He hated it all: the annoying blinking lights, shiny wrapping paper, overly cheery jingles, and white-bearded, fat man who everyone wanted to sit on. It all deserved to be burned to hell. Christmas season was the worst.
Thus, when his old 1-A classmates thought it'd be a grand ole idea to hold a holiday party, he immediately ignored the email invite. The whole ordeal had been peacefully ignored till round-face brought it back up.
"It'll be fun!" she chirped during one of their individual sessions. She dodged his incoming hit and impressively blocked his next.
Her curvy legs in slim tight leggings were incredibly distracting, but thankfully, she didn't notice his quick glances and kept chirping along.
"I bet everyone misses you a lot!" Dipping low, she attempted to sweep low to knock him off his feet: an attack he easily fended off. He scoffed at the thought of anyone missing his aggressive disposition.
He gave no shits about Christmas parties, but she insisted he come along and mentioned, "Even Deku's coming! He's usually so busy he can never come to our reunions."
As a result, he decided to go for the free booze and the chance to beat Midoriya up. The scoundrel may say something stupid to Uraraka again.
That's how he found himself in a stiff collar shirt and black slacks, standing at the door steps of a mansion. Standing next to him, Uraraka held a bottle of champagne for the hosts and practically bubbled over in enthusiasm.
What did I get myself into.
The ding dong chimed loudly and brought a flurry of steps to the door. Yaoyorozu opened the door and grinned brightly at the sight of the two. Exuding elegance of a debutante, she gracefully accepted the champagne and hugged Uraraka tightly before welcoming them in.
The girls squealed and exchanged compliments about their evening attire, saying random shit about makeup and whatever. Bakugo followed grumpily from behind as Yaoyorozu led the way to the hall. Just before they entered the room, Uraraka nonchalantly shrugged the thick coat she wore to reveal a dark green that flowed to her knees.
Hugging her perfectly at every curve, the dress scooped low at the back to reveal her toned backside. The dress bounced and flowed at every step, matching her easygoing personality. The rich color went well with her brown locks, which were lightly curled for the night. Her lips painted with a crimson red and long eyelashes coated in mascara, the little makeup went far. She looked good, but hell no, did anyone deserve to see her like this.
"You should put your coat back on, " he chided. He had waited for the black hair creati to move on to other guests before making his move. Uraraka merely raised an eyebrow as she continue to pour the alcoholic punch.
"Why? It's warm inside and the attire is supposed to be formal." He snatched the ladle and cup from her hands, continuing to serve their drinks.
"Because your dress looks ugly," he spat. A brown paper bag would have been useful to cover her head too. The aggression only made her delicately chuckle. "You think everything is ugly except for your own face."
He growled at the insult; she childishly stuck out her tongue.
"Besides…" She lingered with her words, scooping the now filled cup from his hand.
"I think I look pretty good." With a wink, she sauntered off to Tsuyu and chattered her heart away.
Damn bitch.
As the night grew older, more classmates trickled into the home. Kirishima was comparing biceps with electric Kaminari. Ashido and Hagakure exchanged gossip about some recent rookie heroes. The dark Tokoyami silently listened to Jiro's music recommendations. Aoyama showed off his glittery suit to a cluster of uninterested classmates. Todoroki sipped on a drink and watched over Yaoyorozu as she entertained guests, earning him small smiles here and there from the was loud and stuffy, but seeing everyone get together was alright.
The news of Uraraka's early retirement made her the subject of the party. Many of the classmates took time to politely ask how she was. Without a pause, she gave a classic wide smile and enthusiastically explained her training to become a pro-hero again. The classmates' worries were lifted by her bright spirit, and so, the night went on smoothly.
Confirming she more than capable of handling herself, he moved his attention to the awkward Deku and Iida who were making small talk. Iida moved robotically, probably nitpicking at the agency system or rebellious trainees, while Deku followed along politely: his eyes unconsciously glancing towards Uraraka's direction. Plucking two bottles of beer, eyes locked on his target, Bakugo strode his way to the pair.
