A/N/: Just Katsuki coping with his grief.

Beta: You trying to kill me? Cause it feels like it

Okay guys. This chapter is MUCH shorter than what I usually write because it is very heavy emotionally. I thought ending it here would be best for how I wanted to continue on with the last two chapters of the fic! I hope you enjoy!

Katsuki

"Katsuki! Katsuki, please answer your phone, you damn brat!"

His mother's voice was frantic. She seemed so damn scared. And fuck. The voicemail was only a few hours old, and Katsuki was listening to it for the hundredth time. He wished he could have listened in the moment to her words. He didn't know what good they would have done, but there was always something comforting about his mother's reassurances - not that he'd ever tell her that.

"I went out to the end of the driveway to grab your mail, and when I turned around- Y-Your house was on fire. And Katsuki, it's not good. The flames are blue-" His mother's voice choked off as she stifled a sob. "The fire department is here, but honey, your father and Etsuki. They haven't come out yet. I-I don't know what to think. But I have this awful feeling."

Katsuki sucked in a deep breath as dread filled his stomach. Even though he knew what was coming next, it still filled him with this awful, gut wrenching torrent of emotions. Her next whispered words stabbed straight into his heart.

"Katsuki, I think it's them. I think they came for her. You need to get home, brat. You gotta get home and stop them before they-"

The voicemail cut off, having hit the time limit. Katsuki stared down at his phone screen, feeling lost. He couldn't bring himself to delete it. How could he when it was the last thing regarding his daughter before she was taken?

Someone across the table from him cleared their throat. Katsuki looked up. Right. The normal proceedings after a fire. A conference with the police and the fire department and the heroes on the case. Tsuragamae was the one to clear his throat.

Katsuki took one last glance at the screen before he locked his phone and set it on the table. He couldn't help the silent tears that fell down his cheeks.

"The hag can confirm that she was in the house with the old man," he said quietly and without any bite. "And I can confirm the Piper took her into a portal. What else do you want me to tell you?"

Everyone in the room shifted uncomfortably ble in their chairs. Deku fretted beside him, but didn't reach out for Katsuki. There was this unspoken boundary between them while they were working. First off, it was weird to call Deku his boyfriend. He wasn't used to it. This was the dweeb he'd known since he was four years old. He was still in that adjustment period. Secondly, he wanted some time to enjoy the beginning of his and Deku's relationship without the public sticking their fat noses where they didn't belong - not that he could enjoy with his heart having been just ripped from his chest. Katsuki grabbed Deku's hand and yanked it toward him in a bruising grip. He heard the nerd's sharp intake of breath, but he didn't protest. For that, Katsuki was grateful.

"How about we start with how you're doing, son," Tsuragamae said tentatively.

Katsuki snorted and a faltering sneer formed across his features. "It's been hours since my daughter was fucking stolen right before my damn eyes, and you have the fucking nerve to ask me how I'm doing?" he asked, lifting himself from his seat slightly. He leaned across the table toward Tsuragamae, palms planting themselves flat against the table. He could already feel his temper igniting within him and his palms crackling against the table. He couldn't hold it back, not with the rest of the emotions that flooded him. "I don't give a damn how I feel! All I care about it lighting a fire under your fucking asses and getting somewhere with this case! It's been fucking months! There are twenty fucking kids out there, and my daughter is now on that fucking list. I'm sick and tired of sitting here with my thumb up my ass because you fucks can't do your goddamn jobs! It's not my job to figure out where these kids are, but it's mine to save them! So you fucks better do your damn jobs so I can do mine!"

When Katsuki finally sat his ass back down in his chair, the room was deathly silent. Twin scorch marks resided on the wood of the conference table where his hands had just been. He'd completely lost control there for a second, but he didn't give a damn. How could anyone expect him to give a damn about his self control when his entire life was falling the fuck apart. Instead of accepting responsibility for his actions, he simply snatched up Deku's hand once more. He was entitled to a rare free pass on his bullshit, all things considered.

Tsukauchi was the first to break the tense silence. "Thank you, Dynamight," he said, clearing his throat. "The child that was taken was Bakugou Etsuki, aged three and a half. Her quirk is called Hair Explosion. It allows her to manipulate her hair and explode it at a desired target. Her hair is made, in part, by nitroglycerin. Her quirk is a combination of her mother's quirk, slice, and her father's quirk, explosion. Deku, you were the first to arrive on the scene after the fire department. Can you give us more information?"

