Chapter Text
With great responsibility, there is even greater power provided in order to carry out the expected tasks. As a hero, duties less glamorous than the media ever care to mention are scattered across every horizon.
Behind every fight is a mountain of paperwork, before an interview there is a sea of preparation. Hard work that goes beyond the heat of battle is paramount.
The flame is cultivated through prevailing against villains, but the torch that carries this fire is not as showstopping.
The balance is crucial, for these are the fundamental elements that keep the profession of heroics afloat.
Iida wears this ethos on his sleeve, both out of pride and out of respect for the Ingenium name. Whatever is thrown his way as a hero, it’s a pledge to do his utmost best.
Nothing less will be acceptable.
Which is why it is imperative that this meeting happens. Iida cannot in good conscience allow this to be ignored any longer. Maybe turning a blindeye would be considered kind or reasonable. But no amount of pretending can erase the situation. If anything, it makes it so much worse.
Hands clasped, Iida looks around at his fellow heroes who have chosen to attend the meeting. A handful as opposed to a whole roomful, but that makes little difference.
The agenda may not be villains but the subject certainly is villainous.
That ought to be enough to sway them into taking this seriously.
In the corner of the conference room sits Eraserhead, nestled away from the industrial lighting tiles overhead as if personally offended by the excellent illumination. Despite it being years since graduation, Iida waits for a signal to begin.
With a resigned sigh, their former teacher gestures. His mouth is buried into the cloth woven round his neck, but his words fill the room with ease.
Of course, as expected, that is the command a revered and respected underground hero holds.
“I’m only taking the minutes for this because somebody has to. I assure you, this is entirely your own problem that I want nothing to do with.”
Iida bows his head and takes a stand.
“Listen up everybody! I’m sure you know why we’re gathered here. I have an announcement regarding the future of the hero charity auction.”
Silence follows his words. At the sight of Uraraka’s concern, Iida elaborates.
“Rest assured - the charity auction is not the problem! This is about a situation that has transpired because of it.”
Ambiguity in times like this is not required, but Iida has tried many times to get the words out and it just won’t happen.
Not with this.
Some things are better left as subtext, never spoken into existence. This has to be one of those things. Surely. As proof, the message gets across in an instant.
Kaminari and Kirishima exchange knowing glances. Beside Uraraka, Midoriya drums his fingers against the table. His attention is careened elsewhere, words trailing out of his mouth in an inaudible mumble.
A shrill whistle draws their attention towards Sero. Grinning, he leans back on his seat.
“Phew! You’re telling me. It’s kind of becoming the elephant in the room.”
That is precisely why they need to take action. An auction house is not a zoo nor a circus and as the elected representative of the heroes for this project, Iida intends to keep it that way.
“Yeah. Man… people talk about it almost more than the auction itself.”
This is also why they must take immediate action. Unfortunately, word travels faster than Iida ever could with his recipro burst.
“Ooooh but everyone loves a scandal!”
Mina flourishes her words with a playful wink, as if this is amusing - even more incentive to take action! This is not an event that should be riddled in gossip or unfavourable jokes.
Iida clenches a fist by his side, observes as his colleagues voice their opinions.
Perhaps the upcoming number one hero will contribute more than staring intently at the table, as if it holds the answer to life itself and only he can decipher it.
Abruptly, Midoriya jolts upright. He found the answer, it seems.
All eyes snap to him. but that could be because he is surrounded by green sparks and his eyes are burning with intent.
Oh dear.
“Everyone! This isn’t going to stop by itself. We have to take a stand and do something. Sometimes, the hardest fights are not against our enemies but - well, our friends! Together we’re strong, together we can-”
A strip of white cloth wraps around Midoriya’s arm. The tug is lighthearted, but enough for the determined speech that has no place here to waver. It stumbles, much like his balance.
Eraserhead stares over at Midoriya, remaining in his spot in the shadows. There is evident exasperation etched into his words.
Right now, Iida can feel it in his own bones just as much to be honest.
