Archive of Our Own

“Your past and mine are parallel lines, stars all aligned and they intertwined.” - All The Girls You Loved Before (Taylor Swift)

 

Italy, 20XX, 

The unforgettable name of Pompeii echoed as a reminder of a tragedy to the collective consciousness, but this place had a different meaning for Katsuki Bakugo, who came here for answers to his blurry questions.  

The bright sunlight forced him to wipe the heavy sweat falling down his forehead. His calloused hands lost themselves in his golden spikes, burning more concurrence to the heat over his head, highlighting each of his footsteps. The fresh breeze caressed his fragile skin, and water fell down his throat between each sip from his gourd. The breeze brought an ounce of lightness with the caress against his spikes, surrounding him by a welcoming environment with many shadows who came here for different reasons. 

His taller presence caught more than one interested eye, but most of the nerds standing there came for the symbolism of this place, and not some stranger that might occupy their wildest dreams. The bright sky offered a welcoming atmosphere, with the signs of clouds and wind whispering a few secrets to his ears. Those small but meaningful elements brought an ounce of reassurance to his tormented heart, which started to shatter at the simple vision of vestiges that had already made the most of their time.

The background noises reflected the popularity of this place, no matter the season of the year, keeping its history alive a little longer for the most curious souls. In all honesty, he was impressed to see how those ruins succeeded in keeping their beauty through the decades. It wasn’t as refreshing as the original buildings, but the souvenirs they left to the next generations became a historical element. His crimson eyes paid attention to the slightest details none could notice, being too occupied to take the most touristic pictures for their social media. 

The settings of this place reside in the last structures, from the fragmentation of the colors over some walls, to the explicit ones of abandoned houses. There was something heavy about those ruins and their stories, wondering how the inhabitants experienced this tragedy without the actual knowledge of the recent century. Things must’ve been really scary for them back in the day, especially with the damage it caused to this place that used to be their homes.

Katsuki came here for a simple visit, but let his curiosity take the lead. He never planned to visit Pompeii, he was only intrigued by its story and the impact it left on the current world. This doesn’t make him a nerd like the other extras, who kept admiring those monuments and their specificity, or children asking when they can return home. Indeed, fate guided him to this location by random happenstance: Some holidays in Italy and a few bucks for a complete visit to the place that haunted his mind since his childhood.

It’s not like he had any special bond with this isolated place in the world, when his life in Japan was perfectly fine. He was a tattoo artist, enjoyed his job, and was relieved with this lifestyle….but something was missing. He always tried to fill this hole inside his chest, being the source of many tears he couldn’t control during his darkest nights and blurry dreams about an unreachable figure. 

The craziest thing about this situation was how he barely acknowledged this sensation until his teenage years. When he was a brat, he considered this a recurrent sadness he could fill with his favourite toys, but growing up made this illusion more complicated to ignore. When he was a teenager, he put the blame on the changes in his life, but started to realize how emptiness couldn’t follow him all this time without any reason…  he made the choice to ignore it until graduation. 

It’s only when he started to enter adulthood that Katsuki decided to focus on this unique sensation that became a part of his everyday life. No matter the endless questions about souvenirs related to Pompeii, the replies stayed the same. 

The most annoying part was probably searching for answers that would never come and haunt him until his dying days, forced to live a life without proper meaning: He could simply pretend and move on, but he knew he would never be satisfied with this option. Katsuki Bakugo was a man according to a huge symbol of his promises, stubborn about each of his projects, and serious when it was necessary- being stuck in this current situation offered more incomprehension than help, causing some trouble to his reasoning. 

Those sentiments and impression of deja-vu couldn’t come out of nowhere: the most rational explanation would be to visit this place during his childhood and forget about everything that happened here, but his parents confirmed that they’ve never gone to this place in his youth. It leaves no other choice than facing the unknown, explaining how he ended up in this random group of strangers, listening to the explanation made by the guide about each building and its history. 

It’s not like Katsuki wasn’t interested, but he was occupying his time by staring at those ruins, the same ones that brought so many bittersweet memories to a soul that doesn’t even remember being there in the first place. The legends described bodies as the host of the eternal soul that kept reincarnating itself into multiple versions of the same spirit, but the stubborn blond wasn’t the kind of person to believe in this bullshit. 

No matter the conditions of his past life, he knew he was comfortable with this one: After all, what was the goal of searching for a relic of his past when the present had so many things to offer? He wanted to believe in his own words, but Katsuki Bakugo couldn’t lie when it came to feelings. There was something unique about this location and the echo of an unreachable past: it was almost evident, but every hint guided him to the wrong conclusions.

At this point, he just wanted to waste his time and make new discoveries about the landscape he’ll never see again. Spending too much time searching for blurry answers will only represent a huge waste of energy for his lifespan. For the moment, he was just a simple visitor like the others who observed the ruins and listened to boring explanations from their guide. 

“- The historians found out the exact causes of their deaths a few decades later, keeping the symbolism of this town as intact as the first day,” the brown haired explained with a smile, pointing at a relic beside them. “Their observations have given us the occasion to understand what exactly happened during the tragedy. It only lasted 24 hours, but the many ruins like this old bakery stayed intact. They even found the rest of a bread in the oven when the volcano started to wake up.” 

