Third person pov

The look on Lillian's face when she saw Hitoshi lying in that hospital bed was Earth-shattering. Bakugo, who'd already brushed his mother and father off with a defiant snarl, had to look away from her pained expression to keep from showing anything on his own face. Aizawa was with her, a nurse fluttering anxiously around him and inspecting his bloodshot eyes. He insisted he was fine and that it was just dry eye, but the woman refused to give up. Probably due to the fact that he'd just saved Japan on national television with a single glance. That would the world out of anyone.

Aizawa did not know what to do or what to think. He wanted nothing more than to take his daughter home and pretend this hadn't happened. That he hadn't found her kneeling on the disjointed ground with the corpse of her classmate. He'd been struck right through the heart with a bullet, and he'd died almost instantly from the blow. It wasn't something he could've survived. Though, Neito begged to differ. He'd been right there. It was obvious the undead blonde was partially blaming himself for the death of Awase. He'd been right there, and he could've bent down and touched him. Brought him back long enough for someone to do something. 

Only that wasn't his job. They were all just kids. Children. They deserved far more than they were getting. Aizawa wanted them all to live normal, happy lives. One's where they could go to the mall with friends, and meet up for lunch out in the town. Walk to and from school alone without fear of something happening, because maybe, maybe the League of Villains would suddenly decide to make a move. They deserved to be normal teenagers-- ones who weren't thrown into life-and-death situations left and right. Ones who didn't have to lost their friends to betrayal. It hurt Shota more than he could express.

"H-Hitoshi?" Lillian hiccuped, her voice cracking in a rather pained manner. The boy had pushed himself defiantly into a sitting position and seemed to have regained some color in his cheeks. He gave Lillian a sad smile, his eyes watering as he drunk the sight of her and Neito in. The blonde boy was being fussed over by a shaky Mihoko, who Lillian had leaned away from to continue gazing at her hospitalized friend. Bakugo's shoulders hunched uncomfortably as her hand slipped from his, and Aizawa held his breath, watching his daughter rush over to where her friend lay. "H-Hitoshi?!"

"Hey, I'm okay. I'm okay." The boy breathed, wrapping his good arm around her and pulling her in with earnest as she panicked at the clear lack of one of his appendages. He took a deep, shuddering breath. Over Lillian's shoulder, he met Aizawa's gaze. The man looked immensely aggrieved, and there was a pleading in his gaze that begged him to help. Somehow. Hitoshi closed his eyes briefly and steadied himself. He could do this. He could be okay for Lillian, and for Neito. They didn't need anymore crying or guilt today. Just... just their friend. "Though it sounds like you've had a pretty shit day."

"I-Izuku, and A-A-Awase-" Lillian was sobbing again before she could stop herself. Everything was a mess. It was all happening so fast, and she was having trouble keeping track of it all. One moment she's being kidnapped with Bakugo, and then being saved. And then she's on a battle field with Awase, and then Izuku is there, and then she feels like she's alone. She can still feel the warmth of Awase's blood seeping from his body and through her clothing, covering her lap and lower stomach. The way his body slowly got colder and colder, and the look in Izuku's eyes. The deafening sounds of buildings crumbling, and-

Hitoshi pulled away from her, eyes steely and warm. The girl locked eyes with him, her breath hitching before it began to decline in its pace. Hitoshi held one of her hands firmly, wishing with all his being his could take the other. Stupid fucking cannibal. At least this proved Hitoshi was a snack. Neito was out of commission, so as depressed and tired as Hitoshi was, he had to take the role of cheering up. Someone had to do it. He'd take one for the team. They'd recover from this. Lillian would bounce back, and so would Neito, and so would Shoto. Things would be alright. Hitoshi was sure they would.

"The summer camp got attacked." Hitoshi started. "Fucking mint."

Lillian blinked at him as he let go of her just to make the OK sign with his fingers. Aizawa's eyebrows shot up at the unexpected turn, and Bakugo actually gave at audible scoff of disbelief. Neito whipped around to glare at him for his troubles. The fact that the blonde was crying probably helped. The fact that Lillian had stopped did as well. The explosive teenager, as aggravated and grieved as he felt, submitted himself to silence and told himself things were fine. Lillian was there, in front of him. She was safe. He just couldn't get the image of her falling through that warp gate out of his head. The idea that she could drop through one at any given moment sent a shiver down his spine.

