Meet the Bakugous
Chapter Summary
Ochako meets Bakugou's parents and struggles with how different their lives are. Along with that, she's dealing with an incredibly embarrassing development in their friendship and it doesn't make for an easy-going evening.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
Ochako stood outside Bakugou's house in awe.
"Your house is huge!"
"Tch," Bakugou replied as he opened the front door.
They were immediately greeted by a woman who Ochako could only assume was his mother. He looked exactly like her.
"Finally! I've been waiting all day for you two. I'm Mitsuki."
"Nice to meet you," Ochako bowed. "I'm Ochako Uraraka."
"Yes, I remember your name from the Sports Festival. Gave my son quite a fight both years. Well, come in. We've got a lot to do."
Ochako and Bakugou took off their shoes as they entered. She couldn't help but stare at all the art and at how much space they had.
"Up the stairs, down the hallway, Uraraka. I'm going to bring up some snacks for us to enjoy. Katsuki, go to your room and try on the clothes I've set out."
"Why? They're not going to be too big and I'm not getting them altered."
Mitsuki glared at him.
"I need to see if I need to make further adjustments based on how you two look next to each other. Don't fight with me."
Bakugou groaned and headed up the stairs, signaling Ochako to follow him. Once they were at the top, Bakugou moved to open the first door on the left.
"Is that your room?! Can I see?" Ochako asked excitedly. Bakugou looked back at her angrily.
"Why?"
"I'm curious! Please!" She begged.
Bakugou looked inside his room and then back at Ochako. He rolled his eyes and opened the door all the way for her to see inside. It wasn't what she was expecting.
"It's so bare," Ochako commented
"It's all at the dorm."
"Except your All-Might poster," Ochako grinned as she pointed to the old poster.
Bakugou stared at it and then quickly turned away as if shoving whatever he was thinking out of his mind.
"I need to change," he said quietly as he began to close the door on her.
"Oh, sorry!" Ochako said as she hurriedly left.
Ochako made her way into the room that Mitsuki had directed her to. It was enormous. There were tons of mannequins dressed in different stages of clothing designs, a couple sewing machines, and a few tables with patterns and scraps of fabric on it. One wall was lined ceiling to floor with different fabrics, appliques, buttons, zippers, and whatever else you put on clothing. A large ladder was connected to the ceiling and Ochako moved it slightly to see that it rolled. Another wall was decorated with achievements of Mitsuki's fashion career such as photos from Vogue Japan and even celebrities wearing her brand.
"Like what you see?" Mitsuki said, entering the room with a smile and carrying a tray of food.
"They're all so beautiful," Ochako said, staring at a photo on the wall of an actress wearing a peachy gown that glittered on the red carpet.
"That's very kind. Here's yours," Mistuki set down the tray and walked toward the back of the room to a mannequin that had a black dress on it. "With such little time to make it, I based the size off how you looked next to Katsuki during the Sports Festival."
Ochako reached out and touched the fabric. It was smooth and flowy. It had a halter neckline and the skirt was about knee length.
"I made sure you could move in it just in case. The way it twirls is magnificent. I think it's my best illusion yet."
"Illusion?" Ochako asked but Mitsuki's attention turned toward her son who had just walked into the room. Bakugou was wearing a smoky gray dress shirt and black dress pants. He was carrying a black jacket with him.
"Let me get that dress off the mannequin for you," Mitsuki said quietly.
Mitsuki quickly removed the dress and Ochako caught a glimpse of what Mitsuki must be referring to as the illusion. Inside the pleats of the skirt were little bits of fabric that looked like fire.
"You can use my bedroom over there to change," Mitsuki gestured to a door that was directly across from the archway entrance on the opposite side of the room.
"Okay, thank you," Ochako said as she took the dress and went into the room, her jaw dropping at the size of the bed. "That's almost as big as my entire room."
Everything in the bedroom looked right out of a magazine. Perfectly curated items decorated the walls and furniture. Every item around her was probably more expensive than anything she'd ever owned combined. She felt like she couldn't touch anything. It was slightly unnerving. It didn't look like anyone actually lived or slept in this room.
Ochako looked to the left and saw a huge master bathroom. She couldn't help but go inside and look around. There was white marble everywhere with gold accent pieces expertly placed about. If Ochako had been asked to describe what a rich person's bathroom would look like, this would be it.
