Life Within a Tarot Deck

Malnourished

Izuku had finally arrived at the destination where he would be staying for a while and immediately the air had a note of comfort. A total contrast to the feel of his old Flat but almost as comforting as the Bakugous, you could tell it had a tone of...what is the word Izuku is trying to say...happiness?

Yes...happiness. That word he knows but is foreign to the greenette. He had faked being happy for so long that he has been desensitized by its true meaning or any positive feeling that does not bring him pain. Izuku is regaining the sensation now that the weight of fear is no longer available every day, but he knows that fear will linger for a while.

"Eevee should be here, she may be shopping or just running around as usual," Ophelia stated as she closed the door after waving goodbye to Tsukauchi and Recovery Girl. She then slithered to Izuku's side and gave him a moment to look around in awe. "Your room is on the second floor, 1st on the right."

"Th-thank you, Ophi-San," Izuku said after swallowing, he didn't know what to do now that he was here. He could go to the room and take a look but at this time he just wants some company. "I will take a look at the room later."

The serpentine nodded and pointed him to the TV. "You can sit in the living room and watch some TV, if you want to see some movies they are on the shelf to the right." She then smiled, "I will make some snacks since it is a little early for dinner."

"Oh! You don't have to, I can wa-" Izuku was trying to turn down the offer, not wanting her to give him any food at his expense, but during that interaction, he had to stop and glow bright red as his stomach growled ferociously."

Ophelia looked at him with worry. "Izuku, when you were at the Flat, what was your diet?"

Izuku flinched like he had been slapped and Ophelia mentally cursed that he may need to be here longer due to the reaction. "My mo-she only gives me a bowl of rice in the morning and occasionally would give me another bowl with protein for dinner. The size depends on whether she is in a good mood, or I have made her happy with what I earn."

Ophelia's tail was again twitching at his mother only giving him food-for-services and it made her blood boil. He is at a growing stage and she only gives him rice and if he is lucky, protein. I may need to look at her financial records, if she had enough money to purchase the food this is another form of neglect. She eventually focused back on the boy and saw that he looked worried and was tearing up.

"I m-made Ophi-San mad, I'm sorry!" Izuku cried. "I'll sit down and wait for dinner."

He was about to walk away when her blue-like scales stopped in front of him, causing the greenette to walk into it. "Huh?"

"Izuku, come with me to the table. I will give you fruits, yogurt and some tea, and we will need to talk about your diet."

Izuku shook with a feeling of dread and he felt the serpentine's tail graze his arms in slight comfort. "O-ok."

"I am not going to restrict you with anything, I am letting you know that, Bunny. In fact, it is the opposite, we need to get you to a healthy weight."

Izuku sighed deeply and wiped some of his tears away. Strange, he usually hides his emotions, but why are they more free-flowing? "S-sorry."

"Don't say sorry, Izuku. Again this is not your fault, you had to deal with what you had to survive. We will make sure you are healthy. I wouldn't be a social worker if I didn't."

Izuku chuckled and smiled lightly at her light yet serious joke. "Hai.." So they sat at the table and the greenette slowly enjoyed fruit in bliss, having never tasted fruit so fresh and he again teared up. The yogurt, however, even if it was flavored he could not help but gag as the texture overwhelmed him.

"You're ok, Izuku. You don't have to force yourself to eat something you don't like." Ophelia said and took the yogurt and gave him the tea to help wash it down. "Was it the texture?"

Izuku nodded and drank the tea to wash the slimy-sour feel out of his mouth. "Y-yeah. It-reminds me of-" The greenette had to stop as a lump made an appearance in his throat.

"I understand." Ophelia said quickly, giving an assuring look. "If there are any other foods you dislike, let me know."

"Eggs is another, if the white is runny I can't stand it and I immediately vomit. Mo-She would constantly torment me with it once she found out."

Nodding, she wrote the information down and then looked at his medical records. "From what the bloodwork shows you are severely malnourished, low iron, red blood cells, calcium deficiency, folate, electrolytes, iodine, basically your vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are severely low."

Izuku looked down at the information and did not move. He knew he was malnourished as he had the weight of an 8-year-old, but he did not want to be a bother. Izuku knew that it was his mind thinking that and he needed help, but even though he trusts her, it is hard to let go of the reins.

"We will also need to increase the fiber in your diet." She continued after putting the file away, "Recovery Girl gave you chewable vitamins and minerals for easier digestion, but it would be best to get them from food."

She saw Izuku was absorbing some of the information and he nibbled on a piece of pineapple. "What would you like for dinner tonight?"

The greenette jolted and stared at her wide-eyed at the foreign question. She is asking me what I want? Is that even real?

"Ah, ummmm," Izuku stuttered, butterflies in his stomach. "W-would Katsudon be ok?"

Ophelia smiled widely, "Of course! I will also make some more fruit as you seem to love them." Izuku blushed. "I will have to do some grocery shopping, but I will wait until Eevee comes home. I don't want you to be alone while I am away."

"Not gonna lie, I am very nervous about meeting her." The greenette said honestly, looking unsure. "Other than Kacchan, I never had any friends."

"Eevee had a hard time making friends herself, even with her outgoing personality." Ophelia said quietly, gaining the greenette's attention. "She is quirky and eccentric and she loves to surprise or scare people. Not everybody shared her enthusiasm."

A scene flashed back to him when he was explaining his interest in Quirk analysis to everyone and he could remember a look of disinterest on their faces and also a look indicating that they thought he was weird or creepy.

"When would I meet her?"

"Eevee would be here in about an hour, for now go ahead and watch TV. I will be nearby to gather a list before I leave."

Izuku nodded and moved to the living room and turned on the TV, and immediately his mind was blown by the sharpness and the colors of the screen. After asking Ophelia how the guide works he was able to find a channel that was interesting to the greenette. Quirks Got Talent.