"...I wish I'd skipped school today."

Truly, it was the only thing you could think of in your current situation, since you would really rather be anywhere else. You were doing your best to make yourself scarce, sending out small attacks ever so often when a villain lunged your way. If nothing else, you were at least thankful for the fact that your allies seemed more physically capable than you were.

"DIEEE!!!"

Katsuki had let out his trademark cry, revving up his fist before releasing an explosion that blew two villains backwards and forced them up against a wall. Kirishima wasn't very far off, having hardened his body through usage of his Quirk and proceeded to mow them down by brute force. You'd managed to get a few hits in yourself, but you realized that you probably weren't contributing much in the first place.

Ah, well. At least they're strong—that makes me feel more at ease.

You remembered how just about an hour earlier you were boarding the bus that would take you to USJ, where you were supposed to go through with some rescue maneuvers. Key word being supposed to; instead, you were greeted by a massive group of villains that were out for blood.

Oh—they also wanted All Might dead, too.

You couldn't really deny the fact that you were nervous with everything that was going on, but your soulmate didn't seem any different than usual.

"That all of 'em?" Katsuki gruffed, massaging his forearm. "They were so fucking weak."

"All the better for us," you chuckled hoarsely. "I mean, if they're all like this, it just means that we have a much higher chance of getting out of this, right?"

Katsuki narrowed his eyes. "The fuck are you saying? We will get out of here. Like hell I'm about to let myself get done in by these small-fries."

"I wish I could be as confident as you..."

"Yeah, must be tough to be weak," he scoffed. "More like, what the fuck have you even been doing this whole time? Did you even try to fight?"

"I was just—!" You puffed out your cheeks indignantly, but all you could do was sigh. You had been leaving them to do most of the brunt work, so he did have a point.

Kirishima seemed to notice the way your expression crumpled and offered you a smile.

"Now, now," he assuaged. "Don't be so tough on her, Bakugou. We've just got the more offensive abilities here. Same goes for the other guys—I'm worried about those who aren't good in a fight, so we need to head back and meet up with them as soon as possible."

Katsuki barely grunted back. "You can do whatever the fuck you want. I'm gonna go beat the shit out of that warp-gate asshole."

"Huh?! You're gonna act childish in a time like this??"

The blonde was probably about to bite back with a snarky retort, but you spoke up before he had the chance.

"Ah, Kirishima-kun, are you okay?" You gestured to the small scrapes and bruises littering his body. "You're hurt. Weren't you using your Quirk just earlier?"

He chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, that's...well, even my hardening can't fully protect me at times. Plus, the longer I keep my Quirk going, the more it drains my stamina and makes the effects wear off. I'm fine though," he added hurriedly, shaking his hands. "Seriously, a few bruises aren't worth worrying over."

"Even so, it's probably best if we head out to save the others in our best shape. I'm sure you wouldn't mind a little relief, right?"

Kirishima cocked his head to the side, brows furrowed in confusion. You took the few steps needed to close the distance and slowly lifted your hand to cup his cheek. The boy flushed almost immediately, but you merely smiled in reassurance.

"Just relax," you murmured. "It's not going to hurt."

"But what are you—?"

The warm light that flitted from your fingertips all but made him hush. His eyelids draped to a close, and you could hear the small, contented sigh he let out. You let your fingers glide down his cheek; then his shoulder; then the dips and rivets of his musculature. Every nook and cranny that you trailed over with the golden light seemed to glow for a few moments before the injuries slowly dissolved. The scratches disintegrated; the blotchy, bruised skin returned to its usual hue. Kirishima was breathless the entire time.

"That should do it." With a huff of satisfaction, you pulled away and stepped back to admire your handiwork. Even though he didn't have that many injuries to begin with, he looked to be brand-new—just the way he'd been before the villains had attacked.

Kirishima could only gape. "Wow....[Name]-chan, you can heal people, too??"

"Just a little," you answered sheepishly. "I can't do anything crazy strong like Recovery Girl, but my light has healing properties; at the very least, I can erase small injuries and help restore someone's energy at the expense of my own."

"Damn," he whistled, glancing down at where his injuries used to be. "Now that I think of it, I'm not tired like I was before. Actually, I have a rush of energy. This is seriously amazing. Oh, but—" his brows creased, "—Does that mean that you're feeling worn out now? Since you gave me some of your strength..."

