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Once upon a time, in a land like ours, there lived a young girl named Ochako. Ochako comes from a working class family, who have always struggled to make ends meet. But no matter what, her parents made sure she had enough to eat. Sometimes though, they had no choice but to make bad decisions.
One of those bad decisions was to borrow some money from the Shigaraki family. Who are famous for always reclaiming their debts, no matter what they have to do to get them fulfilled.
So when Ochako's father died in a working accident and her mother got sick, slowly and surely, Ochako did what any desperate 6 year old would do; help her parent. She uses her mother's phone to try and get in touch with people who give them work and convinces the last person who picks up to let her work so her mother can have medicine. The last person who picked up was Mr. Shigaraki.
Ochako became a maid at the Shigaraki Estate, being bullied by the young heir Tomura and his friends like Himiko and Dabi. Mr. Shigaraki often gave her impossible tasks and would manipulate her, breaking her spirit and giving her impossible chores. Ochako knew it was horrible, but she was 6 and she had to help her Mama and Shigaraki was letting her stay at his big, fancy mansion, so she had no choice.
But when she was 7, her mother died and Mr. Shigaraki fully took her in, so she could repay her parents' debt. And the debt she owed for being generously housed and fed and clothed by him for that full year she worked for him.
Ochako lived in the attic with a few of the other servants, like Inko and Izuku and Shoji and Tokoyami. They all either owed Mr. Shigaraki or no where else would take them in for work, so they all worked together to take care of each other and help one another out.
Ochako grew up, suffering under the "care" of the Shigarakis, while having close friends like Izuku and dreaming of a day when she wouldn't have to work all the time and have one night off.
Meanwhile, Tenya had a very different childhood. The second son of the King and Queen, while Tenya was never expected to take the throne one day, he was still expected to behave appropriately for a Prince and to work hard and to help his fellow countrymen by serving them the best he could.
He would learn every language, study every book, help his mother entertain the negotiators and help his father train the castle guards. Or at least, he'd try to. Tensei was honestly inspired by his little brother and had to work harder, because their parents would joke about giving the crown to Tenya instead of Tensei, if he didn't start shaping up and showing off.
However, Tenya didn't really have any friends. Tensei was able to shift from Crown Prince to Tensei whenever he needed to and was able to make friends who didn't see him as the Crown Prince, but as just Tensei. Tenya would never say it to his beloved big brother. But whenever he's see Tensei hanging out with his friends, he'd be a little jealous. Tenya doesn't know how to separate himself from the title of Prince. It's ingrained into every moment he breathes, every movement he makes, every conversation he has. Tenya is always Prince Tenya, never just Tenya, because he doesn't know how to be anything else.
So one day, he asks his mother if it would be possible to anonymously share letters with someone. He wouldn't know who this person is, no one would, but they wouldn't know who he is either. Thinking it strange, but sweet, his mother allowed it and Tenya began exchanging letters with someone named Zero.
Tenya called himself Engine and got to know Zero well. He knew Zero was a girl, roughly his own age. She was poor, but worked hard and looked forward to exchanging letters with him. Zero was the closest thing to a true friend Tenya had and he was glad to just... be Tenya, at least with one person.
But he is still a Prince and a Prince has his duties. Like marrying well.
Tenya knew after Tensei got married, it would only be a matter of time before he was expected to marry too. What Tenya didn't know though, was that Tensei and his parents didn't actually care who he married so long as they made Tenya happy. But Tenya was so focused on being a good Prince and wouldn't think to marry someone just because the two of them loved one another.
So the three conspired to invite every eligible bachelor and bachelorette to a party, in the hopes that Tenya would meet at least one person who liked him and who he liked back. It would be a masquerade so Tenya wouldn't have to be the Prince and so the other people would hopefully just be themselves as well. When Tenya was told that this would be the party where they hoped he would meet someone he would enjoy spending his life with, Tenya agreed and helped with the arrangements.
Meanwhile, in the Shigaraki Estate, Ochako was working her ass off like she always is when a letter arrives. Everyone knows she takes the mail to keep her corespondents with Engine a secret, so she was the one who opened the door and took a letter to Shigaraki, announcing that there would be a grand party at the castle and every eligible gentleman and maiden is ordered to attend. Shigaraki was ecstatic for a chance to show Tomura how to network in the upper classes, while Tomura didn't care less about it, Himiko was hoping she could cut up the Prince and Dabi just wanted to eat all their food. But the truth is, Ochako wanted to go too.
