Forcing Sero to show up at his room at midnight probably sounds stupid, but Bakugo needs to talk to him now because the others are being too weird.

So once he has the tape user in his room, he glares at him and crosses his arms over his chest.

"I told you not to tell anyone if you wanted me to forgive you or whatever. What kind of bullshit are you playing at?"

Sero visibly recoils at the accusation.

"Woah, what? I haven't told them. I swear, they're just worried about you. Have been since before, you know, back when I was being an asshole to you not even a month ago?"

Bakugo's scoffs. "Yeah I'm just supposed to believe that you magically stopped hating me and didn't go out and tell them?"

Bakugo can't even say it out loud. That his mom is dead. He hates it.

Sero sags at the question. "I see why you wouldn't believe me, but I didn't tell them. I actually want you to forgive me. At the very least I want to make it up to you, even if you don't forgive me. Blabbing about something you told me not to isn't gonna help me."

Bakugo is tired of this. Is he trying to use reverse psychology?

Does he think Bakugo is stupid? Gullible?

Bakugo doesn't know and that's what's driving him fucking insane at the moment.

"If you didn't tell them then why are they being all weird?" The idiots are all acting like they know something and it's stressing Bakugo the hell out.

Sero just looks at him with a bored expression. "Wow," Sero starts sarcastically, "I can't believe that the nicest human on earth, Kirishima, is worried about you."

Before Bakugo can even get anything out, Sero gasps dramatically, "Or Kaminari. How could he possibly think something was going on with you? It's not like you're being completely obvious."

"Or Jiro," he yells, "It's crazy how she can be just as observant!"

Then Sero stops acting and goes back to looking at Bakugo. "Should I continue or did you get it?"

"Alright, then tell me what they think they know. If it's not about what you know, then what do they think is going on with me?"

Sero makes a surprised face, but listens, plopping himself down on Bakugo's desk chair, facing Bakugo who just stands and waits for him to say something.

"They think you're mad at them and that you just got annoyed and want to pull away."

Bakugo's blood runs cold because- well, that's what he wanted. He wanted them to think he didn't want to be around them, so then why did it hurt that they did?

"What else?"

The other hums, thinking about it. "Oh, well, Kirishima and Kaminari are dead set that it's something else, but the way that you've been treating us isn't helping them defend you. They're kinda just banking on the fact that you wouldn't be so secretive about leaving the group. Saying you'd just be straightforward and end the friendship."

A wave of sadness washes over the blond as he thinks about how now he'd have to tell his friends straight out that he's over them.

He's not. He doesn't want to be, but as soon as they stop being friends, the less they'll hang out, which means the less he'll become attached, so when the inevitable happens and they die, Bakugo won't get hit as hard with the feeling of grief.

"Okay, leave." And without another word, Bakugo just goes over to his door and opens it, motioning for Sero to leave.

Hell, Bakugo didn't want him here to begin with.

Sero just walks out the door. "I didn't tell anyone."

That's all he says before he turns around and leaves, making Bakugo want to scream and beat his ass up. Stupid smug bastard.

