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Beep.
Beep.
Beep. Beep.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Ugh. Katsuki groans, lifting a hand to shut off whatever fucking stupid noise woke him up.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“Shud ’p.” He grumbles. Ugh, his mouth feels disgusting.
“You awake, brat?” Fingers card themselves into Katsuki’s hair. Another eases his arm back down, away from the loud noise.
“Ma?” He blinks his eyes open, fighting against the heaviness there.
“Yeah, brat. Dad’s here too.”
Blinking against what light enters the room he finds himself in, Katsuki is finally able to make out his parents on either side of him. Glancing around further he’s able to discern he’s laid up in a hospital bed.
Ahhh. The beeping was from the stupid monitor he was attached to. An alarm signaling something was happening to his body that shouldn’t be.
He licks his lips, trying to wet his mouth, “C’n we shud it off?”
“The nurses will come in.” His dad tells him, “They’ve been monitoring you closely since the surgery.” Despite the soft smile his dad wears, Katsuki can still see the fear and worry behind those eyes.
Shit.
“Dad,” Katsuki chokes, but his father just shakes his head and joins his mom in threading fingers through his hair, giving a slight scratch on the way down just like Katsuki likes.
“It’s alright, baby. It’s okay. You’re okay. That’s all that matters.”
His throat feels tight and his nose burns and he can hear the beeping increasing on the still too loud and annoying as fuck monitor. “M’not a baby.”
“You’re our baby, Kit-Kat.” His mom says with a little choke. Turning to look at her, red eyes a carbon copy of his look at him with so much pride he feels like bursting.
He doesn’t get a chance to do so as a knock sounds at the door, followed by a nurse entering the room.
“Good to see you awake, Bakugou,” she says, heading towards the monitor and pressing a button to finally shut it up. Then she heads to the computer near the entrance of the room, swiping her badge for access, and starts typing and clicking away at what he assumes is his chart.
“Looks like your heart rate spiked there for a hot second. Still in a normal range, which is great,” She glances their way, “Do we know what made that uptick occur?”
Right to business. Good. Katsuki hated the babying shit the pediatric nurses would do a lot of the time. Get to the point and let’s move forward.
“It started as he was waking up.” His mom answers easily. “Got a little emotional.” Katsuki scoffs but that doesn’t deter his mom - though it does earn him more head scratches with her sharp nails. “But that’s to be expected. I’m sure as the day goes on they’ll keep happening.”
The nurse nods, looking at the screen again to type in everything. “Bakugou, how are you feeling now that you’ve woken up?”
Katsuki shrugs, or well, as best as he can, finally taking note of his body. He’s got all his limbs thankfully and apparently his heart too. But his right arm is secured tightly in some type of sturdy, bulky brace. Bandages pull tight at the skin on the right side of his face. And thinking about it, he can feel where they stitched up his chest.
But no pain.
Not really. He knows how he should be feeling, but his body isn’t feeling it.
“I feel pretty good.”
She nods, as if expecting that answer, “Good. Means the pain medication concoction is working.”
“Concoction?” He raises a brow, but it pulls at the bandages so he relaxes his expression.
The nurse nods again, “Mhmm.” She clicks away at a couple more things. “Given your high pain tolerance it needed to be adjusted per what we had on file, then in addition to your body’s natural ability to produce nitroglycerin and your heart surgery, we had to play around with things a bit. Glad to see they’re working.” She clicks a few more things. “Now, to ensure you’re all caught up, I’ll inform you about your current condition. Is it alright if mom and dad stay to hear?”
What? “Yeah. Why the fuck wouldn’t it be?”
She just gives him a smile, “Standard question. Alright, you were admitted for open heart surgery and surgery to repair the damage to your right arm. Both went well. We’ll monitor you a bit longer and see when the optimal time is to move you to the step-down unit. How’s your breathing?”
He takes a deep breath, “Fine.”
“Good, good. You did great while under the anesthesia, and there was no trouble removing the breathing tube. Do you have any recollection of that occurring?”
Katsuki doesn’t, and he hates that. “No.”
She nods again, like she expected that answer. “It’s no big deal. Memory loss while under anesthesia is common.”
One thing for sure is that Katsuki Bakugou is not common. But he doesn’t voice that.
She looks at the three of them imploring, “Any questions for me?”
Katsuki does actually, “What’s up with my arm?”
