For fifteen minutes straight, all Katsuki and (Y/n) have been doing is walking and pretending the other doesn't exist.

The trees on the side they had crossed over on were a lot lesser, which made it easier for them to walk without having to push through leaves and bushes to do so. Adding to their stroke of luck, they had also managed to find an animal trail that coincidentally led to the finish line, which they were currently following.

As usual, Katsuki was leading the pair, with (Y/n) following behind. While the boy was in his world contemplating his life decisions, (Y/n) was busy taking out the last reed grass from her filthy, wet hair. Ever since discovering the presence of a twig in it while scratching her head, she had been quite upset. She had no idea what she looked like or for how long she had gone on looking like that, but the image she had in her head was horrifying.

Katsuki hadn't pointed her appearance out. Under normal circumstances, he would've. Probably insulted her too but he had stayed silent on the matter. In fact, he hadn't said a single word to her ever since he exploded the innocent branch back at the marsh' shore. He was giving her the silent treatment, that much was clear and honestly, (Y/n) wasn't complaining. It was nice not having someone shout at her every ten seconds.

They also hadn't encountered any more obstacles or predators, which was a blessing because she was reaching her limit with both her Quirk and energy. Her back hurt like crazy, her feet were killing her, her head was pounding, her body felt heavy, she smelled like dirt and sweat and she most likely looked like a gremlin. She just wanted out. Soon. And if they could reach the finish line without Katsuki talking to her or any other animal attacking them, then that would be great.

"Oi, idiot. Pick up the pace. At this rate, the thirty minutes remaining will run out while you're back there dragging your ass."

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

(Y/n) directed her half-lidded eyes to his back while her hand raked through her hair in a sad attempt to brush it. Now that her focus was on him, she noticed that he was further in front of her than he was five minutes ago. Was he suddenly power walking or was she getting slower?

Peeved by her lack of response, Katsuki threw a scathing glare over his shoulder. "Are you listening to me?!"

The girl grimaced and took her hand out from her hair. It was like her headache had gotten worse the minute he started talking.

"Yeah, I am," she said, the unmistakable dip of exhaustion in her voice. "And could you not shout? I have a headache."

"Don't lie. You need a brain to have that," Katsuki said as he looked back in front. "Now shut up and hurry up."

Frowning, (Y/n) slowly came to a stop. Don't say it. Don't say it. Just ignore him and you'll be fine. Don't say anythi-

"If you're so in a hurry, why don't you fly yourself there? You had the chance to do so from the start, what's stopping you now?"

Katsuki came to a sudden stop before he swerved around, his back tense and features set in a warning scowl.

"Hey, watch your wordplay, cunt," his crimson eyes narrowed with threat and promise. "I have half a mind to come back there and pull your lungs out."

The girl rolled her eyes.

"Can't you just leave me alone?" she gave a half-hearted shrug. "I'm not doing anything. If my presence is bothering you so much then why don't you just go on ahead without me?"

Katsuki's face scrunched up and his vision began to dim to red. (Y/n) could've sworn she saw smoke coming out his ears.

"I am fucking sick and tired of your bullshit, you know that?!" he began advancing towards her, hands balled up in fists. "I'd rather nail my fucking tongue to a tree right now if it meant having to spend another hour stuck with your pathetic ass here and listen to you whine about how miserable you are!" he stopped directly in front of her and glared down at her. "I'm here to win, got it! And sucks for me but I have to cross that finish line with your ass in tow unless I want to get penalized! So if it means dragging you there by your fucking hair, you bet your garbage brain I'll fucking do it!"

(Y/n) stared at him for a few seconds with a blank expression on. Then, she finally asked the question that had always been on her mind.

"What's your problem?"

"The simple answer? You. Long answer? Everything you fucking do," Katsuki grit harshly. "Do you get it now, moron?"

Her forehead puckered and she pressed her lips together with words left unsaid. She then sighed and rubbed the back of her neck as her eyes trailed down to the space between them.

That's it. She was done.

Paying one last resigned glance at Katsuki, she turned on her heel and walked away from him. Katsuki's mouth fell open with a small puzzled 'huh'.

