You Make My Heart Go Boom!

𝐈 𝐍 𝐓 𝐑 𝐎 𝐃 𝐔 𝐂 𝐓 𝐈 𝐎 𝐍 ; 導入

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I love fluff sometimes and this story really shows it. No pain here, so if you’re wary of angst, fear not this story! Yes, you read that cheesy title correctly. I hope you enjoy!

Art credit: ♡

𝐓 𝐀 𝐆 𝐒 ; タグ

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#FireworkAgency

𝐖 𝐎 𝐑 𝐃  𝐂 𝐎 𝐔 𝐍 𝐓 ; 単語数

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2,810

𝐓 𝐈 𝐌 𝐄  𝐓 𝐀 𝐊 𝐄 𝐍 ; 時間

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6 hours

𝐂 𝐇 𝐀 𝐑 𝐀 𝐂 𝐓  𝐄 𝐑 𝐒 ; 文字

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Todoroki Shoto and Bakugou Katsuki (Todobaku)

𝐖 𝐀 𝐑 𝐍 𝐈 𝐍 𝐆 𝐒 ; 警報

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Mildly foul language

𝐒 𝐘 𝐍 𝐎 𝐏 𝐒 𝐈 𝐒 ; 梗概

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Every year, there is a Firework Festival a very short distance from U.A. High School, and every year, people of all ages dress up and go to enjoy the party and some fireworks afterwards. Someone having never been before isn’t just odd… it’s a problem that needs solving right away. With that someone being Todoroki, Bakugou is prepared to be the ultimate problem solver.

✎ 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺

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“What do you mean you’ve never been to the festival before?!”

“It comes around every summer, you’ve missed it for /how/ many years now?”

“You can’t be serious, have you been living under a rock for 16 years?”

Outrage sparks through the common room of class 1A’s shared dorm as each of the surrounding students absorbs the knowledge of one apparently distressing fact; Shoto Todoroki has never in his life been to the annual summer Firework Festival. Every student in their class, including everyone from the frighteningly extroverted to the painfully introverted ones, has apparently witnessed the colorful displays of artful explosions and what’s effectively a party spread through dozens of streets shut down just for this event as well as a natural park dotted with all manner of snack stands, games, and plenty of open space for people to stand or set up late night picnic areas for themselves and friends.

Children and adults come from miles and miles around just to enjoy the festivities and some time under the stars, many even finding that it’s the perfect opportunity for some couples to enjoy a romantic evening while the younger festival-attendees enjoy sparklers and sugar in every possible form.

Of all the experiences Todoroki’s missed in his life so far… it seems like a festival should be the least of his worries, especially when it has absolutely nothing to do with his hopes and dreams for the future. Truthfully speaking, though… His upbringing simply seems to have ruined any desire he might have to try experiencing the things everyone else deems as fun, simply because there’s still a small, aching part of his heart that fears the possibility of not working hard enough more than he fears any villain the world will ever throw at him. It’s a sad reality, but not to someone who doesn’t realize that is their own reality.

“I’ve never been. It seems too late to start this year.” Finally, Todoroki speaks again after the long bout of his own silence. Not that the others in the room let it be a true silence. It all started with a question of why he isn’t yet in a kimono like the rest are, preparing to take off out the door now that the sun is just starting to set. It’s the perfect time to start, and yet… here he is, sitting at the floor behind the low table in the large, mainly open portion of the floor with an English book spread open before him. It seems like almost everyone is here, aside from those who’re already gone, and Bakugou, who’s sitting on one of the chairs in a set of casual clothes after claiming he’s not interested in things like fireworks.

But then, with a short glance to where he once sat, a few words upon his lips ready to console Iida, Midoriya and Ochako, it becomes obvious that the blonde has apparently already grown tired of the amount of noise Todoroki’s confession caused. He can’t really be blamed for that… The explosive teenager seems to enjoy peace and quiet a lot more than most people understand. Todoroki knows, though…

It’s not that he’s gone out of his way to ensure that he and Bakugou become friends, though it might look like it on the outside. Even if Shoto had tried to do exactly that, he’d never have been able to imagine the number of ways the universe would stick two students with such drastic differences together. They’re like completely opposite ends of the spectrum, especially when it comes to emotions and how they act in the public eye. Bakugou is loud, aggressive, harsh and it seems like every one of his feelings are blown up ten times more than a normally mannered student. On the other hand, Todoroki is… severely lacking in expression. They couldn’t be more different in that aspect aside from the rage they each exhibit in excess when pushed to a certain point.

