Afterlife
Part Three - He's Back
Summary: Bakugo discovers he's no longer alone. His new, good looking roommate is the first person to see him in a long time and now she's ignoring him! Or is she? Also she gets another case and finally has some fun.
Warnings: Mentions of death, death of an animal, adult jokes and cursing.
Tag-list: @browneyedgirl22 @simplybaconic @ghostofscarley @optimisticprime3 @lukerycyja-reblogs @eyesforbkg
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Katsuki Bakugo tried everything over the next few days to get his new roommate to see him. He tried throwing things, jumping out from behind doors, walls and closets. Screaming until he thought his lungs would burst, doing anything really to make her glance, flinch or something at all that indicated she truly saw him.
He took note of her habits during this time, what she liked to eat in the morning, dressing styles, nightly routine and right now her biggest habit he observed? Not sleeping.
She spent all hours of the night on her phone, reading, scrolling social medias or watching some new show. He had taken to watching said show with her on the couch, even if she had no idea there was company.
Bored out of his noggin' he nosed into the other rooms, finding a bed in his parent's old space. Inside the closets were men's clothing and other belongings that indicate there should be more than just the girl living here. Even so, she was the only person he saw come or go... when she did go out. She spoke on the phone with others only briefly and on the few adventures out of the house were brief. She seemed to have an aversion to human interaction simliar to him.
He curled into the side of the couch, back hanging over the arm rest as he groaned in frustration. Currently she was on the phone with a man named "Toshi," asking him how his mission was going.
Katsuki leaned up while placing his chin into his palm to contemplate what else he could try catching her attention with. She had been here a full week (that he had been awake for) and nothing seemed to work, he was past frustrated, sliding into livid.
"You really need to get some sleep." The male's deep voice cut through his thoughts from the phone sitting on the table. She had placed the device on speaker so she could be free to eat her dinner as she spoke. "Yeah I know." Her voice grumbled in response.
The bags under her eyes did not do her justice, she looked like absolute shit who needed a nap immediately. At most during the week he could only count a few hours if not minutes where she had nodded off.
"I can tell you're in one of your funks. Not sleeping, binging your latest show and texting me non stop." She placed her empty plate beside her and leaned into a pillow with a deep noise of annoyance.
"How do you always know this shit when you're not even here? It's like you never left!"
He snorted while continuing, "We've been friends and roommates long enough for me to know your habits F/N."
Katsuki's ears perked up at the use of your name. He had not been able to figure out what you were called as of yet, no real mail had come to the house for him to snoop into. It had a nice ring to it though.
"So in conclusion, get some damn sleep. Denki and I will be back home in a couple weeks, our mission is going really smoothly. If we're lucky we'll be home in the next couple weeks at most with the culprit behind bars."
She hummed in affirmation and gave a false promise to get some rest. "Be safe and tell Denks too okay?"
Denki? Denki Kaminari? Katsuki's head tilted in interest now at his old classmate's name, if he also put two and two together to make sense. Toshi, would be Hitoshi Shinso, purple haired, sleep deprived Aizawa clone from UA.
After the call concluded you placed the phone away from you and did not heed his words in the least. Resuming your show and forgoing bedtime that evening as well.
The next morning Katsuki hatched a plan. He was going to practice interacting with things so he could build up his strength and hopefully show her he was there.
In a stare down with the soulless, dark eyes of a stuffed dog toy, he chewed his lip. "You're going against the wall wither or not you like it creature!"
He reached forward, hand slipping right through the damn animal's smiling face. With a grunt he tried once again to yield the same result. "Fucking, come on!" He growled, continuing to waive his hand through the dog.
"It's a fucking toy!" He roared in frustration, his palm shooting forward out of habit to use his quirk that had always been there.
The toy slammed against the wall and his eyes widened with surprise as a gasp escaped his chest. "I did it." He mumbled triumphantly.
He looked around for you only to find you picking the toy up and giving it an apology. "Sorry buddy, didn't mean to hit you with that closet door."
Dammit, he'd have to try harder.
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Your phone rang in the wee hours of the morning, making you shoot up at the shrill noise. Having finally nodded off for the first time in a couple days and someone had to go and ruin that. Fucking people.
