Chapter Text
Izuku woke up two days later.
He found himself standing in the familiar room where he used to wake up even morning. The same room he used to despise, where he cried, smiled, and yelled…which was now an echo of his past. He escaped the same place with his lover six years ago with hope in his eyes before returning home with a broken heart and unforgettable injuries.
The ray of the sunlight appeared to reveal his sleepy face, the previous bags under his eyes which were now hidden by the bright tone in his freckled man’s face. The same look was used by the tears and healed by the smile and the laugh, the same one who wasted too many tears and saw too many deaths. It was only half of the memories he kept in his mind and will never forget, the memories followed by an unbearable pain or even joy, something words couldn’t explain.
Izuku glanced around, recognizing that this room he used to fear was now a symbol of peace. He barely had time to breathe before his brain reminded him of the previous event, and his scarred hands immediately found the freckled cheeks. He made a painful noise when he saw how the injury was still here open, but it'll take time to heal.
He had many injuries in the past; some were physical while others were mentally framed in his mind, but this one wasn’t something he despite, just like the others. This was the beginning of something new, something Katsuki would be proud of if he was still here.
"You're awake, master," A maid’s voice caught his attention, making him realize how she had been here the whole time. "We were worried, but the doctor told us you'll wake up soon!"
Izuku put his hands on his forehead. The last thing he remembered was falling on the floor, surrounded by the soldiers' blood, including his father, who gave his last breath under his hands. Everything was new to him, he barely realized how this could be his reality, and he wasn’t in a fever dream.
"Tell me, Kyoko," Izuku whispered, watching how she looked surprised by the tone of his voice, "I did it, right ?"
The woman smiled back in answer in a relieved tone. "Yes, master… you did it."
The freckled man thanked her, and the woman left the room. He barely listened to what she said to focus on the new feeling in his chest, and he wasn’t afraid anymore. He wasn’t scared to walk in these corridors and join the meeting room, fearful of facing a man he despite since his childhood…he did it.
All this fear, this worries, and tears were worth it. It started as a curious boy wanting to discover the world by himself and ended up being the stronger version of himself who isn’t afraid anymore. He knew what he was doing by creating another war but waking up in this room, watching the garden shining, and being reflected by the sunlight was worth it.
After the execution, his world fell. He had nothing to hold on to, and the one by his side saved him before it was too late. He started to heal by himself before reeling how all of this was over. He lost many people on this journey, but he won his freedom and his people. The freckled man will never forget the one who helped him, stayed by his side, and the people he met on this journey. Their life won’t be forgiven with time because Izuku will keep their memories alive. After all, they changed his life.
Izuku smiled at his thought. He realized how far he had gone and how he started, without one person, he would never be able to be here…and this person was the one who stole his heart seven years ago. His name was Katsuki Bakugo, and he was the one who saved him. The freckled man wondered what the blond would say if he were here…would he be proud of him? Make a stupid comment about the nerd’s face? Congratulating him for “beating his father’s ass”? Izuku would never have the answer, but somewhere else, he knew. He knew Katsuki would be proud of him, just like how he was when he was still breathing.
The freckled man laughed before glancing at the wedding ring on his finger. "See, I told you I'll fight for you until the end, Kacchan. I always keep my promise."
——
The atmosphere in the place was strange.
Indeed, it was something different, like Izuku slept for years and woke up in another universe where people were trying to hold the new change. It was almost uncomfortable, but he had to remember how a war happened days ago, and things won't and will never be the same.
He didn't doubt how the news spread nationwide and how his biggest rivals were happy with the announcement of Hisahi's death. They wished they had done it earlier, and Izuku even wondered how the Bakugos reacted to the news. However, he still felt terrible when he thought about the collateral damage to the castle and the village where people lived. It was something they tried to build for years, some of them had their home destroyed by soldiers and life even taken if it was the worst case.
He sighed, thinking about how he needed to calm himself first. Everything was new to him, there were so many things to do, and the first was to check if everything was alright. First, he needed to see how Ochako and Tenya were, after all, they also risked their lives and agreed to his plan. He also needed to check if Momo and Shoto were alright because, without their help, none of this would happen, but each thing was on time.
His green eyes caught the blood on the floor, and the memories returned, but instead of fearing it, he was proud because he freed everyone from the dead king. Izuku was on his own, and it was an unknown world to discover: It started with people asking him if they should call him king or prince, which might be irrelevant but important to his new social status. The truth was…he didn't even know himself.
He lived under “Crowd Prince” but suddenly became a country's leader. If the younger Izuku could see himself, he would be astonished. For him, it would be a dream. The hard reality hit him in the face when he saw the destroyed garden outside the main door; he learned by age that winning a war had consequences.
The freckled man decided to do something. He couldn't let the people deal with the mess he had created. That's why he spent the rest of the day helping the village, taking care of each case and ensuring everything was alright with no injured children. It was crazy to see how a single war, even a fight, could lead to so much destruction. It was hard to see. Some houses were destroyed while the trace of a bloody war waved the casual, cozy, and welcoming atmosphere. Seeing the blood on the floor was reminding him of the lost lives, and a part of him arched, but he tried to reassure himself because, in the end, he had won over his biggest rival again. Hisahi Midoriya was just a memory everyone should forget.
