Conversations

Katsuki Bakugo wished he was anywhere else.

It was a dull Thursday afternoon, and a few of his classmates surrounded him as he opened his packed lunch. The school day was spent around the extras that followed him daily, which he put up with since he had no other choice. He was just enjoying his spicy meal in peace, wondering what the otherworldly female was currently doing before he was jerked out of his thoughts by the redhead next to him.

"So, I told Bakubro that we know," Kirishima initiated within the silence, his teeth peeking out from his broad lips.

"You did?!" Ashido screeched loudly, causing the others to wince from the abrupt noise.

Katsuki's hands froze just before he picked up the unopened bento, his eyes remaining taut on his lunch as his lips tightened. It was as if he had something bitter in his mouth but had no way of fixing it since they were shut from anticipation. He waited impatiently for them to reach the punchline, his heart picking up speed as he resumed opening his meal.

"Doesn't everyone know, though?" Sero questioned innocently, his eyes flickering up to the ceiling thoughtfully.

"I mean, it is pretty obvious," Kaminari interjected, an entertained smirk lining his face. It was evident by his expression that the male was thoroughly enjoying poking the blonde with this conversation.

"Yeah, I know! But, Bakugo doesn't know that we know!" Kirishima continued, his eyes flickering back to Katsuki as he prodded the blonde to speak.

The blond held his groan within his throat, his eyes closing as he held back from squeezing his bento that he picked up too hard and ruining his meal. Taking a breath, his ruby eyes trailed to the extras expectantly, his mind already aware of where this conversation was heading.

Since the redhead commented about Estelle and him a few days ago, Katsuki suddenly became aware of the looks the duo would receive whenever they were seen together. Knowing eyes darted to each other, grazing over them in a way that made him want to scream. It was aggravating; he would have preferred the ignorance of not knowing they were aware. But, now that the truth settled in, he was constantly inches away from turning around and ricocheting off the walls. The only reason he had managed to compose himself was that letting his mouth run would let Estelle in the know, and he wasn't prepared for that just yet.

"Dammit!" The assertive male grumbled in annoyance, his eyes turning to them in exasperation. Gritting his teeth, he knew he had no choice but to follow up with the question they were clearly trying to get him to ask. "What do you know?"

"That you have the hots for Estelle!" Kaminari cooed out mockingly, his grin too punch-worthy for the other blonde to fathom.

Even though Katsuki knew what they were alluding to, the electric male's choice of words lit a fire under him. Suddenly feeling like the walls were closing in on him, Katsuki's eyes fell into slits as his head snapped towards Kaminari. A loud clang caused tables around them to turn their heads, but when they realised it was just the loud male's action of slamming his hands against the table, they quickly lost interest.

Taking a deep breath to prevent screaming out loud; it helped to know that the extras couldn't hear the yells within his mind, which were too chaotic for any mindreader to grasp. Finally, he managed to sputter, "You don't know anything! Shut the hell up!"

"Woah, man, chillax! Nobody will say anything!" Kirishima interrupted, his hands waving back and forth, hoping it would ease his friend's worries. It seemed to do the trick, as the tense shoulders of the blonde slowly began to unwind as he glanced away.

"Tch, whatever," He hissed back, his head unable to turn around as he felt the heat rise within his cheeks. Despite Kirishima's warning that they would talk about it, it still wasn't a conversation he expected from the extras, and now that it was happening, Katsuki wished someone would change the topic before he melted or exploded. Whichever came first.

"Besides, I think it's manly that you care for her so much. I mean, we all do. But it's pretty clear you care for her more than just a friend, right?" His friend pressed, his eyes seeming to show a knowing within them that seemed to rip right into the male's core.

Now that the initial shock of the conversation had worn off, Katsuki was suddenly hit with acceptance as he leaned back on his chair. It was silent between the group for a few moments, the rest of the students watching him with intrigue as he sifted through his thoughts before landing on a final decision. Slumping his shoulders, he snapped, "So what?"

"Ahh! You just- admitted it!" The female squealed, her feet forcing her to stand again as she pointed at him with shaking hands.

"You said it was obvious, and I'm not ashamed of it," Katsuki snarled, his head popping a vein as he glared her down.

"Still, it's a surprise to hear you say it out loud!" She cried back, still disbelieving that he had confessed it.

