This has been stuck in my head for a while so I'm glad to finally get it out there in between the my heavy chapter stories. This was inspired by a woman who got her car stolen and she spent 48 hours following the person and got it back. What a woman, amirite?!

Thank you Bmarvels on AO3 for beta-ing my trash as usual!

"No, no, no!"

Ochako's heart hammered in her chest, breath coming in deep gasps. Disbelief washed over her as she stared dumbfounded at the empty parking spot. Both hands raked through brunette locks, a soft groan escaping her lips. How the hell did this happen?! She'd only left thirty minutes ago! Now she stood in front of Musutafu bank gaping at the place her car had been. She must have looked odd to others walking the busy streets almost sobbing while standing in front of nothing.

"What am I gonna do?!" she whined, knees growing weak from the uncontrollable shaking.

"I fucking told you to stop leaving your damn car unlocked!"

Her gaze flitted to her partner, who crossed his arms over his chest. His ash-blond hair filtered in the cool breeze, wild from the villain apprehension they just completed. His body still glistened with sweat, and the underlying red hue from a vicious battle flushed his tanned skin. Ground Zero. Japan's number three hero. His strength left her in awe, and few could rival his strategic abilities.

So maybe she should have listened to him on this basic strategy: don't leave your car unlocked with the keys in the center console.

"What kind of hero gets her fucking car stolen?!" Bakugou chastised.

"It was just thirty minutes!" Ochako cried.

"A car thief doesn't need long, you idiot!"

This ranked in the top three out of the dozens of poor decisions she'd made in her short lifetime. Ochako rubbed her face and pulled her phone from her pocket. She should invest in a costume that allowed her to keep her keys on her. Another horrifying realization hit her in the stomach.

She left her wallet in her car.

That meant she had no access to her debit or credit cards, and she had no driver's license. Ochako bit her lip, terrified to admit it. Bakugou would ream her for it. Instead, she dialed the police station's number.

"What the hell are you doing?"

Ochako blinked. "Um, reporting my car as stolen?"

Bakugou rolled his eyes and stomped toward her. He poked her in the chest and growled, "You're a fucking Pro Hero, Cheeks! Steal it back!"

"How the heck am I supposed to do that?!" she demanded while trying to ignore the sweet smell of nitroglycerin radiating off him.

Ochako didn't realize how much she loved that scent until they started working at the same hero agency. Bakugou gave her a sinister grin before grasping her hand and hauling her away.

"Did you forget that you have that car locator app on your phone? I know damn well you forgot to delete it."

Ochako had forgotten. She needed it a few weeks prior because her sweet nature got her in hot water. Kaminari totaled his car in an accident that was completely his fault. He got distracted ogling a woman out for an afternoon run and crashed into a stoplight. The metal pole was not forgiving and smashed in the front of his car. What a waste of a Nissan GT-R. Insurance wouldn't reimburse him for all the modifications he made to it either. The crash left him without a vehicle. Kaminari said he couldn't buy another right away because of his poor spending habits and begged Bakugou to let him borrow his motorcycle. Bakugou cursed him out first for being a dumb ass, then gave him a hard no. He argued that Kaminari didn't have a motorcycle license. Also, if he already crashed staring at a woman, what would stop him from doing it again?

Ochako walked into the break room to see Kaminari on his knees pleading with Bakugou, who just gave him a stony glare. Heroes Unlimited combined smaller agencies that shared the massive building. Many of A1's previous students worked there, including all of the self-titled Bakusquad. Even though Bakugou still referred to Kirishima, Kaminari, Sero, and Mina as "ass clowns", he still often ate lunch with them in the shared break room or the cafeteria. Ochako knew he was trying to hide that he cared for his squad, but they knew.

Ochako said nothing, eyebrows raised when Bakugou glanced at her for half a second before turning irritated crimson irises back on Kaminari, who wore an impressively pitiful expression. She opened the fridge and stuck her lunch in the microwave, listening as Kaminari whined that Bakugou had a jeep. He couldn't drive them both at the same time.

"If you didn't spend all your money the second you get it on bullshit, you could buy another car, you ass clown!" Bakugou shouted. "It's not my fucking problem that you're irresponsible!"

"Hey, paying off my mom's house isn't bullshit!" Kaminari argued while climbing back into his chair. He shifted golden locks out of his face as Bakugou's eyes narrowed.

