ALWAYS || Katsuki Bakugo

83- A New Chapter

It was a chilly winter morning when Yoshiko set out of her and her boyfriend's cosy apartment, nose hidden behind a scarf, hands held to her chest covered by gloves. The sky greyed, clouds heavy and dark, threatening to spill down rain. She tried not to hop from foot to foot as they waited for a cab. The sooner she was in the warmth of a car, the better. Bakugo pulled her closer, the tips of his ears and nose cold from being slapped by the nippy air.

They soon got a cab, and Bakugo told the driver where they wanted to be dropped. Yoshiko snuggled into herself, happily melting in her seat. It was a big day for Yoshiko and Bakugo today. The twenty-year-olds had finally saved up enough for a small agency.

They'd spent the last few months staying up late in the night with paperwork and all the legal aspects of running an agency. Not to mention that they'd been working for Endeavor all this time. The pay might have been mouth-watering, but saving up for an agency cost them a fortune. It was worth it, though. They wouldn't have to be ordered around and could operate as they wished from now on. Hawks had been really helpful and willingly introduced hem to people who could make their job a little easier.

They stopped in front of a skyscraper and paid the driver before stepping out. After a long trip to the seventeenth floor, they stopped at the floor where their agency was, new and brimming with opportunities. Bakugo handed Yoshiko the keys with a smile, "Open the door."

She loosened her scarf and took the key, nodding. She stepped towards the glass door with a nameplate on it. Bakugo had suggested they name the agency Explosion Murder Agency, but Yoshiko refused it because it sounded like an agency where you could hire hitmen to kill people. After a lot of thought and consideration, they had settled on Big Bang Agency.

Yoshiko unlocked the door and stepped inside with Bakugo, her breath stuck in her throat, eyes sparking at the unfurnished lobby. She glanced up at Bakugo, the cogs in his head turning as he thought of making it a reception area. He noticed her staring and grinned, "Dream come true, eh?"

"Yeah," She smiled, removing her gloves and scarf. Bakugo followed her into other empty rooms, discussing what to do with each room.

"This one could be the storage area since it's smaller than the rest," Yoshiko hummed, "Or maybe an office?"

"Storage area sounds better," Bakugo replied, yanking her to another room, "This could be an office. Our office."

Yoshiko entered the spacious room, her footsteps echoing. She walked around, envisioning the carpet, the new desks, the office chairs, their agency bustling with other heroes, going on patrol together. The thought of it all made her feel like she was afloat.

"It even has a balcony," She said, pointing at the glass doors.

"Which is why I think it should be our office. He stopped in front of the door, looking at it thoughtfully, "We're going to have to cover it with blinds, though, or the heat will make it unbearable in summer."

"Yeah," She agreed. She pointed a finger to one end of the room, "We could have our desks there and a locker there. Oh, I know, a-"

Bakugo watched her excitedly list off the things they could slowly start adding to the agency, a smile plastered to his face. Her excitement made him excited, too. As a kid, Bakugo alone wanted to be a boss so he could order his 'underlings' around, but having Yoshiko with him in this dream made everything shine brighter.

Yoshiko felt like she'd get smile lines from grinning for so long as she explored the rest of the agency. She sighed in contentment and leaned by a window, resting her head against it. Bakugo stood beside her, and she glanced up at him, admiring the way the sun hit his pale skin. He had grown his hair out and had them in a mullet now. Yoshiko still remembered not being able to get her mouth off him when he came home with the new haircut. It ended up with Bakugo passing out from exhaustion because of how much she overstimulated him. It still made her flush thinking about it.

Looking at him, she felt like he hadn't changed, but at the same time, he wasn't the same boy she had met in her second year at UA. He still had his wild and spiky hair, his untamed fury and rage, although it had mellowed over the years. He stood around six feet three now, sturdier than before. He might have changed somewhat, but one thing sure hadn't changed- the way he still made her heart race by doing nothing.

It made her want to let out the words that were stuck deep in her heart. They would often travel up her throat and attack her voice box, begging to be let out.

"This is perfect," He said after some time of gazing out of the window, "Getting to run an agency with you is all I've ever wanted. It feels like I've taken a huge step in my life, and the fact that you're here with me makes it even better."

"You give me a heart attack when you randomly get all poetic on me," Yoshiko giggled, the voice warming Bakugo's skin. She almost made him want to take another giant step. The one that would take things with her further.

He already had a tiny box sitting snug in the inside of his coat, poking his chest, demanding it be let out. They stared at each other, eyes locked as they tried to speak words they were unable to. Stripping their hesitance away, they spoke together in unison. They had promised each other forever. There was no need to hesitate.

"Marry me."

"Marry me."

Their eyes widened in shock, jaws on the floor before they started bickering, "I was supposed to say it first!" Bakugo exclaimed.

"Well, too bad I did." Yoshiko snorted, "Now marry me."

Fuming, Bakugo unbuttoned his coat and pulled out the little box, taking her hand and slamming it in her palm, closing her fingers around it, "No, you marry me."

Yoshiko looked down at her hand with the tiny box, Bakugo's calloused hands wrapped around hers. Her gaze shifted up to him, her heart thumping so fast she was scared it would jump out. She burst out laughing, warm tears forming in her waterline. With his hands still around hers, she put her forehead on his chest, shoulders shaking as she sobbed.

Bakugo kissed her hair, smiling gently. She finally looked up at him, "I'm sorry, I just got overwhelmed."

"No, it's alright." He brushed her tears away and kissed her eyelashes.

"I do want to marry you, Katsuki. More than anything." She smiled, watching Bakugo kiss the inside of her wrist. He opened the box, revealing a single, bright ruby earring, the gem glistening from the sunlight barraging through the window panes.

Yoshiko tucked her hair behind her ear and let him put it on her ear. He fastened the stopper and cradled her face, smiling softly. He kissed the tip of her nose and then brushed his lips with hers, "Thank you for always bein' by my side."

"No, thank you, Katsuki." She held his hands, her insides spilling with unimaginable love. He kissed her and pulled her into his chest, stroking her hair, ready to begin a new chapter with her.

｡⋆｡˚ ʚïɞ ˚｡⋆｡

Author's Note

It's finally over.

It's been a fun journey writing about Yoshiko and Bakugo. I grew attached to this story on the way, and it's sad but fulfilling to finally mark it as complete. Thank you so much for reading. Your guys' comments and votes made my day, and I even remember most of your usernames and profile pictures 😂 You guys have been incredibly nice and sweet to me, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I can't say for sure, but there might be a sequel for Always sometime in the future. For now, I'll try to complete my dabi fic, and you can feel free to bug me on Tumblr (Azzo0) or my conversations page.

Don't forget to take care of yourselves.

Love you guys. Mwah mwah.