Safe

Advice from a Frog

  When Ochako woke up the next morning, Katsuki was nowhere to be seen in their house. Ochako bit down her disappointment; was it too much to ask to be able to wake up in her lover's arms?

With a huff, she dragged herself out of bed, opting to make toast and eggs for breakfast.

It was one of her days off from her hero work (unless the universe just so happened to decide that an earthquake should occur, or a villain chose to ruin the peaceful air that fell around Japan), and since Ochako usually spent these days with Katsuki, she didn't know what to do with herself.

I'm sure he'll be back soon, she thought, In the meantime, I'll go watch something.

Two episodes of Ouran Highschool Host Club and one very confusing American movie about sparkly vampires later, Katsuki still wasn't home.

Ochako's mood soon turned gloomy when she realized this. She tried not to worry herself, but Katsuki usually returned not long after she woke (or while she was asleep) when he left like this. It wasn't like him to leave for this long without telling her first.

What if he's not coming back this time?

A buzzing noise startled Ochako out of her depressing thoughts.

New Message

Tsu: I just saw the news. Are you okay? How's Bakugou-kun taking it?

Ochako typed out her response, feeling her bad mood lift slightly at her friend's message. It was comforting to know that Tsuyu was worried about her, no matter how much Ochako insisted she could handle dealing with her emotions on her own.

Me:He's not taking it very well... is it okay if I call you?

Ochako's response was her phone vibrating suddenly as an incoming call from the frog-like girl came through. Ochako swiped up, putting the receiving end next to her ear.

"Hey, Tsu-chan," she said, not even bothering to try and disguise the sadness in her voice.

"Ochako-chan," Tsuyu said, concern evident in her tone. "What happened?"

Ochako sighed, recalling the memory. "He exploded." she said bluntly.

"Well, that's to be expected, ribbit." Tsuyu chuckled. "But you seem too distressed for it just to have been that."

"Yeah, it's just..." Ochako trailed off, biting her lip. "We didn't argue or anything, so it's not as bad as I thought. I guess he decided he couldn't be mad at me, it was both of our faults, really. But he went out last night, and," she paused to sniffle, "he still hasn't come back."

"Oh," Tsuyu said, her voice still sounding nasally even through the phone. "I'm so sorry, Chako-chan. I'm sure he'll come back."

Ochako nodded, even though Tsuyu couldn't see her. "You're right, he always does. He's never been away without much notice for this long before, though. It worries me. Things haven't exactly been... the best, as of lately."

"How? Is he causing you any problems?" Tsuyu asked, protective of her friend as always.

"Yes and no." Ochako responded. "On one hand, he's Katsuki. You have to expect some of his temper to show in a relationship. But the arguments are just getting too much for me. And, yeah, I know all couples argue, but they're not supposed to fight this much." she laughed harshly. "It's mentally exhausting. And don't even get me started on his mood swings. Those are the worst. I just want us both to be happy, and it's hard when he keeps being this difficult. It's almost like he isn't the same person anymore." Ochako stopped to take a breath. "I shouldn't be unloading all this on you. I'm sorry."

"No, Ochako, I'm supposed to be the one who's sorry." Tsuyu countered. I'm sorry that Bakugou-kun's been treating you like this. Don't apologize for talking about your feelings. It's not healthy to ignore them." Ochako heard Tsuyu sigh on the other end of the line. "Chako-chan, I want you to know I'm here for you. It's gonna be okay."

Ochako was silent for a few seconds, then she smiled and said, "Thank's, Tsu."

"No problem, ribbit. I don't want you to keep suffering like this, and I wish I could do something more to help."

Ochako pondered this. "Well, do you have any advice on what I should do?"

Tsuyu thought for a moment. "I think the best course of action would be to talk to him. Bakugou-kun might not know he's making you feel like this, so make sure he understands what he's doing and try to work things out. If he really loves you, he'll be willing to make an effort to be a better boyfriend."

"That sounds great," Ochako hummed, "Talking to him might be scary, however... I don't want him to yell at me..."

"That," Tsuyu interrupted, "That right there is exactly what the issue is. You're afraid of him. You need to show him that what he does affects you."

"I'm not afraid of him!" Ochako exclaimed, shocked that Tsuyu would imply that she feared the person she loved most. "I'm just afraid of him being angry at me... Okay, maybe you're right."

While Ochako couldn't see her friend, she had to assume Tsuyu was nodding like some sort of relationship counselor as the greenette said, "Fear can make a relationship unstable. It's best to get rid of that fear so that you can both trust each other."

"You sound so professional," Ochako snorted.

"I try, ribbit ribbit." Tsuyu laughed. "Oh! I have an idea. Why don't you ask him out on a date? That way the atmosphere doesn't feel too confrontational. Plus, he'll be less likely to cause a scene in public... not that he ever would, of course."

"That's a great idea, Tsu-chan!" Ochako gasped. "You're the best!"

"Aw, thank you, Chako-chan! Ah, I have to go now, apparently Satsuki-chan can't be left alone with paint without causing a mess. I hope the date goes well!"

"Thank's, Tsu! I'll talk to you later."

"See you, ribbit ribbit!" Tsuyu croaked. Ochako heard a vague exasperated voice saying something like "Satsuki-san, paint is not for eating" before Tsuyu hung up.

Ochako placed her phone down and hopped down from her bed, going to pick out something to wear with a new conviction.