Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Izuku swung his leg out, amazed at what a simple little suggestion could change in his approach. I can do this! I can actually do this! And he beamed as he stood in stance, feeling power in his legs. 

"Alright," he grinned, then strode back to his notebook and jotted down another note. 

"Maybe if I had some kind of secondary impact, it could lead to more force on a swing—and with the momentum behind it… I wonder if some support gear could do something like that—"

"Y- you been out here awhile, huh?" Uraraka's voice surprised him. But he looked up with a smile, rubbing the sweat off his brow. 

"Uraraka," he greeted her. Wow, living in the dorms was great. Of course the circumstances of why they were here was… not great. But! Having his friends close was something he knew he'd cherish. "I just wanted to get in some practice before tomorrow."

"Tomorrow, yeah," she said, and her voice seemed a little bit… off? 

His mind flashed back to the sports festival, after her defeat with Kaachan. And it broke his heart a little, even now, recalling the sounds of her tears. He opened his mouth, then bit his lip, unsure. They hadn’t known each other for very long… and he didn’t want to be intrusive or bug her, but… she seemed like she was looking for someone to talk to. 

I… have to be a good friend! 

"Are you nervous?" He asked after a moment. "About the license exam?"

Uraraka looked at him, then shook her head. "Kinda? I guess I am, but I…" she bowed her head as she sat on the curb. She let out a sign, then smiled brightly. "I guess I am nervous, huh?"

He smiled gently. "Yeah, me too."

That smile was the same kind she’d given him before his match with Todoroki, the same she always smiled. It brought a lift to his soul and a blush to his cheeks, and yet… he couldn’t help but hear the nerves in her voice, see it in the tension of her face. She’s using that smile… to hide how she feels… 

He thought of Iida then, marching off to seek vengeance, and his regret at not being more emphatic in his attempts to help. He should've been. But it was difficult knowing with these brand new friendships what was overstepping. 

And maybe he shouldn't worry about overstepping because he was trying to be a hero, and maybe, even in emotional turmoil, he could lend a helping hand, just like with physical peril. 

"You can talk to me about it," Izuku said softly, closing his notebook and sitting beside her. "If you want to. But… if something's bothering you, I wanna help, if I can."

Uraraka stared at him, her big smile falling into a smaller, shier one, her cheeks a bit pinker. 

"You’ve already helped me so many times," he continued. "Of course I would be happy to return the favor."

She looked him over, her smile actually gone now, and she bit her lip, then looked at her feet. "I- I’m feeling… distracted? I can’t really focus…"

Izuku rested an elbow on his knee, considering that. He felt like his attention was forward focused one hundred percent of the time, so he couldn’t quite relate. "Do you know why? Maybe if it’s something that’s bothering you, it'd be best to deal with it so you can focus again?"

Uraraka curled her knees up, looking torn. "Yeah…"

"I’ll help, if I can!" He grinned. "At least, I’ll do my best!

"I-" she hesitated, and he watched as her frame grew more withdrawn and nervous than before. "I…"

She buried her face in her knees completely, 

"A- are you okay?" He fretted. Did I say something wrong?

"It’s just-!" She burst up, surprising him as she laughed, waving her hand around. "It’s- I mean, it’s not even really an issue! It’s so silly—of course it’s silly, I mean, Aoyama said it so- I dunno why I- it’s fine. I- sorry I bothered you-"

"Uh- w- wait," he waved his hands as she started to get up. "It’s okay, Uraraka! You didn’t bother me! And even if it’s silly, if it’s bugging you, it’s better to talk it out, right?"

He tentatively reached out, patting a hand on her shoulder. "What did Aoyama say?"

Uraraka looked up at him, her eyes wide. His widened too, and he dropped his hand, but he still waited. It wasn’t like her to get so bothered by something, especially an offhand comment that someone might have made. And he couldn’t imagine Aoyama saying anything that was hurtful or downright mean, or-?

"I like you."

"Eh?"

Izuku blinked at her, then blinked again. Wh- what?

…

Wait, WHAT?!

"Ah-"

Uraraka's face was turned away from him now, and he could see her ears were about as red as he felt. 

Did… did I hear that right? Uraraka likes… me? Me?! ME?! Why?! What?! Since when?! Why would she… is that true?! But why would she say it if it weren’t?! His head was spinning so fast that he nearly missed the next part. 

"Aoyama said… that I like you."

He stared blankly at her, blinking at this whirlwind. 

Oh. 

So… she doesn't?

For how confused he’d felt, the disappointment he felt was ten times worse—and baffling beyond belief.

Uraraka buried her face in her hands. "I- you- I shouldn't have said anything, I just didn’t know what I-"

She stopped as he looked at her, and he shook his head. "I- I’m glad you did-!" He got out, though his words were stiff and his face was glowing in the dark. But he put his own feelings aside—he'd wanted to help, right? It was… fine—if she didn’t like him. He just wanted to help her. Be a good friend. "M- maybe you can feel a little bit better now?"

She just stared at him, her hiding smiles gone for now as she just looked at him—maybe for too long, what on earth is happening?!

"The thing is…" she said softly, looking at her feet as she curled in on herself. "When I… saw you out here, working so hard, just being… Deku, I thought… 'what if… he's right…?'"

What if… Aoyama's right… about her feelings… for me?! What if she… likes me?! 

…What if… she likes me…?

He gripped a hand to his shirt, grabbing at his heart as it leapt wildly within him. 

What do I feel… for her? He stopped, feeling a stillness come over him. What does that even feel like?

But as he thought back at this short time together, since that first day. Since she’d saved him from tripping, since she’d offered her points for him at the exam, her constant joy and companionship to this awkward weirdo—but despite that, she hung around him often. She liked to talk with him like no one ever had before. She waited for him to walk home with. She defended him, cheered him on, supported him—her friendship was… everything to him. 

She’s… always saving me. 

The sounds of cicadas echoed through the warm, summer night as he just stared at her. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself—because she looked like she was gonna run away any second now. 

"Ur- Uraraka…?" He started, unsure of what he was saying or feeling, but the longer they sat, the more that panic seemed to rise in her—and… he didn’t want her to panic. His head felt so flushed, he thought he might burst. This beautiful girl… likes me? 

She glanced up to him sheepishly and— Wow. It actually brought tears to his eyes. It wasn’t something he’d ever felt before, and he wasn’t sure how to put it into words, but… Uraraka was wonderful. And he wanted to understand these feelings. 

He rubbed a hand over his neck, stuttering over his words. "A- after the license exam tomorrow, d- do you… wanna g- go to an amusement park… w- w- with m- m- me?"

Her eyes were wide as she gaped at him, a blush bright on her face too. Then she smacked her hands against her cheeks and smiled brightly, despite her blush. Her hands clenched into fists as she nodded emphatically. "Yes I do."

Izuku felt breathless at it all, feeling joy rise within him at all of this. I just… asked a girl on a date! And Uraraka looks… really happy now. 

He felt the sudden urge to hold her hand, and considered reaching out to do just that, but maybe that was too bold of him. It set his heart to racing just thinking of it! 

But as she smiled— beamed at him, he felt a warmth fill him to the brim as they stared at each other. Oh wow. Oh wow! Silently, he reached out a hand, not taking hers, but simply offering. Uraraka's smile was dazzling as she blushed, then shyly reached out and clasped his hand. He laughed, blushing brightly as he squeezed her impossibly soft and smooth hand in his. "H- how do you feel now?"

Uraraka pressed a hand to her cheek, tears in her eyes as she practically glowed. "Happy."

His heart gave a great thump as he smiled at her like a big idiot, he was sure. 

"Me- ah-!" He stopped as he fumbled his notebook in his other hand, dropping it to the ground, but he clung tight to her hand in his instead of trying to catch it. "Me too."

Uraraka giggled— giggled! —at him, and he was surprised he wasn’t a complete puddle on the ground. 

Wow, he thought again. Wow. 

Just then, the door burst open and Iida leaned out, hand chopping through the air emphatically. Uraraka immediately pulled her hand from his and stepped back as Iida spoke. 

"There you two are! It is almost curfew! Please come inside at once!"

"Ah- sure," Izuku sighed, his hand feeling a bit cold where he’d held hers. Iida nodded, then went back inside, probably to corral more of them to their beds. 

He glanced at her as she bent down to pick up his notebook. With a smile, she handed it to him. 

"Sorry I interrupted your focus," she sighed. 

He took the notebook from her hands, then melted all over again. Apologizing for turning his world upside down— again! Uraraka, you are truly incredibly special. 

"I… don’t wanna distract you… or me…" she sighed, her smile fading. "Maybe I shouldn't have said anything."

"I- no, that's-" He shook his head and took a breath. "We're both working towards our goals, Uraraka."

He raised a fist, feeling all these brand new things mixed now with his determination. "Let’s work hard together!"

She gaped at him, then nodded, wiping at her eyes. "Okay!"

He didn’t hold her hand again, but he thought about it. And the thought made his whole nervous system react as he walked with her back into the dorms. Most everyone was working their way upstairs, brushing teeth and getting ready for bed. After working out as he’d been, he knew he needed a bath, but… I just want to talk to her more… 

"Um, Uraraka," he said as they walked to the split baths. 

She looked up, a blush in her cheeks. "Mhm?"

Except he didn’t know what to say! And now he was just standing there all mute and flustered. "I- usually go on a morning run. It’s pretty early, but… d- do y- you wanna come with me tomorrow?"

She blinked at him, then looked very shy for a moment before giving him a big smile. "Sure! Sounds fun!"

He grinned at that, still in disbelief. Tentatively, awkwardly, he reached out a hand, just shy of actually touching her. Uraraka looked at him and quietly slid her hand into his, and he felt a rush run through him at her touch, elated and bewildered. Why she feels like that — for me— I have no idea. But still—

"Thank you, Uraraka," he said softly, tilting a gentle smile at her. "For telling me."

Uraraka blushed brighter, looking away from him, but she squeezed his hand lightly. "Thanks for listening, I… do feel better."

She looked at him then, a shy smile and a sweet blush on her face. "I’m really happy."

That rush filled him then, that joy bursting from within him and he felt tears come to his eyes as they stood alone in the dim common room. Elated didn’t even begin to describe how incredible it felt, and he’d never wanted to hug someone as badly as he did right then. He wanted to pick her up and spin her around and hear her laughing in this joy. 

"C- can I…" he started, feeling awkward as he scratched at his neck. "Can I… give you a hug, Uraraka?"

She started, but the smile she gave him was somehow even more dazzling than before. Without a word, she pulled her hand from his, then wrapped her arms around his waist. Izuku felt like he was gonna choke, he was so overwhelmed by the feeling of her so close to him—he felt like his face was on fire. But underneath his flaming face and his pounding heart, the warmth of her was nothing short of wonderful. He stiffly circled his arms around her in return, hugging her tight, and he sighed, loving this. Loving feeling this joy increased, this comfort, this happy warmth. He never wanted to let her go. 

Ochako sighed against him, then laughed. "Thanks, Deku."

He wasn’t sure he could truly process all of this, and they both had a lot of other things they needed to focus on—but holding her close like that, being gifted her feelings like that, feeling his own joy and heart stirring within him. He didn’t know what the future held, but it made him that much more excited to find out.

Chapter Text

I can’t believe I did that…. I can’t believe I did that! Ochako was reeling at the turn of events still by the time the next morning came around. Usually she was slow to wake in the mornings, but she was wide awake far before the sun came up. She’d never felt such anticipation to see Deku before, not like this, that is. But he’d invited her to come on his run with him—just an everyday sort of training, nothing special, right? But it was… so he could see her sooner? Is that what he wanted? But when she’d been pondering all these feelings stirring in her own heart, she hadn’t thought that maybe he liked her too—and she didn’t even know if she liked him! So why was she-?!

Her phone buzzed, and she looked down to see a text message from him. 

—Just woke up, I’ll be down soon!

Ochako fell into her bed, hugging the phone to her chest as the flutterings filled her completely. What the heck, what the heck.

Me too!— she texted back, then sighed heavily. 

Mina had said it was about love, but she was… still confused about what everything she was feeling even meant. But Deku… it felt different being around him versus others. He’d always felt different—a special kind of person who inspired all sorts of emotions in her heart, not just these flutterings. A heroic spirit! Drive and dedication! Selflessness and kindness—Deku was literally so wonderful. 

What did I say again? She groaned. 'I might like you'?! It felt sorta mean in retrospect. But she hadn’t meant to be mean, she'd been… acting on an impulse—trying to relieve this strange anxiety because Deku was her friend! Talking to her friend could clear up the nonsense she was stuck with, right?

But she hadn’t expected that blushing, awkward mess of a boy to ask her out immediately! The cascading joy in her heart leapt in her chest at the thought. 

A beat passed and she realized she was still just lying on her back holding her phone close when she should be getting ready! She pulled herself off the bed and quickly changed into her gym clothes.  

By the time she made it downstairs, Deku was already there, sitting on one of the couches in the empty common room. She was struck again by this whole situation. Did I imagine this whole thing? Did we really just… say all that to each other? It was easy to think it was a dream, except for the bright smile that flashed across his face at the sight of her. 

He stood up, scrambling over his feet a bit as he came over to her. His face was completely tomato red as he scratched his neck. "Ah- g- good morning, Uraraka."

"Good morning," she said quietly, feeling unreasonably shy. She glanced at his hands, recalling the feelings it gave her as he’d held her hands—as he'd hugged her… and she wondered if he'd… do it again. 

"Uh…" he continued to blush brightly. "We should probably-"

"Okay!" She exclaimed, then strode over to the door to put her shoes on. 

Deku didn't say much, but he followed her happily. They quietly exited the building and began their run. 

One thing Ochako learned fairly quickly: Deku ran a lot faster than she did. And the second thing she learned immediately following the first: Deku had a lot more stamina than she did. 

Of course, her physical capabilities were very good, she knew she was fit for a battle, and strong enough to wield her quirk to save and defend. No, it was no insult to her to say that just by running with him for a while, she could tell that he was more above and beyond in his physical capabilities than he had any right to be. And she was impressed by him all over again. 

He slowed beside her, then smiled at her. "D- do you wanna take a break?"

Ochako huffed, then nodded. They slowed as they came to a drinking fountain. Ochako took a long drink and sighed. She watched him as he drank, feeling like she should say something, but neither of them had mentioned the night before. And she… wanted to…

But she felt so awkward at it all! Why can’t I say the things I want? What do I even want to say?! She didn’t know. 

Deku gestured at the bench and they sat, watching as the sun rose against the sky, streaking the clouds with pink and gold. 

"D- do you have your super move all figured out for the exam?" He asked, nerves in his voice. 

She blushed because he was blushing, but she smiled and tried not to run away. He’s feeling the same stuff I am, right? But that thought just made her feel frantic in an entirely different way. 

"Uh- uh huh," she tapped her chin, focusing on his question. "I dunno if it really counts as a super move though, just something I need to get better at anyway—"

She turned to him, her fist pumped as she tried to smile normally. "But I’ve gotten a lot better about floating myself without getting sick right away, so I’ve improved a little bit, at least!"

"That’s awesome!" He exclaimed, and she felt that stirring in her heart once more. 

Ochako took a breath, then tucked her hair behind her ear. "W- what about you?" 

"Well, Hatsume actually was able to make me a support item that made a huge difference in my new Shoot Style!" He said emphatically, then tugged out his notebook from his pocket. He brought it on a run? She smiled as he flipped through the pages, even as her stomach twisted at his mention of Hatsume—but she pushed that memory away as hard as she could. "Because of her suggestion, I’m focusing a lot on kicks now, so I had her create a support feature to maximize the force of my kicks into my shoes. I haven’t had a chance to work with them a lot yet, but I drew out what they do and how it feels, see—this part shoots out as a secondary impact, kind of like a repercussive force here—"

Ochako listened as he excitedly explained, showing the different sketches he'd drawn of the iron soles support item. The joy on his face as he talked seemed to melt away her awkwardness, and she just smiled at him, taking him in. Even that bout of jealousy she'd felt seemed to take a back seat when she watched just how happy he was talking about this stuff. So she happily sat and listened to his ramblings.

After a few minutes, he stopped with a blush. "Ah- sorry, I’m getting kinda carried away, huh?"

She beamed at him. "Not at all! I like hearing you talk-"

She cut herself off, sucking in her breath as she realized what she’d just said. Deku's eyes widened and his blush deepened. 

"O- oh! Wow, that’s—" He laughed, rubbing at his neck bashfully, beaming as he looked down at his notebook. "Super nice of you."

Watching him react to her compliment made her think of the others, Bakugo in particular, who got after him for his mutterings, and she let that feeling of defensiveness take over—instead of her own flustered feelings. 

"Of course!" She said, puffing out her cheeks. "You should be proud of how seriously you take this stuff! I’m always happy when you give me an analysis on my quirk use and how I can improve. It's super helpful! I think it’s really cool!"

At that, he smiled at her so brightly, and her determination to uplift him turned back to butterflies, and she ducked her face away. 

"Um… U- Uraraka…" he got out, stuttering a bit.

"Mhm?" She hummed, her heart beating hard in her chest. 

"You- I mean-" he sighed, laughing a bit. "Wow, this is so… wow."

At that, she looked back at him, tugging at her hair awkwardly. But he really was feeling what she felt, huh? So she desperately resisted her overwhelming urge to run away from him. Instead she shifted, sitting towards him with a nod. "Yeah- I- I don’t even know what to say-!"

He smiled wider, still blushing, still sweating. "But I’m still happy—for what you said last night, Uraraka."

Her heart felt like it was gonna burst, his smile filled her with such absolute delight. Her shoulder raised into her cheek, and she looked back to the sunrise, trying to calm her heart. Without looking at him, she tentatively offered her hand to him. And that thrill filled her again as she felt his hand slide softly into hers. 

They sat quietly like that for a bit, holding each other's hands as they watched the sunrise together. Ochako stole a look at him and saw he was already watching her with that same breathless amazement he did when he saw something cool. She blushed and he laughed awkwardly. How weird, how… incredible. She wished it wasn’t restrained by this anxiety she felt. 

"Sorry I’m so…" she laughed, shaking her head. "I—sorry, it’s kinda… hard… to say things sometimes… especially when it’s… ya know… personal? I'm kinda surprised I could say anything in the first place…" 

Ochako bit her lip, then sighed, forcing herself to look at him. His smile was gone now, and he had an open kind of concern on his face now. He gently squeezed her hand before he spoke again. 

"I… overheard you, at the sports festival," he said softly, and she blinked in surprise. 

"When you were on the phone with your dad, and you were crying…" he sighed. "But you’d gone out of your way to smile for me, even when you wanted to cry… you encouraged me… I just…"

Deku squeezed her hand again, shaking his head, looking at his lap. "I wanted to help, but I just didn’t know how, or what to say, or if you even wanted that from me—since you hid it, but…"

He turned towards her, his face full of gentle concern as he placed his other hand over their clasped ones. 

"Can I… support you, Uraraka? When things are hard to say or show, I can—" he blushed again, looking down as his voice heightened a bit. "—if t- that's okay…"

Ochako was stunned at this, at his revelation, at his request, his hands cradling hers between them. Those flusters seemed to ease for a moment, leaving something a little calmer—a little deeper—in her heart. 

She stared at him for a long moment before smiling softly, then she very lightly touched her other hand to his, smoothing her fingers over his knuckles—her pinky in the air. He looked up, that seriousness in his face still there, but his cheek were pink. 

"Y- you don’t really have to ask that…" Ochako smiled shyly. "I already feel supported by you, Deku."

At that, he smiled such a soft, bright smile, her heart couldn’t resist the urge to flutter. She bit her lip and pressed her hand to her cheek, fretting a bit. "Please be patient with me, I guess."

"O- of course I will," he beamed. "And uh- m- me too."

As the sun rose higher, she knew they couldn’t sit there together forever. They would be heading over to the license exam soon, and she felt the nerves for that thrum within her. Memories of the training camp, of the fires and chaos and villains—targeting them directly—targeting one of their own. They needed this. After Kamino, after All Might… after Deku and the others had gone off on their own…

She glanced at him, a different kind of nerves settling on her heart. But… she didn’t really know how to address that kind of fear, so she looked back at the sunrise and took a deep breath. 

"We should probably head back," Deku said, pulling one of his hands back to tuck the notebook away. 

Ochako nodded, wishing they could stay out here like this for longer. But they had work to do—this was no time to get lost in this distraction. She stood as he did, their hands intertwined—a fact they both seemed to both focus on at the same time because she wanted to keep holding his hand. It gave her such a light, heady feeling just from his simple touch. 

But… What if someone sees us?! She recalled how mortified she’d felt when Iida had nearly caught them yesterday—not that they were doing anything bad, but—imagining their whole class reacting to this… new development… It set her heart racing and her brain melting, even considering such embarrassment… 

Oh no, what’re the girls gonna do when they find out they were right?! Oh no oh no oh-

She felt him squeeze her hand gently, and her eyes widened as he brought her out of the mild panic. She blinked, looking up at him and his soft, green eyes. Even with his face flushing and the embarrassment clear on his face, she saw him—already trying to support her while she stressed. 

"It’s okay!" He got out, holding tight to her. "If something's the matter, I- you know you- I mean- I want-"

"Deku, I-" she sighed, feeling just a little more bolstered by his words . "I think I… would like to keep, ya know- uh-" she squeezed his hand, "—this… to ourselves f- for now. Is that alri-?"

"Of course it’s alright!" He exclaimed, sweating and blushing, holding firmly to her. "However you want to do this is fine by me, I’m just glad I get to be a part of it!"

Ochako blinked at him, then laughed, his exclamation and reaction somehow putting her more at ease. He stuttered, then rubbed a hand over his neck bashfully, laughing with her. She felt so… understood, so supported—just like what he'd stated he wanted to be for her. Deku really does exactly what he says he'll do every time, huh? 

Filled with such complete affection for this boy, she let go of his hand and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. He staggered back a step, and she heard him gasp as he stiffened, but he hugged her back anyway. Ochako felt that frantic anxiety hanging at the edges of her nerves—still she clung to him anyway, wanting to linger in this happy, deeper kind of swell in her heart. Feeling his strong arms around her, she thought of the hugs she got from her father—ones that always made her feel completely safe and secure. It was that same kind of feeling, but also entirely different—the way that warmth sent those flutters through her chest, the way she felt her skin tingling where his hands held her, the way she felt like she had to hold her breath in how filled she felt. 

"Uraraka," he said, his voice so soft and just utterly sweet, she didn’t even know what to do with herself. 

"It’s love!" Mina's words came to her mind, and she flushed all the more, not even sure how to approach the thought. 

Ochako wanted to be calm, but her heart was full of butterflies. She hugged tighter to him, closing her eyes as she buried her face in his shirt. She wanted to hug him like this longer because it just felt so good —so much better than hugging anyone else she’d ever hugged! Why is that? Why? Mina's words stuck in her mind, tugging at her heart in such a way that made her feel like she was floating on air. 

"U- Uraraka…" he stuttered. "Uraraka, you-"

"Hmm," she hummed, then opened her eyes realizing that they actually were floating! 

"Oh!" She blushed, untangling herself from him and tapping her fingers together. They weren’t far from the ground, and they both landed agily on their feet. But after being wrapped in such a close hug, she felt… so exposed… having to look him in the face now. 

Ochako buried her face in her hands, turning to the side, blushing furiously. "S- sorry, sorry, Deku! I didn't- sorry about that!"

"Um-" he started, but didn’t continue. 

Oh, what’re we supposed to do?! We can’t even handle hugging each other? Was this a mistake? What do I do?! I’m so confused, I-! 

She felt a very tentative, gentle hand touch her hand, hesitantly pulling it from her face. Ochako looked up, seeing him blushing furiously, a nervous smile on his face as he brought her hand out from her hiding. 

"D- don’t apologize," he said quietly. "That was- I ahaha!"

He took a deep breath, shook his head, then looked squarely at her. "Uraraka, thank you for your hug. It made me– r- really happy!"

She blinked at him, that deep, warm feeling in her heart moved at his words, and she felt a little calmer. O- oh! This is him… trying to be a support to me, again. Because she could see how awkward he still felt—he was blushing just as much as she was, he was stuttering over his words, but… he pushed through his own embarrassment to help reassure her in hers. 

Her confused feelings evaporated almost instantly, seeing such simple care given to her. And she was surprised by how much that meant to her. 

Wow. 

He closed his eyes and laughed lightly. "Why don’t we head back? I promise I’ll try not to be conspicuous."

She blinked at him, then smiled. "Okay." She held his hand a little firmer, letting him lead her back down the path with that big, giddy smile on his face. 

It might not be love, Mina, but… it’s something.

Chapter Text

Izuku didn’t know what had come over him. The moment she let his hand go as they came back to the dorms, he wanted it back. He watched her as she milled about with their other classmates, laughing happily as those in charge of breakfast cleaned up the meal. She leaned on the counter, talking animatedly with Hagakure about something. And he just—stared. And he blushed at how much he was staring and he pulled his eyes away from her, concentrating on helping out with the dishes. 

"Did something happen?" Todoroki asked from beside him, making him jump.

"Ah-! W- what makes you say that?" Izuku responded, trying to put it all from his mind and calm his nerves. 

"You’re really jumpy," he said, his voice stoic as it usually was—always examining the people around him in his thoughtful, blunt kind of way. "More than usual. Are you nervous about the test?"

Izuku bit his lip because, yes he was. He wanted to be confident, and that fear of failure was always present—but for obvious reasons, he couldn’t share the actual present cause of these particular nerves. 

"Yeah," he sighed, then smiled at him. "But I’m glad for all the work I’ve been able to put in. I got an item from the support course that should help a lot with my shoot style, so that’ll be cool to use more."

Todoroki looked at his left hand, pondering deeply, and Izuku tilted his head. 

"Are you nervous?" He asked quietly. 

"It’s not nerves," he said, picking up another dish to scrub and rinse, then handing it to Izuku. "Today's exam will be a culmination of everything I’ve learned so far—using both sides, to be a hero like this."

Izuku looked him over, then smiled as he took the plate and dried it. "We'll do our best, all of us."

Todoroki gave him a light smile at that, then handed him the last of the cleaned dishes to dry. 

"The time is approaching for us to convene at the bus stop, so please make sure you have everything you need for the Provisional License Exam!" Iida called, already in his costume. 

"Right!" Everyone called in the room. 

"I should go get changed," Izuku said, pulling off the apron. 

"Midoriya," Todoroki said, making him pause. 

"Yeah?" 

"If something's on your mind, remember to talk about it too."

Izuku stilled, his eyes flickering over to Uraraka once more, then he smiled. "I will, but it’s alright. I’ll let you know if I’m dealing with something bad."

Todoroki nodded, a softness to his face. "So whatever it is, it’s not bad?"

"Ah- yeah, n- not bad," he smiled, feeling a blush creep into his cheeks. 

"I see."

Izuku laughed, then turned and headed for the elevator. As he was about to round the door, he looked back and his eyes glanced at her once more. When he did, he caught her eye because she was looking at him too. Uraraka's eyes widened and she ducked her face down, a blush on her cheek. The little exchange made his heart swell, because wow, how crazy just him looking at her had such an effect on her. Wow. Me?! He rubbed a hand over his neck, then moved to go get changed. 

On the bus, he was grateful she’d come to sit beside him, though. He wasn't sure that she would. Keeping it a secret, he felt like he was second-guessing his every action around her. He truly didn’t mind if the others knew, but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable. If it was her desire to keep it to themselves, he would. 

But he really wanted to hold her hand again… like it was surprising how much he wanted to hold her hand. He blushed again at the thought, at the feeling of her hand in his, at that big, floaty hug she’d surprised him with. Wow! I’ve never been hugged like that before!

She was leaned away from him though, chatting with Asui across the aisle, but her knee brushed against his, and that was enough to make his heart beat a little more frantically. He just rested his hands on his knees and looked out the window, smiling to himself at even that little bit of contact. 

There was a general air of nerves in the bus, and he felt that too, that pressure. With all that was riding on this exam, and everything they’d been through to make it necessary, he sobered a bit. 

I have to succeed, he gripped his fist tight against his pants. Keep making these steps so that I can better reach towards these goals. Towards actually being able to do something when I reach out a helping hand. 

All Might… he thought, watching the city pass by. I won’t let you down. 

He felt a gentle touch against his hand and he flushed, turning to see her hand resting on his. She gave a light squeeze, looking at him with a quiet, nervous smile. 

"Thinkin' deep thoughts?" She asked, regrettably pulling her hand back again. 

Izuku smiled at her, and he noticed how she blushed just a little more. Because I smiled at her? Wow, this is strange! He took a deep breath before trying to talk, trying not to draw attention to just how flustered they were with each other. "There’s a lot banking on our success today. I… don’t want to fall behind."

"I- I don’t think you will," she said, bumping her shoulder with his. "You’re gonna do awesome like you always do. Just- no more broken bones, okay?"

She said that last part with a nervous laugh, and he smiled a little more solemnly. He hadn’t really told anyone the specifics of his medical files—the fact that if he kept going as he was, then he’d lose his ability to even move his arms. It was… a genuinely horrifying thought. He sighed. 

"Right… That’s why I got those Iron Soles, afterall," he said. "More focus on my legs to protect my arms."

"So you’ll just break your legs now instead of your arms then?" Kaminari joked. 

"Before the training camp, he hasn't actually broken any bones for a while though," Ojiro said. 

"I- I’ve been working at it," he sweat, blushing a little at the attention. "I don’t wanna be a burden to anyone."

"You’re not a burden," Ochako said, and though she didn’t take his hand again, he felt her care in the closeness. 

"You’re a great comrade, Midoriya," Asui smiled, and Shoji nodded in the seat behind her. 

He flushed as more chimed in with praise for him. He thought back to being in middle school, feeling so isolated and hated just for being there, Even his teachers had treated him with such pity— it was all so lonely, but he’d done his best to look to the future. Then All Might came—

Looking down at his hand, he thought of the gift All Might had given to him, and all the opportunities it gave him. Strength and power, but also purpose, ability. It let him come to UA to find all these wonderful people who called him friend. It let him meet this beautiful girl who actually wanted to date him! 

He gripped his fist tight, considering what they were about to do, especially now that All Might was officially retired. I can’t stop now. All Might has given me this chance, this responsibility along with these blessings. He needed to be a hero, to reach those goals as soon as possible. 

The clouds moved gently through the sky, and he smiled. With blessings all around him, he would rise to the occasion.

Although he’d been trying to prepare himself for the challenges they would face, he didn’t expect that UA students would be considered chum for the sharks. It did make sense though—school vs school battling in teams was better than going it alone for the most part. And with this concentrated effort made against UA right from the start, he wouldn’t be surprised if this wasn’t the standard—UA's students had a very public display of their quirks in the sports festival after all. 

Sticking together could’ve worked as a good strategy, having each other's backs and making their way through. It would’ve worked! But when fighting against so many talented people, the first strategy is likely to be disrupted. 

After the massive cracks and crashes made by the guy who could create tremors, the ground finally settled into rubble.

Izuku groaned at the ache from where he’d been caught up in the chaos, but ignored the pain and pulled himself up anyway. 

That’s one intense quirk! He rubbed his arm, considering the applications. Though it was powerful, it was probably hard to fight with near buildings and stuff. I wonder how much he can fine tune it?

He looked around to find himself completely alone, the opposite of how he’d wanted this to go. They’d fallen right into Ketsubustu's hands. 

"Deku!" Uraraka had called, reaching for him, but he couldn't get to her in time and they were shoved in different directions. 

He gripped his fist, feeling his gut twist. 

Better hurry up and find her and the rest of the class—at least someone! He wiped at his face. I’m dead meat on my own. 

Their opponents definitely had the edge in this battle when it came to battle analysis and teamwork. A whole extra year over them in training and experience was a gap the crises they’d been through couldn’t quite fill. 

But even so, Izuku felt the challenge of that, and a smile spread over his face. 

Up against the best of the best from all over, he thought… I’m actually kinda excited! 

The air was quiet, but for an instant he felt… something dangerous directed at him. 

Before he could dodge, a girl leapt past him, and he felt the impact on his shoulder as she whacked a ball into the sensor there. He didn’t even have a chance to move. 

She appeared out of thin air?!

"Gotcha! That’ll teach ya to start paying attention." 

He swung to see her land on the rubble behind him, a smile on her face. "Standing around smiling, even in a crisis? Kinda weird."

She's from Shiketsu high! Izuku covered his remaining targets, readying himself for another attack. 

The girl grinned, her eyes wide. "But also kinda cool."

Izuku eyed her, watching for whatever she’d done to completely hide her motion until she was right up on him. But she just stood, smiling as she talked. 

"In a chaotic exam like this, there's sure to be lots of us who would target those we already know the most about. Given that, I realized UA would probably be taken out quickly, so I came to find you people."

Bingo, Izuku thought. It was commonplace afterall. 

"This just seems like a good chance to get to know other strong schools, and boy, I really wanna know more about you guys at UA," she continued, completely at ease. 

"You… talk too much…" he smiled, and that was sort of funny coming from him. But the other schools must be on their way here, it wasn't the time to stand around and chat—she must know that. Are her friends here to back her up? Or could she just be that confident?

As she threw her ball, he dodged to the side, Full Cowling already enveloping him. She threw a rock too? What's her game?  

When he landed, his eyes left her for only a millisecond and—she was gone! What?!

And he only found her again as she was right on top of him, leaping over his back to press the ball into a second of his weak points. He yanked himself to the side, pulling back away from her, trying to keep his eyes on her. But as he spun, she was gone again! 

As soon as I take my eyes off her, she disappears!

"You’re thinking I must have a vanishing quirk, right?" He felt her hands as he heard her voice, and she pushed him hard, pinning him into the rocks before he could think!

"Wrong!" She said. "I was just hiding!"

What does that even mean?! How is she moving like that?! The girl shoved him into the ground, lying on top of him in a way that was definitely-! Too much-! 

"This is a technique," she continued. "All I’m doing is hiding from your eyes and ears."

He tried to consider what that even meant. How was it possible? They teach something like that at Shiketsu?

"The moment I stop breathing, I can-" she stopped, then her hand gripped his arm a little tighter. "Huh? You’re different, huh?"

"Wha-?" Izuku got out, but the girl began to laugh, a quiet, humorless laugh that gave him such a chill. 

"I wanted to ask you a question," she said, her voice heightened excitedly. "But you’re different than before. I can smell it on you now."

Before…? Izuku quietly felt around the ground with his toes, getting the mechanism in his shoes ready to strike. He cringed as her hand stroked over his back, still holding down hard against his spine. W- what in the world?!

"You’re in love," she crooned, stopping him in his tracks. 

"Huh?!" He didn’t even know what to think. H- how could she know anything about that-?! And they were on a battlefield right now! Why would she even care?! Can’t you take this seriously?!

"I'm so curious about you," she sighed, something in her voice giving a casual kind of desperation—which completely baffled him. "Who are you in love with? Why are you in love? What motivates you? Honor? Pride? Is it for this love? Why're you hoping to become a hero?"

Her voice lowered, and the feeling she gave off was danger with each question she asked. Something's… wrong with her… 

"I want to know…" she continued, her nails digging into his skin through his costume. "...all about you."

At that, he brought up Full Cowling around himself, then used the force and strength of that combined with his iron soles against the ground—launching himself out from underneath her and free from her grip. 

"Whoa!" She cried out, but he wanted to get as far away as possible from this strange girl who asked too much, and knew too much. 

The moment he was free, a large group of other examinees found them. "Shiketsu's here now… what a pain…"

I’m in trouble. I couldn’t find anyone else. And now all these guys are after me. This is the worst possible scenario, he watched the group, taking in their visible quirks, how they reached the space he was in, then leapt into motion. Well, let them come. I’ll just have to dodge them. 

So he did. He was quick as he navigated through this quirk littered minefield, trying to find a way to break out. Somehow! Somewhere! If he could use the rubble to disappear from sight, he could—

"You okay?!" He heard a familiar voice call to him amidst the chaos. Uraraka?! His heart skipped a beat, especially after all those bizarre questions swirling around in his head. 

Get it together. 

He looked up to see her, her hand reached out to help him. "Over here! Quick!"

But what was her plan? She didn’t look like she was in a better situation than he was—and yet she’d entered into this minefield and called attention to herself? Wouldn’t it have been better to come up with a strategy? Was she… that worried about him?

The others descended on her location immediately, going after her as well. "You’re not going anywhere!"

"Oh geez!" Uraraka pivoted on the rubble, almost tripping over her own boots. "Cut it out!"

He squinted at her, taking in her actions, her mannerisms, her words— something's not quite right… Then her boot slipped and she began to tumble down backwards into the chaos. 

Uraraka is… falling?

An… imposter.

He was moving before he could give it a second thought. Even if this person wasn’t Uraraka—even if she was using her face as a lie, he had to be fast—fast enough to save someone who needed rescuing. Faster than he’d been with Kaachan. 

He caught her in his arms, holding her close to him as he swung around and kicked into the rockface, crumbling it to bits with the force of the secondary concussive blast of the iron soles. Briefly, he thought of how it felt to hug her—the real Uraraka. Had this actually been her, he would’ve loved to hold her in his arms like this. But there were too many indicators away from that. 

"I’ve gotten a lot better about floating myself without getting sick right away!" 

The more he thought about it, the more he knew— this isn’t her. This couldn’t be her. 

But… He frowned with his arms bracing her against him, her big brown eyes looking up at him all wide and amazed. …it is a pretty convincing disguise, he thought begrudgingly, a blush in his cheeks. 

He put it out of his mind, realigning his focus forward. 

At the summer camp invasion, he’d chosen to fight and busted up his arms. Had he been able to first without breaking himself, he might’ve been able to steal back Kaachan… If I’d succeeded then, maybe All Might wouldn’t have had to fight All for One.

If only I’d been faster… if only I'd been fast enough to grab Kota and run away faster than that villain could follow!

This was the entire reason he was working on his legs—because he should’ve been faster. 

In order to save others… I have to keep myself safe. 

With all these thoughts in his head, he bounded away from the chaos deeper into the rocky terrain. Without a word, he set her down and turned towards the noise, watching to see if there was any pursuit, but from what he could see, there was none. 

"Thanks!" Uraraka said with relief in her voice. "Sorry I’m so clumsy!"

He pursed his lips, feeling more annoyed about this than was probably necessary. 

Even if it was possible that she was the real thing, he couldn’t make sense of her behavior. From the moment she appeared to help him, the way she’d called out, the way she’d acted without thinking—she had more strategy than that. But… more than that, she was… well, not acting like they'd had that conversation last night. Not that he expected her to get distracted like that during the test—they were both taking it very seriously, of course! But!

It had only been a singular day of a shift in these emotions, but this girl was too… unfamiliar with him in a way. Uraraka had been bashful and sweet with him all day, especially after their run together that morning. So combined with the total lack of battlesense or awareness, absent use of her quirk, and the lack of whatever romantic something they were starting—logic stated that this must be an imposter. 

His annoyance at her using that appearance increased. 

"No problem, really," he said, his back turned on her, scanning the area from any others coming to attack, but his body was coiled, ready for an attack from the rear. This person gave off that weird, uncomfortable desire to be close to him—the same as the girl from Shiketsu. But how she looked like Uraraka was really the question though. A shapeshifting quirk? How had this imposter known he’d trust Uraraka specifically—perhaps the sports festival? 

In a flash, he smacked Uraraka's hand, sending the ball flying before she could extend it any closer to his weak point sensor. 

He eyed her, frowning heavily as his gut twisted—seeing this image of Uraraka being not her. "You wouldn’t happen to be from Shiketsu, would you?"

"Huh?" She smiled innocently, and he scowled a little deeper. 

"Uraraka's been working hard, training her quirk—so much so she’s been able to ignore the side effects for a short while and make herself float," he said, his voice hard. "In a pinch like this, she wouldn't forget to use it and reveal herself to the enemy without a plan. She’s smarter than that."

He reached behind his back and grabbed one of the test balls from his bag, glaring at her. "More than that, you just don’t act like her. I know Uraraka… and you’re not the Uraraka I know."

"Oh," the girl said, smiling wider in a more sinister smile that did not fit Uraraka's face at all. "I didn’t expect you to be so close."

The way she said that sent shivers down his spine, but he ignored that, ready to dodge or attack, whichever came first. 

Uraraka tilted her head and looked at him strangely for a moment, that unnerving smile still present. "So she's the one, isn't she?"

Her face began to move then, melt-?! Izuku felt his stomach surge, seeing Uraraka's face melting away. "Ochako Uraraka already… stole your heart, huh?" 

He froze at that, gaping at her as he flushed brightly. How did she…?! 

"Did you save me because I look like her? Even if you knew I wasn't her?"

He swallowed, these questions hitting him deep, he didn’t even know what to do. What did she want from him?! It was all too strange! She shouldn't even know any of this because I barely know it!

"Since you're not Uraraka," he muttered, ignoring her questions entirely and backing away from her. "You couldn’t float yourself, and you would’ve seriously hurt your back."

The mouth underneath the melting drew up in an intrigued smile. 

"So you’ll save just anyone?" She said, excitement in her voice. "You got to let me get to know you better."

C- couldn’t this wait until after the exam?! But maybe her tactic was to waste time? It was too strange—she was too knowledgeable. She said she could smell how he felt about Uraraka, and shy of Uraraka herself telling her personally this stuff—which was 100% unlikely, then maybe she really-!

Her body settled back into her original form—except for her clothes?!

She lunged at him, fully naked now. "No exceptions? Where do you draw the line?"

Izuku flushed, yanking back from her, wanting to shut his eyes, but she was actively attacking him!  

"Where'd your clothes go?!" He shouted at her. "You can’t be naked here!! Put something on!!"

She swiped at his face faster than he could dodge, her nail slicing his cheek, drawing blood. She’s trying to scratch me?! What is wrong with this girl?!

Suddenly, a spread of tape separated him from her, and he looked up, feeling such relief wash over him. Sero stood at the top of the rock structure, aiming down to create a barrier for him. 

"Midoriya!" he called. "What’s going on here? I’m a little jealous!"

"Sero! Your timing couldn’t be any better!"

Sero jerked his head to the side. "Uraraka!"

Izuku started, then there she was, her movements agile as she floated through the air and released at the exact moment to swing her trajectory toward the Shiketsu girl. The girl dodged her attack, and skipped backwards into a leap, landing on the top of the rock above them. 

"And things were just starting to get good," she sighed. "Too bad… really! For real! I wanted to talk a little more, but it looks like that won’t be possible now… too bad."

Then her face brightened, looking at Uraraka. "Ochako Uraraka… he really does trust you."

Izuku flushed at her words, unsure of what to even think. Uraraka just looked confused though—which made two of them. 

"Huh?" She said.

Before they could react, she jumped away back into the rubble. 

"Stop, you molester!" Sero shouted after her. 

"Wait, don’t go after her!" Izuku stopped him. "She managed to strip away her clothes, targets included. Must have something to do with her quirk. We run the risk of having her come after us again, but given the time constraints and all, it’ll be hard to score any points off her."

He looked away from where she’d disappeared, then gulped as he looked at Uraraka. She was still looking at him with… confusion. He felt the heat in his face warm further. Well, what a state to find the boy you’re sort of dating, right?! Hidden in a hole with a weirdo naked girl?! 

That aside—she could make perfect replicas of people… become a perfect clone, clothing included. Though the three of them had just watched her bound away, he felt hesitant. 

"You two are actually you, right?" He asked, looking a little pale at it all. 

"What’re you talking about, Midoriya?" Sero asked.

"Well, actually the girl earlier transformed to look exactly like Uraraka…" he said, looking at her, grateful it was indeed actually her. 

But her face went completely red and she squeaked in embarrassment. 

"She wasn’t naked, was she?!" Sero exclaimed, shaking him. 

Naked as Uraraka?! Izuku blushed brightly at the question, not even allowing himself to think something like that— "N- no no no! She was wearing her costume-!"

