Inheritance: A My Hero Academia AU

Ochako Uraraka

It was well after midnight when Deku's party started to die down. Ida and I helped Deku clear out some of the stragglers, and Deku offered to let me spend the night. I wanted to, but I knew that my parents would freak out if I didn't come home again.

When I pulled up to our house, the lights were still on. Bracing myself for the inevitable scolding, I walked up to the door and stepped inside. All of our furniture had been covered in white sheets, or was gone altogether.

We only had about a week left until the new owners moved in.

My parents greeted me in the dining room. They were sitting at the table, faces pinched with worry.

"There you are, Ochako," my mother said, standing up and wrapping me a hug. "I was worried that you weren't going to come home again."

I knew it, I thought. "I told you, Mom, there were extenuating circumstances that time."

"Ochako, you smell like alcohol," my father said, crossing his arms.

I exhaled sharply. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm an adult. I can take care of myself. I don't need you two to worry about me anymore."

"We're sorry, it's just...we're both under a lot of stress right now, with your father's company closing down and having to move back onto the mainland," my mother said.

"I know," I said. "And I get it." I sighed. "I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed."

"Okay," my mother said with a gentle smile. "Goodnight, honey."

"Goodnight, Mom, Dad," I said, smiling at each of them before heading upstairs.

Most of my room had already been packed up. It was crazy for me, to see so much of my life stuffed into a handful of boxes.

I sat down on the edge of my bed and thought of the events of the evening. Sitting in the kitchen with Deku, finally being able to be completely honest with each other. Kissing him.

I sighed dreamily at the memory and fell back on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. My stomach was twisted up in knots - the good kind.

He'd said he loved me.

Ever since my father's company had gone under, I'd prepared myself to be in an empty, loveless marriage, and maybe never be truly happy. But I was wholly willing to go through with it, for the sake of my family.

After Deku, though, I knew that that wouldn't be necessary. That I could help my family and be happy at the same time.

For the first time in months, I had hope.