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“Being a Pro Hero can call for a taxing lifestyle. You work day in and day out and, even during your vacations, it’s hard to catch a real break.” The interviewer waited for the three of them to nod before continuing, “Do you have any advice for young, aspiring heroes on how to balance work and personal wellbeing?”
“That’s a tough one,” Midoriya replied, tilting his head to the side as he thought of his answer. “Being a hero requires a lot of time and sacrifice, and sometimes it’s difficult to remember to take care of yourself in such a high stress environment. But if Aizawa-sensei taught us anything during our years at U.A., it’s that…”
Deku continued to talk on and on and Bakugou found himself counting the number of threads present on the arm of the sofa.
For the majority of the interview, Katsuki sat near the edge of the couch ready to bolt out of his seat. His manager claimed the special “Top Three” interview was a good way to raise money for charity, but he was almost certain it was simply a thinly veiled publicity stunt and an extra way for the crew to bring cash to their own pockets.
“To be honest, I’m still trying to figure that out myself,” said Todoroki after a long pause, inciting loud cheers and deep sighs from the audience.
Bakugou narrowed his eyes. That fucker could say he ate nail clippings for breakfast and the response would be the same.
So far, the interview had consisted of Deku blabbing on until the host directed the conversation elsewhere, Shouto piping in with a stupid comment in a low drawl that made the entire audience swoon, and Ground Zero almost bursting with annoyance at the vain questions asked.
(The question the host asked Midoriya was probably the most–if not only–question of substance. The rest were about who was dating who, how long did it take to develop such toned muscles, and other bullshit he didn’t care for.)
He found himself zoning out until Todoroki nudged him on the side.
With a blink, Bakugou turned to the interviewer who cleared his throat with a nervous chuckle.
“As I was saying…” started the host, trying to find his words. “You guys are the Top Three everyone is striving to become, but are there any heroes that inspire you? An individual who stands out as someone you trust to keep Japan safe?”
Midoriya nodded fervently, a sparkle lighting up his eye as he began to speak. “Plenty! It’s not possible to choose just one. There are so many heroes I’ve met along the way that helped make me the person I am today–”
And that’s when Bakugou stopped paying attention.
Not for lack of interest, per se, but simply because he’s heard Deku say this millions of times before. Everyone other time he opens his damn mouth, it’s to shout praises of any quirk someone possesses.
“…but ever since our U.A. years, I’ve always had a good feeling about Y/H/N.”
And that’s when Bakugou started paying attention again.
His neck snapped towards Izuku at the mention of your name and Todoroki stifled an amused snort.
You met them as a student in U.A., exactly two grades below theirs. Like Half-and-Half, you got accepted through recommendations and easily blew everyone in your class away during the Sports Festival.
Bakguou didn’t give a single fuck about you back then. He thought you were a spoiled princess who had her life handed to her on a silver platter, but as long as you didn’t get in his way, you weren’t important enough to worry about. But years have passed and, through a variety of encounters during hero training and internships, he began to realize maybe you weren’t all that bad.
In fact, you were rather…admirable.
He grimaced at the thought.
“I’m quite fond of her as well,” said Shouto, a small smile on his face as he met the audience’s captivated gaze. “She makes the best cold soba. And the control she has over her quirk is impressive.”
Katsuki snorted. “Glad to know your priorities are in check.”
“Making good soba is a noteworthy talent,” defended the interviewer, head halfway up Icy Hot’s ass. “And what about you, Ground Zero. We only have a few minutes left together, but are there any young heroes who caught your eye?”
He shrugged. “There’s–”
“He’s mentioned Y/H/N before, too,” Todoroki answered for him, sharing a look with Midoriya. “In the break room earlier, the news channel was on and Ground Zero had his eyes glued to the screen when she appeared.”
Izuku hummed in agreement. “And he wouldn’t stop talking about how powerful and pretty she looked during her debut as a Pro–”
“For fuck’s sake, I told you not to tell–”
“Sir, language! This is a live recording.”
Bakugou glared at the host for interrupting, then gave an even harsher glare to Deku and Icy Hot for opening their big mouths. Shouto quirked his head to the side, peering at him with an oblivious look that Katsuki wanted to punch off his face. Izuku simply avoided his gaze, taking a sip from his glass of water.
Todoroki blinked. “The more I think about it, the more it seems Ground Zero might actually like Y/H/N.”
Midoriya spluttered out the remnants of the drink in his mouth, coughing uncontrollably as his face reddened. He glanced nervously at Bakugou to check his reaction and gulped. Katsuki’s left eye was twitching and the crackling noise of the nitroglycerin on his hands igniting grew louder.
“Ah, S-Shouto?” Deku said with a forced chuckle, trying to take control the situation. He turned to the audience. “I-I think what he means to say is that Ground Zero likes Y/H/N…as a person. Right?”
Todoroki looked confused. “No? I meant that he likes her and wants to–”
Izuku clamped a hand over Shouto’s mouth and Bakugou jumped up from his seat, sparks flying off of his forearms. So much for being stupid enough to trust these idiots with his personal feelings ever again.
“ARE YOU A FUCKING MORON OR–?!”
“And that’s all we have time for today, folks!” the interviewer interrupted, desperately trying to take the attention away from the chaos unfolding in front of him. Midoriya placed himself between Bakugou and Bakugou’s newfound target, and the audience had their phones at the ready. The host let out a strangled cry. “A big thank you to Deku, Shouto, and Ground Zero for all that they do for Japan. Now, please– Just leave! And tune in next time on JNN!”
