Just beyond the narrowly visible horizon, the warm sun illuminated the grungy haze of the busy city pollution. The skyscrapers in the distance and their skyline silhouettes pierced through the warm glow like a staggering mountain range. Thousands of lights made the buildings appear to glisten while the massive flow of people celebrating the events of the annual UA Sports Festival appeared as if they were a river flowing through the heart of the city.

Meanwhile, a boy kicked a discarded water bottle down a dim alleyway that was lined with walls too high for him to bother seeking the rest of the strange days light. The only light on his path, hung from a shop back door casting his deep black shadow on the old fashioned cobblestone. His stride tensed as the flooding sounds of people chattering on the streets and traffic whizzing by continued to cloud his thoughts of the day's earlier events. He looked down at his wrists at the bruises which were now serving as a reminder of his struggle to break free from the metal restraints he was placed in at the podium. The boy had a lingering rage that refused to subside no matter how hard he tried to let it go, even hours after the events.

"Dammit LOSER!" shouted Bakugou in utter frustration, grabbing fists full of hair and nearly ripping clumps of it out of his head. "Why did that Icy-hot bastard have to go and punk out like that! Why didn't he use his flames on me?!" Bakugou punched the sole green dumpster with a furious explosion, reducing it to pieces. "Am I not worth that to you, Todoroki?!" Onlookers stood at the entrance of the alleyway, understandably concerned for the boy's well being after his feral, restrained display they witnessed in person at the awards ceremony. "What are you looking at?! HUH?!" he questioned, turning his attention back to where the dumpster once stood whole. "Bastard," he mumbled, kicking remaining pieces that lay near his feet.

Kacchan fell to the concrete, resting his elbows on his knees staring at his first-place medal with disdain. "I didn't win. Not by my standards." He took the medal from around his neck and shoved it deep into his pocket hoping it would help him to not think about it anymore. Out of sight, out of mind. Even still, the feeling of being cheated out of a rightful victory continued to plague him. However, despite it all, there was one other match he couldn't stop thinking about. "Who does that floaty-girl think she is? Coming at me like she actually had a chance," he scoffed, sitting in silence for a moment. "Although, even I have to admit that was a close one..."

The sun was nearly lost over the skyline now while a few blocks over, Uraraka walked slowly down the sidewalks with her head hung low as she too, lost herself deep in her thoughts. "I almost had him, that Bakugou...I gave it everything I had and yet, I gave up. That's not what a hero does. Deku would've persevered and kept going. He would've found a way - a weakness - a new strength within himself. Instead, I'm the one with the weakness." She clenched her fists and smiled devilishly, "Next time I'll just have to try harder -" Suddenly, unaware of how far she traveled, something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. A piece of green metal was barreling towards her.

"Watch out round face!" Shouted an unmistakable voice from the shadows, sending chills down her spine.

Quick to take action, she grazed the flying object with her fingertips as she narrowly dodged an impact to the face. Panting, and still worn out from her fight, she touched her fingers together with a sigh of relief, "Release…"

"Bakugou…"

"What are you doing in this part of town? You get LOST?!"

"You could've hurt someone!" She shouted as she brought herself to her feet.

Kacchan crossed his arms and scuffed, "Ohhh whatever, people should watch where they're going."

"To answer your question, I was thinking about our fight," Ochaco sighed.

A smug smile appeared on his face and his eyebrows furrowed with pride, "What about it? How you lost? Did you really think you stood a chance, Rosy Cheeks?"

"It's Ochaco," she grumbled, growing increasingly frustrated by his immature ego, "Well, congratulations on your win Bakugou. Guess I'll see you in class in a few days." As she began to walk away without giving him time to respond, what was left of the falling sun, shined a light on her bandaged cheek and at that moment, Katsuki suddenly felt a surge of emotion, like a punch to the stomach. Almost as if he felt a slight tinge of guilt, an emotion he normally lacked.

The moon was high in the night sky which was surprisingly clear of smog and light pollution that would normally dim its brilliant white shine. The moon's rays illuminated his bedroom as he lay with his fingers intertwined on his pillow, holding tight his heavy, resting head. Dammit! Even I can't deny she almost had me. That meteor shower was surprisingly clever. She stayed low and dodged my attacks so I would focus on her and not notice her gravity quirk at work with the rubble from my explosions.

He reached towards his bedroom ceiling, staring at his hand. I still think that damn nerd had to have told her something...given her a plan. I don't know. That stupid idiot, always mumbling to himself. Ugh, why is Deku even in my head right now? And that half-and-half bastard...He's the one who really pissed me off today…Why is Deku deserving of your true power and not me? I'm someone actually worthy of your strength. Yet...Suddenly, the anger that was present on his face melted away into something much softer as if he were questioning everything he had known. Why can't I stop thinking about it - or her?

A few days later:

"Hey Explosion Boy!" a voice called from the other end of the hallway where an unmistakable arm shook wildly above the other students' heads.

