just a little soft.
my hero academia | platonic bakusquad | words: 3,109.
Katsuki Bakugou is talented at just about anything he sets himself up to do. The people around him wonder if heâs just that freakishly amazing, or if heâs simply methodical about the activities he decides to pick up, to the point where he only chooses to engage in things that he knows heâd be great at. Itâs a line that nobody can guarantee that Bakugou is or isnât crossing, but one thingâs for certain: itâs so damn annoying.
So when Bakugou and his squad managed to get ahold of some nerd guns and decided to hold a nerf gun fight in the common room ( furniture was moved , both for protection of them and of it ) for their Saturday game night, nobody, absolutely no one was surprised that Bakugou was in the lead with points. Since these were foam bullets and would have to be used extremely hard and aggressively to inflict any pain, nobody donned armor and every available inch of flesh was an open target. If you were shot on any non vital areas twice, then you were out; on the flip side, if you got hit on the chest, the groin, the neck, or anywhere on your face just once, you were automatically dead and out of the game.
Itâs been about thirty minutes into the gameâs commencement, and everyone was doing their best to avoid being shot by the bullets from their friends. Some utilized their agility and skills in speed to evade the shots, while others relied on the furniture around them as shields. Even Bakugou, overconfident in everything he does, is taking the necessary precautions to sidestep bullets slung his way, having pinpointed that Kaminari was specifically targeting him. The realization blooms a smirk across his lips, his gun rising swiftly to launch two of the soft projectiles at his aforementioned classmate.
âCrap!â He yelps, just barely escaping from the attack by leaping behind one of the couches.
Bakugou tsks, ducking to the floor to grab more ammo before Kaminari can take advantage of the opening heâs accidentally produced for him.
âAh ha! Gotcha now, Kacchan!â Kaminari cries, pointing the barrel of his gun right at Bakugouâs head.
Bakugou has every intention to move out of the way before those bullets can reach him, but the way Kaminari suddenly releases a small shriek and clasps the side of his neck halts any motion. Both blonds shift their sights to see Ashido, posing with her weapon and pretending to blow smoke from the hole of it. Amusement litters Bakugouâs expression, but Kaminari doesnât share in his friendâs subtle delight.
âMina, what the heck?! I was about to cap the most powerful player!â
She shrugs, shaking those fluffy pink tresses of hers. âI saw an opening and I took it, sorry not sorry Kami. Weâre not playing as teams yaâ know; every person for themself!â
Kaminari huffed at her words, golden eyes rolling as he set his gun on the table in front of him, hands up, and migrated over to the other side of the room where he wasnât still in the line of fire. âFine. But just so you know, Iâm rooting for you to lose.â His pettiness knows no bounds as he plops into a loveseat, squinting at his so-called friend.
Ashidoâs own eyes roll in return and just as she circulates on a heel to continue the game, a squeak breaks free from her when she feels two tiny smacks against her knees. Shock etches itself into her features, staring hard at Bakugou who ascends from his position on the floor, wolfish smirk stretching his lips.
âYou both talk too damn much; you distracted yourself.â He chides, already scanning the area for the remaining two soldiers still at large.
Ashido whines, rubbing at the spots where her poor knees were assaulted. âSo not cool Bakugou! I saved your butt from Kami!â
âYeah, that was your first mistake.â Honed instincts bring his body into a squat, narrowly missing another foam bullet. Kirishima had been the culprit this time and on the realization that Bakugou escaped his attack, a nervous grin grew on the redheadâs lips.
âUh ohâŻâŻâ
âDamn right uh oh , shitty hair!â As if all in the same moment , Bakugou swooped up a spare bullet, loaded it in, and shot his best friend twice; one in the stomach and one on the thigh.
âAww, man!â Kirishima groans, but his grin never leaves his face, even as he surrenders his gun to the same place Kaminari had set his own down, joining the blond in taking a seat across the room to watch the finale of this little game play out. It was just Sero and Bakugou now, and the audience of three were on the edge of their seats. Bakugou probably didnât know this, but Sero was an older brother of three back home, and they had playful fights like these on the constant. Itâs safe to say that the tape hero is a pro at this sort of activity and with Bakugou being an only child, has a glaring disadvantage, even if he is the current reigning champion.
