Echoes of Past Ties (Todobaku Fanfiction)

05.Shadows of Yesterday

The golden rays of dawn gently pierced through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Bakugou's room. The morning peace was promptly disrupted as the door flung open, revealing a ball of energy named Hina. She launched herself onto the bed, her tiny fingers poking Bakugou. "Wake up, katsuki!" she giggled, her voice dripping with impatience.

Bakugou groaned, trying to steal a few more moments of sleep. But with Hina's persistence, it was a lost cause. He cracked an eye open, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. "Okay, okay! Give me a minute, troublemaker," he mumbled.

Uraraka's voice floated up from downstairs, dripping with playful sarcasm, "No breakfast for lazy bums!"

Laughing, Hina darted out of the room, leaving Bakugou to his thoughts. He slowly got out of bed, stretching out the kinks in his muscles. Thoughts of his encounter with Shoto yesterday clouded his mind. "So he's settled down, huh?" Bakugou mused, adjusting his tie in front of the mirror.

Descending the stairs, he was met with the familiar domestic scene of Midoriya helping Hina with her cereal while Uraraka set the table. Midoriya's eyes met Bakugou's, and they exchanged a nod, the unsaid camaraderie between them evident.

Uraraka handed Bakugou his plate, her fingers lingering momentarily to adjust his collar. "Can you pick up Hina from preschool today, like yesterday?" she asked, her tone hopeful.

Bakugou hesitated. "I've got back-to-back meetings today," he replied, running a hand through his hair, "I don't think I'll make it on time."

Midoriya, looking up from his coffee, added, "Don't push yourself too much, Kacchan. You've been on edge since yesterday."

Hina, eager to share the events of the previous day, chimed in, "Daddy, someone tried to hit Ka-"

Bakugou quickly cut her off, his face a shade darker. "Speaking of yesterday, you two were awfully noisy last night. Couldn't get a wink of sleep!"

Midoriya's face turned a brilliant shade of red, while Uraraka chuckled, a sly grin playing on her lips. The family's laughter echoed in the dining room, the events of the previous day momentarily forgotten. But in the back of Bakugou's mind, the image of Shoto persisted, reminding him of a past that was never truly behind him.

...................................................

Bakugou's office was an organized mess, a reflection of his chaotic mind and the nature of his job. As an investigator, his desk was littered with case files, photographs, and reports. The soft hum of computers and the murmur of conversations filled the space. As he settled into his chair, glancing over the cases on his desk, his computer beeped with a notification.

Kirishima, with his signature spiky red hair, leaned over the partition, his playful grin in place. "Couldn't sleep because of your loud friends, huh?" he teased, a twinkle in his eye.

Rolling his eyes, Bakugou shot back, "It's none of your business. They have their life. I have mine."

Pushing away the playful banter, Bakugou's demeanor turned serious. "Anything new on the case?" he asked Kirishima, his voice edged with concern.

Kirishima handed over a file, its contents displaying a series of child murders that had been plaguing the city. "Check this out," Kirishima said, "If you find anything fishy, we should get on it right away."

Before Bakugou could delve deep into the file, another officer dropped a hefty stack of paperwork onto his desk, "More for you, Bakugou. Courtesy of the captain." increasing his already heavy workload.

Before he could dive into the files, Bakugou's mind momentarily wandered, reminiscing the brief encounter with Shoto the previous day. It was uncanny how time seemed to have preserved the man's elegance and charm. A smirk graced Bakugou's lips. "Married, huh? Who would've thought?"

But these wandering thoughts were soon overshadowed by the weight of the case in front of him.

The disturbing facts in the file brought a sharp determination to his eyes. He whispered a silent promise, "I will find this monster." His resolve was stronger than ever; this murderer would not escape justice on his watch.

........................................

Kirishima's concerned gaze followed Bakugou as he left the office. "Hey, Bakugou," he called out, patting his friend's back gently. "Don't push yourself too hard. Remember, it's a long game, and we've got your back."

Bakugou gave him a curt nod, appreciating the support.

The fluorescent lights of the office cast long shadows, creating an eerie ambiance that seemed to resonate with the gravity of Bakugou's work. With Kirishima's departure, the room felt emptier, the weight of the unsolved cases pressing down on Bakugou even more. He knew he had a long night ahead. Every minute counted, and with a predator on the loose, there was no room for errors.

Hours went by in a blur as Bakugou reviewed case notes, analyzed patterns, and cross-referenced potential suspects. His dedication was unwavering, but even he had his limits. As exhaustion began to creep in, Kirishima's words echoed in his mind, reminding him to take a break.

Grabbing his bag, Bakugou decided to call it a night. The streets were empty, bathed in the dim glow of streetlights. The cool night air was refreshing against his tired face. As he made his way home, the rhythmic sound of his footsteps provided a backdrop for his swirling thoughts. Memories of past encounters and the vision of a certain dual-haired man kept pushing their way into his mind. The soft image of Shoto, the pain of parting, and the confusing emotions from their recent encounter made his heart heavy. "Why now?" Bakugou muttered to himself, feeling a tinge of guilt and longing.

Bakugou's footsteps echoed in the hallway of the precinct as he walked out, the weight of his thoughts and the case evident on his slouched shoulders. The path to home was familiar, but tonight it seemed longer, interspersed with memories of the past and the day's events.

As he approached his residence, Bakugou noted the stillness of the night, broken occasionally by the chirping of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl. He expected to slip inside quietly, assuming everyone would be asleep, lost in dreams of their own. A brief, wistful thought of someone waiting for him brought a pang of longing. The thought of Shoto, with his porcelain skin and piercing gaze, waiting for him in some alternate reality seemed almost surreal.

He shook his head, chastising himself for such whimsical musings. "It's wrong to pine for a married man," he whispered to himself, trying to ward off those intrusive thoughts. But the heart has its own language, and for Bakugou, it seemed to chant Shoto's name like a mantra.

Reaching the door, he unlocked it gently, trying to avoid any noise that might disturb the household. However, what awaited him on the other side left him frozen on the spot.

The sight of Shoto Todoroki, calmly sitting on their living room sofa, was a sight Bakugou had neither expected nor was prepared for. Midoriya and Uraraka sat nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and surprise.

Silence fell in the room, each person processing the situation in their own way. Shoto's piercing gaze locked onto Bakugou's, searching for answers, while Midoriya and Uraraka shared an anxious glance.

Bakugou finally broke the silence, his voice low and raspy from fatigue, "Shoto... What are you doing here?"