Work Text:
Himiko sketched on the margins of her paper, the line turned into a line, existing only to further a more precise artwork. Carefully, a crow appeared in her notes, peaking out between the letters.
Her pencil swept around certain areas, giving the feathers a certain sheen, as if illuminated by the sun.
She used negative space to its full advantage, she learned about it in art class recently. She could almost feel the sunlight herself. Almost.
The corner of her lips perked up if only slightly at the thought. She has been improving a lot!
She tapped the back of her pencil on the desk, contemplating on how to shade the beak. After all, she couldn't spend the entire time admiring unfinished work.
In the world of art she was free to do whatever she wanted. She wouldn't have to try to be normal and fail. She could be perfect.
She sighed and eased the pressure on her pencil; it felt almost non-existent in her hand.
Deciding having a lighter beak made the blood pop out more she darkened the blood to add more contrast.
It looked almost like… Fresh blood.
Blood looks better fresh, she has enough experience to know that. Fresh is usually pretty bright but it's harder to achieve with only a pencil…
She shouldn't be thinking about that. Her mom would… She'd be anything but silent. Even as a smile crept onto her face, tainting her entire demeanor all she could see was her mother.
Her mother would stare at her– eyes veering on insane– and yell at her. She'd give intermediate pauses, a quick, “why can't you be normal?” As if she chose to be ‘abnormal’.
She wished she could blame it on the art. That she could just quit it and then she'd be normal again.
But, she can't do that.
The moment she got her powers she got married to it.
The spark in her eyes dimmed as the crow stared back at her, eyes lifeless. She felt disgusting but when those beady eyes looked at her like that…
She wanted to throw up.
The crow was just so cute when it bled... Her cheeks flushed as her lines became increasingly wonky.
It was disgusting.
She willed it away for a second, fending away the curved line and hazy gaze of death.
Perpendicular, perpendicular, perpendicular.
Her art is the one time she doesn't have to deal with everything. So she continued, the bout of bloodlust had fled.
She cocked her head and angled her pencil to sketch the crow’s beak the right way.
Straight lines turned jagged and her hands grew weak. The crow's beak hung ajar.
Its blood was leaking, its eyes seemingly darker than before. A leg stuck out, crooked, almost as if someone had crushed the bird within their palms.
It almost made Toga wish the crow were real. She shouldn't be thinking like that– she only wanted to admire it.
That's it.
Just… with blood and everything.
Maybe give a few fresh wounds…
The crow's not real. Her mother couldn't be mad at her for this. Just this one time, she can indulge a little bit.
The teacher’s still droning on and on about her stupid lecture– nobody will notice.
It's just a tiny splurge.
The crow's feathers were messy and odd yet now they seemed perfect. Worthy of admiration.
The blood increased as its features melted together into a grotesque mush and the world didn't fall a part.
It wasn't supposed to be that messy– she meant to keep the blood minimal at first. For the sake of the drawing but how could she stop herself?
She can't in real life and art lets you do anything so what if she replicates real life!
She pressed her pencil harder onto the page, it dragged through the paper. She was practically begging for tears yet she continued onward.
Her eyes were blown wide. Blood was gushing from its stomach, its eyes, its beak, it was seeping beneath the feathers.
An underlying mess of blood. Unnoticeable at first yet it grew exponentially. Unignorable.
Toga grinned, sickly and twisted. She felt sick and disgusting but she continued.
Blood swelled in its eyes, Toga's eyes widened with it, taking it all in.
She leaned forward, her chair creaking under her, it needed more blood.
She needs more blood– it's not enough blood, it's never enough.
Her mouth curled, a smile dragging alongside her pencil in a tangled mess of quirk and desire.
She spoke hurriedly, “BLOOD, BLOOD…” she repeated it to herself. Tasting it on her tongue– savoring even the word itself.
She felt nauseous.
She hates this.
She does.
She doesn't like this.
Himiko huffed, silence slowly enclosing her. Fuck.
The familiar whispers of hatred grew in a low rumble around her. She slowly looked up from her paper and the whole class was staring at her.
Her hands trembled from under the desk, everything became hazy again. She indulged more than she should've.
Ever since she got her quirk life has been hell, how is she supposed to just contain it?
She can't even draw anymore without it taking over like a disease.
