Author's Note: I apologize for any typos. Thank you everyone for reading and leaving comments, I appreciate your time :)

Song Inspiration: I Think I'm In Love by Kat Dahlia


THIRTY-THREE | I THINK I'M IN LOVE

"What do you mean he's gone?" Endeavor snapped as he paced in his office. On the speaker of his phone was Midoriya with the bizarre news of Mr. Caffrey having disappeared in the middle of the night leaving a handwritten note with the message: I have my daughter and I will not be returning.

Hawks stood by the window, arms crossed and eyes focused on the polished wood floor. The Daizen 7 released Mr. Caffrey's daughter, but neither Midoirya, nor Melissa had noted anything suspicious. They checked on him often, and had been keeping tabs on his movements in and out of the job while also monitoring BioSyn as a whole. Melissa was quite the computer whiz and Midiriya had a real knack for recon, almost better than Hawks himself.

"He left without a trace," Midoriya replied. "We searched all the security footage. No one came to pick them up, both his vehicles are still here, no footage of them leaving or coming."

"Sounds like the Daizen 7 moved them out." Hawks interjected, lifting his gaze to meet Endeavors. "This probably means they're ready to fight."

"Melissa and I will try to find out what's going on, but I don't know how soon we'll turn anything up," Midoriya stated. "He doesn't want to be found."

"Why would he?" Hawks walked closer to Endeavor's desk. He rested his palms against the edge of the desk and leaned toward the phone speaker. "I wouldn't put your focus on finding Caffrey or his daughter. We can assume that the Daizen 7 got them out for cooperating. Put your focus on finding what is missing from BioSyn's files."

"You got it," Midoriya replied.

"I talked to Kamui Woods yesterday," Hawks said before Midoriya could hang up. "He says Ground Zero and Uravity are going to interrogate Amaya Goda, see if you can find anything on her."

"What are they interrogating her for?"

"Ground Zero doesn't trust her."

"Isn't she in her third year at UA?"

"Yeah, but you were a third year once too."

Midoriya chuckled. "I guess you're right. Melissa and I will let you know if we find anything."

"Watch your back, Midoriya. If they're ready to fight, they won't be holding back anymore."

"I know." Midoriya hung up.

Hawks glanced at Endeavor, who plopped down in his chair. The hinges creaked under his weight and he rubbed his temples with his forefingers. Endeavor wasn't one to panic, but Hawks could tell his friend was definitely uneasy when it came to the Daizen 7. And why wouldn't he have been? The group was elusive and effective at completing whatever task they were working on. It was frustrating and exhausting. Hawks straightened and wandered over to the window, keeping his back to Endeavor while his eyes searched the skyline of Kyoto.

"Do you think Ground Zero is onto something?" Endeavor asked.

Hawks stretched his wings out then folded them back in as he opened the window, ready to take flight. He had to get back to his agency. If he kept leaving it to Tokoyami eventually he would become the new leader. Not that Hawks would complain, sometimes he did want to be in a job that required more loafing and less getting beaten within an inch of his life. He hopped onto the windowsill, the wind tousled his blond locks.

Endeavor turned his chair toward the window Hawks stood in. "Be careful, Hawks. You're showing too much of your cards."

"I do think Ground Zero is onto something. The kid's got good instincts," Hawks said and glanced over his shoulder at Endeavor with a smile. "You know, you almost sound worried about me."

"I just don't want you to make more work for me."

Hawks laughed and jumped out the window, spread his wings wide and soared across the Kyoto sunset sky.


-xXx-


Fucking Kirishima and his fucking mouth and his fucking delusions of Ochaco and Bakugo shacking up. That wasn't what they were doing at all, but for whatever reason all Bakugo could do was think about the two of them as more than friends, not even roommates...no, Bakugo saw Ochaco as something more. And dammit, he had a feeling in his gut that told him Ochaco felt the same way about him.

Instead of spending yesterday afternoon and evening, preparing for their trip to UA and researching the Daizen 7 case further, he spent it thinking about him and Ochako and what that really meant. They weren't dating or anything, but they were technically living together. So they skipped a step, but was it really skipping a step if it was only temporary? As soon as the Daizen 7 chaos was under control things would go back to normal. Thinking on it though, Bakugo wasn't entirely sure what normal was anymore. The last six months had been nothing short of hectic.

