"FUCK!" Bakugo roared as he shot out of bed and faced a practically vacant hotel room. His skin prickled with cold sweat and his heart throbbed, but he felt immense relief when he heard himself mutter, "It was just a dream." And yet, as true as this was, he was stunned to feel fresh tears on his cheeks, made more evident when it glistened on his fingertips, as though to gloat about their presence.
Usually, no matter how vivid the dream, a person would naturally forget a good chunk of it after waking up. The same was true for Bakugo now, but one image still stuck to him and that was of Uraraka being devoured by flames, desperately reaching for him and screaming his name.
'What the hell was that?' Bakugo held and shook his aching head. "Tch!" Gritting his teeth in frustration, he scrubbed his eyes dry and read the time- 5:13 A.M. What were the odds Uraraka would be awake at this time? After taking a few minutes to consider the answer, he reached his conclusion. 'Damn it, I don't care!' He jumped out of bed and yanked his phone from its charger.
...
Uraraka awoke to a loud jingle and the glow of her cell phone flashing obnoxiously through her heavy eyelids. Groaning lazily, she dragged it to her face with just the tip of her nose to approve the call and, without really considering the time, answered with a slurry, "Hello?"
"Oy, Uraraka!" Bakugo's voice hollered, "Get up! We're going for a five-kilometer run right now!"
"Hah?!" Uraraka almost yelled back, now sitting on her knees. "Bakugo?! Are you nuts?! It's like..." She looked out to the grey-blue fog cloaking the town outside her window. "The sun isn't even up yet!"
"Fuck the sun! Get up right now! I'm already outside and I hate waiting!"
"...What." Uraraka certainly didn't feel sleepy anymore. She warily approached the window, slid it open and peeked down. As promised, Bakugo stood just outside her gate, bundled in a light, red and black tracksuit and glaring menacingly at her. He was serious.
"Oy, I see your messy ass bedhead lookin' at me," he barked, "Hurry up and get down here!"
Uraraka stuck her tongue out at him. "It's too early for what you're asking so wait all you want. I'm not coming!"
"You'd better get down here now before I really make some noise," Bakugo threatened and lifted his hand, sparks popping from his fingertips.
Uraraka had never washed up and gotten dressed so quickly, feeling like she had just undergone a magical girl transformation when she zipped up her spandex jacket, slipped into her black tights and running shoes, gathered her hair into a hapless bun and flew down the stairs. Once outside, she made sure to lock the door and stuff her house keys in her jacket's pocket.
"It's about damn time," Bakugo huffed as the gravity manipulator effortlessly floated over the gate and landed beside him.
Nausea instantly stirred in Uraraka's stomach, causing her to wretch a little. "What's with you all of a sudden?" she choked, "Calling me out of the blue to go for a run."
Bakugo simply tapped his foot and snorted a "Hmph."
Uraraka tilted her head at the blonde. "Bakugo?" He looked strange, suddenly having quieted down and now gazing at her with a face that looked somewhat doleful. She then remembered the events of yesterday and turned bright red, skipping back a step. "Hey, say something! You're making me feel self-conscious here." Suddenly, he cupped her cheek and gently lifted her face to him. 'Whoa, is this how we're going to be like from now on?!' Uraraka swallowed thickly and scrunched her face in anticipation.
Bakugo's brows wrinkled to a scowl as he instead swept his hand over her head and ruffled her already tangled hair. "Start moving, slowpoke," he grunted and started into a jog. "We don't have long until All Might's final and you've been slacking off."
Uraraka's cheeks bubbled with disdain but she followed him anyway, knowing full well he was right. Though, as she watched the blonde's broad back stride further from her, she felt a tinge of disappointment writhe in her chest.
As if sensing this, Bakugo turned to look at her, a distinct leer in his eyes.
"What?" Uraraka huffed defiantly.
To her surprise, Bakugo beckoned her forward and mumbled, "Don't fall behind me."
