Bakugo's P.O.V.
"So uh… can I see your speech for the opening of the Sports Festival?"
"No."
"I just want to see it, maybe offer some… positive suggestions."
"Don't have it written down." I said lacing up my boots.
"But you do know what you're going to say right? I mean you've known you were gonna give this speech since you won last year right? You have something better than your first speech?" Kirishima looked at me nervously. I glared at him, getting up, stomping on my boot to make sure it was secure. "Katsuki?" I didn't reply to him, instead choosing to exfoliate the pores on my hands to insure I was at 100%.
He kept on nagging but I didn't pay him any mind. Instead focusing my attention at the love birds. Icy Hot was wrapping up the mark on Deku's wrist, whispering something thoughtful enough to make him blush. It made me sick and want to foam at the mouth all at the same time. That should be my mark and I wouldn't want him to wrap it up, I'd want it on display for the world to see. But no, Icy Hot's too worried about his image and how the world sees it all. UA doesn't publish dynamics, but a bright shiny claim on the wrist, it would key the whole world into Deku being an Omega. Maybe it'd hurt his chances of being recruited to an agency, they'd think he'd be better off at home making babies than hero work… It's probably too soon for them to find out, but they'd find out eventually right? May as well know what their signing up for. I looked around the room. The other alphas were also helping their omegas cover up their claims. Whatever. Not sure I cared in all honesty. I looked back at Kirishima and he was putting some concealer in his neck.
"The fuck is that for?"
Kirishima looked back at me in surprise. "Just precaution."
"I haven't marked you in months, you sleeping with someone else?"
"Of course not Katsuki. It's just… the scar is still there on a couple. Just being careful." He said rubbing his neck a little. The scar's still there? Is he still bound to me? No way, and anyways, I couldn't worry about that now, I had things to do.
"Whatever." I closed my locker and made a beeline over to them, flexing as hard as I could the whole way.
"To what do I owe the pleasure Katsuki?" Damn half 'n half said, not even looking up at me. Deku turned towards me, giving me sad eyes.
"You better not hold back this year. Gimme all you got, I'll destroy you."
"I suppose it's tradition now, you threatening me for the festival. Your declaration of war is accepted." He said, still not looking at me, finishing wrapping the tape around Deku's wrist.
"You too Deku, don't you dare hold back."
"I won't lose to you Kacchan, not again." He said with that stupid, confident… beautiful smile.
"Don't make me look bad." I growled.
"Oh you do that all on your own." Icy Hot said under his breath.
"What'd you say?!" I screamed, grabbing his collar, making a small explosion in my hand. When did he get so damn snarky? Dude's barely even human.
"I said you make yourself look bad all on your own. As you are doing right now." He pulled my hands off his shirt, scorching me a bit with his left hand.
"Says who Candy Cane?" I growled, getting in his face. Deku grabbed my wrist, channeling One For All to nearly break it. How does he get off thinking he can just overpower me like that? Ugh I wanted to kill him. Or pin him against the wall and screw him a hundred times over. I wasn't sure, they almost felt like the same emotion.
"We need to be heading out. We're all going to do our best out there Kacchan, try to win. Personal feelings aside, from this point forward we're all rivals trying to make a name for ourselves in this festival." Personal feelings. His dumbass boyfriend probably thought he just meant our history, nothing about the feelings I now have for Deku. Yeah well message received, just cause I'm in love him, doesn't mean I'm going easy on him. I never do, and I won't now. I growled and walked out, most of the class following me.
The opening ceremony started and there was a whole lot of hoopla and yada yada. Pretty boring if you ask me. All Might called me on stage to give my speech, trying not to show the world his glare as I took my position before the mic. Whatever All Might, I'm gonna say what I'm gonna say. "I won last year and I'm gonna win again this year." Fact. That riled up the masses. Damn extras. My whole class yelled me as I took my spot down below, waiting for them to start this damn thing. I won last year, but I was robbed. This year that Icy Hot bastard better not hold back. I'll kill him if he does. Making me out to be a damn fool. I have to admit to myself I had more rage towards him this year than last. Last year it was all about winning, and he was the only one standing in my way. This year… not only does he pose a major threat but… I want what he has. Deku. I was fighting for a different reason this year. Maybe one not so noble.
