That day.

It was that day that changed everyone's lives including hers. When she had woken up that morning, she knew that they were headed to fight the villains. She knew that everyone was about to head off in different directions to their assigned missions, and she knew that there was a possibility that someone might even get hurt.

But she never expected something like this. Never expected for him of all people to get hurt.

She still remembers it so vividly despite trying her hardest not to. The air was thick with smoke and chaos as everyone split off in different directions. When she was getting ready to move out herself, she swiftly stopped and turned back to see everyone already gone.

Everyone except him.

"Bakugo?" She was startled to see Bakugo just silently standing there staring at her after everyone had long gone and was about to ask him if everything was alright until she met his worried eyes. Any words she was about to say leaving her mind as the painful realization hit her that he was leaving too. She wanted to tell him to be careful, to try and not be as reckless as she knew he could be. She wanted to tell him to make sure to come back in one piece…to come back to her, which just made her in turn stare at him worriedly knowing she shouldn't be thinking things like this.

There was just so much she wanted to say, to truly tell him how she felt about him after everything they'd been through together just in that year alone and now she worried she might never get the chance to.

"Uraraka…" She heard his gruff voice suddenly turn surprisingly soft as he took a hesitant step towards her. She wasn't sure what was wrong with him but when his eyes softened in a way that made her heart flutter, she couldn't do anything but silently stand there and stare at those eyes that always kept her up at night. But when he opened his mouth again to speak, she felt her arm being tugged on by Tsu.

"Ochaco come on! We have to go!" Tsu urgently said.

Looking next to her Uraraka could see Tsu worriedly gesturing for them to hurry up and get a move on before looking back at Bakugo who still kept his eyes on her. With a slight nod he turned and rushed off in the opposite direction.

After her own fight she could still remember the roaring sounds of destruction, the muffled screams all around. The ongoing pain in her abdomen as she along with some of their other classmates arrived at the fight with All for One after getting wounded by Himiko Toga.

What she wasn't expecting was to arrive at a scene that instantly made her forget all that, and instead made her heart sink and fall to her knees as he continued to lay there unmoving.

"No…" whimpering she dragged herself closer, eyes locked to Bakugo's faint ones that seemed to be staring in her direction, but she couldn't tell since every second that passed by his eyelids began to close.

"Guys…?" Mina's voice could be heard trembling from behind as she clutched her mouth sobbing.

"No." Stubbornly shaking her head, Uraraka fought the urge to do the same and continued to move towards him. "Bakugo!"

"Bakugo!" Kirishima shouted dropping down next to him as his eyes widened upon seeing his wounded friend.

"Kirishima!" Uraraka shouted kneeling down on the other side of him. "Please tell me he's ok!"

"I-I don't know…" Kirishima began to cry, furious at himself for arriving so late. "Bakugo!"

At the sight of Kirishima frantically trying to wake him, her own tears began to fall. Not wanting to believe that he would be taken away from them. From her. Desperately clutching onto his gloved hand, she continued to plead along with the others who began crying around them.

"Bakugo…please…please wake up. You have to…." Uraraka whimpered lightly placing a kiss on his forehead.

"NO!" she shouted, heavily panting, and jolting upright in bed. It took her another second, frantically letting her eyes roam around her empty room realizing she had been dreaming. Wiping her cheeks already knowing that she had tear marks down her cheeks, she quickly got out of bed and tried to get ready for the day.

Exiting her bedroom, she took a look around sensing the same thing she did every day for the last couple of months. When she had moved in, she couldn't wait to come home everyday but now things just seemed… different somehow. Empty, colder even.

Shaking her head, she quickly went about getting ready for work and rummaged through one of the cabinets until she found a protein bar before going back to her bedroom and doing her hair. She couldn't let these memories continue to haunt her, and as much as it pained her to do so, she knew it was about time that she put that behind her and moved past it. Everyone else seemed to be doing better, maybe she should too.