Izuku visited each house and each merchant to see if they needed help and helped them if possible. Some needed help building their homes, and the new king made sure to help them with enough material. It might be irrelevant, but it means a lot for the freckled man and the people in need, if he could make them smile, he knew he could do way better for the country and try to change the brutal reign of his father.
Something caught his attention, it was a familiar sound. Izuku walked closer to the boy before kneeling to his height and noticing how it was a small boy. The boy kept crying and ruffled his brown hair.
"Hey, why are you alone?" He asked with a comforting tone, seeing this child was scared alone in an unknown place.
"I'm…. I'm lost, and I think my mom is looking for me, but I don’t know where she is. Can you help me, please” He answered with a shaking voice, and Izuku's face became worried. He could even see, for a few seconds; I saw Katsuma and Mahoro talking about their past in the village.
"Of course, I’ll make sure we find her," He said when the boy took his hands.
Izuku’s heart broke when he felt the small boy’s hands shaking, his eyes glancing around the place, hoping to find the person he was looking for. It took them a few hours before hearing a woman calling the boy’s name in the background and watched the light coming back into the boy’s eyes.
The boy immediately ran toward his mom before hugging her. He sobbed, holding her, and at this moment, Izuku realized how it had been a while since he saw the children in the orphanage…maybe he should give them a surprise visit. When he was about to leave, the woman stopped him and thanked him for bringing her son back with teary eyes. Izuku said it was the least he could do, and strangely, the woman added something.
"I also wanted to thank you for, you know, the king thing." She couldn't say the right words because the boy was too young to hear, but the freckled man understood. "You know, his father was a soldier in the army, and one day he came to the war directed by your father. He never returned, and I think he'll be proud to see how Izuku avenged him."
Izuku couldn't help but smile, he knew he did it for his loved one, but he was glad the other soldiers could be in peace too. This confirmed how he wasn't the only one to think that way.
"I just did what I thought, right? Everything will be better now. I promise." He looked at the boy sleeping on his mom's shoulder. "Let’s build a safe place where they didn't have to live what we experienced."
The woman nodded. "You're a good person, Prince Midoriya. I know this isn’t my affair, but I heard about the rumors about you and your husband. I’m sorry for your loss, and I admire how you’re still devoted to him. It's heartwarming, and I hope you'll find peace soon."
Izuku smiled and thanked her before letting them go and stopping at each shop and house to see if anyone needed help and continuity of his journey. He learned a lot of things in one day. He saw how some people were welcoming and even thanked him for putting the innocent at peace. On the contrary, some of them gave him a cold glance and told him that killing Hisashi was a mistake and that he'd be worse than him.
The hours passed, and before realizing it, the freckled man spent the entire day in the village. Only when he returned home to the castle, his stomach made him understand how he should probably eat something before sleeping. This night, he fell on his bed exhausted, and a part of him was glad because even if they were damaged, people were still hopeful about what they were expecting, especially with someone like Izuku as their king.
The mention of "King" made him uncomfortable because he was just like everyone and wanted to help! He guessed it was technically a king, but the rater takes his time before endorsing this role. He fell asleep and thought about how tomorrow will be different in a good way. Finally, life could be worth it.
He was right.
For the following days and weeks, he found himself helping the village until everything was better, and they built each house again. It was maybe nothing for the others, but it was a small victory for him because h knew he made people happy and safe by just anding by their side and helping them. More people ended up calling him "king," he told them to call him Izuku because he was like them and everyone was equal to him.
He tried to reach the one who helped him during his free time.
It started with Ochako and Tenya. They immediately ran toward him to hug him and tell him they were proud of him for finally doing it. Izuku asked how the safety mission was a success, and everyone listened to them without any doubt. Thankfully the fake rumor made them believe easier, and with their help, no one was hurt. He told them everything in detail without the gore things and the massive blood loss.
"No way?! This is insane, deku-kun! " Ochako commented when the freckled man explained how he took his father's last breath.
"How do you feel now? "Tanya asked, wondering about this sudden change of life.
"It was strange at first, but then I'm starting to get used to it. I don't feel like I'm the king. For me, I'm the small crowd prince who’s stuck in his room and who plans to run away."
The woman laughs. "What should we call you? King or Prince? Or Dumbass, if you prefer ?"
Izuku blushed from embarrassment before hitting his friend’s shoulder. "Ochako!" The three ended up spending the afternoon together, and even if he still had duties, he enjoyed spending a small amount of time with the people he cherished.
He decided to see Momo. Being the new king had his privilege because he had free time and no pressure about going somewhere for a particular reason. The two of them met again and talked about what had happened; he blushed a few times because the woman kept praising him for his fighting skills. Finally, the man thanked her and asked how everything went on her side.
"We had some losses but nothing to worry about. They knew why they were fighting, and the ones still alive proudly claimed they were in the year's biggest battle. I think you made them proud, too, without realizing it." She smiled, and they both kept talking bout how the freckled man was living his new life.
