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The story began with a simple meeting led by fortunate happenstance, and sealed the fate of Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo, not taller than three apples.
The two isolated shadows in this calm neighborhood noticed their instant chemistry the moment their eyes met for the first time, full of sparkles as they started to talk about their common interests, considered boring by the other kids in the town. Their parents couldn’t be happier to see how their sons found the missing piece to their lonely afternoon, spending most of their time together and being inseparable as the years passed by! There was no Izuku Midoriya without Katsuki Bakugo, no Kacchan without his loyal acolyte Deku, and the many titles shared in their dynamic differed at the different steps of their relationship, even if some were darker than the others.
Their youth was highlighted by the gentleness of these souvenirs that melted their hearts with the long talk about their future projects, including their agency, and the numerous pinky promises to always stay together. The bright sunlight that observed the fond interactions between the two moving shadows and their exciting voices, started to get covered by the darkness of their middle school years, erasing the last hints of symbolic promises. The inseparable best friends became the target of the vicious tricks of fate, meant to challenge the strength of their bond, the same one they’ve cherished more than their own lives. The days became longer, while their nights were occupied by the cruel threats and bleeding scars that caused the sharpest tears to fall down their cheeks: Moving on and making new friends seemed to be the most likable options but it was unthinkable for the broken teenagers!
All the roads lead back to the sensitive Izuku Midoriya and the cruel Katsuki Bakugo: After all, they’ve created so many narratives and shared so many vows in their childhood, none of these precious treasures could be erased by the novelty of a friendship that’ll never compare with the indelible bond left on each other’s souls…as mitigated as it was.
Katsuki’s selfishness considered it a blessing, knowing he needed to apologize for the shitty things he said and did to the most important person in his life, while Izuku wanted to get rid of this curse. It became inevitable when the regrets of the unshared confessions, and the nostalgia guided their souls to reconnect at the least unexpected: That day, when Izuku saved the blond from a premeditated death, he succeeded in changing the narrative by receiving the support from his model, and the unexplained arrest of this bullying that became a terrible habit in the past years.
It didn’t stop him from taking a stolen glimpse at his childhood friend from afar, who stopped every attempt to continue their old vicious games for their own entertainment, with a certain sadness that covered these crimson eyes, that seemed to read behind the lines of the thankful emerald ones. They haven’t shared a single word since their last talk behind the school, but none of them expected to see their fate guiding their souls for a second chance.
This time, Izuku Midoriya had a quirk and many explanations to give to the surprised teenager, who held onto the hope to share the sincere apology the nerd deserved. The first weeks were the hardest, with a growing jealousy at the idea of seeing strangers replacing them in the blink of an eye, even if this sentiment was motivated by deeper thoughts, unexplained for the moment.
Their dynamic had always been a source of teasing from their classmates, but never the kind of relationship that caught everyone off guard and created envy in the public's eyes. Unfortunately, their only ways to properly communicate with each other happened through the physical fights and the confessions they’ve shared out loud in a moment of weakness, which changed the rest of their journey. For a long time, Izuku considered the tender souvenirs shared with the blond as a poisonous venom in his bleeding heart, longing for a second chance until his silence plead became a reality.
Izuku and Katsuki were too young to face the cruelty of the series of events that marked their first year in high school, with some more traumatizing than others. The previous distance was suddenly forgotten when their fragile bond was influenced by their daily interactions, moments of weakness, and the realization that they’ve been wrong all along. These new discoveries opened their hearts to new possibilities they hadn’t considered possible until now, with near-death experiences, moving apologies, or even lifetime promises shared in a hospital bed.
The green-haired teenager became the shoulder to cry on when he stood by Katsuki’s side during the toughest nights, with shaking hands and reassuring words, often highlighted by a strong grip. Seeing Katsuki vulnerable after his rehabilitation was distressful, explaining why Izuku and he regained their "inseparable" status they’ve lost over the years. The golden-haired teenager didn’t think twice before holding his childhood friend in his arms, staying up until the sunrise while listening to the most heartbreaking sobs that filled this quiet room. The fragile teenager spent more time handling his suffering in silence than releasing his pain into words, until it consumed the last ounce of hope in his chest, which led him to hold the taller boy as tight as possible…afraid to let the other go.
They were each other’s savior and their unique dynamic started to catch the attention of their surroundings. Their classmates and close friends became used to the idea of teasing them by asking if they were already a couple, despite acting like one with their secret hangout after the training and sneaking into each other’s rooms. If the two teenagers denied these rumors, it didn’t stop them from understanding how this rising jealousy wasn’t born at the idea of seeing someone else stealing a relationship that was supposed to be theirs…but the pleasant discoveries of their romantic feelings.
Izuku and Katsuki were inseparable, welcoming the idea of being each other’s first romantic interest wasn’t surprising after all the intimate confessions they’d made once they’d cuddled up in each other’s arms, the discreet kisses on each other’s foreheads, and intertwined fingers with a delicacy that couldn’t transcribe the reassurance of this gesture. Falling in love with the unknown was a risk they were ready to take if this meant accepting the unexpected kisses on the cheeks after a first date “that wasn’t one”, and waking up by each other’s side with heated cheeks and the breathtaking painting near their reach.
Their sentiments were stronger than any obstacles faced until now, even if they both decided to take things slow. The beauty of their new dynamic offered a bright contrast to the darkness of their middle school years, but they wouldn’t change anything about their past, as unpleasant as it was. There was something breathtaking about the idea of resting in Katsuki’s arms a little longer in the morning, the way Izuku’s eyes brightened when they noticed the familiar presence of the blond in the room, and the chemistry between their exchanges that showed how devoted they were to each other.
Their graduation day was marked by the fondness on their loved ones' faces and the proud smile on the recognizable face of their childhood friend in the crowd. To be fair, none of them thought they would be able to look back at their high school years with a sentiment of reassurance, not after the terrifying first year they’ve been through and the scars that’ll never heal. Each of their speech were centered on the relic to be alive and honor the people who resided in the closest cemetery, with the exception of a certain duo that chose to target their speech to the one who's caused the best of smiles, and wasted tears.
It didn’t take long before observing the teary glance after the reminder of the ethereal promises they’ve sealed after the war, before welcoming the unexpected hug from the shorter man. This moment belonged to every classmate who survived the harsh obstacles of their first years, the deceased people who were no longer a part of this world, and the white knights who succeeded in bringing hope at the least expected. Katsuki wasn’t used to returning the physical affection in public, but he easily put his guard down and held the shorter man as close as possible, relieved to be a part of Izuku’s journey. This new beginning gave them a lot of scares once they had both entered into adulthood, facing the terrible separation concerning their career choices, with romantic sentiments that became stronger over the years.
The seven years of patience were worth the try if this meant seeing the captivating smile and teary eyes on the freckled man’s face, stunned to see how this stolen dream was now accessible at the palm of his hands! Hearing how Katsuki was the heart of the project was heartwarming, which explained why the green-haired man insisted on spending as much time as possible with his childhood friend as a way to thank him for his amazing gift, and didn't think twice before accepting the offer at their dream agency. The golden-haired man couldn't contain his pride as he gave him the keys to their new apartment, with a new title of roommate, a detail that made the teacher laugh.
Izuku truly appreciated the emotional support from his childhood friend and how Katsuki never gave up on him, even if some moments were more difficult than others. There were days when Katsuki returned home with a distant expression on his face after the loss of innocents in his recent fight, and was reassured by protective embraces from his partner, with tears falling down his cheeks. Izuku knew he could always count on the great Dynamight when each of his visits brought a radiant smile to his students' faces, amazed to see how his childhood hero ended up being the symbol for a new generation.
It took him years but the teacher decided to take the courage to break their boundaries as roommates and ask his childhood friend for a date. Indeed, this decision wasn’t born out of nowhere, recalling the previous gossip on the television about Dynamight’s new affair in town: It’s not like Izuku had something to fear, but he didn’t know anything about Katsuki’s romantic life and was scared to be replaced! He didn’t expect to hear the blond accepting his crazy proposition positively with a grin, stealing a glimpse at the rising blush on the freckled cheeks.
Their first date was amazing, as were their second and third dates that led to their very first kiss. Things took a more appeasing road once their physical affection became a series of love confessions: Their light kisses became sensual ones, their handhold switched into the desire to mark the other’s bodies in a moment of intimacy, and their sexual encounters were highlighted by the delicacy of their confessions, shared between two breaths.
The silence of this peaceful town was accompanied by the slight breeze against the windows, and the spying stars, who observed the two shadows resting in the comfort of this bedroom that welcomed the best of tales. The gentle chuckles and conversation between the fond Izuku Midoriya and the supportive Katsuki Bakugo matched with the excitement filling their chest at the important celebration awaiting them in less than twenty-four hours.
The green curls rested against the comforting skin, listening to the fast heartbeat as his favorite lullaby with a smile on his lips. He couldn’t believe how beautiful the ring looked on his broken fingers, remembering the stunning proposal made by his lover during their anniversary, offering him the prettiest promises he'd ever heard. The jewel was gorgeous, highlighting the contrast between the emerald shade of his eyes and the one of the ring, stealing the attention of the most curious eyes in a crowd.
The scarred fingers ruffled his messy hair, amazed to see how he succeeded in transforming a story that faced many ups and downs, into the most inspiring tale of this decade, especially for his pinning heart. The great Dynamight was admired by many people, but he couldn’t be happier to know that he’ll be a Midoriya very soon, honoring the family name of his childhood friend, who’s been nothing but supportive since their first meeting, to their big age and stupid misunderstandings.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” whispered the freckled man with a soft tone, intertwining his fingers with his fiancé’s. From all the numerous titles they’ve shared since the beginning of this journey, this one was probably their favorite! He wouldn’t have chosen a better partner than Katsuki Bakugo to be his first and last love, especially with the strength of their strong bond.
“Is this so unbelievable ?” Katsuki returned the question with a grin, hearing a small gasp escaping his lover’s lips. The respected hero in this town was only a facade compared to the devoted partner he was, ready to put the world down for a glimpse of his lover’s smile. The blond always knew how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the nerd and marrying his childhood friend in less than twenty-four hours was his biggest pride!
“No I mean…it’s something I’ve been waiting for ages, and it’s finally happening tomorrow,” Izuku replied with a smile, leaving his chest to face the charming crimson eyes. He couldn’t help but blush at the close proximity and welcomed the calloused fingers cupping his cheeks with a delicate gesture, still mesmerized by the luck he had to grow old with the one who stole his heart years ago, that kept reminding him how falling in love with his significant other was easier than breathing.
“If you’re stressed about the guests, we can still find a way to elope and get another ceremony once you’re ready,” he said with a smirk when the shorter man rolled his eyes at the crazy proposition. As tempting as it was to get married in the euphoria of the moment, they couldn’t let all their previous organization be ruined by this childish idea.
“We can’t do that to our parents, they’ll have grey hair,” the shorter man replied with a smile, stealing a quick kiss from the blond’s lips. “Talking about that, recently I've been thinking about us and everything we’ve been through. I couldn’t be happier to know you’re the one I’m spending the rest of my life with… Do you think we’re together in the other universes ?”
The crimson eyes shared a curious glance at the unexpected question, trying to read between the lines. Izuku couldn’t help but smile brighter at this adorable sight, meant to be his in this lifetime, even if he was still emotional about a ceremony that hadn’t happened yet.
“Don’t look at me that way, kacchan! I mean, it never crossed your mind to think about what our other selves are doing and what kind of tales they’re sharing? I’m conscious this is an answer beyond our reach, but there’s something endearing about the idea of falling in love with each other in every universe, as unique as they might be.”
The hero’s face warmed up at the confession, and looked at the shorter man, realizing how he wouldn’t mind experiencing a thousand different stories with the same name that caught his heart with a simple glance…that changed his entire life.
———
🜲 Years ago in a forgotten kingdom,
The shape of calm green, coloring the delicate landscape of the Mustafu’s lands, was known as an enchanting spell that caught the attention of the most intrigued spirits in the lands. Compared to the other areas mentioned in their stolen conversation, the political aspect of this kingdom, ruled by the royal couple Mitsuki and Masaru Bakugo, was something refreshing since their son accepted the golden crown, and the responsibilities that go with it.
Katsuki Bakugo was known by many names, hated by some, admired by others, but none of this changed the impressive victories he brought to his family and the expansion of his lands. It didn’t necessarily start in the most admirable way for the blond: During his youth, he was often described as a spoiled prince until his personality softened, able to charm many hearts on the spot.
His beauty was an undeniable aspect in the center of the gossip, highlighted by his crimson eyes, similar to tempting jewels and the signature grins that belonged with his reputation over the years. His golden spikes were often compared to the impressive material of the crowd residing on his head during the public meeting, under the proud expression on his parents'face, even if his heart was motivated by something deeper than the reputation of his kingdom…
The king stopped counting the number of letters he found beside his desk, asking for a political marriage, or a desperate concubine to a queen he didn’t even have. The empty throne beside him was coveted by many people who wanted to mark history as a simple name instead of making actual changes. Many whispers described King Katsuki as someone extremely picky concerning the choice of his future queen: some were understanding of this devotion to the details that would influence the birth of a future heir, while others tried to deviate to get his attention and warm his bed…which always ended up in a clear humiliation on their side.
The prettiest women tried to seduce him with their charms, laugh at unfunny jokes, or wear the most attractive dresses to be the center of attention. It became a standard to be presentable at every occasion to gain someone’s heart until they all noticed how this beautiful man, who rolled his eyes at the annoying women and a few men who tried their chances, changed his face when the king was standing by his knight’s side. Suddenly, the unreadable expressions turned prettier when the green-haired man was by his side, offering the brightest smiles and the slightest shade of red on his freckled cheeks, causing much jealousy.
These vultures might try as much as they want to steal Katsuki Bakugo’s heart but he has been taken by someone else for years. Nothing could erase the breathtaking beauty of the shorter man by the king’s size, with his messy green curls and his adorable freckled cheeks, brightened after a few teases, and the charm of his smiles, stealing many hearts on the spot. Izuku Midoriya was known as the personal knight of the beloved king of these lands, he was inseparable from the ruler and assisted at every political meeting in order to keep him safe…he was also Katsuki’s secret lover since they were 16 years old.