The teacher just sighed like she did every time, thin brows furrowed and mouth curled into a snarl.
Mrs. Kusakabe didn't need to say she hated Himiko, it was easy to tell from her eyes. They were filled with vitriol, anyone would be able to read her with ease, she hated Himiko.
Once people learned her quirk that was the typical reaction. She doesn't really blame them.
She's scared of herself too, sometimes, so she gets it. She stopped judging them a long time ago.
“Toga, please don't distract the class.” She sighed and turned to the student next to her. “I apologize for her interruption–” she rattled off more apologies.
Himiko rolled her eyes before letting them slowly drift to her paper again. Art is now officially a home alone activity.
“Being new to a school is incredibly difficult but I promise you not all our students are like this!” The teacher frantically spewed on more stupid stuff but Himiko stopped listening by then.
Blah blah blah, some new pretty girl, it was hard to care when something so much more precious was laid out in front of her.
She gave the girl a once over anyway since art is off limits.
She confirmed it. Yeah, she doesn't care.
Himiko turned back to the drawing. The crow's blank stare felt pointed and she couldn't help but slightly relish in it.
Disgusting, she shouldn't think like that.
Her mom would kill her.
The blood splatters looked smooth yet viscose and the scars seemed to have ruby jewels inside.
Fresh crimson goodness waiting to be freed– she took a deep breath.
She needs to control herself better, mother's already mad at her for having a bad quirk. Because she's a disgusting freak.
She has to stop thinking like this.
Himiko can't get detention on top of being a horrible daughter, she has to stop staring.
Well maybe she wouldn't have to worry at all if her mom could just see it from her perspective…
Maybe Himiko needs to bleed too.
Maybe the birds weren't enough cus’ mother didn't know the birdies.
If someone loved Himiko and bled for her then… She bit her bottom lip, lowering her head further and gripping onto her skirt with shaky hands.
That wouldn't happen. It's stupid. Her crush already rejected her.
All of this is stupid.
She just has so much love, it's gushing out her head and pulsing beneath her skin. It's a shameful kind of love but it doesn't have to be.
How is she supposed to just keep it all inside? Why does she have to be the only one to hide her kind of love? Is it really that bad to want more?
A soft tap resonated on her desk.
Everyone else has to feel it too.
Her desk shook.
It's not fair if she's the only one who feels too warm, too stuffy, too… Fond.
“HIMIKO.” Himiko shot up at the mention of her name, searching for a face to match the voice.
It didn't take long, however, to notice Mrs. Kusakabe.
Her dark bun was slowly coming undone, her face a distinct scarlet.
At this point she wasn't even trying to hide her scowl-grimace-general-hatred-of-Himiko anymore.
The mole above her top lip quivered along with her grimace, eyes sharper than Himiko would've cared for.
Honestly, she didn't like the fact Mrs. Kusakabe used her first name, Himiko hates her.
She tapped her disturbingly short nails on the table, leaning in uncomfortably close to Himiko.
Toga leaned back to combat this but she could smell Mrs. Kusakabe’s breath anyway, “the only free seat is next to you.”
Toga sighed, already grabbing her bag off the other chair.
"Sit somewhere else. She will be sitting in your seat instead. Find another one.” Himiko paused, her mouth agape and features contorted into that of pure shock.
She looked up from her bag only to be met with Mrs. Kusakabe's smug grin.
The teacher swept her hair back into a perfect bun, her hands almost completely disappearing behind her thick hair.
She joyfully retreated back behind her desk. Himiko's face didn't change, couldn't change.
How the hell was she supposed to react?
Giggles flooded her ears, jeering, mocking, whispers tandem with that of hyenas. She wasn't the best at social stuff but she knew what that laugh meant. What those noises meant.
They aren't laughing with her, none of them really like her. They were laughing at her because she was embarrassing.
She could've said a lot of things, could've done a lot of things, could've turned around and stabbed them.
It wouldn't have been hard. Just two jumps, 3 lunges and a half swipe. She never left home without her knife either so it was in the realm of possibility.
But she didn't.
She still needs to pretend to be normal, even if she isn't actually normal.
Besides, what would her crush think? He'd hate her even more. Right now she still has a chance, even if he rejected her at first, she could win him over. Then he'll accept her.
A tap resonated from next to her. It was light and on the edge of her desk but Himiko noticed it on the first tap, no longer enraptured by her art.
