AN: Sorry for the delay. Had some long real life things to take care of, and I'm toggling too many projects.
XX
Ochako had been doing her best to hold herself together. So many things depended on her keeping a level head, continuing to move forward, and supporting Izuku. However, she was only one person. A person being targeted and hunted. A person whose entire life had been redefined in a matter of weeks. A person who nearly died. A person who was terrified for the life of the man in her arms. It was too much, and it finally all came collapsing down on her.
She tried and failed to hold back the sobs that wracked her form as she clung to Izuku. Hot tears rolled down her face, burning her eyes despite the fact she was in a dreamscape. Her fingers groped desperately at Izuku's skin, as if fearing he might slip through her fingers like grains of sand.
She felt him stiffen underneath her, and it only made it worse, because she hated the fact she was falling apart on him when he needed her. It would only drag him down further, and that just made her cry harder.
It was all so much. Her heart hurt, and she knew when she woke up, things wouldn't be the same. And on some level, she also knew Izuku had taken grave injuries - there was a reason she saw his magic wrapped around him even in this dream world, and she wasn't ignorant of the possibilities.
She felt Izuku shift, but she couldn't stop crying enough to get out anything coherent - to reassure him she would be fine in a few minutes. However, instead of panicking or shutting down, Izuku pushed himself up from the ground and pulled her deeper into his arms. Ochako felt him maneuver her around until her head was on his shoulder and his cheek was pressed against her forehead.
She buried her face into his neck as he hesitantly reached up and began to stroke her hair, the action uncertain and light. When she clung to him tighter, he gained confidence in the motion, petting her like a parent might do a small child, and distantly, Ochako realized he was probably emulating what his mother did for him when he was younger, or how she had held him during those first days, where everything was so much and he was so scared.
Izuku rocked her gently, running his fingers over her hair, and truthfully she couldn't remember the last time someone had held her like this. She had spent so many years alone, and then afterward, it had been her holding him up. Comforting him. Keeping him safe.
To finally be able to let her guard down was monumental, and she wondered if Izuku had any idea what he was giving her right now.
She wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, but at some point, her sobs became sniffles mixed with hiccups. Izuku said nothing, still methodically brushing his fingers over her hair, his other arm holding her to his chest.
Finally, she opened her eyes, tears blurring her vision. The arm holding her came into view, and she stared at the dark, ghostly skin layered in glowing pink and green veins. Despite the slightly translucent appearance, she knew that it was solid, given that Izuku was cradling her with it, and carefully she reached out and ran her fingers along its surface. The limb thrummed with energy – Izuku's energy – vibrating up into her fingertips like if she were petting a purring cat.
Izuku jumped, indicating he felt the touch, and Ochako pulled back to look up at him. Despite having been comforting her, she could see he had been crying too, his one visible eye red and face wet with tears. She pursed her lips before reaching up with the hand touching his arm to touch the magic covering his face. Before her fingers could reach his chin, he grabbed her hand, stopping her from doing so.
He bit his lip, giving her an apologetic look. "S-sorry. I don't want to make you cry again."
Ochako furrowed her brow, sitting up to better look at him. He didn't meet her gaze, staring down at their hands as his ghostly thumb gently stroked her palm. The sincerity in his voice implied he really thought what was behind the magic might upset her, and immediately she assumed he'd lost the eye completely. However, something big had also happened to his arm, and it was, well… rebuilt, albeit not exactly flesh and blood.
"Do you trust me?" she asked quietly.
He nodded vehemently, looking back up at her face. She responded with a faint smile, tugging her hand free. "Then let me see?"
With a shaky exhale, Izuku nodded again and let the magic fall off of his face, allowing Ochako to see a ball of brilliant emerald flame shining where his eye used to be. The healed scar going up from the top of his face to his chin told the rest of the story. She pursed her lips, cupping the scarred cheek in her hand. "Does it hurt?"
