Bakugou comforts Risu during a storm.

Bakugo was chilling in the living room of the dorms, happy to finally have some peace and quiet.

"Finally, away from all those extras."

"Who you callin' an extra?" He looked up to see Risu enter in her black yoga pants and purple shirt, barefoot. He gave her a smug grin. "You, Squirrel Girl."

She smiled back. "Yeah right, you angry pomeranian."

Bakugo grumbled as Risu sat in the chair opposite of the couch that he was sprawled out on. "If you think I'm gonna chat with you, you're wrong."

Risu sighed as she pulled out a book, Animal Farm by George Orwell. "Calm down, dude. I just came out here to read." And with that, the conversation died.

A long time passed, with Risu reading and Bakugo playing on his phone. He looked up after a while and peered out of the window. It was raining heavily. He heard a crack of thunder, before seeing a streak of lightning a few seconds later.

'Damn, the storm's right on top of us.' Bakugo looked at Risu. She was still reading, being about half-way through the book, but she had a troubled expression on her face. She looked scared, no, terrified. Bakugo saw another flash from his peripheral vision, and at the same time he saw Risu flinch. Her eyes started to glisten and he realized she was crying.

'Oh right, she's afraid of lightning.' Bakugo sighed. He normally would have just let her cry to herself, but today he felt a little kinder than usual.

"Hey." Risu looked up, startled by Bakugo's voice. She quickly wiped her eyes and put on a smile, but Bakugo knew it was fake.

"Yeah?"

"You alright?" His voice was surprisingly gentle.

Risu's smile faltered. "What do you mean?"

He rolled his eyes. "I know you're afraid of lightning, Squirrely. You're crying."

She felt her cheeks and found that her tears were falling involuntarily. Risu lowered her head. "Sorry," she mumbled.

'Why is she apologizing?' This was not the Risu that Bakugo grew up with. Normally, she was really energetic and optimistic, but now she was the exact opposite. She was curled up in her chair, trying to make herself as small as possible. He couldn't hear it, but Bakugo knew she was crying by the way her shoulders were shaking. Risu had always been a silent crier.

Another clap of thunder sounded and Risu flinched again, a small mouse-like squeak escaping her lips. She quickly and timidly stood up and started to walk towards her dorm. "I'm going to my room now. Sorry for bothering you, Katsuki."

'Damn,' He thought. 'I know she's just gonna go cry in her room, and since Naomi's gone right now, she'll be by herself. As much as I hate the thought of doing this, I can't let her do that.'

As she walked past the couch, Bakugo quickly snatched her wrist. She reflexively pulled back violently.

"Sorry," Bakugo let go. "But I know you're just gonna cry alone in your room so..." He patted the seat on the couch beside him. "Stay."

Risu didn't know how to respond. Bakugo was never nice to anyone and it kind of creeped her out, however this was a better alternative than being alone with her thoughts.

"Thanks." She sat down leaving a lot of space in between them.

"Whatever, Squirrel Girl," He remarked in his usual snarky tone.

They sat in awkward silence for a moment, neither of them knowing what to say. Bakugo wasn't good at making small talk and Risu didn't want to say anything that could potentially piss off Bakugo.

Lightning flared again, illuminating the dim common room. Instinctively Risu grabbed the closest object, which happened to be a red-eyed blond. She tightly gripped his bicep, her eyes squeezed shut, with waves of tears rolling down her face as she frantically repeated, "no, no, no! Please, Silk, no!" Shocked, Bakugo was about to yell at her to get off until he noticed she was shaking and screaming. He glanced down. Risu looked like she was on the verge of passing out.

Bakugo would never admit it, but he considered Risu as someone close to him. They had grown up together. Risu hung out with him all the time, but she never sucked up to him; never just followed his orders. She would shut him down immediately if she thought it was necessary. Of course, Bakugo didn't have a crush on her. He didn't swing that way. He almost thought of Risu as an annoying little sister you don't realize you miss until she's gone, and right now she's gone.

Gently, Bakugo removed her hands from his arm then wrapped his arm around her shoulders, forcing her to lean against his chest. Risu was too scared to notice the position they were in, instead just pressing against the sudden source of heat. Her pleas became muffled. Bakugo prayed that no one would walk into the common room and see them.

He and Risu stayed cuddled together for a while. Risu jumped and kept getting closer to Bakugo everytime thunder crashed or lightning flashed until she eventually fell asleep. He checked on her when he felt a dead weight against his abdomen. Risu looked peaceful, not terrified like a few minutes before, and she was snoring loudly. Bakugo had to resist the urge to laugh at how ridiculous she looked.

Another beam of light lit up the dim room, only this time it was accompanied by the sound of a camera. His head shot up, his expression alarmed, and saw Naomi standing in front of them with a smug smile on her face. She was holding her phone loosely in her left hand and Bakugo could see the picture she took of him and Risu on her screen. He was about to stand up and shout, but suddenly remembered that he couldn't. He gritted his teeth.

"I would totally blow you to pieces, Mind Freak, but fortunately for you, I can't wake her up." He threatened in a low voice. Naomi just chuckled. "Even if you could get up, you wouldn't be able to do anything." With that snarky remark, she walked away towards the kitchen. Bakugo growled then checked the time on his phone.

"Tch, it's fifteen past eleven." He looked at the sleeping girl on his side. Not wanting to wake her up, he picked Risu up, carrying her bridal style to her room. Once there, he gently laid Risu on her bed. In a very mother-like action, Bakugo pulled the black and purple sheets over her and tucked her in, then whispered, "Goodnight, Risu."

He walked out as Naomi walked in, the two just giving a mutual nod before Bakugo continued down the hall to his own dorm. Naomi noticed that Risu was tucked into her bed and watched as Bakugo sauntered down the hall, a small smile on her face.

END