Work Text:
There were certain people from U.A. that Ochaco Uraraka expected to run into regularly after graduation.
Izuku. Iida. Todoroki. Mina, somehow, regardless of whether either of them had actually made plans.
Tsuyu barely counted.
Ochaco saw Tsuyu so often that running
into her wasn't an event. It was Tuesday.
Midnight was different.
"Uraraka?"
Ochaco stopped.
She knew that voice.
Even after years.
She turned.
And immediately grinned.
"No way!"
Nemuri Kayama smiled from beneath the awning of the temporary command centre.
"Well, that's a lovely greeting."
"Midnight!"
Ochaco hurried towards her.
Midnight opened her arms.
Ochaco went straight into them.
It had been too long.
They'd seen each other at events.
Hero functions.
U.A. reunions.
The occasional training seminar.
But actually getting a chance to talk?
Months.
Maybe longer.
Midnight squeezed her.
"Look at you."
Ochaco laughed.
"What?"
"I remember when you were this tiny little first-year."
"I wasn't tiny!"
"You were adorable."
"I was fifteen!"
"Precisely."
Ochaco pulled away.
"You haven't changed."
"Of course I have."
Midnight placed one hand against her chest.
"I'm wiser."
Ochaco raised an eyebrow.
"More mature."
The eyebrow went higher.
"Respected."
"Midnight."
"Fine. I'm exactly the same."
Ochaco laughed.
"Uraraka?"
Another familiar voice.
Ochaco looked around.
Tsuyu approached from behind the command centre.
Hair damp from the rain. Goggles pushed onto her head.
Midnight's face lit up again.
"Asui!"
Tsuyu smiled.
"Hello, Midnight-sensei."
"Oh, don't do that. You're both professionals now."
Tsuyu blinked.
"Midnight?"
"Much better."
Midnight hugged her too.
Tsuyu accepted it with the patient familiarity of someone who had been hugged by this woman many times before.
"It's good to see you, Tsuyu."
"You too."
Midnight stepped back.
Then looked between them.
"Well."
Ochaco frowned.
"What?"
"My students grew up."
Ochaco smiled.
"Unfortunately."
Tsuyu nodded.
"It happens, ribbit."
"Terrible business."
Midnight sighed.
"I don't recommend it."
The joint operation had been miserable.
Not dangerous.
Just miserable.
Heavy rain.
Flooding.
A villain whose Quirk had blocked three storm drains and turned several streets into something resembling a shallow river.
Four hours of evacuation. Two hours of cleanup. And approximately fifteen minutes of actual villain apprehension.
Standard hero work.
Ochaco, Tsuyu and Midnight had all been assigned different sections.
Now… Finally… They were done.
Ochaco dropped onto a folding chair.
"My feet hurt."
Tsuyu sat beside her.
"You said that an hour ago."
"They hurt more now."
"You should've worn the newer boots."
Ochaco looked at her.
"They pinch."
"You haven't broken them in."
"Because they pinch."
Tsuyu stared.
Ochaco stared back.
"That's circular logic, Ochaco."
"It's good logic."
"It's really not."
Midnight smiled from across the table.
Some things apparently didn't change.
Ochaco reached into the supply box.
Water. Energy drinks. Coffee. She grabbed two bottles without looking.
Opened one. Passed the other to Tsuyu. Tsuyu took it.
"Thanks."
Midnight watched.
Ochaco drank.
Tsuyu looked at her.
"Did you eat?"
Ochaco stopped.
Midnight's eyebrow rose.
Ochaco slowly lowered the bottle.
"...Define eat."
"Food."
"That's an unfairly narrow definition."
Tsuyu stared.
Ochaco sighed.
"I had breakfast."
"What time?"
"Seven."
"It's nearly six."
"I've been busy!"
Tsuyu reached into her bag.
Protein bar. Held it out.
Ochaco stared.
"You carry those specifically because you know I'll forget, don't you?"
"Yes."
"That's very judgemental."
"Eat it."
Ochaco took it.
"Yes, Mum."
Tsuyu poked her side.
Ochaco squeaked.
Midnight's smile widened.
"Still inseparable, then?"
Ochaco looked over.
"Hm?"
"You two."
Midnight gestured between them.
Ochaco laughed.
"Oh. Yeah."
Tsuyu nodded.
"Pretty much."
"That's nice."
Midnight smiled.
"Genuinely."
Her expression softened.
"Hero work has a nasty habit of swallowing people's lives. It's good you've held onto each other."
Ochaco looked at Tsuyu.
Tsuyu looked back.
Ochaco smiled.
"She's hard to get rid of."
Tsuyu blinked.
"You're usually the one who calls me."
Ochaco's mouth fell open.
"Traitor."
"It's true."
"Not in front of our former teacher!"
Midnight laughed.
Ochaco opened the protein bar.
Tsuyu took her drink.
Midnight watched them.
Not suspiciously.
Not knowingly.
Just… Fondly.
Two former students. Still close. Still taking care of each other.
"Are you still coming over tonight?"
Ochaco asked.
Tsuyu nodded.
"Yeah."
"Good."
Ochaco took a bite.
"I picked up that curry you like."
"The spicy one?"
"Obviously."
Tsuyu smiled.
"Thanks."
"You bought dessert last time."
"That was three weeks ago."
Ochaco shrugged.
"Still counts."
Tsuyu took another drink.
"I left my pyjamas at yours anyway."
"Yeah, they're still in the drawer."
Midnight glanced between them. Ochaco didn't notice.
"Movie?"
Tsuyu asked.
Ochaco nodded.
"Your turn to choose."
"You complained about mine last time."
"Because it was sad!"
"It wasn't that sad."
"The dog died."
"At the end."
"That makes it worse!"
Midnight laughed.
Tsuyu looked at her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Midnight smiled.
"Absolutely nothing."
They remained at the command centre for another half-hour. Paperwork.
Debrief.
Complaints about weather.
Midnight told them about a disastrous guest lecture she'd given at U.A. the previous month.
Apparently one second-year had fainted.
Nobody knew why.
Midnight claimed innocence.
Neither Ochaco nor Tsuyu believed her.
Eventually the conversation drifted towards work. Agencies. Schedules.
