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"So... You aren't coming back today?" Ochako swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Unfortunately not. I'm truly sorry, my love, I know how much you were looking forward to seeing me. I was looking forward to seeing you, too. It's only five days, I swear I'll make it up to you when I get back."
Undoubtedly, she was upset, but she tried to lighten the mood either way, as was her specialty.
"You... swear?"
"Yes, I—,"
"Hm, I didn't know you were into swearing now. Looks like I'll have to rinse your mouth out with soap when you get back,” she tutted, causing him to chuckle in response as he heard her expression through her voice, the way one eyebrow shot up, the other furrowing. Simply hearing him laugh already improved her mood.
"Seems so. Anyway, I should get going. Please, try to cheer up, wear that beautiful smile of yours for me, alright?"
Smiling upon his words alone, she nodded as though he could regard her agreement, "I will. You too."
"I promise. I'll phone you later on. I'll be looking forward to hearing about what a great day you had."
"And so will I."
"Of course. Addio, ti amo." [Bye, I love you.]
She blushed as those words chimed delightfully through her ears, her heart fluttering as they echoed in her head. Ever since he'd left, after every phone call, he'd say it, Ochako eventually learning what it meant.
"Bye, I love you more!"
Once the call ended, she sighed and sat on the bed, gazing out of the window. Tenya had traveled to Italy on business and had been away for just over two weeks. He was set to return the day before Valentine's, which was, today, and she'd been looking forward to his return for a few days now. He'd called her to let her know the trip had been prolonged, and he would therefore be away another five days. Sure, it wasn't too many days, but she'd missed him deeply and he, her, thus both were disappointed.
For one, being home alone was as boring as hell. She hated coming home to her own echo, hated having no one to talk to. Of course, she had her other friends, but they weren't always free when she was. She was fine for the most part, as she had other ways to entertain herself, but at times she felt lonely. She didn't think her partner being away for that long would affect her to this degree. She had especially been looking forward to spending time with him on the day of love.
Just then, her phone, which was still in her hand buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She looked at it, seeing it was a message from Izuku. Her eyes lit up a bit, glad to hear from her best friend.
Babyface 👶🏻💚
Heya Chako, Iida told me how he won't be back today — but me and Sho are going for coffee tomorrow, wanna come with?
Uravity
what so i 3rd wheel? there's no way in hell 😌 i'll stay home and binge series
Babyface 👶🏻💚
Not happening!
You could bring someone else if you like, I was actually thinking of inviting Tsu too
Uravity
fiiiine — thanks, i'll be there
Babyface 👶🏻💚
SLAY
See you then
I'll come get you in the afternoon
Uravity
you do realize i can drive right
Babyface 👶🏻💚
You do realize idc right
Be ready by 3
Uravity
whatever :P
She let out a relieved sigh after their conversation. She was glad to be going out still, despite Tenya not returning. She loved her friends dearly. Collapsing onto her back, she held her phone up at arm's length, scrolling through her contacts to see who she should invite, eventually deciding it would be Mina. The girl was a fabulous companion. If there was no party, as long as Mina was around, she'd bring one. Life was never uneventful with her around. Her versatile and exuberant personality matched any environment, and she'd ensure everyone had a good time.
The following day at three PM, as promised, Izuku stopped by to pick her and Ashido up, Ashido who'd already come over. The two were surprised to find, not only Tsuyu, but Yuuga, too. Izuku was playing music, much louder than usual, much less necessary. Their neighbourhood was a serene one, only hearing such music once in a while when people were driving by. Mina had, as expected, managed to lift Ochako's spirits drastically in the two hours they'd been together. She'd managed to even get them to wear matching outfits: hers a red crop top with a white skirt that sat far above her knees, Ochako’s the same but the opposite colours. ‘Now EVERYBODY gon' think WE'RE in a relationship. Forget Herc McJerk.’ Ochako recalled her words, and the playful butt smack which followed. A small chuckle escaped her as she locked the door before running after Mina who'd made her way to the car.
“HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, LONELY HOES!”
A chorus of four voices drowned out the music as the girls reached the car, Shoto greeted them with the widest of smiles, Izuku alike. Seeing the tallest of the six smile was a rare occasion, his habitual brooding demeanour the one everyone was used to. Regardless, his friends knew he wasn't perpetually profound. He liked to have fun as much as anyone else. Tsuyu was dressed in a croptop and high-waisted jeans, her juniper green hair in spacebuns. Adorable , was both Ochako and Mina's initial thought. Yuuga was as overdressed as usual, mascara darkening long, glittering eyelashes. Violet orbs, salmon pink lips and lustrous golden locks giving the Gemini the appearance of a royal. As Ochako hopped her way over to the other side next to Tsuyu, Mina sat herself next to the twinkling blond. She cocked a brow, a teasing expression settling on her features.
"The hell you think you going, princess," she teased, shutting the car door, "out here looking like a whole beauty queen with a side of discoball."
The untaunted four burst out laughing as Izuku hit the gas, Yuuga gasping sharply, rings clinking as they pressed their palm to their heart.
"You would dare mock me?! You're just jealous you could never measure up to my divinity, much less afford my level of grandeur."
"Dramatic ass," the dark-eyed girl snorted, throwing her arm over Yuuga's shoulder. The blond smiled at her, the six of them continuing to sing along proudly.
“What a day,” Ochako sighed happily after waving her friends off. She glanced at her watch, it was just after six PM. She and her friends' coffee date turned into a full afternoon of activities. After their snack, they visited the park to feed ducks and play twister. Yuuga had landed themselves in an unfortunate position, their trousers ripping and revealing their dainty undergarments, the cute flowers and marshmallows smiling at Yuuga's companions. For some unknown reason, Izuku had a spare pair of trousers in the boot, offering them to the blond who'd initially downright refused to “ruin” their aesthetic. Izuku shrugged it off, telling himself he'd tried. However, after going to see a soccer game and hitting some shisha, successfully becoming whimsical, the blond could care less about how they were dressed, taking Izuku's trousers.
