**Chapter 290: Fading Light**

As I stood there, wrapped in Bakugo's arms, I felt my eyelids growing heavy, my body weakening with each passing second. The adrenaline that had been coursing through my veins earlier began to wear off, leaving me feeling drained and exhausted. I tried to fight it, to stay awake and focused on the situation, but it was no use. My head began to nod forward, and I felt myself slipping away. Bakugo's arms tightened around me, holding me close as I swayed in his grasp. "Vesper, stay with me," he whispered, his voice low and urgent. But I couldn't respond. My vision began to blur, and I felt myself being pulled down into darkness. The last thing I remembered was Bakugo's warm breath on my ear, his voice a gentle whisper in my mind. "I've got you, I'm not letting you go." And then, everything went black. When I came to, I was lying on a soft surface, my head throbbing with a dull ache. I slowly opened my eyes, taking in my surroundings. I was in a room I didn't recognize, a large bed beneath me and a window that let in a sliver of sunlight. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the pillows. Bakugo's face appeared above me, his eyes narrowed with concern. "Easy, Vesper," he said, his voice soft. "You're still weak. You need to rest." He was sitting beside me on the bed, his hand on my forehead, his fingers gently stroking my hair. I tried to speak, but my voice came out in a croak. Bakugo handed me a glass of water, and I took a sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe my parched throat. "Where...where are we?" I asked, my voice still rough. Bakugo's expression turned grim. "I don't know," he said. "I carried you here. I had to get you out of there before Shigaraki showed up again." He glanced around the room, his eyes scanning the space as if searching for any signs of danger. I tried to remember, but my memories were hazy. I recalled Shigaraki's words, his smile, and then...nothing. "What happened?" I asked, my brow furrowing. Bakugo's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze intense. "Shigaraki's going to try and use you against me," he said, his voice low and deadly. "But I won't let that happen. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe." I felt a surge of gratitude towards him, and I reached out, my hand brushing against his. Bakugo's eyes flicked to mine, and for a moment, we just looked at each other. I knew that I was in his care, and that he would do everything in his power to protect me. As I lay there, I realized that I was at his mercy, but I wasn't afraid. With Bakugo by my side, I felt a sense of security that I had never felt before. He would keep me safe, no matter what. And as I drifted off to sleep once more, I knew that I was exactly where I was meant to be.