Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I think I have a crush on Tenya.”

Shoto blinked. Was he supposed to be surprised? 

Even if he didn’t personally know the two, it was easy to see that they spent much more time together than anyone else in the group. From day one, they’d had a tight bond that only grew. Shoto was pretty sure that Ochako prodded Tenya to change the chore rotas so that they had more time together, and Tenya did almost instantly. 

There were the early morning walks in the summer, while it was still cool out.

Tenya tucking Ochako in when she passed out on the couch studying again.

Ochako bringing Tenya snacks while he did some extra reading.

Grocery shopping together and taking twice as long as everyone else.

To conclude, Shoto didn’t think he should be surprised. They were obviously close - if the first-name basis wasn’t enough to tell.

“Uhh… okay?” They stared at each other for a beat. “What do you want me to say?”

Ochako huffed. “Give me advice!”

Shoto quirked an eyebrow. “...What makes you think I can help you…?”

“You got with Deku!”

“And…?”

“If someone as emotionally constipated as you–”

“Hey–”

“–can get with someone like Deku, then you can help me woo Tenya!”

“No one uses the word ‘woo’ anymore…”

“That’s irrelevant!” Ochako slumped into the chair opposite, her head in her hands. “Help me, please Roki…” She covered her hands with her face. After her first year, she thought she was done with crushes, she would be a pro-hero soon, she didn’t have time to gush over her classmates like that.

“Help with what?” Izuku walked through the door, he kicked off his shoes and made his way over to the table. He sat next to Shoto, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

“Uraraka has a crush on Iida.” Shoto explained. “She’s asking me what she should do.”

Izuku made a confused expression. “Why?”

“That’s what I said.”

Ochako rolled her eyes. “Fine, Deku, what do you think I should do?”

“Ask him out?”

“No!”

“Why?”

“Because what if he doesn’t like me? Then it’ll be really awkward between us, and then that’ll make it really awkward between our group. And because it’ll be my fault, I’ll have to go find some other friends. And as much as I love Mina… Kaminari and Bakugo are too much to deal with regularly.”

“I think you might be overthinking this.”

“I’m not.”

“You are,” Shoto added. “If you don’t want to ask him on a date-date, then ask him to help you study, just the two of you.”

“He’ll think I'm stupid if I ask for any more help. I get tutoring from him and Yaomomo three times a week, that plus my independent study.”

Shoto frowned. “Ura, I think you’re thinking too hard about this.”

“I’m not !” She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter,” She led her head on the table, casting her gaze out the window. “He’s too good for me anyway.”

Izuku flicked her forehead. “Keep talking like that and you’ll drive me insane.”

“What?” Ochako sat up again, “He is . He’s so tall, and pretty, and smart. Have you ever touched his hair? It’s so soft.” Her hands came up to hide her blush.

“No actually. Surprisingly, not all of us have one-on-one cuddle sessions with him.” Shoto rolled his eyes.

“To be fair, you’re probably the only one who doesn’t, Shoto.”

“What?”

“Yeah! See, Deku gets it.” Ochako exclaimed, “He’s like a human heater, and he doesn’t even have a heat-related quirk. Plus his chest is super comfy.”

“We’re not here to listen to you gush.” Shoto reminded her.

“I’ve heard her say worse.”

“What has she said?”

“Oh, just like, holding his hand, looking at his hand–”

“Izuku!”

“his hair being soft, his morning voice being ‘ sooooooo hot’, when his sleeves are rolled up and you can see his forearms , there was something about how when he tells her what to do–” Ochako clapped a hand over his mouth, she was flustered, face red.

“I think he’s heard enough, Deku.” She shot out, wearily glancing around the room to see if anyone else heard what he said.

Izuku grabbed onto her wrist to pull her away, but she stayed put, she was stronger than she looked. He put his hands on her shoulders and attempted to push her away, a few muffled groans coming from his mouth, Ochako stayed put. She held up a hand and flicked his forehead, a leg coming onto the table to make up for her severe lack of height.

“Ochako, may I ask why you’re trying to kill Midoriya?” Tenya’s voice, distinct as ever asked from across the room. How long had he been standing there? What was she supposed to say? ‘Oh yeah, he was sharing how I’ve been totally crushing on you for months.’ 

She caught a glimpse of Shoto, he mouthed to her “I got this.” He then spoke aloud. “Izuku was making fun of her for being poor.”Ochako fell back into her chair. A part of her felt bad for throwing Izuku under the bus, but technically this was Shoto’s doing.

“I did not .” Izuku gasped when she finally let him go. 

“Then why…?” Tenya trailed off.

Izuku didn’t want to expose Ochako like that, really, but did Shoto really have to use that excuse? He sighed. “I… I made a joke about Occhan being poor.”

