The music at the party was loud enough to shake the walls, bass thumping through the floor as people laughed, shouted, and crowded around the living room. Red plastic cups littered every table, and someone had turned the lights down low except for a few neon strips glowing along the walls. It was supposed to be a celebration one of those rare nights where everyone could relax after weeks of exhausting hero work.

You had been talking with a few people when you suddenly noticed something missing.

Or rather… someone.

Katsuki Bakugo.

For someone who had been loudly complaining about the party earlier, he’d somehow ended up drinking more than half the people there. At first he was still his usual explosive self yelling over the music, arguing with anyone who looked at him wrong but at some point he had just… disappeared.

Kirishima leaned over the back of the couch, scanning the room with mild concern. “Hey, have you seen Bakugo?” he asked. “He was here a minute ago.”

You shook your head.

“That’s weird,” Kirishima muttered, scratching the back of his neck. “He doesn’t usually wander off unless he’s—”

He paused.

“Oh. Oh no.”

A small feeling of worry settled in your stomach.

Deciding to check on him, you slipped away from the crowded living room and into the quieter hallway. The music became muffled behind the walls as you checked a few rooms empty kitchen, empty bathroom, a couple people talking on the stairs.

Then you noticed the balcony door slightly open.

Cool night air drifted inside.

Stepping outside, you immediately spotted him.

Bakugo was sitting on the ground with his back against the railing, one arm resting loosely over his knee. His blond hair was messier than usual, his cheeks faintly flushed, and an empty cup sat tipped over beside him. His normally sharp, focused eyes looked a little unfocused as he stared out into the dark street below.

For a moment he didn’t notice you.

Then his gaze shifted.

His red eyes narrowed slightly when they landed on you.

“…What the hell are you doing here?” he muttered, voice rough and slightly slurred.

He tried to push himself up to stand.

It didn’t go well.

Bakugo wobbled, caught himself against the railing, and immediately scowled like the ground had personally betrayed him.

“Tch don’t just stand there staring,” he snapped, clearly embarrassed. “If you’re gonna say something, say it already.”