"We all got separated." Hitoshi continued, looking at Lillian. She made the sign as well, hands shaking so hard it bordered on violent. She wiped at her face with her other hand.

"Fucking mint." They both said once Lillian felt ready to, her voice sputtering, but still coming out nonetheless. She kept her eyes locked on Hitoshi's, and he didn't dare to look away.

"I'm dead!" Neito exclaimed, rushing over. He took things in stride better than the two of them combined. He was convinced he'd be able to find Awase and make him undead. Now that he was out of the horrid situation, he was more pissed than he was traumatized. Izuku's actions were nothing short of traitorous, and his existence no longer meant anything to Neito. The moment that freckled asshat of a bitch showed his face, Neito was going to rip him to absolute pieces for what he did to Lillian. 

"Fucking mint." They all said.

"I lost a hand and can't play a harmonica as well anymore." Hitoshi proclaimed boldly.

"Fucking mint!" They all said, a little louder. Bakugo turned to look at Aizawa, but he didn't seem to have any idea as to what was happening either. Just that Lillian wasn't crying anymore. Bakugo felt something in him level out, and a part of him relaxed. So what if Deku was a piece of shit? So what if he wasn't the same idiot Bakugo had known since they were kids? Fuck him! He was dead to Katsuki anyway! Trying to kill Lillian and being a piece of villain scum to begin with. It was total bullshit. They'd definitely caught him. He'd pay for his crimes, and Bakugo would get every answer to every fucking question he had, no matter what it took.

"I-I almost got hit by an entire building." Lillian said.

"Fucking mint!" They all but screamed. A doctor poked his head in to see what the noise was, but taking a single look at who it was made him turn around and brush it off with ease. No one was about to tell them to quiet down after what they'd just gone through. The nurse who'd been trying to convince Aizawa to seek treatment scurried out after her superior, closing the door softly behind her in a futile attempt to give the other patients on the hall some peace and quiet.

"I'm too gay to function."

"Fucking mint!"

"Being Bi means swinging two ways but now I don't even have two hands."

"Fucking mint!"

"I-It took getting kidnapped and almost killed for me to realize I have feelings for someone." 

"Fucking mint!" The three of them screamed. Katsuki felt his heart rate increase exponentially at Lillian's proclamation, but didn't dare risk a glance at his teacher. He could feel the man's withering glare.

"Awase died for nothing and they won't let me bring him back."

"Fucking mint!"

"Izuku was a two faced bitch."

"Fucking MINT!"

"He broke Shoto's heart which isn't okay."

"FUCKING MINT."

They got progressively louder and more pissed off, but they weren't crying and seemed to be addressing their feelings the best way they knew how. Mihoko certainly wasn't saying anything. In fact, she was smiling, tears of relief dripping from her eyes as she watched the trio. Like she knew this was probably the best possible outcome for a day such as this. Aizawa, gazing at his daughter, felt relief at the sight of her. It was good that she was feeling anger. It was good that her eyes were staring to glow red, and her hair was starting to float. She was getting it out early instead of letting it build. He felt... proud.

Shoto was with Rei and his siblings, as well as Hawks. They were dealing with it for now. The boy hadn't clung to his mother when they got back, surprisingly. For some reason, he'd latched onto Hawks of all people. Perhaps it had been the internship, or maybe he just saw him as someone who was safe. The winged hero hadn't even seen it coming. One moment he was talking to a police officer, and the next he had his arms full of crying teenager. To his credit, the man had taken it in steady stride.

"Are you okay, Bakugo?" Aizawa asked in a low, gruff tone as the meme three continued on with their 'fucking mint.' Whatever that was. The explosive blonde didn't look away from Lillian, but Aizawa could see now that he was actually grinning. His eyes narrowed. Was now the time to worry about boys in relation to his daughter? He needed a nap. Preferably a nap during which Lillian was contained in the same room, also asleep, and very safe. That would be nice. The whole world knew she was his daughter now, and that meant she could be put in danger by his enemies. That made him nervous. With the fall of All Might, things were about to get awry. Not the mention All For One had clearly been targeting her-- potentially with the intent of taking her life. The idea scared him about as much as it angered him.

