#kacchakothread #kacchako #omegaverse Midnight Terrain - Tags:...
wonduhhwoman🍑@stillfly94
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Jan 13, 2026
~108 min read
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#kacchakothread #kacchako #omegaverse
Midnight Terrain
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Tags: fantasy AU, soulmates
Warnings: society a lil messed up in this one, non-con elements (not in main pairing)
Midnight Terrain
-
Tags: fantasy AU, soulmates
Warnings: society a lil messed up in this one, non-con elements (not in main pairing)
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Ochako had never been quite so terrified in her life—she had grown up in a meager tribe, so secluded that she had hardly realized that other people lived outside it until she was in her mid-teens.
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Her father was the chief of her tribe, and she had been preparing to take his place as her 25th birthday approached—she wanted nothing more for her parents to take it easy. She would relieve them of their burden, and help her people prosper.
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They were grossly unprepared for an attack, and rather than fight and lose their lives needlessly, her father had surrendered to those dirty men.
Her father, kind as he was, was naive.
Her father, kind as he was, was naive.
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The men demanded they give up their omegas to them.
"We-we have no omegas here," her father said with a falter in his voice, yet keeping his stare forward in determination.
"We-we have no omegas here," her father said with a falter in his voice, yet keeping his stare forward in determination.
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The leader of the group, a short and slimy man who disgusted Ochako simply by the way he carried himself, quirked his eyebrow at her father.
"You're lying," he stated. "Either give up your omegas, or watch as I kill every last member of your tribe."
"You're lying," he stated. "Either give up your omegas, or watch as I kill every last member of your tribe."
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Silence reigned over their clan, as Ochako's father kept his lips shut in a thin line.
The man nodded at one of his henchmen to pick a woman out of the crowd and bring her forward forcefully. They raised a knife to her neck, but before they could strike Ochako was stepping in.
The man nodded at one of his henchmen to pick a woman out of the crowd and bring her forward forcefully. They raised a knife to her neck, but before they could strike Ochako was stepping in.
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"Stop," she cried, "I am the only omega of this clan. Take me and never lay a finger on this people again."
The man's eyes roved over her unpleasantly, causing disgust and discomfort to swirl around her stomach.
The man's eyes roved over her unpleasantly, causing disgust and discomfort to swirl around her stomach.
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She realized belatedly what exactly would happen to her.
She'd be taken into their hands, reduced to their property, she'd be bartered and bartered until someone was willing to pay the right price—there was no telling when that would be or what kind of person would take her.
She'd be taken into their hands, reduced to their property, she'd be bartered and bartered until someone was willing to pay the right price—there was no telling when that would be or what kind of person would take her.
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She was giving up her title as Princess, as the future chief, she was giving up her family and her friends. She was doing it for /their/ lives and freedom.
Even after thinking it through, even after the terror began to course through her, she still wouldn't change her decision.
Even after thinking it through, even after the terror began to course through her, she still wouldn't change her decision.
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She couldn't ignore the wails of her parents, the mourning of her people as she was taken away, and the sound of their cries and sorrow would forever harrow her bones.
She let her own tears spill freely as they bound her wrists behind her back and threw her into their caravan.
She let her own tears spill freely as they bound her wrists behind her back and threw her into their caravan.
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She cried for hours, remorse and anger sitting like a heavy block of ice in her chest. She was still crying, even when the cart stopped and the greasy man who stole her slid inside of her caravan.
Her eyes hardened at the sight of him.
Her eyes hardened at the sight of him.
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"You a virgin?" the beta inquired quickly.
Ochako glared at him, her lips set in a thin line.
He sighed, "well, you don't smell like you've ever been touched. It's a shame. Virgin omegas make us a fortune, but you're just too irresistible."
Ochako glared at him, her lips set in a thin line.
He sighed, "well, you don't smell like you've ever been touched. It's a shame. Virgin omegas make us a fortune, but you're just too irresistible."
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Ochako's eyes widened as the man crawled towards her and over her, his hands settling on her hips as his eyes ate her up.
"You're a pretty little thing, aren't you?"
"Don't touch me," Ochako growled, headbutting him as her arms flexed uselessly against her bonds.
"You're a pretty little thing, aren't you?"
"Don't touch me," Ochako growled, headbutting him as her arms flexed uselessly against her bonds.
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The man reeled back just enough for her to scoot away, and satisfaction coursed through her at the sight of a blossoming bruise on his forehead.
"You bitch," he growled, his hand cupping around the bruised area as he bared his canines at her.
"You bitch," he growled, his hand cupping around the bruised area as he bared his canines at her.
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"You do not get to touch me," she reiterated, glaring at him.
He chuckled darkly.
"You've got a thing or two to learn about how the world works, /savage/."
Ochako spit in his face, a cause for the man to reel back once again. And when his eyes opened and landed on her, Ochako
He chuckled darkly.
"You've got a thing or two to learn about how the world works, /savage/."
Ochako spit in his face, a cause for the man to reel back once again. And when his eyes opened and landed on her, Ochako
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found nothing but icy fury.
Ochako felt a surge of fear, if only because she remembered that her hands were still bound behind her back.
It didn't matter. She wouldn't let this man touch her without putting up a grueling fight.
Ochako felt a surge of fear, if only because she remembered that her hands were still bound behind her back.
It didn't matter. She wouldn't let this man touch her without putting up a grueling fight.
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But as she was tensing her body to roll out of the way of his risen palm as it soared towards her face, there were several vicious roars sounded from outside of the cart. It surprised her enough that she couldn't react quickly to move away from the slap to her face.
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She reeled back at the sharp sting, tears immediately pricking at her eyes. Her face burned from the force of the hit, and she grit her teeth so as not to let out any groan or whimper of pain.
She glared at the man through watery eyes, rage simmering in her bloodstream.
She glared at the man through watery eyes, rage simmering in her bloodstream.
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The man looked ready to strike her again, but she was faster.
The crack of his nose as her boot connected with his face could have been more satisfying if her hands were no longer bound, but she could settle for this.
The crack of his nose as her boot connected with his face could have been more satisfying if her hands were no longer bound, but she could settle for this.
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"You're dead," he spat through a gargle of blood, tipping his head back to stop the blood from running out of his nose. "I'm gonna find the most vile and wretched man to sell you off to," he promised.
"More vile and wretched than you?" she inquired in faux innocence, her
"More vile and wretched than you?" she inquired in faux innocence, her
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eyes burning wildly.
He growled, looking ready to strike yet again, but before he could make another move a tanned hand shot into the caravan and ripped him away from her.
Ochako blinked, her mind beginning to register the sound of brawling that was going on around her.
He growled, looking ready to strike yet again, but before he could make another move a tanned hand shot into the caravan and ripped him away from her.
Ochako blinked, her mind beginning to register the sound of brawling that was going on around her.
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"You the leader of this group?" a new voice, one that sounded gruff and deadly, inquired.
"No," the man cried desperately, "I'm being held captive here too!"
"Like anyone would steal away a grimy beta like you," the man growled. "And you think to escape your sins? Where are you
"No," the man cried desperately, "I'm being held captive here too!"
"Like anyone would steal away a grimy beta like you," the man growled. "And you think to escape your sins? Where are you
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keeping the omega?"
"You think we've actually found any!? Do you know how rare omegas are to come by!?"
"Liar." A pause. "They fucked up your nose pretty good, didn't they?"
There was a thud, the sound a body made when it
"You think we've actually found any!? Do you know how rare omegas are to come by!?"
"Liar." A pause. "They fucked up your nose pretty good, didn't they?"
There was a thud, the sound a body made when it
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hit the ground, followed by two screeches of pain in quick succession.
And then the curtain to the caravan was being pushed back, and an Alpha with red eyes was baring his neck and offering her his hand.
And then the curtain to the caravan was being pushed back, and an Alpha with red eyes was baring his neck and offering her his hand.
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Ochako bit the Alpha's hand, using his pain and surprise as her opportunity to push him backwards with her feet. He stumbled, and she was able to jump out of the caravan to assess the situation.
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The grimy beta was crying on the ground, a throwing knife lodged solidly in each of his hands and in the ground beneath him. Whatever group that had attacked seemed to be on the verge of winning, but Ochako didn't want to stick around to see if they were good guys.
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She needed to get back to her tribe.
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"Shit—wait!" the blonde Alpha called after her as she sprinted into the forest. Ochako could hear his footsteps barreling after her, so she dodged to the left and picked up her speed.
"You can't go back!" he yelled. "You'll die!"
Ochako huffed, dodging to the right this time
"You can't go back!" he yelled. "You'll die!"
Ochako huffed, dodging to the right this time
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and ducking underneath a tree branch.
"Fuck! Could you just listen to me!?"
"What didja expect, Katsuki?" a new voice called from behind her. "I don't blame her for running!"
Shit. Their attack must be more or less decided—having multiple people chasing after her was bad.
"Fuck! Could you just listen to me!?"
"What didja expect, Katsuki?" a new voice called from behind her. "I don't blame her for running!"
Shit. Their attack must be more or less decided—having multiple people chasing after her was bad.
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"Leave this to me!" the blonde growled, "you think having multiple Alpha's chasing her will make her feel more likely to trust us!?"
"I don't know," the other teased, "she's fast as hell. You got this?"
"Fuck you, shitty hair! I do fucking got this!"
“Mkay."
"I don't know," the other teased, "she's fast as hell. You got this?"
"Fuck you, shitty hair! I do fucking got this!"
“Mkay."
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The one named 'Shitty Hair' verged off in another direction, and Ochako no longer had the advantage of them wasting their breath in useless conversation.
But it didn't matter. She wouldn't be caught.
She used the trees to hide herself from his view, slipping between them
But it didn't matter. She wouldn't be caught.
She used the trees to hide herself from his view, slipping between them
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lightning quick. When she was certain he lost sight of her completely, she stayed rooted behind a tree to catch her breath.
He rushed past her, but quickly realized that he was no longer following her.
"Listen," he offered up into the air as he slid to a stop, "those men
He rushed past her, but quickly realized that he was no longer following her.
"Listen," he offered up into the air as he slid to a stop, "those men
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had business with a terrible group, and that beta lead them right to your tribe."
Ochako's eyes widened, and then quickly narrowed. He had to be lying.
"We've been following them for months—we were able to get your tribe to move before they were all murdered, but if you keep
Ochako's eyes widened, and then quickly narrowed. He had to be lying.
"We've been following them for months—we were able to get your tribe to move before they were all murdered, but if you keep
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heading this direction, you will die by their hands!"
Ochako may not know much of the world, but she would not be tricked so easily. Having caught her breath enough, she sprinted forward once again.
But the Alpha was waiting for her.
Ochako may not know much of the world, but she would not be tricked so easily. Having caught her breath enough, she sprinted forward once again.
But the Alpha was waiting for her.
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He tackled her midair, knocking the wind out of her. She groaned when her back hit the forest floor painfully, and the Alpha was quick to pin her down.
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"Listen," he pleaded, his pupils eclipsing the red of his eyes as he stared down at her. He grit his teeth, reigning himself in, and turning his head away from her slightly as if to sniff at fresh air. It was then that Ochako realized the scent she was giving off.
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There was fear within her scent, but it was vastly outweighed by the exhilaration she had felt running from this Alpha who's own scent she had apparently reacted to.
He smelt like fire lilies and burning pine. And with his head tilted away like this, it was all she could smell.
He smelt like fire lilies and burning pine. And with his head tilted away like this, it was all she could smell.
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He squeezed her wrists where he had them pinned. "Stop scenting like that," he growled.
"You first," she spat back, snapping back to reality. She wiggled desperately to escape his hold, but he was too strong for her to shake off.
"You first," she spat back, snapping back to reality. She wiggled desperately to escape his hold, but he was too strong for her to shake off.
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"I'm not going to fucking hurt you!"
She thrashed harder, tears springing up into her eyes.
"Dammit," he muttered much more softly. He squeezed her wrists again, urging her to look at him. When she did, she saw that his features had softened, except that his brow was
She thrashed harder, tears springing up into her eyes.
"Dammit," he muttered much more softly. He squeezed her wrists again, urging her to look at him. When she did, she saw that his features had softened, except that his brow was
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scrunched together in frustration. "I can understand why you don't trust me. But I am /begging/ you to."
Ochako blinked, visions of her own father kneeling at her mother's feet and kissing her hands as he begged her for forgiveness over even the most meaningless mistakes.
Ochako blinked, visions of her own father kneeling at her mother's feet and kissing her hands as he begged her for forgiveness over even the most meaningless mistakes.
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"You can't go back to your home. Your tribe isn't there anymore. You'll only be killed." His eyes softened, and he continued in an even softer tone, "I will help you find your tribe. But first we need to get far away from here."
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Ochako stared up at him, reeling over what to do. Her eyes flitted back and forth between his until she finally nodded and relaxed beneath him.
He let out a sigh of relief, and immediately moved to get off of her and offer her a hand up.
He let out a sigh of relief, and immediately moved to get off of her and offer her a hand up.
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"We need to hurry," he stated before running back towards the caravan and his other men.
Ochako took a moment to herself, glancing back into the forest towards where her home once was before following after the Alpha who's name she didn't even know.
Ochako took a moment to herself, glancing back into the forest towards where her home once was before following after the Alpha who's name she didn't even know.
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- just to note: my Twitter threads are essentially me brainstorming and are therefore LITTERED with mistakes. I'm just saying that bc my last update for this had SO many lmao please ignore me being a hot mess.
Anyways: here's the next update 😂
Anyways: here's the next update 😂
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She followed after him in a daze, every instinct within her urging her to find her tribe, her family, her pack.
But something within those red eyes just /radiated/ honesty.
He had bared his neck to her... If she hadn't been so terrified, she might have seen how
She followed after him in a daze, every instinct within her urging her to find her tribe, her family, her pack.
But something within those red eyes just /radiated/ honesty.
He had bared his neck to her... If she hadn't been so terrified, she might have seen how
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significant that action was. And perhaps she wouldn't have run from him.
She wasn't sure how things worked outside of her tribe, but within her people...baring one's neck was the greatest form of respect. It meant 'I am putting my life in your hands' or 'I am yours'.
She wasn't sure how things worked outside of her tribe, but within her people...baring one's neck was the greatest form of respect. It meant 'I am putting my life in your hands' or 'I am yours'.
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Ochako blushed and scowled at the thought.
It wasn't something to be done between complete strangers! It must have a different meaning amongst his people. There was no other explanation.
It wasn't something to be done between complete strangers! It must have a different meaning amongst his people. There was no other explanation.
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She broke through the trees to find the Alpha waiting for her with another man at his side.
"Keep up," he growled.
"Come on, Bakugou," the voice, 'Shitty Hair', urged, "don't be like that. She's coming, ain't she?" The other Alpha turned to her, his hand brought up to block his
"Keep up," he growled.
"Come on, Bakugou," the voice, 'Shitty Hair', urged, "don't be like that. She's coming, ain't she?" The other Alpha turned to her, his hand brought up to block his
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whisper from the blonde. "I promise, his bark is worse than his bite."
"We're wasting time," 'Bakugou' urged, sniffing the air. "I can smell the ash and dust. He's close."
Ochako opened her mouth to ask who the hell he was even talking about, but Bakugou only grabbed her by the
"We're wasting time," 'Bakugou' urged, sniffing the air. "I can smell the ash and dust. He's close."
Ochako opened her mouth to ask who the hell he was even talking about, but Bakugou only grabbed her by the
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wrist to drag her after him.
"Don't touch me," she growled, tugging at her arm but nonetheless following him.
He let go of her with a huff.
"'M trying to make sure you don't die, Round Face," he growled back, "at the risk of my own fucking life—"
"Don't touch me," she growled, tugging at her arm but nonetheless following him.
He let go of her with a huff.
"'M trying to make sure you don't die, Round Face," he growled back, "at the risk of my own fucking life—"
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"Hey, hey," the redheaded Alpha intervened, jogging inbetween them perhaps because Ochako was seconds away from biting at Bakugou. "Now's not really the time to fight." He sniffed at the air as they ran, and then scrunched up his nose. "You guys /reek/. Smells like you're going
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into rut, man," he said towards Bakugou.
"Well, I'm not!" Bakugou snapped, jabbing a thumb furiously towards Ochako. "She's the one who won't stop fucking scenting."
'Shitty Hair' side-eyed her before bursting into laughter. Ochako almost bit /him/.
"Well, I'm not!" Bakugou snapped, jabbing a thumb furiously towards Ochako. "She's the one who won't stop fucking scenting."
'Shitty Hair' side-eyed her before bursting into laughter. Ochako almost bit /him/.
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"You're a fiesty little thing, huh?"
Before Ochako could answer, his eyes caught on the caravan they had essentially ransacked, and they were grinding to a stop.
"Did you find the omega?" a pink skinned woman with matching pink hair inquired as she hogtied the grimy beta man
Before Ochako could answer, his eyes caught on the caravan they had essentially ransacked, and they were grinding to a stop.
"Did you find the omega?" a pink skinned woman with matching pink hair inquired as she hogtied the grimy beta man
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who had tried to touch her earlier.
"She's safe," Bakugou answered shortly, brushing past her and the other men in their company. "Leave those men to /him/. It'll buy us time. We're leaving. /Now/."
The pink woman stepped over the whimpering beta to bump shoulders with Ochako.
"She's safe," Bakugou answered shortly, brushing past her and the other men in their company. "Leave those men to /him/. It'll buy us time. We're leaving. /Now/."
The pink woman stepped over the whimpering beta to bump shoulders with Ochako.
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"Stick with me, hun," she said, grinning. "The name's Mina."
Ochako sniffed at the air, her eyes widening at Mina's scent—another Omega.
"Uraraka," she said dumbly, her muscles relaxing without her permission as she leaned into Mina's scent.
Ochako sniffed at the air, her eyes widening at Mina's scent—another Omega.
"Uraraka," she said dumbly, her muscles relaxing without her permission as she leaned into Mina's scent.
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Mina giggled, bringing her fingers up to ruffle through her hair.
"Your scent is out of control," she said shrewdly, eyeing where Bakugou had disappeared to. "Those men didn't touch you, did they?"
"They tried," Ochako muttered her eyes glaring back at the beta as Mina guided
"Your scent is out of control," she said shrewdly, eyeing where Bakugou had disappeared to. "Those men didn't touch you, did they?"
"They tried," Ochako muttered her eyes glaring back at the beta as Mina guided
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her towards a different caravan. Mina chuckled in good nature, and Ochako wondered how it could be so easy to find comfort in someone she had only just met. Because she was leaning even more heavily into the other woman. Was it because Mina was a fellow omega?
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"You're something tough, huh?"
Ochako bit her tongue.
"Mina!" Bakugou growled from the caravan, "in!"
Mina rolled her dark eyes, "we're coming, highness."
Ochako's eyes snapped towards Bakugou, her eyes flitting around his form for any sort of raiment that would reflect
Ochako bit her tongue.
"Mina!" Bakugou growled from the caravan, "in!"
Mina rolled her dark eyes, "we're coming, highness."
Ochako's eyes snapped towards Bakugou, her eyes flitting around his form for any sort of raiment that would reflect
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such a title. But the Alpha was shirtless, and his cloak was tattered and torn. His necklaces held bones, not trinkets.
She was pulled from her musing by Mina pushing her into the extremely cramped caravan.
She was pulled from her musing by Mina pushing her into the extremely cramped caravan.
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Mina collapsed into the redheaded Alpha's side, and Ochako wanted to keep her distance from the omega, she really did, but she found herself sitting down right next to her.
"Let's go," Bakugou growled through the curtain to whoever was guiding the horses, and a second later
"Let's go," Bakugou growled through the curtain to whoever was guiding the horses, and a second later
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they were moving.
"Ochako," Mina chirped from where she was nuzzling into her Alpha's arm, "this is Kirishima." She nodded towards the blonde, "that's Bakugou, that's Sero, and that's Kaminari." Ochako met their eyes briefly, taking note that both Sero and Kaminari were betas.
"Ochako," Mina chirped from where she was nuzzling into her Alpha's arm, "this is Kirishima." She nodded towards the blonde, "that's Bakugou, that's Sero, and that's Kaminari." Ochako met their eyes briefly, taking note that both Sero and Kaminari were betas.
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"Hi!" Kaminari greeted enthusiastically, "it's not every day you see an omega as kickass as you. I was worried Bakugou wouldn't catch you."
Ochako quirked her head to her side.
"I have always been faster than the Alphas of my tribe."
Ochako quirked her head to her side.
"I have always been faster than the Alphas of my tribe."
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"That must be some tribe then," the one named Sero remarked. "Have you ever met anyone from /another/ tribe? Before today, I mean."
