Dorks dating. That is all. Oh and, something sword history something.
Ochako appeared pretty calm and collected on the outside, but inside she was squealing like a small child. She'd asked someone out on a date and they said yes! And it was Izuku! Okay, perhaps she hadn't intended on asking him out per se, but he took it that way. A happy accident she didn't care about, because she was going on her very first date!
Growing up, she'd been so focused on mastering her blacksmithing skills she'd spent all her time doing nothing but. She wanted to become a famous and skilled smith so she could make sure she could provide for her family…and maybe leave a mark on the world. Ever since she'd seen the beautifully, intricately designed relic weapons from the bygone ages before the Storms, she'd wanted to make something just as amazing, as long-lasting, so that far in the future, some heroic soul could wield what she'd created and help people.
But spending all that time on her craft meant she had little time for people. She spent every waking moment at the local smithy back in her town, fixing horseshoes, beating plows back into shape, the occasional sharpening of a knife or hunting spear. Once she'd saved up enough from her odd jobs, she'd managed to travel to a much larger town, where she'd apprenticed under a master craftsman. He had been the one to help her elevate her craft, but not only that, he was the one who ignited the flame in her soul, the drive to make something that outlasted her.
But that's all she did, work in his forge, learn from the master, until the day she'd passed his final test…the creation of her hammer. He'd offered her any materials she desired, let her do with it as she would…part of the test was her creativity, after all. And she'd passed with flying colors, her old master happy enough to give her his acknowledgement and sent her on her way. He told her to head to Elysium, to try and ply her craft there, calling it the best place for her to build herself up.
But gods it had been difficult. Buying the building she used for her smithy and all her materials had cost her every single gold she'd had, leaving her barely anything and almost unable to make ends meet as she failed to draw in the crowds she wanted. She lacked the name recognition the other smiths had, even if she was better than them (and she knew she was). And then one day, some bleeding to death idiot falls apart in front of her shop and she takes a risk. Helping him was…dangerous, she knew that. He could be on the run, or a criminal, or mentally unstable, and yet…she couldn't turn her back.
She'd welcomed him into her shop, her home, called in a dozen favors from Tsuyu, and realized far too belatedly after the fact that he was cute, and…heroic to a fault. To a bad point. To the point he was going to get himself killed, and no one would know about it because no one cared about him in this massive city and…oh, she'd been drawn in hook, line, and sinker.
Somehow, he had become her best friend in only a few weeks, but not her only friend now. Tsuyu had just been a customer, but she was a friend now, and so was Tenya. Shoto was a bit standoffish, but she had noticed him relaxing around them and she would take her victories where she could get them. And then Himiko and that adorable fae child Eri.
Izuku had stumbled into her life and upended the whole bloody thing (with quite a bit of blood involved), and…she wouldn't have it any other way. Now she had enough money to not feel so stressed, she got to go out and adventure and have fun, and she'd noticed a bunch of requests dropped off at her smithy last she checked! She was now getting business! All because she took a risk and helped a dirty bloody adventurer off the street…who she was now going on a date with oh my gods what was she thinking?!
Ochako let out a muffled squeak, interrupting Izuku who had been babbling incessantly about…something, she'd lost track, just enjoying listening to him talk so excitedly. He turned to glance at her, asking if she was okay, to which she hurriedly reassured him. She wasn't sure if he was fooled, not with the look he gave her, but he continued on as they walked on. Gods…what was she thinking? She was still in her dirty, torn clothing, dried blood splatters absolutely visible, and Izuku was not much better off. His shirt had been replaced, but there was no missing the bandages that were wrapped about his arms from where his Destruction magic had ripped out of his skin, the damage persisting even through magical healing.
And she was going to dinner? As a date? Looking like this? Oh, she was a fool, Izuku would hate it, he'd hate her, they'd get kicked out of the restaurant, they'd-
"Well…we're here?" Izuku interrupted her spiraling thoughts, making her blink in confusion as she glanced where Izuku gestured. The inn they'd agreed to visit, a cozy, warm one she'd gone to many times that had excellent food for a reasonable price and an atmosphere that she always felt welcomed by, the Heights Alliance Inn.
"R-right!" she said with a nervous grin. Izuku pushed the door open and held it for her, Ochako giving him a thankful nod as she stepped inside. At this time of day, the inn was fairly busy, most of the two dozen tables taken up by various groups of the city populous, just out for a nice dinner, or travelers resting their weary heads in the mildly popular inn. But Ochako felt like fate was smiling on her and Izuku, as her favorite corner booth was still open. She reached out and grabbed Izuku's hand, biting her lip as she felt his warm fingers in her own, and began to pull the unresisting adventurer with her towards the booth, slipping into the seat a moment later, Izuku following behind.
