Uraraka took every available opportunity to distract herself as she neared Inkos' apartment. In truth, she hoped that it would help convince herself to avoid it altogether. However, every time she exited a shop or finished an autograph or talked with a street vendor, she still found her curiosity winning the battle. She had to see Inko's place and be sure that Izuku's mother was doing alright.
She stopped on the corner of the street and frowned. What was she even doing here?
Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she yanked it out in a rush to distract herself.
Katsuki: Some piece of shit producer wants to know if you're ok with me talking about your personal shit.
She frowned at the message before responding.
Ochaco: What sort of personal stuff?
She watched as the typing bubble appeared before his message came through.
Katsuki: Fuck if I know. Probably what toothpaste you use or some shit.
Ochako: I trust you to decide what's okay. Just have fun, okay?
She stared at the message as it popped up as 'read' but he never replied and she was left without any reassurance. Perhaps she just needed to stick with what she'd said. She should trust him.
"Ochako."
She blinked and looked up. A woman, well into her forties, was smiling at her from a few feet away. Her long black hair and gentle smile were unmistakable as she looked upon the brunette sweetly… And sadly, "Would you like to come in for some tea?"
"O-oh," Uraraka blinked in shock and took a small step back, "Uh, hello- Er.. Hi." She smiled awkwardly, "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"Come on," Inko held her soft smile and motioned to the steps of a building a few meters behind her. When the brunette didn't move to follow, she shook her head and laughed lightly, "It's alright, Ochaco. It's just tea. I'm not going to be cruel to you or anything. Come on."
"I don't think it would be very appropriate of me to… Well," Uraraka sighed softly, "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
Inko sighed and pulled the drawstring of a paper bag up her arm a little further before walking up to the girl, "It's rude to decline, Ochaco. It's lovely to see you so why don't you let me make you some tea and we catch up?" She gently motioned her forward again, "It will be fine."
Uraraka swallowed her embarrassment and nodded, "Okay."
She followed Inko into the little apartment building and up a flight of stairs. They stopped at the third door and the older woman opened it, "Izuku got this place for me. I told him he didn't have to put me anywhere fancy so this was a good middle ground, don't you think?"
Uraraka stepped through the threshold to see white marble tiles and spring blue walls. A stunning painting of cherry blossoms was elegantly framed over an antique fireplace, framed with white painted bricks. A breeze from an open window fluttered the wispy curtains and windchimes hanging on the balcony clattered happily at their entrance.
"It's lovely," Uraraka whispered softly and carefully set her bags down on the chic sofa, "He did a great job."
"Well," Inko hummed and glanced around the room, "It wasn't meant… Actually, it doesn't matter. I only have sencha leaves right now, is that alright?" She turned toward her spacious kitchen and pulled a red kettle from the cupboard.
"Of course," Uraraka nodded mindlessly, drawn to a decorated bookcase across the room. She paused in front of it and smiled sadly as she looked at framed photographs from highschool and Deku's debut hero days. There were many of Deku winning medals at school and performing heroic acts but scattered among them were others. She and Deku at graduation, Deku and his mom on the same day, and another of him grinning widely beside a begrudged Bakugo. Her smile dropped at that one
"Yeah," Inko stepped in beside her, "It's funny how time seems to move faster after high school, isn't it?"
Uraraka licked her lips and nodded, choosing not to say anything about it, "I'm sorry again. I really didn't mean to show up like this. I was in town for a work thing and found that I had some free time so I just-"
"Ochaco," Inko laughed lightly, "It's really alright. I knew you'd come around sooner or later. I'm just glad it was today. I could use some company and it looks to me like you're in need of some too. And don't worry, I won't tell Izuku."
Uraraka flushed, "I mean, I really don't want to cause either of you any more trouble than I already have so I…" She trailed off and looked back at the picture of Deku and Bakugo, "You shouldn't have to lie to him because of me."
"Oh please," Inko waved her hand dismissively, "Izuku may be my son but that doesn't mean I don't still adore you. Come sit with me while the kettle heats up."
Uraraka hesitantly followed the older woman back to her kitchen and sat down on one of the wooden stools lining the counter. She watched in silence as Inko placed the kettle on the flame and began preparing the tea leaves.
"How do you like Tokyo?"