You smiled. "No, I'm fine. Don't worry about it. I only gave you a bit, and besides, it's more important that the two of you guys be in top-shape, since you're some of the strongest members in our class. I'm happy to lend support however I can."

Another blush was slowly creeping up Kirishima's neck.

"The strongest members in the class, huh...? You flatter me, [Name]-chan..."

It really wasn't as if you'd done anything major; rather, you felt a little embarrassed to be getting so giddy from Kirishima's praises, but it was nice. Being able to contribute some way or another made your chest swell. You'd actually been so immersed in the wholesome little moment you were having that you failed to take note of the two crimson orbs glaring daggers at you.

"If you shitheads are done making googly eyes at each other, I'd like to get the fuck out of here."

You jolted in surprise, blushing when you realized how close you'd been to Kirishima. The redhead let out a series of awkward chuckles, all the while sporting a blush of his own.

"S-sorry," you stammered out. "I got a little side-tracked. You're right, Katsuki-kun—we should be on our way."

He glowered. "Follow me or don't. I couldn't give less of a shit either way."

With another grunt of displeasure, Katsuki turned on his heel and prepared to leave the current site you'd been thrown off into. Kirishima was quick on his heels, crying out something about how "manly" the blonde looked right now, taking charge and everything. He was kind of like an excitable puppy, you noted.

Either way, the three of you were all now unharmed, and ready to rush to the aid of the other students. Katsuki still had his sights set on beating down the "warp-gate", and as much as you would've liked to help out your friends, you agreed with his reasoning. That man was the other villains' way out—if you could apprehend him and hold off into the pros came to your rescue, everything would be fine.

"I gotta say, believing in your allies really is manly!" Kirishima grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way!"

Katsuki didn't bother to respond, merely frowning as he faced ahead. You were keeping to his side, and you couldn't help but notice that he looked even more tight-lipped and irritated than usual. Was it the strain of the current situation? The fact that even he might actually be nervous, despite all his—

"I see you didn't even bother to use your Quirk on me," Katsuki muttered, cold orbs flickering in your direction. "Guess you still don't give a shit about your fucking soulmate."

Kirishima's ears perked up. "Eh? Soulmate? Wait, are the two of you—?"

"Shut up, hair-for-brains. Don't butt in where you're not wanted." He flashed you another glare from the corner of his eyes. "You said all that shit earlier, but you're still opposed to being with me. And don't bother lying—I can fucking tell that you aren't happy."

You wanted to construct a response, but your lips could only move wordlessly. Here you were, in the middle of a villain invasion, and he was actually bringing that up. Honestly, you were surprised. He always gave off the impression that he couldn't care less about anyone other than himself, yet here he was, asking why you hadn't bothered to heal him.

"I'm...sorry," you finally managed, scrunching up your nose. "I would have liked to heal you as well, but I honestly thought that you would've refused my help and said that you didn't need it."

"Of course I didn't fucking need it," he barked back. "But you could've still asked. If you wanted to, you would've. End of story."

The poor redhead could only stare back at the two of you with wide eyes and parted lips. It was clear from his expression that he desperately wanted to be filled in, but getting in the middle right now was practically a death-wish. You also didn't even get what Katsuki wanted in the first place—to be offered help only for the sake of refusing it...was that not an incredibly childish way to think? Seriously, how old was he?

You honestly didn't know what to say, but you decided that keeping your mouth shut was probably the best way to avoid an unnecessary argument.

"...Maybe you shouldn't go around touching around guys when you're in front of your soulmate, for fuck's sake. Moron."

You looked back in surprise, only to find Katsuki gritting his teeth while still marching ahead with a purpose. He was deliberately avoiding eye-contact with you, that much was clear. And what had been puzzling you for the last little while was only now starting to make sense.

So he's...jealous?

Right now, you were in the middle of what was undeniably the most dangerous situation of your life. You should've been thinking of a tactic for survival, or an escape maneuver, but no. Your mind was plagued only by thoughts of him. And yes, he was immature; border-line childish, in fact. He was making a big deal out of the simple fact that you'd brushed skin with Kirishima, and blowing the whole thing way out of proportion.

And yet, you could only smile. Because it meant that little by little, he'd started to care for you.