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The moon was bright as it shined in through the window, crossed with the shadows of the blinds. The chill March air seemed to creep in from the window, leaving Ochako shivering slightly. It was late into the night, but Ochako didn't mind too much. She and Izuku had every intention of sleeping in the next morning, so waking up in the wee hours of morning didn't matter too much right now. After dreaming of times past and lying awake for a few hours, her brain was a little busy to fall asleep again for a while.
Instead of lying in bed any longer, she got up, and found herself standing in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the back of the closet door. She brought up her shirt enough to stare at the scar on her belly, above her hip on the left side. Of course it didn't hurt anymore, but she could remember what it had felt like when the mark had been made upon her skin. Her fingers brushed across the rough surface, pondering.
It had happened years ago, when she was a rookie hero. A villain had gotten the better of her, and she'd been just barely too slow in her reflexes. If Izuku and Tenya hadn't been there, she'd have likely lost her life. But they both had been, the villain subdued, and she lived on with an additional scar upon her body. It was a small price to pay for her failure, to wear a mark of it.
She wasn't bringing herself down, or feeling bad for herself, but she still frowned at the sight. The profession of heroics was a dangerous one, and she'd always known that. Throughout their careers, she and Izuku both had been close to death on multiple occasions. They were used to it, but now… as she pondered the fact that they were simply trusting the other to come home safe each day, she worried for both herself and her husband.
Come Autumn, it's gonna be different…
Ochako covered the scar, biting her lip.
"Ochako?" she heard Izuku ask groggily from the bed. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
She turned with a soft smile. "Just thinking about some stuff. You can go back to sleep, love."
Izuku sat up, blinking until he was able to open his eyes normally. He tilted his head at her with a smile, and she saw his eyes flit between her face and her fingers still touched to her scar. His smile faded a bit. "What're you thinkin' about?"
With a sigh, she turned back to the mirror. "Past mistakes and carelessness, and how I nearly lost my life because of it."
She turned completely to him once more. "The dangerous lives we lead as professional heroes."
Izuku was quiet as she spoke, looking at her with a soft, somber expression. Then he lifted his hands out to her. "Come here."
Ochako tucked a lock of hair behind her ear before coming to stand beside the bed as he swung his legs off the side. He took her hands between his, twining their fingers together. "You're worrying about one of us making a mistake which costs our life."
She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "Yes, and no. I trust in our abilities as heroes, but you know… with things changing… It's something to think on. I mean, there's not much we can do to change the risk factors or situation if we want to remain heroes, which I know we both do. So I'm not really sure where my thoughts are going with this."
She pulled a hand free, then found the scar on her belly once more, and she let a small smile find its way onto her face. "It's a strange thing, being close to dying and recalling it later on."
Izuku's eye showed a gleam of pain. Likely he was remembering the same event as she. It was probably harder for him to remember than her, having the person you love nearly bleed out in your arms. She was sure it had been scary for him. She lifted her hand, brushing her fingers through his curls comfortingly. Izuku freed his other hand as well and moved them both to her waist, holding her securely between them. His thumb tucked under her hem, sliding her tank top up enough that her scar was visible again. He leaned down, pressing his lips to her belly. She smiled at the tender gesture, continuing to stroke his hair.
"I don't know where I would be now if you hadn't made it," Izuku breathed against her skin, hugging her close.
Her fingers stilled in his hair. She brought her hand down, cupping his cheek gently so that he looked up at her. "You'd continue to be an amazing hero, and you'd save as many people as you could. You'd keep on smiling and bringing joy to people's lives. And that's how you would've honored my memory."
Izuku's lips trembled as he smiled up at her. "You're right."
She laughed lightly. "But I'm not dead, and I don't intend on going anywhere anytime soon. And neither are you."
He nodded, then hugged her close again. She leaned down, pressing a kiss into his hair as she felt her smile fade a bit at how tight he was embracing her. "Are you worried?"
Izuku shook his head. "It's like you said, I trust in our abilities too. Just... " He looked up, a nervous smile on his face. "I'm so worried and happy at the same time! Is that weird?"
Ochako let her smile return. "Of course not, I'm feeling the same way."
"It's gonna look different in a few weeks."
Izuku smiled, hugging her tighter. "Good different," he breathed against her.
She smiled, brushing her fingers through his hair. "Yeah, good."
They were quiet for a moment as Izuku continued to nuzzled his face against her middle. "It's scary, but I'm still excited to meet this person we made," he mumbled, his breath making her skin tingle.
"Me too," she whispered, warmth filling her heart as she pressed her fingers through his hair, stroking down over the back of his neck.
He nuzzled his face against her belly again with a laugh. "I'm excited to meet you, baby."
It had been a couple weeks since they'd found out she was pregnant, so nothing was showing on her yet. But Izuku insisted on doing this, whispering to the growing infant within. And she melted every time.
He wrapped his arms around her fully, hugging her close to him, pressing a kiss to her scar once more. "Nothing like that's gonna happen to you again, I'll make sure of it."
"You'll keep me safe?" she asked gently, already knowing his reply.
"Always," Izuku mumbled against. "Forever and ever. You and our child, and everyone else too."
She smiled, feeling tears brim in her eyes. "You're a wonderful hero, Deku. And you'll be an even more wonderful father."
He looked up, his own eyes shining in the dark as he smiled softly. "I hope so."
Ochako laughed, leaning her forehead against his. "No doubt about it."
As nervous as she was, she could hardly wait for the changing of the seasons, watching the growth of spring turn to summer. Then as the leaves would begin to fall, their family will have grown a little bigger. She had no doubt in her mind that Izuku would be the best father. And she was eager to be a mother. They'd chosen this path after all.
"I wonder… what'll it'll be like to be a dad," Izuku muttered quietly.
Ochako frowned a bit, knowing Izuku's own family situation.
He laughed lightly, as if trying to dissuade any heavier feelings. "I- I mean, I guess I don't have much to go off, by example I mean."
"What about All Might?" She asked, recalling the relationship between him and Izuku's mother.
"They didn't get married until after I was grown up. But it's fine, right? I'm sure it'll be… fine."
Ochako sighed, hugging him a little closer. "It will be fine. And don't worry, I know that you'll be awesome at it."
Izuku was quiet, then stood up, suddenly towering over her. He let his fingers stroke across her cheek gently and Ochako's eyes fluttered shut. He always knew just how to make her melt.
"I love you, Ochako," he whispered.
She felt her lips wobble, her eyes shining.
"Uh Ochako! Sorry, I-!"
"No no, it's okay!" she said, wiping at her face. "I swear I didn't used to be so emotional!"
Izuku smiled, the giggled, pulling her into a hug. "You're so cute, Ocha."
"Geez!" She laughed, returning his embrace. "I love you too, dummy."
He leaned back after a moment, planting a chaste kiss to her lips. "We should be probably get back to sleep, huh? Since we'll probably be getting far less once Autumn comes around."
"That's… probably true…" Ochako replied with a groan.
Izuku kissed her again before leading her back to bed. "I'm still excited," he said happily.
Ochako smiled back at him, feeling her heart warm. "So am I."