“Your arm needed surgery to set correctly. Small fractures were seen from,” She glances at his chart clicking on two things, “basically your fingers to your upper shoulder. Currently the arm is being held stable until we can get our bone specialist in for a healing.” She clicks something again, “Looks like she’s in today, but given everything happening, I don’t know if she’ll get to you today or tomorrow. But you’re on the list— well, it’s not really a list— but whatever, to be seen.”
His dad pipes up next, “What about the cardiologist?”
“I’ve put in a request for a consult now that your son is awake. And I’ll be messaging the cardiologist to update him on his current status.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Katsuki can feel his eyes drooping. He grunts, trying to keep them open, but it’s becoming harder and harder. Like all the energy is zapped from him. He has more questions but fog and darkness are coming over him quickly.
He's not scared. He’s not. But he grabs at his dad's shirt anyway, gripping it tightly. Something to keep him centered.
“It’s okay to sleep, Kit-Kat.” His mom reassures.
“The anesthesia is still kicking, but he’ll mostly sleep off this last little bit.” Katsuki can hear the nurse say, but she sounds far away.
“It’s alright baby. We’ll be here when you wake up.”
“Kay,” He tries to say, but can’t tell if the word actually made it past his lips, darkness descending on him only a few seconds later.
* * *
When Katsuki wakes up again, the room isn't as bright as it had been. The warm evening glow of the sun and a light coming from the open door light up the room. Another nurse is at his side, but she’s looking at the monitor he’s hooked up to. When she turns to look at him for something, he doesn’t know what, she jumps a little at seeing him awake.
“Hey,” She smiles kindly, “You’re awake.”
“Yeah.” Fuck his throat is dry.
“That’s good. How are you feeling?”
He’s still a little out of it but he can definitely feel a little pain in his chest this time, but his arm feels… not like before when he was out on the field, a little achy, but lighter? He says as much to the nurse.
She nods and moves to the computer to document what he said.
Glancing around the room he notes his parents are absent despite being told they’d be here when he woke up. He decides to ask the nurse, “Where are my parents?”
“Oh! Your dad went down to get food and your mom was here, but she left abruptly. I think, to help a friend? Something about another mom of a student in your class needing support.”
An immediate chill slides down his spine.
No.
No.
It couldn’t–
“What happened to Izuku?” He demands, all thoughts of his own injuries gone from his mind.
The nurse only looks at him in confusion. “Izuku. Hero Deku.” He implores. The monitor starts blaring. The beeping grates on his ears, making the panic surge even higher. “What happened to him?” He demands more than questions.
She hurries over to turn off the loud noise. “Hero Deku?”
Recognition finally clicks on her face. “Oh! Yes, he’s here. But I don't know what his condition is. And even if I did, I’m sorry, but I couldn’t tell you. What we need to do is get you calmed down, alright?”
“What’ll calm me down is telling me what happened to him.” He grits between his teeth. His breath turned slightly erratic.
“I’m sorry, I can’t disclose patient information.”
“Are you fucking deaf?!”
“Sir, please calm down.” Her hands fly over him like the solution is somewhere on him.
How does she not understand that the only thing that’s going to calm him down is telling him what the hell happened to Izuku? For all he knows he could be in another coma! He’d kill him. “Fuck that.” He snaps, body shaking as his nerves are pulled taught, “Is he alive?!”
He knows he’s shouting and probably being unreasonable but he doesn’t care. The last he saw of Deku was in some fucked up version of the vestige realm, fighting that version of AFO and trying to save Tenko Shimura. He doesn’t know what happened after he shared the last small remnant of One For All (he’s still trying to wrap his head around the fact he had a small piece of that in him), with his childhood friend.
Doesn’t even know if he’s alive or dead or what –
“Just tell me if he’s alive!” Katsuki growls, tears start pricking at the corner of his eyes. Pressure builds in his chest, the monitor flaring loudly. Can barely catch his breath.
The nurse is more focused on calming him down still, “I don't have that answer, I’m sorry.”
“Then look at his chart!” He’s pleading now, practically begging, but he can’t bring himself to care. He’s about to try and make a move to get answers himself when his dad walks back in holding a white to-go container.
“Whoa, whoa!” He rushes over to Katsuki’s side, his face filled with concern. “What’s happening? Katsuki, are you – ”
“What happened to Izuku?” He cuts him off despite the tears beginning to track down his cheeks.
