Chapter 34

The dreadful beeping of a heart monitor and shallow, steady breaths were the only sounds that could be heard within white walls. Katsuki sat there, unmoving as he counted each heartbeat. Dark circles colored the skin under his tired eyes, refusing to get some much needed sleep.

After Midnight's quirk had worn off, he had woken up in a hospital bed, arms and legs strapped down. Different parts of his body was covered in bandages, and his muscles felt sore. But that wasn't important to him. He had to see Izuku.

He had trashed around on his bed, tugging harshly at the straps that confined him. He would shout profanities, demanding someone to let him go. Only then did Aizawa and Recovery Girl made their appearance.

To say that Katsuki was enraged by Aizawa's presence was an understatement. He held the pro hero accountable for Izuku's injuries, and the mere sight of him made him want to explode. But, obviously, the homeroom teacher had already expected such reaction, so the moment Katsuki's eyes landed on him, he activated his quirk with a tired sigh.

"Midoriya fell on a temporary coma. His condition is stable, but that might change once he wakes up. The bullet that hit him was one meant to destroy quirks, but it's like his quirk is resisting those effects. Because of that, his healing is going slower than usual."

Katsuki listened intently to Recovery Girl's words, not even caring that Aizawa was using his quirk against him. He breathed heavily, taking in the situation at hand.

"We will allow you to see him, but only if you remain calm and collected. Two things that seem to be nearly impossible for you," Aizawa declared, giving the blond a stern gaze.

Katsuki sneered at him, glaring holes into his skull. "Yet it's so easy for you when one of your students gets almost killed!"

Aizawa narrowed his eyes, but chose to say nothing. He knew that talking sense into the boy would be like speaking to a brick wall. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he deactivated his quirk. "Be mad at me all you want, it still won't change Midoriya's condition."

"He wouldn't even be in that condition if you would have just—!!"

"Why did he get shot in the first place?!" Aizawa snapped, glaring at Katsuki. The blond glared back, but kept his mouth shut, grinding his teeth together. This made his teacher scoff, shaking his head. "If you would've listened to me, we wouldn't be in this predicament!"

"Enough, you two!" Recovery Girl snapped, smacking Aizawa on the back of the head with her cane. "You can keep bickering all your want after Bakugo has recovered. Meanwhile, leave my student alone."

The old lady proceeded to release Katsuki from the straps that held him down, giving the blond a small nod. "It is clear that Bakugo cares for Midoriya, so I trust he would not purposely do anything to hurt the kid."

Suddenly, Katsuki felt more respect for the lady. Whether because she smacked his teacher with her walking stick or basically scolded the man, he didn't know. Hell, probably both!

Once his wrists and ankles were set free, he rubbed the sore spot over his bandages. His muscles felt sore and some parts of his body stung, making him hiss slightly. He stretched, hearing satisfying cracks that somewhat relaxed his stiff body. Although he knew that wouldn't last for long.

"You must keep your IV on at all times, you may take the IV pole with you. Once the bag runs out, make sure to notify me so that I can replace it," Recovery Girl instructed as he stood up. Katsuki nodded once, watching as she gave him and Aizawa a stern look before retreating.

Katsuki was a little wobbly on his feet, which made him wonder just for how long he had been out cold. With furrowed brows, he turned to Aizawa. "How long has it been?"

"Eighteen hours," the raven haired man responded, heading towards the door. "Follow me."

Without another word, the pro hero walked out of Katsuki's assigned room. The blond followed him with a scowl, pulling the IV pole next to him as he tried to walk as steady as possible. He could feel his body aching in protest, but his mind was set on seeing Izuku. So, he pushed every ounce of pain he felt to the back of his mind and followed the tired man through white halls.

His chest felt tight the moment Aizawa stopped in front of a door. It didn't take a genius to notice they were in the intensive care unit area of the hospital. The place smelled strictly of disinfectant and other chemicals, doctors and nurses walking up and down the halls with clipboards on their hands and surgical masks over their mouths.

With a heavy sigh, the raven haired man opened the door, handing him a surgical mask and stepping inside, Katsuki hesitating in the slightest before going after him. The moment his eyes landed on the greenette, his breath hitched. The amount of bandages that covered Izuku's body made him look like a mummy—the only thing uncovered being his head. A ventilator rested over his mouth and nose, the clear material fogging over with each breath he took.

He looked...dead. His skin was sickly pale, making his freckles stand out. The usual unruly curls that laid atop his head seemed almost flat. His right arm was completely wrapped in a cast; bruises and scratches littered whatever skin was visible. It made Katsuki feel sick.

"He had to undergo immediate surgery to remove the bullet that had latched into his right abdomen. Thankfully it didn't hit any vital organs and the surgery turned out successful," Aizawa commented on a low tone, as if to not disturb the greenette.

"What the old lady said earlier...about the effects...will he lose his quirk?" Katsuki asked in a whisper, a knot forming at the back of his throat. The mere thought of it happening scared him to death. That the bullet was aimed at him, but Izuku was the one to receive it. He couldn't forgive himself for letting it happen. How could he?