We started off with a bang, everyone gathered running to the obstacle course, just like last year. Instead of running through that tiny tunnel with all the other extras, I made my own way out, blasting over the stadium with one bound. Dumb ass Icy Hot had the same idea along with ponytail and soy sauce. We leaped over the audience and avoided the over-crowed hallway to get to the first obstacle. Giant metal monsters; go figure. I blasted through them without even giving a fuck, Half n' Half hot on my heels. Don't they know by now that those things can't- Fuck! They started tunneling into the ground, taking us down with them. Before I knew it, I was six feet under, literally. Fuck, I'm actually buried alive right now.
Without giving it a second thought, I just went ape shit and blasted my way out. It was way more fuckin work than I wanted it to be, took forever, and when I finally got out, more than half the pack had gotten through. Penalties for the people in front, ugh I hate this freakin place. I burst into a sprint and Candy Cane came up under my feet, apparently being buried as well. I shot him a glare and kicked dirt in his face as I sprinted by. Asshole. I ran up to the next obstacle and it was a whole bunch of doors. As I got closer I realized it was some kind of riddle and you could only move on if you answered it. Crap. Looked up at the screen and began reading. I make you weak at the worst of all times. I keep you safe, I keep you fine. I make your hands sweat, and your heart grow cold, I visit the weak, but seldom the bold. The fuck does that even mean?
Looking over I realized Deku, glasses, ponytail, and a few others had already moved on but most were stuck at the gate. Crap. Icy Hot caught up and solved it in seconds, moving on with ease. Double crap.
"Oh crap man, I have no idea the answer is, I'm gonna be stuck here forever." Kirishima whined, coming up next to me.
"Shhh." I said putting him away from me. "I'm trying to concentrate."
"Oh man, oh man, oh man."
"Stop acting like a scared fucking-" And then it dawned on me. "It's fear." As soon as I said it the door opened for me. I quickly grabbed Kirishima and ran through with him. I don't know why I did it, I just did. He helped me so… I helped him… don't think nothin of it. It just is what it is alright? I growled as he and I sprinted down the narrow shaft. I quickly realized the hallway was getting even more narrow as we moved closer to the end. Fuck it's gonna crush us. I fired up my quirk, worst comes to worst, I'll blast our way out of here.
"Bakugo."
"Just keep going Kirishima." I growled as the walls closed in, tight enough to start to scrape our shoulders. Damn. We were sprinting now, or as fast as we could as the walls were pushing in at an alarming rate.
"We're not going to make it."
"Yes we are!" I screamed, blasting away but doing only minimal to stop the walls from closing in. Fuck. We're almost there just a little bit more. The walls had me pinned now, only able to move inches at a time. In the next moment I felt the pressure being removed and Kirishima yelling out. I turned my head and he and quirked up, physically moving the two walls apart.
"Dumb hair…"
"Just go, seriously." He growled, putting his feet up on the walls and pushing with his legs and back, giving me even more room to move. If I left now, I could get back into the lead. The exit is right there. But… Fuck. I rolled my eyes with a growl and felt myself get into the same position up on the wall as him. Together we pushed the wall back, and carefully took each step together, holding the hallway open as the other moved closer. It took so much more time, to get the both of us out but… it was fine, whatever we got out. We got out and were plunged into the depths of hell. Literally. Fire. Everywhere. Smoke, and ash falling on us, literal buildings were on fire.