He pulled back from Sero, seeing how uncomfortable Uraraka looked and— what could she be thinking about all this! He wished he could actually explain it, but the whole situation made no sense to him either. "N- none of it was like that, I- I dunno why she was doing any of that-"

Uraraka just waved her hands, blushing furiously. "Seemed like a whack job!" She laughed, but it was definitely not the comfortable laugh she was attempting to go for— definitely bothered by it… Not even a single day into being her boyfriend ( right?!) and he felt like he was an unfaithful creep! 

As they looked at each other, this weirdness lingered between them, but—

We gotta focus, he sighed, pulling himself back from the embarrassment and awkwardness. He sighed, then tried to give Uraraka a steadying smile. There was still a blush in her cheeks, and her smile still attempted to mask her discomfort, but she responded to his attempt at reassurance with a confident fist in the air. 

Even if she was upset with him, he was grateful they could still push through—though the thought that he’d made her upset churned his stomach. 

"Hey," Sero said, eying them and he pointed his finger between them. "You guys dating or somethin'?"

"Huh?!" They both flushed at the question, then loomed away from each other bashfully. "Uh…"

Sero's questioning frown turned up into a grin, taking the both of them in. "Wait, you are? Seriously?!"

Izuku scratched at his neck, blushing even brighter than before. So much for keeping it to ourselves… "Y- yeah…" he sighed.

Sero laughed heartily. "What?! When did this happen?!"

"Just last night… P- please don’t tell anyone!" Uraraka sighed, burying her face in her hands as she fretted. "We're still just tryin' ta figure it out-!"

"Alright, alright," he chuckled, raising his hands in the air. "Silent as the grave."

"L- let’s just focus on the task at hand," Izuku said, trying to ignore his own blush. This was all stuff they could think about later. "W- we should wait here. Our opponents are in a group of at least ten, they'd overpower us with their numbers at this point."

"A few more have passed now, making 58 in total," The announcement came over the intercom, sending a jolt through the three of them. "Only 42 to go!"

"The hits just just keep coming…" Sero groaned. "This is looking bad."

Izuku thought over the situation, how the others had acted as they worked together—or really their lack of working together. 

"I know we're being targeted specifically," Izuku said, letting a strategy form in his head. "But we might be able to do something about the group nearby."

"Huh? That’d be awesome!" Sero exclaimed. "What’s the plan?"

"I saw some of them trying to get the jump on others. They’re seriously chomping at the bit to nail us," Izuku continued. "When it’s a mob targeting a smaller group, there’s naturally gonna be some infighting over who gets the prey."

 "So when they try to get a jump on the others, their numbers will drop," Uraraka concluded from his musings. "Not a good move."

"But Midoriya, you said we had to stick together earlier," Sero sighed. "How d'we do that now?!"

"The test revolves around hitting these targets with balls, which makes it seem like it’s all about aiming and throwing," he hit his fist into his other palm, considering the logistical intention behind what they were given, and what they were meant to do. "But we're largely in the dark when it comes to our opponants quirks.

"They're comstantly on the move and are guarding their own targets to boot, so hitting them won’t be quick or easy. 

"That’s why we oughta find enough enemies for our whole class to pass, tie them up and then just tap them with the balls," Izuku continued. "We’ve got a few people in Class A with wide-range attacks, so I think we can pull this off…"

"I get it…" Sero hummed, thinking over Midoriya's words. "We’ve been assuming that we had to be good at throwing these things, but in fact… maybe they meant all along for the test to go the way you’re thinking…"

"Shhh!" Uraraka hushed them both. "Hold on—I think they’re coming."

Izuku stilled, hearing the low voices and the knocking and clattering of rocks as the group walked over them. 

"I’m going out there!" He whispered to the two of them. 

"Huh?!" Sero gaped at him quietly. 

"I’ll be the bait," Izuku continued, listening hard for where those steps went as they fanned out, searching the terrain for them. "You two look for openings and try to capture as many of them as you can. Your quirks are both suited to limiting the opponents mobility."

"You’re the bait, huh?" Sero sighed, hesitant. "With only three of us, it seems impossible."

"Roger that," Uraraka said, her fists clenched confidently. 

Izuku glanced at her, and she smiled. "I trust you. You’ve proven yourself enough times to earn that much."

With everything that had happened before, with her quiet discomfort, he hoped that she meant that more than of just his strategy. He smiled back at her fondly.

"Aw," Sero chuckled, making them both blush. 

"A- alright," he said, turning back to the task at hand. "Let's move!"

Chapter Text

Ochako tapped her ball to the last of the people caught in their trap. The sensors on her costume dinged and gave her instructions to return to the testing lounge. She breathed a sigh of relief, having cleared that hurdle. 

But that unease was still stuck within her. 

She glanced at Deku as he looked down at his own sensors, probably getting the same recording that she did, and her shoulders dropped. It felt like some rope was twisted around her stomach, tugging and squeezing uncomfortably. Am I mad at him? It’s not like he did anything with that girl… She wasn’t mad! She felt… like she wanted nothing more than to grab him and keep him away from her and anyone else who'd try to touch him—and her mind flashed to Hatsume too. 

Her cheeks flushed as she felt a whole bunch of stuff wriggling within her heart that was different than those butterflies—just as she was starting to get used to those. 

He turned to glance at her, and she looked down, pretending she wasn’t frowning about all these mixed up feelings, and she looked out towards the arena. 

Yeah… think about your friends! They’re still working hard out there. Don’t get distracted by weird stuff! He wasn’t…! Of course he wasn’t doing anything like that— he was attacked, for crying out loud. But it didn’t change the desire she felt to hold him and shout 'mine!' and keep that from happening again. 

She felt a tap on her shoulder and she jumped, looking up to see Deku, a blush in his cheeks and hesitation on his face. 

"We should head back, yeah?"

Ochako tilted her head at him, her cheek in her shoulder as she brought up a smile. "Yeah, let’s go."

He still had a look of concern on his face, so she just let out a sigh and laughed happily.

"Yay! We did it!" She raised a fist in the air, skipping around him towards the lounge. "Yeah yeah!"

Sero pumped a fist with her. "Yeah!"

As they headed back, she saw Bakugo with Kaminari and Kirishima too, heading toward the lounge triumphantly. Still a skip in her step from before, she waved to them. 

"You guys passed!" Kaminari called to them. "Nice going!"

"Nice going yourself!" Sero called back. 

Ochako happily danced a little victory dance with the boys—aside from Deku and Bakugo who both refrained—the relief of passing even just the first part left her giddy. She gladly let her attention settle on that instead of whatever these weird, possessive feelings were in her heart. 

But when she glanced back, she saw as Bakugo strode past Deku, leaving Deku looking—shocked. Confused, she glanced back at Bakugo and returned to Deku's side. 

"You okay?"

His eyes were still on Bakugo's back, but he pulled himself away to smile at her. "Uh- yeah. Yeah, it’s… fine."

She glanced between him and Bakugo once more. But maybe if he didn’t want to talk about it, it wasn’t her business, so she smiled gently, reassuringly. "You did great."

"Ah-" he blinked, then blushed with a little laugh. "Thanks- so did you. I couldn’t have made it through without you—and Sero."

"Well, same here," she beamed happily. 

"Hey, don’t dawdle, you two," Sero called to them, and Ochako felt herself stiffen at the tiny inflection in his voice as he smirked at them. 

Ochako and Deku both blushed, but she tried to shake it off with a happy laugh. "Yup! Coming!"

As they walked behind the group, Deku looked at her again, returning to that tired relief. "I’m really glad you two came when you did though," he sighed. "It was… not a situation I wanted to be in."

She looked at him, feeling all those feelings, regardless of his sentiment as he looked directly at her. He’s trying to reassure me and this jealousy in my heart… and her logical mind wanted to believe in him—she knew him and his intentions. But her twisted up guts were harder to convince. 

What I wouldn't give for a hug from you right now…

Ochako sighed, then said quietly. "She really… looked like… me?"

"Uh-" he flushed, looking down. "Yeah, b- but she was wearing your hero costume at that point, I swear."

Her chest just felt at the more all twisty and gross at his attempted reassurances, and she squeezed her eyes shut. "N- nevermind, you don’t need to talk about it."

At that, she hurried on to catch up with the group, leaving him behind—and she heard him sigh heavily behind her. 

She wasn’t surprised at all to see Todoroki and Momo with Jirou and the rest. Much of their class had passed already! And thankfully it didn’t take long for the rest of them to pass as well, bringing the first portion of the test to a close. Deku had found his place beside her once more, but he didn’t try and talk about all that stuff anymore, thank goodness. She wished she could hold his hand…

As the one hundred students who'd passed waited for the next portion of the test, they turned their attention to the screens—just as they set explosions off on the testing field they’d just been fighting on. When it had all settled, Deku's eyes widened. 

"The next test will be the last," the announcer said over the intercom. "We will have you all perform rescue exercises for bystanders in this disaster site. We will assume that those of you who have passed the first test have received your provisional licenses and test how well you can carry out suitable rescue procedures."

"Rescue…" Deku whispered from beside her, and she glanced at him as his eyes were fixed to the screen. 

The announcer over the intercom explained the next test, the professional actor—the H.U.C. agency and their role, and how a points system would determine how they passed or failed. 

Iida stepped up beside them. "Midoriya."

"Yeah," Deku replied. "I wonder if this site is based on Kamino Ward."

Ochako looked at the two of them as they looked up, and her heart trembled at the thought, remembering they and the others had both been at the center of all that. Fear gripped her then, and a grave solemnity. 

"It’s true that the situations were similar," Iida said, his voice quiet. "Back then, we were focused on getting Bakugo far away from the villains and staying out of the way of the pros. But there were many casualties in the midst of all that."

Ochak looked down, biting her lip. 

"Let’s do our best," Deku simply responded. 

After the presentation was finished, they were given ten minutes to rest while H.U.C. members got into place. Ochako sighed, shutting her eyes and she took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind, meditate, whatever. She wanted to focus, to do her best. Putting it into perspective of that recent disaster, it felt all the more crucial to take this seriously and not have her head filled with silly little—

"Midoriya!!" She suddenly heard Kaminari and Mineta shriek and launched themselves at Deku. "What were you doing while the rest of us were working so hard?!"

"Wh- what are you talking about?!" Deku cried as they grabbed at him. 

"Don’t play dumb!" Mineta pointed at the girl from Shiketsu. "What did you do with that person over there-?"

The girl looked over at the commotion—and she waved. 

Ochako looked on as they continued to berate him, and she clasped a fist to her chest, trying to soothe those feelings gripping her heart, but it seemed to squeeze at her even tighter than before. It’s not like he was- But what did she even think? This isn’t the time… She was just too caught up in her thoughts, her heart feeling all clenched together. She shook her head, then caught Deku's eye. And he looked… flushed and bothered, just like she felt. The boys' teasing him had brought his eyes to her, worry there, flashes of guilt, panic—all things that… had nothing to do with what they needed to do today. 

A heavier frown tugged at her lips, beyond the jealous discomfort she felt. 

She was about to move over to stand next to him, maybe stop the little tirade Kaminari and Mineta were putting him through, but before she could, the students from Shiketsu itself came over to their group—including that girl. 

Ochako hardly paid any attention to what they said, something about good relations between schools and what not—but she did see that girl smile at Deku— wave at him all familiar and the like. And her shoulders sank.

…What am I doing…?

With a sigh, she deliberately looked away from it all, walking away to look at a different screen. The cameras panned over the disaster zone—prepping for their next step. Her hand lifted, gripping a fist over her stirred up heart. 

She bit her lip as Deku came to her, looking as uncomfortable as she felt. Was she that transparent? Was he that observant? Did this have to be what their minds were on right now? This pointless, weird crap when they came here to be heroes! They came here to work hard and take this huge next step to be able to act for the sake of others. 

And now, they were to rescue… which was what had carried both him and herself through their UA entrance exam together all those months ago. 

I hate this. 

"Uraraka, I-" he started, his voice quiet, but he seemed at a total loss of what to say. "I’m sorry. Y- y- you know it wasn’t-"

"I know…" she whispered, but knowing that didn’t make her feel any better about it all—and there lied the actual problem about this whole thing. 

"Did I make a mistake…?" She said quietly, more to herself than to him as she watched the screen. 

He stilled at her words, and his shoulders sank. 

When he didn’t say anything, she felt even more awful. She’d done exactly what she hadn’t wanted to—this whole thing she’d started was such a distraction from their goals, their responsibilities. But right now, she was filled with insecurity, possessiveness, jealousy, and it wormed its way through her. It muddied her sight, taking away from her confidence in going out there and actually acting like a hero—a rescue hero, the kind of hero she’d always wanted to be. And she was… so distracted. 

And she was distracting Deku too! He was trying over and over to explain, reassure, comfort her because she was just that obvious… when he should be looking out and preparing himself for the coming test. No… this was entirely on her. 

"Maybe this… maybe, with everything we're working for… we just can’t manage something like this too…"

She bit her lip hard, because even though it had only been a day of this, the thought of breaking it off just like that felt too sad… too cruel—to both of them. "But…"

Deku took a tiny step closer to her, and he didn’t take her hand, but he let his knuckles brush against hers. She looked at him, seeing his eyes focused and hard on the testing field. 

"We knew it would be difficult," he whispered softly. "But… I- I don’t want to give up."

He stretched out his index finger, curling it lightly around hers for the briefest of moments. "...do you?"

Ochako's eyes widened, and she caught his steady gaze. As her eyes met his, she thought of those feelings—not those frantic butterflies, not the embarrassment and jealousy—no. She thought of that stirring deep within her heart. That warmth she felt between them when he looked at her, held her, illuminating within her a place she’d maybe only recently realized wanted to be filled by something… by someone. 

And maybe that feeling was worth the extra effort. 

"No," she said simply. "I don’t."

"Then—" Deku started as the timer rang for them to move. "Let’s go."

At that, her confused and hesitant heart felt bolstered, felt supported, and once again, he kept that promise to do so. So she smiled a small, grateful smile to him, which he returned gladly. 

Closing her fist, she bumped their knuckles together, then they pushed apart, striding confidently towards the rescue test. 

Passing the exam was more than a relief. Izuku sighed as they headed for the buses, the new provisional license in his hand. He smiled at it, feeling it all well up within him—where he’d come from, how far he’d climbed. It was another huge step forward to becoming the greatest hero! 

"Are you crying, Deku?" Uraraka smiled as she walked up next to him. 

"Ah- n- not really, I mean," he looked up, easing as he smiled at her. He thought of her fist bump, their combined motivation to look forward together, and despite the monstrously awkward distractions, he felt even more bolstered than before. 

"So many people have helped me along the way, and I caused trouble for so many others," he sighed, smiling at her, then looking back to the license in his hand. "So it’s like this is proof of progress! It just makes me so happy."

He pulled out his phone and snapped a picture of it. "I’ve gotta send this to Mom and All Might!" 

As he texted the image to them both, Uraraka beamed at him. He blushed, feeling still flustered and overwhelmed at that new dynamic with her, but he smiled happily back at her, glad she seemed to be feeling less uncomfortable. 

"You’re in love… Why are you in love?" The crazy girl's questions hung in his mind as he thought, and now that the exam was finished, he let them linger, considering. He looked at Uraraka beside him, feeling in his heart all these things her words had pulled to the surface. 

"Ochako Uraraka has already stolen your heart, huh?"

Even if it came from a crazy person, as he smiled at her, he could tell that that was true. 

"D- did you tell your parents already?" He asked, feeling that way-too-commonplace blush in his cheeks. 

"They said they were proud of me," she nodded, smiling a little sweeter, if that was possible. "And I feel proud of me, too!"

His heart warmed at her—what a relief to hear her say that. After the exchange they'd had in there, he’d worried—that crazy girl really had thrown a wrench into their concentration, but he really couldn’t blame anyone but himself for that. His focus was his own, after all. Even if crazy girl was the one bringing up all these different things between him and Uraraka that she should not have been able to know!—He did regret that his actions had affected Uraraka and her confidence, though. She almost broke this whole thing off with me over this! …if… officially dating is what this is… I mean, we were supposed to go on a date tonight, but…

The sun was already going down, and they had classes beginning again in the morning. I didn’t realize the exam would finish so late… But even then, they’d probably need permission to go, which would undoubtedly be denied under these circumstances. 

As they walked behind the rest of the group, he sighed and spoke quietly. "Sorry… I think we might have to wait on the amusement park."

"Makes sense," Uraraka nodded. "It is pretty late already."

"And with classes tomorrow, I don’t think we'd get permission anyway," his shoulders sank, and he felt the guilt of a broken promise heavy on his heart. 

She glanced at him with a soft look, then sighed. "We knew it would be like this."

He thought back to her words before the rescue exam, frowning as he took her in. Past the flusters and frantic blushes they were prone to, he felt such a… pull to her. A quiet need to convince her they could make it work. That they could balance. She seemed… so torn. 

'You’re in love.'

"Even so," he muttered quietly to her, looking at her with a solemn expression. "I’m not gonna give this up, even if it’s hard."

If she felt like that was another burden she was putting on him, then so be it. He wanted to continue this, he wanted to have her in his life like this. If it was within his power, then he would uphold and balance this budding relationship while they strived to become heroes. And he was no stranger to tackling something hard. 

I have to prove to her we can make it work, or I’m gonna lose her.

But as he looked at her, her face now illuminated by the fading sun, her smile a gentle, sincere one now—and he felt that much more motivated. 

You’re worth it, he said to her in his mind. I’ll prove it.

Chapter Text

Izuku would’ve liked to relax at their class party after the success of their license exam. Everyone else was at ease, laughing and smiling in the relief of passing—aside from Todoroki, who had quietly excused himself, which had tugged on his heart for his friend. 

He thought back to that thing Kaachan had said at the test—about his power…

Looking around, he didn’t see him, and those nerves seemed to increase a bit more. What did he mean? Did he figure it out? I shouldn't have blabbed, it’s totally my own fault-

He sagged, letting his eyes turn to Uraraka, if not for a nice diversion from that stress. 

He'd have liked to spend this time with her—his secret girlfriend— What a crazy thing to say! But she was side by side with Asui and he didn’t want to draw too much attention to the two of them being together all the time. Who knew how long it would stay secret, now that Sero knew too? But so far, Sero had done nothing but give subtle knowing looks from time to time—still enough to make him flush to his toes. 

Still, he glanced at her as she giggled, patting the little bunny from Koda's room, and his heart melted a bit—she was just too cute…

As he watched her, her eyes raised to his and he froze, blushing harder. She blushed too, but managed to smile at him as he awkwardly gaped at her. She tucked her hair behind her ear, looking away. He sighed, feeling his shoulders sag, and he rubbed at his neck as he looked back down at his phone. 

He tried to ignore his racing heart and looked over the text messages from his mother again. She’d congratulated him earlier for his license, but All Might had been quiet. I wonder if he’s seen it yet? 

Kirishima smiled as he walked past him. "Texting someone?"

Izuku nodded. "Yup!"

All Might hadn’t read the message yet. Maybe he was busy with something? That was pretty possible, it seemed like All Might was always busy with something. 

"Hey," he heard Kaachan said coarsely, pulling his attention up from his phone with a flinch. But when he looked up, he wasn’t angry—Kaachan looked… exceptionally calm. And for some reason that unnerved him more than his usual anger. 

"Go out front later," Kaachan said, his voice low as he strode by. "Let's have a talk about your quirk."

Izuku felt his blood go cold, his suspicions confirmed. He turned, watching him walk away. He knows… he figured it out… 

Wh- what am I gonna do? 

A finger tapped to his shoulder and he started, only to blush as Uraraka leaned into him right then. Ah-!

"You okay?"

"Uh- y- yeah, I-" he shuddered out a breath, glancing back at Kaachan as he headed for the elevators. "There’s just… something I gotta take care of."

Uraraka glanced over, seeing Kaachan walk away, and her face grew more confused and concerned. "Deku-"

He took a breath and sent her a smile. "It’s okay."

She nodded, then smiled. "Well, I’m gonna go to bed, so uh- goodnight, Deku."

"Goodnight, Uraraka," he said, feeling himself sigh at her smile. 

He watched her go, then sagged as he anticipated this… confrontation.

Maybe it wasn’t the best thing to do. Maybe he should’ve found a different way. But even so, this fight—it was Kaachan's cry for help, in a way. And if he needed to blow off steam, or prove something by going all out, then Izuku could fight. He’d take these blows and send them back as hard as he could, because damn it, he did want to win this. 

"I won’t be your punching bag anymore, Kaachan!"

But why does it always have to be this way with you, huh?!

Who's right and who's wrong… He thought that his viewpoint on it all was so correct that no one else's could be right? Or was it just Izuku's own? 

If I’m right, then Kaachan believes he’s wrong? 

Dodge. Breathe. Impact. Engage. Kaachan was so fast! It was everything he could do to just keep up! He didn’t think about strategy anymore. He just moved. 

A lot of this crap seemed to slot into place like an unknown puzzle piece. Kacchan saw him as not just nothing, but as the antithesis to himself—and a lot of the treatment over the years made sense to that. If he’s the greatest, I’m the least, right?

But I’m more than that now, he thought as he flung back his leg, his shoe striking Kaachan's arm with a ferocity that surprised even himself. 

You didn’t end All Might— He swung himself up from the gate, his ears ringing at the explosion Kaachan erupted in the space he’d just occupied. None of it had anything to do with you—

But words were no good now. It didn’t matter what he said. It never had—no matter what he’d said over the years, nothing changed anything. Kaachan believed what he wished, and his pride took priority over all. 

And now… he was in so much pain. Just agonizing over all of this alone—because he couldn’t even begin to talk it out. 

Izuku swung his body in the opposite direction as Kaachan grabbed his arm, using that momentum to slam him hard into the metal fence. Kaachan grunted, his eyes hard and wild. 

Izuku couldn’t even attempt to predict his movements like he normally would in a fight. 

He’s too fast at reacting!

He huffed in a breath as Kaachan got up once more, and a smile spread across his face. Despite everything, all the crap he'd been put through by this person, his childhood friend—he’d always admired power, strength, the ability to do incredible things. And Kaachan, despite how horrible he often was—he was an incredible person. And Izuku couldn't help but be amazed. "Guess it should’ve been obvious, but… you’re getting stronger…"

"What’re you grinning at?!" Kaachan leapt at him, faster than he could react, and he felt the impact hit hard as he fell backwards. "You say you ain't gonna be my punching bag anymore, huh?!"

Izuku got back to his feet in a crouch, ready to strike. "I won’t!"

The flames crashed into him in a flash, and he covered his eyes as heat swept over him—

"That’s what always pissed me off about you!" Kaachan popped another explosion before Izuku could redirect his movement, and he was sent flying in the repercussion. "I could never tell what you were thinking!"

Izuku landed on his feet, skidding to a stop as Kaachan's explosion fizzled out in flame and smoke. It began to still as Kaachan shouted at him.  

"I’d pound you again and again, but you’d keep sticking around! Even though you were a punk with nothing to offer! Always looking at me with those eyes that seemed to know something I didn’t!"

His voice cracked as he took a breath, these words pouring out of him after years and years of this. And Izuku just stood and listened. 

"Always like… you were looking down on me," Kaachan cried, anger fuming off him in droves. "Like you were just waiting for a chance to surpass me."

Izuku gaped at that. Like I was… looking down on you? Huh?

"You freakin' eyesore!" Kaachan shouted out, that familiar snarl filling his face. But Izuku was just stunned. 

"Is that… really what you thought?"

It… didn’t make any sense. How- What led him to that kind of conclusion? He thought Izuku had that kind of ego? The same as Kaachan's? More of the puzzle fell into place and he was just left balking. 

Your pride… made you incapable of seeing this clearly…

But somehow, that didn’t surprise Izuku in the slightest. 

"Normally I wouldn’t want anything to do with a guy who kept insulting me…" Izuku said, his voice quieter now, anger rising in him. "But as you just said, I had nothing going for me."

He looked up, fists gripped at his side as he glared at his childhood friend—someone who should've been his friend, but had rejected that with every fiber of his being. You don't care about my words anymore now than you ever did, huh? But he spoke anyway. 

"As bad as your bad side was, your strengths were just as impressive!" He cried, feeling his own strength rise within him now as he recalled his powerlessness from before. That’s right… It didn’t matter if he pushed it away, tried to spin a positive outlook. What it really came down to… was envy. I am envious of you. I always have been. 

"You had so much that I didn’t," he said, his voice rising, Full Cowling filling his body once more. 

Your pride—my envy… we just got in each other's way constantly. I couldn’t have known that, and you were too volatile to actually think outside your own damn self! 

In an instant, he burst forward, his body racing faster now than he had been. "I could admire All Might from a distance, but you were right there—this amazing person in my life!"

He leapt into the air, swinging his leg in an arc to bring straight down into Kaachan's stupid face!

"That’s why… I always… chased after you!"

The thing was… he wanted to win. He felt like running his mouth. He felt like causing some harm. This whole complicated mess between them—was for a misunderstanding? A misreading of his intentions as a little kid?! 

The fight escalated from there as his own ferocity and speed seemed to increase. He was so fast, so angry at this idiot! He shouted and kicked and burst through the flames. 

You want me to want to surpass you?! Izuku wound up to jump, faster and faster— Then I will, you stupid bastard!

But now that he was faster even than Kaachan's reactions, he could think! And he could strategize better. As he leapt into the air, power surging through him, he could see Kaachan's eyes as he was now on the back foot. 

Kaachan jumped up too, his arm up to guard as Izuku leapt at him, leg poised to kick him—

I get that this fight is your way of venting… Izuku thought to him, his teeth gritting together. But I’m not so easygoing as to let you have your way!

Izuku felt the energy crackle around him as he leaned back into the trajectory of his jump. Shoot style is a way to fight without using my arms— his fist cocked back to strike, and he glowered at the boy in front of him. But no one ever said I can’t use them too!

The realization dawned on Kaachan's face too late as Izuku swung a punch at him. 

Sorry man, but I wanna win this! Izuku let his anger flow out of him as his fist connected hard with Kaachan's face—the impact feeling way too satisfying. He drove the force into him, wheeling them through the air towards the ground.

All Might chose me. So I gotta prove myself—! And overcome you with my own power!

Kaachan's fury seemed to burst, and he shouted against the impact. "I ain't gonna lose!"

His hand reached out and grabbed Izuku's shirt, then with his explosions, he swung the trajectory around and pelted them both into the pavement below, fire engulfing the both of them. 

Izuku tried to gasp as the wind was completely knocked out of him. By the time he hit the ground, Kaachan had him completely pinned and breathless. He gritted his teeth as Kaachan's hand covered his face, crouched on top of his legs with his arms locked down, one in Kacchan's grip and the other under his foot, keeping him down. 

"It’s my win," Kaachan said, his voice quieter now. 

The failure stung more than his wounds though, and Izuku huffed in a bitter disappointment. 

"All Might's power…even with that power… even after making it your own… you still lost to me."

Izuku didn’t respond, he didn’t need to. That much was simply obvious. But Kaachan almost sounded as… disappointed as Izuku felt. 

Kaachan leaned into the hold, pressing his head harder into the pavement. "Why'd you lose, huh?"

"That’s enough, you two!"

Kaachan let him go as he turned toward the voice. Izuku blinked, lifting himself up. 

"All Might…" they said at the same time. 

"Apologies, but I overheard everything."

Quiet fell over the three of them, highlighting the ringing in Izuku's ears at that last explosion. 

"I’m sorry that I never realized," All Might sighed. 

Kaachan stood and stared at him, then turned. "Too little too late."

He took a breath, that hard edge in the quiet. "Why Deku, huh?" he asked, his voice low, calm. "It started when the sludge villain came, right? Why this guy…?"

Izuku started at that, but kept his eyes down. It was a question he asked himself all too often. And this failure—after declaring himself able to surpass him, Kaachan— again… still… beat him solidly. He took a breath, the exhale aching through his body.

All Might continued to walk towards them, but Izuku found he was too ashamed to even look up at his mentor. 

"Even though he was powerless," All Might said softly. "He was more of a hero than anyone."

He still couldn't bring himself to look up, the shame welling up in him all the same.

"I could tell that you were strong. You were already on your way, so I decided to give him a chance to walk that path too."

"Nah…" Kaachan said, voice shaking. "I'm weak, too…! I always wanted to be strong, like you!" He cried. "It's because I'm weak…!—that you wound up like that!"

Izuku stared at him now, his heart aching all over again—but he understood. He understood entirely. He felt the exact same—weak and ashamed. All Might may have let his embers burn out seeking to bring Kaachan back, but it was Izuku who was the reason All Might only had embers left in the first place.

Still… he'd never seen Kaachan like this before.

All Might stood before him, standing tall despite his current state. 

"This isn't your fault," he said calmly. "Either way, my limit was fast approaching. I was always going to end up like this."

He sighed, reaching out. "You are strong… but I focused too much on your strength. And I ended up making you bear that burden."

All Might pulled Kaachan to him, embracing him gently. "I'm sorry… You, too, are only a boy."

Kaachan stayed in the embrace only for a moment before shoving at All Might's arm and turning away, either caught up in the emotions or in embarrassment, Izuku didn't know. But All Might simply looked between the two of them.

"After being a hero for a long time, I’ve been fixated on victory like you, Young Bakugo, and wanted to save those in trouble like you, Young Midoriya." All Might said gently. "If either of those feelings are missing, then a hero won’t be able to carry out the justice he wants to carry out. Like how you, Young Midoriya, admired Young Bakugo's strength, and how you, Young Bakugo, feared Young Midoriya's heart…"

Izuku bit his lip, looking down at his knees.

"Now that you’ve laid everything bare, can’t you see?" All Might's voice too on a sense of understanding, but also urgency. "If you can learn to respect each other and focus on making each other stronger… you can become the greatest heroes—ones who save by winning, and win by saving."

Izuku stilled, looking up at Kaachan, and as they stared at each other for a moment, All Mights words ringing in their ears, it all started to make sense. Being able to become the greatest hero together— transform each other's weaknesses into strengths. It made… a lot of sense.

The fight was over, and as All Might told Kaachan the story of One for All, Izuku felt a vast relief at it all. So much more than he’d expected to feel. It was like a weight he’d always always carried dropped to the ground. 

Hatred, envy, guilt— all of it between them seemed to fall away. 

So he grinned as he glared, letting a competitive glee fill him now at being able to act this way with Kaachan. He was grateful—for everything. He was grateful for this power, for All Might choosing him, grateful to fight with and finally communicate with his childhood friend—and he was grateful for the confidence he now had to even try. 

He thought of her then, lifting her fist in the air and changing the meaning of his name. Did she truly understand how much of a paradigm shift that had given him? He didn’t think she quite grasped how deeply she’d affected him. 

But as he walked with Kaachan, shooting back and forth boasting and insults, he smiled and was grateful all over again. 

Now that the exam was over and she could breathe, those flutterings returned happily to the forefront of her mind—at least for the time being. Tomorrow when classes began again, she would dedicate her mind forward again. With all those anxieties and worries about the future, with all the stabs of jealousy and possessiveness returning in flashes with those memories—she wanted to feel giddy about her boyfriend. She chose to. And overall in her relief at the end of the night, she just… missed him. 

It was late, and she should’ve been asleep already, but after these giddy, happy flutterings out, she actually embraced them now that the confusion had lessened. So she just sat at her desk, looking out the door at the night sky, thinking about a boy. 

With classes starting again, we'll be busier than ever, she thought, considering their time, what curriculum they’d learn, and maybe we'll have a normal semester this time! She sighed at that, and pushed away the worries to feel joy in her smile still. 

Will we have any time just to ourselves? She wondered. I’d love to actually go on that date he’d asked me to. But really, she was happy no matter what circumstance. Anything was fine as long as she got to be around Izuku Midoriya. 

Oh! She suddenly recalled the run they'd gone on together that morning— was it really just this morning? The time felt way too long to be only a single day. Did he wanna do that again? 

Despite her anxiety, she knew Deku's answer would probably be 'yes!' So she let the happy feelings lead her, avoiding touching that creeping anxiety and grabbed up her phone. It was late, but she didn’t want to miss him in the morning. He stays up too late anyway.

—Sorry it’s late, but I forgot to ask! Do you want me to come on a run with you in the morning?

The anxiety burst back up, despite her trying to tamp it down— He likes me back! There’s no need to stress out!

But when her phone buzzed his response, it was like a gut punch. 

I can’t—

Before she could freak out about how he didn’t like her anymore, or any other other stupid things her brain could come up with, he texted again. 

I’m actually under house-arrest now— 

Ochako blinked at his messages, confused. Huh? 

Without bothering to try and text for more information out of him, she pressed the call button on her phone. 

"U- Ura-" Deku laughed, but she cut him off. 

"What do you mean 'house-arrest?!' What happened?! I just saw you a couple hours ago!"

She could practically hear him cringe over the line. His voice heightened as he sighed. "Kaachan and I… got in a pretty bad fight…"

Her eyes went wide, and she sat on her bed. "Oh… Why'd you go and do that?"

He was quiet for a long moment, and she wondered what had happened. Although—she really wasn’t surprised. The friction between those two had been really building and building, long before she’d met the two of them. It'd have to reach a boiling point at some point or another. 

"I mean, I guess for a- a lot of different reasons…" he said, his voice quiet and hesitant  "But- I'll tell you more tomorrow. It’s getting pretty late—You’ll probably want some good sleep for class tomorrow."

"You mean you can’t even go to class?"

He groaned. "Aizawa was really mad… he even banned us from seeing Recovery Girl about our injuries too…"

Ochako fretted, her fist clenched against her chest. "Are you okay?"

"I’m okay," he said softly. "Just some scrapes and bruises."

She bit her lip, and knowing him and his propensity for injury, she wasn’t sure if she believed him. "You sure? No broken bones?"

He laughed lightly, and she felt those flutters in her heart again at the sound. "N- no, no broken bones, I promise."

Ochako sighed, her hand pressed to her chest. "Thank goodness."

It was a moment of quiet before Deku spoke again, his voice stuttering a bit. "T- thanks for calling- I- it was- really nice to uh- h- hear your voice…"

She pressed a hand to her cheek, blushing as she shut her eyes. "Mhmm!"

"G- goodnight, Uraraka."

"See you tomorrow," she sighed. 

When the phone clicked, she laid on her bed, hugging her phone to her chest and let out a sigh. 

Maybe romance wasn’t so bad after all.

Chapter Text

Izuku didn’t have homework, which was weird. He didn’t even have recent classwork to keep up on because the semester hadn’t even begun yet!

Well, now it has, I just missed it! 

He groaned, thinking of all the things his classmates had said. Already they were diving into things, and he was being left behind. 

All that work for a big step forward! He thought of his the newly issued provisional license. And now I’m falling behind again!

"Keep your spirits up! You’re gonna need 'em!" said the… floating, disembodied head by the trash…

Despite the oddness of that encounter at the dumpsters, he decided to let the words encourage him. Even if that fight with Kaachan had been necessary, it had resulted in a setback for both of them. But! Coming this far, he could manage a setback. He’d just work hard to catch up again when he could. 

A sudden knock on the glass door nearly made him jump out of his skin. Someone's… on my balcony?! He blinked, then stepped over and shoved the curtains open—and there was Uraraka hanging in the air, her hair floating around her face like she was some kind of ethereal being. 

Wow, he couldn’t help but stare. Wow. 

When she waved, he realized he was just standing there gawking at her through the glass. He unlocked the door and pulled it open, blushing brightly. "Wh- what’re you-?"

"I know you can’t leave the dorms or anything, but," she smiled a big, blushy smile as she lifted a wrapped up box and a couple drinks. "We don’t have to leave the building, after all!"

He flushed hotter, his heart still fluttering at the fact that this girl actively liked him, and actively wanted to spend time with him. It was so completely beyond his comprehension, he didn't even know what to do with himself. "Y- you might get in trouble, too," he sweat, but she shrugged. 

"Not as badly as you!" She smirked, 

"Right…" he sighed. 

She hesitated, taking in his injuries, her hand raised as if she wanted to touch his face. "You okay though? Aizawa really won’t let you see Recovery Girl about those?"

"It’s alright," he said, eyes wide as he waved off her fretting. "I got these being stupid, so I can heal them on my own. It’s just some scrapes and bruises."

Uraraka bit her lip, looking bashful for a moment before she held out her hand to him. He swallowed but he gladly took it. As her quirk activated on him too, he felt his gravity disappear and they began to float together over his veranda. The sensation of it made him think of the first time they’d met, how she’d caught him when he’d tripped over his own feet. Looking at her now, the way she smiled at him, blushed at him, held his hand, hugged him!—It was hard to believe where they were with each other now, only six months later. 

"C’mon," she smiled, then pushed off from the rail and sent them upward until they were over the roof. She released her quirk then, and gracefully landed on her toes. He was struck again by just how downright beautiful she was— and she likes me?! 

She turned then and beamed at him. "See? No puke!" 

He laughed. It was such a funny thing to say after he’d just been thinking about how graceful and beautiful she was. But he’d always thought it was cute how she just said whatever she felt like. Although getting to know her more like this, he was realizing that really wasn’t always the case, huh? She really did hold more back than he’d been aware. 

Uraraka settled in to sit by the edge, opening the wrap on her box to show a little package of cake. 

"Yaomomo's family sent her these cakes from Europe to congratulate her for getting her provisional license," she said, opening the box and taking out a piece. She smiled as she handed it to him. "There wasn’t enough for everyone, but she shared them with the girls."

"Wow, thanks!" He beamed, then just watched her as she pulled a piece out for herself and took a bite. 

"Ooo lemon," she closed her eyes, looking like she was in heaven, eating something sweet. Those words came to his mind again as he watched her. 

"You’re in love…"

Wow. 

"Here's some tea!" She smiled, handing him the can. 

"You didn’t have to do all this for me," he said gratefully. 

She blinked, then looked a little unsure, her cheeks growing more rosy. "I… thought- well, I wanted to… and because of the cake, I only bought the tea so yay!"

His smile widened, and he took a sip, feeling his heart clench in the very best way. 

Uraraka blushed a little brighter as she set her own can down, then pressed a hand to her face, her voice almost too quiet to hear. "I… missed you today…"

Oh, I’m never getting used to this— he felt his ears burn and his heart give a thump, just at her words! Only a few months ago, girls didn’t even talk to him much! And now! She missed me. 

"I- uh-" he swallowed down the bite of cake, then tried to wrangle all these flustered feelings. "M- me too—missed you too, I mean."

She looked down, smiling happily as she tapped her foot on the edge. Then she just closed her eyes and hummed as she ate. Izuku watched her, that warm feeling in his heart swelling within him. 

"It was such a long day, being stuck in here and missing out," he wilted, taking another bite. "I- I don’t suppose you’d fill me in on what’s happening in class?"

Uraraka bowed with a laugh as she chewed. "Sorry, Iida made me swear, gotta follow the rules!"

"Of course!" He sighed heavily. "It was worth a shot."

A beat passed between them, and he looked out over the dark shapes of the trees below. He glanced at her, and saw concern on her face now. Before he could ask about it, she turned to him. 

"So… what happened?" She asked softly. "You and Bakugo—you guys haven’t fought like before—not like that, at least."

Izuku sighed, feeling a cold sweat on his back. How do I explain it to her? I… can’t tell her about One for All… And at that alone, he felt guilt. Should he have secrets from her, now that they were… dating? But—it wasn’t just his secret to keep. He’d already screwed up blabbing about it to Kaachan. 

He thought of the burden it had become to Kaachan through this whole experience. And as he looked at her… he didn’t want to burden her too.

"Kaachan had a lot built up, about everything that happened with the League of Villains—and with All Might… and now with him failing the license exam…"

"So he was just blowing off steam at you?" She frowned, looking more upset by that—and it was nice to have someone like that now, defensive of him. His younger self wouldn't have believed it. 

"Sort of? I guess that was one of the reasons," he scratched his neck, entirely unsure of how to explain. The collision of their respective pride and envy and desires to be like All Might—then wrapped with his utterly shameful loss to him. 

'Why'd you lose?'

I gotta get stronger…

"It’s… complicated."

He looked up, letting his shoulders sink as he thought through it all. "Having that fight, getting things out in the open…" Neither of us were wrong in how we apply our admiration. 'Save to win' and 'win to save.' We can complete each other in our admiration. 

"If you can learn to respect each other and build each other up… you can become the greatest heroes."

With All Might's words in his head, he hoped—"I think… we might’ve turned a new page, though."

At that, Uraraka smiled. "That's what I was hoping for," she said. Then lightly bumped her shoulder against his. "A fated battle between men."

He laughed, his jaw aching a bit at the motion. "You said that before, huh?"

Uraraka shrugged. "My dad and I like to watch big action movies and stuff together—brother versus brother was a common theme. I dunno, when we met and I saw you guys and how you were with each other, it made me think of that."

He considered that, and with this whole bizarre rivalry now intertwined with the secret of One for All, a generational fight against a great evil—it did feel a bit like an action movie. "You’re probably not that far off. It is kinda weirdly dramatic like that."

"I mean, that’s more on Bakugo than you, I’m sure. I did try to talk to him about it once," she hummed, looking up. "Didn’t do much, but it’s hard to admit you’re scared of something when you're a guy like him."

His eyes lingered on her then, remembering back to that first battle training, and to their time after that. Sometimes it was like she kind of understood what was happening between them better than the two of them had—maybe an outside perspective? But she's also just incredibly emotionally intelligent, more than me, and probably more than Kaachan. I really admire her insights on people. She’s so—"

She blushed, blinking at him. "Ah- I just- it’s nothing!"

With his hand to his mouth, Izuku blinked, and his face warmed. "S- sorry, I didn’t realize I was muttering."

"I- it's fine, Deku," she laughed, smiling a little too big. "I guess I’m surprised, I don’t think I’m all that intelligent—I just kinda call things as I see 'em." 

He frowned at that. "You are absolutely intelligent, Uraraka. Not to mention strategic and quick thinking, and dedicated and… really kind, and..."

She was blushing hard at his words, and his boldness in counteracting her self-insult started to melt. Still, he bit his lip and continued his thought anyway. "I- I’ve always known y- you were someone I could r- rely on… you’re just so…"

Being caught up in the conversation, he’d nearly forgotten that he was dating her? Which meant it wouldn’t be out of place to say—"Just… beautiful inside and out…"

When she didn’t say anything, he scratched his neck, ducking his head in his embarrassment. He'd probably said too much—in fact, he knew he did. He’d chosen to say all that specifically. Now he just… wasn’t sure what to do with her silence. 

"S- sorry if that’s uh- t- too much…" he got out, curling in on himself as he cringed. 

After a few moments, Uraraka sighed roughly, tugging on the locks of her hair. He blinked, and for a moment really wished he could read her mind. 

Uraraka turned to him, a blushing determination on her face as she leaned into his space. 

"You’re a really kind person!" she said stiffly, and he blinked at her again, eyes wide. 

"Huh?"

She blushed, then retreated and set to hugging her knees, but she inclined her head, looking over her shoulder at him. "It’s one of the first things I… liked… about you. Kind. Earnest. And strong, too. You’re… amazing. And you're not plain at all! You're really really— cute!"

Izuku was stunned—aside from the fact that no one had ever complimented his looks before, he felt… so touched at her words—and her desire to return his compliments with more directed back at him. He thought back to just a year ago, how lonely, how isolated he’d been, struggling hard to have hope, fighting back the negativity of everyone trying to tell him to give up… that he was useless. 

"But 'Deku' well…it just screams 'Do your best!' I kinda like it!" 

Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a gentle hug. He just… wanted to hold this wonderful girl who'd turned his life on its head in every good way. And now she calls me amazing? Cute?! He was blushing brightly, and he was sure he’d stutter if he spoke, but he was moved by this deep, quiet warmth in his heart that filled him to the brim. He squeezed her tighter, face in her shoulder. 

