It was strange, sleeping in on a Thursday.
Tsuyu convinced Iida to let Uraraka take the day off, though it didn't take much coercing. She had called out only a handful of times over the years and she more than made up for it by taking on extra shifts. Iida was happy to cover for her and amply worried for his friend. If anything, the two of them ganged up on her the day before and told her she would not be coming in.
She thought it was silly, hiding away and skipping work just to avoid Bakugo, but she had also learned to start putting her well-being higher on her list of priorities. And she seriously needed the time to go nurse her battered self-esteem after the embarrassment of thinking the last month meant anything to him.
Her whole life had been changed because of him, but that didn't mean she had any effect on his. He already had a great job and a close network of people to rely on. He had a girlfriend.
Uraraka flipped onto her stomach and groaned into her pillow, flailing her limbs in frustration.
This was her day off! No work, no school, no obligations. She should've been out enjoying life, not longing and pining over some guy like a love-sick teenager.
Yeah. He was just a guy who happened to be unfairly smart and stupidly good looking... and surprisingly thoughtful at times and weirdly inspiring and totally not someone she wished would ask her out already.
Ugh.
How did she keep circling back to the same place again?
Figuring she needed to go out and do something to take her mind off of someone who was clearly taken and unattainable, Uraraka rolled out of bed and dragged herself to the bathroom to go out and do something other than feel sorry for herself.
Trying to cheer herself up, she put in a little extra effort than normal. She curled her lashes and tinted her lips a peony pink. Squinting at the label of the lipstick tube, Uraraka vaguely made out an old expiration date, but stuck it back in her bathroom drawer. She didn't wear it enough to need to replace it anyway. After sweeping on a bit of blush, bringing out her already rosy cheeks, she smiled and posed in the mirror, trying to trick her brain into cheering up.
"You got this, Ochako!" Her smile faltered as her statement was released into the empty room.
With a sigh, she changed into an oversized pink turtle-neck sweater, the one with the balloon sleeves that made her want to flap her arms like a baby penguin. After sitting a beanie atop her head and slinging on a crossbody purse, she pulled on a pair of fluffy boots over her leggings to go out and brave the world as a happily single woman.
She had gone this long on her own, she could find contentment in it again.
Even more so than before, since she had her whole life to enjoy. Her parents were already ecstatic at her being off of work for the first time in forever.
Planting a quick kiss on the cheek goodbye to her mom and a hug for her dad, Uraraka drove herself to the downtown market. It was a quaint place that bordered the beach with eateries, boutiques, and every kind of crafting store imaginable.
Though she didn't have nearly enough money to spend in a place like that, where every item sat temptingly in the storefront window, she had always dreamed of spending a carefree day roaming the plaza, drinking in the sights and drifting along the smell of baked goods. And today was finally the day.
She could imagine herself running her fingers through thick bundles of yarn in the craft store, soaking in the smell of fresh-baked bread, and picking out the smoothest, roundest pebbles that dotted the edge of the water until the sun dipped red. This would be a day to celebrate herself.
"This is going to be my perfect 'me' day." She whispered to herself as she put her car into park.
But it turned out, that 'me' day was hopelessly tainted with reminders of what she was really longing for.
Along the wall of the craft store, she immediately found a ball of yarn that perfectly captured the ashy blonde of his hair. It was white and brown and silver and yellow woven together in a long rope that made her wonder if she were to stroke those spikes atop his head, if they would be as soft as the wool in her hands.
Frustratingly enough, the bakery was no better. The pastries looked as delicious as ever and the cookies were decorated so delicately, she was afraid they'd crumble if she stared at them too hard. But as the scent of baked goods wafted through the air, she couldn't help but think everything in the store would match deliciously with some espresso, which left her absent-mindedly patting her pockets for a shaker full of fine, spiced dust.
She never even got to the beach like she wanted.
Kicking pebbles down the walkway to where the salty air concentrated most, Uraraka crashed into her before she could stop herself.
"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry! I didn't see you th-" Uraraka's voice caught in her throat as her brain computed who she was seeing.
"Uraraka! What are you doing here? Why aren't you at work?" Camie asked with a tilt of her head. Her hair unfurled off of her shoulder and down her back like a majestic, beautiful, altogether unfair waterfall.
