You've Got This
Estelle slumped against the tree trunk as she took a moment to relax. She had been fighting spirits and villains constantly the last few days. She was thankful there weren't large-scale attacks like the previous event, but the number of hoards prowling the woods was at an all-time high.
There must have been something that caused these spirits to leave the comfort of the woods, but Estelle could not figure it out. Whatever it was, it seemed to have stood down for the time being. She felt on edge with it all; there was just so many of them.
Unfortunately, the class had to deal with a frustrated Estelle, who accidentally snapped more often than they were comfortable with. It was only after a few days that Estelle started to finally settle slightly at the thought that the trampling hoards wouldn't continue running over civilians. Granted, their numbers are significant but as long as they stayed in the woods. The people would be fine.
The main troubles Estelle was dealing with now; was the meaning behind the change in spirits and the goddamn media. They surrounded her in public, shouting and screaming questions that she would mostly dismiss. She would let her actions do the talking, and they were talking loud and clear. Estelle needed to keep her presence in the media in good light, so taking down villains on the street corner was the first step.
Estelle wasn't in an agency, so it was a surprise that she was offered places in multiple agencies around Japan when she returned to heights alliance. She hadn't decided on anything yet as she had more important things to think about, like the portal and spirits.
Estelle was exhausted. She had been pouring over any research she could think of, searching through any ounce of knowledge that could help. But there was little they could tell her. This world knew nothing of spirits and the abilities that come with them, so how would they ever be able to tell her anything? Nevertheless, she didn't let that stop her. Sometimes help can come from the unlikeliest places - Pirate Pete, for one.
It was too quiet outside the spirit activity. If someone was behind this, wouldn't they make themselves known? Was this just a fluke occurrence? Was something else at force causing the spirits to ban together?
Estelle didn't know, and it was driving her crazy.
Hoping to give herself a break from her overworked mind. Estelle visited Nona at the cafe. She held onto the older woman tightly as she took in the comfort that was, the older woman. Estelle missed her.
Estelle had managed to visit briefly whenever she could, but she was usually so busy that she couldn't be there for Nona like she was previously. She missed working at the cafe, taking orders, smelling the coffee and just taking in Nona's outward energy.
Nodding to the male behind the counter, Estelle smiled at the thought that at least Nona wasn't alone anymore now that she could afford to have someone by her side. After being ushered to her seat, Estelle and Nona conversed for hours. She couldn't hold anything back; Nona already knew it all, and Estelle felt safe that anything she said would remain with her.
It was a wonderful feeling.
"Oh, my dear. Things are defiantly difficult at the moment. You look exhausted!"
"I am, but that matters little when there's so much to do."
"You can't take care of anyone else without taking care of yourself first, dearie."
"But, I have before. I just need to sort out this mess, and I'll have the rest of my days to relax."
"Just don't kill yourself before you get to that point. How has the class been?"
"They are okay. It's defiantly still a strange experience living with a large group of people. But, they are lively, and they seem to be more considerate of me."
"Oh! Great news! I'm glad you all have been doing better; I know how furious you were when they listened in to your conversation."
"I know. But, Nona. Do you think I'm doing the right thing? Pretending to be a hero?"
Placing her hand on Estelle's with a gentle smile, Nona responded, "I know you, Estelle. I know that you always put the people around you first. Why else would you agree to take up the mantle you desperately despise if not to help those around you? You are the true embodiment of a hero. I am so proud of you, and I will always support the choices you make."
Gripping Nona's hand tightly, Estelle murmured, "Thank you, Nona."
"You've got this."
Walking into Heights Alliance with a tired but relaxed aura. Estelle was glad she stayed to spend the rest of the day with Nona. It was needed, and today, Estelle had already dealt with the spirits and villains. The burning frustration was ebbed for the time being, at least.
Tiredly answering the student's greetings with a nod, Estelle sat by the dining table as Bakugo moved to bring her the food. She wasn't sure when and why this routine had started, but she wasn't complaining. The warm smell of the food made her stomach growl, and her mouth began to water.
Estelle thanked him for the food and raised a brow when he sat next to her at the table. Turning his head away with a pout, Estelle's curiosity was overfilled by Bakugo's following words. "I see you watched the episode without me."
Startled and humoured, Estelle failed to hold back her smile as she tried to retort his rough accusatory statement. Shaking her head, she expressed, "My apologies, I wasn't aware that was a rule."
"Tch, well. You know now, dammit! Now, I have to catch up!"
Forcing her lips to hold back her grin, Estelle answered, "So, I shouldn't tell you that Martha-"
"Don't you dare!" Bakugo growled as he raised a finger to point at her furiously. "I expected more from you!"
