When Heroes Collide - Bakugou X Reader Slow Burn

Chapter 94: Aizawas Scolding

BAKUGOU POV:

The heavy air of the empty classroom hung between Bakugou and Aizawa. A lone light flickered above them, casting long shadows that danced along the walls. Bakugou stood tense, hands shoved deep into his pockets, glaring off to the side. He knew what was coming. He'd been caught—sneaking into the training room after hours, fiddling with equipment, and then pulling off that reckless firework display.

Aizawa, sitting behind his desk, leaned back in his chair. His gaze was piercing, but there was something different in his eyes. He wasn't just angry. Bakugou could sense it—something more complicated was swirling beneath the surface.

"You know, Bakugou," Aizawa began, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. Bakugou stiffened, bracing himself for the reprimand. "I never thought I'd be punishing you of all people over a grand romantic gesture."

Bakugou's head snapped towards his teacher, his heart skipping a beat. His eyes widened as he opened his mouth to respond but found himself at a loss for words. Aizawa's tone was serious, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes, something uncharacteristic. Bakugou's face burned.

"It... It wasn't romantic!" he barked, more defensively than he intended. His voice cracked slightly, and he cursed under his breath. "I just know how to do things right, unlike the stupid extras in my class."

Aizawa raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching, though he didn't fully smile. "Breaking into the training room after hours and tampering with equipment without authorization is a serious offense, you know? And it goes without saying but dangerous too. To pull of a firework display, underage and without supervision."

Bakugou's heart sank at the reminder. His expression faltered, and he broke eye contact, staring at the floor. He knew he was in deep. It wasn't just a prank this time. He crossed a line.

Aizawa continued, his voice carrying a weight that Bakugou couldn't ignore. "Really, I should punish you by not letting you attend the ball at all."

Bakugou's breath caught in his throat. He hadn't even wanted to go to that stupid ball at first. But now? After everything he'd done tonight? If he couldn't go after all that, it would feel like the biggest failure of his life. He'd never hear the end of it.

"Sensei, I—"

"But," Aizawa interrupted, his tone softening, "even I couldn't do something that cruel."

Bakugou blinked, looking up sharply. He hadn't expected that.

Aizawa sighed heavily, rubbing his tired eyes. "I know you've had a rough year, Bakugou. And I know how much that girl means to you."

Bakugou's chest tightened. He hadn't told anyone—not really. Not about how much it hurt, how much he'd been holding back since she fell into that coma. He wasn't the type to talk about feelings. He was more likely to blow something up. But Aizawa wasn't stupid. He saw through everything, even when Bakugou tried his hardest to put up walls.

"And I shouldn't say this," Aizawa continued, his voice so low now that it felt like a secret, "but I'm actually kind of surprised. And proud of you, Bakugou. It takes guts to do something like that."

Bakugou stood frozen, his heart hammering in his chest. He didn't know how to respond. Proud? Aizawa was proud of him? It felt... weird. Good, but weird. He could feel the heat rising in his face again.

Should he thank him? Hell no. That wasn't his style.

Before Bakugou could figure out what to say, Aizawa's expression hardened again. "But I can't let this slide, you understand that."