Creating Home Through Love And War

Old Habits

 {An Izuocha chapter}

Ochaco's smile felt a bit forced as she sat across from Deku and asked the waiter for water. She was quiet as she drummed her fingers on the nice white table cloth on the table of the restaurant that Deku had asked her to meet him at. She assumed it was a business proposal of some sort, so she would deal with the expensive restaurant she always somehow left hungry and with a bad taste in her mouth, and sitting across from the boy she loved, but couldn't save. She avoided his gaze, despite his best efforts, smiling politely, but wanting to hide under the table.

"Why did you call me here, Deku?" she murmured, looking down at her fingers as she sighed and resisted the urge to run away.

"I-I just wanted to see you." he smiled, "I haven't seen you since high school and I-I wanted to see you."

She frowned, why was he blushing?

"O-okay. Why?" she sighed

"Well I just-I wanted you-I wanted to see how you were, a-and catch up."

"Why?" she sighed

He looked heartbroken "What do you mean why? Because I care about you! Because I always have, and think I always will."

Ochaco stared at him and looked down at the table, she didn't know what to say to him.

"What do you want to know?"
"Are you seeing anyone?"

Ochaco blushed, laughing at the floor "Uh. No. I haven't really dated since Tenya and I broke up about a year back."

Deku nodded, he had asked for Tenya's permission to do this tonight.

"How about you?"

"I haven't dated anyone since you." he sighed, rubbing the back of his head "I only ever wanted you."

Ochaco sighed "You only ever had time to be with me."

"No. Ochaco. I-I really just like you that much." he looked at her sadly "I dream about you, think about you to get through missions. I love you. I never should have let you slip away."

Ochaco sighed "Deku. You are romanticizing our time together." She murmured

He frowned "What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm not even sure how long we technically dated, and I just.. I feel like you probably just miss when things were less complicated." why would he miss her? He had ghosted her more often than not, shoved her away. Sure, they had a cute relationship, and she enjoyed the good times but she didn't like the night terrors, the way he would break up with her because of how hard his future was going to be, and than beg her to come back within the day.

He frowned, nodding his head sadly "Well I've grown up quite a bit since than, and I would like to try again."

She hesitated, looking at him as she put her hands in her pockets but she ultimately nodded.

"Okay, but, Deku."

"Yeah?"

"I don't like places like this." her voice softened "I would much rather eat somewhere cheaper that serves comfort food."

Deku nodded his head with a soft smile "Let's get out of here than."

She nodded "W-we can eat here tonight if you want." She murmured
"I don't want to eat here, I just thought it would be a good way to show you how serious I am." he smiled at the table, standing up and reaching for her hand. She took his hand and stood up, watching him kiss it gently, she blushed.

"Where do you want to go?"

She looked at her toes "I don't know." she said softly

"I want to get out of these shoes."