Bakugo didn't sleep well that night. He lied in bed, staring up at his ceiling. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop thinking about Izuku. Not just his flawless legs or heady green eyes. Or his soft fluffy hair he wanted to run his fingers through. Or even his tantalizing mouth that more than once knocked him down a peg.

He considered himself a pretty smart guy. But despite this, he'd made the same mistake over and over and over.

Underestimating him.

I'm taking five courses that amount to eighteen credit hours and working full time. I have a 4.0 GPA, never been late to work, and make time to attend after-school activities including fundraisers.

His jaw tightened. He remembered what it was like. Having to be perfect all the time. Better at everyone in everything. He hadn't been raised with concepts like "second" or "third place" or "doing your best." His best had to be the best. His only two options were Success or Failure. And he remembered how his mother handled failure.

How can he deal with that kind of pressure? He wondered. Bakugo only attended middle school for a few months before he got himself involved in fights after school. He pummeled others and let himself get pummeled back just so he could let off some steam. The fights became the only activity he actually enjoyed. More than drum lessons. Or his cooking classes. Definitely better than anything he did in school.

Like everything else he tried, he got pretty good at it. So good he'd earned himself a reputation. And a name. Dynamite, after his explosive combat style.

He'd gotten away with it for two years. But when his mother retired from modeling to be a stay-at-home mom, she figured out what her son was really up to. Mitsuki was furious. So angry she forced Bakugo to get a part-time job just to keep him out of trouble. He eventually landed a position as a cashier at Hot Topic.

And the rest is history.

But Izuku's different. He has to have this job. He remembered what the guy's apartment looked like. His less-than-ideal living conditions. Wouldn't that stress him out even more? If he ever lost his job he could starve or end up on the streets. Failure for him has consequences.

Not only did he do well in school, but he'd picked up a couple life skills too. He recalled how knowledgeable Izuku had been when they talked car parts yesterday morning.

When Bakugo finally got his car back, he ended up having to shell out a couple hundred bucks. That covered the cost of the new parts and the service for putting them in. Once again, the viridian-haired vixen showed him up.

I bet he would've known how to do it himself. In half the time. Not that he had a choice. Bakugo suspected that the Midoriyas didn't exactly have money set aside for major auto repairs. So he'd clearly taught himself out of necessity. But still...what surprised him the most was how self-reliant Izuku was. He didn't need to be told to learn things. He took it upon himself to learn. He'd proven that this morning, when Bakugo came into work only to see him work the cash wrap all by himself. While using two registers, no less. The only other person who (in theory) could've pulled that off was Tokoyami, but he'd been working there even longer than Bakugo.

Izuku only watched Kaminari do it once or twice but he picked it up right away.

All this time he'd been afraid getting involved with him would compromise his performance at work. But if it hadn't been for Izuku…

Bakugo exhaled deeply as a V formed between his brows. He hadn't been exaggerating yesterday when he said Izuku saved his ass. If Izuku didn't take the initiative...I might not have a job right now.

It hadn't even been a full week yet. But Izuku already proved himself to be a valuable member of their team. Not to mention working with him was...nice. He stayed out of Bakugo's way, moved fast, and instinctually knew when to step in and help. The hardest part had been resisting the urge to touch him. Brush away locks of his hair. Pull him into a hug. Rest his thumb over Izuku's bottom lip.

He just...looked...so...soft.

He clenched and unclenched his fingers when he remembered his strange urge to cuddle him after he'd gotten himself off in Izuku's room. It was then he realized he wanted more from Izuku than just sex. He wasn't sure what, but more.

Definitely more.

I get why you haven't made a move. Dating is some pretty scary shit.

Bakugo narrowed his brows, pondering. Is that what I want? To date Izuku?

You've been worshipping that piece of ass from a distance for three fucking years. And to be honest, we're all pretty over it.

He snarled, shoving his pillow over her head to try blocking out Dabi's words.

With a body like that and eyes like those...he won't be on the market long. So grow up.

