Bakudeku
✌😗
In the future
Memory loss AU!
Uhm, NSFW is unlikely in this one my guys. But definitely still a lot of language

Katsuki's entire body rattled as he coughed into his elbow, smoke still thick in the air. His eyes stayed squinted, listening to his friends, coworkers and other volunteers as they shouted the names of those still unaccounted for in the rubble. He heard pebbles clatter on the concrete, beams groaning and creaking of broken metal signs.

This street is an abandoned war zone.

His radio clicked and scratched, startling him.

"Does anyone have eyes on Deku?"

Katsuki grabbed his radio quickly, pressing the button. "No one's fucking seen him!?" He didn't mean to shout. He didn't even know Izuku was missing yet. His heart lurched into his throat, stomach twisting.

"No, Dynamight. He hasn't checked in."

"Shit," he hissed between his teeth, letting the radio drop back onto his chest as he picked up his pace. "Deku!"

Last he saw him was the second before the explosion that ended everything. That shitheel better not need more than a day's visit to the hospital.

"Deku!?"

Ochako's voice nearly scared Katsuki out of his boots. He didn't realize he was so close to someone else. She rounded a boulder, nearly running into him. "Oh, Dynamight! Have you seen Deku?"

"If I had, the bitch would be draped over my shoulder being carried to a damn ambulance. Is he on my shoulder, cheeks?"

She scowled and huffed, turning away. "So rude. You could have just said no." The brunette folded her arms and walked again.

Katsuki rolled his eyes and followed.

"Have you talked to him yet?"

He shot the back of her head a glare. "No. Why would I? You weren't even supposed to know, you nosey bitch."

Ochako shot a look over her shoulder. "And you're lucky I'm merciful and hadn't told him myself, yet, seeing as I wasn't supposed to know, and he should hear it from you, asshole."

Katsuki scoffed loudly, kicking a pebble. He snickered as it hit the back of her calf, raising his hands as she whipped around, mouth open to shout.

Their radios crackling interrupted her.

"G-Guys..."

Both heros froze.

The line faltered before the voice spoke again. "What... happened..?"

Weak, rough and breathless. Izuku is in really rough shape. And he doesn't remember the fight. Not good.

Forgetting their quarrel, Ochako and Katsuki broke into a sprint, Katsuki ignoring the flaring pain in his ankle.

"Deku!" Ochako shouted into her radio, knuckles white in her grip. "Deku, where are you?"

"Ca- so dizzy- dark-" Izuku's voice slurred on the line, the crackling shutting off and turning back on. He's not cutting out, he's too weak to keep the button held down. Definitely not good.

Ochako and Katsuki shared a glance.

Concussion. A nasty one.

"I see him!" Eijirou's voice came in much louder. "He's by the fountain! I can't get to him, I'm with civilians waiting to be medi-vacked! Shouto, I see you, too! You're the closest!"

"On it!"

No way in hell is Katsuki letting fucking Shouto Todoroki get to Izuku first.

"Guys, he does not look good!"

Katsuki snapped his teeth and jumped away from Ochako before pointing his palms towards the ground and setting off twin explosions. He shot into the air, landing on a taller piece of debris. "Red Riot, can you see me?"

"Yes! He's just ahead of you!"

The blond cracked his teeth, kicking off the debris before setting off another round of explosions, propelling himself forward. Just a few seconds and green was in his sights.

Eijirou was right. Izuku doesn't look good.

Left arm dangling by his side, blood staining his lower sleeve and glove, broken from shielding himself. His feet dragged as he took slow small steps, the blood trail behind him showing that he was incapable of a straight line. Blood matted his hair, suit sliced and stained and as he landed, Katsuki could see him favoring his right leg, even as he dragged both feet.

"Deku, where the fuck are you going?"

Startled, as if he hadn't heard Katsuki's explosions, Izuku twisted and stumbled over himself trying to face Katsuki.

Cheeks pale, left of his face caked in blood, pupils blown and fixed, yet unfocused, Izuku looked like the walking dead. Sounded like it too, breaths shallow and wheezey.

"Wha-what..?" Still slurring, he looked so confused. Fuck, he really shouldn't even be standing. He needs the hospital yesterday.

Katsuki grabbed his radio and started towards Izuku. "I need an ambulance on standby, Hero Deku needs immediate transport to the hospital. Broken arm, possible broken leg, severe concussion, bleeding head and torso wounds- hey! Where the fuck are you going!?"

Izuku was still moving, stumbling and dragging away from Katsuki. "Looking... searching for... I need..." Izuku turned away again. "Where am I..?"

"Fuck!" Katsuki shucked off his gauntlets, setting them aside.

Suddenly, Izuku stopped by a ledge that dropped into a crater made during the fight. Surprisingly, not one made by Izuku himself. Katsuki's eyes blew wide as the greenette swayed, head rolling before he stumbled again and began to tip over.

Katsuki gasped, lurching as he sprinted forward. "Deku!" He didn't give himself time to flinch as Izuku hit the ground, just forced himself faster.

"Deku!" Shouto leapt over debris, several yards away from Katsuki, Ochako shouting from somewhere behind.

The blond gasped and his steps stuttered as his ankle gave out, collapsing to his hands and knees.

Shouto jumped down into the crater, skidding down the loose dirt as he stomped his right foot. Ice shot across the dirt and debris, Katsuki scrambling back to his feet, Ochako running to the ledge.

Ice curled and shielded Izuku, halting his tumble.

Katsuki grit his teeth and followed Ochako down the ledge, dodging debris and clenching his jaw.

Shouto slid down on his knees, carefully rolling Izuku onto his back. "His pulse is weak, he's barely breathing. He needs a helicopter!"

"Damnit- I've got one on standby! Giving them your location now!"

"Fuck, Deku!" Katsuki fell to his knees beside Shouto.

Blood trickled from Izuku's lips and nose, eyes flicking back and forth, breaths broken.

"Oh my God! Oh my God!" Ochako covered her mouth, tears heavy in her eyes.

"Deku! Deku, fucking look at me!" Katsuki grabbed Izuku's face, patting his cheek.

Blood smeared across his hands, across freckles and pale skin. His head is still bleeding. It's pooling beneath him. Everywhere is bloody.

"Fuck- He's losing too much blood!"

"The helicopter is on the way!"

Katsuki sat back and tore off his shirt, bunching it up and pressing it firmly to the gash. With the blood, hair and debris, it's difficult to tell just how bad the wound is.

He cursed under his breath, hands shaking as he looked down to the greenette. He hardly even registered the helicopter landing nearby.

"Stay here, Izuku. Stay awake. I need you to look at me, I need you to focus." He held Izuku's chin, tilting his head.

Izuku's hazy eyes flicked to him finally. Dull, scared, confused. His breaths were shaky and shallow, rattling in his chest.

"Sir, I need you to move! We need to get him to the hospital!"

Katsuki snapped his teeth as an E.M.T. placed a hand on his shoulder. He gasped, arms wrapping around his middle and yanking him away. "Shit- no! Let me go!"

"They need to take him, Dynamight!" Shouto held firmly as the older struggled within his grasp. "Let them take him!"

It was a pain, watching them crowd Izuku, hooking him up to a machine, putting a mask over his mouth and nose, setting and splinting his arm and leg. All so fast, and Izuku barely flinched as they reset his broken bone.

"Pulse is weak, but steady. Get ready to move."

Katsuki swallowed hard, breathing heavy, Shouto's arms still locked firmly around him.

Izuku was lifted off the ground, men carrying him on the gurney to the helicopter. As he was lifted into the helicopter, one of the men shouted. They moved faster, latching the gurney to the helicopter securely as one of them got on top of Izuku, shoulders hunched, hands together as he started compressions.

"No!" Katsuki thrashed and pulled against Shouto, gasping. "Deku! Deku, don't you fucking die on me!"

"Calm down, Dynamight!" Shouto pulled him back to the ground, gritting his teeth.

Katsuki's chest rose and fell quickly, helicopter rising off the ground. Once the helicopter was out of sight, he twisted and thrashed, shoving Shouto off. "Fucking let go! I'm going to the Goddamn hospital!"

"Wait!" Ochako grabbed his arm, squeezing as he tried pulling away. "You're hurt, too! We need to get you to the paramedics!"

The blond clenched his jaw, glaring down at his foot. He could feel how swollen his ankle was. "Fine."

~

Katsuki's uninjured leg bounced, teeth toying with his thumbnail as he watched Inko Midoriya pace back and forth.

For hours they've waited. Several people sat in the waiting area, press just outside the glass doors with their microphones and cameras. The whole world is waiting to hear that Japan's Number One will be okay.

And he will be. He always is. Katsuki is going to tear him a new one after this. How had he let himself get so injured? He hasn't been in this rough of shape since highschool.

God, with each passing second, Katsuki grows more anxious. His stomach twisted, heart hammering in his chest. Not even Eijirou's presence beside him was helping calm him. This is too much. He can't get the image of Izuku's faded eyes staring up at him, almost as if he didn't even recognize him. His head will definitely be fucked for a while-

Katsuki leapt to his feet, hissing at the shock of pain up his leg as the surgeon and his nurse approached.

Inko halted, hands to her chest, tears in her eyes. The surgeon placed a careful hand on her shoulder, taking off his scrub-cap. "I am so sorry, Ms. Midoriya..."

Silence fell over the entire room. Everything stilled, no one moving, no one speaking.

Inko gasped sharply, hands covering her mouth. "No!" Her voice pierced the air, cutting through Katsuki and forcing him to breathe. She wailed, her legs giving out from beneath her. The surgeon and nurse were quick to catch her, Tenya Iida jogging up from behind them to help.

He gently took the sobbing mother, ushering her away, whispering softly.

Katsuki stood frozen, eyes wide. He jumped at a hand on his shoulder, looking up into Eijirou's watery red eyes.

"Bakugou..?"

He stared at his friend a few moments before stepping back, shoving his hand away. "He's not- he can't be!"

"Bakugou, please-" Eijirou reached for Katsuki again, but the blond was quick to stumble away.

Katsuki gasped for breath, clutching his shirt with tears burning in his eyes. This isn't right. This can't be. Izuku is still alive, he has to be-

His ankle buckled and he fell to the ground, a heap of body-shaking sobs and gasps.

Eijirou knelt beside him, shielding him from the press outside. "It'll be okay... we're here for you..."

That didn't matter. He wanted Izuku.

~

The sun shown just too brightly on the day of Izuku's funeral. There was too much press, too many cameras, so many proheros, teachers from U.A., kids, families, and little Inko Midoriya.

Katsuki stared at the picture she had chosen. The day he accepted the Number One Hero title. His smile was bright, despite the dirt of his face, his tousled hair and torn glove. A villain had tried sabotaging the ceremony. Izuku had taken them with ease, just got a little dirty in the process, tearing his glove as he caught a car the villain had thrown at civilians. The picture was very 'Deku.'

