Chapter Text
“You look-”
Uraraka’s lips were tight as she slowly inched her way down the steps. Her fingers pinched at the bright green fabric, fanning the fabric out so he could see the full effect. “You can say it,” she encouraged with a tight smile. “I know.”
“No, it’s-”
Her brows raised as she reached the bottom of the steps. She placed her hands on her hips proudly as she waited for a full critique of her outfit.
“You look,” Midoriya started. His lips twisted nervously as he tried to keep the smile on his face. Green eyes were bright with horror as he struggled to compliment her on her attire. “You look nice .”
She laughed, “No.”
“You do.”
“This thing is hideous,” Uraraka snorted as she looked down at the kimono. As much as she appreciated Asui offering to loan her a kimono for the wedding, she was quickly regretting her decision.
“It’s,” Midoriya swallowed, gritting his teeth as he shook his head, “not.”
It had to be bad if Midoriya was struggling to lie right in front of her. “No, it really is.” It was green, first of all.
Uraraka didn’t hate the color green, but given the last few months, it wasn’t the first color she wanted to be draped in. She should have known better asking Asui in hindsight but it was too late now. The green wouldn’t have been a problem if it wasn’t such a ridiculous shade paired with some sort of floral pattern with more unflattering tones of green.
“You can say it,” she assured with a nod, gesturing at the outfit.
“No, you look-” The compliment seemed to be stuck on his tongue.
Uraraka bit back a smile as he cringed, struggling to lie. “I look…?”
“You look,” Midoriya shook his head, staring wildly at the ensemble, “festive.”
“Good word.” One of the things she admired about him was his ability to turn almost anything to a positive. “I’m just there to keep Bakugo sane, so…’ She trailed off, shrugging her shoulders as she touched a stray lock of hair framing her face. She’d pulled her hair into an easy bun since her attire was busy enough.
“It’s nice that Kacchan asked you to go with him.”
“It is.” It hadn’t been at the time. “I almost said no,” she laughed.
“Why would you say no?”
Her brows furrowed. “Why would I say yes?”
“You two are dating, right?”
“Yeah.” Even though they hadn’t really announced it to their classmates, they were dating. Bakugo had already introduced her as his girlfriend. “But he asked me to go with him before we started seeing each other.”
“Really?”
“Really. Tsu didn’t tell you?
Midoriya shook his head.
“Oh, well he wanted a date for his cousin’s wedding and said I was the least annoying option and here we are,” Uraraka smiled with a happy shrug.
“Sounds like Kacchan.” Midoriya nodded, looking behind him into the common room. “Where is he?”
“He had to get there early so I’m meeting him there.”
“Oh well, I’ll let you go then,” he smiled, giving a little wave before turning around to walk back into the common room.
Uraraka felt her stomach drop as her heart slammed against her ribcage. “Hey Deku,” she called out. Shuffling forward, she reached out toward him.
“Yeah?”
She swallowed, feeling the hollowness of anxiety bloom in her chest. “We should hang out tomorrow,” she suggested softly. “Play video games or board games-” Uraraka couldn’t remember the last time they’d hung out without the weight of her feelings for him crushing the atmosphere.
She’d been so consumed with getting him to notice her, Uraraka couldn’t enjoy the times they’d battled during video games or how funny it was to watch him play Jenga. She couldn’t tell you what happened during the movies they’d watched or the silly jokes their friends made in the middle of the fray. Her feelings for him had consumed her existence.
Everything had led back to Midoriya.
So much so that it had affected her school work too.
She’d been so worried about being him noticing her that she’d found herself underperforming when she was capable of being at the top.
“Something fun,” she added with a genuine smile. It would be nice to just enjoy his company without worrying about his approval.
“Definitely!” Midoriya nodded, excited at the idea. “I’ll let everyone know.”
“Cool,” Uraraka agreed as her smile grew. “Just tell Iida that if we’re playing Monopoly, we’re putting money under Free Parking.”
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“Oh no,” Uraraka mumbled to herself as she stepped into the wedding hall.
Everyone was dressed in modern formal wear.
Sleek jewel-colored cocktail dresses and dark suits playing off the elegant off white decor.
Not one kimono in the room.
Or anyone else in various shades of ugly green.
“Awesome.” Her fingers clutched the little straps of her purse as a tight smile warmed her face. She waved awkwardly, hunching her shoulders down as she made her way to a seat in the back.
Once the bride came out, no one would be looking at her anyway.
She’d have to deal with stares at the reception.
Preferably while stuffing her face.
If she was eating she wouldn’t have to socialize.
Also, the food would help swallow her embarrassment.
Her eyes perked up at a familiar tuft of blonde hair. “Bakugo,” she hissed, trying to get his attention. “Ba-ku-go.” Uraraka ducked her shoulders down, hoping she wasn’t attracting any more attention. “Bakugo,” she called out quickly.
Crap.
Which side of the family was this? In all likelihood, there could be a room full of Bakugos. “Katsuki!” she called out, unable to feel even more awkward than she already did.
She watched his shoulders straighten in attention, before turning around to face her.
Thank goodness.