Realization settles over his fathers features. Setting the food down on the rolling table, he reaches for Katuski’s good hand and grips it between his own. Katuski feels like his recently repaired heart has traveled up to his throat, choking him. “He’s alive.”
The relief that flows through Katsuki is almost tangible. The tightness of his muscles loosen immediately, heart rate eases back down to a normal range, and the burning in his nose disappears.
“Why did Mom — ”
“He’s…” His father audibly swallows. “He needed to be sedated. Again.”
“What?” Katsuki is shocked. Sedated? Again? What on earth could the nerd be doing that required sedation like that?
“I’ll go tell your nurse you’re awake.” The nurse says quickly. “And the cardiologist.” Then she’s out the door.
Oh, Katsuki realizes, she must have just been in to check on me while the one in charge of me was busy. He doesn’t have the energy to feel bad, though he knows he should.
His dad gives him a look that tells him he should know better.
He does. It’s just that when it comes to Izuku he’s never thought clearly. Not even once. The only person on this goddamn Earth to make him think illogically. He hates him for it.
Well, that last part might not be all the way true.
“Why?” Katsuki asks more firmly this time.
Knowing now that he was okay, his dad grabs his food and opens it to begin eating the cafeteria crap. “He’s been trying to leave his room to come find you. And though Inko and the doctors have told him you’re okay, it doesn’t seem to stop him.”
Katsuki understands. Because as soon as he can move without yanking wires out (and he’s pretty sure he’s got a catheter), he’s going to the nerd. But he’s not telling anyone; intent on avoiding Izuku’s current predicament.
“What. Happened?”
“Your mom went to comfort Inko and reassure Izuku – well, as much as she could. She said they were already putting him under again by the time she got there.”
“No, I mean,” He licks at his dry mouth again. Fuck where was water when you needed it? “His injuries. Why — ”
His dad nods, slurping up his noodles before speaking, “Mainly body fatigue. Apparently he can barely move after over exerting himself, and when Eri-chan’s horn healed him on the field it fixed his arms, but that was about it. And then you all still fought and he sustained injuries then too.”
His arms?
Katsuki looks at his dad in confusion but doesn't get the chance to ask what happened to Izuku’s arms because a doctor and nurse make their way into his room.
“Nice to see you’re finally awake, Mr. Symbol of Victory.”
Katsuki grimaces. As much as victory fills him with pride, it feels weird for someone who isn’t Izuku to call him that. When the nerd let it all out during their fight on ground Beta so long ago, it had thrown him off. Afterwards, though, he came to terms with everything and secretly – very very secretly – he liked that Izuku thought of him that way.
The doctor is his cardiologist and goes over the information about his heart surgery and how Edgeshot basically saved his life. Heh, tell him something he doesn’t know.
Which the cardiologist does immediately after, by informing him that Edgeshot was alive and recovering after his own surgery in another part of the hospital. Katsuki’s told he’s incredibly lucky, but they still need to monitor him closely and he’ll be here for at least another two days. Could be more depending on how his heart cooperates. But for now, he can move to the step-down unit.
Katsuki nods in understanding and the doctor leaves with a promise to be by tomorrow. The nurse steps forward to ask him if he’s okay with his dad being in the room while she removes his catheter. His dad, thankfully, speaks up before him, saying he’ll step outside.
He’s wheeled to the step-down unit, which ironically is two floors up.
There’s a new group of nurses now. The one in charge makes sure he knows what’s up and they give him another round of pain meds and a large cup of water.
Finally.
It’s him and his dad again for all of two seconds before another doctor enters the room. Ugh. He’s already tired of doctors. The energy has already been draining out of him, and he doesn't have a lot left after talking and moving rooms. The cardiologist told him to expect that after having invasive surgery and also fighting in a war.
The newest doctor introduces herself basically as ‘The Bone Doctor’ – she says she's officially an orthopedist but focuses solely on the after effects of healing the bones by manipulating the cells and blood and minerals in the body. She said there was much more to her quirk but that was the basics. Katsuki thinks Izuku would love to listen to her go on about her quirk. He doesn’t have the energy to care, though; the healing is working and that’s that. He’ll be out of this new soft cast in about a week, which is great, instead of the stupid six-to-eight.
A healing session is performed on Katsuki’s arm before The Bone Doctor leaves with a promise to see him tomorrow. Fucking yippee.