The casket stayed closed. Katsuki figured Inko wouldn't want anyone to remember Izuku this way. Instead, in the way he was in that picture.

His own mother walked with Inko as the services ended, holding her close and leading her gently to the parking lot. Katsuki stayed behind a few more moments, hand on the clean, too glossy casket.

Somehow, he felt like this was his fault. He's not sure how. Someday he'll figure out how to not blame this on himself.

"Bakugou."

Katsuki turned, eyes meeting Tenya's. "I know. Time to go."

"I have something to discuss with you, actually."

The blond breathed deeply. "Now?"

"It's important." Tenya crossed his arms, expression stern.

"Fine." He let his hand slip off the casket, not allowing himself a glance back as he followed his fellow hero.

~ One Year Later

"Is she still inside!?"

"Yes, we have her boxed in."

"Motherfuckers, why haven't you gone in to fucking catch her!? She's a lowgrade villain!" Katsuki scoffed at the officers and shoved passed Eijirou to get into the building.

"Wait- Dynamight!"

Katsuki kicked the already-busted door with a huff, brows furrowed in a glare as his gaze swept the empty space. Thank God no one followed him in. He's pissed off enough as is. This job drags on any longer and he'll be late.

He paused at an echoed giggle, glancing around.

"Dynamight on the scene," the voice mused, Katsuki flexing his fingers. "Gonna blow the place up? With just little ol' me in here? Please, you know the fall-out you'll face? My quirk isn't combative."

"Exactly, so if you know what's fucking good for ya, you'll come out," Katsuki snapped back, sparks popping in his palms.

She giggled again, stepping out with her hands in the air. "Sure."

Katsuki scowled, trudging up to her. If she's this fucking easy, how did they not grab her-

He gasped as her hands clasped around his throat and he was pinned to the wall, head slamming hard against the concrete. Her eyes glowed violet, a grin curling her lips as he clawed at her wrists. "Bitch-"

"Just a peek," she sang, flashes of colors and pictures crossing the backs of his eyes. "I want to see your thoughts!"

Katsuki's teeth grit harshly, airway tightening as her fingers curled more, thumbs digging into his flesh. A quick flash of green and flowers had startled the woman, enough to loosen her grip and her eyes dimmed.

"He's alive..?"

"Shut up!" Katsuki finally wrenched her wrists back, a snap causing her to shriek as she was pinned to the ground. He slapped his cuffs on her, still panting for breath and rubbing at the bruises forming on his throat. "You're gonna be locked up for a damn long time, bitch," he hissed, voice hoarse as he yanked her to her feet and shoved her ahead.

Still, as he lead her out of the building, a smile stayed glued to her face.

He shoved her towards the nearest officer. "Seperate car! Keep her by herself, do not let her have any contact outside of detectives!"

The poor officer was confused, but nodded and pulled the villain along nonetheless. Eijirou jogged up, hitting Katsuki's shoulder. "What the hell, man?"

"She has sensitive information the public shouldn't have," Katsuki snapped back at his friend and made his way out of the caution tape, not bothering himself with holding it up for the redhead.

Eijirou ducked under and followed quickly. "Then maybe you shouldn't have just run in there like that! We had people on the way-"

"And while you sat on your asses, she could have escaped!" Katsuki swiveled around to face Eijirou, glaring up at him and shoving him back. "Listen- because of this shit, I am late to an important meeting. Are you going to keep me longer, or am I free to go?"

A frown tugged down Eijirou's lips and he raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright... listen, man... if you need to talk-"

"I don't need to talk!"

"But it's been a year now, and-"

"And I'm fuckin' fine!" Katsuki scoffed and stepped back, shucking off his gauntlets. "I get it, you're trying to help. I don't need help. I need to get to my damn meeting. I'll see you at the agency tomorrow." He turned and stormed off, leaving a quiet Eijirou behind.

~

Katsuki walked through the familiar beige hall, unaccompanied. He's come so often, the orderlies leave him be. Just greet, smile, maybe wave, but they know exactly what he's there for. They know he won't do anything outside their rules. Even if he wants to.

He pushed open the door to outside, nose scrunching at how busy the yard is. This is exactly why he didn't want to be late. All these old folk, some younger with disabilities. All people unable to live by themselves. Most are nice, but he hates being bothered.

Still, he sauntered through the yard, popping up his coat collar before shoving his hands in the pockets of his trousers. His eyes flicked over the crowd, searching through the plain white uniforms all patients had to wear.

"Gardens."

Katsuki halted by the chess tables, looking to the old woman playing by herself.

She turned her head, red eyes kind as she smiled. "He's waiting in the gardens, dear. Don't keep him much longer. He's very upset you're late."

Huffing, Katsuki shrugged his shoulders up. "Thanks," he grumbled out, turning slightly to head to the stone-arch entrances to the gardens.

He supposes he should have figured. They usually wind up in the gardens anyway when he visits during outside hours. The moment he stepped in, he spotted him.

Sitting on a bench, facing the fountain with a little bouquet he picked himself with what looked like dying flowers. Katsuki sighed through his nose and approached, shrugging off his coat. He sat beside them, draping his coat over the bench.

"You're late."

"Work."

Veridian eyes flicked to him, head tilting. "What happened?"

"Villian was cornered in a building and no one wanted to grab her. Had to do it myself when I showed up on scene."

"What is her quirk?"

"Ahh... she can see images in memories, I think."

"Did she see yours?"

"Nothing important. I was able to arrest her and hand her off. Don't worry about it."

A small smile graced his lips and he lifted the bouquet. "They're still so beautiful... even so wilted. They just look so sad."

Katsuki hummed, watching him twist the flowers. "Have you just been carrying dead flowers all day, you weirdo?"

That made him laugh and he leaned forward to set the flowers on the rim of the fountain. "No, I did a lot today. Kept very busy. I helped clean and I also helped the nurse give Yasharo her medication. She was particularly stubborn today."

"The stubborn old bat that thinks she can beat me in a fistfight?"

"That's her. She keeps asking when you'll grow the balls to actually face her," he mused, standing with his hands clasped behind his back.

Katsuki just groaned and rolled his eyes, leaning back. The other began to walk so Katsuki grabbed his coat and followed. "Hey, Midoriya." The greenette paused to look up at him. "How's your head?" Katsuki stood in front of him, lifting his hand.

Izuku didn't flinch away as knuckles brushed tenderly above his temple, tracing the faint scar that trailed through his hair. He's grown accustomed to the touch. "Still doesn't hurt. And, no, still no memories, Bakugou." He gently took Katsuki's hand, offering a smile before leading him out of the gardens. "I am still taking my meds, I'm sleeping well, my television is still very limited, and yes, my mom did visit, actually. She came yesterday. Got an extra day off work."

Katsuki rolled his eyes. Maybe he does ask repetitive questions.

"No, I still haven't tried Katsudon, the nurses won't let mom bring in food and it doesn't look like they're adding it to the menu anytime soon."

Groaning, Katsuki dropped his head back. "I swear to fucking God. These people are getting paid good-ass money to take care of all these fuckin' people and they still can't give y'all some decent food?"

Izuku grinned and bumped their hips. "They're doing a fine job, I think."

Katsuki scoffed and shook his head. "Yeah, well... you always think everyone is doing the best they can."

"Even before?"

His eyes met big, curious veridian. He hummed and turned away. "Yeah... even before."

Izuku walked with him, holding Katsuki's arm. He pursed his lips, gaze on the ground. "What did she see?"

"Who?"

"The villian you fought today. What did she see in your memories?"

Katsuki looked back down to him. "Like I said, not much. Just an old friend and random pictures from my life. Nothing to bother yourself over."

"Okay," Izuku muttered, tugging on his bracelet. "Then will you tell me about an interesting fight you had since your last visit?"

"You know I'm not supposed to tell you, right? Most of it is still classified. And you're not allowed to know about any traumatic fights in case it triggers anything harmful."

Izuku scrunched his nose, as he does everytime Katsuki reminds him, and pushes at his chest. "You're no fun! Just a small one! One small, little fight! Please!" God, he's too good at begging. Stepping in front of Katsuki, fingers curling into his shirt on his chest, big eyes and a pouty lip...

Katsuki groaned, pushing his face away. "Fine, alright! Geez, just a small one!"

Laughing, Izuku grabs onto Katsuki's arm again and follows him to the secluded tree, happily sitting on the bench beneath it. Katsuki sighed and sat beside him, handing Izuku his coat. The younger was all-too happy to wrap it around his shoulders, fingers hardly peeking through the sleeves. Katsuki watched him, heart jumping as he tried not to think of how cute the other man is.

He lifted his head breathing deeply. "Well... there was one on Monday... fought the villian with Pro Uravity."

Izuku's eyes lit up as Katsuki spoke.

Some things never change...

~

As Katsuki closed the door to his apartment, he was reintroduced to silence. His apartment is small- blank. Lacking in personality. It's fine, though. He only sleeps in this place if he doesn't wind up crashing on someone's sofa.

He hung his coat and toed his boots off in the foyer, carding his fingers through his hair.

His phone pinged with a text, so he pulled it out and sighed.

Four eyes

How was Midoriya this evening? - sent 21:34

Katsuki tossed his phone aside and flopped onto his sofa, staring up at his ceiling.

Sure. Izuku Midoriya is still alive. But he's not, at the same time.

"What is this..?"

Katsuki trembled as he approached the hospital bed. He's there, the heart monitor is beeping, but Katsuki is not entirely convinced Izuku wasn't in the casket he had just touched ten minutes ago.

Tenya placed a hand on Katsuki's shoulder. "The Hero Commission wants to keep this quiet. They want the villians to think he's dead so he can be unbothered during recovery. They want their number one back."

His hands trembled as he took Izuku's limp one. The one not bound in a cast. God, he was wrapped head to toe, basically. He looked like death itself. A machine breathed for him. A monitor the only indicator of real life inside him.

"They are worried about his memories, though, Bakugou."

"What do you mean?"

"He might have none when he wakes... he suffered a severe brain injury that nearly killed him... but there's a reason I told you..."

Katsuki swallowed hard, blinking back the few tears that had begun to gather in his eyes. "Why..? And why do you know?"

Tenya breathed deeply. "My family owns and operates a care facility for heros. They are working with the Commission to provide a place for him to live safely where his healing can be closely monitored. You, as well as Todoroki, know due to your hero ranking and needing people to protect him in case he is discovered before he is recovered."

"His mother? Does Inko know?"

"Yes. Shortly after making the press believe he is dead, the doctor and I brought her back here, proving he's alive and explaining what I am telling you now."

Katsuki stepped back and rubbed his face.

Tenya watched him closely. "Will you be able to keep him protected, Bakugou?"

Swallowing hard, his gaze traveled Izuku's broken body, inspecting every wrap, every cast, every wound. He looked to the machines, jaw clenching tight. "Yes, of course."