Uraraka breathed a sigh of relief as he started walking toward her dressed in a simple black suit. “Thank gods,” she sighed, relaxing a little as he approached. “I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t found you before the ceremony started.” Things were supposed to start a few minutes ago. Bakugo had instructed her to arrive at the time they were scheduled to start and not before. “Especially since you told me to get here late.”
Bakugo stared at her.
“What?” she questioned, waiting for him to respond.
Red eyes were blown wide with a mix of shock and perhaps horror at her attire.
“Yeah,” she sighed, opening her arms a bit so he could get the full look. “I know. I asked Tsu to borrow a kimono. I should have known it was green, but I didn’t and well....” Uraraka trailed off as the orchestra music started.
People around them started settling into seats as Bakugo continued to stare at her.
“Sit down,” Uraraka scooted over, grabbing him by the sleeve of his suit jacket. She pulled him into the seat next to her. Sitting up straight, she focused on watching the wedding party procession and ignoring Bakugo’s gaze. “It’s not that bad.” She stood up, adjusting the layers of fabric as the bride began her walk down the aisle.
Bakugo sputtered, “It’s-”
She inhaled, waiting for him to weasel out some half-assed compliment like Midoriya had done before she left.
The bride reached the altar and the ceremony started as she took her seat. She turned to Bakugo for him to finish his thought. “Well?” she asked him quietly.
Red overtook his face as he looked her up and down.
“What?”
His lips twitched, a smile splitting over his face. Uninhibited laughter escaped his lips for a moment before he slapped a hand over his mouth.
“You are such an asshole.”
Bakugo attempted to swallow his laughter, clearing his throat as he turned his head.
She could feel herself smiling. Uraraka shook her head to cover up her amusement. “I can’t stand you,” she mumbled, low enough so only he could hear her.
Laughter rumbled at the back of his throat as he started to cough, drawing a few looks from people in front of them.
Uraraka smiled politely. As the vows started, everyone focused back on the couple at the front of the room. She scooted a little closer to him. “I hope you choke.”
He snorted, stopping a burst of laughter from escaping him.
She narrowed her eyes and set her brows in a stern line. “I asked you what I should wear,” she growled centimeters away from his ear. Her eyes went toward the front of the room. The bride and groom were exchanging vows. “I asked you.” She poked his side.
He flinched, covering his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Don’t laugh,” Uraraka whispered as she started to giggle herself.
Bakugo scooted closer to her, giving her a little nudge. “You’re fucking laughing.”
She buried her cheek into the shoulder of his suit jacket as she quieted her laughter.
Uraraka didn’t imagine they’d have this much fun. The muffled sounds of Bakugo’s unhinged amusement were infectious, and she couldn’t wait to hear him fully laugh at her attire.
They didn’t hear any of the ceremony.
She spent most of the time hiding her face against his arm, trading little nudges with Bakugo as they both struggled not to laugh. Somewhere around the exchange of rings and lighting a unity candle, Bakugo wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed her against him.
For a moment, Uraraka froze wondering what the people behind them were thinking about their behavior. But when she felt Bakugo poke at her side, she squirmed, resting her head against his shoulder as she stared up at him.
“Asshole,” she mouthed, leaning away from him.
Applause erupted around them.
Uraraka frowned, “That’s it?” Her head whipped around, eyes finding the kissing newlyweds at the front of the room and everyone clapping around them. “Where’s the rest of the ceremony?”
“What are you talking about?” Bakugo snorted, brows furrowing.
“That was like five minutes.”
“Yeah?”
She blinked, “The last wedding I went to the ceremony took almost an hour.” She hadn’t been the only person wearing a kimono at the last wedding she’d attended.
“What the fuck did they do for an hour?”
Uraraka watched as the wedding party dispersed. “Well, at my cousin’s wedding the priest-”
“Priest?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re fucking religious?”
“Does it fucking matter?” she chuckled, countering back at him. “My family is from a super small town in the middle of nowhere, so everyone gets married at the temple.”
“Remind me not to go to a wedding with you.” People around them rose from their seats, moving toward the reception hall and mingling around.
“I don’t know,” Uraraka teased melodically as she stared at one of the elaborate flower arrangements at the front of the room. “One of my cousins just brought his girlfriend to meet our grandmother, so a proposal might be coming soon.”
“Good for them.”
“You might be going with me to a wedding next year,” she tilted her head against his shoulder.
“Fuck no.”
She snickered, tilting her head against his shoulder, “I can’t wait to see you in traditional clothes.” Uraraka couldn’t remember the last time she was so excited about the future.
“Don’t got any.”
“Liar.”
He rolled his eyes, slouching back into his chair. “Tch.”
Uraraka batted her eyes, enjoying watching his cheeks redden.
Bakugo had surrendered. Even though he hadn’t said it outright, he would accompany her to a wedding next year if she’d asked him. “Whatever, round face.”
“So,” she started, gently wrapping her hand around his wrist, “do we go to the reception?” She looked around, seeing how empty the crowded hall was now. “Where is it?” Walking her fingers up his wrist, she laced their hands together.