He better not be lying or he's really going to get it.

~~~~~

For someone with no care about how he dresses, Todoroki sure takes his fucking time. Bakugo's been waiting for him for fifteen minutes after their agreed time.

For this bullshit, Bakugo should just leave him behind and go visit his mom like he wanted.

That actually sounds like a good idea, so he stands up, ready to ditch this asshole and tell him it's his fault for taking too long.

Just as he nods in approval at his own decision, the elevator doors open and out walks stupid fucking IcyHot. Damn. He should've thought of ditching him five minutes ago.

"I apologize for making you wait. It won't happen next time."

Next time? Does he really think Bakugo will let him tag along next time?

"You're not allowed to come 'next time', asshole. Your dumb ass better not slow me down or act stupid at the store. I'll leave you there to fend for yourself," he huffs, mad that the taller teen showed up.

As Bakugo is putting on his shoes at the front of the dorms, he sees Todoroki frowning and patting his butt.

"How can buttocks be dumb?" He asks, mostly to himself, just as curious as he is shocked, which, what the fuck? Is this guy being for real right now? So much for top five in the class.

"Come on, Halfie. You wasted half an hour of our time. I actually have plans today and you're ruining them," he calls as he starts walking out the door.

The other follows, meeting his stride right next to him when they leave the dorms. "I apologize. If you don't mind me asking, what did you have planned for today?"

To be fair, Bakugo didn't actually have plans plans. He just wanted to get back early enough to stay the entire day in his room before he was on dinner duty at seven.

"None of your business."

"Of course, my apologies," Todoroki says, voice full of understanding.

His tone makes Bakugo feel guilty. Todoroki was probably just trying to make small talk, something that's probably really hard for him since he grew up sheltered and isolated.

"Ugh- it's fucking fine. No need to get all depressed. I'm just gonna be in my dorm is all."

He doesn't know why he answered the question after all, but the small smile on Todoroki's face isn't too bad of a consequence. Poor idiot needs to relax every now and then. He deserves it more than anyone else.

After a while of walking in silence to the store, Bakugo realizes that he should probably do his part in the conversation that Todoroki started. The Half'N'Half idiot probably practiced the hell out of small talk and now wanted to show off.

"So you're gonna berate me about my plans and not share yours? Real nice, Shortcake."

Todoroki hums at the word 'berate', but lets him finish before answering. "I did not berate you, Bakugo, but I had plans to play video games with Midoriya. However, he cancelled on me today, so maybe I'll train."

The blond has to stop himself from grabbing Todoroki's shoulder and shaking the hell out of him as he yells to take it easy.

All Todoroki does is train whenever he's not busy. Endeavor probably enforced that onto him, so now he just does it automatically. Bakugo wants to stab Endeavor in the dick.

"Don't be stupid. Overtrain and you'll end up with shitty bones by the age of twenty. I can't believe you haven't dropped dead," Bakugo's scoffs, shaking his head as he looks up at the sunny sky.

Big change from yesterday.

"I think you should take into account that you do the same, Bakugo."

Said teen snaps his head to him with a glare. "Fuck off. It helps to relieve the pressure in my hands when I've gone a while without letting loose."

That's mostly a lie. Like, yeah, sure it does help to loosen the pressure, but he could have just made small explosions like usual.

"But we train every day, so does this mean you have to use your quirk constantly throughout the day?"

Damn Todoroki for being so persistent.

"Not constantly. Just once more between the end of school and before bed."

Todoroki hums, nodding. "So since you haven't been training outside of classes for the last few days, does that mean your hands hurt?"

"Ha," Bakugo fake laughs, "you just said I haven't been training outside of classes the last few days, meaning I'm not overtraining."

Todoroki gives him a bored look, not entertained at all.

"Answer my question, Bakugo."

The blond rolls his eyes. "They don't hurt, they're just a little stiff. Letting little sparks off helps a bit." Which of course is a lie. His arms do hurt and the little sparks do a lot more than just 'help a bit', he just likes to train extra.

Stupid Halfie. Bakugo doesn't have to answer his dumb questions. "I should just leave you here since you're being real damn annoying."

Todoroki doesn't respond to that, just keeps his pace with the blond.

"Why do you make dinner every night?"

Bakugo's eye twitches in annoyance, but he stops himself from yelling or overreacting.

"What?" The blond grits out.

"You're the only one who makes dinner. Why is that?"

Bakugo rolls his eyes. "Because I fucking want to. I'm not eating shitty food when I can make it and actually eat it. I don't trust any of you to make a half decent meal."

"Is that a challenge?" Todoroki asks, trying to rile Bakugo up.

"Absolutely not," Bakugo says, not even trying to take the bait, just shutting him down completely.

Todoroki just huffs in annoyance, which is honestly funny to Bakugo because this guy never ever expresses how he feels. He especially doesn't huff.

They're able to shop around for groceries for a bit, staying mostly silent for about eight minutes before Todoroki decides to go and ruin it.

All Bakugo is doing is looking at the carrots, thinking about which ones to get based on how fresh they seem. "You're a very obvious person, Bakugo."

Bakugo had glanced at him when he first started talking, but looked back down because he was busy, but when he completely heard what Todoroki had said, his head shot back up at the taller teen, eyes sharp. Almost like a double take.

"What?"

Todoroki just looks back, seemingly unaffected.

"I said you're a very obv-"

"I heard you, stupid. What does that mean?"

He goes back to look at the carrots, not wanting to look at Todoroki any longer than he has to because god knows this guy is going to say something to piss him off.

"It means that your actions give things away about you."

The blond's eye twitches and slowly but surely, he looks back at Todoroki. "You're really pissing me off right now. I know the literal meaning of your fucking words. How am I 'obvious'? What makes you think you know me?"

Todoroki has the audacity to look embarrassed that his explanation wasn't needed because he misunderstood.

"I see. You're hiding something. Maybe I'm just not very good at reading people, but you're usually easy to read, just not recently. You've been secretive and distant. I don't know what it is, but you seem different. I feel like you're sad, but no one else has noticed it, so maybe I'm wrong," he says, turning away towards the end.

Bakugo isn't even mad because he's right. Something is wrong and Bakugo is sad.

He's so fucking sad. So incredibly miserable and he doesn't know what to do about it. He doesn't even think his friends know he's sad. They just think he's mad and pushing them away. That's why Sero was so mad at him and probably why Mina is, too.

It's probably why none of the people who call themselves his friend are trying to get him to tell them what's wrong.

They don't know he's sad, and the one person who found out is the most oblivious guy on earth.

How sad.

Bakugo just shakes his head, finally finding some carrots he's deemed perfect.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Halfie."

There's no bite in his voice. He doesn't have the strength to. Not now when his brain is thinking at a million miles an hour.

Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Todoroki looking at him, but he ignores it, not letting his face fall and just glares at the cheeses as he pretends to think about which one he wants.

He knows which one he wants.

It's the one Iida won't shut up about wanting. If he got a different one, hell would ensue.

Then he moves on, not letting himself give anything more away. Todoroki follows, asking questions about groceries and what foods Bakugo can make with that ingredient and so on.

As they get the last few things, Bakugo realizes that Todoroki hasn't gone to get whatever he wanted yesterday. So he calls for Todoroki who's turned away, looking around some more as if the supermarket is so damn cool he just can't look away.

"Peppermint, why the fuck did you waste my time if you weren't gonna get what you wanted so damn bad yesterday?"

The taller teen looks over at Bakugo and sighs, looking nervous and embarrassed. For fucking what? Bakugo has no clue.

"Well, I've always wanted to try mochi. I was hoping you'd tell me which brand is best?"

Bakugo is offended.

"I make the best mochi. Don't buy some crappy shit. Come on, we need the ingredients. What kind of mochi were you thinking?" He ask, pushing the cart along to the next aisle.

Todoroki hums. "There's more than one mochi?"

Bakugo feels so bad for the bastard he might cry.

"Alright. I'll make you some strawberry and matcha, and some ice cream mochi of the same flavors. You look like a strawberry guy, so deal with it," he says, distracted as he looks for the type of flour he likes to use for this.

"I'm a human guy, Bakugo." He sounds distressed.

"I mean like someone who likes strawberry flavored things," the blond explains, mood lifting as he gets excited about having something to do when he gets back to the dorms.

"Ohhh."

