When All Might moved away from the camera and All for One was carted off to prison the people lost focus. The news coverage of the rescue faded into the background and the streets began to clear; people returned to their daily lives, sadness marring the air. Bakugou felt numb to it all, his heart empty, his hands sore with blisters and bruises. Midoriya still stared at the large screen, but he wasn't watching. Tears ran down his face, creating shimmering trails that glowed in the bright lights of the city. Todoroki shook him from his thoughts, with a hand on his shoulder and a muttered "come on." Upon realizing he was being watched Midoriya ran a hand across his cheeks. Todoroki rubbed his back and offered the boy a half smile.

Typical, Katsuki thought, a scowl on his features, I'm the one who was kidnapped. I'm the one who's hurting. Comfort me!

"You okay, man?" Kirishima asked, reaching out to take Bakugou's hand again.

"Whatever Shitty Hair." Katsuki turned away from his friend, crossing his arms.

"We should get going," Yaoyorozu said softly, the others agreed.

The Rescue Squad plus Bakugou made their way to the nearest police officers. No one really knew what to do with them; the chaos of the fight and clean up distracted everyone and no one had the time to waste on a couple of kids. Some rookie radioed to the station that Bakugou had been found and told them all to go to the hospital.

"Hell no. I'm not going to the hospital."

"Come on Kacchan, you're bleeding pretty bad, you should get it checked out." Midoriya said.

"What are they gonna do Deku? Put a plaster on it and tell me I've been a brave boy?" Bakugou spat.

"When was the last time you've been to the hospital?" Kirishima said under his breath; just loud enough for the others to hear, but not Bakugou. Yaoyorozu snorted, Todoroki frowned.

"Listen here Bakugou," Iida said. "It is irresponsible for you not to go to the hospital. Especially after a professional has advised it. You never know what internal injuries you may have from your fight. Furthermore, the officers expect you to be at the hospital. What do you think will happen when they find you're not there?"

"Shut your mouth, Four Eyes."

"Come on Blasty, you don't want that cut to get infected, do you?" Kirishima asked, stepping forwards. "Infection is like, so not manly."

"Fine. Whatever. We'll go to the stupid hospital and waste everyone's time when they say that nothing is wrong with me." Bakugou scowled, pushing his way past the others towards the train station.

"How do you do that?" Midoriya asked. Kirishima just winked.

As it turns out the others were right, and Bakugou did require medical attention. Most of his injuries were superficial. Cuts and bruises, mainly around his wrists, things that would heal by themselves, given the chance. Other things, like the crisscrossing knife wounds on his back, the burns on his chest, the stress fracture in his forearm and the dehydration required further treatment. On top of that the doctor ordered several blood tests to be done, apparently it was standard procedure after someone had been caught by villains to see if he had been drugged or if any quirks used against him had residual effects.

The group had been separated when they got to the hospital; the nurses insisting on checking the others over, despite their insistence that they were fine. Iida had called Aizawa whilst they had been waiting, telling him that Bakugou had been found safely. Of course, that had led to Aizawa asking why Iida knew this information. At which point Todoroki had taken the phone off him and promptly hung up.

And that is why by time the Rescue Squad had been reunited with Bakugou, Aizawa was with them. He still wore the suit from the press conference and his hair was up. This is the exact reason why, when the group entered the room Bakugou chocked on the water he'd been drinking.

"What the fuck have you come as?"

His clothes had been taken and he'd been forced into the same pale mint green t-shirt and trousers as the other patients. The matching slippers were on the floor next to the bed. A drip was attached to his left hand, which was also enclosed in a splint. Butterfly stitches held a cut on his forehead closed and a cut on his lip had been glued shut. His eyes were ringed red and his hair was matted with filth.

Luckily for him and his reputation the shirt he'd been forced into hid the fact that his entire torso was covered in bandages. They had him on mild pain relief, nothing to make him sleepy or high- unfortunately, Katsuki had been looking forward to trying morphine. It just took the edge off. His wrist still throbbed and if it wasn't for the pillows propping him up Katsuki was sure his back would be intolerable.

"Language Bakugou," Iida scolded.