She's been working for the Shigarakis since she was 6 and hasn't taken a day off in all that time. She's 19 now, roughly the same age as the younger Prince and it would be nice to just... have the chance to dance and not worry about her responsibilities for some time. And to not have to be the Shigaraki's servant. But it's impossible.
Or at least, that's what Ochako thought.
What Ochako didn't know, is Inko, Izuku and soon, all the other servants knew that Ochako wanted to go to the ball and they all conspired to get Ochako a dress and shoes and a ride to the ball, no matter what it takes. Inko was especially excited by the idea and coordinated the other servants in their secret mission to make sure Ochako would have the night of her life and not have to work.
Tsuyu managed to get Ochako's measurements for a dress and an idea of the kind of thing she'd like to wear.
Izuku found a somewhat basic dress that had enough fabric that it could be adjusted and decorated to suit Ochako.
Inko used her sowing skills to make sure the dress would be fixed up exactly like Ochako might like.
Shoji managed to get Ochako's shoe size and to buy some sparkling flats that would go with the dress Inko was making.
Tokoyami created a mask from scratch to match all of it.
Sato learned how to drive and convinced his uncle to let him borrow his car.
Ojiro found some jewellery for Ochako that he knew she'd like.
Shinsou made sure Ochako never caught on to what they were doing by keeping her distracted.
Ochako meanwhile was busy helping to ensure Tomura, Shigaraki, Dabi and Himiko looked jaw-dropping for the party, going with them to suit/dress fittings, keeping them from destroying things before they'd even bought them, carrying their bags, watching over their jewellery, etc. She was exhausted and tired all the time and whenever she had a chance, she would dream of going to the party. She'd eat all the food she wanted, she'd look so beautiful among the other incredible outfits, she would dance and sing and maybe, if she's feeling really fantastical, she'd meet Engine at the party and finally get to know him in real life. But that's impossible.
On the night of the ball, after seeing Tomura, Shigaraki, Dabi and Himiko off in their horse drawn carriage, she was ready to pretend she didn't desperately want to go to the ball too by sleeping it off.
Then her friends showed her an absolutely gorgeous pink gown, mask, shoes, jewellery and said "Surprise!"
"What?" Ochako hesitantly runs her fingers over the fabric. "What's this?"
"It's for you!" Tsuyu giggles.
"You're going to the ball, Ochako!" Izuku cheers.
Ochako's eyes widen and she looks at them in shock. "What?"
"Everyone knew you really wanted to go and you, of all of us, deserve a night off." Inko smiles and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Everyone worked hard to do this for you, dear."
Shoji shrugs and hides his hands behind his back. "We hope you like it."
Tokoyami nods, folding his arms. "We ensured not to consult with the forces of darkness, to ensure you would have a chance to shine."
Sato cheers. "So come on, get dressed, Ochako, I'll take you to the ball!"
Ochako sniffles. "You guys..."
"Please don't cry, Ochako." Ojiro fidgets.
Shinsou smirks. "Yeah, or the Midoriyas will start crying and then we'll all cry and you'll never get to the ball. Hurry up."
Ochako stares at them all.
Then she smiles and nods. "I will! Thank you so, so much, I'll pay you-"
"Nope!" Izuku shouts. "We're doing this because we love you. It's a gift. Now go have the night of your life and don't worry about anything!"
"Just have a good night, ribbit." Tsuyu nods.
Ochako starts to cry, but quickly rubs her eyes. "Right."
Soon, Ochako was dressed up. The pink dress was a ball gown that reaches her ankles, poofing out in all directions. It was sleeveless and shoulderless, just two darker pink straps just under her shoulders. The body was covered in little star gems that had been stitched in to look like a bunch of the constellations; because Ochako loved the stars. Her mask was an eye mask that was a light pink with stars in one corner that curved over her cheek. She had a matching necklace/bracelet/earrings with stars on them. Her shoes were darker pink and mostly flat.
She was gorgeous, for the first time in her life. And she was going to the ball.
Tenya meanwhile was quite nervous, as the final adjustments were being made to his own suit. The jacket and trousers were the darkest shade of blue, almost midnight blue with golden embroidery. His shirt was black with a more complex embroidery pattern, looking like the sky with several clouds and decorative swirls. His shoes were also black and shined to a polish, with a slight heel on them. His mask covered his whole face, being dark blue with a cloud covering one corner of the mask.
"Looking good, baby bro." Tensei chuckles as he walks in, dressed in his own suit and mask.
Tenya dismisses the attendants with a polite 'thank you' and fidgets with his sleeves. "I'm... nervous, brother. You, mother and father wanted me to not be a Prince for the night. And I'm grateful for the opportunity, but, I..." He bites his lip and looks at his mask. "I don't really know how to be anyone but a Prince."
