An Explosion Ignites Within Evergreen Trees

Chapter 1-A Party Most Foul

*comb* *comb*

*brush* *tug* *pull*

A thick, black comb bearing large teeth raged war against black, curly locks infused with emerald green highlights. Its talons dug deep within the scalp, uprooting and slaughtering every tangled hair knot laying in its path. Izuku's hand gripped the base of the comb guiding it through his head as it demangled hidden clumps throughout his hair. Every now and then the comb would get caught suddenly on a tough knot and tugged hard on one of his curls causing him to wince in pain. His eye twitched as he pulled back and slowly ran the comb through the knot again making sure to untangle it before moving to another. He had calculated that this grooming would not go as smoothly as he would've liked. An empty shampoo bottle lay drained and buried under a pile of balled up tissues and paper towels in a waste bin next to the bathroom sink. He had run out days ago and was too lazy to replenish his stock.

"Note to self, pick up more shampoo from the market up the street before coming home"

He'd also have to nab a complimentary conditioner and hair-softening gel to go along with it. For now, he toughed through the pain. He underestimated the thick and dense capabilities his hair withheld and would have to attend Ochaco's party reaping the consequences.

Ah, yes. Ochaco's party.

Why he was still agreeing to attend was beyond his comprehension. Parties and social gatherings were far from his ideal environment, especially with those whom he felt inferior to. However, Izuku knew how much his appearance at her summer bash tonight would mean to her, and Ochaco was too sweet and nice of a girl and friend to disappoint or upset. He glanced down at the sink counter. His fingers clamped down on to his phone almost like the metal claw in a stuffed-animal prize machine. He pulled his phone to his face, the bright light from its screen lightly seared his retinas (his bathroom light was very dim). Entering in the passcode, Izuku unlocked his phone and tapped on his text message icon and glared over the chat conversation with Uraraka.

Ochaco: Izuku please! I never get to see you and all my friends and classmates from U.A. will be here

Izuku: But…I wouldn't know anyone there besides you, plus I don't fit in at all…

Ochaco: Exactly! You could get to know everyone and we'd all be happy to initiate you into our friend group. Besides, that isn't exactly true. Todoroki's going to be there

As comforting as that statement should have been, Izuku and Shouto hadn't really communicated or spoken to each other for a good two months now. They were indeed close friends. Todoroki had always been an outlet for him to expose his feelings and frustrations to and vice versa. When Izuku was oppressed by bullies in middle school, Todoroki came to his defense and shielded him from the harsh and cruel insults and physical threats his fellow classmates projected at him every day. However, time passed. They weren't in middle school anymore. In fact, they attended different high schools, and suddenly began drifting apart. After not interacting for so long, were they even considered acquaintances, let alone friends? As if almost reading his thoughts, Ochaco quickly typed.

Ochaco: I know you guys haven't talked in a while, but it's not your fault. He's been really focused on his studies at U.A. what with his dad's heavy pressuring and expectations. He really misses you though. He asks me about you and how you're doing every day.

Izuku: Not to sound ungrateful, but if he really wanted to know how I'm doing why doesn't he text or call me?

Ochaco: You never sent him your number

Izuku: What do you mean? We used to text each other all the time.

Ochaco: Even when he got his new phone?

Izuku: New…phone?

Ochaco: Yeah. Remember he had to get a new one after Endeavor melted his old phone that night during one of their arguments…

Izuku's cheeks suddenly flashed an embarrassingly iridescent pink. How could he be so stupid? He remembered that melancholic and emotional evening. Todoroki slept over at his house. Izuku comforted him as he cried and had promised to exchange contact information again once his phone had been replaced.

Izuku: I have to apologize to him when I get there. It totally slipped my mind.

Ochaco: Hehehehe XD… Never change, Midorya. But, it's good to know that you're guaranteed to be there. By the way, before you get here can you stop by the store and buy one of the 20 paper plate bundles?

Izuku: Did you forget to buy plates for the party?

Ochaco: No, I already bought one of the bundles, but it's not going to be enough for everyone. The one you bring should put me at just the right amount! :)

Izuku: WHO ALL IS SUPPOSE TO BE COMING?

