Chapter Text
“You know, it's been a while since I’ve seen you laugh Bakugo.”
He whips his head around instantly and shoots the white- and red-haired man an incredulous look.
“What the hell do you mean by that Icy-hot?” He grumbles, Shoto adjusts himself against the couch cushions.
“I mean exactly what I said. I’ve just come to the realization that you haven’t laughed since that one time Mineta fell off the balcony and as Jirou said “ate shit” on the lawn outside the dormitory.” He responded flatly.
Izuku laughed boisterously from the armchair he was resting in across from the two of them.
“It kills me how you can say that so plainly Todoroki!” He brings a scarred hand to his mouth to stifle his laughter. “Honestly you do have a point, I haven’t even seen you smile since then either Kacchan.”
“Tch, I’m not big on smiling dunno how you haven’t picked up on that yet. I’ve just reached the point of tolerating you two extras so don’t push it.” He rumbled out throwing an arm across his eyes as he sprawled out on the expanse of the couch, his legs dangling off the edge while he crammed in on Todoroki’s singular cushion.
Todoroki rolls his eyes at the spiky blonde before glancing over to Midoriya who looks up from his notebook to give a matching eye roll at their friend. When a mischievous glint in his eyes caught Todoroki's attention. Deku’s eyes darted to look over to Bakugo and back to Todoroki as a grin spread across his face. Todoroki lifted a brow, what are you up to now Midoriya?
Izuku tilted his head to the side before jumping and jotting something down in his notebook. Todoroki waited patiently curious as to what inspired him, Izuku then flipped the notebook around and held it out the page read, Wanna try and make Kacchan laugh? Todoroki's lips quivered, akin to a smile and he nodded. That typical determination crossed Izuku's face and he set the notebook down and scooched out of the chair to plant his feet on the floor, slapping his knees loudly.
“Sooo Kacchan I have a question for you.” He began, signaling to Todoroki to keep it going, apparently, the plan was just to improvise it. Bakugo lifted his arm off his eyes, squinting at Deku.
“Yeah this is serious Bakugo, pay attention,” Todoroki replied, turning to face him who scoffed but sat upright now.
“What serious question could you two idiots have for me right now?” He asked, annoyance obvious in his tone which just made Deku snicker where he sat.
“I’ll tell you. Why did the chicken cross the road?” He asked, Todoroki huffed trying not to laugh at the absurd joke. Bakugo just gave them both a blank look.
“Are you being serious right now?” He blinked. “Dead. Serious. You have to guess by the way.” Deku added, Katsuki’s brow twitched, he clenched his fists.
“Oh shut up! I just said not to push your luck, nerd.” He growled, running a hand through his hair.
“Lemme guess the chicken crossed the road because you two wouldn’t leave me the hell alone?” He smirked at his own response, while Deku put up a big ‘x’ with his arms.
“Err! Nope. The chicken crossed the road to get to the other side!” He exclaimed proudly. Bakugo’s tone raised just short of yelling. “That's it?! You didn’t even change it up?”
Todoroki shook his head as Deku burst into a fit of nervous giggling, “I think your plan seemed to make you laugh more than Bakugo.”
“What the hell, what kind of a plan did you two have?” Bakugo looked frustratedly between the two of them.
“To make you laugh. But the mental approach certainly isn’t going to work...” Todoroki commented, turning to study Bakugo intently.
“Ha! I bet you dorks a week's worth of tutoring you can’t make me laugh with your shitty jokes.” He proudly states, leaning back against the couch, his arms resting behind his head. Deku squabbled something in defense of his jokes while Todoroki thought of a revised plan.
“Hmm, does it have to be jokes Bakugo?” Todoroki asked, spurred on to keep entertaining Deku.
“I doubt you two even have a sense of humor so sure. You can do something else: improv, stand-up, bring it on!” He said, all self-assured and confident as he is when he’s challenged.
“Alright then, Midoriya I have a new plan.” Deku sat upright immediately scurrying over to let Todoroki whisper his plan into his ear. Bakugo cocked his head, although his pride would beg to disagree he was suddenly wondering if he should’ve eaten his words about tutoring them for a whole week. Especially when Deku’s eyes lit up so brightly, almost like he was harnessing one for all.
“You’re a genius Shoto! That always worked when we were kids!” Deku brightened up, eyes locking onto Bakugo and narrowing mischievously once more.