She lifted her gaze away from Mrs. Kusakabe’s massive nose and turned to the girl standing next to her instead.
“Uhm… You're Toga right? I know the teacher told you to move but… Uhm– I don't mind!” She fiddled her thumbs and avoided eye contact.
“It's still your seat!” She stared at Himiko far too passionately but it almost came off as adorable rather than irritating.
Himiko almost couldn't see her full expression from behind her bangs.
But for a moment the sun rose at the exact right height and her bangs flew back just a bit and Himiko could see her in her entirety.
Her eyes, they were… They were the most beautiful shade of brown. A shade not dissimilar to her hair yet bright enough to look like a new color entirely.
The shower of sun above her only made her glow beneath it, building on to her beauty. The once over really didn't do her justice.
It was hard not to admire her, she was a work of art in human form. A golden angel surrounded by fools!– In the facial department at least.
She was wearing an old school uniform, while not dirty the signs of wear were visible. Could she not afford a new one?
Well, even with her ill-fitting uniform Himiko couldn't help but stare. She needed to see her bleed.
Her flushed cheeks didn't help Himiko's desire, she just looked so red and ready…
She slowly moved her eyes around to scan the room. The new girl furrowed her brows before moving her eyes to watch Himiko again.
She was completely oblivious to the inner turmoil within Himiko's head at the moment.
Himiko's scowl deepened despite her desire for bloodshed. She pushed down the need for blood and sighed.
The pretty girl's eyes widened as she watched Himiko, practically jumping when their eyes met.
This girl… She isn't even trying to hide her emotions. Heart isn't even on her sleeve, it's somehow in Himiko's hand!
Himiko hasn't even met her till now yet she's already…
“...What?” Was all Himiko could croak out. Her voice was raspy from not having spoken in a while.
This girl was pretty and all but Toga wasn't exactly listening to her.
The pretty girl's shoulders raised all the way up to her ears. Her short hair was taken in as collateral in the process.
She examined Himiko's expression with careful curiosity. A measured dose of skepticism added in.
Not exactly fear but caution, people tend to react that way about Toga's quirk too. Somebody could have…
It's very probable. Toga didn't really have a pretty enough face to be dissected like this. She wasn't exactly sure why the pretty girl was watching so carefully.
The girl brought a hand to her neck and tilted her head a bit. Himiko's eyes didn't stray from her this time.
"You don't need to move.” Himiko lifted an eyebrow, “the teacher told you to move your seat but… I'll sit next to you.”
Himiko suppressed a frown, she knew these types.
The knight, the savior, the one who could finally fix her!
Except they never actually fix her and when they inevitably fail they get really annoying.
This girl may look like a Goddess but she's not one.
Himiko doesn't really like people like that either, how is she supposed to?
They treat her like some dog that has to be tamed. At least when her parents treat her like a wild animal she can pretend she's a scary wolf or something. Wolves are way cooler, they're built for carnage.
“Oh– my name is!–” Himiko looked away wordlessly, ignoring her attempts at conversation the entire period. The moment she understood this girl's goal, Himiko lost interest.
Yet a certain pair of brown eyes never strayed far.
Even when Himiko began to leave the classroom she could hear a second pair of steps right behind hers. Himiko only had so much patience.
She sighed and abruptly stopped in the middle of the halls. A gasp, groan, and crash followed.
Before she got out a word, a hand touched Himiko's back.
The perpetrator had attempted to latch onto her before quickly letting go and crashing onto the ground.
The girl behind Himiko fell with little to no grace. Did she know that girl from somewhere?
Himiko turned to her, maybe rejoicing in her pain but instead she froze. The girl's eyes were blown wide and at first Himiko was confused.
She looked less like being caught and more like she'd committed some kinda heinous crime.
Himiko was about to question her until she realized something, the girl was really small.
Her features were indistinguishable. Like, she was always small but she somehow got… Smaller, like alarmingly small.
Hold on… Was that… The savior-complex-girl?
Not only that but, Himiko's hair was floating, tangles and all, almost as if they were in water.
She twirled a strand of hair around her pinky and smirked for a split second before forcing it away.
It was really cool however… She looked down again and pulled at the hem of her skirt.
Everyone stared at her, not just the weird-savior-complex girl.
