Physical
“The first exam of the Provincial Hero License has concluded. Prepare your mind and body hard for the 2nd test tomorrow afternoon!”
The intercom rings for the freedom of the hundreds of students in hero training. All exit the assembly hall and into the courtyard. Chatting, and colliding with one another all create an atmosphere of pure chaos.
Only one student slithers gracefully through the chaotic ground. That Student, Camie Utshushimi, Second-year student at the pristine Skitetsu High.
Camie’s focus is locked on a small vial of blood pressed between her fingers. A devious grin blossoms the deeper she gazes into those tiny red droplets.
I thought infiltrating heroes would be more of a challenge.
The stroking of her ego is brought to an abrupt halt when…..
“STOP!” A familiar voice shouts at Camie, she quickly hides the vial in her pocket and is shocked to see First Year Student at U.A High, Ochako Uruaka.
Ochako stands hunched over, panting a storm up. Eventually running through the pool of chaos takes a lot out of Ochako.
“Forgive me.” She murmurs. Ochako takes a deep breath in as exhaustion fades and a rosy smile takes her face. “I simply had to talk to you!”
Ochako bows to Camie throwing confusion into the Second year hero student. “My friend Deku was amazed at your incredible movements and speed and um, I wanted to ask…”
Ochako’s lips curl inward, anxiety begins to gag her from asking her question. Ochako exhales and punches her anxiety with a shout.
“Please! Train me to move like you so I can become stronger!” Ochako finishes with a soft exhale. A beat passes while Ochako’s fingers tighten into her chest, desperately waiting for Camie’s response.
Camie cocks her head, a soft smile grows the more she eyes Ochako.
“You want to be strong like Izuku, right?”
Ochako firmly nods. “More than anything.”
Camie scratches her chin, her gaze deepening into Ochako. “Anything, huh?” Camie smirks as her brain slices together a scheme. “Ok, I know a place where we can spar. Come on.” She gestures to Ochako to follow her down the street.
“Uhhh now? I mean aren’t you tired after the first exam!?” Ochako asks.
“I mean do you think a villain is gonna care if you’re tired or exhausted?” Camie sarcastically retorts.
Ochako nods. “You’re right! Never know when a villain will attack these days.”
Camie turned her face to hide her laughter from the irony the two of them are about to create together.
Ochako walks side by side with Camie, trying to mimic her slow confident walk. “I appreciate you teaching me, Camie.”
“I’m always happy to see what a fellow hero is made of.”
The subway bolts down the rails, the packed cars jingling people into each other. Ochako and Camie sit next to each other at the end of the subway seats. Ochako’s thighs hang off the edge of her seat, the edge of the chair pressing into her back.
Stupid subway, so uncomfortable, if only I could….
She glances over to Camie sitting next to her, plenty of space to adjust her seating posture but if she scoots closer then….
The sunlight bathes Camie's lips in a warm golden hue. A soft smile remained frozen on her lips. Shadows cover Camie’s brown eyes giving them the appearance of dazzling obsidian.
She’s beautiful.
The innocuous thought ignites embarrassment in Ochako the moment Camie’s eyes pierce into Ochako’s.
“What are you staring at?” She asks, leaving Ochako’s brain clogged by anxiety.
Her cheeks burn red as Ochako takes her eyes off ogling Camie and onto the dusty silver floor. “Uhhhh, I-“
“Are you anxious?” Camie asks with a slight head tilt. She places her hand on Ochako’s shoulder making her cheek flush even redder. “It’s ok, Ochako. We’ll be there shortly and besides, you’re quite strong. I was very impressed with your performance during the exam.”
Camie’s fingers pressing against Ochako’s shoulder begins stealing the breath away from Ochako's lungs. Why is it suddenly getting harder to breathe?
"You don't need to worry about proving yourself." Camie calmy whispers with a rosy smile, "You really impressed me with your performance during the exam."
The air in Ochako's lungs flutters like butterflies generating a strange warmth from her core. Ochako presses her hand against her lungs. Hopefully, she doesn't explode into butterflies at the sight of Camie's gaze. "Um, thanks for the compliment." Camie retracts her hang bringing relief to Ochako.
I can think again. Now, deflect!
“um, so where are we going?” Ochako nervously asks.
“A place very special to me. I used to train my body and my quirk there a lot.” Camie calmly replies. Her lips bloom into a sincere grin. “I’m very excited to show you. I do hope you enjoy the experience.”
Ochako takes a deep breath in before nodding and replying. “I’m sure I will.”
A sudden bump vibrates through the train car and into Ochako causing her to flinch. A slight twitch was all Ochako needed to start falling out of her seat. Panicked, Ochako launches her hand to the closest thing next to her to keep her steady.
She glances over to see her hand clenching Camie’s thigh. Her eyes meet Camie as Ochako notices a pink blush swirling in Camie’s cheeks. Her cheeks ignite in red as Ochako retracts her hand.
“Ahhhh! I’m sorry! Forgive me!”
“It’s alright.” Camie softly replies. The stress leaves Ochako as Camie whispers. “You can scooch next to me if you want. So your leg isn’t hanging off.”
“You don’t mind the tightness?”
Camie softly replies. “Not with you.”
Ochako scoots next to her, their thighs pressing together. Ochako searches for places to put her left hand and almost touches Camie’s thigh again before catching herself.
Bad Ochako Uruaka! No thigh touching for you.
“You can keep your hand on my thigh if you want,” Camie whispers, her eyebrow flashing to Ochako that this is very much flirting.