"Uh, yeah," Deku said tentatively as he straightened in his seat. Katsuki didn't relinquish his hold on the greenette's hand, though. It was the only thing keeping him grounded. "Like Tsukauchi said, I was the first hero on the scene. I immediately went into the house in search of Etsuki. The house was already up in flames, and it was really difficult to navigate. I found Bakugou Masaru in the living room with a head wound. I got him out first.

"After bringing him to the paramedics, I was about to head back into the house when I saw Kacchan standing out front in civilian clothes. I also saw the villain Dabi barrelling right at him. I intervened and engaged in battle with Dabi. I think his presence was a diversion, though, to get Etsuki away from the scene. Shortly after I engaged in battle, Kacchan spotted Nakamura fleeing with Etsuki and went after them. Unfortunately, I was unable to apprehend Dabi. He managed to take a portal away from the scene before I could get Black Whip close enough.

"By the time I got to Kacchan, he was yelling at Nakamura and Etsuki was gone. Myself and the other heroes on the scene intervened at that point and arrested Nakamura."

Katsuki snorted. Deku had left out the part where he'd been fully ready to fucking roast Nakamura alive for taking part in his daughter's kidnapping. And he'd neglected to explain how Katsuki had tried to run back into his burning house to save anything that he could of Etsuki's. Deku literally had to drag him away from the blue hellscape lest he get burned.

"Dynamight, do you have anything to add," Tsuragamae asked hesitantly.

Katsuki sneered slightly at that hesitance. He wasn't fucking fragile. He could handle debriefing the room.

"Not much. Nakamura's quirk seemed like a nullifying quirk like Eraserhead's," he said. "Etsuki's quirk wouldn't activate when she held her, so I got a feeling that it relies more on touch.

"We haven't heard back on her quirk yet from central booking. What makes you think it's touch based?"

"She couldn't stop my quirk with her eyes like the old man can," he said. "She had these white tentacles of energy like Black Whip. But instead they stopped Etsuki's quirk."

"And what about the Piper?" Tsuragamae asked.

"The same as every other time. He touched Etsuki, and she went into a trance. Said a couple of words and dipped through a portal. Not much else to add 'cept that."

"Thank you, Dynamight," Tsuragamae said.

Katsuki nodded curtly. "Whatever."

"I actually did some research into the Pied Piper fellow," All Might suddenly said from his place beside Aizawa. Katsuki was surprised to see the older, graying man who had once been the number one hero and the symbol of peace, but considering how closely he'd worked against the league and the PLF when they were in school, it made sense. "I believe that his name is Sugawara Daiki. He was apprehended a few years back when he was in high school. Specifically for convincing other children to fight each other."

"That's awful!" Deku exclaimed, eyes wide. "Why kids? Couldn't he have had the same effect with adults?"

All Might shook his head. "I'm afraid not. His work only works on children."

"Makes fuckin' sense, though. He called Etsuki a…" He cleared his throat as more tears sprung to the corners of his eyes. He dashed away the traitorous things for the time being. He had to be strong and get through this. He had time to be a fucking mess later. "He, uh. He called her a doll. These kids are just playthings to him."

"Why, though?" Tsuragamae asked as he griddled with the edge of his long ears.

"Motherfucker is either building up his army within the PLF, or he's doing it just to have them fight each other. I'm not sure what to bank on. Really don't wanna think about any of that shit."

"We understand, Dynamight," Tsukauchi said. "But any information we can get can bring us closer to being both your daughter and the other children home."

Katsuki nodded curtly. "I know. Doesn't make it any easier to talk about."

"Speaking about things that aren't easy. We're going to have to release a public statement," Kitagawa suddenly chimed in. "Dynamight will have to address the public of the current situation. Maybe we can garner sympathy and get some tip offs that way?"

Katsuki looked at his PR representative with a narrowed gaze. A public statement? Hell, he was hardly ready to get his ass out of the chair considering the weight that was currently on his shoulders. How the fuck did she expect him to issue a statement to the public? He was still trying to process the very real, very jarring disappearance of his only daughter. How could he possibly be expected to stand in front of a crowd and talk about the ordeal? He couldn't. There was no damn way. He felt too damn numb to even try.