She'd had the pleasure of watching Shoto literally climb up a tree so he didn't have to face the Kishinoue’s skink that innocently basked in the late afternoon sun on the bench across from them, his poor boyfriend choosing to waste his time trying to convince the dual-haired man there was nothing to worry about. Tsuyu practically wet herself laughing, Mina ensuring she got every second on video. Ochako only entertained herself with the happenings as a howling Tsuyu grabbed onto her arm.
Some window shopping came about, too, Mina expressing how she wished to purchase almost every item she laid eyes on. Ice-cream and cotton candy, heart-shaped lollipops and candy apples had undoubtedly left the six adolescents diabetic, but the way they saw it, it was worth it. Her day had been so fun-filled that she nearly forgot about Tenya. Nearly, because as she approached the front door, she remembered she'd be alone tonight. The idea didn't entirely deject her, and she was excited to report to him the events of the day. Nonetheless, she would have loved to do it in person. She unlocked the door and tried to open it, puzzled when it didn't budge. She inserted the key once again and made a second attempt. This time, it opened.
"Oh my God," she gasped aloud as she stepped in through the doorway, "was it unlocked this entire time? I'm an idiot. That could have been disastrous."
"Right you are. So you're fortunate that was my doing."
Once shutting the door, the brunette turned an about-face in the direction of the voice. Was that...
Looking ahead, she was greeted with the sturdy stature and dark yet glistening hair of her expatriated partner. Where he'd come from and when, she hadn't the slightest idea. But he was here. He approached her temporarily frozen being, one hand meeting her waist as the other found its way to her cheek, brushing her brown hair behind her ear. A soft smile lit up his face as he greeted,
"Bentornato, tesoro mio." [Welcome back, my treasure.]
A moment passed before she could fathom his appearance, but the moment she did, she could only throw her arms around the back of his neck and bury herself in his embrace. His grin widened upon her reaction, securing her in his arms. They welcomed one another's warmth, Ochako listening to his calming heartbeat. How she'd missed this. How she'd missed him . Not only his strong arms as he held her, but his heartbeat, his tenderness, his scent; home. She had a legion of questions for him, but she figured they could wait. She had only one thing to say.
"Tenya... I'm so happy you're here."
“As I am,” the taller man declared, leaning back from the hug. “I trust you had a good time?” He queried, brows arched as he planted a kiss to her forehead. She giggled and nodded, his smile stretching as he stepped out of her space, slipping his hand into hers and proceeding to lead her toward the dining room. “I'm sure you're hungry, so tell me all about it over dinner.”
He released her hand to let her cover her mouth with both, concealing her gasp as she gazed ahead at the scene before her: the atmosphere lit by a single, cherry and mint scented candle in the centre of the table that was dressed in a velvet tablecloth she had never seen before, bead embroidered and white in colour to contrast the deep red rose petals sparsely scattered. Red, too, was the Pinot Noir that filled two wine glasses half way, the bottle of their origin standing tall and ready to be reused with a moment's notice. Finally, two steaming dishes of Tenya’s special ribeye steak and sautéed brussels sprouts that had Ochako’s mouth watering. A grin spread over her cheeks as she looked back at him whose expression had turned slightly proud.
“There's no way you did all this right after hitting the ground. How?”
The man chuckled at her observation, opting to steer away from the discussion for now. “I will let you in on my secret later. For now, I have an exceedingly important question to ask you before we continue.”
Ochako felt her pulse swell as he stepped in front of her, taking both her hands in his, his blue eyes mirroring her brown ones. “Vuoi stare con me a San Valentino?” [Will you spend this Valentine's with me?]
Ochako giggled, her cheeks warming. “I have no idea what that means, but yes.”
The other snickered, rubbing the tip of his nose to hers before stepping back. “Then dine with me, my Valentine.” He went on to pull her chair out for her, allowing her to sit before pushing her in and returning to his own seat. Either dug in almost right away, Ochako aweing at her boyfriend's culinary aptitude that never ceased to amaze her.
“Mmm,” she hummed, swallowing her current mouthful, “This is so good. But then, to be fair, I sorta kinda have been eating mac and cheese every weekend. It's good to be home for sure.” She ended off, taking another mouthful. Tenya ensured he swallowed his wine to laugh before he ended up spraying across the table.
“Ochako,” he covered his mouth as he snorted away, the brunette quickly joining in. If he had missed one thing, it was her abrupt confessions that sent him into a laughing fit. Half of the time, she wasn't even actively trying to be funny, which made it twice as much.
The continuation of their homemade dinner date went accordingly, each sharing details about their day, Tenya about his trip, admitting he had a couple more gifts for her. She badgered him about how he spoiled her too much, the dark-haired lover explaining that he never saw it as neither spoiling, nor a problem for him. She groaned about how all she had to offer him was a “basic” chocolate bar and a card that she crafted herself, to which he assured her was more than enough. She rolled her eyes, but smiled.
Evidently, one of Tenya’s own gifts had been a fancy box of chocolates which he intended on feeding her before she refused, ensuring him she could “feed herself”. Indeed, the man was a hopeless romantic, he wouldn't deny it, and neither would she. At times she indulged him, and at others she had to remind him it wasn't necessary and she appreciated the slightest gestures more than anything, hence he needn't go out of his way to please her.
Their evening ended with them safely tucked away in one another's arms, a silent promise that they would stay by one another's side ‘til the end. No matter the distance between them, they were forever bound by the heart.