Ochako’s mouth loses all sensation as she nods through the strange sensation Camie is inflicting on her.
“I’ll just tuck my hand in. Thank you for the offer.” Ochako nervously chuckles before diverting her gaze away from Camie. The butterflies inside of Ochako, vibrate with the force of an earthquake that can tear a continent in half.
Seriously, what is Camie doing to me?
Camie scoffs at her flirting attempts falling to the wayside. Camie shrugs it off and the two girls begin to sit in awkward silence as the subway rushes down.
Ochako exhales. They’ll be off the subway soon and then it won’t be so cramped, just has to hold it together.
Keep it together, Ochako Uruaka! Don't explode!
The more Ochako tries to keep it together the more she’s reminded that her thigh is gracing Camie’s thigh. The black leather of her body suit radiates warmth into Ochako’s pale skin. Her blood rushes to her cheeks, the more she thinks of Camie, the hotter Ochako’s face gets.
This is ridiculous, she’s a stranger, why is she making me feel this?
Ochako’s brown eyes pierce into Camie with one single question…
WHAT ARE YOU?!
Camie’s eyes meet Ochako’s eyes. She gasps at the sunlight hitting Camie’s eye just right that a twinge of gold reflects in her brown iris. Ochako nods as the sparks click in Ochako’s brain giving her an answer.
“Oh,” Ochako murmurs before blankly gazing into the silver metal floor.
Attraction.
Camie planted a truth inside Ochako and the uncertainty of the blossoming truth growing inside of her terrified Ochako to her core.
I can keep it together through training. I mean it's not like combat training can be romantic with the sweating and the closeness...
The reality of her situation oozes into Ochako's lungs. She really dug her own grave with this one.
I'm doomed.
Ochako walks onto an abandoned rooftop with Camie. Blades of bright grass pierce through the decaying concrete. A trail of empty bottles leads to a sleeping bag under a self-made tent made of scrap metal. Ochako finds a broken needle on a yellowish pillowcase. She gags at the stains. Who would sleep here?
“What are we doing at an abandoned building?” Asks Ochako.
Camie remains silent. She walks over to the edge of the roof, her soul dangling off the edge. Ochako nervously approaches Camie, her brown eyes remaining locked by the loud symphony of the city. Hurdles of cars jammed together in traffic, people clashing into each other, and blaring traffic signals clogging Camie’s ears and brain.
“Camie?”
The genuine sound of concern in Ochako’s voice snaps Camie out. “Oh.” She laughs it off. “Oops seems I was, uh, lost in thought for a sec.”
“Right.” Ochako studies Camie, not sold by her sly smile. “Are you sure you're okay?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” Camie’s voice slightly trembles. “Anyways, I used to come here after Ballet Classes when I was a kid, and after I, um…” Camie pauses for a split second as the sly smile slips to reveal a glimpse of bitterness. “Quit?” The way Camie oddly phrased it seemed as if Ochako was supposed to confirm her past for her.
“Quit! Yes, I quit and came here and turned what I learned from Ballet into a combat style and that is how I became so amazing.”
Ochako nods, absorbing all of Camie’s curious facial tics. I am figuring out why I’m attracted to you.
“Cool, cool.” Ochako mulls over using dancing as a fighting technique that seems so anticlimactic to her. “Wait, seriously? you dragged me out here to teach me dancing?”
Ochako’s rude simplification incites Camie’s eyes to roll out of her skull. “Ballet! Dancing, Ochako, and trust me it’s not as easy as slicing a cake. My ballet teacher was really….” Camie laughs off her chest tightening the more she dwells on this. “Brutal.”
Ochako notices Camie’s posture shrink from saying that last word.
Ochako’s hand moves to Camie’s shoulder instinctively. “Hey, I know how that is.” Ochako shines a bright smile for Camie. “Mr, Aizawa pushed me off a cliff once. It was terrifying.”
The warmth of Ochako’s smile leaves bewilderment in Camie. “Right. Okay.” Camie gestures away from Ochako, rubbing her fingers together as what to say simply leaves her.
Ochako nudges Camie, “So want to show me your technique? but just don’t push me off the edge, please?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Camie snickers to herself. “I promise, I’ll go easier than our callous teachers.”
Ochako straightens her posture, bends her legs, and solidifies her fighting stance. “I’m ready.” She exclaims.
“Now my amazing style is made up of two things: one, movements as graceful as the wind,” Camie dances on the edge of the building sending worry into Ochako. She spins a single foot and extends her leg and arm dangling off the roof before pulling her limbs back in and planting her feet on the edge.
“And the second?”
A devious grin blossoms on Camie’s face. Her limbs tighten as her hands close into fists. “Improvising.” Her legs spring towards Ochako, flaring a signal that Camie is about to punch her.
Ochako's eyes widen at Camie lunging into an attack. Her reflexes flicker, sending her weaving out of the way of Camie’s punch.
Great, I'm training with a crazy person. No matter!
Her hand latches onto Camie’s wrist pulling her around and aiming to grab the base of her neck to pin her.
Camie instantly sees through Ochako’s movements, and seconds before Ochako makes contact, Camie ducks her head out of the way. She plants one foot to anchor her to the ground and uses the other to sweep Ochako’s feet destroying her stance. Camie pulls Ochako towards her, freeing her hand as she grabs the base of Ochako’s neck and her wrist and slams her against the concrete. Camie drills her knee into Ochako's back, keeping her trapped on the ground. Ochako tries to land her hands on Camie but she intercepts, her foot clamping Ochako's wrist to the concrete. Camie neutralizes Ochako's last hand by digging her nails and twisting her wrist into her back. Pain throbs throughout her nerves, Ochako tries to move but even the smallest of movements spark pain throughout her limbs.
