Archive of Our Own ^beta

The clouds drifted over the moon, the area becoming even darker. She looked up, wishing she could see the stars. The city lights however hid them from view. She looked at the boy a few steps away from her. His eyes were hidden by his hair and binoculars. He hadn't looked at her all night. He had simply gotten straight to work. 

She shifted her legs, getting comfortable on the ledge. The height used to scare her, now it simply left a butterfly feeling in her stomach. She didn't want to call it excitement, because if she was excited during any of her "jobs" then that would mean she enjoyed them. She sighed, anxiously looking back at the building below them. 

The silence dragged on. Normally whomever she was partnered with was talking her ear off, or making quiet commentary. 

It was unsettling. 

Even more so that her partner tonight was closer in age with her than normal. He shifted slightly, adjusting his grip on his binoculars. Normally they were adults, all with varying personalities and ambitions. 

"How did they get you?" She whispered, glancing around. 

She wasn't sure why she asked. Maybe to feel less alone? Maybe to simply make conversation? Out of simple curiosity? 

"Get me?" He surprisingly answered. He had a nice voice. It was calm, and the only other way to describe it was an innocent edge. Then he looked at her for the first time. And her breath caught in her throat. 

His eyes were a vibrant green, the clouds finished their journey past the moon, the sudden light revealing his face further. His face was covered in freckles, and his wild hair framed his face gently. She wanted to look away, but his eyes were just so captivating. 

They flickered as they searched her, but he never broke contact. He was searching her very soul. She felt so exposed, like he could and would find out everything about herself. She held her breath, waiting to see what he would say. What he would do. 

When he finally turned away, she sighed, trying to catch her breath discreetly. 

"They didn't get me," he said, rolling his eyes slightly, as he went back to looking through his binoculars. 

"What?" 

"I chose to do this" he said bluntly, with a shrug of his shoulders. 

"Why?" She couldn't understand why anyone, let alone a teenager, wanted to do this. Why anyone would hurt others.He paused, looking at her again. This time he looked her over fully. She crossed her arms over herself. He nodded his head, like he was answering a question only he could hear. 

"I was told I could never be a hero" 

Her heart stuttered, arms falling to her lap. He only shrugged, getting up from his seat to be closer to her. His bright red shoes contrasting against the dark rooftop. 

"Who could ever say such a thing?" She said it so quietly, scared for the answer. She watched as he sat down next to her. 

She was tricked into this. She didn't have a choice. She was simply trying to help her parents. 

They had told her it was a simple job. One her quirk was best for. While she felt uncomfortable using her quirk illegally, her parents needed the money. She eagerly accepted. 

She tried not to pay too close attention to the details. Ignorance was bliss, they say. Late afternoon jobs soon turned into evening jobs. Now she was here. Three in the morning waiting for a late night shipment of product that didn’t belong to them. 

No matter how she tries to justify it, she had willingly broken the law on quirk use and that led to breaking other laws. The payments got bigger, far too big for a simple after school job. With heavy pockets and a heavy heart she had to face her parents everyday with the knowledge that their little girl was now a villain with enough money to take away all their troubles. 

She was trapped by her own greed and impatience. 

"Oh I'm so proud of you Ochaco! Accepted into Kaisei High" her mother gushed, rereading the acceptance letter. 

"It's just for general studies" she mumbled, guilt eating at her core. Her tongue felt heavy, just as the knowledge about how she could never make it now sat heavy within her. 

"Yes, but I know my little girl can make it into the Hero course in no time!" Her dad gripped her shoulder, tears in his eyes. 

Tears had filled her own eyes but for far different reasons. 

She was a disappointment. A foolish failure of an idiot. A villain.  

This boy next to her was also a villain. But completely by choice. He didn't feel what she felt. He probably enjoyed it. Enjoyed his vengeful and spiteful actions towards whoever spoke those words to him. 

"My greatest hero," he laughed humorously. "I asked-" he paused, looking at her again. 

She tilted her head to the side, heart breaking further. A hero told him that? She tapped her fingers against the cold brick. 

Maybe you could save him ? A small voice whispers in her head. But she quickly ignored it. How could she save another person, when she couldn't even save herself? She was no hero. 

"I asked if a quirkless boy like me could ever be a hero" 

Her eyes widen, mouth dropping open. Quirkless. He nodded, looking back to their target once again. 

"But-" she fumbled for her words, trying to put her thoughts in order. 

Sure he was quirkless, but not every pro hero had physically powerful quirks. A lot of them relied on more than just their quirk. She felt angry that not only had her dream been taken by force, but this boy's was crushed in front of his eyes. 

"How could they say such a thing?" She felt so angry, she slammed her hands down on the ledge, 

Angry at herself. At the villains. At whichever hero told this boy such a thing. At stolen dreams and futures. At stupid choices and a life that shouldn't be either of theirs. 

He looked at her with surprise. The only emotion he's shown all night. She could his eyes glisten in the moonlight, but ignored them in favor of encouraging him. Maybe she could save him after all? Maybe just maybe he could walk away from this? He could go be a hero, and live the life she lost. 

If he was crying it meant he didn't actually want this right? 

"You could still be a hero" She tries to smile at him, her own eyes quickly gathering tears as well. 

"It's too late for that," he says sadly, "I've found a place to grow into something different." he looks forward again, brows drawn in thought. 

"I'll show them. Quirk or no quirk, I'll become a thorn in the Hero's sides." He glares nothing, lost in memories she was not privy to. 

"Now what about you?" 

"Me?" 

She leaned back in surprise as he moved closer, their shoulders touching. His looked at her like she was a puzzle he hadn't solved yet. Again she was drawn to his eyes. They held so much pain and anger. 

"You asked me 'how did they get you?'" He whispered.

She started to shake, his gaze intense. Her eyes watering a little more. 

"You didn't choose this did you?" He said it softly, looking at her with pity. 

"He tricked me," she whimpered. "I was just looking for a job to help my parents" 

He shakes his head with mild disgust, muttering to himself. And despite their priority she couldn't decipher it. 

Overpressure. The man who took so much from her. She dropped her head into her hands. She didn't want to bother him with her tears. The treats hung over her head much like the tremendous pressure he could apply with a glance alone. Crushing her into submission with no way out. She hasn't cried over her situation in about a year but this boy just bought back the hopeless reality of her situation. All because he was choosing this life. 

And yet she couldn’t be mad at him. Feel sorry for him? Yes. But angry? No. 

She definitely never wanted this. She was going to be a hero to make money for her parents. She was going to help people. She was going to go to a hero school. She was-  

She was a villain. 

After she calmed down, she glanced at him. His eyes trained on the building below. She looked as well, resignation already filling her as she saw signs of the delivery starting. They both stood, and she wiped her eyes, and with a deep breath, they both stepped off the edge of the building. 

He moved with practiced ease, the men twice his size unmatched despite his appearance. Behind the wild hair and freckles was a calculated look of a predator. She realized just how short he was, now that he stood beside her, all security guards incapacitated. 

He barely glanced at her before moving to grab what they came for. 

She found herself intrigued. And terrified.   

"Hey there Uraraka" 

She stops dead in her tracks, the couple of classmates she had been leaving school with also stopping to look over to the boy who spoke. 

Brown eyes met green. 

What was he doing here? 

"Is he a friend of yours Ochaco?" One of the girls asked. Himari.  

She could only continue to stare. She was covered in cold sweat, fear gripping her heart. What was he going to do? Why was he here? 

"Ochaco?" 

She still hasn't answered, the girls were looking concerned now, Yua was even glaring at him now. 

He only smiled easily, "I'm her new coworker. I didn't mean to startle her." They had a silent stare down, the dangerous look in his eye carefully hidden behind a disarming smile and posture. 

But she could see the warning. 

"Is that true Ochaco?" 

"Yes!" She answered too quickly, and too loudly. 

They looked skeptical, taking a defensive position in front of her. He didn't move, only continued to smile, and stand with his arms relaxed at his side. 

He was dressed in a bright green hoodie and cargo pants. She noticed he was also still wearing the same red shoes as the night they met. She also knew he was probably hiding weapons on himself as he did that night. Images of him cutting down people without hesitation flashed in quick succession. 

She moved around the girls, smiling weakly at them. "Sorry, I was so surprised! What are you doing here?" 

She readjusted the bag on her shoulder and she stood in front of him. She had to be ready to block any attacks. 

His eyes lit up, lips twitching with a barely contained laugh. " Don't worry, " she narrows her eyes, "I didn’t take it personally." 

"Still haven't answered my question" She tilts her head, forcing her smile to stay on her face. 

"Oh! I just happened to be walking to work, you also work today right?" 

She knew she had tonight off. Overpressure said he would contact her later this week. 

"I do?" She pulled out her phone, keeping a careful eye on him. He nods firmly, still smiling. 

What was he playing at? 

"Yup. Want to walk to work together?" He turned, extending his arm behind him. He slid his hand into his pocket, tilting his head. 

"Of course! Sorry I forgot about this shift guys, I'll see you tomorrow!" She waves to the girls, quickly following after the green eyed boy. 

"Ochaco" Himari called out. 

"Yes?" She walks backwards, smiling in what she hopes is a reassuring manner. 

"Call me tonight?" 

"Of course!" She chirps back, correcting her course hoping the girls can't see her fear filled eyes and how tightly her hands are gripping her backpack straps. 

They walk a few blocks in silence, Ochaco keeping an eye on what route they're taking. Soon the business' gets more scarce and the warehouses get bigger. 

"You are something else Ochaco Uraraka" he said, finally breaking the silence. 

"What makes you say that?" 

"Even though your dreams of being a Hero were taken from you, you were still willing to protect those girls" 

"Of course!" She offended her would think otherwise. He smirks at her, leading her down an alleyway. 

"I wasn't going to hurt them, and I really am sorry I scared you" 

She doesn't quite believe him, so she glares at his back. 

"I understand why you wouldn't believe that, based on the people you've met.”

"Why?”

"Innocent people deserve happy lives. I might be a villain but I’m not a monster” She slows her pace the slightest, the gap between them growing just the slightest. 

She cried, the sound muffled by the hand pushing against her mouth and nose. She couldn't move, her back aches from the unseen weight, the pain traveling to her chest as it was pressed harshly against the concrete. She could feel the gravel digging into her thighs and forearms. The dark shadows kept them hidden from the rest of the city. She desperately wanted to move. To push up and run but she couldn't. 

She felt a new circular pressure in the center of her back. His face came into view, she strained her neck to look at him. He used his hand to help guide her. 

"If you ever try to go to the police again," he whispers, words heavy with anger, "I'll double this pain on your parents" 

She whimpered, his hand tightening around her face. Pain shot through her jaw and neck as he jerked her face closer to his. 

"I'll pop their heads like grapes. Do you understand my dear Ochaco?"

She tried to shout yes. She tried to nod her head. "Really? Because I feel like you didn't take me seriously last time" 

She tried to speak, he slowly removed his hand from her face. "I'm sorry. I was being stupid." 

"Stupid is right. Never do that again" 

"I promise!" 

He glares at her one last time, knocking the air from her lungs. She wheezes, struggling to stand as her proper gravity returns. 

"I'll hold you to that, my dear." 

She rubs her face, the memory of the pain setting her on edge. Alone with this boy in an alleyway far from other people didn't help either. 

"Sorry but experience definitely says otherwise" 

"Understandable" he nods, taking another sharp turn. 

She follows close enough to talk, but not to be within arms reach. The air turns cold as the buildings grow taller, blocking the sun's reach. She tiptoes around piles of garbage, holding in a gasp as they walk past a man sleeping. 

He stops next to a steel door, pulling out a key from his pocket. She digs the toe of her shoe into the ground, glancing around nervously. 

With a loud creak the door opens to reveal a small room clearly meant to be a workshop of sorts. She wiped her damp palms on her school skirt. 

She watched him pull his equipment out of hidden cabinets. She looked around the space again, her body blocking the little light from the sun. She grasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels.

"What's your name?" She blurts out. 

The questions seemed to confuse him. "Why do you want to know?" 

"You know mine, it's only fair" she shrugs, trying to hide her anxiety. She didn’t feel comfortable with this boy knowing her name, and her not knowing his. 

Again he nods to a question only he can hear. "You can call me Deku" 

"Deku? What kind of name is that?” 

And that wasn't an answer. She narrows her eyes at his back, blowing out a puff of air in annoyance. 

"Let's just say it might as well as be my name" He slams a weapon she doesn't recognize down on the table. She stares at his back as he continues to organize his equipment. 

And she wasn't sure what to say to that, only to feel deep sadness for this boy, Deku. To name himself an insult said a lot about him. Her hands tighten, glancing up at the sky peaking through the towers surrounding them. 

"Deku it is then" 

She grunts as she hits the ground, dust flying up into her face. Sweat dripped from her face, trailing down her neck and arms. She groaned, pushing herself back up. 

“Is that all you got?” Deku smirked above her, holding out a hand. 

She laughs, grabbing onto his hand. Her hand was swallowed in his, his coarse callus’ rubbing against her own. Her chest bumps his own, she's thankful for the fact that her face is already red, hiding her reaction. 

“You wish,” She tries to sweep his legs out from under him, hoping to catch him off guard. He simply sidesteps, pushing her back to the ground again. 

“Too predictable, try something more original to throw them off” 

She groaned, getting back into a fighting stance. 

