Work Text:
Faint taste of blood lingered on your tongue when you bit into your chapped lips once again. Unfortunately, the overwhelming nervousness made you feel nauseous and no amount of biting the skin off your lips or fingernails, nor the prolonged trembling of your cold fingers were enough to bring you even the slightest amount of relief. It was as if the fear itself was somehow trapped inside of your body—now seemingly so fragile and vulnerable to every noise and motion—ingrown underneath your skin and bones.
Freezing, sticky terror gluing your senses all together into the mindless pulp.
Loud thud echoed in the spacious room you were currently waiting in, causing you to jolt abruptly at the sudden interference with your circling train of thoughts. Every minute seemed to be taking years to pass, being too long and so short at the same time, or at least that’s what you thought when the soft, comforting voice spoke in the earbud nestled in your left ear.
“Everything’s ready. Are you absolutely certain about that?”
Why did the preparations take them so long and why did the confirmation reach you so fast? You were definitely far from ready, you were never going to be truly ready for such a task, that’s why you clicked a small button on the earbud and answered, tongue dry like a sandpaper:
“Yes. Let me in.”
Another thud. Heavy and loud, as if something fell down onto the metal floor of the room which was right next to you, separated by the various layers of protective materials—all of them created to keep the most dangerous villains in reins and hold back their destructive powers.
You tried to swallow the lump in your throat, wondering if maybe you could still go back. Naturally, nobody would force you inside the cell— this cell—and yet you were perfectly aware that there was not a single person in this country or even Earth who had the slightest chances of succeeding in the upcoming persuasions. Sending anyone else there was equal of signing their obituary and even though your brain was desperately looking for other ways to stop this madness, the conclusion was always the same.
No one but you.
He has never loved anyone more than you.
Clenching and unclenching your fists you took a few deep breaths, hoping to gain a little bit of courage from the act. Waiting was pointless, both you and the countless amount of armored heroes securing the building knew about it and so, you took a first step and then another, until your hand was placed on the knob.
“Open it when you’re ready,” the voice in your ear instructed. “Your fingerprints are now in the system, the locks will let you in.”
Another thud from behind the door and you closed your eyes, fighting to regain composure. You couldn’t get inside with jelly legs, teary eyes and trembling voice—you had to negotiate, stay confident about your ground and most importantly, convince the villain to give up.
It had to be you.
Eventually, you quickly turned the knob and the door went open, allowing you to step into the windowless cell before closing behind you and locking itself so any attempt of escape would be fruitless. Not that the villain could physically reach it at the moment, no, the straps glowing with faint red light were currently preventing any rapid movements by holding his body flat on the empty bunk bed. Hearing your entrance, he turned his head to face you, slowly eyeing your silhouette from head to toes as if he was trying to imprint it inside his brain. In any other circumstances you would be glad to see him, cheerful and happy even, wanting nothing more than to embrace him and leave a kiss on his high cheekbone, right now, however, you were barely containing the shiver that slipped down your spine like a vicious serpent—now, that it weren’t his eyes looking at you.
“Ah!” All Might chuckled, the low tone of his voice unchanged. “I was wondering when they will send you to me.”
He knew who you were, just as the doctor warned you before starting this whole ridiculousness—he had told you that the villain who took over All Might’s body could most likely gain the knowledge from his most recent memories. Undoubtedly, All Might’s will was not easy to break and so it gave you a glint of hope that he won’t read all of them like an open book. You, however, were one of the most vivid ones, occupying his thoughts every single day, his feelings for you flooding his heart and so, hiding them reminded an attempt to cover the sun with a blanket. Even if your face, your identity remained hidden from the direct view for your safety, your presence in his life was warming and lightening up all his memories since he met you.
And so, when you stepped inside the cell, the villain immediately knew who you were by the thrill of excitement growing in his broad chest.
“They sent you to speak to my conscience, right?” he mocked, the words leaving past his lips so much unlike the man you loved. “Or maybe in hopes of your pathetic begging convincing me to refrain from committing atrocities?”
You remained silent, observing the way his chest rose and fell when he was breathing. There was blood dried on his temple—the only sign of the fight he pulled with Pro Heroes before they managed to capture him. Or did he allow them to, you wondered, considering how All Might’s strength overpowered everyone else. Could getting there be part of his plan?
“Who are you?” you asked, still not moving from the place you stood on. “How should I address you now?”
“Don’t you know this already?” He raised a sharp eyebrow. “Am I not the love of your life anymore?”
“You’re not him.”
“Still, I own his body.”
And powers , you added but didn’t say it out loud and instead pointed out:
“Not for long.”
All Might clicked his tongue and turned the head to look up at the ceiling. His blonde hair were slightly disheveled, perhaps from the struggling and trying to escape by ripping the straps with sheer strength and failing—much to your relief. It only proved that he could not completely control the body he possessed but didn’t exclude the possibility of it happening soon either. You had to think quickly.
“What do you want?” you finally asked.
“What else could I possibly want?” he shrugged. “Right now I possess everything a man could ever dream of—power, wealth, reputation and a sweet little thing like you warming my bed.”
