Tics and Scratches

Chapter 16

Aizawa hadn't let him hang up the phone once they had established his location, so he settled on not so delicately placing the device on the floor next to him. He could still hear Aizawa occasionally mumbling reassurances and timings but the effort required to pay attention and process the words was far too great. In fact, Katsuki couldn't quite remember when he had ended up sprawled on the pavement, but he wasn't surprised with the way his legs were shaking uncontrollably. 

A small grunt of surprise left his closed mouth when he felt something sickeningly warm and wet drip down his chin and onto his hand. Earlier, he hadn't quite realised how much he was bleeding but now the adrenaline was wearing away the sting all over his body was increasing exponentially. Not to mention how the seemingly perpetual wetness on his face was messing with his senses. When had he started feeling so hot? No. He was definitely cold. Either way he was sure he was sweating buckets.

Katsuki slowly turned his head to stare at his phone as Aizawa's voice rang through the phone yet again. "You still with me, Kiddo?" 

It was a good question really, Bakugo had to ponder on his answer. He was sure the world doesn't usually spin around this much. It almost felt like he was moving despite the cold steady pavement that definitely resided below him. Catching him off guard, an overwhelming nausea surged its way through his body, spreading until it sounded like static was rushing through his ears. The sensation of his whole body dangerously teetering to the side was enough to make him finally register the situation he was in, adding panic to the mix.

"Katsuki? I'm nearly with you, hold on." He could barely make out the words that were coming from the receiver next to him yet he was still able to feel bad that he hadn't replied.

"Uh-" He began. His brain felt sluggish, miles behind constructing the sentence he was trying to convey. "Aizawa?" He was probably slurring his words but he didn't have time to care as he only just managed to catch himself from a particularly big sway to the side. "I think I'm gonna faint."

If he was in any way more conscious than he was in that moment he would've made a mental note of the beautifully colourful string of swears that left his teachers mouth. "Don't panic, Katsuki. Put your head between your knees. I am literally just around the corner."

Okay, Bakugo told himself. It was an incredibly easy task. He knew how to move his head, of course he did. But anytime he tried to move he would dangerously kilt to the side, feeling one step closer to conking out. He felt like he was fighting off  sleep after a week long marathon of educational movies. 

Through the haziness that was increasingly engulfing his mind, he vaguely registered the sound of a door slamming and feet skidding across the floor. There was definitely a few instructions shouted at him as well but the static in his ears had swelled to a peak. Somehow, as if it was some kind of magic, his world immediately began to sharpen as a large hand grasped the back of his head finally shoving it between his knees. He could hear his own laboured breathing as well as the panting of Aizawa just infront of him so at least he had gained back one of his senses. After a few seconds a bottle of water was thrust into his hands, thankfully already open since his hands had started compulsively shaking.

"Take a few sips and then put your head back down."

He reluctantly obeyed the order, still trying to fight the nausea that resided in his chest as well as the dizziness that he was very much still feeling. But as soon as the cold water slid down his throat he felt the last of the fog leave his mind. He had never been quite so grateful for water as he was in that moment. He gave himself a few more minutes to recover before attempting to lift his head back up. He was starting to feel embarrassed by the whole situation and would really rather hide his rapidly reddening neck and ears from his teacher. Now he had the capacity to form a coherent thought, he knew the episode was brought on by panic and not his injuries. He was a hero in training for gods sake, he should be able to deal with these situations without panicking himself into passing out.