Chapter 22: A Moment's Peace

A Moment's Peace As we caught our breath and looked around, the clearing seemed to grow quieter, as if the very trees were listening in on our conversation. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming wildflowers, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees. Osby let out a deep sigh, his eyes closing as he leaned against a nearby trunk. "I'm glad we made it out of there," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Bakugo snorted, his eyes rolling. "Yeah, yeah, thanks to your crazy plan." I grinned, feeling a sense of pride. "Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Bakugo shrugged, but a small smile played on his lips. "I guess." As we stood there, the tension in our bodies began to ease, replaced by a sense of relief and exhaustion. We had made it out of the League of Villains' hideout, and for now, we were safe. Osby opened his eyes, his gaze meeting mine. "What now?" he asked, his voice a little stronger now. I hesitated, unsure of what to say. We couldn't stay here forever, but for now, it was a safe haven. I looked around, taking in our surroundings. The clearing was surrounded by a dense forest, with trees towering above us. A small stream ran through the center, its crystal clear waters reflecting the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. "We should rest," I said finally, my eyes meeting Osby's and Bakugo's. "We can't keep running forever." Bakugo nodded, his eyes already scanning the area. "Yeah, we need to come up with a plan." Osby nodded, his eyes closing again. "I'm just going to take a nap. Wake me up when it's time to leave." I smiled, feeling a sense of amusement. "Deal." As Osby drifted off to sleep, Bakugo and I exchanged a look. We both knew that this was just a temporary reprieve, that eventually, we would have to face the League of Villains again. But for now, we just stood there, enjoying the peace and quiet of the clearing. The sound of Osby's gentle snores and the babbling of the stream created a soothing melody, one that seemed to wash away our worries and fears. Bakugo spoke up, his voice low. "You think we'll ever be able to go back to our normal lives?" I hesitated, unsure of what to say. But as I looked at Bakugo, I saw the fear and uncertainty in his eyes, and I knew that I had to give him some kind of reassurance. "We'll try," I said finally, my voice firm. "We'll do everything we can to make sure that happens." Bakugo nodded, a small smile on his face. "Thanks, Izuku." As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the clearing, we stood there, watching Osby sleep, and waiting for whatever came next.