I don't own anything except any original characters (including the Reader's concept) and/or any original plot

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Chapter Seven - Two Broken People

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Bakugou finally started stirring after you took a small nap. In the meantime of him slowly waking up you ate something quickly, drank coffee, then took out a notebook to write possible questions you could ask. When his eyes actually started fluttering, you put your mask back on and sat in the seat across from his binds to wait for him to realize the situation he was in.

"What the hell..." Finally, he regained his bearings and began to struggle, "Hey! You bastard!"

"Well, it seems as though you won't be a pro who works with children," you mused, tapping the pencil in your hand against the cover of the notebook in your lap, "Probably a good thing."

"Let me out!" Bakugou ignored your musings in favor of attempting to get out.

"It'd be better if you saved your strength. The only chance you have of getting out is convincing Tomura you're willing to join so he'll let you out and you can leave."

Bakugou quieted a bit at that, "You're a dumbass for telling me all that. You think I'll fall for this good cop shit?"

"I know you're too blunt and impulsive to think things out that long term, so, no. You'd rather scream at all of us about how you'll never join instead of gaining our trust to either get information or have a chance to leave. You'll never join us."

"Is that why you bastards kidnapped me?" When you looked into Bakugou's eyes, you saw something in his expression that he was trying his best to hide; insecurity. Oh, wee lamb.

"Yes. Shigaraki is convinced you have enough of a villainous side to switch. You're determined to be the best, to feel powerful, but that doesn't mean you're willing to stoop so low as to become a villain, does it?" You tilted your head innocently, the act coming off as more creepy due to your mask.

"I'll never join you."

"That's what I thought," you hummed, taking a small note in the marked page in your notebook. His eyes narrowed at the thing, and he scoffed as if it personally offended him, "Not a fan of notebooks?"

He remained silent at that. Skimming through the questions you had, you debated which ones to ask.

"Why do you want to be a hero?" You decided on that one. It was safe, and relatively simple compared to some of the other ones that would lead to information you could use to potentially tear his mind apart if you had to. Really, you just wanted to pick his brain to pass the time.

"So I can beat the shit out of scum like you."

"Ouch, my dead heart really felt that one," you cried fakely, hand on your heart. Quickly you "recovered" and moved on, "How long have you wanted to be a hero?"

"Forever."

"Everyone around you thought you'd be a perfect hero, right?"

"I will be! I'll be Number One and defeat anyone who gets in my way! Any extra should be able to see that!"

That's exactly what you thought he'd say. He'd been groomed his entire life for hero work; praised by everyone he came across, all of his bad deeds ignored in favor of the future good he would do with his power. What a broken society, refusing to condemn villainous deeds because of a "heroic" Quirk.

"How do you feel about all the expectations put on you? All the people saying that you'd make a great hero?" You rested your chin on your palm, voice riding the line between curious and condescending.

"I don't need any extras telling me I'll be the best when I already am," there was no insult after it, no scream or struggle that came along with it. It was just... a quiet lie.

"And what would you do if you failed them? They'd be disappointed, wouldn't they? Your whole life, everyone has told you that you'd make a good hero- so if you didn't meet those expectations then you'd be failing virtually everyone."

You began putting the pieces of his psyche together. It didn't take long, just an understanding of society's views on powerful Quirks and an even deeper understanding of the effect it could have on different people. Heroes and hero students weren't likely to take it as anything other than an aggressive personality and a deep need to be the best, but villains - people who had been put down time and time again - were always quicker to see the cracks.

"I'm never gonna fail! I'll be the best and show everyone that no one can beat me!" He was back to shouting, his wording interesting. He hadn't denied anything, just went back to his default position of claiming he wasn't capable of failure.

He was being crushed by expectation. You saw it in the way he was furious at Todoroki for not showing his full power during the Sports Festival, in the way he hid his insecurities under insults. If he didn't meet or exceed the expectations every parent, teacher, and classmate had put on him because of his Quirk then he'd be a failure. He'd fail the world just for being human. Mistakes weren't acceptable, and accepting help was weakness.

