Chapter Text
Her new room is stark white, and it makes Himiko's insides twist uncomfortably. Though, that twisting just might be why she's been relocated to a hospital ward. She knows why she's here; Himiko's always been innately attuned to her own blood and what it was doing in her body.
“Let's smile, Toga Himiko.”
Pursing her lips, Himiko doesn't even attempt to smile. Her tentative situation has been flipped on its head, and she knows it. It's been almost two months since the war ended, but Himiko's been hopeful after she didn't die from blood loss saving Ochako from the wounds she had inflicted.
Hope is a novel concept for her, and it continued to blossom when Ochako had started regularly visiting her after the dust had settled. Himiko's rehabilitation set up gave her no freedom to leave, but it didn't seem as terrible as a real prison like Tartarus. Himiko had been content.
Now, that hope is starting to crack and shatter into a million bloody pieces; Himiko's sure of it. “We need this information to be able to treat your condition, Toga-san,” the doctor says, holding a clipboard and staring at Himiko with disapproval.
With a firm shake of her head, Himiko keeps her lips sealed. The doctor sighs; it's been a few days of the same questions, but Himiko knows the answer won't be helpful. It will make more problems, not solve any.
“Toga-san, is there anyone you would tell? Perhaps you'd be more comfortable with speaking to a friend...?” the doctor offers, and a light bulb goes off in Himiko's head.
This transfer to a new ward means Himiko hasn't seen her only approved visitor for almost a week. “I'll speak with Uraraka Ochako and only her,” Himiko concedes, but it feels more like a victory in the end.
The doctor seems apprehensive in the wake of her words, but Himiko crosses her arms, firm in her conviction. She will tell Ochako and only Ochako about this. After a few moments of the doctor halfheartedly trying to outlast her by asking her if there would be anyone else, he gives up.
Himiko almost smiles to herself when the doctor leaves, clearly resigned to let Ochako visit. It's not until later that day when Ochako does visit that Himiko truly smiles.
“Himiko-chan!”
Her grin widens as Ochako rushes to her bedside. The unrelenting gloom of the oppressively white hospital room disappears in her presence, brightening the room like fresh blood splattered across the walls. It makes Himiko feel like she can float without Ochako's quirk.
“Smiling is why we live our lives!”
Ochako takes Himiko's hand in hers, concern written all over her face. It's a fair reaction, when Ochako had been able to visit her regularly before. There had been a week of radio silence, after all. Gathering up all her courage, Himiko takes her hand entwined with Ochako's to rest over her stomach.
“Ochako-chan, I have something to tell you, but you're the only one I'm telling. No one else gets to know, okay?”
Himiko doesn't break eye contact with Ochako's quizzical stare; the most lovely girl she knows nods her assent. “I won't tell anyone you don't want me to. Promise.”
Her smile softens as she squeezes Ochako's hand, preparing herself to explain everything.
Maybe you were right, Touya. I'm going to keep smiling... Ochako-chan will make that easier. I'm sure of it.