Hidden Bonds

Dealing with the Aftermath

Bakugo stood there, his throat dry, his fists clenched so tight that his nails dug into his palms. The words still hung in the air—We're siblings.

The common room, usually loud and chaotic, was dead silent. No one spoke for a few moments, processing what had just been revealed.

And then—

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Kaminari's voice finally broke the quiet, his eyes wide with shock. "Wait. Let me get this straight Hawks—Hawks—is your sibling? And Toga too?!"

Bakugo gritted his teeth, shoving his hands in his pockets as his whole body tensed up. "Didn't I just say that?" he muttered, his voice laced with irritation, though there was an underlying anxiety beneath it.

Toga, ever the chaotic presence, grinned and threw an arm around Bakugo's shoulders. "Surprise! We're a family!"

Hawks sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, yeah. The secret's out. Guess we don't have to pretend anymore, huh?"

Nezu, who had been watching all of this unfold like he was thoroughly entertained, took another sip of his tea. "Well, this certainly makes things more interesting."

Aizawa pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a deep sigh. "So this whole time, you've been lying about it?"

"We weren't lying," Hawks corrected smoothly, smirking a little. "We just... withheld information."

Aizawa gave him a deadpan stare. "That's literally lying."

Bakugo huffed, shifting uncomfortably. "We didn't want people treating us differently. Or thinking I got special treatment."

Midoriya, who had been silently absorbing all of this, finally spoke up. "Kacchan... is that why you never told anyone? Because you thought it would change how people saw you?" His voice was softer than the others, less accusatory, more understanding.

Bakugo's shoulders stiffened. He hated how Midoriya always knew. How he always saw straight through him. "Tch. I didn't need anyone making a big deal out of it."

"But it is a big deal, dude!" Sero pointed out. "You're literally related to the number two hero and a former villain! That's crazy!"

Mina's eyes sparkled with excitement. "And no one figured it out?! You all have the same explosive energy! The same blonde hair! The same stubborn streak!"

Jirou smirked. "Okay, yeah, now that I think about it, it actually makes too much sense."

Even Todoroki, who was usually quiet, furrowed his brows and said, "I don't know why we didn't piece it together sooner."

Bakugo groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Ugh, this is why I didn't wanna say anything."