Work Text:
Rumors spread through the village, passing from generation to generation and attracting the curiosity of Katsumi.
After hearing many whispers and the forbidden details people weren’t supposed to say about this place…she decided to see it herself. It took her mouth and much training, but she finally reached this famous shrine everyone was talking about. On her way, she didn’t see many people, maybe because of this place's reputation or because they were afraid…
The shrine was still far away, but the woman never gave up. With a deep breath, she started walking faster, her eyes full of hope. By luck, she meets another woman after many hours of walking and taking some breaks.
The stranger’s voice echoes as she tries to stop Katsumi, who walks, determined, towards the sanctuary. "Wait, you must never go alone. Do you know the legend, at least? ”
Katsumi shakes her head, her blonde curls flying in the wind. “No, only a few details… but I want to go there to see it with my own eyes. Is it forbidden ?”
The stranger joined her, smiling at her comment. “I like your personality, and you’re the first one I see determined to reach this place in years."
“There’s a beginning for everything.”
“I’ll go with you and explain everything to you. Anyway, I won't be able to change your mind, can I ?” The woman asked.
Katsumi by a small smile. She could feel the wind on her face and the orange light of the sunset, highlighting her freckles. The mountain was breathtaking. No matter the places she visits, she’ll always find the beauty of the nature around her incredible.
The two started to get along, talking about what they were doing here, their life, and getting to know each other better. Thanks to her introverted parents, it was nice to chat and meet someone new, especially when Katsumi was reserved half of the time.
The woman then begins the story, catching the curious and interesting green eyes on her.
“The legend tells the tragic story of impossible and forbidden love between a demigod and a human. It all begins the day when Katsuki Bakugo, one of the most important mythical figures in mythology, no longer finds any pleasure and no reason to stay in Olympus. He was often described as an angry and heartless person, unable to love anyone, and he refused all marriage proposals offered to him. His physique was something people can’t forget: indeed. He had golden blond hair and piercing red ruby eyes able to make you fall the moment your eyes meet his.”
The young girl then encounters an obstacle and turns to see Katsumi, being interested in her storytelling and not seeing the step, making her fall. A sudden hand caught her with a warm smile accompanied by a laugh.
"Be careful where you set foot; the trail is quite complicated from here.”
Katsumi grabbed the other’s hand and whispered a small “thank you” between two breaths. They just walked half the path, and she was already exhausted; she suddenly cursed her ancestors for not transmitting their strength to her.
She kept listening to the familiar voice continuing his tale. “One day, bored with his occupations and loneliness, Katsuki decides to descend to the human world for the first time. He pretends to be a human and explores the city, everything is new to him, and without doing it on purpose, he bumps into someone. The blond is about to yell and tell the stranger to be more careful when his red eyes meet his. The stranger has green emerald eyes similar to jewels, spots with freckles worthy of a constellation where you could get lost easily, and curly green hair. The young boy is called Izuku midoriya and will change his life.”
Katsumi is amazed by this description. She could’ve tried to imagine what the two men must look like, but by the woman’s report, they both seemed breathtaking.
“It was love at first sight for Katsuki Izuku then politely apologized and walked on, leaving the blond confused. In the evening, he couldn't sleep at night and left, promising to find the stranger. This is how Katsuki began to descend more often to the human world, each time finding Izuku. The two were getting closer each day, to the point where Izuku finally fell in love with the blond. ”
The wind then sweeps her red hair and shows teal blue eyes. Katsumi’s eyes realized how the woman by her side was pretty and how close they were.
“When Izuku finally confesses his feelings, Katsuki feels happy but rather lies, making his lover think the blond is human too. With time, he decides to tell the truth, expecting a surprised or even disappointed reaction from the greenette because the basis of their relationship is a lie. Still, on the contrary, none of that happened. Izuku smiled and extended his scarred hands towards the blond, cupping his cheeks while Katsuki asked, “Aren’t you surprised? I'm a fucking demigod, and I've been lying to you all this time- ”
Izuku would’ve laughed before taking a soft voice. “I know something was wrong with you since the beginning, but it didn't stop me from loving you, your personality, and your bad sides. You know I don't care if you're a Greek god, human, or whatever. I fell in love with who you are. Nothing will ever make me change my mind. You are and will still be kacchan, the only one I love.”
The two women catch their breath as they come up the last steps of the stairs to the temple. Katsumi's green eyes shone in front of the huge building in front of her, decorated with an old and particular style that made it unique. The lianas and the exterior of the building gave a feeling of an abandoned place for years but still alive owing to the lesser interactions between wild animals and vegetation. Despite this particular aspect, the place remains magnificent, full of history, which gives sensations of nostalgia and a reassuring scent.
"It’s beautiful," said Katsumi, feeling the woman giving her a soft gaze.
"The uniqueness of this place is nonetheless its beauty. It adds something to the place, and his beauty is associated with the morale of the legend."
They both visited the place. Every corner was more beautiful and mysterious than the previous one, with traces of a past life still marking the memories.
