A/N 
This was supposed to be a one shot and I was surprised to get such a demand for a second part and then a third! 

I have the world's best Beta reader/Editor/Writing Partner/OTP/Friend Wow, she must mean that much to me. KiriBaku_luver I hope you like the cover...Surprise! 🧡 

The cover page was beautifully designed by -_Lenn_- thank you so much for bringing my ideas to life!
Be sure to pull up the full picture to appreciate it to the fullest.

The villain was named by Ruby-Riot thank you! She also inspired the plot to this final chapter! Her TodoMomo stories are amazing btw 😘 

‘tap tap’

‘tap tap’

It’s almost been 5 years since the love of my life, Katsuki died in the tragedy. I miss him still, thinking about him every day and the life we could have shared. I’m still ‘tapping’ not as often but it still helps at times. I haven’t left the apartment we shared, in fear of not being able to hear Katsuki’s ‘taps’ anymore.

I stand outside on the balcony, taking a sip from my beer after a long stressful day of work, the refreshing hoppy and citrus taste dancing on my tongue relaxing me. Laying my hand on the railing, the last bits of light from the sun reflects off the ring on my finger, the red and orange in the twilight remind me of our clashing personalities mingling so perfectly together. I look at it I think back to the time I got it.

*****

I was at the mall on a mission searching for the perfect piece of jewelry. I went to every store, almost giving up until I reached the last store. I pass an assortment of rings, bracelets, and watches, none of which were right. I damn near gave up, until my eyes caught on a ring that made my heart soar. It was a black tungsten ring with an orange centered stripe. It would complement his hero gear so well. Knowing instantly that was the ring for him, thank god. I easily found its counterpart in silver with a red center strip for me. Both rings were engraved “Always and Forever,” with each of our names.

I bought them two days before Kat’s death.

I never got the chance to ask him to be my partner and husband for the rest of our lives, I already knew his answer would have been, yes.

*****

With that memory flashed through my mind I couldn’t help but tear up. I reached with my left hand for Katsuki’s ring hanging around my neck. Overwhelmed, I grabbed the railing and

‘tap tap’

‘tap tap’

Kat’s ‘tap’ reassures me and gives me strength.

Stepping back inside I did something I haven’t done in a very long time, I spoke to him.

“Hey, Katsuki, I know you're here watching over me. I know you can see the rings. Yea, I know what you're probably thinking, why the fuck are you wearing wedding rings? I had plans to ask, a few days after I got them but then the villains attacked and you left me and” I stopped to wipe the tears.

“I couldn’t bring myself to wear them until your birthday after the dream, I don’t regret buying them. I don't regret you. I let the world know about us on the anniversary of your death, I wanted them to know how much I love you and the future we could have had if you weren’t ripped away from me so soon. I hope you're not mad, love.” I reach out once more

‘tap tap’

"I’d never be mad at you, Eijiro."

‘tap tap’

I smile at his replying tap for me.

Work was weird today. I had a bad feeling something was really wrong, like something big was gonna happen, like a huge fight or a very powerful villain on the loose, I don’t know maybe I’m just being paranoid. I take a deep breath I reach out again to

‘tap tap’

‘tap tap’

Kats ‘taps’ will always calm me.

“Thanks, Kat. I love you.”

I had a few days off, finally, so I decided to see my poor neglected friends. It would be so nice to cook for my friends again.

Kirishima: Hey Izuku would you and Shoto be able to come over for dinner tomorrow? I’m making Katsuki’s spicy curry.

While waiting for his reply, I also text Kaminari, Sero, and Mina adding them into a group chat.

Izuku: Of course we can! You know how much I love Kacchan’s curry. I needed to talk to you about something anyway. 

Kami was the first to respond to the squad chat

Kaminari: Hell yeah dude!! I haven’t seen you in ages. Kyoko will have to sit this one out though, she's visiting her parents tomorrow night. 

Kirishima: So you think you can handle the heat? Don’t worry I won’t make it too spicy.

Kaminari: Yeah, yeah, whatever, asshole.

