It was nearly noon the next day when the doctor came to give Shoto the all clear to leave. A change of bandages revealed a new set of scars. His hand had been rebandaged and aside from small pains when he picked up something too heavy or flexed his fingers too far, the dagger wound was all but gone. The star shaped scar left on his palm was all that remained of the wound.
He sighed and tossed the charred remains of his hero suit in the trash. Hawks had explained that he needed to use quirk suppressing handcuffs before Shoto could be evacuated from the warehouse. His fire side had burned hotter than ever under the influence of Reality Check's quirk and the winged hero had lost several feathers to the blaze just to get the cuffs on.
The tactical vest he wore to help regulate his temperature had also short circuited. Due to either the fridged cold or extreme heat of the fight. He shoved the remains of the vest in his bag, hopeful the recording tech inside would give him some insight into just how much he had pushed past his previous limits. The support department was going to be livid he was requesting new gear, again. But he didn't fight the rush of pride the thought brought on. The fight may not have gone how he wanted but he had still managed to surpass his limits.
That pride was washed away though when his phone dinged and he checked his latest message. His father was requesting he come in immediately so they could talk. Of course he would be alerted the minute Shoto was cleared to leave.
Pulling on the last of the civilian clothes Hawks had reluctantly brought him, insisting Shoto do "fan service" and leave in nothing but his underwear, he stuffed the prescription his doctor had left in his bag and turned off the lights.
Pulling a ball cap down further to hide his hair, he quietly slipped out of the hospital undetected. Breathing in the warm summer air outside his shoulders relaxed and he ambled down the street towards Endeavor Agencies. Wanting to take his time and soak up the calming sun rays before walking in to what he was sure would only be described as a shit show with his father.
The walk was far too short for his liking and as the clear glass doors of the agency slowly slid apart he entered the cool building with a frown. Slinging his bag over his shoulder he tilted his head up in acknowledgment at the receptionist whose wide, gleaming eyes had him picking up his pace towards the elevator. She was still new and had yet to get any of the hints he dropped that she was not his type. Had hadn't found anyone else that was if he was being honest with himself.
Stepping out of the elevator on the top floor he trudged to the last door of the short hallway before taking a deep breath in and out and gently knocking three times. The answer from the low, gruff voice behind the door still sent a slight shiver up the young hero's spine.
"Enter."
The door opened without a noise and latched softly behind Shoto. His father sat behind his large desk with flames extinguished pouring over a mountain of paperwork. There wasn't so much as a glance his son's direction when he entered.
Sighing internally Shoto figured it was better to get this over quickly.
"So, I take if you've read the mission report?"
"I have"
Short answers and a level tone were never a good sign. The fire and ice hero knew this meant his father was trying to reign in his temper. He rarely succeeded.
"What next?"
"I've called someone in to help" Enji pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed as he leaned back in his chair. Assuming the admission of his son needing help was a disappointment to the number one hero, Shoto's temper began to flare.
"So I've heard. Why him?" The young hero struggled to keep his voice level.
"Because he's the number two hero." Enji growled before catching himself and continuing in a softer tone. Soft for the number one hero at least. "And the two of you worked well together back at UA. You're quirks complement each other. It was the obvious choice."
"And he agreed?" Shoto scoffed. After all these years ignoring his classmates. Ignoring Shoto. He just couldn't believe one call from Endeavour would be what brought the explosive hero back. Katsuki clearly wanted nothing to do with his past. It wouldn't have surprised anyone if he'd told the number one hero to fuck off before going back to ignoring them all.
Meeting his father's eyes for the first time since he entered the room Shoto could see the toll his current work was taking. Dark bags were forming under his eyes and the parts of his forehead left untouched by his scar were etched with lines of worry. The once fierce blue eyes Shoto feared were cloudy with exhaustion.
Enji continued in a tone more kind than Shoto had ever heard his father use. "Look Shoto, I understand you guys had a… a history" he hesitated "but it's been agreed upon. Now I need you to go pick them up at the station. Their train will arrive in about an hour."
Shoto gaped at his father with raised brows. His thoughts raced. His father was an observant man when it came to fighting villains but not when it came to his children's lives. He had never given any indication that he was paying attention to who Shoto had grown close with and based on what he was insinuating he knew more than the young hero could have imagined.
