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“Thank you.” Ochako called over her shoulder, heaving out a sigh as she exited the bakery with a bag cradled in her arms.
Somehow it had gotten dark since the time she entered, forgetting how quickly night falls these days.
The brunette hummed to herself as she walked down the sidewalk, only to feel a weird feeling in her chest the more she went. Something...felt off. An uneasy chill stirred inside.
As she quieted down, she could hear the sound of her footsteps and then registered the sound of a pair of others behind her.
Her arms immediately tensed, heart starting to speed as she walked normally. From the sound of it, they didn’t sound directly behind her but still a few feet back.
Feeling confrontational, she stopped and turned around, only to see the empty street. Except she could see the man stop behind the lamp post, pretending to be on his phone.
Ochako stared, calculating before her feet took her back forward again. As she began to walk, the sound of footsteps behind her restarted as well.
It was a man that seemed to be in his mid 30s, looking like he just got off work.
Her hands squeezed the bag handles, her pace speeding inadvertently. She already knew the man adjusted his speed as well.
The lamp post above her flickered and she was passing another lit store, thank gods. Having enough protection with the store right there as she passed it, her shaky hand reached for her phone in her bag.
Still walking, she dialed a number without another thought and brought it to her ear; the ringing at the same volume as her heart beating.
Finally, the line picked up and Ochako felt like coil in her chest almost burst. “Hey babe!”
“The fuck?”
The voice on the line was low, gravely and a distantly familiar sound that sent hums of relief through the soles of her feet. It was the voice of Katsuki Bakugou. A classmate from when she attended U.A High and the first name she saw at the top of her contact list that she clicked on it without a second thought.
“I just got off work, sorry.” She continued, loudly.
There was silence on the other side of the phone for a while. “...Are you being followed?”
“Yeah! I also stopped by the bakery on my way back. You know me.” Ochako fake-laughed, and although hearing his voice somehow relieved her, her pulse was still racing and her body was starting to sweat. She could feel the man’s presence still there.
“Duck into the nearest store.”
Ochako eyed the nearest convenient store which was at the end of the block. “Yeah, I’ll be home soon.”
“Text me the address, and don’t move.” He ordered, surprisingly sounding both calm and serious.
She peeked behind her, her hair acting as a veil for her to see the man was still there but seemed to be hesitating more now. She turned back forward and eyed the store at the corner. She hurried her pace to it. “I’ll wait for you.” She confirmed.
“Good. See you.”
-
Ochako was waiting inside the convenience store for about 15 minutes. She was hugging her purse and grocery bag, looking at the floor. She could see the man outside through the windows by the mailbox, looking at his phone. She bundled her hands into fists until the entrance door opened and made her look up, and in walked a tall man, dark green jacket, and spiky blond hair.
He seemed to be out of breath and red eyes looked around until they met hers. He actually came. That’s when Ochako realized she’d been shaking from earlier.
Bakugou approached her slowly and then did a side eye toward the window where the man was. “Come on.” He turned, jutting his head over
“R-right.” She hushed, following him. She peaked up at him, noticing Bakugou looks almost exactly the same. She hadn’t seen Bakugou since graduation and mutual group hangouts now and then.
“Don’t freak out.” Was all he said before she felt a heavy weight on her shoulders, and she looked up, saucer eyes, as he rested his arm around her.
As they exited the store, she felt a certain aura and glanced up.
Bakugou’s head was turned, and she could see his red eyes glaring at the man.
Somehow the warmth emitting from him and his scent was intoxicating her senses, making her like she was in a separate safe spot. She couldn’t help but blush at the smooth planes of his torso pressed against her shoulder, despite the situation.
Had he always been this warm? Did he always smell this distinct scent of sweet?
Then, Ochako’s eyes widened, snapping back to reality as his arm tightened around her. Her attention snapped to the man at the lamp post, finally seeming to make a disgruntled face and backed away.
Walking off.
During which, Ochako was somehow enveloped more against Bakugou as he pulled her into him.
When had she stopped shaking?
She felt Bakugou’s mouth bury into her hair on top. Somehow she could still feel Bakugou’s eyes still on the man, staring until he was gone.
Something about the position felt so intimate and embarrassing the way she was cradled against him and the feel of his lips against her head. Though unmeaning to.
Then, she was hit with the realization that the man was gone and Ochako gasped. She brought her hands, fingers still holding her bag, up to her mouth, making Bakugou let her go.
Without the man in sight, she finally felt like she could breathe. Tears of relief unexpectedly sprang to her eyes. “Oh Bakugou.” She turned to him, hands covering her mouth, scared she was going to cry. “Thank you for actually appearing!!”
