Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
‑ˏˋ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍 ˊˎ‑
𝐄𝐗𝐇𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 to take its toll on me, but I never fell asleep. Instead, my eyes stayed wide open, my gaze trained on the sleeping girl in my arms. I couldn't help but smile at her expression. Her lips were parted slightly and her nose was scrunched up, the pink dusting her cheeks darker under the shadows of her eyelashes.
I found it hard to believe that she had no one in her life ― other than her family. Ochako had been understanding when I needed her to be, comforting when I needed to be next to someone. All my life I had tried to distance myself from people all the while wanting to be standing there next to them. I had wanted something I knew I could never have, and I hated myself because of it every day.
But maybe ― with Ochako ― it could be different. Maybe I could change the way I view myself, and then I could be someone I was proud of. Maybe I could change my entire life by stepping out into the light rather than shrinking back into the shadows. I wanted to so badly that was all I could think about. It never even occurred to me that, maybe, the light I wanted to be basked in was held in someone's hands.
And I just knew it was Ochako who held it.
Just thinking about how I needed her so much when I just met her that morning made me smile. I quietly laughed, knowing it was no lie. Ochako stirred slightly, murmuring in her sleep, "I like dancing butterflies..."
I reached over her to grab the blanket, careful not to wake her as I wrapped the sheet around her securely. Once she was covered up, I looked up to where the butterflies had been, watching as they fluttered back through the small gap and into the night. I sighed in content, returning my attention to Ochako. Her hair was plastered to her face because of the late-night summer heat. I went to brush away the few strands of hair and almost jumped out of my skin when Ochako latched onto my hand with hers.
"Izuku..." she whispered, smiling in her sleep.
My breath caught in my throat, and I could have sworn my heart would break free from my chest. Everything seemed so perfect in this moment ― with me watching her as she slept, with her smiling softly as she dreamed. I had lost count of how many times I've smiled today. Although, if life was like this all the time with Ochako right beside me, I could get used it without complaining once.
My ears perked up at the sound of the doorbell. As much as I wanted to stay here, I slid my hand from Ochako's grasp, taking advantage of her squirming to slip away without her waking. I stood there, making sure she stayed asleep before hurrying to the door. I never opened it, though, because there was a piece of paper lying at the bottom of the door.
