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Izuku took a deep breath as he looked around. The air was so much more crisp than in Tokyo. The countryside was so quiet as well; he could really get used to how peaceful things were here.
"Oi, quit daydreaming and get over here," Ochako said as she set a box down.
"Ah, sorry dear," Izuku said as he stepped back into the house. "I've never been to a place like this before. I was just kinda taking it in."
"Well, you can take it in once we're actually settled into our new home," Ochako said as she huffed. "In the meantime, help me get those last couple of boxes."
"Yes, ma'am," Izuku said as he snapped a salute and walked off to gather the rest of their things from the moving truck.
Ochako rolled her eyes and smiled as she started opening boxes. She considered it very lucky that her parents hadn't sold her grandparents' old house. It was an old traditional house that they'd renovated and patched up recently. They'd put up a fight about selling it to Ochako and Izuku, and while Ochako wasn't able to get them to sell it to her and Izuku for the full price, she and Izuku did pay for it. The nearby junior high had an opening for a history teacher that Ochako had luckily landed, and Izuku worked from home doing a combination of data analysis for Hatsume Inc. and freelance art, so he was glad to live somewhere that he considered beautiful and quiet.
After another half hour, the rest of the boxes were moved into the house, and the newlyweds set about taking everything out and getting things set up. As Izuku finished plugging in his pc and getting his desk set up, Ochako came in and said. "I'm done unloading all the kitchen stuff. How's the bedroom?"
"Done. Futons are set up and everything. I'm almost done with my office as well."
"Hm, then I'm gonna go take a bath," Ochako said as she pulled at her shirt. "I feel gross and sticky."
"Alright, I'll get started on dinner when I'm done here."
"Best husband ever," Ochako said as she walked away.
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Ochako hummed happily as she buttoned up her top. She squeaked in surprise as Izuku suddenly appeared behind her wrapping his arms around her and resting his chin on her shoulder. "Good morning, dear."
Ochako giggled softly as she leaned her head to rest against his. "Good morning. You know you could have slept in."
"And miss you going to work on your first day? Never. I'm gonna get started on breakfast."
Ochako sighed and turned her head so she could kiss his cheek. "You know I can cook too."
"Yeah, but I like cooking for you," Izuku said before kissing her cheek. "It's fun."
Ochako rolled her eyes as her husband released her and walked off to the kitchen. She joined him a few minutes later and said. "You know it's so nice that we live together now, and we don't have to sneak around dorms like in college."
Izuku chuckled as he scrambled some eggs. "Yeah, it's nice to get to see your beautiful face whenever I wake up. I'm sure Tsu and Shoto are both happy that they don't have to put up with us sneaking around."
"We really had the best roommates."
The two continued to chat idly about their college days as they sat down to their first breakfast in their new home.
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Izuku yawned as he opened the door to the small backyard that overlooked some farmland in the distance. He'd been working at his desk since Ochako left this morning, and as the sun rose up to its peak, he felt the need for a break, so he laid down and enjoyed the gentle breeze rolling in.
As he relaxed on the floor, he thought back to how his life had ended up here. He'd grown up in Tokyo and dealt with so much shit. A dad who ran out on his family, a best friend who betrayed him and turned into a bully, and an abusive girlfriend all through high school who nearly got him killed and or arrested more than once. He had a rough childhood, and then he went to college unsure of what he even wanted to do there, and on day one, he met her.
Ochako Uraraka literally tumbled into his life after she tripped and rolled down a hill he was walking by. She took his legs out from under him, and the two landed themselves in the nurse's office that day. There in the office with no one else around, they talked, and a friendship sparked. In all his dark moments, she would be there to pull him up and brush him off, and he repaid that kindness beat for beat. They made each other better, and in no time, they were dating.
Ochako was nervous since she had never had a boyfriend before because she dedicated all her time to getting good enough grades to get a scholarship to UA. Izuku was scared because his last relationship had been a disaster. He didn't want to be taken advantage of, but he wasn't sure how to set and respect boundaries or compromise when arguments arose. Their relationship was rocky for the first year, and they nearly broke up more than once, but they had good friends who helped them realize when they were wrong. Now they barely argued, and the arguments they did have were either petty things that would be settled quickly or just simple miscommunication due to a sour mood.
