Notes:
"Utsuro" = Nickname, means hollow. At first used to pick on Koge and be an insult, it became her permanent nickname, and she quite likes it. It references to her constantly blank expression.
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"Hey, Katsuki?"

Bakugou's eyes were pulled from the television to look

down at his friend, only able to see the back of her white

head as she was sitting on the floor, leaning back against the couch beside his legs.

"What, Utsuro?" He muted the television, unable to hear her soft

voice well over the volume of the show they had been watching.

Shifting in her spot, she turned to face him, resting her chin on the couch cushion

as she stared up at him with those hollow blue eyes. "Why don't you

ever call me by 'Koge'? Even after all these years. I mean, I'm thirteen, you're twelve… don't you think it'd be better instead of that childish nickname?"

Bakugou scoffed, turning his eyes back to the television. "After all this time you

finally complain? Seriously? What, does 'Utsuro' hurt your little baby feelings?"

He was surprised to see her shake her head, and he looked back at her as she

brought her arms up to rest on the couch, propping her head up with her hands.

"No, it doesn't. I actually like it. It's special."

Bakugou felt a heat build in his cheeks, glaring down at her to try and hide his

embarrassment. "Shut up! You're not supposed to like it and it's not special!"

Koge tilted her head to the side a bit, and he nearly felt the urge to shove

her over so she would stop looking at him like that. It's not that he hated

it, it was actually quite the opposite, but he found it nearly impossible to

allow himself to admit it.

"Well, Katsuki, I guess I don't really mind if you call me 'Utsuro'. I know one day

you'll call me by my first name. Just like one day you'll be my first kiss."

Before she could even react, the bottom of his barefoot met her face and he shoved her over,

feeling as if his entire face were on fire. "That's never going to happen, Utsuro! Not ever!" Instead of being upset, he could hear her giggling, her hands wrapped around his ankle.

"One day, it will happen! I may not be your first, but I know you will be mine. I can feel it in my bones."

"You're so fucking weird, Utsuro. Let go of my leg!"

Bakugou scoffed quietly to himself as this memory came back to him, pulled to the front of his mind by a picture Koge had texted him. Where she had found the ancient thing, he had no idea, but seeing them both so young was a bit weird to him. For one, he hated how scrawny he looked, and he could vividly remember how he suffered from a cracking, squeaking voice during that time. He had hated taking pictures, but somehow, she had always talked him into it. In this one, he could still see the embarrassment on his face, as she had gotten him to take this picture very shortly after the conversation he had just remembered. Absolutely hating it, he wished he could burst it into flames, but then he'd be out of a phone. Breaking another one after just a few weeks wasn't a very good idea.

Me 8:56 PM: the fuck? where did you find that awful shit. destroy it.

Utsuro 8:59 PM: Never! ಠ_ಠ That's one of my favorite pictures of us when we were younger! Look how cute you are! ( ∀ )

Me 9:01 PM: i look like a scrawny twat. where'd you find that ancient shit anyway.

Utsuro 9:02 PM: I found my old laptop from middle school into high school. (´꒳`) I got it working again, and found all of these pictures and stuff I had forgotten about! Look at this one! ಠ‿↼

Glowering at his phone as he awaited the torture, Bakugou steadied himself. The train he was on came to a stop, though he was holding onto one of the many grips that hung from the ceiling. The train wasn't crowded, but he always preferred to stand, even if he was worn out from a busy day. His feet were throbbing from the desperate need to get his boots off and soak in a hot bath, having spent most of his day doing stupid patrols. Already later getting home than usual, he was tired and irritable, and these goofy texts from his lover were doing little to help his mood. Still, he couldn't deny he was a bit curious about what she had found from their past, and he could only hope that she wasn't sharing it with everyone else at the same time.

