The trio has a very important talk about themselves and how they feel. They speak to the class a bit. Himiko comes up with an idea.
Himiko gulped, sitting upright. "O-okay. Um…okay, you said some stuff, do you want us to say stuff?"
"I mean, if you want, I don't want to monopolize this conversation," Izuku replied, their voice unsure.
Ochako clapped her hands onto her face with a loud 'slap!', taking a deep breath. "Okay, nah, Izu's right. We gotta just say it, don't we? Otherwise we're gonna keep dancing around it and never get anywhere."
"Yeah but like…if we all know it, do we have to say it?" Himiko asked, her shoulders hunched.
"I…I think so, Himi. Not just because it's best to lay it all out to avoid any misunderstandings, but we have to decide what to do with it. Because like I said…I don't know if I'm emotionally in the right place to treat you two right," Izuku said softly.
Ochako rolled her eyes. "And of course you make it about us, dork," she sighed, her voice full of a confused mix of annoyance and affection.
"I'm trying to be sweet here!" Izuku protested.
"You don't have to try to do that, Izu," Himiko interjected, making Izuku sputter for a moment.
"W-well, I mean, that is-" they began to mutter when Ochako leapt to her feet, fists clenched at her side.
"I like both of you!" she shrieked, eyes closed, head bowed, shoulders hunched as if in fear of a blow. When no response was forthcoming, she dared to lift her head slightly, looking at the faces of a flushed but vibrating Himiko and a pale, gaping expression from Izuku. She took a deep breath. "Just…just had to get it over with. Just fuckin' say it. No more pussyfootin' around. Just rip off the bandaid."
"She's…she's right. Yeah, okay. You're right too Izu. I knew what it was, but I never said it. I was…I was afraid to change things too much, to try and push stuff forward, because I can't lose either of you. And, and maybe you're also right, it's not the time to pursue it, but, but we can at least say it, right? Right?" Himiko said in a plaintive tone.
Izuku was silent for a moment, before nodding. "Y-yeah. Okay. I-I really do like the both of you too." After a moment to contemplate what they said, they mused, "That was easier than I thought it'd be."
"Probably 'cause 'Chako broke the ice for us," Himiko muttered. "But okay, my turn, and, yes. I really like the both of you. A lot. I just…I don't know what to do with that."
"Yeah that um…I think that's where I get stuck too," Izuku said.
"...do we need to do anything with it right now?" Ochako asked quietly. The other two turned to look at her, as she looked down at her hands contemplatively. "We know how we feel. And we know we're all hurting, in our own ways, but we're trying to get help and it's…it's going well, I think. I think we're getting better. We already spend our nights together. We already cuddle, and hold hands, and it's not like everyone else doesn't already think we're um…together. So…maybe if we just acknowledge it and we let it just go where it goes as we get better?"
Himiko nodded absently before pausing. "So…I'm fine with that idea, but like…doesn't that mean we've basically been dating?"
Ochako worked her jaw silently for a moment, before shrugging, her cheeks pink. "I guess…things wouldn't change much if we were dating, huh?"
"Platonic cuddling is a thing," Izuku mused. "That said…I mean…you got a point. We kinda do act like we are. And we're already tied together anyways. I guess the more I think about it…a romantic relationship isn't that super different from what we have going on right now as is. In our unique situation, the emotional labor is probably about the same either way, so…maybe I'm being paranoid about it?"
"I don't think you're being paranoid. You're scared of hurting us. It's just…if you were going to, you would anyways," Himiko said with a shrug. Both Ochako and Izuku looked at her in confusion, so she elaborated. "What I mean is, if you have some sort of breakdown, it's going to impact us the same either way. We're connected. We can't avoid it. And you can't just run from us, because of this connection. We're all tied together in this. So like, I'm fine if we don't wanna label things or whatever, just pointing out I don't know if it matters."
"You…make a really good point," Izuku replied with a sigh, their shoulders slumping as a rueful smile crossed their face. "Here I was, wracking my brain about the right thing to do for the past week and still, it's kinda simple."
"I don't like that it feels like the decision is being made for us," Ochako said slowly. "But I also like the bond and every Quirk has drawbacks…the whole emotion sharing thing is both a good and bad thing, like we figured out a while ago. But I guess…honestly I don't care that much. We did figure out our feelings are our own, thanks to the vestiges. And if we're tied together, and spending all our time together, doing most of the dating stuff anyways and we know we like each other, it does feel kinda inevitable."
