Another day. Another patrol. Another butt to kick. Another angry scowl and another night in the deafening silence of his solo apartment; that is the overall summary of the life of number 11 hero Ground Zero. Quite the boring life to any other but to him it was the best he could have.
Whereas many of his old classmates and friends seem to have found a balance between private life and hero work, he opted to just give up the former on focus on what is important; becoming the number 1 hero that is. Just like All Might, Endeavor and Hawks after them they all were heroes who breached their ways through the rankings by their own sheer willpower and lone charisma, with no one by their side watching their back; and that is a truth he came to learn the hard way.
And here he is: as the front runner to reach the top 10, two ranks ahead of useless Deku and a fair head start from the others. He is at the top of his game, alone and surely unworthy of care and love- that is another truth he learned about recently.
Looking at the city-his city- from the roof of the skyscraper, he had come to appreciate such a view. It gave him a sense of dominance, omnipotence maybe. Seeing the weak, pathetic civilians marching and strolling the streets carelessly, their trust in their heroes for protection and unaware of the evil brewing somewhere around. It was fulfilling for an ego as big as his.
He still remembers times when he wasn't the only one counting tiny dots on the asphalt streets, when the random swaying figure of a drunk salary man was enough to trigger the flood of hysterics between the two. He wasn't always alone, he was part of something bigger and stronger, something that even the strongest hero approved of.
But now, …. You could say things change. People change.
Hearing a shrieking cry and sobs from his left side, he mechanically leapt down on the streets, using his explosions to bolt to the source of noise. Luckily, it seems he wasn't the only one in the vicinity, seeing that familiar and annoying mass of red hair; now reduced to short undercut with the usual spikes up in the middle.
Spotting the other hero, the redhead grinned widely, swiftly moving to his side so that they both can advance together.
-" Thought you were still enjoying that fucking Hawaiian tan?" The blond questioned his friend, scanning the area for the possible assault.
-" Yeah, but you know the drill. Hero work doesn't wait for you honeymoon to end. We barely had 2 weeks for ourselves before our phones went crazy." He chuckled at the memory.
-" I bet Pinky was so goddamn pissed. She had been planning for that honeymoon for months."
-" She was…. There." Red Riot pointed out the problem. A guy in a hockey mask was trying to snatch a purse from the hand of an old lady. Pff talk about casual.
-" I doubt this was a situation worth ruining your honeymoon for." GZ snorted at the betrayed look on his friend's face.
Taking matters in hand while Kirishima recovered from his state of incredulity, a blast and a fist was all he needed to subdue the man and return to lady.
Looking now at her, she looked rather old and short. Dressed in a grey cardigan and long brown skirt reaching to her ankles. Her most baffling feature were her hands. Gingerly holding the purse to her chest, her hands were small and chubby, with no wrinkles whatsoever. They resembled those of a baby and he bets even their touch would be as soft as he thought.
He was startled out of his stance by the small woman gently bowing her head for him: " Thank you my son. For saving me and my belongings" She spoke in a smooth motherly voice, reminiscent of a sweet woman that used to live next door.
Maintaining his scowl, albeit slightly less hostile, he responded: " No worry madam. This is our role as heroes after all. Are you by any means harmed madam?" he sighed in relief at her head shake followed by a sweet wide smile. " Good. Hey Riot, could you take this ruffian to the nearest police station, I'll escort this lady to her house in case there were any accomplice."
-" Roger that." RR complied throwing the knocked out villain over his shoulder like a potato sack and grinning goodbye to his best bro.
This was casual measures. In case of theft, a hero must accompany the victim to her house in case any hidden aid for the villain hid somewhere. It was normal for any hero to do. Yet…
-" You are….. the explosive hero: Ground Zero. The unique furrow is really uncanny." She giggled, slinging her bag over her shoulders.
Well, indeed, he was a celebrity at this point. Front runner to join the top 10, one of the heroes that throw the League of Villains behind bars, and the second half of a duo long disbanded; he sure had a strong portfolio, so in these kind of situations, all he does is grunt in affirmation.
What followed was a comfortable silence. The woman was walking with steady small steps, head downcast and shy smile. The hero kept his instincts sharp ready to bristle at any instant.
-" You seem rather troubled my son, are you okay?" her question was out of the blue, and weird even. Why was this woman asking about his well-being? He was a hero for god's sake and a strong one at that. He literally just saved her ass for being robbed, he is supposed to be the one concerned for her state not her.
Glaring dumbfounded at the woman, she looked up at him and gave another smile: " Oh excuse my intrusive nature. It may just be my old age, but it pains me to see such young aspiring man weighed down by problems." She chuckled lightly.
Wait…. Was it that obvious? Hell, is he that fucking easy to read? God damn it, he still needs to work on the 'to smile before hardships' part of a hero. Fuck, like hell he will, that was Deku's job not his. He punches faces with a growl not with a smile. Who does that? Disgusting.
Frustrated at his own downfall, he absentmindedly scratches the back of his neck, unaware of the eyes reading past each own of his movement: " Madam, it's just that the work of a hero is very demanding. It is our job to protect those in need, to be there for them in hopeless times. I might look bugged by problems, but they also sharpen me and my senses so that I can become a better here. A hero that always wins that is. I don't need to stop and think about what hurt me or broke me, I don't have time, I need to move forward." He explained as truthfully as he could. He heard the lady hum in agreement but the look on her face contrasted her gest.
-" Must be really hard to be hero and keep that façade all the time. But…" She looked up at him wistfully. " Some scars are never good to ignore and even with a purpose to strive for, they just keep swelling until they reopen again and bleed even harder. It's quite the unhealthy cooping way." With her hand on her lips, she kept studying the youth with her eyes as he squirmed and diligently bit the inside of his cheeks not to say something offhandedly offending.
After this weird conversation, they continued the road in another fit of silence until they reached an apartment building.
-" Well, this is my stop." She turned to him and bowed once again to the hero "Thank you for saving me again. And…" taking one of his gloved hands, she squeezed it lightly. " If you sir need a back to lean on, or just someone to talk too, I'll be here, Mr Hero. Okay." She smiled at him, her hand squeezing tighter before she let go and bowed before leaving inside the building leaving a rather shocked blond.
-" What the hell was that?" He grumbled under his breath, the awkwardness of the conversation grinding at his nerves.
Massaging his temples, he sighed before turning on his heels and blasting towards the sky. He will have to stop by the agency to contact Kirishima and file his report of the incident. The streets were peaceful and night was kind of uneventful to have one of the most destructive heroes up on patrol.
