A/N: I was renewing my BLS yesterday and let me tell you, that awful little stuffy building I had to do CPR in was hotter than hell! I was sweating like a whore in church. Whoever had the bright idea to do BLS and ACLS in a building with no AC and shit ventilation should receive a serious talking to. Anyway, here's the latest chapter, do enjoy!

**I do not own these characters or the world, that belongs to our lovely author of MHA, Kohei Horikoshi. Also, cover art was a commission by me from the artist Krumbs. Follow them on if you'd like! They are extremely talented!

Fourteen
But You Know Deku Would Research 'How to Kiss Well'

Uraraka sat at her desk attempting to finish her math homework, but her mind was fixated on other things, not quadratic or algebraic equations. She once again looked at the math problem before her but couldn't make her mind focus on it. She couldn't stop thinking about Deku. It was Friday so he, Todoroki, and Bakugo had all been whisked away to Endeavors agency. She too, would be attending her own work study all weekend but unlike Deku's work study, hers didn't keep her gone for the entirety of the weekend.

Since their awkward encounter that morning when she'd woken up to realize she wasn't in her own bed but his bed, and then the fiasco with Tokoyami, Mineta, and Aoyama…well they hadn't had much to time to talk, and there were things to talk about. Lots and lots of things!

Like about how you decided to kiss him. Your first kiss and probably his first kiss too, a little voice reminded her and she instantly felt a blush color her cheeks. Why had she done that? What had compelled her to risk everything and just plant an awkward and short-lived kiss on him in the middle of the stairs? At any moment someone could've entered the stairwell and seen them. Not that the kiss she'd given him had been particularly long and as kisses went, it was more of a peck than anything else. Deku certainly hadn't been expecting it, that much was clear by the stunned expression on his face.

Why blow your first kiss on that? Shouldn't first kisses be like, memorable and planned out? This kiss was more spur of the moment kind of thing and barely a peck.

Even at lunch they'd not been able to talk. Even if the mornings events hadn't made things awkward, when would they actually be able to talk to each other at lunch without raising eyebrows? It'd raise a few questions if she grabbed hold of him and made him come sit with her by himself. Even if no one had really questioned it, somebody would've noticed and asked questions eventually. So, they'd gone to their respective locations and avoided even glances at each other.

Toward the end of lunch she'd been struck by a bold of fear when she'd overheard Mineta drilling Deku about what had happened that morning. He wasn't barking up the wrong tree really…there had been another person in his bedroom that morning.

That little moment of panic aside though, they'd barely even made eye contact. The one plus was that Ochako gotten a brief text from Deku shortly before their afternoon classes started.

1239 Hi. I just wanted to say thanks.

1241 For the kiss I mean

1242 Sorry. Should've been more specific, but thank you. It was a surprise!

1243 A good surprise! That is what I meant. It was a good surprise!

That had been the extent of it, but those four little texts had been enough to turn her cheeks rosy pink and make butterflies dance in her stomach. She'd composed a simple, "you're welcome" with a smiley face attached to it. In truth, it was all she could think of to say.

Once they'd gone to their afternoon classes things had become increasingly awkward, not so much because of things with Deku, but because they had to give an impromptu presentation on a randomly assigned forms of contraception. Ochako had been paired with Sato and had been assigned to the implantable birth control. It wasn't the most embarrassing form of contraception, but the whole class had been so tense. She'd felt so uncomfortable for Deku when he and Sero had come up to present on the condom and then Midnight had flamboyantly demonstrated how to apply one.

Once class had ended and she'd gathered up her belongings, Deku had moved past her to immediately head out to his work study. As he'd passed her, he'd given her a cheerful smile and almost looked as if he was going to brush his fingers over hers as she loaded books into her bag. However, Bakugo had come up behind him and aggressively shoulder checked Deku which had knocked him off balance.

"Watch out Kacchan!" Deku had yelled in alarm and then shot an apologetic look at Uraraka before leaving the classroom altogether.

She was at least a little relieved to get another few text messages sometime after dinner.

1807 Hey Uraraka! Sorry we didn't get to spend any time together. Guess I'll be at Endeavors agency all weekend. I can take some pictures of the number one hero if you'd like!

