Broken Mask

Sorry this is a day late! I've been a little demotivated lately but here you go! It's a little shorter than the past few, but I hope you still like it :)

Deku sat at the bar, twirling a knife between his fingers. They had been laying low for the past few weeks, letting the large amounts of petty criminals have their time to throw the world even more off-balance than it already was. The provisional licensing exams were tomorrow. They'd originally wanted Toga to sneak in disguised as a student to get some more blood, but that was out of the question now that she was in jail. He growled low in his throat, stabbing the knife into the counter.

"Woah, what's got you all worked up?" Dabi asked as he passed by.

"None of your damn business."

"Geez, fine."

Deku shoved his chair back and stood up. The battered blonde looked up when he heard the door open.

"Izu... kun." He rasped out, his voice cracking from mild dehydration. They'd given him enough food and water so he wouldn't die, but it wasn't nearly enough for him to be healthy.

"I told you to stop calling me by that damn name!"

"Why are... you still... doing this?"

"You know damn well why."

"Just... kill me... already." His head hung low as he spoke. Cuts were scattered everywhere on his body, and at least one of his arms was definitely broken. Anywhere not cut was bruised, badly.

"No."

"I know... you hate me... I hate me... too. So why... why haven't you killed me yet? It's been... I don't know... at least a month."

"You know Kacchan-" Deku only used the nickname occasionally, to remind Bakugou of the horrible things he'd done- "when we first captured you, you seemed so sure that you would be saved. Do you still believe that your friends and the heroes are coming for you? Even your precious Eiji hasn't come for you. They've given up on you, it's time for you to do the same." Deku completely ignored his question. I won't kill you until you're as broken as me.

"Eiji... won't give up on me." He spoke with confidence, but his mind held doubts. I've been here for so long... they haven't even tried to save me- Stop it Katsuki. Deku's messing with your head again. Does it matter? You know how much they all hate you. SHUT UP. He wanted to cry so bad, but he didn't have water to waste on tears.

"You know, the provisional licensing exams are soon. Too bad you won't be there."

The licensing exams? Those were supposed to be over two months after I got kidnapped. I've been here for two months? "Doesn't... matter. Eiji and the others... will pass. Then they'll... come get me. Eiji won't give up on me... I won't give up on him."

"Yes, you've said that al-" Deku's eyes widened as a memory shoved its way into his head.

"Shou... you're an idiot. I could've gotten out on my own. They didn't even have me in restraints! If you hadn't come... then you wouldn't be in this cell right now. We could've been safely back at the base, or at least you would. Why would you come rescue me?" His voice cracked and a single tear rolled down his face.

"Izu... I know I'm dumb. You probably hate me. But I couldn't just leave you with the heroes! Shigaraki wasn't doing anything and I couldn't just sit around and wait for something to happen. I had to at least try to save you! I didn't know what to do with myself when you weren't there. I acted recklessly, believe me I know, but it was because I could never live with myself if you were hurt by them because I was too cowardly to do anything! And now we're both in this cell and it's all my fault. Go ahead and say it, you hate me."