"Give him a break," Aizawa said. It was Iida's turn to choke.

"Sensei," Midoriya gasped.

"What? If I'd been through what he had; I'd be swearing. That or drunk." Aizawa shrugged before taking a breath and bowing. "Bakugou, forgive me, I failed you. You were in my care and I let them take you."

"S'not your fault." Bakugou said, looking down at the paper cup in his hands that he'd been tearing apart. "You gave us permission to fight. It was all you could do. You had everyone else to worry about too. 39/40 isn't too bad. I'd give you an A-"

Aizawa straightened up and nodded, the ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Thank you."

"You okay, man?" Kirishima asked after a moment. Bakugou nodded.

"Has anyone…Erm… Has anyone called my Mom?" The paper cup was completely shredded.

"Don't worry Kacchan, I called your parents. They're on their way."

"Ok. Well then you can all fuck off."

"Kacchan…"

"No. I'm not a baby. I don't need you here. I'm fine on my own."

"We know that Bakubro." Kirishima said, coming up around the side of the bed to sit next to Katsuki. "We missed you, that's all, we just want to spend some time with you. Even if it is past your bedtime." Kirishima nudged Bakugou with his shoulder.

"Fuck off Shitty Hair." His word had lost all bite.

"I should be getting home though," Yaoyorozu said from the side of the room. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're okay, Bakugou-kun, but my parents were expecting me back hours ago."

"Then why are you still here Ponytail?

"You know what? If it wasn't for me the Heroes would never have found you. You should be grateful." Yaoyorozu huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. Bakugou scowled, his face goings red and his forehead creasing.

"I should be grateful? I had everything under control. By time the Heroes got to me I was already out of the cuffs. I was already fighting." He leant forwards in the bed as he spoke. Kirishima rubbed Bakugou's arm.

"It's okay Man, we know you had it covered."

"You shouldn't pander to him Kirishima-kun, he's got a bad attitude." Yaoyorozu snapped.

"Why are you still here?"

"Come on Yaoyorozu, let's go." Todoroki said, "My sister's probably worried about me too."

"Well now I have seen that you're ok, Bakugou, I'll go as well. After everything that happened with Tensei my Mother doesn't like me to be out this late." Iida said.

"Whatever."

"Actually, it's probably best if you kids all go home." Aizawa said. "I'll stay with Bakugou until his parents arrive."

"I don't need any of you to stay."

"I know you don't need me to, but I'd rather stay. Keep you company, you know?" Kirishima said, leaning against Bakugou.

"Me too Kacchan."

"Just be quiet about it Deku." Bakugou scowled.

Yaoyorozu, Iida and Todoroki left the room, saying goodbyes and promising to meet everyone soon. Katsuki ignored them in favour of resting his head on Kirishima's shoulder and closing his eyes. Kirishima leant against the blond, smiling.

"What did the doctor say?" Aizawa asked when only the four of them remained.

"That I'll be ok. I'm dehydrated, because those fuckers didn't give me anything to drink for however long I was there. I've got cuts and burns, stuff like that and I have a stress fracture," he held up his wrist, "I can't use my Quirk for a few weeks while it heals. At least on that hand."

"I'm sure we can ask Recovery Girl to have a look at it when you return to U.A." Aizawa said, Bakugou nodded.

"They're just waiting for the results of the blood tests. But if they come back clear I can go home tonight." Bakugou said, "Oh and they said something about my ears."

"Your ears?" Kirishima asked.

"Have they got worse, Kacchan?"

"Shut up Nerd," Katsuki snapped, before adding; "yes."

"Oh Kacchan, I'm sorry."

"Shut the fuck up. I don't need your sympathy." He said, lifting his head from Kirishima's shoulder. The red head frowned and reached down to take Bakugou's hand in his own. Katsuki squeezed his hand.

"Well," Aizawa started, "Obviously I don't know the circumstances and I don't want to pry into your personal life, but Present Mic might be able to help. He's been losing his hearing gradually over the years. I can have a word, if you'd like."

"I'll think about it… I need to talk to my parents. But thanks."

"No problem Bakugou." Aizawa smiled.