- - - - -
“We’ve had an amazing time tonight with you here,” the host paused, smiling as the audience cheered, “but before our time comes to an end, there is one last thing I think we’re all dying to know.”
“Of course!” you said with a smile, crossing one leg over the other as you leaned towards him intently. “I’m all ears.”
You could’ve sworn his cheeks turned pink with a swoon before continuing. “Ahem. A few days ago, we had the Top Three heroes visit the studio for an exclusive interview.”
At the mention of the Top Three, you almost bounced out of your seat in excitement. You had known them since high school, yet you continued to be starstruck at the intelligence and talent they brought to the field. Just hearing about their accomplishments pushed you to strive to become a better hero.
“I heard! I haven’t watched it yet, but I really need to,” you exclaimed, a bright smile on your face. “I look up to them all so much and they’re such a joy to be around. The interview must’ve been so fun!”
The host muttered, “Fun… That’s a way to put it.”
You let out an awkward chuckle.
As if just now remembering the camera was rolling, he cleared his throat and straightened in his seat. “Yes, they were certainly a joy to be around. There was never a dull moment with them, to say the least.”
“Right…”
“And when they were here, they told us which talented young heroes they admired.” He gave you a pleasant smile. “Your name just so happened to be at the top of their lists.”
Your eyes felt like they were going to bulge out of their sockets. The Top Three admired you? “R-Really?”
“Yes, really. Deku said he had a good feeling you were going to make it big, ever since U.A. Shouto even said he liked the cold soba you made him,” the interviewer said and you flushed.
You were a big fan of Todoroki’s ever since his Sport’s Festival performance during his first year. Of course you had to make him his favorite food any chance you could. And Midoriya– There were no words to describe how much you looked up to someone so powerful yet so… good. There was simply no one else quite like him.
“But what was even more interesting was what we heard from Ground Zero.”
Now, while you looked up to and loved Deku and Shouto, Ground Zero had a special place in your heart.
You looked up to him as well, there was no denying that, but lately your feelings felt like something more than admiration. The more encounters you had with Bakugou, the less you viewed him as the same arrogant (and annoyingly powerful) kid from U.A. No– He was different now. Big-headed at times? Yes. But there was a kindness and warmth deep inside him you never quite noticed until recently.
“What did he say?” you asked, hoping your voice wasn’t as jittery as you felt.
“Well, he really admires your talent and strength, as well as the hard work and effort you put into being a Pro Hero.” The host drummed his fingertips along the desk as he sang your praises. Leaning closer to you, he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “And–just between you and me–Shouto and Deku let it slip that he wouldn’t stop talking about you after your debut as a Pro, either. Ground Zero seems to be absolutely entranced by your presence on screen.”
Every logical part of you knew this man was exaggerating for the sake of show business, but you were too ecstatic to really care.
This was Bakugou fucking Katsuki he was talking about. Ground Zero himself!
You could hardly contain your excitement as you practically bounced in your seat. “He admires me?” You shook your head. “That can’t be possible! He’s one of the best heroes the world has! Deku may be ranked number one–and he absolutely deserves it–but Ground Zero has always been a personal favorite of mine.”
Your interviewer raised his eyebrows at your admission. “Is that so?”
“Most definitely!” you said with a zealous nod. “He’s always so determined and passionate in everything he does. Ground Zero’s a natural born hero, but that doesn’t stop him from pushing himself everyday to be the very best he could possibly be. He…inspires me, really.”
“That sounds like a little more than inspiration to me,” replied the host with a thinly veiled smirk.
You felt your cheeks heat up and, if you had Bakugou’s quirk, you knew you’d be popping off some nitroglycerin at the embarrassment. The interviewer couldn’t possibly expose you for having a crush on a certain Pro Hero, right?
“I… Ah– What do you mean?” you coughed out.
“Oh, nothing,” he said simply, enjoying the doe-eyed expression on your face a little too much. “Well, I hate to end such an amazing interview, but that’s all the time we have for today! Thank you so much, Y/H/N, and tune in next time on JNN!”
- - - - -
“So, I heard you might have a small crush on me.”
“Tch.”
“Or did the interviewer totally blow it out of proportion and now I’m just making a fool of myself?”
“Pfft.”
“Oh, my God, I’d be mortified if–”
“Is now really the time to talk about this?!” Bakugou grunted in a strained voice. His ears were a bright red as you continued to move closer to him.
You blinked up at him innocently. “What do you mean?”
There was a crashing noise behind you as Ground Zero took down a dismembered, yet fully mobile, appendage of the Storm Villain, Karmegan. When another came up behind you, he stretched his hands out to do his famous AP Shot and you almost swooned on the spot when he aimed the perfect circle.
“I mean maybe we can talk about us after we defeat all these loser mutants?”
“Loser?!” the villain roared shooting off another army of appendage-sized mutants in your direction.
Easily dodging his attack, you retaliated with your long range specialty move and looked at Bakugou with a smile.
“So, what I’m hearing is there is an ‘us’?”
“Are you trying to flirt with me while we save Musutafu?” he asked. When you nodded sheepishly, he snorted in begrudging amusement. “That’s some nerve you’ve got there, pipsqueak.”
Bakugou punched Karmegan, who came up from your back, and gave you a slight smirk.
“How about after we survive this attack, I take you out on a date?”
The grin on your face was almost uncontrollable as you took out an enemy behind him. Katsuki ducked right as you kicked, in perfect synchronization.
“Sounds like a plan, Ground Zero.”
“We better end this quickly then, Y/H/N,” he said, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Now I’m looking forward to our date.”