Tenya gasped, shocked, ever the dramatic. “Midoriya! I thought you knew better than that! There’s no excuse to make fun of another person's misfortunes!”

“I’m sorry, Iida.” Izuku gritted through his teeth, “Won’t happen again.”

Ochako held back a giggle. “ Well . I think I’m going to go and study now… Mina needed my help with the physics homework.” She stood up, gave an awkward nod to Tenya and made her way to the elevator.

Ochako decided, after her slightly embarrassing exit, that she’d have to win Tenya over. Woo him, then they’d court. Or at least that’s how she imagined he would phrase it.

Ochako was no casanova, after she’d gotten over her crush on Izuku, she’d dated Neito for half of their second year before she realised he was a huge dick. Then she went on a date with a girl from one of the general courses that Hitoshi introduced her to, but it didn’t work out.

So now she was partway through her third year with freshly discovered feelings for her best friend, even after she came to the conclusion that she should stop having crushes on her best friends.

Ochako finally reached her dorm and closed the door behind her with a click. She let her back slide down the wood, landing on the floor with a thud. “Okay.” She exhaled to herself and let her thoughts run wild.

She had to drop hints, but not too many hints in case he didn’t like her back, then it would be really awkward and their friendship group would get torn apart and it would be all Ochako’s fault! Or something.

Hints. She could do hints. This would be easy, like peeling an orange.

Ochako went along the next two weeks as normal. Totally normal, super cool even, and while dropping her hints to Tenya. 

If he was confused, he didn’t say anything, not to her at least. Which led her to believe that her plan was working. If anything, Tenya was paying her more attention, lingering glances and more and more small talk between classes.

“How’d you find the test, Ochako?” He turned around, resting an arm on the back of his chair, he had this foreign casualness about him so unlike Tenya. 

“Well, I don’t think I passed… English has never been my strong suit…” She nervously giggled, letting her hand come up behind her neck to rub it awkwardly, embarrassed.

“Perhaps I could help you study? Maybe one on one tutoring might help you better?”

She was pretty sure she accidentally floated her desk, but her deathly strong grip on it kept it grounded.

Ochako wasn’t sure what was wrong with her, acting like a blushing school girl. Tenya had tutored her before, hundreds of times, they’d been alone together before, in training, doing chores, even on movie nights when Tsuyu was out and Shoto and Izuku were on a date. 

But studying with just the two of them? They were best friends, this should be easy, effortless even. She was closer with him than she was with Izuku, yet the idea of spending time alone with Tenya scared her more than she cared to admit.

“How does Sunday sound? We have another test on Monday.”

Monday? It was Monday now (they had a weekly English test covering what they did the previous week). So she had a week to mentally prepare herself. No, this would be fine. She was dropping hints and surely this was a sign of him reacting to that. So technically, everything was going to plan. But why did it feel so out of her control?

No, she just had to breathe. She was dropping her hints, he was taking them, and she was making progress and she was in control.

“Sunday sounds good. What time?”

“How does 7 pm sound? We could go up after dinner?”

Go up? Like to his room? The two of them?

Usually, they studied in the living room. So was he saying…?

No, she was reading into this too much, all his books were in his room, it made sense. His books were there and they’d need every single one if she was going to pass.

Ochako nodded. “Sure. Thanks, Tenya.” 

Tenya gave a warm smile before turning back around as Aizawa called on him to collect the papers.

Tenya thought it was weird when Ochako attacked Izuku, of course, Shoto supplied him with an explanation but the mouthed “I got you.” beforehand made it less convincing. He wasn’t going to pry, it was none of his business really, but he couldn’t help the curiosity it sparked within him.

But that was natural, he saw three of his best friends with each other, so he wanted to know what was going on, that was normal.

Then Ochako left abruptly, maybe Izuku had said something to upset her? But that was so unlike him. Clearly, something was up, but he wouldn’t pry. He wasn’t going to pry, not until for over a week straight, tenya kept finding tangerines in his bag.

They were on top of his things, round and orange and right there. He didn’t remember putting it there, surely someone else had. Even if he knew, what did it mean? Tenya tried to pinpoint when they’d arrive in his bag, it was one a day, sometimes there in time for lunch, or ready for after their physical hero training.

Part of himself suspected Shoto, Izuku or Ochako. He couldn’t be sure until he watched Ochako from across the room, she snuck across the room, unzipped the top of his bag and dropped the tangerine in before zipping his bag back off and running off. Well, at least he knew that he wasn’t being haunted by some citrus ghost.

He decided to confront Izuku about it.

“Midoriya, may I talk to you?” Tenya found him in the courtyard, sitting in the grass with his hero notebooks spread out around him.

