Chapter Text
Bakugou being late to class is completely unheard of.
Time is one of the things he values the most and everyone is no stranger to his sheer excitement during training periods. Even if he's bound to be late or absent, their classmate will make sure their adviser is aware of it. Taking that into perspective, Shouto feels awfully worried. Automatically, the troubling scene from a half an hour ago plays back like a bad record.
They're in the middle of their heroics training class when Recovery Girl excuses Aizawa-sensei, muttering lowly an incident involving one of his students. Shouto, who's been pacing back and forth at the sidelines, stops in his tracks and starts to get more anxious.
This can only mean one thing.
The dread he's been feeling hasn't been for naught. Something has happened with Bakugou by the time he disappears from their sight at the locker room.
An hour ago, he still remembers how giddy he is because they've been chosen as partners for the whole activity. Despite the thrill it brings, the blonde doesn't even look at him once. He finishes changing in his hero costume totally unbothered. With his signature smirk and typical provocation, Bakugou struts toward the exit by loudly announcing how he will blast him on the battlefield. Shouto, who can't think of a better reply, thinks it's only appropriate to curtly nod and say "Okay."
He's seen that scene a couple of times already, played in different times and locations. Like clockwork, heterochromic eyes eagerly watch Bakugou's reaction as he gets more riled up. In the back of his head, Shouto knows he must stop rubbing him the wrong way. Stop agitating him more by dismissing his provocations. Well, he can't help it. Seeing the smaller male stomping his feet more ungraciously, slamming the door as he walks out because of something he says, is quite endearing.
There's no use in hiding it. No one can give him quite the silly excitable feeling in his stomach as much as talking with Bakugou does. He enjoys bickering with the one and only Lord Explosion Murder.
Unfortunately, he doesn't expect that it will be the last conversation he will have with his dear classmate that day.
At some point, Shouto sneaks out of the training field to search for him. He can't bear to just sit still and be entirely clueless about his partner's whereabouts. Heck, both of them are looking forward to this time. There's just no way Bakugou will bail out on this chance to spar. That doesn't sound like him at all!
He doesn't half-ass fights, which, according to him, is a job suited for a half n' half bastard like Shouto. On the other hand, Shouto is too determined to prove him otherwise. He's about to show him he's quit that habit already. Regrettably, their training together will have to be rescheduled later.
After checking the lockers and classroom which ends up empty, his feet lead him towards the infirmary.
His heart thumps wildly in his chest from running in haste. He's out of breath, he's sweaty, but his eyes drift with fire at the expanse of the door staring back at him. Every deep breath he huffs out carries a wish that he'll find him here.
Safe.
Unharmed.
Shouto staggers a step forward with uneasiness. It isn't long before he halts again, completely stunned when the sliding door opens and a small figure collides with his leg.
"Ack!"
He hears a shout, a thin voice hissing below. Shouto sighs inwardly. This person must be in a hurry to carelessly rush outside. With a slightly guilty heart, the teenager glances down to say a quick apology.
"Sor—" his eyes turn wide in shock, gray and blue glimmering both in relief and confusion. He's here. He finally sees him. Or perhaps someone who exactly looks like Bakugou. Because there's no way this is possible. No way Bakugou willingly reverts himself into a child.
This kid, this Bakugou, is so small. So small it might be possible to keep him in his pocket. As fast as he thinks of it, Shouto turns down the idea pretty quickly. He can't try that out.
Most especially now that the child seems upset. Nose flaring, a big frown on his mien while looking up at him. Oh, right. He accidentally knocks him down. Shouto immediately bends on one knee to assist but Aizawa-sensei beats him to it. He watches the man step into the scene, crouching down, both of his hands supporting the kid's shoulders to stand upright.
The homeroom teacher takes a glimpse at his side before resting a palm on the kid's head. A part of Shouto gets envious, wondering how it feels to ruffle his hair. He really wants to know if those spikes are just for show, if they hide the softness from everyone's view. Just like Bakugou does with his gentleness.
"Todoroki," Aizawa-sensei's stern voice catches him off guard. "Great, you're already here. You finally met Bakugou."
Shouto blinks. And blinks some more. So, it's really him. The child now pouring him a curious expression is actually his classmate. Okay. Fantastic.
Wait. Did he hear Aizawa-sensei right?
"You're going to look for me? Why?" he frantically asks, eyes unsettling, framing a defensive stance. What does this have to do with him?
Before his teacher can even reply, the boy— Bakugou, he mentally corrects himself—interjects with a jolly bounce.