Uraraka blinked in surprise, "W-well, it's uh… It's Tokyo, you know? It's busy and work is busy and it's just… It's good, I guess."
"You don't need to be so nervous," Inko looked over her shoulder at the brunette with a gentle smile, "I'm not going to scold you. Just relax, Ochaco. We're just having tea."
"Sorry," Uraraka cleared her throat, "It's good. I like Tokyo."
"Of course you do," Inko chuckled, "You've been dreaming about that city for as long as I've known you. And before I forget to say it," She turned and smiled, "Congratulations on getting a job with Edgeshot. It seems like you've found a great deal of success with his agency. It's wonderful."
"T-thank you," Uraraka blushed, "It's been so amazing. I love it."
"I watched you in Keihin," Inko turned back to the kettle as it began to whistle, "We were all on the edge of our seats here. All Might was calling every day to see if I knew anything about your condition. I was so relieved when I heard you'd survived. And now," She pulled the kettle off the flame, "You're good as new! It was such a blessing for us all."
Uraraka looked away in shame, recalling the day she'd woken up in the hospital. The same day she broke Deku's heart.
"Oh come on now," Inko glanced behind her as she pulled two delicate tea cups from a cabinet, "It's not something to mope over anymore. It's the past. We've all moved forward now."
Uraraka turned to look at the woman as she laid out an empty tea cup, "So you don't hate me?"
"Hate you?" Inko laughed and shook her head, "I couldn't hate you for anything, Ochaco. You're a part of my family now."
Uraraka froze at that, unable to find something to say.
"Listen," Inko carefully lifted the teapot and began pouring the hot drink into Uraraka's cup, "Izuku is my son and I love him so much. He's strong-willed, noble, and dare I say stupid when it comes to love, but you stood by him." She turned the teapot toward her own cup, "And that's all anyone could ever ask of you. You were there for him while he accomplished his remarkable dreams but…" She set the pot down and looked at the brunette, "Nobody blames you for trying to accomplish your own. Not me and certainly not Izuku."
Uraraka lip trembled, "S-sorry, I really don't think I should have come."
"Ochaco," Inko reached out and grabbed the top of the brunette's hand, "Please stay and have one cup with me and let's talk. I want to thank you properly."
"And we'll be back in just a few minutes to finish our discussion with the popular and successful Ground Zero!"
Bakugo glowered at the show's host from his slouching position on the single-seater sofa. He ground his teeth in annoyance as the bell rang and two women rushed forward to touch up his face and hair, "Stay the fuck back. I don't need any more of that shit."
"It's a shame that Uravity wasn't able to join us," The host turned from his seat and gave the blonde a humored but disapproving look, "It seems like the pair of you have made your media rounds together up to this point."
"She had some work shit to do," Bakugo growled as she swiped his hand to shoo off the women again, "Are we almost done here?"
"One hundred and eighty seconds!" The director shouted from behind the cameras.
The host shrugged, "Well since we're only getting half of the most popular couple in Japan, I think you owe to us to stick around for a little extra time, don't you?"
Bakugo scoffed, "Depends on how much you value your fucking life."
"One hundred and twenty seconds!"
"Fine," The host shot him a dazzling grin, "We'll just make up for it in the time we have left."
"The fuck is that supposed to mean?" The blonde glowered at him and sat up straight in the chair.
"Sixty seconds!"
"God damn it!" Bakugo snapped at the girl that walked up with a make-up brush, "What the hell did I just say?"
"Ground Zero," The host nodded at the girl, dismissing her, "You really do live up to your reputation, don't you?"
"Don't patronize me, dick," Bakugo rolled his eyes, "If I had the choice, I would have told all of you to fuck off the minute you contacted the agency about an interview."
"Well," The host chuckled, "I guess I'll just have to make the most of your unwilling participation, won't I?"
"The fuck-"
"Going live in three… Two… One…"
"Welcome back to the afternoon sit-down here in Musutafu. My name is Hideto and I am lucky enough to have the one and only Ground Zero in the studio today to talk all things heroism and…" The host glanced at the blonde with a quirky grin, "Uravity."
"Hmph," Bakugo scoffed and slumped down into the chair again, "Whatever."