Snapping out of her bout of jealousy, a small frown appeared against Uraraka's will. Was she not allowed to be out? "Umm. I took the day off?"
"Damn. Now the plan won't work." Camie huffed and pouted, crossing her arms across the dip in her waist that cinched her body into the perfect hourglass shape.
Uraraka's annoyance was replaced with utter confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Katsu's plan. He bought flowers for you."
… What?
What?
"WHAT? I-I-I mean, w-why?"
"To ask you out, of course." Camie replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Uraraka's vision was swirling and her brain felt like it was being washed down a drain. None of this made any sense! "But aren't you... his girlfriend?" Had she read the situation all wrong?
"Eh. He asked me to pretend for a couple of weeks and I owed him a favor. I, uh, kind of turn into a different person when I drink."
She waited for Camie to continue explaining, but frustratingly enough, nothing followed. "I'm sorry, but, ah, that just brings up more questions."
"Like, I know, I know, I shouldn't go for the cheap stuff, but those shots really add up, you know? So this one tim-"
"No, no, no." Uraraka shook her head furiously and used every ounce of patience in her to not physically cover Camie's mouth from going down a rabbit hole. "I mean, why exactly did he ask you to pretend to be his girlfriend?"
"Oh. He was trying to convince Kirishima that he didn't care about Deku asking you out. Which he totally did, BTW." Yep. She really said those letters. B-T-Dubs.
"So…" Uraraka felt like she was floating above the clouds and the air was thinning around her. "So yesterday…" She gasped out through her dwindling lungs.
"Yeah, I told him if he wanted me to play along, he'd have to show me who this chick was to get him so riled up. And when I saw you were super cute and available, I ditched him." Camie waved her hand around like that was a totally normal thing to do for a friend. "Told him I wasn't gonna do it and kicked his perky little butt into getting you some nice flowers. You're welcome!"
"But-but I'm not at work."
"I knoooow." Camie whined. "That's seriously some bad luck."
Uraraka didn't know whether she liked this woman or not. On one hand, she seemed to be supportive of the idea of Bakugo wooing her, but then on the other hand, she was also So. Not. Helpful.
If she weren't at the cafe and he showed up with flowers, he might decide to give up altogether, embarrassed by a plan that failed. "Should I go to the cafe? What do I do?" Uraraka twiddled her fingers nervously, trying to figure out her next move.
"Sorry, hun. Looks like it's too late for that." Camie showed her a text message from only a few seconds ago.
Chicken Katsu: Fuck you! She wasn't even there!
Attached to the message was a picture of a beautiful bouquet of white lilies and pink wild roses laid across a car seat. It would've been a nice image if it weren't for the scattered petals and bent stems from, she assumed, being unceremoniously thrown down in a fit of anger as well as his middle finger peeking out from the corner of the screen.
For the second time that week, Uraraka's heart plummeted with the overwhelming weight of disappointment. Maybe it was the universe telling her she wasn't meant to get everything she wanted.
"Don't look so glum! You can go surprise him now!" Camie patted her shoulder in what could've been interpreted for a comforting gesture, except it was too excited to be truly all that gentle.
"W-what?"
"You like him too, dontcha?"
"I-I… yes." Why did she keep confessing to everyone else but him?
"Look up Fire Department #17." Camie urged Uraraka to take out her phone and search up the address, eagerly rushing her along. "He should be back there by now. Hopefully he hasn't dumped the flowers in a trash can yet."
16 minutes away.
She had 16 minutes before it'd be too late to back out. Was she ready? Was this really happening? Clutching her phone to her chest, she took in a trembling breath to try and calm her nerves.
"Ummm. Thank you." Uraraka kind of wished she hadn't thrown away that napkin with Camie's number.
"No problem, hun! Anything for my friend! Hohoho!" Uraraka balked at the speed of which Camie decided they would be friends, but then realized she was actually talking about Bakugo. Though, that didn't make her feel all that much relieved as she watched the blonde woman laugh gleefully, like she couldn't wait to subject Bakugo to a long list of favors now that she had a direct hand in helping him ask out Uraraka.
He really did have the most interesting friends.