“This isn’t a television drama, Midoriya. Might I remind you, you supported this at the start. Therefore, you are in no position to preach needless theatrics. Your fellow hero is explaining the outcome.”
Midoriya flails his hands around as the cloth leaves him.
“Eraserhead! That wasn’t…! I just meant to- sorry, Iida-kun! Um, please continue!”
He hits the chair at record speed. Or rather, he would have done that. But this enthusiastic erratic man moves so darned fast that he falls right through it.
Faster, the table erupts into laughter.
Immediately, the integrity of this meeting is splintered. It’s tragic, considering the dark forces they face employ these same tactics.
This should be a farce, but it’s not.
Uraraka pats Midoriya on the shoulder in consolation, a teasing smile in her eyes.
At the very least, Midoriya has the decency to regret causing such a scene. Unlike the threat posed to the charity auction.
Amidst a broken chair and broken composure, Iida doesn’t want to become a broken record. However, in order to wrap this up he must graciously and selflessly throw himself into the chaos.
Sucking in a breath, Iida prepares to do what he must. When he really wants to, he can rival Bakugou in volume or even surpass him.
The thought of Bakugou evokes something visceral and sharp, a need to prevail.
“Alright - we’re almost done here! I arranged this meeting to inform you that the charity auction committee has come up with a solution. From this point onwards, there will be a temporary exclusion in place.”
Sero’s grin widens. Kaminari gasps, but he’s smiling.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Uraraka prods her chin, thoughtful. “I know if I was a fan I’d be disappointed.”
“Nah,” Kirishima says with a shrug. “It’s been entertaining, sure, but this is a good decision. The heroes get rotated a lot of the time, so it shouldn’t make that much of a difference.”
Pouting, Mina rests her head on the table.
“Aw. I’m really going to miss this disaster… it’s not often a mess this big comes around.”
From the floor, pieces of the chair scattered around him, Midoriya speaks up. Something in his eyes has Iida suddenly wondering if this meeting is a huge mistake.
“Mhm. It’s probably for the best.” Then, the killing strikes comes. “You’ll do it then, Iida-kun?”
Up until this point, the news itself had been the top priority. Delivering it had not crossed his mind once. Now Iida scans the room and is stripped of every expectation he dared to hold.
Nothing but unwavering support is cast in his direction. All of them are in agreement. Fierce, unforgiving agreement.
There is no mercy here.
Right now, none of them are being very heroic. He would be ashamed, if he didn’t also feel the icy flash of dread in his veins. Nonetheless, he must be brave.
Left with no choice, Iida nods weakly.
Somebody has to do this.
He summons the demons that very afternoon. They may wear the faces of his friends, but for the greater good Iida must persevere.
As the chosen one, Iida has to be strong. Only he can exorcise the carnage befallen upon a charity event.
“Oi, what is this?” Bakugou asks, eyes narrowed with suspicion.
In the name of Ingenium, he must be strong.
“You’ve both left me no choice.”
Iida gestures to the door. With a grunt, hands shoved into his pockets, Bakugou steps inside. Besides the flicker of contorted confusion, there is no commotion. Because this is the easy part. Despite public opinion and bravado, Bakugou follows the book quite diligently. He just doesn’t boast about it.
On the other hand, the true menace is the man still waiting outside. Most people are too in awe of him to see how cataclysmic his aura can be.
The greatest tragedy of their time - well, besides this grim fate Iida has to indulge.
But now he’s here, he knows. Only he could do this. It had to be him. Iida watches in slow motion as the entire world melts into Todoroki’s palms.
He’s absurdly powerful.
Eyebrows raise, paired with a seemingly innocent expression. All sculpted on a beautiful face.
And this is confirmation that nobody else is qualified to handle this - Iida is quite possibly the only person with a rare immunity to this.
“Actually, I need to go to the bathroom…” Todoroki trails off.
Lies. Those pants might as well be on fire.
“Not so fast!”
Iida blocks the door with the sweep of his arm. Drastic measures are not drastic in the face of his dear disastrous friend.
“Sit down.”
“You’re not letting me go to the bathroom?”