"Just how rich are they?" Ochako whispered to herself. Seeing how fancy the house was made her slightly uncomfortable like the house itself was trying to expel her for being poor.
She shook out her hands to try and get rid of the feeling. Ochako held out the dress in front of her and sized it up. It was very elegant. The exact opposite of what Ochako normally wore.
Ochako undressed and got into her new gown. It fit well already. There was a long mirror near the bathroom door so Ochako inspected how she looked in the dress.
She looked okay. It was pretty comfortable, which Ochako appreciated. She twirled to see the illusion Mitsuki had mentioned and gasped. When the skirt moved it looked like explosions in the night sky.
"Okay, that is pretty cool," she said to herself. Cool or not, Ochako realized that she was only getting this dress in order to make Bakugou look good. She was just an accessory to him. Taking that in mind, Ochako didn't feel right wearing this dress anymore.
She folded up her other clothes on the bed and walked out into the design room.
Bakugou was leaning against one of the walls. They both looked at her when she closed the door to Mitsuki's bedroom.
"It fits great already! That makes my job easier," Mitsuki smiled and tilted her head for a second. "Though I do see some areas that need work."
Bakugou cleared his throat in frustration.
"He's so impatient," Mitsuki said to Ochako then turned to her son. "Put your jacket on. Stand next to each other."
Ochako stood next to him and suddenly felt very awkward as Mitsuki looked them up and down, analyzing every seam.
"Where's your tie? There should be a pocket square too," Mitsuki wondered after a couple minutes.
"Why do I need to put it on? You know what it looks like," Bakugou growled.
"Do it, Katsuki!" Mitsuki shouted.
"Stupid tie. Why do pocket squares even exist?" Bakugou muttered as he walked out of the room.
"Let's figure out your shoes and accessories," Mitsuki said to Ochako with a smile.
"Okay," Ochako said quietly. She felt like she was walking on eggshells in this house.
Mitsuki took her to a large cabinet near the front of the room. When she opened it, Ochako was shocked to see tons of jewelry carefully organized by color and type.
"I picked up what I thought might look good from work so any of these will do. Let's stay away from necklaces," Mitsuki said, talking to herself as she perused the earrings. "Are your ears pierced?"
"No," Ochako answered.
"That's okay," Mitsuki rushed. "I've got some good clip-ons to pick from. These would go well. Let's take these and these," she muttered as she picked up a few pairs to choose from. "A bracelet next."
Mitsuki bent down to the bracelet section and picked out several. She set them all on a nearby table and organized them.
"Open up the other cabinet, Uraraka. Find a couple shoes you feel comfortable wearing. I figured you'd be around a 23-26 but, if you're not, we'll just find a pair that looks good and I'll pick up something similar before you two leave."
"No, you're right. I'm a 24," Ochako said as she opened the other cabinet. There were dozens of shoes lined perfectly on the shelves. Mitsuki had only picked out orange, red, gray, and black shoes of all different styles. Ochako hated stilettos so most of these were out. She found some black wedges, a pair of block heels, and a pair of gold and silver metallic t-straps that caught her eye.
"Are these enough options?" Ochako asked Mitsuki, turning around to see her holding up the jewelry and comparing it to what Ochako was wearing.
"Yep! Oh, I thought those were nice too!" Mitsuki exclaimed, pointing to the metallic shoes. "Those are the most dynamic so try those first."
Ochako found a chair near one of the tables and put them on. Bakugou walked into the room, now wearing a tie made of the same fabric reminiscent of fire and his jacket complete with a pocket square. Ochako's brain stopped.
He looked really handsome.
Ochako looked away and stood up, playing with her skirt nervously. Of course, objectively, she knew he was good-looking but all of the sudden it hit her like a ton of bricks. She was going to be standing next to someone who was much better looking than she was during the fanciest event she'd ever attended. People were going to be staring at her all night for so many reasons: not as good looking, just an accessory, round cheeks, interesting dress, and probably more that Ochako couldn't think of at the moment.
On top of that, Bakugou was kind of famous. He was both the son of well-known, successful parents and the winner of the Sports Festival two years in a row. Not to mention all of the things that had happened to them the first year with the League of Villains and the Paranormal Liberation Front.
Ochako started to feel shaky as Mitsuki put a bracelet on her and handed her a pair of clip-ons.