"Oh!! Old man, I get it! I get it! That's him, right?" he shouts excitedly, and the way he points in his direction reminds him of Kaminari getting his prize at an arcade they recently visited. Confusion visibly grows from his usually pensive cast when the kid somehow recognizes him. "That's Half and Half!"
At a loss for words, he keeps a lingering stare between the two. Aizawa wears a strange look yet the tired man nods back in approval. Without any choices spiraling in his mind, Shouto waves his hand awkwardly to the beaming child.
"Hi?"
Shouto's heart has never been filled with too much adoration up until now, so much that he feels like it's gonna burst out of his chest at any moment.
"Your hair's weird. I like it."
Bakugou always has an intense gaze. He stares at you for a second and the result is instantaneous. There's this intimidating presence hovering in the air, and depending on who you ask, that aura either feels uncomfortable or protective.
The dual-quirk user is having that same predicament right now. Only this time, instead of intimidating or protective, there is one doe-eyed version of Bakugou that fawns at his every being at the Nurse's Office. Aizawa has entrusted the boy to him while he makes a shopping list for baby clothes and other necessities.
Small hands suddenly cup his face, causing Shouto to yelp as the little boy cradled in his lap drags him closer, examining him with a toothy grin painted across chubby cheeks. Ruby eyes sparkle with awe when he roars, "Your eyes have two colors. That's cool!"
He's too cute, Shouto cries internally. I can't handle this.
Someone really needs to help his poor heart before he faints out of joy.
"So, three days? That's how long we'll be babysitting him?"
The striking inquiry causes Shouto to take a short glance, discovering Ashido's imposing figure standing over him. She doesn't even spare him a glance. Just humming animatedly, absolutely fascinated with the All Might onesie she persistently requested for Bakugou. Just like her, Shouto can't wait to see him wear that sleepwear tonight.
"As per Aizawa-sensei's words, he'll return with his normal body by Monday morning," he clarifies, focusing back to his task of organizing the baby bag. It's been hours since they have welcomed the toddler version of Bakugou into the Heights Alliance and from then on, Shouto's feet have stayed in the common room where he's got support.
On both sides of the couch from where they're arranging are Yaoyorozu and Midoriya. The two have been giving him useful notes as he familiarizes himself with the baby essentials.
"Don't forget his scarf, Todoroki-kun!" Midoriya waves the yellow fabric, starting again another mumbling session. "Kacchan has always been weak to the cold so we must put him in extra layers of clothes. Though, I'm doubtful he's gonna need it a lot. It seems like you two will be inseparable these days, which means you can just warm him up..."
Shouto smiles softly and takes the piece of cloth. "Thank you, Midoriya."
Apart from the whole class, Bakugou's parents have also been notified of the situation. What they know is that a student accidentally activates her quirk upon bumping into their son. Being the ever rational person he is known for, Aizawa-sensei purposefully doesn't mention that the girl has been terrified of seeing Bakugou's mad expression which triggers her de-aging quirk. In the end, Aizawa advises that it'll be better to keep Bakugou at close quarters with UA grounds for observation.
Making his parents agree is much easier than the problem that arises after. Since their teacher has also been keeping a close eye on Eri, he can't manage to be beside Bakugou at all times. Aside from that, the Nurse's Office isn't also appealing to keep a child for days. They need to provide a comfortable place where he can roam free and still be able to interact with the class. After some deliberation, it leaves them with the last resort that favors the little gremlin.
Shouto, with the help of Class 1-A, will look after him.
Yeah, what an absurd idea.
Getting him on the frontlines for this babysitting mission sounds suspicious. Who would want him as a caregiver? He can't even take care of himself well!
Feeling left in the dark, he asks Aizawa for the reason behind this decision.
Generally speaking, he isn't the kind of person people will think of when they need someone to babysit their child. And he supposes, it's fine. He's okay with it. That's the truth he has lived for so many years until a four-year-old Bakugou Katsuki breaks it.
Because of all the things Bakugou can say in his waking moment as a toddler, he specifically asks for someone named Half and Half.
To make matters weirder, he only retains the memories from his childhood and loses the ones he has with his teenage years. All of it , aside from the nickname he's attached to Shouto.
"This is only a speculation," he remembers Aizawa explaining, taking the lead from the Class 1-D student at his side. "But, he must be thinking about you being sparring partners with him when the incident happens." The girl mutters another apology as he continues, "It's been imprinted into his brain, and when he wakes up, it translates to him asking for a certain 'Half and Half' to play with him."
And that's how he's stuck being on babysitting duty. The kid isn't even interested with the treats his classmates bribe him with to get his attention, unless it involves taunting Midoriya. After all, his childhood friend is the only one he can clearly recall. Most of the time, he doesn't budge and stays close to Shouto.
