The Return [Kiribaku]

Nightmares

Kiri

"Do you remember any of these nightmares?"

I still as Ochako holds my chin with a gloved hand, dabbing disinfectant on my reddened lip with the other.

"No, not really."

"Hm," her brows furrow as she reaches for a Q-tip. "I'm gonna trust you, but that info could really help us figure out what happened to you."

I cut my eyes toward the girl sharply, tearing my chin from her grasp in the process. "You mean you don't know?"

"Of course not. We would have told you." She straightens to standing, regarding me where I slouch atop the sheets. "But if you can tell us anything, we might be able to do something about these night terrors. Your poor mouth would be happier." 

Her gaze sweeps over my blotchy lips, teeth marks imprinted in the raw skin.

I shift nervously, avoiding the deep brown of her eyes. "Sorry, I don't really remember anything. Only that I was scared." The lie slips from my tongue easily, a small smile commanding my features. "I'm good now, sorry to bother you."

"No problem. Goodnight, Kirishima." She gives me one last tentative glance before collecting her small First Aid kit and heading for the door.

I rest a finger softly against my latest bite marks, before tugging a small phone from where it rests against my leg.

The black-haired man, Aizawa, had visited me again, affording me an old iPhone 7. "To start rekindling old relationships," he had said, but the only number I rushed to acquire was Bakugou's.

I click his contact now, fingers hovering over the keyboard as I read through our sparse history. Forget socializing in person, it is almost impossible to hold the blonde's interest over text. 

I contemplate the late hour before dropping him a quick text, holding my breath as excited nerves flutter across my skin. What am I, a middle schooler with a crush? Get it together, Eijirou. I don't fight my wide grin, though, as I flop back into the pillows and click to a random mobile game. 

Until my screen dings with his reply. I almost squeal, rushing to click back to Messages.

Me: U up?

Bakugou: Am now.

I roll my eyes at his clipped reply, letting out a hum as I contemplate whether to mention my current state.

Me: Sorry if I woke u. Just had a nightmare and couldn't go back to sleep

A moment passes before his typing bubble appears at the bottom of the screen.

Bakugou: Do they let family visit any hour?

Me: I think so

Me: Why?

Bakugou: Give me like 20 min

My eyes widen, but...

Me: Ur not family?

Bakugou: Shut it

Bakugou: 20 min

I click the screen to black in a daze, thoughts circling for what feels like hours. A muffled shout jolts me from my spiral and I slide to standing, padding to creak open my door and peak into the hallway.

It's still lit at this hour, illuminating two figures, one of whom seems to be fighting his bursting temper.

"Bakugou?"