Archive of Our Own

Golden hair, a tall figure, and a raspy voice entered the room knowing he would be the name on their lips. Everyone in this small town was guilty of fantasizing about this shadow, but no one would have admitted it publicly. It would be a disgrace to their family and their unhappy marriage to even talk to this man. Curious glances fell on the bags under his crimson eyes before they fell on the old scars on his body, mingled with the news.

This town was too small for everyone who had already decided on their next target to chase endlessly. Don’t blame them for seeing this new face every day for years and admiring him from afar. Having a man like Katsuki Bakugo in their lost town was a unique opportunity. This man was indeed known for his success. All over the world, the blond’s reputation was described for his strength and the battles he had won in the naval war.

The legends and rumors about his story were all different, but they could all agree on the same thing: Katsuki was just a high school student who had barely finished his major and went to war alone overnight.

It was a surprise to his parents and their greatest pride because her name would be the talk of the town. Small stares exchanged, whispers late at night, or even poor souls trying to catch the blond’s attention echoed in those streets. After the war, the city would celebrate the return of its strongest soldier. Many people tried to become his friends just because their selfishness was reflected in their eyes.

The stubborn blond with the golden hair attracted everyone's attention with his grin. The town knew him as a heartbreaker who turned down marriage proposals and many dates from the poor souls who tried their luck. Nobody knew anything about his life. He was someone who kept his hobbies, activities, and even his partner a secret. Many people tried to figure out the mystery behind that infectious smug look and crimson eyes, but they couldn’t find anything.

“Would you give me the pleasure of avoiding me now? I would never please your selfish ego. I’m not that kind of man…I know how to keep promises, unlike you, who seems to sell your body to every man in this town.”

“You...” her voice echoed in the previous silence, tears streaming down her cheeks in humiliation. “You bastard!”

This time, the blond grinned as he watched the woman leave the place, shouting his name with many insults in the streets. She had never been so humiliated in her life, especially not in public, and her reputation would be tarnished by the previous interaction. Knowing the town, indeed the whole country, she would not dare leave her house without being called more horrible names. That was the risk everyone was taking with Katsuki Bakugo, who had more war and blood on his hands than people in his bed.

All eyes were on the taller man standing here, his fingers wrapped around his cup as he requested another shot of beer. It wasn't his favorite alcoholic beverage, but some of his fight-related friends ended up explaining how it could solve all of his problems on some nights. He didn't want to admit it, but the extras were correct, even if he had another plan for tonight.

"Did you enjoy the show?" Because I'm not one of your fucking puppets in some meaningless show you'll watch to make up for your sad life." His words were harsh and cruel, but they were true. 

They all knew, with one look, that the venom spewing from this soldier's mouth was their sad reality. They were celebrating his return, but Katsuki had no desire to come here when he could be somewhere else. He had to deal with the poor and broken souls who tried to have his heart and attention after returning home feeling great. 

This world was unjust, as Katsuki had learned over the years. The tragedy of the battlefield, his bloodied hands, and his lost echo in his nightmares. It was a harsh reality in which none of them were safe, and yet... For one person, Katsuki was still alive.

Technically, "one person" was not on good terms because another was sharing his heart. Because of of powerful once-in-a-lifetime aspect, it was the kind of love that could not be described in words. On the battlefield, when the rain welcomed the body of a fallen friend, those two people would be the only thing he could think about. The promises he made to them would play over and over in his mind, keeping him awake at night and reminding him that he wouldn't be able to forgive himself for imagining the tears in their eyes if he never returned.

He spent a lot of time on the road. It was part of his job, but if he hadn't gone on this journey, he wouldn't have met the person who made him fall for the ocean trip. 

This person was the most important in his life, and he was also his mate, even though their love was forbidden.

——

Years ago when the story started, 

The wind would ruffle his brow, indicating that fresh air was blowing in from the north. Their most recent battle had been more bloody than usual, with many men killed. Their memories will be treasured for the rest of their lives, and their friends will gladly tell their stories to the rest of the world when they return. Some of them lost a best friend, father, or mentor...sadly, it was the cost of being in this boat heading in an unknown direction.

The moment their feet touched this old wooden floor that had survived decades, their fate was sealed. The ghosts of this place had witnessed more bloody scenes than anyone alive today. Decades of history and endless war could be felt in their captain's every step. It was an old man who had seen and survived enough to be able to prepare his men. Some would label him selfish, while others would label his actions irrational, but Katsuki was not one of them.

Instead of being stepped on by the authority, he would fight back and raise his voice if necessary. This may be why some whispers regard the blond as their "boss's favorite." Katsuki would only get a warning if one of their colleagues was reprimanded for a mistake. 

This tension would not help the men who had been living together for years. Hateful stares, betrayal, and even murder attempts summed up their life on this boat. The bravest stayed alive until the end, while the weakest jumped off the boat at night when no one could see their fate. 

Katsuki always kept an eye on him, making sure he was safe. They had witnessed previous surprise attacks that had resulted in the deaths of innocent people. But he'd never forget the first time he met him. 

—

It was a hot day, and the sweat from his brow was mixed with the curse he was about to utter. Their communication was harsh, especially after a defeat, but no one dared to complain. Some idiots would drown themselves in drinks, while others would divert their attention by stealing some fish.

"'Captain, we got a big one," a loud voice shouted to the crowd, his hands tightly gripping the rope. He couldn't let his prey get away, especially since all eyes were on him. 

"Catch them instead of talking and overwhelming me," the older man's voice echoed through the background noises. 

This interaction drew the attention of the blond, who was trying to sleep. Forced to watch those poor guys entertain themselves with stupid fishes, he let out a groan. However, the scene was amusing to watch, especially since their next target was giving them trouble. Some comments were made by this crowd about how the "favorite" wasn't helping.

"It's because you're useless, but you were too blinded by your fateful hope in drinks and lost dreams," Katsuki said coldly, knowing that some of those men gave him a death glare. Everyone knew he was correct, but it was too early to start a fight…

"We got the catch," another yelled, waking up all the eagles in the country. "He was rough and defended his poor life, but it's another win!"

Katsuki rolled his eyes, put his hat back on, and fell asleep. He needed to avoid their nonsense because if they celebrated this minor and insignificant victory, they wouldn't make it to the end. The crowd's voices grew louder as they welcomed their captain, and the boat fell silent. 

"What a jerk you are, how can you compare a simple fish to such a valuable commodity?" Did you know that mermaids are extremely rare in these seas? Especially in such a seasonal climate? So stop staring at it like it's your mother and get back to work!"

Is she a mermaid? Katsuki hadn't heard this name in a long time. His parents told him many fairy tale stories as a child about mythological creatures living in the oceans with their own language that humans were unaware of. It had always been a passion until the sparkles faded, leaving only the blood on his hands. 

"Hey, Bakugo, the order also applies to you." The older man groaned in his beard, casting a cold glance at the ostensibly sleeping figure. "I don't trust any of these idiots, including you, but you're the wisest." I will now delegate your previous tasks to you to take care of the observation of our last take. You will be exempt from missions until we reach the next land and determine what we will do with this intruder. Remember, one bad shot and you'll be on the board, okay?" 

Katsuki sighed in response, only to be yelled at by the older figure. He could fight back, but his new task irritated him. What was he doing babysitting a stupid mermaid for? It wasn't his fault that this idiot got himself into trouble in the sea. His taller figure walked through the crowd, still standing around the mermaid who was attempting to free herself from the rope. Their harsh laughs and comments echoed in the blond's ears, and everything came to a halt when they noticed him.

