It's not often that Izuku has found himself sick. He may have been deemed weak as a child because of his quirkless status, but his immune system was actually quite strong. Of course, because he doesn't get sick often, when he does it is just bad. High fevers, deliriousness, shivers, bad coughing fits, and he goes through multiple boxes of tissues. His record has been four boxes in just one day.
It's not helpful that he's never had a proper place to spend his time being sick either. In fact, that may be why he ends up being sick for a while. As a small child the best place would be his mother's nest, but she's a beta and never really tried to make one or find out what goes into making one; as he got older and presented as an omega, being in his own nest would be ideal, but he's never had a proper one. Inko just didn't seem to understand why a young omega needed a nest of his own to find comfort in and never let him take any of those classes for omegas that taught them how to make nests. And his instincts can only take him so far in building one. Uncle Masaru was the only adult omega Izuku knew growing up, and he tried to help where he could, but after the falling out Izuku had with Katsuki, his time around the older man was practically nonexistent.
By the time Izuku had entered junior high, he had found a system that works well enough for when he's sick: take the necessary medicines, put on his favorite sweatshirt, and curl up in his bed where his pillows formed a little alcove for him. Not quite a nest, not enough of a nest, but the small amount of scents and comfort surrounding him at least helped him sleep off the worst of the sickness. It's not like he got sick often, so there's wasn't anything wrong with missing a day or two of school every once in a while to do this. Once the worst of it had gotten easier to live with, Izuku would quickly find himself back in school and essentially ignoring the large part of him, his omega, screaming for the safety and comfort of a nest he's never had.
It became his normal, his routine, to push off being sick no matter how impossible that is to actually do, and push through the remaining few days of being sick once his fever broke and he could walk without stumbling too much. He's never had to worry about this since he entered UA though. Somehow the stress his body has been under hadn't manifested as an illness as of yet.
I have gone this entire time being lucky, but now I got covid and so dadzawa comfort was a necessity.
Well, it hadn't.
"Deku! You're joining us for lunch right?"
Izuku felt the excited shout bounce uncomfortably around his head, pounding against his skull. "Ah, Uraraka, I actually am not all that hungry right now." He tried to say softly, but even his low voice reverberated in his own head making it throb painfully.
"Midoriya, I must insist that you eat lunch! It is important to have three well-balanced meals a day!" Iida said loudly, his hands making his signature chopping motion as he spoke.
"Yeah, and I didn't see you eat breakfast this morning." Uraraka added worriedly.
"Are you feeling alright, kero?" Tsu finally joined the small group as well. "You are looking a little pale."
Izuku felt his vision blur from the pressure against his skull, his head only aching more as the loud voices kept speaking. The cold desk he had his face smushed against was starting to lose its coolness the longer he stayed lying on it, but the telltale prickle in his limbs made sure he knew that moving right now was going to be a challenge. He had to get away from this loudness, but he couldn't bring himself to even lift his head. How utterly frustrating.
"Izuku," a soft voice was suddenly speaking close by his ear, "do you want me to make them leave?" It asked him gently, tone not loud enough to aggravate his headache even more.
Izuku could only bring himself to nod lightly, not even sure who exactly was speaking as his brain couldn't catch up enough to figure it out, but his increasingly clogged nose could at least tell that whoever it was smelled safe. They smelled calm, stable, and familiar. The exact kind of scent he'd want in his nest right now. Ya know. If he had one.
That thought caused a low whine to sound through his throat. He's gone how long without any sort of proper nest now? How long has he been fine without one? But for some reason his omega was suddenly desperate for one. It doesn't even have to be his. It could be another class omega's like Denki, or even Kacchan for all he cares. Just, he needs that sense of comfort and knowing he doesn't have that waiting for him back in his dorm room made something inside him break.
"Izuku, I'm gonna pick you up now, okay?"
That same comforting voice spoke again, but it sounded firmer this time. It sounded concerned. But why would it be concerned? What happened? Izuku wants to fix whatever caused the voice to sound like that.
"Hey, hey no, you're okay." Soft shushing came from right next to Izuku's ear now. A large hand was petting through his green mop of hair, but it was gentle enough that the act didn't irritate Izuku's sensitive skin. "I'm bringing you to my dad, I think you're sick."