"Why the fuck wouldn't I be?" Bakugo bit out, smile vanishing. He glared up at his teacher. "If you think I'm upset over Deku, don't kid yourself. He was dead to me the moment he pulled out that fucking gun."

The sound of rushing footsteps caught Aizawa's ears. He turned, as did Bakugo, watching the open door tensely. Lillian, Neito, and Hitoshi had moved on to a new meme nobody could really understand, but at least they were smiling now. Tiredly and not very boldly, but being together clearly had some sort of calming effect. They were all okay. They'd survived! And they deserved to celebrate that, even if just for a moment. Aizawa knew there were rough times ahead. He was just glad they could have right now.

Mic skidded into view, catching himself on the door's frame. He looked at Aizawa, then at Bakugo, and then at Lillian. He saw that she was smiling, despite the bags under her eyes and the tears staining her cheeks.

And then, he let out a wail that rattled the windows. This time, Aizawa couldn't even be mad.

~~~~~~~~~~

Denki Kaminari was not sure what to do with himself. 

His parents rattled on about how UA wasn't capable of caring for him, and about how he'd nearly died, and this and that, and that and this. He couldn't bring himself to listen. As he gazed out the window, clad in his Peggy get up minus the wig, he couldn't help but obsess over the workings of this evening. A lot had happen, and a lot had come to light. Izuku Midoriya, someone he'd considered to be a good friend, and turned out to be a traitor. And Lillian wasn't scary in the way he'd thought she was. She was just Mr. Aizawa's daughter, which explained a lot. No wonder she could be so creepy and intimidating! Her cranberry sprite and chungus quips were ruses. Logical ones? No, not even close. But definitely ruses.

There was also the matter of All Might. His phone had been fried when he and Neito popped off with the mass amounts of electricity-- something he'd never in his life regret doing-- but the radio was turned on low and he could easily make out what it was saying. All Might was retiring, and he had a message for the world. As the reporters were saying, he had pointed his finger to cameras-- to Japan-- and said 'you're next.' Maybe that was meant for the villains, or maybe for the heroes of tomorrow. Either way, it was a heavy message. One Kaminari didn't... didn't know what to do with.

He found himself antsy. Before he left, Lillian and Neito had given him a hug. They cared. They were his classmates, so of course they did. He had never been close to either of them, but he felt like he knew them all of a sudden. It had never occurred to him just how much a situation could bond people. He'd heard of trauma creating unbreakable friendships and connections before, but he hadn't ever put much thought into it when it was brought up. Only now that he was in it was it hitting him.

They pulled into the driveway, with his parents trying to fuss over him and baby him as much as they could. Kaminari felt in a daze as he was hugged by his older sister and cried on by his younger, his mind foggy. It wasn't from quirk overuse. This was... different. He felt like he should be doing something. Making some effort. He wished he was back with Monoma and Lillian and Todoroki. It felt like that was where he belonged right now.

His family wandered inside, trying to drag him along. He insisted he needed a moment of air, and they weren't about to argue. He could tell his parents had questions. They'd definitely seen him on the news, with arcs of electricity shooting towards a villain almost as strong, if not stronger, than All Might himself. That still blew his mind. He had helped face off against a super villain. And though it was with help that they won, they'd still beat him. It was stunning. Absolutely just... amazing.

 A car pulled up to the curb, music bumping away within it. The headlights were nearly blinding as he squinted at it, trying to see who was inside. He didn't have to guess much longer. The windows were soon being rolled down to reveal a rather familiar man with dirty blonde hair and sunglasses. He had a cranberry sprite in one hand, his other on the wheel. He had seen him a few times. He was close with Lillian, Shinso, and Monoma. And he was actually pretty positive Bakugo had interned with him as well. Chad... yeah, he'd helped in trying to grab Lillian, right? 

"Kaminari Denki, or should I call you Peggy?" Chad flicked his sunglasses up. "Just the man I was looking for. Sources say you helped out in Lillian's rescue." 

"U-Um, yes?" Kaminari actually wouldn't mind being called Peggy. Kaminari was scared and sort of weak. He cried a lot and shorted out. But Peggy... Peggy was a fucking badass who could push the limits of their quirk and just generally take on immense challenges normal people wouldn't have the mental strength to otherwise. Like fight super villains alongside the coolest kid in class and a guy from a rivaling class with an amazing amount of confidence and grace.

"I have an offer to make." Chad flipped his sunglasses back on and jerked his head. The back door opened on cue, revealing to him the lanky Nomu that had warned them of the attack, and a little girl with white hair and a horn. She was in a hideous Hawaiian shirt, and had a watergun idly sitting in her lap. "Get in."

"That isn't an offer, fuck nut." Another voice from the passenger's seat spoke. A scarred man leaned forward and into view, looking vaguely familiar but not familiar enough for Kaminari to dwell on it too hard. He was still a bit caught up on the tot in the back with the Nomu. They both had on sunglasses. Everyone but the scarred man did. "We aren't kidnapping him."

"Is it kidnapping if he agrees?" Chad scoffed. "He needs to be brought into the fold. Don't subject yourself to a boring life. Don't you want to be a part of the circle?"

Kaminari found himself nodding before he even realized what he was agreeing too. Chad grinned sharply.

"Good." He said. A phone was tossed at him, and Kaminari barely managed to catch it. "Text your parents. We've got shit to do."

For the first time since everything with All For One started to go down, Kaminari found himself grinning as he hopped in the back seat.

