Chapter Two

This night is getting longer and longer, Todoroki thinks to himself. There's a cool, welcoming breeze that Todoroki appreciates and a big full moon, round and yellow in the dark sky. He spent all day worrying about his friend and is now just registering how tired he is. He lifts Uraraka's phone to his face and ignites a small flame with his left palm.

"Hey Midoriya. Sorry there isn't much light."

"It's alright, Todoroki. It's good to hear your voice."

A small pang creeps in. Todoroki notices the sadness behind Midoriya's eyes and he can't believe it's been almost two years since he's left. "How's the States treating you?"

"Well, I miss home," Izuku admits. "But, I needed to get out of Japan for a little bit, you know?"

"Yeah," he responds absent-mindedly. After the infamous recon mission, the base of operations burned to the ground and the pursuit for the villain - named Trajectory - became a citywide priority. Todoroki didn't sleep for days until he located her using Kirishima's intel. Izuku led the hunt, subsequently destroying a third of downtown in the fight. His successful capture of Trajectory catapulted him to No. 1 the following year.

"How's Kacchan?"

Todoroki shakes his head. He finds it funny how much these two care for each other. Although Bakugou and Midoriya were never friends, they were - and still are - true rivals, one always wanting to best the other.

"You two remind me of me and Endeavor," Todoroki used to tell him. "Complicated."

"Well," Izuku said one night, taking his hands. "At least we're not."

"Shoto?"

"Hm?" Todoroki rubs his eyes as Midoriya's words bring him out of the daydream. "Sorry, I'm just really exhausted. I don't think Bakugou has had a chance to face his emotions today. I'm actually hoping we can talk later."

"I have faith you can bring it out of him. You've always been a good listener."

There it is again. That pang. "Midoriya, I - " Todoroki sighs. What exactly do you want to say to him, Shoto? What good is it going to do you? He shakes it off. "I just thought it would get easier the more time passes."

"I suppose...it isn't easy to let go of the only person that made your life so incredibly happy."

Indeed. This conversation is starting to hurt now, Todoroki realizes. "I have to go before Bakugou kills the others. You have to be at work soon, right?"

"Oh, you're right! It was good seeing you even if it was just for a minute. Promise we'll catch up soon?"

"Sure," Todoroki lies. "Talk soon." He hangs up and closes his eyes. Collect yourself, Shoto, he urges himself. After one final sigh, he returns to the apartment where he finds Uraraka and Kaminari sitting down with Bakugou, and Iida and Yaoyorozu cleaning up the kitchen area. Todoroki slips Uraraka her phone and decides to spare any details for Bakugou's sake.

"All done with the dishes," Iida declares proudly. "I imagine we've overstayed our welcome. Shall we?"

They say their farewells and Bakugou manages to grumble "thanks for stopping by" as they head out the door. When they've left, Todoroki turns to him.

"I can stay over...if you want."

Bakugou sucks his teeth and slumps his shoulders. "Yeah. Yeah, that's fine."

"Extra futon still in the closet?"

"Yeah, I kept your toothbrush, too."

\\\

-years and years ago-

The long run was worth it, but now Bakugou feels like he's melting. Perhaps a five mile run in this humidity wasn't the brightest idea. At least he comes home to air conditioning.

"Can you wipe your sweat off before you enter the apartment? Last time you almost set the place on fire."

"Real funny, Weird Hair." Bakugou grabs the towel hanging from the coat rack and dries himself. He walks over to Kirishima who is sitting in the living room, hunched over a case file. The look of deep concentration on his boyfriend's brow gives Bakugou a tingling in his gut that makes him both want to jump for joy and hurl at the same time.

"What is that?"

"We narrowed down the villain with the brainwashing quirk. I'm trying to come up with some theories on how their quirk works. It's not like Shinsou's at all." Kirishima chews his bottom lip and eagerly studies the page in front of him. Bakugou loves it when he gets this intense. He sits on the armrest and props his feet on the seat cushion beside the redhead.

"I thought Icy Hot just had you patrolling for now?"

"Yeah, but I want to do more. I want to make a difference. I'm going to," Kirishima says with finality. He tosses the file on the coffee table and lays his head on his boyfriend's lap. Bakugou runs his fingers through Kirishima's hair, massaging his scalp and getting him to relax. "Mmm...that's nice." Kirishima looks up at him. "I'm gonna be a top-tier Hero just like you one of these days."

Bakugou pauses. He cups his boyfriend's face and holds his gaze. "Eijiro, you idiot. You already are." Kirishima smiles stupidly, snapping Bakugou back to reality. "Ugh, I disgust me."

