Work Text:
Bakugo stared at the therapist. It had been months since the final battle with All for One. Months since first year graduation. Months since…
“I heard that your arm is doing much better. You’re able to use your quirk again?” Dr. Itaou prodded.
Bakugo nodded.
“I know this is hard, but you’re making real progress,” he sighed, his long fingers resting on his clipboard.
“It doesn’t feel like it,” Bakugo murmured softly. “My classmates, they did a memorial. Just talked about our memories and shit. I couldn’t-“ He gasped, suddenly choked with tears. “I couldn’t even say his name.”
Dr. Itaou nodded. “I want to try another method. Give you a bit of homework.” He leaned over, rummaging through his desk. He pulls out a notebook, and slides it over to Bakugo. “I want you to keep a journal of sorts. You don’t have to discuss it with anyone, but I want you to write down your memories of Midoriya.”
Bakugo picked up the notebook, eying it warily. “You won’t read it?”
“Not unless you want me too.”
Bakugo laid on his bed, notebook sitting on his nightstand. Write about Deku? Even thinking about him was painful. How could he bring himself to pick up the pen?
His phone buzzed, yanking him out of his spiral.
Shitty Hair: you coming down for dinner?
He should, if only to make sure they didn’t all end up eating instant ramen, but…
he couldn’t make himself move.
He turned his phone off, not even bothering to text back. He just wanted to be left alone.
“That’s not healthy.”
He jolted up, breathing heavily. That came from his head, but he actually heard it. Was he finally shattering? After all the trauma, kidnapping, an entire war, was he finally going insane?
“You’re not going insane, calm down.”
The voice was a man’s, soft and comforting, and definitely not Bakugo’s. His internal monologue was much louder and harsher. Fine. He’s not gonna listen to the silly new voice, but he’s gonna listen to the shrink. Following a shrink’s instructions makes you less insane, right? That’s their job.
He grabbed the notebook and a pen, turning to the first page frantically. He went to write, but the pen hovered above the page. What the hell was he supposed to write?
"The hardest part is starting.”
Nope, starting’s not hard, Bakugo was at the top of the class. He can do this silly shrink homework.
My Memories of Deku
Ok, that’s super fucking cheesy. Whatever. He started. Now, just write some memories! Easy peasy!
Deku, in a pool of blood. Bakugo can’t see his arms. He gets up anyway, running at All for One/Shigaraki, his classmates supporting him. Why don’t they stop him? Can’t they see he’s gonna die? Why didn’t–
Bakugo slams the book shut. Not that one. Any memory but that one.
Nabu Island. He hadn’t thought about that place in ages. He doesn’t know why that place popped in his head, but it seemed safer than… other memories.
He started writing. Even in places that were supposed to be safe, danger always seemed to crop up around class 1A. This simple, easy work study got attacked by villains very similar to the LOV, with the main asshole even being able to steal quirks. Bakugo and Deku had almost died there multiple times.
“How did you defeat him?”
Bakugo paused. He wasn’t going to answer his strange head-voice.
“You can’t remember,” the voice said, “Can you?”
“I remember!” Bakugo shouted. “We fought the bastard, and I passed out. Deku pushed past his limits and finished him off.”
“That’s not how it happened.”
“Of course it is! I was there!”
“You didn’t pass out. Izuku couldn’t’ve defeated Nine without your help. Without giving you his power.”
His… power?
“Congratulations, Katsuki Bakugo, the 10th One for All user.”