Dancing Shadows

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ellowyn's POV-
   I feel accomplished as I pull a box of cereal out of the cabinet. Not only did I manage to spar without losing control of my quirk, but I was also able to catch Bakugou off guard in our fight. I feel so proud of the progress I've made since the beginning of the year. Even better yet, Bakugou is in a much better mood.

   I'm startled out of my thoughts by him as he walks into the kitchen with wet hair. He took a while in the shower this time around, which is weird since I'm usually done before him. "What do you think you're doing?"

   I look up at him and slowly reply, "Making cereal?" as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.

   "Fuck that. We're making something."

   "You know I'm not really that good at cooking."

   "I'll show you. Follow my lead, just like last time. Now, what do you want to eat?"

...

   Twenty minutes later, after I have dropped spoonfuls of batter multiple times and have managed to burn almost everything I've touched, Bakugou and I sit next to each other with a plate of pancakes. We begin to eat and I comment, "It's surprising that they came out so well, seeing as I was in the kitchen."

   "You weren't that bad. You did better than last time. You just get distracted as fuck. You need to have complete focus on what you are doing and you'll be less clumsy and forgetful."

   "Hey! No need to be so harsh!"

   "I'm not being fucking harsh! It's just the truth."

   I frown and look away from him, but really I'm not that hurt. I just find it funny that he gets so upset when I pretend. "You are mean."

   "Oh, fuck off." He mutters, looking away from me. "I know your games."

   I continue to pout for the next few minutes, but I can't resist the urge to laugh when he finally says, "Fine, I take it back. Just stop that, it's fucking annoying."

   "Aww, I'm sorry. Did I upset you?" I reply with a sly smile.

   He rolls his eyes. "Fuck off."

   A bit more seriously I say, "Come on, Baku. I'm sorry for messing with you."

   He mutters, "It's fine. I don't mind it."

   I feel all warm inside at just those words. "Really?"

   "Don't make me spell it out for you, fucking idiot. As long as you are still smiling, it's fine."

   I can't express how much that means to me so I just say, "That's so sweet. Thank you."

   "Whatever." He says, brushing it off. "If you're done, let's clean up and go do something else."

...

   We spend the rest of the day playing video games and avoiding homework, which I didn't expect from Bakugou, but it seemed that he just didn't want to deal with it. He seemed mentally exhausted, probably explaining why he ended up heading to bed at seven, an hour earlier than usual. Knowing that I won't be able to sleep for a while due to the worry plaguing me, I decide to stay up for a bit to watch some movies with Kaminari, Kirishima, and Mina. Eventually, Kaminari and Kirishima leave and even further into the night, Mina and I end up falling asleep on the couch.

...

   I've always been a light sleeper. That's why the sound of footsteps passing by me is enough to wake me up. At first I feel panicked, knowing that the League of Villains was on this campus only yesterday, but then I look up to see Bakugou in the kitchen and I'm immediately relieved. "Bakugou? Why are you up?"