She saw the look Izuku gave her, one full of warmth and nerves, and flushed slightly. "This is my favorite spot," she murmured to him.
Izuku squeezed her hand, cluing her into the fact she had yet to release his hand (and if he was in no hurry to do so, she wasn't either), and replied with a bright smile on his face, "It's a nice place. What, um…what's the best thing on the menu?"
"Oh, um, I normally just get whatever the special is; it's really their desserts I love. It's this little, um, rice cake thing called mochi!"
"You really like that, huh?" Izuku asked.
Ochako nodded rapidly. "Hells yeah, mochi's the best!"
Izuku chuckled. "Okay. I'll go get food then?"
Ochako shook her head. "No, I asked you out, it's my treat."
"But-"
"No buts!" Ochako commanded, one finger poking Izuku in the nose. His nose scrunched up involuntarily, eyes going crossed as he tried to stare at the finger poking him. She managed to hold back her squeal at how adorable he looked, before standing up and heading over to the bar to set in their orders, leaving Izuku behind to hold their booth. Placing their orders, she chanced a glance back at him. She flushed slightly when she noticed he had his eyes trained solely on her, one hand propping his head up as he looked at her with a wide, dopey grin, which quickly faded to flushed embarrassment when he caught her noticing his gaze.
Even from this distance she could see the pink in his cheeks, and all it did was fill her up with even more giddiness. Her first date, with her first friend in the city…gods she was so lucky. She couldn't wait to keep adventuring with Izuku…and maybe see where else the night took her.
Izuku never expected a date, much less his first date, to be so…comfortable. The two of them were happy to just sit and chat, talking about anything that crossed their minds…they mostly ignored discussions about the Ruins for now, and the Blade, and instead focused on things like Ochako's blacksmithing skills, the brunette going on and on about the intricacies of her job. She might have worried he would be bored, but no, he gave her all of his attention, eager to learn and hear about the things she could do and how she did.
In return, he spoke of some of his childhood, the times he spent hunting and foraging for his mother, helping her with her small farm, the trouble he got into sometimes. Like the time he accidentally fell into a bear's den and was chased for kilometers by the mother bear, only able to outpace her by virtue of his magic. Or the time he, while practicing his magic, accidently knocked over a tree…which knocked over a second one, which knocked over a third, a chain reaction that took down a good dozen trees on accident (and made the local Druid very upset with him. Izuku had to spend a week helping the Druid to make her forgive him.)
They were just comfortable with one another, even with the occasional moment of flushing that occurred when one or the other made an off-handed compliment. He'd lost count of how many times he'd chuckled nervously as he brushed his bangs out of his eyes, not wanting to lose a moment to look upon her. This was…nice. This was fun. Something different, something new.
Honestly, Izuku really couldn't help but be thankful to her. He was grateful to Tsuyu, Tenya, and Shoto as well for their assistance before, and he liked to think he could call them friends, but Ochako…she saved him, and then proceeded to go with him out of the kindness of her heart to fight a monster, and turned everything around for him. Now he had a steady income, a job he enjoyed, the ability to help protect people, friends…and he was on a date with the cutest person he'd laid eyes on yet. He couldn't be happier.
But all good things come to an end, and the two of them settled their bill and began the slow walk back to Ochako's shop. Izuku refused to let her walk home alone (even knowing she had zero need of his protection), but to be honest, it was more because he didn't want the night to end.
And yet end it would, as they stopped in front of her shop. Ochako turned to face Izuku, her smile sheepish but unwavering as she rocked on her heels for a moment. "Well…this is mah place."
"Y-yeah. Um…I uh…I guess you got a lot to do, right? We've been gone a bit…" Izuku trailed off.
Ochako nodded. "Yeah uh…got some orders backed up I gotta get ta. I'll be workin' most of tomorrow to catch up. I…wanted to look at those books and stuff but can't let mah shop fall behind," she replied softly, her accent slipping slightly as she rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.
"I, um…I had no plans tomorrow, so uh, I was going to go check out the books myself? I, um…I figured I could take notes and tell you what I found out? T-tomorrow evening, maybe? Um, i-if you-"
"Yes!" she cut his stammering off, Izuku taking a step back from the exuberant response as she grinned widely at him. After a moment, she seemed to realize what she'd said and flushed, breaking eye contact and shimmying in place. "I'd uh..I'd be fer that, yeah. Dinner again?"