Now starring at the person reflected in her mirror she knew that it wasn't doing her any good to be stuck in the past, she wasn't the little sixteen-year-old girl anymore that would constantly worry about her quirk, she wasn't in school anymore and although she still kept in touch with her friends, she knew there would always be someone missing. Someone that would always hold a special place in her heart, someone she would occasionally catch starring at her in the middle of class or training, and when she had, he would quickly look away or just scowl back at her as if it was her fault he got caught, always wondering what it was that had her explosive classmate always blushing so profusely.

"He's gone Ochaco." She reminded herself. The familiar words she had to keep repeating over and over again always bringing pain to her chest. "Time to finally move on."

X

During the last couple of months Bakugo found himself alternating between staying at Kirishimas and his parents which was fine, but he frustratingly continued to find himself restlessly trying to find something to do to keep himself occupied. "Come on Shitty hair get up!" he groaned waiting for Kirishima to finally drag himself out of bed and head to work.

It's already been two months since he left Urarakas apartment and everyday that's passed since then, seemed worse than the last. Whenever his mind would wander off, he would feel this aching pain in his chest to run back there and see how she was doing or even just get a glimpse of her but knew that this was for the best. She didn't need him there crowding her. Hell, he was pretty sure that if she knew he was there the whole time that she would find a way to get him back, then repeatedly kick his ass until he was right back here in this hell hole.

"SHITTY HAIR GET YOU'RE ASS UP DAMN IT!" He yelled and not two seconds later Kirishima tiredly walked himself to the kitchen to get coffee started with a big frown covering his face rather than the regular chipper mood he was in. "About time!"

Yawning Kirishima went about his morning routine much to Bakugo's inpatient waiting until he was finally dressed and heading off to work.

"This better be fuckin eventful that's all I gotta say." Bakugo huffed stomping down the street next to Kirishima and another rookie doing their daily patrols. "Better be some high-ranking villain, life threatening kind of stuff, none of those dumb wannabes you've been catching either!"

As he continued to gripe about his day, Kirishima continued to animatedly talk to the new sidekick about what they were expected to do and what they would usually come across in this part of town. "So, any questions?"

"Well yeah but it's kind of embarrassing…"

"Gotcha." Kirishima gave his toothy grin already knowing it wasn't work related. "Ask away."

"You're too damn nice for your own good dumbass." Bakugo scoffed thankful that Kirishima was right back to his usual self but damn he didn't have to go the extra mile for these rookies. Work was work after all and they had some damn villains to catch.

"It's about you and Dynamight." The girl furiously blushed. "I'm actually a big fan."

"For fucks sake how old is this kid?!" Rolling his eyes Bakugo decided to walk a few paces ahead.

"Oh yeah? That's always great to hear." Kirishima grinned rubbing the back of his head.

"Yeah, and I'm sorry to hear about what happened to him. I hear you guys were pretty close."

Nodding Kirishima did his best to keep the smile on his face knowing that it still hit a sensitive spot in him. "Yeah well, knowing him…he would prefer going out that way. He was never one to just give up when things got tough, even during battle he wouldn't take the easy way. I guess you could say I've always admired him when it came to that."

Keeping his eyes down Bakugo silently continued to listen as the two talked. Anytime the subject would come up he knew people would be reluctant to talk about it, but when they did, he could honestly say he was grateful for having them in his life.

When he heard Kirishima suddenly laughing that quickly pulled him out of his thoughts. "Hmm?"

"Yeah, Pinky and I are still going strong, lucky for me huh?"

Laughing the sidekick nodded. "That's good to hear. She's very lucky and a pretty great hero."

Rolling his eyes Bakugo could tell where this was heading. That's why he would always tell people to fuck off, therefore not having to deal with these pointless questions.

"Thanks." Kirishima grinned.

"And Dynamight? Did he have a girlfriend or special someone?"

"Um…well…" Thinking it over Kirishima lifted a finger to his chin.

"Tell her no and move on."

"No girlfriend. You see he wasn't really the type to focus on things like that, didn't really have the time, he was more into being a great hero."

"Damn it shitty hair you don't have to go into all that!" He glared at the red head. "Besides just because I didn't have one doesn't mean I never would!"

