Chapter Text
June 7
‘It’s a good day.’ That was exactly what Ochako decided. The sky had little puffy clouds dotting it, the breeze was small but carried the fresh cut grass scent from all the lawn mowing that has been happening today and yesterday.
In fact it would be even better if- “Gods Denki! Close the door, we don’t want to melt!” Mina’s anguished cry echoed up the stairs from where she was hanging out with Denki and Hanta. Ehem. If not for the raging heat of the day that was.
Ochako chuckled while brushing some of her long hair that had escaped the ponytail back behind her. ‘Thank f*ck for these dorms and their AC. If I was still living by myself…’ She shivered despite the heat.
Still though she was near her destination. A quick turn from the stairway and into the second floor left her only rooms away from the All Might plate that held her girlfriends name.
“... You know, I’m not sure they legally changed that yet? Or are we waiting till after the Expo?” The brown haired woman muttered to herself, tapping her chin with a finger.
Arriving at the door she knocked and called out, a smile pulling at her lips at seeing her lover. “Dekiru! Can I come in?”
“...”
Ochako blinked at the silence, brows furrowing as she grew confused. She was in her room, right? “Izumi? Are you there?” She pressed her ear to the door. Where could she have gone-
“...sob…”
“Izumi?!” The broken, nearly silent sound tore through any ounce of self control and she slammed the door open (It was unlocked?) only to see her girlfriend curled up in a ball pressed against the foot of her bed and the wall.
“Hun, talk to me!” Assess the situation. ‘I don’t see any damage, no struggle or blood. She’s making noise.. Ochako tried to run down the list but it was just- blanking for no damn reason!
She knelt down next to the crying woman, not even hearing as the door latched shut behind her. Worry causes her heart to beat at a much higher rate, the adrenalin bringing to mind many rescues and raids, Izumi superimposing herself over her memories of damaged people and places.
“Hun?” She can’t panic. Ochako took a deep breath, calming down and lightly placing her hand on the green haired woman’s knee. “Izumi?”
Bloodshot green eyes peeked out, filled with tears causing her to try and put on a gentle smile. “Hey hun. Mind telling me what's going on?”
They waited like that for almost a minute before the ball uncurled herself and tilted forward. The brown haired woman, knowing exactly what was going to happen, rearranged her crossed legs to be more comfortable when Izumi finally laid her head down on them.
With padded fingers she ran her hand through Izumi’s tangles slowly, waiting for her to speak. Which she finally did. “I can’t do it.” The broken tone caused Ochako to clench her jaw.
“What can’t you do?” Ochako hated how she relaxed at that sentence. That nothing was physically wrong, that it was just mental and emotional. She knew just how deep those wounds could go, but it was better than needing to call Recovery Girl.
(‘It really wasn’t.’ Her thoughts would whisper later, thinking about the ease physical wounds could be healed.)
“...I wanted to go swimming with you guys.”
Ochako blinked, almost lighting up but staying calm. “I didn’t even think of that, it sounds like a great idea. Why can’t you?”
“Swimsuit.”
And then she understood.
None of them had gone swimming since Izumi came out (Except for Tsu at the gym or for quirk practice) and Izumi… Didn’t have a swimsuit. No, it was more than that. Even wearing a one piece would cause a bulge that Ochako -knew- would be far worse than this. Two piece or bikinis? She was only partially successful in not shivering at the image of Izumi’s emotions if she was ever forced into one.
.
What's worse was Ochako knew how much Izumi loved to swim. The beach she cleaned was a common summer hang out for the class last year, and even the school pool was regularly visited during the summer and fall months.
…’How did I not notice?’ Honestly it was hindsight talking, how Izumi wore shirts to swim in after the war. Ochako had just assumed it had to do with her scars, but knowing what she does now…
“Hey, look at me please?” Ochako gently pressed against Izumi’s head until she was looking up at her with that horrible expression.
“It’s going to be okay. Izumi, You’re beautiful to me.” A padded thumb wiped away the water collecting on the corner of an emerald eye. “And remember, this is only temporary. I-Island has those miracle pills. And all the other stuff too. How about, after the Expo we take you swimsuit shopping and hang out at one of the on campus pools?”
She watched as her girlfriend’s eyes had some light come back into them, feeling relieved when Izumi finally spoke. “Okay.”
And that was enough for her. Did she spend the next few hours comforting her girlfriend, just sitting with her and brushing her hair? Absolutely.
Did she care how her legs gave out instead of letting her stand up afterwards? ‘Worth it.’