“Okay, this time Kacchan I have a genuinely important question,” Deku said, suspiciously walking a step closer to him. Katsuki squinted between the two of them. “What are you two idiots planning?”
“Would you say you’d mind me or Todoroki in your personal space more?” He asked, his words seemed genuine which threw Bakugo off even more. What the fuck are they planning? A heart-to-heart conversation with me?!
“Probably you. Because at least half and half’s hair doesn’t take up eighty percent of my peripheral vision.” He scowled, gesturing to Izuku’s wild mane of green unkempt hair.
“Ouch.” He mumbled adjusting the fringe of his locks, “You asked.” Bakugo shrugged, leaning forward once more.
“Why does it matter who I prefer in my personal space? I’d prefer if you both kept your distance or I’ll blow your damn heads off! I thought you were trying to make me laugh?” The confusion in his voice was as concentrated as his deep-set frown.
“We are trying to! And because I know we have an important test on explosives and hostage situations next week I could really use some extra tutoring. So in advance, I’m sorry for what's about to happen Kacchan.” Deku responded darkly, taking another step closer now only a few feet away from where Bakugo sat.
His suspicions heightened once Deku brought his hands up to his chest like he was getting ready to pounce on him. Bakugo tensed, ready to push himself off the couch and ask once again what the hell their plan could be before Deku shouted excitedly.
“Get him Todoroki!”
Shit Icyhot! He’d forgotten all about the damn bastard. Before he had enough time to get his guard up Todoroki had grabbed his wrists from behind the couch and pinned him back, and in an instant, Deku pounced on him. Bakugo fired up warning blasts in his palms, parting his lips to shout out a slew of angry curses for them attacking him but the yells suddenly morphed into boisterous laughter.
Deku’s hands wildly scrabbed at his sides to tickle him. This kind of attack was something he wasn’t expecting. Hell, who would be? Didn’t tickling stop in like second grade? What the fuck was he supposed to do? His explosions died off in his palms while his head slammed back against the couch, sharp canines showed off around such a wide grin as his body wracked with loud boyish cackling.
Izuku’s eyes were lighting up at the mere sight of his best friend laughing, small flashbacks of when Kacchan was a kid proudly laughing at his own jokes just like this. It was such a rare sight he couldn’t help but cherish it, his hands insistently pressing into his sides and wiggling wildly. He couldn’t help it the harder he pressed the louder Kacchan would laugh!
“BAHAHAH-Y-YOU DAMN FUCKING NERDS-I’M GONNA KILL YOU BOTHBHAHAH-” Anyone else might’ve thought some of his cackling nearly demonic with its intensity akin to his rage. Bakugo just had a lot of passion and volume in everything he did, including laughing hysterically. Even Todoroki who was holding onto flailing Bakugo was smiling at the sight of him laughing unbashedly.
“I can’t believe this is actually happening…” Deku gapes, still grinning like he was meeting all might for the first time. Maybe it looked kind of weird to enjoy torturing Kacchan this much but it was all in good fun. Plus it was sort of payback for all the dastardly mean comments he’d thrown his way. And even if it was probably just from laughing Kacchan didn’t seem to be fighting Deku as much as he’d expected him to.
Katsuki tugged against Todoroki’s grip, his stomach spasming as he tried to fight them off him. But it was hard to muster up any of his normal strength when he couldn’t stop laughing. His face flushing rosy red up to his ears, eyes squeezed shut, and little tears beading on his lashes. Most noticeable of all was that the normal crease in his brow had vanished, leaving his face all light and soft in an unnatural way everyone would never associate with Bakugo.
The sight was enough to make their hearts stop.
“Damn nerds Ha- I’ll kill you..both.” He chuckled, trying to make his words hold that same barky tone but failing miserably, “Fine heh…y-you win o-okay?” Bakugo mumbled his defeat, his head leaning back against the couch with a shaky breathless voice still laughing between his words. He wanted to be angry but he couldn’t muster it, only giggling in the most uncharacteristically sweet way that he had half the mind to be furious about.
Deku felt like a kid on Christmas at the sound of Kacchan’s laughter beaming over to Todoroki who surprisingly was flashing a charming grin. Maybe it was that exact moment where Bakugo gave up beneath him with that breathless tone or the shockingly cute sight of Todoroki smiling but either way, Deku’s heart skipped a beat.
