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Todoroki had woken up earlier than normal to make sure he had enough time to return the romance manga, which Sero had recently lended him.
This had become a pleasant routine for the pair of boys, waking up extra early to return a previously borrowed manga and then discussing their likes and dislikes from what they read. Just like any day, Todoroki was making his way towards Seros room following their routine.
The boys have long passed the stage of knocking on the door before entering, finding it useless considering they both knew when the other one would stop by their dorm room.
Upon entering, Todoroki found a sight that wasn't scripted in their daily routine. Sero was still laying in bed, drenched in sweat and panting like a dog in heat. Concern overtook Todorokis body, kicking in his motherly instincts. He thought motherly instinct was only a thing women had but to his surprise, he had them too.
“ Sero, hey what's wrong? Are you sick?” The boy didn't wait for an answer, instead gently placing the back of his hand up against the other boy's forehead. Sero was burning up and not in the ‘just a little cold’ way but the ‘take me to recovery girl now’ type of way.
With no way to transport the boy to recovery girls office he opted to carry him bridal style instead, a little cliche but it's the best he could come up with.
“I'm going to take you to recovery girl okay?” a strained “mkay” came from the boy giving Todoroki the sign to pick him up now. Carefully placing one arm under the boy's leg and the other arm under Seros back, he made his way out of Seros room making sure to walk as steadily as he could, not wanting to cause extra stress to the fragil boy he was now carrying.
Sero couldn't help but nuzzle his head into the other boy's chest, the warmth of Todorokis body easing some of his built up nerves. Shoto was glad no one could see the heat rising up his face, especially Sero. He let himself enjoy this short moment of physical touch even if it was selfish considering how bad of shape the sick boy he was holding was in.
Once in recovery girls room he gently placed Sero on the bed going to fill recovery girl in on the boy's state when a tug on the hem of his shirt stopped him from moving.
“d-dont leave” he could hear the strain and pure desperation in the poor boy's voice. “I'll just be gone a minute, i'm coming right back okay?” he spoke in such a voice that would hopefully calm the boy, just like his mother would do when he was a child. With the slight nod of seros head, Todoroki informed recovery girl about the state he found Sero in.
He waited impatient as recovery girl looked over Seros current state, leg bouncing up and down over and over again. Unable to contain his growing concern, anxiety overtook his mind.
What if he got hit by a quirk? No he hasn't left school so that isn't possible. What if he dies? I don't think he's in that bad of condition, maybe it's the flu? Or food poisoning? Or he got bitten by something? No-
The click of a tongue brought him out of his unwanted thoughts “looks like typical food poisoning” the boy couldn't help but let out a thankful sigh, now knowing he would be okay in a couple of days.
“You're going to have to look after him so I'll inform the teachers that you won't be at school. He's going to have a fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dehydration and possibly vomiting.” Spending time with Sero is something Todoroki always wished for but having to make sure the boy didn't choke on his own throw up while he was sleeping, wasn't the way he thought he would get to hang out with him. Nonetheless he was still pleased to get multiple days to be in the now weak boy's presence. Feeding him,giving him medicine, maybe even reading Seros mangas without permission. A small smile made its way onto the boy's face.
--
Sero was now laying in bed, most likely drowsy from the medicine he took in recovery girls office. The sound of Todorokis name was barely audible but just loud enough to notice, looking back he saw the boy in bed staring at him with those big puppy eyes that no one could resist.
“Can you lay down with me?” Todorokis eyes just about popped out of his head, he opened them so much. Spending time with sero was something he never imagined would happen but laying with him too? That wasn't even a thought that crossed his mind.
“Your quirk, i-its warm and i'm cold” I guess Sero took the boys silence as confusion but in reality it was just Todoroki trying to process possibly cuddling with the fragil boy, legs tangled together, arm wrapped around Seros waist, head nuzzled in the crook of his neck. It was like a dream come true, something Todoroki always longed for but would never happen. Scratch that it is happening, right here and right now just like some cheesy scenario they always put in books.
