Chapter Text
It had been far too long since Yukina had seen her former classmates. Today, that would finally change, as they were all gathering for a reunion party. Their old group chat had exploded with activity after the latest Hero Billboard Chart was released, sparking a frenzy of messages as everyone noticed each other’s rankings.
“Yukina!”
She barely had time to process who was calling her name before she was swept into a tight hug by Ashido. The embrace was a little too enthusiastic, but Yukina couldn’t help smiling as she hugged her back.
“Mina,” Yukina chuckled, her voice warm.
When they pulled apart, Ashido’s attention immediately shifted over Yukina’s shoulder. Her face lit up even more.
“I cannot believe what I’m seeing!” she exclaimed.
Yukina turned to see Todoroki and Monoma entering the room together, catching the attention of nearly everyone nearby.
“You guys are still a thing, huh?” Ashido continued, brushing past Yukina to greet them both with a grin.
While Ashido hugged the other two, Yukina took a moment to glance around. The party room in the bar was buzzing with life, filled with both Class A and Class B alumni. Conversations overlapped, laughter spilled into the air, and the atmosphere was electric.
When Ashido finally let go of Todoroki, he and Monoma moved to stand beside Yukina.
“This is going to be the whole night, isn’t it?” Monoma said with a dramatic sigh, his voice taking on a comically high-pitched tone. “‘Oh my god, you’re still together?’”
Yukina laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, we’re just going to have to get through it. It has been a while since we’ve seen everyone.”
“But do we really have to do this every single time?” Monoma grumbled, crossing his arms. “It’s like they expect us to break up the moment they stop looking.”
Todoroki placed a calm hand on Monoma’s shoulder. “You might feel better after a drink.”
Monoma’s expression shifted instantly, brightening at the suggestion. His eyes flicked toward the bar. “You know what? You’re absolutely right.”
With a sly grin, he excused himself. “Don’t mind me,” he said, already making his way toward the bartender.
Yukina and Todoroki exchanged an amused look before continuing their rounds, greeting their old friends.
They soon spotted Kaminari and Jiro, who waved them over. Despite keeping in touch fairly often, seeing them in person felt different.
“Hey, hey! Look who decided to show up,” Kaminari teased, throwing an arm around Jiro. “Where’s your third?”
Yukina laughed and pointed toward the bar, where Monoma was chatting with the bartender and gesturing toward a tray of drinks.
Kaminari burst out laughing. “Classic Monoma. This is going to get real good when Bakugou finally shows up.”
“Absolutely,” Yukina agreed, grinning.
“Is everyone coming tonight?” Todoroki asked, his gaze sweeping the room.
Jiro shrugged, her expression relaxed. “We’re hoping so. Honestly, it’s a miracle this many of us could make it. Don’t get your hopes too high.”
At that moment, Monoma returned, carrying three drinks. He handed one to Todoroki and the other to Yukina, who accepted them with grateful smiles.
“Monoma!” Kaminari called out, throwing an arm around his shoulder with a bright grin. “Tell me, how does it feel being in the top ten?”
Monoma let out an amused breath, his expression immediately turning smug. “Absolutely wonderful—but honestly, I expected nothing less,” he replied with dramatic flair.
He paused for effect, a mischievous glint in his eye. “But the best part?” he added, lowering his voice as if sharing a juicy secret. “Seeing Mr. ‘I’m gonna be number one’ sitting pretty at spot fif-fucking-teen.”
Monoma finished with a triumphant laugh, his energy as chaotic as ever. Yukina chuckled nervously, glancing over at Jiro as if to apologize for him.
“Yeah, he’s been like this since the rankings dropped,” she said, her voice light, trying to excuse Monoma’s typical antics.
Todoroki had quietly slipped away to join another group, and Yukina hadn’t even noticed until now. She didn’t mind, though. With a content smile, she sipped her drink and continued joking with Kaminari and Jiro, soaking in the lively atmosphere.
The party was in full swing now, the chatter and laughter filling the room as everyone caught up. Yukina found herself swept into conversations with old classmates, Monoma at her side, drink in hand. His smug energy had only grown with each sip, and she couldn’t help but laugh at his antics as they made their rounds.
