him

"As Bakugo and Kirishima sit waiting in the agency owner's office for them to return from patrol, Kirishima begins to look around at all the pictures, bored. Suddenly, he freezes and points to a photo on the bookshelf."

"Kirishima leans over to Bakugo, pointing at the picture." "Is that who I think it is?"

"Bakugo picks up the picture, staring at his ex's smiling face." "What the hell! Why is !OcD here?" "He couldn't believe he was going to be seeing his ex after four years of no contact, especially after how things ended between them."

"Bakugo tenses up at the sight of you, his gaze wary as he acknowledges your presence." "Hmph. What are you doing here?" "he grunts, his tone less than friendly."

"Kirishima grins at you warmly, hugging you back tightly." "Hey, !OcD! Good to see ya, man! How have you been?"

"Bakugo's eyes flicker over to Kirishima and then back to you, a faint scowl tugging at his lips." "Whatever," "he mutters under his breath." "Just focus on the mission, got it?"

The agency owner clears his throat before beginning the briefing. "Alright, listen up. We've received a request for hero work in an area that's been plagued by recent villain activity. It's up to you three to go in and secure the area, take out any villains you encounter, and make sure the civilians are safe."

Bakugo nods, his eyes sharpening as he listens intently to the details. "Got it," he says curtly. "We'll handle it."

Kirishima grins confidently, thumping his chest with a fist. "You can count on us! We won't let you down!" He shoots you a bright smile, conveying his enthusiasm for the mission.

"Bakugo rolls his eyes at Kirishima's exuberance before heading towards the door." "Let's get moving already."

Bakugo glances at the map over Kirishima's shoulder, his expression focused as he assesses the area. "We need to cover ground fast," he remarks, his tone serious and determined.

Kirishima nods in agreement, studying the map carefully. "Yeah, we'll need to divide the area strategically to make sure we cover as much ground as possible."

As you call for a sitter, Bakugo looks over at you briefly before redirecting his attention back to the map, already formulating a plan of action in his mind.

Bakugo raises an eyebrow at your suggestion, studying the two buildings on the map with interest. "Interesting," he mutters under his breath. "I was thinking the same thing. Let's move out."

Kirishima nods in agreement, following Bakugo out of the office. As you all make your way towards the location, you feel a wave of nervousness wash over you. Being around Bakugo always made you feel a little uneasy, despite the fact that you had once been involved with him romantically.

But as you watch him stride ahead confidently, his explosive personality shining through, you can't help but feel a twinge of attraction tug at your heartstrings.

Bakugo narrows his eyes, studying the building and its defenses intently. "We need to act fast," he says firmly. "If we try to sneak in, they'll hear us coming a mile away. We need to take them out quickly."

Kirishima nods in agreement. "Yeah, Bakugo's right. We don't have time to waste." He glances at you, his expression serious. "What do you suggest?"

Bakugo raises an eyebrow at your suggestion, considering it for a moment. "Hmm, not a bad idea," he admits begrudgingly. "But we'll need to make sure we take out whoever's inside quickly. We can't afford to mess around."

Kirishima nods in agreement, looking back at you expectantly. "Alright then, let's do it. Lead the way, !OcD."

As you gather water with your quirk and focus it into a sharp blade, you approach one of the barred windows and begin to slice through them with ease. The sound of metal scraping against metal is almost unbearable, but you manage to cut through the bars silently. With a nod to your teammates, you slip into the building, ready for whatever danger lies ahead.

Bakugo turns to see you falling off the roof, his eyes widening in shock. Without a second thought, he launches himself towards you, igniting his Explosion Quirk to propel himself forward with incredible speed.

He catches you midair, wrapping one arm around your waist and using his other hand to blast the ground below, creating a platform for both of you to land on safely. As soon as you touch down, Bakugo releases his hold on you, panting slightly from the exertion.

"You alright?" he asks gruffly, his concern evident in his tone. "You could've been seriously hurt."

Bakugo meets your gaze, his expression softening slightly at your words. "Don't mention it," he grumbles, a hint of rare warmth in his tone. He glances down at the cut on your arm, his brows furrowing slightly.

"Let's get you patched up," he says, reaching into his utility belt for a first aid kit. As he tends to your wound, his movements are surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to his usual brash demeanor.

Kirishima joins you both, offering a reassuring smile. "Glad you're okay, !OcD. That was too close."

Kirishima nods, a determined glint in his eyes. "Yeah, we took care of him. He won't be causing any more trouble."

Bakugo finishes tending to your wound and steps back, giving you a nod. "You should be good now," he says gruffly, his eyes lingering on you for a moment before he turns away, heading back towards the building's entrance.

As you watch him go, you can't help but feel a mixture of gratitude and unresolved feelings stirring within you.

