stars || bakugo x reader (gender neutral)

4. memories

Walking with the duo quietly brought pain to (y/n) even if things looked perfectly fine on the surface. They could feel the tension between them and Bakugo.. While Kirishima remained oblivious to the whole thing, just chattering on and on while they both listened to him.

But if anything, (y/n) wasn't even listening.

Their gaze was far. Their body was on autopilot. Memories of their meeting with Bakugo and how they befriended him flooded their head.

Memories of how they fell in love with him overtook their system.

Bakugo sat on his seat, fiddling with his pen and gazing out of the window. Compared to when he was in his first year, he's become much more contemplative and quiet. It's been a week since the start of his third year..

His classmates and friends were aware of how much he's changed, and they accept it wholeheartedly. They support him through his growth while he does the same, albeit in a more rough manner. He isn't as uncooperative as before. He works with his classmates, and sees them as friends.

Uncharacteristic of him, but that's what growth is.

(y/n) was a student who got moved into Class A at the start of the third year. They got along well with most students, but they were reserved to themselves. What got them to step out of their shell, however, was the sight of the explosive man glancing at them.

Bakugo found his new classmate interesting, but didn't bother to approach them. He saw that they were getting along well with Izuku and the others, and concluded that they'd be fine.

He didn't expect them to approach him though.

"I heard you're practically the star of this class." They smiled at him, raising a notebook. "I uh.. Couldn't understand the English class properly. Could I ask for your help?" They sheepishly mumbled, enough for him to hear them. He continued to look before shrugging. "Yeah, sure. Pay attention though, I hate repeating myself." He grunted before bringing out his own notes and his pen.

What started as a simple study session grew into a great friendship. (y/n) practically cemented themselves in Bakugo's life as a partner in crime, one that could even rival Kirishima. They barged into his life without a warning, and though Bakugo didn't accept it at first..

He gladly welcomed them, as time passed.

"I'm surprised you're so nice to get along with, 'Tsuki." They said out of nowhere while playing video games with the blond in his dorm. He glared at them as a response, growling slightly. They knew that he didn't mean any harm whenever he was agitated, so they didn't recoil. "The hell is that supposed to mean, huh? You tryna pick a fight with me, idiot?" He was taunting his friend, causing them to chuckle.

"Nah, I mean.. I was expecting that you'd throw me out of your life the moment I started trying to get close to you. You're cooperative and all but I can tell you prefer a life of quiet and seclusion.." They mumbled, a soft smile on their lips. Bakugo stared at them before looking back to the screen. "This kind of life is best for me. Can't reach the top if I've got so many people clingin' to me." He muttered.

"But I do like my friends 'n all.. Don't tell them I said that though. They're gonna start huggin' me 'n shit." He grunted with a frown. He did appreciate it, but a man needs his personal space.. Y'know?

"What if someone falls in love with you?" (y/n) asked out of nowhere.

".. huh?" Bakugo paused, surprised by the question. "What?? Uh.. Dunno.. I'm sure that ain't in my mind right now. Could probably think about that when I'm the number one hero but.." He pressed his lips together "Oi, why are you even asking that? Ya know I'm not into that shit right now."

"Yeah but like.. I got curious, y'know? I'm uh.. I've never actually asked about your romantic life, and you never asked about mine for some reason." (y/n) shrugged, causing Bakugo to let out a short chuckle. "Like I care about that shit."

Then he thought for a moment. They were right, Bakugo didn't know much about his friend in that aspect. He didn't even understand why he felt curious now.

"But.. uh.." He stammered a little, eventually looking at them properly. "You could tell me about that stuff."

"I have a partner."

"Oh."

"But uh.. Things are rough between me and them. We don't exactly meet eye to eye, and sometimes it just feels like I'm taking care of them and not.. Actually having a partner by my side."

"Then why don't ya just leave?"

"It's not that simple."

"It is." Bakugo frowned. "Only an idiot would think that shit like that ain't simple. Things aren't working out? Then just leave. You ain't doing any good for you or for them if ya just keep staying."

(y/n) clicked their tongue. He was right, but..

"I can't just leave them. I feel like they'd break without me."

"Huh?? So now you're looking down on them??"

"Nono, I mean.. I came into their life when they were just starting to learn how to be independent and.."

"So ya think you affected them a lot?"
"Yeah and–"

"Then you can fix that by leaving 'em."

"I said it isn't that simple!" (y/n) choked out. "I just... yeah I'll.. I'll figure it out."

Bakugo stared at his friend again before putting his controller down, stretching. "Yeah. You should figure this shit out."

They knew Bakugo still remembered that incident. They knew that he probably felt disgusted by them because they still wouldn't leave their partner even when they were dissatisfied with the relationship and their dynamic. They weren't working together. They didn't even amplify each other's strengths or cover up for each other's weaknesses. They were like two individuals who were just claiming to be together for.. Those fleeting moments of happiness.

But whenever they were with Bakugo, everything just made sense. Everything felt right. They didn't have to think so much, they also didn't feel like they were so inferior. They felt just right. Right. Right.

Everything felt right. But what they were doing was wrong. If they courted Bakugo while single.. Would things have turned out right? But.. He might have still not said yes anyway since he had goals for himself that he wanted to reach.

They were practically forcing themselves into his life, his meticulously planned life. They should be thankful that they even have the chance to befriend him, right?

"Yo.. (y/n), dude, you okay? You're so quiet." Kirishima looked at his friend, pausing in his steps. Bakugo did the same, his voice low. "Let them be. They had a rough night." He spoke, not looking at them.

Even after what happened, he still cared about (y/n).

"Well.. We're just here, okay dude?" Kirishima grinned, making (y/n) force a smile. "Thanks, bro.. I appreciate it."

They made their way to the training grounds they do their morning exercises together at but.. When they got there, (y/n) saw someone they weren't expecting to see...

"(p/n)?"