I'm pinned.
“Is that it?” Camie retorts. “I was hoping our dance would last longer.
Ochako pulls her hand against Camie’s grip but has no luck. Ochako’s brain flutters for ways to escape Camie’s grip. But the death lock grip Camie has on her limbs is too great. The only thing she can think of is if she can press her fingers against her back and make herself weightless she could get out of Camie’s pin. She tries to twist her wrist but Camie’s grip grows tighter, cutting off the feeling in her wrist.
“Can't use your quirk either, Ochako. Come on Ochako, you’re gonna have to try harder than that.”
Ochako groans at her utter lack of ideas. “I can’t.” She murmurs. “I got nothing”
“Seriously, you’re just giving up?”
“I failed the exercise, fine! You can let me up now!”
“Pfft would a villain just let you up if she had your cute face pinned to the ground? Hell would Deku just give up?! Even if he was bloodied from head to toe with his bones shattered. He'd still find a way to keep moving and win.” Camie’s breath caresses the edge of Ochako’s ear as Camie whispers. “And here I thought you wanted to emulate the person you loved.” Her words slither into Ochako’s brain, sparking anger. A fire engulfs her mind as she groans.
She’s right!
Ochako is quite literally in a very tough spot but if there’s one thing Deku has taught her is that there’s always a way out no matter how dire or pinned you are. The only thing she’s able to move is her neck. Camie’s breath caresses her cheek, if I can get her close enough to my mouth I can bite her cheek or something. But biting isn’t very nice even if you're biting a person who is twisting your wrists.
What else can you do with your mouth?
A devious idea exhales out of her brain, is she really that desperate, or is this just ex excuse to fulfill a weird fantasy?
Camie's knee drills deeper into Ochako's spine snapping her out of her indecision.
I'm doing this.
She twists her neck, eyeing Camie and murmuring something under her breath.
“Reduced to mumbling, are we Ochako?” She retorts. But Ochako’s lips keep moving, saying something just barely escapes Camie. Her eyes twitch with annoyance as she leans her face towards Ochako’s lips. “Out with it Ochako!”
Ochako's lips entwine with Camie’s as the taste of bubblegum drips into Ochako’s taste buds.
The kiss delivers a shell shock into Camie's nerves that loosen her grip.
Ochako pulls her wrists free and lands her fingers on Camie’s arm. A pink glow emits from the tips of her fingers as Camie becomes weightless and Ochako grabs her shoulder and throws her down onto the ground. Camie floats into the air, her eyes still frozen. Ochako raises her fists with a big smile.
“Bam! I got out! You’re immobilized! Boom! Uravity for the win!”
Camie’s fingers hover over her lips. She runs her finger over her lips and smacks them a bit, detecting a citrus taste that wasn’t in her mouth before. “Huh, my first kiss tasted like honey."
A strange blend of confusion and warmth floods Ochako’s cheeks turning them pink.
I taste like honey?
Ochako presses her hands together as Camie’s weight gracefully floats to the ground. Camie’s gaze is still aloof and vacant making Ochako grit her teeth with worry.
“Um sorry for kissing you, it was all I could think of. You’re a really good fighter, you’ve convinced me to study ballet more.” Ochako nervously chuckles but Camie doesn’t utter a word, her face still frozen in thought making Ochako gulp.
Ochako’s hand presses against the cold leather covering Camie’s shoulder trying to give her some warmth for a smile. “Uhhh, Camie. Talk to me?”
The cold wind devours Ochako’s words. Camie throws off her touch and without a word walks to the edge of the building. Camie’s soul dangles off the edge of the building.
“Be careful! I don’t want you to fall!” Ochako shouts. She takes a step towards Camie but her other leg remains frozen, the fear twists the pulsing out of her nerves.
A soft chuckle flutters out of Camie’s mouth. Her lips twist into a crooked smile.
Ochako’s fingers dig into her stomach. “Camie, don’t! please I’m sorry.”
Something muffles the laughter as Ochako spots a tear running down the side of Camie’s cheek.
“Don’t cry! Please!” Ochako holds her head in confusion. “Oh my god, I made someone cry!”
“It’s not you, Ochako.” Camie’s sobbing dissolves into cackling. She presses her hand against her face, trying to stop the tears but they keep coming. “I probably would’ve used a kiss the same way. Heh, clever Ochako Uruaka.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
Camie pauses, more tears running down her face, a thicker gray mud-like substance running down her cheek and dripping from her chin. “I’m not sure.” She remarks, “I’ve dreamt of my first kiss for so long. A kiss from you is all I've wanted so why is it so empty."
Ochako’s blush is stained by confusion. “You’ve dreamt of kissing me?”
“Of course.” Camie’s face melts away in puddling gray streaks revealing Toga’s golden cat eyes. Toga flashes her fanged smile. “I’ve dreamt of sucking your blood right off your lips.”
“You.” Ochako's eyes twitch in disbelief, “Toga!” The meaning burned into Ochako’s brain. “No, no, I KISSED A VILLAIN!”
The rest of Camie’s melts away revealing Toga’s pale white cheeks. Ochako’s disgusted reaction twists Toga's heart into a chokehold.
