Nightmares were a fickle thing. They plagued the mind. All-consuming in a way that was wildly unpleasant. Kyoka shot up in bed with a sharp inhale, breath coming far too quickly. Her hand naturally went to her left ear, shaking fingers touching the cool prosthetic—a reminder. A glance around her room further proved to her groggy mind that she was safe in her bed in her dorm room, the memories of war in the past.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, hands falling into her lap as she slowly regained control of her breathing. For a brief moment the thought of trying to get back to sleep crossed her mind but closing her eyes and seeing AFO's face gave her an answer. She wouldn't be getting back to sleep. Not right now at least. With a groan Kyoka threw her legs over the side of the bed, sliding off onto her feet. A short pace across the room to slip on a pair of slippers later she was out the door, heading down the dark hallway.

The walk to the common room was uneventful, with only the soft sound of her footsteps to keep her company. The hour was late; most of the class was probably either asleep or attempting to be. It wasn't until she neared the kitchen that she registered any noise other than her own. She slowed her pace in an effort to not startle whomever it was as she leaned around the corner.

His back was facing her, left arm leaned against the counter. In the dim lighting, she could just about make out the spiky-haired silhouette of the class' explosive blond boy. He was just wearing a black long-sleeved top with grey sweatpants. It was peculiar seeing Katsuki up at this hour given the boy's strict bedtime routine.

"Bakugo?"

Despite Kyoka's soft tone Katsuki still whirled around a little too quickly, left hand flexed with his entire posture braced as if expecting a fight. Vermillion eyes darted over her briefly before he exhaled, shoving his hand into a pocket of his pajama pants.

"What are you doing up, Ears?"

He prompted gruffly as if she hadn't just given him a mini heart attack, his body turned to the right side as his gaze flitted from her back to the stove. He was still too tense, more closed off than Kyoka expected.

"Couldn't sleep."

Her short answer earned only a grunt in response, silence settling over the kitchen. Kyoka shifted her weight, gaze flicking to the side while debating on questioning him in return. Before she could a warm mug was being pushed into her hands. She cupped it in surprise, eyeing the contents before her gaze flitted back up to witness Katsuki pouring his own portion into a mug placed on the counter. By the aroma alone it was tea, probably one of Momo's if she had to guess.

"Thank you…"

Kyoka murmured, earning yet another brief sound from the blond as he placed the kettle down a little too harshly with a sharp clink before retrieving the filled mug with his left hand. He looked somewhat awkward holding it. Grip too tight, and not quite right. His right arm hung limply at his side, hand jammed into his pocket.

His gaze remained fixed upon his mug for a moment, brows slightly furrowed as if it had personally offended him. When the silence stretched he huffed an exhale through his nose, giving a sharp nod towards the couches in the common room. Kyoka arched a brow, curiosity playing across her face as she gave a slight nod in return.

There was a stiffness to his gait as he moved, the slightest of limp stemming from him favoring his left side. Kyoka didn't pry. Didn't question because it wasn't her place to. They all had been altered by war be it physically, mentally, or a blend of the two. Katsuki certainly wasn't exempt. When Katsuki seated himself he seemingly specifically picked the rightmost seat, pressing most of his weight into the armrest. It meant Kyoka ended up on his left side. Being seated in such a manner meant she couldn't see the scarring across his right cheek.

Kyoka slid her feet free of the slippers, pulling her legs up to comfortably fold them across the cushion. Finally, she took her first sip of the tea, delighted to find it was sweet with subtle hints of both honey and apple.

"Chamomile?"

"Mm."

A soft smile quirked her lips at the corners as she settled into the silence, letting the warmth seep into her fingers and through her chest with each small sip she took. It was almost peaceful; a descriptor she would've never thought could apply with Katsuki involved. The blond was typically loud and brash. The silence was odd.

Then again… War changed people.

"...Why are you up?"

Her question made his shoulders stiffen, vermillion gaze cutting to the side to stare off at a distant wall. Tense. Closed off when the conversation centered around himself. Kyoka tilted her head, bangs shifting to the side, awaiting his answer all the same.

"Why do you think?"

While the answer itself wasn't specific it did speak volumes. Kyoka could easily guess a multitude of reasons. She sank back a little further in the cushions, her index finger tapping a few slow times against the side of her mug whilst gathering her thoughts.

"It was nightmares for me." She began, dark irises trailing away from his face to the golden liquid in her mug. "Seeing All For One's face… Wondering how differently things could've turned out. We're lucky, I know that, but it still just…" She trailed, a frown crossing her lips. It wasn't fair was the problem. They were first years. Sure they were training to be heroes but they were all still children. Children that had to deal with the consequences of adults in their shitty game of power. Children who had no business being soldiers of war.

"Dwelling on it won't change a damn thing."

His tone of voice caught her off guard, gaze flitting up to meet red. Resignation wasn't an expression Katsuki should ever wear. It wasn't anger, wasn't defeat; rather a begrudging acceptance that this is just how things were now. Kyoka didn't like it.

"It's not about trying to change it." She retorted evenly, lips pursed with slightly furrowed brows. Katsuki's jaw noticeably tensed, brows furrowing to mirror Kyoka's own expression. Before he could say anything in response she continued. "Besides, I'm not trying to think about it all the time… Especially when I'm trying to sleep."

He was quiet. Contemplative as his gaze shifted from her face back to his lap. His right leg shifted, bouncing his heel lightly. "...It wasn't nightmares." Another pause, regret flickering across his face. "For me I mean." He planted his heel before pushing himself up. Kyoka blinked in surprise, watching as he moved. Stiff, shoulders slightly hunched with a subtle limp.

"Are you okay?"

The question felt foolish. Like it didn't carry enough weight but she wasn't sure what else to say in response. He only paused for a moment, his back to her.

"I'm fine."