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The one quality about Bakugou that everyone assumed about him, was that he is stubborn. But when one considers all the aspects that create the explosive bombshell, the assumption isn't wrong. Hard headed with a boisterous, violent spirit that left people disorientated, Bakugou Katsuki was like a hurricane. Intimidating, powerful, and swarming in all directions to crash into anything that stands in his path; he refused to back down to anyone. His rough attitude doesn't help alleviate the judgement. Not like it mattered since Bakugou didn't give a fuck what any extra had to say anyway.
Even so, without fail there are people who see a challenge in that. The ones that find the thrill in chasing a dangerous, deadly tornado storm. The ones who get as close as possible before ducking for cover, then running after it again when it's safer. The experience around someone like Bakugou is exhilarating and tantalizing, and he ends up drawing more people in than the explosive teen might want. Midoriya Izuku knows this well. Growing up side-by-side with his childhood friend, Midoriya is able to understand Kacchan better than any of the peers that surround them. He's lived in the eye of the storm, that portion of the ranging, raging swirling mess of power where everything is calm, quiet and set.
It's an aspect Midoriya knows his class has never seen, and over the years growing closer to Kacchan, doubted his peers would ever get to see. Yet when he walks into the dormitory's main lounge with a group of his classmates to find Bakugou fast asleep on the couch, Midoriya wonders if maybe he was wrong.
Midoriya can't even remember the last time he'd seen Bakugou sleeping, let alone in a public area where other people could see him too, besides the summer camp. Bakugou is such a private person in that way, there are hardly any moments where the walls of the storm are clear enough to get a peek at what might be inside. Midoriya is so focused on Bakugou that he doesn't realize Tokoyami is reading a book on the couch across the way until Kaminari addresses him.
"Hey man, you don't mind us watching a movie down here do you?" Kaminari asks out loud, making his way into the kitchen area. "A bunch of us want to watch a movie and relax since exams are pretty much finished. That cool?"
"I don't mind." Tokoyami answers, lifting his gaze from his book to address him. His glance lands on the sleeping figure across from him before turning to the other. "Bakugou's sleeping though."
Kaminari drops something in the kitchen that clatters loudly with a startled yelp. The sound gets muffled almost in time by Kirishima and Mina who tag-team to whisper-yell at him. Midoriya flinched at the loud sound; Bakugou has always been a light sleeper and if their noise didn't bother him now, that definitely would have. But explosive blonde doesn't even twitch which sets off another alarm bell in his head. Uraraka is sweeping in alongside Midoriya to take a glance at Bakugou's form. "I wouldn't have taken Bakugou as someone who would want to have a nap out here."
Midoriya is inclined to agree that it really isn't like him at all. The feeling of something being off grows in his chest. Part of it was how Bakugou was positioned on the couch, upright with his arms crossed, torso and head leaning over on the armchair. He was in his casual, lounging sweatpants, his dorm slippers and a plain black sweater with the hoodie thrown up over his head. Bakugou looked like he had come downstairs to relax but something still feels like this was an accident, falling asleep out here.
Kaminari wanders over to the couch, scratching his head as the whirring sounds of the microwave follow him into the living room. "Good he didn't wake up. Last thing I want to deal with today is his pissy attitude." he snorts.
Mina rolls her eyes when she walks by Kaminari, jabbing a finger to his side, "It'd be well deserved after making all that noise!" She hisses at him in a lowered tone.
"At least it was the plastic one." Kirishima says, following up from behind, watching Mina take the spot next to Bakugou on the couch. "dropping any of the glass ones would have done it for sure."
"Has he been sleeping for long?" Midoriya can't help the question bubble out of his throat, taking his seat next to Tokoyami. "Sorry we interrupted you with all this." he can't help but tack on, his anxiousness about Bakugou seeping out into everything around him.
Tokoyami shrugs, "I don't mind, a movie sounds good anyway." he mentions, closing the book in his lap. Tokoyami reaches into his pocket and clicks on his phone. "Last I checked when he came in, it was two o'clock."
"Isn't it almost, like, five?" Kirishima asks bewildered, taking out his own phone to check his suspicions. "That's a long time to nap out here. He should've just gone back to his room."
"I don't know." Uraraka mumbles as she hovers over Bakugou's frame. "He kinda doesn't look good." Mina gets up from the couch without adding a comment, heading to the lounge closet where the extra blankets were stored.
Midoriya hears her comment and it makes a far, foggy memory click in his head somewhere. Before he can help himself, his mouth is moving. "Kacchan might be sick then."
