Bakugo's P.O.V.

I'm not proud of what I've done. It was a low blow. Something only a coward does. A jealous, lowlife coward. I was desperate. I keep thinking back to that moment four months ago. I made a dumb move, got too close, my hand was freezing over and I made a desperate, frantic, audacious move. What a little bitch I am. Telling Icy Hot about me and Deku. It should have never gone down that way. But it did. And because of that I've probably lost Deku forever.

Over summer break I must have messaged him a million times.

Are you okay?

We need to talk.

Are you home?

I'm coming over. They gradually became more desperate too. More needy.

It wasn't supposed to come out that way.

Come on Deku talk to me.

Just answer your damn phone.

At first the replies were I just need time Kacchan.

We'll talk eventually.

Then they just stopped all together. I screwed up so bad. Beyond screwed up. Deku will probably never talk to me again.

I spent my summer working under Edgeshot. When I wasn't working, I was working out. Day and night. It was the only thing I could do to get my mind off of Deku. Not that I really could. Kirishima was working for Fat Gum in town and needed a place to crash. That proved to be… complicated in itself. For two months straight, we'd eat together, take the train to work together, work out together, come home and fuck. We fucked for almost two months straight. It helped with the stress but not much else. Eventually Kirishima cut it off. Said it wasn't good for his mental health, some shit about me being toxic. He's always going to be my best friend, but we needed to end our physical relationship. It was probably for the best. I couldn't stop thinking about Deku anyways.

Now we're heading back to school today. He has his usual assigned seat behind me but hasn't showed up yet. I haven't seen him in months. I don't even know what to say to him. Has he had enough time? Could he ever forgive me? Kirishima came in and sat in front of me. I wasn't sure how to react we haven't said much to each other lately either.

"Hey."

"Hey." I said, playing with my fingers, not looking up at him.

"Congrats on being number one. It's official now." Starting the school year as number one, Icy Hot as two, and Deku as three… I'm number one… it's what I've wanted, but… it doesn't feel as sweet as it should. Not with the way I won. Not with the way I've been winning.

"Yeah." The silence loomed between us.

"I uh… asked Tetsutestsu out… you know he was working with Fat Gum too over the summer."

"Oh."

"He said yes… I uh… have my own alpha boyfriend now… crazy right?"

I looked up at him, just trying to be genuine. "I'm really happy for you Kirishima."

He smiled, putting his hand over mine. "Midoriya's gonna forgive you. I know he is." I shook my head.

"Unlikely." He looked over and Deku came in with his friends, pink cheeks and glasses. He's changed. Didn't grow much, the nerd will probably be short forever, but he certainly bulked up, his bulging muscles clearly visible now under his school uniform. He was all smiles and laughter, but I could tell it was fake. He was hurting. Has been for a while. He was nervous too. Probably hasn't seen Icy Hot since April. No one has. Not even on patrols or joint missions. Just poof, gone. Wonder if he'll even come back to school. I watched as Deku's brilliant green eyes made their way around the room. Half 'n Half wasn't here yet. His eyes continued to scan until they landed on my own. I gave him a smile, no teeth or anything, but just something I could muster so he knew I was still here, that I still cared about him. He immediately gave me a fake smile and waived.

That broke my heart. When Deku's fake, he's fake. Just being polite because he was trying to be the Symbol of Peace, not actually wanting anything to do with me.

"Hey, he waved, that's something." I glared up at Kirishima as he got up to move to his seat. "Just try to stay positive."

"Whatever." I said crossing my arms and just waiting for class to start. After a few moments, when the bell was close to ringing, Deku came and took his seat. It took everything I had not to turn around and look at him.

"Hi Kacchan." His voice was sweet, and it didn't quiver. I wanted to melt. Slowly I turned back to him, my eyes finding innocent green ones and a small smile.

"Hey Deku." His smile deepened.

"How was your summer?" Shit. Absolute shit.

"It was fine."

"Congratulations on being number one in the class." He said kindly, but his voice seemed rather hurt. I can understand why. I didn't deserve it.

"Hey, you're part of the big three too you know."

"Yeah…" A small blush crossed his face.

"Look Deku… can we talk? Maybe after class… later tonight?" Before he could answer the room started to fill with gasps and excited squeals. I watched those innocent green eyes turn away from me and look towards the door, filling with so many emotions. Fear, nerves, heartbreak. I saw it written all over Deku's face. Icy Hot walked in.

Midoriya's P.O.V.

I was nowhere near ready for school to start today. Part of me wished summer had never ended. I spent the summer training hard with Miro or I guess Lemillion as he's known by his hero name even though he's still quirkless. He works for Hawk's new agency, which I guess is a subagency of Endeavor corp. Not that I ever saw Shoto. I was beginning to wonder if maybe he went to America for the summer or something. No one had seen him.

