Chapter 11: first kiss

A/N: the next couple chapters are going to be kind of fluffy. I'm not sure where I want the main story to go. If you have any suggestions, I'd be interested :)

Over the next week, Bakugou did his best to read Akane's difficult social cues. She avoided eye contact with him, even more than normal, and seemed to magically disappear every time he caught sight of her in the hallways before he could catch up. It made him itch, furious and anxious and desperately wanting to know how she was doing, if she would just let him in.

That wasn't even the worst part. No, the worst part was that while Akane pointedly avoided Bakugou, she seemed to be spending considerably more time with Todoroki. After school, the two would disappear together to the gym, and Bakugou — under strict orders from Mr Aizawa — had to keep his distance. Practicing her quirk was hard enough for her as things stood. She wasn't ready for spectators — definitely not spectators of the loud and abrasive variety.

One lunch, Bakugou saw Todoroki following Akane up to the roof. They were separated by almost a foot, about as far from touching as possible, but it made him crazy anyway.

Unfortunately, for people as observant as Akane as Todoroki, it was hard not to notice they were being watched. They got to the top of the stairs before Todoroki said something.

"He's about ready to snap."

"Not exactly the patient type, is he?"

Todoroki half-smiled. The two of them leant against the roof's enclosure. Todoroki took out a snack bar and Akane cracked open a soda, the two of them eating and drinking in silence for several moments.

"He cares about you," Todoroki told her, at last. "Although I assume you figured that much out."

Akane pursed her lips. "I just need more time."

"Maybe you should tell him that."

"Mm." Akane sighed. "Maybe."

Todoroki smirked. "Preferably before he kills me."

Akane drunk from her soda, trying not to blush. Todoroki didn't expect her to respond, so he couldn't conceal his surprise when she said, "He confuses me."

Todoroki tilted his head. "Confuses you?"

"You, I think I get," she said. "You're strong, but soft. Hurt, but kind. It makes sense to me. I…know what to expect. It's reassuring."

Todoroki blinked, unsure whether or not to feel flattered. Yes, the blush creeping into his cheeks told him, you have been flattered. He shuffled his feet. "I see."

"But Bakugou is a loose cannon. Unless we're fighting, I don't know how to be around him."

"Fighting?"

"Training," she corrected. "Training with Bakugou makes sense. He's honest. Pure. I feel…secure."

Todoroki gave a soft laugh. "Not sure I've ever heard anyone say fighting Bakugou makes them feel 'secure', but I'll take your word for it."

Akane shook her head. "Sorry." She looked down. "I don't know what I'm saying."

Remembering, in that moment, how difficult this kind of conversation must have been for her — someone who'd never had a safe space to express themselves, to be intimate — Todoroki pursed his lips. From now, he wanted to be that safe space. Let her know he was her friend. These kinds of talks were what friends were for.

"Akane," he said. "Do you like him?"

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "Bakugou makes most everyone uneasy. But I get the feeling that, for you, it's a little more complicated than that."

Akane took a moment. Did she like Bakugou? She respected him. And she appreciated the respect he exhibited for her in return. Being around him was exciting, to say the least, and oftentimes even amusing. And…he did care about her. For practically every person in her life, Akane had to question whether she could trust the people who called themselves allies, and more often than not, she decided such trust was a luxury she could not afford. But with Bakugou, she'd never had to question it. For once, the trust was just there.

Eventually, she responded, "I trust him. Does that mean I like him?"

Todoroki smiled. "Maybe if you talk to him, you'll find out."

Akane nodded, resigned to her fate. Even if Bakugou wasn't the most approachable character, it was very obvious he wanted to talk to her, and even wanted to support her. She could at least give him a chance.

Akane turned to Todoroki. "I don't think I've thanked you."

He frowned. "What for?"

"Training with me. Keeping all this secret." She gave the tiniest smile. "You really helped me out, so…thanks."

Todoroki blinked. Without feeling it happen, he smiled back. "Of course. We're friends."

As he spoke those words, Todoroki remembered the things she'd said about him. Strong, but soft. Hurt, but kind. The pieces finally came together in his mind.

Of course we're friends, he realized. We're the same.

xxx

Akane skipped training with Aizawa and Todoroki that afternoon. She had something else in mind.

Much to his surprise, it was Akane who approached Bakugou after the final bell, meeting him at his locker. Her face was blank and stern as ever, but she seemed calm enough. Bakugou slammed his locker closed, scowling to hide how happy he was to see her. Actually look her in the eye again.

"So you finally decided to talk to me, huh?"

Akane's stoic expression did not falter. "You free?"

For you? Absolutely. But his scowl didn't falter, either. "Uh-huh."

"I'll walk you home."

Before he could argue — her, walk him home? — Akane made for the exit, expecting him to follow. He was so caught off guard he had to jump to catch up, his heart beating out of his chest. He fell into stride with Akane, both of them silently staring ahead, until they were well off school grounds. Then, finally, Bakugou couldn't take it anymore.

"So you gonna talk or not? This is getting boring."

Akane cast him a sideways glance. "Why do you do that?"

"Huh?"

"One minute, you've got your heart on your sleeve. The next, you're a total dick. It's childish."

Bakugou's jaw dropped. "What the hell did you say?"

"I'm saying I'd like you to make up your mind. If you don't like me, that's fine."

