It had been years since he had graduated from U.A., time running it's course and keeping Bakugo on a consistent and explosive path towards his life as the hero known as Ground Zero. He found himself content with the handful of friends he kept in contact with, as well as the ability to do what he wanted whenever he so desired (within reason of course). As his friends would say in his stead, Bakugo's temperament had simmered down to something that was much more tolerable- the volatile man grew along with the fuse of his personality. Sure, Bakugo had his moments, but it was nothing like it had been in the past.

That was however, until Bakugo ran into him again

"No FUCKING way." Had been the first thing that slipped off his tongue the very moment he laid eyes on Todoroki Shoto- a former U.A. student and classmate of the hero.

He looked different- not so unrecognizable, but grown up. With his hair a touch longer than it had been back in the day and his features more matured- he truly looked like time had done him well. Todoroki's round face had smoothed out to a comfortable oval shape, his soft jawline slender as it pointed out to a strong chin. He was taller too- much to Bakugo's annoyance, and his stare was ever the same- stoic and still as he looked to the hero through long fanned out light lashes. Bakugo briefly wondered if Todoroki had gotten that from his mother- the way the man's presence was so soft, the way he had grown to become some pretty-

NO no no no no. Bakugo shook his head aggressively before pointing an accusatory finger in Todoroki's direction, already sensing what was going on even before anyone else had opened their mouth.

"Like HELL you're going to partner me up with half and half- what's so difficult about this mission that I can't handle on my own, huh?!"

The other heroes around the table couldn't help but sigh- they were used to Bakugo's temper but it had not meant they enjoyed it as much as Kirishima had.

"Look-" One began, his hand extended out in what seemed to be a silent plea. "-With how explosive you are- no pun intended, we thought it would do you some good to be paired with Shoto, someone who knows how to keep his cool-"

"I CAN KEEP MY COOL JUST FINE." He bellows- the other hero's looking at the man completely unimpressed by the whole charade.

"My point is thus made."

"This isn't up for discussion." Another chimes in- finality in her tone. "You two will be paired for a couple of days and I expect BOTH of you to deal with one another during that time. I don't know what kind of history you two have, but keep your personal affairs out of hero work- have I made myself clear?"

Bakugo wanted to argue desperately but she had him there, so instead, he swore under his breath and stormed out to get some air, leaving the others behind as his hands shoved into the depths of his pockets- the man grumbling this and that with every lazy stomp forward.

It was all ridiculous he thought to himself, how things were playing out so poorly. He was hoping he'd seen the last of Todoroki at graduation, after all, he had been avoiding the man since 2nd year, since…

Fingers ravage his already mussed up hair, he grumbles, then lets out a defeated yell.

"AUGH FUCK" he kicks away a can in his path- there were now onlookers at this point, but Bakugo didn't give a damn. "It's just my fucking luck."

And to make matters worse, his heart was still beating five times faster since the moment he laid eyes on the fully-grown Todoroki.

His old crush.

Bakugo didn't like admitting it- not even to himself, but he had been pinning after Todoroki since their second year at U.A. It had at first started as simple respect- Todoroki using his ice AND fire hand in hand whenever they sparred was proof that the man was taking it all their sparring seriously, that he was letting go of his past convictions and doing what was necessary to climb to the top in U.A. How could Bakugo NOT find that rewarding? Respect worthy- after what he's been through. And he thought that was all it was, simple wholesome respect.

But he was wrong, so very wrong.

Bakugo then started to find that he was unable to keep his eyes to himself whenever Todoroki was in the same room as him. Not only was that embarrassing as hell, but it was plainly annoying- and Bakugo didn't want to admit- no, he in fact flat out refused to believe he had any feelings resembling a crush for the half and half hero- it HAD to be a fluke, some kind of mistake- trick of the eye… But deep down, below his stubbornness and pride he would admit that yes, there was a flame for Todoroki that Bakugo held. And when Bakugo FINALLY caught himself catching the embers in his palm, he did what anyone would do in that situation-

He tried to douse the flames and ignore the burn, completely avoiding Todoroki at all costs. And it was simply because Bakugo couldn't do it, he couldn't be near Todoroki without his heart beating hard against his rubs, he couldn't stop his stomach from rising to the back of his throat whenever he was approached by the man (although it was rare, it did occur). And to make matters even worse, Bakugo saw it. He saw it with his own eyes.

That Todoroki carried a flame himself- but for someone else. And of all people, it had to be Deku.

It was ALWAYS Deku, he thought, it was always him that people oo'd and aw'd over, it was always him- his smile, his laugh, his sincerity- it made Bakugo sick to his stomach. Deku seemed to take everything from him- and he had taken Todoroki from right under his nose- and what made matters worse was that the idiot had no fucking clue. No, he had skated through the rest of their time at U.A. with no fucking idea that Todoroki was pinning over him just as hard as Bakugo was pining over the white and red haired man.

Bakugo punched the wall of his apartment complex, knuckles immediately beginning to bruise from the force. "Damnit." He cursed again.

"God FUCKING damnit."