STRINGS // KATSUKI BAKUGO [2]

Chapter 58 // Always

You were lying on the couch, Eri in your lap as she fiddled with a few loose strings from the pads of your fingers, when Aizawa entered the living room.

"Feel like going out?" he questioned.

"Where to?" you asked, slowly sitting up, causing Eri to shuffle off your lap and onto the cushion beside you.

"The dorms," he stated as if you could easily remember such a place. "Midoriya is back."

You tensed, having completely forgotten that you wanted to see Midoriya. You didn't think they'd be able to catch the rouge boy so easily simply based off of what you've heard about the situation.

You didn't know why you needed to talk to him. There was just this urge, this feeling, telling you to do so. Maybe seeing him again after so long would help you remember what you had to gain from speaking with him in the first place.

"I'll get dressed," you stated shortly before standing up, darting past the man, and heading upstairs.

You slipped off the sweatpants and sweatshirt you had been lounging around in all day and found some leggings and a t-shirt that were more presentable.

You slipped on a the jacket as well, knowing you'd be a little bit cold no matter the temperature due to your failing nerves.

Finally, you made sure your wedding ring was secured on your ring finger before heading back downstairs.

Aizawa, Hizashi, and Eri were waiting by the front door, and their eyes traveled your way as you approached them.

Something about the way they were standing, Hizashi's slouched and carefree posture, Aizawa's lack of caution and guard, Eri's ecstatic behavior as she pawed at the door, which Aizawa held shut, ready to leave, something about it sparked a fuzzy feeling in your stomach, a feeling of reminiscence.

"Maybe going shopping on Christmas Eve wasn't the best idea."

"It was your idea."

You would've said something, told them you remembered, but you didn't. You didn't want to give them false hope, especially Eri, because you knew the next time you went to sleep and woke up, such progress would probably be gone.

¥¥¥

When the four of you entered the dorm building, it was easy to locate the class with how chatty they were being from the lounge.

You glanced at Aizawa, who nodded your way, before entering the lounge first, the two men and Eri following behind you.

"[L/N]!"

Everyone was enthusiastic to see you, but Mina was the only one who made a move, rounding the couch she stood in front of and bolting toward you, arms outstretched.

Then, she skidded to sharp stop, arms falling to her sides as her face fell, realization striking her.

"It's okay, Mina," you assured, holding out your arms with a small, sympathetic smile. "I'm not as strong as I used to be, but I'm not gonna break if you hug me."

Mina hesitated to advance with her desired hug, but she eventually gained enough courage to step forward and wrap her arms around you. However, you noticed how loose her grasp was compared to how she usually held you. Usually, she was too excited to let go. Now, she was too afraid she'd hurt you.

"How're you feeling, [Y/N]?" Iida asked.

"Fine," you replied, rubbing Mina's back as she pulled away. "I'm just tired all the time."

It wasn't a lie. You just weren't elaborating as much as you probably should've been and as much as your classmates would've liked.

Iida didn't question you on the topic any further. He only stated at you with a knowing look in his eyes.

"Where Midoriya?" you questioned.

Todoroki and Kirishima, who were stood beside each other, parted from one another, revealing a sleeping Midoriya on the couch.

Taking in his appearance, his sunken eyes, pale skin, unkempt hair, and almost lifeless form, you could tell he had been through the wringer.

It was too bad he was the one thing, the one person, you couldn't completely remember. It irritated you that you didn't know why you couldn't remember anything beside his name and face.

"How long has he been asleep?" you asked.

"A half-an-hour at most," Todoroki answered.

You hummed in acknowledgment as you looked around, a tidal wave of confusion crashing against you when you realized a certain someone was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's my explosive husband?" you wondered aloud with a breathy chuckle.

"Do you?..." Kaminari trailed off, brows furrowing in confusion. "You remember?"

"I started having flashbacks a little bit ago," you confessed, "but it's minor stuff. It's enough for now."

"Well, that phone call the two of you had earlier shook him up," Kirishima explained. "He's been sulking in his room since we got back." You sighed, heading for the lounge door.

"I'll go talk to him," you stated, "but, when I get back, I need to talk to Midoriya."

You made your way to the floor housing Bakugo's room, having to stumble around a bit and test knocking on varying doors until you found his exact dorm, which you could identity by the incoherent groans that came about after banging your fist against the door.

"Katsuki Bakugo, open this damn door and greet your wife like a respectable person, or, so help me god, I will rip this door off its hinges," you threatened.

THUD.

You grew confused at the sound of a loud, harsh thud echoing from inside his room. However, before you could investigate, the door was yanked open, and you were greeted with the sight of your disheveled husband.

"You remember..." he stated in a whisper, lips trembling, eyes wide. His hands gripped the doorframe so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Yeah," you exhaled. "It came back to me, like, an hour ago."

Bakugo surged forward, arms snaking around you like a predator trapping its prey. He pressed you against his chest, stuffing his face into your neck. His hands shook against the parts of you on which they laid, one against your lower back and the other cupping the back of your head.

"Kat—"

"I thought you'd never remember..." he whispered, lips trembling against your collarbone. "The way you talked on the phone, it was like the last year didn't exist."He leaned back, his eyes glossed over with reluctant tears. "I knew this would happened. It's what you prepared me for, but it's still fucking hard."

You wrapped your arms around his shoulders, one hand cupping his nape while the other dove into his hair, your fingers weaving through his ash blond locks in hopes the gesture would comfort him.

"I'm sorry that there's nothing I can do," you apologized. "Believe me, I wanted to remember as soon as I read your note, but my brain wouldn't let me. I literally stared at you on my lock screen for half the day."

Bakugo leaned back but still stayed in the comfort of you arms. He simply shifted enough to be able to look into your eyes.

"Stay the night?" he asked, eyes heavy with sleep, yet he still managed to observe your every feature with feral adoration.

"Always."

You could speak to Midoriya in the morning.

[EDITED]