He ended up talking with Shoto. The man helped the whole time and was glad because his help was necessary once he got the man inside the castle. They spoke for an entire afternoon, and Izuku confessed how it was strange to do this alone when he used to have someone by his side.
"You did an amazing job. I think you’ll be a great king, and we’ll keep Bakugo’s memory alive, right? "Shoto said, making the freckled man tear up because he knew, but sometimes he felt alone.
——
As promised, he gave a surprise surprise to the orphanage between two meetings.
After one month, he realized how much pressure was on his shoulder, but he tried to limit the damage because a new chapter meant a fresh start and a new way to act.
The road to the orphanage was something familiar. The same threes, the same landscapes, the same view always leaves him breathing. He remembers how he used to go here with Katsuki, spending time with the children and acting as if they were a family. So Izuku was thinking, but he never really had a family. He wanted one, and to his misfortune, he found one. It wasn't like he expected, buts staying with the orphanage, Katsumi and Mahoro…it was like a family to him. He loved each of them and tried to act as if they were siblings because it was what they needed: someone to love.
He cherished each memory of them traveling, laughing, smiling, making jokes and thoughts about how tomorrow will be and without thinking about how their lives were about to take another turn. Their story wasn't perfect, but it was why he enjoyed it. It was full of tears, smiles, laughs, and pain, but he lived each moment as if it was the last one, and it must be why it was the most important thing for him.
Living without him was strange.
It was like losing a part of you that day and waking up each morning, knowing he'll soon come back and yet feeling happy because you lived what you needed. Don't get him wrong; he was sad because nothing could ever be the same, and he was still living in the past, but this time for a good reason. Katsuki said his last words; he made him understand how he'll always be here for him even when he's not looking because he won't be separated easily. This thought made the freckled man laugh because it was true. If the blond said that, Izuku knew it was true at that moment because one special star shone in the sky more each night. Izuku liked to think it was Katsuki watching him, and the thought of him made him emotional because he was missing him. He'll never say it enough, but each day, living without knowing you won't have anyone by your side after a nightmare, no one to comfort you when you need it the most.
It was sad, but he needed to get used to it. Now he had priorities and lands to protect. However, even if it's been one year, the blond was still living in his mind and appearing in his dream, keeping the memory and the illusion as if he was still here. This year he had to spend his wedding anniversary alone again. This day will always stay in his mind for two reasons: when his world started brightening up and when he fell apart.
This thought brought him happiness and pain simultaneously, but he cried. He was celebrating the most important day of his life without the man he loved, his husband, and his confidence. As an idiot, it seemed he was lighting himself at how naive he was. He saw himself laughing while cuddling the blond, saying how they land to grow older grumpy men and talking about their youth and how they were right to run away.
The memories of his red ruby eyes, smirk, and a smile came into his mind and made his heart arch. It was hard to realize it, but he was all alone, and the only thing he could hold on to was the memories. Nothing could replace how he could still feel the strong hands intertwining his hands, the same hands discovering his body or even his lips on his own.
Without realizing it, he arrived at the familiar place. He wiped his tears away and thanked the older man because it was the same thing that brought them here in the first place. Izuku glanced at the place, and a smile appeared on his face. He saw the children he used to take care of growing up… it's been six years now.
Things were different, the children he used to take into his arms were now teenagers for most of them, and he realized how time had passed. While he and Katsuki are living together, other stories were created in this place, and meeting them again is a good memory to cherish. He remembers how he used to come here years ago and tell them stories, but now the table has turned, and he was listening to them.
Izuku walked to the place and saw how one boy met his eyes. His face immediately showed a bright smile before telling everyone Izuku was back. The freckled man made a tiny hidden laugh when he saw how the familiar heard, including the two women, found his gaze.
They all changed….but Izuku wasn’t the same as they met years ago, and he had so much to tell.
When the freckled man reached the place, he noticed how they were all glancing at him with stunned faces, some of them were even trying not to cry, but it was a question of time before someone made the first move. Izuku decided it was his turn. "The last time I saw you all, you were smaller than three apples. Can you stop growing up? Come on. I missed you too."
The worries on their faces turned into something happier before reveling smiles, and some ran toward him, and teenagers hugged the man. He didn’t know when he started to cry, and it was due to the sudden happiness filling his chest and knowing he loved them as a family, a family he would love to have on his own if none of this happened. He saw how they all grew up; half were teenagers, and some were adults. It's crazy how he could recognize each of them, but someone was missing. His eyes found the missing one…his heart arched when he saw the scarred face boy.
None of them dared to speak. Izuku already had teary eyes due to the previous emotions, but this time he couldn’t control himself and smiled at Ren before feeling the boy hugging him like he was eight again. This boy was now 14 and still the same small boy he used to comfort when he was scared. Izuku hugged him tighter because he saw the small boy who used to and found comfort in him every time he saw him admire Katsuki.
They both cried, and Izuku's scarred hands ruffled his hair. He was almost taller than him!
"I never thought you’ll leave us. You took your time." Ren smiled as he saw his freckled man laugh in answer.
"Yes, some things happened, and I wanted to visit old friends."
