"Took you guys long enough! Where the hell have you been?" Kirishima was the first to appear at the door when they arrived back at school. The girl's had checked in and given Principal Nezu his requested sweet before heading back to their dorms. "Aside from getting sweets." He licked his lips.
"Back up! Let us get in first." Alice leaned on the wall, Chess's Clawed hand holding the boxes well above Kirishima's head. "I got specific things to hand out first."
"Ugh! Fine!" Kirishima pouted, but followed after excitedly as they got into the kitchen. When you worked out every single day of your life, sweets were rare. After they had opened the boxes, it was like students came out of the woodwork.
Alice and Uraraka handed out sweets, taking their own once almost everyone was settled in. "Ugh, you guys were going out to get sweets, weren't you?" Bakugo was the last to appear. He liked some sweets, but most of the time he had to crave them to want them regularly.
"Yeah. I got you something you might like." Alice fished around in the boxes before producing a small brown square wrapped in foil. "My aunt makes the most amazing chocolates. This one is called Aztec dreams." She offered it to him, which he narrowed his eyes at before taking it from her.
The male looked up at her and then down at the chocolate. He didnt really expect her to go out of her way to find something for him. "Thanks." He mumbled and opened the foil. The chocolate had a rich smell to it, the cayenne pepper and chili lingered in the background. Bakugo had eaten spicy chocolate before, but this was different. He took a small bite and blinked in surprise. It was good. The flavor was sweetened with a rich honey and cinnamon, which only brought out the flavors of chocolate and Chili.
"What ya think?" Alice looked up at him expectantly and he glanced down at her. There was no one else in the kitchen, so he really didnt have to lie to her. The male swallowed and broke off a piece, offering it to her.
"It's good. Ive had spicy chocolate before, but this is richer than what Id had. Is it made with Milk chocolate?" He rose a brow as she took the piece hesitantly. He was being polite to say the least. It made her nervous.
"Yeah, my aunt makes it from scratch. Not a lot of people like it." she popped the chocolate in her mouth, mulling over the sweet and savory flavor.
"Its because they have no fucking taste." He took another bite. Next time he went to visit his family, he'd have to pop in and grab some more. "You can taste the honey too. I like it."
Alice broke out into a smile and leaned on the counter. It was quieter in here than out there. The class was getting a movie started and were all yelling about what to watch. "Do you think they will decide on scary or comedy this time?" She asked idly.
Bakugo bit back a rude comment. He really didnt know or care to know. He would go to bed half way through the movie anyway. "Dunno." He shrugged. "Im partial to comedy."
"Really? I expected you to be an action buff." Alice snorted.
"Well if I fucking had a choice it'd be action, but none of those extra's have any taste in movies." Bakugo folded up his chocolate and set it on the counter, eyeing the black haired girl from the side. "What about you?"
"Thrillers and scary movies are my favorites. I love psychological thrillers."
"Why am I not surprised at all."
"Excuse me, I am one with the scary night." Alice put her hand on her chest as if she was insulted, but she just smiled. "Not everyone can escape their stereotypes. Mr. Sparky sparky boom man."
Bakugo gave her a side eye and curt laugh, "Was that some nerdy cartoon reference?"
"It's anime, you damn extra."
They all settled onto the couches in various piles. Alice sat with her leg over the arm of the couch, leaning on Kirishima. Beside him was Denki, doing the opposite against the other side of the couch. Bakugo had looked disgusted at the three on the couch before he plopped down in front of Alice on the floor. She had taken his place and like hell was he going to sit next to Deku, who had scooted over to let the male sit with him. "No one feed Chess, please. He will sucker popcorn from you and can not actually eat. Ill just get to find in my bed later." She called out as the cat jumped from her lap onto the floor to search for food. He couldnt eat, but would hold food in his body before releasing it where ever he pleased. Which usually ended up being her bed. Denki just smiled and gave the cat a piece of popcorn when she wasnt looking.
The movie they had chosen was a horror movie. Alice had reassured Kirishima through the entire thing, getting a mocking laugh from Bakugo every time the male jumped. He wasnt scared of horror movies per say, but the jump scares made him jolt every time. Surprisingly, Bakugo was still there when the movie ended, even tho it was well past his bedtime.