By the time Todoroki rejoined them, Monoma was leaning heavily against Yukina, gesturing wildly as he recounted some story to Shoji and Sero. His drink sloshed a little, but Yukina didn’t stop him—this was prime entertainment.
“There he is!” Monoma declared dramatically when Todoroki stepped into view, pointing at him with exaggerated flair. “The other part of the wonder trio! The one who makes us all look like we’re in a goddamn toothpaste commercial every time he smiles in a photo.”
Todoroki blinked, already looking mildly overwhelmed. “I don’t smile in photos.”
“Exactly!” Monoma crowed, clinking his drink against Yukina’s in triumph. “But that’s what makes the two of us look even better standing next to you. It’s balance, my dear ice prince.”
“Monoma, you’re drunk,” Todoroki said evenly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Drunk? Me?” Monoma gasped theatrically, placing a hand over his chest. “No, no, no—this is just unfiltered truth. You should try it sometime, Shouto. Tell us how you really feel about being the arm candy in this relationship.”
Todoroki flushed faintly, and Yukina couldn’t suppress her laughter. “I think you’re projecting, Neito,” she teased, patting his arm.
“Arm candy?” Todoroki repeated, his brows furrowing slightly as if he couldn’t decide whether to be offended or amused.
“ Yes! ” Monoma exclaimed, throwing an arm around Todoroki’s shoulders with zero regard for personal space. “You, my icy darling, are the human equivalent of a museum statue—gorgeous, intimidating, and no one’s quite sure if touching you is allowed.”
Yukina nearly spat out her drink, laughing into her hand. “Oh my god, Neito!” she choked out, tears forming in her eyes from laughing so hard.
Todoroki, however, was clearly trying to keep his composure. His face was faintly pink, and he looked torn between removing Monoma’s arm and just accepting his fate.
“You really need to stop drinking,” Todoroki said, his voice strained but not unkind.
Monoma shook his head emphatically. “No, no. This is the best I’ve felt in weeks! Besides—don’t act like you’re not flattered. Admit it, Shouto. If it weren’t for me, people would think you’re too boring to be in a relationship.”
“Monoma!” Yukina exclaimed, her laughter ringing out as she playfully shoved him. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m honest,” Monoma replied, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Todoroki sighed, his expression resigned but his lips twitching upward ever so slightly. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet, you both love me,” Monoma said with a smug grin, raising his glass to them both.
Yukina shook her head, still grinning as she sipped her drink. She loved moments like these, where the banter felt easy, and she could just enjoy the dynamic between her two partners. Monoma’s over-the-top theatrics, Todoroki’s understated reactions, and the way they balanced each other—it was perfect.
As they continued moving through the crowd, the inevitable comments came in waves.
“I still can’t believe you guys are still together!” Uraraka gushed, clasping her hands together.
“Right?” Monoma chimed in, a mischievous gleam in his eye. “It’s like watching a fairytale, except instead of a princess and a prince, it’s two princes and the queen who’s too good for either of us.”
Yukina groaned, though she couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re insufferable.”
“No, no, no—he’s not wrong,” Kaminari chimed in, winking at her.
Even Bakugou got dragged into it when he finally arrived. “You’re still with these two idiots?” he grumbled, arms crossed as he stared Yukina down.
“She has excellent taste,” Monoma shot back before Yukina could reply. “Not that you’d understand, Ground Zero. She appreciates refined men.”
“Refined, my ass,” Bakugou muttered, glaring at him.
“Language,” Todoroki said quietly, earning a surprised laugh from Yukina and an eye-roll from Bakugou.
“While we’re at it…” Monoma said with a dramatic pause, leaning closer to Bakugou with a drunken grin that only spelled trouble. Bakugou, arms crossed and entirely unimpressed, raised an eyebrow.
“How does it feel being ranked below the one and only moi ?” Monoma slurred slightly, though the mischievous spark in his eyes was clear.
“Huh? You really wanna go there now?” Bakugou shot back with a smirk, his tone laced with the kind of dangerous challenge that could explode—literally—at any second.
