smaaaaaash | IC INBOX: awashrpg

[For his own part, All Might had pondered over how to behave around his students, particularly after Izuku told him the truth about what the future held in store. He's worried about them and wants to know how they're doing, of course, but he's left with a huge gulf between what his students now know about him and the image he'd tried to maintain all this time. With that illusion torn away... What then? The thought of being seen as his real self is still enough to make him panic, even knowing what he does now.

So when he hears Ochako at the door, he freezes up temporarily. He still has no idea what to do, but he also doesn't want to make her feel unwanted, either... So he swallows and opens up, a nervous smile on his gaunt face.]

Ah, hello, young Uraraka! Not at all, what can I do for you?

[N... nailed it???]

[The door swings open and Ochako immediately stiffens, because—ah! Ah! He's here, and that's great, but for a few awkward seconds all she can really do is blink up at this incredibly tall man as her brain reboots. He was probably resting? Why is she bothering him again? Oh, right—]

A quest!

[It's the first thing she thinks of, and... jeez. She straightens her back, telling herself not to wince as she offers him a nervous smile of her own.]

I mean, I was wondering if we could do a quest together? Since we're here? [She hoists her weightless pumpkin up in front of her, voice becoming a bit more natural as she hurries right along.] I haven't carved many pumpkins before, b-but I've watched other people carve theirs. It's definitely way more fun when you work with someone else!

[Teamwork makes the dream work!]

[For a second, when he notices her stiff reaction, his panic ratchets up a notch. Maybe he made a mistake and should have answered in muscle form? But then she speaks, putting a few of his doubts to rest.]

I-I see! The fine American tradition of pumpkin carving in fall! You'd like to do it with me?

[His eyes light up in recognition, his smile becoming more genuine. Well, getting him excited about something familiar is one way to ease off those self-conscious nerves, and he's touched she'd think to ask him over all the friends she doubtless has here.]

That sounds like fun. Come inside! I should have everything we need to carve it.

[Aside from that slightly awkward start, things seem to be going... relatively smoothly? Not that she expected things to go south in a hurry! It's just, you know, nice to hear a trace of excitement in his voice, nice to know that he doesn't mind spending time with her when he doesn't necessarily have to. Ochako unconsciously relaxes, shoulders dropping a bit as she follows him right inside.]

Oh, good! I spent so much time trying to find the perfect pumpkin that I... forgot to go home and grab my knife.

[A hero should always be prepared, yadda yadda yadda, but hey, she was excited! And nervous. Pulling the floating pumpkin to her chest, she trails right behind All Might as he makes his way through his home. What to say, what to say—]

So you've carved pumpkins before? I mean, before you came here?

[She Is Not Surprised.]

That's right. I've tried it a few times in the States. It's popular over there, especially with the kids.

[He can't elaborate beyond that, besides sounding a little wistful. All Might isn't permitted luxuries like a private life, and that habit is so ingrained that even here it seems like a bad idea to talk about it. Still, the memories of his best friend and his little girl are fond ones...

As he leads her inside, the house is looking much better than when he arrived a month ago. Had he been living alone the repairs and decorating would have taken much longer than he would have liked, but thanks to Ari, the team effort went a lot more smoothly.

He grabs a bowl, some spoons and some knives in the kitchen, setting them on the side.]

While you decide on a design to carve, I'll make tea. Would you like some? [It feels chilly outside today, so he figures he should offer.]

[Ochako glances around at her surroundings as they make their way through the cottage, pleased that things look... well, homey. He deserves a nice place to stay! Even the kitchen looks nice and inviting; she places the pumpkin on the table as soon as they enter it, making sure that it doesn't, like, roll right off onto the floor after she releases her quirk.]

Tea? Yes, please! [Ah, wait, where are her manners—] A-As long as it's not too much trouble.

[Tea is a hot commodity around these parts! But while he fiddles around in the background, she stares very, very intently at the punkin, trying to figure out what, exactly, they should carve on the darn thing. A spooky face? No, that's way too boring; he probably did that in the States. She's half-tempted to say a bee, because last month was a bee-autiful disaster, but... nah. That does, however, remind her of a certain someone.]

Maybe we should carve something for Aizawa-sensei? I'm not really sure what to pick, but it would be nice to give the pumpkin to someone. It's like... a treat!

[He sets about heating up some water and getting the cups ready, pausing to think as he busies himself around the kitchen.]

For Aizawa-sensei... [All Might feels a bit apprehensive, being from a time where he feels Aizawa doesn't particularly like him, so he couldn't possibly guess what to carve that he'd like. Not knowing how things stand here makes things more confusing, but...]

Yes, I think that's a great idea! Maybe we can carve his face. [And then, slyly:] Don't tell him that was my idea, though.

[Aizawa's... face? Ochako presses her lips together, trying to pretend like she's reeeeeeally thinking about this, because—pfft. It's not a bad idea! She thinks an Aizawa punkin would be kind of cute, actually, but there's just something funny about All Might suggesting it... and then trying to cover his tracks...

Honestly, she's still trying not to laugh as she turns and flashes him a quick smile, but her amusement is as plain as day. She's never been very good at hiding things!]

I won't! I promise. But if he likes it, that means I'm going to get all of the credit!

[There's a part of her that realizes she's joking around with a teacher—with All Might—but it feels... surprisingly natural? Things feel much more comfortable than they did back at the front door, anyway which is why she shoves her slight worry to the side as she reaches for a knife.]

Should we try to make it really look like him, or should we go for something... easier?

[...Cuter. She means something cuter. A stick figure with messy hair.]

If he likes it, that's when you surprise him and tell him it was my idea, too! Then maybe he'll like me...?

[He mutters that part under his breath. Ochako doesn't need to hear the interpersonal difficulties he has with certain coworkers...!!! Even if they're glaringly obvious.]

Simple is best! That's what I always think, when it comes to pumpkins. [He grins, turning to pour both of their drinks and leaving them to steep. The relaxed atmosphere does feel nice, even if it's going to take a lot of getting used to being seen in this form without feeling-- exposed? Vulnerable? He owes it to his students to try to be at ease with them, at the very least.

He brings the drinks over next and peeks over at her progress.] How is our Eraser-pumpkin looking? [Or maybe 'Pumpkinhead' is a catchier hero name...]

[All Might, please refer to this pumpkin as "Pumpkinhead" and watch Ochako absolutely lose her mind. It will be a true learning experience. But as he approaches, she shifts to the side so that he can see...

...Well, an effort is clearly being made? It's still a stick-ish figure, but the hair is nice and wavy, and she's definitely captured that half-lidded, I'm-too-tired-to-deal-with-this Look that he always seems to have; she's even added a capture cloth scarf and is starting to carve... a small cat sitting right by his feet. Does All Might even know that he's totally into cats? Ochako visited a cat café with him a few months ago, so she definitely does. She has All Might's back...!!]

Okay, I think! But it's not... too simple, is it? [She tilts her head a bit, squinting as she examines her work with a critical eye.] Maybe I should add some stubble...

[Ochako, don't.]

IC INBOX: awashrpg

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