Alice ushered everyone off and went to clean up the kitchen. She didnt mind staying up, it wasnt like she would die if she didnt get the full 8 hours like everyone else. "Why do you stay up?" Alice didnt expect the male to be awake still. Bakugo was leaning on the door in his sleep clothes, his arms crossed. He'd been wondering why she was always the last one to go to sleep for awhile now. "It's been... what- three weeks since you got here and you are still the last one to sleep?"
Alice blinked in surprise. "I dunno, never thought about it." She put the bowls in the sink and let the water run.
"Dont fucking lie. You never look at people when you lie." He snapped and approached her, standing in front of her with his arms crossed. Bakugo looked down at the girl, who glared back up at him in response.
It took a moment, but she finally sighed. "I like the night. Its quiet and less busy than it is during the day." She shrugged absently. Alice rubbed her arm. Night time was the only down time she had during those 72 hours of hell.
"That's it?" Bakugo sounded unamused, but didnt move from cornering her against the counter. "I think you're lying."
"Im not lying." Alice turned to glare up at him, standing her ground. She had been getting frustrated at the male. He was always getting in her face or demanding her to spill information she really didnt want to share. "I like being outside at night. Its quiet. There arent people around. I dont have to worry about anything." She spat back at him, locking gazes.
Rust red met Magenta and they both held the same anger behind them. The emotion had startled Bakugo. Alice was always laid back or nervous, but the anger behind her gaze was something he knew so well. Regret, embarrassment, guilt, fear... It was like a reflection. "Okay. Sure." Bakugo's voice came out flat and Alice instantly recoiled.
"Im sorry. I just." She ran her hands through her hair, her expression instantly changing. "Its a lot to talk about. Something happened last year that is still hard for me to really get into... With anyone." She looked up at the male, her expression pleading. Alice wanted him to believe her. She didnt want to go back to them avoiding each other. She liked Bakugo and enjoyed his company.
The male's expression changed slightly and he sighed, "You mentioned that before. I get it. Im not upset." He rose his hands in defeat. "Im sorry I pushed."
Alice stared at him with a confused expression, he'd apologized more than once to her, which was completely different to how Uraraka had talked about him. He was suppose to be brash and angry. Never showing weakness to anyone. Alice shut off the water, "Wanna go outside with me? I need some fresh air."
Bakugo made a soft "Hn" in response and followed her as she quickly made a beeline to the door. Soon, they were outside- the fresh air blew in on a slight breeze and the trees rustled with the noises of the night. Alice let out a sigh she didnt know she was holding. It was like the anxiety she'd been holding in disappeared. Bakugo looked her over, his red gaze trailing over her face for just a moment. She was irritating, but in a different way than what he was used to. He followed along after her as she made her way around the building, her hands in her pockets. "Mr. Aziawa lets me walk around outside if I stick close to the dorms."
"So this is a consistent thing for you, huh?" Bakugo looked around. It was dark, why would she like it out here? "You cant see anything, why would you like it out here?"
"Its quiet and comfortable. No urgent needs out here." Alice took a breath, "The air is clear and no one needs anything from me. I can just be a normal person out here, not a hero."
"Huh, that's kinda Cliche, but I get it. We used to go hiking every summer. It was some of my favorite times I can remember." Bakugo shrugged absently. He liked it outside, but he preferred to be out during the day.
"Hey, Cliche's come from somewhere." She made it into the grass and promptly sat down and flopped onto her back. Bakugo stood above her, a brow raised.
"I thought you wanted to walk?" He mused faintly. Alice was a different breed for sure. She was turning out to be less annoying than he thought her to be. At first he thought she was going to be another Uraraka, but as time went on- she kinda reminded him of a mix between her and Kirishima. He groaned softly and sat down beside her, leaning back on his hands as they watched the sky in silence.
"Kinda, I wanted some fresh air, but the grass looked comfy. Im actually tired for once." Alice mused faintly. "Aside from visiting my mom, we went to get Mochi downtown."
"Mochi downtown? Where the fuck are you getting Mochi downtown?"
Bakugo turned to look at her. He'd lived in that town for years, but there was nothing downtown aside from the Red light district.
"So you take 3rd street over and across the bridge, then turn left on the street after main." Alice stretched her arms out above her lazily. "Mama Mochi's is the 2nd building wedged between two houses half way down the street."
"That's into the Red light distract, isnt is?"