First of all, he never imagined that he and Ochaco 'Pink Cheeks' Uraraka would have become a close friend, let alone develop feelings for. He could admit that she had his heart skip beats and his body going all sorts of tingly when she'd touch his arm and laugh. And fuck when she fell asleep on him the other night, he was over the moon...no, he was sailing all around the milky way. No one ever got those types of feelings out of him and for some reason Ochaco did it with such ease it baffled him. And Katsuki Bakugo wasn't one who got baffled! Especially by a pretty lady.

"You've been pretty distracted since last night," Ochaco's voice filled his ears and pulled him from his thoughts. He blinked and glanced at her. They were on a train heading for Tokyo. It might have been better to drive, given the last time they were on a train it crashed.

"I'm okay." He didn't want her to know what was going on with him. Not until he could get it straight himself. Of course, he already had it straightened out. He liked her. Well, like wasn't exactly strong enough of a word, but like hell he could claim it was love.

Ochaco gripped his chin and forced him to face her. She stared into his eyes, scanning him over like she was trying some sort of treasure on his skin. Bakugo grabbed hold of her hand and pried it from his face before letting go. She smiled at him and propped her elbow on the armrest between them. "Tell me what's going on."

"Nothing's going on, I'm just thinking about the case."

"No," Ochaco replied, shaking her head. "There's something else. I know your I'm-gonna-bleeping-kill-the-Daizen-7-bleep-bleeping-bleeps look."

Bakugo's mouth opened then closed then opened again. "I don't have that look."

Ochaco chuckled.

He rolled his eyes. "And why are you using bleep?"

"I couldn't possibly cuss like you with all these young ears present." She gestured to the four school aged children and about half a dozen high schoolers heading to school on their morning commute.

"Eh, as if they don't say it themselves," Bakugo retorted, waving the matter off. They had about another hour to go before they'd be in Musutafu, then it would be a short fifteen minute walk to the campus.

"Even so, we're supposed to be role models."

"Clearly, you've never seen me in an interview."

Ochaco snickered. "I didn't know you would give any time to those."

"Kamui Woods makes me do at least one interview a month."

"Well, to be a number one hero you gotta check all the boxes."

"Kissing ass should not be a box that heroes need to check."

"It's not kissing ass, it's called connecting with fans."

Bakugo sputtered. "You sound like Kamui."

Ochaco grinned. "Maybe that's why he paired us up."

It was Kamui Woods fault that all this happened. If he hadn't made Bakugo babysit Ochaco they never would have reconnected. At least not to this sort of level, and for some reason Bakugo smiled at the thought. This was one thing Bakugo was happy about.

"What's got you all smiley?" Ochaco asked, poking his cheek.

Bakugo pulled back and stifled a laugh, running his fingers through his hair. "Nothing at all."

"You're a terrible liar."

He clicked his tongue. "I'm thinking about how far we've come since the day you walked into the agency."

Her eyes softened and a small smile etched across her face. She giggled and sank back into her seat, staring at the seat in front of her. "I'm happy about it. Are you?"

"Yes."

Her whole face flushed a soft pink. It was pretty fucking cute.

They fell into silence, only the soft chatter from other passengers and the swoosh of the train kept them company. Bakugo snuck a glance at Ochaco. She stared out the window and had one leg crossed over the other. Then Kirishima's words played in his head, over and over and over.

"Ask her on a real date and tell her how you feel."

That was so much easier said than done. They already kissed and she was living with him, so why couldn't he out right say it? He didn't want to say that he hadn't considered Kirishima's words, in fact he might have very well got the ball rolling on a potential date. The next step was getting the nerve up to ask her. But he'd wait to see if his plan for a date could even work.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He plucked it out and glanced down at the text message on the screen. I have the perfect thing! Swing by the studio before you leave Musutafu.

Bakugo bit the inside of his cheek. Damn. Now, he really did have to ask her. He didn't reply to the message and stuffed it back into his pocket. At least his mother hadn't called him and blown up his phone.

Ochaco placed her hand on Bakugo's bouncing leg and giggled. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Bakugo had to keep it together, he told her he'd take her on a date that she would never forget and he meant it. He gave her a small smile and nodded. "I mentioned to my mother we'd be in town."

