Immortālitās

Chapter Fifteen

Attention: This chapter is primarily fluff. I understand some readers don't enjoy fluff as much as action, so I won't be offended if you decide not to read the chapter. Thanks again, and have a nice day!

I stood, waiting for Ochaco as I mapped out our route for training. I oftentimes visited this specific park because people tended to avoid most of the trails, which caused them to become overgrown due to underuse.

This made it the perfect place to visit to train in seclusion.

"Ivan!" Ochaco called out to me. She was wearing a black jacket trimmed in pink with matching shorts.

"Hey, Ochaco!" I waved at her. "Are you ready to get some training in?"

"You bet!" She gave me a thumbs up. "What's your game plan today, coach?"

"Coach?" I laughed. "Well, as you can see, we'll be warming up with a short run."

I outlined the path that we'd be taking on my map and showed it to her.

"Five kilometers?" She looked at me. "That's a warm-up?"

Well, not for me.

"I usually do a lot more than that," I rubbed the back of my head. "We can increase it if you'd like!"

"N-no!" She waved her hands in front of her. "Five kilometers is fine!"

"The path we'll be taking is a little overgrown," I explained to her as we walked towards the opening of the trail. "What's your average?"

"For a 5k?" She asked. "At a set pace, my average is anywhere between twenty-eight to thirty minutes."

I cupped my chin.

Assuming that that's track pace, we might be able to finish our run under fifty minutes if I were to push her.

"I'll let you set the pace, Ochaco," I started to stretch. "There's going to be some inclines, and parts of the trail will be covered by fallen trees. We'll also be going over a couple of streams, so this will be a little different than what you're used to. But don't be afraid to push yourself! I've got some protein bars and water in my bag once we're finished!"

"Un!" She balled her fist in determination. "I won't let you down, Ivan!"

"Then let's get started, shall we?"

She set a steady pace as we started our run through the woods, and it took us a little under forty-eight minutes to reach our destination.

Ochaco looked ready to collapse.

"H-how is i-it that you don't e-even look ti-tired?" She panted.

"You can blame my quirk," I helped her to stand straight.

"You ch-cheater!" She started to cough.

"Deep breaths, Ochaco," I instructed her. "Put your hands behind your head, and let me help you walk around."

"I-I don't wanna!" She whined. "I just want to l-lay down! My legs f-eel like jelly!"

"I know, I know," I coaxed her on. "But it's going to be easier for you to breathe this way."

We walked around for a little bit and her breathing started to even out.

"Feeling better?" I asked her and she silently nodded her head. "Let's get you hydrated."

"Wow," Ochaco gasped as I helped her towards some rocks to sit on.

She finally noticed our location and was gazing at the small waterfall and stream that was now in front of us.

"You were too tired to notice it before," I reached into my bag and took out two bottles of water and protein bars. "But it's a pretty sight, isn't it?"

"It's beautiful," she admitted. "I didn't know anything like this existed out here."

"Not many people do," I handed her a bottle and wrapped bar. "It's why I come out here. It's very relaxing."

We sat in silence, admiring the waterfall while we snacked down on our protein bars.

"All right!" I corrected my position and faced Ochaco, crossing my legs. "Next on our list is meditation!"

"Meditation?" The girl asked, copying my seated form.

"Meditation has many benefits," I started to explain. "Many people think of it as a way to reduce stress and develop deeper concentration, which it does, but I believe it could help the productivity of both trainee and pro heroes. For instance, it has been clinically proven to reduce anxiety, promote emotional health, while also enhancing self-awareness. Think of all the implications that could be created if we all just took a few moments out of our day to meditate? It would be astronomical!"

"Oh, wow," her eyes widened. "You've put a lot of thought into this."

"Heh, yeah," I smiled at her. "But don't let me get too carried away. Have you ever meditated before?"

"I have not," she blushed. "I never thought of doing it before."

"That's okay," I encouraged her. "There's always a first for everything!"

"Got any tips I could use?"

"Of course," I gave her a thumbs up. "Just close your eyes and breathe. Focus on the sound of the waterfall, and let that help you with clearing your mind. It's pretty loud, but after a while, you might not even notice it anymore. Once you get settled in, I'll set a timer on my phone and join you."

