"CHICHI LET ME GO!" you whined, your voice a mix of desperation and protest as you hung upside down on Aizawa's shoulder, your hair spiraling in every direction like a messy cloud. Despite your flailing, he remained unbothered, carrying you upstairs as though you weighed nothing at all.

"It's the season finale of Love Island, Chichi!" you huffed dramatically, throwing your hands in the air as if it would change his mind. But Aizawa, ever the strict guardian, barely blinked at your plea.

"No buts," he said in that low, unshakeable tone of his as he nudged your bedroom door open with his foot. "You need sleep. When you don't get enough, you're crankier than I am."

He gently set you down on the bed, and you immediately crossed your arms in defiance, lips forming a stubborn pout. You shot him a look, but it wasn't your usual playful one—it was full of frustration. How could he do this to you? The biggest TV moment of the year and he was making you miss it!

"You never get it," you muttered, turning away from him dramatically, though the slight twitch of your lips betrayed you. You knew this routine well—no amount of whining would change his mind.

"Sleep first, reality TV drama later," he repeated, his voice firm but not unkind. As you sulked, he leaned down and ruffled your hair again, that same familiar motion that always managed to chip away at your stubbornness.

But tonight, you weren't going to let him off the hook so easily.

"As your punishment, no goodnight kisses," you declared, turning your head sharply away from him, arms still crossed. You were determined to stick to your threat, even though you knew it was a ridiculous attempt at retaliation. You couldn't really stay mad at him, but you had to hold on to your pride, at least for a little while.

Aizawa, of course, didn't react the way you wanted. He just raised an eyebrow, watching your little protest with that unreadable expression of his. "Alright," he said, shrugging like it didn't bother him one bit. "Goodnight, then."

For a moment, you stayed silent, still turned away, waiting for him to come back and offer the kiss you half-expected anyway. But he didn't. He just stood there, his presence calm, waiting for you to either break or make peace with the situation.

The silence stretched, and with it, your resolve began to waver. You shifted uncomfortably in your bed, glancing over your shoulder just slightly, hoping he'd meet you halfway.

"Chichi," you mumbled after a long pause, your voice softening. "You're really not gonna kiss me goodnight?"

Aizawa sighed, his face softening just a touch. He leaned down again, placing a small, warm kiss on the top of your head. "Goodnight, brat," he muttered, the gruffness in his voice not hiding the affection behind it.

"Goodnight, Chichi," you whispered back, finally letting the warmth of his gesture wrap around you like a blanket.

As soon as he left, you tried to get some shut-eye, but a small pebble hitting your window interrupted the peaceful silence. At first, you ignored it, rolling over to the other side of your bed. But when the tapping continued, persistent and annoying, you huffed in frustration, slipped into your bunny slippers, and rushed to open the window.

That's when a pebble hit you square on the forehead.

"What in the world of magic ponies is going on?" you exclaimed, rubbing your forehead with a mix of irritation and confusion.

"Psst, [Name]," a voice called from below. You peered out, squinting in the dim light to see none other than Bakugo, a mischievous smirk plastered on his face.

"Katsuki, what are you doing here?" you whisper-shouted, glancing over your shoulder to ensure Aizawa was still blissfully unaware of the late-night commotion.

He shrugged, his demeanor casual as if he hadn't just interrupted your sleep. "I'm bored, shithead. Wanna go for a walk?" The challenge in his eyes, a spark of excitement, was hard to resist, even if it was past your bedtime.

You hesitated, the thought of getting in trouble flashing in your mind, but the thrill of adventure pulled at your heart. "It's late, and chichi will kill me if he finds out," you murmured, but the excitement was already bubbling up inside you.

Bakugo rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "C'mon, it'll be fun. Besides, what's he gonna do? Ground you for life?" His words were teasing. You could feel the adrenaline start to seep into your veins, the allure of mischief drawing you in.

"Alright, ugh fine, give me a second," you pushed yourself to the door, ready to make a break for it, until Bakugo called out again.

"Are you stupid? If you walk through the front door, he's gonna wake up right away!" he exclaimed, his tone dripping with that signature Bakugo sass.

"Okay, Mr. Genius, what's your brilliant idea then?" you shot back, crossing your arms defiantly.

"Jump," he replied, a smirk playing on his lips as if he'd just suggested the best plan in the world.

"Huh? Are you insane?" you exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief. The idea of jumping out of your own window felt like a scene from one of those action movies you watched with Aizawa—only you weren't a trained hero.