Ochako shook her head, "my people kept to themselves."
They all exchanged glances, and Ochako felt something nasty crawl up her throat.
Ochako shook her head, "my people kept to themselves."
They all exchanged glances, and Ochako felt something nasty crawl up her throat.
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"What?" she growled, "if you think to belittle my people for that, then—"
"It's not that," Bakugou growled, his glare settling on her.
Kirishima nodded, one of his large arms settling around Mina's waist.
"Your tribe's sense of selflessness is amazing," he said. "We only got
"It's not that," Bakugou growled, his glare settling on her.
Kirishima nodded, one of his large arms settling around Mina's waist.
"Your tribe's sense of selflessness is amazing," he said. "We only got
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to speak with them for a few minutes, but we could tell just from that short interaction how kind and trusting they are. It's just—" his arm tightened around Mina as he cut himself off.
"The rest of this realm is not so kind," Mina finished for him, something dark
"The rest of this realm is not so kind," Mina finished for him, something dark
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in her eyes. "/Especially/ towards omegas."
Ochako blinked, nodding as she curled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. Her eyes flashed towards Bakugou.
"When can we set off to find my tribe?"
"When this bastard stops following us," he answered back simply.
Ochako blinked, nodding as she curled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. Her eyes flashed towards Bakugou.
"When can we set off to find my tribe?"
"When this bastard stops following us," he answered back simply.
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Ochako caught a wiff of his smoky scent again, and she looked away in hopes that he own pheromones wouldn't react.
"When will that be?"
"Don't fucking know."
"That's not a good enough answer," Ochako growled, her heart longing for her family.
"When will that be?"
"Don't fucking know."
"That's not a good enough answer," Ochako growled, her heart longing for her family.
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"It's the only fucking answer I've got," Bakugou rumbled as fell against their supplies and let his eyelids drop.
Ochako wanted to claw at him.
Mina's hand found hers next to her.
"We made a promise to your family to bring you back to them," she said, her pheromones relaxing
Ochako wanted to claw at him.
Mina's hand found hers next to her.
"We made a promise to your family to bring you back to them," she said, her pheromones relaxing
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her again, "and we'll make that same promise to you."
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Night fell upon them quickly, but instead of stopping they kept going. At one point when the moon was high into the sky, Bakugou pushed his hand and head through the front curtains of the caravan. Ochako wasn't sure what exactly he was doing, but she didn't question it.
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She didn't question why they didn't stop traveling either; their party all seemed to be on edge because of whatever great threat they were running from. Ochako didn't understand it, but as long as these people reunited her with her family she didn't care.
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"Let's hope for sun tomorrow," Bakugou told them as he rubbed at his eyes with one hand, the other holding a flame he had conjured up with magic for light. There were a few murmurs of agreement, but Ochako quirked her head to the side in confusion.
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"Why?" she inquired seriously, his red eyes immediately snapping over to her. Her scent spiked—not as much as when they first met, but it still irritated her how much her body responded to this man.
"The man we're running from—" Mina started sleepily from where she was still
"The man we're running from—" Mina started sleepily from where she was still
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leaning into Kirishima. "—he's been cursed. Can't handle the sun for too long. It'll kill him."
"Why is he following you?"
"That's our curse," Kaminari said.
"Tch," came from Bakugou.
Ochako's brows pulled together, but she shrugged off her confusion and frustration.
"Why is he following you?"
"That's our curse," Kaminari said.
"Tch," came from Bakugou.
Ochako's brows pulled together, but she shrugged off her confusion and frustration.
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Whatever burden they were carrying was obviously under control, and if they wanted to be vague about it then that was none of her concern.
"Rest up, cheeks," Bakugou rumbled, tossing her a rolled up blanket. "We'll watch over you."
Ochako blinked at him, nodded, and the
"Rest up, cheeks," Bakugou rumbled, tossing her a rolled up blanket. "We'll watch over you."
Ochako blinked at him, nodded, and the
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scent of burning wood swiftly filled the small space.
"Jeesh," Sero complained, pointing a finger at Bakugou. "Can you get your scent under control, man?"
Bakugou bristled, but Mina intervened before he could snap back at the beta.
"Jeesh," Sero complained, pointing a finger at Bakugou. "Can you get your scent under control, man?"
Bakugou bristled, but Mina intervened before he could snap back at the beta.
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"Is it so bad to have our pack Alpha's scent surrounding us?" she inquired lazily, her fingers scratching through Kirishima's hair. "I kinda like it. S'comforting."
"It wouldn't be bad if it didn't smell like he's about to go into rut," Sero replied, plugging his nose.
"It wouldn't be bad if it didn't smell like he's about to go into rut," Sero replied, plugging his nose.
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"Shut the fuck up," Bakugou barked, his scent shifting into something more subdued even as his appearance shifted into something more aggressive. Ochako couldn't help but sniff at the air, the roaring bonfire turning to something more rich and sugary. "I'm /not/ going into
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rut."
Sero sniffed at the air again, his muscles visibly relaxing. "Okay, fine," he allowed as he melted to the floor. Everyone seemed to be much more relaxed with this new scent of comfort the Alpha was giving off—Ochako may not know much of the world, but she knew these people
Sero sniffed at the air again, his muscles visibly relaxing. "Okay, fine," he allowed as he melted to the floor. Everyone seemed to be much more relaxed with this new scent of comfort the Alpha was giving off—Ochako may not know much of the world, but she knew these people
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must have trusted Bakugou with their entire souls to react so effectively to his scent.
She elected to use the blanket as a pillow for now, and sunk into the cushion just as easily as the others seemed to be doing.
Her eyes drooped, heavy with the day's events.
She elected to use the blanket as a pillow for now, and sunk into the cushion just as easily as the others seemed to be doing.
Her eyes drooped, heavy with the day's events.
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In her sleepy thoughts she could admit that it was a nice scent, something that she could trust easily, a scent of pure comfort and concern.
She could allow herself to drift off with the sweet scent surrounding her.
She could allow herself to drift off with the sweet scent surrounding her.
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-
She woke up, burning from the inside out. She was sweating and panting, and it was nearly unbearable.
Someone was shaking at her shoulders, and she couldn't help but lean into the touch.
"She's going into heat," she heard Mina say from above her, worry dripping
She woke up, burning from the inside out. She was sweating and panting, and it was nearly unbearable.
Someone was shaking at her shoulders, and she couldn't help but lean into the touch.
"She's going into heat," she heard Mina say from above her, worry dripping
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in her tone.
"Shit," another voice swore nearby—Ochako couldn't tell who because her eyes were blurry with tears.
Someone whimpered, pitiful and long, and it took Ochako a second to realize that it came from /her/.
"We can't stop, Mina," someone else chimed in, "the sun hasn't
"Shit," another voice swore nearby—Ochako couldn't tell who because her eyes were blurry with tears.
Someone whimpered, pitiful and long, and it took Ochako a second to realize that it came from /her/.
"We can't stop, Mina," someone else chimed in, "the sun hasn't
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risen yet."
"I /know/," Mina insisted, "I /know/ that, Ei. Just. Give her some space."
Ochako reached up for Mina, not really knowing what she was looking for. But Mina wove their fingers together, and brought her other hand down to the scent gland on her neck, massaging it
"I /know/," Mina insisted, "I /know/ that, Ei. Just. Give her some space."
Ochako reached up for Mina, not really knowing what she was looking for. But Mina wove their fingers together, and brought her other hand down to the scent gland on her neck, massaging it
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soothingly and it /helped/. Ochako was grateful Mina seemed to know what she needed.
"How the hell are we supposed to give her fucking space right now, Mina?" someone asked nasally, like they were plugging their nose.
Mina rounded on them in an instant.
"How the hell are we supposed to give her fucking space right now, Mina?" someone asked nasally, like they were plugging their nose.
Mina rounded on them in an instant.
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"You could start by turning down your fucking scent, Katsuki," she snarled. Ochako imagined her baring her teeth.
"Oh so first my scent is comforting, and now it's got to go—?!"
"Don't take it as a personal attack, man," Kirishima's voice interjected, "I think your scent is
"Oh so first my scent is comforting, and now it's got to go—?!"
"Don't take it as a personal attack, man," Kirishima's voice interjected, "I think your scent is
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what sent her into heat."
"That's ridiculous," Bakugou growled more clearly, "that's—" he cut himself off with a huff. A moment passed, the only sound Ochako groaning in discomfort as her nose seemed to seek out that smokey scent. Her unoccupied fingers reached out for it.
"That's ridiculous," Bakugou growled more clearly, "that's—" he cut himself off with a huff. A moment passed, the only sound Ochako groaning in discomfort as her nose seemed to seek out that smokey scent. Her unoccupied fingers reached out for it.
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"Tend to the horses, Bakugou," Sero suggested. "Get some fresh air."
"Yeah," Kaminari piped in, "you feeling okay? You look tense as hell."
"'M fucking—fine," Bakugou grunted out. With a harumph, a growl, and the rustling of curtains, his scent was dampened as he left their
"Yeah," Kaminari piped in, "you feeling okay? You look tense as hell."
"'M fucking—fine," Bakugou grunted out. With a harumph, a growl, and the rustling of curtains, his scent was dampened as he left their
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traveling shelter.
Ochako whimpered more at that, her body acting completely on instinct as she wanted nothing more than to get deeply lost in Bakugou's scent.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.
"Down, omega," Mina chided as she guided Ochako's
Ochako whimpered more at that, her body acting completely on instinct as she wanted nothing more than to get deeply lost in Bakugou's scent.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her back.
"Down, omega," Mina chided as she guided Ochako's
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nose to her own scent gland. Ochako sunk into it, the comforting scent of another Omega relaxing her somewhat. "You're okay, you're okay. Shh. You're fine." She pet her hair and let her scent free in waves until Ochako was melting into her warmth completely.
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She dozed into something comfortable and more coherent, content to soak up Mina's scent and the more dampened scent of bonfire and fire lilies.
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"Where'd you learn to do that, Mina?" Kirishima whispered, like he was afraid of riling Ochako up again.
"No clue," Mina murmured back, "I'm acting on instinct just as much as Uraraka here." She paused for a moment. "But I once heard that the omegas in omega houses were
"No clue," Mina murmured back, "I'm acting on instinct just as much as Uraraka here." She paused for a moment. "But I once heard that the omegas in omega houses were
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extremely protective of each other. That omegas bond easily. And deeply. And that when they are ultimately ripped apart, sold off, or killed, they mourn for /months/."
"That's fucking messed up," Sero said sadly.
"I'm glad we could save her," Kaminari said softly, as Ochako
"That's fucking messed up," Sero said sadly.
"I'm glad we could save her," Kaminari said softly, as Ochako
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began to purr in Mina's hold.
"Yeah," they each agreed, all eyes on Ochako as she fell back asleep despite her heat.
-
Bakugou listened from outside, his hands tensed around the reigns. Her scent was overbearing in a /good/ way, and it took all of his concentration to focus
"Yeah," they each agreed, all eyes on Ochako as she fell back asleep despite her heat.
-
Bakugou listened from outside, his hands tensed around the reigns. Her scent was overbearing in a /good/ way, and it took all of his concentration to focus
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elsewhere, to keep leading them away from the destruction that was always following them.
Her scent was perfect. He'd never smelt anything like it. He'd never /wanted/ anything like he wants her scent.
His knuckles turned white around the reigns.
"Keep going," he murmured
Her scent was perfect. He'd never smelt anything like it. He'd never /wanted/ anything like he wants her scent.
His knuckles turned white around the reigns.
"Keep going," he murmured
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to the horses, their pace picking up immediately.
Through the trees and from behind the mountains in front of them, he could see the sun beginning to light up the sky.
Through the trees and from behind the mountains in front of them, he could see the sun beginning to light up the sky.
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Ochako's heat was grueling, aided somewhat only by Mina's comforting scent. But everytime Bakugou's scent spiked enough for it to slip through the curtains of the caravan, she'd whine sadly, struggling in Mina's hold to get to the source of that scent.
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Each time Mina would pet through her hair and scent her thoroughly until she calmed down enough to fall asleep.
At one point the caravan stopped, and Bakugou pulled back the curtain, his scent rushing forward like a tidal wave.
At one point the caravan stopped, and Bakugou pulled back the curtain, his scent rushing forward like a tidal wave.
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Ochako growled, surging forward so suddenly and with enough force that she managed to break free from Mina's firm grip on her.
"Shit," Mina exclaimed, scrambling forward in a hurry.
But Ochako was already on Bakugou, her teeth bared as she aimed for the scent gland on his neck.
"Shit," Mina exclaimed, scrambling forward in a hurry.
But Ochako was already on Bakugou, her teeth bared as she aimed for the scent gland on his neck.
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A strong arm pushed her back, but Bakugou was showing off his canines too, visibly struggling to be keeping the omega at arms length.
"Get out, stupid alpha!" Mina growled, grabbing Ochako again and rearing her back.
"Get out, stupid alpha!" Mina growled, grabbing Ochako again and rearing her back.
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Her shout seemed to shake Bakugou out of his trance enough for him to rumble out a gravelly, "we're heading into town. Kaminari will stay with you two."
Kirishima and Sero stretched before climbing out of the caravan. As soon as the curtains shut, Ochako was calm again.
Kirishima and Sero stretched before climbing out of the caravan. As soon as the curtains shut, Ochako was calm again.
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A moment later Kirishima was peeking his head back inside with a sheepish expression, his hand holding out something to Mina.
Mina shook her head, "it'll block my scent from Uraraka."
"But if you're found—"
Kaminari place a hand on Kirishima's arm.
Mina shook her head, "it'll block my scent from Uraraka."
"But if you're found—"
Kaminari place a hand on Kirishima's arm.
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"If we hear someone coming, she'll put it on. She'll be okay. And besides, I can hear Bakugou casting a camouflage spell the likes of which none of us have ever seen."
"Hopefully it's enough to disguise her heat," Mina muttered.
"We won't be long, raccoon eyes!!" Bakugou yelled
"Hopefully it's enough to disguise her heat," Mina muttered.
"We won't be long, raccoon eyes!!" Bakugou yelled
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between grunts as he continued to cast his magic. Once he finished, magic surrounded their caravan like a warm blanket and soon the three men were off.
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-
Bakugou hadn't lied. They were hardly gone for more than an hour. But when they returned, they returned with food and extra raiment which had been promptly draped over Uraraka.
No matter how nice Mina's scent was, she nearly bit her hand off when the other omega
Bakugou hadn't lied. They were hardly gone for more than an hour. But when they returned, they returned with food and extra raiment which had been promptly draped over Uraraka.
No matter how nice Mina's scent was, she nearly bit her hand off when the other omega
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began to wrap something smooth and sturdy around her neck.
"Knock it off, Uraraka!" she growled, nipping at Ochako's fingers. "You need to put this on!"
Ochako thrashed against it, pulling a sigh from Mina's lips.
"Sero?" Mina asked.
"Right," the Beta said, crawling forward
"Knock it off, Uraraka!" she growled, nipping at Ochako's fingers. "You need to put this on!"
Ochako thrashed against it, pulling a sigh from Mina's lips.
"Sero?" Mina asked.
"Right," the Beta said, crawling forward
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to hold Ochako's arms back so that Mina could secure the collar around her neck. They immediately let go of her once it was on, but Ochako went to a corner to pout for a few hours because of it.
They stayed in that spot for several hours before they were traveling again.
They stayed in that spot for several hours before they were traveling again.
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They followed this pattern for the next couple of days, Bakugou remaining with the horses through sunshine and rain. It wasn't until Ochako's heat began to waver that he was finally able to return to the inside.
She averted her eyes when he climbed in, face red and ashamed
She averted her eyes when he climbed in, face red and ashamed
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at the behavior she had displayed during her heat. Especially towards him. If only she could find a hole to crawl inside of until her embarrassment subsided.
Her embarrassment was momentarily forgotten, however, as it came to her attention how /itchy/ the collar was around her
Her embarrassment was momentarily forgotten, however, as it came to her attention how /itchy/ the collar was around her
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neck.
"What's with this thing?" she grumbled to everyone as she tried in vain to scratch underneath the leather.
"It was for your protection," Mina explained—Mina had also put on one similar as soon Ochako had become coherent. "If you're caught with out one by someone other
"What's with this thing?" she grumbled to everyone as she tried in vain to scratch underneath the leather.
"It was for your protection," Mina explained—Mina had also put on one similar as soon Ochako had become coherent. "If you're caught with out one by someone other
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than us, it could get you in trouble. Especially if you happen to run into Alpha."
"What would happen?" Ochako grumbled, "I would break an Alpha's arm before letting them touch me."
The others shared a meaningful glance with one another.
"What would happen?" Ochako grumbled, "I would break an Alpha's arm before letting them touch me."
The others shared a meaningful glance with one another.
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"Has an Alpha never used a command on you?" Sero asked.
"A what?" Ochako inquired, her eyes flicking to Bakugou stupidly. He was staring at her with intensity and she was immediately reminded of her embarrassing behavior over the past few days and quickly looked away.
"A what?" Ochako inquired, her eyes flicking to Bakugou stupidly. He was staring at her with intensity and she was immediately reminded of her embarrassing behavior over the past few days and quickly looked away.
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Kirishima chuckled shakily, "she doesn't even know what a command is."
"Her people are sensible," Mina pointed out. "Are we really surprised?"
"Not all all," Bakugou grumbled.
"Hah?" Kaminari said with a sly grin, "but your people practically worship omegas, don't they?"
"Her people are sensible," Mina pointed out. "Are we really surprised?"
"Not all all," Bakugou grumbled.
"Hah?" Kaminari said with a sly grin, "but your people practically worship omegas, don't they?"
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Bakugou bristled and blushed down to his neck.
"We /respect/ omegas, Dunce Face," he growled, "fuckin' smart ass."
"In your culture that's not too far off from worship though," Sero said quietly, like he couldn't resist saying it but still didn't want the Alpha to hear.
"We /respect/ omegas, Dunce Face," he growled, "fuckin' smart ass."
"In your culture that's not too far off from worship though," Sero said quietly, like he couldn't resist saying it but still didn't want the Alpha to hear.
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But Bakugou heard anyway and promptly wrestled the beta into a choke hold.
Despite her anxious feelings, their rowdy behavior was cause for a smile to bloom across her face.
Once they had settled down, Ochako reached for her collar again.
Despite her anxious feelings, their rowdy behavior was cause for a smile to bloom across her face.
Once they had settled down, Ochako reached for her collar again.
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"How long must I wear this?" she inquired.
"Give it a few days," Mina said, "omegas are easily tracked during their heats. We should wait a bit to make sure any trace of your heat scent is gone."
"It's an archaic practice to collar omegas," she grumbled.
"Give it a few days," Mina said, "omegas are easily tracked during their heats. We should wait a bit to make sure any trace of your heat scent is gone."
"It's an archaic practice to collar omegas," she grumbled.
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"I'm with you on that one," Mina huffed, scratching at her own collar. "Unfortunately, it's necessary."
"I still don't understand why."
"To protect your ass," Bakugou growled. "It's fucking messed up, but it's just the way it is."
Ochako huffed, hugging her knees.
"I still don't understand why."
"To protect your ass," Bakugou growled. "It's fucking messed up, but it's just the way it is."
Ochako huffed, hugging her knees.
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They continued to travel as the sun went down, Ochako staring at the curtains of the caravan and longing for her family, /her/ culture, for safety.
She wondered how long these kind people who had saved would keep running before they could guide her home.
She wondered how long these kind people who had saved would keep running before they could guide her home.
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It had been well over a week from the end of her heat, and Ochako was getting restless.
On sunny days, when their food was beginning to wane, a few of the boys would stop at a town to restock.
Someone always stayed with her, and so far she had kept her mouth shut about it,
On sunny days, when their food was beginning to wane, a few of the boys would stop at a town to restock.
Someone always stayed with her, and so far she had kept her mouth shut about it,
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even though it was driving her crazy how useless she felt.
At the least, she was allowed to remove the collar a few days ago.
But when she saw Mina putting her collar back on, and preparing to head into town, she only barely held back a whine of protest.
At the least, she was allowed to remove the collar a few days ago.
But when she saw Mina putting her collar back on, and preparing to head into town, she only barely held back a whine of protest.
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"Ochako," Mina crooned as soon as she noticed Ochako's distress, pulling her into a hug. "I'll be right back, okay?"
Ochako pouted, not understanding why her instincts seemed to find so much comfort from Mina's presence but also not really caring it was the case.
Ochako pouted, not understanding why her instincts seemed to find so much comfort from Mina's presence but also not really caring it was the case.
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She had finally gotten her scent under control, and Bakugou's scent also seemed to have calmed down enough for her to loosen up some. She was sure Mina had helped with that. Her scent helped to balance her out when she felt like she was going to crack.