"Oh…" dropping her voice the sidekick furrowed her brows in confusion. "So, he never had a special someone that he cared for?" Upon seeing Kirishimas somber expression, she quickly spoke again. "I'm sorry that's rude of me-let's talk about something else."

"Fuck yeah it's rude. Not like I never thought about it…" Bakugo grumbled stuffing his hands in his pockets and thinking back that even in high school in the rare event that that thought even crossed his mind, he would always think of one person.

"No, it's fine." Kirishima shrugged it off. "But I know he did…care about someone I mean."

"Hah?!" Jaw hitting the ground Bakugo stayed back as he watched the two walk off before shaking his head mumbling the whole way back.

When it was close to the time get back to the Fatgum agency, Bakugo didn't know whether he was annoyed because he didn't get to see the action he wanted or because of what that damn sidekick had asked Shitty hair. And how the hell did Kirishima think he knew?! And why the fuck didn't he tell him! Wasn't it the duty of a so-called best friend to tell him if he knew something that Bakugo was maybe quite possibly hiding without knowing?

Scoffing, he stubbornly walked on ahead again knowing that he was just being petty. No way in hell would Kirishima just blunt out tell him he knew the whole time, if he had his suspicions before then he wasn't the type to tell anyone until Bakugo was ready to talk about it. "Dumbass…" he grumbles right before he heard an irritated loud screech from behind that made the sound of nails scratching against the board seem like nothing. "What in the actual fuck?!" he grits between his teeth knowing that sidekick had startled Kirishima as well when the red head covered his ears.

"Everything ok?!" Kirishima asked to check his ears for any damage.

"That's Uravity!" she frantically pointed with her finger a few streets down.

Frozen to the spot Bakugo felt his heart stop too when he saw beautiful brown hair framing the face of the girl that's been on his mind since he was fifteen as she continued to chat with someone walking next to her and dressed in her usual pink and black hero suit. Even though it's been only a couple of months it felt even longer since he'd seen her and at that time, she was fast asleep. He didn't know how but she continued to look more and more stunning everytime he saw her.

"Uraraka! Over here!" Kirishima shouted and that seemed to knock Bakugo back to the present furiously blinking away the daze he was in.

Smiling, when someone called out to her by name, she quickly turned to see Kirishima down the street. "Kirishima hi!"

Happily skipping up to him they gave each other a fond hug in greeting before she let her eyes turn to his partner.

"Oh, sorry this is-"

"Uravity I'm screecher, it's an honor to meet you!" the sidekick frantically shook Uraraka's outstretched hand to which the brunette gave Kirishima an amused grin.

"Very nice to meet you too." She giggled, which felt like music to Bakugo's ears having long missed the sound of it and his eyes didn't dare leave her face until he heard her next words as she turned to the person now standing next to her. "This is shadow eyes."

"You can just call me Haru." He extended his hand with a friendly smile to which Kirishima took and shook.

"Tch." He didn't know what but something about this guy struck a familiar annoying chord in him and the close proximity of him standing next to Uraraka didn't make things any better.

It seemed like Kirishima had the same idea after furrowing his brow in thought. "You know…you seem really familiar."

"Oh, that's right!" Uraraka smiled looking between the two. "Haru went to school with us, but he was an upperclassman."

"Yeah, you're red riot, right?" Haru grinned. "Uraraka has told me a lot about you guys, and I've seen some of the things you guys did in school-"

"Oh, clam it you damn extra!" gnashing his teeth together Bakugo now remembered this guy as the same one who was trying to make a move on her back in school, but refused to think any further on the matter. Did she even end up going on a stupid date with this extra? Racking his brain, he tried to come up with anything that indicated that she had back then but anytime he was around he couldn't recollect her mentioning anything.

"-pretty impressive I gotta say." Haru finished.

"Give it a rest already. No one's gonna buy that half-baked excuse for flattery." Bakugo rolled his eyes. "Back me up Shitty Hair."

"Nah really? You think?" Kirishima grinned, getting flustered. "It was no big deal really. We all just did our best."