Mina: You best believe I'm coming! Good thing I’m in town and can handle the heat, unlike Kami.

Kaminari: Mina, you're an asshole too.

Sero: So, I guess I'll bring the ice cream to soothe our aching tongues?

Kirishima: Great! I’ll see you assholes then. Izuku and I can handle it but you guys might need a pint each!

The chorus of ‘BOOS’ in my messages had me chuckling at my most fond squad memory. The first time they tried Kat's curry.

*****

It was a cold rainy day at Heights Alliance at UA. Most of class 3A were in their dorms besides the Bakusquad, Midoriya, and Todoroki. I was cuddling into Kat trying to keep warm when my stomach growled, I was craving Kat’s curry so I asked him if he could make it for me. As much as he protested the idea of doing anything nice for anyone ever, he got up and the sound of pots and pans shuffling in the cabinets could be heard in the kitchen. An idea pops in my head, the squad really hasn’t had his curry before, at least not the spicy version. I whisper to Kat, asking if he could make the spicy version and plenty of it. I had a slightly devious plan. Kat nods in approval, an evil smirk streaks across his face. Even though we have matured, albeit slightly, the squad still loves playing pranks on each other. Kat braises the beef while I gather the unlucky bastards.    

I text Midoriya to not say anything about how spicy Katsuki's curry is before calling over to him and Todoroki to join the rest of us.

The meal was pleasant until Kami, Sero, and Mina's faces were clearly in pain. Their reddened faces and runny noses brought Kat and me to tears of laughter. Izuku and Todoroki were trying, not well but the effort was there, to hide their amusement.

“YOU FUCKING ASSHOLES!!!” Sero, Mina, and Kami yelled at almost in unison.  Sero was fanning his tongue and Kami dipped his in the ice water in front of him, swirling to no avail.

“I made it more tolerable this time, for fuck's sake. Pinky! Get your fucking head out the freezer!”

Mina had perked up, her teeth biting into the brand new pint of vanilla, eyes wide and watering.

“Msha sho hotttttssss!” she whined with her mouth full.

Sero and Kami fought her for dominance of the pint resulting in Mina shooting acid around the kitchen, inevitably hitting the counters and a few of the tables. Midoriya and I failed at containing our laughter. Kat struggled to get the three to at least use spoons and Todoroki cracked a smile, covering his mouth to hide the evidence of such. By the time Aizawa broke up the ice cream war, the three suffering had fist-shaped bruises on their foreheads. Needless to say, we all got reprimanded for damaging the counters and tables by Aizawa.

Ever since that day, they would always bring a tub of ice cream whenever Kat made curry.

*****

I chuckled at the memory while the pot simmered, my mind wondered what Izuku wants to tell me. It must be work related, I'm getting that bad feeling again.

The doorbell rang as I tasted my almost perfect curry, it's never as good as Kat's
‘Coming.”

My eyes wandered the house to make sure everything was proper before opening the door, it was none other than the Todorokis, Izuku, and Shouto. Yup, they got married not that long ago. They have been together just as long as Katsuki and I have been. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for them but I still feel envious because they have something I can’t have.

“Hey Eijiro, we brought some beer,” Izuku says holding up a six pack of Asahi with a grin on his face.

“Hello, Eijiro, how’s work?” Shoto asks with his ever stoic face.

“It’s been good, the usual, patrolling and simple robbery cases. Nothing huge.” I responded while grabbing the beer.

I place the beer into the fridge as they sit on the living room couch. I notice Izuku’s nervous look, like whatever he wanted to speak to me about was making him uncomfortable. I was about to ask when knocking and my doorbell echoed throughout my living room followed by the loud boisterous voice of Kaminari.

“Yo, dude! It's me and the squad! Let us in.” Denki and his enthusiasm.

“Hey, guys! Good to see you, I missed you.” Pulling each of them in for a giant hug.

“So, let’s eat guys.” 

