Bound By Fire And Fate || Bakugo X Reader

Between Fire And Fear (Y/N pov)

The weight of his words is almost too much to bear. Standing here, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine, I know this is dangerous. I know that what we're doing defies centuries of hatred, of blood-soaked history, of rules that were drilled into me from the moment I could walk. But Bakugo is looking at me like I'm the only thing in his world that matters, and my heart, traitorous as ever, aches to believe him.

He takes a shaky breath, his usual confidence nowhere in sight. "I don't know what this is," he mutters, his voice breaking the silence. "But it's not something I can ignore anymore."

I pull my hand back, just far enough to create some space between us. I need clarity, need to know if this feeling is real, or if it's just the thrill of the forbidden that keeps us coming back to each other. "You say that now, but what about when you return to your kingdom?" I ask, forcing myself to hold his gaze. "When your father hears about this, when your people-"

"Damn my people," he interrupts, his jaw clenching in that stubborn way that's so infuriatingly him. "They don't control me. I came here because I wanted to see you, because..." He trails off, searching for the words.

"Because why?" I press, my voice barely a whisper.

Bakugo's eyes narrow, as if he's debating whether or not to say what's really on his mind. Finally, he looks at me with a fierceness that makes my pulse quicken. "Because I don't feel like myself without you," he admits, his voice rough. "Every time I leave, it feels like I'm tearing myself in half."

I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, but I don't dare let them fall. I refuse to let him see how much those words mean to me. I want to believe him, but it terrifies me to trust him, to trust a dragon prince with my heart. "How do I know you're not just saying this?" I ask, my voice barely audible. "How do I know this isn't just a game?"

He grits his teeth, frustration and hurt flashing across his face. "A game? Do you think I'd risk my life-my crown-for some game?" He steps closer, his voice dropping to a soft growl. "I'm here because... because I can't stay away. I've tried. I've tried, and all it's done is make me miserable."

I bite my lip, torn between the urge to step into his arms and the instinct to run before this all goes too far. "If we do this, Bakugo... if we keep doing this, it'll destroy both of us."

"Then let it," he says fiercely, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'm not scared of that, and you shouldn't be either."