Archive of Our Own ^beta

Izuku isn't used to people caring about him. His mom always worked late, not home when he got there and not there when he woke up, so it was rare for his mom to be there for him when he was sick.

People would either use his sickness to their advantage, knocking his stuff over, punching him in the stomach where it hurt, or even squeezing his throat until the sides of his vision would blur and his throat felt as though he had swallowed sand paper, his eyes burning. Or they just plain ignored him when he was whimpering in pain, telling him to be quiet.

He hated those days, but this wasn't his Middle School days anymore, he was at UA now, and he could stay in his dorm whenever he felt like shit, but it was routine to go to school even when he could barely move, feeling as though he would drop any second. 

But it was fine, he was used to this. He could do it, he could push through. He always did.

He thought he could, anyways. As classes started, he felt pretty bad, but not overly so. He almost didn't notice, if it weren't for the runny nose and the scratchy throat. As class progressed, however, it got worse.

His stomach hurt so bad he thought he might have eaten something bad, but it was like someone was stabbing him. Repeatedly. 

It wasn't until his vision blurred and his mouth watered, that he stumbled to get up to the garbage can and throwing up his dinner from yesterday that he thought he should've stayed in bed.

"Midoriya, are you okay?" Aizawa-sensei asks at his side in an instant, rubbing his back in a soothing manner.

Izuku went to respond, but his face paled and he started sweating, throwing his head back again, heaving.

"Stupid question, okay.." Aizawa mumbles. "Let's go to recovery girl. Can you stand?" He asks, keeping a steady hand on his back.

Midoriya felt so embarrassed as his classmates looked at him worriedly, others voicing their concern, some turning their heads and gagging. He felt bad, but he couldn't care as he felt that stabbing pain.

"N-no Sensei, I'm fi-fine!" Izuku tries to protest, but he coughs and he can feel the acid still in his throat. But this was Aizawa, he doesn't leave room for arguement. He helps Midoriya up and goes to Recovery Girl in the end, so the attempt was futile.

Once they get their, she sighs and asks what happened now, but Aizawa just grumbles. "He started throwing up in class and sniffling, occasionally coughing."

Midoriya curls in on himself a bit as his teacher recounts what happened durning class, wishing the world would swallow him whole. 

"Oh dearie, you have a 103.1 fever" she sighs, before straightening up. "Why didn't you tell anyone you were feeling ill!?" She scolds.

"I-I thought I wa-was fine! It- it wasn't as bad this morning.." he stumbles over his words, coughing afterwards. He still has a foul taste in his mouth. He wants water, but he's too embarrassed to ask for a bottle.

She sighs, long and suffering. "Next time, tell someone before it gets this bad. Take some medicine and rest" RG gives him a bottle of pills and some gummies, shooing him out of her office.

Izuku goes back to his dorm room, taking the medication and laying down. Finally drinking some water to cool his throat, he sighs as he tries to get comfortable.

--

When he wakes up, his friends are there. Iida and Uraraka are getting a small wash rag while Momo gave him some soup.

"Hey Deku! We heard you were sick, and we decided to try and help, sorry if we woke you" She smiles apologetically, her voice soft.

"O-oh. Oh- no you're fine! Thank you guys" he smiles warmly.

Momo gives him the soup, telling him to be careful because it's still hot. 

He smiles at her, Iida laying the rag so gently on his forehead, he thinks he could cry. He probably would, too, if he wasn't so tired and weak. 

Momo takes his tempatrue, smiling brightly. "100.1! It's still a little high, but much better than before" She exclaims happily. 

Izuku sighs contently, getting comfortable before thanking them for doing all of this.

"No need to thank us Midoriya, that is what friends are for!" Iida explains, if not too loudly at the small wince, but Izuku is still thankful nontheless.

Midoriya Izuku goes back to sleep feeling warm and full for the first time in a very long time. He couldn't be happier here, and not having to spend time in an empty apartment. 

Because now, he had people to help him along the way, to not judge him, to not turn their backs.

This, was home.