Should've taken Toshi's advice and gotten a good night's rest a few days ago. However as predicted that little girl seemed to haunt her dreams every time your eyes closed.
On top of that a chill had almost constantly been running up your spine, indicating the proximity of a spirit. Though not one glance, from the corner of your eye or any noises out of place since you had seen the man near the fridge.
Finally answering the phone that was most likely on it's last ring, you cleared your throat. "Inspector what can I do for you at... five thirty am?"
Rubbing your sleepy eye you heard a small chuckle on the other line. "My apologies did I wake you Phantom?"
You rolled your eyes while leaning into the pillow that had been your cradle just a few moments ago. When he didn't get a response he continued, "I have a case opportunity for you, should you be interested."
A yawn was his initial response, "Clearly if you're calling me, I would assume you're not calling me for a date."
He could be hear coughing and choking on most likely a sip of coffee or bite of breakfast while you waited. "I was drinking coffee, that wasn't fair."
Bingo.
You shook your head with an affectionate smile on your lips, knowing damn well the inspector was happily married to another office he had met a few years prior.
"Well what's this case?"
He sighed while the sound of shuffling on the other side indicated he was cleaning up a mess or looking through files before he continued. "A man who was recently put in jail for a string of murders is declining to lead us to where he buried his victims. We we're in the hopes you could help us locate them by contact or persuasion."
Another yawn wracked your chest as you contemplated responding. "Anything else you got for me? Preferably not as gruesome? I am gonna be honest here Inspector I haven't gotten much sleep since we saw each other last over the previous case we just finished. I don't think I could deal with something like that right now or channel anyone properly. After some good sleep? Yeah, maybe. Right now? No."
He shuffled some more papers before offering another solution. "I do have a request from a hero agency that asked for you personally. It's a team up with Cellophane and Pinky. They need your help finding a lost cat."
You scratched your nose for a minute while pondering if you heard him right. "A cat. Find a lost cat?"
He affirmed as you scoffed, "How is that a job for me?" He chuckled in response and continued with clear amusement in his voice.
"The request is mostly to help confirm if the cat is among the living or not. Call came in from the owner's son who insists the cat has passed on, but his father is denying and stating the cat has ran away which has happened from time to time apparently. Son claims the cat got sick and was buried a few days ago."
You hummed while cocking a brow, "What are the heroes for then? Surly I could do this by myself?"
"They asked specifically for them I guess, something about helping find it the last time they ran away. Refused anyone else to come out when their agency agreed. They've been having some free time and were more than happy to join up with you."
Pinching the bridge of your nose and contemplating all your life's decisions at this point that led to finding a ghost cat. "All I have to do is fine the cat... right?"
He affirmed and you agreed reluctantly to meet up with the Heroes in a bit. Hanging up the phone after getting the details you fell back into the bed with a groan of frustration. You were too tired to be chasing a cat but rent and utilities do not pay themselves. This case should be a cakewalk.
This was not a cakewalk, it was Bullshit.
Meeting up with Cellophane and Pinky who had greeted you with major enthusiasm. It was not the first time you had worked with them and they were honestly one of your favorite heroes to chat with on the job. They had both gladly shown you their new prototype glasses that had come from Hatsume inc, supposedly geared to pick up signatures from those who had passed on.
In theory, they could see the cat just like you could. You was mostly here for confirmation and also because unlike everyone there, you could actually see the cat and interact with it. Though according to Cellophane, Mei was currently in works on gloves to go with the glasses, but those were still in beta testing phases and not for hero use quite yet.
The son had thanked us for coming out and explained his father's insistence the cat was alive and well, just missing somewhere out in the world. He gave a brief description as a tiger stripped tabby with slight orange markings on her cheeks. Pictures he had showed a rather hearty feline glaring at the camera. Her name was Snickers due to her multi-coloring and that's when he dropped the bomb on us.
The cat had a quirk.
The cat, had a fucking. Quirk.
One that would allow it to teleport short distances, which was serving to piss off my fellow heroes and myself rather quickly. "She enjoyed a good game of tag when she was alive." The son had said.
You had spotted the lazy cat lounging in a tree during the discussions and took it as an opportunity to prove that the glasses worked. Pointing in a general direction you told the heroes to tell you where the cat was, both of them spoke immediately "in the tree."