"Fuck that shit," he snapped.

"Please consider-"

"I said no."

"Kacchan, it might be helpful to give it a try," Deku urged.

Katsuki looked at him scandalized. What the actual fuck? Deku was supposed to be on his side. Not the fucking PR bitch's. What the actual fuck was this?

"I'm not making a fool of myself in front of all of Japan."

"You won't make a fool of yourself, Dynamight. You'll make the public sympathetic toward you. It'll make pulling you from hero work easier to stomach if we-"

Katsuki's back went rigid at that. "The fuck did you just say."

PR Bitch froze. Across the table from him, Aizawa groaned and All Might fidgeted with his hands. His eyes narrowed in on the three of them.

"Who the fuck is pulling me from hero work?"

"The commission called as soon as they heard what happened with your daughter, Young Bakugou. They said they wanted to give you a period of bereavement-"

Katsuki stood up from his chair and slammed his palms back down against the table where he had scorched it before. "Why the fuck do I need bereavement?" he snarled. "My daughter isn't fucking dead. None of these kids fucking are. And if the commission wants to treat them like they fucking are, it's no wonder we haven't found any of them yet!"

"Kacchan!" Deku admonished, but he ignored his goody two shoes having ass.

"You bastards are not pulling me from hero work," he snarled as explosions popped from his hands.

Suddenly, they stopped as Aizawa activated his own quirk. "We have already had enough fires, problem child. Sit your ass down and listen for once. There is too much at stake for you to have your head in your ass."

Katsuki was slightly affronted with his former teacher. He'd not been on the receiving end of Aizawa's scolding words in years, and now of all times made his feel stupid and irresponsible. He threw himself back into his chair with a growl of frustration.

"I don't need to take fucking leave. I'll be fucking fine," he said. "I'm the only one capable of finding my daughter."

"Young Bakugou, I agree with the commission's decision," All Might said. "You need time to process what happened and-"

"You don't know what the fuck I need," he snarled. "I'm perfectly capable of working."

Even though he didn't believe his own words, he did his damndest to convince himself. He needed to work. He needed to keep himself busy before the looming grief and sadness threatened to overwhelm him. He wasn't ready to feel yet. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be ready to feel. He really needed his emotions to go fuck themselves and leave him alone.

"Unfortunately, the commission already made their decision," Aizawa said. "You're currently not authorized to do any pro hero work. You'll be able to remain on the case, but everything else is on hold."

Katsuki snarled lowly. "You're fucking kidding me!"

"They're not," Kitagawa said. "Which is why I want to prepare a statement for the public. We don't want your disappearance from hero work to blow over badly. So, we need to let the public know what's going on."

"They don't need to know shit."

"Dynamight, your hero ranking will tank if we don't."

He looked at PR Bitch with a disgusted look. "You think I fucking give a fuck about hero rankings when my three and a half year-old was taken from me right before my goddamn eyes? When I have a son who I only found out about a fuckin' week ago? Rankings ain't shit."

Kitagawa blinked at him, wide-eyed. She didn't say a word.

Deku did. "Kacchan, the people might be able to help. Maybe we can get some tip-offs."

"There hasn't been a single tip-off in fuckin' months. What do you think is gonna happen all of a sudden?"

"None of the parents have been interviewed about their missing children, either," Deku pointed out. "They kept to themselves. But you have a presence. You can bring more awareness to what's going on."

"They didn't listen then. What makes you think they're gonna fuckin' listen now?"

"I don't know, but I think it's worth a shot."

Silence reigned after Deku's statement. He was right. It was worth a shot. But it didn't make Katsuki want to do this shit anymore than he already did. Which was not at all. Still, it wouldn't hurt that much to try. Actually, it would hurt a lot, but it was a sacrifice he had to make if he wanted to get Etsuki back.

Katsuki stood from his seat and scowled at everyone in the room. "Fine, mother fuckers. But I ain't reading some stupid script. If you want me to talk, I'm saying whatever the fuck I want. Got it?"