“Oh, I do ,” Monoma said, straightening up with a flourish as if addressing a crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you—Bakugou Katsuki, number fifteen on the Hero Billboard Chart! The very same man who once swore he’d ‘blow past all of us losers’—and yet, here I stand. Number ten . Higher. Superior. Resplendent.”
“Resplendent?” Todoroki muttered under his breath, earning a quiet giggle from Yukina, who was leaning heavily against him, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol.
“You’re about to be a corpse if you keep flapping your mouth, Copycat,” Bakugou growled, his smirk tightening into a sneer.
Monoma didn’t even flinch. “Oh, I’m trembling,” he said with an exaggerated shiver, clutching at his chest. “You know what I think? I think you peaked too early, Bakugou. All that yelling, all those explosions, and now? Mediocrity. It’s a tragedy, really.”
Yukina burst into drunken laughter, clutching Todoroki’s arm for support. “Oh my god, he’s so dramatic,” she managed to say between fits of giggles.
Bakugou’s eyes snapped to her. “Oi, you’re supposed to be stopping him!”
Yukina waved a hand, still giggling. “No way. This is way too entertaining.”
Todoroki, ever the sober voice of reason, sighed. “Monoma, you’re making it worse.”
“Worse?” Monoma turned to him with mock offense, placing a hand over his heart. “No, no, Shouto. I’m giving the people what they want—a hero showdown. Drama . They’ll make documentaries about this moment.”
“Documentaries about me kicking your ass, maybe,” Bakugou snapped, stepping closer.
“Oh, please.” Monoma rolled his eyes. “We all know you don’t have the restraint. One punch and you’d knock me out cold. It’s almost like you’re scared of what would happen if I actually fought back.”
“ Scared? ” Bakugou’s voice went up a pitch, his hands sparking faintly with tiny explosions.
“Alright, that’s enough.” Todoroki finally stepped between them, placing a calm but firm hand on Monoma’s shoulder to stop him from taking another step forward.
Monoma, still buzzing with tipsy confidence, turned to Todoroki with a wide grin. “Defending my honor already? How chivalrous of you, Shouto.”
Todoroki blinked, confused. “That’s not what I—”
“Oh, you’re so protective,” Monoma continued, now leaning his full weight against Todoroki. “Yukina, you’re lucky. He’s like a human bodyguard, except hotter.”
Yukina howled with laughter, practically collapsing against Todoroki’s other side. “Neito, stop!” she wheezed, though it was clear she didn’t want him to stop at all.
Todoroki’s ears were starting to turn red, his usual composure slipping as Monoma turned his attention back to Bakugou.
“See? This is what you’re missing, Bakugou,” Monoma said, gesturing between Todoroki and himself. “A relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and… impeccable cheekbones.”
“You’re so full of shit,” Bakugou snarled, clearly debating whether to walk away or commit violence.
“Language,” Todoroki muttered again, though this time it sounded more like an automatic reflex than genuine concern.
Monoma grinned, clearly emboldened by Bakugou’s irritation. “Don’t hate me because you ain’t me, Dynamight.”
“Oh, I’ll give you something to hate,” Bakugou growled, his palms sparking brighter.
Before things could escalate further, Kirishima appeared out of nowhere, clapping Bakugou on the back with a laugh. “Alright, alright, let’s cool it down, guys! We’re here to have fun, not start a fight.”
“ He’s the one starting shit!” Bakugou snapped, pointing accusingly at Monoma.
Monoma gasped dramatically. “Me? Starting shit? I’m just stating facts.”
“You’re so lucky this is a reunion,” Bakugou muttered, stalking off toward the bar.
Monoma watched him go, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. He turned back to Yukina and Todoroki, raising his glass in a mock toast. “Victory.”
Yukina was still giggling, clinging to Todoroki’s arm like a lifeline. “You’re the worst, Neito.”
“And yet you love me,” Monoma said smugly, taking a sip of his drink.
Todoroki sighed, his hand briefly brushing through his hair as he muttered, “I need a drink.”
Yukina and Monoma both laughed, though Monoma leaned toward Todoroki with a devilish grin. “Don’t worry, darling. You don’t need a drink—you’ve got me.”
