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The bright heavy-duty sneakers squeaked nosily across the shiny linoleum flooring, a sign that he still had some fatigue. The blonde yawned as he scratched the back of his head then took a sip from the coffee in the Styrofoam cup. Taishiro wondered absently if he should check on his dark haired intern but when he walked passed his room he heard the soft sounds of sobbing and a too bright reassuring voice. Mirio.
No doubt trying to reassure his friend he was fine and not to worry for him. Trying to convince him they still had a bright future.
Taishiro decided to give them some space and went to the next room. In truth he was dreading this a bit and hoped that the other students would be arriving later in the day. Aizawa had told- no more like warned- him that Kirishima would be getting more visitors as the story leaked out to the rest of the U.A. students. And that there was a particular blond head who would be especially interested in seeing the state of his friend, though he would not admit it.
Bakugou’s reputation proceeded him by far. Fat Gum had seen him during the Sports Festival and he defiantly noted him at the award platform, caged and locked on the first-place pedestal. He had been both fascinated and a bit appalled. So when his bright dispositioned with equally bright haired intern had gone rambling one day about his best friend Bakugou Fat Gum had to do a double take.
Kirishima shrugged off his concern and shook his head with a smile. “A lot of people get worried but Bakugou’s fine. He’s just super determined to be a Top Hero and he’s making sure nothing gets in his way. Yea he’s a little rough and explosive at times but he’s got the manliest heart I know.” He had smashed his fist with a loud clank.
Presently, Fat Gum stood in front of the closed door of the hospital room and shook his head. He was beginning to see his youngest intern had an attraction for danger. He readjusted his hold on his coffee and the box of doughnuts as he pushed open the door then paused. Sure, enough the room was already occupied.
For a split second Fat Gum saw the softness that Kirishima raved about in the silhouette of the boy. His posture was relaxed against the starkness of the hospital setting and his hair, while spikey, was a volume of light blond. Like a dandelion, he thought briefly.
But when the spikey haired blond realized someone had entered the room his eyes shone brightly as he straightened protectively. Red eyes locked on him, quickly assessing and narrowing into slits.
Never mind, lion, definitely more like a lion!
Taishiro cleared his thoughts as he glanced around the room. Not too much of a surprise but there was another figure in the shadow of the room.
“Well I hope you guys checked in with the front desk. Visiting hours isn’t open yet.” He said with light amusement. He said it to break the ice and open a friendly conversation. He was joking mostly, he doubted anyone would stop the students from seeing Kirishima. He was a friendly boy, already endearing the staff of nurses.
Speaking of which, Fat Gum took in his condition quickly. A few of the wraps and gauzes had been removed, revealing tender pink skin. He was asleep, the only tell a tell sign of livelihood being his chest rising and falling.
“Well security is poor and no one came to stop us.” Came the cold reply. “Seeing as you were getting your victory meal.” Fat Gum nearly flinched at the tone but instead he frowned to glare at who spoke.
His eyes landed on Bakugo but to his surprise he seemed just as irritated, his eyebrows dropped to a frown while his lip twitched into a grimace. So his eyes went to the figure in the back who took a cool step forward. Piercing heterochromatic eyes glared back.
“Afterall, three out of three in getting your team into a hospital is a good victory.”
“Oi, zip it Candy Cane. Or you’ll actually get us kicked out. You were the one spouting bullshit on me keeping my temper.” Bakugo growled as he glared back at the other. Then he turned forward and stood. In that moment Fat Gum realized he had been cupping Kirishima’s hand. Even now as he stood to offer him a handshake, his other hand dropped to gently graze over his friend’s arm. His face was blank as he reached over the hospital bed. “Hello Fat Gum. Nothing get’s past Aizawa- Sensei. Since he didn’t stop us we took it as a go ahead.”
Fat Gum looked him over carefully but nodded. “As long as someone knows you guys are here.” He took the hand and gave it a firm shake. “Bakugo Katsuki. I know a bit about you.”
His eyes narrowed and he frowned again. “Yeah, I’ve been told the media has field days with me. Tch.”