The host shook off the blonde's attitude with relative ease, "So we all know you've been working day and night on capturing the elusive and dangerous villain known as Viper. Can you share what it's been like working on your first high profile case?"
"Tch," Bakugo rolled his eyes, "Viper isn't anything special, alright? He's just another dirtbag that managed to convince some other dirtbags to do what he says. He's not some mythical fuc- Er- You know what the hell I mean. I'm going to drag him in and make him pay for what he's done."
The host leaned back into his chair and nodded, "I think I speak for all of Japan when I say that the showdown in Keihin appeared to be evenly matched. I don't think it's really fair to lump him in with 'other dirtbags' that managed to find their way to leadership. He's eluded not only law enforcement but also hero agencies for more than a decade. Does that change the way you approach the investigation?"
Bakugo shot the man a disgruntled look, "Why the hell would it? And we're not evenly matched. I can kick that guy's a-" He stopped himself again and growled, "He's sending his lackeys after me instead. He's afraid to face me because he knows I'll put him in the ground this time."
"There's clearly some unfinished business between you and Viper," The host nodded, "When one factors in the injuries that Uravity suffered in Keihin combined with the nearly catastrophic encounter between yourself and Teller, one is bound to think that you have a bone to pick with Viper."
"Of course I do," Bakugo snapped back harshly, "That piece of human debris deserves to get whatever is coming to him and I'll be the one to deliver it."
The host's lips twitched into a smile, "So Edgeshot and Tokyo law enforcement aren't concerned that you may have a conflict of interest in all this?"
The blonde jerked his head toward the host and glared, "What the hell do you mean by that?"
The host laughed and held up his hands playfully, "No need to get defensive with us here, Ground Zero. We just want to make sure all the questions get asked."
"Conflict of interest, huh?" Bakugo ground out through clenched teeth, "I'm guessing you're referring to Uravity."
"Well of course," The host shrugged easily and leaned back in his chair again, "Rumors of a possible relationship began circling months ago following her injuries but it wasn't until you were spotted on a romantic getaway to Okinawa that those rumors became reality. Did you two begin dating after Keihin?"
"No," Bakugo snapped back, "We've already covered this with all the other interviews and crap like that. We started dating in Okinawa."
"Hm," The host nodded, "Well I hope it's not presumptuous to think that it's possible the two of you were at least seeing each other long before your trip, right? It seems that ever since you two began working together, you've grown rather close. We see more of you beside Uravity than your career-long partner, Red Riot."
"Tch," Bakugo scoffed again, "Red Riot is still my partner. Nothing is changing that."
"Well, I think we can all agree that Red Riot and Ground Zero make a fantastic partnership but going back to the topic at hand," The host dismissed Bakugo's remark, "Wouldn't you working alongside not only your girlfriend but also the heroine that was nearly gravely injured in your last confrontation with Viper be a valid conflict of interest?"
Bakugo stared coldly at the host for a long moment, "Uravity and I are equal partners in the Viper case. She's put in just as much work as I have. Just because we're dating doesn't mean she's not entitled to get in on the action. It's the same either way."
The host nodded once and looked at the camera, "Well I think I'm inclined to agree and I'm sure all of you at home feel the same way. We're all looking forward to seeing what sort of magic the heroic couple can do, aren't we?"
Bakugo sniffed dismissively and turned his gaze away, "Yeah, whatever."
"However, I think we're all dying to know one thing," The host turned his dazzling grin back on the blonde, "Did you whisk away sweet little Uravity to Okinawa just to confess your love to her?"
Bakugo nearly choked on the air in his lungs and he jerked his face away from the camera, "What kind of question is that?" He turned an angry red face back toward the anchor.
The host laughed heartily, "Oh my, there are bound to be hearts breaking across Japan this week. It seems that the head-strong and hugely successful UA graduate does in fact have some weaknesses after all. Even my own daughter has been a little glum over the last few days."
"You all make me sick," Bakugo spat at the grown man seated across from him.
The host chuckled despite the heated look from his counterpart, "I must admit, even I find myself curious how you managed to win her over. She's an impressive woman."
"You're damn right she is," Bakugo snapped back, "And she's the only one that can keep up with me. We're working together on this case so Viper's running scared. He'll get what's coming to him, I promise that."
