Ochako's smile shattered as her stomach dropped. She rushed forward. "Katsuki!"

Eijiro nearly pulled out his hair. "I killed Katsuki!"

"I can see his chest moving," Izuku said. "He's breathing."

"I didn't kill him!" Eijiro cheered.

Ochako knelt by Katsuki's side and rolled him into her lap, his head helplessly lolling around. "Don't scare me like that again," she whimpered, knowing he wouldn't respond to her.

"Watch out!" Momo shouted.

Ochako, Izuku, and Eijiro looked over. Sable headed right for them, absolutely outraged that Katsuki had broken the spell for the third time.

"I won't let you take Kacchan again!" Izuku shouted, rushing forward.

Eijiro took two steps but stopped to look back at Ochako. "Do you need me here or there?"

She nodded at Sable. "There."

"Take care of him." With that, he left.

When Ochako looked down at Katsuki, crimson eyes fluttered open. They focused on her face. "Angel?" he whispered.

Her smile wobbled as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm here, Katsuki."

"You're alive..."

"So are you."

He attempted to sit up by pushing his hands against the ground and winced. "Fuck, they hurt."

"What hurts?"

"Hands," he grunted.

She eased him into a sitting position and repositioned herself so she could see his face.

"Fuck," he hissed, holding his hands in front of him. They trembled. "Throbbin' and shit. Used too much magic without taking breaks."

"He's my pawn!" Sable roared. His ponytail had since fallen out, hair now sticking to his face from sweat.

Katsuki and Ochako looked over as he continued to fight their classmates. "I'm gonna kick his ass," he growled.

"But your hands."

He grinned, a fire in his eyes. "A few more spells won't kill me."

Her Katsuki was definitely back. Ochako helped him stand, and she stayed by his side. He took three steps before picking up a jog that turned into a run. "Oi, fucker!" he shouted.

Sable glanced over, getting punched in the face by Eijiro during his lapse. He stumbled back and shot tendrils at Eijiro. Mina used her acid on the tendrils to help her boyfriend, while Katsuki fired an explosion at Sable.

Momo smiled. "Bakugo!"

Tendrils waved around and cleared the smoke away. Sable glared at Katsuki. "Looks like I'll have to spell you again." His gaze shifted to Ochako. "Last time, you saw a mirage of her die, but this time, I'll kill her for real!"

Izuku leaped into the air and delivered a kick to Sable's torso. He gasped for air.

Ice snaked up Sable's body, starting at his feet. "Don't use a spell and accidentally break it!" Shoto warned.

"Cheeks, make me float," Katsuki instructed.

She wasted no time doing as she was told. When she touched him, he pushed off the ground with his feet and used the momentum to his advantage.

Crimson eyes never looked away from Sable. "Drop me!" Katsuki said.

Ochako released her hold on him, and everybody watched him ready to deliver a punch.

"Payback's a bitch!" Katsuki seethed. He didn't use any magic when he punched Sable in the face.

His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and his head slumped forward before Katsuki landed on the ground. In turn, Katsuki backed away from Sable.

Ochako met Katsuki and stood on his left side. Everybody stared at Sable, who didn't budge.

"Is he out?" Mina asked.

Katsuki looked at Momo. "Ponytail, can you make magic-defusing cuffs for this fucker?"

"I'll make a neck cuff!"

Izuku smiled from ear to ear. "Kacchan!"

"Nobody asked you, damn nerd," he huffed.

"Welcome back, dude!" Eijiro exclaimed.

Shoto merely nodded in agreement.

Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Oi, now's not the time for a shitty reunion. There's work to be done with these Gauntlet fuckers."

"Katsuki, I think you need to rest," Ochako said. She wasn't the only one who noticed his shaky form. "You've already used a lot of magic and energy."

"Yeah, listen to your soul mate," Eijiro teased with a grin.

Katsuki glared at him. "Oi, who said anything about a soul mate?"

Ochako touched his arm, extending a pinky. "They know, Katsuki."

He immediately looked at her. Without hesitation, he stepped into her bubble and sank his lips into hers. He'd cup her face if his hands didn't hurt so damn much.

Mina squealed in delight, while Momo averted her gaze. "S–so bold."

Katsuki rested his forehead against hers. "I fucking love you," he breathed.

She smiled. "I love you too."

"I–I might need to take a breather," he softly admitted.

Quick thinking on her part, she made him float before he collapsed from exhaustion. She repositioned his body so he could be comfortable and kept hold of him. "You're safe now, Katsuki."

xXx

A/N: Yay, he's back!