“That’s why,” Toga says with an empty sigh.
“Why what!?”
Toga giggles through the last of her tears emptying out of her eyes. “Why I’m crying, my first instinct was to use kissing as a way to deceive in a fight. Wearing someone else's face is the only way I can spend time with people I care about-”
“You tried to stab me and my friend, Toga! You are not a person I care about.” Ochako shouts.
Toga shakes her head. “You’re not listening.” The confidence and slyness in her voice from before are reduced to an empty drool. “Ugh, typical, no one ever listens to me. No one cares, and why should they? As you said I’m a Villain, my love language is trickery and deceit. What good am I?”
Those words made Ochako’s heart stop, she replays Toga’s previous words and puts everything together. The despair in her voice, her facing the edge, and Ochako’s response.
She’s going to jump.
The laughing ceases from Toga. She turns to face Ochako, the sunlight glistens from her golden eyes bathed in tears. “I wanted to see what you were made of, Ochako. Were you a true hero like Izuku or a fake? I got my answer.” Toga takes a deep inhale. “You're nothing like Izuku.”
Toga closes her eyes and leans back, the image burns the breath in Ochako’s lungs to ash. Ochako sends her legs sprinting toward Toga. Before gravity takes Toga, Ochako grabs the collar of her body suit.
Toga’s eyes widened in complete shock, she stopped her.
“JUST SHUT UP!” Ochako shouts. Her intense hazel eyes cut through Toga. “Fine, I’m not like Deku! I’m not as strong or as clever or as noble! even if I try! But I’m Ochako Uraraka! And no matter what I won’t give up! I will become a hero who saves people! Even people like you.”
Toga rolls her eyes. “You say that, but when push comes to shove you’ll drop me as everyone else has. Don’t worry, I don’t blame you. Who can love a villain?”
That sentence cuts deeper than any one of Toga’s knives ever could. Ochako’s heart bleeds for Toga, in those words Ochako feels the sheer amount of pain Toga is in.
Toga takes the opportunity to grab Ochako’s wrist and push against the edge sending them both falling through gravity’s arms.
“Save me, Urvaity! I don’t care!” Toga mockingly retorts, laughing at Ochako falling with her.
Ochako puts her anger aside and shifts gears into hero mode. Her eyes flare with resolve. “I’ll save you!” She shouts as Toga’s smile vanishes.
Ochako tucks her legs and arms in and zooms towards Toga. She throws her arm around Toga’s back and places her fingers on her back and making her weightless. Ochako slaps her thigh to make her weightless as she wraps her arms around Toga. The two gracefully float to the ground as Toga absorbs Ochako’s warmth. Ochako’s feet touch the ground as she eases Toga onto the alleyway. A light ignites behind her serpent eyes the deeper her gaze into Ochako becomes.
Exhales of pure exhaustion leave the two of them as the events of what transpired sink into them. Ochako slaps Toga on the arm.
“Ow! What was that for?!” Toga remarks.
“Are you serious?! You pulled me off a building, you jerk!”
Toga shrugs off Ochako's yelling, “You would’ve been fine, ok?!” Ochako rolls her eyes and gives Toga the cold shoulder. Despite Ochako's cold reaction to Toga's comment, the warmth of her arms wrapping around Toga as she carried her to the ground lingers. The touch of Ochako gave her the warmth of snuggling in a fireplace during a blizzard. But the cold eats up Toga's euphoria, she wraps her arms around herself trying to rekindle the warmth to no avail.
Ochako dusts her clothes off as her gaze strikes Toga. Fear twinges in Toga, she's going to get a hero's beating now for pulling her off a building. Ochako extends her hand out as Toga flinches for a second.
Toga gasps at the sight of Ochako offering her hand to you. Heat flushes Toga's cheeks. “Aren’t you going to turn me in?” She asks.
Their hands clasp as Ochako pulls Toga up. “What would that solve?” Ochako replies.
“Besides, I’m not a pro yet. So I can't arrest you. So you can go." Ochako gestures to the shadowy alley welcoming Toga her freedom. She takes a step down the alley before something in her makes her gaze back at Ochako. The pink afterglow of the setting sun bathes Ochako's rosy cheeks in the shade of blooming cherry blossoms. Something is keeping Toga in the sun's afterglow with Ochako.
“Why did you save me?”
The question stuns Ochako. Her body just moved on its own but there has to be something deeper. Ochako’s brain furiously burns for an answer but nothing comes up. Ochako sighs. “I’m not really sure.”
Disappoint stains Toga's face. “Oh, ok.”
Even though Toga pulled her off a building she can't bear to make her sad. Her overthinking leaves her. “No, it’s not like that. I just, I don’t know what it means, okay?” Ochako inhales, “You do deserve love and life Toga and even though I don’t agree with your choices I hope you find it and I’m….I’m here if you need help.” Ochako flashes a smile that pulls Toga in. For the first time ever she believes that phrase. Her yellow Iris’ welled up with tears, the golden hue sparkling to Ochako. A soft smile blooms into a grin.
Toga’s warm smile leaves Ochako in awe, it’s not filled with sly confidence or mania, it’s genuine...pure. A pink blush sprouts on Ochako’s cheeks.
Something is blossoming inside the deeper I gaze into her.
