Ochaco sluggishly opened the door, blinking to adjust to the dim lighting of the living room. She yawned, toeing off her sneakers, before leaning against the door heavily to shut it.
"Deku?" she croaked, wincing at her sore vocal chords. No answer. His shoes were at the front door, though… She cleared her throat and tried again. "Babe?" Another wave of exhaustion swept through her, and she stumbled as she hung her jacket up.
"In here!" His voice came from the back of the small apartment. She dropped her keys into the dish on the side table along with her purse and trudged across the plush carpet, not caring enough to take off her sweaty socks.
The bathroom door was open, although the room was dark, and she could hear water running. Was he taking a shower?
She followed the sound to the crease where the cold, white tile met the grey carpet and gasped, her hands flying up to her cheeks as her eyes filled with grateful tears.
Izuku was hunched over the tub, testing the water with his fingers. Along the counter and the back window pane were candles, giving the room a cozy glow. Two books sat on the closed toilet seat, along with a few chocolate bars and a tall glass of iced water.
"Is… is this for me?" Ochaco asked, her voice hoarse.
Izuku grinned and stood up, gesturing to her with open arms. She quickly flitted to his side, seemingly forgetting the pain in her feet, and snuggled into his embrace.
"I saw the news. You've had a rough day, huh?" he asked soothingly, running his damp fingers across her braided hair. She nodded, tears finally spilling over. She cried into his chest for a moment, and he held her, gently rocking.
Replaying like an old nightmare, she recalled how she and her shift partner, Lasso, had to peel the car door away to get to the people inside and how desperately she had administered CPR to get one of the victim's heart started again. "Wake up, wake up, wake up!" she had muttered under her breath to the beat of her chest compressions. Other heroes crowded around her and Lasso, offering assistance and watching with baited breath. Finally, the girl started breathing, and Uravity had leaned back on her knees in relief, shivering alongside the patient. "It's okay, now. I'm Uravity, and help is on the way," she had told them softly among the chaos, gripping the girl's hand. She hadn't been sure if the reassurance was for herself or the victim at that point.
She shuddered as she wiped at her face, forcing herself back in the present. "I know it was just a car wreck, but it was bad , Deku."
"I know, I know," he murmured, kissing her forehead. "You did your best, baby, and that's all anyone can ask for."
Ochaco nodded hesitantly, before looking up at him with big eyes. Luckily, Izuku got the message and turned her around. He pulled out the ponytail holder and started softly weaving his fingers through her hair, undoing her hasty job from earlier. Once her hair was down, he started tugging off her tank top. She lifted her arms to help him, and he kissed her bruises as he slid the shirt off. He needed assistance pulling off her sports bra, which made Ochaco give a throaty giggle. He untied the waist of her sweatpants, and they piled at her feet. He blushed red as he averted his eyes and worked her underwear down her shaky legs. Finally, he knelt down to slip off her socks, and his lips lightly touched the bruises littering her shins. She smiled and ran a hand through his hair.
He stood back up and held out his arm for her, smiling sweetly, and she gripped it as she unsteadily clambered into the tub. She sat down amongst the bubbles and sighed, stretching out her aching muscles. She leaned her head against the side of the tub, sinking further down until just her face and knees were above the steamy surface.
Izuku sat down on the floor mat, his back against the side wall of the tub. He reached over to carefully hand her the water, condensation making the glass slippery, and unwrapped the chocolate bar. He passed the chocolate to her over his shoulder, and she happily munched on the treat, the chocolate leaving marks on her hands from the proximity to the hot water.
"You don't hafta' face away from me, Deku," she mumbled around her chocolate. She licked at the melted sugar on her fingers.
"I just wanna give you your privacy, that's all," Izuku replied, ducking his head bashfully.
Ochaco giggled, feeling the water swish around her. "You're so sweet."
Izuku flashed her a smile over his shoulder, and she grinned in response, reaching out a dripping, soapy hand. He caught it and interlaced their fingers.
"You know, I heard Kacchan is giving an interview tonight with that really pushy talk show host," Izuku smiled impishly at her, and Ochaco let out a chuckle.
"Oh no, I can't imagine that going well."
"I've got it set to record." His shoulders shook with mirth, and Ochaco smiled fondly.
"I was also thinking we could order takeout for dinner, and just pig out on the sofa."
"Ooh, you know just what to say," Ochaco crooned playfully, stretching.
"Sometimes," Izuku murmured with a wry twist at his lips.
"Hey, Deku? Could you help me wash my hair?" Ochaco batted her eyes at Izuku, and he flushed again.
"Y-yeah, sure thing." He rose to his knees and shuffled around so he was facing Ochaco. He rolled up his sleeves and dipped his cupped hands in the water, bringing them to her head to wet her hair.
Truthfully, Ochaco didn't need help. She just loved the feeling of his fingers carding through her hair, as he was doing now. She leaned into his touch as he poured out some shampoo and lovingly massaged her head.
It was quiet times like these that her love was strongest for Izuku, and she felt a warm glow in the pit of her stomach. She turned her head and pecked his cheek lightly.
"I love you."
"I love you, too," Izuku smiled softly, bumping his nose to hers, before returning to her hair. She hummed softly.
"Okay, if you have the strength, dunk your head. It'll be easier to get the soap out," Izuku reasoned, and Ochaco dutifully tipped her hair back into the water. She swished around, closing her eyes to avoid the suds. When she sat back up, Izuku was already preparing her loofah.
She smiled gratefully as he ran the soapy mesh over her skin. She sighed with pleasure when he reached her back and giggled when he brushed over her toes. She submerged back in the water, rinsing her body with her hands.
Then, she gripped the side of the tub and pulled herself out of the murky water carefully. Izuku was waiting with a fluffy towel in his arms, and Ochaco stepped into the embrace. He hugged the towel and his arms around her, and she grinned happily.
"Thanks, Deku. I think I can take it from here," she murmured into his neck, planting a kiss there.
He smiled softly and unwound his arms from around her. "I'll be in the living room. Do you want pizza for dinner?"
Her stomach grumbled at the thought of the greasy, American treat. "Yes, please. Extra cheese."
"I know how you like it," he reassured her, placing a kiss on her forehead. He turned to leave.
"Wait, Deku-" she started, before stopping, suddenly shy. He nodded at her to go on, placing a calming hand on her head.
"Just. Thanks… for everything. I'm so lucky to have you in my life," she admitted sincerely, looking from beneath her eyelashes at him.
His smile turned shaky, as if he were about to cry, and Ochaco rested her head on his shoulder as it was her turn to pet his hair.
"Sorry, I'm dripping on you," she giggled after a moment.
"I'm dripping on you, too," he replied playfully, sniffling.
They parted and shared a final grin, before Izuku left to order the food and Ochaco finished drying off and getting dressed in the clothes Izuku laid out for her. She emerged from the dark bathroom, the candles now blown out, to a smorgasbord of pizza, hot wings, and soda. They ate together as they cackled at Katsuki on television, and then they snuggled under a blanket to watch a movie that came on afterwards.
"Are you feeling better?" Izuku asked, the light from the television illuminating his features in a blue glow. Ochaco smiled sleepily and nodded, placing a heavy hand on his cheek.
"You always turn my bad days around, Deku. I love you."
"I love you, too, baby."
The two fell asleep, cozy in each other's embrace with Ochaco's awful day already at the back of their minds.