Catching Feelings (BakuMomo)

Distance

Bakugou stared at Yaoyorozu's hospital room door. It's been 2 days since the Christmas Eve incident and on the other side of the door was her. He could hear how lethargic her voice was while she talked to the doctor. Every now and then she would groan in pain. He placed his hand on the sliding door, all he would need to do was open it but he couldn't. How could he?

Bakugou stepped back, preparing to leave when the door suddenly swung open.

"Oh, excuse me." The doctor politely bowed his head and Bakugou moved to the side, the door now exposing him.

"Bakugou?"

He flinched then turned to face her, putting that air of confidence he was so used to showing.

"How are you feeling Ponytail?"

"Better, more or less." She giggled but her voice had no energy.

Bakugou couldn't help but look over her injuries. Her whole left arm was wrapped in bandages - her hand and forearm in a cast.

"Anyway, can you really call me that when I don't even have a ponytail right now?" She asked, walking towards the door.

"Don't be a smart ass." He retorted, following her. "Aren't you supposed to be resting?"

"I'm just going to grab something to drink."

"You could have told one of the nurses to get it for you."

"Yeah, but being cooped up in the hospital room is a little...suffocating?"

"Anyway, I'm glad you came by to visit, Bakugou." She began, as they arrived at the vending machine. "I...I'm glad to see you aren't hurt."

"Yeah? You shouldn't be happy about that when you've pretty much taken all the damage." He growled as he watched her select her drink.

Yaoyorozu sipped her strawberry milk while walking towards her room. Bakugou could see her glancing at her reflection, looking at her bandages - he could feel his heart sinking.

"They're not too bad." She whispered. But Bakugou knew that was a lie - he heard her moans, he could see her grimace, he knew she was in pain. "The doctor said I shouldn't have any nerve damage, but to expect a lot of scars."

Bakugou stayed silent, their footsteps and the nurses' voices filling in the silence between them.

"Hey Bakugou," Yaoyorozu began. "What happened on that night? " She asks, as she returned to her room.

Bakugou froze at the doorway. That was the reason he came here, he wanted to tell her of what happened. But seeing her now - the pain that she's enduring - made it difficult for him to start.

"Listen, Ponytail, that night..."

---

When Bakugou offered his hand that night he didn't expect her to take it. A part of him almost wished that she didn't, that she had rejected it or that she let go of his hand instead of holding on. But a part of him was glad that she did. Maybe he wasn't the only one that looked forward to those sleepless nights.

"Hey Ponyt--"

That was when he felt his quirk being activated on its own. As quickly as he could, he let go of her hand but it was already too late. The explosion blew her away from him, then the screams started then the pain in his head.

"Well, if it isn't my favourite U.A. student." Bakugou really hated the way he seemed to sing each word.

"Scar. What the fuck are you doing here?" Bakugou seethed, clutching his head.

"I couldn't help but just enjoy the night stroll, you know." He smiled. "Then I happened to spot you enjoying a date." He glances at Yaoyorozu's body. "Couldn't help but feel a little lonely, you know."

Bakugou could feel every muscle in his body becoming tense in anger. He wanted to wipe that smug look off of Scar's face. He wanted to beat him into a bloody mess. Bakugou looked at Yaoyorozu's body, there was blood.

"Fuck," he whispered under his breath. He tried moving closer to Yaoyorozu, but again his quirk activated on it's own - if he moved closer to her, he'd end up injuring her more.

"What's wrong Mr. Number One?" Scar taunted. "Aren't you going to come get me?"

Bakugou only saw it for a moment, but a light movement in Scar's fingers synchronized with the extreme pain he felt in his head - and his explosions.

"I'll fucking kill you."

"Looking forward to that." Scar tilted his head towards the cacophony of sirens. He smiles at Bakugou, "See you around."

"Bastard."

---

Bakugou stared at Yaoyorozu as he explained the events of last night - guilt filling his stomach. She looked at him with concerned eyes or maybe it was fear afterall it was his fault she was injured. The scars that were going to taint her skin was because of him.

"Bakugou..." She moved closer to him, and reached out her right hand slowly removing his hand from his jacket pocket. She stared at the odd gloves that covered his hand.

"They're gloves that prevent me from sweating, it's just a safety measure." Bakugou explained, he wanted to pull his hand away but was afraid that he would hurt her if he did.

He could see the corner of her lips twitch into a frown. "My injuries aren't your fault."

"But if I--" Bakugou began to protest but was interrupted by her.

"Stop blaming yourself."

Bakugou was silent. "How can I not blame myself?" He asked, slowly pulling his hand away from hers. "I was too careless. I shouldn't have just stayed focused but I--"

Bakugou stared at her onyx eyes, tears starting to well up in them. He hated how much he wanted to get closer to her and comfort her. How this small interaction was enough to make him stay. He hated how much he wanted to commit to these feelings knowing he can't.

He turned around to leave, he knew the longer he stayed, the harder it would be to let go. Yaoyorozu reached out her hand again.

"Fuck off, Ponytail." He whispered then left.