Sero's sister

Chapter 39: Mending Bonds

The walk back to U.A. was quiet, the moonlight casting a gentle glow over the campus. Y/N and Bakugou moved side by side, their fingers brushing occasionally, sending electric jolts through her. Despite the weight of their earlier argument, Y/N felt a cautious optimism begin to take root.

As they entered the dormitory, the familiar hum of life surrounded them. A few students were gathered in the common area, laughing and chatting, the atmosphere warm and inviting. Y/N could see Mina and Sero engaged in a heated discussion over snacks, while Kirishima animatedly recounted some story that had everyone in stitches.

"Hey, there you two are!" Mina called out, noticing their entrance. "We were starting to get worried! Y/N, where were you?"

"I was just... out for a walk," Y/N replied, her gaze flickering to Bakugou, who stood stiffly beside her. His jaw was clenched, and she could feel the tension radiating off him. "I got caught up in some stuff."

"Stuff?" Sero raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "You mean you were gone long enough for us to think you were in trouble again?"

Bakugou shot Sero a warning glare, causing Y/N to step in. "It's okay, Sero. I just needed some space to clear my head."

"Yeah, well, it's good that you're back," Kirishima added, flashing a toothy grin. "But seriously, don't scare us like that again! We were worried."

Y/N forced a smile, appreciating their concern, but the weight of her earlier encounter with Bakugou hung heavily in the air. She felt like they were still on shaky ground.

As the group resumed their banter, Bakugou stepped slightly away from her, the distance between them feeling more pronounced. Y/N's heart sank. She wanted to reach out, to close that gap, but the memory of their argument loomed large.

"Let's get some snacks," Bakugou said abruptly, breaking away from the group and heading toward the kitchen. "I'm starving."

Y/N hesitated for a moment before following him, leaving the laughter and chatter behind. The kitchen was dimly lit, and the hum of the refrigerator was the only sound as she watched him rummage through the cabinets.

"Do you want something?" he asked without looking up, his tone gruff.

"Just some water is fine," she replied, feeling her heart race. It was difficult to bridge the gap after everything that had happened.

Silence enveloped them, thick and uncomfortable. Y/N leaned against the counter, unsure of how to approach the conversation. She could feel the tension coiling between them, and she wanted to break it.

"Bakugou..." she began, her voice soft but steady.

He finally turned to her, his expression guarded. "What?"

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I didn't mean to compare you to him. It's just... hard for me to separate my past from the present," she confessed, her gaze earnest. "You've been there for me, and I appreciate that."

Bakugou's features softened slightly, though he still wore a frown. "It's just... I don't want you to think I'm like that. I'm not. I care about you, Y/N."

"I know," she said, feeling a rush of warmth at his words. "But I also know that my past makes it hard for me to trust sometimes. I'm still trying to figure it all out."

Bakugou stepped closer, his eyes searching hers. "Then let me help you. I'm not him, Y/N. I'm not going to hurt you."

His sincerity struck a chord within her, and she felt the tension easing a bit. "I believe you," she whispered, taking a small step forward.

Just then, the common area erupted in laughter, pulling them back to reality. Y/N glanced over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of Mina trying to balance a stack of chips while teasing Sero.

"We should go back," Y/N suggested, wanting to bring some levity back into their evening. "They're going to start wondering where we went."

"Yeah, alright," Bakugou replied, his shoulders relaxing a bit as he followed her out of the kitchen.

As they stepped back into the lively atmosphere, Y/N felt a flicker of hope. Maybe things could get better, one step at a time.

Later That Night

After spending the evening with their friends, the laughter and camaraderie had lightened the mood. Y/N lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in her mind. She felt a sense of calm settle over her, the earlier tension fading like the night.

Just as she began to drift off to sleep, her phone buzzed beside her. Groggily, she reached for it and saw a message from Bakugou:

Can we talk tomorrow?

Her heart fluttered at the message, a mix of anxiety and excitement flooding her. She typed back quickly:

Yeah, of course. Goodnight!

The response came almost immediately:

Goodnight, Y/N.

As she set her phone aside, Y/N felt a warmth spread through her chest. Despite the lingering shadows of her past, she had hope for what tomorrow could bring. She knew that with Bakugou by her side, they could face anything—together.