Work Text:
The song danced and circled around him before reaching his ears. The golden comb, gold as the fur it worked through, flicked against it to the melody’s tune. The notes were gentle and soft, the only thing in the world that could aid in taming a Beast as fearful as he.
But only Deku could tame a Beast as fearful as Kacchan.
The pair stared out the small window into the rolling meadows and the verdant green fields. Spring was coming and you could smell it in the air, the scent fresh and light. It was Deku’s favourite season, the time of year when his world was filled with fresh herbs and blooming flowers. All the medicine and drinks he could make with these very gifts that Mother Nature gave. It reminded him of home - before the castle collapsed.
Deku continued humming his tune thoughtlessly, the melody coming as natural to him as breathing. Kacchan had taught him that song when they were very little. He’d been singing it for years, and he would never forget it even if he wished to. A sweet melody that had no words but enchanted them both. It was like the red string of fate that tied the two together. The melody that reminded them of the Human inside Kacchan. That under the furry exterior of a Beast he had, lay the most awe-inspiring Human Deku ever met.
The end notes of the melody lingered in Deku’s throat and in the space between them. Deku placed the golden comb gingerly on the table, making a slight clink of the against the wood. It was fit for a King, embellished with gems and diamonds of every and all colours. The last thing Kacchan was able to swipe before he ran away from the Castle.
The Beast growled at Deku’s amusement.
Deku smiled fondly, “You want me to continue? I’ve combed every last bit of fur you have left Kacchan. There’s nothing left for me to comb.”
Kacchan growled again, a bit angrier this time. He would never get sick of hearing Deku’s voice. It reminded him that he would always have someone by his side. The fear inside his mind, the pressing fear of loneliness would consume him without Deku’s soothing voice or his presence.
“Look,” Deku whispered, leaning closer to Kacchan, “The flowers are blooming brightly now. You can see their faces, what about we go outside and you can help me harvest a few flowers and herbs for tonight? I want to try something else today. Another cure.”
Kacchan was hesitant and his eyes narrowed. He didn’t want to do this.
Deku gave him a smile. It was warm and full of hope, one that asked Kacchan to trust him at one angle and have faith in him with another. He couldn’t bring the monster inside of him to refuse. Deku slowly inched his way forward to the Beast and wrapped his hands, so small against the size of his paw leading him to the fields outside the cottage. He started to hum the song again.
The first thing on the list were daisies.
Deku scratched his head in disbelief as he looked at the hundreds of pounds of fresh plants he picked. Lotuses, sunflowers, lilies, pinkroots, lavender, he knew he took a bit more than he should have, but he didn’t think he had taken so many. There were enough flowers and herbs here that could last them the whole year.
When the Beast set down the last basket full of cilantro behind the cottage, he gave Deku a dirty look.
“I just couldn’t help myself,” Deku replied sheepishly.
“You needed a Beast like me to carry them. We can’t even fit them all inside our cottage. A cottage big enough for a Beast like me.”
“You aren’t a Beast,” He admonished gently, before his voice turned sheepish once more, “And I couldn’t help myself! There were so many fresh ones this year, I had to take them. Imagine all the possibilities and all the medicine I could make with all this, it could cure an entire village!”
The Beast balled his paws into fists hard. Deku could even see the veins pop right out.
“You still give a fuck about those bastards? You could die in front of them, and they wouldn’t bat an eye. You’re scum to them, Deku.”
Deku’s eyes softened at the one he loved, “I know. But we’re all Human, Kacchan. I can’t just sit around while they watch their loved ones die.”
“You’re stupid.”
Deku truly was. Deep down he knew he shouldn’t bother with the local townspeople. He had already tried to cure them all, having whipped up countless batches of medicine, leaving them on the front steps of the town mayor to be used by all. He would wake up at absurdly early hours just to tend to worried mothers and dying seniors and was fundamental in fighting the Black Death when it tore through their village. He had always tried his very best to work something out between him and the villages masses. To prove to them that he isn’t some sort of witch. He only just wanted to help them.
“You’re think that acting all nice to them, they’re eventually going to treat you like how they used to back in Belleshire? They’re not going to change Deku. A leopard never changes its spots.”