Fat Gum chuckled then turned to the other boy and walked closer. “And of course, Todoroki Shoto, Endeavor’s youngest.”
At first it didn’t seem that he would take the offered hand but then reluctantly reached forward and gave it a single shake.
They were both still in their uniforms. Todoroki had placed this jacket on the other empty bed with his sleeves rolled up, Bakugou had his jacket hanging on the back of his chair and the first few top buttons of his shirt undone. The blond sat back down, an arm on the bed. “Don’t mind the sour candy cane with no manners. He’s just pissed he wasn’t invited on the mission.”
Todoroki glowered back and took a step forward. “We both should have been on that mission.”
Bakugou’s shoulder’s tensed. Fat Gum sensed this had been brought up before. “But we weren’t so drop it.”
“It’s stupid.” His voice began to rise and hands tightened into fist in aggravation. “They put their stupid rules first and looked what happened! So much for rationality! If we had been on the mission then we could have-“
“Yeah we could have beaten some villains up and what?! Everything would have been dandy!?” he stood and had his shoulders squared against the other. “The Block Faced dumbass would still have a Quirk?! Kirishima wouldn’t be in here?!” His fist shook and his voice dropped lower, though Fat Gum noted a tenser emotion. “You don’t think I see that?! Don’t’ under estimate me bastard, I know. But we weren’t on the mission and that’s our fault. So, stop acting like a baby and face it head on or throw you tantrum somewhere else!”
For a moment Fat Gum was sure a fight was going to break out. But to his amazement Todoroki merely “tch.” And took a calm step forward. “Fine. If you need space just say so. I’ll go check on Midoriya. Let us know when Kirishima is awake.”
Bakugou rolled his eyes and turned back around, dropping himself into the seat. “Whatever, do what you want.”
The other boy rolled his eyes and in a low voice said. “And don’t talk about tantrums to me. I’m not the one that nearly leveled Gym Gamma when they found out Kirishima was in the hospital.”
“What did you say?!” the blond immediately bristled, soft explosion coming out of the clenched fist he held up.
The other boy didn’t even blink as he looked back over his shoulder. In fact he almost looked fondly amused, then walked out.
Bakugou seethed, settling back into his seat. “Stupid Half-and Half Bastard.”
Fat Gum rubbed his necks, “Jeez, why are kids so intense now a days?” he held up the box, “Doughnut?”
Bakugou glanced at it and looked away. “No thanks.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of calories.” He teased lightly. Maybe he could goad him a bit. “Of having to run it off.”
“I don’t get scared of anything.” He snapped then scrunched his face. “Fine whatever.” He took the box and took out a small plain frosted one.
He was bemused by the young boy but he silently brought a chair to sit on the other side of his intern. He looked him over again and sighed. “He’s . . . he’s something. It’s not just a matter of Quirk and skill. I’m not sure what he’s been through or what shifted him but his resolve. His resolve is what strengthens him, his determination and his honest heart.”
He chuckled a bit and glanced at the other boy. He was silently eating his doughnut methodically. “I’m so proud of him.” He sighed mostly for himself as he affectionately patted his arm, being mindful of the healing skin. “But I’m sure at the end of the day he’ll just shrug it off and say how it came from the guidance of his sensei and friends. And make some manly speech about being better.”
The blond snorted. “The idiot.” He finished his doughnut and wiped his mouth. “He’s has so much hair for brains he won’t even think he did anything and just clunk his stupid fist together.” He mimicked the pose. “And brush off all the hard work he did and say his Quirk wasn’t that useful.” He shook his head.
“Yeah, he does that a bit. I’ve been trying to help him and Suneater on their moral and self-esteem. But they both don’t see themselves how we do, huh?”
“No he doesn’t. He doesn’t see how special he is.” He muttered softly.
It took a moment but once he realized what he said Bakugou straightened in alarm. He nearly fell off the chair. He met Fat Gum’s almost gleeful face, eyebrow raised high.
“Not that I say that. Our stupid class and all his dumb friends do! I could careless if he doesn’t want to listen. To them!”
