Soul Marked

Chapter Thirty- One

Blooming Explosions

It's officially Friday! I'm so excited to be able to update again and so soon! I'm working on the next chapter but with the holidays coming up next week I'd expect it to be closer to the two week mark before I update again. However, if I do manage to finish the chapter before next Friday I'll update then!

This chapter is a little shorter than I've been making the chapters but I didn't want to get into the next event until next chapter just because its gonna start to kickstart things so that we can get into exciting events! We'll have a tiny time skip in the next chapter just so I'm not writing stuff from the show that we've already seen and doesn't really bring anything new to this plot.

Also if your wanting sneak peeks let me know!

Enjoy and review!

Izuka hadn't been able to get rid of the blush as she scurried off. Ten minutes later after she was dressed and standing in front of the boys' room the blush still lightly covered her cheeks. She wasn't even sure if she could even look in Kirishima's direction tonight, even if she noticed he politely never looked her way again. Taking a deep calming breath she decided then that avoiding Bakugo and Kirishima would be the best route for her already frayed nerves. At least for the night.

With that resolution, she ducked into the boys' room and was instantly surrounded by the joyous exclamation of her classmates. Everyone was packed into the big room but with twenty people it was reaching its capacity. This didn't stop anyone from having fun she noticed as people were spread out, but there was some kind of game going on in the middle of the room. Upon finding it to be a game of truth and dare she decided to stay clear of it.

Sweeping her gaze around the room she found her closest friends, Momo, and Kaminari, already having fallen prey to the game. Both sitting in the circle along with several other of her classmates.

Glancing around once more she found Kirishima off by Bakugo talking in a corner. It was obvious the redhead was trying to talk his friend into joining the game. She almost snorted at the idea of Katsuki willingly playing the game. That didn't sound like the blonde at all. Her gaze then fell on the familiar sight of two-toned hair. He hadn't joined the game either and was a safe target for her to talk to as he hadn't been involved in the incident earlier. Happy that she had found someone safe and comfortable she quickly crossed the room to come stand at his side. As she came to a stop her attention was drawn to the game. From here she could hear better at what they were saying, and she almost giggled at the dare Mineta had given to Kaminari. The darker blonde almost looked scandalized and was trying to find a way out of it. Fortunately, everyone else was also thinking alongside him and allowed him to skip.

Todoroki cocked his head to the side, eyeing her out of the corner of his eye. They had grown closer over the span of the school year, but neither usually went looking for the other. Typically, Izuka stayed attached to his soulmate or their blonde friend, and occasionally when the hot head allowed it attached to him. He was curious as to why she chose him. He could only assume she was avoiding the game like himself, but that didn't answer why she hadn't taken off for the corner where Bakugo and Kirishima stood. He was sure the short girl didn't mind being around the redhead, and earlier that night he had seen her sticking close to the loudmouth.

"Didn't want to join the game?" Izuka asked quietly as she smiled softly up at him. He blinked taken aback by suddenly hearing her voice. Staring at her a moment longer he glanced back over to the group that had burst into laughter.

"No," he said simply. Beside him, he heard her shuffle in place next to him. Though they didn't talk a lot, they had conversations in the past, some quite personal, so the waves of uncomfortable rolling off her were odd. "You didn't wish to join?" He snagged at the only source of a conversation he could find. It was strange this was normally her job, but he didn't like the oddness that surrounded her at that moment.

"That game can end up being embarrassing fast," she said with a horrified look on her face. "I've had enough of embarrassing moments for today without adding to it."

"Embarrassing moments?" he asked. He watched as her cheeks grew darker, having already been tainted by a light shade of red. He opened his mouth to prompt her to speak but she had begun to shake her head as she let out a squeak.

"I-it's nothing!" she said a little too loudly. This caused a few of their classmates to turn to look at them curiously. Mina's smile widened as she saw Izuka and began to wave excitedly motioning for her to join them. From the opposite side of the room, another person's attention shot toward them. Crimson eyes narrowed as they waved Kirishima away absentmindedly.

