(Long Chapter! Please read ending note, thank you everybody!)

Songs:

If you love her – Forest black

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Moving cautiously and with a pained groan, Shoto blinked from the harsh light above him. The rest of the room was dark other than light, which was practically on his face. It almost seemed like an interrogation room. His head pounded with excruciating ache. He tried to move, but his arms were held up, chained to the ceiling. Hanging from the wall like a draped over doll. He couldn't help the small in torment whimper which escaped his chapped lips, when he tried to get comfortable. He had been stuck in this dark room since he got there.

After he was brought into the portal it didn't take long for Tomura's crazy team of followers to beat him up and chain him to the room. Shoto didn't have any time to process where he had been taken to, or to even count how many villains there were. He could recount all the blows he got though. Only to be, left him alone in the silence after they were done with him. In a way, Shoto got what he wanted. He saved his lover like he'd promised her and was now in the center of where he could find Touya. Though he knew he wasn't going to make it out of this alive. He at least could rest easily that Y/N still had Izuku and Katsuki, and they had her.

"Not very smart of you to end up here little brother." Touya taunted as he walked into the room with quiet steps. Sneaking up on his brother, who hadn't heard him come in. Slowly walking around Shoto to end up in front of him. Azure eyes gleaming with mischief. Smirking triumphally at his brother for finally having him in his grasp. "You should be trembling with fear."

"I don't fear death." Shoto stated plainly, spitting out left over blood from a cut on his inner cheek.

They really did him good. He was hurting everywhere. He was sure they had broken something, but the way he was hanging from the ceiling – with arms extended. All he felt was numb and the occasional ache when he moved. Still, he's experienced worse. This had been nothing to the type of beatings he got when he was younger. Surprisingly Tomura had been the one who stopped everyone from hitting him anymore. Which baffled the younger Todoroki.

"Right." Touya mocked him, eyebrows raised. "Forgot I was in the presence of the golden child. Oh no!" He mocked. "No one touch dear Shoto Todoroki! He's perfect! We should all bow down to the prince of the house." Touya made fun of him by bowing low. Eyes not leaving his younger brother, who only stared back with no emotion. "If you're so perfect, I wonder how dear old dad feels of that relationship you have with your whore of a girlfriend."

Shoto couldn't help but to attempt and pull on his chains to kick some sense into his older brother. "You keep her out of your filthy mouth." His ocean eyes burned with defiance. Flickering scarlet from the rage he felt.

"Oh?" Touya laughed softly. "Hit a sore spot? How noble of you to take her place instead... doesn't matter though. It was all in vain. Regardless she'll come here for you." He gave a low chuckle. "This whole love thing you two have going on is disgusting... but fortunately for us. It'll make things so much easier. Which means win-win." Touya grabbed Shoto's jaw in a tight grip and snarled. "You're safe until then, dear young brother of mine. Once she steps foot in this place, I'll burn you where you stand while she watches." His azure eyes glowed with promise. "It's time someone put Endeavor in his place, by taking his most prized possession. And I quite didn't like how your little bitch talked to me... I'll make sure to make her suffer and what other best way is there to break her than to kill you?" Touya tilting his head got a sick grin and slowly heated up his fingers that held Shoto's jaw. "I'm sure if she loves you so much, she won't mind another scar on that fucked up face of yours."

"You're one to talk." Shoto stated blunted, with no fear or remorse. Not a single flicker of panic showing on his face. "Aren't you covered in them? At least mine doesn't keep growing. Probably because, like you said – I'm the perfect creation of our dad after all." Shoto gave him a sweet smile, only to rile his brother up.

"You little-"

The door to the dark room opened with a loud creak. Hearing heavy footsteps, they heard a heavy sigh behind them. Touya made eye contact with his comrade.

Tomura scoffed unamused when he walked in, telling his friend calmly. "Touya, leave him alone."

However, Touya didn't listen. His eyes defiantly glided back to Shoto's. Tomura saw how Shoto flinched from the change in temperature in Touya's finger that still held his face. Still, with no fear in his mismatched eyes. Only defiance, edging his older brother to burn him. Tomura rolling his eyes, grabbed Touya and yanked him back from Shoto. Giving a quick look to Shoto's jaw to make sure no burn marks were left. Shoto would even think he saw him sigh in relief.

