When Midoriya asked that question, Uraraka was at a loss of words. She knew that Bakugou had met someone, but not much more than that. He was being pretty tight-lipped about it. Which made it seem like the sort of thing you didn't go around telling people without permission.

"Um, no, I don't think so. Why do you ask?"

Midoriya wasn't sure how to explain without giving the entire story which involved Todoroki kissing Bakugou so he didn't.

"No reason. I just...was curious. He's never really been into anybody, has he?"

Uraraka giggled on the other side of the line. "He's just got high standards. He'll be forever alone at this rate."

"Yeah", Midoriya gave a little laugh on his end. Not having much else to say, he mentioned kissing Todoroki for the first time, to which she demanded details. He tried not to think about Bakugou and this mystery person too much. If something was going on, his friend would tell him soon enough.

Nothing really said fall like seasonal drinks. Not that everyone could agree on which drink was the most autumn-appropriate. Luckily, there was a cafe next to the rec center to accommodate them all. Iida and Bakugou were Team Apple Cider. Shinsou and Uraraka were on Team Hot Chocolate. And Todoroki and Midoriya rounded out Team Pumpkin Spice.

"If I wanted a pie, I would eat a slice. Not drink it in a cup", Bakugou said.

"Apple cider is like apple pie in a cup, isn't it?", Midoriya pointed out.

Bakugou scoffed. "You're wrong, it's got a totally different flavor profile. Figures you and Icyhot would have the same taste."

Todoroki decided to keep it to himself that he only got pumpkin spice because Midorya did. He truly had no preference. Shinsou and Uraraka sipped their hot chocolate. Bakugou had already told them it should be reserved for December but they respectfully disagreed. Asui, refusing to be any sort of tiebreaker, quietly drank her matcha latte.

Bakugou was about to make another point when the lights went out. It was only then that they heard the rain pounding outside.

"I'll get the candles", Midoriya said, carefully standing.

"I'll help", Todoroki said.

"I hope the weather is better for our Halloween party", Uraraka said. "Have you guys decided on costumes yet?"

While they discussed party details, Midoriya led Todoroki down the hall to where there was a room with a kitchenette. He felt along the walls with one hand and held Todoroki's hand with the other.

"Here", he said when they reached the room. He let go of Todoroki to search for the candles. Once found, he let out a breath and lit one to give them some illumination. And wow did Todoroki look good in candlelight. Midoriya was starting to get how it could be seen as romantic lighting. He was also close. Really close. Todoroki took one of the unlit candles and stared for a moment before calling a flame upon his left hand.

He lit the candle with his finger tip and let out a breath that sounded like a relieved sigh, then gave Midoriya a smile which he returned. They brought the candles back to the room and lit the rest to provide some decent lighting.

"They should do renovations on this place", Bakugou said. "The power goes out too easily."

"Are you suggesting that we do something to save the rec center?", Uraraka asked with a grin.

"Saying it needs to be saved might be a bit much", Iida said. "But I agree it could do with some touch ups."

"Are you saying we need to break dance to save the rec center?", Uraraka's grin got larger.

"No one in this room can dance, so that'd be a bust", Shinsou said.

"What?! I can so totally dance!", Uraraka argued.

They almost delved into a debate about what constituted decent dancing and it would have surely devolved into a dance battle had Iida not brought their attention back to the game. They were about to begin when Bakugou's cell phone began to ring. He stood up and turned around to answer it.

"What?", he greeted the caller with. "... Right now? ...No I'm not busy. I'll be right over." He hung up and turned back around to gather his stuff.

"Where are you going?", Midoriya asked.

"None of your business, nerd." Bakugou left without much more than that and they started the game without him. It wasn't the first time Bakugou brushed them off but it didn't usually happen after getting a call like that. And Midoriya wouldn't have given it much thought except it started happening more. One time, instead of saying it wasn't their business, he said his mom needed him to do something.

But on his way out, Midoriya swore he saw his friend smiling. That wasn't the smile of someone about to run an errand for their mother.

"We should spy on him", Shinsou said, as soon as Bakugou left from one of their planned outings.

"We don't need to invade his privacy", Midoriya said. "We should trust him to come to us about it when he's ready."

"Has that ever happened before?", Todoroki asked.

"...Yes!", Uraraka exclaimed after a moment of silence.

"If you're talking about the time he broke his arm and didn't tell us until two weeks after the fact, it doesn't count", Shinsou said.

Midoriya was beginning to come around to the idea of spying on Bakugou. And Uraraka could see that. And knowing what she knew, she couldn't let it go any further. Which meant betraying Bakugou a little.

"Okay, okay! Actually, I know the truth", she said. After taking a breath, she continued. "I don't think he's dating anyone yet. But the person he's been meeting is probably the one he's been interested in for a while."

"How did you find out?", Iida asked.

Uraraka crossed her arms and smirked. "Through my world famous detective skill-"

"You guessed, didn't you?", Shinsou hit the nail on the head.

"I guessed correctly", Uraraka emphasized.

"Kacchan is probably shy about it", Midoriya said. "We should definitely wait for him to come to us about it."

Todoroki had a hard time imagining Bakugou being shy about anything, but Midoriya knew him better than anyone else here, not counting Uraraka. He was wondering what sort of person Bakugou would have a crush on when suddenly a look of realization came upon his face.

"Todoroki-kun, what is it?", Midoriya asked.

"I met him before."

Todoroki had specifically sought out Bakugou. He texted him, inquiring of his whereabouts and availability but received nothing resembling an answer. He went to the Bakugou family residence and after speaking with his mother, Todoroki knew where to find his target. Apparently Bakugou frequented a nearby restaurant for one on one studying and had left to do so earlier.

"It's usually with Izuku or Ochaco but this time someone else came to pick him up", Bakugou's mother had said.

Todoroki went to the restaurant and found Bakugou easily. "I need your help", he said without addressing the stranger sitting across from Bakugou.

"I'm busy", Bakugou grumbled.

Ignoring him, Todoroki sat down next to Bakugou on his side of the booth. "This won't take long. And it is urgent."

"Is it about Deku?", Bakuou asked. When Todoroki nodded, he went back to his notes. "Then it's not important."

"C'mon, you should help him out. He's your friend right? And I know Midoriya is your friend."

For the first time Todoroki took notice of the other person at the table. He had a bubbling energy that reminded him a little of Midoriya. But their vibes were different. As if by magic, Bakugou gave Todoroki his attention again.

"I want to kiss him. But before I do that, I need to know if there's anything disagreeable about my mouth", Todoroki explained.

"What the hell am I supposed to do about it?", Bakugou tried hurrying him to the point.

"Kiss me and tell me what it's like."

"Fuck no."

"Bakugou, he's a friend in need", the stranger urged and Todoroki should really get his name so he can thank him.

"Are you saying you don't mind me kissing him?", Bakugou asked, jerking a thumb in Todoroki's direction.

"Not if it's to help him with someone else. And he seems pretty sincere to me. Plus, I've never seen you kiss anyone before. I'm starting to wonder if you really are unbelievably good at everything."

And nothing motivated Bakugou more than trying to prove he was good at something. Todoroki had been prepared for the kiss. It was what he came here for. What he hadn't been prepared for what Bakugou's tongue. When they parted, Todoroki could hear both of them panting before the redheaded stranger whistled at them.

"So?", Todoroki looked to Bakugou for an assessment.

"Acceptable."