"Yeah, Mama doesnt have the money to move. So shes stuck there. Plus- its not like its super dangerous."
"What the fuck are you talking about? Do you know how much gang activity is down there?" Bakugo's voice rose and soft explosions pattered against the grass.
Alice sat up and locked gazes with him, "Im fully aware of how dangerous it is there. Ive been going down there since I was little. My mom would drop me off at Mama Mochi's before heading out on patrol."
Bakugo scoffed, "What parent leaves their kid in a fucking dessert shop?!"
"The previous number five Hero?"
"The RABBIT?"
"NO!" Alice broke out laughing. "My mom is Rising Sun or Himiko Rise. She was in the top five when I was little, but stopped because her vision was getting bad due to her quirk. She retired and Ms. Usagiyama took her place."
Bakugo seemed to relax at that, but now was staring at her with a puzzled expression. "Your mom is Rising Sun? The Hero who fought to get fucking Villains a second chance?" Disgust laced his voice and Alice's smile vanished.
"Yeah, not all of them are evil, ya know." Alice responded with a bit of hostility in her voice. Bakugo frowned in response. "My dad was considered a "villain" until he met my mom. Not everyone can control their quirk right out of childhood."
"What kind of quirk does he have?" Bakugo bit back a comment and instead tried to change the subject. He didnt agree about the whole Villains deserving a second chance- look what had happened with Stain. Villains were villains through and through.
"Dreams." Alice said sharply. "He can make dreams a reality, including nightmares." She let out a sigh. "My mother can do illusions and make them "real." My dad does dreams and can pull from people around him. He was home schooled for most of his childhood because of it, but once he went to college it all went to hell. So many people sleeping, he couldnt control what he created or pulled. So nightmares went wild. He was on the run for a few years until he met my mom. She was patient with him and taught him how to control those bad thoughts. He was in prison for a few years before I was born and now is a psychologist helping reform villains." The girl looked down at her lap, playing idly with the grass. "Most people struggle with their quirks and end up being the bad guys for it. Its uncontrollable and scary. Most dont want to hurt people, but when you are made into a monster? The easiest way to cope with that is to become one."
Bakugo was quiet for a long moment. He remembered when he was kidnapped and the league was treating him like hed be the perfect villain. It was insulting and that realization had really slapped him hard. He'd been trying to be nicer to people and more understanding, even if they didnt make it easy for him. "I guess... I get that." He said quietly. That had really put it in perspective. Bakugo had thought long and hard after he had been kidnapped by the League of Villains. His friends had come to get him and he realized he didnt really understand people, which is why he normally got so angry. People did things without thinking. He was such a logical person that the thought of doing something irrational and on impulse was mind boggling to him. It was part of the reason he was downright confused as to why Tokoyami was flustered by Alice. "People sometimes think Im a villain. So I get that."
"You? A Villain?" Alice flopped over on her side and put her head on his knee, looking up at him with a taunting gaze. "With the threatening and constant use of the word "die." I would have never guessed."
The male's cheeks tinted red at her touch. "Oh fuck off. Everyone tries to get in my way. No one is gonna stop me from becoming the number one hero." Bakugo boasted slightly to distract himself, but wouldnt meet her gaze.
"I try to stay out of your way as much as I can. Trust me." Alice whispered. "I wouldnt dream of wanting to get in your way of becoming the number one hero."
Bakugo opened his mouth and closed it, "You dont get in my way. You are one of the few people who DONT get in my way." He wanted to shove her head off his knee with how stupid she sounded, but her expression was genuine. He felt bad. The male deflated and let out a sigh. "You also treat me like a person, not many people apologize to me. They usually demand I apologize to them. So of course Im gonna be nice to you."
Alice sat up and turned to look at him, a brow raised slightly. "Because you are a person? Fuck man, we are just kids. I noticed that these Pros act like we are adults too. All of them do. We are still learning and people make mistakes, thats okay. That doesnt mean we cant work to be better."
"Yeah..." Bakugo trailed off and Alice settled back down with her head on his leg. He watched her idly, his brain lost in thought. It was weird that someone thought of him as a person and not as a loudmouthed hero. "Thanks." He reached out gently and ruffled her hair. She wasnt afraid to speak her mind, which is why he really believed her. She wasnt lying to him to make him happy. She wasnt sugarcoating her words with him. He appreciated it.