Sick? But Izuku doesn't get sick. He's been find since coming to UA. But he couldn't get his voice to work enough to express that to the kind person carrying him, so instead he just whined again and pushed his face against their neck. His barely working nose picked up on the comforting scent lingering there, and his body relaxed even if only a small amount. The next few moments were a blur as the kind person with the comforting scent carried him through the hallways of UA, and with his fuzzy head he could only pick up on bits and pieces of the conversation the person was having with...someone.
"-t's wrong?" "I...sick?" "He...-stressed." "-pid loud...carry..."
"I got...-kay?"
Izuku wasn't sure what was going on around him, but eventually he felt his body being moved. It felt like he was moving through molasses as his brain worked overtime to try and figure out what was happening, but before he could the warm embrace he'd gotten used to was suddenly gone. He let out a high-pitched whine at the loss, suddenly feeling more cold than he has in a long time.
"Shh, hey you're okay." A scent so similar to the other one suddenly enveloped him, strong arms holding him against their chest. "Toshi will be back, he's just going to get your school bag." Warm espresso and ink was inhaled through his nose; even with one that isn't working well right now, Izuku could recognize that scent anywhere.
"Zawa." He mumbled out, pushing his face closer to the scent gland on his neck, desperate for the comfort his omegan teacher brought him.
"Yeah, it's me, kid." Aizawa brushed his hand through Izuku's curls. "I'm gonna get you back to your room, then I'll call Recovery Girl to come check on you, okay?"
Sure, sure that sounds fine. Whatever. Izuku only cares about one thing though, "Nest?" He wheezed out, trying to keep a cough from escaping.
"Of course, kid. I'll take you to your nest." Aizawa rubbed a hand on Izuku's back, hoping to ease him into letting out the painful cough he was holding in before it really hurt him.
"No," Izuku whined, burying his head further into Aizawa's neck. "Don't have." He was on the verge of tears now. His teacher's scent and lap was comforting enough, but he just wanted to be buried in the scent of pack and surrounded by pillows and blankets and clothes and whatever else you can make a nest out of.
Aizawa froze for a moment. "What do you mean you don't have? What don't you have, kid? A nest?" Surely one of the few omegas in his class wasn't neglecting his needs, right? Surely if he was, Aizawa would have noticed. Right?
Izuku curled tighter into Aizawa's chest, his body shaking from exertion or fear, no one could tell. "Don't know how." He muttered. The most he even has in his dorm room that could be considered nesting materials are his favorite childhood sweatshirt, the one he lived in when he would get sick, and a couple blankets. It's pathetic how little he has.
The arms around Izuku tightened. "We'll get you a shower, and then into some comfortable clothes, and then you can lie in my nest. How does that sound?" Aizawa wasn't as much of a hardass as he portrayed himself to be, but that doesn't mean he would willingly allow those outside of his family or pack into his nest. But Izuku Midoriya, his problem child, is someone that not only has he seemed to claim (which isn't something he likes to think about too hard), but his husband and mate, packmates, and son have as well. Izuku managed to worm his way into Aizawa's life both in and out of class, and he'd be damned if he sent this kid back to his room alone where the biggest source of comfort for an omega is apparently not even there waiting for him. What does Izuku do when he's had a bad day? Where does he go when he's upset? Has he ever had a nest to provide comfort when he's sick?
"Really?" Izuku pulled back just enough to look up at Aizawa, his green eyes glassy both from his fever and unshed tears.
"Really." Aizawa nodded. His heart just about broke when Izuku's scent clearly put his joy on display. If he remembers correctly, Hisashi Midoriya hasn't been a part of his family since Izuku was around four, and Inko is a beta who works long hours away from home. Betas aren't able to scent nests properly like an omega or even alpha can, but anyone can build one if they wanted to, the comfort they provide not exclusive to omegas. Did Inko, did Izuku's mother, never even try? If Izuku doesn't even know how to build a nest, has he just gone his entire life not having one? The scents and comfort an omega's nest brings them acts as a way to regulate their hormones, it's why omegas prefer to spend their heats in their nests, but it is especially important for a young freshly presented omega. It's not enough for a young omegan pup to just find comfort in their parents, they need to have a nest as a way to wrap themselves in the scents of pack and integrate them into an important part of their biology. Without one, omegan pups have been known to have extreme attachment disorders, distrust of those around them, even family, and disregulated hormone levels. The fact Izuku is curled up in Aizawa's lap and can find comfort in his teacher's scent is a lucky break in this kind of situation. It wouldn't be uncommon for an omegan pup to isolate themself
from adult omegas as a result of not being properly introduced to nests and their importance. "Sho, Toshi came and told me what's going on. Should I cover your class for you?"