Well way to go Hatsume, the glasses work!
Now as you all attempted to catch the wascally wabbit, you had narrowly grabbed the cat several times. She would pop a few inches just outside your reach and run away at the last possible second. The chase had been going on for several hours at this point, nearing dinner time promptly as you continued your search.
"Target was spotted in the back yard by the large elm tree."
The pink skinned female's voice cut into your ear piece.
"Hey guys, do you remember that ninja anime from when we were kids? This reminds me of that mission they took with the missing ca-"
"Cellophone, I have had this cat jump out of my hands for the last few hours. Have your ninja fantasy another time."
Pinky's laughter was so loud it rang throughout the entire property and through the ear piece. Once she calmed down a bit she spoke with a wobbly voice threatening to turn back into giggles. "I'm telling Kirishima that Phantom scolded you when we all go out tonight!"
He groaned and grumbled something on the other side when you found the cat once again in your sights.
Giving a reassuring smile to the animal and giving a soft "Pspspsp" with your lips in the attempts to coax the female closer. "Snickers... come here baby girl." Your soft coos fell on deaf ears as Cellophane hung upside down from a tree branch like some off brand Spiderman.
"Go slow." He offered with a wide smile, gritting your own teeth in avoid snapping at the hero once again. Like you didn't know the cat would bolt again if spooked?
The cat's large green eyes lazed over to the both of you, watching her pupil's dilating quickly in excitement before bolting just as your fingers grazed fur.
"MOTHER FU-"
Your snarls of frustration were cut short as tape shot past your face with such speed, quickly gaining on the retreating feline. In a last ditch effort you reached out and your fingers grazed the tape, weaving some spiritual energy into the material just as it finally reached the cat in time.
The Tape wound around the cat and brought it to the ground as you shouted in victory. You hadn't really been sure if that would even work but you were damn glad it did! Ripping the tape from it's source you wrapped it up to slowly approach the struggling fluff.
"Whoa little one, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you... let me get this off of you."
Unwrapping the tape slowly once the cat was secured in your arms. Cellophane jogged over with a ear to ear grin on his face. "Damn! I didn't know if that would even work! I used one of my less sticky tapes so it didn't hurt her but wow!"
You shot him a grin while running a hand over the soft ears. "I didn't either to be honest, I threw some of my quirk energy into it and it somehow turned it into ghost capture tape."
A large palm came down on top of your head affectionately, you flinched back as his expression dropped. "Shit, I'm sorry I forgot..." He stammered an apology as you waived your free hand.
"Don't worry, no harm done." He gave a apologetic smile before his dark eyes fell on the cat. "Wow, I can see it clearly now. The goggles just give me a shape without definition. I knew it was a cat, but that was about it."
He ran a large hand through the cat's soft ears as a low purring rumbled against your arms that cradled her. "Your quirk is pretty damn cool!"
You felt heat rising into your cheeks as those eyes met yours, Pinky's voice cutting through when she finally joined us. "Thanks for letting me know you got her!"
Shooting her a sheepish look, the three of you returned to the front yard where the owner sat in a lawn chair in wait. He jumped from his seat upon seeing the familiar sight in your arms.
"Snickers! Wow you really did find her!" He grinned before popping inside quick enough to bring out his father whose eyes lit up like a firework display.
"See! I told you she was alright! She was just playing hide and seek again!" His affectionately snapped as his son who rolled his eyes without a word. The father stepped forward and attempted to take the cat from your arms with some thanks. You however stepped back just before his hands could touch you or her.
"Sir, there are some things we need to discuss regarding this cat."
He frowned deeply before his face turned into anger. "Listen, I appreciate what you did but I'd like my cat back now. She's been missing for days and I'm not paying you any extra for how long it took to catch her."
Cocking a brow at his audacity, Cellophane stepped forward and placed his hand on the father's shoulder to indicate his words were not acceptable.
"Sir, my colleague has some things you need to hear. They may be difficult but please listen, she's a smart cookie."
He winked at you and you cleared your throat to avoid the heat in your cheeks once again. You quickly explained how your quirk works, that if you were to let the cat go, no one would be able to see or hear it but yourself. Not only were you not going to chase it again, but it was no longer able to go home.
