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Bakugou didn't hold much thought for Mina Ashido. He found her loud, pink and knew that she was Kirishima's love interest. He usually didn't listen when she opened her mouth in between class breaks with more of her crazy entertainment suggestions, at least not until this morning.
_ A ranking of Hotness? _ asked Jirou upon hearing the pink girl's suggestion.
_ Exactly! The girls write on paper who they think is the hottest in the class and we see who wins! _ she clapped her hands.
Bakugou rolled his eyes and sank into his chair. What the fuck did that rank means? Choose the hottest in the class? They didn't have anything else to do, like studying to be decent heroes? Even so, he couldn't help but slip a glance at the brown haired girl sitting behind the shitty nerd.
He clicked his tongue. Why the hell did he care who she thought was the hottest? This is ridiculous! But he couldn't stop his leg from bouncing in anticipation when it was her turn to get up and put the paper in Mina's box.
_ Wonderful! _ Mina applauded when the last paper was placed in.
She took out some papers. Apparently the opinion of the room was not unanimous. Each seemed to like a specific person more than many liked the same person. There were giggles and squeals everywhere and he was already going crazy. Where the hell was Aisawa sensei? Why he doesn't show up and get over with that shi-
_Oh Ochako-chan! _ Her name snapped him out of his thoughts.
Mina opened the paper and… looked at it without saying anything at all.
_ Mina?! Tell me who it is! _ Said Kaminari.
_ Ochako-chan _ the golden eyes turned to the brunette _ do you think... Do you think Bakugou is the hottest in the room?!
All heads automatically turned to her with a "HAH?"
_ What? _ she said as if she didn't understand her classmates reaction _ don't you think he is?
Okay… he definitely wasn't expecting that, much less that they all would turn to him at the same time as if to analyze if what she was saying makes sense.
_ O-Oi, what the fuck are you looking at? _ He got up in his chair.
But soon everyone turned back to look at Uraraka.
She looked genuinely confused _ I mean _ she looked at him this time, and he felt a burn rising in his ears _ just look at him _ she looked back at Mina _ he's tall, blond, red eyes, broad shoulders. He's the complete combo! I thought it was obvious.
_… no dear, actually it wasn't _ Mina smiled at her with a different understanding.
He saw her cheeks darken and her breath hitch. _ I-I mean… I… I just think he's cute, what's the problem?
_ The question is not “the cutest” chako… it's “the hottest” _ it was Hagakure's turn to speak.
_ But he is! It's not a matter of opinion, it's just a fact! _ She said, standing up suddenly.
Bakugou saw the floor open up as she walked over to him and pulled him by the hand. She floated to reach him better.
_ Just look at him _ she held out hands to him _ like, you really can't see how hot he is? _ she took his hands and raised them _ imagine the damage he can do with those!
Then another silence settled in the room, not even he had words for it. Mina looked radiant.
_ Did you imagined it, then? _ she smiled from ear to ear.
Ochako didn't have time to react before the professor appeared at the door.
_ What are you doing? Go back to your seats! _ Aisawa went to the blackboard.
Ochako let go of his hands and ran back to her seat behind Deku.
"Imagine the damage he can do with those!"
Bakugou couldn't help the smile that crept across his face. He had to admit, Mina's madness had come in very handy this time
______________
_ Shit, shit, shit _ Ochako muttered as she hurriedly walked to her bedroom _ Why did Mina have to do this damn game? _ She threw her backpack on the bed and ran her hands through her hair.
She didn't think finding Bakugou hot was a big deal. She really thought it was completely understandable, right? After all he wasn't ugly, why would she think he was ugly? He just isn't!
_ Urgh! _ She threw herself on the bed.
He's not ugly… but she didn't need to fill his, already inflated ego, either!
_ Why? Why did I talk about his hands? _ she sat down _ I'm going crazy!
An image of a — wide eyes and blushing ears Bakugou — as she held his hands, popped into her mind. She shoved the pillow over her face and gave a muffled scream.
Okay, she liked him, she'd known that since sophomore year, but she wasn't going to say anything! She just decided to keep that feeling to herself until it was gone or she'd gotten used to it. She didn't want it to come out just to be sidelined or rejected because he needed to focus on his hero career, like Midoriya did in their first year. So she just decided to do the same, no matter her feelings, career would come first. She didn't expect Bakugou to be any different, but she didn't thought just the fact that he knew she found him attractive would be so embarrassing.
_ Damn, Ochako! Not again! _ she lay down again _ he would never think of you like that! Don't be stupid!
After what seemed like hours, she got up.
_ You know what? I don't care! It's not like I declared myself or anything… I… I also find Iida very attractive and I'm not going out with him! _ she said starting to put on her gym clothes _ there's no reason for him to think I like him just because I think he's handsome _ she put on her sneakers.
"Imagine the damage he can do with those!"
_ ARGH! _ she shook her head to remove the memory _ get it out of your head Ochako! There's no way for him to know, he just doesn't!
She opened the dorm door, walking impatiently to the elevator. Her gym bag slung in one hand, a bottle of water in the other, her hair pulled back in a short ponytail. She didn't stop when Mina tried to hold her in the common room, she didn't listen to Midoriya and Tsuyu's nods, she didn't see or hear anyone, marching to the gym as she is was going to war. When she arrived, she did a quick stretch, put on her headphones to loud music and started to practice punches and kicks in the sandbag.
"There's no way he knows"she repeated in her head.
"there's no way for him to know"
"there's no way"
"there's no way"
"there's no wa-
A hand held the bag making her stop, she knew that hand too well. When she found his red eyes standing beside her, she hoped her face didn't match the tone.
_ Can I talk to you? _ his voice seemed distant because of the loud music.
She took off her headphones _ if you came to talk about the hottie competition, don't worry, I'm not one of your groupies, I ain't going to start chasing you or anything _ She went back to the punching session.
_ Tsk. Of course not. You're too good for that.
She stopped a punch in the middle of the way, looking back at him _ Thank you? _ She watched him a little. He looked nervous, with his hands buried in his pockets, and a scowl different from the one he normally carried _ so… what do you want to say?
He looked around for any sort of human existence before looking back at her _ did you really mean what you said?
She sighed_ I won't shower you with compliments if that's what you want, Bakugou _ she put her hands on her hips.
_ No! _ he scratched the back of his head _ it's not that, it's just…
_ What? Did you feel uncomfortable? _ she got worried _ I'm sorry! I know you don't like that kind of attention, and I shouldn't have held your hands without permission, sorry.
_ Oi, Uraraka, are you going to listen to me or are you going to stay there talking about nothing all day? _ he said impatiently.
_ Oh… ok, sorry _ she smiled awkwardly.
_ I wasn't uncomfortable, I was… surprised.
She blinked _ well... I imagine I would be too. It's not every day that someone gets up from their chair to say I'm hot _ She laughed.
_ I would get up.
For a moment she thought she heard it wrong — sorry, what? — she caught her breath as he approached, standing inches from her.
_ I said I'd get up in the middle of the room just to make it clear that you're hot _ he said, his voice a tone lower than usual.
She still thought she was hearing wrong, her head could only be playing a trick on her.
_ But I never thought you would do that, and so with such vehemence _ she watched a corner smile appear on his lips.
_ W-well, I didn't tell any lies! _ she stroked her arms, but almost melted as a genuine smile formed on his face _ you seem very happy with this information, don't you think?
_ Ah, but I'm _ he lowered his face to her, who struggled not to move _ I absolutely love it.
She snorted _ you’re so full of yourself, aren't ya?.
_ And who gave me the right to be?
_ Well , don't worry, I won't give you anything else! _ she turned, picking up her bag and leaving the gym.
Bakugou smiled at her small, sullen figure walking out the door.
____________________________
In the days that followed, Uraraka did not have a moment of peace. Mina's taunts were getting more and more relentless and Bakugou wasn't helping either. It seemed like he touched her whenever he could. A shoulder bump in the hallway, a tap on the elbow to get her attention, a grab on wer waist on the practical classes. It was driving her crazy!
On the Monday after the ranking game, she was preparing breakfast in the dorm kitchen. She tried, without much success, to reach for the milk box in the upstairs cupboard, but before she could use her quirk, one hand held her body to the floor, while the other rose over her head to grab the milk. Reflexively she took a step back, bumping into a strong body, and lifting her eyes to meet Bakugou's jaw. He looked at her then, and said something she didn't understand.
She blinked and shook her head _ W- what? _ she asked.
_ The milk.
She looked down to find his right hand offering her the milk box.
_ Oh! Sure! _ she pulled away from him, laughing, and held the box with both hands, pinkies always raised _ there was no need, thank you _ the brunette walked past him and went back to the counter to continue making pancakes.
_ No problem, angel _ she could feel his smile, even with her back turned, and heard as his footsteps left the kitchen.
She let out the breath she barely realized she was holding. Situations like this continued to happen in the following weeks. Whenever he could, he was close to her, breathing close to her face, whispering sarcastic comments during practical classes, she could never help but smile at them.
This time it was a Friday, All Might split them into pairs for the practice sparring activity. She ended up having to fight Bakugou. Despite all the tension between them, she didn't let herself be distracted for even a second, after all she had already beaten him several times before, it wouldn't be different now just because they were… whatever it was. The plan was the same, her career would come first. When she tossed him to the ground at the end, trapping him with her hands and thighs, she heard her friends' cheers rise along with his smile beneath her, then she heard:
_ Hey, Bakugou! You shouldn't let her win just because you want to make out with her!