Aizawa broke out of his thoughts and looked up into the eyes of his mate. "Zashi, he doesn't have a nest."
Hizashi took a second to scent the air around them. "He, he is a little omega pup, right? How does he not have a nest?" His voice was quiet, careful of disturbing Izuku's fitful sick rest.
"He said he doesn't know how to make one." Aizawa's voice cracked by the end of his sentence; the feeling of one of his kids, of Izuku, not having something so biologically important and comforting is devastating. "I'm taking him back to mine."
Hizashi nodded firmly, his eyes locked on the sleeping pup in his mate's arms. "Should we have Nemuri cover your class instead? I can come with." Aizawa's nest is in Hizashi's den, having the alpha who's claimed the space present may help ease Izuku into resting there.
"And Toshi. Izuku barely wanted to leave him." Being around those who provide you with comfort is important on the best of days, let alone when you're sick. Aizawa thought that Izuku was pack with his friends in class, but the way Hitoshi described the situation before he brought the omega to the teacher's lounge, it certainly didn't seem that way. But that's fine, he and his family can help with that for now.
"Dad, how is he?" Hitoshi asked as he walked back into the room, two school bags on his shoulder.
"Definitely sick." Aizawa confirmed his son's earlier suspicion. "We're taking him back to my nest."
Hitoshi nodded, looking pensive before he spoke up again. "He doesn't have one, does he?" At his dads' raised eyebrows, he continued. "There are never any lingering scents on him, he only ever smells like those who touch him that day. He doesn't let anyone in his room, not even the other omegas. And he's never participated in helping Denki and the other omegas build the giant nests in the common room for the class on the weekends. I guessed." He concluded with a shrug.
"Well, pup, you are rather observant so I can't say I'm surprised." Hizashi slung an arm around his son's shoulders. "Come on you two, let's get little Izuku clean and bundled up in Sho's nest." He led his family out of the teacher's lounge and across campus, heading towards the teacher's dorms. "Should we stop by his room and get anything, do you think?"
Hitoshi nodded. "He may not let anyone in his room, but I've heard him talk about stuff before. I can go grab what I think he'd want and get his shower stuff?"
Aizawa knew his son only wanted to help, but Hitoshi is still an alpha. Izuku may not know how to build a proper nest, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have some area in his room that he has made that resembles one and without permission, no one, but especially no alpha is allowed to enter. Aizawa would go, Izuku seemed comfortable with his omega enough that it may be forgiven for entering his domain, but at the same time if he went and Izuku woke up more delirious than he was when he fell asleep, waking up with two alphas even if he does know them might not be a good thing. "Is there really no one he has allowed in his room?" If there was just one student Izuku had invited in before, alpha, beta, or omega, then they could safely enter and retrieve some comfort items.
"I mean, I think I've seen Bakugou enter before." Hitoshi sounded unsure, and Aizawa was too based on what he knows of the relationship between the two omegas, but it was better than nothing.
"Hizashi, how about you call Recovery Girl and find out what medicine would be best for him to take. I'll go find Bakugou and see if he can grab some of Izuku's comfort items and his shower supplies so we can get him clean." His husband nodded, easily taking Izuku from Aizawa's arms and into his own.
"He's so tiny." Hizashi murmured, looking down at the young omega curled up in his arms before walked into the building, headed for their mini apartment.
"Dad, are you sure this is a good idea?" Hitoshi asked as he followed Aizawa back to the academic building. "I mean, everyone knows the two of them don't get along."
Aizawa sighed heavily. "I know, Toshi. But we don't have a better idea right now. If Bakugou has been allowed in Izuku's room then it would be better for him to go in again than risk Izuku losing trust in any of us for invading his space. Plus, Bakugou is a fellow omega and has grown up with Izuku. Despite their volatile relationship, I'm sure he knows what Izuku may find comfort in right now."