"It is when paying it off zeroes your fucking savings!"

While Ochako pulled her lunch from the microwave, a soft smile crossed her lips. True, Kaminari may have paid his mother's home off at the wrong time, but she still found it endearing that he cared so much about his mom. She sat down next to Bakugou, who chomped too hard on his salad. Only he had the power to make eating spring mix look intimidating.

"How about you borrow my car, Kaminari?" Ochako offered while Bakugou stared at her like she slapped him. "Me and Bakugou live in the same apartment complex and work the same shifts most days. We can carpool."

"What?!" Bakugou whirled toward her, his chair scraping the floor loud enough to make her wince. "I didn't agree to shit! Find your own fucking ride if you're dumb enough to let that faulty spark plug take your car!"

"I don't fry my brain anymore, dude," Kaminari interjected.

"I don't give a shit! You still have some fucking brain damage."

Kaminari turned his attention to Ochako with a grateful smile. "You're an angel!" He clasped his hands and bowed his head in thanks. "I just need it until payday."

"Payday?" she echoed in surprise.

They didn't get paid until the 1st of October; it was September 16th. That was almost two weeks away! Did he already spend his entire paycheck?! What was stopping him from getting a new car? The buyer could choose not to place a down payment on the car, although it had its benefits. It would decrease his monthly payments, but he could always dump more into a principle payment to pay it off sooner.

If he didn't spend all his money first.

Kaminari desperately needed a financial advisor. He scratched the back of his head with a nervous grin.

"Yeah, I dumped all my savings into mom's mortgage because it was so close to being paid off. I would be fine if I hadn't crashed my car."

"You don't need a down payment to buy a car, dumbass."

Leave it to Bakugou to say what she was thinking.

"Although he's rude, Bakugou's right," Ochako said. "What's stopping you from just not making a down payment?"

"I want a little leeway with payments in case I need it," Kaminari explained. "The lower I can get my payments, the better!"

"You should grow the hell up," Bakugou drawled.

Ochako paused and processed what Kaminari said. The biggest problem from letting him use her vehicle was him crashing her car, too. Maybe it wasn't a magnificent idea to let him borrow it. He noticed her contemplating silence and leaned forward.

"I promise I'll take great care of it!" he assured, eyes wide and doe-like.

"You won't stare at girls when you're driving?" Ochako asked while opening her container. "That's kind of creepy, you know."

"I'm not catcalling or anything!"

"Answer the question," Bakugou interrupted.

"I won't, geez!"

Ochako turned her gaze to Bakugou, who was quiet, and it frazzled her nerves. "I'll pay for gas if you drive me."

"Tch," Bakugou muttered while standing to throw away his empty container. "My Jeep fucking drinks gas so it won't be cheap, Round Face."

Ochako handed her keys over to Kaminari that evening and drove home with Bakugou, but not before he demanded she download a car tracking app. Volkswagen had an app she could download to track on her phone. Ochako didn't know it existed, but it wouldn't have been a necessity if Bakugou didn't scare her into getting it. What if he drives hours away? What if he let someone else take it? Ochako argued there was no way they could know if Kaminari let someone drive her car. It earned her an annoyed stare until she grudgingly downloaded the app.

She let Kaminari know so he could tailor his behavior. Ochako didn't want a lot of extra miles on her car so they agreed if he planned to drive further than thirty minutes away, he needed to talk with her first. Kaminari sobbed his thanks and offered to detail her car, change the oil, and pay her. He offered $1000, which made her eyes grow as wide as saucers. Bakugou cut in for her, raging again that he did not understand responsible spending. After debating it, and ignoring Ochako's declaration that he didn't need to pay her, she settled for $300.

The next two weeks dragged by, the first few days like living a nightmare. Bakugou always left an hour early for work. Ochako was not a morning person and preferred to leave 20 minutes before work, just enough time to roll in right at 6:57 AM. Now that Bakugou was her ride, she had to get up or he would leave her.

Which he did the first two days. Both times she had to call a taxi and got fussed at by her boss for being late. She didn't miss his grin as Gunhead lectured her about timeliness. The amount of gas his jeep drank was unreal. It only got around 19 miles to the gallon in the city and Musutafu was massive. She had to fill it up three times in two weeks. Ochako told him for someone who yelled at Kaminari for making poor choices with money, having a vehicle that wasn't fuel efficient didn't seem smart. He told her he bought what he wanted because he can easily afford it, and to shut up.

