The stylist finished prepping Bakugou and Kia for the photo shoot, so the interview moved to the stage where they would pose for pictures. The small break was just what the interview needed to move past Kia’s anger at interviewer’s rude remark about Bakugou.

“So, Wildside…” Ryuski continued, “Since you want to be an international hero you must speak different languages. How many languages do you know?”

Kia paused. “I’ve never really counted before,” she said as she started counting on her fingers. “Not including English, I think about twenty.”

“That is amazing! How old were you when you started learning to speak other languages?” Ryuski asked.

“My mom started teaching me German and Spanish when I was five,” Kia answered.

“Did she teach you all the languages you know?” Ryuski asked.

“No,” Kia responded as her smile slipped.

“Where did you learn to speak the others?” Ryuski prodded.

Seeing Kia hesitate, Bakugou spoke up. “Are you going to ask me any questions? I thought this was a team interview?”

“Of course, my apologies, Ground Zero,” Ryuski stammered as he flipped through his notebook while asking Bakugou some questions.

Kia relaxed as she moved into place in front of the camera. Kenji was adjusting the lens and looked up.

“Miss, could you turn slightly to me? We will do a standing pose to start with,” Kenji said.

Assistants moved in to show Kia how she was supposed to stand but the heroine had already taken up the pose. Kenji snapped a couple of photos as he gave Kia instructions on what pose to take. Kia went through the motions that Spotlight had taught her, bored out of her mind.

It was true that Spotlight had talked her into doing some modeling while she was at his agency, but she didn’t particularly like the boring poses. She liked it better when she had a good partner or a group to pose with and they could just goof off and have fun with it. This whole thing was way too formal and she didn’t know anyone here. At Spotlight’s agency they had so much fun during the shoots. Sometimes Spotlight himself would step in a strike the pose he wanted the models to take.

Kia found herself smiling as she recalled her friends back in America.

“What is the stupid grin for?” Bakugou asked as he walked up to her.

“Just recalling some fun memories,” Kia responded.

“Well, they said it is my turn.” Bakugou gestured back towards the crew.

“Alright,” Kia said as she moved out of the way.

Bakugou stood stiff and awkwardly in front of the camera as the assistants stood back, too nervous to approach him. Kia stifled a giggled as Kenji tried his best to get Bakugou into the right pose. Taking pity on her partner and the photographer, Kia stepped up to help.

“I know you don’t want to do this, but you have to relax, B,” Kia said as she stepped in front of him.

“What is the point of all this?” Bakugou asked, giving her a questioning look.

“Good publicity and Jeanist said we have to,” Kia replied matter-of-factly.

Bakugou snorted as Kia grabbed his shoulder. “Turn towards the camera slightly while moving your left foot forward about…15 cm,” she told him. Bakugou moved as she told him, and Kia moved around behind him to check his pose.

“Now relax your shoulders,” Kia said as she ran her hands over his shoulders and down his back. Bakugou felt his muscles relax instantly at Kia’s touch. Moving back in front of him, she poked him between the eyes. “How many times do I have to tell you not to scowl so much?” Kia laughed.

Bakugou just scowled harder at her. “What makes you think I’m gonna listen to you?” he asked.

“Just close your eyes and take a deep breath. When you open your eyes, look directly at the camera. Think you can handle that?” Kia mocked, moving away.

Giving her a dirty look, Bakugou did what she told him. Kenji snapped a picture as soon as Bakugou opened his eyes. Kia guided Bakugou through a few more poses before the hero was fine relaxing on his own.

Stepping back behind the camera, Kia watched as Bakugou owned the camera. Kenji did an amazing job of showing off Bakugou’s good looks with the different poses.

“Now could you smile?” Kenji asked cautiously. Bakugou attempted a smile only to have Kia burst out laughing so hard she doubled over.

“Good luck with that!” Kia laughed, “That is something I have only seen a couple of times,” she said as she walked up to her partner, pushing on the sides of his mouth to imitate a smile, which only made Bakugou’s scowl deepen.

“Well let’s move on to the team pictures then,” Kenji said moving back behind his camera. First, he positioned them back-to-back, asking them to turn towards the camera a little.

Bakugou took a deep breath again and relaxed for the photo. Opening his eyes, Bakugou noticed everyone had funny looks on their faces. Puzzled, he ignored it as Kenji snapped the first photo. One of the assistants snorted a little, drawing Bakugou’s attention off the camera. Looking up, he caught Kenji smothering a laugh with a cough. Wondering what was so funny, Bakugou looked over at Kia to see her doing her best-exaggerated impression of his own scowl.

Figuring he might as well get his revenge, he grabbed her face with one hand, smooshing her checks together while he used the other hand to push down on her eyebrows. Everyone at the photoshoot burst out laughing at the display.

Batting his hands away, Kia smiled up at her partner, causing him to grin back at her. Hearing a shutter click, they both looked back at the camera to see Kenji giving a thumb up.

In the next pose, Kenji had Bakugou sit down while Kia stood behind him. Taking the pose and waiting for the shutter to click, he was surprised when Kia leaned forward and hooked her fingers in his mouth to pull back his lips in a forced toothy smile. Much to Bakugou’s horror, the camera clicked just then.

The onslaught of tricks and pranks had begun. Every pose they went through, they took turns picking on each other. While Kia was standing in front of him, Bakugou figured out she was ticklish and he used that to his advantage. Pretty soon, everyone in the room was laughing including Bakugou, albeit not very loud.