"Your quirk thrives off of close ranged attacks, you have to learn to utilize that '' He lectured again, already pacing their sparring zone like a calculating lion. Her eyes darted to his exposed arm, the thick scar running from his bicep to his hand was one story he flatout refused to share. She put herself back into a fighting stance, digging her feet into the mat. 

Despite having the majority of their training sessions without the use of quirks, she had yet to beat him using hers. She could see the effort he had put into guarantee he comes out on top in any fight, especially those pertaining to quirks. She had seen his analytical mind at work. Observing, learning, adjusting, and acting on all the information he absorbed from a person's quirk. 

He had had her pegged within a matter of minutes. Strengths and weaknesses. 

It thrilled and frustrated her to no end. 

When he had proposed the training, she had been cautious. Over the months she had been watching him, waiting for rug to be pulled from under her. His true intentions to show. After all, only fools got bitten by a snake twice. 

Her caution only grew when he transferred to their school. Her friends had quickly tried to put themselves between them, but he was easily able to tear down their walls and insert himself into her school life with ease. 

When she had finally asked why he transferred he simply said, "What school I go to doesn't matter. It's just to pass the time until I'm an adult" . She hated that answer just like the rest. He was never straight with her. She felt though, he had never once lied to her. He simply withheld the full truth. 

So yes, what he said was true, but it was not why he had decided to go to her school. 

He charged her this time, arms swinging in tight angled arcs towards her center. She pivoted back, using her own hands to redirect his. He quickly switched to his other arm, aiming this time for her exposed side. She spun, her back to his own. She grabbed at his arm, trying to use all five fingers to grab at him. However, as quick as always he is already out of her reach, flowing into a perfect roundhouse kick. She barely dodged it, stumbling back out of his reach. 

She jumps at the shrill sound of her second phone going off. Quick to ignore her spar, she dives to answer it, holding the flimsy device to her ear.  

"Ochaco, darling" his voice sickens her, bile already rising in her throat. "Meet me at the south end of the docs tonight, 12am sharp." 

"Understood" she manages to get out. 

"There's a good girl" and with that he hung up, leaving her chest heaving not just from exertion but terror. 

The walls felt smaller, the air heavier. 

"Thank you for the invite, I can't wait!" Deku chirped behind her. She ran a hand down her face, pushing down the nausea that hit her. 

Foolish to think she could escape it all all, let alone a moment. No where was safe. She was a dog on beck and call after all. Every time she heard his voice, everytime that phone rang, she was reminded all over again. She was always feeling sick to her stomach, even without using her quirk. Always on edge. Always waiting for the day this all catches up with her and crushes her underfoot. 

Everyday brought her closer to the edge. Closer to her death. She could feel it. She'd outlive her usefulness eventually. Then she'd be pushed, left to plummet to the ground. Gravity having the last laugh. 

"We should stop here for today, we got a long night ahead of us" Deku sounds cheerful, the sound of his own phone snapping closed sounded far too loud in her ears. Everything sounded louder. 

"Ochaco?" He kept down next to her, all playfulness in his voice gone. 

"I'm ok" she bites out, avoiding his searching gaze. 

Those eyes of his could see everything. He just had that knack for knowing. She felt as though he does have a quirk; afterall he could always see so much more. Understand so much more.

See her.  

She was tired of showing her weakness to him. After all, she was still deciding if she could really trust him. 

The last few months he had done nothing to show her he wasn't anything except what he said he was. But the small voice of doubt hovered by her ear, whispering every so often. 

He could be just like the rest of them. 

He’s using you.

You’re just another plaything. 

"I'll see you tonight." She quickly gathers up her things, bolting out of the door. She mindlessly follows the route back to the busier parts of the city. The air bit against her skin, the remains of her sweat freezing her to her bones. She threw on an old hoodie, blending in with the crowd, wishing for just a second she could vanish and be free again. 

Her father and mother however...she needed to continue on. Their lives depended on it. 

She only ever wanted the best for them. Only ever wanted to give them the joyful and stress free life they deserve. They sacrificed so much for her. She would continue to sacrifice everything for them. 

Everything. 

The winter wind pulled harshly through her hair, threatening to rip the hood of her jacket from her head. She straightened her visor, clicking through to the thermal setting. She rubbed her arms, trying to get some warmth back into them. 

“Here you go” She fumbled to catch the bag Overpressure threw at her. She opened it to find it full of clothes and support gear. 

“What is this?” 

“Why it's your uniform my dear. Can’t have you walking around without a signature outfit now can we?” He smirked at her, lighting up a cigarette. 

She pulled out the goggles, frowning at the pink color. As a matter of fact everything in the bag was a dark pink mixed with black. She glanced at him curling her nose in disgust as he blew smoke in her direction. “You’re not ungrateful are you? That cost a lot of money” He growled. 

“No sir,” she ducked her head, using the bag to hide her face. She gritted her teeth. She hated this man. 

“Good. Take good care of it now, you’re already building a good reputation.”

She didn’t want a reputation. She sighs, glancing at the time in the lower corner. 12:28. Two more minutes. 

She shook her head, shuffling her feet under her, watching the movements of her target carefully. She watched as two figures moved through the facility with swift persion, the other heat signatures dropping to the floor. 

She looked at the moon, directly overhead and only a sliver of itself. There were no clouds tonight, but the sky was still an inky black. The city lights hid the stars from view. She imagined that if one could manifest their heart, that's what hers would be. 

Black and void of anything else. The stars in hers having long since gone out, leaving her drowning in a darkness of her own making. No matter how she pushed or tried to find her way, she was forever stuck in the neverending blackness. No one to pull her out. No one to trust to pull her out. 

12:30

She took a deep breath, applied her quirk and leaped off the building. She could feel the pull of gravity as she fell. Her quirk trying to keep her afloat, and the earth trying to drag her down. 

If she had gotten into a proper hero school a year and a half ago would she have gotten stronger with her quirk? Would she still as casually as she just did walk off the edges of buildings? Would she be free of all fears and have the courage to do anything? 

She liked to think she would have. She would have been happy, strong and a hero.

She wouldn’t be stuck in this nightmare. 

She landed softly, walking casually up to the door, like she had already been here before. She opened it and strolled inside. She adjusted her visor again before joining the group. Deku as well as a man by the name of Charger were tying up the last of the guards. She went over to the garage door levor, the grating sound of the door rolling up quickly filling the warehouse. 

She didn’t wait for the door to open, already touching as many boxes as she could. They floated softly, some bouncing and knocking into each other. Charger and Deku started loading the truck, Overpressure watching over everything with a smile. 

She avoided his gaze, in favor of focusing on her quirk and task.

Release. Touch. Realse. Touch. 

She was reaching for another box when there was a sudden movement to her right, coming around the corner of one of the bigger grates. She acted on instinct, dodging the attack, pivoting on her back leg and grabbing the man bringing them to the ground hard. 

He wailed out in fear and anger, “Let me go!”

Her heart hammered in her chest and she jumped back, unable to believe she just attacked a man. A man who was just doing his job. A man whose job was to guard and hers was to steal. 

He quickly scrambled to get up, reaching for his nightstick again. Only a foot comes down on him, forcing him to the ground. Overpressure kicked the man in the head, she gasped out in surprise. 

She shrinks in on herself as he glare is turned on her. “What was that just now?” 

His voice is quiet, but the weight of his anger carried perfectly.

“I-I’m sorry” She trembled, the memory of his gravitational force more than enough to make herself as close to the ground as possible. 

“Where did you learn that? Did I ever say you could learn to fight?” His volume didn’t raise, and yet it sounded as though he had yelled at her.   

“I was just-”

“Just what? Thinking you could train and I wouldn’t know?” He reached up, removing his own goggles. Her eyes widened, trembling increasing. 

“No, please don’t, I’m so-sorry!” She threw herself to the ground, hands over her head, body as parallel with the floor as she could be. 

She felt it, the force pushing her closer to the earth, her body protesting with pain. Tears gathered in her eyes, teeth clenched. Her head screamed out, feeling as though it could explode at any moment. 

Suddenly it stopped, her head snapped up, confused as to why.  Deku stood beside Overpressure, holding a piece of wood in front of his eyes. He jerked his head, and she quickly scrambled out of sight. 

That action would probably get her punished again, but she found right now, she trusted Deku’s judgment.  

“Care to enlighten me, Deku?” 

“We are short on time now, let's get what we came for and leave.”

“After I deal with my sidekick thank you”

“No. I trained her for this very reason, so take your concerns to me, after we get what we came for”

“You trained her” She flinched at the absolute fury in his voice, tears running down her cheeks. 

“Overpressure” Deku says with a warning tone. 

“Deku” Overpressure purrs back dangerously. 

“That's enough you two,” Charger snaps, “Hero’s or cops could be here any second and I’d like to be out of jail longer than a week thank you.” 

“Ochaco darling, finish loading the truck...we will discuss your free spirit later” 

She jumps up, running as quickly as she can to tag the boxes, tossing a few towards the truck. When she finished, she sat in the back, hiding behind boxes. She caught Deku’s reassuring smile before the door was rolled down, locking her in the dark. She pulled her knees to her chest, her body rolling with the motion of the turn and bumps of the ride. She wished they would never reach their stop. She wished she could stay back here, hidden and safe forever. 

But the sound of the truck stopping, doors opening and men's voices reaffirmed her reality. 

She started applying her quick once again to all the boxes, passing them as gently and slowly as she could to those waiting outside her temporary shelter. No matter how slowly she moved, she still reached the last box, watching it drift slowly towards the last crew member. 

She pressed her fingers together, tapping them anxiously as she jumped down from the truck. Overpressure was waiting for her, eyes narrowed and arms crossed. 

She bowed her head, waiting for him to speak. She wished she wasn't trembling right then. She wished she wasn’t ready to throw herself to the ground if he reached for his goggles. 

“You can continue training, but if you ever think about trying to be a hero..”

“Never sir! I would never!” She shook from relief, needing to throw up not just from escaping another punishment, but also stress and overusing her quirk. 

Without another word he left her, yelling at the crew. She stood there frozen, still coming to terms of the event from the night. 

“You should go home. You have class tomorrow” 

“So do you stupid” She glanced at his green eyes, mouth still hidden behind his mask. 

“You know I don’t need school”

“How did you convince him?” She doesn't care for the pointless banter between them right now, just needing answers for how he did it. 

He doesn’t answer at first. She was used to his long silences in initial response to her questions. Then he’d nod his head and give what she could only see as a roundabout answer. Or even a false one. 

Despite the amount of trust she had in him, she doesn't believe he tells her the full truth very often. 

“That you’re a liability to me during work” 

He walks off, hands in his pockets. She stares at his back, something stirring inside her. She couldn’t pinpoint what it is though.

She trailed behind Overpressure. Tapping her pads together, eyes darting around at the night life crowding the sidewalk. He glanced back at her, the glare more than enough for her to walk faster. 

Her boots hit the pavement, her equipment bouncing off her hips and shoulders. She glanced around nervously, but no one paid any mind to the young girl walking around with illegal equipment. 

Despite it being so late into the night, there were still a lot of people out and about. She cringed At each drunk man and woman, squeaking with discomfort as she had to dodge them and keep up with her handler. 

He led her to what looked like an old run down bar. Her heart started to pound, the implications making her blood run cold. He grinned at her, increasing the chill, knocking softly on the door. Rage then boiled in her veins. She put her arms behind her back so he would not see her clench her fists. 

If he thinks she will just rollover for this…

A man opened the door, barely glancing at her before addressing Overpressure. "What do you want?" 

"I brought a new recruit" Overpressure smiles, gesturing to her before snaking and arm around her shoulder. She stiffened as both his hands rested on her shoulders, and pushed her towards the man. 

He looked at her more closely, slowly analyzing her, from her head to her toes. She wanted to wrap her arms around herself, but the painful grip on her shoulders just dared her to make a move. 

"She doesn't look like she wants to be here" the man gruffly says, glaring at her captor. Hope blooms a little in her chest. 

"She's just nervous. She's been in the game over two years now." The grip tightens. The hope dies faster than a sprout in the blazing desert sun. 

She nods in agreement "nervous" she whispers. Her rage continued to boil beneath the surface, but her fear screamed at it to be quiet. 

The man hardens his glare but moves back, opening the door wider. Overpressure takes the lead again, and she's quickly to follow. The hallway is long and dark. The wood rotted and squeaked under her feet. They come up to another door, muted sounds coming from the other side. He pauses, sneering down at her, before slowly opening the door. 

She watched, as the door moved in slow motion, creaking on its hinges. Lights creeped into the hallway, inch by inch. She felt like she was breathing too loud, white noise filling her ears. 

She wanted out. 

The room was full of people, each of them cutting off their conversation to look at her. She stood alone in a spotlight, their gazes burning her. She looked at each of them in turn. 

First, a teenage girl, wild blond hair pulled into messy buns and in a school uniform. She tilted her head, her face lit up and she smiled at her. Her smile did not look or feel friendly though. She felt like prey. 

Next to her was a man dressed in a full bodysuit, peering around the girl, almost like he was fighting himself to hide behind her, hands on the girls shoulders, but also wanting to jump out of his seat. They unsettled her and she quickly looked away. 

The third was a tall man dressed very nicely, but yet again wearing a mask, leaning against a wall. He tilted his top hat with a nod of his head. She gave a nod back before looking away.  

A lizard mutant glared harshly at her with arms crossed. He pushed himself off the wall, taking a defensive stance in the middle of the room. She sees another person move away from the bar, and she does a double take. 