Ochaco nodded and then closed her eyes, but I could tell by the way her eyelids were fluttering that she was trying to focus too hard.

"Take a deep breath, Ochaco," I gently called to her. "You're focusing a little too hard. Just relax."

She did as I told her and took a deep breath through her nose before releasing it through her mouth. I smiled as her shoulders relaxed.

That a girl.

I watched her for the next fifteen minutes before I was confident that she was fully immersed within herself.

I set my timer for one hour and then closed my eyes.

Meditation was now second nature to me, and I fell into the trance as easily as breathing.

Time became obsolete as I moved the energy throughout my body. In my most recent meditation sessions, it felt like I was reaching a breakthrough with my quirk, but a barrier was in my way. I had to—

The timer went off and I opened my eyes.

What?

Ochaco?

I looked around and saw no trace of the girl.

Then, I looked up.

Huh.

She was floating about three meters off the ground.

"Ochaco?" I stood up and called to the girl. "Ochaco!"

"Huh? W-what?!" She flailed around before falling back towards the ground.

I easily caught her.

"That was interesting," I placed her back on her feet.

"What in the world was that?!" She looked stunned.

"Well," I cupped my chin. "It looks like your quirk self-activated while you were meditating."

"I-I don't feel nauseous!" Her eyes widened. "In fact, I feel great! Ivan! This is a terrific breakthrough for me!"

She launched back into my arms and I twirled her around.

"That's wonderful Ochaco!" I smiled at the girl in my arms. "Though, just in case, the next time you meditate outside you might want to anchor yourself to something. We wouldn't want you floating out into outer space."

She stumbled out of my grasp and laughed.

I laughed with her.

"Oh, Ivan," she wiped a tear from her eye. "You're just too funny. That's why I like you so much!"

She blinked.

"That's not what I meant to say!" She turned red. "W-wait! No! Not that I don't like you! A-as a person that is! Y-you're a great guy! That sounds bad, too! AhwaitnowhatI'mtryingtosayis—!"

I watched her mutter to herself, a bemused smile on my face.

"It's okay, Ochaco," I poked her forehead. "I know what you mean."

She sighed in relief.

"I like you too." I winked at her and she went beet red again. "As a person."

I laughed at her expression.

"Let's move on," I suggested so the poor girl wouldn't overheat.

"That would be wonderful," she sighed once more. "What did you have in mind?"

"Would you be up for some sparring?"

"Sparring?" She looked flabbergasted. "Me against you?"

"Of course!" I placed my hand on her shoulder. "You're strong Ochaco, but you can get stronger. I want to help you."

"You're not wrong," she clenched her fists. "My fight with Bakugo made me realize that. In the end, I'd like to become a rescue hero like Thirteen, but the stronger I get, the more possibilities I'll have! Let's do our best!"

"Then let's do this!"

We sparred for a couple of rounds, leaning close to an hour of our time, and I took opportunities to nit-pick Ochaco's form. She put forth a valiant effort, but all of our spars ended the same.

Ochaco was sprawled out along the ground.

"Ivan!~" She whined. "Your quirk is hacks!"

"You're not wrong," I squatted beside her and patted her head. "But you almost had me there at the end. You just need to work a little more on your reflexes, and then you'll be as good as gold! Think you can go for a couple of more?"

"I don't think so, Ivan," she shook her head and rolled onto her stomach. "I'm beat."

Her stomach decided to let itself be known as it growled loudly. I could tell her face was red by the deepening color of her ears.

"How about we get you something to eat?" I chuckled. "We can head back into town and stop at a café or something. My treat!"

"A-actually, Ivan," she sat up on her knees and twiddled with her thumbs, a light blush covered her cheeks. "I was w-wondering if we could actually, well maybe, have lunch at your place?"

Oh.

I opened my mouth and then closed it.

"I-I mean we don't have to!" She back-pedaled. "It's just, you've never really talked about your family before and you've already met my parents, andIjustthoughtitwouldbereallynicetomeetyours?"

Oh.

"I'm sorry, Ochaco, but that's not going to be possible."

"O-oh, well I'm sorry for intruding I—"

"Hold on," I put my hand up to stop her. "Let me explain."

I took a seat next to her and sighed, she looked at me quizzically.

"I would love it if you could meet my parents," I ran a hand through my hair. "But as I said, it's not possible. My parents were killed in a car accident when I was three."

