STRINGS // KATSUKI BAKUGO [2]

Chapter 55 // Anymore

Bakugo distanced himself from you for the rest of the night. Yes, he tended to your needs like always, retrieving anything you asked for and making sure you were comfortable wherever you were sat, but he avoided eye contact at all costs. He avoided any conversation. 

It eventually got to the point where his dismissiveness started antagonizing you from the inside out, and that little, nagging voice decided to return.

'Wow, not even your own boyfriend will look at you. He can't, not when even the sight of you makes him sick to his stomach.'

'Shut up,' you thought in a weak attempt to shake off the demon. However, you've shared the same mind with this voice for too long. Such a simple command wouldn't make it disappear.

'Or what?' the voice laughed manically. 'You'll hurt me like you do everything else around you? News flash. I'm a figment of your poisonous imagination. Any damage you do to me is damage to yourself.'

You cringed, tuning in and out of the meaningless conversation happening around you, your eyes narrowing at the monopoly board splayed out on the living room table.

'You're better off alone,' it continued. 'That way, there's no one to hurt but yourself. Your face won't cause anymore pain. Your words won't sting anyone else. Your lack of memories won't tear down the bonds that are already strained between you and your peers, you and Bakugo.'

'Maybe you're right,' you replied mentally, 'but I'm gonna die soon anyway. May as well spend the remainder of my life doing something worthwhile.'

'Like fighting?'

'You're the one who told me to get my ass up and be productive.'

'And what are you doing now?'

'Enjoying the little things.'

'It's time to stop enjoying the little things and look at the bigger picture. You say you want to make your final moments worthwhile. You say you want to defeat Shigaraki, yet you're sitting spending time with people you may not remember after a night's sleep.'

'Can't I have one moment of peace?'

'Remember Aizawa's words? No peace comes with pursuing the life of a hero. If you can't obtain peace, chase chaos. Defeat Shigaraki. It's about all you've got time for.'

'Right,' you agreed, unresponsive when a hand landed on your shoulder from behind the couch you were sat on, 'but, if I defeat Shigaraki, will if you go away? If I leave, will you?'

'You will go better places,' the voice replied, sounding as sympathetic as ever, 'and I elsewhere.'

The hand on your shoulder clamped down a bit tighter, finally snapping you out of your terrorizing thoughts, and you glanced behind you to find Bakugo staring down at you in concern.

"You spaced out..." he muttered quietly, hand moving to brush a loose strand of hair out of your face and behind your ear.

You looked back at your classmates, who were still gathered around the living room table, entranced by the board game they had started.

"I think..." you began, reaching up to clasp Bakugo's fingers, which were still hovering near your head. "I think I need to go lay down."

The chatter filling the room slowly dissipated as all eyes fell upon you, but all you could focus on was Bakugo, who instantly rounded the couch at your statement to stand in front of you.

"Come on," he said, beckoning you to stand with extended arms, "let's go upstairs."

You reached out to grasp his forearms, using him as leverage to help yourself stand without fault.