Soaring into the skies, he found his eyes fixing the bright high moon, the tsuki usagi was prominent today as if mocking him in the cruellest ways; such a beauty really wasn't for all to beseech.
Throb. A sudden pain zapped in his head, it was almost electric making him lose balance and nearly topple on a roof if it wasn't for the propelling force of his right palm. Fixing his equilibrium, he blanked his eyes to rid the pain ( and it worked instantly?) and focus on getting to the agency safe and sound. Maybe pulling constant all-nighters and late patrols wasn't the clear choice for him health wise.
Sensing his ear piece buzz, he responded: " Ground Zero here, now retreating to the agency for reporting of a pickpocketing incident near the Shibuya road, do you copy?"
-" Hey, Bakubro. You're on your way back I see." Of course it was his annoying best friend checking on him. What is it with people and his health today?
-" Yeah, yeah, shitty hair. I am going back and helped the old lady home safely, make sure to put some men in the area for safety purposes. Anyway, I don't feel so good, I have been taking a lot of shitty long late shifts for you and dunce face. So I will be leaving things in your hands."
-"Ohhhh, okay. I actually can see you rocketing to the agency. Look at you, you're a firework." He chuckled at the ' Fuck you' he got in response. Classic Bakugou. " By the way bro, guess who called as I was driving that villain to the station?"
-" I don't know. Your fuzzy cotton candy of love?" Sarcasm at its finest. He knew the redhead liked to give his wife pet names, multiple pet names. And this one was one of the most embarrassing ones. He could already see that pineapple head of red. LMOA
-" N-N-Nooo, and stopping calling her that. That is a thing that should stay between bros, don't go saying it out loud while flying over all Tokyo." He took a moment to take a breath and calm himself before he continued. " Anyway, yeah she called. And said that today she met with Ochako on patrol…" Throb. " …And guess what she said, Deku is finally settling down here" Throb. "and him and Ochako are preparing a get-together for the entire class this weekend. So she asked me to; quote on quote: 'drag your sorry-workaholic ass out of that dark pit of sadness that he calls a life." Throb Throb Throb Throb. " BRO! What the fuck? That was some hella stunt you're playing, and why are you so wobbly man? Bro, are you okay? Bakugou…"
-" Ei, call…. backup." those were the last words he managed to shakily utter before his explosions halted and his body came crashing down like a meteorite on the side walk.
He doesn't know what happened to him, but the moment Kirishima mentioned the word ' Ochako' and 'Deku', the electric pain in his head turned into full-on pounding hell. Like the feeling of a hammer landing on his skull, threatening to split it open into two. And before he knew it, his vision was blurring and his hands were numbing, losing control of his quirk and flying himself farther up, till the moment where his explosions died and his body hit the concrete like a hard rock. The world felt like a fleeting illusion for a moment.
.
.
.
-" Bakugou, Katsuki…. Come on bro, stay with me ." He faintly hears Ei's voice. Well it's hard to recognize it over the shrieking of sobs and clicking of devices, but he'll know that voice anywhere. " Bro, come on; come on. Breath, breath….Oh my God, so much blood. Hang in there man, the medics are on their way. Stay with me Katsuki." He feels a pressure on his chest maybe Ei trying to slow his fatal bleeding until the medics arrive. He doesn't know. He doesn't feel like he is dying, just… dizzy, fuzzy, and a titbit light headed. Like a dream.
Feeling his consciousness slip yet again, he catches his friend's face. Damn, look at those big fat tears, he's been hanging out with the wrong company I assume.
Throb.
And like the final combo in a game, he drifts away.
§ Vivid §
Three years. Three fucking years of being one of the class top students, All-Might's cherished protegee, and Katsuki's fucking rival; and stupid Deku still gets flustered at the sight of two fucking jugs.
At this point, it is painfully fucking obvious it hurts. The damn fuck eyes Deku and Round Face give each other at every possible opportunity are so annoying that it makes Katsuki want to punch both their faces together so that they can stop, which only served to annoy him even more for some reason; while poor Four Eyes is blind as fuck and still trying to dumbly court Pink Cheeks with the help of half n' half who is only there for the unfolding drama in the group.
Meaning, that squad was a mess at the moment.
And guess what. Guess. Fucking. What? Who was assigned to be Deku's partner and comrade in every task or project since second year? Who you ask? Of course it has to be the ticking time bomb, with zero tolerance to bullshit that is Katsuki, and fuck him if he didn't admit he wanted to blast himself all the way to Pluto every time he caught Round face ogling Deku's bunny hopping, with Iida right behind her doing a pathetic job at hiding his blush while admiring her determined look, with Todoroki gliding on his ice, high enough to witness the entire thing.
Yep, it was a freak show. Even worst then Mina's poor flirting to a dense Kirishima. That bad.
So one day, about two weeks away from Valentine's day, Bakugou's finally snaps and stomps his way to Gym Gamma where he knows Deku would be training alone at this hour. *
Finding the damn broccoli boy stretching in the middle of the grounds, he whistles to catch his attention, and with a smile from him, they start their usual routine.
They've been told they are the best. Alone but even more together. The perfect duo that is. Save to win and win to save; the greatest heroes there is. And in the memory of the late All Might, they are planning on carrying this will of his.
After almost 2 hours of relentless sparring, they both are sweaty, tired and pretty much bruised, they collapse back to back and stay there both working to catch their breath.
It's Deku that breaks the comfort of silence: " Damn Kacchan, I am starting to worry that one day you will explode me to the moon." He chuckles at the annotation.
-" Says the one with a deadly left hook and karate swing. At least your lapse time is reducing, you hardly left me time to react." He retorts to his credit. He hears the other boy giggle and before the dumb green-head says some dumb shit that rails them up into another fight he grumbles: " and that wasn't a compliment. Just stating the obvious"
-" Whatever you say Kacchan" He giggles again, the sound orchestrating the newly erupted butterfly dance in his stomach
They both stay like that for a couple minutes. This time Katsuki breaks it: " So… When are you going to confess?" he can feel the other flinch, he holds up a fit of hysterics just in time. " Oi, shitty Deku, thought I wouldn't notice or what? Gotta be blind to not see it though." He snorts, feeling his partner's flinching intensifying. Look at this human wreck!
-" K-K-acchan, W-w-what are you talking about? I m-mean…Whaaa?" Deku was fidgeting and clearly as red as a ripe tomato.
