Chapter Text
Uraraka finished getting dressed. She checked out her reflection still flushed from earlier. As she touched up some eye liner she heard a knock at her door. There were never very many visitors for Uraraka despite her friendly disposition. Maybe it was Asui checking up on her.
As she turned the knob she swung the door open. “Tsu you’re ba—oh. Bakugou?” An immediate blush re-blossomed. “Uh…hey. What’s…how’s it going?”
Bakugou looked into her eyes and quickly back down to the floor. If Uraraka didn’t know him better she’d think he was nervous. He shoved his hands into his pockets and blew out a breath. Uraraka looked back not sure how to take this unusual version of Bakugou.
“I uh…sorry about earlier.” Bakugou didn’t look at her as he spoke. “Wanted to make it up to you. Dinner’s on me.”
Never one to turn down free food but unsure of what Bakugou was doing Uraraka looked on pensively. “You, what?”
“Look, you’re one of the few people I can stand in this dump and I don’t wanna mess that up. I’m sorry I, you know, I wanna make things okay again.”
He was serious. He actually felt bad about something and wanted to tell her he meant it. This was weird, not unpleasant, but weird. Uraraka tried to gather herself to answer but no words came out. She opted for nodding as Bakugou finally looked back at her.
“Your, ah, your eyeliner looks good.” He turned and walked back to the common area stomping as he left.
Uraraka closed her door and blinked at the wooden panel that separated her from the stalking blonde’s steps. “What the heck. Bakugou was being … nice?”
Something was up and Uraraka was still flushed from her after shower activities. Maybe she was just embarrassed to see the person she’d been thinking about show up literal moments after thinking about them. Dumb. Weird. Stupid. She tried to force out the imagery of what he’d done to her in her fantasy. Taking up her purse and jacket as she reopened the door.
“Hey Uraraka! You ready?” Asui walked over with Jirou and Mina gathering next to her dorm room.
“Yup, let’s go.”
“Hey Bakugou, what ya gonna get for dinner?” Kirishima saddled up next to his explosion friend as they walked towards downtown.
“Dunno. Probably curry.”
“Ohh, right you like curry. Hey speaking of spicing things up, you wanna spar after dinner? I know you’re itching for a rematch from last week. Almost didn’t destroy me with that Howitzer, whaddya say?”
“Yeah, maybe.”
Kirishima looked confused, Bakugou never hesitated to spar with him. “Something bothering ya? You usually get all feral and excited when I mention sparring.”
“Nothing’s wrong, just being quiet. You should try it sometime.”
“Wow. So something is wrong. I bet I know what it is.”
Bakugou didn’t show any reaction as Kirishima slapped a hand onto his best friend’s shoulder. “It’s a girl isn’t it? You’ve been avoiding me because you’re caught up with someone huh? Tell me who. I’ll totally help wingman for ya. I knew you got girls and just never told me.”
A swift elbow to Kirishima’s chest sent him flying. “Don’t talk to me shitty hair, I don’t date.”
Catching his breath as he wheezed forward Kirishima continued to smile despite the momentary pain of a Baku-punch. “Who said anything about dating? There’s nothing wrong with hooking up every now and then. I just wanna know who the lucky girl is. Or maybe who the lucky guy is?”
Bakugou gripped Kirishima by the front of his shirt and pulled him close, “Look, I don’t care about people, I barely care about you.”
“You care about me?” Kirishima smiled brightly with doe eyes. He knew he was pushing it and knew most of Bakugou was for show when it came to faking how he didn’t care about others. “You gonna punch me again if I guess who’s got you all twisted up right now?”
Bakugou glared his answer, not that it mattered to Kirishima.
“Let’s see…you’d never go for someone who wasn’t serious. Probably someone who could put up with your generally terrible attitude, so they’re obviously tough. Probably got a positive streak to them. Mm…someone who’s available, ‘cuz as cut throat as you are…I…don’t see you being a home wrecker either. How’m I doin’ so far, ah?”
“You are impossible, get away from me.”
“Not a chance! Okay…so— hey, stop!” Bakugou had whipped around and grabbed Kirishima by the throat. He lowered their heads looking him in the eye.
“Drop it, or else.”
Kirishima was used to ‘death threats’ but every now and then Bakugou could rile him into submission. Nodding in agreement Kirishima held off on further questioning as Bakugou stalked off into the restaurant.
Everyone had started sitting down as Kirishima and Bakugou brought up the tail end of their group. At the open booth they’d been seated at there were just two seats left at each end. One next to Tokoyami and one next to Uraraka. Bakugou started heading to Uraraka’s end but Kirishima bolted past him.
“Uraraka! Haven’t seen you outside of class in a bit, how are ya?” The two hugged and started catching up while Bakugou stood in a mild stupor.
