Katsuki Bakugo X Reader: Volume 2

Chapter 6: Love, Loss, and Redemption

You were standing on the balcony with your arm resting on the railing. Bakugo stares at you, patiently waiting for your response as he sits in silence, listening to the sounds of the wind. Your heart was beating fast as your breathing began to shallow. You were anxious about how this impromptu conversation with your former lover will go.

"All these years... all these years to say something to me, and you choose now? Why?" You were stalling for time to gather your thoughts. Unfortunately, when your anxiety takes over, you start having difficulty remembering or thinking about things due to the distress your mind is putting on your body.

Usually, in these situations, you have developed a safety behavior, subtle actions to avoid anxiety, using your phone as a distraction to look busy, or coming up with reasons to leave the encounter early. However, you have been avoiding this conversation with Bakugo for a while now. The momentary relief from avoiding the conversation was short-lived and worsened the anxiety.

"Wow, I can't believe it's been years," Bakugo spoke.

You remember what your therapist talked about discreetly coping with the anxious feeling. You breathe through your nose, inhaling the oxygen you need to fill your lungs. Then hold the air within your lungs and slowly exhale through your mouth with your lips puckered as if you were blowing through a straw. "I know; I still can't get over what happened."

Bakugo exhaled as he slipped his hands into his pockets. "I'm so sorry. I just had so much on my mind back then. I had a lot of things I couldn't... (EXHALED) I didn't know how to process at that time."

"I understand what it takes to be a hero, but there needs to be a balance between work and home life. I know how busy you were, and I know you were trying to surpass your expectation as a hero. It wasn't easy on either of us." You continued with a sad expression on your face.

"I wanted to be the number one pro hero so damn bad!" Bakugo began to ball his hands into a fist out of frustration with his past self.

"I know, and I was willing to do anything to help you reach your goal, Kacchan. But that didn't mean to shut me out." You started to tear up because you were getting emotional, but you were forcing yourself not to cry. "I was pregnant with our child, and I needed you! I needed you, Katsuki! I need you on my side. I need you to tell me things would be ok."

Bakugo looked away with such guilt and shame. "The moment you miscarried, I was distraught about our loss. I know you had to go through the physical pains of that experience, but I couldn't handle my emotional pain and the idea that it was my fault for putting that much stress on you." Bakugo paused. "I fell into this dark hole of despair, and the only thing at the time was to take my anger and focus it on putting these villains down."

"It wasn't one hundred percent your fault. I went on that stupid mission. Even though Hawks had me on rescue duty, no one woulda have known that Muscular would be there to attack the civilians.

"Damn it, I knew I shouldn't listen to the icy-hot bastard. I shoulda went with you. I should have been there. Either way, yes, I wasn't ready to be a father, but I was trying to step up to the plate no matter what! I had to make sure our physiological needs were met! I had to make sure that we were stable!" Bakugo continued.

"A lot of things were coming on: we were still heroes. We were so young. I was worried about with my parents would think; I was worried about what your family would think."

Bakugo turned his attention back to you and gazed into your eyes. "You're the love of my life, Ren, and I want to make things right between us."

"Love," you paused momentarily, "present tense?" You began to choke up at the moment as your body began to shake with such intensity.