AN:

First of all, I'm sorry if it looked like Midoriya and Todoroki would have gone through with their fight, that isn't what I meant at all. And Midoriya already gave an order back there, soya.

And just a heads up, I want to be clear to all of you that I don't hate Bakugou. (LOL! That's exactly what someone who hates Bakugou would say. xD But seriously...) I just don't think he's done enough to redeem himself canon-wise. I just want more from him, that's all. So, please don't take offense. I just figured it would be nice to exploit that little weakness everyone seems to be forgetting. In this story, he will serve as the passive-aggressive wingman. Like, the devil on their shoulders. ;3

"Raison D'être"

Chapter 06: Hanging Heavy.

Even though Todoroki was the one who forfeited, the one who gave up and surrendered. Midoriya was the one who walked away in tears, the one who ultimately lost. And the worst part was not that he knew continuing the fight wouldn't have changed the outcome, it was the fact that he knew Todoroki wasn't wrong. Well, he knew he wasn't wrong either but... it was just sad. The sad and pathetic reality that the strong have the privilege to do whatever they want with their power. While weak people like him, are left to struggle for as much as they can without ever really getting anything out of it. Feelings, reason, and circumstances don't matter after all. Not when the result doesn't offer change.

Todoroki advanced to the next round, and even though no one seems to be happy about this development, including the audience, the show went on. Midoriya didn't go back to the stands right away, choosing to spend time by himself to cool off. Thinking about how he would have to explain to All Might everything that happened, regardless of whether everything was broadcasted live on national television. And then there was Endeavor. But he didn't want to think about that yet. After a couple more battles, Todoroki's next fight was announced, and the green-haired teen made his way back out to watch the rest of the competition. Everyone seemed to be giving him concerned looks as he made his way to the front of their seats. He slid down beside Kirishima, which he belatedly realized was a mistake.

"Dude, are you okay?" The redhead tried to reach out a comforting hand, but decided against it halfway.

"Do I look okay?" Midoriya was gritting his teeth, but it's not like he meant to be rude. He just doesn't really want to talk about it right now.

"Yeah, well I mean..." Kirishima sank back.

But before Midoriya thought they would finally leave him alone for now, Kaminari spoke from behind them. "Dude, you just like, rejected the prettiest boy in class! On national tv!"

Midoriya felt incredulous. "That's what you're worried about?"

"Well yeah, dude. Because you broke your Bocchan's heart..." Kaminari continued, as if not getting a hint.

"Which is so not manly by the way, not that we didn't get your point." Kirishima took the blond's side, recoiling after being glared at.

The green-haired teen shakes his head with a sigh. "Oh, my God... I'm not gonna stand for this."

Midoriya stands from his seat before Kaminari could retort about how he was actually sitting, only to stop in his tracks as the biggest iceberg he's ever seen erupted out of nowhere.

As it turns out, it came from his Bocchan, who had just won his fight against Sero. They didn't even notice the fight started, thanks to the duo, not that it mattered or changed anything.

"See, Midoriya? You made Todoroki upset." Kaminari really needs to put a sock in it.

"Man, remind me never to get on his bad side." Kirishima comments, before a string of 'Don't Mind' erupted from the rest of the audience.

But Midoriya just stared, unaffected. He knew this wasn't his Bocchan's best yet.

It didn't take long until there were only two contenders left. Todoroki and Bakugou. The audience roared in cheers as the two made their way on either side of the arena, a mix of suspense and tension palpable among class 1-A.

"So, who do you think'll win, Midoriya?" Kaminari leans on his backrest, he really needs to respect personal space.

"Bocchan, of course." The green-haired teen answers with a huff, he's had his arms crossed and mouth in a pout since Sero's fight because of their teasing. And no one's letting up.

"How do you know?" Kirishima asked from beside him, hoping for some smart analysis like the freckled teen usually gives.

But that wasn't the case for this one. "Because I told him so." Midoriya's face didn't show confidence or pride, he just looked like someone stating a fact.