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Plus, if Mina was going into town that meant they hadn't been keeping her back because of her status as omega. So they couldn't use the same excuse for Ochako.
...not that they had. They were all extremely respectful of her presentation, on the contrary.
...not that they had. They were all extremely respectful of her presentation, on the contrary.
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But the way they had been acting about how society outside of her tribe worked, she had simply assumed that omegas were too at risk for any sort of operation.
She had even asked Mina about it once.
She had even asked Mina about it once.
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"Mina," she had said when it had been just her and Sero, the other boys gone into town. "You and Kirishima are... Mates?"
Mina had nodded, smiling softly.
"How did you meet him?"
Mina had stiffened at that, and Ochako had glanced over at Sero in alarm, afraid she had said
Mina had nodded, smiling softly.
"How did you meet him?"
Mina had stiffened at that, and Ochako had glanced over at Sero in alarm, afraid she had said
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something wrong. Sero had kept his eyes fixed on Mina's gaze, offering her a shrug as if to say 'it's your story to tell, tell it if you want'.
Mina had nodded, and had shuffled around to nuzzle underneath Ochako's chin like she needed the comfort from her for once.
Mina had nodded, and had shuffled around to nuzzle underneath Ochako's chin like she needed the comfort from her for once.
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She had explained her unique situation: that she had been held in a rare omega ring. They kept her isolated, never provided her any help during her heats, the only contact she ever had were when she was thrown into the ring to fight, so neglected that she did so running on
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instincts alone. She had brutally beaten other omegas she had thought were encroaching on her territory, had even killed some on especially rough days, had been commanded never to turn her fury on her alpha captors. She had nearly killed Kirishima too when he saved her.
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"There's that word again," she murmured, running her fingers through Mina's hair as she interrupted her story. "What's a command?"
Mina sighed, "it's Alpha voice. Works against omegas like clockwork. It's /impossible/ for omegas to disobey an alpha command."
Mina sighed, "it's Alpha voice. Works against omegas like clockwork. It's /impossible/ for omegas to disobey an alpha command."
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"Nothing is impossible," Ochako insisted.
Mina shook her head.
"You dont know what's it's like, Ochako," she insisted, "never take alphas lightly."
"Even Kirishima and Bakugou?"
Mina had winced, pulling back from her slightly. Ochako immediately regretted her tone.
Mina shook her head.
"You dont know what's it's like, Ochako," she insisted, "never take alphas lightly."
"Even Kirishima and Bakugou?"
Mina had winced, pulling back from her slightly. Ochako immediately regretted her tone.
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"Sorry," Ochako had murmured, "I have only known the alphas of my tribe. This is all hard to imagine for me. I know Kirishima and Bakugou wouldn't ever—"
"They might," Mina interrupted, avoiding Sero's eyes.
Ochako blinked, shifting uneasily.
"They might," Mina interrupted, avoiding Sero's eyes.
Ochako blinked, shifting uneasily.
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"If they're driven to nothing but pure instinct, they might," she continued.
"What—what happened to make you say that?"
"It was my fault," Mina insisted, tears in her eyes and doing little to explain. "Kirishima has dedicated his life to making it up to me, too. Bakugou nearly
"What—what happened to make you say that?"
"It was my fault," Mina insisted, tears in her eyes and doing little to explain. "Kirishima has dedicated his life to making it up to me, too. Bakugou nearly
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killed him for it, but it was /my/ fault."
"What was?" Ochako asked desperately.
But Mina only shook her head, the tears spilling down her pink cheeks as she bit her lip to keep her emotions in.
Ochako wondered how long she had been keeping these emotions in.
"What was?" Ochako asked desperately.
But Mina only shook her head, the tears spilling down her pink cheeks as she bit her lip to keep her emotions in.
Ochako wondered how long she had been keeping these emotions in.
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She hadn't pressed the issue further since then, and she hadn't asked to travel far from the cart. Had only gotten out to pet the horses guiding it, the horses who didn't appear to ever need a human to guide them.
She bit her lip, looking up at Mina forlornly.
She bit her lip, looking up at Mina forlornly.
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"Can I come too?" she asked pitifully, glancing from her to the other men.
Mina held a pained look in her eyes as she glanced back to Bakugou.
"Bakugou?" she implored, staring him down with soft pleading eyes.
He grunted, "she doesn't know what that will entail."
Mina held a pained look in her eyes as she glanced back to Bakugou.
"Bakugou?" she implored, staring him down with soft pleading eyes.
He grunted, "she doesn't know what that will entail."
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"Then we explain it, Majesty," Mina insisted with a fond roll of her eyes.
"I think he's embarrassed, Mina," Kirishima whispered too loudly to actually disguise his words.
"Shut the fuck up, Eijirou," Bakugou growled, a blush on his cheeks.
"I think he's embarrassed, Mina," Kirishima whispered too loudly to actually disguise his words.
"Shut the fuck up, Eijirou," Bakugou growled, a blush on his cheeks.
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Mina giggled "Don't worry, Beast King," she said, throwing her arm around Ochako's shoulders. "I'll explain. You just go and get her collar."
Bakugou harrumphed but did as she said.
"Okay," Mina started, turning to Ochako with a smile, "after I'm done explaining you can
Bakugou harrumphed but did as she said.
"Okay," Mina started, turning to Ochako with a smile, "after I'm done explaining you can
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decide if you still wanna come." She winked.
Ochako huffed in amused irritation, unable to disguise her own smile. If she were being honest, she's not sure what could hold her back from finally getting out of the travel cart.
"Lay it on me," she said in confidence.
Ochako huffed in amused irritation, unable to disguise her own smile. If she were being honest, she's not sure what could hold her back from finally getting out of the travel cart.
"Lay it on me," she said in confidence.
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Mina grinned.
"Well, in these towns and cities, unmated omegas are immediately taken away to omega houses, you know."
"Yeah," she nodded. They had certainly made that clear over the weeks she had been with them.
"So we have to trick 'em into thinking you /are/ mated. To an"
"Well, in these towns and cities, unmated omegas are immediately taken away to omega houses, you know."
"Yeah," she nodded. They had certainly made that clear over the weeks she had been with them.
"So we have to trick 'em into thinking you /are/ mated. To an"
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/alpha/."
"A-and?" Ochako demanded a little less confidently as the pieces were all beginning to fit together.
"Well, Kirishima is taken already," Mina explained easily, probably enjoying the way she was torturing her, "so that just leaves our Bakugou."
"A-and?" Ochako demanded a little less confidently as the pieces were all beginning to fit together.
"Well, Kirishima is taken already," Mina explained easily, probably enjoying the way she was torturing her, "so that just leaves our Bakugou."
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Kirishima sighed from next to them and intervened, to which Ochako was thankful.
"Bakugou has to scent you," he explained, pushing a grinning Mina away, "thoroughly. And while we're in town he'll have to parade you around like you're his."
"Bakugou has to scent you," he explained, pushing a grinning Mina away, "thoroughly. And while we're in town he'll have to parade you around like you're his."
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Mina wiggled her eyebrows from behind Kirishima, and Ochako could do nothing but blush.
But she quickly shook her stupor away.
"Alright," she agreed, meeting Bakugou's eyes as he returned with the collar.
But she quickly shook her stupor away.
"Alright," she agreed, meeting Bakugou's eyes as he returned with the collar.
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They all stood there awkwardly for a drawn out moment. Ochako shuffled her weight, eyeing Mina and Kirishima who were watching them with interest.
Bakugou growled, rounding on the two.
"Can you guys fuck off?" he grumbled. "The last thing I need is your nosy eyes on us."
Bakugou growled, rounding on the two.
"Can you guys fuck off?" he grumbled. "The last thing I need is your nosy eyes on us."
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"Right," Kirishima said, snapping out of it and grabbing a pouting Mina. "We'll...give you some privacy."
Mina and Kirishima ventured towards the caravan and to pretend like they were getting provisions ready for their trip.
Katsuki sighed, rolling his eyes before
Mina and Kirishima ventured towards the caravan and to pretend like they were getting provisions ready for their trip.
Katsuki sighed, rolling his eyes before
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they settled on her.
He bared her neck for him again like he had when they first met, and Ochako's face flushed red. There /had/ to be a different meaning behind that than what she knew.
Was her trying to tell her that he meant no harm? In context, that would make sense—
He bared her neck for him again like he had when they first met, and Ochako's face flushed red. There /had/ to be a different meaning behind that than what she knew.
Was her trying to tell her that he meant no harm? In context, that would make sense—
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Bakugou sighed, frustration rolling off him.
"You look uncomfortable as fuck," he said, tilting his neck back up and straightening his back. "I'm not gonna scent you if you're really that apprehensive."
"No," Ochako protested immediately, tilting her own neck without thinking.
"You look uncomfortable as fuck," he said, tilting his neck back up and straightening his back. "I'm not gonna scent you if you're really that apprehensive."
"No," Ochako protested immediately, tilting her own neck without thinking.
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Bakugou's eyes zeroed in on the action, his red eyes dilating at the sight of her bared neck, and somehow Ochako's face was even more red now.
But she didn't move or back down.
"I can't stay cooped like this," she said, eyes hardening into something serious. "Even though
But she didn't move or back down.
"I can't stay cooped like this," she said, eyes hardening into something serious. "Even though
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I don't like the circumstances, it doesn't mean I don't understand them. I don't know much of the world myself, but I trust you guys not to lie to me."
"You trust too easily," he grumbled, stepping towards her and offering her one of his wrists. "You've ever been scented like
"You trust too easily," he grumbled, stepping towards her and offering her one of his wrists. "You've ever been scented like
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this?"
Ochako shook her head—she had been close to her pack in her tribe, but scenting was reserved for mates.
Bakugou nodded with hard eyes.
"Here," he said, pushing his wrist towards her. "I'll let you handle it. Less intrusive."
Ochako shook her head—she had been close to her pack in her tribe, but scenting was reserved for mates.
Bakugou nodded with hard eyes.
"Here," he said, pushing his wrist towards her. "I'll let you handle it. Less intrusive."
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"What do I do?" she asked, cupping his wrist in both hands.
"Just. Take your thumbs and press into the gland here—" he grunted, his scent spiking more intensely than it ever had before. She stopped pressing into his wrist immediately, glancing up at him with wide eyes. "—like
"Just. Take your thumbs and press into the gland here—" he grunted, his scent spiking more intensely than it ever had before. She stopped pressing into his wrist immediately, glancing up at him with wide eyes. "—like
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that. Gods. Fuckin took me by surprise."
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize and just get on with it."
Ochako nodded, digging her thumbs in again and finding a rhythm that had the scent of fire lilies surrounding her like a blanket. She shut her eyes, trying to ignore his intense stare
"Sorry."
"Don't apologize and just get on with it."
Ochako nodded, digging her thumbs in again and finding a rhythm that had the scent of fire lilies surrounding her like a blanket. She shut her eyes, trying to ignore his intense stare
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and how /intimate/ this was and failing. She focused on her breathing, and once his wrists were thoroughly coated in his own scent she brought them up to her neck to brush them across the scent gland on her neck.
"Shit," she gasped at the contact, her knees giving out against
"Shit," she gasped at the contact, her knees giving out against
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her will.
Bakugou acted on instinct, catching her before she could stumble towards the ground. But with one of his wrists still pressed to her neck, it was awkward and he effectively had to catch her around the waist to steady her.
Bakugou acted on instinct, catching her before she could stumble towards the ground. But with one of his wrists still pressed to her neck, it was awkward and he effectively had to catch her around the waist to steady her.
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"You okay?" he rumbled, helping her find her bearings.
"Yeah," she breathed, her fall making his wrist and scent press against her more intensely. She stepped away from him, but kept his wrist in place when he tried to move away. "S'kinda intense. Caught me off guard. But
"Yeah," she breathed, her fall making his wrist and scent press against her more intensely. She stepped away from him, but kept his wrist in place when he tried to move away. "S'kinda intense. Caught me off guard. But
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I'm ready now."
He nodded, glancing away as she rubbed his wrist across her scent gland more tentatively. Her own scent reacted, and she realized belatedly that Bakugou would also walk away from this smelling like her.
Gods, this was so awkward.
He nodded, glancing away as she rubbed his wrist across her scent gland more tentatively. Her own scent reacted, and she realized belatedly that Bakugou would also walk away from this smelling like her.
Gods, this was so awkward.
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Ochako dropped his wrist as soon as his scent was becoming overwhelming only to grab his other wrist and start the process over. Kirishima had said that she needed to be scented thoroughly, after all. She didn't want to return to Bakugou's pack only for them to declare that they
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needed to try again.
She and Bakugou avoided eye contact until she was finished, faces red and dignity only slightly in tact.
When she dropped his wrists and stepped away, he immediately pushed the collar into her hands.
"Here," he grumbled, turning away from her, "we need to
She and Bakugou avoided eye contact until she was finished, faces red and dignity only slightly in tact.
When she dropped his wrists and stepped away, he immediately pushed the collar into her hands.
"Here," he grumbled, turning away from her, "we need to
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hurry."
"Right," she nodded, looking down at the collar with a sneer before bringing it up to her neck.
Bakugou left her to yell at Kaminari and Sero to finish getting ready.
Ochako sighed in frustration.
"Right," she nodded, looking down at the collar with a sneer before bringing it up to her neck.
Bakugou left her to yell at Kaminari and Sero to finish getting ready.
Ochako sighed in frustration.
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The collar didn't even do anything to suppress the new scent on her—she would have to deal with her and Bakugou's scent blending together into something completely different for who knew how long.
"Ugh," she grumbled, pulling at the damned thing.
"Ugh," she grumbled, pulling at the damned thing.
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It was going to be a long day.
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They made their way to town as a unit, Sero and Mina leading the way until they were close enough to the outer village. As they hit civilization, Kirishima and Bakugou moved to the front. Mina trailed behind Kirishima and indicated that Ochako should do the same with Bakugou.
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Bakugou and Kirishima's demeanor changed completely, became something more intimidating—a cause for onlookers to avert their eyes. Ochako understood immediately: this was all an act to keep pestering eyes away from them.
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"Are we going to get back to our search?" Mina asked discreetly. Ochako perked up, listening in with curiosity.
"Here?" Bakugou grunted, "the omega houses in this district provide for some of the wealthiest bastards in the realm."
"Here?" Bakugou grunted, "the omega houses in this district provide for some of the wealthiest bastards in the realm."
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"Oh," Mina grinned, "I'm well aware."
Kirishima snorted, turning around slightly to ruffle her hair. "Dreaming big as always, Mina."
"I'm with you there," Bakugou admitted, "but with that bastard chasing after us, we don't really have a good timetable to—"
Kirishima snorted, turning around slightly to ruffle her hair. "Dreaming big as always, Mina."
"I'm with you there," Bakugou admitted, "but with that bastard chasing after us, we don't really have a good timetable to—"
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"To free omegas?" Ochako interrupted, having figured it out. "Is that what you do in these towns?"
Bakugou glanced back at her, eyebrow raised.
"We might be in the business," Kaminari answered slyly.
"Calling it a business sounds like we make money off this shit," Sero said,
Bakugou glanced back at her, eyebrow raised.
"We might be in the business," Kaminari answered slyly.
"Calling it a business sounds like we make money off this shit," Sero said,
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"which we definitely don't."
"Where do the omegas go?" Ochako asked. "The ones you save?"
"We know someone in Port Brymere," Mina said, saddling up to Kirishima as they reached the outskirts of town that lead into the city. He wrapped an arm around her waist in an almost
"Where do the omegas go?" Ochako asked. "The ones you save?"
"We know someone in Port Brymere," Mina said, saddling up to Kirishima as they reached the outskirts of town that lead into the city. He wrapped an arm around her waist in an almost
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possessive manner.
She jumped when Bakugou elbowed her.
"We're getting close," he grumbled. "Even if I bought into these ridiculous ideologies, I wouldn't parade around an omega behind me like some dog." He offered her one of his arms. "We walk side by side."
She jumped when Bakugou elbowed her.
"We're getting close," he grumbled. "Even if I bought into these ridiculous ideologies, I wouldn't parade around an omega behind me like some dog." He offered her one of his arms. "We walk side by side."
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Ochako nodded, accepting his arm and curling her fingers around the muscles of his forearm.
"Stick close to me," he said, "and you shouldn't be bothered."
"Are omegas really treated like property?" she inquired, eyebrows furrowed. Despite everything they've said, it was still
"Stick close to me," he said, "and you shouldn't be bothered."
"Are omegas really treated like property?" she inquired, eyebrows furrowed. Despite everything they've said, it was still
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hard for her to fathom.
"Some of these bastards walk their omegas around on a leash. Like they're gods, not men. Like the world owes them something for just being Alpha." The venom in his voice was unlike anything she had heard from him. If it wouldn't draw attention to them,
"Some of these bastards walk their omegas around on a leash. Like they're gods, not men. Like the world owes them something for just being Alpha." The venom in his voice was unlike anything she had heard from him. If it wouldn't draw attention to them,
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she was sure he would have spit on the ground in disgust. "Fuckers."
She grimaced, facing forward as they made their way into the city.
She grimaced, facing forward as they made their way into the city.
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The city was dirty and crowded, betas behind vendors selling an assortment of goods on the streets. In fact, most of the people out seemed to be betas. On occasion an Alpha would walk past, commanding attention.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary yet.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary yet.
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Not until, that is, an Alpha walked past with an omega at his heels.
Disgust surged up from her stomach at the sight—the omega, clad in jewels and gold that did little to cover their body, had a look in his eyes that she'd seen before. A look she'd seen many times during a hunt.
Disgust surged up from her stomach at the sight—the omega, clad in jewels and gold that did little to cover their body, had a look in his eyes that she'd seen before. A look she'd seen many times during a hunt.
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It was the look of a dying animal—defeated and in pain.
The most horrific part of the image were the bruises and scrapes that littered the omega's body. Clearly he had been beaten, and on different occasions judging by the variations in color. And the Alpha had the nerve to
The most horrific part of the image were the bruises and scrapes that littered the omega's body. Clearly he had been beaten, and on different occasions judging by the variations in color. And the Alpha had the nerve to
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walk ahead of him so smugly.
"Makes me sick," Bakugou muttered, so quietly she almost missed it. Ochako nodded, trying her best to push down her shock and disgust so as to stay focused.
There was a large part of her that wanted so badly to run up to the Alpha and kick him
"Makes me sick," Bakugou muttered, so quietly she almost missed it. Ochako nodded, trying her best to push down her shock and disgust so as to stay focused.
There was a large part of her that wanted so badly to run up to the Alpha and kick him
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where it would hurt the most, and hold the omega under her nurturing arm and run for it. Her hands clenched at the urge, a growl rumbling in her chest.
"Don't," Bakugou warned as she began to step away from him, his arm wrapping around her waist to hold her back.
"Don't," Bakugou warned as she began to step away from him, his arm wrapping around her waist to hold her back.
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"He needs help," she growled.
"We can't help 'em when it's us against this entire city," he growled back, letting go of her when she stopped trying to squirm out of his hold. "We'll have to find a different way."
"We can't help 'em when it's us against this entire city," he growled back, letting go of her when she stopped trying to squirm out of his hold. "We'll have to find a different way."
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Ochako huffed, feeling helpless and angry. If she ever yearned more for the comfort of her tribe it was now—there she had been able to face any problem head on, there she didn't have to worry about others being treated poorly.
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Was this what her father had always been warning her about? Is this what they had been trying to protect her from?
Gods, she felt sick. Like she was breathing through sludge.
"Hey," Bakugou rumbled, placing a hand on her shoulder, "you okay?"
Gods, she felt sick. Like she was breathing through sludge.
"Hey," Bakugou rumbled, placing a hand on her shoulder, "you okay?"
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"No," she ground out through the sting of tears, "this is awful."
Bakugou sighed, glancing back at the others who had stopped with them.
"We need to go back," he said to them.
"No!" Ochako insisted, "we're already here. It would be a waste to turn back empty-handed."
Bakugou sighed, glancing back at the others who had stopped with them.
"We need to go back," he said to them.
"No!" Ochako insisted, "we're already here. It would be a waste to turn back empty-handed."
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"We're drawing too much attention to ourselves," he argued, eyes shifting to the Alpha man parading the omega around like a trophy. "Just—breathe, okay?"
Ochako nodded, wiping tears away furiously and breathing in deeply before letting it out.
Ochako nodded, wiping tears away furiously and breathing in deeply before letting it out.
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"There you go," he encouraged with a rough voice, his scent shifting into something soft and soothing. Ochako found that it actually helped, reduce her panic.