Losing all self-restraints, Bakugou breaks into a wave of hysterics to the point that his stomach hurt, even the confused look on Deku's face was fucking comedy gold.
Recovering from his state minutes after, he stands to his feet and slams his hand in Deku's shoulder. Boy, has he bulked up. Damn.
-" It's our last fucking year Deku, and after we will hardly see each other as everyone takes their own route. So better make the fucking most of it before it's too late." He gives the other the softest smile he could muster and pats him on the shoulder, walking out with a wave. " See ya tomorrow nerd."
Walking out of the gym, he feels delighted. Finally, he can train in piece; with no fucking sexual tension or jealousy suffocating the air around him and making him want to gag. Finally those two can get their shit together and get on with….with…
Coming to an abrupt stop, he was surprised by the odd churning in his insides along with a rippling pain in his chest.
Wasn't he supposed to be happy with the outcome of this? Wasn't he? Then why was….?
Soon enough he sees changes. Looks turning into conversation, then frequent outings then shy touches. They were both too sweet, too pure, too….. here comes that tightness again.
By the time Valentine's day came up, and in the middle of the hustling and bustling of ashamed girls and excited boys, the classroom door swung open revealing a very red Uraraka and a combusting Deku, holding hands, fingers interlaced into each other. That was when all hell broke loose, as they were both instantly surrounded with waves of congratulations and " I knew it" , the majority of class was happy for the two.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Deku, all smiles and cute blush sheepishly scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. Almost on cue their eyes met, and Katsuki was left to read the outline of his lips as he spelled ' Thank you' in the chaos.
Katsuki didn't know if he wanted to smile or to cry.
.
.
.
In all three years, it was the first time Iida never stood to rush them to their seats.
.
.
.
Bakugou later found him at 4 AM on the track field, his glasses obliterated somewhere on the field, looking like he had run a marathon. One look at his face and Katsuki was sure tears, sweat and snot mingled into something undistinguishable.
.
.
.
-"I am so sorry, Kacchan. I really can't train today. Ochako wants to go to this new crepe place downtown so I am taking her there to a date. We might even hit the theatres after for that All Might biography film." The green-haired hero wailed over the phone.
Katsuki can clearly hear the whispering and shuffling in the background. He was interrupting.
-" Ughhhh, okay shitnerd. Getting a fucking girlfriend and slacking on your work. What a Deku!" He enjoys the incredulous gasp on the other end. " Anyway, gotta go now. Take care and say hi for round face from me."
-" Okay thanks Kacchan. You really are the best." And he hung up.
What does this make it? Their fifth training appointment cancelled. Wow what a fresh start!
And his taking her to see that movie they were talking about that day. They had already talked about going to watch it together someday but here is shitty Deku taking his goddamn girlfriend to watch it, forgetting completely about their deal and the enormous effort Katsuki put into getting some front row tickets so that the both of them can….
Crack
What was that? This sound. It felt more in his head than in reality though, so what was it? What just broke? What….?
He came up to that conclusion when he saw the two kissing under the falling cherry blossoms on graduation day.
-" I guess that makes two of us." He hears Iida mumble by his side.
.
.
.
His mind fuzzes and the memories glitch until there is none as the crack is mended and healed back.
§ Vivid §
He wakes up to the beeping of devices and ticking of a pen. The intricate spotlessness of the room makes him squint and reach out to the source of the bright light. He catches the surprised gasp followed by hurried footsteps fading away.
Taking a couple seconds to recognize where and how he is, he connects the dots quickly. The suffocating smell of detergent, the tightness and feel around his torso and heaviness of his lower limbs. He is in a hospital room, bandages covering the majority of his chest area, his left thigh and back. He must have gone hard by the looks of it, he must grateful he remained alive after such a fall.
Sighing and rubbing his face in frustration, he sat up and adjusted the pillow so that it'll cushion his back. He needs to prepare to get an earful of his mother afterward, she must be worried sick and she will try to hide that worry by yelling and smacking him. He could already see her barging into his hospital room any moment now crying her eyes out and his father pathetically walking in behind her to imprison him in a hug that will do nothing but reopen his unhealed wounds; and right after them…. Then what?
Still recovering from the unprecedented blankness that hit his senses, the door leading to his room suddenly burst open revealing a group of rather distressed individuals whose hair scheme reminded him of a set of condiment on your usual ramen table plus they look to be clearly sharing one brain cell seeing how they were all trying to squeeze their way inside.
As he remained dumbfounded by the hilarious display, that is until his body was crushed by a wailing redhead, the impact igniting a raging pain in ribs.
-" BAKUBROOOO…" the redhead kept crying on his wounded chest. " THANK GOOOOOOOD."
The guys was followed suit by a dishevelled blond who looked t have been crying for days, a flat face guy crying into his weird elbows and a pink…. Who the fuck is that pink?
The group of people kept crying together into a circle, trying in vain to clean each others' tears and calm down their state.
-" Explodey…*hic**hic* Don't do that to us ever again." The pink woman cried moving to bury herself in the redhead's back.
-" Bakugo, dude, you gave us such a scare. The bakusquad is really nothing without you, man." The blond uttered between hiccups.
Wait? The what?
Finally recovering from the aftershock, he started wiggling out of the redhead's grip but to no use. What the fuck, who are these people?
Their outrage on his body soon stopped the moment one of the nurses walked in and started lecturing them that they were making such a fuss and to not engage forcefully with him, making them realise their mistake and started apologizing like the morons they were
Again, who the fuck are these asswipes?
-" Hey…" He called out for the nurse now scolding the redhead. " Where are my parents? And who the fuck are these idiots that walked in like they knew me?" he voiced his concerns at last.
He didn't expect to receive silence in response, and surely not those unbelieving looks from the people in the room.
-" Katsuki, my bro…" The redhead reluctantly asked, a wobbly smile on his tear-stained face. " what are you talking about, man? We are your squad."
-" MY…squad." He raised a doubtful eyebrow. " What the hell are you blabbering about?" His words seemed to shake the entire group; the redhead the most as he lost his balance and fell to the woman's shoulder.
Feeling the air growing heavier by the second the nurse stepped out to him: " Mr Bakugo Katsuki, isn't it?" Using her professional mask, she was trying to assess the situation. " How are you feeling?"