The room fell silent for a moment, no one really knew what to say. Kirishima continued to hold Bakugou's hand as the blond fought against sleep. Aizawa texted someone on his phone and Midoriya just stared off into space.

The quiet was shattered, however, when the door to the room burst open and Mitsuki and Masaru came in. Kirishima got up off the bed. Mitsuki immediately took his place. She grabbed the sides of Katsuki's face and kissed his forehead.

"Baby, I was so worried." She said, kissing him on the cheek. "Are you ok? Are you hurt?"

"I'm ok Hag." Katsuki said, voice wavering, "Just a couple of scratches. I'll be… I'll be alright."

Masaru walked around the other side of the bed and sat down next to his son. He placed his hand on Katsuki's shoulder.

"Of course you'll be alright, you're a Bakugou. But that doesn't mean you have to be alright now." He said.

"So I'll ask again Baby, are you hurt?" Mitsuki asked.

"Yes." Katsuki said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Mom…I was so scared, I thought I'd never see you again." Tears began to run down Katsuki's cheeks. He lifted his hand to wipe them away, glancing up at the teacher and the other two students.

"You were so brave, I bet you gave them hell. My little Firework." Mitsuki kissed his forehead again.

"Yeah. Blew 'em up so bad I fracture my arm."

"That's my boy." Masaru smiled. Mitsuki pulling him into a hug.

"We should go." Aizawa said quietly, putting his hand on Midoriya's shoulder.

"It's nice to see you Auntie Mitsuki, Uncle Masaru. Get well soon Kacchan."

"Bye Blasty."

The three left the room quietly, Kirishima glancing back as the exited.

"So, fracture, anything else?" Mitsuki asked.

"My ears… they say they've got worse. Not cuz of the villains, just you know." Katsuki shrugged.

"Using your Quirk daily?" Masaru asked.

"Something like that. And then there's the blood tests that have to come back."

"Whatever happens Katsu' we'll deal with it together."

"Ok Dad."

"We love you, Katsuki, you know that right?" Katsuki nodded.

"Yeah. Love you too." Mitsuki leant forwards to kiss her son's head again. "Do you think Kirishima's still here. I wanted to say something."

"I can go check, they should still be in the corridor." Masaru said, standing up.

"Just Kiri, not Deku." Mitsuki reached out and smacked his arm.

"I've told you not to call him that."

"It's his hero name now, I think I'm allowed."

Masaru went to the door, poking his head out.

"They're still here, I can see them. I'll go." Masaru left, jogging down the corridor.

"What do you want to talk to him about?"

"None of your business, Hag. Go with Dad."

"Hmm, always full of secrets."

"I had some time to think whilst they had me. About things I hadn't done, hadn't said. I thought for a moment that I was going to die."

"Don't think like that Katsuki." Mitsuki said, running her hand through the blond's hair.

"I've been pushing him away, thinking that… friends would slow me down. But I've realized I don't have to be alone, if I don't want to."

"You like this boy?"

"Shut up Hag. Just leave already." Mitsuki snorted, standing and ruffling Katsuki's hair again.

"Izuku, wait up." Masaru called as he jogged through the corridors. Nurses and doctors stared at the man as he went. Midoriya, Kirishima and Aizawa stopped and turned.

"Uncle Marasu," Midoriya smiled.

"I wanted to say thank you for finding Katsuki. And you Sir," he said turning to Aizawa, "I know my boy can be a handful, but he really looks up to you."

"I…I had no idea." Aizawa stuttered.

"That's his way, I'm afraid. He never likes you to know what he's thinking, but the fact that you have some level of control over him speaks volumes." Masaru said. "and you, young man," he said turning to the red head, "must be Kirishima."

"Yes Sir."

"He wants to talk to you. That's why I'm here, he sent me to get you."

"Oh, I'll…" Kirishima looked back at the hospital room just in time to Mitsuki leave. She looked up, offering Kirishima a half smile before walking to the group.

"He kicked you out too?" Masaru asked as she got up to them. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, you best not leave him waiting, Young man, he's not the most patient boy. He'll be out that bed looking for you before you know it." Kirishima nodded at her words, briefly looking back at Aizawa and Midoriya before running back up to Bakugou's room.