Kaminari and Kirishima glanced at each other with an awkward smile before looking back at the arena, just in time to see Todoroki attack first with a huge whirlwind of cold wind. Not ice. And it wasn't even directed at Bakugou, but upwards to the great expanse above them. It looked like a hurricane, it felt like it too, spreading chilly air around the stadium in powerful gusts, with Todoroki at the eye of the storm.

The view cleared out soon enough to reveal the two standing in the middle of the arena as they had before, Todoroki's first attack not seeming to have any effect at all. But the bi-haired kid's words seem to imply completely otherwise. "Sorry, Bakugou. But Izuku asked me to win so I will."

"No way in hell, you half-ass fucktard." Bakugou remained in a defensive stance, preparing to attack at any given chance. Except he might not get one, he realized that belatedly as he felt a shiver travel up his spine. Todoroki was just standing there, in front of him. But it's not like he needed to move or say anything for him to understand what was really going on. He already felt it. It was cold, his breath coming out in white puffs. "Man, I really hate your type."

And as the rest of the people in the stadium slowly registered the sudden drop in temperature, the first flake of snow fell overhead.

"Holy-!" Kirishima stood gaping at the dark and cloudy sky, they didn't even notice when the weather changed. "It's snowing!"

"Todoroki made it snow in the middle of summer!" Kaminari exclaimed, hands pulling on his hair.

"I don't get it, so what?" Mineta wrapped his arms around himself, shivering. "That attack didn't do anything, now it's just cold."

Yaoyorozu was the kind soul who offered an explanation, as well as the one who started making space blankets for everyone. "Well, I mean. Bakugou's explosion comes from the nitroglycerin in his sweat so..."

"That means-!" Kaminari turned back to the fight. "This snow is-!"

"Oh, my God..." Kirishima palms around his mouth. "Bakugou! Don't lose! Do your best!"

From beside him, Midoriya falls rigid, but not from the cold. He knows he should probably be feeling responsible for this, and he will probably feel guilty if Bakugou does end up losing. But it's not like it was a big secret, everyone knew. And it's not like the blond actually took care in hiding the limitations of his quirk. Still, Midoriya was not expecting his Bocchan to go all out like this. He's seen him make snow before, but this was just on a whole different level. The scale of the snow covered the entire stadium, and he was sure it went well throughout the school grounds. But how? Well, he was never really sure of the extent of his Bocchan's quirk, still this feels a little too over the top. The hurricane didn't feel enough to cause a snowstorm at all. So where did all this came from?

Midoriya went slack as the realization slowly dawned him, unconsciously mumbling to himself. "It was from the big iceberg from the fight with Sero... Bocchan didn't melt the ice into water, he vaporized it. He had it planned all along... He knew Bakugou could blow up his ice, but not every single piece of snow, not the cold weather, not the sky, and not when he had just blasted his all during the fight with Uraraka. Kacchan doesn't have a second quirk that can counter the weakness of the other. And we weren't allowed to wear our costumes so he doesn't have stock either. He could try forcing the sweat out, but pores in the skin close up when its cold..."

"Man, Midoriya... you're painting a really grim picture there." Kirishima breaks him out of his trance.

"But if Bakugou can't use his quirk then..." Kaminari looks towards them.

"This is practically a fight between someone who has two quirks and one who can't use any." Yaoyorozu finishes for him.

"Bakugou's practically quirkless." Mineta couldn't help muttering.

And that finally strikes a cord through Midoriya. Now he regrets it.

But seriously, his Bocchan is showing how great the gap really is. After all, the difference between being Number One and Number Two is not just one point.

"If it's cold enough, Kacchan won't sweat."

