Sea Life

Estelle observed Bakugo as he trudged around the room. He had invited himself in this afternoon, and he had barely said a word since. She tried to question him, but the only response she received was a grunt. Giving up, she rested on the bed and watched the male amble around the room like it was his own.

"Put this on," he grumbled after placing clothes onto the bed.

Lifting a brow, Estelle clicked her tongue as she shook her head. "And why would I do that?"

"Because I said so, dammit!"

Confused, Estelle furrowed her brow as she lifted her head up to gaze at the clothes on the bed. Slumping back down, Estelle waved her hand dismissively as she muttered, "I have already done my patrols. I have no need to get dressed; I just put on my pyjamas."

"It's literally twelve o'clock in the afternoon."

"I am tired."

"Grr! Get up!" Bakugo barked as he stomped up to her to pull her from her bed.

Groaning, Estelle slouched even more as she glared at the blond with a deep scowl, "What do you think you're doing? I'm not going anywhere!"

"You're always tired, always in those shitty pyjamas! We're going out!"

"Pfft, no."

"Tch, don't think I won't put you over my shoulder again. You're not fighting me today; get dressed. We're gonna be late!"

"Late to what?"

"I'm not telling you until you get dressed! But I'll be seriously pissed when I return in ten minutes, and you're still not ready. I've already booked it, so you're coming!"

Keeping the glare on her face as she watched Bakugo stomp out of her room only to slam the door. Frowning at the clothes on her bed, Estelle let out a bothered groan. 'He already planned something today? Why the hell didn't he tell me? He's being even more persistent than ever!'

Knowing that she would feel guilty since he had gone out of his way to do this, Estelle stood up and got dressed. The internal battle she was used to waging on in her mind made it even more challenging to say no to the male. She was making this more problematic for the two of them, and she would have to work up the courage to break this off soon. Even if she hated seeing those eyes in pain, it was for the greater good.

Putting those thoughts aside, for now, Estelle accepted her position for the day and was ready by the time Bakugo bashed open the door once again. The blonde had an orange jacket over his hoodie, and he seemed to be dressed casually.

The two were in silence as they scanned over each other absentmindedly. Estelle felt a shiver down her spine as she trailed over his outfit. As much as the apron looked good on him, the handsomeness radiated off the blonde differently.

Taken aback, Estelle's heart skipped a beat as Bakugo stared at her. His hands were in his low jeans as he slouched with his usual expression. 'Wait, is that jewellery?' She questioned herself as she caught a hint of gold on his chest. Shrugging off the thought, Estelle gave a quick smirk to the blonde. "You look good."

Turning his head away to hide his blush, Bakugo internally held in his surprise from the abrupt compliment. He had only just realised he coordinated their outfits when he strolled back into the room. How did he miss that? They looked like a cheesy couple. Reddening even harder at the thought, Bakugo gruffed out, "I look the same I always have."

Giving a light hum, Estelle answered, "Must be the orange; it suits you."

"Tch, yeah yeah. Come on." He muttered, turning around to head for the door.

Only when they reached the outside of Estelle's room did he manage to get the red cheeks under control and the courage to turn around. Startled that Bakugo's face was centimetres from her own, she was only further floored by his following response. "You don't look half bad either."

Before she could respond, he was already in front of her as he walked his way to the elevator as if he hadn't just given her a heart attack. Following him, Estelle turned her head away so he couldn't see the smile on her lips.

'Why the hell did I say it like that for? She looks better than half-bad!'

"Sea world?" Estelle surveyed as she stood with Bakugo outside the centre.

"Tch, yeah."

"Why?"

"Because you like shitty animals. You haven't seen these ones yet."

Stunned, Estelle swivelled her head to the blonde. Disbelief was evident as she scanned him, and the confusion was next. Why would he bother taking her here of all places? Why bother taking her here at all?

Before the questioning in her mind could spiral, Estelle jolted forward once she was bumped on the head. It was followed by the blonde's growl as he said, "Don't escape to your head. Come on."

Humming in acknowledgement, Estelle felt the slow budding of excitement as they strolled into the entrance. Checking in, Bakugo already had the booking ready when they reached the counter.

"My! Don't the two of you look adorable! Enjoy your date!" The woman cheered as she put the wristbands on and directed them to the entrance.

Turning to a blushing Bakugo in confusion, Estelle asked, 'What's a date?"

Halting in his step, Bakugo turned to Estelle in slow motion whilst his mouth was agape. Clearly, he was shocked by her question. "The hell you asking me that for? Are you seriously telling me you don't know what a date is?"

"Hm? Is it an outing?"

Realising Estelle was serious, Bakugo remained speechless as he gazed at Estelle. 'Of course, she doesn't know!'