Wingman my ass.
Taking his seat next to Tokoyami the two sat in silence as the table around them chatted about whatever it was while Bakugou looked over the menu. He took a few glances at Uraraka and Kirishima chopping it up as more of the chatter turned into a comparative of who was probably going to break the top twenty after graduation. He should’ve been the one next to her, he’d offered to pay for her dinner after all. Was he so bent over not sitting next to Uraraka because of how well she seemed to get along with Kirishima?
“Bakugou! Hey, who do you think’s gonna be in the media after high school? Kaminari and I say you’re gonna be way up there with Midoriya soon, right Midoriya?” The green haired boy blushed as Kirishima praised him.
“Well, Kacchan will definitely be there, he’s so dedicated and he never gives up, right Kacchan?”
“Aw no need to be shy, you gotta hype yourself up too.” Kirishima chimed.
Midoriya was aware of Bakugou’s reaction which was nothing. “Kacchan what do you think? Top twenty easy right?”
Bakugou looked over the top of his menu. “No comment.”
“Hey Uraraka, where do you think you’ll be? For sure you’ll be in the rescue category yeah?”
“Don’t box her in, she’ll be in combat districts.”
Everyone’s eyes whipped over to Bakugou’s left field response. He hadn’t wanted to answer for his own ranking speculations but took the time to weigh in for Uraraka? Mild surprise was plastered on everyone’s faces as Uraraka started to blush yet again.
Oh god, what do I do?
Uraraka tried to smile and thankfully the server came by to start taking everyone’s orders. When all the requests had been placed it was a relief that everyone started to break off into smaller pockets of conversation that had nothing to do with her ranking or Bakugou. She sighed at the turn of conversation until Kirishima turned to her. He grinned a shark tooth smile at her. Uraraka looked at her friend as a feeling of dread crept over her.
“So…Bakugou’s goin’ to bat for ya, huh?” He whispered lowly so Bakugou couldn’t quite hear. Kirishima couldn’t avoid Bakugou seeing them talk but he could at least hide the conversation he was about to have.
“Mm…I don’t know what you mean?” She twisted a napkin in front of her as Kirishima positioned himself to face her fully.
“It’s okay, I know.” Kirishima in fact did not know but took Bakugou’s response as enough reason that something was in fact going on between his best bud and Uraraka.
Unwilling to give in Uraraka took a stance against Kirishima’s assumption. “We spar but nothing beyond that. How sweet though for you to think that of me.” Uraraka wanted to throw Kirishima off and play it cool.
“Hmm…I dunno…Bakugou doesn’t speak when he doesn’t want to. Usually just for ‘important’ stuff. Kinda suspicious he chose to talk now though don’t cha think?”
“Please…Kirishima…can we talk about something else?”
“Hey shitty hair, leave her alone.”
Glowering a little Kirishima folded. “Augh, alright, fine.”
The conversation was over and everyone started scrolling through their phones, Bakugou looked at a distracted Uraraka with relief as the food started to come out. They all dug in and kept shoveling in food as the sounds of slurps and delicious praise for their dinner wafted amongst their conversations.
Uraraka tried to enjoy her okonomiyaki. It was rare she had anything besides the meals included at Lunch Rush. It was hard to not look at Bakugou who chatted minimally with Tokoyami and focused on his curry. They played eye tag on accident every time one of them looked at the other not sure how to handle the unexpected ocular contact.
When the check came Bakugou once again garnered a bunch of attention when he attempted to subtly glare at Uraraka when she reached for her wallet. No one dared to say anything except Kirishima who was quickly kicked in the shins by an amped up Bakugou. Uraraka blushed the whole way through the transaction. As soon as they were finished paying she leapt up when everyone was ready to leave.
The walk home was quiet aside from the conversations everyone had around Uraraka.
“Hey, you’re not mad or anything are you? I just wanted to make it up to you.” Bakugou had sauntered up to Uraraka as they walked slower behind the crowd.
“Oh no. I’m not mad at all. Thank you by the way, you didn’t have to.” She turned to give him a smile and wanted to sound grateful. It was nice of him, there was no actual obligation to do anything for her. They were friends and it was a nice gesture.
“I meant what I said about you being in combat though, should consider it.” Bakugou took a fist to gently nudge the side of her chin. Uraraka was shocked he made physical contact. Was he … was he flirting with her?
“Haha, yeah, I think I could do it right?” She tried really hard to contain the blush she couldn’t hope to suppress. Bakugou watched her turn red and started a blush of his own. Why was he even turning a color? There was nothing to feel weird about, right?