~~~~~

Todoroki watches the whole time he's making the mochi. He makes the ice cream mochi first because, obviously, it has to be put in the freezer. While the dough for the ice cream mochi cools, he makes the dough for the regular mochi and switches off whenever it calls for it.

"Why is there a different filling for the ice cream matcha mochi and the regular matcha mochi?"

Bakugo looks over briefly as he makes the little squares for the cocoa butter filled matcha mochi.

"Preference. I like ice cream matcha mochi to just have matcha ice cream with the matcha dough, but when it's not ice cream, the cocoa butter is fucking great. It's not for everyone, so if you don't like it, I can always make different flavors. You'll definitely like the strawberry one, though."

He doesn't realize that he continues talking for so long as he's filling the dough and pinching each one together before wrapping it.

It's easy. It's repetitive. It's familiar and he loves it. Just doing something and putting his entire mind to making mochi. That's all he's doing. Making mochi, waiting for things to cool, washing dishes in the meantime, and explaining what he's doing because Halfie has questions.

As he's finishing up the last few, Todoroki hums.

"You're smiling."

Bakugo looks up, using his arm to wipe his face and that makes Todoroki's eyes light up ever so slightly. Weird.

"Well, you're not smiling anymore, but you were smiling. I haven't seen you do that in a while. Also, you got flour on your face just now."

Oh, so that's why Todoroki's eyes lit up.

Bakugo frowns at his words, though, looking down at what he's doing. He hasn't? He does smile when he's talking to his mom, but- he hasn't smiled. It's been months since he's felt anything outside of being with his mom.

It's just- there's been no reason to.

"You can go now. The mochi won't be good to eat for another hour."

Todoroki is still for a while, obviously trying to figure out what he did wrong and trying to fix it.

The problem is, he didn't do anything wrong. He was just pointing out something he observed. It's not his fault he doesn't get it. It's not his fault Endeavor is a massive shitcake.

So before Todoroki can apologize, Bakugo tries to figure out a way to make this idiot know that he didn't do anything wrong.

As he runs out of ideas before Todoroki start opening his mouth to talk, Bakugo throws flour at him.

His hand honestly just did that on its own, but the shock on Todoroki's face now that there's a sheet of rice flour on the lower half of his face and on his clothes, has Bakugo bursting out into laughter.

Then Halfie retaliates. Shit.

It's as quick as Todoroki leaning over the kitchen island and grabbing a handful of flour and throwing it in Bakugo's face.

Two seconds had passed and Bakugo went from laughing his heart out to having a thick layer of flour all over his head and in his mouth. He grimaces, nasty taste of pure rice flour in his mouth and Todoroki's lips quirk up ever so slightly.

It's sudden and quick, but it's the greatest thing Bakugo has seen in months.

There's a prideful look in Todoroki's eyes as Bakugo runs over to spit out the fucking flour in his mouth.

After he rinses away his spit, he turns to see Todoroki looking around the kitchen. It's not too bad, but Bakugo is going to have to sweep. Small price to pay.

"Alright, go get cleaned up, Halfie, be back down in an hour so your taste buds can be blown away."

Todoroki nods and walks away as Bakugo grabs the broom from the cleaning closet near the pantry. The rush of excitement fades away and Bakugo misses it because now he feels miserable again. Now it's worse, though, since he'd just been having a good time.

He curses at himself as he sweeps up the flour into the dust pan, telling himself to stop being a little bitch in his head.

***
Word Count: 3079
Yall be honest ☹️ did I fall off😭😭 im still getting so many votes and comments on Why Me and Change of Perspective which are my first two fics but I am beyond embarrassed by them. Like😭😭 they kinda suck be so fr. Maybe the concept is good but my writing was shit and then my newer fics are doing so bad. Like this one💀 this one is doing so bad. I just hope the few people who read this actually like it. Anyway thank you all for reading. The next chapter will go up next Sunday at 8pm central time. I love you all and tysm for reading <3