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“Was there anything in particular you needed?” Izuku asked as you climbed off the bus with the rest of the class. You smiled and shook your head.
“I just wanted to get out for a little while.”
“That's fair,” he smiled at you.
The whole class was going to the mall. There were things needed, and while having them via Internet ordering was a thing, sometimes everyone liked being able to see and touch. Besides, you were still humans, heroes in training or not, and getting out was a whole thing.
Izuku hadn't demanded you be little or anything, for which you were grateful. You'd picked out a dress, one of the more grown up ones with the square neck and the shorter hemline. It did have flutter sleeves, which you loved. It was black with little pink butterflies, and it didn't scream 'This person is a Little!' or anything.
Katsuki didn't love the hemline and had fussed with it a few times.
“I'm big,” you reminded him calmly. “I think I can manage wearing a dress by myself, you know?”
“Still kinda short.” he grumped. He looked at Izuku, hoping for some back up, but the other boy just put his hands up.
“I think she looks cute. Let it go, Kacchan, we don't have many chances to dress the way we want, and she really doesn't. Leave her alone, we'll be with her. Nothing is going to happen.”
“Damn straight it won't, nerd.” you rolled your eyes and applied your make up, wearing the pink lip gloss you liked, a little blush, a touch of eye shadow. You looked normal. A purse and a pair of sandals that clasped over your ankles completed the look.
“You do look cute.” Katsuki admitted, cheeks pink.
“I look cute because I'm a Little, or I look cute because I look like a cute young woman?” you asked, curiously.
“The second one,” he couldn't quite look you in the eye. You three had a few conversations about your feelings when you were big, dancing around the topic. You had said, honestly, you wanted to examine you feelings, and they respected that.
It wasn't like feelings could just be turned off, though.
On the bus, you sat with Mina, listening to her talk up all the stores she wanted to hit up.
“But no one is going off alone!” Iida said, with his signature karate chop gestures. You narrowed your eyes at him.
“And not just those of us who might be inclined to be small.” he added, catching your glance. “It's a safety procedure.”
Well, you supposed that made sense. Aizawa stayed on the bus, never one to pass up an opportunity to nap. You had thought that you might go with Mina and Ochako, see if Tsu and Momo wanted to hang out, too. But as soon as you were off the bus, Katsuki was glued to you.
And if the two of you were together, there was no way Izuku wouldn't go, too. Well, you reasoned, there were worse ways to spend a day at the mall. And you'd probably catch up with the girls later, and you could be absorbed by their group. You held the strap of your purse as you stepped into the crowded mall.
“Well, I have to get socks.” Izuku announced. He headed for one of the discount stores. Katsuki snorted and stopped him.
“Waste of cash, nerd. Get some better ones, they'll last longer.” you didn't listen to them debate the intricacies of socks, just following along and letting the sounds of the people wash over you. There were other Littles there, it was easy to tell. Some were clipped to leashes, some where holding the hands of their caregivers. You were glad that hadn't happened to you.
You were half expecting to be mobbed by people. Izuku and Katsuki had been in the Sports Festival, after all. You didn't, saying you had no interest in such things. The attention you could garner wouldn't bring you much as a Little. Aizawa had agreed with you. No one outside of UA even knew that you were a student, let alone in the hero course. It could do a lot towards you being a stealth hero, honestly.
Katsuki dragged you all into a men's wear store, where he continued on a tirade, saying that everything Izuku wore was awful. He was picking out items for him to try on, not just the socks that he claimed he needed. Izuku was refusing it all while you went and sat in one of the chairs, smiling at the workers who were looking on in confusion.
You pulled out your phone and browsed for awhile, listening to them bicker. Eventually, Katsuki dropped down next to you, arms crossed. Izuku had been shoved into a changing room. You just smiled and continued playing your game.
“You're behaving well.” Katsuki noted. A blush fired your face.
“I'm behaving like a normal person.” you hissed.
“There's nothing wrong with being Little. You are a normal person.” he reminded you. You shook your head, not wanting that conversation in the moment. His hand came to rest on your back, and it didn't have the air of a caregiver calming someone down. You were happy with the contact, anyway.
“Katsuki?”
“Mmm?”
