𝐔𝐍𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬

Bakugo's eyes shifted from the clock to the doorway, anxiously searching for any sign of you. There are two minutes until class starts, and you still aren't here yet. Things should be fine, considering he saw you when you left, but what if something happened? What if you got kidnapped or mugged?

God, the one day he doesn't watch your whole walk to school, something like this happens.

Right as the bell rings, you pop in through the door, and Bakugo relaxes, letting out a mental sigh of relief. "Before you say anything, Iida, I'm not late, I was in class when the bell rang."

"Well, you weren't in your seat when the bell rang and-"

"There was construction on the route I normally take to school so I had to go the long way so shush." You dismissed him, angering him and only making him ramble even more.

You simply ignored him, making conversation with Deku- wait, Deku? You're sitting next to Deku? Bakugo stares as you chat with his rival, laughing at some of the things he says. And why are you laughing so much? Bakugo's never seen you laugh so much.

Why is Deku blushing? Isn't he dating round cheeks anyways? What does he want with you? Or rather, what do you want with him?

Thankfully, Mr.Mic comes in, interrupting your conversation and having you sit back in your seat, back where you're safe and closer to him. Back where you're sitting next to Ashido, only two desks away, letting him relax and not break his pencil in half, which had already been splintered up from when he saw your conversation with Izuku.

But you're not talking to him anymore, so he can just rest and listen to Mr.Mic go through the announcements. "And today, we're going to be starting a new project! This one you'll be doing with groups of two."

That made the classroom light up, students looking around and figuring out who they'll be partners with. Bakugo locked eyes with Kirishima, who grinned at him. Of course, they'll be partners, Kirishima is his go-to person.

But Bakugo can't help but hesitate, his eyes wandering over to you, who's talking with Mina. He's unsure who to choose. While Kirishima's dumbass is what he normally goes for, he can't help the temptation of working with you.

"Now wait, before you get all excited, I'm afraid this project will have assigned partners." That made the class groan, growing bored and quiet once again. "Yeah, yeah, I know it sucks, but that's the way it is. So bear with me and listen for your names."

And after a while, Bakugo loses interest, his mind off elsewhere, until his name is called, along with yours. You both are partners. Bakugo locks eyes with you, and you grin at him nervously, waving.

Fuck.

--

"What's so wrong with being partnered up with (y/n), bro? I thought you liked her." Kirishima says as he gets changed in the locker room with Bakugo, preparing to go to their baseball practice.

"Keep your voice down," Bakugo warns, gesturing to Denki, who's sitting at the end of the bench, talking with another one of their teammates, before turning back to him and putting his shirt on, pulling it down over his head.

"Oh, so you do like her, huh?" Kirishima remarks, making Bakugo sigh. They have teased him so much about this, that he's grown used to it at this point. He even gets less angry about it, which his two companions thought was impossible.

"I never said that shitty hair. I just don't want you going around and spreading shit that's not even true. That would be a pain in the ass, especially for me." He deflected.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." Kirishima winks, leaving Bakugo fuming, irritating him even more. "Still, this project could be a good time for you to get to know each other better, like her or not, she's still your friend, right?"

That makes Bakugo hesitate. Are you friends? You don't talk much, ever since he snapped at you in front of everyone a few weeks ago. He supposes you're keeping away from him because he told you to, and he can't help but feel guilty. He still hasn't apologized yet. He needs to.

And then, he thinks back to that one conversation you two had in the hallway.

"So? What do you say? Friends? Want to shake on it?"

"Whatever."

"Is that a yes whatever or no whatever?"

"Yes alright?!"

"I guess so," Bakugo admits, running a hand through his hair.

The real reason why he doesn't want to be partnered up with you is because he doesn't know what he'd do if he has you so close. Working with him on the project, talking with him, laughing with him...

But what if he messes up again? What if he slips up and tells you how fixated he is on you? How obsessed he is with you? He can't let that happen. He can't let these emotions overtake him. He has to keep you far away. He has to keep you safe.

"So just get to know her then. You don't have to let things get complicated. Just relax, man." Kirishima tells him, putting a hand on his shoulder and patting it gently.

Bakugo looks at him for a moment, before glancing over his shoulder at the clock. He has practice in ten minutes, which may seem like enough time, but isn't enough for Bakugo. He prefers getting there five minutes early to do warm-ups and everything, and he's never late. In fact, he enjoys watching the others have to do sprints on while he gets to just sit back and relax.

"Enough with this bullshit. We're going to be late. Grab your things." Bakugo pushes Kirishima's hand away, before slinging the bag over his shoulder.

"Ah, there he is. Good ol charming Bakugo. Missed you, bro." Kirishima grins at him, making Bakugo roll his eyes.

"Let's just go. I'm not letting that damn Deku beat me to practice like last time."