Deku knew it was foolish and naïve. To keep believing that if he kept being nice to them, they would change and love and accept him. And that one day, they’ll do the same to Kacchan. He knew it was a pipe dream and hearing Kacchan say that to him was like being hit in the gut with the pipe.
“That’s what they say to a Beast like you as well.”
Deku knew Kacchan wouldn’t throw a tantrum. He’s grown past that, even going so far as to promise he wouldn’t. He has done so much for Deku’s sake that the Human at times would hate himself at how he’s done nothing to help the Beast. That’s why this cure is so important to him. He wants, needs to repay his debt to him.
He however admits that he doesn’t appreciate Kacchan’s silence. The Beast just sat down, cross-legged and gave him a blank look. Was he pondering over his words?
“I’m going to the town market. I have to buy something from Uraraka. I’ll be back soon.”
Deku grabbed his satchel and closed the door to the cottage.
The flowers bordering the dirt path reminded Deku of the ones they have back at the castle. They were in full bloom, no longer shy as they show their faces to the world. Deku had to hold himself back from picking these flowers in particular. They were the only ones he and the Beast had grown together.
The path connected the cottage to the town centre, like their own door to the outside world. Deku always liked seeing the shift from dirt to stone as he got nearer and nearer to the town. He could even see the large statue of the King from where he was now.
Deku liked the King, he was the only one willing to take in a Beast. The others spat on Kacchan’s feet or called Deku a witch.
The town market was bustling this spring with men running around with cartwheels full of food. Deku wasn’t the only one who was busy harvesting this season as he smelled the ripe fruits and fresh spices the season brought. He could hear the loud chants the townspeople were making to the God of Harvest, thanking her for her mercy. They were going to even celebrate this time. Deku would have joined the festivities, but he promised that he wouldn’t go to any festivals without Kacchan. And for Kacchan’s safety, they would hide from public eye as much as they possibly could.
He saw Uraraka on the far corner, her face brightening up upon seeing the green haired boy.
“Deku! It’s so nice to see you again, how are you?”
“I’m fine! And so is Kacchan! I’m making another one and I need some ginger. How much is a bag full of them?” He didn’t need to specify what another one meant, Uraraka already knowing full well about their situation.
Uraraka took the bag in Deku’s hand and filled it to the brim with ginger.
“Usual price is about 10 gold coins, but you can just pay me 5 bronze ones.”
Deku balked at Uraraka’s smiling face, “I couldn’t! It’s unfair for you.”
The brunette giggled as Deku accepted the almost overflowing bag, and reassured him that it wasn’t a big deal. The season so far had yielded more fruits and meats than even the highest estimations. Uraraka saw her profits rise exponentially this season due to the brilliant quality of her stock.
Deku thanked her profusely, hands clenched around the bag. She was one of the very few people that actually saw him as friend rather than a witch that would ‘leave you dying and eat up your children.’ If Deku hadn’t been in the market that day and hadn’t clumsily bumped into her, causing her to drop her spices everywhere making her spill all her spices out, he would have been missing hundreds upon thousands of key ingredients for his medicine.
“There’s the witch again.”
Deku felt his gut twist. The villagers were talking about him.
“I heard he ‘cured’ someone again yesterday with that magic of his.”
“He’s cursed, I’m telling you. He’s the spawn of Satan, a disgusting vile scumbag, who doesn’t deserve to live.”
“He tried to make my Mama eat his cursed food, promising her that she’ll be healthy again. Of course I threw it out and kicked him out. Last thing I need is Mama being cast to the Underworld for no good reason.”
Deku felt the tears begin to form, he wanted to go home. Deku was hopeful that one day, one day, the villagers would accept him. He just needed to continue aiding the sick and the weak and one day, they would embrace him with open arms. It’s the only thing he could do to win their trust.
“I heard he fucks the Beast every night.”
Deku scratched the skin around his ears to make sure he was hearing it right.
“No way. He’s definitely a sinner, waiting to be burnt alive.”
“Oh yeah,” The first voice reaffirmed, “fucking kisses and makes lovey dovey eyes with a fucking animal. I heard he’s crazy for bestiality, a slut he is, even resorting to animals. I guess he had to let his steam off somehow, and the Beast is the only one who’ll accept him.”
“I’m sorry for the poor Beast he dragged into this,” A laugh from the second.