--------
The two women made their way through the vegetation to finally find the entrance pushing the large door in front of them and entering the quiet place. Each step resonates with the room's echo, and the fresh air crosses the room inanimate.
“Following this, Katsuki and Izuku got married in secret. They didn't tell anyone, and Katsuki decided to live in the human world with the one he loved and spent the rest of his days by his side. Their loss lasted until their last breath, always taking care of each other and loving each other like the first day. Katsuki gradually opens up to Izuku, and they have the life they always wished for. Nothing could separate them.”
The red-haired woman sighed, and her face transformed into something more serious, almost like nostalgia.
“I wish I could tell you how the story ends now, but it would be a lie.”
Katsumi put her hands on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.
“But unfortunately, the more time passed, the more the gods noticed the constant absence of the blond…to the point where they sent their messenger Kirishima to watch him. This is how Mitsuki and Masaru Bakugo learned the truth. Mitsuki, under the excess of angrily, asks to kill Izuku to bring her son back, but despite her husband's effort to calm her, nothing works.”
They both arrived in front of a huge statue of two men. One dies in the other's arm, and the fear on the other's face leaves Katsumi speechless.
“This is how on a tragic winter night, this happened. It was the day of the birth of their first and only child: We could hear in the distance cries of pain, enough to wake everything in the neighborhood. Izuku was giving birth to the fruit of their love; Katsuki was by his side all along, holding his hand, reassuring him, and suddenly, an infant cry sounded. Haru Midoriya Bakugo came into the world. The hours that passed were the most important of their lives, welcoming Haru and not suspecting that disaster would strike. After calming the infant in his arms, Katsuki sets him down near his dam beside them and joins his lover. The blond then kisses his forehead and tells him he is proud of him and has gone to bed, hugging each other, whispering sweet words, and feeling safe around each other. Izuku then whispered, intertwining the blond's fingers…
“I wish this moment never ends. Thank you for having entered my kacchan life," accompanied by a soft and light “I love you” before closing his eyes.”
The red-haired girl tried to hide the pain in her voice because every time she recounted this part, the emotion tended to wash over her.
“A few hours later, while the two lovers were together, hugging each other as if they could not separate, someone came in discreetly. The stranger pushed the door and tried to make as little noise as possible. The masked man stood up. He moved until he found the sleeping family peacefully. The crackling fire, the wind sweeping the windows, and the shadow that gets closer and closer to them then begin to pronounce these words “Katsuki Bakugo, you dared to disobey the rule of the gods and flee. Now that I will put an end to your little paradise you will have no choice but to return to yours ”and to these words… ..”
The redhead didn't dare speak anymore, too afraid to say anything. She felt Katsumi's soft hand on her shoulder, knowing she was trying to comfort her.
"It’s okay; you can take your time.”
The woman then replied with a smile and took a deep breath to move on to the end of her story, still under the curious green eyes of the blonde by her side.
“... he planted the blade in Izuku's body, the shrill noise echoes throughout the room, and a cry of pain escapes from the greenette. Haru starts to cry, the lightning appears, and Katsuki suddenly wakes up. His first vision was Haru with his tears, observing Izuku asleep to finally turn his head and see the man in front of him. His body froze by recognizing him: it was Dabi, the murderer of the family.”
-----
"It’s been a while. Did I miss you," Dabi said with a smile that would mark Katsuki’s mind forever.
The blond didn't have time to answer because the man started to walk towards the pram where Haru was. The newborn was still crying, his body moved on its own, and suddenly within seconds, he found himself face-to-face with Dabi.
The villain was holding the bloody blade. “So you wanna protect your little family? Is Katsuki bakugo capable of loving after all?” The tone in his voice was provocative enough to make the blond grin.
His first instinct was to grab the first object that was next to him: A sword.
Everything then happened quickly, chaining movements and attacks, blows were lost, and Dabi managed to injure his cheek, leaving a shallow scratch. Katsuki managed to block him near the fire; the blond's face expressed a deep hatred and a desire to kill, seeing his opponent's face just laughing at the situation.
“I think Mitsuki was not wrong to warn me of your strength” Katsuki’s eyes went wide.
“My ... old hag? what- ”
Dabi took delight in telling the whole story to the blond, who still held his son despite the shock of the revelations. Haru was still crying and in a rush; once all the truth had exploded, Katsuki grabbed the sword to put it under his opponent's chin.
"Don’t you dare approach my family once again, or I’m the one who’s gonna get it on you" his red eyes became cold.
“Oh, do you think I will come back? Ask your dear husband how he feels- ”
“WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM, BASTARD” he instantly raised his voice, and the blade got closer and closer to the villain.
"Let's say I did my mission."
These words.
With these words, Katsuki couldn't control himself and then hammered the blade deep into Dabi’s chest, repeatedly repeating the process and expressing his anger.
After multiple picks and multiple hits, Katsuki wipes the blood off his cheek and glances at his opponent's lifeless body.
“Fucking bastard, I told you, nobody touches my family.”