It's more than his body, he thought. It's...everything.

That settled it. He felt around for his phone and dialed Izuku's number.

~.~

Izuku was wrapped around his Bakugo'scented body pillow like a vine around a tree trunk when his phone went off.

He groaned tiredly, annoyed. There's no way it's time to get up yet. Why was his alarm going off now? Izuku grabbed his phone and squinted, blinded by the screen's bright light.

It wasn't his alarm. It's a phone call, he thought curiously. Could be a solicitor, but… He answered it, pressing it against his ear. "Yeah?" he asked, his voice scratchy.

"Izuku."

He suppressed a gasp. Bakugo. "Hi."

"What time do you leave for work?"

He kept his eyes closed, they still hurt from sleep deprivation. But his heart raced, listening to Bakugo's voice. "Six."

"I'll pick you up."

Izuku flushed under his blanket. "Why?"

"Because...I…" he growled quietly. "Just be outside at six. Okay?"

"Seven," Izuku grumbled, ending the call and rolling back over.

~.~

Bakugo gawked at his phone, stunned. "He hung up on me." That little…

~.~

He forgot to be annoyed as he watched Izuku descend down his stoop and walk towards the car. Today he wore a crimson mesh shirt underneath a baggy white Tee, dark wash jeans and black platform boots that made him a little taller. Bakugo swallowed, trying not to stare. The other benefit of the boots is they elongated Izuku's already amazing legs.

Bakugo had the urge to get up and open the door for him but he held back. Something tells me that kind of thing would just make him uncomfortable. He's not exactly a natural at accepting help from others.

Izuku waved shyly before opening the door and plopping himself down in the passenger seat. Even before buckling in, he set his backpack on the floor and unzipped it to grab a journal.

His hair didn't look damp like it usually did. It flipped up at odd angles, looking extra fluffy. Bedhead hair. He must not have showered this morning. But he still smelled like some kind of soap. Or...cologne? I smelled it when I lied on his bed, he remembered, casting him a sideways glance. That definitely smells like the stuff I use.

"How come you wanted to pick me up?" Izuku asked, his voice still groggy from sleep. He rubbed his eyes and yawned.

Bakugo stared for a few moments, marveling at how adorable something so simple and common could be when Izuku was doing it. Then he turned onto the street and made his way to the turnpike for work. "Did you already forget? I told you to conserve your gas."

Izuku yawned again, nodding. "Nah, I remember."

Is he always this tired in the morning? "You're half asleep," Bakugo snapped.

"Stayed up late," Izuku explained. "Had an essay-final to turn in for French. I'll grab coffee or a monster and I'll be fine."

Bakugo wasn't jazzed about that idea. I bet he skipped breakfast again. He took a left and got in the drive-thru line for Mcdonald's. Izuku rested his face on his hands with closed eyes, so he hadn't noticed yet.

"Do you work full time to pay tuition?" Bakugo asked.

He expected Izuku to say that wasn't any of his business but instead, he replied, "No, I'm on scholarship. I give what I made to my mom, mostly. For groceries, rent, bills...yadayada."

Bakugo stared at him in awe. He earned himself a full-ride scholarship? "I never apologized."

"Mmm? For what?" Izuku asked tiredly.

"I called you a spoiled rich kid. It was dumb."

Izuku grinned. "Oh, that's okay. It was funny more than anything."

Bakugo flushed. Dammit. Not only did he accept my apology but it didn't bother him in the first place. If I were him I would've been pissed. "I don't get why you work full-time, though. Doesn't your mother work too?"

Izuku made a "so-so" gesture with his hand, shooting him a "kind of" expression. "She's had lots of different jobs but she has a hard time keeping them. At heart, she's a housewife. That's all she knew how to be."

"What about your dad?"

Izuku gaze became cold. A dark look in his eyes appeared that Bakugo had never seen before. "What about him?" he snapped.