This time, it was a more tolerable image, of them on the first day she had moved back to attend her first year of UA. One of the first things she had done when she moved back into her childhood home was come to see him, and they had spent that entire day together catching up. Although she had been gone nearly a year, it had felt as if she was never gone at all, and he remembered how easy it was to get along with her again. Though, in that year, his romantic feelings towards her had faded, and that was something that took years to build back up. Mostly because he had been stubborn about it, having refused to let such a distraction deter him from his goals. Now, being twenty-three with stable lives, he realized how ridiculous his hesitation had been. Once they finally gave in to each other, she had been nothing but his rock, a support for him that only pushed him to be better.

Bakugou felt a twinge of annoyance at the sound of his mother's voice, even

able to reach him through the loud music pouring from his headphones. Frustrated at the interruption to his studying, he yanked his earbuds out, glaring at his closed bedroom door.

"What do you want?! I'm trying to fucking study, can't I get a second of peace?!"

"Don't you talk to me that way, Katsuki! Get your ass down here right now!"

Slamming his pen down onto his notebook, he stood, pushing his chair back hard enough to make it roll across the room and hit against his bed. Throwing open his door, he started to make his way down the stairs. "Do you have fucking bugs in your ears, you hag! I said I was fucking studying!" His glare landed on his mother first as he nearly reached the bottom of the stairs, not even noticing the open door in his anger. A glare that perfectly matched his was shot right back at him. "I don't care! I told you to come down here for a reason! You have company!"

Bakugou stopped, leaning over the railing to continuing arguing with his mother. "Tell them to go away! I'm studying for the UA exams and for regular shitty tests!"

"Katsuki?"

The soft, familiar voice broke his anger, instantly pulling his attention to the figure standing in the open door. That white hair and blue, hollow gaze stuck out like a sore thumb, and he couldn't believe he hadn't noticed her first thing. "Eh? Koge?" He finished coming down the stairs, hopping down the last two steps. He could have sworn he could see a smile on her lips and her cheeks flush. "What are you doing here? I didn't know you were back already."

Koge shifted nervously in the doorway, glancing between Bakugou and his mother. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your studying. I just got back a few hours ago. I thought I'd come see how your stinky face is doing." Bakugou's glare returned at her tease, walking closer to snatch onto the still open door. "You did, Utsuro! I'm studying! I can't let you beat me by getting into UA without me!"

A bit of disappointment was visible on her face for just a moment. "I see. I can always come back later, then." With a frustrated growl, Bakugou moved out of the way, pointing towards the stairs. "No, just come in! You could have at least fucking texted first." After a small bow, Koge headed inside, taking off her shoes in the doorway as Bakugou shut the door behind her. As she did this, Bakugou turned his glare up towards his mother, who had an irritating, sly smirk on her face.

"You're always welcome, Koge!" Mitsuki spoke with a cheerful voice, unlike her screaming just a moment ago. "I'm sure Katsuki is happy to see you, and more than happy to treat you hospitably in my house. Right, Katsuki?" Her voice got gradually more fierce and threatening, and Bakugou could feel his palms growing hot with his anger. Once Koge got her slippers on, he snatched her by the wrist, starting towards the stairs with her in tow. "Shut up!" Once they started up the stairs, Bakugou released her, shoving his hands in his pockets instead. "Damn it, Utsuro. You always had the worst timing for showing up."

"Sorry, Katsuki. I just couldn't resist coming over… I missed you a lot." Though he couldn't see her, her soft voice soothed him, and he sighed to try and dispel his anger. "Don't worry about it." Instead of going into his bedroom, he led them into the gameroom, where they had always hung out before. He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed as he walked inside, having not been around her in so long, it was a bit weird. On top of that, she had changed quite a bit physically in just a year, which was something he couldn't help but notice.

Turning to face her, Bakugou reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, growing a bit annoyed with his own awkwardness. "Uhm-"

"Can I give you a hug, Katsuki?"

