Gift in Winter
A/N:
My obsession finally churned out something again. This will mostly likely be a ten chapter story, but may change depending on how I feel about it. I have limited cursing capabilities so yeah... Oh, also forgot that each student had their own dorm room so until I figure out how to eventually fix the little hiccup in my story, the children will be sharing a dorm room.
Awake
The good thing about rooming nearest the kitchen and common room was the first dibs on whatever the kitchen was stocked with as well as monopolizing the best areas of the common room. The bad thing was that the walls weren't fully sound proof, so if someone was dropping pots and pans in the dead of night, that shit would wake you up.
Who the fuck was up at – Bakugo glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand – four in the fucking morning? He pushed himself angrily and glanced at Todoroki's side of the room. Empty. He would kill that shitty half and half. Uncaring that he was dressed only in his boxers, he stormed out of the room fully ready to carry out his threat. His irritation only intensified as another pan hit the counter surface.
"What the fuck do you – Deku?" Bakugo stopped in in the archway leading to the kitchen.
Izuku froze, hand outstretched, trying to reach a container at the back of the top cabinet shelf. He was practically climbing the counter to reach. Bakugō would've made fun of him but he was still too groggy and irritated to come up with something.
"Good morning?" Slowly, as if trying not to draw attention, Midoriya lowered his arm and turned to face Bakugo.
Ah, there was the irritation. "What the hell, Deku? Trying to wake the dead?"
Izuku flushed and toyed with the hem of his worn grey t-shirt. "Sorry, I was just trying to make breakfast – I didn't realize –"
"Oh, Izuku." Todoroki popped up next to Bakugo in the doorway. "Almost done?"
Bakugo could've punched that damned bastard. "The hell do you always walk so damn quietly for?!"
"Not my Fault you hardly pay attention," Todoroki countered as he sidestepped into the kitchen and stopped beside Midoriya. Deftly, he reached up and grabbed the solitary container from the shelf. Midoriya mumbled his thanks and quickly moved towards the stove; all the while under Bakugo's narrowed gaze.
"Where are you two scurrying off to at this ungodly hour?"
Midoriya tensed under the blonde's gaze.
"Training," Todoroki responded, moving toward Midoriya to help him pack the food.
Something in that nagged at Bakugo. The blond studied them. Icy-hot certainly looked like he was going to go for a run at the very least, dressed in shorts and a lightweight hoodie. Deku on the other hand was still wearing his pajama bottoms.
"And the food?" Bakugo inquired, tapping his foot impatiently.
"For after, obviously," Todoroki gave him a blank stare.
Bakugo scrunched his nose in disgust. He felt the irritation creep back up. Why the hell were these two clowns preparing for a picnic? His fist clenched, trying to contain the explosions, "I'm going."
"What?" Midoriya squeaked, nearly dropping the container.
Bakugo glared. "Yeah, got a problem with that, nerd?"
"Why?" Midoriya stared at Bakugo with wide eyes before turning to Todoroki as if pleading for him to do something.
That ticked Bakugo off. Since when did the little nerd look up to half and half like that? "If you think you're going to one up me by doing extra training, you've got another thing coming, you moron." Yeah, that's why he needed to go.
"Well, uhm." Midoriya fidgeted some more.
Bakugo was itching to blow up.
"You can't," Todoroki drily stated, shifting so that he was standing closer to Midoriya.
"I wasn't asking, half and half." Bakugo growled, standing up straighter, unconsciously challenging the other.
"It's not an option." Todoroki persisted, becoming fed up with Bakugo finally.
"You wanna start something, icy hot?" Bakugo was itching to blow up on Todoroki now. Couldn't wait to have his fist collide with the others stupid face.
"I'm not the one inviting themselves to other people's dates."
… What?
A heavy coldness set into Bakugo. His breath caught in his throat and he had to remember to inhale and exhale. He gaped at Midoriya then at Todoroki. What. The. Living. Fuck. Since when?
"Todoroki!" Deku panicked. Waving his arms in the air, "Kacchan, it's not –"
"Fuck off, Deku." Bakugo grit his teeth. He couldn't stand to look at either of them. The coldness wouldn't dissipate no matter how many mini explosions her set off. It latched onto his bones like a lamprey to its host, feeding off him. The feeling festered. It was odd, confusing. It was making him angry. Why wouldn't it go away? Todoroki, the bastard must've been doing something to him. Fury sprouted in him and warmed him. That was better. He glared at Todoroki before deciding he didn't want anything to do with their shitty love life.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. The coldness kept on coming back like the unwanted telemarketing calls. He needed to punch something. He was itching for something, a release. Bakugo didn't think twice about it as he passed his own dorm door, heading straight to DK room as the two hair for brains had decided to call it. Bakugo rolled his eyes at the sign proudly announcing this that was stuck haphazardly on the dorm door. Bakugo didn't bother knocking, knowing that the that their door would most likely be unlocked anyway.
