Liberty

Pink

As Gin fell unconscious, Hoshi and Izuku carried her to the lower bunk. Worry gnawed at their hearts and tugged at their minds as they watched her prone form, chest rising and falling with tired pained breaths. Gin's face contorted and twitched in pain every few seconds or so before going back to semi-peaceful. The lights in the cell flickered off seconds later, signalling the end of the day.

Hoshi bit her lip anxiously, holding her sister's non-bandaged hand as she sat next to the occupied bed. Izuku following suite, tears beading at the corners of his eyes.

There was silence within the cell, save for the heavy breathing from Gin and the muffled sounds from behind the door.

"When will they stop doing this to us." Izuku broke the silence, his voice wavering once again as the tears threatened to spill.

"When will they let us go?" This seemed to break the damn holding his tears back, as Izuku started to bawl into his hands as quietly as he could so not to wake his sister.

Using her free arm, Hoshi pulled Izuku to her, letting him cling to her as he cried. She rested her chin on top of Izuku's head and closed her eyes, letting a few stray tears fall.

Being the oldest, Hoshi knew had to stay strong for her siblings. For Izuku and Gin. To protect them. She knew Gin could take care of herself, but Izuku. Izuku was still young and naive and so, so...pure! And innocent. He didn't deserve to be here. Gin didn't deserve to be here. They all didn't deserve to be here. The two fell asleep together, curled up on the floor next to their sibling.

As the two woke up the next morning, a groan caught their attention and the pair snapped their attention to Gin. Their heads swiveling so fast they almost got whiplash.

Gin's eyes flickered open and she sat up with a gasp, immediately pulling her bandaged hand to her chest and squeezing her eyes shut. Her shoulders shook as she tried to suppress her pain. Hoshi knew Gin was only doing this to make sure Izuku and herself wouldn't worry.

"Gin are you OK? What did they do to you?" Izuku asked, rapid-firing his questions in worry for his sister.

"I-I'm fine Izu-kun, Hoshi chan." Gin smiled and her voice cracked a little, probably from pain.

The door slid open again and a familiar, rather handsome man walked in. Short silver hair reached the man's chin. His eyes were hidden by a pair of round framed glasses that reflected the light. The man was wearing a closed light grey hoodie, black jeans and a pair of black and grey trainers. But the man's most notable feature, his namesake, was the bright pink bandana wrapped around his neck.

"Mr Pink!"

"Hi Pink san!"

"Sup Payton?"

Flashback

Izuku walked alongside this new teen to his next 'appointment'. He wasn't like the other white-coats, miserable and pushy. Instead he was patient and kind, and had a calming aura around him. But there was something about him, something that unnerved Izuku.

Pink.

Grey.

Pink and grey.

Pink and grey.

The colours of his kidnapper.

'Danger' His mind whispered.

Dangerous.

Threat.

'Run and hide!' His mind screamed.

Payton watched the boy out of the corner of his eye begin to hyperventilate and dropped to one knee, pulling the boy close to him in a psuedo hug.

"Breathe Izuku, in and out. Just keep breathing, in and out." Payton rubbed circles on Izuku's back, attempting to calm the boy down.

Once Izuku was calm (well, as calm as one can be when being held by the person who kidnapped you), Payton released him but kept a hand on the boy's shoulder. The rest of the walk was silent.

When Izuku was finished with his 'appointment', Payton was there to take him back to the cell. A look of regret and guilt crossed his features. After what seemed like an eternity of walking in silence, Payton spoke up.

"Izuku, I'm sorry. I never...I never wanted to take you away from your home..." Payton began, but Izuku cut him off.

"Then why did you?!" Izuku was shaking with fear and rage, eyes glaring up at Payton.

"If I didn't do what Sensei demanded he would have killed my family. My loved ones." Payton's eyes were hidden by his glasses, but his tears fell down his cheeks.

Izuku froze, his anger towards Payton fading with each passing second. This teen's family was threatened, and if Payton hadn't gone through with this 'Sensei' guy's plan... they'd be dead.

"I can't forget what you did, not ever, and I doubt I'll forgive you any time soon. But for now, I accept your apology." Izuku spoke clearly, schooling his features and keeping his face neutral. Something he'd picked up from Gin.

Payton looked at him with a shocked expression, his glasses no longer reflecting the light allowing Izuku to see watery blue eyes.

"Izuku, thank you."

Flashback end

Payton insisted on them calling him Pink, a favoured nickname of his, yet despite this Gin always seemed to call him be his given name.

Today, Payton seemed a little...off. His eyes were downcast as he spoke to them and his voice quiet. Hoshi knew that it was Payton who carried Gin back to their shared cell the night before. It was highly likely that he would be taking either Izuku or Hoshi for their next 'appointment'.

"Izuku, I need you to come with me."