Ochako's mind drifted back to her stolen car problem, thankful Bakugou had made her download the app in the first place. Now the evening faded into night, the chilly wind biting at her cheeks, Ochako stumbled behind Bakugou who was dragging her to his jeep. She was thankful that he didn't blast them off into the sky; her hanging onto his shoulders for dear life. He didn't park his car at crime scenes most of the time, but he got notified to report while he was nearby. He yelled at the dispatcher about how they interrupted his grocery shopping. Well, now she interrupted, but Bakugou didn't seem to notice. When they clambered inside the sleek black jeep, Ochako pulled out her phone and opened the app. Bakugou snatched it from her hands and searched through the app while she frowned at his audacity.

"That's my phone!" she exclaimed. "Give it back!"

Bakugou made no move to comply. "You're obviously easy as shit to steal from, so I figured I might as well take advantage. You'll never find your damn car by yourself."

"That's why I should have done a police report!" Ochako yelled. "It's not our job to find a thief!"

"Yes, the fuck it is, Pro Hero!" he bellowed. "Now shut the fuck up and let me read this map already!"

"How are you still such a jerk after all these years?" Ochako mumbled while reclining her seat and throwing her arm over her face.

"Heh, you love it so shut up."

True, she loved his brash attitude, and she hated it at the same time. The more they worked alongside each other, the more she realized how compatible they were. Some of their friends noticed that she was one of the few people who could calm him when he flew into a rage. It didn't happen as often as when they were teenagers, but when it did, Ochako knew to place her hand on his chest. She never had to utter a word; Bakugou would exhale with a "fucking hell" and stop his verbal assault. Ochako also stole glances at him so often and couldn't count the number of times she'd gotten caught. He had always been handsome, but as an adult, Bakugou was gorgeous. His cheekbones lost their round, boyish appearance. He grew and was almost a foot taller than her now. What entranced her most other than his thick, muscular build had always been his eyes.

"Cheeks, wake the fuck up!"

She jumped when he thumped her forehead. "Ow!"

"I'm thinking you don't want your damn car back!" he snapped.

"No, I do!" Ochako replied, voice rising an octave. "I just got sidetracked!"

"By fucking what?!"

Staring at your jawline and wishing I could kiss it.

"N-nothing!" she squeaked. "What did the map say?"

Bakugou's squinted gaze bore into her, making her squirm in her seat. Thank goodness he dropped the subject.

"The fucker is heading to the eastside suburbs," Bakugou spoke while cranking up his jeep. It rumbled to life, and he opened the driver's door to her confusion. "You drive, I can navigate. Those neighborhoods are rough as shit, and I know 'em like the back of my fucking hand. I'll keep you from going into the dangerous spots."

Ochako blanched. "I-I don't think I can drive your jeep! I'm too short to see over the steering wheel! Plus, I know that area, too! I can navigate, I think."

"No, the hell you can't!" Bakugou argued. "I'm taking out villains multiple times a fucking week over there, Cheeks! There's a reason I get sent and you don't!"

That stung more than she liked. "I'm not helpless, Bakugou."

She saw him swallow and bite his lip. "Goddammit Cheeks, I'm not saying you're fucking helpless! Stop twisting my damn words!"

His eyes dropped to his lap, and he mumbled, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, alright."

That was impressive for Bakugou. Was the apocalypse beginning because she couldn't remember if she ever heard him apologize before. Ochako took a deep breath. She better come out and tell him, let him explode, and then they could search for her car.

"Bakugou, my wallet is in my car," she whispered.

Ochako's heart hammered in her chest as she watched her comrade's eyes widened before he bared his teeth in such an ugly scowl, she thought he might explode altogether.

"Hahh?!"

She watched in horror as he revved up to tear her a new asshole.

"You fucking left your damn wallet in your car like a dumbass?!"

She buried her face in her hands. "I know, Bakugou! It was stupid, okay. I get it! Yelling at me won't help me get it back!"

"It makes me feel better!" he yelled back, running an exasperated hand over his face. "What the hell am I going to do with you, Round Face?!"

"I don't know," she sighed as Bakugou handed her the phone.

The east suburbs were twenty minutes away. On the drive over, Bakugou explained the maps and opted to go the most dangerous route because, according to her mouthy navigator, they wasted enough time.