~

The following week was when Izuku finally woke for the first time since the incident. Katsuki was there, just after Inko had visited. He sat in a chair by the bed, holding Izuku's hand.

First, his fingers twitched. Yes, cliché, but it started there. Then a sudden, deep breath- thank God they had taken the tube out. His uncovered eyelid fluttered, head tilting.

Katsuki jumped to the edge of his chair, holding Izuku's hand tighter. "Hey- hey, can you hear me? Deku, can you hear me?"

Startled, the heart monitor beeped louder and faster, his uncovered eye blowing wide and breath hitching. He tried to pull his hand away, gasping and raspy sounds the only ones he's able to make.

A nurse quickly threw open the door, Katsuki dropping Izuku's hand as he stands.

"What happened?"

"He's awake, I think-"

"Sir, step aside please-" The doctor came in, holding a hand up to Katsuki as he made his way between him and the hospital bed.

Katsuki swallowed, tears in his eyes as he backs slowly towards the door, nurse and doctor attempting to calm Izuku.

~

It took Katsuki another two weeks before he gathered enough courage to see Izuku again. As he had been assigned to help protect Izuku during his recovery, he is updated to every change, so he knew that his room had been changed.

And he knew that Izuku's memories were so bad, he didn't even remember his own mother.

So, he knocked carefully on Izuku's hospital door, waiting for permission before entering. Hearing Izuku's voice was jarring, almost. He gulped and shut the door behind himself.

Izuku sat up in the bed, cleaning up his tray. "So sorry, I didn't know you were coming so soon, I-" Izuku froze as he finally looked up to his visitor, blinking a few times before his eyes widened in shock.

Katsuki almost left again, worried he'd scared him, but then Izuku started glancing back and forth between him and the television. So, of course, Katsuki looked to the television and yes... that just so happens to be him on the news... from just that morning.

"Oh my God... you're- you're Pro-Hero Dynamight!"

He tried desperately hard not to flinch. "Yes..."

Izuku squeaked, red filling his cheeks as he pushed aside his tray in a poor attempt to hide it and straightened up his covers, grabbing the remote to turn off the television. "Are you sure you don't have the wrong room or something? Are you sure you're supposed to be visiting me?"

Katsuki inhaled deeply through his nose, looking Izuku over. Then he paused as he spotted the bracelet. In a fit of panic, Izuku lost control of One for All. He had to be sedated and now has to wear the bracelet at all times until he remembers...

"Yeah, I'm sure. Don't go implying I'm stupid."

Izuku blubbered for a moment, gripping the sheets in his free hand. Then Izuku paused, raising his head more. "Are you visiting me because of the attack? You were there when I was hurt, right?"

Licking his lips, Katsuki raised his brows and approached. "Yeah. I was one of the people who pulled you out." He grabbed the guest chair and pulled it up, sitting beside Izuku. "We were pretty worried you wouldn't make it..."

Smiling, the greenette shifted to face him. "Well, I... I don't really remember anything, but... thank you for saving me. I mean, I know it is kind of your job and all, but still. I heard it was really bad that day. That Tokyo is still recovering from it."

"It'll take a long time to recover from it, that's for sure." Katsuki rubbed his hands together, finding it rather difficult to look in Izuku's eyes.

"Heros died in that fight, didn't they..? Did any of your friends die?"

Katsuki isn't too sure how to respond to that. Yes, several heros died that day, but they all were ones he'd only met in passing. Izuku was the only one that came close. Still... It looks like Katsuki did lose him.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you upset..."

Shaking his head, the blond looked back up to Izuku. The poor thing now had the most concerned look on his face, and he was the one in the hospital bed with two casts and several bandage wraps. "Don't worry about it. All you worry about is getting better, alright?"

This brought back the smile on Izuku's face as he nodded. "I'll do my best..."

Katsuki isn't quite sure how he started visiting Izuku every week... but he did. Every Thursday at seven pm, sharp. Yes, he was late today, though. Twenty minutes late. Izuku doesn't question the visits anymore. Used to in the beginning. Asked if he visited anyone else he saved. Why he's so special. Things like that. Katsuki just shut the questions down so Izuku stopped asking.

Izuku was restricted on his outside world access. Limited television and Katsuki and Inko were limited in what they could tell him about his life before his memory loss. They worry that by mentioning previous fights or that Izuku was a hero at all, it could negatively impact his recovery. So, Katsuki never called him Deku. Only referred to him formally... as if they hadn't known each other before, just as Izuku assumed. No nicknames.

Katsuki wasn't sure if he hated this anymore. He did at first. He hoped and prayed his Deku would come back.

However, now... now he's glad Izuku isn't being severely injured everyday. He's glad Izuku can't remember the terrible person Katsuki used to be. He's glad that he can visit and see Izuku smile every single time. He's happy their conversations come so easily now. Now, he hopes that Izuku will never remember. Katsuki wants things to stay this way.

Maybe this way, it would be easier to tell Izuku he loves him.

~

"Good morning."

Katsuki raised a brow, mug to his lips as Ochako walked in front of him, head low and paces quick. He pushed off Eijirou's desk, waving as his friend began to question him, and followed Ochako. "Hey, cheeks? What is the face for?"

The brunette huffed, but her face was paler than normal. "Nothing... it's nothing, I swear."

"Clearly not, you can't even look me in the eyes. What happened this morning?" Katsuki grabbed Ochako's arm and halted her, turning her to face him. "What the fuck happened? You look like a Ghost just shit in front of you."

Ochako shook her head and scrunched her nose before waving his hands off. "I'm going to completely ignore whatever phrase you just said... but- I'm just so sick of it, ya know? Just because it's been a year, that doesn't make it right or even hurt less that they bring him up during a fight!"

Katsuki's brows furrowed. "What?"

"Can you believe it? Villians are just so cruel... trying to start a rumor that Deku is still alive..." Katsuki's eyes widened, breath catching in his throat. "Yeah, they say he's been spotted alive. Some kind of a sick joke."

Katsuki stepped back, running his hand down his face. "Shit... shit-" Katsuki pivoted and began to rush out, cursing again as he runs right into Denki.

"Hey-!"

"Fuck off!" Katsuki shouted in panic, running from the office floor. He whipped out his phone, ducking into the community restrooms and locking the door behind himself, flipping through his contacts before hitting Foureyes.

Clicking on the other line, Tenya answered quickly as per usual. "Bakugou? What is going on-?"

"They fucking know! Someone fucking saw him!"

There was a silence on the other end from the other Hero. Katsuki could only hear the sounds of a car for a several elongated seconds. "How..?"

Katsuki rubbed his face, spotting himself in the mirror, then froze. "Holy shit... me..."

"What?"

"Me! It was fucking me! There was that bitch the other day! She saw him in my memories, but I swear to God, she has no contact outside of the police!"

"Bakugou, calm down!" Tenya breathed deeply, adjusting himself in his seat as Katsuki began to pace in the restroom. "I am not even going to ask why you were anywhere near a villain that can access memories. That will only prove to be unproductive. You're sure she saw him in a recent memory? Not one from when you two fought together?"

"She saw one of him at the care facility."

Tenya cursed under his breath. "Alright, here's what going to happen. I am currently on my way to the airport to fly back to Japan. Todoroki is about two hours from him, so you are the closest. You are going to go pick Midoriya up and take him to a safe house. I am currently contacting the commission and they will send you the safe house address."

"They're going to fucking kill me."

"Should have thought of that before going in."

~

He got weird looks as he walked through the facility on a Sunday evening. Some of the workers didn't recognize him as a visitor and attempted to approach. Thankfully, a few did know Katsuki and stopped their coworkers.

Katsuki knew Izuku's schedule like the back of his hand. So he knew, Sunday night at six, Izuku would be in the recreation room-

He froze a few steps in, eyes sweeping the room.

An orderly approached him, head tilted and hands folded in front of her. "Can I help?"

"Where is he? He should be in here?"

"Midoriya?" The orderly tilted her head and looked around. "I haven't seen him tonight. He must still be in his room."

Cursing sharply beneath his breath, Katsuki couldn't stop himself before slamming the door to storm down the hallway.

Panic instantly began to whirl inside him. It didn't bother creeping through him. Skipped right to full-blown fear. Cold, tight stomach, clenched chest, tight throat - and it only got worse when he found Izuku's room to be empty. Sweat beaded his forehead, shaky hands running through his hair, then he halted. Through the little barred window, he spotted that familiar white uniform, stark and glowing in the moonlight out beneath the stone archway to the gardens.

This man will always provide Katsuki with sudden cardiac arrest, no matter his situation it seems.

With a deep inhale to settle his nerves, Katsuki began the trek to the gardens. In the time it took Katsuki to get outside, Izuku was already in the gardens, shoes off by the stone bench and standing in the shallow fountain with his pants legs rolled up to prevent them from getting too wet.

Izuku faced away, so Katsuki shrugged off his coat, toeing off his boots. He tucked his socks in his boots, rolled up his jeans and sighed as he stepped into the fountain as well, startling the shorter. "Mother fucker- this is cold!"

"Bakugou!? What are you- what are you doing here!?"

Katsuki huffed, shoving his hands in his pockets and shuffling closer. "Visiting, damnit. Isn't it obvious?"

Red filled Izuku's cheeks and ears, hands waving in front of him. "It's after-hours!"

"And you're supposed to be in the rec-room."

A big-eyed pout took over Izuku's face as he crossed his arms tightly over his chest. "How was I supposed to know you'd drop by randomly? You never do. Are you about to go on a big mission?"

Katsuki looked away to the hedges that surrounded them, pursing his lips for a moment. "Sort of... yeah."

"You could have let the staff know and they could have told me."

"No, I couldn't." Meeting his eyes again, Katsuki felt his heart throb. Viridian eyes curious and analytic as they focused on him. Katsuki licked his lips and rolled his shoulders back. "I've come to get you."

Izuku didn't startle or begin to prattle off questions. He just stared at the blond, blunt nails absently picking at one of the calluses on his opposite hand. His nose twitched and head tilted as he seemed to realize something. "I'm the friend, huh?" Katsuki raised a brow, but let him continue. "You said the girl that saw your memories saw 'an old friend.' Was that me? Is she sending people after me to get to you?"

Katsuki slanted his head in a curt nod. "Yes. Sort of."

"Sort of?"

"Yeah. I'll explain, but I'd rather get you outta here and to a safe house sooner rather than later. I'd like to prevent you from being attacked."

Izuku swallowed hard, fidgetting. "My mom?"

"A fellow Hero is reaching out to her. She'll be kept safe, as well."

"Is she in danger, too? How?"

Katsuki sighed and gestured back to their shoes, raising his other hand to carefully usher Izuku out of the fountain. "I'll explain everything. Just please let me get you somewhere safe, first."