“Why should you? It’s a monster fucking another monster, a match made in Hell. May God have mercy on them both.”
Deku was ready to use One for All and jump his way back home before he felt his sleeve tugged by a young boy.
“Deku-sensei? I need your help again.”
He didn’t want to stay. He wanted to leave. He wanted someone to tell him that these villagers would one day accept both him and Kacchan. He felt weak now, as weak as the patients he saved.
But he couldn’t bring himself to say no when he saw Kouta’s eyes filled with curiosity and admiration. He’s one of the few that didn’t demand his head on a sharp pike after all. He bent down so his eyes would meet Kouta’s. His protégé gave a sheepish smile, most likely messing up some sort of recipe again. He was a smart and capable boy, but his absentmindedness often would lead him to mix up his remedies. Kouta pulled up a wooden bowl filled with green liquid that was behind his back.
“Papa has a bad cough today and so I tried to make some sort of medicine for him! But I don’t think it’s getting better. In fact, I think it’s getting worse. But I’m sure I used the right medicine this time- that it was definitely not the medicine for aging! I even double checked the ingredients! What did I do wrong?”
Kouta thumbed the bowl between his hands nervously, akin to that of a child caught stealing a toy. Putting the bag of ginger in between his legs, Deku gave him a one armed hug so as not to disturb the mixture and took his small notebook out, flipping to the page for cough medicine. He handed it to him, trading it for the bowl.
“Spot anything different?”
As Kouta tried to find his mistake, Deku dipped his finger in the bowl and tasted the medicine. He was certain Kirishima wouldn’t mind if Deku got his hand inside his remedy. He licked the few drops that fell on his lips, confident that he knows what the little boy missed.
“I forgot to add Shan Yao.”
“Yup.”
Kouta hit his forehead with the back of his hand, frustrated at his forgetfulness.
“I can’t believe I forget the most important ingredient! I’m so stupid”
Deku poked the boy in his cheek with his free hand, earning him a raised eyebrow.
“Sorry, couldn’t help myself. They look so soft.”
Kouta grumbled. He was used to how weird adults are around him.
Deku gave a hearty laugh before sitting down beside Kouta.
“You know I was pretty stupid as well when I started under All Might.”
“No way, someone as cool as you?”
Deku’s face grew red at the compliment but still continued his story.
“I once added salt when the recipe asked for sugar and All Might was not pleased at all when he tasted it.”
“Just like what I did to you too?”
“Yup! Unfortunately.” There was a pause between his words as Deku crunched his face at the unpleasant memory.
Kouta giggled. Deku was glad that he was able to meet a child like Kouta. His protégé, with so much potential. He gave Deku hope that this town could change for the better. One day.
“One day, I’m going to become just like you, Deku-sensei. And then I’m going to be even better, curing you all with a smile on my face!”
Kouta gave a smile of his very own, large and wide showing Deku’s his pearly whites. Something the boy inherited from Kirishima. Deku soon felt himself return a smile of his own, before they both fell into a fit of giggles and laughter. All Might always told him how important a smile was, that you had to save them all with one on your face. He never knew why, but it sure made him feel better when he’s administering medicine to the sick.
Deku knew he was naïve and stupid, but Kouta reassured him that his dream was no pipe dream.
When he recovered from his laughter, he took his pouch of gold coins out.
“Look, you need Shan Yao. It’s important. Here, buy some from Uraraka with this.”
He handed Kouta ten gold coins, giggling at the shock on his face at the lumpsum of money.
“And tell her to keep the change.”
Deku burst into the cottage when he saw the door was left ajar and took in the destruction before him. The walls were scratched. Huge claw marks that dug into the walls. They were long and deep, one that takes far too much energy and force to create for anyone else than his Kacchan. It truly demonstrated how fearsome he could be. The cottage was left in a state of pure chaos as all that reminded both Human and Beast of their home was ravaged and destroyed. Anything that reminded Kacchan that he was still Human had to disappear.
He was having another one of his tantrums.
He zipped past thorough the shredded pictures, the broken vases and the upturned furniture, trying to find Kacchan. He was scared that the villagers knew about this cottage. Their safe space that made sure Kacchan wouldn’t wake up at gunpoint.