"Yeah, you disgust me, too," Kirishima says, falling back, laughing.

"Shut up!"

"Well, it doesn't bother me." He stands and stretches his arms toward the ceiling. "I mean falling behind you. Anyway, when you reach the summit, I feel like I'll be there too because I'll always be right by your side." He gives Bakugou a cheesy thumbs up, which is met with a blank stare. Kirishima laughs again and starts for the kitchen. "You must be hungry after your jog. Why don't I cook dinner this time?"

Bakugou stands and tugs on the back of Kirishima's t-shirt. The red-headed Hero stumbles back against his boyfriend's strong torso. Bakugou wraps him in a warm embrace, his chin resting neatly on Kirishima's shoulder. "I don't think you realize...you reached the summit before me," he says softly in his ear. He raises his hand to Kirishima's chin and turns his head to look at him. "You're a far better man and a far better Hero than me, Eijiro."

"Don't say corny stuff like that," Kirishima manages to say in a small voice. "It's weird."

"You started it." He starts to nibble on his ear.

"Katsuki."

\\\

"Katsuki."

Todoroki is kneeling beside Bakugou's bed with a concerned look. He was watching his friend toss and turn until he couldn't take it anymore. He places a palm over Bakugou's forehead. No fever at least. Bakugou stirs and Todoroki can feel his cheeks are soaked from crying in his sleep. He shakes him again, "Hey. Wake up."

Bakugou sits up suddenly. He breathes heavily, his eyes searching for something across the room. Todoroki leans back on his futon.

"Sorry, I tried to wake you, but…" Todoroki's voice trails off.

"What?"

"...you just kept crying." Heat rushes to Todoroki's face. It's been a while since they've been this intimate. It's not like they're the types to have heart-to-heart conversations to begin with. "Was it a particularly bad dream?"

Bakugou snickers and shakes his head. He buries his face in his hands. "No, it was...a nice memory." He's shaking again, as if something inside him needs to burst. He needs to cry, yell, explode something - anything to free himself from the pain.

"Sometimes, the nice ones are the worst," Todoroki remarks quietly.

Bakugou inhales as if a sob tried to escape just now. "What time is it?"

"2:30 in the morning."

"Dammit. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight."

Todoroki reaches behind him and rummages through his bag. He pulls out a small bottle of umeshu and a shot glass. "You get one ounce and no more." He uncaps the bottle, pours into the glass, and gulps it down. It's tart, sweet, and refreshing. He hesitates for a second, knowing what a terrible idea it is to give Bakugou even a taste. I'll deal with the guilt later. He pours another glass and hands it to his friend.

"Thanks," mutters Bakugou, raising it to his lips. He tips his head back and swallows. "One more."

"No." Todoroki snatches the shot glass from him before he can complain. Bakugou's reflexes are quick and he grabs onto Todoroki's wrist, pulling him onto the bed.

To catch his balance, Todoroki's arm lands on Bakugou's chest and a strange feeling shoots through him. Their bodies are so close they could feel the warmth on each other's skin. Todoroki is acutely aware of how Bakugou hasn't let go of him and just how fast his own heart is beating. Bakugou loosens his grasp, his fingers softly brushing the back of Todoroki's hand.

Todoroki's face turns hot. This is dangerous, he thinks. We're both really vulnerable right now. Not once has Todoroki ever thought about his friend in that way. But, one uncertain advance provoked by heartbreak can undo them both. It would be so easy...

A cell phone buzzes, breaking the tension. "Sorry," Bakugou murmurs quickly and turns on his side, pulling the covers over him. "Who the hell is texting you at this hour?"

"I dunno," Todoroki says, his voice croaking. "I'll turn off the lights." Relieved, Todoroki gets up and flips the switch. He picks up his phone near his futon to read the text message.

[2:34 a.m.] Are you up?

Todoroki pauses. This is unusual. He looks back at Bakugou, whose back is still turned. He texts a reply. His phone buzzes not 15 seconds later.

[2:35 a.m.] Call now.

As soundlessly as possible, he sneaks out of the bedroom and makes his way to the living room. He looks around and spots the balcony. That'll do. He slides the door open, steps outside, and makes a phone call.

"Hey," the voice on the other side greets him. "Sorry it's so late."

"It's fine," replies Todoroki. "What's so urgent?"

"I need to see you."

Todoroki waits a moment to steady himself. He leans on the railing. "Okay. When?"

"7:00 a.m.?"

"As in a few hours?" The night gets longer and longer, Todoroki thinks bitterly.

"Yeah. I'll text you a location."

"Kirishima, what's this about?"

There's a long delay at the other end. "There's been a change in plans."