Izuku took a deep breath and let his body relax even more as he thought about how lucky he was to have such a wonderful wife. She made his life so much better. She helped him learn to love himself as much as he loved her. She taught him what healthy love was and reminded him of it every day. She was, without a doubt, the best thing in his life.
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"Oh, we need ginger," Ochako said as she opened the fridge and saw that there was no ginger to be found. "Let's go to the grocery store."
Izuku grunted as he got up and said. "I'll make sure the bike's tires are good to go."
Within a few minutes, the couple were biking across the small town to the local grocery store. As they walked the aisles, Izuku said. "We should pick up some more stuff while we're here. I think tofu is on sale."
"We should pick up some tea as well."
"We could just make some, you know," Izuku muttered as he looked at the various products on the shelf.
"Yeah, but there's a brand here I like," Ochako said as she pouted. "It tastes different when you make it."
"One bottle. We don't want to overspend." Izuku stated as he grabbed his wife's preferred brand of barley tea.
"Yep, we can't overspend," Ochako said as her eyes drifted off to the side.
Izuku stared at his wife as they left. He was holding the groceries while she cradled a large box of pocky. "What happened to not overspending."
"We need this," Ochako said quickly as she put the box in her bike basket. "Snacks are important for you and me. I know at least half of these are gonna end up being eaten by you anyways."
Izuku rolled his eyes and kissed his wife's temple. "I love you."
"Love you too, sweetie. Now come on, let's get home and finish up dinner."
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Ochako slid the door to Izuku's office open just enough for her to peek in. He wasn't at his desk. He was sitting on the engawa that led to the backyard staring at his phone. Something was wrong with him today. She could feel it. He was quieter than usual; he wasn't smiling or being as physically close. As she looked at his hunched shoulders, she couldn't help but remember how he was in college. A hurt boy who was desperate for connection and scared of it at the same time. He'd been hurt by so many people, but he kept putting himself out there despite it all.
Ochako slid the door open wider and quietly sat down next to her husband. Izuku was hugging his knee to his chest, and Ochako spotted his phone next to his foot. An article from his hometown's news site was on the screen.
Before Ochako could ask if he wanted to talk, Izuku spoke. "Himiko got arrested for murder."
Ochako tensed at the mention of Izuku's ex. She'd heard stories about Himiko Toga back in college, and when she had learned how abusive she was to Izuku, Ochako had sworn never to forgive the girl. Izuku, on the other hand, hated Himiko for a while before coming to terms with everything and moving past the blonde and how she had hurt him.
He didn't mention her. He never talked about her after he came to terms with everything. Ochako felt a pit of disgusting emotions form in her stomach. How dare Himiko somehow manage to push her presence back into Izuku's life. Izuku was in this distant mood because of Himiko. Ochako clenched her fist and reigned in her emotions. She knew Himiko as a terrible person who had nearly ruined Izuku's life several times. Murder didn't seem like it was too terribly off base for the woman, but Izuku seemed shaken by it.
"I... I had kind of hoped she would turn her life around." Izuku said as he rested his forehead on his knee. "I-It's not like I wanted to ever see her again or anything, but I just... I know she was suffering due to things outside her control, and I know she made her choices and that others, including myself, suffered because of them. I-I know she was a bad person, but I still hoped she would pull herself away from that life, a-and I don't know, try to live a better life to make up for her sins. I never expected her to go this far."
Ochako scooted a little close and held her arms out as she asked. "Can I hug you?"
Izuku fell into her embrace as he whispered a nearly desperate sounding yes. He didn't cry, and neither spoke for several minutes. Once Izuku pulled away, he rested his forehead against Ochako's and said. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, sweetie. Now come on, let's go to bed."
"Yeah... that sounds good."
The two stood and closed all the doors before retiring to their bedroom and falling asleep in each other's arms.