Appreciation

After the final, grueling battle of the Second War, the dust had settled, and the remnants of destruction lay scattered around. The heroes, though victorious, were exhausted, their spirits worn thin by the weight of loss and the memories of what they had endured. Amidst this quiet aftermath, Bakugou Katsuki found himself in a rare moment of introspection.

He had always been a fighter, his explosive personality driving him forward, but something within him had shifted. The war had shown him the fragility of life and the value of the bonds he had formed with his classmates. He had been spared another chance at life, and he couldn’t ignore the overwhelming gratitude he felt for those who had fought beside him.

Bakugou, however, had never been one for words. His feelings were tangled knots he could never untangle aloud. But he needed to do something—something to express the deep appreciation he carried for the people he held close, even if he didn’t know how to say it. The idea came to him slowly, almost hesitantly: he would give them hugs. It was simple, direct, and though it wasn’t his style, it felt like the right thing to do.

It started with Mina. She was the first to notice the change in him, her bright smile faltering slightly when Bakugou approached her without his usual bark. When he awkwardly opened his arms and enveloped her in a tight hug, she was too stunned to do anything but hug him back. He squeezed her a little too hard, and they both let out a small laugh, the tension easing between them. Mina didn’t say anything, but her eyes were shining when they pulled apart, and Bakugou knew she understood.

Kirishima was next, and Bakugou wasn’t surprised when his best friend returned the hug with a bear-like enthusiasm. “Man, you’ve gone soft!” Kirishima teased, but there was nothing but warmth in his voice. Bakugou grumbled something under his breath, but they both knew this was his way of saying thanks for always being there.

Denki and Sero were similarly taken aback, but their reactions quickly turned playful. The four of them—Mina, Kirishima, Denki, and Sero—ended up in a tangled group snuggle, much to Bakugou’s initial irritation. But as they laughed and held onto each other, Bakugou found that he didn’t mind so much. It felt good, like they were reassuring each other that they had all made it through, that they were still a team, still friends.

Ochako was next on his list. She had always been one of the brighter lights in their class, her unwavering optimism a counterbalance to his often harsh outlook. When he hugged her, it was brief but sincere, and she smiled softly at him, her eyes conveying her understanding without the need for words.

Iida, always so serious and steadfast, was visibly moved when Bakugou pulled him into a quick, firm hug. Iida, in return, clasped his shoulder in a gesture that spoke of mutual respect and gratitude, knowing how much it took for Bakugou to express himself this way.

Todoroki was a bit of a challenge. Their relationship had been complicated, filled with rivalry and unspoken respect. But when Bakugou wrapped his arms around him, Todoroki hesitated only for a second before returning the embrace. There was a silent agreement between them—a truce, perhaps, or simply a recognition of the battles they had fought, both against each other and side by side.

Then came Aizawa. Bakugou had never really known how to show his appreciation for their homeroom teacher, the man who had been a guiding force in their lives, tough but always fair. When Bakugou hugged him, Aizawa didn’t react much outwardly, but the small, approving nod he gave spoke volumes. It was enough.

Finally, there was Midoriya. Bakugou had saved this moment for last, partly because he dreaded it, and partly because he knew it would be the most difficult. Their relationship had been a tumultuous one, full of rivalry, jealousy, and eventually, a reluctant but undeniable bond of friendship. Midoriya had always looked up to him, had always seen the good in him even when Bakugou himself couldn’t.

When Bakugou approached him, Midoriya was already on the verge of tears, as if he understood what was coming. Bakugou didn’t say a word. He just pulled Midoriya into a tight embrace, holding him as if he could squeeze away all the pain and fear they had both experienced. Midoriya broke down, tears streaming down his face as he clung to Bakugou. It wasn’t just a hug—it was an acknowledgment of everything they had been through, of how much they had grown, of how much they meant to each other.

“I’m sorry,” Bakugou finally muttered, his voice rough with emotion. “For everything.”

Midoriya shook his head, hugging him even tighter. “You don’t have to apologize. We’re friends, right?”

Bakugou didn’t respond, but the way he held onto Midoriya said more than words ever could. They stayed like that for a long moment, until finally, Bakugou let go, stepping back with a gruff, “Don’t get all weepy on me, nerd.”

Midoriya laughed through his tears, wiping his eyes as he nodded. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Kacchan.”

As Bakugou walked away, he felt lighter, like a weight he hadn’t known he was carrying had been lifted. He had never been good with words, but maybe, just maybe, actions really did speak louder. And for the first time in a long while, Bakugou Katsuki felt at peace.