He climbed into the bed alongside Sero not really knowing what to do with his arms now that he was actually in this position. It didn't take long for Sero to initiate everything by laying his head on top of Todorokis chest followed by an arm wrapped around the boy's torso. The blush creeping up Shotos face was undeniable at this point, he was never one for physical touch and he could blame the childhood trauma for that but seeing this boy so vulnerable on top of him, made him reconsider this whole physical touch thing.
and that scared him…
His slightly overgrown hair laid neatly on his forehead, eyelashes so dark that they contrast with his pale skin, reddened nose probably from whipping it so much, and just the thought someone could look this pretty while sick was astonishing.
Todoroki snaked his arm around the boy's waist and it was everything he imagined it would be. He had to remind himself that this was only happening because Sero was sick, the medicine made him drowsy and he probably doesn't even know what he's doing. This is a one time thing and it means nothing…. Absolutely nothing.
Not that it will stop Shoto from enjoying this moment to the fullest. He was happy, so very happy and nothing could shake his mood.
He buried his face in the long black hair in front of him and let his thoughts run wild as his eyes became droopy and his breathing slowed down.
--
The weight on top of Shoto was troubling his breathing forcing him awake and for once he wasnt mad about being woken up. The sunlight beaming onto Seros sleeping face was such a beautiful sight. Every detail of his face was enhanced by the morning sun and it was captivating to say the least.
Hantas eyes started to twitch, probably meaning he was about to wake up which gave Shoto the signal to act like he was asleep. How would he act after cuddling with his friend all night and secretly admiring his features? Shoto didn't know so acting like nothing happened seemed like the safest route.
His eyes were closed for about a minute before the weight on top of him was lifted and he heard the bathroom door shut. Slowly opening his eyes he started to prepare himself for whatever Sero had to say. Would he be disgusted cuddling with a guy? Or maybe he would tell Shoto to get out, possibly even stop being friends but who knew.
Sero came out of the restroom rubbing his eye with the back of his hand, he looked better than yesterday, a lot better actually. “Sorry for troubling you last night, you didn't have to take care of me you know?” Todoroki let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He's not mad or disgusted with what happened or maybe he hasn't processed it yet.
“It's okay, i actually enjoyed spending time with you even if you were asleep the whole time” Sero let out a small chuckle which was music to Shotos ears.
“Speaking of sleeping, you're a really comfortable pillow” the smirk plastered on Seros face was a sight to see. That simple facial expression alone cleared all Shotos unwanted thoughts away and he blushed and he didn't even try to hide it, not for a second.
“ You should eat something, I can get you cold soba, though I guess soup would be the better option?” Sero let out a quiet chuckle “Yes Todoroki, soup is fine”
--
The soup was delivered rather quickly, the delivery worker should be thankful they weren't late or Todoroki would let them have a piece of his mind for making poor Hanta wait on his food…. Okay not really, he would probably just lower the tip a little but you get the idea.
Todoroki opened his chopsticks and savored the cold soba he ordered for himself though he was quickly stopped when he noticed the sick boy not eating his food. Sero was just staring, staring at the soup for whatever reason. “ Sero are you oka-” Shotos words were immediately stopped by Sero abruptly getting up and almost sprinting to the bathroom.
Todoroki had a pretty good idea what was about to happen and he was correct, the sounds of gagging and coughing quickly emerged from the bathroom. He made his way to the sick boy and crouched down next to Sero on the floor, rubbing his back in slow steady circles. They sat there for a while, the sick boy throwing up followed by Shoto whispering reassuring words and rubbing his back.
Once the horrid sounds of vomit hitting the toilet were over they sat there on the cold tile flooring not saying a word. Sero looked so exhausted, so embarrassed too and it broke Todorokis heart.
The dark haired boy laid his head on Shotos' shoulder looking for some comfort and Todoroki gave it to him, placing a hand in the boy's hair and slowly massaging his scalp. Twisting the slightly longer pieces of hair and ruffling the shorter ones.
They sat there and they sat there and they sat there until both the boys' joints hurt from the hard tile floor, though neither of them said anything. Trying to find a way to break the silence or at least get off the floor Todoroki thought of what to say “we never got to discuss that manga i borrowed” he said in the softest voice imaginable.
Sero looked up at the boy, not removing his head from Shotos shoulder and the other boy did the same, looking down at Hanta with a slight smile. That's when they noticed, noticed how close their faces were. Only inches apart from one another though neither of them made an attempt to back away.