She lifted her head to find where the voice was coming from.
_ OI!
The brunette turned to face Bakugou, disappointment drawn on her round face as she got up and walked out of the ring.
_ Uraraka! _ Bakugou's voice came from behind her when she reached the stadium floor.
_ Who said that?! _ Her voice came out hard, but everyone was silent, even All Might _ Great! Good to know I'm still a damn weak girl you! _ Ochako bumped into some colleagues while leaving the stadium and getting the way back to the dormitories.
It had never crossed her mind that, after so much effort to grow as a hero, there were still people close to her who believed they needed to go easy on her, especially Bakugou. The way he made her feel completely capable was the biggest reason she'd fallen in love in the first place. It never crossed her mind, either, that the fact that Bakugou wanting to be with her could turn into some kind of bad news, invalidation or humiliation. In fact, she barely knew which sensation was right for the her situation
That same night, Mina and the girls went to see her in her room. This time there was no teasing, they barely spoke after apologizing and assuring them they never doubted her or her skills. According to Momo, the person who said that was Denki, but that didn't impress Ochako.
_ But you can't believe that Bakugou would let you win _ it was Jirou's turn to speak _ I know I'm suspicious of talking because I'm part of BakuSquad, but he wouldn't do that, whether he likes you or not.
_ Exactly! _ Mina agreed. _ It doesn't matter if he likes you, like since our first year, he treats you as an equal and never belittles you.
_ I know he never- wait _ ochako looked up at the pink girl sitting across from her on the bed _ what do you mean “since our first year”?
_ …ops _ Mina smiled as if she'd blurted out information that would get her in trouble later on.
_ Mina… _ Ochako was ready to make her talk even more.
_ L-look! This is further proof that he would never let you win, right? _ the pink waved her hands in front of the brunette.
Before she could say anything else, a knock sounded against the door, causing all the girls to look at it.
They heard a nervous clearing of throat _ Moon Fa- _ A silence formed for three seconds before another clearing throat _ Ochako.
They all turned their eyes to the brunette, Bakugou was at her room door and had just called her by her first name.
_ Ochako? _ the name came with anxiety.
She blinked and got out of bed in a hurry. When she opened the door he had his fist raised to knock again, but he stopped when he saw her.
They stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, when a throat clearing snapped them out of their trance.
_ I-I came here _ he started talking while pulling someone to stand in front of him _ to bring this idiot to apologize _ She widened her eyes at Kaminari's embarrassed face.
_ Hi Uraraka-san.
_ Cut the bullshitt, airhead! _ Bakugou slapped the electric blonde on the back of his head.
_ I'm sorry, Uraraka-san! _ he bowed _ I shouldn't have said that Bakugou would let you win just because he's crazy about you!
_ OI! _ Bakugou growled.
Ochako laughed _ it's ok, Denki. You can run and hide now.
The boy's face lit up as if he'd gotten God's mercy — thank you so much! _ He ran, leaving them behind.
She heard Bakugou take a deep breath _ Can I talk to you?
_ Ah _ she looked back where her friends were still watching everything.
_ Oh, let's go! _ Momo was the first to rise and soon all had left for their own bedrooms.
_ Do you want to come in?
______________________
Bakugou took a deep breath and nodded at the brunette's question. When he entered she locked the door behind them.
_ So? What do you want to say? _ she asked, hands clasped in front of her body.
She was so cute, she always was, he'd realized. He'd liked her for three damn years, you notice a lot of things in that time. Like when she gets nervous she usually holds the base of her clothes, or when she laughs the gravity seems to fade a little around her, when she gets upset her cheeks get bigger, when she fights it seems to summon a monster straight from hell.
_ Bakugou?_ Her voice snapped him out of his reverie.
_ I came to say that not in a million years I would let you win.
_ Even though you're crazy about me?
_ Yes, even though I'm crazy- _ he realized what he was saying _ Oi! _ the blonde felt his ears heat up.
She laughed, and once again, he felt that gravity wasn't really there.
She took the missing steps between them.
_ It's ok, Katsuki-kun _ she held his hand and approached his ear with her peculiarity _ I'm crazy about you too _ she whispered before pulling away to look him in the eyes.
He couldn't help the stupid grin that crossed his face before pulling her in for a kiss. his hands curled around her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled against his mouth.
When the air was gone they parted to breathe, foreheads together.
_ I can show you _ he said while breathing heavily.
_ What?
_ The damage I can do…
She smiled at the feel of his hands on her body _ yes, I would like to see that.