"You heard it here, folks!" The host smiled back at the camera, "Speaking of Uravity, we have compiled a short list of questions that we're hoping you can answer." He pulled a few index cards out of his pocket with a show-stopping smile.
"Fuck no."
Uraraka pursed her lips as she waited around the corner from Bombshell's agency. She glanced inside her purse to see the picture of her and Deku at graduation and shook her head to herself. She wasn't a very sentimental person like that but Inko had insisted that she take it. She frowned at the photo as she remembered the day. They'd thrown their caps into the air right after that photo was taken.
"Hey."
"Oh!" Uraraka started and looked up in shock, nearly dropping her shopping bags, "Y-you scared me."
Bakugo smirked at her, a hint of humor in his features, "Shit, you should start paying attention to your surroundings, roundface. What if I'd been up to no good?"
She flushed and rolled her eyes, "Please. I still could have taught you a lesson or two about sneaking up on a lady minding her own business."
"That's what I like to hear," Bakugo huffed a humored breath before flicking her forehead, "What are you waiting around for? We have shit to do."
The brunette puffed up her cheeks in annoyance, "We're not in a hurry, you know? Our train isn't until late tonight."
"Yeah well," The blonde shrugged and gave her a pointed stare, "How the fuck am I supposed to take you to dinner if you won't move your ass and get your work done?"
"I was waiting for you!" She sputtered before catching onto his playful tone, "You know what? Whatever. Let's just go, okay?"
He released a breath as he watched her strut ahead of him, a row of shopping bags lining her arm, "Damn, you really made the most of your free time, didn't you?"
She tossed an annoyed glare over her shoulder, "Mhm. How was the interview?"
"Don't even ask," He ran a hand through his hair begrudgingly as he followed after her, "And I'm fucking dreading seeing your old boss again."
Uraraka waited for him to catch up before bumping her shoulder against his, "Bombshell isn't that bad, you know?"
The blonde gave her a miffed look, "When I brought the rugrat here to stay with her, she fucking grilled me for forty-five minutes about you. I've never been one to punch a woman but I thought about it."
Uraraka giggled, "I know. She called me after you left and told me all about it."
He turned a scornful eye on her, "So you put her up to it?"
"No," Uraraka's giggle deepened, "But I knew that there was nothing I could do to stop it. I figured it was better to let it run its course. She's probably so excited to see you again."
"Fuck that," He rolled his eyes as he reached for the door handle of the Bombshell agency and opened it for her, "Let's just get in and get out as fast as humanly possible. I'm starving."
Uraraka gave him a playful look, "Bribing me with dinner now?"
"Uravity!" A sing-song voice boomed from the top of the elaborate staircase. Both heroes turned to see the blonde bombshell herself, holding out her arms with joy, "Oh my, look at you! You look beautiful!"
Bakugo tensed up as Uraraka's former boss hurdled down the stairs to crush the brunette girl in a twirling hug. He wondered briefly if he should have offered to carry her bags for her but he didn't have much time to finish the thought before he was berated for it.
"Oh my," Bombshell dropped the girl and motioned to the bags, "This is ridiculous! What kind of man doesn't help shoulder such a load?"
"Oh shut your trap," Bakugo spat back rudely, reaching out to snatch them away from Uraraka. However, just as his fingers brushed them, they were yanked away.
"Too late," Bombshell chided him and took the bags herself, "You had your chance, mister. And you call yourself a boyfriend?"
Every nerve down Bakugo's back ignited with irritation but Uraraka's simple touch on his arm and relaxed smile kept him from mouthing off any further.
"We're here to see Cho," Uraraka gave Bombshell her sweet smile, "Is she available?"
"Of course," Bombshell turned an equally sweet smile on Uraraka before giving Bakugo a set of judging eyes, "She's just in the gym with Mirio. Why don't you come with me and we'll send your little boyfriend there to collect them?"
Bakugo felt the nerves in his back ignite again, "I'd rather throw myself off-"
"Sure!" Uraraka beamed at the blonde before turning a careful smile on Bakugo, "It might give us some time to catch up. And he's had a rough day so it might be fun for him to go spar or something for a little bit?"
"Fuck that," Bakugo snapped, "We have dinner plans, remember?"