Izuku looked up, squinting as the sun shone into his eyes, “Sure?” He moved a few books and tapped the space next to him, he capped his pen and dropped it into the grass. “What’s up?”

Tenya sat down, back up straight. “You remember a few weeks ago, you called Ochako poor?”

“Uh…” He shifted uncomfortably, “Yes.”

“Is that really what happened?”

“... Yes.”

“I just ask because I’ve noticed Ochako doing some strange things the last week.”

“What has she been doing?”

Shoto found that the dorms were rarely quiet. Kyoka played her music far too loud, so did Denki, Hanta laughed loudly, and Toru had to be noisy to make up for her lack of opaqueness.

It was fine, it wasn’t their fault Shoto was an introvert and much preferred the peace and quiet.

But this all meant that when it was quiet, weirdly, oddly, eerily quiet. He took the chance to do absolutely nothing and revel in it.

He led out across his bed. After the first year, the school decided that furniture would be provided, and students should only bring decor. So he led out across his bed, red and white hair splayed across his pillow.

Shoto cast his gaze to the ceiling, tracing his gaze over the glow in the dark star stickers Ochako had floated up and stuck there without his knowledge. He should really clean them up, but part of him liked them there, between stars were All Might stickers Izuku gave her, post-it notes hand-written by Tenya, and frog stickers from Tsuyu.

A short and quiet buzz came from his bedside table where his phone sat. Shoto turned his head idly and lifted it to peer at the name, it was Izuku so he should probably look.

Izuku 17:33

You know how Occhan said she would make moves on Iida?

Shoto 17:35

Yes

Izuku 17:35

Turns out

Those “moves”

Were

Literally sneaking oranges into his bag

Or tangerines or something

He blinked. Tangerines?

Shoto 17:36

What? 

Izuku 17:36

Sneaking tangerines into his bag.

What the hell

Actually

Now that i think about it

As Occhan comes from a food-insecure family it makes sense that her love language is giving food to others

It’s probably considered a big deal in her family

But still she could have just asked him out

But anyway they have a study date on sunday 

Idk if she knows its a date but iida thinks it is

Iida likes her btw

Idk if i told you that

But he told me and i tell u everything soooo

Shoto 17:41

Okay Izuku 

We can talk about it more later if you want

Love you

Izuku 17:41 

Okay!!

I love you more!!!!

Tangerines? Now that Izuku mentioned it, Shoto was sure he had seen Ochako sneaking around with an orange ball in her hand, but given UA’s typical shenanigans, he figured it was nothing important. He assumed she just really liked tangerines and didn’t want anyone else to know, again UA’s typical shenanigans.

He huffed as Denki’s music started up again, so much for peace and quiet.

–

Sunday rolled around far too quickly.

Ochako found herself worrying about what she was going to wear. She wasn’t even this bad when she was crushing on Izuku. She couldn’t ask any of the girls, they’d ask too many questions, Izuku had the worst fashion sense out of everyone she knew, and Shoto wore the same thing every day. 

She came to the conclusion herself: a pair of baggy jeans (from Shoto, from Fuyumi) and the only piece of legit hero merch she owned (an oversized Thirteen shirt, faded).

Ochako was thinking way too hard about this.

Nevertheless, she made her way over to Tenya’s room with her English books. And she was there to study, she reminded herself, this was not the time to ogle at the way he rolls his sleeves up so his forearms were on display. Oh god, why did he have to do that right now? Could he not have changed into a short sleeve shirt instead? Why the forearms. WHY THE FOREARMS. The material was slightly tight across his chest.

Tenya opened the door with a smile so warm it was surely criminal. He had his glasses propped on top of his head, probably tangled in his hair. Soft, blue hair. This was the worst timeline.

He welcomed her, holding the door like the gentleman he was. Ochako was suddenly reminded of how tall he was as she brushed passed him, specifically his chest. Curse her stupid genes for making her 5’2 and finished growing. Curse his stupid genes for making him 6’0 and still growing.

Was it hot in here?

“Is there a specific bit you’re struggling with?” He asked. He sat at his desk and opened his laptop while she stood.

Ochako shook her head, “No. All of it, probably tense the most.”

Tenya typed something on his laptop, it looked like an outline of their English classes of the previous week. “Shall we start from the beginning of last week?”

She nodded, books clutched tight to her chest, “That sounds good.”

Tenya stood and sat on his bed, laptop on his lap, he tapped the spot next to him for Ochako to sit. She did, thankful that he was too focused on pulling up presentations to notice her stupid red cheeks.  He pulled himself back so that he sat against the wall, cross-legged, he knocked his glasses down with his finger so they landed on his nose right and read through the text on his screen.