Everyone looks over at Midoriya for some sort of explanation, but before it can happen, the microwave in the kitchen sounds off with a chorus of loud, high pitch beeping noises. Kaminari curses under his breath, having totally forgotten he was making popcorn, and gives a light jog over to the kitchen to shut off the loud beeping sounds. It's useless since Bakugou gets startled at the first one, and by the fourth or fifth beep, his eyes are open. He's glancing around the room with a grimace and vague confusion smeared across his face.
Midoriya can see it in an instant, and he's sure everyone else can too. Bakugou's eyes are glassy, watery like puddles of lava. He doesn't acknowledge anyone; uncrossing his arms with a rough groan, his hoodie falling off when he ruffles his hair and wipes at his neck and face. Even from a couple feet away Midoriya can tell he's covered in a light sheen of sweat.
Kirishima takes Mina's spot, settling down on the couch next to Bakugou with a soft smirk. "Welcome back to the living bro." He laughs, placing a hand on Bakugou's back, giving it a couple comforting pats. Bakugou leans forward to rest his forearms on his thighs, hands clasped and head hanging, silent. It makes Kirishima give a hesitant laugh, "I've got to be honest man, you're not looking too great right now."
Bakugou hums but doesn't offer anything else. Kirishima and Uraraka give a tense glance at each other while Tokoyami shoots a look over to Midoriya. Midoriya carefully watches Bakugou, filing through the instances and memories tumbling together in a way that makes it hard to know what he's looking for exactly. All he knows is that when he watches Bakugou right now, there is something more here that he can't quite remember.
No one has time to let the silence sit because Mina arrives back over. She's loaded with a couple blankets and a first aid box as she slides right in front of Bakugou. She kneels down on the floor with the blanket in her lap, tilting her face up to try to catch Bakugou's own. "Hey Blasty." she grins, patting the side of his boots in a fond manner. "Do you want to take some medicine? Might help you feel a little better."
Realization hits Midoriya like a train. "Kacchan can't take some medicines." He says, standing up.
Everyone glances back again at Midoriya except for Bakugou, who is still letting his head hang between his shoulders. Kaminari is wandering back towards the scene, a bowl of popcorn in hand. "He allergic or something?" he asks, throwing a couple pieces into his mouth.
"It's because of his quirk." Midoriya says walking from his spot to Bakugou. It's all coming back to him now watching him. The lankiness, how quiet he is, the way his body is so clearly sick. "Kirishima, can you pull him back up? Just so he can lean back against the couch?" Midoriya asks as he settles on the floor next to Mina, opening the first aid box. "Kacchan has a hard time waking up when he's sick."
Kirishima looks a little startled at Midoriya's request, letting his eyes dart between Bakugou and him. "I-Yeah, sure. But- uh- is he okay?" He questions as he places a hand on Bakugou's chest, pushing him back with a gentle motion. Bakugou moves with lethargic speeds which prompts Uraraka to step forward and help guide him back as well. He does let out a tired sigh, but other than that Bakugou lets his classmates manhandle his body without a single objection.
Midoriya bites his lip, letting his fingers stop filing through the first aid box quietly for a moment. It really isn't that serious, but it doesn't stop him from wondering if Bakugou would be okay with telling everyone that was here. He's sure Bakugou wouldn't mind Kirishima since they were a lot closer, yet he's unsure of everyone else in the room. Even more so with Tokoyami, since he's only seen the two of them converse a couple times over the two years they've all gone to school together. Midoriya takes one more glance up to look at his childhood friend only to be startled when he finds Bakugou watching him.
"Midoriya." Tokoyami calls out to him in an anxious manner. Midoriya hears Tokoyami, but gets caught up in the way he can see now how red Bakugou's face is now. The splotchy patches of heat covering his skin, the sweat and the way his eyes really shine with that sick sheen.
"It's the nitroglycerin in his body." Midoriya blurts out before he can stop himself, breaking eye contact and re-starting his search in the first aid box for the thing he needs.
Mina tilts her head with obvious confusion, "Wait, what? What do you mean?"
"Nitroglycerin isn't just an explosive, it's used as medicine for treating chronic pain in the chest or other parts of the body." Midoriya continues as he pulls out a thermometer, clicking some buttons to bring it to life. "It's why Kacchan is so tough," he says with a casual shrug of the shoulders. "gives him a higher pain tolerance."
Tokoyami crosses his arm with a frown, "So what does that have to do with what's happening right now?"
