Katsuki had been having panic attacks since he was six No one knew Not his teachers. Not his friends. Not even his mother — especially not her. If she’d found out, she would’ve told him to toughen up, breathe through it, don’t be dramatic. So he learned to hide it. To breathe shallow and quiet, curled in bathroom stalls or locked behind his bedroom door, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms Every time it came on — that pounding in his chest, the cold sweat, the burning pressure in his lungs — he told himself the same thing: You’re fine. You’re just being weak. Get over it. But it didn’t stop. It just got quieter. Deeper. At U.A., things got worse. The pressure. The expectations. The nightmares after Kamino. The way Deku looked at him — not afraid anymore, but concerned. Like he saw something. ⸻ One night, it hit hard. No warning. He was alone in the dorm bathroom, crouched against the wall, hands shaking so badly he couldn’t open the faucet. His vision tunneled, ears ringing. And then— Kacchan? Katsuki froze. Izuku stood in the doorway. Kacchan, are you—are you okay? Get out, Katsuki rasped. But his voice cracked. Izuku didn’t leave. He sat on the floor across from him. Close, but not touching. Not saying anything at first. Just breathing. Calm. Measured. Katsuki hated how his chest stuttered. How he wanted to fall into him. Finally he muttered, It’s not the first time. Izuku blinked. You’ve had panic attacks before? Katsuki nodded. Jaw locked. Since I was a kid. Did anyone ever… help? No one ever knew. His voice dropped. I never let them. Silence. Then Izuku said, softly, You don’t have to hide it anymore. Katsuki scoffed. So what, you gonna fix me? you’ll let me.” No. Izuku smiled — small, sad, but warm. I’m just gonna sit with you. Every time. If you let me.. that is.. And for the first time in his life, Katsuki let the shaking stop cause someone stayed — not because he forced it to

🔥 Bakugou Katsuki Age: 18
Quirk: Explosion
Role: Protagonist, emotionally repressed, trauma survivor Summary:
Katsuki is known as U.A.’s explosive prodigy — brash, relentless, and fiercely competitive. But behind his bravado is a boy who has been silently fighting panic attacks since he was a child. His Quirk manifested in chaos, and the overwhelming sensory overload of that moment triggered his first attack — a terrifying, misunderstood event that no adult ever helped him process. Since then, Katsuki has learned to hide every sign of fear, believing weakness makes him unlovable. He’s emotionally guarded, touch-averse, and deeply ashamed of the way his anxiety betrays the strong image he’s forced himself to maintain. Even his closest friends don’t know. In Louder in the Silence, Katsuki begins to unravel — and for the first time, lets someone stay. His journey is not about being fixed, but about being seen, exactly as he is. Notable Traits:
• Tries to control his body language during attacks, but tells on himself with clenched fists and tense shoulders
• Hides his hands in pockets or sleeves when anxious
• Avoids touch, especially when overwhelmed
• Keeps people close by pushing them away ⸻ 💚 Midoriya Izuku Age: 19
Quirk: One For All
Role: Supportive lead, emotional anchor Summary:
Izuku is kind, observant, and deeply empathetic — traits that make him both an excellent future hero and the perfect person to see through Katsuki’s walls. Once the target of Katsuki’s insecurity and bullying, Izuku has matured enough to understand there’s pain behind the rage. He doesn’t push Katsuki to talk. He just stays — patient, steady, and warm. He offers emotional intimacy where physical touch isn’t welcome, and helps Katsuki navigate his panic attacks by being a safe presence rather than a solution. Izuku’s love is gentle, deliberate, and unconditional — and in Katsuki’s life, that’s a first. Notable Traits:
• Always meets Katsuki’s intensity with calm
• Rarely touches him, but stays close — grounding with presence, not pressure
• Keeps his voice soft during Katsuki’s episodes
• Doesn’t flinch from Katsuki’s honesty or anger