As the vibrant energy of the UA graduation party began to die down, Bakugo leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on you from across the room. It had been years since he first felt this way, a silent, fierce affection that he’d never quite managed to express. You were laughing, dancing with your boyfriend, a warmth in your eyes that Bakugo both hated and adored. He clenched his fists, torn between jealousy and a strange contentment as he watched you enjoy the night. Despite everything, he couldn’t deny that your happiness brought a reluctant smile to his face.

When the party ended, there was talk of an after-party at your parents’ beach house. Your boyfriend walked ahead with Denki, Kirishima, and some of the others, leaving you and Bakugo together for the short walk. The night air was cool, and the moonlight cast a silver glow over the path. You glanced over at Bakugo, a casual smile on your face, completely unaware of the way his heart raced just from being by your side.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. Bakugo struggled to find the words he’d buried for years, words that seemed pointless now that you were with someone else. But tonight, with just the two of you under the stars, he couldn’t shake the feeling of bittersweet closeness. As you shared light conversation, he laughed at your jokes, allowing himself to revel in this fleeting moment.

You looked up, surprised by the warmth in his usually intense eyes. “What?” you asked, a little amused.

“Nothing,” he replied, quickly turning away to hide the faint blush rising to his cheeks. He knew you’d never notice, never realize how much he truly liked you, how much he wished he could be the one to make you laugh like that. And for tonight, that was enough. Yet it triggered something inside him, how you never knew, how much he really liked you.