Bakugou and his pack waited patiently for her to recompose herself. It took her a minute to
Bakugou and his pack waited patiently for her to recompose herself. It took her a minute to
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realize that they /all/ were exuding scents of comfort.
Soon she was breathing evenly and standing on sturdy feet.
"Don't make us go back," Ochako pleaded to Bakugou, "I-I let my emotions overtake me. I won't let it
Soon she was breathing evenly and standing on sturdy feet.
"Don't make us go back," Ochako pleaded to Bakugou, "I-I let my emotions overtake me. I won't let it
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happen again."
Bakugou studied her for a long moment, finally nodding.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Bakugou pulled back from her, offering her his arm once again. She took it gratefully, leaning into their mixed scent to add to the act.
Bakugou studied her for a long moment, finally nodding.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Bakugou pulled back from her, offering her his arm once again. She took it gratefully, leaning into their mixed scent to add to the act.
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The Alpha man that had been watching the spectacle with interest flicked his eyes away, and the pack was moving forward once again.
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Once closer to the center of the city, Sero and Kaminari ventured off to bargain for food and potions. Ochako and Mina stayed with Bakugou and Kirishima, seemingly to keep watch.
Or so Ochako thought.
Or so Ochako thought.
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“See that building?" Bakugou asked, nodding towards and intricately designed building that seemed to be placed at the heart of the city. It was decorated for the season, winter flowers in full bloom. It was a beautiful piece of architecture, of the likes Ochako had never seen.
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There was a gate of marble surrounding the building and at it's entrance stood two guards.
"That's this city's omega house. Despite the way it looks, this one is the last house an omega would want to end up in."
"That's this city's omega house. Despite the way it looks, this one is the last house an omega would want to end up in."
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"Not that you'd wanna end up in any of them," Mina grumbled. "But yeah, this one's the worst."
"Why?" Ochako asked, her eyes narrowing at the watch guards.
"It's the customers that make this one so bad," Kirishima explained. "A bunch of self-centered sharks
"Why?" Ochako asked, her eyes narrowing at the watch guards.
"It's the customers that make this one so bad," Kirishima explained. "A bunch of self-centered sharks
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who abuse and break omegas until they either grow bored or develop an insane sense of ownership. Act like they love their omegas, but treat them like pets instead of people. It's disgusting."
Bakugou and Mina grunted their agreeance.
Bakugou and Mina grunted their agreeance.
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Ochako quickly found out how it was this pack dug up their information.
Bakugou pulled her around with a hand on her back, talking to vendors about the jewels of the city, commenting that he was looking to find a second omega, and praising this city for it's advancement.
Bakugou pulled her around with a hand on her back, talking to vendors about the jewels of the city, commenting that he was looking to find a second omega, and praising this city for it's advancement.
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Ochako picked up on what they meant by 'jewels' quickly—omegas with the kind of beauty that was coveted.
At one point another Alpha referred to /her/ as a jewel, and she had to hold in her gag of disgust. Bakugou's hold on her had tightened, and he asked with dark eyes for the
At one point another Alpha referred to /her/ as a jewel, and she had to hold in her gag of disgust. Bakugou's hold on her had tightened, and he asked with dark eyes for the
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alpha to remove his gaze from his omega.
Ochako was actually grateful Bakugou was playing up the possessive act; it kept unwanted eyes off her.
Another term caught her attention more than 'jewel'.
"What's a 'defiled'?" Ochako asked Bakugou quietly, as they moved through the
Ochako was actually grateful Bakugou was playing up the possessive act; it kept unwanted eyes off her.
Another term caught her attention more than 'jewel'.
"What's a 'defiled'?" Ochako asked Bakugou quietly, as they moved through the
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market. "Does it have to do with an omega's virginity?"
Bakugou shook his head.
"No," he said, "it's an omega that's been claimed by a beta."
Ochako quirked her head to side, her mouth opening to ask more when an Alpha shouldered past her roughly. Ochako stumbled backwards
Bakugou shook his head.
"No," he said, "it's an omega that's been claimed by a beta."
Ochako quirked her head to side, her mouth opening to ask more when an Alpha shouldered past her roughly. Ochako stumbled backwards
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into Bakugou, and the Alpha rounded on her with the intention to intimidate.
"Watch it," he sneered, "and /apologize/."
Ochako froze, the command halting everything in her mind except for his instruction. It was like she was pushed to the back of her own mind, screaming in vain
"Watch it," he sneered, "and /apologize/."
Ochako froze, the command halting everything in her mind except for his instruction. It was like she was pushed to the back of her own mind, screaming in vain
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to defy this man and then watching in horror as her own lips began to move against her will.
"I'm sorry," she said, bowing slightly.
She came back to herself as soon as the command had been obeyed, eyes wide with horror.
"I'm sorry," she said, bowing slightly.
She came back to herself as soon as the command had been obeyed, eyes wide with horror.
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Bakugou tugged on her waist to place himself between her and the other alpha, baring his teeth in a display of aggression.
"Even think about giving her another order, and I'll go for your fucking jugular."
"Even think about giving her another order, and I'll go for your fucking jugular."
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Bakugou had been putting on a convincing act this entire time, but this was the most selling thing he had done so far.
But Ochako thought it might be because he wasn't actually acting right now.
But Ochako thought it might be because he wasn't actually acting right now.
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The other alpha quirked his brow as if sizing Bakugou up, and then turned away from them with a scoff.
Ochako stared after him with gaping eyes.
"Bastard," Bakugou huffed, moving in to check on her.
"What /was/ that?" Ochako asked.
Ochako stared after him with gaping eyes.
"Bastard," Bakugou huffed, moving in to check on her.
"What /was/ that?" Ochako asked.
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"Alpha voice," he answered with a growl, looking a little like he was contemplating going after the man and murdering him for real. "Something you shouldn't have to go through."
Ochako couldn't imagine what her life would now be like had Bakugou not saved her
Ochako couldn't imagine what her life would now be like had Bakugou not saved her
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from the beta who'd been planning to sell her. She wasn't sure she could handle having alpha voice used on her on a daily basis.
Made her wonder if omegas obeyed out of fear of such a thing being used against them.
Bakugou sighed.
"We really threw you into the fire, huh?"
Made her wonder if omegas obeyed out of fear of such a thing being used against them.
Bakugou sighed.
"We really threw you into the fire, huh?"
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Ochako shook her head, "this was the only way. I'm—fine. More or less."
"Let's not waste this trip then, yeah?"
He lead her on with his hand on her back, pushing through the busy streets as they tried to find any information that would be useful to them.
"Let's not waste this trip then, yeah?"
He lead her on with his hand on her back, pushing through the busy streets as they tried to find any information that would be useful to them.
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"Bakugou," Kaminari called out to them in desperation, waving his hands wildly. They met in the middle.
"What's wrong?" Bakugou inquired, looking around wildly.
"The King's dogs," he explained, nodding towards a group of Alpha's adorned in armor, spears in their hands. "Where's
"What's wrong?" Bakugou inquired, looking around wildly.
"The King's dogs," he explained, nodding towards a group of Alpha's adorned in armor, spears in their hands. "Where's
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Eijirou and Mina?"
They looked around, but Kirishima had already been stopped by one of the men and was being searched from head to toe.
"Shit," Bakugou growled, taking a jewel that had been hanging around his neck and throwing it at Ochako.
They looked around, but Kirishima had already been stopped by one of the men and was being searched from head to toe.
"Shit," Bakugou growled, taking a jewel that had been hanging around his neck and throwing it at Ochako.
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"Hide that," he instructed. "They won't search you, but keep it hidden still. Do /not/ lose it. Denki," he eyed the beta, "if you bought anything illegal, now would be a great time to hand it over to Ochako."
Denki chuckled nervously, pulling out a black book and passing it
Denki chuckled nervously, pulling out a black book and passing it
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to her.
Bakugou rolled his eyes, rounding on Ochako.
"Don't move, okay?" he asked, glaring at an Alpha guard who was making his way towards them. "This shouldn't take long."
Ochako nodded nervously, watching from the side as Bakugou and Denki were asked to open their bags.
Bakugou rolled his eyes, rounding on Ochako.
"Don't move, okay?" he asked, glaring at an Alpha guard who was making his way towards them. "This shouldn't take long."
Ochako nodded nervously, watching from the side as Bakugou and Denki were asked to open their bags.
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They were then patted down and asked questions about where they came from, where they paid their taxes, and so on.
"/Step back/," a voice commanded her, making her freeze as her agency was shoved to the back of her head again.
She stepped back, her back hitting a solid chest.
"/Step back/," a voice commanded her, making her freeze as her agency was shoved to the back of her head again.
She stepped back, her back hitting a solid chest.
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"/Don't resist/," the voice continued, a hand grabbing her arm. Disgust and fear swirled together violently in her stomach. "/Follow me/."
The hand on her arm tugged her away from the plaza, tugged her through the crowds, tugged her into a shadowed alleyway where he finally
The hand on her arm tugged her away from the plaza, tugged her through the crowds, tugged her into a shadowed alleyway where he finally
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stopped.
"As I thought," the Alpha from earlier said—the one who had beaten his omega back and blue. Had he followed them this whole time?? "You're only pretending to be mated to that Alpha."
"As I thought," the Alpha from earlier said—the one who had beaten his omega back and blue. Had he followed them this whole time?? "You're only pretending to be mated to that Alpha."
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Ochako lifted her hands to defend herself.
"/Don't move/, little omega," he grinned, stepping into her space. "Your little stunt is punishable by death, you know. But I won't tell as long as you're good."
His hands landed on her hips, and he pushed her against the wall to more
"/Don't move/, little omega," he grinned, stepping into her space. "Your little stunt is punishable by death, you know. But I won't tell as long as you're good."
His hands landed on her hips, and he pushed her against the wall to more
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easily press himself against her.
"Not that you have much of a choice," he purred, his hands moving up her waist and further as Ochako remained helpless in his hold. Tears were pouring down her cheeks as she screamed in desperation at the back of her mind.
"Not that you have much of a choice," he purred, his hands moving up her waist and further as Ochako remained helpless in his hold. Tears were pouring down her cheeks as she screamed in desperation at the back of her mind.
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Just as one of his hands was moving to her most private place, a wall of ice and magic knocked the man away from her.
Ochako found herself as soon as the Alpha hit the floor, unconscious. She breathed in and out heavily and quickly, eyes roving around wildly for the source of
Ochako found herself as soon as the Alpha hit the floor, unconscious. She breathed in and out heavily and quickly, eyes roving around wildly for the source of
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the magic.
"You stupid?" a new voice asked. Ochako whipped her head to the right, wide brown eyes locking onto a man with red and white hair. "If you want a decent life, get as far from this city as your feet can take you."
He looked kind of.. sad as he said it.
"You stupid?" a new voice asked. Ochako whipped her head to the right, wide brown eyes locking onto a man with red and white hair. "If you want a decent life, get as far from this city as your feet can take you."
He looked kind of.. sad as he said it.
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"Wait!" she yelled before he could leave. He paused, quirking a brow at her. "What if more come?"
He sighed, traipsing over to her.
Her heart was still beating wildly in fear, and his... unsettling scent didn't much help her to calm her breathing.
He sighed, traipsing over to her.
Her heart was still beating wildly in fear, and his... unsettling scent didn't much help her to calm her breathing.
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But he obviously had powerful magic, and he had willingly helped her already.
"Word of advice," he started, looping his arm through hers, "don't give them enough time to open their shitty mouths."
Ochako blinked, because—he sounded like he was speaking from experience.
"Word of advice," he started, looping his arm through hers, "don't give them enough time to open their shitty mouths."
Ochako blinked, because—he sounded like he was speaking from experience.
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But. He was a beta wasn't he?
"Hey," another Alpha—the one that had shoved past her in the plaza—creeped into the alleyway. "/Stop/!"
Ochako froze in her tracks.
And strangely enough, so did the beta next to her.
"/Hands up/."
They both put their hands up.
"Hey," another Alpha—the one that had shoved past her in the plaza—creeped into the alleyway. "/Stop/!"
Ochako froze in her tracks.
And strangely enough, so did the beta next to her.
"/Hands up/."
They both put their hands up.
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"Oh?" the Alpha sneered victoriously. "What's this? A Todoroki heir? Secretly an omega?" He stepped closer to them. "My brother will be happy to hear about this. Now /follow me/."
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Ochako stepped forward after the man, her heart beating out of her chest when a solid grip to her arm halted her in her tracks.
"Second word of advice," the man growled, wincing like he was in pain as he stepped in front of her and dropped into a defensive position.
"Second word of advice," the man growled, wincing like he was in pain as he stepped in front of her and dropped into a defensive position.
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"Don't underestimate your own will."
He grunted, stomping his foot onto the ground. Ice shot at the Alpha who had been so smug and self assured that he hadn't bothered to check to see if they were actually following him.
He grunted, stomping his foot onto the ground. Ice shot at the Alpha who had been so smug and self assured that he hadn't bothered to check to see if they were actually following him.
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When the ice hit, Ochako's will returned to her.
She ran towards the man as he collapsed back onto his ass.
"You okay?" she asked in concern, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He huffed, "yeah."
"Oi!"
Ochako whipped her head to the end of the alley, relief flooding through
She ran towards the man as he collapsed back onto his ass.
"You okay?" she asked in concern, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He huffed, "yeah."
"Oi!"
Ochako whipped her head to the end of the alley, relief flooding through
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her at the sight of Bakugou and Kaminari.
The man next to her lifted an icy hand, ready to attack again.
"Stop!"
Ochako pushed his hand back down, before he could attack them. He glanced up at her with fear in his eyes, like she had betrayed him.
The man next to her lifted an icy hand, ready to attack again.
"Stop!"
Ochako pushed his hand back down, before he could attack them. He glanced up at her with fear in his eyes, like she had betrayed him.
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She shook her head, "those two won't hurt us. I promise."
Bakugou and Kaminari's footsteps grew louder as they jogged closer to them.
"The fuck happened, pink cheeks?" Bakugou asked, crouching down and placing a hand on her head to tilt it up towards him, looking for any signs
Bakugou and Kaminari's footsteps grew louder as they jogged closer to them.
"The fuck happened, pink cheeks?" Bakugou asked, crouching down and placing a hand on her head to tilt it up towards him, looking for any signs
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that she had been hurt.
The omega man on the ground growled at him, and Bakugou immediately backed off with his hands up. But his eyes narrowed in concentration as he stared at the omega.
"Wait," Kaminari said, "are you a Todoroki!?"
The omega man on the ground growled at him, and Bakugou immediately backed off with his hands up. But his eyes narrowed in concentration as he stared at the omega.
"Wait," Kaminari said, "are you a Todoroki!?"
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"Why don't you say it a little louder?" he growled, shakily moving to his feet as he glared down the alley at the two alphas that were passed out on the cobblestone. "Excuse me," Todoroki said, nodding towards them before stalking towards the alphas who were beginning to stir.
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Ochako shifted her eyes away. She had a feeling she knew what Todoroki was going to do to those men.
"Are you hurt?" Bakugou gruffed out, sniffing at the air. "You smell terrified."
"You might need to scent her again, man," Kaminari agreed, soothing pheromones pouring off him
"Are you hurt?" Bakugou gruffed out, sniffing at the air. "You smell terrified."
"You might need to scent her again, man," Kaminari agreed, soothing pheromones pouring off him
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and Bakugou.
Bakugou grunted, offering her his wrist again as he waited for her to explain.
She heard the crackling of ice from where Todoroki was looming over one of the alphas, and she winced as she began to massage into Bakugou's wrist for the second time that day.
Bakugou grunted, offering her his wrist again as he waited for her to explain.
She heard the crackling of ice from where Todoroki was looming over one of the alphas, and she winced as she began to massage into Bakugou's wrist for the second time that day.
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Before she could begin speaking, the second of the alphas groggily got to his feet, his eyes wide in fear when he saw that Todoroki had frozen his comrade from the inside out.
He ran for it, running past Ochako and towards the crowded streets before Todoroki could get to him.
He ran for it, running past Ochako and towards the crowded streets before Todoroki could get to him.
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"Dammit," Todoroki muttered to himself, letting out a frosty breath. "Shit."
Ochako stepped away from Bakugou and towards Todoroki.
"You're an omega?" she inquired softly. Todoroki glanced over at her and then at Bakugou and Kaminari. Ochako let out a shaky breath. "And it's
Ochako stepped away from Bakugou and towards Todoroki.
"You're an omega?" she inquired softly. Todoroki glanced over at her and then at Bakugou and Kaminari. Ochako let out a shaky breath. "And it's
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been kept a secret?"
Todoroki sighed.
"Not for long, at least," he relented, cursing again. "Old man won't be happy about this."
"You could come with us," Ochako offered, gesturing to Bakugou and Kaminari.
Todoroki laughed self-deprecatingly.
Todoroki sighed.
"Not for long, at least," he relented, cursing again. "Old man won't be happy about this."
"You could come with us," Ochako offered, gesturing to Bakugou and Kaminari.
Todoroki laughed self-deprecatingly.
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"No," he glanced over at her, "but I can take care of myself." He dusted himself off and turned back towards the center of town. "Don't get into anymore trouble," Todoroki said over his shoulder, before leaving them.
Ochako watched him leave with concerned eyes.
Ochako watched him leave with concerned eyes.
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She was so concentrated on the other omega that she jumped when Bakugou placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's his choice," he said, brushing his wrist across her neck. "I don't think anything we say would make him trust us."
"It's his choice," he said, brushing his wrist across her neck. "I don't think anything we say would make him trust us."
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"This is my fault," she said quietly.
"No it's not, Uraraka," Kaminari assured, stepping closer to her to wrap a comforting arm around her. "Don't think like that."
Ochako stared into his sincere amber eyes, nodding stiffly.
"No it's not, Uraraka," Kaminari assured, stepping closer to her to wrap a comforting arm around her. "Don't think like that."
Ochako stared into his sincere amber eyes, nodding stiffly.
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They met back up with the rest of pack with a somber demeanor, and they quickly decided that they needed to leave. They left the city the same way they came in, as a unit.
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As they left, Ochako caught a glance of Todoroki being taken away by Alpha guards. The Alpha from the alleyway was pointing vigorously at him as he spoke to one of the head guards.
She made eye contact with him as he was being dragged away.
She made eye contact with him as he was being dragged away.
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"We need to save him," she told Bakugou.
Bakugou grimaced, pushing her forward without saying a word.
"We can't right now, Ochako," Mina told her solemnly. "Not without losing you too."
Ochako nodded.
"But we'll figure something out?"
Bakugou grimaced, pushing her forward without saying a word.
"We can't right now, Ochako," Mina told her solemnly. "Not without losing you too."
Ochako nodded.
"But we'll figure something out?"
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"We'll try," Bakugou promised.
That would have to suffice for now.
That would have to suffice for now.
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When they returned to their caravan, an unrecognized scent hit Ochako's nose and she was immediately tense.
"Smells like that fuckin' Deku," Bakugou growled, confusing Ochako.
"Aww," Mina whined, looking around, "where is he then?"
"Smells like that fuckin' Deku," Bakugou growled, confusing Ochako.
"Aww," Mina whined, looking around, "where is he then?"
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The hopeful look on Mina's face plus the calm way they were reacting to this scent calmed her, but she still shifted her eyes around so as to not be snuck up on.
"Up here!" a voice called from the top of pine tree.
"Up here!" a voice called from the top of pine tree.
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"What the hell are you doing here, Deku!?" Bakugou barked up at the man.
"Kacchan!" 'Deku' greeted brightly, offering a wave before jumping down from the tree. He landed in a crouch before them, standing up straight and smiling at them all. "Find what you needed in the city?"
"Kacchan!" 'Deku' greeted brightly, offering a wave before jumping down from the tree. He landed in a crouch before them, standing up straight and smiling at them all. "Find what you needed in the city?"
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"Don't give me that garbage," Bakugou huffed, strolling up to Deku to put him in a headlock. "If you're not here with a mission for us, I'm going to fucking obliterate you."
"Aw c'mon, Kacchan," Deku wheezed. "Your people miss you! Don't you want a break?"
"Aw c'mon, Kacchan," Deku wheezed. "Your people miss you! Don't you want a break?"
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"Ha!" Sero guffawed. "A break? Katsuki? I know you're just being hopeful, but come on Midoriya."
Deku grinned up at Sero, not even bothering to escape Bakugou's hold.
"Or maybe I just want a turn, Hanta, ever think of that?"
Bakugou rolled his eyes, releasing Deku.
Deku grinned up at Sero, not even bothering to escape Bakugou's hold.
"Or maybe I just want a turn, Hanta, ever think of that?"
Bakugou rolled his eyes, releasing Deku.