Every day on patrols or in our shared building common areas, I hoped I would see him. Just a glimpse. See that he was okay, see… him. My heart aches with the very thought of him. The way things ended between us… the way everything went down. I regret so much. I think about it nearly every day. Shoto didn't deserve that. Miro got me through a lot of my heart break, telling me to put my pain into training, always making sure I was okay. It helped, but… I'm still heart broken.

Iida and Ochaco waited outside my dorm this morning, made sure I got some breakfast, walked with me to school. Really, they were there to act as my buffers, in case I saw Todoroki. The three of use never really talked about what happened. I haven't really talked to anyone about what happened. Not except for Miro during late night patrols. I don't know how Tenya or Ochaco truly feel about the events of the sports festival. But for right now, they seem to have my back.

I haven't talked to Kacchan either, not until just now. The thought of it was just… too painful. Every time I thought of him, I could only think of the pain I caused Shoto. I don't know how I feel about Kacchan anymore. I don't know how I feel about anything. As I sat behind Kacchan, I noticed he had bulked up a bit more. Mostly in his chest and arms. He seemed like he had gotten taller too. His hair not quite as wild as it used to be. But he was still Kacchan. He'll always be Kacchan. As we spoke, I felt old feelings coming back for him. The blush and the nerves he gives me. I tried to swallow them down as I heard the whole class begin to coo and awe. My eyes instinctively went towards the door and I quickly realized it was a bad idea. Shoto has walked in the room. He's… he's changed so much.

I don't even know where to start. He's grown, several centimeters at least. I was positive he now stood taller than Iida, possibly over six feet. No probably over six feet. And his physique. He used to have lithe and lean muscles, strong, but more of a runner's body. That was all gone now, his chest was… solid, his shoulders broad and strong. He wasn't bulky like his father, but he was beginning to show signs that his genetics were prevalent. He better resembled a surfers' body now, smooth strong muscles bulging along solid shoulders bordering the line between big and defined. But that wasn't even the biggest change. Shoto used to have a bit of a baby face, now it's accented by a much stronger jawline. And his hair. Oh his hair! He cut it along the sides and back, leaving the top long enough to cover his scar, but the white side pushed over the red, tussled a bit with some body. He… he looked absolutely amazing. Giving our classmates who were fawning over him a small smile and pleasantries. My heart ached.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, turning back to face to front of the class. I didn't even realize Kacchan was staring at me, a snarl forming on his lips.

"I'm sorry, what were we talking about?" I was so hurt, I completely lost track of our conversation. For the first time ever, his eyes showed sympathy towards me, not anger.

"Never mind Deku." He turned back around and I just felt so completely terrible. I was nowhere near ready to see Todoroki today. Mr. Aizawa came in and said his usual rather insulting threats. Telling us we better have improved this summer or else we'll be kicked out of UA. Part of me maybe believed him a little this time. He allowed us to change into our hero costumes and then one by one he asked us to demonstrate what we had learned. I was up first.

Miro and I worked hard this summer, he had some really helpful suggestions on how to control One For All. Even though he didn't actually know it was One For All… anyways. I let off a Detroit smash at thirty percent! I've gotten… a whole lot faster and a whole lot stronger. My fellow classmates cheered and awed. No broken bones either. That's a definite plus. I watched as all my other classmates showed off their newfound skills. Kacchan can give off explosions on almost every part of his body now! He's still so amazing.

Todoroki was the last to go. Everyone around me was still gossiping and giggling about how much he's changed. He stepped up to the platform with a vacant look on his face, then suddenly flames licked his left hand before bursting forward. Awestruck. That's the only way I knew how to put it. He had mastered his father's signature move. A ring of fire capture lasso. Perfect in form, sturdy, low heat yet completely controlled. Wow. I've analyzed his father's quirk maybe a million times over, seen this move several thousand I'd imagine; Shoto did it better. Wow.

"And your ice." Mr. Aizawa said, not looking up for his clipboard score card. Shoto cracked his knuckles, then pushed out five huge bursts of ice. Again I was dumbfounded. Each of the five structures where just that, structures. A cage, a few weapons, what seemed to be a slick trap, and what looked like a large animal. He had completely mastered his quirk. He's able to create structures, not just expel ice. And his flames? Wow. He must have worked so hard this summer. The whole class was as shocked as I was. They couldn't hide their amazement as he walked back to join us. "Alright, alright. That's enough. Utilize the rest of class to discuss teamwork strategies with each other considering your new found abilities." Mr. Aizawa dismissed. Suddenly I was surrounded by Ochaco and Iida.