Izuku was clearly uneasy. He's only known this place for nearly a year. Of course he'd be wary leaving. However, he let himself be lead back to the bench.

~

After the quietest car ride either of them have ever been in, Katsuki made sure Izuku had his hood pulled up and mask covering the lower half of his face. Izuku whined and pouted, but did as told, dragging his suitcase into the house.

"Who would be watching? And wouldn't they recognize you anyway?"

"I have a mask, too, stupid."

Izuku huffed, tugging on his bracelet. Katsuki snatched his hand away from himself, startling the younger. Katsuki glared ahead and dragged him into the safehouse. Can't have him snapping that band...

"Bakugou, I can walk myself!" Izuku shook his arm free, halting and pulling his mask down. "I am an adult."

Katsuki grit his teeth, shrugging off his coat and hanging it on the coat hook. Both men took off their shoes, lining them in the entrance as Katsuki double-checked the lock on the front door.

Izuku rubbed his nose and took off his cap. "We were friends before, huh?"

"What?" Katsuki snapped his head up, shoulders going rigid. His heart leapt into his throat as Izuku smiled carefully with a tilt of his head. "What do you mean?"

"I know you can answer that, Bakugou. You said you only know me because you saved me that day, but it isn't true." Izuku rubbed his arm, pushing his suitcase out of the way and shuffled towards the living area. "Mom was confused when I talked about you the first few times... but she tried to play along. And you slip up sometimes, too. Like your last visit. You said something about me being curious. I asked if I was like that before and you agreed. You wouldn't know that if we met when I was unconscious." His smile was tight as he turned back to Katsuki. He spoke softly, carefully, prodding at Katsuki as gently as he could while also making it impossible for him to deny him.

Katsuki breathed deeply through his nose and straightened his back. He raised his chin and removed his mask. "So fucking perceptive, hah?" Hands in his pockets, he trudged to the sofa and collapsed in the far corner. "Yes. We knew each other before. For a long time," he finally conceded, unable to meet Izuku's big eyes.

Sitting across from him, Izuku folded his hands in his lap. "Why... why lie about it?"

"Because you were so damn excited about me being a hero, Dammit!" Katsuki snapped and sat up, dropping his head over the back of the sofa and glaring at the ceiling. "That, and... I didn't exactly know how to describe our dynamic before your memory loss... It was messy and complicated. I didn't want to go back to messy and complicated... I was liking simple and easy, for once in my life. I used to miss what we had before, then after a while... I was so comfortable and I couldn't tell you about our past."

Silence fell over them, Izuku watching the Hero closely. Slowly, Izuku reached out, gently taking Katsuki's hand. "I want to hear about it..."

Katsuki raised his head, looking over to the earnest greenette and groaned. "You want to know?" A short nod was his only answer. Pursing his lisp, the blond sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees. Izuku still grasped his hand and he didn't want to remove it. "I guess there will be no point hiding it now... you were the number one hero, Izuku."

Blinking slowly, processing what Katsuki just stated, Izuku straightened his posture, hand slipping from Katsuki's. He inspected Katsuki, waiting for the punchline. "You're joking..."

"Nope. Not joking. You were the number one hero when you fought the fight where you lost your memories. You are - were - in that facility for retired heros to keep you safe so you wouldn't be discovered during your recovery. Unfortunately, I fucked up, a villain saw you in my memories, and now they're hunting for you because you are the greatest threat to them all."

Izuku stared quietly, eyes wide in complete disbelief. He choked on a short, awkward laugh. Katsuki groaned again, pulling out his phone. Just a simple search and Katsuki had an article from the days following the attack on his phone, showing Izuku the headline and the photos they used to memorialize him. If possible, Izuku's eyes grew wider, hands shaking as he held Katsuki's phone and jaw going slack.

His own picture smiled back at him, a picture from his debut as an official hero.

"That... how can I..? I don't have a-"

"A quirk?" Katsuki huffed and hooked his finger in Izuku's bracelet, pulling him closer but careful not to snap it. "This is keeping it under lock 'n' key. So are the previous users, I think. When you woke from your coma in the hospital, you lost control of it. They slapped this on and kept it on because you have zero memories and they worried you'd accidentally lose control again."

Izuku licked his lips, brows drawn tightly together as heblinked rapidly, gaze falling to the floor. "Previous users..?"

Sighing, Katsuki released the bracelet. "You were quirkless, yes... however, you inherited a quirk called 'One For All.' You have access to the previous users. You are the ninth, and the last user."

Tears began to gather in Izuku's eyes, Katsuki's phone slipping from his trembling fingers. Neither made a move to grab it after it hit the floor.

"I-I don't understand... I can't be-"

"You are. We have fought side-by-side for a long time."

Izuku swallowed hard, shaking his head.

Katsuki sighed and rolled his shoulders as he grabbed his phone once more. "Here..." He scrolled once more and turned his phone to Izuku. "This is our graduating class..."

The greenette rubbed at his tears and touched the phone. "That's... that's you... and me..." He sniffled as he pointed to the two of them in the middle, grinning stupidly at the camera with their caps and gowns on. His eyes flicked over all the faces in the picture. "I know him... he comes to the facility sometimes. Him, too..." Izuku pointed to Tenya and Shouto, blinking back more tears. "They're pros, too... I've seen him on the TV. I didn't get to talk to them, though, when they visited..."

Katsuki allowed Izuku to take his phone again, letting him zoom in on the picture to better see them.

"That's Uravity. Uhm, Chargebolt... I don't get much time on the television, so I don't... I don't recognize anyone else..."

"That's fine. I'm not asking you to."

Izuku gave the phone back, licking his lips. "I know... all of them?"

"Yes. They're all your friends..." Katsuki set his phone aside and clasped his hands together. "We worked with all of them. At some point, you were their inspiration and motivation."

"Do... do they know..?"

Katsuki looked up to him. "No," he sighed, leaning back. "Just me, Iida, and Todoroki. Or, as you'd know them, Ingenium and Shouto. Everyone else needed to believe you were dead."

Izuku stayed quiet a few more minutes, hands limp over his lap. He stood quickly, startling Katsuki. "I need to rest. Where- Where am I sleeping?" He hurried to his suitcase, cursing under his breath as his hand slipped on the handle.

Jumping up, Katsuki followed after and pulled the suitcase away. Izuku sniffled, tears streaking his cheeks again as he didn't bother fighting Katsuki. "I'll show you..."

"Alright..."

~

"Yeah, he knows," Katsuki sighed, leaning over the kitchen counter with his phone to his ear. He pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes sealed shut. "He kept asking questions, he had already figured some things out for himself, and both of us were stressed and upset, so yes... I told him. I figured he might find out during this mess, anyway..."

Tenya groaned on the other line, Katsuki able to hear the bustle of the airport in the background. "Fuck... I tried telling them it was a bad idea to let you know about him."

Katsuki grit his teeth, running his fingers through his hair. "What's that supposed to fuckin' mean?"

"It means I predicted something like this would happen, Bakugou! I knew that somehow, him being alive would get out through you and that you would risk worsening his condition by telling him who he is! This could set him back!"

"We don't fucking know that! For all we know, knowing could help him remember, you ass!" Katsuki slapped his hand down on the counter, as if it would him in his argument.

Tenya groaned deeply, shortly followed by a sigh. "Listen... tomorrow morning, I'll be there to pick him up and I'll take care of him from there with Todoroki's assistance."

"What!? Hell no! He doesn't know who you are, he might panic-"

"Keeping him safe matters more than your feelings for him, Bakugou!"

Katsuki froze, knuckles white as he gripped his phone and the edge of the counter. His jaw clenched as he glared straight ahead. "This has nothing to do with my feelings," he hissed through pressed teeth, beginning to shake with the growing anger and frustration.

Tenya scoffed. "You visited him weekly against orders, Bakugou. How does that have nothing to do with how you feel?"

"I swear to God, if you try taking him now, I will fucking destroy you. He is safe here with me. I'm the number one fucking hero, number sixteen. Until you break the top ten, I don't want to hear shit about how you can protect him better." Katsuki flicked the disposable phone shut and slammed it down on the counter, setting off a minimal explosion to release at least some of the tension built up from the argument.

He inhaled deeply through his nose, hunching over the counter, fingers entwining as he drops his head.

"Are you okay?"

Katsuki jumped, startled by how close Izuku had gotten. He hadn't even realized the greenette had left his bedroom. Katsuki raised his head, looking to Izuku.

The younger placed a gentle hand on his back, the most concerned look on his face. "That sounded like a pretty bad fight... and it was about me, huh..?"

Sighing, Katsuki stood up straight and turned, leaning back against the counter and folding his arms. "Yeah. Ingenium is pissed off at me."

"Because I know? About myself..."

"Well... more like, because I told you. And, while it is my fault, he won't shut up about the secret of you still being alive getting out..." Katsuki carded his fingers through his hair, looking down.

Izuku rubbed his arm. "And what about... your feelings?"

Katsuki felt his entire body go rigid all at once. "What..?"

"I heard you say... 'this has nothing to do with my feelings'... What feelings?" Poor Izuku looked terribly confused. He already had so much he learned about himself today, he really didn't need this. Katsuki should have kept his damn voice down.

"You were my best friend, Izuku..." Katsuki reached out, grabbing Izuku's arms carefully as his own shoulders slumped forward. "We grew up together, went to all the same schools and classes. We graduated together and we worked together..." Izuku's big, shimmering eyes flicked up to meet his gaze. Katsuki inhaled through his nose, rubbing Izuku's arms. "Even when I was a shitty person - to you especially - you were the most important person in my life. You know- knew me better than I knew myself. Because of you, I am a better person. Because of you, I am the Hero I am. So, yes, of course it is semi-reasonable to assume that my feelings could impact my decision-making regarding you and your safety. I've lived with you my whole life and I never planned on living the rest of it without you."

A small, shy smile curled the corners of Izuku's lips, pink tinting his cheeks and the tips of his ears. "I couldn't have impacted your life that much..."

Katsuki huffed softly and smiled, letting him go just to ruffle his hair. Izuku's smile widened as he swatted his hand away. "Izuku, you are the greatest person I've ever known... even if I struggled to admit it in the past. You were a true hero, in every way that matters. Of course you had impacted my life that greatly."

Grabbing Izuku's shoulders he turned the younger around and started pushing him back towards the hallway. "Now, seriously. It's fuckin' late. Get to bed."

"Wait-" Izuku gasped, struggling against him. "But isn't someone else going to try to take me away tomorrow?"

Katsuki scrunched his nose, but continued pushing Izuku. "It's not gonna happen. He can pick you up over my dead fuckin' body," he grumbled, opening Izuku's door.

The greenette twisted and looked up to him. "You won't leave?"

"Hell no, and you ain't either. I'm the best equipped to take care of ya... well, Icy Hot probably could just as well, but he's outta the fuckin' question." Katsuki let Izuku go and folded his arms. "Get to bed."

