As the days went on, it seemed like everyone in The League was beginning to warm up to Tomura's plan. As Tomura fleshed out what they should do next, the more comfortable everyone seemed with the idea of risking everything for it.

However, as Tomura plotted, the gravity of the plan sunk in, and it became overwhelming. Everyone in The League had their own methods of coping with the stress. Kurogiri was drinking a lot more than usual and staying alone in his room. Dabi and Himiko lived on as they usually did, acting as if nothing had changed. Twice, Spinner and Compress have become much more quiet, choosing to stay home and mentally prepare.

Tomura, on the other hand, was overindulging. The villain was taking his hobbies in excess. He was sleeping in even more often than he already did. His videogame sessions were hours longer than what they used to be. Much to y/n's pleasure, he was also a bit more affectionate. That was when y/n realized how much his own masterplan was taking a toll on him.

Y/n wanted to spend her time with Tomura first and foremost. However, she also wanted to help Giran out. He had finally gotten his new office and was now in the process of slowly moving his clutter. He refused to relay information on his location until the move was complete. Y/n thought to help him move boxes and check the office out in person. Her obligations to The League stopped her.

She still had a job to see to the end. Y/n needed to keep an eye out for Mr. Soga. Unfortunately for her, she couldn't just lay in bed and watch Tomura play videogames all day. Her responsibilities to The League took priority above everything else.

Her directions were simple. Message Kurogiri as soon as Mr. Soga stepped foot in the bookstore. The shadow-like villain would then deploy Compress to snatch him up. Once y/n got a message from Kurogiri, she was free to do as she wished.

Y/n hated that. Obviously, she'd want to go home, but y/n worried that it would be too suspicious if she quit out of nowhere shortly after Mr. Soga was captured. Y/n knew she needed an alibi, and being at the bookstore was hers.

Y/n looked at herself in the bathroom mirror. She leaned forward against the sink counter as she took a closer look at her face. A dull pain surged out as soon as she touched the cold surface. "Ack." Y/n took a step back and lifted her shirt a little. She spotted a small bruise that ran along her hip.

Suspicious, y/n checked the other side and found a matching bruise. Y/n's face reddened immediately, confirming that her hunch was correct. "Oh, Tomura," she mumbled under her breath. When Tomura is most affectionate and requests more intimate moments, he would often hold her hips in that general area. Y/n figured those were bruises left behind from Tomura's rather secure grip on her.

She lowered her shirt, thankful that this time he's left bruises in a much less noticeable spot. Y/n refrained from leaning on the counter as she finished up getting ready to go to the bookstore.

The door slowly swung open. "I'm in here," y/n instinctively called out. Y/n had a bad habit of never locking the bathroom door when she's putting on makeup or fixing her hair. Rather than learning to lock the door, y/n opted to announce her presence in the room.

"And that's why I'm coming in," a harsh voice replied. Y/n gave Tomura a warm smile as she saw him come in through the mirror's reflection.

The sleepy look on his face and bedhead made the blue-haired villain seem much more tired than he probably way. "Came to say goodbye?" y/n asked.

Tomura yawned as he wrapped his arms around y/n from behind. He cuddled his cheek in her neck. She chewed on her lip as Tomura's thumbs pressed into her hips right where the bruises were. The dull pain evolved into a stinging sensation. She endured it, not wanting Tomura to let go of her just yet.

"You have to go," Tomura mumbled into y/n's neck. He released y/n from his hold, leaving y/n wanting to feel his icy touch for a little bit longer.

"I'll see you when I get back home." Y/n spun around to face Tomura. She hummed in thought. "We can continue our save file for a little while before I have to go to bed." Y/n got up on her toes and lightly bumped her forehead against Tomura's. "See you."

Y/n stood behind the counter and stared at the empty bookstore. It was that time of day where y/n worked alone for a few hours. She picked out a book and made herself a cozy spot to read. Y/n had a vacant smile on her face. She was bored.