Deku didn’t know if he should breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Kacchan safe in the bedroom.
He stepped forward, slowly as to not startle the Beast. He whispered a few words of comfort, making sure Kacchan knew he was there. That Deku was there, Deku and no one else. When their eyes met, he saw the last bit of Human in him gone. All that was left in the void of his soul was the Beast. Kacchan gave a loud roar that seemed to shake the house itself. A roar so full of frustration and anger. It was getting worse.
He began to hum their song, singing louder when he heard Kacchan mumble the tune alongside him. His footsteps became softer and softer the nearer he was to the Beast. The Beast no longer roared but would still growl at Deku.
They were running out of time.
And when Deku felt his hand safely on Kacchan’s furry forehead, he could feel how the veins slowly disappeared. Kacchan was becoming Human again. Kacchan was winning.
Deku tiptoed on his toes and kissed the Beast. Relief washed over him when he felt Kacchan return the kiss back to him. He savoured the Beast’s lips against his.
Hundreds upon millions would crawl back at disgust at the scene. They couldn’t see Kacchan like Deku could. The lips against Deku’s and the hands wrapped around his were Human, even if the owner didn’t look like they were. The eyes that shared the same passion and love that Deku has were those of the very Human Deku grew up with since young, even if Kacchan was cursed.
So what if Kacchan was a Beast now, he still looked very much Human to Deku, inside and out.
Deku moved his head back, reminiscing how Kacchan tasted like. He stepped down, his toes aching from carrying him and gave the Beast a sympathetic look.
“It happened again, didn’t it?”
His voice was gruff and harsh, “I was scared that he-it was going to win, Deku. I was scared that I was going to become a Beast and eat you once you come back home. I-I thought I was going to lose you, Deku. And I don’t want to lose you again. We promised each other that.”
Deku gave the Beast a quick peck on the cheek.
“We just need to hurry up and find a cure, okay? I love you Kacchan.”
Kacchan couldn’t respond before Kirishima and Kaminari burst into the room carrying Kouta. His body was bruised and cut, his skin more purple and redder than peach, his hair as red as hibiscuses. There were so many wounds and so much blood on Kirishima’s hands. Deku couldn’t even hear Kouta breathe.
“Deku, it’s Kouta. The townspeople, they tried to kill him.” Deku jolted himself back into motion, his voice clipped and sharp.
“Put him down. Now. On the couch.”
Kacchan felt a cold breeze hit his back when Deku left his arms. He bit his lips, trying to tell himself the truth. That Deku was not going to leave him.
Deku grabbed and popped open vials and bottles full of medicine, emptying them into bowls and dipping his hands in them. Kirishima had already torn open Kouta’s clothes and Kaminari was already searching for bandages and scissors.
Kacchan looked with interest at how orchestrated it felt. These three were cooperating so easily and fluently, it was almost they were three persons sharing one mind.
This must have been how they looked like when they were treating him as well, all that time ago.
Deku rubbed the medicine all over Kouta’s bruised body. He didn’t flinch, paying special attention to the swollen parts and the knife stabs. It was all he could do to reassure his parents that he’ll come out alright.
Kirishima and Kaminari may not be like the other villagers crying and demanding answers from Deku, but it didn’t mean they weren’t the least bit anxious.
Deku tightened the bandages around Kouta, giving Kirishima and Kaminari the largest smile he could possibly give. He felt his cheek muscles ache, but the satisfaction of how he dealt with the situation was only made him smile wider. He was confident that he would wake up tonight and make a steady recovery.
Then Kirishima spoke.
“They called him a witch, Deku.”
The smile came crashing down. It made a loud clang as it hit the floor, a clang so loud and deafening that only Deku could hear.
“When we were running over to you, they kept calling you both bastards that should be hanged and killed. Agents of witchcraft. They wanted Kouta dead, Deku. All because he wanted to become just like you.”
Kirishima could feel the tears trail down his face when his eyes fell upon the red wounds currently littering Kouta’s body. Those scars would never heal, becoming permanent on his skin, constantly reminding them of their failures as parents. The village would forever look at those scars and remember Kouta as a sinner, and nothing more.
“They despise you Deku. They think you’re a devil sent to the town to spread sins and lies. They call your cures, black magic and even the children you save demand that you be put to death. And when they heard Kouta was your protégé, they reacted violently.”