Of course, Sero and Mina just sit back reaching for the beers like the children they are. We all make our plates and start to eat, making small chit chat about everyday life…Denki telling us huge news on how Kyoka is expecting and that she’s 5 months along. Izuku and Shouto have a trip coming up to America leaving tomorrow. They shouldn’t have come knowing they would be leaving soon and still had plenty to pack but Izuku insisted it was fine. Mina was assigned to be a bodyguard for a very popular politician. Sero has just been doing patrols the last few weeks, not that he minds.

Dinner was great, besides Denki and Sero getting a call to patrol, at least he was able to eat and I was able to send him home some food for the pregnant Kyoka. 

I space out while washing the dishes and Izuku grabs a towel to dry them.

“Eijiro, I need to talk to you about something. It's about a villain calling himself MaelStrom. MaelStrom was one of the villains that got away during that mission where Kacchan, um, passed. We’ve got leads on him and he’s around the area” he’s a stuttering mess, I don’t get why though.

“What’s the guy's quirk?” I asked while passing him another dish to dry.

“Telekinesis, I’m not sure how wide his range is and the limits if his quirk but we know he’s dangerous and mentally unstable at the very least. Please, if your agency gets any kind of word on him, don’t be reckless. Please, Eijiro.” His eyes were pleading with me. It feels like he had more to say, I was about to ask but we were cut off when Shoto spoke.

“Izu, it’s getting late and we have to be at the airport early.” his seemingly impassive face peeks around Mina's pink fluffy hair.

“Right! Well, I guess we’ll see you when we get back it was great seeing you, Eijiro.”

I walk them both out after wishing them a safe trip and giving them hugs, I still felt like Izuku didn’t tell me everything, something really important.

*****

As Izuku and Shoto got inside the elevator, Shoto looked at him.

“Did you tell him everything about this MaelStrom guy, about, you know.” Shoto shrugs with a hint of sadness.

“I couldn’t tell him, Sho… I can’t tell him that he is the man responsible for Kacchan’s death. Think of how Eijiro will react. He’ll go after him for revenge. You don’t want that, do you?” Izuku says with tears in his eyes

“No, I don’t, he will definitely go after him.” He rubs Izuku’s back, comforting him. "I certainly would."

*****

Mina, still on the couch, pats the seat next to her. Her soft motherly smile puts me at ease. I plop down with a sigh. She has a glint in her eye that I recognize as her Mama Mina mode.

“So are you going to give me weird vague advice too or what” Mina cut me off placing her hand on my shoulder her eyes never leaving mine.

“Kiri, I don't know what Izuku was saying and I don't need to. I do know that you need to listen to him. Please, you just have this knack of getting yourself into trouble and I'm worried about you.“ I leaned into her for a hug

“I know, geez, Mom.” I chuckle at the teasing I'm putting her through. Flicking the side of my head she keeps ahold of my biceps, giving me one last squeeze of support.

“Just don't do anything stupid.” Saying as she gets up to leave.

I barely slept last night, I was on edge and my anxiety skyrocketing, I kept dreaming of Kat’s death, it was like my brain was purposefully replaying it. The way it felt like Izuku was hiding something important kept playing on repeat as well. Maybe he had something to do with Kat’s death. I just had to find out more about this damn MaelStrom guy. I hastily got out of bed and grabbed my laptop, and phone.

I logged into the agency database on my laptop and looked up anything I can on MaelStrom. There wasn't much on him, no major crimes listed or anything. Then why is this guy so important? So he was there that night. So we're a lot of other villains that got away. There has to be something I’m missing. I look back at the screen

ALIAS:  MaelStrom

NAME: Unknown

QUIRK: TELEKINESIS- can manipulate non-living objects with his mind, can control up to 273 kg. He can distribute the weight limit between different objects and move them freely. 

Range: Unknown

CRIMES: Unknown

MENTAL STABILITY: Possible Trauma

I stare blankly at his profile. My mind goes straight to the worst case scenario. What if this guy was responsible for Kat's death? The little information that Izuku gave me and what I dug up from the database has my emotions going haywire. 

