Katsuki slammed his textbook shut, the abrupt sound echoing in the otherwise silent dorm room. Spring break. Finally. He was looking forward to a week away from the hero course and the constant pressure to be the best. He'd even begrudgingly admitted to himself that the forced family vacations weren't all bad.
As predicted, the moment he stepped through the front door, his mother, Mitsuki, descended upon him like a whirlwind. "Katsuki! You're here! Pack your bags, we're leaving in the morning!"
"Leaving? Where the hell are we going?" He grumbled, already knowing the answer. Some exotic locale, no doubt, chosen for optimal photo-op potential.
"France, darling! Your father arranged a shoot. Think of the exposure!" Mitsuki chirped, practically vibrating with excitement.
Katsuki groaned, but a small, almost imperceptible, smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He enjoyed these trips, even if he'd rather die than admit it. He hauled his suitcase from the attic, mentally preparing himself for a week of forced smiles and awkward poses.
The next morning arrived in a flurry of yelling (mostly from his mother) and last-minute packing. Katsuki wrestled his oversized suitcase into the trunk, muttering about the indignity of it all. He climbed into the back seat, expecting to be sandwiched between his parents for the duration of the ride.
Then he saw him. Shoto Todoroki, standing awkwardly by the curb with a small duffel bag at his feet.
"WHAT THE HELL IS ICYHOT DOING HERE?!" Katsuki roared, his voice cracking with disbelief and a surprising amount of… something else he couldn't quite identify.
Mitsuki rounded on him, her eyes blazing. "Katsuki, be nice! Endeavor asked if Shoto could join us. He wants the exposure. And he's your friend."
"Friend?!" Katsuki sputtered. He and Todoroki were… acquaintances. Rivals, maybe. Definitely not friends.
Todoroki slid into the seat beside him, his heterochromatic eyes meeting Katsuki's for a fleeting moment. "Hello, Bakugo."
"Tch," Katsuki grunted, pointedly turning his gaze out the window. This trip just went from annoying to unbearable.
The car ride was tense, punctuated by Mitsuki's attempts at cheerful conversation and Masaru's quiet hums. Katsuki kept his eyes glued to the passing scenery, doing his best to ignore the unsettling warmth radiating from Todoroki beside him. Todoroki, for his part, seemed content to stare out the window, his expression unreadable.
Paris was everything Katsuki expected and more. Beautiful, chaotic, and overwhelming. The photoshoot locations were stunning: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, a quaint little cafe in Montmartre. Katsuki, despite his initial reluctance, found himself enjoying the work. He was a natural in front of the camera, his explosive energy translating well into striking poses.
Todoroki, on the other hand, was stiff and awkward. He looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. Katsuki found himself, against his better judgment, offering small tips. "Loosen up, Icyhot. You look like you're about to face a firing squad."
Surprisingly, Todoroki listened. He relaxed his shoulders, softened his gaze, and actually managed a genuine smile. The resulting photos were breathtaking. The contrast between Katsuki's fiery intensity and Todoroki's cool elegance was captivating.
The real chaos started that evening when they arrived at their hotel. Mitsuki, after a heated discussion with the hotel staff, announced that there had been a "slight mix-up" with the reservations.
"There's only one room available with two beds," she said, wringing her hands. "I'm so sorry, boys, but you'll have to share."
Katsuki and Todoroki exchanged a horrified look. Sharing a room? Sharing a room with Todoroki? For an entire week? This was a nightmare.
"Absolutely not," Katsuki growled. "I'll sleep on the damn floor."
"Don't be ridiculous, Katsuki," Mitsuki scolded. "Just be civil. And be grateful you have a roof over your head."
They ended up in a surprisingly luxurious suite, but that did little to ease the tension. There was only one bed. A king-sized bed, but still only one.
"I'll take the floor," Todoroki offered quietly.
"No way," Katsuki snapped. "I'm not letting you sleep on the floor. I'll take it."
"But…"
"No buts. I'm used to sleeping anywhere." Katsuki grabbed a blanket and a pillow, staking his claim on the less-than-comfortable carpet.