Confused, he finally looked at her face, feeling heat rush to his face at the giddy, happy smile on her lips. She very rarely ever smiled, not to her parents or to anyone. To see her smiling at him like that brought that forgotten flutter to his stomach, and he was unsure of how to react to it. "Huh? Why the fuck are you asking me? You never asked before-"

Before he could finish, Koge wrapped her arms around his torso tightly, squeezing him with that comforting and familiar grip that he only just realized he had grown to miss. The tips of his ears burning, he hesitated for a moment before returning the favor, resting one of his hands on the back of her head gently as she cuddled her face into his chest. He must have changed quite a bit in just a year as well, as he nearly towered over her now.

"I'm so happy to see you, Katsuki."

Bakugou scoffed, not sure how much longer his embarrassment was going to allow her to hold onto him like this. Though, before he could act, his mother's voice came up their stairs at them. "Katsuki! That door better stay open, you hear me!"

In seconds, Bakugou pried Koge off of him, his heart racing at the thoughts of what his mother was implying. "Shut up! I'm not an idiot!" Koge's giggling caught his attention, and he looked back down at her, surprised to see her smile had only grown. "We're not little kids anymore I guess, Katsuki."

"Tch, I guess… You want a fucking soda or something?"

Bakugou glanced up from his phone to look at the digital sign on the train wall, seeing that his stop was next. Just a fifteen minute walk from the station and he'd be home. He knew that he wasn't going to get to relax, not with Koge being this excited about these pictures and memories.

Me 9:10 PM: ah, that's the first day you were back.

Utsuro 9:12 PM: Yes! (ᗒᗨᗕ) You remembered!

Me 9:12 PM: no shit. you think id forget?

Utsuro 9:13 PM: Well, you do have kind of a bad memory sometimes, so I wouldn't put it past you. (；・∀・)

Me 9:14 PM: thanks. i do not have a bad memory, i just dont remember shit that doesnt mean anything.

Utsuro 9:14 PM: Uh huh, sure. (・ε・) Where are you at, by the way? It's pretty late. (⋟﹏⋞) Want me to start a bath for you?

Bakugou looked up as the train came to a stop, the doors opening to his station. He exited the train, waiting until he got out onto the street before responding.

Me 9:18 PM: i just left the station. no, don't do that, im going to eat something first. fucking starving.

Utsuro 9:19 PM: Okay. I have food waiting for you. (･ω･)b I'm sorry I ate already, I was hungry around 7 and couldn't wait.

Me 9:20 PM: don't be sorry. not your fault im late. ill be home soon.

Utsuro 9:21 PM: ＾▽＾

Bakugou gave a small roll of his eyes at that last text, putting his phone away in his pocket. Her and her stupid text faces. I can't believe she still uses them so much. Giving a loud yawn, he reached up to rub the back of his sore neck, almost wanting to just run home at this point. All he had been doing for the past two months was working, then going home and going straight to bed after a quick meal. Now, seeing these pictures and thinking of these memories, he realized that he missed Koge, which wasn't something that should be happening, especially not since they lived together. She had always said that she understood, as he had a much bigger role as a hero than she did, and she supported every step he took towards the top.

Still, he knew it was affecting her, simply by the fact that she was fawning over these memories like this. Koge was very attached to him, and he had failed to take how she must have been feeling into consideration until now. Cursing quietly to himself, he shoved his hands into his pockets, glare locked on the sidewalk. In fact, it had been so bad, he couldn't even remember the last time they had made love or spent even thirty minutes just to each other. That's pretty bad. And I have those stupid events my PR person planned the next two days in a different city, I won't even be home that entire time. Damn it, I've been a shit to her without even noticing. I hope she doesn't think anything weird…

Bakugou's eyes were pulled from the sidewalk to glance up at a small store, his gaze immediately landing on an area where they had flowers presented for sale through the window.

"Waah, Katsuki, you got me a gift?!"

Koge stared at him with wide eyes as she observed the bag and flowers that he was presenting to her, though her statement only made him flustered. "What d'ya mean?! You think I wouldn't?!" Bakugou snapped at her, his face burning as he shoved the gifts closer to her. "Just take them, damn it!" Carefully, Koge took the bouquet of flowers and gift bag, beaming up at him. "You've just never gotten me anything for my birthday before." She pushed herself up on her toes to kiss him gently, before sitting down onto her dorm room bed to open the bag. "Thank you."

