And they lived happily ever after

The impact never came.

Katsuki's hand was gripping tight at her waist just the same and her head was still cradled under his chin, but when Ochako opened her eyes, she blinked back the blinding orbs in her vision to find herself looking out a familiar window.

Their classmates were milling about on the school grounds below and the shadows made by the bookshelves onto the carpet were just as long as when they left. It was as though the world was trying to convince Ochako that nothing had changed when everything had.

"Umm, Katsuki?" She wiggled in his hold, peering up to see his eyes squeezed shut. "I think we're back."

He looked around to confirm for himself, relaxing his body enough for her to breathe marginally easier but not entirely letting go of her. Yes, that was different.

"Thank fuck. I never want to see those shitty ass sparkly lights ever again!"

Ochako had to agree. Though she couldn't deny the stories had successfully brought them together, if she were to ever encounter another bright light like that in the future, she would probably be the first to go running in the other direction.

"I didn't see it last time, but it's good to be home." She hummed and leaned into Katsuki, getting the distinct feeling that maybe it wasn't quite the location that mattered to her, but the person.

"I did. Nearly fucking blinded me." She could hear the scowl in his voice.

Her giggle was cut short at the revelation. "You jumped after me even though you knew the story was ending?"

"You think I'd let you fall by yourself?"

Peering up from their hug, Ochako could see that Katsuki was blushing through his intense gaze down at her, giving away the fact that he quite understood the implication of his words.

"No, I guess not." She responded softly and buried her fingers into the hairs at the back of his head as she teased him. "You do love me, after all."

She meant to give him a small peck, intending to seal his growl with her lips to placate him. But her smile gave him the perfect opportunity to deepen the kiss, making her moan at the contact. Without the pressing need to go running off into a castle or risking their lives, Ochako felt the giddiness rush to her head at the very real possibility of passing the rest of their afternoon like this.

And as if he knew exactly what she had resolved herself to, Katsuki pulled away mid-kiss, smirking at the dazed look on her face and full out grinning when she whined at the loss of contact.

"So what if I love you? You're the one who thinks I'm irresistible, cheeks."

"I do." She admitted with a pout, trying not to give away just how much her heart strained in her chest at his words. "More please."

"Guess I can't say no either…"

Letting the scent of worn books and Katsuki wash over her senses, Ochako sighed contentedly into his mouth, grateful for the shelf against her back for keeping her upright. Though it did nothing in terms of alerting her to their surroundings.

"K-kacchan?!"

The couple pulled apart to see an open-mouthed Deku standing stiffly a few feet away with books scattered around his feet.

"Are you shitting me? Fuck off, Deku!"

"Ah! I-I'm s-s-sorry! I'll, uh, I mean-"

"It's ok!" Ochako detangled herself from Katsuki's reluctant arms and crouched down to help her friend pick up the dropped items. "Take a deep breath an-"

"Shit! Don't touch it!" Katsuki kicked one of the books, a familiar green one, away from Ochako's hand. She froze in disbelief, shocked that she could've ended up touching the cursed book again if it weren't for his quick thinking.

Though it didn't excuse her, it did look different now. Instead of a blank cover, their names were now inscribed on the front in that same gold lettering as the decorated spine. She didn't dare open it, but she would bet that the pages were now filled with tales of their experiences.

"Kacchan!" Deku chastised scandalously. "Why would you do that?"

"No, don't!" The pair cried out as the green-haired boy picked up the book, oblivious to their distress.

"Wha- it's empty?" He frowned, thumbing through the pages inked with stories invisible to his eyes.

Ochako and Katsuki met eyes, hunching over identically in relief. Sure he had already witnessed them lip-locking in what was sure to be a mark of progress in their relationship, but that didn't mean they were open to him knowing every detail of how it happened.

And who could say it wouldn't be activated again?

"Midoriya, are you ok?"

The moment Todoroki walked into view, a strange shiver came over Ochako. It was a warning she couldn't quite decipher, alarm bells ringing for an unknown crisis.

"Yes! I'm-I'm ok." Deku scratched at the back of his neck nervously, though there was no apparent reason for him to be. "But come take a look at this."

And when the two new victims grasped the book together to peer closer at the page transforming before their very eyes, it clicked.

"Let's get out of here!" Grabbing Katsuki's wrist in a panic, Ochako sprinted out of the library with him trailing behind like a balloon.

But he couldn't protest. Not when they could clearly hear Todoroki's voice read out "Once upon a time…" behind them with a calm that could only be attributed to naivety.

They didn't have to stop or look back to know that the two boys would be gone once the golden light dissipated. Ochako and Katsuki had already had their fair share of the effects.

Their little slice of happily ever after.

Thank you to everyone who showed love and interest in this story through your favorites, alerts, and reads. I especially want to recognize those who left comments- EmoPrincess21, Mayonaka Hikari, PrincessAndromeda56, Frosty Yang, korrasamiqueen, and guest. Thank you for all of your kind words!