The last of his energy is waning and can feel himself drifting.
He’s pissed and grateful all at the same time. Katuski wants to ask his dad about Izuku but his eyes refuse to stay open. He tries though, tries to fight the tiredness, but once again the darkness takes over without permission and he’s out.
* * *
The third time he wakes up, it’s dark out.
The clock on the wall, illuminated by the light from the hall tells him it’s a little after four in the morning. He’s not sure what caused him to wake up, especially since he still feels pretty exhausted.
A tugging sensation over his heart has him rubbing the area subconsciously. Glancing to his right he catches sight of his mom laid out in one of the fancy reclining chairs, a blanket he knows is from home pulled up to her chin. His dad is laid out on a roll-away futon. Absently, he wonders how the hag got around the whole ‘one parent only’ policy.
Then he wonders when she got back and why she wasn’t still with Inko—
The reminder slams square into Katsuki’s chest.
Shit.
Izuku.
A spark of terror sends his body into motion; he sits up in bed, struggling as the stitches pull and his body groans in protest. His breaths shortening and heart palpating like a drum – a beat for only his ears alone. The monitor yells at him again, but this time he doesn’t care. He shifts to put his feet on the floor.
“Wah?! Hah?!” His mom calls, but he pays her no mind. Yanking the needle attached to the IV out, Katsuki stands, struggling from the bed.
“Katsuki!” His mother yells and he can hear her getting up. Can hear his dad waking up from the chaos in his room. “Katsuki! What the fuck! Stop! If you need to go to the bathroom you need to call a nurse!”
“Don’t need a fuckin’ nurse.” He grouses and doesn’t stop moving. Taking a shaky step forward instead of a shuffle he finds his bearings and takes another.
His mother stops him though once she notices he’s heading to the door and not the bathroom. He hates how easily her hands on his shoulders pauses his movement. Those red eyes burn with fear and anger. So much like his own he almost feels bad. But he has to see Izuku. Now.
“Move, hag.” He tries to step around her but it takes a lot more energy than he thought.
“Katsuki, no.” She’s stern and his dad appears behind her.
“Son, please, get back in bed.”
“No.” He shakes his head, feels dizzy and latches onto his mother’s wrist.
She shakes her own head back at him. “Katsuki, you can’t – ”
“I need to see him.” Katuski doesn’t elaborate on the ‘him’; knowing they’ll understand exactly who he’s talking about. He huffs and hates how much this simple act is draining him despite the wildfire of fear and worry and anxiety burning through his entire frame. Needs Izuku as much as these flames need water to douse these uncontrollable feelings.
“In the morning.” His dad tries to reason.
“No. I – ”
He’s cut off by a nurse opening his door. “What is – shit.”
Heh, Katsuki smirks, a nurse that curses in front of the patient, nice.
“Bakugou,” The nurse moves towards the monitor to kill the noise, “please get back into bed if you’re not going to the bathroom. I’ll get you hooked back up.”
“No.” He insists again. “I need to see Izuku. Now.” Digging deep down he pulls up as much energy as he can and ducks out and under his moms hold, past his dad and into the low lit hospital hallway.
“Katsuki!” Both his parents call. He ignores them.
Gripping tight to the handrail along the wall, shoulders and arms flaring in pain from his own body weight, he shuffles – great, he’s an old man shuffler now – down the hallway. “Izuku!” He calls out despite the early hour. “Izuku!”
And then another nurse is confronting him. “Sir, please keep quiet and go back to your room.”
“No.” He growls, working his way past the male nurse. “Izuku!” He calls again.
A faint noise catches his ear to the left, “Kacchan?”
A devilish grin takes over his face, pulling tight at the bandage, but he doesn’t care. Just hearing the nerd's voice has the raging fire dulling to a warm bubble deep in his core; relief clearing his mind.
The knowledge that Izuku is awake and aware enough to call out to him, brings comfort that eases that deep, ugly worry in his gut. The sheer, rushing relief induces such jarring emotional whiplash that he has to clutch tighter to the wall rail to prevent his legs from collapsing underneath him.
“Katsuki.” His father is once again in front of him. He frowns. Fuckin’ stupid heart. He didn’t even get very far. “Don’t you look at me like that. You can see Izuku tomorrow.” His dad reaches out to turn him around physically, but Katuski dodges his hands and ducks towards the hallway connecting each side of the hospital floor.