"Always expect the worst," Estelle answered once she shoved his hand away from her bubble.
Glaring, Bakugo shook his head as he growled, "Of course, you would use that motto."
Taking a bite of her food, Estelle decided to change the topic to the meal in front of her. "You did well on this one. I think your spicy rice is my favourite."
"Tch, of course, I did. Everything I make is the best."
"I believe you."
"Good. Now eat up before it gets cold."
"I'm eating, I'm eating."
Midway into taking another bite, Estelle was startled to hear Ashido run into the kitchen yelling, "I'm not here! I am not here!" Before running back out of the door.
Gazing at the blond, the two shared the same look of 'What just happened?' Before ignoring it altogether.
"You have-"
Raising her arm in a swift motion, Estelle immediately grabbed the blonde's hand that had inched too close to her face. She held the spoon against his neck with her other hand as if it were a knife.
The blonde didn't react to the sudden shift in Estelle; he was becoming accustomed to her extreme reflexes throughout her time here. He couldn't help the small niggle of disappointment whenever they happened with him nearby. Was she always this tense? Would she ever get comfortable enough around him and not jump at any sudden move he takes?
Still, he knew from experience that remaining calm was the best way to snap her out of it. And, he trusted her to not hurt him; out of all of the times that she had done this, she had never caused damage.
Smirking slightly to ease the tension within Estelle, he grunted, "A spoon? What a deadly weapon."
Relaxing to the sound of Bakugo's voice, the spoon Estelle was holding slowly lifted off his neck. A tinge of embarrassment could be seen on her face as she placed the spoon onto the table. "Sorry."
Shaking his head, Bakugo's grew vexed with the response, "Don't apologise; your reflexes are what kept you alive. No shame in that."
Amazed, Estelle gazed up at the male leaning over her open-mouthed. It wasn't the answer she expected, but she was touched nevertheless. He was right; she wouldn't have gotten far without it.
Realising she was still holding his arm, Estelle immediately let go. Her hand, however, was quickly caught by Bakugo's. Confused, Estelle watched as he wrapped his heated hand around her own tightly, as if to remind her that he was on her side. The warmth of his hand radiated through her body, and she could feel her cheeks redden from the unexpected move.
"Let me try that again; You have something on your face."
Understanding bloomed within her as she reached out for a napkin on the table. She was caught off guard when Bakugo's hand slapped her fingers away before lifting up the tissue himself. Estelle remained stock still as he inched closer to her face to wipe the sauce that landed from the surprise interval Ashido had given.
She gazed at him as he slowly and roughly wiped away the food on her chin. His eyes were focused on his task as she scanned his features.
Now that she was looking at him, Estelle had realised she had never really taken the opportunity to just look at him. Since he was so close to her face right now, she could barely stop her eyes from trailing over him. His ruby eyes always stood out to her; it was the first thing that had caught her attention when they met. Watching his brows furrow as he put more effort than he should've to wipe the sauce from her chin, Estelle realised he was pretty handsome.
Her chest felt uncomfortably compressed once the thought hit her. Her fingers twitched within Bakugo's hand as he cleaned her face. Feeling her movement, Bakugo squeezed her hand in reassurance before letting his eyes gaze into her own. The tightness in Estelle's chest grew as she tried to pinpoint what was precisely in his eyes. His eyes drew heat onto the back of her neck.
It was warming for her, she realised, in a fuzzy way. He was looking at Estelle like he was admiring her. The new and strange experience was overwhelming, so relief struck her when another classmate ran into the room frantically.
"Have you seen Ashido?!"
Stepping back, Bakugo raised his hand with a growl of aggravation. "No, I haven't. Get out of my face, Pikachu!"
"Uh, I was never here!"
Turning back to her food, Estelle ignored Bakugo as he insulted Kaminari further and finished the last few bites of her meal. Her intuition was screaming for her to run away. She had to get out of the situation as quickly as possible and forget what had just happened.
When more students started piling into the room, Estelle thanked the gods and returned her plate to the kitchen before heading to her room without anybody noticing.
Unfortunately, ruby eyes followed her on the way out.
Estelle didn't come down that night.
Bakugo caught up on the episode.
Estelle didn't come down the next night.
Bakugo didn't watch the next episode.
Estelle poured over her files as she frantically tried to piece anything together. Unfortunately, Estelle just didn't have enough information on hand to solve the current issue. Groaning in annoyance at the fact she was just going through the papers again for the hundredth time, Estelle was startled to hear a knock on her door.
Unsure, Estelle shuffled to her doorway and opened it slightly to peek out of the small gap she had created. To her dismay, the blonde she had been avoiding was standing outside her room. He had a slight frown on his face as his eyes glared down at the corner of Estelle's eye. Sighing loudly, Estelle opened the door wide to stand in front of the male.