"Deku." The idiot spun around at the sound of his snarl. "Bakugo, g-good to see you." Ignoring the stiff friend next to him, he shoved the beer into the stammering boy's hands. "Let's talk." He led the way to the backyard.
They stood their in silence, drinking their beers and staring at the impressive backyard of the Momo Shoto household. Bakugo had a million things he could rant about, but it was hard to figure out where to start.
"Is this about Uraraka," Deku spoke, finally breaking the quiet tension. Bakugo dug his hand in his pocket and gulped down more beer with the other. "Hell yea, it is."
Finishing the bottle, he tossed it with ease into the trashcan before speaking again. "You like her still." His eyes fiercely darted to Deku, watching for his response.
Midoriya froze for a moment, clenching the beer. The party buzzed noisily behind them.
"That obvious, huh."
"You haven't stopped looking at her this whole damn night. So, yes, it's pretty fucking obvious."
Deku kicked at the ground awkwardly and gave a nervous laughter, muttering his agreement. With a pathetic sigh, he nostalgically looked up to the sky. "I never-"
Uneasy, he gulped down a large swing before starting again. "I never stopped liking her since the day we broke up."
They could hear a drinking contest had started. Kirishima's chants rang into the backyard.
"I assumed she'd wait for me. I thought she'd always like me."
An uproar rang at the winner being announced as Shoji. Mineta excitedly screamed for another round and new competitors.
"But it's Uraraka we're talking about." Midoriya turned to look back at Bakugo finally and smiled sadly. "If I learned anything from being her best friend in high school, it's that she'll never stop growing."
He could hear Sero and Ojiro yelling to Sato to eat more sugar, saying they had their bets on him.
"So, why would she wait for me?"
The shouting from inside allowed for them to silence, letting Deku's words sink in.
"Good," Bakugo snarled harshly, breaking the silence this time. " So. Back the fuck off. You lost your chance." He glared at the hero, placing the boundary that the old lover should never cross anymore.
"Well-"
Deku's voice, now, more resolute as he turned to enter back into the house. "Just don't lose your chance as well." With a sad smile, he left a stunned Bakugo outside to determine what his warning meant.
"That was so fun!" The drunken Uraraka sang to an empty street. When he had returned to the party, he spotted Uraraka and Yaoyorozu chugging bottles of wine as their classmates chanted "Drink! Drink! Drink!" Yaoyorozu's poor husband stood worriedly behind and quickly handed her glasses of water after they finished.
No longer their young selves, the entire class had quickly gotten drunk, so the party ended with a group picture and final cheers to the years they spent together.
Uraraka was spinning and dancing all over; her heels clicking on the gravel with every bouncy step. Her loud singing filled the air, and he watched her wobble around like a newborn child.
In the chance she'd trip and fall on her round face, he placed her arm around his shoulder to steady her steps.
"I showed them all I'm the awesome meee!
"Yes, yes, you loser."
"PLUS ULTRA."
"Yes, yes, plus ultra."
"PLUSSSS ULTRAAAA" She continued to repeatedly sing the mantra while he took hold of the drunken girl.
The last words from Midoriya echoed in his brain as they made their way home. What did that idiot mean? And why did the fuck did he care so much about what Deku said.
A sudden flurry of arms around his neck stopped his the train of thoughts.
"PIGGY BACK ME YOU SLAVE."
"WHO YOU'RE CALLING SLAVE, YOU FUCKER"
"JUST DO IT I'M TIRED."
Tired from her childish demands, he lifted her up onto his back. He hated to be told what to do, but hell, just this once he'll do it for her, just this once.
"Did I do a good job, Katsuki?" Those obnoxious shouts had lulled into a timid question. He could hear her quick, quiet breaths in fear of his answer. So, she had been concerned at seeing the old classmates.
He lifted her up more securely onto his back, and she giggled at the sudden jump. He grinned as her soft hair tickled his neck.
"Yes, round-face, you did."
Calming her worries, he carried the drunken Uraraka home and listened to her sweet humming the entire way back.
