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Pro heroes Dynamight and Red Riot wouldn't be where they are today if they didn't work hard. Their days often started with runs that turned into races or weight lifting that turned into besting each other. While on patrol Dynamight was always seeking the most high profile cases with the most dangerous villains, while Red Riot made sure to have a warm and friendly greeting for all. Both were loved for their respective talents and both were always willing to go the extra mile to continue striving for greatness.
Both also needed a break, which is how they found themselves spending three days at the Sapporo Snow Festival.
"I'm fucking freezing Ei, who the fuck thought this was gonna be a good idea." Bakugo stalked towards the entrance wrapped up in a coat, scarf, hat, and gloves. He was quickly followed by Kirishima, who was wearing a light jacket that was hanging open. "If you get frostbite cause you're dressed like that I won't be the one taking you to the hospital."
Kirishima wrapped an arm around the other and pulled him close. "You're the one who wanted hiking and activities rather than laying around on the beach," he teased. "Trust me, you're gonna have so much fun you won't even notice how cold it is! Still, let's start you off with something warm, ok?" He steered the two of them towards a row of huts serving various food and drink options. Kirishima got a hot chocolate with extra whipped cream while Bakugo got a cup of spicy vegetable soup. Warmed from the inside out, the two proceeded to check out the rest of the food stalls, shopping vendors, and various winter themed displays. A large ice skating rink stood in the center of the shopping huts and the two rented pairs of skates and raced around dodging between children and couples, and finally feeling relaxed.
Once the sun set, they returned to the food area to share more warm drinks and then bundled under a blanket for a light show. "I'm really enjoying our vacation together," said Kirishima wrapping his arms around Bakugo to keep him warm. "I can't wait to see what other fun things we find to do tomorrow."
"Yeah, yeah it wasn't bad," Bakugo admitted. "But how much more could they have at this festival? We're really gonna spend all of tomorrow here?"
The announcer called for everyone's attention and described the light show they were going to see, but Bakugo was far more interested in his report on activities for the next day.
"An ice sculpture competition! Fuck yeah, now THAT sounds exciting. What do you say Ei? Let's do it."
Kirishima laughed and squeezed Bakugo even tighter. Of course they couldn't go a day without Bakugo needing to compete in something. "Babe! We don't know anything about ice sculptures, and didn't the guy say the competition is for 8 hours?! That's all day!"
"Even better. Look we did all your shit today so I say this is what we do tomorrow." Kirishima kissed his cheek and agreed before they had to quiet down for the light show.
The next day they were up bright and early and back at the festival grounds. They headed to a roped off portion where at least 50 blocks of ice were sitting under burlap sacks, and listened to a safety presentation along with the other sculptors. Then everyone was presented with a table of tools including chainsaws, ice picks, and chisels.
When they were told quirks were allowed, Bakugo pumped a fist into the air. "Come on Kirishima, we're gonna beat all these extras."
Kirishima chuckled. "I'm not sure that hardening my hands will be better than the ice chisels but it's worth a shot. Meanwhile you can heat your hands to melt parts as long as you don't accidentally explode it."
"Tch," scoffed Bakugo as he took his place near a block of ice. "My quirk control is unmatched, you really think I'm gonna explode something I didn't mean to?"
"Never know, maybe if I get you too flustered," flirted Kirishima taking his place at the block next to Bakugo.
""You try and distract me and you're gonna regret it," he teased back with a grin.
The officials went over several more rules, including that everyone would have four hours of carving time followed by a mandatory 1 hour lunch and then four more hours of carving. Then a loud horn sounded and they got to work.
Bakugo started off by grabbing one of the chainsaws before any of the extras could get it and removed large chunks of ice at once. Kirishima meanwhile grabbed the chisels and focused on removing smaller pieces as quickly as possible. As things began to take shape Kirishima abandoned the tools in favor of his quirk. Bakugo did the same for awhile but found that the ice was so cold that he had to take breaks and allow his hands to warm back up. Having never sculpted ice before the guys quickly found themselves struggling and having to confer with some of the experts who were walking around and available for guidance. Despite his teasing about flirting, Kirishima ended up so focused that the four hours flew by and pretty soon a horn was being sounded and they were told to step back.
"I wanna see I wanna see!" Kirishima danced towards Bakugo and his work station but the blonde grabbed the burlap cover and threw it over to hide his work.
"Not until its done you dumbass. Can't have you cheating by looking at the competition."
Kirishima hung his head in disappointment but returned to his station to cover his own sculpture. They followed the rest of the participants over to the food stalls for their lunch.
"I can't believe how nice everyone is here," said Kirishima with a mouth full of food. "Did you talk to that one guy who has been sculpting ice for 50 years? Can you imagine? And that young girl who isn't even 18 yet but is already considered an expert? She was super helpful showing me how to select which chisel to use. Her quirk has to do with static electricity too so she can't even really use it for sculpting."
Bakugo shook his head before taking another bite of his steaming ramen. "Did you even spend any time sculpting or were you just talking the whole time? You know there is no prize for making the most friends out there."