As it turns out, having a real job was boring. A year ago, y/n would have given anything to do what she was doing right now. Sitting behind a counter working a minimum wage retail job, was a far off, elusive dream. Y/n thought about how ironic it was that she wanted to spend her days with someone who had virtually taken everything from her. Sometimes, she'd joke to herself that Stockholm Syndrome was one hell of a drug. However, in the end, she didn't care. Y/n was with Tomura for her own sake much more than Tomura's. Staying with Tomura made her happy. Y/n was still looking out for her best interests and searching for her happiness. Right now, it was by Tomura's side.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Miss, I do believe I forgot your name. What was it again?" Y/n looked up from the book in her hand to see the old man she was waiting for.

Y/n gave him a smile. "My name? Oh, it's-" y/n paused for a moment, catching herself almost accidentally giving him her real name. "Atsuko."

"Good afternoon Miss Atsuko," he said pleasantly. "What are you reading there?" Y/n held up the book so he could see the cover. "Science Fiction, eh? Do you have any interest in science?"

Y/n nodded. "It's interesting." She cocked her head to the side. "How about you?"

"Sometimes," Mr. Soga replied. "My work can sometimes drag out my passion."

"Oh, do you do sciency stuff?" y/n asked, trying to sound utterly unaware of what he actually does.

"I'm a doctor," he replied with a grin. "I know, sounds boring right?" Y/n shook her head. He chuckled. "Well, that's good. It's great to hear young ones interested in that sort of thing these days."

He walked away and went about his day, going through row by row. He'd occasionally stop and take a closer look at a book. Last time the doctor was here, y/n spent her time observing him. However, this time was different. She pulled out her phone and sent Kurogiri a text. Y/n put her phone away and waited.

Several minutes passed, and she didn't get a reply from the shadow-like villain. Y/n checked her phone over and over, making sure her message had sent. The little bell chime filled the bookstore briefly. Y/n glanced over to see a man with short brown hair enter the bookstore.

Y/n's anxieties calmed instantly, upon seeing the familiar man. He gave y/n a small smile as he wandered around. Y/n motioned her head towards Mr. Soga's direction. Compress nodded and walked over.

She looked down at the book in her hand and returned to reading. Every once and a while, she'd glance up and survey the near-empty book store before returning to the book.

Y/n heard footsteps coming towards the counter. Compress gave her a nod as he made his way to the exit. "Have a nice day, Sir," y/n instinctively called out as soon as she heard the little chime.

The last few hours of her shift were agonizing. Not only did she want to go home and see what happened since Compress abducted Mr. Soga, but her coworker had come back from her break. Now more energized, she was trying to pass the time talking to y/n about various things y/n genuinely didn't care about.

Y/n couldn't lock the bookstore doors fast enough. She waved goodbye to the girl with the short hair whose name y/n never seemed to remember, knowing this was the last time she was ever going to see her again. Y/n picked up her phone and waited for Kurogiri to answer. "Hey, I'm heading over, I'll be waiting."

She hurried as soon as she saw the Kurogiri portal. As she entered the warp gate, y/n wondered what would be on the other side.

"Sis!" Himiko wrapped her arms around y/n, and she returned the favor. "Tomura wants you. He's in the Nomu room."

"Odd, but okay," y/n replied. Y/n made her way to the garage. The handle turned, and the door swung open. Y/n was immediately greeted by Nobuo, who lightly bumped his head against her leg. She gently ran her fingers along his head, trying not to touch the exposed brain.

Inside, Tomura and Kurogiri were standing around. Y/n immediately heard the sound of someone cowering. Y/n glanced over to see the doctor sitting on the floor, cuffed to the large heater y/n had gotten for Nobuo.

Y/n was nearly pushed as Himiko squeezed past her. She skipped up to Tomura. "Can I drain his blood now?" Upon hearing her question, the doctor made a small whimper sound. Y/n looked him in the face. He looked scared, understandably, but it also appeared he had given up. He knew he was going to die in this cold cement room.