Deku. 

This is where he has been? A week of ignoring her calls and disappearing to be found in the dead of night in a dingy bar surrounded by questionable occupants. 

That actually checks out she thinks dryly, watching him move with familiarity in the space. 

He showed no expression, but she could see he was on edge by the way he carefully placed himself in front of the mutant, crossing his arms while maintaining eye contact with her. 

“What is going on here Overpressure” A chill runs down her spine, as a fifth person walks into the room. Her eyes snap towards them. Hunched over, lengthy limbs and cracked skin. His face is covered with a dismembered hand, light blue hair wildly framing his head. The way he walked set her on edge, and the warning bells in her head went off. 

She really wants out. 

“Meet Uravity, your newest recruit” 

And just like that everything went cold and silent. She couldn’t hear anything else, tears of frustration making a slow journey down her face. Then the rage inside her burned all that away. Her hands started to shake. 

“Oh, you want to be a hero?” Overpressure smiled at her, taking the box from her. 

“Yup!” She tapped a few more boxes, pushing them softly through the air towards the moving van. 

“So you must have already picked a hero costume and name, huh?”

She gave an embarrassed laugh, scratching her cheek, “well yea, I mean who hasn’t”

“What name did you pick?”

“Uravity” She giggles shyly. 

He smiled at her, “That sounds like a perfect name”

“Uravity huh?” The man scratches his throat. She wonders how he can see her through the hand, but doesnt want to put much thought into it. 

“She’s pretty!” The girl jumps off her stool, dancing towards her, “Hi, I’m Toga, let's be friends” 

She can’t help but take a step back. She glares softly, pressing her lips into a tight line. She reaches behind her for her escrima sticks, watching the girls movements carefully.  

“Stand down Uravity,” Overpressure barks, his glasses slid down just enough to hit her with a quick harsh blow of his quirk. She gasps out, her chest all but thrust into her knee as she braced herself against the force. She withdraws her hands, standing with her arms at her side with her head bowed. 

“Good girl” 

He took her future. He took her freedom. Now He has taken her name . She hated this man, she just wished he would die already. She froze at the thought. Trembling, at the realization of the level of her hatred. What had she become? 

The frightening man hums in thought, “Interesting,” 

“Tomera Shiguraki, you should accept her. We are low on man power after all” A sixth voice joins the mix. It’s deep and accented. She doesn't look for the owner however, keeping her eyes trained on her boots. The man grunts, clearly annoyed at the idea of her being accepted into whatever weird club this was. 

"I agree! No way!" A man yelled out, the difference in tone and opinion confusing her. 

"What are her goals? Does she align with Stains convictions?" Another speaks. 

Stain? As in the Hero Killer? 

Again that foreboding feeling returns. Who were these people and what was Deku doing with them? 

"Why are you here?" The frightening voice held a silent command to look up at them. She searched for a reason, but couldn't find one. 

She just did as she was told to protect….

"For my parents" she blurted out. Fighting to maintain eye contact with the..hand. Why was her life like this? 

"Your...parents" he started to scratch at his neck, the sound setting her on edge. 

"What happened to your parents to make you become a villain?" The nicely dressed one asked, a gentleness to his voice she would never have expected from a villain. 

"They…" She glanced at Overpressure, the absolute glee on his face disgusting her. She knows she shouldn't have but she glared at him, all of her hatred poured into that one look. That only seemed to make him happier. 

"They died." She whispered, the lie falling easily from her lips, moving her gaze back towards the man, a silent promise blooming in her heart. And I will get revenge. It whispered softly, driven by the hatred of the monster dressed as a man besides her. 

Clearly she showed a little too much of those innermost feelings because she noticed a few things. The hand accessory man straitened, the girl squealed in excitement, and Deku looked concerned. 

"I see, my condolences" the man bowed again. She almost felt like he was being genuine, but she didn't want to believe that. 

Villains couldn't sympathize after all. Right? 

"Ah Deku," Overpressure finally acknowledged the boy's presence. Deku simply raised a brow at him, retaking his seat at the bar. "I didn't know you had joined the League as well." 

"Giran presented the offer, it was quite advantageous."

"Deku is amazing!" The teenage girl, Toga, gushed, Dancing over to the boy and throwing herself over his back. Deku looked annoyed by the action, shrugging her off. 

Overpressure laughed a humorless laugh. The sound grated on her ears. 

"I didn't know you would be bringing...Uravity" Deku ignored Toga whining in his ear. 

"It was time for her to move up in the world, and thanks to your most gracious training, she's ready" The rest of the occupants glance between the three of them, almost like they were trying to decide how they all fit together. 

They didn't. 

"Well go on darling," He gestured for her to enter the space fully. "Go join your dear partner" 

She danced around his hand, the thought of his hand touching her again tonight disgusting her. She kept a watchful eye on the other occupants in the room as she made her way towards Deku. 

Togo grinned widely, scooting over to open a space next to Deku. She slowly took the offered seat, never breaking eye contact with her. She noticed the girls fangs, flashing dangerously in the dim lighting and her slitted eyes. Again she found herself reaching for her weapons, but a gentle hand on her lower back stopped her. 

“Uravity, meet Himiko Toga. She has a blood quirk,” Deku calmly says before removing his hand. A shiver went up her spine, and it wasn't from Toga this time.  

“And My name is Twice! Nice to meetcha! Go away!” The man on the other side of Deku shouts out. She raised a brow at Deku who only responded with an eye roll. 

“Nice to meet you” She nods politely, still keeping an eye on Toga out of the corner of her eye. 

“I go by Mr. Compress, nice to meet you Miss Uravity.”

“And you can call me Spinner,” She turned in her seat, surprised to see he had gone back to leaning against the wall, looking disinterested now. 

“You can call me Kurogiri, and our leader,” The man behind the counter gestures to the frightening one, “is Tomera Shigaraki.”

She fidgets in her seat, going around the room once more. She stared back at Shigaraki, who was staring at her with his head tilted in his palm. Slowly a twisted smile spread along his face, further prompting her to get out of there. 

“Welcome to the League of Villains” 

She followed Deku, through a series of alleyways and side streets. When he had asked her to walk home with him today, she had thought it was for their normal training but they took two trains and were now in Musutafu City. 

Still she followed him. She knew very little about him, despite being 'friends' for as long as they have, but she had known for a while now she could trust him. She had spent enough time with him to decipher who he was deep down. 

She had seen a side to him he kept hidden from others, especially those in the league. She liked that side of him. He let his passion show through a little stronger, his excitement more palpable. His joy and friendliness didn’t feel as fake as it did when he was around her friends. 

Even now, he was more relaxed, cheerful and easy going. A stark contrast to the boy she knew most of the time. Confident, calm, snarky. She adjusted her back pack, studying his face in the fading sun. Which one was the act? 

They broke back out into the open on a street lined with shops, people waving at Deku, biding good afternoon and asking after his well being. She watched speechless as he interacted with each of them, smiled aglow and conversed easily. 

She blushed slightly when he introduced her, each of them, most of them older citizens. They would hold her hand, tease her about keeping an eye on the boy. That he got into more trouble than most kids in the neighborhood. 

It was one of the few times she saw him get flustered. He would complain goodnaturedly, before leading them further on their journey. She smiled softly, enjoying the rare look on his face. 

He was so serious all the time. She had seen the way he always seemed to be studying everyone around him, body stiff and ready to make a move at the drop of a hat. But here, in this quiet neighborhood he looked more true to himself than she had ever seen. 

Finally they reached an apartment complex. Up the flight of stairs they went till they reached one of the units. Midoriya stood out to her on the nameplate, her eyes widening. She glanced between the nameplate and him as he casually opened the door. 

"Hey mom, I'm home!" He called out, kicking off his red boots. She stood awkwardly at the threshold, peering inside.  

"Welcome home sweetheart" she hears from deeper in the apartment. The woman's voice sounded loving. Gentle. 

"I brought a friend over if that's ok" he waved her inside. She slowly took off her shoes, looking around the home. The entryway was standard, a door on each wall, and down at the end of the hall. 

She noticed a picture, to her right, and she froze, one shoe hanging off the edge of her toes. Deku as a child, smiling brightly in the arms of a young woman. She closed her mouth, her shoe finally dropping onto the floor. 

"Of course Izuku" she sounded ecstatic at the news. A shorter round woman opens the door at the end of the hall. She looked like the perfect mother. She was wearing an apron and drying her hands on a rag. 

Her heartbeat increased. Izuku Midoriya. 

She glanced at him, not noticing any change in his demeanor. He only continues to smile, meeting his mother in the middle for a hug. 

You could tell they were mother and son. They looked so similar, clearly Deku, Izuku Midoriya, took after her the most. 

His mother lets out a giggle, coming closer to her son. She placed her hands on the side of his face. "Oh look at you! Becoming a fine young man!" 

Deku's, Izuku's, face turns a little red, "Mom, it hasn't been that long" 

"I know but I swear you're growing up so fast" she squeezed his face tighter eyes softening, "you're looking more like your father everyday" 

Ochaco is surprised by the statement, but even more surprised at his reaction. She sees a flash of anger, quickly covered by sadness. He reaches up, gently taking her hands. "If you say so mom"

He's so gentle with her. Far more than she had even seen from him before. Blood rushed to her cheeks, as she watched him hold his mothers hand, and gave the softest smile. She feels like she's seeing a very private moment between this family, and was trying to blend into the background as much as she could. 

She was noticed anyway. "'Zuku introduce me to this young lady already" 

'Zuku! How cute!  

He rolls his eyes, turning towards her. "Mom, this is Ochaco Uraraka." 

"Hi, nice to meet you" She stuttered out, flushing when the woman placed her hands on her face. 

"Oh aren't you just so cute," she gushed, "'Zuku, where did you find yourself this pretty and nice young lady?" 

"Mom!" His face returned to the red color, only stronger than before. She had never seen him flustered like this. 

She liked it. 

She laughed, bumping his shoulders with her own. "What am I not pretty?" She widened her eyes at him, with a tilt of her head. "Am I not nice?" She pushed, this time with a mischievous smile. 

He stuttered, quickly covering his mouth as he lost his voice in embarrassment. She saw him take a deep breath, before glaring at them. They only giggled harder. He muttered something about her spending too much time with Toga before stalking further down the hall. 

Her laughter cut off, heart dropping to her stomach. A glance at his mom showed her still laughing at her son before she turned back to her. 

"Oh I like you, you can call me Inko" 

She tried to smile back at the sweet woman, but it felt far too forced now. Being in the presence of her own parents was enough to make want to throw up. And here this woman was sweeter than anyone she had met in months and her stomach rolled with her secrets. 

She followed her into the main living space, the open and warm feeling following her. What happened to him to make him risk all of this? This comfort. This sanctuary. This freedom. 

"'Zuku come help in the kitchen, Ochaco dear feel free to sit anywhere you'd like" 

She chose to sit on the couch, stiff as a board. She started to feel on edge. She didn't belong here, in this warm kind home. She tried to ignore the quiet conversation happening behind her. Her gaze wandered. 

The walls were sparse, and everything pointed to simple living. A potted plant to her left, a nice tv in front of her. The couch was well used but taken care of. She relaxed, the sunset shining softly through the windows, casting an orange glow to the room. Inko and Deku laughed behind her. 

She teared up a little, frustration building in her. 

Again she didn’t choose the last three years of her life. He did though. She tightened her fist. Why? 

Whywhywhywhywhy?

Why did he bring her here? 

To rub it in? Throw his perfect life in her face? Mock her with the ease at which he comes home to his mom? 

Everytime she goes home, she’s on edge. She can’t remember the last time she laughed, genuinely laughed, with her parents. Where she didn’t have to tiptoe in every conversation about her life and what she was doing. 

“So Izuku says you go to school together” She jumps, Inko smiling at her as she placed a cup of tea in front of her. 

“Ah, yes”

“And this boy dragged you all the way here on a weekday,” Inko glares at her son. 

“Oh, it’s no big deal,” She waves her hands around, “I wasn’t doing anything any way”

“I know dear,” Inko laughs, “I was giving ‘Zuku a hard time,”

She sipped her tea, avoiding Inko’s eyes. 

“‘Zuku dear?”

“Yeah mom?” She hears a few dishes clank together behind her. 

“Can you go to the store for me? I need a few more things for dinner” Inko smiles at her before walking away. She glanced behind her, eyes wide in panic. Deku looked at her, and back to his mom.

“Mom,” He says with a warning tone.

“Hush now, go go. Or I can’t feed you guys on time.” She starts to push him out the door, Ochaco gulped, reaching out, her hand falling limp as Inko and Deku go back down the hall. She hears muted arguing before the door closes and Inko returns shaking her head. 

“He thinks I’m going to scare you away or something,” She laughs softly. She wants to laugh back, but the awkwardness of the situation is too heavy. 

She turns back to her tea, eyes darting around the apartment, her mind racing for something to say. Instead she just sipped her tea, stiffly sitting. The sounds of Inko moved around the kitchen behind her. Just when she was becoming comfortable with the silence Inko sat beside her, the couch shifting beneath her. She watched the woman nervously, who had a very serious look on her face now. 

“Thank you,” She smiles at her with tear glistening eyes. 

“What?” She was beyond confused now. Here she thought she was going to be threatened or lectured, not thanked.