“I need to use the washroom. I'll be right back.” you rose, gathering your purse. He shook his head and went to stand up with you.
“I'm positive I can find the toilet and use it myself.” you spat.
“Don't get ornery.” he warned. “You start acting that way and we'll go to the bus.” you opened your mouth to protest.
“You heard Iida, no one is supposed to be alone.”
“Kacchan!” Izuku called from the changing room. “I need help.”
“For fucks' sake! What could you possibly need help with?” he threw his hands in the air. “Do you even know your ass from your elbow?” he rose up to go help. You were big, and they were in the family changing rooms. There was no way you'd be allowed to go in. He groaned and pointed at you.
“To the toilet and straight back, ya got me?”
You nodded and stood up, heading off to the toilet. You weren't desperate yet, but you didn't like to let yourself get there. You headed off to the restrooms, washed your hands, and then were ready to come back. It wasn't very far from the men's wear store. But there was a performer there in the mall that day.
Littles and children a like were gathered around. You hovered around the outskirts, watching as they dipped a wand into a big pan of bubble mix and waved it. You hadn't known that bubbles that big could even be made! They dipped a different wand, and bubbles that were shaped like flowers came out. There were gasps and applause. You hand to hold onto the strap of your purse to keep from clapping yourself.
You watched for a few moments, entranced, before with a start you remembered. Katsuki had said to the toilet and back. Whatever trouble Izuku had gotten himself into, it couldn't last forever. You had to get back. But which way was the men's wear store again? You felt a little fuzzy, a little turned around. A sure sign that you were going to slip.
No, you begged yourself. Please, not here. You saw a directory of stores and a map and hurried over. If that didn't help, you'd just stay put and text one of the two of them to come and get you. But then they'd know that you hadn't come right back, and they'd know you were slipping, and you'd have to spend the rest of the trip holding one of their hands like a little kid.
You could figure it out. Your finger ran down the list of shops, and you found the one that you were pretty sure you'd been in. You chewed your lower lip and turned in the direction, trying to make your steps look sure, if nothing else.
You were so focused on that, you didn't see the person coming to step into your way. You collided with their chest and winced, backing up.
“I am so sorry! Please forgive me! I wasn't watching where I was going.” you babbled.
“It's fine, it's busy in here.” the man smiled at you, waving it off. He was perhaps the same age as Aizawa. There was a deep scar going down the middle of his forehead. You wondered what kind of injury would cause that, but of course, it wasn't polite to ask.
“Watch where the hell you're going, dumbass!” the man said, in a voice that was different. You jumped and stepped away.
“I am sorry.” you repeated, trembling just a little.
“It's fine,” the man ground out. He was blond, and he looked terribly uncomfortable. Even though you weren't on hero duty right at the moment, you still were a hero.
“Are you okay?” you asked, reaching to put your hand on his arm. He looked up at you then, a strange look on his face.
“No,”
“Do you need some help? I can help. I can get you help.” you told him. You weren't aware of the softer pitch your voice had taken. You were slipping, and you were always so kind and sweet in your headspace. There was no way you could walk away from someone you thought was suffering.
“If you come with me, I know who can help you.”
“Who the fuck do you think can help me?” you realized that he was much taller than you, he was menacing towards you. Your eyes looked around, but no one seemed to notice the two of you. It was right at the front of your mouth to scream, but you froze.
No chance of that, you realized. You'd hurt too many people. There were children here, Littles, innocent people who didn't deserve to be hurt. You had to stay calm and collected. Just don't freeze up. Just figure a way out of this.
“If you come, I can show you.” you tried to tempt him. You realized that he had your wrist, was pulling you close.
“Silly girl,” he breathed. “Don't you know you're not supposed to talk to strangers?”
“Please let go.” you begged. He shook his head. You shoved at him. You took strength training, combat training. You could do something! Even if you were feeling small, you knew that you could. A well placed kick in his knee had him releasing you. You ran then, heedless of where you were going. Just disappear into the crowd, call Daddy and Kacchan, and you would be okay.
“Stupid bitch!” he growled, catching up quickly. “You're coming with me.”
“No! I am not!” you protested, trying to get away from him.
