Chapter 11: An important lesson

Deku and Uraraka walked back into the bar hand in hand red faced and unable to hide their smiles. The party wasn't over yet there was still the duets round of karaoke which yet again everybody had to do. Everyone had to write down who they were going to sing with and whoever didn't would have their names put back into a hat and be drawn at random to decide singing partners. They also had to write down what song they were going to sing. However Deku and Uraraka weren't concerned about that right now. They just wanted to sit and talk to each other about their new relationship and hold each other's hands for the rest of the night. They rejoined Iida and Todoroki at their table with Yaoyorozu and All Might standing right next to them.

"You two missed everyone else's singing" Iida stated as they sat down.

"Where did you even go?" Todoroki questioned.

"We all just needed some air after young Midoriya's song took our breaths away" All Might quickly half lied to cover for the two teenagers. Deku nodded to him thankfully appreciating that even though All Might was his mentor and the world number 1 hero he was like a father figure to him.

"I suppose that's understandable. Midoriya did leave everyone in the room stunned by his performance" Iida reasoned. Deku and Uraraka weren't really listening. They couldn't take their eyes off of each other.

"So are you two going to be singing a duet together?" Yaoyorozu asked noticing the two of them not really listening to anything anyone was saying.

"Hm? Yeah sure whatever you said" Uraraka replied unaware of what the class vice president had just asked her.

"Can I choose the song?" Yaoyorozu asked another question taking full advantage of their lack of attention.

"Yeah sure Yaoyorozu whatever you want" Deku answered this time. Yaoyorozu jumped up and down in glee. She'd just been given permission to choose a song for the two of them and they hadn't even clocked it. At least this way they can't say she didn't at least ask them because she did.

"Wonderful I'll go write it down for you" she said before walking away.

"Young Todoroki and young Iida why don't you two come join me and get some drinks. I see your glasses are all empty" All Might said somewhat demanding more than asking.

"Of course sir" the two boys replied in unison. They got up from their chairs and followed the world's number one to the bar leaving Deku and Uraraka alone at the table.

"Hey" Uraraka smiled.

"Hey" Deku smiled back.

"Is my boyfriend enjoying himself?" She grinned happy to be able to call him that at least.

"I sure am. What about my girlfriend is she enjoying herself?" Deku replied returning her grin.

"She sure is" Uraraka said. The two of them gazed into each others eyes before Deku took her hand.

"I'm really happy how tonight turned out" he said softly.

"So am I Deku but it's not over yet the night is young. Besides we still have to do the duet round of the karaoke so-..." her voice trailed off.

"What is it?" Deku asked noticing the sudden fear in her eyes.

"The duet round" Uraraka said not really giving Deku a satisfactory answer.

"What about it?" Deku asked not understanding why she was so scared.

"What did Yaoyorozu ask us before she left Deku?" Uraraka questioned knowing the answer.

"Something about us singing a duet together and if she could choose the song. Why do you ask?" he replied not understanding still. Uraraka raised an eyebrow at him as if to say 'yeah exactly'. Slowly but surely it sunk in and Deku's eyes widened with realisation and fear.

"Oh I get it now" Deku said somewhat embarrassed.

"She better not choose a really intimate or sexual song or we're running out of those doors and back to UA" Uraraka said.

"Sounds like a plan but don't worry too much I'm sure she wouldn't pick anything like that she's a good friend and you trust her right?" he reassured her.

"Yes of course I do" Uraraka said defensively.

"Then what are you so worried about? I was actually going to ask you to sing a song with me anyway" Deku informed her.

"Y-you were?" Uraraka asked her eyes gleaming.

"Of course I was who else would I sing with?" he asked somewhat confused why she didn't see this coming.

"Oh I don't know. Bakugo I guess" she joked causing the two of them to start laughing.

"You really have it in for him don't you?" Deku said.

"Honestly no I don't he's just really easy to make fun of and he's kind of an asshole especially to you" she replied.

"Yeah well he's grown a lot since coming to UA. I don't mind it anyway it's just the way he is and I respect the hell out of him as a hero he's strong and a lot smarter than he lets on. Not to mention his willpower and how he always aims to come out on top" Deku said. Uraraka stared at him for a second surprised by how much Deku seemed to admire the boy who gave him so much abuse. He was right though despite his poor attitude he was something they both aspired to be.

