I had barely slept that night. The air in the safe house felt thick, suffocating. Every time I closed my eyes, I could feel the weight of the truth pressing down on me. It was only a matter of time before everything crumbled.

And today... today was the day.

I glanced across the room at Bakugo. He was sitting on the edge of the worn couch, his elbows resting on his knees, head down like he was deep in thought. His usual sharpness was dulled, like the weight of everything had finally caught up to him too. The sight of him like that tugged at something in my chest—a feeling I didn't know what to do with.

Kacchan... No, Bakugo. He wasn't the kid I remembered—or barely remembered. He was a mafia boss, the head of an empire, someone who could crush me with a snap of his fingers if he wanted. And yet... he didn't.

I stood up, my legs shaky as I approached him. This was it. The moment I had been avoiding, the truth I had been running from since this whole mess began. But I couldn't run anymore.

Me: Bakugo,....

His head snapped up, and those red eyes—sharp and fiery as ever—locked onto mine. 

Bakugo: What?

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. 

Me: There's something I need to tell you.

Bakugo raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering across his face. He straightened up, his posture shifting from casual to alert in an instant. 

Bakugo: Spit it out, Deku. What's going on?

I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the words before they even left my mouth. 

Me: I'm the thief.

The silence that followed was deafening. Bakugo's eyes widened for a split second before narrowing dangerously. His fists clenched at his sides, and I could see the tension ripple through his body like a storm about to break.

Bakugo: What the fuck did you just say?

His voice was low, quiet in that terrifying way when you know someone is about to explode.

Me: I'm the one who stole from you...

 I said, forcing the words out even though every instinct told me to run. 

Me: I didn't know... I didn't know it was you, Bakugo. I swear. The client—he didn't tell me anything. I just took the job because—

Bakugo: Shut up!

Bakugo growled, standing up abruptly. He took a step toward me, his gaze so intense it felt like it could burn me alive. 

Bakugo: You're the one who's been fucking with me this whole time? You're the goddamn Ghost?

Me: I didn't mean to—

Bakugo: Didn't mean to what, Deku? Didn't mean to steal from me? Didn't mean to lie to my face? Or didn't mean to put yourself in danger and get wrapped up in this shit?

I flinched, my throat tightening as Bakugo's anger lashed out like a whip. This was the reaction I had been dreading, the explosion that I knew was coming. But there was something more. Something deeper behind the rage in his eyes.

Me: I didn't know, I didn't know I was stealing from you. And I didn't know... I didn't know I took something important. I just thought it was a job—money, information. But it was about me, wasn't it?

Bakugo's expression darkened, and he stepped closer until he was right in front of me. His fists were trembling, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he might shatter his teeth.

Bakugo: You fucking idiot! Do you even understand what you took? What you've done?

I swallowed hard, feeling the knot of fear and guilt tighten in my chest. 

Me: I don't... I don't know. What was it, Bakugo? What did I take?

He laughed, but there was no humor in it—only bitterness and frustration. 

Bakugo: You stole everything, Deku. Information I've been keeping safe for years. About you. About us... dear memories, everything I had about you....

My heart stopped. 

Me: What?

Bakugo ran a hand through his hair, his anger momentarily giving way to something raw, something vulnerable. 

Bakugo: I've been protecting you, Deku. Even when you didn't know it, I've always had your back. And the one fucking thing I was trying to keep safe—you stole it.

Me: I... I don't understand,....

 I whispered, my mind racing. What the hell was he talking about?

Bakugo's eyes bored into mine, his chest heaving with barely-contained emotion. 

Bakugo: You think I didn't recognize you? Even when you didn't remember me, I fucking remembered you. All those years, I've been waiting—keeping you safe from the shadows because I knew you'd come back to me. And now you show up, you steal the one thing I was keeping to protect you, and you don't even remember me.

I blinked, my mind spinning. He... remembered me? This whole time?

Me: Kacchan...

 The name slipped out instinctively, a memory from a past I barely understood. And as soon as it left my lips, I saw Bakugo's eyes soften, just for a second.

Bakugo: Don't call me that!

Me: But... you called me Deku,....You've been calling me that since we met again. Why?

Bakugo looked away, his hands shaking as he clenched them into fists again. 

Bakugo: Because you're the only person who ever called me Kacchan. Because you're the one person who ever fucking mattered.

The room felt too small, the air too thick. I couldn't breathe, couldn't process everything that was happening. Bakugo had been protecting me? Keeping me safe all these years? And I had betrayed him without even realizing it.

Me: I didn't know,....I didn't know it was you....

Bakugo let out a harsh breath, his hands coming up to grip his hair. 

Bakugo: You stole everything from me, Deku. But you know what's worse? I still can't fucking hate you for it...for putting yourself in danger cause it were information about you....

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. 

Me: Why?

Bakugo: Because I've always fucking loved you, you idiot....

 Bakugo snapped, his voice breaking as he turned to face me again. His eyes were blazing, filled with a mix of anger, pain, and something deeper—something I didn't know how to handle. 

Bakugo: Ever since we were kids. And no matter how much you screw up, no matter how much you lie, I can't stop.

My breath hitched, my chest tightening as his words sank in. Bakugo loved me.

Me: I—

I didn't even know what to say. My throat felt tight, my mind spinning. 

Me: I don't... I didn't know...

Bakugo: I know....

 Bakugo muttered, his voice quieter now, the anger fading. 

Bakugo: I know you don't remember. That's why I didn't say anything. That's why I tried to take it slow. But damn it, Deku, you make it so hard.

I took a shaky step back, feeling the weight of everything crash down on me. This was too much. Too many emotions, too much truth all at once.

Me: I need time,......

Bakugo nodded, his expression hard but understanding. 

Bakugo: Take all the time you need. But just know... I'm not letting you go. Not now. Not ever....especially after they now know that you are the only weakness I have....

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest as I met his gaze.