Shaking the thought off he exhaled and resigned to his father's orders. It was agreed on and they were on their way here, nothing to be done now. Wait a minute….
"What do you mean by they are on their way?" he questioned.
Having returned to the paperwork in front of him Endeavour clicked his pen and replied with the smallest hint of disdain "Dynamite and Red Riot. They're a package deal apparently."
Too stunned to speak Shoto simply nodded and turned to leave before getting one parting order.
"Make sure Mei gets your new gear started. And see if she can get any data from the vest. I look forward to seeing how much you've progressed."
With that Shoto was out the door, closing it behind him with a soft click. But not before catching sight of a soft red feather beside the doorway. Damn Hawks must have filled his father in.
Stepping out of the elevator on the fifth floor Shoto was instantly overwhelmed with the smell of motor oil. Several workbenches were overturned and the items they once held were scattered across the floor haphazardly. A dark haze hung in the air as he made his way past rows of support employees rushing to pick up their latest tech or throw the windows open. The hero never understood how the support department managed to function with so many catastrophes, but he did know they were mostly caused by one incredibly ambitious and talented worker.
"Hatsume" he greeted coming to a halt beside a grease covered, pink haired girl.
"Shoto!" she grinned "how are my babies?"
"Well…. " he paused setting his bag down on her workbench and unzipping it to reveal the broken tactical vest. "They're a little damaged" he grinned sheepishly.
Mei wailed at the sight of her broken inventions, causing Shoto and the rest of the room to quickly cover their ears. Ripping the vest from the bag she immediately set to work trying to pry open the half-melted, cracked piece of tech.
The hero grinned when Mei began to quickly mutter to herself about improvements for the next one, how reckless the heroes were with her babies, and more indecipherable complaints. She reminded him of the green-eyed friend he missed when she was like this. The two had so many similarities including their passion to fulfill their dreams. Shoto had fought to convince his father to hire Mei on after they graduated, and the company was undeniably stronger for it. Despite nearly daily explosions.
"So" she contemplated "you went both colder and hotter than your previous records. Hotter than the boss even." There was a gleam in her eye that Shoto knew meant the cogs in her head were turning full speed. She spun around and began to rummage through a heaping pile of what looked to him like scrap metal before pulling out a similar style vest to his.
"Do you think you can make me a new one then Hatsume? I'll need a new costume to withstand the cold and fire as well."
"Oh don't you worry. I have just the baby for you. Give me a day and I'll have it all done."
Diving headfirst in to her work Shoto left Mei with a quiet thank you and headed back down the elevator. Closing his eyes and resting his head against the wall he steeled himself for the next part of his day. The slight tremor in his hand was the only indication of raging storm inside. His feelings were torn in two, battling for dominance. It had been five long years since he'd last seen the explosive blond. Excitement and hurt were at odds within the fire and ice hero. A small wisp of smoke trailed behind as he left the elevator deep in the memories of the last time he'd seen Katsuki.
---
"Kat hurry up we're going to be late" Shoto called out in a sing song voice to the blond behind his dorm door.
The door was nearly ripped off its hinges and Shoto felt his breath catch in his throat at the sight before him. There had been few occasions for formal wear during their years at UA but Katsuki never failed to impress in a suit. Tailored to show off the blonds well build chest, muscular arms, and surprisingly small waist he was at a loss for words until a bright red tie was shoved in to his hands and he was yanked in to the room. The door slamming shut behind them.
"Tell anyone about this and I'll fucking kill you IcyHot" Katsuki growled. Looking down to hide the faint blush rising in his cheeks.
Shoto stifled a laugh, not wanting to die thirty minutes before graduating, and popped the collar of Katsuki's dress shirt up. His normally steady fingers trembled slightly as they performed the motions like many times before. Occasionally skimming against the fabric of the blond's shirt. The smell of caramel he had always loved consumed him as he worked. With blue and grey eyes focused on the tie, Shoto hadn't noticed sharp crimson eyes focused on him.
He didn't see the way Katsuki got lost in his mis-matched eyes. Or the tremble in his hands as he fought against the desire to run a thumb over skin the blond found flawlessly smooth, just below the scar he had once blurted out was beautiful. Something Shoto secretly loved. Or how he watched red and white hair shift with every small movement and had to urge his hands to stay at his sides instead of running through that silky hair the way they had so many times before.
