Bakugo bumped into Sunny as she clambered up the steps leading into the apartment, and she quickly squawked and swung to him.
"Where the fuck did you come from?"
"I've been here the entire time!" He shot back, brushing past her with a shoulder bump, and heading towards where the door monitor was still ringing.
"Why are you following me? Fucking stalker."
"Shut up."
"You're literally so obsessed with me it's embarrassing."
"I said shut up!" Bakugo seethed, pressing the intercom button on the front door. He shot down the mic an aggressive, "What?!"
Sunny quickly pushed him out the way and turned the camera on, and Shoto's confused little face popped up on the screen.
"Sorry, babe!" Sunny sang, pushing Bakugo away with her leg, swinging it behind her and unnaturally bending herself to keep the blond at bay, "That was Bakugo."
"Oh," Shoto's soft voice came through the speaker, "I thought there was something wrong with you."
Bakugo began spitting foam from behind Sunny, pushing against her foot that was still firmly planted into his stomach.
Sunny wheezed, "Nope, just Katsuki, babe," She then pressed the entry button. From through the com, a faint buzz sounded. Sunny continued, "I'm on the top floor, take the lift up. You can't miss the green door."
Sunny watched Todoroki nod and enter the building.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" Bakugo snapped, watching Sunny move to open the apartment door.
"I told you last night, he's picking up Endeavour."
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why is he picking up your cardboard cut-out?"
Sunny shrugged, "I don't know. I didn't ask."
"He's not staying," Bakugo quickly added, watching the lift drop from over Sunny's shoulder as she waited patiently in the doorway. Her fluffy tail was drying, and it swayed gently with a hook at the end that he had become familiar enough with to know that meant she was excited about something.
"Oh?" She glanced over her shoulder, "I'm pretty sure you don't have the authority to say that."
Bakugo made a 'tsk' sounded and folded his thick arms over his still bare chest, "I'm your boyfriend, pretty sure I do."
Sunny entire body swung to him, her mouth and eyes all looking like O's in shock.
"Oh? So now you're my boyfriend? Pretty sure you told Mina and the others on multiple occasions that I am not your girlfriend." Sunny too had her arms folded across her chest, but she had an eyebrow quirked in amusement.
Bakugo huffed again and shoved his hands into his soggy jean pockets. His stature shrunk a little under Sunny's intense gaze, but his eyes didn't leave her.
"Whatever," He scoffed, "I've changed my mind."
"How convenient. But I'm fairly sure you have to ask me to agree to this relationship before you start throwing titles about."
Bakugo's face shrivelled in anger, and his top lip curled slightly.
"Be my girlfriend."
From over Sunny's shoulder, the lift was beginning to rise, and Bakugo was so very acutely aware that Todoroki stood on the other side of those metal doors.
"That wasn't a question," Sunny countered back flatly.
She loved watching Bakugo squirm, maybe a little too much. But there was something so satisfying about watching someone as full of themselves as Katsuki Bakugo twitch out like a rabbit's nose. He was a good head taller than her; he towered over her with his broad shoulders and wide chest; she should be intimidated by him, especially when he started pulling those hostile faces. But she wasn't. He was so easy to read when he got all worked up, it was obvious that very few people ever challenged him, but that didn't mean he didn't appreciate structure and boundaries. She liked that he was so easy to work out; he either liked something, or he didn't – no if's, no but's.
Sunny was also very much aware that whatever Bakugo wanted, he usually got – either be it through actually working extremely hard or just sheer prowess – and she didn't want to be another trophy to this boy. If he wanted her, he had to work for it. Hell, she had more self-worth than most, and she'd worked fucking hard on herself to feel that way. She knew her value, and she didn't need anyone, and she wasn't about to erase all her hard work by becoming some ratty little man's new conquest. That much had to be made clear to Bakugo; she was choosing to have him in her life, she did not need him.
Unless she had more furniture to put up.
He needed to know how much she was worth, too. She was not a prize, not a victory, not a challenge that must be won. She was a human being and she was his equal. Only then would they stand a chance at a healthy relationship.
She knew he liked her, but how much of it was carnal and how much of it was genuine emotion?