"Trust me, [Name], just jump," he urged, his voice more serious now, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

With a deep breath, you took a step back and assessed the situation. The ground looked far below, but the thrill of rebellion swirled around you like a whirlwind, pulling you closer to the edge of your window. "Fine! But if I die, I'm haunting you for the rest of your life!" you shouted, half-joking but mostly trying to mask your anxiety.

Bakugo chuckled, his laughter cutting through your fears. "Just jump! I'll catch you if you fall," he called, confidence radiating from him like a beacon.

Gathering all your courage, you stepped back one more time, then launched yourself forward. The rush of air hit your face as you descended, and for a brief moment, it felt like you were flying. Just as the ground approached, Bakugo reached out and caught you, his grip firm and surprisingly gentle.

"See? Not so hard, right?" he said, a triumphant grin plastered on his face as he stared into your eyes. The intensity of his gaze sent a thrill through you, making your heart race even faster. Adrenaline coursed through your veins, and a laugh escaped your lips.

"Okay, that was kind of awesome," you admitted, still wondering when he was going to let you down. You wiggled slightly in his grasp, your heart fluttering at the unexpected closeness.

Bakugo raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in amusement. "You want me to drop you, or are you enjoying this?" he teased, his voice laced with that familiar cocky confidence.

You could feel your cheeks heat up, and you quickly looked away, pretending to inspect the street beneath you. "I mean, I didn't say that," you stammered, a mix of embarrassment and excitement swirling in your chest. The thrill of the jump and his unexpected hold on you created a whirlwind of emotions.

"Just making sure you're not going to fall on your face if I let you go," he shrugged, though there was a hint of protectiveness in his tone. It was a strange, warm feeling, and you found yourself wishing the moment could last just a little longer.

"Okay, okay! You can let me down now," you finally said, trying to sound more casual than you felt. He chuckled softly, setting you down gently on the pavement.

"So what now?" you dusted your clothes off, trying to shake off the thrill still buzzing through you.

"I was thinking the arcade," he said, already walking ahead, his confidence radiating in the moonlight.

"Katsuki, isn't it past your bedtime? It's odd that you're here when you follow a strict routine," you rolled your eyes, trying to keep up with his quick pace. You knew how much he valued his schedule, and it felt strangely liberating to see him break away from it, even if just for a night.

"Yeah, well, felt like doing something different," he replied with a dismissive wave of his hand, glancing back at you with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

As you approached the arcade, the neon lights flickered and pulsed, creating an inviting glow that contrasted with the dark of the night. The sounds of laughter, beeping machines, and the occasional shout of excitement filled the air, wrapping around you like a comforting blanket.

"Let's see if you can actually keep up with me in a game," he challenged, crossing his arms and leaning against the entrance, a smirk dancing on his lips.

"Oh, it's on!" you exclaimed, feeling a rush of competitive spirit surge within you.

Once inside, you both made your way to the row of machines, the vibrant colors pulling you in. You felt a thrill of anticipation as you scanned the options, your heart racing at the thought of competing against Bakugo. You could finally put him in his place..

"First game, then. Let's see who can get the highest score!" Bakugo declared, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Prepare to lose, Explosion Boy," you shot back, a grin spreading across your face as you felt your confidence returning.

"FUCKING ASSHOLE, [NAME]!" he shouted, fingers flying over the buttons as he focused intently on the screen, brows furrowed in concentration. The intensity of his competitive spirit was infectious, sending your adrenaline soaring.

"HAHAHA! TAKE THAT, LOSER!" you mocked, your laughter bubbling up as you saw your score shoot past his. The thrill of victory ignited a fire within you, and you couldn't help but bask in the glory of your temporary triumph.

"Don't get too cocky!" Bakugo retorted, his frustration only making you laugh harder. You could see the determination etched on his face, the fierce desire to win lighting up his eyes. He was a force of nature, and you relished every moment of this playful rivalry.

As the game progressed, you both became more animated, your playful banter filling the air alongside the sounds of the arcade. You could feel the energy between you crackling, each playful jab drawing you closer together.

Just as you were about to reach the final level, Bakugo's intense focus shifted, and he shot you a quick glance. "Don't think I'm going easy on you!"

"Like I'd want that!" you shot back, laughing even as you tried to keep your eyes on the screen. The rush of the game mingled with the thrill of his challenge, and your heart raced with excitement.

The final score flashed across the screen: you had won. "YES! I'm the champion!" you cheered, pumping your fists in the air triumphantly.

"Dammit!" Bakugo grumbled, crossing his arms, but there was a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Just wait until the next round. You won't win again!"