"If you're sure..." Hitoshi mumbled, following his father without another word after that.
It was just nearing the end of lunch when the two got back on the main campus so it wasn't difficult to get Bakugou out of the nearly empty classroom before Midnight showed up to take over Aizawa's class.
"What? What the fuck did I do now?" Bakugou grumbled, arms crossed.
Aizawa, without even appearing the slightest bit perturbed by Bakugou's attitude, just simply asked, "you grew up with Midoriya, correct?"
Bakugou narrowed his eyes. "What's it to you?"
"If I were to ask, would you be able to find some things in his room that provide comfort?"
"Hah?!" Bakugou's eyebrows raised up near his hairline. "And why the fuck would I do that, let alone know that in the first place?!"
"Hey, asshole," Hitoshi had finally had enough and glared at the blond. "Izuku is sick, we aren't allowed in his space, but I swear to fuck I've seen you in there so you're the only one who could grab some things for him without risking his trust. So either agree or find us someone who's been allowed in his room so we can get back to him already!" He barely liked leaving Izuku with his dad for five minutes to go get their school bags, let alone leave him with his other dad across campus while he's sick and passed out. Bakugou will help them, or he will get out of the way so Hitoshi can go back to comforting his brother!
Oh...
Brother...?
That...sounds really nice actually...
"Hitoshi, please don't start shit right now." Aizawa rubbed the bridge of his nose, but otherwise let his son's words hang between the three of them. Hitoshi was right, the longer they are away from Izuku trying to track down someone who can get inside Izuku's room, the longer Izuku is left without them while he's in a vulnerable state. It's not like he doesn't trust Hizashi with the omega pup, they have successfully raised Hitoshi for a good while now, but Izuku is sick and has no way to find comfort on his own right now, he'll want the presence of a familiar older omega.
Bakugou was quiet for a couple moments, too long for Hitoshi and Aizawa's thinning patience, he did eventually speak again but much more subdued than before. "The nerd has never had a proper nest, even when we were young and first presented," he said in a tone that could almost be described as soft. "Auntie never tried to learn or help him learn. My dad tried but it didn't go very far."
So Izuku really had never had a nest. Aizawa could feel that's what it would've turned out to be like, but he was still actively hoping for the opposite. No pup should go through their childhood lacking a core part of themself. "What's your point with this, Bakugou?" He asked, also more subdued than before.
"What I'm saying," Bakugou rolled his eyes, "is that he doesn't have anything more than an old sweatshirt from when we were kids that would give you what you're looking for right now."
"That's...that's it?" Hitoshi asked, horror underlining his words. He may be an alpha who was only recently adopted by an omega, but even he knows how important a nest is for an omega. Having one measly old sweatshirt is not gonna cut it! Looking at his dad's normally careful neutral face now twisted with something resembling rage, Hitoshi knows that the horror he feels at this must not even be a fraction of what Aizawa feels about it.
"That's it." Bakugou confirmed, even his own anger couldn't be completely masked. "And I don't even know where he keeps it. He might've left it at auntie's, or he hides it, but either way I wouldn't be able to find it for you."
That...has horrible implications Aizawa doesn't even want to think on just yet. A young omega hiding his only source of comfort can only mean he's never felt safe having it out... "What about shower supplies? Does he use a specific soap that he'd want to use while sick?"
"I doubt it. Auntie always slathered him in that shit from the hospitals, he smelled fucking artificial for our whole lives. When we moved in here he started using Sparky's, Ear's, and the rest of the omega's shit."
This is, this is going to be a thing isn't it? Aizawa's gonna have to look into this, maybe even open a full investigation depending on what he finds. No pup should be going through this, especially not a young omegan pup. "Thank you, Bakugou. You may, you may go back to class." He waved the boy off, not noticing the grimace on Bakugou's face as he went. They'd be having more discussions like this in the near future, but right now he's got a pup to look after. "Come on, Hitoshi, let's get back to Izuku."
"This was a waste of time." Hitoshi growled, his frustration clear.