Todoroki’s face turned crimson, and Yukina nearly fell over from laughing so hard.
********************************************************************************************************
As the party continued in full swing, the room buzzed with laughter, chatter, and clinking glasses. Yukina, still clinging to Todoroki and swaying slightly from all the alcohol she’d had, suddenly froze. Her gaze locked on the door, and her face lit up like a firework.
“ Deku! ” she squealed, her voice carrying across the room.
Midoriya had barely stepped inside before he was ambushed. Yukina launched herself at him with surprising speed for someone so tipsy, throwing her arms around his neck in an uncoordinated but enthusiastic hug.
“Yukina!” Midoriya yelped, staggering under her weight as she squeezed him tightly— too tightly.
“Oh my god, I missed you so much!” Yukina exclaimed, her words slurred but heartfelt as she buried her face against his shoulder. “Like, so much ! You’re never around anymore, and it’s just so sad , ‘Zuku!”
Midoriya’s face flushed bright red, his arms hovering awkwardly around her as he tried to figure out what to do. “I-I missed you too, Yukina!” he stammered, his voice squeaking slightly. “It’s… it’s really good to see you!”
Before he could combust from embarrassment, Todoroki stepped in like a knight in shining armor—or at least, a relatively sober one. “Yuki,” he said softly, gently prying her off Midoriya with ease. “You’re going to suffocate him.”
“Pfft, he loves it,” Yukina said, waving a hand dismissively as she leaned back against Todoroki, who steadied her with practiced ease.
Midoriya let out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s fine! Really! It’s good to see you both.”
“Likewise,” Todoroki said, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he gave Midoriya a small nod. “You’ve been busy, haven’t you?”
“Yeah,” Midoriya replied sheepishly. “Teacher work’s been hectic, but I couldn’t miss this.”
“Good,” Todoroki said warmly. “It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”
As the two exchanged pleasantries, Monoma wandered over, pouting dramatically. “I see how it is,” he said, crossing his arms. “She hugs you like her long-lost soulmate, but when it’s me, I get a half-hearted pat on the shoulder.”
Yukina turned to him with exaggerated seriousness, her glassy eyes wide. “Oh, Neito, don’t be jealous!” she said, stumbling toward him and throwing an arm around his shoulders. “I can hug you too. But you’re always here! ‘Zuku is, like… rare !”
“Rare?” Monoma repeated, narrowing his eyes in mock indignation. “Am I not special to you anymore?”
Yukina gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Don’t say that! You’re, like, so special. The most special! My favorite special boy!”
Monoma blinked, his pout softening into a small, pleased smile despite himself. “Well… I suppose I can forgive you this once.”
“ That’s the spirit,” Yukina said, patting his cheek a little too hard before turning back to Midoriya. “See? All better!”
Midoriya chuckled, watching the scene unfold with wide, amused eyes. “You guys haven’t changed at all,” he said, shaking his head.
“Not true,” Monoma said, holding up a finger. “I’ve matured immensely. I’m basically a new man.”
Todoroki snorted, a rare sound that made Yukina giggle. “Sure, Neito,” Todoroki said dryly.
“Don’t laugh at me, Shouto,” Monoma shot back, though there was no heat in his voice. “At least I don’t spend all my time brooding in corners.”
Yukina laughed loudly at that, nearly doubling over. “Oh, he’s got you there, Shouto!”
Midoriya laughed along with her, his earlier flustered state fading as he took in the dynamic between the three of them. “It’s really nice to see you all like this,” he said sincerely, his smile bright.
“Of course it is,” Monoma said with mock arrogance, raising his glass. “We’re the life of the party.”
“Only because Yuki’s too drunk to notice how ridiculous you’re being,” Todoroki quipped, his tone light as he rested a hand on Yukina’s shoulder to keep her steady.
“Ridiculous? I’m charming ,” Monoma countered, throwing an arm around Yukina’s other shoulder. “Right, Yukina?”
Yukina looked between the two of them, her face scrunched in mock contemplation. “Hmm… I dunno, Shouto’s pretty charming too,” she teased.
Todoroki raised an eyebrow at her, and Monoma groaned dramatically. “Et tu, Yukina?”