𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊 ;; ʙɴʜᴀ

Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 7

A knock resonated at Midoriya's door, startling the boy as he ran to answer the door. There stood Sero, peeking at his shoes before looking towards the shorter male. "Get your glove, c'mon." He urged, placing his hands into his pockets. "What's the deal?" Midoriya asked after swinging the door wide open.

Sero's lips curled into his signature grin, "Night game!"

Midoriya's eyes glistened with excitement, he'd never been out so late before without his mom. "I-I'll be back later mom!" Grabbing his things, the two ran off in a hurry before coming to a halt in the middle of the street.

"Ah, wait! I gotta go get Y/n."

"She was next on my list," Sero smiled softly, "Can't play without her."

The boys ran over to your house, giving each other nervous glances before stepping foot on your porch. In Sero's case, he's never met your dad before and he still isn't ready to. Poor Midoriya just doesn't want to get to hit with another baseball. Sero bit the inside of his cheek before knocking loudly on the door.

Silence.

Sero knocked again, no answer. "What the-," He went to knock a third time before the door swung open.

"WE DON'T WANT ANY MORE COOKIES-, oh, it's you guys, what's up?" you smiled, putting your hands on your hips. They shook the thoughts out of their heads, relieved you answered and not your dad. "C'mon, Prin-, I mean, Y/n. We're playing a night game." Sero flushed red, suddenly very interested in his shoes. You nodded quickly, running to get your things as Midoriya raised an eyebrow at the flustered boy.

You rushed out in a hurry, not telling your dad where you were going, and leaped from the porch. "Come on, slowpokes!" you teased, running ahead of them to the sandlot. You wore high-waisted jeans that were cuffed at the bottom and a Present Mic t-shirt half-tucked in while a baseball cap was placed backwards on your head.

"Last one there can't bat first!"

¤ ¤ ¤

You huffed quietly, crossing your arms as you stood near the dugout. Seeing as you had lost the race there because of a couple of boys that stopped you to offer you a place beside them for the fireworks show. You politely declined, not really focusing on what they were asking as you were already busy trying to make it to the field first.

"Don't make such a long face, you can bat next!" Sero grinned, patting you softly on the back, letting his hand linger there for a moment. You slumped, slightly leaning into his touch as he let go and walked over to the home base. "You know what Sero told me? They do this once a year, only on the Fourth of July." Midoriya informed.

"I guess they play better under the lights of the fireworks. Kinda makes you feel like a big shot, don't ya think?" You replied, swiping a finger under your nose in amusement. The boys take their positions on the field, Sero kicks the dirt off his P.F. Flyers, twirls his bat, and gets into a position to hit.

Shinso reels his arm back and delivers a fastball. Right as Sero's bat meets the ball, a set of fireworks goes off in the distance, making the whole play look more cinematic. The batter takes off, rounding his peers at first and second base as they stop to watch the bursting fireworks illuminate the sky.

The ball lands near Midoriya and he picks it up to toss it to the nearest player as another firework explodes in the night, stealing the whole gang's attention away from the current game. Sero makes it to home base, finally catching his breath as a look of disapproval twists onto his features.

"You've gotta be kidding me..." He mumbled loudly, disappointed that their night game just became a watch party. You subconsciously wandered to his side, nudging him with your shoulder. "What did you expect? It's the Fourth of July, gloves for brains." You teased, as he let out an annoyed huff. "I just wanted to play ball. Is that too much to ask?" You shuffled a little closer to the boy, grabbing his hand.

"You know... A little break every now and then from the game won't hurt." You smiled, happy about seeing his gaze soften on the team. "Well, it must be true if it's coming from you." Sero grinned, giving your hand a light squeeze.

But deep down, you knew.

For him, baseball wasn't just a game.

For Hanta Sero...

Baseball was life.

¤ ¤ ¤

The night fades to day, and everyone's in the same position as if they never left the lot. Sero rounds third and heads for him as Bakugo and Tetsu catches him in a pickle. Sero dodges and rubba-legs them, making it to home base with ease. "Truly rubba legs." Kirishima said, with Tetsutetsu repeating.

"Way to go, Sero! Wouldn't expect anything less from you." You laughed, high-fiving the grinning male. Then in a flash, the town's Little Leaguers pull into the lot on their bikes. "Of course it's easy when you play with rejects and hotheads, sweetheart." Kuroiro spouted smugly, leaning on the handlebars of his bike. "Sweetheart..?" You cringed, pretending to gag.

Sero's nose wrinkled in annoyance as he marched up to them, the gang in hot pursuit. You being more reluctant than the rest, so you reside near Shinso in the back. "Whaddya say, crapface?" Sero snarled, pointing a finger at him. "He said, they shouldn't even be allowed to touch a baseball. They're an insult to the game." Monoma smirked, successfully pissing off Bakugo as he launched himself at the boy.

Kirishima and Sero grabbed him before he could tear the blonde to shreds. "Come on, Blondie! We'll take you on right here, right now!" Bakugo barked, still trying to lunge at him. Monoma rolled his eyes, leaning towards the enraged boy. "We play on a real diamond, Bakugo. And you ain't good enough to lick the dirt off our cleats."

You shoved your way through the gang, getting in Monoma's face, momentarily shocking him. "Hey, watch it!" You growled, poking him hard in the chest. "Whoa there, mousy." Kuroiro laughed obnoxiously. "How about you go back to cheering them on from the sidelines and leave this to the men, will ya?" He said, crossing his arms.

"Men?"

You scoffed, crossing your arms and rolling your (e/c) eyes. "Hardly even close, jackass." You mumbled, making the boy flush red with embarrassment. Kuroiro balled up his fist as he sizzled with anger. "I didn't ask for your opinion, whore." He gritted through his teeth as the gang's eyes widen.

Bakugo lunged forward again, "Watch your mouth, jerk!"

"Shut up, dipshit!" Monoma fired back.

"Asshole!"

"Scab eater!"

"Butt sniffer!"

"Puss licker!"

"Fart smeller!"

"Dog crap for breakfast eatin' geek!" Monoma growled as Bakugo grinned, "You mix your Wheaties with your momma's toe jam!" You laughed, grimacing at the gross comeback. "You bob for apples in your toilet, and you like it!" Monoma smirked, hearing gasps from everyone. Bakugo shook with anger before blurting, "YOU PLAY BALL LIKE A GIRL!"

Silence fell over both teams as you deadpan at your blonde idiot, starting to burn a glare into his head. "What did you say?" You and Monoma asked in perfect sync. "You heard me." Bakugo hissed, crossing his arms. "Tomorrow. Sun-up. At our field. Be there, buffalo-butt breath." Monoma sneered, turning to leave. "Count on it, pee-drinkin' craphead." Bakugo shot back, as they left.

You took this as a chance to sneak attack the explosive blonde. You jumped onto his back, clinging onto him as you put him in a light chokehold. "Give me a good reason not to kill you right now!" You exclaimed while he pulled at your arms. "Hey! Get off, idiot!" He barked, shaking and spinning you around to let go as the boys roared with laughter.

"Apologize! You know I can play ball better than any regular girl!" You snapped, tugging a little harder. "Fine! Fine! I'm sorry!" He apologized, his fingers secretly crossed. "Good boy." You huffed, jumping off of his back. "HAHA, GOTCHA BITCH!" Bakugo exclaimed, showing you his crossed fingers as he ran off, you following right behind him. "I WILL KILL YOU." You yelled while laughing evilly.

"We should probably go catch them." Sero deadpanned, jogging after his teammates with the rest behind him.