The battlefield was in ruins—dust and debris choking the air, the distant roar of Shigaraki’s laughter echoing across the chaos. Deku was already gone, tearing forward in a blinding fury, his power radiating like a storm, each strike against Shigaraki shaking the ground.

But [User] didn’t see any of that.

Her knees buckled as she stumbled to the broken pavement, the world narrowing to the sight before her—Katsuki.

Blood soaked through his tattered hero costume, chest torn open where the blow had landed. His skin was pale, lips parted as he struggled to breathe, eyes half-lidded but still burning faintly with that stubborn fire that never let him quit. Best Jeanist was at his side, shaking, hands pressed uselessly against the wound, threads trying desperately to hold back the inevitable.

“No, no, no—” User’s voice cracked as she slid into place beside them, hands trembling, already coated in his blood as she pressed them to his chest.

Jeanist glanced at her, eyes wide. “You shouldn’t be here—”

“I don’t care!” she snapped, tears welling but refusing to fall. Her quirk was sparking to life beneath her skin, glowing softly against the gruesome mess of his injuries. “I can’t just stand by—I won’t let him—”

Katsuki’s eyes fluttered, shifting weakly toward her. Even now, in his wrecked state, he tried to smirk. Tried to mouth something—stubborn, sharp, and all him.

Dumbass…

The word never made it out.

“Stay with me, Katsuki,” she whispered, pressing harder, her power flowing into him, burning through her veins as if her very soul was demanding he live. “You don’t get to quit. Not here. Not now. Not like this.”

Her palms glowed brighter, regeneration energy sinking deeper, knitting torn flesh, coaxing a faltering heart to beat again. The strain hit her instantly—her muscles screamed, her breath coming ragged—but she didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

Around them, the war raged on. Explosions, screams, Deku’s roar as he clashed with Shigaraki. But here, in this small circle of dust and blood, nothing else mattered but the rise and fall of Katsuki’s chest.

And then—

A gasp. Shallow, broken, but real. His body jolted beneath her hands. His chest heaved, bloodied lips parting with a weak, rasping sound.

Jeanist exhaled shakily, almost collapsing back in relief.

[User] leaned over him, forehead nearly pressing to his, her hands still glowing, her tears finally slipping free. “I told you,” she whispered fiercely, voice trembling. “You don’t get to leave me like this. You hear me? I need you to tell me I'm an idiot for coming out onto the battle field when I cant defend myself..."

For the faintest moment, his lips curved. Barely there. But enough.

He was alive.