You hid your eyes intentionally, shaking hands gripping tightly on to your skirt. Tears threatened to trickle down your face but you bit them back, trying your best to remain solid on your stance.

You didn't meet his gaze, but you could sense it as he went rigged. You ground your teeth, praying he either got angry and left an opening for you, or that maybe he had some sense of pity.

"You're pathetic," he hissed.

You flinched, the first time you ever showed weakness towards him. "Kacchan, give it back before I take it." You warned, voice wavering just at its end.

He threw a fist against the fence and you hands shook, your heart pounding. "Who the hell told you that you could order me around?!" He barked.

You glared up at him and he hesitated. Wet streaks glistened down your face but your eyes were full of many, knotted and confusing emotions. It threw him off to see you cry. You winced as pain spread over your arm, once again turning to metal.

"Do I really have to fight you for it?" You asked, trying to hold any form of threat.

Bakugou watched you closely, his nose mere centimeters away from you as he looked into your irritated eyes. When he sighed at last, you could feel the hot breath feather against your face and you blushed lightly.

He took a step back and removed the ribbon from his pocket, dropping it to the ground and turning. "Weak ass girls like you aren't worth my time." He said bluntly.

Your face twisted up in rage but you didn't pursue him. Grabbing the ribbon, you held it close to you and tried to tame your wild tears. "I'm so sorry mom..."

You sat for a few minutes, just holding it before tying it back in place. "(Y/N)!" Someone called, your eyes darting up.

You smiled as you saw a familiar head of messy green hair. Alongside him you saw Uraraka. Her eyes held concern and you could tell she knew something. Call it woman's intuition. Standing, you wiped your eyes and grinned at him. "Hey Izuku. Hey Uraraka." You greeted.

"You found the ribbon." Izuku sighed, seeming as relieved as you felt. "Thank god."

Uraraka grabbed your hands in hers and met your eyes. "(Y/N) what happened? You were crying just now!"

You laughed shallowly and shook your head. "You're observant. Don't worry, just... memories."

She looked at your ribbon but decided not to press the subject. "Do you wanna walk home with me and Izuku?" She offered.

"Well, I do live with him so might as well.." You snickered, wiping your eyes again.

Darting forward you let Uraraka fall into step with Izuku. They almost instantly started their own riveting conversation. Your pace was faster, eventually putting you far ahead of them. When you glanced back, you saw that Izuku was talking animatedly to her. For a second, you felt jealous until realizing something.

For so long it was just you protecting Izuku. It had always been that way but now, he was making friends of his own. You chuckled, gazing at Izuku before breaking from the path home and taking a detour. He'd figure it out when he got home.

Darting through the alleys and roads of the vast city, you made your way to a long, cast iron fence, rust nipping at the aged metal. You pushed open the creaking gate door and stepped into the cemetery. You looked around at the rows upon rows of headstones, a sad smile on your face. You navigated without think, having walked the path a million times.

As you approached the marble headstone you'd grown used to visiting, you untied your ribbon and knelt. Your fingers brushed lightly against the elaborate engraving.

Here Lies Mary (L/N). Beloved mother and friend. May her soul find peace in the afterlife.

"Hey mom, It's been a while." You said quietly, eyes lowering slowly to the ribbon in your hands. "I missed you today..."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
After school I just walked around aimlessly. My mind was full of buzzing thoughts but I wasn't sure where they were coming from. After giving back that ribbon to (Y/N), something in my chest felt off.

Running a hand through my hair, I looked up as I walked past the cemetery. My eyes slid over the lines of tombstones, passing the cemetery often. It was surprising when I found something living amongst the dead.

Narrowing my eyes, I recognized the stupid ribbon of (Y/N) as she wove through the graves. At some point I stopped walking as I watched her slow and kneel before the grave. She removed her ribbon and her mouth moved, probably talking to the tomb.

Maybe that's where... Nevermind.

Turning my head I continued to walk.

I don't care.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My eyes lifted and I looked at the sky, finding it had darkened considerably. "Geez, it got dark out really quick." You said. "I should get going. I'll bring some flowers soon. I promise."

You leaned your head against the tombstone and closed your eyes, as though focusing would get a response from the dead. "I love you mom."

