AN: Hey guys. Not sure if you're able to read these last few chapters with the way things here have been. But decided to keep uploading anyways for those of you who can without keeping you waiting :) Enjoy!
X
Looking through some of her clothes she had laying on her bed, Uraraka couldn't decide on what to pick. She also made it a point not to come home too late since her train would be leaving earlier in the morning for her hometown. Picking up her phone, she saw she still had time before they were leaving and decided to text the girls for help.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Frowning at the gentle knock on her door she slowly smiled. "Well, that was fast." What she didn't count on was opening her door to a scowling Bakugo standing there. "Bakugo?"
"Hey."
Confused, she started to blink profusely, not having expected to see him there let alone looking somewhat hesitant "H-hey, what's up?"
"You busy?" he asked, letting his eyes flicker inside her room where he saw her clothes on her bed.
"Oh." Looking over her shoulder she gave him a sheepish smile. "Not really, I'm just having a hard time deciding what to wear. But you can come in if you want." She said watching him shake his head.
"It's fine, this won't take long."
"Are you coming out tonight?" she asked hoping he wouldn't notice the hopefully look in her eyes.
"No, I've got other shit to do."
"Oh…" Trying her best to mask her disappointment as her voice dropped, she simply gave a small smile. "Like training?"
With the sudden need to shove his hands in his pockets by reflex, he looked away at her teasing smile, feeling his palm already sweating surprised that after all this time she still made him sometimes feel like he was still fifteen instead of the mature eighteen-year-old man he knew he was.
Clearing his throat after she was still waiting for him for God knows hold long, he blurted the first thing that came to mind. "Heard you're going back to Hawks." 'Nice one idiot.'
"Yeah, I thought about the other offers, but this just seemed like a better fit for now- at least since I've already been training with him."
"Makes sense." He said even though he was secretly hoping she would've picked Endeavor instead but it's not like those two agencies never worked together. Besides if that's what she wanted then then good for her. But he was still surprised that she would even turn it down when she knew Todoroki would be there.
Feeling the familiar angry bile rise up he started clenching his fist without even realizing it. 'Stupid Icy hot.'
"Bakugo?"
Snapping him out of his thoughts he tried his best to push down the anger knowing it wouldn't do either of them any good. Maybe he should keep his distance like he did before but then again, he knew it would be hard not to want her in his life and he said they'd be friends, right? 'Damn it why did I have to go and tell her that shit!' he internally scolded himself.
"Bakugo? Is that all you needed?" she smiled wondering why he just silently stood there unaware of the internal struggle he was going through.
Slowly blinking at her he knew that was one of the reasons he couldn't stand to be away from her. That smile…
"Hey girl you rang?" Mina happily sang walking down the hall with a ridiculous number of bags even though her room was right next door. "Hey blasty you are coming tonight?"
"Hell no." he glared down at her stuff. "Is that a damn suitcase?"
Proudly looking down she smiled. "Just my makeup."
"Right." Watching her walk pass him and disappear into Urarakas room, he made sure it was just them before clearing his throat. "Anyways, here."
Surprised that she hadn't even noticed him holding anything this whole time, he swiftly held up a bag to her.
"For me?" she cautiously asked.
"Obviously." He rolled his eyes and the minute she grabbed it he quickly turned to leave mumbling something she couldn't understand.
"Hmm." With curious brown eyes she slowly pulled out a fully healed Mr. Snuggles now complete with a small red tie similar to the ones on their uniforms. Upon further inspection she saw the area where there used to be a gaping hole now filled and fully stitched up with the red tie covering his little battle scar. Running her fingertips at the intricate work that was done to fix him almost good as new, she couldn't help but feel her eyes soften as she looked up in time to see him turn down the hall to his room with a tint of red on the tips of his ears.
"Thank you." she softly said smiling to herself.
X
"And you sure you really don't want to go?" Kirishima tried again for what seemed like the hundredth time hoping that eventually his broody friend would agree to come along. They'd all already been tightly wound up and since vacation was starting- if you could even call it that- they just wanted a moment to relax and blow of some steam.
After today they would be busy non-stop with work studies, school, training, and Bakugo and himself were still determined to help whenever they could with the construction company which he didn't mind of course. Kirishima knew that during these next months they would be dragged all through the mud and expected to prove that they could handle it and much more.
Giving himself one last look in the mirror he chances a quick glance at the blond currently laying on his bed absently scrolling through his phone. "It'll be fun." He grinned.
"Hard pass Shitty hair. Besides I've gotta head out early tomorrow. The old hag has already made it clear that if I don't get there in time that she'll drag my ass out there herself. Tch, not like I give a shit anyways." He mumbled the last part.