"Oh my gosh," she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. "I'm so sorry, Ivan. I never would have said something if I knew!"

"It's alright," I sighed. "It's my fault you didn't know. Only the UA staff know."

"But wait, if your quirk has amazing healing capabilities," she looked at me with wide teary eyes. "Does that mean you were?"

She was asking if I was also in the car.

I nodded my head.

"Oh, Ivan. That's so—I can't imagine," she stopped talking and just threw her arms around me in a hug. "That must have been so awful for you! I'm sorry you had to go through that. No child should have to."

"I was supposed to be quirkless," I reciprocated her hug. "I have the additional toe joint, so that's what my family doctor told my parents when I was born. I was supposed to die in that car with my parents, Ochaco. Instead, I lived through every second of it. I remember every second of it."

"I'm so sorry, Ivan." She hugged me tighter and I continued to mutter on.

"It's very rare for people with the extra joint to have a quirk, but for some forsaken reason, I defied those odds and manifested a quirk at the last possible second. I was left with no family, and after I was released from the hospital, they threw me into Japan's foster system for the Quirked."

"Were you ever?" She gave me a pained expression, not wanting to finish her question.

I shook my head.

"Then are you still?"

"No," I laughed humorlessly and stood up before walking back towards the waterfall. "I was in the system for four years after my parents passed, and every second of it had me wishing I never survived the accident. I don't know what the system was like for the Quirkless, but let me tell you, the rumors that are spread about the Quirked system is very close to being the truth."

She walked over and stood next to me silently. I took a peek at her through the corner of my eye and could see that she still had a lot on her mind.

"If you've got another question, Ochaco," I bumped her with my shoulder. "I don't mind. But depending on the question, I don't know if I'll be comfortable answering it or not."

She glanced at me and took a deep breath.

"If you left the system at seven years old," she turned to look at me. "Where have you been staying, Ivan?"

"You're concerned I've been living on the streets?" I looked at her and she quickly turned her head away. "You don't need to look away, Ochaco. I'm not offended by the question. Actually, I appreciate your concern, and to be completely honest, I was homeless for a little while."

She snapped her head in my direction.

"Do you remember our conversation where I said I met All Might?" She nodded her head. "I was homeless for about a year at that point, but then he found me and convinced me to let him help. He took me to an orphanage that had connections to pro Heroes and got appointments set-up so that I could see a therapist. I've lived at that orphanage ever since."

"Ivan," she muttered. She looked at me with a sad look in her eyes.

"I'm sorry our conversation took such a drastic turn," I sighed. "But you're the first person I've opened up to besides my shrink, and well, it's kind of nice."

Ochaco's lip started to quiver and tears pooled at the bottom of her eyes.

"Come here, you," I smiled at her and wrapped her in a tight hug. "There's no need to be sad, I'm thankful that I got to finally share some of my life with you."

"W-why are you consoling me?" She hugged me back. "Sh-shouldn't it be reversed?!"

"I've had a good amount of time to wrestle with my feelings," I started rocking on my feet. "While I still have breakdowns once in a while, this is all new information to you. So, it's okay to cry."

"I'm, I'm just so heartbroken, yet so happy at the same time," she cried. "You've gone through so much pain, and chose to share some of it with me. My heart breaks at what you've had to go through, but mends over the fact that you trust me so much."

"Of course, I trust you," I pulled away to look at her face. "You're my best friend."

She choked out a wet laugh and smiled at me.

"I'm such a mess," she rubbed at her face.

I grabbed her hand and pulled it away from her face, and then cupped her cheek.

"No," I wiped a tear away with my thumb. "You're beautiful."

She inhaled sharply and stared at me with wide eyes.

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

"So," I backed away and smiled at her blushing face. "Lunch?"

"Th-that would be adequate, yes."

I quickly gathered my bag and then offered my hand to Ochaco. "Let's get to it, then."

She hesitated for just a moment before gently taking my hand and interlocking our fingers.

She smiled at me.

"Let's."

Hello, friends! I apologize for the delay, but the last couple of days have been pretty busy, so I haven't had a lot of time to write. I hope those of you who live in the States and celebrate it enjoyed your Thanksgiving, and that all of you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you again for reading, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

TTFN.