"Aren't you supposed to be the villain?" So, why are you acting like children who were caught doing something wrong by their parents? Stop acting so stupidly and pay attention to the extra; I'll handle the catch personally." 

"You're not taking our jobs because you have the boss's favor. We've been here longer than you, and we understand how easily an accident can occur." Another man with a dark smile threatened him, but Katsuki fought back. He was not going to let this jerk take his place and win.

"Are you selling your destiny?" Because if the occasion arises, I will gladly remove the light from your eyes. Now go to your fucking work and assist me with this. We can't let it go hungry in the sun or it'll die before we get to the next land." 

The other man groaned and was forced to accept the blond's order against his will. Nothing would change in their dynamic if their captain was the only one to whom they would listen. They would give each other orders when they could, whether they were colleagues or rivals. 

The rope that separated the mermaid and the humans was specifically designed to support a heavy weight without being cut. Another of their creations that they took away before setting sail to seal their fate at sea, not knowing if they would ever return home. It was a lonely life, with companions and rivals, but at the end of the journey, they'd be alone against the world. Despite the constant movement of their catch and the seemingly infinite distance between the bridge and the water room. The captain had not specified the location of their stateless, but Katsuki knew it was the only place where he could stay alive. They will arrive in another country in a few days, with other fights waiting for them. 

"Get up and do something instead of staring at him!" I thought the boss had assigned you a task." The obnoxious man responded, complaining about how painful it was. The aquarium was much smaller than expected, and the weight on their shoulders became increasingly heavy.

"At least I have some of his trust, unlike you, who is only concerned with the wife you cheated on last month." At the very least, I dare to look in the mirror in the morning."

"Maybe, but I know someone is waiting for me at home, unlike you." Your actions will bring you nothing but loneliness until you die. I'll be there to see you lose consciousness by yourself..."

“Shut the fuck up and let me take the lead for the next days. I have a mission, and I will carry it out. Get out of here now, I'll handle this mission on my own if you can't do anything." Katsuki pointed out with a death glare as the other exited the room.

 Running away is always the easiest option, especially for the most vulnerable people. With a sigh, his calloused hands had to rely on themselves to lower the heavy mermaid into the water. 

"Don't give me that look; we both know this is going to be your new hell for the next few days. I'll have to babysit you, as much as I despise it." 

The blond didn't realize it until now, but the mermaid standing beneath his eyes was precisely as he had imagined it to be when he was younger. This idiot had jade eyes, freckled chubby cheeks, and messy green curls. His physical attributes matched the color of his tail, which had a similar green shape and provided a pleasing contrast between the dark of his tail and the light of his curls. In a world where mermaids' peculiar vocalizations were unknown, it might even be considered endearing. 

In the past, a lot of people fell into their traps, allowing their rival to absorb their souls and quickly flee. Even if he had to overlook the creature's inquisitive nature, Katsuki would not be one of them. 

——

Their first meeting had been a few days ago.

 Katsuki Bakugo's only option was to enter and exit the room to eat and pee, but he was stuck with this silent creature. The other men would call him a variety of names before being silenced by their captain, who still managed to get the blondes back. The human knew he could rely on someone else in this hell because those jade eyes couldn't save him from anything else. When it came to him, the freckled man had been unusually quiet since his arrival here, but it had to be a coping mechanism, because he was still taken away from his home. 

When Katsuki couldn't sleep due to his recent worries, he discovered that the light in his emerald eyes would shine naturally. None of the two men mentioned the unexpected chemistry. It may seem strange to be attached to someone who captured you against your will but still treated you with courtesy. Katsuki knew it was a bad idea, but he needed an answer and didn't want to lose his mind by talking to himself. 

Katsuki will perish if something happens to the mermaid. 

That must be why the freckled man gave him those awe-inspiring and mesmerizing looks whenever their gazes met. Izuku had always heard stories about disgusting spirits, but none had warned him about their beauty. If the others he'd seen before were ugly, this one was stunning, with his golden hair, scars on his arms, and even his red crimson eyes disappearing into his. Izuku would put his hands on the glasses and watch the sleeping human from a distance, admiring how he wouldn't spend his final days alone.

"You're not very talkative, are you?" "With a smirk, he teased the blond as his fingers traced a small drawing on the glasses. 

This simple gesture made to create some distraction in their annoying lives, ended up waking up something new in their bodies. This took them by surprise when the scarred hands mimicked his movements slowly. Silence echoed in the room, forcing them to look into each other’s eyes. Something happened inside their chests, an unexpected sensation of warmth filling their body as their fingers traveled across the glass. The tip of their fingers moved step by step, never leaving each other’s eyes as their heart beat faster. If he wasn’t stupid, Katsuki could almost see a slight hint of blush in the freckled cheeks.

He took his time to look into Izuku’s eyes and how were shining like a kid admiring someone from afar. Katsuki had already seen this gaze in the past, every time his parents described his youth. Still, there was something different with those eyes, almost mesmerizing and occupying his mind. Maybe it was another one of their tricks and the blond already fell for it….There was no way he could let the popular beliefs and rumors know about it. This could stay this secret, none had to know. 

After all, this freckled man standing under his eyes knew nothing about the human world except the fear and violence he had seen earlier. It might be why Izuku seemed so surprised when the blond didn’t try anything to hurt him as the previous ones did, and this single gesture caught his attention. There was something different with this human, almost like his red ruby eyes were hiding more humanity than the others, and empathy knowing how they were both doomed in this door. A part of this realization helped the freckled man to sleep at night.

None of them knew how by this simple gesture, they already sold their fates together. The light in their eyes kept shining like stars being followed by the ethereal moon, as their fingers slowly moved through each gentle step, almost like they were communicating. This feeling seemed to be mutual, letting their heart beat so fast that it could leave their chest, and reveal surprised expressions on their faces. Something ethereal and delicate happened the moment the mimicking stopped, almost like they both realized something was missing. If their eyes speak for themselves, their lips turn into hidden smiles, forcing them to go apart and still process what happened a few seconds ago.

“Did you know the area of the sea wasn’t safe for anyone, even humans ?” He asked, expecting an answer that would never come. There was no explanation for what happened in their bodies, with a selfish wish of breaking this glass. “That was pretty stupid of you to be caught by these people, especially when they’re not the smartest. Consider yourself lucky to have me by your side, because these idiots would’ve mocked you the entire week.”

Izuku still had this mesmerized expression on his face every time the blond was speaking. Katsuki almost felt bad for putting him into a smaller aquarium. After all, he also felt trapped in this fate so maybe the two of them weren’t so different. This fish was stuck in this space too little for him, and the human a space too big for him. 

“You can understand my language, right? I’ve read some articles in my childhood about some supposedly powerful creatures like you. It always impressed me, to know there’s another world under us and we don’t know anything about it.”

Jade’s eyes widened to his words, almost like nostalgia hit him. The blond felt a hint of regret for mentioning this topic when someone was probably deadly worried about him. Don’t get him wrong, Katsuki was still a human but this mermaid was the most human person he had seen since he started the war. He would almost be sad to let the nerd go, but he had an order to follow. Maybe in another life, they could’ve been friends…

“You have nothing to envy humans,” he laughed bitterly, resting his back against the wall, feeling the curious eyes focused on him and each of his movements. “They’re selfish, needy about their desires, and would exchange their loved ones for money and power if they can. You don’t need to look at me like I was someone inspiring. I’m not so different because I only follow orders and put you in your misery.”

