K.BAKUGO X READER (Cover art by me)
In a life where I'd be safe in one moment and on the brink of death in another, I realized that he was the only force that could ground me. Of all the people in the world. My volatile co-worker. My menacing rival...
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part twelve
━━━━ ⟡ ━━━━
Just as the morning sun had broken through the tree line, we'd been gathered in the receiving bay. There wasn't time for formal greetings or coffees. The heroes and the rest of the military platoon stood alongside the massive vehicles and storage bins, holding silent before the captain at the front. He began to take the stage, fiddling with his white moustache and adjusting his hat. Whatever the leader of the North had to say, we would all be hanging on to every word. Quite possibly, the weight of the world's future was in his hands.
The heat of bodies made me sick. Too many voices. The sweat and stink of stress in the early morning. I found comfort in the blonde-idiot and his slightly smoky scent – the result from always leaning on the verge of combusting. Ever since we'd gotten dressed and headed out to the bay that morning, he'd been different.
"You smell like oranges."
He snorted.
"...Did you sneak by the cafeteria when I wasn't looking?"
"Shut up, moron. Just woke up that way."
It couldn't have just been the sweet, fruity smell. There was something else that I couldn't place. I shivered, standing as close as I could to my partner's side without coming off as suspicious. Since we'd broken ground with each other, I found myself gravitating towards him as if the force within me had finally been granted permission to do so. He must've felt the same, because he'd meet me halfway, like magnets.
This morning, however, not even Bakugo's warmth could hinder the unease settling inside me.
"Don't be nervous," he muttered. "Whatever happens, we'll get to the bottom of it."
"...What if we're right?"
The soldiers stood to attention. Bakugo tugged my sleeve, whispering that we'd talk after.
I fought the growing anxiety as the captain cleared his throat.
"The man rescued on Monday, Dr. Yao, has provided us with further intel. Our assumptions were correct. They're attempting to bring back Tomura Shigaraki and Touya Todoroki, leaders of the previous League of Villains, from the dead. We speculate that the leader behind this operation is also the head of several underground rebel villain groups, attempting to join them together under one organization. He is a man with an eye covering. Tall and thin. Bald with scars. Military, do not engage with him. Heroes, he must be captured alive."
I froze, sinking into my boots. Bakugo gave me a stern look, pleading for me to hold it together.
"We've already made first-hand contact with their offensive forces. Drones, built with advanced AI, designed to learn our defensive methods and pinpoint our weaknesses. Do not underestimate them. The villain organization working with the lab has occupied the base. Whether they surrender or not, you have permission to kill should you run into any members."