"Yeah agreed but he's still an asshole" she joked. The two of them burst out laughing again. As they did Iida and Todoroki returned with some drinks.

"What on earth is so funny?" Todoroki asked.

"Indeed what are you two laughing about?" Iida chimed in.

"Oh nothing we were just talking about how strong and admirable Bakugo is despite the fact he's a complete asshole" Deku said.

"DEKU!" A voice screamed from behind him. Deku gulped before turning around to see the explosive blonde behind him.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU CALL ME YOU DAMN NERD!?" he screamed down at the green haired boy.

"Oh n-nothing k-kacchan we w-were j-just talking about h-how s-strong y-you are" Deku lied terrified of the blonde. Bakugo grabbed his shirt with his left hand and held up his right preparing to hit Deku with an explosion.

"LIAR!" Bakugo screamed. Before he could do anything however a hand grabbed his left wrist removing it from Deku's shirt and then twisting his arm painfully. Uraraka stood before him with fire burning in her eyes. Deku looked on in amazement.

Wow she looks pissed off. My girlfriend is so awesome!

"Round face?" Bakugo questioned in surprise.

"Asshole" she replied.

"The fuck did you-" Bakugo began but she cut him off.

"That's what we called you. We called you an asshole because despite your strength and your tenacity to be the best you act like one sometimes. Kind of like you are doing right now. Deku genuinely admires you and your abilities so why do you seem to have it in for him so badly?" She asked.

"What's it to you?" He snarled back. She applied more pressure where she was twisting his arm causing him to grunt in pain.

"What's going on here?" Mr Aizawa questioned causing Uraraka to let go of Bakugo's wrist.

"Nothing sir. Bakugo was just leaving weren't you Bakugo?" She grinned at him knowing she'd knocked him down a peg or two.

"Whatever" he said as he walked away.

"Midoriya a word please" Mr Aizawa said gesturing for him to follow. Deku did as he was told thanking Uraraka as he got up to follow his homeroom teacher.

"Why was he threatening you? Don't lie to me either or you're on cleanup duty for the dorms for the rest of the school year" Mr Aizawa threatened.

"Well the truth is sir me and Uraraka were talking about how strong he is and how much we admire him despite his bad attitude" Deku explained.

"And?" Mr Aizawa pryed knowing there was more to it than that.

"And we kinda said how despite all that he was still an asshole and he may have heard me call him that" Deku replied looking down at his feet nervously.

"I see" Mr Aizawa said. Deku risked looking up at him.

Wait a second is he smiling? Why is he smiling Mr Aizawa never smiles.

"Sir?" Deku asked nervously and confused.

"Sorry it's just what you said was kind of amusing" he replied.

"W-what? Are you serious?" Deku asked shocked at what he'd just heard.

"Yes I am. You're both completely right he is something to aspire too despite his bad attitude and the fact that he can be a...what did you say? 'An asshole' at times" Mr Aizawa explained.

"Sir I-" Deku began but his teacher cut him off with his expression suddenly changing to his usual stern and terrifying stare.

"However young man I'm even more serious when I tell you this. Stand up for yourself" he said confusing the boy in front of him.

I thought he was going to scold me or punish me or something but this seems more like... advice?

"Forgive me sir but I don't understand. I thought I was in trouble?"

"For joking around with your friend? Of course not. What I'm saying is stop allowing Bakugo to walk all over you. Uraraka stood up for you there and he stepped down from her. Do you know why?" Mr Aizawa asked.

"Because you showed up?" Deku answered with his own question not knowing the answer.

"No not because I showed up. He walked away because I showed up but he'd already backed down at that point. The reason he did so was because he respected Uraraka's strength to stand up to him whether he admits it or not. She was honest to him and didn't show even a hint of fear or hesitation when she knew he was incredibly strong compared to her. He respected her bravery. If you showed him you won't allow him to treat you that way he'll respect that and he'll probably back off. I'm not saying get into a fight or a physical confrontation or anything like that I'm just saying be brave enough to stand up for yourself and let him know you're not going to take his abuse anymore" Mr Aizawa explained. Deku stared at him shocked and dumbfounded.

"Sir. Why are you telling me this?" Deku asked.

