❝Stars Aligned❞ » Katsuki Bakugou x Fem!Reader

94

Christmas Day.

The air had that stillness only winter nights carried, the kind where everything outside felt muffled under layers of snow, but inside, warmth pressed into your skin from every corner. You tugged at the sleeve of the pajama top you were wearing, still not sure how Bakugou had managed to rope you into this without you noticing until it was too late.

Matching pajamas.

Not just with him but his parents.

"Stop fidgeting, dumbass," he muttered beside you as you both stood in front of the front door of the Bakugou household, gift bag swinging lightly in his hand. His other hand, though, hadn't left yours since you walked up the steps.

"I feel ridiculous," you whispered back, glaring down at the red-and-green plaid pants and the snowflake-covered top.

"This is like, family photo-level embarrassing."

"Tch." His smirk was sharp, smug. "That's the point. My old hag's been dying to make you do this. You should be honored."

Your stomach twisted nervously. This was the first Christmas you were spending at his parents' house, the first time really celebrating the holiday in years. It wasn't just another dinner. It was their tradition. And for once, you weren't just watching from the sidelines, you were part of it.

He squeezed your hand before he pushed open the door, like he could feel the nerves vibrating through your palm. The warmth hit immediately, the smell of spiced cookies, something savory simmering in the kitchen, and the faint crackle of a fireplace down the hall.

"Merry Christmas!" Mitsuki's voice rang out before you even saw her. She came bustling into the hallway, already wearing the same ridiculous pajamas, flour dusting the hem of her sleeve. She pulled you in for a hug so quick you didn't have time to brace.

"You look perfect. Knew red was your color." Behind her, Masaru appeared with his usual calm smile, his own pajama set making you bite back a laugh.

"Welcome. Dinner's almost ready. Come in, come in."

Bakugou groaned under his breath, rolling his eyes as Mitsuki ushered you inside, already rattling off the night's plan, cookie decorating first, dinner after, and presents exchanged last.

"You're not dragging me into that cookie bullshit again, are you?" Katsuki grumbled as he dropped the gift bag by the tree, crimson eyes flicking toward the dining table where trays of plain sugar cookies sat waiting.

"You bet your ass I am," Mitsuki shot back without missing a beat. "And this year, no breaking piping bags on purpose."

"That was an accident!" he barked, though the guilty twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed him.

You laughed softly, easing down onto the couch as Mitsuki shoved a tray of sprinkles and icing bags closer to the table. For a moment, you just took it in, how normal it all looked. The glow of the tree in the corner. Masaru's quiet humming as he stirred something in the kitchen. Mitsuki bossing Bakugou around while he tried to act like he didn't care.

It felt so far away from everything else you'd been through that it almost hurt, like stepping into a dream you weren't sure you belonged in.

"Hey," Bakugou muttered, dropping down onto the couch beside you. He leaned in close, his shoulder brushing yours, voice low enough that only you could hear. You blinked at him, about to say something, but he shoved an icing bag into your hand before you could answer.

"Come on. If I'm sufferin' through this, so are you." You laughed, shaking your head, but you followed him to the table.

The next hour was chaos in the best way. Mitsuki was ruthlessly competitive, declaring every cookie she decorated a masterpiece. Masaru's were neat, simple, perfectly balanced, while Bakugou's... looked like they'd been through a tragedy. He scowled at each one like it had personally wronged him, muttering curses under his breath as icing refused to cooperate.