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Katsuki’s plan for the exam battle against All Might was very simple: get in, ignore Deku’s stupid plans, win.
Of course, fucking Deku had to ruin that by getting hit hard, bouncing against the ground several times before crashing into the nearest wall.
Katsuki was very tempted to just leave him there. He’d be out of the way for when Katsuki kicked All Might’s ass! But he had a feeling that the teachers would mark him down for “lack of cooperation” or such shit so, begrudgingly, he threw Deku’s unconscious body over his shoulder and retreated to a good vantage point.
He’d make sure Deku was awake and fine before chaining him up somewhere and continuing with his original plan.
Except that when he finally slapped Deku into awareness-
“What are you doing?” Was the first thing Deku had slurred out, crawling backwards out of Katsuki’s reach. “Stop hitting me!”
“Saving you. You’re welcome, Deku-!”
“Who are you calling Deku?”
Katsuki paused, momentarily taken aback. The words were said with a pout on Deku’s face, sounding completely genuine. But why would he say something like that?
“Oi, nerd.” Katsuki narrowed his eyes. “Did All Might knock you hard enough to forget your own name?”
Okay, so technically it wasn’t exactly his name, but it was close enough!! He’s been responding to it since childhood, anyway.
Deku blinked a couple times. “What?”
Katsuki swore, kneeling down to- well, he didn’t really know what to do next. Doctors would shine a light in someone’s eye, he thought, but he had no clue what they were looking for.
So all he could do was just… talk.
“You’re Deku,” he said. “Midoriya Izuku. Ring any bells?”
“I do hear ringing in my ears.” Deku nodded, then grimaced and grabbed his head.
That was… Not good.
“You at least remember who I am, right?”
“...Should I?”
Okay, now Katsuki was offended.
“Of course you should!!” He exploded. “I’m Bakugou Katsuki! I’m gonna be the Number One Hero!” But Deku just continued staring at him blankly. “We’ve known each other since practically birth, you dipshit!”
“Then why are you so mean to me?”
Katsuki hesitated. “Because you’re annoying,” he said.
Deku didn’t look very impressed with that answer. He crossed his arms, scowling at Katsuki. “Well, Bakugou, you seem pretty annoying yourself, too!”
“You-!” Katsuki pulled his arm back before freezing. “What did you just call me?”
“Your name? Which is more than you’ve done for me, let me remind-”
“You don’t call me that.” Katsuki glared at Deku. It felt so weird to hear him say that. He normally complained about him still using the childhood nickname, but it felt even weirder for him to say anything else.
Deku tilted his head. “Then what do I call you?”
Katsuki opened his mouth, but the word would not slide off his tongue. It was too embarrassing to say it himself!! “You know what!”
“No, I don’t,” Deku said. “That’s why I’m asking.”
Katsuki seethed, grinding his teeth together. “I’m not saying it.”
“Then I won’t call you Kacchan.”
“Fine! See if I care!” Katsuki threw his hands up. Then he froze, realization dawning. “You- YOU LIED ABOUT NOT REMEMBERING?! YOU FUCKING WORRIED ME, YOU ASSHOLE!!”
Deku’s eyes were very round. “You were worried about me?”
“No!” Katsuki immediately backtracked. “I don’t care about you! Go die in a ditch!”
But as he left the spot they were sheltering at, in order to find All Might, and Deku trailed behind him while smiling, Katsuki had a feeling that he would not be living that down anytime soon.