✰

The mission briefing had been sudden, catching everyone off guard. An influential scientist needed to be transported safely to a secure facility, and the heroes-in-training had been selected for the task. Due to limited transportation, the team was crammed into a single van for a six-hour road trip. Though the mission seemed straightforward, the long hours ahead with Bakugo and the rest of the Baku Squad promised anything but peace.

The chaos began before they even started driving.

"Shotgun!" Kirishima yelled, sprinting toward the van.

"No way, I called it first!" Denki argued, running after him.

"You didn't call anything!" Sero interjected, grabbing Denki by the back of his jacket.

"Guys, relax," Y/N said, strolling up to the van. "We're all going to be crammed in here anyway. It doesn't matter where you sit."

"Says the one who doesn't want to sit next to Bakugo," Mina quipped, grinning.

Y/N rolled her eyes. "I can handle him. It's not like he's—"

"Move it, extras!" Bakugo barked, shoving past them with his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. "I'm not waiting all day for your stupid arguments."

"Speak of the devil," Y/N muttered under her breath as Bakugo climbed into the van and claimed the seat by the window in the middle row.

With the seating arrangements decided in a less-than-democratic manner, the rest of the squad piled into the van. Kirishima sat in the passenger seat with the GPS in hand, Mina and Sero took the back row, and Y/N ended up next to Bakugo in the middle. Denki, much to his dismay, was stuck on the fold-out seat near the door.

"Alright, everyone buckled up?" Kirishima asked as the van roared to life.

"No," Bakugo grumbled, arms crossed. "And if you don't stop talking, I'm blowing this van up."

"Such a ray of sunshine," Y/N said, glancing at him with a smirk.

He scowled at her but didn't reply, opting instead to stare out the window.

The first hour of the trip was anything but quiet.

"Who gave Mina the aux cord?" Bakugo growled as a pop song blared through the speakers.

"I did!" Mina said proudly. "And you're welcome."

"You have the worst taste in music," Bakugo snapped, covering his ears.

"Oh, come on," Y/N chimed in. "It's not that bad. Maybe if you weren't such a grump all the time, you'd enjoy it."

Bakugo turned his glare on her. "Why don't you shut up and mind your own business?"

"Why don't you try being nice for once?" she shot back, unbothered by his attitude.

Their bickering quickly became the entertainment of the trip, with the others egging them on.

"Y/N, you've got guts talking to him like that," Denki said, laughing.

"She's braver than all of us combined," Sero added.

"Idiots," Bakugo muttered, sinking lower into his seat.

Y/N leaned back, triumphant. "Looks like I win this round."

Half an hour later, things had settled slightly. Mina was still in charge of the playlist, though she'd switched to more relaxed tunes. Sero and Denki were playing a card game in the back, and Kirishima was focused on navigating. Y/N had her head against the window, staring at the passing scenery, when Mina suddenly turned around in her seat.

"Hey, Y/N," she said, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You're awfully close to Bakugo. How's that going?"

Y/N gave her a look. "Fine. Why?"

"Just curious," Mina said with a smirk. "You two have been bickering non-stop, but there's a certain... tension."

Bakugo growled lowly. "Say one more word, Pinky, and I'll blow up the van."

"Relax, it's a compliment!" Mina said, throwing her hands up defensively.

"Tension?" Y/N repeated, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of tension?"

"Oh, you know..." Mina trailed off, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Stop talking," Bakugo snapped, his voice dangerously low.

"Alright, alright!" Mina said, holding back a laugh. "I'll stop. For now."

Y/N shook her head, hiding a smile. She glanced at Bakugo, who was pointedly looking out the window, his jaw clenched.

"Don't let her get to you," Y/N said quietly.

"I'm not," he replied gruffly.

"Sure you're not," she said with a teasing smile.

About an hour into the trip, Mina took out her phone and opened Twitter. It didn't take long for her to start live-tweeting the journey.

@pinky: "Road trip time! Currently vibing with the squad. Bakugo's already threatening to blow us up. #ClassicBakugo"

The post immediately got a reaction from the group chat.

@ElectricZapKing: "Tell him to chill or give me the aux cord. Both work."

@rockonredriot: "We're not even halfway there yet. Pray for us."
@pinky: "Update: Y/N and Bakugo are sitting next to each other. Sparks may fly."
@Lordexplosion: "Delete this. NOW."

"Bakugo, you're trending," Mina said, holding up her phone with a grin.

"Delete it!" he snapped, lunging for the phone.

