A Lost Creation

Ugly Duckling

Tomura uses one hand to brush your hair out of your face and the back of his other hand to press against the back of your neck, which is nice because it feels like the cold spreads all down your back.
You sob a little when the bout of sickness passes, and you lean back against Tomura's hands.

"It's alright." He grunts, removing his hands from your hair and neck. "I'll get a flannel. And your toothbrush."

"C'mere." Dabi encourages, pulling you to him and petting your hair.

"I wanna see Uncle Giran." You complain.

"Stop fussin' and rest." Dabi replies, stroking your hair despite it being all gross and damp from sweat.

You lean against him, treasuring being held when you feel your most vulnerable.
You enjoyed being hugged anyway, but being hugged while you're sick for the first time makes you feel a whole new kind of loved and cared for.

"My mouth tastes gross." You complain after a while.

"Well, duh." He teases. "Feel a bit better though?"

"A little..." You admit.

"See? I'm a genius." Dabi kisses your head.

"Nuh-uh. You can't even do times tables." You argue quietly.

"Still got your sass, huh? Beginnin' to think you're fakin' being sick to get outta seeing your uncle." Dabi pokes your side gently.

Tomura returns with a small bowl and cloth, holding out your already-prepared toothbrush towards you.

"Spit it out in there." He says, pointing at the bucket Dabi brought up.

"Okay." You agree, taking the toothbrush from him with a shaky hand.

You brush your teeth weakly while Dabi continues to hold you, leaning his stapled cheek against your head and rubbing your back. Tomura settles on the floor, his leg now having been out of the cast for a couple of days.
He seemed a little more grumpy these days, like how he'd been before you'd been forced out of the bar. When you asked him about it he said he was stressed about work, but Himiko said she thought it was because he was sad to be leaving soon.

You found that a little hard to believe with how he was being, but Dabi said that sometimes people take out their sadness on other people.

You spit up the foam and pass the toothbrush to Dabi before leaning on him completely again. Tomura passes him a couple of tablets and motions for him to break them in half before giving them to you.
You take them eagerly, just wanting the headache to go away.

"You probably shouldn't be so close. You'll get sick if it's contagious." Tomura says to Dabi.

"F' I get sick, this little twerp can take care of me." Dabi replies, not even entertaining moving away from you for a second.

"I'd look after you, pawpaw." You say quietly.

"I know ya would, sweetpea." Dabi replies, kissing the top of your head.

You remain cuddled up with Dabi for a moment or two longer, not realising that you were slowly falling asleep, before you're gently being pulled away from his side and forced to lay down again as Tomura places a cold flannel on your forehead.

"I don't know if we should go if she's feelin' that sick." You hear Dabi worry quietly.

"Where are you going? Can I come?" You ask sleepily.

"Adults only, hon." Dabi replies, stroking your cheek.

"Aw..." You whine, reaching weakly for the teddy that Tomura's lowering towards you.