It was no secret that there was a rivalry between Shoto Todoroki and Katsuki Bakugo.

The two boys were some of the most talented and experienced fighters not only in their class, but in the school.

However, nobody could deny that when they fought together, it was like they were two mirrors. They were completely in sync with each other, and never had to guess where the other was. They just knew.

That fact didn't change, even after they became pro heroes.

Bakugo practically shoved his most recent villain toward the proper authorities. "Don't say thank you, idiot. Just do your job."

He immediately turned on his heel to wander back down the alleyway, where he last saw Todoroki.

Bakugo was still breathing heavily, as he reached an arm out toward the ground. "C'mon, get up."

Todoroki shoved his hand away, and stood up on his own. "Is it done?"

"Obviously."

Todoroki nodded once, and pushed past him to walk back out to the street.

Bakugo just rolled his eyes and followed him. "Yeah, you're welcome. Good job to you too."

Todoroki didn't speak until he was in front of the police, as he began asking questions about what else he could do to help.

Bakugo grit his teeth at the sight of Iida walking toward him, Deku not far behind him.

Iida made a quick turn to walk to Todoroki instead, but Deku continued toward Bakugo with a smile. "Hey! We heard something on the scanner about something in your area. We just wanted to come make sure you didn't need backup, but it looks like you guys have it all taken care of."

"Of course we do." Bakugo muttered, a scowl on his face.

Deku was unfazed, as usual. "Alright, well, we'll just get back to our patrol. Let us know if you two need anything."

"Unlikely."

Deku grinned at him. "I know, I know."

Iida walked back over to nudge Midoriya on the arm. "Looks like they're all set here." He turned his determined smile to Bakugo, and his eyes flashed down to a large wound on Bakugo's upper arm. "Ooh, except for that. You should let someone look at that."

"Fat chance." Bakugo responded.

Todoroki was beside him suddenly. "Nothing else to do. We should keep going down this street."

Deku spoke again. "In just a moment. I think Bakugo was going to get some medical attent–"

Bakugo rolled his eyes as he interrupted. "Okay, Mom, can you drop it?" He met Todoroki's eyes next. "Let's go."

As he stormed off, Todoroki met Iida's eyes. "It's fine, I'll keep an eye on him."

Iida flashed that brave smile, and gave Todoroki a pat on the back. "We know you will. Because you're the best!"

Todoroki sometimes wondered what it would be like to have a different pro hero as a partner. Bakugo was talented and strong, but it might be nice to have someone more agreeable to work with.

At the same time, it was Aizawa's idea in the first place for all these team ups. Todoroki knew he wouldn't be stuck with Bakugo forever, but Aizawa thought it would be convenient to work with a familiar pro hero, before the newly graduated students were sent out on their own.

It was also Aizawa's idea for the new heroes to live close to each other. There were about ten other students that lived in the same apartment complex as Todoroki and Bakugo, and the rest were in apartment complexes with each other.

Bakugo waited for Todoroki to catch up to him, before he spoke. "Can we be done for the night? I'm over it."

"Well it's our job…" Todoroki began, but didn't have the energy to argue.

"No, I know." Bakugo groaned loudly. "Fuck. You're right though. How much longer anyway?"

Todoroki paused to consider it. "Well, the area we're assigned to goes on for another two miles or so."

"Shit." Bakugo glanced over at his bloody arm. "Damn, can you cauterize this? It's inconveniencing the fuck outta me."

Todoroki sighed softly, as he reached a hand up to lay it flat against Bakugo's open wound.

"Oh, I was gonna ask." Bakugo lowered his voice a little. "Were you planning on coming to my room later?"

Todoroki quickly looked behind himself as he hummed in thought. "I might."

Bakugo suddenly hissed at the burn he felt, not that he would ever say anything about it.

Todoroki looked into his eyes. "Do you want me to?"

"If you want to." Bakugo responded immediately, dodging the eye contact completely.

Todoroki forgot to mention that earlier. The big secret.

He was pretty certain that if he'd been paired with somebody else, he wouldn't have a friends with benefits situation going on with Bakugo of all people.

And that would be a shame. If he was being honest with himself, his situation-ship with Bakugo was one of the most exciting things in his life right now.

It's not like being partnered with Bakugo has only cons and no pros. Bakugo was certainly a strong fighter with a good sense of battle strategy. Even though they were constantly bickering and arguing, Todoroki was always confident that Bakugo had his back.

Bakugo was staring at his arm. "Thanks."

Todoroki was staring at it too. Sometimes he couldn't help it, what can he say? Katsuki was good looking.

Bakugo glanced up and caught him. "What are you looking at?"

"Just making sure it wasn't bleeding anymore."

"Sure." Bakugo responded with a smirk. "So, should we keep going? Or did you want to jump my bones first?"

"We should definitely keep going."

It wasn't until after they finished patrolling, that the topic was revisited.

Bakugo walked Todoroki to his room, as he usually did. There was exactly one time that Endeavor was waiting upstairs to ambush Todoroki with a bunch of questions, and it really seemed to upset him. From then on, Bakugo has walked up the stairs with him each and every day.

