Death Paradox 💥BAKUDEKU💥

Chapter 17

Hello! I'll be coming back from my vacation on Monday for those of you who read my other books. However this one's so far along I might as well post a chapter. Enjoy!

Part 2

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Chapter 17

Katsuki woke up to the sound of soft, steady breathing—too close. Way too close.

His body stiffened instantly, realizing a little too slowly that there was weight pressing against him. He shifted slightly, the warmth of someone's body nestled against him, and his eyes flew open, the confusion hitting him like a truck, or for a lack of a better term in this shitty world, a dragon.

The weight, the warmth, the small body wrapped in his cloak was all Izuku. Katsuki blinked down at him, his mind scrambling to piece together how the hell they'd ended up like this. Izuku was nestled against his side, his face tucked into Katsuki's shoulder, and—oh, hell no.

Heat crept up Katsuki's neck, spreading across his face like wildfire as the situation fully sank in. He was holding Deku. Well, more like Deku had somehow ended up wrapped in his cloak, using Katsuki's body as a damn pillow—no, wait he was definitely holding him.

Carefully, he untangled himself from Izuku, pulling away with a scrunched nose. Izuku didn't stir, still out cold, his face relaxed in a way Katsuki hadn't seen in what felt like years.

After they'd fought off the chimera, or more accurately dismantled, Katsuki had carried Izuku back to their shelter. He'd been cold, soaked, and injured, his body barely responsive as Katsuki had laid him down on the dry ground by the fire. Kirishima had followed them in shortly after, quiet concern flickering down the bond as he watched Katsuki work.

Kirishima had shared his memories during the walk back, and Katsuki had seen everything through the dragon's eyes. He saw how Izuku had been running for his life, desperately trying to escape the chimera that had been hunting him. Kirishima had been tracking them both and somehow, his instincts had told him that something was off... and that had saved Izuku. But when Izuku had finally come nearly face-to-face with the dragon in the clearing, he'd frozen in place. Kirishima had seen the pure terror in Izuku's wide, green eyes, a look that only came from a creature who thought they were about to die, had smelled it, too. The sharp scent of fear, that distinct, almost bitter tang in the air, filled with the stench of sweat and desperation.

Kirishima had felt it in that singular heartbeat. The instant recognition, not from his own experiences but from the memories Katsuki had shared with him. He knew Izuku by his scent, his movements, even his fear.

Through their bond, Katsuki had sensed Kirishima's reaction. It hadn't been a hesitant or doubtful thing—it had been immediate. Kirishima had known exactly who Izuku was, and without hesitation, he'd moved to defend him. But that single heartbeat had cost Izuku—just as he'd locked eyes with Kirishima, the chimera had struck, landing a blow that sent Izuku crumpling to the ground. Kirishima had crashed into the beast, claws ripping into the chimera with a primal rage. The dragon's thoughts had been singular: protect the one who matters to Katsuki.

Katsuki's teeth clenched as he remembered it, his grip tightening on his knees. That damn idiot had been out here, running for his life, and Katsuki had almost been too late—again.

By the time they made it back to their shelter, Katsuki was on autopilot. His mind empty from the rage, but his body knew what to do. He'd laid Izuku down carefully on the floor, immediately scanning for any signs of deterioration. Izuku's skin had been too pale, his breathing shallow, but thankfully it had been steady. Katsuki had stripped Izuku of his soaked clothes, tossing the wet fabric aside. The deep gash across Izuku's abdomen had worried him the most, and Katsuki had done what he could to clean the worst of the wounds and stop the bleeding.