Uraraka was incredibly still against him, but after a few long moments, her hands came up, returning his embrace. He smiled, letting himself take in every detail, the way she felt against him, the way he could smell the lemon cake on her, the way her hands smoothed over his shirt, the way her words touched his soul. 

"Hey Deku," she said softly, her voice a bit muffled in his shoulder. "C- could I ask you a favor?" 

"Mhm," he breathed, afraid of breaking the moment with his stuttering nerves. 

She squeezed him a little tighter, hiding her face in him even more. "W- would you… I mean, if you don’t mind, I’d… really like you to use my given name."

It was all too much. He bit his lip at the emotions welling up within him, surging outward to her. He couldn’t believe how fortunate his life was, how blessed beyond belief at every single turn. Those happy tears slid down his face, falling into her hair as he nodded.  

"Of course," he whispered. "I’d love to."

She leaned back from him, their arms still wrapped around each other. And for a moment, they just looked at each other, and he was mesmerized by the sight of her as the lights of the streetlamps below and the moon above gave her a kind of heavenly glow—or maybe that was just the bleariness from his tears. 

"De-" she trailed off, her eyes looking over his face. 

And it struck him right then… that he might absolutely be able to kiss her, huh? Not now, probably, but… one day…

The thought pushed it all over the edge, seemingly for both of them. His blushes returned tenfold just as hers did, and they released each other in a flurry of embarrassment. He felt for a moment he couldn’t breathe, it was just— too close! And it made him even more flustered when his body felt cooler from where she'd been hugged against him. For a moment, he hated his flustered feelings and that tendency of his—he really did want to keep holding her. 

"And…!" He got out, sweating in this embarrassment. "Y- you can call me anything you want, Ura- O- Ocha- cha- k- ko…!"

Nailed it. Ugh…

She tilted her head, still blushing and flustered. "I- I guess I already call you a nickname. D- do you want me to use I- Izuku instead?"

"Whichever is fine with me," he smiled happily as he took a deep breath. "I do like Deku now, thanks to you."

"Because of what I said that one time?"

He nodded. "You said it sounded like 'You can do it!' That- it-" he laughed, scratching at his face. "With everything it was before, it- you don’t know how much that meant to me—still means to me."

She didn't respond to that, and he glanced over to see a soft blush and a touched smile on her face. He felt his heart clench, bolstered that he could say some stuff right in this kind of… situation. 

"But having you call me 'Izuku' would just feel-!" He cut himself off, blushing brightly. 

"Too much?" She asked, and he shook his head. 

"Really special?" He laughed, rubbing at his neck as he sweat. 

"Oh," Urara- Ochako smiled brightly. "Then I’ll use both! Deku for normal and Izuku for really special!"

His heart clenched hard, and he couldn’t help how much he blushed. He covered his face as he fretted in these overwhelming emotions. "O- o- only if you want to, O- Ochako…"

"I do want to!" She exclaimed. 

As he took her in, dazzled and amazed that this was actually happening—that he was actually here with her. And just to confirm it to himself, he took her hand in his, just to watch her smile soften with such… warmth. And while it may not have been a date at an amusement park, like he'd wanted to take her to, eating cake and talking as they were on the rooftop under the stars wasn’t bad either. 

His mind turned back to the exam, those feelings they’d had between them back then—the complete discomfort she’d had behind her hiding smile, and he faltered a bit. They'd purposefully pushed them aside to focus on and finish the exam strong, and afterward with everything that had happened with Kaachan, there just hadn't been time to really talk about it. Maybe bringing it all up again was unnecessary, but he wasn’t sure. He wanted her to feel reassured, he wanted her to not have the worries she’d felt, nor the doubts she’d had—maybe give her more than he’d been able to do in their rushed, quiet whispers. 

He hated the thought that he’d hurt her, and it had lingered in his mind ever since. 

"O- Ochako," he sighed, thrilled a bit at her name on his lips. 

"Mhm?" She smiled, looking at him with such a happy smile. 

"C- can you- I mean, you don’t have to, but…" he sighed, rubbing at his neck. "When you were upset at the license exam, I- I’d like to know what was going on in your head—"

He glanced at her as her smile fell, her face growing uncomfortable again, and he cringed, but… maybe if they could get it out in the open, then—maybe he could fix this problem before it happened again. That is… if that'd be something she was okay with.

"If you’re willing t- to show me, maybe I can help better than I did," he sighed. "I dunno…"

"I- it-!" She blushed, shaking her head. "It doesn’t really matter, I- was probably just- um… tired!"

She laughed a little too hectically, and Izuku frowned. It definitely wasn’t that— but he did say if she wanted to. He didn’t want to force her, but… how can I help if I don’t know? 

"Um…" he tilted his head at her. "A- are you sure?"

At that, her smile faltered, and she blushed and looked away. He squeezed her hand gently, unsure of what to do. 

"I- if you don't wanna say, that's okay. Just…" he tilted his head, trying to see her face. "You don’t… have to hide, okay?"

Ochako seemed like she was halfway through a decision to open up and to float away. He wasn’t trying to be intrusive, but he did want to help. He fretted. Oh, what do I do…?

After a few moments, she sighed, her fingers grasping him tighter. "Sorry…"

He blinked, flushing at that. "No, don’t- ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry, I just thought, well- if there was an issue, maybe I could help, but if you- I mean- please don’t feel bad- I-"

"Izuku," she said softly. 

He stopped short, his eyes widening as his heart swelled. Oh. 

"I’m gonna try," she said, lifting a fist in the air before wilting a bit. "I did say this stuff is hard for me… personal stuff, ya know?"

"Ah- yeah…" he nodded, looking at her compassionately. "And I- I said I’d be patient. So you don’t- it’s okay."

"Uh… well, I…" Ochako grasped his hand a little tighter, then turned her face away, groaning. "I was… feeling really… uncomfortable a- and… j- jealous…"

He blinked—that was… not what he’d expected. "Jealous?"

She blushed brighter, burying her face in her knees. "Mm."

He understood the uncomfortable part—he'd known that much. But jealous… how? For what? For… and as he thought about it, the situations he'd been in with Camie, that weirdness that was so bizarrely… intimate… Ochako's jealous over me?! 

"It was the same with Hatsume, too," she moaned quietly. "Both of them bein' all… touchy..." 

She refused to look at him, but her hand was tight to him as if she was worried he'd be wrenched away from her. Was that her worry? That some other girl was gonna steal him away? It was… downright ridiculous! 

He blushed bright as he let out a light laugh, then waved a hand at her frown. "I- I'm not laughing at you, I swear, it’s just I- well, I never even had real friends before you, and just-!"

He sighed, looking at her compassionately as she blushed too. "It’s bizarre to be here, to be wanted—coming from that, I suppose."

"Yeah…" Ochako sighed, but she smiled awkwardly with him too. "I didn’t realize how… possessive I’d feel…"

P- possessive?!

Izuku watched her as his own cheeks went even redder, considering that, her, the things she’d felt and trying to recall what she’d done during those times, now considering that time with Hatsume as well. Setting aside that uncomfortable awkwardness, he thought that… maybe his job here just got a whole lot easier. 

"Ochako," he said solemnly, and she looked up to meet his eyes. "If I make a promise, I keep it."

Her eyes were wide as she stared at him. Gently, he grasped her hand between both of his, holding her tight, even as he blushed—but he retained this seriousness he was trying to convey. 

"I decided to accept your feelings," he said, looking over her blushing face. "That in and of itself is a promise, but I’m happy to say it more clearly."

He blushed even harder, but he tried his best to keep his voice from shaking. He gripped her hand tighter, leaning closer to her. 

"For as long as you w- want m- me…" he stuttered, feeling his heart thump loud in his ears. "I’m yours. And nothing anyone else does is going to change that."

As she gaped at him, he very quickly felt the weight of his words, the boldness in them as he held her hand. Uhhh… UHHHH…! It was— that was—! Probably way too much! Ochako hadn’t said anything— still wasn’t saying anything, and he- Aw man… this is so insane… But instead of retreating or retracting anything, he simply sat, stock still, letting her decide what to do with all that.  

"Oh," she whispered, her eyes big as her tears shone in the dim lights. She quietly pulled her hand out of his, but before he could worry about it, she nudged herself closer to him. Her hands wrapped around his arm and she leaned on his shoulder with a happy sigh. "Mmkay."

Izuku felt nothing but wonderful warmth in his heart, this deep, happy draw to her as they settled into it together. He bit his lip and leaned his head to hers, resting his cheek on her hair, taking it in. 

"I am sorry about before," Ochako said softly in this genuinely comfortable quiet. "I wasn't tryin' to doubt you or anything."

"It’s okay, Ochako," he smiled as her name sat on his lips. "I’m sorry there was anything to doubt."

She scoffed. "Well, it’s not like you had any control of that whack job."

"Fair enough," he laughed, reaching over to spread his hand over hers where she hugged his arm. "And yeah, 'whack job' does feel accurate. She said some really strange things too! Like who says stuff like that-? That you can smell if someone is in love-"

"What?!" Ochako cried, lifting her head up to gape at him. 

He blushed, realizing what he’d said. "Uh- I-" 

But was he in love?! The girl from Shiketsu seemed to think so. And with all these fluttery feelings, he sure was feeling something! But he wasn’t- it had been less than two days, for crying out loud, and-

"The girl-" Ochako said, her voice serious suddenly, her hand tightening around his bicep. "Tell me what she said exactly."

Izuku blinked, still blushing, but the seriousness of her tone sobered him up. "Uh- she said 'you’re different' and she said 'you’re in l- love, I can smell it.'"

Ochako let him go and stood suddenly, her fists clenched. "We have to talk to Aizawa right now."

Chapter Text

Izuku started at her sudden seriousness, feeling his sense of readiness kick in. He stood up with her, fists gripped at his sides. "What is it?"

"That girl could transform, right? What was her name?"

"Camie, I think."

She gathered up their food and took his hand, letting them float back down to the pavement. 

"I think she’s an imposter, and I think she’s with the League of Villains."

His eyes widened, gaping at her. "She said something about 'before' to me… which didn't make sense since I'd just met her…"

And when he thought about it, that feeling of desperate, crazed affection from her— "That blond girl-"

"-from the training camp," Ochako nodded, and they began to run towards Aizawa's office. 

"How did you know?!" He asked. 

"Because she said the same creepy stuff to me!" Ochako got out as she ran beside him, striding up the steps to where Eraser Head's quarters were. "I had her pinned on the ground, and she was like 'you smell like me, we're both in love—let’s talk about romance!' It- then she stole some of my blood with some kind of IV needle device!"

Izuku bit his lip. "She went out of her way to draw blood from me too," he said, tapping the scratch on his cheek.

"Maybe it’s a blood related quirk, the shapeshifting."

"I bet it is," Izuku sighed, his mind flashing back to the insanity that was fighting with the Hero Killer. "Tricky."

As they approached the door, they stopped and took a breath. It wasn’t quite curfew yet, but it always felt a little unwise to bug their teacher after hours. 

"Let me," Izuku sighed, stepping up to the door. "He’s already mad at me."

Ochako let out a laugh, then patted his shoulder. 

Izuku rapped his knuckles against the door, an urgency to his knock. 

Aizawa pulled the door open, and he looked at him with an indifferent sort of annoyance. "You’re supposed to be under house arrest-"

"Teacher, we think there was a girl at the license exam who's with the League of Villains," Izuku said quickly. 

Aizawa started, looking back and forth between them. 

"C'mon," he said, gesturing them into the room. 

Izuku sat in the chair across from him the same as he had with Kaachan the night before as they’d been reprimanded. This time though, they were putting together a grave puzzle piece. 

Aizawa sat down at his computer, questioning them already. "Which girl? What made you conclude this?"

"A student from Shiketsu named Camie," Izuku replied. "She went out of her way to attack me multiple times during the exam."

"We believe she’s actually the villain named Himiko Toga, who'd attacked us both at the training camp," Ochako added in. "She specifically drew blood from both of us."

Aizawa pulled up some information on his computer, then gestured for them to look. It was the student profile of Camie. "Camie Utsushimi?"

"Yeah," Izuku said, a chill running down his spine. Because if knife-wielding Toga had been impersonating this girl, then where was the real Camie? "That’s her. She had a shapeshifting quirk—she was able to turn into a perfect double of Uraraka."

"Her quirk is Glamour, she doesn’t change shape, she creates illusions."

"So it really was an imposter…" Ochako breathed. 

"What evidence do you have that it was Himiko Toga specifically," Aizawa said, pulling up her class information. Izuku saw the contact information of a teacher. 

"Well…" Ochako said, fretting a bit. "Deku mentioned something she’d said—and it was almost the exact same thing she'd… said to me at camp…"

"Which was…?" Aizawa asked, plugging in the phone number.

Izuku glanced at Ochako, seeing her red-faced discomfort, and he swallowed down his own. This was too important for them to hesitate. "She said she could smell on us that we were in love."

Aizawa froze, staring at him, then at Ochako. Izuku gulped, then looked down at his knees, blushing all the way to his ears. 

It was necessary… he sighed. Ah damn it… 

"Alright," Aizawa said, his voice retaining his normal tired indifference at the revelation, then turned and called the teacher at Shiketsu. 

As he spoke over the phone, Ochako leaned over. "Thanks," she whispered.

He smiled at her, then shrugged, still blushing ridiculously hot. "H- had to be done."

"Still," she sighed, blushing as she scrunched her face. "Thanks."

Aizawa spent a minute or two exchanging information with the teacher on the line before the phone call ended. 

"I’ll need to make a police report about this," he sighed. "Apparently there were reports from her classmates that she'd been acting strangely a few days before the exam. After it, she abruptly left without her class, saying she didn’t feel well.

"The real Camie was actually disoriented at her home, having been nigh comatose for four days. Her parents thought she was sick, they had no idea anything was wrong until blood work found anesthetics in her system." Aizawa said, setting his phone down. "Apparently she'd just thought she was tired."

They both sighed in relief. He didn’t know that girl, and though the 'interaction' he’d had with her had been unpleasant, he was glad the real her was okay. 

"With the strangeness of it all, they hadn’t quite put it together that an imposter was involved until Camie came back to school with no memory of the test at all. But to know it was a member of the League…" he said. "Your report is very useful. I’ll call the detective with this information, so be prepared—he may want statements from you."

"Yes sir," he said with Ochako, feeling that pull toward hesitation at having to talk about that weird personal part again with another person—but it couldn’t be helped. 

Aizawa turned, looking back and forth. "With that handled, I suppose I should address you two as well."

Izuku squirmed, glancing at Ochako to see she was still completely red in the face, looking down. 

"When did this happen?" Aizawa sighed, gesturing between them. "This relationship."

"The night before the exam…" Izuku said softly. 

"You both sure have a lot of energy," their teacher remarked, which made them both cringe. 

"It- sort of just- happened," Izuku muttered. "I- she-"

"I was feeling really stirred up, having all these feelings in my head…" Ochako said, looking hard at her lap as her voice came out so timidly. "I was… distracted. Feeling too much… I dunno, but I didn’t wanna have all this stuck in my head when I didn’t even know what I was feelin' and- s- so instead of goin' into the exam all fuzzy, I just- I wanted to talk to Deku and kinda I guess clear stuff up, maybe put it aside, but he-" 

She glanced at him then, a tiny amazement on her blushing face. "He liked me, too."

Izuku smiled at her, even as his ears steamed. 

Aizawa sighed deeply, and they both blushed even deeper, looking down. 

"Well, there’s no policy against dating at UA," Aizawa said in a beleaguered tone.

Izuku's eyes widened. I hadn’t even thought of that…

"Although with that in mind, I assume I don’t need to remind you that appropriate behavior is a requirement?" Aizawa said, his eyes flashing red as his hair raised. Izuku felt that familiar intimidation paired with the stark absence of his quirk. "Because if you make me have to discipline you for any less, I won’t hesitate to expel the both of you."

Izuku cringed, both at the threat and the insinuation… He couldn’t even look at Ochako, but he knew she was just as mortified as he was. 

"Yes sir," they said together, both their voices very small.

Aizawa's hair fell and he sat back against the chair with a sigh. "What I’m more concerned about for the two of you is focus."

Izuku looked up, feeling uneasy. They had proof of that already, both of them feeling that distraction during the exam. He thought of that moment, their hands touched as he’d tried to reassure her in her uncertainty. And with her admission just now, it was pretty apparent. 

"I want you to remember the stakes of what we're dealing with—there’s a reason I’ve put you through what I have, and now have forced you to get your provisional licenses early," Aizawa continued. 

He thought back to USJ, what Aizawa had done for their class—trying to single-handedly protect them from a large-scale ambush—and he’d failed. It was a fact that he, Asui, and Mineta would’ve died right then had it not been for All Might's arrival. And then, despite the safety precautions taken, the same thing happened again at the training camp. 

Aizawa… must be terrified of losing us… the thought dawned on him so hard, it nearly brought tears to his eyes. 

"To allow us to protect ourselves," Izuku said solemnly. 

Aizawa nodded. "To get distracted now would be a massive disservice to yourselves and to each other."

Izuku felt a sinking in his gut, feeling that sadness within him again at the mention this all might be a mistake. He wanted to be a hero, he had a responsibility to that duty, to All Might, to One for All's legacy, and to himself. But he didn’t want these feelings he felt for her to be a mistake. He didn’t want to have to choose between them…

Aizawa looked at them. "You both passed with your licenses, but had you not, it would’ve been proof to me this situation is a problem. Prove to me it won’t be."

Izuku looked up, biting his lip at the light of determination.

"Yes sir."

Ochako was looking down, and he could feel that same uncertainty in her demeanor. She liked him, she wanted to pursue this with him, but she was maybe even more than him caught up in the anxiety of this very question—was this irresponsible to what their goals were?

With a deep breath, Aizawa shut down his computer, then leaned his elbows against his knees, looking squarely at the both of them. 

"I have an assignment then, to keep you both focused forward."

They looked up at him, confusion matching on each other's faces. Aizawa reached out, placing one hand on Izuku's shoulder, and his other on Ochako's. His hands held them firmly, but there was a softness in his demeanor that they didn’t see all that often. 

"You both struggle with confidence in yourselves," Aizawa said. "You both work very hard, I see it, and it’s good to be driven by a goal. But to move forward without confidence can make your progress stagnant, or even backslide—and I don’t want to see either of you fall into a rut like that."

Izuku gaped at him, listening. 

"If you’re going to pursue a deeper relationship with each other, then use that to build each other up in what makes you weak. Build your weaknesses up into strengths by supporting each other—leaning on each other," Aizawa continued, looking firmly at Ochako, then turning his eyes to Izuku. "You can’t afford to hesitate because you think you’re unworthy."

Izuku gaped at that, feeling a deep pain exposed in his chest—but he was right. Of course he was right. 

Ochako brought a fist to her chest, looking down. "Mhm."

"Focus together on your goals moving forward, because I have a feeling everything's just gonna get a lot harder from here on out."

"Yes sir."

Aizawa released them, then turned back to his desk, waving them off. 

"I’ll let you know when the detective asks for your statements, but for now, get back to the dorms before curfew."

Izuku stood, looking solemnly at Ochako. She glanced at him, biting her lip as she seemed incredibly deep in thought after Aizawa's words. 

"And you’re still under house-arrest, Midoriya," Aizawa ground out, his voice the usual stern once more. "So go straight back to the dorms or I'll add another day to your sentence."

"Yes sir!"

Ochako wasn’t sure entirely what to think as they walked back together to the dorms. She didn’t hold his hand, they were just too close to other people on these main paths, but it would've been nice to do so. After being forced to admit this to their teacher and having Sero literally guess! She was tired…

Support each other… lean on each other… build confidence from each other… Those were all wonderful things, and she wanted to. She really did! 

But they’d only been together two days. The depth and scope of this seemed to be more than she could actually grasp. The most they’d been able to do was hold hands—and exchange first names and embraces. They hadn’t even really said those words to each other. 

"We're in love." Deku had said when he’d stated what Toga had said to them—but the way he said it, it was so… definitive. Resolute. Maybe he was simply stating it seriously like that because they were conveying important information. Or else he was…

He only asked me on a date, he hadn’t… said he loved me… She didn’t know why that struck her so hard, him stating that so directly when he’d implied it the whole time. 

"As long as you want me, I’m yours."

Somehow, she was filled with two polar opposite emotions—those feelings she’d felt before the rescue portion of the test swept through her while her heart blossomed with that warmth his promise had brought to her. 

If this is love, then… I can’t turn back.

It felt a little bit like she was at a strange crossroads—and a decision must be definitively made. Which decision was right? Which was wrong? They were here at UA for a reason, both of them. Is this actually a disservice to him? To herself? 

But if she were to end it—they were still in the same class! They would still need to work together, rely on each other, see each other, live with each other! It would do nothing but make it awkward… and incredibly heartbreaking, effectively decimating both their focus and their friendship forever. 

Uh uh. 

It wasn’t a hard decision to make. In fact, she'd known her decision before the thought had even occurred. She wasn’t going to end it and that's that. She didn’t want to cause him pain, and that’s the only result of that decision, so of course she wouldn’t do it. 

Being with Deku—with Izuku like this… under all the flutters and anxiety of it all, it moved her heart so deeply, she couldn’t really describe it. It felt like… a small bud not ready to bloom yet, but still full of potential. It wasn’t something she felt she herself could reach yet, touch yet. It was just… a quiet something behind a fence in her heart. Maybe that is love, but she couldn’t tell if she could tell that yet. 

Setting aside the thoughts, she instead pondered the solemn assignment Aizawa had given them. 

Support each other— that one was easy. It came so naturally to her to give, to lend a hand, help out, to heal. She loved seeing people smile, and Izuku's smile was one of her absolute favorites. She loved knowing she’d helped him and brought a smile to his face. And of course, he was already supporting her of his own accord. It fanned that warmth inside her that he went out of his way to see her and give her what she needed, often before she even asked. Stressed her out a bit, but still it felt… good. Supporting each other came so naturally to the both of them. 

Leaning on him felt like the hard part…

She trusted him immensely. He’d never let her down once. He was an incredible friend, ally, and now boyfriend… She knew he could stand beside her through anything and everything. 

But… 

She thought of what he’d said—how he’d heard her cry through the door. It made her feel… some kind of way that sat heavy in her chest. I didn’t want him to hear that…

Ochako cherished smiles, and was proud of the joy she could give to others with her own. And ever since that very first day she’d met him, and that first day of school—she hadn’t realized how much her words had meant to him when she’d given his name a new meaning, but she did remember his smile after she tried to turn it around—his smile as he'd chosen it for his hero name. She’d made him smile. It meant something to her to be able to inspire joy in others. 

In letting out these uneasy feelings, she’d already hurt him. In her uncertainty, she’d already brought a frown to his face. To lean on him would be to… do that again? Half the time, she had no clue what she was feeling, it felt bad to burden him with her confusion while she sorted through it. 

But that’s what Aizawa told her to do, huh?

Where’s the balance? She sighed. Is it a lie to show a smile when I feel like a frown? What was she meant to do—to show? She’d never been this close to anyone before. 

I should call Mom and Dad… 

They passed through the circle of light from a street lamp, and as they stepped again into the dark, Ochako blushed as she took his hand, halting their steps. 

Izuku blinked at her, his blush visible even in the dark. 

"What Aizawa said," she got out, smiling hesitantly at him. "What do you think?"

He bit his lip, pondering on his words before he spoke. "It’s what we wanted to do anyway… r- right?"

Ochako felt a little lost at that—she didn't know why. He understood what they needed to do already, and she was just… she didn’t know. 

But she smiled brightly at him, a small fist raised. "Mhmm!"

He smiled happily with her, and she felt her joy increase, just by seeing his wonderful smile. 

"I wonder what it’ll look like though, to build confidence in each other," he said softly, pondering. 

An end result of trust. She bit her lip. Does that mean I don’t trust you? She knew she did, she just couldn’t fathom revealing all this to him… Torn again between that desire to protect him from these weird thoughts, and the desire to say she does indeed trust him completely. But… would that make me a liar if I said that now…?

"But I guess it’s not all that strange," he continued, unaware of her thoughts behind her smile. He looked up at her, blushing still, but there was that sincere soberness he tended to go into. "I already feel incredibly more confident than I ever was before, just by being your friend."

Her mouth opened at that, and her heart filled. Ochako smiled all the more brightly, because—that makes me… so happy to hear. "That couldn’t have been just me," she said, beaming at him. 

He blushed, rubbing a hand over his neck. "Well no, but…" he sighed, looking up to the night sky, a serenity to him now. "But you have been among all these incredible blessings I have received since… my journey began. With each one, and with you too, I feel… excited for the future with a hope I’ve never had before."

Izuku turned to her then, blushing as he looked bashfully up at her, squeezing her hand in his. "So… for your part in that… thank you, O- Ochako."

She looked him over, then smiled gently. All these thoughts in my head… If I could build your confidence without even meaning to, then… maybe that means one day, I’ll easily speak these feelings out loud to you. 

But… I don’t think today is that day…

"I am sorry, though," he said with a sigh. "I know you wanted it to stay just between us, but with Sero, and now this—getting r- r- relationship assignments!" 

He laughed bashfully, and she bit her lip. She was suddenly very aware how out in the open they were, despite the shadows they lingered in—her hand warm in his grasp. 

"I- it’s not like it’s your fault," she blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear. 

"I mean, with Sero, it might've been…"

At that, she laughed, then just shrugged. "I think… there are things that I’ll get used to—because we won’t be able to keep uh— this— secret forever."

"No, not likely," Izuku sighed. "Still, I’m happy to go at your pace, as much as we're able to—barring crazy villain imposters."

"Yup…"

Those twisty feelings began to bubble up again, but with his hand in hers, his smile on her, his promise in her mind, that jealousy eased. And as she looked at him, she felt her heart warm instead. 

You’re mine, after all… 

And what a strange thing to think! She didn’t even know how to start to think about that. He’d specifically committed himself to her—how… overwhelming.

And in the moment, she’d never before felt such a desire to kiss someone in her entire life. 

Her cheeks flamed at the thought, imagining something like that with him. She didn’t know how to kiss someone! She’d never even really thought of it before! But when he’d held her in his arms… when he’d given her that promise—she realized how much she wanted to… 

Maybe…

She squeezed his hand as they stood alone in the dark. He turned back to her, questioning. 

"Uh-" she looked up at him, but the panic seemed to linger under her skin now. He looked at her with compassion, smoothing his thumb over her knuckles gently because her nerves were so obvious! Ridiculously obvious!

So he just smiled, being so patient. And— wow, he’s just so- so-!

Wonderful. 

She stepped into him, embracing him again. She let her face lean against his collar, and she sighed as his arms wrapped around her. It all felt so warm, so relieving, so loving as he squeezed her tight. Part of her never wanted to let go, to never be apart from him—wanted to lift her head up and press her lips to- at least his cheek! 

Ochako's head spun at the thought, and she let him tuck her head under his chin—she didn’t dare do more. 

"Thank you for tonight," he sighed, his breath tickling her hair. "I’ll never forget it."

She trembled as she buried her face deeper into him, and she smoothed her hands—pinkies up—over his back. "Mmhm."

When they returned to the dorms, hands separated, they greeted their friends as if there was nothing more than a warm friendship between them. She did her best not to look at him very much, although it was a jolt in her heart every time they caught one another's gaze. She talked with Tsuyu and Momo, he brushed his teeth with Todoroki—they weren’t both longing to be back in each other's arms at all. 

We'll have to give it our all, she thought gently to herself. Focus…

As her group walked with his to the elevators, they glanced briefly at one another, his hand brushed hers, and she held back a giggle—especially as she saw his triumphant smile. 

"Make sure to get enough sleep," Momo fretted. "These new formula's we're diving into are incredibly complex, we'll need all the rest we can get."

"Don’t remind me!" Kaminari sighed. "I was skating by enough before as it is."

"I’d be happy to provide tutelage once more," Momo beamed. "But rest so we can be refreshed for it come tomorrow!"

"Thanks, Yaomomo!"

Izuku sighed. "I’ll really have some catching up to do…"

"It’s your own fault for being a troublemaker," Mineta said.

"Although we all know it was probably more Bakugo's fault, ribbit," Tsuyu said nonchalantly. 

The group chuckled as Izuku sighed again. "I still gotta take responsibility for my part in it."

"Hang in there," Ochako smiled at him as the elevator dinged on the girls' side. "You’ll catch up in no time!"

Izuku beamed at her, bringing a flush to her face, but she smiled at him as if she wasn’t. "I’ll do my best," he said, and it stirred her heart all fluttery and happy. 

"Yeah!" She lifted a fist in the air as she walked with the girls into the elevator. "Goodnight!"

"'Night," the others said casually, but Izuku watched her for a moment more, a wide smile on his face. 

"Goodnight," he said softly, and she sighed as the doors closed, cutting off the sight of him. 

"Ochako?" Tsuyu asked, and she jumped. 

"Y- yeah?"

Tsuyu blinked at her, then smiled gently. "You seem happier than before, ribbit. No more stirred up feelings?"

Ochako flushed, but put on a great smile—and was honestly glad it was just Tsuyu and Momo and instead of the other, more invasive girls. "Yeah! Feels good to be moving forward! I’m so relieved."

"Indeed," Momo said softly, pressing a hand to her chest. "A new stage is indeed an endeavor, but to have cleared a hurdle to get here is immensely rewarding."

"Absolutely!"

After Ochako said goodnight to Tsuyu, she shut her door and quietly laid on her bed, hugging her arms around herself as she let out a long sigh.

Chapter Text

Ochako laid on her bed, letting the day of full schoolwork settle into her bones. UA continued to be hard work at all angles. They did intensive hero training, complex scholarly work, memorization and understanding, the whole thing. Living in the dorms was nice for lots of reasons, but one major one was she didn’t have to ride the train in a crowded buzz after it all—and another one was a certain green-eyed boy a few floors below. 

They had agreed—they would tell their parents. 

"I know I said we should keep this to ourselves, but… maybe our parents should actually know," she’d suggested, mostly because it felt heavy to keep secret from everyone, especially from the only people who could read through her—aside from Izuku now. "I dunno… I feel like I- I wanna talk to 'em."

She’d been so conflicted, so nervous, Izuku had simply reached out and touched her hand, giving her that lovely, gentle smile

"I mean…" he’d said compassionately—but logically to her conflicted feelings. "We have a growing handful of people in this loop, now… including our teacher." 

Ochako had been mortified even at just the memory. But he was right, and now she found herself sitting in her bed, her little pink phone primed to dial her mother's number. 

If Aizawa knows, we should let our parents know too, huh?

She bit her finger as she sat on her bed, then took a breath and hit the talk button and pressed the phone to her ear. 

"Ochako! " Her mother's voice rang sweetly in her ear, immediately bringing to her a soft sort of relief. "Dear! Ochako's on the phone!"

"Hi Mom!" Ochako laughed, hearing her father's voice muffled in the distance coming closer. 

"What've you been up to? How's the new semester been?"

"Good good," she blushed, considering how to bring up the topic she’d called to tell them about. "Uh- we met the 'big three' of UA!"

"'Big three?'" Her father asked.

"Mhm, they’re third years, probably the strongest we have here," she continued. "They came to tell us about a work study program we can join."

She went into their day in class, fighting against Mirio Togata and getting royally beaten—facing such a powerful opponent, she couldn’t help but think of fighting Bakugo at the sports festival. Her heart felt that disappointment in herself like a sore muscle. It still hurt, but it drove her on. Maybe she’d lost to him then, but… she had come away from the license exam successful whereas he had failed. They each had different strengths, different wins and losses. 

She’d lost today too against Togata, but she felt a fire in her to do better. Watching Deku do that, stride forward towards what he wanted to do, she wasn’t surprised in the slightest when he’d told her at lunch he was going to try and get a work study too. But his rampant enthusiasm at her own had caught her a bit off guard. 

"I think I’m going to talk with Hado," she’d told him. "She works with Ryukyu, and I think, I dunno, maybe I’d be a good fit with them? Tsuyu seemed to think so."

"You should go for it!" He’d beamed at the idea. "Ryukyu's an incredible hero! She can already fly in her dragon form and maneuver well in the air! With your zero gravity as a support, she’d be even faster and more agile! With that as a draw, I think you’d be an awesome candidate for her. And Asu- I- I mean, Tsuyu's joining too? That’s even better! You two make an incredible team."

Supporting her again, she'd felt bolstered as she’d spoken to Hado—Nejire as she’d insisted in being called. Part of her wished she and Izuku could join the same work study, but it was probably better that they face these trials separately. They could support each other privately while focusing forward to the tasks ahead—not being so close that it was distracting. 

"I meet with Ryukyu tomorrow morning," she said to her parents as she smiled. "Nejire says that Ryukyu loves having students to work with. She likes to provide that opportunity for learning and growth, so I think Tsuyu and I have a good chance of being accepted. And we'll get paid, too! I’ll be able to make some money while in school, isn’t that great?"

"Yes, that’s great," her mother said with a smile in her voice. "But I’m more glad that it’s such a good opportunity for you!"

"Already tryna support us, huh, sweetie?" Her father chuckled, and she flushed a bit, shrinking. 

"Maybe it’ll help a little…"

"You’re already in UA," he sighed. "You’re on the fast track to becoming a pro. Just keep doing what you’re doing and don’t put yourself out so much, alright?"

"Alright, Dad," she sighed. 

"Do you do anything fun? " He asked. "Or is my daughter just working herself to death before she’s even out of school?"

"I- I have fun!" She cried. "Being in the dorm now, I spend a lot more time with my friends! And I-"

She froze, face aflame before she could even get the words out. 

"Hm?" He hummed when she went quiet. "You still there?"

"Yeah, I- there’s just something that I…. wanna…" she took a breath, taking comfort in the fact that this was over a phone call and they couldn’t see her face. Although that hardly mattered when she finally choked it out. "I even have… a- a b- b- boyfriend…"

There was silence over the line before the two shouted in unison, echoing through the reciever. "WHAAAAT?!"

Ochako threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in her pillow as they cried out their cacophony of questions. 

"Since when?!"

"Who is it?! Is he in your class?!"

"Livin' in a dorm together—"

"What’s his name?!"

Ochako choked in her embarrassment, wishing she could disappear into the ether. But at least she could hang up! She could snap the phone shut and peace would return. 

…She wouldn’t do that, but she thought about it. 

"Guys…"

"Okay, okay, Ochako—" her mother sighed. "You still there? We're listening."

She groaned, turning her head to the side. "He’s… a boy in my class…"

"Name…?"

"I- Izuku Midoriya…"

They were quiet for a moment as they were probably trying to match his name with a face, and she sighed again. "He’s got the curly hair, freckles, he- he was the rider on my team in the sports festival…"

"Oh!" Her father said. "He’s that crazy kid who broke all his fingers on purpose!"

Ochako cringed, her own fingers curling at the memory. "Y- yeah- he- had a good reason…"

"What kind of reason would make you so deranged-?"

"Kenichi!"

"What?!"

"Tell us about him!" Her mother said happily. "He must be pretty special if you were willing to open up like this."

At that, Ochako felt that warmth in her heart that made her feel so still, so gentle. "He’s wonderful."

She told them of how they met, how they’d saved each other, his drive and motivation, how much he inspired her. And going through it like this filled her even more with that gentle adoration she so often felt for him—and from him. And she wished to feel his hand wrapped around hers. 

"I didn’t really intend on confessing, honest," Ochako continued. "I was just- I dunno, he’s always been such a good friend. And I didn’t want it to be weird, so I thought maybe we could… talk it out? I was still pretty confused. I didn’t expect him to return these feelings so immediately!"

"You… didn't? "

"He’d have to be a complete idiot in that case," Kenichi laughed. "You sure you wanna date this kid?"

Ochako puffed out her cheeks at the underhanded insult of Izuku, but the question stuck in her mind for a moment. 

"Yeah…" she said softly, her hand grasping her shirt against her chest. "I- I really really do."

Her dad was quiet for a moment, then his voice came out, gentleness in an understanding. "I see."

Ochako bit her lip, that deep warmth lingering within her like a hearth fire, comforting and unobtrusive. 

"Ochako," he murmured gently. "When'd you go and get to be so big?"

She blushed, pressing a hand to her face. "Dad…"

"Well, when do we get to meet him?" Her mother laughed. 

"I- I don’t really know," Ochako sighed, feeling that mortification all over again. Bringing Deku to meet my parents…! "It feels like we’ve barely got any time to even breathe. And with these work studies, it’ll be even busier."

"Will Midoriya be doing a work study too?"

"He's gonna try! It’s not a guarantee for any of us first years, but he’s determined."

"Well, I can’t fault the kid for showing some drive," her father mused. " Although I’m not thrilled about you two livin' in the same dorms together. Does your teacher know about this?"

Ochako blushed completely. "Y- yes, Aizawa knows and he didn't have any problem with it. He already… gave us a pretty stern lecture about it…"

"Good," he said firmly, making Ochako about melt and her mother cackle. 

"Oh baby, I’m so excited for you," she said in a light voice. "Call me anytime—romance can be wonderful and fun and happy, but it definitely takes a toll on the heart. Call your momma about it, okay?"

Ochako covered her tomato-red face, gripping her hair. "...okay…"

"Well, we'll let you go before you implode," she said softly with that quick humor in her voice. "Good luck with the work study!"

"Thanks, Mom," she sighed. "Talk to you both later!"

"And Ochako," her father said, a little softer in his voice. "Remember to breathe, alright?"

She pressed her hand to her chest, feeling that familiar exercise to calm herself as she intentionally filled and emptied her lungs. "I will."

She bid them goodnight and let her phone snap shut, and she let out a sigh. 

It’s only a matter of time before everyone else know… Sure, they tried to be sneaky, but how often had they forgotten a room full of people and gotten lost in each other's eyes? How often had he reached for her, even grazed her hand with a gentle touch of his fingers before realizing that they were in the middle of class? They reigned it in, and thankfully that glare from Aizawa hadn’t turned into another full blown lecture again (thank goodness…), but they were not naturally as secretive as she maybe wished they were. 

She sighed, looking down at her hands. I just love holding him… 

And even as she thought it, she longed to be near him, to talk to him more, to feel his hand joined with hers, to feel his surprisingly strong arms around her, to hear his heart leap and sputter against her ear.

To be in love…

Ochako bit her lip, feeling that impulse to go to him strengthen, despite the late hour. 

Maybe I can… just go say goodnight!

Before she could really consider it enough, she was on her feet and unlatching the lock and pulling open her glass door to the crisp, night air. 

"Izuku, it's good to hear from you! You know, you really don't call enough," Izuku's mother said when she answered his call. "Everything sure is quiet around here now."

He felt a pull in his gut at that. It hurt him to leave her all alone like that, and he wished there was another choice to fix it—but he supposed he couldn’t live at home with her forever. He was already hitting the ground running. 

"Hey, Mom," he said, sitting back in his desk chair. "Yeah, it's hard to always find time. I’m not ignoring you or anything."

"I know, I know," she huffed. "So how're the dorms? Are you eating enough? Are you getting along with everyone?"

He flushed at that one, recalling the fight with Kaachan still fresh in his memory. He wasn’t gonna tell her about that… But fights with Kaachan really weren’t something new to his mother, at least. Well… maybe the returned blows would be…

"I'm eating enough," he said with a resigned sigh. He half expected her to ask him if he was changing his underwear, too… "And I get along pretty well with most everyone."

"That’s good to hear, Izuku," she said, a smile in her voice, then she sighed. "After middle school and ya know, little Katsuki—it’s nice to see it turn around for you."

"Yeah, I know, Mom," he sighed, slouching into his chair. 

"I’m glad I didn’t pull you out of UA," she continued. "I really didn’t want to."

The thought put a lump in his throat. Of all the things he would miss out on if she really had—he didn’t expect his friends here would forget about him, but living in the dorm… he’d grown so much closer with many of them. And Ochako…

I bet she would never have told me how she feels… 

That realization alone made his heart clench, and he bit his lip. "Yeah- yeah… me too…"

"So tell me about school? What've you been up to this semester? Nothing too dangerous, I hope. Have you been to the nurse's office at all already?"

"No, Mom, we've only just started out the semester!" He said. 

"Well, that sure didn’t stop you from breaking your limbs over and over the beginning of last semester," she said sullenly, which simultaneously made him want to laugh and roll his eyes a bit. 

"I’m just fine, I promise," he said softly. "I’m getting better at controlling it so you don’t have to worry."

She simply sighed. "I’ll do my best, but you know, it’ll take a while before I can watch you go and not worry."

"I know," he replied, growing a little more solemn at the reminder of everything he needed to do—what he needed to become. I need to be strong enough to not make people worry about me. Everyday felt like he was a little bit more behind. 

His mind turned to the coming interview he had with Sir Nighteye, and he felt that anxiety and determination fill him once more. The things he needed to learn, to grow, to make this power his own—understanding All Might's past was an important stepping stone to that. A crucial move forward. 

"I'm working on getting a work study," he said. "We had a few third years come to talk about it with us—I have an interview set with a pro hero in the morning."

"Oh really?" she said. "Is that like another internship?"

"Sort of—I’d be more like a sidekick than a guest," he explained—although he’d felt more like a punching bag at Gran Torino's place. But still— "I’m hoping Sir Nighteye will take me, but we'll have to see."

"Ah, well I’ll do my best to wish you luck!" She said happily, although he could hear that touch of anxiety in her voice—sometimes that seemed nigh constant with her. But he supposed he couldn't really blame her for that.

He laughed. "Thanks, Mom, I-"

There was a flash of movement to the side, and he glanced out the window to see his incredible, beautiful girlfriend light upon his veranda. Her hair billowed gracefully about her before she released her quirk and it settled down around her face perfectly. A flush came over his face as he caught her eye. 

She noticed he was on the phone and grimaced, waving her hands as she mouthed 'sorry!' —but he shook his head and opened the door for her anyway and stepped out. 

"My mom," he smiled as he mouthed it. 

Ochako smiled and nodded as his mother continued in his ear. 

"Well, make sure you remember any paperwork and things you’ll need," his mother said as he took Ochako's hand happily. 

"Mhmm," he nodded, sitting beside her on the veranda. "I’ll have an acceptance form—don’t worry, I already have it printed out."

"Can't be too careful," she said. "I'm sure you'd remember now, but I remember once you were so caught up in your daydreaming and stuff that you completely forgot you needed to use the toilet, and-"

"Mom!" Izuku flushed, rolling his eyes. "I was like four!"

"Even so," she chuckled, and so did Ochako, as if she could hear the embarrassing story his mother was telling. Thank goodness I didn't put it on speaker phone… 

He groaned, making Ochako snicker again. He looked at that beautiful girl again, and a thrill raced through him at her smile, her fingers interlocked with his. "I- actually there’s another thing I- I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh?"

He looked at her as a blush crept over her cheeks, and he smiled a little wider. Sure, he felt embarrassed about it, too. But sitting there, holding her hand while she quietly watched him, waiting for his words too—his heart jumped a bit as he squeezed her hand. 

"Uh, well…" he sighed, scratching his hair bashfully. "I’m also… uh- dating someone…"

There was a brief pause before he could hear the volume of waterworks from his mother. He pulled the phone from his ear as she wailed audibly, and he blushed even as he laughed.

"Izuku!" She wept into the phone. "When did this happen?!"

"J- just before the license exam," he said, glancing at the girl beside him, that fluttering warmth in his chest. "So not too long."

Her weeping continued for a while into a long-winded rant of joy, some a little bit insulting about how she'd 'never live to see the day-' and all that, but overall he was happy that she felt happy for him.

Ochako sat beside him listening to the muffled excitement on the phone, and her knees were pulled up to her chest as she just smiled at him. The blush on her cheeks just made her look that much more rosy and adorable, and he melted as he caught her eye.

