Chapter Text

Ochako slipped off her shoes and put on her indoor slippers. The heat from her phone pressed against her cheek was starting to irritate her as her parents took turn asking questions about her new apartment. She had only just moved in seven hours ago and they were already asking too many things.

“Yes, Daddy, I actually just finished buying groceries.” She said as she placed the five bags of groceries she carried in one hand on the counter. “No, don’t bring me food!”

As she let her parents mumble over the phone, she took a good look around. Izuku, Iida, and Shoto did a great job helping her set up her furniture and other belongings. They even looked around the entire apartment to make sure nothing was broken or missing. She smiled at the thought of how now her parents didn’t have to worry about taking care of her anymore. Though, this was only a first step. In the hopefully near future, she’d be a full-time hero and be able to support them herself.

“Ochako? Are you there?” Her mother’s voice asked.

Uraraka snapped out of her thoughts and spoke up. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“I asked if you were living with someone. Your dad and I can’t imagine you living all alone.”

She couldn’t help but giggle at their concern. “Guys, I can fend for myself!”

“Oh, we know sweetie!” They quickly assured her. “It’s just, well, you’ve practically been with us your whole life. We’d hate for you to feel lonely.”

Ochako couldn’t help but agree with them. She lived with them her whole life and even slept in the same room as them. Her friends were living in apartments that were walking distance from her. They all agreed they could visit each other from time-to-time, though it wasn’t the same as having a roommate. Still, she didn’t want her parents to worry about her and call every hour of the day. As much as she loved them, she just wants them to relax and focus on each other.

She softly sighed. “I may have a roommate.”

“That’s wonderful! Why didn’t you tell us before?” Her father asked, content in his voice.

Instant regret came to her mind. Why on Earth did she say that? The other girls had their own living arrangements planned out way before Uraraka even thought of living on her own. She had no one to ask to move in, especially this suddenly.

“I, uh, just wasn’t sure if they were going to move in! But it’s all settled, so I officially have a roommate!” She laughed nervously.

“We’re so happy for you! You get to share a room with one of your friends and have so much fun together!” Her mom cheered.

“Who is it?” Her dad asked.

Ochako began to sweat a little. She should’ve expected them to ask her who her lucky roommate was. She slowly began to recount the other five girls she came to bond with over the years, trying to see who would be more plausible. Someone who could come over as soon as possible if her parents decided to make a quick stop, or to make background noise so it wouldn’t be so quiet during phone calls. Someone who-

A knock came from her apartment door. “Ochako, we’re back! Are you home?” Iida’s voice called out.

“Oh, it’s Tenya” she said aloud, escaping her thoughts once more.

As she headed towards the door, a loud cry emitted from the phone. “Tenya?” Her dad asked.

“Isn’t he the young man with the engines in his calves? I remember from the festival a few years ago. And she’s mentioned him before.” Her mom explained. “Dear, you didn’t tell us he was your boyfriend.”

She immediately began to panic. “W-What? No, I-”

“My daughter living with an Iida? She’s a lucky girl, I’m so proud of her!” He cheered. “His brother was a wonderful hero!”

“Perhaps she’s not home yet,” Todoroki’s soft voice mumbled through the door.

Ochako covered her hand over the phone and called out. “I’ll be right there, just setting things down!”

She tried to regain her parents’ attention, but it was no use. They kept talking about how much they were happy for their daughter and how they wanted to congratulate them both. Her face was extremely flushed as she paced back and forth.

“Oh, I have to make dinner now honey. Sorry to hang up so soon.” Her mom apologized.

Short was understatement. They’ve been on the phone since Uraraka left the grocery store. “We love you!” They both elated.

“Love you too,” she sighed, ending the call.

She rubbed at her face and finally answered the door. There stood Midoriya, Todoroki, and her now boyfriend, Iida. She put on a quick smile to show she was alright and didn’t just have an embarrassing call with her family. It was suddenly hard to look Iida in the eyes at that moment.

“Sorry for making you guys wait! Come on in,” she invited them. She set her phone on vibrate and crammed it in her pocket.

They stepped up from the platform and had a good look around. “This place looks really great! You must be excited to live here.” Midoriya noted.

Ochako nodded. “It’s really comfy, thanks to you guys. You did great jobs helping set up the furniture.”

As Iida was about to place a bag on the counter, he took notice of the five bags already sitting on it. “Ochako, do you need help putting away your groceries?”

Her cheeks turned rosy again. “No, it’s fine! You guys did a lot for me already. I just want us to hang out for a little while.” She eyed the bag he was holding. “What’s in there anyways?”

He set the bag down on a free counter and took four canned drinks. “I brought some drinks to refresh everyone.”

Uraraka’s eyes immediately spotted the strawberry soda and almost began to drool. “Tenya, you’re the best.”

He smiled and walked over to hand everyone their drinks. “Oolong for Shoto, calpico for Izuku, and a strawberry soda for Ochako.” He kept an orange juice for himself.