Ochaco: The entire class of 1-A and class 1-B from U.A. I've made friends with pretty much all of them. Anyways, got a few last-minute preparations to finish! Ttyl 3

Izuku shuddered in anxiousness. How many people exactly did that number amount to? Could he really interact with students from such a prestigious, elite high school? Not to mention the one thing that would definitely set him apart from everyone else…Could he really fit in amongst hero-class students with extraordinary powers when he has no quirk? All those students that attend the infamous academy have supernatural abilities which aid and inspire them to become saviors and superheroes. How could Izuku even occupy the same physical space with individuals so immensely superior in status than him? At the very least, he'd stand out by being so plain. Uniquely ordinary. What an oxymoron… "Well, better grab a good book," Midorya muttered to himself, snatching The Birth of Eraser Head: Shouta Aizawa's Biography off his bookshelf. "Looks like it's going to be a night of standing in the corner alone."

"Miraculous!" Izuku glared at the palace structured abode, his eyes glistened with astonishment. He approached a house that seemed to be almost cathedral like in size! Of course, the actual physical style of the home had modern-age architectural themes, but it's height was tremendous! He stood awestruck, mouth completely ajar at the building's luxurious nature. It shouldn't have surprised him at all though. Uraraka's family did own their multibillion-dollar unrivaled construction company, "Ungrounded." Thanks to her quirk "Zero Gravity", building statues, houses, scrapers, basically any structure imaginable was a breeze. No other construction company could compete with the fast and effective results her family brought forth. Izuku was so fascinated by the house's splendor when he arrived, he forgot to grab the book he had brought to keep him company out of his car after parking against the curb. He stalked slowly up the walkway and reached the door. Loud, raving dance music mixed with a wide number of voices echoed from the other side. Had everyone already arrived? A dark wave of panic ambushed Midorya. He clutched the bundle of paper plates he purchased for Ochaco and suddenly thought maybe he could just drop them off at the door and head home. He could tell her he felt sick, or he had exams to study for, or his mom had to discuss something with him. Suddenly, a calm yet sharp voice resonated from behind the green-haired nervous wreck, piercing through his thoughts.

"Having second guesses?"

He turned to see the source of the voice smoothly striding to meet him on the front porch. A young man about four inches taller than him paused right in front of Izuku. His right side shimmered with the frost of a powerful winter, hair the purest of white. His left side, however, raged with the heat and intensity of a most ferocious hellfire. The left side of his hair flickered a vibrant red. A crimson burn mark stained around his left eye. Midorya, knew all too well the history, trouble, trauma, and pain contained within the wound that was plastered upon the young man's face. Todoroki had poured out to him, confessing explanations of how his father aggressively pushed his mother into a depressing marriage and forced her into having kids. His father wasn't passionate about having a large and loving family. Rather, he wanted to create the "ultimate hero," A symmetrical blend of his fire and her ice. The perfect successor to usurp All Might's tittle as "#1 hero." After an attempt or two, Endeavor's ideal offspring came to be. Todoroki was born, as Endeavor's revenge. His experiment.

"He's more than an experiment." Izuku muttered out loud. He was so lost in thought about Todoroki's domestic life, he hadn't realized his hand was cuffing the other boy's face, thumb gently stroking the burn around his left eye. Shouto wasn't a mind reader, but he had an idea of what Izuku had been thinking about. Midorya sharply pulled his arm back to his side, as his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Sorry"

"Thanks."

A gentle smile slid across Todoroki's lips. He yanked Midorya in to his arms for a tender hug. Green hair bristles tickled Shouto's chin, Izuku, completely surprised, buried his face in the taller boy's chest. Even though he was half ice, his entire body was so warm. It felt so serene and safe. Izuku wasn't sure if he ever wanted to leave. Why couldn't he and Shouto stay like this forever? Don't get him wrong, though. This bond he had with Todoroki wasn't romantic. They shared more of an intimate emotional and mental connection. They mutually enjoyed expressing their deep friendship through various gestures and physical contact. Neither were opposed to cuddling or light spooning. But, they didn't desire each other in a lustful or sexual way. Their friendship was strictly platonic, and both boys liked it that way.

"I'm really sorry for being a horrible friend." Midorya stated shamefully, his voice muffled by the silk dress-shirt the taller boy was wearing.

"How are you a bad friend?"