"DAMN IT KIRISHIMA!" Gawking Bakugo tried to lunge at him as they continued talking. "What the fuck?!"

"Anyways we better be going. We still have to finish our rounds." Uraraka gave Kirishima an apologetic smile.

"Yeah, we do to." Kirishima said before asking. "So, you work at the same agency?"

"Yeah, for a couple of months. Ryuku had me transfer over from another agency which is where I had the privilege of running into her again." He grinned down at Uraraka who nervously looked away.

"What?!" Bakugo shouted, eyes dangerously dragging between them.

"Ohhhh so he's the one you got partnered up with that time…" Kirishima slowly nodded putting the pieces together. "I remember."

"Yeah, I guess Ryuku thought we worked well together so she kept us on the same patrols." Uraraka admitted and was actually relieved to learn that when she found out it wasn't another sidekick who thought they knew everything, but instead another friendly face.

"I bet." The blond bitterly spat fully aware of the fact that he didn't like him just by having seen this guy two times which was enough in his book. I mean who the hell did this guy think he is with his overly sickening charm, and disgustingly good looks? Uraraka would never fall for something like that.

Scrunching her brows together Uraraka looked at Kirishima clearly confused. "Didn't Mina tell you?"

"No!" Bakugo shouted thinking that if Pinky didn't get her shit together soon, he'd make sure she stood on this side with him.

Rubbing his neck Kirishima gave a half shrug. "Guess it must've slipped her mind."

"She doesn't have one!" Bakugo bit back.

"Well, we should get going. It was nice to finally meet you." Haru smiled placing his hand on Urarakas shoulder in a friendly gesture and that alone send Bakugo's anger soaring and see nothing but red, but he preferred that over the despair and hurt he was currently feeling.

"The hell with this…" Not wanting to see any more he stormed down the street. He knew it was stupid of him to get this upset but frankly right now he didn't care, he just needed to get out of there. He didn't know nor cared where he was walking, just letting his pain and anger lead the way.

He knew he did the right thing when he had to leave. She deserved to be happy, deserved to be with someone who could give her everything she wanted. But why did his damn heart keep insisting that she was the one he was meant to be with. Him of all people! The guy who doesn't know shit about being in any sort of relationship. Not like else would go for someone like him anyways when she had people like Deku or even this damn Haru guy in her life.

"GODDAMN IT!" roughly pulling at his hair and kicking one of the trash cans down the alley, he dropped to the ground, leaning against the old building and placed his head in his hands until the sound of a loud 'CLANK' echoed a few feet away as the trash can bounced against one of the brick walls of an old building.

Whipping his head in that direction he took cautious slow steps towards the trash can sprawled on the dirty ground in front of him. "The hell…?"

He wasn't entirely sure how long he had stayed like that, staring at it with a dizzying sense of anxiety and shock at what may have just happened. Lifting his foot, he repeatedly tried kicking it again and again but just as with anything else, his foot just went through it. What else did he expect? So, with that thought pushed away he just stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked back to Kirishimas, unbeknownst to him a fog like figure watching.

X

"Again, there's a reason why I didn't tell you Kiri." Mina groaned again screaming into a couch cushion while her boyfriend continued to pace the living room of their apartment. She knew this day would come and even though she knew there was nothing to it, apparently her boyfriend thought otherwise.

"How could you not tell me something like this Mina?"

"Because I knew you'd react the exact same way you are now." She pointed out.

Bakugo was silently sitting back on one of the recliners thinking the same exact thing. Usually when it came to gossip Pinky was the first one on the scene, but now out of all the times she could have picked, this was the first time she was so tight lipped about anything, and he really wanted to know why.

Ok so maybe Uraraka was working with some guy. Maybe it was that same asshole from school and maybe they might be da… "Fuck!" He frustratingly rubbed his face not even wanting to finish that thought and therefore continued to watch these two idiots' bicker.

"Hey, I'm acting just fine." Kirishima tried to stop his pacing.