Kirishima laughed. "Sure there is babe! I'm winning in memories, and experiences, and making people smile. Those are my favorite prizes." He leaned over to give the other a hug. "Especially when I can make you smile."
Bakugo hid behind his bowl but Kirishima knew he had been successful.
After an hour they were all allowed to return to their spots.
"All you extras ready to lose?" Bakugo cried out his challenge to no one in particular as they resumed their work. He took a second to catch the eyes of several of the participants near them as well as the guy who had been sculpting for 50 years. "Even you, old man," he added.
"Babe, don't be rude. He's not even participating," admonished Kirishima. But Bakugo was already hunched back over his work and no longer paying attention. Not even an hour had gone by when a commotion caught Kirishima's attention and he looked over to see Bakugo arguing with one of the officials. The man shook his head and walked away and Bakugo let forth with a loud yell, sending a string of explosions straight up into the air. Kirishima heard several people curse and assumed the outburst had startled them as much as him as he hurried over to his partner.
"Don't, don't Ei. Don't look," Bakugo said stepping in front of his work.
"I'm not looking Kats, but are you ok? What's wrong?"
"Stupid fucker won't let me use my explosions to carve the ice! Afraid that 'shrapnel' is gonna hit someone or one of the other sculptures; how stupid is that? People are out here using literal chainsaws and they're afraid of a few blasts." Kirishima eyed how close everyone was together and silently thanked the officials for ruling against the explosions.
"Babe, we are supposed to be here on vacation. A relaxing vacation. The only thing we need to be doing right now is having fun, ok? So what if they won't allow your explosions? You explode stuff everyday and I can't imagine you've stored up that much sweat with how cold it is here. Why don't you beat them using the same tools as everyone else to prove you didn't need an advantage?" Bakugo stared down at his red, chapped hands and grumbled. "What was that babe?"
"Fucking fine or whatever. Get back to your sculpture, we only got 3 hours left."
Kirishima smiled, thankful that Bakugo was so easily distracted by his competitive side, and returned back to his sculpture.
"Still gonna beat these extras." He heard Bakugo say once more, before he started up the chainsaw again and drowned out any further comments. Getting back to work the three hours managed to fly by and before they knew it the sun had set and the officials was calling for everyone to step back.
Bakugo surveyed his final product before collecting his tools to return to the organizers. "Babe! Babe! Now that we're done come see mine. Do you like it? I sculpted you!" Kirishima cried out bounding over to him like a puppy. Bakugo came over to see and had to admit that he was impressed. Kirishima had managed to capture his spiky hair, his gauntlets, and the signature X of his costume. The face wasn't fully detailed but it quite clearly was him
"That's pretty good," he admitted. "Glad to see I'm your inspiration." He pulled his partner over and gave him a deep kiss.
"Figured I would get extra points at least from you if not the judges," Kirishima said grinning. "Can I see yours babe?"
Bakugo held his arm out towards his own sculpture in invitation and Kirishima ran forwards, gasping as he saw what Bakugo had chosen to carve.
"You...you carved Crimson Riot?" He turned and gave Bakugo a misty look as he approached smiling.
"Thought you'd like that. The first half of the day was super easy, just had to get his outline, but the second half I spent working on the finer details and that was frustrating as fuck."
"When do they tell us who won?"
"Weren't you listening? The sculptures will be on display to the festival all of tonight and the public is free to vote on their favorite both in terms of talent as well as creativity. Then tomorrow the judges will review them and they'll announce both the official winners and fan favorites."
They spent the rest of the evening wandering around looking at the other sculptures, some of which were quite good. Bakugo was especially impressed by one of Hawks while Kirishima's favorite was Fat Gum, even though that looked to have only required rounding out the block and adding eyes. Finally, they called it a night.
The third day they returned to the festival and immediately hurried over to the ice sculptures. A large "1st Place" was sitting next to a sculpture that showed twin dragons circling one another in the air and a "Most creative" was by a beach scene showing a large wave and a palm tree.
"A beach scene? The fuck is so creative about that," Bakugo grumbled as they walked down the aisle towards their own sculptures. He grinned though as soon as he saw a small sign next to his Crimson Riot. "Fuck yeah, fan favorite! Guess you're not the only fan up in these parts." He turned to look at his partner who was misty eyed and staring at his own sculpture.
"Look Kats, I got a special commendation." He hurried over to Bakugo and showed him a small card detailing how the officials had voted him best participant for being friendly and helpful to all, including the grumpy gentleman next to him.
"Who the fuck they calling grumpy?" Bakugo called out. He scanned the crowd as if he could determine who had said it but burst into a grin with how hard Kirishima was laughing.
"Guess we both win babe," he said as he held out a fist. Bakugo rolled his eyes but reached up his gloved hand to bump his partners.
"Just wait until the next ice sculpting contest, I'm gonna be the best!"
Kirishima hummed and looked up in thought. "What about that beach vacation, babe? We could do a swim race? Or a surfing competition? Ooooo or building sand castles!"
Bakugo threw his head back laughing as he immediately pictured their next trip and all the possibilities. "You're on Ei, as long as we're not just sitting on our asses I'm totally in for a beach vacation."