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"Does it hurt?" Todoroki asked.
"This is nothing."
Bakugou, his voice rough and defiant, replied.
Despite his words, Todoroki couldn't ignore the tension radiating from him. Bakugou's hand was tightly clenched around his shoulder.
Todoroki silently observed Bakugo, concern etched on his forehead. He knew Bakugou valued his independence and strength, but he also couldn't ignore the severity of his friend's condition.
"We should return and treat your wound first, okay, Bakugou?" His tone is flat, trying to balance his concern with Bakugou's pride.
For a moment, Bakugou remained silent, his breath coming in short, laboured gasps. His body was visibly trembling, and sweat began to bead on his chin, glistening in the dim light. His eyes were squeezed shut, brows furrowed in pain. The whiteness of his skin contrasted starkly with the crimson stain growing on the makeshift bandage that barely contained the blood oozing from his shoulder. He looked alarmingly pale, like a ghost caught in a moment of anguish.
Suddenly, his body swayed, teetering like a precarious flame on the brink of extinguishing. He slumped down against the wall, clutching his injured shoulder even tighter as if to anchor himself to reality. Determined not to show vulnerability, he bit his lip hard, his face twisted in a grimace, fighting to keep any sound from escaping his mouth. But despite his fierce resolve, a small whimper slipped past his defences, a painful reminder of his condition.
Todoroki knelt beside Bakugo, panic bubbling in his chest. He glanced at Bakugo’s shoulder, blood seeping through his clothes. How could he help his friend? Should he use his ice to stabilize the injury, or would that just make things worse? His quirk was largely offensive, after all—not meant for support or healing. The villain was still on the loose, and they needed to get back to UA.
With a determined effort, he extended his arm to lift Bakugo.
“Stop!” Bakugo swatted his hand away. “Go... Just go!”
Todoroki's heart sank. “I can’t just leave you here. You’re injured!”
“Damn it, Todoroki!” Bakugo's voice was fierce, filled with a resolute annoyance. “The bastard won’t get far. You can still catch him. You need to stop him!”
“I’m not leaving you!” Todoroki insisted.
Bakugo grimaced, his teeth clenched against the pain, but his eyes burned with defiance. “I said I’ll be fine! Go!”
Todoroki hesitated, his mind racing. He could see the pain etched on Bakugo’s face, but he also knew the urgency of the situation.
“Listen!” Bakugo shouted each word laced with a mix of determination and desperation. “You’re the only one fast enough to catch that guy! If you don’t go now, we both lose!”
With a heavy heart, he realized Bakugo was right; the villain had to be stopped.
Taking a deep breath, Todoroki finally nodded and said, “Alright. You need to stay alive, Bakugo.”
“Don't underestimate me, idiot,” Bakugo interrupted, his voice softer but still firm. “Just go...”
Todoroki took off, sprinting after the villain who had fled. Determination surged through him. Behind him, he could hear Bakugo’s strained breaths, but he had to trust that his friend would hold on until he returned. In his heart, he vowed that he would catch the villain and come back—no matter what it took. And when he did, he would ask Bakugo to marry him.