“Because humans are,” a soft voice answered, almost too shy. 

This sudden sound caught the other by surprise, forcing him to leave the corner of the room and move closer to the Fishman. It was the first time he heard the nerd using his voice, and a part of him wasn’t surprised to hear it. It wasn’t what he expected, but still enjoyed the difference in his tone. This time, the roles were exchanged and it was the human’s turn to be impressed, much to Izuku’s pleasure. 

“My entire life, my mom taught me how humans can be the most vicious creatures, sometimes smarter and more evil than the legends about us…but they could also have their good sides.” The freckled man smiled affectedly, resting his head against the glass and noticing how the human was listening carefully to each of his words. “They can create the prettiest buildings in the world, but also destroy and take lives by their selfish wish. In the end, humans and mermaids aren’t so different from each other…hating the other because of their lack of knowledge.”

Izuku knew he would be the only one to understand the meaning of the chosen words in their conversation, but it was nice to finally talk to someone about the ideas reaching his mind quince the last days. Don’t get him wrong, he was afraid at first and it took him a few days to trust this human with golden hair, reminding him of the jewels he used to collect in his past life. Katsuki seemed to understand this statement due to the expression appearing on his face, almost like, in a short moment, the two of them were living in the same world. 

“Who’s the real monster at the end ?” The taller man pointed out, that even if this sounded more like a question he desperately needed an answer. “We’re both taking lives by our hands and tricks, protecting the things we care about, and destroying the moment we have power. If only the world was thinking the same way as us, maybe this would’ve been a better place for everyone but you know what they say…We can’t change a world overnight.” 

This felt comforting to have an actual conversation with this merman he learned to discover through silly and basic stuff the last days. The human didn’t have any expectations, but still enjoyed the fluency of their conversation, almost like they’d known each other for decades. This feeling seemed to be mutual for Izuku, who accorded himself to make his first smile. This sight hit the blond like a slap in the face, finding himself wanting to see more but for the moment, he kept this thought to himself. He could process this information later, right? 

“You seemed to have your tongue in your pocket for someone who’s been ignoring me for the past three days.” A smirk appeared in the corner of his mouth, making Izuku’s heart miss a beat. It was the first time he surprised himself to catch those types of feelings for someone else, especially a human. “I could get used to it. Maybe we're not so different from each other, two souls with different stories to share with the world if they want to hear, or we’ll take it into our grave.”

“You said you weren’t so different from the others and I had nothing to admire but what made you feel this way? Your actions might be justified because of the darkest reasons of this word, but you’re not a monster for me.” Something was odd with the silvery tone used by the freckled man, almost like he was confessing a truth he had been hiding from himself the entire time. Maybe all this was bullshit because Katsuki had been the only human with decency around him, but the naive jade eyes had never seen his darker side. 

“I’ve been to bigger fights than this one, but I think your opinion of me might change when you learn the truth about my past crimes and the blood on my hands. I’m not the one I pretend to be, and you’re not an exception. Don’t get used to me being nice and doing the bare minimum, because you’ll get hurt at the separation at the end of the week.” 

This was more than just a comment, it was an entire warning to their both souls. They couldn’t deny how this chemistry between them felt natural, more than anyone they had until now…and it was dangerous. Who knows what could happen if they listened to their forbidden thoughts of discovering more about each other? It could lead to their deaths, and it was better to stay just strangers.

“Your warning seemed to also apply to you. Your lips didn’t say anything but your eyes had been betraying you, human.” A gentle chuckle resonated in the room, catching the blond by surprise. In another context, they would’ve loved to know more about each other and accept their freedom. “Sometimes, even the bravest souls are forced to do things against their will, but this doesn’t mean they’re bad people. The only good person I’ve met felt regrets for each of their acts, even if this means saving their lives.”

This freckled man was odd but interesting at the same time. His speech echoed like a ghost, almost his past self was trying to reassure him. Katsucki could blame this on another magic trick the merman gave him. 

“You’re a strange person for trusting me so blindly when we both know how this story is going to end. This will have an ending we both want to avoid, but we’ll be nothing except a memory to each other.” 

This vision seemed to establish another atmosphere in the room, almost like they were touched by this reality. There was this bond between them, similar to two souls connecting each other. This was a strange experience for both men, who needed time to accept this new warmth in their chests, welcoming it like something they always needed. 

“If it’s the case, then I’ll gladly remember you as the person who taught me everything about his world, despite the flaws and darkest ages,” Izuku mumbled, smiling and his fingers drawing something on the glass. “No one is waiting for me at home too, you know. Releasing me to the earth or sea wouldn’t change anything about my fate. I’m not here to trick you, I’m just making friends.” 

Katsuki smirked, rolling his eyes and meeting the jade eyes. They seemed to shine brighter, revealing a hint of the darker shape of green in their iris. Katsuki caught himself thinking about discovering more about the expressions this breathtaking face could do, or even counting the freckles on his chubby cheeks. 

“You’re a strange person, do you know that, freckles ?” He expressed with a soft giggle, and this sound made the green-haired man blush. He didn’t know his heart could miss a beat like this one, but he decided to follow whatever crossed his mind at the moment.

“Yes, a lot of people tend to describe me that way. If our paths will be separated soon, may I know your name ?” This question sounded like a good proposition, especially when they needed to give a name to this face that would haunt their dreams. 

If someone entered the room at the moment, they would report the broken laws of speaking with the enemy. Humans had a specific rule to not talk or entertain a mythical creature, or they’d be domed and rejected from the ship. In Katsuki’s case, it wouldn’t be a problem knowing he was way better without those assholes but he would’ve had nowhere to go. It would be a nice beginning for this short friendship that will only last one week, but who was he to refuse an offer like this one?

“Katsuki Bakugo.” 

The freckled man’s face turned into a genuine smile. The taller man hated how his heart missed a beat, but he still waited for the other’s answer. They already knew how they broke their boundaries but this didn’t matter at the moment. The human and merman needed to have a name to remember, with a face and expressions drawing themselves every time they read into each other’s expressions. 

“Izuku Midoriya,” the merman confessed, and without surprise, the human smirked. This name was according to his personality and previous speech…What a name for a vulnerable soul the human will never forget. “Nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine, deku. I hope you’ll remember me, nerd.”

——

Back to the present…

The blond sighed, finishing his cup and hearing the loud crowd around him. Every night it was the same thing: extras trying to make him stay to learn about his secrets. It was tempting to play with them and spread hidden truths about themselves that only the blond knew, but he had something else to do. He had already wasted enough time with annoying extras like them who wanted his attention. Katsuki naturally moved to the counter and paid the barman standing there. 

“Look who’s leaving again, this man would never celebrate the night parties.” Stranger’s voices would complain, already drunk and saying whatever crossed their mind. 

Katsuki’s shadow was about to leave the place but stopped instead. 

The atmosphere in the bar became awkward and their heavy breath seemed to be a bother for the soldier’s presence. The strangers shared worried glances, losing all their strength as they felt their breathing stop when they watched the taller man walking closer toward their shadows. The expression on his face looked cold as ice, and his death glare made sure to establish the mood of the party. At this moment, everyone knew what would happen because there was one rule we shouldn’t break: It’s to not search Katsuki Bakugo. Many souls were broken after some fights they had with him, verbal or physical but the taller man would always win at the end.