"Ochako Uraraka—I remember her from your acceptance tape," she said, desperately trying to calm her frantic tears. "Going so out of her way to help, I didn't even know what to say—to think my son is dating such a sweet girl! Well, tell me all about her! What do you like about her?"

"Uh- I mean, she's-" he sighed. Of course, he had a monstrously long list of things he liked about her: caring and kind, beautiful inside and out, the strongest heart he knew, joyful and fun—he could literally go on for days. But to say all that to his mom like this—in front of Ochako herself—felt a little awkward. He looked at her and her perfect face. Ochako glanced at him, her mouth full of a snack she'd pulled from her pocket—and somehow that made her all the more perfect.

"She’s just…" he started, melting as they held each other's gaze. "...wonderful."

She flushed brighter at his words, pressing a hand to her cheek as she turned away, much to his delight. I should give her more compliments… 

"Well that doesn't tell me much, Izuku," his mother sighed. "I already know that she's wonderful. Tell your mother more!"

He sighed, rubbing his neck awkwardly. "I mean—I dunno, Mom! She's super strong! She's helped me so much—she's… really really pretty… feels weird saying it to my mom…"

Ochako silently buried her face in her knees, practically steaming in her embarrassed blushes, and his heart welled up in that warm joy he often felt with her. He squeezed her hand gently, which she hesitantly returned with the cutest little groan. 

"Okay okay, I get it," she sighed. "Well, get some good rest tonight—no staying up too late, okay?"

"Alright, Mom," he said with a chuckle. "I'm glad I could tell you, we've been uh- sorta keeping it to ourselves for now, so could you hold off on telling anyone?"

She laughed. "I promise I won't, don't worry."

After exchanging goodnights with his mother, he hung up the phone and let out a sigh. 

"Sorry about that," he said. "Did you already talk to your parents too?"

Ochako was still blushing furiously, her face buried. "Mhmm…"

He tilted his head at her and her flustered demeanor made him blush—was it the things he said about her? He didn’t know. Was she upset?

"You okay?"

"Y- yeah, yeah I am," Ochako sighed, peeking up at him. "Did you… really mean all that?"

He blinked, then frowned. "Of course I did! I meant every word."

She bit her lip, blushing a little more. "Oh!"

He scratched at his face. It was pretty late already—they'd tried not to stay out too late usually, so her coming like this was a little unusual. He felt that blush on his face, but spoke anyway. "So… what’s up?"

"Uh, well… it’s…" she continued to blush, then grasped his hand a little tighter as she leaned her head against his shoulder. "I just- wanted to say goodnight."

Despite the blush on his cheeks, he felt such a swell of delight in his chest. She really does like me! It wasn’t a dawn of realization, but another happy reminder. And it sure felt good to be wanted. He wanted to scoop her up close and hold her forever. 

He gently let go of her hand, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders, hugging her to him. She hummed quietly, hugging him about his chest as she pressed her face into his shirt. 

"I’m never gonna get used to this," he sighed, melting as they sunk into each other, feeling every strain and stress ease within him at the sheet comfort of it all. 

"Mhmm," Ochako said shyly, squeezing him a little tighter. 

Izuku brought up his other hand and grasped her shoulder, fully wrapping her up in the embrace. His heart stirred so deeply and so gently, and he just breathed it in—her warmth, the scent of her shampoo, the softness of her shoulder under his fingers. 

"Ochako…" he breathed, her hair tickling his lips as he spoke. "Thanks for coming."

She let out another little hum. "Mhmm."

A little buzz drew them out of the moment, and Ochako lifted herself up a bit, flipping open her phone. 

"Oh, I- um-" she started, then turned the screen to him. 

It was a text from her mother, according to the sending name—

—what if we come out to you at UA? Maybe we could meet you and Midoriya at a restaurant? 

—that way you wouldn’t have to travel out here🤗

His ears burned at the idea of actually meeting her parents— meeting my girlfriend's parents! He was sure he would be practically paralyzed in his awkwardness… but he would do his best!

"T- that sounds like a good idea," he got out, nerves definitely interlaced in his voice. "I know my mom would like to meet you too."

"Maybe we could all meet together—" she said quietly, still feeling, but she looked up and smiled at him. "That might be nice."

This is nice… his breath caught at having her face so close to his, but she tucked her head down once more and texted a response back. Ah… 

"I should get back," she sighed, leaning back from his embrace. She tucked her hair behind her ear with a blush. "Thanks for- uh…"

"Yup," he smiled brightly. "You can come hug me anytim-"

He stopped, blushing even brighter than before, and he laughed, scratching his hair. It really was unbelievable, being in a relationship like this. 

Ochako took his hand, smiling shyly as she blushed too. "Okay! Y- you too, okay?"

He blinked at her, then nodded. Hug me anytime, she says. With his heart thumping heavy in his chest, he reached out and just hugged her again. Ochako started, then laughed happily. 

"Okay," he smiled, squeezing her to him in an embarrassed delight. "Sounds good to me."

She patted his back, then pulled away, catching his hands in hers. She grinned up at him. "Goodnight, Izuku!"

"Goodnight, Ochako," he sighed, then released her as she floated into the air. He watched her go, then let out a long breath, feeling warmed all over again. 

There was a lot to take care of for a teacher, Toshinori was finding out. Much of what All Might had done as a solo hero applied, but not nearly as much as he was expecting. He tried to learn the ins and outs of each of his students' powers and personalities. He needed to know how to communicate the ideas he had for them—guiding rather than stating. He needed to internalize so much. It was… rather fulfilling of a challenge, actually. So he was happy to throw himself into it. 

It'll make me a better mentor to my successor as well, I hope… Toshinori considered that boy, all the knowledge he’d stuffed into that head of his, knowing off the cuff way more facts and strategies than seemed possible. That’d be useful for a teacher, too.

He thumbed through the police report, glancing at Tsukauchi. "Another incident with UA students? I didn’t hear about that."

"It was brought to the police's attention after the fact. It wasn’t known at the time a villain was involved."

Toshinori frowned. Well, that doesn’t make me feel much better about it…

"Turns out, it was a couple of your students who brought this to our attention. We have some more information on the enemy due to that," Tsukauchi said, smiling as he gestured to turn a page. 

Toshinori opened to the new page, scanning over the information. "Which students?"

"Midoriya," Tsukauchi said with a laugh in his voice. "And Ochako Uraraka."

"Ah," Toshinori sighed. Of course it was Midoriya. He was like a trouble magnet. But he supposed he himself was like that as well—still like that, probably. 

It was definitely more nerve wracking raising up a kid like that. He appreciated his master and Gran Torino that much more, having to deal with him. 

He read the report. Apparently a student had been replaced at the license exam—and had specifically targeted Midoriya… evidence she was an imposter—witness statement…

Toshinori blinked at the words—

"In each incident, the witnesses claimed Himiko Toga could smell that they were in love—using nearly identical phrasing both times—this suspicion led to further investigation, finding—"

Young Midoriya… is in love? With Young Uraraka?

And those two making these witness statements together, after having heard nothing about it from the boy himself— Young Midoriya doesn’t just have a crush… he has a secret girlfriend!

He found a smile on his face at the revelation. How surprising from him, that jumpy, awkward boy. What an absolute delight. 

"Well, I guess that boy is keeping his own secrets now," Toshinori chuckled, drawing a laugh from Tsukauchi. 

"Either way, it’s nice to see a pleasant piece of info for a change," Tsukauchi sighed, rubbing a hand over his temple. 

Toshinori smiled at him compassionately, then looked down at the words once more, and the picture taken of the scratch on his cheek. 

He’s… grown up a lot, hasn't he? He thought, leaning his hand against his cheek. I wonder if I should congratulate him if he’s trying to keep it a secret?

Chapter Text

Izuku laid in his bed as the morning sun came up. He stared hard at the ceiling, not realizing how much time had passed until there were shadows across the walls. 4:00 seemed not all that long ago, but the time was nearly 6:30 by the time he'd pulled himself up. 

Being in the work study with Sir Nighteye was… challenging so far—in ways he hadn’t anticipated. He had anticipated learning more unique and beneficial things about being a hero from a pro—especially a pro who'd worked with All Might before. He was learning! But… The pressure of this tie of One for All, the not-so-subtle disapproval from Nighteye everytime he so much as spoke. The knowledge that Nighteye had specifically mentored and trained Togata, unbeknownst to Togata himself, to become All Might's successor. Izuku could handle pressure, but after seeing that girl… after walking away from her… it felt like everything that was troubling him was upped to eleven. 

Nighteye would like nothing more than for me to just hand over One for All to Togata… And in the end, Izuku only possessed it now because of… a random convenience. 

He knew All Might cared, and that he'd wanted Izuku as his successor. He'd said so! He believes in me. But what would've happened if he'd met Togata first? Would he feel the same way? 

His mind turned back to his fight with Kaachan—his failure to win a match that didn't even matter. And yet even after giving it his all…

"Even with All Might's power… why'd you lose?"

He rubbed a hand over his face, sighing.

Why, huh…

Would it be too self-deprecating if he considered… if Togata had become All Might's successor, would he have been able to save that little girl?

He bit his lip, running through the thoughts again and again, always coming back to the same two things:

A terrified little girl he'd let slip through his fingers.

And…

All Might… why didn't you tell me?

Izuku sat up, feeling a heaviness in his shoulders. Reaching out, he picked up his phone, seeing a notification from Ochako. Despite it all, he smiled at bit at that. She must’ve responded half-asleep after she’d passed out.

He scrolled up through their conversation, letting her words ease some of the tension within him.

—do you know the answer to problem 6? I’m stumped

Yeah, it came out to 72, I’m pretty sure—

—aw man… I was way off

It was a tricky one, for sure! Do you want any help?—

—as much as I wanna say yes, I prob should try and just get it done and go to bed. I have to be at Ryukyu's office tomorrow.

How's that going?—

—Ryukyu's incredible! I’ve never felt so valued as an asset as I have here! 

He’d tried not to feel too jealous of that—Nighteye was not just a hero to impress since there was just way too much history there that came before him. But he was happy to hear Ochako was being treated well.

—I do miss you, though. Feels like we haven’t had a chance to talk in days! How's your work study going?

I miss you too— 

He’d said, sort of avoiding talking about the work study, at least over text. 

At some point, their schedules would match up nicer, but Ryukyu's and Nighteye's offices were opposite directions, too, so they couldn’t even ride the train together. 

Let’s talk all about them next time we are able to talk. Do you want to go on a run tomorrow morning?—

After that, she hadn't answered until early that morning with a— sorry I fell asleep! I have to leave for Ryukyu's pretty early so probably not, I'm sorry. I'd really love to if I could!

He felt his shoulders sink and looked at the time. She's probably already gone, and that was fine. He was proud of her and that she was having such a wonderful, growing experience. She was putting in the work to be dedicated, to be not distracted, and to keeping reaching her goals. She was always someone he looked up to and admired, even before all these new feelings between them had arisen. She really was his hero—physically in that he would've died the first time he'd used One for All without her—but also emotionally. Being an emotional support to him from the moment they'd met and connected… did she truly know how much that meant to him? Did she know how deeply it touched him that she'd changed that name into something he could be proud of? Or how her smile could lift his soul when nothing else seemed to be able to?

He thought of her face, and his hand grasped his shirt, feeling her support at just the thought of her, but also a longing for her to be with him, for her hand in his—especially with the weight of these questions on his mind. Just to be able to hold her hand would be enough.

He considered her, the feeling she gave to him. Maybe it was just as important that different kinds of heroes existed beyond the typical scope. And he was so impressed and moved by how much of a hero she already was. She inspired him to do the same.

So he pulled himself up and slapped his face with determination. Stop moping and move.

He picked up his phone and sent her a message.

—It's okay! I hope you have a great day! Work hard and I'll do the same!

So he steeled himself as he yanked open his curtain, ready to face the day with dedication and focus—

And immediately failed worse and worse as the day went on.

He was zoned out in class, the words spoken to him were a blur. It was like… his mind knew that sitting in school wasn't gonna fix the problems he was facing and he had some kind of itch to just go and take care of it so everything could just be settled and he could focus again. But he didn't even know what he could do. These questions in his head, these problems, the situation with the Shie Hassaikai, and…

He thought of Eri again—those little eyes full of fear and pain. The way her hands clung to his sleeves, tight but tentative—pleading for help, but filled with guilt for even asking… And the empty uselessness he'd felt as she'd jumped from his arms, walking back to her abuser… to protect me. 

He felt disgusted with himself. Pathetic. Utterly pathetic. 

And yet Nighteye had called him arrogant. 

"The world is not so accommodating that you can act the hero because you feel like it," he'd said.

Was it so arrogant to try?

He understood what he'd meant—patience. Fighting against foes who hid in the shadows required time and patience, and that made sense. But if you can't act when a situation is before you, what then? How can a hero be called a hero if he doesn't act when someone needs saving? Creating a plan to save made sense! But… what kind of pain would that child endure while he was just standing around waiting?!

He was so distracted that he hadn't seen some of the debris scattered about in the water, and at the last minute, with Full Cowling's 5% speed, he plunged into it headfirst. He gasped in a mouthful of water, his lungs burning and he tried to swim and pull himself out of the water. Iida was far in the lead now, focused forward, Izuku was sure.

As Aizawa yanked him from the water, he felt very akin to a half-drowned cat, gagging and coughing and soaking wet.

"If you can't handle the work study and school, then I'll have to put an end to it, Midoriya," he said flatly. 

"No- no no, I can- sorry, Teacher," he got out as he coughed. 

Aizawa set him down and sighed. He waved Thirteen off, then knelt in front of him. He looked squarely at him before he spoke. "You're distracted. You said you wouldn't be. Do I need to intervene in that, too?"

Izuku flushed, looking down. "No, sir. It's… not even about her…"

He sighed, wiping the wet hair from his face. He glanced to the side to see the rest of his classmates firmly engaged in the training and he sagged. "I don't even see Ochako enough for her to be a distraction, since we're both so busy. No, this is… what you said before, with the work study."

"Hmm," Aizawa frowned a little deeper, looking him over. "Hero work handles nasty situations often. If you always get caught up on it and let it affect your work, then you can forget about becoming a hero."

He felt his nostrils flare at that, but he continued to look down at the growing puddles at his knees. 

"Learning to push past that emotional response to handle things logically will serve you best when things like that arise," Aizawa said. "Those emotions can be fuel to drive you forward and you should use them as such. But let them bog you down and you'll drown in them—maybe even literally."

He glanced up, and he almost saw a smirk on Aizawa's face as Izuku continued to drip onto the  ground. "Right," he said with a huff.

"Figure out what you need to do to get it under control," Aizawa said with a tilt of his head. "This won't be the first time a difficult situation will land in your lap."

"Yes, sir," Izuku sighed. 

With that, Aizawa grabbed him by the elbow and pulled him to his feet. "Now get yourself dried off and go do drills in the fire zone with Todoroki."

"Yes sir."

For the rest of the day, he struggled to follow his teacher's advice. Compartmentalize and everything. It was… difficult. The two issues were too different and sat in different parts of his mind simultaneously. For Eri, there really was nothing he could do about it at the moment. All he could do was follow his orders when he was at the agency, and really just pray when he was at UA. It was in Nighteye's hands and he was taking the necessary time to prepare and strategize. So he resolved to simply… wait—he just had to accept that. 

Easier said than done…

For All Might… he just needed to talk to him. And he'd tried, but the man had been gone for the afternoon, and it really wasn't something he wanted to talk about over the phone or through texts. For everything that he admired about that incredible hero, his ability to evade was unmatched. 

So he sat in class after failing to seek him, his finger tapping against his desk as he struggled to put these things away for now and just focus. He glanced over at Ochako's empty seat and sighed. He wondered when she would be back.

He blew out a breath, sick of how much he felt like he was complaining… It was difficult, but they knew it would be. There was nothing to be done about that either. 

All Might… he bit his lip, looking down at his work. He could feel the warmth of power sitting in his chest, One for All intertwined within him, and he felt his heart sink. Why didn’t you tell me?

After classes had ended, he'd tried to spend time with his friends. He was so grateful still that he'd made so many friends to begin with, and that they actually liked to spend time with him. It was such a blessing to him, so he felt bad that he couldn't even figure out what to say as they asked him about his work study. 

"Are you doing alright?" Iida had asked him, concern on his face as they'd cleaned up after dinner. 

"Yeah," he sighed. "It is challenging though, I guess. I dunno…"

"Even in facing a challenge, I'm happy to help however I can," he said, a gentle smile on his face, and once again Izuku felt so incredibly blessed to have made the friends he had. He only wished there was something Iida could do to help. Even so, that support, just by being offered like that, bolstered his troubled mind.

"Thanks," he breathed.

In the end, he’d retreated to his room, trying to focus on schoolwork—and failing. Compartmentalize. I can’t let Aizawa pull me. Gotta keep up. Gotta catch up. What is that formula?! Did we go over that while I was under house arrest?

A text caught his attention, which wasn’t surprising, he was so distractible. 

—I’m home! Wanna study together? 

Despite the swirled up feelings in his heart, just that alone gave him a breath of relief. With that sigh, he gathered up his books and shoved them in his backpack and slung it over his shoulders before texting her back. 

Yeah. Be right up—

With Full Cowling, he made his way up to the roof just in time to see her popping over the other side, her hair and clothes floating around her. She smiled and waved at him with that easygoing energy she often had, and his shoulders relaxed at just the sight of her. 

"How was your day?" She asked happily, bouncing over to him. 

This entire day—this entire week had felt so long, but being able to just see her standing there, smiling at him—he felt a smile spread over his mouth, feeling such warmth at her presence.

"Better now," he sighed, watching her as she came to a stop before him. 

She flustered a bit, blushing a bit as she set her backpack down, then tilted her head. "Not great?"

He sighed again, then dropped his own backpack. Maybe he was being a little too forward, but his legs really moved on their own as he stepped into her space and hugged her close. She didn’t stiffen when he did that, which he was grateful for—it made him feel like such a creep when she did. His cheeks still went pink at the contact, at feeling her so close against him, but he felt more of that deeper pull inside his heart than he did the flutters now. Something about holding each other like this made him feel whole in a way—made everything feel a little clearer—made him never want to let her go. And when her arms held him too, stroking over his back in such a comforting motion, he felt so cared for—like he’d never felt before her. Just feeling her arms around him made those desperate, frantic nerves begin to ease. 

"Hi," he sighed, holding a little tighter to her. 

"Hi!" Ochako giggled gently. "Does this feel better?"

He bowed his head into her shoulder, relishing the feeling of her arms pulling him snugly into her too. He breathed her in, smelling fresh soap in her slightly damp hair. "Yes."

She hummed, then after a while she pulled back and looked up at him. "It’s pretty tough juggling a work study and school at the same time. But—ya know, if we can tackle this, we'll just get better and better at climbing those walls, right?"

His mind flashed back to that little girl, her terror, the tremble in her hands as she grasped tight to him—and suddenly this hug felt a little more bitter as he’d let her go. Utter failure… 

But he couldn’t talk to her about it, so he just nodded. "You’re right. Thank you, Ochako."

She lifted a fist in the air, smiling that bright and beautiful smile of hers. "Go beyond!"

"Plus ultra," he said, mimicking her gesture. 

She gently eased out of his hold and grabbed her backpack again. 

"I’m a little behind on things, though. It’s hard to go plus ultra when you have to sleep and stuff too," she sighed as she settled in to sit.  

He sat beside her, pulling out his own books. "I know what you mean. I just tell myself I’ll get used to sleep deprivation."

She laughed. "You do still sleep though, right?"

"Usually…" he sighed, scratching his face. 

"Deku!"

He grinned as she puffed her cheeks at him. Oh, she’s so cute. 

Ochako shook her head, laughing. "Your brain's gonna melt."

"Maybe," he hummed. "You do what you gotta do. So what’re you gonna work on?"

"I haven’t read the last three chapters of the history lessons," she groaned. 

"Oh," he nodded, remembering she’d missed the days they’d gone over those most recent chapters. "So a reading date then?"

Ochako blushed at him, which made him blush too, but they smiled anyway. Calling these little rooftop escapades of theirs 'dates' did give him a thrill—and made him feel less guilty for not being able to take her on that proper one he’d asked her out on. But there wasn’t much they could do about it for now. With everything going on, it was unfortunately low on his list of priorities—and likely hers too. Still…  

She settled in beside him, her shoulder to his. "What do you need to work on?"

"Uh- I’m trying to take some time to really get these logarithms into my head. I missed the day you guys had gone over them first," he said, pulling out his notebook. 

"I’ll help if I can," she smiled. "I have my notes from that day—although I’m not sure I’d be the best help in actually understanding 'em—I’m still figuring them out myself."

"Right," he smiled at her. "Thank you, though."

"Mhmm!"

They settled in to do their work—separately, but beside each other, and Ochako happily leaned into his shoulder. She was quiet as she read through a section of the textbook, then leaned into her notebook and jotted some things down. Maybe she was tired, but he was glad to see she wasn’t distracted or distraught by her work study. Not like him…

He tried to focus on his own work, but despite the comfort of her presence and his resolution to focus, his mind kept straying—to All Might's secrets from him, to Nighteye's rejection of him, to what probably should have been with Togata. 

"Why this guy?" Kaachan's words along with that defeat in Ground Beta cut even deeper, and all of it twisted his guts. He couldn’t get it together. Aizawa's advice seemed to be falling flat no matter his attempts to follow.

I gotta talk to All Might… I need to know… 

And… that little girl's face popped into his mind once more, her eyes filled with terror and pain and… resignation as she walked away. And he’d just… let her. 

He gripped his pencil in his hand, frowning deeply. What kind of hero am I? 

"Are you okay?" Ochako asked. 

He looked up to see concern in her face. He really was an open book… but he couldn’t talk about One for All with her, could he? And he couldn’t speak of the contents of his work study, as it was an active investigation. He couldn’t talk about any of this with her, as much as he’d like to. And he didn’t know what to say without straight up lying. He blew out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah… there’s just—some stuff with my work study. I- I can’t really talk about it, though."

She nodded, tilting her head. "Anything I can do to help?"

He smiled softly at her. "This is fine. It feels like we haven't seen each other at all lately."

Ochako beamed brightly at him, and just the sight of it felt like a boost to his heavy soul. 

After a beat, she pulled herself to her feet, carrying her book with her. He blinked as she walked around him and sat back down on his left side instead of his right. She was still smiling as she picked up his left hand and laced his fingers with hers, her pinky raised. 

"So you can still write," she said gently. 

He blinked at her, feeling the stress there still, of course—It didn’t fix anything or make him feel any less confused, but she eased some of the tension with just that beautiful smile—just the touch of her hand seemed to soothe his heart and let him actually breathe. He took in that support she gave to him, cherishing every second he could spend with her. 

He gripped her hand, his lips trembling a bit. "Thanks, Ochako."

"Mhmm," she pressed her lips together in a happy smile, then leaned her head lightly against his shoulder and looked down at the history book again. 

How can I be so lucky? How can I be so blessed? He’d have never imagined how deeply it would move him for someone to hold his hand like this—so casually, so kindly. 

You mean so much to me, Ochako Uraraka. More than you could ever know. 

Chapter Text

Despite the reprieve that Ochako's strength gave to him, he felt this weight of questions and everything unknown continue to weigh upon him. Maybe it would help if he'd actually been able to talk to her about it, but… It wasn't something he could do. Not after his fumble with Kaachan. 

No. Who he needed to talk to was All Might.

It wasn't even that the man was avoiding him, he didn't think. Why would he? He just seemed so busy doing other things that Izuku hadn't seen him much for the past week, aside from heroics classes. But that wasn't a place he could talk to him much either!

Why didn't you tell me, All Might? What more are you hiding? Sure, the man had never been that forthright all the time—he kept secrets casually, but also deeply. Like how Izuku hadn't even known he'd been quirkless before he'd received One for All as well. That seemed like relevant information to know! And yet, he hadn't said a word until he just dropped it like it meant nothing—even though it… meant everything to Izuku. Sure, privacy and all, but… didn't you want me as your successor? Shouldn't knowledge about the whole situation be a part of that? 

If it felt like Izuku had to pry to get anything out of him, then… I guess it's time to pry.

He headed in the direction Midnight had said he'd gone for his jog—another thing All Might hadn't mentioned that he was surprised by. He's started jogging? Why now? Izuku frowned, continuing to run down the walkway as the sun began to set.

You gotta tell me everything, All Might!  

It didn't take long for him to catch up, seeing the thin man in a track suit—the Golden Age edition—"ALL MIGHT!!"

He turned in surprise at his shout. "Young Midoriya is here?!"

All Might looked him over as he continued to jog, a light laugh in his voice. "Are you here to ask why 'I am here?'"

Izuku didn't respond as he slowed his pace, following behind him, trying to work out what to say. There was a lot he wanted to say—demand, more like it! And yet, it felt so ungrateful of him. All Might had given him power, purpose, mentorship, allegiance, and yet here he was demanding more… But how can I be content now? I can't even think clearly! Knowing how unqualified I am, how could he give up everything for me when… he had a better alternative…? His insecurities seemed to outweigh his shame and he looked up.

"You knew everything, right?" He started, his voice quiet. "That Nighteye knew about One for All, and that he wanted it to go to Togata? You knew, didn't you? Why didn't you tell me?"

All Might was quiet too, jogging silently for a long beat before coming to a stop. "Did I have a reason to?"

He gaped at his back. "Of course you did! It's all coming as news to me, and Nighteye rejects me before I could even make sense of it all…! I just don't understand what you could've been thinking, All Might! I don't understand why you're keeping it a secret, so I don't know how to feel!"

I don't even know what I don't know!

"Why didn't you tell me—Not as your fan, but as your successor? I want to know everything!"

All Might looked back at him, his demeanor somber and grim, in a way. "I didn't think knowing would do you any good. Do you really want to know?" 

"It's better to know than to keep wondering about these secrets," he said with a huff.

"Just don't regret asking," All Might said quietly.

The weight of his words, the tension in the air—it felt heavy on him in a way that was… bigger than he'd thought. The scope of these secrets were much larger than simply keeping information from him. He felt a chill down his spine, feeling like he should dread these answers. But even so, he straightened his shoulders and nodded. "I won't."

All Might gave his story then—the story of Nighteye and him, their herowork together. And how that partnership fell apart after he'd been injured fighting All for One. Their disagreement on All Might's importance of being a pillar versus his own safety. And…

"Continue down this path and you will encounter another villain. What awaits you then… is an unspeakably gruesome death!!"

Izuku froze in place as the words echoed through his head, and he stared at the back of this man—this hero he had so much admired and adored for his entire life. 

What…?

"We were at odds about my future… that fight split us apart," All Might continued. "Principle Nezu recommended Togata to me, but I ran into you before I could meet him."

The wind blew, rustling the leaves around them as he watched All Might's back. His eyes were wide as he took in his words, body locked into place.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to tell you…" All Might said, his voice that quiet, gentle tone. "Because… you’re my fan."

He stood for a moment, then continued to jog forward as Izuku watched him—his back growing further and further away. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came.

All Might's… going to… die…?

His heart clenched tight as he looked up at the sky, then down to his feet, trying to process this—this horrible prediction. It felt like a load of bricks got thrown onto him as he stood there, watching as he jogged away.

It wasn't… like it was all that surprising. He vividly remembered that first day he'd met All Might, and that ghastly wound he'd gotten from his fight with All for One—how he'd been emaciated to the point he was at now. It was… probably already coming. Everyone… dies eventually, right?

But…

For All Might to stand there and lay it out for him so… inevitably… It felt like a knife in his heart.

All Might didn't turn back then, and Izuku watched him get further and further away until he turned off around a corner. 

All Might is going to die.

He looked down, hand gripping his shirt and he thought about that, imagining those words. He thought back to when he was a child, staring at the computer screen as he watched that clip roll over and over. All Might! Laughing and smiling as he saved everyone he could reach. How the terror dissipated the moment he was on the scene. 

All Might. All Might- he… he can’t-!

Izuku felt his fists clench, jaw set as he looked up. 

I… don't want to accept it! 

He felt his legs running, desperate to keep up, to chase him down and reject this with all his might. How far can Nighteye see anyway?! When was this supposed to happen?! He couldn't accept this. He wouldn't! Not like this, not after everything—

"Wait!" He cried, running around the corner to catch up. "All Might!"

All Might turned, but Izuku didn't give him a chance to speak yet. "How far into the future was Nighteye's Foresight?"

"Six or seven years,' he said," All Might quoted softly. "Apparently, the further into the future, the less accurate the time, but what he sees with his Foresight has never changed."

It was like blow after blow, and Izuku felt that desperation—this pain—build even further in his heart. So… soon! He felt the denial grab hold of him, even as All Might spoke that as definite truth. "Then… it'd be this year or next year…! You're kidding, right? No… why…?"

He already fought a terrifying villain and faced a gruesome death! He fought and won! Couldn't that have been…? But… was that too far outside of the timeline? What if the timeline was more off than that? What if he'd already thwarted that future?!

But even if it was still something going to happen, All Might was just going to… accept that? The All Might who stood in the face of evil and injustice all his life would just accept such a fate and lie down and take it?! It was unthinkable!

"I don't want this, All Might. Live!" He said, his voice heightening. "Do you remember what you said at the sports festival? Our promise?" Because I never forgot!

'I want you to tell the world, 'I am here!''

"I couldn't keep my promise!" He cried, feeling his lungs shake. "Please live until I can keep my promise!"

Please don't give it up! Please, All Might! I can't-!

"Stay alive and watch me tell the world, 'I am here!' All Might!"

All Might sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Young Midoriya, you know, when I heard the prediction, I accepted it pretty readily. If I could see the finish line—the end—then I'd run until then."

"But…" He got out, feeling his eyes sting at the tears now brimming—his heart filled with grief. 

"When I fought All for One, I thought that was the finish line," All Might said, turning to look at him. "But you were there."

Izuku started at that, gaping at him in the golden sunlight.

"You—timid and quirkless, have been there for me all these months! All the days we spent together spoke to me, telling me to live," All Might continued, his voice growing stronger, confident, resignation gone from him now. "And then, your mother told me to live so I could raise and protect you!"

Izuku stared wide eyed at that, at a complete loss for words. 

"So even now, I'm fighting to live! You changed me!" All Might burst into his muscle form, and Izuku felt his heart ache not with pain anymore, but with a burst of hope, of determination and drive and courage— all the things that that symbol of All Might had always always always inspired within him.

"I will live! I will twist fate and anything else into the shape I want with these arms!"

And with that determined fist, he smiled, hitting him with a great force all over again—everything he was working towards, everything that had driven him this far, what his admiration and dedication was rooted in. He bit his lip, trying and failing to hold back his tears.

"It's been a long and winding road to get here, and Nighteye's words are proving true… which is why I've got no right to face him at this point…"

Even with the swelling in his heart, Izuku was taken aback by that. He thought of Nighteye's office, his praise of this man, even now. Izuku had been accepted because of the shared admiration he and Nighteye both had for All Might. But he said nothing as All Might continued. 

"I didn't want to become a shackle to you as you ran to get stronger with everything you had… and well, it's possible that I've already twisted fate into the shape I wanted," All Might said with a laugh, a smile on his face, but Izuku felt those uneasy feelings return at that, even as his heart wasn’t quite convinced by that very thought in his own head. 

That's just too easy…

"Not yet… we still can't tell if the prediction has changed…" he whispered, looking down at his hand as he felt those flames of One for All burn within him. "I can't accept it, All Might. I absolutely refuse it."

He thrust out his fist towards him, determination building within him even further. "No matter what happens to you, I'll be there—twisting fate by your side!"

All Might smiled as he gave him a fist bump. "I'll do my best not to cause you trouble."

At that, Izuku smiled brightly, grateful to be here, to work with All Might, his hero, to be so changed by him–-and now to learn that he himself had inspired change and hope within his own idol? Even with the stress of it all, just that was enough to make those burdens ease within him.

As All Might turned to continue on his run, Izuku blinked. "Wait- you should have Nighteye use his Foresight on you again. Make up with him so we can see if the future's already been changed!"

It was so simple! Of course that was the best next course of action! 

"Wouldn't that be too convenient?" All Might said awkwardly.

"It's a matter of life and death! Lemme talk to him for you!"

"Wait, young man! Think about how Nighteye would feel!"

Izuku huffed at that, but relented. It makes the most sense— but he supposed he could try and convince him of the idea later too.

The sun was lower in the sky now, and approaching the dorms complex, Izuku looked off and thought of the piled up schoolwork he’d either put off or done poorly that needed attention. The anxiety within him relieved for the moment, and with the reassurance of All Might's conviction and promise—he felt better. 

He let out a breath, then smiled. "Thank you, All Might. For telling me."

He nodded. "Yes, I apologize again—I didn’t expect you to feel so left in the dark."

He didn’t?! But Izuku wasn’t all that surprised even so. He turned to walk back to the dorms, a hand raised. "I should get back. I’ll see you later-"

"Oh, I nearly forgot!" All Might called. "But congratulations!"

Izuku turned back and blinked at him, confused. "About… my work study?"

All Might laughed and shook his head, then held a hand to the side of his mouth conspiratorially. "No no, about your new relationship with Young Uraraka!"

He about choked, face flushing bright red. All Might too?! He wheeled back as he covered his mouth. "Ah-?! Huh?! H- how'd you-?! D- did Mr. Aizawa tell you?"

"No, actually I read it in your witness statement in the police report regarding the League of Villains' infiltration of the license exam," he laughed again. "You’re always full of surprises, kid!"

He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, I… I'm kinda still surprised about it too."

He thought of her then, and how he hadn’t even seen her today—he pictured her smile and all that that simple expression inspired within him. He sighed. "I don’t get it, she’s way too incredible for someone like me…"

"There’s your nonsense again," All Might chuckled. 

Izuku blushed brilliantly, looking down. "I- I would’ve told you, All Might," he got out awkwardly. "But Ochako- she-"

His stomach stirred at this—their secret relationship. And he wondered… if he truly knew why they were hiding it. She’s not… embarrassed by me… is she? The thought struck him and he frowned a bit. Probably not, but he was… unsure.

Still, he wanted to be faithful to his promises to her, so he put that worry aside. 

"She gets pretty embarrassed—and she asked if we could keep uh- us… to ourselves."

"She gets more embarrassed than you?" All Might chuckled. 

"Maybe?" Izuku shrugged, laughing with him. 

"Oh," All Might shook his head as he continued to laugh. "Oh dear. I had no idea… Maybe as her teacher, I should try and help boost her confidence in herself."

Izuku nodded, turning his thoughts more to her now instead of his worries. He supposed he could sometimes relate to the desire to hide problems and burdens, to a certain extent. With everything that had been weighing on him this week, and not much ability to resolve all the issues, it sounded… appealing if it would ease the burden… except hiding really did nothing to fix anything. As he hid these stresses, it only made him feel worse. He didn’t want to talk about them, though. He just wanted to do something! 

He clearly pictured that door, shut between them at the sports festival, listening to her cry… "As her- uh- b- boyfriend, t- that’s what I’ve been… trying to do, but she—"

He thought of her silent support up on the rooftop the day before, her quiet strength as she took his hand, bolstered his spirit and eased his heart. Even when she has her own struggles, she pushes through to be a strength to me. "—she’s done more for me in that, I think."

All Might patted his shoulder, grinning even wider. "Well, when did this start? Who else knows?"

"Aside from the detective I guess, Mr. Aizawa knows. And Sero actually guessed during the license exam, our parents, so that’s- that’s all."

Izuku smiled then, feeling soft at the memory of that night—Ochako turning his world upside down entirely. 

"She was… feeling all stirred up before the license exam—I thought it was because she was nervous about it, but it turned out that she was… thinking about… me," he huffed a breath. Even after the time and experiences that had passed them already, it was still so strange and new to him. "We’ve been trying to figure this out while trying not to distract each other from our goals."

"I see," All Might smiled, and he just looked… genuinely happy for him. 

He felt himself blush and he looked down. "I… really wanna do this right, too. Although I'm not too sure it's- well, I don't know. She uh… she hides more than she lets on, I think."

"I know a thing or two about that, myself," All Might continued softly. "Relying on others was always… difficult… for me."

He glanced at the man and saw a solemnity in his face now. And backdropped with their previous conversation, he felt he understood a little more now. 

"Not letting anyone close and keeping everything in has its own consequences, my boy," he spoke. "You both should be wary of that, I think. But you’re on the right track."

Keeping things in… keeping people out… His mind turned back to his time just the years prior to this in middle school. The isolation he’d felt. 

"Mr. Aizawa told us… if we wanted to pursue this with each other, then we should focus on supporting each other and building each other's confidence as we move towards our goals."

"Ah Aizawa," he laughed gently. "How does he always know the right thing to say?"

Izuku smiled at that.

"Have you told her about all this then?" All Might asked. "About One for All?"

Izuku blinked and gaped at him, surprised at how casually he asked that, as if the man himself hadn’t expressly told him not to tell anyone else.

"O- of course not," Izuku said. "You asked me not to, and after Kaachan, I—it’s such a burden to push onto people, and I just…"

He sagged, feeling a little more solemn. 

"It’s your secret, All Might. I don’t want to betray that again."

"Oh, kid," All Might smiled. "You didn’t betray me, it was a slip up with Young Bakugo—and thankfully, I would say that it did work out, and it brought you two closer together in a way that was helpful and unexpected."

All Might reached out and clasped a hand to his shoulder. "If you would like to include her in this, it’s your choice, Young Midoriya. One for All is yours now, and you have a personal claim to this secret as well."

Izuku blinked up at him, his mind turning over the thought. 

"But you are correct, it is a burden, however," All Might sighed. "Perhaps that is something to consider when making this choice. While I do believe Young Uraraka is a trustworthy person, please consider it for a while before you do."

"I- I’ll consider it," he said softly, looking down. "It’s… a different feeling, having this sort of relationship. It’s weird to feel like I’m… lying to her, I guess."

At that, All Might laughed. "By omission, I suppose!"

Still feels untruthful, in a way… but with everything they were striving for, they still had a semblance of what they wanted this to be. 'For as long as you want me…' he’d promised, something stretching out towards the future. Part of having a future, having a lasting relationship—was indeed honesty. 

It usually came very easily to him. He was shy and bashful often, but he was never dishonest about what he thought and felt. One for All was the first time he was required to be—and with subsequent gag orders and such, he found he didn't like it. 

And maybe with this secret relationship with Ochako, it was unnatural for him to hide such a thing too. Because he… loved her. He really did. And the thought definitely made him fluster and squirm, but the feeling was undeniable. What a special feeling, what a special person. It was… challenging not to wear that on his sleeves. 

Should I burden her with this, though? Should I tell her and lean on her as a support? He… wasn’t sure. 

"What would you do, All Might? If you were in my situation."

"I told very few of the nature of my power—and most was because of a useful connection or resource," All Might sighed. "I’ve made personal connections through that, mind you, but I… of the people I involved, they were not personal relationships first."

Izuku looked up at him, pondering that. He knew All Might had been good friends with Dave back in his beginning days—but to this day, he had never told him about One for All. 

"So… are you saying I shouldn't?" Izuku asked hesitantly. 

"I’m saying that you and I are quite similar in some ways, and quite different in others," All Might mused. "For instance, I've never had the pleasure of such a romantic connection as you’ve made with Young Uraraka, so I feel that I’m not necessarily qualified to offer much in regards to that, however—"

He placed his hand on Izuku's head, a kind smile on the man's face. 

"Do what you feel would be best," All Might said softly. "And I’m sure all will be well."

Izuku bit his lip and nodded. "Thanks, All Might. I- I’ll let you know- i- if I do tell her."

All Might nodded, then turned back to his run. "Goodnight, kid."

Izuku waved, then made his way back to the dorms, pondering it all. 

Tell Ochako… about One for All…

He looked up at the darkening sky, stars beginning to wink on now that the sun had set. He’d run outside tonight with one problem in his mind, and now he had a new one to think about. 

But conviction still coursed through his veins after the pledge he’d made with All Might—twist that cruel fate into something good. He could take some drive from that—because the more he thought it, the more he did desire for her to know. But was it selfish to desire her to be with him in the burden? Was it selfish to keep it from her? What do I do here…?

As he thought, he heard voices from up ahead where he was approaching the dorm building—and his heart skipped a beat as he saw her— just as he was thinking of her. 

She and Asui were laughing, talking excitedly together about something, their hero costume cases in hand. For a moment, he just stood and stared at her, admiring that beautiful smile. 

Ochako looked up then and saw him just as he stopped to gape. "Hey! What're you doin' out here?" 

For a moment, he wished the others knew. Because even though Asui was right there beside her, he wanted nothing more than to grab her up in his arms. He didn’t… but he wanted to. 

"Just- taking a walk," he said, grinning happily as he picked up his pace a little. 

"Did we miss much in class today, ribbit?" Asui asked as he came up to them. 

"We did start a new unit of English grammar," he said, to which Ochako groaned and slouched in dismay. 

"But I was just barely getting the hang of the last unit!" 

He chuckled at her reaction, blushing as the inevitable - she so cute- thoughts filled his head. 

"It doesn’t seem to be as complicated as the last one," he said reassuringly. Gosh, I wanna hold your hand. 

"There’s that at least," she sighed, then smiled brilliantly at him. "We could all go over it together maybe? It’s still pretty early."

His heart swelled within him, but he thought of that growing pile of work on his desk upstairs and sighed. "I… have a lot of work I haven’t been able to finish."

Ochako blinked, then bit her lip. "Us too, right Tsuyu?"

Tsuyu nodded with a hum. "Mr. Aizawa wasn’t exaggerating—it is hard to keep up while doing a work study, ribbit."

"W- we could all work on it together," Ochako said, a gentle blush on her cheeks and she smiled. "That's the upside of all being in the same class, right? Same work. C'mon, it'll make it more fun to do together!"

Izuku smiled back, then nodded. "I’ll go get my stuff."

— — — — —

Izuku sat with the girls, trying hard to focus on his work. He examined the page of text, reread the section he’d stopped at, glanced at Ochako's hand jotting away in her own notebook, her eyes down. He bit his lip, then was halfway through the section of text when he realized it was the third time he’d read that passage. 

He knew he wasn’t just being distracted by his girlfriend— it was the fact that he had to catch himself from treating her like his girlfriend. Because Asui was right there kiddy-corner to her. And Tokoyami was at the table beside theirs, and a group of the guys were playing a video game over at the couches—and why did this dorm building suddenly feel so crowded?!

Are you distracted by me too? But she seemed… pretty content to simply sit beside him, tapping her pencil to her lip as she thought. 

He leaned his forehead into his hand, feeling a bit stupid to feel frustrated by something so trivial, especially with All Might's revelations tonight. And the nigh constant image of that tiny face with a broken spirit in her eyes—

He breathed out sharply through his nose, then stood to get a drink of water. 

As he set his glass down, he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He was genuinely surprised to feel her touch him—in a public place like this—and his mind turned back to those uncertainties. 

"How about some tea, too?" she smiled, pulling her hand back. 

"Yeah," he signed, blushing a bit. "Thanks."

She picked out a jasmine green tea that Yaoyorozu had wedged into the cupboard— "It’s quite calming!" she'd said. And with his not-so-concealed frustration, he wasn’t surprised Ochako picked that one. 

"You doing alright?" She asked softly as she pulled out the cups for the four of them—including Tokoyami as well.

"Yeah," he sighed, filling the pot of water and flipping the switch to let it boil. "Better now, actually. You should’ve seen me earlier today," he said a light laugh. 

Ochako smiled too, but there was concern in her eyes. But it’s not like she could hold his hand right now. He was sure he’d made enough of a scene there to draw Asui's attention, at the very least. 

I don’t wanna worry her though… he sighed quietly, shrugging his shoulders as he leaned against the counter, looking towards the inside of the kitchen. 

"I’ll figure it out," he said. "No one said this was gonna be easy."