Bakugou was brash, angry, and unused to anything but being the best, and being at UA surrounded by other talent was making things worse. He'd probably always been a bully, but he wouldn't have seen it that way. Isn't bullying bad? If you were bullying someone, wouldn't an adult step in and make you stop? Insulting people "below" him was a way to maintain the natural order and nothing more.

God, Bakugou Katsuki was so interesting. You almost wished you could keep him here just to talk. You rarely spoke to people your own age. Much less people who were so willing to challenge your ideals.

The way he looks helps... a traitorous part of your mind taunted, and you quickly pushed the thought away. Attractive, yes, but also nothing more than a stepping stone in your path to tearing down society and starting anew.

Those early learning psychology courses were paying off.

"That's all." Standing, you left the notebook on the chair and went over to the bar, "Are you hungry? Or thirsty?"

"I'm not eating or drinking any drugged up shit from you."

"Your loss," glancing at the TV in the corner of the room, you nearly smacked your mask when your hand went up so you could bite your nails. It was a nervous habit you did on rare occasions, but it was a good thing you couldn't do it at the moment. Too telling.

Bakugou continued to stare you down. Growling under your breath, you pulled your arms close to you and sucked the energy out of the building - including the TV in the corner. The room fell dark, but a second later your veins started to glow a bright green. Your body was struggling to contain all the energy you absorbed, and you knew that if you weren't fast then you'd seriously hurt yourself.

"Listen to me you little brainwashed hero wannabe," you hissed quietly, probably stunning him into staying silent, "You're probably going to be rescued within the next 24 hours and my life is going to go to shit. That's Tomura's fault. All you need to do is be a good little victim and wait, okay?"

"(Y/n)-chan?" Toga's voice carried down the stairs, "Are you dying down there?"

With a grunt, you released all the energy back into the building. The foundation itself shook for a moment, before things settled down again.

"Tell Tomura that I hate his guts for making me take first watch!" You screamed back, "I shouldn't be dealing with this while I have a concussion."

"You got it, bestie!"

With a huff, you took a seat again. Bakugou was still staring at you. Confusion, perpetual anger, and intrigue was present on his face.

"You a mole?" He asked gruffly.

You laughed. It made your ribs ache and your muscle cry out in protest, but you couldn't help it. Honestly, you couldn't remember the last time you'd laughed so hard. Even with the league being the bunch of weirdos they were, this was on a different level.

"Hey! Don't just laugh!"

"Sorry, sorry," you waved a dismissive hand, calming down, "You just caught me off guard. No, I'm not a mole. I'm just realistic. Right now, the heroes are desperately trying to find you because the longer you're out of your grasp the more society's faith in them wanes. Such a fragile system, isn't it? They'll do anything to get one of their precious child soldiers back. The others don't think things through as much as me."

"You think you're some damn genius?"

"I'm as smart as a fifteen-year-old can be," Bakugou's eyes widened at that. Realizing that he'd been speaking to someone who was his age must have been a shock, "What? You're training to be a hero, who's to say there can't be young villains out there?"

"Why?"

"Why not? You want to be a hero for fame and money, and to 'be the best'. You'll forget about everything else after that. You'd just keep things the same wouldn't you? You'd be like all the adults in your life, ignoring red flags in favor of appreciating a strong Quirk, deciding that the person begging for help doesn't deserve it for a reason they can't control-"

Before you could get angrier, a crash came from the floor above. Looking up at the ceiling, you waited for something else. There was shouting- Twice and Toga, then a loud laugh. Finally, Tomura screeched something and things quieted down again.

Breathing out slowly through your nose, you collected your thoughts and turned on the TV. You avoided news stations as you flicked through the channels. That's all Tomura would be watching when he came down in the morning. Instead, you put on some shitty late night television. Things were quiet for a while, and that was fine with you.

When you glanced at Bakugou again, you saw that his eyes were closed and his breaths were deep - albeit plagued with hitches that showed signs of a fitful rest. He looked peaceful like that, nothing like he did when he was awake. You weren't sure which version of him you preferred more.

"(Y/n)."

Jumping, your head whipped to the TV. When had the screen blacked out? You were too distracted by observing Bakugou that you didn't notice when the show's sound stopped playing.

"All for One," you greeted, biting your cheek to hold back your nerves. Was he calling because he noticed the blackout? Of course he did, but would he be able to put it down as the effects of your guard and your concussion like everyone else?

