Chapter Text
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“ BAKUGO AND URARAKA ARE DAAAAATTINGGGGG?????!!! ” Kaminari and [redacted] wail, pacing around the room and pulling at their hair. “ WHAAAATTTTTT????!!?!?!?!”
The whole room of their precious , nosy classmates has erupted into utter chaos since Bakugo mic dropped the news of the century. The crowd parted for him, then totally consumed Ochako.
“ Huh ? Since when ?” Dark shadow creeps behind Tokoyami, resting an elbow on his head. “You never told me about this, Fumikage.” His host swats his hand away, and they both cross their arms in contemplation.
How have they all missed this? Class 1-A is always in each others’ business.
*(Affectionately.)
“How could Bakugo leave his girlfriend like that?” Sero pouts dejectedly, tapping his foot in subtle annoyance.
“Well, Bakugo is Bakugo.” Kirishima rubs his nose with a proud, but incredulous sniff.
“How did he ask you out, Ochako?” Jiro inches closer, her usually bored expression has turned bright and dreamy. Even the usually polite and tame Koda and Ojiro inch closer, with comically sized ears.
“Uh… uh….” Ochako mumbles, gripping onto the dark hoodie for dear life. Her spinning eyes search the room for The Boyfriend™, but he’s long since made his humble retreat. This feels like deja vu, honestly. Next time, she needs to keep a koala grip on Bakugo , so he doesn’t skip on the hard questions. Leave him under the damn interrogation lamps next time. “Jerk face….”
“What did he say exactly?! ” Mina and Toru squeal, holding their cheeks together with glistening eyes. She could almost see Toru’s blush. Almost.
Ochako’s eyes turn to swirls as she stammers, until she feels a pair of steadying hands on her shoulders. She looks back to see a friendly mop of green hair, and a reassuring smile. Iida’s tall frame steps in front of her, and holds his hands up high. He clears his throat and speaks from his belly,
“Friends! Obviously, this news is very fresh !! We all have questions— and although it pertains to our… dear classmates, Uraraka owes us no explanation!!! Please continue with your movie, or go to bed!! Young minds need lots of rest!!” Iida wiggles his fingers, and his whole body fidgets, like he’s fighting against his own will to be gentlemanly. He holds firm, spinning around to face Ochako with his nose flared.
“Yep, let’s get you to bed.” Deku pats her back, and Ochako’s two friends weave her through the crowd. Her body doesn’t protest, just ambles along with their procession.
A few people try to follow them to the elevator, but Todoroki and Tsu stop them. Ochako watches Tsu catch Mina, Kaminari, and [redacted], then Todoroki forcefully feeding them the burnt popcorn. The others look on with sideways glances.
Once the doors shut, and her floor is punched in, Iida collapses against the wall like his knees gave out. Deku is holding his fingers over his mouth, poorly hiding his huuuuuge grin.
“I-is it true, Uraraka?” Iida asks with a wobbly voice, adjusting his glasses several times.
Ochako hugs the hoodie tightly, and nods once, unable to say it outloud.
“Kacchan really asked you out?!” Deku chirps, then turns red by his own question.
Technically– she had asked him… kind of. But then he decided on the exclusivity, and the label. Boyfriend and Girlfriend. She just– kinda wanted time with him.
With the boys looking at her expectantly, she nods again. Her lips squirm into a nervous, excited, sour, bubbly, grimace-y smile.
“We are happy, if you’re happy.” Iida coughs out. He raises a shaky thumbs up.
Deku raises a hand to cover the taller boys’ green– no , red, no blue face. He turns back to Ochako to give her genuine cheek-splitting smile as he gushes,
“I am SO happy for you!!!”
Ochako just bobs her head, unable to speak. She has no idea what sort of squeal will come out of her once she musters up the courage to open her mouth. Maybe a whole flock of butterflies will fly out.
Deku chatters about something random while he pulls her along through the open elevator doors. Iida is still bracing himself, now positioned half in the elevator and hallway, so that no one can call it up or down for the time being. He also needs the moment to catch his breath– big news after all.
Only once she’s in front of her door is she able to speak, her body knowing she could quick slip into her own room if things go south. She looks down at her feet, while Deku waits for her to gather her thoughts.
“Is… is it weird? Bakugo being… with me?”
Deku smiles, freckled and friendly and full of confidence. “Not at all.”
Ochako clasps her hands behind her neck, making herself small. She’s ashamed that she feels worried about what other people think of him with her, or her with him– this is the whole reason they’re trying this out. To get her out of this damned cyclical mindset. To get people to see his sweet side.
And if her best friend, and his old childhood bestie says it’s fine– that’s the biggest blessing they can hope for.
“Kacchan doesn’t do anything he doesn’t wanna do.” The boy adds to comfort.
“Heh, you’re telling me…” She grumbles, finally lifting her head to share a short laugh together.
“That means… spending time with you must be really special to him.” Deku says with a hint of bitterness. He gives her a closed eyes smile, squashing that flicker. “It takes a while, but he’s really honest.”
“I know that…” She lets out a soft sigh. She can only imagine the history they share– and how Deku feels about everyone getting closer to Bakugo, but him.
“– That being said, please lock your door at night, Uraraka. Hehe.” Deku hops back lightly with a wicked grin. He raises his hands up, “He’s a healthy guy, so–...”
“DEKUUUJADFDFHAJKSFUCKHSFJAWJ!!!!!!!” Ochako shrieks, fluming bright red. She starts floating lightly in embarrassment, and has to release herself.
Deku clutches his stomach while he laughs maniacally, which is so unlike him. But there’s a satisfaction on his face that she’s never seen before. It looks good, he looks so carefree, and it tugs on her heart.
“You’re both good eggs.” He nods, starting to walk back down the hallway.
Ochako exhales into an easy laugh, the tension finally leaving her body. She cheeses at him, and while she’s warm and fluttery– there’s no lingering romantic affection for him left in her body.
“You’re the best egg, Deku!”
He tips his head down in acknowledgement, and jogs down the hallway to help the still-stuttering Iida regain his footing. She snickers as she slides into her room, and rests her back against the door.
She looks at the black hoodie in her arms, and slowly brings it to her face. She’s embarrassed for a moment, and then engulfed by a comfortable, sugary scent. The fabric is warm and soft against her cheeks, and it sends a shiver down her body, coaxing her to press against it tighter.
Nope, no more Deku and daisies in her mind. Just fireworks and ruby red in her heart.
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
The next day of class starts in a daze. And of course she has a massive cowlick through her bangs, but, thankfully, it’s on her right side away from Bakugo.
They haven’t talked since their sparring match last night, and arrived to the classroom at different times. And even though she told him she’d make an effort to trek to his desk, her desk is currently surrounded by a cluster of friends. Her head whips from left to right at the commotion.
“Oh. Em. Geeee ! You guys are the first classroom couple!” Mina cheers, hopping from one leg to the other.
“Tch. Bakugo is always first...” Todoroki mutters flatly behind her– ambiguously very bitter first thing in the morning. “Tch. Tch… .”
“That’s my man!” Kirishima pumps his fist, surprisingly opting to be on her side of the classroom. He pauses and backtracks, “Well– he’s your man, Uraraka. Jus’ share him every once in a while.” He winks at her, and Ochako gulps loudly.
