-x- Bakugo's POV -x-

They're gone, but I don't know for how long..., I thought to myself. Will I have enough time to escape? Will I-

Suddenly, the door burst open, the person I least expected to see hobbling towards me before collapsing on the ground. His shirt was stained with blood, dripping from the slashes that riddled his sickly skin.

"I-Izuku?!" I whispered breathlessly. I leaned forwards, raising my voice. "Izuku!"

Izuku raised his head, eyes dulled and tired. "K-Kacchan," he croaked, eyes pleading for help. He glanced down, rambling as he ran his fingers through his hair. "It's horrible. We're done for. I can't believe they captured someone as strong as you... I-"

"Izuku, it'll be okay-"

He met my eyes, his own filled with indescribable fear. "I'm so scared Kacchan. Please," his lip trembled, "Please help me."

My breath hitched, a lump in my throat. I had never seen such terror before in his eyes.

I leaned forwards, rope rubbing against my arms. I ignored the burning sensation on my wrists, scooting the chair towards Izuku. "I-it'll be fine," I whispered. "The pros are coming. It's okay."

He glanced at me, sniffling.

I stared at him, unable to find words for a moment. "I'm... Look, why don't you untie me and we can get out of here...!"

Izuku blinked at me before nodding, gulping as he pushed himself off of the ground. The wooden panels beneath him creaked in protest, as if they hadn't been replaced in years.

He walked wobbly, unable to keep himself straight. As he neared me, he suddenly stumbled forwards, falling on top of me.

"Sorry," he mumbled, picking himself up.

"It's fine, Izuku," I spoke quietly, "We'll get out of here together."

His lips stretched into a weak smile, eyes wet with tears. "Thank you," he whispered, reaching behind me.

His breaths tickled the back of my neck as he worked to untie the knot keeping my arms bound. I let out a sigh of relief - both for mine and Izuku's safety. However, after a moment, he stopped moving.

"Izuku...?" I spoke, slightly turning, "Are you okay?"

Soft cries escaped from his lips, body shaking.

I panicked. "Hey, hey, it's okay. We'll be fi-"

But the cries transformed into harsh laughter, erupting from the base of his stomach.

My eyes widened, a chill running down my spine. "I-Izuku...?"

He pulled himself backwards, tilting his head with a sadistic smile. "Oh, Kacchan," he said poisonously. He leaned close to my face, voice barely above a whisper. He then placed his pointer finger under my chin, raising my head to meet his eyes. "So gullible."

"W-what are you doing, Izuku?" I asked nervously.

Izuku narrowed his eyes, straightening himself as he stepped backwards. "Don't you mean Deku?" he questioned, adding a venomous tone to the cruel nickname. "Honestly," he laughed lightly, "For a person who tortured me for years, your vulnerability sickens me."

"N-no...," my body shook, blood running cold. "What are you doing...?"

His lips curled into a grin, eyes wide with a terrifying insanity flickering inside. "What does it look like?" He glanced around, spreading his arms before settling his gaze back on me.

I was unable to process his words. "You can't be..."

He tilted his head and dropped his arms, smirking. "A villain?" He leaned into my face once again, tapping his finger against my nose. "And why is that, my dear Kacchan?"

"Get... away from me," I said, narrowing my eyes.

His smile turned into a scowl. "And what gives you the right to say such a thing? This is, after all," he jabbed his finger towards my chest, "Your fault."

I blinked, confused. "What?"

He narrowed his eyes, standing up fully. "Maybe if you hadn't bullied me until I felt as if I were nothing, this wouldn't have happened. It wouldn't have been so easy to hate you."

"...Hate me?" I asked, my heart dropping.

He threw his head back, laughing before glancing at me with an amused smile. "Seriously? You act like it's such a surprise with how horribly you treated me! The real question is," he spoke with poisonous words, "Why wouldn't I hate you?"

I clenched my teeth. He's right.

"But..." I whispered, "I thought..."

"What?!" he lashed out, narrowing his eyes. My head fell, my body instinctively flinching as he shouted. "That we were friends? Who in their right mind would want to be friends with someone as horrible as you?!"

I raised my head, slowly opening my eyes.

He glared at me with a hatred so intense it was palpable. With each word, he spat and jabbed his finger closer to my chest, face reddening. "You're nothing but an evil, manipulative, horrible, hypocritical piece of rotting trash that I want nothing to do with."

My throat felt dry as he leaned forwards, body heaving with ragged breaths. Each insult cut into me like a knife, and although I knew I deserved those words, although I deserved more than those words, I couldn't help but feel pained.

"Izuku, please," I pleaded. "We... We can still leave together."

Izuku blinked at me, raising his brows. His features reflected nothing but the sense that he was unimpressed. I thought, for a moment, that he might hit me, but he did nothing but laugh.

"You're kidding, right?" he grinned, wiping away a tear. "Me? Leave with you? Why would I ever do that?"

I scooted forwards as far as the rope would allow. "Izuku, can't you see? They've got to be doing something to you. If you just come with me, it'll-"

A stinging sensation shot through my cheek, but I could do nothing but blink. Midoriya stared at me, body calm but slightly shaky with eyes that radiated pure anger. I turned towards him after a few seconds of silence, when he turned and cleared his throat.

"That was rash of me. I apologize," he said through gritted teeth. After taking a deep breath, he met my eyes once again. His words sent a chill down my spine. "And if we're being honest now, I'd like to kill you on the spot."

"But," he looked to the left slightly, "My comrades wish to recruit you. Of course, I told them that their attempts would be futile, but I suppose I can't disregard their orders."

I furrowed my brows. "Re... What now?"

Izuku sighed. "You heard what I said."

"Why would I ever-"

Izuku interrupted me, covering my mouth with his hand. "Yes, I figured you'd respond in this way. Which is why," he pulled his hand away, leaving me to stare at him speechlessly, "I'll leave you to cool down for now."

He wiped his hand on his leg before turning, snapping on a pair of gloves over his hands. "Goodbye, for now."

Izuku turned, making his way towards the door. His fingers curled around the brass knob, pausing as he spoke. "By the way, Bakugou," he spoke. "It's Shōki. Not Izuku."

He turned the handle, and I glanced around before a "WAIT!" escaped from my lips.

He turned slightly, raising his brow. "What is it?"

I stared at him, throat dry as I was unsure of what to say.

He sighed, turning back towards the door. The door creaked before slamming shut behind him, causing me to flinch.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to no one but the stale air. "I'm sorry, Izuku."

---

gasp

yeah im sorry, you've been waiting too long for such a trashy chapter

i still love you 

sorry

Thanks for reading! <3