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Usually Bakugo was glad that he and Deku had reconciled.
Usually Bakugou was relieved they had both made it to graduation.
Usually Bakugou was thrilled that their hero agency hadn’t failed.
But at this moment Bakugou was only horrified.
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Usually Midoriya was tired.
Usually Midoriya could only feel the pressure.
Usually Midoriya didn't feel worthy of being number one.
But at this moment Midoriya could only feel calm.
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“MIDORIYA!”
“It’s okay Kacchan.”
Bakugou stares up at his best friend as he realizes that the blood on his body wasn’t his. He feels something wet drop onto his cheek. Reaching up, his hand comes back red.
“Deku what?”
Midoriya smiles shakily, repeating himself.
“It’s okay Kacchan. Are you alright?”
“Am I already? Deku you’re fucking bleeding!”
“Right. But it’s not that bad. I only got grazed a bit.”
Bakugou tries to glance down to see what caused it but could see too well in the dim light.
He starts shifting his weight to try to wiggle out from under Midoriya. He could barely see the debris to the sides of them but there was a light coming from somewhere above him. He pauses when he hears a small noise from Midoriya.
“Deku are you alright?”
“Fine. Just keep going. We need to try to get out. There may still be civilians trapped under here that we need to help.”
“Right.”
Bakugou braces again and continues scooting. He keeps hearing shifting noises and groaning sounds but continues to push through, knowing that if he stops, he won’t have the energy to start again.
“Okay. I’m out. Now let me…”
He trails off as he turns out to see what he hadn’t noticed while being trapped under Deku. The debris had fallen at just the right spots so that each limb had been pinned in place. Not only that, but the two he could see fully clearly had been punctured.
“Kacchan, are you alright? Why did you stop?”
“Deku…Why didn’t you say something earlier? That has to be painful.”
Midoriya grimaces.
“Don’t worry about it. You got out. Now go help with the evacuation. I’ll be fine until you get back.”
“Like hell you will! I’m getting you out first. There’s no way you’re fine. You have been bleeding this whole time and I doubt you can hold on too much longer. Just let me help you.”
“It’s nothing serious. I’m sure there are others out there who have been hit much worse.”
“No! We have to take care of you first. How else can we help the others if-”
“Shut up! Just let me stay here! I don’t want your help.”
“Deku?”
“I’ll be fine. And if I’m not then that’s okay too. That’s what it means to be a hero. We knew that this could happen on any day. Well I guess today is that day.”
“What are you talking about? You’re injured, I get it, but not so badly that you can’t be healed. But that’s why we need to get you out of here before-”
Midoriya sighs.
“Just go Kacchan. I came to peace with this possibility a long time ago. Before I even became a hero.”
“Deku…”
“Please…I’m so tired. Just let me go.”
“Let you go?”
“I’ve worked so hard, Kacchan. I have been fighting every day and I’m so tired.”
“But being a hero means fighting to stop the villains. You knew that when-”
“Not that kind of fighting. Every day I wake up and have to show the world that I can be as good as All Might. Every media appearance questions whether I am making the right choices. I get yelled at by grieving parents, harassed by adults who still see me as a high schooler, and stalked by tabloid reporters who want the latest gossip on what ‘Pro Hero Deku’ is up to. Heck I can’t even hang out with my friends without speculation. I am only in my twenties. How am I supposed to do it all right every time?”
Bakugou freezes at the onslaught, not sure how to respond.
“So yeah Kacchan. I’m tired. I have never been more tired in my life. So just leave me here. I’ll keep the building stabilized until we know everyone is out. And then if you still want to come back for me, you can. Or you leave me here to finally rest.”
With that, Midoriya drops his head and closes his eyes. A few seconds later he feels something wet drop onto his head. Opening his eyes again, he looks up to see Bakugou crying.
“Kacchan?”
“Shut up nerd.”
“What…”
Bakugou turns and fires a careful small blast out of the opening, followed by several others.
“I’m not leaving without you and I’m sure your other friends would say the same.”
Aiming for light and teasing Midoriya chimes in.
“Did you just admit that we’re friends?”
Bakugou looks back at him seriously as they start to hear other heroes getting closer to them.
“Yes I did. And if you weren’t aware of that, then I have done a terrible job as your friend and hero partner. If you need a break, we can put our agency on pause and get this sorted out.”
“But what about your career?”
“It doesn’t matter the way you do. You have always been there, by my side, every step of the way. It is my turn to be there for you. Like you said, we are still young. We will have plenty of time to get to the top…together. Besides, what’s the point of getting to the top if you won’t be there with me. You are like a brother to me and I refuse to lose you in this way.”
“K-kacchan…”
“But you have to let us in. We can’t be there for you if you won’t let us.”
Midoriya bursts into tears as pieces of debris get floated away carefully. He looks around him as his friends all gather together to help get him out. He watches as Bakugou shouts at them to be careful but this time he sees the concern that is resting underneath. He sees the relief that washes over Todoroki’s face as he sees Midoriya is safe. Uraraka bursts into tears when his injuries are revealed. Iida runs off but before Midoriya feels left behind, he is back with Recovery Girl. He gets a hug from Tsuyu as she helps hold him stable.
Maybe now he can find time to rest.