Not only that, but from the very beginning, Todoroki and Bakugou both made it perfectly clear that they weren’t keen on making friends here at U.A., only to find themselves each adopted by an array of extroverts. That should mean that, if each of them is individually inclined not to go out of their way to grow close to someone, they’d remain strangers for an incredibly long time.

But that simply isn’t the case.

It’s been some months since Shoto’s first started naming the two of them friends, despite Bakugou’s protests, and in all honesty, he’s not sure that’s quite the right word anymore… No matter what the suddenly absent blonde’s willing or unwilling to it, they’re far from enemies even if they may be rivals, and.. Well, people who aren’t friends wouldn’t be willing to walk out onto their balconies late at night when neither can sleep, one leaning over the railing and one with his back resting against the handrail, looking up to the other. Just for company… idle talk. The sort of talk they don’t have during the day or any other time. Conversations that have nothing to do with the nightmares that drove them out there in the first place, or the work that caused the nightmarish situations, or school, or anything related to becoming the top hero.

It may seem insignificant, but.. Sharing a time when they’re just a pair of teenagers enjoying one another’s company is far more significant than either could possibly explain or it.

“... I think Bakugou is staying here too, if that makes you feel any better.” Of course, judging by the expressions on the faces of the three he’s addressing right now, the fact does not, in fact, make them feel any better about leaving him here. But of course, he has no kimono to wear to such an event, unlike Sero, Tokoyami, Jirou, Hagakure, and the remaining three he’s speaking to now. Considering the fact that they’re the only ones who’ve yet to leave and need to do so before it’s too late to find a spot to watch the fireworks… It’s not entirely perfect that all of his friends are so selfless they’re hesitant to leave without him.

“I don’t know, Kacchan’s probably just going to sleep soon and then no one else will be around for you, Todoroki.”

“Yeah, you should get a chance to go too!”

“I agree, it’s very important that every member of our class take a necessary reprieve from the duties of our daily lives.”

“I’ll be fine. I already planned to spend some time doing homework tonight. Go.” Simply speaking… It doesn’t seem like that much to miss, especially when he’s already missing a very important component he’d need if he did decide at the last minute to go. It’s not appropriate to wear casual clothes to something like this, even for the occasional tourist. He may not have ever been to an event like the one his friends are soon to attend, but Todoroki is well versed in how important attire is to the people of his country.

Luckily for Shoto, that’s the last of the argument before the remainder of his present classmates seem ready to make their way out the door in a wide array of colorful outfits and various degrees of eagerness gracing their expressions. The quiet that ensues immediately afterwards is heavier than expected… maybe, just maybe, he is a little bit disappointed to be left alone anyway, no matter how much an introvert needs their time alone.

There’s no telling what exactly Shoto was expecting- he couldn’t even answer such a question himself if asked, but apparently, some part of him didn’t actually want to be left in the common room with nothing but his homework and his thoughts. If Bakugou were still in the room, at least it could be a little less silent.. Maybe with the television on and the background noise of a violent video game running like what often happens in the evenings and weekends, or even perhaps the sound of his breathing and that occasional shuffling would bring a bit of comfort, but… with Bakugou absent for now, so are all those sounds Todoroki’s started to seek out as his sounds of solace in the moments where he’s experiencing any emotion more skewed towards the negative side….

Who knows how long it is before he finishes a chapter and notes to go with it, flipping to the next numbly, pen poised over a fresh page in his notebook. By that time, the sun outside has completely set, the dorm windows now darkened with the veil of night..  It’s only then that the silence ends, broken by the sound of the dorm elevator door sliding open, followed by a series of heavy stomps that happen to be Bakugou’s most tame manner of moving on a regular basis.

Not that Todoroki has a particularly long time to ponder the nature of Bakugou’s walking habits before the lights are turned off. Well- not exactly, but that’s what it seems like the moment a heavy piece of fabric is dropped atop his head, flopping over his face and shoulders without ceremony.

“Move your ass, Icyhot. You can put it on over your clothes. We’re leaving. Now.” Bakugou’s harsh, rough voice sounds just a little muffled through the fabric before Todoroki finally pulls it away, now able to take in the appearance of the black kimono in his arms, its wide, bright orange belt draped over the center already.

Brain moving at a snail’s pace, Shoto turns around enough to look up at the man standing behind him, peering up at the blonde with evident confusion in his mismatched eyes, even more so upon seeing the army green fabric covering Bakugou’s body, broken by a black belt tied at his waist.