“Kind of inspiring…” Kaminari rubs his chin, looking around for a certain someone. Jirou pointedly doesn’t turn, but gives herself away with her tapping jacks. “Maybe we all need to go on a blind date!!” Her jacks fall, and all the girls glare daggers at the oblivious blonde.
“How are you feeling today, ‘Chako?” Tsu asks innocently, aiming another bullseye.
Ochako spouts gibberish at the attention, and buries her pink face in her folded arms on her desk. Everyone continues to swoon around her, and she doesn’t mind the faffing in this case, it gives her a small buffer from Bakugo.
All this laser-focusing on the explosion hero isn’t good for her heart.
Still, she turns her head, and peeks through the throng of bodies to find Bakugo slapping his hand on Deku’s desk behind him. But instead of cowering, Deku is the one laughing brightly. He sits up straight, while his childhood friend is beet red and whispering . Well, whisper-shouting.
Bakugo is talking to him. About what? She has no clue, but she turns back into her arms and starts shaking with shrill laughter. Enough so, that her classmates pat her back in concern but she only laughs harder.
This is soooooooooooooo weird.
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
Her classmates don’t stop buzzing around her all day– the only ones who don’t crowd her are Deku and Bakugo. And that pairing is even more odd than herself and Bakugo, they’re supposed to be childhood friends turned bitter rivals, and now it seems like Deku is the only person Bakugo can tolerate today (haha).
The blonde talks low and quiet, while Deku laughs and laughs. It’s almost like they’re making up for lost time, and it makes her smile. She purposely keeps her distance so they can catch up in peace. There is a small piece of her that feels lonely. Maybe even jealous.
Ochako lets out a small sigh, which Mina eyes deviously.
Meanwhile , Todoroki has been her shadow all day. He’s nearly clinging to her, like a little duck again– which doesn’t happen that often. Only when he’s bitterly confused about something, and on the verge of cracking into a monologue.
And, Deku laughing joyfully next to a broody (but not moody) Bakugo is cause for confusion.
Todoroki’s icy eyes squint when Deku slaps a hand on Bakugo’s back as they walk out towards the sparring field during today’s Basic Training. The air literally feels colder as they come to a stop. He angles his body away from the sight of them, his usually neutral face twisted into a scowl.
“Tch.”
“You okay?” Ochako asks him discreetly, since her every peep has started a circle of conversation around her, All Day.
Todoroki visibly sulks. Her eyes shift away to give him space to sort it out, and she rolls up the sleeves of her gym uniform. She finds a fraying thread and pulls at it, only for it to unravel more.
Todoroki reaches out to help her and speaks softly.
“Midoriya and Bakugo seem close today.” He holds her forearm gently, his palms are fascinatingly, wildly different temperatures. “-- I thought they didn’t get along at all. But Bakugo is acting differently today, and Midoriya is… happy .”
He snaps the string off with a swift movement, and even starts a light flame to seal the end of the thread. His brows furrow,
“I don’t like it.”
Ochako’s lips form a small “o” in surprise. And it takes everything in her not to squeal. Her mind flickers to their beloved, broccoli head, and excitement bubbles in her chest.
“Y-Yeah, haha. It’s weird, isn’t it? But… not in a bad way? If Deku is happy then–”
“I haven’t talked to Midoriya all day. And he hasn’t looked back once– ahem .” His scratches the side of his neck. “He’s… just smiling a lot today.” – without me . Is what his knitted brows continue.
The boy in front of her lifts her arm, inspecting for more stray threads. He’s still pouting as he mumbles,
“I thought that since Bakugo had his eyes on you , Midoriya would–”
“ Oi! ” A loud bark strikes through their conversation, making Ochako jump in place. Rough hands pull her arm out from Todoroki’s inspection. And those hands belong to none other than a ticked off Bakugo.
“Hands off, damn Icy Hot.” He pulls Ochako by his side, pivoting her with an ease that makes her eyes flutter. She purses her lips– she swoons way too easily.
Deku hops in awkwardly between the boys, “Kacchan…”
Bakugo glares, tipping his chin up to look at Todoroki– who has reverted back to his cold Season 1 self, with nothing but malice in his expression.
“Likewise.”
Ochako’s eyes go wide, wider , and she zeros in on a faint flush on the icy boy’s neck. Bakugo notices her silent exclamation and scoffs. He turns, catching her neck in the crook of his elbow, and starts to drag her backwards and away from them.
“Deku! Watch your fuckin’ nerd.” He shouts back, then snickers to himself.
“ M-my?! ”
Ochako’s second exclamation is muffled into Bakugo’s bicep, but she makes eye contact with a watery Deku. Todoroki’s posturing settles down, and he’s back to sad kitty mode. The pair start talking about something, and she watches the slide of his shoulders soften.
Eventually, Bakugo lets Ochako right herself to walk properly with him. His arm hangs loosely over her shoulders, his hand twitching by the side of her face. Only once they end up smack dab in the middle of their class does he let her go. She fidgets beside him as they wait for Aizawa to instruct the class.
“Some day, huh?” She scratches the back of her neck, fiddling with her hair.
Bakugo shrugs, sinking his face into his jacket collar. “Don’t let other guys touch you so casually.”
“Hm? Uhh– It was just Todoroki…”
He looks at her flatly, but this time his eyes shine with apprehension. She nods slowly, tapping her cheek.
“I’m pretty affectionate with my friends, you know.”
Ochako is a hugger, a hand holder, walk around arm-in-arm, tickle monster, lean on your shoulder, touchy kinda gal. Bakugo isn’t going to temper her out of it.
His ears redden, and he grabs his collar, pulling it further up his face. His sharp eyes, shockingly, refuse to meet her as he bites out,
“I know that… just don’t let Icy Hot or Deku touch you… Or Shitty Hair, or Dunce face.. Or Glasses… Tape Face…”
“Hahahaha, you just named every guy in class!” She giggles, and bumps her shoulder into his.
Bakugo lets himself sway slightly. He sighs, scrunching his nose and looks tired . “You’re too goddamn pink, Cheeks.”
Our girl laughs at his absurd reasoning again, and rocks back on her heels. “Okay, whatever . I hear ya.”
He finally gives her a deadpanned look, but keeps the lower half of his face hidden from her. It makes her fingers itch, she wants to see his whole face.
The pair of lovebirds are oblivious to the way the entire class is having “fake” conversations with their ears pointed at their direction. No one but Jiro and Shoji can fully hear what they’re saying, and they share giddy glances across the way.
Aizawa shows up eventually, sleepier than usual, thus toting a tumbler of coffee. He unceremoniously starts to speak as he walks up.
“Okay, we’re doing 4-minute sparring sessions today. There are four sparring mats behind us. Subdue your opponent, or knock them out of the ring. Winners keep the ring, and remaining opponents shuffle out.” He taps a slow sip, his eyebrow twitching beneath his dark hair. “No quirks, we’re testing mismatched physical strength and endurance.”
A pretty basic session, and the whole class starts stretching in preparation.
“First pairs are Koda and Mineta, Ojiro and Tokoyami, Bakugo and Uraraka, and Ashido and Kaminari. Get to your places.”
