Overhaul sat there at his dining room table. He had been thinking for a few hours with no one really pestering him. He couldn't figure out what it was about Ochako Uraraka that bothered him so much. After everything she's been through, she was still so strong willed. It was a problem and it would continue to be a big problem.

What's been going on in that room? Why haven't they killed each other?

Nothing was going his way. He wanted Ochako to help destroy Japan and it was not happening. She was truly powerful... She was strong, brave and strong willed. He loved all of it about her. He watched her rescue videos. The ones were she actually fought villains and even the sports festival videos from her UA days. She was truly something else. No one else was like her.

She was the most interesting. No one else had captured his eye like her. Maybe he had been going about the whole thing the wrong way. He had no one sniffing around in the shipyard anymore since everyone was killed off. No one had any idea where they were and none of his people had noticed anything unusual or weird near their ship.

She came close to killing me. She was intent on doing so... She's at the point she has no other choice. What should I do? How do I make it up to her and change her mind at the same time? It's been about two weeks since that incident.

He leaned forward on the table staring at the wall like it was going to give him all the answers in the world.

The world isn't looking for her. The League of Villains was looking for Shigaraki but I closed that off as quick as possible. Maybe I should bring her out of that room more. Get her on my side. It doesn't do me any good to lock her up with him. She probably doesn't trust him at all but he's mostly all her human contact. This is my fault.

He drummed his fingers against the table in an inpatient manner.

"Sir."

Overhaul looked up to see one of his minions staring at him nervously.

"What?"

"We have some hero activity going on."

Overhaul sighed.

Thought it too soon.

"Do nothing. This literally looks like a giant Yachet so they're going to think people are vacationing."

"Yes, sir."

Shit.

X

X

Tomura had been quiet the last week or so... It was hard to tell how long they were in there now since Ochako almost killed the villain Overhaul. Ochako had to guess they had about ten days left until their attempt to escape. She had been fairly confident once she was back in the room and regained some brain power but the last few days, Tomura had been acting weird. He paced constantly, wouldn't look at her or when he did he looked extremely guilty.

She felt so weird about it all.

It was best if maybe they separated now so it wouldn't hurt so much when they got out but that thought hurt more than it should. Tomura Shigaraki wasn't just some villain anymore. He was a sweet and thoughtful man. He had desires, hopes and dreams just like her. He had fears and feelings. He was a man and she loved him.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

He glanced at her with a worried look on his face.

"Tomura?"

She stood up.

"I..."

He looked away. It was like the floor suddenly became more interesting.

Is he having second thoughts?

"You can tell me. Anything that is said in the white room, stays in the white room."

He opened his mouth and closed it. He looked guilty.

"Did they come back into the room while I was asleep?" Ochako asked trying to recall hearing the door open.

"No..."

"Then what is it?"

He would ruin everything for her. He didn't want to do that.

"Tomura?"

"You know how they... they've been drugging me this whole time?" the villain asked but the answer was obvious.

"Yea..."

"I feel like I hadn't been thinking clear because of it. Once I managed to detox from starving from that drug then it came to me."

"What did?"

"I've been dreaming of my mom for weeks on end. I thought it was some weird side effect from the drugs... It makes perfect sense now. What would make us think they would only just drug me and not both of us?"

Ochako blinked.

"I-

"All those symptoms you've been having is because they've been drugging you too. The super strength... You said you had a horrible headache like a migraine... I think they've been drugging the apples you've been eating. I only ate it that one time and I got sick. You've been eating them steadily..."

Ochako's eyes widened in horror.

"Ochako, I'm sorry I didn't think about it earlier-

He took a step towards her but she staggered backwards away from him. Her eyes were watery like she was going to cry.

"I'm so stupid for... for not putting it together..."

She turned away from him.

"Of course he was... It makes sense..."

Tomura stared at her back. He felt ashamed. If he had known his ability to think was going to be dulled he would've fought them off more... Unless it was a side effect and he was the guiena pig for it all.

Ochako must be one too. The fact he seems to be all over her every time he sees her... She hasn't been rejecting the drug at all. What else has it done to her actually we haven't seen yet.

"It's going to be ok," he said slipping his arms around her, "I promise you it will be ok. Once we figure out the degree of what he did to you then we can take action. He won't get away with this."

Without warning, she started crying. She turned around and buried her face into his chest. She cried for a while before she managed to calm down some. It was hard... Their stay there wasn't getting any easier.

X

X

"I'm going to my room."

Shouto and Izuku stared at Katsuki.

"Are you ok? We have two days off. It's only six-

"I'm tired Deku. Fuck off."

Izuku fell silent as his childhood friend went down the hallway and slammed his bedroom door shut.

"You wanna get a burger? I'm hungry," Shouto asked with one of his small smiles.

"Sure."