“I would gladly celebrate tonight if this means revealing to the entire town how your business is everything except ethical and, contrary to you, I can keep a promise I made to god.” He argued, his imposing figure, like his shadow, hid the two frightened men. “If I were you, I would gladly shut my shitty mouth and go back home instead of  leaving my wife sexually inactive because your interest is on someone else.”

A dead silence appeared in the room as the blond revealed one of the secrets he learned during his travel. Spending his time at sea would make him feel alone,  but he would listen to the latest gossip he could use against some potential idiots who think they’re right.

“Do you have something to say ?” Katsuki added, smirking when he saw how the two men were shitting in their pants. This simple interaction would ruin their reputation and the town was sure it was the last night they would see their figure in the street. “Fine, because the next time I won’t be so gentle with your stupid ass.”

The door closed, and in a  few fractions of a second, some eyes caught a wedding ring in his hands. The entire room started to wonder who could be this mysterious person owning his heart, especially when he made such a  promise, knowing how his life would be unstable.

His shadow faded away in the late night, the wind ruffling his face and the sound of his shoes echoed in the empty streets. He had never planned to land in a city as lost as this one, but in his happiness, sacrifices were necessary. Already that their last separation was significant for the whole family, the blond could not afford to reproduce such a schema. The sun had been setting for hours now while the wind, which came from the north, broke his cheeks still warm from his previous drinks. The city seemed very quiet for a place that was supposed to be the center of the most important resources of the country, but all this was only reputation. The truth was that this city was doomed, like its phantoms that would haunt those places for several decades because of their tragic stories. The construction of the buildings seemed attractive to any foreigner who discovered this place for the first time, as was Katsuki a while ago. 

However, the still-lit houses still smelled the canvas, for lack of the end-of-year celebrations that would arrive soon. The craziest couples would try the risk of running away at such an hour, but their design would be drawn, just like that of Katsuki. After all, he was condemned to go to cities, clinging to the hope of staying permanently with his relatives, so as not to laugh at their lives. He could not afford to take such a risk, not when the lives of the two most important people in his life were at stake. Katsuki had promised not to make the same mistakes of the past, and this would begin by accepting sacrifices instead of imposing new ones. After all, they didn’t need that...

At this hour, everyone was asleep except the ones who had nothing to lose. The light faded away as his shadow appeared on a lost path, away from the crowd and the sound of the waves resonated in his ears. This place seems to be lost and covered by anyone, even regulars because the only person walking through this sand was him….

—-

Katsuki Bakugo was a man of legends. 

His reputation is still alive today due to the whispers around his name and his secrets knowing how he never failed to reveal them, not even once. The strongest souls tried to steal this information that seemed so precious to him but attempts to fail reinforced this cold image around Katsuki and his private life. None knew if he had a family, friends, or even parents because this man was playing solitary for good reasons. In the past, his eyes saw vulnerable soul being consumed by power the moment they got it into their hands, betraying one another because they revealed their weakness earlier. Katsuki couldn’t authorize himself to be one of those ghosts, not when he had to protect them…

However, there was also another legend about Katsuki Bakugo leaving when the sun slept and the moon awoke.  No one knew why the golden-haired boy insisted on leaving so early, even if they tried, this mystery was unsolved. It would be a new gossip for the town and especially why he was coming back with the right look in the morning. Whispers would say, during a few seconds, they saw another man smiling before the cold face returned, but rare were the people who saw it with their own eyes.

Those people who tried to follow him ended up with a broken nose if it wasn’t lungs. The mystery around this man and this odd location he was visiting every night resonated in each street. Katsuki ignored each of their questions, walking in a determined way to this path he took more than once. This felt strange at first, to act like a criminal who had to hide his treasure, but his worries wouldn’t win over the casual smiles on his loved ones’ faces, every time he was around. 

This location needed to be protected from anyone with bad intentions. Katsuki will make sure to give his sweat, and blood to protect this unique place that means a lot to a heartless soul like his. In this world where you could lose everything overnight, some things needed to be hidden, especially for their security. If the blond’s mystery was revealed to the world, he didn’t know what he would do, and even Izuku wouldn’t be able to protect their family. 

No…Katsuki couldn’t take the risk. 

His shadow slightly appeared in the lost area of the beach, a hidden spot he noticed when he arrived in town years ago. Every time his feet reached the hot sand, he felt how the cold picture he put to himself at day, faded away, only to be replaced by a softer expression. The human knew what was expecting him the moment he arrived into the foams that the sea had carried more than once with its tears.

There was no one around to judge his every move or talk behind his back when he was just breathing. His first move was to put his shoes next to him, before unfolding a towel he had stolen a little earlier. The wind came to bring this touch of freshness into his life, even if his eyes seemed to be looking for something else...

A hidden smirk appeared in the corner of his lips, observing a small sound coming from the water and catching his attention. The previous silence couldn’t help but cover the next ones by the wind’s presence, but the crimson eyes followed each of the light movements visible in the sea. There was so much to do at such a time, but the only thing that interested him was to discover the origin of this sound. Every night the same schema repeated itself endlessly, but it was the life that Katsuki loved, even if it meant hiding them from the world. 

“That's strange, until now I've never seen the water so agitated.” His voice resonated in the hidden spot, mixing with the sound of the waves meeting the sand. “I should probably check if there’s not a big and scary fish ready to attack me…”

The blond knew his acting sucks, but it was the only way to reach the smaller shadow under the sea, teasing him. With a sigh, he forced himself to leave the spot and groaned in relief when the cold water touched his clothes. It stopped suddenly, but the human-made sure to be careful. Something suddenly reached his legs until blonde curls could be seen from afar with curious eyes. From here, he could already hear a tiny giggle, but how could he stay mad at her? She was his everything since day one. 

“Don’t try to hide yourself, I saw you earlier, princess.” He exclaimed, breaking his previous character to watch the small shadow reaching him in the middle of the night. It might be his favorite moment of the day, returning to the only people he could consider “home”. Interacting with the others could be annoying, but it would never be the case with his family.

“It’s unfair! You always found me, Daddy.” A small voice echoed in the silence, revealing messy curls. This time, her face was visible to anyone walking near this area. The reflection of the moon would highlight the freckles on her chubby cheeks until her shining emerald eyes met the crimson ones into a softer gaze. Katsuki swore he could see his husband’s eyes every time he met his daughter, but it was her charm…because she was made due to their passionate love.

“Because you’ll never learn from your mistakes if you keep showing up with your tiny eyes and taking the risk to be spotted. Who knows what could happen if someone finds you ?” Katsuki rolled his eyes, ruffling the curls tenderly. 

Soft chuckles escaped from her mouth at the comment before jumping into his arms. The taller figure expressed tenderness, feeling small and chubby hands hugging him back as her previous tail turned into human legs. For some reason, it would be some kind of magic that neither Izuku nor Katsuki could explain, knowing they were stunned when they discovered it the first time.

“Then you would protect me like he always did !” Hana answered with the brightest smile, before putting her head against the blond’s chest. 

She wouldn’t say anything, but her eyes would shine brighter than the stars in the sky, every time the little girl would finally meet her father. She was a child and excited about everything around the world, but her favorite people were her parents. Hana didn’t need to be told twice how much she was loved, between Izuku’s kisses on her cheeks and constant reminders of her dad, she was the happiest. Maybe she wasn’t human like the other children she could observe every day, but it was her life and she was happy that way with her dad returning to her every night and making her mom smile. 