-" Fucking shitty, goddamn it. My chest hurts, and I can't feel my leg. I remember falling down pretty hard, that is it? So where are my parents? The old hag couldn't have disowned me, could she? The bitch." He grumbled, massaging his sore thigh a little
In a calm voice she continued: " Sir, you have been in a coma for 5 days. You have succumbed a fall from over a 10 m heights which caused you two broken ribs, a dislocated femur and back trauma; plus some severe internal bleeding. We have managed to cure most of the damage. However, you won't be able to go back on the field in another three weeks. Yes, your parents were in the hospital grounds about 3 hours ago. It's 5 AM in local time so they will be available in about 2 hours from now. What concerns me sir is…" She gestured towards the group of adults quivering behind her. " These people have been waiting for your awakening for the past 5 days, actually they were more people but whom left for the time being. One of them was the one to alert the authorities of your state upon incident. That is why, sir, do you by any chance recognize the person who saved your life?" She concluded gravelly, her meticulous eyes scanning the patient.
At her words, Bakugou could only frown. The fuck Save him? How dare she say this? He was a hero for God's sake . And one of the best too. He could save thousands without much of a scratch and she said saved him? She groaned before answering: " I don't know what you are talking about, but I know I am not liking it. First, I don't know any one of these potato heads. And second, I am a fucking hero, I don't need any one's saving nor help, so better watch your words bitch before you spew them around." He growled the last part, wary of the nurse's next words.
Which never came, as her eyes went wide and a hand covered her mouth while she muttered something under her breath.
-" Kat, bro…. This is really not funny. You should cut it out." The blond that stood wordless through the entire exchange bristled before him.
What the actual fuck?
-" The hell, candy corn, looking for a fight?" Bakugo sat up, palm fuming from rage.
Sensing the hostility, the nurse turned towards the group: " You should leave. I have to call the doctor so that we can do some check ups." She forcefully ushered the group outside, ignoring the protests she received from the honey blond, leaving only Katsuki to his confused mind.
.
.
.
-" Oh…my…God. Holy…Shit. Holy shit holy shit holy shit holyshit holyshit holyshit….SHIIIIIIIIIIITTTT."
-" Eiji, babe, calm down okay?" Mina embraced him in a hug, trying to calm her husband who was having a panic attack.
After the nurse walked them out of the room, she rushed to bring the doctor and staff in. Ten minutes had passed since then, and the bakusquad is drowning in misery.
Kirishima is panicking while pacing back and forth in the hall, Kaminari is silent with his head resting on his hands, while Sero is leaning on the wall, with his fingers tapping impatiently on his forearm.
-" Calm down? How could I? Mina, he didn't recognize us. Neither me, nor you, nor Kami or Sero. He was very defensive towards all of us, growling and all. It's like…"
-" Back before UA." Kaminari continued for him, running his fingers through his hair. " He was as annoying as back in the day." He sighed, the despair clear in his voice.
-" Guys…" Sero spoke next. " I wanted to say this earlier in the game, but I wasn't sure. I think something really bad happened to Bakugou. Maybe a quirk of such."
-" Why are you saying that?" Mina questioned.
-" Well, according to what Kiri said, I was having a hard time believing his tale. Because…Bakugou isn't the type to go down like that. I mean, we all know how smart he is, and if he was really just tired, he could've stopped and took a break. Despite his stubbornness, the guy knows his limits. That is why since that moment, I was feeling off about the whole thing."
-" But dude,…." Kirishima interjected. " How could he have been hit by something? I mean the villain we caught was just a minor one and Katsuki seemed okay one-shooting him. Like how…?" he groaned in confusion, his blood boiling at his own incompetence of protecting his best friend.
Deep into their panic attack, the group failed to notice a new figure emerge from around the corner, holding custom coffee cups for each. It wasn't until he noticed the thick tension in the hall that his shoulder instantly crunched up
-" I-Is something wrong with Kacchan?" Oh fuck.
Collectively, all four turned their heads immediately towards the new attendee. He was one of the few people who refused to leave the waiting room for the past five days, leaving the management of his agency to his fiancé/ partner to manage while he stayed waiting for Katsuki's recovery. He actually just left to get the group some coffee to survive another all-nighter, yet here he is, near crumbling in worry as he reads in between the lines.
-" Midoriya…" Comes the shaky voice of Kirishima. " Midoriya, HELP!" he then lounges toward the green-haired hero, the coffee long forgotten as it spills on the floor.
Midoriya blinks once then twice, then his eyes are blown wide in fear: " Did something happen to Kacchan?" He asks again, feeling the wetness of his shirt from Kirishima's tears.
-" Midobro, calm down okay? We still don't know what happened to him. The doctor and the nurses are still inside." Kaminari rushes to his side, knowing what a classic Izuku would do in these kind of situation.
Which doesn't help much, because before the blond knew it, the other hero was sprinting towards the door, deaf to cries to stop from his friends. That is until he comes face to face with the doctor submerging from the room, a grim look on his face.
-" Sir what happened to Ground Zero-san? Is he alright?" Midoriya cried, face pinched in fear.
The nurse that followed was the one that ushered the squad earlier, she looked haggard as if her deepest worries came true.
-" I suppose you are Mr. Bakugou's acquaintances." The doctor acknowledges, scanning each one of their faces.
-" Yes sir, we are…"
-" I am his childhood friend and hero partner." Izuku steps in, he isn't laying nor telling the truth, but he obliges. " And these are his friends from highschool. Auntie Mitsuki and Uncle Masaru are on their way by now."
After a brief scrutiny, the man sighs: " Well, I guess better inform you of the current setting. First and foremost don't worry, Mr Bakugou's medical states are all right. His injuries are healing at a steady pace. However, what concerns us the most is his mental state." He pauses. " Mr Bakugou seems to be having a hard time recalling some memories from his past. As nurse Saki informed me before, he didn't recognize Mr. Riot there…"
-" He didn't." Kirishima wailed into his arms.
" Neither anyone of his other companions. After some quite questioning, we framed the range of the memory loss as being related to his time at UA. Though, this is no conventional amnesia. "
-" What do you mean sir?" Sero intervened at that moment, feeling a cold shiver run up his spine.
-" He isn't lacking memories." The nurse answered, her bangs shadowing her face.
A haunting silence settled.
-" What nurse Saki means is that when he asked him about giving us some random names of his classmates in UA he mentioned names random hero names like Phantom Thief, Flora, Shindo Yo, etc…. So we managed to exclude the possibility of this being due to the aftershock thus our only option is that Mr Bakugou was hit by some special memory-adjusting quirk."
