VOID [Katsuki Bakugo x OC]

Rule #13: Pay Attention

 ♪

They spent the whole night at the vet clinic.

Remix's condition was touch-and-go for a while, long enough for Cade to cry herself to sleep on Katsuki's shoulder in the waiting room. For hours, she insisted that it was her fault, screaming about the forgotten chocolate bar in the hotel room trash. But Katsuki gently reminded her that she never would have willingly put her pet in danger... some stranger did that themselves. And he was equally to blame, if she wanted to think the way she was.

Now, with her sleeping on his shoulder, Kat scrolled his phone mindlessly, his numb hand snaking around Cadence's waist as she whimpered in her sleep.

He'd never been so... relaxed. Sure, it was a weird and shitty circumstance, but right there and then, in the bleak, emergency vet waiting room, Katsuki could breathe. From infancy, everyone expected a lot of him, pushed him to do the best and be the best. And yeah, a lot of that became self-imposed as he grew up... but with Cade asleep on his shoulder and the room quiet, all of those expectations and demands fell away.

Here, in the dark, he was just Kat. Here, he had no responsibilities other than to support Cadence. Here, he didn't fake anything for anyone. Here, he wasn't a hero. Here, he was just a regular guy doing regular guy things...

And it was nice.

With the exception of his friendship, Cadence didn't ask anything of him. With her guidance, they figured out how to make time for goofing off and being real, slipping away from the world where they were celebrities. With her, he was just a normal young adult, acting like an idiot and spurning his responsibilities.

It felt like a scene out of a cheesy movie, the two of them sitting and waiting for the news about Remix in the muted light. But at the same time, it was the normal shit Katsuki had been looking for: no paparazzi, no overbearing parents, no siblings, no civilians needing help, no fame at all. Just Kat and Cade, two regular people leaning on each other for support as any other couple would... even if it was fake and forced.

She treated him like a human... like he deserved kindness... and... like he deserved love.

The thought struck Katsuki like a physical blow to the chest, flinching at the idea of Cadence having real romantic feelings for him. As if she could read his mind, she hummed in her sleep, nuzzling into his black sweatshirt before falling asleep once more.

Wishful thinking, that's all it was. Between deep, steadying breaths and his pounding heartbeat, Katsuki choked on his words.

"Remember step one... stay calm, you self-absorbed asshole."

There was no way Cadence fell for him or ever would.

It just wasn't possible. She deserved better.

♪

After their last-minute flight to catch up with the rest of the band in Paris, Bakugo stood at his usual position, stage left, and promptly zoned out.

Sure, he noticed Cade dancing across the stage–white bass guitar in hand, dressed in her high-waisted black jeans, neon green sports bra, and matching sneakers, pretending like nothing was wrong at all–but he didn't really watch. He didn't really see.

He was too busy trying to figure out who the mole could be. Because, one: he wanted that bonus money and there was no fucking way he'd let Camie get it. And, two: the mole was now actively trying to ruin Cade's life. And as her bodyguard, he had to put a stop to that bullshit ASAP.