The two men met when they were only 4 years old and never left each other’s side since that day.
The obstinate blond caused much trouble to his parents, and easily put his guard down when his best friend was around, cheering him up with magical kisses on the cheeks and pinky promises to stay together until they became as old as their parents. The smaller boy didn’t have magical tricks as the rumors said, but his kindness and his breathtaking beauty were all the blond needed to brighten his lonely days. With Izuku by his side, he succeeded in finding a change of mind and a peaceful heartbeat that matched the fond lullaby of the nerd, he made sure to work hard enough to be the source of his praise and wasted tears after a near-death experience.
There was no Izuku without Katsuki and every obstacle that tried to tear them apart ended up reinforcing their bond. The freckled man was the first to rush to his childhood friend’s side after his return from a terrible conflicts, he was the one tearing up until the reassuring palms cupped his cheeks and held his trembling body closer, whispering how he wouldn’t die so easily. The golden-haired man was the one pushing his best friend to go beyond his own limits and prove how strong he was, he assisted and trained him in secret to make him the best knight of the kingdom, until the officialization of his status, in front of a mysterious crowd.
Everyone questioned the bond between the two figures that belonged to a different world, but none knew the strength of the bond that connected their longing souls, which represented more than any victories on the battlefield. It was their biggest treasure and the only thing they refused to lose in this cruel lifetime, even if it was the least of their worries. Nothing mattered more than recherche others’s warmth once the midnight sky showed its brightest stars, the discreet confessions shared between two laughs, and the kisses shared with a slight smile at the corner of their lips.
They’ve been together for 6 years and had never been this happier despite the idea of being kept as a secret: After all, it was a well known fact that their union, if there was one, was meant to shock the subjects used to see a traditional vision of the couple, without mentioning the constant pressure put by the other nobles to get Katsuki married as soon as possible. If the delight of their secret meetings was pleasant at first, it became an inconvenience that shouldn’t be ignored…
Izuku was a good-looking guy, if not the cutest and most gorgeous man Katsuki had ever seen. Some days, he had a hard time believing how he was the one resting in the comforting arms of his lover, who brought him the best compliments and pointed out his flaws when necessary, loving him as a whole. He wouldn’t exchange this life for anything, even if his jealousy caused some troubles when some maids tried to get closer to him, only to hear how he was already in a relationship…with a name that already occupied everyone’s lips.
The two men already talked about the serious disadvantages concerning their romance and wanted to expose the truth to the world! Unfortunately, the current circumstances were unfair for a relationship of this kind and the fear of the subjects might return against the blond’s if they learn about the throne being occupied by a man, instead of a woman. Izuku and Katsuki sincerely love each other, too much to let anything happen to their protective partner, and make sure to continue this discreet affair that darkened some of their days.
The freckled man wasn't the kind to come to the easiest conclusion without clear hints and refused to believe the whispers in this lonely corridor. He loved his role as a knight, protecting the kingdom he considered his third home after his mother and lover’s arms, he already loved all the bliss and ethereal vows shared with his childhood friend! After all, he was the first target of these gentle whispers against his ears, the subtle handhold and the loving kisses from his first love, meant to be his last…but something was wrong recently.
The curious emerald eyes took the advantage of his iron armour and observed his surroundings with enough care, despite this uncomfortable impression of deja vu. It was a tradition to welcome new soldiers who had already made their proofs in previous conflicts, with the idea to honor these lands by their presence. Some of them became a pride for Mitsuki and Masaru and deserved such praises even if some vultures tried to get this advantageous position to charm the king, who always rejected their offer. Until now, the previous worries were erased by the promises made by his lover the same night but something felt different with this new knight who joined the blond’s side…
At first, Izuku tried to ignore the growing anxiety inside his chest at the vision of their two shadows: There was nothing to worry about when Kirishima Eijirou, a famous name started to have lessons with the king in order to fit the expectations of his new job. It wasn’t a rare case to see the blond forming new people for their status and get some habits of this rhymes lifestyles, it was generous of Katsuki to use some of his free time to make the new members at ease instead of letting these poor souls form themselves with the fear of messing things up.
The red-haired man didn’t see any sign of vicious glances or romantic interest in the blond, which should’ve been seen as something appeasing, even if these clear hints couldn’t erase the growing fear inside Izuku’s chest. For the moment he barely interacted with the new knight due to his complicated schedules, and Kirishima seemed like a good guy to be friends with, no wonder why he went along with the stubborn blond and succeeded in distinguishing himself from the others in the past. The freckled man couldn’t be happier to know his lover had someone to spend his time with when Izuku was in mission, and couldn’t ignore this feeling of deja vu….
Years ago, he was the one at Kirishima’s place and still owns this title with the special benefits that come with it, but he knew the tricks of this privileged position. Being close to the king was something envied by many people from the outside and cherished from the perspectives of the ones who got the chance to be there in the first place. It was a role meant to be taken very seriously but Izuku also knew how easy it was to fall in love with the altruism of his childhood friend, if not for his beauty.
Don’t get him wrong, Katsuki Bakugo swore to devote his entire life to loving his childhood friend until death do them part but it wouldn’t stop a few seconds of inattention to let this story be shared with someone else. That’s why the loyal knight stayed at his position, didn’t share any of his growing struggles with his lover, and pretended to be tired in order to justify this suffering that killed him from the inside. Bringing more weight to the ruler of this kingdom shouldn’t be considered as a possibility, Katsuki already had too many things to be worried about and Izuku’s stupid insecurity was the least of his priorities!
—---
Katsuki wasn’t stupid and noticed the hints, such as the bags under his childhood friend’s eyes, the way his trembling hands held him tighter after another nightmare, or even the way he kissed him like there was no tomorrow. The golden-haired man was seriously concerned about the nerd’s state, he had known him since they were brats and could easily read behind the line of this pretty face, which broke some hearts. Katsuki didn’t try to force any conversation concerning the mysterious topic that bothered his partner, afraid it would make things worse, and instead chose to be present when Izuku needed him the most.
He unfortunately assisted to the moment the emerald eyes lost their sparkles, only to regain them after a light kiss on his curls, even if his failed attempts didn’t work in his favor to hear what truly preoccupied his lover…so he had no other choice but to confess his worries to a person of trust. In all honesty, Katsuki never thought he would be able to make friends after his coronation and his title of king, and was grateful to see how this world wasn’t full of assholes!
“You look like an eighty-year- old man with all these bags under your eyes, did something happen to Midoriya ?” The red-haired man asked with an intrigued tone.
He noticed how the blond looked preoccupied enough to make rolled eyes at the stupidity of his knight, even if he was glad to know he could talk to someone about his secret relationship. The green-haired man wasn’t aware of the fact that someone else in this castle knew about his relationship with the blond. It’s not like Katsuki considered it a bother or a source of shame, but a few seconds of intentions were enough to let the topic accidentally slip out of his lips during one of his training sessions with Kirishima, until he revealed the complete story.
He wasn’t the kind of person to share his problem with the most curious ears in this quiet castle, and it took him a while before putting into words his secret life without being judged, with the supportive words of the knights, who explained how he was happy for him. Their sparring sessions quickly became centered around their love lives, the surprises made for their partners from the way Mina’s face was as beautiful as the blinding sun to the freckled man’s freckles that seemed unreal, which brought them close enough to be considered friends!
“I wish I had the answer to this shitty question, he looked different for a few months and refused to let me know what wakes him up at night,” explained the golden-haired man with a sigh, resting his back against the walls with crossed arms. If only Katsuki could read in Izuku’s mind, everything would be easier, but knowing the nerd, he was easily worried about the slightest things, and wanted to keep his suffering hidden.
“Did you try to talk with him ?”
“I wouldn’t be there if everything was fine between us,” Katsuki replied with rolled eyes, even if the questions seemed logical for someone who didn’t know about this specific context. “I already tried a million times to get an ounce of what concerned him, but he always says silence instead of telling me the truth. He betrayed himself and always kept me close as if the world was about to disappear overnight, I sincerely want to help him and bring color back to his face but I'm getting more preoccupied every time he shows me this fake ass smile.”
“Did it happen before ?” Kirishima was conscious about how Izuku was one of the best knights in the lands, he truly admired his fighting skills and wished he could share how impressed he felt by this strong reputation the knight built over the years, and he was glad to hear all these amazing things about the man who made the blond happier than ever. “You’ve been together and known each other since you were young…only you can see if it’s something new or a simple impression of deja vu.”
“That’s the main issue, it’s a combination of both of them,” added the golden-haired man. Under different conditions, he would’ve loved to have this important talk with Izuku, but the nerd would rather reassure his partner with an unconvinced argument, than open his heart to the king, who already read behind the lines. “He always has these unusual habits that take place when he’s concerned about something, it’s easy to guess their source and reassure him like we always do, but it’s scarier this time. Maybe it’s because I have no idea why he hasn't spoken a single word to me about this struggle for months when it can be related to the slightest inconveniences….”
"Doesn't he have an important fight happening soon? Maybe he’s just anxious to leave you on your own after the last murder attempts made by the neighborhood's land.” In all honesty, this theory sounded like a good explanation for this strange behavior, but it wouldn’t match the way the nerd reacted to the various topics mentioned in their late-night talk.
“I’ve already faced that and it’s not the same, almost like I couldn’t understand him for the first time, and it’s scaring me,” the golden-haired man mumbled in a low voice. He wished he could bring a smile back to his lover’s face instead of letting this shade of grey take the lead over the pretty colors on Izuku’s face, the same ones that stole his heart years ago. “I need him to understand how his pain became mine when we agreed to spend the rest of our lives together, and it worked for a while. Unfortunately, when something’s too terrifying for him, he unconsciously holds back his pain with the hope it’ll leave overnight, I know there’s a way to let him talk about this, but what am I supposed to do ?”
“That’s a complicated situation for sure, but you said it yourself, it’s not an impasse either,” the red-haired man affirmed with a calm tone. He appreciated how devoted his friend was toward his partner, and hoped Midoriya knew how caring he was toward the slightest details that caught the king’s attention, invisible to the others, and evident for his pining heart. “You can’t force someone to talk to you, maybe you can start different topics of conversation that’ll lead to an open door if you haven’t done that already. After all, you know him better than anyone, and consider the slightest hints as a victory without letting him forget how much he meant to you…”
“I should give it a try, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll simply beg the stars for a miracle,” Katsuki added with a light tone, hoping the advice from his friends will be in his favor tonight.
———
Izuku couldn’t hide his concern anymore and wished he hadn't seen the frames that made his heart bleed. It happened by accident and he never wanted to intercept this conversation between the two men, but the blurry expression on the crimson eyes made him realize how his lover would rather share his worries with his new friend than his romantic partner!
The freckled man wanted to laugh about the absurdity of the situation: After all, the more he thought about the consequences of his actions, the more he was the one guiding Katsuki to fall for someone else. After all, maybe this miracle shadow that brought joy to Katsuki’s life will be the one stealing all his attention, to the point of replacing the shorter man in the empty side of the bed. It’s not like this kind of worst-case scenario was a possibility, not when the knight never doubted the founders of his lover’s confession, but if it had to happen, Izuku was ready to put the blame on himself for being the one to cause his own downfall. He knew he should’ve been honest earlier with his childhood friends, who shared half of his soul, and remained terrified of being the reason behind the tears falling down his lovers’ cheeks and this change of heart!
The knight had faced many struggles in the past, but none had been this affecting: Don’t get him wrong, he knew this situation could be solved with a simple communication, but he wasn't strong enough to put into words the worst-case scenarios that haunted his mind in the last months. Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even hear the background footsteps with the open door, asking if he was alright, before catching the heart-wrenching sobs in the small room.
Izuku felt the sudden weight of the blond against his body, realizing how he was, once again, the reason behind the trembling voice of his childhood friend and the source of his worries. Sometimes, the freckled man wanted to disappear from this world and be a ghost in Katsuki’s past, and was conflicted with his desire to keep the blond’s embrace in this moment of weakness, when his tears spoke louder than any words shared until now. His scarred hands slide straight to the king’s back with a tighter grip, under the concerned tone of his lover, who held him as if he was afraid to let him go. The green messy curls found comfort in the reassuring warmth, wrapping his thumbs on the tissue that covered his back as he whispered how sorry he was.
Katsuki Bakugo made the choice to delay all his royal duties for the day and insisted on staying by his lover’s side, despite Izuku’s mumbles about how it wasn’t important. This situation lasted for too long and became an emergency for their broken hearts, who needed to heal by each other’s side, in this luxurious room. The king had admired many aspects of his best friend’s personality over the years but he had never seen him this broken, with the muffled sobs and the strong grip on his back. He was ready to face thousands of battlefields to let the freckled man know how he was blindly in love with him, even if Izuku needed hundreds of confessions and daily reminders of their unconditional bond.
“Shit Izuku, what’s wrong ?” He asked with a preoccupied tone, moving lost curls behind the knight’s ears. Katsuki already asked this question too many times for his liking and sincerely hoped to hear the answers once and for all: Knowing the nerd, he inherited from the terrible coping mechanism to handle his pain for a certain time and only broke his shell once he was deeply overwhelmed or terrified by something in his surroundings!
“Nothing to be worried about,” he justified with a low tone, knowing it won’t be enough to convince the blond and his concerned glance. Izuku was exhausted of pretending, not when he needed someone to hold and a strong reminder about this treasure he couldn’t lose, and that was already his.
“Nothing? Izuku, you’ve been sobbing in my arms for the last five minutes and you didn’t even tell me what happened. I’m seriously worried about you, don’t think I haven’t noticed hints you’ve sent me, I tried to talk to you but you keep pushing me away, it breaks my heart to see you keeping all this shit to yourself. Is there anything I can do to cheer you up? We both know I hate when you look so affected by something out of our reach..I just want to help and make you happy, please.”
