Bakugo

My entire life with Katsuki was one endless duel. Since childhood, he was my bully, my idol, my biggest thorn. His every look, every word, every push—it was all laced with challenge. I, Deku, always followed him, trying to prove my worth. He called me "worthless Deku," but I saw in him the strength I aspired to.

We fought for years: in schoolyards, at UA Academy, on hero missions. Our fists met, our voices broke into screams, but all this rage was always just a thin shell for something else. Something that kept us together, no matter what. One day, after a particularly tough battle, when we were both on edge, for the first time he didn't push me away, but simply silently placed his hand on my shoulder, allowing me to lean on it. Then something changed.

His glances became longer, his outbursts less frequent when it came to me. I began to notice how he tracked my every move, how his eyes searched for me in the crowd. And I... I had long since stopped seeing him as just a bully. I saw him as a partner, a hero, and a man whose complex, turbulent nature now seemed most dear to me.

This evening was like that. We, tired after a grueling workout, simply headed to the lake. The sun was already setting, painting the water in shades of gold and orange. We stood waist-deep in the cool water, silently watching the sunset. And then, without warning, Katsuki turned around. His eyes, usually so angry, now glowed only with the reflection of the sunset and something I couldn't immediately decipher.

He carefully but firmly lifted my hand, running his thumb over my knuckles. Then his fingers tangled in my damp hair, pulling my face closer. I felt his breath, hot and ragged, and his heart pounding in his chest.

"We spent years trying to prove to each other who was stronger, Deku," he whispered, his voice surprisingly soft. "But it turns out we just needed to admit who was more important."

And then his lips covered mine. It was a kiss woven from years of unspoken words, from