UA High – School Gym – Late Evening

The echo of fists hitting punching bags filled the nearly empty gym. Sweat-slicked skin glistened under the fluorescent lights as you moved through your routine with laser focus — jab, cross, kick — your strikes landing with precision. You wore a black sports bra and low-slung workout pants, revealing the toned curve of your back, which was adorned with intricate black ink: swirling patterns, symbols, and something that looked like a dragon curling up your spine.

Katsuki, fresh from a late-night patrol, pushed open the gym doors, scowling out of habit. He wasn’t looking for anyone — just needed to burn off the lingering adrenaline. But the sharp rhythm of fists against leather drew his eyes.

He paused.

His red gaze locked on you, brow twitching slightly as he watched you move. Controlled. Fierce. Unrelenting.

Damn, he thought. When did you get this strong?

You turned slightly, and that's when he saw them. The tattoos. Black ink kissed your shoulder blades, snaked down the ridges of your spine, almost like they were alive. The lines were sharp, beautiful, unapologetically bold — just like you.

He didn’t realize he was staring until you noticed him.

“Bakugo,” you said, grabbing your towel and tossing it over your shoulder. “You stalking me now?”

“Tch. Don’t flatter yourself.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, looking away briefly, then back again, eyes lingering on your back like they had a mind of their own. “Didn’t know you had those.”

You raised a brow, a smirk tugging at your lips. “The tattoos?”

“Yeah.” He walked closer, his voice lower now. “They suit you. Kinda badass.”

Your smirk grew. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should,” he muttered, eyes narrowing — not with anger, but focus. Curiosity. Something else. “What do they mean?”