Izuku hummed and rubbed his arm as he stepped back into his room. He looked back over his shoulder. "Since you know so much about my quirk... do you think you could show me how to use it again?"

Katsuki blinked slowly a few times, staring at the younger. "You'd be okay with that?" Katsuki was hesitant. He hadn't seen Izuku's quirk go out of control at the hospital, but he did see the aftermath. Izuku nodded, wringing his hands together. Inhaling, Katsuki nodded towards the bedroll. "I'll think about it."

Grinning, Izuku brightened up and shuffled to the bedroll. "Thank you, Bakugou. Hey, one more question."

Rolling his eyes, Katsuki grabbed the door. "What?"

"Why is my hero name 'Deku'?" Katsuki froze once again- probably for the millionth time that day. "Why would my hero name be an insult to myself like that?"

Teeth sinking into his lip, facing away from Izuku, Katsuki started to close the door. "Maybe one day you'll remember..."

He shut the door between them, a bewildered look on the man he left behind. Katsuki stood silently in the hallway for several moments, reflecting and remembering, then sighed and made his way to his room.

~

Katsuki woke before the sun rose. Just as orange began to streak the horizon between the mountains. He rolled onto his back, staring at the ceiling. Maybe he should get up before Izuku does. Make him breakfast. Izuku is probably starving.

With a sigh and a low groan, he pushed himself up and kept quiet as he made his way through the house. Unfortunately, there wasn't much in the house. Also unfortunate, Katsuki could hear a car pulling up in front of the house.

He shut the pantry and went to the front door. He peered through the peep hole, jaw clenching as he saw Tenya getting out of the car and patting down his suit.

What a pompous ass...

Katsuki unlocked the door and stepped outside, careful not to slam the door. Tenya noticed him immediately and sighed, shaking his head as he approached.

"I didn't realize you would be awake so early."

"I didn't realize you'd try to show up and fucking kidnap Midoriya in our sleep, fuck-face." Katsuki folded his arms and raised his chin.

Tenya stopped beneath the steps leading to the front door and adjusted the glasses on his nose before shoving his hands in his pockets. "Bakugou, Midoriya will be coming with me today. He will be safer under my care."

"Bullshit," Katsuki hissed between pressed teeth. "Honestly, he'll never be fuckin' safe. They'll always be on the hunt for him now, and he's unfortunately got an incredibly recognizable face."

"Bakugou, it is your fault they're hunting for him in the first place." Tenya tried to step up the stairs, but Katsuki strode forward and flattened his hand harshly over his chest, keeping him held away from the door. Tenya grit his teeth, meeting Katsuki's fiery eyes. "This is not up to you."

"Wrong. You got me involved and put me in charge of his safety, it is up to me."

"Your feelings for him are clouding your judgement, Bakugou."

"Stop fucking saying that! Fuck you, and fuck feelings! Feelings have nothing to do with protecting Izuku!"

"And yet yours have everything to do with jeopardizing his safety!" Tenya shoved against Katsuki, the blond glaring sharper and pushing back in warning.

"I'll blow your fucking legs off if you take one Goddamn step inside this house," the explosive hero ground through his teeth.

Tenya narrowed his eyes, grasping Katsuki's wrist. "Are you threatening a fellow hero, Dynamight?"

Katsuki sneered back, shoving his chest. "So what if I am-"

"Bakugou-! Ah-!"

Both heros snapped their heads up at Izuku's scream, followed by snapping and more shouting. Neither hesitated in bolting for the door.

"Izuku!"

"Midoriya!"

Tenya was faster, of course, tackling an intruder to the ground.

Izuku thrashed and screamed as he was dragged towards the window, trying his hardest to pull his arms away. He just simply wasn't as strong as he used to be. "Bakugou- help!"

Katsuki shouted as he was pounced on himself, running back to slam his attacker against the wall. "Fuck-! Izuku!"

Kicking in vain, eyes wide and wild in panic, Izuku was pulled through the window. Tenya shouted, but another two villains stood in his way.

Reaching back and setting off an explosion on his attacker's head, Katsuki launched forward, sparks from an incoming explosion flying from his palms.

The villain on the other side of the window slipped as he was startled by Katsuki, hand catching on Izuku's bracelet and too-easily breaking it off.

Izuku gasped, eyes and body lighting up instantly with flashes of green. He screamed in freight and jerked his arm, black whips lashing out with the lightening, flinging the villains away.

"Shit-"

"Bakugou! Grab him!"

"I'm on it!" Katsuki dropped to the ground, teeth gnashing painfully as he dodged the lightening and whips. His chest clenched at the pained screams that came from Izuku as he writhed on the floor. "Hey- hey! Izuku! Izuku,look at me!" He used his arms to crawl forward, keeping as low as possible. He flinched as the lightening cracked too close to himself, but kept moving forward. "Izuku!"

"Stay away-" Izuku gasped, tears streaking his cheeks as he tried to scamper back. "I-I can't control it-! It won't stop! Stop it! Make it stop!"

Gritting his teeth, Katsuki pushed himself up just enough to get his feet underneath him.

"We need Aizawa! Get him to Aizawa, I'll keep the villains at bay!"

Oh, good. A decent idea from four-eyes for once.

Katsuki breathed deeply, then launched forward. Izuku wailed in panic, attempting to push Katsuki away as he was grabbed onto. "Hey, it's just me! I'm trying to help, we need to go!"

"It won't stop- it won't!"

Katsuki gripped Izuku tighter, trying to ignore the sharp zaps of lightening and the whips latching onto him. Katsuki hauled him out through the window. "We need to go! Please, stop fighting me! I can get it to stop!"

Still, Izuku struggled, but it was different. He clung to Katsuki, gasping for air with green lightening and black whips gone haywire around them. He babbled and cried for it to stop. Katsuki gripped him tighter, not daring to look back as he ran.

~

"What the fuck-"

"Get inside- get inside! Turn it off!" Katsuki heaved as he bolted for his old teacher's house, relief flooding his chest as he watched that familiar flash of red easily dissipate the green lightening and black whips.

Izuku gasped, still sobbing and trembling, grip on Katsuki unrelenting as he was carried into an unfamiliar house.

"Bakugou, what is this-?"

Katsuki rushed to the sofa, shushing Izuku as he peeled him off to seat him. Izuku's words were warbled and incoherent as he tried to keep his shaky hold. "Look at me, look at me." Katsuki knelt in front of Izuku, grabbing his face. "Hey, see, your quirk is gone. Look at that, it's gone. Relax, you can relax."

"Where- where are we- what's going on-" Izuku sputtered, grabbing Katsuki's wrists.

"Look, do you recognize him?" Katsuki turned both their heads to look at the man standing on the other side of the coffee table, bewildered, but unblinking. "Do you remember?"

"He was... he was in that picture..."

"Yeah. Yeah, good. This is Aizawa, Midoriya. Just by looking at you he was able to deactivate your quirk. Isn't that cool? You can relax now, okay..?"

Izuku hiccupped, eyes closing tightly. "What- what if we were followed?"

"Followed!?"

"We weren't followed. Ingenium had our back, kept them back."

Shouta groaned and rubbed his face, eye squinting and careful not to close.

Izuku swallowed, still shaking. "What if they find us? They could find us here."

"They won't, okay?" Katsuki got up and pulled Izuku into a tight embrace. The greenette clung to him desperately. "They won't. You won't be here for long anyway, okay? You're going to get some rest, then we'll move. Somewhere only you and me know so no one can find us."

Nodding, Izuku sniffled. "Okay... that sounds good."

Katsuki sighed, burying his nose in unruly green hair. "Get some rest..."

~

Once Izuku was asleep, curled up on the sofa with a blanket draped carefully over him, Shouta grabbed Katsuki's arm and dragged him to the kitchen.

"What the hell- what the fuck," he hissed, glaring at the young hero. "That's Midoriya- Midoriya is dead!"

Sighing, Katsuki ran his fingers through his hair and leaned back on the counter. "No... that's what the commission wants everyone to believe."

Shouta blinked at him, eye wide. "He's been alive this whole time? How? Where?"

"He survived the attack, obviously," Katsuki gestured loosely back towards the sofa. "But his wounds were severe and the doctors knew he'd suffer great memory loss... so the commission wanted his survival secret until he returned to his full strength. They didn't want him attacked when he was most vulnerable."

Turning around and leaning over the counter, Shouta held his head in his hands. "He has no memory?"

"None," Katsuki confirmed quietly.

"And that's why he had no control over One for All and why when you asked him if he remembered me, he said I was in some picture."

Katsuki only nodded, folding his arms.

Shouta inhaled deeply, turning back and pulling his hair out of his face. "How long have you known? And how was he discovered?"

Flinching, the younger man looked away. "I've known since the funeral... I was tasked with ensuring his safety should he be compromised... unfortunately, my memories were seen."

"And the villians discovered he was alive." Shouta rubbed his scruffy jaw, closing his eye. "Once a problem, always a problem... you certainly never change and neither has he. Drawing all these attacks like flies to honey."

"And we're the honey?"

"And occationally the flies."

Katsuki huffed with a slight smirk as he looked to Shouta. "You seem to have already gotten over him being alive."

"I had to fairly quickly so I could use my quirk, kid." Shouta flicked Katsuki's shoulder before pushing him out of the way to grab a mug. "Sure, it's shocking... I went to his funeral. I've believed he was dead for the last year..."

Katsuki bit his lip and looked back to the sofa. He could just barely see a few tufts of green peeking over the arm of the sofa. "It was really hard to believe seeing him in the hospital bed... He was wrapped head to toe. Ribs broken, arm and leg broken, collapsed lung, and brain injury so bad they weren't sure he'd ever wake up..."

Shouta frowned deeply as he poured himself some coffee. He licked his lips. "And he cannot control his quirk due to this memory loss. What about the previous holders?"

"My guess is he's too panicked to understand what's going on and who they are. They might also be locked away in his memories or were locked away with the quirk." Katsuki pushed off the counter and made his way back to the sofa, Shouta behind him. "Hey... can I borrow your phone?"

The older man stared at him for a few minutes, then sighed and reached into his back pocket. "Yeah, I s'pose."

~

"Kirishima?"

"Hi, Mr. Aizawa! Uh, Bakugou said I needed to be here?"

With a low groan, Shouta opened the door and stepped aside.

Eijirou jumped in and bowed to his old teacher before taking off his shoes and trotting inside. "Yo, Bakugou? What the hell are you doing here and what was so fucking urgent-?"

"Shut the fuck up," Katsuki hissed and leapt from his spot on the floor in front of the sofa, swerving around and slapping his hand over Kirishima's mouth. "Unless you wanna fucking die, keep your fucking voice down!"

The redhead raised his hands in surrender before swatting Katsuki away. "Dude, what is going on?"