Hearing the great Katsuki Bakugo beg for something was rare, except when he was truly heartbroken by an issue that took too much weight on his shoulders. Izuku felt the guilt eating him from the inside as a constant reminder of his mistakes, and simply welcomed the protective palm against his body, guiding him into their bed. The comfort of this scenery erased a tiny ounce of anxiety that had been causing this mess in the first place, as he learned into the touch when the cautious fingers cupped his cheeks while the king contained the tears hidden at the corner of his eyes.
“Stay with me for the night,” whispered the green-haired man, interlacing their fingers together. He knew he didn’t deserve this affection from the man who loved him with his flaws, and should confess his jealousy at this perfect timing, but instead, he chose to be selfish a little longer. He wasn’t proud of his actions and knew he needed more than apologies to be forgiven by his childhood friend, knowing how things would’ve been easier if Izuku hadn’t petrified by his inner demons. “Make love to me as if there was no tomorrow.”
“As if I could let you go,” Katsuki replied with a loving tone, stealing a quick kiss to his forehead. He let their bodies move in a more comfortable position, feeling the need to dig deeper into the slightest open door near his reach, but he also knew that he couldn’t deny the request made by his childhood friend. The golden-haired man wanted to be the best partner and hoped this form of intimacy would be enough to temporarily erase the nasty tears on the knight’s face. “Izuku, I don’t know what you’ve been trying to hide from me, but no matter the weight of your secret, I promise it won’t be a bother. You know you’re mine right?”
“My heart always be yours,” the answer succeeded in bringing a light smile to the corner of Izuku’s lips, before sealing his lips with the king’s.
The couple already shared many kisses, but nothing compared to the desperate one made in the euphoria of the moment, chasing after each other’s comfort while losing their fingers in spots they’ve recognized by heart. The knight was conscious about how it was a bad idea to solve this problem with sex and felt the need to sense the blond’s love through powerful gestures, a stolen prize shared with his sensitive ears, and the reminder that none of his nightmares were real. His scarred fingers slid into the golden spikes with a tighter grip, holding his breath when he welcomed the strong palms around his waist, moving him into a more favorable position.
He let the blond take the lead, kiss every spot that made the freckled man vulnerable when it came to this intimate part of their lives, a detail they’ve cherished more than any victories on the battlefield. Their clothes easily found the ground, as the shorter man closed his eyes to drown in the care of these strong fingers against his naked skin, the delicacy of his lips against his body, and the numerous “I love you” shared between their breaths. The previous struggles were forgotten when the first marks appeared on his body, his hips unconsciously moving to welcome the strong palm wrapped around his inner thighs, which slowly teased the sensitive tip of his dick.
Izuku Midoriya already survived the worst of wars and wanted to erase this growing suffering with a touch stronger than any of the pictures and scenes he'd seen in his tormented imagination. The freckled man knew his selfishness would lead him into a terrible place and compromising position once Katsuki will learn the truth and wanted to feel loved a little longer before seeing this happiness disappear in the blink of an eye. A light moan escaped from his lips when he felt the blond’s hands wrapped around his groin, working up and down in a series of movements that reminded him of a pleasure that came straight from his wildest dreams.
The freckled man begged for more, turned on by their heated encounter under the sheets, and the desire to be complete by this ethereal love that anxiety tried to steal away from him. The shorter man melted into the comforting praise shared to his ears, the golden vows shared with their mutual needs, gentle enough to leave the vulnerable knight sensitive to each change, from the light kisses shared to the blond’s neck, to the delightful ones that reflected his despair.
Everything felt perfect but this happiness didn’t last forever.
A single second of inattention, a lost glimpse at the focused glance of the blond and the charming crimson eyes and Izuku remembered why he felt distressed in the first place. If Katsuki noticed the change of expression, he stopped the previous action and asked if everything was alright, only to be caught by Izuku’s lips on his, whispering how he needed to feel good. The golden-haired man explained how he could simply stop to talk about this but the knight kept begging for more despite the tears falling down his cheeks that weren’t related to the previous pleasure.
That night, Katsuki made love to Izuku with the idea of reminding him how much he loved him, even if this meant letting the nerd complain about the slow pace of his thrusts. The strong hands held the firm waist carefully, praised the beauty of his scars, and kissed every part of his body, under the light blush that colored his freckled cheeks. He didn’t miss a single occasion to whisper how much he loved him, from the moment the freckled man sat on his lap, until their bodies made one: Izuku drowned in the river of pleasure, begged the blond’s name, and succeeded in temporarily forgetting about his pain..kissing his lover all over again and explaining how much he adored him.
Their two shadows stayed glued together the entire night, holding each other closer as Izuku rested his head against the blond’s chest, mesmerizing the previous warmth that helped him to fall asleep, with the help of the reassuring figure by his side. Katsuki kissed his curls and whispered how he would do anything to see the man he loved smile again, a devotion that reminded him how the green-haired man was the source of his lover’s brightest praises and heartbreak, even if this story was far from being solved overnight…
———
The golden-haired man believed in the recent changes made by his childhood friend, who tended to smile more than usual after their passionate night, and seemed to feel better, despite not making progress in their awaited talk. At first sight, it looks like nothing had happened with the groans to stay a little longer in bed, or the memorable handhold under the midnight sky, almost like they were afraid to wake up from this dream too good to be true.
Unfortunately, this facade vanished when the taller man heard about the terrible decision made by his loyal knight, who decided to put his life on the line without warning any of his loved ones. He's never felt this blood boiling this fast in his body once he learned the stupid decision made by his childhood friend, who could’ve died with a second of inattention and leave him with a broken heart for the rest of his life!
Katsuki was mad at his boyfriend for leaving him with a potential goodbye, and was also terrified once he understood the main reasoning behind this action: Izuku was the wisest man the king had ever seen, and recognized how each of his actions weren’t meant by coincidence, such as the one to leave the peace of his kingdom to change his mind with something unbelievable enough to make him forget the main source of his problem. If only the blond could write him letters and let him know how sorry he felt, but Izuku Midoriya was out of reach…until the news of his return caught the blond’s ears.
His heart missed a beat when he realized what he just heard, leaving his previous appointment to rush into the closest infirmary with a fast heartbeat. He held his breath and appeared right in front of the wooden door, listening to the background noises with the recognizable voice, and opened it without a second thought. The sudden interruption caught the nurse and the freckled man by surprise, but the only thing that mattered was the fact that Katsuki rushed straight into the hospital bed to hold his trembling fingers with a broken glance, which shared everything the knight needed to know about his lover’s state.
Izuku wished he had enough courage to simply talk to the blond instead of being afraid of his own mind, but it was too late to erase the damage he caused to his boyfriend. He had no other choice but to accept the consequences of his shitty actions and the heartbroken tears that fell down the king’s cheeks. The first time the stubborn blond showed his weakness, he was not taller than three apples and yet, understood how he wasn’t alone in this world, but growing up taught him how death wouldn’t do any favoritism concerning its target. The king had already lost too many men on the battlefield and refused to dig a grave for his childhood friend in the closest cemetery! The two men shared a strong embrace with muffled sobs, under the shocked nurse, being the spectator of a show she'd never seen coming, and even assisted the most vulnerable aspect of their beloved king’s personality…
“Holy shit, Izuku, why did you do this ?” He asked with a broken tone, wiping his tears with his trembling fingers. The blond put the blame on the distance and the relief to see the man he loved alive, and chose to mesmerize the delicacy of these fond emerald eyes, reminding him of the brightest midnight sky. “You could’ve simply ignored me, instead of scaring me to death with your unexpected departure. Did you know how terrified I was when I realized the reason behind this shitty gesture? I thought we were fine so why-”
“I’m so sorry Kacchan,” the shorter man whispered with a low voice. The scarred fingers met the calloused ones, intertwining their hand together as a sign of support despite his vision, blurred by the previous tears. At this moment, he accepted how this situation was terrible for his lover, who didn’t ask to pay for the internal damages caused by the knight’s anxiety on his rational thinking, he could’ve died and never returned home! “Please, forgive me…I don’t know what to do and I thought it was-”
“Putting your life in danger will never be a joke to me,” explained the golden-haired man, moving closer to kiss the sweaty forehead. Katsuki knew he had already done enough to remind him how much he adored his childhood friend but he promised to do even more if this meant keeping this idiot safe from an early meeting with the grim reaper. Their relationship wasn’t perfect and needed a serious talk, but the only thing that mattered was how they found a way to stay together, despite their cruel misunderstandings. “You can’t leave me behind in this messed-up world when your name is the only one occupying my lips in the darkest nights, I was so concerned about you and your stupid decisions, but I’m so glad to see you alive by my side…Izuku, if you die, I die, why can’t you understand that? I can’t exist without you.”
These words acted like a slap in Izuku’s face, tearing up at their deeper meaning. The entire time, he avoided a confrontation that couldn’t be ignored for too long, and reached a point where his distraction almost led him to a no return point He might be insecure to the point of ruining the most important relationship of his life but he remained the same guy who fell a thousands of times for his first love, who still looked at him with a mesmerizing glance, that seemed too good to be true.
Izuku mumbled his apologies and welcomed the trembling figure of the blond closer, promising that everything would be fine from now on, with the intention to keep his promises, even if he needed time to express his anxiety in words. They stepped back from their previous bubble and quickly understood how their secret had been spotted by the nurse, who haven’t said a word since the beginning of the conversation: The two men were afraid of being threatened by the shorter figure, only to show their surprised when the nurse promised to keep their secret after the touching scene between the king and his partner.
The two men held each other’s hands while the older woman shared the information about the freckled man’s state, explaining how he’ll need a few days to rest before returning to his old habits. The blond felt appeased after the news, and scolded his stupid boyfriend for playing with his grey hair at his young age, and brightened when the shorter man apologized with a warm smile. Many rumors question the unexplained absence of the king in the days that followed the return of his knight, creating some rumors about them being more than friends, but none of these caught the couple’s attention when they were seen together in these empty corridors. Something changed with their discreet hangout, stolen kisses, and whispered under the sheets, highlighted by the genuine smiles on the shorter man’s face. It was heartwarming to see how Izuku regained the scarlet blush that colored the freckles on his cheeks which was a great sign of improvement!
It didn’t take long for Katsuki to understand the source of his lover’s fears, too blind to realize how it been under his eyes since the beginning. It happened by accident, with a silly whisper about how Katsuki spent a lot of time with the red-haired man, giving the wrong interpretation of the situation, as he subtly connected the dots. His pale turned paler when he figured out why Izuku had been so sensitive and affected by the situation, when the nerd misinterpreted the platonic friendship between Katsuki and his new knight: Knowing the nerd, Izuku probably kept all his jealousy hidden, with the fear of being replaced when there was no reason to be afraid about that.
The golden-haired man loved his childhood friend too much to fall for someone else, and a part of him was relieved to understand the reason behind this chaos. After all, he decided to let the shorter man speak for himself when he feels ready but it didn’t stop him from accomplishing an idea he had in mind for a few years: It might be unbelievable but the blond wanted to make good use of this ring he prepared for his first love, meant to be his last in this lifetime…
With the complicity of the red-haired man, the king succeeded in distracting his boyfriend by causing an accidental meeting with the knight, while organizing the dream date mentioned by Izuku numerous times in their conversations. Katsuki was glad to know how the trap created earlier worked perfectly, listening to the way the green haired man talked about the red-haired man in a positive manner, making the king glad to see how Shitty Hair erased any doubts concerning the blond’s secret project. In all honesty, Katsuki wanted to make it happen as soon as possible but the switch between his royal duties, personal time with his lover, and hidden plan took more days than he expected.
After two weeks of research for all the elements combined, he decided to bring his childhood friend to the most unforgettable date of his life. Izuku agreed to this surprise idea with a chuckle and a blindfold on his eyes, guided by the reassuring palm of the blond to the hidden part of the garden. It was one of their favorite spots they’ve loved since their teenage years, representing an essential element in their narrative and an important step in their lives, no matter the final answer shared by the nerd.
Izuku easily discerned the rising anxiety in the blond’s trembling hands, asking if everything was alright before being taken off guard by the beautiful scenery exposed under his eyes: His heart missed a beat at the stunning fountain with a lamp on the side, and his favorite flowers in the corner. The comforting details on this welcoming painting brought a blush to his cheeks, touched to see how his boyfriend remembered all these details, shared years ago in their lost talks. He turned around to find the calloused palm in the close space between them, waiting for his answer with a grin, until the knight’s face softened and they intertwined their fingers together. The shorter man was amazed by the beautiful area, highlighted by the background noises of the water, if not the tempting food that caught his stomach’s attention. Katsuki smirked at the noise that brought a scarlet color back to the knight’s cheeks, ruffling his curls with a stolen kiss. Izuku was sincerely grateful to see his biggest dream come true, but he also knew how his childhood friend didn’t make things by coincidence….
“What are you planning tonight, Kacchan ?” He asked with a light tone, stealing one of the strawberries from the plate with an amused smile. The green-haired man needed to make himself forgiven for the deep scars he gave to his other half, he was still working on this, admiring the patience and the comprehensive expression on his lover’s face.
“The return of your smiles, I sincerely missed them,” the blond whispered with a grin, pinching the knight’s nose and catching his rolled eyes. “I hope you know that many extras would be ready to steal the moon for your pretty face and a glimpse of your laugh.”
Many people would kill to get this affection from this inaccessible ruler but only Izuku Midoriya deserved to see the sensitive side of his childhood friend, who loved him despite his flaws and his stubbornness. They weren’t perfect but they loved each other to the point of surviving the toughest obstacles, which was more valuable than any false promises shared by the vultures in their surroundings. The scarred hands held the calloused ones tighter, hoping to freeze time in this ethereal scene, being as gorgeous as the midnight sky above their heads.
“I also found out about the chaos that brought gray shades to your face in the last months,” he explained with a calm tone, touched to see how the emerald eyes widened at the sudden news and the truth he couldn’t deny anymore. It’s not like Izuku wanted to pretend nothing happened, he wanted to confess about his stupid jealousy and he was touched to see how his best friend didn’t judge him for uncontrollable fears! “Why didn’t you tell me anything ?”