Todoroki wasn't paying much attention at the time, but that doesn't mean he didn't get it. It was simple enough to understand, it had always been a given. Now he had the advantage and he could probably win. But that doesn't mean Bakugou would make it easy for him. The resident Bomberman blasted his way towards him, attacking relentlessly albeit with weaker explosions. Todoroki knew Bakugou would not let up, but it took him great care to summon diamond dust, and even more to blast ice fog. He's not exactly having it easy as one might think. Still, he knew he could not use regular ice as much as he wants, and definitely not his fire lest he risks losing. So he went on the defense, nullifying Bakugou's explosions by blowing cold gusts while forming ice shields and attacking subtly by continuously lowering the temperature. He would not dare let the other get near enough, and he has to work quickly. It was really just a matter of how long Bakugou endured.

For some reason though, the blond's explosions were only getting stronger. As if he was using them to warm himself, and the relentless movement is making contributions. Todoroki definitely wouldn't put it past him, he was just as stubborn as a rock. It was also hard on Todoroki because the sun was working against him. Sure he managed to summon dark clouds, but there's a big bright summer sun right above that and he didn't know for how long he could manage to keep the snow falling. He knew it probably would have been impossible to make it snow in the first place if he didn't vaporize that iceberg. It was a good thing he came prepared, but now it seems a battle of endurance would not go to his favor. He needed to take down Bakugou before the blond could completely warm himself up. So Todoroki does the same, vaporizing the frost all over his body. And when Bakugou jumps for a bigger attack, Todoroki summons a mountain of ice from the entire arena and turns it into an avalanche, making sure Bakugou gets toppled over.

But when the fog clears, Bakugou is still holding on, glaring up at him as if looks could kill. The blond holds himself up and directs both of his fists on Todoroki, his limbs were shaking but he was obviously planning for a big explosion. That's when Todoroki decides to screw it and just blow up all the ice in fire. The air expanded and everything gets blown away. Bakugou notwithstanding.

It had been an exceptional performance if one should say, because if Midoriya wanted a show then Todoroki would deliver. He looked up at the audience as if seeking approval, and evergreen eyes met him squarely in a solemn gaze. The crowd around him suddenly cheered, albeit muted to his ears, belatedly making him realize that Midnight has just made her proclamation.

Todoroki won. [1]

They proceeded to the awarding ceremony immediately afterwards. But Midoriya decided not to join them on the field, remaining where he sat the entire time, watching from afar.

And with good reason too, as a bulky man in flames decides to join him shortly.

"I'll admit that wasn't what I was expecting," Endeavor started. "But I guess you did what you were supposed to..."

"Please don't say things like that, Uncle Enji." Midoriya doesn't spare the big man a glance, if he does he knows he'll only get scared. "You make it sound like we conspired for this to happen."

Endeavor huffs. "The important thing is that Shouto won, I couldn't care less about anything else."

Midoriya struggles to say anything anymore after that, and they keep the silence as they watch All Might present Torodoki with a gold medal.

"Bocchan confessed to me..." He says as if he's only realizing it now.

"So I heard." The man grits his teeth, and suddenly it's getting a little too hot.

The green-haired teen sweats, but he keeps his mouth shut this time.

Endeavor continues. "Reject him."

Midoriya gulps, but doesn't miss a beat. "I already did."

The flaming man spares him a glance then, and after a while, he speaks again. "I don't care what kind of quirk you managed to get your hands on, but with what little I've seen so far I wouldn't be against seeing a fight between the two of you someday. I'll let him decide when you're ready..." He begins to trail off before adding as an afterthought. "Just whatever you do, don't drag Shouto down with you."

"Of course." The child was quick to answer, meek, and apprehensive.

Endeavor heaves a deep breath. "But it's good that you got a quirk, we all know mere effort isn't and cannot be enough."

It was then when Midoriya finally looked at him albeit cautiously, but he still couldn't find words to say because there was no telling if that was a compliment or not, he just never knows where he stands with this man.

The much bigger man huffs, but he doesn't look back. "I admit, it was surprising to see you win the obstacle race without using a quirk, I don't know anyone else in Yuuei's history to have ever done so."

That was definitely a compliment, he guesses. It sounded positive enough. Midoriya could cry. "Uncle Enji... what if you didn't need to be Number One?"

