Chapter Text
The awkward silence that hung theatrically in the air between the two was near audible. Midoriya had sat up at this point. His big, green eyes staring directly into Kaminari's.
Searching
Muddled and unclear emotion swiped across his freckled face in encompassing waves, biting his lower lip to forcefully halt his mutters that drummed in his mind. His arms curled around his bruised knees, chin sandwiched between his scar-riddled arms. But still staring, watching with rapt attention.
Taking in Kaminari's now shockingly blank face and wide eyes, coupled with what he just blurted out, telling Midoriya about their shared illness, probably wasn't on his agenda.
He hadn't moved from their briefly shared position, instead he just star-fished himself out, hands curled into fists, then relaxed, then balled up again, only to repeat every now and again.
The greenette could feel the grimace ( really it was more of a wince, he was still in pain from his latest coughing shitstorm ) that pulled across his face, contorting his features into something shaky and anxious.
Pity for the blond practically oozed from his pores. He would probably start crying if he was in the same situation ( as if he wasn't already tearing up at the moment ).
"I-I'm sorry, that sounds horrible Kaminari...." He paused for a moment, processing what he had just blurted out "I-I don't mean that condescendingly or anything!! We are in the same boa-"
Unexpectedly, Midoriya's mad rambling was cut short by weak laughter and chortles.
" Oh ho ahahhahhah! Oh, my god, Jesus th-that was the, fuck hahhahhahah " Kaminari rounded upwards, on to his knees and in on himself, holding his ribs; his laughter crescendoing into full body shudders and mirth.
" Th- ha, that," Kaminari said, desperately trying to sputter out with a sentence, battling his bout of embarrassment induced laughter.
Letting out a few more giggles before turning his head to look into Midoriya's both baffled expression and worried eyes, fully meeting his stare for the first time since he entered the room.
Silence once again dominated the room.
"Okay, that was probably one of the dumbest things I've done in a while." He ran a shaky hand through his mop of vibrant yellow hair. " Like top-tier fuckery right there".
He let out another chortle that Iida would absolutely call unbecoming of a soon-to-be pro.
" Like it's up there with that one time I called Aizawa-sensei mom" Or that one time me and Kirishi-" His sentence was cut off but a cough, that racked his whole body. He pulled his hand away from his lips, flipped it over, pulled a face at whatever was on his hand, then proceeded to wipe it on his jeans with zero regards.
" Okay, like I was saying- "
Midoriya, the social genius he is, stretched his mouth into a bizarre half-smile half- grimace of confusion and let out a laugh that sounds eerily like All Might 's; not entirely sure what to make his face do in this particular situation.
This drove the blonde into yet another maelstrom of bubbly laughter that seemed to penetrate Midoriya, a small but sturdy smile cracked his once despondent face. He couldn't lie, smiling after the almost suffocating threat looming overhead felt .... like waking up from a long nap feeling warm and fuzzy. It was almost dizzying, how quickly his meek smile soon flowed into his signature brawny smile ( and well if his eyes were watering a little, but who was counting? ).
" Alright- alyouep! " Kaminari pushed himself up and clung to Midoriya's desk, hauling himself to his feet; He turned 180, hand extended to his classmate.
"Come on, let's go get you cleaned up then I can deliver you to your flock of mother hens! If you stay up here any longer Iidad will honestly have an aneurysm."
Midoriya blinked, snorted, wiped his eyes with his forearm then took his hand. With a sharp tug and the assistance of the desk again, green eyes met gold, freckled cheeks split into another honest but tried grin. His knees still felt like he was rocking on a boat, but determination and thankfulness rang clearly, even though his apprehensiveness.
"T-thank you, Kaminari, really" A muscular but lean arm dropped across his shoulders, pulling him into a surprise, half-hug.
" Dude! Seriously? don't even worry about it! We gotta stick together" Kaminari's free arm reached to open the door, his face turned back to Midoriya, his arm still around him just a fraction " For real though Midori, I'm here for you, and if you ask literally anybody in 1-A, you'd know that I'm not the only one"
The electric quirk user gave one more slanted grin before he opens the dorm door and practically dragged the groggy boy out of the room he'd isolated himself in for so long.
The pair made their way to the bathroom, with Kaminari supporting him most of the way, his hand sliding down to his lower back to guide his and catch him if his rubbery legs buckled, cracking small one-liners the whole time.
'seriously though I'm not kidding, without missing a beat Aizawa-sensei said " I would like to think I'm more of a father figure thanks", like has he been waiting to use that one or something? Either way, that's why I think Aizawa is actually moth man, cause I mean like- STOP LAUGHING, IM SERIOUS!'
Soon finding themselves at the door to the men's washroom, laughing like kindergarteners, talking about whatever. Pushing open the door the two made their way to the wide sinks, long mirrors on the wall before them. Walking up to the mirror, Midoriya winced, he'd looked better.
Dark eye bags had settled on to his complexion, along with other, more pink discolorations scattered mostly along his t-zone. His whole face just looked more gaunt.
With a squeak, water began to run into the white, porcelain sink bowl, he cupped the water with his scarred hands and brought his face to the rim off the bowl. scrubbing his face with the lukewarm water in till he was pink. A warm comforting hand on his shoulder gave him a comforting pat.
He loved his friends with every fiber of his being, but was he ready for them to know? Should he keep it to himself for just a little longer?
All might give him strength because he can't help but think he isn't ready yet.
But does he even have enough time to not be ready?