"Help! Help!" What kind of obstacle course is this? We have to save people now? Well… I mean I guess we are trying to be heroes…
"Come on Shitty hair." I said rolling my eyes. There were only a few people ahead of us now. Deku, Icy Hot… not sure where ponytail and glasses are but I know they're close. Alright, think. Obviously, this obstacle is designed to get the patrons out safely, but first we have to find them without getting burned. Kiri and I ran into a building as we saw another completely freeze over. Damn it Half 'n Half. But Kiri and I worked in tandem, it was quick and efficient. He used his quirk to break down walls and search, I used mine to blast away any debris and keep our vision clear. The people we were saving were actually robots, but even still, we cleared the whole building.
Ended coming in third and fourth, right behind the lovebirds. It made me beyond angry, but if I didn't have Kirishima at my side, I probably would have lagged behind even further. Since when is Deku so good? And Icy Hot? Marking Deku definitely made him stronger. That asshole probably planned it that way. During the next battle I ended up teaming up with my crew again. Kirishima, Sero, and Ashido. We did fine last time and we work well together. It drove me crazy that the lovebirds actually decided to team up too. Those two, glasses, and pink cheeks. They beat my team by one point. Now I'm pissed. Even worse, if everything works out the way it should, I'll be facing Deku in the semis and the two toned bastard in the final. This whole ordeal is seriously pissing me off.
Todoroki's P.O.V.
I just watched possibly the worst battle I've ever seen in my entire life. Izuku verses Bakugo. I'm… amazed. They both have so much power. But it was so much more than that. The emotions ran so high. They both wanted to win so badly. Nearly the entire arena was blown to pieces. I could barely believe my eyes by the carnage left behind. In the end… Katsuki prevailed. Izuku was knocked out. I went to the infirmary to visit him. He was nothing but smiles, but it was clear he had nothing left. Exhaustion didn't even describe it. Poor thing.
"Hey."
"Hey." He said weakly, but his smile nearly blinding me. I put a hand to his cheek and he leaned into it.
"You did so well. You've improved so much."
"I still have a long way to go to catch up to you and Kacchan."
"Not are far as you think." I said softly. He took my hand from his face and kissed it.
"Go out there and beat him for me, okay? No holding back."
I nodded, "I won't."
He smiled again. "I love you Shoto."
My heart warmed. "I love you too Izuku." I leaned in and kissed his soft lips. I wanted to win this. For him. For myself. To prove that I can be a strong hero without walking the path of my father. Yes, I can do this.
"I'll be rooting for you." I gave his hand a squeeze.
"I won't let you down." Over the intercom I heard my name being called. It was time for me to prepare for my match. I suppose Bakugo has been given enough time to recover now. After a few more reassuring notions and several more kisses, I was off to the preparation room. I thought back to my state this time last year. The same position, the same opponent, but… this year is different. I have more confidence in myself and in my ability. I can use my left side. It's my quirk. Mine. Not my fathers. Izuku gave me the confidence to do that. Things are all much different now. I took one last deep breath before heading out to the stadium.
The crowd was roaring. All pumped up from the last match, anticipating the rematch of last year. I felt my left side heat up with the anticipation as well. Part of me was really looking forward to knocking Bakugo's lights out again. Avenging Midoriya. Winning. My fingertips ignited and froze just thinking about it. I watched Katsuki walk up to the stage, his eyes dark, blazing with a determined fire. He was ready to do anything he had to in order to win. So be it Bakugo. I shook up what little nerve I had left and stepped inside the ring.
"You're going down Icy Hot." I don't understand the nickname, it certainly is in bad taste. Everything that feral animal does is in bad taste.
"Don't count on it." I replied simply, waiting for Present Mic to finish announcing us. The instant Mr. Snipe shot his gun, Bakugo came at me. I created an ice barrier so he couldn't get close. With his fire and anger he punched through it in seconds. That's fine, I just needed a few moments to get the upper hand. Last year he went for my left side, undoubtedly trying to coax me to use my flames to ignite his sweat and deal a great deal of damage at a shockingly close range. I won't give him the satisfaction. I pushed the ice high off the ground, gaining my distance then wrapping the pillar in fire. He'd have to blast his way to get up here, using what little stamina he had left. No matter how much healing he received after the last match, I still have the advantage. He's overused his quirk today. I haven't.
