Learning to be the best (Izuocha)

Chapter 12-Making up

*Ochaco's POV*

Everyone has returned back to their rooms now, and Deku had gone into the kitchen. Maybe he didn't get any food before he left, and he was hungry or something. I was about halfway up the stairs when I stopped. I wanted to be there for him. No matter how bad the situation was, or how bad he hated me, I—I...I can't really explain it. I just wanted to comfort him. I walk back downstairs and into the kitchen. He seems to be stitching up some cut near his shoulder. I can see him cringing at the pain. I tell him that he should let me do it. He seems surprised to hear my voice. He reluctantly handed over the needle and thread and I continued with the job. He didn't look at me while I did it. He kept looking at the wall, and every so often I see his eyes recoil into a closed position from the pain. I could tell he didn't even want to see me, so when I was done, I just said,

"You should get some rest,"

"Yeah,"

"I'm gonna go now... goodnight," I start walking towards the door and I feel my heart just sink. I feel a tear form in my eyes as I thought that this confirmed what I was really thinking. That it was over.

I heard his voice before I left the room,

"You know, I love you..."

Those words literally had me paralyzed. I was stunned and I remained in my position for a few seconds, before turning to see him looking at me. I feel my lip quivering from what he was saying,

"No matter what happens, no matter how bad things may seem, that is one thing that will never change," I was speechless. This whole time I was thinking that he hated me but... it was the opposite. "Ochaco, when AllMight told me about this power, he told me not to tell anyone. To be honest, I kept my promise without thinking about it because at the time, I didn't have anyone to tell." What does he mean by that...? He continues, "Sure, there was my mom, but she felt so guilty for giving up on my dreams of being a hero, that when I got this quirk, she didn't even question it. She was just, so happy for me. When I came to this school, I was genuinely so confused because for the first time in what felt like forever, I had friends and company. I didn't realize keeping this secret was gonna be so hard. I wanted to tell people I trusted, especially you, but you have to understand that the more people that know about this secret the more dangerous it gets for everyone involved. But you are right. I should have told you despite what AllMight was saying because I love and trust you. You have done so much for me, so much more then you will ever realize, and you deserve to know. Ochaco, I don't want you feeling guilty for lying to me, because it was me who forced you to feel the need to do that." Does he think this was his fault? At this point I can feel myself on the verge of crying from what he was saying, "And you shouldn't feel guilty for hitting me because I definitely deserved it." I burst into to tears after hearing this, and I wasn't holding back any of my emotions. This whole time I was feeling guilty, not even just guilty, disgusted with what I had done. And here he is taking the blame for it. He isn't being angry or hostile towards me. He's taking the responsibility for everything. "Listen, if you don't want to talk to me anymore or see me or anything it's okay, I understand why. Just, if you can forgive me, it doesn't have to be today, that would mean everything to me." He says this while he walked towards me and got down on his knees and bowed right before my feet. There was so much water in my eyes I couldn't even see the green in his hair. I take a second to take in what's just happened and I got to lift him back up.

"Of course, I forgive you; you dummy..." I say while initiating a hug. I could feel his tears mixing with mine as I placed my head next to his. He hugs me back tightly and feeling his warm embrace filled me with a feeling of nostalgia and comfort. It had been a while since I felt this way. He continues to caress my back soothingly while we start to calm down. I pull away from the hug a few minutes later and I'm face to face with him, he places his forehead on mine, and I tell him that I was never angry.