‘tap tap’

‘tap tap’

The rest of my day consisted of me spacing out and trying to sleep I couldn’t concentrate on any one thing. Everything I did my mind would think of Maelstrom. 

I was finally starting to relax while watching the nightly hero news when my work ringtone alerts me.

“Red Riot, here.”

“Red Riot, we need back up a high-class villain attack is occurring in Camino Ward, we need you! Heroes are already on the scene but there’s just to much damage and too many injured civilians. We know of one villain, MaelStrom but the rest is unknown and how many there are, please Riot we need the number 3 hero.” my sidekick's voice cracks, his nerves clear as day.

“I’m on my way” I rush to get my hero costume on and headed to Camino Ward. I forgot to turn off the tv. I 'tap' the doorframe in my way out. Not knowing that those would be the last ‘taps’ I would make.

‘tap tap’

‘tap tap’

I was surprised by the amount of damage done in such a short amount of time. It wasn't even on the news when I received the call. A triage station assessed injured heroes and civilians, several were escorted to emergency vehicles while I ran past. 

I recognize Kaminari, immediately spotting his signature black bolt mark in his golden hair. He's struggling to walk away from the incident clouded by dust. He must be nearly at his voltage limit. His eyelids droop from exhaustion. I ran up and place my arm around his waist to steady him, his arm flung around my neck like old times.

“Tell me what the situation is, Chargebolt."

“Red Riot, it's fuckin bad man" Kami pauses to spit out the blood accumulated in his mouth. I force myself to ignore his condition enough to get some information while I escort him to the triage 

"Several heroes are gravely injured, so many citizens, fuck, man” He chokes on a sob trying to remain composed. Luckily he doesn't seem gravely injured but he needs medical attention immediately. Kaminari is bruised all over, his hero costume is torn in many places, blood staining nearly every inch. Fresh blood trickles down his arm from a gash on his bicep, the limb hangs uselessly at his side.

“Fuck. How many villains are accounted for? Do we know their quirks? Where’s Sero? Wasn't he on patrol?!” Kami looks away, unable to look me in the eye as he tells me the horrible truth.

Sero was taken to the hospital but I was told that it wasn't life-threatening by the triage heroes but still” He completely breaks down, his tears dripping from his chin. “Ei, I don't know how to tell you this but, um" Kami calms himself, a few hiccups breaking through. "This Maelstrom guy was the one responsible for Bakugou's death. I know I shouldn't have told you this but kick the fucker's ass, bro"

Part of me was pissed the fuck off while another part of me was thankful to have been spared more grief and pain. I would have hunted him down and killed him out of revenge. Not exactly very heroic, even if he was the villainous scum that took my Katsuki.

I remove my protective sleeves, there aren't many any civilians left alive to rescue, or at least I'm told. My walk through the dust has nothing on my clouded mind. I harden my fists, I'll be focusing on taking this fucker down. My fists clash in a satisfying thud. I narrow my eyes at my telekinetic foe, at the reason I lost everything.

Most of the heroes that had initially arrived to fight or evacuate citizens were removed from the scene, the area around his menacing gaze was deserted. Buildings were heavily damaged, the ground was torn up in some places, I spotted Sero's tape not too far off from where the villain stood. Blood splashed the landscape...did one person, no criminal, do all this?!

He’s a skinny looking piece of shit, but he’s tall looks about 187 cm or more. His dark hair reaches just past his shoulders. There's nothing fancy about his outfit like he's just out running errands in light blue skinny jeans and a black t-shirt. A red flannel tied around his waist, orange high tops. This is the asshole that took out MY man?!

My lip curled into a snarl. I charge at him full speed ready to smash his face in. He doesn't move into any kind of battle stance, instead, he smirks turning his body towards me, hand rising, fingers outstretched.

WHOOSH

Something rushed behind me with incredible speed. My hair whipped around my face. Without stopping I make a mental note to watch my surroundings.

WHOOSH, CRACK

Fuck! I was grazed this time. My left shoulder aches where the unknown object barely made contact. That's sure to leave a nasty bruise. Only a few feet between us and the bastard’s grin only grew, that cocky fucK! I reeled my right arm back ready to strike, hardening my fist unbreakable.