His vision swims and nausea fills his stomach – a sure sign he’s going to pass out. His legs shake, body running on empty, the only fuel is his emotions which are burning up up up. Determination will win out; he will make sure of it. He can pass out once he sees Izuku.
“Izuku!” He calls out again, hoping for a direction this time.
“Kacchan!” The voice is louder, despite the ruckus going on behind him. He doesn’t know what they’re saying. He doesn’t exactly care.
Shuffling forward, gritting his teeth, he blinks away the stars in his vision.
“Take my arm.” His mother’s voice shocks him, causing him to stumble, hissing in pain. Her small, yet incredibly strong hand grabs him around the waist to keep him upright, supporting the majority of his weight. “If you’re doing this, then lean on me.”
There’s such understanding on her face, Katuski feels like Izuku with the way his eyes tear up again. Katsuki doesn’t say it often and he won’t say it now but he loves his mom.
Gripping tight to her arm and leaning into her body, they begin a slow shuffle forward through the nursing stations, where Katsuki receives a few looks he doesn’t care about, and to the other patient rooms. A left, then four doors down.
Inko stands at the open door, looking worn down to the core. And yet Katsuki can see a glint of relief as she looks upon him and his mom.
“It’s good to see you, Katsuki.”
Katsuki grunts, shuffling the last few steps forward, “Hi, Auntie.” There are tears in her eyes, but they don’t fall.
Katsuki turns to enter the doorway and stops at the sight of Izuku before him. He almost looks normal as he sits up in a reclined position. Pillows supporting his neck and head. Bandages and braces support his limbs though and despite all that, green – absolutely gorgeous green – eyes lock with his. A bright wide toothed grin takes over Izuku’s face.
“Kacchan.” His voice is hoarse, yet it soothes the raging uncontrollable fire within. It’s the most beautiful thing Katsuki’s heard since he woke up.
“Izuku.” The name on his lips leaves him breathless.
Katsuki’s body surges forward on its own accord. His mother’s hand slips from his waist and he makes his way to Izuku's bed.
Red never leaving green.
Izuku does his best to move over to make space on the bed that’s too small for two. Katuski couldn’t care less because he’s never letting Izuku go after this. They’re gonna be attached at the hip. Nothing separating them ever again.
He climbs in beside the freckled teen, wincing as his chest pulls and his arms strain from the movement. Katsuki doesn’t care. Sliding in next to Izuku, feeling his body heat with his own, eases the fear in his chest into relief.
Katsuki reaches for Izuku’s hand with his good one, forcibly turning Izuku’s hand and arm so they can slot their fingers together. The small action of affection sends cool water rushing over the wildfire of terror and anxiety in his chest. Now no more than wafts of smoke and soot.
“I missed you, Kacchan.” He can hear the tears in Izuku’s voice. He doesn’t acknowledge them, since he can feel the burning in his own nose and the moisture forming at the corner of his own eyes.
Instead, Katsuki gets comfortable, head dropping to rest partially on Izuku’s pillows, the other part of his head ending up on Izuku’s shoulder. It’s not the best, but he’s not leaving Izuku’s side. The doctors and nurses can fucking stuff it.
“That’s not very nice, Kacchan.” Izuku says through a yawn.
Huh. He must have said that last part out loud.
Katuski squeezes the hand in his; very light, practically non-existent pressure squeezes back, but it’s enough to officially settle his mind and body. Breathes return back to normal, body no longer shaking in panic, emotions becoming more manageable and less overwhelming.
Izuku is here. Izuku is alive. Izuku is okay.
“Go to sleep, Izuku.”
The name falls from his tongue more and more easily. For the first time since this all began, he feels hope rise within that he’ll have a million more chances to say Izuku’s name – that he’ll have time to appreciate the way it rolls around in his mouth.
“Okay, Kacchan.”
Katuski sighs as he closes his eyes. “You’re telling me what the fuck you did to your arms in the morning, Izuku.”
“I will, Kacchan.” Izuku yawns again.
There’s silence between them now. Katsuki blocks everything out: their parents, the nurses, the random sounds from machines. It’s just them.
The way it’s supposed to be.
Katsuki and Izuku.
“Hey Kacchan?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really happy you’re alive.”
“I’m happy you’re alive, too.”