Shaking his head, he muttered, "Doesn't matter. This isn't a date anyway."

Confused, Estelle only nodded her head in agreement before her hand was taken and pulled along to the first stop. She would just have to ask someone else later or google it in the evening.

Pressing a hand against the glass, Estelle leaned closer to stare at the fishes in fascination. There were so many tanks, and she struggled to keep up as her head swivelled around the room to catch sight of them all.

"Slow down, Lioness. We have time to see them all."

"Fishies" was the only thing she could utter back innocently.

Hearing his snort, Estelle shifted to glare at him. Seeing the amused expression grow on his face, Estelle watched as the grin eventually tumbled out as he stared back at her. Flushing from the look, Estelle focused on the water animals to ignore the spark within her belly.

She kept her hand within his, mainly to pull him along as she travelled around every part of the room with awe. They looked so much better than the television; real life didn't compare to majestic creatures like these.

When she was satisfied, Estelle relaxed in her place and turned to leave the door they had previously entered from. Giving a noise of stupefaction, Estelle turned back to face Bakugo, who had stopped in place to cease her from moving. "Where do you think you're going?"

"We've seen the fishies, so isn't it time to go?" Estelle spoke, her voice thick with confusion.

Making a cackling laugh, Bakugo had to hold onto his stomach as he tried to pull himself together. Finally, he grunted at her when he managed to slow his laugh to brief and short chuckles.

Feeling her stomach turn at the glint in his ruby eyes, her attention was caught by his words which still held hints of laughter within them. "This is only the first room, Lioness. We still have tons to get through."

Floored, Estelle was silent for a second as the words registered in her brain. "You mean-"

"Yes."

"There are-"

"Yes."

"More fishies?-"

"Uh-huh."

"More rooms?"

"Yes, Lioness!" Bakugo stated loudly, with a wide grin as satisfaction burned in his stomach. The childlike wonder on her face hit some other part of him he had never felt before, and he could recognise that Estelle had been the only one in his life that had ever done that. It gave him such a high that he wondered if it would ever fade with time. Some strange part of him hoped it never would.

He watched as her mouth opened and closed as she tried to voice her astonishment. The sheer disbelief on her face would never get old for Bakugo, and the grin remained on his face as he revelled in the look. Pride flooding his bones, Bakugo turned around, her hand still in his. Pulling her towards the next room, Estelle was back to investigating every time of fish within the tanks. "Are these rescues too?" she murmured.

"Most of them are. Some fishes aren't bred for sea life, so they stay here."

"Thank goodness."

Squeezing her hand, he murmured, "Don't worry. I'd never take you to the other ones."

Feeling a pit in her stomach, knowing that animals were kept in captivity, Estelle shook the emotion off as another came into play. Gazing at the blonde, Estelle felt her heart warm at his thoughtfulness. 'So, that's why we travelled this far out.'

Watching as the blue tint reflected off the ruby-eyes male. Estelle failed to focus her gaze back onto the fishes as she stared at him. The warmth flowed through every inch of her exterior, and the gratitude she held for him was almost overwhelming. He was such a good person, truly one of pure heart behind his aggressive exterior. Again, Estelle felt like she didn't deserve to be in his presence because she knew she would only hurt him.

But the thought felt so tiny as she stood by him at that moment. His attractive face lit up by the water around him made him seem like marble. The tingle through her soul slowly seemed to travel through her body as she observed him.

Raising his hand, holding her own, Estelle gave a light kiss to his knuckles. His captivating eyes swivelled to her from the action, and before he could shout his query, Estelle murmured, "You are a beautiful human."

Heat spiked through every facet of the blonde. The sheer tidal wave that flowed through Bakugo was hard to comprehend, but the tightening of his chest indicated that his previous thought was correct. Estelle truly did satisfy parts of him he had never felt before.

Trying to force out words, Bakugo stammered as he attempted to formulate a response. Wincing at his own failures, the blonde resorted to watching the serene woman in front of him. The silence lingered as he gazed at Estelle, who had now focused back onto the animals. His heart was on overdrive as he did so, and slowly building up the courage, he leaned down to whisper into her ear. "And, I can't even begin to describe you. My fearsome Lioness."

Feeling her breath caught in her throat, Estelle looked into Bakugo's eyes with hidden shock. The atmosphere dulled to a halt as they struggled to break away like magnets determined to meet each other in the middle. The thumb behind Estelle's ear slowly trailed down her neck, and all Estelle could do was focus on her breathing.

Rubbing the soft channel slightly, Bakugo could feel the rise in her pulse matching his own. The warmth skyrocketed as they became intensely aware of what was happening at that point. It was almost like they were waiting for the other to break the moment and pretend that it never happened.