"Oh? Did you want to go see her?"

"Not really, but she wants me to get something from her studio to take to someone in Kyoto. You wouldn't mind stopping there right?"

"I'd love to see your mom again."

"Makes one of us."

Ochaco playfully punched him in the arm. "She's your mom, you should be nice to her."

"Yeah, yeah." Bakugo slumped in his seat. He prayed his mother would keep her shit together when they popped into the studio.

The train ride continued for the next hour until they finally arrived in Musatafu. They exited the train and wandered out of the station to the familiar streets they once walked almost ten years ago. It was hard to believe they had been students at UA almost a decade ago. The time had come and gone so quickly.

They strolled past the various storefronts, restaurants, and tea houses. Bakugo tugged at the sleeves of his blazer, wishing he had dressed more casually. He glanced at Ochaco, she had this way of being girly and sophisticated while sprinkly in sex appeal. And Bakugo wasn't even sure if she realized that she had that ability. She wore a burgundy jumpsuit that hugged her body in all the right places and the cut was low, but in a tasteful manner.

When they rounded a corner, Ochaco stopped and placed a hand on her hip. "Make sure you don't bulldoze the girl, okay."

"What does that even mean?" Bakugo snorted as he stopped beside her, his eyes fixed on the main building of UA High School. They only had to climb the hill before they would be at the front gates. Supposedly, All Might was going to meet them there and take them to the dorms to speak with Plum.

"You know exactly what I mean," Ochaco tutted and continued along the sidewalk, her hips swaying slightly with each step that had Bakugo licking his lips. He quickly shook it off and followed a couple of steps behind her. She glanced back over her shoulder. "What are you going to ask her anyway?"

"I have three questions for her."

"Run them by me," Ochaco said, slowing her pace to allow Bakugo to walk alongside her. "Just in case they need some tweaking."

Bakugo rolled his eyes. "You have such little faith in me."

"On the contrary, I trust you with my life," Ochaco assured him with a bright smile and placed a hand on her chest. "But I also have the privilege of knowing that underneath your hard and cold exterior there is a soft and loveable teddy bear."

He sputtered. "Wow, Cheeks."

She looped her arm through his and laughed. "It's true! You are a wonder, Katsuki Bakugo."

"What are you sweet talking me for?"

"Nothing at all."

"Now, who's the liar?"

"Hey," Ochaco chirped, playfully bumping him. "I mean it. These last few months...you've made me happier than I thought I could ever be and I've become stronger and smarter and braver. All of that is because of you." She poked his cheek again.

Bakugo stopped walking and grabbed her wrist. Ochaco blinked, but stared right back at him with curiosity and a hint of desire. Or at least he wanted to believe that it was desire. He let go of her wrist, allowing her to drop her hand loosely at her side. They remained in the middle of the sidewalk just staring at one another for a solid ten seconds. His eyes traced every curve of her face. Damn was she fucking beautiful.

Without hesitation, he reached for a stray strand of hair and gently brushed it back behind her ear. His hand lingered there for a moment, her eyes closed and she leaned her face against his palm. Fuck every single doubt, he had.

Katsuki Bakugo was in love with this woman. He combed his fingers through her hair, gripped the locks behind her head and pulled her forward until their lips crashed together. Ochaco smiled against the kiss, hooking her fingers through the belt loops of his jeans, tugging him closer. Their bodies melted into one another as their tongues danced.

They pulled apart. Bakugo pressed his lips against her forehead and let them linger for a moment. When he pulled away, he stroked the back of Ochaco's head before lowering his hand to her waist. She hugged his torso, squeezing tight and resting her cheek against his chest. He wanted her like this every single day. No other woman had ever made him want and need so desperately.

"That was probably unprofessional of me," Bakugo whispered into her ear.

Ochaco hummed and slowly let go of him. Despite being in heels, she was still a few inches shorter than him. Her chocolate eyes locked with his. She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed herself onto her toes pecking his lips. "I think we should be unprofessional more often."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"

"Let's just say I have become quite fond of you," she said, her eyes glittering as her hand moved toward his face, then casually brushed her fingers against his lips. "And I think you're feeling it too."