The faint ghost of a smile coloured Aizawa's face as he watched the boy go. Midoriya didn't try to hide his.

"It's nice that he's found another friend."

"Yes Izuku, a friend." Mitsuki rolled her eyes, he grin almost matching her honorary nephew's. Masaru snorted.

"Mr and Mrs Bakugou," Aizawa started, "I know it's early days yet, but I just wanted to say, if Katsuki wants or needs any therapy, whenever he's ready, it's on U.A." Mitsuki and Masaru bowed their heads.

"Thank you," Masaru said, "Katsuki will probably refuse, but we'll try and convince him."

"He's always been the suffer in silence type," Mitsuki said. "I wanted to say thank you for what you said at the press conference. I'm not at all happy with how U.A. handled this, but I liked what you said. Made me think that you paid attention to him, that you knew what he's capable of."

"Believe me, if I had any idea that the villains were going to attack the camp, I wouldn't have held it. I can't apologize enough; I wish I'd been able to act sooner and save Katsuki."

"As do I."

"But we understand that you were outnumbered and had many injured children to protect."

"It's no excuse, one child isn't more important than the others. As soon as Midoriya told me they were going after Katsuki I should have done something. I thought he could handle it himself. I seriously underestimated the power of the villains." Aizawa frowned.

"I guess you all did by the sounds of it. But it's not like you sat back and did nothing. You and the other heroes tried, and the end you did get my boy back." Mitsuki said.

Eijirou knocked on the door to Bakugou's hospital room before going in. As Mitsuki had predicted he was attempting to untangle the wires around him and get out of bed. Eijirou smiled to himself before stepping forwards.

"Hey, hey, hey, stop. You'll hurt yourself even more if you're not careful. Just sit back down, hardhead." Kirishima grabbed Bakugou's hands and helped him sit back down. He pulled up the blanket to rest on Katsuki's lap.

"Shouldn't I be the one calling you that?"

"Nah, you're far more stubborn than me." Kirishima smiled. Bakugou snorted and looked away.

"You okay?"

"You keep asking that."

"I'm worried about you, that's all." Kirishima said, before his eyes suddenly widened. "Not that I'm saying your weak. I'd be worried about anyone in this situation. You're like the toughest guy I know—"

"Kirishima," Katsuki cut him off. He shifted over in the bed slightly, patting the space next to him. Without hesitating Eijirou sat next to him. "I don't mind you being worried."

"What?"

"I… I like the fact that you care about me. I really appreciate you coming to help me. So… Thank you."

"Bakugou…"

"Not that I'm gonna say it to the others. I'm not ready for that. But you risked a lot for me. And I appreciate that."

"I wasn't gonna leave you. You'd come for me." Kirishima said. Bakugou reached out and took Kirishima's hand in his own. "I hated not being by your side. Aizawa wouldn't let me leave. But when I heard Mandalay say the villains were after you all I wanted to do was fight by your side."

"And then when Midoriya came back, he was crying and I knew you were gone." Tears pooled in Kirishima's eyes, he blinked, holding them back. "I didn't know what to do."

"You came for me." Katsuki squeezed his hand and brought it to his lips. "And you're here for me now."

"I'll never leave your side again." Kirishima said and Bakugou laughed.

"When I was with them I had a lot of time to think. And one think kept coming to my mind."

"What was it?"

"That I never told you how I felt." Katsuki whispered, leaning forward and pressed his forehead against Kirishima's. Eijirou swallowed.

"I like you Kirishima. I really like you, and as soon as I'm out of this hospital I'd like to take you on a date, if you'll have me." Kirishima nodded before breathing out:

"Yes,"

Bakugou let go of Kirishima's hand and moved it to rest against his cheek. He brushed his lips against Kirishima's own, carefully not to aggravate his cut.

Their kiss only lasted a second, later they would argue if it even counted as a proper kiss if their lips barely touched. But in that moment, it was perfect. It was full of thanks and forgiveness and love. Most of all it was the mark of a promise. A promise to stand by each other no matter what.

Tell me what you think

Lyna