Kaminari patted Kirishima’s back softly, moving his head in between the space his shoulder and head made. The blond said no words, but Deku knows that he had said millions to his partner.
And so he was taken aback when the Blond opened his mouth for the first time that day.
“Deku, we think Kouta should stop being your protégé.”
The Human tightened his fists. This was expected. After all, if Kouta was his son, he would do the same.
“Don’t get me wrong, he can still meet you, but just stop teaching him stuff. Please. We don’t want this to happen again. We want him to have a happy childhood.”
Deku knew it was selfish for him to try to change their minds. It would only hurt Kouta if he continued this. But the thought of losing the last bit of hope Deku had left crushed him into a million pieces that could never be put back together. The Human gave the unconscious boy a sad smile. As wide as the one he would give. Kouta would have wanted this.
“Get out.”
Kacchan moved near Kirishima and Kaminari s and gave them a look that can kill. His fangs glistened under the moonlight. The two tried to argue, but Kacchan silenced them with a roar deep from his belly. Deku stood up, afraid that the Beast inside him was back again. They shared a look with each other before Deku nodded his head in understanding.
It was silent and no words were exchanged, but at the same time Deku understood everything Kacchan wanted to say.
Kirishima and Kaminari carried Kouta up and thanked Deku quietly. They wished him luck as well, their eyes shifting towards Kacchan as they left. The Human waved them goodbye, trying to hold in the tears that would surely come.
He closed the door and turned only to crash head first into Kacchan’s chest.
“Do it.” It wasn’t a request.
“I’m okay, Kacchan. Really.”
He wasn’t okay. Kacchan could tell.
Deku couldn’t even believe his own words before he dug his face into Kacchan’s chest, finally letting the tears fall. Kacchan could only stroke the Human’s head. There wasn’t much a Beast like him can do to comfort the man who’s done so much for him. He was here for his tantrums, and he’ll be here for him as well.
Kacchan tried to pat the whimpers and the tears away. When that didn’t work, he moved to hug Deku’s body, careful not to crush him in the process. Deku’s body was warm, most likely warmer because of the tears.
He didn’t even have the chance to wish his last piece of hope goodbye.
Kacchan gulped. He didn’t want to do this. He inhaled deeply. For Deku’s sake, he had to.
“You know once I drink that medicine of yours, I’ll be Human again.”
Kacchan could feel the fur on his body move to the nodding of Deku’s head.
“We could run away to another town. Start anew. No one will have a reason to hate us, we’ll be two normal humans and we’ll fit right in. I mean who wouldn’t love a young, sexy, likeable, smart, strong and charming man- “
Kacchan moved to cup Deku’s cheeks, moving his head up so their eyes would meet, minding his claws against soft flesh.
“-and his quirky green haired companion.”
The Beast let out a loud yelp when he felt Deku step on his foot. Hard.
“I’m all those things too Kacchan. Probably even more than you ever will be.”
“Fat chance. I’m a charmer under all this hair and fur.”
Deku huffed and raised his feet, freeing Kacchan from the fleshy prison. And then in one quick motion, the Beast tackled the Human on the ground.
Deku laughed as Kacchan began snuggling into the crook of his neck, twisting his head around as the soft fur on his neck began tickling Deku’s smooth skin. The blond fur was soft and feathery, making it extremely effective for tickles, and because of it, Deku’s greatest weapon. The Human tried to wrap his arms around the Beast in an attempt to pull Kacchan off him, missing each and every one of them. Every inch of focus he had disappeared into light giggles and adorable snorts.
Kacchan liked hearing that laughter. He hadn’t been hearing it much lately, but he’ll treasure these moments when he inevitably becomes a Beast.
He knows the cure won’t work.
Deku grinned when his arms finally were around Kacchan’s neck. Like a scene out of some cliché romcom, Deku was on the ground with Kacchan right on top of him, his arms cosy and warm around his neck.
“This cure is going to work, Kacchan. And I’m going to make sure it will.”
Kacchan gave Deku a chaste kiss.
The one thing Kacchan didn’t want to do was to give Deku false hope.
