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Ochako lazily kicked her feet back and forth, her back pressed against the cushion of the couch as a cherry-flavored lollipop sat idly in her mouth. The class of 1A—now 2A were celebrating a second year of a Christmas together within heights alliance dormitories. It was nice, being surrounded by all of her friends, sharing laughter, having fun with one another, making new memories. But she couldn’t help but feel a little sad—she couldn’t be with her parents on such an important day yet again, and she felt guilty. She felt guilty knowing she was having the time of her life with her friends, sitting comfortably in such a big, warm space, eating a wonderful Christmas dinner her parents probably couldn’t afford.
But she knew the risks of leaving the well-secured space of UA academy, especially without protection, and her parents did too. She wanted nothing more than to spend time with them today, but her parents ultimately argued against it. Her safety came first.
“Something wrong, Ochako?” Tsuyu asked as she tilted her head and placed an index finger on her chin.
Ochako turned to Tsuyu and flashed her a sheepish smile. “Oh no, I’m fine. Thanks though, Tsu.”
Tsuyu looked entirely unconvinced. Ochako sighed and took the lollipop out of her mouth so she could speak a little more clearly. “I miss my parents.” she admitted.
Tsuyu frowned as her suspicions were confirmed, “I thought so. I miss my family too, ribbit. But,” she placed a hand on Ochako’s shoulder, “It’s too risky to venture outside now, you know UA students are especially targeted.”
“Yeah.” Ochako sighed, a sad smile tugging at her lips.
“Have you talked to your parents?” Tsuyu asked.
“Yeah. I told them I was going to sneak out after Mr. Aizawa argued against it,” she huffed slightly out of amusement, now realizing how stupid of an idea that was, “But my parents ended up arguing against it, too.”
“They just want what’s best for you, ribbit.” Tsuyu tried, but the sad look plastered on Ochako’s face didn’t falter. “Ochako, cheer up. Your parents are still fairly young, you still have many more years to spend with them.”
“Hmm.” She nodded slightly in agreement. She thought over what Tsuyu said, “many more years to spend with them.” Tsuyu was right. She really did have many more years to spend time with them, and she would make sure they would all be worthwhile.
She smiled to herself, “Yeah. You’re right. Thanks Tsu.”
“No problem, ribbit.” She smiled at her.
They sat in comfortable silence (quiet holiday-themed music playing in the background, and muffled voices from fellow classmates in the background) before Ochako’s ears perked up at the familiar sound of Izuku’s voice.
“U-Uraraka?”
She turned around and lifted off the couch slightly to get a good look at the young man speaking to her.
“Oh hey, Deku. Something up?” Ochako’s eyes scanned Izuku up and down, noticing he was hiding something behind his back. She tilted her head curiously at the sight of it.
Izuku tapped his foot nervously, “Um. Yeah. Can we talk?” Izuku’s eyes turned to Tsuyu, who was also looking at him curiously. “Hi Asu- I mean, Tsuyu.”
Tsuyu shot him an amused look, a smile and a slight wave following right after. One year of knowing him, and he still couldn’t get her name right.
Tsuyu turned to Ochako and tapped her on the shoulder, “I’m gonna go get some more hot chocolate.”
“Oh, okay. See you then!”
Izuku silently thanked Tsuyu for getting the hint.
Ochako’s attention was now back on Izuku. “Sure, Deku.”
He nodded slightly before turning his heels and walking into the hallway, being sure to tuck the gift into his pocket in the process. Ochako followed in pursuit.
He scanned the area, making sure no one was around him, because he really didn’t want to deal with the teasing that was sure to come had he’d done this in front of everyone.
“So, there was something you wanted to to talk about?” She noticed him avoiding eye contact with her. She leant in closer to his face and tilted her head curiously, “Deku?”
Face flushed, he leaned back slightly. “She’s so close!” he thought. Clearing his throat in an attempt to gain his composure, he reached for the gift within his pocket. “Yeah.”
Ochako leaned back and looked down at the gift in his hand, or at least tried to, but his hand was covering the entirety of it.
“U-Uraraka... I wanted to um, I want to give you something.”
She looked back up at him, he looked so nervous, and dare she say a little flustered. “A gift?” she thought to herself. Another gift from Deku... something else she’d treasure forever.
She felt blood rushing to her already pink cheeks, “O-Oh...”
Izuku nodded slightly. He popped open the lid of the small box and extended his hands out in her direction. His face was red, sweat was trickling down his cheek, and he flashed her a nervous smile.
Ochako looked at what was inside the small box. It was a gold necklace with a shiny green heart-shaped pendant hanging from it. Ochako gasped in both delight in disbelief, gingerly reaching to take the necklace out of the box. She examined it, was this real? If so, where did he even get the money to buy it? And for her? This necklace was meant for her?
She flushed, her eyes wide and her mouth agape. “D-Deku...”
He scratched his cheek nervously, “It’s um... It’s real, by the way.”
It’s real? She couldn’t believe it. He must’ve spent so much money on this. But how? “No way! Where did you even get the money from?!”
He chuckled nervously, not even giving an answer, because he really didn’t want to tell her that his mom helped pay for most of it.
She gripped the necklace firmly in her hand, and threw her arms around his neck, trapping him in a tight hug. “Thank you! Thank you so much Deku!” he could hear the smile in her voice.
He tensed at the sudden physical contact, she was hugging him. Fairly tightly too, might he add. But he had to hug her back right? It should be okay... He hesitantly wrapped his arms around her back, bringing her in somehow even closer.
She couldn’t control herself, and she nuzzled her head further into his neck. She felt him shiver under her breath. They stood in each others embrace for a moment. If someone were to walk in on them now, there were surely have been months of teasing to come.
She reluctantly pulled away, immediately missing the warmth of his body against hers. They were still blushing like crazy. She looked up at him and smiled brightly. He felt his heart squeeze in his chest. God, she was so cute. He was always really weak for her smiles.
“Can you put it on for me?” she asked.
He made a weird throaty squeak at the request, but Ochako chose to ignore it for his sake.
“Y-Yeah...” he stuttered.
She handed the necklace over to him and turned around. His hands were trembling as he put the necklace around her neck, and snapped the ends together to secure it. She felt his gloved fingers slightly on her neck, and she shivered at the feel of it.
“There.” Izuku smiled.
She turned back around to face him, grinning widely.
“So pretty...” Izuku muttered.
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“N-Nothing!”
She giggled, and Izuku was sure his heart would bust right out of his chest at the sound of that. “Okay.”
There was a slight pause. “Thank you again, Deku. This really means a lot to me.” She fiddled with the heart-shaped pendant.
He smiled, “You’re welcome, Uraraka.”
She smiled back at him, before grabbing his hand and dragging him back into civilization. He was glad he was currently wearing gloves, because he was sure his hands were drenched in sweat.