The other player slide tackles, cleats first, missing the ball but not missing Katsuki.
Both of them go down, and Katsuki’s head is reared back. Mouth is open in a silent scream as he clutches his leg.
Distantly, Deku hears the fans at this game cheering to “Let him die! Let him die!” It’s not unexpected. It’s an away game, their fans aren’t here to cheer them on.
But Deku’s not Bakugou. He’s not unaffected by the boo’s. Especially when they’re aimed at his … friend. His best friend.
Katsuki’s not getting up, and the ref has whistled for a foul.
Deku walks as close as he can, wanting to run out to him. But Kirishima is already there. The medics on the side are running over as well.
The fans are screaming, yelling mostly incoherently. Most are booing. Glancing up to the corner of the stadium, Deku sees a handful of fans that traveled to watch the game. They look as nervous as Deku feels.
Kacchan still isn’t getting up. Why isn’t he getting up? He always gets up.
Deku’s feet move before he can stop himself. His cleats dig into the ground, un-impeding his way to Katsuki.
“—does it hurt?” Deku catches as he arrives at Katsuki’s side.
Kirishima moves out of the way, allowing Deku to take his spot kneeling next to Katsuki.
“It—” Katsuki hisses, calf flexing as his body shakes. “Right here.” Katsuki brushes his hand against the area of pain, gritting his teeth as he releases pained air through his teeth.
“Can you move it at all?” Deku puts a hand on Kacchan’s shoulder.
If he should need to be moved, Deku will help him.
“Was there a card called?” Deku asks quietly, head tilted to Kirishima as he watches Katsuki shake his head “No.”
Kirishima hesitates behind him, and that’s all the answer Deku needs.
Setting his jaw, he gently wipes Katsuki’s bangs from his sweaty forehead.
“Focus on healing, Kacchan. I’m gonna have a talk with the ref real quick and then I’ll help you to the bench.”
Katsuki’s eyes widen, hand moving to grab Deku’s shoulder. To stop him, probably, but Deku is already out of reach.
His eyes are already on the ref who’s being berated by Deku’s other teammates.
“I’ll be back,” Deku states, fists clenched as he stalks forward.
“Try not to get kicked out of the game this time, dude,” Kirishima’s voice calls after him.
Deku doesn’t respond, knowing it’ll be an empty promise if he says he won’t. It’s not his goal, but it’s not something he’s avoiding either.
“Hey!” Deku yells, watching all his teammate’s eyes widen and take a step back.
The ref turns around, frown on his face and cheeks flushed.
“What, you just call a foul on 24 but don’t pull a card? Are you fucking blind?” Deku seethes, getting into the ref’s face as he narrows his eyes.
“What I saw didn’t constitute a card. He got a warning, and that’s—”
“Bullshit! ” Deku interrupts, flinging his hands up as his heart rate picks up. “He side tackled Bakugou, nailing him in the calf with his cleats! Kacchan can’t even get up right now. Do you know how dangerous that is? Are you really going to set the precedent that those plays are okay? What if—”
“I’ve made my call, and no amount of yelling’s gonna make me change my mind.” The ref moves to walk past Deku, but Deku moves to stay in front of him.
“Well it’s a bad call!” Deku insists, air pushing out through his teeth loudly. “I’m giving you the opportunity to fix it.”
“You want to see a card so bad?” The ref asks, eyes narrowing, hand moving to his pocket. “Here you go!”
A yellow card is raised in the air, camera on Deku as he is given it.
“Now I’m giving you the chance to back off!”
Deku goes to smack the ref’s hand down, uncaring. A hand stops him.
Turning, Deku sees Kirishima and Katsuki. Kacchan’s hand is the one gripping his wrist.
“Come on, Deku. Walk me to the bench like you said you would. We can’t win without our goalie.”
Deku huffs, rage still flowing through his veins, but he moves to Katsuki’s other side.
With Kirishima, he helps lead Katsuki to the sideline. Katsuki smiles and waves at the camera, and to the corner with what fans came, but Deku can see the pain there.
Carefully, they lower Kacchan onto the bench. His muscles are tensed, his jaw is set, but his eyes still burn with the fire he holds on the field.
“Do me a favor, you two. Kick their asses.”
Deku grins at Katsuki, trying to put off more determination than anger. But his muscles are tense, his fists are clenching, and he can tell Katsuki doesn’t believe his act one bit.
“And don’t get kicked out of the game over this, Deku. Keep a cool head, we need you to keep blocking. Kirishima, stay strong on defense. Tell Tokoyami to stay as far ahead as he can. They underestimate him, but once he gets the ball he can take it to the goal. Understand?”
Both of them nod, Kirishima giving Katsuki a thumbs up and running back onto the field.
Deku hesitates.
“I’ll be fine, Deku.” Kacchan smiles and grips Deku’s hand momentarily.
A squeeze, a wider smile, and then Katsuki lets him go.
Deku nods, mouth in a line as his brows furrow.
He runs back towards the goal. He won’t let any balls get past him. For Kacchan.