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"If you have a mission for me," Bakugou said, "I'll gladly loan you my curse."
"Ah," Midoriya started sheepishly, "but don't you have your own mission to get to right now?"
"Hey!" Kirishima interjected, pointing his finger at Midoriya, "have you been following us again?"
"Ah," Midoriya started sheepishly, "but don't you have your own mission to get to right now?"
"Hey!" Kirishima interjected, pointing his finger at Midoriya, "have you been following us again?"
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Midoriya shook his head.
"No, we both just happened to be here," he answered honestly. "I actually have been watching the Todoroki's for weeks."
Ochako perked up at this.
"You know that omega then? The one pretending to be a beta?"
"No, we both just happened to be here," he answered honestly. "I actually have been watching the Todoroki's for weeks."
Ochako perked up at this.
"You know that omega then? The one pretending to be a beta?"
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Deku blinked at her as if he had just realized she was there.
"I haven't met you before. Hi!" he greeted, holding a hand out to her, "I'm Midoriya Izuku!"
Ochako accepted it, sniffing lightly at the air and determining that he was a beta.
"...Uraraka Ochako."
"I haven't met you before. Hi!" he greeted, holding a hand out to her, "I'm Midoriya Izuku!"
Ochako accepted it, sniffing lightly at the air and determining that he was a beta.
"...Uraraka Ochako."
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"To answer your question, I do know that omega," his eyes darkened as he glanced back towards the city. "He's a friend of mine."
Ochako felt guilt tear at her heart—she still couldn't shake the thought that this was all her mess.
Ochako felt guilt tear at her heart—she still couldn't shake the thought that this was all her mess.
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"I'll take the curse from you," he said seriously, eyes flicking to Bakugou, "for as long as it will take for you to free that entire omega house."
Bakugou pinched his nose.
Mina whooped.
"The entire house!?" she sang, jumping up and down in excitement.
Bakugou pinched his nose.
Mina whooped.
"The entire house!?" she sang, jumping up and down in excitement.
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"That's... A pretty big mission." Kaminari stated in awe. Ochako saw the very moment he had en epiphany, because the grin that formed on his face was maniacal. "Perhaps..." he continued, elbowing Bakugou in good nature, "the biggest mission we've faced yet."
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"What makes you say that?" Bakugou grumbled. "How if we fail this one, we could get a lot of innocent omegas killed?"
"If anyone could do it," Midoriya piped up, glancing briefly at Ochako, "it would be you guys. Hey," he nodded towards her, "what's your magic?"
"If anyone could do it," Midoriya piped up, glancing briefly at Ochako, "it would be you guys. Hey," he nodded towards her, "what's your magic?"
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"Mine?" Ochako asked dumbly. Since setting off with Bakugou and his pack, she hadn't really had any reason to use her magic. "I can make things float. But why would that matter?"
"Just thinking," he said, "that this endeavor would be a lot easier with someone on the inside."
"Just thinking," he said, "that this endeavor would be a lot easier with someone on the inside."
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"No way in hell," Bakugou growled, stepping towards Deku with clenched fists.
Ochako glared at him.
"You don't get to decide that for me," she insisted.
"And you don't know what the hell you'd be getting yourself into!"
Ochako glared at him.
"You don't get to decide that for me," she insisted.
"And you don't know what the hell you'd be getting yourself into!"
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"I don't care," she stated resolutely, "that omega saved me. And he did it by fighting against an Alpha's command! My soul won't feel right until I help him the way he helped me."
"Whoa, wait," Mina interjected, "he fought Alpha voice?"
"Whoa, wait," Mina interjected, "he fought Alpha voice?"
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Midoriya opened his mouth, but after some mental consideration of some sort promptly closed it.
Ochako nodded to Mina.
"He could still move freely, even after that Alpha commanded us to stop," she explained. "What if I could learn to do the same?"
Ochako nodded to Mina.
"He could still move freely, even after that Alpha commanded us to stop," she explained. "What if I could learn to do the same?"
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"And how do you propose to do that?" Kirishima asked with honest curiosity. "I've never heard of such a thing. Unless he's mated?"
"The command shouldn't have worked on him in the first place if that were the case," Sero pointed out. "Unless he was claimed by a beta."
"The command shouldn't have worked on him in the first place if that were the case," Sero pointed out. "Unless he was claimed by a beta."
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"You know who his dad is?" Kaminari inquired, "you think he'd let a beta claim one of his sons?"
"Who do you think been's keeping this fucking secret?" Bakugou growled, arms crossed over his chest.
"What?" Mina asked, "you think Todoroki Enji has been illegally
"Who do you think been's keeping this fucking secret?" Bakugou growled, arms crossed over his chest.
"What?" Mina asked, "you think Todoroki Enji has been illegally
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buying the guy suppressants for what? Years?"
"He doesn't really seem like the type of man to care so much about protecting the rights of an omega. Even if that omega is his son."
"He doesn't really seem like the type of man to care so much about protecting the rights of an omega. Even if that omega is his son."
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"We can reevaluate the kind of man he is later," Bakugou grumbled. He nodded towards Ochako. "You have more to say. Say it."
Ochako shuffled her feet, sighing.
"What if I learned how to fight a command?" she said. "By, uh, having one of you command me until I beat it."
Ochako shuffled her feet, sighing.
"What if I learned how to fight a command?" she said. "By, uh, having one of you command me until I beat it."
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"Hmm," Bakugou grunted, unimpressed. "And how do you feel about doing that, Shitty Hair?"
Kirishima stiffened, visibly shrinking in on himself.
"Katsuki," he murmured, looking away from them all, "you already know how I feel about that."
Kirishima stiffened, visibly shrinking in on himself.
"Katsuki," he murmured, looking away from them all, "you already know how I feel about that."
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Bakugou nodded, leveling her with a glare, "alright then. So your last option is me. And I'm not really sure I want to help you sacrifice yourself to a fucking omega house."
"Shouldn't that be my decision?" she inquired, fists clenched.
"Shouldn't that be my decision?" she inquired, fists clenched.
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"Oh yeah? Like how it's my decision to not use my alpha voice on you?" he fired back.
"Then I'll go to that omega house without your help!" she barked, voice raised in indignation.
Silence followed her outburst.
"Then I'll go to that omega house without your help!" she barked, voice raised in indignation.
Silence followed her outburst.
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She huffed, standing tall as the others continued to gape at her like she'd sprouted extra limbs.
Mina was grinning from ear to ear at Ochako's boldness, Bakugou and Midoriya looked mildly impressed, while Sero, Kaminari and Kirishima gaped like fish.
Mina was grinning from ear to ear at Ochako's boldness, Bakugou and Midoriya looked mildly impressed, while Sero, Kaminari and Kirishima gaped like fish.
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Bakugou huffed, smirking slightly.
"You're not really giving me much of a choice here," he sighed, uncrossing his arms. He then grumbled out an exasperated, "devious omega."
"I owe that man," she proclaimed much more quietly. "He saved me."
"You're not really giving me much of a choice here," he sighed, uncrossing his arms. He then grumbled out an exasperated, "devious omega."
"I owe that man," she proclaimed much more quietly. "He saved me."
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"I think you should give it a shot," Midoriya said, ignoring the growl his comment forced out of Bakugou. He stuck out his fingers, wiggling them like he wanted something. "Now hand over that curse."
Bakugou jabbed his thumb at Ochako.
"She has it."
Bakugou jabbed his thumb at Ochako.
"She has it."
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Ochako blinked and then remembered the necklace he had handed off to her in the city.
"You—!" she huffed, "gave me a /curse/?" She pulled it off and thrust it into Midoriya's hands.
"What?" Bakugou rolled his eyes. "Nothing can bother you while the sun's still out."
"You—!" she huffed, "gave me a /curse/?" She pulled it off and thrust it into Midoriya's hands.
"What?" Bakugou rolled his eyes. "Nothing can bother you while the sun's still out."
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"What if I had been taken away?"
"Didn't happen."
"Almost happened, infuriating alpha," she pouted as Midoriya tucked the jewel underneath the collar of his shirt.
"Oi, Midoriya," Kaminari said, "you wanna take the caravan?"
"Didn't happen."
"Almost happened, infuriating alpha," she pouted as Midoriya tucked the jewel underneath the collar of his shirt.
"Oi, Midoriya," Kaminari said, "you wanna take the caravan?"
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Midoriya shook his head, smiling.
"The horses won't listen to me like they do Kacchan," he said. "I can make do on foot." He crouched down, wisps of green light flitting around him. "Better get a head start though." He grinned at them, "see you around."
"The horses won't listen to me like they do Kacchan," he said. "I can make do on foot." He crouched down, wisps of green light flitting around him. "Better get a head start though." He grinned at them, "see you around."
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He sprung up and forward into the air, landing quickly before doing it again. He was /fast/. Ochako watched him leave with wide eyes, surprised at his strength. He was such an unassuming man, after all.
"Hope he's okay going off by himself again," Mina murmured.
"Hope he's okay going off by himself again," Mina murmured.
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"He'll be fine," Bakugou assured briskly, pushing Kaminari and Kirishima toward the caravan. "But we're setting up camp."
"Finally," Mina cheered under her breath. "We'll get some decent sleep!" She looped her arm through Ochako's. "Let's start a fire!"
"Finally," Mina cheered under her breath. "We'll get some decent sleep!" She looped her arm through Ochako's. "Let's start a fire!"
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Ochako nodded. /This/ was something she new how to do.
Mina and Ochako both removed their collars eagerly before setting off in search of some firewood. Mina watched in awe as Ochako used her quirk on a tree before chopping it down with Sero's axe.
Mina and Ochako both removed their collars eagerly before setting off in search of some firewood. Mina watched in awe as Ochako used her quirk on a tree before chopping it down with Sero's axe.
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It effectively stopped the trunk from loudly tumbling to the ground and giving away their location. It also earned her a few impressed nods from the pack.
"That's a pretty neat magic," Sero commented with a grin, "I bet if you and I teamed up, we'd be pretty kickass!"
"That's a pretty neat magic," Sero commented with a grin, "I bet if you and I teamed up, we'd be pretty kickass!"
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He shot his hand out, a white fabric of some sort materializing out of thin air. He lassoed it around the floating tree to tug it towards him, grinning.
"See?"
Ochako nodded, grinning back at him. It then occurred to her, that she didn't know any of their magic.
"See?"
Ochako nodded, grinning back at him. It then occurred to her, that she didn't know any of their magic.
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If she had to guess, Kaminari's had something to do with lightning. She'd seen sparks flying off him in his sleep, and had also seen him accidentally shock Kirishima as he sneezed.
She thought she had also seen Kirishima use his magic to chop fruit and meat with his bare hands.
She thought she had also seen Kirishima use his magic to chop fruit and meat with his bare hands.
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She hadn't yet seen Mina or Bakugou's magic. She imagined Mina must have something useful for fighting based on her past alone. And everything about Bakugou screamed strength—he probably wasn't snuffing when it came to his magic.
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"Hey Sero," she started, helping him place the tree on the forest floor before releasing her hold on it. "What brought you to this pack?"
"Hn. Me?" he asked, surprised. "Bakugou nearly killed me for swiping that jewel off him. But he thought I could be useful instead." Sero
"Hn. Me?" he asked, surprised. "Bakugou nearly killed me for swiping that jewel off him. But he thought I could be useful instead." Sero
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huffed in fond annoyance, "bastard didn't tell me how good a pack Alpha he was. Was planning to ditch everyone after a week. Stayed instead, and, well," he gestured to himself standing amongst the pack now, "here we are."
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Ochako glanced over at Bakugou at his words, watching as the blonde laid out the sleeping arrangements underneath the tarp Kirishima and Kaminari had set up.
"He's a good alpha," Sero said, following her gaze. "But it's not really surprising once you learn his past. Or maybe it
"He's a good alpha," Sero said, following her gaze. "But it's not really surprising once you learn his past. Or maybe it
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is. I don't know."
"What do you mean?" Ochako asked, brows furrowed.
"He's not from this land," Sero answered, "his people are well off and just. There was no tragic event that pulled him to this country to do what he does now. He chose all this because he's a good man."
"What do you mean?" Ochako asked, brows furrowed.
"He's not from this land," Sero answered, "his people are well off and just. There was no tragic event that pulled him to this country to do what he does now. He chose all this because he's a good man."
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Sero chuckled.
"Kinda like you, huh?"
Ochako hummed.
It was hard to imagine a Bakugou as naive about the world as she was now, but Sero's words somehow gave her comfort.
She could help others too. With the help of this pack, she could even help Todoroki.
"Kinda like you, huh?"
Ochako hummed.
It was hard to imagine a Bakugou as naive about the world as she was now, but Sero's words somehow gave her comfort.
She could help others too. With the help of this pack, she could even help Todoroki.
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Ochako and Mina had just managed to bring to life a roaring bonfire when Kaminari asked her where she wanted her sleeping mat.
"Oh," she said awkwardly, eying up the place where the others had placed theirs. From the looks of it, they planned to sleep in a puppy pile. But she
"Oh," she said awkwardly, eying up the place where the others had placed theirs. From the looks of it, they planned to sleep in a puppy pile. But she
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also noticed they had set up an extra tarp. Maybe for her? She wasn't technically part of their pack, but in the few weeks of their travel, one of which included her /heat/, she couldn't deny that she had grown accustomed to having their scents and warmth so close.
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She hadn't thought much about sleeping arrangements, but she didn't want to intrude.
Kaminari blinked, perhaps not expecting his question to create such inner turmoil.
"I'll uh," Ochako continued, "take it for now, Kaminari. Thank you."
Kaminari blinked, perhaps not expecting his question to create such inner turmoil.
"I'll uh," Ochako continued, "take it for now, Kaminari. Thank you."
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Kaminari moved the mat out of her reach when she went to grab for it. "When will you have the time to put it down? When you're dead on your feet after Kacchan uses his Alpha voice on you for who knows how long?" He shook his head, "nuh uh."
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Ochako scratched her neck awkwardly.
"Oh, um, then I guess over there?" she asked more than told, pointing to the vacant tarp. Kaminari's eyes slid over to the spot and he promptly scrunched up his nose in distaste.
"Oh, um, then I guess over there?" she asked more than told, pointing to the vacant tarp. Kaminari's eyes slid over to the spot and he promptly scrunched up his nose in distaste.
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"You're going to sleep all by yourself?" he pouted. "Won't you get cold?"
"Let her do what she wants, Denki," Bakugou sighed, swiping the mat from his hands and using it to wack the back of his head. He dropped the mat back into his startled hands. "Stop being a pest."
"Let her do what she wants, Denki," Bakugou sighed, swiping the mat from his hands and using it to wack the back of his head. He dropped the mat back into his startled hands. "Stop being a pest."
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Kaminari pouted, but nonetheless began trudging over to the empty tarp to set up her mat.
Ochako wasn't sure if she should feel relieved or disappointed.
"Oi," Bakugou grumbled at her, "after we eat, we're doing this shit."
Ochako wasn't sure if she should feel relieved or disappointed.
"Oi," Bakugou grumbled at her, "after we eat, we're doing this shit."
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Mina popped up next to him.
"Are you going to cook, Katsuki?" she inquired like an excited puppy, grabbing ahold of his arm which Bakugou immediately shook off.
"Depends. Are you going to leave me the fuck alone while I cook?"
"Cooking is Bakugou's 'me' time," Sero mock
"Are you going to cook, Katsuki?" she inquired like an excited puppy, grabbing ahold of his arm which Bakugou immediately shook off.
"Depends. Are you going to leave me the fuck alone while I cook?"
"Cooking is Bakugou's 'me' time," Sero mock
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whispered to her. "You /mustn't/ disturb his 'me' time."
Bakugou cupped his hands, and Ochako was shocked when short bursts of explosive fire erupted from them. "Want me to blow up your food before you can get your hands on it?"
Sero straightened out immediately.
"No!"
Bakugou cupped his hands, and Ochako was shocked when short bursts of explosive fire erupted from them. "Want me to blow up your food before you can get your hands on it?"
Sero straightened out immediately.
"No!"
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"Then shut the fuck up and go help Eijirou catch us something to cook!!"
Ochako perked up at this.
"Kirishima is hunting?" she asked, glancing around to confirm that the red head was no where in sight. "Do you think he would mind me joining?"
Ochako perked up at this.
"Kirishima is hunting?" she asked, glancing around to confirm that the red head was no where in sight. "Do you think he would mind me joining?"
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Bakugou shrugged, "I ain't the boss of you."
Ochako huffed out a laugh, and nodded. There was an assortment of weapons near the caravan; she opened her mouth to ask if she could take one and kicked herself for it. He had /just/ told her she didn't have to ask.
Ochako huffed out a laugh, and nodded. There was an assortment of weapons near the caravan; she opened her mouth to ask if she could take one and kicked herself for it. He had /just/ told her she didn't have to ask.
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She took a spear, twirling it around her body with ease. Excitement thrummed through her.
"Which way he run off to?"
Mina pointed to the woods on the left, "he couldn't of gotten too far. Just call his name. He's got ears like a bat."
"Which way he run off to?"
Mina pointed to the woods on the left, "he couldn't of gotten too far. Just call his name. He's got ears like a bat."
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Ochako nodded, gripping her spear and running into the forest.
"Should we be worried about her?" Kaminari asked as he watched her run away.
Bakugou scoffed, "she can take care of herself."
"What if she runs into an unfriendly alpha?"
"Should we be worried about her?" Kaminari asked as he watched her run away.
Bakugou scoffed, "she can take care of herself."
"What if she runs into an unfriendly alpha?"
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"Katsuki could sniff 'em out before they even got anywhere near this forest," Mina pointed out. "Huh, Katsuki? S'why you were so grumpy on the way back from the city?? You could smell Midoriya from a mile away!"
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"Oh, I'm sure he could tell us exactly where Uraraka is with that nose of his too," Sero remarked, wagging his eyebrows at their pack Alpha.
"That's it," Bakugou growled, "you get to make your own portion tonight."
"What? No. C'mon! I'm stopping, I'm stopping!"
"That's it," Bakugou growled, "you get to make your own portion tonight."
"What? No. C'mon! I'm stopping, I'm stopping!"
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-
Kirishima hadn't gotten far, and had come to find when she called out his name just like Mina had said.
"Oh," he said nervously, glancing behind her, "Did Bakugou not come with you?"
Ochako's brows furrowed, and she shook her head.
Kirishima hadn't gotten far, and had come to find when she called out his name just like Mina had said.
"Oh," he said nervously, glancing behind her, "Did Bakugou not come with you?"
Ochako's brows furrowed, and she shook her head.
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"He's finishing setting up camp. Sero was going to come join you, but," she looked down at the spear in her hands, "I wanted to instead."
Kirishima blinked at her, eyes softening.
"Oh, fuck," he grumbled to himself before holding eye contact with her. "Sorry, Uraraka. I didn't
Kirishima blinked at her, eyes softening.
"Oh, fuck," he grumbled to himself before holding eye contact with her. "Sorry, Uraraka. I didn't
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mean for it to come off like I didn't want to hunt with you. Of course I do. I just.." He glanced away, looking sad. "Ah. Nevermind." He clapped her shoulder, seemingly shaken out of his dejected mood. "You like to hunt?"
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Ochako didn't want to press the issue, so she smiled and nodded. "I would lead the pack hunts in my tribe," she said.
"Alright," he grinned, flexing his arm, "then I'll follow your lead now!"
Ochako's cheeks hurt from the smile that brought to her face.
"Alright," he grinned, flexing his arm, "then I'll follow your lead now!"
Ochako's cheeks hurt from the smile that brought to her face.
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-
When she and Kirishima got back to camp, it was with a giant buck slung over the Alpha's shoulders as he chattered away at how great of a hunter she was.
Ochako couldn't help but walk a little taller at his praise.
When she and Kirishima got back to camp, it was with a giant buck slung over the Alpha's shoulders as he chattered away at how great of a hunter she was.
Ochako couldn't help but walk a little taller at his praise.
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"—you're quiet on your feet, Uraraka! And fast as hell!! And your aim is deadly, man! I can't believe how fast we got this meat! It would have taken me twice as long to hunt! Holy hell! Hey, guys—!" he yelled to the others as they got closer to camp, "Uraraka is a /beast/!"
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Ochako puffed out her chest, chin raised as she grinned brightly at them.
"Holy shit!" Sero exclaimed, pointing at the buck Kirishima laid out before them, "meat!" He, Kirishima, Kaminari and Mina all began to excitedly chant 'meat! meat! meat!' excitedly.
"Holy shit!" Sero exclaimed, pointing at the buck Kirishima laid out before them, "meat!" He, Kirishima, Kaminari and Mina all began to excitedly chant 'meat! meat! meat!' excitedly.
