COMFORT || K.BAKUGOU X READER

COMFORT || A Spark Ignites

The week went by in a blur of training, classes, and late-night study sessions. You and Bakugo found yourselves partnered for exercises more often than not-something Aizawa had clearly noticed worked well. While the two of you rarely spoke outside of drills, there was an unspoken rhythm to your teamwork, a bond that grew stronger with every explosive blast and bent element.

The other students, of course, had taken notice. You'd catch Kirishima winking at you when he saw you and Bakugo sparring, or Mina nudging you whenever she caught you glancing his way during a training break. Even Denki and Sero had started playfully calling you both "avatar aang and combustion man" or "sparks and elements," teasingly dramatizing your teamwork to make it sound like something out of an action movie.

One evening after training, as you made your way back to the dorms, you caught Bakugo by the gym lockers, wrapping up a few final cooldown stretches. He noticed you coming and rolled his eyes, though there was a flicker of something softer behind his usual scowl.

"What are you staring at?" he grumbled, not even turning around to face you.

"Nothing," you said, leaning against the doorframe. "Just wondering if you'd finally admit you actually liked training with me."

Bakugo snorted, tossing his towel into a nearby bin and grabbing his water bottle. "Tch. Don't flatter yourself dumbass."

You shrugged, feeling the familiar spark of banter that had become second nature. "Sure, sure. But you can't deny we're a good team."

He didn't respond immediately, taking a long drink of water, his gaze still fixed somewhere ahead. "Yeah, whatever. Just don't go getting any ideas about it."

You rolled your eyes but couldn't help the smile on your face. "Alright, well, don't get too sentimental on me, Bakugo. I might think you actually care."

"Care? About you?" He scoffed, though his tone lacked its usual edge. "Keep dreaming, Avatar."

As you both began walking back toward the dorms, the quiet stretch of the path felt different tonight, almost charged. You both walked side by side, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, the fading sunlight casting an orange glow across his face. It was the kind of rare moment you rarely saw with him-Bakugo without his walls up, Bakugo in a rare calm.

Finally, you decided to take a chance. "Bakugo... do you ever think about what you want out of this?"

He raised an eyebrow, glancing at you. "What, becoming a hero? I already know what I want."

You nodded, feeling the weight of the words you hadn't yet said. "No, I mean... I know you want to be the best hero. But do you ever think about how you want people to see you? I mean, beyond the strength and the power."

He frowned, clearly not used to this type of conversation. "Why would I care what people think?"

"Because you deserve to be seen for more than just your strength, Bakugo." The words left your mouth before you could think to hold them back. "You deserve to be recognized for all the things that make you... you."

He froze, stopping mid-step, and for a moment you thought you'd pushed too far. But instead, he turned to look at you, his expression unreadable.

"Don't go getting sentimental," he muttered, though his voice was quieter than usual. "I don't need people pitying me or thinking I'm something I'm not."

"It's not pity," you said softly. "It's respect. And it's recognizing that you're more than just... what you show in battle."

For a long moment, he just looked at you, his gaze piercing in a way that made your pulse quicken. You almost felt as though he were searching for something, testing the sincerity of your words. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"You're weird, you know that?" he muttered, but there was a slight smile on his face, barely there but unmistakable.

"Thanks," you replied with a grin. "I try my best."

He huffed, but his lips twitched like he was fighting back a smile. You felt a small surge of warmth at his reaction; these moments were rare, and you were learning to treasure them.

The two of you continued walking, the silence between you oddly comfortable. But as you reached the dorm building, Bakugo stopped again, this time reaching out to grab your arm, a motion so fast you almost didn't process it until you were standing face-to-face with him.

"Listen," he said, voice quiet but intense, "you keep saying I'm more than what I show in battle. And maybe... maybe you're right. But if you think that means I'm soft or something, you've got another thing coming."

You looked up at him, the smirk on his face faltering just slightly as his gaze held yours. "Bakugo... I don't think you're soft. I think you're strong, in ways even you don't recognize."

The weight of your words hung in the air, and you could see the battle raging behind his eyes. Bakugo was the type to carry the world on his shoulders, to protect himself with layers of armor and fire, but something about this moment felt different, like he was letting you see the cracks beneath his tough exterior.

He hesitated for a second, then released your arm, his gaze shifting away. "Whatever," he muttered, his voice a little rough. "You're too nosy for your own good."

You smiled, sensing you'd touched something real, even if he'd never admit it. "Maybe so. But I guess that's why we make a good team."

Bakugo glanced at you, the smallest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "We'll see about that, extra."

He brushed past you, heading into the dorms without another word, but you couldn't shake the feeling that tonight had shifted something, that perhaps you'd seen a glimpse of the person he kept hidden beneath all his pride and ambition.

As you stood there, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervous excitement, Mina's voice cut through the silence from behind you.

"Did I just witness a moment?!" she exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as she peeked out from around the corner.

You jumped, startled. "Were you spying?"

"Maybe." She winked. "But come on! That was totally something!"

Rolling your eyes, you shoved her playfully as you both headed inside. But no matter how much you tried to play it cool, you couldn't help the flutter in your chest, the excitement that maybe, just maybe, Bakugo was starting to let you in, one step at a time.