"Bring it on!" you said, heart swelling with exhilaration. This was more than just a game; it was a moment of pure joy, a night filled with laughter and shared excitement. For a brief time, everything else faded away, and all that mattered was you and Bakugo, sharing this exhilarating adventure together.

"Quit hogging the machine, you brats" a voice cut through the air, and your heart dropped. You froze, your fingers trembling on the buttons. The screen flashed with your character's defeat, but that wasn't what made your pulse race.

The eerie scratching sounds, sharp and deliberate, made it clear who stood behind you.

"[Name], what the fuck are you doing?" Bakugo shouted, his excitement evaporating in an instant as his screen flashed a winner sign. His gaze turned to you, concern etched across his features. He'd never seen you in such a fragile state—trembling, wide-eyed, as if the very ground beneath you had shifted.

Your mind raced, a cacophony of panic echoing through your thoughts. No, no, no—Bakugo couldn't meet Shigaraki. This was not happening. You could feel Bakugo's intensity radiating beside you, his protective instincts flaring as he narrowed his eyes at the blue-haired figure looming behind you. The tension in the air crackled like static, a warning that something was about to ignite.

"Let's just go," you whispered, your voice barely a thread. But deep down, you knew you couldn't back down from this confrontation—not when Bakugo was at your side.

"No, you're gonna tell me why this bastard's got you pissing your pants," Bakugo growled, tightening his grip on your wrist. His eyes were ablaze with a fierce protectiveness, refusing to back down. You could feel the tension radiating off him, like a fuse burning dangerously close to an explosion.

"That's a good question," Shigaraki chimed in, his tone casual, though the malice in his eyes was unmistakable. He shrugged his shoulders with an eerie indifference. "I certainly haven't done anything to warrant this behavior."

But there was something in the way Shigaraki's gaze lingered on you that sent a chill down your spine. He recognized you—of course, he did. Every encounter with him left you paralyzed with fear, like you knew something no one else did. Like you knew exactly what he was capable of.

What he had done.

It gnawed at him, the way you looked at him like he was some kind of monster. Like the rest of the world. And that stung more than he'd ever admit.

"Katsuki, please," you whispered, forcing a shaky smile as you looked up at Bakugo, your eyes pleading with him to let it go. "Let's just go to another machine, okay?" Your gaze pierced through his anger, trying to reach the part of him that always knew when to protect you. 

Shigaraki's fingers curled tighter around your wrist, his grip cold and unyielding. The threat of his decaying touch hovered in the air as his pinky finger dangled, just inches from your skin. Every nerve in your body screamed in terror, the eerie sensation crawling up your spine as his breath, hot and damp, ghosted over your face.

"You know I'm a monster, don't you?" Shigaraki's voice was low, a sickening whisper that sent a wave of nausea through you. "You know what I've become, don't you, little girl?"

Your heart pounded in your chest, each beat echoing louder in your ears as his words wrapped around you like a suffocating shroud. The fear you'd been trying to bury was now rising to the surface, clawing its way into every part of your being. He knew—he knew how afraid you were of him. And he reveled in it.

Bakugo's eyes flickered with rage as he caught sight of Shigaraki's finger so close to you, his hands balled into fists at his side. "Get your filthy hands off her, you freak!" he spat, stepping closer, shoulders tense with aggression.

But you knew—one wrong move, one twitch of that pinky, and it would all be over.

"Katsuki, please," you whispered, your voice breaking as you shot him a desperate look. "Not now."

Shigaraki's smile was a crooked, unsettling thing. "Funny how scared you are. What's the matter? You look like you know exactly what I can do." He tilted his head, studying your trembling form as if trying to piece together a puzzle.

You swallowed hard, trying to steady your breath. "I'm not afraid of you," you managed, though the tremor in your voice betrayed you.

Shigaraki's grin widened, but his grip loosened, and for a split second, you felt hope that he might let go.

"You should be," he murmured, finally releasing your wrist, letting you stumble back into Bakugo's arms.

Without another word, Shigaraki walked away, the sound of his slow, deliberate footsteps fading into the distance, leaving you both standing there, shaken but safe for the moment.

Bakugo pulled you behind him protectively, his voice low but fierce. "We're not done with that bastard," he growled, though his grip on your arm was more careful now, his concern for you clear in the way his eyes flickered back to you.

You took a shaky breath, still trying to process what had just happened. "Let's just get out of here," you whispered, your knees threatening to give out beneath you.

Bakugo hesitated, then nodded, keeping a firm arm around you as he led you away from the arcade, leaving the game, the victory, AND SHIGARAKI FAR BEHIND.