Izuku shook his head. "Not anymore. Requiem did this to replace it, a-and my arm. But it upset my mom when she saw it, a-and I thought it would upset you, too."
Ochako nodded, rubbing her thumb against his cheek soothingly. "Your mother has been through a lot, and she's scared of losing you again. Things like this are different, and a sign you got hurt. I can see why it upset her. It also makes me sad to see, because I know you got hurt, but I don't want you to hide from me, okay?"
"O-okay." He whispered back, leaning into her touch and closing his good eye. The other had no pupil or eyelid, simply shining in place in the socket. After a moment, he added quietly, "I… know how Mom feels. I felt that way when I saw you get hurt."
"Me too," Ochako whispered, letting her fingers slide down to trace along his jaw. "You're important to me, Izuku. I can't stand the idea of losing you."
He sucked in a breath, his good eye flying open to look at her, and she did her best to offer him a smile. "But remember. We made it. We're alive, and, well, I guess safe for now while we recover. I'm sure it'll take some time for my body to let me wake up, but in the meantime, we have this space together."
He nodded, capturing her hand again so he could hold it, and it would have been a very tender moment had he not followed up with, "I won't leave here until you're awake."
Ochako sighed, responding with a sharp zap to his nose, glad she could still 'use magic' in this place. He jumped, giving her a startled look, and she gave him a withering one back. "You absolutely will not do that, or I will be angry."
Izuku shrunk in on himself, giving a timid nod, although Ochako could tell he didn't understand why that declaration bothered her.
Sighing softly, she threaded her fingers through his, feeling his magic buzz against her palm. "I'm sure your body needs rest, and I want you to take that rest, and I'll be here when you do. However, I will not let you neglect the rest of your needs because of me. You need to recover and regain your strength, and you need to be awake when possible, because it's the safest thing for both of us."
His eye darted back and forth, as if the very thought of being awake without her made him nervous. And likely, it did. He had barely left her side since they met, short of disappearing to fight Nomu or train in the forest. But he needed to do this. She needed him to do this. "I know it will be hard for you, but… do it for me?"
That made him pause, and he met her gaze, holding it for a long moment. Briefly, she thought about how much he'd come out of his shell. He still often averted his eyes around others, but with her, he no longer did. It was a sign of his unwavering trust, amongst everything else.
"I'd do anything for you," Izuku whispered, and the sincerity in that statement made her heart pound, reminding her just once again that she was falling hard for him.
With a tiny, sincere smile, Ochako leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. The way his face lit up set her heart on fire.
Was she still falling? She had no idea.
XX
Inko sighed softly as she finished putting her hair in a bun. It was still early, but she had retired practically before dusk last night. The sleep had done a lot to soothe her frayed nerves.
Izuku was awake. He was certainly in terrible shape, but he hadn't exactly been in good shape when she learned he was alive just a few days ago.
Katsuki had sent his men to find her after that battle, and once she was in the castle, he told her everything that had been left out of the story - at least, the parts he knew. He admitted there were things that happened that he didn't know about, and they would have to ask Izuku or Ochako once they were awake.
Not only was Izuku the Monster of Yuuei, but now she understood just exactly what that magic was. Her son had inherited a terrific power, but also a terrible burden. And Ochako! To know she was being hunted for her magic - Inko now understood the tightly caged emotions she had seen on the younger woman, and truly she had no idea how Ochako had been keeping that fear in check.
She wondered if her desire to protect Izuku was what kept driving her forward.
And of course, now with knowing the full story, she worried, not just for their lives, but for their hearts. Even without her magic, she could see Izuku was incredibly dependent on Ochako, using her as an anchor to everything. Although he loved her, a lot of his emotions were still underdeveloped, and Inko also understood why Ochako was fearing her own affections for her son. Their relationship was evolving faster than Izuku could keep up.