Tensei blinks and smiles. "I know, Tenya. But you don't have to worry." He walks over to the mask and then brings it to Tenya. "You just have to be yourself. Don't worry about how your actions might reflect on anyone. Just focus on having a good time and doing what you'd like to do."
Tenya looks up at him. "How do you do it? How do you separate yourself from Crown Prince Tensei and just Tensei?"
Tensei hums. "Well..." He smiles. "You know how we need to speak different to negotiators, to how we talk to the staff?"
"Yes, of course." Tenya holds up his arm and starts chopping. "We mirror negotiators, ensuring we're on the same page and mostly discuss business. While with the staff, we are clear and direct, to ensure they understand what we're asking of them, but we don't speak condescendingly because we don't want to insult them."
"Yeah, like that." Tensei chuckles, because he didn't actually mean like that, but Tenya's got the idea. "Just, think about talking to the people here how you talk to your friend, Zero. It's the same situation, right?"
Tenya looks down. "I guess."
Tensei smiles and ties the mask around Tenya's face for him and with that, it was time for the party to begin.
Ochako thanks Sato profusely and he takes the car to wait somewhere, while Ochako walks up the stairs, nervous and excited and feeling like she's in a fairy tale.
The castle is more extravagant than everything she's ever seen in her life and she's so glad that the royal family made sure absolutely everything within the castle was free, because she knows she'll never get to eat anything this fancy again in her life! So she piles a plait high and keeps to herself, not caring if her manners are appropriate for the event. She can see girls like her in similarly home-made dresses eating the same way she is and she can see young ladies showing much more poise and grace than she's ever used in her life, so she's going to assume how she's doing it is fine.
"Honoured Guests of the Kingdom of Idaten!"
Ochako and everyone else turns to the entrance of the ball room, where who must be the royal family are gathered; the King, Queen, Crown Prince Tensei and his wife.
"We welcome you to our home and hope you all enjoy yourselves!" The King declares.
"For tonight, you are our esteemed guests and we are honoured to have you here." The Queen continues.
"Please, have the night of your lives and enjoy yourselves to the fullest!" Prince Tensei declares.
The people begin to clap and Ochako does too, beaming. She's always heard good things about the Royal family and it's nice to know that, at least for tonight, she's respected by someone like that.
So she decides to put a pause on her gorging and move towards the chance floor, to try and mingle with others. But it looks like everyone here has a friendship group to hang out with and it's a little awkward to try and jump into the conversation and oh shit Tomura and the others are that way, nope, nope, she's going the other way, right now.
Ochako speed walks towards somewhere else and trips on someone's foot, nearly falling on her face-
"Careful!"
-if she wasn't caught by two very strong arms.
"Miss, are you hurt?" Those arms help right her, turning her to face their owner. "It's dangerous to walk that quickly, especially in such a crowded room-"
"I'm fine, haha, sorry, I was just being clumsy." Ochako smiles, tilting her head. "Thanks for catching me."
The man in the blue suit with the cloudy mask blinks at her, then coughs, taking his hands off her. "Yes, of course! I apologize if I held you too tightly or touched you inappropriately, it was a complete accident!"
"It's okay, really." Ochako giggles. He's funny. "You don't have to be so formal, silly."
"I, apologize." The man lowers his hands. "I'm not well versed in social interaction. At least, not in this context."
"That's okay, it's my first ball too." Ochako smiles. "We can just start off with introductions, if you like."
"I, of course." The man coughs. Freezes. "I'm sorry, but I think I'm supposed to keep my name a secret. At least for tonight."
Ochako blinks then smirks. "Oh, you someone special?"
The man coughs again and his ears are pink. "I, uhh..."
Ochako laughs. "It's fine, it's fine! If we're using made up names, you can call me Zero!"
The man stares at her, eyes wide.
Ochako tilts her head. "Is something wrong?"
The man blinks and then shakes himself off. "NO, it's just, I..." He coughs and offers his hand. "I'm Engine."
Ochako gasps, staring at him. "Engine?"
"Yes, I..." Engine continues. "It's a name I use exchanging letters with a friend-"
"Who I've been speaking to since I was 13." Ochako finishes, smiling. "I told you that's how old I was when I got your first letter."
Engine chuckles and lowers his hand. "So you really are Zero." He laughs, shoulders dropping. "To think, our first meeting would be while we're masked."
"I know, it's crazy!" Ochako giggles. "I actually kinda dreamed of meeting you here."
