Running on empty:

Chapter two:

chapter two:

Bakugou, Kirishima, and Kaminari stepped into the common area.
Mina, Yaoyorozu, Midoriya, Sero, Iida, and Midoriya immediately caught Bakugou's eyes.
He was right, there were more people downstairs than on an average weekday.

Kirishima must've felt Bakugou tense because he and Kaminari exchanged a look.
Kirishima removed his arm from Kaminari's shoulder,
giving Bakugou his full attention.

The three young heroes-in-training weaved through the small crowd toward the kitchen, which was much less crowded.
Only Tokoyami and Ojiro were in there,
making themselves breakfast and ignoring the fact new people had just entered the room.
Bakugou appreciated that.

He nudged Kirishima's arm off him,
but stayed close to the redhead's side.

"Kacchan~ can you please make me something awesome for breakfast?" Kaminari whined.

Kirishima looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
Though Bakugou didn't notice.

"Don't call me that, dunce face."

"Come on, dude! You know I've been banned from using anything in here, and you're by far the best cook in the dorms," Kaminari pressed.

Bakugou just tsked, making his way over to the cupboards and fridge, grabbing ingredients for pancakes.
He tried to look annoyed, though inside, he was happy.
happy that Kaminari was back to treating him normally,
begging for breakfast, and letting him feel useful again.

"That's a lot of ingredients you're getting out, BakuBro,"
Kirishima observed.

"I'm not making food for just one idiot. I'm here and cooking anyway,
so may as well make enough to feed all my extras,"
Bakugou scoffed, pretending not to enjoy himself.

Bakugou had always loved cooking,
though he'd never let anyone know. It calmed him, grounded him.

"Your extras? Are you admitting that you actually like us?"
Kaminari feigned surprise.

"Shut up, Sparky. Go ask the others how many pancakes they want.
And NO, I won't be making banana ones just to appease the half'n-half bastard, so don't let him ask," Bakugou barked,
though there was no real aggression in his tone.

"Are you going to eat any of these pancakes?" Kirishima asked, apparently once Kaminari broke the "don't ask" rule, it was fair game.

"I'll try," Bakugou muttered.
That was enough for Kirishima to grin like it was Christmas morning.

Bakugou pulled out bowls, measuring cups, and a jug of milk, arranging everything on the counter with precision.
As he cracked eggs, he caught Tokoyami watching from the corner.
The dark bird-like hero didn't comment,
but Bakugou noted the quiet approval anyway.
Tokoyami always appreciated competence, even if he rarely voiced it.

Ojiro, on the other side, stirred his breakfast absentmindedly while glancing up at Bakugou's frantic pancake prep.
The quiet observation made Bakugou feel... normal.

"Hey, BakuBro," Kirishima leaned over slightly to grab the butter.
"Do you want me to help with the batter?"

"I got it," Bakugou said, snapping a little sharper than intended,
then immediately muttering under his breath,
"But fine... grab the mixing bowl."

Kaminari bounced back into the room not long after leaving,
poking his head toward the counter.
"Can I help, Kacchan?"

" You can help Shitty Hair. Don't screw it up," Bakugou muttered,
handing him a whisk.
Kaminari grinned, clearly thrilled to be included,
and began mixing the batter with exaggerated care.