"Shut up, Shitty Hair!" Bakugo shouted back before Kirishima wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"Missed that sense of humor, dude," laughed Kirishima, although there was no humor on Bakugou's face. "We should really work on your people skills though. How ya feelin'?"

"I'm fine," the blonde replied shortly. Kirishima continued his banter, going on about the tournament and his favorite parts as well as what he did with his time off, although, to Kacchan, it sounded like white noise as his attention was suddenly fixated on Uraraka who was concentrating deeply on a bulletin board in the hallway. The sun was gleaming in from the large glass window casting rays all over, however, the ones landing on Ochaco seemed as if they were strategically placed by the heavens to make her appear even more angelic. He noticed that her hair was shimmering honey, however, pale in comparison to her bright smile that flashed at passing friends. Her rosy cheeks were painted even more colorful than usual and her presence beamed a beautiful innocence that he found himself lost in.

Suddenly, deep in his magnetism towards her, he was brought back to reality when a hard fist slammed into the back of his head. "WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR YOU SHARK WEEK IDIOT!?"

"Are you even listening?" Kirishima shouted back unphased. Uraraka quickly turned her attention towards the commotion and rolled her eyes when she saw who was behind it. Ignoring them, she went back to looking at her phone that she pulled from her pocket. Across the way, Kirishima looked at Bakugou and followed his gaze which was still glued to her. "Yo, Bakugou, do you see something you like over there?" He asked with a bit of patronizing in his voice.

Katsuki blushed at his comment, which was a reaction even he couldn't prevent from happening. He lifted a hand to his cheek to see if he could feel the warmth that began rushing to them with his fingertips. "No…" he responded in a monotone voice.

"Mmhmm," Eijiro continued to instigate. "Why don't you go ask her out? Or are you too scared…?"

"You better SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" responded Bakugou with a slight growl.

"I dare you."

"I'm not asking her out! Plus, she hangs out with that stupid nerd, Deku. I don't want anything to do with her."

"You're just scared," chimed in Kaminari as if he had been apart of this conversation all along. "He won't do it Kirishima," he said and smiled.

"I've had enough of your shit, Sparky. This doesn't even involve you!"

Kirishima took one look at Kaminari before both boys busted out in a peal of playful laughter together. Katsuki was growing visibly irate as his fists clenched and his veins began looking as if they would burst from his skin. "Alright you two, I'm gonna do it." Suddenly the laughter stopped. The two of them looked at each other again before looking back at Katsuki. They weren't sure if they heard what he had said correctly but, judging by the determined look on his face, it was a warning that they had better not question him.

Bakugou puffed out his chest and did a once over straightening out his uniform and adjusting his tie. "Bakugou wait!" shouted Kaminari but his efforts to stop him fell on deaf ears. What am I doing? This is so stupid but I can't let those jerks make a fool outta me! I've never asked a girl out before, shit. I don't even know what to say. How about, 'Hey gravity girl, let's go out' no, no...that's not right. Or what about, 'What are you doing Saturday night?' Yeah maybe. That's not bad. As Kacchan made his way towards an unsuspecting Uraraka, he failed to notice that another student from one of the support classes, had set their books down in the middle of the hallway to tie their shoe.

"WATCH WHERE YOU SET THOSE NEXT TIME!" he shouted, catching himself.

Ochaco glared with a stare that could burn through iron, "Don't you ever get tired of being a jerk?" she asked as she helped the student collect their belongings that his giant, clumsy foot scattered.

"I am not a jerk," he countered, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Well, I've never seen any other side of you besides that one."

"Saturday night. Me and you," he muttered sounding almost as if it were some kind of demand.

Her face fell flat and her eyes scanned the hallway in confusion. For a second she thought that those were the words someone might use to ask another on a date, but then suddenly, she felt embarrassed to think those words could possibly have the same meaning coming from someone like Bakugou. "What are you talking about?"

He rubbed the back of his hair awkwardly, pausing to think of his next move, "Are you busy Saturday?"

"What's it matter to you?" she snapped back quickly.

"I thought maybe we could do something."

Total confusion set in now as Uraraka tried to unjumble and make sense of the words he just spoke to her. She paused, "No."

"No?" A feeling of utter embarrassment and slight damage to his ego began to set in. He turned around to look at Kirishima and Kaminari who were pointing and laughing like children poking fun of him. Anger flashed his face and they quickly stopped laughing and began walking away in a hurry to class. "What do you mean, no?"

"Why would anyone want to go out with a jerk like you?" After their match at the sports festival, for some reason, her timidness towards him subsided and she no longer felt intimidated by him. Was it that holding her own against him for as long as she did boost her confidence? Or was it the fact that she almost succeeded in beating him that finally convinced her that, like everyone else, he has his weaknesses too making him appear more - human? Either way, she no longer felt fear from his over the top, explosive personality.

"Look, I don't know why I'm asking you on a date if you even wanna call it that. I don't even know you like that," he began in a calmer voice than she was used too but she still couldn't help but roll her eyes. "But for some reason, I'm drawn to you and I need to figure out why."

