Where Our Hearts Fall

Chapter 19

Two months had passed since the night of the attack, and every day since, her friends had visited with hopeful eyes and gentle voices. Yet each time they left, the silence that filled the room grew heavier. Still, they kept coming—some daily, some in rotation—but each brought with them their worry, warmth, and hope that she would wake up.

And finally, she did.

The world came back to her in slow, muted colors, her eyes fluttering open to the quiet hum of machines and the soft, sterile light of a hospital room. For a moment, she felt the stillness and calm, but then memories surged forward—the sounds of battle, the villains, and her parents. The betrayal cut through her heart again as if it were happening all over, her body tensing with the flood of emotions.

Soon, news of her waking spread, and her friends started arriving in a steady stream, each person offering words of relief, gratitude, and tears. Mina squeezed her hand and whispered how much she missed her, Kirishima gave her an enormous smile, saying, "You gave us a real scare there!" Midoriya's eyes sparkled with tears, and he looked ready to cry. Their happiness warmed her heart, but as each visitor left, the weight of everything she'd been through settled heavier on her chest.

Eventually, her door opened again, and Bakugo stepped in, his usual scowl replaced by something much softer. For a moment, he just looked at her, his eyes studying her face, as if needing to see that she was really, finally awake.

"Bakugo..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, still weak from disuse.

He moved closer and dropped into the chair beside her bed, looking anywhere but directly at her. "Took you long enough," he muttered, the words gruff but his tone laced with relief. "You had everyone freaked out."

Despite his attempt to keep things light, Y/N's eyes filled with tears as memories of her last moments of consciousness surfaced. She wanted to keep it in, keep it buried, but the months of silence had been too much.

"Bakugo... there's something you need to know," she murmured, her voice trembling. She felt raw, exposed, but if anyone could understand, it was him. "The night of the attack... my parents were there."

Bakugo's jaw clenched, his gaze sharpening. "What?" The single word was thick with disbelief and anger.

"They... they were working with the villains. They... they came after me." Her voice cracked, and she could feel herself unraveling. She'd held it together for so long, but now the floodgates were open. "I don't know how to explain it, Bakugo. They were supposed to protect me, but... they hurt me. I thought I was prepared to face them, but..."

Bakugo's hands balled into fists, his face darkening as he tried to process what she was saying. The idea of her own parents turning on her made his stomach twist with rage and helplessness. But for her sake, he softened his expression, staying silent so she could keep talking.

"They knew my Quirk. They knew every weakness I had," she said, the words tumbling out between shaky breaths. "And... I didn't tell you or anyone, but... I have a second Quirk." Her voice softened as she admitted it, shame mixing with the pain.

Bakugo's eyes widened, but he didn't interrupt, his gaze locked on her as she continued.

"I thought maybe this second Quirk would help me... that it would be enough to make a difference," she whispered. "But it only made things worse. I couldn't control it. I tried to fight them off, but they were too strong. They didn't even care about what they were doing... They just... They just wanted to win. To hurt me." Her shoulders shook as she tried to hold back her tears, but it was no use. The pain, the betrayal, it all came crashing down, and she finally let herself cry.

Bakugo stayed silent, and after a few seconds, he reached over, his hand hesitating for a moment before gently pulling her toward him. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as her quiet sobs turned into heart-wrenching cries. Her tears soaked his shoulder, but he didn't pull away or tell her to stop. Instead, he held her tighter, his embrace steady and strong.

"It wasn't your fault," he whispered, his voice softer than she'd ever heard it. "I don't care how strong they were or what they knew. None of that is on you." He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her tear-filled eyes. "They're the ones who betrayed you, not the other way around."

She let out a shaky breath, the weight on her chest easing ever so slightly. "But I still wasn't strong enough. I couldn't stop them."

"Strength isn't about winning every fight," he said quietly, his usual harshness softened in a way that was rare for him. "It's about not giving up. About getting back up when they try to break you." He swallowed hard, seeming to struggle with his own emotions. "And look, you're here now, aren't you?"

Y/N's lip trembled as she nodded, his words sinking in. For the first time since waking, she felt a flicker of hope, a spark of strength she thought she'd lost.

Bakugo's voice softened even more, a rare tenderness coloring his words. "You're not alone in this, okay? You've got me, and everyone else. We're all here for you. So don't carry this on your own."

Without thinking, she reached up and pulled him back into a hug, holding on tightly as if he were the only thing grounding her. And for once, Bakugo didn't pull away. He held her close, letting her cry until the room felt lighter, the pain a little less sharp.

In his embrace, she knew she didn't have to face this alone anymore. She had her friends, her strength, and maybe even... him.

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Word count: 968

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for reading this chapter! I really wanted to dive into the emotional impact of Y/N's experience, especially with the betrayal by her parents and how it leaves her vulnerable. Writing Bakugo in a softer, more supportive role was important to show how much he cares, even if he doesn't always say it out loud. I hope you felt the weight of their bond and Y/N's journey towards healing. Can't wait to hear your thoughts, and stay tuned for what's next!