Notes: I finished this chapter and posted it with just two minutes before I boarded a plane, so I'm sure there are typos. I'll get around to fixing them eventually.

"It's true this is our first lead in this case," Naomasa said after everything had been explained to him, "but there's one glaring problem we have to consider before we do anything."

Bakugou crossed his arms over his chest. "It's obviously a trap."

Naomasa nodded. "It does appear to be one, yes."

Uraraka chewed on her bottom lip, but she didn't argue with the conclusion. She hadn't wanted to believe it at first, but during the time it took for the others to reach the (not-so) safehouse, she had started to believe it too. There was no way Deku would make a mistake like that. Even if Uraraka hadn't been there to confirm the number was Kota's, it would've taken a simple search in the phone database for the police to link it.

He could've hid it somehow by changing it to a private number or use an untraceable phone, but he'd used Kota's, knowing full well that they were using all their resources to search for him - to search for Todoroki. They could use Kota's phone to do just that, which he would know. He was counting on them to do it. Once again, he was in control of the situation and they could either play to it, as they had done when they'd rushed to save Kaminari, or they could ignore it.

If only there was some way they could work around it - use the information to help them, but not in the way Deku wanted or expected…

A frown had been on Iida's face since the phone call ended. "Does that mean the information is worthless?"

"We can't fucking use it, so what do you think?" Bakugou bit back.

"I'm not suggesting we walk up to the front door of the phone's location," Iida replied, not raising his voice. He would not be pushed by Bakugou. "We could still potentially check out the area, couldn't we?"

Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Naomasa added, "Depending on the location, it could work to our advantage to send a small incognito team in to scout the area, especially if it's populated." Iida nodded while Bakugou pressed his lips into a thin line, his silence one of approval.

It was Uraraka that came to the unfortunate realization first. "It can't be any of us then." Bakugou opened his mouth to argue (he had to be a part of everything), but she cut in before he could speak, "They'll recognize us a mile away even with disguises and you know it. Plus, you're a target. They'll be on the lookout for you. Deku is probably counting on you to shove your way in like usual."

Todoroki as well, although none of them said it. If he was changed - if he had been turned - there was no saying what his feelings about Bakugou would be now. Considering that Deku was his best friend, she didn't think they would be very positive.

"The team would have to consist of people that Deku isn't familiar with," Naomasa pointed out. "We can pull from some lesser known heroes or maybe side kicks. The whole point would be to do this without confrontation."

"Tooru would be a great addition," Uraraka piped up. "I don't know any hero better at stealth than her."

"Well, she's invisible, so I'd hope so," Bakugou grumbled under his breath. Uraraka knew that he wasn't insulting one of her friends and their old classmate, but she still shot him a glare. He shrugged his shoulders. Some might have taken it as a sign of dismissiveness, but that gesture combined with a lack of a glare was his version of an apology. He didn't mean to come off as insulting. It was simply a blunt thought spoken out loud.

Naomasa nodded once in confirmation, ignoring Bakugou's comment. "That's a good idea. If we do this, I'd like to a team with quirks focused on surveillance instead of combat. Heroes aren't typically known for that, but I've got a few people on my side worth looking into."

No, heroes were more of the brash type that jumped into a fight when necessary - the ones that faced off with the villains and saved the day. It was hard to be a hero without a flashy quirk. For Uraraka, it had taken her at least two years before she'd really started to grow into her quirk and be able to use it while fighting. Deku had been forced to learn a whole new style in order to use his their first year.

However, there was so much more work into being a hero than throwing a punch. They'd learned that while at U.A., having been taught by Aizawa well. His erasing quirk was incredible, but he had to be clever and quick on his feet and mind in order to do real damage. He'd had to learn other techniques in order to be a hero that were more than just punching, exploding, and fighting - and techniques in order to do those things.

Stealth, observing, taking in the scene - these were things a hero needed to be capable of doing as well. Out of everyone in their class, no one had come close to Tooru and Jirou in those areas. Their quirks enabled them to get a better picture of scenes before a fight and get the upper hand with more information. Uraraka knew thanks to a brief visit that Jirou was itching to get involved again. Her broken leg had taken her out of commission for almost the entirety of the fight outside of Kaminari's apartment and she was angry over it.