He tossed and turned for hours, unable to sleep. The unfamiliar surroundings, the lingering scent of Todoroki's cologne, and the constant awareness of the other boy sleeping just a few feet away kept him wide awake.
Across the room, Todoroki lay still, his eyes wide open in the darkness. His heart hammered against his ribs. Sharing a bed with Bakugo was… unexpected. And terrifyingly exciting. He discreetly pulled out his phone and texted Dabi.
Shoto: I messed up.
Dabi: What did you do now, IcyHot? Blow up Endeavor's prized koi pond?
Shoto: I'm sharing a room with Bakugo. And a bed.
Dabi's response was immediate.
Dabi: OOOOOOHHHHHH. Things just got interesting. You finally gonna make a move, little bro?
Shoto: I don't know what you're talking about.
Dabi: Sure you don't. Just remember, confidence is key. And maybe a little accidental skin contact?
Shoto: Dabi!
Dabi: Relax, I'm just teasing. But seriously, don't overthink it. Just be yourself. (And maybe try to steal a pillow.)
Todoroki sighed and put his phone away. Easy for Dabi to say.
The next few days were a blur of photoshoots, awkward silences, and accidental brushes of hands and shoulders. Katsuki found himself increasingly drawn to Todoroki, intrigued by his quiet strength and unexpected vulnerability. He caught himself staring, admiring the way the Parisian sunlight caught in his bi-colored hair, the way his lips quirked slightly when he was amused.
One evening, after a particularly grueling shoot, they found themselves alone on the balcony of their suite, overlooking the glittering lights of Paris. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken feelings.
"Thanks," Todoroki said softly, breaking the silence.
"For what?" Katsuki grunted, trying to sound nonchalant.
"For helping me with the photoshoots. I was… nervous."
"Tch. You were a disaster," Katsuki said, but the words lacked their usual bite.
Todoroki chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down Katsuki's spine. He turned to face Katsuki, his eyes searching. "You know, Bakugo…"
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to. Katsuki knew. He leaned in, drawn to Todoroki like a moth to a flame. Their lips met in a hesitant, tentative kiss. It was soft, sweet, and surprisingly gentle.
Katsuki pulled back, his face flushed. "What the hell was that?"
Todoroki's face was equally flushed. "I… I don't know."
Katsuki closed the distance between them, silencing Todoroki with another kiss. This time, it was deeper, more passionate. He tangled his fingers in Todoroki's hair, pulling him closer.
When they finally broke apart, breathless and dazed, Katsuki was the first to speak. "Damn it, Icyhot."
Todoroki smiled, a genuine, heart-stopping smile that made Katsuki's knees weak. "Yea, Bakugo."
Todoroki scrambled for his phone, his fingers fumbling with the screen. Desperation flooded his system.
Shoto: Dabi! I kissed Bakugo!
The response was instant, and predictably chaotic.
Dabi: HOLY SHIT! I KNEW IT! DETAILS, ICYHOT, I NEED DETAILS! WAS IT GOOD? DID SPARKS FLY? DID HE FINALLY REALIZE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE FOR HIM?
Shoto: I don't know! It was… confusing. And intense. What do I do now?
Dabi: Now? Now you ride that emotional rollercoaster, little bro! Embrace the chaos! Confess your undying love! Or, you know, just see where it goes. But seriously, tell me everything later. I need details.
Shoto stared at the phone, a swirl of confusion and excitement battling for dominance. He looked at Bakugo, at the way his brow was furrowed, at the faint blush still dusting his cheeks. Maybe Dabi was right. Maybe he should just see where it goes.
The rest of the trip was a whirlwind of stolen kisses, awkward conversations, and tentative explorations of their newfound feelings. They were still Katsuki and Todoroki – explosive and reserved, fiery and icy – but something had shifted. They were no longer just rivals, or even just friends. They were something more.
As the plane touched down in Japan, Katsuki turned to Todoroki, a rare sincerity in his eyes. "This doesn't change anything, Icyhot."
Todoroki smiled. "I know. But maybe… maybe it changes everything."