She surprised herself by thinking so deeply into this. She was a major flirt, but she did really like him back, and she wanted more. But she had just as much pride as him, maybe even more, and she wasn't going to let all her hard work unravel, nor was she going to be walked all over.
"Be my girlfriend?" His voice was gruff and low, and he still held his posture slightly wrapped in on himself, but he stood his ground and continue to look her dead in the eye.
"No please?"
"Be my girlfriend, please?" This was very apparently painful for him, and Sunny was really impressed she was able to push him so far without him flipping his lid.
He must really like me…
She paused for a moment, a teasing smile threatening at her lips, "Nah."
Bakugo took a harsh breath inward through his teeth and immediately began to seethe. He took a step towards her, straightening up in anger, and forgetting about his previous emotional constipation as he fell back into a feeling that he felt comfortable with - anger.
But just then the lift finally opened with a pleasant 'ding', and Todoroki appeared, expression as plain as ever.
"Hello, Sugawara," His deep voice immediately grated on Bakugo's already bubbling rage. "And hello, Baku-"
"Shuddup!" Bakugo hissed, turning on his heel, shoving his hands in his pockets and retreating back into the apartment.
Todoroki stepped up to Sunny who still stood in the doorway smiling at him like nothing had just happened.
"Everything okay?" Todoroki pressed, following when she gestured him into the apartment. Immediately he removed his shoes and placed them neatly with everyone else's that were just thrown to the side and abandoned.
Sunny waved his question off like a bad smell, "You know how he is, throwing his toys out the pram."
"I didn't realise you had company," He continued, eyeing up all the shoes, "I didn't mean to intrude."
"I didn't realise I was going to have company either until they showed up," Sunny laughed, wandering into her apartment, "Do you want a drink or anything?"
"No, thank you, I can't stay," Shoto followed Sunny to the Endeavour cut-out, "This is bigger than I was expecting."
"Well, it is life-size," Sunny replied, gazing up at it lovingly, "Are you going to hurt him?"
There was a pause from Shoto, "I'll buy you a new one." Was all he said.
"Hey! It's Todoroki!" A loud voice called from across the flat. Both Sunny and Shoto turned to see Denki waltzing into the kitchen, a few seconds later Mina came flying in, bumping into Kaminari.
"Hi, Todoroki!" She squealed excitedly, waving her hand as the other gripped Denki's shoulder, "I didn't realise you were coming…" She trailed off and gave Sunny a tern eyeballing that read 'why the fuck didn't you tell me this beautiful man was coming?'
"I'm just here to pick something up. I can't stay," Todoroki told her matter-of-factly.
Mina pouted, "Don't fancy a quick dip in the pool?" She suggested. The drooling in her voice made Sunny facepalm herself.
"I'm sorry, there's somewhere I need to be. And I need to take this home first," He gestured towards the cut-out of his father standing with his hands on his hips and glaring.
Mina looked like she was about to complain again, but Sunny quickly interrupted her.
"Are you looking forward to your work experience week, Shoto?" She asked, "You're with your dad, right?" She glanced between Shoto and the cut-out, briefly wondering why he would want it if he was about to spend a week with the real thing.
But then she remembered that she didn't really care.
Todoroki nodded, "Yes, but I can't say I'm looking forward to it, but it'll be a good experience. You're with Aizawa, aren't you?"
Sunny nodded excitedly, "Yep! Although he told me I was going to be with Midnight for a few days!" She clapped her hands together and swayed on her feet dreamily, "I can't wait! I really hope she teaches me how to use a whip, I've always wanted to know! Plus, I hope she helps me with my hero name!"
From the kitchen, Denki had just taken a large gulp of water and immediately he spat it out.
"Have you still not thought of anything?" Shoto asked her, completely ignoring Denki and Mina as the latter began to fuss over the former.
Sunny shook her head with an exaggerated pout, "No, I'm not very creative…"
"I think you should go with Postman, Suga," Kaminari snickered from the kitchen, earning him a playful scowl from Sunny.
"Postman?" Shoto queried, cocking his head slightly, "But you're not a man, nor do you deliver post...?"