Two familiar figures distinguish from the crowd, revealing the two women. Reina and Mitsu didn’t change in years. They stayed the same, and everyone had the right to an emotional reunion. Izuku made sure to his each of them because they cared for them all the time, even during the hardest moment.
"What took you so much time to come?" Reina laughed, whipping her tears.
"Running away from my father was more complicated than I expected."
"We learned the news; you finally did it," Mitsu said, coming closer to the other woman and giving him a proud gaze.
Izuku thanked them. "All of this is still strange to me, but I'm getting used to it," He noticed the rings on their fingers and understood. "You two got married? Congratulation!"
Reina smiled. "Thanks, it's still recent but sees? In the end, everyone could have a happy ending. We learned from inspirational people, including a grumpy blond and devoted freckled man."
Mitsu nodded, laughing when she saw how Izuku blushed at the comment. "She's right, even if she's the one who proposed to me."
"You're wrong! You begged me to marry you after they left away…did you forget it? You even said how you were jealous and-"
Izuku made a small laugh at their conversation. The couple fought beside him to know who was right, reminding him of the old time. It was nice to see how happy they found each other "I'm happy for you two. You remind me of someone but trust me…if you found your other half, don't ever let them go. We don't know what time is reserved for us."
The two women didn’t answer. With one gaze, they could understand the sudden change in the freckled man’s voice, how he was trying to hide his pain when he shouldn’t. They learned about the tragic news and were destroyed so they couldn’t imagine Izuku's pain. Reina was the first to break the silence when she noticed the ring on his hand.
"He's the one who gave you this ring.” She asked with a hidden smile, knowing the man standing before them was the same man who had stayed by the blond’s side that day during the charity event.
Izuku smiled. "Yes, I remember how he proposed to me and how I'll give anything to go back in time and see this moment again. This time I'll cherish it as I should. Crazy, right ?"
Mitsu put her hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him. “We learned about his death… we're sorry for your loss."
Izuku felt tears rolling down his cheeks, where the scar was now healed. "It's alright. It was hard at first, and even now, I'm all alone, and I find myself being jealous of my past self. You know, I don’t regret anything and any choice I’ve made until now; he was my everything, and I'm glad he could be at peace now."
"You can tell us about him if you feel ready. We would love to know more about what you two did during five years."
The freckled man smiled in answer, he would love to, and he was sure Katsuki would agree. They have many stories to share and much to hear from the children. He could stay here for more hours; he was king, so no one could tell him to return. He accepted and took his time to check on each of them until he saw Ren. His mind played the last words of the blond and his last wishes.
/ "Promise me always to be yourself and tell this brat, Ren, how I was proud of him. "/
Izuku had one year late, but it was still working.
He knew and could apprehend how hard this conversation might be. It needed to be somewhere safe and away from the eyes of the public; it was something important for both of them, and Ren needed to know.
That’s why Izuku decided to talk to him when he was standing alone. It was the same place where the blond and he decided to confess, and it brought him old and happy memories; now it was time to create another one with someone he cared about.
"Hey,” He whispered, “Can I sit here?"
The boy nodded, and the freckled man felt deja-vu. None dared to talk, enjoying the other’s presence and realizing how much they missed each other. Ren was the first one to break the silence.
"How was he?" He met Izuku's surprised gaze, "I mean, before his execution."
"He was fine," He answered without thinking. "He wasn't scared and seemed to accept his fate. I was the one crying, and he was the one comforting me. Could you believe it? I told him it should be the opposite, but he made a groan in answer."
"Typical Katuski," Ren smiled.
"You know, there’s something I never told you, and I wished I could do it sooner. He… had one last wish, and I think you should hear it." Izuku gave a soft glance, seeing how the boy's face was trying to hide the incoming tears.
"It was something like "Don't be stupid" or something like that," He commented, making the green-haired man laugh.
"No, indeed… it's something he wanted me to tell you."
Ren's face went wide. His heart was beating faster, and he tried to control his feelings. He knew he could cry without being judged, especially by Izuku, but it was still hard to accept it. Since the moment he saw him the first time, he found the model he had always looked for…it wasn’t the healthiest one, with a lot of swearing and middle fingers, but it was the one he chose. Losing him meant losing the person who kept motivating him. It took him years to accept Katsuki would never come back, and even now, he was hurt. What surprised him the most was how the blond had thought about him, even at the last moment.
"He asked me to tell you how he was proud of you," Izuku confessed, and his voice was shaking. He waited a few seconds, thinking he would only be crying, but he was wrong. It took him a few minutes before realizing the meaning of those words. The last time the blond and his model said about him…before realizing it, tears fell Ren’s cheeks.
Ren didn’t answer, he didn't sob, but he didn't smile either. He felt his heart arched because this idiot even thought about him in his last moment. The boy thought he was just a brat to him, but he cared about each word, and each time Katsuki was here, taking time to comfort him when he was just a child. Katsuki was someone he admired, strong, fighting for what was worth it. He played in his mind the last time he saw him and how he was so caring to him, just like the first time when he met him and told him about his scar. He was sometimes laughing, thinking bout he was his favorite and how he even gave him a plushie-
"You know, we kept the gift you made for him," Izuku said, cutting his thought almost as if he could read into his mind.