CRACK

My ears are ringing in a high pitched drone. The ground spins under my body, which way is up?

A faint chuckle rises over the shrill ringing.

“You're lucky it was only a manhole cover coming at you this time, you should really pay attention to your surroundings better. That would have killed you if you didn't have that quirk of yours.”

Spitting the blood in my mouth to the ground my jaw clenched as I remember the last time Kat scolded me. My eyes focus on his unshaven face and deranged sunken eyes, burning with a dark desire to kill. Without dropping my furious glare I force myself to my feet, tripping over myself as blood trickles down my forehead down to the bridge of my nose and over my chapped lips. Licking the blood off I finally spoke.

“When you killed Katsuki, you killed a piece of me. I'm taking you down! You'll pay for my pain. I'll make fucking sure of that!”

“I didn't intend to kill him but I'm not in anyway distraught that I did. You were my target but I guess since I can't have him then I can take solace knowing that you can't have him either. I probably hurt you more having killed Bakugou rather than you.”

His unshaven face wrinkles as he shows off his cluttered, rotting teeth in a nasty shit eating grin. My head was spinning faster at the realization of his motive.

“What do you mean by that?” I barely growled out my response, my ears ringing louder than ever.

“I watched him from afar my entire life. We lived so close yet he didn't even realize who I was. My quirk wasn't as strong back then and I failed my entrance exam to UA.” His bloodied fists clenched tightly, the knuckles burning white.

“I resigned myself to a normal high school, too nervous to talk to my crush and neighbor, Bakugou Katsuki. His presence at home became less frequent after the dorm system was set in place, to my dismay. My feelings only increased as time went on.” His grin turned sour as the corners of his mouth couldn't keep up, dropping into a snarl, his thick eyebrows furrowed into one in the middle.

THWACK

I faltered taking a couple of steps back inevitably falling to my knees. Something collided into my chest fast and hard. My breath escapes me, elusive to my need for air.

“I followed his career, taking the top 8 spot, as his number one fan. All the while you smugly by his side. All those years since he started UA; you were holding his hand. You both skyrocketed in the ranks when that Deku fuck took number one and that IcyHot guy related to the former number two took that spot.”

“I was cheering for Bakugou all the way to the number three spot .but there you were STILL BY HIS SIDE! You pathetically crawled your way to the number four space, bypassing several DESERVING HEROS!”

His deranged eyes weren't entirely focused. They appeared to be as clouded with desperation and rage at his decision in becoming a villain. His body shook while his arms moved slowly around him conducting the orchestra of rubble and metallic debris. He seemed to struggle the more weight he lifted spinning everything around us faster secluding us from other heroes even more than what the dust was already doing.

“Fucker!” My voice wasn't nearly as loud and threatening as I had intended. I was struggling to breathe. However, there was no concealing my anger from the start but this seething rage, my bloodlust was abundantly radiating from every fiber of my being. I don't need my voice to threaten him. I have my fists!

BAM

Something else hurdled into my stomach with great force, my hardening was cracking. FUCK!

“Oh, well, if I can't have him...then no one can.”

I'm sure if I can just get just a couple solid hits in, that should be enough to take the scrawny fuck down.

“I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU, ASSHOLE!” Screaming my lungs out.

He didn't even flinch at my words. Colliding my fists together, I rush at him again dodging objects flying at me left and right. I came in with a right hook hitting him in the side of the head.

BAM

Sharp concrete hit me in the back, soft spaces where my hardening wouldn't reach were cut deeply, feeling a stinging at my back, warm and wet.

I'll have to use ‘unbreakable’ already, so soon too.