Izuku snorted, muttering under their breath in a deep voice "I am inevitable," making both girls glance askance at them. They shrugged sheepishly. "I like old superhero movies! Sue me!"
"I can think of a better punishment than a lawsuit…" Himiko began, a wide, toothy grin appearing on her face as she lowered herself into a crouch, fingers outstretched in a clawing motion. Izuku saw this and narrowed their eyes, getting up and taking a step back from her, tensing their muscles as Ochako rolled her eyes…which was apparently the signal, because Himiko leapt over the couch and began chasing Izuku around the common room, cackling wildly as Izuku giggled, darting away from her outstretched fingertips.
Ochako pursed her lips, her chest full of laughter and light, realizing that while they didn't really state it outright yet, they all seemed to be on the same page. She decided they could triple check later, but for now…chasing her new partners(?) around and seeing who won this tackle tickle fight seemed like a better use of her time. As the duo darted past her once more, she leapt into action, chasing after Himiko who was chasing Izuku, new shrieks coming from the other two at her sudden presence. This…felt right. She giggled, her hands swiping to try and grab onto Himiko's tail, the blonde flicking it right under her nose as she leapt away, chasing Izuku who had just flipped over the couch to escape. Ochako just smiled, continuing the chase, a weight off her shoulders dropping as she decided to just have fun.
"...yeah so okay, we're dating, fine, but uh…what do we tell the class?" Ochako asked, panting slightly as she lay on the couch, sprawled out over Izuku's lap.
Izuku shrugged as best they could, being used as a pillow by both Ochako and Himiko, who was splayed out over their chest. "Do we want to say anything?"
"Well…we'll get made fun of either way, and then Mina will gush for three hours and Momo will try not to gush but do it anyway," Himiko remarked, yawning. She stretched her limbs, Izuku idly shoving her foot out of their face as she nearly kicked them from where she was.
"Yeah so…just rip off the bandaid?" Ochako asked.
"May as well. They come back in four days, right?" Himiko replied.
Izuku sighed. "Maybe we just say something in the group chat later?"
"That sounds like a terrible idea. Let's fucking do it!" Himiko cheered halfheartedly, nuzzling into Ochako's neck.
Ochako giggled at the sensation, gently scratching Himiko's ears. "Yeah, she's right, we'll just say something when we check in on them tonight."
"Fine by me. So…what do we do till then?" Izuku asked. They regretted the question, as they could feel the gremlin mischief building in Himiko, making them narrow their eyes down at her, Ochako looking up with the same seeking glare.
Himiko grinned, her teeth glinting in the light as she said, in as cutesy a voice as possible, "Make out?"
Izuku sputtered, their cheeks going bright red even though they expected something like that from Himiko. The same flustered and embarrassed feeling shot across the bond from Ochako, the brunette quickly smacking Himiko on the shoulder as Himiko giggled, her own feelings of embarrassment being shoved down by her mischief.
"Sorry, but you two are so cute when you get all flustered," she said, still giggling. Izuku and Ochako took a moment to share a look, and their own feelings of mischief coming across the bond made Himiko tense up. "Hey now wait a-"
Himiko was given no time to finish her sentence, as the other two pounced, Ochako's hands now buried in Himiko's hair as she scratched at her ears, Izuku gripping Himiko's tail and slowly petting it as their other hand began to gently massage her calves, the blonde groaning and collapsing into a puddle, eyes closing. As the duo began to pamper her from multiple angles, she felt it bubbling up in her chest, a low, rumbling purr escaping her. She let out an attempt at an annoyed huff, but the fact she couldn't muster up the energy to be annoyed was even more annoying. "That's unfair," she whined, pressing her head up into Ochako's hands.
"You did it to yourself," Izuku admonished with humor in their voice.
"Meeeeeeeh," Himiko whined again. Ochako and Izuku shared another glance, smiles on their faces at Himiko's audible pouting. They decided to lay back and just enjoy the time cuddled together, before they had to face their classmates later and deal with the reactions, just basking calmly in the sunlight streaming through the bay windows and relaxing.
RipleysNemesis: ugh, i am so fucking tired you guys
ClassGoddess: Is your internship that exhausting?
RipleysNemesis: not like, in a bad way I guess? there's just so much work though
GottaGoFast: Well, it is to be expected, isn't it?