His eyes shined as he heard the part of the story where Izuku and Katsuki took care of it because it was important to them. The freckled man shared all of this with a smile, and Ren could swear he had this feeling of having Katsuki next to him and still alive when Izuku was telling him the stories.
That day, Izuku stayed in the orphanage longer than he expected. Still, seeing the smiles on the children's and two women's faces was worth seeing as he told their journey until the end. It was like the memory of his husband was shared with the youngest and the people who knew him when he was alive.
—-
Being king was more complicated than it seemed. Before realizing it, it's been four years since he took his father's crown.
Izuku had difficulty at first. He didn't know how to deal with it or even if he was making any mistakes because he was alone. If something was failing because of his disorders, he couldn't handle the consequences and will never forgive himself, but he tried.
After his coronation, things got serious when the whole land was here to celebrate the new king, and the lack of free time became his first pressure. It was followed by constant meetings, ball events, and the exact causal thing he used to do as a prince, but this time he had the destiny of his land behind his hands. So he asked for help from Shoto and Momo when he was in doubt, and both told him he was doing a great job.
People knew how the story. He knew he was the son of Hisashi Midoriya. He used to be hated by everyone because he was like his father, but suddenly the rumors changed after he killed his father. After that, people considered him a normal human being. It made him laugh when he saw how the same people who sued to talk behind his back were the same ones who wanted to meet him.
Now he was known for his kindness, the fact that he was making everyone safe, and even made Ochako and Tenya Duke and Duchess of the land. They were surprised, and then Izuku explained how he wanted to have them by his side, and he was sure they were trustworthy. For years, they confirmed his doubt and tried their best, even if sometimes it wasn't easy.
He got used to loneliness. He was sleeping alone and wishing good night to the same star shining in the sky. He smiled, thinking about three anniversaries without Katsuki and how he was thinking bout him when he was feeling bad or having doubts. Some nobles offered him to have an arranged wedding or even to have a queen by his side, but the freckled man always refused. He knew his heart and love were and will always belong to Katsuki because he was the only one able to tell his story and how he was a sweet lover, someone with who going was like breathing. It was something natural.
Something was wrong. It felt like his body was trying to tell him something because, recently, Izuku felt sick. He said nothing because he thought it wasn't important, but when he saw how his state worsened, he asked a doctor.
"Did you recently have any of the following symptoms? Such as vomiting, leg cramps, or even thirst more than usual?” He asked with a curious tone.
"Yes, I thought it could fade, but it's worsening. Do you know what this is?" Izuku answered worriedly, and he got chills when he heard the man's answer.
"Listen, the things I'm going to say won't be easy, but you have Cholera." He sighed, trying to take his breath to find the right words. "This is an incurable disease in some village we have registered, and…. we have no way to cure it."
Izuku's face turned pale. "Did you…Do you know how many times I have left?"
The man’s face got sadder. "I’m sorry, but as the disease progresses and your body weakens, you only have one month left."
Izuku thanked him and stayed alone in his room. So how would he end—killed by an incurable disease in his room? It wasn't what he wanted. He had so much to do, yet he would leave this world soon.
The previous night helped him. He never expected this story to reach the end so quickly, there was so much to do and to prove to the world. He fought for his right and had to keep the memories alive, without realizing how he’ll become one soon. After crying in bed, he thought about how to save everyone and himself. He was already convicted and had to think about where he wanted to spend his last breath. But, contrary to the others, he still had the choice and wanted to do it properly.
After a sleepless night, which seemed endless, he found a solution. The only problem was how he was sure Ochako and Tenya wouldn't like it.
"I need to travel somewhere for a meeting. Do you think you could handle the kingdom until I come back? " He asked with a fake smile, pretending to be alright because they didn’t need to know…at least not yet.
The two of them shared a curious glance. "Of course, we can. Do you know for how long ?"
"I don't know, but it's something important for the finance, and it could help us with the village, " He answered, trying to make a good lie and knowing he could use this excuse because they knew how much he cared about this subject.
"Alright, but take care of yourself! " Ochako said as Izuku smiled at them, knowing it would be the last time he'd see them. Lying to them was painful, but it was the only thing to do.
That day, Izuku spent his day in the library writing letters. He cried because he realized how close he was to death, but a part of him wasn't scared because he already saw worse in his life. He wrote a letter to his friends, Momo and Shoto because they'll notice something wrong with his long trip. He left them on his desk and told them to read them once ready. They all asked why but the king told him how they'd understand it soon.
Izuku was packing his stuff that day and realized how he was making something he already did in the past. This time he didn't have Hana or anyone by his side because he was alone and knew where to go. It was his last wish, and he wanted to be here. He’ll leave this place this time without returning here; it was his goodbye.
They said goodbye to him without knowing how it would be the last time they'd see him. Izuku spent the whole journey thinking about his life, the evening he did until now, until Katsuki's death, and how he tried his best to be a good king. He was doing all this for his mom and the man he loved. He wanted to make them proud even if they were watching him from afar because they were the only reason to keep living.
