Sero's sister

Chapter 31: Aftermath and Reflections

The air was thick with tension as Y/N stepped out of the van, her heart still racing from the unexpected encounter with the League of Villains. She spotted Sero, Bakugou, and the rest of the Bakusquad waiting anxiously, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.

"Y/N!" Sero rushed forward, wrapping his arms around her. "I was so worried! Are you okay?"

Y/N hugged him back tightly, grateful for his presence. "I'm fine, Sero. Really. They didn't hurt me."

Bakugou stood a few steps behind, his fists clenched at his sides. "What the hell happened?" he demanded, his voice low and rough, eyes dark with anger.

"They just wanted to talk," Y/N replied, pulling away from Sero. She turned to face Bakugou, her heart racing at the intensity of his gaze. "I told them about my past. About my ex... and how it affected me."

Bakugou's expression softened slightly, but the anger still simmered beneath the surface. "What the hell were you thinking, Y/N? They're villains! You shouldn't have engaged with them."

"I know, but..." She hesitated, searching for the right words. "I felt like I could help them. They're just... people who've been hurt, like me."

"You can't just go around trying to fix everyone," he snapped, his frustration bubbling over. "What if they turned on you? What if—"

"I wasn't afraid!" she interrupted, her voice rising. "For the first time, I felt like I could connect with someone who understands. They're not just monsters, Bakugou! They have their own struggles."

"Yeah? And what about you?" he shot back, stepping closer, his eyes blazing. "What if they decided you weren't worth it? What then?"

Y/N flinched at the intensity of his voice, memories of her ex flooding back unbidden. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "But I can't just ignore people in pain. I won't."

Bakugou's gaze softened for a moment, but his frustration remained. "You're too damn reckless," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "You think you can just save everyone? You can't save anyone if you're not safe yourself."

Sero placed a hand on Bakugou's shoulder, sensing the tension between them. "Maybe Y/N is right, though. They need help too. It's complicated. But we need to make sure she's safe."

"Yeah, and I'm not letting her out of my sight again," Bakugou growled, eyes narrowing.

Y/N felt her heart flutter at his protectiveness, but the weight of their earlier argument hung heavily in the air. "I appreciate it, Bakugou, but you can't always control everything. I'm not a fragile doll."

Bakugou stepped back, crossing his arms defensively. "It's not about control. It's about keeping you alive. That's all I care about."

"Then let me make my own choices!" she exclaimed, feeling frustration boil over. "I'm not going to hide from my past, and I'm not going to run away from people who need help just because it's dangerous!"

The tension between them was palpable, and Y/N's heart raced as she saw the conflict in Bakugou's eyes. He opened his mouth to retort, but the words hung in the air, unspoken.

Sero glanced between the two, trying to diffuse the situation. "Hey, why don't we all just take a breath? Y/N just had a really intense experience. We can talk about this later."

"Yeah, later," Bakugou muttered, the fire in his gaze dimming slightly. "But you better believe I'm going to keep an eye on you."

Y/N sighed, the adrenaline from the confrontation fading into exhaustion. "Fine. But I want you to understand, I'm not afraid to face my past or anyone else's."

The group turned to leave, heading back toward the main part of the mall. The vibrant sounds of laughter and chatter surrounded them, but Y/N felt a knot of tension in her stomach. Despite her desire to help the League of Villains, she couldn't shake the worry about what that might mean for her friends and for Bakugou.

As they reached the parking lot, Y/N suddenly felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She leaned against a nearby wall, taking deep breaths to steady herself. The confrontation with the League had rattled her more than she had anticipated.

"Y/N?" Sero's voice broke through her thoughts, concern lacing his tone. "Are you okay?"

"I just need a minute," she replied, forcing a smile. "I'll be fine."

"Let's get you home," Bakugou said, his voice low and serious, concern replacing some of his earlier frustration. "You shouldn't be out here alone."

As they made their way back to their dorms, Y/N could feel Bakugou's presence beside her, a comforting weight that both soothed and troubled her. She knew they needed to talk, but the air was thick with unspoken words, making it difficult to bridge the gap between them.

When they reached the dormitory, Y/N hesitated at her door, unsure of how to navigate the lingering tension. "I'm... I'm sorry for arguing, Bakugou," she finally said, her voice quiet.

He paused, looking at her with a mix of frustration and something softer. "You don't need to apologize. I just... I care about you, Y/N. And sometimes, that makes me react."

"I know," she replied, her heart racing. "But I want you to understand that I can handle myself. I've been through a lot, and I'm not that same person anymore."

Bakugou nodded, his eyes searching hers. "I get that. But you need to trust me too. I want to help you, but I don't want to lose you."

"I don't want to lose you either," she confessed, her voice trembling. "But I also don't want to be treated like I can't make my own decisions."

Bakugou took a step closer, his gaze softening. "Okay. Then let's figure this out together."

Y/N felt a rush of warmth at his words, and she could see the sincerity in his eyes. "I'd like that."

As the tension began to ease, they stood in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of hope blooming between them. Maybe this was the beginning of something deeper, a bond forged through understanding and trust.

"Let's go inside," Y/N suggested, breaking the silence. "We can talk more later."

"Yeah," Bakugou agreed, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "After all, we've got to keep the rest of the squad from worrying."

Together, they entered the dorm, the air around them feeling lighter as they took the first steps toward healing—not just for Y/N, but for both of them.