Todoroki does the tilt of his head that works on most of the population but Iida knows better. He has built up a resistance. As if sensing this, Todoroki purses his lips.
“That’s cruel, Iida.”
At this, Iida swallows down his indignation. Keep strong. In the face of every adversity.
“Yeah.”
Bakugou is sprawled over a chair, incapable of sitting normally. For the first time, he actually does look like a delinquent in detention heckling a supply teacher.
Oh no. The door finally closes and with the click of the latch Iida comes to a grave realisation.
They’re teaming up. His trap has been turned against him.
“What if he shits his pants?”
Todoroki looks at Bakugou like he hung the moon and stars in the sky, as if it’s the nicest thing he’s ever heard anybody say.
“I’m not incontinent.”
No better is Bakugou. He smirks, but the edges are soft around the corner.
“Sure about that? You’re always talking crap.”
“You never seem to mind so maybe that says more about you than me.”
Oh goodness.
They’ve evolved in the worst way.
This is the outcome Iida neither expects or deserves. Unfortunately, the universe seems to care very little.
Iida closes his eyes, takes a deep breath. For everyone. For charity. This weight has fallen onto his shoulders. He must be the hero required of him even in times where all hope is lost.
This infernal nonsense needs to stop.
“QUIET! As I said before, I’m left with no choice. Every other option has been considered and is no longer viable. This is a very serious issue we must discuss! And I have to say, the lack of maturity the pair of you as heroes are demonstrating right now is not only unbelievable but unacceptable.”
The most absurd thing happens, then.
Todoroki and Bakugou meet eyes. A private conversation passes between them. There is no translation available, which is both good and bad.
Iida already knows the mess he’s dealing with. Or at least, he thought he did.
But Todoroki does that monstrous thing where his chin angles upwards. All of his jawline is accentuated, the juxtaposition of smooth skin and sharp edges.
Iida can’t believe only he has to deal with this. As the last wall of defence, he has to shut it down.
“In short, it will not be tolerated outside of this room!”
Todoroki’s voice dips low but it’s not quiet. He’s not trying to be sneaky. Because he wants to be heard.
“What about inside the room?”
Bakugou smacks a hand over his mouth, but not before a small sound slips out. Todoroki’s confidence soars at an alarming speed.
He appears pleased with himself, despite this despicable behaviour.
Yes, it’s true. He’s coaxed a beast out of Bakugou, and it’s absolutely criminal.
For a moment, Iida feels like a teacher reprimanding two students caught beneath the bleachers who are so sickeningly in love they clearly have lost all semblance of sense and decorum.
They’re heroes. They’re adults.
To think two pro-heroes have the audacity to have their unwarranted highschool rebellious phase in public in front of everybody twenty years too late.
This is astronomically outrageous!
Arms folded across his chest, Iida sighs. That does it. It is time to go Plus Ultra, hand gestures and all. He’s got no other option.
Bakugou watches him, curious. His interest is abnormally sporadic, eyes darting towards Todoroki every other second as if magnetised.
“Your actions during the last few months have been reprehensible. Re-pre-hen-si-ble! The charity auction committee has come to a decision that the pair of you are no longer allowed to participate in the events until you have resolved your ongoing issues. Consider this an admonishment of the highest kind!”
Taking a breath, Iida waits for a reaction he can work with. Bakugou is biting his bottom lip - hard. His face is riddled with tension and honestly it is a wonder his skin is free from wrinkles.
He doesn’t look frustrated, though. No.
“The money is going to charity, does it matter who it comes from?” Todoroki asks, less of a question more of a blunt observation on the nature of the world.
A reminder, Iida faces a war on two fronts. He’s playing with fire whilst skating on thin ice.
“I’m pretty sure my donations have been substantially higher than most.”
Todoroki isn’t wrong. But that doesn’t mean he’s right.
“It ain’t actually against the rules to bid on each other, Prez. I read the handbook.”
It’s hard to stifle the swell of pride. Iida has no doubts that Bakugou was almost as meticulous as himself ensuring he abides to the auction rules.
