Emote: Bakugo x OC Reader

Chapter 55

When I wrapped my arms around him, his body was stiff, as though he didn't know how to respond to such an overt display of affection. Although he didn't reciprocate the hug, I did notice him loosen up after a few moments before I pulled away. 

Embarrassed at my lack of self control, I quickly said, "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, I don't know why I did that."

There was a look of shock on his face that was quickly replaced with his usual neutral expression. "No, it's fine," He said, a faint smile forming on his lips. "I'm glad to see you too. I wasn't able to catch you before I left school and then I remembered that you said you'd be at my father's mixer tonight, so I figured I would stop by."

"You wouldn't have otherwise?" It took me a moment to realize that I had actually spoken the first thought that came to my mind. A rush of panic set in, as I worried that he might think I was trying to bate him into saying that the only reason he came was to see me.

He shook his head, seemingly unfazed by the question. "No, I try to avoid this place as much as possible. Actually, I should probably..."

He began to look around suddenly and when I heard a deep, booming voice nearby that sounded familiar, I watched as Todoroki's entire body seemed to tense. If it hadn't been his voice, it would have been one of the other countless features that made Endeavor stand out in a crowd that drew my eyes in that direction, including the flames that casually danced across his face and his massive figure which towered over many of his guests. Without even looking that way, Todoroki slipped his hand in mine and began pulling me away in the opposite direction.

"SHOTO!" I heard Endeavor bellow across the room, just before we rounded a corner. 

There was a group of people exiting a nearby elevator, providing us the perfect opportunity to slip in. Todoroki quickly pressed the close button and I felt my adrenaline kick in as an agonizing few seconds passed before the doors began to smoothly slide shut. I hadn't realized that I'd been holding my breath until the doors fully closed and I exhaled loudly.

I grinned at Todoroki, suddenly giddy with the excitement of ditching a party that I knew I was technically supposed to be at. Todoroki was staring at our hands, which I then realized were still intertwined with each other. There was a sort of haziness to his eyes that made me wonder if he was actually here or lost in a distant memory.

"Sorry," He said suddenly, as his eyes seemed to re-focus and he pulled his hand out of mine. "I didn't want to see him or have to talk to him."

"No, don't worry about it!" I was quick to reassure him. "I honestly would rather be anywhere else but that damn mixer."

He looked thoughtful, his stunning blue and gray eyes assessing me as he seemed to weigh something internally before he pressed a button labeled 'R.' A robotic voice immediately asked that a security code be entered and I swiftly turned away as he stepped closer to a screen that appeared above the elevator buttons. I heard his finger press into the screen six times before the robotic voice responded, "Access granted."

I could barely feel the elevator move, but I watched as the number above the door steadily began climbing up. My pulse was racing with anticipation as Todoroki said, "I want to show you something."

Keeping my eyes glued to the increasing number above the elevator door, I tried to focus on steadying my breath, worried that Todoroki would see my heart beating out of my chest. I realized that it should be obvious what the 'R' stood for, but I was too flustered and distracted by my jumbled thoughts to put too much effort into figuring it out. However, if there was an access code needed, I could only imagine that he was taking me to a secret lair.