Chapter Text
You squirmed in your seat. It was getting harder and harder to focus on the lesson. No one was looking at you, instead focusing on their text books and papers. At least you had that going for you, you thought. You fidgeted, rolling your pencil back and forth. Aizawa's words had went in one ear and out the other. You couldn't bring yourself to do much with them, really. You shifted in your seat, pulling off your blazer and letting it fall to the back of your seat. You huffed a bit, wishing class was over.
There was suddenly a presence next to you. Maybe you hadn't been as subtle as you thought. You looked up with wide eyes at Aizawa. He looked you up and down, saying nothing. You just blinked a few times, wondering what he was thinking. You shrank back a little bit, feeling meek. He sighed and pointed at your paper.
“Can you please just put something down?” you nodded, feeling your cheeks go pink. You tried to regroup, focus. Lunch was soon, anyway. It was unusual for you to start slipping like that in class, and you weren't entirely sure what was wrong. Your whole body seemed to feel a little achy, and your head was hot.
When class finally ended, you headed towards the cafeteria. You collected your lunch. While it had all sounded good, when you sat down, none of it really appealed. Nothing but the applesauce and the Jell-O you had. You drank some of the water and finished your applesauce and red Jell-O. You were hoping that if you were still and calm enough, no one would notice.
“Oi, squirt.” Kacchan tapped your shoulder. “Eat your rice. You like donburi.” he frowned. “What's wrong?”
“Nothing!” you should have known better. Kacchan was always watching, you thought glumly. “Why don't you worry about your own lunch and leave me alone?”
“That's not very nice.” Daddy caught your eye and frowned. You just scowled at him and glared down at your lunch.
“What's the matter, sweetness?”
“Nothing.” you pouted. “I can just decide what I eat without needing someone to direct me.”
“Knock it off,” Kacchan growled. Usually, any kind of word from them that wasn't sweet would make you cringe and step into line. Not this time, though. You just frowned, crossing your arms and very pointedly not looking at your lunch.
“Enough, you two.” Daddy sighed. He glanced at your tray, and looked like he might have thought about saying something, but maybe keeping quiet was better. They both finished their plates, and seemed to leave you alone. Immediately, your heart began to ache. How could you say anything, though? You wanted to be left alone, and so you were.
It did make you feel a little bit better to toss your tray though. You tossed your hair and ignored Kacchan and Daddy, marching yourself back to your next class. Ochaco ran to catch up with you. Part of you expected her to give you a lecture, but instead she launched into a conversation about going shopping that weekend. You didn't speak much, but nodded along. It was a rare treat to be allowed to leave campus without one of your caregivers, and there was nothing that sounded better to you at that moment.
Your next class was English, which you normally loved, and not only because it was with Present Mic, your personal mentor. He grinned at you today, and you gave a small wave before taking your seat. Just as everyone was seated, Mic clapped his hands.
“We're going to practice our conversational English. So I need two of you... Come on, songbird, you and--.”
“No!” you shook your head. You could not think of anything that you wanted to do less. Your head was feeling heavier, and your throat was getting sore. You didn't want to stand in front of the class and have to have a fake conversation. Everyone froze, looking at you startled. Daddy's brows were knitted in thought. Kacchan's eyebrow was raised.
“I don't want to.”
“Whoa, that's enough to throw us off rhythm.” Mic blinked. “Come on, it won't be for too long, we're all going to go once.”
“I don't want to!” you crossed your arms and stomped your foot. Momo coughed, hiding her smile behind her fist. You did look a little silly, but you didn't notice that at the time. Kacchan was standing up, ready to walk towards you.
“You need a nap.” he proclaimed. You whined, feeling embarrassed as he had announced it to the whole class. He put his hands under your armpits and lifted you up. “Apologize to sensei, and then we'll go.”
“Not sorry.” you insisted.
“You're cranky, what the hell is wrong with you today, brat?” he didn't say it without some level of concern. You only pursed your lips and shook your head violently. Kacchan glanced at Mic, who just looked at you sadly.
“See you later, songbird.”
Kacchan had your wrist and was hauling you out of the room. You were fussing and trying to pull away from him, even as you stumbled along behind him. He brought you right to the dorms of 1-A, walked you inside. He stopped to take off your blazer and your shoes. You whined, trying to shy away from him. He said nothing, only gripping your calf as he eased off your shoes.
“Come on, we're going to Daddy's room.”
“Don't wanna.” you mumbled.
“I wasn't asking if you'd like to.” he snorted. “I said that we were going.” he was dragging you to the elevator, walking you to the room. When you arrived, he reached for your tie, undoing it. He looked at you for a moment before going to get something from the dresser.
“Won't be very comfortable in that uniform.” he grumbled.
You just sulked as he helped you into pajama bottoms and took off your skirt. He did let you take off your own dress shirt before putting on one of Kirishima's old long sleeve shirts. He pulled back the blankets and gestured for you to get in.
“I don't want a nap.”
“You need one anyway.”
