bakerstreet | No, no. Let him cook.

[Said after a long silence in which the blush is trying and succeeding in breaking mask containment.]

[Usagi was nervous. She had summoned the courage to tell her friend and classmate she had feelings for them—

And something else had tumbled out of her mouth. Good going, Usagi. ]

N-no? Why would someone put me up to this?

To get a rise out of one, or both of us.

[After all, she's gullible and a little silly, and he is notoriously hard to ruffle, and neither of them were likely to blow a gasket like some people, so having some harmless fun at their expense could actually be a thing, but-

hm. He's made himself look like a bit of a tool by asking when she was being earnest, hasn't he?]

[The question of “why” was still on her face. Why would someone want to get a ride out of one or both of them? It wouldn’t be funny and surely no one would be that cruel. She knew she was taking a risk by being honest with Shouji and her feelings, but she had to take a chance.

But, it was easier for home to think of that than to think she might like him. Maybe if Uraraka had approached him, he would’ve thought she was being serious. Oh…oh well. ]

Ahhh…no. No one put me up to that. [Now it’s her turn to blush, bowing her head in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. ]

I thought you should know. [Since no one knew when the next hit thing would be. They were quickly learning how short life could be, so why not?] And if you don’t feel the same, that’s okay. I’m fine being friends—if that’s still okay.

[He would have honestly been just as uncertain if any of them came up to him saying that outright. He cares about all of them very much, and has tried to be very careful not to let his feelings ever grow more than that; he refuses to let the stigma that haunts him be something that hurts any one of them, and the idea that to avoid such a thing they might propose that a relationship merely remain a secret is painful enough that he would outright refuse it.

They deserved peace, and he could deal with being alone.

So an outright confession is, to say the least, kind of daunting.]

No, it's not- It's not that. I just... With everything happening, is it a good idea?

[There were a variety of ways for one to interpret that question. If now was a good time due to the growing boldness of the Villains. Because exams were right around the corner. Because she might be treated differently…maybe all of the above and more. ]

When is it a good time for anything? [Usagi asked softly, slowly raising her head as she fought against her embarrassment.]

There will always be something going on, or something along those horizon we can’t see or predict. Why go through life wondering what would’ve happened if I had taken a chance rather than waiting for something that may or may not happen?

[A future she determined. A future that would be hard fought for, but one she wanted to share with those she loved and cared about—including Shouji-kun.]

I wanted to tell you how I felt…and I stumbled over myself—but what I asked, I meant it sincerely, Shouji-kun.

[He listens to her quietly. She's right, of course she's right. He doesn't want to worry about this just because of how unsure everything is. He likes her, enjoys her company, if she's ever been outwardly judgmental of him it was only in the same way that most everyone is when they first meet him and have to take in at a glance what he looks like. She's been kind to him and proven herself to be capable and he's just overthinking this from every angle, isn't he?

He's careful about it, but after a moment, he lifts a hand, offering it to her to take if she saw fit.]

Then, you'll take that chance on me?

[Its easy to over think. Easy to get lost in a whirl wind of thoughts, especially when self doubt and anxiety come into play. Beginning someone new was scary, like starting a new school and meeting new people. But it could be a lot of fun, like making new friends and catching feelings for someone you weren’t expecting.

Someone who was very, very tall, and could probably win in a tickle fight.

The blonde teen stared at the offered hand and then back at Shouji’s masked face. A bright smile appeared on her face as she reached forward to place her hand in his. ]

Yes, I would. [She told him softly. ] And…if it’s alright, I would really like to hug you, please?

[Her hand is nearly engulfed in his when he takes it. He can't help but smile in return, the expression showing more in his eyes as he opens the other arms without hesitation. Of course she could hug him, he's perfectly made for hugs after all, it's one of those other things he could probably easily win at if such a thing could be made into a contest.]

[Its easy for her to see the smile in his eyes, making her heart skip a beat. She let out a soft squee of happiness as she moved to hug him, keeping her arms around his waist. He was made for hugging—and reaching for the tall items on the shelves…

And maybe he was made for cuddling on cold nights too. ~~Somewhere Minoru is getting upset for no reason as he can sense another girl is taken off the market.~~ ]

[He could be very good for cuddling in many circumstances, yes. He's perhaps a little bit touch-starved given his life up to now, so her willingness to be close to him already is a boon.

