Unveiled Winds || Katsuki Bakugou x Reader

Chapter 38 - Where We Stand

The wind dome finally began to dissipate as you exhaled shakily, letting your arms drop. The adrenaline that had kept you steady just moments ago was fading fast, leaving a sharp ache in its place. Dust still swirled in the air, illuminated by the flickering monitors and the faint glow of the city outside.

Bakugou pushed himself up, his weight leaving you as he rose to his knees, scanning the room with narrowed eyes. His hair was a mess of dust and ash, and the cut on his forehead had already stopped bleeding, though a faint red streak still trailed down his cheek.

"You good?" he asked, his tone sharp but with an edge of concern as he extended a hand toward you.

"Yeah," you breathed, taking his hand and letting him pull you to your feet. Your legs wobbled slightly, the strain of holding your quirk for so long catching up to you. "I'm good."

He let go quickly, turning to the shattered window. "Good, 'cause we don't have time to sit around. Someone knows we're here."

Your stomach twisted at his words. He was right, this wasn't a random attack. Whoever had fired that weapon had done so with precision. They'd known exactly where to aim.

You moved toward the desk, brushing off the layer of dust that coated the equipment. Several of the monitors were cracked, their screens glitching, but at least two still displayed a clear feed of the warehouse. Your heart sank as you spotted movement, a group of figures pouring out of the building, armed and moving with purpose.

"Bakugou," you said, pointing to the screen. "They're mobilizing."

He came up behind you, leaning over your shoulder as his eyes locked onto the feed. His jaw tightened, a low growl rumbling in his throat. "Looks like they're cleaning house. Probably trying to get rid of evidence before backup arrives."

"Backup?" you echoed, glancing at him.

"I called it in while you had the dome up," he said, his voice clipped. "They'll be here soon, but we can't let those bastards leave before they do."

You hesitated, the weight of the situation pressing down on you. This wasn't part of the plan. You were supposed to observe, report, and wait for reinforcements, not engage. But if those people managed to escape, the entire mission could fall apart.

"What's the play?" you asked, your voice steady despite the rapid pounding of your heart.

Bakugou smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "We stall. Long enough for the cavalry to get here. You up for it?"

You swallowed hard, nodding. "Always."

Bakugou grabbed his gauntlets from where they'd been stashed by the bed, the sharp clink of the clasps snapping into place echoing through the small apartment. His face was a mask of pure focus, his crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation. You adjusted your gear quickly, the weight of the situation sinking in fast, but he was already moving toward the door like he had something to prove.

"Bakugou, wait—"

He glanced back, his mouth twisting into a sharp smirk. "What? Nervous?"

You rolled your eyes, strapping on your gloves. "I'm not the one charging in like I've got a death wish."

"Tch. Don't slow me down, and we'll be fine," he shot back, slinging the door open.

The hallway was wrecked, cracks spiderwebbing across the walls, shards of broken glass crunching underfoot. Bakugou moved with sharp precision, his posture rigid but his steps confident, like he couldn't wait to get outside and start throwing punches.

The cool night air hit like a slap to the face as you stepped into the alley. Bakugou's gaze locked immediately on the warehouse, his eyes narrowing at the figures moving near the van.