Am I Too Late...?

Chapter 5

      A month passed since the visit in the hospital, and Deku was strong enough to return to class under the condition that he not overdo himself. Upon arrival in the classroom, he was met with big smiles and tight hugs. That was until Bakugo stood from his desk and made his way over, "Oi, Deku! What do you think you're doing back?" "O-oh... My doctor said I could but I'm not quite strong enough to train for too long... He said I should be able to in another couple months thanks to my treatments.." Bakugo grabbed Deku by the collar of his shirt, startling everyone.

      Mina and Uraraka tried to get Bakugo to let go of him while Kirishima tried to talk him down, but Deku seemed like he was analyzing the look in his eyes, "Its okay, everyone... I don't think hes planning on hurting me..." Bakugo's crimson orbs met emerald green, and Bakugo only looked more serious, "Don't you dare think of pushing it, ya hear? Or else I'll kick your ass." Deku chuckled as Bakugo let go of him; he had no intention of it because he knew pushing it would make his chances of survival drop and the chances of breaking his promise increase.

      Bakugo nodded once then walked to his desk and sit down, propping his feet up on the desk. Everyone looked between Bakugo and Deku in confusion, yet no one pressed the matter; everyone was simply relieved to see Deku back. Deku looked at Bakugo with his usual sweet smile of adoration, and Bakugo just sucked his teeth as he looked away, "Whaddya lookin' at, eh?" Deku's eyes softened, "Nothing, Kacchan.." Bakugo hummed as he crossed his arms and closed his eyes. 'No... now's not the time nor the place... just keep your mouth shut a little longer...' he thought to himself.

      Before long, class had begun, and the training groups were pairs. The lesson today was how to escape should you and/or your partner get captured. Once one pair was finished, the other pair would swap, creating various scenarios to escape from. The first team "captured" was Bakugo and Deku, Deku already planning for multiple scenarios in his mind, "Oi! Stop your fucking mumblin'. Its annoying, and I can't concentrate!!" "S-sorry, Kacchan... I was just planning for more than one way to escape..." Deku replied sheepishly. "Hahhh??" Bakugo responded before looking at him as he leaned against the wall, "What'd the Nerd come up with this time??" "W-Well.... the pair we're set up against are Tokoyami and Todoroki..... meaning as we try to escape, shadows will prove to be dangerous as they're where Dark Shadow thrives.... so we need to stay somewhere well lit.... But that poses a risk of being spotted.... and it makes it easier for Todoroki to aim any fire or ice at either of us.... meaning we will need to utilize stealth as best we can while avoiding the shadows.... meaning we need to try to be as silent as we can.. Then if we need to, we launch an ambush, incapacitate them,  then make our escape..." Bakugo smirks, "Heh... this should be fun..."

      They launch their plan, remaining silent as possible while peeking around corners at every turn; however, something felt too easy, so Deku stopped and gently touched Bakugo's wrist to get him to stop as well. The blonde stopped and looked at Deku who began using sign language to say, "This is too easy. It feels... Wrong," before looking around. Bakugo did as well until he saw a shadow had been discreetly creeping toward them.

      "Fuck stealth, Nerd!! They've been tracking us!" Bakugo yelled before igniting an explosion at Dark Shadow, resulting in a startled shriek. The pair looked at each other and nodded before running to find a new way out. "Bastards thought they'd caught us off-guard! I'll show them both!!" Deku couldn't help but smile as he admired the well-toned blonde. He marveled at how quickly he's learned to adapt to sudden changes in plan since enrolling in UA High. His smile, however, quickly faded when he saw an exit they were approaching suddenly get blocked by ice and a flame nearby.

"KACCHAN GET BACK!!" Deku yelled just in time. The very moment Bakugo stopped in his tracks, there was an explosion of steam as Shoto Todoroki used his ultimate move and enveloped them in the steam. He's using the steam as cover, Deku thought. Bakugo seemed to think the same as he grabbed his wrist and pulled him ahead of himself before pushing him forward like saying "stay close but go!" Deku nodded, and ran forward with Bakugo on his heels. This plan failed, however, when Todoroki snap-kicked the first figure in the mist he saw: that figure unfortunately being Deku. The kick landed squarely in the gut and sent him back into Bakugo.

      Upon catching Deku, Bakugo's eyes burned with rage. Bastard IcyHot! Is he stupid?! Bakugo thought. He assumed the position to prep his Howitzer Impact then immediately launched it. Shoto happened to see him coming just a moment too late, so he quickly shot up an ice wall as a shield the moment Bakugo's attack landed. Upon impact, more steam erupted into the area, and the force broke the ice shield, hurling Todoroki into the wall behind him. Bakugo did not spare even a moment as he lunges at Deku, grabbed him, and used a free hand to ignite a large enough explosion to propel them, but Deku had a better idea the moment he saw Todoroki regroup; he twisted so Bakugo was on his back, and before Bakugo had a second to react, Deku was running as fast as he could using One For All, green lightning sparking around them.

      The only thing Todoroki could see was a green flash as they fled past him, reaching outside and finishing their assignment. Outside, Deku breathed heavily from the energy exerted, and Bakugo finally processedwhat happened. "Do you have a damn death wish?? Using your damn Quirk like that!" He scolded. Deku just simply smiled at him and blinked a couple times. He was about to assure Bakugo he was fine until suddenly his eyes rolled back in his head and he crumpled to the ground, Bakugo barely having time to lumge forward and catch him. "Dammit Nerd... What the hell am I to do with you...?"