Smoke and Mirrors

Chapter 9- Hospital?

Trees sway against the wind, as two children sat atop of a hill, looking down on the city below them. Katsuki haven't felt this way for so many years, silence accompanied by a humming tune of someone close to him. His hand grazes upon dancing grass, smooth, silky and grounding.

He feels someone holding his hand, soft yet firm, drawing his attention to his left. There he saw Izuku, who stares in front of him. Eyes serene and blurred, his mouth thinned into a tight line as his hair gently move to and fro.

There was something wrong about it, but he couldn't point it out, he was too clueless, too young to understand. He could all do nothing but grip his hand in return to comfort him, to anchor both of them.

His mouth opens and muted words came out, unheard and forgotten by those who hear it. Katsuki claws at his throat, trying desperately to release all of his thoughts, all of the things he wants to say before he disappears.

Nothing came out.

He stares, eyes wide as his companion never moved, never spoke. Sitting still like marble statue, eyes glazed and unfeeling. No it can't be! Listen to me!

'DON'T IGNORE ME!'

Finally the boy moves, his head slowly facing him. Finally he heard! Katsuki silently cries in victory.

But it was all for naught, carefully his eyes clear to see only darkness, an empty abyss. The thin line of his mouth widen into a smile, blood pouring out. Terror grips his heart as the boy finally speaks back.

"Kacchan~"

"Kacchan!~"

"Hi Kacchan"

"Izu-kun!", Katsuki yells out, hands reaching out grasping at nothing but thin air. His breath rapidly heaving. Calm down, calm down you need to control your breathing.

Slowly but surely he reigns in his panic and noticed that he wasn't in his bed. Draped in white sheets and covered by ivory curtains, he realizes he's in the nurse's office, sterile antiseptic invading his nose.

With his head muted and stuffed, he tries to remember what happened.

Memories flashback where he was effortlessly reigned unconscious to the ground. Dammit, how can I save Izu-kun if I can't even beat a twelve-year old? His hands clenched into fists, anger seeping through his mind again. Damn that sicko!

The curtains suddenly parts away, taking all of Katsuki's attention, making him wince in pain as he remembers the bruises. There stood an old lady nurse, a worried frown sketched upon her lips. She wields a giant syringe almost as big as her, eyes squinting from old age, drifting to focus on him, studying his injuries. Known as the UA's saving grace, Recovery girl.

"Hello there sweetie" her voice tired yet gentle, soothing his nerves from the shame that binds his heart. Katsuki tries to speak up but his throat was dry and his voice was gruff.

"H-Hi.." was the only thing that came out before he started coughing. The old heroin was kind enough to pat his back as she gives him water. Gulp by gulp his throat soothe, releasing a sigh after, "thank you".

"No worries child, you took quite a beating there" he winces at the memory. Recovery girl though, only shakes her head "you can go home after a few standard check ups okay?", He nods and everything went into blur.
_______

It was the next day, lunch was coming up as students gather to the cafeteria. Each on their own line or groups as they chatted up a storm.

Bakugou in particular was seated alone, like he had been since the past 10 years. "Hey bro can I sit here with you?" He looks up and sees the shitty haired boy who smiles at him..