“Yes, you are.” he was marching you towards the door. To the rest of the world, you looked like a kid having a tantrum, having to be walked out of the place by your caregiver. There was no one who would even think twice about it. You had no hope.
***
Izuku had gotten a pair of pants tangled around his feet, and need Kacchan to come and help. He had grumbled the whole time about what a goddamn idiot his friend was. Then he realized that those pants would need a belt, and he spent some time picking the right one. Finally, he let Izuku slide the whole outfit together.
If nothing else, Katsuki was very good at picking out clothes. Izuku did look great, he thought as he looked in the mirror. The pants highlighted how strong his legs were, and the shirt made his waist look amazing.
“Let's go see if our girl likes it.” he grinned at Kacchan. But when they opened the door, you weren't there sitting in the seat.
“She had to go to the toilet.” Katsuki remembered.
“Was that when you came in here? Because we've been in here for awhile?” Izuku felt an edge of dread coming over him, chewing at his stomach.
“Well, if she was in trouble, she'd call us. She's big, remember?” still, for all the bravado of his words, Izuku could see the worry coming into his red eyes.
“Go change. Now.”
Izuku stepped back in, stripping and jumping back into his own clothes. There was something inside him that was begging him to hurry. They left the clothes and rushed out, ignoring the call of the worker if they had found things okay.
The first place they went was to the bathrooms. But there was no sign of you there. Izuku even asked a woman to check inside the ladies' for you. She did, and came out with a frown, there had been no one in there.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Thank you!” they just rushed off.
“Where the hell else would she go? What if she slipped?” Kacchan asked, stopping to look around. There was a store aimed at Littles, but a quick look inside and asking the person working the cashier confirmed that you hadn't been in there that day.
“I'm calling her.”
“She's in such deep shit.” Kacchan looked outraged, although anyone who knew him would know that he'd only been scared. Izuku brought up your contact information, pressed to call you. It rang and rang, going to voicemail. With a frown, he called again. The same result. If it rang that long, you weren't ignoring calls, and it wasn't dead.
They began to power walk through the mall, ending up at the food court. The others seemed to be gathered there. Iida frowned when he saw the look on Izuku's face.
“What's wrong?”
“She-she isn't here.” he had gone pale.
“Has any of you extras seen my fucking kid?” Kacchan demanded. Every one shook their heads slowly. Iida rose.
“When was the last time you saw her? Where was it? Had she slipped?” he asked the questions rapid fire, and Katsuki answered. Izuku just stared at the floor, willing himself not to panic.
“I think we'd better get Aizawa and launch a full scale sweep of the mall. She's probably in a store somewhere, but she might be lost.” Iida pushed up his glasses. Todoroki volunteered to head out and get the teacher. You were a favorite of his, and he'd do
anything for you when you were little. The teacher was back in a moment, getting the story from Katsuki again.
Katsuki was getting wound up, looking like he'd explode at any moment. Izuku continued focusing on breathing. What kind of hero lost their own Little? What kind of hero couldn't be trusted to put on a pair of pants on his own?
Aizawa was giving directions, calling over security, listening to them call in the lock down. He sent Iida and Ochako to go with security and look over some of the footage. The sweep was conducted, but of course, came up empty. You were nowhere to be seen.
Iida and Ochako came rushing back, stricken looks on their faces.
“She's been taken.” Iida managed.
“What!?” Katsuki roared, explosions going off. Aizawa shook his head as Izuku put his arm around his shoulders, coaxed him into sitting down.
“Getting worked up won't bring her back. We have the tracker on her cell phone, they won't take her far.” he tried to soothe his not quite boyfriend. One of the security guards came up then, holding a plastic bag.
“Fuck,” Katsuki whispered. It was your phone, no doubt about it. The Hello Kitty case, with the dangling charm in the shape of Present Mic. It had been crushed, run over probably. You were really out of their grasp now.
“Someone stole my kid.”
“Should we alert the police?” the security guard asked Aizawa, who nodded and began directing the students towards the bus.
“We need to get back to school and talk to Nezu.” he said grimly. By now, Mina was crying, reaching for Kirishima, and Denki's lower lip was wiggling. Of course it would make them slip, too. Kyoka gathered in Denki close on the bus. It was a long, quiet ride back to UA.