Shuddering at the thought of Bakugos mom doing just that, Kirishima turned to sit in Bakugo's computer chair checking the time once more. "And you not wanting to go has nothing to do with a certain brunette we all know and love?"
"Course not."
"Uh-huh." Lifting a skeptical brow Kirishima saw Bakugo briefly look up before averting his eyes once more. "Well, whatever happened to being friends?"
"This has nothing to do with her." He said abruptly sitting up. "Besides I can't fuckin be friends with her."
"Alright, now I'm confused. Weren't you the one that last suggested it?"
"I mean I do, and I don't!" Bakugo growled running his hand through his ash blond hair. "I rather… have her be in my life then not at all. But…I don't know if I can fuckin handle seeing them together- which I know is fucked up on my part…"
Pressing his lips together Kirishima slowly nodded unable to help feeling bad for his buddy. He didn't even want to think about what he would do in Bakugo's place if he couldn't be with Mina, so he knew that this must be so frustrating for him. And for Bakugo to even acknowledge his feelings like this still seemed rather weird to him because if you would have told Kirishima during their first year that they would be having these kinds of conversations he would simply laugh his ass off.
"Listen man-"
"Help!"
"Eh?" sitting up the moment they saw the panic-stricken Kaminari bursting through the door with an embarrassed looking Sero right behind him. "You alright?" Kirishima frowned.
"And who the hell said you fuckers could just barge into my damn room whenever you want?!"
"Sorry Bakubro, Kaminari just found out some bad news…" Sero offered keeping his eyes on a teary-eyed Kaminari. "Apparently Jirou accepted some offer to go on a date with someone from general studies."
"She did?" Kirishima asked bewildered while Kaminari silently nodded.
"Well fuckin good for her." Bakugo said leaning back against his headboard and starting up a new game on his phone already bored with this conversation.
"Dude really not helping." Sero whistled.
"Not trying to."
"I mean I know what I said before, but how could she have said yes?!"
"Alright, one crisis at a time." Pinching the bridge of his nose Kirishima mentally just wanted to go around the room and just slap some sense into all his friends at the moment. 'I mean come on!' Opening his eyes, he looked between everyone.
"Crisis? What you have a crisis too?" Sero curiously asked, turning to Bakugo who glared back.
"Don't lump me in with you morons and don't you have someplace to be?"
"Yeah, we do." Kirishima said standing up. "So, in the meantime Kaminari why don't you start from the beginning."
X
"So once Shinso introduce us he just asked me out." Jirou finished walking inside the club with Uraraka and Mina with the latter already bouncing on the tips of her toes. "Can't believe I even said yes."
"What do you mean by that? He sounds cute." Mina smiled.
"Who sounds cute?" Kirishima cut in from behind sneaking a kiss to her cheek.
"Oh nothing." Mina shrugged. "Just Jirou having a date."
Wincing at the statement Kirishima didn't even have to know that Kaminari was inwardly screaming next to him.
"Alright. How about we go find seats yeah?" Clapping his hands, he gestured to a couple of empty tables further towards the wall while the girls walked up to the bar.
"Hey, you guys are back!" Ayaka smiled walking over to them. "Although it's less of you guys tonight."
"Yeah, some of the others are getting ready to head home tomorrow. But don't worry we'll be back. Consider us regulars."
"Yeah, Riku told me you guys go to UA." She nodded to the other side of the bar where he was talking with a customer and noticed the confused look on their faces before she clarified. "Hawks told him since he had asked."
"You know for someone who does what he does, Hawks really doesn't know how to keep quiet." Mina pouted making the other three laugh.
X
"I already told you." Riku said with a warning look. "You keep coming back here and someone's bound to recognize you after your little stunt at that school."
"Like I could care less."
Pressing his lips together Riku eyed him for a minute. "And how is he? Staying out of trouble?"
Giving a dry chuckle Kenzo continued to stare at his half empty drink wondering what his next steps should be. "You know as well as I do that there's no way to control that little punk. All I can do is try and keep an eye on him."
"So, you say." Riku crossed his arms with a frown knowing his big brother. "You know just because you're a year older than I am doesn't mean you have to place this responsibility on your shoulders alone."
"And what the hell makes you think I care about what you think?" Kenzo glared hoping that would give Riku the hint to back off.
"I know you do, otherwise you wouldn't come here every night."
"I come here because she asks me to."
"Right." Riku gave him an unimpressed look before he turned midway to hear a familiar laugh.
"So, she is here after all."
"Who?" Riku said, keeping his gaze on her.