It was out of the blue, but he's always thought about it. Endeavor was the only one who truly, and desperately chased after All Might. Despite the assurance of failure, and in spite of just the fact. It was an unhealthy obsession. Crazy, and out of touch. But still.

The flaming man fully regards him then, eyes burning though the expression is stone cold. He looks away.

"A hero's job is to save and protect, right? Why is that not good enough?" The green-haired teen pushes on, because even All Might yearned for victory.

"Some people just want to be the best at what they do." Endeavor's voice came low and tired, then he stands to leave and turns to his back to walk off. "Work harder."

Midoriya smiles sadly, sometimes words of encouragement work negatively and only increases pressure, especially when you already know you're doing your best. He manages to whisper back. "You too..."

He wasn't sure if the flaming man heard him or not, but if he did, he gave no indication. [2]

Bakugou watched in great irritation as Todoroki was presented a gold medal by All Might, the Number One Hero congratulated him, and all the half-ass bastard could do was mumble a thanks in gratitude. The nerve of that fucker, looking like he was about to cry in grief when he was the one who actually won. Where does he think he's looking at anyway?

Bakugou followed Todoroki's faraway gaze to see Midoriya crying on the bleachers, Endeavor was walking away from him.

What the fuck?

He had always been curious of what kind of life Deku had to live with the Todorokis, now even more so. The green-haired fucker seemed to be fine. He still acted like a wimp, just noisier now more than ever. Not that he cared, mind you.

The ceremony wrapped up, and they were free to go immediately. He followed after the half-ass bastard for some fucking reason and stopped to talk to him when they got into a secluded area.

"What the fuck was that about, half-ass?"

Todoroki stopped and turned to give him a black stare, well at least he wasn't too out of it to notice him. "What?"

This guy really makes his head throb. "Not 'what', you fucker. I saw Deku with your father, and he was crying. What kind of a relationship do they have anyway?"

Todoroki blinked. "The lack thereof."

Bakugou gritted his teeth, the bastard wasn't helping any. "Aren't you going to fight for him?"

"I always do."

The blond got a little miffed, but that was a good thing. He pushes on. "Even after he rejected you?"

"I told Midoriya I liked him, because I wanted him to know." The bi-haired teen lowers his gaze. "I'm not obliging him to return my feelings, I don't even need an answer."

Silence.

To say Bakugou was creeped out was an understatement, that sounded like something he wasn't supposed to know. Not like he thought ill of the half-ass fucktard, in fact he held him in some regard, being the person he has to defeat to prove he was the best. Still, he was not expecting the other would be the type that just blurted things out. It was good he wasn't just blinking at him though.

He scoffs, shoving both hands in his pockets. "I didn't think I could win against you the first time I saw your quirk... but I will next time for sure." He changed subjects, there was nothing more to say.

Todoroki just blinks at him again. "Sure."

Midoriya didn't come to sleep with Todoroki later that night, or the next night, or the night after that. In fact, they hadn't spoken at all with each other since the Sports Festival. They didn't even approach each other, all the while pretending to be normal. But who were they kidding, they were blatantly avoiding each other. And it was so awkwardly painful for the rest of everyone, they suffer.

It had only been three days, but you could clearly see the negative effects already. Both had dark bags under their bloodshot eyes, unkempt hair, and they yawn all the time, as if they never get any sleep. It would've been cute had they done it beside each other, but they just run away every time the other enters the same room. They used to be beside each other all the time, practically attached to each other's hip, you wouldn't think of one without the other. But now, they can't even meet each other in the eyes. Sitting in class equally unattentive and distracted, or moping.

"This is getting fucking ridiculous! Somebody punch the both of them or I will." Bakugou swears as he continued to glare at Todoroki, who was nibbling on some ice while staring at his phone.

"Just give them more time, they have to sort this out on their own." Kirishima was the ever kind soul.

"But it's so fucking annoying! If I have to listen to Deku's pathetic sobbing one more night, I swear I'll murder him!"