"We need information first," Tomura replied. Himiko pouted. "You can drain his blood after."

"Is Sis going to do it?" Himiko asked. Y/n's attention was now entirely on the villains' conversation.

Tomura and y/n's eyes met for a moment. The blue-haired villain turned back to Himiko. "No, she's going to be observing. That's why we waited for her."

Himiko skipped over to y/n and pulled her away from the doorframe. "Come on, come on! Let's go sit down!"

Y/n followed Himiko's lead, refusing to look at Mr. Soga as she walked by. Himiko and y/n sat down on the mattress on the floor. Himiko wrapped her arm's around y/n's. She felt the blonde girl's head on her shoulder. "This is so exciting," she heard Himiko say under her breath.

The room was almost entirely silent for a moment. Everyone seemed to be listening to the sound of Mr. Soga cowering. Tomura walked up to the man and crouched down in front of him.

"I'm sure you understand the situation you're in, right?" Mr. Soga stayed quiet. Y/n heard a low growl come from Tomura. "You are in no position to protest, doctor."

Y/n pulled her legs to her chest as she watched Tomura stand up and pace back and forth in front of Mr. Soga. "Tell me," he began; "what do we need to know about Tartarus?"

"Tartarus?" Mr. Soga echoed. This was the first time y/n had heard the man's voice since he entered the bookstore. Mr. Soga sounded broken. "What business do you have there?" he asked.

Y/n shook her head as she listened in on the conversation. She was certain Mr. Soga knew he was as good as dead. Y/n wondered if he was trying to stall for time, or maybe he was trying to gather information himself and feed everyone lies before his inevitable death. Y/n's mind jumped back and forth between the two possibilities.

"When are you supposed to go back to Tartarus?" Tomura asked. He reached down and held three fingers along the doctor's neck. "If you tell me everything I need to know, we might let you live." In a panic, Mr. Soga began to stammer, his words were completely unintelligible. Tomura let out another frustrated growl as he placed another finger down on the older man's skin.

"S-soon," he spat out. "T-the day after tomorrow." Tomura removed one finger and hummed, seemingly lost in thought.

"They'd notice if he missed a day," Tomura announced to the small group of three behind him. "We have our attack date now."

"Y-you can't be serious?" Mr. Soga said out loud. Tomura placed his finger back on his neck. "H-how do you expect to get around? Even I don't have the authority to go as I please." The doctor spoke fast as if he let his words escape from his mouth before he had a chance to think about what he was saying.

Y/n could clearly see Tomura digging his nails into the man. "Explain yourself," he demanded.

"Only authorized guards can move about on their own. I have to be escorted. The key cards those few select guards possess are the only way to open inmate doors. No amount of manpower can break them." For a moment, the whole room went quiet. Y/n knew that Tomura was thinking about what Mr. Soga had told him.

"That's fine. I can work around that," Tomura replied as he stood up straight and removed his fingers from Mr. Soga. Y/n blinked, utterly confused. She began to wonder if Tomura was going to let him live after all.

The blue-haired villain stepped away from Mr. Soga and sat down on the cold cement. "Now, remember your life depends on this, what else should I know?"

The doctor seemed reluctant to say any more than he already had. However, she could tell that he had a glimmer of hope in his eye. Y/n couldn't look at him. It was obvious that Tomura was bluffing, yet Mr. Soga was blindly falling into Tomura's trap and answering every question the blue-haired villain was asking.

"Interesting," Tomura hummed. "Toga, go take some blood."

Himiko hopped up to her feet and approached the doctor with her syringe device in her hand. "And then I'll go free?" Mr. Soga asked in a pitifully, hopeful tone.