Sighing, you stood and replaced the ribbon in your hair and grabbed your school bag, jogging out of the cemetery. Night had approached much faster than you expected and you shuddered in the cool night air. The stars twinkled above you, silver moonlight giving you the path home.

"It's beautiful out tonight." You mused to yourself, taking a deep breath of the crisp air.

A shudder climbed your spine and your eyes opened wide. Whipping around you searched the scenery for any extra people. "Hello?" You cooed, peering eyes scanning for movement.

Nothing moved. Nothing responded. Turning quickly, you picked up the pace and began to run, your feet fleeting down the lonely streets as you couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. "Now!" A brittle voice yelled and around you the street burst to life. You felt your leg go numb and you crumbled to the ground, hissing in pain. You looked up, breath stalled as three large men stood over you. "Nice catch! I think she'll do nicely." The first said.

He was large and muscular, hair closely shaved to his head. His torso was covered by a stretched black tank top, his pants being camouflage shorts. His violet eyes seemed to shimmer and you had a feeling he was the one who numbed your leg.

"Get away from me!" You barked, arm equipping as you set a steely glare at them.

"God, she's like a dog. Barking orders. Who told you that you could order us around?" The third one said. His hair was long and blue, braided and thrown over his shoulder. One of his eyes was golden, the other black.

The last one remained silent. He was the shortest of the three, but he emitted a dangerous aura that rocked you with fear. His expression seemed almost dull.

You hissed in pain as the metal plating expanded over you, the stinging pain almost bringing tears to your eyes. "I said get away!" You cried, backing against a wall and trying to push yourself up.

"Looks like she has a hardening quirk. Not too interesting but good enough. She'll sell." The third said, a cruel smile curling over his face.

In a wave, your breath left you. Unimaginable fear gripped you and all sense of courage seemed to leak from you. Suddenly the men appeared like monsters and you were reduced to childlike terror. The silent one glowered down at you with bloody crimson eyes and tears fell from your eyes. You trembled in fear and screamed, covering your face and hiding it in your knees.

"Don't touch me!" You screamed, shaking like a frightened toddler. "Get away from me you monsters!"

"Nice one boss. She's too scared to move." The first laughed. "Let's tie her up and get moving."

You felt one grabbed at you and you screamed, kicking erratically and trying to inch away. A chilling numbness started to crawl from your leg and dread well up in you. "Here girlie girlie! We won't hurt you!" He hummed, grabbing your leg and pulling it towards him.

In defense you swung your plated arm at him, cracking it against his jaw. Your defense was weakened by fear as he was sent sprawling to the side. Your chest heaved, hyperventilating.

"You little bitch!" He snapped, a meaty hand curled around your neck. You gasped for air, kicking your legs wildly to try and free yourself. The blood on his face made him seem more demonic and you screamed in terror. "Let me go!" You sobbed. "Someone help me!"

"Shut that girl up!" The third barked, looking around.

"Lights out princess!" The first chanted, winding his arm back.

You screamed, waiting for the hit. It never came. A symphony of flame consumed the men and they all cried out in pain as you tumbled to the ground. Your head came close to hitting the ground but someone caught you. It seemed like the fear slowly drained from you as you looked at the men. Slowly a purple haze faded from the quiet one's eyes and you realized the fear was his quirk. He drained courage and reverted it to terror, so the braver you were the worse you fell.

Your vision was darkened and your hearing distant, everything holding almost an echo. Your limbs felt limp as you fell to the side, black consuming your vision until you were left to your mind alone.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A steady beep filled the air. Your eyes felt heavy, but you opened them slowly. Your throat felt sore as rattling breath shook from you. Blinking a few times, you realized the room was stark white. The beeping came from a machine beside you. Slowly you sat up, looking from one side to another.

The chairs at your bedside were empty. "Hello?" You croaked.

You winced at your once sore voice. Swinging your legs over the side of the bed you rested on, you stood. Removing the wires and needles that clung to you, the monitor went flat with a shrill, high-pitched squeal.