Aizawa couldn't even bring himself to tell his son that this may not have been as much of a waste of time as he thinks, but not for anything good.
"Zawa?" Izuku mumbled, his voice thick with clogged mucus.
"Hey, kiddo, no I'm sorry it's just me right now." Hizashi smiled softly down at the boy lying on his lap. "Shouta went to find some things for you to feel better."
"Toshi?"
"He went with Sho. They'll both be back soon though, promise."
"Wha'd they go for?" Izuku asked, not even bothering to try and sit up, not like Hizashi could blame him for that when the poor boy is sick.
Hizashi thought about how to tell Izuku they went to essentially breach his privacy. Well, not that bad, but close enough. "They wanted to find some comfort items for you. They'd help you feel better." He gently carded his fingers through Izuku's curls, only stopping when Izuku abruptly sat up.
"Did they go in my room?!" He asked, panic and distress souring his scent.
"No! No, they'd never do that to you!" At least, so long as Bakugou had actually been in there before then they wouldn't need to. "They were going to see if one of your friends had ever been allowed in your room before so they could get some things for you, but they'd never go in there without your permission." He promised.
Izuku shoved his face into Hizashi's chest. "I don' wan' them to see." He whined.
Hizashi had to work very hard to keep his scent calming and neutral as he pet Izuku's head, being careful of his headache and body aches. "What don't you want them to see, kiddo?" He asked gently. He had an idea what Izuku meant by that, but he just wanted to make sure that's what it was before he tried to comfort him further.
Izuku whined again, a high pitched and hurt filled sound. "No nest." He cried, warm tears bleeding into Hizashi's t-shirt that he'd changed into before getting Izuku settled on the couch. "I don' 'ave a nest!"
"Hey, hey, shhh. You're okay." Hizashi soothed. "It's okay. There's nothing shameful about that, Izu. It's okay." Hizashi felt the sudden urge to bash the Midoriya's faces in for never teaching their son how to build a proper nest so he could avoid this heartache. "Sho already said he'd bring you to his nest, right? As soon as he's back that's where you're headed." He leaned down to press his cheek against Izuku's hair, not quite scenting him because he's not sure if that'd be welcomed, but close enough to provide small amounts of comfort.
"I wan' one." Izuku sobbed into Hizashi's chest.
"I know, I know you do." And what could Hizashi possibly say to that that wouldn't sound as heartbroken as he feels? "Once we've got you feeling all better, I'm sure Shouta would love to help teach you." Izuku whined again, and Hizashi just pulled him even closer. "He'll never judge you for not knowing how. Our son is an alpha, so I bet he'd love being able to help teach a young omega some things like that." That's such an understatement. If working with actual young children wouldn't grate on his mate's nerves so much, Shouta definitely would've been an elementary school teacher instead of high school just so he could help guide newly presented pups. He's such a fucking softy no matter how much he tries to hide it.
Hizashi was so focused on comforting the distressed and sick pup on his lap that he didn't notice his family's arrival until they were in the living room with him.
"Zashi?" Aizawa spoke softly, his concern evident.
"Hey, kiddo," Hizashi spoke instead to Izuku first. "Sho and Toshi are back, ya know what that means?"
It would've been almost hilarious if it wasn't heartbreakingly adorable just how quickly Izuku turned around to face the two newcomers. "Nest?" He asked, excitement clear but nervousness still overpowering it.
Aizawa had to keep himself from cooing at his teenage student. "Yeah, kid, I can take you to my nest now." He supposes a shower can wait a bit longer. "Do you want Hitoshi and Zashi to join?" If not that's fine, but he figures giving the kid the choice right now is good. Not that he had to worry in the first place if Izuku's enthusiastic nod was anything to go off of. With everything set, Aizawa was ready to just get up and lead his tiny family to his nest in his and Hizashi's room, but a hand pulling gently on his sleeve stopped him before he could get too far.
"Zawa...?" Izuku's voice was soft and hesitant and he looked anywhere but at Aizawa's eyes. It wasn't clear what exactly the pup wanted until they all noticed the hand still firmly holding onto the black sleeve of Aizawa's shirt.