She leaned away, laughing. "No way! This is gold!"

Y/N couldn't hold back her laughter. "You really need to relax, Bakugo. It's just Twitter."

"It's not 'just Twitter,'" he growled. "I don't need idiots spreading rumors!"

"Too late," Mina sang, hitting the send button on another tweet.

As the van rolled on, the atmosphere shifted. The initial excitement had worn off, leaving the group in a more subdued state. Mina and Kirishima were chatting quietly up front, Denki and Sero had fallen asleep, and Y/N found herself glancing at Bakugo occasionally.

Despite his usual scowl, there was something oddly comforting about his presence. He was steady, unflinching, and in a strange way, reliable.

"You're staring," he said suddenly, not looking at her.

Y/N blinked, startled. "What? No, I wasn't."

"Yeah, you were," he said, finally turning his gaze on her. His crimson eyes were sharp, but there was no malice in them.

"Maybe I was just wondering why you're so quiet," she said, recovering quickly.

"Because I don't feel like talking," he replied flatly.

"Fair enough," she said, leaning back. "Silence suits you."

He smirked faintly. "Better than your annoying voice."

Y/N gasped in mock offense. "You wound me, Bakugo."

"Good," he said, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.

The conversation faded, but the air between them felt lighter. For the first time, Y/N wondered if there was more to Bakugo than his abrasive exterior.

✰

The van swerved suddenly, jolting everyone awake or out of their thoughts.

"Oi, Red!" Bakugo barked, gripping the handle above the door. "What the hell was that?"

"Relax, Bakubro," Kirishima said, squinting at the GPS. "It's just a detour. The main road's blocked, so we've gotta take the scenic route."

"The scenic route?" Y/N repeated skeptically.

Mina leaned over Kirishima's shoulder. "More like the middle of nowhere. Look at this map!"

The winding road stretched endlessly before them, flanked by thick trees on either side. The lack of cell reception only added to the eerie vibe.

"Great," Bakugo muttered, crossing his arms. "Now we're stuck in the boonies with you idiots."

"Hey, this could be fun," Mina said, ever the optimist. "Think of it as an adventure!"

"Adventures don't usually involve getting lost," Y/N pointed out.

"Speak for yourself," Denki said, waking up and yawning. "I'm down for a little chaos."

"Chaos is your middle name," Sero teased, nudging him.

"Whatever," Bakugo growled. "Just get us back on track."

The van trundled along the bumpy road, its passengers alternating between idle chatter and bouts of silence. Y/N found herself once again stuck between teasing Bakugo and simply enjoying the odd camaraderie of the group.

"Hey, Y/N," Mina said suddenly, turning in her seat. "What's your favorite road trip memory?"

"Hmm." Y/N thought for a moment. "Probably the time my family took a trip to the mountains. We got snowed in, and it turned into this giant snowball fight."

"I remember that!" Kirishima said.

"Yeah, until my other brother threw a snowball so hard it knocked me over," Y/N added with a laugh. "But it was fun."

"Bet you cried," Bakugo muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Did not!" Y/N shot back. "Besides, I'd like to see you survive a snowball fight with my family."

"Please, I'd wipe the floor with all of you," he said confidently.

"Bold words for someone who probably hides from snow," she teased.

"Wanna test that theory?" he challenged, leaning slightly closer.

The air between them shifted, the playful banter taking on an edge. Y/N held his gaze, her heartbeat quickening.

"Guys," Mina interrupted, smirking knowingly. "Are we about to witness a snowball fight in the middle of summer?"

Both Y/N and Bakugo snapped their attention back to the rest of the group.

"Keep dreaming, Pinky," Bakugo muttered, turning toward the window.

Y/N exhaled quietly, her cheeks warm.

The next hour passed with more detours and increasingly ridiculous conversations. The group took turns poking fun at each other, and Mina eventually coerced Y/N into playing a game of "20 Questions" with the rest of the squad.

"Alright, my turn!" Mina announced. "Y/N, if you could date anyone in this van, who would it be?"

The van went silent.

"What kind of stupid question is that?" Bakugo snapped, his ears turning slightly red.

"It's a fun one!" Mina countered. "Come on, Y/N, spill!"

Y/N laughed nervously, trying to deflect. "How about I answer who I wouldn't date?"

"Nope, doesn't work like that," Denki said, grinning.

"Fine," Y/N said, rolling her eyes. "I'd date..." She trailed off, looking around dramatically. "...the GPS. At least it knows where it's going."