Katsuki could only hug her closer, feeling how much he missed his little family. He still remembers the first time he saw her, and his life changed. It was a surprise in their lives, but who was he to refuse the wonderful newborn standing in his lover’s arms, being the result of their forbidden love?

—--

Years ago, when the stars used to keep secrets...

Katsuki Bakugo couldn’t help but think about Izuku Midoriya. 

The nerd had no right to leave him so vulnerable every time someone mentioned this case on the ship. His stupid and breathtaking eyes had no right to shine brighter than any stars in the sky every time he met them, thinking about their last interaction. His lips could still remember the taste of their forbidden kiss before their last goodbye when the human decided to save his life.

The blond couldn’t sacrifice an innocent soul like Izuku, not when he seemed to be so hopeful about this world. The tears falling down his freckled cheeks would still haunt the blond’s nights, remembering how his callous fingers ruffled this soft skin that night. As expected, this single touch had been mesmerizing for both of them as the ship was about to reach the new lands and sell their fate.

The merman never planned to have such an interest in someone like Katsuki, but he hated how his chest hurt every time they mentioned goodbye. Unfortunately, fate decided otherwise, forcing them to separate earlier than they expected. The night had already been established since ours as the light coming from the next mystical town would keep the humans awake…Katsuki needed to be fast if he wanted to save their lives. It would be obvious his betrayal would be known and he was ready to accept the punishment if this meant watching Izuku’s smile one last time. 

“They said the mermaid's kisses and voices were cursed, but I’m afraid I’ve already fallen for it. So tell me, who’s winning at the end? The one who fell for the legend or the creature who opened his heart to his rival ?” His voice confessed in a soft tone, brushing the other’s lips gently before cupping his cheeks. 

His callous fingers wiped the salty tears away from Izuku’s eyes as their fates were about to be separated against their will. None planned to fall in love so easily in one week, but this chemistry and mutual affection led them to think about the nature of their feelings. It was too early to define if it was love or admiration, but they could read into each other’s eyes like an open book.  The same one they wanted to keep under their arms, without letting go of each other and losing into the other’s eyes. Unfortunately, this dream had to stop, but this doesn’t mean this could be the end…it’s just a temporary goodbye.

 “I don’t know, you’ll be the one telling me this story the next time we meet, kacchan.” Scarred hands reunited with the strong one, holding on to this warmth like it was the last time they would mesmerize each other’s beauty. However, the mesmerizing gaze in the crimson face always surprised the smaller man, who found himself cupping the other’s cheeks gently. 

“How can you be so sure there’ll be a next time ?” Katsuki mumbled into his beard, putting his forehead against the freckled man’s. He couldn’t look at him straight in the eyes, not when they were already teary. Katsuki Bakugo wasn’t the kind of person to easily cry, but for the first time…he showed vulnerabilities around someone else. 

“Because I just know it, and I’ll wait for you.” Soft fingers ruffled the human’s back gently. “Wait for me, make sure this isn’t the final goodbye and I won’t have to chase after a ghost. I know our lives are different, but this doesn’t mean I didn’t cherish this short time with you. I’ll make sure to remember you until my last breath.”

None dared to talk, too afraid to break this moment but they knew it would stay unforgettable. It wouldn’t be a simple goodbye…not when their fates were unwisely sold together by this promise of meeting each other again. It could be days, months, or even years, but the journey was worth it if this meant finding their missing piece.

“If there’s something you need to learn about human fate is how this is unexpected, to the point where I could die tomorrow we wouldn’t even know it. Are you sure you want to take the risks for someone like me ?”

This question seemed stupid at first sight but the implication was leading the merman to be emotional. From the things he learned in this short amount of days, it was how he could love someone endlessly if this person saved your life. Don’t get him wrong, Izuku was aware of the potential risks of death humans could face, but he could use it to his advantage.

“You’re worth fighting, Kacchan,” Izuku whimpered, putting his head against the human’s chest. “Don’t think about dying without me, because I know one of these days we will meet again. This time we’ll have more time and I’ll make you remember how some good things are worth fighting.”

The first ray of sunshine appeared on their shoulders, revealing how it was time to go soon. They didn’t have enough minutes for their last goodbye, but Katsuki kept Izuku’s promise like a paper ring on his finger. Every time his eyes would glimpse at the physical form of this memory, he would stay alive for this one person. In their last glance, the sun highlighted the messy curls and teary eyes, as Izuku’s shadow faded away in the sea, hearing the ship’s team started to wake up. 

As expected, when Katsuki returned, he ended up finding the entire crew mad at him for letting the mermaid go. Some of them accused him of betrayal while others gave death glares…but the scariest part was when the captain learned the news. The blond might’ve been stronger at first sight, but the scars from his physical torture were his weakness. The judgmental peek never stopped, no matter if years separated the crew from this accident, but Katsuki stayed silent about the real motives behind this action. 

He would spend his nights wishing for the other’s safety, ignoring how, from the other side, the freckled man was connected to his other half. Their fingers would trace the memory of their kiss that haunted their dreams, and comfort their nightmare, with the hope of seeing each other again. Time has separated them for many years, as the crew lost members, leading the blond to be the only survivor. The captain never forgave the blond for this betrayal, but still let him go with the option of living a normal life again. 

Katsuki didn’t even thank the man who gave him scars on his back, and his shadow left the wooden ship. All eyes were on him, but the only thing that mattered was the hope he needed to have for his next adventures. There were so many seas in the world to discover and the nerd could be anywhere, which gave him a reason to keep his research. Every night, the human made sure to collect information about his next destination, until he made an exception and decided to change his mind. 

The last days had been mentally exhausting, but he was still alive and reaching his goal soon. Some people in town had seen him walking a few times in the streets, without any precise purpose, but he had a mysterious reputation around his name. It was when the rumors started, following him until this day but the man he was years ago was different from the person he was today. 

That night, the taller man remembered entering the first crowded place he could see without looking around. His hands landed money on the counter to the bartender, asking for a beer and sitting alone away from the people chatting loudly around him. Some background music was playing, reminding him of his childhood town when his parents brought him to celebrate. A hidden smirk appeared on his face at the memory, thanking the stranger who gave him his beer and he ignored how curious Peek started to ask questions about his presence there. 

As the hours went by, his mind was occupied by the thought of the lover he left behind years ago. It might be the alcohol in his blood, but he started to miss the stupid curls and emerald eyes, this sound that used to melt his heart, and endless mumbles about a topic that was passionate about the nerd. It took him years, but he realized how he had been in love with Izuku since the beginning. In another universe, the two of them would probably be together, living happily ever after like the fairytales. 

Some extras started to snort louder than the drunk people already sleeping on the table. The sun was about to rise, but the only thing Katsuki thought about was to get some rest and leave this place. With a sigh, he dropped his empty cup on the counter, thanking the bartender before stopping immediately at the mention of a familiar name. 

“-Come on, why do you always keep your life private, Izuku? I’m pretty sure your face has some dark secrets. Everyone has at least one…” a drunk voice resonated in the crowd building, but time stopped when the blond’s heart missed a beat. His mind was probably tricking him due to the alcohol, but when he recognized the other voice, he knew…he knew it was him. 

