12. CACKLE

"Out of the-" a voice interrupted the moment, a hand reaching for the villain's, "WAY!"

Shigaraki Tomura stopped just in time to see a blond student, sparks flying out of his right hand, two steps away from him. Just then, bunny boy placed an arm at Shigaraki's shoulder and leaped over the older villain.

Just then, the blow connected and a loud explosion was heard.

"Noumu!" the boy's voice was heard again.

Bakugou Katsuki flinched. That was a head-on blow! Although to the wrong target, he was sure it was a good explosion! How did this guy survive-

His anger was cut short as the smoke lightly dissipated to reveal the boy. His arm was there at the left side of his face, a dark, burnt bruise at his forearm- seemingly having shielded the blow. The hood, though- the part surrounding the left ear which Katsuki hit had burned to ashes. His mask fallen from his face, having lost a strap. If bunny boy put down his arm, it would probably reveal his face, Katsuki realized.

A strangled, monstrous groan sounded beside him. Katsuki realized a little too late that the blue monster that had been pinning Aizawa down had charged at him at a lightning speed-

"Ah, stop, Noumu." Bunny boy suddenly said.

There was a loud CRASH and BOOM at the entrance way. "Have no fear," the man that emerged from there said, his face darkened with rage, his smile now turned upside down- "For I... have come."

"ALL MIGHT!"

Bunny boy smiled widely. "Oh, look! I guessed right."

Shigaraki groaned. "Look who's finally here." he said. "Deku," he turned to the boy.

Deku, putting his injured arm down, used his other arm in a mock-salute. "Aye, sir!" he grinned.

(x)

It happened in a flash. All Might scooped up Aizawa from the ground and brought him to the side. Accessing his injuries, All Might gently placed him on the ground. It only took another second for him to snatch Bakugou and Asui from where Deku was, bringing them to Aizawa.

"Get to the entrance," All Might told the two students, "take care of Aizawa."

Asui managed a nod, but Bakugou didn't register the words at all. Bakugou's eyes were locked on the green villain. The villain, whose hood had been half destroyed by his blast, who now revealed half of his face.

Dark green, frizzly-looking hair. Green eyes. Freckles across his face. And that villain was their age. Bakugou's eyes widened as those traits resounded in his head. Where had he seen those traits before? He didn't even need to ask. It rang in his head like a blaring siren.

It's him. It's him. It's him.

"Bakugou-kun?" Asui spoke up, noticing his daze.

It's him.

Bakugou took a step forward.

It's only been ten months. He hasn't even changed much from before. He looks exactly the same. He hasn't even grown any taller. It's definitely him. It's can't be anyone but him. He's here.

He's within reach.

Go. go get him.

Hurry.

Before he vanishes again without warning.

Go.

Go.

GO.

All Might's hand was on his shoulder. "Bakugou, my boy." his voice deep and resounding, "Calm down." he assured, "All you should do now is head to the entrance." he said.

Katsuki momentarily forgets the situation. Ah, yes. They're being attacked by villains. It's important to regroup, especially with Aizawa-san like that. He also wanted to kick that mist guy's ass. He should get the teacher to the entrance and charge back. That was probably the better course of action. He needed to cool his head.

He carried Aizawa on his shoulders as the fight began once more. All Might charged in, targeting the Hand Villain. The blue monster interrupted, and All Might's blow caused a gigantic explosion that blew nearly everyone off their feet.

Bakugou and Asui head towards the entranceway, carefully holding Aizawa. The smoke dissipated, and the fight came clearer in view. Blow after blow was exchanged in the uninterruptible fight between the two with monstrous strength.

All Might can win. All Might always wins. He won't lose. No one doubted it.

Bakugou's eyes turn again to the bunny boy.

(x)

"You should've called for Noumu first." Kurogiri said, teleporting the boy over where he was.

"I dunno why, but my body moved first." he whined, "Like, I knew in my head to call Nomunomu, but when Shigaki was in danger my first reaction was to deal with it myself..."

"Don't be so hasty," Kurogiri said, "Don't go doing things you can't do." he reprimanded, but deep down one thought rang in his mind. The way Deku acted just now- was somehow like a hero. To go in and save someone in danger despite not having the power- that was a trait villains occasionally had, but a trait the most pure-hearted of heroes had.

Deku pouted. He wrapped some cloth over his forearm to act as a bandage. "I can't use my Alteration anymore..." he mumbled to himself. Alteration was a power that required drawing himself down, and Alteration no longer worked after Deku had a large open wound.

He looked at his torn hood. The left ear was dropping off of little threads. He kept the hood on, regardless, and tore his mask off his neck. (It was pretty useless anyway. Half destroyed and it can't be worn.)

He caught someone's gaze on him.

Bakugou Katsuki was staring straight at him. Was it fear that was in his eyes? Surprise? Or perhaps... denial? Deku didn't really know those emotions enough to discern. Nevertheless he brought a smile to his face. He raised his uninjured arm in a wave.

"Long time no see, Kacchan!"

(x)

The green villain smiled a sickeningly pure and gleeful smile that didn't belong on a villain. But Katsuki recognized that smile. that was the idiot's smile he always had on when he wasn't crying like a coward. The excited smile he always had when he was talking about All Might. He gave a little wave- towards Katsuki?

"Long time no see, Kacchan!" a voice that now sounded way too familiar for comfort greeted him.

And his world froze over.

He stood, stunned. Unable to move. His breath was now stuck in his throat. His mind went blank.

"You know him, Bakugou-kun?" Asui's worried voice went onto deaf ears.

Bakugou put Aizawa down as gently as his systems let him, his eyes locked onto the bunny boy. It's him, the voice told him again. What the fuck are you waiting for?

"Deku...?" he spoke to himself.

"Bakugou...-kun?" Asui was more confused now. Whether they knew each other or not, what did this reaction mean? This... pained expression on Bakugou's face- what did it tell?

What are you waiting for?

What is he waiting for? Why is it that his body won't move? Why is it that his felt pressure building up at the back of his throat? Tears threatening to spill from his eyes? Now wasn't the fucking time for that! What he should do now- yeah, he should just go over there and punch the fuck out of his face. Get that moron back home, even if he had to break all the bones in his fucking body.

He had said it himself.

He had brought this upon himself.

Isn't there a villain around here that captures weak-looking beansprouts like him?

Please, Katsuki never knew he would think these thoughts,

Please don't tell me you're a villain.