Amethyst. (Katsuki Bakugo x Reader)

PART 19 - Running with the Rabbit

I woke up to the soft morning light seeping through the curtains, a rare sense of calm lingering in the room. For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to piece together the events of the night. No nightmares. No cold sweats. Just... peace.

That never happens.

I rubbed my eyes, pushing myself up into a sitting position. My body still felt heavy from the patrol, the soreness a reminder of the long day before. But my mind was clear, a sharp contrast to the usual chaos that filled my dreams.

I glanced to the side, where the pillow next to me still held the faint indent of someone's head. Bakugo. He had been there. My fingers brushed against the fabric, and I caught the scent of something lingering—strong, sharp, almost smoky, —like burnt caramel mixed with cedarwood, something bold but not overwhelming. It was unmistakably his.

So, I hadn't imagined it. He really did stay.

I leaned back against the headboard, staring at the pillow for a second longer. Why did he leave? And why was I even wondering that? It was probably better this way. The last thing I needed was to overthink Bakugo of all people being... well, considerate. If I brought it up, he'd probably just deny it anyway. I wasn't going to make a big deal out of this.

But still... why didn't I have any nightmares when he was here?

I shook the thought away, knowing I didn't have time to dwell on it. It was 6 a.m., and Best Jeanist wasn't the type to let anyone slack off. Today, I'd need to be focused, not lost in the confusion of last night. I climbed out of bed and slipped into my hero suit—the familiar black and lilac design, built to withstand both fire and ice.

The agency was quiet this early, a few sidekicks who were up were already preparing for their assignments. I grabbed some coffee and toast in the cafeteria of the Agency, quickly finishing up before making my way to Best Jeanist's office.

When I arrived, Bakugo was already there, leaning against the wall, arms crossed and staring out the window. He didn't even acknowledge me as I entered.

I didn't bother trying to get his attention. Instead, I found a spot by the door and waited. My mind was still buzzing with unanswered questions—about last night, about Bakugo's strange display of restraint—but I pushed it down. None of that mattered right now. What mattered was proving myself to Best Jeanist.

Exactly at 7 a.m., the door opened, and Jeanist stepped in, his presence as composed and steady as always. "Punctuality is the foundation of discipline," he said, his gaze flicking between Bakugo and me. "You both have shown that much, at least."

His eyes lingered on me for a moment, sharp and analytical, as if trying to read something deeper. "Today," he continued, "we will be testing your power. I need to see where each of you stands—not just in terms of strength, but in control. Power without control is a liability, both to yourselves and to those around you."

Bakugo shifted, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He looked ready to explode into action at the mere mention of power. Jeanist, however, wasn't going to let him dive headfirst into it without testing his restraint. That much was clear.

"Bakugo," Jeanist said, turning his attention to him. "You'll be first. I want to see the extent of your quirk and how you manage it under pressure."

Bakugo pushed himself off the wall, cracking his neck as he did so. "Finally," he muttered under his breath, the eagerness in his voice barely contained.

Jeanist turned to me next. "Y/N, you will accompany one of my sidekicks on patrol while I work with Bakugo. But don't think you're being sidelined," he added, his tone firm. "When you return, I will test you personally too. I need to understand not only your quirk but your control over it. Power is only as useful as your ability to manage it, and I intend to push you both."