Todoroki held the door open. "You coming in?"

"Yeah maybe. Or you could pack a bag and come back downstairs to mine?"

Todoroki thought about it. "Yeah, alright."

"Really? Oh." Bakugo sounded surprised, as he followed his partner into his room.

He took a seat in front of the desk, and started to pull his gloves off to stretch his hands out. And if he took a couple of peeks at Todoroki while he was changing, so what?

Todoroki pulled out a duffel bag and started to pack some things away. He took off his hero uniform to put on something comfortable instead, just so he could pack the uniform away.

Now standing in front of the bag with just a pair of black sweatpants on, he couldn't help but smirk when he noticed Bakugo staring at him.

Todoroki walked back into his bedroom to grab his phone charger, and if he adjusted his sweatpants to ride lower on his hips… No he didn't.

When he walked back out to pack away the charger, he immediately felt eyes on him. "I think that's it."

Bakugo stood up and cleared his throat. "Okay. You gonna put a shirt on, or..?"

"Is it bothering you? It's like midnight, and we're only going downstairs, so."

Bakugo rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up already. You're hot and you know it. No need to rub it in everyone's faces."

"Oh." Todoroki stared at him. "I didn't know you felt that way. I didn't mean to rub anything in. I mean… I don't even think I'm–"

"You poor tortured soul." Bakugo mocked, as he reached to open the front door to leave. "Must be so hard to be young, athletic and beautiful. We all have crosses to bear."

"Would you shut up?" Todoroki argued softly. He picked up his bag to carry it, and followed Bakugo out the door. He only paused once to lock it behind them.

Bakugo was carrying his gloves and his headpiece in his hands, as he tiredly walked to the stairwell.

They didn't speak until they were safely inside Bakugo's apartment.

Todoroki tossed his bag onto the desk in the room. "Hey, Suki? Do you really feel like I'm a show off? Or… That I'm not humble?"

Bakugo just scoffed, as he began pulling pieces off of his uniform. "Of course not. I just… I don't know. I just thought you were more private than that."

"Okay well. What if I told you, I just did it to make you jealous?"

"I wouldn't believe you. I've told you like a million times how attractive you are, why would you need to make me jealous?"

Todoroki just hummed in thought, as he shamelessly watched Bakugo get undressed.

"I was sort of expecting an answer." Bakugo glanced back at him, and then smirked at the look on his face. "Oh, sorry. Maybe now I'm the one being distracting."

"I'm not going to apologize." Todoroki hummed, as he stepped forward to press his front to Bakugo's shirtless back. He placed his hands onto Bakugo's bare hips, and pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder.

Bakugo froze, as he usually did. He hated feeling vulnerable under Todoroki's hungry gaze, but he'd been trying to get used to it these past few months.

Todoroki was much better at getting comfortable with it, because he didn't feel any shame in what they were doing.

He felt more easy going because there was only one rule; Don't fall in love.

And that certainly shouldn't be a problem.

.

When Todoroki woke up, he tried not to move. He really cherished these quiet mornings, where he and Bakugo could be alone with each other.

He tucked himself under Bakugo's arm, laying his head on Bakugo's chest, listening to his heartbeat.

He knew their alarms were about to go off, to get up and get to work. He wished he could slow time down, just to cherish these moments.

It might be easier for them to have these moments, if Bakugo would break the 'love' rule.

If he was being honest with himself, Todoroki is pretty sure he could fall in love, if he allowed himself to.

Suddenly, those damn alarms went off.

Todoroki turned to his phone sitting on the bedside table, to shut it off. Bakugo wordlessly did the same.

Bakugo flopped back down in bed, covering his eyes with his arm.

Todoroki just continued to stare. He laid back down, to rest his head back onto Bakugo's chest. "Morning."

Bakugo only grunted in response, but he didn't move.

"Should be an easier day today. We're gonna spend at least a few hours doing paperwork from the thing last night."

"Thrilling." Bakugo grumbled, as he threw his arm around Todoroki's back.

They were silent for a few moments, just enjoying each other.

Bakugo was the first to move, as he sat up and swung his feet around to step off the bed.

Todoroki watched him, unapologetically staring at all the bare skin in front of him. "Geez." He breathed out.

"What's that?" Bakugo responded, as he slid on a pair of black briefs.

They were tight briefs, alright? Todoroki is only human. "Sorry, just… You're very good-looking."

Bakugo couldn't help but grin widely. "Oh really?" He turned to face Todoroki, flexing his legs and stomach to strike a pose.

Todoroki rolled his eyes. "You know, your unending confidence just makes you more attractive."

"Is that so?" Bakugo hummed, very pleased with this whole conversation. "Well you're pretty hot too, so why aren't you more confident?"

"Childhood trauma, mostly." Todoroki answered smoothly, without missing a beat.

"Pfft. What a weak ass excuse."

"You've met my dad, right? And you're what? Shocked and surprised?"

"Well, fuck him. Who gives a shit what he thinks?" Bakugo barked, before reaching a hand out toward Todoroki. "Are you gonna shower with me, or what?"

...