It took about five hours of pouting for you to finally calm down.

You hadn't moved from your spot on the floor, away from Shigaraki's personal items. The only interaction you had with anyone was with Kurogiri who brought you water and food.

When you sipped on the water bottle, seemingly obedient, you caused the warp villain to wonder.

"I thought for certain you would refuse or throw it back in my face?" He said curiously. His deep voice could lull you to sleep.

You took a bite out of the sandwich and gazed up at him.

"Doesn't do me any good to be dehydrated, hungry, and kidnapped. Especially if I plan on escaping."

The two of you stared at each other without blinking. After a moment, he seemed satisfied with that answer.

"Let me know if you want seconds," he said with a nod.

He accepted your challenge. You couldn't help but grin a bit at his reciprocated cheekiness.

Now that you had time to consider the situation, you felt yourself coming together. As much as you wanted to fight your way out of this, guns blazing like Bakugo would, that wasn't how you were going to win.

If the pro heroes hadn't found you by now, you couldn't wait on them to show up. You had to rely on yourself, your wits... your quirk... in order to get yourself out of this and save Shinso.

Yes. Your quirk. As terrible as it sounded.

But you kissed freaking Mineta, all to do well in a school competition. You used "charming" pheromone magic on the hero killer, Stain!

You could do this.

Shigaraki wasn't stupid, but it was clear he had a soft spot for you and a vision of what you in his league looked like. That meant that even if he was one of the only people you couldn't take energy from, he wasn't going to hurt you. You could use that to your advantage.

Hopefully...

Finally, you got off your butt and approached the door. You weren't expecting it to be open, as you were a prisoner of sorts, but to your surprise, it wasn't locked.

Shigaraki had way too much faith in you...

You crept out into the hallway, careful to not make a sound. Voices came from the end of the hall and you could recognize most of them right away.

Magne.

Toga.

Dabi.

Twice.

... Kurogiri? That fancy-talking ball of gas.

And a few voices you hadn't heard before.

Damn. There are way too many of them.

"You idiots are wasting your time..."

Now THAT was no villain's voice. A small gasp escaped your lips.

"I'LL DESTROY EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!"

You didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was so nice to hear Bakugo's angry voice but then it meant he was in this awful situation too. They had captured him after all.

From the sound of it, the villains were taking turns sharing justifications for their villainous actions - talking about a brand new society not run by hypocrites and fame junkies. Typical. Sounded a lot like what Stain preached about too.

However, Bakugo was having none of it. Also typical.

You tiptoed towards the room that everyone congregated in, hoping to see Bakugo's face and if he was okay, but a tall, dark silhouette stepped out and blocked the exit.

Dabi sighed, "I told him to keep it locked."

You heard Toga from behind him, "Is she awake?! (Y/N), I missed you so much! Come out and let's play!"

"Shut up," Dabi rolled his eyes, "And stay away."

"But that's no fun..."

Bakugo registered what was happening and you barely heard him utter, "(Y/N)..?"

"Perhaps now isn't the best time for a reunion," Kurogiri suggested.

"Fine," Dabi was a skinny dude but he made up for it in height. When he made his way to you the hallway seemed to narrow.

"Stay away from her you burnt piece of shit!" Bakugo roared.

Dabi ignored Bakugo's stream of threats. He noticed you tensing up and readying for an attack, and his walk became more calculated, "Where do you plan to go?" He asked you, "Even if you manage to get around me, you won't be able to grab Bakugo or make it far enough before one of us catches you. So. What's the plan, (Y/N)?"

"I... I'm not planning on running," you said.

His brow raised slightly.

"I'm not! Not without my friends."

"So noble," he said, bored.

"I just want to see if he's okay and that you didn't do anything to him," you said.

Dabi smirked, "Unfortunately, I don't call the shots."

He grabbed your shoulders just as Shigaraki voice interrupted, "I don't see a problem," he said cordially, "Let her in."

"It's a bad idea," Dabi said.

"I call the shots."

Dabi muttered something under his breath before looking down at you, "It's your lucky day, I guess."

You huffed and brushed his hands off you before stomping passed him.

Yeah, I'm being held captive, so I can be a brat!