"Thanks for noticing," Sunny mumbled, while Denki spoke over the top of her:
"It's because she's always delivering punches!" Kaminari exaggeratedly punched the air.
"I don't think that's what postmen do…" Shoto trailed off.
"Plus, you have great legs," Mina interrupted, "Postmen have great legs."
Sunny hummed approvingly, "Yes, whenever I see a postman I do think 'wow, great calves'…"
"You're with Best Jeanist, aren't you, Bakugo?" Todoroki then asked, ignoring the rest of the conversation around him as it spiralled out of control. He turned his head to look towards the dining room just off the kitchen.
Sunny swung her gaze that way too, but she couldn't see the blond as he'd been leaning up against the wall out of Sunny's view. She hadn't even realised he was lurking there…
Sneaky little sneaker, she thought. Hiding out of her site to undoubtedly glare at Todoroki in peace.
"Yeah," His gruff voice deadpanned, "I didn't know you were with Aizawa, Sunny."
"Well, you never asked." She quickly countered; she could practically hear the vein popping in his forehead at her response.
"That will be a priceless experience," Todoroki continued to Bakugo, "Well done for securing it."
"What the fuck do you mean 'well done'?!" Bakugo immediately snapped, making Sunny's eyes roll into the back of her head, "Are you fucking surprised or something, Icy-Hot?!"
"No, I was simply congratulating you on getting one of the top five to-"
"At least I did it on my fucking own, I didn't need my father to help me up!"
"Chill out, bro," Kaminari quickly covered him, launching an ice cube he fished out his glass at the taller blond.
Bakugo easily ducked out the way of Denki's flying ice cube and gravitated towards Sunny without even looking at her. His gaze was fixated on Todoroki.
Sunny thought briefly about reminding Bakugo that Todoroki had significantly more work experience offers than he did, but she thought better of it.
"Why are you all wet?" Shoto then asked, noticing Bakugo's dripping jeans. Apparently asking why he was also topless wasn't a concern for him.
"None of your damn business." The blond shot back aggressively at the same time Sunny replied with:
"He was in the pool."
Shoto just nodded, "With your clothes on? Both of you?"
Sunny was still wrapped up in a large towel like a little pink burrito, and she huffed at his comment, "Well, I got thrown in."
Bakugo had stepped close enough to Sunny now for her to sharply elbow him in the ribs. He fumed for a moment, clicking his tongue against his teeth but was more concerned with Todoroki's penetrating gaze set on Sunny.
Without hesitating, Bakugo swung his arm around Sunny's shoulder.
"I see," Todoroki spoke slowly, his eyes flickering between Sunny and Bakugo, and then finally to the cut-out. "I should get going."
"Yeah, you should- Ah!" Sunny cut Bakugo off with another sharp jab to the ribs.
"Need a hand carrying your dad?" Sunny asked, shrugging out of Bakugo's heavy arm and moving closer to the cut-out, "He bents in half, one second." She moved some plastic straps at the back and immediately Endeavour doubled over.
"Thank you, Sugawara," Todoroki said plainly while hoisting the cut-out under his arm, "But I should be okay with this."
"Are you taking the bus with that, Todoroki?" Mina asked from the kitchen.
"Yes."
"Huh. Well, good luck."
"Thanks." Todoroki turned from Mina and offered a small lip twitch towards Sunny, "Have a good week, Sugawara."
Sunny followed Shoto to the flat door to say her goodbyes, all the while she could feel Bakugo's burning gaze drilling into the back of her head.
"I forgot all about work experience," Kaminari whined from the kitchen, slumping over the island counter, "I'm kind of dreading it."
"I'm so excited," Mina's eyes shone, and she clasped her hand together, "Although I haven't even started packing… I should probably do that tonight."
Bakugo had tuned the others out, he didn't even realise they were talking at all. His ears were straining to hear the conversation going on between Sugawara and Todoroki. They were still stood at the door, with Sunny holding the large green door open while Shoto stood at the threshold.
Why wasn't he leaving? Bakugo could feel his fists clenching at his sides, his sweat spitting and popping with small explosions in his palms.
