Buried Treasure (BakugoxReader)

Chp. 6: How do you Trust?

(Y/N)'s POV

"So, how are we doing this? What are the rules?" I asked as I began to look around for the weapon we would use. Kirishima began to approach us with two rapiers in hand. That's it? I thought. How are we supposed to tell who wins with those? Everyone uses foils* dipped in iodine these days!

"Child," Lord Bakugo began to laugh, "pirates don't believe in a fair fight. If you are attacked by a pirate, they will not play along to the official fencing rules I'm sure you've heard of." He accepted the two rapiers from Kirishima and lazily tossed one in my direction. I quickly caught it with my non-dominant hand and switched to prepare myself.

I began to grow more and more worried about how this all would play out. Although Tokoyami did teach me a bit about what war-time sword fighting was like, I mainly focused on fencing (it was the only way to keep my father from rioting about it). I had been plotting in my room to use a flick* on the pirate captain because he would never expect a complete novice to know, let alone try, something like that. Now my plans were ruined...

I should have never made this bet.

Bakugo's POV

(L/n) seemed to be growing more nervous, especially when I revealed the lack of rules in pirate sword fighting. I smirked knowing that I probably had just stripped her of all of her confidence. My hands began to grow restless and I craved a fight. I demanded Kirishima to come over and help initiate the duel.

"Alright, you two, there are going to be some rules in play. Number one, no using quirks, that will lead to immediate elimination. Two, this will only be one match because you don't get a second chance when you've been impaled in real life. Three, regarding boundaries, you must stay on this level of the ship. This means, no going below deck and no climbing into the crow's nest, for that would put other lives in danger in a real attack. The first person to land a thrust on their opponent or cause their opponent to give up wins. Do you both understand?" Kirishima explained diplomatically. I grunted my response and looked at (L/n) anticipating her answer. I really didn't want her to give up now because she needed her ego to be taken down a few notches.

"What happens if I take his rapier?" The girl asked. I blinked, dumbfounded at the question. Did she really expect that she would even have the opportunity to get close enough that she might be able to take my rapier?!

"Well... um.. I guess if that happens he would have to give up," Kirishima gulped, not making eye contact with me.

"So you're saying that we cannot physically fight each other-- swords only?" (L/n) smiled, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. It finally hit me that Kirishima's answer could give her an advantage she wouldn't have had. Rapier or not, this would mean I couldn't use my own strength to pin her down or physically move her out of my way. I hated to admit it, but the girl was smart.

"Um... correct, I guess. Captain, does that--"

"It's not my choice to make, Spikey," I smirked, feeling almost proud of her.

"Ok, then it's settled. The only way you may win this duel is through the use of your rapier. I will give you three cues, 'en garde, pret, allez" and after the final cue the duel will commence. You will begin four meters apart from one another. Take your positions," Kirishima directed.

I stepped away from (L/n) and she followed suit. Once Kirishima agreed that we were close enough to four meters apart, I began taking my position. I couldn't wait to see that wench's face when she realizes just how weak she is without her quirk.

"En garde!"

(L/n) bent her knees and placed her rapier in front of her. It was strange, I didn't expect her to take such a formal position. I decided that she must have seen a fencing match or two back at the Governor's estate.