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"I'm not fuckin' sick!"
Izuku just rolled his eyes, placing the tray in his hands on the desk. He went to help Katsuki sit up, not phased by the hands batting him away as he fluffed the pillows behind him to make him more comfortable.
"Deku, you're not - achoo - not listening," Katsuki sniffled, blowing his nose begrudgingly with the tissue shoved into his face.
Without a word, Izuku tucked a dish cloth into the front of his shirt before grabbing the tray to put on his lap.
"Stop ignoring me damn it!" he growled, reluctantly spooning chicken noodle soup into his mouth. Izuku took the moment he was distracted to touch the back of his hand to Katsuki's burning forehead.
He grabbed the empty water bottle on the nightstand, taking it to the dorm kitchen to refill and grab some pills from the first-aid box, shutting the door to the grumbling boy behind him.
"How's he doing?" Kirishima had his head poked out from his door, regarding Izuku with a look which conveyed his gratitude for taking one for the team here.
"He's fine. In denial but fine. I was just going to get him some tablets to get his fever down."
Katsuki never got sick, but when he did by God was he a nightmare. Class 3A all shared a collective wince when he'd stormed into the classroom earlier, nose red and coughing his guts up. Even Aizawa sensei left him alone all day.
"Good, good. Do you, err- need any help?" he asked considerately but Izuku could see the plea for him to say no in his eyes.
"No, I've got it. Thanks though Kiri!" he smiled at him before continuing to the kitchen.
Kirishima just nodded gratefully, retreating back to his own room.
Izuku returned to find the blonde had mercifully finished his bowl and was snacking on the tangerine segments he'd peeled for him.
"Deku," he snarled, angrily biting a chunk from the orange in his hand. Izuku still refused to respond, popping two pills from the packet and holding it over his hand until he opened his palm.
Katsuki continued to glare at Izuku, though he didn't hesitate to glare back with an elegant eyebrow raised until Katsuki relented, rolling his eyes as he chucked back the tablets.
The boy held back his smug grin as he cupped his chin, guiding the water bottle to his mouth so he could gulp down the liquid.
"Deku," he said again, watching Izuku remove the tray from his lap silently.
Was Izuku being stubborn? Abso-frickin-lutely he was. Katsuki had a nasty habit of being mean when anyone tried to help him, and after years of biting the bullet and taking his shit Izuku has decided on a new tactic.
Silent help.
He would not give in to his silly taunts, and he will nurse the egotistical idiot back to health.
"Izuku," he tried, letting him help him to lie back down properly. Still no word as he carefully tucked the blanket around him.
Izuku had also brought up a wet flannel for his forehead, folding it neatly and resting it on his blazing forehead, the lack of resistance a sure sign his method was working.
"Zuku," he grabbed Izuku's wrist before he could pull back. Izuku almost caved, his favourite nickname along with the pleading look in his glossy eyes making him want to throw his arms around him with a flurry of 'sorry's' for ignoring him all day.
But no. If he caved he'd be showing weakness.
Gently shaking his arm free, he moved to dim the lighting so he could hopefully get some rest.
Mina had been counting down the days until December so the class could get together to decorate the dorms and watch Christmas movies. Izuku was disappointed that Katsuki wasn't well enough to spend it with them but when the class offered to reschedule he had almost blown the building up.
Heaven forbid anyone wants to do anything nice for him.
Checking his wristwatch, he saw he was only half an hour late. Mina had strict instructions that they all gather in the common room at 6, though Izuku's sure he'll get special consideration for his valiant efforts today.
He looked back at Katsuki to make sure he was alright, his heart twanging at the defeated look on his face.
Clicking the door shut, he made his way down to join the rest of the class.
"Man, that was hard work," Kaminari mock-cried, throwing himself on the sofa. The dorm looked like it had been hit by a glitter bomb, snowflakes and tinsel lining the walls. Momo had done her best to make the decorations, and to her credit she'd done a great job.
No one thought she was being serious when she said she could make an 8ft Christmas tree but alas, now stood in the corner was a beautiful tall tree, a plastic one much to the teacher's delight. Ochako used her quirk to help with the garlands, touching different members of the class so they could help too.