-" Oh my God!"
-" Wait but how?" Kaminari stood. " Kirishima said that the villain they countered didn't even have time to react, so when did he hit…"
-" Oh boy! " The realization came crashing at the redhead like a tone of bricks. All eyes were now on him. " It's the old lady!"
-" What lady?" With a hand over the man's shoulder, Mina inquires. " Did you remember something?"
-" Actually,… Now that it think about it the last person Katsuki interacted to before this whole thing was the old lady that we saved from the purse snatcher. He accompanied her to her house while I took the villain to the police. He said something ' about a weird conversation' now that I think about it?"
-" Kiri, are you sure about what you are saying?"
-" Man, Kami, guys; I don't know, like that is the only option we have right of now. Though she seemed like a nice old lady, I am not sure of anything."
-" At least we have a lead now I guess. Kiri, can you recall which direction Kacchan took the old lady. I am calling Shinso to fill in Eraserhead and Suneater about this." Kaminari mumbled, taking out his phone and speed dialling the ID number.
As each one of the group started pulling out their phones and talking to their agents, a wave of muttering surged from the room's entrance
It was then that they heard a sudden snap of fingers that got all of the squads turning their heads simultaneously.
-" Mister, what…" the doctor never got to finish his sentence when he was enchased in a strong hands and a wide smile.
-" I can go in." He said.
-" What?"
-" Midoriya, bro, what are talking about? "
-" The doctor said that he doesn't recall our time at UA, nor our classmates yes. But, before I even were his classmate I was…"
-" Childhood friend, of course." Mina squealed.
-" Exactly, so he must at least recall me. I mean our relationship before UA wasn't the best, but that doesn't stop me from doing it. I assume his personality is still the same even just with a few changes here and there, but I can deal with it."
-" Actually,…" The doctor continued. " It might help us in identifying the quirk's nature if we get him to interact properly with someone he knows."
-" Midobro, are you sure?" It was Kirishima that asked.
He heaved a sigh, and with all the courage he could muster he said: " If Kacchan is in danger, I'll do anything to help him."
§ Vivid §
-" Where the hell is the old man and the old hag?" he pouted for the nth time. After a rather annoying and awkward talk with the doctor, who kept asking him random questions about some extras he didn't know, he retreated; leaving the blond to his own resort for the first time since he woke up.
Other than feeling sore all over, he couldn't shake the plaguing sensation that he was messing something, like he was forgetting something. Which was alarming in itself, as Bakugou Katsuki was never sentimental or sensitive to if people cared about him or not. He was fucking independent for God's sake. So why?
Bumping his head against the headpost, he heard the knob start to fumble and turn and in walked the nurse from before, armed with a water bottle and a notepad.
Settling the bottle on his side, she finally spoke: " Mr Bakugo, there is someone who wants to see."
Well thank Heavens, took the geezer long enough. Oooofff, will he need more than just water to clean his ears after talking to that senile woman.
-" They claim to be an old acquaintance of yours. He will be walking in." Wait what? Acquaintance? Who the fuck is…
His mind came to a halt the moment he spotted the green tuft and olive green eyes; the man bowed to the nurse as he walked in, eyes later drifting directly clash with his.
A smile, the words: " Bakugo, how have you been?" were enough to throw Katsuki's entire body into seizure. His mind rejecting the presence of that person and each and every memory that evolved him, in a process that resembled having your head drilled in. It was excruciating, his head was going to fall off, his heart was beating erratically, his limbs were numb and cold. He felt death creeping at his body. He wasn't aware of the pained screams that tore out of his mouth, or of the nurse's frantic shuffling or the man's desperate cries.
His voice was crumbling. He was crumbling.
In the onslaught of rushing imagery, a scene played in his mind like a running tape roll. His eyes rolled up his head, losing himself to the stimulation
.
.
.
The aftermath of a battle: Blood, wreckage, distant sirens of medics of police cars, his sweaty, dusty battle gear, his grenades long obliterated from overuse.
He collapsed flat on a piece of debris, his hands and shoulders were killing him; making rusty creaks at every twist or groan.
He took his time to admire the soot-free sky, the clouds twisting at the dance of wind and the flaps of birdwings. He sighed, a minute moment of peace and solitude before he would have to stumble his way to talk to the head detective and drag himself back to the agency.
Catching a heavy thud beside him, he smirked tiredly: " That escalated farther than we expected." Deku, who had heavily slouched near him, not in a better state than Katsuki himself: Hero uniform torn, his iron soles cracked and shards crumbling down, freckles and hair colour painted the black of cinders. They had it tough.
-" Wouldn't say that." He heaved a sigh, craning his neck back, cringing at the loud crack that issued. " The only advantage they had was their number and that annoying storm quirk. The moment we spotted its owner we already had a grip of the situation. By the way, thanks for that." He snorted.
The blond giggled: " Yeah, had fun too; throwing you towards the sky. Sorry for your soles though."
-" It needed improvements anyway. Hatsume promised lighter material and sturdier aim. You might consider altering your grenades." He rested his head on his knees, peeking sideways.
-" Maybe I will." Katsuki closed his eyes later, indulging in the comforting silence that settled between them.
Soon, they both had to snap out of whatever trance they were in when they heard a shy: " Excuse me…" sounding from below. Glancing down, Deku flashed his signature smile, a wide all-toothy grin reaching his ears. It was part of the legacy that was passed on to him. The symbol of Hope is his name.
Using his elbows for leverage, trying to ignore the strain on his triceps, he followed the other heroes line of view. A petite brunette in a professional navy blue suit and skirt. Her hair tied up in a high bun and a nervous smile plastered on her face. She held her small recorder close, her eyes wide and awe as she starred at the two heroes. Looking behind her, he identified the familiar flash of the camera and decided that it wasn't worth it. So with a grunt he resumed his previous position.
Catching the amused laugh of his partner, he growled at the nerd before the other hopped off the debris and before the reporter.
Trying wholeheartedly to ignore the excited squeals and anxious muttering around him, he drifted away. Communicating and entertaining the fans was also part of Deku's legacy after all.
.
.
.
