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The annual gala was in full swing. People were strolling among the bright lights and vases of flowers, carrying flutes of drinks and plates with small sandwiches and other finger foods. The crowd gathered closer to the stage was more focused on the Commissionofficial standing at a sleek podium with a microphone and intoning the long litany of heroes and their ranks. Sometimes when a certain name was spoken a chorus of cheers could be heard, some polite clapping and comments about a hero changing their rank. Everyone knew that the real attention of the gathered people would be captured once it came to the top ten, but people applauded their fav hero rise on the chart. Camerasflashed as the named heroes who were in attendance waved their hands and accepted the congratulations.
In the meantime pros and their sponsors, agency managers and businessmen were mingling and discussing things among themselves, keeping one rare open to pay attention to the rising numbers.Journalists and photographers were weaving among the crowd clad mostly in suits and evening dresses, here and there a hero costume added a bit of extravagance and color to the gathering.
Soon enough the Commission official started to list the top ten. Each hero was summoned out of the crowd to scale the stage stairs and address the public - both gathered in the ballroom and watchinged the gala from their homes. Familiar names were spoken, familiar faces smiled from the podium to give thanks, promise to work hard, crack a joke. Red Riot, Gale Force and Dynamight were the newest additions to the lower tens, the middle of the list occupied by more seasoned heroes.
“And in number one,” the Commission official announced in his monotone voice when Lemillion stepped away and towards the rest of the top ten, the crowd hushing from the cheering. “We have another of the new heroes. The victor of the war with All For One, the new Symbol of Peace, Deku."
Silence.
The crowd waited for a minute, then hushed whispers started to rise like the sound of an ocean wave crashing against the shore. People started to look around curiously, no one spotting the now familiar head of curly hair and big innocent eyes.
“Deku?” the official blinked owlishly when no hero arrived. Hesitantly he stepped away from the mike and towards a small group of his coworkers lingering near the stage corner, near the dark curtain. They started to talk among themselves in confusion, gesturing rapidly.
The crowd started to sound concerned. Where was Deku? Why wasn’t he on the stage, flustered and stumbling over his words as always when a camera was pointed at him?
That was when Dynamight strolled back to the mike, holding a phone in his hand. When people spotted his movement a silence full of anticipation filled the area.
“Oi, nerd,” the hero said, his voice picked up by the mike and clear in the big chamber.
“Mmm, hey, Kac-chan,” came a somewhat raspy response.
“Just so you know you’re on speaker. Where are you?” the blonde hero grinned wickedly and waved a hand at the Commission staff who turned towards him, probably not sure if they wanted to stop him or not.
“Oh, you’re out with friends, nice,” Deku murmured. “I just got home.”
Dynamite glanced back towards where Red Riot was standing, flashing him his trademark grin.
“Yup, I’m with friends. Wanna join us??”
“...No, thanks,” Deku yawned. There was a distinct sound of a lock being flipped open and afterwards a thud. “Mmm, sleepy.” Another thud. Say hi to everyone from me, okay?”
“Okay,” Dynamite nodded and waved his free hand at the crowd. “Hi, everyone.”
Some laughs were hastily hushed among the captivated audience. It was a rare thing to see - in this case hear - the famous hero in a more private setting. Dynamite held the phone closer to the mike so everyone could hear the sound of Deku’s footsteps.
“Have you eaten today?”
“Mhmmm…” a pause.. “A chocolate bar. And a couple of onigiri. I think. It could have been yesterday.”
“Promise me you will eat better, nerd,” the blonde hero glared at the phone. All he got in a response was an affirmative hum. Okay, everyone heard that. Why are you coming back home now? Wasn’t your shift going to end like six hours ago?”
“Uhm… Got an extra patrol because Breadman got hit by a villain. He’s going to be okay, but there was no one to pick up his patrol." Deku explained with his words slurred just a little.
“So you went and did it,” Dynamite shook his head, displeased. “Gonna lock you in your room so you don’t overwork yourself.”
“Don’t…” a yawn. “threaten me with a good time, Kac-chan. Ah, TNT!”
Shocked cries and gasps could be heard at that exclamation from the drowsy hero on the other side of the line. Many looked worriedly at Dynamight, who waved his hand in a calming gesture and pointed to the phone as if to say ‘it’s okay’.
“Nyan!” could be heard from the speaker. Followed by a sound of something falling to the ground.
“Bakugo Katsuki, your cat knocked over half of my action figures, you’re so sleeping on the couch!” As if this outburst drained the indignant hero, he groaned tiredly and grumbled. “Gonna fix it tomorrow.”
“Gonna help you,” Dynamite offered graciously. He sounded very amused and not at all threatened by his impending sleeping arrangements. Then a sob came through the line and the crowd froze yet again. “Deku?”
“My bed. Oh my gosh, it’s my bed,” Deku sounded overwhelmed by emotions and from the sounds of it he collapsed on the aforementioned piece of furniture. “Ah, bliss…”
“Okay, before you go to sleep. What would you say after getting an award for being a kickass hero?”
Dynamite inquired, winking at the crowd.
“Mmm… Thank you. And promise to work hard so everyone is safe.But also don't go over the yellow tape, it’s for your own safety?... And something about teaching cats not to claw Endavor’s limited edition figure, there are cat trees for that…”
“Hey, it was only that one time,” Dynamite objected. “Thanks, number one.”
“Aww, Kac-chan, you’re my number one too.”
The next sound from Deku was a snore. Dynamite waited a moment, then ended the call and took a step to the side, gesturing for the Commission official to take the stage again. He looked smug and wickedly grinned at the snickering gathering. People shared amused, fond glances and some clapped and voiced their thanks to the explosive hero for sharing the call with them. Some sounded concerned about Deku’s tiredness.
“Well… This was certainly a way to receive the number one’s’ sp-”
Dynamite’s phone rang, the sound sharp and sudden. The official paused and glanced at Dynamight, who cackled and accepted the call, putting the phone near the mike. This time Deku sounded alert and frantic.
“Kac-chan, the gala! It’s today!”
“