Katsuki inhaled deeply through his nose, looking back over his shoulder to the sofa. "I'll show you. I'll explain, but you have to be quiet. If you fucking wake him up, I'll blow you to smithereens."

Eijirou pouted, but raised his hands again. "Who, bro?"

Grabbing Eijirou's hand, Katsuki ignored the question and brought him around. It didn't take more than a split second for Eijirou to recognize Izuku.

"No-" He gasped, jerking back. "He's dead- he died-"

"Shut your trap!" Katsuki hit the back of Eijirou's head before shoving him away from the sofa. "Don't wake him up!"

"What is going on- what the fuck, Bakugou!?"

"Listen- he doesn't remember! And because he doesn't remember, he doesn't know how to control his quirk, so if you wake him up-"

"Is that what this is for!?" Eijirou ripped a bracelet out of his back pocket, waving it above his head. "I thought you wanted it for you!"

"Why the fuck would I need a quirk suppressing bracelet for myself?" Katsuki snatched the bracelet away and hurried back to Izuku. He knelt quietly, muttering curses under his breath as he took Izuku's hand gently.

Eijirou huffed in disbelief, hands in his hair as he watched Katsuki latch the bracelet around Izuku's wrist with care. "How? How- he fucking died!"

Katsuki sighed, sitting beside the sofa with Izuku's hand still in his. "No... he didn't, shitty hair. He's been alive this whole time. He just has no memory. He didn't even know he had a quirk until yesterday."

Blinking slowly, Eijirou glanced between Katsuki and Izuku. "Holy shit... you didn't care about the one year because you knew he was alive... you got so upset when Ochako was taunted because someone found out he was alive."

Nodding, Katsuki's eyes fell to the floor. "Yes... Four-eyes, Icyhot, the Commission and I have all been keeping his life secret while he was being hidden. The commission didn't want to risk him being attacked while vulnerable because they want him back to full strength. He's the strongest hero in the world, they aren't exactly willing to just drop him or risk his safety."

Eijirou gulped, shuffling closer. "So... why are you telling me now? Why have me come here?"

Katsuki stood up, raising the blanket to above Izuku's shoulders before facing Eijirou again. "Because I need to leave... I need you to take him somewhere safe so I can create a fake trail for the villains to follow instead. They know he's with me and they know no one else knows about him... they won't suspect him being with you and even if something were to happen, I trust you the most to keep him protected. I also trust you not to tell anyone else."

"Not even Todoroki or Iida? What about you?"

"Not even me." Katsuki grabbed Eijirou's shoulders firmly, jaw set tightly. "No one can know, just in case. He was found out simply because that bitch touched me and saw him in my memories. Can't risk something like that again until he's capable of protecting himself. You're the best at under the radar, especially with your quirk."

Eijirou stared at him, then glanced to Izuku. His shoulders dropped before sympathetically returning his gaze to Katsuki. "Oh, man... Dude, I... I can't even imagine how much this has gotta suck for you..."

Katsuki's nose scrunched and his lip curled up in a sneer as he pulled away. "What? The fuck are you on about?"

"Bakugou..." Eijirou carefully grabbed Katsuki's arm. "Everyone knew you were in love with him. Wasn't exactly hidden like you like to think." Katsuki stiffened, snapping his mouth shut. "And this last year, seeing him like this... I can't even imagine how hard that must have been."

Katsuki shrugged and pushed Eijirou's hand off himself. "Just get him to safety, alright?"

"You're not even gonna wait until he wakes up?"

"I can't, Eij." Katsuki stepped back, shoving his hands in his pockets. "It'd be easier like this."

"For you, definitely. I can't imagine how hurt he'll be when he wakes up and sees you're not here, Bakugou."

Looking back to Izuku, Katsuki bit his lip, brows pinching together.

Eijirou gestured to the sofa. "He also doesn't know me... he won't want to come with me if you're just gone and I- a total stranger- try hiding him somewhere."

Katsuki sighed, dropping his head. "Fuck... you're right... fine, okay..." He shuffled back to the sofa, crouching beside Izuku. Eijirou stayed back and watched in concern, hooking his thumbs into the pockets of his jeans. Katsuki placed his hand in Izuku's hair, running his thumb along his temple. "Hey, Midoriya... time to wake up..."

The redhead licked his lips, suddenly feeling as if he shouldn't be here. The moment between the two felt so intimate and personal. He's never seen Katsuki get so soft and gentle before, even for Izuku. This is an entirely different side of Katsuki Eijirou isn't sure he should be witnessing.

"Come on, you need to wake up." With a careful shake and firmer words, Izuku groaned softly and shifted, fingers curling into the blanket and the pillow his head rested on. Katsuki huffed a light chuckle, stroking curls back out of Izuku's face. "Good afternoon."

"Afternoon?" Izuku rasped, tugging the blanket over his head. Katsuki pried the fabric from his grasp, causing a tired whine. "No, please..."

Katsuki took his hand, holding it to his own chest, watching Izuku's eyes flutter open and focus on their entwined fingers. Pink dusted his cheeks before viridian flicked up to meet his crimson gaze. "I need to go..."

Izuku stared up at him, blinking silently a few times before his brows drew together and he sat up. "What? Go? What do you mean, where are we going?"

"No-" Katsuki sighed and shook his head. "I'm going. I need to make a false trail so the villains can't find you."

The greenette's expression scrunched in obvious displeasure and he squeezed Katsuki's hand. "No. No, you can't leave me! What am I supposed to do- stay with him-" Izuku gestured wildly to Eijirou as he turned to look at him, quickly freezing as he eyes widened, realizing the person he looked to was new and not the person he had been referring to.

Eijirou smiled and waved shyly.

Katsuki stood. "Yes, actually. You are going to go with him. This is Kirishima. He went to Hero class with us. He's Pro-Hero Red Riot."

"Hello, Midoriya..."

Izuku swallowed, tears beginning to fill his eyes. He looked back up to Katsuki. "You can't leave me... please, you promised you wouldn't. You said you were the only one that could protect me- you said you'd help me with my quirk!"

"I know, I know." The blond grabbed Izuku's arms and squeezed, leaning over to be more eye level as the younger began to shake. "I know, and I'm sorry, but I swear you will be safe with Kirishima. I'll find you once I'm sure the villians will not be able to, okay?"

Biting his lip and taking shuddering breaths, Izuku nodded reluctantly. "Okay..."

Katsuki sighed, and stepped back, hands slipping away from Izuku. "Aizawa got you some clothes you can change into. You shouldn't stay in the stupid hospital garb and you need to shower."

Izuku blushed, crossing his arms over his chest and hunching his shoulders forward, now self-conscious about his appearance. "O-oh," he stuttered quietly.

"Here," Katsuki pushed Izuku towards the hall. "Bathroom is here. Get washed up and put the new clothes on. I'll wait until you're out, okay?"

"Swear it?"

"What are we? Fuckin' kids? Get in the shower, nerd!" He gave Izuku a careful shove, relief in his eyes as Izuku laughed as the door shut between them.

Eijirou snickered, earning himself a sharp glare.

"What?"

"Nothing, man... Just- I knew you were totally in love with him, just didn't realize how fucking whipped you were-"

"Shut up!"

"No quirks in my fucking house!"

~

Izuku shuffled out of the bathroom sometime later, rubbing the towel into his hair. Katsuki looked up, pausing for just a moment.

He looked... like Izuku.

Loose gray t-shirt, front tucked into his loose shorts. Simple, nothing eye-catching, nothing complimenting his figure, but it was so Izuku.

Izuku lounging in his apartment after a long day at work, Izuku training in the yard, Izuku making a quick trip to the mart or the coffee shop-

"Bakugou?"

Katsuki flinched at hearing his name. Ahh, still no 'Kacchan'. He still forgets Izuku doesn't remember that. Fuck, what'd he'd give to hear his nickname again. "Mm?"

"Do I look okay? Is something wrong with the outfit? Why are you looking like that?"

Huffing, Katsuki ripped his gaze away and glared at the wall. He wanted to hit Eijirou as the man hid his laugh behind a snort and a cough. "Nothing's wrong with it... just how you used to dress, is all."

Izuku blinked down at his outfit. "Oh, really..? Most of the pictures mom showed me, I was in my school uniforms, so I never really knew."

"It's fine." Katsuki pushed himself back to his feet, waving his hand. "Alright, well-"

"Are you leaving?" Izuku's eyes were suddenly wide and shimmering again and Katsuki tried not to look away. "You can't leave so soon!"

Katsuki rubbed his face, pursing his lips. "I have to, Midoriya-"

"Someone else can cover our tracks! Someone else can lead them away from us- please," Izuku pleaded, voice breaking as he grasped onto Katsuki's shirt. His towel fell to the ground in his rush forward to cling to the blond. "Please, I don't want to be apart from you..."

Katsuki swore his heart broke in two in that moment. His jaw clenched painfully and he pulled Izuku into his chest tightly. Izuku gripped him, head tucked under Katsuki's chin as he sobbed. "I know, Izuku, but I have to do this. They think you're with me. They know very few people are permitted to know about you. No one will suspect you being with Kirishima, alright? I swear you'll be safe with him, and I'll find you once it is safe."

Izuku trembled, hiccuping. "Please, Bakugou... what if something happens?"

"Kirishima will be there to protect you-"

"No to me! To you!" Izuku looked up to him desperately. "What if something happens to you?"

Frowning, Katsuki grabbed Izuku's hands and pulled them away from his chest. "Izuku, I risk that every day on the job. It's what I do. Your safety matters more to me than my own right now, so don't you worry about me. I can protect myself and I also have back-up around every corner. Please just stay with Kirishima until I can come back for you."

"Katsuki..." His name whimpered from Izuku's lips with tears welling in Izuku's eyes was the most gutwrenching experience. He was making it far too difficult to leave.

The blond licked his lips and stepped back. Izuku gasped softly, reaching out, but Katsuki pushed his hand away. "Don't follow. Stay with Kirishima."

~

Izuku slouched in the passenger seat, hood of the jacket pulled over his head and knees hugged to his chest as he stared out of the window.

Eijirou glanced over to him with a sigh as he drove, biting his lip. "He'll be fine, Midoriya. He always is."

"I wouldn't know... can't remember..."

Right...

"I know that." Eijirou swallowed hard, gripping the steering wheel. "I worry about him, too, ya know. He's bull-headed and charges into everything, but he's smart as hell. He'll always come out on top. He'll shake your trail and find you faster than you'll know."

Izuku hummed, dropping his head back against the seat. "How long will it take him to find us if he has no idea where you're taking me?"

Eijirou chuckled, shifting and dropping one hand from the wheel. "Like I said, he's smart. He'll figure it out pretty quick."

"If he could figure it out so easily, won't a villain as well?"

"Nah. I know you don't remember me, but try to have some faith in me, too." Eijirou reached over, playfully nudging his shoulder. Izuku twisted his head to look at the brilliant smile he was flashed. "It'll all be alright, Midoriya. Just try to hang in there, okay?"

