Unspoken // Bakudeku

Chapter five

I wait, the seconds stretching out like hours as the distant thump of the music from downstairs vibrates through the floor. My mind races, torn between excitement and apprehension. What am I doing? Why did I ask him to follow me? But before I can second-guess myself any further, I hear a soft knock at the doorframe."So?" Bakugou's voice cuts through the fog in my head, his tone low and questioning as he steps into the room. He closes the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the small space. He looks at me, his usual confident smirk in place, but there's something else in his eyes—curiosity, maybe? Or something deeper that I can't quite place.I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. "Look, I don't know why you're doing what you're doing," I start, my voice trembling slightly as I meet his gaze. "But honestly, I do not give a fuck."Before I can lose my nerve, I reach up, grabbing the back of his neck, and pull him down towards me. Our lips collide in a kiss that's both desperate and uncertain, a clash of emotions I haven't fully sorted out yet. His lips are warm, firm, and for a moment, everything else fades away—the noise of the party, the confusion in my head, the years of unresolved tension between us. All that matters is this moment, this kiss.Bakugou hesitates for just a fraction of a second, and I wonder if I've made a mistake. But then his hands come up to grip my waist, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss. The intensity of it catches me off guard, and I find myself melting into him, my fingers tangling in his hair as the kiss grows more heated. It's a mess of emotions—years of rivalry, frustration, and something that's been brewing beneath the surface for far too long. His lips are demanding, almost rough, but I meet him with equal force, pouring everything I can't put into words into the kiss. When we finally pull back, both of us are breathing heavily, our foreheads resting against each other. His hands are still on my waist, his grip firm and grounding. I search his eyes, trying to read the expression in them, but all I see is a swirl of emotions—some I recognize, others I don't."Why did you do that?" he asks, his voice husky and low, breaking the silence that has settled between us.I take a shaky breath, still trying to process everything. "I don't know," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I should go." He doesn't say anything for a moment, his gaze searching mine as if trying to figure out what to do next. Then, without warning, he kisses me again—softer this time, almost tentative. It's different—less about urgency and more about something deeper, something neither of us is ready to name yet. As we break apart, I rest my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek. The silence between us feels heavy, loaded with unspoken words and unresolved tension.