As predicted, he blasted his way up to join me on the ice platform I created. Quickly realizing it was a big mistake. He was now in my domain. Only ice to step on, fifty feet off the ground, and he's dog-tired. His visibly growled and spat profanities, letting off a huge discharge of power towards me. I mitigated it with my flames, but quickly he was upon me, fighting hand to hand. Though I had a much firmer footing on the slick ice, he was stronger than me. Physically speaking. His time in the weight room caused him to put on more muscle, if this fight continues, blow for blow… he'll out muscle me. I was more agile, quicker, but his sheer strength had me beat. I wasn't going to let him know that however.
As the fight drew on, he seemed to get more and more upset. Each of us giving it our all. Suddenly he caught my left hand and I caught his. We were stuck, in a stalemate. Pushing and pulling with all our might. I began to freeze his hand and saw the panic in his eye.
"Let go of me Icy Hot!" He said now frantically pulling from my grasp.
"Not a chance." I began to freeze his entire hand and beyond. He began just blasting, but I held on, enduring the damage he was creating. A few more seconds and he'll be frozen solid.
"I slept with Deku." What? I was caught off guard and in my moment of weakness he broke his right hand free and decked me hard in the face. I staggered, but still had his near frozen arm firmly in my grasp. I… I was completely disoriented. He…
"Repeat yourself."
"Oh, you heard me. I know you've smelled me on him. I've been fucking him for months." I knew they were just words, him trying to throw me off my game. A desperate move. Buying time so as not to be defeated. I knew all of these things. I knew that. But… somewhere deep in my heart… I knew his words were true. And I couldn't control my anger even if I tried. And I wasn't trying. My left side ignited. Bursting into flames. The ice pillar melted down in mere seconds as did my grip on Bakugo. We both landed harshly on the ground below. He was fast to get up, but I took my time, absolutely seething.
My emotions we so strong… I could no longer think straight. Everything around me was simply engulfed in ice and flames. Bakugo didn't say anything, his eyes clearly held fear as I walked towards him. Every step I took burned and froze at a temperature I hadn't known I was even capable of. Each extreme threatened to tear my entire body apart. With every step, Bakugo's uncertainty grew as did his fear. I walked towards and past him. Off the mat, out of bounds, and towards the exit of the arena.
Midoriya's P.O.V.
What just happened? Todoroki had Kacchan beat. He was seconds away from freezing Kacchan's entire body and then… a punch… more words maybe, then fire. Todoroki completely destroying his upper hand, melting down everything, falling out of the sky. To make matters worse what he did next. He got up, his quirk stronger than I've ever seen before and just walked out of the ring. He quit. Walked off. Handed Kacchan the win. What did Kacchan say to him? What got Shoto so angry that he would just… I don't know. But I had to find him. Talk to him. Injured or not, I had to go to him.
So I limped out of the infirmary when Recovery Girl was tending to Tokoyami, who had tied for third place with me. I had to find Shoto. I didn't care how much I hurt. I made my way to the hallway that lead to the arena and there he was. His back was against the wall but he was curled into himself, clutching his stomach, as if he was trying to regain control of his quirk, which he clearly was. Flames and ice were emitting wildly from him, scorching and freezing everything he touched.
"Shoto!" I called, running towards him as fast as my damaged body would let me. He slowly stood, his gaze hardening as he looked at me. I've never seen that look on his face. That scowl. He… he looked like his father. No… worse. It was colder… deeper. "Shoto." I nearly whispered as I stepped into his space. "What happened?" It was all I could think to say. But I wanted nothing more than to cling to him, to hug him. But I couldn't. The intensity in his eyes shook me to my very core.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" His voice was deep, his tone dark. I had no idea what he meant but he was serious.