Izuku smiled carefully back and nodded. "Okay..."

~

Izuku sat curled up on the sofa, hugging the jacket around himself with the television on. His fingers fidgetted nervously with the drawstrings as he watched the news clip.

"There he is- Pro-Hero Dynamight blasting above the city. After missing yesterday and this morning, our Number one has been spotted running through the city and he is now flying high above the buildings. It seems he is running, but no one knows what from or possibly to. He had been supposedly spotted yesterday with a hooded stranger, sneaking around yesterday. Some speculate this must be related to the stranger he was hiding with. Oh- reports in now, Dynamight is being chased by a yakuza group not yet named! Their leader seems to be asking about this stranger he had been with-"

Izuku startled as the screen flicked off, jerking his head up as Eijirou set the remote down. He only stared as a plate was held in front of him.

"Come on, eat. You're only going to worry yourself watching that."

The greenette sighed, taking the plate. "I think I'll worry regardless..."

Eijirou chuckled and nodded, sitting on the other end of the sofa with his own plate. "Yeah. Me too. Sure, I believe in him, but that doesn't mean his recklessness doesn't worry me."

Humming, Izuku poked the food around before taking a bite. "So, he's the number one hero, huh..? For how long..?"

Smiling, the redhead slouched comfortably. "Just for a couple months. You still held the number one spot until the rankings this year. You know, honestly, I'm surprised he made it to number one."

Brows furrowed, Izuku turned to look to Eijirou. "Why?"

"Because he's an ass," Eijirou laughed, setting his plate on the coffee table as he finished. "Man... sure, he's awesome. Totally manly. He kicks ass. He's great at taking down villains, but he's super destructive and terrible at interacting with people. Even fucking Endeavor had better P.R. than him." Eijirou smiled as Izuku stared bewildered at him. "I know you don't remember what he was like... this Bakugou you've seen is totally different..."

"Different..?"

"Yeah." Eijirou lift his knee onto the sofa as he turned to face Izuku, elbow on the back of the couch as he rested his cheek against his knuckles. "Completely. He was always different around you from everyone else, yeah, but today... I wasn't really expecting it."

Izuku swallowed and looked down to the floor. "How so..?"

Eijirou scratched at his chin. "Well... he's brash, loud, obscene... He comes off as uncaring and rude and pompous. On the outside, he's a pretty unlikable guy. However, when you get to know him, you just kinda realize he's totally emotionally constipated and struggles with showing any form of caring emotion. His way of caring is super different from what everyone else is used to. He communicated way better with his body language and with what he doesn't do than by what he says and does do. Back in school, you two best communicated when fighting."

Izuku's face lit up bright red as he hugged his knees tightly. "Fighting?"

"Oh yeah. Huge fights. Total destruction of property. However, it was the best way for him to communicate and you knew that better than anyone. He got better over time, obviously. Didn't take burning down a building to get a real conversation out of him anymore." Eijirou breathed deeply, watching Izuku. "But still, you always got more special treatment than anyone else. You maybe didn't ever notice back then, just because Bakugou is so brash, but everyone else saw it." Izuku looked up to him finally, pink on his cheeks and his ears. "He made threats, he lit explosions at the slightest inconvenience, he has mean nicknames he calls people based on appearance or intelligence. He always names himself leader and just expects people to follow, but honestly... so many people will just fall in line behind him. Bakugou might be an ass, but he'll never lead anyone astray. He knows strengths and weaknesses and how to use each to their advantage. He's smart and quick and protects everyone. Casualties and injuries are typically at a minimum when he's involved, despite how destructive he can be."

"He's only ever been quiet with me," Izuku muttered, pulling the hood off of his head. "He only calls me my name, not by a nickname. He swears sometimes, sure, and I've seen him get competitive, but I've only ever seen him warm and kind and quiet."

Eijirou hummed and pursed his lips. "Yeah, I noticed..."

Izuku sniffed and rubbed at his nose with his sleeve. "When he was fighting with Ingenium over the phone... they were saying something about feelings... Bakugou told me that it was because we used to be best friends and we grew up together..." He looked over and searched Eijirou's eyes. "I still don't really believe that... and if he was like that before... I believe it even less..."

Sighing, the redhead covered his face. "He'll kill me if I tell you..."

"Are his feelings... romantic?"

A long, tense silence filled the space between them. Izuku grew anxious, Eijirou pinching his eyes shut.

"Yes."

Izuku inhaled sharply.

"Bakugou has been in love with you for a long time... He's just been afraid to show it or tell you."

Tears gathered in Izuku's eyes once more and he turned away, resting his cheek on his knees. "Why..? Why would he be afraid..? Because of what others would think..? What the public would think?"

Eijirou peered through his fingers before dropping his hand. "No... afraid of you rejecting him. Afraid of the friendship that took years to build."

"Why would I reject him?"

"Because... you two weren't always friends..." Their eyes met again, Eijirou sympathetic. "He used to hurt you, Midoriya. Back when you were kids in middle school and primary school. He picked on you, got other kids in on it... He called you names. Deku was one of those names."

Izuku's breath caught, his tears finally spilling down his cheeks.

That's why Katsuki wouldn't tell him last night. He was ashamed.

"But... that's my hero name, right..?"

Eijirou chuckled and nodded. "Yes. You made it your hero name out of spite during a fight with him, actually. First year, one of our first training sessions."

"Spite?"

"Oh, yeah. It was quite funny, actually. He was so pissed. Now, every once in a while, you can really tell he regrets calling you that, though. Even though it is your hero name now, and has a whole different meaning."

Izuku glanced down, pinching the fabric of the jacket between his forefinger and thumb, rolling it slowly. "I was worried that it was bad... to start liking him the way I was... I felt like a terrible, obsessive fangirl and worried I'd make him stop visiting me if I told him how much I liked him..."

Eijirou raised a brow, head tilting as he listened.

"I always felt like we knew each other before, but he never would tell me... and I did notice how sad he'd get sometimes. It always felt so strange when I'd see him sad like that... especially when I call him by name."

Another silence, one less tense.

Smiling, Eijirou leaned back onto the arm of the sofa, folding his hands in his lap. "Kacchan."

"What?" Izuku turned back to the Hero, brows pinching together.

"You used to only ever call him Kacchan," he mused, twinkle in his eyes. "You've called him that your whole life. You were the only one who could get away with it, and he gave up trying to get Kaminari to quit. So, maybe he gets upset when you call him by name because you never used to before. Maybe he misses his nickname."

Izuku blushed again, hiding his face between his knees. "Should I... call him that, the next time I see him..?"

"He might kiss you if you do," Eijirou teased, but that didn't sound entirely unpleasant.

He doesn't think he'd mind if Katsuki kissed him.

Izuku stood, pulling the jacket tighter. "I'm going to bed... thank you for dinner." He bowed and grabbed his plate, washing his dishes before rushing down the hall to his designated bedroom.

~

Katsuki fidgetted with his phone he had grabbed from his office when he changed into his uniform. He badly wanted to call Eijirou, just so he could hear Izuku's voice, but he didn't want to risk his call being traced. He especially can't risk it without knowing their location. He'd give them away and there would be no one to help them in an attack.

His chest has throbbed all day and night, replaying their goodbye in his head. How heartbroken Izuku's voice was as he said Katsuki's name. It just wasn't fair. If only Katsuki hadn't been so stupid and went into a building alone with a villain that could see memories. He would only have to be worrying about trying to sneak Katsudon into the facility and making it to their regular meeting time.

"Hey."

Katsuki looked over his shoulder. "Hey, Cheeks."

Ochako smiled as she approached and sat beside him. "You've been busy."

Scoffing, Katsuki turned back to the view of the city.

The brunette leaned back onto her hands. "Will you tell me what the fuck is going on?"

Katsuki closed is eyes, gripping his phone tightly. "Can you keep your trap shut?"

"Depends."

The blond shot her a glare and she laughed, tracing a cross over her heart.

Scoffing, Katsuki carefully tossed his phone back behind himself. "Izuku."

Ochako tensed up entirely, fingers curling into fists. Her smile fell too-quickly, eyes darkening. "That isn't funny, Bakugou-"

"And I'm not joking." Katsuki met her gaze. "He is alive. He's been kept in a care facility up until now because he has no memories and no control of One for All. Icy Hot and I were out in charge of his safety and Four eyes owns the facility he was housed in. Last week, a bitch saw him in my memories, and somehow got that information to someone else. So, yesterday, after you told me that there are people talking about him, I had gone to the facility, picked him up and brought him to a safe-house. This morning, we were attacked, I took him to Aizawa, then called in Shitty hair to take him somewhere safe so I could shake our trail."

Ochako stared at him slack-jawed, tears building in her eyes. She shook her head, sitting up straight. "No... there's no way... he- he couldn't have-"

"He's alive, Cheeks," Katsuki muttered, looking down to the busy street below. "And I have to keep it that way..."

~

Izuku couldn't stand it. He could not stand being apart from Katsuki a moment longer. Three days with Eijirou and having to sneak time on the television was driving him crazy. Each day, the news with Katsuki on it, fighting more and more villains was making Izuku go insane.

So he waited. Eijirou made dinner early, so he scarfed his food down and quickly excused himself to bed.

He locked the door behind himself and pulled on his tennis shoes. Izuku crawled out of the window, flicking up the hood of his jacket before darting around the side of the house and towards the street.

He just needs to figure out where he is and how to get to the city...

~

Katsuki panted heavily, crawling into the back of the car, barely able to slam the door shut before the driver tore off down the street. "Fuck- Dunce-face!"

"Sorry, they're hot on our tail, Bakugou!" Denki spun the wheel, hind tires drifting as Katsuki clung to the door and the edge of the seat for dear life.

"If I knew you'd drive like this, I would have just fucking blasted myself above the city!"

Denki just laughed, shaking his head.

Katsuki grit his teeth, looking out behind them. "Fucking hell..."

Both men jumped as Katsuki's phone rang. He pulled off his glove with his teeth, reaching into his pocket and his eyes widened, heart lurching at the caller ID. He answered quickly. "Kirishima, what the fuck!? Why the fuck are you calling me-"

"Midoriya is missing!"

Katsuki's breath caught, glancing back to the villians following. "What..? What do you mean!? How is he missing!"

"I don't know! He just- we had dinner, he went to bed and I cleaned up! I went to check on him, but the door was locked! I had to break it and he wasn't in there! He went out the window! Fuck- I think he's trying to find you!"

"Damnit!" Katsuki kicked the dash, gripping his phone. "Fucking find him and lock him up, damnit! If anyone recognizes him, we're fucked!"

"I know, I know! I'm looking right now, but I don't know which direction he went or how long ago he left!" Eijirou inhaled sharply, Katsuki practically able to feel his stress through the phone. "Fuck, fuck, I shouldn't have let him go to bed- fuck!"

