Chapter 3

                                    

                                          
Midoriya didn't see Dabi for a week. He thought he would feel relief at being freed from the villain, but as more time passed, he found himself walking through the alley even more often than he did, this time not for a shortcut, but because of a subconscious purpose. And Midoriya hated it. 
                          
Dabi could burn him the moment he sees him, and as much as Midoriya hated admitting it, he would be dead the second Dabi wanted to kill him. And yet, he couldn't help but keep thinking about the way Dabi looked at him as he spoke, a glint of seriousness in his eyes as he watched Midoriya back in his room. 
                          
"I just saw a kid who was in trouble and wanted to talk about the shit in your life...Besides, I was one as well..."
                          
Dabi "was one as well". That could only mean one thing, and Midoriya couldn't help but feel sad and curious about the villain, his vague words enough to have Midoriya on the hook and wanting more. And oh god, he wished that his desire for knowledge would calm down for once, because walking through the alley again after school, he realized just how stupid it was of him to listen to his heart and look for Dabi again.
                          
Bakugo was standing there with his two pals, leaning against the wall of the building as he glared at them, the other two chatting without care as they leaned against the wall as well. Midoriya visibly gulped and turned away, ready to run for it, but suddenly, his collar suddenly got pulled from behind. Midoriya let out a yelp, Bakugo dragging him back into the alley and slamming him against the wall. His head was used to this, but it still hurt, and so he hissed in pain as he slowly reached for his head.
                          
"And what exactly are you doing here everyday, huh, Deku?" He asked intimidatingly, and Midoriya shivered slightly.
                          
"Well...U-uh...I just...Like g-going this way..." Midoriya stuttered. Bakugo snickered at his fear as then suddenly reached out and let out an explosion to his face. It wasn't at max but it still burned and hurt, and Midoriya couldn't help but wonder if he left a mark as he reached for his face, wincing at the light touch. 
                          
"Yeah right! Or do you just like being beat up? This place brings back good memories or some shit? Seems like you enjoyed being yelled at and burnt, don't you?" Bakugo snapped, before grabbing Midoriya by the collar again, forcing him to stand up so that Bakugo wouldn't tear it like he did all those times. Just as he was going to explode Midoriya in the shoulder he was already gripping at again, they heard a thump next to them. The four looked towards where they heard the thump, only to see a spiky-haired man, wearing a torn dark-blue, leather jacket and the same-colored pants, lazily standing up. Midoriya's eyes widened in realization at the familiar figure, and he couldn't hold back a small gasp that was unheard of by the other three of his classmates. 
                          
"I don't think he enjoyed it, Katsuki Bakugo." Dabi growled, a desdained look on his face as he narrowed his eyes at the startled blond. 
                          
"And who's this? Is that your boyfriend or something? Gay Deku, now that's even more interesting." Katuski sneered as he turned back towards Midoriya. Midoriya then couldn't help but get mad, but he didn't move as he glanced at the hand on his shoulder, smoking dangerously as it already slowly started to burn through Midoriya's uniform. 
                          
"Nah, I'm too old for that. But not too old to beat your asses, if that's what you're asking for..." Dabi scoffed as he straightened, a small smirk appearing on his lips as he looked at Bakugo expectantly, before actually gesturing with his index finger for him to come at him. 
                          
Midoriya had seen Bakugo mad before, but this sort of anger was completely on another level. Midoriya shot a worried glance at Dabi, then frowned as he remembered who Dabi was. A criminal. One that broke into his house, stalked him, one with a powerful quirk and a look conveying a message that he could kill him any second if he wanted to...And yet, Midoriya trusted him with saving him from his bully. 
                          
"I just saw a kid who was in trouble and wanted to talk about the shit in your life...Besides, I was one as well..."
                          
"...Don't...Please..." Midoriya whispered, barely audible enough for them all to hear. Bakugo glanced at him, pissed off, before smirking again.
                          
"I almost feel sorry for you. You don't even understand how pitiful Deku's existence is." Bakugo once again focused his attention onto Midoriya from Dabi, a smirk on his face as his eyes held a dangerous glint as he spoke again, "Maybe you should take a swan dive off the roof, and pray for a quirk in your next life." Midoriya could've sworn he felt his heart stop for a second, and he watched in disbelief as Bakugo turned back towards Dabi, who was wearing the same seemingly annoyed expression, seeming not as surprised by the words as Midoriya was. Because, even if Bakugo had threatened him and hurt him, he had never told him to...
                          
"Kacchan...Why did you...Please, don't do this...!" Midoriya suddenly said, louder than previously, as realization dawned on him, causing his stomach to churn dangerously. If the glycerin on Kacchan's hands gets close to Dabi's fire, then there's going to be a massive explosion! Midoriya felt himself start to panic as Bakugo swirled around, an annoyed scowl on his face.
                          
"Shut up Deku! You have a person standing up for you, and now, you're tryna be a good guy and break a fight that started 'cause of you? You idiot!" Suddenly, he punched Midoriya in the nose, and Midoriya fell back on his bottom, cupping his bleeding nose in pain. Dabi growled and before Bakugo could react, jumped at him and kicked him with his knee to the bottom of his jaw, causing Bakugo's face to shoot upward from the impact. Bakugo gasped as he held his jaw, spitting blood.
                          
"You...Basta-!" Before he could finish Dabi punched him in the face, causing him to fall back and hit his head. Midoriya stood in fear as he saw unconscious Bakugo laying on the floor.
                          
"D-Dabi...Why...Is he...He's fine right?!" Midoriya kneeled down to check on Bakugo's jaw. Meanwhile, the two boys who were with Bakugo broke into a run towards the school, calling for help. Midoriya gritted his teeth as he switched between looking at Bakugo to looking at Bakugo's friends who were now going to tell the teachers what happened. I'm gonna be in so much trouble after this...
                          
"Come here. The teachers will take care of him." Dabi snapped as he grabbed Midoriya, sprinting and pulling Midoriya after him. Midoriya stumbled and started to break out of his grip, but Dabi turned a corner and covered Midoriya's mouth with his hand harshly, and Midoriya tried to get his hand off of him and tried to kick him.
                          
"Kid! Calm down, let me explain! I don't want you to suffocate!" Dabi hissed at him, gripping harder onto Midoriya's face. Midoriya couldn't hear him as he tried to scream one again, his scream muffled by Dabi's hand.
                          
Think...Think, think, think! What would a hero do if they start to get suffocated?! Midoriya panicked as he let his nails dig deep deeper into Dabi's skin. What would they do...What would they- Midoriya slowly stopped to resist as he tried to catch his breath. They would fight back, using their strength and quirk. They would fight back, because they're powerful and worthy. 
                          
They would fight back, because they weren't dekus, like I am.