Ochako kept her distance on the other side of the bed.

“Do you wanna start with past tense?” He asked, pulling her out of her thoughts. When did his voice melt her like butter? When did that happen?

“Sure,”

Ochako was pretty sure it was hot in here.

Tenya explained verbs to her, she tried to listen, partially preoccupied with acting normal. Time crept on and the room suddenly became dimmer and dimmer as the sun set. The only light was the laptop screen, and the sun barely peeking through the window.

The sun lit up Tenya’s face perfectly, flecks of orange framed his face in a way that made him look almost godly.

“Have I got something on my face…?” He asked slowly. He looked back into her eyes, not the intimidating stare he gave her when she forgot her homework, instead, the gaze when she would explain the mythology behind the constellations, listening so intently.

Ochako jumped a little, immediately tearing her eyes away, “No! No, I'm sorry, just got lost in thought.” She lied.

Tenya nodded and closed the lid of his laptop. “We covered quite a bit today and it’s getting late, so would you like to finish for now?”

“Yeah, sure–”

“Actually, Ochako, I have something to ask you,”

Was it finally happening? Had her moves worked? Had she successfully wooed him? She took a deep breath and nodded, urging him to continue.

“I was just wondering if–”

Ochako shuffled closer by an inch, barely noticeable to him, hopefully.

“ –perhaps, forgive me if this is strange,”

She moved back after the sun shone directly into her eyes.

“if maybe you–”

Yes, Tenya. Spit it out. Ochako was on the, metaphorical, edge of her seat. Had all the stars aligned in her favour? She’d have to thank them tonight.

“–had been sneaking tangerines into my bag?”

Nevermind, fuck the stars. Ochako’s jaw fell slack. “Uhm–” She spluttered out, “Well, well… I might have… once or twice… a day…”

If her face wasn’t red before, it definitely was now from embarrassment. 

It made sense in her brain, at home, her mother and father always gave each other small bits of food. Like a love language. Had she been so stupid to think that it was universal?

“I’m sorry… it made sense in my head.” She explained bashfully, toying with the pads on her fingers and refusing to meet his eyes.

“May I ask why?” Tenya spoke softly, he didn’t sound angry, which Ochako considered a win. She would know if he was, he was never good at hiding his emotions.

She decided she may as well just spit it out. “I really like you.” She confessed. “And I thought– well, it’s a thing my parents do… giving each other food that is… I didn’t realise how stupid it was to other people… I didn’t want to tell you directly because it could mess everything up but– but yeah, I’m sorry. I should go, thank you for the help, Tenya.” Ochako stood quickly, forgetting about the notebook on her lap as it fell to the ground with a loud thud. She crouched down to pick it up, ears practically on fire.

“No, Ochako,” Tenya stood up, though not before moving his laptop off his lap. “Ochako, hold on–” He followed her few steps towards the door and gently grabbed onto her arm, “I also like you.”

Her brain short wired. What?

His voice was barely above a whisper, quiet and hushed. “I figured you weren’t interested, but… if you are, then I’d like to ask you out properly… there’s this cafe in Tokyo we could go to… they do all kinds of mochi, my brother and I went in the summer and I thought you would like it.”

Ochako turned around to face him. She let out a small giggle at her own stupidity, she had really gotten so worked up over nothing. She looked up into his eyes, red with tiny tangerine speckles painted in them.

“I’d like that a lot actually.” She bought her face up to her cheeks in a failed attempt to cover her a blush, shaking her head at herself, “God! I’m so stupid! I’m sorry if I freaked you out, Tenya!”

“You did,” He chuckled, he grabbed hold of her wrists and tugged them away from her face, “At first anyway, but I caught you one time,” He intertwined their fingers, “If it helps, I don’t think it was stupid at all. Sweet, actually, at least after I realised I wasn’t being haunted by a citrus ghost.”

Chapter Text

When Tenya woke up the following morning, he couldn’t help but feel slightly jittery. He may have let Izuku’s pep talk go to his head, and while drunk on confidence and a little caffeine, he had really asked Ochako out. On a date too.

He pulled at the fabric of his shirt and wiped his glasses over before putting them on. He glanced towards the blank form on his desk, he’d gotten it last night, then he’d fill it out and had it into Aizawa at lunch later.

It was a permission form to leave campus at the weekend, he and Ochako had spoken and decided on the following Saturday, which was sooner than he had anticipated. But she was so excited and he couldn’t say no, not that he had any real reason to, other than nerves.

Tenya picked a pen from his desk and filled it out promptly, for the two of them. Usually, he’d be filling it out for their whole group, Izuku, Shoto, Tsuyu, Ochako, and then him, so it felt weird just writing his and her names. He finished the form and left it on his desk, for the time being, then he went about getting ready for the day.