"Leave us T. I want to speak with our guest... Alone."

Scoffing in annoyance, Touya snarled. However, he didn't fight Tomura. How could he? With the way he's been lashing out lately. He knew Tomura's been on edge ever since he was able to sort of reconcile with Y/N in her dreamworld while she was in her coma. Even if she had no memories of it, Tomura would never forget and the only other person that knew what happened there was Touya.

Not giving another response back, Touya left the dark room. Going somewhere else to rage on his own – rage on his past and contemplate his father's demise. Besides he had a little mouse to catch per AFO's instructions.

"He wasn't lying you know. She will come for you." Tomura stated, not yet looking at Shoto.

Narrowing his eyes, because Shoto didn't know if he was speaking with Tenko or AFO he trudged carefully. "How do you know?"

"Because if she really loves you..." Tenko turned to look at Shoto now, his face expressing only sorrow. "Which I have no doubt from what I saw. She'll do everything to save you. Regardless of what happens to her." Tenko laughed softly, his eyes softening when thinking of the young woman. "So stubborn... such a good and bad quality. I always hated and admired that of her."

"Are you-"

"He's in the other room plotting. He doesn't know I'm here, and Touya won't say anything." Tenko told him quietly, answering his question of who he was speaking with. "I wanted to get to know you. I'm not very impressed by the other two. I don't like them for her. But you're somewhat acceptable."

"We're not with her until she makes a choice. She was very clear about not choosing." Shoto told him honestly, letting his walls down just a little to speak with his rival properly.

If Y/N trusted Tenko, surely, Shoto had nothing to worry about. He trusted her judgement, and since AFO was no longer in Tenko – for the moment. Shoto would take the opportunity to speak with him. The person who used to be the best friend of his girlfriend. The person who was her first love.

Smiling to himself Tenko nodded. "Oh, I know what she would have done. She fears losing people, it's physically and mentally impossible for her to choose." Sighing heavily. His ruby eyes made eye contact with Shoto's ocean eyes. "Listen." He looked away for a moment to gather his bearings. "Regardless of what you think of me and what I've done. I know I'm in no position to ask... But if she can't kill me..." He stared at him again. The stare holding so much pain and silent plea for help. "One of you will have to."

"How do I know this isn't part of your plan to kill her?"

"Come on man? You really think I would harm the only person left in this world that means something to me. If I was plotting, I wouldn't be talking to you like this. I would be breaking you, because of what you are to her." Tenko gave him a soft smile, one Shoto has never seen before, and he felt his heart ache for the man. He wasn't lying. "I'm already a dead man Shoto and I don't want her to follow me. And as poetic as it would be, I refuse to harm her more than I have."

Shoto couldn't help himself but to think of Izuku. Him and Tenko, when he wasn't being controlled by AFO, had a lot of similarities.

"I already know what she'll think. Killing me will be too much and she'll feel guilty. She'll try to go with me. However, unlike me, her light hasn't died out. Master knows that, and he'll try to break her. Like he did to me, to get her. That's where you and the rest of them come in. You keep her from losing it. She'll need you."

Tenko stared with dread at Shoto, already accepting his fate. Shoto knew in that moment that Y/N's first love was ready for death. To finally feel peace, and because in a way Shoto was connected to him too – because of the empath connection they shared with Y/N. Tenko was only holding on to life because he wanted to protect his love, his serenity, from not going down the path he did. His vendetta against society and heroes had long vanished when he met the girl and cared for her at a distance.

However, he was no longer in control of his own actions. AFO was. AFO exploited all Tenko's hate and used that against him.

There were only small moments of freedom Tenko would get when he was released from the tight grip of his master. And his hatred wouldn't be so consuming. However, there weren't many moments like that anymore. And Y/N no longer needed him, she was finally safe, and others will take care of her. His last task was complete.

He could finally rest.