"Aww, come on, Kacchan. Don't be like that," The blond's glare turns to Kirishima at the nickname, but the redhead just laughs it off.

"Hey, I just noticed..." Kaminari suddenly speaks from Bakugou's other side. "Why is Todoroki eating his ice?"

"Oh, yeah... I saw him do that yesterday too." Kirishima nodded.

"Let's ask him then," Sero stood from behind Kaminari and walked half the room to get to the bi-haired kid's seat, anything to redirect Bakugou's attention. "Heya, Todoroki! Why are you eating your ice?" Straight to the point without any beats, or tact.

Todoroki blinks at him, but answers truthfully. "Because I'm hungry."

"Come to think of it, it is already lunch time." Sero looks at the clock.

"Then why don't you just buy food from the cafeteria?" Kaminari appears beside them. "If you want, you can even eat with us."

"No, he can't-"

Kirishima covered Bakugou's mouth and added. "Yeah! It'd be cool to have you around!"

They managed to snicker at their own stupid joke before Todoroki answered. "I can't go to the cafeteria because Izuku will be there, and I don't want to make him uncomfortable."

"Oh, my God! You poor creature! You've been starving this whole time!" Kaminari exasperates.

"Hold on! I'll go get you some food!" Kirishima proclaimed, and without another word, ran out through the door.

"We should probably buy lunch now too..." Kaminari glanced at Sero before following after Kirishima.

Sero looked back at Bakugou. "You coming?"

"No, just get me something spicy." Bakugou sits on Mineta's desk.

"Will do!" Sero gives him a thumbs up before leaving as well.

A momentary silence passes by the two before Todoroki breaks it. "I don't know how you have friends."

"Well excuse you, asshole, I'm a fucking delight!"

Todoroki just blinks at him, this time he doesn't even dignify Bakugou by humoring him with a 'sure'.

And after another moment of silence Bakugou almost explodes. "You know this is all your fault, right? He's acting like that because you spoiled him."

"You think so?" Todoroki asks but doesn't raise his head.

"I know so! He wasn't like that when we were kids." Bakugou leans back on his arms. "Before he was just a blubbering annoyance, now he's a cheeky blubbering annoyance!"

Todoroki chuckled, even just the thought of his charge lifted him up.

"You can cry, you know." The blond glances at him. "I'm gonna laugh at you, but you can cry."

"I won't... if I cry Izuku would feel guilty and sorry for me."

"So what are you going to do? Just continue staring at his pictures on your phone like a fucking stalker?"

Todoroki smiles sadly. "Maybe... I don't want him to catch me looking at him."

"Fucking creep."

"What do you think I should do, then?" The bi-haired teen sighs.

"Fucking talk to him obviously! Instead of causing troubles for the rest of us!"

Todoroki sighs again and relents. "My bad... I just don't think he's ready to talk to me yet."

"He's fucking fine, he even whines about you every night."

That was when the bi-haired teen finally looks at Bakugou, thinking that all this time Midoriya didn't come to sleep with him, he was with Bakugou.

"He comes to join me, Kirishima, Kaminari, and Sero to talk about you, fucker. Don't get any stupid ideas."

Todoroki breaks eye contact as soon as the message sinks in, and turns his head away in embarrassment. "My bad," he repeats.

The trio gets back then, as if summoned, and they let the conversation die. [3]

Later that night, Midoriya comes to Bakugou's room again with Kirishima, Kaminari and Sero. He plops down on the bed and grabs a pillow to try and suffocate himself since he's been nothing but dying since the Sports Festival, so he might as well. He's been so exhausted lately, having a hard time sleeping and nothing cheers him up, even with his mind plagued by his Bocchan, or maybe that's exactly the reason.

"So... how are you holding up, Midoriya?" Kaminari was the first to break the silence, taking a seat beside him.

Midoriya doesn't answer, he just grumbles and whines.