Toga’s arms slowly wrap Ochako into a hug much to Ochako's surprise. She's not trying to choke the air out of her or pin her to the ground she's just holding onto Ochako. Toga's blonde blades gently caress Ochako’s cheek sparking her cheeks to flush red with blood. She feels Toga's fingers clench her shirt like she's terrified she's going to fall through the ground and Ochako is the only thing keeping her afloat. “Thank you for saving me, Ochako,” Toga whispers.
Ochako’s eyes widen, she should shove her away, and get out as quickly as possible but she doesn’t. She does something even crazier. She softly wraps her arms around and pushes the hug deeper. Toga snivels at the reciprocation of Ochako's affection, she buries her tears and snot into Ochako's shirt.
Toga pulls away wiping the tears and snot from her face. "Ugh, this is so embarrassing." She remarks, She fires a glare at Ochako. "If you tell anyone about this, I'll kill you!" Her tears dull the fierceness of her cat eyes.
Ochako shrugs off the threat. A devious smirk blooms as she playfully nudges Toga in the arm. “We wouldn't want anyone knowing the evil Toga has a heart now would we?" The retort sends all of Toga's blood flushing her cheeks into a bright crimson. She hides her face in her hands, hoping Ochako doesn't notice her falling apart.
But Ochako not only notices but she delights in what could possibly be the cutest thing she's ever witnessed. This scary predator villain melts into a blushing kitten, all because of her. Who knew Ochako Uruaka had a hidden quirk of turning girls into blushing messes?
"Don't worry, Toga. I'll keep your secret." Ochako kindly replies as Toga just awkwardly nods, swaying back and forth. Toga's messy body language evokes how awkward and scared she would get at just being around Deku, never able to make a move. But here at this moment, calmness floods her veins, allowing her to desire something she never knew she could or would want to desire it. Ochako leans in and gently places a kiss on Toga's cheek, making Toga's stary eyes light up like a supernova.
"Hope this kiss wasn't empty like the one before." Ochako's smile wavers a bit, anxiety flooding her blood again but her warm cheeks smile on.
I can't believe I kissed her, TWICE!
Ochako meets Toga's beaming face, complete shock radiating from her face as it seems her lips are unsure of whether she should smile or not. She simply says. "My name is Himiko."
The afterglow washes Himiko's shocked face in a pink hue leaving her brimming like a setting sun. Ochako nods and says with a grin. "That is such a beautiful name. That means sun daughter if I'm not mistaken."
The unfiltered kindness of Ochako's brown eyes cut even deeper into Himiko, she gasps as a single tear runs down her face. Himiko gasps over and over trying to speak as Ochako begins to worry she's choking on her kindness.
Himiko clears her throat and fiercely nods. "YES!" She blurts out as her hands jerk around unable to contain whatever feeling Ochako is giving her. "No one's ever complimented me like that before!" She bows to Ochako. "I always wish I could transform into a star but no star blood to drink." She nervously chuckles before meeting Ochako's gaze. "you really are good Ochako Uruaka." Himiko brushes her unevenly cut bangs out of her face and shines a smile on Ochako.
"I appreiacte that Himiko. You're not so bad yourself when we actually talk instead of fighting and stabbing."
"Heh, but I love those things."
Ochako cringes and retorts, "Yeah, you do."
Himiko scrunches her face at Ochako's tone. "So what, do you care about me now?" She cautiously asks.
"Uhhhh, I don't see why not? Despite you kneeing my back and pulling me off a building I had fun plus you've inspired me to take on dancing." Ochako playfully jabs her in the shoulder.
Himiko nervously chuckles and closes her body away from Ochako. "Well that's good I guess."
Ochako feels Himiko pulling her away. Fear floods Ochako's arms, pushing her fingers to envelop Himiko's cold palm. Ochako gently holds Himiko's hand, gazing into her blushing sparkling face. Her hands tremble as Ochako's train of thought completely derails at the sight of Himiko's cuteness.
She's melting me now.
Ochako's voice trembles, "I um, I really..." Ochako is caught off guard when Himiko's fingers wrap around her hands, slightly caressing her knuckle.
"What?" Himiko's grip tightens, trying to squeeze Ochako's warmth into her freezing palm.
"Um...." The squeezing of her pal doesn't even phase Ochako her focus zeros in on Himiko's lips, did kissing her on the cheek not satisfy her? I mean she kissed her when she was disguised as Camie but it was so unromantic. Ochako always dreamed of her first kiss being a heroic selfless classy guy like Tuxedo Mask from Sailor Moon but Himiko Toga is as further from that fantasy. Although there is something about Himiko that vaguely her of Sailor Moon herself. Her messy blonde hair ended in two messy buns but even more blades of her blonde hair are shaped like crescents just like Usagi's. Ochako leans closer to get a better look as Himiko gasps. Himiko leans in, closing her eyes and arching her head about to kiss Ochako's lips. Ochako was relieved Himiko got the message. She shuts her eyes, inches apart their lips almost touching but something in Himiko makes her pull back.
"Um, I should get back to the League before they worry and you should go so no one thinks I kidnapped you," Himiko says bluntly.
Ochako frowns, disappointment drips down her lips, she was really hoping for that kiss. "Oh, ok yeah you're right." Ochako masks her disappointment with a laugh. "yeah I lost myself in the moment. crazy right?"
"Yeah, it would've been."
Himiko turns away, gazing at the inky shadows of the alleyway. She tries to push her feet to leave Ochako but something weighs her to the ground. Himiko sighs at the feeling inside of her, it echos for her to do something, something that terrifies her but she's never been this close to a crush before, she can't stop now. Himiko turns to Ochako standing in the pink afterglow of the setting sun. Himiko exhales and bows to Ochako. She extends out a piece of paper to Ochako.
