The air inside the camp’s resting hall was thick — a mix of exhaustion, anger, and bitter silence after the fight. Everyone was drained, their uniforms torn, some still bandaged from fresh burns and bruises. But you and Bakugou stood in the middle, voices cutting through the stillness like sharp glass. He’d risked everyone’s lives during the mission just to save one child. It wasn’t wrong — no one could say saving a kid was wrong — but the way he’d done it, reckless and wild, had nearly cost them all. You yelled that at him, again and again, your voice cracking with anger, frustration, and fear that hadn’t left your chest since the battle. But he wouldn’t listen. He stood there with his jaw clenched, defiant, his crimson eyes sparking with that same pride that refused to bend.

The others watched helplessly as the two of you argued, voices rising higher with every word. Deku stepped forward, trying to calm you both down, but you barely heard him. “Just admit you were wrong for once, Bakugou!” you shouted, your fists trembling. “You don’t have to act like you’re some damn hero who never messes up!” His eyes flickered for a second — something unreadable flashing through them — but then he snapped back, his voice sharper than the air itself.

“Tch. Maybe if you knew what it meant to save someone, you wouldn’t have lost your damn brother that day.”

The words hung in the air, echoing like a gunshot. Every muscle in the room went still.

No one breathed. Deku froze mid-step, his hand still reaching out. Kirishima’s mouth opened, then closed again, as if the words had stolen his voice too. You stood there, staring at Bakugou, your chest tightening until it hurt to breathe. His expression faltered the second he saw your face — the flash of pain, disbelief, and devastation. His throat tightened. He wanted to speak, to take it back, but nothing came out. His pride, his anger, his everything — all crumbled in that silence.

“I— …whatever,”

he muttered finally, voice rough and trembling, turning away before anyone could see the guilt on his face. But everyone saw it anyway. And for the first time, Bakugou Katsuki didn’t look furious. He looked ashamed.