Ochako seemed to understand what he meant, and she nodded, leaning against the counter with him—not too close, but enough that she could gently grasp his fingers. He caught himself before he could tug her into his arms in one of those hugs he craved—but he did cling to her tighter, relishing the tiny contact of just a few fingers. 

"Wish I could help more," she said with a sigh and a regretful laugh. "We'll just have to make it through together."

Izuku nodded, and resisted the frown as she pulled her hand away from his. She gave him a smile, then moved to prepare the tea. 

Does our relationship have to be kept a secret from everyone else? He knew he'd told her he was happy to go along with what she wanted, and as much as he wanted to be content, he just… didn’t feel it, at least in this moment. And his frustration turned onto himself now because how self-centered was that, huh? 

The thought of isolation occurred to him once more, looking around the room at his classmates—his friends— and how he had just wished they weren't here. It made him feel pretty rotten inside. 

As he watched her grab up the pot and pour the tea, he sagged. 

All these secrets… He shook his head, trying to shake away all these frustrating thoughts. As he took her in, wishing for time, for space, for openness, he just sat back and sighed. 

Right now, I’m just wishing for more of her. 

He willed himself to let the rest go and linger on that thought—so he smiled gently as she prepared the tea, her hands always happy to do something kind for someone else. He stepped forward and let his fingers grasp hers against the tea tray, gently taking it from her sweet hands. As he leaned in a little closer, he saw her eyes widen and her cheeks blush. 

"I missed you, Ochako." His whisper was barely audible, but it still made her flush even deeper.

"D- Deku…!" She got out just as quietly.

He smiled a bit wider, feeling the tiny rush of it ease that frustration and anxiety a bit. Then he turned away from her and brought the tray over. 

"Here's some tea," he said, handing a cup to a thankful Tokoyami, and then set another down in front of Asui.

"Thanks, Midoriya," Asui smiled, and he tried to pretend he didn’t see some kind of knowing glint in her eyes. Come on, I was even trying to be subtle…

"Mhm," he nodded, then placed Ochako's down as she sat. She gave him such a sweet smile that he had to look down as his ears turned red. 

The rest of the evening was fairly uneventful, and maybe the tea really was calming, but he felt a lot less bothered than he had been before. Even if it was just another temporary fix while he waited for solutions. Trying to relax into it, he was even actually able to finish a couple assignments before the clock struck curfew. 

Ochako stretched her arms up in the air, leaning back in her chair. "Feels good to get a bunch done!" She said happily. 

He smiled at her with a blush. "Y- yeah, I’m glad I caught you guys."

"Right! What good timing!" Ochako said happily, and he just about melted, forgetting his woes in the presence of her sunshiny smile. 

Asui had that smile again—looking back and forth at them with a glow about her. 

"I’m gonna go take a bath, so I’ll see you guys later, ribbit," she said, her eyes closed happily. 

"Right, uh- goodnight As- uh- Tsuyu," he said. 

Tsuyu gave one last look between them before turning away. 

Oh… she… probably knows, doesn’t she…?

"Night, Tsuyu!" Ochako waved as the other girl made her way towards the baths. 

Ochako gathered the rest of her things and they quietly walked towards the elevators, hands dedicatedly at their sides while the others finished up their nightly activities to go to bed. 

"So what were you doing out there by yourself?" She asked, her voice a little softer now as they rounded the corner into the small elevator area.

Izuku opened his mouth, then shut it again as his mind drifted back to that question. Does One for All have to be kept a secret from her too? 

He really just… didn’t know. 

So how could he explain his conversation with All Might to her? It was vastly more complicated than a short walk to the elevators could hold. But even so, if he were to tell her about it all, now was probably not the time.

"I… just needed to clear my head," he sighed, which really was true, he supposed. "Helped a bit, I guess. And… ya know." 

He punctuated the statement by taking her hand, which brought a blush to her cheeks. "I’m glad we could study together."

Ochako looked down with a bashful smile, then reached out and took his other hand, their hands clasped together between them. There was a lot he wanted to say to her—and from the look in her eye, it seemed she did as well, it was… a challenge finding time and space to talk like that all the time. 

"Me too," she said, grasping his hands gently, looking up at him. 

When the boys' side elevator dinged, he reluctantly released her and stepped back. "Goodnight, Uraraka," he smiled. 

She laughed, glancing back momentarily as her own elevator arrived. "Yeah, see ya, Deku."

He watched her as long as he could until the doors shut. He looked at his hands briefly before pulling them in his pockets with a sigh. 

The door to Aoyama's opened as he walked up to his own, and he put on a friendly smile. "Hey, going to bed, Aoyama?"

"Oui, I am—I just popped out to see because you’ve been gone most of the day, Midoriya," Aoyama pressed a finger to his chin. 

"Oh, I was just-" he got out. "Earlier, I was just talking a walk, and then I bumped into O- Uraraka and Asui, so we did some studying together."

"Ah, the Miss Gravity," Aoyama said with an odd flourish. "You two have been spending a lot of time together lately, non?"  

Izuku felt his ears warm, but he just laughed. "Y- yeah, it’s nice to have such a good friend. Well, I’m getting real tired, so goodnight, Aoyama!" 

"À demain!" He called cheerily. 

Izuku waved and shut his door. He sighed, scratching a hand roughly through his hair. 

He once again wished he could speak—could show this freely. Sure, maybe he’d die of embarrassment if anyone caught him trying to hold her close, but he’d still be happy that he could— He usually had an good amount of restraint for things, so it was actually surprising it was feeling as hard as it was. 

He set down his backpack and sunk in to sit on the bed. After a few moments in the quiet, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and smiled at her name. 

—I know your work study has been hard on you, and I'm sorry I haven't been around very much. 

Izuku looked at the text, feeling himself slouch on his bed. He blew out a breath, rubbing a hand over his face, seeing again the image of that little girl, feeling that frustration in the secrets, the fear at All Might's revealed fate, his own insecurities and Togata's superior worthiness—although that talk with All Might had helped him feel a lot better about that. But those weights still hung heavy on him. 

His phone buzzed again in his hand and he looked down. 

—I miss you, too

He laid back on his bed, looking up at the screen and opening up the photos app. He scrolled a bit to one of the last pictures he’d taken—Ochako sitting with Jirou and Kirishima on the couch. All had funny faces for his 'documenting dorm life' photos—Kirishima looked pumped up and Jirou with a proper punk rock attitude—and Ochako in the middle smiled like sunshine itself. He zoomed in on her face, smiling out at him. 

She’s… not embarrassed of this, I don’t think. And as he thought it, he willed himself to believe it. Because she did want this. Looking at her face even in just a photograph, he could see that look that she gave to him, so full of warmth. She looked at him in the same way he felt for her. 

He opened his texts again and pulled up her name.

Thanks, Ochako. You don’t have to worry about me, I’ll figure it out. You should focus on your own work study, don’t let me distract you!—

But thank you, I mean it—

It didn’t take long for her to message back, and he smiled at her words. 

—I’m not distracted! I’ve been trying really hard to focus on school when we're studying together. I just wish we could spend more time than just study time…

I know what you mean— he wrote with a smile. 

Sorry about earlier, if that was too conspicuous—

—don’t be sorry💕

He smiled a little wider, then pulled up the picture of her once more. 

I need to take more photos of her…

Chapter Text

Ochako woke to a message, not from the boy she’d been hoping to hear from, but from Ryukyu's agency. 

"Urgent meeting—please arrive by 9am sharp!"

Along with the message was an address and instructions, and Ochako felt excitement all over again. She thought of the night before when Mina had shown her and Tsuyu the news article of them fighting that giant villain a few days before. It was all so surreal, realizing that this is what her life was gonna be from now on— this is how it’ll be when I’m a pro hero! It made her feel all excited and so important in a way? Like more than simply being present. She would be crucial, needed, helpful! Her hand gripped into a determined fist, ready for it all. Ready for that future so she could be the best she could be! 

Mom and Dad—I’m almost there! 

And as she thought of that future, she thought of Izuku. She thought of how little time they’d had together since this simulation of their future careers began and it gave her pause. 

Is this how it’s gonna be? But she supposed it didn’t have to be. Some pros still managed relationships, didn’t they? It didn’t have to be a problem! They wouldn’t be students anymore, right? Not every day she’d spent at Gunhead's agency had been wholly eventful. Most days were patrolling, training, and helping out in the community. 

But even as she thought that, she could imagine that Izuku would want more than that. 

Those feelings of insecurity blossomed inside her, worrying she would hold him back… hold herself back… 

I just wanna be a good hero… and Deku—he wants to be like All Might. 

He wouldn’t like it if he knew she was just sitting here, moping about how she might bring him down. So she lifted her own determination up and gripped her hand into a fist. I just have to keep up with him! 

"For as long as you want me, I’m yours," he’d said, which made those anxieties ease a little—reassurance lifted her fluttering heart. It didn’t just mean he was putting himself out for her, it meant he wanted this relationship just as much as she did. It was a promise that he wasn’t gonna end it with her unless she wanted to—and she very much didn’t. 

With these conflicting schedules, their heavy load of school, and the additional stresses he seemed to be burdened with, the weight upon this did seem to be causing strain, though. She thought of him before when they’d met up on the doorstep, studying the evening away beside each other and how stirred up he seemed. He wasn’t usually like that, and it gave her pause. 

I need to find ways to hug him more, she thought with determination, imagining their arms around each other now. Her touch seemed to help him relax, which made her feel warm and fluttery. If he’s stressin' out, I’ll give him all the hugs I can!

Unfortunately, she kept sleeping past her alarm to try and go running with him… She sagged, frowning at the time. He’d already told her it was alright and that it was fine if she just came whenever she wasn’t too tired. How can he be a night owl and a morning person?! That’s just not fair! 

She sighed, pulling off her pajamas and getting dressed for the day. With this meeting happening, she wondered if he had anything with his work study. It was Saturday, so maybe if she got back soon enough, they could find time to spend together in the afternoon? Maybe we could walk to the shops together? She thought of him whispering how he missed her in her ear, and it gave her shivers even now. 

She hummed as she buttoned up her shirt and smoothed out her skirt. 

A knock at her door surprised her. She blinked, then opened the door. 

"Oh, good morning, Tsuyu!" She said happily, opening the door in invitation. "You got the message too, yeah? I’m almost ready."

"Morning," Tsuyu croaked happily. "It looks like the location is about an hour away by train, so I was just making sure we could leave early enough, ribbit."

"Thanks for having my back," Ochako sighed, bashfully scratching at her hair. "I can definitely sleep in too late sometimes."

Tsuyu sat on her bed as Ochako lifted her collar and slid the tie into place, her tongue sticking out as she tied the knot. How on earth does Deku tie his so badly all the time? She smiled to herself, thinking maybe she should offer to teach him. 

"You seem happy," Tsuyu commented, and Ochako blushed a bit. 

"Ah- yeah, I’m excited to see what happens!" She said, turning back to the other girl as she finished off the knot and placed her tie pin into it. "It really is different than our internships, doing a work study like this."

"Ribbit," Tsuyu nodded, then touched her fingers to her chin. "I mean in general, though. Did anything happen?"

Ochako froze, stuttering a bit. "Uh- well, nothing in particular…"

Tsuyu tilted her head, an openness about her now. "Well, to me, it seems like you’ve been more happy since you’ve started to spend more time with Midoriya."

She felt her face go full red, her heart giving a great thump in her chest. "Th- that’s- it’s- I mean-!"

At that, Tsuyu smiled. "You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want, ribbit. But if you have the feelings you seem to, I guess I wanna say, I think he might feel that for you too."

Ochako looked at her from behind the fistfuls of hair she was hiding behind. "Huh?"

"I don't mean to pry," Tsuyu shrugged. "I just like to say things as I see them."

"You see that he… likes me?"

Tsuyu smiled gently and nodded. "At least, I think so. I don't say that to pressure you, of course, ribbit. But I thought… well, I’d share with you what I’ve noticed."

Ochako let out a long breath, bowing her head. What’s the point in keeping it secret if everyone can see it anyway? She was half-surprised she hadn't already been mobbed by Mina and Tooru for this. 

She sat beside Tsuyu and leaned her head against her friend's shoulder. 

"I already know," Ochako sighed. "And… so does he…"

Tsuyu pulled back enough to blink at her, and Ochako groaned, covering her face again. 

"You and Midoriya-?"

"Ah…!" Ochako buried her face in her knees. 

"You mean, you’re already dating?" Tsuyu asked, her voice lifting happily. 

"Mm," Ochako hid hard in her legs, wondering at how much mortification she felt at this. It was bizarre, but still so strong. "Mhm…"

Tsuyu ribbited happily. "I thought he was acting strangely the other night."

Ochako slumped. "Mhmm…"

After that, Tsuyu was quiet, patting her back as she fretted quietly. And honestly, she really appreciated that. There was no nosiness, no prying words to get at her feelings with Tsuyu. It made this embarrassment within her feel a lot calmer, less mortifying and more understanding. 

"Thanks," Ochako sighed, leaning on her shoulder again. 

"Ribbit?"

"For not making it a big deal," Ochako replied, sagging. "I dunno why it’s… it’s just- it feels awkward to talk about, ya know?" At least, with anyone that isn’t him, but even then—

"I figured. But I’m happy to talk and listen whenever you need, of course. You’re my friend, ribbit," Tsuyu said, and she really did sound happy. "So… is there anything you wanna say about it?"

Ochako bit her lip. That she was unsure about. She had always been a private person when it came to her own self. She always felt happier reaching out to help someone else, giving her own support and joy to others—but it had always been difficult opening up to her own private feelings. Even her own parents had to pry them out of her. And with Izuku… she didn't why, but it felt a little easier with him than anyone she had ever known, and yet she still struggled to share all that was on her mind… and in her heart. It was something she was sure she would grapple with her whole life. 

Even so, his eagerness to support her, to be there for her, to give her all this care and affection was overwhelming. It was amazing how much he wanted to do that for her. How much he cared about her. Even when she struggled to open up to him, he was patient as he said he would be, and she felt… such joy in him.

"He… makes me really happy," Ochako breathed quietly as she blushed gently.

Tsuyu smiled even wider at that, then took Ochako's hand and squeezed. She didn't say anything, and again, Ochako felt so understood and grateful for that. 

They sat like that for only a little while before Ochako got up to finish getting ready—whatever meeting they were about to go to, it felt incredibly important. Even with her own personal excitement about it beforehand, she felt the weight of it as well. Whatever the crisis, someone must be in danger, or hurting, and struggling. The thought of that brought a solemnity to her as they made their way out the doors.

Much to Ochako's delight—and Tsuyu's amusement she was sure—there was Izuku talking with Kirishima. 

"—I was told we didn't need our costumes, though…" he was saying as she happily skipped towards him from the door.

"Good morning!" She beamed. "You two goin' in today?"

Izuku beamed at her as she came to stand by her side, Tsuyu walking up behind her. And she could've melted at his smile every day. 

"Yep!" He replied to her question.

"What a coincidence, we are, too," Tsuyu said.

"Well, let's all go together, since we're all headed to the train station," Kirishima said with enthusiasm. 

"Yeah!" 

Ochako didn't get much chance to talk to Izuku as they walked, as Kirishima struck up a conversation with him about some training regiment he'd done with his work study hero, Fat Gum. Ochako walked behind them beside Tsuyu, feeling a mix of happy, of longing, and the lingering worries for whatever they were about to embark on at this urgent meeting. Are we all going to the same place? It was possible. Ryukyu had mentioned a potential for a team-up with Sir Nighteye. Maybe Fat Gum's agency would be involved as well. 

If that's the case, just how big of a joint task force would this be? What kind of issue would they be resolving? Her mind turned to what she knew about the situation at Kamino. She didn't know the details of that, but she'd seen how many heroes had been involved. A shiver went down her spine, considering the perilous disaster Kamino had been.

And Izuku had been in the middle of that… she bit her lip, watching his back. It was their jobs—their goals— to be heroes, in the midst of danger to protect and serve the public. Still, despite that, it was hard to turn off her worry for him with all the images in her mind of him wrapped in bandages in a hospital room. 

"Are you worried?" Tsuyu asked her, and Ochako smiled and shook her head. 

"Just wondering what this is all about, ya know?" She said with a shrug. "I hope I can help out, at the very least."

"Mhm," Tsuyu nodded. "Well, they wouldn't have called us too if they didn't think we'd be helpful, right?"

Ochako sighed. "That's true."

A couple pros walked up to them as they made their way down the sidewalk, a cheery demeanor to both of them. "You heading to the station? If you want, we can escort you there."

"Oh, if that's alright with you!" Ochako said, bowing with the rest of her companions. 

"Thank you!" Izuku said gratefully from ahead of her.

"There sure are a lot of heroes!" Kirishima said.

The two happily escorted them all the way to the train station. "Now be careful out there, kids," he called to them.

"We will!"

It was well known that UA students had been targeted by villains before, especially the first year hero students. She was absolutely certain that the local agencies had been warned of that specifically. But Kirishima sure was right, there were a lot of heroes. She could hardly keep up with their names, even though they were stationed nearby. As they waved goodbye, she felt a bit bad that she didn't quite remember their names— I bet Deku would know!

Throughout their journey, they continued to all be going the exact same direction. And with every transfer and route they all stayed together, it seemed to be even further confirmation that they were going to the same place—to Sir Nighteye's agency. 

As they sat on the train, Ochako smiled as she sat beside her boyfriend. He turned a happy grin at her, and he saw his hand raise as if he was about to take her hand—then he blushed and scratched his neck, blushing. Ochako blushed too, and she leaned back against the bench, smiling a little wider at him. Tsuyu was beside her with Kirishima on the end now. After glancing over to see the two of them conversing, she reached out and took his hand gently.

"Hm?" He blinked at her, blushing a little brighter, and she just scooted a little closer, her cheeks too warm. But with their backpacks on their laps, it wasn't all that visible to do so.

"I wonder why we've all been called to the same place," she said. "This is the way to Nighteye's office, right? Ryukyu said something about a potential team-up with his agency."

Izuku nodded, his face falling into a more somber expression now. "I’m not entirely sure of the details, but there’s been an extensive investigation happening that he's been heading—and from the scope of what I understand, it would make sense if he called in other pros to deal with the situation."

Ochako nodded, feeling the happiness grow a little within her. She’d truly missed having more time with him, and having two different work studies on top of school made anytime they got turned into study sessions—which were important too! But… just studying next to each other left her desiring a little more blatant connection than she usually did. She gently squeezed his hand, and it gave her such a thrill to feel him return the gesture.

"I hope so," she smiled brightly. "It would make it so fun to all work together like this! Tsuyu and I have had a blast working with Ryukyu, and Nejire, too."

"Ribbit, I didn’t expect she’d accept us both so readily. Everything we've been able to do and learn has been so exciting," Tsuyu croaked happily. 

"It sure has been rewarding," Kirishima said, looking determined as he clenched a fist in front of him. "But growing together with you guys will make it even more so."

Ochako lifted a fist with his determination, then looked back to Izuku, who hadn’t said anything since his prediction. His eyes were down, deep in thought, it seemed. She swallowed, wondering if whatever had been troubling him lately—maybe this meeting would go over that. If so, she would be glad. If he was burdened, she wanted to help carry that load with him, but she couldn't very well do that if there was something he held in that he couldn't share with her. If he could share it, then she would be happy to take that burden and more—anything for him.

She rubbed her thumb over his, giving him a concerned look, and in his face was such a touched expression. Like it meant the world to him that she would hold his hand, that she would worry about him—as if he never expected anyone to. She was aware that before, he hadn't had many friends—if any— aside from Bakugo, which… did not count. Izuku seemed to need to be reminded that he had friends who did care now. Ochako knew that it wasn't just her, Tsuyu and Kirishima right here felt that way, and so did many more. So many people cared about him! And you have a girlfriend right here who cares… with her whole heart!

"I’m glad we get to spend a little time together today," she said quietly. 

He smiled, then squeezed her hand gently. "So am I."

His smile made her smile brighten. Really, how could he be so sweet and wonderful all the time? It boggled her mind. I’m so happy—he makes me so happy!

Just then, she felt his grip tighter to her as he… started to rise from his seat. 

"Uh-" he got out, and Ochako flushed bright red as she released her quirk as discreetly as she could, but she couldn't help the laughter as she snickered at it, which he joined in on—and that was good to hear after he'd been so stressed out.

"Ribbit?" Tsuyu question, a smile on her face. 

Ochako waved her hand. "N- nothing, just silly."

Tsuyu nodded, smiling at the both of them—and Ochako did blush, but there was a… comfort along with the embarrassment of her knowing about them now. It made her consider— when do we want to tell the others? Like… they couldn't keep it secret forever, could they? Part of her—the part the wanted to hide sure wanted to, but just like how Izuku tended to forget that he had friends who cared about him and his life and his joy, she had to remind herself that she did too. 

Maybe after all this with Nighteye…

For now, as they got off the train and headed for this weighty meeting, they would focus fully on what came next.

Chapter Text

Sitting around this table full of pros was genuinely surreal—and Izuku tried to internalize every bit of information they were being briefed on. 

Quirk destroying drugs? I’m glad Kirishima and his group were all okay… Something that attacks people's quirks directly, differently than Aizawa's erasure. How would it work? Could that… destroy One for All? With technology like that, it seemed the underbelly of society was about to get a whole lot more dangerous. 

"Analysis of the substance inside…" Fat Gum continued, his voice severe. "Revealed something pretty disgusting."

Izuku looked back to him at that, feeling a creeping dread in his belly at his next words: "They found human blood and cells."

"So the effect comes from a person's quirk?" Ryukyu said. "A quirk-destroying quirk…"

His breath seemed to grind within his lungs as he listened, piecing together the pieces in his mind as they laid out the information. 

"Their young leader is Chisaki, and his quirk is Overhaul—the ability to both dismantle and restore," Nighteye continued. "Dismantle. A quirk that can destroy and then heal… then we have bullets that destroy quirks."

His stomach churned, his spine turned to ice as he gaped at Nighteye's words. Flashes of those bandages, of that little girl's fear, came to his mind. No… no…

A hidden daughter—torn apart and desperate to get away… Why would a guy like that keep a kid around… unless he could use her…

Eri was… being taken apart and put back together… over and over… to create drugs. Weapons. By… her own father…

Izuku felt like he was going to be sick. 

Evil. 

"You’re saying he’s turning his own daughter into these bullets… and selling them in the black market?"

His hands gripped so tight into fists, his fingernails bit into his palms. Evil!

"So if your kids had just rescued the girl, our problems would’ve been solved?!" The pro hero Rock Lock said, his voice accusatory. And though Nighteye defended them, it still felt like a slap across the face.  

It's true. I could’ve stopped it. I could’ve saved her from this right then! But I left her—left her with her tormentor…

Some greatest hero I would make…

Pathetic. Useless!

Eri…

"I’m sure the ones hurting most out of all of us are those two."

Izuku felt determination join his despair, and he got to his feet, his chair clattering to the ground in his force—Togata's reaction mirroring his own.

"Next time for sure!" Izuku shouted, hands slammed against the table. "We'll save her!"

Nighteye nodded. "That is indeed our goal."

The meeting continued on in discussion, and Izuku listened intently, but there weren’t a lot of details known yet of what exactly they were going to do and when. It was a plan to continue scoping out the main Shie Hissaikai hideout and try and determine if Eri was there. More waiting… but Nighteye was right. It really couldn’t be helped. 

As the meeting concluded, the pro heroes were given individual case files as they sent the students out to wait. 

The silence was heavy around him, and he gripped fistfuls of his pants, gritting his teeth as he glared at the tabletop. 

Izuku barely heard a word the others said to him. He just sat at the table, his mind playing his encounter with her over and over in his head—her hands trembling with fear, silent, used and torn apart and put back together. Her begging him not to leave her—And her turning and walking back to her abuser… to save me. 

"Deku…" he heard Ochako say, but he couldn’t even look up at her. He was too angry, too ashamed. He'd seen the signs of abuse, but this was even worse than he’d imagined. 

What could I have done differently? Would attacking Chisaki right then have saved her? Or would it have just put her in more danger?

But more danger than she already was in, living as a human experiment as she is?

It's despicable… horrible! Anything would've been better than just leaving her like that!

"Don't go…"

His jaw ached at how hard he was clenching his teeth.

I’ll save you, Eri. Next time, I will save you. 

After the extended silence, the elevator dinged. When the doors opened, Aizawa walked out towards them. "Holding an all-night vigil, are we?"

"Teacher!" Asui said as he came up to them. 

"Call me Eraser Head outside of school," he waved her off. "Anyway—"

He looked them over, his eyes pausing on Izuku, and the sick feeling in his stomach sank even lower, anticipating those next words.  

"I was planning to talk to you about ending your work studies today."

There it is.

"What?!" Kirishima exclaimed, standing up from his chair. "Now, of all times?!"

"You heard about how the League of Villains might be involved in this," Aizawa sighed. "That makes this a whole different ball game."

He expected that. He knew that their teacher wouldn't like them being involved in something like this. The situation had heightened much more dramatically than expected, and now it would be a full-on raid on a Yakuza base. And with the League… Izuku wasn't surprised. 

But…

There's no way I can back down from this—

"But… Midoriya," Aizawa said, looking squarely at him, almost as if he could read his mind, hear him planning on getting around this somehow. "You still haven't earned my trust back."

"From this point on, if you follow procedures and behave properly, you might be able to regain our trust."

He started—and he was planning on breaking it again, huh… It's not that he wanted to, but… How many times would this man forgive him and keep allowing him to remain at this school… He bit his lip and said nothing.

Aizawa sighed, then crouched in front of him, making him feel even more like a child.

"But unfortunately…" Aizawa continued. "If I were to cut you off now, it's all but guaranteed that you would leap into action anyway."

I am that transparent then, huh?

Aizawa sighed, then looked up at him firmly.

"So I'll watch over you. Let's try to do things right this time, Midoriya." He reached up, pressing a fist to his chest. "Understand, problem child?"

Izuku swallowed, feeling his chest well up with the emotions—with this tentative trust placed on him, even though he absolutely didn't deserve it. But even so, he was grateful. He nodded in understanding… and agreement. I won't let you down this time.

"Mirio," Amajiki said from behind him. "Keep your head up, man."

"Hey, I understand, Togata," Hado continued after him. "You've got regrets, so you're feeling low. But that's just how it is sometimes! Got it?!"

"Yeah…" Togata said softly, the same determination in his voice that Izuku felt.

"Deku!" Ochako said softly, and he glanced at her. She smiled, her fists pumped in front of her— "Do your best!"

Even just that small gesture from her gave a lift to his heart, and he raised his fist to match her, grateful.

"If it makes you feel better," Aizawa continued, drawing his attention back to him. "When you reached out with those hands to help Eri, even though you failed, I bet you gave her some hope."

Izuku bit his lip, feeling those emotions rise once more up to his throat. Because if that was true, then maybe… If I could give her a little bit of hope while she waits… it wasn't so useless…

With that, Aizawa straightened up. "So pick yourself up."

"Yes, sir!" He shouted, standing from his chair. 

After that, the were simply sent home—on standby until the time when the location of that little girl could be verified. Waiting… once again. 

He was grateful for the thought that he might've given her some hope, and that had lifted his heart for a bit. But even with that thought driving his motivation rather than his self-deprecation, being back to simply waiting was nigh unbearable.

So they went back to their dorms, back to classes, trying to focus, trying to bide their time. He could barely concentrate on anything. And unlike before, he couldn't just go and talk to All Might to clear up things more—they were all under a gag order about the entire thing. He couldn't talk to All Might. And even though he could talk to Ochako, he wasn't sure what to say. They were in the same boat of waiting for that call. 

Of course, reaching out to her always made him feel lighter, there was a part of him that felt… wrong doing so. Not while Eri was waiting—even if there was nothing they could do but wait and confide in each other. And he did want to. But he couldn't shake that feeling of selfishness from his gut.

–-----

It wasn't every day Ochako got up to go on a run with him—she wasn't as accustomed to getting up so early it seemed. But every day after the meeting, she was waiting for him at the door, a little bleary eyed, but a smile on her face. And the fact that she'd put in that kind of effort for him… she really knew how to make him feel even just a little bit better, his burdens lifted off his shoulders, if not momentarily.

So he was happy to hold her hand on the path until they began their run, but it was only so long she could keep all this guilt and stagnant desperation at bay until he was thinking about that suffering child again, and the seconds seemed to drag on a little longer as he hoped that he'd hear his phone buzz in summons.

Izuku didn't even realize he’d pushed himself so hard until he looked back to see Ochako had lagged behind a ways on the path. He huffed out a breath as his heart pumped loud in his ears, then bowed his head, pausing to let her catch up. 

Instead of continuing, Ochako stilled beside him under a tree, her eyes full of worry and her smile far away now. They didn’t have to speak to know—and it was indeed a relief that he didn't have to hide it or lie to her about it. She just knew. 

Their eyes met, and he let out another breath, running a hand through his hair. 

"Deku," she sighed, and he looked up. 

She opened her mouth, but she looked just as lost for something to say as he was. They knew what they needed to do, they knew what was at stake… they knew there was nothing they could do by talking about it. 

His shoulders sagged, taking her in. It had not even been a month since they got together—mere weeks, and yet… he already felt so close to her, to be so understood.

He strode over to her, then took her hand gently in his, and she blinked at him, but he felt her fingers curl around his welcomingly. 

"Sorry," he sighed, feeling the chill in her knuckles from the misty morning. "Didn’t mean to leave you behind."

"It’s not that—" she said, but he knew that. They both did. 

"Mhm…" he looked down, watching her hand as he twined his fingers between hers, feeling the subtle ache in his hand at the added strain on his damaged joints. Still, he grasped her tight, relishing the contact. He shut his eyes, letting out a sigh as he held this swirling anxiety inside him. He opened his mouth to speak again, then bit his lip and turned away, frustration at this building alongside his anxiety.

Her hand slipped from his, and he opened his eyes just in time to see her step into him, her hands wrapped around his chest as she buried her face in the back of his shoulder. He blinked, wide eyed as he twisted his neck to see her. 

"Izuku," she said solemnly, her voice muffled a bit in him. "I know you’re blaming yourself, I know you’re frustrated—we all are… but…"

She stopped, her fists gripping the front of his gym uniform. "I don’t always know the right things to say, but I do know that it’s… hard… to keep it all in."

She lifted her face, her chin on his shoulder as she leaned into him. 

"So, if this—" she squeezed around him a little tighter, her hands pressing him into her "—is all I can do for now, then I’ll do it."

The cool breeze swept over them, rustling her hair with the whooshing of the leaves above. 

"I’ll support you, too," Ochako looked up, leaning her face closer over his shoulder. "So you can let me-"

Izuku gaped at her as Ochako trailed off, his breath catching as her nose brushed his, their faces a mere breath away. 

For a moment, it was almost like they didn’t have all these things to worry about. It was a normal day, they were spending a bit of rare time alone with each other, trying to navigate a romance where neither of them knew anything about anything—they just wanted to be close to each other. 

Ochako's hands were warm against his chest, and Izuku felt in his aching heart a draw to her, to this, to her gentle arms embracing him, to her mouth as her own eyes glanced down at his lips…

Izuku felt himself turn into her as he smoothed his hands over hers. His nose bumped hers again, and their eyes met—and his breath caught as he wordlessly tilted his chin, closing the distance-

"Ah-! Um-!" Ochako pulled back from him, her face going bright red as she fretted. "I-"

Her nerves broke whatever spell was over him and Izuku felt his heart beat wildly in his chest and it dawned on him as he began to sputter— W- were we actually about to kiss each other?! Now?!  It was crazy, incomprehensible. A damned nerd like him?! Unbelievable. And yet he felt the coolness against his chest where her hands had been, on his shoulder as she’d leaned into his turned face so much their noses brushed… her breath on his lips…

The feeling of selfishness came into him again, and he felt a little lower—trying to be kissing a girl while they were literally on-call to rescue an abused child.

Wh- what in the world…!

Even as Izuku felt himself flush, he took her in, her words coming back to him, and he took a breath, dismissing the guilt and allowing that small ease to come over him in the moment. Ochako was offering emotional support to him, gently lifting him up. When words wouldn’t have been enough, she held him so tenderly, his eyes stung. It wasn't selfish to accept that support from her, it was selfish to reject that from her. And…

He really wanted her arms around him again. 

"Ochako," he said, interrupting her stuttering, a smile on his lips as he extended a hand out to her. 

She was blushing still, but she took his hand. When she did, he tugged on her, pulling her back into him. He embraced her gently, even as he blushed brightly—still completely amazed at this whole thing he had with her. 

"Thank you," he whispered as he melted into her arms. 

Ochako hummed, burying her face in his neck. "Of course."

They would wait until the time came to act—and when it did, he would do everything in his power to save that little girl. And in the meantime, he felt bolstered by Ochako's support so gently given.

Chapter Text

Ochako sat across from Izuku for lunch that day. She would’ve liked to hold his hand—even just briefly under the table would’ve been nice. But… it was hard. Tsuyu knew about the development between her and Izuku, but Iida and Todoroki did not. 

Maybe if I could get up the courage, I’d be able to always sit by my boyfriend at lunch…

She quietly ate, trying hard to look on the bright side of it all—and that wasn’t easy either. The situation with Eri was… horrible. Knowing now what Izuku had been holding in, that he’d come face to face with her and Chisaki both… that he’d failed to save her… no wonder he was torn up about it. But now they were making a plan, moving carefully but quickly! They could act soon to save her successfully this time! They would all play a part in making sure she was saved from that awful situation. 

So she let her face fall into an easy, open smile as she quietly ate her rice—ready for the moment when that text arrived so they could act. 

"You’re not eating?" Todoroki said, drawing her attention up, and seeing both he and Iida were looking worriedly at Izuku. 

He jumped. "I- I was just about to!"

He was smiling now, but… Izuku was the kind of person who really… couldn’t hide his feelings. He wore them so blatantly, it was often easy to tell what was weighing on him. As was the case right then. She bit her lip as she watched the stress in his face, the strain of that smile—and she wished she could hold his hand even more now. 

"Is everything okay?" Iida asked, clearly seeing exactly what she was seeing. 

"You’ve been looking a little depressed ever since your work started," Todoroki added around a mouthful of soba. 

"Really…? Have I?" Izuku said, trying hard to sound nonchalant. 

Ochako sat back, biting her lip as he even seemed to be avoiding her eye now—but she understood. And she understood this reaction too. It was… something she herself was incredibly familiar with, hiding behind a smile was better than dragging people down with her worries. He was trying to do that now.

"'If you ever feel hopeless, let me know,'" Iida said, his voice soft and kind. "'We're friends, right?'"

Her heart lurched at the words, remembering that time when she and Izuku had stood by, watching Iida go in his pain and fury. There were things that had happened in Hosu that she still didn’t know or fully understand— maybe I should ask Deku about it.

"That’s what you told me back then, when I was being foolish," he continued. "Before the internships…"

His words cut off as Izuku bowed his head, quiet sobs escaping him. Iida started and Todoroki turned more fully towards him, both surprised by his tears. Ochako… wasn’t. But it still made her heart hurt desperately, wanting nothing more than to reach around this table and hold him. He’s at his limit… he can’t hold this in anymore…

What can I do…?

"H- huh?! H- hey-!" Iida started, but Izuku was already covering his face, trying to wipe away the tears in a desperate attempt to hide them away. 

"S- sorry, I’m fine! It’s nothing…" He got out shakily, then scooped a bite of his food in his mouth, eating quickly. "Heroes… don’t cry!"

The words hit her hard, seeing him struggle, pain and stress filling him to the brim until he couldn’t hold back anymore. Her shoulders slumped as she watched him avoid all of their eyes, eating his food quickly, probably in an attempt to get up and escape. 

"Deku…" she said quietly. 

Todoroki leaned around Iida then, watching him thoughtfully. "Nah, even heroes cry when they need to, I think…"

At that, Izuku cried a little more as he set his empty bowl down and bowed his head. Todoroki stood, walking over to him, giving him some of his food. "You want half my noodles?"

Iida smiled, leaning over with his own dish. "You can have my beef stew too."

Izuku covered his face in his sleeve. "T- thanks…"

"Want some scallions too?"

"Thanks-" 

"Wasabi?"

"'Kay…" 

Ochako wanted to say something—she wanted to happily raise her fist and say something like 'we'll just do our best and everything will work out, you’ll see!' But… she found she was mute. The other boys kindly leaned over to give him some of their food, and Izuku, still trying to control his tears, gratefully ate with them, and she felt… lost somehow. 

He’s carrying too much, she sighed, gripping her chopsticks in her hand a little too tightly. What can I do to support him in this…? 

"Here, Deku! Have my dessert!" She exclaimed, pushing the little dish of custard across the table at him. 

He sputtered, still wiping at his face as he looked down at all the food they’d given him. "T- thank you…" 

Iida and Todoroki both looked at her, something questioning in their faces, as if she could give them any answers, but she simply gave a small shrug. She was under the same gag order after all. 

The rest of the day went by fairly slowly, sluggish, really. She leaned her face into her hand and glanced up at the clock. Then… over to Izuku, not for the first time. 

She watched him in class a lot, before and after her spontaneous confession—and only sometimes a bit swoony. Being in the back of the room, she could only see the back of him as he worked. She watched him enough to know that he was typically very dedicated and focused, always working diligently in every subject. Well, there’s a reason he’s at the top of the class and I’m in the middle. She cringed, remembering her test results, but set that aside. 

Izuku right now was definitely distracted. He kept zoning out, fidgeting in his chair, writing notes in a rush at random bursts, as if he'd forgotten he was even in class. 

I wish I was near you, Ochako felt her shoulders sink as she watched him. I wish that call would come. 

Please—find that little girl soon!

Izuku leaned into his hand, roughly scrubbing it through his hair—impatient, stirred up, frustrated. Ochako frowned, her fingers tightening around her pencil. After lunch and that gentle gesture from Iida and Todoroki both, he still seemed pretty frazzled. She saw Iida glance at him a number of times, too, and she wouldn’t be surprised it Todoroki was as well. 

He really can’t hide a thing, huh? He wore his whole heart on his sleeve, and she really couldn’t fault him for that. It was one of the first things she’d noticed and liked about him, after all—so genuine, so heartfelt, so full of passion and drive for the things he loved. Though now, he was showing just how upset he was as he tried to pay attention in class. 

I gotta help. I gotta do something! She knew neither of them were going in today, as they were all in the same boat, so she settled in on a plan. 

By the time the bell thankfully— finally— rang, she quietly packed up her books and bag. 

"Walking back to the dorms?" Tsuyu asked, leaning over to her. 

"Uh- I'll catch you there later, if that’s alright," Ochako started, glancing over at Izuku, who seemed startled by the bell and was just now packing up. 

Tsuyu followed her eyes, then smiled gently. "Ribbit!"

Ochako flushed, watching the friends around her talk with each other, casual and normal, because to them there was nothing wrong. They didn't know any of it.

Iida stood in front of her, looking over with worry. 

"I want to be able to help," he sighed. "Uraraka, this is to do with your work study, yes?"

She looked up at him, then nodded once. 

He sighed at her confirmation. 

"I’m gonna talk to him," she said, surprising herself, but even so, she didn’t want Iida to be more worried either. And neither would Izuku, to be sure. 

Iida placed a hand on her shoulder, a gentle concern in his normal boisterous and serious face. "Thank you."

She smiled, then pulled her bag on and walked across the classroom. 

"Hey Deku—" she called out to him as he was finishing packing up. 

He looked up, then smiled. "Ah- O- Uraraka!"

She blushed at him nearly calling her her given name, because it’d be a bit revealing, and also because she loved it when he said her name. He said it so much now, and it gave her a thrill each and every time—his voice was always so lovely and gentle, and- 

SHe shook her head, drawing herself to the present, because she was on a mission right now. A mission to make her sweet boyfriend feel better… somehow! 

But now that she was here, she wasn’t sure how ask him to come with her that didn’t sound like flirting— aw man… And Sero sitting there grinning at them like the Cheshire Cat was not helping. 

Mineta as talking to Izuku too, describing something to make him feel better that sounded best ignored, but Izuku's eyes were on her the moment she walked up. She couldn’t back down, she wanted- no she needed to reach out to him right now. He needed her, she could see it in the strain on his face, the redness in his eyes, the fatigue in his frame. He’s stressin' out hard…  

So she slapped on a determined smile and raised her hands into fists. "Can you teach me some training techniques? I’ve been thinkin' about ways I can improve, so I’d appreciate the help in perfecting them!"

He blinked at her, but he smiled brightly at her anyway. "S- sure! What’re you working on?"

 "Ya know, like—" she punched her fist in the air. "Stuff like that?"

Izuku stared at her, and she could practically see the question marks over his head. She flushed, but smiled brightly, falling back on her blunt and a little bit weird self with ease.

"Well, let’s go!" She said, pumping a fist in the air and strolling out of the classroom. 

"Ah- okay!"

When she got to the hallway, which was a little less crowded now, she turned to see him rushing to catch up with her, his cheeks blushing a little too hard. Behind him, she saw Sero give a smirking wave and Mineta a searing glare. Dang it…  

"S- sorry, I was just-" Izuku got out, coming to her side. "So where did you wanna train?"

"Outside would probably be best!" She smiled casually, trying to ignore the blush in her face. She was on a mission, after all. 

He quietly followed her to the shoe lockers, and as they switched out their shoes, she watched him. His deep pondering seemed to have returned as he placed his school shoes back in the locker and tied on his big, red shoes. Ochako bit her lip, grasping her hands together. 

I just… wanna help… 

When he finished, she grasped his sleeve, making him blush, his eyes widening. "Ocha-?"

She just smiled. "Come on!"

"'Kay," he got out, following her lead as she marched them out into the grounds. 

She could feel eyes on them, but she tried to ignore that and just walked with him out into the forest. 

"Ochako?" He asked when they were far enough out that they were alone. "What’re you-?"

She pulled him into a little secluded grove of beech trees, then she turned on him and hugged him to her. He sputtered, stiffening at the sudden affection. She didn’t say anything though, just squeezed him tight around his waist, holding him close the way she couldn’t as he’d cried during lunch. 

"What’s wrong?" He asked, his hands spreading over her back. 

She squeezed him tighter. "After lunch today, you have to ask?"

He sighed, and she felt his shoulders sag. "Sorry, didn’t mean to worry you,"

"Worry me?" She asked, then sighed as she pulled back, a frown on her face. "Deku, I just- I want to-"

She deflated, at a loss for words. But she was determined to lift those burdens of his, even if neither of them knew what to do about it. 

"It’s okay-" he started. 

"No, wait- it’s-!" With a huff, she grabbed his hand and pulled him down to sit in the grass and leaves with her. 

"It’s not okay," she sighed again. "But we can’t do anything to fix it yet, so we just gotta- I dunno, hold out?"

Izuku frowned at that, that frustration in his face once more, creasing his brow. He ripped up a handful of grass, looking down as he nodded. "I’m not so good at waiting, I guess."

She took him in. He was antsy, fidgeting, the tears at lunch proved his heightened emotions—what he really needed while they could do nothing was to just relax. 

But Deku was right. He was all about action, he struggled with waiting to act. The waiting around was just making it all that much worse—his despair growing, no matter how much he tried to hide it. 

Her mind flashed back then to years in her childhood, back when things had been even harder for her family than now, and a tender memory of her father and mother came to mind. She felt a resolve fill her as she looked him over. If my hugs and handholding aren’t enough, then-!

"Deku."

He turned to look at her. "Yeah?"

As she knelt, she looked at him with all her determination and patted her lap. He blinked at her, then at her legs, and back up to her. "H- huh?"

She was blushing just as much as he was, but she ignored it and patted her legs again. "Come here!"

Beet red and gaping at her like she’d lost her mind, he pulled off his backpack and laid down in the grass, then very stiffly rested his head on her legs. She felt her own ears burn as his hair tickled her skin, but she ignored it as hard as she could— because I will comfort and support you!