"Do you want me to carry you, kid?" He asked softly, not wanting to make Izuku anymore nervous about asking for this than he already clearly was. Barely a nod as a response was all it took for Aizawa to take pity on his student and steal him from his mate's arms. "Then I'll carry you, no problem." He said nonchalantly, trying (and failing) to not think about how Izuku curled up and fit so perfectly in his hold. He may be a teenager, but he's still a small pup, especially for his age, and that just made Aizawa's instincts pick up even more as he tightened his hold around Izuku and walked slowly to his nest so as to not jostle the kid.
When they reached the organized mess that is his nest, Aizawa whispered into Izuku's curls, "I'm gonna put you down now but only long enough for both of us to comfortably get in my nest, okay?" The kid was half asleep again just from the short journey from the living room to the bedroom so he didn't want to startle Izuku by suddenly not holding him close. He could feasibly find a way
into the nest without putting Izuku down, but that would just be so much more difficult and take more time.
After getting another nod, Izuku was gently placed down into the middle of the nest, automatically curling around the loose pillow and blanket closest to him. The room was immediately filled with the scent of happy omega and soft little nasally chirps and purrs echoed throughout it causing the other three present to reciprocate in kind with their own pleased scents without even realizing it.
"He's so CUTE!" Hizashi could barely control his voice's pitch as he watched the sick, but very happy pup snuggle deeper into his mate's nest. Looking at his son he could see a similar sentiment
in Hitoshi's eyes as he watched Izuku with the fondest look either parent has ever seen him wear before.
"He is." Aizawa agreed, a soft smile reserved only for his mate and pup sitting on his face. "Zashi, did you talk to Recovery Girl?" He asked after finally pulling his gaze away from Izuku curled up and fast asleep in his nest.
"Yeah, she said over the counter stuff should be good since his fever isn't too high and he's not in any kind of distress right now. But if he gets any worse, especially because of his lack of nest, then she wants to see him right away." Hizashi quickly switched over into a more serious demeanor now that they're talking about the health of their a pup. "How did the search for Bakugou go?"
Hitoshi scowled. "He couldn't help." "At all?!" Hizashi gaped.
"Hitoshi, go join Izuku in my nest, we'll be there in a minute." Aizawa ushered his son off, only turning back to face Hizashi once he could hear and smell two happy and content pups. "It's worse than just not having a nest."
"What could be worse?!"
"He has one comfort item from childhood, but he actively hides it," Aizawa grimaced at his husband's deep frown. Any omega of any age hiding a comfort item can only mean that they've never felt safe having it around others. Combine that with Izuku's lack of knowledge involving nests it only leads the two men to believe that Izuku's omegan needs are being ignored, and that what little he knew from his own instincts was either actively discouraged or outright punished. "Bakugou also said that the soap Izuku has used his whole life, up until moving into the dorms, has been that artificial smelling shit from hospitals." Izuku barely had his own scent as a comfort. At best his mother was just gravely misinformed on omegas and how to raise a pup, but at worst he was being purposefully neglected.
Hizashi could barely swallow down the growl that wanted to escape as he took in this information. "He's such a good pup. Always kind and helpful, good at school, and an excellent hero student despite his more self-sacrificial tendencies," he squeezed the hand Aizawa held out for him. "If I find out that the Midoriyas have been doing any of this on purpose then I want at them first." At his husband's raised eyebrow he relented, "and if it wasn't on purpose then you can have at them to educate them as you see fit, of course."
"Oh how kind of you." Aizawa rolled his eyes at his husband's antics, but agreed with him nonetheless. Either option is horrible and the Midoriyas, both of them but especially Inko, will be paying for what they've done to their sweet son. "Come on, let's get in there before he wakes up." After a moment taken to calm himself and settle his scent Aizawa used their connected hands to drag Hizashi over and into his nest where their kids were sleeping. They were barely lying down before Izuku had shuffled in Hitoshi's hold to cuddle right up against Aizawa's side. He smiled
softly down at the kid and wrapped an arm around him.
They may have not been able to help and protect Izuku when he was young, but nothing was stopping the small family from helping him grow.
But of course, that is neither here nor there; for now, Izuku is wrapped in safety from the soft blankets and clothes, to the scents of a pack he will soon belong to, to the people holding him tight. For now, though he is sick, he finally has a family to truly care for him during it. For now, he is happy.