The buildings faded as Bakugou sped down the highway, and trees with fading leaves replaced them. Despite the cool autumn weather, Ochako rolled down the window, enjoying its biting touch on her face. She welcomed it to help calm her nerves. Her eyes closed, chocolate tresses teasing her shoulders.

"Stick your tongue out and people will think you're a fucking dog."

Her eyes snapped open, and she pouted. "It feels nice outside, you jerk!"

Laughter rumbled in his chest, rich and comforting enough to make her glance at him. He grinned, but it wasn't his usual defensive grin. It seemed genuine, and it made Ochako wish he smiled more.

"I like your smile a lot, Bakugou," she breathed while staring into her lap.

"Yeah?" he responded without looking at her. "It's fucking sexy ain't it?"

Ochako groaned. "You're so annoying!"

The closer they got to the area highlighted on the map, the faster Ochako's pulse thundered in her veins. She couldn't wait to get her car and teach the asshole who stole it a thing or two.

"Turn left here," Ochako instructed. She glanced at her phone again, then did a double-take. "Damn it, they're moving!"

"Moving?!" Bakugou echoed as he turned where she instructed.

"Yeah, I think they're driving somewhere!"

"Fuck, we're following them then!" Bakugou announced while slowing at a red light.

He shot her a crazy grin, and it infected Ochako, lighting up her face no matter how hard she tried to shove it away. She raised a fist. "Let's do it!"

"Hell fucking yeah, Round Face!"

The chase was on. Perhaps it was for the best the thief was driving out of the eastern suburbs. It was a poor area with lots of gang violence between villains. Violence, drugs, and murder ran rampant there, and the three times Ochako ventured into the area for work, she got attacked. They followed the tracker's instructions until they saw Ochako's car at a stoplight. She bounced in her seat with excitement.

"There it is!" she hollered while smacking Bakugou's shoulder.

"Watch it!" he ordered, pulling into the same lane three cars behind her vehicle.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"We don't want them to figure out they're being followed," Bakugou explained. "Do you have a fucking brain?"

"Do you have a nice bone in your body?!" she shot back.

"No, I fucking don't."

Ochako crossed her arms and stared straight ahead, not wanting to lose sight of her car. They followed for fifteen minutes, close enough not to lose them, but far enough away to keep their suspicions low. The person was heading back into town and when they pulled into the parking lot of the establishment, Bakugou and Ochako gaped at each other in disbelief.

"They stole a car to go to the grocery store?!"

"That's good for us that they're fucking idiots," Bakugou replied. "I saw the fucker walk in. Let's go get his ass!"

"I think I'd rather wait until he's about to get back into my car that way we don't make a scene inside the store," Ochako suggested.

Bakugou stared at her for a moment, then shrugged. "Whatever, I just want to kick his ass."

"No."

Bakugou's eyebrows furrowed. "No?!"

"I'm kicking his ass."

Slight pops sounded from his hands seconds before he jumped out of the jeep. "Fine, but don't ask me for help if you get your ass kicked!"

He talked a big game, but Bakugou would jump in to help her in a heartbeat if he thought she was in danger. Ochako noticed her crush often seemed protective over her. Even when another hero tried to assist when necessary, he'd knock them aside and come to her aide. It didn't build relationships with the other heroes, but he didn't seem to care. It made her feel safe knowing she had him in her corner if this got tough.

Ochako squared her shoulders and got out of the jeep. It was nighttime now; the sun dipping behind the horizon and stealing the day's warmth. She didn't mind; it kept her focused on the task at hand. Her brain thought of a backup plan for each worst-case scenario. She bounced on the balls of her feet and rolled her neck as they waited. Ochako glanced over at Bakugou, who was biting his lip. His gaze seemed kind of… hazy?

"Bakugou?" she ventured.

He blinked and glanced away, but not fast enough for her to miss the blush reddening his face thanks to the bright street lamp.

"Just get ready!"

"I am ready…" she muttered.

Soon, their perpetrator exited through the automatic double doors, bags slung over one arm while the other held something in a brown sack. Ochako frowned when he tilted it back as he walked across the parking lot. From its shape, she guessed it might be a bottle of alcohol. Her eyes narrowed. Was he planning on drinking and driving her car?! Oh, hell no! The carjacker already had an inebriated air about him, his steps slow and stumbled, free hand grasping to hang onto something, anything to stay upright. His sky-blue Mohawk hung over his brow, the many piercings in his face glittering underneath the store lights. He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out her keys…

And her wallet.

