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It was another quiet evening at U.A., the kind that followed a long day of intense training and missions. The stars hung low in the sky, their soft light making the world seem almost dreamlike. Most students had retreated to their dorms, seeking rest after their exhausting routines. But Y/N wasn't ready to call it a night just yet.

She wandered outside, the cool night air wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. The lights of the campus were dim, and the usual noise of students and the buzz of activity had died down. All that was left was the sound of her footsteps on the gravel as she made her way to the area near the training grounds. She often found solace here, in the stillness, away from the chaos that defined her everyday life.

Her mind, however, was anything but still. The thought of Bakugo had been following her for weeks now, ever since their unexpected connection had started to grow. She couldn't deny it anymore. There was something there—something that went beyond the constant banter and the biting words they exchanged.

But what was it? Was it just her imagination? Maybe it was a temporary thing, an infatuation that would fade once the mission or the training was over. Or was it something more? Y/N couldn't figure it out, and it frustrated her. She liked certainty. She liked knowing where she stood.

But with Bakugo, nothing seemed certain. The way he looked at her sometimes, the way his voice softened in moments when they were alone—she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to it than just teasing. Yet, every time she thought about asking him, confronting him about it, she hesitated. She didn't want to ruin what they had, whatever that was.

With a deep sigh, Y/N sat down on a bench near the field, her legs stretched out before her. She tried to clear her mind, but it wasn't working. The question kept coming back—what was she supposed to do with this growing connection between her and Bakugo?

"Can't sleep?" a voice broke through her thoughts, and Y/N's head snapped up.

Standing in front of her was none other than Bakugo, his usual scowl in place. He looked almost surprised to find her out here, his eyes scanning the empty campus before locking onto her with a hint of confusion.

Y/N smiled softly, trying to mask the sudden rush of emotions that had surfaced at the sight of him. "Nah. Just needed some fresh air."

Bakugo didn't move to sit beside her, but instead leaned against a nearby pole, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His usual brashness was there, but there was something else too—something almost... unsure? Y/N couldn't place it, but it was there, hovering in the space between them.

"You should get some rest," he muttered, his voice more subdued than usual. "You're always up late. You'll burn yourself out."

She couldn't help but laugh lightly at his concern. "Thanks for the advice, Bakugo. I'll be fine."

They both stood there in silence for a moment, the only sounds the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft breeze that blew through the trees. Y/N's mind raced, her heart thumping in her chest as she thought about how to break the silence between them. She wanted to say something—anything—to address the weirdness that had started to creep into their relationship.

But she didn't know where to start.

After a long pause, Bakugo shifted his weight, his eyes flickering over to her. "You're not as tough as you act, you know."

Y/N blinked, unsure whether he was being serious or teasing her. "Excuse me?"

"I said," Bakugo grunted, sounding almost frustrated, "you always act like you don't care, but it's obvious you do. Don't try to pretend you're all tough and detached." He glanced at her briefly, but there was something vulnerable in his expression for just a split second before it disappeared, replaced by his usual scowl.

Y/N felt her breath catch in her throat. She didn't expect him to say something like that. It was so... honest. And it made her realize just how much she had been trying to hide behind her own walls, much like he did.

She leaned back on the bench, looking up at the stars again. "Maybe I don't want to admit it," she said quietly, more to herself than to him. "Maybe I'm scared of what it means. For me."

Bakugo was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. He shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. "What the hell are you talking about?" he muttered, his voice rough, almost irritated.

Y/N looked at him, seeing the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his fists clenched at his sides. There was something in his eyes—something like fear or uncertainty. And for the first time, she realized that Bakugo might not have all the answers either. Maybe he didn't know what to do with the way he felt either.

"I think you know what I'm talking about," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Bakugo's eyes narrowed as he took a step closer, his body tense. "Cut the crap," he snapped. "I'm not in the mood for your games. If you've got something to say, just say it."

Y/N's heart pounded in her chest as she looked at him, trying to figure out how to say the words that had been circling in her head for so long. She had been waiting for this moment—for the chance to finally tell him what was on her mind. But now that it was here, she couldn't do it. The fear of rejection, of ruining whatever this was between them, paralyzed her.

She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Bakugo cut her off, his tone softer than before. "You don't need to say anything. I already know."

Y/N froze, her eyes wide. "You do?"

Bakugo didn't say anything more, but his gaze locked with hers, intense and unwavering. It was as if the entire world had faded away, leaving just the two of them standing there, facing something neither of them could deny any longer.

And then, just as quickly as the moment had come, it slipped away.

The sound of footsteps interrupted the stillness, and they both looked up to see Kirishima and Mina approaching. They were chatting casually, completely oblivious to the tension that hung in the air between Y/N and Bakugo.

Y/N let out a shaky breath and looked at Bakugo, who quickly turned away, his usual scowl returning. He muttered something under his breath, something about not wanting to deal with whatever just happened.

Kirishima and Mina stopped in front of them, not noticing the charged atmosphere.

"What are you two doing out here?" Kirishima asked, grinning.

Y/N forced a smile, trying to mask the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "Just talking."

"Right," Mina said with a teasing grin. "Well, we've got snacks if you want to join us."

Y/N didn't want to join them. She wanted to stay with Bakugo, to figure out what had just happened, but the moment was gone. Instead, she gave a quick nod. "Yeah, sure."

As they walked back to the dorms, Y/N couldn't help but glance at Bakugo once more. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched, and for the first time, she realized just how much he was struggling with whatever was going on between them.

But there was something else in his gaze too—something that made her believe that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as indifferent as he let on.

And that thought was enough to keep her awake for the rest of the night.