Unspoken // Bakudeku

Chapter six

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."It must be exhausting," he says, his voice calm but with an edge that makes me stop in my tracks. "What?" I ask, turning my head slightly as I begin preparing the drinks."It must be exhausting to act like you don't want me when we both know you do," he whispers, leaning in close from behind, his breath warm against my ear.My blood boils at his words, anger and something else—something I refuse to acknowledge—bubbling up inside me. Who the hell does he think he is? I spin around, expecting him to be farther away, but he's right there, much closer than I anticipated. His eyes are intense, burning with that infuriating mix of arrogance and something deeper."You think I like you?" I snap, my voice sharp, trying to ignore how my heart is racing in my chest. "It was just a kiss."For a moment, his expression falters, as if he's surprised by my words, but he quickly masks it with a smirk. "Sure, nerd. Keep telling yourself that," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he takes a step back, eyes raking over me with that infuriating cocky grin.I bristle at his tone, my hands trembling slightly as I fight the urge to lash out. He's playing his games again, but this time, I won't let him win."Whatever, Kacchan," I retort, turning back to the drinks. I can feel his eyes on me, watching my every move, but I force myself to stay focused on the task at hand. "Go back to your girlfriend."The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I push them out anyway. I won't give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he's getting under my skin. I won't let him see that, despite everything, he still has this hold over me.But as I walk back to the group with the drinks, my smile feels hollow, and the laughter around me seems distant. No matter how hard I try to focus on my friends, on the party, on anything else, I can't shake the feeling that this isn't over. That no matter how much I want to, I can't just walk away from him.Not when there's something unresolved between us, something that neither of us is ready to admit yet.As I settle back into my spot next to Shinsou, I catch Bakugou's movement out of the corner of my eye. To my surprise, he doesn't return to his place beside Cami. Instead, he slides onto the couch right next to me, his presence immediately suffocating the space between us."Why?" I whisper, confusion and frustration battling for dominance in my voice.He leans in closer, his voice low and tinged with a possessiveness that sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. "Don't forget you're here with me. We came to this party together, you're sitting next to me, and if you want to dance, you're dancing with me."The weight of his words sinks in, and despite myself, I can't ignore the effect they have on me. It's maddening—the way he can make me feel both furious and drawn to him at the same time."So if I want to leave now, you're leaving with me?" I ask, doubt lacing my words. But before I can process his response, he grabs my hand, pulling me to my feet with a firm grip that leaves no room for argument.I'm just as confused as the others watching us, their eyes wide with curiosity and surprise. "Uhm...bye, guys?" I manage to say, trying to keep my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me."Yeah, yeah, bye extras," Bakugou calls out dismissively, not even bothering to glance back as he leads me out of the house. The next thing I know, we're in his car, the silence between us thick with tension.He breaks it with a question that catches me off guard. "If I still know you well enough, we're getting chocolate chip mint ice cream and McDonald's, right?"I blink at him, momentarily stunned by the abrupt shift in tone. It's like he's trying to act like everything's normal, like we're just two friends hanging out and not two people who just shared a heated moment of confusion and conflicting emotions."Chocolate chip mint?" I repeat, my voice quieter now, as if testing the words on my tongue. It feels surreal, sitting here with him after everything that just happened, talking about ice cream and fast food like we haven't been at each other's throats all night.He nods, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, unless you've changed your mind about your favorite ice cream since we were kids."I glance at him, trying to read his expression, but he's as guarded as ever. Still, there's something in his eyes, a flicker of something softer, something that makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, there's more to this night than the mess we've made of it."Yeah, chocolate chip mint and McDonald's sounds good," I finally say, my voice steadying as I let myself relax a little. Maybe tonight doesn't have to be as complicated as it feels. Maybe, for now, we can just be two people sharing a quiet moment, away from the noise and confusion of the party. He starts the car, and for a while, we drive in silence, the tension between us slowly easing into something more comfortable.