"Stand next to each other again. No, I don't think those shoes are going to work. Damn," Mitsuki shook her head and grabbed the pair of the black wedges. "Best to keep the shoes simple so the rest of you can shine."
How could she shine next to Bakugou? She'd already had that problem before and she was a lot more confident in her abilities as a hero and partner than she was at appearing stylish and pretty.
Ochako hurriedly put on the shoes and stood a little taller next to Bakugou.
"Oh, I think that's perfect. That bracelet really suits you. Try to keep good care of the shoes and jewelry. The dress is yours to keep but the shoes and jewelry have to come back to me."
"Okay," Ochako nodded anxiously, touching the bracelet and realizing that it was probably worth more than she could fathom.
"Great. That didn't take too long, right Katsuki?" Mitsuki smiled at him but Bakugou rolled his eyes and started to leave the room. With a heavy sigh, Mitsuki turned her smile to Ochako. "Ready for alterations or would you like some snacks?"
"Let's do alterations," Ochako said, smiling back. She couldn't eat right now. Ochako headed to the podium that was in the middle of the room.
Mitsuki went to a small set of drawers and pulled out some pins.
"I have to say seeing you too next to each other reminded me of Masaru and myself."
Ochako felt her throat close and her cheeks blush. Mitsuki continued.
"My husband always fidgets next to me at events. He says he feels nervous since he just designs the stages, he's not supposed to walk across them. I get the feeling that you don't have a lot of experience with formal events."
Ochako shook her head.
"That's okay. This is an easy event and you've been to it before. There's no reason to be nervous. You don't strike me as a person that gives up easily."
Ochako chuckled.
"Kinda why your son and I are friends."
Mitsuki paused. Bakugou's mother was behind her so she couldn't see what she was doing but soon Ochako felt more pins being stuck in her dress.
"Don't fidget. Keep reminding yourself that you're meant to be there. No matter what the reason is."
"Thanks. That's helpful," Ochako said quietly.
Mitsuki didn't say anything else until she was done pinning. It took a while. Bakugou seemed to get his perfectionist nature from his mother.
"Go ahead and get changed. Masaru should be home with food in a little bit. I'm going to write some notes down and get started on this. I'm glad the expo is happening but I wish they'd given me a little more notice," Mitsuki laughed.
"Definitely," Ochako forced a laugh and then quickly left to change back into her clothes. Relief spread through her body after she put on her other outfit. She hadn't realized just how tense she'd been.
Ochako grabbed the dress, careful to avoid pointy objects and opened the door. She overheard Bakugou and his mother talking in whisper-yells in the room and she hurriedly moved the door back to a crack to see them.
"Of course she's just a friend! I'd tell you if I had a girlfriend," Bakugou said. Ochako tensed up. It all made sense now. Of course that was the reason that Mitsuki had made her a dress.
"No, you wouldn't! You don't talk to me and you never come home."
"I come when Dad's around," Bakugou clarified maliciously.
Mitsuki pursed her lips and ripped his jacket from his hands.
"You're going to get a lot of questions, Katsuki. I'm sure you didn't prepare her for any of it."
"What's there to prepare, you control freak?! We're not dating and we'll say that."
"It's not that easy!" Mitsuki took a deep breath as she laid the jacket out on a table, smoothing out the fabric. "You didn't have to run into this at the last expo because, well, it went to shit. There will be reporters there and they will ask both you and her questions. You're heroes. Your answers matter."
"I'm not stupid, hag. I know how to handle a reporter," Bakugou looked away from his mother.
"It doesn't look very good when you throw explosions at the media," Mitsuki chuckled and Bakugou shouted objections at her. "Calm down, brat. Expect some speculation and deal with it with respect and dignity. You're representing more than just yourself."
"I know! It's about your brand, I get it!"
"No, your behavior affects your friend as well. She'll have to deal with the aftermath if you don't watch yourself. She seems nice. I don't think you'd want to kill her career before it's even started."
"You're so fucking dramatic," Bakugou threw at her.
"Watch your damn language!" Mitsuki whispered-yelled back.
Ochako had heard enough. If she eavesdropped any longer, she'd explode. She opened the door quickly to alert them and they backed away from each other.
"Here you go. I made sure to undress carefully so none of the pins moved," Ochako said.