"Because if you can't stand up for yourself against Bakugo...how will you stand up for yourself against a villain?" Mr Aizawa said before walking away leaving Deku to think about his words.

What is he talking about? I've stood up for myself against villains before. So why don't I stand up for myself against Kacchan? Oh right I get. He just said that to get to me and to make me realise that Bakugo isn't a threat to me and yet I'm still afraid of him. I need to stand up for myself against Kacchan because if I can overcome my fear of him I'll grow as a person and as a hero. Besides he's right I can't just keep letting my friends stick up for me all the time I could get too comfortable or reliant on them and if I want to be the top hero someday I have to be able to hold my own. Next time Kacchan tries to put me down I'll show him I'm not going to take his crap anymore and earn his respect.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Todoroki stood before him.

"You ok there Midoriya?" he asked.

"Yeah I'm fine thanks Todoroki" Deku replied.

"What did Mr Aizawa say to you?" he asked curious what he wanted to talk about with the green haired boy.

"Oh he was just telling me I need to stand up for myself when Bakugo gives me crap for no reason" Deku replied.

"He's right you know. I find it best to just ignore him anyway it's not like he'll do anything" Todoroki said.

"Well maybe not to you Todoroki because he knows how strong you are and he respects that" Deku suggested. The ice and fire user thought about it for a second before speaking.

"But that doesn't make sense Midoriya. You're easily one of the strongest in our class if not the whole school with your quirk and your ability to read situations not to mention come up with strategies on the spot makes you at bare minimum the third strongest in our class. If we base our logic off of what the rest of our class thinks me and Bakugo are the top two in our class although it's unclear which of us is first and which of us is second although considering he beat me in the sports festival I'd put him first and me second. Leaving you as third place Midoriya and not far behind either the speed at which you are growing is truly remarkable" Todoroki explained.

"Well it makes sense when you put it like that but it goes deeper than that we grew up together and he's always had it out for me and I never stood up for myself. So next time he has something to say I'll let him know I'm not going to take it" Deku said with a determined look in his eyes. Todoroki nodded approving of his friends new found courage and self belief. Attributes he knew he already had but for some reason lacked them when it came to Bakugo.

"Let's get back to the table Uraraka was worried about you" Todoroki said.

"Yeah let's" Deku replied. They returned to their seats and Deku informed Uraraka of his conversation with Mr Aizawa.

"He's right but it's not a bad thing that I stood up for you" Uraraka said.

"Of course not I appreciate it so much but if I don't learn to stand on my own two feet how could I ever be an effective hero?" Deku said.

"Yeah I guess he's got a point. That doesn't mean that we can't stand up for you though if we can we will" she promised her boyfriend.

"I know you will and I'm grateful for it but give me a chance to do it for myself next time" Deku replied.

"Ok I understand Deku" Uraraka assured him.

Mr Aizawa is right he's got to do it for himself. Besides it's not my place to interfere the two of them have become fierce rivals that respect each other's fighting ability Bakugo just had it in for him still for some reason. Still I can't get in the way of a fated battle between rivals.

"ALL RIGHT CLASS 1A IT'S TIME FOR THE DUET ROUND!" Present Mic suddenly bellowed over everybody. Hearing this everybody cheered.

"FIRST UP IS IZUKU MIDORIYA AND OCHAKO URARAKA! CAN THEY OUTDO THEIR SOLO PERFORMANCES WHICH BLEW US ALL AWAY!?" he screamed with excitement. Deku and Uraraka looked at each other as a spotlight shined down on them.

"Shall we?" Deku asked standing up and offering his hand to her. She took his hand and he helped her onto her feet.

"Let's do this" she said back both of them determined to put on a show their classmates would never forget.

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Thank you for 200 reads that's amazing!

I thought I'd do a chapter to give Deku some character development and also incorporate some more of the characters into the story as it's pretty much just been Uraraka and Deku so far with the occasional input of their friends.

I don't hate Bakugo either by the way I think he's a really well written character I just thought it gave me a good opportunity to have a moment where Uraraka stands up for Deku which led to me thinking about someone telling him he's got to stand up for himself when it comes to Bakugo. I don't really plan out what I'm writing either I just start typing and see where it takes me with a general idea of where I want the story to go in my head.

Hope you're enjoying the story so far.