“Because I was scared,” the shorter man confessed in a low tone. It felt strange to mention this source of worries out loud, but it also represented a serious relief to put all this weight away from his chest once and for all. “I was stuck in my own thoughts, lost control of my narrative, and lived in a biased reality influenced by my overthinking. I never wanted to make you feel bad for something you didn’t do or have the control of, but a part of me felt guilty to imagine how my unusual behavior would’ve led you into his arms instead of mine…I was too terrified of losing you.”
“You’ve got nothing to be worried about,” the blond said with a reassuring tone, pushing lost curls behind the knight’s ears. Izuku’s face looked unconvinced by these words, welcoming the heated palms lifting his head, and locking their fond glances together. “I’ve been loving you since we were brats who didn’t know anything about the rest of this journey. I've been following you in every step and wouldn’t change a single thing about it because you’re the only one I want by my side. Shitty hair had never been a rival, he got his own life outside this castle and I've got mine with my stupid boyfriend, who preferred playing the pouty guy.”
“Kacchan, I'm sincerely sorry for everything that happened,” mumbled the green-haired man, resting his forehead against the blond’s. He melted at the delicacy of the king’s thumbs against his cheeks, cupping his porcelain skin while catching the sweet smile crossing the knight’s lips, being the same one that captivated the king’s heart in their youth. “I should’ve been more honest about my jealousy and the place it took in our relationship. I've never doubted your love but was scared to see everything change with a second of inattention, not when I’ve spent so many years building a tale that mattered more than my own life with you.”
“I’m the first one surprised to see the outcome of this misunderstanding,” teased the taller man, stepping back to catch the sparkling eyes. There’s no doubt he would be able to fall a thousand times for the same man, when his missing half was as breathtaking and inspiring as Izuku Midoriya. “It can bring you a pleasant surprise, especially the one I’ve got for you…”
“Tell me about it,” the green-haired man added with a grin, curious to know what his boyfriend had planned for the occasion. He couldn’t help but show his excitement at the idea of receiving a surprise from his lover, knowing how Katsuki was the kind of partner to take every detail into account if this means making his missing half happier than ever.
“You need to close your eyes first, nerd,” he replied with a tease. His thumbs moved to the messy curls to push a lost one behind the shorter man’s ears, before hearing a sweet laugh when the freckled man closed his eyes. Izuku had always been a fan of surprises and was touched to see the efforts put into this dream date, and the revelations that contradicted his previous anxiety.
“Alright, it better be good.” Little did he made a good point with this comment, which appeared as a joke.
Stuck with nothing but black landscapes in his surroundings, the freckled man was forced to use the rest of his senses to catch the hints of the movements, exposed with the leaves on the ground and the muffled noises of the calloused hands, searching for the coveted object. Izuku tried to open one of his eyes and laughed when he got caught by the taller man, looked at him with an unimpressed glance, until he summoned his courage and whispered that it was time to discover his surprise. The freckled man obeyed with a smile, only to find the man he loved standing a few meters away from him with the most affectionate expression on his face, telling him everything he needed to know about the outcome of this conversation.
“I planned to put a ring on your fingers the moment I realized how easy it was to fall in love with you all over again, but never thought that stupid jealousy would be the reason behind this symbolic gesture,” the blond said with a pleased tone, noticing how the shorter man smiled at the comment. “I’m always stunned to see how you keep surprising me despite the obstacles we’ve been through, with the strength to transform them into a strength. Every time I think I know something about you, you remind me that love is full of coincidence and this confession is one of them. I should’ve done it sooner but I hope it’s not too late to share this question: Izuku Midoriya, will you marry me ?”
Izuku’s face turned red after seeing this pretty ring standing in the blond’s palm, too delicate to be stolen by the breeze of the wind, and precious to stand in broken fingers like his. The green-haired man never thought he would be able to experience love in this lifetime, and was happier than ever to welcome the tears falling down his cheeks when he realized how he was ready to marry his childhood friends a thousand times if necessary. After all, Katsuki never gave up on him and supported his moments of vulnerability despite their misunderstandings when someone else would’ve left a long time ago….
“Kacchan, are you sure about this ?”
Don’t get him wrong, he wasn’t against the idea of getting married to the love of his life, but he was still hesitant about the implications it would have in their kingdom once they found out about their unconventional union, which brought the warmest smiles to their faces. The golden-haired man was already the ruler of an envied title, with the power to change the rules if necessary, Izuku refused to be the one at the origin of his lover’s death if the subjects tried to take his life away, knowing he would never mourn such a loss.
“I’ve given you a paper ring on your fingers when we were five, I’m pretty sure I've waited enough to give you a real one,” the taller man said with a charming grin, moving closer to the shorter man, wiping the recent tears that rolled down the knight’s porcelain skin. Katsuki knew he had a lot to prove to the rest of his reign, and marrying his first and last love was something he was truly proud of: The world might have an opinion about their forbidden romance, but no amount of praise from the nameless shadows would replace the ones from his missing half.
“You’re so stupid, of course I will,” Izuku replied with a shaking tone.
The frames of their past appeared under the enchanting portraits of two children, growing over the years and creating the best of narratives, with nothing but the unconditional love they share for each other. After all, the two children started to get older enough to accept the responsibilities of their actions, including their mistakes, and nothing could ease the rising bliss inside the freckled man’s chest. His blurry vision noticed how the jewel fit perfectly with his finger, admiring its beauty before kissing his fiancé: His fingers lost themselves in the golden spikes as they both shared encouraging smiles, kicking their forehead together before sharing small chuckles about it… amazed by the fact that they were now engaged!
“This engagement also comes with the obligation to share everything that crosses your mind, freckles,” he whispered with a tease. The king had many duties related to his kingdom and his legacy, but he would rather be an exception to the rule with his other half, than a lonely man who married the wrong person, not when his soulmate had never left his side.
“Alright, but I can't promise anything,” the green-haired man replied with a chuckle, looking at the beautiful jewel in his hand. Izuku Midoriya was a lot of things and a devoted partner was one of them, even if the king planned to add “an amazing ruler" to his list. “I can’t believe it’s real-”
“I’m yours for eternity, love and we’ll make sure to shut every vulture down with the prettiest wedding they’ve ever seen,” the golden-haired man added with a smirk, hearing the comforting laugh of his lover, knowing he belongs in his arms until death do them part.
———
❅ Somewhere else in the snow mountains,
This white landscape portrayed a gentle reminder of the cold of these mountains, able to scare many people, who would rather look for more comfort in the closest town, than the challenging temperature. This lifestyle couldn’t please everyone, but the couple who resided here was well known for their touching story, which transcended the light breeze that followed the moving shadow, running as fast as possible to a road he already knew by heart.
It all started when they were not taller than three apples, residing in this small town that showed them the darkest secrets of these lands. The idea of traveling around the rest of the world already caught their attention more than once but nothing could erase the comfort of this place, with their caring parents and the redundancy of their habits in the mountains. They did complain a few times about their desire to reside in a location with a semblance of sunshine and appreciated the summer days in this secluded town, which showed enough of its charm to convince the small Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes.
Their personalities differed in many ways: Izuku was the kind omega who helped his mother during the market days and had a genuine chemistry with the animals, while Katsuki was an obstinate alpha with no friends, except for the wolf who grew up by his side and became the only person worthy of his trust. Their paths never crossed despite living in the small town, where everyone already knew about the latest gossip, with the exception of a few whispers and vulgar details not worth remembering.
Fate decided to seal their narrative on a peaceful afternoon.
That morning, Izuku agreed to help his mother with the resources for the arrival of the new season, that’ll bring more colors into this painting that already caught his attention more than once. The request was simple: help the son of a family she had known for years, and simply move the resources from one point to another. The teenager accepted this mission, which he’d already made a bunch of times in the past, unbothered by the idea of keeping his good reputation until his eyes met the one he recognized all too well.
Katsuki Bakugo was a popular name that occupied most of the attention for multiple reasons: He was described as a solitary soul with his stubbornness, but serious in his work with a certain angle of perfectionism that surprised more than one spying glance. His golden spikes were often compared to the blinding sun above their head, with captivating features on his face, known to make someone fall at first sight, especially with his signature grin and his crimson eyes. Izuku had already heard echoes about his reputation in the past and had never shown any interest in this figure that became the center of the gossip, until he was forced to accept how beautiful this guy was.
The freckled teenager sighed and hid the fast heartbeat inside his chest when he remembered how this beauty also came with an annoying personality, bringing him back to reality. Their scents revealed a sentiment of family, despite hearing a lot about each other’s though echoes in the delicate breeze, the same one that spread the news about their two souls, connecting with a single glance. The shorter teenager decided to make things right by introducing himself, with his palm in the small space between their two figures, noticing how the blond replied with rolled eyes, before interlacing their heated skin for a few seconds.
“I feel like I know more about you with the help of the curious wind than the secrets your pretty eyes haven’t admitted yet,” the blond said with a tease, noticing how the shorter omega looked annoyed by his previous comment. The freckled teenager wasn’t immune to the last murmurs concerning this alpha, coveted by many people, and hated by a majority of them at the same time. Izuku never took an interest in knowing if these rumors were true or not, but was forced to accept how the prose shared by his lips resonated as the prettiest lines of his favorite book. “I never thought it would be the great Deku keeping me company and helping my family for the day, I guess I should consider myself lucky.”
Technically Katsuki wasn’t wrong, Izuku Midoriya left an indelible trace everywhere he went, especially with his beauty and the kindness of his soul, if not his reputation as a sweetheart, which made many people fall in love with him at first sight. The blond won’t deny how the teenager standing in front of him was good looking with a certain charm he couldn’t name and wouldn’t be one of the numerous victims of this spell, even if he didn’t mind teasing the shorter teenage, the least he could do was tolerate Freckles’s presence and his sweet scent.
“I’ve heard a lot about you too, Katsuki Bakugo. Let me be clear, don’t think I'm doing this for you, I would’ve denied the offer if I knew I would spend my time with you but I have a promise to keep and the faster I finish this task, the easier I could return home and pretend nothing happened,” corrected the green-haired teenager with a sigh.
He already knew everything he needed concerning the blond and would’ve probably given him a chance to break the chains of his reputation if their scents didn’t betray their mutual stupidity. Luckily, the atmosphere lightened when Mitsuki and Masaru welcomed the shorter omega, explaining how much he's grown up since their last meeting. The emerald eyes accidentally met the speechless crimson ones after the previous revelations, learning about a forgotten past: Apparently, their paths already crossed a long time ago as inseparable pups, which seemed unbelievable at first, before realizing how it does make sense after connecting the numerous stories shared by their parents.
These details were quickly erased from their mind the moment they started to move boxes all over the place, with the sunlight against their skin and the breeze stealing the echoes of their conversations all around the town. Most spying eyes noticed how the two opposites were forced to hang out together and became the target of the other’s teasing, from the moment Katsuki pointed out the wrong location of a box, to the moment Izuku explained how he “accidentally” let one of the fruits fall on the ground. Their interactions could be seen as touching for the outside world but the more they listened to the others’ comments, the more annoyed they became: Katsuki Bakugo was nothing but an annoying alpha with his stupid perfectionism and Izuku Midoriya couldn’t handle the presence of this guy he wished to have never met.
The hours passed by and the two teenagers succeeded in surviving the day without throwing fruit at each other’s faces, even if some middle fingers were lost behind Mitsuki and Masaru’s backs, which only made Izuku smirk at his victory. In all honesty, despite the displeasing aspect of the blond’s personality, the green-haired boy had to admit how he was impressed to see the seriousness of their work team, and succeeded in making this task easier than it originally was. Maybe their motivation to get rid of each other as fast as possible was the key to this fast work, praised by the couple, who explained how they were ready to return the gesture anytime soon to their old friend!
Katsuki looked away, with the hope to avoid the freckled omega and saw his biggest nightmare come true two weeks later. If their glances met for a fraction of seconds, their previous shock was transformed into distant look, acting as if they haven’t seen each other before: It’s not because they were good looking and pretty charming that they were meant to fall for each other, they would make a terrible couple and a chaotic one…especilly when Izuku and Katsuki would rather do the hardest chores in the mountains than interact with each other again.
———
Unfortunately, their peace didn’t last for too long when their path met one year later, in fortunate happenstance.
Izuku was only fifteen years old when he accidentally found his supposed rival in a compromising position. It’s not like the two teenagers were completely innocent either, they were conscious that this part of the road was a forbidden access, considered too dangerous due to the weather conditions and the risk of heavy snow, able to block the safest roads. The first discovery of this hidden spot was a surprise that became their little secret, considerate as a shortcut until this trick became an important part of their narrative.
The first hints could be considered as discrete as background animals until the distinctive sound started to sound more like a human than a bear, ready to threaten any intruder in this hidden spot. Izuku, with his self-sacrificial needs before his rational thinking, decided to check by himself who it could be, moving closer to the source of this unexpected sound, only to find the familiar spikes in the corner of a rock. Izuku was tempted to joke about their accidental meeting but his tease was shortened when he noticed the blood on the ground, understanding how the stubborn blond was stuck here against his will.
The injury to his knees proved how he probably fell with a second of inattention and if the action itself caused some damage to his walking capacity, he ended up hurt by the thorns from the growing rose on the side. The failed attempts to take the thorns away from his legs were marked by the unpleasant expression on the blond’s face, revealing how painful this must have been to take this thing away. Katsuki barely noticed the close footsteps until the familiar scent of the omega forced him to lift his head and find the concerned emerald eyes, instead of the unwelcome glance.
“Shit, are you okay? What happened ?” He asked with a whisper and rising panic inside his chest. His mother already taught him a few tricks to save a life, which was useful when he helped the injuries of the neighborhood but he never thought this knowledge would help him to save the life of the guy he hated!