A hand rests light on top of her head, the rest wrapped around her to let her cuddle in close. ~~Now just watch Mineta throw a tantrum that someone else has a girlfriend before him.~~]

[Usagi is so happy in this moment. Confessing her feelings to him had felt so daunting and scary and now …they’re hugging. He’s her boyfriend and they’re hugging, like he’s a giant teddy bear—-that’s what he’s always been in her mind.

One who could easily take down an evil doer, but also be a cuddle bug.

~~Clearly, this is the worst possible thing ever; Mineta not having a girlfriend. He might even pester Shouji for tips.~~

There’s a content sigh from her, nuzzling his chest a little. ]

Can we stay here just a little while longer, please?

[With more than a foot of height between them, it would be so easy to just pick her up and be able to walk around with her as if she weighed nothing at all. He's happy to stand and keep her held close, letting her hold on in turn.]

When there's time, I would like to take you on a proper date.

[ She is the smol to his tall, and that’s fine with her. If he wanted to pick her up to hold her, just so she could kiss his forehead or cheek, she would be fine with that. Being carried around though…not as much.

His words pull Usagi back to reality, making her blink a little. She pulls back a little to look up at him, blue eyes shining with excitement. ]

Really?! [A date? The thing that couples do? Granted, she would have to wait a little while—but a date?! Her day just got better. ]

Yes! I would really like that Shouji-kun.

[There are enough people around here that want him to carry them around, it'll be nice not to be a human taxi for a change.

Her surprise over the idea of being taken on a date gets some surprise in turn. Why shouldn't he want to treat her? She's been kind to him, and he likes her company.]

Some time this weekend then?

[He'd have to actually ask around for good places to go. This is kind of a first for him, after all.]

[Usagi was used to going out with friends and her girlfriends from middle school but going on a date with her boyfriend would be a first. Sure, there were magazines and shows about what people do on dates—but all of that had left her mind once she asked Shouji to be her boyfriend.

It’s a lot to process and later tonight, she’ll hug her pillow tight and giggle at the lovely thought that they were a couple now. ]

Yeah! [Theres an enthusiastic nod of her head. Should they be studying over the weekend too? Probably, but no need to drag realities of school into this just yet.]

I don’t have any plans.

[Hopefully none of their friends would try to crash or eavesdrop on their date.]

I’m open to anything—-and I promise to be ready on time.

[There is the unfortunate reality they they were going to have to balance school with dating, but they're certainly not the first people to do so. They'd figure it out, surely.

Later, he would have to actually decide whether anything that he had was suitable for wearing on a date. So little of it could be even remotely considered nice or proper, just his school uniforms, his gym wear, or casual clothes that would look less out on a hike than on a date. Should he ask for help with that?

...Maybe not. If anyone would be interested in that, it would be Aoyama, and if Aoyama were in charge of making him look nice, he would never be able to come out of his dorm room again.]

We can coordinate something then. Just...text me if you have any ideas? We can go from there.

[She wouldn't suggest anything too fancy right off the bat, he hopes. Budgets don't allow for a lot.]

[Usagi wasn’t going to suggest anything lavish or expensive. Her stomach would bankrupt both of them. No, for a first date it should be…more casual? Something fun for the two of them to do. ]

We can do something…easy? Like, going to an arcade or going on a nice walk.

[Widow shopping, but that might cause her to do actual shopping which might hurt her pocket book again.

Or…]

We could watch a movie too. [That was simple and fun! A movie theater or, watching something in one of their rooms…

Alone.

Okay, maybe not the best idea, but it did show she would be happy with anything.]

Whatever it is, I know it’ll be fun since we’ll be together.

[And just to reassure him, she flashes that cheerful, optimistic smile of hers.]

[Immediately he's thinking about the little yakitori stand on his usual patrol route. It's a nice place for a walk, he knows it like the back of his hand, and they could stop to get something to eat. There's no downsides, clearly. And no need to get fancy for it!]

