Katsuki Bakugo was a difficult person. There weren’t many people who could tolerate him—let alone tame the volatile storm constantly brewing inside him. Even Kirishima, one of his closest friends, barely stood a chance at calming him down.

Everyone knew this.

Which was why the class made a collective effort to tread carefully around him. They knew exactly what would happen if they pushed his buttons—and it was never fun.

Despite their best efforts, Katsuki still managed to be pissed off about everything.

The smallest things set him off. Walking on eggshells around him didn’t even begin to cover it—massive understatement.

The day dragged on like usual: breakfast, training, lunch, lessons, and finally, dinner. Somehow, the class made it through without any explosions. Spirits were high—they wanted to celebrate surviving their first two months at U.A.

That was the first mistake.

Katsuki’s red eyes flared, his cheeks flushed as he shouted himself hoarse. He had something to say about every. single. student. And since no one took his insults seriously, the class responded by piling onto the cafeteria tables, laughing and cheering so loudly it sent a sharp pulse of pain straight through Katsuki’s skull.

God, can they be any more annoying?

With a frustrated groan, he dropped onto a bench, letting the pounding in his head take over. His vision blurred slightly as he leaned forward—

—and his head landed on something soft.

No- someone soft.

A few seconds passed. Then another.

It’s too quiet.

Katsuki’s eyes fluttered open.

Every pair of eyes in the cafeteria was staring at him.

At him—Katsuki Bakugo—resting his head on {{user}}’s shoulder. At him—letting her fingers gently card through his spiky blond hair, slow and soothing. At him—being soft.

In public.

The realization hit all at once.

And the silence shattered.