—-
It took him a few days to finally reached the village. His heart ached when he saw Hisahi's damage and how he had left a trace of his passage through the town. He hated to see how Hisahi took everything from him and had no regret, even in his last breath.
He walked into the familiar place, the familiar floor he reached the first time with hope in his eyes, the same house he admired before building his own, and the exact center place where he had the best day of his life. All of this was a part of his past, but he’ll be sure to bring those memories down with him and let the world know about the joy this land brings him.
“I…Izuku,” two sudden voices cut him from his thought before his green eyes found the surprised one. “Is that you ?”
Izuku nodded before making a bright smile when he recognized the twins. “In the flesh! It’s been a while, right ?”
Katsuma and Mahoro dropped their bags and immediately ran toward him. They didn’t waste time before putting their head on his chest and holding him like there was no tomorrow. All this time, they thought they would never see him again, and the twins considered him a second family, someone they could count on and find comfort. Izuku smiled and hugged them back, tearing up. The twins were older; he still saw them as the kids he saved that day. He met their teary eyes and cupped their cheeks.
"I’m sorry for leaving you. I had complications and wanted to keep you safe.” He whispered, whipping their tears away. “But it’s alright, I'm here, and this time I'm not leaving…at least until…anyway, it's too early for this conversation,"
“Are you alright, Zuku ?” Katsuma asked worriedly, putting his hands on the freckled man’s arms.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.” He lied, but their face revealed how the twins didn’t believe him.
"We missed you! " Katsuma added, his eyes shining like when he was a kid. Sometimes the freckled man wished he could freeze the frame in his mind forever and enjoy the current moment. “Where were you ?”
"Did you know where Grumpy is? Strangely, you always stay with him." Mahoro asked. Of course, she would notice how Katsuki was absent, but no one here knew the tragedy contrary to his land. Maybe the reveal would be brutal.
Izuku sighed, his eyes slowly turning into something sadder and nostalgic. "Listen, I know this won't be easy to hear, but…something happened to Kacchan."
The twins shared a worried gaze. "Is…is he okay?"
He smiled. "Yes, he's fine and in a better place now."
Mahoro could feel her instinct telling her how something was wrong. Katsuma seemed to have the same gaze, and she wasn't alone, so Izuku decided to tell the truth because they deserved to know.
"Do you remember the day when my father came to the village? He said something about him when we left the village, right?"
They both nodded, and Izuku could feel the innocence in their eyes. They didn’t know how the following news would break them down. It was the hardest part to tell, and he needed to find the right words, but with his shaking voice, he was betraying himself.
"Indeed….Kacchan died a few days later. He was executed by the same man who came here and destroyed everything."
Katsuma's eyes went wide, revealing the sudden shake, before getting teary as he listened to Izuku's words when Mahoro said nothing, too stunned.
"How…How did you know it? " Was the only thing she could ask in her shaking voice.
Izuku made a sad gaze. He hated to say it out loud because his mind reminded him of everything that happened that day and his last words.
"Because….I was here." He took a breath. "He was executed in front of me, and I couldn't do anything. I’m sorry, I‘m sorry I couldn’t stop it."
This time it was Mahoro's time to cry. The girl was older, but she'll never forget how she was close to the bond. At first, she acted distant because she doubted his intention but got attached to him. He was stubborn and grumpy but cared and ensured she would give the rings during their wedding. It was and will stay the best memory because this wasn't just showing how they were attached to each but how he trusted her on the most important day in his life.
Katsuma teared up because he also questioned why the “wonder duo,” as they called them, was suddenly away from each other, but he never thought about losing him. It's been years, and he could see how Izuku wanted to cry, but he tried his best not to show any weakness.
"Why…why did you come back?" No pain or hating tone was being these words, just curiosity.
"Because I avenged him. It took more time than I expected, but I did it. Today I came here because I wanted to make him proud, and I killed the man who took him away from me and us."
The twins said nothing, realizing something was different with the man standing in front of them, but it was still the same Izuku who had come that day and comforted them about their mom.
"I also came here because…. " He sighed. He had to tell the truth, right? "Because I'm slowly dying and wanted to return here. I feel like I belong here, and Kacchan would agree with me…after all, you were like a family to us."
This time the twins sobbed, couldn’t handle their tears, and rushed toward him and hugged him again. Izuku smiled before bringing them closer to him and feeling the familiar warmth he missed. He needed it. He ignored them more than anything, and seeing them reminded him how this place had an important meaning in his life.
Some people recognized him and were surprised to see him. He looked different and older, but he was still the same, the village welcomed him in, and he could almost because he knew what he was doing here and had a place to go. When they asked him about Katsuki, Izuku gave them a gaze followed by "He won't come back" before they understood and comforted him about his loss.
——
It was strange to see how things had changed since they left. The place still had this familiar atmosphere, yet everything was different. Izuku couldn't help but smile when he reached the house.
His heart arched, and a flow of memories came into his mind. He could remember how they both found the place, built it, were proud of it, and lived the best moment of his life in the small place they made with their hands. He could remember it like it was yesterday, yet it was still heartwarming to see how the years didn't change the house in front of him.
