Die for you - Katsuki Bakugou

Aftermath

"She'll be fine, she just needs to rest her wings up for a few days and she be back to her usual self in no time," one of the healers said to the pair of them, shooting them a small smile, the healer's reassurance did little to quell Bakugou's inner turmoil, "and these burns on her arms should be gone in a few days, luckily we were able to heal them so quickly otherwise they might have scared. 

Bakugou's eyebrows furrowed at her words. He looked down at her arms which had some pretty bad burns on them. He felt physically sick to his stomach as he looked at the burns. The burns that he had caused. He couldn't shake the guilt he felt over the burns on her arms caused by his own explosions.

Akira saw the turmoil on his face and tried to comfort him. "It's not your fault, Kats," she whispered, reaching out to touch his arm gently. 

He turned away from her, hiding the vulnerability that briefly flickered in his eyes. "I know that. If I hadn't used my explosions back there, we would have been consumed by that thing. It was necessary," he spat, but his self-reproach was palpable. His tone and words portrayed something completely different to what he was actually feeling. He had hurt her, and he hated it. 

"Alright, kids, you're free to go," the healers finally announced. Akira thanked Deku once more, genuinely grateful for his timely intervention before she and Bakugou began making their way to her house, resuming their interrupted journey.

As they walked in companionable silence, Bakugou's thoughts were consumed with one thing: getting stronger. He had to protect Akira, not just from villains like the sludge monster, but from any harm that might come her way. He was determined to become the number one hero not just for his own ambition, but to shield her from danger and keep her safe.

He glanced at her as they walked, her wings folded and resting, her eyes bright despite the exhaustion. His heart swelled with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite put into words, but he knew one thing for sure - he would do whatever it took to be her shield, her protector, and the strength she needed.

As they walked in companionable silence, the events of the day replayed in Akira's mind. She couldn't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and concern towards Bakugou. Gratitude for his fierce protection during the fight, and concern for the toll it took on him. She knew he often masked his emotions behind a tough exterior, but today, she caught a glimpse of the vulnerability that lay beneath.

"You really went all out back there, Kats," she said softly, breaking the silence as they neared a park. "You didn't have to fight so recklessly for me."

Bakugou huffed, avoiding her gaze. "Tch, don't get all sentimental on me. I just did what I had to do to get you out of that mess."

Akira smiled warmly, "And I'm grateful, really. But remember, we're a team. You don't have to carry everything on your own."

He shot her a sideways glance, his expression softening just a fraction. "Yeah, yeah, I know that. But I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt because of me."

"Hey," she gently nudged his shoulder, "We're in this together, right? I trust you, Kats. We've got each other's backs."

Bakugou grumbled something unintelligible, but there was a faint hint of a smile on his lips. "Yeah, yeah, I'll remember that."

As they reached the park, Akira spotted a group of kids playing with a soccer ball. She couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia, remembering the times when she used to play with her friends before her wings developed. They tried playing again after that, but she would always end up accidentally hitting someone with her wings. Bakugou noticed the wistful look in her eyes.

"What are you staring at?" he asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

"Just some kids playing soccer," she replied, her gaze still fixed on the joyful scene.

A playful smirk crept onto Bakugou's face. "Wanna join them?" he teased.

Akira laughed softly, "As much as I'd love to, I think I'll have to pass with these wings." She motioned towards her delicate, but currently injured wings.

Bakugou's grin widened, "Yeah, yeah, whatever, icy pole. One day, we will find people who arent gonna stop playing with us just cause they get hit with your wings. They were a bunch of cissy's anyways."

Akira ginned widely. "That sounds amazing," she admitted, not being able to help it as she silently prayed that he was right.

The two continued strolling through the park, occasionally exchanging playful banter and laughing together. As they walked side by side, Akira felt an overwhelming sense of comfort in Bakugou's presence. Despite his gruff exterior, she knew he was someone she could always count on.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the city, Akira felt a sense of contentment she hadn't experienced in a long time. She glanced at Bakugou, his strong and determined profile illuminated by the sunset. He might have his rough edges, but she knew he was someone special.

"Hey, Katsuki," she said softly, catching his attention. "Thank you for everything today. You're a great friend."

His initial reaction was a scowl, but it softened as he met her gaze. "Yeah, well, don't expect me to go around saving you all the time."

Akira chuckled, "I won't, but I know I can always count on you."

He grumbled something under his breath, but a hint of a smile lingered on his lips. "Yeah, well, same goes for you, idiot."

With the sunset casting a warm glow on their backs, they knew they had each other to rely on in a world filled with challenges and uncertainties.

And so they walked on, facing whatever the future held, knowing that together, they were an unshakable team. Little did they know that their journey had only just begun, and the adventures they would share were destined to be extraordinary, bound together by the unbreakable bonds of friendship, love and trust.