The van erupted in laughter, even Bakugo letting out a small, reluctant chuckle.

"Dodged a bullet there," Sero said, grinning.

"For real," Y/N replied, shooting him a wink.

Eventually, they pulled into a small rest stop, the van sputtering to a halt in the gravel parking lot.

"Finally!" Denki exclaimed, stretching as he climbed out. "I thought I was gonna die in there."

"You're so dramatic," Sero said, shaking his head.

"Five-minute break," Kirishima called. "Stretch your legs, grab snacks, and don't wander off!"

Y/N stepped out of the van and took a deep breath of fresh air. The area was quiet, the sound of chirping birds filling the space. She was about to head inside the small convenience store when she noticed Bakugo leaning against the van, his arms crossed.

"You're not going in?" she asked.

"Don't need anything," he replied without looking at her.

Y/N hesitated, then stepped closer. "You okay?"

"What's with the questions?" he asked, finally glancing at her.

"Just trying to make conversation," she said with a shrug. "But if you don't want to talk, I'll leave you alone."

He didn't respond immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. "I'd rather talk to you than the others."

Y/N blinked, surprised. "Was that... a compliment?"

"Don't get used to it," he muttered, looking away.

She smiled, shaking her head. "Noted."

Back in the van, the group was livelier than ever. Denki had somehow acquired a bag of chips and was loudly crunching away, much to Bakugo's annoyance.

"Do you have to chew so loud?" Bakugo growled.

"It's part of the experience," Denki said with a grin, stuffing another chip into his mouth.

"Experience this," Bakugo snapped, reaching for his palm.

"Alright, no explosions in the van!" Kirishima warned.

"Party pooper," Denki muttered.

As the van continued down the road, Y/N found herself leaning against the window, her eyes growing heavy. The rhythmic motion of the van and the quiet hum of conversation lulled her into a light doze.

When she woke up, she realized her head had tilted slightly to the side—resting on Bakugo's shoulder.

Her heart skipped a beat as she sat up quickly, glancing at him. He didn't say anything, but his jaw was tight, and his ears were noticeably red.

"Sorry," she mumbled, brushing her hair back.

"Whatever," he muttered, refusing to look at her.

Mina, however, had noticed and was grinning like a Cheshire cat. She opened her phone and began typing furiously.

@pinky: "Y/N just fell asleep on Bakugo's shoulder. Someone write this fanfic ASAP. #RoadTripGoals"

Denki leaned over to read the tweet, bursting into laughter. "Oh, man, this is too good!"

"What now?" Bakugo snapped, glaring at them.

"Nothing," Mina said innocently, tucking her phone away.

Y/N sighed, slumping in her seat. This road trip was far from over, and she had a feeling things were only going to get more chaotic.

The van rolled into another rest stop, this one more bustling with people. Mina was the first out, dragging Y/N along with her.

"This is perfect!" Mina chirped, pointing at the small diner attached to the gas station. "Let's grab some food."

"I'm not really hungry," Y/N said, but Mina waved her off.

"Nonsense. If you don't eat, you'll be stuck listening to Bakugo yell for the next two hours on an empty stomach."

"You act like he doesn't yell on a full one," Y/N quipped, earning a laugh.

The rest of the squad followed, Denki and Sero already planning their next prank, while Kirishima tried to corral everyone into staying together. Bakugo, as expected, grumbled under his breath but trailed after them.

Inside the diner, the group crowded into a booth, Y/N ending up next to Bakugo, much to Mina's delight.

"What're you staring at?" Bakugo growled, noticing the mischievous gleam in Mina's eye.

"Nothing," she said sweetly, stirring her milkshake. "It's just nice to see you so... relaxed."

"Relaxed, my ass," he muttered, slouching in his seat.

As the group chatted and ate, Denki pulled out his phone, holding it above the table.

"Alright, squad selfie time!"

"Ugh, no," Bakugo said immediately.

"Come on, Bakubro," Kirishima said, slinging an arm around him. "It's for the memories!"

"Yeah, memories of how annoying you all are."

"Just one picture," Y/N said, leaning forward. "You can even pretend to scowl. It'll be authentic."

Bakugo shot her a glare but didn't move when Denki snapped the photo.

"I'm posting this," Denki announced.

@Chargebolt: "Road trip vibes with the squad. #DynamightHatesFun"

Mina snorted, scrolling through the replies. "Oh my god, people are already commenting on how close Y/N and Bakugo are sitting."

"What?" Y/N said, leaning over to see.

