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Todobaku thread I wrote based off @ink_splotchyy's request to "fucking destroy" him emotionally. Let's see how I did.
#tdbk #todobaku
#tdbk #todobaku
It took a few minutes of searching and little trial and error, but Todoroki eventually found the perfect patch of grass to sit down on. Free of mud. Only slightly damp with the morning dew. Todoroki sat down, made himself comfortable. Watched the sun rise over the trees.
Todoroki had found the perfect spot, and for that he was grateful. He was prepared to be sitting for hours. Sometimes Bakugou spent only minutes. A brief once-over, maybe a look-around. Other times, Bakugou spent hours circling and digging and examining.
Todoroki knew well enough to know that this morning was going to be the latter. That was why they had arrived right at dawn.
Arriving so early also came with the additional benefit that the entire site was empty and unwatched.
Arriving so early also came with the additional benefit that the entire site was empty and unwatched.
It was laughably easy to climb the fences, jump the barricades, duck under the tape. They didn’t bother avoiding the cameras. There was no point—would stop them? By the time anyone could show up to ask them to leave, Bakugou would probably already be finished.
Besides, it was well known in various circles that Ground Zero liked to revisit sites to look around. Though, Todoroki would not describe it as a ‘like’ of Bakugou’s. More of an obligation. Todoroki’s heard some friends call it compulsive. Perhaps they were right.
But Todoroki knew Bakugou needed it.
So, they did this. They left hours before dawn to break into crime scenes or disaster clean-ups or blast-sites. Sometimes weeks or months after the fight or accident or disaster. Todoroki didn’t know how Bakugou decided when it was time.
So, they did this. They left hours before dawn to break into crime scenes or disaster clean-ups or blast-sites. Sometimes weeks or months after the fight or accident or disaster. Todoroki didn’t know how Bakugou decided when it was time.
Surely, it would have been on his mind constantly—so why wait so long? Todoroki had never asked and probably never would. He was simply there to follow Bakugou’s lead, wait, watch, and then step in when it was time.
Then, Todoroki would gather Bakugou and lead them both home.
They never returned. That was Todoroki’s one request. Todoroki would let Bakugou spend as long as he needed and Todoroki would wait and watch and then step in. But only once.
They never returned. That was Todoroki’s one request. Todoroki would let Bakugou spend as long as he needed and Todoroki would wait and watch and then step in. But only once.
The first hour passed quickly. The sun slid upwards in the sky. The birds filled the air with their calls. The dew evaporated. And, all the while, Todoroki sat on the edge of the great pit and watched as Bakugou dug around in the dirt at the bottom.
Bakugou walked the perimeter of the pit. And then again. Occasionally he would stop and look at the walls of the pit. Maybe crouch down to study a rock or piece of debris on the ground. Then, he would stand back up and resume walking.
Halfway through the second hour, Todoroki’s stomach growled. Perhaps he should have brought breakfast. Bakugou would make them something wonderful when they got home, though. He always did on mornings like these. Perhaps that was also compulsive.
A quarter past the start of the third hour, and Bakugou was growing near the end. Todoroki could always tell by how Bakugou would hold himself differently. A slump in his shoulders. A heaviness in how his head would hang.
Bakugou sat down in the center of the pit.
Todoroki stood up, wiped the grass and dirt off his pants. It was almost time to step in. He gave Bakugou five more minutes—timed it on his phone, even. Then, Todoroki made his way down into the pit.
Todoroki stood up, wiped the grass and dirt off his pants. It was almost time to step in. He gave Bakugou five more minutes—timed it on his phone, even. Then, Todoroki made his way down into the pit.
Todoroki made sure to clear his throat when he was a few yards away. Bakugou’s head lifted at the sound, but he did not turn to look at Todoroki. When Todoroki finally reached Bakugou, he stood behind him and to the side.
Bakugou had something in his hands. Perhaps a piece of debris. Todoroki wasn’t sure what it was, but he suspected he knew what it meant. Bakugou was sitting in the center of the pit, the very center of the site where everything ‘went to hell’ as Bakugou might say.
The mission report connected to this place was especially grim. Few positive outcomes and nearly non-existent silver lining. Numbers and statistics so big, Todoroki never saw a colleague fail to flinch at them. Bakugou didn’t sleep for a week after this mission. Barely even ate.
Todoroki crouched down to be at Bakugou’s level. Bakugou dropped the debris. A hand reached out to hold onto Todoroki’s sleeve. Todoroki’s heart ached, as it always did on mornings like these.
“Come on.” Todoroki whispered. “Let’s go home.”
“Come on.” Todoroki whispered. “Let’s go home.”