He’d go on his morning run with Hanta (stay in shape), return to the dorms for breakfast (the most important meal of the day), and get changed after because god forbid someone spills something on his pristine shirt (white stains easy).

Then he’d go to class, arriving fifteen minutes early as the class representative should. Then he’d sit through class, a little more restless than usual as he waited for lunch. A little too aware of the form in his bag. Then lunch came and Tenya insisted that they all go ahead without him. 

He walked down the hall until he reached the teachers’ lounge and knocked on the open door, peering inside. Aizawa was slumped over his desk, though clearly not asleep as Midnight and Present Mic chattered. He had the paper clutched in his hand, he was a little surprised he hadn’t accidentally torn it yet.

Midnight glanced towards the door and smiled, “Come in, Iida. Are you here for Eraser?” Aizawa sat up with reluctance. 

“Yes.” Tenya nodded and entered the room. “I have a form to give him.” He passed the paper to Aizawa, folded and a little crinkled. “A permission form to leave campus this weekend, to go to Tokyo.” He clarified. Aizawa unfolded the paper, looking it over, he quirked an eyebrow up and Tenya did not miss how Midnight read it over his shoulder. 

“Yeah, that’s fine.” He concluded, “I’ll file it later.” He folded it back over and placed it on the pile of pre-existing paperwork next to his computer. 

Tenya bowed, “Thank you, sir.” He exited swiftly, relieved more than anything.

Midnight let her gaze linger on the folded paper. “I’ve got to say,” She said, tapping her chin and the first to break the silence, “This is a surprise. But it makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?”

“I thought they were already together,” Mic admitted. They were almost always together in one way or another, and he was yet to get through one English class where Ochako wasn’t passing Tenya a note. Although he did ignore it, he always kept it until the end of class to read.

Midnight shook her head, “Nope. But–”

“Stop commenting on student affairs.” Aizawa instructed. He had sat up again now and working through the hefty pile of paper before him. “It’s not appropriate and it’s none of your business.”

“You’re telling me that you aren’t at least a little bit curious about your class.”

“Not at all. I couldn’t care less, actually.”

“And what about Shinso?”

“Still don’t care.” And he didn’t. Not unless it started to have a negative impact on their education. He walked over to the shredder and slid in a few pieces of paper. “As long as it doesn’t affect me then I have no reason to bother with it.”

Midnight sighed. “You are so boring, Shota.”

“No, I’m sensible.”

“That’s just a fancy word for boring,” Mic added.

Tenya waited outside the dorm building Saturday morning. He was early, of course, and texting to a new founded group chat consisting of Izuku, Shoto, and him. Izuku had insisted on it so that Tenya could keep them posted throughout the day.

Izuku 8:47 am

Tenten how are you feeling 1!!!!

Tenya 8:48 am

Very nervous !

I hope she doesn’t back out last minute

Izuku 8:48 am

Omg

You guys are just as bad as each other

Stop worrying !!!!

She won’t 

She wouldn’t stop texting me last night about what to wear and like

Occhan…. Does not care about that stuff ever

Tenya furrowed his brow.

Tenya 8:50 am

She thinks i’ll judge her if she’s not dressed “nicely”????

Izuku 8:51 am

No omg

She’s just nervous is what im saying

Because she really wants this to go well !!!!

She’s coming down now by the way 

Good luck !!!! B)

After a few moments, the door opened and Ochako stepped out. And, oh, she looked like a dream.

There was nothing spectacular about what she was wearing. She was only wearing an old t-shirt far too big for her and a skirt from a charity shop with a pair of beaten-up sneakers and her usual pink backpack. But she was smiling and her face was like the sun - golden and bright.

“I’m not late, am I?” she asked, she was out of breath after bolting down as fast as she could.

Tenya shook his head and suppressed a chuckle. “Ten minutes early, actually. We could start walking now if you’d like?”

Ochako nodded eagerly and strode up to him to walk together. She bounced beside him while he simply sauntered along. It wasn’t a far walk, only twenty minutes or so, straight-forward too. Along the road and into the city, under a railway bridge, then a little further, around a corner and you were there.

When they boarded the train, Ochako took the window seat, and Tenya took the aisle. He pushed the armrest between them up and out of the way. 

“I always hit my elbows on them,” He told her, “Plus it’s more comfortable, isn’t it?”

“Sure, sure.” She grinned, “I never have a problem with seats or anything.”

“Oh that’s true, you’re travel-sized,” He stated, “Being your size has its perks… occasionally.” he nudged her playfully. She nudged back and as the train set off they stayed in comfortable silence.