“It was during his last year in middle school when Izuku had….an accident” Her eyes widened, thinking about the long scar than ran down his right arm. She still didn’t have the story behind it, and had always thought it was a job gone wrong. 

“He was never the same after that,” Inko sniffles, bringing a handkerchief to her face, “smiled and talked less. A shell of himself.”

“I didn’t know,” She was at a loss for anything else to say. She never knew that side of him. Only his serious drive, with forced cheerfulness. Her heart broke thinking about that last part. 

“I noticed when something changed. When he switched high schools. It was little things at first.”

She rubbed her hands together, unsure what to say to the implication that she had anything to do with his change in personality. 

“He came to visit more, got excited about things again, oh and he laughs again” Inko sobs, smiling brightly. And in that moment she could tell they were mother and son. 

“Thank you for saving my baby boy” She wasn’t sure what to say to that. She saved him? Her? She tried to fight off her tears, looking for something to say. Inko took her hand, with a surprisingly strong grip. “You’re my hero”

The dam broke, and right there on Izuku Midoriya’s couch she cried. Ugly cried. Inko scooted closer, hugging with all of her motherly comfort. She remembers that fleeting thought she had on the rooftop all those years ago, that maybe she could save him. She thought she never could and his mother just said she did. Albet saved him from himself it seems, but saving him nonetheless. 

Guess she could be a hero to someone after all. 

The sound of the front door opening harshly made her jump. Inko chuckled softly, “Go clean up in the bathroom, I’ll distract him,” She patted her cheek. She missed Inko’s warmth as soon as she was gone, but hurried to the bathroom. 

“What did you do, run the whole time?” Inko chides goodnaturedly. 

“Of course I did-” Was the last thing she heard before she closed the bathroom door. 

She splashed some water in her face, and ran her fingers through her hair. What accident did Deku live through that changed him so drastically? After all he had no reason to become a villain. A good home, a loving mother, and promising future. She looked at herself in the mirror, knowing she had to get the answers from him tonight. 

Deku was sitting on the couch, arms crossed and pouting when she exited the bathroom. She squeaked, surprised by the cute expression. He seemed to relax when their eyes met, hints of a smile playing on the corners of his lips. She smiled back, glancing to his arm for just a moment. 

“Dinner will be ready in just a moment, Ochaco. Would you like to help me?” 

“Uh sure?” She rolled up her sleeves, waiting with outstretched hands for instructions. It felt nice to cook with someone again. She loved her parents, that much was clear with how much she had sacrificed for them, but the nerves always kept her from fully relaxing in the kitchen with her mom. 

And when they sat down to eat, while she struggled to talk comfortably, she didn't feel as awkward as when she first arrived at the Midoriya household. Banter passed easily between Inko and Deku and in turn herself and Deku. Inko had praised her more than once for ‘putting him in his place’. 

She felt a little sad when the time came to leave, the sun long set, and the evening chill in the air. She wanted to hold onto the memory of the warmth of Inko’s hospitality and care. She almost cried again when Inko said she could visit any time without Izuku. Inko stayed at the door, waving until they started to descend the stairs. 

She stares at her feet as she walks, organizing her thoughts and trying to decide what question to ask first. She had so many build up over the night, and thankfully they had a couple hours to discuss them all. Hopefully. He could be stubborn. 

She half jogged to catch up to him, glancing at him and asked, “Why?”

“That's a very broad question”

“Why did you take me to your house?”

“Because I wanted to,” He shrugged. She scowled. 

“Why let me know your name?”

“Because...it was time” His voice was soft, “It was time to be fair”

She hummed, mulling over the answer in her head. She doesn’t think that's the full reason, but she'll take his roundabout answer for now. 

“Your mom is very nice,”

“She is,” He hums, the same soft smile gracing his lips once again. She grinned, glad to have the knowledge that he was a Momma’s boy. 

“What did you and my mom talk about?”

His asking a question surprised her. She thought only she would be asking questions. She didn’t mind this back and forth. She threaded her fingers together, holding her hands to her chest, biting her cheek in careful thought. 

“She told me you were in an accident back in middle school,” she glanced at him, anxiety fluttery as his horor filled his face and he stopped walking. She stood beside him, squeezing her hands tighter. 

“She-she said,” She was suddenly nervous, “Thank you to me f-for saving you,” her voice got quieter until she was basically whispering at the end. She looked back down at her shoes. Her pink sneakers contrasted harshly against the grey pavement and black socks. 

“Did she tell you about the...accident, as she called it?” His tone was off, almost bitter and sad. She shook her head, threading and unthreading her fingers. 

“Everyone likes to call it an accident because...I tried to kill myself, or rather didn’t move out of the way.”

Her head snapped up, but he was no longer looking at her. He was staring at the road, cars moving past in a blur of color and sound. Her mouth hung open, and she felt useless standing there, the tension building. 

“It was not a good time..” He still won't look at her, focus completely on the road beside them. His hand was gripping the side rail, knuckles white. 

“I was walking home from school, it was another bad day in a long run of bad days.”

"Being quirkless...is a curse. I always wanted to be a Hero and quirkless people can't do that." 

She listened with rapt attention. He had never spoken so freely about himself before. And she couldn't help but want to know more about him, even if it was such a topic as this. She waited, the silence thick with morbid anticipation. 

“I was crossing a road, and a car came out of nowhere. I had time to move, but I saw it coming and just thought…’what if I just don't move?’”

She wanted to reach out and touch him, now watching the traffic filled street with a new found fear. He sighed deeply, hand dropping back down to his side. She let out a sigh of relief. She stared at the back of his head, his wild curls swaying in the evening breeze. 

“As soon as I got hit, rolling over the car...I felt regret. As time passed I felt different forms of regret. Regret that I didn’t move, regret that I didn’t die, regret for what I put my mom through, regret that I wanted to die…

“And now?” She whispers, breath catching in her throat as Deku turns to look at her, his eyes almost glowing from the street light above them. 

“I’m thankful I didn’t die that day.” His smile openly shows his sadness and she can tell he is still battling himself over those regrets, but she can see how far he’s come as well. The determination he put into his work made sense now, trying to find a purpose as a quirkless person in a world full of quirks. Trying to find purpose in a world that said it had no use for his ambitions. 

“Me too,” She rocks on her heels, hands together as she lets out a nervous laugh, looking off to the side. He laughs softly, taking the first steps to continue their journey, herself taking long strides to catch up. 

She could ask more questions, after all he seemed the most relaxed she'd ever seen him around her. But after today, she thinks she understands him a little better. She doesn't agree with his methods, or his choices but she understood now, why. 

He needed to find a place in the world that didn't want him. A place that gave him a purpose and where he could achieve his goals. She still wasn't in the know of what all of those goals were, but he had been up front about some of them. 

After tonight, she gathered that he had been harassed and bullied as a child. Add dreams being broken by your hero; it was a recipe for disaster. She glanced at his arm where she had seen the scar before then down to his hand where it peaked through the edge of his sleeve. 

She studied her reflection in store windows as they walked, thinking of Inko, and everything she probably did to love and help Deku. She thought of how Deku loved and helped his mom the only way he knew how. She glanced at him again, nodding to herself, making a silent promise to continue to help him. 

She stared at the bag, questioning her decision one last time before taking the plunge. She popped a chip onto her mouth, her tongue recoiling at the flavor. 

She coughed, swallowing her snack with a grimace. Melon flavored potato chips were not what the advertisements make it out to be. 

"That bad?" 

She turned her head, looking at the lopsided boy sitting on the other end of her bed. She ignored his amused expression looking back up at the ceiling. 

"Melon is not all that" 

"I don't know why you bought them then" 

She shrugged, "why not? Gotta live adventurously " she waves her hands before throwing another chip into her mouth with a grimace. 

He laughed at her. Not anything loud and boisterous. It was quiet and reserved but it still made her smile in reply.  "If you don't like them stop eating them" 

"No I can't waste them" She whined, putting another one in her mouth. 

“Masochist” He scoffs.

“Frugal” she refutes. 

She wasn't sure when this had actually become a normal occurrence. Never a set time, and always different circumstances but her small apartment had become their hide away. 

After training they would just lay in any available space; stretching, eating or sleeping. Homework completed in companionable silence. Heck she’d come home and already find him filling the space. Needless to say, she was glad he found her place comfortable. 

Ever since visiting his mom, he had started to talk more feely about himself and she in return. It was fun the little things she learned about him. Which led to her favorite times spent with him. Talking, about anything and everything. 

His favorite color was surprisingly not green. It used to be yellow and he said he hasn't found a new favorite yet. She was too embarrassed to say green was hers. Knowing him he'd look too deep into it. 

He loved quirks. Loved the diversity, and application. Loved to talk about them and theorize for hours. She loved listening to him simply because it was when he seemed most like himself. His eyes got brighter, would smile when he had an epiphany and would even forget she was there listening sometimes. 

She could imagine him as a child the same way. Excitable, joyous and burning strongly with the dream of being a hero. 

He may be a little sarcastic, cynical and snarky now, but she could see the history there in his eyes, hands, and words. 

She didn't quite know when they actually became friends. She doesn't know when she fully relaxed around him and started being herself.  She chewed thoughtfully. How long had they known each other now? Three years? Four years? 

“Why don’t you just use the money you get from the jobs?” 

She paused, a chip hovering over her open mouth. She looked over at him in surprise, his serious tone throwing her. They stared at each other, her hand lowering to rest on her stomach. She sighed, setting her food aside. A tap of her fingers across her abdomen, she floats herself into a sitting position, flopping heavily on the bed. 

“I didn’t earn that money honestly, so…” She shrugs, looking off to the side. She ran her hands down her thighs. 

She always hated when their talks entered this zone though. The zone of right and wrong. He was jaded and driven by spite, understandably so. He didn’t see things as black and white as she did. Not all heroes were good. Not all villains were bad. She didn’t want to see things that way. Then everything she had been telling herself would fall apart. Right? 

“You still earned money through hard work?” He tilted his head. 

“By breaking the law Izuku, it’s…”She rubbed her legs harder, her discomfort at the topic growing. “It’s dirty money.”

He doesn't say anything, just biting softly on his own junk food. So she continues to make her point, “I give it to people who need it..not my parents, I could never do that….organizations that need a little extra ya’know” 

“But you’re doing this for your parents?”

“For their lives Izuku. That’s more important than money right now. I’m doing fine,” She looks around her small single room apartment. A bed, a table, and a fan were the biggest objects, a small door led to the kitchen with the bathroom off to the side. It wasn’t amazing but it was all she needed. All she deserves. He also looked around her space, raising a brow at her very minimalist lifestyle. 

“What money do you use then?”

This wasn’t where she thought this was going. A lot more questions and no rebuttal so far. Normally he would be trying to convince her to change her mind.  

“I work another job. At a convenience store just around the corner. He’s a nice man. Lets me come in when I need money.” 

“Thats nice,”

He goes back to eating his chips. Shrimp flavor. He leaned his head back staring at the ceiling. She shook her head, snapping her mouth close. He noticed her staring, giving her a look.  

"Do you use the money?" She squints at him, waiting for the twist in his questioning. 

"Sometimes," he sounds so disinterested, "mostly just put it aside for a rainy day" 

"Only you would have a back up plan" She snorts, kicking him softly in the leg. 

He shakes his head, looking back up at the ceiling. “Always good to be prepared for the unexpected”

A comfortable silence settled between them. She rolls her eyes fondly, reaching for a magazine, leaving him to his thoughts. Who knew how long he would be stuck in that head of his. 

The change in pace as their last conversation drifted into oblivion was calming. Made her feel...valued? Listened to? She didn’t feel mocked, judged or pressured that's for sure. It was nice. 

“Why was your dream to be a hero?” 

She glanced at him, surprised to see a frown to match the sad tone in which he asked the question. The magazine fell into her lap, and she quickly looked anywhere but his eyes. The way his hair fell into them only seemed to frame his sadness. 

“Honestly, ironically, it was always about the money. Heroes make a lot. My parents deserve the easiest life,” her eyes landed on one of the few pictures she kept framed on her desk, her parents smiling proudly at her middle school graduation.  

“They work so hard and I just…” She sighed. 

“Wanted to take care of them,” Izuku finished for her. 

“Yeah. They always raised me to be kind to others. So that was also appealing about being a Hero. Help them first then help others” 

“That sounds just like you,” His voice sounded a little lighter. 

“Why do you ask?” She glanced at him, heart jumping in her chest when she sees he’s still looking at her. 

“Just curious.”

“What about you? Why did you want to be a hero?” 

“I wanted…”He shut his eyes tightly, rubbing the palm of his bad hand with his thumb, “I wanted to be just like All Might.”

“I wanted to save people with a smile,” His smile now is bitter, not reaching his eyes, “I wanted to give people hope and safe lives.”

“That's quite the change,” 

“Yeah well when the Symbol of Peace himself tells you you can’t be a Hero it kinda forces a change in you,” 

Now that she didn’t know. 

“When people call you useless, worthless, and a burden to society, it wears down your resolve gradually.” 

That she did know. 

“I think…” She hesitates, unsure if her words will have the proper affect. He gestures at her to continue. 

“I think people can still be heroes without the recognition. I know you’re a hero Izuku, even if society labels you as a villain. You don’t need power to give people the things you mentioned.” She scratched at her cheek, trying to ignore the deep blush she could feel coloring her cheeks. 