How rarely any of them got proper time off.
"I'm working Christmas again."
Ochaco sighed.
Tsuyu looked at her.
"Really?"
"Morning patrol."
"You didn't tell me."
"I found out yesterday."
Tsuyu frowned.
"What time?"
"Six until two."
"Mine starts at four."
Ochaco brightened.
"Then we can still do dinner."
"Yeah."
"Perfect."
Midnight smiled.
Ochaco noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You keep doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Smiling at us."
"I'm allowed to smile."
"Suspiciously?"
Midnight laughed.
"I'm simply happy you're both doing
well."
Ochaco accepted that. Mostly.
"Scheduling gets harder."
Midnight said.
"Especially when everyone around you is in the same profession."
Ochaco groaned.
"Tell me about it."
"I barely see half the class anymore."
Tsuyu nodded.
"Everyone's busy."
"Iida cancelled on me three times last month."
Ochaco said.
"He sent me a formal apology."
Tsuyu smiled.
"Of course he did."
"Four paragraphs."
"Of course he did."
Midnight laughed.
"Relationships are particularly difficult."
Ochaco nodded.
"I can imagine."
"Dating another hero does have advantages, though."
Midnight leaned back.
"At least they understand."
Tsuyu tilted her head.
"Understand what?"
"Everything."
Midnight shrugged.
"Late patrols. Cancelled plans. Injuries. Interviews. Getting called away halfway through dinner because someone decided robbing a bank at eight-thirty was a good idea."
Ochaco laughed.
"Yeah."
"Someone outside the profession can understand too, obviously. But there's something useful about not having to explain why you're exhausted."
Tsuyu nodded.
"That makes sense."
"And overlapping schedules help."
Midnight continued.
"You two seem to have that figured out."
Ochaco looked at Tsuyu.
"We try."
Tsuyu nodded.
"It's easier when we know each other's rotations."
Midnight smiled.
"Exactly."
Ochaco didn't notice.
Neither did Tsuyu.
Not yet.
"Biggest piece of advice?"
Midnight asked.
Ochaco blinked.
"To us?"
"Why not?"
Midnight smiled.
"Make sure you have time together that has absolutely nothing to do with hero work."
Ochaco considered it.
"That's actually really good advice."
"Actually?"
Midnight placed a hand against her chest.
"You wound me."
"You know what I meant!"
"I absolutely do not."
Tsuyu smiled.
Midnight continued.
"Seriously."
Her voice softened.
"It's easy to forget you're people first."
She gestured between them.
"You're Ochaco and Tsuyu before you're
Uravity and Froppy."
Ochaco smiled.
That… Was nice. Really nice.
"Thanks."
Tsuyu nodded.
"I like that."
"Good."
Midnight smiled.
"Because the hero part of you will take everything you're willing to give it."
She paused.
"Don't let it have everything."
For a moment...
They were students again. Listening to a teacher. Not Midnight the Pro Hero. Not Uravity. Not Froppy.
Just… Midnight. Ochaco. Tsuyu.
Ochaco smiled.
"We won't."
Tsuyu nodded.
"No."
Midnight looked pleased.
Then checked the time.
"I should go."
Ochaco groaned.
"Already?"
"Some of us have paperwork."
"We all have paperwork."
"Yes, but mine is more important."
"Why?"
"Because it's mine."
Tsuyu blinked.
"That's terrible reasoning."
"Thank you."
Midnight stood.
Then paused.
"Oh."
Ochaco looked up.
"What?"
Midnight smiled.
"How long have you two been together now?"
Ochaco answered automatically.
"Since U.A."
Tsuyu nodded.
"I met Ochaco when I was sixteen."
Midnight paused.
"No."
She smiled.
"I meant together together."
Silence.
Ochaco blinked.
Tsuyu blinked.
Midnight looked between them.
"...Together?"
Ochaco asked.
Midnight's smile slowly disappeared. Oh.
"Dating."
Midnight clarified. Silence. Ochaco's entire face went red.
"We're not dating!"
Several people across the command centre looked over.
Ochaco immediately lowered her voice.
"We're not dating."
Tsuyu stared at Midnight.
"We're best friends, ribbit."
Midnight stared. At Ochaco. At Tsuyu. Back to Ochaco.
"...You're not?"
Ochaco's face somehow got hotter.
"No!"
Tsuyu shook her head.
"No."
Midnight blinked.
"Oh."
There was a pause.
"My mistake."
Ochaco waved both hands.
"No! It's fine!"
"I shouldn't have assumed."
"It's really fine!"
Tsuyu nodded.
"We're not offended."
"Good."
Midnight smiled apologetically.
"I suppose I read that completely wrong."
Ochaco laughed.
Far too loudly.
"Apparently!"
Silence.
A strange one.
Not bad. Just… Different.
Midnight glanced between them again.
Ochaco was holding the protein bar
Tsuyu had given her.
Tsuyu was drinking the bottle Ochaco had automatically chosen for her.
Ochaco had Tsuyu's pyjamas in a drawer at her apartment.
They had plans for dinner. And Christmas. Midnight's expression did something. Very small.
Ochaco noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Midnight."
"Nothing!"
Tsuyu stared at her.
Midnight raised both hands.
"I genuinely apologise."
Then she smiled.
"For what it's worth, the advice still stands."
Ochaco nodded quickly.
"Right."
"Friendships need protecting too."
"Exactly!"
Ochaco said.
"Friendship."
Tsuyu slowly looked at her.
Ochaco did not notice.
Midnight picked up her bag.
"Well."
She leaned down.
Kissed Ochaco's forehead.
Then Tsuyu's.
"Look after yourselves."
"We will."
Tsuyu said.
Ochaco smiled.
"You too."
Midnight took three steps.
Stopped.
Turned.
"Although..."
Ochaco's eyes widened.
"Don't."
Midnight laughed.
"I wasn't going to say anything!"
"You were!"
"I was going to say I'm apparently losing
my touch."
Tsuyu tilted her head.
"With what?"
"Reading people."
Midnight smiled.
"Must be getting old."
"You're not old."
Tsuyu said.
"Thank you, Tsuyu."
Midnight pointed at Ochaco.
"Learn from her."