Engine straightens. "Really?"
"Yep!" Ochako nods.
The music starts up, an orchestra playing.
Tenya turns to the orchestra, seeing Tensei whispering to the conductor. When Tensei catches him staring, he grins and gives him a thumbs up. Tensei wants him to dance with her.
Tenya gulps nervously and looks at Zero. Oh God, he hoped they'd meet some day, but she's a lot more beautiful than he expected her to be. His heart is pounding and he's more nervous while also being more relaxed than he's been all night.
Well...
"Zero, could I have the honor of this dance?" Tenya offers his hand again.
Zero turns to him and absolutely beams, her smile so bright even with the mask hiding her chocolate eyes. "I'd love to! But I warn, I've never danced before, especially not to anything this fancy."
Tenya is well versed in this kind of dance though. "I would be honored to teach you the steps. I don't mind having crushed feet."
Zero laughs and nods. "Alright then!"
She takes his hand. Her palm is warm and small in his own and Tenya is suddenly glad that Tensei wanted him to dance with her, because now he just wants to pull her closer. He has no idea why he feels this way. Maybe it's from finally meeting his best friend in real life. To finally knowing she's real, not just someone he hoped was being genuine.
"You put this hand on my shoulder." Tenya guides her. "And I put my other arm on your waist, if that's okay."
Zero nods and follows his movement. "Sure thing, Engine."
Tenya swallows his nerves as he puts his hand on her waist, pulling her closer.
"Then, we clasp our free hands together and hold them out." Tenya instructs, gently taking Zero's free hand.
Zero giggles and goodness, he wants to hear that for the rest of his life. Wait, what?
"Then you just, follow my footsteps." Tenya puts his left foot behind him. "Place your right foot forward."
Zero does, looking at their feet.
They continue to practice dancing like that at first, Tenya teaching Zero a simple waltz, his heart pounding like mad in his chest. What's happening to me?
Ochako can barely contain her giggles, her heart skipping several beats in her chest as she learns to dance, trying hard not to step on Engine's toes. The last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend, especially on their first meeting. But soon she's got the hang of it and they're moving a lot more fluidly than they started with.
"God, haha." Ochako looks up, risking a glance away from her feet. "I can't believe how tall you are."
Engine squawks. "What do you mean?! I'm the shortest in my family!"
"Then you must be from the land of giants." Ochako giggles. "I mean, look at me! I just about fit under your chin!"
Engine hums. "I suppose that's correct, but I'm still the shortest in my family and I can assure you, we aren't giants."
Ochako snickers. "I know, I'm just teasing you, silly." She squeezes Engine's hand tighter, just to reassure herself he is real and she isn't dreaming. "You're always so serious."
Engine looks down. "I, apologize. I'm not good at, relaxing so to say."
"Wanna know a secret?" Ochako hums.
Engine lifts his head. "Go on?"
Ochako whispers. "Come closer. I need to say it to your ear."
Engine's eyes widen, but he nods, leaning closer. Ochako tries to tell her pounding heart to calm down, she did this to herself after all.
"This is my first night off in over 10 years." Ochako whispers. "So I'm not good at this relaxing thing either."
Engine blinks, then slightly adjusts his hold on her waist, bringing her closer and probably to steady herself, and oh God, they're so close. "Really? That doesn't sound humane."
"Well, when you live with your boss as a maid, you don't really get days off. You always have to clean or cook or do something, even if you're just cleaning up after yourself." Ochako shrugs, then shakes her head, pulling back a little to look Engine in the eye. "Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you."
Engine stares at her, his blue eyes determined and it is doing things to Ochako's heart, good grief.
Tenya hums as he thinks about Zero's situation. He knows that can't possibly be humane. After all, most of the castle staff get roughly half the year off, with their working days spread out the way they are. To hear that Zero hasn't had a day off in over 10 years is concerning, especially if she's been working for longer than that.
"If I recall, you're 19, correct?" Tenya inquires, nodding to her.
"Yep. Been working since I was 6." Zero looks a little sad and Tenya suddenly remembers a letter where she said she lost her mother when she was 7. "But I don't mind it that much." She smiles and a little light returns to her eyes. "The rest of the staff are really great and treat me like family. They're actually the reason I managed to come at all."
Tenya blinks. "Really? But I thought the ball was open to all eligible maidens and gentlemen?"
"Yeah, but it'd be hard to go somewhere like this if I didn't have a good enough dress, shoes or mask. I didn't own any of this until a couple of hours ago, when Inko and everyone gave it to me." Zero laughs and the light is fully in her eyes again. "I was so surprised, I almost cried! But we're all criers, so it's okay."