He has done a lot for her, even if she can’t directly say it now. He’s made her little home feel comfortable, safe, and warm. The Midoriyas just had that presence about them it seemed. He was slowly pulling her out of a dark place, not fully back into the light but at least she wasn’t drowning in despair now. 

He made her hopeful for the future for the first time in a long time. 

“Tha-” She glanced up in a panic. He had tears streaming down his face, a wobbly smile on his face. “Thank you Ochaco.”

“Of course!” 

She had never seen him cry before. The closet had been when they met, but even then tears never fell. She didn’t know what to do, and she was starting to feel pretty darn stupid, fumbling with her words and hands.  

“I don’t want to be a hero like All Might anymore,” the words trembled past his lips, breathless and shaky. 

“Oh?” 

“I’ll be my own hero” He smiled at her, a smile she had never seen. It filled his whole face, blinding her. She smiled back just as brightly, albeit confused by what was going on. 

“Yay?” She laughed nervously, clapping her hands together. Izuku snorted at her, wiping his eyes. Soon full laughter tumbled from his lips and she quickly caught the giggle fever. 

The air was still charged with joy and something else when they eventually calmed down. She nudged him with her foot, catching his attention. 

“So any new dreams for the future?”

He looked at her like he always did, straight into her soul. "I was told to have realistic dreams.”

“Oh?” 

“And I think I might just have found one" He smirked at her, popping another chip into his mouth. 

She yawned, stretching her body as far as it could go. She flopped back onto the bed, the old mattress lumpy beneath her back. She was sore every time she decided to stay the night at the bar. But she just didn't feel like making the trek back to her apartment last night. 

And Kurogiri made a good breakfast. 

Finally she found the drive to get up. The drive being her protesting stomach. 

She wasn't sure what to think, being comfortable here. Her life has been one confusing thrown loop after another. 

She yawned again, walking the hallway carefully, knowing where the floorboards creaked and groaned. Her hand hadn't even touched the handle to the main room when she heard his voice. 

"Why Deku , what are you doing here this early?" 

"I slept here you old man" Izuku snapped. 

She didn't know Izuku stayed the night as well, or that he didn't seem to be a morning person. She stifled a laugh, imagining his bed hair.  

"It's a beautiful day, no need to be-" 

"What do you want, you geezer?" Izuku cut him off, the sound of porcelain hitting the table punctuating his annoyance. 

"Nothing from you," the amusement drains from Overpressure's voice, "I'm here to  talk to my darling protege." 

"She's here?" 

"Oh don't be coy, I'm sure you two were very aware of each others...presence, last night" 

Her face flushed at the implication, snatching her hand back from the door as though she had been burned. 

"Excuse me?" Deku growls out, a dangerous edge to his words. 

"Please I'm not so stupid to see what's going on with you two" 

"And I'm not so stupid to see that you're a giant pervert"  She slapped her hands over her mouth, laughter threatening to spill past her lips. 

"What?!" 

" Darling , darling Ochaco, oh my dear Ochaco" Deku mocked with a high pitched voice. "Disgusting old man" Deku finishes with anger. 

"And why do you care?" 

"Because I'm not a pedo" Deku snorts. 

"I'm not a pedo!?" He screeched in anger, the sound satisfying in the sense that Deku could get under his skin. 

"Could'a fooled me" Deku gawfs. 

"Careful now boy" Overpressure hisses,

"Or what?" 

“I know how you feel about her...and she’s quite obedient” 

Her heart stopped. Dread filling her veins, her heart in her ears. He wouldn’t? Would he? Izuku just laughs dryly.  

"Don't take me for a fool boy" 

"And don't you dare believe my interest in her is for anything but her quirk" 

Silence filled the room, her hands dropped to her side, her fingertips brushing over her legs. She should have known better. She should have seen this coming. She fell against the wall, sliding down till her knees were drawn to her chest. 

She got played again. 

Every laugh, every joke, heck meeting his mom was just to pass the time huh? Ease his boredom between jobs. Why was she so stupid to think anything they had was real. She leaned her head back, smiling sadly at the ceiling. Izuku had been very clear about his goals, and what he would do to get there. She was a piece to that puzzle, and she knew that deep down.

Gosh she was so unbelivably stupid. 

Deeper down she had hoped. She was thankful that Izuku was at least honest till the end. She just needed to start being honest with herself. 

"I find that hard to believe" 

“Believe what you want, I don’t give a damn. But if you think you can use her against me,” the sound of porcelain hitting the table again acts as his punctuation. 

"You really feel nothing for her?" Overpressure laughed.

“Only interest on the business scale.” 

“I didn’t take you for this type of man Deku,”

“Opportunities are everywhere, you just have to look for them” The sound of a chair scraping against the floor, pushes her to move. She skipped back down the hall, careful of the floorboards. She closed her door with a soft click, catching her breath as she collapsed against the bed. 

It made sense in a weird way that he wouldn’t be interested in her. She knew he wasn’t heartless. She knew he wasn’t being fully honest with Overpressure, but his tone...he spoke his true feelings then. 

He was very determined on his goals, and had no time for personal connections. They could lead to weakness after all. And Izuku couldn’t afford that. 

A weakness it seemed she had. 

His rare smiles. His determined, searching brilliant green eyes. His wild green hair. His strength and intellect. She'd fallen for it all. 

Tears steamed faster down her face now, and she pushed the heels of her hands into her eyes. She took a shuttering breath. 

She fell in love with a Villain. 

She sat up, her breathing finally under control. She smacked her cheeks. She had promised to help him, so she would not let her unrequited feelings be used against him or herself. 

She had to be strong. For Izuku. She took a shaky breath, frantically wiping at her tears. 

Just another thing to sacrifice. 

She watched the students leave the large front gates, letting out a puff of annoyance as she set her binoculars down. She looked at the now distant gate, tilting her head in thought. She squinted against the sun, watching the small shapes mill around bellow them. Another school bell rang out in the distance. 

“See anything?” 

Izuku laid on his back, eyes closed and hands behind his head. She tossed the binoculars at him, snorting at his grunt when they landed on his stomach. She kicked her legs out, that thud of her boots hitting the brick below her satisfying. 

“School gets out, students leave, no signs of teachers” 

“The usual,” He groans, sitting up to take a look himself. 

She nods, sighing loudly before flopping down herself. She squinted at the sky. Watching the sparse clouds float across the sky, thin and wispy. She imagined the stars just beyond the bright blue veil, she reached out. 

“I wonder how high I could go?”

“Well if you had the right equipment and a descent plan, probably pretty high,” Izuku mumbles, still watching the students. She rolls her eyes. Leave it to him to take her seriously.

They continued to pass the binoculars back and forth, the sun sinking lower and lower. Light blue fading to black, the veil slowly dropping. Eventually they came down from the building they had chosen for today's stake out, and she floated them back to the ground. 

“You know I was going to apply to UA,” She shoulders her bag, walking to the end of the alleyway. 

“I always dreamed of going there,” He shrugs, “Can’t say that’s one of my regrets though. 

She pursed her lips, rolling the statement around in her head. They both had their share of regrets, and, “I agree.” 

He looked at her in surprise, running his hand through his hair. “Why?”

She side-eyed him, his eyes wide with curiosity. His nose dusted with freckles complimented by pink lips. How could he look this innocent? “Wouldn’t you like to know” She teased proudly, smirking as his expression dropped. 

“Yes I would, that's why I asked,” He flicked her forehead, smirking in turn at her cry of protest as she waved off his hand. 

“That was mean” She pouted, rubbing her forehead. 

“So is not answering my question,”

“You always avoid answering me, just returning the favor,” They turned a corner, taking a pass towards the school like they do everyday since their stakeout started. 

“I do no-” She gave him a look, laughing in victory as he grumbled that she wasn’t wrong. 

“But I really want to know now” He whined, giving her a sad look. She knew him well enough by this point to know all his tricks though. She glared at him, and he glared back. They continued their silent battle of wills, the glares soon turning good natured with matching competitive smiles. 

They found themselves standing to the side, mindful of the other pedestrians, each taking exaggerated battlestances. Izuku’s fingers were poised and ready while she had her arms extended for defence. 

“Concede Ochaco Uraraka. Tell me your secret” 

“Never, Izuku Midoriya” 

He was reaching her when a voice stopped him dead in his tracks. She watched as the life left his eyes, his entire face becoming the impassive expression he used to wear all the time. 

“Deku?” 

Her head snapped towards the person, eyes narrowed at the condescending tone. She was surprised to see a small group of UA students, quickly disguising her anger. She glanced at Izuku, waiting for a cue. 

“Hello Bakugo,” His voice was cold, but she could hear the anger brewing beneath the surface. She glanced at the blonde. He was fit, that much was apparent by how his uniform hung off his frame, and he towered over theml. His dark red eyes showed everything he felt so clearly. Disgust, contempt, pride. The boy's lips twitched and she felt rage boil with her.  

She briefly glanced at the other students. They all watched Bakugo nervously, a few already taking stances to jump into action if necessary. She looked at Izuku again, watching him carefully. 

“What? Still haven't accepted that you’ll never be a hero?”

Izuku’s eyes narrowed. 

“Gotta stalk the school now too?” 

She raised a brow at the kid, unamused by his childish attempt to get a rise out of Izuku. He sneered at them, glancing at her in confusion for a moment before putting all of his attention back on Izuku. 

She doesn't know what drove her to do it. Perhaps it was his shaking fist, the desire to spite the boy mocking Izuku, or simply because she wanted to offer support. She took Izuku’s hand, easing his fist and threading their fingers together. She felt him stand straighter, giving her hand a slight squeeze in thanks. She willed the butterflies in her stomach to calm down and resisted the urge to smile. 

“Common Izuku, we’re going to be late” She glares at Bakugo, sniffing in disdain. 

“What do you see in this worthless loser?” He scoffs at her. The other kids that were with him all cried out different protests and apologies. She ignored them all however, focused solely on the blonde jerk. 

That's it. She took a step towards the kids, being held back by Izuku. She glared at him, pointing a finger in his face. Bakugo looked unbothered, only smugly satisfied with himself. 

“Don’t you dare say that” She warned with a low tone. 

“Ochaco-”

“No Izuku, I won't let anyone say those things,” She looked over her shoulder, barely registering his blushing face or wide eyes. She turned back towards her target. Her hand twitched for one of the knives Toga had forced her to have and learn how to use, if only to cut that stupid smirk off his face. 

“Izuku is kind, and smart. He works hard and is the farthest thing from worthless” She snaps, breathing heavy, Bakugo still looks unbothered. If anything more annoyed than before. He opened his mouth but before he could get a word out, a hand covered it, pushing him out of the way as another boy with bright red hair took his place. 

“I am so sorry for his behavior” He bowed deeply, his free hand raised in apology. 

She leaned back blinking in surprise, each of the other students quickly making a wall between her and Bakugo. She stood down, still boiling with rage. Izuku moved closer behind her, literally. She could feel his chest against her back. She still found it a little funny that he inherited so many of his mothers genes. Despite almost being adults, he was still only a couple inches taller than her.

“Bakugo, apologize,” A taller girl chastised, her raven hair pulled into a ponytail. She shook away her embarrassing thoughts, refocusing on the heroes-to-be in front of her.  

“To those losers?” He shouted out, small sparks flying from his hands. She studied the quirk, lips pursed in thought. 

“Don’t worry about it. Bakugo would rather die than apologize to me” Izuku smiled. A few students flinched, looking away in shame. 

“But-”

“Deku is right! Die!” 

She clenched her jaw, wanting to launch herself over the wall to get to him. “Ochaco, please calm down” He pulled her further into his side. She only stopped putting up a fight because she had never heard him sound so concerned before, or had been this close. She could smell the crisp clean scent of soap. 

He leaned down, covering his mouth as he whispered in her ear. “Don’t leave an impression” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, shoving down the fire within. She met his eyes, the desire to fight simmering within, but easily put on the back burner.  They looked back at the students, the raven haired girl and another still berating Bakugo.  

“This happens everytime we go somewhere with you,” A vibrant blonde hissed at Bakugo, electricity flying off his finger tips. 

“It’s not my fault that extras keep getting in my way!”  

“Good to know you haven’t changed at all Bakugo.” Izuku says dryly.

“He’s always been like this?” The electric blonde whines, pointing at Bakugo. His question drowned out Baugo’s angry protests. 

“Unfortunately. I hope he hasn't been causing you too much trouble,” She snorts. He sounds like a disappointed parent. He demurely placed a hand over her smile, looking down at Bakugo who looked like he was more than ready to fight her now. She met his glare with just as much ferocity, ignoring Izuku’s warning to not leave an impression.

“We’re so sorry to bother you, we’ll be leaving now,” The red haired one apologized again, before grabbing Bakugo by the collar of his uniform and dragging him away. “Why are you like this?”

“Have a nice evening,” The girl bowed before also following her classmates. 

She watched the six students leave, exchanging looks with the dual toned boy and boy with a ravens head who had stayed out of the confrontation. She studied their dynamic until they rounded the corner. Each of them had made some comment at Bakugo and sent a few glances back towards them. 

They resumed their walk in silence, forgoing passing by the campus. Izuku hadn’t let go of her hand yet. She wasn't complaining, but she knew that if she kept up this self indulgence it would be harder in the future. She slid her hand from his, walking with her hands behind her back and looking off to the side. 

Bakugo. He wasn’t one for positive first impressions. 

“I hate him,” She broke the silence, feeling satisfied at Izuku's laugh. 