Ochaco laughed.
"Goodbye, Midnight."
"Goodbye, girls."
She left.
Ochaco watched her go. Then sighed.
"Well."
Tsuyu looked at her.
"That was funny."
Ochaco laughed.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"Us."
Ochaco said.
Tsuyu blinked.
"What?"
"Dating."
Ochaco laughed again. Strange. Nervous.
"Can you imagine?"
Tsuyu looked at her.
Ochaco expected an immediate response. A laugh. A blunt no. Something. Instead...Tsuyu thought about it. For several seconds. Ochaco's smile faltered.
"Tsu?"
Tsuyu blinked.
"Hm?"
"You went quiet."
"I was thinking."
"About what?"
Tsuyu looked at her.
"Your question."
Ochaco's heart did something strange.
"Oh."
Then Tsuyu shrugged.
"I suppose I can imagine it."
Ochaco froze.
"What?"
Tsuyu stood.
"We should finish the paperwork."
"Tsu."
"We're already late."
"Tsu!"
Tsuyu looked back.
"What?"
Ochaco stared.
Tsuyu stared back.
"I said I can imagine it."
Ochaco's face warmed.
"Why?!"
Tsuyu frowned.
"Because you asked me to."
"That's not what I meant!"
Tsuyu smiled. Tiny.
Ochaco narrowed her eyes.
"You're messing with me."
"Maybe a little, ribbit."
"Tsu!"
And there.
Normal again.
Ochaco laughed.
Tsuyu sat.
They finished their paperwork.
They went home.
Together.
Obviously.
Ochaco's apartment was small.
Comfortable.
Tsuyu had been there hundreds of times.
She kicked off her shoes without asking.
Hung her coat on the second hook.
Went directly to the kitchen.
Ochaco watched her.
Nothing unusual.
Tsuyu opened a cupboard.
Took out two glasses.
Knew exactly where they were. Nothing unusual.
Ochaco heated the curry. Tsuyu disappeared into the bedroom. Returned wearing pyjamas she'd left there. Nothing unusual.
They ate on the sofa.
Tsuyu's feet tucked beneath Ochaco's leg. Nothing unusual.
They watched a film. Halfway through, Tsuyu rested her head against Ochaco's shoulder. Nothing unusual.
Ochaco looked down.
Tsuyu's eyes were fixed on the television. Completely relaxed.
Ochaco looked back at the screen.
How long have you two been together?
Her stomach flipped.
Ochaco frowned.
No.
Ridiculous.
She looked at Tsuyu again.
Friend.
Best friend.
One of the most important people in her life.
Obviously.
Tsuyu shifted.
Her hand landed beside Ochaco's.
Their fingers touched.
Neither moved.
Nothing unusual.
Except… Ochaco noticed it. That was unusual.
"Everything okay?"
Tsuyu asked.
Ochaco jumped.
"Yep!"
Tsuyu lifted her head.
"You've been weird since we got home."
"I haven't."
"You have."
"Have not."
Tsuyu stared.
Ochaco lasted four seconds.
"...A little."
"Midnight?"
Ochaco groaned.
"Maybe."
Tsuyu settled back against her.
"She made a mistake."
"I know."
"It doesn't have to mean anything."
"I know."
Silence.
Then Ochaco laughed quietly.
"We must really look like a couple."
Tsuyu considered.
"I suppose."
"That's weird."
"Is it?"
Ochaco looked down.
Tsuyu was still watching the film.
"What do you mean?"
Tsuyu shrugged.
"We're close."
"Yeah."
"We spend a lot of time together."
"Yeah."
"I stay here."
"Yeah."
"You stay at mine."
"Yeah."
"We go out for dinner."
"Yeah."
"We've gone on holiday together."
"With other people!"
"Sometimes."
Ochaco frowned. Tsuyu continued.
"We buy each other things."
"Friends do that."
"Yes."
"We hold hands sometimes."
Ochaco stopped. Tsuyu finally looked up.
"We..."
Ochaco swallowed.
"...Do."
"Yes."
"Friends can hold hands."
"I know."
"Right."
Tsuyu blinked.
"I wasn't arguing."
"Right."
Ochaco looked at the television.
She had absolutely no idea what was happening in the film anymore.
Later… Tsuyu went to bed. Ochaco stayed up. Not because of Midnight.
Obviously.
She wasn't spiralling. She was simply… Thinking.
She opened her phone..Messages.
Tsuyu.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
Years of them.
Tsu: Home safe?
Ochaco: Yep
Ochaco: Awful patrol. Food?
Tsu: Already ordered your usual.
Tsu: Can't sleep.
Ochaco: Come over.
Ochaco: LOOK AT THIS FROG MUG
Tsu: No.
Ochaco: I bought it.
Tsu: Of course you did.
Ochaco smiled.
Then stopped.
Why was she doing this?
Evidence?
Evidence of what?
They were friends.
Best friends.
Of course they talked constantly.
Of course Tsuyu knew her favourite food..Of course Ochaco knew when Tsuyu was upset from a single-word message.
Of course they…
Ochaco put her phone down.
"This is stupid."
Quiet apartment.
No answer.
She went to bed.
Tsuyu was already asleep.
Ochaco stopped in the doorway.
Her apartment only had one bedroom.
Tsuyu had slept beside her countless times. Nothing unusual..Ochaco climbed in.
Tsuyu stirred.
Half awake.
"Ochaco?"
"Yeah."
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"Move over."
Tsuyu moved.
Ochaco settled beside her.
A few seconds later….Tsuyu's hand found hers beneath the blanket..Automatic. Sleepy. Familiar.
Ochaco stared into the darkness.
Her heart started beating faster.
Oh. No. No, no, no.
Midnight had broken something.
Or… Ochaco swallowed.
Maybe she'd only made Ochaco notice something that had already been there.
Beside her… Tsuyu slept. Still holding her hand. Ochaco looked down at their joined fingers. Then closed her eyes.
We're not dating. Obviously. They weren't.
Ochaco knew that.
Tsuyu knew that.
Midnight knew that now.
Everyone knew that.
Perfectly clear.
There was only one tiny problem.
Ochaco wasn't entirely sure anymore...
why the idea sounded so ridiculous.
