Shouto asked hesitantly as he peeled open Izuku’s door. The light was out and his curtains were drawn, but Shouto saw a small lump under his All Might covers to confirm that Izuku was hidden in the dark. 

The lump let out a small groan, which Shouto took to mean as a no. He closed the door behind him, leaving the lights off. He walked slowly through the dark room to ensure he wouldn’t walk into anything. Some of Izuku’s many All Might figurines were staring at him, their eyes almost glowing in the darkness. Shouto was a little creeped out and vaguely wondered how Izuku slept so comfortably every night with the eyes of hundreds of dolls watching him.

Shouto laid a hand on the blanket bundle, hoping he was rubbing Izuku’s back or shoulders and not his butt. He really had no idea what he was doing but Izuku hadn’t moved so he assumed he must have guessed right.

Izuku wakes up

Shouto told him. 

Shouto didn’t know why he was explaining all this, he knew Izuku already knew. But Izuku still wasn’t speaking and the silence was strange. He wondered if Izuku’s throat hurt, he should have brought him some honey tea. Maybe he could ask Yaoyorozu to bring them some, he knew she’d be happy to help.

Shouto pulled back the blanket enough to see Izuku’s face. He saw a familiar mop of green hair, messier than usual under the blankets, and met Izuku’s eyes with a small smile. He blinked in surprise at the sight of Izuku’s wide emerald eyes shining with silent tears. Tears ran down his cheeks as he looked at Shouto in despair.

he asked.

Izuku shook his head as more tears fell from his eyes. His mouth was wobbling and Shouto didn’t know what to do. He reached out and ran a hand through Izuku’s curls. He figured he always liked when Izuku played with his hair, so it was probably safe to do the same.

Shouto asked even though he already knew the answer. He mentally tried to run through every remedy he knew for colds and flus. When he was a child and he grew sick, he usually spent his time alone sleeping. Fuyumi brought him tea and cooled him down with her quirk when she was around.

When Shouto overused his quirk and got a cold a few months ago, Izuku had brought him soup and sat with him as Shouto wallowed in misery. Shouto hoped his phone was fully charged, he already made a playlist of Izuku’s favorite All Might videos awhile ago and figured he could play it for Izuku while he rested. Izuku’s hair was sweaty and his skin was pale. Shouto brushed his right hand against Izuku’s forehead. Despite the intense heat his forehead was giving off, Izuku was still shivering. He definitely had some kind of cold, so Shouto cooled his hand a little to help with his burning forehead. Izuku let out a soft breath and sunk into his touch.

Izuku said quietly. He sniffled immediately after, countering his words.

Shouto’s hand paused in his hair. 

he repeated.

Izuku insisted. His voice was stuffy and he was clearly not fine. Shouto didn’t understand why he was so adamant about denying his poor state. Izuku had helped Shouto with his own sick day, and he had insisted he was happy to do so. Did Izuku really think Shouto wouldn’t feel the same?

Shouto said firmly. He didn’t want to deal with stubbornness right now when Izuku was so clearly unwell.

Izuku averted his eyes.

Shouto froze. Izuku could never be a burden to him, and didn’t understand how Izuku could think anything different. Izuku constantly fought off Shouto’s own fears that he was only dragging Izuku down. It was so often Izuku who had to sacrifice hours of sleep, willingly and happily letting Shouto into his room after he suffered from nightmares. He gave Shouto advice on his family and listened when he needed to talk about his past. But now Izuku was the one trembling, his body wracked with silent sobs and chills. Shouto had seen Izuku cry often, but never like this. He hadn’t realized how far down Izuku pushed his own feelings until he was left seeing the aftermath.

Shouto admitted shakily. Izuku nodded again but a few tears slipped out.

Things would be better if Izuku would just admit the problem. 

Izuku shook his head. 

Shouto titled his head in response. 

Izuku wasn’t making much sense. It was possible he was delirious with fever anyway. Shouto really didn’t know much about fevers, his own quirk made his temperature much more chaotic than the average person when he was ill. 

Izuku’s eyes widened and he shook his head quickly. He coughed dryly in an effort to clear his throat. 

Shouto frowned. 

Izuku groaned.

Izuku insisted.

Shouto said carefully. 

Izuku’s expression softened. 

Izuku chuckled quietly but his laugh sounded too forced for Shouto’s liking.

Shouto said softly. Izuku sniffled loudly before speaking. 

Shouto said gently. 

Izuku nodded miserably.

Shouto laughed quietly and brushed his hand over the freckles dotting Izuku’s cheeks. 

Izuku smiled and Shouto felt a familiar flutter in his chest as he looked at Izuku’s small grin. Izuku sniffled.

Shouto said fondly. He ruffled Izuku’s hair, shoving it in front of his eyes, delighted in the small giggle it elicited.

Shouto knew his own cooking was no good. He wanted Fuyumi to teach him more but still hasn’t had the chance to ask her to.

Izuku responded, voice thick with congestion.

Izuku grumbled. He sniffled a few more times and Shouto quickly handed him a tissue.

Shouto rolled his eyes. 

Izuku leaned closer, studying Shouto’s eyes to search for lies. Shouto was a little taken aback by the intensity but he held his gaze. Izuku fell back onto his pillow with a heavy sigh, deeming Shouto honest enough. 

he declared, before adding a weak smile. Shouto knew he needed to brush up on his caretaking skills, but he was willing to try for Izuku. He ran his cool hand through his hair and tucked the blanket around him a little tighter. Even if Izuku didn’t feel he deserved it, Shouto was going to care for him. It’s what Izuku would do for him.

Izuku perked up in response, sitting up slightly in his blanket cocoon. Shouto shoved a few blankets aside so he could sit next to Izuku, who complained as he was shoved closer against the wall. Shouto pulled his phone out of his pocket, happy to see it was fully charged and ready to play some videos. He sent a quick text to Bakugou asking for the soup that Shouto had promised Izuku, before sending another text to Uraraka to ensure that the soup would actually be made.

Izuku said as Shouto threw his legs under the covers with him. He made no move to pull away however, as he tangled his legs with Shouto’s and leeched off of his warmth. Shouto kissed his head, wrinkling his nose slightly once he realized how sweaty he was. 

Izuku grumbled, but he fell silent once more as Shouto pulled his closer to his side and increased his temperature. It was probably only going to make him sweat more, but Shouto didn’t mind. At least this could stop Izuku’s shivering. He really had no idea the best course of action here, maybe he could ask Uraraka for pointers once she brought them soup. Izuku seemed content, at least. Now that he finally stopped fighting Shouto about being cared for, he deemed it okay to smush his face against Shouto’s shoulder and watch the All Might movies playing from Shouto’s phone. Shouto watched him as he ran his right hand through his hair, cooling his forehead with his touch.

Izuku fell asleep flush against his side before the soup even arrived. Shouto considered that a victory, even if his arm was starting to fall asleep. Their friends arrived carrying food and gently set everything aside for Izuku to enjoy after he woke. As Uraraka set down a bowl of warm soup and Yaoyorozu poured honey into a cup of green tea, Shouto smiled to himself. He knew Izuku’s friends cared for him, and Shouto would work everyday to prove to him that he deserved it.