Uraraka's cheeks glowed with bliss. "Okay," she mumbled shyly back and grasped the extra fabric of his suit. Her body miraculously felt much lighter as she jogged up next to him, now able to meet his pace and hear his heavy breaths. When she turned to inspect what kind of expression he was making, he had already shifted his gaze back on the path ahead. Amusingly though, he still failed to hide the rosy tint that dusted his cheeks. 'Kyaaah, he's like a maiden!' She smiled to herself and held his suit tighter.
And yet, when they barely hit their one-kilometer mark, Uraraka found herself already wheezing and flailing in sweat, dragging her feet through the sand.
"Really, short stack?" Bakugo arched his eyebrow at her, "This is the limit to your stamina?"
"Don't...even..." the brunette panted tiredly, unable to finish her rebuttal since she was too busy struggling to keep her balance.
The sun's rays peeked over the peaceful horizon, enveloping them in a warm, citrine light that illuminated the sea like a bed of sapphires. Large ships took turns docking and leaving the port as the fishermen readied their smaller boats for another full day's haul.
Unfortunately, Uraraka didn't have the luxury to admire these sights for she was instead given the dumb luck of having her left leg stuck in place, reeling her quickly towards the sand. "Eeep!" she cheeped and braced herself for the impact. However, something hard and sturdy caught her by the waist. Upon opening her eyes, she found that it was none other than Bakugo. "Ah, sorry..."
The blonde wordlessly scooped her out of the spot she was sinking in and into the haven of his flexed arm. "Don't push yourself too hard, you fool," he grumbled and proceeded to rapidly pat away the grains of sand that stuck to her tights. "It won't do either of us any good if you collapse from exhaustion." His gaze fell on her neck as he rose back to position, glaring at the zipper that sat idly under her chin. "How's the um..." He pointed at her, struggling to keep a straight face. "You know."
Uraraka poised her arm in front of her chest as she held her neck. "...Still there," she admitted quietly.
...
Being the inexperienced hothead that he was, Bakugo failed enormously at realizing the concept of kiss marks. Though, he still blamed it on the scientist that apparently neglected to tell him that these marks were most apparent on the thinnest layers of skin on the human body. "Holy shit!" he had yowled yesterday when he and Uraraka walked into the brightly-lit hotel lobby.
"What, what?!" Uraraka panicked, curling into herself at his accusing finger.
"What the fuck happened to your neck?!" Bakugo howled even louder.
The two had now gathered the attention of the other visitors who glared critically at them. Upon noticing this, they snuck to a quieter corner of the lobby where Uraraka checked her reflection on her phone camera. "What is this?!" she cried. It looked like she was struck by some sort of skin disease, spots of purple and red decorating her once porcelain-smooth neck. She quickly covered the abominations with her hands. "Bakugo, you were the one busying yourself there! What did you do to me?!"
Bakugo's face reddened as he argued, "Oy, I make sure to keep a more-than-decent dental hygiene regime as part of my daily schedule! So don't go blaming me for that!" When in doubt, he always did the one reasonable thing to grant him more wisdom- search his phone for answers.
"Really?" Uraraka shot him an incredulous glare. "You're texting now?"
"Clam it, Uraraka, I'm working here!" Bakugo barked back. When his search results finally came, his face lost its bravado. 'Or maybe I am to blame...' He cringed at himself. "Fuck me."
"Hah?!" Uraraka's face glowed.
"Er- Ju-just...get over here!" Bakugo grabbed her wrist and led them to the gift shop just a hallway past the lobby, ignoring the looks other people gave them. Once inside, he stomped up to the blonde girl servicing the counter and slid a black credit card to her. "Take this," he instructed, "Put the chicken porridges on it and get me whatever makeup matches Bubbles over here." He looked at Uraraka, scowled at her and turned again to the blonde girl. "And one of your generic ass scarves, too."
