Cat's Rule the world.... since when?!

A pet... yet not

Bakugo's POV:

"Alright, fine! You win, damn it!" I scream into the empty streets, my voice echoing between the buildings as the sun dips below the horizon. My hands are on my knees, sweat dripping down my forehead, chest heaving with exhaustion. I've been chasing that damn nerd for hours, and I'm done.

How the hell is he still ahead of me?

I wipe the sweat from my brow, gritting my teeth. I hate this. I hate that no matter how hard I push, how fast I go, Izuku always manages to stay just out of my reach. It's infuriating. I'm not supposed to lose, especially not to him.

But I can feel it.

He's here. He's been watching me this whole time, like it's some kind of game.

"Tch." I glare up at the rooftops, scanning the shadows. "I know you're up there, Deku! You think this is funny?"

Nothing. 

No answer. 

But I know he's still watching. 

I can feel it.

"I said you win, alright?!" I shout, straightening up, my fists clenched. "Get down here before I drag your ass back myself!"

For a moment, there's silence. The street is empty, the only sound the distant hum of the city. And then—

Thud.

I spin around just as Izuku lands lightly behind me, as if he'd been there the whole time. He's grinning, his green eyes glinting with amusement. There's that stupid, carefree look on his face, like this was all just some kind of joke to him.

Izuku: "You finally giving up, Kacchan?"

He laughs, and it pisses me off even more. How can he be so calm after all that? After running me ragged for hours, after dodging every move I threw at him? And now he's standing there, barely out of breath, like this whole thing was just a warm-up.

"You..." I grit my teeth, pointing a finger at him. "You were just messing with me this whole time, weren't you?"

He shrugs, that smug grin still plastered on his face. "Maybe a little. But it was fun, right?"

Fun?! 

He thinks this was fun? 

I've been chasing him all day, and he thinks it was some kind of game?

"Fun?! I could've—" I cut myself off, realizing that it's not worth it. Arguing with him right now won't get me anywhere. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "You're insane, you know that?"

Izuku just laughs again, softer this time. "Maybe. But at least now I know how much I'm capable of."

I pause at that. The way he says it—it's not like his usual rambling. There's something else behind his words. Confidence. Determination. He's different from the kid I used to know, the one who always trailed behind me, looking up with wide eyes and endless admiration. This Izuku... he's grown. He's stronger, faster, more skilled than I ever gave him credit for.

And as much as it irritates me to admit it, he's right. He's not just some weak, quirkless nobody anymore. He's far more capable than I expected.

"You're not just a pet," I mutter, more to myself than to him. "You're... something else."

Izuku's smile fades slightly, and for the first time since this whole chase started, he looks serious. "So what does that mean, Kacchan?"

I let out a long breath, knowing what he's asking. Freedom. He's not going to be satisfied with anything less, and after all this, I can't exactly deny him. I know he's not like the other strays. He's not weak, not helpless, and not someone who needs to be kept on a leash.

But the truth is, it's dangerous for him out here. As much as I hate it, this world isn't his, and if he's not marked as mine, as part of my territory, they'll kill him. No questions asked.

"You're free, Deku," I say finally, my voice quieter than before. "But... you need to wear something that shows you belong to me."

He frowns at that, and I can see the defiance in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. This is gonna be a hard sell, and I already know he's not gonna like it.

"They'll kill you, Deku," I say bluntly. "This world... it's not like the human one. Strays? They don't last long here. You need to wear something that shows you're under my protection, or they'll think you're a target. And believe me, they don't hesitate."

Izuku's eyes widen, and I can see the gears turning in his head as he processes what I'm saying. He's smart; he understands the danger. But I can also see the conflict, the stubbornness. He doesn't want to wear anything that marks him as mine. He doesn't want to be seen as a pet, and I get that. I do.

But this isn't about pride. It's about survival.

Izuku: "So... what do I have to wear?"

I hesitate for a moment before pulling something out of my pocket. It's a simple bracelet—leather, with a small metal tag on it. It's not a collar, but it's enough. Enough to show he's mine, that he's protected.

"This," I say, holding it out to him. "It's not a collar. Just... something to keep you safe."

He stares at it, and I can tell he's torn. But after a long pause, he reaches out and takes it.

"Fine," he says, slipping it onto his wrist. "But I'm still not your pet, Kacchan."

I smirk at that. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, nerd."

But deep down, I'm relieved. Because no matter what, I'm not gonna let anyone take him from me. Not after everything we've been through.

And if this is what it takes to keep him safe, then so be it.