The Proximation of Hello and Goodbye

40

Within the past week, Shinobu has been properly processed and put into custody in Tartarus. Additionally notable, the legislature concerning hero work has been done away with. They're still working on finding all of the people that worked in Shinobu's ranks and on his behalf. It's a tedious task, but they aren't nearly as much a threat as their leader was. If they aren't found now, they will be eventually. It almost feels like a distant memory with the way that things have moved so smoothly after Shinobu's arrest. Granted, they all still have paperwork and reports to finish, everything feels like it's gone back to normal. Well, almost.

Katsuki rests his head on the edge of Izuku's bed. His eyes are closed, but his ears are rather attentive, as to make sure no one gets the drop on him. He refuses to let anyone in this room unless he knows they're not a threat. That's a very short list, too. Even the doctors and nurses are walking thin lines, one step out of line and he swears this whole hospital will go up in flames. Izuku's been in the same bed, in the same room, unconscious in a fitful sleep for a week now. He has yet to leave his side. Even Inko had to leave for a couple of days to go grab some things when she found out it might be a while before her son was released.

He starts at the sound of the door opening, snapping his attention toward the only door to see who dares to enter the room without so much as a knock. He relaxes at the sight of a beat-up Eijiro making his way into the room. His arm is still bandaged completely despite some of the doctors' and healers' best efforts, but at least he's awake and feeling like himself. Katsuki feels tears stinging at the backs of his eyes again. He hates this. He's always on edge, it's never been like this. He has no way of knowing if Izuku will really be okay because of some slight complications that occurred during his surgery. He scoffs and looks away from his best friend, setting his attention on the sleeping man beside him. Why can't I do anything? Why am I so helpless when I've never wanted power more than I do now?

His hand wanders across the sheets, gently resting itself over Izuku's. Tears begin to spill onto his cheeks, helping him to further expel some of the tension from his body. He feels Eijiro's hand resting on his shoulder and he seems to crumble beneath it. "What do you want?" He asks, his eyes never leaving Izuku.

Eijiro remains silent for a moment, his grip on his shoulder becoming snugger. He sighs, "I think you need some rest, man. This can't be good for you."

"I don't care what's good for me. I'm not leaving him," he sniffles.

"Come on, Bakugo. You've got to know he'd want you to be okay, too. I'm sure he'll understand if you went home and took a nap and got a shower. You need a break. This is... it's tearing you to pieces," he explains softly, his hand slipping away from Katsuki's shoulder. "Even Sho went home for a few hours before I woke up. It'll be okay."

"No."

"Please. You need—"

Katsuki growls, "What part of 'no' are you not understanding? Or are you just stupid?"

Eijiro winces at the harsh remark, "Bakugo." His voice is filled with hurt. Sure, Katsuki's retort hurt a little, but it was rather mild to some things he'd said before. What bothers him more is knowing that his best friend, his brother, is hurting. "If you're worried about him waking up while you're gone—"

Katsuki cuts him off again, "That's not it." His fists clench, rage, and regret coursing through his entire body. Those images flash like homing beacons in his mind— the light leaving Izuku's eyes as he came to his senses, the way he crumpled to the ground, the tears cutting trails through the grime on his face, the knife in his chest, and the way he fell limp in his arms when his eyes closed. He remembers desperately trying to get him to stay awake, only to fail. He hasn't seen them open ever since. He's sure that the worst of it is over. But, even so... "If I couldn't protect him from only a meter away, what the hell makes you think I'd be able to protect him from my shower on the other side of town?"