"Where the fuck are you going?!" he rasped. "Get back here!"

(Y/n) ignored his order and continued striding with no fucks left to give anymore. He could leave her behind for all she cared.

The ash blond growled, his gloved hands squeezing into fists, and broke into a jog to catch up to her. He roughly grabbed her arm and yanked her back with enough force to nearly pop her arm out of its socket.

"OW!" she yowled. She gave him a leering once over as she tried to tug her arm back. "What the-Let go of me!"

Katsuki's hold on her tightened, causing her to hiss in pain. "I asked you a fucking question! Where the fuck do you think you're going?!" he pointed a finger behind him. "The finish line is that way, you fucking idiot!"

"I'm not going!" she shot back.

"The fuck mean you're not-" the boy's pupils dilated. "Oi, you fucking crazy?"

(Y/n) ground down her jaw. Her temples were seriously pounding and her throat felt like it was closing up with the urge to scream. Just how much more could she take of this?

"I'm tired," she stated, her voice dipping low.

"If you tired then sit! You don't change course-"

"No! I'm tired of you, Bakugou!" she shouted, her voice startling some nearby birds and causing them to take off. "I'm tired of arguing with you! I'm tired of shouting at you! I'm tired of dealing with you! If you want that win so bad, then go ahead!" she threw her free hand towards the direction of the finish line. "I'm not stopping you so just leave me alone for crying out loud!!"

"What part of we have to cross the finish line together don't you fucking understand?!" he hissed through gritted teeth, his fingers squeezing around the flesh of her arm with every word.

(Y/n)'s mouth opened in a silent gasp and she directed a nervous look at his fingers. "Let go! You're hurting me!"

Her words flew past his ears as Katsuki pulled at her arm, causing her to stumble closer to his chest. His upper lip was curled, exposing his gritted snarl as he glowered down at her. "I'm not losing points because of you, you dumb bitch!! You're coming with me and I'm not taking a 'no' for an answer!! You hear me?!"

(Y/n) weakly tugged her arm back, her breath quickening. "Bakugou, let go of me!"

"So stop being so fucking stubborn and follow my fucking rules!!"

"I said LET GO OF ME!!"

Katsuki didn't have enough time to dodge the hand that rocketed up. The punch landed square on his nose, and he felt like his sinuses had just exploded. He released her arm, his hands flying up to cover his nose as he stumbled back.

(Y/n) whipped the hand she had used to strike him with as she took some calculated steps back. Harsh exhales escaped her parted lips while her brain and heart freaked out over what she had done. However, both organs could agree on one thing; it felt fucking good.

Katsuki blinked away the tears that had gathered in his eyes and dropped his hands. His entire face felt like it was up in flames and pulsating to the rhythm of his racing heartbeat. Locking gazes with her, his eyes blew wide open in rage and a primitive growl rang from his throat.

"The fuck-you little bitch-" he choked out with forced restraint and disbelief. "You punched me!"

Red liquid slowly trickled down from his bruised nose and (Y/n) couldn't help the shiver of satisfaction that tore through her on seeing that. She wanted more.

Cursing under his breath, Katsuki swiped the blood away with the back of his hand, his enraged eyes never derailing from her.

"You know, Bakugou," she said, her tone bold and dark. "You should've walked away when you had the chance."

Katsuki's eyes narrowed in response as he studied her. Her whole demeanor had changed, he had never seen her like that before. Her (e/c) eyes were gleaming with resolve and triple the spirit she had before. At that moment, she looked like prey, backed into a corner by a hungry predator and was ready to fight through hell or high water to escape.

"I'm done talking," she continued, bending down to pick a twig. "I'm done arguing," twirling it around, she turned it into a hair stick pin. "I'm done trying to reason with you like a human being. I'm done crying. And I'm more certainly, done being civil. You won't listen to me? Fine," she messily rolled her wet hair into a loose bun and inserted the hair stick. "Then let me speak the language you're most conversant with, huh?"

