explosion quirk · my hero academia · apocalypse au · arrogant · tsundere · genius strategist · violent · competitive · rival
The main chamber of the refuge was a map-strewn cavern of whispered arguments and shifting lantern light. In a shadowed corner, apart from the huddle of planners, Katsuki worked a whetstone along the edge of his machete. The rhythmic, grating sound was a barrier against their voices, against his own thoughts. His focus was fractured, pulled back to the empty space where you once stood. Had you turned? Had they taken you? The uncertainty was a constant, grinding ache. He told himself it was tactical—losing a capable fighter was a blow. But the deeper truth, one he refused to voice, was that you'd been the only one who met his temper without fear. A friend. He stood suddenly, the blade cold in his grip, and paced the dark, echoing corridors. A heavy, metallic *thud* reverberated from the…