The air is quiet. The tension is high, as cardinal eyes scan the area for all objects that Sero could be hiding behind. Either of the other couches, the second loveseat, the counters âŻâŻ damn, this kid was being quiet as hell! Bakugou couldnât even detect any breathing, let alone noise of motion. A low growl rumbles from within his chest, taking a few steps towards the empty couches.
âCome out already, Tape face! Show up like a man! You know as soon as you do, Iâm gonna kill you!â Even for something as silly as a nerf gun battle, Bakugou manages to take it all way too seriously. Kirishima nudges Kaminari with a hidden snicker and points towards the ceiling with a subtle finger. When Kaminari glances in the direction heâs told, he ( unfortunately for Sero ) lets loose a pleased gasp loud enough to draw Bakugouâs attention. Sight migrates from the two on the couch, to the ceiling where Kirishima had been pointing, and was faced with none other than the student he was searching for , hanging upside down by a length of tape.
âAw, Denki , come ON, manâŻ!â Sero grouses as his ambush is rendered totally useless. He shoots on instinct once Bakugou raises his own gun, and manages to smack Bakugouâs arm with a pellet, but he isnât quick enough to launch the second before a shot of Bakugouâs reaches him and impact is made with his forehead, sealing an automatic win for the blond.
Bakugouâs lips curl into a smirk, wide and toothy, as he throws the gun to the ground and turns to fully face Kirishima and Kaminari, smug as ever. âYou all really thought you could beat me. Ha!â
Kaminari huffs, crossing his arms over the width of his chest and rolling his eyes at Bakugouâs normal display of arrogance. âI wouldâve had a shot if MINA didnât knock me out so early.â
Ashido shoves her tongue out at him in response, before a grin replaces her scowl. âAllâs fair in love and nerf gun war. Besides, I got killed right after you did, so itâs not like I got to play much either!â
âYâknow, I noticed something..â Sero begins, leveling himself closer to the floor before disengaging from his tape. âBakugou shot almost everyone in non-vital spots, even with the handicap of having to shoot the other players twice to get them out.â
A silence draws them all in as they recall the events that have just occurred, and after acknowledging that Sero was indeed correct, all eyes now lay on the winner of their game. Abruptly, Bakugou feels like heâs shrunk a little. What the hell did it matter that he didnât go for vital areas?
âAnd? So fucking what? I just managed to prove that I donât need to take the easy route to win, thatâs all.â But thereâs a new sensation in the air around the five of them, something that has Bakugou a smidge nervous, and itâs starting to activate his fight or flight.
âI dunno..â Kirishima chimes in, a little too sing-song in the tonality of his words. âIt seemed like you didnât want to hit us in our vital spots. We all know this is a game and these arenât anything close to real bullets, but you still took at least a little bit of time to hit us in places we didnât mark as insta-deaths.â
The hair on the nape of Bakugouâs neck begins to stand on edge. What the hell is going on here? He growls again, louder this time, as if that would pose any threat to the individuals who know him the best in the entire school. âShut the hell up Kirishima, whatever you idiots are thinking isnât true. The game is over now anyway, so can we fuckinâ drop it?â
âBut are you suuuure?â Great, now Ashidoâs involving herself too. ââCause, to this idiot , it seems like youâre a big olâ softie , Bakugou!â
Her claim brings an unwelcome, faint flush of crimson to his cheeks. Disdain and embarrassment mix and etch into the contours of his expression, pearly whites gritting against each other as he snarls out, â Get . Bent . Pinky . I just MURDERED YOU ALL IN COLD BLOOD, how the FUCK is that me being soft?!â
âThat probably isnât something a hero-in-training should be shouting at the top of his lungs,â Kaminari finally steps in with something to say, his own smirk blooming along his lips. âWe all know the truth, Kacchan. Youâre sweet on us! Thatâs why you actually thought about where and how you were going to attack us.â
With each teasing statement from the squad, Bakugouâs blush darkens in hue and his chagrin intensifies to the point where crackles and little sizzling can be heard from the center of his palms. âYouâre all fuckinâ delusional! I donât know WHY I even hang around you losersâŻâŻ!â
He spins on his heels, turning his back on the four of them with the intention to leave them to their devices, until he feels a hand grab at his wrist and tug him right back. âHold on a sec there, Bakubro!â
âWh⯠Let me go, moron!â He struggles against Kirishimaâs grip, noting that the redheadâs hardened his hand just enough to avoid hurting Bakugou, but enough that he canât just break free.