"Todoroki actually asked me to check if you were okay, because he doesn't want to approach you himself and make you uncomfortable," Kaminari confessed with a little tease. "And of course he asked me not to tell you, but I'm telling you anyway because I feel bad for the guy." He sticks out his tongue.

"Also, if you're wondering why he's on his phone a lot. It's because he doesn't want you to catch him staring, so he stares at some pictures of you instead." Sero winked at him.

"Oh, my God! Don't tell me these things!" Midoriya buried his face further into the pillow, ears all red and burning. "He's just like a brother to me, you know!"

Bakugou loudly clicks his tongue at him, but he blatantly ignores it. So the blond stomps over to him and grabs him by the head to make him look at him. "We're like brothers, you fucktard." Bakugou motions to himself and Midoriya with his other hand for emphasis. "You and that snowflake, on the other hand, don't act like brothers at all. Know the difference, you fucking nerd, you're supposed to be smart."

Midoriya opens his mouth to refute, but he couldn't think of anything to say, so he lamely pouts and the blond walks back to the low table.

"Are you still mad at him?" Kirishima asks, as Bakugou takes back the seat beside him.

"No, of course not... I just-!" Midoriya squeezes the pillow even tighter, "I can't get him out of my mind! There I said it! I always end up thinking about his confession! And it makes me hyper-aware of him!"

"Why don't you just go talk to him, seriously." Sero advised.

"I caaan't..." The green-haired boy whines like a dying animal. "I feel so awkward, and ashamed, and miserable!"

"But you still like him, right?" Kaminari pressed.

"I looove him!" Midoriya keens, with tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

"Then what the fuck is the problem?!" Bakugou snaps.

"It's not romantic..." Midoriya suddenly mumbles, looking away awkwardly.

"You're fucking blushing and gushing over him like a girl and it's not romantic?! Fuck you! That's it! Get out of my room!" Bakugou all but explodes, they were going around in circles and it was so fucking exasperating. Honestly, he doesn't know why they come to his room, of all people, to talk about shit. He opens the door and grabs them each by the collar before shoving them unceremoniously to the hallway. "And stay out!" The resident Bomberman slams the door to their faces.

Kirishima then calmly turns to face Midoriya, not reacting to Bakugou's outburst at all as if it was an everyday occurrence, which it really is honestly. "Would it really be so bad to go out with Todoroki, though?" He asks all of a sudden, or not so suddenly at all, going back to the conversation at hand as if they weren't just kicked out because of it.

"Of course not, he's the most amazing guy I've ever met! Bocchan is so handsome, and smart, and capable, and reliable, and nice to me, and buys me stuff, and spoils me a lot! It's just that, I'm scared. He's not someone I could afford to lose! He's more than a brother, or a best friend. He's my family. If I can't come home to him, I don't know where I'll go. I don't mind going out with him, but what if it doesn't work out? What if we break up someday? Then we wouldn't be able to go back to how we were before, and we might never talk again!"

"Midoriya," Kirishima holds him by the shoulder, effectively stopping his ramble. "You're not talking now."

It hits home then, and without thinking, Midoriya runs for his life or the love of his life for that matter.

AN:

Remember when I said I scrapped my drafts? Yeah? As it turns out, all of my foreshadowings became red herrings... I fail.

Anyway please review! And thanks!

Fic Facts:

1.) For the record, that fight between Todoroki and Bakugou was exaggerated. But I still think Todoroki is stronger, and someone needs to put that out there since I haven't read a story which exploits Bakugou's weakness yet. Also, I hope that makes up for the TodoDeku fight that isn't there. Sorry! xD

2.) I like playing with the idea that Endeavor acknowledges Midoriya to an extent. There was a little hint of that during the Sports Festival if anyone noticed... or was that just me? xP

3.) "Kacchan" = "Kaachan" (mother) ISTG somebody pry this pun from my cold dead hands.

— Lynx

20181111

And would you look at that? This story is one-year-old already! I'm sorry for always putting it off, I won't give you excuses. But next chapter we're having a lemon! Took me long enough! OTL