“You cursed,” mumbled the blond with an exhausted tone. After all, he always thought that the sweet and naive Izuku Midoriya was too precious to use his mouth to share something other than praise to the extras who weren’t worth the attention but he was wrong. Katsuki knew he needed to explain how he ended up here but the omega’s presence made him think about how they might both have more similarities than they thought.
“And you're bleeding, what’s our biggest priority here ?” The shorter man replied with a sigh, taking a quick glimpse at the alpha’s state. At first sight, it didn’t seem too dangerous, even if the omega needed to proceed with enough caution, with a non-negotiable risk to see the injury worsen to the point of paralyzing the blond’s legs.
A short look at the crimson eyes let Izuku know how the blond didn’t expect such an answer, and if the freckled teenager noticed the previous shade of red on the other’s cheeks, he chose to ignore this sight and stay focused on the terrible state of the legs under his eyes. His heart missed a beat when he accidentally touched the sensitive skin, hearing the groan of pain that followed the previous check, indicating how the body was clearly impacted by the slightest touch. Izuku didn’t think twice before grabbing the thin ribbon in his bag, which took dust from his last trip and started to wrap it around the fragile skin with multiple layers to make sure the material was strong enough to help the process….even if the worst was about to come.
“Hold on, what are you doing ?” Katsuki asked with a preoccupied tone, stepping back with a groan of pain as he locked his eyes with the focused emerald ones. It’s not like he expected the blond to accept his help in the blink of an eye without a fair exchange and was touched to see how someone like the unreachable Katsuki Bakugo was another human scared of something he couldn’t control. “Do you know how to take this thing away instead of wrapping me like some early gift ?”
“I’m not surebut every option is better than letting you die here,” he replied with a serious tone, holding the strong legs closer to him with an efficient grip. He pressed a little tighter on the fragile leg, catching the distant curses escaping the other’s lips, until the tip of the thorn started to show up with the uncomfortable sight of the blood, ruining the precious tissue.
“I thought you hated me,” The distinction between the vulnerability of Katsuki’s voice and his usual stubbornness was almost heartwarming if the omega wasn’t focused on the emergency of their situation. They didn’t have time to have a proper talk about feelings or whatever crossed their mind, each second mattered and the longer he kept the thorns near his muscle, the more painful it would be to take them out!
“I do but I don't want to bring a corpse back to the town, as annoying as you are,” he simply responded with a light tone, wondering if he truly meant the previous words that escaped his lips. Izuku needed to be careful from now on as he moved closer to the bloody ribbon, sensing the distressed scent of the alpha near his reach. “Alright, I need you to trust me for the next part: This will be painful but it’s the easiest solution to avoid a no-return point. No matter what happens, trust me until the very end-”
Katsuki barely had time to reply before releasing a loud curse when he felt the shorter man pressing his sensitive skin closer to the infected area. His own hand grabbed the closest source of comfort, digging his nails into the fabric while explaining how this was more painful than any of his near-death experiences under the reassuring speech of the shorter omega, announcing how it was almost over. The scarlet blood that covered the broken fingers of the teenager became a blurry souvenir when Izuku finally succeeded in having access to the thorn and took it away, crossing his fingers to be fast enough to avoid an infection.
The green-haired teenager didn’t miss a second to grab the closest object near his reach that was similar to the products he left at home earlier, hoping it would be enough to calm the injury for a while before getting real medical products. Izuku wasn’t the most acknowledged person in the town about medicine but he made sure to take off a part of his clothes and wrap them around the injury to stop the bleeding until they returned home. He stepped back with a sigh, wiping the sweat away from his forehead, and looked back at the stunned crimson ones, who hadn’t said a single word about it, despite looking more vulnerable than earlier.
“You know, you didn’t have to do this,” Katsuki pointed out in a low tone, almost like he was ashamed of what previously happened. After all, if someone in the town knew about how the obstinate Katsuki Bakugo received help from the kind Izuku Midoriya, he would’ve been mocked when it was a life-or-death situation. It was the first time he put his complete trust in someone other than his parents and his loyal wolf but he couldn’t act like an asshole when the omega took his time to save his life, when he should’ve left him here…
“Yeah, but I wanted to,” responded the shorter man with a light smile. The unpleasant sight of the marked snow and clothes on the ground made him realize how they’ll have a lot to explain once they return to their respective houses. There was something touching about the way the crimson eyes looked at him as if he accomplished some kind of miracle, when it was another habit of his, even if Izuku was glad to see how Katsuki didn’t reject his help for something as important as the value of his life. “Don't you know how dangerous this road is? You’re lucky I was there, who knows what could’ve happened if you were on your own.”
“I should return the question, what were you doing here? Trying to escape from another broken heart ?”
It was a well-known fact that Izuku Midoriya was beautiful, and many people who tried to get their chances with him got rejected in a polite way, knowing how the omega would rather stay focused on the state of his family than some courting gift from potential mates in town. If it sounded rude at first sight, Katsuki understood his motives: After all, some of the seducers tried to consider the unreachable omega as some kind of trophy to expose in their collection, while others were simply well-intentioned and accepted this rejection without talking behind the omega’s back.
“As if you weren’t better than me,” he sighed, recalling the last time he heard some girls explaining how the blond rejected them. It was none of Izuku’s business to dig into Katsuki’s personal life but living in this small place gave them the misfortune to know the latest rumors about everyone before the wind spread it to the spying midnight stars. “I always take this as a secret path to reach my home without access to the main road, especially under such conditions with this snow.”
“Looked like we were both doing the same thing,” pointed out the blond with a hidden grin, noticing how the emerald eyes softened at the previous tease. It felt strange to stand in this isolated landscape they’ve known since their birth, only to discover the taste of novelty in memorable exchanges like this one, where the public opinion became a blurry souvenir once they were alone with their comprehensive glances.
“Exept only one of us got injured,” the freckled teenager replied with another grin.
A sudden silence filled the close space between them, listening to the caress of the breeze and the white scenery under their eyes. None of them dared to break the current silence, conscious of the few centimeters that separated their faces, and the strong scent that betrayed their thoughts as the comforting omega put his guard down to make a last check at the homemade bandage, under the endearing sight of the blond, who decided to break the quiet atmosphere.
“I fell,” he mumbled with a sigh, looking at the understanding omega, who didn’t seem surprised by the recent revelations.
“I know,” Izuku replied with a simple nod. He had the occasion to judge him for this mistake that wasn’t his fault in the first place, or let the alpha pay for the work they’ve done the last year together but the freckled teenager wanted to make things right and put this rivalry aside for a moment, even if this won’t change anything in their current dynamic and they’ll still hate each other at the end of the day.
“Why aren’t you mocking me ?” The question unconsciously left the alpha’s lips. Katsuki knew he was stupid to ask such a thing when it became a norm in their dynamic, but there was something touching about how Izuku hadn’t tried to put him down when he deserved to be punished for all the things he said and did to his supposed rival, which turned out to be one of his biggest allies.
“Because you needed my help with this injury,” he responded with a smile. His goal wasn’t to scare or put the blond in an uncomfortable situation, he wanted to show him that there was nothing to be worried about when it comes to this aspect of their rivalry they’ve normalized instead of taking the time to understand each other.
“It’s not this deep-”
“Say the one who needs my help for returning home,” Izuku pointed out with a chuckle when he saw how the blond rolled his eyes at the inevitable comment.
At this point, Katsuki couldn’t run away and pretend to be fine on its own when it would’ve probably been found dead if no one had been looking for it in this part of the forest. In his misfortune, he got the luck to reconnect with the one who gave him grey hair and caused a genuine source of annoyance the last year, who turned out to be a different person with his gentle expression on his face, almost like they were younger enough to cherish the creation of fond souvenirs, pushing their rivalry aside.
“Why do you hate me ?”
Izuku looked at the taller alpha with a stunned expression on his face, noticing how the blond put his shell down to offer an ounce of vulnerability he wouldn’t have shown in public. There was something endearing about the sparkle in the crimson eyes, similar to the snowflake that crossed their hair during one of the magical souvenirs of their youth. The green omega didn’t have any regrets about saving lives at the cost of his own, there was no reason to let Katsuki suffer in silence when his existence was as valuable as the others, even if he was still hard to read at first sight. The shy teenager didn’t mind spending more time with the blond if this meant feeling safe from the judgment of the outside world.
“Because you have thousands of reasons to be considerate as unlikable,” he said with a sigh, knowing this argument won’t be enough to cover the secret admiration he had for the blond. Izuku knew it was stupid to hide under a mask of rivalry when he had wanted to be friends with Katsuki a long time ago, however the obstinate behavior of the alpha convinced him that hating someone would be sometimes easier to accept than rejection.
“What about yours ?” Katsuki knew the risk he was taking by asking this specific question to the nerd.
After all, he was known for his strong reputation, and stayed observant with the influence of the public’s opinion: Some extras tried to reach out to him with nothing but genuine intention to be his friend, only to be rejected by the majority of his peers. The blond never understood why the approval of an outside crowd was necessary when it concerned something as fragile as friendship. He accepted the company of his wolf who made him feel loved by someone outside this comfortable house…until Izuku showed up and agreed to save his life without thinking twice.
“Don’t tell me you’ve started hating me because you’ve heard the rest of this shitty town say bullshit about me…”
“What if it were the case ?” Izuku wasn’t proud of this behavior and knew how stupid it was of him to believe the popular gossip instead of the most reliable source: Katsuki himself. A sudden guilt filled his chest, wondering what he should do to make himself forgiven for jumping to the wrong conclusion but he also assisted in the daily interactions with Katsuki, and some of their whispers were proven right….even if this belonged to the complex personality of the discreet alpha standing by his side.
“I would say it hurt me,” confessed the blond, sharing a distant glance at the shorter man, who succeeded in reading between the lines for the first time.
His heart missed a beat when he noticed how Katsuki looked affected after the previous explanations, covering his suffering with a fake grin, which became his golden jail. Don’t get him wrong, the two teenagers were ready to forgive the stupid mistakes they’ve committed in the past, admiring how their naive souls rested together in a moment of confession about stories they hadn’t shared with anyone else.
Katsuki Bakugo was a lonely spirit but Izuku Midoriya never had the company of a true friend, recalling the numerous times when people only cared about a chance to be his mate instead of a sincere friend. It felt strange to have the company of someone who understood his inexplicable struggle, no matter if he was portrayed as the bad guy or the hero of a story, forged by public opinion. They both had their flaws but none of them seemed to be a real bother when they stood next to each other, understanding in a simple glance this loneliness that’s haunted their shoulders for too long.
“Let me return the question, why do you hate me ?” This time, it was Izuku’s turn to get the answers he never had, and he was surprised by the genuine reaction from the distant alpha, who didn’t cover his distressed glance, ready to share words that acted as a stab in his bleeding heart.
“Because you’re my complete opposite,” he said with a low tone. Katsuki gathered enough courage to take a look at the heartbreaking glance on the omega’s face, containing the confessions he hadn't shared yet, but readable in the blink of an eye. The blond wasn’t the kind of guy to easily fit in a crowd but he easily understood why so many people fell in love with the beauty of these pretty emerald eyes, reminding him of a brilliant midnight sky. “You’ve got the praise and compliment from everyone while I'm pictured as the bad guy. I started to think you could’ve probably been the exception to all these extras who found comfort in this bullshit, I don’t blame you for believing their words instead of mine when the pressure was too strong on your shoulders. It’s my fault for hoping for a miracle when I still have a lot of work to do for myself…But at least you took the time to listen to me and save my life.”
Izuku didn’t respond despite the song the fast heartbeat in his chest, relieved to assist in the creation of a new friendship, stronger than the weight of their past: After all, Katsuki seemed to be the only one understanding his struggles, despite the reputation that influenced his previous thinking. At this moment, he wasn’t the kind soul who represented the hope for this corrupted town, but the bad guy for pushing aside his own belief and falling into a conclusion that never pleased him in the first place.
After all, why should he automatically push Katsuki aside when he deserved to make his proof and live like the others? He might be more difficult to read and complex to deal with but he remained a human with feelings and justified emotions concerning the multiple rejections he received since his youth. It was painful to think how this loneliness became a norm for him, forcing his heart to take all the hits and protect himself behind a shell, knowing how it was the only way to survive in this world. Izuku sighed, moving closer to the blond and noticing how his crimson eyes had never looked so vulnerable until now, hoping it wasn’t too late to give the apology they both deserved about this messed-up situation.
“You know, I don't really hate you,” the omega confessed with a low tone, conscious that the alpha didn't believe in his poor explanation. It was rational to think all of this was another trick to abuse his trust and talk behind his back, but Izuku knew his pain better than anyone. “I’m sorry for saying that earlier, I’ve never wanted to hurt you. This sounds unbelievable but I’ve always admired how you’re a pretty good worker and I’ve respected how flaws often represent a certain strength. You’re not as bad as it seems, even if it’s easier to hide in the public opinion than admit your difference out loud. I have my faults for being jealous of your ability to perfect everything you’ve been doing without any failures, I’ve always tried to be as strong as you but it has led me to failures. This probably influenced me to choose the easiest path instead of fighting for the justice I’m supposed to defend, but being the good guy sucks too. It’s not because you are loved by an entire town, that means you’ll find people with good intentions by your side…I don’t think you should envy me when this role made me realize how I’ve never been this lonely.”
There was something reassuring about Izuku’s speech, who easily put his guard down and let him know how he felt the same, despite never mentioning his source of worries earlier. Katsuki always thought he was stuck in this predisposed role given by strangers he didn’t care about, only to discover how he had never been alone, at least not when his supposed rival understood the weight of his tears… better than anyone else.
“So the entire time we’ve been hating each other for nothing ?” The blond simply asked with a lighter tone. He moved closer to put a lost curl behind the omega’s ears, catching the hidden shade of red that colored his cheeks at the intimate gesture, before revealing a delighted expression on his face.
“Apparently yeah.” Izuku couldn’t believe how their stupidity made them waste precious years of a friendship that didn’t seem so problematic with hindsight! To be honest, they were happier than ever to know they both figured things out in this tender exchange, marking the beginning of a series of events that’ll define the rest of this sweet narrative.