“Tell me about it.”

She hesitated a moment, glancing at him surprised to see him already looking at her. “He was my main tormentor.” He provided the answer without her having to ask. 

“And they let him into the hero course?” Her nose wrinkled in distaste. 

“Apparently. Leaves you confused huh?”

“Definitely annoyed,” She grumbled, kicking a rock. Life just liked to play around with logic. 

“That license means so little,” Izuku murmurs, “if people like Bakugo have them,”

She thought of everything she had wanted a few years ago. To be a Pro Hero, in the public spotlight. Saving people in need. The money she would get from it. It all felt so foreign now in the face of everything she had learned. About how the world really worked and the people labeled as villains. 

She would be labeled as such, despite her motives being self sacrificing. Society wouldn’t care. They wouldn’t care that she did what she was told to survive or for her parents. They wouldn’t see her as a victim. They wouldn’t see that she was saving people; her parents. 

Izuku was just trying to help the very same society that had pushed him aside and cursed his existence. Instead praising his tormentor as the real hero. Izuku could and would always try his hardest to help despite how unwelcomed the help was. 

She felt something start to shift within her heart. She pushed it aside to pick apart another day. 

They were just people who were hurt and had unfortunate circumstances shape their choices and perceptions. And she couldn’t lie to herself any longer. She had plenty of chances to change things. Tell someone. She wasn’t as stuck as she had always thought in the beginning. She didn’t have to be where she was now, but…

She looked at Izuku again, those feelings flying free and wild in her heart. He wasn’t smiling anymore, back to his usual focused self. She liked him best like this, focused and determined. He started to mutter to himself. Not like his usual analytical musings, more like angry curses at the boy long behind them. 

Even after everything, she couldn’t say everything was all bad. 

She poked at her food. She always has trouble finding an appetite when she visits her parents. The normal guilt, shame and exhaustion sitting heavy in her stomach made it difficult to swallow anything. Then the guilt of not eating her moms cooking just added to it. 

She wanted to enjoy this visit. She hasn't seen them in so long. But her thoughts were crowded and so difficult to sort through. The emotions attached to each one adding to the struggle. 

She felt doused in a rejection she never consciously expected. But in her heart she knew it would happen. She wasn't like him. Different choices after all. Different goals in life. Different desires. 

Her heart was a mess from the last year alone, not including the total four. So many things had changed and shifted her world. Villains and Heroes. Right and wrong.  

"Ochaco dear, what's wrong?" 

She looks at her mom, the guilt boiling now at her mothers concern. Then she had to take her hand, the emotions all but boiling over now. She tried to push it down. Her eyes burning, throat tightening.   

"Is it school?" 

She shrugged, resisting the urge to shake her head. The same words sat right there, at the edge of her tongue, ready to be pushed past her teeth, but shame and fear wrapped its hands around her throat. 

"Honey" her dad took her hand as well. "We are proud of you no matter what" 

She swallowed painfully, wanting to look away from him but can't. Shame sat so heavy in her heart. He said that but if he knew...

"If it's because you're not in the hero course...we're so sorry for pressuring you" her dad said with tears in his eyes. 

That was the last straw. She broke. Years of trying to hold it together and her dad's tears is what does her in. Her parents jump up from their seats, both engulfing her in a hug. She feels her stress melt away, feeling safe between them. 

"I accepted a long time ago I'm not going to be a hero" she choked out, the words finally being spoken. The last of her dream dying. With a shuddered breath, and one last tear she bid farewell. 

She'd be a third year soon. Her time was up. 

"Oh honey" her mom hugged her tighter. She's so glad her mom left it at that. She couldn't take any false hopes and lies. 

"It's just this guy…" has been holding me hostage for four years and if I don't do what he says he'll kill you guys. "doesn't like me back" is what she said instead. It was one thing on her mind for sure. 

"I overheard him and this other guy," she twiddled her fingers, choosing her words carefully. Her mom ran her fingers through her hair. 

"He has been helping me out, and I didn't even know I really really liked him until he said…" 

"If you think my interest in her is for anything other than her quirk, you're mistaken" 

"I was just a friend" she finishes lamely. 

"Oh sweetheart, are you sure it's not a misunderstanding?" Her mom coos, brushing her hair behind her ear. 

"I'm pretty sure it's not" She winced, thinking of all his standoffish roundabout answers. How quick he was with the clinical answer of their partnership to the monster.   

"That boy doesn't know what he's missing out on" her dad huffs, kissing her on the cheek. 

She melts back into their embrace, recharging on their love.While she couldn't tell them everything, part of her feels lighter. She was reminded why she was doing what she was, and that everything was worth it in the end to see them safe and happy. 

She found it in her to eat a little more, relaxing just enough to enjoy the rest of the evening with her parents. Enjoyed it to the max before her worries took hold again. Her parents had long since gone to bed, leaving her with her thoughts and a hot cup of tea. 

Izuku. Determined, strong, smart. Handsome. Mysterious. Just when she thought she had him figured out, he surprised her. 

What was she going to do? What was she supposed to do? 

Everything she had been taught growing up painted her feelings as wrong. Painted her as wrong. Villains were bad and Heros were good. That was it. But, she thought of the League of Villains that she had spent the last few months getting to know. 

Twice was one of the nicest people she knew, once you got past his odd behavior. He cared so openly and strongly for everyone in the league, especially Toga. He was a sweetheart trapped in his own head. She cared for him in a way that was far more personal than someone trying to save a villain. He was a dear friend.

She sipped her tea, staring at the dark wall in front of her. The silence amplified the blood rushing through her head, the noise just enough to set her on edge as she tried to sort through her feelings. 

Spinner was in a similar boat to Izuku, bullied and harassed for circumstances outside his control. He came from a small town, a town that despised mutations. Outcast by everyone around him. He sought justice and openly questioned society's morality. 

A morality she now also found herself questioning. Not all Villains were bad. Not all Heroes were good. Stain’s methods were garbage, but he made a compelling argument. 

What did it mean to be a Hero? Was it just how you acted professionally? If you saved people that was enough right? Did your personal and private life influence the kind of hero you were? 

An angry blonde came to mind and she had to find she agreed. How could you be a good hero if you looked down on and treated those around you as lesser outside the uniform? 

However, she, they, were all still human. Hold someone to too high a standard and they are sure to fail and disappoint. Set up for failure from the beginning, the pedestal too high and too unstable. Anyone would crash and burn eventually. 

All Might may be praised as the number one hero, but even she had seen what his shortcomings could do. Circling her back to her dilemma. 

Izuku. 

A hero called a villain. After all, he was her hero. He cared. He helped. Wasn’t that enough? 

She cared. She wanted to help. Wasn’t that enough? 

Was her love so wrong? Love for a boy jaded and scorned. Love for a boy with a few scars and wounded heart too big for his own good. 

She placed her empty cup in the sink, leaning over it for just a moment, nowhere near an answer once again. She probably never would. Things were all grey tones, very little white, and not as much black as everyone claimed. She caught her reflection in the window. She was probably the most grey of them all. 

The train car was crowded but that made sense for it being late afternoon. She tried to wiggle herself into a more comfortable position, mindful of the passengers surrounding her on each side. Her palms were sweaty not just from the heat but from the reason for her trip all the way to Kamino Ward. The duffle bag in her hand weighed more than usual. 

Toga had sounded far too excited when she had called. Rambling about ‘all their hard work paying off’ and that it was ‘time for some fun’. Her and Toga had very different definitions of fun. 

The burst of fresh air that hit her face as soon as she got off did very little to calm her nerves, or the lengthy walk towards the hideout. They only got worse when she opened the door to the entirety of the league there, including Dabi and Mustard. 

She met Dabi shortly after joining the league, and he was as unsettling as Shigiraki and Toga, but obviously with his own unique properties. 

He looked at everyone like he knew something they didn’t and it was the funniest thing in the world. His quirk, while powerful, held frightening side effects. His scarred and damaged skin more than enough of a deterrent. 

Mustard on the other hand, saddened her. She learned from Twice that the kid had started in middle school. Before she had even been picked up by Overpressure. She had tried to talk to him a handful of times, but he very clearly looked down on everyone and was tightlipped about his intentions. 

She searched the room for that mop of green hair she couldn’t afford to like as much as she did. When she spotted him she quickly joined his side, his hand brushed slightly against hers in greeting. She rolled her eyes, giving him a subtle fist bump in return. Shiguraki sat at the bar, looking at the T.V on the wall, tapping his fingers on the bar impatiently. 

“‘Vavey!” Toga squeals, throwing herself around her neck, She grunts in surprise, still unused to her excitable greetings. “Are you ready for some fun?” Togas tone took a sadistic turn, grinning wickedly at her. 

“Uh” 

“Oh don’t be so nervous! I hear you have a huge role to play!” Toga laughs, “Overpressure told me so” 

“Did he now, can’t wait to hear about it,” She grimaces, patting Togas arm politely. 

The sound of the T.V coming to life as the entire room quiet in an instant, Toga standing next to her, bouncing excitedly on her toes. She exchanged a glance with Izuku, rolling her eyes towards Toga. She’s just glad she wasn’t hanging off her neck anymore. 

“Shigaraki, are you ready my boy?”

She had also found during her time with the league that she never wanted to meet the man who interacted with them from the other side of the screen. His voice held a confidence that she knew was not overplayed. She knew he held power and never wanted to face it. 

“Master,” Shiguraki always paused when talking to the man. He was clearly favored and could speak casually with the Master, but still choose his words carefully.

“Thanks to the hard work of Miss Uravity, Mr Deku and Miss Toga, we are prepared to move forward with our plan,” Kurogiri supplied the information in his boss’ stead. 

“Wonderful. The time for the Symbol of Peace to take his final stand is at hand,” 

“We have learned they are taking first years on a little field trip to a training facility…” Shiguraki scratches his neck, irritation building in his voice, “We will destroy those brats and All Might with them.”

That was news to her. It must have come from Toga then. She looked at Izuku in panic. She felt apprehension that he didn’t look surprised by the announcement. Everyone else in the room showed varying degrees of excitement, and pride at the news. She tried to make her face as expressionless as possible. She could not stand out here. She’s sure most of the members have picked up on her rather forced membership but hadn’t brought it up. She did not need loyalties questioned here and now. She needed to fly by under the radar. 

“And the Nomu?” Shiguraki asked with what she guessed was eagerness. 

“Ready for you to use, but only two. Can’t go showing all our cards now.”

She listened in horror as the plan was gone over, her stomach a torental tornado of emotions. She continued to take deep breaths through her nose, her guilt never being this strong before. It was too late for her to do anything now. 

Kids were going to die. 

The meeting was broken up, tomorrow looming heavy over her head. She leaned back against the wall, watching her fellow members converse amongst themselves, already discussing different approaches and plans. She twisted her bangs in her hands, mind racing for a solution. 

“Uravity,” She glares at Overpressure, his hands on his hips as he gestured for her from across the room. She follows him to a spare room, the door cutting off all sound to the meeting down the hall. She crosses her arms, watching him carefully. This wasn’t the first time they had been alone, but none of those instances even left her feeling safe. Now was no different. 

“Big day tomorrow, do you know what this means for you?”

Togas little comment came to mind but she still couldn’t fathom what they had planned for her. She shook her head. 

“Why my dear, this little expedition will be your final exam. You’ve been such a good little girl all these years and it's time for the final test.” 

He loomed over her, a deranged look behind his tinted glasses. With each step she took back he took one forward till her back hit the wall. She stared him down, glad she had any training at all. Glad she emulated Izuku and Toga, keeping weapons hidden on her. 

She wasn’t the same little girl he had tricked back in middle school. She was stronger and more sure of herself now. Yes this man still sent shivers of fear down her spin, but she had learned to fight through that fear. 

“You are to kill one of the hero-to-be brats,” Overpressure laughed out, that crazed look in his eye growing. 

Her brain struggled to understand his words. Kill. The word fell softly in her head, trying to define it. Trying to understand where it came from. When it finally sunk in, she shook, legs almost giving out from under her. His laughter only got louder.

“Yes my dear! It all led up to this! Kill or be killed!”

“Then kill me! I don’t care!” She snarled, but still found herself throwing out a hand to keep him at a distance, “Do it you monster!”

“Oh it wouldn’t be you darling,” Overpressure mocked, pointing at her, “It’s you precious parents lives on the line, not yours” 

She wanted to stay defiant. She wanted to fight back, and yell and scream at him. But her fathers and mothers faces were right there, in her face. Literally. 

He dangled a picture of them in front of her eyes. 

“You will either kill a stranger...or you will kill your parents,” Her blood ran cold, “and your most precious Deku”

She now was nothing more than a block of ice, her heart working overtime to get her blood flowing again. She saw nothing but the picture of her parents. Izuku's smiling face. Inko’s tears and angry screams. Her parents bloodied mangled bodies and Izuku's lifeless eyes. 

“How,” She whispered, looking at nothing, the world a blur around her. 

He grabbed her hand, touching her fingertips softly. Her skin crawled as he moved his finger in circles over the one on her index finger. She felt like throwing up.

Stoptouchingmestoptouchingmestoptouchingme. STOP TOUCHING ME! 

“You have a very versatile quirk,” He whispered, glee dripping off his words, “and oh so easy,” He moved her hand towards a book, touching all five of her fingers to it, “to manipulate” 

He left the room, cackling. He closed the door softly, but he might as well have slammed it closed. The book stayed floating there, slowly going up and up, staying against the ceiling. She kept her hands at her side. 