Everyone was quite literally beneath her, mouths agape. Her face only got redder as she slowly rotated in the air against her will.
They better not blame this on her… She was forced into the air against her will!
Who would activate their quirk right now though? She needs solid evidence if she wants to be believed.
She peered down at the students below her; they were all in uniform and really tiny so it was hard to differentiate anyone.
She thought back to her bullies. She had a few but none of them had a quirk like this.
Her head felt lighter the further up she went until it banged into something.
Pain pinged into her head and she immediately turned back, the stairs!– Himiko quickly gripped the stairs, climbing down as low as she could.
Even with a head wound she's still smart. She stuck a tongue out without thinking, moving further down.
She had to grip on for her life and she wasn't even fully on the ground but it was better than nothing.
She looked back up, the crowd now eye level.
Almost everyone was laughing, almost everyone. Only one person was quiet, the knock-off knight.
Just like knights, her hair almost acted like a helmet. Too long for a helmet but too short for ‘girl hair’ if her mother had a say.
Covering her face, Himiko briefly wondered if her mother wasn't as strict before remembering what school they were at.
Her piercing brown eyes bore into Himiko's yellow ones.
Toga couldn't help but be confused by the other girl's horror, it's not like she– it all slowly came to Himiko.
She slowly lifted an arm then a finger sprang out. It all led back to one girl.
“You. Who are you?” The girl behind the finger shakily brought her hands together and whispered, “...Release…”
Himiko could feel the floor beneath her feet but the relief was fleeting.
“Who are you.” She repeated it but this time it felt more like a statement than a question.
Himiko couldn't ignore her anymore, it was annoying. It was like a fly, buzzing around Himiko's reanimated corpse.
Himiko had to deal with her for the entire period then she forced her into the air with her quirk because she was getting ignored. Well fine then, Himiko won't ignore her anymore.
The girl in question avoided Himiko's biting glare. “I…I already told you. Besides, you're my guide, you should know!” Her stance was unconfident but when her eyes eventually went to look back at Himiko they were determined.
Himiko didn't really appreciate it but she didn't comment on it. The weird girl quickly shoved a thumb to her chest with too much confidence for Himiko's taste.
“I'M URARAKA OCHAKO!” Her voice boomed but Toga was unfazed unlike the other students.
Murmuring filled the room as Himiko watched Uraraka's expression carefully.
Uraraka seemed weirdly confident, as if Himiko was annoying her the entire day instead.
“Uh-huh.” Was all Toga said before giving a curt nod. “So, why'd you make me float Chako-chan?”
Uraraka's face slowly shifted from determined to pissed, Himiko still wasn't entirely sure what she did.
Himiko was trying to make her a little upset but not THAT mad.
“My name is Uraraka. Don't call me ‘Chako-chan’. You would know that if you did your job!” Uraraka stepped into Himiko's space.
Toga sent a full on glare at this point, “what job? You've been following me around the entire day and staring at me in class, weirdo. Never told me about some job.”
Himiko huffed, “don't tell me– you think I need to be saved from my horrible quirk or something, don't you? You think that's my duty, my job?”
Uraraka's gaze began to shift into a mix of anger and confusion, “what?”
Himiko no longer hid her expression, her smile was malicious and wide as she took a step closer to Uraraka.
“Raka-chan,” Uraraka groaned but Himiko carried on, “don't think I haven't noticed. Don't try to act coy now of all times.” Himiko grabbed at her own chest and her hands felt like claws for a moment.
Uraraka rubbed her eyes twice before letting them fully widen. “Toga what are you talking about? You were supposed to help me with my schedule and give me a tour but all you did was...”
She motioned in Himiko's general direction. Himiko moved to cross her arms at the accusation instead, tapping each word on her forearm.
‘Spit it out’ was the message and Uraraka felt it.
“Was jack and..! And nothing but… Shit!” She shoved a finger into Himiko's chest, “why are you still trying to pretend I'm the one in the wrong!?”
Toga planned on giving a nasty retort, she opened her mouth and narrowed her eyes when a yell interrupted her.
“TOGA HIMIKO. IN MY OFFICE NOW.” Gasps followed, so did snickers. Mrs. Kusakabe changed to a lighter tone, “you as well Uraraka. Find the way.”
She disappeared and all that followed was murmuring. Himiko half sighed and half grunted at the news.