Damn straight he was. Bakugo leaned down and kissed her again, a chaste kiss. When he pulled away, her hands grabbed him and pulled him back. He didn't resist, meshing his lips with hers, craving her in every sense of the word. Every part of him wanted to lift her from the ground, have her legs around his waist, and have his way with her. He'd throw her against the wall, lick every inch of her skin, please her like she never experienced before and do it over and over again until they couldn't move. That's what he wanted.

Ochaco pulled away from him, her hands cupped his face, her soft fingers brushed against his cheeks. She pressed her forehead against his and let her hands slide down his neck to his shoulders until they fell against his chest. Her eyes were closed, her breathing a little labored.

"Listen, Cheeks," Bakugo said, calm and collected, despite his insides flopping around like a fish out of water. "I have never felt like this before." He took hold of her hand and laced their fingers together. "I know that sounds cliche and stupid, but it's the fucking truth."

Her face turned a vibrant red, her eyes wide as she bit her lower lip to hide her smile. "Cliche is good sometimes."

"I don't want to be cliche."

"Why?"

Bakugo smiled. "Because you deserve more than cliche."

Ochaco chuckled and peered up at him through her curly lashes. "Okay, stop it before I swoon and float away like a balloon."

He laughed and nodded toward UA's main entrance. "Let's go give the third degree to Plum."

She rolled her eyes and walked alongside him, their hands still together and fingers intertwined.


-xXx-


Graduation was so close Yuudai could taste it. They were a week away from going to their final work study and he already had his top three agencies picked out. Clearly, the first was the Kamui Woods Agency, his second was the Hawks Agency, and his third choice was Endeavor's Agency. Yuudai had been dreaming of this moment since he stepped onto the campus grounds three years ago.

He wiped the sweat from his brow as he crossed the gym, which Cementoss had turned into a battleground of trenches, cliffs, caves and sharp peaks. For the last two hours they'd been playing capture the flag and the score was set at an even three for three, the next match would determine the winner.

Present Mic told them to take a ten minute break before they proceeded with the final round. Everyone had gone and grouped up, but Yuudai noticed that Amaya had gone to sit alone against the wall of the gym. He grabbed his water bottle from the bench and went to join her.

For the last couple of days, Amaya had been gloomy. Ever since he'd found her yesterday morning, she hadn't really talked to anyone; she'd practically locked herself in her room after their little walk. He stopped a step away from her outstretched legs and took a swig of his water before crouching down. She lowered her gaze from the skylights to meet his eyes.

"How are you?" Yuudai asked.

Amaya tilted her head. "I'm fine. Why?"

He shrugged and plopped down on the ground, resting his arms on his bent knees. "You don't really seem fine."

"And how would you know?"

Yuudai chuckled. That was the first time she ever came back with a bit of snark. "Well, since yesterday morning you've been...distant."

"I don't mean to be." Amaya brushed a strand of her purple hair behind her ear. "I'm just not a people person."

"You know, if you're gonna be a hero you'll have to be a people person to some degree."

"Maybe you'll rub off on me. You're very charismatic, Yuudai."

He smiled and rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the heat swell within his cheeks. Thank goodness they'd just been, running, climbing, and fighting all up and down the gym. He took another swig of his water and placed the bottle down beside him before laying back on the ground. His arms stretched out and eyes closed as a beam of late morning sun poured onto his face.

"May I ask you something?"

"Shoot," he replied, not moving from his relaxed position.

She shifted. "What would you do if someone you knew became a villain?"

Yuudai's brows furrowed. "Why are you asking?"

"Just curious."

"Well, I guess everyone has their reasons for becoming a villain. I would want to know why they think they have to do whatever it is that they are doing."

"Maybe they're being forced?"

Yuudai sat up. "Then that would make them a victim."

Amaya pressed her lips together and looked away.

"Is something going on?" Something in his gut told him there was something more to her questions. Almost as if she were confessing about something. Given what had happened at the lodge and her weird behavior the past few days, Yuudai was certain something was going on with her. He had to be careful though, if he pushed too hard she could close up. As it was, it had taken him almost a year just to get her to say more than four words to him.

Amaya let out a shaky breath and her eyes became glassy as she stared at the ground. Her arms wrapped around her knees and she shook her head. "No, it's nothing."