“Do not. If you're tired, you take a nap.” you shook your head. Kacchan was nearing the end of your rope, and you knew that. You couldn't stop pushing though. You just didn't feel quite right, and it made you cranky. You wouldn't admit to that, and you couldn't seem to tell Kacchan. You just wanted him to know.
“If you're not tired, you don't have to nap.” Daddy said as he stepped in, peeling off his own blazer and undoing his tie. “But I'm tired, and I need to take a nap. So you're going to lay down with me and be quiet.”
“I don't want to!” you were near tears. Both of them stared at you. This was unusual for you. Normally, if Izuku said he needed to nap, then you were going to lay down with him, cuddle in close. Of course, you usually fell asleep too, but that was neither here nor there.
“You are a real crab apple today, huh?” Daddy smiled, laying down. You glanced at Kacchan, standing there with his arms crossed. You climbed onto the bed, at least he was giving you mean looks. You snuggled into his side, letting him pull the blanket up over you.
“It's okay, you're just tired, aren't you? Did you not sleep well, baby girl?”
You didn't respond. You just wrapped an arm around him. You were feeling drowsy, and a nap didn't sound like the worst thing. You couldn't let them know that, though. You couldn't just let them think that they had won.
But Daddy's hand was rubbing your back, and he was so warm and gentle. You sniffled just a little bit, feeling yourself relax. Your eyes were closing. When you woke up, you could let them know that you only took a nap because Daddy made you. Not because you were actually tired or anything like that.
When you woke up, your throat was on fire, and your head was pounding. You made a whining nose, rolling over in the bed. There was a hand on your forehead, and that same hand brushed your hair back. You were propped up a little bit, and something was put under your tongue.
“No wonder you were in such a bad mood, huh, squirt? Didn't feel good, did you? Sure wish you'd just tell us instead of making us try and guess.” Kacchan then. You opened your eyes and gave him a sad look. You were sorry, now that you'd had some sleep. But he didn't look angry anymore. He just stroked your hair and took the thermometer out when it beeped.
“Burning up. Your throat hurt again?”
“Yes.” you murmured.
“And that's why you didn't want to do the conversation exercise.” Kacchan sighed. He picked you up, wrapping a blanket around you. He let you bury your face in his neck as he carried you to the elevator and down to the common room.
“There's my baby! Still sleepy, honey? Gotta get up now, or you won't sleep at all tonight.” Daddy sounded thrilled. He froze, apparently seeing the look on Kacchan's face.
“What's wrong?”
“She's got a fever again, and her throat hurts.”
“She's only been off antibiotics for a week.” Daddy sounded bothered. “Let's get her to Recovery Girl before she leaves for the night.” he was putting on his own shoes and jacket, taking you so that Kacchan could get himself ready.
“We can't just keep pumping her with antibiotics. She'll get a yeast infection or something.” Kacchan muttered. You made a soft noise at that, embarrassed. Daddy just hushed you as they headed for the infirmary. Recovery Girl was at her desk, writing something. Seeing you being carried in, she frowned.
“Oh dear me, not again! It isn't uncommon for people with voice quirks to have throat problems, but this is just going too far. Put her on the bed.” she sighed, getting her pen light. You opened your mouth for her, letting her examine you. You were proud you managed not to gag.
“Her tonsils again.”
“This has gone too far.” Kacchan declared.
“I agree with you. I think you should take her back to the specialist at the hospital. In the meantime, he's another course of antibiotics, and the antifungal.” she paused thoughtfully. “I do worry about her getting a resistance, but I don't know what else to do right now.”
“She said last time they were making her nauseous.” Daddy shook his head.
“I'm sure they do. Keep giving her yogurt and gentle foods she'll tolerate. Hydration and rest. I'll make the referral for the specialist. I don't even want to bother with the Little specialist, I already know where that's going.” she reached into a jar and pulled out a lollipop, holding it out to you.
“I'm sorry you're sick, dear.” she said gently. You took the lollipop and gave a wan smile. You didn't much want anything in your mouth.
Daddy and Kacchan turned to take you back to the dorm. Daddy sat with you on the couch while Kacchan went to prep some of the fever medicine. It was hard to swallow, you thought. Your fingers rubbed against Daddy's collarbone until he caught your hand and pressed a kiss to your hand.
“Poor baby. Do you want an ice pop?” he offered. You shook your head. “It's so close to dinner, sweetness, you have to eat something. You can't take these antibiotics on an empty stomach, it'll make you sick.”
“Make me sick anyway.” you managed to grumble.
He only sighed, watching you take the syringe of medicine without fussing. Kacchan, cupped your cheek for a moment, looking like he was thinking about something.
“I can make you a smoothie.” he offered. You shook your head again. “What about a milkshake?”
“Don't wanna,”
“I know squirt, but if you don't eat something then you're going to have a hard time, and we might have to get you an IV. You want that?” he looked at you expectantly. You pouted and shook your head. “Didn't think so. I will make you a smoothie. You don't ave to eat all of it, but you do need some of it, okay? Deku, get her to the table.” he turned to busy himself in the kitchen, happy that there was something he could do to busy himself. You were happy enough to be carried to the table and sit on Daddy's lap to wait.