It was not easy to keep your emotions restrained while being faced with such words. Although you were looking at him, at the man you knew so well and loved so dearly, it felt like he was not there, behind those piercing blue eyes of his. It wasn’t him and no matter how wrong it seemed, you had to remain calm and collected, paying no mind to the tremble in your voice and cold sweat on your palms.
“Wishful thinking,” you stated and handled the weight of his gaze, once again placed upon you. “I suppose I have to remind you that it’s not me, nor any other hero you’re dealing with, but All Might himself. He may allow you to take control for now, but once you cross the line, he will stop you. You seriously don’t think you can do as you please, do you?”
You could see his jaw clench which proved that you made a fair point. Although you could not see it on your own eyes, you knew that All Might was fighting to regain control over his body. Sooner or later he was going to win and all you had to do was to buy him some time—and perhaps try to trigger the right reaction.
You took a step further and then another one, until you were close enough to have him reach you, if not for the bounds restraining his arms. Giving him your best stern look, you took a deep breath.
“I will have you know that there’s no such thing as power, wealth nor reputation in your possession right now. And especially, not me. You’re but a thief, unable to achieve anything on your own.”
You could sense the change in the air as it grew heavier or the temperature was rising for some unknown reason. The villain was already tensed when he was brought there and therefore vulnerable for the emotional attack. The lack of composure was visible through his flared nostrils and lack of words. Still, he kept watching you carefully, not missing a single movement.
The room seemed to vibrate when he suddenly chuckled, startling you. It was not unexpected but rather unpleasant, considering the situation you were currently in. You wished it would all be over, that you could embrace him and listen to his soothing, deep voice as he would awkwardly pat your head. Unfortunately, there was no sign of your lover behind the reluctant gaze.
“How naïve of you to think you’ll break my will by some empty threats,” he laughed. “Were you trying to make me feel lesser? Scare me? Or maybe try to hurt my pride? I have long abandoned those useless features you consider valuable—I simply don’t care how you see me and whatever you or your colleagues think of my actions. Whatever happens, you will remain obedient and submissive to the society who sent you to me like a lamb to the slaughter. You will care about the opinions of other people, you will fight for your place in this world and die as nobody. Another spare part of the glorious system we all grew under. You cannot escape this fate, not as long as you’re a cog in the perfectly polished machine—and you can and will be replaced.”
You did not even manage to analyze his words, to think of an answer to all that unexpected monologue, before he abruptly got up, tearing the bounds into pieces with the sheer strength and in the blink of an eye grabbed your throat, squeezing it firmly but not tightly enough to strangle.
Panic rose in your heart—no matter how violently you were trying to scratch his hand or pull it away from your neck, All Might (no, the villain in All Might’s body) did not even notice your struggles. Apparently he was waiting for that moment from the very beginning and it was not you who were trying to buy some time but him instead. Whether he was pushing the real All Might’s consciousness to the depths of the mind or waiting for the right moment, you could not tell. All that mattered now was how terrified you were while looking in the eyes of the love of your life and seeing nothing but malevolence.
It’s not him, it’s not him, it’s not him , you repeated in your mind over and over, desperate to soothe the terror but to no avail. Somewhere in the back of your head, you heard the faint noise of an alarm ringing behind the closed door as the chaos must have started by the villain’s sudden actions. Were they going to call more heroes to save you? Would any of them actually try to fight and defeat All Might?
What if he killed you before anyone would get the chance to get close to you?
“Listen carefully,” he hissed, now the wide smile spreading his lips in a malicious manner as he stood firmly on his own legs, still holding you by the throat as if you weight nothing more than a feather. “They were all so serious while I was restrained but now everyone is running like panicked chickens after you cut their heads off!” He laughed again and now you could sense the honest, amused note to it.
“Toshinori,” you coughed, desperate to find a way to bring your lover back—right now in that moment, otherwise the consequences would be fatal. “You have to listen to me. Don’t let him control you, you’re much stronger than that, you—”
“Wishful thinking,” he repeated your own words and proceeded to walk to the entrance. “I’m now fully in control of both this body and the power within. No amount of sweet words can bring the dead man back to life.”
His words terrified you. Could it mean that…?
“Listen to me!” You reached out and grabbed the fabric of his suit so tightly your knuckles hurt, as if that way you could prevent him from going out. “I know you’re still here. Everyone is counting on you, you can still be the hero we all need, you just have to wake up, Toshinori! I know you can, I love you so much and I—”
Once again you were interrupted when he suddenly slammed his hand against the door before the hero on the other side could get closer.
“Look, that’s very sweet of you, honey, but I’m afraid I have to disappoint you,” he sighed in an almost melancholic way before leaning to you so close that you could feel the scent of his skin. “I won’t kill you solely because you actually grew to be my favorite.”
There was a loud thud at the door, panic arising with every passing second as everyone was preparing to face the Number One Hero.
“But you see, the thing is…” he paused before placing a soft kiss on your heated cheek. “There was no villain to control me to begin with.”