Hello, everyone!! I'm not here right now - probably in class or with my friends! Or on a mission. Um...leave me a message here and I'll get back to you soon, okay? Bye!!
[It's a bit sudden, and for a moment she's a little startled by the sudden contact, but it doesn't take long for Ochako to sink into the hug Bennett offers and really hold on. Her grip is shaky, but tight when she hugs back, and she buries her face into his shoulder and feels that aforementioned dam suddenly start to crack, the feelings welled up inside trickling out like her tears and tiny hiccups, before it becomes harder, faster - a rushing torrent of emotion that threatens to drown everything. She sobs against Bennett's shoulder, wetting his shirt and hating herself a little bit for breaking down and making a mess. He doesn't deserve to shoulder her burden, or worry about her like this. It's unfair. It's unfair what she's doing. She know, and yet she just...can't bring herself to let go.
As he speaks, she feels her throat close up, only able to utter tiny squeaks of sound, or harsh sniffles and the occasional "uh huh" in response. That's exactly it, and she nods her head yes. She knows it's no one's fault but her own - being that dumb, needy, clingy friend that always seems to get too attached too fast to the point where she breaks down when people leave her behind. The sting of Deku's rejection, while not his fault, still hurts. It still leaves her with questions of why, and if she had acted sooner, if things would be different. Then the girls leaving and her and Eri being the only ones left...and having to give Eri away. Is something wrong with her? Do people just not want to be around her? What did she do wrong? How can she fix it?
Dreams...yeah. Yeah, that's right. She still has that. Still has them - her mother and father who Ochako knows would still love and accept her no matter what. She can't give up on her dream of being a Hero to help them, to help everyone. Her eyes are watery, voice hoarse, but she still declares, loudly--]
I'm...g-gonna be a Hero that s-saves people!! No ma-matter what! [Even if...even if--] Even if I gotta do it all by myself! Even if no one else is watching me - I'm gonna do it!! I'm gonna help my mama and papa!! And I'm gonna make sure everyone keeps smiling, too!
[Bennett stands there while the dam that is Ochako's emotions breaks and spills forth, comforting her. Once she finally speaks her resolve, he responds in turn.]
That's an awesome dream, Ochako.
[He says that truly and sincerely. Dreams should be personal, something you want to accomplish because it matters to you, not because you want to impress somebody or make an impact on history. Just because it's something you want to do. That's what's always kept him going, no matter much things have been stacked against him in the past, after all...
Bennett lets go of Ochako now, but he doesn't leave her side. Instead, he gives her a smile and a thumbs up.]
You've got me smiling, so I think you're already on your way. Don't give up on your dream, because it's important to you!
[She sniffles, still a bit worn and weepy, but thinking about what she has to do now is...grounding. Ochako can't keep being this withered little flower anymore. This isn't like her at all, and if she faced her parents, or any one of her teachers back home...they'd be ashamed of her, she's sure of it. This isn't something that should get her down, she's been through so much worse, and is most certainly going to have to overcome obstacles even harder in her future. If she gets choked up just because it feels like she's all alone, or pushing people away, then how the hell can she achieve what's most important to her?
Besides, she still has people like Bennett here, too. And Deku, Bakugou, Tokoyami...they're still here, even if they're not together anymore like they were at Heights Alliance. Even if things are moving forward faster than she first thought. Ochako has to march on, even if she's the only one drumming.]
Th-Thanks...thank you. [Deep breath, deep breath. You got this.] Bennett-kun, yo-you're a really, really good friend, you know? I-I don't think I really knew h-how much I needed to hear something like that, and...a-and just remember why I'm doing what I'm doing. How dumb of me...to ignore the people that are still with me here.
[Bennett blushes hearing Ochako's gratitude towards. He wasn't being modest, at least in his mind. He didn't feel like he did anything special for her. He just said what came to mind.]
I just told you the things that keep me going when I feel like you do right now, that's all.