"I don't believe you," he said softly. "But if you don't want to talk about it, I understand."

Amaya closed her eyes. "It's complicated."

"Hey." He crawled to her side and sat back against the wall. "Is this about the incident at the lodge?"

The doors to the gym flung open. Yuudai and Amaya both looked, finding All Might alongside Uravity and Ground Zero. Everyone must have noticed as they all came wandering toward the front entrance of the gym, welcoming the two pros while simultaneously asking why they'd come. Yuudai climbed to his feet and held his hand out to Amaya, who seemed to wrapped up in the fact that Ground Zero and Uravity had arrived.

"Amaya," Yuudai said, pulling her from her trance. She glanced at his hand and took it. He pulled her up with ease then gave her a concerned stare. "You look a little pale."

She shook her head. "I'm fine."

"Amaya," All Might called out, waving to her as he walked over. "Would you mind coming with us? Ground Zero and Uravity have some questions to ask you."

"Okay." She nodded and glanced at Yuudai.

"We'll talk later, okay."

"Yeah." She walked toward the door with All Might.

Uravity had been talking to the students, but Ground Zero's eyes had been laser focused on Amaya. Had he believed that Amaya set up the whole incident at the lodge? That wouldn't have made any sense because she herself had been so badly injured. Yuudai bit his lower lip as the doors closed with Amaya on the other side with the pros.


-xXx-


Ochaco sat on the other end of the couch from Amaya while Bakugo and All Might sat on the couch across from them. They'd been talking to Amaya for about ten minutes and it was clear she was hiding something, but for whatever reason she wouldn't come out and admit anything. The first thing Bakugo had asked her to explain was what she remembered from the night at the lodge. Her story was solid with what Todoroki and Momo had found on the security footage. The monster came through a portal near the kitchen office.

Bakugo had questioned why she was in there, to which she said she had gotten thirsty and went to find something to drink. The footage had shown that as well, so she was telling the truth. Then after being down there for about four and a half minutes, the beast appeared and went on a rampage, however it never went near Amaya and she had never tried to run away.

"Why didn't it attack you?" Bakugo asked, his eyes locked with hers.

She shook her head, mouth opening and closing. It was evident in the pink tinge growing at the base of her neck, the bouncing of her knees, and the paleness of her knuckles that she was flustered and scared. Maybe Bakugo had been onto something. The Daizen 7 could have been using her. She didn't come across as threatening physically and short of her ability to stop quirks there was nothing terrifying about her.

"Thirty seconds after the monster started thrashing things around, you approached it." Bakugo leaned forward, his posture relaxed, but his eyes were scanning Amaya for even the slightest hint of a lie. Despite asking him, Bakugo never did explain to her why he was so convinced Amaya might have been involved. The footage they had watched clearly depicted her trying to stop the monster before it unleashed its rage upon her.

"I wanted to try and stop it," Amaya explained, twiddling her thumbs. "I thought it was a quirk and that if I touched it then maybe it would change back to human or something."

Bakugo licked his lips. "Okay, but when you touched it the first time and your quirk didn't work. The monster looked at you, but ignored you. Then you tried again and that time it attacked. Explain that to me."

Amaya shook her head. "I don't know, maybe it didn't think I was a threat."

"No," Bakugo said with a shake of his head. "It was like it was commanded to not harm you."

"I told you what happened," Amaya said, holding her head up. "I went to get something to drink. A few minutes later, that monster appeared. Luckily it didn't see me, but as a hero-in-training I couldn't just ignore it."

Ochaco glanced from Amaya then to Bakugo. Her eyes flicked over to All Might, who seemed to be more on Bakugo's side. If she were somehow involved with the Daizen 7, every single student on UA's campus would be in danger. It wasn't something they could just ignore and Bakugo certainly wouldn't. That being said, Ochaco feared what would happen if they were wrong.

"Who are you protecting?" Bakugo asked.

Amaya sighed, her shoulders drooping. "I was protecting everyone."

"I believe you," Bakugo replied, sitting back into the cushions. His vermillion eyes drifted to Ochaco, who nodded and glanced to Amaya, placing a hand upon her shoulder. She gave it a gentle squeeze, hoping to offer up a little bit of comfort. Bakugo rose to his feet and walked over to the larger windows of the teacher's lounge. "You're protecting your friends, but I still think you were involved."