"I should go," I finally murmur, my voice trembling slightly. "Look, you're with Cami, and this... this was a mistake. I hate you, and you hate me. Nothing more should go on between us."My breath shakes, the reality of what just happened crashing over me like a wave. What was I thinking? This wasn't supposed to happen. "Chill, nerd," he replies almost immediately, his tone laced with that familiar arrogance. "It was just a fucking kiss. I'm going back down. You coming?"The casual way he brushes it off stings more than it should. Of course, it was 'just' a kiss to him. Why did I think, even for a second, that it might mean something more? My mind races, replaying the events of the past few weeks—the way I moved out, started going to parties, and made out with random guys. I thought I was finding myself, but now I'm not so sure. I saw him with her last week, doing worse right in front of everyone, so why does it even cross my mind that he might actually want something from me?Fuck that guy."Oh, fuck you," I snap, the words coming out more confidently than I feel. I walk out of the room, slamming the door behind me, the sound echoing in the hallway. I head straight to the couch where I first sat, finding Shinsou there. On my way, I grab myself a drink—cranberry vodka, my go-to—and sit down beside him."Heyyy, didn't think you'd come," I say, trying to mask my turmoil with a casual tone. He takes my drink and sips from it before responding."Damn, I can't tell if you're in a good mood or if you're hella mad, but it's hot," he comments, smirking.The compliment should make me feel better, but it doesn't. Not the way I want it to."Hey guysssss," an annoyingly familiar voice chirps. I glance over and see Cami with Bakugou. Of course. The sight of them together sends a fresh wave of anger through me."You know what?" I say to Shinsou, standing up abruptly. "I really love this song." I grab his hand and lead him to the crowded dance floor, where the beat of "Yo Voy" fills the air. I know dancing with Shinsou just to make Bakugou jealous isn't right, but at this moment, I don't care. It's not like he would care anyway, right?I start moving to the rhythm, my body swaying to the music, and Shinsou joins in, grinding against me. We dance for a while, and I can't help but feel like someone's watching me. Our group is laughing, probably surprised by the new side of me I'm showing—hell, even Shoto looks shocked—but their attention isn't what I'm sensing.My eyes find Bakugou, and sure enough, he's watching me. I know he is because Cami is desperately trying to get his attention, but his gaze is locked on me. I smirk at him, and he smirks back before turning back to Cami. Slowly, the music comes to an end, and Shinsou and I walk back to the group."Damn, Midobabe, I didn't know you had it in you!" Mina exclaims, her eyes wide with surprise and delight.I laugh at her words, still standing. "Yeah, usually I only dance in my room, but today I felt like dancing."I take a breath, trying to steady myself. "I'm getting something to drink. Want anything?" I ask, already knowing their usual orders. I start walking toward the table with the drinks, but before I get far, I hear him call out."Wait up."I keep walking, not wanting to face him right now. "What now, Kacchan?" I reply, irritation lacing my voice. "Do you have to follow me everywhere I go? I'm only getting a couple of drinks. I'm more than capable of doing it myself," I say, though it comes out more arrogant than I intended.The tension in the air between us is almost suffocating as Bakugou and I stand near the drink table, far enough from the crowd that no one can hear us. His words hang heavy in the space between us, and I can feel the anger rising in my chest. Who does he think he is, assuming he knows what I want?"It must be exhausting," he repeats, his voice a low, rough whisper as he leans in closer, his breath warm against my ear. "To act like you don't want me when we both know you do."I can feel the heat of his body behind me, the proximity making my skin tingle in a way that infuriates me as much as it thrills me. I turn around quickly, my face inches from his, and I'm met with that same cocky smirk that always drives me crazy. His eyes are intense, challenging, like he's daring me to deny it. But I refuse to give him the satisfaction."You think I like you?" I snap, my voice sharp as I stare him down, refusing to back away even though the closeness is making my heart race. "It was just a kiss."His smirk falters slightly, and I see a flash of something in his eyes—surprise, maybe? Or disappointment? It's gone so quickly that I can't be sure. But it gives me the tiniest sense of victory, and I latch onto it, using it to fuel my resolve."Yeah," I continue, my tone colder now, even though my emotions are anything but. "Just a kiss. Nothing more."Bakugou's jaw tightens, and he narrows his eyes at me, as if trying to figure out whether I'm bluffing. He takes a step closer, his chest nearly brushing against mine, and for a moment, I think he's going to argue. But then he just chuckles, low and mocking, and the sound of it sends a shiver down my spine."Sure, nerd," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he pulls back slightly, giving me a once-over that makes my skin prickle. "Keep telling yourself that."I bristle at his tone, my hands curling into fists at my sides. I want to lash out, to say something that will wipe that smug look off his face, but the words get stuck in my throat. Because as much as I hate to admit it, there's a part of me—a very small, very annoying part—that knows he's not entirely wrong.But I'll be damned if I let him see that."Whatever, Kacchan," I finally say, my voice steadier now, though I can still feel the tremble in my fingers. I turn back to the table, picking up the drinks I've prepared, and start walking away without looking back at him. "Go back to your girlfriend."I can feel his gaze burning into my back as I walk away, but I force myself not to look back, not to give him any more power over me than he already has. When I reach the group, they're all chatting and laughing, completely unaware of the storm raging inside me. I hand out the drinks, forcing a smile as I do."Here you go," I say, trying to keep my voice light, though it's a struggle."Thanks, Midoriya!" Mina chirps, accepting her drink with a grin. She takes a sip, then looks at me more closely, her brow furrowing slightly. "You okay? You seem a little... off."I shake my head, waving off her concern. "I'm fine. Just... tired, I guess."She doesn't look entirely convinced, but she doesn't press it, and for that, I'm grateful. The last thing I want to do right now is explain what just happened, or the confusing mess of emotions churning inside me. Instead, I plaster on a smile and take a sip of my own drink, the burn of the alcohol doing little to soothe the ache in my chest.As the night goes on, I do my best to keep my distance from Bakugou. It's not easy, especially when I catch glimpses of him with Cami, her laughter ringing out as she clings to his arm. I try to focus on the others, on the music, on anything that will distract me from the knot of frustration and jealousy tightening in my stomach. But it's no use. No matter how hard I try, my thoughts keep drifting back to him, to the feel of his lips on mine, to the way his touch had made my heart skip a beat.And it pisses me off. Because despite everything, despite the fact that he's arrogant and infuriating and everything I should stay away from, I can't.But for now, I push those thoughts away, focusing instead on the laughter of my friends, the buzz of the party, and the bitter taste of cranberry vodka on my tongue.