"Come play!" Mina hollered out as she began to climb to her feet intent on dragging the green-haired girl to their group. Izuka had already begun to shake her head as she took a step back to hide behind Todoroki. "Ah, come on Midoriya. It'll be fun!"

"No thanks guy's" she called out as she took another step back away from Mina's reaching hands. Stumbling she came to an abrupt halt as her back made contact with someone. A hand wrapped around her arm and began to tug. She stumbled once more as her body began to twist around, but she didn't need the confirmation of who it was. The sparks where their skin touched was confirmation enough. Willingly she allowed herself to be drug off as she waved goodbye at the concerned-looking Todoroki and disappointed Mina.

Feeling relieved to have escaped one trap she could feel her cheeks heating up at the realization of who she would be alone with now. It was obvious to her that he was dragging her away from everyone else. Stuck between embarrassment and curiosity Izuka kept her mouth closed as she was led down the hall and up a flight of stairs. As they walked his fingers shifted from being clasped around her lower arm, down toward her wrist, until they wrapped warmly around her hand. This allowed him to drag her along without causing her to be at an awkward angle, instead having her walk beside him. Emerald eyes bounced quickly down to where their hands were joined as she bit her lip. Immediately she glanced away not wanting to be caught staring. Her mind jumped back to a few days ago when he held her hand last.

Though her body was filling with dangerous levels of embarrassment, her head beginning to feel light, it was also comforting. Today had a lot happen in such a short amount of time, but the only thing keeping her from fainting was also the cause of her awkwardness.

Moving toward a door that she knew would lead to the rooftop she glanced over in confusion at Katsuki. "W-what are we doing here, Kacchan?"

Shoving open the door he didn't bother to answer as they stepped out into the warm night air. The breeze brushed across her skin lightly cooling her overheated body. Allowing the door to swing close behind them she followed Bakugo over to the edge of the roof. She watched as he sat down on the ledge, his leg coming up to rest his elbow on as he tugged lightly at the hand he still held.

Still not being able to look him in the eye she sat down next to him. Their connected hands settled between the two resting on the cool concrete. His chin was cradled in his free hand as he gazed at Izuka, her head tilted down away from his gaze. His red eyes narrowed upon catching sight of the blush that refused to leave her cheeks.

He didn't want her feeling uncomfortable. The last couple of days he had been planning this moment, trying to find the perfect time to give her the gift that he had received the day after her birthday. It was already late so as the days passed, he had begun to feel the pressure knowing the longer he waited the more he felt he had to make the moment count. There was already so much he felt he had to make up for, had been trying to make up. He wouldn't screw up at this.

"Koneko."

His hand slipped out of her hold, the movement and the sound of her name startling her to glance up. Confusion distorted her features as he reached into his pocket, his fist closing around what he was looking for.

"Kacchan? Why did you bring me up here?" She regained her voice, asking her previous question. They had grown leaps and bounds but their relationship still held tension, other than their walks home they weren't left alone in each other's presence for long. It was also rare that he willingly held her hand, almost always being after some fight or disaster.

His fist tightened around the object as he held it out between them but made no move to hand it over.

"I've been trying to make up for the past," he said his eyes moving from her gaze to stare out at the night sky.

He shifted until the hand holding the object was resting on his knee. All she could see of him now was the side of his face cast in shadows. Shuffling around herself she moved until she was facing him, bringing her knees up to her chest, as she wrapped her arms around her legs, laying her chin on the top of them. She cocked her head to the side as she listened to his words.

"I don't want to hold onto the anger towards you. Recently I believe that to be something that I can do. Don't fucking expect me to change overnight or change completely but I'm willing to try to be better."

A small smile etched itself onto Izuka's face as she gazed at him. The blush that covered her cheeks had begun to fade as she grew more comfortable. Reaching out she poked at Katsuki's cheek causing him to swipe at her hand. Nuzzling her cheek into her knee she let her hand drop as she sent him a blinding smile.