"Todoroki!" Kaminari croaks, an anguished voice echoing across the room that has Shouto standing up hastily. From the kitchen, his classmate emerges with a litter of tape plastered all over his face and body. Shouto gawks in disbelief at his mummified state. Yaoyorozu and Ashido strides forward to remove the strips messing all over the room. How can this happen? He feels an incoming headache just thinking of the possibilities. It's only been a few minutes!
Kaminari's pitiful cries coincide with a boisterous child's laughter, "I'm done! Get this gremlin now!"
Propped on his shoulders is the tiny culprit grinning sheepishly. Shouto knows he should be reprimanding his action but there's an abundant radiance on seeing Bakugou cackle heartily. Crimson eyes glimmer bright, shaped into twinkling half moons by how he's giggling too much. The silly sounds he let out are enough to consider as music to Shouto's ears. It's a breathtaking moment that he hopes to go on forever.
For a second, he almost dismisses his crime of wreaking havoc.
The two walk to their direction, Sero following like a proud accomplice, smiling from ear to ear at their masterpiece . Shouto stares at him blankly for an explanation.
"Don't worry, I made sure it's non-toxic!" he winces.
When Bakugou spots his two-toned babysitter, he immediately makes a grabbing motion which results in Ashido cooing. The adorable signal instantly gets Shouto to sigh in defeat, taking him into his arms.
He should've known that charm is really effective in villainy ways. Bakugou can't just get away by using his cuteness every single time!
"Half and Half!" Shouto snaps back from his thoughts as he perceives his cheery tone, eyes hopeful, looking as if he's not responsible for terrorizing the other blonde moments ago. "Are you done? Can we play now?"
With a slight frown, he removes the bit of adhesive sticking on the bridge of his nose. Bakugou leans his body more to his left, cozying up to his warmer side. "You shouldn't do that, he's your friend."
"Sparky deserves it!" he declares, wrinkling his nose in disfavor. "He's taking me away from you!"
The unexpected reply has Shouto startled, and he contemplates for a few seconds before responding calmly. "No, I ask Kaminari to watch over you. He's doing us a favor by letting me take care of your stuff."
As if surprises are a normal thing today, he witnesses the fading grin he's sporting changes into a pout. Resting his head against his shoulders, Bakugou murmurs inaudibly, voice so soft and low that Shouto's lucky he's able to catch it.
"You're taking care of my stuff, but not me ..."
"Isn't it the same thing?" he ponders genuinely, soothing his back with gentle rubs. Ashido coos at them. "I can't take care of you if I don't know what clothes you need to wear, or what food you need to eat."
Bakugou whines right away. "No, it's not the same!?!" he wraps his tiny arms on his neck firmly in frustration. "My things don't get lonely! I do! "
Upon hearing those words, the room goes silent. Shouto can't bring himself to look at anyone. He's flabbergasted, and there's a sharp stinging pain on his chest. It's bizarre how a simple sentence can set off a strangely personal agony from a childhood memory, and it pinches every nerve of his being.
And then he bleeds with invisible pain.
"You get lonely when I'm not with you?" he tenderly says, unknowingly holding Bakugou tighter. When the kid nods slowly, Shouto can't stop the warmth of relief washing over his aching heart. The teenager feels shameful for finding a bit of joy, a window of solace he can barely contain, for knowing someone needs him on his side. He's sure of it. This delicate moment they have right now is bound to be a memory he'll cherish and relive for comfort.
"Do you wanna spend time with me?" Another small nod. Another ache in his chest.
"Sorry for making you sad," he whispers. He knows he can't do a perfect job at it, but that won't stop him from trying his best. After all, Shouto aims to show Bakugou his most sincere gestures. "I'll do better then."
"Uhm, Todoroki-kun…"
As if breaking the trance, Midoriya reaches out to him and speaks with reassurance. "I think we're almost done here. We can take these to your room. You can go ahead."
The two of them exchange a knowing glance. While his friend holds the remaining items, Yaoyorozu breaks in with a gentle smile. "We can manage."
"Right!" Sero chimes in happily. "Kirishima's helping Satou prepare dinner. Go join them! Kiddo will have fun watching them run the kitchen!"
"Are you sure? But what if I—"
"Don't feel pressured by this, Todoroki! Little Blasty wishes you to spend more time with him." Ashido spins them lightly. Taken aback, he strides with an awkward pace while she pushes his back towards the kitchen area. A babble of approval coming out of Bakugou gets her chuckling. "Proper heroes grant a child's wish, y'know?"
Without a cranky Bakugou cooking, the kitchen feels a lot more foreign than Shouto can remember.
