Abused Tsu x Ochako ~Hanahaki Quirkless AU~

Up In Smoke

Ochako's POV
A beautiful meadow full of flowers, with waving grass so lush and soft it's practically translucent. I'm in a dream again. I haven't had a dream for weeks.

There's a rainbow of blossoms under my bare feet, springing up through the long, uncut stalks of grass, and a blue sky overhead, streaked with white clouds. It reminds me of soapy water draining out of a bath.

A circle of cherry blossom trees make a fence around the clearing, keeping me from leaving. That's okay. I didn't want to leave anyway. My eyes trail around listlessly. I'm at peace here.

Then, I see a small trail breaking the fence of trees. This is where I must go. A light but stern breeze of cherry blossom petals guide me towards the path. I step onto the packed dirt, with roots carving a soft track into the dirt. Suddenly, the meadow disappears behind me. Instead, a path materializes on the other side, giving the impression that I've been on this trail for a while.

I walk for maybe half a mile before I come to a small beach. A strip of sand runs between the water and the green grass, and there I see her. It's Tsu. She has a white sundress on, with a woven brown hat.

For some reason, she's just standing there. Then she turns to me. I take a few steps forward, then start running across the grass. Her expression doesn't change, but I can tell something is...off.

"Tsu!"

Tsu smiles softly, but when I reach her, she frowns and grabs me, pulling me into a cold, awkward hug. This isn't how it's supposed to go.

Suddenly, she whispers in my ear, "I know you heard." "What?"I say, and step back. Her hands slink onto my shoulders discreetly. "Ochako..." She starts crying, and suddenly I can see bruises on her arms and legs. "You ignored it..."

And then the waves start crashing against the sand, splashing freezing, stinging water on us. The endless horizon turns a stormy grey, and the water pounds against the shore relentlessly.

"Tsu-!" I wake up and smack my head against the headboard. "AGGHKKK!" I yell. I can feel a bruise on my head already, but I get up and turn off my alarm. Then, I feel something sticky on my pajamas. On my bed. All over my pillow. There's blood and flowers everywhere, soaked into the mattress and sheets.

I start coughing slightly, and open up the windows. Good thing I woke up early, so I can clean this. If mom finds out...

Time skip~

I casually walk through the halls, ignoring the tickle in my throat. I clear my throat a little, as I walk past a girl with long green hair that reminds me of Tsu. It isn't her though.

Deku's POV
I arrive at the school gates. Today, I'll confront Uraraka-kun about the book. She's been acting strange recently, and doesn't talk a lot. After she does, though, she clears her throat quietly, a few seconds after so it doesn't seem unusual. She also asks to go to the bathroom every period, and during locker time, which is odd.

Then, I see Uraraka-kun walk around the corner, glancing at a girl with green hair. Maybe the girl reminds her of me. After all, I do have green hair...Ugh! Stop getting distracted, follow her!

"Uraraka-kun!"

I put my hand on her shoulder and she jumps a little. "D-Deku? What's up?"she says nervously, playing it off. She rubs the corners of her mouth. I knew it.

"I need to talk to you."I say quietly. "Huh? Why? The bell will ring-" "In three minutes, I know. But it's important." She gives me a pouty face which she must think is a stern frown, but follows me to an empty classroom. I lead her where people passing won't see, and I sigh.

I can't believe she's got Hanahaki disease. She thinks I don't love her back. I smile at her. "Urara- Ochako." She looks surprised at the use of first name no honorific but says nothing. "I know you have Hanahaki disease, but before you say an-" Ura- Ochako looks stunned, and scared.

I hate seeing her scared, but I have to relieve her pain. "Ochako, I know you probably don't love me...but if you've got the disease for me...I love you back." I say with my eyes closed. I slowly open them, expecting her eyes to shine in relief, her hands lifting to her throat in joy, maybe even a...kiss?

But instead, she looks shocked. Not in love. She puts a hand to her thoat, testing it. She doesn't look relieved of pain. In fact, she looks more in pain! Suddenly, she starts coughing like crazy.

Ochako's POV
For some reason, Deku-kun had led me to an unused classroom and started telling me he knows about my disease. Then he said something that froze me in place.

"...I love you back."

I knew it wasn't him I loved, but I put my hands to my neck tentatively, but I only felt pain. Suddenly, I thought of Tsu. If only she was here instead, confessing HER love! Then I started coughing. Deku looks really scared and disappointed. He runs out of the room with tears in his eyes.

I keep coughing, but nobody hears me over the stomping of feet heading to their classes. My vision goes blurry.

"Tsu..."

Word count: 921