He walked across the vegetation on the floor and the flowers around him, and he felt the wind wiping his tears away, taking the sadness with him far away. It was like time stopped around this era and was dedicated to them and their memories.
Izuku walked across the open door.
He remembers how he came here into Katsuki's arms after they married and how they joked about staying here until they were old. He remembers crossing this door with a smile, tears, or even fear and a feeling the safety when he could see the red eyes looking at him. There was dust on the handle, but the freckled man reached the door to notice how the house was still the same.
Izuku teared up when he realized how they used to sleep on the couch, joking about their life here and how tomorrow would be. His mind kept reminding him of his happy memories here, how it was full of dust but still alive to him. He could hear the comment, the sweet words and the laugh, even the fight and the things they said to each other without thinking.
It was their house, their goal, and where they belonged. They came here as children to discover a new home and secret but ended up being the only thing that mattered to each other. Coming here without Katsuki was like watching old memories, except this time, he won't have anyone by his side to put his arms around him and tell him how they'll be okay. The scarred hands ruffled the dust, and he smiled, remembering the good moment they shared, until his eyes caught something.
The plushie, she was still here. It was still next to flowers Katsuki gave to him for each birthday they spent here. Of course, they were dead by now, but seeing them made him emotional.
Izuku smiled, walking closer to the plushie and taking the dust away. The scene was heartwarming as he noticed how time also proceeded. They both wanted to keep it, and finding it again after so many years was making him nostalgic.
He came here six years ago with a dream, a goal, and the man he loved…but he came back with a broken heart, a head full of memories, and the feeling of living with the ghost of his dead husband.
Izuku sobbed as he discovered each piece of the house and stooped to the bedroom. The one they shared, where they had the most intimate moment followed by sweet words and the last words Izuku could still hear again,
"I love you. "
———
In the end, he found himself cleaning the house and making it alive, almost like the tragedy had never happened and they were still living here.
As strange as it seemed, Izuku felt safe here. He wanted to stay here until his last breath because it was where he belonged. When the night came, he stayed in the garden late and noticed the same star in the sky…as always. She was the brighter one.
Izuku laughed before rolling his eyes. "You really couldn't live without me. I guess I have to find you soon, Kacchan."
The freckled man was still active in the village and was helping them even with his disease and how it got stronger each day. There was no doctor here, so he counted days by himself, and before realizing it, he only had one week left.
He wanted to do something.
He wanted to give Katsuki the grave he deserved because he needed to give him peace until his last breath. That's how Izuku ended up creating his husband gave in the last days of his life. Once it was done, he talked to him each day and told him how his disease was stronger, almost like he was still here by his side.
Katsumi and Makoto knew about the disease. They saw how Izuku was weaker than before and insisted on helping him even if the freckled man refused, even if they were looking at him with a sad gaze. All the village wondered what was happening to him, asking if he was alright before hearing the tragic news from the twins, apparently, for their safety Izuku wanted to stay away and help when he could. It might explain why he was sometimes distant or faking his smiles when discussing his health.
Izuku was getting weaker each day and only had one wish. He wanted to make sure that everyone knew before it was too late. So when he reached his limit, he took the plushie by his side and wrote his final letter.
——
"Dear Katsuki,
I hope you're okay and happy where you are, that you don't feel lonely without me, because I will join you soon.
I need to apologize to everyone for leaving them. I'm sorry I promised to be here forever, but things are different. I'm thankful for everything, everyone, and every friendship I had, especially toward the Duchesse Momo Yazourou, Prince Todorki Shoto, and my dear friends Ochako Urararaka and Tenya Lida, who were amazing friends from the beginning to the end. Without them, I don't know if I could be the person I am today. They were the friends I needed, and I wish them all happiness and a bright future because I trust them.
Things are different since you're gone. Katsuma and Mahoro grew a lot, and now they're in adulthood. They never changed if you could see them, and they're both so close. You should see how Ren changed. Today he's a teenager, and the last time he saw me, he told me he followed your last advice. You might be gone, but a part of you remains in everyone's mind.
Sometimes, when I'm alone, the twins ask me how it is to live a life without the person I love and keep motivated. I never really think about that. Indeed, I have gotten used to it since birth, and I was alone my whole life until you came.
You came and gave me hope where I thought I would never find it. I miss you.
I miss you every day; waking up next to an empty, cold bed is more painful than I thought. I miss your smirks when you used to look at me and say your usual morning complaining about me and my rumbling. I miss holding someone tight until they tell me to stop because it's too much, and I'm clingy with all my sappy shit. I miss your eyes and how you look at me when behind my back, without knowing you always had sketched un small smile thinking, "I'm in love with this idiot. "
I keep looking at our wedding ring when I feel alone and sad, thinking about everything we've been through, every obstacle we’ve been through, each place you made me discover, and every single moment we spent together during this lifetime.
So, when people ask me that, I often answer with a smile, "I know he's still here and will never leave me, we made a promise to each other, and his memories are proof that someone never really left us because after all there's still a part of them inside our mind or our heart" I mean it, I mean each word.
