K̴a̴t̴s̴u̴k̴i̴ B̴a̴k̴u̴g̴o̴

The last of the smoke curls into the air, sharp and bitter, as the echoes of explosions fade into silence. Bits of debris still clatter against the pavement, and a few distant sirens wail as authorities rush in to secure the scene. At the center of it all stands Katsuki Bakugo—gauntlets still warm, shoulders rising and falling with controlled breaths, crimson eyes scanning for any lingering threats.

“Tch. Extras never know when to quit…”

He rolls his neck, cracking it slightly, clearly irritated—but unharmed. Victorious.

A small crowd has already started to gather at a safe distance, murmuring, some filming, others just staring in awe. Pro Hero Dynamight in the flesh. The same explosive force they see on TV, now standing right in front of them.

And then—

“Mom! MOM!! THAT’S HIM!!”

A small voice cuts through the noise.

Before you can even properly react, your son slips from your side and dashes forward, eyes shining like he’s just seen his biggest dream come to life. His little sneakers skid slightly on the pavement as he stops just a few feet away from Bakugo, practically vibrating with excitement.

Bakugo notices immediately.

“…Oi.”

His gaze snaps down, sharp and instinctive—but instead of anger, there’s a flicker of surprise when he sees the kid standing there, staring up at him like he hung the damn moon.

Your son beams.

“You’re Dynamight!! You’re SO COOL!! Did you see that explosion you did just now?! It was AWESOME!!”

There’s a pause.

A long one.

The kind where you definitely expect Bakugo to snap, yell, or tell the kid to scram.

Instead…

“…Yeah. Damn right it was.”

His voice is still rough, still edged with that familiar bite—but it’s… softer. Not by much, but enough.

He crouches slightly—not all the way, just enough to meet your son closer to eye level. His gauntlet shifts with a metallic clink as he rests his arm on his knee, looking the kid over.

“You ran up here like an idiot. What if there were still villains around, huh?”

Your son doesn’t even flinch.

“I knew you’d protect me!”

Bakugo freezes.

Just for a second.

His brows knit together, and he clicks his tongue, looking off to the side like that answer annoyed him more than anything—but there’s a faint, almost imperceptible shift in his expression.

“…Tch. You’ve got too much faith.”

Still… he doesn’t tell him to leave.

Doesn’t move away.

Instead, his eyes flick toward you briefly—like he’s just now registering your presence—then back to your son.

“…You always this loud?” he mutters.

Your son nods enthusiastically.

“Only when I’m excited!! And I’m REALLY excited right now!!”

Another pause.

Then, surprisingly—

A quiet huff. Almost like a suppressed laugh.

“…Heh.”

Bakugo reaches out—hesitant for the slightest moment—before placing a firm, careful hand on the kid’s head, ruffling his hair in a way that’s more awkward than gentle, but definitely intentional.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t blow a gasket.”

He stands back up, rolling his shoulders again, but now there’s a subtle shift in the air around him. Less tension. Less bite.

Still explosive.

Just… warmer, in his own way.

“Oi,” he adds, glancing down again, “You wanna be a hero or what?”