Uraraka glanced at Iida, who was staring determinedly down at his phone, and then Bakugou, who was heatedly talking with Naomasa over their situation of the compromised safehouse.

They were all angry about this.

After putting his hat back on, Naomasa shook Bakugou's hand. "I'll discuss other options with the others when I get back to the station." He furrowed his brow. "I'm curious about how long the villains have known about this place. If it's been a while, it makes me wonder if they really don't plan on attacking it."

"Not until he's ready," Bakugou answered darkly. "Deku won't make a move until he thinks he's won completely."

Until Bakugou was dead, was what he meant and they all knew it.

After Naomasa left, Tokoyami, who had been silent the entire time, unfolded himself from his place in the dark corner of the cabin near the window. "I should get back out there."

Bakugou nodded, too lost in thought to say much else. Dark Shadow had been keeping an eye out for them while he had been inside. It seemed somewhat pointless if Deku had said they didn't plan on attacking them, but then Tokoyami had pointed out that might mean the other side had someone doing doing surveillance on them. It was point that left them all sitting with unease filling their guts.

"Thank you, Tokoyami," Uraraka said in Bakugou's place. "We really appreciate your help out here."

"Of course," he replied, as if being here was the only option. "Midoriya made a huge impression as a hero. The fact that he is being forced to do so under the guise of being a villain is a travesty we must fix. His legacy, whatever it may be after this is over, will shape the course of hero history."

Another heavy notion that none of them had truly considered. Even Iida looked disappointed in himself. Uraraka pat his hand. He was taking this whole thing with Deku very personally, but it was difficult not to do so. As Tokoyami had pointed out, Deku was a fixture on all their lives. It was obvious in Uraraka's case, but Deku had been like a brother to Iida and a force of nature that helped shape Bakugou's life whether he wanted it or not.

With such a deep acknowledgement hanging over them, Bakugou was eyeing Tokoyami now, a distant look of disdain on his face, but he didn't disagree. Deku had helped all of them in some way during key moments in their lives, none more so than him. No one would bring it up, but Uraraka didn't they need to anymore. He had brought up how much Deku's change had affected him. No, he hadn't completely opened up to her - she knew there were things he was holding back, things only meant for him and Deku - but it was something.

She just hoped Deku gave Bakugou the chance to say those things to him. She hoped Bakugou was strong enough to admit everything to Deku when the time came. At the end of the day, Uraraka wasn't sure if this whole thing was about her so much as about them, as it had always been in the very beginning. The fated battle between men. It had become something of an inside joke in high school, but now it felt real.

And dangerous. Very dangerous. This fated battle could bring cities to its knees. It had dragged so many of them in too deep already as it was. She'd never planned on getting in the middle of whatever was Deku and Bakugou, but she would throw herself between them if it meant saving them and everyone else. It was the last place anyone wanted her to be and the one most likely to get her killed, but she knew it was where she had to go.

Besides, Deku had brought her into this. If he was so determined to pin the change between them on Bakugou, she had to show him the truth. She had done it herself. In order to save herself, in order to move on, in order to become the hero Deku, Bakugou, her parents knew she could be. In order to be the person she wanted to be. This was her move. Her decision.

It was her life - and she'd be damned if she was just a damsel or a side player in it.

"I agree that we should find a new location," Tokoyami added as he grabbed the doorknob. "I'm not fond of the idea that we're being watched."

"It puts us at another disadvantage," Iida agreed.

"It pisses me the hell off," Bakugou grumbled.

Iida stood up from the couch and looked out the window Tokoyami had been standing by earlier. "I have been wondering who it might be watching us. Do you recall that shadow villain? It seems like surveillance would be in his skillset."

Bakugou rolled his head to pop his neck. "How could I forget? His fucking quirk almost got us killed twice." He wore a very disgruntled look. "There's the dark and there was that dark. It was weird. It was like…" The fact that he was struggling to come up with words meant that it had troubled him more than he was trying to let on. He darted his gaze away from her when he caught her watching him. "It was like not existing."

"Kuroiri would be a perfect foil for him," Tokoyami pointed out.

"Maybe we should call him up because that guy is annoying as hell," Bakugou said, huffing in irritation. Short of Aizawa using his quirk, it was hard to counter him. Uraraka had only dealt with him a little during their fight while Bakugou and the others had been in the thick of it. While the villain's shadows could grab them, none of them had been able to physically attack them in return. It would also give him an edge on hiding. Wherever it was dark, he would be able to blend in.