It should have been the least of her concerns, knowing both Izuku and Ochako were being hunted and were both in terrible condition following that battle, but…
This was the one thing Inko actually could help with. Her magic was nothing impressive, but it gave her insight. She understood emotions. She understood feelings. And she was probably the best person to help her son navigate everything he was feeling, both in regards to Ochako, and in regards to the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Nodding to herself, she smoothed back a few stray wisps of hair from her face and opened the door.
Katsuki stood on the other side, fist raised to knock. He blinked, lowering his hand. "Okay, guess you're awake after all."
"Yes… I was on my way to Izuku's room, then I'll see about some breakfast."
"Don't bother," Katsuki replied, nodding down the hall. "He's not in his room. He fell asleep beside Ochako."
Inko sighed heavily, wringing her hands together. "I'm… not surprised, really. I fear he's not going to be in good mental shape until she wakes up. She's his lifeline."
Katsuki cut his eyes over to her at that comment, lips pressing into a thin line. "You…" he trailed off, before starting again, "-what kind of emotions do you see when he's looking at her?"
Inko's brows lifted, because if Katsuki was asking that, he'd probably already figured it out. "He's in love with her, Young Master."
She jumped when he slammed the side of his fist into the wall, lip curling.
"Goddamnit, I hate it when Kyouka's right."
XX
Izuku awoke to the smell of food and the sensation of someone gently running their fingers through his hair. He stirred, eye slowly opening and taking in his surroundings. He was still on the large bed beside Ochako, his fingers curled around hers. A blanket was draped over him, and judging by the light in the room, it was morning. Toru was curled up against Ochako's neck, her blurry form shivering as she snored little windy whistles. He watched the sprite for a moment, before his gaze went back to Ochako's peaceful face. He sighed, rubbing his thumb over the dark knuckles of the woman he loved. She didn't stir, but he knew at least she was okay.
As much as he wanted to dive back into Requiem, he held onto her wishes, and with no small amount of reluctance, he rolled onto his back to look at his mother. She was sitting in a chair beside the bed, and she met his gaze with a small smile.
"Good morning, my sweet Izuku."
He nodded to her, not quite feeling like trying to talk yet. Hesitantly, he let go of Ochako's hand and pushed himself into an upright position, hunching forward weakly. It took more effort than he wanted to admit, but once he was upright he whispered back, "Good morning."
"Miss Tsuyu says you slept through the night. I was worried you wouldn't sleep."
Izuku said nothing for a moment, watching as his mother stacked some pillows so he could lean against them. Once they were tall enough, he collapsed against them and turned his tired face to look at her. "I was waiting for Ochako."
He realized even as he said it that his mother wouldn't know what he meant, but she still nodded, turning to pour a cup of tea. "I know, but I don't think she would like you pushing yourself just to watch over her."
He took the offered cup of tea, cradling it with trembling hands. "I know." The liquid was pleasantly warm, allowing him to sip without worrying about burning his tongue. The taste was slightly sweet, and he sighed as the liquid warmed its way down to his stomach. There was an initial wave of queasiness, and he winced, waiting for it to pass.
He looked back at his mother, noting she was staring at him with blatant concern. Considering his words, he finally added, "We can talk to each other in our sleep. Through our cores. I spent last night with her, and she– she asked me to not stay asleep to be with her."
He looked down at his tea, taking another sip now that the wave of nausea was gone. This time it didn't return, and he was grateful. He watched as his mother turned back to the tray just beside her, messing with its contents. "Do you understand why she asked you to do that?"
He shrugged awkwardly, quietly finishing the contents in his cup. "She said I needed to eat and regain my strength, and that it's safer if I'm awake to know what's going on. I… understand that. B-but it hurts. I want to see her. I don't like that I have to be awake and she's not. I need her here."
Inko turned back to him, holding a plate of food. He finished his tea and traded the cup for the plate, resting it on his lap as he began to nibble at the contents. Folding her hands in her lap, she asked, "What do you think Ochako needs?"
He paused mid-bite in his food, staring down at the roll of bread in his hand. The answer was obvious, wasn't it? "She needs to be safe."