Katsuki removes the blood with his arm and walks towards Haru. He automatically hugs and cradles him; the infant's cries don't stop, and he then tries everything to calm him down and grabs a piece of cloth belonging to Izuku. He puts him in the arms of the infant, who calms down automatically. He then starts to rock him and takes a glance at sleeping Izuku. He slowly moved to the bed and ruffled his curls, waiting for an answer.
“Oi deku, wake up.”
There was no answer, only dead silence in the room.
“I'm not kidding, nerd. It’s important we need to” Katsuki suddenly pulls back, turning his lover over and seeing a stream of blood flowing from the sheets.
His gaze falls on the hole in his stomach, the wound seems deep enough, and Izuku isn’t showing any sign of reaction. Katsuki knew that he would be sensitive after giving birth, especially in this part…. without realizing it, the blond felt tears run down his cheeks.
“Dek…Izuku,” his voice was low, the words refused to come out, and nothing could define his feelings. He didn't know if it were too late and medical care would come in handy, but then he had it all try.
“Wake up, freckles, please,” Katsuki begged him. The sobs were starting to get more and more irregular.
"Don’t do this to me,” he whispered, putting his head on the freckled man’s chest. “Haru needs you; we need you..... I need you."
There was only one more thing to do. The thing he feared the most…He decided to run his hand over his neck.
There was no beat.
Izuku had left this world for a long time.
The blond hated to admit it, but it was a reality from now, a life without the man he lived.
The world of Katsuki crumbles. He puts Haru to the side and hugs the freckled man as tight as possible, telling himself that this is a bad dream and that tomorrow he would wake up with the laughter and the soft voice of his husband, who would happily call him to have breakfast while holding Haru in his arms saying “Oh look there is daddy.”
Katsuki refuses to let go of his lover and never breaks contact. As the minutes pass, Katsuki does not move, Izuku’s lifeless body begins to turn cold, and tears have gone dry. The blond sweeps the green strands on his forehead and admires the freckles he loves so much for the last time.
“Idiot, you promised me that you would always stay by my side” he runs his fingers over his soft skin, cupping the freckled cheeks. “I promise I'll do my best to raise Haru. I know somewhere you'll always be there to watch us.”
He kisses his forehead and allows himself to shed one last tear.
“You were strong, you fought well, and I’ll never forgive you. You can sleep in peace now.”
Haru then started to move again, catching his attention. The blond looked at the infant with a sad smile.
“I guess it's only us two now.”
The infant's eyes were similar to Katsuki’s, his freckles and green hair strongly reminiscent of Izuku. The blond couldn't help but smile as soon as he saw his son's gaze, knowing he would do his best to make him happy and make Izuku proud.
The next day, Katsuki gave one last look at the place where he spent memorable, unforgettable moments. The one where Izuku’s laughter still resounded in the room; this table when Izuku had announced that he was pregnant, his tears of joy, their future potential with Haru, seeing him both grow up, being by his side, enduring Izuku's mumbles and seeing his eyes light up upon hearing his first words.
He drops a soft gaze when he sees the freckled man’s face smiling at him. It was the ghost of his past love and yet, the unforgettable part of his story…the one where he was alive for the first time in decades.
He takes Haru, asleep in his arms, and looks at her husband's grave in the garden.
“Goodbye, my love. I love you.”
He turned his back and left. Now he and his son were left. Everything was going to be alright
-----
“And as the years went by, Haru grew up, resembling more and more Izuku. The blond who endlessly told him about the exploits of his dam and the kind man he was. Finally came the time to say goodbye, or the disease took Katsuki, who tuned humans a long time ago, to be with his lover. He left his son with his wife and child, and after all those years, he would finally be able to find the man he lived with and tell him about their son. Finally, the two lovers were reunited and have watched over their descendants until now.”
The red-haired woman had just finished the story, and without the remark, Katsumi noticed tears streaming down her cheeks. All her childhood, she was told that the story had a tragic end, but she would never have suspected this ending. Her eyes went up and then fixed on the status, which represented Katsuki holding the lifeless body of his lover.
Between two sobs, Katsumi felt a hand rest on her shoulder. “It’s the first time you hear it. It's alright; I also cried when I heard it. The most beautiful thing in all of this is that Haru and his generations have been able to transmit history until now. It also proved that our story should not be neglected with time…I like how no matter the differences between others, being different mentally or physically, we will remain human, and everyone deserves to be loved. Katsuki was a god, but that didn't stop Izuku from loving him until his last breath.”
Her voice was reassuring, and the blonde girl wiped away her tears. “I don't know why, but I always felt a connection between this legend and me. People avoid talking to me, and I never knew it until now."
The red-haired young woman glanced curiously at her. “Only now? How are you feeling ?"
Katsumi took a breath and noticed the tenderness in the woman’s gaze.
"Better; thank you for accompanying me so far. By the way, we didn't introduce ourselves."
The red-haired girl chuckled and held out her hand there. Katsumi looked at her curiously.
“Itsuka, my name is Itsuka Kendo”
The blonde grabbed her and made a small smile.
“Katsumi, Katsumi Bakugo Midoriya”