But that was the last thing that Bakugo wanted.

He wanted to drown in those dark eyes, so rich with something he couldn't pinpoint, but it drew him like a moth to a flame. His other hand twitched as it niggled at him to clasp Estelle's waist and close the distance that was driving him crazy right now. But he knew it was too soon. He hadn't even realised what these fucking feelings were. But, he had an idea. Bakugo was just weary of diving headfirst and admitting them. Not when everything was so unknown.

Finally jolting out of the hypnotising moment, Estelle took a step back from the blonde as she tried to gain her bearings. Her head was ultimately going frenzied once she managed to pull her strength to break out of the mesmerising hold he had on her. Thankfully, before her thoughts spiralled again. Bakugo pulled her back with a simple nudge and harsh words. "C'mon. Let's keep going."

Moving to take her hand out of his to get some distance from whatever the fuck just happened. Estelle realised Bakugo had tightened his grip on her as if he was fully aware of what she was trying to do.

Not wanting to put a damper on the day, Estelle accepted the gesture for now. But she had to remind herself once again that this was only temporary. She needed to fix this soon before it was too late.

Standing side by side, Estelle and Bakugo held hands as they stood within the shark tunnel. Estelle was shocked to see how big these aquatic creatures could get, but honestly, every animal was beautiful.

The blonde snorted as he listened to her mutter to herself about how gorgeous every animal was. The grin was ever-present on his face as he kept his eyes on her. It was entertaining for him to see her reactions because he never knew what would leave her mouth in these moments. Every time her eyes widened, Bakugo's smile would broaden for a second before forcing it away; he didn't want her to notice.

"They're fin-tastic."

Snorting again at the awful pun, Bakugo grinned at Estelle once again before twisting his head away. "No-fin must compare."

"Ah-hah! So, you do know some puns," Estelle cheered, gazing at him expectantly.

"Tch, not as many as you, Lioness."

"Gill-ty"

"Pfft," Bakugo guffawed, shaking his head at the female.

"You've been staring at that fish for ages," Bakugo murmured as he wondered what was happening in Estelle's brain.

"Because it looks so-fish-ticated."

Letting out a clamorous laugh, Bakugo grunted, "That was cod awful."

"Octopuses usually drop down on their prey from above and use the powerful suction on their arms to pull the victims into their mouth," Bakugo explained as he pulled out another fact from his brain. He would never admit it, but the homework he did on animals always came in handy with Estelle. He treasured seeing the glimpse of fascination on her face when he came out with something. It made all those extra hours worth it for him.

"How e-fish-ent."

"Yeah, I guess it's pretty tenta-cool."

Laughing out loud, Estelle smiled wide as Bakugo indulged in her humour. Grinning, she admitted, "Not bad, Ruby."

Feeling a hint of pride, Bakugo turned his head away so she couldn't see his victorious expression.

Bakugo and Estelle walked their way through the outskirts of Heights Alliance as they prepared to end the day. The smiles were on the duo's faces as they bantered back and forth about the day, and once they reached the inside, Estelle turned to face the blonde with a slightly awkward expression.

"Um, thanks for today. I'll see you tomorrow," Estelle mumbled, her eyes low before heading to her dorm.

Making a noise of surprise, Estelle was quickly pulled back as she heard a curse behind her. Before she could register her movements, Bakugo was on the ground as Estelle remained on top of him. Her arm pressed against his throat as her body tensed on top of him.

Blinking rapidly, Estelle blushed once she realised what had happened. Opening her mouth to apologise, Estelle enlarged her eyes at the expression on the face of the blonde.

His low stare and drooping eyelids bore at her with such intensity that her heart sped up. Relaxing her body, Estelle tensed right back up once his hands reached her hips. It was like he was grasping her to prevent her from leaving. Her assumption was correct when he breathily muttered, "don't run away from me."

Forcing herself to overcome the stop in her chest, Estelle let out deep lungfuls of air as she tried to gain her bearings. "I was just heading to bed; what are you doing?"

Tightening his grip, he answered. "The day isn't over yet. Prepare yourself."

Tensing as Bakugo stood up whilst holding Estelle. The female reddened because his hands were under her thighs, hooked around his waist. "You could have just told me to stand," she grumbled in embarrassment.

"Where's the fun in that?" Bakugo smirked back, his lips tilted up to make her feel strange.

"You're ridiculous," Estelle scoffed, shaking her head in mild disbelief.

Flopping onto the couch with Estelle still on top of him, Bakugo pulled her up, so she was at eye level. "I don't see you complaining."

"I am complaining," Estelle responded, her face inches away from the blonde.

"Shut up and hug me."