𝒦atsuki ℬakugo ✦ ⁰¹

She looked at him as if she knew. As if she understood every crack he hid. And he hated it. He hated how those green eyes disarmed him, made him feel seen.

But if there was one thing that was impossible to ignore… it was her eyes. Bright red. Pure crimson. They weren't just intense: they burned, they threatened, they held everything she wasn't saying.

"Why do you keep coming back if you always end up leaving?" she asked, almost in a whisper. He lowered his head. His bangs were covering his eyes, but the sparkle was still there. Not fear. Not sadness. Guilt.

—Because I know you're still here —he murmured.

—I won't always be there.

Bakugo let out a short laugh. Not mockery, defense.
—You say it, but you don't leave.

And it was true. She didn't leave. Even if he walked away. Even if she only came when she had no excuses.

She was a contained fire. She didn't ask for love, but she sought it. She walked away for fear of burning... but also for fear of being burned.

"Do you know what it's like to wait for you, feeling like I'm not enough?" She shuddered. He held her gaze, no shields.

—No. Because I never waited for anyone. I never thought anyone would stay.

And that was it. It wasn't disinterest. It was fear. Fear of giving in and being broken.

"I left because I care about you more than I know how to handle," he confessed. "Because you can break me. And that scares me more than losing you."

She didn't respond. She just looked at him. And this time, her crimson eyes weren't a threat. They were an open wound.

Katsuki Bakugo was “111”. Three times he left. Three times he came back. But that night, his eyes shone differently.

Maybe he was thinking of staying. Or maybe… it was too late.

—You can't just show up like nothing's happening, Katsuki.
—And how do you want it to appear? With flowers?

—I want you to come when you plan to stay. Not when you feel like it.

Silence. He doesn't look at her, but it's clear that what she's saying hurts him.

—I didn't come here to fight.
—Then stop talking like you want to do it.

Bakugo grits his teeth. His crimson eyes gleam in the light.

—Do you know how many times you made me feel like I was in the way?
—It was never like that.

—And what happened then?
—It was fear. Not of you… of what I feel when you're around.

She looks at him. Hurt, tired.
—And that's why you leave every time?

—Because if I stay… I'll break.

—I broke down waiting for you.

Bakugo finally looks at her. Not with anger. With something close to pain.

—Don't go.
—Then stay.

And for the first time, his eyes no longer burn.
They beg.