Even more impatient than usual, Katsuki rolls his eyes, uncrossing already crossed arms with an irritable huff. “I had an extra from last year, hurry up or we’re going to miss it!”

Confused or not… Shoto doesn’t need to be told a third time, particularly not with the unpleasant chill in his chest being replaced by a warmth he could only describe as… nighttime sunshine. The same sort of feeling he’s experienced in the nights he and Katsuki speak outside on their balconies, but amplified.

The only thing that can rival the speed with which he pulls on the garment is the way Katsuki grabs him by the wrist and practically drags even the highly willing teen out the door and onto the sidewalk the second they’ve both pulled a pair of shoes on.

“I thought you weren’t going tonight?” He questions, striding as fast as his legs can carry him without breaking into a run just to keep up with the blonde’s pace. If someone could walk as though a fire’s been lit under their feet…

“I wasn’t going to, but you looked pathetic sitting around by yourself. You can do your damn homework later- shit, we’re gonna miss it.” With an abrupt cutoff of his previous sentence, Bakugou gives no other warning before breaking into a run, Todoroki following very, very shortly after considering the fact that they’re still attached at his wrist.

Within seconds, they’ve both reached an all-out sprint down the seemingly abandoned sidewalk, turning rapidly at the next block with Bakugou leading the way and the half and half student almost tripping over his own feet for once in order to keep up with the motion as well as the bullet train of his own thoughts. If he’s not supposed to be reading into this, someone should really alert him of that fact.. About five minutes ago now.

With their breakneck pace, it’s not long before what absolutely has to be the festival comes into view… Vendors of all sorts lining the streets on either side, lighting up an area that would be dim with just the streetlights in a golden glow. People of all sizes and ages crowd the center of the street so densely it looks almost like an imible wall of people, but apparently, Bakugou doesn’t see the same thing he does… Plunging straight into the crowd with only a small drop in pace, leaving Todoroki to mutter apologies as they break through the crowd. Sounds and smells of the festival, though… they’re so overwhelming. Sugar and party foods lace their way through the air, intermingling with dozens upon dozens of voices big and small, flashing lights and the sounds of darts hitting boards the mix and leave just as quickly as Shoto is pulled through the sea of bodies longer and longer, for what feels like a mere second in his own eyes and years in the eyes of Katsuki.

By the time they finally come to a stop, each teen needs the moment to control their breathing, bring down their heart rates and control themselves just a little bit. The crowd is now far behind, grass beneath their feet and a few trees dotting the field around them while most people are either in the streets enjoying the games and food, or set up further back in the field on lawn chairs and blankets. And once again.. There is quiet.

But this quiet doesn’t last the way the previous did… Cut off by a sudden, distant pop followed by a long, high pitched whistle. For a moment, Todoroki’s eyes are firmly at the same level as before, until a rough hand is beneath his chin, pushing his gaze upwards just in time for him to catch the first brilliant red and gold explosion of color and light as a boom echos across the sky… And from that moment on, he’s frozen in place, eyes widening in awe as lights spark across the sky in explosion after explosion. Golds, blues, reds, greens.. Every color he could possibly imagine flashing across the sky before him in beautiful displays of what almost looks like stars breaking apart right above them.

Shoto almost doesn’t notice as the hand at his wrist slips lower, loosening as rough, warm fingers press against his palm, wrapping around his hand silently. Only then can he pull his eyes away from the fireworks enough to bring his attention to the teen beside him, glancing with wide eyes from Bakugou’s crimson eyes, back down to their hands, and then up again. For a moment.. All he can do is stare, letting his own fingers slowly close around the back of Katsuki’s hand, before he watches Katsuki’s lips part, forming a few words he can’t possibly hear over the sound of fireworks overhead.

“What?” He questions, leaning in a little closer shortly as his eyebrows furrow in focus, listening carefully for Katsuki’s voice when, as it turns out, there’s no need to do so…

Apparently… Katsuki believes there are better means of communicating right now… Like, perhaps, closing the gap Shoto just made even smaller, only to settle blazing hot lips against a pair of oddly cool ones.

And for the third time tonight, there is silence… this time, because the world has paused for them.

With the grand finale going off in an enchanting display above him, all Shoto can think about is Katsuki… all he can hear is the booming of his own heart… all he can feel are those lips… and all he can think is-

‘Katsuki… is my favorite firework…’

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