"The heroes will come."

"Yes." The vice grip around your gut became a bit looser at that, he stated it like a fact. You couldn't be punished for saying the same thing.

"Tomura believes that the bar is far too hidden. You know better."

"The heroes will find a way. They're desperate. They will come as soon as they find our location. And you'll be ready for them?"

"All Might is far too attached to his students to not be a part of the raid. His time as the Symbol of Peace will come to an end as soon as they attack."

Would All for One finally come out of hiding to defeat All Might once and for all? That's what it seemed like he was implying.

"I understand. What are my orders?"

"Protect Tomura. He is young, and still learning. At first, you were meant to be a companion for him to use as he wished," you bit the inside of your cheek harder at the admittance. Blood coated your tongue, "Now, things are different. You see what he cannot. He is the future, and you must be the one to ensure that it comes to pass."

"He's still young?" You couldn't stop the comment, and as soon as the words left your lips you regretted them, expecting a punishment due to the disrespect.

"Yes, I realize the irony. I gave him everything he desired, and that was a mistake. From the moment your soul was crushed with the diagnosis of Quirkless, you had nothing. Do you understand?"

Polar opposites. That's what he was getting at. Not in the sense of one of you being a hero and the other a villain, but in the way the two of you made it as far as you had. The future leader, spoiled and childish. His second-in-command, gifted with nothing and wise beyond their years.

"Together, the two of you will accomplish everything the League of Villains has worked for."

What a clever manipulation. He was making you feel important, like you weren't going to be canon fodder as soon as your usefulness ran out. It was meant to inspire more loyalty, raise morale. You'd never dare do anything against his will when Tomura was counting on you, would you?

"What about you, All for One?"

"Tomura has been groomed for a reason."

The TV switched back to the late night show. Sighing, you ran a hand over your face and pinched the bridge of your nose.

"Hand-job was groomed to be the next Number One Villain?" Dabi stepped into the bar. So caught up in All for One's presence, you hadn't sensed his energy just behind the door, "Should have realized villains did that too."

There was something there that you didn't have the energy to pursue, anger simmering beneath his skin that wasn't towards Tomura himself for once.

"Since he was a kid," you said quietly, "You smart enough to see the irony in all of this?"

"Pawns on a chessboard," Dabi poured himself a glass of whiskey, "We're all just a means to an end."

"And the league is the same to you, isn't it?" You asked, but Dabi remained silent. It was the only answer you needed from him, "When I first approached All for One and asked for a Quirk, for the power to change the world, I made a deal with him. I wouldn't kill innocent people- I guess now it's more like I won't kill anyone I don't want to," Dabi snorted, and you sent him a glare, "And when I want to leave I can."

"Smart."

"Sometimes I think it was the stupidest thing I could have asked for," you admitted. While you had little trust for Dabi as a whole - you hadn't known him long enough to form real trust - you also knew he wouldn't go blabbing, "It implied that could, that I would leave. But I can't go back into the world that led me to where I am in the first place. I tell myself that I'll leave when what I want is done, or when I know things will go bad, but..."

"You sold your soul, burned your bridges and all that crap," Dabi concluded, tipping the glass back. You watched the amber liquid disappear, suddenly feeling very tired, "Young people do stupid things. Make decisions they can't take back. You're the second-in-command (Y/n), doubts lead to mistakes."

"I know. I'm not doubting anything. I never have. The world can call me a villain all they want, but they'll never understand until they're one of us. Maybe it's just puberty," that made Dabi crack a half-smile, "Sometimes I forget that I'm a teenager. You know, I don't think the exhaustion or concussion is helping. I always get weird when I'm tired."

"Do the next right thing," Dabi advised, playing it off with a shrug, "Whether it's pulling the trigger or turning the world to ash."

"Thanks. If I didn't know any better then I'd say you care about me," you joked, which caused him to sneer.

"Get that dumb idea our of your head. I'm going to bed. Enjoy the next six hours."

Right. You looked back to the reason you were in an exhaustion fueled spiral in the first place. The hero student who the villains believed could be one of them. The boy your age who was hurt by society in an entirely different way.

Just two broken people, miserable in their own right.

The thought made you snicker.