1810 I hope you have a good time at your work studies this weekend! I'm sure you and Asui are learning lots. Especially with one of the big three with you!

1813 Uraraka…I can't wait to see you again on Monday!

1814 Sorry if that sounded, well, weird.

Even after getting those messages, it didn't change the fact that she still felt like she'd not been able to talk to him near enough that day, but it did make her feel a little bit better. Was he really excited to see her on Monday? Would he think about it all weekend? She knew she would.

She'd sent a few of her own messages, hoping they conveyed her excitement about him and well, whatever the future held.

1820 Thanks Deku! Tsu and I are doing our best to learn everything we can. Hado has been really helpful too. She knows so much and is so powerful it's crazy!

1822 I'm really bummed that I don't get to see you all weekend but the work studies are important—we have to remember that.

1823 But I'm really looking forward to seeing you too.

She'd punctuated the last message with a smiley face. After she'd sent those messages she'd forlornly headed to her room and begun her homework. It had been a slow trek since she was so distracted. Perhaps doing hero work tomorrow would be beneficial in that it would force her mind to move to more pressing matters instead of being hung up on her swiftly evolving relationship and feelings for Deku.

Momo and some of the other girls had suggested that they do another study group for the night since they were all going to be tied up with their work studies during the weekend, but Uraraka had declined. She didn't feel like having another suggestive conversation with Ashido. Ashido was too savvy for her comfort. If anyone was able to sus out something more going on between she and Deku, it was most definitely her.

The equation in front of her seemed to mock her endlessly. Just focus brain! Push these feelings down. Focus on your homework! Tomorrow will be easier because you'll have hero work to do and Tsu will be there and Hado too, she reassured herself.

Ochako spent another hour struggling with her homework before she finally gave up and began preparing for bed. Tomorrow would be a long day and she'd need to be in the right mindset to give her best in the work studies.

Just as she was getting into bed her phone buzzed halting her in mid motion. Ochako had hurriedly clamored over to her bedside table and snatched it up. It was a message from Deku! She flipped open her phone to read the message and saw that it was a blurry photo of Endeavor, glowing brightly with flame. Bakugo, Todoroki, and Deku weren't visible in the picture at all, but at the end of the message there was a smiley face which made Ochako smile. He was thinking of her.

With that thought, she flipped her phone shut and got into bed. She hoped that tomorrow she would be able to be more focused.

The day had gone surprisingly quickly. Uraraka had been busy with hero work for the majority of the day which had helped pass the time. It also served as an excellent way to keep her mind from Deku…and the burgeoning feelings that were associated with him.

Ryukyu had had them patrolling on some local docks since she'd picked up a tip that a possible drug exchange was going down. She'd had Hado, Tsu, and Uraraka all scouting out the area to seek out and prevent any drugs from changing hands.

The lead had turned into a bust when there'd been no signs of a drug deal but they had inadvertently crossed paths with a panicked villain who looked like they weren't the first heroes he'd crossed paths with. It had only taken one blast of Hado's energy surges and he'd been down for the count.

After the authorities had arrived on the scene to escort the small-time villain into custody, the dragon hero and her protégé's learned that the villain had escaped from Endeavor earlier in the day. There had apparently been a jewelry store that was being robbed and this man had been a part of that robbery until Endeavor and company arrived on scene and managed to subdue and contain every villain, aside from this last one. His quirk seemed to allow him to work in a similar way to Lemillion's in that he could pass through walls and buildings which made him far faster than his comrades, as well as difficult to catch. Unlike Lemillion though, this man had poor mastery over his quirk and clearly lacked the versatility that Lemillion had with permeation.

Upon learning that Endeavor's group had encountered this man and others earlier in the day, Ochako couldn't help but wonder if Deku had been a part of that. She'd briefly spared a glance at her phone and been both disappointed but also relieved to see that there were no messages from him.

Ryukyu had been mostly unimpressed with the crook and seemed even less concerned about anything happening to Endeavor or any of his team. It made some sense that she had the utmost faith in the number one hero. Endeavor wasn't All Might but he was a more than capable pro and had rightfully earned that number one spot.

After they'd finished up with the small-time villain and all the paperwork involved, Uraraka, Tsu, and Hado had been released. The three girls had all changed into their civvies and then headed back toward UA.