"The hell are you annoying me about this for, anyway?" Katsuki wondered, ignoring the pink female's words. Fair enough if there was some purpose behind it, but it just seemed like they wanted to rub it in his face instead. He already had enough on his plate; he didn't want to add nosy classmates to the list.

"Because we can help you!" Ashido cheered.

"I don't need your guy's help, and I'm doing fan-fucking-tastic on my own," He gruffed back, affronted that these extras could even think he would need their support. What could they tell him that he didn't already know? Typical dating advice didn't apply here; Estelle was an otherworldly being. For god's sake, it wasn't like he could walk up to her and ask her out on a date like it was anybody.

"Nooooo, you guys are moving at snail's pace. Just kiss and get together already!" Sero moaned childishly, his hands going up to his head in disappointment.

"Yeah, and for how long? Until she goes back home? No thanks." The blonde stated in his subdued voice, contrasting with the waves of violence flooding his eyeballs.

"Oh yeah, it's easy to forget that she's leaving us eventually," Kaminari chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Maybe for you. It's fucking annoying me, though." Katsuki rasped, his eyes still holding apparent frustration over that simple reality.

"So what are you going to do? Just forget about it?"

"What do you take me for?!" The teen barked, "I ain't no damn quitter! You all want her to stay here as well, no?!"

"O M G, are you going to try sweeping her off her feet?! Why does nobody like me like that?!"

"Because you're annoying as hell," Katsuki rebuked, his words layered with ice.

"Rude!"

Sero, who had been quiet for a bit too long, questioned, "I mean, it's kinda a lot to ask of her, to leave everything she knows."

"Tch, her home is a shithole filled with a bunch of people who don't care about her. I'd be doing her a damn favour getting her to stay."

Katsuki knew he was right; every time Estelle mentioned her world, it was like more shit was added to the pile. It never stopped, and the more the realisation set in, the more frustrated the blonde became. He couldn't understand her sense of duty to a world that had given her less than the bare minimum. He knew it was a good trait; hell, it was one he even appreciated, but not with this.

Maybe it would be different if she had people to return to, but she didn't. So, Katsuki felt no remorse, for his priority was getting her to remain with him, with them all. But he knew it would be no easy feat, and he was well aware that he was an impatient man, so he tried hard not to broach the topic too much. But, he knew if the subject came up, he probably wouldn't be able to stop himself from trying to convince her.

How was he supposed to know the best way for her to come to her senses? There wasn't a guidebook on how to get someone to stay in your world. Never mind the trauma, her purpose of duty, and the boundless unselfishness she seemed to hold.

Katsuki was fucked; he had no idea what he was doing. But he was trying; that had to count for something.

"Yeah, but you know how determined Estelle is."

"Well, I'll change her damn mind. She's not the only one who's stubborn," Katsuki snarked back resolutely, unable to fathom a reality where she succeeded.

"That's great and all, but all for a little crush? Do you even know if she likes you back?"

"There's nothing little about it. And it doesn't matter," Katsuki muttered, his mind whirling on the question more than he would like to admit.

"I mean, Estelle is clueless about relationships. The girls had to explain it to her during our sleepover," Ashido interrupted, her voice finally at normal levels as her arms folded over her midsection.

"You did what?"

"Her view on dating was like she was in the 1900s! The poor girl was flustered when she found out it's very different here!"

"Did she anything about Bakugo- ow!"

"Shut the hell up with all your snooping!"

"C'mon! I'm just trying to help!"

"I have it handled!"

"Seriously! You're already dating with all those dates you both keep going on. Maybe you just need to lay it on thick! Like a smooth criminal."

"Tch. You're all idiots."

Wolf stood by Estelle's side as she cut the head of a Hoinx, a four-legged beast resembling a horse with protruding horns that shot out of every inch of its body. The whine that left the mouth of the dark spirit was quiet as Estelle gave it a clean death, and the male observed the scene from behind, his mouth tipped down as he looked away.

Turning to face him, Estelle could practically feel his vexation from a mile away. Ignoring the blood that splashed over every inch of his outfit, she could feel her body settling as it began to disintegrate from view.

Her eyes scoured him, aware that, since they had begun hunting together, the spirit only continued to get increasingly frustrated in his hunts. It was a conundrum, as Estelle had only ever seen the positives of such an outing. Wolf was usually subdued, almost blank outside battles; inside, he would allow his bloodlust to rampage and return to his usual self. He only seemed to be getting increasingly agitated in this world.