Izuku looked up at his mother to find her tilting her head at him. "Is that the only thing a person needs in life, Izuku? You said you needed Ochako here. Does that make you safe if she's here?"
He went still at that, gaze lowering as he lost himself in the depth of that question. Yes, having Ochako here meant he was safer. She was strong and smart. She had watched over him when he was injured, and she had rescued him several times. But… that's not why he needed her. He needed her because she made him happy. He needed her because seeing her made him relax. She helped him find his way, and without her he would still be alone. Scared. Lost.
He wasn't sure how to articulate all of that back to his mother, so he took another quiet bite of his food, staring down at his plate sadly. Swallowing, he said, "I need her because she's– I… I'm nothing without her. I would still be lost in the woods. Maybe dead. She's the reason I found Kacchan again. And got to see you again. She's the reason I know the name of my core. I… without her, I'm just the Monster of Yuuei."
He looked up to his mother to see her wiping at her eyes. He frowned, because he wasn't trying to make her cry! Why did he always make her cry?
Gently, Inko reached out and put her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. "Ochako found you in a very dark place in your life, and she helped you climb out of it, sweetie. And that's why she wants you to stay awake while she rests. She wants you to see that you're not 'nothing' without her. She wants you to see how you can stand on your own feet. That you're your own person. It doesn't mean you don't need her – but that the way you need her is changing. And being able to do things on your own is what Ochako needs, because then you can pick her up when she falls. Because then she worries less about you and can focus more on the happy moments in your lives. Because she cares for you, and she wants to see you at your best. And because then… if you can move past this point, you become her equal in more than just magic. You're a smart person, Izuku. Imagine what you can do if the world around you doesn't terrify you."
He felt his eye burn, and he reached up to wipe at the tears forming. "I… really want that, but I don't know how to do that."
His mother reached up and pushed his hair out of his face, smoothing it back. "Start by existing in this world, instead of your dreams. Give yourself space from Ochako, so that when she wakes up, you're a little stronger in your heart and in your mind. It doesn't mean you're alone. I'm here to help you, as is Katsuki, and others. You have allies who can help you. Who want to help you. Let us help."
The tears wouldn't stop falling now, and he sniffled, rubbing at his cheek with the back of his hand. "O-okay."
He leaned into the hug his mother gave him, and he hoped he could make her proud.
XX
The rest of the day involved Izuku slowly taking in food and liquids while various people came to talk to him. His mother stayed by his side, interjecting when it was clear Izuku needed a break. He needed a lot of breaks. Several times he fell asleep, napping between visits and meals. During those naps, he'd always find Ochako sitting in Requiem beside one of the unlocked cores. She said that just because her body needed rest didn't mean she could do nothing, and that she hoped by the time she woke up, she had a decent understanding of each of the cores Izuku had in his current arsenal.
Still, anytime he appeared, she'd stop what she was doing to listen to his updates on what was happening. Each time, she would ask questions and give insights to what she was thinking, and Izuku would listen with intent. He started to realize that even these little visits were what his mother was talking about. Just talking with others without Ochako being the mediator seemed to make her very happy, and she would end each of his nap visits with a big hug, whispering to him that she was proud of him.
That was enough for him to keep going, no matter how exhausting things were.
First, Katsuki filled him in on what had happened over the last two days, and how the king had granted Izuku and Ochako sanctuary, calling orders to bring them back to the castle after the battle. Guards had been doubled around Ultra's gates and the castle's entrances, but so far, no attacks came. It was still unclear what Enji was feeling about all of this, but this was at least a step in the right direction. However, with that Katsuki paused, expression troubled in a way Izuku didn't like. He went on to explain to Izuku that rumors had begun to spread across the city that the Monster of Yuuei was hiding in the castle, and was actually a creation to serve the Todoroki Family.