"I don't want you to change yourself completely Kacchan," she said softly. "I like you for you, no matter how rough around the edges you are, that makes you, you. I just want things not to be so difficult between us, and hard, where we're constantly screaming at one another." She paused here seeing his head move deeper into the shadows not realizing he was hiding the redness that now covered his cheeks. Instead, Izuka took this as a sign she had caused him to be upset over her words. Her mouth opened and the next sentence spilled out before she could stop it. "I a-adore everything about you."

Her breath hitched as soon as she realized what she said, what she had been about to say.

"Ko-."

Before he could finish Izuka had pushed herself forward before she lost the courage to finish what she had started. She didn't want to hear what he had to say yet. There was still one thing she needed to do and if she stopped to listen to his words her shyness would get the best of her.

Grabbing a hold of his shoulder she stabilized herself to keep from falling over as her head closed the distance between them. Soft lips connected with his cheek for one brief moment. His free hand moved without his knowledge toward her but closed in around air. Izuka had quickly moved back to her sitting position from before, her eyes closed as she settled her arms back around her legs. Bakugo's gaze darkened to a striking scarlet as they settled upon her form. Where her lips had brushed against his skin caused a tingling feeling that numbed his cheek. A warmness settled in his chest.

Katsuki shifted throwing one leg over the side of the building as he turned to face her. Izuka felt the sudden change as the distance between them was closed. His breath fanned over her face, but her eyes stayed tightly closed.

"You don't get to just take those words back," he growled. His fingers curled under her chin as he brought her face up toward his. "If you say them, you better fucking mean them." Her heart jumped in her chest as sparks ignited between them. The air came alive around them causing her pulse to quicken. She kept her eyes glued shut as she swallowed against the lump in her throat. Since she was five, she had never spoken words remotely like what was tumbling from her lips tonight.

"Of course, I mean them, Kacchan," she whispered. Though they were mere meters away her words barely carried to him. Her voice shook but they were said with conviction, a statement on how deeply she felt toward him. "I lo- like you. I wouldn't say that unless I truly meant it." She bit her bottom lip, holding her breath, as she waited for a response. Unease coursed through her body, but she didn't dare move away from him. Opening her eyes and facing him however was not within her abilities to act upon now, even if everything screamed inside of her to do just that. To check what his eyes were telling her, as she was sure his face would be unreadable as ever.

Bakugo studied her face, her lips, as the words bubbled over. He could see the sincerity as she spoke.

As she nibbled on her already abused lips his thumb brushed against her cheek. It settled gently on her lower lip as he carefully tugged it from her teeth, stopping her from neglecting it further. He brushed his thumb gently over it once, twice, listening as her breathing came out in quick bursts.

Izuka jumped as she felt his nose bump into her own. Carefully she felt him nuzzle into her nose as his hand left her chin. His fingers slowly traced a path over her jaw. The action caused her to shiver as her face tilted closer into his touch. It was growing harder for her to breathe, the air between them growing hot. His warm palm pressed against her cheek as his thumb rubbed soothing circles into her jaw.

"I like you as well," he breathed. The warmth in his chest had traveled to his stomach settling into an inferno. It raged within him only burning brighter with every touch. At his words, her eyes popped open. She needed to see him, to see the truth with her own eyes. His scarlet orbs were like molten lava. Her throat closed at the emotion written across his face. He was like an open book allowing her to see into his soul, begging her to accept him in his entirety. Her mouth dried at the unsuspected display of rawness he was allowing her to witness.

Her skin was on fire.

Her tongue darted out in an attempt to wet her lips in her nervousness. The action didn't go unnoticed by Katsuki. The hand cupping her cheek lightly tilted her head to the side as his lips gently brushed against her own. Her mind went blank. The pressure of his lips disappeared to hover back over her own. His nose brushed against her cheek as he breathed in her calming scent. He took in a steadying breath as his fingers glided up her jaw to bury into her hair.