"That was kind of you. If only my son had enough thought and care in handling his own clothes."
Bakugou scoffed and left the room.
"I'm assuming Katsuki told you that I requested you stay for dinner?" Mitsuki asked with a smile.
"Yeah, I already told my parents but it's early. I could still make it home in time," Ochako rushed. She didn't want to overstay her welcome, especially since Mitsuki had only done everything since she thought that Ochako and Bakugou were dating. Ochako cursed at herself mentally for not seeing it beforehand.
"Don't you dare. You have to put up with my son for an entire weekend. The least I can do is feed you."
"Okay. Do you need any help?" Ochako offered. Mitsuki chuckled.
"No, thank you. It's kind of you to ask but no. Feel free to tour the house if you'd like. There's lots to see."
"Okay, will do," Ochako smiled as she hurried out of the room. She didn't want to tour the house. Everything she saw made it more and more clear how poor she was and the feeling was eating at her. She knocked quickly on Bakugou's door who opened it with a terrifying snarl on his face. It disappeared quickly when he saw that it was Ochako.
"I thought you were my mother," Bakugou said as he opened his door to let her in.
"I can come in?" Ochako asked hesitantly.
"What a stupid question," Bakugou whispered as he walked to his desk chair. Ochako walked in and immediately regretted her decision.
His room smelled too much like him. In their training session this morning, Ochako had trained with him on an empty stomach which she'd never done before. She had realized with incredible embarrassment that she really liked how he smelled, especially after he used his quirk a lot. It was this bitter-sweet smell like overcooked sugar. She'd noticed it before but she'd never had this much of a reaction to it. Her sweet tooth had gone crazy until she had popped some hard candy into her mouth discreetly during a break. She'd been thankful she'd had milk tea right before taking pictures in the photobooth or else she didn't know if she'd have been able to handle it.
What was worrying now is that she wasn't hungry and it was still overpowering. Apparently this morning's training session had increased her awareness of it exponentially. Ochako did not like this new development in their friendship.
"I-uh-left my bag in your mom's room," she said hurriedly and ran back out through the doorway. At least it was the truth. That's where her candy stash was.
Rushing back through the fashion room, Bakugou's mom paid Ochako no mind as she ran past her.
Ochako shut the door and saw her bag on the floor near the bed.
"Why couldn't I be addicted to savory foods? Why does he have to smell like dessert!?" Ochako whispered to herself as she rummaged through her backpack. "Are you kidding me?"
She had nothing that could help her. Ochako took a deep breath to calm down.
"This is ridiculous. Don't think about it. Push through. Act like nothing's wrong because that's the truth. Nothing is wrong. It's just one more thing you've got to deal with. Ugh, how embarrassing," Ochako rambled to herself quietly as she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed back to Bakugou's room. Mitsuki was in the back of the room far away from Ochako so she wasn't worried about being overheard.
The door to his room was left open and Ochako hesitated going in. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and marched in.
Bakugou was still at his desk looking at a notebook. It was their notebook.
"Coming up with new move sets?" Ochako asked, trying not to breathe through her nose.
Bakugou shrugged. "Reviewing," he stated simply.
"Are-are you studying for camp?" Ochako said with a laugh. Bakugou's lip curled at her question but he didn't look at her.
"For the future," he answered, flipping a page.
Ochako walked over and looked over his shoulder, seeing new notes scribbled down next to the move sets they'd practiced often and even one that she'd never seen.
"Satellite Ambush?" Ochako asked as she tilted her head to read the notes next to it.
Test push off to see if trajectory of assault changes direction. ZG needed for ride? Test with and without for optimal impact and swing.
Bakugou closed the notebook quickly and turned around.
"Back up," he said firmly.
"Sorry! I didn't think about how you probably wouldn't like that," Ochako smiled apologetically and looked around. She felt out of place in his room too.
"You can sit on the bed, ya know," Bakugou rolled his eyes and put the notebook away. "What do you want to do since the hag is making you stay for dinner?"
"Uh," Ochako wondered and accidentally breathed through her nose. A small, involuntary shiver ran down her spine and a blush burned across her cheeks.
"Are you cold or something?" Bakugou asked bluntly.
"Nope," Ochako squeaked, becoming more embarrassed by the second. "Um, you play music right? Show me what you got."
Bakugou smirked.