He quickly let go of his friend and took a few steps back in case he planned to retaliate. But the spiky-haired blonde just relaxed into the couch only squirming away from him to catch his breath, Deku relaxed into soft giggling himself.
“I’m sorry to say this Kacchan but I think that’s the most fun I’ve had hanging out with you in my life.” He looked nearly as pink as Bakugo all giddy with excitement, while Todoroki's face shared a matching flush, something about Izuku so happy over childish bets and tickling did something to him. Just as much as the sight of such a pliant Bakugo, wearing that softened expression and sweet smile. Todoroki said nothing, simply letting go of Bakugo’s loose arms for him to fully sink back against the couch whilst taking a few preliminary steps back himself.
Bakugo sighed appreciatively, caving into a hunched-over lump of bones. If he wasn’t so tough he would’ve exclaimed his discomfort so instead he just let his body relax feeling warm and mushy. It was foreign to him, the way his skin tingled and his ribs ached yet he almost didn’t mind it.
Almost.
Because he did mind being attacked unexpectedly and to use his childhood weakness against him like that? Out of all the embarrassing things they could’ve thought of? Oh, they were so dead. But when he blinked up at the two “friends” of his and their expressions that were possibly, potentially, borderline…cute…He bit his tongue.
“Sorry about that Bakugo…But before you try to kill the two of us, don't forget the bet you made.” Todoroki started, rounding the couch to stand over him the same way Izuku was. “ I do believe you owe us a week's worth of tutoring now, Kacchan.” Deku quipped, scarred fingers crossed in front of his chest.
Bakugo scoffed, “Yeah yeah, I didn’t forget the stupid bet ya’ extras…” His palms roughly rubbing his eyes. “But before then you both are SO getting your asses beat.” He grumbled, smirking like his old self again. Todoroki fed off his confidence, and before he could let his brain remind him of the repercussions he decided to tease Bakugo.
“Oh thank goodness we didn’t lose you there Bakugo. I almost thought you’d been replaced by an imposter to be giggling so sweetly like that.” Deku tensed watching Bakugo’s entire body flinch in on itself like he was coiling in his rage, he panicked. SWEETLY? Now that’s a bold statement to make, and was it sarcastic? Since when did Todoroki have such a sense of humor?! He was baffled, knowing he’d just challenged Kacchan. And Bakugo of course didn’t miss a beat; he whipped his head around instantly, face the same deep red as he vibrated with rage.
“SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH IF YOU WANT A CHANCE TO KEEP LIVING ICYHOT!” He screamed, balling his fists at his sides. Deku chuckled, before instantly shutting up the moment Bakugo’s furious glare whipped around to face him at lightning speed. Bakugo pushed himself up to stand, re-establishing his intimidating factor when he didn’t meet their eyes as he spoke,
“You two tell anyone about this…and I will kill you. You got that?” His tone was icy serious, that all too familiar fear washing over Deku, “N-nope! Never gonna say a word about it. Lips absolutely sealed, r-right Todoroki?” He stuttered out and elbowed Todoroki who nodded.
“Your secret is safe with me Bakugo.” The responses had sufficed enough but he still said nothing, he just stomped between the two of them off towards his dorm with the same clenched jaw and familiar scowl.
“My room at noon tomorrow if you want me to actually tutor you, damn losers.” He called out over his shoulder. And then he slammed his door leaving the two of them alone.
“Sooo I guess the plan was…Successful?!” Deku offered with shrugged shoulders, Todoroki nodded, “It appears so...but I must say I expected him to at least try to blow one of us up before he left.” Deku nodded enthusiastically, “I guess we’re just lucky.” He said, he didn’t exactly say what he’d meant but knew he and Todoroki shared the same suspicion that something was off. To share such a tender moment with Bakugo of all people, and not get any serious reprimand was definitely suspect but they didn’t say anything more. Instead, they just stood together in awkward silence for a few beats until Todoroki’s calm voice spoke up.
“Tomorrow at noon then?”
“Yeah, Tomorrow at noon…” Another beat of silence, and just as Todoroki had turned to leave, Deku suddenly jumped in front of him with a pleading look before he began to wail. “But wait! Please Shoto meet me outside of Kacchan’s room before we go in!!”
“I’ll do that Midoriya.” Todoroki chuckled, letting Deku’s shoulders relax a bit. After he’d shaken off his fear he gave him a boyish grin before they parted ways and were both left to suspiciously wonder what would possibly happen tomorrow.
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