“Upstairs,” he answered, slinging his head back as he snuck little glances at her.
“Oh,” she hummed, shoulders dropping, “I guess that explains the music.”
“What music?”
She frowned, stilling as she focused her ears. The dull pulse of what sounded like drums thudding above them. “You can’t hear that?” Uraraka looked up for a moment before facing him.
“What the-”
“Listen.”
He huffed, face relaxing as they sat in silence. “No.”
“Wow, you can’t hear.”
“Shut the hell up.”
“You should probably get that checked,” she suggested. She reached over to brush his hair away from his ear. Gently grabbing his ear, Uraraka gave the organ a little tug before playing with a spike of his hair.
“My hearing is fine,” he dismissed, leaning his head closer to her.
She winced, giving him a cheeky smirk, “That’s debatable.”
“Tch,” he snorted, glaring at her from the corner of his eyes, “at least I’m not color blind.” His eyes went to the kimono as the corners of his lips twitched.
“Bakugo.”
A wicked grin broke over his face.
“In my defense-”
Light chuckles vibrated in his chest.
“I asked you what I should wear,” Uraraka whined, trying not to laugh with him as he gave into his amusement. She tugged at his hand. “You didn’t tell me.”
A loud cackle through the now empty hall.
“Go ahead and laugh,” she sighed, turning her head away from him in mock frustration. She couldn’t help but smile at the sound of his genuine laughter. “It’s not even mine.”
Even if it was because of her outfit.
“It’s Tsu’s,” she tried to explain giggling as she turned back to him. “Mine is at home, and it’s not green.”
His laughter ceased for a moment, eyes glittering with amusement.
“It’s not even that bad.” She wrinkled her nose, poking him in the chest.
“It’s fucking hideous.”
“Mean,” she frowned as she leaned away from him.
“It is!”
It was hideous. Uraraka couldn’t even deny it. “Still mean.” She folded her arms over her chest and turned away from him.
“I’m not gonna fucking lie to you.”
“I’m not asking you to lie to me.” That was the last thing she wanted.
He huffed, “I said your clothes were hideous, not you.”
Uraraka whipped around to face him.
Bakugo’s face was fixed in a scowl as blush began to stain his face. He inhaled deeply, rubbing his palms against his thighs.
“Are you saying I’m pretty?”
He grunted, red eyes focused on the ceiling as he refused to look at her.
“Bakugo?”
Rolling his eyes, he looked down to meet her eyes.
She leaned in close, lightly placing her hands on his knee . “Are you saying I’m pretty?”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Are you?” Uraraka moved closer as she tipped her chin at him in challenge.
“Don’t be stupid, round face.” The words were harsh, but they were gentle against his lips. Bakugo looked at her with a disapproving frown. “Why the hell would you ask that?”
“I don’t know,” she blurted out. “Maybe I want to hear you say it.”
“Why?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“You already fucking know.”
“And?”
“And…?” he sputtered, shaking his head as he looked at her.
She tilted her head down, waiting for the words.
“For fuck’s sake-”
Uraraka giggled.
“You’re pretty, round face,” he blurted out, face pinched in annoyance. His face was almost as red as his eyes.
“Aww,” she cooed, rubbing their noses together as he growled, “you think I’m pretty.”
“It shouldn’t be a fucking surprise to you.”
“It’s not.” It wasn’t. “I just wanted to make you say it.”
“Tch.”
She pressed a quick, teasing kiss to his lips, enjoying the look of shock on his face.
“Fucking annoying,” Bakugo grumbled, eyes soft.
“Just imagine,” Uraraka started, standing up. She fluffed out the fabric of her kimono before grabbing his hand and pulling him to his feet. “How annoying I’m going to be when I make you dance with me.”
“Not happening.” He squeezed her hand, leading her toward the elevator that would take them upstairs.
“We’re totally dancing.” She’d drag Bakugo onto the dance floor. “You have to give me one song.”
He jammed his finger against the elevator button. “Fuck no.” He gently jerked her closer to him, slick fingers gently caressing the back of her hand.
Bakugo would dance with her. “Whatever you say,” she nodded, giving his hand a squeeze. Uraraka rested her head on his shoulder with a happy hum.
“I fucking mean it, round face.”
“I know.” She would probably end up holding his hands as she bounced in front of his still and stoic form. “We won’t dance.” They stepped inside the elevator.
“Fine,” he groaned as the doors closed. “One dance.”
Uraraka squealed.
“None of that slow shit,” he insisted with a heavy sigh.
“Okay,” she beamed.
“I’m picking the song.”
He was trying. “Okie dokie.” Neither one of them knew what to do.
All of this was new.
“I can live with that.” It wasn't what she imagined. “There’s going to be cake, so I’m happy.”
I deserve to be happy too.
She looked at him with a bright smile. “I’m happy,” she declared, wrapping her arms around his torso. Uraraka couldn’t recall when happiness had become more than an idea. It was now actionable things she did every day.
Bakugo’s eyes softened, draping an arm around her shoulder. “You dork.”
Today, she was going to dance with Bakugo. “Yep.” And eat cake.
Fin