***
“Please, please, let me out of the car.” you begged as you were shoved into the backseat. “I won't tell anyone. I'll just go back in.”
“Shut up!” the blond man shook his head. He snatched your purse, grabbing your cellphone and throwing it to the ground. So much for texting for help, you thought. You were on your own. You cowered in the backseat as he climbed in.
“I'm not going to hurt you. Just do what you're told.”
You were fairly certain you couldn't believe him. But you remained quiet, racking your brain. Maybe you should wait for a red light and launch yourself out of the car. That was an idea, actually. It would hurt to hit the ground, but you were going to get someone's attention. You waited for a red light and reached for the handle.
“I put the child safety locks on.” he glanced in the rear view.”
“Not a child!” you spat.
“You are, and that's fine. Who would let such a pretty thing like you wander around by herself? Any stranger could have snapped you up, little one.”
He seemed to be missing the point that some stranger did snap you up. You whined, ashamed of the hot tears coming down your face. He cooed at you in the mirror, then passed you a handful of crumbled napkins from his front seat.
“Wipe your fucking face and turn off the waterworks.”
What was up with this guy? Was he two people or something? You tried to stop crying, feeling more afraid than when you'd gotten in the car. You didn't recognize where you were when he finally parked somewhere. He opened the door and yanked you out
by your elbow, dragging you in, your feet barely skimming the ground.
“Oooh, Twicey! Who did you bring to play with? She's cute!” a girl in a uniform with an uncomfortably short skirt hopped off a rickety looking chair to approach you. Her hair was twisted into two messy buns.
“Back off! She's a Little.”
“Oooh!” the girl looked impressed. “Lemme just get a little taste off her.” she reached for a knife. You couldn't help it then, you screamed. The girl, the man, and another man you hadn't noticed sitting on a moth eaten sofa all clamped their hands over their ears, crashing to the floor and writhing in pain. The glasses that were littering the coffee table shattered.
A hand was suddenly clamped over your mouth, pinky up. You stopped screaming, frozen in fear.
“Twice,” a voice that sent shivers down your spine began. “Why the hell would you ever bring someone with a quirk like that around here?”
“I saw her at the mall. I don't know, she seemed...” he trailed off. “Someone left her alone, can you believe it! They don't know how to treat Littles these days!”
“You're an idiot.” the man who had been tucked away came close to clip the blond guy around the head. “She isn't anyone in particular. You can't just go around kidnapping people for no reason. That's fucking weird.”
“Well, we are the League of Villains!”
It all slid into place for you then. The girl was Toga, with that blood quirk. The man from the shadows, with his staples and his scars? That was Dabi, with the fire quirk. You glanced at the man who had brought you in, saw him pulling on the signature mask.
You whined. Twice, of course. You got it now. You cursed yourself for being so slow in the first place.
“Be that as it may,” the person holding your mouth shut continued. “We can't just keep her around here. Kill her, dumb her body somewhere, I don't care. Get her out of here!”
“Uh, Shigaraki?” Toga had been rooting through your purse, since you had dropped it. “There's something here that I think will interest you.”
“Oh?” your student ID was passed to him. “I'm gonna take my hand off your mouth now. But if you scream, it will be the very last thing you ever do. Am I clear?” you nodded. He took the ID and read it.
“A hero student, hmm?”
“She wasn't at the Sports Festival!” Twice leaned closer to you.
“She's a Little, duh. They don't want everyone to know their status.” Toga rolled her eyes.
“It doesn't list her assigned caregiver. Pity.” Shigaraki tossed it to the side. “Do you have one?” he asked you.
You shook your head. Best to lie.
“Well, wonderful. Looks like we'll be taking care of you.” he shoved you towards Toga. “Take her to a room and get her set up.”
You were hauled by your elbows. Dabi was walking you into the dilapidated house, towards a room. He bumped the door open with his hip, threw you down on a musty mattress. He looked at you for a moment and dragged his hand down his space.
“This ain't a good place for a Little.” you said nothing. Was he pitying you. He left the room, closing the door behind him. You bounced up, grimacing at the filth that was already clinging to you. There was no window in this room, probably why it was picked for you. You should just try and run for it. You probably couldn't take them all down, but there was the chance that you could incapacitate them and then make it to the door.