Tightening the knot of the tie Shoto pulled the shirt's collar back down, fingers brushing against the soft skin on Katsuki's neck causing both heroes to freeze. Shockwaves shooting through their skin. Confused crimson eyes met unsure blue and grey as Katsuki's hand came to rest overtop Shoto's still lingering against his skin. The distance between them getting smaller, and smaller until they were close enough to feel the other's breath against their skin.
Before either had time to process what was going on, the door to Katsuki's room slammed open and they instantly jumped apart. Feelings of confusion mixed with longing swirled inside Shoto.
The normally cheery redhead that had burst in was uncharacteristically quiet as he looked between the two. Katsuki's eyes stayed glued to the floor while Shoto cleared his throat and met Kirishima's gaze. Those normally carefree and kind eyes were dark with something Shoto had never seen on his classmate. Something that sent a shiver that had nothing to do with his quirk down his spine.
"Hey Kirishima we were just on our way" he gave a small smile and tried for the most reassuring tone he could manage through his current mix of emotions.
Kirishima's eyes flickered back to Katsuki ignoring the fire and ice hero completely.
"Let go…. babe" he commanded in a cold tone Shoto wasn't sure he'd ever heard from the sturdy hero. Placing unnecessarily harsh emphasis on the last word.
Without a word Katsuki made is way out the door. Feelings of hurt stirred inside Shoto but he took a deep breath in and out before pushing them aside and following the two towards the gym for their graduation ceremony. Bringing one hand to his chest to massage the rising ache away.
Katsuki had always been the one to push Shoto in to working through his feelings instead of pushing them aside, so he planned as he walked. He would find a way to confront Katsuki alone after the ceremony about what had just happened in his room. Maybe the uncomfortable fluttering that no longer had a place in his heart would subside after they discussed it. Things would be fine if he could just talk through them with Katsuki.
With a smile he greeted his other classmates and took his seat. His mind feeling free and happy knowing he would be able to figure things out later. Katsuki was always there for him.
Until he wasn't.
Unable to find him after the ceremony, unable to find him when they packed up their dooms, and unable to get a response to his messages worry ate away at Shoto. His classmates shrugged it off as Bakugo being Bakugo. It wasn't until he had cornered Izuku weeks later and forced a confession out of his apologetic friend that he learned the truth. Izuku had overheard his mom and Katsuki's mom talking over tea at their home one afternoon. Katsuki had moved hours away with Kirishima to join another agency. Abandoning his plans to join Endeavor's agency and his promise to always be there.
Shoto's hero was gone.
---
After parking his car Shoto's feet had guided him into the train station without any thought from the hero. He sat on a bench outside the arrival gate staring out the window at the deep green of the trees outside the station. It was a bright, cloudless day. The kind that seemed to melt worries away to be delt with later. But for the fire and ice hero the turmoil boiling inside couldn't be ignored.
A soft ping and gentle voice announced the arrival of the next train. It barely registered to the hero. He stood up on autopilot and made his way through the crowd to the arrival gate.
As the crowd of travelers left the train shouts of welcome and joy rang through the air around Shoto. Loved ones embraced unashamed of those around them. Luggage rolled steadily along behind passengers on their way out of the station. The blur around Shoto became clearer as he scanned for familiar explosive blond hair over top of the other travelers.
Signature spikey red caught his eye first.
Kirishima bounced along waving at fans who recognized him and flashing his signature toothy grin to a few children who jumped up and down when they saw him. Tugging their parents along for an autograph. Shoto smiled softly at the sight of his classmate who seemed not to have changed much in their five years apart. That smile quickly fell as he looked past the red head.
A figure stood a ways behind Kirishima with slouched shoulders and head hung low underneath a hood. He seemed tense at the noise and crowd around him, shifting back and forth on his feet. Inching away when someone got too close. As he walked closer Shoto could see spikes of blond jutting out from beneath the hood.
Heart hammering against his chest, Shoto weaved through the crowd unnoticed thanks to Red Riots boisterous appearance. Eyes locked on the hooded figure. There was no way. This couldn't be.
"Katsuki…" he breathed. Watching the figure flinch before slowly tiling his head up. Dull crimson eyes met Shoto's.
It was Katsuki.
But it wasn't his Katsuki.