“Uh,huh. Cause you’re not one of his dumb friends?” this time his voice dropped a bit more serious.
Bakugou recognized the layer of protectiveness and bristled. He resolved on glaring to the side. “At least not one of the dumb ones.” He ducked down, slouching into the chair, ear reddening.
All at once Fat Gum grinned mischievously. “Of course not. Not with how highly he thinks of you and cares for you. You’re not just a friend, you’re his best friend I’m sure.”
Bakugou slouched further and the red darkened.
“Now now, nothing to be ashamed of.” He chuckled. “In truth I’ve been eager to meet you.”
“Ha!” Now the blond looked up, thin brow arched in dubious surprise, as if questioning his sanity more than anything.
“It’s true.” He looked him over, pointedly glancing over Bakugou’s hand still gently cupping over his forearm, then back up. “I’ve been curious on who and what you are to Kirishima. You see these two interns have proven to be very special and very special to me. So naturally I am a bit protective.”
Bakugou hardly seemed phased, as if he already knew it from watching him. “In this line of work that’s dangerous.”
He sighed. “So it is, so it is.” He shrugged. He looked back at his intern fondly. “He’s going to be a great Pro Hero.”
“Of course he is, I’ll kick his ass if he isn’t.” he stated with a small growl. “As for what we are that’s up to him.” He had his jaw jutting out and was too tensed to actually be slouching casually. Fat Gum was sure it was all an act and heard the strain on keeping his voice casual. “I didn’t even do anything, the dumbass just came barging in with his stupid smile and all but demanded to be friends.” He open his eyes as if to glare at said red head but it was still too soft. “With his dumb smile and speeches on manliness, friends, and other bullshit.” He made a loud tutting noise then softer. “I don’t know why he bothers with me. He has Dunce Face, Racoon Eye, and Soy Sauce. Not to mention the rest of this dumb class.”
“He likes you, and I quote, ‘Manly spirit’. That you’re passionate and stand by what you say and mean no matter what.” He said plainly and smiled bemusedly as his face dusted over with pink. “Also something about your soft hair.”
“WHAT?! HIS HAIR IS A LOT SOFTER WHEN HE DOESN’T HARDEN IT WITH SO MUCH SHITTY PRODUCT! STUPID SHITTY HAIR!”
Fat Gum snorted and began to outright laugh at his outburst. Due to all the commotion Kirishima also begin to stir. Bakugou realized his mistake and clamped the hand that wasn’t on the bed over his mouth.
“Shit.”
Taishiro reached over and clasped his shoulder. The other blond froze then looked up, face smoother and eyes a bit wider. His calmest moments seemed to be when he was confused. Toishiro smiled sincerely. “Talk to him, alright? You kids aren’t really kids any more. You all have faced a lot head on. Face this too, it’s going to have a lot nicer of an outcome for both of you.”
Bakugo ducked his head but gave a stiff nod.
On the bed Kirishima gave a soft groan as he turned his head, looking for the source of all the noise in the room. “Oh Bakugo?” he smiled softly then glanced up. “Fat Gum, hey.”
He began trying to sit up but winced.
“Stop Shitty Hair.” Bakugo grunted, but it was softer. He put a hand on his chest and gently prodded, urging him to lie back down. “You need to stay still.”
“He’s right.” The pro hero smiled reassuring. “I’ll go get a nurse to check your bandages again, see how the healing is.
Kirishima nodded with a small smile. “Okay, okay staying still.” He then zeroed in his focus on his classmate. “Oi, Bakugo! I can’t believe you’re here! I thought I was dreaming when I heard your voice.” He gave a cheeky smile.
Bakugo immediately bristled, flustering so badly that his head was ducked into his shoulders and his face red. “What do you mean of course I came! Don’t say dumb shit like that!”
Kirishima only laughed.
“And I got here before all those other extras, don’t forget that!”
“So manly.”
As they continued back and forth Fat Gum couldn’t help but feel some weight off his chest. He was more than sure Kirishima was in good hands.