p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"What had happened before was happening all over again. For nearly two weeks, you didn't see Bakugou even for a second. He didn't come to find you or fetch you with a servant like you were used to, nor did you hear anything about him from the others. Tsuyu herself even mentioned that he had isolated himself for a while, and no one truly knew why. Well, you knew, but you weren't going to go around telling everyone that you had nearly had sex with him before rejecting him. Just thinking about what you had done made you feel like a fool, and unfortunately for you, it wasn't something that you could easily get off your mind. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Walking through the halls seemed to help the most, since sitting in your room in silence only let your thoughts wander. At least out here, you could listen to the chirping birds as they began to return for spring or the running water through the various ponds that littered the palace courtyards. Windchimes and clanking bamboo shoots were soothing, and you almost didn't hear the soft female voice calling to you. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Miss? Miss [L/N]?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Unable to resist a small jump in shock at the sudden presence beside you, you looked at the female servant as she gave a deep bow. "Y-yes?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""My apologies, but your presence has been summoned. Please follow me." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Follow you? To where?"/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""To the stables." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Feeling your heart nearly leap out of your throat, you fell silent as you followed her, clasping your hands tightly in front of you. You couldn't help but be nervous, finding that there were a thousand scenarios running through your head. Were you being kicked out of the palace? Was someone taking you away to torture you for more information? Was someone going to try and get you home? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"You didn't know, and upon seeing Bakugou standing alongside the brilliant black Yonaka and the smaller palomino Higure, your confusion only became doubly intense. Frowning, you stopped a few yards away, feeling reluctance boil in your stomach. Both horses were set for a few weeks worth of travel, but that didn't make the purpose for this any clearer. You wanted to run away, go back into your room and hide under your covers just so you wouldn't have to suffer through feeling that crimson gaze on your skin, but in the end, curiosity won over. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Taking in a deep breath, you approached, accepting Bakugou's help to get up onto Yonaka's back without a word. In fact, neither of you said a single thing for a few hours as you traveled at a casual pace, with the palace and town soon far behind you. When you were sure that there wasn't a single soul within earshot, you allowed the burning question to slip from your lips. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Where are you taking me?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""I'm taking you back to the shrine, to see if you can find out how to get home from there. If you can, then I will deliver you there safely." Bakugou spoke without an inch of hesitation or reluctance in his voice, but what he said still shocked you. Pulling on Yonaka's reigns, you stopped the horse, who fussed and snorted at the rough command. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""You're what?!" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Stopping as well, Bakugou turned Higure just enough to look at you, the calm expression he had been sporting now furrowed into a glare. "Isn't that what you want? You want to go home. I'm trying to take you–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Without even asking me first, or letting me say goodbye to everyone?" You felt so conflicted, feeling your eyes begin to well up with tears. Yes, you wanted to go home, but at the same time you almost… didn't. This entire world was such an adventure for you, even though it had been harsh and dangerous, everything about it had felt right. Back home, you were lonely and forgotten, but here it seemed like you at least meant something to someone. After what had happened with Bakugou in the solitude of his room, there had been a reluctance growing within you to even attempt to go home. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Perhaps, it would just be better to try and live here comfortably until your story came to an end. You could have friends, a career, and maybe even a lover in this place, if you stopped pushing them away as you had been./p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""You can't be serious, Demon. Ever since you got here, you have done nothing but whine and demand to go home, even after I've given you everything you could ever need. I even offered you myself, and that wasn't enough. So what is it that you want?!" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Beginning to feel ashamed of your rapidly changing opinions and wants, you hung your head, struggling to keep your tears at bay. "I… I don't know…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"After a moment of tense silence, Bakugou sighed, beginning to continue forward on the path. "We don't even know if you can figure out how to get home or not when we reach the shrine. You can decide depending on what happens there if you want to go or return with me. I'm trying to help you, stupid woman." