unfamiliar to him. The more he listened, the more he realised they don't even know why they took him. They were working for someone else. Most likely someone with a bone to pick with their father. But they weren't the problem now. It was the other two. If he could deal with them before the exchange was made, he would be free. But how? As his hand wrote a phrase stood out to him.

Use them.

He wasn't so sure why he wrote that. The line was so confusing. But as his hand wrote more odd lines that popped up on the page.

Play dumb.

Play cute.

It was thanks to that line he understood what he should do.

Carefully watched the villains' movements and listened through the door. You can tell a lot about someone through basic observation. They didn't seem close. Only having basic conversations but they weren't enemies either. More like friendly workmates. He couldn't drive a wedge between them and make them fight each other. Not when they trapped him. He needed to get out of this room first before escaping entirely. For that, he needed to befriend one of them enough to let him out. The question was which one.

The masked villain Mr Compress was hard. Mostly for his mask. He was impossible to read. Even when the boy tried making conversation with them, he was neutral. Never giving too much information and always composted.

The other one, Magne, was the opposite. They wore their heart on their sleeves. Clear distaste in their eyes whenever they met the child. From listening to other conversations, Izuku caught on it was because he called them a man when they preferred to be called a woman. It wasn't his fault. They honestly looked like one. She held the grudge as if she would die without it. One would think she would be a terrible option too. However, she was the only option. The masked man was too hard to read. At least he could read this one. He just needed to play his cards right.

One night, Izuku grew brave enough to take the risk. He wailed and slammed his hands on the door for attention. It worked perfectly.

"Will you shut the fuck up already, brat," Magne screamed as she opened the door. It was the perfect opening.

Not giving them any time to get angrier, Izuku cuddled their legs and cried. "I had a really scary dream." He wept while holding the villain's legs tighter. The leg didn't move away or tied to kick him. It was a good sign to push forward. "That scary man was there yelling at me again. There was so much fire." Sly, he glanced an eye up to the villain. The anger they had before was replaced with soft confusion. So, he looked up at them with a sorrowful expression. "It was so hot. My arms hurt."

The risk paid off.

Perhaps it was one of Magne feminine qualities, but they couldn't ignore a crying child. Even if they were annoying. Awkwardly, they sat down and tried to comfort the child. They had no idea what they were doing, but the main fact that they stayed was better than the child could have hoped.

He played along, painfully lying that his father was a bad man. It wasn't that hard to make it believable since the media had always questioned his parental skills. For once he was thankful for those dogs. They made his job a little easier. He claimed that they were the ones who burned him after doing something inappropriate. They were extremely authoritarian. Dictating every word and action the boy was supposed to make. He had no choice forced to play an adorable loving child in the eyes of the public to better their public image. Or get punished. That was the reason why he was adopted. All to give a false impression that they were a good man. All theories conjured by the media. He only confirmed it while embellished a few things.

Magne hanged on every world. Izuku could feel their first clench as they held them tighter. The disgusted look they had as the child told his story. They believed every word. It was kind of amusing.

Apparently, her own folks were rather similar, so perhaps saw a bit of herself in the child's act. She became friendlier to the boy little by little. Treating him as less of a pensioner and more of a little sibling. Showering them with affection, playing with them, even letting him out to watch something on the T.V. Izuku played the role of a scared shy child coming out of their shell. Constantly, asking if he was allowed to do things to further the narrative of living in an authoritarian household. Magne, being the carefree spirit who hated rules, said yes to every request.

Compress was the one who said no to a few. Making their partner pout. They were wary, but still did nothing to stop the interaction. Only observing in the background.

Eventually, the villains grew comfortable in letting the child wander out of the apartment. Letting them do almost anything under their supervision. They even allow him to do so little experiments on them. It's something he liked to do often with any willing subjects. Little exercises to test the capabilities of quirks. He's done them a lot with his brother and teacher as well as a couple of his father's sidekicks. Things like cooking an egg directly on Touya's body. Or the limitations of Arata's telepathy. The results and process would always be recorded in his little notebook for future reference.

For Magne and Compress cases, it was learning progress. Each of them had an interesting quirk. Magne's Magnetism allowed her to magnetize people. Making them either attract or repel each other depending on gender. It was harder to test out without fully, but it was fun to repel against Compress. The man lay down on the floor while Izuku levitate above him. Similar or how stage magic was performed. It was impressive but as much as compress- a quirk that can compress anything down into a marble. No doubt that was how the child was kidnapped easily. He was a little more apprehensive to try to do tests with Compress. They made the boy unease.

They weren't foolish enough to let them use any electronics with communications. Asking for a phone would be too suspicious and whenever he has for the computer the internet was usually off. Or they would be watching him. It was infuriating. Then an opportunity presented itself.

During the time still trapped in a room he heard a third voice by the name of Alex. In time he came face to face with the hulking woman. They didn't seem villainous, and he was mostly right. The only crime against them would be knowing where his captors were and not reporting it. They seemed close with Magne. Likely friends for a long time. Everything else about them was clean. He knew this since Magne would try to make them join their group, but Alex was too much of a coward to accept. She was still a part of the outside world.

She was perfect.

During one of her visits, Izuku tried to get close to her. Playing the role of a curious child. She would be baffled by the child gaze and would try to create distance between them. Izuku stayed persistent and followed her until she gave in. "Something wrong?"

"Why are you in a dress?" He asked innocently.