The girl looked at the bumbling pair, squinting suspiciously at Uraraka's frantic attempts to hide her neck and Bakugo's flustered demeanor. Nonetheless, she went to retrieve the items Bakugo asked for and rang up his card. "Take care of yourselves," she remarked and handed them their bag.
Bakugo snatched his goodies and card from her and scrunched his nose in contempt. "Let's go," he huffed and guided Uraraka out of the shop by her wrist again.
"How much did you pay for all that?" Uraraka fussed guiltily, "And why makeup?"
"Quit fuckin' worrying about it," Bakugo snapped. Once the coast was clear, he pulled her aside and tore at the foundation powder's packaging, smirking in satisfaction that the nosy clerk had gotten the correct shade. He opened the case and smacked the pad on the foundation's smooth surface. "Come here."
"Wh-" Uraraka started but was silenced when the blonde tugged her to him. The next sensations she felt were the gentle dabs of something creamy on her neck, rubbing lightly and working up to her jaw. "Bakugo, what are you doing?" she asked nervously.
"Covering you up, obviously," he grimaced, "You can't go home looking like a leper. Now, stay still! I'm almost done."
A smile graced Uraraka's lips as she relaxed into his dextrous hands. She was tempted to ask how he acquired such a feminine skill but decided against it to prolong this warm moment between them. Feeling a strange urge to touch him, she brushed his bangs to the side, hoping to get a better view of the ruby irises that focused so intensely on her neck. Adversely, her gentle gesture startled the blonde, causing him to jerk back and gape at her with mortification.
"Wh-what?!" Bakugo stammered, "What was that for?!"
"Ah!" Uraraka hid both hands behind her back in embarrassment. "Sorry! I-I just... My hand acted on its own...somehow."
They both blushed, unsure whether the synchronized heartbeats they were hearing were each other's or their own. Why was a fully booked hotel this quiet anyway?
Finally, Bakugo sighed a soft, "Dumbutt" and finished up her disguise.
'You're the dumbutt here,' Uraraka mentally rebuked but stifled a laugh at seeing how red his face had gotten as he closed the foundation powder and handed it to her. She nodded in understanding and stuffed it into her shirt pocket.
Bakugo then pulled the thin, grey scarf from the plastic bag and tore off the tag. Though hesitant, he managed to wrap the soft cloth around Uraraka's neck, taking heed to layer it just enough to hide his trespassings but not suffocate her. He tucked in the last tuft of the scarf, his hand sliding down to her clavicle and resting there. His chest tightened upon meeting her eyes and he knew then it was a mistake to reminisce on their heated exchange just a few moments ago. "...Make sure you keep that shit on until you get to your room," he mumbled, trying to focus on anything else in the hallway but her.
Uraraka nuzzled the scarf and closed her eyes, taking in the electrifying brush of Bakugo's hand as it left her skin and retreated to his side. "Alright." She felt his fingers wrap around her wrist again. Then, a gentle pull. She grinned into the scarf, looked up at Bakugo and quietly acquiesced to his sweaty guidance. Luckily, her parents didn't question the presence of her new scarf that night and it certainly helped that she remembered the excuse she gave her father and hurriedly shoved Bakugo into one of their front yard's bushes just before they opened the door to let her in the house.
...
Now, she gazed apologetically at the scratches that lingered on his cheek and hands, feeling unworthy of his concerned stare on her. "I'm so sorry," she muttered as they started walking back to the pier, "I didn't mean to push you so hard."
"Don't mention it."
"I really am sorry, Bakugo! It's just that I told my dad that I was with Karu that night so he wouldn't think strangely of me for being out with just you and then the hotel happened and-"
"No, really." Bakugo angled a glare her way. "Don't mention it."
"...Got it," Uraraka squeaked and instantly backed off.
The last thing Bakugo needed was to be reminded of his Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde performance. Developing feelings for Uraraka was one arduous quest in itself, which he had just completed yesterday, but like a longwinded RPG, another quest popped up right after. What was the insatiable hunger that seemed to root from his core? What was the strange, tightening feeling that coiled from his chest to his stomach and even down to his lower body?