"Hey, Kiri! Look who pays you a courtesy visit!" Ashido loudly announces, receiving warm greetings by the two appointed chefs of the night.
"Woah, Boss Baby's back!" the redhead cracks up.
Surprisingly, Shouto misses the loud, hot-tempered blonde shouting at any unskilled cook who dares to touch anything in his territory. Bakugou is usually keeping an eye on him, as he's not excluded to his raging fits, and the other grunts at him to just sit the hell down .
So, he does. In a heartbeat, Shouto occupies the table closest to the cooking area, taking in the front view like it's the most natural thing to do. He settles Bakugou on his lap and he takes it as a win that he hears no qualms or complaints from the kid.
"Boss Baby?" With a raised bow, he peers at Kirishima who happily dashes to them.
"Yeah, that's what Sero calls him! He's fond of it," he blurts out, showing off a boyish grin, and Shouto assumes he's really pleased to see the kid again. However, nothing prepares him for that second as he witnesses Kirishima talk to Bakugou with a high-pitched voice and exaggerated expression. Shouto feels confused, gawking at his loud mimicking of baby's speech.
"Are you here to check that we're not burning the kitchen? We're doing a great job keeping it!"
He can tell Bakugou isn't amused, baby face stretched into an eerily familiar scowl. Shouto purses his lips to stop himself from smiling. Kirishima's antics are oddly entertaining to his taste.
" 'm not a babyyyyy!" Bakugou protests weakly. "I can speak just fine!"
" Ooh, is Boss Baby hungry already? Is that why you're so grumpy?"
As if his classmate's unable to control the urge, heterochromic eyes become wide as he watches Kirishima take a pinch on Bakugou's pudgy cheeks.
Oh. He beats him to it.
He's been wanting to do that too..
The grumpy boy instantly smacks the palm away, "Ugh! Stop pinching me, Sharkboy!" and immediately turns around to hide, seeking refuge on the crook of Shouto's neck.
" Aww, sorry, sorry! My bad!" he timidly laughs, scratching the back of his head. "Can't help it! You're just so cute, bro!"
Dumbfounded with the turn of events, Shouto stares at him openly, and Kirishima must've noticed it because he shows him an apologetic look.
"Oh god, sorry! It must've freaked you out. It's something I picked up from Mina!" he chuckles nervously, pertaining to the baby talk. "I may have overdone it."
Shouto shakes his head. "No, it's alright." To describe the evident fire in his eyes might've been a bit more dramatic, but he's more determined now to take notes from his classmates' behavior. "I will learn more from here."
"Oh ...okay. That's very manly of you, Todoroki!" he replies, raising his fist into the air, but his moment of encouragement has been interrupted when Satou calls for assistance. In a hurry, the redhead leaves them and promises to be back with their dinner.
Soon enough, the place gets filled up with rowdy, hungry teenagers taking seats at the dining table. While they wait, he notices Bakugou silently fiddling with his right hand, tracing the lines on his palm and comparing the slight differences of temperature with his tiny fist. He seems so focused at what he's doing, uncaring of the noise and fussing around that Shouto wants to clear up the crease between his eyebrows.
To indulge the child, and perhaps to gain more of his affection, Shouto creates a small crystal rose on the tip of his index finger, which produces a snort out of the kid.
"Heh. Cool," he snickers.
"Isn't it cute how Little Blasty's all over Todoroki?" Even from a distance, he can listen to Mina gushing at them. Shouto can just imagine her golden eyes shimmering, leaning on the table with both hands supporting her chin. "You won't see that on a normal day."
Their chat turns livelier and an energetic voice that is unmistakably Kaminari hollers. "Look at him beaming without any murderous intent. Aww. Childhood mellows him down!" Shouto's so engrossed at observing Bakugou that he doesn't pay them a glance.
"Stop it, you guys!" Jirou interjects dejectedly, and Shouto can tell the girl is making a face by how repulsed she is by their gooey expressions. "You sound like those geezers watching their kid making friends at daycare."
"Well, he is our Blasty Boy."
Mina mentions more about that but Shouto tunes out of their conversation in favor of looking at Kirishima heading their way with their meal. The more he gravitates with Bakugou, the more he discovers just how adorable he can be. Even before, everyone takes lingering glances over the blonde, and it's unsurprising that his adorable side appears to be an open secret they can all agree on.
By the looks of it, just like there is plenty of room for discoveries, his cuteness is something that shouldn't be underestimated too.