"My drums are in a different room."
"Perfect!" Ochako said a little too quickly and stood up.
Bakugou looked at her quizzically.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing!" Ochako said defensively.
"Why bother lying when you're shit at it?" Bakugou asked.
"Let's just go play some music," Ochako grumbled as she hurriedly left the room. Bakugou followed her down the stairs.
"You know where you're going?" He laughed.
"Figured they'd be downstairs," Ochako said, looking around the first floor.
"All the way across. Underneath my parent's room."
Bakugou jogged ahead of her to open the door. Ochako didn't know what she had been expecting inside but it wasn't a full blown music room.
"No wonder you and Jirou get along so well," Ochako muttered upon seeing how many instruments were there. A drum kit sat in the back as well as shelves full of interesting percussion pieces like finger cymbals and even a Hang drum.
"Dad plays a lot of instruments for fun. He's alright at most of them," Bakugou shrugged as he headed over to the drum kit. "Likes to collect them. He's trying to learn how to play violin right now so he can play along to his favorite songs. Let's just say the hag is glad he made this room soundproof."
Bakugou sat down and settled himself on the stool, picking out a couple drumsticks from the side of one of the drums.
"How long have you played for?" Ochako asked as she perused the instruments.
"Over ten years," he answered as he put in earplugs. "Take some. Save your ears."
Ochako took the earplugs he was offering her and put them in.
Bakugou started tapping his foot and clicked the drumsticks on the side of one of the drums.
"Three, two, one!" Bakugou yelled and started performing a fast, pounding swing beat before moving into some fancier riffs.
Ochako grinned and started dancing by herself to the drums. Bakugou smirked at her before he showed off by doing a trick with his drumsticks and continuing on without missing a beat. He played for another couple minutes before stopping.
Ochako stopped dancing and walked over to him.
"Can I play?"
"You know how?" Bakugou asked.
"No. It looks fun, though!"
" Tch . Show me what you got," he challenged. Bakugou stood up and handed her the drumsticks.
Ochako sat down and immediately felt out of place again. It seemed that everything in this house wasn't meant for her. She didn't know where to put her feet.
"Right foot goes on the kick drum, left over there on the high-hat."
Ochako found the pedals but they were out of reach. She scooted to the edge of the stool so her feet could get to them.
"I'd adjust the snare but it's perfect for me right now. You'll only be playing for a few minutes."
"Okay," Ochako sat up straight and started banging on the drum in front of her.
Bakugou grimaced.
"You're holding them wrong," Bakugou said as he grabbed Ochako's hands. He moved her finger positions gently and then held her hands in his. "Then it's this movement."
Bakugou moved her wrists to mimic how she should play.
Ochako didn't mind his touch but he was too close to her. It was all she could do to not jump out of her seat to run away from the scent. She took a shaky breath through her mouth trying to not think about it. He was her friend; not a snack.
She must have tensed up because Bakugou gave her a confused look before standing back up.
"Go," Bakugou instructed. Ochako played slowly to try and get the wrist movements right. She was only playing for a few minutes before the door of the room opened.
A man with spiky brown hair and glasses peeked his head into the room. Ochako figured he was Bakugou's dad. Both she and Bakugou took their earplugs out.
"Jamming?" Masaru asked.
"No, teaching," Bakugou said. "This is Uraraka. She sucks."
"Hey!" Ochako looked up at him indignantly. Bakugou shrugged.
"It's your first time, get over it. What's for dinner?" Bakugou continued.
"Ramen. Forgot to pick it up on the way home so I'm getting it now. Also, please keep the door open."
"We can't play then," Bakugou argued. His dad shrugged.
"Play quieter instruments. Nice to meet you, Uraraka! Glad you're staying for dinner," Masaru smiled and waved at her before leaving them alone again.
Ochako was shocked at their interaction. Masaru was so nice and Bakugou didn't explode at him like he did with his mother. He was completely civil.
Bakugou was still looking at the doorway that was now left open before Ochako broke his focus.
"You can teach me another time," Ochako offered as she stood up from the stool and put the sticks away. "Let's just play around with some of the other ones."
"I can play a few songs on the kalimba. Only been playing for a few months but it's pretty easy. Even you could learn," Bakugou teased.
"Haha, very funny. I definitely know what a kalimba is too," Ochako said, making it clear that she did not actually know what it was. Bakugou chuckled.