"I see." Tenya hums. Then he smiles, even if she can't see it. "You're quite lucky to have such wonderful friends where you work."
"Yep. I'm really lucky." Zero says, looking him in the eye.
She looks so, so happy and Tenya's stomach is doing weird flips and, oh God, he just wants to hold her close and make her happy all the time.
"I..." Tenya tries to find something to say, tries to remember their conversation. "I envy you, a little. I don't really have friends, besides yourself Zero. Everyone but my family... tends to keep me at a distance."
"Well that won't do." Zero huffs. Then she grins. "Hey, if we ever meet up again, why don't I introduce you to them?"
Tenya blinks. "You'd do that?"
"Yeah, they don't judge and they know about our letters." Zero giggles. "They'd love to meet you."
Tenya smiles.
Ochako wishes she could see Engine's smile, she knows just from looking at his eyes that he's smiling and it's making her heart do somersaults and back-flips and spins and she feels like she's going to get dizzy if this keeps up. And she doesn't care at all. She just wants to keep smiling and dancing with Engine. If this is a dream, she hopes she'll remember it vividly when she wakes up.
"I'd be honored to meet your friends, Zero." Engine continues. "Perhaps some day."
"Yeah." Ochako looks at their feet and the distance between them.
Then decides, fuck it, it's my night off, I'm going to enjoy it.
"Hey, is there a dance that lets us hug?" Ochako looks at Engine's face. "Because I just, really wanna hug you. I've wanted to for a long time, Engine."
Ever since Engine told her about that time he got hurt in training. Ever since that time Engine told her when he played a prank on his brother. Ever since she saw the man in front of her and realized it was Engine.
Engine stares at her. Gulps. Then nods. "I, I would like that too, Zero. Very much."
Ochako feels her heart go out of control and she nods. "Just tell me where to put my hands."
Engine gulps again and guides the hand he's holding to his other shoulder. "Well, you, you should just put them where you're comfortable. Around my neck or my waist would be appropriate, I suppose, but I, I am quite tall compared to you."
Ochako giggles. "Always so considerate. You can hug my waist then, or my shoulders, whichever is easier for you."
Engine nods and oh, his neck is turning a little pink. He's so cute all flustered like this and it's making Ochako's head spin.
"Right." Engine coughs and then, slowly wraps his arms around Ochako's waist and pulls her right up against him.
Ochako gulps and links her arms around his neck and yeah, her heart is going mad and-
And Tomura is looking at them.
He's marching over with Himiko and Dabi and Shigaraki.
No.
She's not letting them near Engine, not a chance.
Tenya's heart is pounding as he holds Zero close and he's so glad she had the courage to suggest this because he would never find it in his heart to do so. He feels like he's starting to calm down, like the pounding in his chest is beginning to ease a little, but it's still there.
Then Zero goes stiff in his arms and he worries he did something wrong.
"Zero, is everything alright?" He pulls back a little, so he can see her face.
Which is looking behind him, at something over his shoulder, scowling.
"Zero?" Tenya calls, again.
Zero nods, seemingly to herself and then looks up at him. "Engine, I'm really sorry, but I have to go."
Tenya's heart stops pounding.
Then it snaps in two.
"May I ask why?" Tenya tries not to let his emotions show, suddenly grateful he's wearing a full mask.
"Some people who don't like me are coming and I'm not letting you get involved in this mess." Zero says, hands sliding from his neck to rest on his chest.
Tenya feels that desire to hold her flair up again, along with a wish he had his sword on him. "Zero, if someone is troubling you, I am more than happy to defen-"
"I know you are. And that's why I can't let you." Zero looks at him and...
Tenya's heart squeezes.
She smiles sadly. "They're not nice people and I don't want them to hurt my best friend. I'll write to you later, Engine."
No, no, no, he doesn't want it to end yet-
Zero suddenly pulls him forward and leans up and-
And-
Places a quick kiss on the cheek of his mask. It's fleeting. Chase. Barely even a peck. He couldn't even feel it.
Tenya feels like he could fly.
"Be careful." Zero whispers against his ear.
Then she lets go of him and walks around him, leaving him staring into space on the dance floor.
Tenya hesitantly brings his hand up to his mask, touching the place she kissed.
And promptly realizes he might have just fallen in love with his childhood penpal.
Oh heavens.
Ochako marches towards Tomura, Himiko, Dabi and Shigaraki, letting her heart calm as she walks away from Engine, letting the sadness of having to do that fuel her anger and her determination instead.