Ochaco woke up holding Tsuyu's hand.
This was not unusual. That was becoming the problem. She opened her eyes. Morning light. Warm blanket.
Tsuyu asleep beside her.
Their hands still linked between them.
Ochaco stared. They'd done this before..Loads of times. Sleepovers at U.A. Hotel rooms during joint assignments. Her apartment. Tsuyu's apartment.
Once on a train, although that had mostly been because Ochaco had fallen asleep and apparently developed a death grip.
This was normal..Friendship. Best friendship. Completely ordinary.
Tsuyu shifted. Moved closer.
Her forehead bumped lightly against Ochaco's shoulder.
Ochaco stopped breathing.
Oh, come on.
She stared at the ceiling.
Midnight's voice appeared.
“How long have you two been together?”
Ochaco closed her eyes.
Go away.
Beside her… Tsuyu woke. Slowly.
"Morning."
Ochaco looked over.
Hair everywhere.
Eyes barely open..Sleepy little smile.
Ochaco's stomach flipped.
No. Absolutely not.
"Morning!"
Too loud.
Tsuyu blinked.
"Why are you shouting?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
"Sorry."
Tsuyu stared. Then looked down. At their hands. Ochaco immediately let go.
Tsuyu looked back at her.
Ochaco realised.
That was worse.
Much worse.
"Sorry."
Tsuyu frowned.
"For what?"
"The..."
Ochaco gestured at their hands.
Tsuyu looked confused.
"We hold hands."
"I know."
"So why are you apologising?"
"I'm not."
"You just did."
"I know."
Tsuyu stared. Ochaco groaned.
"Midnight got in my head."
"Ah."
Tsuyu rolled onto her back.
Ochaco looked at her.
"That's all you're saying?"
"What else should I say?"
"I don't know."
Tsuyu thought.
"Would you like me to stop holding your hand?"
Ochaco's answer came immediately.
"No."
Silence..Ochaco froze. Tsuyu turned her head. Ochaco stared at the ceiling.
"...I mean."
Tsuyu waited.
"I don't mind it."
"Okay."
"Because we're friends."
"Okay."
"And friends can hold hands."
"Yes."
"Good."
Tsuyu smiled slightly.
"Good."
Ochaco got out of bed. She needed coffee. Immediately. Tsuyu followed ten minutes later. Ochaco was making breakfast. Two bowls. Two mugs.
Tsuyu's coffee already prepared.
Tsuyu sat. Looked at the mug. Then at Ochaco.
Ochaco noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Tsu."
"You remembered how I like it."
Ochaco stared.
"I always remember."
"I know."
"Why are you saying it like that?"
Tsuyu took a sip.
"No reason."
Ochaco narrowed her eyes.
Something had changed.
Not between them.
That was the infuriating part.
Everything was exactly the same.
They were exactly the same.
Except now… They were noticing.
After breakfast, Tsuyu changed.
Ochaco watched her put her pyjamas back into her drawer.
The drawer.
Why did Tsuyu have a drawer?
Because she stayed regularly.
Why did she stay regularly?
Because they were friends.
Why- Stop.
"You have a drawer."
Tsuyu looked over.
"Yes."
"At my apartment."
"Yes."
Ochaco stared.
Tsuyu waited.
"Why?"
Tsuyu frowned.
"You gave it to me."
"Oh."
Right.
Ochaco had.
Two years ago.
Because Tsuyu kept leaving clothes behind.
Completely logical.
Tsuyu closed it.
"You have one at mine."
Ochaco froze.
"I do."
"Yes."
"Right."
Tsuyu's mouth twitched.
"Evidence?"
Ochaco's eyes widened.
"What?"
Tsuyu smiled.
"You're collecting evidence."
"I am not!"
"Okay."
"I'm not!"
"Okay."
"Stop saying okay like you don't believe me!"
Tsuyu laughed.
Ochaco threw a cushion at her.
Tsuyu caught it with her tongue.
Ochaco stared.
"Show-off."
Tsuyu smiled.
Normal.
Everything was normal.
Until Tuesday.
Ochaco finished patrol at eight.
Her phone buzzed.
Tsu: Food?
Ochaco stared.
One word.
One completely normal word.
Her heart did something stupid.
Ochaco: Yes please
Then…
Ochaco: Usual place?
Tsu: Already here.
Ochaco smiled.
Then stopped.
No.
She was allowed to smile when her best friend asked her to dinner.
Obviously.
She arrived fifteen minutes later.
Tsuyu sat in their usual booth.
Their usual booth.
Ochaco hated that phrase now.
Tsuyu had already ordered her drink.
Of course she had.
Ochaco sat.
"Hey."
"Hi."
Tsuyu pushed the drink towards her.
Ochaco stared.
Tsuyu stared back.
"What?"
"You ordered for me."
"Yes."
"You always order for me."
"When you're late."
Ochaco sat.
"Right."
Tsuyu's eyes narrowed.
"Evidence."
"Stop calling it that!"
Dinner was normal.
Mostly.
They talked about work. Izuku. A particularly stupid interview Tsuyu had done that afternoon. Ochaco laughed until she nearly choked. Tsuyu stole one of her chips. Ochaco stole two back.
Then the bill arrived.
Ochaco reached.
Tsuyu reached too.
Their hands landed on it together.
They froze.
Ochaco looked at Tsuyu.
Tsuyu looked at Ochaco.
Ochaco slowly pulled her hand back.
"You paid last time."
Tsuyu blinked.
"Did I?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
Ochaco paid.
Then realised.
They took turns paying.
Of course they did.
Because they ate together constantly.
Because they were… No.
Outside… Tsuyu took Ochaco's arm.
Completely naturally.
Ochaco looked down.
Tsuyu noticed.
"Do you want me to let go?"
"No."
Immediate. Again. Tsuyu's expression softened.
"Okay."
They walked.
Arm in arm.
Ochaco's brain was on fire.
"Tsu?"
"Hm?"
"Have you been thinking about it?"
Tsuyu didn't pretend not to understand.
"Yes."
Ochaco swallowed.
"A lot?"
"A little."
"Oh."
Pause.
"More than a little."
Ochaco looked at her.
