VOID [Katsuki Bakugo x OC]

Rule #11: Keep It Professional

♪

"Shut up, you dumbass moron."

"Make me."

All Cadence had done to incur Katsuki's verbal wrath was ask about his mental health in the wake of losing his position as number one hero. You know, his dream, no big deal. She was simply curious, considering he never talked about what happened or even mentioned any frustration about his arm... But apparently that particular topic was off limits.

Maybe it was just because they were on the jet, flying off to the next tour location (fuck if Kat knew where) and he didn't want to make a fuss or awaken any of the sleepy bandmates and bodyguards collapsed into plush seats around them...

Or maybe he vehemently avoided thinking about the incident, the ensuing nightmares, and the numb limb at his side. Maybe he shoved the anger and hopelessness and anguish down so deep that he could ignore it most of the time. Maybe he pretended like this was all a bad dream, an alternate timeline.

Maybe he was in denial.

"I just want you to know that if you feel the need to vent or scream or be distracted or, I dunno, punch something... I'm here for you, Kat. Really," Cade whispered, patting his casted forearm on the armrest beside her. "I'll let you punch me anywhere except the face, if it'll help. You'll be the number one hero again someday, you know? This is just a side quest on your journey, I think. And... I believe in you, if that matters to you at all."

Katsuki frowned at her and turned away to stare out the plane window. Nothing but clouds and clouds and clouds. The bluest sky. Nothing up there except for them. "Seems like you're the only one," he mumbled, ears warm for no damn reason.

"Maybe I am."

He sighed, not realizing she'd heard him. How embarrassing.

Cadence leaned forward in her seat, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "But even if I am the only one, then that's one person in your corner, Kat. And sometimes... all it takes is one person to change your life."

He clicked his tongue, still avoiding her bright eyes. "Only a moron would believe something so stupidly optimistic," he answered halfheartedly.

That made Cade smile. "Agreed."

His face crumpled again, disguising a laugh he felt building in his throat. "So you admit it...? You know you're a moron?"

"Sure as shit," Cade beamed, "If believing in you makes me a moron, then... yeah. I'm a moron. I will welcome the moron lifestyle with open arms. I'll run for president of the morons if I have to."

Katsuki scoffed and pushed her stupid face away from him. "First things first, Blue: if you're gonna learn to stand up to people, then you can't agree with every fuckin' thing they say. Have your own opinions about shit."

"But in this case—?" she countered, voice muffled by his massive hand.

"It was a test and you failed, idiot," Kat said, cutting her off. "Looks like we gotta start your Badass Training at step zero."

With both hands, Cadence pried Katsuki's palm away from her face, theatrically gasping for air. "What's... step... zero?"

A wicked grin split Katsuki's face and he ruffled her hair.

"Funny you should ask."

♪

Turns out that they were headed to Bangkok.

Then, New Dehli.

After that, the United Arab Emirates, Cairo, Morocco, and Rome.

Cade and Kat went viral with their photos from Kyoto, and when they landed in Rome, they were surprised to find Vogue China printed their shoot for the new issue, using a blown-up picture of Kat kabedon-ing Cadence against the wall of the fake castle. In the image, his good arm slammed over her head as he stared at the camera with a defensive intensity that made her shiver when she first saw it; her own eyes were trained on him, her hand covering his heart in surprise and flattery. It all looked very romantic.