Beyond The Blast (Bkdk)

Crimson Haze

The crimson mist swallowed Bakugo whole, his furious roar cut short by a strangled gasp. Midoriya's blood ran cold. Fear, sharp and primal, clawed at his throat. He couldn't... he wouldn't let Bakugo get hurt because of him.
Ignoring the pounding in his chest, Midoriya surged forward, his green aura flaring to life. He slammed his fist into the swirling red cloud, a desperate attempt to disperse it and reach his friend. But the mist resisted, coiling around his arm like a malevolent serpent.

Panic threatened to consume him, but a flicker of Bakugo's crimson hair through the haze spurred him on. He couldn't lose control. He had to save Bakugo.
The cloaked figure watched the scene with amusement, their distorted voice echoing in the training room. "A valiant effort, young hero," they rasped. "But loyalty can be a weakness, wouldn't you agree?"
Midoriya gritted his teeth, ignoring the figure's taunts. He focused on channeling One For All, pushing his power to its limits. With a mighty roar, he unleashed a shockwave of emerald energy that ripped through the training room, scattering the crimson mist.

Bakugo stumbled out of the dissipating cloud, coughing and sputtering. His eyes were bloodshot, his usually fiery spirit replaced by a look of disorientation and fear. Relief washed over Midoriya, momentarily eclipsing the throbbing pain in his arm where the mist had constricted him. He rushed to Bakugo's side, his voice laced with concern. "Kacchan! Are you alright?" Bakugo glared at him, his voice raspy. "Get off me, Deku! What was that stuff?!" "I... I don't know," Midoriya stammered, his voice laced with guilt.

He should have told Bakugo everything, about the connection to All For One, about the potential threats. Now, Bakugo was caught in the crossfire of his secrets.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over Midoriya. The exertion of using One For All at such a high level had taken its toll. His vision blurred, the training room tilting at an alarming angle.

Before he could fall, Bakugo, with surprising swiftness for someone who had just been incapacitated, caught him. A flicker of concern crossed his explosive features. "Deku... hey..,hey stay with me!" Bakugo's voice, though gruff, held a hint of worry. This wasn't the usual Bakugo who reveled in his rival's weakness. This was Bakugo, the begrudging friend, the one who wouldn't let his teammate fall.
The world spun around Midoriya.

The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was Bakugo's face, etched with a mixture of anger and something that looked suspiciously like... fear? When Midoriya regained consciousness, he found himself in the infirmary, a throbbing headache pulsing in his skull. He sat up slowly, wincing at the sharp pain in his arm. Beside him, a chair scraped against the floor.

Bakugo. He was there, arms crossed and a scowl plastered on his face, but his eyes lingered on Midoriya with an unusual concern. "Finally decided to wake up, Deku?" Bakugo's voice was gruff, but the worry in his eyes betrayed his words.
Midoriya managed a weak smile. "Yeah, seems like it." He looked around the sterile room. "What happened? Where's that... figure?"

Bakugo scoffed. "They vanished as soon as you passed out. Typical villain, all bark and no bite." But the bravado in his voice faltered slightly. Midoriya knew better. The figure wasn't some minor threat. They were a harbinger of darkness, a chilling reminder of the battle that lay ahead. He looked at Bakugo, his heart heavy with guilt. He had almost lost his friend because of his secrets. He had to come clean, to rebuild the trust he had so carelessly fractured.

Taking a deep breath, Midoriya began to explain everything - the memories he had unlocked, the connection to All For One, his fear of burdening Bakugo. He spoke of his struggles, his doubts, and his unwavering determination to become a hero worthy of his legacy. As he spoke, Bakugo remained silent, his face unreadable. But as he finished, a grudging respect flickered in his eyes.

"So, that's it, huh?" Bakugo finally said. "All this secrecy... it wasn't because you didn't trust me, it was because you were scared? Tch. Whatever, Deku. Doesn't matter now. Just... next time, don't go charging in like a dumbass without a plan. We both could've been goners." A faint blush crept up Bakugo's neck, barely noticeable beneath his scowl. His gruff voice betrayed a hint of concern, a vulnerability he would never openly admit. He might not have said it, but Bakugo, in his own way, was glad Midoriya was alright.