It's Our Duty || Bakugou X Reade

8

The following day after your parents were formally escorted by palace guards to leave, Bakugou was extremely infuriated to see the blossoming bruise under your right eye and the swelling causing it to squint.

He found you in his mothers library lost in thought in a book on the lounge chair by the window while you aimlessly bounced your foot on the other arms rest. You only noticed his presence when he lifted your foot and plopped down next to you and set your foot back where it was.

"What could possibly be so interesting in that book that you don't even notice me walking in?," he pouts putting his arms on the back of the loveseat.

Suddenly realizing the position you were in, you pulled your legs close to your body, but he was so close to you, you couldn't help but accidentally hide your feet underneath his thigh.

"It is very interesting," you answer using the book to hide your flush face.

"More interesting then me?," he teased raising an eyebrow at you.

What has gotten into him today?

"Perhaps," you reply flipping to the next page.

He looks at you expectingly before he huffs in frustration.

"Do you... wanna know what it's about?"

"Duh," he exclaims.

"Well... it's about a prince who falls in love with a peasant girl. So far they've kept their love hidden but his cousin Hugh caught them in the forest and now it's starting to pick up."

He looks at your for a second before covering his mouth laughing, "Wow you really are a hopeless romantic!"

"Shame on me for wanting a real love like that!," you pout.

You saw Bakugou's eyes widen for a second before muttering, "Whatever," and standing up to leave.

"Jeez what's your issue?," you ask closing your book.

"Sorry I'm not good enough for you y/n!," he practically shouts.

"Why are you turning this around on me to make me seem like the bad guy!? I've tried countless times to connect with you, but you shut me down every time. I mean seriously do you know anything about me?"

He hesitates for a moment before quietly saying, "You like books."

"Really? That's all you got? See you just proved my point. I know plenty about you. You love your horses, as much as you claim he annoys you, Kirishima is your best friend, you love spicy food, you hate sitting still, and there's plenty more I can list! So if you're still going to paint me to be the bad guy, I'll go ahead and leave you to it!," you yell before storming past him.

You had to cool off. It didn't help that every time you briskly walked past any of the employees of the palace, they stopped to ask if you were ok and if you needed something, which only fueled your anger.

The only place you could imagine being empty this time of day would be the drawing room. After pushing the grand doors open, you found it empty just like you hoped. The pool table in the center of the room was set for anyone who planned to play as well as countless pillows lining the sofas in front of the fireplace.

You couldn't help but eye the lone grand piano in the corner of the room. That would be a good distraction, you thought to yourself. As much as you hated your mother for the countless lessons and times she would smack your hands for playing the wrong note, you still loved playing the piano. Especially if there was no need to impress or wow others, just being able to play.

Testing the keys, you found it was perfectly in tune. You wouldn't expect anything less knowing how Mitski rubs her palace. It wouldn't surprise you if she had someone come to check the strings of the instrument once a month just to maintain its sound.

You'll have to ask her later if anyone plays it or is it just for guests. Adjusting the skirt of your dress, you sit down on the bench and test the foot pedals. They were incredibly smooth and held no resistance.

Besides the library you were gifted, this might become your second favorite place in the palace.

Bakugou also aimlessly walked to halls of the palace lost in thought. What you said to him really struck a chord. He really didn't know anything about you. And it also didn't help that you were right about him not making any effort to get to know you.

This whole situation pissed him off because here he was feeling guilty once more about how he's treated you. He was about to round the corner and go to his room to sulk when the faintest sound of a piano hit his ears. Following its sound, he found himself peering into the cracked door of the drawing room. He watched as your fingers caressed the keys like they were made of the finest silk. He noticed how serene your face was. It was the calmest he's ever seen you. There was no line between your brows that you got when you were focused on something or reading. No crinkle in the corner of your eyes that you got when you were happy. Your eyes were clear of all thought and worry that he could often read on your features.

He wanted to continue watching you but the sound of the door squeaking when he leaned on it halted your movements and caused you to jerk your head around.

You saw the flustered look on Bakugou's face from being caught lurking. You couldn't help but let out a quite giggle when you saw how he glared at the wooden door.

"Come on," you say turning your head from him back to the keys.

He walks in like a puppy with his tail between his legs after being caught doing something bad. You can feel the slight jerk of the bench when he poops himself down with a pouty look on his face. Paying him no mind, you continue playing while you wait for him to speak his mind.

After a few seconds he finally speaks, "You're naive, but in a good way. You still see good in people. You also always put them before yourself. You like sweets, but not overly sweet like chocolate. You like fruity sweets. You like when it's not too hot outside. The kind of weather we're you won't be uncomfortable. That's all I know about you."

You mindlessly keep playing saying to him, "I think... we haven't been going about this relationship of ours the right way. We never did try courting each other, let alone get to know each other."

"Isn't it too late for that shit?"

"I don't think so. I mean we're going to be married so it's better now than never."

He sits in silence watching you play. You play the piano as if it's second nature to you. It's so effortless.

Testing the waters, he rests his head on your shoulder causing your hands to tense but you continue.

"I like this song," he practically whispers.

"It's called Claire de lune. It's pretty right?"

You don't notice his crimson eyes looking up to see the sweet smile on your face and the tint of pink dusting your cheeks, "Very."