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“So yeah, that’s what we’re saddled with.” Bakugo concluded as they left the dining tent, ambling towards where the rest of the rescue squad was already hard at work. “It was worth it though.” he grinned, pounding a fist into his open palm. “I got to personally blow up the bitch who brought you down in the first place.”
“Was it really, though?” Eijirou couldn’t help but ask. A week of hard labour without being allowed to participate in training, and extra chores for another week after that, and for what? Rescuing a warrior who got captured during his first raid, who hurt his best friend and enjoyed it when he was rescued.
Bakugo looked over at him, brow creasing slightly and mouth turning down in a little frown. “Yeah?” he said, audibly confused. “I just said it was.”
“Oh, right.” Eijirou looked aside, and Bakugo stopped walking.
“Why would you think it wasn’t?” he asked, and Eijirou tensed. Bakugo sounding suspicious never boded well for the person he was suspecting.
“We should get to chores.” he said, but Bakugo’s hand fastened around his forearm before he got more than two steps.
“You don’t have chores until you’re healed, and even then it’s not the crazy shit we’re doing.” Bakugo pulled, and Eijirou let himself be turned to face his friend. “Kirishima, why would you think rescuing you wasn’t worthwhile?”
“I’m a warrior, Bakugo.” he said softly, pulling his arm free. “If I can’t be trusted to hold my own in a fight, what good am I to the tribe?”
“It was your first raid!” Bakugo threw his arms up, exasperation writ large in his tone and posture. “Someone got in a lucky hit, big deal. You’re back now, and that’s what matters.”
“It wasn’t a lucky hit.” Eijirou admitted, and Bakugo froze. “There was a kid with a chain, I let her hit me because I thought it wouldn’t do anything, but the nullification magic-” he shuddered, shoulders hunching up around his ears. “If any other warrior gets their magic sealed, they can still at least punch someone. I just turn into a liability.”
“Then that just means we need to stick together.” Bakugo frowned, stepping closer. “You go down, I blast whichever idiot thought they could fuck with a dragon.”
“You don’t get it.” Eijirou stepped back, crossing his arms over his stomach. “I’m no good as a warrior if I have to have a babysitter. The adults were right not to come for me.” his stomach churned and clenched, and he pulled his arms tighter in towards his body. Bakugo hated to be told something he did was wrong, hated making mistakes. He wasn't stupid by any measure though, and it wouldn't take long for him to realize Eijirou also meant Bakugo shouldn't've come to rescue him.
“Did you hit your head or something?” Bakugo asked incredulously after a few long, painful seconds. “Of course the adults should've gone to rescue you, you're our dragon!” Bakugo stepped forward, and Eijirou tensed when his hand clapped a hand tight on his shoulder. “And there isn't a thing in this world that could stop me from saving my best friend.”
“Doesn't mean you should've, though.” Eijirou muttered. Bakugo let go of his shoulder to smack him on the side of the head.
“Quit being stupid.” he ordered, scowling again. "I'm awesome on my own, and so are you. just because you're not invincible doesn't mean you're worthless." he crossed his arms, a thoughtful expression flitting across his face. “Y'know, I bet if I'd been there you wouldn't've gone down at all.”
“If you're about to promise to protect me, don't.” Eijirou drowned sternly. He wasn't going to take Bakugo away from where the tribe needed him most.
“Why would I need to protect you, hair for brains?” Bakugo rolled his eyes. “We're unstoppable together because we watch each other's backs.”
“Bakugo, I think you're missing the point.” Eijirou frowned harder, claws digging into his sides as his eyes darted down to the bandages on his friend's arm. “It doesn't matter how good we are, together or apart. I can't be relied on in a fight anymore.”
“Oh for the love of the gods!” Bakugo threw his hands up and strode forward until he was nearly nose to nose with Eijirou, magic popping over his knuckles as he grabbed Eijirou by the sides of his head. “Would I pick someone unreliable to help me defeat the Great Evil? Would I share my tent with someone who shouldn't've been rescued?”
“No.” Eijirou muttered, and Bakugo smirked.
“Damn right. I only work with people as awesome as I am.” he released Eijirou's face and took a half step back, reaching down to take one of Eijirou's hands in both of his own. “And once we're both allowed in training again, I'm gonna ask Aizawa to make us dedicated partners.”
Eijirou's eyes shot wide open at that. It was one thing to be partners off the field, each other's favored opponent in sparring and trusted spotter with most other types of training. Dedicated partners though... the only other kids who were that were the Tokoyami twins. “But then- if I'm held back you don't get to fight either.”
“And?” Bakugo frowned at him like he was stupid. Which, okay, he did feel kinda stupid right now. “Raids aren't half as fun as fighting at your side.”
Eijirou couldn't help but smile at that. “I actually thought the same thing, during the raid.”
“All the more reason for us to become dedicated partners.” Bakugo grinned, dropping one of his hands from Eijirou's. “Now come on, I gotta get to chores or I'm gonna get stuck with even more.”
“Alright.” Eijirou chuckled, and let his friend pull him along.