“Should we try again ?”
Hearing such words from the blond was enough to understand how Katsuki was ready to forgive his previous mistakes, only if the omega wanted to do the same. A small smile crossed the corner of Izuku’s lips, offering a touching sight to the fast heartbeat in the alpha’s chest and the delighted scents that filled the close space between them. The scarred hands moved to meet the calloused ones, revealing an awed expression on his face, as if they were five years old again.
“Nice to meet you, I'm Izuku Midoriya,” he whispered with a soft tone, feeling the warmth of the blond’s palm against his. The shorter man didn’t know why he felt so affected by the simple touch of the alpha’s hand on his heated skin, closer to his wrist and decided to put the blame on the euphoria of the moment.
“The pleasure is all mine,” the blond responded with a grin, losing his fingers in the messy curls. The shorter man’s face welcomed the intimate gesture and the sudden need to stand closer to this unknown scent that felt like home for unknown reasons. “I'm Katsuki Bakugo.”
The two teenagers agreed to leave their hidden spot after seeing the first ray of sunset coloring the peaceful atmosphere, with the scarred hands behind the blond’s back, guiding the fragile body into the familiar path as they both continued their conversations with stolen laugh and more confessions, accepting the fact that fate was probably mocking them for denying this chemistry for so many years. The delicate fingers made sure to hold Katsuki’s shoulders in a comfortable position with some questions about his state and his legs, reassured to know everything was fine, even if the effect of his temporary medication started to make the alpha handle his silent groan of pain.
The first people who noticed their presence were their parents, who immediately rushed to make a serious check on their son’s condition. Inko held the shorter omega closer, explaining how terrified she was, while the couple asked thousands of questions concerning the blood on his clothes and the recent injuries, before looking at the green-haired teenager and thanking him for the extra care given to their son. Izuku explained in detail what happened and the kind of specific remedy available in the town, under the proud glance of his mother’s face and the reassured crimson eyes, until a sudden noise caught their attention. The two teenagers shared a curious glance, noticing the sheep that matched the white landscape in their surroundings, knowing how she should be with her flock!
“Oh my- What are you doing here alone ?” Asked the shorter omega, welcoming the unexpected visit that refused to leave his side, under the amused expression of the group. Izuku didn’t know why she seemed so attached to him, despite the impression of deja vu that crossed Katsuki’s mind about his loyal wolf, glad to see how the nerd found the friend he'd been looking for…
“Looks like you’ve got a fan,” he teased with a grin, stealing a glimpse at the green emerald eyes. “I’ve also got one of them, let me tell you something…once they found you, they refused to let you go.”
Little did he know how Katsuki was right when he saw the sheep staying by his side once he returned home with his mother, followed by the casual tease of the golden-haired alpha, who watched the scene with a hidden grin.
———
Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo became inseparable after that.
Something shifted in their relationship, almost like the conversation in the mountains succeeded in transforming every moment of weakness into a strength. Their parents couldn’t be happier to know that their children were glued most of the time to their shared activities, whether it was from selling their resources in the market or participating in the occasional chores of the town.
The freckled teenager’s face brightened every time he noticed the presence of his new friend in the room or at the corner of the street, such as Katsuki, who put his solitary habits aside and slowly got used to the company of his favorite person. Izuku always asked questions about the blond’s favorite habits, food, and remained amazed between each answer, especially when the alpha returned the gesture and agreed to prolong their chores to spend more time together!
Their bond started to be the center of the gossip and the most curious eyes, stunned to see how the supposed rivals ended up laughing about stupid comments, instead of sharing death glares. In all honesty, the town started to doubt about the sincerity of their friendship, who took the prettiest form of stolen lullaby with the sparkled emerald eyes, and the understanding crimson ones, who had regained the hope he's been longing for. There was something heartwarming about the sight of their two shadows, standing so close and yet so far at the same time, belonging to their small bubbles without taking into account the outside world.
The rumours disappeared one month after the surprising discovery of this new relationship that caught the entire town off guard, until it became hidden in plain sight with their growing bonds and unforgettable memories. Each souvenirs were treasured like the prettiest gift they’ve received from fate, every laughter were considered a fond melody to their healing hearts and the two teenagers couldn’t be happier to know they’ve finally found a shoulder to cry on.
The years passed by and before realizing it, the inseparable duo was about to reach their majority very soon. Izuku and Katsuki knew how their eighteenth birthday represented an important element in their lives, highlighted by the joy of seeing the recognizable face that transformed loneliness into a forgotten part of their past. Their unexpected meeting at the mountain was a fortunate happenstance they’ve cherished more than any victories they’ve shared until now, even if this year was marked by personal motives.
The rise of romantic feelings didn’t surprise them after everything they’ve been through, and represented a source of distress once their lost souls got stuck in this no-return point, with the shake of their beloved relationship on the line. After all, the slightest obstacles could easily be avoided with their mutual support and encouraging words, and love was considered a blessing after their pleasant discoveries. Falling for each other was easier than breathing, the fast heartbeat inside their chest reminded them of the warmth they’d longed for between each separation, while their fingers almost intertwined in the middle of the night, after a terrible nightmare that woke them up.
Katsuki Bakugo fell in love with his best friend when he saw the brightest smile on his face after a silly conversation shared in the woods. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the shorter omega and wasn’t afraid to take risks when it came to exploring chapters they hadn’t written yet…explaining why he impatiently waited for the nerd’s birthday to confess his feelings, and face the consequences of his actions at this moment.
Izuku Midoriya fell in love with his best friend when he accepted how he had never felt judged or criticized by the person who supported him despite his numerous flaws. He stopped counting the number of times he knocked at the blond’s door with teary eyes and rested in his arms until he calmed down with the reassuring scent, and the encouraging voice explaining how everything was fine. No matter the time of the day or the comforting promises murmured in their intimate exchanges, the shorter omega knew the safest place in this corrupted world was his mate’s arms. For the occasion, the omega wanted to confess his feelings during Katsuki’s birthday, as his unique gift…hoping his sentiments were mutual!
None of them confessed on each other’s birthdays, but they did share their first kiss after a fight that started in the most chaotic way. The main reason for their argument was related to the fact that some extras tried to ask Izuku out a few hours ago, under the jealous crimson eyes and the fact that the omega almost hesitated as a joke. The simple idea of seeing another alpha stealing the omega’s heart was unbelievable, even if the shorter man kept explaining how he never planned to accept! Their voices started to get louder until they felt the need to hold the other’s shirt and before realizing it, their lips met in an inexperienced kiss that lasted for a few seconds, with a scarlet color on their cheeks.
Katsuki returned the gesture and their second kiss became a third and fourth one, until the gentle “I love you” finally appeared in their conversation. This new step of their journey was full of surprises, many ups and downs, but the two men couldn’t be happier to show their proud mating bites to the public a few months after the officialization of their relationship. Their discrete tease became explicit, taking the form of handholds deviating into more intimate parts of each other’s bodies, amazed to spend the rest of their lives with the person they loved the most.
Izuku Midoriya was an amazing lover, and it was evident when Katsuki decided to get Inko’s approval to marry her son at the age of 24 years old. The older woman didn’t hesitate before accepting the heartwarming speech made by the protective alpha, admiring this mutual devotion and the rising bliss on their faces, as if they had always belonged in each other’s arms. The taller man wanted to make things right and decided to let his wedding proposal catch the freckled man off guard, noticing how the nerd held back his tears once he found the prettiest ring standing near his reach. The speech shared by the devoted alpha brought him back to the exchange they’ve shared in the woods years ago, before shutting his lover down with a kiss.
Their wedding was celebrated 6 months later, knowing how they wanted to make the ceremony comfortable for their loved ones. The timeless vows on the altar echoed as the promises they’ve sworn to keep in this lifetime, with the same stupid smiles that charmed their hearts years ago, continuing this fairytale they’ve started with a simple glance. Their married life was as amazing as they expected, treating each other with constant reminders of their love, from the stolen kisses to their cheeks to the fingers wrapped around the small belly that started to show up a few years later after their tender union.
Many things have happened since their first meeting: they’ve left the small houses of their parents to create their own in the next village, more welcoming than their native hometown, but close enough to their families if they needed a quick visit from time to time. The final result of their weeks of construction took the form of a small cocoon with the found promises shared under the bedsheet, the joy of this stunning ring on their fingers, and the excitement at the idea of being parents for the first time.
Their beloved wolf and sheep got along pretty fast and seemed as inseparable as their owners, under the endearing glances of the couple, who wouldn't wish for a better story than theirs….at least until the birth of their first pup.
———
The loud footsteps in this snow vanished with the strong breeze as a groan escaped the blond’s lips, reflecting his genuine struggle to make a single step on this path he already knew by heart.
Indeed, the couple agreed to make a special code between them to inform the other about a water break or if something had happened to the omega when his mate was out of reach. This decision was originally made to warn their significant other since the pregnancy announcements and change in the freckled man’s body: The poor Izuku complained about insecurities that grew over the months, afraid to not be strong or pretty enough for his husband, only to be reassured with passionate kisses and a light whisper that brought a smile back to his face. It was a miracle if their loyal acolytes sensed a strong chemistry during their first meeting, being a reflection of their owners and the charm of this small place. The months of training their sheep and their wolf ended up representing a slight pride when the crimson eyes immediately recognized the hints shared by the innocent animal, who recognized the sudden panic in his master’s eyes.
It must explain why the road to their isolated house became the longest of his life, counting each second as they were an hour to his biased perspective, shouting at his loyal partner in crime to guide him to the closest path. Their shadows disappeared in this cold temperature, with a frozen body and a desire to fight until the very last minute, using all the strength to reach his home and make sure to keep his mate safe and deliver this pup straight into their arms!
Katsuki had never been this anxious in his life, and yet, a slight relief crossed his face when he recognized the familiar house from afar with the light from the inside, and the sheep at their doorstep. He took a few seconds to pat the wolf’s head and thanked him for his amazing service, before putting the two animals in the closest source of warmth, different from their house, in order to have some privacy. The calloused hands opened the door and immediately caught the heavy scent that crossed his nose, sensing the distressed omega from inside.
His body moved on its own when he found the trembling omega on his nest, holding back the tears that had already fallen down his cheeks. The taller man took his coat off and made sure to rest as close as possible to his lover, holding his hands and checking if he didn’t have any fever before feeling the strong grip in their intertwined fingers. In all honesty, this first pregnancy had been scary for the young couple, afraid to mess things up with such an important event in their lives but they refused to give up, even if the strong omega was whispering between two breaths how he wanted to push this demon out of him as soon as possible.
“It’s okay, I'm here,” Katsuki whispered with a loving tone, discreet enough to caress the freckled man’s ears. Izuku was relieved to know how his mate came right in time before the birth of their pup, knowing how the shorter man couldn’t have done all of this on his own! “Shit, I’m sorry I knew I should've stayed here instead of going to the village. How do you feel, how recurrent the contractions are-”
“I feel like I'm about to push another human out of my body and it hurts more than walking hundreds of kilometers on the hottest day of summer,” he succeeded in replying with a loud breath, holding the calloused hands tighter. “I don’t know since when it started but the pup decided to disturb my sleep five minutes after your departure and hasn’t stopped since…they must really love you for causing me such trouble. If they gain your strength, I’ll make sure to teach them how to fight straight in the nest-okay, it’s getting serious now.”
“Shit, shit-” After all, it was the first time Katsuki assisted at birth by himself, and he could easily lose his rational thinking due to the growing anxiety and the idea of messing things up. His husband and pup’s life were on the line, and a single second of inattention could cause the downfall of the moment the couple waited the most! “I need you to take a deep breath and work on this exercise your mother mentioned the last time we met. It won’t calm the pain, but it’ll make you feel better for a while, at least until we get this brat out of here. Is there anything I can do to make this easier ?”
“Grab the closest blanket near your reach,” the freckled man said between two breaths. “And something sharp to- urgh- to cut the umbilical cord but we’re not here yet…and stay by my side, I don’t think I can do this without you.”
Katsuki gave a quick kiss to the sweaty forehead, explaining how he’ll be back as soon as possible while rushing as if his own life was on the line. His trembling hands grabbed more blankets and a source of comfort he could find on his way, making sure to put the sharp object on the side, and immediately rushed back to his husband. The freckled man wanted to say how impressed he was by the rapidity of his mate, but the new contractions forced a painful groan out of his lips, immediately intertwining his hand with the strong one, ready to take every hit if this meant helping his lover in the process. In all honesty, the couple couldn’t believe how they’ve never been this close to the idea of meeting their child, being excited to hold their first pup in their arms but it was too late to have doubts, Izuku had another human to push out of his body!
“I know this shit is terrifying, and this is probably the strongest obstacle you have to face but I won't let you handle this on your own. Hold my hand and feel the need to break it if you become overwhelmed by the pain, tell me if there’s anything I can do to help you in the entire process,” Katsuki whispered with a fond tone, stealing another kiss on his husband’s forehead, noticing the teary emerald eyes. He couldn’t be prouder to marry the love of his life and see him being the dam of his legacy, even if the hardest part was about to come but it was the two of them against the rest of the world.
“Kacchan, I'm scared,” mumbled the shorter man, holding the calloused hands tighter. Izuku already had a talk with his mother and Mitsuki about his upcoming birth and applied their breathing technique, which succeeded in appeasing the situation between the two contradictions. He truly hope it would be enough to deliver his baby in the best conditions! The reassuring crimson eyes looked at him with a supportive glance, letting his mate know how he would rather die than leave his other half with this tough process.
“I know you can do it,” he whispered with a soft tone, helping his mate into a more comfortable position while giving him one of his scented clothes on the side. Katsuki was convinced the nerd would be able to survive this hell, even if he was also terrified at the heartbreaking view of the man he loved handling so much suffering on his own. “You’re the strongest person I've ever seen and giving up isn’t an option when you’re the only one able to let us meet this brat we’ve been awaiting for months. Listen to me, the first time you’ve opened your heart to me in this cave you saved me from a premeditated death, it’s my turn to return the gesture and stand by your side when you need me the most.”