Before you could make up your mind, the door opened again. It was Dabi, standing there and looking a little bothered. You stared at him, pulling yourself into a fighting stance.
“Please don't. I really don't want to hurt you. No better than hurting an actual kid.” he approached you. You backed away from him. There was something metal in his hand.
“I'm sorry about this.” he sighed. A muzzle was placed over your mouth, leaving your nose out. You frantically turned your head side to side. Your hands came up to pull at it. “No, no, it's locked. Don't, you'll hurt yourself.”
You stared at him with hateful eyes. He just pointed to the mattress, a silent indication for you to sleep, and walked out. The door was locked behind him. There was no way out, at least not right now. As much as you didn't want to sit on the mattress, you did, pulling your knees to your chin.
***
The whole class was in the common room. Katsuki was pacing, pops going off from his palms. No one dared to speak to him in his agitation. Izuku was frozen in his chair, green curls down over his eyes. He refused to speak to anyone, his hands clenched into fists. Kirishima and Kyoka were on the couch, Mina and Denki in their laps. The television was on, but no one was moving. Finally, the door opened.
“Hello, students.” Nezu looked at them all, his face as sad as it could get for an animal. “I am very sorry to hear about your classmate.”
“Where the fuck is she?” Katsuki demanded. Aizawa followed behind, put his hands on his students shoulders.
“We're putting together a task force right now. The man who took her,” he sighed. “Has been identified as Twice, with the League of Villains.”
Katsuki went pale. There was no doubt he was reliving his time when he had been kidnapped. It had been hard enough for him. And now it had happened to his kid? He threw his teacher away from him, heading right for the door. But the capture weapon was wrapped around him, yanking him back into the room.
“I know, Kacchan, I know.” Izuku was standing, soothing him. “We can't just head out without having an actual plan, though.”
“You're not heading out at all, neither of you.” Aizawa shook his head. The whole class stared at him. “You're too invested. This is your Little, and I know how much you both love her when she is in and out of headspace.” had they been that obvious about the whole thing? Katsuki gave a shout, trying to pull off the scarf.
“I don't trust that you'd be able to keep yourselves safe. And the last thing we need right now is the two of you getting hurt on top of whatever state she's in.”
“Fuck off!” Katsuki was still struggling. Aizawa didn't seem to take it to heart.
“As for the rest of you.” Nezu continued. “I have been asked to extend an invitation to join the task for. I understand if none of you want to put yourselves in that position, and no one will think less of you.”
“Like hell we're abandoning a classmate.” Todoroki spoke in his monotone voice. “Especially her.” the rest of the class seemed to agree.
“Very well, then. We will work with the police and some pros in the morning. I know this is a big ask of all of you. But please return to your rooms and get into bed. We have a lot to do in the morning.” the principal bid them all good night. Aizawa unwrapped Katsuki.
“I know you're scared. I can't imagine what you're feeling.” he looked at his temperamental student. “But he's right. Please go to bed. Good night, everyone.” he headed for the door himself before stopping to look at them.
“And if I find out that one of you has gone off on their own to find the baby, you will find yourself expelled and black listed from hero work faster than you can blink. The best thing we can do for her right now is to stay here and stay safe.”
“Yes, sensei.” the whole class chimed. He nodded and left.
Katsuki disappeared up the elevator. Izuku gave himself a few minutes to try and settle himself, listen to Iida's pep talk, Momo's promise of doing everything she possibly could to find her. He headed upstairs himself.
The door to your room was cracked open. He peeked in and saw Katsuki sitting on your bed. Sam and your blanket were in his hands. He stepped in and closed the door. Katsuki looked up at him with trouble in his eyes.
“How is she gonna sleep without them?” he asked. “She's gonna get sick without her humidifier and purifier.”
“Kacchan...” he walked across the room. He wrapped his arms around his best friend, let him bury his face in his stomach.
“I shouldn't have let her go alone.”
“There is no way anyone could have predicted this.” Izuku carded his fingers through the blond hair. “They're going to find her and bring her right back to us, safe and in one piece, and then we're going to spoil the shit out of her.”