She knew it had been hours, the shadows longer and darker as the sun set, her stomach churning horribly from the book still hovering over her head as well as the lives in her hands. Finally her body couldn’t take it anymore, and she threw up. 

She saw hands reaching for her, but she quickly pulled back, a panicked noise pulling from her throat. “No, don’t touch me," 

“What did he do?” She looked up to see Izuku glaring at her, eyes dark and hands shaking. 

Shakily she brought her finger together, watching as the book fell, the image easily replaced with that of her parents and Izuku. Tears gathered in her eyes, the threat of throwing up again a great possibility. 

“Ochaco,” He said lowly, “What. Did. He. Do?” 

“Nothing,”

“Don’t lie to me. You said don’t touch me,” 

“He said,” She rubbed her arms, searching for any warmth she could, ignoring his question. She reached for Izuku’s hands, gripping them as tightly as she could. She shook so hard, his hands shook with her. “I have to kill a student,”

“What?” He hissed

“Or...or” She choked on the words, sobs wracking her body, “I will have to kill my parents” 

And you . 

His arms enveloped her for the first time. His chin resting harshing in the middle of her head. He picked her up, moving her to the other side of the room. “Is this ok?”

“Yes,” she sobs, gripping him as tightly as she could. “Please don’t ever let go”

“I promise” 

She cried, the constant state of stress and anger taking its toll on her body, her mind and her soul. She thought of who she was, who she had become. She hated all of it. She wasn’t strong or doing anything to actually change her situation. She was as weak as they come. And tomorrow….she would have to do the unthinkable, and most cowardly thing she will probably ever do. 

Time to sacrifice her soul.   

Stepping through Kurogiri’s warp-gate into the large USJ facility was an odd experience. She could see the students, having only just entered the facility. She clicked through her visor settings, looking at the students, but already she picked up on a problem. 

“Those aren’t first years,” She blurted out, the few students she recognized alongside Bakugo already taking fighting stances with practiced ease. They were up against third years. 

“It’s always something isn’t it.” Shigiraki snapped, scratching at his neck. “Kurogiri” 

The portal behind them vanished, a number of their men as well. Kurogiri reappeared behind the students, quick to descend upon them. She watched horrified as they were separated from the teachers and each other, small portals opening up all across the center. Izuku stood next to her, looking over the large facility. 

"Good luck my dear" Overpressure waved to her, she looked away in disgust. Shame and fear coursing through her body. 

She then felt the ground give way beneath her, she cried out reaching out blindly. Holding on tight when her hand grabbed something. Her feet touched solid ground, and she spun around around, looking for her bearings. 

“Uravity,” 

She jumped, Deku looking at her with narrowed eyes. She shrunk in on herself. He hadn’t stopped glaring at anything and everything since last night. Everyone kept their distance and chalked it up to a personal vendetta against someone today.

They had ended up next to the large river that moved through the facility. Deku pulled her towards the woods to their right. They kept walking, the sounds of fighting and chaos grew distant. Her heart pounded in her chest. 

"Izu-Deku, wait, we are supposed," she stumbled over a rock, the trees around them casting small shadows, "we are supposed to be going towards the fighting." Her voice is small. 

He ignored her, only pulling her deeper into the mock forest. "Deku!" She felt her panic growing. If she didn't get back there right now, then...

"We, I-" she stuttered, stumbling again. The rocky terrain and trying to keep up while he held one of her hands was throwing her balance. "I have to...to.." 

"Be quiet Uravity" He hissed, glancing back at her. His mask covered the lower part of his face, but his eyes held a dark focus. He tugged harder. 

"But, Deku we really have to get back" she looked behind her, the sound of an explosion rocking making her flinch. 

She thought of her parents. Their lives were in her hands. She looked at Izuku's back. His life was in her hands right now. 

"Deku please" she begged, finally trying to tug her hand from his. He only tightened his grip. 

"Be quiet" he ordered again, looking back at her with narrowed eyes. She could see his frown despite the mask. 

"Deku please, we have to go back, there's no choice, I don't have a choice" she started to ramble, "we have to-"

She hadn’t slept at all, as she ran through every scenario. She had thought of everything she could but the only way out of this was for someone to lose their life. On her terms. 

She looked behind her, the sounds of fighting not slowing down. When she looked forward again, Deku was rushing her, his eyes narrowed, his mask pulled down around his neck. She stopped, eyes widening as Deku kissed her. It was rough, and quick. He pushed hard against her lips, his hand squeezing hers. 

He pulled back, glaring at her softly. "Please be quiet, and let's go " 

He tried to move again, but she stood her ground, staring at him with her jaw dropped. He groaned looking back at her, his ears and cheeks red. 

"You kissed me?" She asked. 

"Yes, now let's go" he rubbed his face, the blush growing darker. 

"You kissed me!" She whisper shouted, glaring at him, her own face heating up. Oh gosh, he just kissed her. That really happened. 

"Yes, we have established that, now be quiet and let's go" he tugs on her arm again, 

" You kissed me!" She slapped a hand to her face, her heart now beating wildly in her chest for very different reasons. 

"Yes," he hissed, eyes darting around them, "and if you don't be quiet I'll do it again" 

He tries to take another step again while she sputters in embarrassment. He sure could be brash when he wants to. He started to drag her, the ground scrapping loudly beneath her boots. 

"What?" She sputtered. 

"You heard me, now be quiet" She stared at his back, brain still catching up from the events of that last minute. 

"Make me" 

Deku stops dragging her, head snapping around to face her. This time he was slack jawed as he searched her eyes. She can't believe she just said that, considering the circumstances. 

"What?" He narrowed his eyes, tilting his head at her. 

"You heard me" she lifts her chin, glaring at him. Her face was on fire, and her confidence unwarranted given the present moment. But seeing his face just as red, the banter still flowing between them, she knew she could demand it. She wanted to demand it. 

He searched her eyes a moment longer before stepping closer. He runs his thumb along her face, tilting it as he leans in. She leans forward as well, closing her eyes slowly as their lips meet. This time, he was far more gentle, his lips barely touching her own. 

She knew she loved him, and knew she wanted to kiss him. She just didn't realize how badly till now. She had thought he didn’t like her. Clearly he tricked her again. She couldn’t even be upset by the ruse. She was just happy that she had him just as much as he had always had her. Her courage had won this time around, and she was finally kissing him. 

She took a deep breath through her nose, rushing forward to bring their lips even closer. He made a startled sound, but eagerly accepted her advance. Their noses squished together awkwardly, one hand on her lower back and the other still on her face. Her own hands were sandwiched between their chests. She could feel his heart beneath his suit. She felt joy blossom in her heart. 

Slowly he pulled away, resting his head against hers. She smiled softly at him, her checks warm. The distant sound of another explosion reminded her of where she was. Her mood dwindled.  

He looked at her with that searching gaze of his, eyes asking her something, begging her for an unknown. "Please," he whispered "let's get out of here. Let me save you " 

He caressed her cheek softly, running his hand through her hair. He reached for her hood, pulling it back over her head. She nodded, taking a deep breath. 

"I trust you" His eyes lit up at that, with a quirk of his lips. He straightened her visor, and secured his own mask and hood back into place. His hand lingered in her head, trailing down her face, over her shoulder, along her arm and into her hand. She took his hand, following him deeper into the mock woods. Slowly they thinned out, the edges of planters seen alongside a sidewalk. They both got low, looking out carefully. 

The sounds of fighting were far from their location, but she could still hear a few shouts breaking out nearby. She swallowed thickly, reminded once again of what she had been ordered to do today. Deku squeezed her hand reassuringly. She smiled, also now reminded of her new hope. 

Carefully stepping out into the open. She looks around nervously, watching Deus back as he leads them into a destroyed city, the ground torn up with lots of large rocks and dirt. She didn't like it out in the open like this, especially given the flashy color scheme they have for their uniforms. Dark green and dark pink don't exactly blend in during the day like it does at night. 

They were close to the edge of the facility, the domed glass ceiling shining brightly above them. It felt surreal, that she was this close to escaping. She thought of her parents, somewhere out there still in danger. Yes she could get out of today, but their lives were still at risk. She glanced at Izuku, hoping he had a plan that involved them. 

She trusted him fully, had for a while now, but that fear was still there. What if? What if they couldn't escape? What if they did and her parents paid the price? What if everything went right? What would she do then? 

She gasps as Deku throws her behind him, an explosion going off just to her right. She looks, eyes widening as the student with explosive powers and tendencies bares his teeth at her. 

Anger boiled in her chest, she glared back at him, getting into a fighting stance. Deku threw his arm in front of her. Of all the people to block their path it had to be this jerk. 

Katsuki Bakugo. 

"What do we have here? A couple playing Villains?" He laughs, palms sparkling with explosions once again. 

"Says the child playing Hero" she snarks back. 

He snarls, "what did you say?" 

Dekus shoulders start to shake, his eyes filled with laughter. She smirks herself, placing her attention back on the 'hero' in front of her. 

"Bakugo!" Another boy slides around the corner, breathing heavily "stop running off on your own!" 

She glanced at him, noticing his bright red hair and uniform. He was the one who pushed Bakugo out of the way when they met last. Bakugo only clicks his tongue at him, not breaking sight with the two of them. 

Deku glances back at her, reaching a hand for her. She quickly accepts, connecting all five of her fingers to his forearm. She spins, swinging his weightless body, throwing him over the heads of the two students. 

Bakugo growls watching Deku carefully, while the other one sounds far more impressed. "Wow she's strong!" 

She rolls her eyes, connecting her fingers as Deku neared the ground. His shoes and gloves gripped the ground, tearing it up with his momentum. He quickly pushed off, charging at the boys. As soon as their attention was fully on Deku and applied her quirk to herself, moving up and out of sight. 

Deku pulled out one of his knives, making a move for Bakugo. Her anxiety spiked as she watched him go for him. What was he going to do? This wasn't in the plan. From above, the knife glinted from the mixture of harsh facility lights and the sun. It left her with a feeling of unease. 

The red haired one quickly got in the way, his body changing with a loud sound. Deku twisted his body, changing the direction of his knife, spinning off his back to slide out of reach. As the knife glanced off the boy's body, sparks flew. 

"Kirishima!" Bakugo gave an angry shout, rushing around him to get to Izuku. 

She positioned herself directly above Bakugo and let go, free falling towards the teen. He seemed to sense her presence at the last second, using a blast to manuvior to the left.

She landed on her feet, both of them facing each other with equal ferocity. She pulled out her escrima sticks and charged him. Izuku also reappeared behind him, both of them swinging for the blonde at the same time. 

He extended his arms, sending blasts towards them. She grunts the force moving her away from him, but is quickly forcing her way in again. Kirishima also joined the tussle, but she mostly avoided him and focused on Bakugo. If she was going to have to fight, it had to be this jerk. 

She swung her attacks. He blasted his defense. Minutes went by and she finally managed to get a hit off. Bakugo clearly didn't like that. So much so that when Izuku launched at him again he instead grabbed the front of his jacket and threw him over her head, using another explosion to send him further. 

She bit her tongue, knowing she can't use any of his names. She heard a crunch behind her, quickly jumping into the air, using her quirk to gain more height. 

The other boy, Kirishima, gapped at her, hands grabbing at empty air. She reached into her side pocket, pulling out one of the many smoke bombs Izuku had given her. She threw it down before releasing herself to the earth once more. She turned on her thermals, creeping through the smoke carefully.  

She wasn't sure where Izuku had ended up but they needed to regroup and get out. Suddenly a loud explosion went off, clearing the smoke. Her ears rang and she stumbled, and tried to shake her head clear. 

"There you are" she heard right next to her ear, she spun, swinging her escrima stick towards the noise. 

There was another blast, that one closer, and she felt herself flying across the area, her side burning. She landed roughly and on her burned side no less. 

She tried to sit up, but just leaned on her elbows, still trying to shake the daze. She met Bakugou's victorious grin, trying to muster up her most threatening glare. 

His smile dropped and he looked confused. Then furious. "Deku!" He called out, spinning around looking for the boy. 

She groaned, not even bothering to try to put her hood back on, but instead put her effort into standing again. Her trip had caused her to drop her escrima sticks and knocked her visor off. She reached down to her thigh, unbuckling her knife. She kept the sheath on. 

"Bakugo, please we're just trying to get out of here" her voice sounded hoarse. 

He scoffed at her, "Like I'd fall for that,"  

"I don't want to hurt you," where was he? She looked around, some dust from her smoke bomb hovered in the air, whispy and delicate. 

Bakugo only glared at her, marching towards her with the confidence. She saw Kirishima out of her peripheral, twisting herself to have a clear eye sight of both of them.  She was tired, ached all over and just wanted to get out with Izuku. She looked around again, panic growing. Everything was going wrong. Where was he? He never delayed attacks this long. 

"Please. Let us go." 

"Now my darling Uravity, You wouldn't be running now would you?" 

A chill ran down her spine as she stared at Bakugo, watching as he looked up behind her, confused horror overtaking his face. She screamed as loudly as she could, her throat cried out in protest but she needed them to hear. 

"RUN!" 

Her entire body slammed into the ground, her chest aching from the impact. She tightened her grip on her knife which was pinned beneath her body. She watched as Bakugo and Kirishima were also forced to the ground. Both of them grunted. She had unfortunately gotten accustomed to the effects of this quirk.