Uraraka flushed, "That's right. Okay, well why don't you just go grab Cho and then you can meet us upstairs in Bombshell's office?"
"Whatever," Bakugo ground out and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. He paid Uraraka one last look before slouching and wandering into the agency. He stopped after a few seconds and glanced around. A sidekick was walking briskly past when he turned a cold gaze on the young lady, "Oi! Where the fuck is the gym?"
"Oh my," Bombshell whispered with a humorous smile, "He's a handful, isn't he?"
"You have no idea," Uraraka shook her head in amusement before allowing the blonde woman to lead her up the stairs, "We'd better hurry. Knowing him, he'll beat us there."
"We could just lock him inside with Mirio and Cho for a while," Bombshell mused with a playful wink, "After all, he and Mirio seem like they have some issues to work out."
"They do?" Uraraka furrowed her brow as Bombshell led her down the luxuriously decorated hallway to her office.
"Yeah," The blonde sighed as she pushed the door to her office open, "But that's a topic for another time. If I only get you to myself for a few minutes, I really don't want to waste it on such a dumb topic."
Uraraka followed her inside and sat down on one of her sofa chairs with a laugh, "I have a feeling I already know what you want to talk about, anyway."
"Well of course!" Bombshell set Uraraka's bags down on the floor before she plopped herself down beside Uraraka, "I mean, it's all anybody in the media can talk about!" She snatched a handful of magazines off the coffee table, "Uravity and Ground Zero, the hottest couple since Mount Lady and whats-his-face!"
"Kamui Woods?" Uraraka tried to respond but was cut off by Bombshell pointing at all the different covers.
"You know, it's really insulting that I have to hear about this happy new relationship from the tabloids instead of the girl herself!" Bombshell shoved all the magazines in the brunette's lap, "In fact, it just about broke my heart. I'm like your surrogate mother, Uraraka. You're supposed to tell me about this stuff before I have reporters ambushing me on the street for a comment!"
"They're ambushing you?" Uraraka cocked her head in confusion.
Bombshell sputtered in annoyance, "Well no, but they should be! I mean, you're one of my girls!"
The brunette couldn't help but laugh, "Oh my, Bombshell… You haven't changed a bit, have you?"
The frown on the blonde's face slid into a giggle of her own, "Alright, alright. I'll stop teasing you. But in the spirit of honesty, I'm glad you found someone new. You seem happy."
Uraraka flushed and gave her former boss a small smile, "I am. He's a good one."
"Pft," Bombshell laughed again, "More like a testy one. I can't believe the nerve he has to use such foul language around your innocent ears."
The brunette leaned forward to place the mess of magazines back down on the low table again, "Well, I did go to high school with him so I was already used to it. It's part of his character at this point. And I'm a grown up now, Bombshell. I'm not as innocent as you think."
A long pause made the brunette look up to see Bombshell giving her a terse smile, "Oh Uraraka…"
The brunette's eyes slowly widened before she melted into a deep blush, "B-Bombshell! No, that's not what I meant! I was just- I didn't mean it like that! Gosh!"
"Oh my girl!" Bombshell dove in to clutch the brunette to her chest, "Not only does he have the nerve to speak so crudely but he's also taken away your innocence? This is unacceptable! What a scoundrel!"
"Bombshell!" Uraraka tried to shove her away, "I can't breath!"
The blonde refused to let her go, "This simply will not stand. Someone needs to give the boy a stern talking to!"
"H-hey!" Uraraka managed to pull her head back, "That's not at all what I meant and Katsuki wasn't the first one to-"
"Katsuki?" Bombshell echoed and released her, "You're already on first-name basis? Oh my. This is serious, isn't it?"
"Would you stop?" Uraraka turned a beet-red face away, "And you can't tease him about any of this. He'll get wiggy about it and then I'll have to deal with it."
Bombshell gave her a warm smile before sitting down in the chair opposite of Uraraka's, "Oh, don't worry. I'm more interested in teasing you, sweetheart. You said it yourself, he's a good one, right?"
Uraraka felt her blush deepen as she nodded her head. She couldn't bear to look at the blonde woman right now. She felt thoroughly embarrassed and the simple possibility that Bombshell could tease Bakugo the same way made her wrought with worry.