And if Katsuki cried, a few wet tears landing on his shirt, then no one needed to know.
***
The left the muzzle on you. The next morning, after the none sleep you'd gotten, Toga and Dabi came back in. You whined, trying to get away from them. You were overpowered easily, pinned down to the mattress with Dabi sitting on your thighs, holding your arms above your head.
“Please don't.” he sighed. “Not everyone here is patient like I am.”
“This is just a little pinch.” Toga sang. She brandished a knife at you, causing you to try and flail. But a needle was placed in your arm, and an IV was hung on a pole.
“Keep you nice and hydrated. We can even sedate you this way if we want!”
“Can you just calm the fuck down, crazy?” Dabi got off you quickly. “She's already terrified.”
“We'll see you later. We're just waiting for some of your hero friends to come and play.” she skipped out. You stared at the IV, tapped down. You could rip it out. But someone would come and put it back in. You couldn't scream. You thought you'd be strong enough to fight them, and as you rose towards Dabi, he let a little blue flame appear in his palm.
“It would end poorly.” he assured you. Were your thoughts written on your face like that? He disappeared, leaving you in the dark. All you could do was stare at the drip. There was no sense of time for you, and the door opened again.
“Hello,” Shigaraki. “What do you think of our accommodations?” you didn't respond. Your bladder was aching, and your mouth was dry behind the mask.
“Since I hear no complaints, I assume you're happy enough. Toga told me that she mentioned we're waiting for some hero friends. And that's true. But we're not going to give away our position too quick. That would be ruining the game. A stealth attack would be best this time, we think.”
You could not respond, only digging your nails into your palms.
“Well, nighty-night then, kiddo. We'll be in tomorrow to change your bag of fluids.”
Wait, was he not even going to give you a bucket? You whined behind the mask. The door shut and locked loudly. You flew to it, pounding on it. There was no answer. You kicked at the door, wanting someone, needing to be heard. You even grabbed the pole and tried to ram the door down with it. Your hands were clumsy, though, and it just clattered to the ground with a crash.
None of them seemed to care about your tantrum. You crossed your legs, rocking back and forth, then bounced across the room. It happened before you could stop it, the hot urine trailing down your thighs, coming to a puddle at your feet. You knew you were crying, covering your face in your hands.
You told Daddy you never bad accidents. How was he ever going to believe you now?
You sank onto the mattress, disgusted with yourself, hating the world. You'd been awake for so long, expended so much energy on your tantrum, you couldn't help but sleep.
You didn't even wake when Dabi came in. His nose crinkled at the smell and the sticky puddle. Well, that wasn't his problem. He left you asleep as he righted the pole and changed the bag and checked the drip. You made a pathetic little lump on the mattress, not even a blanket. He wanted, desperately, to bring you one, but knew the boss wouldn't like it.
He turned and walked out.
***
“What do you mean, no one knows where they are?” Katsuki demanded. Aizawa just shook his head.
“We don't have any leads. You know the League, Bakugo. They hide. It's their thing. But we have no evidence that they've hurt her. This is probably part of their game.”
“I don't give a shit about their game. We have all these heroes on it, and no one can find them? No one can find one Little?” he stood up so violently his chair fell back. Aizawa said nothing as he stormed away. Izuku folded his arms on the table and put his head down.
“We are trying.” Aizawa assured him.
“I know that, sensei. I'm just worried about her.”
“We'll keep trying.” Aizawa put a hand on his shoulder.
***
They gave you no food. No water. You eventually stopped getting off the bed, remaining in an exhausted heap. Moving too much made you cry. There was no escaping this, there was only waiting for rescue, like the dumb baby you were.
You tried to leave sometimes. You tried to fight back. But Toga sliced at you with her knives, licking off your blood like you were delicious. And Shigaraki liked to come in and let his fingers trail down your body, pinky up, taunting you. He'd tell you all the ways he was going to hurt your classmates.
“I think I'll keep you alive while they die.” he mused. “That'll rub in how really useless you are, won't it?” he laughed then, enjoying the way you tried to squirm away from him. You shouldn't have gotten so weak so fast, but who knew what was in the IV they were giving you?