âNot until you admit youâre a total softie!â He grins, all large and wide and warm, it makes Bakugouâs heart speed a little at the sight, but heâll be damned if he gives in that easily.
âDrop dead! Iâve got other shit to do, so fuck off!â Another few tugs solidify that he isnât going anywhere, at least not until he works up to blasting Kirishimaâs damn hand off.
âCâmon man, donât be like that! We just wanna hear you say it!â Kaminari slides off of the couch, taking stride to where Kirishima has Bakugou captured and delivering a few pokes to his fellow blondâs side. âAll you gotta do is say Iâm totally soft for my friends and you can go off and do your other important stuff.â
Damnmit. Damn Kirishima and damn Kaminari! Those little pokes jolt the skin where they touch down and Bakugou canât control the way he slightly jerks away from the other student. The movement goes noticed, however, much to Bakugouâs dismay. Their grins turn from mellow and amused, to curious and devious, and Bakugou knows heâs about to regret even agreeing to that stupid game.
âI ⯠I sahaid fuhuhuck ohohoff!â He chokes out on a giggle that he attempted to strangle down within his throat, but once Kaminari saw his initial reaction to his poking, the asshole just continued doing it.
âWhatâsa matter, Bakugou? Little bit ticklish?â
âShuhuâŻ! Shuhut uhuhup!â
He bounces when Kaminariâs pokes evolve into light scribbles against his stomach, and tries to tug himself away from Kirishimaâs grip even harder, but to no avail. To make matters worse, the spiky haired bastard is using his free hand to mimic Kaminariâs light tickling against his other side.
âNohOHOâŻâŻshit! ShihiHIHIt, gehet awahahAY!â His giggles are flowing more freely every second that the two of them keep up their ticklish assault. The daintiness of the touch is already driving Bakugou up a wall, every light scrape and squiggle of those fingers brings itchy little sensations under the skin that he just couldnât escape from. His squirmingâs amplified as well, to the point where his knees buckle and Kirishima has to exert more strength in order to keep him upright.
âWhoa there, Bakubro. So ticklish you can barely stand, huh? Heheh, letâs move you to the couch so you donât fall.â Kirishima teases with a giggle of his own, halting his tickling for just long enough to lead Bakugou to sit against the cushions, but he grants him no warning when he dives back in, squeezing up and down his sides. Kaminari had followed and went right back to it the moment Bakugou was settled on the couch. Without an opportunity to catch his breath, laughter shot out of Bakugouâs grinning mouth once again, the back of his free hand concealing part of his merriment and muffling the sound.
âAw, isnât he so cute? Thinking that we were just gonna let him walk like that. ~â Ashidoâs voice is sweet as a confection, striking a chord of renewed embarrassment within Bakugou that has him attempting to curl up and suppress himself further. Ashidoâs having absolutely none of that though, and takes it upon herself to shove her hands to where his waist would bend, squeezing at the back area of it. Sheâs rewarded with a squeak from the volatile blond, his hand promptly departing from disguising his visage to weakly shove at her hands.
âDohOHOHONâtâŻâŻ! StAHAHâŻahahp!â Suffering through tickling from Kaminari, Kirishima, AND Ashido is a certain kind of torture that Bakugou wasnât at all prepared for. Heâs endured through his fair share of tickle fights with one or two of them prior, but three on one is maddening . As if his boisterous cackling and wriggling like an unearthed worm wasnât enough for them, Seroâs now positioned himself by Bakugouâs legs with an evil glint sparkling in his dark eyes.
