Operation Pet Name: Puppy (💥x🫵🏼) Oneshot

Chatter filled the common room as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting warm hues through the windows. You sat cross-legged on the couch, half-listening to Kirishima's retelling of another ridiculous training moment that happened that day apparently. Bakugou sat beside you, arms crossed and scowling at something—though that was his natural face.

"Seriously, Bakugou, you were like a little attack dog out there," Kirishima teased, grinning wide enough to make his teeth glint.

"Shut up before I blast your face in," Bakugou growled back, though the lack of fire behind it meant he wasn't truly mad.

You giggled softly, leaning slightly into Bakugou's space. His warmth always radiated like a sunbeam, steady and grounding. He shot you a quick glance, crimson eyes narrowing. You pressed further.

"Oh, come on, Bakugou~," you chimed in, amused by Kirishima's teasing. "You kinda do have that vibe sometimes. All bark and bite."

Kirishima snickered, but Bakugou turned his glare to you instead. "You wanna say that again?"

"Alright, alright, you're more like a.... a puppy," you said with a laugh, your tone playful and light.

His scowl deepened, and for a split second, you thought you might've crossed a line. "What the hell did you just call me?"

"Uh, pup?" The word slipped out again without thought, and before you could backtrack or apologize, you saw it—the briefest flicker of something in his expression. His eyes softened, his shoulders relaxed, and the corners of his lips twitched, as if he were holding back a smile. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but you caught it.

Did he... like that?

You blinked at him, processing what just happened. "Wait.. you're not mad?"

He clicked his tongue, his gaze darting away as the tips of his ears flushed red. "Tch. Don't read into it, idiot."

But now you couldn't stop. Something about the way his usual tough exterior cracked made your heart race. You'd known Bakugou for years, fought alongside him, and shared countless late-night talks about dreams and fears. Yet, seeing this softer side of him—the vulnerability he tried so hard to hide—felt like discovering a secret treasure.

"Aw, does the big, scary Bakugou like being called 'pup'?" You teased, leaning closer with a mischievous grin. His personal space bubble was finally broken past his tolerance.

"Shut up!" He barked, his face going crimson. He shoved himself off the couch, stalking toward the kitchen. "I'm not dealing with this crap."

Kirishima laughed loudly as you watched him go, heart thudding in your chest.

+++

Later that night, you found him in the kitchen, scowling down at a bowl of instant noodles. He didn't look up as you approached, but the tense set of his shoulders told you he knew you were there.

"Hey, Bakugou," you started, leaning on the counter beside him.

"What?" He grumbled, not looking up.

"Did I.. go too far earlier? With the whole 'pup' thing?" Your voice was softer now, laced with genuine concern. The last thing you wanted was to upset him.

He paused, chopsticks hovering over his bowl. "Tch. It's whatever."

You tilted your head, studying him. "So.. you didn't hate it?"

He finally looked at you, his crimson gaze locking with yours. There was something raw in his expression, something unguarded. "I didn't say that."

Your lips curved into a small smile. "So. you liked it?"

He looked away, muttering under his breath, "Maybe."

You blinked, stunned by his honesty. Bakugou Katsuki, the human embodiment of explosions, admitting he liked something soft and endearing? The thought made your chest feel warm.

"Well, if you're okay with it.." You reached out, brushing your fingers against his arm. He flinched slightly, but didn't pull away. "I might keep calling you that." You two were friends, but your big fat crush didn't stop you from breaking his bubble constantly.

His ears turned red again, and he growled softly, more embarrassed than angry. "Do whatever you want, idiot."

+++

Over the next few days, you tested the waters, casually dropping "pup" into conversations whenever Bakugou was around. Each time, his reaction was the same—a scowl, a muttered curse, and a blush so fierce it could rival the sun. Yet, he never told you to stop. If anything, he seemed to linger around you more, as if drawn to the way you said it.

One afternoon, you found him in the gym, his shirt drenched in sweat as he pounded away at a punching bag. You leaned against the doorway, watching the raw power in his movements, the way his muscles tensed and flexed with each strike. He didn't look like any kind of dog, something much stronger, in that moment.

"Hey, puppy," you called out, your voice cutting through the rhythmic thuds. You smiled at him.

He froze mid-punch, his head whipping around to glare at you. "What do you want?"

"Just wanted to check on you," you said innocently, stepping into the room. "You've been in here for a while, few hours."

"I'm fine," he grumbled, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.

"You sure? You look like you've been going at it pretty hard." You tilted your head, giving him a once-over. "Don't overwork yourself, okay? I don't want my puppy collapsing from exhaustion."

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, you thought he might snap at you. But then he let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders relaxing. "That's so gross."

You grinned. "My puppy?"

"Tch. Don't put 'my' in front of anything. We're not a thing." He scoffed.

"Awe.." You frowned as you sat down.

+++

Days turned into weeks, the nickname became a part of your dynamic. It was your way of breaking through his walls, of reminding him that he didn't always have to be the tough, unyielding hero. Somewhere along the way, you realized just how much he meant to you. Somewhere along the way, he didn't find it so gross when you'd put a possessive name on him.

He didn't let anyone else call him weird pet names, he usually snapped at them or blew them up, even if they were joking, or joking towards you calling him pup and puppy. He didn't like that.

It hit you one evening as you sat beside him on the common room couch, your head resting on his lap. You were laying down on it, scrolling through whatever you could to distract your mind from the long, failed testing day. The others had long since gone to bed, leaving the two of you alone in the quiet warmth of the room.

"Bakugou," you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper.

"Hm?" He replied, his gaze fixed on the TV screen.

"You know I care about you, right?"

He tensed slightly, glancing down at you. "Where's this coming from?"

You hesitated, your fingers nervously playing with the hem of your shirt. "I just.. I want you to know. You're important to me."

For a moment, he didn't respond, and you feared you'd overstepped. But then he reached out, his hand resting lightly in your hair.

"You're important to me too," he said quietly, his voice softer than you'd ever heard it.

"Also.." You started, unsure of how to go about it.

"Hm??" He looked down at you, your heart thumping a million miles a minute.

"I have a crush on you." You blurted, almost regretting it.

"Thought that was obvious, dumbass. You kept calling me that stupid pet name." He looked away with a faint blush covering his cheeks. "I like you too though." He muttered, just under his breath.

Your heart swelled, and you couldn't help the smile that spread across your face. "My puppy.."

He groaned, his free hand moving to your own, tightening around yours. "You just had to ruin the moment, didn't you?"

You laughed. "You love it."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say." He muttered, but the faint smile on his lips told you everything you needed to know.

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