Checkmate (ShinDeku)

4

I wrote this chapter listening to Taylor Swift throwback songs. Zero regrets.

*Warning: Violence

He took a good two seconds to panic.

Another two to reevaluate his life choices.

Then he was fine. 

It was just the two of them and as long as he didn't answer any questions, they were both essentially fighting quirkless. 

The villain stood in front of him. Brows raised and malicious grin painting him into the picture-perfect bad guy. Also known as your stereotypical arrogant jerk. 

"You know, you're a lot smaller in real life than you look in pictures. How old are you kid?"

Okay. Now he really was gonna beat his ass.

Izuku lunged forward. 

The villain sidestepped so quickly Izuku nearly toppled over. He had to dig his heels in and turn just in time to see the next attack coming.

The air shifted. He dodged just in time to miss a fist flying toward him. 

He made a face, even though his attacker couldn't see the expression. What was it with people trying to go give him black eyes all of the sudden? He didn't have a lot of things to be proud of in life, but having a decent-looking face was one of them. Was asking people to not damage it too much to ask?

"I expected more from LOV's newest recruit. Turns out you're just like all the rest." Izuku lied smoothly. He kept his stance relaxed. He needed to treat him just like another pawn. If the guy thought Izuku was underestimating him he would be more likely to let information slip. 

They circled each other. A perfect game of cat and mouse. 

"I wonder," Izuku said to himself, "how long will it take before they dispose of you like the others?"

The villain's body stiffened. Izuku took the moment to slam his body weight forward, throwing the villain back into the wall. He was quick to grab both of his wrists and force them down to his sides with only a slight struggle. 

Unforchantly his moment of opportunity was taken from him all too quickly.

"Are you always this charming?" The villain grinned, completely unbothered by the position he was in. His hands stayed loose by his sides, not even fighting the tight grip Izuku had on him. It was almost more humiliating than if he had just pinned Izuku. Now he wasn't even being seen as a threat.

He kept his mouth shut. He had to remind himself these questions were just a trap.

Pushing himself forward to keep the villain pinned, he tried to reach for the cuffs with his free hand. 

The second his hand left his opponent, he found himself being spun around. All the air left his lungs as his front was pinned against the wall, his cheek pressed into the cool bricks uncomfortably. He could feel an arm digging against his shoulder blades, not allowing him to push back against the grip. 

He tried twisting his midsection to loosen the hold but a second hand grabbed both his wrists, clasping them together against the small of his back. 

It left them both panting. 

"Who are you?" Izuku gritted out. It hurt to speak as his skin scraped against the bricks.

"I thought you already knew that. Is that not the reason you came to entertain me?"

Izuku thrashed uselessly at the comment.

"I see" The villain murmured, his voice low in his ear. "You want my name? It's only fair since I know who you are, Occult. You can call me MindJack."