And finally, with everyone pitching in, the room finally looked ready for the festive season, 19 pairs of eyes looking around gleefully at their work.
"It's a shame Blasty isn't here to tell us how much of an assault on his eyes all this is," Mina pouted.
Izuku agreed. He was trying to enjoy himself but he missed Katsuki's presence more than anyone there.
"Don't worry he won't shut up about it for the rest of the month once he's better," Sero assured, winking at them, and honestly he wasn't wrong.
"Come on guys! Let's put the film on," Ochako grabbed one of Izuku's and one of Mina's hands, pulling them towards the lounge area which was ready full of blankets and pillows.
Izuku had brought down the beanbag his mom got him, it was big enough to seat two people and comfier than sitting on the bare floor. He settled on it, scooching over so Ochako could sit with him.
The film chosen by the girls was some American festive rom-com that Izuku wasn't ashamed to admit he was fully invested in.
So invested in fact, that the harsh slam of the door opening startled him.
"Kacchaaan!" Kaminari cooed, ignoring the icy glare he got in return.
"Suki's here!" Mina joined in, knowing he wasn't a threat in this condition and chancing her favourite nickname for him.
He looked pretty awful but he wasn't as sweaty as he was earlier which Izuku took as a sign that his fever had gone down.
Once he locked eyes with Izuku, he beelined over, the blanket draped around his shoulders dragging behind him.
Izuku hadn't even noticed that Ochako had already silently moved to squeeze on the sofa with Jirou and Tsu.
Flopping down next to him, he didn't hesitate to snuggle into Izuku's side, throwing the blanket so it was covering the both of them. He stiffened, not used to the blonde showing affection in front of the class.
Everyone graciously ignored it, knowing better than to risk their hard work decorating going up in flames. Though that didn't mean Izuku missed the delighted looks from his peers.
Iida was the only one not paying attention, seemingly equally as engrossed in the film as Izuku had been and turning up the volume at the disruption.
He finally relaxed into the body next to him, his familiar warmth immediately making him feel better after missing him all evening.
"I've stopped yelling, Zu," he mumbled against Izuku's sleeve, bumping his head against his shoulder like a cat. The boy just hummed in response, letting Katsuki wrap his arm in his own.
He let out a frustrated whine, squeezing tighter, "Stop with the silent treatment already."
Izuku just pat him on the leg, focusing his attention back on the film. Katsuki huffed petulantly but ultimately gave up, turning his own head towards the TV.
They must have both fallen asleep, jolting awake to the main lights being switched on. Izuku had his head resting against Katsuki's, arm still caged. All he could do was smile fondly as Katsuki furiously wiped away the drool he'd left on Izuku's shirt.
The class were a flurry of hustle around them, some getting more snacks for the next film, others still blubbering at the last one while the credits rolled. So he didn't think Katsuki would mind the warm hand he brought up to cup his cheek, his thumb rubbing back and forth. His skin was cooler now, or as cool as it gets on someone who can form explosions from their body.
"Are you feeling better, Kacchan?" he murmured, trying not to react when Katsuki leant his face into his palm.
"Fuckin' finally. Was starting to miss your stupid whiny voice,"
Izuku scowled, pinching the skin on his cheek playfully.
The sound of a throat clearing behind them caught their attention.
"We're starting the next film, ready everyone?" Iida called out, receiving various noises of affirmation.
Izuku turned to see if Katsuki was up for another film, finding his eyes fluttering shut already.
"Let's go to bed," he nudged him relentlessly until Katsuki finally frowned in acknowledgement.
"Don't wanna move," he yawned, keeping his eyes closed.
"We're off to bed guys, see you tomorrow," Izuku waved at everyone, standing up and stifling a laugh when Katsuki almost tipped over at the loss.
He pulled him up forcibly by the wrists, ignoring his protesting groan in favour of wrestling him and the blanket onto his back.
"Goodnight you two! Use protectio-"
"Get well soon Baku-bro!" Kirishima interrupted Mina, shooting her a look that had her miming zipping her lips.
Everyone let out various 'goodnights' as Izuku adjusted him on his back, careful not to jostle him so much that he snaps back into the world and to his current vulnerable state being shown to his whole class.
