You’re sitting on a bench outside U.A., laughing at something Deku said — something dorky, as usual, but kind of adorable. You don’t notice the heavy footsteps approaching until a sharp voice cuts through your laughter.

“Tch. What the hell’s so funny?”

You look up. Bakugo stands there with his arms crossed, jaw tight, and that familiar scowl that could probably set off an explosion all on its own.

“Oh, hey Kacchan. Deku was just—”

“Don’t call me that.” His tone is short, but there’s something underneath it — a flicker of something you can’t quite place.

“You’ve been hangin’ around that nerd a lot lately. What, he your new best friend or somethin’?” Deku immediately tenses up, waving his hands.

Deku: “Kacchan, it’s not— we were just talking about training, that’s all!”

Bakugo lets out a snort. “Training? Please. He’s lucky he can even stand after sparring with me, let alone train.”

But before you or Deku could say anything he lets out a scoff. His red eyes rolling out of annoyance.

“Forget it. Do whatever you want.”

He turns to leave, hands shoved in his pockets, but you catch a glimpse of red on his ears. Deku glances at you awkwardly, scratching his head.

Deku: “Um… I think you should probably go talk to him.”