Bakugo never took his eyes off those screens once during your exam. He barely even moved. Sometimes, his face strayed from its neutral, focused expression-twitching slightly when you made an error or he got worried.
Above anything however, he had faith in you. He trusted that even if you'd slacked off, used your little deceptions, your persistence would get you through it all.
And it did.
You stubborn little bitch.
He smiled slightly up at the screens when you won, forgetting where he was. No one really noticed as they all sighed in relief and let out a calm bevy of laughter, also proud of their friend for making it through. Well, no one but Shoto who smirked at him like 'I saw that smile, you softie'. To which Bakugo scoffed and began frowning again.
When he did though, looking back up at the screen, there was a bittersweet feeling to your victory.
You really had come so far. So far he barely even noticed till you really showed what you were capable of down there. Gazing at everyone around him, everyone who was happy for you, he felt the same sort of sour feeling grow in his gut.
Still, no one was prouder of you than you.
You were so happy you collapsed on the ground laughing, even yelled out something incoherent with your arms raised above you, hands in victorious fists as Mr. Aizawa sat up, shaking his head at your enthusiasm.
The whole class joined in, patting each other's backs and heading towards the door. They'd come so far too. All of them who were passing, surprising their teachers, getting through their challenges without fear of failing.
Bakugo looked around at the lot of them, that feeling inside him spreading like a bad-willed anxiety. Suddenly, he felt his pride receding. His joy too. And instead of thinking of you, of what this meant, his head returned to his earlier fears-the ones that drove him to get angry in class the other day and lash out, the ones that caused him to shake and feel like he was concerned without options, the ones that caused his head to remain downcast and his voice to cease from saying a word as everyone walked out the door.
When you got out of that building, climbed the stairs, you intercepted your classmates still exiting that observation room, heading towards the next exams. You sort of blindsided them: ran and jumped into poor Kirishima and Kaminari, wrapped your arms around both of them and caused them to fall over.
Momo and Jirou tried to congratulate you sweetly next, "Y/n, we're so proud of y-" but neither of them got to say anything before you climbed the two of them as well, making them stumble backwards as you peppered them with kisses on each of their foreheads.
Your joy was infectious, everyone, even the ones you'd rammed into with your overzealous affection, getting giddy at the sight of you so happy. Bakugo and Shoto stood at the back as you continued to wordlessly show your gratitude. They gave each other knowing little side glances before continuing to walk out.
Once everyone was basically gone, having pat your shoulders or given you a hug, you were still excited as ever. Shoto just rolled his eyes, didn't even say anything as you bit your lower lip you were smiling so hard. His only act of acknowledgment was a ruffle of your hair, a little pat on your back as he followed his classmates. You looked back over your shoulder at him when he took his leave, knowing that when you got home he'd give you his little analysis and probably attempt to give you a gift of some kind as he did (usually horribly).
You smiled harder at the prospect, shook your head with a giddy laugh.
Now, it was just Bakugo. His costume masked his eyes, his arms heavy with his gauntlets, the orange and black wrapping his chest tightly. Your eyes trailed him up and down, the way he stood with his shoulders flexed meaning he was still tense and guarded like he always was in school. But he wasn't moving from the doorway.
