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Todoroki looked over to the fiery blonde sleeping in his bed, wrapped in a mirage of blankets.
It had been an eventful week, since Bakugou was sick, but still needed to complete their studently duties. He pressed his hand on the sleeping boy's forehead, gazing at him with soft eyes. He brushed his fingers through his messy hair, unkempt because of hard training.
'His forehead's still a bit hot..'
He looked over at his phone, checking the time.
4:30 AM.
He sighed, restless. His head felt heavy, a pounding headache persistently staying, no matter what he did.
Grabbing his phone, and a flashlight, traveling through the dark room and into his bathroom.
His reflection in the mirror stared back at him, looking rather pale. He grabbed his face, the burning heat in his cheeks feeling intolerable.
He couldn't tell if the aching in his arms and legs was from exercising or from, well, he wasn't quite sure.
He couldn't be sick, he knew that. Fear twisted in his stomach, and he looked away from the mirror, avoiding his own uncomfortable stare.
No wonder why people think he's mean. He was creeped out by his own blank stare.
'I can't be sick.' He repeated to himself.
He took precautions, making sure to wear face masks in public, and around Bakugou. He let Bakugou sleep in his dorm, but on the condition that he took medicine before bed, and lastly, Todoroki was already taking a mirage of different sleep and pain medication, all boasting fever reduction.
He couldn't be. He can't be.
He has things to do, like training or making sure his friends didn't get themselves killed. He had to make sure Bakugou was a germ spreader, because the stubborn piece of shit would pretend he wasn't that sick.
Obviously bullshit. Todoroki knew that. He would see Bakugou struggle to catch his breath after training and how he complained of being sore, under his breath, of course.
But he wasn't a quiet person, Todoroki could hear him just fine.
He slowly looked back in the mirror, his red, sleep deprived eyes staring back at him. He leaned into the mirror, noting how red his cheeks were and how deep his eye bags looked.
He snatched the thermometer from the sink, quickly washing it off and hurriedly putting it in his mouth.He nervously paced around the bathroom, waiting for the beeping noise to come from the tool.
Beep Beep Beep!
He jumped at the noise, reminiscing on memories of childhood. When his mother would hold him, but he heard her phone calls about him. When his father would work him to death, but expect that he would be healthy all the time.
He gulped and pulled it out his mouth, his clammy hands almost dropping it.
It felt silly, it really did, to be this scared of a fever. But when fevers meant being yelled at for not being careful, or being trained until you puke your guts out ,and then some, was he wrong for feeling this way?
He closed his eyes, breathing in and staring off into the abyss of darkness. Memories of being cared for by his mom appeared yet we're always soiled by the acknowledgment that after that tender care he would be punished. He gulped down, trying not to let the searing tears forming in his eyes escape their confined bounds.
101.
He threw the thermometer to the sink, shattering it and dragged himself to bed, trying to fight the sickly, tight feeling in his stomach. His lips curled into a frown, despite him trying to force a smile.
He could never smile without being called creepy anyways.
He covered his mouth with his sweatshirt, and quickly pulled up his sheets. He rubbed his hands together, seeking the comfort of someone's hands in his.
He peered over his shoulder, seeing Bakugou still dead asleep.
He thumped his head back into his pillow, clutching his sleeves up to his chest. hot tears dripped down his face and trailed to his lips.
The salty taste reminded him of childhood.
He couldn't help his emotions, no matter how many times he was told to swallow them down. He couldn't calm his legs, shaking and quivering without control. The puffs of breaths unsuccessfully being taken in, and his quiet hiccups made him feel weak.
'I am weak.'
The heat in his face made him feel unbearably hot and sweaty, but the blankets wrapped around him, covering him from anything that could hurt him. The warm blankets felt like arms around him, sheltering him kindly.
"Oi, Why are you awake?" Bakugou's voice grumbled lowly, scratchy from waking up.
He covered his mouth, trying to cover the sobs spilling out of his mouth. He couldn't stop his uneven breathing or the hiccups erupting from his mouth. He covered his eyes, trying to fake sleep, and maybe, actually pass out.
"Eh? Shouto?" The hot-headed boy peered over his shoulder, trying to see his face.
He gulped, feeling a tear drop drop from his eyes. Thank God, they were covered.
"I'm fine. Just a nightmare, no need to wo-" He choked, feeling his chest build up in pressure and more tears erupt from his eyes. He sobbed loudly, hyperventilating and hiccuping between breaths.
Warm arms wrapped around him, stroking his hair gently. Bakugou laid gentle kisses on his head, soothing him.
"..You don't have to tell me." He mumbled in his ear.
Todoroki smiled, but very quickly frowned.
'Ugly smile.' He grimaced at the thought of his own face.
"Can you look at me, at least?"
He turned over making eye contact with his boyfriend. Calloused hands gently wiped his tears away, caressing his cheeks. They cupped his face, and crimson eyes scanned it as if it was the most beautiful artifact in a museum. He couldn't help smiling, despite feeling so very ugly when he did so. He changed into a frown, even if it made him feel depressed. A thumb pressed on his lips, tracing over them ever so lightly.
"Smile again." He whispered.
"It's an ugly smile I-"
Bakugou growled, "Who told you that?!"
Todoroki looked down, feeling ashamed.
"Mom." He felt his eyes fill up with tears, despite his effort to be strong.
"Well, fuck your family. I love your smile. Now smile for me." He caressed his cheek, feeling the beads of tears run down it.
He smiled, feeling his chest swell up with the most amazing feeling. Butterflies swirled around, as if they made a home out of his stomach.
He pressed his lips against Bakugou's, the tingly feeling in his legs spreading to his hands. Bakugou smiled into the kiss, pressing Todoroki closer to him.
They pulled away, gazing into each other's eyes.
Todoroki turned, breaking the contact, and coughing harshly into his arm.
He raised a brow. "Ey, are you sick right now?"
"You could tell?" Todoroki deadpanned.
"Your head's a little hot." he pressed his palm on Todoroki's forehead.
Todoroki averted his eyes and whined. "I don't want to be sick." He curled up into Bakugou's arms, nuzzling into his neck.
"I'll make cold soba in the morning. It's not cause I care, or anything." Bakugou gripped him nearer.
"Of course..." He mumbled sleepily.
"But I swear to God, if you get me sick again I-"
Gentle eyes looked at Bakugou, smiling at him in a heart melting way.
"Oi! Stopping looking like that!" He stammered.
"Like what?"
"Like- Cute!?" He covered his face.
"You think I'm cute?" He smiled, and wrapped his arms around Bakugou's waist, lovingly.
"Oi! Get to bed, you need rest!"
"Can I get a kis-" The flustered blondie pecked his lips, before wrapping the blankets around them and snuggling into his chest. Todoroki pat his head, stroking his hair gently. He giggled at the surprising kiss.
A gentle smile made its way on his face. 'Thank you, doggie.' He felt his eyes flutter close, sleep taking him over and gentle dreams filling his head.