bakerstreet | Grasping futilely for the tissues

[ Bakugou let out a lengthy groan and cursed colorfully. Honest, he wanted nothing more but to throw himself on the bed and sleep for ten years straight— but that's not going to happen, is it? ]

You claim to be this ... fucking information collector or whatever the fuck you are, and yet you don't really know anything about me, do you? Not even the basics.

[ His legs felt weak, but the stubbornness created the perfect mask. ]

The fuck you want, Deku?

Information broker. I buy and sell information, Kaachan.

We've known each other all our lives. I know you and you know me. I came here to help. I know you don't want it, but you need it.

Become alone right now, like this, isn't healthy. So, let's get you into bed so I can get a damp cloth on your head and some food.

Have you eaten anything? Can you keep food down?

I don't need it. Get your fucking facts right!

[ Honestly, sincerely— he believed he didn't. A very realistic illusion. He did, however, need to sit down because his body felt heavy. So, he moved over to the bed and settled on the edge.

He just took a shower, and he's sweating already. Fuck. ]

You can say that all you like, Kaachan. I know it isn't true.

[He walks toward the bed and stands in front of the blond. Seeing him like this, it's so human. So not heroic. Yet he can't help but smile. Everything about Bakugo makes him smile.]

Don't worry. No one will ever know about this. No one knows where I am, my phone is off, and I've cancelled all my appointments. I won't tell a soul.

Now. Lay back and I'll go make you some food. Then we can focus on making you better.

[ He wish he didn't look up; the perspective from where they stood alone was enough to make him hate this situation even more. Add that 'smile' to the mix and Bakugou is loathing it. He can read that boy like an open book-- and nothing about him felt sincere. ]

... You're here to make me feel better? [ He's not that delusional. Not yet, anyway. ] You're just here to be a shady bastard, but I'll humor you. For now.

Edited 2018-05-07 16:53 (UTC)

[Izuku chuckles and walks toward the door.]

Say what you want, Kaachan. I'm going to go down and see if your parents left any food for you. You just get comfortable. I'll be right back. [The info broker leaves the room and heads down the stairs and toward the kitchen. He can be heard opening the refrigerator and cupboards, humming to himself as he does.]

[ He makes a face, unwilling to trust this guy. Not even for one second. So, he stubbornly refused to relax— even when that's all he ever wants to do.

Instead, he huffs, sitting on the bed with his arms folded against his chest and ... god, everything hurts. He wanted to die right now. Who knew it was possible to feel this uncomfortable under your own skin? He felt hot, sweaty and gross and uuuugh. Fucking hell, it's the worst. ]

[Izuku comes up the stairs and into the room. He has a bowl of soup and a spoon on a tray. He sees Bakugo sitting on the bed and sighs. He sets the tray on the desk in the room and just smiles at Kaachan.]

Why aren't you lying down? You need rest if you want to get better.

[ By the time Izuku came back, Bakugou's eyes are barely open— still scowling in annoyance, but with less energy, or ... he honestly didn't care anymore. So, he allowed himself to rest his head on the pillow; looking terribly feverish at this point. ]

... I ain't eating that. [ It came out like a 'drunken' mumble. The heat hitting his head pretty hard now. ]

[Izuku sighed as he grabbed the damp rag he obtained from the kitchen. He laid the cloth over Bakugo's forehead.]

You need to eat at some point. I'm not going to do anything nefarious, Kaachan. I'm your friend.

I just want to help you.

[ .... That felt good. So, so good. As much as he wanted to slam it on Izuku's face— he couldn't deny himself that soothing sensation. Bakugou didn't even notice he had his eyes closed the entire time, blinking slowly as he finally regarded the other.

Again with that bullshit. A friend. Bakugou looked too exhausted to pick a fight, but it didn't mean he wouldn't be brutally honest, though. ]

You've always been a shitty liar ...

You're right. I have been. Right now though, I'm telling the truth.

I'm sure I can guess which part you think is the lie. [Izuku dips the spoon into the hot soup. He blows on it before eating a spoonful. He swallows and moves the tray on the the bedside table.]

See? Nothing wrong with it. Just rest. You can eat when you're able to sit up again. [Fingers run through spiky sweat-soaked hair. This isn't how Kaachan should be. He should be well, fit, and strong. He'll help Bakugo get better so he can be himself again.]

You're safe with me. I promise.

[ Sure, he had some doubts on whether he should trust anything Izuku will serve to him, food or water, but it's still not the main concern. There is something— fake about that boy. The way he smiles, speaks and moves. Nothing felt sincere or authentic— or maybe Izuku spent most of his time masking his own emotions to the point nothing looked real anymore.

Then again, Bakugou could be wrong. It's a feeling he couldn't shake off, though. The brief touch was sedating, and his lids felt heavy ... ]

You're the one who's not safe with me ...

[ Did he mean it in a way that Izuku might be in physical danger, or he might catch whatever is making Bakugou sick? Who knows. ]

[In truth, this is real. Mostly. Some of it is fake. Part of the mask he wears is still on as he tries to relax and be himself around Bakugo. Problem is, who is he now? Izuku knows he isn't the same boy from middle school. Too many things have changed. He's a different person now who wears too many masks. Masks for villains and heroes. Masks for his Cleaners. A mask for Stain. He smiles at the words, despite their many possible meanings.]

I beg to differ. I'd wager I'm safest with you, Kaachan. Just go to sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up. And I'll be here waiting.

[ He was losing it, slipping way too fast. It might have to do with the medication he took a few moments before Izuku's visit. It has to be! Otherwise, Bakugou wouldn't be knocked out cold in a matter of seconds. Needless to say, it was a restless slumber— and his fever is still going strong, yet any kind of sleep is deemed to make it better. Right?

