Follow the River [Shoto Todoroki x Reader: Fantasy AU]

Chapter 4: Human/Dragon

"Fucking Bakugo, we told him!"

"He doesn't seem to be.. the brightest.." Shoto muttered. The two marched into the cave, and frankly, (Y/n)'s body shook quite badly, yet she kept the grip on her halberd perfectly neutral, just as Shoto had told her.

"Don't you useless mutts come near me..."

"Bakugo! Don't move, alright?" (Y/n) exclaimed, nervously eyeing the boy slammed to the ground, bleeding once again. "God, you're such bad luck!"

"What'd you say- bitch?!" Bakugo groaned only to cough up what became a sea of blood, pooling near his face. His already pale skin became ghostly white. "Hah. What a.. terrible disguise.. you have."

"We're just trying to help, alright? Now stop being so angry and assholish for just a second? Please?"

Bakugo was about to say something, but relented. "Whatever. The damn dragon's foot is caught in a trap, by the way. Now do something useful for once.."

Just as he said, the dragon was indeed caught in a trap upon closer inspection. It seemed to be in distress, yet looked ready to kill each and everyone in that cave if someone got too close and confident.

(Y/n) pointed her halberd at the dragon, ready to swallow her fear and strike for the sake of the Prince standing valiantly by her side, but she was stopped by a pale hand placed in front of her.

"No..." (Y/n) began, knowing what he was trying to do. "I can't just stand by and let you do everything yourself.. It isn't supposed to be like this!"

Shoto only stood there with pursed lips, analyzing the best course of action before (Y/n) began to push against his arm, asking for space to strike.

"You know, fuck you guys.. I don't need your help.." One of Bakugo's bracelets lit up once again as he lunged with all his remaining strength, grabbing at the dragon's eye.

A flash of blinding light, then what seemed like a hard push to everyone's chest as an overwhelming blast of sound and light engulfed them all, and a harsh burning sensation. Everything was silent for Shoto and (Y/n), as the explosion was so great it had deafened them for a moment. A plume of smoke scratched at their throats but Bakugo didn't seem affected at all.

"Take that, you-"

The dragon hadn't let Bakugo speak, too outraged to do so. Sacrificing the skin on it's leg, it ripped itself from the trap and used it to pick Bakugo up from the ground, and slam him back down. Only more blood was coughed up as he writhed in agony.

The dragon screeched in pain, stumbling around and shaking the ground as it did so. "Shoto!" (Y/n) exclaimed, desperately asking for permission to help, still weak from the impact of the explosion. He only gave a tight squeeze to her arm, gesturing for them to take their leave. "We can't leave him," she pleaded. Shoto took a step back. "We can't."

"We'll die," Shoto insisted.

"Please."

Shoto seemed to have turning gears working overtime in his head. What won back his attention was the dragon unhinging its jaw, and then a great and bright inferno hurdling out towards Bakugo's position.

No one had any time to react. The two teenagers could only cover their faces with their arms and hope for the best possible outcome. The great wind almost knocked them off their feet. "Oh shit. I just watched someone die, didn't I?" (Y/n) whimpered once the fire died down.

Shoto smiled, much to the knight's surprise.

"You're smiling?! Alright look.. Maybe we should go... sorry Baku-.. wait.."