She dreams to get away from these four, to have some Goddamn rest for once in her life.
But even here, even in a dream come to life, they can ruin it just by showing up. Just by walking over to her, probably recognising her even with the mask.
Well she's not letting them get to Engine. He is good and sweet and she'll be damned before she lets any of these horrible people near him.
Finally, she comes to a stop right in front of them.
Tomura looks especially furious. "Uraraka... What the Hell are you doing here?"
Ochako rolls her eyes and puts her hand on her hip. Bring the attention to her, make them completely forget about going over to Engine, but don't make the rest of the party pay attention.
"I'm having a night off, is that a crime Tomura? Oh, sorry, I asked the wrong Shigaraki." Ochako looks up at Shigaraki, scowling. "Mr. Shigaraki, is it a crime to have a night off? You are my employer after all."
Tomura scowls. "You little wretch-"
"Now, now, Tomura. Calm yourself." Shigaraki holds up a hand and smiles. "Remember what I taught you about making a scene in public?"
Himiko giggles. "Hey, Sensei, can I take Uraraka outside and cut her up? Since I can't cut up the cute Princes or anyone else."
Ochako shudders at the thought of being subjected to Himiko's knife obsession, remembering the day she had to help Izuku after he'd gone through that. The only reason Izuku never had to do it again was because Inko nearly killed Himiko and Shigaraki had to punish both of them.
"Why does it even matter that she's out here, Sensei?" Dabi yawns, hands in his pockets.
"Because a good maid is not scene or heard. She just does her duty." Shigaraki narrows his eyes. "I suggest you leave, Uraraka."
Ochako remembers she's doing this for Engine. And opens her mouth:
"I can't. Because I don't have a ride." Ochako declares. "And unless you want to hear rumours about one of your attendants wandering home in the dark, you'll have to take me back yourselves."
Himiko scowls at her, murder in her gaze.
Tomura huffs, scratching at his neck.
Dabi's eyes widen a little, almost hopeful.
Shigaraki narrows his eyes and she is in the shit now, but it doesn't matter because they haven't noticed Engine.
"Very well then. We'll have to retire early." Shigaraki then grabs her wrist, as if to ensure she won't dart off. "To ensure we have time to properly discipline you as well."
Ochako feels fear wrap a noose around her neck, making it harder to breath. She thinks of Izuku limping after being disciplined, of Shinsou being beaten and quiet after his own punishment, of Tsuyu sniffling and hiding her tears.
"Finally, this party is lame anyway." Dabi cheers.
With that, they leave. They pile in the carriage that took Shigaraki and the others there and Ochako faces her punishment. Which turns out to be knife time with Himiko. She doesn't escape until dawn, but by then she's already bleeding from everywhere she couldn't defend against and ends up passing out after Himiko leaves. The last thing she remembers feeling is someone, probably Inko, picking her up and taking her... somewhere.
But at least... Engine is... safe... That's enough...
By the morning after the party, Tenya is still coming to grips with his realization about his feelings for Zero. He does his best to act as he usually does, but he can't stop thinking about her or the party or when they were dancing...
Tensei, the King and Queen quickly notice the change in behavior in Tenya. From diligently studying, to staring off into space. From being calm and cool, to easily flustered and caught off guard. From being serious all the time, to smiling at seemingly anything and humming under his breathe. There's no doubt about it.
Tenya's in love.
Tensei is absolutely ecstatic and the second they realize it, he volunteers to find out who this girl is from Tenya.
"Tenya!" Tensei calls out.
Tenya jumps, turning around, taking his arms off the window sill. "Brother, apologies! I was distracted."
"Hehe, yeah, I can tell. You have been since the ball. So..." Tensei grins. "Tell me about the girl you danced with! The one with the pink dress!"
Tenya starts turning pink and that is some of the cutest stuff Tensei's ever seen. "I, ah, you'll never believe it but..." Tenya looks out the window again and ohh, he's got that dreamy look on his face again. "I was dancing with Zero."
Tensei gasps. "Wait, the Zero?! The girl you exchange letters with?!"
Tenya nods and gently raises a hand to his check, gently brushing his fingertips over it. "The very same, brother..."
Oh wow. Did-
"Did she kiss you?!" Tensei gasps.
Tenya flushes and waves his arms. "NO, it was nothing inappropriate and besides, my mask covered my face, she just..." He looks down. "Kissed my mask check... As she was leaving."
Oh that is some romantic shit right there.
"Tenya, I think she likes you." Tensei smirks. "You should see her again!"
