Hero | Katsuki Bakugo

How Many Times?

"How many times are you going to almost die for you to learn your lesson?" Nana asked me as I stood before her. I felt completely weightless as I struggled to figure out what the fuck was even happening.

"Nana? Where even are w-"

"How many TIMES are you going to put everyone through the same pain of losing you, before you learn your lesson!"

I shot up, grabbing my side as I groaned loudly. I was hooked up to hospital machines and bandages covered my torso, blood slightly soaking through the layers. I leaned against the headboard of the hospital bed, getting as comfortable as possible as I thought about Nana. She was surrounded by the other vestiges, and they all just looked down on me. Isn't it kind of my job to risk my life? To fight to the best of my abilities to keep the people safe?

I scoffed, shaking my head as I reached for my phone I hadn't noticed sitting on the bedside table. There were plenty of texts from Izuku, Katsuki and Aizawa, all yelling at me for leaving to do hero work. The time read 11:37 p.m., so it must be the same day, hopefully.

The door opened, Toshinori and Aizawa walking in and looking disheveled as ever. Bags under their eyes so big it looked like they had been beat up, their hair a mess, there clothes loose and wrinkly.

"I'm sorry," I muttered out as they sat down in the chairs around the bed. Their heads snapped up at my words, jumping back a bit before smiling at me.

"I didn't even know you were awake! How are you feeling?" Aizawa asked me as he pulled me into a tight but soft hug, Toshinori doing the same once I was free. "I'm okay, I think. Pain isn't too bad, how long have I been out?" I asked, worried for their answer.

"Two days, a new record for you! Everyone has been worried, it's hard to keep them under wraps when you're hurt or on death's doorstep." Aizawa joked, as if on cue in rushed my classmates. They cheered for me, taking turns hugging me and handing me cards or flowers.

"Guys! This is too much, I'm fine really!" I was laughing, soaking in all the love being given to me.

"You had us worried, I think even more than we were during Kamino Ward!" Tsu croaked out, with her signature 'ribbit' at the end of her sentence.

"We know you're a hero, but we really wished you'd be more careful." Momo added in, earning a chorus of agreement after her statement.

"You're so manly!" Kirishima cried, pulling me into another hug before he was pulled away from me. I locked eyes with Katsuki, smiling wide at the sight of him as I pulled him into a hug. He fought it a little at first before melting into it, hugging me as tight as possible before pulling back and putting his 'bad boy' demeanor back on. I pulled Izuku into a tight hug as well, rubbing his back as he tried to be angry with me for getting myself hurt.

"Even though you get hurt a lot, kind of like Deku but in a different way. I have to say I am inspired by you." Ochako said as she took my hands in hers. "Please! If anything, you guys are the ones who inspire me! You guys are all so strong and brave, you've done a lot more in the first year than any other first year I've met. You guys keep me going." I said, trying not to cry as I felt overwhelmed with joy.

Everyone hung out in the cramped hospital room before Aizawa said he had to take everyone back to school. We all protested, but in the end he won. I forced Katsuki to stay next to me, not letting Aizawa take him. That was the only battle I had won recently, causing me to laugh quietly to myself at the thought.

We were completely alone in the hospital room, soaking in the silence and presence of each other as I got comfy and settled into his side. I scrolled through my phone that rested on his chest and his scrolled through his own phone. "Katsuki?" I looked up at him as I said his name, noticing a slight blush dusting his cheeks as he looked down at me.