Boku No Hero Academia One Shots [Book 2]

Katsuki Bakugou

Requested by: Ruwukun

[A/N]: I feel like this one will be very triggering, so please read at your own peril!

Heavy Trigger Warnings: Mention of Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation, Listed Methods of Suicide, Past Attempts/Notes, Mention of Bullying, Implied Suicide.

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The scrap of paper before you earned a glacial stare. On it, were engraved ways of releasing you from life's cruel shackles. Painless to painful, it was of no consequence - nothing mattered anymore. The material world was a cage, a prison...and you had borne its torture long enough.

Hanging, Drowning, Fire/Volcano, Poison, Overdose, Jumping from Height/In Front of a Vehicle, Carbon Monoxide, Dehydration, Hypothermia, Starvation, Cutting, Electrocution, Suffocation/Strangulation, Shooting.

You had compiled this list following countless hours of research. And, for as odd and frightening as it sounded, suicide by volcano was apparently quite common - some even claimed it to be an exciting exit, albeit very dramatic. It was...food for thought, certainly. Drowning and Hanging you had considered extensively, actually going so far as to attempt both, on separate occasions. The former you experimented with in a bathtub, but your father - the Pro Hero: Snipe - found and chastised you for succumbing to sleep in the water. The latter failed due to an oversight on your part - you hadn't ensured that the rope was as thick as required, or tied properly around the tree branch.

That should have signalled the death of your endeavour, the end of your pursuit.

Alas, there was a dreadful determination writhing within you, and it couldn't be satiated until you breathed your last. But this was a heavily-guarded secret, and even the most observant among family and friends remained oblivious. Your father had yet to catch on; as did the boy your heart hammered for. In the end, though...wouldn't they find relief in the loss of such an unnecessary life? This thought in particular, caused many a sleepless night. The burdens of school and social interaction were becoming considerably more difficult to bear. You used to adore joining the activities of the Bakusquad, teasing their leader to a merciless extent, to conceal your mammoth crush. But now...you were tired, and nothing of leisure seemed even remotely appealing.

Well, Bakugou was no fool. Passing by your desk had enlightened him about your slipping grades, and the half-dazed, half-saddened look in your eyes.

He didn't like it - not one bit.

For a while, he pondered on it. Could something be ailing you?...Why did he even care? The truth was strange - an unfamiliar feeling of warmth and joy. Bakugou tried to suppress it, but it proved too potent. He didn't like seeing you in such a sorry state. He didn't like how you never referenced it. How was he supposed to help, if you never even let him in? It was stupid. These concerns...completely stupid! You were an aspiring hero. What kind of hero couldn't defend themselves, against an invisible enemy?

...Invisible enemy?

Was this a mental intrusion, by some villain? A quirk incident? But then...it would have been reported, right? Right?! So...if not a villain...

Bakugou's ears rattled with the sound of...blood? Screaming? There was a sense of disquiet, about this entire situation. You hadn't explained yourself to anyone. You had clearly staved off sleep and food. You just weren't acting normally. Bakugou was hesitant to admit it, but he missed your chipper attitude. You barely even spoke anymore. Your voice was heavenly! He loved it, loved you...with every fibre of his being. Right now...he was sure you needed someone, to vent to or cuddle. He would gladly assume that mantle. You could lean on him, depend on him. Heck, even if you decided to give up on your dreams, drop out of the hero course after all this...he would be there. Even if you didn't want him.

He read the time from his phone - 11:30.

Thanks to the negative images loitering in his mind, he couldn't get a wink of sleep. A few moments ticked by, before he left to check on you. Your dorm rooms were on the same floor, and regardless of the hour, if you had no intention of sleeping, your light would be on. Tonight was no exception. He rapped softly three times, but there was no response. The door creaked open slightly. It wasn't locked. Were you even inside?

A wave of gelid air struck his face.

First, your room door was open, and now your balcony door? Bakugou's eyes widened with panic and fear, as he searched for any sign of your whereabouts. And he found it, in the form of a note. Everything clicked into place with a horrifying clarity, as he skimmed through the words. They had been written by a trembling hand, splotches of tears and blood partially obscuring them. But they were still legible. Bakugou crumpled up the note, and shoved it into his pocket. It was coming with him, and would be there when he found you. Without wasting any more time, he jumped from the balcony. But beginning a search alone, in the dark...he dreaded to imagine himself ghosting past you, unaware that he had missed his opportunity to save you from your fate.

To whoever reads this:

Please don't look for me. I know that might be hard, since you're either trainee heroes or pros, but...please. I'm begging you. Just let this happen. I can't stand the world anymore! I can't stand thinking that I'm worthless, and being proven right every time we train, and every time someone pushes me around. I haven't been sleeping - that's probably obvious. I just can't, y'know? It's really hard. Really hard...I've put a lot of thought into this. It's what I want, above everything else. I want to die. I already tried, three times. This probably won't make you sad - at least I hope it won't. I found one of dad's guns, and, well...I think this is the best way to go. It'll be over really quickly, I promise! It won't even hurt! I'll be happier where I'm going. I'll be...safer. I wish everyone well in the future. 

To my classmates: you'll all be amazing pro heroes one day! I'll watch over you, and I'll be rooting for you! Please don't cry. It's my final night, so...I guess it's the last time I can say this! Sleep well, and sweet dreams!

As if to protest your words, Bakugou's tears flowed freely, like a furious river. This was something he couldn't accept. 

[Word Count: 1043]