Supernova

Chapter Forty Five - Paralyzer and Supernova (The Reprise)

A/N: Hey homies, as I pop on here occasionally to do, I want to thank everyone who reads & interacts with this story! It means the whole world, no, scratch that, the entire solar system to me. Maybe even the whole galaxy. That being said, the next couple forward chapters are long. But have a little faith & bear with me, alright? It's worth it. Lots of exciting things are about to go down (in the best & worst ways). So buckle up and let's have some fun.

When I got up the next morning to retrieve Elias from my dorm room and pull on a fresh training uniform, he wasn't there and neither was the suitcase. Moreover, the blanket and pillow from my bed had been taken, only my bare mattress to remain, as well as my towel, most of my body wash, and the candle on my desk. The last one irked me the most. I sighed and shook my head and planned a particularly horrific recalibration session.

I locked my room back up, and despite the confusion, Bakugo wasn't asking and I didn't bother explaining. The elevator ride downstairs was silent save for the annoyed scoffs and mouth clicks. It was worlds better than bickering, so I'd take what I could get. When the doors slid open to spit us out onto the ground floor, Elias was waiting for us, no suitcase, with Todoroki. Right there in the hallway, as if they'd just beaten us there.

"Good morning, Nova," Elias greeted me, a gloved hand raising, in the same clothes as last night. I couldn't read the expression on Todoroki's face, and wasn't invested enough to try to. My annoyance was a wild flare within my chest, something I couldn't feel, yet could interpret.

"What the hell, Elias?" I hissed at him in Swedish. "You took all my shit!"

"I'll replace it," he said. I smacked him on the arm. As usual, it didn't bother him.

"Come on," I said to all of them. Which they all did, without a fight.

"Do you think he'll show?" Todoroki asked when the training gym became visible at the end of the path we took.

"He'll show," Elias and I said together.

"In fact, he's already here," Elias announced to us. I looked over my shoulder at him, eyebrows lowering. "He's at the gates. I didn't think you'd want him on the grounds without a chaperone. Why don't you fetch him?"

"Sure," I sighed, turning back around. I didn't bother giving Elias the satisfaction of that as I turned on my heels towards the direction I'd find the front gates to the grounds in, before anyone could object. "Whatever. I'll meet you guys in a minute."

"Todoroki, why don't you accompany her?" Elias then said, causing me to turn back around. His eyes were focused on the red and white haired boy, face polite, his bright blue eyes flaring something intelligent that he didn't dare let me see head on. His smile widened a little before he continued. "That would be the safest move."

"Safest?" Bakugo opened his mouth to protest, taking a step to Elias. I had to admit, I liked the sight of that. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Elias' gaze found him, and when it did, he was still smiling. "If worst came to worst, Todoroki could fight Demon off if Nova, for whatever reason, happened to be unable to. Explosions don't bother him, and you'd never stand a chance against him in hand-to-hand combat. I, on the other hand, am no worthy opponent for you. This is supposed to be a supervised internship, and this is the best strategic move, for you, of course."

The way Bakugo's face twisted and his eyes flared with red confusion and rage, I knew it well. He wasn't sure to be flattered or insulted. You'll never know, I wanted to tell him. But I didn't, because I myself was astounded. Elias finished that spiel with a gloved hand placed on his heart, but his eyes flared with something I'd never forget the sight of. He was lying. By omission, but still. What he hadn't said was that he wouldn't need to fight, not with force anyways, and it wasn't because it would be safest, it was so that he could get him alone. Bakugo's red eyes glanced at me, awaiting an answer or instructions, they way they had in the gym yesterday when I'd been pinned. Luckily, I was within my full range of motion, my body silent, and my patience already growing thin.