But this is exactly why Bakugou and Todoroki combined are so dangerous.
They have the means, motive and opportunity.
Maybe, just maybe, he is facing a war on three fronts.
“Nonetheless, the way you have been conducting yourselves is not at all appropriate. People from all over the country come to be charitable and enjoy these events - it is unethical to deprive the community of every opportunity to contribute to our cause and strengthen bonds with their heroes!!”
It’s a good counterattack. Iida was not a champion at debating in middle school for nothing.
What a shame, that there is someone in the room with a tongue sharper than his.
“People don’t really do it to be nice, though. They want something. Everybody does. You can dress it up however you want but the auction has always been a selfish quest disguised as philanthropy to make everyone feel better about it.”
Bakugou snorts.
“How do you come up with this pretentious garbage? You sound like you ripped that off from a shitty movie.”
Lips twitching, Todoroki chases Bakugou’s eyes. There is a tenderness here that Iida feels he has intruded upon.
“It can’t really be pretentious and shitty, Bakugou. You could at least pick an insult and remain consistent.”
This is too much.
“Enough! The decision has been made. Neither of you are permitted to partake in upcoming auctions until further notice. Consider yourselves fortunate that nobody is expecting a formal apology from the pair of you in writing. I graciously did the legwork for you in this situation.”
Todoroki averts his gaze, leaning towards Bakugou.
“Well, that can’t have been hard with your quirk…”
The level they’re at is so terrible and Iida cannot stand aside to simply let it be. Banishment is not severe enough of a punishment.
This is beyond bad flirting, this is Schrödinger's flirt.
Iida cannot hold it any longer. He has been so tolerant and so accommodating.
But no more. No more.
“As your colleague and friend I am trying to tell you that your manner of courting each other is extremely questionable!”
At this, the pair of them abruptly freeze. For the first time, Iida is in the lead. Todoroki’s eyes widen, Bakugou’s jaw goes slack. They’re both unhinged.
“Oi. What the fuck…” Bakugou hisses, a nervous jitter to his voice.
Exposing them both so shamelessly may not have been particularly nice of Iida, but nothing about their actions have been covert or discreet.
He’s been driven to this. The pair of them led him down this path.
Todoroki is very quiet, not an ounce of coyness resides in his eyes.
Sweet victory lasts only a handful of seconds. Until Bakugou turns to Iida, effortless and nonchalant.
“Like hell could this idiot court anyone. That’s fucking hilarious.”
Rather than bristle at the words, Todoroki practically swoons. Iida can never prove it, but he’s sure those eyelashes are being batted harder than a professional sportsman hits the ball in a championship game.
That’s a homerun for sure.
“You’re hardly the epitome of chivalry yourself.”
The grin Bakugou shoots towards Todoroki is almost blinding intensity. He leans across the table, head cocked to the side.
Yes. This is a very advanced form of Schrödinger's flirt.
“Eh? Don’t pretend you’re actually interested in any of that shit.”
They’re so absorbed in each other that at this point Iida might as well be a fly on the wall. Honestly, he would prefer it. The window above them is open, and as a fly he has a chance to escape.
He could live a peaceful humble life away from all of this.
But alas, he’s here. A man amongst monsters.
“I could be.”
Bakugou inches closer. So close. The only place for him to go now is Todoroki’s lap. Fortunately, it hasn’t come to that.
Yet.
“Yeah? Since when.”
Todoroki already is in first place, but he just will not stop. The minuscule smile on his face is something Iida cannot even bring himself to reprimand.
He does actually want his friend to be happy. Todoroki deserves so much. Even if this is so terrible.
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
A cackle as explosive as his quirk leaves Bakugou’s mouth.
“Fuck! You’re too much.”
Iida cannot believe he’s being forced to watch this.
This isn’t a box office movie. This is not a bestselling novel. This is just two pro-heroes, betraying everything and everyone.
“Technically not. You outbid the room each time.”
Bakugou’s arms slings over Todoroki’s chair from the front. He’s climbing out of his chair.
“That’s not what I - you bastard! Quit being such a smartass.”