"I'm guessing you lied to her with this plan of yours. She wouldn't have acted out if she knew from the beginning."

"I wanted to tell her... but I was out ruled." Shoto whispered in shame, breathing through the small glimpse of emotions he was able to feel from Tenko.

"I like you already." Tenko nodded to himself. Feeling a little relieved that when he finally left this god forsaken world that's only been cruel to him. The only person who brought him solace, would not be left alone. "Honestly you and your brother are a lot alike. If it wasn't for your father, you would have gotten along well."

"This is strange." Shoto told him. Being the one to look away now because of how honest Tenko was being. How honest this conversation felt? "All I've known you for this whole time is as ..."

"Killer? A monster?"

"Yeah... a killer whose harmed my friends. My family..." Shoto spoke softly. "I didn't know you would be this civil." Or how much, he reminded him of his green haired best friend.

"Take my advice on this, Shoto. Knowing her, she wouldn't have appreciated this lie. If I were you, I would start thinking of ways to apologize to her..." Tenko thought of the time he spent with her in her dreamworld – where he escaped for just a little while, and smiled at the memory he will forever cherish. "She may push you away, but if you truly love her." He made eye contact with him again. Ruby eyes staring at scarlet eyes that remained just for a second then went back to their signature mismatched ocean color. For a moment, reminding Tenko of Y/N. The older man whispered, "Next time, just come clean. Like she gave you her heart, don't ever try to break it again. She's the best thing you'll ever have and this lie, even if small and though with good intentions – had you end up here."

If only... Shoto thought... as he saw a glimpse of Izuku's smiling face.

Maybe in another lifetime. If Tenko and Touya were given the right opportunities and didn't have shitty parents. If the world hadn't been so cruel to them and brought into this world only to suffer. If they had someone before they made decisions that forever changed them. Then maybe... things would have ended differently for them. This advice almost sounded brotherly. It sounded like advice he would get from Izuku or even Katsuki – even though he would yell it at him. He felt conflicted at realizing that this man in front of him.

Tenko Shimura, who still existed.

If Y/N can't kill him.

He'll have to.

And he wasn't sure he would.

Tenko shrugged when he didn't get a response back. "I'm only doing this for Y/N. I can tell how much you mean to her. She didn't deserve anything that happened to her." But neither did he. "She hasn't changed much since we were kids. I'm only adding my two cents to help you when I'm gone. If you can keep her happy, that's all I ask for." Tenko smiled at the thought of the h/c haired young woman.

"You can still change your path Shimura." Shoto told him. He saw how Tenko's ruby eyes widened slightly from the last name he hasn't heard in a very, very long time. "Unfortunately, you'll have to pay for your crimes, but-"

"I appreciate your honesty, however, it's too late for me." Tenko walked towards the door again, ending their conversation and stopping the stroll down memory lane. He always did have a hard time thinking of his real family. "I'll um..." He coughed to give himself a moment. He felt the slow rise of panic, and he couldn't help but to scratch his already aching sore throat. No one's called him by that name in a long time and it threw him off guard. "I'll try to keep everyone away from you. I know how much it will hurt her to see you like this. I apologize for not being able to do more."

Shoto wanted to know more. He had many more questions. Like how and why he let AFO taint him. He understood he was doing it for Y/N, but then when he became powerful enough why not run away?

However, it was too late, without another word Tenko left Shoto in the room alone again. Where he would have to prepare himself for his rescue and come up with was to help Y/N once she did make it to him.

----

Walking alone down the streets of Musutafu was a rare and weird experience. Y/Ns always had someone accompanying her. She knew she was being watched by her team somewhere, but she's never had to do this. It felt sort of empowering and she felt a chill pass through her. She really liked doing something on her own and taking charge of her life. She wanted to do it more often. She, however, didn't like how U.A was all anyone, she passed by, would talk about. Speaking of how U.A and the heroes failed society again, like all those years ago. Geez, did this people not have anything better to do than to gossip? Why not offer help to the school, or those who were affected?