In an hour or so, Bakugou stirred in his sleep— the first thought that came out of his mind is how fucking dry his throat is. Second, he wanted to throw up, yet nothing is in his system. Third, everything is gross and sweaty.

Fuck, he needs another shower ... ]

Looks like you're awake again.

[Izuku says as he swaps out the now warm cloth for another cold one. He's brought up a large bowl of ice water and already re-heated the soup. Besides that, he just sat there watching Bakugo sleep. He liked the silent and seeing the blond sleep. Even if it wasn't a peaceful sleep, it was still sleep.

Midoriya gets a second cloth damp and wrings it out before holding it for the blond to take.]

Here. To wipe yourself down with. I can run a hot bath for you but I'd rather your fever breaks first. Do you think you could eat some soup?

[ It was borderline creepy, to have someone watch you sleep— and Bakugou was a bit disturbed to notice that Izuku is still here and he probably ... sat there, observing him this entire time! He squints at him, eyes half-lidded and somewhat groggy. He then takes the piece of cloth, using it to wipe his forehead and the back of his neck clean. ]

Cold bath, Deku. I'm already in hell right now ... [ He looks up to him and shakes his head. ] I won't be able to keep it down ...

[ For once, he's not trying to be stubborn. Maybe things will lighten up when he gets out of his sweaty clothes; which explains why he started removing his shirt. ]

A cold bath will help you feel less hot but it won't help break your fever. You need to stay warm for that. So a hot bath would help you do that.

[And yet Kaachan is taking off his shirt. Izuku can't keep his eyes from taking in Bakugo's shoulders, chest, and stomach. Then up to his arms and his face again. He does his best to keep his face neutral but his cheeks warm a little. Even sick, Bakugo is attractive.]

Your fever won't break if you keep going from hot to cold, you know.

[ Only Izuku would find Bakugou attractive right now; even when he looked like death and sickly flustered. He tossed his sweaty shirt aside, taking a moment to groan in utter misery of being sick like this. It's like he wanted to do so many things but his body felt heavy, and he's moving in slow motion. ]

Cold! I want a fucking cold one. Freezing cold. [ Stiffly, he pushed himself off the bed; a little too confident to be pulling this kinda stunt. ] Just ... sit down or whatever. Have some shitty soup.

[ One step forward, and then— his right leg decided to give up on him, and he ended up grabbing into Izuku for support. ]

Edited 2018-05-17 18:28 (UTC)

[Izuku sighs. Of course Bakugo wasn't going to listen to him. The blond never did but he'll do his best to take care of his friend. He watches the blond try to move but then the right leg gives out. Izuku is up fast, grabbing Bakugo as Bakugo grabs him. He steels himself and holds the blond up, arms wrapped around the sick hero's chest. He holds him close for a moment, a supporting sort of hug. He shakes his head and sighs.]

Alright, Kaachan. I'll run you a cold bath. Can you stand? [They're so close. He feels tempted to press close, but he can't. Not while Bakugo is sick. It wouldn't be fair to try and take advantage. Despite how strong Kaachan is, he's still human.]

Let me help you. Just this once. It'll be our little secret.

You keep saying it's our 'little secret' ...

[ He sells information for a living. Surely Izuku would understand why Bakugou will always be in doubt. Despite that, yet he didn't have the energy to fight Izuku anymore. His body felt ten times heavier; his fever is frying his brain, and he is unable to be stubborn about this. It pained him a little, to give in so fast, but— he curled an arm around Izuku's shoulder, in an attempt to hoist himself up.

Eyes barely open, he sneaks a peek at his old friend before nodding. That's it. He gives up. He's going to accept his help now. ]

Edited 2018-05-26 14:44 (UTC)

I'm going to keep saying it until you believe me. I'm not going to tell anyone about this, Kaachan. No one needs to know you're sick or that I came over to help. You have my word.

[He knows Bakugo Katsuki. The strong hero in training who never wants help and almost never admits he needs it. Never admits so vocally. Always in his actions and with his eyes. Like now. He stops fighting, finally, and accepts to use Izuku as his crutch. The information broker holds him up, one arm wraps around Bakugo's waist and the other holds onto the arm around his shoulders. He walks slowly, leading the blond out of the room and toward the bathroom.]

You'll need to strip for your bath. Can you do it or do I need to help you? [He asks. He's not about to let Bakugo go into the bath with his clothes on. They'll need to be washed anyway and new clothes brought in. Contagion free clothes. First thing is first, get Bakugp in the bath then get him clean clothes.]

[ He turned his gaze away. Those words felt poisonous, and he hated how Izuku kept badgering him into 'trusting him'. He kept repeating himself over and over again to the point Bakugou felt like he was being brainwashed into— believing them! Maybe he did, but he felt goddamn stupid for it. He sighed: ]

Drop it, Deku ...

[ It was just plain hurtful at this point. Once they reached the bathroom, Bakugou knew he had to let go of the other so he could prepare the bath; using the wall behind him for support. He shakes his head— he wasn't that vulnerable to need someone to undress him. Besides, his shirt is off, so all he had to do is undo his pants and then tug down his boxers. A slow process, but he's getting it done. ]

Make it cold. I'm burnin' up ...

Fine.

[Just one word. He lets it go. He can't convince Bakugo to just trust him. He moves to start the water and makes sure it stays cold. He puts the stopper into the drain and starts to fill it. He grabs the wash cloth, soup, and shampoo. He places them along the edge of the tub and steps back.]

It'll be freezing. Just like you want. Anything else I can get you? Need me to wash your back?

Grasping futilely for the tissues

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