“Alright, can we try a couple shots with you guys using your quirks?” Kenji asked.

“Have any ideas of how you would like us to do that?” Kia asked.

“Wildside, could you encase each fist in flames and take up the back-to-back pose we started with?” Kenji asked. “Ground Zero, take the same pose and hold your hands up in position to use your quirk.”

“How big a blast do you want?” Bakugou asked.

“Something small, we don’t want too much or it will mess with the lighting,” Kenji replied.

Taking up the position, Kia lit her fists as they waited for Kenji’s count down. Bakugou ignited explosions in his palms enough to be flashy, but nothing too big.

“Thanks guys, I have a feeling these are going to turn out great!” Kenji said, standing up straight. He walked over to the two heroes, giving them a bow he asked, “You two were amazing, could I have your contact information? I do some art shows and have an idea for a couple of shots I would like to do with you both.”

“It is ok with me. What about you, Ground Zero?” Kia asked, turning to her partner.

“Sure, why not?” Bakugou replied.

After giving him their information, Kia and Bakugou said their goodbyes to Ryuski before heading to the parking garage. It was almost 11am when Bakugou and Kia left for the agency. Kia leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Bakugou as he sped down the street.

“Thanks for that, B,” Kia said through the headset in their helmets.

“For what?” Bakugou replied.

“For interrupting when Ryuski asked me where I learned how speak a lot of languages,” Kia reminded.

“You looked like you didn’t want to answer,” Bakugou replied.

“I didn’t,” Kia said, squeezing him tighter.

Bakugou didn’t ask any more questions and Kia didn’t loosen her hold as they turned a corner headed towards the agency.

As they parked the bike, Kia placed the helmet she was using back on the shelf. “I should have my brother send my helmet over,” she thought out loud. “A friend of mine painted it custom to look like a dragon.”

Bakugou didn’t respond as he put away his own helmet and made his way to the door. Puzzled, Kia hurried to catch up with him. They walked in silence as they made their way to their office. Once there Bakugou sat down heavily at his desk.

Kia walked over to her own desk, starting up her computer to check her e-mail. “You know, you did a really good job with the photo shoot. The camera really loved you. I think the pictures are going to turn out amazing,” Kia said, looking over at her partner.

Again, Bakugou didn’t respond. He just stared at his computer, his scowl getting ever more prominent. Frustrated, Kia stood up, placing her hands on her hips as she looked at her partner. She didn’t think she had done anything to make him really mad so she wondered if he had something he wanted to say.

“Alright, what is it?” Kia demanded. Bakugou looked over at her, his scowl deepening. “Either I pissed you off or you have something you want to say. Which is it?” Kia asked.

Bakugou mumbled something under his breath.

“What?” Kia asked, straining to hear her partner.

“I said……” Bakugou mumbled again.

“B, I can’t understand you, speak up!” Kia said.

“I SAID THANK YOU, DAMN IT!” Bakugou yelled.

“PFFT!” Kia burst out in laughter, doubling over as she clutched her stomach.

Bakugou stood up, his anger and embarrassment at the boiling point. “IF THAT IS HOW YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE MY GRATITUDE, THEN GO DIE!!”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Kia gasped, trying to get herself under control. Shaking her head, she straightened up to look at him. “You really have a hard time accepting help, don’t you?” Bakugou just glared at her before turning away. Kia walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey, I’m sorry, ok. I shouldn’t have laughed. What do you feel you have to thank me for?”

Bakugou turned back around to face her. “You stood up for me with that reporter. I’ve only had one other person do that for me with the media.”

“Of course I would defend you, B! You’re my partner. It’s not a big deal,” Kia replied.

“It was a big deal to me,” Bakugou admitted.

Kia was surprised at the sincerity in Bakugou’s gaze as he confessed to her what her words meant to him.

“I meant everything I said.” Kia gave him a smile.

Bakugou was about to say something when there was a knock at the door. Kia walked over and opened it to see Jeanist standing there.

“Hello, how was your interview?” Jeanist asked, walking in.

“I think it went pretty good,” Kia replied standing back. Bakugou walked over next to her and gave a nod in agreement.

“I’m glad. The agency could use some more publicity for our up and coming heroes,” Jeanist said. “I actually came here to talk to you,” he said, looking at Kia.

“What can I help you with, sir?” she asked.

“I’ve been asked to provide some models for the cover shoot of a popular magazine. I was hoping you would oblige and model for me,” Jeanist said. “Of course, you will be paid for your time.”

Kia hesitated while thinking about the offer. “When will the shoot be?”

“Two weeks from now,” Jeanist informed her.

“What kind of modeling will it be?” Kia asked.

“It will be for the fall line of a popular clothing brand, so just everyday attire like pants and jackets,” Jeanist replied.

“Ok, it doesn’t sound too bad, I will be happy to do it,” Kia said with a smile. “Think you can manage without me for a day?” She turned to Bakugou.

“I will be just fine,” Bakugou snorted.

“Alright then, I will be counting on you,” Jeanist said as he turned to leave.

When the door closed, Bakugou turned back toward his desk. “Let’s get ready to go on patrol,” he said.

“Alright, sounds good to me,” Kia said, walking over to shut off her computer. “Want to get something to eat first? I’m starving.”

Bakugou nodded as he put his gauntlets on and headed towards the door.

“Do you like sushi? I found this great spot a couple blocks from here? Since you paid last time, it will be my treat.” Kia smiled.

“Sure,” Bakugou replied as they headed out.