Bakugo nods in agreement, studying the map with interest. "Good plan," he says curtly. "We'll take this area." He points to a section of the map that's particularly dense with population.

Kirishima nods in agreement. "Got it. We'll cover this section over here." He points to another area on the map before looking back at you. "Be careful out there, !OcD. Don't want to see you get hurt again."

As you all part ways to survey the rest of the city, you can't help but feel grateful for their concern. Despite your complicated history with Bakugo, you know that they both have your best interests at heart.

Bakugo's expression softens for a split second, a hint of nostalgia flickering in his eyes at the familiar phrase. "Yeah, you too," he replies gruffly, a touch of warmth underlying his words before he quickly masks it with his usual tough exterior.

As you walk away, you can't help but feel a pang of emotion at the slip of habit. The remnants of your past with Bakugo linger in the air, a reminder of what once was and what could have been.

As you greet the babysitter, Bakugo approaches quietly, a small frown tugging at his lips as he listens in on your conversation. "Everything okay?" he asks gruffly, glancing at you from the corner of his eye.

The babysitter smiles, her face lighting up when she sees you. "Hi !OcD! Everything's going great, your daughter's been an angel."

Bakugo's frown deepens slightly, a mixture of emotions flickering across his features. He clears his throat before speaking. "We should head back," he says firmly, turning to leave before realizing that you haven't caught up with him yet.

When he turns around, he sees you on the phone and sighs, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. "Hurry it up, we don't have all day."

Bakugo's jaw clenches as he meets your gaze, his fiery red eyes locking with yours. "I'm not being a dick," he retorts, his tone defensive. "We just need to wrap this up and get going. I don't want to be out here longer than necessary."

He crosses his arms, the tension between you palpable as he waits for Kirishima to return. It's clear that there's more than just frustration at play in his demeanor, but he doesn't elaborate on it further.

Bakugo's eyebrows raise slightly at your mention of a babysitter, but he doesn't comment on it further. Instead, he continues to wait in silence, his arms still crossed and his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Kirishima.

As the moments tick by, the tension between you grows thicker, each of you seemingly lost in your own thoughts. However, Bakugo can't help but feel a sense of curiosity at the mention of your daughter. He wonders if there's more to your relationship than meets the eye, but he doesn't bring it up, unsure of how you might react.

Bakugo's expression hardens slightly at your teasing, his eyes narrowing in irritation. "None of your business," he grumbles, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Despite his defensiveness, it's clear that something is weighing heavily on his mind. The mention of your daughter has only added fuel to whatever internal turmoil he's dealing with.

Bakugo's eyes flicker towards you, hesitating for a moment before he speaks. "It's nothing," he says gruffly, his usual defensiveness returning to his tone.

However, it's clear that there's more to it than that. His eyes dart around the area, as if searching for something. Finally, he lets out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"I just...I can't shake this feeling," he admits, his voice softer now. "Like there's something I'm missing."

Bakugo shakes his head, his expression troubled. "No, it's not that," he says gruffly. "It's something else, something...I don't know."

He rubs at the back of his neck, a small frown tugging at his lips. "Forget it. It's nothing important," he adds, dismissing the subject.

Bakugo's eyes widen slightly at your words, his expression softening with a hint of regret. "I'm sorry," he says gruffly, his voice low. "I didn't mean to shut you out like that. It's just...a lot has been going on lately."

He shifts his weight, his eyes flickering towards you again before quickly looking away. "I don't want things to be tense between us, !OcD. You're right, we didn't work out, but that doesn't mean we have to be enemies."

Bakugo's shoulders tense under your touch, but he doesn't pull away. He meets your gaze, his intense red eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions—uncertainty, frustration, and a hint of vulnerability.

"There's just...a lot on my mind," he admits, his voice quieter than usual. "The hero world is more complicated than I thought it would be. And there's...other stuff too."

He struggles to find the right words, a rare moment of hesitation clouding his usually confident demeanor. His hand moves to cover yours on his shoulder, a silent acknowledgment of your support.

Bakugo sighs, his hand gripping yours a little tighter. "I just...I don't know how to feel about everything that's been happening," he admits finally, his voice low. "With the villains getting stronger and the pressure on us to be better heroes...I don't know if I'm cut out for all of this."

He pauses, looking away as if ashamed of his own vulnerability. "And then there's you," he adds, his voice barely above a whisper. "And our past...it just complicates things even more."

Bakugo's breath hitches slightly as you embrace him, a mixture of surprise and gratitude flashing in his eyes. He stiffens for a moment before slowly relaxing into the comfort of your arms. Your words seem to soothe some of the tension that's been weighing on him.

"You always know what to say," he murmurs, his voice barely audible. "You're not bad at this comforting stuff."

He leans into your touch, allowing himself a rare moment of vulnerability in your presence. It's clear that your support means more to him than he lets on.