This was more than just a 'goodbye', and he made a move to march forward and forceable drag Sunny away, but she stepped back from the door with a wave and Todoroki finally turned away.
"What was that?" He spoke more aggressively than he had meant to as he crossed the apartment.
"What was what?" Sunny turned to him with her brow furrowed in confusion, but he could tell she was distracted, he didn't have her full attention as her gaze drifted off the side of his head.
"That."
"What?" Sunny sounded too uninterested in him, and she went to brush past him, but Bakugo quickly reached out and grabbed her arm.
Immediately she stopped, gaze back on him and this time a lot more focused. Her eyes flickered to where his large hand wrapped around her forearm.
"Grab me again," She growled lowly, "And I'll snap that twiglet arm off and shove it so far up your arse every time you open your shitty mouth you'll wave."
Bakugo's hand dropped from her, and he noticed he'd left an agitated red mark from where his palms were explosive and hot.
That must have hurt, but she didn't even blink.
"You're not-" He began through gritted teeth, but he quickly stopped himself when he realised what he was about to say.
You're not paying me any attention.
"I'm not what?"
Bakugo shoved his hands deep in his pockets, raising his shoulders to hide the burning of his ears. He felt so stupid, he hated it.
Sunny watched his face flash with multiple emotions, he seemed to be having an inward battle with his thoughts. But, as quickly as they came, the emotion he showed settled on anger.
He made a 'tsk' sound and averted his strawberry eyes. They shone brighter in her white and light apartment, making them less aggressive and threatening than usual.
"You're not making any damn sense," He grunted, but his voice was low. He was acutely aware of Mina and Kaminari still loitering in the kitchen, and although he wasn't exactly one to feel self-conscious, there were some things he wanted to keep private. Especially from those blabbermouths.
Inwardly, he wished Kirishima was in the room. Kirishima always seemed to know what to say and he and Sunny were good friends. If he were here, maybe he would know what to say to her, because at the moment Bakugo wasn't able to articulate how he was feeling.
He was feeling angry. Angry that she had shown Todoroki any sort of interest.
And what had they been whispering about, anyway?
Sunny watched Bakugo's face for a long moment, her hard expression slipping into once again one of confusion.
"You're literally talking in riddles, buddy," She shook her head and a soft chuckle left her lips, "Try using your words a bit more."
Bakugo huffed and shuffled on his feet, his wet jeans making him feel even more uncomfortable than he already was.
"Chilly?" Sunny suddenly grinned, in a flash, she raised her hand and grabbed his nipple.
"Fuck off!" He spat, fighting away from her pinching fingers.
"You could poke someone's eye out with those!" Sunny tried with the other hand, revelling in watching Bakugo squirm. She forgot she was mad at him, having too much fun tormenting the angry blond while he stumbled backwards.
He repeated his cussing, batting at her hands as they repeatedly flew up to his chest. He stumbled backwards, scrambling to turn. He wanted to shove his hand in her face and push her away, but he didn't want to hurt her again. He kept catching glances at the raised burn on her forearm.
Sunny grabbed him when he turned, hoisting her way onto his back, and hanging herself around his neck. Bakugo grumbled but stilled when Sunny did, locking her legs around his waist.
"Where's Kirishima and Sero?" She asked suddenly, wiggling around on his back to find an optimal position.
Bakugo curled his arms under her thighs, hoisting her up against his back, "They found your gym."
Suddenly, Sunny grabbed his left ear sharply, making him shout out and curse loudly. He turned his head as she pulled, stumbling on his feet as his whole body moved until he'd turned 180 degrees and stood facing towards the kitchen again.
She let go of his ear and pointed ahead, "To the gym, my noble steed!"
Immediately Bakugo dropped his arms in an attempt to make her fall off him, however, he just cried out again when she slipped and dug her fucking claws into his shoulder to keep her position.
"You bitch!" He shouted out, but stomped forward nonetheless, making his way through the kitchen, which was now free of Mina and Kaminari, out the bifold doors and past the pool towards the gym that was settled around the side.
Before he'd even rounded the corner, he could hear the yelling and shouting of his classmates coming through the door they'd left open.