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Sniffling, you timidly urged Yonaka to follow, feeling your chest growing tight from the raging emotions within you. All this time, you figured that it wouldn't even be possible to return to your era, nor that anyone would even give you a chance to try. But what if it wasn't possible? Could you really handle that disappointment, to know that you would never experience the things that you used to love again? Would you really be able to be completely happy here, to make a life for yourself out of everything that you had? Would Bakugou even be able to care about you after everything you had put him through? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Or was this… because he did care about you? You had been so cruel to him when you stopped him before, so maybe this was just another attempt for him to show you how sincere he was trying to be. Though, at this point, you weren't sure if you could really trust your feelings or instincts. You had believed over and over that you were nothing but a tool, but it was obvious that was far from the truth. Your insecurities had made it impossible to believe you could be worth anything to anyone, but you had been. You were more than just your visions in Bakugou's eyes, but you still couldn't find it within yourself to accept it. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"If you did, then you would fall like a rock into his arms, creating a splash with violent waves that would ripple into oblivion. Your love for him would bloom and flourish, and there would be nothing but death to stop you. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Death was coming to him. When exactly, you weren't sure, but you knew that it was while he was still young. It could be any day now, the castle that housed all your friends and memories would be lit aflame and all would die. Including you, if you stayed, unless you were able to change that future. Perhaps, if it did come to it, you could save him and everyone else. But what ramifications would that have? Would the world you knew change at all? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Honestly, would it even matter? You weren't there anymore, so what did you care? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"em style="color: #fd9473;"I… I should be better. If I can't go home, if it really is useless, then I need to try to make things better here. To live and… love, as long as I can. I just hope we don't really start to hate each other on this trip… /em/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Giving a heavy sigh, you watched Bakugou's back for a while, until you finally found the strength to speak. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Thank you… Katsuki…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Don't thank me yet, Demon… I can't promise you'll get what you want." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"…/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"The journey to the shrine was admittedly an enjoyable one, if not a little boring. There was nothing exciting that happened, no storms, no enemies, and no exchange of romantic interest between you and your guide. In fact, Bakugou seemed to want to distance himself as much as he could, sleeping a few feet away from you every night and sitting across the fire during dinner. Conversation with him was still pleasant, as much as it could be, but he still seemed reluctant to talk at all in the first place. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"You couldn't blame him. What you had done would crush any man's spirit, especially someone as proud and emotionally stupid as Bakugou. Still, you had meant what you said, that having sex with each other didn't mean that he truly cared about you. The same went for you, too. You just couldn't allow yourself to submit so easily to him, not when there was the chance that you would never see him again. You just couldn't stand the thought of your adoration for him flourishing, all for it to be crushed into nothing, should you return home. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"There was a change in his attitude one night, which was the last evening before you reached the shrine. His brow was constantly furrowed in intense thought, more than normal, and it seemed as if he couldn't even stand to spare you a single glance. You knew that this could very well be the last night you had together, and that simple fact tugged heavily at your heart. You didn't want him to ignore you, to distance himself as much as he could, yet you couldn't find it within yourself to confront him. That is, until he spoke first. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Swallowing the rabbit meat he had been chewing, Bakugou took a moment to use a stick to poke the fire between you, springing it back to life. "Have you decided?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Decided?" Lowering the water flask from your lips, you gazed at him curiously over the flames, but he still didn't look at you. "Decided what?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""If you will go home, given the chance." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""I… No, I haven't." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"With a click of his tongue in annoyance, Bakugou leaned back on one arm, turning his glare to the left towards the forest. "You're such a fool. I don't see why you would even want to return home, after everything." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Everything? You mean… us–?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""No! Your stories and nonsense that you always told the stupid fish back home. All you would talk about is… how lonely you were. How you struggled through each day, how it was difficult to make friends or continue your education, whatever that may mean. You didn't want to take care of yourself or even wake up every day. It just doesn't make sense why you would want to return to that." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"His words left you speechless. Never before had you met someone who was actually concerned about you in this way, who didn't want you to go through your daily struggles. It was a normal thing in your era, for people your age to feel lost and struggle to continue through each day. But they were expected to, and so you did. If you complained about it, or tried to talk to anyone, then you were deemed lazy or overdramatic. No one would listen to you, and no one felt any sense of concern. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"But this man, who history had deemed a violent and war obsessed brute, had been concerned about your wellbeing in a way that no one else ever had. All his actions had been his way to try and help you, and you had been too blinded to see it. He had proven, over and over, that he cared about you, but you couldn't listen. You couldn't see it, even though it had been something you wanted so badly. em style="color: #fd9473;"He /emwas something you wanted, his attention and his affection, his support and dedication. Everything your soul was missing was within this man, and from the moment you stepped foot into his era, you had been pulled to him like a magnet. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"And yet… /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Katsuki–" A hiccup interrupted you, giving a small shake of your head. "Y-you don't understand… I have to try." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Why?! It's so foolish–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Because my heart can't take it! I can't stand not knowing! The people that I did have, I have to know that I can never see them again to be able to move on. I just…" You took in a deep breath to calm yourself, adjusting the way you were sitting. "Please, Katsuki… Once I know, I can finally just… know that I belong here." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Bakugou was silent for a moment, watching you closely over the crackling flames. "[L/N]… I don't know how you have been feeling since you arrived here, but… from what I know about how you used to be, it seemed like you were trapped in darkness. But here, especially in the past few months, it doesn't appear to be like that. To me… you glow." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Katsuki…–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""The times you haven't, have been because of me. I'm the one that's a fool–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""–no, Katsuki–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""–and I'm sorr–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Don't!" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Your outburst stopped him, your voice echoing across the grass and into the night sky. Standing, you stumbled over your belongings until you were at his side where you collapsed to sit on your knees. "Don't you dare apologize!" Unable to control your own hands, they gripped on tightly to Bakugou's robes near his chest. "You, of all people, have nothing to be sorry for! I'm the one that's been difficult and caused so much fuss for everyone… You even risked your life to save me, and I did nothing but hurt you. em style="color: #fd9473;"I'm /emthe one who should be sorry… and I am–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""[L/N]…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""– and I don't want you to hate me, even if I do end up returning home–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""–Listen–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""– I've never cared about someone as much as I care about you–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"It was his turn to silence you, but this time, it wasn't with words. Cupping your cheeks, he leaned in to press his lips against yours, firm and aggressive at first to keep your attention. Then, it softened as you returned the affection, his thumbs stroking your skin to rid you of tears you hadn't even noticed had fallen. This was unlike any kiss you had ever shared before, so tender and filled with an unspoken restrained passion that you felt instantly warm from your lips to your toes. There was no lust, no spontaneous need for pleasure. It was just you two, and even as he pulled away, you didn't feel the connection break, nor did you ever want it to. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"His crimson gaze locked with yours, Bakugou let both his hands fall to caress your neck. "There's very little you could do to make me hate you. Deciding to go home is not one of them. I told you, if that's what you decide, then I will deliver you there safely." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Sniffling, you could only find it within yourself to nod, resting yourself against his side with your face hidden in his shoulder. One arm around your waist, Bakugou allowed you to lean against him, even keeping one hand on the back of your neck to massage and squeeze lightly. His embrace was so calming, so comforting that you could easily fall asleep, but there was one thing keeping you alert. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"One emotion stuck out in your sour stomach against the rest, prickling and harsh. You felt guilty. He may have been so supportive of you up to this point, but he had no idea about the truth. He didn't know that you were from the future, that you knew about him and what was to come. All he thought was that you were from some far-off village, and you wanted to stop lying to him. But could you? Could you really spill the truth to him now? He would probably think you're insane. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"You knew, however, that this was your last chance. You had to tell him what could happen tomorrow, that you could suddenly vanish without warning. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Uhm… Katsuki…?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Hm?" Bakugou's hand fell from your neck to travel down your back, bringing a new heat to your cheeks and knot in your stomach. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"em style="color: #fd9473;"I… I can't. /em/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Just… Thank you. For everything…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Sure, [L/N]. But we should rest… Tomorrow we'll reach the shrine, so we'll see if your memory favors you."/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Walking through the halls seemed to help the most, since sitting in your room in silence only let your thoughts wander. At least out here, you could listen to the chirping birds as they began to return for spring or the running water through the various ponds that littered the palace courtyards. Windchimes and clanking bamboo shoots were soothing, and you almost didn't hear the soft female voice calling to you. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Miss? Miss [L/N]?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Unable to resist a small jump in shock at the sudden presence beside you, you looked at the female servant as she gave a deep bow. "Y-yes?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""My apologies, but your presence has been summoned. Please follow me." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Follow you? To where?"/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""To the stables." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Feeling your heart nearly leap out of your throat, you fell silent as you followed her, clasping your hands tightly in front of you. You couldn't help but be nervous, finding that there were a thousand scenarios running through your head. Were you being kicked out of the palace? Was someone taking you away to torture you for more information? Was someone going to try and get you home? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"You didn't know, and upon seeing Bakugou standing alongside the brilliant black Yonaka and the smaller palomino Higure, your confusion only became doubly intense. Frowning, you stopped a few yards away, feeling reluctance boil in your stomach. Both horses were set for a few weeks worth of travel, but that didn't make the purpose for this any clearer. You wanted to run away, go back into your room and hide under your covers just so you wouldn't have to suffer through feeling that crimson gaze on your skin, but in the end, curiosity won over. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Taking in a deep breath, you approached, accepting Bakugou's help to get up onto Yonaka's back without a word. In fact, neither of you said a single thing for a few hours as you traveled at a casual pace, with the palace and town soon far behind you. When you were sure that there wasn't a single soul within earshot, you allowed the burning question to slip from your lips. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Where are you taking me?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""I'm taking you back to the shrine, to see if you can find out how to get home from there. If you can, then I will deliver you there safely." Bakugou spoke without an inch of hesitation or reluctance in his voice, but what he said still shocked you. Pulling on Yonaka's reigns, you stopped the horse, who fussed and snorted at the rough command. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""You're what?!" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Stopping as well, Bakugou turned Higure just enough to look at you, the calm expression he had been sporting now furrowed into a glare. "Isn't that what you want? You want to go home. I'm trying to take you–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Without even asking me first, or letting me say goodbye to everyone?" You felt so conflicted, feeling your eyes begin to well up with tears. Yes, you wanted to go home, but at the same time you almost… didn't. This entire world was such an adventure for you, even though it had been harsh and dangerous, everything about it had felt right. Back home, you were lonely and forgotten, but here it seemed like you at least meant something to someone. After what had happened with Bakugou in the solitude of his room, there had been a reluctance growing within you to even attempt to go home. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Perhaps, it would just be better to try and live here comfortably until your story came to an end. You could have friends, a career, and maybe even a lover in this place, if you stopped pushing them away as you had been./p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""You can't be serious, Demon. Ever since you got here, you have done nothing but whine and demand to go home, even after I've given you everything you could ever need. I even offered you myself, and that wasn't enough. So what is it that you want?!" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Beginning to feel ashamed of your rapidly changing opinions and wants, you hung your head, struggling to keep your tears at bay. "I… I don't know…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"After a moment of tense silence, Bakugou sighed, beginning to continue forward on the path. "We don't even know if you can figure out how to get home or not when we reach the shrine. You can decide depending on what happens there if you want to go or return with me. I'm trying to help you, stupid woman." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Sniffling, you timidly urged Yonaka to follow, feeling your chest growing tight from the raging emotions within you. All this time, you figured that it wouldn't even be possible to return to your era, nor that anyone would even give you a chance to try. But what if it wasn't possible? Could you really handle that disappointment, to know that you would never experience the things that you used to love again? Would you really be able to be completely happy here, to make a life for yourself out of everything that you had? Would Bakugou even be able to care about you after everything you had put him through? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Or was this… because he did care about you? You had been so cruel to him when you stopped him before, so maybe this was just another attempt for him to show you how sincere he was trying to be. Though, at this point, you weren't sure if you could really trust your feelings or instincts. You had believed over and over that you were nothing but a tool, but it was obvious that was far from the truth. Your insecurities had made it impossible to believe you could be worth anything to anyone, but you had been. You were more than just your visions in Bakugou's eyes, but you still couldn't find it within yourself to accept it. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"If you did, then you would fall like a rock into his arms, creating a splash with violent waves that would ripple into oblivion. Your love for him would bloom and flourish, and there would be nothing but death to stop you. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Death was coming to him. When exactly, you weren't sure, but you knew that it was while he was still young. It could be any day now, the castle that housed all your friends and memories would be lit aflame and all would die. Including you, if you stayed, unless you were able to change that future. Perhaps, if it did come to it, you could save him and everyone else. But what ramifications would that have? Would the world you knew change at all? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Honestly, would it even matter? You weren't there anymore, so what did you care? /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"em style="color: #fd9473;"I… I should be better. If I can't go home, if it really is useless, then I need to try to make things better here. To live and… love, as long as I can. I just hope we don't really start to hate each other on this trip… /em/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Giving a heavy sigh, you watched Bakugou's back for a while, until you finally found the strength to speak. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Thank you… Katsuki…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Don't thank me yet, Demon… I can't promise you'll get what you want." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"…/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"The journey to the shrine was admittedly an enjoyable one, if not a little boring. There was nothing exciting that happened, no storms, no enemies, and no exchange of romantic interest between you and your guide. In fact, Bakugou seemed to want to distance himself as much as he could, sleeping a few feet away from you every night and sitting across the fire during dinner. Conversation with him was still pleasant, as much as it could be, but he still seemed reluctant to talk at all in the first place. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"You couldn't blame him. What you had done would crush any man's spirit, especially someone as proud and emotionally stupid as Bakugou. Still, you had meant what you said, that having sex with each other didn't mean that he truly cared about you. The same went for you, too. You just couldn't allow yourself to submit so easily to him, not when there was the chance that you would never see him again. You just couldn't stand the thought of your adoration for him flourishing, all for it to be crushed into nothing, should you return home. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"There was a change in his attitude one night, which was the last evening before you reached the shrine. His brow was constantly furrowed in intense thought, more than normal, and it seemed as if he couldn't even stand to spare you a single glance. You knew that this could very well be the last night you had together, and that simple fact tugged heavily at your heart. You didn't want him to ignore you, to distance himself as much as he could, yet you couldn't find it within yourself to confront him. That is, until he spoke first. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Swallowing the rabbit meat he had been chewing, Bakugou took a moment to use a stick to poke the fire between you, springing it back to life. "Have you decided?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Decided?" Lowering the water flask from your lips, you gazed at him curiously over the flames, but he still didn't look at you. "Decided what?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""If you will go home, given the chance." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""I… No, I haven't." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"With a click of his tongue in annoyance, Bakugou leaned back on one arm, turning his glare to the left towards the forest. "You're such a fool. I don't see why you would even want to return home, after everything." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Everything? You mean… us–?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""No! Your stories and nonsense that you always told the stupid fish back home. All you would talk about is… how lonely you were. How you struggled through each day, how it was difficult to make friends or continue your education, whatever that may mean. You didn't want to take care of yourself or even wake up every day. It just doesn't make sense why you would want to return to that." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"His words left you speechless. Never before had you met someone who was actually concerned about you in this way, who didn't want you to go through your daily struggles. It was a normal thing in your era, for people your age to feel lost and struggle to continue through each day. But they were expected to, and so you did. If you complained about it, or tried to talk to anyone, then you were deemed lazy or overdramatic. No one would listen to you, and no one felt any sense of concern. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"But this man, who history had deemed a violent and war obsessed brute, had been concerned about your wellbeing in a way that no one else ever had. All his actions had been his way to try and help you, and you had been too blinded to see it. He had proven, over and over, that he cared about you, but you couldn't listen. You couldn't see it, even though it had been something you wanted so badly. em style="color: #fd9473;"He /emwas something you wanted, his attention and his affection, his support and dedication. Everything your soul was missing was within this man, and from the moment you stepped foot into his era, you had been pulled to him like a magnet. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"And yet… /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Katsuki–" A hiccup interrupted you, giving a small shake of your head. "Y-you don't understand… I have to try." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Why?! It's so foolish–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Because my heart can't take it! I can't stand not knowing! The people that I did have, I have to know that I can never see them again to be able to move on. I just…" You took in a deep breath to calm yourself, adjusting the way you were sitting. "Please, Katsuki… Once I know, I can finally just… know that I belong here." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Bakugou was silent for a moment, watching you closely over the crackling flames. "[L/N]… I don't know how you have been feeling since you arrived here, but… from what I know about how you used to be, it seemed like you were trapped in darkness. But here, especially in the past few months, it doesn't appear to be like that. To me… you glow." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Katsuki…–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""The times you haven't, have been because of me. I'm the one that's a fool–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""–no, Katsuki–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""–and I'm sorr–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Don't!" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Your outburst stopped him, your voice echoing across the grass and into the night sky. Standing, you stumbled over your belongings until you were at his side where you collapsed to sit on your knees. "Don't you dare apologize!" Unable to control your own hands, they gripped on tightly to Bakugou's robes near his chest. "You, of all people, have nothing to be sorry for! I'm the one that's been difficult and caused so much fuss for everyone… You even risked your life to save me, and I did nothing but hurt you. em style="color: #fd9473;"I'm /emthe one who should be sorry… and I am–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""[L/N]…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""– and I don't want you to hate me, even if I do end up returning home–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""–Listen–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""– I've never cared about someone as much as I care about you–" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"It was his turn to silence you, but this time, it wasn't with words. Cupping your cheeks, he leaned in to press his lips against yours, firm and aggressive at first to keep your attention. Then, it softened as you returned the affection, his thumbs stroking your skin to rid you of tears you hadn't even noticed had fallen. This was unlike any kiss you had ever shared before, so tender and filled with an unspoken restrained passion that you felt instantly warm from your lips to your toes. There was no lust, no spontaneous need for pleasure. It was just you two, and even as he pulled away, you didn't feel the connection break, nor did you ever want it to. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"His crimson gaze locked with yours, Bakugou let both his hands fall to caress your neck. "There's very little you could do to make me hate you. Deciding to go home is not one of them. I told you, if that's what you decide, then I will deliver you there safely." /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"Sniffling, you could only find it within yourself to nod, resting yourself against his side with your face hidden in his shoulder. One arm around your waist, Bakugou allowed you to lean against him, even keeping one hand on the back of your neck to massage and squeeze lightly. His embrace was so calming, so comforting that you could easily fall asleep, but there was one thing keeping you alert. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"One emotion stuck out in your sour stomach against the rest, prickling and harsh. You felt guilty. He may have been so supportive of you up to this point, but he had no idea about the truth. He didn't know that you were from the future, that you knew about him and what was to come. All he thought was that you were from some far-off village, and you wanted to stop lying to him. But could you? Could you really spill the truth to him now? He would probably think you're insane. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"You knew, however, that this was your last chance. You had to tell him what could happen tomorrow, that you could suddenly vanish without warning. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Uhm… Katsuki…?" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Hm?" Bakugou's hand fell from your neck to travel down your back, bringing a new heat to your cheeks and knot in your stomach. /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;"em style="color: #fd9473;"I… I can't. /em/p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Just… Thank you. For everything…" /p
p style="color: #823826; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', sans-serif;""Sure, [L/N]. But we should rest… Tomorrow we'll reach the shrine, so we'll see if your memory favors you."/p