Her mom was gonna kill her.
She swatted Uraraka's hand away from her chest and turned away.
She tried so hard not to get in trouble, not to get bad grades, to not kill animals but it was all useless.
All it took was one annoying new girl and all her hard work got destroyed.
Himiko sighed, turning to Uraraka again. She seemed to be stunned into silence so Toga didn't bother saying anything. Talking would just make things worse and get her in even more trouble.
She listlessly turned to the double doors leading out. She headed to Mrs. Kusakabe, willingly walking to her death.
She was about a third of the way there when squeaks and grunts followed behind Himiko, seemingly running to catch up.
“Himiko wait-” she turned around to glare at Uraraka, “sorry for–” Uraraka gasped, panting as Himiko slowed to a stop.
“For–” she heaved, “using your first name b–” she coughed, “but, I need you to listen!”
Himiko was really starting to pity Uraraka. She was panting– no, heaving while having her hands on her knees.
The only reason she had her head up was seemingly to glare at Himiko.
Himiko was already walking away when– “you walk too fast, Himi.”
Uraraka grinned at Himiko's disgusted look. “It's Toga… Honestly you're just embarrassing yourself.”
She turned away from Uraraka and continued walking to Mrs. Kusakabe but more grunts and crashing followed behind her like a destructive flurry of a chihuahua.
Himiko groaned, turning and unwittingly waiting for Uraraka to catch up. She was still new, so it makes sense Uraraka would trail behind her.
Uraraka panted, skitting up to her with. Uraraka heaved and Himiko reluctantly waited for Uraraka to catch her breath. “‘You done yet Raka-chan?”
Uraraka coughed and spluttered at the name, “it's–” she took another deep breath, “Uraraka.”
Uraraka huffed and leaned against the wall for support, Himiko watched her with an air of consideration.
“You can't change me.” Uraraka looked at her, head still against the wall. Uraraka searched Himiko's eyes for… Something.
“I literally don't know who you are.”
Himiko huffed. “You know my name and you followed me the whole day then you made me float.”
Uraraka looked away from Himiko again, head unmoving. “I told you. You're my guide, you were supposed to give me a tour.”
She nodded her head slightly at Uraraka's words. “So you made me float cus' you were mad I didn't give you a tour?”
Uraraka moved her head side to side, eyes closed.
She let out a firm “no.” And reached a hand out into the air in front of her. All 5 of her fingers splayed out.
“My quirk makes it so if I touch something or someone with all my fingers they float.” She flexed each of her fingers for emphasis.
Himiko watched her hands, they each had little pads.
Huh, she's kinda like a cat. Cats and crows are enemies, right?
Himiko slowly moved in toward her as she continued on.
“It's called Zero Gravity.” Toga nodded. She wasn't sure why she was listening, maybe she's subconsciously just trying to avoid Mrs. Kusakabe’s bullshit. Her subconscious is a genius.
Besides, Uraraka's voice isn't… Unpleasant.
No, wait, It's definitely conscious.
Himiko sighed before sliding down next to Uraraka. Crouching down to Uraraka's level, watching her.
“I wasn't really paying attention in class and I thought you had a Savior complex or you were bullying me. Both are still possible, by the way, anyway, that's why I got mad.”
Uraraka turned away slightly from Himiko, holding her mouth in a very obvious attempt to not laugh. The corners of her eyes crinkled and her cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk.
Himiko found it oddly adorable, she looked away from Uraraka. Himiko huffed as Uraraka quieted.
“I get bullied a lot.” Uraraka's hand dropped from her mouth.
She immediately turned to Himiko, sadness filling her face.
“Toga.. I'm sorry you ha–”
“I'm used to it.” She snapped like she was trying to prove something. “That's why I assumed… What I assumed.”
Uraraka frowned, looking away again. Their poses were so different yet so similar.
Himiko fully sat down on the floor, moving her legs out as Uraraka propped up a knee to lay her hand on.
“I don't get why they would bully you if you didn't do anything to them.”
Himiko's face stayed pristinely empty. Purposefully devoid of anything. She was numb to it.
“I have a weird…” Himiko considered being honest, letting her know about her disgusting quirk. She'd find out anyway. Better to reveal it sooner rather than later. “I have a weird hobby.”