If he was feeling especially reckless, Shigaraki would lean over and clamp your nose down. You couldn't breathe through the mask. You'd try and fend him off, going dizzy with the lack of oxygen. Perhaps, some part of you thought, it would be easier to die and spare yourself this torment.
***
Aizawa came bursting into the dorms. The alarms were sounding, all the students flying from their beds. They were pulling on hero costumes, racing towards the commons. Someone had found the hide out, and it was all hands on board.
You were likely in your headspace, they knew that, and they had to send someone that you would recognize. Anything else was likely to freak you out and make it worse. And there was no way of knowing how injured or sick you were. It was a delicate situation.
Izuku and Katsuki were sitting on the couch. Katsuki had hellfire in his eyes, and he would bite the hand off anyone who came near him. Izuku only watched, hoping that it would be in time. There was no indication that you'd been killed, but there had been no indication that you were still alive, either. He didn't know what he'd do with himself if you were dead.
They were pouring out, focused on the task at hand, leaving the caregivers sitting there alone. But the door opened, and another person walked in. He looked tired and frail, but he still sat on the couch between the two boys. He offered them each a hand. He smiled when Katsuki scoffed and looked away, gave a little squeeze when Izuku took it.
“They will find her.” All Might assured them.
“They had better.”
“She's a clever girl.” All Might continued. “I have faith in her, even if I don't have faith in anyone else. That's something you have to remember when someone you love is in such a position. You have to have faith in them. Not only in their ability to escape, but their will to survive. Do you trust your girl?”
“Of course,” Katsuki looked at him.
“Then we'll wait. And I will wait with you.”
***
You could hear the shouts, the clanging, the bodies hitting the floor. You could smell the fires catching. There was nowhere for you to go. You just sat up on the mattress, pulling your knees up close. You were caked in filth and grime, starving and thirsty, weak and tired. Your arm itched where the IV was, and the more grown part of your mind wondered if you had an infection.
Even if someone did catch them, they'd never set you free. They'd burn the place down before letting you go. It was another blow to UA, another way to destroy the school's reputation. You were just collateral damage.
You thought of Daddy and Kacchan. If you had any tears left to cry, they would have spilled. You were going to miss them terribly. They'd miss you. It hurt so bad to realize that. At least you were going to get to die, they'd have to live the rest of their lives without you. The guilt would wear them away.
The door was being pounded. It suddenly collapsed, splinters going everywhere. You turned your head to look, blinking slowly.
“Fuck,” Kirishima? Had the angel of death taken the form of someone you knew. “She's here, she's here! Babycakes, it's me.” he cooed. “What's on your face, baby?”
You didn't move. Kirishima didn't come much closer. There was someone else in there, pushing him to the side. Aizawa, lifting his goggles. You were embarrassed of the state you were in, covered in cuts and bruises. You knew you smelled awful. He didn't react.
“Hi, kiddo.” he murmured. “You've been so brave. I'm so proud of you.” you just stared. Was this real? Were you hallucinating in your final moments? He reached behind you, frowning when he realized that he couldn't undo the mask.
“We need the lock frozen, I think.”
“I'll get Todoroki.” Kirishima darted out, coming back in a few moments with the half and half student. He knelt on the gross mattress, examining the lock. You shuddered when you felt the intense cold spreading through you. But once the lock was so brittle, Kirishima was able to hit it off. The mask fell away from your face.
You took a big gulp of air in, reached up and touched your face. You were aware of the harsh looking indents it had left. Your hands were shaking and you looked at the IV. Aizawa had your arm, taking that out, too.
“So brave,” he praised.
“Daddy,” you managed, your voice rusty from disuse.
“He's waiting for you.” Kirishima promised. Todoroki was picking you up, heedless of the mess you were.
“Medical is waiting for her.” he turned and carried you out of the room, through the throng of your classmates, not answering questions. Sure enough, there was an ambulance out there. People who shined lights in your eyes and fired questions that you couldn't answer.
You clung to Todoroki, trying to shy away from these people. You didn't know them, and you were hungry and tired. You were afraid to try and say too much. They'd take you the hospital or something, and you couldn't stand being away from Daddy any longer than you had to.