"Oh, you know the one Toga's so obsessed with…" Kenzo lifted a curious brow lifting the glass to his lips watching Riku. "As well as our dear baby brother…"
"Wait you mean she's the one?" Riku turned back to face him hoping that he miss understood but with the smug look on Kenzo's face it told him otherwise. "Damn it Kenzo why didn't you tell me sooner!"
"Wouldn't have made a difference." He shrugged gulping down the rest of his drink. "You know Toga gets what she wants and Kage…once he sets his eyes on something he wants he's like a spoiled brat who doesn't know what 'no' means."
"That doesn't make it any better." Riku scoffed.
"Relax will you, I already told you I'm keeping an eye on him."
"And last I heard that wasn't working so well now was it." Riku said feeling the anger rise and obvious in his voice.
"Watch it Riku, I might've been giving you the shit you've been asking for a while now, but don't fuckin think for a minute I won't kill you."
Seeing the familiar sneer creep into Kenzo's face that could easily scare someone away, Riku just eyed him carefully knowing that what Kenzo said was true, that without all of the information he had provided them that there was no way the heroes would've known what was going on or even sent a special group overseas to keep watch on one of the warehouses locate there. But at the same time, he knew what Kenzo said was more of an empty threat knowing his big brother wouldn't allow anything to happen to either of them or Toga.
Frankly he didn't understand Kenzo's school boy crush on the evil psycho, especially when he was providing them with intel every so often. But he figured he had his own reason for doing what he did. Since they were little kids Kenzo had always behaved like he knew better- but then again being the oldest probably made him feel like he had more of a responsibility to live up to since growing up they didn't always have the perfect life other kids around them seemed to have.
Their dad, who was a known criminal at the time, would always come home in the middle of the night without so much as a hello before leaving again, sometimes weeks at a time. The moments he was home weren't memories he was exactly fond of. Their dad would drink most of the time nonstop if he wasn't busy with an 'acquaintance' as he put it every other night.
But Kenzo had always managed to make things work, providing them with the things they needed in order to survive. Not once did they question where he got the money for things like food or clothing, but now that Riku was older he had an idea.
"Don't know what the big fuss is about." Kenzo continued to stare over his shoulder wiggling his empty glass and chuckling, bringing Riku back to the present. "But don't tell me you're interested too?"
"You're not getting another."
"Petty fuck." Kenzo grinned. "You don't want me to tell Kage that you've been making eyes on his point of interest now, would you?" he teased knowing what buttons to push. "Seems like I've been having to get in between you two since you were little rodents."
"She's cute. You don't need to worry about that."
"Sure, I don't." he chukled. "I'm leaving anyways seems like you're getting quiet the attention." He remarked gesturing to the opposite side of the bar before he made his exit. "Try and stay out of trouble."
"Thought you didn't care." Riku smirked before shaking his head and continuing on with the next customer.
X
Keeping his eyes on the bar Kirishima continued to nod every once in a while at what Sero and Kaminari were talking about, smiling every so often when he saw someone come up to the three girls at the bar before walking away again.
He knew that his friends could handle themselves but that didn't mean he wasn't going to step in if the situation called for it.
Walking over and placing the drinks down that they had ordered, Deku and Todoroki sat down next to them but as soon as Todoroki locked eyes with Kirishimas, the red head already knew something was bothering him. "What's up man?"
"I…" Frowning Todoroki tried to be as subtle as possible since the rest of the table already had their eyes on him after Kirishima's question. "Do you have a minute?"
"Sure." He grinned gesturing for him to follow until they were closer to the dance floor. "So, what can I do you for?"
"I need your opinion about something."
"Alright, shot. I feel like I've been trying to put out fires all over the place." He chuckles realizing that Todoroki was deep in thought frowning making the smile on his face fade. "Todoroki what's up?"
"Not really sure where to start. But…I believe Bakugo is angry with me and I'm trying to figure out why."
Snickering Kirishima scratched his head aware that this was actually a legit question that Todoroki was asking since he was obviously unaware of why someone would react this way.
"And why do you think he's mad?" he asked quickly adding. "Other than the constant fights of course."
"It's a lot of things actually." Todoroki gave him a small smile at his previous joke. "he's constantly giving me those looks like he wants me to just burn alive.'
Trying not to laugh at the thought of Bakugo doing these things and knowing that that was probably true. "Yeah, that sounds like him…"
"And just this morning he completely ignored me when I tried talking to him."
"Well, you see, Bakubro is a very complicated guy…" he slowly said trying not to give anything away.
"Does this have anything to do with Uraraka?"
"Uraraka? Pfft what makes you think that?"
