[No, he's wrong. Wrong about her being strong, wrong about her being seen as a hero. Even now, even here, in a totally different world...she's just seen an another cute girl with cute, fun powers. She can make things float! That's adorable!! She's not a hero in their eyes, she's a mascot. And she's so sick of it, she's so sick of trying hard and feeling like she's getting better, stronger, only to have all her hard work downplayed with a pat on the head and a hollow laugh of "that's nice" - while other people, other ImPorts, heroes, get to live in the limelight. She doesn't even want the popularity, just a little recognition. Anything...to make her feel like what she's doing now means something to someone.
Because Bakugo is right, he's always been right about the bigger picture. It doesn't fucking matter. Nothing matters in this place until they get home.
His arms are under er, picking her up, and Ochako doesn't even flinch, just hangs her head and leans it into the crook of his neck tiredly. Now that all the adrenaline is wearing off, she can feel the exhaustion and the pain and soreness rushing in to take its place. Her throat is raw from breathing so hard, crying so hard, her head aches from crying, and she feels almost dizzy. Her feet are dusty, covered in sand, small rocks, and maybe a few cuts and scrapes - red, raw, and probably going to have some heat blisters tomorrow, too - but Ochako's hands still hold firmly to Bakugo's shirt. She's not leaving, and nothing could tear her away. Not this fucking world, not Shigaraki, not anything. Her friend needs her right now, and maybe she needs him, too.]
I can't do the things you do. I'm not strong enough, or smart enough... [Or good enough.] No one cares about what I do. I can look and dress up like a hero all I want, but...what's the point if no one's looking at me to begin with?
[Something he's missing? Kindness? Sincerity? Empathy? Those are all pretty words, and yeah, maybe she shows it better, but...Bakugo is kind. He's sincere, he always thinks about everyone else, before himself. From the start, he was trying to get everyone out of this stupid world. Now that Shigaraki is here, he must have been doubling down on those efforts, while also trying to formulate a plan to keep them all from getting hurt. On his own... All on his own, because that's just how he is. He's really mature, even if he goes about things the wrong way sometimes. Deku is right...Kacchan is amazing.
Once they're on the couch, Ochako moves - wincing, because her muscles burn and strain - just enough to curl she arms around her friend's shoulders and hold him there quietly, fingers carding through the ends of his hair. She doesn't care who might walk in and see. They can shove off. Her friend has been doing everything on his own, he's probably stressed and anxious, and scared...even if he'd never admit it.]
And it's not cruel to know when you have to take the worst option. The one no one else wants to admit may be the best...the only one. [She sniffs, feeling a few more tears escape from the corners of her eyes.] I'm sorry, Bakugo...I didn't mean what I said. I was angry, and scared, a-and--
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Because Bakugo is right, he's always been right about the bigger picture. It doesn't fucking matter. Nothing matters in this place until they get home.
His arms are under er, picking her up, and Ochako doesn't even flinch, just hangs her head and leans it into the crook of his neck tiredly. Now that all the adrenaline is wearing off, she can feel the exhaustion and the pain and soreness rushing in to take its place. Her throat is raw from breathing so hard, crying so hard, her head aches from crying, and she feels almost dizzy. Her feet are dusty, covered in sand, small rocks, and maybe a few cuts and scrapes - red, raw, and probably going to have some heat blisters tomorrow, too - but Ochako's hands still hold firmly to Bakugo's shirt. She's not leaving, and nothing could tear her away. Not this fucking world, not Shigaraki, not anything. Her friend needs her right now, and maybe she needs him, too.]
I can't do the things you do. I'm not strong enough, or smart enough... [Or good enough.] No one cares about what I do. I can look and dress up like a hero all I want, but...what's the point if no one's looking at me to begin with?
[Something he's missing? Kindness? Sincerity? Empathy? Those are all pretty words, and yeah, maybe she shows it better, but...Bakugo is kind. He's sincere, he always thinks about everyone else, before himself. From the start, he was trying to get everyone out of this stupid world. Now that Shigaraki is here, he must have been doubling down on those efforts, while also trying to formulate a plan to keep them all from getting hurt. On his own... All on his own, because that's just how he is. He's really mature, even if he goes about things the wrong way sometimes. Deku is right...Kacchan is amazing.
Once they're on the couch, Ochako moves - wincing, because her muscles burn and strain - just enough to curl she arms around her friend's shoulders and hold him there quietly, fingers carding through the ends of his hair. She doesn't care who might walk in and see. They can shove off. Her friend has been doing everything on his own, he's probably stressed and anxious, and scared...even if he'd never admit it.]
And it's not cruel to know when you have to take the worst option. The one no one else wants to admit may be the best...the only one. [She sniffs, feeling a few more tears escape from the corners of her eyes.] I'm sorry, Bakugo...I didn't mean what I said. I was angry, and scared, a-and--