A chill ran down Bakugo's spine but he ignored it, glaring back. "Relax, I wasn't tryna piss you off."

Izuku took a deep breath and a long exhale. "He's...wherever the fuck he is. Don't know. Don't care."

"Fine. Didn't need to get all bent out of shape."

"I'm not, you're being a - " he trailed off, flushing pink as sparkles appeared in his eyes. "We're at McDonald's?"

Jesus christ why does greasy fast food make him so happy? His eating habits are just...UGH. But his face looked even cuter now. The vexed blonde wanted to kiss it. Bakugo snarled, annoyed as he lowered his window.

"Hi, there, and welcome to McDonald's, what can I get for you today?"

"Two McGriddles and three hashbrowns!" He exclaimed.

"Oh...kay...Anything else?" The drive-thru woman asked more hesitantly.

"A coffee!"

"Alright, uh...pay at the next window please."

"Are those for me?" Izuku asked in a quiet, hopeful voice.

Bakugo flushed. With his wide green eyes, tousled soft hair, and cute ass, he wasn't sure if he wanted to rail him or cuddle him. I can't do either so just...stop...being so...UGGGHH! "OF COURSE THEY'RE FOR YOU, WHY WOULD I EAT THAT CRAP?!"

"What is it with you and Mickey D's?" Izuku asked, crossing his arms. "Why do you hate it so - "

" - The burgers are a joke, it's greasy as hell, the fries are flimsy, they charge way too much for what they give you - "

" - Did they forget to put a toy in your happy meal once or something?"

" - I MEAN YEAH BUT THAT'S NOT WHY - "

" - Your total is seven fifty-eight," the window lady said, staring at them both strangely.

~.~

"You're staring," Tokoyami scolded while looking down into It by Steven King.

"No, I'm not," Bakugo snapped as he continued to stare at Izuku.

He smiled and chatted with a customer as he removed one of the senor tags off of a skirt for her.

"Yes, you are."

"How would you know? You haven't looked up from that damn book once since you clocked in."

"I don't need to look to know you're staring."

"I told you I'm not - "

" - have you asked him out yet?"

Bakugo flushed. "I can't. I'm his boss."

Tokoyami snickered. "That doesn't stop Himura and Takami."

Bakugo's eyes lingered on Izuku's ass as he bent over to grab a plastic bag. "Who said I even want to date him?"

"He walked into work with a McGriddle again."

The blonde snarled. "I don't want him passing out because he didn't eat anything."

Tokoyami sighed and slammed his book closed. His dark, inquisitive eyes met Bakugo's, startling him. "Look. Personally, It makes no difference to me whether you two date or not. The Yumi girl revels in scandal and Mr. and Mrs. Smith next door insist on playing matchmaker but romance is not on my agenda. But since you're the best manager I've ever had and you're somewhat entertaining to banter with now and then, I'll divulge something to you."

Bakugo raised an eyebrow. I can't remember the last time he's talked this much.

"Very little gets past me. I even know what happens in the shadows after the mall is closed. So I know with absolute certainty that you're not the only one with your heart set on the Midoriya boy."

Bakugo stiffened. He'd never considered that possibility. Although he'd denied it whenever the subject came up, it was common knowledge to everyone in the mall that he's had a crush on Izuku. Most people wouldn't dare attempt to claim what Bakugo considered his.

How would he feel...if someone else…

He drank in Izuku's form greedily with his eyes.

"If you're going to act...act quickly."

Bakugo's heart raced. Fuck it. Fine. He took a step towards the register but stopped when a girl with short brown hair walked in.

That's the chick from Forever 21, he recalled vaguely. Chupacabra? La Cucaracha?

"Uraraka!" Izuku greeted happily. "It's good to see you!"

"Hi, Izuku!" She said back in her chipper, high-pitched girl voice. She laid a hand on his arm affectionately. "Congratulations on your new job!"

"Oh, thank you. Is there something I can help you with?"

"No, I'm just on break and came to say hello. By the way, is that a new top?"

