He instantly relaxes seeing your curled up figure on the couch. Bakugo strips himself off his hero gear by the door, leaving the heavy gauntlets, knee pads, boots and mask by the foyer.
He lies next to you and gently takes you in his arms. Bakugo smiles to himself at how even in your sleep, you turn and melt against him without hesitation. Who knew it would be this nice to have someone waiting for you to come home? He thinks idly as he touches your cheek. He really thought he wasn’t one for relationships. Always thought it would be such a drag but when you came along, it’s as if everything fell into place. You made his life more meaningful. You made everything easier. Except getting you to sleep in the bedroom when he’s not home yet. He rolls his eyes and sighs.
Bakugo wishes you would stop falling asleep in his stiff couch like this. He hates seeing you rubbing your neck when you get all sore the following morning. He grumbles ‘idiot’ under his breath then kisses your nose. At this, you finally stir awake.
“Welcome home.” You murmur before you could get your eyes to open, leaning closer to press your lips against the base of his jaw.
“I told you not to wait up.” He scolds, feeling your icy fingers against his skin when you try to reach for his face. Bakugo obliges and leans down to meet your lips for a kiss nonetheless, his fingers carding through your locks to tame how wild your hair had gotten from your nap. “Why are you so fucking stubborn?”
“Can’t sleep in the bedroom without you anyway.” You grumble. Bakugo feels his face heat up and he hides it by burying his face in your hair.
Feeling more awake now, you turn in the cramped space on the couch to look at him. You chuckle seeing him stripped down to just his boxers and tank top. You pat his waist and nuzzle his neck, asking, “Do you want to eat? I made your favorite."
Before Bakugo could answer though, you were already getting up to head for the kitchen. Truth be told, he would rather spend more time cuddling with you. But he was starving and you cook his favorite dish the best. A close contender to his own cooking. Sometimes you do get it right and it’s even a fuckton better.
Not that he’d ever tell you. Wouldn’t want you getting ahead of yourself.
Bakugo watches contentedly as you went on to reheat the food and set up the table, a gentle smile subconsciously gracing his face. His home soon smells of your cooking and he sinks further back on the couch where your scent and your warmth still lingers. All he could think of was, this is home. And that if this is what the rest of his life looks like? Then he’s lucked out.
"Why are you staring at me like that?” You giggle.
“Hey, quit staring.”
“Katsuki.”
“Katsuki!” She giggles. “I said, do you want your ramen extra spicy?"
Bakugo snaps out of his trance. He blinks and looks around.
Tired crimson eyes rake his 'new’ apartment.
His heart drops to his stomach as he realizes this is his reality now.. He takes a shaky breath as he meets Ochako’s gaze.
Right.
He plasters on a small smile and says, "Yeah,” He finds himself swallowing a lump that has formed in his throat. “S-sure."
Bakugo then turns around, lifelessly walking back to the living area.
The smell of new furniture hung thick in the air, the hint of fresh paint made his nose itch despite the aroma diffusers delicately placed all around the home. Peppermint and incense, just as he likes it. But that didn’t diminish the scalding ache in his chest brought about by the phantosmia of your scent that he sorely misses.
His old uncomfortable couch was replaced by a new one. He could practically sink in it at how soft it is. It felt like clouds. But he knew deep down, would rather have his old one..
He glances around and barely recognises the place. Everything was new. Every item of memory he had of you, gone. And this was what he wanted. Right? Why he gave Ochako the go to redesign his place however she wanted?
Bakugo only realizes he was scowling when made an effort to soften his expression when he sees Ochako walk over to him. She circles her arms around his waist, cheek squishing against his bicep as she asks, "Do you not like it?”
He met her hopeful gaze and shook his head. “No. It’s perfect. Thank you.” And it is, really. How can it not be when she spent months and months patiently showing him varieties of designs as she puts this home together? Making sure she only gets what he approves or even remotely makes him smile.
Uraraka Ochako was a dream. She picked up the broken pieces that were him when you left. She is kind, understanding and loves him unconditionally.
She is a dream and you were the nightmare that haunts him even when he is wide awake. You are no longer in his life but you still cling unto him through his memories of you that he just can’t seem to let go.
Through the what ifs that rot his brain.
Through glimpses of what had been and could have beens.
