The quote; 'You never know what you have till you've lost it', was never something Izuku prided himself to relate to. Losing an item was never a problem for him. He always had a certain routine.

It was a life lesson he hadn't yet earned, hadn't yet suffered. He’d always been fortunate, never truly deprived. Until now. It wasn't a lost toy, or a misplaced memory. This was a person, a soul he'd held carelessly in his hands, and the realisation crashed over him, far too late.

Seeing Bakugou across the crowded room of their class reunion, the truth resonated with a painful clarity. Bakugou was living, truly living, unburdened by him. Free from Izuku's constant indecision. Free from the sting that he wasn't a priority in Izuku's life.

A life where Izuku's lingering affection held no weight. No claim.

Just another turned page. Like a metaphor lost in the strings. Bakugou was the one who got away.

Somehow, he buckled up the courage to walk over to him.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" He managed, the words hanging in the air. He didn't expect a response, not really.

All he could do now was bear the realisation that not everything was yours to keep. A heavy price for a lesson learned too late.