The stool swayed and creaked under Todoroki's fidgeting, almost echoing in the tense silence. If it weren't for the two unwavering stares, he might have felt a lot less uncomfortable. It only took a few more seconds of awkwardness for Kirishima to finally break the suspense.

"Come on, man - just a small bite."

To his dismay, his only response was a painfully accurately timed stomach gurgle.

"See - You're not fucking starving yourself - eat." Bakugou pressured, pushing the plate closer from the opposite side of the breakfast bar.

Although Todoroki desperately wanted to retort - he bit his tongue. He supposes he should be somewhat grateful - as Katsuki had been aggressively taking care of Shouto the moment he stormed in through the front door.

"Sit down."

"No over here - next to the window."

"-for fresh air, obviously!"

"Don't fucking move."

"Stop slouching."

"Drink this."

"Drink it slowly dumbass!"

"How are you even more pale, damn vampire."

"Tell me if you feel sick."

"..."

"Stop feeling sick."

Todoroki finally let his eyes fall to the plate in front of him.

Bread.

A singular, plain slice of bread.

Reluctantly, he picked it up. He was so hungry.

But he didn't want to throw up - not again.

"You wouldn't have thrown up so often in the car if you'd let it out all at once..."

Did he say that out loud?

"I didn't want to get the-"

"Stop saying stupid things and eat, idiot." Bakugou snapped, tightening his grip against the counter-top.

Sigh.

He took a small, polite bite - gracefully tearing off a corner. It was mostly crust; Fuyumi always used to cut his crusts off if he ever had sandwiches. If he didn't feel on the edge of death, he could honestly eat a hundred of those right then and there. Even so, he swallowed his mouthful - ignoring the sets of red eyes that hadn't yet left his form.

"..."

Suddenly, a fresh wave a nausea hit.

When he resisted the urge to gag the feelings only piled up, knotting in his stomach and ripping away his appetite, climbing up his chest to his throat, burning like bile.

There was a clatter as the slice dropped to the plate, stool screeching as Shouto practically threw himself off of it. He only just made it to the bathroom, before skidding to his knees and emptying out into the toilet bowl. He clenched his eyes shut as he kept dry heaving - gripping the toilet seat for dear life. The nauseous waves came and went as they pleased, leaving no room for objections on his side. He then clutched his swollen stomach, feeling it churn in displeasure.

Only a few moments later, a warm hand came to his forehead, brushing his fringe back and out of his eyes.

"Tch, you need a haircut," he heard Bakugou distantly mumble. Shouto could only groan in response, stomach sore.

He should've locked the door.

Before he knew it, another presence was kneeling next to his hunched body, a calm pressure rubbing incredibly soft circles over his back.

"Don't think now is the time, Katsuki," Kirishima scolded.

Todoroki tried not to complain as he rested his forehead on the toilet seat - unbothered about the amount of germs. (Bakugou religiously cleans everything anyway.)

"I think I should just stick to water..."

The words came out hoarse.

"I'm going to call the hospital, see if he needs to go in-"

"I don't- I'm not going in." Todoroki interrupted, shoulders rising defensively.

He just wanted to stay home - maybe curl up and hide in his room once this phase had passed.

The silence that followed was suspicious.

If he could raise his head to confirm, he feels like he would see other two talking with their eyes behind his back. But just thinking about moving was nauseating.

There was a sigh.

It sounded like Kirishima's.

"Alright, I'll just call for them to send some meds or something."

The hand on his back hesitated before slowly slipping away.

"I'll be right back."

He listened to the others footsteps as they left the bathroom.

He needed to get himself together.

"You got it all out?" Bakugou asked, using the hand holding his fringe to push his face into view. Reflexively, Shouto turned away, hiding his face.

"I've seen your face covered in other peoples blood - I think I can cope with seeing your own sick." Bakugou grumbled, letting go of his hair.

"It's just... awkward." He replied, shakily taking some toilet roll Katsuki shoved in front of his face to wipe his mouth.

He's always been uncomfortable throwing up.

"Stand up - if you get hurt that easily - you can forget about beating All Might. Or even a small time villain."

.

"Oi - you with me, Halfy?"

"..."

"Shouto?"

Katsuki was closer now, eyebrows furrowed.

"Um-"

"Let's get you sat down properly, come on."

Bakugou rose to his feet as he held his hand out, offering to help him up.

A stubborn part of himself wanted to slap it away like first year. He didn't want to babied - he could handle it himself. All he wanted was to suffer in the comfort of his own sheets.

Why did he feel so vulnerable now?

His stomach bubbled and rolled inside his painfully bloated abdomen, whilst heat radiated from his skin. He felt totally disgusting.

Bakugou didn't move, watching as the other frozen beneath him. Despite Shouto's attempts at pretending as if he weren't faint, it was obvious that he'd barely be able to rise himself. When Shouto still gave no response, Bakugou curled his fingers under his elbow - steadily helping him into standing. Before Shouto could do anything, calloused hands grasped his forearms, and the action urged him to look into crimson eyes.