Totally normal and random pairings.
“ Waaait ! But–, Sensei !!! Bakugo and Uraraka just started dating!!” Mina ‘whispers,’ though it’s wailed over the heads of her classmates.
“Yeah, you can’t pit them against each other!!” Kaminari squirms, pointing between them. “That’s, like, suuuper bad luck!”
Aizawa’s eye twitches, and Ochako’s face warms– wishing she was at least standing next to someone else. Bakugo still has his collar pulled up, and now his brows are knitted with conflict.
Their teacher stands in dubious silence, then his shoulders sag. He takes a long gulp of coffee, gives his best shrug,
“So, I heard from all the hysterics last night.” Momo and Iida wince. Aizawa shakes his head, “It isn’t rational for them to avoid sparring with each other. Interpersonal relationships have nothing to do with your hero training. I really don’t care what you all do but – if you decide to take on a partner, you better continue to take this course seriously . Train hard, if not harder together– or break up .”
“Haaaarsh.” Someone whistles.
Though, his less than flowery words seem to have cleared Bakugo’s mind, and he struts through the class to a sparring ring. Ochako takes a deep breath, and holds her chin high– she can handle her studies, her woes, hero training, and a super-hot boyfriend, easy ! Besides, sparring with Bakugo is simpler than thinking about her feelings-not-feelings for him.
“But–!” Toru pleads, with Mina by her side. They’re panicking that they may be watching their newly launched ship SINK before their very eyes.
“Bakugo, man…” Kirishima makes a wincing face, horrified by the idea of throwing a fist at a girl he likes.
Kaminari, on the other hand, backs away slowly with his palms raised in retreat, “K. If they’re cool with it. I’m not gonna make the mistake of callin’ her frail twice..”
“ Hah! C’mon Uraraka, I’m gonna kick your ass again.” Bakugo gruffs in response to Kami’s comment. Ochako blinks, not recalling that statement on her behalf.
“Noooooo way you are!” She pumps her fist up and stomps up next to him.
Bakugo gives her a proud snort, before slipping into his feral fighting grin. The pair and their classmates square up in their respective rings, while Aizawa makes his way to the middle. Their peers crowd around their single ring, holding their breath for the budding couple.
A whistle blows– warring cries rip through the field. Bakugo crouches low as Ochako runs forward. She matches his smile, “Don’t hold back!”
He laughs darkly, shaking his head once. He breaks into a heavy sprint, meeting her in the middle. Their last spar is fresh in their heads, and they plot their next moves carefully.
Ochako side steps his flashy punches and slashes, but ends up being on guard for majority of their exchanges. His speed and strength are staggering, lighting her frustration again. And with him, it’s okay to let it burn .
Her pink sneakers squeak against the mat, as she is continually skipping back and forth to evade him. The blonde keeps himself low, keen to avoid any last-ditch tackles.
The highlight of their fight comes when Bakugo tries to sweep her legs, but she jumps over, and kicks off his shoulder to get behind him. Ochako lands softly, and dead runs towards him, but he recovers with a flashy bboy-kick; copying her form from last night, from Mina.
“Jeez!” She scoffs, throwing a right cross then left jab to his ribs. He blocks most of it.
Ochako is able to deflect his flat-facing punches, and tries to get a good hold on him, but since he’s seen it before he manages to rip his arms away. He doesn’t land any crazy hits on her either– opting for hard shoves and trying his best to get her to fall on her ass.
Her eye twitches, watching his fists open to push her. She tries to tamp it down and finally gets a good hold on his wrist– but her foot steps out of the ring.
“UGH!!! So annoying! ” Ochako sighs. She rubs the corner of her eyes then holds out a hand towards him.
Bakugo taps her hand lightly, then jogs back to the center. He sniffs hard, and rolls his shoulders back to stretch,
“Not so bad, Cheeks. You were better last night though.”
“B-Bakugooo!” Ochako’s body stiffens as he cackles to himself. Their classmates “ ohh ” and “ ahh ” around them, making our girl cover her face as she returns to the audience.
“... I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that…” Aizawa drawls, turning his back to their circle to watch the other matches.
“Next.”
Class carries on as usual, the match-ups are odd and the heavy hitters hit heavy. Ochako is able to win and maintain a different circle for a few rounds, and Bakugo loses once, before reclaiming the same one and holding onto it with monstrous anger.
It ends with them all bruised and aching; bodies and egos. All-in-all, a normal class session.
Aizawa is speedier with the ending remarks today, probably already dreaming of his bed despite being freshly fueled with caffeine. So soon enough, they’re walking back to the locker rooms to shower off.
“Gosh, I’m beat!!”
Ochako walks with Momo and Tsu, talking animatedly about the new moves they just learned, until she gets tugged back.
“Woah!” She exclaims, but her friends only giggle ahead of her.
“Hey, Bakugo.” Tsu chirps, tilting her head with her tongue peeking out.
“Hn,” his voice hums boredly behind her.
Ochako tilts her head backwards, and Bakugo stand over her, holding a fistful of her sports jacket. Her large brown eyes twinkle, taking a second to admire his angular face against the blue sky. Likewise, his gaze roves over her, pondering how she still looks so round upside-down. He pouts in satisfaction, as he lets go of her.
“Hi..?” She rights herself and falls into step beside him, excusing herself from her friends. They smile at her reassuringly, walking a bit faster to give them space. Momo looks over her shoulder with hearts in her eyes.
“How are ya?”
“Fine.”
“Cool.”
Is this going to happen more often? Bakugo asking for her? Seeking out her attention? Haha. She kinda doesn’t mind it, though the conversation could be better.
They move forward together in a beat of silence, until Bakugo lets out a sharp sigh. His face is pinched, not in pain but something more bashful . He grips a fistful of his jersey by his shoulder..
“Wanna get some mochi? After.”
“ Yes ! I mean– always, yeah, but what’s up?” Ochako tilts her head, and his eyes follow the stray hair that falls across her cheek.
Bakugo shrugs off the ache in his chest, then smirks plainly,
“ Maybe I feel bad for beating you two times in a row.”
“Heh? The Bakugo I know wouldn't feel bad about winning anything over me,” she mutters sarcastically. She squints. “He’d gloat .”
He rolls his eyes, but doesn’t argue.
“Okay!! Then fine , I just wanna fuckin’ watch you eat mochi.”
Ochako’s face becomes the embodiment of !!! and he laughs loudly, patting her head down roughly and messing up her bangs. Her hair is soft, and sends another spike of excitement through his body. He grins harder against it.
“Fuckin’ cannibalism !! Gahaha!”
“Heyyy….” She whines, flinging his hands off of her. She fixes her bangs and speaks through pursed lips, “But… mochi is mochi so…”
“Can’t pass that up, can ya, Cheeks?”
Ochako crosses her arms, and turns her head away. He leans forward to keep his bright and cheery face in view.
“Mochi is Mochi.”
Bakugo laughs raucously while she goes into a passionate spiel about her sweets. He takes mental note– for no reason.
“... Oh my god, they really are going out.” Kirishima clutches his jaw behind the couple, and tilts his head as if it would make the image Of Them any clearer.