Ochaco squinted from the bright sun outside as she looked up to see the strange sincerity in his sharp, red eyes. She couldn't help but notice how hard it was for him to look her straight in the eyes as if he was really nervous. He rocked back and forth on his heels waiting for an answer and unbeknownst to her, her mouth had a mind of its own and answered without the chance to think of what she had just signed up for. "In that case, fine. I'll be ready at 8."

"Well fine then, whatev- wait..what did you say?"

"I said okay."

"Oh," he mumbled as a nervous lump formed in his throat. He felt his palms instantaneously grow sweaty as he tried to find the right words to say. "Um...yeah, whatever." Uraraka found herself regretting her decision but as he walked away awkwardly, headed towards room "1-A" she couldn't help the faint smile that formed on her soft lips and the burning in her rosy cheeks.

"Uraraka!" Shouted Midoriya who was running to class so he wouldn't be late. "Hey! Uraraka," he said, trying to catch his breath, staring at the strange smile coming from her. "Are you okay?" he asked, puzzled.

"Deku," she smiled. "Bakugo asked me on a date Saturday night."

"HE WHAT?!" Midoriya's jaw dropped so fast that it could've gone straight through the floor had it not been attached to his head.

She giggled with her hand covering her mouth, "Who would've thought that huh?"

"Uraraka, please tell me you said 'No' to Kacchan. Why would he -"

"I think it'll be okay, Deku. I can handle this."

"O-okay but…"

"It's fine. I promise. I mean we don't even really know each other that well so maybe it's not even a real date, ya know?"

Before Izuku could respond, Mr. Aizawa appeared with Midnight, explaining to the young heroes that they would need to pick their hero names before dropping the ball that they'd also be sent to intern with real heroes in the following days. As those days went by and more and more students made their grueling decisions of which Hero or Hero Agency they wanted to intern with, in the back of Bakugou's mind he still couldn't help but question his impulsive decision in asking her out. He had no idea what he was getting into but the more he thought about it, the more truth his words of 'needing to find out about her' held strong.

Although the bitterness of what he considered to be an insult from Todoroki's lack of full power was still present, he had other things to worry about now. For example, where was he going to take her? He knew he couldn't ask Kirishima or even Kaminari because he didn't want them to know he had never asked a girl out before. That was the last thing he needed them to make fun of him for, not that he cared. Or so he thought. Dammit...this is gonna be harder than I thought.

As the last of their Friday classes were slowly coming to an end, Uraraka was staring at the clock, waiting for the final bell when she felt the cold feeling of someone staring at her from behind. She rested her cheek on her hand that was propped on the desk with her elbow. With her other hand, she tucked her hair behind her ear and tried to glance quickly over her shoulder, only to find Bakugo staring right back at her before he quickly huffed and looked away after being caught. She couldn't help but let out a small, quiet giggle under her breath. Midoriya looked over at her before looking back at Bakugou. He felt protective over her and he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

In true Midoriya fashion, his mind was racing a mile a minute. Why would he ask her out? I mean who wouldn't but of all people, him? It just doesn't add up. I can't even come up with a reason behind it because I've never seen this side of him. Oh, Uraraka, please don't get hurt.

"Turn in your final paperwork for the internships. If you don't, the agency will be picked for you," grumbled Mr. Aizawa as the final bell sounded, sounding as if he hadn't slept in a week. "I'm taking a nap." He continued as he climbed into his yellow sleeping bag.

"Hey, Pink Cheeks," Bakugou called from behind.

"Hey," she smiled, walking next to Deku.

Kacchan looked sternly at Deku knowing he had something to say about him talking to Uraraka but he wasn't gonna give him time to say what was on his mind. "Are we still on for tomorrow?"

Ochaco looked at Midoriya quickly before glancing shyly at the floor. She thought to herself for a moment while to them, those mere seconds felt like hours waiting for her to respond. "Sure!"

"You got something to say, DEKU!?"

"No. Nope. Not me," insisted Midoriya sheepishly as Kacchan stood broodingly over him.

"That's what I thought you, stupid nerd!" As his mouth began to open again, Ocahco shot him a look and he figured if he still hoped to have any kind of chance for tomorrow he had better shut up now.

Ochaco woke up quickly as if sleeping had become a dangerous thing. Her heart raced and her head was buzzing as the annoying beeping of her pink alarm clock tried relentlessly to wake her from her deep sleep. She took a deep breath, giving her body a moment to shed sleep from her brain. Her hands reached high towards the ceiling as she stretched the night's stiffness from her body and rubbed her eyes. Drowsily, she glanced out of her bedroom window onto the street below before quickly shooting over to the time on her alarm clock. "It's morning. Today's Saturday." Her stomach turned as nerves crept through her body, forming a lump in her throat that she was certain she might hurl out at any time. "Bakugou…"

AN: Hey everyone! I hope you're enjoying the story so far! I've loved MHA for a long time but I'm new to writing in this fandom and you all seem lovely :)

Side note- originally this was only meant to be a one-shot (which is why it skips around a bit timewise) however, it's turned into two chapters, the second of which I'll post in a few days! Thanks for all your support XO

-Taurus-