You frowned but shrugged, moving shakily to your feet and attempting to walk. A parade of pounding feet echoed outside the door and it flew open, a doctor and nurse flying in before a familiar blonde. The doctor's stared at you wide eyed as you stared at Bakugou. "Kacchan? What're you doing here?" You asked bitterly.

"Miss (L/N) you should really be resting! You were attacked!" The doctor pleaded, grabbing your arm and trying to force you to lay. You looked down and saw your dominant arm was bandaged and furrowed your brow.

"I... got attacked?" You asked. You tried to remember but only glimpses came to you.

The doctor nodded. "A few minutes ago this young man brought you in and explained everything. Your family is on the way as we speak."

You sat willingly and planted a palm against your brow. Closing your eyes. "Ma'am are you okay?" The nurse asked.

"I'm fine..." You muttered, just trying to remember.

You looked at Bakugou, meeting his gaze for a moment before looking away. You looked at yourself and realized you'd just been stripped to the tank top beneath your uniform jacket. "May I speak to my friend for a moment?"

You stumbled over the word friend making Bakugou snarl. The doctor and nurse nodded before leaving, closing the door behind them. You looked at Bakugou in silence until he finally snapped at you. "What?!" He barked, pushing off the wall and moving closer to you.

"Why did you save me?" You asked bluntly, expression blank as you watched his gaze.

He seemed startled by your out right question. Sighing, he answered promptly. "Because I did." He muttered.

"That's not an answer." You retorted.

"Well what do you want me to say?" He barked.

"I want to know why you were there!" You barked back, challenging his gaze.

"I was just walking!"

"In the middle of the night?"

"So were you!"

You moved to respond but your mouth snapped shut. Looking down at your hands you leaned back. "I have reasons..."

"And what if I do to?" Bakugou countered.

"Then tell me!"

"If you share too."

You remained silent, your face inches from Bakugou. You both growled at one another before finally huffing and turning. "Whatever..." You huffed, hands crossed over your chest.

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air and you finally sighed, relaxing into the bed and curling into your legs. "Thank for the save..." You muttered quietly, stubbornly avoiding his eyes.

He seemed alarmed before smirking and moving against your face. "Sorry, couldn't hear you."

"What? Are you waiting for a pat on the back or a kiss on the cheek?! I said thanks dumbass!" You hissed.

His smile fell and he grabbed your collar as you grabbed his. "What did you say?!" He snapped.

"Oh so your stupid and deaf too!"

"Why you-"

"(Y/N)!!!" A cry shrieked out as the door flew open. Both you and Bakugou froze as you were, looking at Inko as she froze in the door. Slowly she backed out, excusing herself. "Sorry, lover's quarrel..." She said quietly.

"What?! Mom no!" You shouted, shoving Bakugou off. "It's not like that!"

She peered at you, smiling as she waved at nothing. "Oh no! Don't let me stop you! You have been friends since you were children it's natural for some feelings to bloom!" She laughed.

Bakugou seemed thoroughly confused as you cursed yourself mentally.

We've been lying so she wouldn't worry! Dammit!

Looking at Inko you laughed. "Can I just have a minute real quick? With Kacchan?" She nodded enthusiastically and closed the door.

Bakugou looked at you with bewildered eyes, his annoyance seeming to increase. "She thinks we're friends?!" He yelled. "What lies have you been telling her?!"

"I just didn't want her to worry! She still thinks we three kids are great friends! Just pretend for now okay? Please?!"

"No way! I'm not doing that!" He barked.

"Kacchan just do this one thing for me! You just have to act civil with me and Izuku until you can escape!"

"I told you no! I'm not faking like you and Deku!" He growled. "I would never run that low."

"Bakugou please-"

Izuku rushed into the room, looking just as confused as Inko when he saw you and Bakugou. Inko entered the room after Izuku and grabbed him. "Izuku stop! Your sister needs a minute with Kacchan!" She nagged.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't..." He seemed confused as he looked between you and Bakugou, not understanding the situation.

"Look Deku! You might as well stop lying because I have never and will never-" Bakugou was about ready to spill the beans.

You acted instinctively, as you often did. Without thinking your limbs moved to grab Bakugou. His eyes widened slightly as you grabbed his color and closed your eyes tightly. You crashed your lips against his, effectively silencing him.