“Hell yeah!! Look at Bakubro all whipped for heerrrr, awwww!” Mina sings, spinning in place and breaking into a shuffle. She smacks Kiri’s and Sero’s back, the boys tumbling forward.
“Watch and learn, underlings!!”
Ochako doesn’t hear their friends behind them, but Bakugo does. He glares at them over his shoulder, and talks loudly in Ochako’s ear for them to overhear.
“Make sure none of the extras tail ya!! I’LL KILL ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS US!! ”
Ochako flinches, covering her ear then poking his cheek to aim his big ole mouth somewhere else.
“ Jeeeeeeez , Bakugo. I hear ya. I get it. You’re just as much a mochi fiend as I am. Dang !” She playfully scolds him with her padded finger, and Bakugo’s heart does an odd leap.
His mouth snaps shut, and he aggressively flicks off his friends behind his back. They all howl with laughter behind them, and Bakugo makes a conscious note to never yell straight into Ochako’s ear again.
“Meet me by the school gates.” He mumbles, giving her back a hard pat as they split off the separate locker rooms.
“Mhm!” She flushes, as she watches him walk away and rub the back of his neck. His friends converge on him, and jump on his back, making him literally blow up, echoing down the hall.
Ochako runs into the showers, scrubbing herself furiously and quickly as the girls gab around her. She didn’t have many interactions with Bakugo today, but that hardly stops her friends' gushy excitement over the crumbs. She doesn’t mind it, her mind is already elsewhere after all.
Bakugo . And mochi.
And mochi .
She towels off and jumps back into her school uniform, blushing at the idea of an after school date. Wandering around in matching uniforms, everyone knowing that you belong together in some way or another, squeee !. She’s always wanted to walk with the boy she likes under a cherry blossom storm, and that could happen this spring– if he’s still down for the trouble. Eep .
“I can’t believe you guys are going on another date already!” Toru drums her hands against her thighs. “We’re learning so much about Bakugo through you!”
“He’s all-offense in every sense, ribbit.” Tsu brushes out her hair and rolls her eyes slightly. “Don’t take your eyes off him, ‘Chako.”
The girls sigh dreamily, as Ochako trips while hopping into her opaque tights, Momo holding a hand to her maiden heart.
“It’s enchanting !”
“You don’t even know the half of it!” Jiro smiles sneakily, her ear jacks dancing in the air.
Mina coos, as she roughly rubs lotion into her face. “Oohhh, Tell me all you’ve heard!!!!”
Ochako laughs breathlessly, she wouldn’t mind a recap. She balls up her gym uniform to stuff into her backpack, but pulls out his dark hoodie first– she doesn’t know why she brought it with her. She had half the mind to return it to him today, but also held onto it to prove to herself that last night really happened.
She holds the heavy, luxurious hoodie with nervous hands. This is Bakugo’s, he wears this– was wearing it. He looked totally huggable in it too…
The girls tune into her contemplation like a riveting soap opera, Ochako shakily holding up a dark hoodie. She puffs her cheeks and makes up her mind, then rips off her blazer to put it on. Her skin turns as pink as Mina’s in the process, and they hold their breath as her body slides through the borrowed clothes.
The black fabric swallows her, the sleeves falling to cover her padded fingers, while the hem stops only half an inch from the bottom of her skirt. She catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror, consumed by the dark hoodie and her black tights. Thrill rings in her heart again, watching her soft, girlish features against colors that aren’t hers .
Her friends feel it too– a new sense of maturity ? A metamorphosis happening before their eyes. Ochako isn’t just a 16 year old girl, she’s a 16 year old girl with a boyfriend! – Not that any of them need a partner to complete them, like a period to a sentence, no . It’s just the start to a new chapter, and they’re all excited to watch it be written.
Our girl spins suddenly, facing the girls in various stages of dress and routine. Her lively cheeks look fluffy and perfectly pinchable. She salutes them, and squeezes her doe eyes shut,
“ Okay! I’m off! I’ll talk to you girls later!!”
“Have fuuuuuunnn~!” Mina and Toru cheer. Momo waves politely, and Tsu watches on with nervous anticipation. Our froggy friend makes a phone call motion towards Ochako, who nods in response.
Once clear, Ochako sprints from the bathroom back to her dorm room to drop off her bag. She’s supposed to meet Bakugo at the front gate, ASAP . Not really sure if they have the same definition of that, but he hasn’t texted her yet soooooo…
She quickly combs through her damp hair, and makes sure to stuff her phone, wallet and keys into her pockets, there’s no way he’s paying for her again. They’re in this ruse to help each other, this isn’t gonna be a one-sided thing!
“Okay, I think that’s everything…”
She pats down her pockets, and finds something that she hadn’t noticed before. She fishes out a cool, cylindrical object.
“Did he leave a pen in here…?”
Ochako pulls it out– and it’s her lip gloss. The tube he’d taken from her some week ago, after noticing her wearing it for the first time. She rolls it in her hands, the object unchanged but her heart singing a different song from when she last used it.
Was this a mistake? Did he just… carry it around?
No, he doesn’t make mistakes like that– unless this was how he was planning to give it back? Was he always planning to give this hoodie to her?
Despite the lipgloss being a familiar object to her, it slips from her hands like a hot coal.
Ochako walks out of her room, and jogs down the stairs, blushing madly at the thought of him carrying a piece of her in his pocket.
That… must mean something, right ?
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
Bakugo is at the gate before her, not that Ochako ever expected to beat him with timeliness. He’s in his school uniform too, making her heart flutter. His blazer falls open, and shirt is unbuttoned like usual, forgoing the red tie. His hands are stuffed in the pockets of his baggy slacks. His bored expression becomes clearer as she skips closer and apologies for making him wait.
“ Hi ! I’m here, hehe.”
His eyes clock several things at once as she bashfully kicks a foot out in front of herself. One , she’s wearing his hoodie, two , she’s wearing that damn pink shimmery lip gloss, and three , she looks positively stunning in all of the above.
“Hey.” Bakugo manages to grit out over his heart rising to his throat. His eye twitches, and his fists clench around the fabric of his pants beneath his pockets.
“Sorry, did ya wait long?” Ochako smiles warmly, tucking her damp hair behind her ear demurely.
“Nah.” He swallows, tucking his chin.
She’s totally unaware that she’s fulfilling a 16 year old boy’s full fantasy right then and there. Fresh from a shower, her short brown hair looks darker and longer, and sticks to her neck. Glossy smiling lips. Dark brown eyes that look straight at him expectantly. His black hoodie drapes over her possessively, covering her soft parts and sweet scent with his own.
Without thinking, Bakugo’s hand reaches out and touches the drawstring of the hoodie. Ochako’s heart flutters as he adjusts the strings to be even, his fingers never touching her person, but her body wishes they would.
Woah .
“ Uhh , I hope you don’t mind…” She flops the sleeves of the sweater up and down. “I’ll give this back to you after I wash it.” She tugs the hood up to her cheeks, hiding her reddened neck with no ulterior motive, but he’s totally zapped by this cute attack.
“I’ll give you another one when you do.”
Bakugo’s voice strains, eager to dress her in more of his clothes. Sweaters, t-shirts, sweat pants, his hero– ahem .
