The Favor [Bakugou x Reader]

Chapter 33 - Red

Three days had passed, and your mother still hadn't woken up.

Word of her condition spread around the dorm. Yaoyorozu's family sent a giant arrangement of white and pink roses that took up the entire bedside table. Todoroki's family gave an assortment of fresh fruits which ended up being donated to the hospital cafeteria. Books and magazines from other classmates began piling up along the wall, but your mother wasn't awake to read them. Instead when you visited, you'd skim through the magazines and read passages aloud about celebrities, recipes, and '10 ways to lift your booty'.

When you couldn't visit, you developed a bad habit of walking into Kirishima's room unannounced to take a few hits at his punching bag to relieve your anxiety whenever it flared. When you walked in and saw him lounging on his bed in only his boxers reading a manga, you decided to start knocking.

You turned down your classmates' offers to accompany you for a visit. It felt too vulnerable with her lying there. However, each time you left your mother's room you found Bakugou sitting outside the door waiting. He'd take your hand and you'd walk back to the train station together. He didn't need to say anything. It was comforting to just have him near you.

"When my mom wakes up-" Bakugou still held your hand as you stepped off the train and headed toward campus. It was sweaty from his quirk, but you didn't mind- "I was wondering if you'd like to meet her." You gave a gentle but earnest squeeze. In all the stress of the last few days you hadn't been able to talk about your whatever-this-was with Bakugou. But he'd been there for you nonetheless.

"Really?" His question was soft and genuine.

"Yeah, I mean... I want her to meet my-" You puckered your lips to the side trying to think of the right title. Friend? Boyfriend? Guy I kissed a few times? "...you." Your cheeks turned rosy.

"Sure."

"Really?"

"I said sure didn't I?!" His aggressive tone held no conviction and you squeezed his hand once more.

"She'll hate you. So just don't act like yourself," you laughed and pinched his cheek with your free hand. Bakugou scoffed and released your hand.

"I thought you like that I'm myself!" You smirked at his frustration.

"I do. But she'll kill you if you curse in front of her. Just pretend you need to actually win the high heel bet this time." You winked and took two quick skips to avoid the playful punch you would receive.

Your phone rang and you stopped short, feeling Bakugou's body barrel into yours. He stopped you from falling and held you around the waist as you grabbed your phone from your back pocket.

"It's the hospital." The lightness in your tone evaporated.

"Well, answer it Ashtray." He raised his brows, urging you to accept the call. You pressed the answer key. Bakugou listened to your side of the conversation.

"Hello?... Yes, this is [l/n] [f/n]... Yes, that's my mother... She is? She is?!... Thank you. Thank you! I'll be right there!" You hung up and threw your arms around Bakugou's neck. "SHE'S AWAKE!" You beamed up at the boy. He looked into your eyes, the ones that had been cloudy for the last three days and saw the spark of hope that now shone brightly.

"You still want me to meet her?" He smiled down at you, arms still wrapped around your waist. He could kiss you so easily like this. He shook away the thought. It wasn't the right time.

You nearly forgot your earlier conversation but nodded vehemently, feeling tears prick the corners of your eyes. "Please?"

"Let's go." He gently pulled your hands from around his neck and tucked one inside his own. You turned back to the station and waited for the next train.