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Ochako laughed at them and Bakugou rolled his eyes, unsheathing a knife.
"Let's cook this feast," he grinned, actually looking excited.
Bakugou broke out some of their more expensive spices, which Mina told him he rarely ever used, and barked orders at them on how to help him
"Let's cook this feast," he grinned, actually looking excited.
Bakugou broke out some of their more expensive spices, which Mina told him he rarely ever used, and barked orders at them on how to help him
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prepare everything properly. He had even come over to Ochako to gripe about the way she was cutting the meat, but when he saw that she knew what she was doing he backed off with a grumble.
It was one of the most delicious meals she had ever had.
It was one of the most delicious meals she had ever had.
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Her tummy was nice and full, and she sat back and watched Kirishima, Bakugou and Sero all go back for thirds and fourths. It was impressive how much they could pack away. And she didn't blame them. The meat was heavenly.
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"Uraraka, stay with us forever," Kaminari commented happily, rubbing his full stomach as he leaned against a rock.
Ochako smiled at him, but then remembered her family. Her pack.
Ochako smiled at him, but then remembered her family. Her pack.
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As much as this ragtag pack of vigilantes was growing on her...she needed to find her people.
Gods, she hoped they were okay.
"Hey," a low voice rumbled from above her. She looked up to see Bakugou with his arms crossed. He nodded towards the trees. "You ready?"
Gods, she hoped they were okay.
"Hey," a low voice rumbled from above her. She looked up to see Bakugou with his arms crossed. He nodded towards the trees. "You ready?"
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Ochako sighed, pushing away her empty bowl and getting to her feet.
Before she could reunite with her family, she had something she needed to do.
"Yeah," she said, "let's go."
Before she could reunite with her family, she had something she needed to do.
"Yeah," she said, "let's go."
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Bakugou stopped at the horses as she followed him, and Ochako watched as he freed them from their reigns.
"Go run free for a while," he told them, running his hand through their manes and then stepping away. They responded joyfully, galloping off into the forest.
"Go run free for a while," he told them, running his hand through their manes and then stepping away. They responded joyfully, galloping off into the forest.
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"They can understand you, can't they?" Ochako asked, eyes wide with realization as she watched the horses disappear. "The 'Beast King' thing is literal?"
Bakugou's eyes slid over to her and he snorted.
Bakugou's eyes slid over to her and he snorted.
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"My pack of idiots gave me that title /because/ I talk to animals," he explained. "But I'm not their king."
"Just a friend, then?" Ochako teased.
Bakugou rolled his eyes, moving forward with a swish of his cape. He motioned for her to follow, and Ochako skipped forward to walk
"Just a friend, then?" Ochako teased.
Bakugou rolled his eyes, moving forward with a swish of his cape. He motioned for her to follow, and Ochako skipped forward to walk
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at his side.
Ochako chatted with him amicably, asking him questions about his ability to speak to animals while he offered short (usually one-worded) answers or grunts. Sometimes he answered with sarcastic questions of his own.
Ochako chatted with him amicably, asking him questions about his ability to speak to animals while he offered short (usually one-worded) answers or grunts. Sometimes he answered with sarcastic questions of his own.
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He lead them to the nearby river, finding a couple of rocks on the bank for them to sit down on. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in vibrant oranges and pinks.
Spring wasn't far off, and the region they'd traveled to was warmer than what she was used to. The trees
Spring wasn't far off, and the region they'd traveled to was warmer than what she was used to. The trees
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already were in bloom, the weather fair.
It struck her how relaxed he seemed without the curse, how relaxed they /all/ seemed.
Ochako hadn't wanted to pry before, but perhaps now without the threat of night they might be inclined to share what it was they were running from.
It struck her how relaxed he seemed without the curse, how relaxed they /all/ seemed.
Ochako hadn't wanted to pry before, but perhaps now without the threat of night they might be inclined to share what it was they were running from.
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"Last chance to back out," Bakugou offered, red eyes shining like rubies in the fading sunlight.
Ochako shook her head. "I'm not backing out."
Bakugou huffed, but nodded. "Okay. We start now. /Take your shoes off/."
Ochako froze. At least—that's what it felt like as her will,
Ochako shook her head. "I'm not backing out."
Bakugou huffed, but nodded. "Okay. We start now. /Take your shoes off/."
Ochako froze. At least—that's what it felt like as her will,
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her mind was shoved to the back of her head. She could only watch as her body bent down to remove her shoes, screaming and screaming at her body to stop.
Something about this command felt different. Perhaps it was the innocent nature of the command itself or the intention behind
Something about this command felt different. Perhaps it was the innocent nature of the command itself or the intention behind
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it, but Ochako could feel it /in her bones/.
And it made her realize.
She—Ochako—had been shoved to the back of her own mind so that her omega could move forward. She had been too panicked before to notice.
/Alpha/, her omega said as it obeyed the command without resistance.
And it made her realize.
She—Ochako—had been shoved to the back of her own mind so that her omega could move forward. She had been too panicked before to notice.
/Alpha/, her omega said as it obeyed the command without resistance.
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"/Dip your toes in the water/," Bakugou commanded next.
Ochako's legs stretched towards the water, her toes dipping in. She yelped as soon as her mind returned to her, retracting her toes from the ice cold water. She glared at him for that one.
Ochako's legs stretched towards the water, her toes dipping in. She yelped as soon as her mind returned to her, retracting her toes from the ice cold water. She glared at him for that one.
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"Aw, don't look like that," he snickered, "/smile/."
/Don't smile/, she told her omega fruitlessly. /He's being mean/.
/Alpha/, shot back her omega just as intensely as before, the muscles of her face pulling her lips into a smile in an act completely meant to /please Alpha/.
/Don't smile/, she told her omega fruitlessly. /He's being mean/.
/Alpha/, shot back her omega just as intensely as before, the muscles of her face pulling her lips into a smile in an act completely meant to /please Alpha/.
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"Want me to stop yet?" Bakugou asked, smirking.
"No," she growled, not bothering to resist the urge to punch his arm since it was /her/ thought and she /liked/ doing as she pleased and he /deserved/ it. "We've only just started."
"No," she growled, not bothering to resist the urge to punch his arm since it was /her/ thought and she /liked/ doing as she pleased and he /deserved/ it. "We've only just started."
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And although there was something so terrifying about losing her control, she at least felt safe knowing Bakugou wouldn't betray her trust.
The scent of fire lilies and charcoal mixed with the water breeze, and Ochako /did/ resist the urge to lean into his scent.
The scent of fire lilies and charcoal mixed with the water breeze, and Ochako /did/ resist the urge to lean into his scent.
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She was still /covered/ in his scent from going into the city, it had surrounded her the entire day, and to smell it so strongly now meant it must have been /spiking/.
"Fuck," he rumbled, watering down his scent immediately, "sorry."
"Fuck," he rumbled, watering down his scent immediately, "sorry."
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Ochako quirked her head at him, shrugging it off because she also had her moments where she lost her control over her scent around him.
"Keep going," she implored, punching his arm again, albeit much more lightly.
"Keep going," she implored, punching his arm again, albeit much more lightly.
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"/Put your shoes on/," Bakugou commanded, flicking his eyes away from her.
The omega within her complied.
They kept at it for an hour until the sun finally disappeared behind the mountains and horizon, and Bakugou finally deemed it time for them to return to camp.
The omega within her complied.
They kept at it for an hour until the sun finally disappeared behind the mountains and horizon, and Bakugou finally deemed it time for them to return to camp.
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"Any progress?" he inquired, lighting the way with a fire he'd created in the palm of his hand.
Ochako hummed. "When Alpha voice is used, it's like I'm being shoved to the back of my head by my omegan instincts. And there is no logic or reason beyond 'obey Alpha'."
Ochako hummed. "When Alpha voice is used, it's like I'm being shoved to the back of my head by my omegan instincts. And there is no logic or reason beyond 'obey Alpha'."
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"Hm."
Bakugou looked thoughtful, and Ochako allowed him the space to formulate his thoughts properly.
She appreciated that he was taking this as seriously as she was.
"Well," he finally said as they arrived at their campsite, "we'll try again tomorrow."
Bakugou looked thoughtful, and Ochako allowed him the space to formulate his thoughts properly.
She appreciated that he was taking this as seriously as she was.
"Well," he finally said as they arrived at their campsite, "we'll try again tomorrow."
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Ochako nodded as they stopped at her lonely bed roll.
Bakugou eyed it, fingers twitching. "You /can/ sleep alone if you'd like," he said quietly. "Mina and Denki cling, and you already know Kirishima snores, so I wouldn't blame you. But—you're not...intruding or anything."
Bakugou eyed it, fingers twitching. "You /can/ sleep alone if you'd like," he said quietly. "Mina and Denki cling, and you already know Kirishima snores, so I wouldn't blame you. But—you're not...intruding or anything."
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Ochako blinked up at him, cheeks tinting pink. She could hardly believe the words coming out of his mouth and could do nothing but gape at him like a fish.
"Well," he cleared his throat. "Do what you want." He nodded, walking off towards where the others were ready for bed.
"Well," he cleared his throat. "Do what you want." He nodded, walking off towards where the others were ready for bed.
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Ochako grabbed her sleeping mat and furs and followed after him.
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She stopped short halfway there, realizing she might have acted out a bit too eagerly.
This was foreign territory for her. Her pack had sleeping arrangements like this too, but those were usually reserved for family units.
This was foreign territory for her. Her pack had sleeping arrangements like this too, but those were usually reserved for family units.
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Ochako shook her head—Bakugou had /just/ told her she wouldn't be intruding, and he was never one to lie.
She crept towards them on unsure feet, ready to backtrack the more she overthought everything.
"Ochako!" Mina called from where her spot between Kirishima and Kaminari.
She crept towards them on unsure feet, ready to backtrack the more she overthought everything.
"Ochako!" Mina called from where her spot between Kirishima and Kaminari.
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Ochako froze on her feet, caught. She could feel Bakugou's eyes on her and decidedly igorned him.
Kaminari perked up at her presence, a smile lighting up his face.
"Uraraka!" he exclaimed, "Did you decide to sleep with the pack after all?"
Kaminari perked up at her presence, a smile lighting up his face.
"Uraraka!" he exclaimed, "Did you decide to sleep with the pack after all?"
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Ochako's heart clenched—caught somewhere between feeling touched at his inference that she was close enough to their pack for this and feeling incredible guilt for finding comfort in a pack that was not her own.
The gods knew it was the same inner battle every single day.
The gods knew it was the same inner battle every single day.
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She nodded, looking around uncertainly. "If that's okay?"
"Of course!" Kirishima exclaimed, clapping Bakugou's shoulder, "It will certainly put this Alpha at ease!"
Bakugou elbowed him, letting out a warning growl. Kirishima grunted.
"Of course!" Kirishima exclaimed, clapping Bakugou's shoulder, "It will certainly put this Alpha at ease!"
Bakugou elbowed him, letting out a warning growl. Kirishima grunted.
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"What, /pack alpha/?" he rumbled, smile never faltering, "you're gonna look me in the eyes and tell me she doesn't feel like pack?"
"Shut the fuck up, Eijirou." Bakugou sighed, "I didn't want to pressure her to do anything."
"Aw," Mina cooed, "you're so sweet, Katsuki!"
"Shut the fuck up, Eijirou." Bakugou sighed, "I didn't want to pressure her to do anything."
"Aw," Mina cooed, "you're so sweet, Katsuki!"
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"Shut uuup," he groaned, avoiding their eyes. He rounded on Ochako, flustered. "Feel free to kick any of these bone heads in your sleep, yeah?"
Ochako snorted, his comment putting her somewhat at ease.
Ochako snorted, his comment putting her somewhat at ease.
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And that was that on the matter—Kaminari swiped her bed roll from her hands, saying something about how he had obviously failed her earlier. He laid it down at the edge of the the pack when Bakugou barked at him to switch hers with the much longer one next to hers. Kaminari did
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so with a smirk and a roll of his eyes.
"Alright, /alpha/," Kaminari teased, earning a snicker from Sero. Kaminari's amber eyes then flicked over to her, "Kacchan's the biggest bone head of us all, you know. I would hope his invitation to kick extends to him too."
"Alright, /alpha/," Kaminari teased, earning a snicker from Sero. Kaminari's amber eyes then flicked over to her, "Kacchan's the biggest bone head of us all, you know. I would hope his invitation to kick extends to him too."
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"Is that why you put her right next to him?" Sero laughed. Kaminari only winked in response.
"Go the /fuck/ to sleep," Bakugou grumbled, collapsing down on the mat right next to Ochako's.
She thought having her mat already laid out would make this easier—why did Kaminari have
"Go the /fuck/ to sleep," Bakugou grumbled, collapsing down on the mat right next to Ochako's.
She thought having her mat already laid out would make this easier—why did Kaminari have
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to put her next to /Bakugou/ of all people?
"Come on, Ochako," Mina grinned, patting the space next to her. "You wouldn't kick me, would you?"
Ochako huffed, "I might have to kick /all/ of you. At least once."
"Come on, Ochako," Mina grinned, patting the space next to her. "You wouldn't kick me, would you?"
Ochako huffed, "I might have to kick /all/ of you. At least once."
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"Try and get me from over here," Sero challenged, his back to Kaminari.
Ochako rolled her eyes, carefully laying down on her mat between Bakugou and Mina and pulling the furs over herself. She kept her back to the Alpha, facing Mina who eagerly grabbed one of her hands to hold.
Ochako rolled her eyes, carefully laying down on her mat between Bakugou and Mina and pulling the furs over herself. She kept her back to the Alpha, facing Mina who eagerly grabbed one of her hands to hold.
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Ochako nearly jumped out of her own skin when she felt the long expanse of Bakugou's back press against hers. She glanced over her shoulder to see him stubbornly facing forward. She could almost imagine the scowl on his face.
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As the pack's breathing slowed and their features softened with sleep, Ochako found herself relaxing just the same. Bakugou's presence at her back was surprisingly comforting. She melted into it, allowing the safety she felt here to quiet her mind after the day she had.
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Tomorrow she would create a plan for this rescue. Ever since leaving the city she had imagined doing this all on her own. It was quickly becoming clear to her, however, that this pack would do everything they could to help her.
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Ochako woke slowly, the contented scents of her traveling companions surrounding her. It was clear this pack had no qualms over sleeping in—Ochako couldn't blame them. When they carried the curse with them, they often were forgoing sleep to ensure they ran faster than whomever it
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was chasing after them.
Not having to worry about dying in the night was good enough reason to ignore the sun and just sleep.
Ochako's eyes opened slowly as she adjusted to the sun. It occurred to her belatedly that she was trapped. Mina's back was pressed against her own, and
Not having to worry about dying in the night was good enough reason to ignore the sun and just sleep.
Ochako's eyes opened slowly as she adjusted to the sun. It occurred to her belatedly that she was trapped. Mina's back was pressed against her own, and
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her head was tucked into the scent of fire lilies and brimstone.
Her eyes opened wide in realization.
She was being held in the circle of Bakugou's arms. Her nose was pressed into his scent gland as if she had sought it out during her sleep, and one of her hands was resting
Her eyes opened wide in realization.
She was being held in the circle of Bakugou's arms. Her nose was pressed into his scent gland as if she had sought it out during her sleep, and one of her hands was resting
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over his chest. She could feel his heartbeat underneath his warm skin, and with each deep exhale he made out his breath tussled the hair at the crown of her head. Her other hand was trapped between them, their legs tangled together, and Ochako wasn't sure how she could free
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herself from this position without also waking up the alpha wrapped around her.
She flushed, resisting the sudden urge to nuzzle further into his scent and warmth.
As if reading her thoughts, Bakugou's arm tightened around her and tugged her even closer.
She flushed, resisting the sudden urge to nuzzle further into his scent and warmth.
As if reading her thoughts, Bakugou's arm tightened around her and tugged her even closer.
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His nose nuzzled deeper into her hair, and Ochako had to bite her lip to keep herself from laughing.
In the caravan she had always slept close to Mina and no one else. She knew how clingy Mina was in her sleep, and Bakugou had said the same of her last night.
In the caravan she had always slept close to Mina and no one else. She knew how clingy Mina was in her sleep, and Bakugou had said the same of her last night.
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He had also mentioned that Denki was the same way.
But he had never said anything about himself.
She should have guessed.
But he had never said anything about himself.
She should have guessed.
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Pack alphas were extremely territorial, and often slept on the outskirts of the pack so that, in the event of an attack, they could be the first to protect the others. However, this meant they also often missed out on the warmth that came with being surrounded by the pack in
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in these kind of sleeping arrangements.
Pack alphas were more often than not extremely affectionate during their sleep.
It was cute to see Bakugou like this. He looked peaceful. Ochako could only imagine how content his alpha must be without the threat of attack hanging over
Pack alphas were more often than not extremely affectionate during their sleep.
It was cute to see Bakugou like this. He looked peaceful. Ochako could only imagine how content his alpha must be without the threat of attack hanging over
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his pack. Ochako almost felt bad that she would undoubtedly worry them all when she set off on her self-appointed mission.
It was callous of her to so selfishly take from them in this way—to seek out their safety and warmth to combat her own loneliness when she wasn't a member
It was callous of her to so selfishly take from them in this way—to seek out their safety and warmth to combat her own loneliness when she wasn't a member
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of this pack and never would be. She had her own family, her own tribe, and she was only traveling with these people because they had happened to save her.
They had been kind to her, and continued to show kindness to her.
They had been kind to her, and continued to show kindness to her.
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She hoped she could repay them as best as she could, but that couldn't be by joining their pack. She would have to find another way.
Mina stirred behind her, setting off a chain reaction of morning groans and stretches.
Mina stirred behind her, setting off a chain reaction of morning groans and stretches.
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"Good morning!" Kirishima sang, reaching across the pack to ruffle every single person's hair. When he got to Bakugou, the alpha snapped at his fingers and growled.
"Touch me and you die," he grumbled, keeping his eyes shut.
"Touch me and you die," he grumbled, keeping his eyes shut.
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Ochako held in her meep as his hand unconsciously traced the curve of her hip.
"Ochako's pretty cozy with you," Mina pointed out. Ochako could hear the shit-eating grin in her voice. "Where's her 'touch me and you die'?"
"Ochako's pretty cozy with you," Mina pointed out. Ochako could hear the shit-eating grin in her voice. "Where's her 'touch me and you die'?"
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Bakugou froze, his eyes snapping open. He glanced down at her with wide eyes, staring her down for a moment like he was trying to comprehend just what it was he was looking at. Then he promptly pushed her away and got to his feet.
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"Oi," he barked at them, "time to get your lazy asses up!" He pointed at Ochako. "You. Me. Training. You," he pointed at the rest of their group, "get breakfast ready!"
Bakugou left in a flourish, the others snickering as he swaggered off towards the river.
Bakugou left in a flourish, the others snickering as he swaggered off towards the river.
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Ochako groaned, not yet wanting to get up but doing so begrudgingly anyways. She could feel how her hair was sticking up in twenty different directions, and the thought of fighting his alpha commands this early in the morning sounded terrible.
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But she trudged forward after him—she had a mission and she would set forth on it with or without being able to resist alpha voice. She would really prefer being able to resist it though.
"Slow down!" she called after him.
"Slow down!" she called after him.
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She was a little infuriated that every stride of his equalled two of hers.
He didn't slow down, nor did he even offer her a glance. His ears were red, probably out of anger, and Ochako could only dread the sorts of embarrassing things he could make her do during their training.
He didn't slow down, nor did he even offer her a glance. His ears were red, probably out of anger, and Ochako could only dread the sorts of embarrassing things he could make her do during their training.
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"/Keep up/," he growled in his alpha voice, "training starts now."
Ochako's legs worked faster. Thankfully his command gave her room to use her mouth still.
"Don't be mean," she pouted. She glared at her legs which were burning as they fought to keep up with him.
Ochako's legs worked faster. Thankfully his command gave her room to use her mouth still.
"Don't be mean," she pouted. She glared at her legs which were burning as they fought to keep up with him.
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"Be better then," he suggested with a sneer.
Ochako punched his arm.
They trained at the bank of the river. Bakugou commanded her to do simple things, and Ochako failed to refuse.
Ochako punched his arm.
They trained at the bank of the river. Bakugou commanded her to do simple things, and Ochako failed to refuse.
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It was grueling for her mentally as she screamed and screamed at her omega to /stop/. It hurt her pride every time she failed, and she unlocked nothing that might be a clue to resist.
After an hour of it, Kaminari found them to tell them breakfast was ready.
After an hour of it, Kaminari found them to tell them breakfast was ready.
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"Come on, love birds," he called, pointing with his thumb towards camp. "Kirishima cooked up more of that meat."
