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The summer heat was in full swing, and Combat Team Alpha was long overdue for a break. After a series of intense missions and grueling training sessions, the team was rewarded with a day at a local pool for some much-needed relaxation.

Y/N stood by the pool's edge, trying to keep her cool as she adjusted her dark swimsuit. It wasn't overly revealing but definitely fitted, and Y/N couldn't deny the slight wave of anxiety at how different she felt from the others. Mina had insisted she buy this one, saying it would highlight her athletic build and confident attitude. Mina had even given her some helpful advice on how to "own the look."

"You're overthinking it," Mina said as she floated by on a pink flamingo pool float, sipping a soda and giving Y/N an encouraging thumbs up. "Just relax and have fun!"

But fun wasn't exactly what was on Y/N's mind. She couldn't stop glancing toward Bakugo, who had already claimed a lounge chair by the pool, his fiery red trunks in sharp contrast to the cooler colors of the water around him. He looked absolutely unbothered by everything, from the sun beating down on his skin to the boisterous sounds of the others enjoying themselves. He had a towel draped over his chest, sunglasses on, and his usual scowl. It was like he was in his own world.

Mina seemed to sense her discomfort. "Stop being such a weirdo. Just go in!"

"I'm going!" Y/N retorted, trying to hide her nervousness behind a bright smile. She walked toward the edge of the pool, trying not to trip over her own feet. As she dipped her toe into the water, she noticed Bakugo's gaze flicker toward her. His expression was unreadable, as always, but the way his eyes followed her was enough to make her heart skip a beat.

With a deep breath, she pushed her hesitation aside and dove in, slicing through the cool water with ease. The immediate relief from the heat felt refreshing, but she couldn't stop thinking about how he was watching her. As she surfaced, shaking her hair out of her face, she stole a quick glance at Bakugo. He was still sitting there, but his sunglasses were pushed up on his forehead now. He looked almost... interested.

Her stomach fluttered, and she swam a little farther away, trying to shake off the thought.

"Y/N!" Kirishima called from the other side of the pool, waving enthusiastically. "Come on, join us for volleyball!"

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want me on your team? I'm not the best."

"You're better than Bakugo!" Mina teased from behind her float.

Bakugo, who had been absentmindedly glancing at the group, suddenly snapped his head toward them. "What the hell did you just say?" His voice was sharp, but there was a slight tinge of annoyance.

Mina giggled. "Oh, you know, just that you're gonna lose this game to Y/N!"

"Like hell I will," Bakugo muttered under his breath, getting up and adjusting his trunks.

"Great," Y/N smirked, shaking her head. "Just what I need—Bakugo's competitive side."

She swam toward Kirishima and Mina, joining their team. Bakugo's team, naturally, was led by him. The game was about to start, and Y/N couldn't help but feel the familiar tension between herself and Bakugo. They exchanged a glance, the unspoken challenge hanging between them.

"Hope you're ready to lose," Bakugo growled, walking to his side of the pool, where he threw the ball up and caught it.

"Bring it on," Y/N replied, trying to sound confident. Her heart, however, was pounding. She knew Bakugo was an animal when it came to competition, and she wasn't sure she was ready to be the one he would ruthlessly target.

Kirishima tossed the ball to Y/N, and with a deep breath, she spiked it right over Bakugo's head, landing a clean shot on his side of the pool.

"Ha! Take that!" Y/N shouted, her voice triumphant.

Bakugo glared, but a flicker of admiration danced in his eyes. "Lucky shot," he muttered.

Mina and Kirishima cheered, while Bakugo seethed, though there was no real malice in his glare—just determination.

The game went back and forth, the water splashing as everyone dove and jumped to hit the ball. Y/N could feel Bakugo's eyes on her every time she made a move. It wasn't that he was trying to distract her, but there was something in the way he was watching that made her nervous. His gaze felt heavier than usual.

At one point, as Y/N jumped to intercept the ball, she lost her balance. Her foot slipped on the wet surface, and with a yelp, she tumbled forward, hands flailing as she crashed into Bakugo.

"Ah—"

In an instant, Bakugo's strong hands were on her waist, pulling her back before she could fully topple over. Y/N found herself pressed against him, both of them in a tangled heap at the pool's edge.

The air between them seemed to freeze, their faces inches apart. Bakugo's breath hitched for just a split second, but his usual glare returned almost immediately. "Tch. You really are a mess." His grip on her waist tightened, keeping her steady.

Y/N's heart raced. Her face flushed red, but she couldn't seem to pull away. His body was warm against hers, and she could feel the tension in his muscles under her hands. His scent—spicy and smoky, like gunpowder and something sharper—filled her senses. She quickly shoved away from him, standing up and wiping water from her eyes.

"Thanks for the save, Bakugo," she mumbled, trying to cover up the awkwardness that settled between them.

He just grunted. "Whatever."

But as she stood there, she caught a glimpse of his eyes softening, a brief look that quickly disappeared, replaced with his usual scowl. Was it... concern?

The game continued, but the atmosphere between them had shifted. Y/N couldn't help but notice the way Bakugo kept his distance but also kept an eye on her. His usual abrasiveness seemed to be tempered with something else, though he wasn't about to show it.

As the game wrapped up, Y/N and Bakugo's teams were tied, and everyone was drenched in sweat and water. Mina pulled herself up onto the edge of the pool, grinning at the result.

"You two are definitely not fooling anyone," she teased. "I can see the chemistry."

Y/N shot her a look. "There's no chemistry," she muttered.

Bakugo, however, was already walking to the side, pretending to ignore the comment. "Yeah, whatever," he grumbled.

Mina snickered. "Right, whatever. Just admit you think Y/N's a badass, Bakugo."

"Shut it, Mina," Bakugo snapped, but there was no real heat in his words.

Kirishima laughed, his arm slinging over Y/N's shoulder as he playfully added, "Hey, Bakugo, you're a little soft for someone who was calling everyone weak this morning."

The teasing continued, but Y/N felt her cheeks heat up as her mind kept drifting back to that moment when she fell into Bakugo's arms. The water had been cold, but the way his body felt pressed against hers—warm and firm—left a lingering sensation on her skin. She didn't know why, but the thought made her feel slightly... giddy.

Bakugo, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice—or at least, he didn't want to admit it.

As the evening drew on, the team sat around the pool, exhausted and laughing. But there was an undeniable tension in the air, especially between Y/N and Bakugo. The closeness they'd shared in the pool still simmered, neither of them willing to fully acknowledge it.

Y/N glanced at him again, trying to shake off the odd feeling in her stomach. Bakugo, catching her gaze, smirked.

"Quit staring," he muttered, but there was a flicker of something—something less harsh—in his eyes.

And for once, Y/N didn't have a comeback. Instead, she smiled to herself and looked away, her heart skipping a beat.

Maybe there was more to Bakugo than she thought.