“Don’t try to search for one when the darkest souls can’t even look themselves in the mirror. If some people belong to my past and echoed in the ghost of the present, it’s for a good reason, something you’ll never understand.” Izuku sighed, pushing the drunk shadow away and raising his head to look around. He hated making another scene, but someone needed to teach some lessons to those people who shared their lack of knowledge with the world. It was probably late and the freckled man knew he shouldn’t have stayed here for too long, especially when the place was nearly empty and…

His heart missed a beat at the familiar crimson-red eyes losing themself in his. The flame in their chest started to consume their soul, forcing the freckled man to drop his empty glass on the floor. This loud sound caught everyone’s attention, blaming the other for ruining the material and how he needed to pay but Izuku ignored them. The only thing he could think about was the crimson-red eyes looking at him like he was the most precious thing in this world. 

This reminded him of their last goodbye, the one he couldn’t forget and replayed in his mind every night.

His emerald eyes went teary, his lips opened but the only sound that escaped from them were shaking sobs. His body moved on its own, rushing toward the taller figure to put his head against the blond’s chest. His scarred hands held him closer like he was afraid to lose him as he started whispering Katsuki’s name. The blond was stunned, knowing all eyes were on them but he ended up ignoring their comments before hugging his lover back. His callous hands felt how small he was in his arms compared to their last meeting, and how the nerd had legs. 

Katsuki had many questions to ask, but he ignored them for the moment.

“Shit,” his voice confessed, holding him closer and feeling the green messy curls against his chin. He never thought he would find them again, and at this moment, the memories of their old promises returned. “I’ve been looking for you all around the fucking world. You scared me, I thought I lost you, freckles.”

Izuku’s soft laugh appeared like a melody to the human’s ears. Shaking fingers ended up cupping his cheeks, wiping each other’s salty tears, and forgetting they were in public. Taken in the euphoria, they didn’t remember how Izuku broke a previous glass and now he had to pay it but there was one problem…he didn’t have any money. Katsuki seemed to understand the issue, he paid on the counter before holding the scarred hands and running away as the crowd started to chase after them. 

The sun appeared in their vision field as the crowd started to search for them in every street. The two men ended up hiding in a lost alley, with the taller one against the wall and his hands covering Izuku’s mouth. They’ve been previously chuckling in their chase, but if they were found, they would be dead…which would be bad for their reunion in the afterlife. 

“I saw someone running that way, we’ll catch these asshole and make them pay !” A loud voice shouted, catching everyone’s attention. Hopefully, fate turned out to be in their favor when the large group separated into separate ways, giving them a chance to escape. Izuku felt how the familiar fingers left his lips, leaving him breathless at the realization of their proximity. Crimson eyes met the emerald ones, losing themself to each other as their heartbeat faster, ready to leave their chest.

“You’re here,” Izuku murmured in a shaking tone, revealing how he was about to tear up again. 

He had been dreaming about this scene many times, but it was nothing compared to the current happiness in his body. He didn’t remember the last time he had ever felt this happy in the years after their separation. His scarred hands ended up reaching the soft skin of the other, smiling when the taller blond accepted his gesture. Something was different in his red eyes, it was more beautiful and mesmerizing…something that wasn’t here before. 

“I told you, I’ll search for you even if years separate us,” his fingers caressed the freckled cheeks gently, smirking when the familiar blush appeared on his face.

 In the next seconds, their face became closer and Katsuki was the one who decided to break their boundaries. His lips ended up finding Izuku’s in a gentle kiss, cherishing the familiar taste they’d been dreaming about. This one seemed different from their last one, full of passion and tender feelings they kept for themselves for too long. the freckled man smiled through their reunion, putting his hands behind the blond’s neck and bringing him closer. He wasn’t an expert at human kisses, but he knew how to treat his lover perfectly. He authorized himself to close his eyes, losing in this fire that was burning his chest, as their bodies moved closer, catching the lost time. Against their will, the two men had to separate themselves to take their breath back, but the blush on their cheeks revealed how they were happier than ever.

“I’ve been counting every single day separating us since our last goodbye. I thought you’d never come to reach me, but I was stupid for thinking that way… when my dream is standing under my eyes.” The freckled man confessed with a delicate touch, hands intertwining each other as their shadows left the alley. This chase seemed to be over, and they were safe but the crimson eyes still had so many questions to ask. 

“I was about to leave the town today to search oceans, with the hope that maybe an idiot like you would be waiting for me but I searched on the wrong side.” He pointed out, his eyes peeking at the human legs and Izuku blushed. This was another story to explain, but they’ll make sure to catch the lost time. 

—

The conversation Izuku and Katsuki had that day had been entertaining enough to answer every question they had until now. Some tears and love confessions ended up being shared, followed by many promises under the ethereal moon. The blond learned that the main reason for Izuku’s presence on earth was because he knew about how the war ended and everyone returned to their hometown. 

The funniest part of this story was how Katsuki was ready to chase every sea to find his other half when Izuku was doing the same by searching for his lover in every town. They’ve been looking unconsciously at each other, only to be reunited and learn about how they could potentially have this life they deserved. Unfortunately, this dream couldn’t last when the freckled man announced how this magic applied to his human legs would be temporary, forcing them into another goodbye.

The couple still remembers the first time they decided to let their feelings speak for themselves, letting their delicate kiss turn into something more passionate. That night, the two souls physically connected in the most intimate way humans could confess their love and devotion to one another. Scarred hands lost themselves in the callous ones, holding them tighter as Katsuki’s name escaped from his lips between two love confessions. He didn’t know anything about the human world and its tricks… but he would never forget how gentle, tender, and loving Katsuki was on the night when he taught him how to love and be loved. 

To forget their pain, the couple decided to spend their moments like it was the last, not knowing when they’d have this chance again. Izuku and Katsuki had their happiness, but the hardest part was to let go of the other, knowing the seas would, once again, separate them. The blond promised himself to make the freckled man smile and laugh until their goodbye, keeping his promise until the end. Every time the merman was enjoying their moment, Katsuki would mesmerize his facial expression to hold onto something when they would be gone from each other. 

When the time came, the couple decided to stay together and say goodbye in a hidden spot on the beach of their town. It was an early morning, but this time, there were no tears of sadness, just promises about a better life in the future. Katsuki made sure to whisper the words his lips said many times in the past, wiping the salty tears on the freckled man’s cheeks. 

In their last conversation, the human announced to his lover how he’ll make sure every town will remember him by his name, making this easier to follow each other on their journey. Izuku would accompany him under the sea and make sure everything was safe on the ship of his lover, while Katsuki was occupied with making this world a better place for the future they tried to protect. 

That’s how Katsuki Bakugo returned to the seas war, fought many people, and had more scars from unforgettable battles, but sometimes his eyes would catch green ones watching his back. 

—--

Unfortunately, this hope had to fade one day when the freckled man started to show less and less. Katsuki had been praying to the stars to keep his lover safe, wondering what could’ve happened to his beloved on the other side. The days became months and the human started to lose hope until he received a letter one day. Hopefully, in his new journey, this new crew was nicer than the previous extras. His captain authorized the letters from their loved ones and imagined Katsuki’s surprise when he had one from Izuku. 

His fingers took the paper out of the envelope as soon as he could, isolating himself to read the words transcribed into paper. A smirk appeared on his lips when he recognized how the nerd was still making the same mistakes on the familiar letter, despite their numerous sessions of learning human’s rules. It had been a mystery for the curious mermaid, but he loved his teacher even more, especially when the human would reward him with delicate kisses. 