Ochako was texting someone on her phone, whoever it was was clearly eager as the second she put her phone down it vibrated again. Tenya’s phone was also vibrating every few minutes, but he ignored it, if it were important then someone would call him. And he didn’t want to distract himself from the present. He’d never been on a date before, not really.

There were times he thought he may have been close to it. Like when Mei kept hinting at things, only to friendzone him minutes later. But that was as close as he got.

Tenya was relieved in a way. His very first date was with Ochako, someone familiar and safe to explore something new and slightly terrified with. She wouldn’t hold him to any mistakes nor have any obscene expectations for him, and vice-versa. There was something so human in that to Tenya. They were training to be heroes, to be courageous and all-powerful and almost godly to some. It was hard to explain for Tenya, but he was sure that no one in their right mind would put that amount of pressure on a human being. But he supposed that maybe they weren’t in their right mind.

Ochako tapped his arm and looked up, maybe had underestimated their height difference before. He made a small humming sound in response.

“Um, did you have anything else planned other than the cafe?” She asked, a little hopeful.

He pinched the fabric of his trousers and toyed with it. “Nothing specific, I thought it would be nice to just wander around the city.” He confessed, he didn’t plan anything else, he hadn’t even thought of it actually. That scared him, being so carefree with her. “I think there might be a market on.”

Ochako nodded and her hands lingered on his arm. “There’s an exhibition I found you might like… I was looking at things to do in case we got stuck for time.” Her fingers drew little circles into his skin, a subconscious tell he knew that meant she was a little nervous. “We don’t have to, it’s just about planes and air travel, and I know you like that kind of stuff?”

His smile only widened, but he remained composed. “That sounds lovely, Ochako. How far is it from the cafe?”

“Not far. I don’t think. I don’t remember.”

“We can google it when we get to the cafe,” Tenya assured. He kept his arm perfectly still, worried that if he were to move it then she might stop tracing those patterns into it.

She stopped, unfortunately. Though only after connecting each freckle to each other and only after they had arrived in Tokyo.

When they finally arrived at the cafe, Tenya noticed that it had changed a little from the summer. It had gone from a creamy white colour to being painted light pink, the windows had small stickers dotted all over them - flowers, stars, and moons. He was sure Ochako would love it even more now, it was like they knew she would be coming and decorated it so accordingly. The seating had expanded too, there were more tables outside, and it looked like there wore more tables inside too. Apparently, the business had boomed since last August.

Ochako stared at it in awe. He touched the small of her back barely, “Shall we go in?” Tenya asked. She nodded with a wide smile plastered onto her face and bounced through the door.

Thankfully, it was relatively quiet. Though Tenya put that down to it being around 11 am, the lunch rush would come later and hopefully after they’ve left.

They settled for a seat in the corner and next to the window, two seats opposite each other with a soft white tablecloth draped over the table. Tenya pulled Ochako’s chair out for her.

“I think they mostly do sweet things and baked goods here.” He reminded her, he picked out the two menus from the holder and passed one to her, keeping the other for himself. “We can have brunch now and get a proper lunch later on?”

Ochako’s eyes were fixed on the menu but she nodded, “Sure, they might do food at the exhibition.”

“It’ll be horrifyingly expensive.”

“True…” She huffed, still not looking up. She swung her legs under the table, “We’ll find somewhere.” A few minutes of silence passed between them, “I can’t make up my mind!” She whined, putting the menu down, “There’s so much on the menu!”

Tenya smiled. “I suppose it has expanded a lot since I last came here with Tensei… Just choose something, then we’ll just have to come back again until you’ve tried everything.” He concluded. Ochako sort of grinned all giddy at that and the implications.

“I guess so…” She played it cool. Her eyes trailed down the menu again and soon she decided, “Taiyaki, I think, the chocolate one and a coffee?”

Tenya nodded and folded his menu, “I think we need to order at the counter,” He stood and glanced at where the toilets were, “I’m going to the loo too if that’s okay. I’ll be back in a moment,” He made his way to the counter to order. Ochako took the opportunity to check her phone, which had been bought close to blowing up in the short time it took to walk from the station to the cafe.

As she suspected, they were all from the group chat with Shoto and Izuku that they almost insisted on, though Izuku more so.

Izuku 10:56 am

Where’s ochako gone

Occhan how’s it going!!!!!

Shoto 10:56 am

She’s barely gotten off the train Izuku

Izuku 10:57 am

Well hurry up chako

Keep us updated :((((

Ochako 11:15

You’re so nosy izuku

Aren’t you too supposed to be doing something today????

Izuku 11:15

What

No no no no no no

No

!!!