Okay - this is now officially a code red. No longer is it safe here. Iida stifles the urge to slap a hand across his face and propel himself out of the door.
Heavens! He does not need to be present for this. Now the auction is safe, they can begin resolving this themselves. In private. Away from the public. And him.
“This meeting is adjourned!!” Iida gestures to the door.
It can’t have come any sooner. Bakugou twitches, getting to his feet. His form is trembling - not with unbridled rage. No. This is from laughter he refuses to lose himself to.
Hands in pockets, Bakugou musters his best scowl.
It’s not at all stable.
“Whatever. I got better shit to do that sit through this lecture. Don’t fret Prez, we get the picture.”
Now alone, Todoroki is a criminal mastermind without an ingenious accomplice. He realises as much, glancing between Iida and the door carefully.
Finally, Iida’s chance has come.
“I implore you to take this a little more seriously, Todoroki-kun.”
Upon hearing this, Todoroki’s expression shifts. He bows his head, eyes cast to the floor.
It’s the closest to an apology about the situation Iida is going to get. Because Todoroki is clearly not sorry for bidding incessantly on Bakugou and staking his claim so publicly.
He’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Mismatched eyes veer towards the doorway, where Bakugou once stood.
“I’m taking it very seriously...”
Iida has an unshakeable feeling Todoroki isn’t talking about the auction at all.
Following the defeat of Bakugou and Todoroki, the next hero auction goes smoothly. And whilst some people are less than thrilled about Ground Zero and Hero Shouto being off-limits, there’s a collective sigh of relief amongst heroes.
This time, nobody has to live through the embarrassing part of the night where they bid on each other. And win.
Iida revels in his achievement, takes the congratulations offered his way. It had been hard, nobody will ever know what he had to witness.
But that’s fine.
Outside of the charity auction, things simmer down. Todoroki and Bakugou work together on the field in a remarkable way. They gravitate towards each other in group socials and sit side by side at any given opportunity.
Despite this, there is a void between them. It’s agonising.
They linger in a stalemate that has become perhaps more irritating and impossible to deal with than whatever on earth was going on beforehand.
Nothing has really changed. Somehow, that is part of the problem.
“Take some responsibility,” Todoroki says one evening over the soba he has invited Iida out to eat.
Iida raises an eyebrow.
He’s going to indulge Todoroki just this once, because he wants to know what in the world is going on in that head. They are friends, after all.
“This is your fault, you know,” Todoroki continues as if discussing the weather. He stares down at the bill.
“Things were fine before... now I have no idea what to do about any of this.”
Pause.
Come to think of it, Todoroki did gorge himself on noodles. It’s been a while since Iida has seen him eat so much in one sitting.
Glancing over to the bill, Iida pulls out his card.
“If it will ease your mind, then I am happy to pay this time.”
Slumped in his seat, Todoroki frowns. It’s odd. Right now, he resembles a child deprived of their favourite ice cream. But he’s just had an evening of unlimited soba. His favourite food.
Objectively, it makes no sense.
“You should pay, Iida. But not for this.”
Right. Well. Okay.
That’s vague and mildly ominous.
Before Iida can question the encrypted code, Todoroki pays on a credit card and sweeps out of the restaurant. He does this so seamlessly that Iida almost forgets to follow.
Almost.
Of course, the rain is cascading around them as they walk back to the station. Far from torrential, just enough downpour to be inconvenient. Rivulets of water drip down Todoroki’s face. He makes no effort to dry himself off with his quirk.
Iida really wants to know what the devil is going on. Beside him, Todoroki deflates further.
“All bets are off, it seems. Bakugou won’t go anywhere with me, because we no longer have any plans.”
Wait a minute. There is no way Todoroki is talking about-
“-The charity auction. Since we were… forcibly removed, we can no longer meet up together.”
Iida almost cannot believe what he’s hearing. There is no rule that forbids them from meeting up, besides their stubborn pride.
Two of the smartest, most capable people he has ever met have been reduced to a mess over something so simple. Using the auction takes this so far into the realm of denial.