Scoffing, Bakugou sat down beside her, ruffling his own hair in his embarrassment. She was right, this was the first time he had ever gotten her a gift. He guessed that, since they were dating now, he should do these things for her to express his affection. In truth, he really sucked at it verbally, never sure of what to say. Instead, he had gotten quite used to expressing himself physically, in whatever way he could. Now, a few months in to them being together romantically, he was slowly starting to adjust, though giving her a gift like this was way more embarrassing than he expected.

He watched her silently as she first inspected the flowers, fingering through them gently to observe all the types in the bouquet. "Dahlias and peonies… You remembered those were my favorite flowers?" Still beaming, Koge gently placed the flowers down beside her, and Bakugou hoped she didn't see the fault in his expression. Sure… Sure I did. I didn't just fucking guess or anything. "Yeah… you've pointed them out a few times." Koge nodded, cheeks bright pink as she carefully started to remove the neatly placed tissue paper in the bag.

"You know, you didn't have to get me anything, Katsuki. I would have been happy even without it." She glanced up at him as she finished removing the paper, taking out the long, rectangular box that had been hidden inside. Bakugou narrowed his eyes at her, becoming a bit nervous at her seeing the gift. "Tch, I couldn't just not get you something. Seriously." Koge nudge him gently with her elbow, placing the now empty bag down by her feet as she held the small box. "I'm just saying."

The gasp that escaped her lips when she finally opened the box made Bakugou nearly jump out of his skin, feeling his ears grow hot. Inside the box was a very delicate necklace, a thin silver, rectangular plate connected to a slim chain. Embedded into the small plate were two shining diamonds, and the word 'Crystalline', representing her chosen hero name. The last touch was another delicate diamond, dangling from the bottom edge of the plate. Before Bakugou could even think, Koge had shut the box and thrown her arms around him, hugging him tightly as she fought against wanting to cry. "Katsuki! It's beautiful!"

His face and ears on fire, he put his arm around her, pulling her in closer to him. "Don't fucking cry, Utsuro!" Sniffling, she wiggled herself to sit on his lap, facing him and straddling his legs. His hands moving to her hips, he watched as she opened the box back up, carefully removing the necklace. Swallowing his bashfulness, Bakugou gave her hips a small squeeze as she put the box down on the bed beside them, mumbling as he spoke. "Check the back…"

Koge gaze at him curiously for a moment before she looked at the back of the plate as instructed, and Bakugou could see her cheeks darken. On the back, there was two capital 'K's, separated by a small heart. She lost it, the tears spilling from her eyes as she held the sentimental gift close to her chest. "Katsuki… I love it!" With a huff, he reached up and gripped her face with both hands, wiping the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs gently. "Stop being such a baby, Utsuro. I knew you were going to end up like this."

Taking the necklace from her, he helped her to put it on, letting his fingers trace the delicate chain once it was in place. Koge sniffed, wiping her eyes. "How does it look?" Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her into a kiss, the fire inside him raging fiercely in need of her. She gave into him so easily, melting into his body like she was made of puddy. Even though every inch of him ached to keep going, he pulled away, pressing his forehead into hers as he gazed down at her.

"Beautiful."

After standing there in contemplation for a minute, he sighed and headed inside, giving a small nod to the cashier as they greeted him upon entry. Once he reached the display of flowers, he stood there glaring at him, trying to remember what a damn dahlia or peony even looked like. Eventually, after contemplating the flowers for a good fifteen minutes, he resorted to checking the tags to see what was in each bouquet. Pretty fucking sad, I don't even remember what her favorite flowers look like. Here's one, finally. Once deciding it was the right one, fresh and presentable, he headed towards the counter to pay, snatching one of her favorite candies up as well.

