Chapter Text
Bakugou towered over Midoriya, a sadistic smile on his face. He raised his hand, sparks flying off of his palms, only to bring it down like lightning, slamming the wall next to Midoriya’s head.
“You quirkless little rat, stop trying to be something you’re fucking not. Leave the saving to us actual heroes.”
“What did you just say?” Todoroki’s shadow swallowed Bakugou’s on the wall in front of him. He may have only been a few centimeters taller than Bakugou, but Todoroki’s presence had weight, power. He wasn’t someone you wanted to mess with. He stared down Bakugou, his face neutral; but the ice creeping along the floor betrayed his anger. Bakugou scowled.
“I said -”
“Midoriya, are you hurt?” Todoroki’s voice was soft, and his eyebrows were tugged down in worry. Midoriya shook his head and quickly wormed away from his bully, setting up shelter behind Todoroki’s arm.
“You half-and-half bastard! This isn’t your business. Keep your nose out of my shit with Deku.” Bakugou reached to grab Midoriya’s wrist, but was intercepted by a cold hand. Ice crystals formed along the lines of his palm. Todoroki’s face was merely inches from Bakugou’s, his neutral expression back. Somehow, Midoriya noted, that face was more terrifying than any of Bakugou’s rage-induced expressions.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” the whisper barely made it to Bakugou’s ears, the words ghosting across his skin. Todoroki straightened, turning towards Midoriya, “Let’s go, Midoriya”.
“YA! YOU BASTARD. COME BACK AND FIGHT. WHAT, DID YOUR OLD MAN BEAT IT ALL OUT OF YOU THIS MORN-” Bakugou couldn’t finish before he was up against the wall, a hand at his throat. Green eyes bore into him, a snarl from the boy in front of him raising goosebumps along his neck. Midoriya spoke in a low voice, rage evident in the dangerous edge his words had.
“Don’t. You. Ever. Talk. About. His. Father.” Midoriya’s grip tightened with every word. His pupils had shrunk, his face had changed. He wasn’t Midoriya, he was a black wolf ready to kill. His face had become animalistic. Bakugou would never admit it, but at that point - he was scared. Maybe he had gone too far.
“Midoriya,” and in an instant, Midoriya was himself again. His grip loosened on Bakugou’s throat, but he didn’t let go. “I’ll deal with him”.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Please step away.” MIdoriya’s hand fell as he backed up, his eyes on Todoroki. Todoroki nodded at Midoriya and stepped forward.
“Heh, you bastard,” Bakugou’s voice was hoarse, his throat aching. There would be bruises. “What, you wanna talk it out? Have a little heart to heart?” Bakugou laughed. He never saw the punch coming.
Aizawa looked at the two students before him. He sighed, resting his head on his steepled hands.
“You mean to tell me...that Bakugou Katsuki being knocked out...was an accident?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And what about the bruising on his neck. Was that also an accident?”
“That has nothing to do with us, sir. I can, however, point you to someone who may be able to answer your questions.” To the ignorant, Todoroki Shouto would have a completely neutral expression. Aizawa knew better - the kid was holding back a laugh. “I hear him and Bakugou are quite...close.”
He did not, in fact, answer any questions. Kirishima just laughed and walked away.
“Bakugou, you know the school can’t do anything unless you tell us what happened. We can make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“HA! YOU THINK I’M GONNA TELL YOU FUCKNUTS ANYTHING? NOTHING HAPPENED, YA GOT IT? NOBODY FUCKING TOUCHED ME. NOTHING HAPPENED. I AIN’T GOT SHIT TO TELL YOU BASTARDS!” He turned away, muttering. Aizawa picked up something reminiscent of the words “I may be an asshole, but I ain’t no fucking snitch”. He stared at Bakugou. Bakugou stared back, his jaw jutting out. Why was Aizawa the one in charge of these kids? He had enough suffering in his life already.
“Todoroki, are you sure you’re okay? Your hand is pretty bruised up,” Midoriya pouted, inspecting the deep purple bruises forming along Todoroki’s knuckles.
“Yes, Midoriya. I am fine. I’ve been through much worse than this.”
“Oh...I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for. That’s all over now. Or have you already forgotten what I said to my father?” Midoriya giggled. He remembered. Todoroki ran into to him (like, literally ran into him) after that conversation, breathless. And then he laughed. Todoroki Shouto actually laughed. Midoriya loved it when Todoroki laughed. It made his chest warm; it made him happy.
“Hey, Todoroki?”
“Yes, Midoriya?”
“Thank you...you’re my knight in shining armor!” Midoriya giggled as Todoroki’s face grew red and little flames danced along his arm. He flung his arms around the other boy’s neck, pulling him down and hugging him tight. Todoroki chuckled against Midoriya’s neck and buried his head in the boy’s freckled shoulder to hide his raging blush. Midoriya would never get tired of this.
“YOU PUNCHED HIM?? YOU ACTUALLY PUNCHED BAKUGOU KATSUKI IN THE ACTUAL FACE...AND YOU’RE NOT DEAD?” Todoroki blushed as his classmates gathered around him excitedly. He wasn’t used to all this attention. He looked over to the boy next to him, his eyes pleading. Midoriya got the message.
“Yeah, Todoroki may have punched him, but I almost choked him out.” Midoriya beamed, his chest puffing out. In an instant, Todoroki was free, cool air rushing along his face, but he could no longer see Midoriya through the crowd of people. Todoroki smiled fondly. He caught glimpses of Midoriya retelling their feat of bravery (it was seriously over-exaggerated, but he had to entertain his blood-thirsty classmates somehow). Bakugou stomped into the classroom a few seconds later, and everyone dispersed like a flock of anxiety-ridden pigeons. He looked around the room, as if daring them to say something. Todoroki met his eyes. After a second, Bakugou grumbled and backed down, plopping in his seat. Todoroki had a feeling he wouldn’t be trying anything again anytime soon.
Midoriya caught Todoroki’s gaze and winked, his smile wide and genuine. It was infectious. Todoroki smiled back, eyes crinkling and teeth bared. A small chuckle escaped his lips. If Todoroki had looked back up, he may have seen the faint pink and star struck gaze on Midoriya’s face. He really never would get used to seeing Todoroki smile like that.