~~~~~~

Shivering. That's the only word Inko could use to describe what was happening to her. She was just... shivering. All over, and in every way. Her emotions seemed to shake, jolting at times like a unsteady ship at sea. Police had come to ask her questions, with Detective Tsukauchi there to detect any lies she may possibly try and tell. With Mitsuki Bakugo there as moral support, she'd given them the honest truth. That she did not know. She'd had no idea this was happening, or that this was like this. And now her son had tried to kill a friend of his. A girl Inko loved dearly. 

Inko was amazing friend with Mihoko and Rei both, and had gotten to know Lillian and the other children of the household by extension. Especially with Izuku dating Shoto, it had been obvious she'd branch out to them. And she'd been so happy. Happier than she had been in years, really! Her son was living his dream, and had so many wonderful friends. Inko had more friends than she'd had in a long time, and was active. She'd begun to lose weight and engage in hobbies that interested her rather than trying to devote herself to a life of constant work.

Where had she gone wrong? When had it all started to go down hill? She scrambled for answers, trying to figure out how and when her precious little boy had become this. The Izuku she knew wouldn't pull a gun on a close friend. He wouldn't pull a gun on anyway! Her son was a light in this dark world. He was determined to diminish evil from this world, not bring it forth. She didn't... she didn't get it. He'd gotten hurt at the USJ more than any of his classmates! Shigaraki had sought him out specifically in the mall! Izuku had made so many friends, and was living his dream. Training under All Might, dating someone he claimed to love. So... so what happened?

Now, Inko was terrified. She had just lost her son. He'd been taken into custody, and though they'd already said she couldn't see him just yet, she wasn't sure she could bear to even if she was allowed. She was too distraught, and now deathly afraid of losing the relationships she held so dear. Her loved ones were everything to Inko. As someone who didn't have a lot of family and had never had many friends, she cherished who she had. Lillian, who would help out in the kitchen. Hitoshi, who could remember things she couldn't with ease and never failed to remind her. Neito, who complimented her with flourish. Shoto, who always engaged her in small talk. 

She loved them all. Mihoko was a strong woman who knew how to get what she wanted, and who cared fiercely for all her children. Rei had pulled herself back up from the pits of despair and made every effort to right her wrongs and escape her past. Mitsuki had been there for her since high school, never failing to stay in contact with her and keep her company when she needed it most. This was her family. Her everything! And now she felt like it was slipping away alongside her baby. God, her little boy!

"Go on." Mitsuki encouraged. They stood outside the door of Hitoshi Shinso. The sun was setting, but Bakugo had texted saying that Lillian still wasn't ready to leave, and neither was Neito. That essentially meant Bakugo wasn't going anywhere either. So, Mitsuki was going to hang around. The woman wouldn't dream of leaving Inko stranded and alone anyway. Without her son, she felt lost. Just knowing he'd done something so terrible made her utterly sick to her stomach. Guilt gnawed at her as Mitsuki opened the door. 