Kitagawa looked extremely hesitant at his statement. He was well aware that he didn't have the best way with words when it came to talking to the public, but if they wanted anything from him, they'd have to fucking suck it up. There was only so much more he could give before he had nothing left at all.

"I-I think we can work with that," she said.

Katsuki nodded. "You fuckers need anything else from me?."

"No, you're free to go, Dynamight," Tsuragamae said.

With that, Katsuki collected his duffel bag with his meager belongings and stepped out into the hallway. He took a deep breath. He wanted to go home. He wanted to sit in his house and wallow in sadness. But he couldn't do that. He had no home to go back to. His house was a charred, asshen mess, just as his life was. Even if his house was still standing, how could he possibly consider it a home? Home was where his family was. Etsuki was gone, and Katsuo was with his ex-wife. He was alone.

Katsuki leaned against the wall just outside of the conference room. He felt so damn shaky. It was hardly four in the afternoon, but he felt as though he was running on fumes. It had to be a mixture of shock and grief and physical exhaustion. And fuck. It was too damn much. He ran his hands through his dirty, blond hair as the first sob left his lips. Etsuki was gone. She was really gone, and Katsuki had no idea how to get her back. All he wanted right now was his daughter. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hug her so damn tight. He wanted to feel her tiny arms hug him back. He wanted to hear her sweet voice telling him she loved him. He wanted Etsuki.

The door of the conference room opened beside him, and someone walked out. Katsuki quickly dashed away his tears with the sleeve of his shirt and looked at the intruder. It was Deku with all of his soft smiles and gentle touches. Upon seeing him, Katsuki released the sob he'd hidden in the spur of the moment. Deku was the one person he could trust to see him like this. To console him in this time of crippling pain.

Deku opened his arms to him, and Katsuki gave in. He allowed himself to fall into Deku's hold. It was grounding and comforting, and for now, it would have to fill the gaping hole that had been carved into his heart.

"We'll find her, Kacchan," Deku said, his own voice thick with sadness.

"You promise?" he asked quietly.

"I found you, didn't I?" Deku asked. "When the League took you, I found you. I'll do the same for Etsuki."

Katsuki pulled Deku closer to him, burying his face in the crook of his neck. He spoke a soft, whispered, "Thank you."

"Always, Kacchan," Deku replied. "Now, why don't we get out of here. I think Kitagawa has a car waiting out front for us. They're going to take us back to my apartment."

Katsuki nodded. "Yeah... Okay."

"Do we need to stop anywhere for anything? Clothes? Toothbrush?"

He shook his head and patted the duffel bag that was slung over his shoulder. "Ma got some shit together for me."

Deku nodded and took hold of Katsuki's hand. He was led through the agency, and when they got out front, he wasn't surprised to see the press. They'd probably heard about the fire. Seen him and Deku responding to it and fighting villains. They probably wanted the latest scoop on what kid had gotten snatched, but Katsuki wasn't gonna give them shit. Fucking vultures.

He ducked his head down and steeled his nerves. He gave Deku's hand one last squeeze before he dropped it and pushed out the front doors of the agency. Immediately, camera flashes surrounded him. Questions were thrown at him, all of which he ignored.

"Dynamight, will you comment on the fire from earlier this afternoon?"

"Dynamight, was another child kidnapped?"

"Dynamight, can you comment on the rumors surrounding the child's identity?"

"Dynamight, is it true that the child was your daughter?"

Katsuki couldn't bring himself to say a word. Each question that was thrown at him made his lungs seize. He couldn't seem to catch a breath. He felt as though he was drowning even though he was simply walking through a crowd of assholes. He was so damn overwhelmed, and all he could do was flip them the fuck off as he shoved past them.

"Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to comment as of right now, but my team is working on issuing a formal statement and scheduling a press conference."

Deku's comments to the reporters were soft and polite, just as Deku was known to be. If Katsuki had the words, he wouldn't have been so kind. The cameras that were being shoved in his face would have been blasted to pieces with complete disregard for their cost. But he didn't have the willpower to antagonize the press beyond his half-hearted rude gestures. He didn't have the willpower to even fight them off with his normal brusque comments.

