𝔸 𝔾𝕙𝕠𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕒𝕤 𝕆𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕄𝕚𝕟𝕖 💥𝔹𝕒𝕜𝕦𝔻𝕖𝕜𝕦💥

The Red Lotus

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Chapter 47

The next morning's sunlight began to seep through the curtains, stirring Kirishima from his sleep. He yawned and stretched, the muscles in his arms and back protesting the sudden movement. The aroma of sizzling bacon and the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, drawing him out of his drowsiness. With a faint smile tugging at his lips, he pushed himself off the bed and made his way to the kitchen. Katsuki stood there, with a spatula in hand. The stove sputtered with sizzling bacon as Katsuki deftly flipped each strip in the pan.

"Morning, man," Kirishima mumbled, still feeling a little groggy. He rubbed his eyes, scrubbing away the last traces of slumber as he took in the spread of food that sat on the counter. "You didn't have to make breakfast for me, you know."

Katsuki grunted in response, not looking up from the pan. " "Tch, don't get the wrong idea, Shitty Hair. I just happened to be up early, and I figured I might as well make something. It's not like I did it for you or anything."

A chuckle rumbled in Kirishima's chest as he moved closer. "Sure, man, whatever you say."

As Katsuki continued cooking, Kirishima couldn't help but notice how different he seemed from the previous night. He seemed more focused and collected, his movements purposeful and controlled. Multiple pieces of a door handle were on the counter, meaning Katsuki must have replaced the melted handle already. Kirishima looked around the kitchen before recognizing the photo Mina had taken of them at the gift shop, he noted how Katsuki had a light smile as he ruffled Izuku's hair. Kirishima's eyes lingered on the photo, sadness welling up within him seeing how happy Izuku had truly made Katsuki. Katsuki had been more distant over the the last few years when it came to new people but when izuku came back into the picture it was like a weight has been lifted of the blondes shoulders. Kirishima's gaze then shifted to a nearby picture frame on the counter, and his heart skipped a beat as he recognized the familiar image. Realizing It was the same picture that sat near Izuku's bed at the hospital, it was now accompanied by a singed Dynamight plushie.

Eventually, he turned his attention back to his friend, his concern driving him to ask the question that had been lingering in his mind. "Hey, are you feeling better this morning?" Kirishima's hand absentmindedly poured a cup of coffee as his attention remained fixed on Katsuki.

Katsuki's eyes flicked briefly to the photo before returning to his task. "I'm fine, why the hell wouldn't I be?"

Kirishima shrugged nonchalantly, his tone easy. "I don't know, man, you've seemed a bit... off, I guess." He offered a small, sympathetic smile, as if acknowledging the weight Katsuki had been carrying.

Sipping his coffee, Kirishima wandered over to the counter, plucking the plushie from its spot. As he admired it, the sudden intensity of Katsuki's gaze pinned him down, a predator's intensity of protection emanating from the blonde. An unexplainable tension infused the room, prickling at Kirishima's senses and raising the hairs on his neck. Carefully, he lowered the plushie, his brow knitt.

"Hey, Bakugo, what's going on?" Kirishima's concern was audible in his voice. "Is there something about the plushie that-"

"Put it down, Shitty Hair," Katsuki's interruption was a blade's edge, his voice commanding obedience. The tone sent an electric shiver down Kirishima's spine, a glaring signal of the seriousness of the situation. Without question, Kirishima obeyed, gingerly placing the plushie on the counter, his eyes never leaving Katsuki's fierce gaze.

"What's the deal, man?" Kirishima pressed, a softer edge to his voice. He could almost feel the storm behind Katsuki's eyes, the unspoken pain that lingered beneath the surface. Kirishima knew better than to push further without an invitation, but he had to try something.