Emote: Bakugo x OC Reader

Chapter 24

Bakugo's POV

My mind was still reeling. She actually made me feel pain. Physical pain. Without laying a finger on me. It had felt as though someone cracked my skull open right before she charged me and distracted me with a kick before punching me in the face. I'd managed to dodge most of her attacks after that but my nose was still throbbing where her fist had connected with it.

"Fuck!" I hissed, just before washing my face.

I had just left the girl lying on the floor, too pissed off about her stupid pain trick. The pain hadn't lasted too long, but it was enough of a distraction to me that it gave her the opportunity to land a hit square on my nose, which was still bleeding. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and turned my head from side to side to examine the wound closer. It wasn't broken, a little swollen though, however the swelling would go down over night if I took care of it properly. The bleeding quickly slowed down after I held a paper towel to it for a few minutes.

"That damn emo chick," I muttered, as I thought of the way she had screwed with my emotions. I hated the way it felt, like I didn't have control over myself. But she was predictable, pulling the move where she tried to make me tear up so that I would lose focus for a moment. My stun grenade shut that shit down real fast. I realized then that I'd done a lot more damage to her than she had to me.

I should probably go make sure she isn't unconscious or some shit. I thought, and walked back to the training arena. She probably just left anyways, but I might as well make sure before I leave.

As I approached the arena, I heard her before I saw her. Muffled sobs seemed to bounce off of the walls and reverberate around the room. When I saw her curled up on the floor, her head buried in her hands and her body shaking with the sobs that wracked her body, I paused. Something inside of me softened. I don't know why my reaction was so strong, but I wanted to make sure that she was okay.

"Oi," I said as I came to stand over her.

Her body jolted as though she hadn't been expecting someone to find her like this and she attempted to quiet the sounds of her crying. When her breathing seemed to even out and she had a chance to wipe her face on her gym uniform, I crouched down and grabbed her arm. "I think we've seen enough damn tears for one day, don't you think?"

When she looked up at me there was confusion in her eyes. The tears had caused her eyes to become a light shade of brilliant green and they were brimming with new tears that threatened to fall as she looked at me. She shook her head and looked away, trying to curl up again.
"Don't worry about it. I'll see you tomorrow -"

"Don't be an idiot!" I quickly interjected, but my harsh words caused fresh tears to spill down her cheeks and I immediately felt like an asshole. Well, I had been an asshole, but usually I don't actually feel bad about it because people are fucking idiotic and I don't really give a shit about any of them. But for some reason, in this moment, with this girl, I wanted to make it better.

"Hey," I said, doing my best to soften my voice. "The sun will be setting soon. It can be dangerous to be out on the streets alone if you can't defend yourself and you're a hot mess right now."

I hoped it was enough of an excuse to get her to start moving her ass so we could go home. I was surprised when she said, "Everything hurts. I don't know...how I'm going to get up."

"Seriously? I know I beat your ass, but I wasn't even going that hard." She shot me a glare and I rolled my eyes as I sighed. "Give me your hand," I said.

She looked hesitant and I began to grow impatient but after a few beats she did as I asked and I helped her to her feet. I immediately let of of her hand once she was standing and she nodded to me once in what I assumed was a gesture of thanks before her knees buckled and she faltered. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed her arms to steady her and she leaned forward into my chest.

My cheeks burned as I realized that this was the second time she had been in my arms today. Why the hell does this keep happening to me?! I thought frantically.

"I'm okay," She said, but her words were muffled as she spoke them against my chest. She began to pull back, but I worried that she would see me blushing so I wrapped my arms around her and held her in place.

"I don't think you are," I said, trying to stall for time. At least there was no one around to witness this.

Her body, which had been rigid initially, began to soften. She spoke again, this time so quietly I had to strain to hear the words. "Thank you,"

I didn't say anything in response. Her breathing became slow and steady and I was beginning to worry that she had lost consciousness when she spoke again, more loudly this time. "I think I'm okay."

Pulling back, I held her by her shoulders for a few moments while I did a quick assessment. Her legs did seem to be more stable and she had calmed down enough that the tears had stopped. Letting go, I said, "We should get going."

She seemed dazed but nodded. "I'm going to go home and I usually just walk from here. I'm not sure where you live but I'd hate for you to go out of your way..."

My mind was screaming at me to say she could sure as hell walk herself home and yet what came out of my mouth was, "I'll walk with you,"

What the hell?! Fuck! Why did I say that?!

The corners of her mouth turned up into a shy smile. I wasn't used to people smiling at me like that. Unexpectedly, she leaned towards me and brushed her lips against my cheek. The kiss was soft and warm and it ended as suddenly as it began.

I blinked a few times, my shock preventing me from speaking. Before I was able to find my voice again, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me completely and utterly dumbfounded.