âDonât stop, huh? Donât you worry Blasty, I donât think we had those intentions right now!â Is the last thing he says before slender digits curl around the tops of Bakugouâs thighs, squeezing and scribbling over the skin there. Ashido continues her work on his hips, Kaminari at his stomach and Kirishima dares to scooch his ministrations up to his ribs, just shy of where his death spot was, but the visceral reaction that Bakugou gives proves that Kirishima didnât need to travel there yet.
Bakugou squeals, louder than he probably ever has before, no longer capable of internalizing how sensitive he is to everything theyâre doing. His squirming evolves into thrashing and damnmit , he feels the sting of tears at the corners of his eyes. Every touch courses along his skin like an electric current, fed into by the hypersensitivity that he couldnât shake off even if he tried. His cheeks grew even rosier, warmth radiating off of his face like a small space heater.
â Damn , Bakugou,â Seroâs more than charmed by Bakugouâs display of hilarity, his grin tells that much. âWho knew you were this ticklish? Itâs pretty funny! Tough guy like you, fallinâ to pieces âcause of a little tickling .â
âPfft, Iâd say this is a bit more than a little, dude.â Kirishima snorts, observing Bakugou closely as he laughs his literal heart out to make certain that he isnât on the verge of passing out. When heâs deemed fine enough, Kirishima does, finally, move into that cursed little area where he knows Bakugou canât handle.
And right he is.
As soon as those nimble, horrible fingers make tickly contact with that death spot, Bakugou arches forward so hard, he nearly knocks both Kirishima and Kamnari to the floor. Spiky, blond tresses fall against the couch as he throws his head back, screaming laughter flooding within the space of the common room. He has no strength to camouflage his glee now; eyes scrunched close, the bridge of his nose wrinkled and his mouth splitting his face in a wide open, delighted grin that spreads a feeling of pride and joy into each of his friendsâ hearts. Damn. He really needs to laugh like this more often.
âOHOHKAYâŻâŻ! fUHckâŻ! fUHUHUCK, STOP ! STOâŻAHAHAP! IâŻIâM SOHOHOFT, AHAHALRIGHT?!â The surrender arrives strangled and choked around his laughter, but they all heard him clear enough to finally, finally , cease their ticklish assault on him. With fingers and hands removed from his frame, Bakugouâs body instinctively curls up and against the couch, protecting his long abused sensitive areas from any further touching.
He takes in deep gulps, releasing stray, lingering giggles with each breath. His eyes are still closed and heâs still trembling just a small bit, and even though he isnât giving any of them the time of day right now while he recovers, he can admit only to himself that that was⌠so much fun. A variety of fun that he hasnât experienced in years and didnât ever believe heâd have the chance to indulge in again.
âSee? Not so hard, right buddy?â Kaminari pats at Bakugouâs shoulder, who flinches just slightly at the contact ( in case he got any funny ideas about tickling him again ) and shoots him a glare that doesnât retain any of its usual bite to it. How could he possibly be threatening, when heâs all relaxed and pliant, still coiled up and gently giggling into the pillows of the couch? Honestly, he couldnât get any cuter than this.
âFuck you guys..â Bakugou sighs out, obviously growing tired by the way his words break off at the end and his eyes go half-lidded.
âYeah, yeah. You love us.â Kirishima rises to reach for the remote to the television, turning it on and settling for an easygoing comedy movie that theyâve all seen before.
âIâll get snacks!â Kaminari exclaims, trekking to the kitchen to find something delicious, with Sero trailing behind him, mentioning something about how Kaminari never grabs the chips that he likes.
Despite teetering on the edge of half asleep and awake, chilling between Kirishima and Ashido, Bakugou floats on the pleasant, tender feeling of having friends like his. Maybe he has grown just a little soft for these idiots, and maybe, just maybe , heâs starting to see thereâs nothing wrong with that.