"Uh-huh." Grinning Mina knew her boyfriend better but decided to let it go. She knew that even though Kirishima was a tough guy, he had a heart of gold and would do anything for his friends. It had already been three years since Bakugo was gone, but she knew Kirishima still cared deeply for him and Uraraka. It was just a shame that neither of them had realized it in time, and now Kirishima was both worried about Uraraka and feeling a sense of duty for Bakugo's sake. "Listen babe…." Grabbing his hand, she gently led him to sit on the couch next to her.

"You should've told me." Kirishima leaned back and lifted his gaze to stare at the ceiling.

"Why?" When he didn't answer Mina snuggled up closer to him. "Look sweetie, I'm not saying they're an item because they're not. "

"Could've fuckin fooled me..." Bakugo rolled his eyes deciding to swat at a nearby lamp to see if it'll move.

"From my understanding they've been working together that's all. That's why I didn't think it was such a big deal to tell you."

Nodding Kirishima leaned forward looking down at his hands. "I'm being a bad friend aren't I….?"

"No, I think you're sweet." She fondly smiled. "And I'm sure he'd appreciate what you're doing for him, but Kiri…"

"He's gone. I know." Kirishima quietly said, which just made the blond frown and look away.

"If Uraraka wants to date someone, we shouldn't be upset. We should be happy for her just like we would for anyone of our friends." Kirishima wrapped his arms around her knowing Mina was right. If Uraraka was ok and wanted to start seeing someone she would have his support. She had spent a good amount of their high school days focusing on improving, leaving little time for much else which always reminded him of the way Bakugo was.

They all knew why she was doing it; it was her way of grieving. Her way of trying to ignore the reality of it all. People mourn the loss of someone important to them in different ways and it seemed this was hers.

After he had found out from Mina that their sweet gravity girl had a long-standing crush on Bakugo which quickly escalated to something more, then it all started to make sense the way she would sometimes go out of her way to address Bakugo whenever he was around to involve him in things.

Or he'd catch her sneak small glances of his bro during class thinking that it was Midoriya she was staring at, but it actually wasn't. Subtle little things like that he would find cute if it weren't for his clueless friend that constantly brushed off any topic involving possible relationships whenever he would try and give him small hints. When it came to battle strategies, fighting or anything to do with school Bakugo was as sharp as ever. But when it came to this…Bakugo was like a baby learning how to crawl. He was there, he just needed the push.

"It's just…"

"I know babe." Mina softly rubbed his shoulder. "And even though I know Uraraka doesn't want to admit this to anyone else, but he'll always have a special place in her heart."

Curiously sitting up Kirishima carefully watched his girlfriend fondly smiling. "You mean she's told you that she…"

"What? Speak up." Bakugo tiredly lifted his head waiting for them to fill in the answer for him.

"Yeah…I think it went beyond that for her. So, if she feels ready to move on to someone else, we should be happy Kiri."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." He exhaled, tightening his hold on her while Bakugo walked off to the spare room they had made into a small gym intending to work off his frustration.

"Come on. We should head to bed. We have to get up early tomorrow and meet everyone." Mina got to her feet pulling Kirishima along.

X

"It's good to see you." Iida grinned wrapping her in a warm embrace that Uraraka happily returned. Throughout the years their old class rep had become rather fond of hugs after being forced into them in high school by everyone.

"It's good to see you too Iida." She smiled right before being hugged by Deku next. "Glad you could make it Deku."

"Yeah well I'm never too buys for Kacchan." He nodded to all their classmates who were just as dressed up for their yearly meetings to visit Bakugo's grave. "Can't believe it's already been three years…"

When she felt her lips quiver Uraraka pressed her lips together not entirely sure what to say. She knew Deku was still having a hard time with it too. But to lose someone you grew up with and known your whole life…

"I guess we're starting." Iida gestured for them to follow as they made their way to everyone else with Deku being the first to stand in front of the headstone.

"Hey Kacchan, it's me."

"Hey Izuku…" Bakugo quietly said sitting on the grass and leaning against the side of the stone like he always did. These losers did this every year on the anniversary of his death. Frankly Bakugo didn't know why his parents, nor All Might or Mr. Aizawa still had them believe that he was buried here, thinking that maybe it was easier for everyone to believe that since it took an obvious toll on his parents, and he could see it on them every day.