He and Deku forced their way through the crowd and slid into the back seat of the car. They were met with blissful silence as they shut the doors of the car. The drive was short. Deku lived so damn close to the agency that he and Iida had founded. If it weren't for his current state and the mobs of press, he and Deku could have easily made the walk. He was grateful for the driver. He was grateful for the few minutes of quiet where he could hold Deku's hand and not think of a single damn thing.

"Just make yourself comfortable, Kacchan," Deku said as they entered his IKEA catalog apartment. "I'll get some tea started."

Katsuki nodded despondently, and toed off his dress shoes. "I'm gonna shower."

"Alright, Kacchan. Yell for me if you need anything."

The blond nodded before quietly padding off toward the bathroom. He'd only used Deku's shower a handful of times over the last few months as the majority of the time they'd spent together, they'd spent at Katsuki's home. But he made quick work of turning it on. He stripped himself out of his clothes, leaving them in a heap on the floor. He pulled his cochlear's from his ears and set them on the counter before stepping into the scalding spray of water from the shower. He allowed himself to sit there under the water for a few moments as the dirt and grime from the day ran down the drain along with the last of the strength that he had inside of him.

He didn't know what to do. He was so used to having a tiny gremlin sitting on the floor of the bathroom as he shower, asking him questions about anything and everything. And while Deku was in the kitchen, just a shout away, Katsuki felt so damn alone. Emotions welled up inside of him again, and tears once again cascaded down his cheeks, mixing in with the water from the shower. He was glad he'd taken out his hearing aids. He couldn't stand to hear himself sobbing anymore. If he couldn't hear himself, maybe he wouldn't feel so damn weak.

But he was weak. He was fucking pathetic. His daughter had been right there in front of him, and he'd allowed her to get snatched. What kind of fucking hero was he? How did he expect to save any of these other kids if he couldn't even save his daughter?

He'd failed her. She'd saved him from himself time and time again with her sweet smiles and strangely philosophical words. But he couldn't even save her when she'd been right in front of him, screaming and begging for his help. What kind of father was he?

Katsuki sank down to his knees, hugging his arms around himself. God fucking dammit, why did this have to be so fucking painful?

It wasn't long before the sounds of Katsuki's sobs of anguish drew Deku in. The greenette came into the bathroom and opened the door of the shower without Katsuki noticing. It wasn't until the greenette was behind him, circling his arms around him, that he realized he was there. Katsuki leaned into the contact, desperate for any sense of comfort that he could get.

Deku sat there with him until the water ran cold and shivers wracked his ordinarily warm body, tracing small, tender circles over his skin. If Deku wasn't there, Katsuki didn't know how he'd fucking survive.

Deku was the only reason he scraped himself off of the floor of the shower and got himself dried off. He plugged his cochlear's back into his ears, absently noting how he'd need to get a new charging dock for them, lest he live without sound for the foreseeable future. He didn't think that that would be too bad. It would save him from the pitying apologies from people that he didn't want to fucking hear.

"Why don't you get dressed, Kacchan," Deku said softly as he tenderly ran his thumb over Katsuki's cheek.

"Yeah," he said, his voice scratchy and hoarse against his throat.

"I'm going to get you something to eat," Deku said.

Katsuki nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

Deku offered his one last smile before he left Katsuki alone in the bathroom. Slowly, he dug his duffel and pulled on the t-shirt and sweats that his mom had gotten him. And at the bottom, nestled innocently, was something he recognized. It was Etsuki's blanket. The one that she'd been having a tantrum over the night before because she'd left it at his parent's house. Here it was, the last physical attachment that he had to Etsuki.

He picked it up and held it close to him. It smelt of her. Of her fruity shampoo and that sweet-smelling lotion he used for her skin. God fucking dammit. He missed her so damn much.

Katsuki wandered from the bathroom and into the kitchen as Deku fixed their tea and dinner. He didn't care about the food, though. He wasn't hungry. He was just sad.

"Why did it have to be her, Izuku?" Katsuki asked, his teeth clenched as yet another wave of tears flowed freely from his eyes. "Why the fuck did they have to get her?"

Deku looked up from what he was doing, cool viridian connecting with burning crimson. His expression melted as soon as he caught sight of the blanket that Katsuki held close to him. He took those few steps toward Katsuki, and once again, Katsuki was enveloped in Deku's embrace.

"I don't know why they're doing this, Kacchan," the green bean admitted.