"Here Uraraka, if you don't mind." Midoriya mumbles, handing the thermometer to her. Once she has it Midoriya turns to Tokoyami, a little unsure. "It's been so long since I've seen Kacchan sick - I'm forgetting the specifics of it - but nitroglycerin can work as a muscle relaxant too."
Kaminari sets down the bowl of popcorn near the group and sits on the couch on the other side of Kirishima, watching as Uraraka shakes Bakugou's shoulder, trying to get his attention. "Woah, so is his quirk like - freaking out or something?"
"Sort of." Midoriya replies, taking out his phone. "I should probably call my mom. She'll know better if there is something specific we need to do."
While Midoriya was explaining and taking out his phone, Uraraka and Kirishima worked together to get Bakugou's attention. He complies with putting the thermometer in his mouth, but when Uraraka lets go of it, Bakugou wasn't fast enough to reach up and hold it. The thermometer tumbles from his mouth, falling somewhere between his body and the side of the couch. A weak swear falls from Bakugou's lips as he tries to work his limbs into finding where it fell, moving almost like a sloth.
Kirishima is too dumbfounded to help, watching Uraraka move to grab it for Bakugou. "Isn't that kinda serious?" Kirishima asks with a nervous tone. Bakugou grunts at Uraraka who was trying to hold the thermometer in his mouth for him. He gives a weak shove at her hand and takes it with movements more gentle than any of them has ever seen. Uraraka relents, eyes rolling.
Midoriya shakes his head, shifting through contacts, "Not that I remember. Kacchan's parents worked a lot, so when he got sick he stayed with my mom and I. We were really little then, but I remember Kacchan being super tired and lethargic like this." Midoriya pauses and takes a look at Bakugou. "Did you know you were getting sick?"
There's a short pause, and everyone watches Bakugou as he takes two deep inhale and exhales, giving a terse shake of his head to signal that, no he hadn't.
Midoriya nods, "Did you want me to call your mom or mine?"
"Auntie." Bakugou mumbles around the thermometer, eyes closing as he shifts again on the couch until he's leaning far back enough that it doesn't fall out, letting his hands lie on his lap.
"Auntie?" Kaminari questions, looking back at Midoriya.
"My mom." Midoriya answers, clicking the call button and putting the phone up to his ear. Midoriya gives a fond smirk since he's familiar with how Bakugou is when he's sick. "Kacchan might not like me saying this... but he's a lot more... tolerable when he's like this."
Bakugou doesn't open his eyes or even bother with lifting his hand, just rolling one into a fist and flipping him the bird. The thermometer starts beeping and Uraraka plucks it from his mouth while Kaminari and Kirishima snort with laughter.
Midoriya knows Mina is willing to make the sacrifice as well when she opens up one of the blankets and tosses it over Bakugou's lap haphazardly, shaking his knee with a little enthusiasm. "Are you trying to sleep again Bakugou? Can't you stay awake for like, two seconds?" She jokes, poking at his stomach now to gain his attention. He cracks one eye open to give a tired glare and Mina giggles, "Ah ha! Gotcha!"
The ringing comes to a stop next to Midoriya's ear. 'Izuku?' his mom's voice carries over the phone.
"Hi mom, sorry to randomly call like this - but I need your help." Midoriya says, keeping his eyes on Bakugou. "Kacchan's sick."
'Oh poor Katsuki, is he alright? Are you having problems?' she asks with a tender tone.
Kirishima and Kaminari start trying to poke and prod Bakugou too, while Mina and Uraraka try stopping them by swatting at their hands. It almost looked like a rabid game of whack-a-mole and Midoriya has to hold himself back from laughing at the ridiculous scene. "No, no he's fine mom." he responds, watching his friends. "I just haven't seen Kacchan sick in a long time and forgot how...still he gets." Even with the chaos happening around him, Bakugou stays almost catatonic, his furrowed brows the only real sign of his annoyance by either his friends or being sick. It was hard to tell which really. "Is there anything I should be doing?"
Over the phone he can hear his mother's gentle laugh, 'No, you'll be okay Izuku. Make sure he takes some medicine, and that he doesn't forget to eat or drink some water every so often."
Midoriya can't help but frown at that, "Are you sure?" he can't help but ask his mom. "I thought there was some medicine he couldn't take."
"You're being annoying." Bakugou huffs and Midoriya still can’t tell who or what he’s talking about. Mina grins, laughing at Bakugou's lowered tone of voice.