I keep repeating your last words, our last conversation; my chest often feels warm when I think about it. I smile, thinking about our crazy journey, meeting “randomly,” not so randomly, during my 18th birthday, learning each other deepest secrets and fear, being separated to build a stronger relationship, the one we had, and we will always have.
I don't hate you. You always acted under pressure, especially under your parent's influence, and when I met them, I understood why you acted that way and where you were raised. You should see their gaze when I talked to them about how they were wrong about you, about us. It's crazy how things changed, and without realizing it, time passed, and people live happily and don't care about the future… kind of like us.
I saw a young couple recently running away from the guards and laughing together like they were six again. I saw the love in the man's gaze and the happy face of the woman. My chest felt warm when for one second, I imagined us running away again from everything and living together once again, making new things, living new experiences, and being happy as the first day.
Things were difficult, they were hard to deal with, and when I left my kingdom, I didn’t have any regret because I knew he was in safe hands. When I runaways this time, I was alone, redoing our path, rediscovering the passages we used to see together, instinctively directing me to the place short time that had marked my life for remains magnificent nonetheless.
Each moment, each laugh, each smile, each tear, and each fear was real. The way you smiled at me, the word you used to reassure me when discussing my deepest fears. I thought you would probably leave me as the others did, as my mom or Hana did, but you stayed. You stayed with me until the end, never gave up on us, and always tried your best to make me happy; that's why I love you.
I love you in every single way. Every single time you said my name, every time your soft touch was on mine, every time you made everything to see my smile, every word you said, and every stolen kiss. I have loved you since the day I realized that in this world, we have to fight to keep the thing we want. We have to deal with unfortunate experiences to be someone stronger and don't give up until the end… that's the life lesson you taught me.
I often cry at night, especially during our anniversary and your birthday, keeping your memory alive one night time or during one day. It might be silly but making small cakes, whispering some "Happy birthday" or "Happy wedding anniversary, " and looking at our wedding ring and the small picture we had made me happy and made me think that you're here with me that I'm not alone in this world. You saved me, kacchan.
At first, I hated fate because this gave me more pain than I thought and I expected, but now I'm thankful. Thankful for everything you gave me, everything you made, and every experience we shared. Fate and love are something you would probably judge and say with your grumpy voice, "It’s bullshit, deku, why do you believe in this shit. "Yes, that's true. Why do I believe in this? Because you were here, you were here for me since the beginning, and I can't hate you; this feeling on my chest never fades while the time I have left. Yes, things are authentic, and no matter what we think and what you say, our meeting wasn't a coincidence, and I think something deeper still keeps my memories alive.
You know, I'm sick, and it's something we can't heal. It's something called "Cholera." Everyone is scared of this disease, but I'm not. Indeed, I thought I would be scared of death with everything I've been through, but I'm not because death is something natural; everyone lives and dies one day. The most important thing is what we will be able to do with our life, what experiences and a lesson we will learn, and with who and the person we will meet and be friends.
That's how the two lovers disappeared; that's kind of tragic but lovely. I hope that in our next life, you will keep this letter and reminds us how important it is to stay and enjoy the time with the person we love.
I met you. You believed in me when no one did; you changed my life.
I need to go soon. I used my last strength to write this letter and the words I never had the chance to say. I wish I could send you this letter so you can read all of them, even my draft, but it's useless because we will meet each other again. After all, I came here as a friend, and I left as a lover, isn’t it tragic? Is it really the kind of story you want to tell your children? Because for me, yes, because it’s ours.
I hope you waited for me, kacchan.
Because I did my whole life.
Tonight it will be my last breath, but I still hold our wedding ring by my side. I have so many things to tell you…I can't wait to meet you again.
See you soon, Kacchan. I love you, and my heart belongs to you - Izuku Bakugo Midoriya."
---
That night, Izuku Bakugo Midoriya gave his last breath for his life for the last time. He made sure to have the plushie next to him, holding his wedding ring.
The pain he had all his life and since Katsuki's death will finally be gone. He wasn't scared of death because he had already experienced it, and it was his way to finally join the man he loved.
That night, Izuku smiled and let himself go to his sleep. His last thought was to Katsuki. To his smile, his eyes he loved so much, his smirk, his voice, and everything he loved about him because for the first time in his life…he could sleep peacefully, knowing he'll meet his lover the next day.
——
The following morning, Izuku's body was found dead, and the village made sure to make his last wish real.
Izuku's grave was standing next to his husband with the plushie between them, the journals they had since they left and filled with memories about who they were, especially the letter he had never given him.
No one knew what Izuku became in his lands, and they understood with time. The legends of the two lovers became stories everyone told each other in the next generation after their death. Katsuma and Mahoro kept a memory of them, and in their pain, they knew they both found each other and this time, it was real.
Each night, another star was standing next to the other more significant. She was smaller but close to the big one.
The two lovers met again, and they'll share their story of how their forbidden love became a legend and a memory to cherish. Each story doesn't have a happy ending, but sometimes they can stay in time and be unforgettable.
the end