Y/n couldn't watch anymore. She placed her forehead on her knees as she tightly hugged her legs. Y/n squeezed her eyes shut. She could hear Himiko giggling maniacally and Mr. Soga cowering. He then began to panic. The sound of him sobbing filled the room as he wearily mentioned feeling old. Y/n covered her ears, unable to force herself to listen.

Tomura crossed his arms as he watched the color drain from the old man's face. All signs of life shortly followed. His body slummed to the ground as soon as Himiko pulled out her syringe from his chest and let go of the doctor's shoulder.

"I think Sis isn't feeling good." Tomura followed the blonde girl's eyes to y/n. She was huddled forward, entirely quiet.

"Probably not," Tomura replied. "How annoying."

Himiko giggled. "You say you're annoyed, but you don't sound like it."

Tomura glared at the young girl. "What do you know?"

She gave Tomura a toothy grin. "There!" she exclaimed in a playfully upbeat tone. "There it is, now you sound annoyed."

The blue-haired villain turned to Kurogiri. "Send her away," he demanded.

Tomura watched as Kurogiri sent Himiko back to her hideaway. As soon as her portal vanished, Tomura took y/n's shoulders in his hands. He motioned y/n to her feet and began walking her out of the room. As he did so, he noticed y/n still had her hands over her ears, and she was still slightly curled forward.

Tomura stopped at the door frame and pointed to the body lying limp on the ground. "Hey, you," he called out. The Nomu, who had gone back to his now unoccupied mattress, looked up at Tomura with a delay. "Eat," Tomura demanded. The blue-haired villain closed the door, sparing y/n the sight of watching her Nomu eat a dead human being.

He walked her past the kitchen and into the living room. With a firm grip on her shoulders, Tomura stopped y/n. He circled around and stood before her. The villain carefully pulled her hands from her head and looked down at her. With a delicate touch, Tomura placed a pair of fingers under her head and motioned her to look back at him.

Tomura leaned forward, cocking his head to the side, and studied her eyes and cheeks. He took a finger and wiped away a small tear that had formed and was moments away from rolling down her cheek.

He wasn't sure if allowing y/n to sit in on the interrogation would push her over her limit. While her view of people had soured over the past year, he had a feeling witnessing a death so close and personal would stress her out. Tomura did note, however, that y/n wasn't crying nearly as much as he expected. All things considered, y/n was exceeding his expectations.

Tomura reminded himself that y/n was still a seedling, beginning to sprout, but she was not a sapling just yet. As much as he wanted to rush the process, he knew turning y/n into a proper villain was very similar to growing a flower. It took time and patience.

The villain was at a loss. He didn't know what to do next. As a leader, he should inform the rest of his League of Villains of the information he gained and what last-minute tweaks his plan needed. However, he also knew y/n needed him close right now. Tomura looked y/n into her e/c eyes as he carefully rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs.

His hands fell from her face and to her shoulders, finally making a decision. Tomura walked y/n to the bedroom and laid her down. He got onto the bed and felt y/n immediately latch onto him. The villain wrapped an arm around y/n and ran his nails along her shoulder blade.

Y/n's light sniffles slowed to a complete stop. He glanced down towards y/n and watched her rest with her cheek pressed against his chest. He had planned on meeting with each member once y/n calmed down. However, he didn't expect y/n to fall asleep on him.

This scenario wasn't uncommon the other way around. Tomura often fell asleep, clinging onto y/n. Something about hearing her heartbeat quickly lulls him to sleep. The villain knew that y/n would more times than not, go out of her way, and avoid waking him up. If that meant y/n had to sit in one position for hours, then so be it. Tomura decided it was time to return the favor.

He stayed still and watched y/n peacefully sleep. Time was moving quickly. Soon, it will be time to go to Tartarus. The outcome will be out of his hands. He pulled y/n in closer to him so he could breathe in her perfume.

For once in his life, Tomura doubted one of his plans. Something in the back of his mind was screaming that they weren't ready. He couldn't ignore the thought knawing at his brain. He held onto y/n even tighter, finally giving in to the doubt.