Utterly devastating.
He’s hardly a dating conessier, but at least Iida can say with confidence he has never been this embarrassing.
“You can just ask him to go somewhere,” Iida offers with a sigh because he’s so tired.
“It’s not like I can just ask him to go somewhere,” Todoroki says at the same time.
They stare at each other. Blink.
Iida isn’t sure what comes over him, but the words that tumble out his mouth are unplanned and unfiltered. He’s certain Midoriya would have passed out at this point, so he’s doing well.
Fight on.
“I must admit - moping is not a trait you wear at all well, Todoroki-kun!!”
“I’m not moping,” Todoroki mopes, moping.
“Above everything, you are both admirable heroes with a wonderful friendship. Bakugou-san enjoys your company as much as you do his.” Iida smiles. “I’d put my money on it.”
It’s the wrong thing to say. Todoroki narrows his eyes.
“Maybe the pair of us could put money on it if you hadn’t taken us out the auction.”
Unbelievable.
There’s Todoroki Shouto, and then there’s this unreasonable relentless form slathered in thick impenetrable icicles.
Iida has a good mind to forewarn all former classmates about this searing blizzard on a warpath over the obvious requited love that has been left to collect dust.
This is stupid.
Todoroki is blunt, Bakugou is direct. Neither of them particularly care to beat around any bush. So why this has become such a painful ridiculous ordeal, Iida has no idea.
He just wants it to stop.
“This has nothing to do with the charity auction. I’m saddened to hear you are using such a flimsy excuse when this is clearly a matter of resolve. The solution to your problem is in plain sight! Did you not tell me to face who I wanted to be once? This is not so different!”
Todoroki brushes the damp hair off his forehead. There’s a small twitch of his lips that detracts from the stern look he musters.
“Putting my own words in my mouth. I expected better from you, Iida.”
The general public think Todoroki is an angel. Worse, they think he’s actually polite! Prince Petty is a better fit.
Of all things, Iida finds himself laughing about it. Unlike Bakugou, he doesn’t cover his mouth. Perplexed, Todoroki merely watches from the sidelines.
As usual, he is the bringer of calamity with zero repercussions for it.
Catching back his breath, Iida clasps Todoroki’s shoulder.
“I am confident there would be no harm in speaking with Bakugou-san. You could even simply ask to continue the things you did on your auction… outings.”
Date is a word Todoroki probably isn’t ready for. But they must have had several of those already under the guise of the charity auction. Maybe a dinner, or a film, perhaps an educational-
“My apartment is clean,” Todoroki says as if that makes any sense at all. “And there are only so many alleyways in this city… if Bakugou asks me to screw his furniture from Ikea one more time I’m not sure what might happen.”
Or not.
Iida balks, incoherent splutters gracelessly leave his lips. Just what the blazes have these two been doing?!
Unfazed and unaware of the catastrophic damage he has dealt a dear friend, Todoroki waves in his direction and steps onto the train.
“I’ll bid you goodnight, seeing as I can’t bid on anything else…”
Yes. This is absolutely diabolical.
At this rate, nothing may ever be okay again. Iida doesn’t waste a moment, dials a number on his phone.
It picks up after the first ring. Of course.
“Midoriya-kun. I require your assistance.”
There is no preamble, no need to explain the situation. Everybody knows. Everybody is aware. On the other side of the line, Midoriya is quiet. When he finally speaks, it’s tentative.
That is at least some consolation. After all, Iida had initially been tasked with dealing it - a solo mission appointed to him by his peers.
Throwing him to the wolves would have been kinder.
“I -... had a feeling it might come to this. Ahh! They really are impossible.”
They are, and Midoriya doesn’t even know what Iida knows. He has not seen what Iida has just seen. Todoroki is a menace out of control and Bakugou cannot be any better.
“We’re running out of time.”
This is no longer about the charity auction, this is about the very fine thread of peace holding the entire world in balance.
All of it might be in jeopardy.
Sensing the disturbance in the force of nature, Midoriya parts with words that are both concerning and a relief all at once.
“I have an idea.”