The ride to the burger stand was quiet. The search for Ochako and Shigaraki had come to a dead end days ago. The fact they found the shipyard full of dead people meant their only lead was gone. They needed to find another lead but the League of Villains had no luck either. Gunhead had no choice but to move on with his work on other important cases.

It was hurting them all.

After they went through the drive thru, they parked facing the road to watch the cars go by while they ate.

"I feel bad for Kacchan. He really loves Ochako."

Shouto arched an eyebrow.

"Love is a strong word."

"Well it's true."

Shouto shrugged with his shoulders and continued eating.

"I kind of thought you and her would've been together."

Izuku turned bright red.

"Wh-what?!"

"You two flirted all the time the first year. You can't deny it."

The young One for All user looked away.

"I did but once I found out Kacchan really liked her I backed off. If he finally felt something for someone then that meant he truly cared for her. I didn't want him to hate me more..."

Shouto shook his head.

"I can't believe that is your reason."

"It's true though!" Izuku sighed, "I kind of fell for Tsu anyways in our last year. We had a small fling but she had her plans to go to another country and I didn't want that. I didn't want to go with her."

The dual user arched an eyebrow at his best friend.

"I would've never guessed that."

"It's because it was super casual. She asked me if I still liked Ochako I told her no and then... you know. Stuff happened."

Silence fell between them for a few minutes.

"What about you and Momo? You've been on like ten dates with her."

Shouto wrinkled his nose.

"What? Momo is smart and perfect!"

"Then why don't you date her?" Shouto snapped.

Izuku looked mildly shocked.

Shouto cleared his throat quickly.

"Sorry about that. My dad has been trying to force marriage on me already. He might've gotten better but he's still a dickhead."

The freckled hero snickered, "Of course."

"I... I like someone else."

"Then why are you dating Momo?"

"We aren't dating. Just hanging out. She knew I didn't like her after the second date over a year ago. She just likes having someone to bounce ideas off of."

"Oh."

Silence fell again. Izuku sipped his drink slowly watching the cars go by in the dark.

"We should take something back to him. You know how he is when he doesn't get to eat," Shouto said.

"You sound like his wife."

Shouto stuck out his tongue and finished off his fries. Izuku sat there silently waiting.

"I'm ready when you are."

Izuku nodded and started up his car.

X

X

Ochako laid on her side in silence and alone. She didn't want pity or any words of kindness. She wanted to wallow in self pity. She began to feel numb to the whole thing. To think someone was experimenting on her without her knowledge. She had thrown the apples at the wall hard enough to explode them to pieces, sliding down the wall.

Tomura never said a single word.

If she had super human strength then that meant Overhaul was still stronger than her. It was something she couldn't control. She could go ahead and destroy this room but would she be able to save Tomura in the midst of the chaos? Once they were on the outside it would be different. Whether they were in the middle of the ocean or stationed on an island, they could go using her quirk.

I can't believe all this. It had to be so obvious. I can't believe I never thought he was drugging me. It should've been something we took into account. I just don't know... What if... what if I'm too dangerous to be around anyone?

"Do you want to talk now?" the villain asked.

She looked across the room and she felt even worse seeing the look on his face. Tomura looked so hurt.

"Why didn't... why didn't you tell me you were dreaming of your mom?" she asked quietly.

He looked at the floor.

"I thought I was losing my mind."

"Oh..."

The two of them stared at each other. It was one of the few times it was really awkward between them.

"Do... do you think you really are?"

"No... Maybe it was my brain's way of trying to solve the bullshit going on around me."

"Did you dream about me?" Ochako asked quietly.

His face turned bright red and he looked away.

"Was... was it good dreams?" she asked crawling over to him.

"Yes and no."

She stopped and sat down.

"Oh."

"I was scared I guess."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Fears that flooded my brain. I haven't dreamed of much in a really long time. It's so weird I would do it here."

She looked down at the floor.

"You think... you think those drugs made us feel the way we do?" she asked quietly.

His red eyes widened.

"I don't know..."

Uncomfortable silence fell between them. This was not getting any easier.

So, I didn't mean to disappear on everyone. I ended up getting COVID 19 and apparently my friend had it. We shared drinks and food. We hung out all day together . About a few days after that I spiked a fever with a massive headache almost like a migraine. I didn't get it as bad as Decemberbellz did. She was suffering. I had a hard time really thinking. It truly is weird to not being able to smell and taste. I'm still out of work because I'm still positive.

It wasn't terrible for me. The only thing that bothers me is I can smell some and taste a little but it's not the same. I can't enjoy some of the stuff I used too. I'm sure my husband is sick of me lmao

I never meant to ignore anyone but I just needed time to recover. No headache for five days now so I feel a lot better. I hope everyone stays safe and I apologize- I am so sorry.

Have a great night!