"I had a great time with you and if you ever want me to give you another dance lesson, give me a call!"
Ochako's hand hovers over the piece of paper. Doubt freezes her nerves, she can't take a supervillain's phone number. A nervous smile slips from Himiko's face, and Ochako sees her lips trembling. Her doubt washes away as at this moment Ochako forgets the roles the two have been assigned in this crazy hero game. She carefully lifts the phone number out of the hands of this nervous kitten. Gazing at it in pure disbelief.
It's like we're actual friends.
"Thank you, Himiko, I'll text you later."
“Okay, see you around, hero." Himiko strolls down the alleyway, not taking her eye off Ochako as she vanishes into the shadows of the ally. The pink afterglow highlights Ochako's bewilderment, something about Himiko's tone reminds her of the person who pulled her off a building, not the person she kissed. But I guess she can't just pick and choose Himiko's personality traits, if she wants to help her she needs "embrace" all of her, the stabbing and blood obsession. The weight of that sinks dread into Ochako, how is she supposed to help her? She's just a 15-year-old student, not a therapist.
Why can't I be into normal people? It's either a noble hero who brakes his arm every other week or a hot, blood-drinking villainess sunshine kitten. Confusion cuts deeper into Ochako, Himiko might not have stabbed her today but she definitely stabbed her perception of herself. She really did try to kiss Himiko a third time, how insane that is. Ochako is supposed to be a dutiful student with her head screwed on tight and after one day with Himiko Toga she's falling apart instead of thinking about her provincial license exam tomorrow all she can think about is what Himiko Toga tastes like. walks out of the alley. The taste buds in her lips bring up the flavor of bubblegum into Ochako's mouth. Camie's lips tasted like that but would Himiko have tasted like that or something different like bitter iron since she's into drinking blood?
The sweet bubblegum leaves her lips leaving a sick bitterness in her mouth. It's like she's tasting her blood all over again.
"I do not miss the taste of my blood."
Ochako sits on the cold metal seat of the subway heading back to U.A. She finds her hand drifting over to the empty spot next to her. She replays sitting next to Camie earlier. Her brown hair, and her lips, enthralled Ochako but that was Himiko, not Camie so was she attracted to just the facade or to Himiko or both? either way, it shatters one perception that Ochako Uruaka is not straight. But that can't be it, certainly, it's Himiko's quirk confusing her pulling her into the deception so she can pull one over on Ochako. That summation makes sense it's a perfect story for Ochako to tell herself to keep that perfect portrait of Ochako Uruaka but the frame is crooked.
The deeper Ochako inspects triggers a memory from sitting on the train with Camie. Watching Camie’s brown Iris glitter with a tinge of gold holds new meaning to Ochako. It was her real eyes piercing through the face she was wearing to hide from Ochako. It may have been a mask but it was Himiko who was wearing it, Himiko who she was talking to, who she was fighting, who she longed to kiss.
It wasn't her quirk, something inside Ochako pushes her to kiss women. To feel their warmth through their hands, through their thighs. Curl their soft hair around her fingers, Brushing her lips against their smooth cheeks.
Her lewd thoughts stain the red blush on her face. "Wow," she chuckles, "Who knew I was so....lewd." Her red blush only gets deeper the more she drives her thoughts toward the logical end of her obscenity. Ochako shakes her head, "Oh no! Kissing is one thing but I will not go there! Ugh, my luck! Why?!" She gazes at her hands, shame bubbling up inside of her. “Heroes aren't supposed to be like this, right? they don't lust, they can't be..." She wraps her arms around her shoulders trying to comfort her but nothing can fix the splintering of her identity. Ochako leans back against the window, her eyes drifting to the dancing stars in the blissful night sky. "Come on stars, help me out. What do I do?" The night sky is devoid of answers as Ochako expected. "Things would be easier if I was a star." Twin gold stars twinkle in the black night. The golden hue shining out at Ochako brings her back to Himiko’s face. Her skin had the complexion of a cloud being bathed by sunlight, pale but with a warm yellow hue. And her eyes were like gold stars, twinkling in a faint yellow hue that you could just get lost in. But all that paled in comparison to the smile Himiko gifted to Ochako when she saved her from gravity's cruelty. Ochako had been smiling her whole life, surrounded by supportive people, all lifting each other up with the curves of their lips. She belonged to a class filled to the brim with unique and beautiful smiles and yet no smile ever filled Ochako as Himiko’s did. Maybe it was the relief of not dying or maybe Ochako actually made a genuine difference in a person’s life. An unforgettable difference that is edged into your being for all eternity. Such an impossible task for her to reach but with Himiko, it felt possible.
Ochako pulls out her phone, Himiko’s number is already uploaded into her contacts. All that’s left to do is send a single message and Himiko will have Ochako's number. Her fingers hovering over the keypad
“You can’t give your phone number to a villain! Were you really serious when you took it? When you said you'd text her?" Ochako's teeth press into her lips. The more she gazes at her phone the deeper her fractures become. Ochako replays the question Himiko asked.
"Why did you save me?"
The answer to that question has only gotten further from Ochako. Was it selfish? did she do it just because she's a hero and that's what she ought to do? Or something deeper? The images of Himiko's smile replay over and over.
“Her smile...I want to see her smile again, is that selfish? As long as I help her smile then does it matter what my motivation is then?" Ochako rolls her eyes, this overthinking is getting her nowhere.