PunkNeverDies: at least your not with this jerk. why did I think death arms would be a good choice, ugh. i blame midoriya
OnePunchWoman: wait, why blame them?
PunkNeverDies: they shoulda told me death arms would be shit!
Nyanbinary: I mean…you didn't ask.
IDoNotLikePoe: Speak of the devil and they doth appear.
Nyanbinary: I don't know how I feel about being called 'the devil' in this context…
BoulderBro: eh, you know how Tokobro is. get this though, i ended up at the same internship as Tetsu!
Shoto: Did you now? Hmm. I shall add to my list.
SpaceCadet: i'm scared to ask, but what list?
Shoto: My list of reasons that Kirishima and Tetsutetsu are clearly clones.
CountessKarnstein: wait, who is whose clone then?
Shoto: They are both clones of the same rock, which clearly contained trace amounts of metal.
BoulderBro:...clones…of a rock.
Shoto: Yes.
WebCrawler: i'm a bit concerned about how Todoroki comes up with these things
Shoto: The evidence is quite clear. Just like the evidence for Izuku, Ochako, and Himiko is.
Nyanbinary: Wait, what evidence for us?!
Shoto: That you are members of an extraterrestrial race of cat people
SpaceCadet: okay, that one's not so bad
CountessKarnstein: you're only saying that because you want to be in space!
ClassGoddess: If you three are aliens, please, abduct me from this internship. I regret my choices as much as Kyoka regrets hers.
OnePunchWoman: Yeah, uh…this kinda sucks over here.
CountessKarnstein: can't save you from that, but we can give you good news?
ClassGoddess: Oh?
RipleysNemesis: my senses are tingling!
VanishingAct: what senses?
RipleysNemesis: i have no idea!
ForkInASocket: ignoring Ashido for now, what'd you three do, stop a terrorist organization somehow?
Nyanbinary: We're not that bad…
CatsAreBetterThanPeople: yes. yes you are.
CountessKarnstein: well now i don't wanna tell you!
SpaceCadet: oh ffs, lets just say it and let them get it out of their system already!
Nyanbinary: okay but then, who says it?
CountessKarnstein: fine. the three of us are dating. mina, you stop typing right now i already know youre about to explode
Nyanbinary: I want it on record we were not dating before today though, this is a new development!
RipleysNemesis: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!1111111111one
CountessKarnstein: i said stop typing!
GottaGoFast: You expected that to stop her? Setting that aside, my heartfelt congratulations for your new relationship! I would normally suggest not to let it distract you, but I'm aware your very bond is already distracting and thus it likely makes no difference!
SpaceCadet: thanks, I think?
ClassGoddess: May we ask how this came about?
VanishingAct: admit it Momo, you just want the gossip! youre blushing aren't you?!
ClassGoddess: I don't see how that is relevant
OnePunchWoman: Oh, she is totally blushing. Also let out a squee when she read it.
ClassGoddess: You have a big smile on your face as well Itsuku, do not try to distract!
Nyanbinary: I didn't think our love lives were of so much interest to the class…
ForkInASocket: i mean, the meowsketeers are the face of our class right now
VanishingAct: uh, its cause we all knew you three were soulmates, obviously
SpaceCadet: lets not go that far. we just figured this out ourselves, okay? like, lets not make a big deal out of it
RipleysNemesis: awww, we won't push i promise! we're just happy for you guys is all!
WebCrawler: also like, you guys are three cuddly catfolk. dunno what you expect from us, your by default cute
Nyanbinary: ajkhsdfhjgbaf
CountessKarnstein: that is an accurate depiction of the sounds they made
Nyanbinary: Okay, let's talk about anything else, okay?
PunkNeverDies: sure, wanna listen to me bitch about death arms more?
SpaceCadet: oh, fuck yeah! that guy was a jerk to Izu!
PunkNeverDies: wait, he was? well fuck, now I feel even worse for going with him
Nyanbinary: No, don't. You didn't know, it's not like I told any of you. But yeah, he's not a great hero in my opinion, so please, feel free to go off.
PunkNeverDies: okay, right. So listen…
"Okay so…now what do we do?" Himiko asked, laying upside down on the couch as Izuku puttered around in the kitchen.
Ochako shrugged, grumpily turning a page in her physics textbook. "I don't know about you, but I'm studying for the quiz when everyone gets back."
"That's boring," Himiko whined. "C'mon, we're dating now, shouldn't we do dating things?"
"Like what exactly?" Izuku asked from the kitchen, their attention on the mixing bowl in front of them.
