A mini #kacchakothread in which Ochako is seriously injured protecting Katsuki and it may be too late for him to tell her how he feels about her.

Prompt: pinterest
Relationship(s): #kacchako
Tags: pro heroes
Category: ANGST
Rating: t
Warnings: major character injury

Katsuki held his partner to his chest as they both lay in the ruins of what had once been one of the tallest buildings in the Tokyo skyline.

She had come back for him after completing the civilian evacuation and took a direct hit as she used her body to shield him from the gigantic villain he had been fighting to subdue.

With the final vestiges of her strength she sent the man flying into the atmosphere before plummeting from the sky.

Scrambling to catch her, Katsuki launched himself off of the structure the minute she landed in his arms as the ground they stood on began to crumble around them.

He pulled her close to him as he tried to control their decent, panic tearing through him as he realized the impact would probably finish the job that the villain had started and there was little he could do to stop it.

But despite the pain that was surely coursing through her broken body, Ochako stayed alert long enough to remove their gravity right before they crashed to the street.

Though logic told him he had probably suffered more injuries than his adrenaline-riddled mind was able to recognize, Katsuki attention was focused only on the small brunette wrapped his arms.

“Stay awake, Cheeks, help is on the way,” he pleaded urgently, ignoring the sharp pain that shot through him when he lifted one hand to gently turn her face towards his.

Desperate to keep her conscious, his mind scrambled for ways to get her attention. “What’s that song you’re always singing to me over the comms when you say I’m acting grumpy?”

Her eyes fluttered open, recognition barely there, a broken gasp her only response as she grasped the tattered front of his costume tightly. With tears streaming down face, he brought his forehead to hers, knowing the end was near.

Katsuki knew the song by heart at this point, so many times had he heard her lilting voice teasing him with it, and he only prayed it would provide her with comfort in what might be her final moments.

His voice shaking slightly, he began:

♪ 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 ♪

♪ 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘺 ♪

He was interrupted by a choked coughing from Ochako.

Opening his eyes he saw a dull fire burning in hers as a ghost of her sweet smile spread across her lips. He could hardly hear over the rushing in his ears as she whispered softly:

♪ 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 ♪

Her breathing became labored once more and he shushed her gently with his lips pressed lightly to hers, urging her to save her strength until other the rescue heroes arrived.

It had never crossed his mind that their first kiss might also be their last and he screamed out in agony and despair as her eyes fluttered closed once more.

He felt himself succumbing to his injuries, vaguely aware of the sound of familiar voices drawing nearer.

With his face pressed to hers and his tears drawing lines in the dirt and soot that stained her too cold cheeks, he sang the final line:

♪ 𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 ♪

Katsuki woke later in the day in a hospital bed, flinching at the way the harsh lights bounced off the too white surfaces of the room. He saw Eijiro sitting by his side, sniffling softy with his head in his hands and the Uravity helmet resting in his lap.

His friend startled when Katsuki tried to get up, rushing to his side and forcing him back to the bed.

“Where’s Cheeks?" he asked in a hoarse, painful voice.

“Last I heard she was still in surgery. Her injuries were really severe.”

As his heart fell and a heavy feeling grew in his stomach, the door opened quietly. Realizing that the blonde was awake, Mina entered fully and a wave of relief rushed through him when she cried out that the surgery was successful.

Katsuki was at Ochako's beside the moment it was approved by both of their doctors, holding her hand as her eyes opened and found his.

“You sang to me,” she started.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, breaking eye contact.

“You kissed me.” It wasn’t an accusation, simply an observation.

“Sorry, Cheeks,” he offered, truly apologetic.

“Maybe I’ll have close calls with death more often if that’s what it takes to get you to make a move.” A soft giggle escaped her lips.

“Don’t you even dare,” he warned, without any real threat, bringing his lips to hers once more.

~ END ~