“I'm Nala Takari with Channel 6 Hero News. In Camino Ward, a Villain by the name of MaelStorm has injured hundreds and killed an unknown number of civilians and heroes in the span of 40 minutes. The chivalrous hero Red Riot is on the scene now engaging the plain dressed villain. Rumor has it that this is the villain responsible for the death of the explosive hero Ground Zero five years prior. The two are surrounded by a thick shield of flying objects. Secluded from help, can Red Riot take down this dangerous individual? AHHH! The scene has gotten quite dangerous! Shrapnel is shooting out from the center of the metallic vortex! We're moving back. Red Riot has gotten several hits in but the villain still stands! However, he does seem to be getting sloppy in the control of his telekinetic quirk! Red Riot has taken on an intimidating form, he appears to be made entirely of rock! GO RIOT!”

The silence, while Ei is gone, is never pleasant, but he was in such a rush he forgot the tv. While looking at the newscast I felt like something was off. Something was not quite right. I can't accurately describe this dread engulfing me. I pace in front of the couch running my hands through my wisps of hair wanting so badly to leave this shitty fucking apartment. I need to find him! He needs me, I just know it. He's in trouble and I can't do a GODDAMN FUCKING THING!

“MaelStrom IS DOWN! The vortex begins to recede, debris falling to the ground. RED RIOT WINS! Riot restrains the villain, his fist thrusts into the air in triumph but oh, OH! RIOT IS DOWN! He seems to have taken too much damage! Cut the camera. CUT THE CAMERA! WE CAN'T SHOW THIS ON LIVE…”

I hurtle towards the door after seeing Ei go down, pressing myself against the door feeling the usual resistance holding me there, I cry out to whatever entity there is to let me go to him.

Please! Ei needs me, I can feel something wrong, please! I never beg, EVER! I need to help him!” My struggle ceases at my lack of response. I lean against the force keeping me trapped. After a moment of silence, my back slips through, the barrier was gone! My soul was guided by my desire for Eijiro. I stopped a few feet away from the mass of paramedics surrounding what I know is Eijiro. He's covered in gashes and large black and blue bruises. His chest looks to be caved in. Fuck. No, please no.

“Ei...” my soul feels shattered by the image of my love, on the brink of death. I fear that he will go to heaven leaving me alone here, stuck in our shitty apartment. Alone.

“Kat.” I feel pressure on my wisp of a shoulder.

‘tap tap’

For the first time since dying, every fucking emotion that has built up behind some force has, at last, released in full force. I turn around in despair and elation, seeing Eijiro’s spirit in front of mine. Our arms wrapped around each other in a tight embrace that feels so real. The chaos around us hushed into a quiet murmur.

“Ei, how?” Five years of tears and pain coat my face. I can finally cry! The dam holding my emotions inside, the spirit that I am, has broken.

“Please tell me it's not your time! You have so much more to do, so many people to save!”

Eijiro smiles his true goofy smile that I have loved all these years together. The smile that died with me returned with full force.

“It's my time, Kat. I'm ready to be with you, I don't want to fight to live in a world without you!”

His forehead meeting mine for the first time in years I can feel his touch, his soft skin pressing into mine. The tightness of his grip around my waist, his fingers ruffled under the fabric to feel the now warm flesh beneath the tips. My hand gliding effortlessly through his firetruck red locks, my fingernails scraping along his scalp caused him to hum in appreciation and content pleasure. I placed my palm against his thick muscle and responded to him.

*tap tap*

I look around to see that we are no longer in the destroyed city amongst the disaster, but at our favorite camping spot near the lake. Is this heaven? It must be our heaven specially designed for us. The warm breeze brushed through my hair as I turn to see in all directions. The glory of the plush green grass and sparkling water calls to us. My hand is tugged gently by my handsome redhead.

“Come on, Katsuki! We have forever to gawk at that shit! Let's go swim!”

He tears off the tattered fabric remaining from when he died, it disappeared before ever touching the ground. Those days are behind us now. We have an eternity of bliss ahead. I run to catch up with my heaven.

Eijiro's happiness.

I tackle him in the water smashing our lips together in a feverish lip lock. This passion was one that said ‘finally together again’. Our lips were so perfectly fit together in a synchronized dance of passion and love, hands feeling every bit of each other.

*tap tap*

*tap tap*