Tsuyu kept walking.
"And?"
Ochaco asked.
Tsuyu looked over.
"And what?"
"What do you think?"
"About us dating?"
Ochaco nearly tripped.
"Could you say it quieter?!"
Tsuyu blinked.
"There isn't anyone nearby."
"That's not the point!"
Tsuyu smiled.
Ochaco's stomach flipped.
Again.
Really getting tired of that.
"I don't know yet."
Tsuyu said.
Ochaco's shoulders dropped.
Not disappointment.
Definitely not.
Probably.
Tsuyu continued.
"But I don't think Midnight's assumption bothered me."
Ochaco looked at her.
"It didn't?"
"No."
"At all?"
Tsuyu thought.
"No."
Ochaco's heart beat faster.
Tsuyu tilted her head.
"Did it bother you?"
Ochaco opened her mouth. Easy. Say yes. Or no.
Actually… Which one?
"It..."
She frowned.
"Confused me."
Tsuyu nodded.
"Me too."
"Because we're friends."
"Yes."
"Best friends."
"Yes."
"And we've never..."
Ochaco gestured vaguely.
"Done anything."
Tsuyu raised an eyebrow.
Ochaco realised the entire point of the last few days was that apparently they'd been doing everything except the obvious bits.
"Romantic."
Ochaco clarified.
Tsuyu nodded.
"Right."
They reached Ochaco's building.
Neither moved towards the door.
Ochaco sighed.
"I hate this."
Tsuyu's eyes widened.
"Dating me?"
"No!"
Ochaco's face went red.
Tsuyu's mouth twitched.
"I meant thinking about it!"
"Okay."
"Because now everything feels..."
Ochaco searched.
"Different."
Tsuyu looked at her.
"Is it different?"
Ochaco stopped.
Tsuyu continued.
"We had dinner."
"Yeah."
"We talked."
"Yeah."
"I held your arm."
"Yeah."
"You paid."
"Yeah."
"That's what we normally do."
Ochaco sighed.
"I know."
"So nothing changed."
"No."
Tsuyu paused.
"We're just thinking about it differently."
Ochaco stared.
Damn Tsuyu and her irritating ability to reduce three days of emotional chaos into one sentence.
"Exactly."
Ochaco whispered.
Tsuyu smiled.
"Goodnight."
Tsuyu stepped away.
Ochaco blinked.
"You're not coming up?"
"No."
Ochaco's stomach dropped.
"Oh."
Tsuyu noticed.
Immediately.
"I have early patrol."
"Oh!"
Ochaco laughed.
"Right."
"Five-thirty."
"Gross."
"Very."
Tsuyu hesitated.
Then stepped forward.
Hugged her. Normal. Completely normal. Ochaco hugged back.
Except… She noticed everything.
Tsuyu's arms around her.
Her cheek against Ochaco's shoulder.
The smell of her shampoo.
Warmth.
Ochaco closed her eyes.
Oh no.
Tsuyu pulled away.
"Night."
"Night."
Ochaco went upstairs.
Closed the door.
Leaned against it.
Stared into her apartment. Empty. She missed Tsuyu.
Tsuyu had left approximately thirty seconds ago. This was ridiculous.
Her phone buzzed.
Tsu: Home.
Ochaco frowned.
She lived fifteen minutes away.
Then realised.
Tsuyu had sent the message from the pavement.
Ochaco opened the window.
Looked down.
Tsuyu stood below.
Looking up.
Ochaco burst out laughing.
"You idiot!"
Tsuyu waved.
"You always ask me to tell you when I'm home!"
"YOU'RE NOT HOME!"
"Technically I haven't broken the promise."
Ochaco laughed harder.
"Go home!"
Tsuyu smiled.
"Night, Ochaco."
"Night, Tsu!"
Tsuyu walked away.
Ochaco watched until she disappeared around the corner.
Then closed the window.
Her smile remained.
Oh.
That wasn't evidence.
That was… Something else. Meanwhile… Tsuyu walked towards the station. Hands in her pockets. Thinking.
She'd been doing that more lately. Dating Ochaco. The idea still felt strange.
Not bad. Just… New.
Except none of the things it made her imagine were new. Dinner. Ochaco's apartment. Movies. Holding hands. Trips. Cooking together.
Sleeping beside each other.
Talking late at night.
Being the first person Ochaco called after a bad patrol.
Calling Ochaco when she needed someone.
She already had those things.
So what would dating change?
Tsuyu frowned. Kissing. That was obvious. Maybe saying things differently. Calling each other girlfriends. Anniversaries. Romance.
Whatever romance actually meant when the person was already woven through almost every part of your life.
Tsuyu imagined kissing Ochaco.
Stopped walking.
Oh.
Her cheeks warmed.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
She started walking again.
Thursday.
Joint patrol.
Ochaco and Tsuyu.
Normal.
Ochaco floated debris.
Tsuyu secured civilians.
They barely needed to communicate.
A glance. A gesture. Years of training. Years of friendship.
Afterward… They sat on a rooftop. Lunch.
Ochaco's legs hung over the edge.
Tsuyu sat beside her.
"You've got sauce."
Tsuyu said.
Ochaco wiped her cheek.
"Other side."
Ochaco wiped the other.
"No."
"Where?"
Tsuyu reached over.
Thumb against Ochaco's cheek.
Wiped it away. Both froze.
Tsuyu's hand remained there. Just for a second.
Ochaco looked at her.
Tsuyu looked back.
There. Something changed. Actually changed. Not Midnight. Not evidence. Not overthinking. Something between them.
Tsuyu lowered her hand.
Ochaco's face was pink.
Tsuyu suspected hers was too.
"Thanks."
Ochaco whispered.
"Yeah."
They returned to lunch.
Neither spoke for almost a minute.
Then Ochaco started laughing.
Tsuyu looked over.
"What?"
"This is ridiculous."
Tsuyu smiled.
"A little."
"We've known each other for years."
"Yes."
"You've literally carried me with your tongue."
"Many times."
"You've seen me throw up."
"Also many times."
"Don't make it sound like I throw up constantly!"
"You get motion sickness."
"That's different."
Tsuyu laughed.
Ochaco smiled.
Then...