-" And yet again, and against all adversities, the Wonder Duo emerge victorious from another hopeless situation. Truly a waltz of talents and quirks, another intricate dance of two of the strongest heroes of our time taking down another villain group and putting them behind bars. As the footage showed, the heroes Deku and Ground Zero-Symbol of Hope and Victory- have turned another near-hopeless situation and snatched a glorious victory. A chance of a lifetime sprang before my eyes, and I couldn't but take it as I got a short private interview from hero Deku right after the battle." The recording of the interview started playing, where Deku answered the reporters' questions with utmost straightforwardness, his voice remaining in its usual cheery tone. The questions were the casual ' What was the mostr delicate moment of the battle?' and ' Are there any future projects in hero Deku's life?" And the popular ' Is Ground Zero willing to engage in the interview as well?' with the subordinate ' Not for the moment at least.'
People and media knew that GZ wasn't a social hero, he never appeared in TV shows, never did photo-shoots, information about his private life and personal endeavours were of utmost confidentiality; but that didn't stop the little prissy shits from trying to pester into his life via Deku and his happy-go-lucky attitude.
Tuning out for the remainder of the recorded interview, he focused on trying to sanitize the gash above Deku's shoulder blade. Dabbing the wound with disinfectant-soaked cotton, he growled when the bastard had the gal to flinch: " Oi, shitty, Deku, stop flinching. How are you supposed to be my rival if you keep jumping from fucking disinfectant?"
-" But Kacchan…." He whined pathetically, feigning tears as he eyed the blond from over his shoulder. " It hurts." Snapping at his childish behaviour, Katsuki made extra effort and shoving the cotton deep into the wound, earning him a faint ' Ow' from the other.
Deku and Ground Zero. Izuku and Katsuki. The Symbol of Hope and the Symbol of Victory. The Wonder Duo. They were unbeatable, unstoppable. Since the moment Deku suggested they become a Hero Duo, three months after graduation, they have been rocketing in ranks ever since. They completed each other, covering for the others flaws and strengthening their powers. After three year of partnership, and opening their shared agency a year ago, the dream that they wished Toshinori had the chance of witnessing before he left, was slowly becoming reality.
Like after every battle, they would tend to each others' injuries, plaster the wounds and relocate the bones, it was their set ritual. And if Katsuki was been completely honest with himself, he was satisfied with the closeness he was offered. However…
The double door burst open through the kick of heels and Katsuki knew that their alone time was over. And in walks the girlfriend, all geared up in her hero and fidgety from worry.
Finally recognizing the new presence in the office, Deku paid no mind to the cream being gingerly applied to his wound and lunged himself at his girlfriend. The Rescue Hero held him in a tight hug holding back her own tears: " I was so worried. I watched the battle on my way to the site. That was some crazy fire power, and when he hit you with that lightening…OMG. But you were so cool when you flew up and punched him that he catapulted away. I was called to scan the area along with Mirei to scan the area and do damage control though when we arrived you have already left. Thak God you are okay? Are you tired? Is there wounds that need professional treatment?" She pulled away for an instant, flying her hands all over her boyfriend's body, looking for any lethal or permanent damage.
-" Hey, hey, Ochako, …." He smiled at her display, taking both her moving hands in his and bringing them to his lips, kissing them affectionately. " I am alright. The battle took an expected turn, but I won And came back to you. Also, thank you for caring and loving me." He whispered , resting their foreheads together, bringing her hands again to his mouth.
At this point, the rosiness of the girl's cheeks reached her neck. She stood on her tiptoes, compensating for the ridiculous height difference and muttered between heavy breaths: " Just stop. You're so wreckless. What would I do? What if something happens to you?." And she proceeded to brush their lips together. They were so close, their breaths mingling, and …
-" Ahm." A sharp cough brought the couple from whatever high they were in. They both turned to stare at him, one with horror and the other with mild annoyance. They seemingly have forgotten him being in the room as well for a moment. " First, hello to you too round face. And second, since you are here already, you may as well take care of the nerd's wounds, he has been squirming like a baby." He threw the first aid kit her way, ignoring the poorly-hidden sneer on her usually gleeful face and proceeded to walk to the showers.
-" Well, thank you for your help Bakugou. I have seen you too, you were so great on the field. I will take it from here then." She faked a smile, something that he came happened quite often recently.
Striding out of the room and into the showers, he took his time under the running warm water to calm his burn out muscles and organize his thoughts.
It had been a while since he started noticing some things: How Deku had been receiving casual calls from their retail agent. How Uraraka had been rather hostile to his presence lately. Indeed, she had always been wary to him for as long as she dated Deku, but lately, it had gotten worst. He had been nothing but great support to their relationship, even taking shifts for Deku to be able to take her in stupid dates and nights-out; so he was confused on what the tenseness was for.
He was trying to be a good friend as best as he could, a supporting partner, a victorious hero, what he should be. He willingly shoved his feelings at the back of his head, just like Iida said, and tried to move on. But it seems the advice worked for its giver more than to him actually.
Knocking his head against the tile wall with a growl, he closed the water and stepped out in a towel. Ruffling the dampness of his hair, he noticed the lack of clothing in his closet, he left his duffle bag on the room before he left.
Rolling his eyes at his stupidity and the second hand embarrassment that awaited him if he walked on the two in one of those positions, he relented to making his way back to the office.
He can't spend the day strolling butt naked for the rest of the day in the agency, excuse you.
Swiping the remaining drops of water from his hair and chest, he made his way through the hallway, only halting when he heard the mention of his name:
-" You haven't told him yet, have you Izuku?" He recognized the voice instantly as Ochako's. Tell him? Tell him what?
What followed was a loud heave from Izuku: " Not that I didn't tell him. It's just… the time hadn't come for me to break it in. We have been busy…. You know… being the Wonder Duo and stuff."
-" Yeah, yeah…. But we all know you are doing most of the work out there." He heard her mutter, along with a disapproving grunt from Izuku who immediately responded: " Ocha, we have talked about this. Kacchan and I are a team, we are both carrying on All Might's legacy"
This was her turn to growl: " Ugh, you are still calling him that. Anyway, yeah you both are working on that. But we all know that you are All Might's protegee, and the one who is meant to be the next Symbol of Peace. I get this Hope and Victory thing that you have going on, but we all know that…" He distinguished shuffling inside, and her tone growing soft and loving. " You are the one meant to be the greatest hero. And you know as well as I do, that the title cannot be shared between you two."
Each word. Each FUCKING syllable dug into his pride further and further, twisting like writhing whirlpool in his guts. He remained silent, thoroughly listening to the conversation taking place inside.