When he looks up to take a glimpse at Kirishima's approaching figure, he doesn't notice early on that Bakugou is fixing his gaze at him. As their eyes meet, it feels like the kid has only been seeing him for the first time. Which, in their situation, is technically correct. All thanks to a de-aging quirk. It seems that his curiosity hasn't subsided yet. His tiny hands cup his face, tilting him from side to side as if he's taking a better look. Worry has been etched on his gentle features while he caresses his left cheek softly, soothing the part where his scar dwells.
"Does it hurt?" he mumbles in a fretful tone and from his peripheral vision, he discerns Kirishima taking the vacant seat on his left side. With utensils and dishes set in front of them, Shouto hushes the voice inside his head that reminds him he can evade the question. He can just stir the topic with the meal handed on them, foregoing to show his vulnerable side once again. Yet, he doesn't want to. The eager and genuine expression on the kid's face pushes him to say every sentiment he feels, every memory he remembers. Even when he's not in the form of a child, Shouto realizes just how much he wants to share everything with Bakugou.
So he nods, leaning into the palm that touches it, and smiles sadly. "Sometimes."
"Well, my mom says everything will be alright in due time."
He just doesn't really expect that a toddler Bakugou Katsuki can also be affectionate.
In a blink of an eye, Bakugou raises himself a bit, and Shouto senses his lips planting a soft peck on his left cheek. Having to witness it upfront, a squeak peeps out ungraciously from Kirishima, even gaining a collective gasp behind him.
Out of surprise, Shouto doesn't even have any time to react by how fast it occurs. His mouth parts slightly to speak, to let out even a single sound. Unfortunately, he feels his throat clamming up and his blank mind doesn't really know what to say so he closes it in silence.
Time stands still in this particular moment, the three of them unmoving in their seats. A few seconds feel like an eternity while his brain registers what happens, and when it finally does, Shouto instantly flushes a beautiful blush of red that puts his hair color in shame.
"Ma says if you kiss it better, the pain will go away," he hears Bakugou explain matter-of-factly but all Shouto can feel is how his heart melts with the nurturing belief which prompts this unanticipated sweet gesture. "Did you feel better now?"
"Yes, yes, I do." He holds his innocent stare and this time, Shouto smiles out of appreciation. "Thank you, Bakugou."
Bakugou grins at him. "You're welcome, Half and Half."
Dinner comes smoothly after that. Even for a kid, Bakugou is quite skilled. He asks to be put down and takes the empty seat on his right where he comfortably eats by himself. Like a bulb lighting up, Shouto notes that the boy just wants to be curled up on his lap while they wait. He doesn't know how to digest that information but it's a great addition to his good mood. So every now and then, Shouto checks if he needs anything, and happily watches Bakugou gobble up the udon with gusto.
After their dinner, Shouto bids everyone good night, even prodding Bakugou to do the same. Of course, the pinching attacks continue and are inescapable to Kirishima plus Uraraka who turn mushy by the sight of his rosy cheeks. Shouto has to mediate between them because of how they're crowding the child who needs to sleep already. And maybe, deep inside, there's a tiny, tiny , part of him that is jealous of their carefree actions. For heaven's sake, he wants to pinch Bakugou's cheeks, too!
Holding his tiny hand while they walk to the elevator, the heterochromic boy remembers something he's been wanting to tell him.
"My name isn't actually Half and Half. It's Todoroki Shouto."
"Todoroki?"
"Yes," he replies to which he quickly adds, "But you can call me Shouto for short."
The boy blinks at him, as if he's having the time of his life pondering over his first name. Instead of backing out, Shouto mouths the syllables slowly.
"Shou–to."
"Half and Half. "
"Repeat after me," he orders, yielding a crease on his forehead. He knows this won't be easy.
"Shou–" he starts again, slowly urging the puzzled Bakugou to repeat after him. Interestingly, he does. "Shou–"
"—to."
" —to."
"Now, say it altogether." Seeing the boy follow him and wait for his words earnestly puts him in a happy state. The smile he has on his face must've been blinding. "Shouto."
"Half and Half!" Bakugou grins cheekily.
Shouto doesn't hold back the chuckle erupting out of him, face lighting up in glee. He can't find it in himself to be annoyed by picking up the familiar nickname. It almost feels like his heart is squeezing at the adorable sight.
Oh god, he really has it in him. Bakugou is naturally cute.
"You won't really give up that nickname, huh?"
To be honest, he's nervous as hell. When their teacher appoints him to look after Bakugou, his nerves just shoot up. He hasn't been around kids for so long. The last time he does, he's regarded as anything but fun by the kids at their remedial class.
But Bakugou asks for him. Through their strange rivalry and budding friendship, Bakugou thinks of him.
That can be the greatest compliment he can have.
So he pledges not to let Bakugou down. He's gonna take good care of him.
That's a promise.