It seemed, back in her childhood days, that her parents had always been so stressed, so ragged. It hurt her little heart to see. But the memory stood out starkly to her. She'd snuck out of bed one night just to see what her parents had been watching, but when she peaked around the corner, her mother was so tenderly stroking her father's hair, and the worries seemed to melt off his face with each brush of her hand. It was so loving and special, and it had really stayed with her since then.

Gently, Ochako brought her fingers up and stroked them through Izuku's hair, combing through his fluffy, wild locks. His eyes were pinched closed as he blushed even redder than before, but somehow she felt… more relaxed, in a way. Feeling how soft his hair was under her hand—it was satisfying and soothing in such a way that made her always want to touch it. He had no right to be as soft as he was. So she smiled, tenderly running the backs of her nails across his scalp. 

"Listen," she said after a moment, placing her other hand on his chest. "You can carry your burdens however you need to, that’s alright—but…"

She dragged her fingers up from the base of his neck, making him shiver. "I wanna support you, too. I wanna be right here whenever you need me—because you’re always there for me. But hiding it is hurting you. I can see it-"

She bit her lip, feeling a little hypocritical now. "I get why you couldn’t talk to the others at lunch, but I already know! So if you’re falling apart, let me help. Okay?"

His head was still turned away from her, but his eyes were open now, looking out at the trees, nerves clear on his face. She swallowed, flushing, because this was a bit intimate for her too, having him lie on her thighs like this. But she wanted to stroke his hair and be the calm one, be steady for him. She couldn’t do that if she was all flustered and embarrassed, too. Especially since she was the one who asked for this!

He reached up, grasping the hand she had placed on his chest. Then he shut his eyes once more, letting out a long sigh, relaxing into her. He was still bright red and blushy, but he seemed content too. 

"Thanks," he said quietly, squeezing her hand. "This is- h- helping a lot…"

Ochako beamed, feeling her heart swell a little bit. She dragged her nails from his hairline backwards, and she felt him shiver again. "I’m glad."

"You always… help me," he whispered, a small smile on his lips. "I’m so grateful for you, Ochako."

Her breath caught in her throat, not just at his words, but the way his face was so soft, so serene right now in the afternoon light—maybe it was out of place to think, but she couldn’t get over just how pretty he was sometimes. With his hair brushed up out of his face, she could see he had a bit of a widow's peak, and he just looked so relaxed in her lap, it made her heart jump. It would definitely be out of place to tell him how handsome he was, so she simply sighed, running her fingertips over his hairline. 

I have the cutest boyfriend, she smiled, shutting her own eyes as stroked his fluffy hair. The most kind, most amazing boyfriend in the world. And you deserve to be comforted when you're down.

-----

The air was warm as the breeze lilted around them—which felt good on Izuku's flushed face. Her hand in his hair shouldn't have felt so good, but it really, really did. He couldn’t even describe how good it felt, feeling her nails against his scalp, sending shivers down his entire nervous system. It was just—too good! And that didn’t even mention how soft and close it was to rest his head on her thighs… His mind briefly turned to Mineta's jealous rage during his midterm exam about this exact thing, and he just felt that much more embarrassed.  

But Ochako was so soft, so warm. He felt so flustered and relaxed all at once. He didn’t dare look up at her, because if he did, he knew he would probably implode—

As he grasped her hand against his pounding heart, he felt some of that burden ease—if not just a bit. His chest felt a little less painfully tight with every stroke of her hand. 

"Are you comfortable?" She asked lightly. 

Holy crap! "M- mhm-" he got out, biting his lip and he let out a sigh, trying hard to let himself relax completely into this. Who knew if she’d ever do this again, and he sure as hell would never be able to ask. But her hands felt… so incredible, combing through his hair like that. Did I brush my hair this morning? When was the last time I brushed my hair?! 

"Is this too much?"

"Nope," he said curtly, gripping tighter to her hand, which made her laugh. 

The sound of it filled his heart to the brim. He looked up despite himself, and flushed even more than before to see her like that —His ears burned at the sides of his head, and his heart thumped hard against his chest. 

But her smile— as she leaned over him, a blushing smile on her lips, and he just about died and went to heaven. I love that smile… Ochako's beautiful smile… more than I can even comprehend. 

His fingers stretched towards her before he even realized what he was doing, and her eyes widened as he, very tentatively, touched the side of her smiling lips. 

Her smile turned more stunned, but she didn’t move, and neither did he. His heart beat loud in his ears as he stared at her, those beautiful, brown eyes of hers, her hair hanging down to frame her perfect face. 

"I love how you smile," he whispered.

Her eyes widened, her hand stilled. The breeze caught her hair, rustling the leaves above. 

After a moment, her hand moved from his hair to his forehead, brushing the back of her fingers over his skin. Smiling gently, he moved his own fingers, tentatively touching his fingertips over her soft cheek, and gently sweeping his thumb over her bottom lip. Her lips parted as he did, and he swallowed hard. 

Ah-

He thought to that morning before, how she’d leaned so close to him he could feel her breath on his lips… He blushed again, thinking about sitting up and bringing her close, imagining how soft her lips would be not just against his thumb, but against his own lips—

"Deku," she said softly, and he was struck breathless again at feeling her speak his name against his thumb. 

"Yeah?" He breathed quietly. 

"I-" she stopped, her cheeks feeling warmer under his touch. "I just… "

She closed her eyes and brought her hand up, grasping his hand against her face. "Izuku."

It was like the world was frozen, and so were they. To be able to hold each other like this, to touch each other's faces without imploding completely—he wondered at himself and this new-found boldness he sometimes had with her. Not all the time, but it was growing more frequent. Something about her and how she bolstered him up, liked him as he was, made him feel wanted and needed in this way—It was hard to believe they'd only just begun this relationship a couple weeks ago. 

Her eyes were still closed as he stroked her face, and she held his hand closer into her, cherishing this as much as he was. She's so soft, so good. So… wonderful. 

"Sorry for lying before," she sighed, smiling once more against his fingers. 

"It's okay," he breathed, still just gazing at her, engraining how she looked right then into his memory forever. How incredibly soft she was.

"I was trying to think of what I could say without being suspicious, ya know?" She laughed to herself at that. "I don't think I was that successful, though. Did you see how mad Mineta looked?"

He stared at her for a moment, pondering that over in his head, and that feeling of anxiety returned to his stomach, twisting just a bit, wondering again— Why are we keeping it hidden? Are you… actually embarrassed of this? Of me? He didn't think so, but it was… hard… to shake the thought.

"I- it doesn't take much to make him mad, I think," he said with a small laugh as he let his hand fall away from her face. 

Ochako set to stroking his head once more, and he felt that ease trickle through his whole body again, despite his worries. Somehow, she could relax every bit of him with just the touch of her hand. Izuku sighed, letting his eyes close, breathing it all in. 

It was so nice to have her in his life like this. It made such a difference in every single way. It hadn’t been long since that night she’d confessed to him, but he already couldn’t imagine his life without her in it—she’d changed everything so subtly, and yet so dramatically. He didn’t want to imagine how much harder this whole everything would’ve been without the comfort of her touch, or her presence beside him. And as her fingers combed through his hair, he was that much more grateful. 

But it didn’t escape him that she’d pulled them into the seclusion of the woods to do this, lying about it in front of their friends, and that brought back the uncertainty he’d felt before. 

If she didn’t like me, I wouldn’t have my head on her lap right now—! 

Still… why are we keeping it a secret? Truly? She… gets embarrassed, yeah. But… did she mean for this to be secret forever? He took a breath, feeling himself flush before he even spoke. He really didn't want to make a big deal about it, but… as much as he wanted to do what she wanted, he… wasn’t sure he could promise to be quiet about it forever…

"Ochako," he said softly after a few extended moments. "Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?" She hummed, a calm smile on her face as if this felt as relaxing to her as it did to him. 

"Uh… H- how long are you… wanting to keep it a secret-? Ya know…" He hesitated, squeezing her hand gently against his chest. "Us…"

She stopped, looking down at him, and he wasn’t sure he could fully read what she was thinking. He hoped he wasn’t freaking her out, though. 

"I-" she said, biting her lip. "I’m not… really sure."

His stomach twisted at that. "I’m not trying to push it or anything, I promise. If you’re… uncomfortable, then I won’t even ask, but-"

He glanced off to the side, feeling stupid. "I… didn't realize how hard it would be to hide how much I like you."

Her hand twitched, and he looked up at her and her bright red face, blushing in such bafflement that he was confused. Is she… surprised? 

But… have I said that to her before? That I like her? I— I’m in love with her, and I’ve never even told her I like her?! I mean, it is obvious, but still! Idiot!

"O- oh," she got out as he blushed up to his ears. "Well, uh- um…"

"Ah-" he got out, backtracking. "N- not to say that I can't-! I will! I just- it's kinda been on my mind lately, and I- well, I really like you, Ochako, and it's- it just kinda comes out a lot, so I- I'm sorry-"

Her hand stroked over his cheek now, cutting off his rambling as he blinked at her. She was blushing, but she also looked… so incredibly happy, that beautiful smile on her lips again.

"Izuku," she said as she swiped her fingers under his eye, a tenderness in her gesture. "I feel the same—I'm sorry I have such a hard time being open about stuff like this. But… I’m glad to be here, with you— it’s… not something that I thought I could've… expressed to you. You… make me feel… safe—trying to be more open. So it's uh… I dunno."

She sighed a little heavier now.

"About tellin' other people…" Ochako started, looking away. "I’m really… just not sure."

Izuku watched her, listening intently to her words.

"I’m- trying to sort it out, ya know?" She continued nervously. "I wanna be more relaxed about it too, I just have a hard time, uh- I guess, letting people know my personal stuff. It’s kinda awkward?"

Izuku looked her over, then nodded. "Y- yeah, I get it. I’m probably the last person anyone would expect to be dating a girl like you—" he said with a small sigh. 

"H- huh?!"

He blinked at her confusion. "What?"

"Why do you say it like that?!" She fretted, blushing even more. 

"Uh- well-" he blushed too. "I dunno, I’m awkward and stuff? I understand that you’d be… embarrassed?"

At that, Ochako frowned, looking almost hurt. Izuku's eyes widened as her hand gripped his jacket. "I’m not embarrassed to be dating you, Deku! That’s not how it is at all—did you- did I really make you think that?"

She was hurt—he wanted to say 'no,' but… that would be a lie. 

He fretted, "S- sorry… I didn’t- really get the whole secret part of this, so I- made an assumption. I- I'm sorry."

Ochako sighed, shaking her head as she leaned forward and bowed her head, a bright blush on her face as she looked even more upset. "No- I’m sorry! I never meant to make you feel like that! You’ve been nothing but wonderful to me! I just- I get so weird sometimes, I dunno. You're-"

She hesitated as Izuku watched her, trying desperately to think of what to say to fix this. He didn’t want to upset her. He hadn’t even meant to mention that— I didn’t need to make it her problem, what’s wrong with me?!

Her hand stroked over his cheek with such gentleness, it made his breath catch in his throat.

"You’re one of the best things that’s ever happened to me," she whispered, tilting her head as she looked at him with shining eyes. "There’s nothing about you that makes me feel embarrassed to be your girlfriend—"

She laughed then, stroking her thumb over his cheekbone as he gaped at her. "I hide because I’m just a scaredy cat, really. That’s all there is to it."

Despite everything that was happening, and the pain and the guilt and the stress of it all—she still found a way to lift his heart and ease his worries—at least one of them. He didn’t expect to feel so emotional, but he supposed he was already on edge today, and his vision blurred. Before he could get in his own way overthinking it, and being beyond forward, he rolled into her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he pressed his face into her stomach. She stiffened, then curled around him as she rubbed her hands over his back and into his hair again, holding him close. 

"Thank you, Ochako," he whispered, voice muffed in her.

"Mhm," she hummed, stroking her fingernails over his scalp, sending shivers through his spine. "L- let’s make a plan to tell the others, just— just give me some time to prepare myself for that, okay?"

He squeezed her tighter, wanting nothing more than to just hold her forever. He knew the moment he let go, he would implode in bashfulness, but he staved it off, melting into her. So he smiled, letting this comfort and closeness wash over him. "Take as much time as you need—I’m just happy knowing what you’re thinking about it."

"I didn’t mean to add more stress onto your plate," she sighed. "I’m sorry."

"It’s okay," he said with a sigh. 

They were quiet for a long moment after that, him cuddled into her as she tenderly stroked his hair and his back. Never in a million years would he have ever imagined something like this. But he felt joy in his heart, if not for the moment—knowing she genuinely liked who he was, wasn’t embarrassed about him, and wanted to be near him, wanted to hold him. He was so lucky. So blessed. So unimaginably amazed that this girl liked him like this. 

I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

"Ah-hem," a robotic voice said so suddenly that he nearly jumped out of his skin. He and Ochako both stiffened, and he let her go, turning to see the small surveillance robot off to the side of the grove, looking about as stern as a robot could. 

Izuku shot up from her lap, and he and Ochako both scrambled to their feet, blushing with hearts racing as the little robot rolled up to them. He sagged as Ochako covered her face. 

Camera… bot…

How humiliating…!

"Treading a fine line there," a rough voice emitted from the speaker on the bot. He nearly choked. A- Aizawa?! "Remember my conditions, got it?"

They both bowed low to the bot, and to Aizawa through it. "Yes sir, sorry sir!" He said emphatically. 

"It's my fault, sir! I asked him to come, I’m sorry—" Ochako got out. 

Aizawa sighed audibly through the speaker, and Izuku could almost feel his 'why do I have to deal with crap like this?' annoyance. 

"I really don’t care," he sighed. "Just get back to the dorms and watch yourselves."

"Yes, sir!" They said together, bowing again. 

The robot shook its head at them as it rolled away, muttering to itself, leaving them alone in the grove once more. 

Ochako groaned, covering her face as she blushed red all over. He was blushing too, but he smiled as he rubbed a hand over his neck. He was happy to know a little better her thoughts and feelings behind all this. She wasn’t ashamed to be with him—no, it was more like… what they had was just that special to her. And it was hard to share something that special with others

His feelings on it hadn’t changed, though. Because this was special to him, he wanted it to be known, he found. He wanted to love her without worries because she was so special to him. 

So as she fretted, he reached out and took her hand. She froze and looked over at him, but still she smiled nervously and squeezed his hand. 

"Let’s head back," he said gently. 

Ochako nodded, holding tight to him. 

"Yeah," she laughed. "I hope I was able to help a little bit."

He grasped her hand tighter, emphatically. "More than you know."

The way she looked at him then seemed to steal his heart all over again. Wow…! 

She bumped into him lightly, leaning her head into his shoulder

"Tsuyu knows now," she sighed. "—about us. She guessed at it after studying with us the other night."

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his neck. "I thought she might. And so does All Might."

"Wh-?! All Might?!" She gaped at him, then groaned, bowing her head into his shoulder again. "Why does All Might know?"

"He read it in our witness statements about the license exam," he sighed, waving a hand. "He says 'congratulations.'"

Ochako blushed, but she also laughed as she shook her head. "Geez… yeah, I’ll work on preparing myself for that, I promise. It seems like I really don’t have much choice anyway."

He squeezed her hand, softening. "Maybe, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable, either."

She grimaced, then reached up and scratched at his hair again, startling him entirely. 

"You’re too good to me!" She cried.

He blinked at her, bowing his head to her affection. "Huh?"

She stopped, then let her hand touch his cheek. He froze, staring at her as his heart gave a heavy thump against his chest. 

"I want you to have it the way you’d like as well," she smiled, her cheeks red and sweet. "You’re half of this relationship, aren’t you? Your wants matter, too."

Izuku gaped at her, taking in her sweet smile, her musical laugh. No one has ever made me feel so important—  

He smiled as she stepped back and took his hand again, cheerily leading him out of the little grove towards the path. 

I really didn’t expect to fall in love, he breathed in a deep breath, looking her over. But here you are.

"Thank you for today, Ochako," he sighed. "I mean it."

She beamed at him, making his chest clench yet again. "Mhm!"

It was amazing how much change a single person could make in your life—and Izuku felt that. Ochako was actively changing him from the inside out, just by giving him this chance. And he would never be the same. 

And as he lay in his bed after it all, pondering that magical afternoon he’d spent together with her, his heart was still moved. How grateful he was to her. Waiting now, he felt more invigorated and ready to go than ever. He was motivated to save that girl—and one thing that stuck in his head was that that kid deserved to grow up and live a normal, happy life. She deserved to find people to love her, and make her feel loved and comforted. She deserved to smile and be as happy and loved as he felt in his own life. After his own experience with isolation and violence in childhood, to feel like this—

He lifted a fist into the air, a fire in him now. 

Eri, you deserve nothing but joy. And I promise, I won’t stop until you have it. 

Just then, his phone lit up in the darkness across the room. He rolled off the bed and picked it up, his jaw setting as that determination rose within him. 

"I’m coming, Eri. Just you wait."

Chapter Text

Izuku stood in the midst of this organized strike force, bolstered and electric with anticipation, worry for Eri, for the safety of everyone around him. He wanted to be of use—more than anything. 

"Hey," Togata said as Izuku turned. He looked back to see his bright smile along with a thumbs up. And it sent a wave of encouragement through him. 

Izuku smiled in return, then lifted a fist before looking off to the smaller group beside them. 

"Don't give them time to take her away!" The police captain addressed the crowd in his briefing. "We're hoping to capture every lowlife there as quickly as possible!"

It was eight in the morning, and the crowd of police and heroes alike was downright impressive, if not a bit intimidating. But with the brief rundown on the quirks of the higher ups in the Shie Hissaikai, it made sense.

"They ain't wasting any time!" Kirishima said enthusiastically.

"You're quite the morning person…" Amajiki muttered. 

"I'm getting kinda nervous…" Ochako sighed, glancing at Izuku. He nodded at her, trying to be reassuring, but he felt it too. After all this time waiting around for this, actually standing here, prepped and ready to go—it really was intimidating. 

"First it's detective work, and now a full-on police operation…? Something new every day," Asui said, looking around.

"Right? Pretty weird," Hado smiled happily, seemingly unfazed by any of this.

"They didn't teach us about this in school, so I had a hard time early on," Ryukyu replied to the students beside her. 

That just seemed to pump Kirishima up more. "The pros are all so calm! I guess they're used to this, huh!"

It was an observation Izuku had thought a lot on—the difference between studies and hands-on experience. He gripped his hands tight, ready for whatever came their way. His last internship had ended in an unexpected villain confrontation, after all. Maybe if he'd brought Gran Torino with him, that might've gone a lot smoother…

At the memory, he looked around at the gathering of heroes, but he didn't see Gran Torino present now. Huh. Since he was at the meeting, I figured he would be. "Gran Torino's not here. I wonder why?"

"Right, you did your internship with him, huh?" Ochako asked, tilting her head.

"Mhm."

"It turned out he couldn't come," Nighteye said, looking over at him from his conversation with the police captain.

"Tsukauchi learned of a big development in the League of Villains case," the captain continued. "He was disappointed not to be here, but we've got plenty of people already. It's no great loss."

"I see…" Izuku replied. Big development with the League?

"Maybe Hassaikai and the League'll both go down hard today," Kirishima suggested. 

"Let's hope so!" Izuku replied. 

"Maybe that means none of them will be here today," Ochako laughed, nerves still in her voice.

Izuku nodded, knowing what she meant. That last disturbing encounter they had both had with Himiko Toga of the League of Villains had been jarring to say the least.

But regardless if the League was here or not, he felt a fire in his veins. Just inside that building a ways down the neighborhood, deep underground was a little girl… and she was waiting to be saved.

"All right…!" He said, pumping himself up.

"Hey!" Aizawa said, suddenly beside him. How does he walk so quiet?! 

"Tea- Eraser Head!" He exclaimed.

"You remember why I'm sticking around the Nighteye agency squad, right?" He asked.

Izuku knew—his teacher did not trust him to make it through this responsibly. And he was… probably right to think that way. With how much he'd been consumed with anticipation for this exact moment, it was… likely he'd act rash in the heat of the moment, if he was being honest with himself. But still—I'll do my best not to let you down.

But Aizawa didn't want to hear his platitudes, so he simply nodded. "Yeah!"

"Heroes, they're probably gonna put up a fight, y'know," The captain started. "So if you spot any one of them resisting or trying anything funny, I'm counting on you guys to deal with it!"

Izuku felt a rise within his chest, readying himself. All these people, the police, the detectives, heroes, Eri… he needed to be reliable. He was ready to take on that fight—to protect everyone he could. He glanced at Ochako at his side, her own fists clenched as she watched with her own determination, no doubt feeling the same things he was feeling. 

"We're up against a mafia group that's somehow survived until now, so don't let your guards down for a second," The captain said emphatically, addressing the crowd with energy.

While the others' attention was directed towards him, Izuku grasped Ochako's hand gently, worry stirring in him, but also a confidence, an exhilaration. She looked up at him, but she only blushed a little bit. There was something deeper in her face—nerves, but also resolve. And he felt that too. 

"Be careful," he said softly. 

She nodded, giving him a determined smile. "You too, okay?"

"Mhm."

"Get in there and do what you've gotta do!" The captain exclaimed. 

Izuku squeezed his hand with hers once more, then released her as they readied themselves for what came next.

"Move out!"

It took about half an hour for the crowd to get into position, ready with a search warrant as they prepped for the ambush. He felt himself coiled, ready for the first contact and whatever conflict emerged from that. 

What he hadn't expected was a giant villain to destroy his own gate to ambush them back. A handful of police officers were thrown into the air as if they'd been hit by a battering ram. 

He jumped into the air, catching one of the officers as Aizawa's capture tape caught the other two. He maneuvered himself at the back of the crowd—not wanting to put the injured man in further danger. 

"Are you okay?" He asked as he set him on the sidewalk.

"Yeah… I'm good," he said, gripping his stomach. "Thanks, but get back in there… hurry."

He had the impulse to stay and help, administer first aid, or something, but he was right. They each had a role to play here. Izuku was meant to fight, to protect—"Just stay here and don't move, okay?"

"Let's return to position, Deku," Aizawa said.

"Right!"

The giant villain—Rikiya Katsukame of the Eight Bullets of the Shie Hissaikai, rampaged in the midst of the police, but Ryukyu wasted no time increasing to match his size with her dragon form. She caught his fist as he struck. 

"You've got me all worked up… Ohhhh man!" Katsukame exclaimed. "What do you people want?!"

"For now, there's no sense in splitting up the group any more than we have to!" Ryukyu said, her voice strong and resonating. "The Ryukyu Agency will deal with this one, so go and finish this job!"

Katsukame moved to pull away from her grasp, but she leaned over him and slammed him into the pavement. "Go now!"

"You heard the lady. Get in there. Go, go!!" Fat Gum shouted out. 

Izuku moved with the crowd, looking back to see Ochako with Asui and Hado, jumping into action to assist Ryukyu. He bit his lip, failing to resist the urge to worry. Ochako was strong. He knew that. He’d known that from the beginning, but it was hard not to feel concern. He truly loved her. Despite having every confidence in her, he still wanted to keep her safe. 

He took half a second to crane his neck, finding her floating above the crowd with her team—and in that moment, they caught each other's eyes and time seemed to slow just a bit. She smiled, holding up a fist to him. He felt his heart ache at that, fear in his gut, but he returned the gesture anyway. 

"Do your best!"

Izuku felt his heart clench, but he turned his face forward, moving with the group into the raided building. 

Please…. please be safe, Ochako!

-----

Ryukyu was locked with the villain as the rest the raid group ran towards the house. She watched Izuku's back for only a moment before turning back to the task at hand. Though she had both fought a number of villains before this, she still had those nerves in the back of her mind—fearing the weakness she'd felt in her defeat against Bakugo.

I’ve already learned a lot since then, she thought with determination coursing through her. I’m not gonna lose today!

Though it didn't seem like there was much to do, as Ryukyu seemed to be easily overpowering him. The guy grunted as she bored into him, her giant dragon form crushing him into the ground.

"Let's get an iron maiden over here-" Ryukyu cut herself off, fumbling her grip on him. 

"Ryukyu? What? What?" Nejire blinked, pulling herself into the air as the battle suddenly shifted.

Ryukyu reached up a clawed hand, but the villain grew in size with a cackle, swatting her hand away before kicking her off of him. Ochako gaped as the huge dragon rolled out of the way—but Ryukyu caught herself and pulled back in to a ready stance. 

"Keep your distance!" she said, sweeping her wings out to stop the police behind her. "He can drain people's energy through touch!"

"Energy, yeah, but it's more like life force," the villain laughed, then lunged and grabbed an officer by the arm, leaving him limp on the ground. "Just nabbed a couple weeks off him—"

As he spoke, he grew even more. Ochako felt her stomach churn. That's… so cruel! The things some quirks can do… 

Ryukyu grunted, then got herself airborne and flapped hard, the air current focused on him like a high-powered wind turbine. He toppled back, but with his giant frame now, he was nearly as tall as Ryukyu in her dragon form. He fought against her wind current, but she managed to clear the area and get the rest of the officers to safe distance. 

"Don't let him touch you! We don't want him getting any bigger!"

Dealing with a villain who also could attack through touch was tricky, to say the least. Nejire was a distance fighter, and Ryukyu could do both easily, she was so skilled. Tsuyu didn’t want to get caught by the tongue, and Ochako— her mind flashed back to the training camp, that crazy girl with her bloodthirsty smile. She grit her teeth and steeled her legs. 

Ochako ran forward in an arc, purposefully making her equipment lighter to increase her speed. And with the blow from Ryukyu up above, she hoped her attack would be a good surprise. 

"Ready?" She asked Tsuyu as her friend hopped beside her. 

"On your mark, ribbit," she said, eying the villain. 

Ochako nodded, then swiped her fingers along the debris on the road and raised her hand as she made herself weightless. Tsuyu wrapped her tongue around her midsection as Nejire came in and blasted the floating debris, picking it up in the swirl of energy. Tsuyu lifted her through the air, giving her a better vantage as the rubble flew at the villain. Just before impact, Ochako released her quirk, letting them increase the force of the impact with the speed of zero G. 

The villain staggered at the impact, howling out a stream of curses as he turned his attention towards them. 

"You girls are such a pain in the ass!" He growled, swinging a hand at Nejire, who easily dodged.

"That's not much of an insult when that's our goal," Tsuyu said, remarkably nonchalantly, considering the circumstances. Ochako smiled at her briefly, admiring how cool she was. 

"Keep em coming!" Nejire shouted, twisting in the air for another volley.

"Right!" Ochako and Tsuyu called together, taking the front line to give Ryukyu a moment to recover.

They worked together as a trio, hitting him with blow after blow—and Ochako couldn't help but think wouldn't he figure out it wasn't a great idea to break the street and wall if it kept giving her ammunition? And yet, he seemed more than a little unhinged as he crushed anything he could get his fists on.

"Woah!" Ochako exclaimed, leaping just out of reach of the guy's hand. 

"Com'ere, let me squash you, girlie," he chuckled, reaching for her again. 

Ochako frowned, pulling her legs in as she spun in the air, then kicked her heel under the mask and into his chin. He grunted, but it didn’t deter him from reaching out to grab at her. Before she could yank herself away, Tsuyu wrapped her tongue around her middle and pulled her back. 

Ochako landed back on the ground, eyes still on the villain. "Thanks for the save," she said. 

"Don’t be reckless, ribbit."

"Yeah," she said, then reached out and floated more of the debris, ready to launch it directly into him.

After what felt like ages, finally the guy fell to his knees. The silence after the frantic battle left a ringing her her ears. 

The police made quick work of encasing the guy in an iron maiden restraint, and Ochako simultaneously felt relief and anxiety. Below, she could practically feel the rumbling underneath her feet. Everyone's fighting with everything they got, she swallowed. Deku's fighting… all for that little girl.

I gotta back him up.

"He went down fairly easily, considering his size," Tsuyu said, looking him over.

She huffed a laugh as she glanced at the guy, rubbing a hand over her brow. Easy, huh? 

"Rikiya Katsukame," Ryukyu said over her intercom. 

"He can breathe in vitality of anyone he touches, and then he gigantifies," Ryukyu continued. "It'd be best to get him into isolation while he's still unconscious."

"Sounds like there’s lots of fighting inside, we'd better hurry!" Nejire said, gesturing towards the compound. 

Ochako nodded and stepped forward behind Nejire. But before she could even walk, her knees began to buckle beneath her, and her eyelids drooped. 

"W- woah…" she got out as she staggered, falling to the pavement before she could catch herself. Tsuyu fell beside her, just as woozy looking. 

Ryukyu swung around. "He should be out cold!"

"That quirk booster I got from Irinaka's finally kicking in… All I gotta do is breathe to suck in your power!"

Ochako felt her shoulders slump. She'd already felt tired, but now he didn't even have to touch them? That's… really not fair! But she got to her feet and moved anyway. She couldn't just give in when things got hard.

Plus ultra! She huffed. Right, Deku?!

It was chaos in the tunnels. Each surface continued to twist and warp, obstructing their way over and over. It was beyond frustrating at this point. 

"We're not getting anywhere!!" Izuku huffed. It didn't seem to matter how many walls he broke, they kept shifting back to form new ones. He glowered at the liquified walls, feeling that desperate urge to push on rise within him. 

"There's a child in need out there. That's what matters most." 

Ryukyu's words came to his mind, as did the faces of every person here—the fearful tears and the quiet voice of that tiny child in his arms. 

"Don't go…"

The heroes and the police… Kirishima and Fat Gum… Ryukyu and her team… Ochako…

They all got us this far!

"No way you're stopping us!" he roared.

Suddenly the room cleared entirely, the walls retreating. Izuku gaped. "It opened up?!"

"Now what?!"

The walls crashed back in like a rising tide, sweeping between them. Izuku felt Aizawa grab him before he could react fast enough, pulling him with him through the separation. 

"Thanks for that," he huffed.

"No worries," Aizawa said flatly. 

This is getting really old— He ground his teeth, looking around the walls. Was it really worth it to break them when they just changed over and over? Could they come up with some kind of plan out of this? If only they could located the villain in the walls, then Aizawa could make quirk work of his with his erasure. But as they were now, all he could really do was guess blindly.

"Lock down!" Rock Lock shouted suddenly, his voice reverberating through the wall. "Stupid League of-!"

Izuku's head whipped in the direction of the voice—which was even more alarming when he was cut off…  

"Rock! What's going on?!" Aizawa called.

"Eraser! Stand aside!" Izuku shouted, then wound up and kicked clean through the wall. Once it was shattered, he saw Rock Lock lying on the ground in his own blood with…  another Rock Lock sitting over him.  

"Rock Lock!"

"This imposter just showed up and came at me!" the sitting Rock Lock exclaimed, getting up and stepping closer to him. Izuku felt a familiar chill run down his spine. This is-!

"I- it's Himiko Toga!" Izuku shouted, stepping back from the imposter. 

"Do your job already, yakuza!" Rock Lock sneered in a face very unlike his own.

Aizawa swung around just as the walls crashed again, shattering against each other to separate them once again—leaving him alone with the imposter. In an instant, the face of Rock Lock melted away into the crazed face of the villain, Himiko Toga.

"Gah!" Izuku jumped back from the girl as the sound of shifting rock crashed around them.

"Yes, it's me, Toga! You remembered!" She exclaimed, a crazed sort of ecstatic joy on her face. "I'm so very glad to see you again!! I could not be happier, Izuku!"

He ground his feet back, engaging Full Cowling to increase his speed. He remembered well how this girl could seemingly hide her presence from him the moment he blinked—so despite her being completely naked, he glared her down, not taking his eyes off that crazy face.

"Why're you so happy to see me?" He asked, knowing he'd probably regret it, but her behavior had always bugged him. It hadn't made any sense at the license exam, and it didn't make any sense now.

Toga clasped a hand to her face as she sighed. "Since we first met, I can't get it outta my head, how cool you looked, Izuku! All covered all over in blood—such lovely blood—"

His stomach recoiled at that—that was at the training camp after he'd fought Muscular. He'd nearly died, had fought back against the pain of his shattered bones with nothing but drive and adrenaline just to fail in saving Kaachan. To think she liked how he'd looked back then—He knew she ingested blood to activate her quirk, but this was… 

"So let me cut you up a little," Toga crooned, swiping her knife at his face. "Ochako's just like me—I’m sure she’d like you a little bloody and beat up, too—"

"Wha-?!" He gaped, jumping back from her again. "What’re you talking about?!"

Toga tilted her head, a grin still on her face. "Did you guys break up or somethin'?"

"N- no! We didn’t-!" He stopped, covering his mouth. But Toga smirked anyway. 

"So you are a couple! Thought so—" she grinned, and Izuku flushed, feeling uncomfortable on all sides, at her nakedness and this weird intrusion into his personal life. What is even with this girl?! 

She sighed, looking thoughtful for a moment. "You two are in love—what's that like, huh Izuku? Bein' in love? Someone bein' in love with you?" 

Izuku gulped at that, this heightened excitement in this girl, this intrusive, casual attitude she had, throwing his given name around like they were close. It was so strange, so alarming. I don't get it. What's her angle?

—She's just delaying me! 

He ground his teeth, glaring at her. Aizawa was trapped behind yet another infuriating wall. He did not have time for this bizarre conversation about love. "I don't know what you want, but right now all I wanna do is save a little kid. So get out of my way!"

Toga smiled, falling back on her legs as if coiled to move—to lunge at him with that knife aimed for his throat.

If I shoot myself at her legs with Full Cowling, I should be able to sweep her feet out from under her and restrain her—then bust the wall open and let the police detain her. Gotta get Teacher out too!

"What do you want outta being in love?" Toga asked, ignoring him. 

He blinked at that. "Huh?"

"What do you want from Ochako?" She asked, her voice lilting.

"I- I wanna make her happy," Izuku said, so astounded by her strange line of questioning that he actually answered. 

"But what do you want, hm?" She said, her giddy curiosity sounding more sinister now. He recoiled at her and whatever she seemed to be insinuating…!

What are you-?!

"For me, I wanna be everyone I love, everything I love. Do you wanna be Ochako, too?"

He stared at her, trying to process her words. It was insane. This girl really was insane. 

I… don’t have time for this!

She grabbed her blushing face, looking downright swoony. "Ochako has such lovely blood, so sweet! I've never tasted anything like it!"

Izuku frowned deeper at that, anger boiling in him now—similar to what he’d felt when she’d impersonated Ochako, but worse. She'd hurt Ochako and drank her blood… He scowled as she continued to sigh, seemingly lost in her delusions. 

"Oh," she giggled. "Oh, let me taste your blood, too, Izuku!"

She charged at him as she spoke, her knife quicker than it should be in her hand, going for his jugular like some kind of predator. He sidestepped her attack and grabbed her wrist, then swung her down into the ground. Before he could brace his knee into her back, she twisted out of his grasp, brushing her fingers against his cheek as she leapt free of him. He felt himself shudder, grabbing his face to see if she’d somehow made him bleed. But his cheek was still completely unharmed, and for some reason that made his skin crawl even more.  

"Wh- what’re you playing at?!"

"I thought we were flirting," she grinned happily.

"You what?!"

He'd never felt so gross before—having another girl flirt with him while he was actively in a relationship with someone else! She'd been like this before at the license exam, but this felt different, less disguised. 

In less than a moment, Toga was wrapped up from the bindings Aizawa carried. Aizawa stood behind her and yanked her up away from him. Toga glowered at him, then flipped around and stabbed the knife into his shoulder. 

"Teacher!" Izuku called out, running towards him.

"I'm fine, stay back!" He said, turning to fend her off, but… she was gone—the wall crashing down between the two of them and her. 

He felt the discomfort still pricking at his skin from her words. "How'd you break through?"

"I'm not totally helpless," he sighed, aggravation in his voice. "Stay by my side from now on."

Izuku nodded, shaking off the strange encounter. 

"Let's keep moving," Aizawa said.

"Right!"

Chapter Text

"Everything's goin' according to plan—this is a disaster!" Twice shouted, swaying back and forth in his sentiments as usual, but there was stress in his voice as he held a hand against the cloth tied around his face.. 

"Shh," Himiko said, listening as they got up onto the street. "We gotta be sneaky now."

"I’ll be quiet as a mouse—let’s go wild!" 

"And what exactly is your plan now, Toga?" The Mr. Compress clone asked, pocketing some of the rubble from their escape into the tiny, blue spheres. 

"Go wild, right?" She grinned, and Compress just sighed as Twice gesticulated excitedly behind him. 

She was still elated after her encounter with Izuku—her heart pumping excitedly in her chest. She bit her lip, her smile widening at just the thought of their little dance with each other. Oh, I wish I could’ve tasted you, Izuku!

Himiko rubbed a hand over her face, giggling to herself. Ochako, Izuku—you’re so lucky. I’m so jealous! So jealous!

"I wanna make her happy," he’d said. Himiko considered it, wondered at it. She knew what made herself happy, but what about Ochako? What about Izuku? What made them happy together? She was so curious, it was crawling under her skin. 

I wanna know—I wanna know you. I wanna know everything about you—I wanna be you! 

That stupid Eraser Head getting in the way, and she scowled at the memory of his interruption. Right when she’d gotten some alone time with Izuku! But it couldn’t be helped, they were here on a mission, and Himiko was determined to take it seriously and be successful. 

She peeked around the corner down to the road at the chaos on the street. One of Overhaul's goons was rampaging and breaking his restraints and everything—boosted by some drug or whatever. It didn't matter to her—but…

I want to ruin Overhaul's schemes… her smile turned into a glower and her eyes narrowed as she remembered what he'd done in the warehouse. Big Sis…

As she looked, her eyes zeroed in on none other than Ochako! And Tsuyu too! Her day just got better and better. She bit her lip, imagining them all together with a bloodied up Izuku too, those three she adored, and a plan set in her mind.

"Stay over here, okay?" She said as she reached into her pocket. 

"What’re you going to do?" Compress asked as Twice saluted. 

"Something devious," she smirked, rummaging through for something special. Something— Ah! She held up the little vial of Izuku's blood, a smile filling her mouth as it gleamed, set and sealed, in the little glass container. It wasn't much, but it would give her a few minutes, at least. 

"Oh, Izuku," she sighed, reaching to open it, then stopped. She glanced again at Ochako on the ground over there, considering.

Those two sure have something special, huh? Himiko bit her lip, feeling her elation twist into tension in her heart. Hmm…

Carefully, she tucked the vial of Izuku's blood back into her bag. It was too precious to use right now. It should be… special. 

Instead, she looked down at her knife, then smiled as she ran her tongue over the blade, sighing as the coppery taste of the blood filled her senses. 

-----

It was a disaster. Izuku could see that from the moment he burst through the wall. The floor was destroyed, Mirio was bleeding—his face desperate as he stood staggering between Chisaki and Eri. Izuku didn’t hesitate. He swung a fist directly at Chisaki's face. He only narrowly avoided the blow by taking it in the shoulder, but he still went flying across the room. 

After all that time filled with his own stress and failure and wishing he could act—it felt damn good smashing his fist into the guy. He wanted nothing more than to rush forward and beat him senseless, but he pulled back to Aizawa's side instead, following his lead. 

"Nighteye! Get the girl!" Aizawa shouted, eyes flashing red as he advanced beside Izuku. 

Chisaki growled as he slapped his hand against the floor, likely trying to engage his quirk. With all the downed enemies and Eraser Head, this was the time to rush in no holds barred. 

"Lemillion's backed him into a corner!" Aizawa said. "Time to make him pay!"

Izuku glared at him, feeling his power bursting through his veins along with his anger. Good job, senpai!

But before they could advance, Chisaki reared up. "Wake up, Chrono!"

Before Izuku could react, Aizawa shouted and shoved him to the side just as a solid arrow shot out from one of the fallen enemies—grazing Aizawa instead of piercing through Izuku's back. 

Aizawa froze in place, his body moving at a fraction of what was physically possible. Izuku watched from where he caught himself on the ground in a crouch. 

The arrow yakuza pulled himself up. "Those stabbed with the big hand have to slow down," he said, accentuating the slow in his words. "I was aiming to nail the both of you, but… well done, hero."

Izuku grimaced, realizing that meant Eraser's quirk was about to be neutralized. He charged forward anyway, betting on the moment of time he had. Maybe if I can get close— "Chisaki!"

"Everything you’re doing is hopeless!" Chisaki shouted, slamming his hand on the ground. In that instant, the ground exploded into spikes in every direction. Izuku leapt up, narrowly avoiding getting impaled on one, but a few definitely grazed him. What a dangerously widespread attack!

"I won’t have my grand plan reduced to nothing by a bunch of fools!" Chisaki said, his voice low and menacing as he covered his face in his hand. "Did you hear that, Nemoto?! I bet you’re unhappy with me meeting my end like this!"

He used the terrain to bring one of the guys passed out on the ground over to him, his unconscious body slamming into the ground. Chisaki grabbed him by the face as well, mirroring the hold he had on himself.  

"You did well, Nemoto. Really," he said, his hand gripping so tight to his face the crack was audible. "And I know you’re willing to die for me, right?!"

Izuku watched in horror as an explosion of blood erupted from his henchman, and what followed after was nothing short of monstrous. 

Chisaki destroyed Nemoto and used his body to give himself a stronger, more powerful body—multiple arms erupted from his back in grotesque, unnatural forms. 

"I’ll be taking Eri back now!" Chisaki roared, rearing up to fight. "I’m in a real bad mood, but things are looking up now—"

Izuku gripped the spike of cement he was wedged against, feeling the gravity of the situation they’d found Mirio in. He’d fought hard and was injured, but he’d gotten ahold of Eri—thank goodness. And for now, they were safe with Nighteye protecting them. But Aizawa was missing, along with the henchman who attacked him. And looking over the fused form of Chisaki, he looked completely healed now from the injuries Mirio had gotten on him. 

So it’ll be up to me right now—

"I’m a clean freak, so I lose it when someone touches me. But I’ve never been pushed this far before…" Chisaki said, his voice raw and angry behind his mask. 

"I feel sorry for you, Lemillion," he called out across the room. "If you’d never gotten involved with Eri and me, you wouldn’t have had to lose your quirk forever—you could’ve gone on with your life, infected by your worthless dreams."

Izuku gaped, feeling his blood run cold. Mirio… has lost his quirk forever?!

"But you continue to struggle, even without it. So this your reward for all your effort," he said, then sprang out in a ferocious charge—directly aimed at the three below. Izuku had already broken off the large chunk pinning him in. 

"Your friends are gonna die now, and it’s all thanks to you!"

Before he could reach him, Izuku threw the chunk into one of his arms, sending him sideways from his charge. The crash echoed in his ears and shook the ground. Before he took his next breath, he had a second chunk in his hands, rearing back to smash it into his head. 

How dare you— he thought, glowering at this villain before him. He thought of Mirio's determination right beside Izuku's in wanting to save that little girl. To make right their mistakes. He was already such a strong, admirable hero! And this man—on top of everything he had already done—he’d also stripped away such a wonderful hero's dream. 

Mirio!

The boulder shattered against Chisaki's extra hand, and he silently glowered up at Izuku—his murderous intent palpable in the air. Izuku glared right back, rearing back to kick him clean across the face. Faster than the shattered pebbles could fall, Chisaki lifted one of those arms and manifested those spiked out of the pebbles, stabbing directly into Izuku's kick faster than he could blink. He was barely quick enough to bring his feet together and take the hit into the soles of his shoes, shielding himself from the damage. 

Didn’t see that one coming! I would’ve been skewered if not for these iron soles!

He would’ve thought after all the damage to himself and the room that he’d have slowed down on such huge quirk usage. So, not only did he heal himself, but he also got his stamina back?

Chisaki eyed him, that murderous intent peaked. "Is strength and speed all you’ve got?"

Izuku frowned, but before he could push in for another attack, one of those tiny, massively weighted stamps flew into Chisaki, thudding into him like a bullet. 