His hands held the letter tightly, memorizing each word transcribed into paper. The content would be a simple requisition of them meeting each other at the closest beach in Mustafu’s town. It was the only moment they could see each other, and the nerd even announced how he’d tell him the reasons for his sudden disappearance. Katsuki counted days and nights until this moment, sneaking out at night during D-Day. His heart was beating faster, preparing himself for the worst before noticing the green curls from afar.

“If you wanted to leave me behind, you could’ve put it into your letter instead of giving me endless hope about our promises, deku,” his voice shouted in the previous silence, as the freckled man turned around with surprised eyes. 

A genuine grin appeared on his face, which was highlighted by the moon’s reflection and begs under his eyes. This slight detail caught the blond’s attention, and his body moved on its own toward the other, making sure his lover was alright. Imagine Katsuki’s surprise when his crimson eyes caught the merman holding something….no, someone previously into his arms. At this moment, time stopped and the blond’s eyes widened at the realization. His heart missed a beat, but he never left the sleeping figure resting against the freckled man’s chest. It was breathtaking and many questions reached his mind, but the first reaction he had was to look into the jade eyes, thinking it wasn’t a fever dream. Don’t get him wrong, they never planned to have a family this early, but this child was a miracle.

“I didn’t know how I could transcribe this feeling into words, and I thought it would be more authentic to see it with your own eyes instead of reading it on a piece of paper. YOu have the right to hate me for hiding something so meaningful to this future we promised to each other…but I think you deserve to know.” He whispered, making sure to not wake the sleeping baby in his arms. Katsuki was stunned, but when he noticed the smaller figure moving, her blonde curls and freckled chubby cheeks being highlighted by the moonlight, unshed tears fell down his cheeks. 

“Is…is it-” He tried to figure out the right word to use. 

Until now, he never took into account the speech of his previous friends in the crew about how their child’s presence changed the path of their life. In his naivety, the human guessed it would be simply emotional, but he never expected it to be more than just tears…it was a real bond created with this tiny soul. The moment his eyes met the sleeping figure, he didn’t need to ask more questions, because his instincts were screaming at him about how this baby was his. It was an inexplicable phenomenon in his chest, but the truth seemed obvious to him now…even if he needed to hear the words out loud to fully realize it.

“Yes,” the green-haired man answered with a soft tone. 

If a simple word could change their life, it would be this one. It happened in a few seconds, but the human started to feel a sudden ride of joy and excitement, mixed with fear and worries. If his mouth opened naturally, the only sound the freckled man could hear was hidden sobs. It would be a lie to say how Izuku didn’t miss his lover, especially when he gave so much praise about this human who changed his vision of the world to an unborn pup. One of his biggest fears was to face rejection, observing how Katsuki potentially became another person in the last months but hopefully, he still stayed the same stubborn human who stole his heart. 

It took them a few minutes to calm each other’s tears, sharing reassuring words and promises with endless wipers. This scene could be the result of a fever dream for the both of them, but the baby’s mumble brought them back to reality. The blond was afraid to make a wrong move or even hurt her. She was beautiful, too vulnerable and his instinct told him to immediately protect her because she could be broken anytime. 

“You can take her, I think she needs to meet the one who made all of this possible.” Izuku teased, observing how Katsuki was hesitant. It would be unfair to have this moment for himself and not let the father of his-their child, feel the same sparkles. The freckled man had to endure this by himself for months and wished many nights his lovers were by his side, but the blond’s reaction was worth the wait. 

Izuku already knew Katsuki would be an amazing sire, but the first contact would be the most important one. He could understand his worries, but the freckled man wouldn’t leave him alone, especially in a moment like this one. The scarred hands wiped the last tears on his lover’s cheeks, before making sure to comfort the shaking shadow beside him. 

“Are you sure…” His voice was hesitant, but the merman nodded, guiding the human into a better position. His scarred hands made sure to position the blond’s arms into something more comfortable for the sleeping figure. It was obvious how the other was stressed, but after a few attempts, the two of them finally found a way to calm each other in the euphoria of the moment. 

“Kacchan, this is your child. There’s no need to be afraid, she needs you like I do. She won’t break under your arms, I can assure you…now come on, it’s time to meet your daughter.” He said with a brittle tone… The golden-haired man started to feel bad for missing this important part of his mate’s life, but the other explained how it was his fault for keeping it a secret.

The human regained his thoughts when he felt the small body against his warmth. His crimson eyes shone in the obscurity, but the sleeping figure started to move. For the first time, the heartless human started to show vulnerabilities and teared up with his mate’s laugh in the background. He was afraid of making a wrong move, but it seemed like the child immediately recognized her father’s scent. Her bothered expression turned into something softer, and her tiny head rested against the blond’s chest, as the freckled man teared up at the scene. Something awoken in the human’s chest, his eyes were teary as he cupped the chubby freckled cheeks. 

“You’ve probably heard praise about my name when I’m just a stranger to you, but your existence is enough to keep me alive, since the first moment my eyes meet yours. I won’t always be the good guy, sometimes I’ll be annoying or mean, but this won’t change my affection for you. I don’t know anything about love when it comes to a child, but I’ll do my best to make you proud in every moment. You appeared in our life at the right time, because you’re a little miracle, even if you’re too young to understand the meaning of these words. The only thing I know is how you’re my daughter. I’m so happy to finally meet you, brat.” He whispered, kissing her forehead and giving a tender gaze to the freckled man watching the scene from afar.  

This miracle was something they both waited for and from that moment, they knew they’d do anything to protect this sleeping baby from their warmth.

—-

Back to the present, 

Today the baby he held into his arms became a stubborn but attaching child, being sensitive just like her dam. Katsuki didn’t regret meeting Izuku that day, especially if this meant having the family he had today and keeping them safe. In their misery, they had to keep this part of their life hidden from the world, knowing how unfair it would be to their little and precious girl. Hana deserved to stay innocent and see her father as someone inspiring, not a murderer who had blood on his hands. 

“You have grown up since the last time! Stop it or you’ll be taller than me one day.” Teased the human, pinching the little girl's nose and hearing her guffaw.

 Katsuki Bakugo had never thought he would become this kind of man after Hana’s birth, but it happened like a miracle. The moment his fingers cupped the chubby cheeks and his eyes let the red ruby one, he knew he would give the world for this tiny human in his arms. Izuku couldn’t help but be in awe every time father and daughter bonded together. It was the perfect life he expected when he confessed his love to the human years ago even if others would contradict his words.

“But you saw me yesterday !” She answered with a sneer, pouting and letting the human roll his eyes. “You can’t be a great hero if you forget everything overnight, dummy!”

Despite the rumors around his name and late activities, none of them would be real. The town could whisper about a man who had a hidden life, but they’ll never know the genuine smile on his face every time his family is around. It would be the kind of authentic moments he was cherishing, even if their times together were limited to a few hours per night…it was still better than nothing.

Hana was only a child, supporting both of her parents in their messy love life. Don’t get her wrong, she loved her mom with her entire heart, but she always adored this man Izuku described since her birth. The freckled man would define the human as the strongest person he had ever seen, and the only one able to make him feel alive, after their daughter. It would be logical for her to wait for the most important moment of the day.

“And he’s right.” Izuku’s voice appeared, catching the attention of the two shadows. “You still have time to grow up so don’t press yourself, sweetheart.”

