ᴏɴᴇsʜᴏᴛs

Tempest in Flames

✰ᴡᴏʀᴅ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ : 2,086✰

In a bustling city where heroes and villains clashed daily, there was a rivalry that had captured everyone's attention: Todoroki Shoto and Bakugo Katsuki. Their story was written in the flames of battle and the ice of silence, where every clash was a conversation, every insult a confession.

Todoroki, with his half-cold, half-hot quirk, was calm, collected, and enigmatic, a stark contrast to Bakugo's explosive temperament. Their first interactions were explosive—literally. Bakugo, all fire and fury, saw Todoroki as a challenge, someone who could match him in power. But there was something more, something neither of them wanted to acknowledge at first.

As the months passed, their fights became less about winning and more about understanding each other. Todoroki admired Bakugo's unyielding spirit, his drive to be the best no matter what. Bakugo, in turn, found himself inexplicably drawn to Todoroki's quiet strength, the way he faced his demons without flinching.

One evening, after a particularly grueling battle, they found themselves alone on a rooftop, the city lights glittering below them. Bakugo, still catching his breath, glanced at Todoroki, who was gazing out at the horizon, his expression unreadable.

"You're not half bad, Icyhot," Bakugo muttered, his voice softer than usual.

Todoroki turned to him, his mismatched eyes reflecting the city's glow. "You're not so bad yourself, Bakugo."

It was the first time they had exchanged words without the bite of competition, and it felt right. Bakugo, feeling the tension dissolve, sat down next to Todoroki, and for once, they allowed themselves to just be. No expectations, no battles, just two boys who had found something in each other that they hadn't realized they were searching for.

The beginning was, as most things were between them, a fight.

Todoroki was in the training field, practicing his precision with both ice and fire, when Bakugo stormed in, his usual scowl etched on his face.

"Todoroki! Quit hogging the field," Bakugo barked, his hands already crackling with tiny explosions. "Some of us actually have to work to stay on top!"

Todoroki glanced at him, his expression impassive. "There's plenty of space, Bakugo. You can train over there."

"Like hell I'm going to take orders from you!" Bakugo growled, marching up to him. "You think you're so great, don't you? Just because you've got that stupid half-and-half quirk."

Todoroki turned to face him fully, his mismatched eyes meeting Bakugo's fierce gaze. "I'm not trying to be great. I'm just trying to improve."

"Improving? Ha!" Bakugo sneered. "You'll never beat me with that attitude!"

Todoroki's gaze didn't waver. "Is that what you think this is about?"

"What else would it be?" Bakugo snapped. "You've always been my rival, Todoroki. From day one."

Todoroki looked at him, something unreadable in his eyes. "Maybe that's the problem, Bakugo. You only see things in terms of rivals and battles."

"And you don't?" Bakugo challenged, stepping closer, his voice low and intense. "Everything's a fight in this world. If you don't get that, you're never going to be the hero you could be."

Todoroki sighed, turning away slightly. "Maybe you're right. But there's more to being a hero than just fighting."

Bakugo stared at him, something shifting in his expression. He opened his mouth to retort, but the words died in his throat. Instead, he just watched as Todoroki walked away, leaving him standing alone in the training field.