The city hums below, all neon and noise, but up here, on this rotting balcony, it’s just me, my cigarette, and the stupid hero boy sitting inside. I take a slow drag, watching the ember flare, pretending I don’t see him curled up on that shitty mattress. He hasn’t moved much since we brought him here, still in the same boxers and old school shirt, looking just as miserable as the day he got dumped in this place.

The air inside is thick, stale. Smells like smoke, old leather, and whatever cheap cologne I threw on this morning. The apartment’s a wreck, peeling paint, busted furniture, a flickering light in the kitchen that never shuts up. But it’s enough. Enough to keep him in, enough to keep the League off my back, Shigaraki’s words still rattling around in my head “break him, get all the info out of him, hurt him, brainwash him if you bloody have to, just tame him, plus his quirk is gold and will be a great asset to the league”

I look up into the inky night and flick my cigarette off the balcony down to the floor down below. I turn sliding open the door and walking into the main room of the apartment, your mattress in the corner

“Hey… you alright?… you might be allowed a bit of food tomorrow by the way… you can have more you know, if you just hear me out about something…” I say gently wondering if I can do this without hurting him too much

I say gently trying to introduce you to being a villain. No response. Just the quiet rustle of fabric as he shifts, pulling his knees in closer.

I frown a little

“Cmon… hero boy, do as your told”

I say gently but sternly I say wearing down his mental defences

“Tch…”