Behind him, Sunny slapped at his bareback playfully like a drum. Seemingly, she was far too fucking pleased with herself for getting her goddamn way again.
"There you two are!" Mina squealed from her cross-legged position on one of the gym mats, "I thought you'd killed each other."
Bakugo's eyes boggled slightly as he looked around the 'home gym', which was arguably kitted out nearly as well as the school's gym. It was smaller, of course, but the equipment was brand spanking new and held a few pieces of machinery that he had never even seen before.
Of course, Kirishima was at the orange punching bag on the far corner of the room, but what caught Bakugo's attention was the machine that Kaminari and Sero were cackling over. It was a thick pole secured on a heavyweight to the floor, coming off the pole were several thick spokes of different shapes and sizes; some had bulbous ends, and some were just tubular rods.
Promptly, Sero batted one of the foam-covered spokes and it swung round at Denki, who was busy countering one of the round bulbous ones and smacked him clean in the jaw.
Sero howled loudly, doubling over as Kaminari staggered backwards, tripping over the mat Mina was sat on watching them and fell straight over onto his arse.
"What the hell is that?" Bakugo asked suddenly, finally stepping through the threshold of the room. Sunny still hung on his back like a koala bear, but he'd forgotten all about her as he made his way towards the machine.
"It's a sparring machine," Sunny chimed brightly into his ear, almost making him jump, "Wanna play?"
In response, Bakugo let go of Sunny again, and immediately she slipped off his back and quickly toddled towards the machine.
Sero stepped back from it, laughing still, "I'm going to get out the way of this, I don't want to be in the splash zone."
"Or the explosion zone," Mina muttered, following Sero's lead and shuffling back on the mat to spread more distance between them.
Sunny padded excitedly on the spot, the soles of her feet making little sucking sounds against the foam, interlocking floor.
"Fuck, I think I've broken my jaw," Bakugo heard Kaminari complain from behind him as he stepped up to the other side of the machine, opposite Sunny.
"Let me see," Mina cooed softly, "You're fine, you big baby," She scoffed after a brief pause.
Sunny and Bakugo ignored them all, gazes locked on one another. Bakugo's heart was racing in his chest, his fists once again clenched at his sides as little pops emitted from the tight holds. He was so fucking excited, and he held that sinister grin on his face, head tilted slightly.
Sunny just beamed at him from the other side of the sparing machine, tail all fluffed back up now it was dry again, and the hair on her head was even more unruly than usual.
"Can you two, like, not kill each other?" Kirishima's voice came through their thick tension, "It's probably not the best idea to injure each other right before work experience."
Both Bakugo and Sunny had tuned out.
"Ladies first," Bakugo hissed, head nodding towards the machine, offering Sunny to make the first move.
Sunny purred from across him, "Shit before the shovel," She grinned brightly.
He didn't need to be told twice, and immediately Bakugo lurched forward and swung not just one of the spokes, but three of them at once. The machine sprung into action, lights appearing up the side of the main pole as the whole body of it moved, robs and bulbs twisted and swung, but they didn't get far before Sunny was sending them back his way, with even more force.
He jumped back to dodge but caught one of the lower rods and kicked it back at her.
This continued, and quickly Bakugo found himself exhausting. Keeping up with her was hard, the force behind her throws was muted by the machine that could only go so fast, and that was somewhat intimidating. Not to mention, she wasn't even breaking a sweat. Every time one of the spines or bulbs hit his hands it would sting more and more each time, reducing his capacity to fight back. With each defend the power behind his next attack dwindled, each slap of the faux-leather or each pinch of the rough foam struts had him hissing and panting until his palms were white with red blotches.
He could feel his skill throbbing and slowly going numb.
Meanwhile, Sunny was absolutely showing off. There was no need for her to be jumping around so much, but she'd actually forgotten how much fun this machine was. She hadn't used it since her first few days after moving in. It was far more fun sparring with someone else, on your own it got a bit lonely.
She could see the beads of sweat breaking across Bakugo's forehead and it made her grin. He crouched low in front of her, beginning to dodge more than he was attacking. From behind him, Kirishima cheered for him, while Mina cheered for her.