Shoto 11:16

I’m not supposed to know

Ochako 11:17

Ah okay

My lips are sealed sorryyyyy

Its going well btw

The cafe is very cute !!!

Pink :D

Izuku 11:18

Pink !!!

Make sure to send us pictures

Why are you on your phone while on a date ochako not very polite of you

Ochako blushed a little at the word.

Ochako 11:19

He’s in the toilet rn

See? Not rude at all :p

He is coming back though

Bye bye

“Do you want me to pay you back cash or transfer?” She asked as he sat back down, already reaching for her bag.

Tenya just shook his head. “It’s okay, I’ve got this one.”

“But I just got paid?” The internships were now required to pay the interns for their time, something about child labour… or something…

“So did I.” He replied, “Really, Ochako, it’s okay.” Oh, her parents were going to love him, not that they didn’t already.

Ochako put her purse back in her bag and huffed. 

“I don’t mind, honest.” Tenya insisted, putting his hands up in defence. 

“You won’t pay next time.” Ochako switched back to her happy-go-lucky demeanour. “How’d you find this place? Any thrilling story to share?”

Tenya chuckled but shook his head. “No, afraid not. Tensei and I were just in the area, and this place just happened to be open. I’m glad we found it though.”

“Ah. Me too, it’s very pretty,”

“It’s very pink.” He corrected, “You like pink,”

“I do.”

…

Tenya cleared his throat. “It was white the last time we came, and a lot smaller. Those stickers weren’t there either,” He gestured his head towards the windows, “I think it looks nicer this way though.”

Ochako opened her mouth to reply when the waitress came over with a tray. She set it on the table and placed the food and drink accordingly. They thanked her before she left.

In front of Tenya was a plate with a few pieces of white mochi and, of course, tea, black. He caught her gaze on his plate and asked “Would you like some? It’s coconut.”

Ochako forced her head to shake, “No, it’s okay, I’ve got taiyaki, remember?”

Chuckling, Tenya shook his head and picked up one of the balls and placed it on her plate, nudging the paper bag the taiyaki was in to the side. Then he gave her another. “Don’t worry, my hands are clean,”

“Tenya! You don’t have to–”

“I purposely ordered more because I knew you’d want some.” He said, “I know you’re a bit of a mochi fanatic, so…” He trailed off, “I insist, Ochako.”

She narrowed her eyes at him then gave in reluctantly. She picked up a piece and popped it into her mouth. Ochako exhaled with delight, chewing, “This is really good!” She exclaimed between mouthfuls.

“Don’t talk with your mouthful,” He scolded playfully. “I knew you’d like it.” Tenya took a bite of his own, though not stuffing the whole thing in his mouth like Ochako.

Ochako swallowed, “Thanks, Ten.” A little red came onto her cheeks but she ignored it. “I’d offer you some of my taiyaki but you don’t like chocolate, do you?” She held the packet up, the head of the fish sticking out.

“Nope,” He took a sip of his tea, “It’s okay, you worry too much.”

“You sound like Izuku.” Ochako started on her taiyaki, saving the other ball of mochi for last, though that took great self-restraint. “Besides, that’s rich coming from you.” 

“I suppose.” Tenya chuckled. “But worrying doesn’t suit you .”

Ochako just smiled and they ate in silence. Part of it felt awkward, Ochako was bursting at the seams trying to resist talking to him and express her excitement. She held back, thankfully. But part of it did feel so familiar, this was no different to any other meal they had shared between just the two of them, only the context was different now.

“Ochako,” Tenya started, they’d finished eating now. “You’ve got a little something–” He touched the corner of his own mouth, 

“Did I get it?” Ochako wiped over the side of her mouth with a napkin.

“No, dear, the other side,” She dabbed the other side, a little too high, though, “No… lower.” Too low. He leaned across the table and directed her hand towards the small splodge of chocolate on her face. “There you go,” He sat back in his chair. He lifted his cup of tea to his mouth in a lame attempt to hide the faintest blush that splattered across his cheeks. If Ochako noticed, she didn’t say anything.

Ochako stacked their empty plates on top of each other and glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s 12 o’clock, what time is our train home?”

He swallowed his mouthful of tea, “Not until 6:30, we’ve got plenty of time.” Tenya pushed his empty cup next to the plates and then Ochako did the same.

“We should go look at that exhibition soon, maybe, plus I think this place is about to get really busy.” She pointed out at the sight of a few more customers making their way through the door.

As planned, the next stop was the plane exhibition. Although it was smaller than they anticipated, Tenya seemed to enjoy it. Ochako didn’t want to leave, she wouldn’t have minded circling around it again and again until it closed if it meant she got to hear him talk so passionately like that. He hadn’t even been so passionate when discussing health and safety during training, so she considered that a score.