Izuku asked why they would think that, and Katsuki ticked off the various events people were drawing correlations from, ranging from Izuku taking off in the market, to those who witnessed him fighting the Nomu. King Enji ordering the guards to get Izuku and Ochako back to the castle was the final piece, leading people to make assumptions about how it was all connected.
When Izuku asked what he should do, Katsuki waved a hand and said until Izuku could stand for more than thirty seconds at a time, he shouldn't do anything. Eijiro was monitoring the situation, and Katsuki would let him know if it changed.
Before Izuku could fret too much, Katsuki changed the subject. Apparently they had captured one of the Blackened Core's servants, and she was being imprisoned in a magical barrier in the dungeons under the castle. He went on to explain she was cursed, and that Kyouka had learned that people who were cursed could traverse the fallen kingdom, which more or less proved the Blackened Core was hiding there. The agent refused to talk to anyone, but had said she wanted to speak to Izuku or Ochako. Katsuki told Izuku to worry about that later.
He left shortly after that, and Izuku fell asleep, where Ochako hugged him as he recounted the information about the rumors. She reminded him that people were easily frightened, and this was exactly why the Blackened Core had veiled history. She told him to not think about it until he had to, and they would focus on one thing at a time. He woke up feeling dismayed, but it could have been worse.
Kyouka came by next, along with the Dragoirian advisor who introduced herself as High Lady Momo. Kyouka took some time to explain her quest to find Izuku on behalf of her queen, who knew about Requiem and that the All Mighty Mage had been the previous holder. Before Izuku could respond to anything, Requiem piped up, telling him that the Queen's core was not to be discussed. When Izuku asked why, Requiem stated that very few humans knew she was a dragon, and it would cause a lot of unrest if they did. There was more to it than that, but they could discuss it later.
So instead, Izuku listened as High Lady Momo said the queen wished to speak with Izuku once he was better rested, and she made sure to explicitly state the Queen was on Requiem's side. Requiem affirmed, stating that Ryuko had done many things to help his holders over the years.
Kyouka then turned the conversation back to the Blackened Core, and how it could steal cores. She told Izuku about the Dragoirian mage who had her magic stolen, and that they had managed to save her before she decayed to death in the fallen kingdom. Izuku asked what magic had been stolen from her, and High Lady Momo said it was time magic, where the mage could wrap something in a bubble and speed up or slow down the passing of time in that bubble.
Izuku commented that time magic was very rare, and High Lady Momo agreed, stating that not only was this magic rare, but it was difficult to control. The mage who possessed it spent twice as long in the Dragoirian academy learning to control it, and she had just graduated a few weeks prior to having her magic stolen.
Hesitantly, Momo asked if Izuku could restore stolen magic, and Izuku bowed his head, stating that the magic reclaimed from the Blackened Core always returned to the ecosystem, and never to its hosts.
Everyone went quiet at that, before Kyouka stated she received a letter from her husband that the mage was now awake and that they would be bringing her to Ultra to recount what happened. They were expected to arrive tomorrow.
They left shortly after when it was clear Izuku was struggling to stay awake. He fell asleep, spending some time with Ochako and relaying the information he'd been told. When he woke up next, it was late afternoon, and Shouto was sitting beside him with a cat in his lap and a crown of flowers in his hair. The creator of the flower crown was nowhere to be seen, although Tsuyu was by the window, sitting in her tub of water.
"Hey," Shouto said softly, fingers stroking the orange ball of fur in his lap.
Izuku sat up, finding it was a bit easier to do it after several naps and small meals throughout the day. "Where's Mom?"
If Shouto was bothered by the lack of greeting, he didn't show it. "She needed a bit of fresh air, so she's sitting out in the castle gardens. She'll be back shortly."
Izuku nodded, glancing over at Ochako's sleeping form, then back up to Shouto. "Thank you for trying to heal her."
The prince gave a thin smile, eyes falling on the sleeping woman beside Izuku. "I wish I could do more, but it seems there's a limit to my new healing fire."