They were crossing a line, what line? Neither of them knew but there was definitely a line being crossed. It was a scary thing, both boys having the same thoughts but clueless to what the other was thinking.
It was a slight movement of the eyes, if Todoroki wasn't staring so intensely he would have missed it. Seros eyes flickered betweens the boy's eyes then his lips and back up to his eyes and Shoto did the same right after, still neither of them acting on these thoughts.
They sat there staring longingly at one another until Sero jerked his head to the side. “I should probably brush my teeth” a nervous laugh followed suit that sentence. “R- right” Shoto mentally cursed himself for stuttering.
He let the boy brush his teeth and laid on the bed, no longer having an appetite from the previous events that just took place. He was worn out, mentally that is. His thoughts were running entire fucking marathons in his head.
Both the boys now separated by a single wall, still having the same thoughts though unaware what the other is thinking.
Sleeping off the heavy tension in the room seemed like the easiest way out of this predicament.
Shoto laid in bed, his entire chest pressed up against the cold bedroom walls while the other boy was trying to balance himself on the edge of the bed. Maybe they just needed some time apart or a minute to think.
The bed seemed uncomfortable, one would say even cold. It was only one night and already both boys were yearning for something more, just some sort of comfort so when Todoroki felt the slightest touch of Seros ankle against his own, his body physically relaxed into the slight brush of skin.
Just after that slight physical contact, it was like a bomb was set off in his head and Todoroki couldn't hold back anymore. Grabbing sero by the waist and pulling him into his chest, it was the best feeling imaginable after trying to deny themselves of what they truly wanted. Todoroki rubbed his hands in slow circles just above the boys hip bones in a manner that seemed more than friendly.
Seros stomach was doing flips, no entire fucking somersaults. It was like that stupid saying, you know the one about butterflies or some shit but he wanted Shoto to feel what he as feeling too. He wrapped his arms around the boy's back and gripped onto his shoulders all while burying his face in Shotos neck.
Their heart beaters were frantic but slowly started to sync up with each other. Once again their breathing slowed down and minds drifted slowly into sleep.
This time Sero woke up first and oh was he glad he did, the immediate sight of Shotos sleeping face was enough to make him forget how sick he felt the last few days. His bangs were messy and showed some of his forehead, his mouth slightly agape with just the tiniest bit of drool coming out, and his shirt rising up slightly to show his hip bones.
Sero was feeling much better from the sight of Shoto like this, okay it’s actually because of the medicine but the boy can dream right.
He forced himself out of the warmth of the other boy's body and got up to quickly shower away all the sweat and remains of being sick.
Once out of the shower, Sero instantly felt better. Maybe it was from being clean or from the lingering sensation of Shotos arms around him. When he walked back into the bedroom to see Shoto putting his shoes on his stomach almost dropped, feeling just as sick as he was yesterday.
The boy could see the look on Seros face and it did not make him feel good. “I see you’re feeling better” Shoto said in a neutral tone.
“Are you leaving?” Sero ignored what he said completely, scared the boy regretted what they did or rather what line they crossed.
“As much as I Loved spending time with you, I've missed lots of school work and there’s no way I'm letting Bakugo get ahead of me” he gave a small chuckle hoping to ease some of the tension in the room.
Sero understood the boy's priorities in school, hoping it wasn’t just an excuse to get away from him.
They stopped at the door, neither knowing where to go from there. Do they hug or walk eachother out? Both boys were confused as to what their next move should be.
That being until Shoto grabbed Sero by the chin and planted a quick kiss on the boy's lips, it was so fast that Sero could barely even process what happened.
Sero thought for a moment he was going to be sick again but he grasped the boy by the upper arms and kissed him, A real kiss this time. Lasting longer than half a second so each boy could feel the warmth of each other's lips.
It wasn’t a steamy make out session in the slightest, rather a simple peck on the lips but they couldn't be happier than they were in that moment.
“That's what happened in the manga I just read” Shoto said with a small smile while looking down at his feet.
“I know, i’ve read it” Sero said while having the biggest grin on his face, he had no shame in showing how happy he was.
“I’ll be back tomorrow to pick up a new manga” Shoto said trying to hide the redness of his face but undoubtedly failing.
“I know” was all the other boy said before they parted ways. They’ll continue their daily routine tomorrow but this time with a few extra steps to it.