After a quick stop at the communal bathrooms to wash their teeth and faces (all of which was done by Izuku while Katsuki snivelled miserably at his own state), Katsuki was finally flopping down on his bed once more, immediately snuggling under the duvet.
"You should've stayed in bed, Kacchan, you should be resting," Izuku raked a hand through his hair, perching on the bed next to him.
"I got bored," he pouted, sighing in contentment the more Izuku moved his fingers expertly, like he'd done it countless times before. Well, he has he supposes.
"Move over," Izuku was already lifting the duvet to join him.
"You're gunna get sick, nerd," Katsuki said though happily complied, giving him all of 20 seconds before he was nuzzling into his neck, throwing a leg over his.
"Oh, so you are sick," Izuku teased, bringing a hand up to continue his ministrations through blonde spikes.
"Shh don't make me regret wanting to hear you talk," he lightly bit the skin of his neck, smiling at Izuku's giggles.
"The common room's a mess, by the way. I assume you dumbos left Denki and Mina in charge?"
Izuku winced, "They're very enthusiastic about Christmas! You're gunna need to tell Mina how much you hate it when you're better, she missed it today," he squeezed him closer, if it was possible.
"Mmph," he sighed, his hot breath tickling Izuku's skin, "There's no chance the class is dense enough to not have caught on by now, right?"
Izuku knew exactly what he was talking about but hummed in question anyway.
"Me and you. Us, being...together or whatever."
Izuku didn't need to look at him to know that his face would be a pretty shade of pink, as it usually was whenever he referred to their relationship.
"Well it's been six months, Kacchan. I doubt today was what gave it away," he kept stroking his hair, "Are you...do you mind?"
He didn't realise he was holding his breath until Katsuki pinched his side, making him release it in a whoosh.
"Obviously I don't give a fuck. Those nosy bastards probably knew how we felt before we fuckin' did."
He had a point, Izuku's pretty sure neither Ochako or Todoroki were surprised in the slightest when he'd told them about his and Katsuki's relationship change.
"Turn your brain off now and sleep," Katsuki flicked him in the head, "I'm tired."
"Okay, Kacchan," he leaned over to turn the bedside lamp off, resuming his position quickly before he got growled at.
"'M not weak," he mumbled after a few beats of silence.
"I know, baby. Even pro-heroes get sick," he kissed him lightly on the forehead, letting his own eyes fall closed.
"Thanks for looking after me," Katsuki was most definitely forcing the words out, Izuku's earlier silence had rattled him for sure.
"I'm going to be looking after you until we're old, wrinkly and gross, you're stuck with me forever," he snickered at the blonde's groan in response.
"What did I do to deserve this fate?" Katsuki wailed melodramatically.
"Hey! You'll love it," Izuku shoved at him, nestling his nose into his hair and trying to act like the smell of his shampoo doesn't make his heart skip a few beats.
"I love you."
Izuku's heart might have actually stopped for a minute. He figured love was implied when it came to them, hidden in their kind gestures and lingering gazes, but he was yet to hear Katsuki use the word, yet to use it himself.
But he feels it, has felt it so strongly for as long as he can remember when it comes to Katsuki.
"If you cry I'll shove you off the bed," Katsuki warned, and he was probably rolling his eyes through the threat.
"I'm not going to cry!" Izuku huffed, blinking away the tears gathering in the corners of his eyes.
Katsuki just snorted, angling his head up to kiss him on the cheek, "My big baby."
Izuku sniffed, non-discreetly wiping his eyes with his free hand.
"I love you too. Obviously."
"Figured you did when you got my mom's chicken soup recipe."
Of course Katsuki would notice that. He just wanted him to feel better okay! He's not a sap.
Okay, maybe he's a sap.
"It's been a bit longer than that but at least you cottoned on eventually," Izuku yawned, tangling their legs.
"Loser."
"I can't remember the last time I tied my own shoelaces. Or brushed my own hair. Or carried my own bag-"
"Alright, alright. We're both losers."
Izuku was smiling too much to kiss him properly, but like most of their kisses, it was perfect anyway.
It was sweet and tender, and everything Izuku never thought they'd be together.
And when he inevitably got sick a few days later, he didn't regret a single second of that night.