pyrexia [ ,, KIRIBAKU ]

chapter two

"Mom- I'll be fine, okay? I just.. I don't know what's happening to me. I'll call you if I need anything." Katsuki stared through the darkness at the fan, which creaked eerily every hasty spin. He was laying on his bed, wearing nothing but boxers and basketball shorts. Beep. He hung up.

Despite the fan being on being on high, Katsuki was still sweating. Two hours since he'd freaked out, and everyone was panicking. His hair was damp, and his skin felt hot to the touch. It was hot in his room, and he couldn't stand it. He'd already turned his phone on silent, ignoring the many texts from 'kiri' and 'pika'

'32 messages' from the both of them. Katsuki wasn't an idiot, he was acting weird as fuck. He ran off after speaking two things to Kirishima, and then totally freaked out in the bathroom.

kiri: baku? you okay?
kiri: you missed class, is everything okay?
ONE MISSED CALL
kiri: can i come over?

Those were Kirishima's most recent messages. Katsuki exited his message section and tapped on Denki's contact, exhaling shallowly. He had to tell someone.

Of course, Denki picked up immediately. "Dude! Where are you?! You missed-" Another voice butted in, and Katsuki's stomach roiled at the sound of it. "Are you talking to Bakugou? Can you-" "Denki," Katsuki said in a strangled tone, his fingers curling into fists. "Please come over."

Silence. Then, "I'll be right over, Katsuki. Just hold on" Denki's tone was sober now, and he could probably tell Katsuki was running on high emotions. He pulled on a tank top right after Denki hung up, and sat on the edge of his bed.

His head felt heavy in his warm hands, and he breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth. Knock knock. "Come in." Katsuki called, looking up quickly.

"Bakugou-" "What the fuck? Kirishima get out." Katsuki's pulse quickened. Kirishima was in shorts, shirtless. He had probably just came out of the gym. His skin was glistening in the dim light, gaze catching the light.

Oh, those eyes.

His face was concerned. "Get out." Katsuki breathed, skin tightening as he saw Mina behind him.

"Get out of the fucking way," Denki's voice sounded and he shoved the two out of the way, closing the door and locking it harshly. "Woah Katsuki, you okay? You look like-" "-shit, I know." Katsuki's breath was still going fast, but he was well aware how lethargic he looked.

"What's going on?" Denki crouched in front of him, warm eyes concerned even in the darkness. "I don't know. I can't even look at him.. I can't even-" Katsuki's throat tightened, "-i don't know what's going on, its never been this bad. Not since last year." The hot air pressed in on his senses.

"Kirishima again..?" Denki murmured. He'd helped last year too. The summer of college first year, when they'd been at a training camp and Kirishima was being touchy with all of his friends, and Mina especially. "I'll get you some water and Tylenol. You're burning up,  you might be sick. Go splash some water on your face, you're too warm" Denki said, gently helping Katsuki up and into the bathroom.

Katsuki took a few deep breaths as Denki left, the feeling subsiding slightly. Thank fucking god. His skin was hot to the touch, and Katsuki splashed more water on his face. The door creaked again and Denki appeared with two little bottles and a big water bottle. "C'mon, I'll set you up in bed and ask Aizawa if we can turn on the ac. It's really hot, so I think he'll say yes." Denki mumbled.

Katsuki nodded, walking back to his bed, still sheet-less. His pillows were at the foot of his bed, so he leaned against the bare wall, much better now that Denki was helping him. He took a big sip of the icy water, relishing the fleeting feeling that came with it. Denki silently passed him a Tylenol, and Katsuki took it with silent gratefulness.

"If you get a headache, take the aspirin and drink lots of water. I'll bring my switch in, and we can play mario kart." Denki smiled comfortingly, and Katsuki nodded. Denki opened his phone, calling up Aizawa and putting him on speaker.

"Hey Mr. Aizawa. Bakugou has a fever, and its really hot in the dorms. Could you turn the air conditioner on please?" Denki pleaded, and the line was silent for a moment.

"Yes, I'll do that. Do you know where the Tylenol is? Tell Bakugou to take it twice a day. It doesn't always work, but it should lessen the fever. If it gets above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, call me and we'll take him to the doctor." Aizawa instructed, "And, Kaminari? If you could stay with him I'd be grateful. I don't want someone with a bad fever to be alone."

Denki's lips turned up, and Katsuki felt relief flood his fatigued limbs. "Yup, I already planned on that." Aizawa muttered something to another person and the air conditioner turned on, blowing down onto Katsuki and Denki. "Okay, bye Kaminari." Aizawa hung up.

Katsuki couldn't care less, relishing the feeling of cool air blowing onto his skin. "Tha-anks, Denki.." Katsuki looked sidelong at Denki, who flashed a smile and thumbs up. "I don't know what I'd do without you... Can you, uh.." Katsuki trailed off awkwardly, gesturing to his phone. "Tell the others? I don't want to talk to.." Denki's eyes lit up with understanding and he nodded.

"Yeah, of course! You don't have to thank me, I know you'd do the same for me." Denki smiled warmly, and Katsuki watched as he pulled up the group messages, sending a small paragraph. "Aaaalright, I sent it. Do you wanna play Nintendo or just chill and stuff? I have some homework to do so I can just chill here or we could watch a show....?"

Though the murky, clouded feeling had left Katsuki's mind, the embers still sizzled in his lungs and heart. "Nintendo.. I need something to distract me from him." Katsuki muttered, pulse quickening as his phone began to buzz rapidly. He picked it up, seeing the name 'kiri'

"Shit, its Kirishima." Katsuki groaned, and Denki shrugged, "Ignore it, or don't. I already told him, but its up to you."

After a moments hesitation, Katsuki slid the button to pick up. Dead silence met him, before Kirishima's voice exploded through the phone.

"Katsuki! What the hell?! You let Denki see you but not me? That's not cool, man! And then you ignore me for like, three hours?" Katsuki's breath hitched at the sounded of his name coming out of Kirishima's mouth. His mouth was dry, mind drawing a blank as he stayed silent.

"...katsuki? You there?..." there it was again, his first name. Shit shit shit, Katsuki's breath quickened and he handed the phone to Denki who took it with a nod. "It's just me bro, Katsuki is asleep. He's really sick. I don't think he's coming to class tomorrow." "Oh, sorry about that. I'm just really worried, you know. I love him, he's my best friend."

He loves me? Katsuki's gut churned and he rested his head in his hands, trying to control his breathing. Denki took notice and Katsuki heard his voice more foggily than before. "I gotta go, I don't wanna wake him up. Bye, Kirishima." A few moments later Denki was at his side. Katsuki felt heat swirling in his mind, shaking his head.

"It's fine. I'm.. fine." Katsuki grabbed the water bottle, taking a sip of it. Exhaustion dragged at his eyelids and Katsuki set the bottle down. He laid on his back, and Denki slowly sat back.

"Get some rest, I'll be here when you wake up." Denki's voice sounded quietly, and the only acknowledgment Katsuki made was a twitch of his fingers.

—
denki to the rescue :) please consider voting!