Tenya turns bright red and waves his arms. "What, but how, I, I don't know where she lives or, anything and we swore to never tell in our letters!"
Tensei grins. "Oh don't worry, little bro. I've got a plan."
Tenya blinks at him.
So, Tensei organises a little mission; he and Tenya will go undercover as royal guards to every household in the Kingdom that attended the ball, until they can find out where little Miss Zero lives. They enlist the help of the Captain of the Royal Guard: Shouto Todoroki and the Deputy Captain of the Royal Guard: Momo Yaoyorozu to make it possible.
And off they travel, with a few other guards going to other locations with the instructions to look for a maiden of 19, with brown hair and brown eyes and pale skin.
The first day yields no results, but a lot of good publicity from the people who are so honoured that the royal guards wanted to find out about their experiences at the ball. The second day yields similar results, as does the third and fourth.
It's only by the 7th day that things finally change.
Ochako finishes cleaning up the main room, ignoring the way many of her injuries still sting. Why couldn't the Royal Guard have done their little public survey in a couple of weeks, after she's healed a little?
"Ochako, are you okay?" Izuku calls, as he finishes dusting the tallest cabinet.
Ochako nods, faking a smile for him. "Yep, never better! Besides, can't afford to slack off now."
Not after she finally got out of being locked in the attic. If Izuku and Inko hadn't stolen the key a couple of times to bring her food and water, she's not sure what would have happened.
Izuku gives her a concerned look, but nods. "Okay. Please, just, try to take it easy."
"Will do." Ochako nods, giving him a thumbs up.
And suddenly the front door rings. The Royal Guard are here. She hears Inko open the front door and Tsuyu going up the stairs to tell Shigaraki they're here. Which means that Ochako and Izuku need to get out of the main room and go make the tea and cookies, quickly.
So Ochako and Izuku do just that. They only come back when the bell for the main room is rung and work together to carry the trays in.
"Please, help yourselves." Shigaraki smiles. "How would you like your tea?"
Ochako and Izuku avoid eye contact, Izuku silently placing the biscuits on the table while Ochako prepares the tea.
"Lavender would be nice."
Ochako nearly drops the tea cup she's holding, turning around because she knows that voice, it's all she dreams about now, her heart is pounding-
The face isn't familiar, but the eyes are, the blue eyes with so much warmth and emotion and care and...
He's looking at her.
"Uraraka, don't just gawk at our guest, it's rude." Shigaraki waves her off, then turns to the guards with a smile. "I apologize, she's always been a little troublesome."
No. No, no, no, he can't be speaking to Engine, Engine can't be here, but those are his eyes and that's his voice and-
Ochako makes a decision.
Ochako laughs.
Everyone turns to her, looking at her with slightly wide eyes.
"Sorry, Shigaraki, it's funny hearing you call me troublesome." Ochako smiles and she makes it as vicious as she can. "I've been a good little worker ever since I was 6, after all."
Shigaraki's eyes widen slightly and his hands twitch. "Uraraka, we can discuss your employment after our guests le-"
"No, I'd rather discuss it right now." Uraraka continues, gathering her courage, trying to make him mad.
Bring the attention to her, make him stop looking at Engine, make him make Engine and the others leave and not come back ever.
"When are you finally going to let me have one day off, huh?" Uraraka glares at him. "I haven't had a day off since I showed up here, desperate for money because I couldn't help my mother, who you should have been taking care of-"
Shigaraki stands up and he is mad and that's right, he's looking at her, he doesn't care about Engine.
"Uraraka, that's enough." Shigaraki reaches for her. "We're going to have a discussion right now, if you so insis-"
"You won't be going anywhere."
Ochako gasps, seeing Engine holding Shigaraki's hand, keeping him from touching her.
Shigaraki turns to him, scowling. "Excuse me?"
Engine scowls right back. "If what she says is true, then you will need to be investigated for malpractice, at least."
No, no, don't make him look at you, Engine get out, he just hurts people-
Shigaraki laughs. "She's clearly just playing games, Sir. You can't take her type seriously."
Ochako looks at Engine, looks at Shigaraki, looks at Izuku, tries to find the way to get his eyes off the people she loves and back on her so she can protect them-
"She's not lying." Izuku stands up.
Everyone turns to him and Shigaraki is going to kill him-
"He makes us work without payment, holding hypothetical debts over our heads and we're all sick of it." Izuku says. "He beats us and threatens our lives-"
"SILENCE BOY!" Shigaraki yells and reaches out-
Ochako moves in front of Izuku, taking the slap and getting knocked down-
"Zero!"