Deku hummed as he mixed the boiled flowers together, creating a lilac liquid that gave off a flowery fragrance. It swirled around the wooden spoon before quietly settling. Deku liked making his medicine. The kitchen would often smell amazing after whipping up a few batches and being able to experiment the properties of certain plants was exciting.
It was also very peaceful.
The Human jumped when he heard Kacchan’s loud roar followed by a loud thump. This particular recipe needed crushed pepper and so rather than using a mortar and pestle, he figured he could ask Kacchan for help. The Beast decided the best way was to simply lay out the pepper on a mat, lay it on the floor and with his large paws, punch them into little pieces.
Kacchan was enjoying this a bit too much. The Beast happily added the crushed pepper into the lilac liquid with the smuggest smile on his lips.
Deku rolled his eyes before an idea came upon him. He ran to the cupboards and pulled out a small wool bag, he would always carry a few for situations like this.
He emptied the seaweed onto the mat in front of Kacchan, his smile ever so sly and wide. Kacchan raised an eyebrow at the foreign object in front of him.
“What’s this, Deku?”
“Katsuobushi.”
Kacchan returned Deku’s smile. If it’s a fight he wants, it’s a fight he gets.
“Oh, and I suppose you oh so desperately need this, don’t you?”
“Absolutely. Can’t go without it.”
To remind Kacchan how tough the food was, Deku grabbed his hammer from the warehouse and slammed it right down on a small corner of the seafood. It came out unscathed.
Kacchan let out a loud roar of laughter before cracking his knuckles. He performed a few quick mock breathing exercises before letting the onslaught of fists fall on the seafood. For five whole minutes, it was bombarded relentlessly with blows that could crush concrete, it was like watching the fabled Smash that destroyed the evil Nomu. Deku couldn’t help but release his fanboy self at the punches Kacchan was throwing. He kept on urging the Beast on, yelling praises and support as loud as the sound of fist against rock, completely forgetting that he was doing this all in the first place to challenge the Beast.
And when Kacchan finished, he sat down, letting the figurative dust settle before admiring his work. He gave a Cheshire’s grin to Deku, feeling proud looking at the sparkles in the Human’s eyes.
“What else can you do, Kacchan? Can you throw a super hard one instead of multiple small ones? What can you break with a super hard one? Do your hands hurt now? Can you use that strength with your feet as well?”
Kacchan gave Deku a look, immediately silencing him. Kacchan loved Deku with all his Human heart, but Deku would often mumble far too much for his own liking which infuriated him from time to time.
Deku apologised quietly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. With a forced cough, he added the rest of the ingredients in the bowl and mixed them, laughing at the look on Kacchan’s face when the Katsuoboshi fell inside the Human’s open mouth rather than into the bowl.
“At least give me some, shitty Deku.”
“They taste so good though, Kacchan.”
“Son of a bi-“
Kacchan stopped midsentence when Deku went up and kissed him. His lips were soft like cotton candy and had a texture that the Beast couldn’t describe. It was fleshly and plump, sort of like peaches but at the same time they were smooth like plums. This kiss was however, like spring itself, but nothing Mother Nature could ever give would compare. Deku’s tongue rubbed against Kacchan’s teeth delicately, asking for entrance.
Kacchan of course let him in.
It was like Deku was dipping inside of Kacchan and searched for the Human deep inside of him. Deku was the only one that knew who he truly was and this was him dragging him out of the Beastly exterior. That Kacchan was Human, like Deku was. It was a reminder, because looking at the mirror stopped working. Only Deku reminded him that he was Human. Deku and nothing else.
When Deku pulled back, the look on his eyes made Kacchan want to kiss him again. Back to where he felt Human.
“So how did it taste like?”
Kacchan grew red before pushing Deku’s face away to the wooden bowl lay forgotten in the kitchen.
‘Just go work on your stupid cure Deku.”
The Human giggled before adding the finishing touches to the cure.
He mixed the bowl, giving it a bit more elbow grease than he should have before pouring the now blueish liquid into a cup. He took a few sniffs before jumping up and down in satisfaction. This cure was going to make him Human, he knows it.
He made his way over to the Beast, making sure not to spill any liquid, hands wrapped around the cure that was going to make him Human again. It was going to reverse the curse that the Witch cast on King Bakugou Katsuki. He couldn’t help but feel excited as he approached to Kacchan, inadvertently letting a few drops spill out of the cup.