“C-cool beans.” Her wide eyes wander to her feet, struggling to find words.
Bakugo scoffs, his shoulders easing. He’s happy to have this Uraraka back, the clumsy one that he can focus on helping rather than dodging her accidentally-expertly laid traps. He rubs his nose, and motions his head towards the city.
They step outside the UA gates together, greeted by the chatter of civilians and nearby camera shutters. It’ll take a few minutes and a couple blocks to blend into regular life, much harder since they’ve all started living in dorms and showing up on TV. Reporters and curious people peer into the gates, dazzled by whatever comes in and out. Their hero names get called so often, it’s almost like they’re wearing name tags.
None of it phases them, Ochako takes eager, hopping steps to keep up with Bakugo’s brisk stride. And surprisingly, he speaks first while rubbing his shoulder,
“Mm. We’ll go out for real food next time. ‘Figured that mochi would be easy, and a good excuse to get away from the extras.”
“Oh, uh, yeah sure.” She’s touched that he’s trying to keep the promise– but it also puts more pressure on their next date. Like , ordering food and sitting across from each other while you wait for it to arrive? Uhm , nerve wracking!
“I haven’t really…. Said anything to anyone.”
“Hm, up to you.” Bakugo shrugs.
It’s the truth, but the bigger truth is that… she has no idea if this is real, fake or something in between. It’s not exactly a fake relationship because… they’re talking about their next date, and going out to get mochi , of all things. But, it can’t be real , because no real mutual feelings are involved.
–– Is that affection something that grows, or are these the gambles that people make? Sheesh , maybe she doesn’t wanna grow up afterall.
“Just make it clear to Icy-Hot, that you’re mine .” Bakugo frowns, his jaw tensing.
“H-huh????” Ochako’s step stutters, and the boy beside her just glares ahead with twisting lips. “What does he have to do with anything?”
Obviously, Ochako and Todoroki are close– but it’s a friendship that’s still thawing from frozen. If Deku has his secrets, and Bakugo has his walls– then Todoroki is still looking up the definition of self .
“He gets too damn close to you.”
“He’s my friend .”
Bakugo’s jaw waggles, not stupid enough to denounce her friendships, or demand her to change. He sighs,
“Then tell him to back the fuck up . In a friendly fuckin’ way.”
She’s not sure how much he’s ‘picked up’ on Deku and Todoroki’s… “ orbits” around each other, so she doesn’t say anything, but purses her lips.
“I’m not a toy , Bakugo.”
“I know you’re not, but I’m not good at sharing , got it ?” A sharp red eye flicks towards her hotly, sending an arrow straight through her heart.
“I’m the one training you, kicking your ass, and covering ya from the fuckin’ paps. You’re with me, Uraraka. ”
“... Aye, aye.” She mumbles, while rolling her eyes. “Grumpypants.”
“Hwh, don’t complain. You’re the one following me around.”
“Nuh-uh! We just have… mutual goals. Might as well reach them together.”
“Suuure. I was already on way fuckin’ way there without you, Roundface.”
“ Rude, Bakugo!”
“Heh. Well, you’re stuck with me now, Cheeks.” The boy laughs. His eyes have an irritatingly soft twinkle for his sharp tongue.
“– And I’m not settling for anything less than the best. So you’re mine to take to the top.”
Ochako bites her lips together.
(Crushes gotta be bad for your health, damn!)
It’s common knowledge that Bakugo would be… overbearing, possessive, and insanely jealous as a partner. It’s just his thing to be that intense in all areas of his life– which again, makes her wonder just how much of this is reality. How much effort is he willing to put into… her?
“I wonder if I would get jealous,” Ochako blurts, as he directs them to a mochi stall she’s never been to before. Her eyes light up.
“ Haahh ?” Bakugo coughs, turning red as he swings his body towards her.
She shrugs, looking over the cute pastel colors of the storefront, and adoring the homely vibe– chattering absentmindedly as they queue up in the short line,
“Sure, I’ve felt jealous over grades, quirks, and dumb stuff, but not over a person…” Ochako peeks over at him, giving him a teasing once over. He’s so pretty when he’s stressin’. “And I’m really good at sharing.”
They step forward in line, giving Bakugo enough time to recompose himself. He shakes his head in challenge, and laughs bitterly,
“You wanna find out?”
“What– no ..?”
Ochako watches him transform. His cruel slashing smile turns wide and boyish, and his severe slouched posture eases. His muscles relax, his brows smooth– totally giving off sunshine and rainbows, and eerily reminding her of that one guy from their provisional licensing exam. Bakugo’s intense expression morphs into something friendlier, approachable . His sharp profile, angular and handsome– without tension. He’s freaking sparkling, and people around them start to take notice.
“What the heck!!” Her head reels back, practically looking at a stranger.
“What’s wrong, Oh-cha-ko ?” Bakugo murmurs evenly.
Her danger senses tingle– in a bad way, no, good way. That’s the first time he’s ever said her first name– in this weird, intentional-Todoroki-Pretty-Boy facade.
A group of high school girls in front of them turn around and giggle behind their hands, watching the cool blonde with starry eyes. She feels the hair on the back of her neck rise as people stop and gawk– mesmerized by Bakugo .
He’s not even doing anything! Just standing there– half- pleasantly !
An older woman drops her handkerchief, a guy trips over his shoe laces, a little girl pulls her mother’s dress and points at a prince– UGH!!
Ochako sucks in through her teeth, then throws her hands up to cover his stupid, smug face. She can see his red eyes dancing with amusement, even as she scrambles his face back into his trademark scowl. The supercharged air returns to normal, not more sparkling, twinkling, or jealousy , just Bakugo threatening to bite off her fingers if she doesn’t let go of his “damn cheeks.”
“Alright! I get it! It’s a totally annoying feeling!” She whines, drawing her hands back to cross her arms– but he grabs her wrists and pulls them down but his sides.
“See how fuckin’ unnatural it looks like for me to be likeable? Pfft.” He shakes her wrists, while she squirms at the waning gap between them..
“No– It wasn’t – It’s just— uh. You can still be yourself but–!”
“Hah, save it . You’re turning blue.”
Bakugo scoffs once, then turns his head to speak with the mochi stall owner who had been watching with a motherly, swooning face.
“Can we get the 4 mochi box set?” He asks.
Wait, when had they gotten this far ahead in line? The owner gives him a dreamy nod, and packs up a box. Bakugo waddles Ochako around to follow the lady down the short way to the register.
“What…?”
“Looooser.” His grip tightens around her wrists.
“Oooooh, no, no, no ! Wait! Not again! Let me pay for it, Bakugo!! ” the brunette bucks around, trying to slip her arm from the sleeve, but he winds it around his hand and swings her away from the stall.
In a truly comical scene, he flings her around with one arm, then takes out his phone to tap-pay for this outing again . Ochako bumps back into him, and is practically gnawing at his arm to let her go.
The older woman hands him the box, and offers some complimentary juice boxes. “ Oh , to be young again.”
Bakugo nods at her once, and releases Ochako to grab their food. While he inclines his head, she resists the urge to kick the back of his knees to make him freakin’ fall on his smug face, and instead pays for her portion through the tip jar.