"We're coming," Bakugou barked, ignoring Kaminari's jibe.
Ochako's mouth watered at the mention of food, and they both stood up to walk back to camp with Denki.
"We're coming," Bakugou barked, ignoring Kaminari's jibe.
Ochako's mouth watered at the mention of food, and they both stood up to walk back to camp with Denki.
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"Any headway?" Kaminari asked cheerfully.
"None," Bakugou answered before Ochako could chime in with her much more optimistic outlook. "That half n' half omega must have been claimed by a beta or some other bullshit. She ain't even fighting my commands."
"None," Bakugou answered before Ochako could chime in with her much more optimistic outlook. "That half n' half omega must have been claimed by a beta or some other bullshit. She ain't even fighting my commands."
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"I /am/ fighting your commands," Ochako refuted. She deflated a second later. "...it just doesn't look like it from the outside."
Bakugou's eyebrows scrunched together.
"Ain't that torture for you?" he asked gruffly.
Bakugou's eyebrows scrunched together.
"Ain't that torture for you?" he asked gruffly.
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Ochako sighed, shoulders sagging.
"I believe in you, Ochako," Kaminari grinned. "Take a break and stuff your face with some meat! Maybe a full stomach is the key!"
Ochako doubted it, but she would try anything.
"I believe in you, Ochako," Kaminari grinned. "Take a break and stuff your face with some meat! Maybe a full stomach is the key!"
Ochako doubted it, but she would try anything.
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"What's the plan, Ochako?" Mina asked as they were halfway through their food.
"I get captured and sent to that omega house," she started, swallowing a bite of meat, "I find that omega and convince him to escape.
"I get captured and sent to that omega house," she started, swallowing a bite of meat, "I find that omega and convince him to escape.
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We infiltrate his home for the suppressants he had to have been using, we use those to lay low, we slowly free omegas from that house one by one. Boom."
"There are so many what if's you need to plan for there," Sero said. "What if that omega doesn't listen to you?
"There are so many what if's you need to plan for there," Sero said. "What if that omega doesn't listen to you?
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What if you don't learn how to resist alpha voice? What if there isn't a stash of suppressants in the Todoroki household like we thought?"
"Also," Kirishima added, "where do you plan to take the omegas as you free them? They can't all take suppressants. You'd run out."
"Also," Kirishima added, "where do you plan to take the omegas as you free them? They can't all take suppressants. You'd run out."
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"Here's a better plan," Bakugou interjected. "We stake out the Todoroki residence and see about the suppressants /first/. We also see how friendly that bastard Todoroki alpha is. We infiltrate that omega house in one night and lead them through the underground sewers.
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We take them to our friend in Brymere, and he gets them out of this country and to my people where they'll be safe. /Boom/."
Ochako considered his words with a nod.
"I agree with all of that," she said.
Ochako considered his words with a nod.
"I agree with all of that," she said.
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"I hear a 'but' in there," Sero said unhelpfully, glancing between Ochako and Bakugou.
"But," Ochako continued, "I'm not sure the omegas in that house will follow you so easily. Remember how I ran from you? I hadn't even grown up being oppressed like them and I ran.
"But," Ochako continued, "I'm not sure the omegas in that house will follow you so easily. Remember how I ran from you? I hadn't even grown up being oppressed like them and I ran.
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They have no reason to trust you. Any of you. Not even Mina." Mina winced and Ochako smiled apologetically at her. "Sorry."
"No, you're right," Mina said. "An omega mated to an alpha probably doesn't mean much to them."
"No, you're right," Mina said. "An omega mated to an alpha probably doesn't mean much to them."
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"I /have/ to get into that house," Ochako affirmed, feeling empowered at Mina's encouraging nods. "They can trust /me/."
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-
After breakfast, Kirishima and Mina enlisted her help to gather wild berries, mushrooms, and other kinds of food that could be found growing in the forest and near the river.
After breakfast, Kirishima and Mina enlisted her help to gather wild berries, mushrooms, and other kinds of food that could be found growing in the forest and near the river.
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Bakugou and Sero returned to the city with some of the leftover meat to trade, and to snoop around the Todoroki residence to gain information. Kaminari kept watch over their camp.
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"Hey, Mina," Ochako started. She was gathering berries into a hand woven basket while Mina was trying to determine whether or not a group of mushrooms were poisonous or not.
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"Hm?" Mina hummed. She must have decided the mushrooms were fine since she was now picking them and throwing them into the dip of her skirt.
"Can you tell me more about that curse we were running from?"
Mina's lips pursed in thought, but she nodded.
"Can you tell me more about that curse we were running from?"
Mina's lips pursed in thought, but she nodded.
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"I'm not sure where to begin," she admitted, standing up and holding the ends of her skirt as a makeshift bag. "But that jewel isn't really cursed—it, it's, uh." She chuckled nervously. "It holds an ancient power that a very evil man desires. Desires more than anything."
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"What does the power offer?" Ochako inquired.
"Endless magic. Immortality." Mina shrugged. "Stupid shit that could currupt even the best people."
"But not Bakugou or Midoriya?" Ochako asked with a hum.
"Nope!" Mina grinned, "those boys are too stubborn to be corrupted."
"Endless magic. Immortality." Mina shrugged. "Stupid shit that could currupt even the best people."
"But not Bakugou or Midoriya?" Ochako asked with a hum.
"Nope!" Mina grinned, "those boys are too stubborn to be corrupted."
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Ochako huffed with a smile. She hardly knew Midoriya, but after sticking around Bakugou for well over a month 'too stubborn to be corrupted' was certainly an accurate description.
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"Well how did they stumble across this curse in the first place?" Ochako continued to probe.
"I wasn't there for that part of the story," Mina answered cheerily.
Ochako's eyebrows rose.
"And you've never asked?"
"Nope!"
"How long has Bakugou had this curse?"
"I wasn't there for that part of the story," Mina answered cheerily.
Ochako's eyebrows rose.
"And you've never asked?"
"Nope!"
"How long has Bakugou had this curse?"
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Mina shrugged again. "A long ass time. 'Course, he and Midoriya take turns like they are right now." She brought a finger up to her lips thoughtfully. "Although it's been a while since Katsuki's passed this off to Midoriya.
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He usually only gives it to him when he needs to visit his people for their seasonal festivals. Or if an operation requires more time than just one night." Mina's eyebrows furrowed. "Come to think of it, he missed this past spring festival. Mama Bakugou is gonna be /mad/."
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Ochako smiled fondly at Mina, endlessly amused at the girl's affinity to go off on enthusiastic tangents. She laid a hand on the other omega's back to bring her back to the point.
"Can the curse be destroyed?" Ochako asked.
Mina shrugged.
"Midoriya thinks so."
"Can the curse be destroyed?" Ochako asked.
Mina shrugged.
"Midoriya thinks so."
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Ochako nodded, figuring she would leave it at that.
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-
When Ochako, Kirishima and Mina returned to camp, it was to Kaminari arguing with Bakugou. From the sounds of it, their dispute was just on the verge of turning spiteful although at this point it was (mostly) friendly.
When Ochako, Kirishima and Mina returned to camp, it was to Kaminari arguing with Bakugou. From the sounds of it, their dispute was just on the verge of turning spiteful although at this point it was (mostly) friendly.
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Ochako didn't catch anything they were saying until they got closer.
"—is it because of that curse?" Kaminari grumbled, continuing on even through Bakugou's scoff. "Come on, Katsuki. Isn't that an ever better reason to just go for it while you're still alive?"
"—is it because of that curse?" Kaminari grumbled, continuing on even through Bakugou's scoff. "Come on, Katsuki. Isn't that an ever better reason to just go for it while you're still alive?"
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"I don't know why you're all so concerned," Bakugou growled. "I don't have to do anything if I don't want to. That shit would just make everything more complicated."
"Says who? I actually think it would make everything more simple."
"Says who? I actually think it would make everything more simple."
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"Says the fact that she's dead set on returning to her people even if it kills her," Sero chimed in.
Kaminari sighed, "yeah, but we don't even know for sure if—"
Kaminari sighed, "yeah, but we don't even know for sure if—"
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"Hey guys," Kirishima greeted cheerfully, placing his basket of fruits near their makeshift fire pit. Kaminari and Sero jumped, and Bakugou's only indication that he'd even heard Kirishima was a cocked hip as he crossed his arms. His red eyes glanced at Ochako, and he turned his
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head away with an irritated 'tch'.
"How was your trip into the city?" Mina inquired, dropping her collection of mushrooms on the ground.
"How was your trip into the city?" Mina inquired, dropping her collection of mushrooms on the ground.
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"Good," Sero answered, grinning. "The city is going batshit over that Todoroki being an omega. He really did go all this time tricking everyone into thinking he was a beta."
"Not a word out of Todoroki Enji," Bakugou added. "Bastard has locked himself in his home."
"Not a word out of Todoroki Enji," Bakugou added. "Bastard has locked himself in his home."
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“Don’t exactly blame him,” Sero muttered. “The bastard is under fire right now.” He half huffed, half laughed. “Gods, I just wanna look in that man’s mind just to see what the fuck is going on there. There’s so much to unpack and I want to know it all.”
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Mina smacked the back of his head, laughing.
“You’re such a gossip, Hanta,” she proclaimed. “Never change.”
“You’re such a gossip, Hanta,” she proclaimed. “Never change.”
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Their banter continued as they put together a light lunch of fruits and roasted mushrooms. She could feel eyes on her as she set about chopping the fruit. When she glanced around she locked gazes with Bakugou.
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But he only glanced away with a curse every time she caught him doing this, Sero and Kaminari snickering at him seeing as they were apparently watching their interactions closely.
Ochako huffed, chopping faster to distract herself.
Ochako huffed, chopping faster to distract herself.
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After lunch she and Bakugou to their spot by the river, and Ochako wasn't sure if she was more frustrated with her lack of progress or how he couldn't seem to look her in the eyes.
She huffed, sitting back down on her ass after Bakugou had commanded her to stand up.
She huffed, sitting back down on her ass after Bakugou had commanded her to stand up.
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"What happened in the city?" she inquired, arms crossed. "You're acting weird."
"Hah?" Bakugou turned towards her, eyebrow raised. Well. At least he was looking at her again. "I'm not acting fucking weird."
"Hah?" Bakugou turned towards her, eyebrow raised. Well. At least he was looking at her again. "I'm not acting fucking weird."
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"Uh huh," Ochako grunted sarcastically. "That's why you can't seem to look me in the eyes." She punctuated her point by staring into his eyes, unamused.
His scent spiked and he glanced away.
"Like that!" she declared, pointing at him.
His scent spiked and he glanced away.
"Like that!" she declared, pointing at him.
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"Nothing fucking happened," he insisted. And then he grumbled out more quietly, "Hanta just doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut."
Ochako rolled her eyes.
"Fine. Whatever. Just quit being afraid of me."
Ochako rolled her eyes.
"Fine. Whatever. Just quit being afraid of me."
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Ochako expected her words to arouse a rise out of him. Instead he kicked at the dirt with his foot and pouted. She blinked at the sight, blinked at the scent he was giving off. It was warm and sweet, and blanketed the area like a shield.
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Ochako didn't realize she was relaxing into it, until Bakugou sighed loudly.
He looked at her with searching eyes, a glint there making her swallow.
"/Come here/, Ochako," he rumbled, nodding toward the space in front of him.
He looked at her with searching eyes, a glint there making her swallow.
"/Come here/, Ochako," he rumbled, nodding toward the space in front of him.
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Ochako's breath hitched before her mind was pushed to the back of her head again, something about his command flooding her with warmth, making her omega croon over the safety it felt.
She stood and moved in front of him.
She stood and moved in front of him.
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Bakugou placed his hands on his thighs, palms up.
"/Take my hands/," he commanded.
Ochako's small hands slid into his. Warm and sturdy, his fingers wrapped around her hand.
"/Don't let go/," he ordered, eyes boring into her as her hold on him tightened.
"/Take my hands/," he commanded.
Ochako's small hands slid into his. Warm and sturdy, his fingers wrapped around her hand.
"/Don't let go/," he ordered, eyes boring into her as her hold on him tightened.
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Ochako felt fuzzy as the order took hold, as she waited for him to release her from this. All reason to fight was forgotten as her omega basked in this new attention Bakugou was giving her.
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Bakugou tsked.
"Come on, Ochako," he growled without any bite to it. His hands squeezed hers. "/Fight it/."
"Come on, Ochako," he growled without any bite to it. His hands squeezed hers. "/Fight it/."
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Ochako's omega faltered, the two conflicting commands warring within her. Ochako screamed and screamed for her freedom, but she just kept holding onto his hands with increasing force.
"/Fight it/," Bakugou commanded again, "and /fight every other bastard who pulls this shit on
"/Fight it/," Bakugou commanded again, "and /fight every other bastard who pulls this shit on
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you/. You hear me, Ochako?"
Ochako bit her lip, pain blossoming where her teeth met skin. Her omega, despite it's confusion, was holding control.
/FIGHT/ she screamed at her instincts /HE SAYS TO FIGHT/
Ochako bit her lip, pain blossoming where her teeth met skin. Her omega, despite it's confusion, was holding control.
/FIGHT/ she screamed at her instincts /HE SAYS TO FIGHT/
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Red eyes speared into brown and his eyes softened as he recognized her struggle.
"Come on, omega," he growled softly. "/Fight/."
Ochako's hands squeezed around his in a death grip, the conflicting commands edging towards nothing more than a headache.
"Come on, omega," he growled softly. "/Fight/."
Ochako's hands squeezed around his in a death grip, the conflicting commands edging towards nothing more than a headache.
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And Ochako fought and fought, yelling and crying to give control up to her. She was crying on the outside too, tears streaming down her face but she still held helplessly to his hands.
/Damn it! Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT/
/Damn it! Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT/
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...why couldn't she fight?
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...
Bakugou huffed, looking away from the hopelessness and remorse in her eyes.
"/Let go/," he rumbled.
Ochako released his hands and sucked in a desperate breath of air. Her chest was heaving, and it only occurred now that she'd forgotten to breathe.
Bakugou huffed, looking away from the hopelessness and remorse in her eyes.
"/Let go/," he rumbled.
Ochako released his hands and sucked in a desperate breath of air. Her chest was heaving, and it only occurred now that she'd forgotten to breathe.
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She fell down onto her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks as she wrestled to get her breathing under control. Bakugou watched her with guarded eyes, and waited for her to calm down.
"This is torturing you," he stated. No accusation, just stating his observation.
"This is torturing you," he stated. No accusation, just stating his observation.
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"I'm fine," she told him defensively anyways, wiping at her tears.
"Bullshit 'you're fine'," he snapped. "No one's 'fine' when their will is taken."
"How would you know?" she growled, struggling to her feet. "We're trying again."
"Bullshit 'you're fine'," he snapped. "No one's 'fine' when their will is taken."
"How would you know?" she growled, struggling to her feet. "We're trying again."
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"Like hell. You need to rest."
"How would you know!?" she repeated more heatedly, getting in his face. "I'm /fine/. Let's go again."
"No."
"Again!"
"Fucking—" he got to his feet and towered over her, "—/no/. It hasn't even been a full day of this shit, and you're panicking!"
"How would you know!?" she repeated more heatedly, getting in his face. "I'm /fine/. Let's go again."
"No."
"Again!"
"Fucking—" he got to his feet and towered over her, "—/no/. It hasn't even been a full day of this shit, and you're panicking!"
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"I'm not—" she insisted, tears in her eyes as her breathing picked back up alarmingly fast. "I'm not—!"
His eyes widened as she lurched forward.
"Hey," he rumbled in concern, "hey, /breathe/. Okay?" His scent changed in an instant. Comfort. Safety.
His eyes widened as she lurched forward.
"Hey," he rumbled in concern, "hey, /breathe/. Okay?" His scent changed in an instant. Comfort. Safety.
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She fell into him. He caught her with sure hands as sobs wracked through her body, as the reality of what it meant to be an omega hit her.
Her fight left her, and she vaguely recognized Bakugou's voice instructing her to breathe as she cried into his neck.
Her fight left her, and she vaguely recognized Bakugou's voice instructing her to breathe as she cried into his neck.
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As long as she lived in this world, there would be people who wanted to and /could/ take advantage of her. Against her will. Without the ability to /fight back/.
Even if surrounded by trusted friends and family—she could be ripped away from it alm at any moment.
Even if surrounded by trusted friends and family—she could be ripped away from it alm at any moment.
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"/Breathe/, Ochako," Bakugou growled softly, petting his hand through her hair.
Strangely enough—the command was comforting.
Strangely enough—the command was comforting.
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No restrictions to her body, no freezing up at the back of her head.
She only needed to breathe.
She only needed to breathe.
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He held her while she sniffled through her racing heart, breathing in his scent deeply and willing herself to calm down.
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He held her through it all, his strong arms holding her up. She accepted his embrace with heavy breaths, returning it like holding onto him would keep her grounded.
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As her tiny hands settled on the planes of his back he rumbled in approval, stepping closer to her and pushing his scent out in thick waves. She was becoming lightheaded on it, but she only pushed deeper into his glands to soak it up.
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"/Breathe/, Ochako," he commanded again, despite his control on her never leaving. "I've got you. Just focus on my voice, okay?"
Ochako nodded against his skin, pulling him even closer.
"Not gonna let anything happen to you, got that?" he continued, stroking her hair.
Ochako nodded against his skin, pulling him even closer.
"Not gonna let anything happen to you, got that?" he continued, stroking her hair.
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She nodded again, breathing deeply.
It was strange.
This whole time she felt like she'd been at war with her omega, fighting for her control, fighting for her place in this vicious world.
It was strange.
This whole time she felt like she'd been at war with her omega, fighting for her control, fighting for her place in this vicious world.
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But in this moment, they were both at peace, both content to listen to this simple command of this alpha.
They stood like that for a long time as Ochako's breathing evened out. At some point Bakugou had decided to rest his head on top of hers, increasing her feeling of /safe/
They stood like that for a long time as Ochako's breathing evened out. At some point Bakugou had decided to rest his head on top of hers, increasing her feeling of /safe/
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and warmth.
She pulled back eventually, feeling more relaxed than she had since being separated from her family.
"Do you trust me, Bakugou?" she inquired, forcing her body away from his.
She pulled back eventually, feeling more relaxed than she had since being separated from her family.
"Do you trust me, Bakugou?" she inquired, forcing her body away from his.
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"Yes," he said honestly, reaching for her hand. She stared at their hands with wide eyes, quirking her head at the action.
He cleared his throat, dropping her hand with great reluctance.
"I trust you too," she said, sniffing at the air. "And I trust you to take this
He cleared his throat, dropping her hand with great reluctance.
"I trust you too," she said, sniffing at the air. "And I trust you to take this
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into your own hands if I'm in trouble." Whatever he was doing with his scent right now was /working/. She wanted to melt into it, to keep it with her wherever she went. It was alluring and—and /perfect/. He'd always smelt good, but this was addicting. "I can't stall anymore,"
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she continued with hazy eyes, "I need to go. You'll help me, right?"
"I—" he started before stopping himself, grinding his teeth. "Is that what you want?"
"Yeah." She stepped closer to him again, trying to get more of that scent and confused when he took a step back.
"I—" he started before stopping himself, grinding his teeth. "Is that what you want?"
"Yeah." She stepped closer to him again, trying to get more of that scent and confused when he took a step back.
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"Then I'll do it," he assured, fists clenched tightly at his sides. He looked strained—his eyes were dilated, and sweat was beginning to drop down the sides of his face. He was shaking.
Ochako breathed in deeply one last time, drinking in his scent as it seemed to weave around
Ochako breathed in deeply one last time, drinking in his scent as it seemed to weave around
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her heart. She closed her eyes, her omega screaming at her within—a thousand times louder than it had ever shouted before.
/MATE. MATE. ALPHA./
Her brows furrowed in confusion, and as she opened her eyes again the Alpha in question stood there like he was itching to reach
/MATE. MATE. ALPHA./
Her brows furrowed in confusion, and as she opened her eyes again the Alpha in question stood there like he was itching to reach
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for her again.
"Are you," she managed through the fog in her head, "going into rut?"
/MATE. MATE. MATE. YOUR MATE./
He stared her down with grit teeth.
"I've gotta go," he answered in a gravelly voice. Before she could protest, he was spinning on his heels and leaving
"Are you," she managed through the fog in her head, "going into rut?"
/MATE. MATE. MATE. YOUR MATE./
He stared her down with grit teeth.
"I've gotta go," he answered in a gravelly voice. Before she could protest, he was spinning on his heels and leaving
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in a flourish.
