Emote: Bakugo x OC Reader

Chapter 61

Bakugo's POV

She was looking at me in shock and I realized that I had just said some of the corniest shit I'd ever heard. My hand dropped from her face and I cleared my throat as I turned away slightly, trying to hide my embarrassment. I felt her hand close in around mine and squeeze.

"I kinda like you, Katsuki." Her words were so soft, they were almost swept away by the constant humming of one of the machines that stood by her bed.

Hearing her voice say my name made my heart beat pick up its pace. This was such a foreign feeling. I'd never truly liked someone, I merely tolerated some people more than others. However this girl was different and I'd known it from the beginning, but I'd ignored the feelings that were so obvious, suffocated them so I didn't have to deal with what it would mean to actually acknowledge them. I could never imagine risking my pride by saying them out loud but tonight when I had gotten that call it had never been more clear that I couldn't lose her. Looking over at her, I admired the way her cheeks were dusted a rosy red and the way she avoided catching my eye as I turned. She was being just as vulnerable as I was about to be.

"Yeah, I kinda like you too, y/n."

It was like free falling thousands of feet in the air. It was a terrifying thrill that I'd never experienced before. In part it felt like I was bracing myself to hit the ground even though she had confessed her feelings first. 

She giggled and I immediately felt comforted.

"If only I would have known getting stabbed was the key to showing me how you really feel, maybe we could have done this sooner."

When I scowled at her, she only smiled in return and I felt the corners of my lips tug up involuntarily. Damn, she's cute. 

"You dumbass. You should have never put yourself in that situation in the first place. And why the fuck were you with that damn Icy Hot anyways?" I said, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Oh..." Her smile faded. "Do you know how they're doing? Not just Todoroki, but Iida and Midoriya. I didn't even see what happened after...well, after this." She gestured to her chest.

"What the hell, four eyes was there too?! Tch," I was immediately pissed off at the idea of those three morons standing around with their thumbs up their asses while my woman was damn near getting murdered. "I could give a shit less how they're doing!"

I expected her to yell at me but when she didn't I looked over to find her staring at her lap. The look of desolation in her eyes nearly broke me, so I added, "Deku seemed...fine when I talked to him earlier. You shouldn't worry about them."

When she looked up, there was hope in her eyes. "Yeah?"

"You dummy, worry about yourself for now. They'll be fine." She had dodged my question about half and half, which made me nervous for some reason. "You never told me what the hell you guys were doing in the first place."

"Oh, Endeavor's hero agency was throwing a mixer and my family went. It was pretty unexpected when Todoroki showed up to be honest, but it was good timing." She seemed to get lost in her thoughts for a moment. "I couldn't get our fight out of my head."

"That seems like it was so long ago," I said as I recalled the words we exchanged.

"It really does after everything that's happened." She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "But seriously, you can say some really cruel things when you're angry and it hurts me. Even though I like you it doesn't justify you being an asshole to me whenever you feel like it."

I hated the idea of hurting her although she was right. It had happened countless times since we met. When I get consumed by my anger, I don't think before I speak and usually I don't care.

"I don't want to hurt you anymore," I said quietly.

One of her eyes cracked open to assess me and she chuckled as she said, "Then you're going to have to work on your communication skills."

"Tch," I responded, stubbornly avoiding her gaze.

I had forgotten that our fingers were still interlocked until she squeezed my hand again. "Perfect. Tch," She mimicked me and continued in a mocking tone. "I don't know how to respond to that statement so I'm just going to blow you off with one syllable and also because I'm super cool so look at me."

"You want me to communicate? You're annoying as hell. How's that?" I gave her a charming smile that did not hide my sarcasm.

She lightly smacked my arm but winced after she made the sharp movement.

"Easy there, tiger. Don't hurt yourself. Oh, wait," I smirked at her and she glared back at me. "You've had a long day and I should let you rest. But do you need anything before I..."

I hadn't thought this through. I couldn't imagine leaving her now but what else was I supposed to do? There's no way that I could spend the night here, although maybe I could stay in the waiting room until morning? But what was I going to do with all of that time? I didn't bring anything when I left, I just bolted out the door.

"I need you." That honey sweet voice brought my thoughts to a halt.

"Ah...I mean..." I wasn't sure how to respond to such a blunt statement and she was looking at me with a desperation in her eyes that I wasn't sure how to interpret.

"The bed is big enough," She gestured to the space next to her.

"You want me to sleep with you?!" I hissed, immediately looking towards the door, but the hallway was dimly lit and empty as far as I could tell.

"Calm down, I want to cuddle, stupid Katsuki." She threw my name out there again as though she was testing me to correct her but the hell if I was. The way her cheeks puffed out and her lips puckered as she pouted at me was driving me insane.

"Jesus, I should have known you'd be a stage 5 clinger." I said, although I was already gesturing for her to scoot over and she was grinning at me triumphantly.

Her mom seemed cool and all but I don't know how she's going to feel if she walks in on us like this. I also don't know if I really give a shit, so...

I was careful to avoid her IV as I slid my arm around her. She rested her head on my shoulder and I took the opportunity to brush a kiss across her forehead. Her eyelids had already fluttered shut but I saw the smile cross her lips before her breathing became slow and steady.

And for the first time in a long time I found myself overwhelmed with joy as she peacefully slept, safe in my arms.