Izuka's heart pounded in her chest as her fingers dug into the fabric of her jeans. It lurched when she felt his lips press against her jaw. It twisted as his whisper wrapped hotly around her body.

"Mine." Her eyes closed as his lips ghosted back over her own. "I can't let you go."

"Don't." He froze. Her hand detangled from her jeans hovering over his chest. Gently she pressed against him before softly trailing her finger up to his neck. He shivered under her touch his body locked into place. "Don't let me go." Hesitantly she raised her hand to the back of his head when he stayed frozen. Pushing past her nerves she gently pressed against his head as her lips brushed shyly against his own.

A growl caught in the back of his throat as he brought his other arm to wrap around her waist. The gentleness from earlier was washed away by the fire that engulfed his veins. The kiss erupted in a clash of teeth and flesh. Her head swam as the numbness from their first kiss wrapped around her mind. All there was were Kacchan and herself. The night around them bled away in favor of passion.

Her other hand came up to tangle itself into the back of his tank top. A desperate act to anchor herself to reality. His tongue swept across her bottom lip seeking entrance. Gasping she leaned into him, flushing her body against his, a fleeting moment of racing thoughts, to regain clarity was dashed away as his tongue danced with hers.

Her body hummed as the bond between them sang boosting the already intense emotions. Bakugo tugged lightly against her hair, breaking the kiss as her head titled back. He nibbled on her jaw, kissing along to her ear. She sucked in a breath as he lightly tugged on her earlobe with his teeth.

"I got you something," he whispered into her ear, causing her hand to spasm against his back. His breathing was labored. His tone dark, thick like honey, barely concealing the need that dripped with every word. Her head swam as she tried wrapping her mind around what he said. Her thoughts swirled around what happened, focusing on the want that coursed through her veins. His face buried into her neck, his lips brushing against the skin where her neck and shoulder met. Any focus she gained was swept away at the action.

The hand buried in his hair dropped to his shoulder as she gripped it tightly. She took a deep breath to center herself, but his sweet scent circled dangerously around her head. Izuka found herself nuzzling into his hair.

The mark on her wrist was hot against her skin, but it wasn't painful. It eased the fog in her brain as she blinked.

"W-what?" she asked in confusion. A sound of content escaped his lips as he brushed them against her skin, once again breaking the focus she had regained. Her mark pulsed hot again at the same moment his twisted against his wrist. Not painful but demanding. The bond between them settled, with it lifting the haze that had consumed them. They both blinked. Lifting her wrist, she brought her other hand up to gently rub against the mark. Bakugo slightly pulled back his own gaze falling to the mark that had transformed against his skin.

In surprise, he put enough space between them to bring his wrist up to his eyes for a closer inspection. Izuka gasped at the sight. Her fingers twitched before they were skimming over his mark. Blooming flowers wrapped delicately around the thorns. Encompassing them in their protective embrace. Wanting to see it all she softly turned his wrist until it was facing up. There nestled in with the thorns and flowers was the startling sight of a torch. It glowed a light green as the last of the flowers bloomed in its wake.

As the glow faded Izuka turned her gaze up to Bakugo's surprised expression. Slowly she pulled back the sleeve of his jacket he had given her earlier to reveal her own mark. Turning her wrist, she showed him the same torch, explosions curled around it.

"How?"

She knew he was referencing the sudden change to his mark and the fact that they now shared a common symbol that had never been there before. He had never told her about the distance between them damaging and twisting his mark into something barren from the beauty it once was. She had spotted it with her own eyes after they started talking again but never brought it up. Tears built in her eyes as she smiled at him.

"Whatever happened it's gotta be good right?" As she dropped her gaze back down to his wrist, she couldn't help but think that One For All had contributed to the torch. That hadn't ever been there even when he was five. Bakugo hummed as he stared down at her. He enjoyed the feeling of her fingers tracing over his mark.