"Toshinori filled me in on his...case," Aizawa sighed, taking a seat. "Midoriya is being monitored continously. Since One for All is a quirk that can't be taken by force, neither can it be destroyed. Studies show his quirk is constantly fighting the effects of the bullet. Because of it, his health is beginning to deteriorate."

"What?!" Katsuki hissed. "But I thought that he was stable?!"

"For now," Aizawa reminded with a frown. "Thanks to the advanced technology and medicine, the doctors are able to keep him stable. An antidote is being worked on as we speak, hopefully it won't take longer than a week for it to be done."

Katsuki stayed silent, slowly walking over to the nearest seat next to Izuku. He sat down, hand letting go of his IV pole to run it through his disheveled hair. His mind took in the information, processing it at a snail's pace. His heart felt heavy the longer things dawned on him. Aizawa stared at him sadly, sympathizing with the broken teen.

"His internal battle is taking a toll on both, his physical and mental health. He has gone through traumatic phases in his life, and what happened yesterday ought to be an addition to the list. We don't know what might happen once he wakes up," the pro hero said sadly. The greenette might be a pain in the ass, but he still cared for him deeply. Seeing the unconscious boy in such state caused several emotions to swirl inside the seemingly indifferent man.

"Where's the old hag?" Katsuki questioned quietly after a moment. His eyes wouldn't leave Izuku's limp form on the hospital bed.

"She is going over some paperwork regarding Izuku's health. Since she is his adoptive mother and he is unconscious, she's the one that must allow whatever treatment the boy needs," Aizawa explained, not even bothering in scolding Katsuki for calling his mother that way.

Katsuki nodded once, knowing that his mother would make an appearance anytime soon. He was certain that she would be extremely worried for them both. She loved Izuku as if he were her own, even more so after Inko's death—that she gave him shelter. The news must have been devastating for her.

The two went silent, Katsuki starting at his comatose boyfriend while Aizawa stared at him. He obviously knew about their relationship. After the stunt that the blond had pulled that one day on the school's cafeteria, basically everyone knew. The raven haired teacher could see how much he greenette meant to him. He could see how bad he tried to contain the tears that threatened to spill.

So, without another word, Aizawa stood up. He decided it was time to give him space and let him grieve. The blond had so much to take in, and Aizawa was sure that he was hurting inside. Katsuki needed to let go of the façade he was holding up, but he wouldn't do that with him in the room. So, he left so the boy could finally break.

The moment the door had shut behind his teacher, a shaky breath left Katsuki's mouth. The tears he so desperately held in were finally let loose as a sob broke through. His body trembled, hands clutching the fabric of his hospital gown. It became hard to breathe with the surgical mask over his mouth and nose, but he couldn't stop the tears from coming.

"You fucking idiot," Katsuki sobbed, his voice breaking. "You're such a fucking idiot, dammit!"

He wiped at his eyes furiously, burying his face in his hands.

"I was supposed to save you! Fuck! I could have dodged the bullet, I knew it was coming!" Katsuki hissed through tears. "You didn't have to jump in, but you fucking did! Y-you ended up here b-because of me."

Footsteps rushed towards him, arms embracing him in a tight hug. The familiar scent of Mitsuki's perfume invaded his nostrils, which made him cry even harder. It didn't matter how much they bickered and got on each other's nerves, she would always bring him comfort during hard days. He could always go home to her, and she would always welcome him with open arms.

"I was supposed to save you, not the other way around," Katsuki whispered brokenly to a greenette he knew couldn't listen to him. He didn't know for how long he cried, but the entire time his mother held him without uttering a single word.

Seconds turned to minutes, and minutes turned to hours. Mitsuki left him clean clothes for him to change into before she left. Katsuki would only move from his spot to use the bathroom, but other than that he was mostly motionless. Doctors and nurses would try to get him to his own room, but they were met with threatening glares and sneers. He knew that he was breaking the ICU's rules and regulations, but he couldn't give a fuck.

He would not leave Izuku's side.

Eventually, the hospital staff gave up on trying to move the blond from the room. Not even security could detach him from the greenette. Recovery Girl had come in to change his IV twice and bring him food, threatening the boy into eating. She would allow him to stay in the room with Izuku, but she would definitely not tolerate him not eating.

Fast forward to the current time, where the heartbeat count had finally reached the millionth. The full moon shone brightly through the glass window, cascading shadows over Izuku's resting face. His bangs would fall over his closed eyelids every now and then, and Katsuki would brush them away with a feather-like touch. His fingers would trail down the greenette's temple gently until they rested just above the ventilator.

Rough hands that were wrapped in bandages would treat porcelain skin as if it were the most precious thing they have touched. Afraid it would break under their destructive touch. Afraid it would wither and die like the delicate petal of a rose after not being taken care of.

"I finally have you," Katsuki whispered into the night, eyes glazing over. "Please, don't leave me."