“She's a Little, she won't talk without her caregiver. We do have Recovery Girl at school, and the Little specialist can make a special trip tomorrow? I'm afraid she'll be very sick if we don't get her home right away.”
He must have said the magic words, because they let him off the ambulance, let him walk you to the bus. You wouldn't look at anyone, wouldn't speak.
“Can I carry her in?” Kirishima asked.
“Why?”
“Bakugo is my best friend. And I'd love to hand him back his kid.” you were transferred over. Kirishima was nice to cuddle with. You were silent on his lap as the bus was parked, and he was carrying you inside.
“My God!” Daddy's voice. You looked up then. He and Kacchan were sitting on the couch. You held your arms out to them, made grabby hands.
“What did they do to you, baby?”
“She's been very brave.” Kirishima said. Daddy didn't move, taking in the sight of you. Kacchan was rushing towards you. He took you from his best friend, hugged you to his chest, his face buried in your hair.
“I'm so sorry, squirt, I am so so sorry.” he murmured.
“Aren't you mad?” you squeaked out.
“Mad? Why?”
“I—I didn't come straight back. And then I was lost and...” you trailed off.
He just clicked his tongue. Everyone was telling All Might about the fight, everything that happened, the conditions you were found in. Izuku was moving, away from his mentor and classmates, towards you and Kacchan. He took you then, giving you a crushing head.
“She'll need the specialist tomorrow, but I fended off medical tonight.” Toodoroki said. “She isn't very verbal right now, and she wasn't going to cooperate.”
“Right. Thank you, Shouto.” they pushed the elevator button, riding up. You were taken to the bathroom.
“I had an accident!” you confessed, burying your face in your hands. “They wouldn't let me go potty.” you said into your hands.
“It's okay, sweetness, we're not mad. Not at you.” Izuku soothed, peeling off your ruined dress. They got the trashed underwear off, looking at the skin on your thighs and groin.
“That has to hurt, honey.”
Kacchan was starting the water, helping you sit in the shower as he carefully washed you with the hand held hose. He took inventory of every bruise and scrape. He washed you so carefully, rinsed you with as much care as he could possibly muster.
His hand eased down your face, rubbing the marks that would leave bruising. He was outraged. He didn't even stick around to find out if they had caught the League or if they had escaped. Right now, you were more important.
He washed your hair, mindful of the tangles, then wrapped you in a towel to carry you to Izuku's bed.
“Kacchan,” you held out your arms.
“I'll hold you as soon as you're dressed.” he promised. You pouted at that. Izuku was grabbing some things from your Little drawer, including a tube of cream.
“We'll probably need something else from the specialist. This is a rough rash.” he nudged your knees open and began smoothing the cream on you. You couldn't help it, crying even though you knew that they were just trying to help.
“It's all right,” Kacchan was brushing away tears. “I know, you're so tired. You can cry.” even more ointment was spread on the cuts and bruises. Daddy was frowning at the place where you'd had the IV. That would need to be looked at, but you were too tired to do anything tonight. They were unhappy when you didn't protest the pull up pulled on. A pair of fuzzy pants and a short sleeved shirt were pulled on, declaring you the happiest bee in the hive.
“Want an ice pop?” Daddy asked. You nodded, arms out to Kacchan. He finally picked you up and bundled you close to him. Daddy opened the door, but Kirishima was already there. He was holding a tray with a few ice pops, a sippy of water, and a small bowl of broth.
“Oh thank you!”
“Is she okay?”
“Not really,” he shook his head. “We'll take her to the specialist in the morning.” he looked sad and walked out. The tray was set down, and you were handed an ice pop.
“Eat slowly, sweetheart.”
You managed half of it, and he dosed you with some liquid pain medicine. You clearly needed sleep, even though they wanted to talk to you. Kacchan slid back in the bed. Izuku went to his desk, pulling out the chair, handing you Sam and your blanket.
“Oh!” you took them, cuddling them close. You were finally clean, smelling better, feeling a little better.
Izuku laid down on your other side. You let out a sigh, finally feeling happy between the two of them. You pressed against Kacchan, one hand winding into his shirt.
“So happy you're home.” Kacchan sighed into your hair.
“I love you so much.” you said to both of them.
“And we love you, sweetness.”