"I completely forgot about your new phone, and that I was supposed to send you my number so I could keep in contact with you. After a while, it was almost like I had forgotten about you and just abandoned our…" Izuku's voice trailed off. The guilt was slowly starting to creep up on him. He had unintentionally neglected Todoroki and then assumed and blamed their period of miscommunication on Shouto not wanting to continue their friendship when he of all people should know he wasn't that kind of guy. He doubted his best friend so much without even trying to consult or talk to him about it first. How would Todoroki ever be able to forgive him? Could he even forgive himself?

"Well, I mean, if we're placing blame upon ourselves… I should have texted Uraraka my new number for her to send to you or asked her for your number after realizing you probably didn't remember…"

"Why didn't you?"

"I forgot too…"

Izuku tilted his head up just enough to where his eyes met the other boy's gaze. Both boys pulled away and smiled at each other.

"You're too understanding sometimes, Todo."

"I never thought I'd miss hearing that nickname ever in my life, but thanks. It's funny though, I say the same thing about you."

"Well we have a lot of catching up to do. I want to pick up right where we left off. How's everything going with you at home?"

"We will definitely make up for lost time… another day. Right now, we need to focus on how you're going to make it through this party." Todroki paced up to the door. Izuku turned and trailed behind him.

*knock* knock* knock*

No response.

"They probably can't hear with all the noise."

"Oh right, doorbell it is."

*BRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNGGGG*

After a couple seconds, the door swung open. Ochaco stood in a bright pink dress, her brown hair tied in a messy ponytail held together by an even brighter pink rose.

"Hey guys! Glad you could make it. Come in and join the fun!"

They entered in to what seemed like a raging night club. Loud electronic dance music roared in combat against the plethora of voices and screaming from all the party-goers. LED lights of all different colors flashed throughout the abode. Empty cups, bottles, and other miscellaneous trash decorated the floor. Teens of all different sizes, shapes, builds, colors, quirks, and personalities moved throughout the house. Some were dancing, easting, talking, drinking, but everyone seemed to be really enjoying the night. "So, these are the U.A. students." Izuku's brain wandered. Of course, some of the others were outside in the backyard near the pool, so not everyone was accounted for.

"Now's the perfect time for you to meet everyone, Izuku!"

He turned to look at all the commotion, chaos, and ruckus occurring around him. There was no way he could smoothly introduce himself to everyone amidst all this catastrophe.

"Maybe when everything calms down, I'll announce my presence. Right now, I don't mind just being another face in the crowd."

"Ok." Ochaco compromised, "Let's join the party then!"

An hour in to the event, everything was going swimmingly. Izuku was even elated he left his book. Ochaco introduced him to her boyfriend, Iida Tenya, a very handsome, earnest young man. He was so honor-guided to the point it was even comical. All four sat on the couch while Izuku discussed his experience at his regular, boring high school.

"Eh, it's pretty bland. Of course, I'm in AP classes, so I don't really have time to focus on anything else even though the curriculum isn't even challenging. I don't have to deal with bullies, however, so at least it's an upgrade from middle school. I stay to myself. I don't have any other friends outside of you guys. For the most part, it's your average everyday high school. Of course, there are the days where random fights break out or a cafeteria turns into a giant food-for-all war zone. Like I said, I tend to avoid such mishaps."

"Oh, well it sounds calm and nice at least. And O-B-V-I-O-U-S-L-Y you think AP classes are a breeze. You're a living encyclopedia! But, it's ok to stay away from catastrophe and commotion sometimes, but don't be afraid to put yourself out there. You seclude yourself within this mental shell, and sometimes I get worried if you ever get cold or lonely in there all by yourself," Ochaco chimed in.

"It's not like I want to hide away from everyone. I just don't like out-of-the-blue surprises or random out-of-control events that just suddenly appear. Makes me uncomfort-"

*BOOOOOOM*

A loud explosion almost like someone set off C4 erupted from the back yard. A thick cloud of smoke radiated in front of the screen door that led out to the pool. Ochaco, Todoroki, and Iida turned towards one another and shot each other a worried look.

In unison the three shouted, "KATSUKI BAKUGOU!" and at once shot up from the couch towards the unforeseen disruption.

"Katsuki…Bakugou?" Izuku puzzled. He slowly stood, and stumbled after them towards the backyard.