Neither realized what had just occurred, the repairing and binding of their bond.

Clearing his throat Bakugo regained her attention. She glanced up, coming face to face with him causing her cheeks to darken as her thoughts swam back to what they had just been doing minutes before. Her eyes darted to his lips and though his eyes darkened at the action he shook his head to clear his mind. Refusing to be distracted from the original task he held out his hand to her.

"I got you something," he repeated. Taking her hand into his own he cupped it between both of his. Metal slid against her skin as he opened her hand. Pulling back, he revealed what had just been gifted to her. "It's late. I didn't manage to get it before your birthday."

Lifting it to thoroughly inspect it her eyes sparkled at the silver that glinted in the moonlight. The chain was delicately woven in a criss-cross design as it wound around to form a bracelet.

Hanging from the chain was a charm, the small surface etched intricate detail that formed a pair of bracers. Her breath caught at the gift as her eyes darted to where Katsuki was watching her closely.

"It's beautiful!" she whispered as she suddenly thrust it into his hands before holding out the wrist that held her mark. "Please help me put it on." Doing as she asked, he quickly clasped it around her wrist watching as the charm nestled above where the torch was engraved on her skin. "I love it, Kacchan! Where did you get it from?" She continued to gaze lovingly at the gift a smile permanently fixed on her face. Bakugo cleared his throat as he looked away from her before answering.

"I asked that rich girl to help me," he said gruffly. Blinking Izuka turned her attention back onto him.

"You mean Momo?" she asked. Sighing he nodded as he reached out to touch the bracelet.

"Yes. I couldn't find what I wanted to give you. I asked her for a favor to make this." He huffed as he gripped her wrist and tugged her closer to him. As she fell into his chest his arms came up to wrap around her, holding her in place in his embrace. Blocking his face from her gaze. "I wanted something that represented me for you to have." Izuka smirked into his shirt as he spoke. The embarrassment and unease oozed from his words, but they comforted her heart. Smiling giddily, she cuddled into his arms.

"So, you brought me up here to give me this?" she asked, smothering the mischief that dared leak from her voice. As she felt him nod, she continued. "Not to take advantage of me and kiss me? Or was that a bonus?" She felt his body stiffen as she was suddenly knocked from his hold.

"The fuck!?" he yelled. Giggles erupted from her lips as she rolled away from him landing on her feet. "You better fucking run. You can't just say shit like that!" Izuka took off across the roof, Bakugo hot on her heels. Her laughter echoed in the night, his explosions and curses wrapping into a song.

子猫

The smile on Izuka's face couldn't be wiped off. The happiness filling her chest was only spurred on by the charm bracelet that hung safely from her wrist. As she neared the girls' room, she realized how late it was getting, and the knowledge that they would be getting up early didn't put a damper on the giddy feeling surrounding her. She was sure anyone with an empath quirk would be high off of her emotions. Slipping into the room she came to an abrupt stop as a pink wall appeared in her vision.

The girl tapped her toe as she raised an eyebrow at Izuka.

"Where did you two disappear off too?" she asked with a raised eyebrow and excited expression. "You were gone for the rest of the get-together."

"Yeah, not very much class bonding with two of the classmates gone," Jiro said with a cheeky smile. Momo stepped up going to come to Izuka's defense until she caught the reflection coming from familiar metal. She clapped her hands together in excitement.

"He finally gave it to you!?" she asked, as she ran over to the green-haired girl. Reaching out she raised her arm to get a closer look. Izuka due to the surprise of being ambushed as soon as she walked through the door only had a small, confused smile covering her face. One that was quickly turning into her regular shy one.

"Ah, he said he asked you to make it," Izuka stated as she began to bow toward her friend. "I wanted to thank you. It's so beautiful I couldn't ask for anything more perfect." Momo continued to inspect it happy that it seemed to fit the girl. Mina led the other girl's over as they began to surround the shorter girl in curiosity.