'I promise Izuku, what you're thinking of is for if his fever gets too high and needs more high grade antibiotics. Katsuki will be fine if you give him some medicine.' she says with a soft laugh, 'But now that I'm thinking about it, do you mind if I talk to him sweetie?'
"Yeah, sure." Midoriya pulls the phone away from his ear and turns to Bakugou again. "Mom wants to talk to you Kacchan."
Bakugou sighs, sitting up. The four who were playing around him take back their hands with sheepish grins as Bakugou shoots them all tired and annoyed looks. He turns one of his palm up and open, so Midoriya places the phone in his hand. Bakugou returns back to his original hunched position, resting on his elbows on his thighs, head hanging down as he puts the phone to his ear. "Auntie."
There's murmuring over the phone and Bakugou quietly answers her questions: "Yes, m'fine...School nurse'll have meds...Mm, yeah-" he turns to look at Uraraka. "Temp." was all he says to her.
Uraraka looks flustered for a moment. She wasn't prepared for him to speak to her, while unsure what he was asking. Bakugou grunts, using his other hand to grab Uraraka's wrist, pulling it in front of him to read the thermometer. Her face bursts into a shade of red, but if Bakugou notices, he doesn't acknowledge it. "101.3, checked a couple minutes ago." Bakugou announces into the phone, lowering her hand without letting go of her wrist.
Mina and Kaminari notice immediately and the two of them shoot looks from Bakugou's clasped hand to Uraraka. Their saving grace was Bakugou not paying attention to them since he's still talking to Midoriya's mom on the phone, whilst Uraraka stood there with her free hand attempting to cover her bright, burning face.
"No you don't need to call the hag." Bakugou sighs into the phone after a minute or so. "He's just being as paranoid as always Auntie. I'm fine."
Midoriya feels his cheeks burn at the comment. It's true, he was being paranoid - but Midoriya thinks it might be related to the fact the last time he's seen Kacchan sick was when they were kids. Everything always seems on a bigger scale as a child. Midoriya was about to insist on that, but Kaminari beats him with something else, a wicked grin plastered on his face from where he was hidden behind Kirishima. "It feels vitally important for you to know, Mrs. Midoriya..." he begins, "that when given an option, he wanted to call his Auntie first!" he finishes, loud enough it would be easy for Midoriya's mom to hear him.
The sound of laughter from the phone is obvious and Bakugou's face reddens more than it already was. He's on his feet in a second flat with Mina squealing, trying to scoot herself away from the Bakurage bursting out. Kirishima lets out a hearty laugh, ducking to give more access to Bakugou as Kaminari squeals with a terrified one of his own, hopping off the couch and throwing himself at Tokoyami for safety.
Tokoyami, who had peacefully been on his phone, gives out an indignant squawk at the way Kaminari bounded over to him. Within seconds Kaminari is distracted, peeking at Tokoyami's phone, "Hey what are you looking at over here?"
Midoriya throws his fist over his mouth to stop his laughter, knowing Kacchan would have no problem turning to swing a punch at him if he heard. That burst of energy must have been too much for Bakugou though, because his eyes haze over and he stumbles for a moment, planting his feet firmly onto the ground. Uraraka and Mina jump right in - both of them hovering their hands over Bakugou in case he does tumble over.
"I'm hanging up the damn phone now." Bakugou growls with what little angry energy he had left in his system. There's a couple more seconds of silence before Bakugou ends up mumbling a quick 'yeah love ya too' before pulling the phone from his ear, throwing it at Midoriya and turning on Kaminari again. "I'm gonna fuck you up shithead."
For a second Midoriya really thinks Bakugou is going to go through with his threat. Yet in another, Uraraka steps in front of him, grabbing both his arms to hold him still. "You can barely stand up Bakugou! Stop being so stubborn and relax!" she bites at him, pushing him back down onto the couch.
He goes down with ease but that doesn't stop him fronting like he would fight her too. Bakugou can't get another word out before Kirishima is wrapping an arm around his shoulders, tugging him close. "Chill out bro, Denki isn't gonna be going anywhere. Plenty of time to kick his ass when you feel better." Kirishima tries convincing the hot-head.
Bakugou goes to shove his best friend off him, but it comes off more as a weak push. "Get off. I don't need you hanging on me when I'm feeling like shit." He murmurs.
Mina, who had been giggling for most of the exchanges, grabs Kirishima's arm and tugs him to the ground with her. "That's fair enough." she coos, "Does this mean you're watching the movie with us out here then? You might as well!" Mina claps her hands together with excitement.