She had tried questioning him on it lightly, but the reserved male bode no answers as he continued to reign manic bloodshed on the beasts around them. He would observe her, too, avidly, to the point that she wondered if he knew how many breaths she had taken in the last few minutes. It put her on edge slightly, but because she had known Wolf for so long, and this was new behaviour, she pushed the thoughts away.

But now, he was actively beginning to be irritated with her, and Estelle was reaching her point of just letting him hunt alone. She didn't have to be there, but she knew he preferred a buddy. But, if it wasn't necessary anymore, there were always more important things to do. Toru was currently waiting for her return to begin training, so it wasn't like she would be going to her bed (though she wouldn't complain if she did).

"What is it, Wolf?" Estelle voiced with a hidden demand in her tone as she flickered her eyes to his clenched fingers around his sword's handle.

"You fight differently."

"I fight efficiently," Estelle immediately defended, internally wondering where this was coming from.

"No, My Reaper. You are giving them easy deaths. Why would you give such disgusting creatures such a gift?!" Wolf argued, his gaze fierce as he hissed out those words with evident disgust.

Stepping back from his aggressive tone, Estelle muttered, "Why does it matter? I am tired of fighting, so why would I draw it out? I gain nothing from that."

"You once did," He immediately inputted, his body raising to a stance as he made his point. "You would relish every moment you returned the pain they had given you. Your bloodlust would rival mine at times; it was magnificent."

Feeling bitterness rise within her from his words, Estelle hissed, "I don't feel the need to make them squeal anymore; I have more important things to think about. I only join you because you request it of me as a comrade."

"Not as a partner? Who else understands your pain as much as I do?"

Unable to locate the proper response, Estelle remained quiet as she turned her body away to leave. Even though the two had bonded over shared grief, Estelle wasn't prepared for him to speak this way. The tones layered under his words were unspoken, but the clear possessiveness was enough to put her on edge.

Wolf had always been that way, but it was never to the point that it became uncomfortable to be around. Ever since he nearly attacked her classmates, it suddenly became a feature of the spirit that stuck out like a sore thumb. She had hoped he would ease up when he settled in a bit more, but it only seemed to grow.

She didn't make it very far before she was met with golden eyes, his animal-like speed pouncing in front of her before she could even blink. Narrowing her eyes at the fact he had intercepted her, Estelle waited for him to speak. "I think you should remain at camp."

"And pray tell, why should I do that?"

"Because more of your comrades fill the space day by day. Soon, there will be enough for an army, and the attacks will begin to rise. You are needed here, with your own kind. You shouldn't be concerned about staying with humans, which takes up too much of your time. This mission, this war takes priority over everything else."

Feeling his clawed hands placed on the side of her face, Estelle was slow to remove it, her eyes staring into molten gold as her mind quickly sifted through many thoughts.

Her initial reaction was to shut him down then and there but to do that would be to admit that she didn't want to stay with the spirits at camp. It logically made sense, allowing her mind to fully submerge in the war brewing and preparing everyone for future battles. But Estelle didn't want that. Maybe It was because she didn't want to go back there mentally, a place so dark that the only thing she breathed was fighting tactics, battle plans and death.

Maybe it was because walking into Height's Alliance immediately lifted the weight off her shoulders that felt as if the world depended on her.

Hound-dog had explained to her yesterday that healing a fractured mind and heart would be a mission for life; it would never end. The fact that Estelle was going to relive it in some shape or form made it essential for her to practice self-care. Estelle had asked him that same session what self-care meant and was glad he made no outward reaction of surprise as he explained it was the act of looking after yourself first. This was a no-brainer now that Estelle looked back at it, but it felt so foreign at the time.

Maybe that was what she was doing right now. Self-care? By ensuring she had some space from her and the rest of the spirits? Estelle wasn't entirely sure, but she was certain she would ask Hound-dog about it later.

Right now, though, she needed to give an adequate answer to a comrade who lives for battle. Self-care wasn't it, yet it would need to be reasonable enough for the rest of the spirits to not feel put out by the fact that she disagreed.

She hated army politics, but she knew it wasn't just Wolf asking; it was likely other spirits who had brought the question up themselves.

"Unfortunately, that wouldn't be possible. I had agreed with the humans that I would provide aid and report back whilst completing my tasks for the war. If I turn my back on them, they will come for us, a hassle we do not need. We are better off this way, and you know how I like things to be simple."