"I’ll take him on!" Nighteye shouted, charging at the villain. "Take care of Lemillion and Eri!"

As much as he wanted to stay and beat this guy down for what he’d done, he obeyed and pulled back, letting Nighteye take point in the fight. "Got it!"

"Analyze the situation and react accordingly, but don’t go overboard—" Aizawa's words came back to him from back in the hall. "We can’t be sure what’ll happen, but be sure not to incapacitate yourself, Midoriya!"

There’s no telling the limits of what this guy can do with his quirk, Izuku gritted his teeth and turned towards where Mirio and Eri were. As the last line of defense here, I can’t afford to be broken. 

Izuku leapt, bouncing off the spikes until he got to the edge of the room where Mirio had Eri huddled with him against the wall. 

"Eri! Togata!" He called, grasping them gently. "Can you walk?"

"Yeah… No problem…" Mirio got out shakily, then looked down, his face just as filled with disappointment and grief as Izuku would’ve expected. "But… after all this… I… let her down."

Izuku swallowed dryly. He’s quirkless now… his quirk destroyed… But… they didn’t have time to grieve that now. "Let’s get outta here…"

He grabbed tight to the two of them, turning as he kicked a hole into the wall and shielded them from the debris. "He might’ve sealed it up with the last attack, but this is the route we came by! We need to put some distance between us and Chisaki—at the very least, anywhere's safer than here!"

As he moved towards the hole, he felt Eri flinch. He looked down to see her face crumpled, tears brimming in her eyes. "I am so sorry…" she whimpered out. 

His heart ached at that—but they almost had her out. You’ll be free of this, I swear! You’ll never have to go through this ever again! His hand held tighter to her and he lifted both her and Mirio into his arms. 

We just have to get out of here soon as we—

Izuku's eyes widened as he gaped back at the scene behind them. 

Nighteye was wedged—impaled completely through—on one of those massive spikes. Blood began to seep through his white suit and pool on the ground. 

N- Nighteye-!

He set Mirio and Eri down, both of whom were gaping in horror just as he was. 

"Get her to safety—as fast as you can-!"

He didn’t wait for a response, he sprang forward, One for All surging through him along with his rage. 20%! Keep it at 20%! 

He knew Chisaki saw him coming, but he’d watched how his quirk worked every second he could since coming into this room. He grit his teeth and smashed his foot into the ground, breaking every spike in his radius from him to Chisaki. The force of it reverberated up through his leg through his body, making his ears ring. The attack Chisaki had thrown at him went off-kilter as the ground itself shifted. 

His bones didn’t break, but he could feel the strain directly upon them, making his whole body feel like it was on the verge of shattering. His muscles were stretched and aching, pain radiating through him. 

My whole body's screaming out—I'm not gonna last long like this, but… I can still move! 

"You realize things've only gotten worse since your reinforcements showed up, right?" Chisaki said, his voice steeped with hatred. "Give it up, before you all die and only manage to prove me right."

Izuku thought back to his conversation with All Might—that terrible prediction. He didn't know what Nighteye had seen entirely for this day, but even so… even so—!

"I'm not gonna let that happen! Even if it's already set in stone—" He said in a low voice, then leapt into the air, charging forward at breaknecking speed. "I'll smash right past that future!"

He attacked in a flurry, imagining the movements of Gran Torino as he married that motion to the power in All Might's strength, smashing the ground and the spikes as he he passed. If they're not connected, he doesn't seem to be able to apply his quirk to them! So I'll smash everything in my path and reduce his access to weapons!

Another attack flew at him, catching him in the side and knocking the breath from his lungs. He grit his teeth at the pain and frustration. I think I got the timing down for his disintegration attacks! But I can't dodge quick enough!

He bowed forward, shattering the spike that had just narrowed missed impaling him. The ground underneath cracked in a loud crash, but Chisaki was already growing out more attacks. It was practically endless.

Gotta hold on! Until he's down for the count! He thought as his glove crumbled off his arm. He knew very well that no one else was coming. Their forces were depleted. He was it. Mirio was quirkless, and Nighteye…! He had to end this as fast as he physically could—to save that little girl! And to survive the day.

The image of Ochako's smile flash before his eyes, and he felt his determination rise all the more within him.

He bounded through the room, increasing his speed as he flew up to the raptors, just like Gran Torino. In an instant, his feet were against the pipe above, and he vaulted himself down heel first with every ounce of that 20% he could muster. I can't let this drag out—or he'll just keep healing himself over and over!

Gotta get him in one shot! He glared down at him as he kicked downward. One blow to the head!

"Manchester smash!"

He felt the sickening horror sink through him as his leg swung through empty air. In a millisecond, Chisaki had dodged—and Izuku fell through the air unprotected.

"You might be fast…" Chisaki said, glaring up at him through that plague doctor mask. "But compared to the other two, I can see you coming a mile away."

Before he could dodge the attack, spikes burst into the air, and the pain ripped through him as he felt himself be stabbed through his arm and leg—thankfully he'd been able to twist and avoid any damage to his midsection, but just barely. He broke the spikes off in his fall, landing in a crouch as he huffed at the pain. If I hadn't split the ground into all those little bits, he would've finished me off with a massive spike!

"Sure, I can heal myself, but it still hurts when I blow myself apart," Chisaki said harshly. So that's how he dodged, huh? 

He stood before Izuku, looking down on him as his arms healed before his very eyes. "Enough."

Izuku tried to pulled himself up, gritting his teeth against the pain. "Not yet…!"

"Ah… Lemillion was just as tenacious. The potential of those who refuse to give up sure is something."

Before Izuku could speak, Chisaki lifted a hand, a mouth forming in the palm of it. 

"This'll be another death on your hands!" The voice echoed loud through the room as the mouth on his hand shouted. "Is that what you really want?! Eri!"

Izuku felt his stomach churn. What is he—?!

He heard the pattering of bare feet on the ground, then there was Eri pushing her way through the hole he'd made for her to escape—returning to her abuser.

"I don't want this…!" She cried, her face so broken.

Izuku gaped at her, panic setting in him now. She should've been gone with Mirio! "Why-? Stay back!" He shouted. "Stay with Togata, Eri!"

"Eri… look at him, fighting all alone," Chisaki said, his voice even more chilling than before. "You think he's gonna win somehow?"

Eri shook her head. "I don't."

Her words were like a gut punch—she has no hope…

"In that case…" Chisaki crooned. "What should you do?"

"Go back to you…" Eri said, her tiny frame trembling from head to toe, tears welling up in her eyes. "And in exchange…! Make everyone better again!"

"That's right…" he sighed. "Instead of letting all these people get hurt, it's way easier to just take the pain yourself."

I can't… let her suffer again… for me! Izuku pushed against his pain, pulling himself off the ground.

"Lemillion was still giving her hope, but that faint hope he gave her is now crushed," he said, turning a baleful on back on Izuku. "Haven't you figured it out yet? What Eri considers a burden? She does not want your help!"

The feeling of failure pushed on his heart, hanging heavy upon him. With this power, he should've been able to—save a little kid. I should've—!

"One for All should've gone to Mirio."

Anger filled him then, watching this, remembering that. None of it mattered. It didn't matter that Eri didn't have faith in him. It didn't matter if Nighteye looked down on him. It didn't matter if he felt like a failure. All that mattered is right now, I'm the only one who can fight this. All of it, even this daunting threat of death—it was all something he needed to overcome. He could earn her faith and give her hope, he could prove himself and save Nightyeye, and he would win! I can't afford to lose! Too many lives are at stake! So overcome it, Izuku! 

"The essence of being a hero… !"

"So what?!" He shouted, yanking the spike from his arm and letting it drop to the floor. He barely felt the pain as the rage surged through him. He just reached down and pulled out the broken piece in his leg too. "Even if we're butting in where we're not wanted… You're crying, Eri!"

He reared up, crushing the stone in his hand as he let One for All charge through him yet again, feeling his power surge.

"I'm gonna save you!" His voice echoed through the chamber. "So no one's dying today!"

Go beyond! It's do or die now! 

Before he could move though, a reverberating rumble hit the ceiling with such force, it nearly knocked him back off his feet. Is that the hallway henchman?!

The ceiling burst a moment later and Ryukyu crashed through it with giant villain clenched in her draconic talons—Ochako and Asui jumping in behind her as the sunshine filled the chamber. His eyes widened, gaping at the scene, at the girls come to his aid. 

"Ryukyu?!" He got out. "Ah- Ocha- Uravity?! And Froppy?!"

For a brief moment, his eyes met Ochako's and it felt like the world stilled, light catching her hair. Relief and strength seemed to burst through him, just at the sight of her. 

He gripped his hands into fists, turning back to Chisaki.

Plus ultra.

-----

Ochako couldn't move her legs. Her arms felt weak at her sides. Her mind heavy and numb. This- is… really tough…! She felt Tsuyu beside her, tension in her body too as they tried to muster anything to get up and help.

Ryukyu and Nejire are up there fighting without us! She grit her teeth, feeling totally useless. She know they were just students, but to be literal dead weight was just too much for her. 

She pressed her hand to her thigh, trying to alleviate her own weight—maybe she could find the strength to get up if she didn't have to worry about gravity. But even using her quirk felt heavy.

"Uravity!"

She blinked, looking over to the side to see Aizawa standing in the street. 

Huh? Didn't he go inside…?

"We need backup over here!" He called to her, then pointed further down the street. "Our objective is directly beneath that intersection! We're pinned down and need reinforcements!"

Ochako gaped at him, willing her limbs to move. They- need help! Everyone… Deku-! I can't just-!

"Everyone!" Ryukyu called, and a combination of her commanding voice and the desperation to help invigorated her enough to stand. She pulled herself up as Ryukyu rushed forward, tackling the villain into the street. Ochako bit back her exhaustion and shot forward, tapping a hand to the villain and making him float. Tsuyu was right beside her, her tongue wrapped around the floating villain. She leaped forward, dragging them all with her as Ryukyu flew him towards the intersection Rock Lock had indicated. 

It doesn't matter how tired I am, Ochako thought as she ran after them on heavy legs. She floated her gear, pushing herself harder. I will never back down when someone needs my help!

"Nejire! Hit us with everything you've got!" Ryukyu cried.

"How come these broads can still move?!" The villain said as he struggled.

Ochako glowered at him. "Because every day—"

Tsuyu continued the sentiment with her. "We're told—"

"Go beyond—" Nejire said.

"PLUS ULTRA!" Ochako felt the energy renew within her as she shouted the words with them. A spring came to her step and she pushed herself that much harder.

Ochako released her quirk just as Nejire's energy rays burst outward, spiraling into the villain as it, along with Ryukyu's gargantuan strength drove him into the ground. The crack reverberated through her chest as the street gave way, shattering. Ochako leaped with Tsuyu, falling into the resulting hole, readying herself for whatever chaos they were descending upon.

"Ryukyu?!" She heard Izuku's voice in total shock from below. "Ah- Ocha- Uravity?! And Froppy?!"

The relief in her heart at just seeing him standing there was immeasurable, and their eyes met for a brief, heavy moment. But it sure was dire straits, it looked like. There was desperation in his eyes, determination and frenzy in him as he was probably in midfight as they burst through the ceiling. Neither of them had a single second to spare on love.

"Deku!" She called. "Eraser Head told us the situation, so we're here to back you up!"

From above they heard shouting and—Mr. Compress?!

"The League of Villains?!" Ryukyu balked.

Ochako gaped at him as he slid down the hole they'd created. And further up, she saw Aizawa melt away into… Himiko Toga. We were tricked…? Into… helping? "What's going on…?"

"Uravity!" Tsuyu cried, and she looked to see—Sir Nighteye on the ground, a large, wide spike of stone driven straight through his chest. She fell back a step, horror filling her at the deadly wound. 

"Nighteye!"

"Uravity! Get Nighteye to safety!" Izuku shouted, green energy flickering around him as he ran hard towards the little girl by the rocks. A second later, the ground burst upward, and she saw a flash of blood on his arm as he jerked back—and Eri went flying. 

"Chisaki!" Deku screamed in rage, more angry than she'd ever heard him before.

-----

"You’ve made a mess of things, you scum!" Chisaki said, snatching Eri out of the air after using his power to launch her towards himself. 

He used the ground below—! Izuku grit his teeth, glaring as Chisaki grew the stone up from the shattered foundation below. He’s trying to get out through the hole above!

"Not a chance!" He shouted. I need to reach her! Izuku leapt into the air, extending his hand to her. I’ve gotta save her! This time… for sure!

Her life, her situation—she’d been so afraid. So beaten down, so molded by her fear and abuse. She’d chosen to go back to it—to save my life. 

Despite everything, she’s… so kind!

He could see her fear, her wide eyes brimming with the insecurity, torn between rejecting his hand to save him, and accepting it to let herself be saved. He wished he could smile right now, reassure her. 

Eri reached out as Togata's torn cape flew through the air in the chaos, but as her hand touched it, some kind of energy burst from around her. Izuku expected Chisaki to hold fast to her and make his way up, but he recoiled at the energy and released her from his hands. 

And Eri, with her hand clinging to the red cape—jumped—reaching for Izuku's outstretched arms with everything she had. Izuku felt it as time seemed to slow, ready to catch her. 

I won’t leave you ever again! 

Finally, he wrapped his arms around her as she fell into him, her tiny fists grasping desperately to him. He felt himself release the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, the relief at just holding her now caught him by surprise. 

But it only lasted a microsecond as Chisaki then reached out to them, summoning giant spikes to attack. 

"Give her back!" He screamed.

Crap! I can’t dodge midair! But even knowing that, he felt determination flow within him as he glared. His hands gripped tighter to that little girl, refusing to let her go again—no matter what! What she’d been through, what she’d endured in such a short amount of life—

I can’t let you go through that anymore! 

That conversation he’d had with Togata and All Might flashed in his head, along with Togata's question to him: "So what sort of hero do you hope to become?"

One strong enough so that no one has to worry about me. 

A hero who always wins. 

One who always saves the day!

His determination burst within him, exploding out in power as he kicked out to cut through those spikes. Wind rushed around him as he clung to the little girl, defending her with everything he had. It sounded like the very earth was shattering. 

Then he blinked and—they were upside down and surrounded by blue sky. 

"Huh?"

I tried to kick… and somehow got blown away!

He thought back to All Might's move—the back-shattering New Hampshire smash of wind pressure. Which means—

I lost control like in my fight with Kaachan! And with all the adrenaline pumping through him, he felt no pain right now, but…

Wait, wait, wait—! If that’s the case then-

He remembered that same feeling in his body, how that level of power had felt when he’d jumped to save Ochako during the entrance exam—and the state of his legs afterwards…

-my legs should be-!

But his legs were… completely fine. He blinked as he landed on the street, setting Eri down as he tried to evaluate himself. 

Even though I just used 100%, no broken bones! What’s more—

The pain in his body from his stab wounds and injuries… it was all… completely gone. 

"My whole body's healed!" He exclaimed in amazement. Then he looked up to Eri as she bit her lip, looking so scared still. "This is… your power?"

Before she could say anything, he felt a jolt run through him—as if his whole body were shifting and yanking on itself, down to his very cells. He buckled, falling to his knees. 

"What-?! What now?!" Izuku groaned, trembling as he gripped at his arms. "It’s like my body is getting pulled apart from the inside…!"

Eri clung desperately to the cape, trembling as she watched him. 

"I’m sorry," she said, so quietly. "I wish I- I’m sorry…"

Izuku looked up at her, such a hopelessness in her face. 

She can’t control it— 

"Eri," he said, trying to keep his voice even. "C- can you tell me what your quirk is?"

She whimpered, hugging tighter to Lemillion's cape. "Rewind… I can’t stop it. I’m so sorry," she said quietly as the tears filled her eyes. "So sorry."

If she could rewind a person—and if that power could instantly heal his broken bones… then if he gave it something new to keep rewinding, then…!

He knelt, grasping Eri's arms, even as she flinched away from him—as if she were trying to protect him from herself. 

"I get it," he said, filling his body with One for All, unleashing every throttle he had on it. "The instant my legs broke, before I could even feel the pain—you turned back the clock for me."

Eri blinked, looking surprised, but Izuku smiled gently at her, trying hard not to wince. 

"Your quirk is so kind."

Her eyes widened, and tears flooded down her cheeks at his words. His body still creaking and splitting, he reached out and lifted her up, then strapped her to his back, securing her with the cape. This fight was far from over, and Chisaki would be up in moments, he was sure. He was actually genuinely surprised it was quiet as long as it was. 

But—having used this quirk in conjunction with Eri's, he had a feel for it now, how fast his body got rewound and everything. So… if I keep smashing myself up, then I can fight— 

The ground cracked, and he braced himself, watching for Chisaki to emerge. 

"Eri," he said, Full Cowling charging through him at 100% percent. "Will you lend me your power?"

She didn’t speak, but he felt her chin in his shoulder as she nodded once, and that was good enough for him. 

But when the dust cleared as Chisaki—or what he assumed to be Chisaki appeared, his blood ran cold at the scene before him. 

O- Ochako!

Chapter Text

Ochako gaped up through the hole into the sky, but she was unable to see where Izuku had gone—he’d jumped so fast. It was like… 

Her mind flashed back to that first day, the desperation she’d felt as her legs had been pinned beneath the rubble. And then that awkward kid she’d met at the door had jumped into the air, decimating the robot—all to save her. 

And then… the horror she’d felt watching him freefall through the air with three broken limbs. 

Deku!

But he’d come a long way since then, right?! He didn’t break himself like that anymore. He wouldn’t debilitate himself like that when he was protecting someone like this. He wouldn’t endanger Eri by endangering himself. 

She gripped her fists at her side. I trust you, Izuku. 

A grotesque sound of flesh shifting and squelching drew her attention back down to Chisaki. She squinted at him through the dust left behind by Izuku's jump—and her stomach churned. 

He’s combining himself with his subordinate… And what was forming before her very eyes… was the literal definition of a monster. 

"He’s headed… aboveground… in pursuit of Midoriya and Eri…" Nighteye gasped quietly, and she looked back to him. "That’s when… he will kill… Midoriya…!"

Kill…?

Ochako felt like the world and all its chaos and blood stilled around her. She gaped at Nighteye, a cold dread filling her beyond her capacity. 

Deku's… gonna… die?

"N- no-! Dek-"

Her knees felt weak and she fell to the broken floor in a heap. Move! Move, stupid legs! But with the effects of the villains quirk from before, just that revelation seemed to sap all the energy from her limbs, all the hope from her heart. 

Don’t- please, not him! 

Since that day since he'd saved her, he hadn’t worried one bit about his own safety, only that she'd needed help. She still remembered how he looked, leaping so high into the air to bring down that zero point robot. She'd never had anyone do such a thing for her before—and he became the picture of a true hero to her.

He has so much more to do! So much life to live! I don’t-! I can’t-!

She thought of the moment from only a few moments ago—Izuku leaping up the hole in the ceiling, hands reaching out to that little girl—saving yet again. 

Is that… the last I'll ever see him… my Izuku…?

Her heart ached—it burned within her at the pain, but also the pure defiance she felt in the face of this. Izuku, he- he has never done anything less than Plus Ultra. He has constantly overcome every challenge, every wall, every disbelief in his ability and drive and has emerged better and stronger for it. He has endured pain and bones shattering and crushing stakes with such strength and still pulled through— every single time.

I do trust you, Izuku Midoriya!

"You’ve foreseen this…?" Ryukyu got out, her voice showing her exhaustion. "We can’t just sit here after hearing that…!"

"In the state you guys are in… even if you pursue him, you cannot win…" Nighteye said quietly. 

Her fists gripped against the ground before she pulled herself up, her shoe grinding into the dirt with the force of her determination. She saw her hands glow as she rose, the pink light emitting brighter as the stones around her began to float. She got to her feet, that aching fear pushed back by the immense faith she had in him, in the hope bursting within her, fueling her strength—because Deku would never just be resigned to his fate! He wouldn't die like that! He couldn’t!

"So we're just supposed to do nothing?!" She shouted, feeling strength in her at the sheer force of this determination. This wall of precognition? A death foresight? He would smash that to bits. He would! He’ll break through this and save that little girl! Guaranteed! Because it’s Deku! "There's no telling what the future will hold!"

The hero that I love is not gonna die today!

"Ochako-" Tsuyu said from behind her. 

Ochako blinked, then looked at herself, her hands—

The pink light glowed brighter, tiny spheres of light blinking into existence around her, floating and bobbing beside the stones in the air. As she watched, the tiny bubbles touched the earth, lifting the bits of debris with them. Her eyes widened. A… quirk awakening…?!

She didn’t know how or what this was, but right now she’d have to put aside the thought. But there was no time to marvel at it. She gripped her fists as she turned her mind back to Izuku up there in the sky, praying she could use this. 

How can I change this? How can I be a support right now? 

She watched as Chisaki finished morphing with his underling, a fear filling her gut, but she strode forward anyway. 

"Right now, Deku is doing everything he can to finish this—and I won't let him do it alone. I don't care what prediction you make," she got out, the words coming forth with more confidence and determination than she was used to.

Nighteye looked long at her for moment, an unreadable expression on his bloodied face.

"Mirio should be… beyond that hole in the wall… Take care of him, Froppy," Nighteye said, bowing his head a moment before he turned his eyes up above. "Uravity, Ryukyu… get me to the surface."

Tsuyu looked at her with worry before she headed through the debris in the direction Nighteye had said. Ochako bit her lip. 

"Ryukyu, can you still fly?" She asked, watching as Overhaul lifted his monstrous form up, completely ignoring them as he looked up through the hole.

"What’re you planning?" Ryukyu asked, holding gently to Nighteye. 

Ochako activated her quirk on the two of them, then turned to Chisaki. "I’m gonna buy time—"

Before waiting for a contradiction, she ran, summoning every ounce of her strength that she could to fight, her hands spread as she pulled rubble—weapons with her, throwing them into the air above him. At the exact right moment, she released, raining the large chunks of debris upon him. 

Chisaki grunted, raising those massive arms to shield himself, then looked over at her. She felt fear race through her again at this hulking monster towering over her, probably seeing her as nothing more than an inconvenience—an annoying fly to be swatted. 

Ochako set her fear aside, imagining how Izuku was down here fighting by himself to defend the wounded and to save Eri. 

Deku is always so brave, so determined, so full of strength and courage. 

I’ll be like you—so I can save you!

She stooped, touching a large rock spike on the ground and negated its gravity, then hoisted it up over her shoulder like a giant baseball bat. 

"Chisaki," she said, feeling the cold sweat on her back, on her palms, but she stood fast anyway. He’s just another villain! "What you've done to that little girl is unforgivable. You’re not gonna touch her ever again!"

He snarled, his eyes looking up at her with some vicious kind of evil behind them. It sent shivers down her spine. 

"Get out of my way," Chisaki said coldly, his huge arms raising to swing at her. Ochako made herself weightless and shot up, then swung the giant spike over her head. As she swung down, faster than it had any right to be, she released her quirk on it just as it made impact on the gaping maw where Chisaki's torso was still himself. 

It hit with a satisfying thunk, and she looked up in surprise that it had actually made contact. Then she negated its gravity again and swung it up, hitting him once more in quick succession, swinging the giant pillar as if it were nothing more than a stick. 

Chisaki was bleeding, but he only looked angrier though. On her third swing, his monstrous hand reached out and grabbed the spike, crushing it into pebbles. 

"Sick, diseased, disgusting—" he got out, his voice sounding more and more deranged. "You pathetic, depraved wannabes keep coming outta the woodwork, don’t you?"

"I’m not gonna just standby and let you have your way," Ochako said, grabbing up another giant beam in one hand, and with her other, she pushed forward and those little bubbles miraculously flowed from her fingertips, surrounding him. "I’m gonna change that future, too!"

Chisaki growled, then glanced up at the gaping hole where Izuku had disappeared with Eri. He looked back at her with a baleful glare. "Then you can die, too."

He reached out, the huge arms disassembling and stretching out towards her, ready to crush her—but he was already floating. Ochako's heart gave a great thump and she dodged, pain splitting across her left cheek. She gritted her teeth, then swung the spike up, pushing him upwards onto the street. 

I’m not stupid enough to think I can handle him on my own, she grit her teeth, watching him fly up through the hole. As much as I wanna protect him, I need Deku's help. 

Maybe… working together… maybe…!

But what if… I'm causing that future here?!

Panic was in her heart, but so was adrenaline and anger. So she pushed off the ground, blood dripping from her chin as she flew through the hole into the blue sky above.

She gripped the spike, flying up faster than he was moving, then swung it down with all its gravity on top of him. And in his weightlessness, he careened down into the pavement of the street with a great crash, the street cracking underneath him.

Ochako felt her stomach lurch, and she released her quirk on herself before she puked. Her body still felt so weak, and her hands were shaking. 

No. I gotta keep moving—! 

Chisaki was still floating, but instead of launching himself away to find Izuku, he turned towards her with rage emanating from him. 

"You damn bitch!" He shrieked at her, reaching out. 

Ochako's eyes widened, but she raised those little bubbles once more, letting them float outwards and lift up the debris around her. She picked up the broken spike and swung it, firing the chunks of rubble at him at high velocity.

He blocked them, but for the most part, he was basically swatting them away. Ochako's chest tightened as her knees trembled. Even with this quirk awakening, is this really all I can do?! 

Chisaki leaned his head to the side, eyeing her with his fury. "You're just another wannabe, sick with delusions. You think you're gonna be a hero? You think you're so noble and strong?"

She froze, staring at him, her insides cold as he seemed to tower over her. 

"You're nothing. Your weakness is insulting, and your delusions revolting—convinced by the lies of this society that you could make a difference," he said in his seething voice. "You want to save people? You wanna save Eri? You can't even save yourself."

Ochako gaped at him, feeling her insides sinking within her. Because that's exactly how she felt—powerless.

With that, he shot forward, still floating so he careened towards her, using the power of her own quirk against her. She released her quirk on him, but it didn’t halt his movement one bit. 

She moved to dodge, but the weakness seemed to seep through her all over again and her knees gave out. 

"I'll be merciful and put you out of your misery!" Chisaki raged, reaching out to crush her.

I just wanted to be helpful… She tried to move, even to just crawl, but she had no strength left in her. She was past her limit. Her stomach roiled. It hurt to breathe. And now Chisaki was aboveground—exactly where Nighteye had said he would kill Izuku…

I led him to this! She shuddered, gaping. Am I to blame? In knowing that future, did I cause this…?!

I just… wanted to save him!

Before Chisaki's fist made contact with her skull, a blur of green lightning flashed in front of her, punching him back with a massive blow that sent him flying. 

"Like hell you will!" Izuku bellowed as Chisaki struck the building across the street. 

She gaped as Izuku stood protectively in front of her, and on his back tied with a red cape was the little girl, glowing and sparking with power. And Izuku was too, the green flashing around him as if it couldn’t be contained. She’d… never see him like that before. 

He turned to her, reaching out to help her up. "You okay?"

"Don’t!" Eri cried, and he froze, looking back at her. 

"Eri?"

Eri trembled. "D- don’t touch her… my quirk… it’ll spread…"

Spread? What-? The fear in Ochako's heart gripped at her again. 

Izuku drew back, looking over her with worry in his eyes too, then a determined fire as he turned back to Chisaki. "Thanks for having my back, Uravity. You're incredible."

She gaped at him, speechless.

"If you can move, get to safety," he said, worry mixed with the power in his voice. "I’ll draw him off."

"D- Deku-!" She got out, but he was already moving, his feet burst against the pavement, cracking it with the force. She blinked as the air pressure pushed against her, and she fell back onto her elbow. It really is like when he saved me at the entrance exam…!

But he didn’t look broken! She looked up as he fought in the sky, bursting forward against Chisaki with blow after blow—not slowing once. If anything, he was speeding up. 

Ochako felt that fear in her heart, that powerlessness. She watched him as she knelt on the ground, her hands clasped, hoping, praying, pleading…! 

Let him win—let him live! I can’t lose him… I can't- I- I love him so much- please… 

She looked up as his power burst with light across the sky, stunning and terrifying. 

Please… let him live!

-----

Izuku had never felt more invigorated, fighting as he was. Eri's quirk healed him faster than he could even ache, so blow after blow felt practically euphoric. He felt invincible—nigh immortal. Is this how All Might had felt in his prime? It was incredible! And it was probably really dangerous. Even so, he fought holding nothing back, unleashing every restraint upon himself to take Chisaki down once and for all. 

That feeling only lasted a minute or two as Eri's power surged stronger—uncontrolled release. His body throbbed, shuddering at his very cells, it seemed, as he tried to keep up with her, breaking himself enough to stay ahead of the rewind. 

She’s getting stronger…! She’s just like how I was when I first got One for All!

"None of you are looking at the big picture here!" Chisaki roared, but Izuku had truly had enough of this man's ravings. Blood was rushing through his ear as he charged forward again. 

I can’t stop you? He glowered, letting his own strength add to his speed. He pushed forward, swiping a kick out faster than he could dodge—the air force alone was enough to completely disarm his attack, leaving the man speechless. 

Izuku knew if he allowed him any time to react, Chisaki would just break himself down to heal over and over, but at 100%—I can use speed to counter that!

He reared back and landed blow after blow after blow, more punches than he could possibly count. 

"If I can’t save one little girl in front of me, then how can I ever hope to become a hero who saves everyone?!"

With one final push, he threw Chisaki to the ground, the street cracking at the force. And thankfully—Chisaki stayed down. 

I need to work harder, he knew. I need to be strong enough to use this power without relying on others like this… if I’m gonna be the greatest hero—if I’m gonna succeed All Might…! 

As he landed on the ground, he felt Eri cringe against her quirk. His heart dropped, aching for her. Maybe if I can coach her through her control—visualize a stopper with her-

"Eri, are you okay? Sorry… I’m not doing a very good job-"

His words cut off as her quirk practically exploded around him. He fell to his knees, agony raging through him.

I can’t- I can’t stop her-!

-----

Just when it looked like it was finally over, just when Ochako thought she could breathe easy, seeing Izuku stand there triumphant with Chisaki on the ground—having defied that horrible prediction—all hell seemed to break loose. 

Izuku cried out as he collapsed to the ground, the white light from Eri's quirk crackling and bursting around the both of them. 

"Deku!" She ran at them, but her legs felt so weak. 

Before she could get there, Chisaki moved. Ochako watched in horror as he lifted a huge, monstrous arm into the air, reaching out to crush them. 

No! No, please-! But she just wasn’t close enough to stop it. 

Chisaki brought his hand down, but instead of crushing them, the light consumed him, separating him and his henchmen from each other, healing them both of that horrible form. 

Ochako gaped for a moment. Is this what she meant when her quirk would spread?! But there was no time to consider. She rushed in and grabbed Chisaki by the wrists, slamming him to the ground before he could do anything else. 

Ryukyu pulled herself up through the hole in the ground, looking even more tired now than before when she'd taken Nighteye to the paramedics. With her, to Ochako's relief, was Tsuyu, holding a wounded Aizawa in her arms. 

"What’s going on?!" Ryukyu called. 

"I told the locals to evacuate, and Deku took down Chisaki!" Ochako felt a tremble in her voice, but continued anyway. "But something's still wrong! Eri's quirk—I dunno what it is, but it's hurting them!"

Eri had reared up on Izuku's back, screaming into the air as she cried, and Izuku was crumpled beneath her in a heap, his body in visible agony—Ochako gripped tight to Chisaki, trembling at the sight. Someone- SOMEONE SAVE THEM! 

The light vanished in an instant—and Ochako glanced over to see Tsuyu holding Aizawa's face up, erasing Eri's quirk and saving Izuku from whatever it was she was doing to him. Eri's eyes rolled back as she passed out, and she fell forward. Before she could hit the ground, Izuku reached up, catching her face with gentle hands. Ochako felt her heart leap at that—at just… him. 

Deku… you’re so good—so kind.

"Let’s get this guy restrained," a police officer said, taking Chisaki from her hands.

"Please," Ochako said, not taking her eyes off Izuku. And the moment her hands were free, she ran. It was like a dam burst in her, and all the worries broke from within her. 

"D- Deku-" she got out, her voice barely audible to her ears. "Deku-!"

The weakness in her limbs was still present, and her legs wobbled as she got to him. She’d meant to help him up, but between the relief and the residual fatigue, she fell to her knees and collapsed into his back, grasping both him and Eri. 

"Ochako-" he breathed. 

She lifted her hand, stroking her fingers over his hair. And for once, she didn’t even care if this affection was seen. She needed to feel that he was here, that he was alright. "A- are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just catching my breath," he sighed. "You?"

"Just got some of my lifeforce drained. It should wear off soon, I think."

"Huh-?!"

Ochako frowned, feeling the temperature of the little girl under her hand. "She feels warm… was she feverish before?"

"No," he said, voice worried. 

She leaned back, lifting the girl into her as Deku sat up, miraculously unharmed, from what she could see. He quickly untied her and turned, pressing a hand to her forehead. 

"Eri? Eri, can you hear me?" He said, but she didn’t answer. She felt limp in Ochako's arms. 

"It’s sorta high…" Ochako said, looking her over as Izuku wrapped the cape all the way around her like a blanket. 

He gently pulled her from Ochako's arms and lifted her into his shoulder. Then he wrapped an arm around Ochako's waist and pulled her to her feet, leaning her against him, too.  

"I- I’m fine, Deku-"

"You seem in worse shape than I am," he said with a huff still in his voice. 

"That’d be a first," she said softly, letting him support her as they walked to the paramedics. She was probably mostly fine to walk on her own, but the relief of feeling him against her comforted her heart. She’d been so scared—terrified that he was gonna die. 

She grabbed tight to his costume against his back, and he glanced at her with worry. "You hurting?"

She shook her head against his shoulder. "No, it’s- it’s nothing."

He seemed like he wanted to say more, but as they approached the ambulances, a few paramedics rushed over to them. 

"She went feverish when she fainted," Izuku said as the paramedic took Eri from him. "And Uravity will need some medical attention, too."

"We'll get them to the hospital for now," he said, looking both her and Izuku over. "You too."

"Right," Izuku said, adjusting to support Ochako more firmly. 

"Midoriya," a quiet, cracky voice said from a stretcher. 

Izuku held tight to her as they came to Nighteye's side, and Ochako felt her stomach clench to see his wounds. There was just—so much blood… 

"You were able to… twist the future…!" He got out weakly. 

"Nighteye! I've been meaning to tell you something!" Izuku said emphatically. "All Might is still alive, y'know! He thinks he’s got no right to face you! But you two'll meet again! You will—I know it! So pull through this!"

Ochako looked to him at that, feeling that ache in her heart even more. He’s… it’s not…

"Midoriya," Nighteye said, quieter than before, his eyes closing. "Thank you."

She bit her lip, looking down at her shoes, guilt writhing within her. 

If I had listened, instead of taking on Chisaki—uselessly… If I’d gotten Nighteye to the ambulance faster… would he…? 

Izuku took a deep breath, then squeezed her tighter to him as he turned, pulling her to another ambulance. "Thanks."

"I didn’t do much," she sighed. 

"You did," he said softly. "Even when you aren’t fighting, you give me strength."

She gaped at him as he looked her over, such a softness in his features. 

"Thank you," he breathed.

She felt her eyes sting and her heart clench, guilt taking a stronger hold within her. So instead, she smiled, illuminating her face with something more uplifting to him. She touched the hand he had braced against her waist, then looked down at the ground. "Mhm."

Chapter Text

Izuku sat in his hospital bed, pondering everything that had happened—during the raid and here in the hospital. The hours had gone by in a blur. Kirishima had really been roughed up in his own fight, sleeping on and off in the bed beside him, as did Amajiki. Thank goodness they were both alright. 

Nighteye…

His heart ached as he pictured the scene of it once more, unable to get it out of his head. Nighteye so compassionately reaching out and touching Mirio's cheek, giving him one last vision before his death. And then this… grief that filled his heart, watching that man, his unwilling mentor, that hero—die right before his eyes. 

As much as it weighed on his own heart, he couldn’t imagine how much Mirio was hurting right now. His mentor… his quirk… Mirio was incredible. A strong, wonderful hero already. But his dream was stripped away from him—solely because he’d acted as a hero. Eri was safe due to the efforts of many, but especially Mirio's strength in his sacrifice and by holding off Chisaki as long as he had. 

It wasn’t fair… and yet, it was the nature of being a hero. Sacrifice…

Izuku breathed out a long breath, feeling all this grief weigh heavy against his heart. He looked down at his hand, the scars stretching over the tendons and bones. 

He was well aware that he’d only won by using Eri's quirk as a crutch. Without her, he’d have surely been killed. Despite all his efforts to grow and strengthen himself and not rely on others to rescue him, he’d had to rely on the very child he’d set out to save. Mirio hadn’t put a burden on her, though. He’d fought to save her while he was quirkless, fighting for her safety and peace with every blow. 

Now more than ever before, Izuku could see exactly why he’d been Nighteye's choice to succeed All Might. 

"You’ll be a fine hero, Mirio."

He clenched his fist as he bit his lip. 

The quiet was interrupted as his phone buzzed beside the bed, drawing Izuku from his heavy thoughts. He glanced to the side, picking it up. 

—Are you okay? 

His aching heart seemed to ache even more, feeling her concern for him. 

I’m alright. You?—

—just some scrapes. You able to meet up?

Izuku pulled himself out of the bed, sending his response as he strode towards the door.

The hospital was quiet now, a lingering heaviness over it all, as if the building itself was in mourning for the loss of a hero. Izuku took a deep breath, feeling that tightness in his chest still lingering from before. 

When he saw her in the corner of the waiting room, he felt a gentle lilt fall through him at the mere sight of her. The pain was still there, very present and clear, but she was like a warmth in the cold, giving comfort just by her glance. With a sigh, he moved over to where she sat, looking out the dark window. 

He started at the bandage on her face, then felt shame well up within him again. She shouldn't have had to fight that monster alone… I should've—If i'd been stronger…

"Hi," she said quietly, lifting her hand to him.

He blinked, then took her hand and sat beside her, squeezing gently to her.

"It's good to see you," he sighed, then gestured at her face. "You okay?"

Ochako touched the bandage and nodded, a smile on her lips. "It's nothing. I might have a bit of a scar, they say, but it's alright. Probably already healed, actually, thanks so Recovery Girl."

She took the edge of the adhesive and pulled it off, and there indeed was a light scar on her face, just above her jaw and stretched nearly to her ear. 

A scar… He bit his lip, looking down. "Sorry, I… I shouldn't have-"

"Hey, it's not like it's your fault, Deku," she smiled warmly at him. "And I don't mind a few scars."

As she said it, she gently brushed her thumb over the scars stretched across the back of his hand. He huffed a little laugh at that. She always knew exactly how to make him feel uplifted.

"I guess I’m not one to talk," he sighed. 

She hummed quietly. "So they're keeping you overnight too?"

"Yeah," he said. "Although I'm pretty much unharmed, they wanted to keep an eye on me for a while, because of the nature of Eri's quirk."

"Rewind, right?" Ochako asked, her voice a little more tentative. "Aizawa filled us in earlier."

Izuku nodded. 

"H- how's that work?" She asked.

"She rewinds a person's biology," he said. "That's how Chisaki was able to make quirk-erasing bullets—by isolating that specific part of someone's DNA and rewinding it to nothing. Eri has no idea how to control her quirk, so he'd- reset her… whenever she'd use it…" He felt sick as he spoke the words, hating that man a little more.

Ochako looked green at that as well. "So how did you-?"

"Survive?" He sighed.

She nodded, clinging tighter to his hand. 

"Well, my power will still break me, I just know how to throttle it now—when I use it, it's usually at about 5%. With Eri going out of control like she did, I was using 100%. That way, there was always damage to my body for her to rewind. Or else she would've rewound me entirely."

"You… broke yourself over and over?"

Izuku laughed lightly, humorlessly. "So it's crazy that I'm pretty much fine now, huh? Eri's got a crazy strong quirk."

"Yeah," she said, her voice quiet. "I'm glad she was- I mean-"

She sighed, then leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad you're both okay."

He felt that gaping grief in him twist at that, guilt filling him over again. Maybe Nighteye said I changed the future… maybe that means All Might can be saved… but… I didn’t change it enough… 

"I… heard about Nighteye…" Ochako said softly. 

His hand gripped tighter to hers, and he swallowed hard against the lump in his throat. He’d never seen someone die before—not like that. It was… probably something he would remember for the rest of his life. Every action came to his mind, flooding through him as he bit his lip, trying to control the stinging in his eyes. 

"Yeah," he breathed. "He… held on long enough to give his goodbyes."

She moved, pulling her hand from his. He glanced at her, but instead of pulling away, she drew closer, wrapping that hand around his arm. She moved her opposite hand to grab his again, squeezing him tighter. "What can I do?"

He felt that same kind of ease come over him, same as he'd had back in the woods when she'd stroked his hair—it didn’t take the pain, it didn’t fix the grief, but it gave him something to hold onto. Someone to lean on when it was too heavy. Ochako had become such a rock in his life, and he was touched to his very core. 

He twisted into her, placing his other hand over hers, turning enough that she lifted her head to look at him. 

"You’re amazing, you know that?" He whispered. 

A sweet blush filled her cheeks, and she looked off to the side. "Well, I-"

She cut herself off, letting out a sigh. 

He squeezed her hand tighter between them, feeling gratitude join the pain in his heart. "What you did, the strength you showed—I…" 

Even though he’d been terrified to see that, her on the ground, nearly killed by the guy she shouldn't have had to fight alone—watching her have such courage and strength to go it alone just to have his back. She’d put her all in, just like the rest of them, to save that girl. 

"You always inspire me," he said softly. 

Ochako blinked at him, eyes widening, but he didn’t let his bashfulness turn him away from her. He looked right at her, feeling a conviction in his heart. 

"Deku," she said, breath light. "I gotta tell ya something." 

He tilted his head at her. "Yeah?"

She bit her lip, then smiled, looking a bit amazed. "Something happened to me."

His brows creased. Something-? "What do you mean?"

She gave him a gentle smile, then looked down and freed her hand from his and extended her fingers out. He watched as little lights glowed from the pads of her fingertips—then tiny, pink bubbles began to wink into existence from that light. His eyes widened, gaping as the little school of bubbles floated out as she gestured out with her hand. They seemed to follow wherever she guided. She led them to a potted plant against the window and as the lights surrounded it, they lifted the heavy pot into the air. 

He wheeled back on her, flabbergasted. "Your quirk! It-!"

She simply smiled and gave him a shrug. "I guess I had a sort of awakening back there… when I decided to fight Chisaki."

He gaped at her, then back to the iridescent bubbles in the air before they faded and the pot settled softly back down. Quirks shifted sometimes, and grew as a person expanded their own capabilities—like strength training muscles. But Ochako's method of activation was touch! Very specifically with the pads of her fingertips. To change the actual activation mechanism was incredible! 

He took her hand once more, and she chuckled lightly as he examined her fingertips, prodding at the little pink pads. "So the bubbles of light become an extension of activation from your fingers now, huh? Like it’s a remote control of some sort? Do they automatically activate on anything they touch, or do you command it? How many can you produce at once? And did your weight limit change at all?"

"I dunno anything," Ochako laughed a moment before sobering. "It just happened—and it wasn’t like I really had much chance to even think about it. All I wanted to do was…"

Ochako looked at him, a wariness in her now. "I just didn’t want you to die."

He stopped short, shuddering at that—and at the heaviness in her face.

"Nighteye said… right before I took on Chisaki," she said quietly. "He said you’d…"

Her hand gripped tighter to his hand, a desperation in her touch. That gut-wrenching tension filled him again, reminding him of just how close he'd actually been to not making it. The peril hadn't set in during the moment—all that existed then was 'Fight. Win. Keep going or both you and Eri are dead.' And had it not been for Eri and for Aizawa… he probably would be dead.

She shook her head, and he felt a tremor in her hand. 