"I never said that!"

"So you do like me."

"I never said that!"

Akane rolled her eyes. "That's a shame."

The fire raging inside of Bakugou fell to ash in an instant, replaced by a smouldering curiosity. "A shame? Why?"

Finally, she stopped in her tracks, and looked him dead in the eye. "Because I think I like you."

Bakugou blinked. Once. Twice. For possibly the first time in his life, he had no words, a fly-catching gape freezing his expression in place. She…likes me?

But then she started to walk again, and he had to get himself together before he could fall behind. He shook his head around, telling himself to relax. Four words from this girl had him completely dazed. It was madness. Thankfully, Akane was next to speak.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my quirk training. It felt dangerous, somehow. But you're the person who encouraged me, so I should've said something." She frowned, slightly. "I was a coward."

Much to both their of their surprise, Bakugou said, "Shut up." He sighed. "You were right the first time. It's none of my business."

Akane was not expecting this. She paused, considering. "I thought you were pissed."

"Not really." Bakugou shoved his hands into his pockets, glaring at his feet as they walked, clearly working up the nerve to admit the next part. "Kinda jealous, though."

"What?"

He shrugged, still not looking at her. "Todoroki gets on my nerves, but he wasn't wrong. I wanted to be the one to…help you. You're the only person at U.A who ever seems game enough to take me on. So, whether I like it or not, I give a damn. About you. And for whatever stupid reason, I want to make your crappy life…less crappy." He shook his head, annoyed at himself for saying all these things out loud.

Akane's silence just made him more antsy, the two of them walking side-by-side, getting closer to his house. When he couldn't take it anymore, he turned to her, and almost barked something insensitive, until he saw her big eyes and suddenly softened face.

"You…" Bakugou cleared his throat. "You okay?"

She nodded, still quiet. Then, eventually, she murmured, "Interesting."

At that, Bakugou's angry side flared right back up. "What? Me being all mushy and lame is interesting to you?"

"I'm reminded of your fight style, that's all."

Bakugou scoffed. "Yeah? And?"

She smiled — one of those rare, full smiles that made Bakugou's head spin. "Don't worry," she told him. "It's a good thing."

Bakugou considered. They were getting close to his house, so he had to ask. "Does this mean you'll let me train with you and icy-hot?"

Akane stiffened. It was all the social signalling Bakugou needed to get the message, but she answered anyway, very quietly.

"Soon."

He nodded, staring ahead again.

No further words were exchanged until they made it to the front of Bakugou's house. They stopped outside his walkway, facing each other, struggling to make eye contact. Bakugou rubbed the back of his neck, mustering up something he'd been thinking the entire walk.

"We good?" Akane asked.

He seemed surprised she even needed to ask. "Uh, yeah. Good."

She nodded. Just as he saw she was about to turn away, Bakugou acted, taking her wrist with a surprising gentleness and pulling her in close. Akane gasped, their faces suddenly so close she didn't know what was about to happen. Neither did he, honestly, not even as he leaned in and kissed her — softly, lightly, his hold on her loose enough that she could pull away whenever she wanted. Except…she didn't. She stood there, kissing him, both of them seeming to be as shocked as the other by what was happening.

Unsure how long it had been, Bakugou leaned back. Their faces still close, both blushing wildly, Bakugou took a breath.

"By the way," he muttered, "I do like you." He moved another couple inches back, still blushing. "Sorry for being a jerk about it."

Akane blinked. "Okay."

He arched an eyebrow at her. "You alright?"

Slowly, she nodded. "Okay." She began to drift away, walking off as if in a trance. "Okay."

Bakugou watched her leave, at another rare loss for words. Only then did it begin to register with him what he'd done. Without even realizing he was doing it, he had taken her hand….and kissed her. He just kissed her. No wonder she was freaking out and walking away, white as a sheet. His head screamed at him to go after her, proclaim his apologies, fix it while he could. But his body was frozen.

xxx

It took roughly two seconds before Aizawa approached his daughter — one second to hear the front door close, and another to dart into the living room. She'd already told him she'd be late, but he couldn't help but worry.

"Welcome home," he said, very happy to see her all in one piece.

Akane just nodded, a faraway look on her face. "Okay."

Oh dear. It looked like something was off, after all. Aizawa frowned.

"Everything alright, kid?"

"Hm?" Akane blinked, but that absent look in her eye didn't quite clear. "Sorry. Yes."

Aizawa folded his arms, clearly not buying it. "Pretty out of character for you to skip training. I thought it was a good sign, but now I'm not so sure." He guided her to the kitchen table and the two sat across from each other. "What's going on?"

Akane shook her head. "Sorry," she said, for a second time. "I guess I'm tired."

"If something happened, you know you can tell me."

"I know." She mustered a smile. It was tight, and false, but it was the best she could do.

Seeing how hard she was trying just to placate him, Aizawa sighed. He had to remember that even though she'd been affiliated with a villain gang most of her life and had a crazy dangerous quirk, she was still just a teenager. She needed her space. Her privacy. All he could do now was hope that, when she was ready, she'd talk to him.

So he smiled back — probably just as tight and false, but it would do. "Alright then. No patrolling for me tonight. I'm all yours." Especially if you decide you want to talk.

He stood up and gave her a playful nudge. "Hungry? I'm thinking pizza."