It was a fact that they can't ignore. The truth that there will always be only one best hero among them. They can't both have the spot. Yet Toshinori told them that they will be able to do it together, be the number one hero together, and for the longest, Katsuki believed that. He had mellowed out enough to believe that they were meant to be together, in one way or another. But, didn't Deku believe that as well?
-" You may be right. But that doesn't have anything to do with the agency thing you were talking about beforehand." He sighed earning him a grumble from the woman.
What agency thing? What were they talking about? Taking a hiding behind the door frame, he braced for the clicking of heels against the floor and creaking of a chair.
-" Izuku, the legal procedures are almost done. All we need is his signature for him to give up his part of the lease." Her laid back tone contrasted with Katsuki's shocked state. What the fuck was going on?
-" Ochako, you know he won't give up the lease that easily. I mean, Kacchan and me have been sharing this agency and the lease for years. It won't be that easy. It will actually be delightful if you and I could own this agency for ourselves but Kacchan is not the type to abandon his ownership of something. His ego won't allow."
-" Ugh,…" He could picture her roll her eyes indignantly. " You talk like he had a hand in any of this. If I remember correctly, you were the own to landscape hunt for this building, you are also the one on contact with the you reality agent; and if we were to count on Bakugou's worst-than-potato social skills, you wouldn't be here in the first place." He froze at the chuckle that sounded from Deku's throat.
-" Ocha, you are being mean. Kacchan may not be the most sociable hero, but he got his own groupies. Besides, I am still reluctant of the consequences of us breaking this to him."
-" Well, …" She huffed. " I gave up my spot as the new frontline hero in Kamui Woods agency for this. We gave been doing this for years, building up our popularity, sponsorships and internships so that we can finally open our agency, remember: Might's agency. We can finally work together forever and our lives will be finally set so that we take the next step in our relationship." She squealed the last part, giggling a little.
He felt Deku join her as well both sunnily giggling over the man's misery hiding behind the frame.
Katsuki didn't know what to do. Should he growl ? Latch at both of them and rip their lying asses apart ? Flip them off and storm out of the agency and farther away from their presence? But he couldn't do neither, breath caught in his throat while the flames of betrayal and anger licked at his mind. Though, and behind all the grudge that built-up inside him, he knew they had the right to do so. After all, he had been worst than a third wheel in their relationship; tagging along in every meeting or date, taking most of Deku's time with paper work and training alike, he was probably a hurdle in the growth of their bond. And if Uraraka's visible annoyance was any clue, they had enough of his single-loner ass prissiness.
Soon, the giggling reduced to shy puffing followed by the light smack of flesh against flash. A gentle kiss.
-" Okay I will talk to him on this." He whispered. " When the time comes."
-" Hope that is soon to happen. Starting to doubt that you care about him more than me." She murmured sweetly.
He laughed: " Well, well. I think I'll have to show you then…"
All sound that came afterward couldn't even begin to measure up to the cracking hazard that filled his head.
.
.
.
He gave him two months. Two months of waiting for Deku for gather his fucking balls to breach the topic with him. Two months for the nerd to actually show him that he was worth it, that they were really something.
But nothing came up.
Their usual routine of fighting villains and arranging paperwork never changed, but for Katsuki, never would be the same ever again.
In the end, he decided to take things in hand.
.
.
.
Beep " Hello, Lemillion agency, with you is Powerpuff."
-" Hello, may I have a discussion with Suneater please, about the offer from before…"
.
.
.
Five months later, right after the JP billboard exhibition, a file was slammed into Deku's desk.
Raising a confused eyebrow at his partner, he questioned: " Kacchan, what is this?" He took the file and skimmed through it, eyes growing wider gradually.
The blond sighed-a motion he mastered through these past few months in order to bottle up his frustration until he was inside the confines of his own house- and schooled his best angry scowl: " Listen nerd, I have been thinking this for a while. This thing that we have been doing is great and all, and we are good in the rankings already, so I believe if we better go solo from here." Make it about yourself, bear this burden and blame this time, play the villain ( Like you always did). " I have already gone through some offers from various higher-ranked agencies, and managed to land one at Lemillion's. I wanted to break these news to you sooner but with the billboard coming up, I…" he was cut short by the sudden hug from his partner, he could feel the damn grin splitting his face into two. " Giddy to get rid of me already, huh?" H was joking, but that gasp was priceless.
-" Oh my God, no Kacchan. It's just…Um…me and Ochako have been planning on opening up our own agency and since I already have half of the lease, we pulled some strings and managed expand our properties. I have been thinking of a way to break it to you for a while, but…We wanted for you to surrender your own half so that we could do that, but since you are you, I was worried you would get pissed and want to quit being the Wonder duo."
He feigned chuckling, trying to ignoring the pain that bloomed within his chest from the relief that clearly washed over the other hero. He was that much of a nuisance to him, huh?
-" Well, isn't that convenient?" He wistfully smiled, but not even a second later, the scowl returned. " All and all, I don't give about what you and round face do beside suck face. Anyway, my paperwork will wrap up in a few days, and we can move on." He playfully smirked. " Finally we will lawfully know who is the best hero, ah Deku?"
-" You bet Kacchan."
.
.
.
The morning he started working as a part of Lemillion's agency, the newspapers and magazines were blowing up with the news of the Wonder duo going solo, rumours and gossips about the reason of this transition filling the headlines and charts. Some think their opposing personalities finally clashed and they broke it off permanently, some think the change of pace would be good for both aspiring heroes and hone their rivalry to greater heights.
But Katsuki doesn't give a damn, he is still overwhelmed by the lack of reaction he got from Deku when he signed his half off to Uraraka, that is not to say he seemed overjoyed by the whole thing. Uraraka too, giving him a genuine smile and a hug. The first act of affection he had received from her in years.
While he walked away from the accountant office, he took an last glance at the giddy pair: " Hey you two…." He caught their attention. " Good luck"
.
.
.
-" BAKUBROOOO, WELCOME TO OUR OFFICE." A redheaded man dove into his frame the moment he stepped into office door. Confetti and glitter getting stuck in his hair while his ears rang from the cheers of his dumb friends.
Most of the so-called 'Bakusquad' have chosen this agency as their own, Kirishima who maintained a great relationship with his senpai even as he moved in to pro business . So after graduation, dumb and dumber have all moved to the same agency.
It was also thanks to Kiri's recommendation that he got the request from Suneater in the first place. So he was happy.
-" Dude, welcome back to the squad." A hand was thrown over his shoulders, it was Pikachu.
-" Blasty, welcome back." Pinky was squealing from behind Kirishima.
-" Welcome to the agency, Bakugo." Mirio's tintin ead popped from over his shoulder,a nd he felyt another shrinking presence beside him as well.
Through his heartbroken and betrayed state, he couldn't help the swell of joy in his chest.
.
.
.
Soon after, all the media were talking about was the reopening of the new Might's agency, and the fairy tale engagement of Deku and Uravity at Kamino Place.
Cherry blossom canopy, a marble white ark, Deku on one knee under All Might memorial statue.
It heart wrenchingly perfect.
He was the obstacle then, huh?
.
.
.
He felt sick at himself for not feeling happy for them. Everyone was happy, so why wasn't he?
The cracks festered.
.
.
.
-" Hey Bakugo, it's been a while since we last worked together."
294 days to be exact, but he was more offended by the way he was addressed with.
Ignoring the sting of those words, he muttered: " Don't you dare hold me back shitty Deku."
.
.
.
-" No. 12 hero, Explosive Hero: Ground Zero." His name displayed on the screen, he walked up the stage, head held high.
-" And by a thin marging in the assessment, the people's hero: No. 13 hero: Deku." The audience roared at the mention of his name. the popular green-haired hero joined the blond as he stood beside him.
-" I see you got me this time, Bakugo." He whispered through his smile, waving to his fans.
-"Ugh, I will always be above you Deku, and you'll see." He tiredly grumbled.
He hoped the nerd will notice his tone and comfort him, but nothing acquired.
.
.
.
At some point, he didn't know when, winning didn't matter anymore.
Becoming number one was his only reason to keeping up.
.
.
.
And even that seemed out of reach when he watched his senpais on the battlefield.
The goose bumps and shivers that erupted through his body at the sight of the number 5 and 3 heroes send another sucker punch to his ego.
.
.
.
-" Have you heard bro? Midoriya went to the US for Melissa Shield's hero expo. He will be out for a couple months now."
-" Hm." He hummed, taking the coffee can that his friend brought him. The two sat on bench at the gym, dripping sweat from an intense sparring session
-" Dude, at least show a little more enthusiasm. You may not be the type to care about public opinion, but Midoriya does, and this expo is an opportunity for him to expand his horizon's outside of the archipelago." He frowned at the lack of response from the blond. " Man, I don't know what happened between you and him that you decided to go solo, but he deserves your support, you might be Japan's favourite hero, but Midoriya is aiming to be the world's best hero. So, I know you have been very angsty since you two broke it off but…"
-" I am not angsty…" he interrupted. " I have always supported the nerd, and my choice to go solo was also for our best We need our rivalry to move ahead and if we stay together we may not go anywhere." A heavy silence hovered over them, and it was broken by Kirishima's sigh.
-" Whatever you say bro." And took a sip from his coffee. " Well, just to say things are going to get extremely hectic around here. It will be a bad timing for one of us to go in a vacation or.."
-" Shitty Hair…" the crushing of the can made the redhead flinch. " Spit it out."
-" Whaaat? What are you talking about?" The dumbass was sweating bullets, such a bad liar.
-" Ei, stopping beating around the bush before I send you plummeting again to the wall." He grunted, seeing as the idiot shook and swallowed hard.
-" So, you know me and Mina have been dating for years now and we got engaged about two years ago and been living together ever since. We were always moving aside the idea of having a wedding because of our time schedule and the media. But, you see Mina has always loved to have a honeymoon for both of us to go and have some time for each other, away from all responsibilities and duties and just relax. So she planned for us to have a month vacation together in Hawaii in about two weeks, but this thing with Deku was so sudden that…"*
-" Then go." He immediately replied. The redhead stared in confusion at his friend. " I said go, if you want me to take over you paperwork and patrols, I'll ask Powerpuff to adjust my schedule."
-" Bro are you serious?" On the verge of tears, the redhead quailed. The blond nodded simply. " Bro, ….I LOVE YOOOOOOOUUUUU." He was soon thrown to the other side of the gym room.
.
.
.
-" Bakugou, Pweeeeeaaaaaaase."
-" No way, Dunce face. I already have my entire day full with Red and Pinky's patrols. Plus Flat face is on undercover too, we are so short on hand now."
-" But bro, I REALLY need you to do this for me. I forgot I had night patrol today and this date was set for a very long time." He bowed and held his palms in prayers. " You don't know what it's like bro, she is going to kill me if I screw this one up."
Idiot fucker, not minding his own words and mocking Katsuki's single, inexistent private life.
Feeling pity for the poor guy, and knowing Ears anger is a vicious one, he agreed.
In the end, he found himself with a 36 hour-long worth of patrol, a desk of paperwork and two interns to assist to.
He survived through the entire thing. Better busying himself this way than listening to that devilish voice of jealousy in his mind.
.
.
.
What was he doing again?
Yeah, he was a hero. A burn-out, depressed, lonely hero that the public all but lashed this ways but loved his character. Bunch of hypocrites!
A broken heart. An empty soul. And a dream that lost its bling with time. He was nothing but a shell of his former self. Long gone is the prideful, confident boy with a hot temper.
He just wanted a break. A break from life.
.
.
.
-" Kacchan, Let's become the greatest heroes ever" Liar.
Win and save; save and win. What for?
.
.
.
Like the first buds following a gruelling spring, light sprouted within the pitch dark shell.
.
.
.
Clear
As the shock coursed through his body, he emerged from the darkness. The bleak whiteness and blurriness blinded his senses. His hands still shaking from the aftermath of the seizure, although; he felt light, like a huge burden was lifted out of his very being.
Blanking a few times, he stilled when a man in spectacles and a lab coat entered his personal bubble eyeing him precariously. He pulled his lids apart examining his eyeball before taking his hand and demanding for him to squeeze and so he did.
-" Mr Bakugo, how do you feel?" The man then asked cautiously, he looked to be expecting some sort of action from him.
-" Yeah, I feel fine. I can't quite focus properly but I am fine." He saw the man frown, like something in his confused, soft tone rang alarm bells in his head.
-" Mr Bakugo, I beg to not worry as the heroes are working on catching the culprit of your current predicament. You will be out by the time your state is stabilized." He spoke, gesturing to one of the woman in scrubs to go outside.
Getting himself to a sitting position, he could feel the heaviness of his thigh and a burn on his back, but that could wait, he had one last question to ask the man before he walked up:
-" Sir, could you please explain what do you mean by heroes?"