A villain could be anywhere out there, watching them, biding his time until he was given the signal to attack.

So much for this being a safehouse. She certainly didn't feel safe even with Deku's reassurances - perhaps because of them.

"Last I heard, he was working in China," Tokoyami said as he opened the door and looked out.

Dark Shadow returned to him and promptly reported, "It's all quiet, same as before." Somehow, the bird-shaped shadow seemed to frown. He was large at the moment, the night giving him strength. Tokoyami had gotten much more capable and stronger as well in handling the sentient being that made up his quirk. If that shadow villain was out there, for now, Tokoyami was their best bet. "I don't like it."

"Neither do I," Tokoyami admitted. He nodded to the three of them in the cabin and then stepped fully outside, shutting the door behind him and leaving the three to consider their options.

Iida turned away from the window. "You should get some rest, Uraraka." She bit her lip. "You've been watching that video on repeat and I know for a fact that you didn't sleep last time you said you did."

Well, he got her there. She must not have been quiet enough in the bedroom. Either that or the dark circles that had seemingly formed a permanent residence under her eyes since Deku's return had grown more prominent. She knew he was right. If they were to encounter the League at any point, she needed to be in tip top shape. That meant being well-rested, even if she didn't feel like she ever wanted to sleep again.

It had been...strange - coming back and not sleeping next to Deku. After almost eleven months without him, she had finally grown used to sleeping alone. It had been difficult for the longest time to get any proper rest. Even though his hero work took him out of the country and away for extended periods of time, she always knew he would be back home to sleep next to her.

And, oh, how well she slept when he did. Deku loved cuddling as much as she did. Most of the time he wrapped himself around her and held her tightly against him. No matter what, they always woke up in a tangle of limbs anyway. On the nights he came back, she loved to hold him and he never minded being the little spoon even if he was bigger than her now. There was something so sweet about the way he would let her wrap her arms around him and press his chest against his back. It was such a vulnerable and open position. He trusted her to do that.

When he'd taken her with him to the League's hideout and locked her away for safekeeping in his bedroom, Deku had done much the same. He'd held onto her like he was afraid she would disappear if he let go, resting his head on her stomach so she could run her fingers through his hair and soothe him to sleep. She used to do that on those rough nights when he couldn't save everyone - when he dragged himself home, a hero to many but feeling like a failure to himself. He needed her to protect him from himself. He needed her to hold him, like everything was going to be okay and the world would right itself.

Coming back from her time with the League threw her off. Sure, there had been a few times when she'd dozed off on the cot in that cell, but she'd spent a lot of time in that bedroom alone or with Deku. The few times they'd slept in the same bed had brought all those old memories of them together back to the forefront of her mind. It was like he'd never gone. He smelled the same, molded against her body the same, wrapped himself around her the same, trusted her the same.

Now she was alone again and she was forced to face reality the same as Deku: they couldn't be with each other again, not with the way things were now.

He thought that meant taking care of his business with the League and then working on their relationship after. He'd be able to focus more on her. It was like when they'd been together all over again. She hadn't minded that his role as a hero was his number one focus. She did mind that his role as a villain took priority. Was it hypocritical of her? He'd probably think so with the way his mind worked (or didn't work) at the moment.

"I'll check it first," Bakugou muttered, sounding like it was more out of habit than actual want.

Uraraka bristled at his tone as she got up from the couch. "No need. I can do it myself."

"I know you can," Bakugou replied without looking back as he walked into the hallway. The way he said it made her hesitate. He wasn't trying to argue with her; he was just stating a fact. He knew she could take care of herself. He knew she could fight back if, by some wild and absurd chance, there was a villain waiting to pounce on her in the bedroom. He knew she didn't need him.

He wanted to do it anyway.

"I'll be out here if you need me," Iida told her, laying a hand on her shoulder as she passed him. "I need to make a few calls to update the others."

"Thanks," Uraraka said, hoping he knew she meant it for more than just the way he was coordinating things. There was a lot on his shoulders right now, some of them placed there himself, but like the rest of them, he would carry that weight until this was seen through. For some of them, that weight would never leave entirely. She glanced at Bakugou's back before he disappeared around the corner. His shoulder seemed slumped more than usual. He had even been mostly subdued when Detective Naomasa showed up.