Quiet.
"Tsu?"
"Hm?"
Ochaco looked down at her lunch.
"What would actually change?"
Tsuyu knew exactly what she meant.
"I've been thinking about that."
"Me too."
Tsuyu put her food down.
"So..."
Ochaco waited.
"I think there are things we'd do differently."
"Like?"
Tsuyu looked at her.
Ochaco's heart started pounding.
"Kiss."
Scarlet. Immediate.
"Oh."
Tsuyu's cheeks warmed too.
"Probably."
"Right."
Ochaco looked away.
"Would you..."
She stopped.
Tsuyu waited.
Ochaco tried again.
"Would you want to?"
Tsuyu could joke. Avoid. Pretend.
But that wasn't really Tsuyu.
So she thought. Honestly.
Then… "Yes."
Ochaco looked at her.
Tsuyu's voice stayed quiet.
"I think I would."
Ochaco swallowed.
"Oh."
"Would you?"
There it was.
Ochaco looked at Tsuyu.
Her best friend.
The girl she'd met at sixteen.
The person she'd fought beside. Cried beside. Laughed with. Slept beside. Held hands with. Called when everything went wrong. Called when everything went right.
Would she want to kiss Tsuyu?
Her heart was hammering.
That seemed relevant.
"I think..."
Ochaco smiled nervously.
"Yeah."
Tsuyu's eyes softened.
"Okay."
"Okay."
Neither moved.
Because apparently admitting they'd both like to kiss each other did not automatically provide instructions for what happened next.
Ochaco laughed.
"What do we do now?"
Tsuyu thought.
"Finish lunch?"
Ochaco stared.
Then burst out laughing.
"Tsu!"
"What?"
"We just admitted we want to kiss each
other!"
"We still have twenty minutes of break."
Ochaco laughed harder.
Tsuyu smiled.
And somehow...
That helped.
Of course it did.
They were still them.
They finished lunch.
No kiss.
Not yet.
That evening...
Ochaco received a message.
Tsu: I've been thinking.
Ochaco's heart jumped.
Ochaco: dangerous
Tsu: Very funny.
Tsu: I don't think we're dating.
Ochaco stared.
Her stomach sank.
Before she could understand why-
Another message.
Tsu: But I think I would like to.
Ochaco stopped breathing.
Three dots.
Tsu: Would you?
Ochaco stared at the question.
Midnight had asked the wrong one.
How long have you been together?
They hadn't been.
They weren't.
Not like that.
But this?
This was the right question.
Not:
Are we dating?
But:
Do we want to be?
Ochaco smiled.Then typed.
Ochaco: Yeah.
Ochaco: I think I'd really like that.
Tsuyu responded:
Tsu: Okay.
Ochaco laughed
Of course.
Ochaco: THAT'S IT???
Tsu: What else should I say?
Ochaco: I DON'T KNOW
Tsu: Would you like to go on a date with me?
Ochaco froze.
Oh.
There it was.
A real one.
Deliberate.
No ambiguity.
Her face warmed.
Ochaco: Yes.
Ochaco: But we're not doing anything we normally do.
Pause.
Tsu: Why?
Ochaco: BECAUSE THEN WE WON'T KNOW IF IT'S A DATE
Tsuyu took almost a minute.
Tsu: Fair.
Another:
Tsu: Saturday?
Ochaco: Saturday
Ochaco put her phone down.
Stared at the ceiling. Smiled. Then picked it back up.
One more message.
Ochaco: Tsu?
Tsu: Yeah?
Ochaco hesitated.
Ochaco: I'm glad Midnight got it wrong.
Tsuyu's response took longer.
Tsu: Me too.
Tsu: I think we needed someone to ask.
Ochaco smiled.
Maybe they had.
Because apparently they'd spent years building something neither of them had thought to name.
Now...
They were finally going to find out what happened when they did.
Saturday arrived.
Ochaco had a problem.
She had no idea what to wear.
This was absurd.
She had gone out with Tsuyu hundreds of times.
Restaurants. Cafés. Movies. Shopping. Hero events. Trips.
She had slept in the same bed as her.
Changed clothes in front of her.
Borrowed her sweaters.
Tsuyu had seen her after sixteen-hour patrols with half her makeup gone and rainwater dripping from her hair.
This should not be difficult. Except today...
It was a date. An actual date.
Which apparently changed everything.
Ochaco stood in front of her wardrobe.
Dress? Too much. Jeans? Too normal.
Skirt? Maybe. Different skirt? No. Sweater? Cute. Too cute? What did that
even mean?
She groaned.
"This is ridiculous."
Her phone buzzed.
Mina: HOW'S THE DATE OUTFIT
Ochaco froze.
Then narrowed her eyes.
Ochaco: how do you know
Three dots.
Mina: Tsu told me.
Ochaco stared.
Ochaco: SHE WHAT
Mina: not like that 😂
Then:
Mina: she asked if dressing differently would make it feel more like a date
Ochaco stopped.
Oh.
Tsuyu was doing it too.
That helped. A little.
Ochaco: what did you tell her
Mina: wear what makes you feel hot
Ochaco covered her face.
Of course she did.
Then another message:
Mina: I also told her if she kisses you I require a full report
Ochaco's face went scarlet.
Ochaco: GOODBYE MINA
Mina: HAVE FUN
Ochaco settled on a soft pink sweater and a dark skirt.
Simple. Comfortable. Still her. Good.
She checked the mirror.
Then immediately changed her earrings.
Then changed them back.
Then left before she could make another decision.
Tsuyu was waiting outside the station.
Ochaco saw her. Stopped.
Oh.
Tsuyu wore a dark green dress beneath a light coat.
Nothing fancy. Nothing dramatic. But… Different. Ochaco stared. Tsuyu noticed.
"Hi."
Ochaco blinked.
"Hi."
Pause.
Tsuyu's cheeks warmed slightly.
"You're staring."
Ochaco's face went red.
"Sorry."
Tsuyu smiled.
"It's okay."
Then looked at Ochaco. Really looked.
"You look pretty."
Ochaco's brain stopped.
"Oh."
Excellent.
Great response.
"Thanks."
She swallowed.
"You too."
Tsuyu smiled.
