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Blinking his eyes, Katsuki couldn't understand how he was still alive. His senses were slowly waking up to feel a warm and gentle hug enveloping him. His vision focused on the green forest above him. Izuku seemed to ask something, but his voice didn't reach his ear. Tears were falling from the large emeralds and wetting his face, wiping the dirt and blood from his mouth.
“–chan! Kacchan!”
The blonde wished he could wipe away those tears, but he only had the strength to lift his hand against the other's on his chest. The same hand that tried to stop the blood loss he suffered. Katsuki knew there was no way out, he fought with all his might, treading the same path as his rival and… childhood friend.
“Kacchan!” Izuku yelled, once again when he saw the other's hand moving. “Hold tight! Please! Aizawa-sensei is already…!”
The speech was interrupted by Bakugou's bloody cough. The distress was evident in Izuku's entire expression, but the blonde had never felt calmer.
“Please, Kacchan! Just hold on a little longer! I know you…! I know we'll make it...!”
“–Zuku…” Katsuki called, his voice weak.
“Kacchan…!” Izuku replied immediately, biting his lip to prevent more tears from falling. Clearly failing.
“Shigaraki…” He said, but it was more like a question he didn't have the strength to ask.
“Don't worry about it, Kacchan, please…” Izuku pleaded, shaking. “Focus on keeping awake, I will…! I will win, I promise, Kacchan, and I will save everyone!” Only then did Katsuki manage to see the black whips coming out of the other. He couldn't see where they led and what they held, but his mind couldn't quite focus on that right now.
“I know you will, nerd…” Katsuki said giving the best smile he could in the conditions he was in. His strength was weakening and his eyes were heavy. Izuku seemed to realize that he would not survive this war, but he refused to accept it if the growing despair showed anything.
“If I had arrived earlier…! If I were… She wouldn't… Kacchan!” Emotions choked on Izuku's lines and it was difficult to understand what he was saying.
Damn nerd, muttering even now, he thought, but still… Bakugou had to admit he would miss this.
He would miss modeling with his mother and the teas he had shared with his father. Even disagreements felt sweet now. He hoped the letter he had left for them would ease the loss, he wanted to be remembered as a hero.
He would miss those fucking idiots who came into his life and refused to leave. He hoped they could get by without him around, after all they had a great ability to get into a lot of damn troubles. Half-n-Half needed to put an end to that fucking Mexican soap opera, save his brother but also save himself. And how long will Earphones be dancing between Dunce Face and Ponytail Girl? Although it also goes for Kaminari who can't stay too far away from that creepy Purple Recorder… Sauce Face would be the best at keeping all the idiots in line, which in itself was worrying because he was also an fucking idiot. Even because Eijirou had to stop being a coward and confess soon to Raccoon Eyes, it’s already getting funking painful to watch. Maybe that was the boost Round Face needed to go after Izuku, even though it made Bakugou uncomfortable whenever he imagined the two of them together.
Oh…! He finally understood, well, now it wouldn't make any difference.
And finally, he would miss the biggest idiot who had decided to come into his life when he was little. Offering his help and all the friendship that came with a small gesture. There, Bakugou felt threatened and ridiculed by someone inferior to him trying to show himself better or on the same level. However, ever since they got closer, the thought of how everything might have been different if they had never walked away is almost always on his mind. Every step he took towards getting stronger was a step he took in the direction Izuku was following. And these experiences were what motivated him to say the apology that had been on the tip of his tongue for a long time.
All feelings towards Izuku have always been confusing for Katsuki. Anger, disdain, insecurity, acceptance, protection, friendship, admiration.
His thoughts were racing at full speed and at the same time his mind was empty. Only Izuku focused all his attention. And with so little time left, he needed to say one more thing before he left.
“–Zuku…” His voice sounded strange to his ear.
“Kacchan! Stop talking…! Save your stren–!”
“Izuku.” Finally, the other stopped. His tears were still flowing and his hair was tangled up as usual. His face red from crying accentuated his freckles. Bakugou was able to point out all the small details of Izuku's face.
“Izuku… I have to say…” Breathing has never been so difficult, but Katsuki wouldn't rest until he said what he wanted. “…That I was a coward.”
“Kacchan! Don’t say tha–!”
“Let me finish…” He asked softly and the other bit his lip which was trembling just like the rest of him. “For a long time, I pushed you away… And I’ll never be able to apologize enough…”
Izuku looked like he wanted to protest, but Katsuki continued. He needed to admit what he’d saved even after he’d apologized.
“Even though…” The cough interrupted his speech, bringing more blood out.
“Kacchan! Please!” Izuku begged, swallowing a sob.
“... Even though,” he continued with his voice getting weaker with each passing moment, “you’d never given up…”
Katsuki might never get the signature on his All Might card, nor become the #1 hero or all the other plans he had for the future, but he couldn't die now with regrets.
“Izuku… You saved me…”
“Kacchan!” Izuku has always been a crybaby, Katsuki thought as he smiled at the other.
“You were my hero…” He said, so softly and let the darkness envelop him in a gentle embrace.
And while one hero left, another hero stayed.
One who has never heard a hero's devastated scream. He's never seen the tears of a class. He has never been present for two parents' sleepless nights. He never knew the gratitude of a country that had been reborn.
And another that no more arrived too late. He was never weak and powerless again. He never failed to reach out to those in need. He never smiled again without showing the loss in his heart.