"You'll recognize the sound."
He walked over to one of the shelves and pulled out a rectangular wooden instrument that had some thin metal bars on it.
"This is my dad's so I have to tune it for what I want, hold on," Bakugou said as he looked through a set of drawers near the door. He pulled out a tiny hammer and began hitting the ends of the bars and plucking the metal every so often.
"You have your own?" Ochako clarified as she looked at the other instruments on the shelves.
"Yeah."
"Do you play it a lot?"
"Not really. Sometimes at night. Sometimes when I'm bored. Not a lot of time to do much outside of school and training."
"Yeah, I feel like all my hobbies went out the window."
"What do you like to do?" Bakugou stopped hammering and looked at her. Ochako felt like he was judging her before she even spoke.
"Uh, I like video games. Stargazing. Sleeping," Ochako laughed awkwardly.
"Sleeping isn't a hobby," Bakugou huffed as he went back to work.
"It is for me. I love sleeping. Snuggling up in the blankets. Actually resting after a long day. Divine."
Bakugou clicked his tongue as he put down the hammer and played all the notes in a row. He sat in the middle of the floor in front of her and began playing. Ochako was in awe. It sounded so peaceful. She got down to the floor and laid down a few feet away from him. This was the type of music you could relax and daydream too.
He played for a while and Ochako didn't stop him.
"Do you want to try?" Bakugou asked after a few songs.
"No, keep playing. It's really nice. This is such a change of pace. I love it."
"What do you mean?"
"It's always go, go, go with us. The moments we do have that are physically relaxing are when we're talking things out, so not very easy-going. It's nice to just sit here next to each other, don't you think?"
Bakugou picked at a note a few times. If Ochako didn't know him better, she'd have thought he was nervous.
"My dad will be back soon. I've got to make tea so the hag doesn't scold me," he muttered before getting up and putting the kalimba away. He extended a hand out to her to help her up.
"She'll do that?" Ochako asked as she stood.
Bakugou shrugged.
"Hard to know. She always finds something. Wanna take bets on what she scolds me for during dinner?" He asked as they made their way to the kitchen.
"No! That's horrible. Don't you ever get a break?"
"At school," he said as he turned the stove on to heat the water.
"Right," Ochako sighed. She didn't want to overstep any boundaries but it made her uneasy to hear how his mother treated him. "Does your dad do that? Scold you without reason?"
Bakugou shook his head.
"He's gone most of the time. Travels across the world to oversee construction on what he designs or to restore old venues. Sometimes he's hired locally but it's still long hours."
"What does your father do?" Ochako asked. Bakugou exhaled in annoyance.
"I would've thought she already told you. He designs concert halls, amphitheaters, auditoriums, stages. Anything like that. The hag hires him to design her fashion show stages but he prefers to work in the music industry."
"That must be hard to have a parent gone all the time," Ochako thought aloud.
"If only it was the other one," Bakugou grumbled, leaning on the counter.
Ochako pursed her lips.
"I can't relate but I'm sorry you feel that way," Ochako whispered.
Bakugou brushed off the sentiment.
"I'm never here anymore so it's not a big deal."
Ochako gave him a concerned look and Bakugou scowled at her.
"Leave it alone, Uraraka. I don't need your pity."
"I'm not pitying you! I want you to be happy," Ochako exhaled in frustration and crossed her arms.
"I'm happy. You worry too much," Bakugou muttered as he pulled the water off the stove and prepared a few pots with green tea from the cupboard.
"Yeah? You looked miserable at the arcade when I got there and now we're in one of your least favorite places."
Bakugou glanced in her direction but kept working on the tea.
"Yeah. I'm good at moving past shitty circumstances and focusing on other things. You're fucking nosy today."
Ochako was caught off guard by that.
"I'm always nosy."
Bakugou laughed.
"That's the fucking truth. I've learned to live with it when it comes to you. It's annoying but manageable."
"Aw, that's almost sweet in Bakugou speak. I doubt most people can say they survived these types of interactions with you."
"You're the only one."
"What?" Ochako asked quickly, unable to come to terms with his answer.
"We'll see if you make it past dinner but you're the only one who has spent this much time at my house and met both my parents."
"That's...odd."
Bakugou chuckled.
"Not really. Kirishima stays away and no one else has made the cut."