"I… couldn't bear the thought of… losing you," she whispered. "I couldn't bear the thought of accepting a future where you weren't here anymore. It was something I- no. It is something I refuse with every bit of me."

As he looked at her, his heart ached desperately, and his mind flashed to his mother, to Ochako, to everyone who cared for him, counted on him to be okay, to come back safe. Who loved him. Who he made worry endlessly because of the path he had chosen. 

Even at 100%... even at my strongest, I… still can’t keep that worry away…  I couldn't help but have to rely on a child to help me…

"Ochako," he sighed. "I…"

She looked up then, a quiet determination in her shining eyes. "But I knew that you would fight that fate, too—defying the future until it became what you wanted. I believed in you so much that I couldn't contain it, I think."

Izuku gaped at her—her words almost a direct counter to the regrets welling up in his heart. Her intense belief in him was… genuinely overwhelming. He really didn't know what to say. She believed in me so much that her power transformed… 

"You’re the one who's amazing, Deku," she sighed while he still sat there, practically mute. "And you inspire me every day."

Ochako smiled then, a smile so bright that he might’ve thought the sun had come out. "So I’m happy I get to use this inspiration you gave me to do more in the future."

He looked her over, that wonderful smile shining out of her—and Nighteye's words came to his mind. 

"A world without smiles… has no bright future."

With just a few words and a smile, she showed him the path to that future he wanted. The fate-twisting and reality warping power of inspiration—by truly combining that belief onto a person—Maybe that’s one of the reasons for All Might as not just a hero, but as a symbol. He’d carried on his back peace itself not just through his own strength, but the belief placed upon him. The things people could do because of belief was…nothing short of incredible. 

And Ochako changed the fundamental nature of her own power because of her belief… in me.

He knew that he was staring at her, and he could see her blush and start getting bashful at it, but he couldn’t help it. It all felt like sunlight shining warm on his aching heart. 

Just… how much more loved can she make me feel…?

"What is it?" She asked, as if she hadn’t just heliocentrified his entire world for a second—or third—time!

Before he could actually think, he brought his hand up, his fingers brushing over her blushing cheek. Ochako started, blinking at him. But she didn’t say anything. She just let him trace his fingers over that thin scar stretched across her cheek. 

"Thank you," he whispered as he let his fingers fall from her face. 

"For what?" Ochako asked, still blushing from his caress. 

He squeezed her hand tenderly. "For being here with me."

At that, her smile stuttered. Something flashed across her face before she gently beamed at him again. "I’m happy to be."

Pain. 

He blinked at her, that smile, and it hit him like a gut-punch, more than it had before when he'd seen that face on her. 

Is she hurting…? Is she… hiding her pain from me…?

She leaned against his shoulder once more and let out a long sigh. "I hope they let us go home in the morning."

"Ochako-"

She hummed quietly, but he wasn't entirely sure what to say. What was he supposed to say? "You're supposed to lean on me, let me support you," when he could see clearly that she could see his own pain and weakness. This whole exchange, she was going out of her way to help and uplift him—despite her own pain, huh? And she had… always done that. 

But I don't want to just take her comfort, not when she’s hurt too… But in the moment, he couldn't seem to find the words. He couldn't bring himself to force her. So he just took her in, amazed at her strength.

He pulled his arm free, then wrapped it gently around her. She let out a deep breath and relaxed against him, and she laced her fingers between his so sweetly. 

Maybe not tonight then, he sighed, letting her give him the comfort and strength she wanted. But please let me help you, too.

Chapter Text

Izuku woke in the morning, feeling more tired than when he'd fallen asleep. He sighed as he rubbed a hand over his face and pulled himself up. 

"Mornin' Midoriya," Kirishima said from the bed beside him. 

"Good morning," he sighed, seeing less bandages on him than before. "How're you feeling?"

Kirishima opened and closed his fists. "Recovery Girl healed me up pretty good. I feel practically back to normal."

Izuku nodded. Kirishima had looked much like how Izuku usually looked when he was in a hospital bed, and that stoked the guilt in him. It all seemed to weigh even heavier on him—having had the night to think and overthink it all, and he could feel each and every one of his regrets, along with his complete and utter lack. Ochako's tender hand in his had helped ease the pain, but even then, he’d been completely unable to return that comfort to her. Even in that, he felt his lack. 

If Mirio had One for All, like originally intended… would this have turned out differently…?

He laced his fingers together, thoughts deepening as he looked out the window. 

"You alright, man?" Kirishima asked.

Izuku nodded, a small smile on his face. "Yeah. I think I’ll go find Aizawa and see what the plan is for us students."

"Oh, thanks."

He pulled himself out of the bed and dressed into his school uniform. 

"I’ll let you know what Aizawa says," he said as he finished up, then pulled his backpack onto his back.

"Hey, Midoriya," Kirishima said as Izuku walked towards the door. 

He turned back to see Kirishima smile, lifting a fist up. "Good job. You were awesome out there."

He took a breath at that, unsure of what to say, not with this weight still on his heart. So he just nodded. "Thanks. So were you."

With that, he pulled the door open and stepped towards the nurse station—fairly familiar with hospital exit procedure at this point. 

"You're all cleared to go on our end," the nurse said, taking back the paper from him, then  gestured down the hallway. "But go and check in with your teacher, too. He’s already been discharged, so he’s waiting for you all in the waiting area over there."

"Thank you very much," Izuku said with a bow, then walked briskly down the hall to where she indicated. 

Aizawa stood in the waiting room beside where Recovery Girl was sitting, both looking up grim-faced at the TV. 

"That’s all they’re talking about…" Recovery Girl said as Izuku watched the news report. 

Snatch was killed— and Chisaki… Grief and horror filled him at the turn of events that had happened. The League had been—strangely involved during the raid, but at the same time, they hadn't seemed to be partaking in their own agenda. It was confusing, but had that been their goal? To go after Chisaki after the fact? And they'd killed another hero to—what? Torture him? 

Tomura Shigaraki… cut off his arms…

His guts wrenched at that, churning in horror. Chisaki was a villain and Izuku truly felt hatred for the man, but that was just so… needlessly cruel. 

Their connection to the Shie Hissaikai had already been odd, but it now seemed even muddier. 

Could I have done anything differently? If I’d—maybe detained Toga back then, or- or-

"You have no business feeling responsible," Aizawa said, reading right through him. "So don’t let it get to you."

Izuku glanced at him, then bit his lip. If Mirio had One for All… maybe Shigaraki could’ve been taken in long ago… maybe another life wouldn’t have been lost… maybe Eri could’ve been saved the moment they’d met her… maybe-

"Anyhow, I’ll be sending you students back to school," Recovery Girl said after a moment. "They need to monitor Togata's condition for a bit longer, but the others have received treatment and should be fully recovered soon enough. I'll be staying here for a while to help the other patients with their recovery."

Izuku started at that. I didn’t even get to see Eri—

"Can’t I hang around until Eri wakes up?" He asked. 

"Your being here wouldn’t change anything," Aizawa sighed. "We just have to trust the doctors."

Izuku swallowed, looking down. He thought of Aizawa's words from the day before, and sick swirled in his stomach. 

If I…

Izuku set his backpack and costume case on the couch. "Lemme just go see how Togata's doing."

"Oh… but right now, he’s-" 

He heard Aizawa call out to him, but he just hurried into the room where Mirio was. He felt his feet were driven on impulse as this choice lingered in his head. A heartbreaking choice, but… he had to think about what was best, not his own desires. No matter how… heartbreaking it was…

There was just too much—and he just wasn’t enough.

When he opened the door, he expected mourning. What he didn’t expect was Mirio's legs stuck up in the air doing bicycles. 

"Yo!" He called with the biggest grin. "Morning, Midoriya!"

Izuku gaped at him, speechless. 

"Why'm I the only one who's gotta stay another day of observation when I’m bursting with energy?!" Mirio said with a chipper laugh in his voice. "Darn it!"

After a moment, Izuku shook himself from the bizarreness of it. It was a smile to hide the pain—a goofy, joking demeanor to deflect the grief. He briefly thought of Ochako's smile from the night before and felt doubly ashamed. "Togata…"

"I know, I know," he said, and he sobered, smile falling. "I lost my quirk. And my master passed away. I’m in no state of mind to be smiling. But that’s exactly why…"

Izuku watched the emotions pass over Mirio's face, the tears he was holding back. He pressed his lips together, then he sighed as he lifted himself up to sit. 

"Cuz Nighteye, he…" he said. "I know he was stern with you. But he smiled a lot when the two of us got to talking."

Mirio looked over at Izuku, a genuine smile on his face now. 

"I can’t be all weepy. Not when I’m s'posed to be a 'fine hero' someday."

Izuku swallowed, his heart twisting in his chest. The warmth of One for All burned within him, and he wanted to cling to it. He wanted to keep it. But… that last premonition…

"If I get all gloomy, well, that’ll hurt Eri, too," Mirio continued as Izuku bowed his head. 

Is this… a fate I’m not meant to twist?

"As I thought," Nighteye's words came to his mind. "One for All ought to have gone to Mirio." 

But… selfishly, what Ochako had said to him the night before pulled him in the opposite direction—"I believed in you so much that I couldn't contain it."

He gripped his fist so hard, his nails dug into his palm. 

I’m sorry, All Might… Ochako… But I’m just—What if this the choice that will save All Might? Because if my own determination is not enough, then…

"Even after you lost your quirk… you kept protecting her, all on your own," Izuku started, bowing his head. "Then there's me…"

His eyes stung as he looked at the floor, but he pushed them away as hard as he could. He already felt so weak and ashamed—he didn't want to add tears to the mix as well. 

"I was supposed to protect Eri, but then she had to help me. And Teacher saved me in the nick of time, too…" He took a deep breath, his heart sunken down to his toes. "If you'd been the successor, then Nighteye wouldn't have…"

He was aware that Mirio didn't know about One for All, and that this probably didn't make a lot of sense, but his words burst out of him as if he were running out of time—like the sooner Mirio took this from him, the sooner things would be put right.

"What if… I told you I could pass on my quirk to you…?" He got out, all but choking on the words. "Would you-"

"I don’t want it," Mirio brushed off the offer without a moment's hesitation. 

Izuku gaped at him and his immediate dismissal. 

"Even if that were somehow possible, if I went and took your quirk, then you'd be the one suffering! Honestly, I'm not sure what's got you in such a funk," Mirio said with a smile. "You were great! Deku the hero!"

His heart felt so torn at the praise. With One for All, he should've been able to reach her, save her, save everyone with that bright smile—like All Might. He just… wasn't All Might. Despite all his efforts, he couldn't move fast enough, train hard enough, progress with any sort of urgency. His body still felt like it was about to burst at 20% so he really couldn't hold that long. And 5% was just… no where near enough. 

He took a deep breath and bowed his head, ashamed all over again.

"Besides, yesterday Eraser told me all about what's going on with Eri. If Eri figures out how to control her quirk at some point, I can try asking her to rewind me back to the time when I had my own quirk," Mirio said, his voice a bit softer as he looked over Izuku—like he was reassuring a little kid. 

"If that doesn't work, I'll try whatever it takes to get back to normal, so don't worry about me, I've got Nighteye's prediction backing me up."

With that, he reached out and bopped his fist gently into Izuku's cheek. "Like he said, keep smiling!"

Izuku swallowed at the regrets he felt, listening to Mirio's words and kindness. Either way, he was right. To honor both the fallen hero and his own mentor—Keep Smiling.

"Okay…"

But Mirio believes in me. So does Ochako. And All Might was the first—Despite his failings and short-comings, he'd stood by him and lifted him and guided him. 

I'm just… too blessed.

The tears threatened to fall again, but he forced himself to smile, pushing that away again. "I'll be waiting for you."

Izuku took a deep breath, fists clenched by his sides. 

I won’t take it for granted, he thought, determination igniting in him. I have to do more.

-----

Ochako felt relief when she and Tsuyu returned to UA—their lovely school, their home away from home. It was like a small amount of that weight was lifted off her shoulders, being in this place that promised the comfort of a piece of home. 

And that feeling increased more when she was brought to a conference room and saw Izuku sitting there at the table already. She'd seen him that morning, but it had been only briefly as she'd been asked to report back to Ryukyu's office for paperwork and such. 

But he smiled when she entered, and that aching in her heart softened a bit. He gave her such warmth to her soul, even by something as simple as a smile. I’m so lucky to have him— And despite the grief and regrets she felt, she let his smile ease her soul just a bit as she sat beside him. 

"One last meeting and then we can go back to the dorms, right?" she asked.

Izuku nodded. "We're just waiting for the detective."

"Mm," she hummed, and under the table, she reached out and gently touched her fingertips to his knuckles. "I'm ready to be back home."

He didn't say anything, but he turned his hand over, lacing her fingers with his, and the lift that gave to her heart was like being wrapped up in a warm blanket by a fire.

"Me too," Kirishima sighed from across from them, more somber than his usual self. "Feels like it's been a hell of a lot longer than it has been."

Tsuyu sat on the other side of Ochako. "Strange how two days can seem so long, ribbit."

Ochako swallowed at that, everything that had happened flashing in her mind, and that warmth chilled a little at the thought of her regrets. She bit her lip, squeezing Izuku's hand a little tighter before letting go.

He didn't reach for her again—but maybe he understood. She hoped so, at least. 

"I apologize for having you all meet with me so late," Detective Tsukauchi said as he entered the room, taking his hat off with a tired smile. "There were additional developments that needed my attention."

"You don’t need to apologize to us, ribbit," Tsuyu said. 

"Yeah, you’re working so hard all the time, we get it," Kirishima added. 

Tsukauchi smiled. "Thank you," he stepped forward and sat at the head of the table, looking them all over. 

"You kids went through a lot, and before I hear your individual specifics, I just wanted to say you did good work, all of you," he said, his smile warm. 

Ochako's heart stung at the praise, thinking of the things Ryukyu had said as well. Was this how it felt to be a hero? Praised even when you couldn’t push yourself hard enough? She wondered…

"Thank you, sir," she said, bowing her head with the others. 

"I know you’ve all given your briefs about your dealings with the Shie Hissaikai, and I’m not gonna ask you to rehash that," he said. "I’m here to go over any encounters you kids had specifically with the League of Villains."

Ochako swallowed, remembering how Toga had fooled her... into helping? She hadn’t quite understood at the time, but hearing the news afterwards—seeing what Shigaraki had done to Overhaul… there was a definite grudge there. 

And he stole some of the quirk stealing bullets… Perhaps their motives were clearer now. 

"Midoriya, you always seem to have the most run-ins with the League, huh?"

Ochako blinked, then glanced at him, her stomach recoiling. But it was reassuring at least that he was here, unharmed. 

Izuku flushed, looking off to the side with a sigh. "Yeah…"

Tsukauchi smiled, then pressed his pen to his notebook. "So tell me about your encounter."

Izuku opened his mouth, then flushed and for some reason glanced nervously at her. 

Huh?

"As we were dealing with the yakuza who rearranged the hallways, the League appeared and were working with the Shie Hissaikai. They split up our group, and Eraser Head and I found Rock Lock stabbed on the ground—and another Rock Lock sitting over him. That's when the walls changed again, and I was cornered by Himiki Toga."

Ochako felt her stomach clench at that. Oh, that’s why.

"Like before, when she released her quirk, her c- c- clothes were gone too—but she showed me her real face this time—she was definitely the same girl from the training camp invasion."

"Which leads me to think it was the same girl you and Uraraka encountered at your provisional license exam," Tsukauchi said, writing in his notebook. 

"Huh?" Kirishima blinked. "The League was at the exam?!"

"I- we didn’t know it at the time, but yeah," he sighed. "The girl from Shiketsu was an imposter."

Kirishima sat back in his chair, dumbstruck. "Damn, bro."

"Let’s get back on track," Tsukauchi said kindly. "So what next?"

Izuku's shoulders slumped. He glanced at her, and she could see the flush on his cheeks as he frowned a little deeper, then sighed with resignation and continued his debrief—

"It was… awkwardly personal, the way she was acting…" Izuku sighed. 

"Like at the provisional exam?" Tsukauchi probed and Izuku nodded. 

"Even more so than before," he said. 

Ochako was sitting beside him, feeling that surging of sick jealousy churning within her as he recounted her words, her behavior, the state of her undress, etc. 

"Then she mentioned Uravity—said s- she and her were the same about l- liking someone all beat up, and when said I didn’t know what she was talking about, she asked if we b- broke up-"

He flushed bright red as he spoke, looking down at the tabletop. "I instinctively told her 'no, we didn’t,' so I guess I gave her the personal information she was digging for…"

"What the hell-" Kirishima got out, glancing between them in confusion. 

Ochako sighed. It was honestly getting comical at this point. 

"Wait- huh?!" Kirishima stood up, looking between them. "You guys are dating?!" 

Ochako flushed hot right up to her ears, matching Izuku beside her. 

"It's a secret right now, ribbit," Tsuyu said with a light smile.

"Hah?!" He gaped at her, then back at Izuku. "For real?!"

"Yeah," he said, a gentle lilt to his voice.

At that, Kirishima burst into the brightest smile. "That's awesome! Wow! Congrats, man! You too, Uraraka!"

"Uh- thanks!" Izuku said, a nervous smile on his face.

Ochako nodded, beyond mortified. "M- mhmm…"

"We'll get back to business then, if you don't mind," Tsukauchi said with an amused smile.

"Right…!" Kirishima said emphatically, bowing his head. "Sorry for interrupting! I'm just stoked for my friends!"

Ochako sighed, feeling a weird giddiness along with her nerves—Kirishima's excitement for them was just so pumped up and genuinely sweet, she didn't even know what to say.

"Please continue, every detail you can remember," Tsukauchi said, gesturing towards Izuku.

"She asked me… what it’s like being… in love… and what I wanted from Ochako," he said softly. "Then she seemed confused when I said that I- wanna make her happy."

Her heart stuttered at his words, at his desire, and at the insinuation—that Izuku loved her. It made her face flush and the butterflies explode in her stomach. They hadn’t said that to each other yet, although it was… heavily implied. 

It’s really a serious thing to say 'I love you,' isn’t it? 

"Through the whole exchange, she was actively trying to stab me and asking me to let her… drink my blood, so I think we can pretty definitively confirm that as the means of her transformation," he said with a shiver. "But she gave a pretty clear insight into her motive. She said—"

He took a breath, looking very somber even as he blushed. "'I wanna be everyone I love, everything I love,'" he visibly swallowed, looking down at the table. "'Do you wanna be Ochako, too?'"

Ochako felt something rush through her at his words—at Toga's words spoken through him. It wasn’t something she felt she could entirely put into words, the significance of that conception of what love is, and of a question like that. But it felt… important in a way she didn’t understand. 

"After that, Eraser Head pulled her away from me and she stabbed him in the shoulder. Then she disappeared after that," Izuku said. 

"That’s—" Ochako interjected. "Probably how she was able to transform into him when she came and asked us for help below."

"Mhm," Tsukauchi nodded, writing. "Yeah, she disguised herself and asked for aid for the heroes' side. The League seemed to come away from this partnership with a grudge."

He set his pen down and sighed, looming between Izuku and Ochako. "The fixation she has on the both of you is strange to me."

Ochako looked up at the concern on the detective's face. 

"It seems necessary to give this as a warning, due to all the brushes you keep having with the League of Villains, but both of you try and avoid contact with her as much as possible."

They looked at each other, and Ochako could see the worry there in Izuku's face—worry for her, she was sure. After all, their last encounter with Himiko Toga had shook their brand new relationship to the core. She blushed a bit in shame, but she didn’t blame him. 

"Understood," he said, and she quietly nodded with him. 

"Well, was there anything else?"

"Just that they cleared away quickly after bringing Ryukyu's group over to help Deku," Ochako said. "I didn’t see where they went after we engaged Chisaki."

"Alright," he said. "Froppy, your encounters were the same as Uravity's correct?"

"Ribbit," she said with a nod. "There’s nothing else to add from my part."

"Red Riot?"

Kirishima shook his head. "Nah, I pretty much exclusively fought against the yakuza guys. I didn’t see the League at all, and we got separated pretty soon into the tunnels."

"Alright. That's all I needed." He stood and put his hat back on. "Thank you all for taking the time. I’ll let you get back to your dorms now—you must be tired."

"Thank you for all your hard work," Izuku said, bowing politely. 

"Good luck with everything, ribbit," Tsuyu said. 

Tsukauchi smiled. "Well, head on out. You all deserve the rest."

Ochako glanced at Izuku and saw him looking at her with such an anxious concern on his face. Ochako bit her lip, and when she met Tsuyu's eyes, she seemed to understand and ushered Kirishima out with her. Which probably only bought them a minute or so, but Izuku looked like he didn’t want to wait. 

But that didn’t really surprise her—after all, their last encounter with Toga had felt like a strange strain on their relationship at the time. She understood his anxiety. 

Still, she didn’t feel as insecure as she had when they’d only been together a day—

"You okay?" He asked gently the moment Tsuyu left the room. "That was-"

"I’m fine, Deku," she sighed, lingering in the open door. "It’s not like you wanted her all up in your face like that, I get it."

"Still, you-" he cut himself off, biting his lip. "It felt really weird, honestly. When she acted and talked that way to me, it was- I just wanted to talk to you about it, but not in front of everyone like that. I just- I'm sorry," he said softly, reaching out for her hand, which she gladly gave.  

Despite those weird feelings swirling within her, after everything they'd been through—it felt miniscule. But even alongside that feeling of jealousy and possessiveness she felt over her boyfriend, she trusted him. She didn’t need to feel threatened by this—she knew.

We're—in love.

But… we just haven’t said it to each other yet…

Her heart sputtered in her chest, feeling the impulse to say that to him—but…

I don't want it to be a reaction to something like this… She bit her lip. It should be more special than that. 

She shook herself, then squeezed his hand reassuringly, which he seemed too flustered to acknowledge. 

"Having another girl f- f- flirt with me?!—" he continued, fretting. "Even if she was trying to kill me… still, I felt gross. So I just wanted to- I dunno, tell you that." 

It touched her heart through those weird feelings to hear his words—what it had made him feel in the moment, and how badly he wanted to give her his honesty. He was… so wonderfully faithful. She already knew that, but he was just proving that again. 

But as much as she wanted to stay and talk with him more, it obviously wasn't the time. Ochako exhaled softly, then gave him a gentle smile. 

"I trust you, Deku," she whispered as she opened the door all the way. "You’ve never once given me a reason to doubt you. Just like right now, all you've ever done is build that trust up."

He looked over her face for a moment, then bowed his head in a sigh. 

"We can talk more about it later, okay?" She smiled reassuringly. 

"Yeah." 

They met Tsuyu and Kirishima at the shoe lockers, ready to walk to the dorms together. Tsuyu smiled calmly, but Kirishima seemed to be bursting at the seams. 

"So, let me get this straight," Kirishima said, a hand to his chin. "You guys have been dating for what—weeks?! And you never said anything?!"

Ochako buried her face in her hands as Izuku scratched his neck, both of them blushing brightly. 

"Ah- yeahhh…" Izuku sighed. 

"Well, why didn’t you say anything?!" He laughed, holding the door open as they walked out into the pathways back to the dorms. 

"It- it was really- we just-" Izuku sighed. "It’s still pretty new to us, so we're just trying to figure it all out."

She glanced at him as he answered—and it was a pretty good answer too. Gratitude warmed her heart for him because he was absolutely trying to have her back right now instead of anything like 'Ochako wants it like this,' or something. Even if that was the full truth, hearing Izuku speak for her and shield her from what he knew embarrassed her—she simultaneously felt protected and ashamed all at once. 

I don’t want to be embarrassed…!

So she took a breath and spoke. 

"Attention like this, it's-" Ochako bit her lip, twisting her fingers together. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm- really happy, but I just… don't think I'm brave enough yet to show everyone something so… precious to my heart."

Even so, she reached out and took Izuku's hand, feeling that embarrassment on the surface while that soft warmth in her heart filled the rest of her up. And when he grasped tight to her hand, it felt that much more wonderful and precious.

Kirishima smiled a wobbly smile at her, tears in his eyes now. He sniffed and rubbed at his face, then let out a breath. 

"I ain't gonna be the one to give anything away, don't worry, Uraraka," he said, raising his fist. "If you ain't ready, I'll be a vault, guaranteed. But—"

He turned, facing them both such sincerity in his face, a softness there that she didn't normally see from him. "I know you don't think you're brave enough yet, but that's not what I see. And if it makes you feel any better, I'm sure everyone would be just as happy for you guys as I am." 

Ochako blinked at him, startled by the words— and touched beyond belief. 

Be brave enough to accept love—not just from Izuku, but also from her friends. Be brave enough to let them see into her heart. Talking with Kirishima and Tsuyu here felt… good. It warmed her heart to feel this support and their smiles. It made her want to be brave. It made her want to want it out in the open. Because… she knew Kirishima was right.

It was enough that she considered walking into that dorm building, her hand proudly in Izuku's, and let it all be out and never have to conceal it again. 

But… 

Imagining doing that, speaking about that tonight after everything they'd just endured… The weight in her heart felt so detached from these love-filled thoughts, the regret made it all feel discombobulated and out of place. Hiding her relationship was a different kind of stress—but her heart felt so frantic in an entirely different way right now. Despite the new strength she had found, it hadn't helped her succeed. Despite detaining the villain in the end, she hadn't saved a life right in front of her. 

A memory from long ago came to her mind, of a hero wounded after a rough fight—and the smile he wore to reassure the crowd, even as he trembled in pain. I heard… that Nighteye had died smiling. And Izuku… nearly died as well. And her actions had changed… nothing.

Her heart ached within her. And she recalled Aizawa's hand gentle on her shoulder. Still...

This is… 

She shook all that away and smiled a gentle, happy smile instead. And she turned to Izuku as she lifted her fist. "I'll… do my best! For you and everyone else, too."

"You don't have to force yourself for me," Izuku said softly, and for a moment, concern flashed in his eyes—as if he could see right through her smile. He squeezed her hand tight, compassion in his hold on her. 

"I know," she laughed. "But I-"

I'm holding us back, huh?

She bit her lip, then shook her head and grinned. "I'll just have to work myself up to it. Don't worry."

So before they opened the door into Heights Alliance, Izuku gave her a gentle squeeze, then released her hand with a smile. Ochako's heart ached at that too, but she returned the smile to him, letting him know that she still adored him, wanted to be with him—despite her cowardice.

With a sigh, she settled her heart and walked through the doors with the rest.

-----

Izuku knew he wouldn't get used to the cool, empty feeling in his hand whenever they parted that contact, but it was alright. He understood her—for the most part, anyway. And watching her struggle to open up, and seeing just how much she kept casually concealed. She really was uncomfortable sharing really anything remotely personal with others, even close friends. She just… carried everything she could upon herself and tried not to let her own emotions become  a burden on someone else. 

So with that knowledge of her character, he felt… eternally blessed that she had come to him and revealed a part of her heart to him. Because alternatively, she might've never said a word. And knowing him, he would've never guessed she'd have any sort of interest in him.

He caught her eye as they took their shoes off at the door, and he felt two things when she smiled at him—the first was how wonderful and beautiful that smile was, lightening his skies like sunshine. And the second was… knowing that smile was not for herself at all. He saw again that flash of pain in her eyes as she showcased a relief for him. 

There was so much regret he carried within him, and he felt that heavy in his heart still. But after his talk with Mirio that morning, he felt something a little more solid under his feet. A sense of direction and foundation once more. 

Work towards a bright future—a future where smiles don't have to conceal pain.

He wanted to put forth his energy towards that.

"They're back!" Mineta cried as he looked over to the door where they'd quietly come in and switched their shoes. "Everyone, they're back!"

They were swiftly surrounded by their class, reaching out with compassion and worries. And even though it had been nearly half a year since he'd started at UA, it still completely baffled Izuku to have such genuine friends by the roomful. It touched his heart deeply.

"Is everyone okay?!"

We saw everything on the news!" Yaoyorozu said with hands clasped to her chest.

"We were all super worried," Jirou said.

Aoyama waved, concern on his usually unconcerned face. "If it isn't our resident trouble-makers~!"

Satou extended a platter of cake. "Have some gâteau au chocolat!"

"You punks are always coming home after getting caught up in serious stuff!" Kaminari cried. "Stop it! You're scaring us!"

Hagakure threw her arms around Ochako and Tsuyu, squeezing them in a big hug.

"Yes, yes, they know we were worried about them, but calm down!" Iida exclaimed, spreading his arms wide to shield the four of them. "We all saw the broadcast and the extent of what happened. As their classmates, we ought to let them rest their weary spirits."

Iida grew somber. "Because it isn't just their bodies—their hearts have also been worn down by everything that's happened."

Izuku felt his heart clench at the words—at Iida's complete support of them all, and he remembered that day at lunch when he'd been unable to lean on him and Todoroki both as they'd reached out for him. Even just to have friends crowded around them and share with them their concerns, that was such a blessing. 

So he held up a hand. "Hey Iida,"

Iida turned to look at him. "Hm?"

Images of Nighteye's final words, of Mirio's hope-filled resolve, and of Ochako's hiding smile came to his mind.

For that bright future… together.

"Thanks, but…" Despite the pain, he lifted a smile on his face. "I'm fine."

"If you're sure." Iida stopped for a moment, staring him over. Then his boisterous care returned tenfold. "I was so worried about you guys, I swear!"

"You're worse than any of us," Sero said dryly.

Izuku smiled a little wider—which turned out to be a mistake as Satou took it as an invitation to cram chocolate cake into his mouth. 

"Eat this! You'll feel lots better!" He exclaimed. "It's a Swiss meringue frosting!"

"M- mhm- danks-" he got out. 

"You okay, Ochako?" Tsuyu said beside him, her voice low and worried.

He turned his eyes towards Ochako then, and her smile was completely absent now. Her eyes downcast in some deep pondering. He swallowed down the cake in his mouth, concern filling him all over again. It was the same pain she'd concealed from him the night before.

She lifted her hands, looking at her fingertips. "I… want to save people."

Ochako…

There was pain in all of them, after having gone through that experience together. He could see it in all of them, but Izuku felt himself bolstered, now having something more specific to fight for. Ochako, Kirishima, Asui. Let's get stronger together.

After Kaachan and Todoroki both turned in, Ochako smiled gently, patting the bunny's head with her pinky lifted. "I might turn in as well," she said, stroking it's ears. "I know I could use the rest."

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea," Kirishima said, his face more somber than usual.

"It'll be nice to sleep in my own bed, ribbit."

"That's what I'm thinking," Ochako sighed, handing the bunny back to Koda. "I think I could fall asleep standing right here, honestly!"

Izuku bit his lip as he met her eye. She didn't look particularly sleepy, not like the times when she gone on runs with him, still half-asleep. No, this was retreat. 

"Well, we'll see you in the morning!" Ashido said emphatically. "I'm in charge of breakfast, so expect a feast, alright?"

"Thanks!" Ochako beamed. "I'm looking forward to it!"

"Thanks, Ashido," Kirishima said quietly, and small smile on his face.

Ashido lifted a peace sign in the air. "I got your back."

Ochako was smiling at that as she turned and met Izuku's eyes, and she stilled, then her smile softened as she sighed. "Well, I'm off, so goodnight!"

"Night," he said, wanting to take her hand and reassure her, lift her up, something—but she was gone before he could even consider throwing all cares to the wind and doing just that. She made her way over to the baths, and he sighed, dropping his hand to his side.

He felt a hand rest on his shoulder, and he looked up to see Kirishima—having seen that whole exchange. But he didn't say anything, and somehow, Izuku appreciated that quiet support even more. He smiled and nodded.

We're gonna fight for that bright future, he thought with conviction. Then your smiles will only ever need to be real, Ochako.

Chapter Text

Ochako sat on her bed for a while, thinking. This inward draw to melancholy was… not something she was all that used to. Usually she could perk herself back up no problem. Smiling always felt better anyway. But the moment her door had closed, she just… couldn’t bring herself to. After these last few weeks, after the events the day before—

She sighed, then pulled the covers back from her bed and laid down. It was barely eight o'clock, but she didn’t want to even be awake. Everything around her felt just a bit static. Better to sleep than to twiddle her thumbs in the silence. 

Everything will be better in the morning, she sighed, closing her eyes and adjusting in the bed until she found a comfortable spot. I can smile and laugh with my friends. I can see Deku! I can work on figuring out my new quirk stuff. I can take another step towards being a hero!

Then… maybe next time, she wouldn’t be filled with so much regret. 

That pain filled her heart again, and she gripped a hand to her shirt, curling in on herself a little tighter. 

It’ll be better in the morning… I can smile in the morning.

Silence stretched around her, making that pain feel a little deeper. She took a deep breath, burying her face in her bed. 

A quiet knock at her glass door startled her so bad, she nearly fell off the bed. She sat up, gaping at the door. 

Would he-?

She threw off her covers and desperately picked up the laundry on the floor and threw it in her hamper. She rushed over to open the curtain and—yup, there he was. Izuku was standing there on her balcony, green still flashing about him from using his quirk. Her heart thumped within her and she flushed brightly. She frantically combed through her mussed hair as she opened the door. 

"Deku!" She said with a bright smile, trying to detangle her fresh bedhead. "What’re you-?"

"Can I talk to you?" He cut her off, an urgency in his voice.

Ochako blinked, then nodded. "Uh- yeah, of course. What's goin' on-?"

In a quick motion, he stepped through her door and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close against him. Ochako felt her heart leap up to her throat at the unexpected affection, her face flashing red as her ears burned. "D- D- Deku-!"

"I'm sorry. I didn't have a chance to help you," he sighed, squeezing her tighter. "You're hurting too, right?"

Her eyes widened, an anxiety adding to her flusters. Can he really read me that well? "I- I don't-"

"I want you to tell me, you know," he said, a conviction in his voice that was so bold, so direct—a month ago he would've been a stuttering mess, just being near her. Now— "I know it's not always easy for you, I get it. But if I don't even give you the opportunity to feel comfortable enough, then that's on me."

"Deku…" she got out, and he pulled back, hands gentle on her shoulders.

"You're always so strong for me, Ochako. And I'm grateful," he said, so kindly. "But I don't want you to have to be."

She gaped at that, his words and what they meant to her—it was the same words her parents said to her. For her whole life, only they could see through her like this. And now…

Deku…

"So what's on your mind?" Izuku asked so gently, grasping her hands between them, effortlessly reading her like a book. "What can I carry?"

Ochako looked up at him, eyes wide as the quaking, trembling welled up in her heart. She didn't want it to, but it bubbled up within her anyway. The guilt, the grief for a person she'd hardly known—a hero who sacrificed his life in the line of duty. And the image of Deku writhing on the ground, pain shattering through him. 

Heroes… in pain… dying… but…

"Y- you're already carrying too much," she whispered, looking down.

He gripped tighter to her hands. "So're you."

She gaped at his expression—determined and immovable. But waiting still. Still keeping his promise to be patient with her, even as he forced her to use him as a support. He really… cares so much for me…

So—she decided to trust him. Right then, as he stood before her completely open and without embarrassment, asking for her trust, she opened that box within her and gave what she couldn't hide to him.

"I… worry that I… could've helped more if I'd… taken Nighteye with me—brought him to an ambulance right away. Maybe… if they'd gotten to him sooner…" she sniffed, her vision blurring a bit, but she held those tears firm. "I don't know. It might've made no difference at all, but still—he was… I-"

Why couldn't I save someone in my charge? Deku asked me to take care of him, and I… let him die. But even if he wasn’t her responsibility, to have a hero die—just like that… wasn’t there anything she could do?! 

She bowed her head, biting her lip. Feeling the loss of control over those tears, she stepped forward, letting go of his hands and reaching out, grasping the front of his shirt as she leaned her face into him. Maybe if she hid her tears from his eyes, it wouldn't feel nearly as awful to cry. 

"I just…" she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I… want to save people…"

Izuku brought his hand to her head, bracing her to him. He held her for a long time like that, letting her silently weep against him as he stroked her hair. She sighed at that, at all of this. He had come specifically to hear this, to hold her, to bear her burdens with her. How kind—how gentle… Deku, I'm so grateful to have you in my life—

But…

She looked up at him, her eyes still gleaming with tears, but that pain broke in her anew—the pain she'd refused so that she could have faith in him. It seemed to hit her now tenfold, deferred until now.

Deku… he was going to die… Nighteye had seen it. Izuku was supposed to die fighting Chisaki. Her stomach turned to lead and her throat went dry. 

He'd… changed the future, but… How often was he battered halfway to hell before the end of a fight? He’d get beat black and blue and bloody before he’d break out of a pinch every time, and that was something she really admired about him. She truly did believe in him. But this time, with the future predicting his literal death… Even with as much faith in him as she had—enough to change the nature of her very quirk—in this dark moment with the weight of grief and reality, she couldn’t handle it. 

"Deku," she said, sniffing against her nose. 

"Yeah?" 

Her lips trembled again, and her heart ached, hurting so badly at the thought. Because while Deku fought to protect that little girl, while they all did… Togata lost his quirk, Sir Nighteye lost his life… and Deku…!

Who protects the heroes when they need protecting?

She looked up at him, his green eyes bright with his own tears reflecting in the low light of her room. Full of compassion, of drive, of life. 

I… don’t want to say goodbye to him…

She wanted to grab him, shake him, plead with him not to die, not ever. She wanted to hold him and hide away with him from all of this—from villains set to destroy them to Deku himself acting like his life was worth throwing away for a greater good. 

We want to be heroes. But…

"Nighteye… he said that you would die. He said that to me… I-"

Izuku sighed, but he nodded.

She watched him a moment more, then looked down as big, fresh tears slid unbidden down her cheeks once more. 

"Izuku," she said solemnly, specifically. "I’m… I…"

I’m scared. I’m so scared. 

Please. 

She swallowed, tentatively looking at his face as she forced out her feelings, if not just one phrase of it. "Please… don’t make me say goodbye… to you."

His eyes widened, and she could see the pain in his face—which reflected in her own heart, because she hated doing that so much. Was this what he was asking to hear? Did he actually want this burden?  Was her fear something he needed to hear? She knew she wasn't the only person who loved him, or cared if he survived. His recklessness was so heroic, but would it make her a hypocrite to say it was just… too self-sacrificing? 

But he’s such a hero. The greatest hero I’ve ever known. 

He sighed again as he bowed his head. "I’m sorry, Ochako. I don’t wanna make you worry."

Ochako shuddered at that, her hands gripping his sleeves. The room was quiet now, just the soft sounds of the dorm building settling between them. She took a shuddering breath and attempted to brush away her tears. 

He’s still hurting too—She knew he'd asked her to share, but she felt like she was at her limit right now. It was too low, pulling them both down too much. She felt his hands gentle on her arms, but there was a tension in them, pain in his eyes. Despite his words, her worries were… a burden added to what he was already bearing. And yet, he took her burdens without complaint. But… he hadn’t let go of her once since they'd embraced. Is he reaching out for comfort, too? Even if he said he wasn't, the pain in his eyes was clear as day.

Get it together. 

She bit her lip, then hugged him close again, stroking his back gently. "But you’re alive," she sighed. "You kept yourself alive through it all, and that’s- it’s-"

She gripped him tight, sighing, "Deku, that’s everything to me right now."

He was quiet as she spoke, a soft, heavy silence over them now. 

"You help me so much—you're always there for me," she sighed, closing her eyes in their embrace. "But I want to be here for you, too."

His hands held tighter to her at her words, and she heard his breath catch in his throat. "Ochako…" 

She hugged him snugly, breathing in the warmth of his life still here, his heart still beating in his chest against her ear. "You do always support me, Deku… I just like to do the same."

With a shuddering breath, she pulled back and smiled, patting his arms as he held her. He looked dumbfounded, but still, she smiled. "We'll keep going—keep improving, right?"

Another cursed tear fell down her cheek, and she sighed roughly, frustration with herself adding to that aching in her heart—couldn’t they just try and smile again? It felt better to smile. But this grief, this fear… the tears just wouldn’t stop falling, and—

Her thoughts were cut off as Izuku leaned in, and her heart leapt into her throat as she felt his lips touch her cheek. He felt warm as he kissed her so gently—It felt like her heart stopped beating. His hand came up to her other cheek, his thumb wiping away the tears still lingering there. 

"Thank you," he whispered, and his breath against her skin sent shivers down her neck. 

Ah- ah-!

Her heart didn’t know what to do—it was stuck trapped between the immense turmoil and the fluttering anxiety absolutely flooring her at his unexpectedly forward affection. She stood frozen as he held her, lingering in his kiss in the light of her little study lamp. Her face was hot and flushed as her tears continued to fall—and he kissed and wiped each of them away. 

D- Deku-!

When he pulled away, he seemed so… solemn, so gentle, so much… older in his mannerisms—though there was still a blush on his face. She gaped at him and he let his hands drop, his awkwardness beginning to seep back in. 

They stared at each other for a long beat until her thrumming heart couldn’t take it anymore. Her hands knotted in her sweater against her stomach, the sides of her face feeling like they were on fire. She smacked her hands over her cheeks, completely speechless.

He- he kissed me! Deku kissed me!  

At that, Izuku flushed bright red, his bashfulness seemingly hitting him like a sack of bricks. He took a step back from her, waving his hands in the air. "Uh- s- sorry, I- I'm- I didn't-!"

Ochako still had no clue what to say. She was frozen as part of her wanted to disappear out of sheer embarrassment, and the other part of her wanted to ask him for another…

AH-!

"I- i- it's getting pretty late-" she got out, turning to the side and grabbed up her blanket from her bed and started to fold it sloppilly, absentminded looking for something to do with her hands. Her heart was so loud in her ears, and she was sure steam was probably bursting from her ears at this point.

"Right- right, yeah-" he said, scratching at his head, stepping backward awkwardly toward her balcony door. "Uh- well, uh- I should- I- uh… 'night!"

Ochako pressed her face into the 'folded' blanket, peeking over it as she watched him stumble over his feet as he stepped out the door. But she… didn't want a goodnight like this!

"W- wait-!" She called, throwing the blanket on the floor as she rushed over to him before he could leap away.

Izuku turned, still completely red-faced as Ochako ran to hug him, clinging tight to him. He huffed, but gladly hugged her back, squeezing her tight against him.

"Thank you," she said, still breathless at it all. "F- for all of it- you- you didn't have ta go out of your way like this for me."

"It's not outta my way," he said softly. "Because I-"

He stopped, hands gripping tighter to her, but he didn't continue. Ochako swallowed down her nerves, then pulled back with a smile. 

"I’ll see you later," she whispered, stepping back as she stood at the open glass door. "Goodnight, Izuku."

"Goodnight," he said softly, still blushing brightly. 

As he turned to leave, he stopped, looking back at her. His eyes were so warm and gentle as he looked at her. "Ochako."

She bit her lip, heart leaping at him. "Y- yeah?"

"I won’t make you say goodbye to me," he said resolutely, his face somber as he held the rail of her balcony. "I promise." 

Her breath caught in her throat. As much as she believed in him and his strength, she wasn’t sure if he could actually keep that promise, but the fact that he was willing to make it to her was—overwhelming. 

So she just leaned her head against the door, a soft smile spreading across her face. "Thank you."

He watched her for a moment more, then green lightning surrounded him, and he leapt against her rail and jumped up out of her view. She let out a laugh as the wind rushed around her, whipping her hair about.

When she shut her door, the room was still once more, and she let out a long sigh. That tightness in her chest was still there, her pain still present and lingering, but… something about sharing, even just the bits she had—it made it feel maybe a little looser? As if he'd untied a layer of knots for her. It felt… like it was a little easier to breathe than before.

So she took a deep breath and brought her fingers up to her cheek, tracing along the place where he had kissed away her tears. She shut her eyes and imagined the sensation of it once more, then she brought her fingers to her mouth, holding them to her lips gently as she blushed quietly. 

Deku… Thank you.