"Oh," Momo said absentmindedly. "You should be thanking Bakugo. He's the one that came up with the design. He was very particular that it came out a certain way. I didn't do anything but make it, and once I found out it was for you, I was more than happy to help." She let go of her friend's wrist as she smiled over at her. "I'm glad you liked it, I just wasn't aware that you and Bakugo were close enough for him to get you a present for your birthday. I mean I know you guys have known each other for years, but your relationship always seemed a little strange. Like it wasn't on the best of terms but you two always seemed so in tune and worried about one another."

"It is a little weird, kuro," Asui spoke up as she tore her gaze from the bracelet. "He seems intent on ignoring you one day, but then always seems to be near you."

Izuka bit her lip as she realized from an outside perspective their relationship looked to be a mess. They were getting along better recently but that was usually only seen when they were by themselves, not among everyone else.

"Kacchan has always been a little hot-headed," Izuka stated as she rolled the charm between two fingers. "We haven't always gotten along but we've been in each other's lives since we were five. Our friendship has gotten better recently, and this was kind of a present to show that?" Her voice sounded confident enough, but her words still ended on a question. She wasn't sure how to explain to her friends about everything that was between them without going into how they were soulmates but until recently she didn't have a mark binding her to him, and how that caused all sorts of problems. No, it was better left between them.

"It's nice that your friendship is getting better," Ochaco said with a smile. "Maybe he will stop yelling so much."

"That's just Kacchan," Izuka said with a small laugh as she began to feel less awkward.

"True, but still," the brunette stated as she began to walk over to where her sleeping bag laid. "But you came in at a good time! We've been talking about our soulmates."

"Wouldn't be a camping experience without talking about it!" Hagakure excitedly announced as she plopped down next to Ochaco.

"You don't mention your soulmate," Tsuyu said in a matter of fact way. She brought her finger up to her lips lightly tapping.

"It's a bit complicated."

Izuka's mind flashed back up to the roof. She wasn't even sure what they were. She was Midoriya, and he Bakugo, soulmates, but even friendship to them was so new of a concept that dating, or even people who kissed blindsided her. That kissed had opened something inside of herself that she had been ignoring, but now it was screaming at her. The bond between them even felt different. It was more alive, active, the mark on her wrist sending signals to her by the way it heated. She wasn't even sure what it was trying to say, something new she would have to learn. It had never been this open, she could even feel the stronger emotions Kacchan seemed to have. That had never been a thing before.

Her eyes blinked as a revelation slammed its way to the front of her mind. She didn't know how normal bonds operated, what was expected, and what was bad. However, here in front of her, she had several friends that had experienced functioning soul bonds since the beginning. Izuka knew she could ask, they would tell without judgment, and would never force it out of her about who it was.

"I- I actually have a few questions about soulmate bonds," she said with a light blush crossing her cheeks. "Until recently the bond seemed broken, but now I'm experiencing things within the bond that I hadn't before. I don't know what's normal and what's not."

Mina was the first to bite. The clear excitement on her face was blinding as she latched onto Izuka, pulling her away from the other girls. This relieved Izuka, as she knew Mina got along exceptionally well with Kirishima and terrified her at the same time. The pink-skinned girl could be scary when she latched onto something, she thinks needed her help or was interesting. It just so happened that Midoriya needed her help and held knowledge she wanted to know about. A truly terrifying combination.

"What are you feeling?" Mina asked as she tugged the girl to sit on her sleeping bag. "What's new?" Sending a worried expression towards Momo she collapsed onto the fluffy pink bag.

"My mark is more active. Before I could feel it react when something extremely bad happened, or at a particularly good interaction between us. Now, it's like the floodgates have opened and it's telling me everything." Mina nodded along as she listened. Her eyes were wide as he latched onto every word, but a frown had begun to tug at the corners as she listened on.