Making himself comfortable on the grass Deku cleared his throat as he began to talk about everything that's happened to him this year as if Bakugo himself was there.

Chuckling Bakugo actually listened to everything he had to say as he rambled on and on about his trips and what was going on in his life.

"So anyways, I know all this must be boring you and at this point you'd probably tell me to stop." Deku sheepishly chuckled.

"Not wrong there."

"But now that I'm back in Japan I promise to come visit more often."

"Yeah…" glaring at the ground in front of him Bakugo let his hands glide across the tips of the grass in an attempt to keep his emotions in check, but his scowl grew when he himself couldn't even fell the grass.

"Alright everyone ready?" Iida asked as they headed down the hill. They had made it a point to go get drinks every year after the visit for a toast. Iida usually wouldn't be seen in bars but always made an exception to this.

"Yup let's go." Kaminari said following Sero and Jirou to one of the cars.

"A-actually I'll meet you guys there." Uraraka gave a faint smile waiting for the last possible second to walk up to the headstone where Bakugo was still looking down. After Iida and Deku offered to wait for her by Iida's car, she slowly walked up clutching the same white lilies in her hand. She always found this part hard, especially today of all days. Which was why she waited until now to speak alone. "Hey Bakugo…it's me."

Opting to stay quiet the whole time he stared hard at the ground painfully aware that she was the last one there. Why she waited until now felt like a clear indication to him that she didn't even want to be here.

Placing the flowers down she carefully kneeled to sit, brown eyes fixated on the writing on the stone as her eyes glazed over. "You'd think that this would get easier as time went on, but it's not. And I know I'm not the only one that feels this way. All of us do. That's why we're here. Because we miss you."

"It's fine Round-face. You're all just fine without me." He quietly said never once wanting to look up.

"We miss how passionate you could be about everything. Even when you were angry." She giggled feeling a few tears drop. "You may not realize this, but you helped inspire me to see everything that I was capable of doing during our first year, never once holding back for me."

When he heard her sniffle, he glanced sideways to see her wiping her face.

"It was always so weird walking into the dorms without already hearing your loud voice from outside." She gave a small smile, unable to hear the small chuckle that escaped him.

"I miss not being able to see you. I miss not being able talk to you or even spar together anymore. I guess what I'm trying to say is that…I miss you."

"What?" Jumping to his feet when he saw her stand up, he felt a jolt of electricity shot through him when he heard her words, his heart dared to hope as its speed increased.

"I'm sorry." Clenching her chest with her hand she let her eyes read the letters one more time. "I know I should've said something sooner…I know that, and I regret it everyday."

"Regret what?"

"I should've told you how I feel…I should've told you that I…."

"Tell me what?!" He stepped closer to her, his red eyes desperately roaming her face for any sign at all of what she wanted to tell him.

Softly giggling she shook her head wiping the last of her tears. "I guess now I'll never get the chance to."

"No…" Shaking his head he lifted his hands but stopped when he was inches from her arm. "Not again, please tell me!"

With a shaky breath she let her fingers graze against the cold stone before walking away. "Goodbye Bakugo…."

"No!" Frustratingly running his hands through his hair, chest rising and falling rapidly at the fear and panic that overcame him of not knowing what she wanted to tell him for so long and something told him that if he didn't do something now, she would walk out forever. "Uraraka!"

Halting in her steps she felt her heart stop at the sudden faint and familiar voice. It took her a while before she slowly turned to look at the gravesite. Frowning, her eyes darting both left then right not seeing anything.

Rendered speechless, Bakugo continued to watch with wide shocked eyes as she jumped into Iida's car, and they drove off. "She heard me…"

X

As the former symbol of peace continued to quietly sit and read next to the bed of the small hospital, his attention was stolen when he heard a BEEP and the monitor showing a spike.

"Well…would you look at that." All might couldn't help but grin again for the second time in two days.