Work Text:
Time has flown by and simultaneously dragged on for centuries. Actual centuries. And with time, everything eventually gets extremely old for Katsuki.
Everything, but Deku, the cute Victorian man that lives two portraits down from his own.
Using 'lives' as a loose term, for obvious reasons.
At first, Katsuki hated him. The man started spouting shit about automated steam machines and the creation of an energy that would light up pieces of glass from the inside like fire that never really burned… How the fuck was he supposed to understand all of that shit? And he didn’t fucking shut up. Deku followed him around the mansion constantly, trying to get information out of him and about the times that he lived in. So, Katsuki treated him very badly at first.
Give him a break, okay? Before Deku arrived, he used to be the only ghost around. It was his territory. Even with so many portraits, he seemed to be the only poor bastard whose soul was cursed to be attached to the portrait of his past self (by one witch he tried to scam once, the bitch).
Though he has to admit he definitely deserved it.
He wasn't the best person while alive... Okay, he was the biggest son of a bitch around at the time. He had been born rich nobility and he died fairly young at twenty by the hand of some drunk commoners he had picked a fight with (yes, it sounds stupid, but he could have won the fight if only he hadn’t been so drunk and the knives wouldn’t have caught him by surprise), so it is kind of reasonable for him to not have been the best person. He was an asshole to both women of any stratosphere and any poor person that came across him. He scammed them out of money a few times -even when they already had very little to live- and he did get into fights a lot, which was previously mentioned. He also fucked with all type of religious people (which he already mentioned as well). He was a bored kid, one that had everything he could ever imagine. The looks, the money, the brains, the privilege needed to succeed in such troubled times as they were, he had them all. But obviously, he wasted them big time.
But anyways, it was still a drag, of course. Being alone and having only the stupid humans living in the house as entertainment wasn't the best distraction, but he was somewhat contemptuous. No one bothered him much. Except for those lousy priests that came once in a while to try and get rid of him whenever he acted out against the humans out of pure boredom. Though, it is obvious it never really worked.
Dumb humans.
And then, his peaceful and boring life was interrupted.
He remembers the day Deku arrived. Well, his portrait -the nerd hadn't come straight with the painting. He was summoned to it, Katsuki assumes-. Katsuki assumes it was a painting Shitty-hair won in a bet of some kind, but he had put him two portraits down from his own. It was a Halloween weekend that year and Mina was running around the house doing her witchy shit (Katsuki is pretty sure she may be from the lineage of witches that cursed him, because she looks eerily similar to that bitch). At the time, when she had been done with her spells, he felt a new presence, like an energy that touched and pushed against his. But nothing came from it. It wasn’t until a whole year later that Deku suddenly appeared from inside his portrait. Back then, he would have thought he arrived one year too early. Now, one year too late.
Katsuki absolutely fucking loves him.
GOD.
He is annoying still, yes. He mutters like there is no tomorrow because for them there really isn't. It's more of an endless day. He wanders around the house knocking things over out of pure clumsiness. He has the worst sense of style Katsuki has ever fucking seen. He talks about complicated, modern things like machinery and electricity propulsed trains (what the fuck are even those?) and he doesn't shut up about his 'theories'.
It's incredibly annoying and infuriating at times, but he is sweet.
Izuku is the best fucking partner anyone could ever ask for. He is funny—even if unintentionally—, he is endearing and smart and gives the best scratches anyone could give in the whole world. He is also adorable as fuck.
The little "scientist" —Katsuki doesn't really know what the fuck that means, but Deku told him that is what he used to be when alive— giggles and blushes prettily whenever he gets the chance to get him flowers from the meadow close by during the 31st of October; the only day they can wander farther away than only the mansion's grounds.
And that's what he is doing right now.
"Which flowers do you think he'll like best?" Katsuki asks Kirishima as he eyes around the field with rapt attention.