"Your mark wasn't reacting that way before?" This caused Izuka to shrink slightly as she realized from the tone of her voice that wasn't good. This was not anything new to her, she had known something was wrong with the bond, but having it known to her friends caused her unease.

"No, like I said things were strained between us."

"Now it's not?"

"Not like before. Something happened, has been happening, and with the events that occurred its defiantly led to a pretty big change."

"I've never heard of a bond acting like yours use too," she said contemplating. "Things must have been strained. Though, it does sound like you two are getting on the right track! The bond being that open is normally what to expect." Izuka nodded soaking the knowledge in. This had been on her mind for months, but with her mother and father not being bonded, and Toshi's own mark damaged, she hadn't been close to someone enough to ask. It was after all a sensitive subject for most.

"There's something else as well. I can feel particularly strong emotions that aren't mine." She said this while having turned her all whole toward Mina, giving the pink girl her full attention.

"That's something my parents said the bond can do. I personally haven't felt it, but Kirishima doesn't seem to normally feel that strong of emotions. I mean they've got to be heightened to come across the link between the two of you in any form that's not the mark on your wrist. How often does this happen?"

This caused the shorter girl to worry, wondering if there was yet something weird about their bond even when it was working properly. Then again, she cocked her head to the side, Kacchan usually did feel intense emotions often enough. Especially anger.

"It's still pretty new to me. I couldn't say how often it is." Mina nodded while letting out a giggle.

"Your soulmate must be really emotional then!"

"You could say that." After all bursts of anger could be considered emotional. Around her, the girls eased into easy conversation. One after another heads slowly began to hit the pillow. Tomorrow would bring a new adventure for the heroes to be.

子猫

Scratching filled her ears. The noise insistent. Surrounding her, stalking her, no matter how fast she ran she couldn't escape. Shadows leaped out at her forming hands clutching at her clothes as she passed. Each touch caused her to yelp, the cloth disintegrating with each finger that latched on.

"You're mine."

She stumbled as the whisper caressed over her, causing her to crash to her knees. Hands clutched at her arms; a screech escaped her lips. Skin fell away to ash, leaving gaping holes.

A flash of blue.

Laughter swarmed bouncing off the shadows. Hands evaporated into smoke as footsteps broke through the darkness. Dark clothes emerged; bright blue framed a deranged smile. He leaned over her his hand hovering over her neck.

"My symbol. I'll break you apart and build you back up again." Shadows pressed in around them, enclosing them into a cold embrace. Flight instincts had her body tensed, but no movement broke through. All she could do was stare up into his blood-red eyes, cracked lips painted into a smile dancing across her vision, burning the image into her mind. His fingers brushed over the skin of her neck in a mock action of a lover's touch.

"It'll be so sweet."

Fingers tightened around her neck. Emerald cracked as a scream lodged itself into her throat.

She shattered falling apart into a million pieces.

Waking with a gasp her heart raced dangerously. The organ having every intention of breaking through her chest. Ringing erupted in her ears as she clutched desperately at the yellow fabric of her sleeping bag. She forced her hands to tighten around the smooth material refusing to give in to the urge to check her neck. The wound was gone, but the scars remained.

"It's just a dream," she muttered to herself as she took several calming breaths. Frustration leaked forward as she bit her lip. It had been a while since her last nightmare, Izuka thought she was getting better. After last night, how happy she had fallen asleep, she couldn't believe a nightmare had even forced its existence upon her. Sound slowly returned with it the easing of her pulse, and once more she could think clearly.

As her surroundings came back to focus the warming, an almost pulsing, of her mark caught her attention. It heated, spiked, and repeated. It wasn't the calming warmth that she usually felt, no this was an itch, like her skin being held just out of reach of flames, but the heat could still be felt. It was demanding, wanting her to feel it, to respond. Realizing the new effects of their bond Izuka let out a small groan. What if she had woken Kacchan up? Izuka was sure she was feeling some intense emotions and if it worked with her, then it had passed through the link and woken him.