This was taking much more of a toll on him than he wanted to admit.

When Uraraka entered the bedroom, Bakugou was standing at the window, peering through the blinds with one hand and massaging his temple with the other. Iida had called her out on failing to sleep properly when he should have said the same thing to Bakugou. He was clearly burning the candle at both ends despite telling her not to do the same. He must've heard the door open because he turned to glance at her and then quickly looked away. Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. As busy as he might have been getting stuff done, he was avoiding her and it stung bitterly.

"So are we back at this stage again?" Uraraka asked, shutting the door.

"What stage?" Bakugou asked flatly, still not looking at her.

Uraraka put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "You know, where you have this huge wall built up around you covered with landmines that might set off an explosive reaction and knock me down, forcing me to start climbing all over again." She was not going to look away until he faced her. She was tired, worn thin, emotionally all over the place, and simply done. At least Deku was honest about how he felt, even if it confused her and might not entirely been him. "Because I can't do it right now. I don't have it in me and I'm sorry, but it's bullshit. I don't know what I did to make you clam up on me again, but I don't need it."

"You didn't-" Bakugou jerked around to face her. He averted his gaze one before taking a begrudging breath and lifting his eyes to hers. There was so much fire in them that she almost had to blink. "You didn't do anything."

"Great." Uraraka threw her hands in the air and stomped toward the bed. "That tells me a whole lot."

Bakugou narrowed his eyes. "Look, it's not-" He ran a hand through his hair. "It's not easy dealing with this shit. It's frustrating as hell knowing that half of what's happened is because I- Because I gave a damn about you." He didn't look away from her, even though she could tell that he wanted to, but he wasn't the type of person that looked away from his problems. No, he faced them head on. "I didn't do it the way Deku would have - and I don't- I don't know. I'm not him. It's different and I didn't plan on any of this shit. All I knew was that he didn't want you to drown with him and I had to make sure you didn't. Everything else… I don't know what the hell happened."

"Not everything can go according to plan or how we think it should," Uraraka told him gently. "I think Deku's death - at least what we thought was his death - taught us that."

"It wasn't supposed to be like that," Bakugou mumbled furiously, rubbing his head again. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. He wasn't supposed to fall at all and he just keeps falling and I can't- I told him-" He clenched his hands into fists, like he might strike something. Uraraka didn't move. He wouldn't hurt her. Instead of exploding though, he took a deep breath and relaxed his hands. He'd grown up too since high school. "It should've been me."

For some reason, that simple comment made Uraraka wince. "Bakugou-"

"I mean, I always figured I'd have a hero's death, you know?" he continued, moving his left hand to shield his eyes and half his face. She could still see his mouth - the way his lips twisted into a pained sneer. "When I was older, of course. I couldn't imagine going out any other way. Then there was Deku, sacrificing himself so fucking young. What a goddamn waste. Of course he would though. Of course he'd do that without hesitating. I should have done the same, but I wasn't ready."

"You were at your quirk's limit," Uraraka reminded him. "Saving me put you out of commission for days even with medical attention."

Bakugou started to laugh, but there was no sound. "I should have done it anyways, but that fucking nerd knew no one else would or could step up to the plate to die in order to save everyone." There were no tears streaming down his face from underneath his hands, but she thought there should have been. Even now, he was holding himself back. It appeared as if his mind was as fractured as hers. "You know what Todoroki told me at the funeral? That he felt guilty for doing so little to help me. As if I would've made it after getting you without that bit of ice to land on. He passed out on his face after and he apologized to me. When will I ever be that fucking strong?"

"You are strong!" Uraraka insisted, genuinely devastated that he was still struggling with this. They had all worked so hard on fighting the issues they'd suffered with during high school. She had thought Bakugou had worked through his own issues, but maybe this fight with Deku and now potentially Todoroki was bringing all of that to the forefront again. After all, he'd be fighting them once more, except this time, it was real life. It wouldn't be for the Sports Festival.

"I have to be stronger," Bakugou declared, half to himself. "I have to be better. I have to-" He stopped. There was a slight tremble to the hand covering his face. She wasn't sure what that meant. Was it anger? Grief? Fear? He would never admit to any of them, which made her think it was a terrible combination. His hand fell to his side. The look on his face was startling in that there wasn't one. It was simply resignation. "I have to fix this."