Bakugo meets your eyes, a hint of uncertainty flickering in his gaze. "I don't want to hold you back either," he says gruffly. "I know we have...complicated history, but I don't want that to get in the way of our work as heroes."

He pauses, his fingers drumming nervously on his arms. "And !OcD, about what you said earlier..." He hesitates for a moment before continuing. "Is everything okay with your daughter? Do you need any help?"

Bakugo's expression softens at the mention of your daughter, a rare warmth glimmering in his eyes. "You're doing a good job," he acknowledges gruffly. "I'm sure she's lucky to have you looking out for her."

He notices your hesitation and the unspoken words behind your actions, but he doesn't press further. Instead, he offers a small nod as if to show his understanding.

As you comfort your daughter, Bakugo's gaze lingers on the screen of your phone, his eyes widening imperceptibly as he catches a glimpse of the little girl. He can't help but notice the striking resemblance she bears to him, from her sharp features to her intense red eyes.

A flicker of surprise and realization crosses his expression before he quickly schools his features into a neutral mask. It's a moment that leaves him grappling with a whirlwind of emotions, but he doesn't voice his thoughts aloud, letting the weight of the unspoken truth hang heavily in the air.

Bakugo shakes his head, a determined glint in his eyes as he regains his composure. "It's nothing," he says, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "Just thought I saw something. False alarm."

He shifts his weight, his gaze briefly meeting yours before he looks away, the unspoken truth still lingering between you.

Bakugo meets your gaze, his expression hardening as if bracing himself for something. "It's just...seeing your daughter made me realize something," he admits finally, his voice low. "She looks like...me."

He pauses, a rare moment of vulnerability clouding his features. "And it just made me think about all the things we went through and what could have been different," he adds, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I know that's not fair to you or your daughter. And I don't want to make things complicated again."

Bakugo's eyes widen in shock at your words, his expression flickering with a whirlwind of emotions—surprise, confusion, anger. He takes a step back, his breath catching in his throat as if trying to process the revelation.

It takes him a moment before he can speak again, his voice rough and strained. "Our...daughter?" he repeats, as if trying to confirm that he heard you correctly. "How long have you known? And why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Bakugo's features soften, a storm of emotions swirling in his intense red eyes as he listens to your confession. His jaw tenses, but the anger that you expected doesn't surface. Instead, there's a sense of realization and contemplation.

"I can't believe I didn't know about her," he murmurs, his voice filled with a mix of regret and something else—a hint of longing and an unspoken desire for what could have been.

He reaches out hesitantly, his hand stopping just short of touching yours before retreating back. "I wish things had been different," he says quietly, his gaze searching yours for a connection that spans beyond mere words.

Bakugo's eyes soften at the mention of your daughter, a hint of sadness flickering in his gaze as he considers the gravity of his absence in her life. He nods slowly, his expression pained.

"I'll try to make it right," he says quietly, his voice low. "I don't want to miss out on any more of her life."

He steps closer, his fingers grazing yours in a hesitant gesture. "And...maybe there's still a chance for us too," he adds, his voice barely above a whisper. "If you're willing to take that risk."

Bakugo reaches out to gently wipe the tear from your cheek, his touch gentle and reassuring. "It's not your fault," he says firmly. "We were both young and naive back then. And we both made mistakes."

He steps closer, closing the distance between you and taking you in his arms once more. "But we can make things right now," he murmurs against your ear. "I want to be there for our daughter and I want to be there for you too. If you'll let me."

Bakugo wraps his arms tighter around you, pulling you close in a comforting embrace. "I missed you too," he admits quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't realize how much until now."

He holds you for a moment longer, feeling the warmth of your body and the softness of your skin against his own. And with that embrace, it's clear that the past no longer matters. All that matters is the present moment and the future that lies ahead.

"I promise to make things right from now on," he says firmly, his voice filled with determination. "For our daughter and for us."

Bakugo nods, a sense of resolution in his gaze as he looks at you. "Yeah, let's go," he says, falling into step beside you. "I want to see her too."

As you walk away together, there's a newfound sense of hope and possibility in the air—a chance for healing, growth, and the prospect of a shared future that waits just around the corner. And as you leave with Bakugo by your side, it's clear that this journey is only just beginning.

Bakugo crouches down to her level, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he meets her curious gaze. "Hey there, Ruth," he says gently. "I'm someone very special to your mommy."

He glances up at you with a hint of warmth in his eyes, silently seeking your confirmation before he continues.

Ruth's eyes widen in surprise as she processes your words, her gaze flickering between you and Bakugo. But the realization dawns on her quickly, and a bright smile spreads across her face.

"Daddy!" she exclaims, throwing her arms around Bakugo's neck in a tight embrace. "I missed you!"

