Noctem

Unveiling Feelings

Y/N was stretching at the training ground, preparing for her morning routine. The day promised to be busy, but she felt energized, looking forward to the challenges ahead. She was ready to hone her skills and prove her worth—especially to herself.

As she warmed up, she noticed Bakugo in the distance, intensely focused on his training. The way he moved was mesmerizing, every explosion bursting forth with raw power. Feeling adventurous, Y/N decided to wander over.

"Hey, Bakugo!" Y/N called out, her voice playful. "You look like you're about to blow something up. Is it training, or are you just mad at the world?"

He turned, scowling momentarily before letting a small smirk escape. "What do you want, shadow girl? You here to learn how to explode things?"

"Maybe I'm here to learn how to leave my enemies overwhelmed—similar to what you do!" Y/N shot back, attempting to match his intensity with playful confidence.

"Don't think you can just mirror me. There's an art to this!" Bakugo replied, arms crossed, yet the hints of a chuckle danced beneath his annoyance.

Y/N laughed, emboldened by his banter. "Oh, I must have missed the chapter on 'How to Be Explosive.' Can you give me a quick lesson? We could set off some serious fireworks together!"

"As if I'd waste my time teaching you," he replied, mock-indignant. "But I have to admit, your shadow tricks might actually come in handy when you don't fall flat on your face."

"Hey! I'm getting better!" she protested, playfully nudging him as they both started moving into their warm-up routines side by side. There was a shared electricity in the air, one that buzzed with both competition and something deeper.

After some time, Y/N paused, feeling a bit more serious. "Bakugo... can I ask you something?"

"Depends. Is it embarrassing or stupid?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I promise! It's just... about us," she began, her heart racing as she continued. "I know we joke a lot, and I've sensed there's more going on. What's really going on in that exploding head of yours?"

Bakugo shifted his weight, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features—a rare sight for anyone who knew him. "I don't know what you're talking about, Noctem."

"What I see is a guy who keeps pretending not to care even though he definitely does," Y/N replied, her tone steady yet gentle.

"I care!" he exclaimed more loudly than he intended, immediately regretting the volume. He clenched his fists, frustration evident on his face. "I just—"

He hesitated, and for a moment the tension thickened between them. Y/N stepped a bit closer, her eyes filled with understanding. "You just what?"

Bakugo took a deep breath, his voice dropping to a more vulnerable tone. "I just don't want to screw this up, alright? You and your dorkiness have become... important to me, and I don't want to mess it up with my usual explosions of rage."

"Bakugo..." Y/N said softly, a smile spreading across her face. "You don't have to be perfect to be important to me. I like you just the way you are. You're the explosive guy who challenges me to be better. That's what makes you special."

For a moment, Bakugo looked stunned, processing her words. "Really? You're serious?"

"Of course!" Y/N said, her heart racing. "I mean it. You don't have to hide who you are around me."

He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the warmth of her praise and the weight of vulnerability at the same time. "I guess... that makes me feel a little better. Thanks, I guess."

They both stood in the moment, feeling the bond between them grow stronger, the playful banter now intertwined with sincerity.

"Alright, dork, let's go through some drills together," Bakugo said suddenly, the competitive spirit returning. "I'll teach you the basics of actual combat. Just don't pass out when I show you how to explode properly."

"Deal," Y/N replied, a grin spreading across her face. "But only if you promise to keep being your wonderfully explosive self!"

As they turned to start their drills, the air crackled with anticipation. The connection between them blossomed, combining their quirks into something uniquely powerful, promising many more adventures ahead.