The receptionist blinked. The famously handsome, muscular, belligerent hero stood purposively in the, tapping his foot impatiently. Normally, he stalked past the desk without a glance, too busy being him, so why was he there today.
"Hello," she croaked. Cheek reddened, she coughed in a sad attempt to regain her poise. "Hello sir. What can I do for you today?'
She had a slim body that showcased her many diets and workouts and a sharp face adorned in layers of well-done makeup. The way she moved exuded the feminine grace Uraraka lacked on a daily basis with her sassy mannerism and obnoxious squeals. The receptionist was a woman he'd pride himself to have in the past. But, that was the past.
Forgoing a hello, Bakugo jerked his head over the counter in search of the girl's stupid name. "Look for Ochakao Uraraka in today's log." The aggressive demand must have startled the employee who moved quickly to fulfill his request.
"She hasn't signed in today, sir." He clicked his tongue and frowned. The frightened employee timidly continued. "The notes say she called in earlier this morning, saying she'd be absent for personal reasons."
Where the fuck had she gone. She never missed a damn day. Spiteful he hadn't received a text, he gritted his teeth and immediately walked away in fury to find the dumb idiot. She's not getting away with this stupid shit.
Remembering something first, he strode back to the receptionist who, embarrassingly, let her face light in hopes, quickly putting on a pretty smile. He smirked.
"Tell them I won't be coming in today either." Her disappointment was so evident in her frown. "And, just so you know. I'm not interested." With that, he strutted away, satisfied at his accomplishment.
"URARAKA!" He violently pounded on the door and peered his red eye into the doorhole. "Open the damn door! I know you're in the there." Silence followed. This bitch was giving him a hard ass time.
Letting out an exaggerated sigh, he grumbled and bent down to pick at the lock. Technically, this would be classified as illegal without a search warrant. But, he gave no fucks. The final click and jostle indicated it had been unlocked, and wasting no time to beat her ass, he kicked the door open.
"WHERE ARE YOU, YA FUCKER."
Quick observations of the clean living room and kitchen allowed him to conclude there wasn't any robbery. The spotting of that gaudy pink backup zipped up and ready to go implied she had intentions of coming today. Noticing an ajar bedroom door, he scrutinized the dark insides of the room.
A ball of wrapped up blankets lay silently on the bed. It twitched.
"Uraraka, where the fuck have you been?"
It twitched again. Miffed at such unresponsiveness, Katsuki stomped closer and forcefully tugged on the blanket. The ball tugged back, falling to its side.
He sat at the edge of the bed and glared at the human burrito. He poked it some more.
"Why didn't you come, you idiot?"
A muffle sound came from it.
"Huh?" Another sound arose.
"You fucker, I can't hear you."
Finally, the ball shot up to reveal the human who lay inside. She held the blanket tightly around her face and pouted annoyingly.
"I said how did you get in."
"I'm me. What do you think?" That response got her eyes to roll as usual, but still, the worry from before pestered him. Peeping from under the blankets, her brown hair twisted in tangles and frizzy locks. Though dark, he spotted swollen eyes and tear stained cheeks. She was an absolute mess, and it made his heart twist.
"Damn, you look fucking ugly." A usual jeer like that would normally get him a snarky rebuttal and maybe a light punch. Yet, in this moment, all he got were tears: tears dangerously close of falling rapidly.
"Idiot," she hoarsely whispered.
The first punch was light.
The second punch was as well.
Then, she let loose of the blankets, allowing both fists at him. She pounded again and again at his chest, harder with each hit. Ah, he had messed up.
She began weeping.
"Idiot."
Hit.
"Stupid."
Hit.
"Jerk."
Hit.
"Stupid, stupid jerk." Broken, she pounded his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. Self control let loose, she weeped and weeped. She cried about how she'd kill him; she cried about how he sucked; she cried asking why she felt so alone. It was a state he had never seen before. Finally, her hands grew still, clenching the collar of his shirt. Her body still shaking from the weeps.
Uraraka was never a fragile girl. She held herself high in dignity and gave no shits at what the world threw at her.
But she was human.
