𝐂𝐀𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑, b.katsuki | ✓

SIXTEEN

______________

EFFY PUSHED THE DOORS OF THE BANQUET HALL OPEN AND THE MUSIC SEEMED LOUDER ON THIS SIDE OF THE DOORS. The lights were dimmed, giving a pastel pink, blue and golden glow to the great room. The band performed on the stage, playing music people danced to. Bakugou saw a guy who was playing the bass on the stage wink at the girl beside him. His head, as if on instinct, immediately snapped to look at Effy who only gave the guitarist a stiff smile. The explosive blonde scowled and grabbed Effy wrist and led her towards the table where the food and drinks were kept.

"Jealous much?" she teased with a sly smirk.

"Tch." Bakugou handed her a red cup filled to the brim with grape juice and sipped his own. He leaned against the table, keeping an eye out for his friends.

He drank the juice, but it didn't taste like grape. He almost choked on the drink when he realized—

Effy note of his troubled expression and smirked against the rim of her cup, "What, can't take some vodka?" He glared at her, "Shut up."

She opened her mouth to say something else when someone else's loud voice cut her off. "Effy-chan! Bakugou!" Their eyes travelled to land on Mina, Sero, Kirishima and Kaminari. Effy waved and Bakugou scowled at them but the four took no offence.

And so, the six talked (with Effy having to stop Bakugou from slipping away every now and then). Halfway through the party, Bakugou grit his teeth, muttered something about the bathroom and left. He didn't like this. Effy was talking to everyone but him and he didn't like it. It was childish tantrum he was indirectly throwing but he didn't like it.

Bakugou pushed the door leading to the roof. It was cool out here, and he took off his shoes and sat at the edge, legs dangling off the edge. He inhaled and exhaled sharply and—

The door flew open and he almost flinched at the sound. Scowling, he turned around to look at his date approaching him with her flats in one hand while the other held a cup of grape juice and vodka mixed together. Her expression was unreadable as she sat next to him, their hips and shoulders pressed together. "What are you doing here?" she asked once she had swallowed down that sip of her drink. Her tone was monotonous, almost distant. He didn't answer.

"This is our last night with our friends." she said, her eyes not leaving the horizon, "After this we'll go our seperate ways. It's best to enjoy it while it lasts."

"You don't seem to be enjoying yourself." he retorted. She smiled, "It's tiring to pretend all the time," she took another sip of her drink and got up, smoothening down her dress, "But I'll always fake it in the end. But tonight...." She trailed off and instead of completing her sentence, she extended her hand towards him, palm facing upwards, "May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?" He snorted but took her hand anyways.

The banquet hall was just below them, the music faint to their ears but audible all the same. He put his hands on her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Their foreheads touched as they pulled each other closer and started swaying side to side. Effy could smell his cologne and parted her lips to speak, "You're looking very handsome tonight."

Bakugou swallowed thickly and pulled her against him, their bodies pressed together. "You look beautiful tonight." She chuckled and stood on her toes. "Say stuff like that, Bakugou, and I might just fall for you." But I think I already have. "We're not supposed to love each other." he stated, breaking his own heart before she broke his. She chuckled, a bitter sound to both their ears and leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his as she said, "I know."

She pressed her lips against his after and he kissed back without hesitation. His grip around her waist tightened and her hands drifted downwards to grab a hold of his tie, her other hand on his collar. They pulled apart with rosy hues across their faces. Without making eye contact, she asked, "Can... can I take you home tonight?"

"What about your parents?"

"They're outta town, so..."

He kissed her again and the scratchy pavement didn't hurt as much when they made their way to her house; continuing even after realizing they had forgotten their shoes.

( 760 WORDS )

( EDITED )

the book will be ending in a few more chapters... so yeah. and then i can focus on some other fics. i'll probably publish another bakugou one... or maybe a oikawa tooru. idk.