He couldn’t understand why Kacchan was frowning when he presented the cure to him. Shouldn’t he be smiling? This is the cure that’s going to make him Human after all. Nonetheless, he handed it to the Beast, even giving him a quick peck on the cheek. The Beast could only grumble as he hesitantly drank the cure, making sure to drink it as slow as he could.
Deku patted the soft fur that he’s glad he’ll never get to see again, and stroked the horns on the Beast’s head that were never supposed to be there. He was ready to say goodbye to all these inhuman things, and was ready to see the Human under all this again. The Human at the very core.
Which is why he felt devastation seeping into his gut when the cure wasn’t working.
Deku closed his eyes and opened them again. Once. Twice. Thrice. Kacchan wasn’t changing. He was still a Beast.
Deku grabbed the horns and pulled on them hard, hoping and praying that if he stole all the things that made Kacchan look inhuman, it would make him very much Human. He couldn’t bring himself to stop even as the man he loved was screaming in pain below him.
He felt defeated when Kacchan pushed him off onto the floor. Kacchan dare not roar, Deku didn’t need a reminder of the Beast in front of him.
Deku scratched his head, trying to think of another way to fix this. There must have been a missing ingredient. Lemongrass? Ginger? Camomile? He started pulling on his hair, screaming and shouting at the Gods, cursing them with all his might.
It was unfair.
He just wanted Kacchan to be Human, was it too much to ask for?
He stood up with resolve. Fuck the Gods. He balled his hands into fists and made his way back to the Kitchen. The tears were still there, but he could not dilly dally.
“I’m going to make a new one.”
Deku’s frown mirrored the one on Kacchan’s face, like Kacchan was staring at his own reflection. Except this version didn’t have huge horns on his head, or sharp claws or large paws that Deku nearly died on the hands of. But yet, this Beast was still as Human as the ones you’ll find outside.
Deku was sure of it. He just needed to pull him out.
“Deku, just stop it. It’s not going to work. You’re just going to get all depressed when it doesn’t work and throwing tantrums.” Kacchan’s voice was soft, but even that didn’t hide the cracks.
“I’m not going to give up, Kacchan. I will not stop thinking, even for a minute, for a cure, for something that will reverse this. I will keep opening and reading my journals and crushing and mixing every flower this world has. I will never stop, Kacchan.”
“Deku, for fuck’s sake. It hurts me as well too you know. When you look up at me with those stupid eyes filled with hope and then seeing the smile on your face disappear when it doesn’t work. I don’t want to be the cause of your distress.”
Deku looked up so his eyes would meet the Beast’s. He knew there was a Human in there, but will he remember that when he’s old and dying?
“I just want you to be Human again Kacchan. Don’t you?”
“Of course I do, but-“
“I want to feel your hands in mine again, I want to scream with joy and run around this fields with you, as you chase me like you used to do. I want to make stupid flower crowns and play kingdom with you again. I want to feel skin whenever we hug, and whenever we do that stupid shit couples do where they place their foreheads next to each other Kacchan. I don’t want Kirishima, or Kaminari, or Kouta or Uraraka or anyone else to look at you with fear whenever they see you. I don’t want myself to be scared of you.”
Kacchan could feel Deku’s world shatter, the pieces falling haphazardly around them like glass shards. He tried to reach for Deku, even humming their song. He was losing Deku, even if the Human hadn’t moved at all. This wasn’t the first time it happened, but Kacchan would still be at a loss of what to do each time.
The Beast enveloped Deku in a warm embrace, pinning his chest into his and holding his hands tight around his sides, he tried to hold Deku still. The last thing Deku needed to do right now was work on another impossible cure.
“Hey, Deku. Listen to me.”
Deku growled in frustration before surrendering, letting his arms fall beside him.
“Are you scared of me?”
Deku shook his head.
“I never was.”
“And you never fucking will be. I don’t care if you’re eighteen or eighty, I’m not going to scare you. I promise, okay?”
It was another promise. Just like the one they made when they ran away from the castle deep in the forest. That time they promised to never leave each other. Now they were reinstating that promise.