In the tragedy she experienced, she never really reacted like a normal human being would. She refused to cry and never complained. Though guilty of making her cry, he was glad that, finally, she let herself grieve.
So, with sturdy arms, he pulled her closer, letting her arms wrap around his neck and head fall into his chest. She was always so warm.
"Sorry." How long had it been since he apologized to anyone. He patted her softly, a peculiar action he had never done before.
"Sorry." He really was an idiot. Why couldn't he do more than this.
"Sorry."
Backs on the bed, they directed their gaze to the ceiling. Uraraka, stubborn as always, forced him to look away from her swollen face. Thus, they lay side by side, staring at the slowly rotating fan that hung from above.
I'm in bed with a girl. He thought humorously. This was nothing like the times in the past. But, he enjoyed this company much more. It felt more comfortable than the drunk girls whose names he'd forget when morning rolled in.
Randomly, she extended her arms upward and splayed her fingers widely as if to catch something mid-air. He eyed her oddity.
"Reach your hands like this!" She instructed, waving the lengthened limbs.
"Why."
She whacked him viciously in the head before resuming the previous position ."Just do it."
He growled but complied, matching the absurd pose. "What the fuck are we doing?"
This got a chuckle out of her. The laughter tickled his ears: the sign of happiness relieving him.
"It gives me hope." Her fingers extended further. "That I really can reach my dreams."
He scoffed at the cliché remark and let his arms fall back onto his chest. Turning his body to the side to face her, he rested his head on the propped arm."Keep going idiot."
Eyes crinkled; cheeks raised; pink tongue stuck out. Even with all that frizzy hair sticking out, she looked pretty cute. She let her arms plop back onto her chest before speaking again.
"Sorry for missing today. I-" Her voice went silent. She paused breathing in slowly bored before building up courage to go on.
"I was scared. Scared that I really couldn't do it. Tired at how long it was taking." Taking time, she breathed out.
"I know I'm capable and I know I have people's support, but I can't help but doubt all the efforts I've put in. What happens-"
A few tears rolled down her plump cheeks as she turned to her side, facing him: a look of absolute fear.
"What happens if it all goes waste. What happens if I really can't be Uravity again." Her breathing went strangled.
Crap. He wanted to blow up all that damn anxiety away. He wanted to stop those damn tears that kept falling. He wanted to be there for her in the damn way she's been there for him.
Ah, how did he live so isolated before.
With his free hand, he pinched her chubby cheek, causing her to frown. "Stupid, Uravity is you." He smirked at the funny sight before going on, "And you're not going damn anywhere." He let go but tapped her nose with his index finger, watching her amusingly squirm at the touch.
He should've backed away at this point; he should've stopped and turned back around. But, instead, he pressed his rough palm against her pink cheek, moving his thumb in small circles on that soft skin. Those brown eyes looked bewildered at such intimacy, but this time, he didn't care. Just this once, he'd let it go.
"With me by your fucking side, you don't need to be damn afraid."
Uraraka was strong, funny, bold, and intelligent. But like any damn person, she needed a friend. Might as well be the one because he'd do a good fucking job.
"What is this?"
"What do you mean what is this?"
"I mean what is this you fucker. Why would I ask if I knew?"
Folding her arms, she pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. They were going over her recent performance results at her place when out of nowhere, a cake adorned in fresh strawberries and whipped cream landed before him. Emphasis on the out of nowhere as it literally floated to him.
"IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY YOU IDIOT. HOW DO YOU NOT REMEMBER?"
"Eh?" He picked up his phone and confirmed the day was April 20th. He scratched his brain for previous memories of the date. Usually, he's go for a drink with Kirishima or drink an expensive bottle of whiskey.. One time, his mom sent over some high-quality socks. That was pretty damn special.
Uraraka quickly slung a giant polka dotted, sparkly birthday hat onto his head. "There you idiot boy. Now, you can't forget it's your birthday."
He whipped off the hat and blew up the sparkly hat into bits. Hell no, he was not wearing something so sparkly. "THE FUCK I'M NOT WEARING THIS."
Like magic, she brought out a second and propped onto his head. He frowned at her irritating smirk. "I've come prepared so don't think you can get away." He slumped in his seat, and gleefully, she celebrated his defeat.
"I assumed you didn't know how to spend birthdays so I whipped this up for you. Now, you better appreciate it or I'm going to kill you." The murderous tone didn't match that innocent, cute look she carried. Don't trust women. They're all sneaky bastards.
Lighting the candles, she clasped her hands and looked up at him in joy: her big brown eyes illuminated by the candle light.
"Ahem." He wasn't prepared for what came next.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU." The over the top, obnoxious singing could be heard miles away.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU." She waved her hands sporadically.
"KEEP IT DOWN YOU IDIOT."
"HAPPY BIRHDAY TO BAKUGOOOOOO." Now she was leaping around him in circles.
"YOU'RE SO FUCKING LOUD."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU."
Out of breath and red faced, they both stared each other down. How ridiculous had this pair become.
"You're supposed to blow out the candles silly," she teased, poking at his cheek and ignorance of celebrations. Unwilling to let her have her fun, he growled and blew out the candles fiercely.
"There. Happy?" He grunted; arms folded to establish his growing irritation.
"Not quite." The twinkle in her eye had become devilish as she dunked her index finger into the cream.
"DON'T YOU."
"I'M GONNA DO IT"
"DON'T YOU DAR-" Cream smothered all over his nose, birthday hat lopsided on his head, and the most irked look on his face, he felt fucking ridiculous.
Smashing her cheek against his, she held her phone up to capture the absolute chaos. "SAY CHEESE!"
The camera shuttered and acting fast, she floated her body quickly to the ceiling to escape his grasps.
She analyzed the newly snapped photo with overflowing joy and pride. "You look so mad birthday boy!"
"GIVE ME THE PHONE YOU BITCH."
"Then, try to catch me!" In her childish antic, she stuck her tongue out at Bakugo and swam through the air. "Birthdays are my favorite!"
He taught this bitch too much.
After he had unfortunately realized the picture was sent to a locked folder, he finally ate the homemade cake, annoying it was delicious. After repeated nagging, he gave in to watch a movie that she picked out. It was a pretty good choice, having impressive explosions and a badass spy who saved hot babes.
She'd gasp at the key points, hide behind her fingers at scary times, and laugh at the witty dialogue. The movie, in itself, was objectively good, but her reactions made it better like a laugh track that wasn't annoying and that actually made you laugh. She even applauded eagerly when the credits came rolling.
With work starting early tomorrow, he picked up his belongings and began putting on his shoes. "Alright, I'll see you tomorrow. Don't be late."
"Yes, yes," she hummed, floating the dirty plates into the sink and bits of trash into the garbage.
"Ah!" she chimed. "Hold on, hold on. Let me get something." She ran quickly into her bedroom, and he yelled back at how he wanted to hurry up and go to bed.
Soon, she was back but unexpectedly, came empty handed. He scoffed. "Did you not find it, ya idiot?"
She simply smiled; He raised an eyebrow. His mouth opened to question her more, but he paused when a small package floated down onto his hands. Wrapped in pink paper and tied up with string, the gift landed daintily in his open palms.
"Well," she sang, clearly excited. "Open it!"
Initially, Bakugo shook the package with suspicion and eyed the cheery girl like a villain, but she just motioned again for him to reveal its content. Slanting his eyes, he cautiously ripped the pink paper and untied the string to reveal the insides.
She got him a watch; an all black watch from a brand well-known to be luxurious and expensive. The frugal girl got him a watch that must have cost a several hundred dollars. Stunned, he blinked.
"When you have meetings in the future, I wanted you look professional" she explained, moving to fasten the watch to his wrist. "I noticed all the male models in magazines always wore watches." She smiled, looking up after attaching the accessory. "So, I wanted to get you one."
Bakugo didn't know how much time passed of him just staring at the watch dumbfounded. The normally suave and confident attitude had been replaced by utter speechlessness.
"Katsuki," His focus snapped back at the sound of his first name. Teasingly, she poked his cheek with a smile.
"Happy Birthday."