Dragon's Heart, Hero's Will

Chapter 51: Fractured Dreams

The world around Bakugou spun like a whirlwind, the cacophony of sirens and shouting blending into a disorienting blur. He could feel the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him, each breath a struggle against the suffocating panic that threatened to engulf him. Every thought centered on Kirishima—the dragon, his mate—lost to the chaos that had erupted.

His vision wavered, darkness creeping in at the edges. “Eijirou…” he breathed, desperate for a sign, a connection. But as the noise grew louder, the world dimmed, and Bakugou felt himself slipping, falling into the depths of unconsciousness.

---

When he came to, the sterile scent of antiseptic flooded his senses, cutting through the haze of confusion. He blinked against the bright lights above him, the harshness making his head throb.

“Ugh, damn it…” He pushed himself up, only to be met with a sharp pain coursing through his body. The effort was futile; he fell back against the pillow, breathing heavily. He was in a hospital room, the dull beeping of machines echoing in the background.

“Kacchan?” a voice called softly, pulling him from his haze. He turned his head to see Deku standing by the door, his face pale and drawn, concern etched deep in his green eyes. “You’re awake!”

“What the hell happened?” Bakugou growled, trying to mask his fear with irritation. “Where’s Eijirou?”

Deku hesitated, glancing down, the weight of the situation palpable. “You collapsed during the evacuation. We were all… overwhelmed.” He stepped closer, urgency creeping into his voice. “Kirishima—he took off. We haven’t been able to find him.”

Bakugou’s heart raced, anger and despair boiling over. “You’re telling me he’s still out there?” The thought of Eijirou alone, fighting against the world, ignited a fire within him. “We have to get him back! He’s not a monster; he’s—he’s—”

“He’s a dragon,” Deku interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. “And right now, he’s seen as a threat. The news is calling him a villain. People are scared.”

Bakugou clenched his fists, fury surging through him. “I don’t give a damn what they say! Eijirou is my—” He caught himself, the embarrassment crashing over him, but the conviction in his heart refused to fade. “He’s not a threat! He’s trying to survive!”

“Bakugou,” Eraser Head’s voice cut in, his presence looming in the doorway, eyes serious. “We’re doing everything we can to contain the situation, but we need to be smart about this. Charging in without a plan could put him—and others—at risk.”

“He’s not the enemy!” Bakugou shot back, frustration boiling over. “You’re treating him like he’s some kind of monster! You don’t understand!”

Eraser Head’s expression softened slightly. “No one thinks he’s a monster, but we have to consider the safety of the civilians first. We can’t just rush in without knowing what we’re facing.”

Bakugou gritted his teeth, struggling against the constraints of his hospital bed. “I don’t care! We have to find him before it’s too late!”

“Kacchan!” Deku exclaimed, stepping forward. “You need to rest. We’ll find a way to help him, but you have to take care of yourself first. You’re not in any condition to—”

“Shut up!” Bakugou yelled, pushing himself up again, determination fueling his movements despite the pain. “I’m not going to just sit here while Eijirou is out there—”

Before he could finish, the door swung open, and a medic rushed in, clipboard in hand. “You need to calm down, young man. Your vitals are unstable.”

“Calm down?” Bakugou scoffed, heart racing. “You don’t know what’s happening! Eijirou is out there, and everyone is treating him like a villain!”

The medic exchanged glances with Deku and Eraser Head, concern evident. “We’re all aware of the situation, but right now, your health is our priority. You can’t help him if you’re too weak to stand.”

With a growl, Bakugou slammed his fist against the bed. “I don’t need your help! I need to get out there!”

The medic remained unfazed, continuing to take readings from the machines. “I understand your frustration, but you need to let us help you. You’re not in any condition to take on anything right now. We’ll get you discharged once we can stabilize your condition.”

Bakugou let out a frustrated breath, slumping back against the pillow. “Damn it…”

As the medic stepped away, Eraser Head leaned closer, his expression serious. “We’ll find Kirishima, but you need to keep a level head. The longer you stay here, the more time we have to formulate a plan. We’ll need your strength when we go after him.”

Bakugou closed his eyes, forcing himself to breathe through the wave of anger and helplessness. He didn’t want to feel weak; he didn’t want to feel like he was letting Eijirou down. But the truth was undeniable—he was terrified of what could happen if they didn’t act fast.

“Fine,” he muttered, barely above a whisper. “But we’re going after him. No matter what it takes.”

As Deku nodded, determination returning to his features, Bakugou felt a flicker of hope. They wouldn’t stop until they found Eijirou, until they could bring him back from the shadows and prove to the world that he was still the hero they knew him to be.