"Poor Mirio. He's been bent out of shape all week about it," Bombshell leaned back in her chair and sighed, "He's here every day to help that girl train but all he can talk about is you."
Uraraka sucked in a breath and shook her head, "Sorry I didn't tell you that we were together. It just happened so fast."
Bombshell laughed, "I know it did. It always does. Love is funny that way. I'm just giving you a hard time about it because you're here." She leaned forward and gave the brunette a pointed look, "So you see this lasting, huh?"
Uraraka met her curious gaze with a hesitant one, "W-well, I mean, we only just started dating so I can't really say one way or the other but... "
"Hey," Bombshell cocked her head, "You can say it if you want to but don't feel pressured. I'm just happy for you is all. He seems smitten."
"H-he?" Uraraka fought off another blush. She never really could wrap her head around how Bombshell made her feel so flustered in conversation.
"Oh yeah," Bombshell nodded as she blew a raspberry before she leaned back with a playful grin, "I'm just waiting for the perfect chance to use my quirk on him."
Uraraka held up her hand defeatedly and shook her head, "Please, Bombshell. Please don't do that. For my sake."
The blonde woman grinned, "I have to do it for your sake, honey. You'll thank me later, I promise you."
Uraraka opened her mouth to protest but the door opened to reveal an extremely aggravated Bakugo, a smirking teenage girl, and a stone-faced Mirio that refused to look anyone in the eye.
"Hey!" Bombshell shot up from the sofa, "We were just talking about you, Ground Zero! I hope you found your way to the gym easily enough. Come in, come in!"
Uraraka immediately locked eyes with her boyfriend as he strutted into the room, a spark of angry curiosity in his eyes. He dumped himself onto the sofa beside her and leaned his head her way, "What the fuck do you mean you were taking about me?"
"Shh," Uraraka hushed him despite his low tone, "Not now. It's work time now."
"Yeah, whatever," He grumbled and threw his arm over the back of the sofa.
Mirio and Cho followed after, taking their seats on the sofa that Bombshell once occupied. The blonde heroine made a dramatic show of dragging her desk chair over the plush carpet to seat herself, "No worries, gentlemen. I can do it myself. No need to rush to my aid or anything."
"You're a grown ass woman with working legs," Bakugo snapped back at her but Uraraka elbowed him hard, "What the hell was that for?"
Uraraka only paid him a warning glare before smiling over at Cho, "Hey there. It's been a while. How are you?"
The girl frowned at the two Tokyo heroes across from her, "Are you guys always this annoying?"
"Cho," Mirio chided her immediately, "That's no way to treat two hard-working heroes that have done nothing but help you out."
Bakugo jilted at her insult, "I saw your shitty little moves at the gym, kid. You got a long ass way to go before you're ready for UA. It doesn't help that you have a shit teacher. I'd be happy to kick your ass all day if it meant you were actually learning something."
"Okay, okay," Uraraka patted Bakugo on the knee and gave him a testing glance, "We're all here to play nice, remember?"
"Definitely," Bombshell chimed in from her place, "Uravity, you said you brought something to show little miss Cho, right?"
"Mhm," Uraraka dug her phone out of her purse, her eyes snagging on the photograph Inko gave her again but she forced herself not to linger on it. She unlocked the phone and pulled up the picture that the agency captured, "I need you take a long look at this, Cho." She held it out and the girl took it.
All the adults in the room watched as the girl carefully zoomed in on the phone, "That's Viper. So what? Anybody can see that."
"Well," Uraraka cut in before Bakugo could, "That's the assumption but he's not in his usual costume so it's been hard to be sure. We needed to confirm it with someone who knows what he looks like when he's not in costume."
"Well I recognize the car too," Cho shrugged, "And the guy driving him around."
The room paused but it was Mirio who spoke, "You do?"
"Duh," The girl shrugged, "That guy used to drive my dad around until Viper decided he wanted to hog him to himself. My dad didn't have a driver after that."
Bakugo leaned forward and scowled at the girl, "What's his name?"
Cho looked up and frowned back at him, "Like I'd tell you. You're a jerk."
"Oh, you fucking little-"
"Katsuki," Uraraka grabbed his elbow to keep him seated and whispered harshly, "Er- I mean, Ground Zero. Behave yourself, please."