Bakugo flushed with annoyance. That shirt's been sunbleached a hundred times over. She knows damn well it's not new.

Izuku laughed. "No, I've had it for a while."

She blushed pink. "Well, it looks good on you."

"For your sake, I'll skip the, "told you so" speech," Tokoyami mumbled, sticking his nose back into his book.

"That's nice of you to say!"

"By the way, are you doing anything later?"

"Actually, yeah. I have one more Final I need to study for."

"Oh, that's too bad. I was gonna ask if you wanted to grab drinks after work."

Izuku stuck his hands in his pockets. "I'm not old enough to drink yet. But thanks anyway."

"What? You're not? Really? You look twenty-one," Uraraka said cupping his face in her hands to inspect his face.

Bakugo's stomach felt like it belly-flopped onto a slab of concrete. Stop touching him.

"Wait, let me take you out! Your birthday's in a few weeks, right? Mina told me."

What the hell is she doing?

Izuku blushed shyly from her familiarity. "The guys mentioned something like that. Sounds like it could be fun."

"I'm looking forward to it!"

What the fuck? Did she just invite herself?! Bakugo ground his teeth, trying to hold his tongue.

"We should hang sometime. My god and you have to tell me what shampoo you use," she gushed.

Izuku tilted his head to the side, confused. "My shampoo?"

Don't you dare, he thought murderously. Don't you fucking dare.

"Murder is a crime in all fifty states," Tokoyami mumbled. "In case you forgot."

"Yeah! Your hair looks so soft and fluffy!" She moved her manicured hands up his face to the top of his head, weaving her fingers through his hair.

And now you die, he thought furiously. Bakugo marched to the cash wrap and shoved Izuku behind him. "Are you here to buy anything or are you loitering? We have a maximum occupancy of twenty people."

"Bakugo!" Izuku exclaimed, standing behind him shyly. "What's gotten into you?"

"Oh," Uraraka said, regarding Bakugo strangely. "Um...sure, I'll buy something. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to infringe on your business."

Uraraka strutted over to the clothing section and picked out a pastel pink mini skirt with matching stockings and lace garters, placing them gently on the counter. "What do you think, Izuku? Would I look cute in this?"

As Izuku looked down to scan the price tag, Uraraka shot Bakugo a triumphant smirk.

Rage built up in his shoulders. She reminded him of an opponent he faced once back in his Dynamite days. A master of Judo. He'd thrown a punch but instead of taking it he used his own move against him in a way that put Bakugo on his ass.

Just like now.

"I'm sure it'll look fine," Izuku assured.

"Are you positive? Maybe I should try it on first. Would you able to zip me up?"

Bakugo held back a snarl. "Izuku," he muttered softly. "Go ahead and take your thirty. I'll finish out this transaction."

"Oh, sure. Thank you," Izuku said. He met eyes with Bakugo briefly before blushing and briskly walking to the back room.

Bakugo quickly and wordlessly removed the plastic tag and bagged up the outfit. "Will you be paying with cash or credit?"

"It's sweet how possessive you are of him," she said with a giggle. "In a...caveman-alpha-male sort of way. But Izuku needs someone who appreciates him."

"Sorry to say we don't have any coupons for this. Our sale was yesterday and it doesn't apply to new items," he said, ignoring her.

Uraraka swiped her card and punched in her pin. "You'd probably hurt him if you tried to do anything anyway. I saw his photo in the Catalogue last month. He's delicate for a boy."

I know all about that photo, he thought. He would've put it as his phone background if he didn't already brand it into his mind. Once the receipt printed, Bakugo placed it in the bag and held it out to her. "Thank you for shopping with us," he said mechanically.

"Thank you for all your help," Uraraka said sweetly. "I'm looking forward to wearing this for Izuku's birthday."

Bakugo just barely resisted the urge to kick the cabinet in front of his feet as she sauntered away. He trembled with fury.

If he'd fought her in the ring, she would've left him with a broken arm.