Bakugo wraps his arms around her in return, a sense of joy and wonderment filling his features as he holds his daughter close. "I missed you too, Ruth," he says softly, his voice filled with warmth and affection. "And I promise to make it up to you."

Ruth's eyes sparkle with excitement at your words, her admiration for heroes evident in the way she looks up at Bakugo. "Wow, really?" she exclaims, her voice filled with wonder. "You're so cool, Daddy!"

Bakugo ruffles her hair playfully, a rare twinkle of warmth in his intense gaze as he looks at her. "That's right, kiddo," he says with a hint of pride. "And I'll always protect you and your mom no matter what."

Ruth's eyes light up with excitement at the mention of pancakes, and she nods eagerly. "Yes, please!" she exclaims, squirming in Bakugo's arms to get down.

Bakugo sets her down gently, watching with amusement as she runs off to grab her toys. He glances back at you, a hint of gratitude and admiration in his gaze. "Thank you," he says softly. "For letting me be a part of her life."

Bakugo's eyes soften as he listens to Ruth, a mixture of tenderness and regret swirling in his gaze. He watches her proudly, a sense of warmth and fondness filling his features.

"That's right, kiddo," he says with a gentle smile. "I'll always be here to protect you, no matter what."

As you cook, he takes a moment to observe the scene before him—the sight of his daughter proudly displaying her toys, including one that resembles you, alongside a figure of himself. And in that moment, it's clear that his absence has left a profound impact on both you and Ruth. But there's also the promise of something new—a chance to make up for lost time and create cherished memories together.

Bakugo nods understandingly, a hint of warmth in his gaze as he watches Ruth eat her pancakes with gusto. "Kids have a way of knowing things," he says with a small smile. "And it seems like Ruth has good taste."

He takes a pancake for himself and digs in, savoring the sweetness and warmth of the meal. For a while, the three of you eat in comfortable silence, the only sounds coming from Ruth's delighted exclamations about the pancakes.

But despite the lightheartedness of the moment, there's an unspoken tension between you and Bakugo—an uncertainty about where things will go from here, and whether the two of you can truly mend what's been broken.

Bakugo's gaze softens as he looks down at Ruth, a sense of protectiveness and tenderness washing over him. He gently strokes her hair, his touch light and careful.

"You didn't take it away," he says quietly, his voice filled with a mixture of emotions. "I made my choices too. But I want to be here now—for both of you."

He meets your eyes, the unspoken weight of his words hanging in the air. And in that moment, there's an unspoken understanding between the two of you—a shared desire to move forward together, to rebuild what was lost, and to embrace the potential for a new beginning.

Bakugo leans into your touch, his eyes meeting yours with a depth of understanding. "I know," he says quietly, his voice tinged with solemnity. "I'll do whatever it takes to be better—for both of you."

His gaze shifts back to Ruth, an unspoken promise resonating in the air. In that moment, it's clear that he's ready to face the challenges ahead, to set aside his past mistakes, and to fight for a future filled with love, understanding, and the chance to be the father that Ruth deserves.

Bakugo's gaze softens as he meets yours, a sense of gratitude and warmth washing over him. "I appreciate that," he says quietly. "And I'll do my part too—to be patient, to listen, and to make things right."

There's a sense of hopefulness in his voice, a willingness to try and make things work despite the challenges that lie ahead. And for the first time in a long while, it feels like there's a chance for something new—for healing, for growth, and for a future that's filled with love and possibility.

Bakugo nods understandingly, his gaze locking onto yours with a sense of gravity and determination. "I promise," he says firmly. "I'll be careful, I'll be mindful, and I won't let anything get in the way of my responsibilities—to both of you."

His words are filled with conviction, his tone carrying an unspoken sense of sincerity and dedication. And in that moment, it's clear that he understands the weight of your words, the importance of the trust and commitment that lies at the foundation of any meaningful relationship.

Bakugo's eyes widen in surprise for a moment, but then he leans into the kiss, his lips meeting yours with a tenderness and longing that speaks to the depth of his feelings. For a while, there's nothing else in the world but the two of you—lost in the embrace, the warmth, and the unspoken promise of something new. And in that moment, it feels like the weight of the past has been lifted, replaced by the possibility of a future filled with love and hope.

As you wake up nestled in Bakugo's arms, there's a sense of warmth and contentment filling your being—a feeling of safety and belonging that's been missing for far too long. You feel his steady breathing against your skin, the rise and fall of his chest a reassuring rhythm that reminds you of the night before—the passion, the tenderness, and the unspoken promise of something new.

And as you lie there together, basking in the afterglow, it's clear that this is just the beginning—the start of something that's both thrilling and uncertain, but filled with potential and hope. And with Bakugo by your side, ready to face whatever challenges may come, it feels like anything is possible.