-if she wasn't caught by two very strong arms, that immediately cradle her close.
"You're under arrest." One of the guards growls, the one with red and white hair, grabbing Shigaraki's hands.
The guard with black hair and kind eyes stands up, her voice strong. "As of right now, your property and your assets will be investigated by the Royal Guard and your staff will be interviewed."
Shigaraki hisses and scowls and the red/white haired guard jabs him in the neck, knocking him out.
Izuku shudders and falls to his knees.
Ochako stares at the scene in front of her in shock and then looks up at the arms holding her.
Engine looks down at her, his face a mess of worry and pain. "Zero, your check..."
Ochako winces when he gently brushes his finger against the stinging skin, but she smiles through the pain. "It's nothing, Engine. It's been worse."
Engine narrows his eyes.
Then he stands up and brings Ochako to her feet too. "Not anymore. I won't allow this villainy to continue." He holds her hands tightly. "You don't have to suffer anymore, Zero."
Ochako stares at him.
Then she starts to cry, unable to dry her tears. "E-Engine, I, I didn't want you to get involved..."
"Impossible." Engine smiles.
Then he pulls her into a hug and hides her face in chest, his chin resting on her head.
"You were suffering. I couldn't let it continue." Engine holds her close.
Ochako sniffles and returns the hug. "Y-you idiot, haha."
This is a dream. It has to be.
"I have a name actually." Engine gulps. "It's Tenya Iida."
Ochako blinks.
Then pulls back and looks him in the face.
Tenya Iida... The royal family are named Iida... The second prince is named Tenya-
Ochako gasps.
Tenya braces himself for the fall out, for Zero to realize she's been friends with the Second Prince. Will they still be able to share letters after this? Will she hate him? He can't blame her for being upset-
"So THAT'S why you're always so formal and stuff." Zero grins. "I thought you were raised by librarians or something."
Tenya blinks at her. "Librarians?!"
"Yeah, because you always talk like a dictionary, silly!" Zero giggles and dear God, his heart's going to explode, but he's still confused and-
"And you don't... care that I'm a Prince?" Tenya's mouth feels like it's made of cotton.
"It was a surprise." Zero shrugs and smiles. "But you're still Engine to me. You're still my best friend."
Tenya's heart stutters and she still has that pink mark on her check and he-
He leans down and kisses her check over the red.
Tenya feels like he could fly.
But he pulls back because he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable and oh God, what on Earth was he thinking, he's just ruined everything-
"I'm Ochako, by the way." Zero smiles. "Also, you missed."
Tenya blinks. "What?"
Zer-no, Ochako giggles.
She grabs his jacket and pulls him forward and stands on her tip-toes and-
And presses her lips to his own.
Tenya's mind goes blank and he wraps his arms around her waist, supporting her, bringing her closer. It's just their lips, but his heart is pounding and his head is spinning and he's never felt like this in his life-
But he also needs to breathe. So he pulls back a little and Ochako plants her feet firmly on the ground, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"F-fixed it now." Ochako giggles, nervously.
Tenya nods, in a daze. "Y-yeah."
Suddenly there's clapping and whistling and they turn around to see what must be the entire rest of the stuff hollering and cheering and oh God, Ochako's turning red and his ears are burning and Tensei is clapping too-
From there, things get better.
Shigaraki is found guilty of a long list of offences and is placed in jail, while his charges go to appropriate living arrangements in hopes of teaching them be better than they once were.
All of his staff were cleared of any debts owed to him and found jobs in the castle, being paid handsomely and able to take breaks whenever they wanted to. They're also given accommodation and help with learning any skills needed for their new jobs.
Ochako and Tenya begin courting and it's awkward and fun at the same time as they slowly figure out how they get along as a couple, after over 5 years of exchanging letters as just two friends. But they click after the first initial hurdles of awkwardness and soon, they more than get along. Ochako helps Tenya breathe, to relax, to learn to be just Tenya, not Prince Tenya at all times. Tenya helps Ochako relearn her worth, to value herself, to remember that she is worthy not because she works hard, but simply because she is.
Courting continues for years and starts edging into discussions of marriage and the training Ochako would need to be a Princess. But Ochako decides to learn the skills necessary before they announce any engagement or are officially wed.
It doesn't take Ochako long to learn though and before long, she has the skills and the will to be Princess Ochako, while still finding the time and the energy to be just Ochako. It doesn't take long after that to find herself engaged to Tenya, who definitely cried when he officially asked.
They were happily wed in the summer and they all lived happily ever after.
The End.