"But I have?" Ochako asked, utterly taken aback.
Bakugou shook his head in disappointment.
"Of course you have. I wouldn't bring the dummy brigade over here. The hag would have a conniption. Deku isn't allowed. Never had anyone else worth inviting. You were forced to come but it counts."
Ochako mulled over his words. She and Bakugou were becoming good friends after spending so much time together but maybe Bakugou considered them better friends than she initially thought. She smiled at him.
"I really am replacing Kirishima, huh? He joked about it when we first started training but I'm winning!" Ochako exclaimed and laughed maniacally.
Bakugou laughed with her.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. You're officially the bravest. That's all."
"Wow, bursting my bubble. That's low," Ochako teased.
"Gotta make sure it doesn't go to your head," Bakugou smirked.
The front door opened and Bakugou's dad entered carrying a couple takeout bags.
"Dinner is ready!" Masaru smiled. "Oh, thank you for making tea. That'll speed things up a bit. Will you get out the bowls please?"
Bakugou turned around and pulled out some bowls from one of the cupboards.
"I'll get your mother," Masaru said as he placed the bags on the dining room table and hurried up the stairs.
Ochako felt useless as Bakugou poured the ramen into the bowls and set them around the table.
"Looks like he got you traditional," Bakugou commented.
"Perfect," Ochako grinned at him. "Can I do anything?"
"I'm almost done," he grumbled. "Relax."
"Okay," Ochako said awkwardly. She heard Mitsuki and Masaru chatting as they headed down the stairs.
"I'm sure traditional is fine, Masaru! Stop worrying! Uraraka!" Mitsuki shouted at her once she saw Ochako. "Glad to see Katsuki hasn't run you out of here. Tell Masaru traditional ramen is fine."
"More than fine! It's my favorite. You must be psychic," Ochako joked.
"Lucky guess!" Masaru grinned. "I'll grab the cups and chopsticks. Thank you for dishing up, Katsuki."
"Don't praise him for the bare minimum, Masaru," Mitsuki snapped as she put the tea pots on a tray.
"I can be thankful for our son helping with dinner. I don't think it'll go to his head."
Ochako saw Bakugou grimace at his parent's conversation as he sat down at the table.
"Across from me," he muttered to Ochako, his cheeks a little pink.
"Oh, okay," Ochako whispered and sat down. She gave him a reassuring smile to show that he had nothing to be embarrassed about regarding his parents.
"Here you go, Uraraka," Masaru said as he handed her a pair of nice chopsticks and set a cup in front of her.
Mitsuki set the tea pots on the table and clicked her tongue after she sat down.
"Pour your friend some tea, Katsuki! Where are your manners?" Mitsuki scolded.
"You just set it down!" Bakugou shouted at her and Masaru sighed.
Bakugou gave Ochako a look that expertly conveyed the phrase "Told You So" while he poured her tea.
The rest of the meal Mitsuki and Masaru asked Ochako a bunch of questions about herself. Bakugou stayed mostly silent in the background as he ate. It wasn't until the end of the meal that Ochako realized how much she wanted to leave.
"How long have you been dating again? I think I missed that," Masaru asked with a smile. Mitsuki gave him a look.
"They're not," Mitsuki said. "I thought so initially as well."
"Oh, I'm sorry. When Mitsuki said you two were going to the expo together," Masaru rationalized but stopped upon seeing both of the teens' faces. Bakugou was barely holding his anger in and Ochako had paled. "It seems I've asked one too many questions."
"They're going to be asked that over and over. They'll have to get used to it," Mitsuki muttered as she sipped her tea.
Ochako didn't know what to say and looked at the table. She was always uncomfortable when people talked about relationships or crushes. Ochako was an open book for most things but not that.
"Uraraka, want to get out of here?" Bakugou asked suddenly. Ochako looked up at him and it was made clear to her that Bakugou knew her very well.
"Katsuki, you can't just-," Mitsuki started but Bakugou glared at her.
"You ask why I don't bring friends over and this is why," Bakugou snarled. He got up and held out his hand to Ochako. "I'll walk you home."
"Um-okay," Ochako mumbled. She used him to stand up and then bowed to his parents. "Thank you for your hospitality, for the food, and the dress."
"You're very welcome, Uraraka. Come back any time," Masaru said kindly. "I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable."