After a quick, and somewhat strange, goodbye where Camie sent her off with a slightly off-putting peace sign, Uraraka dizzily drifted back to the parking lot. Once she slumped onto the driver's seat of her car, she didn't know whether to squeal or cry from relief or both. Oh my god.
He got her flowers!
He wanted to ask her out!
It didn't matter what she did next. Just as long as she went over to the fire station and made sure she didn't lose out on this chance.
The 16 minutes felt like forever, impatiently sitting through red lights and groaning at every car that cut in front of her, but it also felt like no time at all. Before she knew it, Uraraka saw the brick building appear from around the corner and she realized she had no idea what she was going to say to Bakugo.
"Ok, Ochako." She tried to pump herself up with a pep talk. "You already know he likes you. Just go do it!"
But it completely backfired because now, she was even more flustered by the fact that he liked her! Before she could psych herself out of going in, she slammed the car door shut and marched inside, where a receptionist by the name of "N. Hado" was seated typing away.
"Hi!" Uraraka cleared her throat, cursing her squeaky voice as the periwinkle-haired woman smiled up kindly at her. "Hello. I'm, uh, looking for Bakugo?"
"Ah! Round-face!" The woman's eyes lit up with recognition.
"Yes." She blushed fiercely. It seemed Deku was right. The whole department seemed to know exactly who she was. "That's me."
It seemed like there was no need to worry about her squeaky voice, because the Hado lady squealed straight up and out of her seat. "I'm so glad to finally meet you!" She clasped Uraraka's hands and enthusiastically shook them.
No wonder Bakugo needed coffee on a daily basis. This lady had so much energy, Uraraka felt like she was being drained with every jostle.
"Yes, ah, could I talk to him really quickly?"
"Oh, of course! Just go on to the back!"
Hado directed her to the corridor behind her where a mingle of loud voices were emitting from. Uraraka really hoped she wouldn't have to do this in front of a crowd, but it looked like the universe was testing her today. Heart pounding, she walked around the desk with a quick "Thank you" and into the hallway.
With Hado still shaking with excitement behind her, Uraraka walked towards the room where the voices were coming from. She cautiously peered into the open doorway that led to what looked to be a break room. Kirishima was directly in her line of view in mid-laugh, sitting with his feet propped up on the long, wooden table.
When he finished guffawing, he wiped the tears pricking at the corner of his eyes and noticed the woman standing with arms stiff by her side. "Oh? Uraraka! What're you doing here?"
Before she could answer, a loud screeching sound rang throughout the room. It was Bakugo, standing up from the end of the table abruptly enough to drag and knock his chair over with a deafening crash. He didn't seem the least bit concerned about the clatter, just frozen in place with his mouth open in shock.
"Hi." She waved shyly and waited for her mouth to catch up to her brain.
I'm so happy to see you.
I need to ask you something.
"I-"
"Hey! Hey!" Hado's voice shouted from behind her, scrambling to try and stop the intruder from going any further past her without success. "You can't go back there!"
"Well, hello there~" A man with round puffs of hair slid in front of Uraraka. He was short in stature and had on a blue postal office uniform with shorts held up by an uncomfortably tight belt. Uraraka flinched as he leaned in close and purred. "You're so beautiful."
"Ah…" She backed up and put her hands in front of her to ward off the advancing stranger.
"Piss off, Mineta!" Kirishima stood up and made a fist with his hand.
"Oh, come on, Kirishima. You already have the Alien Queen and it's not like this lovely lady is here for Bakugo." He reached for her hand to try and kiss the back of it.
She was about to karate chop the man in the head when Bakugo ran up and positioned himself in between them, arms outstretched like a shield and teeth bared. "MINE!"
A strangled cry escaped from Uraraka as she forgot how to breathe.
Mine.
"Bakugo, you can't jus-" The sleazy man didn't seem to get it.
"Seriously, you microscopic piece of shit. You lay a hand on her, and you fucking die." He held Mineta by the shirt, leaving his short legs waving frantically. "So leave whatever package you came to deliver at the front and FUCK OFF!"
"Alright. I'm out." Mineta saluted him without another argument and rushed off the moment his feet hit the ground, leaving the trio standing in awkward silence.