After a relatively crowded bus ride, Uraraka, Tsu, and Hado continued on their trek to UA and their respective dorms. The girls had all been walking close to each other since it was still early February and there was a cold bite in the evening air. Uraraka wore her brown wool coat and her pink scarf bundled up tight over her neck and jaw. Tsu was dressed even more warmly with a woolen beanie on her head, thick white puffer coat, thick trousers, and a well-insulated boot of some sort. She also was wrapped up to her nose in a green scarf. It was enough that it would've made Uraraka break out in a sweat, but then again Tsu was basically a frog and therefore didn't do well in the cold.

Hado on the other hand was the lightest dressed of the three. Aside from what looked like a cozy turtle neck, the periwinkle girl simply wore a light khaki colored like sweater and her school skirt with what looked like heavier woolen stockings. She seemed completely unbothered by the cold, whilst being the least dressed of them for the weather. Even as tiny little snowflakes occasionally fell from the sky, she seemed totally unfazed.

Not for the first time, Ochako wondered about Nejire Hado. She came off as ditzy and air headed at times, yet was clearly extremely intelligent, inquisitive, and had a very powerful quirk. It was as if she straddled a bizarre line of airheaded but intelligent and graceful, ethereal pixie like creature. It was an odd juxtaposition.

"Hey hey there ladies! Any big plans for Valentines Day?" Hado abruptly asked as she caught the occasional snowflakes on her tongue.

"Ribbit…I had completely forgotten," Tsu admitted thoughtfully.

"It's right around the corner silly!" Hado chided playfully and shot Tsu a teasing smile. "Any big dates Froppy? Any special boys? Or girls?"

Tsu visibly shuddered. Clearly, romance was not something that had even crossed her mind. "No. Ribbit."

Hado laughed at Tsu's response but quickly changed gears to gaze at Uraraka. "Uravity? Huh? Any big plans?"

Uraraka was quiet for a moment as her mind raced. Did she have any big plans? No. It was just like any other day. She certainly didn't have anything planned for it. Yet.

"Nope," she replied after her moment's hesitation.

It was a moment too long for Hado to not notice.

Abruptly, Hado raced ahead of the two younger girls and turned to face them, her face a bubbly display of girlish excitement. "Uravity spill! You've got something going on girl! I can tell!"

Ochako couldn't help but blush in response. She was grateful that the sun had fallen low enough that it was a dull twilight outside and the color in her cheeks wouldn't be all that visible. Besides, it was cold, and any blush could easily be explained away by the chill.

"No, I don't have plans," she insisted before adding, "what about you, Hado? Do you have plans?"

In her usual fashion, Hado seemed completely unfazed by Uraraka's question. She smiled at Ochako and spun around, her periwinkle hair twirling with her. "I do have plans! I'm going out to the movies with Amajiki!"

Uraraka and Tsu just stared at her. They hadn't been expecting that answer, let alone for her to dance around and make a show of it.

"Suneater? Ribbit," Tsu echoed questioningly.

"Does that, well, uh, does that mean you two are like, together?" Ochako asked uncertainly.

Hado let out a tinkling bell like laugh. "Haha, silly Uravity. No! Last year on Valentines I went to the movies with Togata and this year I'm going with Amajiki. Sometimes all three of us go out together, in fact most of the time we all go out and do things together. They spend a lot of time together too, but sometimes it's us three or just me and one of them. This year, I asked Amajiki to go to the movies with me!"

"Oh, so it's more, of a friend thing, ribbit?" Tsu asked.

"Of course! We are the big three, after all, and we are friends outside of that," Hado paused and gave both girls a mischievous look, "poor Amajiki's face was so red when I asked him. I think he might've fainted if Togata hadn't been there too!" She laughed again and started skipping forward with Tsu and Ochako following more slowly.

"He probably thought you were asking him on a real date," Uraraka surmised and imagined the poor socially awkward Amajiki red faced and terrified.

"Just because we aren't seeing each other romantically doesn't mean it's not a real date. It is a real date!" Hado insisted cheerfully.

"Aren't you worried what people will think?" Ochako blurted out, her mind thinking of her briefly shared kiss with Deku in the stairwell and the possibility of being seen. Didn't Hado care that people would probably talk and assume that she and Amajiki were together? Did people already think those things since she spent so much time with both Lemillion and Suneater?