The living boy shrugs uselessly, causing Katsuki to roll his eyes in exasperation. "I don't even know why I let you come with me. Actually, I don't even know how you have managed to rope Mina for this long being this fucking useless."
Kirishima seems both elated at the thought of his fiance and offended at the insult Katsuki just sent his way. The redhead pouts, "Not cool, Bakubro."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now help me."
Kirishima sighs profusely, thinking. He hums, "what about you bring him one he hasn't seen before? like-" he looks around and suddenly points at some flowers, "Oh! Those! He has never seen those! Mina planted them this year."
He points at a tiny patch of red flowers that rustle calmly in the wind. They are pretty and Kirishima tells him they smell good, though it doesn't really matter because neither of them can smell, anyways. But the thought is what counts, you know?
"I think he would have a blast adding it to the flower book!"
Damn, Katsuki is actually impressed. It is definitely true, Deku would have a blast with it. Even though they can’t go anywhere or smell stuff, they have acquired enough energy from Mina’s use of magic around the house to do more than just flicker lights and make things move around weirdly. So, Deku really took advantage of it. The man keeps journals to study flora and fauna of this new age. Pinky and Shitty hair often like to help add things to them by bringing new species of plants, pictures and books of the things he’s interested in.
"Wow, you can really use that brain of yours once in a while, Shitty hair." Katsuki smirks, a hint of fondness sipping through his tone unintentionally.
Kirishima smiles a toothy, juvenile grin and helps him gather the soft blooms. He’s obviously proud of himself.
They walk back —Katsuki more so floats— to the mansion and find Mina talking calmly to Deku as she arranges the dried weeds she uses for her witchy shit.
Deku is relaxed, resting against the arm of the intricately designed couch as she rocks softly in her chair. She seems to be telling him some sort of story about the second world war, thing that also has him in a chokehold.
Katsuki knows Izuku really likes those, his curious mind always wanting to learn more about the past and the present he is no longer an active part of. He especially loves to listen to Mina talk about the modern outside world they don't get to see often and what goes on there. She also often lets them search for stuff on her cellphone, which also ended up with Izuku obsessing with that Youtrube thing.
A smile dances on Katsuki's lips as he watches the scene play before him.
Kirishima sneakers beside him and it calls Katsuki's attention. "Lover boy." He mouths playfully.
Katsuki glares half heartedly and shoves him softly away. Kirishima snickers some more, but goes straight for Mina after.
Damn, they both have come to really appreciate these two idiots. What will they do when they're no longer here?
"Hello, dear!" The girl chirps happily once she sets her eyes on her beloved, prompting Izuku to look at them also.
He smiles once he notices what Katsuki holds in his hands. Deku looks shyly at him, a flush spreading around his cheeks and accentuating those beautiful freckles Katsuki knows he will be dead without. (Again, 'dead' being used as a loose term).
There’s nothing he loves seeing more.
He floats closer and watches how Izuku sits up slowly, his eyes never leaving Katsuki's. "These are for you." Katsuki offers the tiny bouquet of flowers and crooked, beautiful fingers reach over.
"Thank you, Kacchan." The smile is so big it makes his eyes almost close. "They are beautiful. Now I have a new one to add to my journal."
Katsuki preens at the acceptance of his gift, pride at making Izuku feel happy filling him whole.
"Aw, you two are so cute!" Mina shrieks excitedly, holding Shitty Hair's arm in hers.
Izuku laughs shyly, accepting the compliment. And seeing his happy reaction, Katsuki doesn't have the heart to retort anything back.
Hell yeah, they are cute together. Fuck. They are the cutest. No, Deku is the cutest.
"You're so kind, Kacchan. Thank you, again."
Some time ago Katsuki would have fought and cursed at being called Kacchan, but right now, he couldn’t care less. His insides do a flip, though.
"Of course, love." He whispers, feeling Izuku’s soft kiss press against his lips.
Katsuki's heart soars, happy.
October 31st is definitely his favorite day, always.