Reaching under her pillow she pulled her phone out turning the screen on to see the time. It was still early but they would soon be called to wake up for the day. Her groggy mind was already easing, the nightmare having given her a faster kickstart than any caffeinated beverage could.

Pulling up her messages she read the ones having been sent from Kacchan. All full of worry and irritation, obviously she had woken him up. Guilt rose inside her chest as she shimmied out of her sleeping bag, trying not to wake anyone else up. They could at least enjoy the remaining time of sleep. Sending Katsuki a quick calming message she grabbed her clothes deciding she would get ready for the day.

Before she could slip into the girl's bathroom a hand grabbed her arm. Nightmare's still clinging heavily to her mind, racing away the spark of their bond, she flinched, activating her quirk. Green lit up the shadows chasing them away as her body twisted, her fist raised in preparation for hitting her attacker. Heart racing, pulse-pounding loudly in her ears, all she saw were blood-red eyes, the same ones from her nightmare. In the back of her mind, she could hear that intense scratching that haunted her. Pain in her neck exploded causing the panic Izuka was already feeling to expand. Her mind was no longer her own, and when her fist was blocked, she was already spinning around, her leg sweeping aiming to knock him off balance.

Bakugo grunted as his legs collapsed underneath him, his arms trapping Izuka to him as he fell to the ground. She struggled, he let off a warning pop, the explosion in his hand going off at a safe distance away from her skin.

"Dammit, Koneko!" he growled out. "Calm the hell down. It's just me- fuck- quit this shit." The bond between them rushed over him in strong waves of fear, her emotions running high and dangerous. He snatched at the hands that hit him, his grip soft, as he forced them down at her sides. "Fucking keep this up and that damn sensei of ours is going to come. I'm not wanting to explain this shit."

Pulling her into his embrace, not knowing what he was doing, but allowing instinct to take over he tried sending over-familiar and calming emotions through the bond toward her. A moment more of struggling had her taking deep breaths of air as she now clung to Bakugo.

"Kacchan?" she asked softly, her voice scratchy, and uneasy.

"Who the fuck else would it be?"

"I'm sorry, I don't know what happened."

"Looks to me like a god damn panic attack." His voice was soft, easing the harsh edges that his words would normally have carried. Sitting up he shifted her until she was sitting on the ground next to him, instead of sprawled out over him.

"Maybe. I panicked, the dream I had put me on edge." She glanced over at him her hands wringing one another on her lap. "I'm sorry for hitting you and knocking you to the ground."

"Tell me about this dream and you're forgiven."

Izuka took another deep breath, her now calm pulse, spiked in anxiety at the thought of retelling her dream. Another part of her wanted to open up to him knowing that it would make her feel better. Her mouth opened and before she could second guess the dream tumbled from her mouth. She spared no details as she spoke about everything. As the words spilled out, she felt better, lighter, like the pressure on her shoulders was lifted.

He reached out, a hand lightly patting her shoulder. Izuka watched the stiff way he sat but knew this was his way of comforting her. She felt better even though nothing had been solved. For now, this was enough. Just knowing that he would be here for her.

Outside darkness had begun to lift, the first rays of morning shining through the window. He pushed himself to his feet holding out a hand toward the girl.

"Come on," he said. "We should get ready, Aizawa will be gathering everyone soon." She nodded grabbing a hold of his hand and allowing him to pull her to her feet. Moving toward the bathroom, Izuka gathered up her forgotten clothes. "I've said this before, but no one's fucking taking you Koneko. I'll be here to protect you."

His words wrapped around her bringing Izuka comfort as she smiled to herself.

"I know Kacchan. I'm safe with you."

So how was it? Did you like the kiss scene?! I've been dying to get to their next kiss and I don't know how many times I edited it before deciding it was finally ready. :D We're moving onto bigger and better things for the lovely couple!