“Thank you!”
Ochako jogs up to Bakugo, who is already walking back to campus. They pass a few UA students on their way, most of them keeping their distance but eyeing them carefully. Bakugo has a… reputation of being totally unsocial and Ochako is the opposite, so… it’s definitely a sight to see.
“Ugh, you’re so annoying . ”
She fumes beside him, while he wears a satisfied sneer. Not only did he pay for her again , but he won’t even let her hold the box!!
They make it back to school, and find a bench to sit at in the low, afternoon glow. Once they open the small package, and Ochako nearly floats away upon unveiling the heavenly, soft mochi.
“Cheers.”
Bakugo hands her a pink palm-sized mochi mound, and she cradles it in her hands gently. He takes a white colored one for himself and they both take a big bite.
They pull the mochi away from their faces with an alarmingly, comically, looooooooooong stretch. It goes beyond the full length of their arms. Bakugo rips his by jerking his head to the side, cutting through with his canines. Ochako tips her head back, and pulls and pulls, nearly swinging off the bench.
“What the fuck ,” Bakugo coughs out.
The pair look at each other with squirrelly cheeks and burst into a fit of laughter. Ochako has to take a break to chew between giggles, tears pricking her eyes at how goddamn chewy it is. The red bean filling breaks up the flavor and texture, and this may be one of her fave mochi moments ever.
Bakugo gnashes on his angrily– genuinely distressed at how long it’s taking to make an optimal swallow. He watches her stuff her face, and gets powder across her cheeks, chin, and nose. Her legs even kicks her legs in contentment.
“Tch. You happy now?”
“Yup!” Ochako smiles, fighting back a giddy squeal as she nibbles on the last bits. “S’really good!”
He laughs incredulously at how she drums her fingers against her cheeks, and swoons at the taste.
“You’re a real fuckin’ cannibal, Mochi Face.”
Bakugo pokes her cheek, mildly concerned at how rock solid it was. It takes her a good five minutes to finish up that last bite.
“Phew!” They lean back, kind of exhausted from that first mass of mochi– and they still have one more each.
Ochako looks at it dully, and rubs her jaw. Bakugo wears a similar expression, and then she gets a silly, goofy idea.
“I bet you can’t eat it in one bite.”
The blonde frowns, he’d have to be a total nutjob to try and do that with this chewy-ass ball of dough. But one look at her beaming, proud face, and he can’t back down. He grabs the dessert and drops it into his mouth.
Bakugo crosses his arms and chomps and chomps and chomps– for 15 minutes straight. The noises coming out of him are inhuman– something between drowning and grumbling “ Die, die, die!! ”
Ochako quietly takes her piece and cheers him on, especially when his chewing slows. She takes normal bites cos she’s not an idiot. Ha !
“This is really fun, Bakugo! Thanks for taking me to this place, you reeeeally know your stuff!”
Chomp, chomp, chomp.
“And thank you for paying for me again. But let me cover it next time? Please ?”
Chomp, chomp, chomp.
“Oh! And like, woah , this hoodie is soooo warm! I really love it!! I'll… definitely return it back to you. Sorry! Is it weird that I’m wearing it? I wasn’t thinking, Ijust put it on… but I did find my lipgloss in the pocket!! So I guess… you wanted me to find it? Hahaha, why was– uh– ah , nevermind. The hoodie. Is nice. Hahaha….”
Chomp, chomp, chomp. (His face turns red.)
“Uhm, I’m… already looking forward to going out again.”
Chomp, chomp, chomp. Chomp, chomp, chomp. (Redder.)
“Haha, you know, actually… going on after-school dates in our uniforms is tooooottally dreamy shoujo stuff. I–I never thought I’d get to do it, ehehe…”
Chomp, chomp, chomp.
Ochako tucks her chin, and starts to recite the plot of one of her favorite stories– glossing over the fact that she has always had a soft spot for grumpy MCs. She just loves it when they find their sunshine.
Bakugo listens dutifully while he chews the mochi to death, and makes a big show out of swallowing the goddamn thing. He slumps against the back of the bench and slaps his hand on his chest. There’s a sparkly tear at the corner of his eye.
“ Fucking hell!! I’m never doing that again.”
Ochako spits up with laughter, and nearly starts choking. He has to smack her back to get her breathing again, but she can’t stop giggling.
“Sooorry!! I didn’t think you’d actually do it!!”
“Fuck you, fuckin’ cheeks.” The explosion hero leans back, exhausted and scrubs a heavy hand down his face.
She’s shaking with giggles, and pulls out a napkin from her pocket to offer to him. He takes it and roughly wipes his face.
“Probably spoiled our stomachs for dinner, but got to see you turn into a real mochi-face.”
“Hm?”
“You got powder ’n shit all over your face.”
Ochako touches her cheeks, as if her powdery fingers could detect more powder. She reaches to grab more napkins from her pockets, but her dark sleeves slip, and she’s still juggling her last bite.
Bakugo sighs, and takes out another tissue from his own pocket. He leans closer and starts to wipe off her face with a determined expression.
“ Oh ! You don’t have to–”
He tsks, mumbling for her to shut it. Bakugo is going to do what he wants to do, so if she actually wants him to stop, she has to say it clearly. But she doesn’t mind this, she kinda loves giving him a hard time.
“Stay still.”
His sharp eyes soften as gently wipes her cheeks, watching the shadow of her lashes flutter under his touch. Her head bobs back at the slight pressure, so his free hand roves upward to grip her shoulder– for stability , then up towards the back of her neck.
“U-uhm…!”
“Stay still .”
His rough thumb presses under her jaw to get the right angle. The napkin scrubs against her cheeks, and his face looms over hers. His red eyes shine like jewels, and the corner of his lips tip up.
Ochako shuts her eyes instinctively.
“Y-you’re really close.”
“And you’re a messy eater.”
She presses her lips together in embarrassment, while the paper texture caresses her face. Her body focuses on his warm fingers threaded by the nape of her neck, and the light touch of his skin that follows the napkin. Her shoulders relax, as her hands delicately fall into her lap.
Then she feels a tingly, warm sensation on her lips.
Her eyes fly open.
Katsuki Bakugo is close, very very fucking close . And her eyes zero in on his lips, parted and breathing shakily.
Ochako blinks, did he just– did he… .?
Kiss her ?
Bakugo’s all-seeing eyes catch her dumbfounded look, and pales while realization flashes across his features. He roughly pushes his thumb against her lips. His eyebrow twitches,
“I just touched you by acciden t, Roundface!!”
“O-oh.”
He swipes his thumb to the corner of her lips, and pushes it up to make her fake-sneer. His hands feel itchy and hot, his body tight.
“I wouldn’t do… anything like that … without askin’ ya….” He mocks while his neck turns red. “Idiot.”
“Haha…” Ochako leans back, away from the hands that make her feel feverish and faint. “Uhm, thanks…”
“Why are you thanking me?” He clears his throat. His face is burning with sickening embarrassment, and his mouth tastes overwhelming sweet. Words rot on his tongue. “S’common sense, idiot.”
“Yeah…”
They both turn away from each other, sitting properly on the bench with a healthy gap of space in between.