"I just want her to come home," he whispered. "I can't do this without her. It was never supposed to be her. She wasn't supposed to be taken."

"No, she shouldn't have," Deku agreed softly as he ran his fingers through Katsuki's damp spikes.

"I should have stopped them. I failed her, Izu. I didn't save her."

"There was nothing you could have done, Kacchan."

Upon hearing those words, Katsuki shoved himself away from Deku. Anger flared in his eyes as he looked his boyfriend up and down.

"How can you say that? I could have done everything! I'm her dad! I should have saved her. I should have stopped them from going through that portal," he roared. "My one job is to make sure she is safe, and I couldn't even fucking do that!"

"Kacchan, everything they did was calculated. The fire. Dabi. Nakamura. They've had this plan in motion for a long time."

"And we didn't do anything about it! She's gone because the police had their thumbs up their asses! And I was fucking in court! And the heroes couldn't fucking save her, either!"

A flash of hurt went through Deku's eyes at Katsuki's words. And while he hadn't meant to hurt the greenette, he couldn't help but feel a flash of satisfaction, too. He wanted to blame someone. He wanted to blame anyone. He didn't want to shoulder all of this all on his own. Someone else had to be responsible. He knew it wasn't Deku's fault, but sharing this burden made it just a bit more bearable.

"I tried, Kacchan. I promise I tried. I searched so damn hard for her, but I couldn't find her," Deku whispered, his own tears forming in his eyes.

Katsuki swore and dashed away the tears running down his cheeks. "It's not your fucking fault, Izuku. I'm sorry... It just hurts."

"I know, Kacchan," Deku whispered.

"I miss her. I miss her so damn much."

"I miss her, too."

"Do you think this will get easier?"

Deku pulled him into a hug and didn't say a word. But Katsuki knew what his silence meant. No. This pain would never get any easier to bear.

"Yesterday afternoon, another fire broke out in residential Musutafu. A press conference from both Chief of Police Tsuragamae Kenji and the Golden Might Hero Agency is schedule to happen this morning to discuss the fire and the child that was taken. There are speculations floating around as to the identity of the child, but none of those speculations have been confirmed. We'll update you as-"

The TV, which Katsuki's eyes were glued to, suddenly shut off. He blinked and looked around. Aizawa stood there with the remote in his hand, an unamused expression running across his tired features.

"Do you really think you should torture yourself with that shit, Bakugou?" Aizawa asked with a frown.

Katsuki shrugged. "Ya know, I'm really getting fucking tired of people deciding what is and isn't fuckin' good for me."

"Considering Midoriya said you refused to eat this morning, I think our actions are warranted."

He narrowed his gaze on his teacher. "That fuckin' rat."

"Don't blame Midoriya. He's just looking out for you," Aizawa replied.

"Well, I'm sick of that shit, too. I can take care of myself."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yeah. Why the fuck wouldn't I be?"

"Bakugou, your hairs a fucking mess and your shirts half tucked in."

Katsuki turned his head and looked at his reflection in the glass of the window nearby. Aizawa was right. He looked like fucking shit. On top of his messy hair and clothing, there were dark circles beneath his eyes. He hadn't slept at all the night before. How could he when Etsuki was out there somewhere, probably cold and afraid?

He sighed and looked back at Aizawa. "I really don't give a fuck how I look right now."

"I'm not surprised," the older man said. "The PR team wants you out there now. Get your ass together and talk to them."

Katsuki made a noncommittal noise which seemed to satisfy Aizawa. He left Katsuki alone once more. The blond did his very best to make himself as presentable as his deep-rooted depression would allow. That meant he tucked his dress shirt into his slacks and checked his cuffs. His hair was a lost cause. He then stepped out of the room and into the hallway where Kitagawa was waiting for him.

"Are you ready?" she asked him upon seeing him.

"I don't exactly have a choice, do I?" he asked.

"Not really, no," she replied. "Deku and Tsuragamae are just finishing up with briefing the reporters on the fire and their current plan of action. You'll go out any minute now."

Katsuki nodded and walked toward the front door of the police headquarters in Musutafu. Just outside the door were Tsuragamae and Deku. Deku was in his hero suit and his curls were neatly tamed. He looked so much more put together than Katsuki did. That at least made one of them. If one of them was a properly functioning human being, maybe they'd survive this day.

