The Return [Kiribaku]

I'm (Still) Right Here

Baku

"Fuck," I hiss as soon as the front door slams behind me, kicking my shoes angrily onto the floor with echoing thuds.

"Katsuki," the hag immediately calls from another room, making my palms resume their frustrated simmering.

I had just managed to cool the irritated skin in a bathroom at school, shoving my palms under the freezing tap until the sticky scent of caramel began to fade from the air. I had needed the intervention, nerves on edge after begrudgingly agreeing to help Kirishima set up his dorm.

"What," I bark, making my way loudly toward the kitchen, my socked feet still managing to make my presence known to anyone within at least ten miles. 

The neighbors are probably preparing to make another noise complaint, I think with a dark smirk. If only I was allowed to use my quirk on those old assholes...

My thoughts are interrupted when the hag comes around the corner as I enter the kitchen, a worried frown stretched across her face. "What's with all the noise? Do I need to beat someone's ass?"

I scoff, willing the amusement from my features as I reply gruffly, "No. Mind your damn business."

"Mmkay." She regards me skeptically as I shuffle from the fridge to the counter and back, collecting ingredients and heating the stove until even the cat smells faintly of spice.

Hedgehog saunters across the kitchen floor, consistently placing herself wherever I plan to step next, earning her quite a few chuckles from the old lady having opted to watch me cook.

"Oh, fuck off," I grumble after about the fiftieth close call, the spiky demon shooting from under my raised foot with a playful glint in her ruby eyes.

Before I can blink, the hag is next to me at the counter, raising her hand in a swift chop to the back of the neck.

"OW! What the-"

"Language, Katsuki." As I seethe, her eyes dip to the cutting board at my waist where I chop angrily at a pack of scallions. Her breath catches, only for a moment. "What happened to your wrist?"

"Didn't I say mind your damn- OW!"

She lowers her hand, giving me a once over with sharp crimson eyes. "What happened, you brat?" She catches my left arm, effectively halting any progress as her gaze bores into the opposite wrist, hand suspending the knife inches from a waiting scallion.

"...It was an accident."

"What was an accident?" Her grip slackens against my forearm, other hand reaching for my opposite shoulder. "Look at me, Kat. What happened?"

I let the knife slide onto the cutting board, allowing her to tug my gaze from the counter.

Her fingers burn slightly against the hunch of my shoulders, working to ground me against the cold weight pressed suddenly into my gut. "Kirishima didn't know he was doing it. He just remembered his quirk, and..." 

My gaze falls from hers, throat aching and mouth dry. The fuck is wrong with me?

"Really? Just now?" She rubs her fingers against my hoodie as her brows furrow in thought. "Does that mean his memory's improving?"

"No. I...reminded him."

My eyes widen as she tugs me toward her suddenly, forcing me to bend slightly into her embrace.

Only an inch or two shorter than me, I feel her move onto her toes to push my head under her own.

I sink slowly forward, bending my knees to allow her hands to run through my thick hair, arms encircling my head against her chest.