Chapter Text
The UA High training grounds were eerily quiet at night, save for the hum of distant streetlights and the occasional rustle of trees in the wind. Bakugou Katsuki stomped his way across the gravel path, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets as he muttered under his breath. His earlier argument with Kirishima still stung, though he’d never admit it aloud. He needed to blow off steam, and nothing worked better than a few well-placed explosions.
When he arrived at the sparring area, he wasn’t expecting anyone else to be there. Yet there was Todoroki Shouto, standing in the center of the training ring, his mismatched eyes locked on a row of targets. Flames danced across his left hand, while his right formed a jagged sheet of ice, the cold mist curling in the air.
“Of course, it’s you,” Bakugou growled, his irritation sharpening.
Todoroki didn’t glance his way. “You’re not the only one who trains late.”
Bakugou snorted, dropping his bag with a thud. “What? Practicing to finally beat me? Don’t bother. It’ll never happen.”
“I wasn’t thinking about you,” Todoroki replied flatly, though the flicker of fire on his fingertips flared briefly. “But if you’re here, maybe you can help.”
“Help?” Bakugou’s eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “What, you want me to go easy on you, Half-and-Half? Not happening.”
Todoroki turned then, his expression unreadable but his gaze steady. “No one asked you to go easy.”
Something in Todoroki’s calm tone made Bakugou’s temper ignite. Without another word, he charged forward, a blazing explosion sparking from his palm. Todoroki sidestepped easily, his ice wall rising just in time to block the blast.
It wasn’t long before the spar turned serious, each attack pushing the other further. Bakugou’s explosions cracked against Todoroki’s ice, while Todoroki’s fire pressed against Bakugou’s relentless offense. Their insults became sharper, laced with frustration and something unspoken.
“You’re so predictable,” Todoroki said, dodging another blast. “Is that all you’ve got?”
Bakugou grit his teeth. “You’ve got some nerve for someone who still hesitates!”
With a roar, Bakugou leapt forward, aiming for a final strike—but Todoroki moved faster. A sudden surge of ice shot up around Bakugou, pinning him against the wall. The cold seeped through his shirt, and he let out a breathless curse.
Todoroki was in front of him in an instant, his breath visible in the frigid air. “Is this what you wanted?” he asked, his voice low.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Bakugou’s chest heaved as he glared into Todoroki’s eyes, the heat of their earlier clash still lingering between them.
“Get off me,” Bakugou muttered, though his voice lacked its usual venom.
Todoroki’s lips twitched, almost imperceptibly. “If you say so.” With a flick of his hand, the ice shattered, and Bakugou dropped to the ground.
“Next time, I’ll win,” Bakugou spat as he dusted himself off.
Todoroki didn’t reply. Instead, he turned back to his training, but his movements were slower now, his focus elsewhere. Bakugou watched him for a moment longer before grabbing his bag and stalking off into the night.