"Well, she told me, and I think you know too." He bluntly said.
'Well, there goes that plan.' Kirishima thought. "She…told you?"
"Yeah, after I came to visit her. But she didn't go into too much detail. So, I wanted to talk to you about it so I can understand why the kiss would bother him so much if they aren't together."
"Listen man." Kirishima placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's because he thinks you broke the bro code."
"Bro code?" Frowning Todoroki quickly blinked in confusion. "What code are you talking about?"
"Well for starters even if he'd never admit it, Bakugo considers you as one of his closest friends. So even if they're not together right now, he still really likes her and so to have to see one of his friends he trusts with the only girl he's ever liked…he feels kinda betrayed and like-"
"I broke our friendship on purpose."
"Yeah." Nodding Kirishima gave him a small smile. "Look I know you didn't know what was going on with them, and in a way he does too. So, no one's to blame here."
"No, I think I understand." Todoroki said glancing up. "Thanks, Kirishima."
"Anytime." He said watching Todoroki rejoin the others on the table. He really needs to do a better job keeping track of everyone when he's not around and with a new thought headed over to the table. "Midoriya!"
X
As the next couple weeks went by, he felt like he barely even had time to sleep with the vigorous training Endeavor had set them on, not to mention the patrols, learning all the paperwork and when he had time during the weekend, he and Kirishima would drive over to the construction site.
So, when he was just about done getting changed into his hero suit, he heard his phone alert him of a new message.
Old Hag: Katsuki it wouldn't hurt for you to pick up you damn phone once in a while you little shit! I know you've seen my messages! I already spoke with Kirishima and invited him over to dinner one of these days and make sure to bring Uraraka too!"
Kirishima: Hey bro, mom just invited us to dinner!
Tightening his hold on his phone Bakugo was so close to breaking it. 'Of course, she'd talk to that shitty excuse for a friend. That damn traitor.'
Katsuki: Fine.
He threw his phone inside his locker before slamming it shut and stomping out to where everyone else was gathered around.
"Nice of you to finally join us." Shindo gave a smug grin.
"And what the fuck are you doing here?"
"Got a transfer request from Endeavor, so I of course accepted along with one other person he asked for."
"Who?"
"Hey guys! Looks like we'll be working together again. Man, I can't wait!"
"Baldy…."
And just like that a little part of Todoroki died inside as Inasa rushed over to his side.
X
Watching from a distance, Endeavor continued to frown leaning against the door as the interns continued their training, just having came back from patrol.
"Burnin."
"Yes boss." She stepped in front of him saluting.
"How long has this been going on?"
"You mean that?" she looked over her shoulder. "Since they started, but my guess would be longer than that." She said watching with Endeavor.
"Crap we almost had them!" Inasa shouted landing back on the ground hearing some of the sidekick's snicker.
"We need a better plan, other than just rushing in blindly."
"I know your ass is not talking about me you Icy hot bastard." Bakugo walked up to him.
"As a matter of fact, I am." Todoroki stated bluntly. "So far they've beaten us during every spar."
"Oh, and you think that shit's my fault?!"
"Guys let's just come up with a better plan."
"I've gotta agree with Deku here." Shindo said dusting himself off the ground and glaring at the other sidekicks.
Nodding Todoroki got in a defensive position again. "Alright let's try this again."
Once it was time to turn in for the night or head home everyone started heading back to the lockers to change.
"Bakugo wait." Todoroki said stepping in front of him. "We need to talk."
"Tch. Don't have fuckin shit to say to you." Shoulder bumping him the blond just continued without looking back.
Opening his mouth to retort he felt a strong hand clamp down on his shoulder.
"Shoto come with me."
"Just great..."
X
"What I saw out there was unacceptable Shoto." Endeavor said leaning back in his chair. "Care to explain?"
"There's nothing to explain."
"I'd have to disagree. You and Bakugo have been working together for a few years now and not since the beginning have I seen the two of you so much at odds with each other."
"We're working things out."
Tapping his fingers on the desk and narrowing his eyes, Endeavor thought back to the sports festival. "That reminds me, I was surprised to hear that your fellow classmate with the gravity quirk declined my offer to join us. She would've come quite in handy here."
"If Uraraka didn't want to come here then that's her decision." Todoroki said finding the floor much more interesting.
Lifting an eyebrow, Endeavor carefully studied his son's reaction at the mention of the girl. "I see."
"Are we done here." Todoroki said unable to hide the annoyance in his voice.
"Not quite." Endeavor said awkwardly, clearing his throat and sitting up straight. "Shoto… I know I haven't been the best father or role model for you, that's no secret. But I want you to know if there's anything that you want to discuss-"
Snapping his head up to glare at him Todoroki saw Endeavor staring right back. "Don't tell me you want to be fatherly right now."