It felt empowering leaving Dabi behind like that, but you nearly lost your courage when you saw just how many villains you were cooped up with.

The room was cozy in size so everyone fit perfectly. Fighting would result in immediate failure.

The masked magician, Compress, was in a corner with a lizard-man... in a ninja outfit? The only other one you hadn't seen before was the giant man in a skull mask.

Oooookay, creepy...

"(Y/N)!"

Toga ran up to you and hugged you around your waist. Her blonde hair tickled your face as you tried to wriggle free.

"I'm so glad to have more girls on our team! I've been so lonely," she moaned into your chest, "Let's be friends? Best friends..."

Dabi had followed behind you and you felt something warm burning on your lower back.

"Ouchie! Sheesh, Dabi, what gives?" Toga pulled her arms back and the back of her hands were pink.

"I said to stay away. I don't trust you with her."

"Aww, I wouldn't kill her or anything."

Dabi put his hand on your shoulder again and pulled you back into his chest, "Sure you wouldn't."

"Well, why do you get to touch her? You're hogging!"

"Because, idiot," he said, "Did you forget she'll sap you for energy if you touch her, and make it a lot harder to recapture her?"

"Oh. I did forget," Toga giggled, "I guess I'll just have to use my knife next time!"

Dabi sighed while you cowered further into his side. He wasn't the safer option by any means, just a little less insane.

Wait - he's touching me, though?

"What the hell are you doing here?" Bakugo asked you, "Don't tell me you came for the purple-haired freak..."

He looked a level beyond normal-Bakugo-pissed; like he had exhausted himself from being so worked up. Bakugo was strapped to a chair with heavy-duty handcuffs - more like blocks - attached to his hands so that he couldn't use his quirk.

You were ashamed to answer him when Shinso wasn't even there for you to rescue. Did the villains grab Bakugo just in case they lost their leverage? Or did they want him for something else?

Shigaraki was seated alone at a bar. Only one of his terrible hands was back and it covered his face. He eyed you and Dabi through a slit in the fingers with a displeased expression that didn't match his content tone, "See? We aren't complete monsters. Bakugo is alive and well."

"Why is he here?" You asked.

"We're simply offering him the same as you! A chance at a different life. One without restrictions."

"Stop trying to fill her head with that crap," Bakugo said, "I'm taking you all down so you won't ever see her again."

"There's time for you to think on it, Katsuki Bakugo," Shigaraki said carefully, "Don't make any decisions just yet. Did you need something, (Y/N)?"

Your anxiety was to the max. Everyone was watching you, even though your conversation was with Shigaraki.

Your voice sounded higher than you wanted it to, "I wanted to talk to you..."

Shigaraki's eyes lit up, "Well, that sounds like progress."

"Don't get your hopes up," you muttered.

He seemed to ignore that bit, "We can chat back in the room. I could cut the tension in here with a knife."

You were relieved that he suggested being alone. If you had to be in this room another minute you were certain you would break out in a sweat and lose your cool.

Bakugo seemed fine, considering, otherwise you would feel worse for him.

"Like hell, you will!" Bakugo growled.

Maybe Kurogiri had the right idea, you thought, now that Bakugo has seen you he was going to be erratic.

"It's okay, Katsuki," you attempted to console him, albeit in vain. You wanted to hug him or something but Dabi was taking his role of bodyguard seriously.

Bakugo's shoulders were shaking. He didn't respond but his eyes told you that he was angry with you. Angry and worried.

Dabi was the one to lead you back into your "cell," keeping one hand on your lower back. He wasn't rough with his actions, but his hands made you nervous all the same. The one guiding you along felt extra warm, like a warning.

Once you were back inside, Dabi turned to leave, but you had a question for him too, "Why aren't you afraid to touch me?"

He tilted his head back to look at you passively, "Figured it out, huh."

"Figured what out."

He leaned in the doorway with a smug expression, "You don't get much from me, do you?"

You masked your alarm and chewed on the inside of your cheek, "How do you know?"

"I told you. Your views on villains are limited. We're not all stupid and compulsive creatures. It's so much easier to be a hero when you only see black and white, isn't it?"