"Tch, we could kill them all and be done with it then," The spirit growled, his hand tightening his sword's handle eagerly.

"And how would that make us better than Nyx or Aite? Slaughtering the innocent for our benefit isn't how we do things and has never been what I have stood for. You know this, yet you dare bring it up to me as an option?!" Estelle spat back, a layer of disdain lingering within her tone.

"I...apologise. Consider this matter as resolved."

"Acknowledged. I am leaving now."

Estelle returned from her training with Hagakure with a smile. The cheerful girl was dancing around her with their learned hand-to-hand combat moves.

"Pow! Then I go like, Wham!" Toru displayed as she did a karate kick.

"Yes, just like that. Well done," Estelle responded, a chuckle in her tone as she listened to the female dance around her enthusiastically.

"Nobody can defeat me now except Captain! You better watch out, boys; ill be kicking ass soon enough!" Toru called out cockily, grunting sounds in the air as she tried to show off her moves.

"Nobody can see you, Hagakure," Kaminari interrupted with a sweatdrop. The class followed suit, smiling as the evident joy surrounded the two arrivals.

"Oh, man! I completely forgot about that! It's so strange having Estelle know everything I'm doing just by listening to me!"

"Hm. Earth bending is efficient," Estelle commented simply.

"You can say that again! At least you can't see me!"

Estelle let out a light blush at the reminder that Toru was utterly naked during these times. Turning her head away so nobody could see it, Estelle, unfortunately, met the sight of Katsuki's grin. He caught it.

Estelle faced forward again to avoid his humoured gaze with a hint of a blush.

Thanking Katsuki for the food. Estelle sat down quickly, and the class fell into the usual chatter around her. Feeling the couch dip next to her, she turned to face the arrival. Tokoyami. "I was wondering if you have time to revel in the dark together this week."

Thinking about her schedule, Estelle nodded her head in agreement. "Sure, how about tomorrow?"

"Isn't the press release tomorrow?"

"Ah, no. Hawks informed me it's the day after."

"Wait! When does it start?!" Tsu interrupted, her eyes tilted up in intrigue as she overheard the conversation.

"Three o'clock; why?"

"Duh! We're going to watch it!"

Shaking her head, her hand waving off their statement, Estelle muttered, "Nah, you don't have to. It'll be boring anyways."

"Nope! We're watching!" Kirishima grinned out, no room for argument within his tone.

"Hm. Okay."

Estelle wasn't shocked when Katsuki showed up at her dorm that evening. She was stunned by what had happened once she opened the door. Feeling a breath of a kiss on her cheek, the blonde was gone as quick as he came as he strutted into the room. Turning around to face her, his hands in his pockets as he stood slumped, he watched as she registered what he had done.

And blushed beautifully.

The side of Katsuki's lip tilted up as he snorted, "Well, what are you waiting for? Close the door, and come here."

Grumbling at the demanding manner in his voice, Estelle followed his instructions and met him in the middle of the room. "You can't just surprise me like that."

Katsuki would have preferred to have lingered within the moment, but he knew there was a chance her reflexes would have kicked in. Unfortunately, an incident like that had happened too many times on accident, and the last thing he wanted was for his progress to wither away because he was selfish. Still, she made no move to stop him; a sign like that was too good to pass up.

Stepping forward slowly, Katsuki gave her a moment to realise what he was doing and placed his hands on her hips. Pulling her forward slightly, their chests touched as he murmured, "You seemed to have liked it. Am I wrong?"

"Well, uh, no? Yes?"

"Aw, is my little lioness struggling to find her words?" he cooed almost mockingly, his fingers raising to brush a hair lingering on her cheek.

Ignoring his action, Estelle rebutted, "You seem to enjoy touching me an awful lot, don't you?"

"Hell yeah, why wouldn't I when you always look so delicious? Mind if I do it again?"

The sudden gravel within Katsuki's tone was deep, almost inviting, as he voiced his easy agreement. The vibration of his chest seemed to flow through the female as she tensed, her eyes vast as the air halted in her lungs. Gaining the courage to meet his sights, Estelle found it challenging to understand the emotions swirling through them. Looking at her intently, it was as if he was looking right through her and into her soul.

Estelle couldn't help but fidget under the heavy stare, red rising to her cheeks as her finger played with the lace hanging from his hoodie. Twirling the fabric around her finger, she realised that there was nothing to hide behind at that moment. It was too open, and she almost feared what he would see when he pulled her guard down so quickly with such honest words.