The light graze of Uraraka's small knuckles stirred his consciousness back to the beach they were walking out of. He glanced covertly to his side and found that she was still stumbling through the ankle-deep sands.
Uraraka noticed Bakugo's curious stare and smiled meekly at him. "The seabirds are up now," she laughed, pointing up at the sky. She was right but he was more occupied with holding his hand out to her to even notice. She blinked and tilted her head questioningly.
"Take my hand," Bakugo grumbled, "You're limping like an old man."
Uraraka was taken back by the blonde's unexpected offer but more than happily grasped his palm. "So you can be sweet!" she chirped and instinctively nestled her fingers in the calloused spaces between his. She felt his hand twitch in surprise but made no attempt to pull away, even as they continued to traverse the vast dunes.
"..Shut up," Bakugo grumbled again. Funny enough, he didn't feel like taking his hand back either.
.
.
.
.
"I'm back!" Uraraka announced as she entered her home and kicked off her running shoes. "Mom! Dad! Bakugo will be joining us for breakfast!"
"O-oy!" Bakugo coughed, having barely entered the house himself. "No, I'm not! I'm just dropping you-"
"Welcome back, Bakugo!" Uraraka's mother cheerily greeted from the dining room, "Come on in and make yourself at home."
'Shit.' Bakugo internally facepalmed and removed his shoes as well before stepping into the living room. His eyes lingered on Uraraka's father who sat at the dining table, reading over what looked like floorplans of some sort. "...Mornin'," he reluctantly greeted out of civility.
Uraraka nearly fell out of her chair. 'Did Bakugo actually just say that first?!'
Her father looked up from his preoccupation and smiled at their guarded visitor. "Ah, Bakugo, what brings you over so early in the morning?" He rolled up the large papers and tucked them under the table. "Don't be shy- come join us."
Bakugo complied and pulled out the seat next to Uraraka, smirking at the faint déjà vu he was feeling.
"Ochaco, sweetie," Uraraka's mother called from the kitchen, "Do you mind helping me cut the vegetables please?"
"Coming!" Uraraka excused herself from the table and ran to the direction of her mother's voice, leaving Bakugo alone with her father. Again. The two looked at each other, took turns clearing their throats, then proceeded to stare at their hands.
'Fuck me...' Bakugo groaned inwardly. He'd been telling himself that quite often lately. Deciding this may have been the older man's way of testing him, he decided to break the ice with, "I took Uraraka out for a run...in case you were wondering."
Uraraka's father snapped his head to the boy. "Pardon?"
"For training...for our final," Bakugo clarified, just realizing how his statement sounded.
"Oh! I see, I see... Well, that's great!"
Silence.
Bakugo tapped his thumbs together, uncertain of what to follow up with next. He would have been fine with that uncertainty, too, except this was Uraraka's father he was talking to. Silence didn't appease this family one bit.
"How confident are you that you and Ochaco will pass your final?" the blonde man brought up, "You seem like you have a lot of belief in your own abilities at least, but what of her?"
"Eh? What kind of question is that?" Bakugo directed a thumb at himself. "Uraraka and I will conquer that class, no sweat! Besides, she can deliver a hard punch when she wants to." He stole a glance at the brunette who was busying herself with a radish and some cabbages. He studied her movements, unable to help but smile at the perplexed expression she had on. "That's why I never underestimate her."
"...Hm, is that so?" Uraraka's father nodded slowly, having to admit that the boy's honesty actually impressed him. Be it parental instinct or simple logic, he felt an underlying tone of something else in how Bakugo spoke about his daughter.
Their conversation was cut short when Uraraka and her mother skulked out of the kitchen with contrite expressions. "I'm sorry, dear," the older woman sighed, "It seems I forgot to keep inventory- we're completely out of rice and meat, save for a package of bacon strips and a small box of eggs. I'll have to stop by the market to get some things."