[She smiles, sniffling still and shaking her head. It may have been a simple thing to him, but it was a pretty big thing for her, in the moment. Just having that bit of support, the remind that she's not alone, and never will be...no matter what. That, despite ever feeling that way again, she can still press onward with her hopes and dreams, and keep the treasured memories and friendships she made in her heart. That is something no force in any world can take away from her.]
Mm, and it's really what I needed to hear, so...um. I appreciate it. And, you know? I'm really glad I met you, and everyone else here, too. Not just the people I know from home, or my own world, but all the other people too! I just...I-I really hope I can pay it forward sometime. Remind everyone else I know that I can support them, too.
I'm sure you can, Ochako. You'll find a way, I just know it!
[Bennett gives her his signature thumbs up. He wants nothing more than to be the sort of person that can support and back others up the way they've done for him, so he gets the sentiment. And Ochako's not eternally unlucky like him, so he's positive she'll pull it off if that's what she wants.]
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no subject
As he speaks, she feels her throat close up, only able to utter tiny squeaks of sound, or harsh sniffles and the occasional "uh huh" in response. That's exactly it, and she nods her head yes. She knows it's no one's fault but her own - being that dumb, needy, clingy friend that always seems to get too attached too fast to the point where she breaks down when people leave her behind. The sting of Deku's rejection, while not his fault, still hurts. It still leaves her with questions of why, and if she had acted sooner, if things would be different. Then the girls leaving and her and Eri being the only ones left...and having to give Eri away. Is something wrong with her? Do people just not want to be around her? What did she do wrong? How can she fix it?
Dreams...yeah. Yeah, that's right. She still has that. Still has them - her mother and father who Ochako knows would still love and accept her no matter what. She can't give up on her dream of being a Hero to help them, to help everyone. Her eyes are watery, voice hoarse, but she still declares, loudly--]
I'm...g-gonna be a Hero that s-saves people!! No ma-matter what! [Even if...even if--] Even if I gotta do it all by myself! Even if no one else is watching me - I'm gonna do it!! I'm gonna help my mama and papa!! And I'm gonna make sure everyone keeps smiling, too!
no subject
That's an awesome dream, Ochako.
[He says that truly and sincerely. Dreams should be personal, something you want to accomplish because it matters to you, not because you want to impress somebody or make an impact on history. Just because it's something you want to do. That's what's always kept him going, no matter much things have been stacked against him in the past, after all...
Bennett lets go of Ochako now, but he doesn't leave her side. Instead, he gives her a smile and a thumbs up.]
You've got me smiling, so I think you're already on your way. Don't give up on your dream, because it's important to you!
no subject
Besides, she still has people like Bennett here, too. And Deku, Bakugou, Tokoyami...they're still here, even if they're not together anymore like they were at Heights Alliance. Even if things are moving forward faster than she first thought. Ochako has to march on, even if she's the only one drumming.]
Th-Thanks...thank you. [Deep breath, deep breath. You got this.] Bennett-kun, yo-you're a really, really good friend, you know? I-I don't think I really knew h-how much I needed to hear something like that, and...a-and just remember why I'm doing what I'm doing. How dumb of me...to ignore the people that are still with me here.
no subject
[Bennett blushes hearing Ochako's gratitude towards. He wasn't being modest, at least in his mind. He didn't feel like he did anything special for her. He just said what came to mind.]
I just told you the things that keep me going when I feel like you do right now, that's all.
no subject
Mm, and it's really what I needed to hear, so...um. I appreciate it. And, you know? I'm really glad I met you, and everyone else here, too. Not just the people I know from home, or my own world, but all the other people too! I just...I-I really hope I can pay it forward sometime. Remind everyone else I know that I can support them, too.
no subject
[Bennett gives her his signature thumbs up. He wants nothing more than to be the sort of person that can support and back others up the way they've done for him, so he gets the sentiment. And Ochako's not eternally unlucky like him, so he's positive she'll pull it off if that's what she wants.]