Without stopping or skipping a beat, Hado cheerfully answered, "No!"

"You're a brave one, Hado," Tsu marveled.

Hado laughed again as she continued to bounce along. "Why would I care what people think? If they want to think that Amajiki and I are together they're going to think it regardless of what I do. The same goes for Togata and I. When someone wants to know the truth, they can just ask me and I'll tell them: we're just friends!"

Uraraka was quiet, mulling over this information. Hado really didn't seem to care that the concept of she and Amajiki going together to see a movie would draw attention. Anyone at the cinema would see the young and vibrant Hado and the shy yet mysterious Amajiki and automatically assume that they were a couple. It was a natural assumption. Especially since Uraraka had the suspicion that Hado would likely be bouncing around, tugging on Amajiki's arm, potentially even holding his hand—all of that would be more than enough for anyone who saw them to assume that they were together. Despite that though, Hado didn't seem to care about the social implication or the fact that it might start rumors. How could she be so carefree?

It made Uraraka think about what others would say if they saw her going to see the movies with a boy…more specifically, Deku. Everyone would assume they were together. Of course, she wasn't likely to hang on Deku the way she imagined Hado would hang on Amajiki. Still, it would make people think…but what was so bad about that? They could just ask her if they really wanted to know just like Hado had said…and was it really that bad if they did go to the movies as a real couple and not just as friends? Did it matter if others thought that they were together or that they liked each other?

"But what if Amajiki likes you, like likes you?" Cut in Tsu's voice, tearing Ochako out of her inner thoughts.

That did give Hado the briefest of pauses. She stopped her skipping and turned around to smile at her frog like friend. It was a smile that Uraraka had never seen on Hado's face before. The expression seemed to reflect an almost childlike purity mixed with something that could only be described as demure.

"If he did, I wouldn't mind," she said with a twinkle in her eye that would've made Aoyama green with envy. The response and the twinkle were enough to make Uraraka contemplate the exact type of feelings that Hado actually had for Amajiki.

Does she like him…?

"Oh, look at that! We're at school now! Guess I'll see you girls tomorrow!" Hado exclaimed and turned in toward the school proper.

Ochako had been so lost in her own thoughts and Hado's responses that she hadn't realized that they'd arrived at UA. Both she and Tsu stood at the entrance to UA and watched as their senior friend seemed to bounce and bobble away from them. She'd left them with more questions than answers.

"Ribbit," Tsu murmured softly as she too watched Nejire Hado make her way toward the third year's dorms.

"Okay Tsu let's get back before you go into hibernation," Uraraka said and grabbed Tsu's hand and tugged her forward.

Hado had left them with plenty to think about, but the night was still young and they still had homework and dinner to attend to. And maybe I'll text Deku, Uraraka thought to herself with a small smile.

By the time they reached the dorm for class 1-A, the sun had fully set and both Tsu and Ochako were quite cold. Once the sun had fully dipped below the horizon, any warmth from the day had gone with it.

After they'd shed their shoes and winter wear and entered the dorm proper, they were surprised to see Mirko standing in the common room facing Mr. Aizawa with Bakugo moodily standing at her side, his left arm in a sling!

"—thought I'd bring him here since I didn't trust him to make his way back to Endeavor. I had strict instructions from the old man," Mirko said in a very no nonsense kind of way.

"Endeavors agency called over earlier in the day alerting me to your arrival. I notified Recovery Girl as well. I trust you brough him to her?" Mr. Aizawa asked with sleepy eyes that also somehow looked irritable.

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" Bakugo snapped irritably. He crossed his arms and looked away in irritation.

"Yup. First thing we did, teach," Mirko laughed and suddenly slapped Bakugo's good arm playfully. Mr. Aizawa's eyes narrowed ever so slightly at Mirko's rough handling. "This kid, he fought me tooth and nail getting to that old bag. Thought I'd for sure have to beat his ass just to drag him there."

"I didn't need to see that old fossil! I'm fine!" Bakugo retorted with a venomous glare at Mirko and Aizawa.

"Busted wing says otherwise kid," Mirko countered with a smirk in Bakugo's direction. Bakugo only frowned.