"'Enemies-to-lovers arc unlocked,'" Mina read aloud. "'Dynamight looking like he's holding back from throwing hands.' Oh, and this one: 'Y/N definitely the sunshine to his grump.'"

Bakugo snatched the phone, his face darkening. "Delete this."

"No way!" Denki protested.

"Bakugo, chill," Y/N said, trying to suppress her laughter. "It's not that bad."

He turned his glare on her. "You think this is funny?"

"A little," she admitted, smiling.

For a moment, something flickered in his expression—frustration mixed with something softer—but he quickly looked away, muttering under his breath.

Back on the road, the dynamic in the van shifted. Denki and Sero were engrossed in a card game, while Kirishima and Mina debated over what music to play next. Y/N found herself in a quiet bubble with Bakugo, who had his arms crossed and eyes closed.

"You're awfully quiet," she said softly.

He opened one eye to glance at her. "Why do you care?"

"I don't," she said with a shrug. "Just making conversation."

"Maybe I don't feel like talking."

"That's fine," she said, turning back to her phone.

A few minutes passed in silence before he spoke again. "Why'd you laugh earlier?"

"Huh?"

"At that stupid post. Why'd you laugh?"

"Oh." Y/N hesitated, caught off guard by his question. "I guess... I just thought it was funny. You're so serious all the time, so seeing you in a silly post like that was unexpected."

He didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "It wasn't that funny."

"To you, maybe," she said with a grin. "But you're kind of hilarious when you're mad."

His eyes narrowed. "You're pushing your luck."

"Am I?"

Before he could respond, Mina's voice interrupted.

"Hey, guys, let's play a game!"

The next few minutes were filled with laughter as the group launched into a chaotic round of "Would You Rather." The questions ranged from absurd to borderline inappropriate, and Y/N found herself laughing so hard her sides hurt.

"Alright, Bakugo," Mina said, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Would you rather spend an entire day complimenting Y/N or—"

"Pass," he said immediately.

"You can't pass!" Denki said. "Come on, play along."

Bakugo glared at them, his jaw clenching. "Fine. The second option."

"I didn't even finish the question!" Mina protested.

"Doesn't matter," he said, crossing his arms.

Y/N couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable."

"Alright, my turn!" Denki announced, grinning like he'd just thought of the world's best question. "Y/N, would you rather—"

"No," Y/N interrupted with a smirk. "If it's coming from you, it's probably something I don't want to hear."

Denki gasped in mock offense. "How rude! But fair. Okay, fine, let me think..."

Kirishima chuckled. "Man, these questions are getting out of hand."

"You think this is bad?" Mina said, nudging Y/N's shoulder. "Wait until I get my turn."

"Like that's not terrifying," Y/N teased.

Bakugo, sitting next to Y/N with his arms crossed, muttered, "You're all idiots."

"Oh, come on, Bakugo," Mina said, spinning in her seat to face him. "We're just having fun! Why don't you loosen up?"

"I don't need to 'loosen up.' I need you all to shut up."

"Buzzkill," Sero said, shaking his head.

Denki, not one to be deterred, leaned forward with a sly grin. "Okay, I've got one for Y/N. Would you rather get stuck in an elevator with Dynamight—who's yelling the whole time—or..." He paused for effect. "...have to pretend to be his girlfriend for a day at a public event?"

Y/N blinked, caught off guard. "What kind of question is that?"

"Answer it!" Mina urged, eyes sparkling.

"Neither," Y/N said firmly.

"That's not how this works!" Kirishima said, laughing.

Y/N sighed, tapping her chin in mock contemplation. "Well, I guess I'd go with the girlfriend thing. At least that way he wouldn't be yelling in my face the entire time."

Bakugo stiffened beside her, his eyes narrowing. "What the hell kind of logic is that?"

"It's simple," she said, flashing him a cheeky grin. "Your yelling is way more exhausting than fake dating."

"You're pushing it, princess," he growled.

The nickname caught her off guard, her cheeks heating slightly. "Princess? Really?"

"Don't read into it," he muttered, looking out the window.

Mina and Denki exchanged knowing looks, clearly plotting something.

As the game continued, the questions became increasingly bold.

"Bakugo," Mina said, her voice dripping with mischief. "Would you rather hold hands with Y/N for an hour—"

"Pass."

"Let me finish!" she said, laughing. "Or carry her on your back for the rest of the day?"

The van erupted into laughter, but Bakugo's expression darkened. "I'm not answering that."

"Oh, come on," Y/N said, playing along.