"Well, I have to admit that when it comes to these matters, I must apologize for not taking the time to talk to you about certain aspects of growing up if you will." Watching his son's face turn a fierce red and eyes widen was something Endeavor had not expected nor ever witnessed. "But from my understanding… your teacher did inform me that they were teaching a class for that last year."
"Yes, they did!" Todoroki blurt out. "Natsuo also made it his personal responsibility to…talk…to me about it recently."
"Ok good." Endeavor quickly said feeling ten-times lighter having felt just as awkward as his son.
"So, we're not having this conversation." Todoroki firmly said swiftly standing from his seat, making a bee line for the door, horrified knowing that Endeavor was just trying to have a father-son talk about something like…that!
"Ok just as long as this doesn't interfere with work, especially after what we've discussed about the future of this agency a few weeks ago."
"It won't."
X
Stepping out of the elevator Bakugo walked past a waiting Deku intending to head to his car in one of the agencies parking spots outside.
"Thanks again for driving Kacchan." Deku smiled placing his bag in the trunk next to Bakugos since they were heading in the same direction home. "Oh, hey Todoroki."
"Fuckin great." Bakugo grumbled quickly opening the driver side. "Hurry up you damn nerd and get in before I leave your ass!"
"Like I said before Bakugo, we need to talk." Todoroki said with a stern voice even making Deku look uncomfortable between the two thankful that Kirishima had filled him in on what was going on -which mind you had Deku a blubbering mess for a good 10 minutes before he was able to register everything the red head said. Deku thought himself rather observant but was still surprised to hear that the usual calm and stoic boy he called friend was crushing on his other friend while his childhood friend was pretty upset about the whole thing.
How Kirishima didn't have a headache after all this Deku had no idea but was grateful all the same for getting the heads up about keeping an eye out for the two of them.
"I already fuckin told you bastard there's nothing for us to talk about! Now move it before I run you over!" Bakugo said, hands shaking in rage.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry."
Slamming his door shut Bakugo kept his back towards him. "You don't even fuckin know what you're apologizing for."
Pondering over what Kirishima had said Todoroki hesitantly opened his mouth with concerned eyes. "I'm sorry for breaking our…bro code…"
Unable to keep the smirk from his face at the awkward way Todoroki had said those last words, Bakugo turned to face him making sure to wipe it from his face.
"Todoroki…" Deku quietly said.
"I didn't know about you two, which I know that's no excuse. But if I did, I wouldn't have done that since I cherish our friendship."
"Alright let me stop you there." Leaning back against the door, Bakugo frustratingly ran his hand through his hair knowing that he wasn't making things any better for anyone, keeping his eyes on him for a good minute. "I know you have a thing for her… so you don't have to worry about me getting in your way. And I'm not going to sit here and lie and say that it doesn't suck ass but it's clear that she wants something else. I'll just have to deal with it." He said clenching his jaw before letting out a deep breath. "Just…I don't know… promise me you'll treat her right Todoroki, because someone like her really deserves it and I know you can make that happen. So, don't make me have to beat your ass for ever hearing that you didn't because I will." He gave him a menacing look, making sure that he knew he would keep to his word.
"Understood." Nodding Todoroki carefully walked up to him seeing something flicker in Bakugo's red eyes which he quickly masked with a neutral stare. "That would be if she felt the same way and if that's what I wanted too. I'm not going to tell you that you're wrong about how much I like her because you're not. But she doesn't like me more than a friend and I'm not looking for anything right now either. So, trust me when I say there's nothing going on between us other than friendship. Nothing more."
"Really?" Scoffing Bakugo eyed him seeing the sincerity in his face. "She said that?"
"I guess I should be the one to tell you that…if you hurt her then you'll have to deal with me." Todoroki gave him a small smile.
Rolling his eyes Bakugo turned feeling his lip twitch before shouting. "Get your ass already in the damn car Deku we're gonna be late!"
"Um…late for what exactly?"
"Shitty hair told me they're on their way out already tonight, so move it!"
"And you want to go?" Deku said jumping inside received an annoyed glare from the blond before he snapped at Todoroki next.
Nodding Bakugo jumped into the driver's seat knowing that he himself had a lot to make up for and another apology alone wouldn't do it. "Well, are you coming or not Icy hot?!"
Startled Todoroki looked at an equally surprised Deku before jumping inside and asking. "So does that mean we're still bros?"
Grinning Deku didn't miss the small smirk Bakugo tried to hide.