"She's still grateful," Izuku said, fidgeting with the blanket draped over his lap. "She wanted me to tell you, since she's not awake to say it herself."
Shouto blinked, tilting his head. "You…can speak to her?"
Izuku nodded. "Through our cores. They're connected now."
At Shouto's confused expression, Izuku tried to better explain, and he noted it was easier to find the words now. "We… somehow formed a bond during our time together. It linked Ochako's Echo to Requiem. I… don't know if every core is like this, but I can go inside my core. It's like… a dream, really. A sandy field with a beautiful night sky. And Ochako's is a sunflower field by the mountains. And now those spaces are… connected. It's easiest to get there in our sleep. And since Ochako's not awake, she's in there."
Shouto's brows lifted in surprise. "That's… really good! You're both connected, so we know she's okay, and I guess you've been telling her what's happened since the fight, too, right?"
Izuku nodded, glancing back over at her. "I give her updates. We talk. She's trying to learn the cores I've unlocked."
At that, Shouto asked, "Wait, so… she can access your magic through that bond?"
Izuku looked back at the prince and nodded once again. "And I can access hers. It's how we defeated that Nomu. The bond completed during the fight, but we didn't know it was forming."
"You didn't?"
Izuku sighed wearily. "It's… a long story. Requiem couldn't tell me to do it because it would make the bond weak, so we had to do it without knowing."
Shouto nodded slowly, but fortunately didn't press for more details. "Well… it's good that it happened, even if it was just barely in time. I guess… is this how you're supposed to defeat the Blackened Core? With the help of the Echo?"
Izuku blinked, gaze falling to the pattern on the blanket draped over him. "I… think so. I knew the Blackened Core needed to steal an Echo in order to steal Requiem, and Requiem said I had found an Echo, which would help me, but couldn't elaborate because of the bond. And now…"
He stopped as Requiem's voice echoed through his thoughts. 'Yes, Izuku. This is how we end this battle. With this bond, you have access to the magical plane, and with this bond, Ochako echo's our ability to return cores to that plane. As you strengthen this bond, and yourselves, you will be able to reach the Blackened Core through the magical realm, and it is from there that you can reclaim every core it has and put an end to this eternal cycle.'
"Oh…" Izuku breathed, visible eye wide. Slowly, he looked up to the prince who was staring at him with concern. "I…Requiem says that we have what we need to win. We just have to strengthen the bond."
Shouto opened his mouth to reply when the door opened and Katsuki walked in with High Advisor Keigo. The former looked pissed beyond belief while the latter bowed his head in greeting. "Please excuse the interruption, Prince Shouto. Dinner is soon to be served, and your father has requested Sir Izuku's attendance as well."
Izuku blinked, looking up at the advisor then back to the prince. Shouto sighed painfully, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Thank you, Keigo. We will be there."
The advisor nodded, dismissing himself, and Katsuki shut the door behind him with a little more force than necessary. "Fuckin' seriously?"
"We can't say no, nor should we," Shouto said, pinning Katsuki with a look. "However, we do have to solve two problems quickly."
"What's that?" Katsuki asked, folding his arms across his chest.
"One, we need to get Izuku clothes suitable for a royal dinner. He cannot show up in pajama pants and nothing else," Shouto said, and it was clear from Katsuki's expression that he thought Izuku should do exactly that.
"Your dad doesn't deserve Deku in anything but his worst," Katsuki muttered.
Shouto shot him a dirty look. "I would also like to spite my father, but let's be reasonable. Most everyone sees Izuku as the Monster of Yuuei, and there are rumors flying all over the city that the king is housing a monster. This dinner, while obnoxious, is a good way to demonstrate Izuku is not a monster, and it helps ensure my father continues to work with us."
"Fine," Katsuki growled, glaring at nothing in particular. "What's the other problem?"
Shouto sighed, gesturing to his lap. "The cat is asleep, and I do not wish to be the one to move him."
To Katsuki's credit, he didn't explode.