Then, suddenly, something caught her eye dashing across the skylight in the corner above the punching bag, and immediately she disappeared towards it.
For Bakugo, one second Sunny was prancing around in front of him, and the next she was gone.
"The fuck?" He huffed breathlessly, turning with searching eyes he quickly found her standing next to the punching bag, staring up at the ceiling. Her tail had puffed up to more than three times its size and was flapping behind her frantically.
She squeaked and trilled at whatever was padding across the skylight above her.
It was a pigeon. A fat, grey pigeon.
Bakugo stared at her for not even a second, when SMACK.
One of the robs swung round and thumped him right in the temple. Much like Denki did, he stumbled back, feeling physically sick more than pain.
"The fuck?!" He repeated, this time annoyed. Immediately he blamed Sunny for his injury, "Sugawara, what the fuck?"
She didn't even look at him, but she chirped up at the huge pigeon as it continued to shuffle across the glass.
Denki and Mina howled from behind him, and Bakugo stomped forward. He grabbed Sunny by the shoulder and forced her around. Her body span but her head stayed locking in place. She trilled again.
"We're not done here," Bakugo growled threateningly, trying to get Sunny's attention back on him. But it was almost as if she didn't even know he was there, her entire being was focused on that damn bird.
And then it flew away.
Just like that, as quickly as she had become distracted, she refocused. Her attention came back to Bakugo who was still sternly holding her by the shoulder. She quickly shrugged him off with a scowl.
"Don't touch what you can't afford," She teased, looking far too happy with herself for Bakugo's liking.
"What the fuck was that?" He barked at her abruptly. Was she really that dismissive of him that her attention can be completely stolen by a fucking pigeon?
"What was what?"
"Fucking running off like that," He hissed, "Who do you think you are?"
Sunny pouted, "I didn't mean to…"
"Well, fuck- wait, what?" He began to shout at her again, but he cut himself off when he noticed her expression. She was being genuine for once, or so it seemed. She was pouting at him and gazing up at him through those thick lashes. She almost looked apologetic.
But no, she was not being genuine, nor was she being remorseful; she was trying to get out of trouble.
"Stop that," He muttered, his voice still annoyed but barely above a whisper. He hated when she pulled that stupid face. It made his insides go all funny.
Immediately, she started purring just to pull at him further. Her bottom lip was jutted out even more and her eyes were large and glassy as they bored into his very soul.
"Stop what?" She mewed softly, looking all doe-eyed. Her pupils were blown wide, so wide he could see the room mirrored in them, along with his own peeved off expression.
"That. That damn face."
"What face?"
"That face you pull to get yourself out of trouble," He grumbled further, trying to tear his eyes away, but he couldn't.
She continued to purr softly.
Bakugo growled, "Fuck sake, whatever, fine," He took a step back, shoving his hands into his pockets once more.
Immediately, Sugawara grinned and stopped purring.
How did she always get her damn way around him?
Sunny continued to grin as she chased after Bakugo, but she plopped herself down on the mat next to Mina when Kirishima scrabbled to his feet, offering to spar with Bakugo next.
Of course, Bakugo agreed, and Sunny was delighted when he took position with his back to her.
Never had she stopped noticing his shirtlessness, and there was something even more satisfying to watch both Kirishima and Bakugo spar with limited clothes on.
"Are you enjoying this as much as I am?" Mina whispered to Sunny out of the side of her mouth, also unable to tear her eyes away from the two boys.
It took a long moment for Sunny to reply, her eyes were glued to the muscles on Bakugo's back ripple with every movement he made.
"Sorry, did you say something?" Sunny quickly asked, but Mina didn't reply.
"tHe NeXT ChaPteR WiLl bE OuT toMOrrOw" – idk why I do this to myself, Im just a massive liability hahaha
Sorry this chapter took so long. I revised it like 8 times and just kept adding to it. I wasn't happy with it for ages and then I started playing the sims and I lost track of time hahaha
Anyway, the next chapter won't be out until the weekend cos ya girls busy, but I actually know what I want to do for the next chapter so I wont be scratching my butt hole for ages trying to work it out.
Thank you so much for everyones reviews – I love them so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx