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Some nights, Nao would sit up and stare at the wall.
It’d start with her somehow losing herself from the mess of limbs. She’d migrate to the kitchen and drink a small glass of water. Then, she’d sit and just...stare.
The city's lights sparkled across the skyline, and the buildings stood tall against the sky of pitch black. Nao would give anything to become a part of that sky. Always living in the present moment, no thoughts, no weight of anxiety...just being.
Yet, she had learned all too well from a young age there was a need to constantly be moving. Maybe that’s why she longed to live in the quiet space of the tree’s. A place far away from the city, and when she looked out of the window...there’d be stars. Not building lights. Her dresses would be light and almost made of air. The window’s would remain wide open, come what may.
She looked into the cup of water and allowed the heavy exhale to fall from her chest. It’s funny, she didn’t even know it was weighted.
“Do you mind if I sit with you?”
Nao didn’t turn around. She physically, mentally and emotionally could not turn around to look him in the eyes, “N-no...but I do need a little space. Everything feels so suffocating lately.”.
The sleepy voice simply yawned and sat on the other end of the sofa. Sharp red eyes studied the tight grip on the barely touched glass of water, “You okay?”.
“Yeah! It’s been a bit on and off. I am having trouble expressing myself...it’s something I’m not used to anymore.”, even through the darkness of the room, he could see the tremble in her smile.
Nao placed the glass on the table before crossing her legs on the sofa to face Bakugou’s weary gaze. The last thing she wanted to do to an already overworked hero was add more to the plate, “I’m serious, I am okay! Just catching up with all of the work I’ve been falling behind in is a bit tiring. It’s making my brain wired.”.
Bakugou pursed his lips. He knew this wasn’t necessarily wrong, but if it was all she could muster to speak of right now, that was okay too. He moved closer leaning over slightly to etch his way into the small space behind her.
“What’s up with you? You’ve been so clingy lately?”, Nao laughed, mostly to herself as she turned to the blonde tuft of hair.
He quickly sat up moving back to his original sitting pace, “Sorry, that was kinda dumb of me to do right after you just said you needed space.”
She shook her head finally able to swallow a sip of water. Sitting the glass down, she turned towards Bakugou and curled into herself, “You’re okay!”. She watched as his face twisted before relaxing into a somber gaze she’d rarely gotten to see, “Are you okay? Are you scared?”.
The soft thud of his shoulders relaxing into the back of the sofa has been the only noise in the room. “I...feel like you’re holding it all in.”.
Nao raised an eyebrow and took a moment to evaluate her state before even trying to reply, “I don’t think so. It’s been an on and off thing. One moment, I am okay. The next...I’m not.”.
Bakugou shrugged, chewing his lower lip slightly, “Are you sure? Maybe...you need to take a break from school?”
The snap.
The tear’s began to burn Nao’s eyes. There was no way she could stop it this time around. They just kept flowing. Her throat burned terribly, and every realization she tried to desperately to ignore consumed her while also setting her free.
Was this grief? Nothing even happened yet. Why the hell was she grieving?
“I-It’s not fair! I worked so hard, and I live healthy and I am doing everything I am supposed to be doing! I’m scared! What the fuck?! It’s not fair! I’m so angry!”, Nao practically screamed. Her fist clenched trying to rub away the snot and tears from her eyes, but eventually she said fuck it to let it all flow out.
Bakugou bit his tongue for the first time in his life. This was such a heartbreakingly beautiful thing to see. He’d never witnessed aside from himself...just release everything they’d been trying so desperately to grasp.
“I was so close, and now all of this keeps happening! First it was the appointment and then they did the ultrasound because I was too fucking young for the mammogram and...and...and I could possibly have...It’s...not fair...I’m so sad…”, Nao tears slowly started to fade away, and the weight that nearly suffocated her felt a little less heavy. For the first time in her life, her chest had been free of pressure.
Bakugou didn’t move to touch her, he simply stayed and let her be.
After a while, the small voice broke from it’s dryness, “Thanks for making me admit all of the stuff I tried so hard not to. I really...didn’t want to.”.
“I’m sorry...I don’t think you need to stop completely but maybe less classes? Less shifts at the library?”.
Nao rolled further into the cushions inhaling deeply the mixed scent of the happy home of three that they’d built, “What the hell? I used to be able to do so much. I went to school full time, worked two jobs and still received above average grades.”.
The dry laugh left her throat just as the sigh, “But...I don’t want to live like that anymore. I...I don’t deserve that. Doesn’t take away the disappointment though.”.
Bakugou mimicked her, curling into himself for a bit more comfort as well, “I think you can do it. So let’s hold off emailing teachers and stuff at least until we get the other test and results.”
Nao gave a non committed grunt before falling into a deep sleep.
(...)
Warm fingers carefully massaged Nao’s scalp, only to still at the creaking of the bedroom door. When Kirishima’s smile beamed as normal, Bakugou continued to pour all the love he could into the sleeping girl.
“Hey babe. You guys okay? Are you having insomnia again?”Kirishima tried his best to whisper, earning a glare of annoyance from his boyfriend.
Bakugou looked into Nao’s sleeping face, his fingers dragging across the swollen puffy eyes all the way to her now red nose, “Whatever. We’ll talk in the morning. Just get in the bed.”.
Kirishima practically sang as he took the quickest shower any person had ever seen. When he tried to move in besides Bakugou, he was quickly glared at and motioned to the other side of Nao. Who in turn had her face pressed into Katsuki’s chest.
“She’s going to be okay babe.”
“Of course she is! She’s our damn brat isn’t she?! I wouldn’t love someone weak!”.
Kirishima smiled to himself and turned off the light, catching a glimpse of the head of curls one last time, “Yeah...you’re right.”.