As soon as he was able to see into the messy room, he scrunched his face in disgust. Both Kirishima and Kaminari were sprawled (Kirishima on the floor) with drool running down the sides of their faces without a care in the world. Disgusting.
Bakugo made his way to kick the side of Kirishima's bed, "Wake up, shitty hair."
"Huh? Bakubro?" Kirishima groggily opened an eye, wiping his cheek with his arm. "It's too early for a booty call. Come back later, man." The red head then turned his back to him.
Kaminari snickered in his sleep.
Bakugo inhaled and exhaled to keep from pummeling either idiot. Instead he loomed over Kirishima and spoke levelly, "You have five seconds, fucker. Otherwise –" Bakugo set off a couple of sparks in his palm, near the back of Kirishima's head, almost singing tufts of red.
"What the fuck, Bakugo," Kirishima hissed as he flipped over and covered himself with his blankets.
"I said get up." Bakugo demanded, crossing his arms in front of his bare chest, "We're going training."
"The center doesn't open up for another hour –"Bakugo glared at him and flexed his arms " – alright, alright. I'm getting up." Kirishima grumbled as he threw the covers off. He was jealous of Denki who was still sprawled on the ground, even if his neck was at a weird angle. "You're going to need clothes unless you plan on flashing everyone."
In response Bakugo simply stomped over to his dresser and pulled out a UA training suit as well as a pair of socks.
"Yes, Bakugo. You can borrow my clothes. Thank you for asking."
"Shut up and hurry the fuck up," Bakugo replied surly as he dressed himself and didn't bother to wait for Kirishima. The temperamental blond left the door open behind him when he left, not bothering to wait for Kirishima.
The red head gazed longingly at his bed with an arm outstretched as if saying goodbye to a lover.
"Is he gone?" Kaminari opened his eyes and quickly crawled back under his own blankets on the bed.
Kirishima wanted to scream.
"Fucking finally." Bakugo had been leaning on the wall next to the entrance to the dorm building when Kirishima made his way out.
"And ill pretend you didn't just drag me out of bed." Kirishima pulled his hoodie up as he registered the morning chill. "What first? A run?"
"Yeah, whatever," Bakugo grumbled. He started walking off, leaving Kirishima to trail after him. After passing the outer gate of the campus and signing out, Bakugo went into a full run.
The morning air was misty, small water beads started forming on their faces and the tips of their hair after a bit of running. Save for a few odd sounds of birds it was deathly quiet. Clouds clung to the sky, creating a nice, large, soft pillow that Kirishima longed for. In his ogling, Kirishima didn't see the crack in the sidewalk and nearly fell flat on his face.
Bakugo glanced back over his shoulder and looked at him judgingly, curling his lip up before picking up the pace.
If Kirishima hadn't been fully awake before, bow he was now. His heart slowly went back to normal rhythm. He studied his friend closely. Bakugo seemed tense, unusually quiet. By now the blond should have been egging him one, making fun of him for nearly kissing the ground. Not to mention Bakugo never invited him to train this early. Something must have happened to set the guy off, but Kirishima knew better than to attempt coaxing it out of Bakugo, especially as it seemed he was still avoiding the issue. Whenever Kirishima tried to catch up, the other would simply speed up to remain in front, alone. Bakugo wanted – no, he craved to be first, to lead. The red head was happy to concede for once.
The windows were dark in all the shoppes they passed. The streets illuminated by the light posts, some streetlights were flickering. After a while the city slowly began to come to life as people made their way out for their morning commute. Kirishima took out his phone from the hoodie's arm pocket; 5:32. They had been running for close to an hour now with Bakugo showing no signs of stopping or turning back. He had definitely risen out of the comfort of his bed for something other than training.
"You cans top thinking," Bakugo called over his shoulder, "I can practically hear your brain trying to work."
"Hah, very funny." Kirishima still perked up. Bakugo's mood seemed to lighten up if he was making jokes at the others expense. Sure enough, Kirishima was finally able to run alongside of him. "How long do you want to run for?"
"Race to the park?" Bakugo still wan't looking at Kirishima, but at least he was being competitive.
Kirishima grinned, "Oh you're on, dude."
They both started to count down from three. At two they both surged forward.
"Cheater!"
"Takes one to know one, shitty hair."
Bakugo took the lead initially but Kirishima soon caught up. The two were neck and neck, dodging the occasional pedestrian or object for the sake of winning. They made it to the park in less than half an hour. Kirishima walked further into the park and sprawled on the grass under a tree, panting. Bakugo sat leaning against the tree, attempting to mask his heavy breathing.
"So what is this really about, Bakugo?" Kirishima asked after a while of having stared at the cloud covered sky through the branches of the tree. The sun was soon to come out. Bakugo simply glared down at him. "Yes, of course. Keep glaring – its all so crystal clear."
"Shut up, Kirishima," Bakugo growled while running a hand through his hair. "I don't even know damn it."