"Hey Deku." Ururaka said kindly.

"Oh hey guys." We quickly started discussing potential teamwork strategies but quickly lost focus.

"Todoroki has certainly made some drastic changes." Iida observed.

"Yeah…" I said looking down at the burn on my wrist.

"Have you talked to him since the sports festival?" I shook my head no.

"Maybe you should. I mean… some time has passed. You two were such good friends before everything… maybe you can be again." Ochaco urged.

"I don't know if that's such a good idea." My burn ached just thinking about him.

"Wouldn't hurt to try at least. As part of the big three, it will likely be important for you to utilize teamwork with him." Iida urged.

I nodded, "Yeah, you're right Tenya, maybe… maybe I should." I looked over to him as he was talking to Tokoyami. He looked confident, at peace. Maybe now was a good time. "I'll be right back." I said bowing to my friends and making my way over to Todoroki. Tokoyami was the first to spot me and pointed me out to Shoto. As he turned, my heart stopped beating. His gaze was hard, cold. I felt I would freeze over where I stood.

"Hi..." He said nothing.

"I'll give you two a minute." Tokoyami said, backing away slowly as if a tiger was about to attack him. Shoto turned to me fully, his expression unchanged. I got so terribly nervous I'm sure I began to sweat.

"Umm… how was your summer? I uh… heard you worked with your father but I didn't see you on patrols or-"

"Did you need something Midoriya?" I swallowed. His tone was so harsh. Midoriya. He used to call me Izuku.

"I umm…" He raised an eyebrow at me. Come on, out with it. "I… I know it's probably way too soon and I mean I'm not sure how two people could really bounce back from what happened between us, but if anyone could maybe it's you and I. I mean I'm sure it would take some time, and regaining of trust, but we've always been a good match quirk wise and because we're the big three we'll be expected to work together. I guess I'm just saying that if you thought it was possible and I certainly want to I was just wondering if… we could… if we could be friends." I more muttered than anything. I looked into his eyes and my heart just sank.

"No." He was so cold. Just walking away. Not once turning to look back. It took everything I had not to cry right there. I made it to the locker room before I did. I was nowhere near prepared to see Shoto today.

Todoroki's P.O.V.

"Again."

"Shoto."

"Again!" I ran at him, he blocked me with ease, forcing me to my knees and pushing my head forward and my arms back in a hold.

"Enough. I won't have my masterpiece injured because he's angry over some omega."

"Father." I spat, lighting up my left side. He only subdued me further.

"It's a bad habit you picked up from that piece of filth, destroying your body to further your goals. It's disgusting. You need rest. You've worked hard enough today." He released me, pushing me forward onto the ground. I barely landed on my hands, breathing deeply, nearly vomiting. He was right… I had reached my limit.

"I'm going to the freezer." I growled, standing up, wobbling a bit as I did.

"If you must." He left the dojo, presumably heading upstairs to his office. I went back into the agency and took a shower before heading to the freezer. It's a cold room, below freezing, that has basically become my office. My desk is set up in there, I do my mental training there, meditate, to get my body used to the cold. This summer, if I wasn't training day and night with my father, I was in the freezer. I pulled out today's homework and got started. I tried to distract myself, to calm down, but the anger in my heart was still there. The anger towards Izuku.

The nerve of him. Asking to be friends. After everything he put me through. After all the pain he caused. I don't understand why and it hurts just thinking about it. I don't understand… how someone could… how he could… make me feel so strongly for him. Care so much. I opened my heart to him, something I didn't even know I was capable of. He made me… feel. And now I can't stop feeling even if I wanted to. It hurts so much. I spent all summer trying to push it down, to drive it away. In two seconds any progress I had made was just gone. The wound was opened and bleeding as if it had just been made that day. Now my heart can't stop bleeding. The pain is just too much.

"Hey Todoroki! Gosh it's freezing in here! How can you even stand it?" I looked away, plucking the icicle tear from my eye and putting it down. She obviously didn't notice, all wrapped up in her curious little world.

"What do you want Nejire? I have work to do." I said flatly.

"You always have work to do! You've used that excuse all summer long! How was your first day? Gosh, your hair looks so good! I'm so glad your dad's publicist thought to do it!" She ran her fingers through my hair. It made me insane. I was in no mood for this. "Come on, we got invited to a hero party. Your dad wants you to come with me, Mirio, and Tamaki! It's going to be so fun!"

"No."