"You saw the footage," Amaya shot back. "I wasn't doing anything."

"So it would seem."

Ochaco frowned. He knew something, but wasn't admitting it. She looked back to All Might, who seemed to be thinking the same thing given his eyes focused on him. They weren't getting anywhere though, so enough was enough. "Bakugo, I think we should let her go back to her class."

"Yeah." Bakugo continued to stare out the window, back to them as he spoke. "You can go."

Amaya remained in her place for a few seconds then nodded. "Thank you," she said as she stood and fidgeted with the sleeve of her jacket. "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help." She bowed her head and quietly left the room.

All Might sighed and rubbed his temples the moment she was out of the room. "Do you really think she's helping them?"

Bakugo turned around and leaned against the windowsill. He crossed his arms and stared at the ground, his brow creased as he thought on the question. After a few moments, Bakugo lifted his gaze and shook his head. "No. Well, yes, but not willingly."

Ochaco's eyes widened. "So what's the plan then?"

"I think they only use her when they need her. Physically she's nothing to worry about, her quirk is unique, but in order for her to actually be a threat she needs to touch people."

All Might nodded in agreement. "You think they used her to take out the pros."

"Without a doubt," Bakugo said, walking toward the couches. "They're going into their final internships soon aren't they?"

"Next week," All Might replied.

"I want Plum and Mohawk at the Kamui Woods Agency."

All Might raised a brow. "Are you sure about that?"

"Absolutely."

"Okay, we'll do it."


-xXx-


"Why don't we go to dinner a little early, so we can drop off those packages for your mom?" Ochaco said as they walked through the front door of Bakugo's apartment. She glanced over her shoulder at Bakugo, who held the two white boxes in his arms. She pulled off her shoes and placed them neatly off to the side of the entry.

"No need for that," he replied as he crossed the threshold and kicked the door shut with his foot. When he came into the living room, Ochaco took a seat on his couch and stretched her arms above her head. It was almost four o'clock, which would have been just enough time. He'd made a call to a friend during their lunch and pulled a few strings.

"Oh, are they going to come pick them up?"

Bakugo placed the boxes on the table, one beside the other, right in front of Ochaco. "No."

Ochaco blinked and chuckled. "Okay, so tomorrow before work."

He tugged at the collar of his shirt. In his head, he'd gone over the scenario in his head a million times. They'd come home, he lay the boxes in front of her, and then he would tell her they were going on a date and she was going to wear what was inside. And for some reason while his brain knew the plan, his mouth damn sure wasn't working for him.

"Any thoughts on where we should go? Or maybe we can just cook something real quick?" Ochaco asked as she pulled off her cardigan and laid it across the armrest of the couch.

Bakugo took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "I'm taking you out on a date."

Ochaco stared. "What?"

"These boxes, there for you," Bakugo said, gesturing to the boxes on the table. "I picked them out for you."

Ochaco looked at the boxes and scooted toward the edge of the couch. She glanced back at Bakugo, who nodded. With a controlled excitement, Ochaco pulled the silver ribbons free and removed the lid of the first box. She placed it on the floor and removed the white tissue paper. Her eyes widened as she pulled out the articles of clothing.

"Our reservations are at 7:30," Bakugo said with a soft smile. "Will you go on a date with me tonight?"

Ochaco had stars in her eyes. She rose to her feet and walked over to Bakugo. The distance between them was so small and it took every ounce of willpower he had to not grab her and kiss her. He wanted to taste her, run his fingers through her hair, brush his fingers against her smooth skin.

Her eyes flicked to his lips then back to his eyes. She placed her hands on the side of his face, gently slid them toward the back of his head, pushed herself onto her toes and kissed him. Bakugo put his hands on her hips, pulling her against his body. He wanted to kiss her whenever he wanted, he wanted her to always hold his hand, he wanted her to keep falling asleep on his shoulder during the night, he wanted her.

When they pulled apart, Ochaco brushed her thumbs against Bakugo's cheeks and fell flat on her feet. "I would love to go on a date with you."

Bakugo smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I'll pick you up at seven."