"But the market doesn't open until 8," Uraraka pointed out.
Her mother shook her head sadly. "Oh, no..."
Bakugo checked his watch- 7:09 A.M. Figuring not much harm would come out of it, he stood from the table and walked towards the kitchen. "You mind if I...?" he asked, pointing behind the two females.
They stared at him dumbfoundedly, not having expected that question from him, but still managed a "Sure" and stepped aside to let the blonde in.
Bacon and eggs were the staples of any breakfast, so Bakugo was unsure as to why that didn't suffice for this family. However, he had a different, more 'exciting' recipe in mind just in case they had picky tastebuds.
Uraraka watched in complete awe as Bakugo rummaged through their pantry and fridge, pulling out spices, a cooled package of English muffins, a half-empty bottle of vinegar, the bacon and eggs, and a stick of butter. She knew how private he was about his culinary prowess so was both happy and confused that he was now in their kitchen performing his rituals.
"Oh, no, Bakugo," her mother fretted, "You don't have to-"
"The market doesn't open until a long while from now, right?" Bakugo said flatly, "So just go relax at the table. This won't take long."
Uraraka's mother, though still in shock, gave a light chuckle before nodding and joining her husband at the table. "Goodness," she whispered to him, "I told Bakugo to make himself at home but I never imagined it would turn out like this."
"He's going to cook?!" he remarked but quickly forgot that question when he found his daughter still lingering where she stood. She kept her attention on the young man who had boldly taken up the task of cooking breakfast for everyone and, as if to only rouse his suspicions more, took a few sheepish steps towards him.
"What are you making this time, Bakugo?" Uraraka asked, coming up beside him. "Can I help?"
Bakugo looked at her as though she had just asked the most ridiculous thing on earth. Yet, he didn't decline her offer then and there, deciding another pair of hands- no matter how clumsy- would help speed up the process. "Let's see," he wondered just loud enough for her to hear, "What's one thing you're not likely to fuck up..."
"Excuse me?!" Uraraka huffed defiantly.
Bakugo handed her a bowl and whisk with the stick of butter and some whole eggs inside. "Make the sauce. I'll handle the cooking."
"You have no faith in me at all, do you."
"Not one bit. Now, get to whisking."
"Hmph!"
As Uraraka's father watched the two join forces, he could not help but feel slightly aggravated at the marital atmosphere they unknowingly created. 'They're still kids,' he convinced himself but knew that was a term quickly weakening for them now. The chime of their doorbell derailed his thoughts, prompting him to leave the table to greet their mysterious visitor. He never felt more relieved at seeing who it was. "Well, good morning there, Hikaru!"
The orange-haired boy gave a cheery nod and greeted back, "Mornin', Uncle!" Like clockwork, he scampered to the dining table and slid into what was apparently his usual spot, turning to the smiling woman already seated there and giving her a quick hug. "Mornin', Auntie! What kind of dinner are you guys having this morning? And where's Cha-chan?"
"Oh, I'm not cooking today," Uraraka's mother said with a tone that was almost too amused, "Ochaco is. Along with her...erm, friend- Bakugo."
Hikaru's goofy smile twisted into an abhorrent scowl as he turned towards the kitchen. True to the woman's words, there the two stood, chatting- or bickering- about whatever the yellow liquid in Uraraka's bowl was since Bakugo looked about ready to blow and was pointing furiously at it with his spatula while balancing the occupied frying pan with his left hand.
"What the hell are you doing?!" the blonde snarled, "You add a spoon of lemon juice to the sauce, not the damn vegetable oil!"
"Hey, this worked out just fine for me before!" Uraraka defended just as loudly, "I'm not sure what you're making, but I know sauces!"
"Arrggh, throw that out right now!" Bakugo flipped some bacon strips over and swept them through the pan before placing them on a plate of toasted English muffins. "You're starting a new one, got that? There's no way I'm letting you serve that...whatever the hell you just made!"
