Survival of the fittest- A Haikyuu apocalypse AU

Chapter 22

The little thermometer let out a quiet beep that echoed throughout the mostly empty bathroom. Akaashi read it, then pursed his lips. Daichi looked over his shoulder and felt a knot form in his stomach. It was higher than yesterday. Putting his hand on Suga's head and gently rubbing it through his hair, he tried not to cry. Akaashi left the room to give them a moment of privacy. Koushi reached up and cupped his boyfriend's cheek in his hand.

"Baby, you can cry, I don't mind. And besides, it's just a little bug. I'll be up and back on my feet in no time."

"I- I know, but what if-"

"What if what?"

"What if- it's bad? What if it's bad- and- and-"

Sawamura burst into tears.

"I don't want you to die!"

"Hey, it's fine, you know I catch these kinds of things all the time. I'm practically a magnet for them. And I love you too much to die on you like that. Besides, if anything takes me out, it'll be my love for you."

"Don't- don't talk like that- you'll jinx yourself or something-"

"No I won't. You know that stupid shit isn't real."

"W-watch your language..."

"Oh, so I can't swear even if I'm sick? You're no fun, jeez."

Suga pretended to act mad while eyeing Daichi warily. He wanted to lift his spirits as much as possible, because he did feel worse than yesterday, which was probably reflected in his temperature, seeing as Akaashi's face had contorted into one of worry and his boyfriend was crying into his shoulder. There was a brief silence, than, finally, the brunette let out a little giggle, and Koushi let one slip out too. Soon, they were both laughing, until Suga started to cough, and it quieted down again.

"You should lay down and rest now," Daichi said, "and I'll be back soon."

"M'kay," the setter mumbled, "g'night..." and he was asleep. Sawamura crept away from him, and opened the door as quietly as he could. He closed it silently after he slipped out, and gave Akaashi a thumbs-up. "He's asleep," he whispered, "And that's way better than yesterday." He saw the ravenette let out a little smile, and for the first time in what felt like decades, he felt relieved, and dare he say it, hopeful.

The next day, Sugawara struggled to open his eyes. Daichi visited him in the morning to give him breakfast and take his temperature, which went down by almost half of a degree. That was good. Not great, but good. However, Suga looked worse, and probably felt that way too. But, hopefully this meant he would get better soon. Everyone had forgotten how sound his advice was, and how easy it was for him to calm someone from the verge of tears. It really was a talent, a talent that no one else even came close to having.

"Sawamura," Suga whined into the ground.

"What is it?"

"...I feel sick."

Daichi smiled slightly and shook his head. There was the normal Suga.

"It'll be fine, angel," he responded, "I'm right here."

"I love you," Koushi murmured.

"I love you too, angel."

The next day, he seemed almost back to normal, but he was still coughing night and day, and felt dizzy quite often. It was probably fine, but no one wanted to risk him collapsing again, so he stayed in the bathroom for three more days, until he only coughed at nighttime, which, according to Akaashi, was most likely normal and probably not contagious. Besides, Sugawara was dying to get back into the action, and they couldn't exactly stop him once he had some of his strength back. Still, they waited twelve hours after his temperature was normal again to let him out, much to his annoyance. He was free to do anything under the condition that someone went with him.

The food runs were mainly uneventful, because everyone was so careful. Thankfully, no one showed any sign of catching Suga's ailment, but according to Akaashi the threat was far from over. It could be weeks before any symptoms were shown. 

Kiyoko, Yachi, Akaashi, and Yaku went on a food run. They all strolled through the empty halls, grabbing what they could. It was so quiet...too quiet...

They were going back when it happened. There was a shrill scream, and the three in the front whipped their heads around to see a sight that would remain etched into their eyes forever.

"Hitoka-chan!"