"You didn't cause this to happen," Uraraka reminded him gently. She moved to lay a hand on his arm and hesitated for a moment, wondering if it was the right move - if she should - before deciding it didn't matter. Who was there to hold her back? What was there in between them? Deku's jealousy and anger? Was she supposed to dictate the rest of her life based around the wants and desires of other people?

The moment she touched his arm, Bakugou looked down at her hand, looking at it like she'd never been so close to him before and he didn't know what to do. Neither one of them said anything, soaking in the moment and the feeling of the tension slowly bleeding out of the air. She could practically feel it leaving Bakugou's body, the muscles in his arm becoming more lax as the seconds ticked by until finally there was nothing left. He was always so tense, even when he seemed relaxed. It was going to hurt him one of these days.

"It's stupid," Bakugou abruptly said, his voice little more than a rasp. "It's stupid and I hate it." She wasn't quite sure what he was talking about, but then, in her heart, she did. There was nothing she could say that would make him feel better and the same went for him. "I wasn't ready - and I knew you weren't. The timing is so piss poor. I could punch Deku in the face for doing this, but then he'd be right, wouldn't he?"

Uraraka dropped her eyes from his face, moving down to his free hand. He was holding it out slightly, palm up, and she knew what he was asking of her. He wouldn't push it further. It was her choice. In his mind, it would always be her choice. That was what Deku was missing in this whole picture. Bakugou wasn't trying to take her away from him. She had to decide whether or not she wanted to move on. She hadn't known. Bakugou was right: she wasn't ready. Deku had forced all of their hands.

She took Bakugou's free hand and he closed his eyes, a pained look flashing across his face for a second and then it was gone. Like this hurt him. She didn't know how to make it better - any of this - but she knew what he would say if she asked what she could do. It wasn't on her. This one was on him.

"Did you…?" Uraraka didn't know what she was asking. She didn't know why she was asking anything. She didn't have to: she knew. As much as she'd denied it to Deku, it was hard to ignore that warm, consuming feeling in her chest now.

"It doesn't really matter now, does it?" Bakugou said, his thumb swirling over of the back of her hand, the texture on his fingertip rough and calloused from years of quirk use. He opened his eyes, keeping them trained away from her face. "This isn't like the movies where two people come together through some traumatic event and live happily ever after. I never understood that. It was stupid. Wouldn't they just be reminded of that shitty time every time they looked at each other?"

Wouldn't the relationship be tainted? Every time Uraraka looked at Bakugou, would she think about what Deku had put them through? The pain in Deku's eyes, the betrayal in his voice, the wanting in his touch, the rage in his actions? Would she look at Bakugou and think of Deku's accusations?

He wasn't right - but he wasn't wrong either. Uraraka swore she only saw him, but it was hard not to think of those things either.

"At the end of the day, it's always gonna come back to this," Bakugou said, the anger finally evident in his voice. "He ruined everything and I can't even be mad about it because then he'll be right. He won and he knows it. He's always one step ahead of me."

Uraraka wasn't sure who Bakugou was angry with right now: himself, Deku, or the villain behind it all. It was hard to say. He was always the hardest on himself. Everyone assumed he was so confident and never doubted himself, but that wasn't the case at all. He pushed himself to his very limit every day because he had to be more and he had to be better or he was a failure. Absolutely no one was a harsher critic of Bakugou than he was - and that was saying something since Deku was out there trying to kill him.

"It's like he killed something before it even started and I'm pissed, but it's not even his fault," Bakugou sighed. He shook his head. "Some bastard is manipulating memories involving me - probably some of you too. The real Deku - the hero, the person, the...friend - he wouldn't do this and I know it, so I can't hate him. I can't be upset with him, not really."

"I thought you'd say he should be stronger," Uraraka murmured, "that you wouldn't be so weak."

Bakugou's gaze hardened. "Todoroki is strong. I know that. I hate saying it, but he's strong as fuck. Maybe stronger than me on some days." He took a measured breath, but it looked like it pained him to breath, much more so to speak. "We don't know how long Deku lasted before he completely broke, but it wasn't until eight months after his...disappearance when the first murder happened. It's been - what? - ten days since you and Todoroki were taken? And you already think he might've fallen victim to it?" There was a troubled almost confused look on his face. "I don't know how long I would've lasted."