"Thanks."
Silence. They stood there.
Two women who had known each other for years. Suddenly incapable of walking. Ochaco laughed first.
"This is weird."
Tsuyu nodded.
"Very."
"Good weird?"
Tsuyu thought.
Then smiled.
"Yeah."
"Good weird."
They started walking. Not holding hands. That was immediately noticeable.
Usually… They might. Not always. But sometimes. Now both were clearly thinking about it. Which made neither of them do it. Excellent.
"So."
Ochaco said.
"So."
"Where are we going?"
Tsuyu smiled.
"You told me not to pick anything we normally do."
"Right."
"So I didn't."
"Okay."
Ochaco narrowed her eyes.
"Should I be worried?"
"Probably not."
"That isn't reassuring."
Ten minutes later...
Ochaco stopped.
Looked up.
Then at Tsuyu.
"No way."
Tsuyu smiled.
"Different enough?"
The aquarium.
Ochaco grinned.
"We haven't been here since U.A."
"Exactly."
They went inside. Blue light. Quiet music. Huge tanks. ToFamilies. Couples. Ochaco noticed the couples. Of course she did.
That seemed unavoidable now.
Tsuyu stopped in front of a massive tank.
Fish moved slowly past.
Ochaco watched her.
Then realised. Right. Frogs. Aquatic life.
This was probably Tsuyu's perfect date location.
"You planned this."
Tsuyu looked over.
"Yes."
"Like properly."
"Yes."
Ochaco smiled.
"That's cute."
Tsuyu froze.
Ochaco froze too.
Oh.
She'd said it.
Tsuyu's cheeks went pink.
"Thanks."
Ochaco's heart jumped.
Interesting. Very interesting. They continued. Jellyfish. Penguins. Sharks.
Ochaco discovered Tsuyu knew an alarming amount about amphibious ecosystems.
"You researched this."
Tsuyu looked mildly offended.
"I like biology."
"I know, but-"
Ochaco smiled.
"This is a lot."
Tsuyu shrugged.
"It's interesting."
Ochaco watched her talk.
Her hands moved slightly when she got animated.
Not much.
But Ochaco knew her.
She noticed.
There it was again.
That thought. Cute.
Ochaco smiled.
At the penguin enclosure...
Tsuyu laughed.
One penguin slipped.
Recovered.
Immediately acted like nothing
happened.
Ochaco laughed too.
Then looked at Tsuyu.
Bright eyes.
Wide smile.
Warm.
Familiar.
And different now.
Not because Tsuyu had changed.
Because Ochaco was letting herself look differently.
Tsuyu noticed.
Again.
"Ochaco."
"Hm?"
"You're staring again."
Ochaco went pink.
"I know."
Tsuyu's smile softened.
"I don't mind."
That made it worse.
Much worse.
Lunch happened at the aquarium café.
Ochaco looked at the menu.
Tsuyu looked too.
"Don't order for me."
Ochaco looked up.
"I wasn't going to."
"You were thinking about it."
"I know your order."
"I know."
Ochaco laughed.
"Evidence?"
Tsuyu smiled.
"Maybe."
They ordered separately.
On principle.
Then sat opposite each other. Different.
They normally sat beside each other.
Apparently they had both decided dates required opposite seating.
Ochaco realised she hated it.
Five minutes.
Ten.
Tsuyu reached for her drink.
Ochaco frowned.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Tsuyu stared.
Ochaco sighed.
"This feels weird."
"Bad weird?"
"No."
Ochaco shook her head.
"Just..."
She looked around.
"We're trying really hard to make this not feel like us."
Tsuyu blinked.
Then looked at the table.
Opposite seats.
Separate orders.
No hand holding.
Everything intentionally altered.
"Hm."
Tsuyu stood.
Ochaco blinked.
"What are you doing?"
Tsuyu picked up her tray.
Moved to the seat beside Ochaco. Sat.
Their shoulders touched.
Immediate relief.
Ochaco smiled.
"Better."
Tsuyu nodded.
"Much."
Ochaco leaned slightly into her.
Normal. Except now… Date. Still date. Good.
Tsuyu stole one of Ochaco's chips.
Ochaco stared.
"You have your own."
"Yours looked better."
Ochaco's eyes widened.
"Tsu."
"What?"
"That's flirting."
Tsuyu stopped.
Cheeks pink.
"...Is it?"
Ochaco grinned.
"Oh my God."
Tsuyu looked away.
"It wasn't intentional."
"Still counts."
Ochaco laughed.
Then stole two of Tsuyu's chips.
"Now we're even."
Tsuyu smiled.
After lunch...
They walked through the final exhibits.
This time… Ochaco reached for Tsuyu's hand. Deliberately. Not automatic. Not sleepy. Not because of a crowd. Because she wanted to.
Tsuyu looked down.
Then at Ochaco.
Ochaco's face warmed.
"Okay?"
Tsuyu smiled.
"Yeah."
Their fingers intertwined.
Ochaco's heart went insane.
Ridiculous.
They'd done this before.
Many times. But this time… They both knew. They walked slowly. Hand in hand.
Neither said anything for a while.
Eventually… Tsuyu spoke.
"This feels different."
Ochaco looked at her.
"Yeah."
"Good?"
Ochaco squeezed her hand.
"Really good."
Tsuyu smiled.
They left the aquarium around four.
Neither wanted the date to end.
That became obvious quickly.
"Coffee?"
Ochaco asked.
Tsuyu nodded.
"Yes."
Coffee became cake.
Cake became walking.
Walking became sitting in a little park near the river.
The date that was supposed to be deliberately different had gradually turned into… Them.
Which apparently was exactly what both wanted.
They sat on a bench.cClose. Hands still joined.
Ochaco looked at their fingers.
Then laughed.
Tsuyu glanced over.
"What?"
"Midnight."
Tsuyu smiled.
"Yeah."
"She really caused all this."
"She asked one question.""That's all it took."
Ochaco leaned back.
"Do you think she actually thought we'd been together for years?"
"Yes."
"That's insane."
Tsuyu looked at her.
"Is it?"
Ochaco stared.
Then laughed.
"Stop doing that."
"Doing what?"
"Being reasonable."