He pulled his arm out of her grasp, "I'm famous for being a jerk, kid. And you're no walk in the park either so it's time you picked a fucking side."
Cho held his gaze for a long moment, neither one willing to look away first. After a few beats, the girl smiled and leaned back in her chair, "Alright fine. If you promise to come train with me twice a week, I'll tell you. I do actually want to get into UA."
"Cho-" Mirio immediately cut in but didn't have the time to get another word out.
Bakugo scoffed, "I don't have that kind of time, kid. Try twice a month if you're lucky. And that's after a whole lot of ass-kissing."
"I'm not going to kiss your ass," The girl shot back rudely.
"I'm not talking about me," Bakugo smirked at her, "You'll be kissing Uravity's ass until I deem you worthy of kissing my ass."
Cho glanced at the brunette and sighed, "Twice a week."
"Once a week."
"Twice."
Bakugo stood up, "I think we're done here, Uravity. We can do this shit on our own."
"Fine," Cho piped up, "Once a week and I'll…" She glanced at Uraraka, "I'll be nice to your girlfriend or whatever."
"You'll call her Uravity," Bakugo snapped back but didn't sit down, "She's earned that so you better fucking respect it."
Cho skewed her mouth and crossed her arms defiantly, "Alright fine. Uravity."
Bakugo paused for another long moment to stare coldly at the girl before he smirked and sat down again, "That wasn't fucking hard, was it? You have a deal, kid. It would be an honor to come down here once a week and hand you your own ass on a silver platter with absolutely no back-talk."
Cho opened her mouth to argue again but Uraraka quickly intervened, "Well, now that we have that settled, can you take another look at the photo for us? Maybe give us some more information on it?"
"The driver," Cho didn't bother to pick up the phone again, "They call him the escape artist. I'm sure that even your genius boyfriend can put that together himself. And the car is always parked at the headquarters when Viper isn't using it. It has a little emblem thing on the wheels because the tires are filled with Viper's poison gas. It's meant to help them escape if anything happens."
All the adults paused to process that but Bakugo scoffed, "So the whole fucking car is just a chemical weapon."
"Pretty much," Cho shrugged, "But it's like I told you last time. It's that one place downtown that you need to check out. Viper's hiding there because my dad got captured. It's the safest place for him to be. At least… That's what my dad used to say. He always told me that if I ever got into trouble, that's where I should go."
Uraraka met eyes with Bakugo as the blonde turned his head to share a look with her. She tore his eyes away from him and back at Cho, "This building… We've been watching it but there's been no signs of Viper or any Mamushi Group members. It's not that we don't believe you, Cho, but we can't do anything on your testimony alone. We need something concrete."
The girl was silent as she chewed on her lip and seemed to think, "Fine. I have something for you."
Bakugo glanced back at Uraraka with a quirked brow as the girl stood up and nodded at Mirio, "I'm going to grab my backpack."
*happy dance*
I'M BACK!
Those of you that don't follow me on twitter don't know that life hit me like a train. It ran me over and I was basically just a skid mark after that. But I managed to pull myself back together again. It's been a really rough couple of months but that's all I'm comfortable sharing right now :) I'm just happy to be here and I hope you're happy too!
Regardless, regular updates pick back up again TODAY. Fanfiction Fridays are a go once more. I'm honestly relieved to be here. I love you all but I will not be doing review responses yet. I just want to focus on getting chapters out for the time being. I hope you guys understand!
Last announcement: I have dropped a NEW fic. It's NSFW so pls check the tags before you enter. It's not available on FFN. You can ONLY find it on Archive of Our Own under the same penname (ionlycamefortacos). After AGU is complete, I will be uploading almost exclusively on Ao3 save for the occasional fluff piece that fits a little more nicely with FFN's rules. But my new fic is a short A/B/O series so if you are interested, please go check it out. It will only reach 10 or so chapters before completion. I also plan to begin releasing The Blue Dancer and Dual Wielder's first follow-up chapter sometime over the holidays. You'll find that one on Ao3 as well. I hope you check them out :)
As always, I adore each and every one of you. I hope you enjoyed this new chapter and I'll see you guys next week for Fanfiction Friday!
XOXO