"You alright, hm?" The blonde asked gently, rubbing soft circles with his thumbs. He'd never heard Katsuki speak so softly. It eased his tense muscles, and Shouto found himself exhaling through blurry vision.

"I—I'm..."

Scared? How pathetic.

He spoke meekly and reluctantly leaned into him. Bakugou carefully wrapped his arms around his torso, cradling him in his arms. He felt the pressure of a rough palm at the back of his neck, it felt protective, and it kept him in place, completely against his warmth.

Katsuki sighed, "You don't have to say anything."

Shouto relaxed a little more into the hold, brushing his fingers against the rough trousers of the other's hero suit.

He hadn't changed out of that yet?

~

Everything ached. Every bone in his body. Bones he hadn't even known existed. The white noise around him battered his eardrums as he moved. Suddenly, there's a hand on his forearm and he allows it to drag him until he's laying down, back pressing into soft cushions. His head is pillowed by something warm and comfy, almost moulding around his head.

He glances up and there are gorgeous red eyes staring at him.

(Gorgeous. Red. They look like crystals. Magical crystals. Like something out of a Denki's video games, he thinks. Or perfectly ripe apples? Rubies?)

For a second, he manages to forget about the pain in his stomach, but then it's back and the world turns darker and he has to clench his eyes shut.

"Shouto," Eijiro's voice is saying, and there's still a hand on his arm, he realizes, rubbing it. It feels nice. Soothing.

"Hm," he greets lazily, trying to smile but unsure if the mental effort is reaching his lips. He supposes it works, because he can hear the soft smile in the other's voice.

"How are you feeling?"

"Shit."

There's a loud snort from further down the sofa. Once Shouto opens his eyes again he notices his legs are thrown over Katsuki's lap.

"Didn't know princess had such a dirty mouth."

The blonde teased, grin far too tame.

"You've just watched me throw up." He mumbles back, embarrassed.

It was Kirishima's turn to chuckle, sneakily threading his fingers through white hair.

"Just try to relax - we'll try food again in a few hours."

A few hours?

"When exactly are we going to sleep?"

"You are going to sleep right now. We'll wake you up to eat later." Bakugou responded with finality.

"But when are you-"

"Shhh... Just rest." Eijiro gently pressed his head back down into his lap, resuming the steady petting of his hair.

"But..."

"No buts. Sleep."

~

It was barely an hour later when the 'emergency bowl' came into use.

"Sorry, baby, I know."

Baby?

His voice is barely perceptible in such a quiet whisper, like he's trying not to wake Shouto, as if he's not heaving into a shitty plastic bowl.

Eijiro's kindness and regard for others is one of Shouto's favourite things about him. Although he could smash through a hundred brick walls he'd never snap, never complain - even if a spoilt child was screaming at him he'd be completely calm.

Still in the hazy state of being half-asleep and on the edge of consciousness, Shouto rocked forward in an attempt to get comfortable again. As he does, he feels Eijiro's arm reach over him, trying to still his body incase he began to slip off the sofa.

"Careful..."

He really can't stand staring at his bile any longer.

~

The rest of the night has ups and downs - but the morning brings a peaceful bliss.

The curtains add an orange glow to the morning light, a perfect sunrise. It reminds Shouto of the times he slept at the UA dorms, watching the early rays seep through the panels of his shoji balcony doors. For a moment his mind conjures the comforting warmth of the tatami mats against his bare feet, padding upon the soft texture. He breaths in deeply.

What if they dated back then?

He could imagine them all trying to squeeze into Bakugou's bed, clumsily elbowing the thin walls as well as eachother - hissing and shushing so none of the others would find out.

Maybe Bakugou would grin a little softer after pinning him down while sparring. Maybe Kirishima would turn around to look at him so often in class he'd get told off by Aizawa for being distracted.

Maybe... Maybe-

He could see Kirishima flailing and running after Bakugou - who was barely keeping ahead whilst reading aloud the red heads 'poetry'.

"-your scar is just- pff- so manly-!" Bakugou cackled, knocking over a chair in his haste to get to the other side of the classroom. He briefly looked back to see Kirishima's progress before quickly changing his direction. He was practically crying with laughter, eyes crinkled.

"Todoroki - I beg you - please cover your ears! - Stop laughing!" Kirishima wailed, shoving each desk and chair in his desperation to snatch the sheet of paper from the blonde.

Todoroki would only sit and chuckle, watching the two chase each other as he perched on Aizawa's desk.

"-what are you smiling about?"

Todoroki almost flinches as he's startled out of his daze.

He's met with a tired looking Bakugou, a passed out Kirishima resting on his shoulder. Shouto takes a moment to watch them, eyes flicking down to where their hands are clasped together on his stomach.

"I..."

Katsuki's other hand twitches at his thigh, his legs still lying over his lap. It must have been uncomfortable to sleep on the sofa sat up all night. Actually, by the bags under the blonde's eyes, he's not even sure he did sleep.

"I think I..."

Did they stay up all night with him? He checked the coffee table. The emergency bowl was empty, and the wooden surface clean.

They stayed.