This familiar voice let a soft chuckle escape from his lips, before joining the two figures standing a few meters away from his sight. Until now, Izuku stayed silent, admiring the welcoming scene. He couldn’t forget the first time the couple agreed to meet after Hana’s birth, catching the lost time until the sun started to rise, forcing them into temporary goodbyes. It would be the same habit for 5 years, but the only thing that changed would be their mutual love growing into a firework in their chest. Hana stayed this curious, attentive, and sensitive child but she also inherited Katsuki’s stubborn genes. 

It took them time to explain to their daughter the situation, but when the time came, Hana didn’t say anything. It seemed like she understood how this complicity was only for their safety and happiness. Every night, the blond would keep his promise and return to the beach, where he found familiar jade eyes and freckled cheeks waiting for him. After all, Hana Midroiya Bakugo was the result of their love.

The small girl sighed, looking straight into the green emerald eyes with a disappointed gaze. If Izuku was used to this expression he could read like an open book on the pup’s face, it was still amusing for the human. ”But I want to get older and be with Dad every day in the human world !”

Katsuki replicated his daughter’s facial expression, making the freckled man laugh. His callous hand pinched her nose, catching her attention. “Each thing in time, princess. Make sure to enjoy each moment with us because remember we’re getting older too.”

Hana didn’t answer, realizing how she liked staying in her sire’s arms. It would be complicated for her to only see the human when the night was falling but it was the price to pay if they wanted to be safe. If Izuku observed the scene for endless minutes, he didn’t hesitate to make his presence known to his loved ones. His jade eyes caught the crimson ones, losing into his beautiful iris, and without hesitation, Katsuki moved closer to the ocean and he felt how the scarred hands cupped his cheeks.

“I started to think you wanted to avoid me, freckles.” He confessed into the omega’s ears, hearing Izuku’s chuckle in answer. Until now, they were having each other’s attention, ignoring the pup’s complaints, even when the familiar lips reached the callous hands where a wedding ring was shining.

“Never, kacchan,” Izuku answered, meeting the warmth by answering with a gentle kiss. “How could I forget when you’re the only one I think about ?”

 If it was difficult for Hana, it was harder for Izuku who had to wait until the night had fallen. He enjoyed each moment with the blond, even if they were shorter but they were celebrating each night as if it was the last, especially when the promises they made years ago were still reflected in the golden ring on their finger. It was Katsuki’s favorite part of the day, where he could meet his family and be with them again. 

“Stop kissing !!” Hana objected, hiding her eyes. She started to feel stuck in their warmth, not hiding to hide the jealousy for her dam. The small girl always wondered what this magic trick Izuku was putting on the blond every time they were around each other…because the human would only have eyes for his beloved husband. Izuku’s scarred hands pinched his pup’s cheeks, catching her surprised eyes.

“Why can’t I? I missed him too, sweetheart.” 

“Impossible, I missed him more !” Hana frowned, holding the blond closer with her chubby hands. 

Katsuki watched their interaction and smirked. Years ago, his younger self would’ve never thought he could be this happy with the freckled man he met randomly on his trip. Today, Izuku gave him everything he wanted including happiness and a stubborn girl.

—

That night, just like the others, Katsuki stayed on this beach with the most important people in his life. He was sitting here, in the sands, with their daughter talking about her day and Izuku’s head on his lap. The blond’s thumbs would ruffle the green curls, cupping the freckled cheeks like the first day, and see how Izuku was melting at his touch. 

There were so many things Katsuki needed to confess, about his journey and how the person he was now was different from the one who left his country. In his quest for freedom and liberty, Katsuki Bakugo ended up taking the most unexpected paths, but his worries were worth it if this meant having his family now. He couldn’t imagine a world without his husband and their daughter…he would protect them until his last breath.

Keeping them a secret was the hardest thing because the blond wanted to reveal to the world how his heart belonged to Izuku Midoriya, and only him. Unfortunately, the blond had already seen the darker side of humanity, and wouldn’t risk his happiness.

Izuku’s fingers intertwined with the blond’s, holding him closer as they listened to their daughter’s rumbling in the background. There were some mysteries to solve about the genetics of mermaids, but Katsuki didn’t question anything. For the moment, he enjoyed each second of the messy curls and mesmerizing eyes being closer to him, especially after a long day.

A few hours later, Hana ended up falling asleep against her dad’s shoulders. Izuku cracked a smile at the sight, and Katsuki made sure to drop her carefully on a beach towel he took for the occasion. The married couple wished her a good night, and Hana looked delighted. When they were alone, their hands would intertwine with each other in a tender movement and both lovers would fall for each other again. Izuku would admit how he liked each second of their meeting, even when the sunlight was about to rise.

“Do you still think about the offer ?” Katsuki confided, feeling Izuku’s head against his chest as they were both resting against each other’s warmth. It wasn’t a secret that the married couple were happier than ever, but Izuku’s mind was repeating the same words his lover confessed to him months ago. It was a simple confession like the other, but a symbol of revival and new chapters for their family…and the merman was grateful for his mate’s patience over an important decision like this one.

”Yes and you already know the answer.” He confessed with a soft face, “I would love to renew our wedding vows, but are you ready to wait a little longer for me ?”

Despite everything they’ve been through, the merman didn’t know if he was ready to put his past behind so easily. After all, he was raised in the ocean, and leaving a fragment of his soul overnight could be a hard step, especially for someone who needed time. Don’t get him wrong, the freckled man would love to renew their vows a second time, but this would imply staying in human form forever. It could be a long and endless journey to adapt to human habits, becoming one of them for the rest of their lives…but Katsuki was patient. If the blond waited all this time to reach his happy ending, he could wait a few more years, decades if necessary. 

The taller figure kissed the scarred wrist. He had already seen this scar a million times but he would never get tired of praising this achievement in his partner’s life. With time and late-night conversations, the couple learned about their weakness and turned it into strength. Izuku made sure to always kiss the scars on his husband’s back as a reminder of their journey and how strong he was. Katsuki would be more discreet, but his lips would always ruffle the sensitive skin and go up to the neck marked by the result of a night. 

 “I’ll wait an entire lifetime for you, Izuku.” 

His words echoed like a confession the merman used to comfort himself in his late night of loneliness when his husband was at the war. As beautiful as they seem, they could also be the start of breakdown due to the idea that humans were unstable…they could change their minds overnight, even worse, leaving without saying goodbye on the battlefield. No matter the number of times the human reassured the shaking figure beside him, Izuku was afraid of definitely losing him. 

“We’ve been chasing after each other for so long, it’s not a simple idea that’ll break us apart, especially if this means having you and Hana for the rest of my life. There are so many things to cherish in this world, but you two are my only priorities.”

The freckled man didn’t when he started to tear up, realizing how lucky he was to have someone so supportive like his husband in his life. Someone else would’ve probably left them in their misery, but Katsuki stayed until the end, even when they had to face darker times. The couple have been facing obstacles, but they became stronger and this strength could never be taken away from them, such as their endless love and mutual devotion. Getting married to Katsuki Bakugo was a dream everyone chased, but only one had the right to share it with the blond’s lips when no one was looking. 

“You’re driving me crazy, kacchan,” his voice confessed with an adenoidal tone. He was glad Katsuki accepted him for his secret and he was the one giving him this wonderful daughter. It was a question of time but soon Katsuki Bakugo, the heartbreaker of the twin, would be back with his husband and his daughter. “But I’m glad you were my first and last. If loving you is as easy as breathing, then I wouldn’t change anything about our journey because you know my heart and soul belong to you since the first day our paths met.” 

Their story started with an unexpected encounter and ended up being an inspiring legend for the stars.