Her eyes return to the blank message chat with Himiko's name over it. All it takes is just one message for everything to snowball out of control. Once this begins, Ochako knows she won’t be able to stop. Desire will overtake her, enthrall her into an inferno of passion that could burn her entire life down literally the worst possible fear for Ochako. That’s how it's always been for her, always trying, always correcting, always checking herself, because she has to keep everything together otherwise someone could cry and that’s all it takes for everything to fall apart.
The image of Himiko's tears running over Camie’s face enflames her mind like fire eating away at the paper, spitting it into ash. Ochako can't ignore all the tears Himiko shed today, from being saved to Ochako reciprocating her hug and complimenting her name. "She almost cries more than Deku." Despite all the emotion, Himiko bared there was still a twinge of doubt left from the lying and the pulling her off a building. Ochako hates uncertainty and no one is more uncertain than Himiko Toga, unpredictability, prone to violence and stabbing but also to crying and smiling and being cute and apparently ballet unless she made that up. A memory lights up in Ochako, the two of them talking about difficult teachers.
“My ballet teacher was really….brutal.”
The anguish on Himiko's face as she paused to reminisce. And as she uttered the word "brutal," her iris' trembled with fear. Whatever memory Himiko briefly touched, shook her to the point where her Camie mask slightly cracked.
Ochako lingers on the pain Himiko was letting slip on the rooftop. The tears Himiko shed before jumping on the roof were cast in a new light. How much pain is she bottling up behind that sly smile, behind those predator's eyes? It became clear what Ochako needed to fill her resolve with Himiko Toga.
She slowly types out on her keypad: "What did your ballet teacher do to you?"
Her thumb hits the send button, it's begun. Himiko has her number and however, she answers will either be the beginning of a bizarre friendship or just be a weird training session gone bad. Probably the latter I mean Himiko Toga doesn't seem like the person to have an in-depth conversation with her feelings, especially with a hero in training like Ochako.
Her phone buzzes with an answer. Ochako's eyes widen at Himiko's response.
"My father made my teacher drill me so hard that the bones in my feet would regularly fracture and even then I was forced to dance. I was 11."
"WHY?!"
Himiko's answer gauged Ochako's heart out. Her bones trembled at imaging being forced to dance to the point where your bones would crack. Himiko's next response made the blood freeze inside her heart.
"My Father thought it'd best if I was Quirkless. Since I couldn't be a hero because I had an evil quirk, I had to master everything else to be useful and my father needed me to be perfect if I was to succeed in the world."
"I'm so sorry."
"Ehhh 🤷♀️ it worked out everything he taught me helped me to be the wonderful villain I am today 😉"
Himiko's text only contorted Ochako's heart into an unrecognizable knot of blood and flesh. The implication of Himiko just dismissing her abuse, playing it off as a joke. She never thought a simple text could disturb her so deeply. How could she think something that terrible worked out for her? Did her father condition her into thinking the abuse was justified? Her brain molds a realization even more disturbing than Himiko's text. Her dad making her dance until her bones fractured was just one thing. Himiko said she had to master everything, to be perfect at everything, and if her dad is willing to break her feet just dancing what else did he do to her?
Her brain spins out of control the more she descends into the rabbit hole of Himiko's potential suffering the more tears well up in her eyes. Her heart forces the tears out of her ducts, waterfalling down her face. She needs to shed every tear for Himiko. No wonder Himiko broke down after a single hug. She doesn't know love.
A vibration from her phone brings Ochako's fuzzy gaze back to her phone.
"You still there?"
Her heart untwists and as Ochak wipes her tears away something becomes abundantly clear. Himiko Toga needs Ochako Uruaka, she needs help. She may be a villain but she's a person. A person who took horrible ballet classes and god knows what other terrible things were done to her. Ochako can’t ignore it, behind those golden eyes is a person that feels deeply and how can she just call herself a hero, or even a person if she just turns away this girl in need?
Ochako furiously types.
"YES! I AM HERE AND I'LL BE YOUR FRIEND! I PROMISE"
Without letting her common sense stop her she hits the enter button and sends that message to Himiko. A moment of silence allows Ochako to see her resolve. She can do it! She can help Himiko, she's probably the only person since Himiko is into her which might be weird if not that the feeling was mutual. "Wait, am I only trying to redeem her because I want to date her, and dating her would be easier if she was good as opposed to her being bad and stabby?" That single question clouds Ochako's resolve with all the things that could go wrong if Ochako messes this up. She could make Himiko worse? If someone discovers that Ochako kissed a villain maybe she'll get arrested for complicity. What would happen to her parents if she got arrested? Is she about to put her entire livelihood in the hands of a very chaotic and unstable person?
Himiko bounces back with: "Thank you for believing in me Ochako"
The simple text allows her lips to curve through her building anxiety to form a small smile. A weak sigh leaves her, she leans against the stiff window. Her gaze falls upon the empty train seat next to her. The cold unfeeling steel reminds her of Himiko's fingers caressing her hand. But unlike metal, Himiko could feel so deeply, underneath all that villain bravado is a real person in pain. Despite the uncertainty and the risk Ochako takes a leap and plunges into the unknown abyss that is a relationship with Himiko Toga.
Ochako calmy types out.
“No problem. I hope someday soon we can do ACTUAL dancing together that doesn’t involve violence. ;) Please?”