Kirishima just waited for his explosive friend to divulge information at his own pace. Really, he should be given his saint hood title already. In truth Bakugo had mellowed out quite a bit after the League of Villain fiasco the year prior, and Kirishima was able to get more acquainted with Bakugo. By now he was used to his brusque manner. Still, Bakugo could be quite cagey sometimes, but that was Bakugo. There was no changing him.
As time ticked by, the chirping of birds woken filled the air. Their song accompanied the sound of traffic and people. The rustling of leaves the only evidence of the many squirrels and rabbits that called the park home. It was all very calming and peaceful, except for the brooding teenager who was now sitting crisscross with his head leaning on his right arm propped up by his knee.
"Imma kill icy hot," Bakugo finally muttered.
"Okaaay, that's the crime, but what's the motive?"
"Who does the fucker think he is? Thinking he can mess with me." Bakugo continued his rant.
"Do you even listen to me?" Kirishima complained. "Yo, hello. What did Todoroki do exactly? And how do you know he was the one that insulted your honor?" Nice one, Kirishima mentally patted himself on the back.
"He's the only one with an ice quirk." Bakugo said slowly as if he couldn't decide if his companion was a dimwit or not.
"Bakubro, you're making as much sense as Denki would if you asked him to explain to explain quantum mechanics after frying out."
Bakugo huffed and pummeled the ground under his free hand, scorching the ground beneath. He became even more frustrated when Kirishima raised an eyebrow at him. He did not want to explain everything, not what he had felt, not what happened in the kitchen, but there didn't seem to be another way. Shitty hair was too fucking noble to simply side with him without hearing the whole story. Fucking shitty fuck. Bakugo glared at him like it was his fault that happened. "Fucking icy hot used his powers on me this morning."
"Todoroki did?" Kirishima was genuinely surprised. Todoroki was one of those who would actively set out to use his powers against the others as little as possible, especially in the dorms.
"Have I not been saying that hair for brains?" The blond's scowl deepened.
"Yeah, but its Todo we're talking about here," Kirishima reasoned as he turned to lay on his side facing Bakugo.
"Well, what else could it have been? I felt chilled to the core. Obviously Deku couldn't have done it obviously."
Kirishima instantly sat up, holding his palms up. "Hold up. Midoriya was there too?" Who was he kidding of course Midoriya had to be there for Bakugo to become unreasonable like this.
"Well, yeah." Bakugo honestly didn't see how that bit of information was what Kirishima focused on. "He's the whole reason why I was awake in the first place. He's such a klutz, kept on banging the kitchenware like there's no tomorrow."
"But where does Todoroki factor into this?"
"Shitty half and half used his goddamn quirk on me is how he factors into this." Bakugo clenched his fists. He trembled furiously just remembering. The urge to have his fist acquainted with Todoroki's face resurfaced. "All the smug bastard had to do was say that they were going on some dumbass date." He spat the word out. His face twisting with revulsion as if he had been forced to swallow something foul. "But no, he had to warn me off by using his quirk. Like I'd eve go after fucking Deku."
As Bakugo continued, Kirishima became more bug eyed. Everything clicked. It wasn't that Bakugo was repulsed by the thought of homosexuality, definitely not that. Kirishima had caught him appreciatively looking over some of the pro heroes who would guest lecture at the academy every once in a while. All male with impossibly tight suits that showed off washboard abs, chiseled jawlines, and toned muscles. It also wasn't that Todo used his quirk on Bakugo. His ice powers didn't work internally as Bakugo was deluding himself into thinking.
"Sounds to me like you're jealous."
Bakugo stopped mid rant, "What the fuck Kirishima?" The ask blond stood up, fists clenched on either side of him. "Why on this earth would I be jealous of those two?"
Kirishima just stared up at Bakugo, "Not the two of them. You're jealous of Todoroki because of his date with Midoriya."
Bakugo looked affronted and opened his mouth to restore but instead ended up looking like a fish out of water with the amount of times he tried to form coherent sentences. Instead of words the only sound out were stifled beginnings of sounds. Fuck, why was is suddenly so warm out. He brought a hand to his face and grimaced, both at the excessive amount of nitroglycerine on his palms and the absurd heat of his face. Shit. He was probably becoming as red if the heat was any indication. No. Kirishima couldn't be right. Why would he be jealous of – first of all, he would have noticed if he had started to catch feelings for Deku.
"Bakubro, you have definitely not noticed," Kirishima scoffed, "I can tell you that much."
Fuck, had he said that out loud? When Kirishima nodded, Bakugo brought a hand up to cover his own mouth to prevent him from blurting out anything else. No fucking way, it wasn't possible. It was Deku they were talking about. Deku, who had followed him everywhere in elementary with his impossibly wide smile and freckled cheeks. Deku, the kid he had tormented and beaten down for years. Deku, the hero in training who was slowly blossoming into his own after having mysteriously acquired a quirk. Deku, who now tentatively smiled at him and didn't flinch as often. Fuck.
A/N: I'd really like some feedback. How's the characterization? Does this story actually interest anyone or am i just being self indulgent again?
And if this gets hate because of the pairing, let me just say this: I will go down with this ship.