Luckily for Ochako, she still has mochi to occupy her and keep her from talking herself into a hole. Soon enough, she’s kicking her feet again as she takes the last couple of bites of her treat. Bakugo doesn’t even mind that she’s eating slowly.
Bakugo settles back into his seat, while his arm hangs loosely around the bench behind her. He watches her chomp on her treat with unending enthusiasm, and listens to her hum a tune he doesn’t recognize. The orange glow of the setting sun caresses her skin and brown hair, in a way that makes him feel awed and jealous. His oversized hoodie swallows her lean frame, and reminds him about how she’d fit in his arms…
“... fuck .”
“Huh?” Ochako’s legs stop swinging, and she looks back at him earnestly.
“Nothing.” He replies flatly– a response that would have anyone walking away from him in annoyance.
Not her.
“Ooookay!” Back to chewing the never-ending sweet.
The girl has too damn many openings, and he knows that all too well– he balls his fists and bites his lip to keep himself from grinning like a maniac.
She’s too damn cute. And too damn nice to be sitting next to him.
Bakugo doesn’t want to fuck this up– so he’ll wait for her to make the moves. And as bad as he wants her attention, he sure as hell won’t make it easy for her either.
That wouldn’t be Bakugo .
Ochako remains oblivious to the watchful gaze beside her. She turns to him again with pink cheeks and a sassy smile, thanking him again for another day spent together.
“ Thanks , Bakugo— can’t wait for whatever you show me next!!”
Her energy is so bright and tempting, he shuts his eyes and hums a dull response.
He can’t wait either .
And Bakugo prefers her messy face covered in mochi powder, rather than pretty pink lip gloss.
–– Well , as long as her smile is directed at him, he doesn’t care about anything else.
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
A week, maybe two pass with nothing eventful. Her gossip-craving classmates are held at bay by Momo and Iida reminding everyone that this is a new relationship– i.e. back off. And whether it’s out of respect for Ochako or genuine fear of Bakugo, their friends leave them be.
Ochako can still feel their stares on her every move though.
She lingers by Deku and Bakugo’s desks in the mornings. She talks to her green-haired pal as usual, while Bakugo lends half an ear. They don’t make much conversation, but she knows he’s listening from his scoffs and side-eyes.
Bakugo stands guard by her during their hero training courses, but they don’t get paired in any exercises or go on any more after-school outings. He’s always walking next to her, to and from though. Unfortunately, the most she hears from him during this period is, “ Seeya .” But he holds true to his word, and she does see him again the next day. Haha.
No, this is all due to their work studies picking up. Ochako is busy with the Ryukyu agency, while Bakugo, Deku, and Todoroki work with Endeavor. They miss class, or have opposite shifts– it’s more likely to catch each other on the way out, than in the same class. And by the time either of them make it to the dorms, they only have enough energy to wash up and crawl into bed.
Whole days go by without them exchanging words outside of pleasantries; too tired to impress.
It is lonely though. Ochako didn’t expect that– for all the things that Bakugo doesn’t say or express, her being feels empty when she doesn’t see him in the classroom or during dinner. It’s a weird, gnawing feeling that wraps with her blanket at night.
Does he feel it too?
In a delirious state one night, two weeks from their mochi-date, Ochako texts him. Since moving into the dorms, daily texting with friends was quickly made a thing of the past– they could easily knock on their doors instead! But… she wouldn’t exactly do that to the grumpy-old-man himself, so… maybe a text would satiate her.
Ochako: Hope you’re not getting too beat up out there (ง ͠ಥ_ಥ)ง
Bakugo: Go to sleep
Ochako: Woah!! I’m surprised you’re still awake!! It’s already, gasp, 9 PM!! ( •͈૦•͈ )
Bakugo: Can’t sleep
Bakugo: Rough day
Ochako : Aw no! I’m sorry to hear that… wanna talk about it?
Bakugo: What, no pathetic emoji for that?
Ochako: I was trying to be sympathetic. Jeez, Bakugo. ( ,,,’･~･’,,)
Bakugo: I would rather you be silly
Bakugo: Or whatever
“Oh…” Ochako lifts her head off her bed, rereading his double messages. It sounds exactly how he’d talk but… he wouldn’t usually be this open about having a tough time. She starts to frown, but must have taken too long to reply because three dots bounce on the bottom of her screen. She scrambles to type back.
Ochako: ᕕ(´◔⌓◔)ᕗ⁾⁾
Bakugo: what the fuck is that supposed to be?
Ochako: I dunno, something silly? Here you go! (づ ᴗ _ᴗ)づ♡
Bakugo: these are fuckin ugly, cheeks
Ochako: ༼;´༎ຶ ༎ຶ༽
Bakugo: WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT??
Bakugo: How are you even making these???
Ochako: Ehehe, years of practice!! (‘. • ᵕ •. `)
She laughs softly into her phone, and hopes that he is too. She pictures him squinting at his phone with some serious bedhead. She really missed these little exchanges.
Ochako: I can text you until you fall asleep! ପ( •̤ᴗ•̤ )੭⁾⁾.｡.:✽・ﾟ＋
Bakugo : How am I gonna fall asleep if I’m waiting for your damn texts?
Ochako: Let me find something boring…. ଘ(੭ ᐛ )━☆ﾟ.*･｡
Bakugo: fucking concerning how many of these you have saved, cheeks
Ochako: Don’t worry about it.
Ochako: OK I’m gonna start sending you math equations ೖ(⑅σ̑ᴗσ̑)ೖ ♡♡
Bakugo: No!! Don’t. I don’t wanna dream about school.
Ochako: Awwww you dream about the last thing you thought about? ( ∩´͈ ᐜ `͈∩)
Bakugo: You don’t?
Ochako: Not really. Mostly dream about… food… and random stuff.
Ochako: Oh! Oops, almost forgot. Here: ₍ᵔ•ᴗ•ᵔ₎
Ochako: What do you usually dream about?
Ochako: Bakugo? (‘. • ᵕ •. `)
Bakugo: Tonight it might be these damn emojis
Ochako: (❀´ ˘ `❀)
Bakugo: Maybe you
…
Ochako stares at the words so long it burns into her eyes– then, in inverted colors when she closes her eyes. She can’t escape it.
Maybe you .
I mean– she thinks about him a lot . But she hasn’t thought… of how he may think of her too.
Oh my god!!
She drops her phone and buries her head into her pillow, squealing and kicking as she burrows into her sheets.
Bakugo was thinking of her during their time apart– of course, he was! But oh my god, he was!
Her phone pings again, but she takes a few minutes to compose herself before opening it. She reaches her hand out of her safe cocoon, and drags her phone inside.
Bakugo : Don’t stay up thinking about me for too much longer
Bakugo : Seeya tomorrow, Cheeks ₊ ⊹
Oh my gooodddddddd!!!!!!!!!!
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
True to his word, Ochako bumps into Bakugo in the morning. They walked into class at the same time. He is a little later than usual, and Ochako a second earlier.
She greets him kindly, but tries to feign indifferent to the butterflies in her stomach. Bakugo looks the same as usual, handsome in his undone uniform, but the idea of him dreaming about her crowds her thoughts.