Katsuki sized her up, taking in the battle stance she got into and a smirk crept up his face. A bloody, deadly smirk that was usually reserved for villains and opponents alike. His smirk widened. He was tired as hell but if it's a challenge she was putting out, then he'll gladly take her up on it.

"Picking a fight with me, eh?" he jeered, his head cocked to the side. "You're making a fucking big mistake, (Y/n). I'll fucking crush you."

"Maybe," she narrowed her eyes, her fists tightening, "But at least it won't be a bigger mistake than the one I made when I fell for you."

The boy's smirk fell and a scowl quickly replaced it. He got into his own battle stance, his hands splayed at his sides with small sparks dancing on his palms. "You're gonna regret challenging me."

"Stop talking for once and come."

With a loud growl, Katsuki bolted towards her and (Y/n)'s gasp died in her throat at his overwhelming speed. He swung his arm back, his palm glowing orange with an incoming detonation. (Y/n) ducked into a crouch, her palm flat against the ground and transformed the same time Katsuki landed an explosion on the spot she was standing. (Y/n) transformed back from a rock and appeared behind Katsuki.

The branch she had grabbed while changing back turned into a staff and she aimed for the boy's head. Katsuki pivoted around, and grabbed hold of the staff. He exploded the staff into little pieces, scattering ash, dust and smoke everywhere.

Grunting, the boy swept an arm in the air to clear the smoke as his narrowed eyes scrutinized every inch of his surroundings. (Y/n) had disappeared again and he couldn't tell what she was masquerading as and where she'd pop up next. He had to be vigilant. He wasn't in top form and his movements were slow due to extreme fatigue. He had to end the fight fast before time ran out or one of them passed out, leading to their penalization.

He went to turn around when a knee was driven into his stomach, knocking out his breath from his lungs and he doubled over in pain. His pupils flared when he saw (Y/n) in front of him and before she could move away, he grabbed hold of her raised leg. (Y/n) shrieked when she was sent flying and her back crashed against a tree trunk. She landed with a hard thud on the floor and hacked up a cough.

Her ears were ringing and her back felt like it had been broken into two. She set her palms against the ground and lifted herself into all fours. She raised her head towards his direction. Her eyes widened when she saw Katsuki barreling towards her with an explosion at the ready. She dived to the left with a roll, narrowly missing his blast.

Katsuki loudly cursed when his hand connected with the tree trunk instead and he snapped his head towards (Y/n). Yelling, he directed another blast towards her and (Y/n) quickly grabbed a rock from the ground. She held it in front of her and the rock turned into a shield. Her body was slightly pushed back by the force of the blast and she tightly clenched her teeth at the intense heat that came from being in indirect contact with it.

She tossed the shield towards him to act as a distractor while she ducked and rolled forward to get behind him. Elbow bent, she aimed a fatal blow towards the back of his head when Katsuki pivoted around and grabbed her elbow in the nick of time.

"Dammit (Y/n)!" he yelled as he pulled her around to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms to her sides to prevent her from touching anything else. Her back to his chest, he held her tightly against him.

"Let go of me!! Let go of me!!" (Y/n) screeched while she tried to wriggle out his hold. Her feet hovered a few centimeters from the ground and she desperately kicked her legs in hopes that she'd hit his shin but his legs were splayed apart. "Let go of me!!!"

"I'm not letting you go until you calm down!!" he barked, his arms tightening around her when he felt her slip.

"Don't tell me to calm down!!" she frantically thrashed her head from side to side. "You were supposed to be fight me, let me go!!! Why did you stop-arghhh!!"

Katsuki growled into her ear. "We're wasting time!! Stop!! Fucking!! Moving!!"

"NO!" (Y/n) swung her head back and it collided with his nose once more. Katsuki released her with a loud 'FUCK' and she slid out of his grasp. Going for the element of surprise, she whirled around to land another punch on him, but Katsuki blocked it with his arm. He delivered a palm strike to the side of her face and her head snapped back, her body following.

Her vision got jarred, and she felt like her world was spinning. Disoriented, she clumsily stepped back and tripped on her feet. She went crashing down to the ground with a thud, falling on her side as her eyes rolled back in her head.

***