Everyone plopped themselves on the floor to sit at the table, simultaneously opening their drinks and took a sip. They sighed in relief and shared a laugh.

“Ochako, I couldn’t but help but notice your face was entirely red when we walked in.” Todoroki stated. “Are you alright?”

Iida and Midoriya looked her way. “I noticed that as well,” Iida added.

Uraraka eyed them, avoiding an awkward gaze towards Iida. “Y-Yeah, I was on the phone with my parents on my way home. I guess I was a little embarrassed being on the phone for a long time.” She assured to them, trying to keep her complexion in check.

“My mom was the same way,” he nodded, blushing a little himself.

Todoroki smiled. “She still is. Even calls me to make sure I’m okay.”

They all giggled, not surprised from Shoto’s comment. The conversation began to shift to different topics such as what their old schoolmates were up to and reminiscing about events from the past. Thought, some of them refrained from certain subjects.

A few hours passed until it was almost nine thirty at night. Midoriya and Todoroki made their way out and wished her goodnight for her first night there. Luckily for Uraraka, Iida was in the restroom. She gathered all the used cans and set them on the kitchen counter to sort later on. She opened the sliding glass door that led towards the small balcony and stepped towards it. She rested her body against the railing. How was she supposed to tell one of her best friends that she accidentally got him in a predicament? It was too late to tell her parents since they didn’t really let her correct her mistake. They sounded so relieved and ecstatic about the whole thing, too. She didn’t want to ruin it.

“Ochako?” Iida called out.

She didn’t hear him since she was lost in thought. He noticed she was out on the balcony and joined her. His sudden presence startled her a little.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He said as he adjusted his glasses.

Ochako smiled worriedly at him. “It’s okay, I guess I spaced out for a bit.”

“Are you okay? You look upset.” He asked, placing a gentle hand to her shoulder.

She looked up at him, now seeing the worry in his eyes. The way he touched her shoulder made her feel warm in a unique way. She looked back down at her view of the parking lot and let out some air.

“I need to tell you something, but you have to promise you won’t get mad.” She rubbed her arm.

Iida couldn’t help but let out a slight chuckle. “I can’t get mad at you, Ochako.”

She let out a laugh as well. It was true, he never showed any kind of anger or frustration towards her. Although the obvious realization helped make things slightly easier, she still couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“I accidentally told my parents that you were living with me,” she blurted.

The hand that was rested on her shoulder for a good time left. His hand reached his chin as he looked down in thought. The light reflecting his lenses made his eyes disappear. She looked away, a bit embarrassed.

“Is that all?” He asked. “It’s a little odd, I’ll admit, but that’s no reason for me to get mad.”

Her cheeks pinkened once more. “Well, they took that as us…dating. I tried to correct them, but they got excited.”

Iida’s lips pursed and his ears began to feel hot. It was hard to tell in the lighting, but a faint red tint enveloped his face. Of all the things he’s been through, for some reason this felt the most complicated. He cleared his throat then proceeded to cross his arms.

“It’s not your fault, Ochako. I’m sure whatever happened could be corrected as soon as possible.” He assured to her with a light-hearted smile.

Uraraka returned the smile but was quick to change. Sure, she was grateful that he was understanding, but trying to fix the problem? Her parents went overboard with emotion when they heard the fake news. Trying to tell them it was all a mistake was sure to make them feel a little upset, and probably embarrassed. There was no way she could’ve told them now.

“Tenya,” she spoke up. “I can’t do that. They were so excited about us. I don’t want to ruin it for them.” She looked away shyly. “I know it’s not fair for you, but I need to keep them convinced it’s real. At least until I can think of something.”

Iida stood stiff, unsure how to emote at the moment. Was this really that serious? It wasn’t as if her parents would come every hour of the day to check if they’re together. He could plainly see the shame in Uraraka’s face, which gave an uncomfortable tinge in his stomach. He couldn’t see the harm in keeping this white lie. He had a bigger secret that only a small handful of others knew which have greater consequences in comparison.

He turned towards Uraraka, who was still looking away. “I’ll do it.”

“You will?” she faced him with a wide grin on her face. “Thank you, Tenya!”

Before he could respond, she promptly burrowed her face to his body. She wrapped her arms around him for a hug to show her gratitude. Iida’s stiff body gradually relaxed and carefully wrapped an arm around her. He couldn’t help but find his friend’s enthusiasm endearing. He gently patted her head for a small moment.

“You’re welcome,” he responded.

She retracted from him and rested her hands on her round cheeks. “They might want to have dinner with us from time to time. Do you think that’s okay?”

He nodded swiftly. “I would be honored to have dinner with my girlfriend’s parents.”

Uraraka’s face turned crimson. “Tenya, there’s nobody here!” She couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“I need to practice my role as your boyfriend! I don’t want to let you down.” He assured to her.

Hearing these terms made her feel embarrassed and caused her stomach to churn. Still, she wouldn’t expect anything less from her dear Iida. “They’re going to love you.” She remarked.