Second Chance

Part 18

In the quite hush of the cold night, those words seemed to echo around the deserted playground. And Midoryia heard everything, every rustle of the leaves in the slight breeze, the distant cars, the faint murmurings of people walking nearby—the shuddering of Kachans breathing, and the silence of his own.

"You died. I saw you die..." Past tense. '...what?'

Had a villain messed with Bakugos memories? Altered what he believed? Made it seem so realistic that it affected him so severally? Or, had he really seen it, lived it?

A trembling hand touched his chest, the exact same spot Kachans always checks. 'I know. I know it sounds crazy. Sometimes even I wonder if I really lost it. But no nightmare can be as awful as that.'

Midoryias heart ached at the sight of Bakugos tears, the quivering of his lips. Whatever the case was, Kachan really did see it.

'You died saving me. Jumped right in front of me like an idiot and you—'

It was his turn to hug Bakugo now, and he wrapped his arms around his neck, pulling him close. 'I'm still here. I'm still alive, see?'

Kachans fingers dug into his back, running down the length of his spine and burrowed his face into Midoryias neck again, lips grazing the throbbing vein.

'Can you tell me what happened?' Midoryia tried hesitantly. 'It's okay if you don't want to right now.'

Kachan pulled back, shocked clear in his glistening eyes. 'You believe me?'

With a soft smile, Midoryia wiped away the wetness under Bakugos eyes. 'I know you, Kachan. You don't lie. And you wouldn't make something like this up.'

With both their legs so weak from the different forms of shock, they crossed the small distance across the playground and sank down onto the bench. And Bakugo told him everything.

Throat raw from all the talking, Bakugo turned and sat sideways on the bench, facing Midoryia straight on, readying to himself to try convince his stupid heroic nerd. 'So whatever happens this time round, you cannot be involved in the fight! You have to stay away, Deku. Promise me, please...'

He dreaded the seriousness in Midoryias eyes. He always hated that look, hated the way it had instilled fear into his very core. Even if it meant potentially losing the relationship they had, he never should have Deku the truth. Not until everything was over, when he knew he was definitely safe.

'You can't ask that of me Kacchan, you just said I died saving you, doesn't that mean if I'm not there you will die?'

A piercing ringing blared in his ears. 'That's not important, I know what to expect, it'll be fine.'

In a whirl, Deku turned to him. 'Not important!? Kachan, do you think I'd be okay if you got killed out there!? When I was safe somewhere else, where I couldn't help you? You said things are different this time round, there's no guarantee the fight will play out the exact same way now!'

In a desperate attempt to shake some sense into him, Bakugo grabbed his shoulders. 'I can't watch you die again!' Those flashing images raged in his mind. 'You protected me, you died in my arms, you...' His hand slide around and ran down Midoryias chest again.

Deku grasped his hand, interlocking their fingers and squeezed. 'Do you really think I could just do nothing when you are in danger? I will always try to save you, Kachan. You can't ask me not to, my body just moves on it's own.'