After the kitchen incident, Todoroki wasn't entirely sure how to act. He still felt the constant guilt nagging at the back of his mind - along with the realisation that he broke down way too easily in front of the others - but every time he felt his mood slipping he'd be dragged into some sort of activity with Bakugou and Kirishima.

"Todobro! Me and Jordan Ramsey are cooking - come help!"

"It's Gordon Ramsey, shitty hair! And if you could actually break eggs properly then I wouldn't shout at you!"

Todoroki wandered into the open space of the apartment - watching the blonde shove Kirishima aside from the counter. They were both wearing tank tops (a killer combo that quickly made Todoroki slightly flustered) - Kirishima's paired with red shorts and Bakugou's with grey sweatpants that looked way too good on him.

"You two idiots can start on the icing..." Bakugou grumbled, grabbing an egg from the carton, brow furrowed in concentration as he cracked it against a mixing bowl.

"Come on, Todoroki! You can mix while I add ingredients!"

The red head bounced out of the kitchen, meeting Todoroki half way and dragging him to the right place.

"What are you guys making?" Todoroki glanced at the array of ingredients across the counter, Kirishima's hand still wrapped round his wrist.

"WE are making a Birthday cake for Midoriya - I think we've fully used up the All Might present ideas so this is the next best thing!"

Todoroki forgot about Izuku's Birthday.

What day was it again? What day is it today? It's not already passed, right? He's such a bad friend. He's been so caught up he never even considered it...

Not noticing Todoroki's inner turmoil - Kirishima finally let go of his wrist to gather and measure some ingredients.

"...We were thinking of stopping by his house tomorrow so he can have it on his birthday-"

"Speak for yourself, shitty hair. I'm not going to that Nerds house." Bakugou snapped, aggressively whisking - biceps tensing.

"Bakubrooo you have to come! Midoryia said he was inviting a bunch of people from Class A!" Kirishima whined, dropping his ingredients to tug at Bakugou's whisking arm.

"I don't care about those extras - and get off my arm before I hit you." Kirishima continued to wrestle with his arm.

"Come on! Even Inasa and Camie said they were going to go - you guys were friends after the Hero Licence classes right? Todoroki back me up, man..." The red head have a pleading look over his shoulder - barely holding onto a thrashing Bakugou.

"I guess it would be nice to see them again... Inasa always asks to meet anyway - it's a good chance to see everyone at once." Todoroki murmured logically.

"Hah?! You talk to that Baldie?" Bakugou glared over at Todoroki as if that statement personally offended him. Almost toppling Kirishima over as his thrashing got more violent.

"He messages me a lot..." It was true. Inasa always kept contact with Todoroki - continuously being turned down for 'catch up lunches' because Todoroki tended to be too busy.

"That damn extra needs to mind his own bu-"

At just the wrong moment, Kirishima's grip slipped on Bakugou's arm, causing the whisk to fling up - splattering a chunk of cake batter across Bakugou's face.

"Oh shit - Bakugou I'm sorry - don't kill me!" Kirishima squealed, escaping from Bakugou's clutches and skidding behind Todoroki, hands clasping against his shoulders to make a human shield.

Todoroki blinked, innocently.

"SHITTY HAIR LOOK WHAT YOU DID YOU FUCK!" Bakugou launched the whisk across the kitchen - narrowly missing Todoroki's shoulder. One of his eyes clamped shut as cake batter dripped from his forehead down to his chin where it dripped freely.

"It's a nice look Bakugou, it suits you." Todoroki added - enjoying the way Bakugou's temple spasmed in anger.

Slowly, Bakugou dipped his hand into the batter - grabbing a handful before shouting -

"BOTH OF YOU ARE DEAD!"

Both Todoroki's and Kirishima's smirks dropped.

"Run."

Todoroki scampered out of the kitchen, hopping over the one of the sofas to create a barrier. Kirishima wasn't so fast and before he could leap over too Bakugou grabbed the back of his shirt - pulling Kirishima against his chest and smearing the handful of batter across the red heads face.

"Ahhh! Bakugou I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Have mercy!!" Kirishima squealed through mouthfuls of batter. Todoroki couldn't help let out a soft chuckle at the scene.

"Oi IcyHot! Don't think you've got away with no punishment." Bakugou's voice dropped an octave, scraping the last of batter off his face and holding it in his hand menacingly. He let go of Kirishima who fell to the floor - blinded by cake batter - and started walking around the couch. Todoroki followed his movement - keeping an obstacle between them.

"Damn! This actually tastes really good!" Todoroki mistakenly glanced at Kirishima - who was licking the batter off his lips. Taking the opportunity of Todoroki being distracted, Bakugou launched over the sofa - tackling a startled Todoroki to the ground.

His back met the ground with a painful thump.

"Got any last words - Halfy?" Bakugou smirked in triumph as he raised his batter filled hand over his head. Todoroki lay sprawled out underneath him.

"How does it feel to still be one hero rank below me?"

Todoroki really asked for it.

"YOU LITTLE SHIT!"

Todoroki fought to shield himself from batter but Bakugou was quicker - slapping the mixture across his face. Scrambling against him - Todoroki tried to wiggle out from his legs, turning on his side.

"Ah-ah-ah no you fucking don't!" Bakugou grabbed at his side - attempting to pull him back underneath him. His fingers rubbed at his ribs - the touch tore a surprised cry from Todoroki's throat.

Both of them froze.

Todoroki wanted to sink into the ground. He hid his face in the crook of his elbow.

No, no, no, no...

"Oh?" Bakugou's smirk rose to his face - crimson eyes gleaming with mischief.

"You don't happen to be ticklish, Halfy?" Bakugou's fingers trailed up his side - getting closer to his ribs.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

"I'm not ticklish, Baku- ah!" The devil in question dug his fingers into Todoroki's ribs, making him full on jolt at the touch - squirming helplessly under Bakugou. He bit his lip hard - trying to endure the sensation.

"Oh you're not ticklish? You don't mind me using two hands then, right?" Bakugou teased - using his other hand to dig at Todoroki's other ribcage.

"Ah! B-Bakugou!" Todoroki gasped, breath staccato, a flurry of cut off laughs erupting out of him. He scrunched up his eyes as tears began to pool at the corners.

"Apologise and say I'm fucking better than you, IcyHot!" Bakugou laughed evilly - revelling I'm having Todoroki at his mercy.

"N-Never!" Todoroki gasped between laughs. Is body twitching uncontrollably at the onslaught of Bakugou's fingers.

"Todoroki you better say it! He won't stop till you do!" Kirishima chuckled. He'd dragged himself towards them - wiping the remaining batter from his eyes.

"Ah! Oka- Baku- Gyah! S-stop! I'll s-s-say it!"

Todoroki blinked up through blurry eyes, his hair ruffled with chunks of batter in. He sported a full face blush that seeped into his neck - a sheen of sweat and tears making his skin glow. The white top he'd been wearing tugged downwards - revealing sharp collarbones.

He realised Bakugou had stopped tickling him and just stared. A harsh blush forming on his cheeks. He glanced over to Kirishima who was matching his blush.

"Y-you're the best..." Todoroki gritted out- turning his head to the side, glancing away.

"Oh fuck me - literally." Kirishima whispered.