"I just feel more comfortable like this," she admitted almost looking ashamed. Her body closed in on herself as she was unable to meet Izuku's eyes. "Do I look strange?"

"No, you look very pretty." Izuku complimented with a chime. "Dresses are so much fun to wear."

That was all he needed to say to completely win her over. The manly woman came by regularly just to play with him. He would always entertain her and in turn Magne by doing anything they wanted. Watch cheesy romance shows. Play dress up. Makeovers. Tea parties. Anything to get them to like him. Alex even taught him how to crochet. It was a little tricky, but he was able to make something halfway decent. A stuffed green cat headpin. He gave it to Alex as a gift and said he'd be very happy if she'd wear it.

It worked like a charm. Alex wore the cat pin nearly every day. Any days they didn't have it on, Izuku would comment on it looking sad. She would be stuck with guilt. Prompting her were it more often. It was a perfect indicator for anyone trying to find her. Then possibly allowing her to lead someone to his location. Accidentally of course.

A wise man once told him to monopolise on every opportunity he saw. But it's the waiting part was so aggravating. Especially with a known time limit. So, he didn't.

"Where did I put my phone?" Alex asked herself. She had been searching for an hour and still couldn't find it.

"Looking for this, big sis." Izuku suddenly appeared. Smiling innocently with the phone in hand. "I found it when I sat on the couch. I hope I didn't break it."

She quickly checked her phone, and everything seemed to be in order. She gave the child a pat on the head as thanks while scrolling through her social media feed. "It works just fine... Huh? What's this?" Her page was suddenly on a new café she had never seen before. The menu looked cute so did the décor. She clicked on the page look around. It looked pretty good.

A series of 'coincidences' seemed to happen all around her. Izuku watched a baking show with Magne. She watched alongside them, craving sweets. Then there was some arts and crafts, Izuku requested dessert-themed. The boy constantly commented and praised her skills. Saying he would eat her crafts if he could. There was a flyer mixed in with all her junk mail about this café she found on her news feed. Then the real nail on the coffin was a news story about the café having trouble. It drew her interest. So, she decided to go.

They were not just a simple string of coincidences. They were carefully crafted series of events. The first step was to pickpocket her phone witch she always kept in a small pocket in her handbag. After observing her on many occasions it was easy to memorise her passcode. There was a possibility to use it and send a message. However, there was no time. If the message was found all the hard work of gaining their trust would be pointless. Instead, he made her a follower of the White Lotus's account. It wasn't that hard. The woman followed hundreds of people and companies. A lot of them had a cute, sweet vibe so the café fitted in perfectly. Now, whenever she looked at her social media the White Lotus would be a part of her feed.

With the seed of interest planted all he needed to do was push. Convincing her friend to watch a baking show. Then gushing on how everything looked so good. Picking out food crafts to make and reinforcing positivity through showers of compliments. Planting a flyer in her bag about the café hidden amongst various letters she already had on her. Then finally broadly switching through news channels until one of them mentioned White Lotus café. That last one was a little bit of luck but that won't stop him. He could have always mentioned the story in passing. It was a very juicy article that would catch anyone's interest. Since she was friends with a villain, it wouldn't be so farfetched of a gamble to believe she would feel sorry for them.

Like completing a jigsaw puzzle. Everything soon fell into place.

With a dark grin, Izuku closed the notebook. Everything was going smoothly without arousing a smidge of suspicion. The gears have turned in his favour, and there was nothing left for him to do. He tucked himself back into bed and thought back to the old man's words. He didn't completely understand them before, but now he could see it clearly. All he needed to do was play his cards correctly. Play whatever role he needed to in the moment. Predicted their moves and reactions. It was almost like a fun game when one wrong move could spell catastrophe. Waiting for an opportunity to strike. However,

Why wait for an opportunity when you can make one?

Izuku would laugh but he didn't want to alert any wondering ears. He's done everything he could for his heroes. All that's left is wait. "I won't be a damsel in distress." He swore quietly to himself.

Daichi hung up the phone with a proud smile. He knew the child was smart, but this was beyond his expectation. Not only did he manage to connect him directly, but also indicate someone who knows where he was. Make them pick an order. Then have them lead the way to his location. All while giving out an indication feature and making sure they heard their voice clearly. Even squeezed in a name. Alex. Now that he thought about it an Alex visited quite recently. For this to have happened they must either be very lucky or very sly. Or better yet, both. "Kai."

Young Kai in his waiter uniform pop in his head the second he heard his name. "Yeah, boss?"

"Call your friend. We just got an interesting order for him."

AN: …this is why Izuku's observation skills are scary. Also it has occurred to be that is has been a year since I started this. So for those of you still around to see this. Thank you for joining me this far. There's still a long journey ahead since I got a third final season and the rest of this. Hope you'll still have a fun ride. I know I'm not the best but I've be having a blast with this series. So I hope you don't mind if I keep going. I did say it was going to be a long one.

Anonymousness – ah that one. funny story. Originally the plan was to 'finish it' (it will never be truly finished in the way I originally wanted it to.) before starting the season 2 of this. But then as I wrote chapter after chapter the dwindling love, I had crashed into my face one day. despite knowing what I need to write I just sat there staring at the screen. making little to no progress. One side screaming at I'm so close. The other side I'm so bored and this is so bad. I think I lost my will to write it. then someone advise me to take a break and I did.

Either way. have fun with other fics.