She's a pussy. She is such a pussy. The words felt bitter on her tongue but she pushed it out anyway.
For some damn reason she wanted to impress this random pretty girl who probably doesn't even care.
Himiko's an idiot, an idiot liar, a dumbass and a dumbass liar. Himiko didn't wanna seem even worse… Well tough shit!
Why does she even care about this random? It's too late, fuckkkk.
She pushed the thoughts back as soon as Uraraka moved in with a nod. Her hair drooped onto her face and she pulled it back with an understanding gaze.
She even seemed analytical which oddly enough suited her. Himiko suppressed the urge to back away. She felt like she was under a microscope.
They watched each other closely, “what's your hobby then, Toga? How bad is it really?” Toga watched her carefully, trying to read her face but Toga may as well have been illiterate.
“I… I like hunting..?” Uraraka's eyes widened a bit before going back to their average size.
She looked up before closing her eyes and nodding knowingly. Seemingly thoughtful.
Ura-slacker or whatever looked back at Himiko at some point and backed away.
Himiko ignored the vague disappointment in her chest. Why can't Uraraka just stay close?
She almost wanted to ask herself what she was expecting to happen but she was too focused on this girl.
“With a skill like that…”
Himiko looked away, eyes downcast, she could predict every word. ‘Villain’, ‘murderer’ and everything else related to death.
So, when Uraraka's timid yet excited yelp of a response reached Himiko she didn't know how to react.
“You… You could totally be a hero, idiot!" Uraraka grinned despite everything and Himiko didn't know what to do.
Nobody's ever treated her this way. Nor insulted and complimented her in the same sentence. Nor be such a pretty girl.
Himiko especially doesn't know how to feel about that last thought.
Her dumbfounded expression must've somehow reached Uraraka because she suddenly started covering her mouth and turning away.
A little laugh could be heard beneath soft padded fingers and Himiko decided it was her cue.
“I… Nobody's ever told me that before.” Uraraka paused and turned to Himiko.
Her face was laced with a sadness that wasn't hers, it was reflecting how Himiko should be feeling. But that's not how she feels. Its old wounds but new band-aids.
Nothing's really changed.
“Also, don't call me an idiot, raka-chan.” But it also felt different, with Uraraka.
She didn't look pissed this time, only pouted before switching to a grin.
She lightly punched Himiko on the shoulder, “you're right.” She touched her chest with both her hands, keeping a pinky off.
“You're not an idiot, but whoever made you think your hobby is weird… They… They're definitely an idiot!”
Himiko snorted, her hair wafting away from Uraraka.
“Okay, Raka-chan. I've never really seen it that way.”
Uraraka laid her head back, shoulders lax. “Then why'd you stand up to me earlier?” She pouted sourly before speaking again, “Also stop calling me Raka-chan, that's a stupid nickname!”
Himiko looked back at Raka-chan before staring at the ceiling. “Okay, Uravity.”
Uraraka shook Himiko's shoulder single handedly.
Himiko felt her whole body shake, seriously, how strong is this girl? “No more nicknames okay! It's Ochako! And stop dodging my question!”
Himiko rested a hand on Raka-chan's hand and Himiko felt her body still. “First name's already? If you call me Himiko I won't know how to react, y'know?”
Raka-chan scooted closer, “it's better than Raka-chan!” She grinned then she looked contemplative, like she was considering something.
Himiko almost felt sorry for Mrs. Kusakabe. So much time wasted just staring at the ground instead of staring at the ground AND getting yelled at.
“Himiko… Himiko. Himiko, Himiko, Himi-ko! Bleh, my tongue’s already tired.”
Himiko stared in silence, “ I have no clue how to react to that.”
Raka-chan giggled and stared at the ceiling instead of Himiko. Himiko decided now to stare at Ochako.
The way her eyes glistened with the hope only a hero can was captivating.
“I wanna stab you, Ochako. I wanna hunt you and I want you to be with me because you want to be with me.” Her voice came out shaky, “...And I want you to like me because… I'm me.”
Ochako paused, she looked confused but not entirely disillusioned from the concept of Toga Himiko.
Like she still cared for Himiko despite her twisted sentences and wants. It seemed ill-fit considering the situation.
“Himiko what—” Himiko moved in closer to cover Ochako's mouth and she complied with little resistance.
She just put her hand on Himiko's. Her pinky in the air, one tap away from letting Himiko float.