He lurched forward and got nice and close to your personal space. It freaked you out how his eyes could both make you feel at home and frightened for your life. That dead expression held a place in your memory bank, even the monotoned voice he had too.

When he suddenly gripped your chin, you had an instant flashback; except only one blue eye was looking at you.

Why am I thinking of Shoto?

Dabi lifted your chin until your neck strained and you were on your tip-toes. He brought his lips close to your ear while his spiked hair brushed your forehead. When you pulled back, his grip got hot, like touching a frying pan, and you stopped right away.

"A smart villain is quick to find a hero's weakness," his voice, once void of anything interesting, now sounded extremely sexual in your eardrums, "And I've found several of yours."

The heat from his breath against your neck and the way his words massaged the inside of your skull was driving you crazy. Go away, go away, go away...

"It's sad, really," he said, "I thought you'd be tougher. But I could melt you in an instant."

Everything felt warm, and you wondered for a second if he actually did light you on fire. You were overwhelmed by sweet dizziness and felt yourself wanting to hug him to you.

Not him. Shoto...

"I think that's enough, Dabi."

Shigaraki stood in the doorway, one visible red eye glaring at the back of the pyromaniac's head.

Dabi sighed, letting the air tickle your skin a little longer. Then, he released you and gave you a quick smirk before disappearing down the hallway.

You shook the goosebumps off your body. Your pulse was racing. It irritated you how flustered he just made you.

"Now," Shigaraki crossed his arms, "What did you want to discuss?"

"Right." Focus stupid! "You know who has Shinso, so... what do you want in exchange for that information?"

He cocked his head to the side. You couldn't see it but you sensed a smile behind the hand on his face, "Interesting. You're in the mood to cooperate?"

"Not really. I just don't have another choice."

"Hmm, works for me! I've been thinking it over, and I have a plan that'll make everyone happy."

You were doubtful but allowed him to continue.

"Find Shinso with us."

"Well," you shrugged, "Yeah?"

He chuckled, "I'd like you to work with The League to find Shinso."

You cringed. Work with the villains?

"Um... I don't..."

"Don't worry. You won't have to hurt any of your little friends," he said, "You won't even run into them. We can keep you undercover."

"Why would you do that? That's not your style," You asked.

"This mission is personal and has nothing to do with making a statement," he explained, "Except maybe to other villains who want to challenge us. So, consider this a trial run?"

Sus...

"What's in it for you?"

"A chance to have you on my team!" he said with enthusiasm. When that didn't convince you he added, "I also want to kill the guy who took him. Personal reasons."

Same. I guess...

"That's it? What happens when we find Shinso? Will you let him go?"

You weren't hopeful enough to think Shigaraki would let you skip off home.

"I dunno. Maybe... What! He's alive - it's a win, right?"

You rolled your eyes, "What about Bakugo."

"Bakugo? He'd be a great asset."

"Is there anything you want in exchange for him?" You hated asking, mostly because you didn't really want to know the extent of Shigaraki's desires.

"That's a little greedy, (Y/N)," he scratched under his chin, "Of course, I want you, but Bakugo is another team player in my eyes. If you don't let me have Shinso I think it's fair to keep Bakugo."

"There's nothing else you want..?"

"Nothing you're ready to give, I'm sure. All Might's head, perhaps?" He shrugged, "I think we should leave it up to Bakugo. Your boyfriends might not mind being on our side. Especially if you're here."

Your shoulders drooped. Maybe you didn't have as much to bargain with as you thought.

"Why the long face?" He said with the fakest of sympathies, "You want to see Shinso again don't you?"

You nodded.

He stuck out his hand, slowly retracting his pinky finger, "Take my deal then. Let's help each other?"

Oh, I don't like this. I don't like this at all...

Making a deal with Shigaraki? Working with The League of Villains doing gods knows what to find Shinso?

It didn't matter, though, did it? Shinso was in trouble. If Shigaraki was assembling a team to find him, then you might actually need his help. You had no idea who or what you were up against.

It was that or wait for the heroes to arrive. The more time Shinso spent away from you, the more concerned you were about him even being alive.

You decided to take the awkward handshake, feeling your soul signing itself away to the devil.

"I'm so glad, (Y/N)," Shigaraki said, "Welcome to The League."