The man's face twisted into confusion and his arguments lasted for several minutes before you had enough.
"I am going to tell you this one last time as kindly as I can sir... " You leaned forward so he could get a good look at your expression, "The cat has passed on. It got sick and passed on according to your son, My quirk is the only thing keeping it on this plane of existence right now. I cannot simply give you the cat because it is Dead. If I let go she will run away and I will not catch it again. So if you are willing I can help her pass on to a peaceful place, otherwise I'm going to drop it and you will not get your chance for goodbyes. Now what would you like to do?"
He stood stunned at your bluntness, eyes dropping to his beloved animal snoozing in your arms. "I do apologize for being brash but apparently our kind words were not enough."
He nodded slowly before reaching out to brush his fingers along the soft fur. "I am sorry too... I raised her from birth you know? I didn't want to believe she was really gone."
He exhaled a long breath before nodding, you placed the cat into his arms while keeping a finger touching her at all times so she did not slip through is arms. After the son and father gave her some proper love and goodbyes, a woman in formal wear stepped up beside you. She gave you a quick nod and you returned the slightest in kind to indicate you had seen her.
"Sir, the cat is ready to go now."
He chewed his lip before giving her one final goodbye, the animal happily leaped from their arms into that of the waiting reaper's. They ran their hand over her soft fur while she let out a few meows in response.
"Let them know she thanks them for her years here with them and all the love they shared. She is ready to go home."
Nodding slightly the woman turned and faded from sight. It was one thing they could do you couldn't, speak to animals. Languages were still a barrier regardless of death or not, if you didn't speak it there was no understanding. Some reapers focused on animal deaths and could communicate properly in order to do their work.
You relayed the reaper's message without mentioning the smartly dressed woman, tears pricked the eyes of both men as they gave their thanks.
Ready to avoid more tears you returned to the police station with the heroes to report the mission a success. The inspector once again indicated a trip to my favorite woman's desk was in order as I exited his office.
"Hey Phantom! Do you want to come out with us tonight?" The pink hero stepped forward before you could pass, attempting to latch onto your arm. Her dark haired friend stopped her before she could with a stern glance.
"Mina we talked about this, personal boundaries."
She gave you a shameful look while chuckling. "Sorry something I never grew out of."
You gave her a small grin while removing your costume's mask.
"It's alright, at least you acknowledge it. Some people do it anyway just to push my buttons and it gets really uncomfortable."
She smiled and quickly elbowed her taller friend in the side. Not so whispering to him "Get her to come with!"
He shot her a warning glance before turning his attention on you. "Phantom.."
You told him to call you by your name since it was now past hero hours. Phantom clocked out the second you got paid.
The tips of his ears turned a dusted pink as he shuffled his feet, placing his helmet under his well toned arm. "Then, Hanta Sero at your service. I don't think I gave you my name in our past dealings."
Mina squealed softly as she watched her friend smile brightly at the pretty girl. Her ship may sail yet!
"Sure Sero, though I don't know about going out tonight. I'm running on low sleep here." You gave a nervous chuckle when the pink hero's face dropped. No! Her ship cannot sink!
"Oh come on! You have to join us! Any time we work with our friends they ask about you! They'd love to see you outside of work!" Her large dark surrounded eyes turned pleading as Hanta adjusted his helmet.
"Kirishima did ask about you recently when I said we were teaming up today." The taller of the two scratched at his cheek gently.
"Kirishima, as in Red Riot?" You tilted your head, only remembering one insistence of working with the hero.
Mina nodded her head enthusiastically "Yeah! He asked how you were doing since Kaminari had mentioned he was moving in with you and Shinso! He's on a mission currently so you'd fit right into his slot!" She pouted while clasping her fingers together in a prayer you'd concede.
With a heavy sigh you looked over both of their pleading faces.
"Only one or two drinks and then I'm going home." You mumbled to their delight.
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It ended up being not the one or two drinks you had originally promised.
After returning home quick to change and freshen up, you met the duo at the address Ashido had texted you upon finally securing your number. Inside the small bar you found the two sitting with a burly red head, who took up the entire chair and then some with his large body.
