Keiko needed a place to stay since the apartment she had shared with her brother was no longer an option. It hit her again that she no longer had much of a family.
To her surprise, Aizawa had led her to the Bakugou's once she was released from the hospital.
"Ah, there you are!" Mitsuki chirped, eagerly waving towards her. "You ready to go?"
Katsuki was leaning against his parent's vehicle, Masaru at his side. She smiled hesitantly at the over-excited woman, giving a small wave in return.
"We're dropping by your place so you can pack your shit," Katuski blurted, standing up. "Let's go."
"T-Thanks for having me."
"No worries! Kastuki, be nice."
"Shut up hag."
Keiko winced as Masaru hurried to climb into the driver's seat so they could leave before the two started a scene.
"Right, let's go," she chirped, lightly pushing Katuski back into the seat and away from his mother. "Thank you, Mr. Aizawa."
The dark-haired teacher nodded. "Be safe. See you at UA come Monday."
"Yup," she replied, sliding into the seat next to Katsuki. His eyes flickered over to her as they took off.
Keiko was a bit worried. She considered herself a good friend of Katsuki's, but living with his family seemed rather sudden. The Bakugou's seemed like nice people. She couldn't stop herself from feeling like she was intruding.
"We've got the spare bedroom cleaned up and ready for you," Mitsuki piped up. "If you want help packing, we can lend a hand, or Katsuki can help out."
"I don't have many things," she replied, holding her bag to her chest. "I think it'll be fine."
That night, she sat on her new bed in the Bakugou household, staring blankly at the walls. Keiko clutched her pillow against her chest, back pressed against the wall. She hadn't done much unpacking. But the room was nice.
The Bakugou's were nice.
The blonde sat in silence, a single train of thought occupying her mind. She just couldn't shake the feeling she had, wondering if it really was alright for her to stay with them. She was grateful of course, but everything felt mixed up.
"Ah," she sighed, pulling the pillow closer.
She really wasn't sure what she was supposed to do.
It seemed stupid to try and ignore everything that had happened and just move on, but she didn't want to sit around and think.
"Oi, blondie, I'm coming in."
The door practically slammed open as Katsuki walked in, eyes glancing around before landing on her.
"Y-Yes?" she piped up, sitting up taller.
"I could have sworn that you packed up some posters or shit," he muttered, continuing in to flop on the edge of her bed. "It's so fucking plain."
"Ah, not really. I have photos, but I don't think I'll be putting them up," she replied. "I probably won't do much of any decorating."
His eyes narrowed. "The old hag will freak if she finds out."
Keiko tilted her head. "Wait, why?"
He clicked his tongue. "You'll be here for a while, so you might as well be comfortable."
"Oh," she mumbled, resting her head on her knees.
"Why the hell are you strangling that pillow?" Katsuki blurted, shooting her a look. "Just fucking relax already."
"Ah, sorry."
"Don't apologize."
Keiko watched as he closed his eyes, easily relaxing next to her. His expression was a lot softer when his eyes were closed. Just his presence in the room made it easier for her to relax, the more negative thoughts coming to a rest.
"Was there something you needed?" she piped up, falling onto her side. He jostled slightly at her movement, eyes opening just long enough to shoot her a glare.
"If I'm in here, the hag will leave me alone."
"So you're using me. How rude."
"Shut up shitty girl."
Keiko chuckled. It was nice to be able to tease him without fear of getting attacked. "Alright."
"How're you holding up?"
She sighed, closing her eyes. "I dunno. I feel like I shouldn't mope around, but it doesn't feel right to just move on."
"So take some time when you need it. I'll kick your ass if you get depressed."
"That's not how that works Katsuki," she mused, getting more comfortable as they talked.
"Why the hell not?"
"It's... it's like asking an elementary student who is afraid of spiders to stop being afraid. They can't understand it... So they can't control it."
There was a lull in the conversation.
Suddenly he was poking her cheek.
"Dinner should be about ready. Get up."
Her seafoam eyes opened, locking into his red ones. She stared for a moment, a smile forming. When she didn't reply right away, his eyes narrowed and his lip started to twitch. As she watched his expression slowly shift into something more annoyed, she could barely hold back a laugh.
"The hell are you staring at?!" he spat, sitting up.
"Nothing, nothing," she replied, pushing herself up as well. "Thank you for being here."
"Hah?"
Keiko looked at him head-on, giving him a somewhat exasperated look. "You've done a lot for me. Thanks."
"Shitty girl," he sighed. "Let's go."
He was up and starting towards the door almost instantly, leaving her to scramble across her bed and avoid getting caught in the blankets.
"Yup!"
Keiko followed after him as fast as she could, still not fully comfortable in the house. He glanced over at her, clicking his tongue at how close she was sticking to his side. To her surprise, he didn't say anything else. Instead, he lightly bumped her arm with his elbow.
"Dinner-" Mitsuki started to shout, walking out of the kitchen. She instantly cut herself off at the sight of the two. "Oh, you're both already here."
"Yeah, so you don't have to start yelling," Katsuki hissed, moving towards the table.
"Why you-"
"It smells good, Mitsuki," she quickly piped up, hoping to stop an argument before it started.
Luckily, dinner went by peacefully and without any major arguments. To her surprise, Katsuki practically dragged her away as soon as they were done. She followed him back to his room, watching as he fell back on his own bed, leaning heavily on his arms. Keiko stood nervously in the doorway, taking a look around his room. As soon as she moved to head back to her own, his eyes shot over to her.
"Where are you going?" he asked. "Just get over here already."
"Y-You mean-"
"I was on your bed, wasn't I?"
Keiko sighed, seeing that she wasn't going to be able to argue with him. Still a bit unsure, she found herself perching on the edge. After sitting there awkwardly for a moment, he clicked his tongue.
She was starting to get used to the sound.
His arms wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her down. A small shriek left her at the sudden movement, but she quickly quieted. Katsuki left his arms around her, holding her in place on the bed. She could feel his breath on her neck.
"Ah, Katsuki-"
"They said you've been having nightmares. Shut up and relax, dumbass."
So she did.
Keiko couldn't lie to herself.
She was in love with Katsuki, as annoying and vulgar as he could be.