After the exhibition, they wandered through some markets. They were typical, a little overpriced, but that’s what Ochako expected from the city.

Finally, Tenya suggested visiting his home. The notion worried Ochako, but she agreed. Logically, nothing terrible could happen.

When they got there, it was fairly large, although that’s what Ochako expected. It looked pristine and two very expensive looking cars were parked outside the front. Tenya pressed the doorbell and after barely a minute, a middle-aged woman opened the door. 

“Tenya!?” Despite her surprise, she widened the door and allowed them in, “I didn’t realise you were in town?” The inside, or at least the hallway, felt uncharacteristically Iida. Although she’d never met the family properly, Ochako had assumed that it would be rather minimalist, like you could barely tell someone lived there. But the walls were lined with family photos and a wooden table against the wall was littered with letters and keys with far too many keychains (now she knew where Tenya got the habit from.”

Tenya kicked his shoes off and put on a pair of slippers, “Only for a little while, I thought you might appreciate the visit,” He handed Ochako a pair of slippers, “I bought Ochako with me, you remember her, don’t you?”

Ochako had met Tenka once when they attended a winter festival in Tokyo. The only difference was that then she had Izuku making almost all of the conversation when at present, it was just her. Not that she was shy, but she couldn’t help but feel a little bit nervous.

Ochako bowed quickly, “It’s a pleasure to meet you again Mrs Iida!”

Tenka just laughed and tapped her shoulder to bring her up, “No need for those sorts of formalities here, dear.” She smiled. “Would you like some tea?”

It was dark now, and as they dipped back under the little railway bridge along the path back to UA, Tenya put his arm around Ochako’s shoulder and drew her closer. She was rambling on about her and Tsuyu’s plans to go back to Ryuku’s agency for the summer, but to Tenya there was no one else in the universe apart from her and him.

Ochako fell silent. And then they walked quietly for the rest of the journey. At some point, although Tenya couldn’t pinpoint when their hands had interlocked.

“Ochako,” Tenya started, he was going to say something, it was on the tip of his tongue but his mind blanked. He had stopped them on the front decking of their dorm, only the little lamp on the wall, swarmed by moths, and the moonlight kept them from total darkness.

Ochako turned to face him, keeping their hands together. She looked up to him with eyebrows raised in a confused expression. “Yeah?”

Tenya took her other hand and glanced sideways to the windows, the lights were on but no one was there. His face was practically on fire at what he was daring to ask, he could feel the heat on his ears radiating like the sun. “Do you mind if…” He took a breath, “Can I kiss you?” He rushed out like the words were lethal to his tongue. Was he pushing this too far? They’d had a wonderful day out that he’d give anything to live again, but what if this was too much?

Ochako moved her hands up to his shoulders, pinky up, and pulled him down gently. His hands fell to her waist and then they were kissing and it just felt so right. It was clumsy and awkward, like all first kisses, neither of them was sure what to do, how to do it. Part of tenya feels eager, but she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t either.

Everything about it was so familiar, especially as his hands went to cup her rosier-than-usual cheeks, his hands were a little firm and heavy, but that was Tenya. She could taste his cherry lip balm, a taste that’s so distinct to him. His fingers traced over the dozens of thin, bumpy scars that littered her jaw and neck, moving his thumb like he was counting each one.

Then the door opens and it’s over as quickly as it began. Tenya jumped back as if he’d been caught doing the most scandalous thing imaginable.

Shoto looked between them, he looked dazed and a little paler than usual. “Sorry…” He rasped, “I needed some fresh air.”

Tenya straightened his back and regained his composure. “Of course, we were just going inside… Can we get you anything? You look rather sickly.”

Shoto shook his head and sat down on the edge of the porch. “No it’s fine, Izuku’s coming out in a second.” He paused, “Sorry for interrupting you two.”

“What?” Ochako squeaked, “No, no, you weren’t interrupting anything!” Her voice jumped an octave higher. “Promise!”

Shoto apparently ignored her. “You two can go,” He waved them away with a weak hand, and they reluctantly obliged.

Tenya, per usual, held the door open for Ochako. “I think I’m going to head to my room,” he pushed his shoes off, “Nothing personal, I’m just tired,”

“Sure,” Ochako yawned, “I am too.” They stepped inside the elevator and Ochako leaned up to kiss Tenya’s cheek as he pressed the button. “I really enjoyed today,” She said, her voice was quiet and almost hushed. “ Really enjoyed it . We should do it again sometime?”

“Of course,”

The doors opened for Ochako’s floor. She placed a hand on the door to stop it from closing, “Next time we go to Mei, yeah?”

“I’d really like that.”