The Favor [Bakugou x Reader]

Chapter 43 - Katsuki

Bakugou went to the hospital every day for the next two weeks. At times members of the squad would tag along, other days he'd go alone. He didn't even snap when Todoroki showed up during visiting hours. 

One afternoon Bakugou walked into room 627, only to see your mother sitting beside your stony visage. She had been knitting, deep in a story but stopped at seeing Bakugou.

"Hey punk." She grinned warmly at seeing your boyfriend and returned to the yarn in her hands. Bakugou nearly laughed at the way she addressed him. You clearly got your sass from her.

"I could come back as a different time?" Bakugou started to head back to the door.

"No. Don't be silly. Besides, we've never really gotten a chance to talk." The [h/c] haired woman put her needles down and motioned toward another hard, plastic chair to her left. Bakugou removed his jacket and draped it across the back of the chair. He took a seat and rested his elbows on his knees, eyes cast to the floor, a bit hesitant to speak with your mother.

"How have you been doing?" She grabbed Bakugou's hand, causing him to look up. Her color was better than the last time he'd seen her in her own hospital bed. [l/n] Ana wore thin framed round glasses, giving her face a roundness and youth. Her shoulder length [h/c] hair was clipped back off her face, but some strands still fell in front of her eyes. Bakugou nearly started at how much you looked alike and glanced toward your grey form, melancholy.

"Shitty," he answered instinctively. "Oh... God... sorry." He caught himself.

[y/n] said she'd kill me if I cursed. Fuck. To his relief Ana laughed.

"I'm doing pretty shitty too." They stayed quiet for a long moment, Ana still gripping Bakugou's hand in tender understanding. They both missed you. They both needed some comfort.

"I'm a hero and I don't know how to save her," Bakugou finally said, feeling the words catch in his throat.

"You're putting a lot of pressure on yourself, aren't you?" a kind, motherly tone.

"I was with her. She..." Bakugou motioned toward your form with his free hand, "and I'm still here."

"[y/n] wouldn't want you to feel guilty." Ana watched as Bakugou's eyes grew glassy, fighting tears. He was too proud to cry in front of your mother and dug his fingernails into his own palm to dull the sensation. Ana stood up and walked in front of Bakugou's chair. "I'm going to hug you now." Bakugou stiffened as Ana's arms wrapped around his shoulders, pulling him toward her. When she didn't break contact, he allowed himself to relax just slightly, accepting the gesture.

"I know you care about her," she breathed into his hair. "And someday soon they're going to find a way to bring her back from this. A medicine, a time-turning quirk, a sound, a smell, a -" Bakugou pushed the woman from him. She took a step back shocked.

"Say that again!" His eyes were dry and wild.

"Say what? Medicine? A sound?" Ana looked puzzled at the frantic boy.

"A sound?!" Bakugou snatched his jacket and shoved his arms into the sleeves.

"Where are you going?"

"I have a new idea. Thank you [l/n]-san." He pushed past your mother, a fresh hope in his crimson eyes and grabbed your statued hands. "I'll be back [y/n]. Don't worry."

Ana watched as the blond boy practically ran out the door, a grateful smile on her face. She rested a soft hand on your stony shoulder.

"You picked a good one [y/n]."

***

The train ride back to campus seemed to last an eternity. Bakugou itched to dig through your notes, confident that he had a new direction. He sprinted into Heights Alliance, taking the stairs three at a time up to your fifth floor dorm room.