"W-wwhat?" I stammered. I watched a tear escape right his eye and freeze as it traveled down his cheek. I moved to wipe it away and he grabbed my wrist tightly with his left hand. Suddenly I was thrown against the wall and pinned, my wrist pushed above my head, holding me up off the ground.
"Tell me it's not true, tell me he's a liar, that none of it held any genuineness at all." The look in his eyes. The hurt. Kacchan told him about us. That was the only explanation. I looked down, letting the tears flow freely.
"I can't."
"How long? How long have you been playing me for a fool?"
"It wasn't like that. Shoto… I love you. You have to-"
"I gave you everything I had! I tried so hard, loved you with my all… am I just not enough?"
"Shoto." I didn't know what to say. He absolutely was enough, better than enough. He was perfect. Just… Kacchan.
He looked up at the mark he put on my wrist that he was holding, his heart breaking before me. "I marked you…" As if I wasn't crying enough. Suddenly my wrist felt hot, then began to burn. I called out but he didn't stop. Not till it was gone. Our connection, his mark. He burned it off my skin. All of it just gone. Our entire relationship incinerated just like that. But he didn't stop there, he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye, frost licking of his fingertips, threatening to freeze me over solid. The look in his eyes. The pain I caused him. All I could do was cry, awaiting him to just end my life. He'd have every right. A marked omega willfully cheating on their alpha. I'd deserve it.
"Shoto. Let him go." A powerful voice boomed from down the hall. I'd recognize that voice anywhere. Endeavor. He didn't move a muscle, letting the ice spread across my cheek. "This is the alpha you want to be?" That question had colossal, deep meaning to the two of them. Reluctantly he dropped me, and I landed with a thud on my ass. He finally regained control of his quirk, took one more cold glance at me, and began to walk down the hall towards the door.
"Shoto, wait!" I cried, trying to get up, but it was no use. My body wouldn't let me.
"It's over Izuku." He said darkly, having completely given up.
"That's it Shoto. You've finally dropped the dead weight. You can finally- "Endeavor was cut off, Shoto pushing a powerful blast of pure ice at his father. Freezing him hard into the wall before completely leaving the building, not looking back. Endeavor melted it in a mere second, but the interaction, the sheer power Shoto had just displayed, it was terrifying.
Endeavor then came over to me, pulling a small first aid kit from his suit. I couldn't look at him as he took my wrist, carefully putting burn cream on it. I had nothing to say to him and I feared even if I spoke words, nothing but tears would come out. He didn't seem to care for my sorrow.
"My Shoto is perfect. In more ways than one. Once he realizes that, he'll be an unstoppable force. By him cutting ties with you, he's finally back on the right track."
"You don't know anything about it." I said quietly, still unable to look him in the eye.
"I know what's in store for you, omega." I looked away from him. Stop crying. "Shoto has my passion, my fire, the alpha within him smolders and rages, constantly threatening to overtake him. But what he inherited from his mother is far worse. When I first met her, before her bout of insanity, that woman was a frigid bitch. Cold as ice. He'll freeze you out so hard you'll think you're in the artic. My advice to you, keep your distance. He doesn't need you playing games with his emotions." He said, finishing wrapping my wrist. I had nothing left to say. All I could to was cry. Sit there pathetically as I mourned the loss of my relationship. I messed up so bad. No, messed up doesn't even begin to describe the hurt I caused Todoroki. I watched as his father left. I don't know how long I sat there crying for. Eventually Kacchan came and tried to pull me away, make me feel better. I didn't have any words for him. I told him I just needed time.
Little did I know, time wouldn't do me any good. In the next few weeks, Shoto was only minimally in school. The claim was work study, but I knew it was in order to avoid me. I wanted so badly to apologize, to explain myself, but I soon realize nothing I could say would make it better. I don't even know what he would say if he gave me the chance. He didn't. We finished the semester without so much as saying another word to each other. I hurt him so bad. This is just… this wasn't supposed to be how our story ends.