“But what should I do now ?” The panic in the freckled man’s heart shattered the blond’s heart, he needed to keep motivating his husband, even if each victory needed to be celebrated in the slightest.
“You need to keep pushing until the silence of this house is filled with newborn cries,” Katsuki replied with an encouraging tone, bringing the scarred fingers to his lips. He grabbed this second of inattention to whip the sweat away from his mate’s forehead before pushing the lost curls behind the omega’s ears. “I’m terrified too, pushing is the best we can do at the moment. Izuku, I've never doubted a single second about how far you can go for your loved ones, I couldn't be happier to be the one spending the rest of my life with you and I'll be there, every second of it. Consider this as a thorn, the faster you keep breathing and pushing, the faster you’ll be freed from this pain….”
The cautious fingers whipped the salty tears away with a kiss on his forehead. Izuku didn’t know he needed to hear these encouraging words until they reminded him how it was his turn to be the hero of someone’s story, even if this promised to be the longest minutes of his life. The scarred hands never left the calloused ones as he closed his eyes and switched between the contractions and his breathing exercise, with the constant praise of his husband. Katsuki had the sensation of feeling having broken bones between each grip and he didn’t deserve the right to complain when he saw the courage of his mate, as their invisible victories started to slowly take the form of a newborn, letting them know how they were closer to the final line.
“You’re doing amazing, love,” he said between two praises, switching between the glances made at his lover’s state, and the one of his pup, who offered a strange vision of their first reunion, but it was the least of his problems. “You’re getting closer, one final push, and everything will be fine. I know how painful this is and I'm sincerely sorry you have to experience all of this but you’ve never gotten this close to the final line…keep fighting, and you’ll be able to rest with your family. You’re such a good omega, I’ve never been so proud of you for going this far.”
The encouraging words succeeded in bringing enough courage to the shorter man, who closed his eyes and decided to give his everything in this one last push, convinced that he almost broke a finger on the alpha’s hand. However, there was no time to feel guilty when the next seconds offered a complete silence in this house, now occupied by the snowflakes falling on the windows and the heavy breath escaping the freckled man’s lips, resting his head on the scented item of his lover. The heavy atmosphere brought a sudden burden to the omega’s heart, realizing how he hated the quietness of this place that lasted too long for his liking, before hearing the sound of a sharp tool, and the sudden cries that resonated in the room in the next few minutes.
Izuku’s face widened when he figured out how the blond took the lead and decided to make things easier, releasing an appeasing scent as he made sure to wrap the newborn in a blanket to clean the tiny pup, that’ve never been so fragile, despite her cries, which were considered the prettiest sound he had ever heard. His trembling body whipped his own tears when he held her tiny body inside his arms, noticing how the first detail that caught his attention was the freckles on her chubby cheeks, the same ones she inherited from her dam, before moving their daughter closer to the stunned emerald eyes.
“Look who finally showed up after giving us grey hair,” he whispered in a delighted tone, noticing how the shaking arms carefully reached out for the tiny newborn and guided her straight to his chest. The blond’s fingers ruffled the messy curls and shared a kiss behind his ears, noticing how the distressed scent of his husband was now transformed into a protective one the moment his eyes met the crimson ones of their daughter. “She’s a strong girl, just like her dam.”
“Is she…real ?” The hesitation in the omega’s voice proved how he was too exhausted to consider this as his current reality until the tiny fingers moved in the air. If Katsuki didn’t say anything, he smiled at the mesmerizing emerald eyes and how he's never looked this happy since their shared vows at their wedding, with the cautiousness to not break the porcelain skin of their beloved daughter. “Yes you are- Your dad was right, you got enough nerves to break each of my bonds but it’s worth the try if this means holding the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. I love you so much sweetie, you have no idea how much we’ve been waiting for you…welcome home, you’re safe now.”
He moved his fingers behind the small head to hold her closer, hearing the new cries that filled the silence of this room before putting their pup in a more comfortable position, admiring how gorgeous she was. Her blonde curls reflected the strong genes of her dad, such as her adorable glance, even if the adorable freckles on her cheeks proved how she had the ability to seal many hearts on the spot. Izuku and Katsuki fell in love with their daughter the moment their eyes met, a single glimpse was all it needed to recognize the unconditional love they both share for the legacy, which already represented their biggest pride.
They couldn’t believe how their daughter was standing right in front of them with the prettiest lullaby they’ve ever heard. She looked so fragile and delicate at first sight but her weight against her dam’s skin, wrapped by the reassuring scent of her father, succeeded in transforming this scene into the most beautiful painting they’ve ever seen. Her tiny fingers moved in the air, meeting the warmth of the omega’s skin and heard the soft laugh that left her parents'lips, before feeling a light kiss against the small head.
“You’ve made it, freckles,” Katsuki whispered with a loving tone. He stole another kiss against his husband’s cheeks, happier than ever to stand with the man who’s caught his heart on random snowy days and his precious daughter, too fragile for this corrupted world. “I told you how there was nothing you can’t beat, i’m so proud of you and I love you, both of you, so freaking much-” He took a glance at the sweet smile drawing itself on the omega’s lips and the newborn, who questioned the familiarity of these blurry faces and voices she’s already heard a millions of times in the past.
It’s safe to say that day Katsuki and Izuku refused to close their eyes, afraid to wake up from this ethereal dream, as they admired how beautiful their daughter looked. That day, the beloved Hana Bakugo Midoriya was born during a snowfall, with the found support of the sheep and the wolf who immediately adopted her into the family and changed the lives of her parents, who promised to take the world down for her smile…
———
⋆⁺₊ Somewhere else in a silent town,
The loud music with repetitive songs in the background gave him an impression of deja vu concerning his teenage years, even if the familiarity of this place reminded him how he had grown older through the years. The rhythm of the songs succeeded in stealing the attention of a majority of the crowd, who would rather dance, in the center of the room, rather than play the therapist for Izuku’s conflicts. He couldn’t blame them, if he had enough courage, he would’ve made a stupid decision with some stranger and one-night stand but tonight the freckled man was too exhausted to even pretend.
He should’ve seen it coming, it’s not like this guy was the love of his life when they barely had a proper date or went beyond any boundaries. It all started when the teacher wanted to explore a part of his sexuality he hadn't mentioned to any of his loved ones yet, and naively agreed to give it a try with one of his colleagues, knowing how this man was also questioning his sexual orientation. It was motivated by good intentions at first, accompanied by small talk about the impression of finding a friend about this sensitive topic until he reached the no return point.
He couldn’t contain the anger he felt at the idea of being betrayed by this man, who had the audacity to claim out loud how he’s never been interested in the same sex when his previous words betrayed his sudden change of mind and judging glance! With hindsight, it was clear how Izuku had been used as a distraction for this straight guy, who was quickly seen making out with other women during their break. It’s not like Izuku could force someone to understand his personal struggles, especially when he wasn’t interested in him as a romantic partner but he believed in the company of a true friend, who turned out to be a backstabber! This idiot had the audacity to pretend they'd never met in the first place, explaining why the teacher would rather spend his time with the older shadow behind the bar, than cursing some asshole who wasn’t worth of his time.
Izuku wasn’t desperate enough to drink until he forgot about his own name, he even begged to find a white knight able to save him from the cruelty of this world. The only thing he requested from the shining stars in this midnight sky, was the company of someone who wouldn’t see him as a way to warm their bed or share pretty lies! Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed the background noises of another person who decided to sit beside him, explaining how he needed enough drink to forget about his shitty day.
A few minutes passed by as the bartender served the first drink to his new client, who thanked him with an extra tip, taking a quick glimpse at the stranger beside him. This extra hasn't shared a single word but the distressed sight of his thumbs against the transparent glasses proved that he wasn’t here to join the party with the others. Katsuki Bakugo wasn’t the kind of guy to force conversations and knew he should've stayed at home instead but he didn’t mind some company on this lonely night.
“You’re probably the only person able to enjoy this beer, you must either have the tastebud of a gastronomical chief, or the one of a desperate soul finding comfort in the worst choice concerning your drinks,” he pointed out with a sigh, noticing how the previous comment caught the shorter man’s attention, who moved his head and found a pleasant surprise.
The curls that distinguish itself from the crows, weren’t black, due to the darkness of this place, but an appeasing green with a specific shade that highlighted the clear difference. The first details noticed by the blond about the stranger, who seemed curious about his previous tease, were the shining emerald eyes, similar to the prettiest jewel he had seen in this lifetime. The luminosity of this place didn’t do any favor to the captivating stranger standing right under Katsuki’s eyes, being the prettiest man he had ever seen with the specific forms concerning the spaced freckles on his porcelain skin, with an odd impression of deja vu.
This sentiment seemed to be mutual when the emerald eyes noticed the face of the guy who insulted his tastebud, only to find the most gorgeous man Izuku had ever seen. The golden spikes were similar to the blinding sun that heated his skin during summer days, with remarkable expressions on his face, from the hidden grin at the corner of his lips, to the surprised glance that highlighted his irises. His eyes were as breathtaking as his natural beauty, admiring how the shade of his golden spikes matched perfectly with the crimson one in his eyes, considerate as a stunning work of art within his reach.
The scarred fingers unconsciously put a lost curl behind his ears, covering the light blush on his cheeks as he tried to read behind this glance that he’d never seen so familiar to him, even if he couldn’t figure out the answers to his questions, that stood a few centimeters away from him. Their drinks were clearly forgotten on the side, such as the loud music in the background with the fast heartbeat that composed the new song to their narrative. Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo never believed in something as mythological as love at first sight, it was undeniable how the chemistry between their first glance, which lasted a few seconds, gave them the impression of knowing each other for decades.
“Have we met before ?” The question uncousinly escaped the teacher’s lips
Under different circumstances, he would’ve felt embarrassed by the audacity of such words, which came straight from a fairytale that’s never meant to happen in their reality, yet something felt right with their previous interaction. If Izuku’s instincts were never wrong, why couldn’t he remember the last time he met this gorgeous man, able to steal his heart on the spot?
The crimson eyes widened at the previous question, having the strange impression of retelling a story he's already shared, if not already lived before. Katsuki’s memory was his biggest quality that saved more than one life, unfortunately in this case, it became a source of blurry questions and unexplained warmth every time his stolen glance observed the familiarity of a face he couldn’t name. It wasn’t a surprise if the golden-haired man was immediately attracted by this stunning extra, who represented everything he loved, from the slightest details on his delicate cheeks, to the shining emerald eyes, which didn’t leave him indifferent.
“I’ll definitely remember you if it were the case,” he pointed out with a light grin at the corner of his lips. He noticed how the teacher mumbled a few apologies, despite the scarlet color that never left his skin, a sight that easily charmed Katsuki’s heart. There was something heartwarming about this unexpected reunion, convincing them to stay a little longer to figure out the answers to their unsolved questions. “It’s the first time I'm seeing you in town. What are you doing alone in such a place at this late hour ?”
“Making friends with the different kinds of drinks and sharing my heartbreak with the bartender,” he replied with a hidden smile, that covered more of a sadness than an ounce of tease. Izuku knew he didn’t have anything to pay back or return to this stranger, who probably considered his shadow as a forgotten one until the empathy in his next answer caught the freckled man by surprise.
“I’m sorry,” Katsuki pointed out with a sigh, sliding more money on the wooden bar and requesting another drink for both of them. Izuku shared an intrigued glance at the taller man, who seemed to know what he was doing and the teacher simply accepted the invitation to continue their talk instead of shortening it.
“It’s nothing, it wasn’t this serious anyway,” the green-haired man said in a low tone. He could lie and pretend he was glad this situation opened his eyes about the vulture’s intentions, but he had no other choice but to admit how he wished he hadn't been attached to the idea of building a friendship over such a meaningful topic. “It’s not like I found my missing half when we were just curious about exploring this part of our sexuality that unfortunately worked on one side…”
“Did you end up falling for him? Because you look like the king of guys, too, without offense,” the blond whispered with a light grin, observing how the teacher offered a hidden smile at the previous comment.
“Your assumptions are right, I guess I got lucky enough to avoid this fate, even if I’m not sure which is worse…Seriously, when you make a deal to leave on good terms no matter the outcome of this relationship, that wasn’t a romantic one in the first place, does it give you the right to be an asshole and pretend our sincere talk has never existed ?”
“Absolutely not, sounds pretty childish to me,” affirmed Katsuki with rolled eyes, sliding the drink next to the freckled man. The teacher nodded with a simple nod when he took his first sip and realized that it was the first time he shared this topic with someone else! Under different circumstances, he would’ve felt ashamed but everything felt strangely easier than breathing with the unnamed blond…
“Maybe because it was,” admitted the shorter man with an exhausted tone .”I should be relieved we’ve never gone far and showed his preference for women- Shit i don’t even know why I’m saying such things with someone I barely know, I’m just tired of these constant tricks put by fate to challenge my life….As if it wasn’t complicated enough for my mental health.”
“It’s okay I don't mind, I had a hard time struggling with my sexuality too, this shit is complicated when you’ have no idea of what you really want, but discoveries are the most intriguing part of this plan,” explained the blond with a lighter tone, moving his chair closer to sit right next to the charming stranger. Izuku moved his head and held his breath at their close proximity, wondering why he felt so vulnerable at this sight, looking for reassurance with the knowledge of someone who seemed to have more experience than him.
“Did you…Forgive me for my question, did you succeed in making peace with it ?” A slight blush colored his freckled cheeks when he understood how this detail belonged to the blond’s personal life. He wouldn’t blame Katsuki if he decided to leave this question unanswered but instead, Izuku was welcomed with a protective aura that escaped from the charming grins and his distinct voice in a crowd.
“If you mean spending years with the goal to find answers to my questions, yes I did,” Katsuki affirmed with a grin, watching the stunning glance on the teacher’s face at the reassuring reply. This adorable sight reminded him of a stunning midnight sky, which clearly couldn’t compare with the sparkles in the other’s eyes, despite this stupid luminosity. “It took me many failures with mitigated experiences, today I've never felt prouder of who I am. It’s scary at first, but not impossible to fight… everyone has their own journey, freckles.”