A thought occurs to Ochako she actually has never danced in her entire life. "Is that depressing?" Ochako throws the thought away, I'm sure actual dancing would be better than Himiko's knee in her back.
Her phone buzzes with a reply from Himiko, “But violence is so funnnnnnn! Ugh! 😞 Oh well, I guess I can make an exception for you Ochako 😉 when would you like to dance?”
Disbelief still beats Ochako over the head, how is this real? How does she have Himiko's phone number, why does something inside her want a relationship with Himiko, and why in god's name is Ochako actually kind of excited to dance with Himiko?
Ochako has dreamt of the picture-perfect romantic dance! A handsome prince holding her wrist, a rose in her mouth, and the two of them twirling in front of a visible milky way galaxy! The radiance of the universe blessing the union of love. If only Himiko was a prince, but Ochako can feel her heart pumping the fantasy out of her brain. Ochako doesn't want a prince anymore, she wants Himiko. She wants Himiko's hand around her waist, to gaze into her twinkling eyes as Ochako's lips envelop her and the milky way basks from the beauty that their kiss will birth. This vision Ochako longs for is about as far as you can get from the picture-perfect romance she was fed as a kid.
Doubt splinters into Ochako, part of her wishes Himiko was a noble prince. It would definitely be an easier relationship for people to digest but Ochako has already had a taste of the noble prince and well he's good but he's not like Himiko. "No one is like Himiko." Ochako affirms that's why she's so drawn to and a little afraid. Something pricks inside of her eye, forcing her to squint. "I thought I was done crying?" She caresses her tear duct with her index fingers to find a single spot of blood tainting her skin. "Ugh, not again." Ochako gazes between the blood and Himiko's text message. Her gaze at the blood deepens as a strange urge sparks inside of her. She pushes her lips against her finger, gracefully inserting her finger into her mouth. Her tongue wipes the blood off her finger and absorbs the flavor. Though Ochako is familiar with the taste of her own blood from an...Incident when she was a kid. But to her shock, the bitter iron flavor she remembered from all those years ago has vanished.
"Huh, neat."
Ochako finally replies, "Next week after my provisional license tests wrap up. We can meet back up at the rooftop and DANCE not fight."
"Hey that rooftop was actually my old makeshift house! I always loved dancing there"
Ochako's heart tightens with every new thing she learns about Himiko. She lived on that rooftop?! That explains the sleeping bag and the rooting pillow but still what an awful place to call your home. Honestly, the more awful facts she learns about Himiko Toga the less worried she is that she's making the wrong choice. Another sting pierces her duct as a drop of blood rolls down her cheek. "Ugh, I need to go to the doctor again." Ochako groans. Her eyes suddenly widen looking at Himiko's messages as Ochako's lips bloom into a devious smirk. "Hmmm, I wonder if this will make you smile, Himiko." Ochako runs her thumb over the blood trail staining it on her fair skin. She arches her head and puffs out her chest just a bit and snaps a self-portrait and immensity sends it to Himiko. Ochako snickers. "Ochako, you are being so bad." She early taps her thumbs against her phone to see Himiko's response.
"IS THAT A BLOOD TEAR?!"
"Secret quirk ;)" The more Ochako texts the more her blood booms through her veins, she's sending blood selfies to a villain all under plain sight. Ochako might as well be a villain at this point. Her phone buzzes through her thumbs.
"Ochako you are SO BEAUTIFUL I AM SO BLESSED I KNOW YOU 🥺 Ughhhh! I want to lick the blood right off your pink cheek Ochako 🥵" Himiko's texts make Ochako blush so hard that the blood disappears from her crimson cheeks. Himiko buzzes again: "😬 hope that didn't come off creepy! I meant that as a compliment"
A strange mixture of flattery, wholesomeness, and confusion followed by a twinge of arousal. Himiko Toga is awakening something that Ochako buried six feet under a long time ago and the more she texts to Himiko the more she can feel this thing rising out of the ground pulling Ochako's strings like a twisted puppet master. But Ochako has already kissed Himiko, saved her from falling off a building, and scheduled a dancing date with her so...
She's already in too deep so might as well see how far she can take this before she's discovered and obliterated by hero society.
Ochako first responds with, "Definitely a bit weird to say, but...."
As Ochako types out the second message, her brain places a stranglehold on her anxiety, nothing is stopping her from sending this text to Himiko even if it's a really bad idea.
"Sweet, since I would rather feel your tongue on me ;P than my blood."
Ochako smashes that enter button and fires the text to Himiko. Ochako scratches her neck to itch away her anxiety, "Ugh I hope I don't sound like an idiot, I've never flirted before."
A moment goes by as Ochako takes a deep gulp.
"😳🤯🥵"
A devious smile blossoms on Ochako as she remarks. "Guess it worked." Ochako runs her fingers through her brown locks and confidently swings her hair around. "Who knew flirting with girls could be so easy? heh, I'll have her eating out of my hand in a week." Ochako pauses and takes in. "Wow, that's a thing I just said."
"You are bad and I'm here for it 🤩"
Her smile blooms into a grin as she can feel Himiko's happiness through her texts, it's working. She's making her smile and possibly arousing her too but both are good feelings! Better than jumping off a building. A deep sigh leaves Ochako as she knows one thing to be certain.
"Oh god, I'm so fucked."
THANKS FOR READING! IF YOU LIKE THIS GIVE IT A KUDOS AND IF I GET ENOUGH I'LL WRITE AN EVEN GAYER SEQUEL WITH THESE DISASTER QUEERS ;D