"Bro..." Kirishima broke the tension with a wide, toothy grin.
"Shut up!" Bakugo growled and took Uraraka by the wrist, dragging her through the hallway and into the lobby, where he stuck his hand in the garbage bin and pulled out a sad bouquet of crushed flowers.
"Oh, Bakugo! This is so exciting!" Hado jumped up clapping. "Hey! Can I be the flower girl at the wedding?"
"Fuck you!" He shook the bouquet at the receptionist, scattering petals onto the floor ironically, and kicked open the door while pulling Uraraka through.
Stumbling onto the sidewalk, she yelped as a flurry of pink, white, and green was shoved into her face.
"Go out with me." She couldn't see Bakugo's face with the blossoms impeding her vision, but she could already hear the embarrassment in his voice. Uraraka pushed them to the side and gaped at him.
"Well?"
"Bakugo, you…"
"What? Spit it out, woman!"
She was supposed to tell him that she returned his feelings. That she liked him and was grateful for the ways he'd changed her life. But as he demanded an answer out of her, all she could come up with was, "You... you absolute asshat!"
"Ow! What the fuck? Why are you hitting me?"
"You totally threw me off with Camie the other day! How could you?"
"I thought you were going out with Deku!"
"And now that you know I'm not, you go around grabbing people and telling them I'm yours? Like I want you playing me and then claiming me? You! Jerk!"
"Not all people! Just perverts like that grape-head! Damn! If you don't wanna go out with me, just say so! I knew I shouldn't have listened to that fucking bitch." He moved to take the mangled gift back before she snatched them out of his hands.
"No!"
"No what, woman? Whaddya want from me?"
"I want you to ask me out!"
"I just did!"
"Well, do it again so I can accept without wanting to smack you for being so dense!"
"Don't tell me what to d-… you want to accept?"
"Yes? Why else would I be here? You thought I would come all this way to reject you?" With the adrenaline of the shouting match wearing off, all she was left with was an impossibly fast heartbeat and the dawning realization that Bakugo genuinely was afraid she would say no.
"I dunno! You're constantly saying and doing things that confuse the shit outta me!"
"W-well," Her confidence faltered as she finally, finally, revealed her true feelings for Bakugo. "I do. Accept. I want to go out with you."
Bakugo went speechless, his face flashing through multiple emotions at once. There was a twisted mixture of shock and relief, which then developed into a tug at the corner of his mouth as he tried not to break out into a full out grin.
"Fine." Hiding his joy, he coughed into his hand and pointed at the limp bunch of practically barren flowers. "I'll, uh, get you new ones."
"No way! I love them!" She pouted at his offer.
"You're a fucking weirdo." There was no bite to his words. Any malice he might've tried to insert would've been overshadowed by his smile anyway.
She stuck her tongue out at him. "So what now?"
"Gimme your phone."
Uraraka dug into her purse, struggling to take it out as she simultaneously kept Bakugo from stealing the sad-looking flowers back. Once she finally fished it out, successfully having defended her damaged gift, she unlocked it and handed it to him.
"Chill." He told her as she tried to peer over at what he was doing. "I'm just sending myself a text."
"Cheeks? That's what you're gonna send yourself?"
"That's what you are, isn't it?"
"Can't you come up with something a little nicer? … I don't want to be known as moon-face either, Bakugo."
"Moons are fucking nice."
"No."
They finally settled on Angel-face. At one point, she muttered that he might as well call her 'Ochako' if he was going through all that trouble trying to find an appropriate name for her, but he blushed so hard she thought his head might pop off and she left it alone.
And though it looked a little ridiculous, she arranged the scrappy flowers into a nice vase on her nightstand and snapped a quick picture to send to Bakugo that night.
Uraraka: Thank you!
Bakugo: That looks fucking pathetic. Throw them away.
Uraraka: Why? No! These are the first flowers I've ever gotten!
Bakugo: Then you've had crappy boyfriends.
Bakugo: Dump em. I'm gonna get you better ones tomorrow.
Uraraka fell asleep that night thinking she couldn't possibly smile any bigger.
And then, of course, he proved her wrong with a bouquet that barely fit through the cafe doors the next day.