"Yeah, exactly! Um…meet me at Heights Alliance at sunset?" Izuku asked, inwardly trying not to squeal. Although, they didn't say date this time, so maybe it wasn't?
"Okay! It's a date!" Ochako replied, breaking Izuku's spiraling thoughts apart the second he thought them. He barely managed to hold in a cheer, still giving a slight fist pump out of her visual range. He was broken out of his new thoughts by Ochako rummaging in her bag for a moment, before thrusting the broken hilt into his hands. "Um…in case you get more information and wanna try the focusin' trick Li spoke about."
"Oh, yeah. I'll give that a go after I do my research!"
Ochako nodded, taking a step back closer to her door. "Okay, um…then I guess this is goodnight?"
Izuku nodded. "Y-yeah. Goodnight, Ochako. I'll, um, see you tomorrow."
Ochako stood there for a moment, the look on her face full of consternation, enough that Izuku started to become worried. He opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off when she suddenly lunged forward, her hand gripping his collar and gently but firmly pulling him forward, just enough that he felt the sudden press of warm lips upon his cheek. His eyes went wide as he tried to comprehend what just happened, one trembling hand going up to press against the spot on his cheek as she released him.
"Goodnight, Izuku!" she said quickly, turning about and fleeing into her shop, the door slamming shut behind her as Izuku stood on the dimly lit road, frozen in place.
Izuku hovered there, unable to move for a good half a minute, before it finally clicked what had just happened. He couldn't help it, an inordinate joy suffusing him and making him let out a giggle, raising his fist in the air in triumph. He didn't care how foolish he looked, he couldn't help but feel so happy! He shook in excitement for a brief moment, before he managed to collect himself and began the trek back to the Guild, humming tunelessly to himself as he walked back.
Izuku's day had started great, if he was being honest. He'd fallen asleep clutching his pillow happily, just ecstatic about the fact that he and Ochako had hit it off so well. He'd slept well, his excitement not keeping him from enjoying a restful night's sleep. Once he'd gotten up, he'd done some light morning workouts in the training yard, had a quick cheerful exchange with some of his fellow adventurers, and then gotten a nice breakfast.
Once that was done, it was on to the books. Due to the priests of Kao's insistence, the books had been moved to their church, but he'd been given a writ of guarantee he could review any of them at any time at his leisure in exchange for turning them in (along with the sizable monetary reward they had offered the party). And so, he spoke to a few of the priests to clarify which books he likely would want to review, as they'd already done preliminary studies, and sat down to begin his research.
And that was when his day took a turn for the worse…because he did find what he was seeking. Specifically, two books…one with a short tale that spoke of the forging that went into the blade (he took special note of this for Ochako), and one that was dedicated to what was known as the Millennium War…also known as the Blades Battle. The long and sordid history of the two blades, One For All and All For One, and their terrible, tragedy ridden tale. While he couldn't help but be impressed and fascinated by some of the accomplishments of the holders of One For All…the tales of the monsters that held All For One made him sick to his stomach.
Perhaps the worst part was how…similar, each tale was. The elder brother's blade did not corrupt on its own, it seemed. Most of the holders of it seemed to start out fine, sometimes even listed as doing some level of heroic activity. It just seemed like the longer time went on, the further down a dark path they were led. They would fall into darkness and depravity, committing horrific sins upon the people around them and destroying vast swathes of land.
The problem he had was few of them, if any, had explanations for what brought the wielders of All For One down. He assumed it was the holders of One For All, due to how swiftly their reigns would end, but what confused him was that it wasn't written. Nothing was written about how they were stopped, only that they just…stopped. It was incredibly frustrating. Even if it wasn't directly related to reforging the blade, and if Ochako was right and they could just turn in the evil sword, he still wondered…if they accidently made it and it somehow got into the wrong hands, wouldn't it be best to know how to stop it?
He decided to let it go for now. He'd found more than enough information to focus on the blade and see if its enchantments would reveal to him the next step, so he made another attempt. Holding the hilt in hand, he focused as hard as he could, feeling that same pressure as the other day, that same vague, misty thoughts that might be something of use…but once again, he was thrust out of it, nearly toppling from his chair.
He let the nearest priest help him back up, the headache worse this time than the last, but internally he was more annoyed at himself than anything else. He was so close, he was sure of it, but still it eluded him!