The bubblegum haired female waived furiously until you weaved through the tables to join them. "Hey L/N! How are you?" The golden retriever energy radiated off of the large hero even at a distance while shooting you the biggest sharp tooth smile.
Exchanging greetings you noticed some fresh faces along with the ones you had already seen today.
"Ah let me introduce you, I'm sorry if you've already met it's not manly to be a bad host!" He waived his hand towards the others, "This is Shoto Todoroki, or Shoto as he likes to be called on the field. Beside him is the number two hero Deku, Izuku Midoriya."
You waived at them both, only having met the dual haired male one other time. He however had apparently not remembered meeting you, when he stuck out his hand for a shake. "Pleasure to meet you."
You cleared your throat before giving him a soft smile. "Likewise Todoroki, though I'm going to decline your greeting."
He raised a confused brow on his stoic face as Izuku leaned over to whisper quickly in his ear. Todoroki's fingers curled in on his hand as he returned it to his lap with a quick apology. Taking the seat next to Kirishima you were slid a drink.
With all your seniors around you, they quickly got into loud conversations that turned to laughter. You actually found yourself laughing along with much needed stress relief. They quickly convinced you that one drink was not enough, it soon became two... then three.. then enough that you lost count.
Though it was enough to get you on stage for a bad rendition of "Barbie Girl" With Mina, the boys cheering you both on with vigor, drinks spilling as they swayed along.
You both then cheered on the guys as Midoriya and Kirishima chose to arm wrestle, Todoroki facilitating it since he declined to go against the winner. Especially when the two of them smashed the table to bits under their combined strength, leading to them bowing before the owner and offering to pay for the damages. This was the most passive aggressive argument you had ever witnessed.
"Just let me pay for it Midoriya, I suggested the arm wrestling."
"No, no I can pay for it. I accidentally used a little of my quirk so it's really my fault Kirishima."
"Just both of you split it already!" Mina howled in annoyance before downing the last of her drink and calling for another in the same breath.
Due to your lack of drinking experience you swayed while waiting on the group to deliberate on how to get you home. You had drove but there was absolutely zero way you were going to be allowed behind the wheel.
The one with the most sober mind had turned out to be Todoroki who was not much of a drinker himself, offered to drive you home and he would call a car from his agency to get him home afterwards. Midoriya had been offering to take you home like the nice guy he was, but a fiancé to get home to. That and he was almost just as intoxicated as you, he would most likely end up being held up by you instead of him taking care of you.
Todoroki helped you into the car's passenger seat and made sure you were buckled in nice and snug. Humming all the while the song you sang with Mina while he tried to get your address from you. After several minutes he finally got the slurred answer from you and he made his way slowly towards your house.
You stumbled up the sidewalk, the hero's hands hovering without touching to respect your boundaries but also hover incase you took a tumble. He helped you into the house and into bed, made sure you were tucked in all snug as a bug before exiting the room. He returned once with a full glass of water and some headache medicine most likely from the bathroom in the hall.
You rambled to him how thankful you were and that he was a great guy.
"Think nothing of it. I am a hero and I am helping someone in need."
After all was said in done he saw himself out and made sure the door was locked before leaving in the car he had called on the way to your house.
You awoke with a snort, wiping away the drool that had accumulated during the best sleep you had gotten in awhile. Though you had toss and turned through the night from the alcohol, it had been a blissful few hours of blank dreams.
The sunlight cut into your eyes as you groaned and turned over to find the full glass of water and pills on the night stand. You thanked whoever was listening for good men in this world like the dual haired man who helped you home.
What a guy.
Popping the painkillers and downing the water like a flower starved, you set the glass down with a satisfied noise. Now that your mouth didn't feel like a bucket full of sand, you laid back down with your arm flopped over your eyes.
You let out a low groan at the rumbling stirring up trouble in your stomach. Which was also simultaneously begging for the greasiest cheeseburger you could find.
"Fuck me I only said one drink!"
"Should've came home then dipshit instead of stumbling in here with fucking Icy Hot at two am."
Tossing your arm off of your face quickly and found yourself face to face with the angry vermillion eyes once again. A scream ripped from your throat as you threw yourself backwards and onto the bedroom floor.
"Oop good job dumbass... Wait." A head with messy ash blonde locks leaned over the side of the bed. "You fucking saw me!"