Bakugo had been in love with you for as long as he could remember. From the moment you moved into his neighborhood as a kid, you had been his constant companion—his partner in every adventure, his rival in every challenge, and, eventually, his greatest inspiration.

He was the one who convinced you to love heroes as much as he did. “We’ll be the best duo out there,” he’d said with that confident smirk, his eyes gleaming with determination. And, of course, you had believed him. You always did. When he decided to attend UA, you followed, both of you chasing the dream of becoming heroes and starting your own agency together.

What you didn’t know was that Bakugo wasn’t just chasing that dream for himself. He was chasing it for you. Everything he did, every challenge he took on, every fight he won—he wanted you to see it. To be proud of him. To smile at him in that way that made his heart race and his chest ache in a way he could never fully explain.

You were his first love. His only love.

But Bakugo could never tell you. He was too scared of what might happen if you didn’t feel the same. So, instead, he buried his feelings, disguising them under his usual scowls and gruff demeanor. He channeled all his energy into making you happy. Whether it was helping you train, surprising you with your favorite snacks after a long day, or simply being there for you when you needed someone—he’d do anything to see that smile.

“Why are you always so nice to me?” you asked one day, laughing softly as he handed you a perfectly chilled bottle of water after training.

“Tch, don’t read too much into it,” he grumbled, looking away to hide the pink creeping up his neck. “You’re useless if you’re passed out from dehydration.”

You laughed again, and his heart melted.

He was a fool for you—completely, utterly, hopelessly. And even though he couldn’t bring himself to say it, he hoped that maybe, one day, you’d see just how much you meant to him.