Her face reddening in frustration, Uraraka stomped her foot on the tiled floor and continued to stubbornly mix the yellow fluid anyway. "It's the sauce!" she persisted.
"Oy, Uraraka!"
"Na, Bakugo!"
While Uraraka's father sighed at the ruckus, his wife continued to laugh heartily at it. "Oh, my!" she said, "I haven't seen our Ochaco that worked up in a long time! They look like they're having such a good time, too."
"Is that how you see it..." her husband mumbled.
"Tch..." Hikaru grumbled. Whatever the dynamic duo was concocting though, he had to admit it smelled great.
Soon, everyone sat to their own plate of Eggs Benedict accompanied by the dressed vegetables Uraraka and her mother had cut earlier before. Luckily, Bakugo made two extra servings of the golden dish so even with Hikaru's arrival, there was still one extra for any hungry takers.
"You're quite a talented cook, Bakugo," Uraraka's father complimented with a bite, "If I didn't see you make this first hand, I would have never believed it was your doing." After swallowing, he took a sip of hot coffee to help the food along.
"Right?" Uraraka's mother added, "It's so beautifully presented and rich in flavor, I'm almost jealous."
Bakugo fought back the blush that crept to his cheeks, smothering his bumbled words in between bites of the crunchy vegetables. "It's no big deal," he muttered.
Uraraka smiled proudly at him without even being sure what she was so proud of. For liking a guy that earned her parents' praise and winning his interest back? Yes, she supposed that was a good first step. "I told you the sauce would turn out fine," she giggled behind a glass of orange juice, coyly looking away just as Bakugo shot her a glare.
Hikaru scarfed down a large chunk of his Eggs Benedict, groaning in bliss as the sauce and yolk melted into a golden, savory river in his mouth. "Ne, pervert-bro," he chomped, "If you can cook like this, then I don't mind you dating Cha-chan at all. You're one handy dude."
"Pfffffffft!" Uraraka and her father spat out their drinks at the same time.
Bakugo choked on his saliva and punched himself repeatedly on the chest to let the discomfort out. "What the f-" his voice cracked, not daring to finish that exclamation. Instead, he glared toxic daggers at the talkative kid who smirked evilly back.
"Dating?!" Uraraka's father reiterated, "So you two are in such a relationship?!"
Uraraka raised her hands to him. "Daddy, wait, before you-"
"We're not dating!" Bakugo and Uraraka glanced at each other, shocked into silence after realizing the explosive teen himself had blurted that out and quite vehemently, too. Her eyes flitted away from his, blinking profusely as she scanned the half-touched food before her. Having lost his appetite, Bakugo leaned back in his chair to quell the contrition that swelled in his gut.
"Oh?" Hikaru finished his food with ease. "Is that so? My bad then." Seeing that no one else was going for it, he took the last batch of Eggs Benedict and sat it on his plate. "You and Cha-chan look good together, though."
Bakugo's hands balled into sore fists under the table. 'Say something, damn it!'
"Hah...do-don't be silly, Karu!" Uraraka fanned Hikaru off, "Bakugo and I are..." She looked at Bakugo again, whose mouth twitched to say something but couldn't quite find what it was yet. What was she on about? She didn't have the right words either. "Bakugo and I are..." she mumbled again.
Bakugo cleared his throat and uttered, "Uraraka-"
"We're really good friends!" Uraraka said as jubilantly as she could, cutting the blonde's voice off. She grinned brightly at him and flashed a peace sign with her fingers. "Right, Bakugo?"
'Friends?' Bakugo's lips parted slightly. 'That can't be right.'
Uraraka's mother lost her smile as she took a sip of her own coffee.
Unlike her though, Uraraka's father erupted into jolly laughter, clapping his chest after finishing the rest of his meal. "Oh, Hikaru," he exhaled, "Boys and girls can remain platonic friends, too, you know. You gave us quite a surprise just now, heh!"