I think a walk and dinner sounds nice.

[His thoughts tend along the same lines when she suggests a movie, shutting down the immediate thought of holing up in one of their rooms to watch something together. Awkward to say the least, and he's not about to inadvertently put some weird expectations in her head.

At least that sweet smile is a comfort, and he offers one in kind, though it's still concealed.]

[No need for fancy dates! Usagi was the type of girl who cared more about who she was spending time with regardless of the activity. Besides, getting dressed up meant she had to worry about her hair and maybe make up…there was a lot involved in that process. ]

It does! I know it’s going to be cool for the next few days, so it’ll be perfect.

[No need to worry about the heat making both of them tired and possibly grumpy.

But, they will have to deal with their classmates finding out…and possibly teasing them. Which was fine! Innocent ribbing was part of life.

If Bakugo acted like a dick though, all bets with Usagi were off.

That was neither here nor there. Her focus was on Shouji, his warmth and the smile he wore under his mask.]

You’re something special, Shouji-kun. Really special and amazing.

[If Bakogou (or really any of the guys) were jerks to them over this, at least Shouji knows that none of them would do so for long. Very few of them were good at escaping being grappled after all, and he's taken a leaf from Aizawa's book when it comes to holding them up in the air to make sure they couldn't be nuisances.

He can't help turning a little red over the praise, his hands fiddling some with the hem of his shirt. Anyone that knew him knew that he just wanted to make friends and form connections to people and be treated normally, and this was probably the most normal thing that could happen.]

You're too kind.

[Hopefully none of their friends would make a big fuss out of them being a couple. The signs were kind of there from the beginning; Usagi stopping by Shouji's desk more than some of the others. Her gaze falling to him more times than she realized until Tsuyu pointed it out. And of course, if she was feeling down, he was the first one she texted.]

So are you. [Kind, and gentle and very cute when he blushed. She won't say the last one out loud as she doesn't want him to feel embarrassed or anything. Maybe one day she would.]

But, I'll see you later? Or you can text me later? [She didn't want to take up more of his time. They had training and studying to do.]

[At first he'd thought that her attention was akin to Nejire's, a momentary distraction over someone with a curious trait that she found interesting before deciding to bounce away again on some other personal agenda. Then she'd just kept coming, and kept talking to him. He'd given her the short version of what had happened to him the first time she'd asked why he never seemed to take his mask off, that he'd been hurt when he was younger but didn't want anyone to misconstrue his actions because of the way he'd gotten the scars. It wasn't something he held any shame over, after all, he just refused to make anyone else sad or uncomfortable over something that they couldn't help. She'd kept talking to him, and had ended up getting fussed over by both Mineta and Kirishima over apparently getting the new girl's attention. He hadn't known what to say to them then, and he's feeling just a little bit tongue-tied now

But he likes talking to her, and she enjoys his company, and they could agree on the things that they might want to do, and he might have been nursing a small crush. But those never had the chance to pan out, so he remained reluctant. At least, until now.]

Yeah, text me later and we can decide where we want to go.

[There was something about Shouji’s quiet, confident and kind demeanor. Midoriya was cheerful and bright, as was Ochako, but the blonde found herself more comfortable around Shouji. She was aware some of the attention that came to her, being the new girl in class, but she didn’t mind.

She found herself enjoying his company, slowly falling for the boy behind the mask and the good heart he possessed. ]

Mm! [Usagi gave an enthusiastic nod of her head.] I will, but in the mean time…

[She moved to hug him again, tightening it for a brief second before pulling away. ]

I won’t text you too much, promise! [The last thing she wanted to do was bother him so much. But was she excited? Yes, very much so by the smile on her face and bounce in her step. ]

Be safe, Shouji-kun!

[Blink, blink.

Are they serious? Is this a dream? ]

Well, you are pretty cute, but I may be too old for you.

T-thank you. I’m very flattered, but, there is a bit of an age difference there. [Nervous chuckle] I’m still in high school.

No, no. Let him cook.

will you be my boyfriend/girlfriend?

How hard did you hit your head?

...wait really?

Did someone put you up to this?

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…uhhh, what?

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Of course. What took you so long?