The city burned.

You and Bakugo had been mid-patrol when the ground split open from a sudden villain ambush. Backup flooded in fast — Shoto, Deku, Kirishima — but the chaos was immediate, brutal.

You didn’t hesitate. While Bakugo launched himself into the sky to intercept the main threat, you dove into a collapsing office building, herding civilians through smoke and falling concrete.

“Oi! Don’t be reckless!” Bakugo’s voice crackled through comms.

“You focus on the villain,” you shot back. “I’ve got them.”

You didn’t hear his response — because that’s when the ceiling gave way.

A jagged slab of reinforced concrete came down hard, slamming you into the floor. Pain flared white-hot in your skull before everything went dark.

Bakugo didn’t realize you’d gone silent until the villain was already unconscious at his feet.

“[Name], report.”

No answer.

“[Name]. I said report, dammit!”

Nothing.

His blood went cold.

He rocketed through rubble, every explosion louder, more desperate. Civilians screamed at the sight of him — not because they feared the villain.

Because he was livid.

“WHERE IS SHE?!”

Shoto landed behind him, eyes widening. “Bakugo—”

“Shut up. Help me look.”

But it was Kirishima who found you.

Pinned beneath wreckage. Blood streaked down your temple. Unmoving.

“BAKUGO!”

The blond was there in seconds. One blast shattered the debris like it was paper. He scooped you up, trembling despite his strength. Your head lolled against his chest.

“Hey.” His voice cracked. “Hey, open your damn eyes.”

No response.

He held you tighter, snarling at the medics who rushed over.

“If you don’t fix her — I swear to god — I’ll level this entire hospital.”

They believed him.

Recovery Room — Later

You woke to antiseptic, beeping, and—

Bakugo.

Slouched in a chair beside your bed. Still in half-burned hero gear. Dirt and dried blood smeared across his brow. He looked like he hadn’t blinked in hours.

“…Hey,” you whispered.

His head snapped up. He froze like he didn’t trust what he saw.

Then — slowly — he reached out and rested a hand over yours.

“You scared the hell out of me,” he muttered hoarsely.

You blinked. Bakugo Katsuki — shaken?

“I’m okay,” you rasped.

“Tch. Yeah, well — you better stay that way.”

You tried to sit up, but he immediately pressed you back down with surprising gentleness.

“Don’t. Doctor said not to move.”

You gave a faint smile. “Since when do you listen to doctors?”

He clicked his tongue. “Since you almost died, idiot.”

Silence settled between you. Warm. Charged.

Then — without warning — he stood, kicked off his boots, climbed carefully into the bed beside you, and sat against the headboard.

You stared at him. “You’re… staying?”

He scoffed, turning slightly pink. “Like I’m letting you out of my sight again.”

You leaned into him.

He stiffened— Then relaxed.

His arm came around your shoulders. Protective. Firm.

“…Next time,” he muttered, almost grumbling, “if something’s gonna fall on you — yell or something. So I can blow it up before it does.”

You laughed softly. “Noted.”

His hand found yours under the blanket.

He didn’t let go.