It didn't help that once she managed to look back up at him, whatever filled his gaze only seemed to grow stronger at her flustered face. Whatever it was, it seemed to expand within her, landing on her chest like a soft cushion. It left her speechless, unable to vocalise a single phrase that would halt the moment Estelle had fallen to.

The blonde, fully aware of the mayhem that tends to surround Estelle's mind, decided to play things differently. He was fully aware of Estelle's struggle to say yes to him, and forcing her to do that would only make her frustrations towards herself grow. Tilting his head at the lack of response, he murmured, "I'm going to do it again, so your silence is a green light until you tell me not to."

His ruby eyes seemed to have held Estelle hostage; she could not tear her gaze away, struck dumb by what his stare had instigated. Despite her heavy feet from the day's work, she felt almost weightless under his watch. Her own globes followed him as he slowly inched closer to her. It was painstakingly slow, and It would only be later that she realised he was giving her the chance to decline.

Her eyes closed tightly, her hand gripping his lace she held with all her might before his lips met her temple. His heart melted from the sight as she was like a clueless child awaiting action with trepidation. So, letting out a puff of air, he stopped as soon as his lips brushed up against her skin, almost afraid that pressing too hard would cause her to flinch.

The only noise between them was the hitch in Estelle's breath, her body tightening up as she gripped onto him with both hands. It almost felt wrong for her to receive something like this because something so soft and gentle was not for a warrior like herself. She was made for blood, tactics and war; she was not for comfort. A machine she was called, and right now, she felt anything but.

Yet Estelle revelled in it, melted in it, surrounded herself in what seemed like a bubble of affection she never thought existed for someone like her. It was so foreign that when he pulled back slightly to land another, she instinctively pulled him forward again to land another peck on her face.

It reached every corner, every facet of her body. It spread to her toes, which curled in anticipation for every kiss Katsuki seemed to pepper all over her face, so light compared to the male holding her.

It was as if she was basking in the sun, too benevolent and cosy that it was alien to her, but Estelle couldn't find it within herself to care because it was the first time Estelle had ever felt safe. Like she had been wrapped up in blankets and shoved in front of a fireplace, safe.

The feeling continued to grow the longer he unabashedly showered her within his embrace, and it reached the point that Estelle almost couldn't even breathe under all the heat. Feeling a prickle in her eyes from how overwhelmed she felt, Estelle could feel the tremors of her hand as she gripped onto his hoodie in tight balls.

Her eyes were wide, a feeling of unfamiliarity within her at why she felt this way, why he had managed to make her think such unrecognisable emotions. Unable to linger on the thought for long, Estelle's attention was caught by the blonde watching her intently. He had paused his ministrations the second he had detected the trembles in her body, concern rising within him that he may have done something wrong or had pushed her too far out of her comfort zone.

Why did it feel so foreign, yet so much like home? It was as if a locked chest was inside her, and he had somehow managed to open it up without a key. It crashed onto her like a tidal wave that Estelle could have hunched over and wept because it felt undeserved. He had smashed the lock open, leaving her vulnerable and confused, and Estelle still had no fucking clue what to do.

Estelle let out a deep and wavering breath as she tried to collect herself. Mending the bricks of her walls to return to how she was.

But, that was the last thing Katsuki wanted, his heart lurching as if telling him to pursue the moment. To figure out what was going through her mind and what he could do to fix it. "Talk to me, baby girl. What's wrong?"

Choking a breath, her voice was barely above a whisper as she answered. "I...don't know."

"Do you want me to stop? Truthful answer."

"I...don't know."

Letting a breath of relief leave him once he realised that he wasn't the problem, Katsuki furrowed his brows as he tried to help her figure it out. "What's going through your head?"

"It feels too much."

Feeling his heart drop slightly, Katsuki reminded himself not to jump to conclusions as he whispered back, "What does?"

Clenching her fist tightly into his shirt, she responded, "Like I shouldn't be standing here with you right now. Nobody has ever been like this with me before; I don't know what I'm supposed to do or what I'm supposed to feel. It's too much."

"Oh, sweetheart. You don't have to do anything, and you don't have to feel anything; you do what the hell you want to do. And if that's simply letting me treat you like you deserve, then don't do anything. Let me do it."

"Okay."

"Atta girl. Now, let me keep doing what I was doing."