TW: Suicidal thoughts/feelings

When Izuku came to, he wasn't immediately aware of his surroundings. He wasn't even sure how he'd gotten there. The feeling of being restrained was what really made his brain start ticking. He couldn't move his arms, they were tied behind his back. He couldn't move his legs, both being tied to the chair he just realized he was sitting in.

His memory was still fuzzy. He couldn't remember exactly how he ended up there. If he was being completely honest, he couldn't even remember what he was doing last and it was too much effort to try anymore.

He didn't bother fighting the restraints, he wasn't even sure he had any fight left in him. From the way his head dipped to the side, like he wasn't strong enough to even hold it up, told the other teen in the room that he didn't.

"Looks like you're finally awake," they said, walking forward into the light, so Izuku could barely make out their features.

The green haired boy was exhausted and dehydrated, he just couldn't get his vision to work. All he could really see was a red and white blob in front of him. "What'd you want?" he asked, his voice soft and his words slightly slurred together.

"Information," the red and white haired boy said. He crouched down in front of Izuku, moving his bangs back to finally get a look at his glossed over jade eyes. Izuku couldn't seem to focus them. "You're close with All Might, yes?"

Izuku weakly shook his head, it dropped as the boy removed his hand. "I don't know anything."

"Really?" the boy tutted. "That's too bad-"

"Please," Izuku cut him off. He was at his breaking point. He couldn't do it anymore, he was exhausted. "Kill me."

The boy completely froze at the request. "Excuse me?" he asked, thinking there was no way he had heard correctly. Sure, people had begged to be killed before, but only after hours of torture. They never just asked for death before he'd even started. 

Izuku sniffled, tears welling up in his eyes and slipping down his cheeks, going unchecked. "Please, just kill me."

The boy cocked his head to the side. He was perplexed. What the hell was wrong with this kid? Was this some heroic way of not revealing the symbol of peace's secrets? Opting out for death right off the bat?

"Just tell me what I want to know, and I'll let you walk out of here," the boy said, leaning back against the far wall, his eyes trained on Izuku, who shook his head.

"Kill me."

The boy scowled and pushed himself off the wall. He stomped up to Izuku, crouching down again. He grabbed the smaller boy's hair in a vice-like grip, forcing Izuku to look at him. "I don't know what you're playing at, but you better start telling me what I want to know, or you're really gonna wish you were dead," he hissed.

Izuku's eyes seemed to finally focus in on the other boy, tears silently flowing down his face. "You don't get it, I already do."

The boy abruptly let go of Izuku's hair and his head dropped again. He was too weak to support it on his own. The villain sat back, his arms resting on his knees as he looked up at Izuku. Something finally clicked in his head, making the puzzle before him start to make more sense.

"What the hell have they been doing to you?" he asked quietly.

Izuku barely managed to move his head, trying to shake it. "Please, just- just do it. I can't do this anymore, I just want it all to stop."

The boy ran a hand down his face, letting out a sigh. Izuku was.... he was broken, well and truly broken. What was Shoto supposed to do with a hostage that didn't value his life?

He pushed himself to his feet, stepping up to the restrained boy. He lifted his head with a gentle hand under his chin. The teary jade greeted him once again. "Did All Might do this?"

Izuku blinked hard and more tears escaped. "Please, I just want it to stop. Make it stop, please."

Shoto forced himself to take a deep breath before making his next move. He walked around Izuku and made quick work of the ropes. He caught Izuku before he could fall out of the chair, not having enough strength to even stay sitting up unsupported. With a small heave, he was able to shift the boy, carrying him bridal style.

Izuku clung to the front of his shirt as he cried into his chest. Shoto didn't know if the boy in his arms would be okay, if he'd ever be okay again.

He leaned his head down to Izuku's ear. "Don't worry, we'll make him pay."