“I don’t care about what those damn demons in the town think. If they can’t see the fucking amazing ass person standing in front of me right now, it’s their fucking loss. I’ll destroy their asses tomorrow. Or something. I don’t know, right now all that matters is you. We’re going to do all that shit you wanted, right here, right now.”
Deku blinked, not processing what Kacchan was saying.
“What?”
“You heard me, get out right now. We’re making fucking flower crowns and shit.”
“But Kacchan, what if the villagers see you?”
“Who gives a damn? Tonight, we’re going to do shit that future us will handle.”
Kacchan was already at the door, his hand outstretched waiting for Deku to wrap his hands around it.
Sure, Kacchan was worried what will happen once he comes out. He was going to do something that he was going to regret tomorrow. Once the secret is out, the King will probably declare a national wide emergency and put him at the top of the Wanted list. But there was always another country. Or he could just jump down to town and kill the villagers. Who cares? For Deku’s smile, Kacchan was willing to destroy the world.
“You coming or not, Deku?”
Deku chuckled before running out to the fields, passing Kacchan completely.
“I want one made of posies.”
“Too bad, you’re getting roses for not kissing me on your way out.”
Deku guffawed before running to the Beast and kissed him on the lips, thanking him.
Kacchan grew beet red and proceeded to playfully hit Deku’s gut for kissing him without warning. Or for kissing him in general.
The two walked around the fields, Deku sitting on Kacchan’s shoulders as the Beast carried him. Under the night sky, the two played and ran around, Kacchan trying his best to catch a speedy Deku. With the moon soft and gentle glow, they ran out to the fields and screamed out their love confessions to each other, loud enough for the whole town to hear them and for the lights to flick back on.
They didn’t care if the whole town knew.
Not anymore.
“Kacchan is the most adorable little thing, especially when he’s trying to stifle his laughter at my amazing jokes!”
“Deku is the smartest person I have ever met, even if his jokes are stupidly dumb!”
“Kacchan is the strongest person I’ve ever laid eyes on, he can crush Katsuobushi like nobody’s business!”
“Deku is the nicest person ever that it makes me way too much guilty whenever I eat the last cookie!”
Deku narrowed his eyes.
“So it was you that ate the last cookie!”
“Who the fuck else could it be idiot?”
“I thought you said I was the smartest person you’ve ever met.”
Kacchan gave a smile. It was crooked and it looked like his muscles hurt at how unnatural it was for him. But it was real.
“You know it.”
And under the moon light with the gentle breeze of the Spring wind blowing against them, the two kissed. Beast and Human.
Deku woke up with the world still a blur around him. He moved his hands, feeling the soft earth under it. Kacchan and him fell asleep on the fields outside. There was no way the townspeople would miss them. Everyone knew he was Beast now, and they’ll have to move. He’ll have to say goodbye to his small group of friends.
Deku smiled.
It doesn’t hurt him as much as he thought it would.
He grabbed the flower crown from the top of his head. It was made of fresh posies, and vines. Simple and delicate. He stroked the fresh petals of the flowers.
It made him feel like Kacchan’s King.
He knew the rough life ahead of them both now that the townspeople knew of them. Human and Beast, just wishing to be condemned. He cackled thinking of the life waiting ahead of them.
“It’s going to be so much fun for us.”
They’ll have to pack everything up and move, find a place safe for them, build a house together, meet the neighbours and pray that they won’t kill them.
They. Kacchan and Deku. Human and Beast.
They’ll have to do all that together again.
It’ll be like starting over.
Except that they’re not starting over.
Deku grabbed the Human hand next to him and pushed himself on top of Kacchan for a hug. It was welcoming and felt so right. Deku never wanted to let go of Kacchan again.
The cure had worked.
Deku kissed the man in front of him, running his hands through the soft blond hair.
“Kacchan, Kacchan, wake up!”
The Human was still sound asleep to Deku’s disappointment. He sighed and moved his body closer to Kacchan’s.
Kacchan the Human.
Deku moved his hands around the smooth skin that he has never felt in ages. Up and down the chest and the neck. He placed his forehead against Kacchan’s, uninterrupted and smooth.
Kacchan looked exactly like how Deku imagined him to be.
A young, sexy, likeable, smart, strong and charming man.
He started to hum their song.
The song that now had lyrics, where it previously had none.
It was a song about two humans. Human and Human.