Bakugo's eyes refused to leave Uraraka after that. The word 'friends' sounded like nails on a chalkboard to him, even more so now, but it wasn't like he knew what next steps to take from here on. Did Uraraka even want to take those steps? Since she said they were only 'good friends,' probably not. What the heck were they doing then? Wait, why was he pinning everything on her when he was the one that suddenly, and loudly, denied that they weren't dating? What even was dating?!
Uraraka noticed Bakugo shift uncomfortably beside her, catching the glances thrown her way. But rather than flattery or giddiness, something heavy and unpleasant settled in her heart, pulling a sigh from her lips as she took another sip of her orange juice. ''Friends,' huh...'
.
.
.
.
"Dude..." Kirishima dictated, tucking his tongue to the corner of his mouth in deep thought while his fingers tapped hurriedly on his phone. "Where...are...you...at? And...send!" He gave one last push and lifted his phone in the air.
Midoriya, who sat in his favorite beanbag chair just across from the redhead, looked up from the self-defense handbook he was reading and casually asked, "Who was that for?"
"I just wanted to check up on our favorite hothead," Kirishima replied and rolled over himself. "He hasn't contacted either one of us since he left."
"...Um...Kacchan never texts me... He always said he'd sooner die than to voluntarily communicate with me over electronic devices. Or words."
"Oh. Right." Kirishima rolled to his side to face the curly-haired teen. "Na, Midoriya."
"Hm?"
"Are you really okay with...you know...Bakugo and Uraraka? I mean, everyone kind of always figured it'd be you with her. And it was kind of obvious you had a thing for her."
Midoriya gave the common room one last inspection to ensure it was just the two of them before answering the greatly considered question with, "I think it's great."
This pulled Kirishima up to sitting position. "Really?!" he gasped.
"It's a good way for Kacchan to learn about building relationships," Midoriya elucidated with a wide grin, "And no one's a better teacher than the people person herself- Uraraka!" He placed his handbook on the floor and rubbed his pinking nose. "Besides, I have to be honest with myself; I can't offer her what Kacchan- whether he meant to be put into that position or not- can. And I think she's realized that, too."
It felt strange to talk about such intimate things with another guy, but Kirishima could no longer help his starving curiosity. "But doesn't that mean you and Uraraka are just a dimming flame or something?" he asked further, "You plan on getting her back when the time is right?"
Midoriya's face reddened significantly. "O-o-of course not!" he squeaked, "I'm s-sa-saying that I absolutely support the two of them all the way and Kacchan is an important friend, so I-I'd- I'd never...! Ahem! The only thing I worry about with them is..."
"...Is?" Kirishima frowned.
"See, Kirishima, we never really thought this through, but..." Midoriya scratched his head nervously. "Kacchan doesn't know the first thing about starting a relationship with anyone, much less a romantic one. Now I can't help but wonder that even if he did somehow find Uraraka at her hometown-"
Kirishima's eyes widened just as his brain pieced the remainder of Midoriya's thoughts. "Crap."
"Yeah..." Midoriya muttered, "It's like letting a domestic hamster run free in the streets thinking you granted it freedom only to find out later that you actually sent it to its doom."
"That's one hell of an exploding hamster, though!" Kirishima exclaimed, waving his phone frantically in the air. "What do we do now, Midoriya?! He'll die out there!"
Midoriya raised his arms to calm the frenzied redhead. "Let's just wait and see what Kacchan says! Maybe it's not as bad as we think it is." He bit back his lower lip in apprehension. "I hope."
NOTE: Thank you, everyone, for your input and support!
I'm glad to know that people are comfortable with me keeping this at T (despite the 'tensions') so I will continue to do so since that was my preferred rating for this story anyway. Sorry, dear lemon seekers...
Oh. And if you felt awkward this chapter? Good. Feel awkward. Stay tuned.