"The Musutafu Police are greatly saddened by the kidnapping of yet another child. We are doing our best to find leads, but considering the nature of the group responsible, it has proven challenging to find information regarding the whereabouts of the missing children," Tsuragamae said. "With this most recent kidnapping, we still are no closer to finding the children. This is why we have the father of the most recent victim here to speak to you."

Katsuki took that as his cue to walk out the front doors of the precinct. He held his head high and tuned out all of the murmurs from the press. He couldn't handle their questions. Not yet.

"Please lend your eyes and ears to Pro Hero, Dynamight," Tsuragamae said before stepping away from the podium. He stood beside Deku, a silent supporter to what Katsuki was about to say.

He swallowed and stepped up to the podium. Immediately, his eyes scanned the crowd of people before him. Reporters from different news crews and magazines ready for the latest scoop. God, he didn't want to talk to them, but he was fucking desperate to get his daughter back.

"Yesterday afternoon, my three and a half year-old daughter, Etsuki, was stolen from me. The Paranormal Liberation Front partnered with a villain that goes by the Pied Piper stole her from me as she begged me to save her," Katsuki said quietly, his voice cracking under the pressure of his words. Tears spilled over his lower lids. He didn't know how he had any tears left after all of the hours he'd sobbed over his daughter.

"The villains responsible burned down my house and stole her away. I'm gonna be honest with you. Each time I failed to save a child from the bastards, my heart fucking broke. But nothing compares when it's your own kid. I'm hurting. I've been through a lot of pain before. I've broken bones. I've had the skin burned off of my back. Nothing compares to losing Etsuki."

Katsuki swallowed. Cameras clicked and flashed all around him. He had the undivided attention of the media at his disposal.

"And I know what a lot of people are probably thinking. It's gonna take the disappearance of a top ranking hero's kid in order for something to finally happen. But that's not true. The police and the heroes have been busting their asses to keep the kids of Musutafu safe and to bring home those that are missing. The PLF ain't making shit easy. Not for the police and the heroes to do their jobs and not for the parents of the missing children. We don't have a lot of information, and we really need the public's help in bringing our kids home.

"I don't ask for a lot as a hero. Hell, I do my job everyday because I want people to be safe. So, in return, let me ask you all for one thing. Please," he said, his voice cracking. "All I want is to see my daughter's smile again. If you have any information at all, please... Help us."

Katsuki stared at his phone screen as it rang and rang. He didn't know if he should answer it. Fuck, he was so damn nervous. It was the lab that had taken both his and Katsuo's DNA swabs for the paternity test. He knew he needed to answer it, but in the seconds that it took to ring, Katsuki had a mini internal crisis on Deku's living room couch. What if they told him that he wasn't Katsuo's father? What would he do then? What if he was his father? How could he possibly move forward with a custody battle while his oldest child was missing? It was such a clusterfuck. But in the end, Deku sat beside him. Whatever the outcome of this phonecall, he knew he'd have the greenette there to get him through this. He swiped up on the green circle, answering the call.

"Hello?"

"Is this Bakugou Katsuki?" a pleasant, feminine voice asked.

Katsuki nodded despite the futility of the action. "Speaking."

"Hello! I'm calling regarding paternity lab results," she said. "In regard to the paternity of Hasaki Katsuo, you are the father. Congratulations."

Katsuki blinked once, twice, three times as a stinging prickled at his eyes. "Thank you for letting me know," he whispered.

"Of course! Was there anything else I could do for you?" she asked.

"No, that's all," he said before hanging up without so much as a goodbye.

Deku looked at him expectantly. "So? What did they say?" he asked.

"I'm Katsuo's father," he said softly, allowing more tears to flow freely from his eyes.

"You're his father! Kacchan! That's great news!" he exclaimed. "Why are you crying, babe?"

Katsuki looked up into Deku's viridian gaze, his already shattered heart getting crushed to dust. "Because I can't tell Etsuki that she's an older sister."

Beta: YOU BITCH, I CAN'T READ THROUGH TEARS YA KNOW!

Author: I'M SORRY

Beta: NO, YOU'RE NOT

Author: NO, I'M NOT. NOT AT ALL.