The pressure on her fluctuated as Overpressure moved his gaze from one target to the next. She gritted her teeth, using her hatred to hide her fear. She heard him slide down the wall of rubble at her back, his large black boots stopping right next to her face. He kneeled down, putting himself into her line of sight. 

"Uravity" he clicked his tongue in disappointment. "What will your parents think?" 

"Screw you" she spit out.

"Their own daughter choosing a stranger over them?" He ignored her, continuing his mockery. He grabbed her by her hood, dragging her closer to the boys. She managed to get the sheath off the knife, but he then dropped her with little care, quick to look at her once again. She gritted her teeth in frustration, her arm and weapon useless beside her. 

"Oh and for your little rebellious act," she suddenly felt pressure increase on her leg. The weight continued to increase quickly, worse than she had ever experienced from him before. She screamed as it got unbearable, her nails dug into her palm. She cried, but refused to beg. Eventually she heard a snap, white hot pain searing from her ankle to her knee. She screamed, hitting the ground with her fist.

"Can't have you running away now" 

"Hey!" Kirishima shouted out, "what did you do to her?" 

"None of your concern little Hero" 

Her eyes darted over to Kirishima who had started to get up but Overpressure simply glanced at him forcing him back to the ground with a hard crash. 

she panted, tears blinding her, Kirishima nothing more than a red blur. She felt him take her fist, and she tightened it in protest. "No" she wanted to sound forceful and in control, but she could barely get her voice above a whisper. The pain was all she could focus on. 

"You can't make me" she choked out, 

"Oh but I can," he ran his fingers along her hand, bile rising in her throat, "and I will." 

Overpressure just laughed, carefully prying her fingers open, gripping her palm tightly. She cried out, trying to pull away, but the attempts were meager. Bakugo struggled just to the right of Kirishima, he tried setting off explosions, but they did nothing except create dust and flying bits of dirt. 

"Izuku….where are you" she mumbled out, looking again for his green hair. There was so much white around her, he should be so easy to find. She squeezed her eyes shut, the pain from her leg overwhelming, nausea rolling through her. 

"Oh so that's the brats name," Her hand was halted on its journey to her unwanted victim, her hand falling useless against the ground. She heard a sickening thump, but it was too heavy to be her hand right? 

"Hey now, I need you to see this darling" 

She blinked open her eyes, and she found his green hair immediately. His body laid on Overpressure’s other side, his hair matted with blood. Limp. Still. Unmoving. 

"No" She whimpered out. She wanted to scream and yell. But she could only stare and cry as his beautiful green hair was drenched in red. His wonderful eyes hidden behind his pale bruised lids. 

"Don't worry now," he whispered in her ear, her sobs turning to growls as she reached up, trying desperately to attack any part of him. He increased the pressure on her leg, another wave of nausea rolling through her as she tried to curl in on herself. "He's still alive" 

She shut her mouth, trying to see with her own eyes. She wanted to believe him but knew he had something else planned. She laid there, helplessly looking at him, wanting desperately to be holding him close. To be back at her apartment, sitting next to him as they talk about nothing and everything eating the cheapest takeout dinners they could find. She reached out to him, hiccuping through her tears. 

She watched as the future she thought was within her grasp just mere minutes ago slowly burned to ash before her eyes. She reached for him, wishing to run her fingers through his hair and hug him close. To feel his lips on hers once more. 

"Remember what I told you" he waved a finger in her face, but continued to stare down the boys. "What would happen if you didn't complete today's test" 

Frustration wrapped around her chest, binding so easily with her hatred, the vines creeping delicately over her skin, digging in, the roots going deeper into her heart. 

This time he did look at her, forcing her towards the earth with a sickening smile. He knelt down, brushing her hair out of her face, she tried to jerk her head away, seething at the man before her. "You would kill your most precious people instead." 

She wanted to scream about how much she hated him. How she wished he would die or disappear. She wanted to curse the day she ever met him and she wanted him to suffer as much as she had. She wanted to rip him to shreds and burn him to ashes. 

But all she could do was cry, and glare and fight back as best she could against his quirk. He loomed over her, his smile speaking for itself. She would forever be his play thing. There had never been a choice after all. 

"Hey it's going to be ok" 

She looked at Kirishima, blinded by his smile. How could he be smiling right now? 

"We'll get you out of here" He continued to smile, giving her a thumbs up. 

"Listen to that Hero, dear. Has no idea how the world really works" Overpressure gives a mocking laugh. 

She couldn’t help but agree with the monster on this one. That false optimism of hers had died long ago. She was glad that his was still intact up until this point. 

"Now where were we?" he reached for her hand again, wrestling open her fingers once more. She pulled and screamed, looking at Kirishima in fear. 

"It's ok," he hadn't stopped smiling, his voice completely calm.

"No, please don't say that" 

"I mean it," he gave her another blinding thumb up, not flinching like she did when her hand touched him. He started to float up gently, eyes wide with wonder. 

"One down," Overpressure hummed, moving her towards Bakugo. He had gotten oddly silent, watching each of their movements carefully. She looked at both boys now, rising, rising up already so high and nowhere near the domed ceiling. 

"Are you really that weak!" Bakugo screamed out, glaring at Overpressure as he put his glasses back on. "Do something damn it!" 

"I can't interfere here kid, she needs to do this all on her own" His smile was sickening. 

"I wasn't talking to you" 

Before they could make sense of Bakugos words, a blur of green was launching at Overpressure. She watches as he starts to reach for his glasses, and fueled by love and adrenalyn she throws herself at his legs, pulling him to the ground. He curses at her, his gaze fully in her as she slams into the ground for the third(?) time that day. 

She gagged, the weight of two almost fully grown boys straining her body, and she got a mouthful of dirt. She looks up in time to see Izuku swinging his knife downwards, the absolute fury in his eyes striking her to her core. She'd never seen him so angry. 

As both men's eyes met, Izuku started his downwards projection, Overpressure smirked, and Izuku adjusted his swing, twisting his body to go along with his increased gravity. 

Hot red blood splashed across her face.

Izuku's knife gleamed with blood. 

Overpressure screamed and cursed. He thrust his hands at his eyes, blood covering his face. 

Izuku shakily stood up, holding his arm while maintaining his grip on his knife. He was breathing heavily and all but snarling at Overpressure. “Get your dirt hands off her you disgusting monster” 

She gasped, Overpressure grabbing her by her hair. "You brats are going to pay for that." 

Like hell she would just take this. 

She grimaced, twisting her own body, ignoring the pain as her hair was pulled from their roots, she adjusted her grip on her knife, bloodlust mixed quickly with her adrenaline. 

He wanted her to kill someone. Fine. 

Her swing was blocked by a scarred hand. 

That hand chopped at the monster's arm, breaking free the hold he had on her hair. She fell onto her forearms, watching Izuku kick Overpressure away from them. 

"You don't have to do that," he said softly, putting her knife away between his belt. She blinked slowly at him, still disoriented. When had he taken her knife? 

"You can go ahead and let those two go now" he knelt down, helping move her so she was sitting, mindful of her bad leg. She hissed, looking up at the boys who had now reached the ceiling above them, they looked so small. 

Izuku helped her bring her fingers together, the weight lifting off her body and she watched in awe as they both came back down alive. Kirishima simply took the fall head on, but she figured his quirk had something to do with that confident approach. Bakugo used small blasts to slow his descent, and he skidded to a stop in front of them. 

She wrapped an arm around Izukus neck as he helped her stand, whimpering softly as her leg jostled. She looked at Bakugo with trepidation, clinging to Izuku with all her strength. She was embarrassed to say she was shaking. 

"See I told you it would be ok," Kirishima jogged up to them, breathless. 

She hummed, not breaking eye contact with Bakugo. Kirishima didn't say anything after that, the air charged. 

"You can try and run," Overpressure laughed. She stiffened, pushing herself further into Izuku. "I'll always find you my darling" 

Izuku sneers at him, hand itching towards the knife again. She puts her hand over it. "You don't have to do that" she whispered, looking at him. Despite the disgust sitting at the back of her throat, the taste bitter and overwhelming, she had to return this favor to Izuku. 

"That's enough of that" Kirishima chops him on the neck, silencing his deranged laughter. She snorts, surprised by the action. It felt so weird, looking at her tormentor's body laying limply on the ground, his quirk now useless, his literal power over her now gone. 

"Kacchan. Just this once please" she looks at Izuku confused, but he won't break eye contact with Bakugo. 

Bakugo crosses his arms, taking deep breaths. "Why should I?" 

"For her," Izuku’s arms tightened around her. She dug her fingers into his jacket, nuzzling her head into the crook of his shoulder. 

Bakugo glares at her. She glares back. It wasn't like they could fight anyway. Her leg and his arm are broken. This was it. Everything had to catch up to her eventually. Overpressure may be down for the count but they were still cornered by pro's to be. 

“Don’t put her in another cage,” Izuku begged, adjusting his arm around her to bring her even closer. She had never heard him ask anyone for anything like that. She looked at him with worry. He was putting too much emphasis on her. He wasn’t asking for himself. He wasn’t planning on leaving her was he? 

Kirishima looked between them with concern, before coming closer to her. “Hey, how's your leg?” His hands hover, but he doesn't touch her. She cracks a smile.

“Broken.”

“Obviously,” He snickers, rubbing his head in embarrassment. 

“Kirishima,” Bakugo barked out, walking away. Kirishima quickly loops an arm around her, helping Izuku move her. She grunts, sweat dripping down her face. They follow Bakugo to the wall of the facility. He aims his arm at it, pulling a pin on his gauntlet, the blast removes their barrier. She winces from the noise, blinking dust out of her eyes. 

“Thank you,” Izuku murmurs, both of them quick to use the exit offered to them. She paused, hopping on her good leg to turn to look at them both. She smiles, giving Kirishima a thumbs up. When she looks at Bakugo, he quickly looks away. 

“Maybe you’re not so bad after all,” She smirks as his cheeks pinken. He stops away, waving his hand at them. 

“Whatever! You owe me Deku!”

They smile at each other, Izuku leaned down to peck her lips lightly. “Let’s get out of here” 

"The viginatie duo,Sentry and Vitality, were spotted in Chiba prefecture last night. We have a new photo caught off a security camera last night." 

The woman's face is replaced by a grainy picture of two individuals running past the camera. You could make out their dark hooded suits, and faceless masks. The man saluted the camera, while the woman had a grip on his jacket. 

Ochaco sips on her tea, watching the news broadcasted in the large city square of Tokyo. The announcement rang out loudly through the space, the early morning already warm. 

"They illegally apprehended known criminals Fusao Hideya and Hiroto Benari." 

She scoffs, rolling her eyes. If it wasn't for them, those kids would still be treated less than human. She winces as she drinks her tea a little too fast, her tongue stinging from the heat.  

"Please leave confrontation to your local Pro Hero's and police force. While they have never attacked civilians we do know Sentry is very protective of Vitality and their quirks are unknown." 

"If anyone has any information please contact the information hotline for your prefecture." 

"Of course they don't mention that they were child traffickers" 

She glanced at him, a smile curling at her lips. He glared at the news reporter, grumbling his complaints on incompetence and thankless superiority. 

"It's OK, we know what we did," she reached across, taking his hand, cutting off his angry musings. She smiled softly, joy filling her at the matching rings upon their left hands. She ran her fingers along his band, still in disbelief despite seeing and touching her new reality for the last year.  

"I know" He grumbled, "it would just be nice if the media told the whole truth" 

"If they did, then they couldn't paint us as the 'villains' they want everyone to think we are"

"True" he hums, still glaring at the woman behind the screen. She giggles, reaching across the table to rub her thumb along his forehead. 

"You keep glaring like that, you're going to get wrinkles" 

His face relaxes, as he leans into her touch. He takes a deep breath closing his eyes. Again that overwhelming joy and love flares up like a fire within her. When he opens his eyes, she's captivated by them. She will never tire of looking into his eyes. They held so much of who he was, and yet so much mystery.

They are dark now, as he thinks about something. But her Izuku is always thinking. She smiles while he frowns again. 

"What?" 

He sighs, takes both of her hands in his, and kisses her knuckles softly. She blushes, glancing around in embarrassment. He wasn't one for public displays of affection outside of holding hands. 

"You deserve to be recognized for your work. I'm sorry I can't give you that" the runs his thumb over her hands, hovering for a second over her ring. 

"Izuku.." 

"I didn't do enough for you…" 

"Hey, stop that. You saved me. You're my hero." She whispered "If anyone deserves to get credit for our work, its you" 

He just raises a brow at her, at which she giggles. "Silly, you're amazing and because of you I have this wonderful life." 

"But your dreams-" 

"Changed. You're all I need now." She smiles brightly, enjoying the rare blush that graced his cheeks. 

A small summer breeze danced through the outdoor cafe, her hair obscuring her vision for a moment. She blew the stands away. 

Izuku just laughed at her, brushing her hair behind her ears for her. His hand stayed on her cheek for a moment, his eyes capturing her soul all over again, much like that rooftop all those years ago. 

"I love you" he said it so softly, but she could hear the conviction in every syllable. 

"I love you" she whispered back, finally feeling like she was exactly where she belonged. The choices people make can lead to interesting regrets. Regrets tied to guilt. Regrets tied to joy. Regret for turmoil. Regret for normalcy. 

Despite all those, she was free. She was home.