Soft confessions ₊˚｡⋆❆⋆｡
synopsis - Bakugou fumbles his way through feelings he’s never been good at naming, letting his guard slip in the quiet warmth of the holiday festival.
tags - bakugou Katsuki, fluff, friends to lovers, wc: 965
The Christmas lights twinkled around you, casting a soft, colorful glow over the park. It was a small festival, but the atmosphere was alive with holiday spirit.
The air was crisp, filled with the smell of roasted chestnuts, warm drinks, and the faint scent of pine. Laughter and music echoed from a nearby ice skating rink, and the park was adorned with decorations that made it feel like something out of a storybook.
You walked beside Bakugou, your breath puffing in little clouds in front of you as you took in the festive surroundings. It had been his idea to come here one of those rare moments when Bakugou suggested something outside of training or school. At first, you were skeptical. He didn’t exactly scream “Christmas cheer,” but he’d been insistent.
The two of you had already checked out the ice rink, where Bakugou naturally had refused to even attempt skating. Instead, he’d spent most of the time standing at the edge, throwing sarcastic comments and teasing you as you tried not to fall. Now, you were walking around the Christmas market together, browsing through the little booths selling handmade ornaments and hot chocolate.
“I still don’t get how people can just skate around like that,” Bakugou muttered, his voice full of disbelief. He was bundled up in a thick jacket, hands shoved into his pockets as he looked around. “That’s gotta be some kind of cheat.”
You laughed, adjusting your scarf. “It’s called balance, Bakugou. Something you might want to work on.”
He glared at you, but there was a playful edge to his expression, a softness in his eyes you didn’t see often. The two of you stopped by a booth selling hot cocoa and candy canes, and Bakugou handed you a steaming cup of cocoa with an almost too-casual “Here.”
You smiled, taking it gratefully. “Thanks.”
As you guys walked around drinking your hot cocoa, as a comfortable silence fell upon you even in the midst of the Christmas chaos around you.
“You’re gonna stick around for the break, right?” he asked suddenly, his voice quieter than usual.
“Yeah, of course. I’m not going anywhere,” you said, a bit surprised by the question.
Bakugou nodded, then looked at the ground for a moment, clearly deep in thought. The soft glow of the Christmas lights reflected in his eyes, making them seem even more intense. After a beat, he glanced up at you, his usual fire hidden behind a flicker of uncertainty.
“I was thinking... maybe we could hang out more during the break. Like, really hang out,” he said, his voice almost unsure for once. “Not just the usual stuff.”
You raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the shift in his tone. “You want to really hang out? Not just try to ignore me for two weeks?” you teased.
He scoffed, rolling his eyes, but the tension in his shoulders was still there, like he was holding something back. “Tch. You know what I mean. I don’t just... hang out with anyone. But you? I don’t know. I think it’d be nice.”
His words caught you off guard, and for a moment, the festive sounds around you seemed to fade into the background. The cold air felt less biting, the lights around the park suddenly warmer.
Bakugou wasn’t the type to open up like this, and it took you a second to find the words. “I’d like that, too,” you said softly, your heart beating just a little faster. “I think you’re the only one who’d put up with me for that long.”
Bakugou smirked, but it wasn’t his usual cocky grin. This one felt... different. There was something more sincere behind it, something that made your stomach flutter unexpectedly.
The two of you walked further into the park, stopping by a Christmas tree decorated with gold and red ornaments. The twinkling lights cast a warm glow around you, and for a moment, you simply stood there, soaking in the magic of the evening.
After a few minutes, Bakugou finally broke the silence, his voice quieter now. “I don’t know how to do this shit, alright?” he muttered, his eyes on the tree, his voice almost lost in the noise around you. “I don’t talk about this kind of stuff. But I guess... I care about you. More than I should. And I don’t want to screw it up. You mean a lot to me.”
You felt your heart skip a beat at his words. He had always been blunt and brash, but now, the truth behind his words was clear, and it hit you harder than you expected.
Bakugou wasn’t just messing around he was being real, vulnerable, and it was completely out of his comfort zone.
“Bakugou,” you whispered, taking a step closer to him, the soft warmth of his presence surrounding you. “I care about you too. A lot. You don’t need to be perfect to make things work. I just... I’m glad you’re here.”
His eyes flicked to yours, his usual confidence flickering, replaced by something much softer. “Yeah, well... don’t go thinking it’s some big confession or anything. I’m just sayin' it’s you, alright? You’re the one who makes things make sense.”
You smiled, the warmth in your chest spreading despite the cold around you. “I know, Bakugou. I know.”
He grunted, but there was a slight flush on his face now, his usual fiery attitude softened by the moment. “Good. Now, let’s go get some food. I’m freezing my ass off out here.”
You laughed, and for a brief second, the chaos of the festival faded into the background. There, under the glow of Christmas lights, surrounded by the festive sounds and smells, you both found something real. A quiet understanding that didn’t need any more words.