"Mirio promised Deku wouldn't be there, he just dropped him off at the dorms, so you don't have to worry about running into him. Come on, come on, come on! We're gonna be late!" He said tugging on my sleeve. When she realized I wasn't budging she used her quirk on me, sending waves throughout my body. I was raddled to say the least. I growled at her. "Oooo big scary alpha. I deal with ten alphas a day growling at me, not to mention your dear old daddy. Come on let's go!" This time she manhandled me, pulling me out of the freezer and around the agency. I made eyes contact with my father through his office door and he just nodded, approving of this hijacking. Damn him to hell. Nejire dragged me downstairs where Lemillion and Suneater were waiting for us.

"Heya Shoto, nice haircut man! Very fitting." Mirio said in his sunshiny sort of way. I bowed politely but remained silent. Tamaki was also silent, giving a small nod.

"I'm so excited! This hero party is going to be so fun. Enough chit chat, let's go!" Nejire refused to let go of me and grabbed Tamaki as well, dragging us both into the car my father had waiting outside. I was pushed in and the car started driving. A party. It was the last place on earth I wanted to be. I wanted to be where I was. In the freezer, no one else around, by myself. Sulking. Father says brooding is for Batman. That I shouldn't always be left to my own devices. Isolating me from my siblings, taking my mother away, what does he expect? Maybe I'm better off alone. Midoriya couldn't love me even when I was giving it my all. I looked out the window, ignoring the world around me until the car stopped.

"We're here!" Nejire squealed, getting out of the car. Apparently, we had pulled up to a speak easy. We went downstairs to a basement where a bouncer let us in. There were many heroes there, several agency reps, and even more celebrities. The basement lounge was fancy, a jazz band playing, a full bar, and a very exclusive crowd. When we walked in most eyes turned towards us. No surprise as the big three have been making quite a name for themselves since graduating UA. Mirio and Nejire were whisked away quickly, a few agency reps spoke to me, making me competitive offers to lure me away from my father's agency when I graduated. They were tempting, but I was in no mood to talk business. I couldn't even fake it. Wanting to go off in the corner, I instead spotted Tamaki at the bar. Not one for socializing I take it.

"How soon before we can go home?" I said to him as I sat down.

"Can't come soon enough." He said looking at his glass sadly. The bartender put a napkin in front of me.

"What are you having?" I'm barely seventeen, idiot.

"He'll have what I'm having, and I'll have another." Tamaki said quickly. The bartender nodded and prepared our drinks, then walked away. A dark liquid filled the glass with a large cube of ice.

"Just… drink it. Helps with the nerves." Tamaki said still not looking at me, taking a sip.

"Nerves aren't my problem." I said taking the glass to my lips and sipping it.

"Even still, drink enough and most of life's problems go away." I nodded, taking the advice and finishing the glass. It burned. "Sounds like you have a lot of problems." Tamaki said finally looking at me, it was clear he was already feeling a buzz, his nervous energy was fading. Sigh, maybe this was a decent solution. We ordered two more. Tamaki didn't talk much, not until we finished the second round.

"So, what's going on, you spent all summer underground."

"I was… getting stronger."

"That much is obvious. Mirio said you were avoiding Midoriya." He said flatly.

"Please don't say that name around me." I said watching as our third drink was placed in front of me. I've never drank before, but I was most certainly feeling the effects.

"It's hard not to. The sports fest, what Mirio tells me about what Deku says to him. It'd be nice to get your part of the story."

"There's nothing to say."

"He broke your heart." That stung.

"He did much more than that." He shattered everything that I am. Everything that I thought I was. And I'm not sure that I can rebuild it.

"Alphas shouldn't be heartbroken." He put his hand on my arm. My brain was beginning to feel fuzzy.

"He was special." I slurred, tipping my glass back.

"So what's the plan? Avoid him for the rest of your life?"

"No." I took another drink, drinking much more than I knew I should. "I don't think I can even manage speaking to him again. I just want to make the pain go away."

"How's that going?" There was a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was an unfamiliar feeling mixing with the agony of my heart.

"This seems to be helping." I'm not sure what exactly happened next. My memory is… unclear.

"I think you need some air." Tamaki took me upstairs to an outdoor patio connected to the bar. My memory was foggy as to how we got here exactly. I sat down, feeling a lack of control over my body. "I know what it's like to be heartbroken. My best friend, he's an alpha, the best alpha, but because I'm a beta… we have no future. I can't give him children. I can't give him increased status. It hurts every day."

"You have no idea what I'm going through."

"Stop pushing me away Todoroki." I sat on the bench and he kneeled in front of me.

"I just want the pain to go away." He put a hand on my forehead, pushing my bangs back.

"Yeah… I get it." I was very drunk. I don't remember much else. Somehow, I ended up back in my dorm room. I really don't know how. My body felt awful and wonderous at the same time. The pain was still there. The pain I've been dealing with for months. But… maybe for a second, one beautiful second… the pain was dulled.