"It's not…" Uraraka struggled to find the words. There were a lot of implications, most of them only vague concepts since she wasn't sure exactly how the quirk worked, only the basics. "Like I said, I think some people are more susceptible to the quirk than others. You might not have been able to take it at all. After all, the first League tried to turn you and it didn't work."

"Well, I'm better at one thing than Deku," Bakugou replied with a snort. "I'm more of a stubborn bastard."

Uraraka jerked her hand out of Bakugou's gentle hold and sharply snapped, "Stop it." He flicked his eyes up to hers, locking in on them with the same intensity she had in her voice. "Stop comparing yourself to him. That's not doing you any good."

He opened his mouth, but then stopped whatever he was going to say, pressing his lips into a thin, critical line. Good. It was high time he listened. He was a stubborn bastard, but she liked him that way.

"He wasn't perfect, you know," Uraraka continued. "I know it seems like it - especially after he was gone and all we had left were memories - but Deku and I had our ups and downs like everyone else. We got into fights. There were days when he was gone and I didn't hear from him. He had a habit of forgetting important dates or being stupidly late - not because he didn't care, but other stuff came first. For the most part, I was okay with being the second most important thing in his life - being a hero was his true dream - but some days it really, really hurt and I was upset. Even worse, I felt selfish for getting upset about it."

Bakugou frowned deeply. "That's stupid."

"I know." Uraraka looked up at him and he looked down at her. He was so tired. Why did he insist on trying to do everything on his own? They were all working together. They were a team. He'd learned how to work with others so well by the end of their time at U.A., but it was like being forced to face Deku and confront his past was making him revert back to his old ways of shutting everyone out. She didn't have time for that. "The point is: you aren't perfect, but neither was Deku. He's got strengths and weaknesses the same as you do."

"It doesn't feel like it right now," Bakugou admitted. "He keeps winning every time. Even when we got you back, it felt like I lost."

"This isn't about winning or losing," Uraraka told him firmly. "This whole comparison thing is bullshit and it's only going to bring you down. You're getting in your own head and it will only make you hesitate again. That's what Deku is counting on. He knows you're one of the strongest people out there and he knows you're a threat to him in every way - he's always treated you as a goal - but he also knows you're your own worst enemy."

When she reached up to lay a hand on his cheek, she saw the hesitation in his eyes and he muttered, "You don't need to placate me," but then he leaned into her touch.

"I'm not." And she wasn't. Uraraka was telling the truth. This wasn't like dealing with Deku, who she had been afraid would turn on her or flip a switch if she said the wrong word or did the wrong thing that broke the illusion he had carefully constructed in his mind. Bakugou wasn't the ticking time bomb in this situation anymore. The tables truly had turned. "Don't prove him right. You're a hero. The Katsuki Bakugou I know - the one that inspired me, believed in me, and pushed me in ways I didn't think I was capable of - that's the one that is going to bring Deku and Shouto home."

Bakugou closed his eyes. "You've got a lot of faith in someone who used to beat up a defenseless kid because he couldn't tell the difference between kindness and disdain."

"Deku was never defenseless," Uraraka said, slowly pulling her hand away. "I think you know that now. He always had his heart."

"That's what's shitty about this whole thing, isn't it?" Bakugou muttered. "He still has it - he still uses it. He's a damn villain and he's so passionate about everything. It'd be easier if he didn't care." He flexed his hands, clenching them into fists like he was smothering any potential explosions and then relaxing them again. "It wouldn't be Deku if it was easy though. Nothing is ever simple with him."

"No, it isn't." Uraraka gave him a faint smile. "Are you good?"

Bakugou snorted. "No." There was the straightforward and brutally honest but confident Bakugou she knew. It was comforting in a strange way. "I'll be good when I take care of this shit and that villain asshole that fucked with Deku and Todoroki is dead."

"Agreed." There was more on Uraraka's mind, of course, but she wasn't sure how to go about it or if she should. She chewed on her bottom lip as she thought it over, warring with herself over it, if only because she didn't know how she felt either. Deku had brought things up that she had either not been prepared to consider or had been lying to herself about. Maybe she hadn't been lying - maybe she truly hadn't known yet - but it was impossible to keep lying when she knew she was now.