"Can I help you?' Estelle asked, her sleepy eyes blankly staring into him.
Not even bothering with a response, Bakugo bumped past Estelle as he stormed into the room. Estelle could hear his obnoxiously angry grumbles as he headed straight for the papers at her desk. Staring at him with hidden bafflement, Estelle watched as he viciously shuffled up the papers scattered on the table into a single pile before slamming it onto the right side of the desk.
Estelle closed the door at this point as she could see that Bakugo didn't seem to be leaving anytime soon. Staying by the exit in case anything went south, Estelle remained unsure as she watched the blonde take a few breaths to calm himself down.
"Get some sleep."
Startled, Estelle's mouth moved to argue his demand with an ire rising in her belly. Her retort died at her tongue as Bakugo glared at her once again. Estelle remained mute as Ruby stormed his way up to her, so she was forced to look up at him. The gap was small, but the tension was fierce as they gazed at each other stubbornly. It was only when Bakugo's eyes moved from her own to scan the rest of her features that she wanted to shrink away from view.
"You can't hide what your body is trying to tell you. You look fucking exhausted. When was the last time you slept?"
Turning her head away to avoid his prying eyes, Estelle felt the scent of spices hit her nose as he stepped even closer to her. Stepping back to keep her bubble, Estelle scowled when he took another of his own.
"A few days", Estelle monotoned honestly.
"And why haven't you fucking slept?" Bakugo asked as he took another step forward.
"I need to figure this out", Estelle stated as her foot went backwards, an irritation building up in her core.
"You aren't helping anyone by being dead on your feet!" He yelled back with vexation, another step taken as he spoke.
"What does it matter?" Estelle voiced back harshly, the blank and monotone in her voice fading as she grew more annoyed with his intervention.
"Goddamnit! Can't you take care of yourself?" Bakugo barked out, taking one last step forward, effectively blocking Estelle from her door.
The final straw snapped within Estelle as she snarled, storming forwards to Bakugo's face with fire in her eyes. "And, I meant what I said. What does it matter?" Estelle started as she stepped forward, the roles reversing as Bakugo moved back with every action.
"You don't get to storm in here and demand my actions! What gives you the fucking right?! If I want to run myself into the ground, I will. I choose my decisions, and I will die by them!" Estelle gnashed as Bakugo was cornered to the other side of the room.
"There you are," Bakugo muttered calmly, his face softer than before.
Stunned, Estelle took a step back as she eyed Bakugo with confusion. A smirk dawned on the male's face as he gazed at Estelle with an appreciation that made her stomach flip. His eyes scanned her from the top to the bottom as he kept the tilt to his lips.
"You feel better now?" He questioned.
Estelle did, to her surprise. The frustration and anger building up inside her from the lack of progress were almost palpable. She had to do everything she could to stop herself from snapping at her classmates every minute of the day.
Shocked, Estelle gazed at Bakugo with new eyes. How did he know? Did he know her that well that he could tell without even speaking to her? Estelle purposefully avoided him - so how? His unspoken questions seemed to have reached him since he answered.
"Because It was like looking into a mirror."
Estelle was lost for words once Bakugo voiced out the crux of his awareness. It made sense; a boy who knew anger - would be able to recognise it in another.
It was quiet between the two as they marinated in their thoughts. Their eyes trailed over each other occasionally - showing that their views were trailing back to each other. It was only when Estelle realised the fuel keeping her going was no longer there. The frustration hurdling up inside her was gone, and now all Estelle felt was the longing for her bed.
Bakugo could see that, so breaking the peacefulness between them. He took her hand slowly to give her enough time to stop him if needed. Estelle watched his hand slowly; her arm tensed as if ready to strike.
Holding herself back with curiosity, she felt the warmth of Bakugo's sweaty hand against her palm. Gradually pulling her towards the bed, Bakugo murmured, "No point taking you downstairs. I'll just do it here."
Understanding blossomed as Bakugo placed himself on the side of the bed, his back sitting up against the headboard as he patted his legs.
Too tired to debate with him about boundaries and such, Estelle felt like she could accept the comfort he was offering. It was like a warm blanket on a winters day, and Estelle's mind had been through the wringer trying to come up with solutions.
'This would be okay for now; it will not happen again.' She reassured herself as she lay on the bed, her head on his lap.
Stroking her hair, the pair fell into bliss as they took in the calming moment. As Estelle's eyes began to close, she heard one last mumble from Bakugo.
"You'll figure it out; I know you will. You've got this."
Feeling the reassurance of Bakugo and Nona, Estelle fell into her first blissful sleep in a long time.