There was no mistaking the small, pink clasp in his grubby hands. The guy looked like he hadn't showered in a few days with stains covering his tan long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. Bakugou muttered under his breath, arms crossing over his chest to keep him rooted in his spot. She glanced at him and saw the muscle ticking in his jaw as Asshole trudged closer. It was then the guy noticed two people standing next to the car.

"Oh shit," he muttered as he took off running.

"Not so fast!" Ochako yelled after him.

She sprinted, footfalls smacking the pavement as she gained speed, grateful for the cardio drills Gunhead made her do. In his state, he couldn't run fast and tripped over a parking chock. Ochako's keys and wallet went flying, and he swore while never releasing his bottle. Ochako was on him in a second and grabbed his right arm. She locked it straight and pulled it backward, knee driving between his shoulder blades, and he yelped. The bottle clattered to the ground and spilled the liquid across the lot.

"Stop moving or I pull your arm out of its socket!" Ochako ordered. She glanced over her shoulder to Bakugou walking over to them. "Call the cops! I'm gonna press charges against this guy!"

"Wait!" he pleaded. "Uravity, I'm sorry, babe! I didn't know it was your car or I wouldn't have stolen it!"

"Then you would have stolen some other poor person's car," she deadpanned. "And don't call me babe!"

He placed his head against the ground. Ochako looked at his half-lidded gaze and how unfocused his eyes were. He closed them a second later.

"The keys were in the car and I needed to get more booze," he grumbled. "I don't break into locked vehicles."

"Huh, a thief who doesn't steal unless the fucking car is unlocked," Bakugou emphasized while shooting her a smug, "I told you so" look.

"I know, okay!" Ochako replied, exasperated.

She turned her attention back to her apprehended law-breaker. "You need to get help. What's your name?"

"Axel," he huffed. "I don't need help! Just let me go and I won't do it again, promise!"

"What are you on, Axel?" Ochako probed gently.

His emerald eyes shifted to survey her, guilt shifting across his features. "I'm not… okay, it's heroin, but this is the last time! I'm white-knuckling after this!"

Ochako nodded. "I'm sure you've tried that before and quitting on your own is almost impossible. Do you want to be a heroin addict for the rest of your short life? Because you're not gonna live long like this and you can't be much older than me. If you mix it with alcohol, that's even worse."

"I know but…"

Ochako studied him as his face contorted with unshed tears. Axel's breath hitched as he tried to bury his face into his shoulder. "I just don't want to feel anymore, Uravity. I'm so depressed and my family has disowned me because I'm just a fuck up junkie. My life isn't worth shit."

This man stole her vehicle and most likely bought his alcohol with her money, but her heart still went out to him. Addicts were a distinct criminal type. The disease made them do anything to get that next high, to numb those feelings, or to prevent getting dope sick or alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Axel needed treatment, not jail time.

"What if I can have the police connect you with a treatment center?" Ochako began. "I know of a great one that does pro-bono cases for my agency. You can have a fresh start."

"I've tried treatment before!" Axel spat. "It didn't work!"

"It won't if you don't give it a solid chance and make the conscious decision to want to change," Ochako continued.

"Cops will be here in five, Cheeks!" Bakugou called.

"Oh my god, it's Uravity and Ground Zero!"

The Pro Heroes flinched as screaming reached their ears. Bystanders rushed toward them with bright smiles lighting their faces, phones out for pictures. Bakugou yelled at them to stay back, but the rabid fans surrounded him, demanding selfies and autographs.

Ochako giggled at the "fucking hell!" that erupted from him. Bakugou still hadn't learned how to interact with the public yet, but at least his presence kept onlookers away from her and Axel.

"How about if you go to treatment and complete it, I won't press charges," Ochako suggested. "You get clean and retake your life plus no charges. Sounds like a great idea to me!"

Axel remained silent for a moment before whispering, "Okay."

"Okay?!" she repeated back with excitement.

"Yeah, I'll go." Tears fell down his face. "Thanks for giving a shit about someone like me, Uravity. You're an amazing Pro Hero."

His words made her heart soar with pride. She hoped Axel would stick with the treatment, but if he didn't, she planned to hold her bottom line and press charges if she found out he left treatment early.