Inko couldn't stop crying as several pairs of eyes turned to look at her, some damp from their own tears. Lillian seemed to have just calmed down from crying, and was sitting by Hitoshi's bed with Mic in a chair pushed right up against hers. Bakugo lingered against the wall directly behind her, not looking ready to move. Aizawa was passed out in a chair with his arms crossed over his chest. Mihoko was sitting on the other side of Hitoshi's bed alongside Neito while Hajime checked over his son to make sure he was in tip-top shape. The room was crowded, and there wasn't room for anyone who wasn't wanted.

Inko opened her mouth to say something. Anything would've done-- an apology, a plea, an explanation of some sort. But all that choked its way to the surface was a sob, and soon she was breaking down all over again.

She hadn't expected any sort of affection from them. She didn't feel she deserved it, after all that had happened. To her utter and complete surprise, Lillian was the one to stand first. Mihoko was soon after, but everyone else seemed at a loss as to what they were supposed to do. But Lillian, the biggest victim of this all right next to Awase, walked over to her. Inko fully expected a slap or perhaps a shout. But not a hug, no. She never would've in any scenario expected a hug.

"I-It's okay." Lillian choked out, squeezing her. Inko squeezed her eyes shut and tried to will the pain way. "W-We don't... W-We don't k-k-know either."

Inko hugged back, and they both cried. And the green-haired woman thought maybe... maybe Mitsuki Bakugo was right. Maybe it would all be okay. Not today, and not tomorrow. Not next week, and probably not the week after. But eventually. And right now, eventually was more than enough.

~

Art!

This amazing piece of digital art is by Insomni! We rarely get any Bakugo x Lillian art in here so I really appreciate it. It's absolutely amazing, so thank you so much for taking the time to draw it! The illustration must've taken hours! 

Turtle-OPS drew and illustrated this after bingeing the entire book. I'm so glad you liked it enough to make art for it. I love your style and especially how you did her eyes! Thanks so much for this. I absolutely love it.

_FireGames_ did this absolutely stunning piece! I absolutely love it. The background and the way it melds with each side of her just-- UGH I LOVE IT! Thank you so much!!!! This is just completely stunning. Seeing both sides is awesome.

I love metaruinku's style so much! Thanks for doing these sketches.  I really love how you drew Lillian. The second one especially is super cute, while the first one really captures her anger! You're really good at expressions no cap. So legit, thanks for these!

*Inhales*

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

AreinYuni is back at it again. I cannot express how much I adore her style. This time I stg she has absolutely outdone herself. Look at this Chad, everyone. I love it so much. Everytime she draws something for me I feel a little piece of my soul come back to life. Thank you so much for this. Your style is nothing short of stunning. 

H_Mathian, aka my LITERAL child you guys I'm not kidding I chopped off an arm and she grew from it, has drawn this amazing Chad. Literally she is so good at art and I'm so proud. Thank you for this so much Sticker you're the best and I love you <3

HiiroXentral has one of the cutest art styles I've ever seen. With all the recent Lillian angst, she couldn't resist. Thank you so much for this amazing sketch. I love it so much no cap, and you never fail to capture her perfectly. I love how you draw her, so thank you a million times over. 

fictitiouss_, the Chungus gets what the Chungus wants. Thank you for drawing and illustrating this masterpiece. I love your style and admire how absolutely terrifying Lillian looks in this. This would make anyone quiver, Kaminari included. You also got her hair on point so thank you for that! 

Also I'm merging into territory where I don't remember whether or not I've posted something so if I've double-posted some of your art, I apologize. My brain is that of a goldfish's. 

LillianBee has drawn and illustrated this and ahhHH IT'S ADORABLE???? I literally love this style so much and I'm not sure why. Her hair is hella accurate too, and I love the expression on her face. It's super hard to capture nerves on a face but you did it perfectly. Thank you so much for this!

SCREAM GUYS IT HAPPENED SOMEONE ACCURATELY CAPTURED CHAD IN ALL HIS GLORY THIS IS AS ABSOLUTELY ON POINT AS IT GETS THIS IS EXACTLY HOW I PICTURE IT AND-

*Inhales*

min_jau16, I cannot thank you enough for these two sketches. The first one is absolutely stunning. You've got the whole squad in there and I just adore it. Your style is amazing and your anatomy is so on point. I'm sort of having a seizure over here. And the second one just??? Blew my mind too??? Thank you so much for these. I've never seen Chad captured so perfectly before. I don't know how you got him and the meme squad's personalities captured in a drawing but you did so thank you so much!