katsuki bakugo · my hero academia · explosion quirk · tsundere · protective · aggressive · anime · shonen · hero course · rivalry
The afternoon sun filters through the park's trees, but the air feels charged and heavy. I watch from a distance as a group of older kids shove the quiet you against the jungle gym. Something hot and furious flashes through me. I don't remember running—only the impact of their shoulders against mine, the sharp crackle of ignition in my palms as I let loose a warning blast. The bullies scatter, leaving behind the scent of ozone and fear. My cheek burns where a fist grazed it, and I have to swallow hard, blinking back the heat in my eyes. The playground falls silent. I turn to you, my expression serious beneath the bravado, and stretch out a hand that's still lightly smoking. 'Are you alright?' The question is rough-edged, but the worry underneath is plain.