It must've taken her too long to decide whether or not to bring it up because Bakugou sighed, already turning away from her. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything. It's not the right time anyways. It might not ever be the right time."

"No, I-" Uraraka cut herself off, her hands dropping down to her sides. "I guess you're right."

Bakugou shoved his hands into his pockets, his shoulders hunched in a defensive posture. Who was he protecting himself from though? Her? Himself? "Contrary to what Deku thinks, I didn't plan on stealing you away from him the second he was gone as one big 'fuck you' gesture. I didn't plan on anything." He glanced back at her. "I had my whole life planned out. This...wasn't in the picture. It's frustrating and inconvenient and it pisses me off."

"Gee, thanks," Uraraka replied dryly, but she wasn't mad at him. She knew what he meant. It was inconvenient and it was frustrating and a small part of her knew it would make things so much easier if Deku was completely wrong.

But he wasn't. And they couldn't pretend that anymore.

"It doesn't matter what I want or what Deku thinks I want," Bakugou finished in a decisive tone. "It doesn't really matter what any of us wants. We just have to do what we need. I'll die before I let Deku fully become the monster that asshole made him. Todoroki too. We're coming for them and they better watch out." She nodded. That was better. He was sounding more like himself. "We're gonna have to move out of here first thing in the morning. Aizawa is gonna be mad as hell about his place being compromised. Get some rest."

Uraraka saluted. "Yes, sir."

"I still think your attempts at alleviating the mood are lame," Bakugou told her before he walked out of the room.

She rolled her eyes, but plopped down on the bed. It was lonely and quiet in here. For a moment, Uraraka thought to call him back in, but then she really didn't know what she would say. She was going to lay down and there was really only one thing she had in mind. She didn't want to confuse either of them anymore than they already were. Deku had not given them the option or time to sort out their own feelings, not when he'd dragged them to the forefront and forced them to admit things they hadn't yet figured out.

It wasn't fair. She shouldn't feel guilty and selfish for wanting something as simple as physical comfort. He had been dead and gone for eleven months, but after being back for two weeks, the idea of Bakugou hugging her made her feel like the worst person on the planet. Just wanting him to hold her made her feel like she was betraying Deku. It wasn't right. Deku shouldn't make her feel like simply not wanting to be alone was wrong. It was what affirmed it in her head that it wasn't him, no matter what Kyomu had said.

The Deku she loved would not want her to turn herself into an island in order to save his ego. He would have wanted her to move on with her life, even if she didn't want to, because he loved her and knew that holding on wasn't healthy.

You have to let me go.

That was her Deku. He wasn't selfish. He didn't only care about what he wanted. He thought of others first, even to the detriment of himself. That was the hero who inspired everyone - all the way down to Bakugou, who had set aside his own discomforts and need to distance himself in order to help her survive.

And so she would do the same in order to help them see this through to the other side.

"Are you certain he's ready for this? It feels too soon."

"Shouto is ready. He's been wanting to do this for a long time. It'll be good for him."

"You're sure? He doesn't seem angry enough."

"Not angry enough? I took one whiff of him using my quirk and almost choked on the stench of it. He's more than angry. I'd be careful around him, if I were you."

"It comes out differently with him. It's always been like that. Best way to protect himself."

"And how would you know, Dabi? You don't give a shit about anyone outside of your goals."

"Are you all just going to stand here and talk about me or are we going to do this?"

When Todoroki opened his eyes, everyone was looking at him. He was still in the cell they'd put him in what felt like a lifetime ago. He understood why now. He hadn't been ready to accept the truth. Too resistant. Too proud. Too weak. He wanted out. He wanted to use his damn quirk. He wanted to burn and destroy. He wanted to rebuild. There were things he needed to erase from the world before he could do that.

Deku smiled at him. "I knew you'd see the light."

"Yes, but you should know I don't really care about that," Todoroki pointed out bluntly. "I most likely won't want anything to do with this group once we finish this."