"C'mon," Bakugou huffed.
"It was nice to meet you both," Ochako waved as she grabbed her bag and headed out with her friend.
"I'll give your outfit to Katsuki to take on the plane with him. Thanks for letting me dress you for the event!" Mitsuki shouted as she waved back.
Bakugou closed the front door behind them harder than he should have.
"It could have gone worse," Ochako said to ease the tension.
"Not by much. They're very nosy. Just like you. No wonder you got along," Bakugou muttered.
"You don't have to walk me home, by the way. I was going to take the train since it's farther than I want to walk. The train station isn't far from here."
Bakugou stared at her and then his brows furrowed.
"What's up with you today? You always want to walk with me. You've been tense all day. You practically jumped out of your skin when I was teaching you how to hold drumsticks. You can't leave until you tell me."
"I-," Ochako started and then stopped. He was much more observant than he was given credit for. "It's embarrassing, okay!"
"More embarrassing than having your parents ask if you're dating your best friend? Or shouting at me in front of you? Or not trusting me behind a closed door?"
"Best friend?" Ochako's mind emptied.
"It's official. You survived my parents. If we're keeping to the technicalities of the status, you qualify," Bakugou joked.
"Is that how you see me?" Ochako asked earnestly. "You think of me as a best friend?"
"Do you ask questions because you can't believe it to be true or you seriously don't know?" Bakugou asked sarcastically, obviously getting slightly annoyed with her.
Ochako smiled at him mischievously, ignoring his question.
"I'm your best friend," Ochako said teasingly. "You can't get rid of me now! I have too much knowledge! You're the g-zero to my zero-g."
"Why would I want to get rid of you? I'd miss out on all those stupid jokes and cheesy lines," Bakugou said, only half-heartedly being sarcastic.
"Ah, you love 'em." Ochako said. "Anyway, I'm gonna go."
"I said you can't leave. That was a clever decoy maneuver. I'll give you that."
"Bakugou, it's mortifying. Please don't make me say it."
"I'm gonna assume the worst."
Ochako groaned.
"You have to promise to not make a big deal out of it and you absolutely cannot laugh at me."
Bakugou nodded firmly and Ochako took a deep breath.
"How do I say this without seeming like a freak?" Ochako asked herself. "Um...you," Ochako stopped. "I can't say it."
"You're a fucking tease. Say it or else!" Bakugou threatened.
"You smell really good!"
Bakugou's expression went blank and his eyes went wide.
"W-what?" Bakugou stuttered. "What do I smell like?"
"You literally smell like dessert. It's bitter and sweet and you and it's horribly embarrassing."
Bakugou seemed to be too stunned to comment.
"I noticed it before but suddenly during this morning's training session it was all I could think about. Then I went into your room and it was too much! Then you were too close to me. I'm running away from it because it's stupid. I just don't want to think about it. You're my friend; not a snack." That phrase was slowly becoming Ochako's personal motto.
"You want to eat me?" Bakugou began laughing hard.
"You said you wouldn't laugh!" Ochako shouted.
"You're right," Bakugou forced the laughter back down and his expression was serious. "At least I won't think the worst anymore. This is a good development."
"Ugh, how so?"
"Reasons. If you don't want me to walk you home because you're afraid of biting me, I understand."
"Bakugou! This isn't a joke."
"It's pretty funny. Why are you so worried about it?"
"It makes me uncomfortable," Ochako admitted. "I felt out of control today and I hated it."
"That's not a horrible answer. It's not a big deal. If it makes you feel better, you smell good too."
"Uh-," Ochako's brain stopped. "What do I smell like?"
"Who the fuck knows? Just good!" Bakugou looked to the side but his cheeks gave him away.
"You do know!" Ochako pointed at him. "You have to tell me now!"
Bakugou grimaced.
"Fine. The only way I can describe it is a combination of something floral and cinnamon. It's really not that at all but you wouldn't accept the real answer."
Ochako was surprised he answered at all.
"So, we're two good smelling people," Ochako said.
"Yep," Bakugou answered awkwardly.
"Great. There are much worse things to be," Ochako paused and gestured to the street with her thumb. "I'm gonna go."
"Text me when you're home," Bakugou told her before turning to go back inside.
Ochako nodded and bolted to the train station as soon as she was out of sight of the house.