"Oh shit we were gonna do that huh?" Kaminari comments from his perch over Tokoyami's shoulder, bounding up and towards the t.v. to switch it on. "We still need to decide what we're gonna watch." he ponders, tapping the remote to his chin with a critical thinking face.
Everyone starts preparing for movie night again after that. Mina and Kirishima get up to grab some more blankets while Tokoyami offers to get some more snacks and see if there is any fever reducer hiding in the kitchen cabinets. Midoriya keeps his place on the floor by the couch, but decides to help Kaminari choose their movie.
Bakugou grunts and the noise makes Midoriya peek over at his friend. He's fussing up his hair once more before throwing up his hood again, giving a glance up to Uraraka. She locks eyes with him with a pretty smile, tilting her head in a silent question. They stare at each other for a moment before Bakugou grabs her wrist again.
Midoriya watches Bakugou tug her down onto the couch. She complies quietly, if looking slightly confused but promptly bursts into another blush at his next move. Bakugou settles his head down on Uraraka's shoulder.
"B-Bakugou wait-" Uraraka mutters, embarrassed.
Bakugou lifts his head to look at her before turning around to stare at Midoriya. He jumps and fumbles with a blush, looking away. Kaminari on the other hand gives a low whistle and from across the room Mina starts whisper-yelling at Kirishima loud enough for them all to hear. "I told you didn't I?"
Bakugou groans, "You're all a bunch of fuckin' leeches." he hisses, dropping his head back down on Uraraka's shoulder, eyes closing. "I don't have the energy to deal with you assholes."
"You don't need to, now that we know we can bug Uraraka for details." Kirishima grins as he and Mina wander back over with Tokoyami, blankets, snacks and some fever reducer in hand.
Uraraka gives a hesitant laugh, hands up in surrender. "Nothing's... official." she tries to explain, extending her hand to Tokoyami for the fever reducer. He hands it over easily to her, and she starts opening the bottle.
"You guys just like to fuck?" Kaminari questions.
Midoriya’s face explodes with embarrassment and Uraraka almost drops the pill bottle altogether. Mina runs over to kick Kaminari who yelps at the attack. Tokoyami settles himself on the other couch, placing various snacks across the small table set in the middle of the couches, "Bakugou, you must have the patience of a saint." he commends lightly.
Bakugou lets out a soft hum in response and nothing more. Uraraka manages to collect herself, and with two pills and a bottle of water in her hand, she nudges Bakugou with her shoulder. Opening his eyes to see the pills and water, Bakugou just lets his mouth fall open. Even though Uraraka’s face couldn’t possibly get redder from embarrassment, she obliges to his silent request and pops the pills in his mouth and brings the water bottle up to Bakugou’s mouth. When it’s close enough, Bakugou grips both Uraraka’s hand and bottle, drinking some of the water. He pulls away with a quiet ‘thanks’ falling from his lips, his eyes shutting again moments after.
”He doesn’t care at this point does he?” Kirishima huffs with a small smile playing on his features. Mina giggles, beside herself at the amount of public affection Bakugou was willing to show.
"Are you seriously trying to fall asleep again?" Kaminari calls out, even if he does lower his tone to a whispering level, waving the remote at him. "We have a movie to watch!" he remarks, turning back to click on a movie.
Midoriya laughs, "That's normal, Kacchan sleeps most of the time when he's sick, I think it's easier to deal with than fighting the nitroglycerin." he murmurs to the group, watching Bakugou's figure move up and down in deep, rhythmic rotations. Everyone in the room gives Bakugou one more glance before settling into their spots, watching the opening title sequence of the movie begin to play.
Never did Midoriya think this could ever happen. Being in a room with a group of friends from his class, eating popcorn on the floor and watching a movie while Kacchan - of all people - slept behind him, resting on one of his best friend's shoulders as she gently played with his fingers. It feels a little surreal, but in a nice, soft way.
But more than the surreal aspect of it all, Midoriya was glad that Bakugou was letting his guard down, slowly but surely, to the people around them. It leaves a warm feeling in his chest, and Midoriya can't help but smile as he settles in to enjoy the rest of his night with all his friends, taking care of his dearest friend, not just to him anymore.
"Kaminari, did you seriously put on The Bee Movie?"
"I stand by my choice. It's a cult classic."
Bakugou groans, annoyed. "That's it. I'm kicking your ass right now." He announces with a groggy tone without actually making any moves.
"You're supposed to be sleeping so I can get away with it!"