Bakugou took a hand to his neck and rubbed looking ahead at the crowd. Thankfully they were far up ahead and Uraraka didn’t seem to want to catch up with them. Did she not mind hanging out with him aside from their training? Was it possible that she wanted to stick around? He was getting into his head and shook off the residual thoughts.
“You, wanna, spar when we get back?” Uraraka tried to fill the silence. She did want to spar, even if it was ahead of schedule like they’d agreed. Bakugou for all his his excitement hid behind a stoic mask. “I mean if you don’t want to it’s okay, it’s been a long day you know?”
“I wanna spar.” Bakugou blurted out his answer a little faster than he should have. Uraraka kept blushing as they continued to walk side by side not knowing what to say but not wanting to walk away from the other person.
“YIELD!” Bakugou roared as they tumbled onto the mats.
“You wish asshole!”
Uraraka wasn’t letting things slide as she dodged him and wrenched herself out of endless maneuvers. Bakugou relished how much oomph she was showing for their rematch.
“Gonna need more than just being slippery Cheeks!” as he lunged towards her. The tumbling he did to move away and around her punches was admirable she’d gotten faster just over the expanse of a few hours. “If you’re this fast after eating maybe I should buy you more food.”
Shaken over his retort Uraraka’s eyes widened as she lost focus of her stance. Bakugou saw his opening and grappled her to the ground pinning her down fully. “Ha! Gotcha.”
Panting as she writhed under his weight she wiggled her hand around to try and place her finger pads onto him.
“Don’t you dare.”
“Oh, but I do!” as the last of her fingers touched his forearm.
“I was right, you do fight dirty!”
“Yeah, maybe. But I like to think you bring it out of me, trying to be all cute and distracting me.” Bakugou was floating, the stress vein in his forehead and neck showing prominent as he lilted into the air.
She thinks I’m cute?
“Let me down!”
Uraraka enjoyed the visual of a helpless Bakugou in the air. “Sure, as long as you’re nice when I put you down.”
“Yeah, yeah.” With great reluctance Bakugou was floated down landing in front of Uraraka at an angle on his side as he plopped down. After his gravity was returned he stepped to her at lightning speed and caged her as quickly as his movements allowed. Backed into a wall he reasserted himself and repinned her the way they’d left their last spar. “Gotcha.” He huffed.
They were very close. Uraraka gulped as she stared into his eyes watching him stare back at her. His pupils darted back and forth between her gaze and Uraraka tried to decipher what that meant. She’d rarely ever seen anyone do that, she’d rarely been this close to anyone let alone a boy she sparred with regularly. Never a boy she thought about while she spent some quality time with herself right before dinner with him and their mutual friends. She was short of breath having released her quirk recovering from her maxed out dodge attack combo. Without warning Bakugou kissed her. Bakugou closed his eyes but Uraraka didn’t. He stayed that way on top of her as she slowly let go and released into their kiss. It felt safe and kind of exciting.
When he finally moved back he gulped stepping back.
“I. Sorry.”
“No. Don’t be.”
She stepped back into his space, “So…you like me?”
“Wha?”
“You heard me.”
Bakugou looked like he’d been shot a dirty look. He stepped closer to her and brought his hands around her waist bringing her in close. “What if I do?”
“I guess I’d have to be okay with it ‘cuz, I like you too?” She pulled him into another kiss.
“Wow. Both of you hid this from me?!” Kirishima was leaning against the entrance of the gym door. He looked smug holding a shit eating grin. “Bakugou, how dare you blow me off to make out with Uraraka.”
“GET OUT OF HERE!” Bakugou released his hold on Uraraka to rocket towards Kirishima.
Uraraka laughed as the two wrestled and argued.
“Uraraka! Mmmph, watch it buddy – oh my god. AHHH! I’m happy for you friend!” Kirishima was being pummeled by Bakugou as Uraraka watched.
“Thanks Kirishima.”
After forcing Kirishima into submission and making him swear secrecy the red head was let go. After apologizing for sneaking up on them Kirishima left. Bakugou went back to Uraraka.
“Where we were?” he placed both hands back on her waist as she smiled. This was so new. Bakugou was holding her? Not in a choke hold?
“Wait.”
Bakugou was inches from kissing her again.
“Something wrong?”
“I dunno. Maybe I’m just nervous?”
“Oh,” Bakugou backed off. “I could…take you on a date?”
Uraraka’s eyes opened wide with a glimmer. Even in her time pining over Midoriya she’d never been this excited. This was a good sign right? She nodded a yes as Bakugou broke out into a rare smile. “I can back off. You’re right I shouldn’t have pushed it –“
“Well, you can still kiss me. I’m not opposed to it,” Uraraka looked sheepish as she pursed her lips, “you know to like fill the time before our date.”
“Ooh, say less Cheeks,” as he dipped back down to kiss her.