Sero's sister

Chapter 27: Breaking Down Walls

(Angst to Fluff)

Y/N took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts as she faced Bakugou in the hallway. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with unspoken words and unresolved feelings. She could see the frustration etched across his face, and it only made her heart race faster.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Bakugou exploded, his voice low but laced with a simmering anger. "Why have you been acting like this all week?"

Y/N squared her shoulders, trying to maintain her composure. "I'm just... following the dare, Bakugou. It's not like I'm doing this on purpose."

His eyes narrowed. "This isn't just about the stupid dare! You're avoiding me like I'm some kind of villain. What's really going on?"

"Maybe I don't want to talk to you!" she snapped, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Maybe I don't want to deal with whatever this is right now!"

Bakugou stepped closer, his fists clenching at his sides. "Stop pretending like you're fine when you're clearly not! You think this is some kind of game? It's driving me insane!"

Y/N took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, the raw intensity of his emotions washing over her. But instead of feeling comforted, a flash of fear gripped her. Memories of her past—a toxic relationship filled with anger and threats—invaded her mind, making her stomach churn.

"Don't come any closer!" she shouted, instinctively raising her hands to shield herself.

Bakugou halted, confusion flitting across his features. "What the hell? I'm not going to hurt you!" He didn't understand; he could never understand what it felt like to be on the receiving end of anger and violence.

But as he raised a hand in frustration, Y/N flinched, her body tensing as she recalled the way her ex had acted. "Just stop!" she cried, tears springing to her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to relive those moments, the ones that had left her feeling small and helpless.

The look on Bakugou's face shifted from anger to realization, his eyes widening as he understood the implications of her reaction. "Y/N, I—" he started, but she cut him off.

"Don't! Just don't!" she yelled, tears spilling down her cheeks. "You don't get it! You don't know what I've been through!"

Bakugou's heart sank as he took in the sight of her trembling figure, her vulnerability cutting through his frustration like a knife. "You're right. I don't know what you've been through. But I want to understand. Just tell me what's going on!"

She shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "I can't... I can't do this." Her voice broke, and she turned to leave, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Y/N, please," he said softly, his anger replaced by concern. "Just talk to me. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Then why did you raise your hand like that?" she whispered, a tremor in her voice. "It reminded me... it reminded me of him."

The revelation hit Bakugou like a punch to the gut. "Him?" he repeated, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Your ex?"

She nodded, unable to meet his gaze. "He was... he was angry all the time. He'd yell and throw things. I was always on edge, never knowing when he'd snap. I thought... I thought I was safe with you, but then you raised your hand, and I just... I froze."

"Y/N..." Bakugou began, his voice thick with guilt. "I'm so sorry. I would never hurt you. I swear it."

He reached out tentatively, his hand brushing against her shoulder. She flinched again, but this time, he didn't pull back. Instead, he took a deep breath and let his hand rest gently on her arm. "I promise you, I'm not him. I'm not like that."

Y/N felt her resolve crumble as she finally looked up at him. The sincerity in his eyes, mixed with a genuine softness she hadn't seen before, made her heart ache. "I didn't want to tell anyone," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Only Sero knows... I just wanted to forget."

Bakugou's expression softened, his anger toward her ex morphing into something else—something protective. "You don't have to forget. You just need to heal, and I want to help you with that. Whatever you need."

Y/N nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I was stronger than this. I thought I could handle it, but... it still hurts."

"I know," Bakugou replied gently, his thumb brushing away the tears on her cheeks. "You don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to feel scared. It's okay to cry. Just don't shut me out."

Her heart swelled at his words, the warmth of his hand grounding her in a way she hadn't expected. "I'm sorry for thinking you would hurt me. I just... I can't help but remember."

"Y/N," he said softly, "you're safe with me. I'll always protect you. I'm sorry I made you flinch. I just—"

Before he could finish, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. The warmth of his body enveloped her, and for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.

"I didn't want to push you away," she murmured into his shoulder. "But I didn't know how to handle it."

Bakugou held her close, his heart racing. He felt the weight of her words, the burden of her past, and he promised himself that he would never let her feel that way again. "We'll get through this together. I promise."

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them—two souls finding comfort in one another, learning to heal through understanding and trust.