Need You (ShinDeku)

Ch. 121 - Normal

A/N: ...I have a cold. Anybody else's productivity absolutely tank when they get sick? I can't focus on anything and I've got deadlines coming up. Lucky for you guys I finished this chapter before I got sick so the quality shouldn't be any worse than usual. The next chapter on the other hand... jk. Maybe.
Have fun reading!

Midoriya POV:

     Hitoshi has an arm wrapped around my shoulders that holds me close against his chest, and I know he's doing his best to avoid putting any pressure on my stomach.

     His other hand keeps his phone propped up against my knees while he watches cat videos over my shoulder. I didn't realize people still watched those sorts of things but it was oddly endearing, especially when he let out little snickers at the occasional funny clip. I have my notebook and pencil further down my lap, cleaning up my notes from earlier.

     My stomach still rolls uncomfortably and there's a gross aftertaste in my mouth but I don't feel like I'm going to be sick, at least. I haven't really noticed a change in my hand yet, but I'm trying not to be too concerned. Maybe it's like an overnight thing? Or a few days? I hope it doesn't hurt. I think I've had enough hurt for one lifetime, which is ironic since I'm training to become a pro hero.

     I shift slightly in Hitoshi's arms, snuggling further down in my position between his legs and leaning my head against his chest while I think about whether I'm missing any information on Hizashi's gear. Maybe I could compare the fabric composition and treatments to that of his older costume models. I think in his early designs the leather of his costume wasn't treated for additional fire-retardant capabilities. I'd have to look it up to confirm, though. As my mind wanders my gaze falls to Hitoshi's muscled forearm that sits across my chest and the little lilac hairs there.

     "It's not good to lay down when you're nauseous," he murmurs worriedly, giving my shoulder a little squeeze. I'm pretty sure he doesn't take his eyes off of his video, though.

     "Mmm," I acknowledge, closing my eyes. "I feel okay. It's a lot better."

     "Alright," he concedes easily, and I sigh into him. "Gonna take a nap?"

     "Dunno," I exhale, realizing just how nice a nap sounds now that my thought train has been derailed. Is this another side effect? Shota only mentioned nausea, didn't he? Well, I guess I have plenty of reasons to be tired right now.

     His arm leaves me for a moment and I can't help if my expression contorts a little, but he takes my notebook and pencil from my hands and sets them on the coffee table before settling it back in its previous position.

     I drift for a while, listening to his breaths and feeling his little stomach contractions whenever he thinks a clip is particularly funny.

     I've long since forgotten about my blonde guardian who sits on the chair in the living room flipping through a magazine, probably monitoring me just to make sure I'm okay. The soft flipping of the pages and barely-there patter of water from Shota's shower down the hall fall away and all that's left is Hitoshi.

     It feels safe, like when we're back at the dorms.

     Later, when my stomach is feeling a little better and it's time for dinner, it almost feels... routine. Normal. The lingering awkwardness I've been carrying this past week has nearly worn away, except for when Hitoshi refers to Shota as Sensei when he asks the man to pass him a bowl and I'm reminded again of how abnormal this situation is. Well, and when we have a short discussion about whether it was too soon to cut the daily Hound Dog visits and whether we should resume the previous schedule, which I disagreed with.
    
     I decide to put all the weirdness and awkwardness out of my head and focus on the fortune I've stumbled across. Take advantage of the cards life has given you, right? And the cards in my hands right now are Hitoshi. Hitoshi, who is currently here in the home I live in, who's been very receptive to my touchiness lately and who seems to take joy in indulging me. Yes, what good fortune, I rub my hands together in my head, formulating a plan.