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Katsuki opened his eyes to a sight he'd never forget. He was laying on his back, head propped up against something firm and soft.
Izuku was above him, holding him gently and there was something wet, like water, running down his face. He felt the urge to rub it away but he stayed put, trying to collect his thoughts.
They were on the ground, not in the sky, Katsuki recalled, although his brain was still a little muddy from having just woken up. They were sitting on something that felt like tiny rocks and there was water going in and out like a tide.
Katsuki knew this place, but he couldn't quite recall what it was. A Beach. His brain helpfully supplied. Although he couldn't recall which beach, it seemed like an important place. Frustrated that he couldn't remember, he tried to move to get a better look. But an intense pain flared up in his chest, he grimaced. Izuku seemed to notice.
"K-Kacchan?" He said, his face red. "You're awake! A-Are you okay? Anything hurt?" Izuku questioned. The pain in his chest was still present as he tried his best to respond.
"F-fine nerd, where a-are we?" Katsuki whimpered, the pain in his chest starting to fade.
"Takoba Municipal Beach. Remember? I trained here with All Might." Izuku recalled. Right, that's where they were. It was where Izuku started his journey as a hero. Katsuki's hero.
"Oh.” he whispered “What happened?" Katsuki asked, worried for the answer. He knew something unpleasant had happened, although he couldn’t recall what. At first there was no response, Izuku just looked at him, new wetness starting to form in his eyes.
"Oi Deku, talk to me."
Izuku let out a heartbreaking whine, hand moving to rest on Katsuki's chest.
"You d-died, Kacchan." Izuku's voice broke, he clutched desperately at Katsuki's hero costume above his heart. Died. Katsuki died. He died and came back. How? There were so many thoughts running through his head. He left Izuku. But Izuku is right here clutching him, like he was scared he’d leave for good. Unconsciously, Katsuki's hand moved to cradle Izuku's against his chest.
“Died?” Katsuki croaked with wide eyes, Izuku nodded shakily in response. Katsuki processed what exactly that meant, which took a few minutes, but when he came to he looked at Izuku’s tearful face. He was still sobbing, fat tears rolling down his soft cheeks. He’s crying. The thought hit Katsuki like a freight train. How did he not notice sooner? He was crying because Katsuki had left him.
Now, the only thing Katsuki could think of was Izuku and how to do his heart well. All he could ponder was, protect and comfort Izuku.
“Shh, it’s okay, ‘m right here” Katsuki shushed Izuku, his other hand coming up to hold Izuku’s face, wiping away the tears there. He felt responsible for putting those tears on his face. Izuku shouldn’t be crying, he should be cheerful and happy. He shouldn’t waste his tears on me.
“Kacchan,” Izuku cried.
“‘m right here Izuku, not going anywhere”
“You died”
“I know, but I’m here now, aren’t I?” Katsuki waited for a response, when it didn’t come he called again, “Izuku?”
“Yeah” Izuku sighed, sounding so relieved yet so heartbroken at the same time. “You’re here” with me, went unsaid.
“Couldn’t have said it better myself, nerd.” Katsuki smirked. The pain in his chest was now a dull throbbing, so he sat up and pressed his forehead to Izuku’s while keeping their hands connected on his chest.
They both closed their eyes, content with basking in each other's presence and the fact they’re both still alive.
A while later Izuku’s crying ceased and they parted, still close enough for their breaths to be mingling. Smiling, they pulled in closer, lips meeting in a slow, gentle kiss.
The sun was setting, the pale tint of orange glinted on the water surface making the ocean shine with the colors of the sun. The evening sun lit up their faces, making them both seem angelic.
And in that moment, kissing like love-sick teenagers, that was enough for them.