His thoughts were forced on a halt when he glanced out the window, noticing it was far past the noonday sun. He had just enough time to gather his notes and make for Heights Alliance, to share what he knew with Ochako, and so he set about doing so in a hurry. He left a quick message with the priests to keep those two books set aside for if he needed to re-review, but other than that chose to leave as swiftly as possible…frustrated or not, he was not about to miss a second date.
Ochako listened carefully, sipping her soup as Izuku went over the things he'd learned. She couldn't help but smile behind her napkin as she wiped at her mouth…though Izuku was clearly frustrated from some of what he'd learned and how he couldn't get the hilt to show him the next step, she couldn't help but find his wildly waving hands and sparkling eyes adorable to watch. He got so into it, it was just pleasant to watch.
"So yeah…that's what I got so far," Izuku finished with a sigh, his shoulders slumping.
Ochako hummed in acknowledgement for a moment, before setting her spoon down. "And nothing from the hilt?"
Izuku shook his head. "Not a damned thing. I feel like I'm so close, but I couldn't see anything!"
"Well, no use panicking over it. Maybe we just need some time to work on it, or something." Ochako shrugged.
"I guess," Izuku replied, sighing once more. He reached down into his bag and pulled the hilt out, sliding it across the table to Ochako. "Here, you should keep ahold of it."
Ochako nodded, reaching out to grab it. As her fingers grazed the hilt, it suddenly felt searing hot, her entire body jolting as she felt a burst of energy rocket from it into her form. The room they were in faded away, Izuku's concerned face and worried green eyes the last thing she saw as she felt her consciousness be ripped away, scattered to the winds, gone in one sudden painful burst until all she saw was a blackness deeper than the darkest night.
She tried to move, to speak, to call out for Izuku, but no sound would escape her, no sign of her moving, no sign of…anything. She felt herself being dragged around by an unseen force, her being unwillingly rocketing forward through the darkness around her. She feared she'd slam into something as she went, but no such thing appeared, the only sign she was moving was the sensation of movement itself.
She found herself slamming to an abrupt stop, pain radiating from her head as she winced. After a moment or two, the darkness began to brighten ever so slightly, the tiniest rays of light peeking over in the distance as though a sunrise. As the glow became ever more pronounced, she could finally see…she was there, above a crater, a massive one that seemed to be at the top of a mountain if she had any guess, from the clouds now visible below her. In the center of this crater, this…caldera, a shimmering blue lake, wisps of fog rolling over its surface like gentle fingers brushing over it.
Once again, she found herself dragged forward, this time down, down down down, under the surface of this lake, deep within its crystalline waters to the very bottom. And there, half-embedded in the rock, rested a cracked, broken boulder, glints of metal visible from its form…metal that she knew was Starmetal.
With a gasp, she found herself launched out of this vision, nearly falling from her chair as she found Izuku's hands gripping her shoulders tightly, worry in his voice and posture evident. His voice was muffled at first, but senses began to trickle back in slowly. She glanced up at him with wide, confused eyes, instantly narrowing them and hissing in pain at the onslaught of light.
"Ochako? Ochako, c'mon, talk to me, 'Chako, please?" Izuku was practically begging her at this point, sending a surge of warmth through her…especially as she noticed something.
"Did…did you just call me 'Chako'?" she murmured, a little bit out of it but still there enough to enjoy the sudden flustered expression on his face.
"I, uh, um, I just…it just slipped out, I'm so sor-" he began, cut off by her sudden giggles.
"No, no…I like it. You can call me that," she replied, her tone full of mirth.
"Oh, okay, but…are you okay?" Izuku asked desperately, her giggles calming him slightly but clearly not enough.
She nodded, feeling a bit of vertigo at the sudden movement but letting it pass. "I, uh…I think I know what the next step for the sword is?"
Izuku blinked blankly at her, his eyes locked onto hers before he glanced down at her hand where it was still gripped onto the hilt. She could practically see the wheels turning in his mind, a brilliant smile crossing his face. "Oh my gods, you can wield it then!"
"I…I guess?" she replied, not having actually considered the ramifications of her getting a vision until he pointed it out. "I…I can wield it? Oh…that's so cool!" She felt her own smile crossing her face at the thought, sharing the excitement with Izuku until she remembered where the starmetal they needed was, her head falling to her chest as she worried at her lip over it.
Izuku noticed her face fall slightly and felt his concern return to the surface. "'Chako? What's wrong?"
"...we have to get starmetal for the next part."
"Okay…did you see where we gotta go?"
Ochako nodded, locking eyes with Izuku as she took a deep breath. "Bottom of the Scarlet Lake."
"Oh."