"Endeavor's message said that he'd need to be out until at least Monday and when I spoke to Recovery Girl—though this was before she'd seen him—she thought that it would take at least that much time for the bones to completely knit back together and before it should be used again," Aizawa added.

"That's the gist of it. Keep this pipsqueak on light duty till then," Mirko said and shoved Bakugo forward toward Aizawa. Bakugo bristled at the shove and turned back to glare daggers at the rabbit hero, his right hand suddenly open palm spread as if ready to launch an explosion at the rabbit. There was a soft orange glow forming in that open palm and just the beginnings of pops and cracks. Mirko seemed completely unbothered by that threatening hand but Aizawa apparently had other thoughts when his hair suddenly stood on end and his eyes glowed a frightening red. The glow died in Bakugo's palm and any popping and crackling ceased entirely.

Huffing in exasperation, Bakugo's hand dropped back to his side and he angrily turned away from Mirko. "It was a stupid broken arm that's all! That shouldn't keep me from the work study! This rabbit and Endeavor are overreacting like the idiots they are!"

"That's enough," Mr. Aizawa snapped, his hair still on end and his eyes red. "Endeavor's instructions were clear as were Recovery Girls. You will be restricted to the dorm until Monday when you can resume all regular hero activities."

"This is crap!" Snapped the fiery blonde with a sneer.

"Such fire! Love it," Mirko admited and smiled.

"Can it rabbit!" Bakugo retorted angrily. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your interference with our operation!"

Mirko simply laughed at the blonde's venom. "Next time I'll make sure to not save your ass from that shark toothed fat head."

"I had it under control, rabbit!"

"Sure you did kid," Mirko said and stretched languidly, making a grand show of it.

Bakugo looked as if he might explode at the number five heroes cavalier attitude. Had Aizawa not had erasure active, it was entirely possible that if given the chance, he would've lobbed an explosion square in the rabbit's face.

"I'll take it from here. Thank you, Mirko," Mr. Aizawa said. The red glow in his eyes faded and his hair dropped back to his shoulders.

"See ya," Mirko said with a shrug and turned away.

The number five hero walked past both Tsu and Uraraka who still stood somewhat shell shocked at seeing Bakugo, apparently, forcefully back from his work studies and with a sling on to boot! Mirko exited and an uneasy silence settled over the dorm. Uraraka became aware of the other onlookers that also appeared to be staring just as she and Tsu had been doing. She could see Momo and Mina just peeking out of the stairwell, watching the scene. Kaminari and Jiro were both seated on the couch, heads turned ever so slightly in the direction of the commotion. Further in she saw Sero, Tokoyami, Koda, Ida, and Mineta also carefully watching the scene.

"Bakugo, I expect you to restrict your activities to the dorm with no physical strain until Monday. Understood?" Mr. Aizawa said, his serious stare directed at the visibly irritable Bakugo.

"Fine," he spat without meeting Aizawa's gaze.

"Take this time to catch up on your studies," Aizawa suggested halfheartedly and then sighed, "keep in mind that if I catch you going off campus or engaging in strenuous physical activity, they'll be far greater consequences to pay than just rest and relaxation until Monday." The not-so-subtle undertone of threat hung heavy in the air between them.

"Whatever," muttered Bakugo with a huff.

Apparently satisfied, Mr. Aizawa started to head out of the building. He spared a brief apologetic glance at both Tsu and Uraraka and then vanished from sight. A pregnant silence filled the air.

In true class representative fashion, Ida broke the silence by striding forward and loudly stating, "We welcome you back home Bakugo! We are glad to have you and will do everything in our power to make sure you get all the rest and relaxation you need for a speedy recovery."

"Give it a rest, four eyes," Bakugo snarled and moved away from Ida and made his way toward the stairs. Both Momo and Mina looked like they were desperately trying to melt into the wall to give him a wide berth.

Once Bakugo was out of sight, silence remained. Momo and Mina left the stairwell to join both Kaminari and Jiro on the couch, notebooks clutched in their hands. Ida looked somewhat deflated before also joining the group on the couch. Sero, Tokoyami, Koda, and Mineta all split up and went in different directions. Tsu and Ochako cautiously retired to their rooms.