"It's no trouble! I just want to help," Ochako said while her gaze shifted over to the police running up. "I'll talk with them and arrange for you to go to treatment tomorrow. You're getting booked tonight though, sorry."

"Fuck, I still have to go to jail?!" he exclaimed.

"Just for tonight while everything else gets put in place," Ochako assured. "It's better than staying in jail longer, right?"

"Right," he muttered.

"I've got him Uravity," the police officer standing next to her said while kneeling to cuff Axel.

Ochako explained to the second officer of the plan to get Axel into treatment. They agreed after berating her for leaving her car unlocked with her wallet and the keys inside. Was she going to get crap from everyone today?! She brushed disheveled hair out of her face, grabbed her keys and wallet from a few feet away, then walked over to save her partner from the rabid women groping him.

"Get your hand off my dick, bitch!" Bakugou yelled while trying to scramble away.

"Bakugou, run for it!" Ochako instructed while running to her car as the mob turned on her. "I'll catch up with you later tonight, okay?! Thanks for your help!"

"Oi! You're just going to get your shit back and run?!" Bakugou yelled after her.

Ochako made it to her car and flung open the door. "I'll make it up to you! See you soon!"

She didn't catch all the expletives he threw at her as she got inside and gasped at what was in her front seat. Axel left needles, a spoon, a phone charger cable, and a lighter strewn across the floor. Her car smelled of marijuana, too.

"What the hell?!" she exclaimed while throwing her car in reverse and driving over to where the officers were. It wasn't safe to walk across the parking lot with the fans trying to keep Bakugou from getting in his vehicle.

She parked and got out. "Guys, he left stuff in my car. Can you remove it, please?"

"Sure, Uravity!"

Another cruiser pulled up who had a drug-sniffing German shepherd with them. Ochako fought the urge to pet the adorable floof. He was a working dog right now; she couldn't interrupt him. Her eyes turned to see Bakugou's speeding off in his jeep just as a media truck rolled into the parking lot and the crowd shifted back in her direction and her face blanched. Ochako didn't have a problem speaking with them, but she needed to handle Axel's case, take a shower, and go meet Bakugou.

"We got everything, Uravity," the cop with the canine called. "You're good to go!"

"Thanks!"

Ochako jumped in her car and took off, making a plan to get it cleaned the next day. She rode with the windows down, the rush from her afternoon tapering off into warm satisfaction. They actually stole her car back! Ochako giggled, remembering the adrenaline when they first saw Axel at the stoplight. She had never done something so rash before, and there wasn't another person on the planet she'd rather experience it with than Bakugou. Ochako thought about how flustered he was while they waited for Axel to exit the grocery store. Why was he blushing? She knew if she asked, he'd deny it, but Ochako planned to, anyway. Maybe if she brought him some salmon jerky, his favorite snack, he might tell her what happened.

It was now 9:30 PM as Ochako traveled up the stairs of her apartment complex to Bakugou's place. Her convenience store bag with his treat swished with every step, almost hiding the sound of her pulse beating in her ears. She traveled to the mini-mart on the way home from the scene because she didn't want to shower then hop back in her foul-smelling car. The hint of weed dissipated some, but her vehicle just felt gross after knowing Axel shot up and smoked in it. When the tired Pro Hero arrived home, she jumped right into the shower. Ochako used her best smelling shampoo and soap. She deserved it after a shitty day, not because Bakugou sniffed her hair when he thought she didn't notice every time she used it.

She had it bad. Ochako desperately wanted to tell him how she felt. They were in their early twenties now, and her crush only grew stronger over the three years since she realized how much the hot head meant to her. This limbo of not knowing if he could feel the same rattled her brain, but Ochako didn't think she stood a chance. Bakugou had gorgeous women with perfect figures, hair, and the ability to talk to a man without turning into a stuttering mess.

Ochako bit her lip and raised her hand to knock.

"It's open, Cheeks!"

She slipped inside and pulled off her shoes at the door. The soft click behind her echoed louder than she expected with how quiet his apartment was. All the lights were off except the living room, which he dimmed. It cast an orange glow over the area, making it more inviting. He clambered up from his place on the couch and met her in the narrow hallway. Ochako gulped and stared up into those addicting red eyes of his. She loved how he almost dwarfed her and how safe she felt in his presence.

"That for me?" he questioned, taking the bag without waiting for an answer.