"I'll try."
"Ochaco."
"Yeah?"
Tsuyu's expression changed. Softer. Nervous. Ochaco immediately knew.
Oh.
Tsuyu looked at her.
"We talked about something the other day."
Ochaco's heart started pounding.
"Yeah."
"Kissing."
"Yeah."
They both went pink.
Tsuyu's thumb moved lightly across Ochaco's knuckles.
"Do you still want to?"
There it was.
Ochaco swallowed.
"Yeah."
Immediate. Honest.
"Do you?"
Tsuyu nodded.
"Yes."
Neither moved.
Again.
Ochaco started laughing nervously.
"We're really bad at this."
Tsuyu smiled.
"We've never done it before."
"True."
Pause.
"Well, not with each other."
Tsuyu's cheeks warmed.
"Right."
Ochaco looked at her.
Tsuyu looked back.
No urgency. No pressure. Just… Waiting.
Ochaco shifted closer.
Tsuyu did too.
Then Ochaco stopped.
"Wait."
Tsuyu froze.
"What?"
Ochaco stared.
"What if it's weird?"
Tsuyu blinked.
"Weirder than this conversation?"
Ochaco burst out laughing.
"Fair."
Tsuyu smiled.
Then softer:
"If it's weird..."
Ochaco waited.
"...We'll still be us."
Ochaco's expression softened.
That was exactly what she needed.
She nodded.
"Okay."
Tsuyu leaned closer.
Ochaco closed the last little distance.
Their lips met. Soft. Warm. Brief. Very brief.
Then they separated.
Both stared.
Ochaco blinked.
Tsuyu blinked.
"Well?"
Ochaco asked.
Tsuyu thought.
"Not weird."
Ochaco laughed.
"Good."
Tsuyu smiled.
"Really good."
Ochaco's face warmed.
"Yeah."
"Really good."
They sat in silence.
Except now… Something had changed.
Actually changed.
Ochaco could still feel the kiss.
Her heart was racing.
Tsuyu's cheeks were pink.
It was adorable.
Ochaco smiled.
"Tsu."
"Hm?"
"Can I kiss you again?"
Tsuyu's eyes softened.
"Yes."
Second kiss. Longer. Still gentle.
Ochaco's free hand rested lightly against Tsuyu's arm.
Tsuyu squeezed her hand.
When they separated...
Ochaco rested her forehead against Tsuyu's.
Both smiling.
"So."
Ochaco whispered.
"So."
"Are we dating now?"
Tsuyu laughed softly.
"I think so."
"Good."
"Good?"
Ochaco smiled.
"Very."
Tsuyu looked at her.
"Girlfriends?"
Ochaco's stomach flipped.
Oh.
That word.
She liked that word. A lot.
"Yeah."
She smiled.
"Girlfriends."
They stayed on the bench until the sun started going down.
Talking.
Sometimes kissing.
Mostly holding hands.
Nothing dramatic.
Just… Happy.
Eventually… Ochaco checked her phone.
"Oh."
Tsuyu looked over.
"What?"
"Midnight messaged me."
Tsuyu's eyebrows rose.
"What did she say?"
Ochaco opened it.
Midnight: Hope you two recovered from my terrible matchmaking instincts
Ochaco stared.
Then started laughing.
Tsuyu leaned over.
Read it.
Her mouth twitched.
Ochaco typed:
Ochaco: funny story
Tsuyu's eyes widened.
"You're telling her?"
Ochaco smiled.
"Absolutely."
Tsuyu laughed.
Three dots appeared.
Then:
Midnight: Oh no.
Ochaco grinned.
Another message.
Midnight: What happened?
Ochaco looked at Tsuyu.
Tsuyu looked back.
Then quietly:
"Tell her."
Ochaco's smile widened.
She typed:
Ochaco: You weren't wrong.
Ochaco: Just early.
Midnight did not respond for thirty seconds. Then…
Midnight: I KNEW IT
Ochaco's mouth fell open.
"Tsu!"
Tsuyu read.
Then laughed.
Ochaco typed furiously.
Ochaco: YOU SAID YOU GOT IT
WRONG
Midnight: I WAS BEING POLITE
Ochaco: YOU CAUSED AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS
Midnight: AND NOW YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND
Midnight: YOU'RE WELCOME
Ochaco stared.
Tsuyu was laughing beside her.
Ochaco put the phone away.
"She's unbearable."
Tsuyu nodded.
"She is."
"But she was right."
Ochaco looked over.
Tsuyu smiled.
Ochaco smiled too.
"Yeah."
They stood.
Started walking towards the station.
Hands joined.
No hesitation.
No questioning.
Halfway there...
Ochaco looked at Tsuyu.
"Tsu?"
"Hm?"
"Are you still coming over tonight?"
Tsuyu smiled.
"Of course."
"You've still got pyjamas at mine."
"I know."
"Movie?"
"Yes."
"Curry?"
"Yes."
Ochaco laughed.
"So basically exactly what we normally do."
Tsuyu squeezed her hand.
"Yes."
Ochaco smiled.
Except… Now she could stop wondering what it meant.
They hadn't needed some grand transformation.
No dramatic confession.
No entirely new relationship.
They'd already built nearly everything. Trust. Comfort. History. Care. A thousand little habits.
They had simply never asked whether friendship was the only name that fit.
Now they had. Ochaco looked at Tsuyu.
"My girlfriend."
Tsuyu's cheeks went pink.
Ochaco's eyes widened.
"Oh!"
Tsuyu frowned.
"What?"
"You blush!"
"No, I don't."
"You do!"
"Ochaco."
"This is amazing."
Tsuyu pulled her hand away.
Ochaco immediately grabbed it back.
"No, no, come back."
Tsuyu's mouth twitched.
"You're enjoying this too much."
"Absolutely."
Tsuyu leaned closer.
Quietly.
"My girlfriend."
Ochaco turned scarlet.
Tsuyu smiled.
Ochaco stared.
"That's cheating."
"It's not."
"It absolutely is."
Tsuyu laughed.
Ochaco laughed too.
And they kept walking.
Still exactly themselves.
Just with one small difference.
If somebody asked them now:
How long have you two been together?
They finally had an answer.