Ochako quickly turns into her row, beelining for the back seat but he follows her to her desk– which is so odd , cos he doesn’t usually come over here. She sets her stuff on the wooden surface, and he leans against Sato’s desk to her left. His shoulders tilt to keep hold of his school bag, and he embodies the epitome of cool .
Ugh.
“Sleep well?” Bakugo jeers, his eyes dancing as she drops her pencil pouch.
“Ah! Yeah! Just fine!” She snatches her things off the floor, and stuffs it into her desk. She hurriedly takes a seat, and fusses with her nonexistent organization system.
“Right.” He chuckles softly, forcing her to look at him. She hasn’t heard that sound in a minute. His face is calm, but his dark circles are visible beneath his softened eyes. He blinks at her, then tucks his head to scroll on his phone.
Ochako has learned not to feel awkward with the silences, and it’s nice most of the time– but he’s never this close to her space so… it’s hard not to feel jumpy. She hasn’t had this much time with him all to herself in a while either. She wants to ask him about his work studies, if he’s sleeping well, how he manages to do his homework, what cologne he uses…
A few quiet minutes pass, and she can’t take it anymore. She takes a breath, ready to talk about the weather at this point, but a heavy hand flops her head.
“Oof!” She looks up to find Bakugo standing with his arm held out straight. His face is a mask of concentration, i.e. a frown.
He leaves his hand on the crown of her head, his hot fingers threading through her dark hair. He’s not pushing down or anything, but the weight of another person makes her heart stutter. A luscious shiver creeps down her body, like his warmth is spreading into her. She doesn’t tip her head, but reaches up with shaky hands to lightly touch his wrist.
“Bakugo? … What are you doing…?” Her voice is nothing but a whisper.
“... Recharging.” Bakugo replies simply.
!!
He rubs her head, musing her hair. She blushes and squeaks, then he roughly ruffles her hair– both growing increasingly embarrassed the more silence passes.
She laughs softly as she can feel his competitive nature spike, unable to leave her be. Maybe he’s not used to being affectionate, haha . But then again, she doesn’t really touch other people’s hair very often. So this is… special.
Bakugo stops suddenly, taking his hands back and stuffing them into his pockets. She looks up through her hair and catches the matching red that dusts his cheeks. He ducks his head low, and kicks the leg of her desk.
“Later, cheeks.”
“O-oh, ah, bye!”
He walks to his desk and sits down quickly as people begin to file into the classroom. Ochako takes out a small mirror to fix her hair, to find that it isn’t messed up at all. The girl that looks back at her has bright eyes, and healthy flush. She bites her lips together to keep from smiling at herself.
Ochako snaps the compact shut, and leans against her hands, looking across the room. Bakugo manages to keep his face blocked away from her, he rests his chin on his palm and looks out the window all class.
“Cuuute.”
˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖
“Dream team right here!!!” Kirishima cheers, pumping his fist beside Bakugo. The other boy’s nose flares with pride.
Todaythey’re doing a team rescue and obstacle course through a city that has been destroyed by a landslide. Ochako is on a five person team with Bakugo, Mina, Kirishima, and Todoroki, as assigned by Thirteen and Aizawa.
“ Oh no , we’re in a collapsed building full of hunks!!” Mina swoons dramatically, falling into Ochako’s arms with a dreamy gasp. “The absolute worst case scenario!”
Ochako catches her easily, while Mina grins devilishly. Todoroki reacts with a balancing face beside them as he looks towards the other two boys puffing their chests. He sighs loudly. Twice.
“Heyyy, that includes you too, hot stuff.” Mina pokes at his arm. He makes a pained face, and Mina laughs harder.
Ochako hides a giggle behind her hand, as Todoroki stands beside her. His bored expression deepens as Mina goes on about other worst case scenarios, spinning on her tiptoes. But that gesture is enough to bring Bakugo stomping over, squeezing his way between them carelessly.
“Outta the way.”
He misjudged the gap, and now his sculpted chest is pressed against Ochako’s face, while Todoroki gets the width of his back.
“Bakugo, your butt is…” Todoroki holds his hands up, guiltless. “... Touching me…”
“ THEN BACK UP , ICY-HOT!!!!!!” Bakugo shouts, making sure to tilt his head away from Ochako’s ear to the best of his ability. “AND DON’T SAY THAT OUT LOUD, IDIOT!! JUST MOVE!!”
“PffffdsfjakhahahahahaHhahaah!!!” Mina cries, holding onto Ochako’s arm. Her dark eyes can barely open to see her friend. “O-Ochako, your boyfriend is– gahahaAHAHHAHAHA !!!”
Ochako’s face is a violent red, because if Todoroki is getting Bakugo’s backside rubbed all over him– she’s getting the front. His chest smothers her cheek, her shoulders. His abs graze her sides– she can feel every buckle and fold of his costume ( and body) on hers.
She’s frozen.
“Scoot the fuck over, Pink Cheeks.” Bakugo grumbles, pushing her with his hands then his hips. He tries his best to remain unaffected, by crossing his arms, but his bicep bumps against her cheek– knocking her off balance.
Mina catches her by the shoulders, and puts her right-way-up. She purses her lips as she amends her previous statement.
“ Deadly , lethal hunks.”
Aizawa clears his throat, and the young heroes quiet.
“All right, class. Today we'll be doing a rescue exercise, overseen by Thirteen. There are five dummies hidden inside.” Aizawa pauses at the snickers that echo the field, “Ahem, Five dummies besides your team.Your objective today is to collect all five civilians, and make it out alive.”
“This scenario is a representation of the recent damage of Deka City, which was reduced to rubble a week ago. There is no direct way in or out, but it’s up to you heroes to save those in need. Combine, alternate, and use your quirks to move past the rubble and get the hell out of there!” Thirteen speak with their hands. They had seen their fair share of disasters, and these “exercises” have taken on a new meaning after recent League of Villain strikes. “In most real disaster scenarios, we have no idea what damage has been done inside, but do your best!”
There’s an uneasy layer of tension that grips the class, trying not to be swallowed by the grim prospect.
This is the path Ochako wants to follow; to use her abilities to fucking save people. To find those who are lost, comfort their hearts, and protect their peaceful days.
She swallows softly, letting out a small, calming breath.
Bakugo elbows her lightly, knocking her off her axis. She glares back at him, and he has that terrifying, handsome grin across his face. Deku once said that Bakugo was who he pictured as “victory,” and Ochako can’t help but agree.
“Piece of cake, right, Angel Face ?” Bakugo tips his chin, not an ounce of worry on his features.
“ Right !!” Ochako stands taller, and squares her shoulders.
Aizawa scratches the back of his head, knowing the anxiety all too well. He locks eyes with the class, fondness and sorrow swirling within him. He claps his hands once, calling back his calm, cool logic, and raises a lazy fist. He sighs,
“Go beyond…”
“ Plus Ultra!!!!!!! ” The class cheers, back to their youthful, can-do confidence, as they march to the starting line.
Bakugo follows behind Ochako’s righteous stomps, watching her brown hair swish and sway.
He makes a promise right then and there that he’d always protect her– and if that means protecting their classmates, their friends, and the entire damn world, to keep her happy, he’d fucking do it.
It’s easy for 16 year-olds to make lofty promises like that.
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