“I see…” mumbled the shorter man, ignoring the scarlet color heating his cheeks as he took another sip of his drink.
He shouldn’t be afraid to reveal his struggle out loud, and unconsiuly thanked the taller man for his encouraging speech, which succeeded in differentiating from the ones he'd heard in the past. Katsuki’s face softened when he noticed the sweet expressions that crossed the freckled man’s lips, touched by the impact of his words, that also took the blond off guard: After all, he was usually not good at opening his heart and past experiences with the outside world and yet, there was something mesmerizing and familiar with the sight of these charming glances and messy curls.
“I wouldn’t be here talking to you if I were straight,” pointed out the taller man with a tease, amused to see how Izuku almost choke with his own drink after realizing the meaning of the previous words, sharing an embarrassed glance with the crimson eyes, which looked pleased by the misunderstanding.
“Oh, that’s not what I was implying-”
“I’m kidding, freckles,” the childish nickname naturally slipped away from the blond’s lips, understanding how it was too late to pretend he wasn’t attached to the small head by his side, who represented the biggest source of mystery, and the prettiest lines he had ever read. This idiot who played with the nerd’s feelings was completely stupid for pushing aside a breathtaking beauty like his but maybe it was his open door if he wanted to help Izuku with his discoveries…in a more appreciable way. “Let me tell you something, one day you’ll find the right person and realize how it’s not as bad as you think. I’m staying on my claim that you deserve a better first experience with this, and I bet they were stupid for letting someone as pretty as you go.”
Izuku had already been called by many names in the past and yet, Katsuki’s words sounded more sincere than any of the lies heard by the shadows of his past. Technically they barely made the presentation and didn’t know anything about each other’s lives and deepest flaws…
“Let me return the question, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at fashion week or something like that ?” The least Izuku could do was to let the taller man understand how he was sincerely interested in his life, even if it took the form of innocent questions, which says a lot about a personality….It’s not like he had something to lose when we were complete strangers, who met a few minutes ago.
“Is it the alcohol talking ?” Katsuki asked with a hidden smirk, touched to see how the nerd decided to expand this talk, which promised to be more interesting than any of their original plans. They shouldn’t jump to the wrong conclusion and do something they’ll probably regret later, but maybe fate brought them together for a reason, still unknown and yet, so perceptible to their sensitive hearts.
“No, I'm still sober with my terrible taste buds you’ve insulted earlier,” the teacher affirmed with a tease, noticing the amused grin crossing the blond’s face. Katsuki had no right to be this stunning, a single one of inattention and Izuku swore he could fall in love with this guy for the bare minimum! “I'm just pointing this detail out because you look like some kind of model…”
“Thanks for the compliments, I should return it,” he wasn’t the kind of guy to easily flirt with strangers in a shitty place like this isolated bar, but he had a feeling that the unique chemistry with Freckles might lead him to pleasant discoveries, especially after the amused emerald eyes and their welcoming aura that immediately healed a shattered heart on the spot. “I’m here to change my mind after a tough day at the hospital, it doesn’t look like it at first sight but I'm a surgeon and almost lost a patient, which explains why alcohol became my best friend.”
“You saved him, I think you deserve to take the credit for being someone’s hero,” Izuku mumbled between his slow sip on his transparent glass. In all honesty, he wasn’t surprised to learn about Katsuki’s profession and how he looked like the kind of surgeon that’ll put his patient's life before his own, just like the teacher, who considered his students as his own children. Maybe Izuku and Katsuki were meant to connect in this fortunate happenstance and if it was the case, the shorter man wouldn’t mind learning more about this hidden hero…
“I wish it were this easy,” the blond said with a sigh. He truly loved his job and the sweet title given by the people who saw him as their white knight in disguise, unfortunately the ghost haunting the cemetery near the hospital wouldn’t share the same opinion about this unworthy honor. “The last years taught me how a grateful smile on families' faces can be transformed into the cruel reminder that life is as breakable as bones. Every patient on the operation table is either the next survivor or innocent I've killed by my bloody hands. I agree each victory should be celebrated, but there are darker times when I already failed some surgery…”
“Oh….i’m sincerely sorry, it was rude of me to say such a thing,” Izuku whispered with a guilty tone, embarrassed for making assumptions when the conversation was now centered on serious topics. He already heard about the terrible accident that caught many professionals off guard, some even doubted their own work and decided to retire, while others held onto the souvenirs of people they’ve saved, such as Katsuki, afraid to make mistakes in this secure field. “I can’t imagine how painful it must be to announce heartbreaking news to people who came here for hope and it’s not your fault. I’m convinced you did your best with each operation, don’t put the blame on you when none can’t predict what’s gonna happen the moment you put your mask on…you’re not the monster you think you are, you’re just another survivor and your life is as valuable as the ones you’ve saved.”
The first time Katsuki assisted in the death of his patient, he spent a sleepless night during the following week: The taller man remembered the moment tears fell down the innocent’s cheeks, his breakdown, and the weight that rested on his shoulders the moment he left the room. Some night, he was still haunted by the lifeless body that echoed his previous mistakes at the slightest occasion, despite the attentive gesture to visit the patient's grave with a sincere apology. Katsuki made a few friends on the block and never felt the need to confess about the pressure that occupied his mind the moment he found an unconscious patient, ready to be saved or taken away by death in a second of inattention.
Hearing Izuku’s reassuring words, despite not knowing anything about his career or the stress of this field, reminded him of how he’s stayed silent about his insecurities for too long. Most of the time, he was focused on the idea of not messing things up and Izuku had no reason to play the kind-hearted soul to someone he just met, yet it didn’t stop him from giving it a try. Their conflicts might differ in many ways, at least they’ve got each other back, even if this was meant to be a short memory, cherished for the rest of their lives…
“You don’t have to cheer me up, I truly appreciate your support,” he replied with a small grin, distinctive from the previous ones he used in his tease. Izuku started to notice the charm between the numerous expressions crossing his pretty face, similar to the lines of his favorite book, that succeeded in charming him each time he turned a new page. “I don’t hate you for what you’ve said earlier, you don’t seem to be the kind of guy who likes to hurt people on purpose and it’s relaxing to share some of my struggles with someone other than my therapist.”
“I guess we’re both on the same page then,” Izuku admitted with a grin.
In all honesty, he never intended to mention his struggles with an open mind with someone he barely knew but the mysterious and captivating atmosphere in the crimson eyes made him feel connected to his soul for an unknown reason. The hints were here, hidden under his eyes, convincing his determined mind to dig deeper into every secret residing behind this charming face, that he hadn’t tried to trick him with false promises. It might be too early to admit this conclusion about a friendship that hasn't bloomed like the brightest flowers yet, even if their discreet glances let them know how they were ready to continue this exchange until the early morning.
“Maybe we should change our minds for a while,” Katsuki whispered with a lighter tone, noticing how the teacher agreed with his previous statement, based on the shining eyes that healed a broken heart. “Tell me about you, except for the fact that you have shitty taste in alcohol-«
The distinctive laugh escaped the teacher’s lips at the stupid comment, warming his chest with a sentiment he truly missed since the last days. After all, it’s not because he got betrayed once that he needed to cut himself from the rest of the world, especially if this means getting along with a lost surgeon who offered him the prettiest view he had ever seen.
“It was mean of you to attack me on my weakness, I think we missed the proper presentation,” he moved with a fond smile to present his scarred hand in the close space between them. The freckled man knew it was risky to give his trust to someone else after his recent life lesson, but the blond was different in an inexplicable way: There was something addictive about the details of each grins crossing the tip of his lips, the beauty of his crimson eyes, and the impression of knowing him since an entire decade, when they’ve never met before. “My name is Izuku Midoriya, nice to meet you.”
“Mine’s Katsuki Bakugo,” The taller man’s face turned softer at the gesture, holding the smaller palm against his before losing his thumbs into the messy green curls. “I’m all yours for the night, freckles.”
———
The rest of the conversation was as smooth as the gentle laugh and tease escaping their lips, acting like childhood friends, reunited after many years of separation. The previous worries concerning the mention of sensitive topics vanished when the words naturally left each other’s mouths, sharing small talk with the loud music in the background, cold drinks on the side, and the shadows disappearing as the hours passed by in the blink of an eye. The two strangers who didn’t know anything at the beginning of this lonely night, slowly transformed into the longtime friends they’ve always been, almost like this trajectory had been dedicated by an unknown force the moment their eyes met.
The green-haired man learned about the different kinds of services made by the blond during his various shifts at the hospital, his casual habits, and secret passions, which he only shared with his All Might plushie. The shorter man looked with amazement at the numerous achievements the surgeon performed on patients, the lives he saved and the gifts he kept hidden in a box as a souvenir of the hero he represented in many people’s stories. The flirty stranger who praised his beauty revealed a more vulnerable aspect of his soul, captivating the entire attention of the freckled man, who found himself more than relieved to have crossed Katsuki’s path in this small town.
The golden-haired man was touched by the joy rising in the emerald eyes that spent hours talking about his passions for his career and personal projects, and how much he loved his students with nothing but genuine care in each of his words. The heat on his cheeks colored his skin from time to time, under the welcoming glance of the crimson eyes, mesmerized by the prettiest details on this breathtaking work of art. He watched how Izuku’s chuckles caressed his ears as a tender lullaby and how beautiful he looked under this angle, served on a silver platter for his vulnerable heart, already falling for him.
Katsuki should thank the extra who led Izuku to this dusty place, knowing how he wanted to take as many titles as possible in this welcoming narrative, as long as he had the chance to stand by the nerd’s side. Katsuki refused to rush things between them and agreed to be the one driving the teacher back to his apartment, Izuku put a lost curl behind his ears as the first ray of sunrise already colored this town, awaking dup fr another day while their two shadows disappeared in this moving landscape
The road back to Izuku’s apartment was filled with mumbles from the latest songs that played on the station, realizing how they’d unconsciously mesmerized by their melody earlier in the night. Usually, the teacher would be dead asleep in his bed, but for the first time in his life, he wanted to freeze time and stay a little longer in this loving embrace of their two voices matching each other, between stolen chuckles and teasing comments, meant to complete their mutual stupidity. The black car slowly drove itself to the familiar location, understanding that it was time to say goodbye after the best night they’ve ever had…
Katsuki decided to accompany the teacher to his doorstep and make sure he was safe, even if the green-haired man joked at his attempts to play the white knight. In all honesty, none of them were able to distinguish the strong sentiments inside their chest, growing as they exchanged loving glances, reading into each other’s eyes as an open book, with the sensation of feeling at peace for the first time in their lives. Their original struggles were quickly forgotten hours ago, mumbling how it would be stupid to let this meeting end on a blurry note.
Izuku couldn’t agree more as he prepared himself for temporary goodbyes, before feeling the warm lips against his cheeks, giving him a “good night” kiss, stealing a quick glimpse at the unexpected blush on his porcelain skin. The bliss that appeared inside his chest was beyond his reach, wondering if being in love felt this good, or if the mysterious blond was the reason behind this change of heart. It was too early to know the answers to such personal questions, he didn’t think twice before waving at the taller man in the car, acting like a teenager who experienced his first date.
The sound of the lock broke the previous silence of this apartment with the weight of his back against the wooden door. The green-haired man underestimated how the weight of one single night had the ability to change the rest of his life, until a small piece of paper fell on the carpet, catching his attention. His fingers grabbed the white paper and found the unexpected content with the blond’s number on it…bringing a light smile to his lips.
Izuku Midoriya wasn’t the kind of guy to believe in fate and yet, he started to think his meeting with the blond wasn’t a coincidence…
———
Back to the present,
“You’re right, it did cross my mind more than once but it doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”
If there was one thing he truly loved in his fiancé's personality, it was definitely the naivety in his reasoning concerning the universes they haven’t explored yet. It’s not like Katsuki didn’t believe in the possibility of an alternative reality where their paths had met in many ways with a strong narrative, that’ll make their other selves happier than ever, but he refused to lose the proud achievements he made with his lover, for the sake of a simple curiosity. There’s no doubt that his other self was meant to fall in love with someone as inspiring as Izuku Midoriya in thousands of lifetimes, even if this one was his favorite…
“Come on, I'm sure there’s at least one universe where you hate me,” the green-haired man pointed out with a soft tone, losing his fingers in the golden spikes. He liked to think about the endless possibilities of falling for each other in different universes, knowing how his heart and soul will always belong to the same person. “I would do anything to see a grumpy version of my soon-to-be husband and his blush, I bet you look so cute-”
“Keep thinking this imaginary version and you’ll be marrying him tomorrow, dumbass,” the blond affirmed with rolled eyes, pretending to be annoyed when the shorter man stole a quick kiss on his forehead. Izuku could play a hundred stupid games like these and Katsuki knew that if his other selves had the audacity to even show up here, they would steal his future husband in the blink of an eye!
“We both know you’re the only one I'll ever love in every universe,” confessed the green-haired man with a fond smile, sharing a light kiss against his lover’s lips. The strong palms moved from his waist to his back, holding him closer enough to reverse the role and put this idiot straight to bed. Izuku accepted his defeat with a laugh, wrapping his arms around his childhood friend’s neck. “I hope you feel the same, Kacchan.”
“You already know the answer, I wouldn’t have asked you to be mine for an entire lifetime if it wasn’t the case,” he whispered with a grin, kissing the teacher’s neck with a light touch before hearing the change in the strong grip on his spikes. “Breaking the rules has always been our thing, I should find a way to shut you down with a language that only we speak..Tell me, should we consume our soon-to-be marriage, freckles ?”
“I like this proposition, I can’t wait to call you my husband for the rest of my life,” Izuku mumbled with a light smile, holding the taller figure tighter. It’s safe to say that their unresolved questions concerning their other selves were quickly forgotten when their world collapsed into one with a gentle touch and love confessions straight to their ears…hoping they’ll feel this happier in every lifetime.
-end-