Katsuki grit his teeth, grasping the door handle. "Just find him, Kirishima. I'll do everything on my end to keep these assholes here and distracted. Once you find him, take him someplace new. Somewhere you'll have constant eyes on him and he can't crawl out a Goddamn window."

"Got it. I'll shoot a text once I find him."

"Don't-!" The line cut out before Katsuki could argue, shouting and throwing his phone on the floor.

"Who the fuck is missing!? Who are we supposed to be hiding," Denki shouted, panic now lacing his voice and paling his cheeks as he gripped the wheel so tight his knuckles changed color.

Katsuki bit into his nail, leg bouncing. "Don't fuckin' worry about it. All you gotta know is no one can fucking find him."

"Is this about that secret person you were with!? Bakugou, what the fuck-"

"Shut up and drive, Kaminari!"

~

Katsuki spirled through the air, his explosions propelling him easily. He collided with the villian pinning them to the asphalt. "Fuck-" He hissed, arm scraping across the ground. He whipped out his cuffs slapping them on the villian before pulling them out of the street.

He panted, rubbing his forehead with the back of his glove. He turned, then froze.

No, there's no way. He couldn't have gotten here.

"Bakugou-" He gasped and ran across the road.

"Shit-" Katsuki shucked off his gauntlets and darted towards him, throwing his arms around Izuku as the younger crashed into him. "What the fuck- what the fuck are you doing!? You're supposed to be with Kirishima!" He pulled the hood over Izuku's head, hiding him in his own chest as he hurried them across the street and into the closest building.

"It's Thursday, Bakugou..."

Katsuki halted and looked down to wide, watery viridian eyes. His jaw clenched and he pulled Izuku back into an embrace. "You're so fucking reckless... you're going to get yourself killed out here..."

Izuku nuzzled into him, gripping him tightly. "I needed to see you... the news was awful, all those villains chasing you because of me..."

"Yeah, they're all just coming out of the woodwork," Katsuki grumbled, looking out the window. "Izuku, you shouldn't be here-"

"No, don't send me away!" Katsuki startled at the outburst and the way Izuku held onto him with all his strength. Big, desperate eyes looked up to him. "Please..."

Katsuki grabbed Izuku's shoulders and pushed him back. "Izuku, it is too dangerous. You have no memories and no control over your quirk. The villians will just eat that shit up and take you out in a fucking heart beat. I have the advantage of them thinking I am the only one who knows where you are, so they won't kill me, at least."

Izuku swallowed hard, fighting back the tears in his eyes and biting his lip to prevent it from trembling too much. "I want to help... I can't just sit back and hide anymore..."

"How can you help without your quirk, dumbass!?"

"I don't know-"

"Exactly!" Katsuki turned Izuku around and pushed him deeper into the building. "I need you to hide in here and wait for Kirishima. I'll let him know you're here and he'll take you some place safe, alright?"

"No!" Izuku gasped and struggled, flinching as he's pushed down behind a counter. "Kacchan, please!"

Katsuki froze up once more, stomach twisting and heart skipping. "What did you say..?"

Izuku grasped Katsuki's shirt tightly. "Kacchan... please, I want to be with you," he pleased quietly, tears slipping down his cheeks.

Slowly, Katsuki crouched in front of him, taking his hand. "Izuku-"

"Deku. You used to call me that, right? Call me Deku."

Katsuki's teeth grit together painfully, squeezing Izuku's hand between his own. "I need to stay here. I need to protect you by staying here and fighting. It is my job as the number one. Your job right now, is to stay hidden and safe until you can control your quirk again so you can fight by my side as a hero like you used to..."

Izuku whimpered and sobbed, holding onto Katsuki.

"I know how you are. You also can't just sit idly by while others protect you, but I need you to. Just this time, alright?" Katsuki reached over, stroking Izuku's hair back, knocking the hood off his head. "Once I can, I'll find you, and we'll start training your quirk right away."

Nodding, Izuku's eyes pinched shut. "Okay..."

Katsuki sighedand stood, letting Izuku's hand slip from his own. "Be safe, Izuku..."

"I will..."

~

This is too much. There are too many and he can't get a damn break.

"Come on!" Katsuki bellowed, arms sore and aching, but held up in his battle stance. His legs trembled, muscles throbbing from overuse.

The lights from fires were the only source as the dark clouds blocked the moon and stars, rain pelting the earth.

Katsuki heaved for breath, his comrades standing behind him as the villians charged.

He's beginning to think that maybe he won't make it. Maybe this is what does him in. It's nearly done him in in the past. Protecting Izuku can be Katsuki's biggest fault.

And all the poor heros surrounding him have no idea why exactly they're fighting all these villians for someone who's supposed to be dead. They don't understand they are also protecting Izuku.

Katsuki shouted as he collided with a building. He hit the ground, wheezing with the breath knocked out of him.

Stars flew across his vision, groaning lowly as he reached for his aching ribs. As a villian approached, Katsuki wasn't sure he had enough strength left for an explosion to even affect his attacker.

"The great Dynamight..." The villian grinned, stomping his heavy boot on Katsuki's chest, forcing a ragged cough out of him. "Dirt beneath my feet. What has become of the number one so soon? I'll hold your head up for the world to see. That will surely draw out your hidden hero."

Katsuki gnashed his teeth together, gripping the man's ankle. "If it wakes him up from his nap six-feet under, you go right ahead, prick!" He spat, wincing as he tasted his own blood on his tongue.

The villian scowled, lifting his foot off to grab Katsuki's shirt and yank him up like a ragdoll. Katsuki gasped, attempting to grab onto the man with weak sparks flying from his palms before he was thrown to the street, knocking over another hero in the process.

Heaving, Katsuki trembled as he tried to push himself up, seeing he was thrown into Tsykuyomi. "Fuck," he hissed as his fellow hero also tried getting himself up.

A boot in his side sent him flying back to the floor with a yell in agony. He could feel the way his ribs snapped at the contact, tears stinging his eyes. Katsuki panted, breath rattling in his lungs and vision blurry.

"Such a great hero taken down by a nobody, and for nothing. All you have to do is tell me where he is, and you'll live."

Katsuki turned a sharp glare up to him, arms trembling beneath his own weight. "I told you... six feet under..."

The man scowled. "Mm... pity. I had hoped to fight you at full strength one day."

Katsuki didn't dare close his eyes as the boot was swung towards him again. He wouldn't dare show fear towards such a low-life.

~

Izuku only saw Katsuki hit the ground. He saw the villain towering over him in the rain, kicking him to the ground again and again. He saw Katsuki unable to fight back, weak and broken, and Izuku felt a spark.

As the villian left Katsuki, bleeding onto the street, Izuku broke into a dead run, tears and rain burning his eyes.

"Katsuki! Katsuki!" He cried jumping over debris and falling to his knees beside the blond, ignoring Eijirou as he was chased. "Kacchan, hey!" He grabbed Katsuki and groaned as he lifted him up, sobbing as the man's head fell limp over his arm. "Hey, hey, hey! Wake up! Look at me! Please, look at me!"

His only response was weak wheezes of breaths, the only real indicator of life in Katsuki. Izuku sobbed, holding him tightly and pulling him closer.

"That's him!"

"There he is!"

"Grab him!"

Izuku pulled Katsuki closer, frantic eyes looking around. Shocked, bewildered faces of unfamiliar heros, and pleased, crazed faces of villains.

"Stay back," he muttered as villians crept closer or began to sprint towards him. He muttered it again and again, tears and rain staining his face, Katsuki's blood pooling onto his clothes.

Sparks lit inside himself and he carefully set Katsuki down. He stood, body beginning to tremble with energy, winding and sparking and twisting, thrashing and begging to be released.

One villian got just a little too close.

"STAY BACK!" He screamed, body jerking and the band around his wrist snapping.

Energy released, green lightening and black whips surrounded him and the wave of energy shot the villains back.

"Stay away from him," Izuku cried, launching into the fray. Whips snapped out, yanking villains from the air. Lightening crackled around him, aiding his speed and strength as he grabbed two villains and threw them into their own comrades.

All he could think as he fought was to keep Katsuki safe. Just keep him safe, and he understood now just how Katsuki felt...

~

Katsuki gasped deeply as he woke, fingers curling into the hospital bedsheets as his eyes snapped open. He swallowed, mouth dry, and licked his lips. He blinked several times in an attempt to get his eyes to focus.

He panted softly, head fuzzy and heavy. His entire body felt fuzzy and heavy.

"Kacchan..?"

The soft voice had his attention snapping to the person seated beside him. Big, hopeful eyes looked to him and two careful hands encased his. "Kacchan, hey, it's okay... you're in the hospital... the fight is over..."

Katsuki stared at him, then his eyes widened. "You're hurt-" He rasped, then coughed. "Why are you hurt- why are you here!? Where the fuck is Kirishima-"

"I remember, now."

Crimson eyes snapped back to meet viridian. Izuku swallowed and scooted closer as he drew Katsuki's hand to his chest. "I couldn't leave you there, Kacchan... I came back, and... I saw you on the ground... and I remembered everything. Everyone knows I'm alive and I know who I am..." He smiled carefully, reaching up to stroke Katsuki's hair back out of his face.

Katsuki blinked a few times, noting that Izuku indeed was not wearing the bracelet anymore. "You remember..?"

Izuku smiled wider and nodded. "Yeah... everything, Kacchan... and I can't believe I managed to fall in love with you twice in my life..."

His breath caught in his throat as he looked to Izuku, gripping his hand. "Love..?" His voice cracked pitifully.

Nodding, Izuku stroked his thumb along Katsuki's jaw. "All those Thursdays you came to me... I was in love before I knew it. You were safe, familiar and caring. I got a side of you no one else got to see, and I was in love with it. And before, I had always loved you, Kacchan. I loved every side of you. I still do."

Katsuki stared up at him. "Izuku..."

"I can fight beside you again, now... You don't have to keep protecting me, I can help protect you, too." Izuku leaned over, resting their foreheads together. "Please, Kacchan..."

Tears in his eyes, Katsuki pinched them shut and reached with his free hand. He tangled his fingers in Izuku's unruly hair, holding him tight. "You ever fucking leave me like that again, I'll fucking kill you..."

Izuku smiled and laughed softly, squeezing Katsuki's hand. "I promise, Kacchan... I won't do it again..."

-----

16696 words

THIS TOOK ME MONTHS AND I HAVE BEEN RUSHING THIS LAST WEEK TO GET THIS FINISHED BECAUSE CHAPTER 362 SPOILERS ARE EVERYWHERE AND I CANT READ IT AND IM SCARED SO I RUSHED THIS OUT TO FEEL BETTER AND I DONT FEEL BETTER I AM SCARED SO PLEASE ENJOY AND DONT SPOIL BECAUSE I CANT READ 362 UNTIL TOMORROW