He disappeared into the trees and left her by the shore of the river on her own. But his scent remained, swimming around her enticingly until it thinned out without his presence.
As the air finally cleared, so did Ochako's head.
He disappeared into the trees and left her by the shore of the river on her own. But his scent remained, swimming around her enticingly until it thinned out without his presence.
As the air finally cleared, so did Ochako's head.
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Her omega was screaming at her to run after him, but her feet felt like iron against the ground.
She gaped at nothing.
She gaped at nothing.
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There was much in this world she did not understand about being an omega, but this one thing had been the subject of her favorite fairytales as she grew up.
She knew exactly what this was, and she could hardly believe it or the fact that Bakugou had been keeping this to
She knew exactly what this was, and she could hardly believe it or the fact that Bakugou had been keeping this to
439
himself. He'd smelt her in heat already, meaning he /knew/. Knew how that her omega was everything his alpha needed.
Because /that/ was the mate tell. No doubt about it.
Bakugou Katsuki was /her/ alpha.
Because /that/ was the mate tell. No doubt about it.
Bakugou Katsuki was /her/ alpha.
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✨
Katsuki hurried away from Ochako and into camp, sweating and on the cusp of turning around and scenting the omega like a frenzied animal.
"Mina," he growled as he neared his pack, rushing to her and grabbing her by the arm. "I need to talk to you."
Katsuki hurried away from Ochako and into camp, sweating and on the cusp of turning around and scenting the omega like a frenzied animal.
"Mina," he growled as he neared his pack, rushing to her and grabbing her by the arm. "I need to talk to you."
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"Whoa," she started, sniffing at him, "are you in rut? Like for real this time?" The other three looked over in concern, sniffing at the air as well and immediately giving off soothing pheromones in an effort to balance him out.
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He could grumble and groan about them all day, but he would forever be grateful for his pack and how easily they could comfort him.
"Fuckin' bite me," he grumbled, tugging on her arm to encourage her up. "Come with me. Quickly."
"Fuckin' bite me," he grumbled, tugging on her arm to encourage her up. "Come with me. Quickly."
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"Okay, okay," she answered seriously, "give me a second to get my bearings, Katsuki."
He nodded, letting her go as she got up and brushed herself off.
He nodded, letting her go as she got up and brushed herself off.
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He moved to Kaminari instead, grabbing the beta by the collar of his shirt to pull him up to rub his face incessantly against blonde hair. Kaminari accepted the scenting, leaning into it happily.
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"Yeah, yeah big guy," Denki teased, pushing Katsuki away and towards Sero next. Katsuki immediately gave Sero the same treatment until he was thoroughly covered in his scent. "We're yours. We get it."
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Kirishima was next, opening his arms happily as Katsuki invaded his space. He laughed as Katsuki nuzzled the side of his face against his neck and wrapped his arms around the other alpha.
447
"You're so cuddly when you're in rut," he noted gleefully, squeezing Katsuki near to death in his arms.
448
Katsuki pulled away from him and moved to Mina next now that she was standing and prepared, picking her up into a bear hug and not giving her the chance to move as he scented her. She laughed and nuzzled back.
449
He set her down with a settled hum, his muscles relaxed now that his pack was covered in his scent.
/Except you missed one/, his alpha insisted.
He nearly whined at that thought, holding it back out of sheer willpower and tensing up all over again.
/Except you missed one/, his alpha insisted.
He nearly whined at that thought, holding it back out of sheer willpower and tensing up all over again.
450
Ochako had her own pack. She wasn't part of theirs no matter how much his alpha seemed to think so. It didn't help that he could still smell her from here. He wondered how much distance he would have to put between them to clear his fucking head.
451
"We'll be back," he growled to the other three, throwing his arm around Mina's shoulders. He guided the omega out of the clearing and into the woods, forever grateful to how calming her pheromones were to him.
452
"You're tense as hell, buddy," Mina observed as they wandered through the woods aimlessly. Her arm was wrapped around his waist, and she patted his side in an effort to ground him. "That have anything to do with our precious Ochako?"
453
Katsuki bit his lip, eager to find some fresh air before talking because Mina just saying her /name/ almost had him turning around to find the omega in question to scent her and maybe bite down on her neck.
454
Just a little. Not enough to claim her, but maybe just enough to mark her. Mark her to smell like him for the next /week/.
"Geez," she murmured, her scent thickening to bring him back to his surroundings. "I didn't think your rut was this soon. Thought we had a few more weeks."
"Geez," she murmured, her scent thickening to bring him back to his surroundings. "I didn't think your rut was this soon. Thought we had a few more weeks."
455
"You n' me both," he managed, marching them forward as the scent of the forest thickened.
Mina paused and then said with wide-eyed wonder, "she sent you into rut, didn't she?"
"You think?" he growled sarcastically.
Mina paused and then said with wide-eyed wonder, "she sent you into rut, didn't she?"
"You think?" he growled sarcastically.
456
Mina stared at him in admiration, "how in the hell did you run away from her?"
"I almost wasn't able to," he admitted, breathing in the moss and cypress.
Mina hummed thoughtfully, patting his side again. "Good alpha," she teased, grinning at him fondly.
"Shuddup."
"I almost wasn't able to," he admitted, breathing in the moss and cypress.
Mina hummed thoughtfully, patting his side again. "Good alpha," she teased, grinning at him fondly.
"Shuddup."
457
She gave mercy to him, zipping her lips tight as they meandered through the forest. After some while, Katsuki finally stopped, let go of her, and collapsed onto his ass near a tree.
"Air finally clear?" she asked knowingly, sitting down next to him.
"Air finally clear?" she asked knowingly, sitting down next to him.
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He nodded, eyes screwed shut.
"Then why do you still look like you're trying to take a brutal shit?"
The question was so unexpected, a laugh bubbled out of him before he could stop it. Mina grinned at him, knocking her shoulder against his.
"Then why do you still look like you're trying to take a brutal shit?"
The question was so unexpected, a laugh bubbled out of him before he could stop it. Mina grinned at him, knocking her shoulder against his.
459
As his laugh trickled into something more nervous and he quickly had to focus on his breathing—the way his father had taught him during his very first few ruts. Mina waited patiently for him to be ready, her hand coming up to scratch through his spiky hair.
460
"Take your time, big guy," she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
He breathed in and out deeply for several more minutes, waiting until his head felt weightless and at peace, until his heart stopped beating so rapidly in his chest.
He breathed in and out deeply for several more minutes, waiting until his head felt weightless and at peace, until his heart stopped beating so rapidly in his chest.
461
"Ochako and I are true mates," he finally said, breaking through the silence of the woods.
Mina tensed next to him and the hand in his hair immediately froze. Katsuki cracked open an eye at her.
Mina tensed next to him and the hand in his hair immediately froze. Katsuki cracked open an eye at her.
462
"Sorry," he blurted, "the three idiots got it out of me earlier, and I thought you should know too. Especially since Ochako got a whiff of me in rut."
"You ran from your /true mate/?"
There was awe in her voice.
"You ran from your /true mate/?"
There was awe in her voice.
463
He nodded, eying her meaningfully.
"I'm not nearly as strong as you must think I am," he admitted. "I was only able to run because I thought of everything you and Eijirou had gone through."
"I'm not nearly as strong as you must think I am," he admitted. "I was only able to run because I thought of everything you and Eijirou had gone through."
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Mina gaped at him for another long moment before abruptly throwing her arms around him.
"You're insane," she sniffled. "And I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate having you in my life."
"You're insane," she sniffled. "And I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate having you in my life."
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"...she's leaving for that omega house."
Mina pulled back to look at him.
"I promised to help her in any way possible. Still can't ignore my commands, but…"
Mina pulled back to look at him.
"I promised to help her in any way possible. Still can't ignore my commands, but…"
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"But you're going to let her go," Mina finished, and then sighed. "You're an amazing alpha for all of us, Katsuki. I'm not sure how this world deserves you."
She snatched his arm from where it laid in his lap, clasping her hand around his forearm.
She snatched his arm from where it laid in his lap, clasping her hand around his forearm.
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"As a pack, we'll watch over her and keep her safe. And in the process we'll free those omegas and guide them to freedom."
He nodded, clasping her arm in return.
"Is that all you had to speak to me about?"
Katsuki shook his head.
"I need you to give her a message from me."
He nodded, clasping her arm in return.
"Is that all you had to speak to me about?"
Katsuki shook his head.
"I need you to give her a message from me."
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✨
-
Ochako returned to camp well after Katsuki, her mind reeling with different thoughts and feelings as she wrestled with her inner omega to determine her priorities.
-
Ochako returned to camp well after Katsuki, her mind reeling with different thoughts and feelings as she wrestled with her inner omega to determine her priorities.
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"Hey, Ochako-chan," Denki greeted as she meandered towards him, Sero and Kirishima.
She smelt Katsuki on them—so he'd stopped here, huh. And took Mina with him from the looks of it.
She smelt Katsuki on them—so he'd stopped here, huh. And took Mina with him from the looks of it.
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"So, uh, I'm guessing training with Katsuki went kinda..." Sero started, scratching his cheek, "weird?"
Kirishima elbowed Sero in the gut. He grunted, glaring at the redhead.
Ochako huffed, letting out a shaky laugh as she plopped down next to Kaminari.
Kirishima elbowed Sero in the gut. He grunted, glaring at the redhead.
Ochako huffed, letting out a shaky laugh as she plopped down next to Kaminari.
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"So he told you guys, huh?" she pondered, picking at the grass.
Kaminari snorted.
"More like we figured it out," he admitted. "Don't know why he was trying to hide it, it was bound to come up eventually." He waved at her. "I mean, look."
Kaminari snorted.
"More like we figured it out," he admitted. "Don't know why he was trying to hide it, it was bound to come up eventually." He waved at her. "I mean, look."
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"I think it's because he knows her hearts longs to be somewhere else," Kirishima said, eyes strained. "He's not gonna shackle her down to him."
Ochako hugged her knees if only to ensure she didn't go running off to find Katsuki and shackle /herself/ down to him.
Ochako hugged her knees if only to ensure she didn't go running off to find Katsuki and shackle /herself/ down to him.
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Her omega wouldn't shut up, and Ochako felt a weird satisfaction over /it/ being the one screaming at the back of her mind for once. Didn't mean it wasn't annoying as hell.
/FIND YOUR MATE FIND YOUR MATE FIND YOUR MATE/
"Shut up," she grumbled out loud, rubbing her temples.
/FIND YOUR MATE FIND YOUR MATE FIND YOUR MATE/
"Shut up," she grumbled out loud, rubbing her temples.
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"Headache?" Kirishima asked sympathetically, placing a large hand on her shoulder and massaging lightly.
Ochako nodded, "my omega is having a meltdown. Damned instincts won't be quiet."
Ochako nodded, "my omega is having a meltdown. Damned instincts won't be quiet."
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He huffed out a sad laugh, "I know what that's like."
They sat there in silence, each one of them giving off gentle pheromones in an effort to soothe her—they were good at doing that. She wondered if they did that for everyone, or if she'd just been around them so long that
They sat there in silence, each one of them giving off gentle pheromones in an effort to soothe her—they were good at doing that. She wondered if they did that for everyone, or if she'd just been around them so long that
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their baser instincts accepted her as pack.
She hugged her knees more tightly.
Of course her heart longed for her family—but with each passing day she realized how hard it would be to part ways with this little patchwork pack.
She hugged her knees more tightly.
Of course her heart longed for her family—but with each passing day she realized how hard it would be to part ways with this little patchwork pack.
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It would have been hard to part ways with /Katsuki/, even before knowing he was her true mate. He was rough around the edges and could be awkward as hell, but he was also kind and thoughtful and the definition of 'protector'.
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But now...
Minutes later Mina appeared from the woods.
Kirishima perked up at the sight of her.
"Katsuki's gonna tough out his rut away from camp," she told them. "At least for the time being." She pointed a finger at Ochako. "He instructed me not to fetch him until
Minutes later Mina appeared from the woods.
Kirishima perked up at the sight of her.
"Katsuki's gonna tough out his rut away from camp," she told them. "At least for the time being." She pointed a finger at Ochako. "He instructed me not to fetch him until
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we help you infiltrate that omega house, not so safe and sound."
Ochako nodded, glancing up at Mina and blanching the tears in the other omega's eyes.
"I swear to the gods, Ochako," she growled, "if you don't make it out of there in one piece, I'm going to bring you back
Ochako nodded, glancing up at Mina and blanching the tears in the other omega's eyes.
"I swear to the gods, Ochako," she growled, "if you don't make it out of there in one piece, I'm going to bring you back
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to this damned world and kill you myself."
Ochako nodded again, opening her arms as tears pooled at her own eyes for some stupid, strange reason.
Mina fell into her arms, nuzzling into her neck.
"Alright, then," she sniffled, "tomorrow we're getting you in."
Ochako nodded again, opening her arms as tears pooled at her own eyes for some stupid, strange reason.
Mina fell into her arms, nuzzling into her neck.
"Alright, then," she sniffled, "tomorrow we're getting you in."
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-
That night Ochako slept on her own, and it was lonely and miserable—and yet she couldn't bring herself to join the others.
Learning that she and Bakugou were true mates had complicated things too much. She was becoming too attached already, but now...o9
That night Ochako slept on her own, and it was lonely and miserable—and yet she couldn't bring herself to join the others.
Learning that she and Bakugou were true mates had complicated things too much. She was becoming too attached already, but now...o9
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She'd cried and cried at the thought of leaving them. And she wasn't sure what it was about this mission, but the winds kept whispering to her, telling her that her time with this ragtag pack was coming to an end.
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After this, there would be many omegas to lead to safety. Ochako had a feeling wherever 'safety' was, she would also find her tribe.
She owed too much to her family to not return to them.
She owed too much to her family to not return to them.
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She cried herself to sleep wondering what life could have been like had the world been kinder.
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-
At the first sign of sunlight, Ochako's eyes creaked open almost against her will.
She sat up sluggishly despite the protest of her tired body and mind. Looking around she took note of the four others sleeping soundly on the other side of camp.
At the first sign of sunlight, Ochako's eyes creaked open almost against her will.
She sat up sluggishly despite the protest of her tired body and mind. Looking around she took note of the four others sleeping soundly on the other side of camp.
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Ochako got up, a heavy feeling in her stomach. She gazed at them for another long moment, and then looked towards the slope of the mountain that lead to the city.
Offering them one last gaze she stepped away from this new family of her and towards what could easily be her doom.
Offering them one last gaze she stepped away from this new family of her and towards what could easily be her doom.
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She pushed forward before she could overthink it anymore than she already had.
The wind blew through the trees, and with it she caught /his/ scent. She inhaled deeply as the breeze rustled her hair, eyes closed.
The wind blew through the trees, and with it she caught /his/ scent. She inhaled deeply as the breeze rustled her hair, eyes closed.
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His scent was oddly reassuring, and when she opened her eyes and looked up into the trees—
He was there.
"Katsuki," she murmured, frozen by his stare. Without thinking much of it, she took a step towards him.
He was there.
"Katsuki," she murmured, frozen by his stare. Without thinking much of it, she took a step towards him.
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"Don't," he warned, knuckles white around two tree branches. He looked on the verge of feral, like he was one breath away from pouncing.
Ochako didn't care.
She took another step towards him.
"Ochako," he growled, eyes on fire. "I shouldn't have even come. Don't test me."
Ochako didn't care.
She took another step towards him.
"Ochako," he growled, eyes on fire. "I shouldn't have even come. Don't test me."
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"You haven't given me a reason to distrust you yet," she answered back, stepping forward again.
"You're an idiot," he grunted, fingernails digging into the wood of the tree. "But I had to see you."
"You're an idiot," he grunted, fingernails digging into the wood of the tree. "But I had to see you."
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"So come down here," she pleaded, stepping up to the foot of the tree.
"You don't know what you're asking."
"But I do," she growled, pheromones roaring. "I'm naive and there's much for me to learn of this awful world. But I'm not stupid."
"You don't know what you're asking."
"But I do," she growled, pheromones roaring. "I'm naive and there's much for me to learn of this awful world. But I'm not stupid."
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He regarded her with tense muscles, sizing her up like he would his prey. And then he jumped from the tree, landing in front of her.
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He rose to his full height slowly, as if not to startle her away. He towered over her, his hands cupping her cheeks as he stooped down to press their foreheads together.
"You are a devil," he rumbled, "and I never said you were stupid."
"You are a devil," he rumbled, "and I never said you were stupid."
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"Just an idiot," she pouted, grabbing onto his wrists.
"Yeah," he agreed, nosing his way towards her neck, nuzzling there and thoroughly scenting her, "a big fucking brave idiot." His rut was still strong, and it was as tantalizing as the first time she'd smelt it.
"Yeah," he agreed, nosing his way towards her neck, nuzzling there and thoroughly scenting her, "a big fucking brave idiot." His rut was still strong, and it was as tantalizing as the first time she'd smelt it.
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"And you," she huffed, "are a big mean alpha."
"Least I'm not an idiot."
"I'm going to punch you," she said as she threaded her fingers through his hair. His hands found her waist, and he pulled her closer to him. "You know the point is for me to smell like an /unmated/ omega."
"Least I'm not an idiot."
"I'm going to punch you," she said as she threaded her fingers through his hair. His hands found her waist, and he pulled her closer to him. "You know the point is for me to smell like an /unmated/ omega."
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"You knew what you were getting into when you called me down here," he murmured against the skin of her neck, his hands tightening around her waist. "Little minx."
She hummed. "I suppose just walking down the streets alone will be enough to gather suspicion."
She hummed. "I suppose just walking down the streets alone will be enough to gather suspicion."
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Katsuki pulled away slightly, one hand gliding around and up her back to cradle the back of her neck.
"Be careful, Ochako," he pleaded.
She nodded.
"We'll keep watch over the house, we'll be there to help when you escape."
"Be careful, Ochako," he pleaded.
She nodded.
"We'll keep watch over the house, we'll be there to help when you escape."
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"Thank you," she whispered, standing on her tip toes to press a kiss to his cheek. Her hands travelled to his chest as she pulled back and she could feel the quick rhythm of his heart—pumping faster because of his rut.
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Katsuki watched her with searching eyes.
"You missed," he rumbled.
"Next time," she said back with a ghost of a smile.
"You missed," he rumbled.
"Next time," she said back with a ghost of a smile.
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He let go of her reluctantly, hands clenched now that they no longer held her. Ochako stepped away from him, wondering how this temptation of a man was the last push she needed to resist running back to camp and into the safety of her friends.
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"Oh," she said, so caught up in everything about him that she'd almost forgotten, "where will we lead these omegas?"
"Port Brymere," he answered, "and from there: across the sea. To my home."
"You have that part sorted out?"
"Port Brymere," he answered, "and from there: across the sea. To my home."
"You have that part sorted out?"
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"Of course," he grumbled, "because apparently I'd do anything for your stubborn ass."
Ochako smiled.
"Take care. Tell the others I'll be okay."
Ochako smiled.
"Take care. Tell the others I'll be okay."
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He nodded, and Ochako offered him one last up and down before she turned her back on him and headed into the city.
-
Before she even made it within the walls, she was taken by guards and declared an unmated omega.
-
Before she even made it within the walls, she was taken by guards and declared an unmated omega.
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She was taken to the omega house before the sun could even fully illuminate the lands.
She saw everything in short bursts of images as she was led into the gates and beyond marble walls.
She saw everything in short bursts of images as she was led into the gates and beyond marble walls.
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Guards were everywhere. But. There were omegas everywhere too—dressed in clothing fit for royalty. The irony wasn't lost on her.
They passed an atrium where her eyes locked onto a familiar head of red and white hair.
They passed an atrium where her eyes locked onto a familiar head of red and white hair.
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She nearly stopped walking, but the guards pushed her forward. A tenseness left her shoulders she hadn't realized she'd been carrying.
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Ochako was lead into a room, the lock of which was on the outside. The walls of the room were white and pristine, and the windows were barred. There was a bed and a vanity of all things inside, and a closet on the right hand side. This was her room. Her prison.
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"Choose what you'd like to wear," the beta guard instructed. "An alphan guard will be assigned to escort you if you want to leave the room."
Ochako nodded, feeling sick to her stomach. She had to remind herself that this wasn't her life now.
Ochako nodded, feeling sick to her stomach. She had to remind herself that this wasn't her life now.
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She would escape, and Katsuki would lead her to a freer land.
She breathed in deep, his scent still lingering on her skin and clothes.
She breathed in deep, his scent still lingering on her skin and clothes.
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Strangely enough the challenge of what laid ahead of her was exciting. She couldn't help but grin, nervous as she was.
She could /feel/ him watching over her.
She would be okay.
She could /feel/ him watching over her.
She would be okay.
