| Zero Hour | 172732014

Reason & Persuasion

It was a tumultuous time for Musatafu, blindsided by the resurgence of Overhaul and the appearance and frequency of the Paranormal Liberation Front's activities. It only reminded you of the sore and tender feeling left in your shoulders after the chaos that ensued in Esuha, it being the hotspot and target of Overhaul's agenda. At first glance, it felt like a revenge plot, after many years being in Tartarus only to strike at those who had caused him his hellish harm. Yet it tore the city apart, disproving the efforts of Pro-Heroes and heroes alike.

"This is stupid," muttered Bakugou, staring out from the windows of the chauffeured sedan. He pulled at his tie, the second time he has done so before even arriving at the red carpet of the night.

"Can't be helped," you sighed while you reached for his tie once more, fixing it comfortably in hopes that he wouldn't play with it again. "The local heroes need more support than ever, and your manager was... insistent that you had to be present."

"Yeah but the dumbass didn't have to make such a big deal out of it."

He ironically sat still while you redid his tie, pulling at it to keep it tucked against his chest. Despite his annoyance over this charity, you wondered if he played and loosened his tie on purpose. You thought it wasn't below him if he did, soon patting his tie flat against his chest.

"Wasn't your agency the one that put this idea forward?" You asked, eyeing him with incredulity over the matter.

"They think we'd kill two birds with one stone by using this as the marketing highlight," he snarled with further disdain. His large hand was gentle when he took hold of yours, emphasising on the black ring that still stayed true to its place on your finger. You were aware of Bakugou's unfavourable opinion about the media, having grown further distaste after your engagement was leaked months ago. Yet, he wasn't wrong about his agency's use of it to further agendas at the charity ball tonight.

You only sighed inwardly before you held his hand in return, at least to comfort him a little. The idea was a lofty one to promote the engagement and imminent wedding ahead. You weren't as keen yourself to flaunt the ring, but the Pro-Hero life always crossed over into your personal private life. More than you wished to admit.

The flash of cameras were the first things to blind you before Bakugou exited the car, his hand out for you to follow after. Many paparazzi attempted to catch your attention, shouting with fervour, some questioning, others distasteful. It was all shock value, you were aware, but the arm around your waist held true while Bakugou led you inside the exhibition hall, away from the photographers that continued to flash their lights behind you.

The hall was filled to the brim with socialites, corporates, law enforcement, and heroes of all levels from locals to pros. Alit with incandescent lights, the mood settled into the night, leaving many groups chiding away, conversing and harping on trivial pursuits. You stayed close to Bakugou, your arm around his loosely while you kept your eye across the floor, noticing familiar faces from a range of agencies.

"Where the hell is Kirishima?" gruffly asked Bakugou, eyes already scanning the vicinity himself. "He said he'd be here."

"Looks like everyone else is though," you casually remarked, spotting many mingling within the crowd within Bakugou's social circles. They weren't difficult to spot, finding many of the social elite congregate and gravitate towards them for pleasantries sake. It wasn't a surprise to find both Izuku Midoriya and Shouto Todoroki already amongst the party. In fact, they were the first you sought out for, relieved that with their presence the banter would run smoothly for Bakugou. Still, he wasn't wrong when you couldn't spot the redhead amongst the crowd, nor could you find his other ragtag friends.

Perhaps they were running fashionably late.

"Ground Zero, you made it!" called his manager past a small crowd, his voice carrying slightly above the other voices.