The Undercurrents of Frost Fire

Au 3

**Title: Ember and Frost**

In the quiet town of Musutafu, where dreams of heroism sparkled in the eyes of every child, two boys stood at the forefront of ambition and rivalry. Katsuki Bakugou, with his explosive personality and fiery quirk, was destined for greatness. Izuku Midoriya, a boy born without a quirk but brimming with tenacity and hope, often found himself on the receiving end of Bakugou's wrath during their early elementary school years.

Bakugou had always bullied Deku—mocking him for his lack of power, dismissing him as weak. But when their parents discovered the cruelty that colored their interactions, they intervened with stern words and firm hands. "You will treat him nicely," they demanded. And thus began an uneasy truce.

As time passed through those awkward middle years, something shifted between them. One afternoon under the sprawling branches of an ancient cherry blossom tree—a place where whispers danced like petals in the wind—Deku finally mustered enough courage to speak his heart.

"Bakugou," he said tentatively, "I know I don't have a quirk like you do... but what if I could help you become number one? We could be a team."

The challenge hung in the air between them like ripe fruit waiting to fall. Bakugou's brow furrowed as he considered Deku's proposition; it was absurd yet oddly enticing. The thought that someone so seemingly weak could aid him ignited something within Bakugou—a flicker of curiosity mingled with contempt.

"Fine," he huffed reluctantly. "But you better not screw this up."

With each passing day in middle school, their alliance solidified into an unbreakable bond forged through shared ambitions and secret strategies—until Ren arrived.

Ren was everything they weren't: charmingly enigmatic with striking silver hair that shimmered like frost-kissed flames against autumn leaves. His quirk—Frost Fire—allowed him to manipulate both ice and flame simultaneously; he could create beautiful sculptures made from frozen fire or cast dazzling displays that left everyone breathless. He quickly captured attention not only for his abilities but also for his magnetic personality that drew people in effortlessly.

At first glance, it felt harmless—the three boys united by fate—but Ren's charm masked deeper currents beneath its surface. Over time, he became more than just a friend; he wrapped himself around Bakugou and Deku like ivy on a trellis until they found themselves entwined within his grasp.

His influence grew insidious as days turned into months filled with laughter turned hollow under Ren's gaze—a gaze laden with expectations too heavy to bear alone. He controlled how they spoke to one another; any hint of dissent met swift punishment disguised as playful reprimands or guilt-laden silence following moments of discomfort.

"Are you really going to let me down?" Ren would say softly after scolding them for trivial matters; even when their hearts raced with fear at disappointing him further.

In those final years together before high school loomed ahead—a world bursting forth from beneath childhood—their lives revolved entirely around pleasing Ren while grappling silently against burgeoning resentment toward one another intertwined tightly within layers spun by someone else's willpower rather than their own desires.

Then came summer break just before high school commenced—the sun blazing fiercely overhead while emotions simmered below—and suddenly without warning or explanation from Ren...he vanished from Musutafu altogether leaving behind echoes reverberating throughout their minds long after he'd gone: *What now?*

Days turned into weeks stretched thin across endless thoughts haunted by memories stained vivid red alongside glimmers icy blue illuminating every moment spent under his rule twisted beautifully inside shattered glass shards reflecting regrets past borne anew since no longer did anyone dictate who they were meant to be except themselves alone standing amidst uncertainty staring back at each other wondering if redemption lay ahead somewhere hidden just beyond reach...

As autumn approached once more marking new beginnings rife potential blooming all around them—it sparked courage deep-seated yet dormant awaiting liberation unraveling slowly day-by-day revealing truths buried underneath layers crafted carefully over seasons spent together basking warmth wielded deftly alongside frigid chills igniting fires rekindling hope lost along wayward paths winding through darkness beckoning brighter tomorrows patiently yearning find footing again forging bonds resilient enough withstand trials endured together despite chaos wrought upon lives lived entangled forever changed irrevocably shaped moments shared intimately closer still...

Maybe being heroes didn't require quirks after all; perhaps strength blossomed instead from understanding one's self learning grow alongside others nurturing seeds planted roots reaching outwards thriving endlessly beneath starlit skies shimmering brightly overhead ushering forth dawns promising infinite possibilities unfolding endlessly inviting discovery anew unveiling stories unwritten waiting share whispered tales love friendship redefined transcending boundaries once held captive shackles belonging nowhere finally breaking free...