Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 28: The Heart That Burns in Silence

(Bakugou’s POV)

Bakugou Katsuki doesn’t worry about others—or so he keeps telling himself. But here he is, standing outside a hospital room, fists clenched so hard his knuckles turn white. His stomach twists in ways he hates to admit. The whole raid had been a mess—an ordeal he couldn’t be part of, and it pisses him off. He wasn’t there to fight alongside his classmates. Worse, he wasn’t there to watch Kirishima’s back. And that’s something he can’t stand.

Ever since learning about the rescue mission, there’s been this gnawing pit of worry, eating away at his insides. Sure, it wasn’t his fight, but Kirishima was part of it—charging into danger like the idiot he is. Bakugou told himself he didn’t care. Kirishima can handle himself, right? The thought of him getting seriously hurt... he pushes it aside.

But when the news hits, his chest tightens. He waits for his classmates’ faces to flash on the screen, but all they show are clips of the battle, the villains, the chaos. That idiot better be okay... The thought loops in his mind.

And now he’s here, standing outside Kirishima’s hospital room, telling himself he’s not about to walk in.

“Stupid, reckless bastard,” Bakugou mutters, pacing in front of the door. Of course, Kirishima would end up hurt. Of course, he’d rush in like some hero. Bakugou grits his teeth. Kirishima’s a moron, but that doesn’t stop the nagging feeling in his gut—the fear he’ll never say aloud.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Bakugou kicks the door open. The sound of it slamming against the wall startles whoever’s nearby, but he doesn’t care. His eyes lock onto the bed where Kirishima lies, bandaged and bruised, looking like he’s been through hell.

For a moment, Bakugou freezes. Kirishima is alive—barely, but alive. Relief washes over him, but he buries it under his usual scowl. He can’t—won’t—let anyone see that part of him.

“Kirishima...” The name comes out harsher than he intends, a mix of anger and something else he can’t name.

Kirishima’s eyes flutter open slowly, and when they focus on Bakugou, that same stupid smile stretches across his face. “Bakugou... you came?”

“Tch. Like hell I was worried!” Bakugou snaps, crossing his arms, leaning against the doorframe as if seeing his friend in that bed isn’t twisting his insides. “You’re always running into crap, throwing yourself at danger like an idiot! What, you think you’re invincible or something?”

Kirishima chuckles weakly, and the sound makes Bakugou’s chest ache. “I just... couldn’t let them down. You know how it is.”

Bakugou’s fists clench harder. “Shut up. Just... shut up, Kirishima!” He steps forward, voice lowering as if he’s fighting with himself. “You... you scared me, dumbass.”

Kirishima blinks, surprised. Bakugou never admits stuff like that. Never. But here he is, standing beside Kirishima’s bed, feeling like something inside him has cracked wide open. And he hates it.

“You were scared?” Kirishima whispers, half-amused despite the pain. “You... worried about me?”

Bakugou growls, running a hand through his hair as if that will shake off the vulnerability gripping him. “Shut up! Just... I’m here, alright? Don’t make it a big deal.”

Kirishima smiles again, softer this time, his gaze locking onto Bakugou’s. “Thanks, Bakugou. It... means a lot.”

Bakugou turns his face away, heat rising to his cheeks. Why is it so hard to stay mad at this idiot?

“You’re such a moron,” Bakugou mutters. “Next time... just don’t go dying, alright? I don’t have time for your crap.”

Kirishima laughs weakly. “Yeah... I’ll try not to.”

Silence settles between them, heavy but not uncomfortable. Bakugou stays longer than he plans, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, occasionally glancing at Kirishima to make sure he’s still breathing. It’s not like him to stick around, but today feels different.

Before leaving, Bakugou pauses, glancing back. “Get better soon, okay?” His voice softens to a whisper. “We’ve got work to do... and I need you there.”

Kirishima’s eyes soften. “I’ll be back soon, I promise.”

Bakugou nods stiffly and storms out of the room, heart racing, fists clenched tighter than ever.

---

After being cleared from the hospital, Bakugou sticks close to Kirishima, practically dragging him back to the dorms. Kirishima’s injuries aren’t severe anymore, but the weight of the battle lingers in both their minds. Bakugou can’t help but feel that gnawing pull in his chest—a feeling he can’t fully understand.

Their classmates rush to them, concerned voices filling the air. Kirishima tries to brush them off with a smile. “I’m good, really. Just need some rest.”

Tenya Iida steps in, silencing the crowd with authority. “Please, everyone, let them rest. They need space after what they’ve been through.”

Bakugou’s already halfway to the elevator. “You coming or not, Kirishima?” The casual words make Kirishima’s heart skip, and without thinking, he follows. His dragon quirk, restless while apart from Bakugou, begins to calm in his presence.

Bakugou feels it too—the pull, the undeniable bond between them. He doesn’t understand it, but Kirishima’s pheromones have been subtly affecting him, igniting feelings he can’t shake. His heart races faster whenever Kirishima is close, instincts flaring when he’s in danger. It pisses him off, but he can’t deny it.

As they reach their rooms, the usual silence between them is tinged with something deeper. Kirishima follows Bakugou into his room, unable to stay away. His dragon quirk demands it—demands to be near Bakugou, to calm the unrest inside him.

Bakugou sighs, sitting on his bed. “You’re a clingy bastard, you know that?” His words are harsh, but the look in his eyes says something different.

“Yeah... I know,” Kirishima says quietly, sitting beside him. “But you don’t seem to mind.”

Bakugou huffs but doesn’t answer. The truth is, he doesn’t mind at all. There’s comfort in Kirishima’s presence, in the unspoken connection between them. His mind drifts back to the battle, to the fear he’d felt when he thought Kirishima might not make it.

Neither of them says it, but being together is enough. For now.

As the minutes pass, Kirishima can’t bring himself to leave. His dragon quirk won’t let him. Without a word, Bakugou mutters, “Stop being stupid. If you’re staying, use the damn bed.”

Blushing, Kirishima hesitates but climbs in, keeping his distance. The bed feels small with both of them, and his dragon instincts thrumming beneath his skin make his heart pound. He tries to calm down, but Bakugou’s scent fills the room, making it impossible.

“Just go to sleep already,” Bakugou mutters, turning onto his side. The tension between them is thick, unspoken feelings hanging in the air.

At some point, their bodies drift closer. When Bakugou wakes, his arm is draped over Kirishima’s chest, their legs tangled together. Heat rushes to his face as the realization hits. Kirishima’s still asleep, looking peaceful.

Bakugou’s first instinct is to shove him off, but something stops him. Maybe it’s the steady rhythm of Kirishima’s breathing or the warmth between them. For a moment, Bakugou lets himself stay like that, heart racing, unsure of these unfamiliar feelings.

Eventually, Kirishima stirs. His dragon quirk reacts to Bakugou’s proximity, and he opens his eyes, flushing red when he realizes their position. But he doesn’t move.

“Morning...” Kirishima mumbles, trying to act casual, even though his heart is pounding.

Bakugou grunts, pulling his arm away and sitting up with a scowl. “Shut up. You snored all night.”

Kirishima rubs his neck, still blushing but smiling. “Sorry.”

Neither of them mentions how they spent the night cuddled together, but something between them has shifted. As they get up to start the day, their hearts are heavier, weighed down by feelings they aren’t ready to admit.

But slowly, they’re getting closer to understanding.