In the corner of the room, Dabi snorted and nodded as if he'd already expected this answer. Next to him, Ikeda, his first guard here, glowered and smacked him on the arm. When she looked back at him, they connected eyes and she quickly looked away, folding her arms across her chest. Was she scared of him hurting her because of what she'd done to him? In truth, she hadn't done much. He'd reacted poorly to her quirk, but she had been trying to give him some relief in a way. He was more sore about her failing to keep Uraraka safe from the other villains that had a grudge against her. She should've done her job. He didn't have time for weak links.

Deku's smile didn't fade in the slightest. "Of course. I'm just happy to have you on my side again. I missed you. Isn't this much better than us fighting?"

Todoroki hesitated. "It is...nice. The idea of working together."

Stroking his chin in thought, Deku stood up straight. "We do need to do something about your outfit."

At the door, Kyomu fixe the tie of his suit. "We weren't planning on having a new member to our group." He cast a pointed look in the direction of Dabi, who shrugged it off like it wasn't a threat. It was, but he didn't seem to care either way. "Your hero costume, I'm afraid, is shot. It would've been a nice touch to use it."

"Like mine," Deku added.

Kyomu smiled. "Like yours. That was a clever idea."

"I'll need a temperature regulator if you want me to go all out," Todoroki said, "and something flame retardant."

Dabi sighed and pushed away from the wall. "I suppose I could spare a jacket." Todoroki spared him a suspicious look. It wasn't an act of kindness. He wasn't sure that Dabi was capable of being kind or if he knew what that might entail. A ugly grin cut across his face, pulling at his skin. "The braces might actually allow your flames to get as strong as mine."

"Unfortunate they're so ugly," Todoroki sighed.

Deku laughed. "I told you to change up your style."

"It works," Dabi said, completely unoffended. He peeled his jacket off and held it out to Todoroki in between the bars of the cage. Todoroki eyed it with a hint of disdain, but then took it from the villain. There was a strange look in Dabi's eyes as he watched Todoroki try on the jacket. He had been concerned it wouldn't fit, considering that he had more muscle and Dabi was so thin and lanky, but it was made bigger to hang loose on him, so it fit Todoroki almost perfectly. It wasn't an attractive look, but that mattered very little to him. "Some of your clothes are flame retardant, aren't they, Midoriya?"

"To deal with Kacchan, yes," Deku confirmed. He looked somewhat disappointed with that frown on his face. "It won't be much of an outfit."

"It doesn't matter," Todoroki said. "I don't need a look. I'll let my actions speak for me."

He hadn't before as a hero and he didn't need one now. All that flashiness was just a way to cover up the ugly truths about the people underneath it anyway.

"Are we doing this or what?" Todoroki demanded, tired of playing the waiting game. He was tired of so many things. He just wanted to put an end to them so he could rest without the threat of a nightmare looming over his shoulders the second he closed his eyes.

Deku nodded and Dabi stepped forward to unlock the cell. For the first time since being here, Todoroki stepped forward out of the cell without anyone holding onto him or putting him in cuffs. He was free. It felt incredible. Now if only he could use his quirk again. Soon, Kyomu's eyes promised him, soon.

"Welcome to the family," Dabi said, swinging the keys around his finger.

Todoroki's eyes flickered to him. Once upon a time, he might've allowed a faint smile to cross his face. Now, he could only look the other villain in his bright blue eyes. "It's good to see you again, Touya."

Dabi grinned again.

Excitement flashed in Deku's green eyes. "Oh, this is much better. Things make much more sense." He turned to Kyomu, who almost wore a proud look on his face. "You knew?" He nodded. "You really are bringing everything to light." Deku smiled brightly. "This will be so good. Don't you agree, Shouto?"

"You were right," Todoroki agreed, "but then you usually are. I should've listened to you earlier."

"You're here now," Deku said. "That's all that matters." He held his hands up in that familiar excited manner that he had never quite outgrown. "We're coming for them - together. I just wish Ochako were here to see this - how so much better you are now. She'd understand then." He took a deep breath. "No matter. She'll see for herself."

Todoroki nodded, but he kept his face blank. He couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. His stomach twisted in an uncomfortable manner at the mention of Uraraka. Would she be happy? He could've sworn… No, she told him to give in - to accept the truth. It was killing him and she had been so worried for him. She hadn't wanted him to hurt any longer. Yes, she would be happy. She would be. And she'd be better off with Bakugou out of her life too. Deku was right.

He was always right. The world would find that out soon enough.