“What the hell, don’t cry!” Bakugou yelled, though it was a little lower and a disconcerted bark.
Ochako let a little laugh go out. “There’s the Bakugou I know.” She reigned in her chuckles, wiping the corner of her eyes dry. She quietly composed herself as Bakugou just watched in front of her. “I’m sorry. It was my first time being followed like that. He followed me from the bakery...for six blocks. It was actually so scary…”
This time there was a tremble in Bakugou’s arms. He tightened his hands into fists by his sides. Ochako had seen him angry before- that was his trademark reputation in UA. But this one, he had fire in his eyes. A fire mixed with the red that licked and danced with the air.
Finally, crossing his arms, Bakugou averted his stare. “Fucking dammit. take it back. You can cry if you need to. I won’t hold it against you if you do.”
The brunette gazed at him before smiling a bit. “No, it’s okay. I don’t need to cry anymore… somehow, I feel better already just with you here.”
Bakugou’s arms twitched, looking taken aback.
Ochako just kept smiling and then glanced down, remembering her the contents of her bag. “Oh! Do you want some red bean bread?” She rummaged a hand through her bag, pulling out one to present. “It’s the least I can do to repay you.”
“Keep it. I don’t need any of your debt. Which way’s your home?”
“You’re going to walk me home?”
He tilted a miffed head at her. “You don’t want another guy showing up, do you?”
“N-no…” Ochako looked down abashed. She glanced back at him coyly. He was really waiting to walk her home. Was he this friendly before? She smiled. “Alright, let’s go.”
As they lapsed into a comfortable silence and pace, Ochako tried her best to not look at Bakugou most of the time. Mostly because, she really wanted to look at him. But she didn’t want to give the wrong impression or be clingy. But still, she felt so much gratitude for this person for showing up for her. Protecting her, even when she didn’t think he’d even give her the light of day back in high school.
She had to say it again. To show how much she means it. “Bakugou…”
He turned his head to her and she felt her heart rate speed up. She was really comfortable walking with him. But just having his undivided attention made her system act up.
“I know I already said it, but thank you again. For coming. I don’t know what I was expecting when I called you. I just know I saw your name, and I needed help, and I did it without thinking...a-and you actually came-” She said she was done crying, so how did she end up choking on her tears again?
The feeling of a man tailing her, just the haunting feeling brought to life- was catching up to her.
Immediately, a large hand flattened on her back and pressed her against him. She was shocked by the impromptu hug but his hand at the back of her head gently kept her from pulling away. “Bakugou?” She asked, careful to keep her voice small.
“Well.” He started, seeming to find it difficult to say words. “It’s a good thing you called when you did. He won’t bother you again, if he knows what’s good for him.”
The assurance spread something sweet again through her chest and she smiled, leaning her forehead against his chest briefly. “I’m also sorry for bothering you.”
A dent pinched between his angry eyebrows, looking away. “Tch. Shut it. I wasn’t busy, so you’re lucky.”
“Well, I guess I am.” She chirped, smiling a smile that was too bright for the night time. She swung her arms at her sides, pulling away. They continued walking, Bakugou just following her since he didn’t know where her house was. “You even answered my call, so you must even have my contact saved at least.”
“It was a group project.”
“Well. I guess.” Ochako scratched her cheek, accepting it.
Bakugou wasn’t going to say he stared at the contact name “Ochako Uraraka” on his screen for a good few moments in befuddlement before answering.
Ochako hummed to distract herself from the night and they finally made it to her apartment. Turning to him to say goodbye, she suddenly realized a part of her didn’t want to part already. But of course, this is Bakugou and he only came to her rescue because he’s actually a not bad inside… he wouldn’t actually want anything to do with her. “This is it. Well...goodnight, Bakugou.” She smiled, forcing it more than before.
He didn’t judge the size or state of her home, despite scrutinizing it briefly. “Night.” He replied gruffly, barely giving a nod and turned.
She played with the sleeve of her shirt before watching him turn down the stairs. She closed her eyes and inhaled, filling her cheeks with air before slapping them. Then, she ran after him. “Bakugou!” She called, leaning on the railing over him.
He looked up, startled.
Ochako bit her bottom lip. “Do you… want to get coffee some time?”
It seemed to take a few ticks for Bakugou to process that. A slow smile appeared on his face. “Sure.”
“Oh. Great.” Ochako grinned, cheeks ablaze. “I’ll text you then.”
Bakugou tipped his head. “I’ll answer.”