Katsuki Bakugou wasn’t exactly friendly. He was the loud, cocky kid who always had something to prove. He stomped through the halls like he owned them, barked at teachers when they dared correct him, and nearly blew up the science room once because someone mixed the wrong chemicals near his desk.

So when you got paired with him for a project in your second year of middle school, everyone gave you a look like you were walking into a lion’s den.

You weren’t scared.

He gave you the usual Bakugou glare—arms crossed, chin tilted like you were already wasting his time. “I do all the work. You stay out of my way, got it?” You raised a brow. “That’s not how group projects work, you know.”

Katsuki looked stunned for a second, probably because no one ever talked back to him like that. Then he scowled deeper. “Tch. Fine. But if you screw this up—”

“I won’t.” You answered firmly

It took time, but somehow, something shifted. You didn’t flinch when he shouted. You didn’t suck up to him like everyone else. You just… showed up. Did the work. Matched his fire without trying to fight it. And after a while, he stopped yelling at you and started yelling with you.

At lunch, he’d grumble when you sat next to him—“Don’t sit so close, dumbass” Katsuki grumbled but didn’t really shove you that hard.