Bakugou wasn't entirely sure why he was doing this, paying and leaving with his items without a word to the cashier. The more he thought, the more he remembered, the more he started to feel inadequate, which was something that never happened to him. They were going on seven years of being together at this point, and never once did he feel like he didn't deserve her or vice versa. It must be the job… But there's nothing I can do about that. He had been neglectful, and he knew it, but it was something that he couldn't avoid if he wanted to reach his dream. Not just his, but hers as well, which included the most recent topic of having a family. As he thought about this, he realized that at the same time she had brought this up, his hours had become more intense. Sighing loudly, he brought a hand up to rub his face. Shit, I bet she thinks I'm avoiding her now because she said that. Damn it, I'm going to have to make this better.

Lost in thought, he hadn't even realized he was on the elevator to reach their apartment until he accidentally pressed the wrong floor button. "Shit." Pressing the correct one, he leaned against the back wall of the elevator, leaning his head back with a soft thud as he yawned again loudly. His exhaustion only continued to creep up on him, especially now with the low rumbling of the elevator. The ding when reaching his floor startled him out of a half-asleep daze, and he shook his head to try and wake himself up as he exited. "C'mon, wake the fuck up." As he headed down the hall, he pulled out his phone to check the time, frowning at the white numbers that displayed 10 o'clock. "Shit."

Shoving it back in, he instead pulled out his keys, unlocking the locks on the door before heading inside. At first, he noticed that it was quite dark, only the light on in the kitchen. As he let the door shut behind him, he took a second to relock it before trying to find his lover. "Utsu-" His words caught in his throat as he noticed her form on the couch, laying in the darkness with a blanket covering her. Even from so far back, he could tell she was asleep, the blanket moving up and down slowly with her light breathing. A strong sense of guilt and regret tugged at his heart as he slipped off his boots quietly, leaving them in the doorway as he made his way into the kitchen.

Placing the flowers and candy down on the island countertop, he leaned his elbows onto the cold surface, sighing as he rested his face into his hands. Good job, now you're even making her sleep on the couch waiting for you. Fuck. Lifting his head, he noticed a note on the fridge, which only made his guilt that much heavier.

Cutesuki,

Dinner is in the container with the red lid.

This note is just incase I've crashed.

Enjoy 〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

Tch, she even draws the faces. And that's the one I hate the most. His hunger no longer on his mind, he searched around inside the cabinets until he found a vase, putting water and the flowers inside as quietly as he could. As he did, he noticed something weird about one of them. Touching the petals, he realized one of the dahlia flowers was a fake. Feeling frustrated that he was jipped, he glanced around for the card that came with the flowers, snatching it up to read it. Flipping it over, his anger was calmed as he read the words printed on the back. "Ah… how cheesy." Deciding the generic print on the card wasn't personal enough, he found his own blank card and wrote a similar note on it, feeling his face and ears burning the entire time. After rewriting it six times, he finally ended up with a note that expressed himself the best he could in relation to the flowers.

Taking the note along with the flowers and her candy, he set them up in the bedroom on the bedside table, feeling a bit stupid for doing all of this. No matter how stupid it may seem, he knew that he had to do it to try and fix what he had broken. Once satisfied, he went back into the living room, squatting down beside the couch to gaze at her. Koge was out cold, even snoring lightly. Besides how cute he found her sleeping form to be, something else caught his attention, and he leaned in a bit closer to see. Right around her eye area, the fabric of the pillow her head rested on was darker, as if it had gotten wet. Frowning, he carefully scooped her up into his arms, carrying her back into the bedroom. Laying there crying over me… Probably cried herself to sleep. After laying her down in her spot, he pulled the blankets over her carefully, not wanting to wake her. She groaned softly, shifting herself over onto her side, her arm sliding forward until her hand rested on his pillow. Bakugou knew she was reaching for him, but he didn't have it in him to lay with her. I don't deserve it… Not until we talk about this.

Leaving her, he went back into the living room, flopping to lay down on the couch with an exhausted sigh. I better get some rest… If I can. Although his mind was racing and his entire body felt heavy with regret, he was lost to the grips of sleep the instant his eyes closed.