"I dunno, that's why I asked!"
Ochako rolled her eyes, reaching over and gently bopping Himiko on the head. "I mean, it's not like we can go on a date. We're not supposed to leave campus after all the stuff we got into."
Himiko pouted for a moment, before her eyes went wide. With unnatural agility, she flipped herself upright, smiling widely. "I have an idea!" she proclaimed, causing both Izuku and Ochako to turn and look at her in confusion. The mix of emotions in her chest was no help to them either; at this point, the warmth of her affection was a regular undercurrent, and her other emotions were excitement and a bit of mischief, which told them nothing useful whatsoever. They had no time to react, as she bolted out the front door, leaving the two remaining sitting there in confusion.
Ochako and Izuku shared a look, before Izuku let out a shrug and returned to their task, currently working from a recipe their mom sent them for cookies. They weren't bad at cooking, but they'd rarely tried their hand at baking so they figured, may as well kill some time this way. Plus, they wanted to try to appeal to Ochako's sweet tooth. While she was doing better, she still struggled, and one thing that Himiko and Izuku had learned about their girlfriend can't believe they could call her that is that she really liked sweets. Granted, they couldn't ever give her a lot of them, because she was still on a strict diet, but there was an allowance for some sweets, so…Inko's Mom Style Chocolate Chip Cookies it was!
Ochako continued to study, but her nose was twitching at the scent of the cookies as Izuku placed them in the oven and started baking. Izuku couldn't help but smirk as they watched the brunette keep losing her place at the smell, her tail flicking and ears swiveling as if to listen for the sound of the timer going on, even if it was still going to be a while. There was something to be said for the instincts and the enhanced senses the trio had, Izuku mused…albeit the whole being more easily distracted was quite frustrating. Cat instincts wanted to investigate every disturbance, and basically anything out of the ordinary counted.
Luckily for the both of them, said instincts served them well in being able to hear Himiko's return, because the blonde burst into the common room without any warning, her hair mussed, grin wide, panting slightly. Izuku just arched an eyebrow at her, Ochako sighing with a soft smile as she turned her attention to the blonde.
"I did it!" Himiko cheered, dancing over to the couch and falling into Ochako's arms, the brunette catching her in time with a bemused look. Izuku sauntered over and leaned over the back of the couch, looking down at her.
"Did what?"
"Got us a date!" Himiko replied, rolling over to look up at Izuku with a grin.
Ochako blinked at her in confusion, the hand she'd lifted to begin scratching Himiko's ears frozen. "Come again?"
"I talked to Miss Kayama and Lunch Rush! Since we can't leave campus, I asked if there was a nice place we could just go and be alone for a while for a picnic, and Miss Kayama told me where we could go! Even got us permission! And Lunch Rush said he'd make us a nice picnic basket! So yeah, we can go on a picnic date!"
"Himi," Ochako said in a soft, disbelieving tone. Himiko looked up at her, worried, as she saw tears gathering in the corner of the brunette's eyes. Her attention moved to Izuku, seeing the same thing, but also a gentle smile on their face. She paused, reaching inside for the emotions…oh. The sheer level of love and affection and general joy rolling between the two of them made Himiko grin even wider. They liked the idea! It made them happy, and that made her happy!
Himiko squirmed in Ochako's lap, reaching one hand up to grab Izuku's and squeeze it as she pressed her head into Ochako's hand. She toned down her excitement and spoke to them in a quiet voice. "Things have been really hectic and messy and today was a lot. So let's just go have some fun together, okay?"
Izuku's grin grew wider, the hand clasped in hers squeezing her hand. "Y-yeah. Okay. We can take the cookies with us too!"
Ochako sniffled, but let out a wet chuckle at the same time. "You're so sweet, Himi. Thank you."
Himiko reached up and patted Ochako on her cheek. "No thanks needed, just what a good girlfriend does." At the word girlfriend, all three of them felt the same surge inside, an almost tingling sensation running up their spines as their smiles grew once more.
The spell was broken by the timer on the stove going off, Izuku squeezing Himiko's hand once more before heading to the stove to fetch the cookies before they burned. With that, Himiko nuzzled Ochako's hand once more before sitting up, starting to gather up Ochako's study materials as the brunette sighed. She stood up and began to clean up as well, finding herself excited at the thought of getting to actually go on a date, and for once, just once, no pain underscoring her happiness, just…joy.