When Uraraka was safely behind the privacy of her closed door, she opened her book bag and pulled out her cell phone. She was not unsurprised to find that there were half a dozen texts from Deku, all sent within the last hour.

1917 Hey Uraraka! We had a really busy day. Poor Kacchan got hurt today when we were trying to stop a group of villains from robbing a jewelry store. It looked like a broken arm but I'm not certain. Todoroki and I did first aid but Endeavor thought it best to send him back to UA. I hope he's okay.

1920 Endeavor said that Recovery Girl was the best option for Kacchan to have a fast recovery. He was really upset that he had to return to UA. The number five hero, Mirko, actually assisted us with taking down the robbery villains and escorted Kacchan back to UA. Endeavor insisted. I think he was afraid that Kacchan would refuse if not escorted by someone.

1921 Uraraka, I know you aren't really close to Kacchan—nobody really is aside from maybe Kirishima or Kaminari—but will you keep a watch on him? I'm worried about him. I heard his arm break from across the room. Can you make sure he doesn't push it and end up hurting himself more?

1922 Sorry, I didn't even ask you about your day! How was your day?

2005 Burnin' told me that Recovery Girl saw Kacchan and that she wasn't too worried. He only needs to rest until Monday. That's good news! But I know that he won't be happy about that. I guess sorry in advance for him. He might be, well, he'll probably not be the friendliest since he won't be able to participate in the work study and he lives for that.

2011 I hope you had a good day!

Ochako couldn't help but admire Deku for his continued concern over Bakugo when Bakugo seemed all too fond of humiliating and insulting him. His loyalty and dedication to his friend never failed to impress her. She wasn't sure how to respond to his messages though. They'd largely been about Bakugo and aside from relaying the conversation between Aizawa, Mirko, and Bakugo that she'd witnessed, she wasn't sure what she should tell him. Apart from the sling, Bakugo had seemed like his usual self. He was irritable and fiery…but was that appropriate to say? Probably.

"We actually caught the villain that got away from your jewelry store robbery, the one that got away from you. Bakugo was here when I got back to the dorms and looked okay. He's in a sling but acting like his usual self. I'll keep an eye on him for you though. Have a good night Deku." She quickly tapped away at her phone and then sent the message away.

What else was there to say? All of her feelings would have to wait because she didn't feel like it was appropriate to send those kinds of things via text. Subtext was often completely lost in text. Besides, they needed to focus while they were at their work studies…that meant not having to focus on mooshy stuff. And not agonizing over the fact that she'd had her first kiss very recently.

She'd have to go downstairs for dinner shortly. It was late but she still hadn't eaten. It was one thing that she wasn't fond of on the weekends. She always got back at past eight o'clock and had to eat late. It didn't leave much time in the evening for homework and dinner. Perhaps she'd take a long bath after dinner and homework.

Sighing, Ochako left her room to head downstairs to get something to eat before starting on her homework. She briefly wondered what Deku was doing, if he was doing homework at that very minute or was still out patrolling with Endeavor.

Deku sat hunched over on his phone on the bed in his room at Endeavor's agency. He had read and reread Uraraka's message multiple times. Was there more meaning to it? Was there any emotion in it? Was it flat?

He sighed with frustration and tried to banish his anxiety over her single response. Try as he might though, he couldn't dispel it from his thoughts or the fact that his mind kept roaming back to the kiss he'd shared with her.

It had been so brief and short lived that it might not even count as a first kiss but it was still hugely present in his mind. He wanted to kiss her again and this time, he wanted it to be longer.

Nervously, Izuku looked back toward his phone and opened up search engine app and stared at the empty dialogue box. Was it totally stupid to do an internet search on kissing? No, it's knowledge and knowledge is power!

With quivering fingers, Izuku typed 'how to kiss well' into the dialogue box. Hundreds of sites popped up to his query, quite a few of them clearly sketchy and likely porn or laden with malware. Aside from those though, he thought he saw a few results that might help him become a pro kisser—wait, could you become a pro kisser from just reading about? Izuku banished that thought and clicked on the first link, pulling out a notebook and a pencil so he could take notes.

F/N: As I was editing this, I saw that I had Uraraka doing math homework and I know in later chapters I have people doing math again. I think this is maybe because when I was in high school, I always had math homework and math homework was like just always the worst. Boo to math homework!