“You're gonna grow up to be a hero. A real one, a good one, Ochako. I won't. When I love someone, I want everything about them to be with me. Their clothes, their interests, their looks and even their life, Ochako. You don't— you can't look at me with those— those! Those eyes... Like I'm worth saving, like I can be redeemed. I love so much your bones would crack under the weight. But I think I care about you too much already.”
Ochako watched Himiko pour her heart out.
Reveal the essence of her soul. The very fabric of her unraveled to wrap around someone else.
She looked at Himiko, barren and laid out earnestly with a penetrating gaze.
Himiko doesn't understand why she grew so fond so fast, why she said so much, too much.
“Himiko… I don't care. Even if my ribs crack they won't break. Even if you stab me I'm sure you'd have a good reason. You can have my looks, my interests, and my fondness. I know you can be redeemed because you already are redeemed.”
They spent a moment just watching the other. Listening to the other breath.
Himiko wanted to ask if she meant it, if she really meant all of that. Instead, her jaw seemed wired shut.
Uraraka's porcelain-like features stayed stubbornly determined and confident. Her eyebrows dipped down and her lips stayed in line, her eyes searched Himiko's.
Himiko's jaw hung open again. The beginning of words started but ended just as quick until something slipped through the silence.
“We… We've— I… We, we've only just… WE JUST MET TODAY!?... How can you say that so confidently!?”
Himiko grabbed a hold on Uraraka's face and pulled her closer. Uraraka looked as determined as ever and gave a thumbs up.
“Because.”
…
“Because…?”
Uraraka sighed, “you basically just confessed to me after we just met. Normally I'd be very flustered but I… L… Love… You. So…”
Himiko spluttered and floundered about at the comment.
Confess?
Confess??
As in…
Like…
Like— A CRUSH!?
No, no, no, nooooo…
She likes HIM not HER.
Confession?
Confession to what?
To wanting to be friends?
OH, OH, OH, HOWWWW ROMANTICCC!
Would it be bad to kiss her right now?
FUCK, THAT'S A FLUKE.
THAT'S JUST THE EFFECT OF SOME OTHER QUIRK!
THE GAY QUIRK!
FRIENDS MAKE FLUKES.
THEY MAKE…
THEY MAKE ROMANTICALLY INCLINED STATEMENTS SOMETIMES!
“Himiko.” And suddenly all the thoughts in her brain shut up but her face stayed flushed.
Her brain got the memo but clearly not her body. WAIT— why would she even do anything this hot, pretty, hot, girl would want!?...
She didn't interrupt Ochako though.
Ochako put a hand to Himiko's shoulder, pinky in the air. A promise to no one.
“We just met but I really do like you. It feels like we've known each other for years. So, this is me accepting you, Himiko.” Himiko's brain shattered.
It shattered, smashing into the ground like a pumpkin.
“I WANT TO KILL YOU OCHAKO!” Himiko shook Ochako but she seemed entirely unfazed.
She actually looked a little fazed now…
Like she was gonna pass out.
A little like the moment wore off and she just understood what she said.
“FINE. YOU'RE MY GIRLFRIEND, I GUESS???” Ochako's face broke next. The veneer of confidence was fragile.
She short circuited… Her face turned bright pink and Himiko let go as she sunk to the ground even further.
Her eyes bulged out as if she was seeing the universe in its entirety. “I'm… I… WE JUST MET!”
Himiko groaned, “that's. What. I. Said.” Ochako rolled over to meet Himiko's vision to which Himiko stood up.
“Well, after Mrs. Kusakabe turns us into chopped onions we can like… Go on a date. Or whatever couples do. If you want to.”
This is probably the only date Himiko will get in her entire life.
She's accepted her life, her fate. Maybe it's a quirk thing. Maybe it's forced her into being a lesbian.
Her mother would tut and yell and turn redder than a tomato.
Himiko swiveled over to the direction of Mrs. Kusakabe’s office. Ochako quickly bounced off the floor and over to Himiko's general direction.
“WAIT!” She scurried over to Himiko, running to catch up again. This time, Himiko paused immediately.
They didn't say anything as Himiko caught Uraraka in her arms. They didn't say anything as they backed away, hands still attached.
They quietly didn't stop holding hands, even when the teacher chewed them out.