"I guess it is now!" she huffed while following him into the living room.

She watched him plop onto the couch and sat down a foot away, crossing her legs underneath her. Bakugou pulled his salmon jerky out of the bag and ripped it open.

"Fuck yeah, I need this," he murmured. "So, you got the asshole who stole your car and spent your money into a rehab? You're so fucking soft."

"Well, it won't help to keep putting him in jail!" Ochako defended while turning to face her friend. "With people like him, you have to attack the root of his problem, his substance abuse. If we can give him help for that, he'll be better off!"

"You're… fucking… soft," Bakugou reiterated after tearing off another piece of jerky.

"I just care about people!" came Ochako's sharp reply, eyes flashing from having to defend herself.

"It's a good thing."

Ochako blinked. "What?"

"Are you soft and deaf?!" he huffed. "I said it's good! You're fucking right and if you weren't there, his ass would be in jail just to get released and do the same shit."

Ochako blushed and dipped her head down. Hearing praise from Bakugou warmed her from her toes to the tips of her ears. "Thank you, Bakugou."

"Katsuki."

Her head shot up to meet his gaze.

"Katsuki," she whispered.

"I've been calling you by your first name for fucking ever and you still call me Bakugou," he continued.

"No, you usually call me Cheeks or Round Face and you yell at anyone who calls you that. Except you let Deku call you Kacchan. Why is that?"

Bakugou coughed. "That damn nerd is different!"

Ochako giggled. No matter how much Bakugou tried to deny it, Deku was important to him. Their relationship grew from him always screaming at Deku to semi-normal conversation. He was one of the few people who Bakugou let touch him. Kirishima was the other one and…

Her.

"Bakugou-" He shot her a pissy glare. "Sorry, Katsuki! Can I ask you something?"

"What."

It was a statement, not a question. Ochako's palms grew sweaty, and she wiped them on her coffee cup covered pajama bottoms, then placed them in her lap. Her heart must be loud enough for the neighbors to hear with how hard it thumped in her chest.

"Why were you blushing earlier when you were looking at me?"

To her surprise, a red blush crept over his cheeks. "What do you expect when your fucking suit is skin tight?!"

"It has to be tight to give me the best mobility." Ochako paused, realizing what Bakugou meant. "You like seeing me in my suit?"

"Tch, who the fuck doesn't?" he muttered, throwing the empty bag on his coffee table. "I mean, fuck Ochako. You just look nice as shit in your costume, okay?! It's not like I'm fucking staring like a goddamn creep or anything!"

Her expression turned bashful. "I'm okay with you looking."

Bakugou sneered and shifted his leg so it brushed against her. Such a simple movement forked lightning through her body and she fought not to snatch her leg away from overstimulation.

"An asshole like me got Uravity to like him? I'm a fucking genius."

"You're a jerk is what you are!" she squealed, pulling her gray hoodie over her head.

"Ochako."

"Yes," she ventured.

A soft "eep" escaped her lips as Bakugou grabbed her arm and yanked her toward him. She tumbled into his chest. Her face had to match a strawberry perfectly by now. Ochako went to protest, but he tilted her jaw upward and captured her lips before she could utter a word. Fireworks exploded in her brain. She was kissing Bakugou! Was this a dream she'd wake up from aching for his touch? The realization sank in when his arms snaked around her back, the heat from his body radiating off him like a furnace. Bakugou pulled away but didn't release her. Ochako had melted into him during their kiss and the brunette tried to jump back, but Bakugo just tightened his hold.

"You're not fucking running from me, Cheeks," he growled while nuzzling her hair.

"This is so fast!" she blurted out.

"And?"

"And..." she trailed off. "I don't know! This is all a lot!"

Bakugou rolled his eyes. "You're dating me now. That's all you need to know."

"I am?!"

Ochako wanted to explode.

"Isn't that what I just said?!"

Bakugou kissed her jaw, making her sigh with content. Despite getting her car and wallet stolen and chasing the junkie who stole it, today had been a rather productive day. Ochako smiled at the man who held her heart.

"Okay," she whispered.

Bakugou leaned against the couch and closed his eyes while hooking one arm behind his head. "You're going with me to dinner tomorrow night and we're taking my car so you don't leave the keys in the center fucking console again."

"Leave me alone already!"

I really enjoyed writing this! I hope you liked it! Let me know your thoughts. 3