Chapter Text
Ochako shifted her weight nervously, hand poised to knock on the door in front of her. She had been standing here in her pyjamas for at least a minute, and it seemed as though she’d have to gather her strength for a bit longer.
What was she even doing here? She was probably just going to make things awkward. Maybe she should just leave before anyone sees her-
“Oh, Uraraka.” Damn it. Todoroki approached, eyebrows slightly raised. His surprise wouldn’t have been visible to the untrained eye, but Ochako’s friend group had practically adopted Todoroki a few months ago, and she was slowly yet surely picking up on his habits.
“Uh, hi! What are you doing up so late?” she asked, trying to shift the focus onto Todoroki.
“I could ask you the same thing,” he countered. Ugh, Ochako wasn’t going to get out of this easily.
“Oh, I just had to ask Kirishima for some help with…something.” Very specific, Ochako, he’s totally not going to think that’s a bit shady, she thought.
Todoroki tilted his head. “What a coincidence. I came to ask Kirishima for help too.” There was a long beat of silence. Ochako felt her natural smile tighten around the edges as she struggled to keep a nervous giggle down.
“Well, you were here first. I’ll talk to him another time,” Todoroki said.
Ochako waved her hands out in front of her. “Oh, no, it’s not that important, you go ahead. I can just ask him for help tomorrow.”
“No, it’s fine, you should-”
“I insist, you-”
“Hey, what are you two arguing about?” Kirishima opened his door and stuck his head out curiously. His crimson hair was down, a sign that he had been ready for sleep.
“Nothing,” Ochako and Todoroki replied in unison.
Kirishima raised his eyebrows, unamused. “Come in, both of you.” He stepped aside for them to enter.
“What’s up?” he asked them, once they were all sat on his bed. Todoroki seemed to have taken a sudden interest in the floor. Ochako tapped her pointer fingers together before taking a deep breath.
“Kirishima, you’re gay and trans, right?” she blurted out.
He blinked in surprise. “Uh, yeah? It’s not exactly something I try to hide. Did you just need clarification or-”
“Sorry!” Ochako knew she was screwing this up. “I just-I think that-I think I might be-”
“Uraraka, are you coming out to me?” Kirishima grinned toothily.
“Uh, yes?” Ochako said.
“That’s great!” Kirishima gripped Ochako in a sudden hug. She felt all of the stiffness fade from her muscles and hugged back. “When did you find out? How?”
“I don’t know, I just know I like girls the same way I like guys! Like guys are cute but girls! They’re so gorgeous!” Especially this one girl I know, she thought.
“So you’re bi?” Kirishima asked.
“Yeah! Yeah, I guess I am!” Ochako was smiling so wide her face hurt. It felt so good to get that off her chest.
“I actually came here for a similar reason,” Todoroki said, causing Ochako to jump. In her excitement, she had almost forgotten he was there.
“Oh?” Kirishima put his chin on his hand and motioned for Todoroki to go on. “Share for the class.”
Todoroki rubbed the back of his neck, his face a light shade of pink. “I was born a girl, but I never felt comfortable in my own skin. I cut my hair, but that was never enough. I bought a few binders, and I’m saving up for top surgery with my own money, because my old man definitely wouldn’t pay for it.” At this, Kirishima nodded empathetically.
Todoroki continued. “And there’s a specific boy who makes me feel things no girl ever has. So, what I’m trying to say is I think I might be…”
“Gay?” Kirishima supplied.
“Yeah, that.” Todoroki sighed. “How do you say it so easily?”
“What, that I’m gayer than a unicorn barfing rainbows? Dude, I’ve had crushes on tons of guys since second grade and I have two moms. It’s just reflex at this point.”
Ochako nodded thoughtfully. Now that she thought about it, Kirishima did mention having two moms before. She even thought she saw them once, at a UA Parent-Night.
“How does one come out?” Todoroki asked.
Kirishima burst out laughing. “Sorry, dude,” he apologized. “There’s no right way to come out. If there was, everyone would do it.”
“Oh.”
“If you’re worried about it, we could come out together,” Ochako suggested. She may not be super-duper close with Todoroki, but if it made both of them feel better to do this together, than she’d gladly come out.
“Really?” Todoroki looked up at her with his mismatched eyes.
“Yeah, that’s hella manly!” Kirishima cheered. “In fact, I know just how you can do it. You’ll have to be brave, but there will be no room for confusion this way.”
“I’m in!” Ochako said immediately.
“Sure,” Todoroki agreed.
Kirishima’s grin was infectious. “Alright, here’s the plan.”