Knots in First Year | Bakugo x Deku

Chapter 4

Midoriya eventually noticed the relaxed, almost trance-like state Bakugo seemed to be in. He didn't want to bother him though, so he left it alone for now. He and the other boys chatted a bit before Todoroki, Kirishima, Kaminari, and Sero all went back to their rooms. As Midoriya was about to get out, to him it looked like Bakugo didn't even notice that they left. He didn't even open his eyes to the sound of them getting out of the water. Midoriya was worried, so he made a rash decision to try and 'wake up' the blonde.

    "Kacchan? Are you- alright-?" Midoriya said as he touched Bakugo's shoulder. The entranced teen got so spooked at the feeling of this small scarred hand that it made him jolt up out of his train of thought and sent his knee right into Midoriya's groin. The green-haired boy froze in pain, completely white like a comic book- eyes completely empty. This pain was unreal for him. Bakugo was just grossed out at the feeling of it all from his knee.

    "DEKU! WHAT THE HELL GET LOST!" He screamed at him. Without a response or a single move from Midoriya as he was still taking in the pain he was feeling, Bakugo widened his eyes and let down his guard a bit, showing a slight frown that could thankfully pass for a neutral expression. Fuck, that probably really hurt him. Should I- ask if he's okay? Ugh no, I can't do that. Maybe- just show a hint of concern-

    "Deku? What's gotten into you? You're creeping me out with that look-" Not the nicest and most straightforward way to show you care, but for once Bakugo was trying. Midoriya let in a long, squeaky, wheeze-like inhale.

    "Y-yeah Kacchan, J-Just fine. S-sorry for w-waking you up." Midoriya said with a trembling voice, still flinching from the pain. Bakugo's almost concerned expression quickly faded as he stood up out of the water right in front of Midoriya's face. He quickly covered his face as it was rude to look in that sort of area of people in a public bath. He was so nervous at this moment. Bakugo looked down to the curiosity of how Midoriya would react to the situation. Seeing his head in his hands, Bakugo let out an annoyed 'Tch' and walked out of the bath. Midoriya felt the water move and heard Bakugo get out, so he put his hands down and got out of the bath as well. He tried to respect social rules and not look at Bakugo in that way, but he WAS curious about his build considering the top half of the blonde was SUPER ripped. Midoriya took a quick glance at Bakugo's- well, 'lower backside,' but darted his eyes up to respectfully checked out his full build from the back.

    "Oi, nerd, I feel you looking at me, cut it out-" Bakugo could almost feel Midoriya's focused glare, but for some reason, he didn't actually mind it. Midoriya felt intense butterflies and got so embarrassed that he quickly looked away and let out a weird 'megh' noise. What is this feeling? I don't think it was just embarrassment... it's probably normal- it's nothing. Midoriya followed behind Bakugo to get dressed and leave the baths.

    "WHY ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME-" Bakugo shouted with his hands in his soft pockets.

    "K-KACCHAN, w-we have to go the same direction to leave the baths-" Midoriya said, scratching the back of his neck.

    "SHUT UP LOSER! DON'T FOLLOW ME INTO THE ELEVATOR!" Bakugo probably would've even let Midoriya follow him into the elevator if he didn't listen. But Midoriya was usually a good listener depending on the situation, and at this moment, he listened (mostly out of fear).

Midoriya pouted as he had to take the stairs. It wasn't all bad though, as his dorm room was only on the second floor, not many stairs to go up. As Midoriya made his way to his room, he was still drying his hair with a towel. The steam from the hot water of the bath doesn't exactly help his hair fully dry from the initial shower... Plus it's still cold outside, which makes the dorm rooms even colder. He doesn't wanna catch a cold before classes start back up tomorrow. As Midoriya walked into his dorm room, he started to rethink the interaction in the baths with Bakugo. How did Kacchan know I was staring? WAIT I WASN'T STARING- Ugh, I was just curious that's all... Midoriya grunted out loud as he was embarrassed at his own thoughts. Since he and Bakugo were training together, and the latter wasn't being as harsh to him lately, he wondered if Bakugo had softened up to him. He knew they mutually respected each other, but- he wondered if Bakugo finally thought of Midoriya as... a friend. He hoped that were true. He really wanted to be on good terms, great terms even, with 'Kacchan.' Midoriya cared deeply for Bakugo. He would protect him with his life. He's the oldest friend he has. Sure he was mean to him in middle school, and Midoriya hasn't forgotten that. In fact, he still wonders if Bakugo will ever apologize for it, but it's not like he constantly thinks about that. He ties to keep it hidden away in his mind as things get better. Midoriya has seen a side of Bakugo that he holds on to. The time before Bakugo got his quirk... They were both just neighborhood kids to each other, but they hung out nearly every day. They bonded over their admiration for All Might and becoming heroes. But now that Bakugo is going through an extraordinary period of growth since talking out (well, fighting out) his feelings to only Midoriya, their relationship is evolving, and the greenette can see it. Even Bakugo can see it.