Y/N couldn't even look up from the streets that she walked. All around her were news stations covering the incident that happened a few hours ago. Playing on the big screens of buildings, were news anchors showing photos of Nemuri and speaking of how an unknown villain had taken her life. It seemed the news stations only had footage of the events up until the villains started to show up at the festival. Y/N wondered if Nezu and her father were able to pull some strings to get the rest of the footage that would incriminate her for using her quirk in such a villainous way.

"Hey kid..." Y/N heard Hawks whisper in her ear from the earpiece she was given.

Giving her a moment to relax and sigh out in relief for the distraction. At least she wasn't truly alone in this situation. Even is Hawks had been getting on her nerves, she appreciated the constant jibber jabber he would throw her way. She didn't want her brain to keep going back to the image of Nemuri dead in her arms. She'd already lost count how many times she chanted in her head that Shoto and Kyoka were okay. She even realized that this was how Shoto probably felt when she almost died. No wonder he's been having panic attacks.

Y/N did lose a lot of people, but she never had to go through it like that and that was way worse than being told someone died.

Y/N sighing and rolling her eyes she responded tight lipped to the bird hero. "Dude... I can't talk to myself, or I'll look crazy."

She heard laughter from the other end. "I like you." Grumbling in annoyance, Y/N didn't respond back. "Come on kid, indulge me. Are you really that mad at your boyfriends?"

Under her breath Y/N whispered. "You know Izuku can hear you right?"

Because he could. They were all waiting for AFO and his followers to contact Y/N first before they jumped in to help. Even if Izuku and Katsuki, and of course Aizawa didn't like it. They all agreed to her plan, it was a good one. Specially one made rather quickly. The plan was only to rescue, and to not fight back. They didn't have the manpower nor the strength to do so. They were only doing this to get Shoto and Kyoka back.

Y/N couldn't help her mind from going to darker places, wondering if her purple haired friend was mentally okay. Kyoka who had been with the Paranormal Liberation Front for who knows how long must have been messed with a lot. And this small team they had, literally only had minutes to prepare for how hellbent Y/N was being in getting them back that instant. No one outside of their little team and Katsuki – who was still at the hospital because of his injuries, knew they were doing this.

They were on their own.

And even though the plan was rushed, with Y/N's quirk it would go much more smoothly than the disaster that happened at U.A.

"Oh, my bad! I completely forgot!" Keigo feigned innocence.

"You know Hawk-"

"Ah, ah, ah." She could practically see him waiving one of his fingers, attempting to be stern. "I told you to call me Keigo. I can tell we're going to be the best of friends. Might as well get used to the first name now kid."

Oh my god! Y/N groaned in her head. "If I would have known you would be like this. I would have had Miguel pick another favorite hero a long time ago."

"You wound me kid!" Keigo laughed softly.

Hearing static come from the earpiece. Another voice joined the duo. "Sir, I know you're running point on this mission, but can you please stop pestering my girlfriend." Izuku's melodic voice chimed in. Losing its sweet tenor and holding a much sterner tone.

"Woah Deku, relax! I'm not taking her away from you if that's what you're worried about." Keigo laughed again. Y/N could hear Izuku groan in distaste. "And are you sure, you guys are still a thing? That talk..." Keigo whistled low. "It was pretty brutal you know."

Y/N stepping to the side, away from the crowd of walking people that were staring at her weirdly because of the faces she was making. She pulled the hoody that covered her face, tighter to not have anyone recognize her. After being introduced to the hero world, she had also seen her face on some of the news station, but she didn't pay them any mind.

Y/N, however, wanted to strangle the bird hero.

She whispered out loud and exasperated. "Yes, we are. Just because I'm mad, it doesn't mean I broke up with them. I made a promise to them that I intend to keep. And I love them, that doesn't end just over a petty fight. Jezuz... and... that's not what today is about? Can we please get back to the mission?"

"Sorry, Y/N. I promise we didn't do it to hurt you on purpose. We only thought we were doing what was best to keep you safe." Izuku's voice sounded defeated.

"Izu, just..." She sighed heavily, her shoulders sagging a little as she leaned on the wall for support. Looking up at the clear blue sky to give her a moment to gather her thoughts.