The crimson eyes stared at the stone bread standing a few meters away from him, being the center of attention. This anecdote as a whole was pretty interesting to conserve the beauty of this scenery that took life with their wild imagination, but it doesn’t explain why Katsuki recognized this bakery! He swore on his life that he wasn’t losing his mind, but maybe keeping his worries for himself would avoid an early visit to the asylum. 

Maybe he’s been looking for answers he wasn’t ready to hear, but the search was worth the discovery….

——

The green emerald eyes were seduced by his surroundings. 

Izuku Midoriya had always been a curious soul when it came to tragedy and unshared tales that became either a source of comfort or pain, based on the different narratives. He never thought he would have the chance to stand in this same place that caught his attention since his youngest days, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!. 

The warm sunlight highlighted his messy curls and the slight sweat on his forehead, bringing a lighter tone to this area, already full of heavy stories present in each of those ruins standing under his eyes. The structure that survived all those years became his sudden interest, ignoring the intrigued glances around him. There was something beautiful about the authenticity of this place that stayed alive for so long, even if it was a question of time before completely disappearing due to another eruption. 

The simple projection of this reality, where the location of his dream disappeared under the same ashes, broke his heart. Luckily, the modern setting made enough progress to catch every ounce of semblance about the reconstruction of a past life none could ever reach again! The background noises of loud conversations didn’t bother his experience, being more focused on the slightest details that made his eyes shine brighter than a midnight sky: It wasn’t a secret if he had been passionate with this place and its tragic story since his teenage years, an interest many people could call obsession at some degree, but a source of conflicts for the freckled man’s chest. 

At first, he considered this bittersweet sentiment as the result of all his research and the information he learned about this tragedy, but no matter how hard he tried to get rid of this feeling, it never left. There was something intriguing about this particular interest taken in a sudden place, having the sensation of recalling an existing frame of a forgotten past that was now out of reach. Izuku has been passionate about many things in the past, but this current situation with him standing there despite those years of research wasn’t a coincidence.

At least that’s what Izuku tried to convince himself: There was no way he had already been there when his mother and he never had the chance to visit Italy. The simple sight of ruins in pictures and videos in those documentaries always brought him a sudden and inexplicable sorrow, almost like he had lost a part of his soul in this tragedy. He had enough consciousness to realize this attachment wasn’t healthy, but years after switching this past interest into new ones….the pain stayed the same as the day he discovered this story for the first time. 

Izuku Midoriya was a rational guy; according to his logic, everything had an explanation and a sense, no matter if it was related to a past experience of simple overthinking. If this sentiment was here in the first place, it existed for a reason, even if it remained blurry at the moment. Being here was a miracle he never thought possible: He was facinated by the beauty of this place, even if the burden on his shoulders was heavier with each of his steps in this isolated town. 

Izuku wanted to think it was all in his head, but some hints became too evident to be considered a simple illusion of despair. There was no reason to feel so emotional while standing in front of these glasses with lifeless bodies, frozen in time to reflect the cruel events that took their lives away. Feeling heartbroken was a natural reaction, but holding back his tears due to the sudden pain that started to fill his entire soul wasn’t normal, even if he couldn’t explain the impression of deja vu 

The worst part about this situation was how he was attracted to each area despite the burden inside his chest. The most rational reaction would be to change his mind with something else, but his curiosity led him to explore more of those abandoned houses and ruins, in a place full of secrets that resided at the tip of his tongue. He even surprised himself catching the guide and tourist off guard by announcing some kind of anecdote the historians haven’t pointed out yet, but his explanation simply echoed truths he had known his whole life, even in the craziest situation like this one. 

He decided to take a break and sat on the closest bench to get some air. The shorter man welcomed the light breeze against his curls while enjoying those precious sips of water. Izuku wasn’t the kind of lonely guy, but he didn’t mind being on his own for the occasion in a place that held so many secrets and answers to his vulnerable heart. He was just a simple teacher in a high school who loved his students and his job, but nothing could explain why he insisted on letting his colleague take the lead when the topic of Pompeii was studied in the trimester…

He rested his curls against the walls, feeling the sun burning his skin. Izuku checked his surroundings, only to face the disappearance of his group, transforming his apprehension into an uncomfortable feeling- If only he had been more wiser, maybe he wouldn’t be away from the original group and his visit!The shorter man ignored the anxiety rising inside his chest and didn’t hesitate to rush into the closest group he could find, taking the risk of being excluded if someone found the truth.

Once he succeeded in sneaking out of the group, he made himself discreet. The bucket hat on his hair didn’t make things easier, but he tried to calm himself when the guide explained something he already knew. His scarred fingers unconsciously played with the fabric of his clothes, holding his breath as he lifted his head and pretended to discover this area for the first time, wondering why this bittersweet feeling inside his chest was still following him. 

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t even notice the intrigued glance of another shadow in the crowd, who noticed his presence. If Katsuki observed in silent glances the worried expression on the extra’s face, he decided to take the slight break offered by the guide to make a move. He walked closer to the extra who had caught his attention and noticed how he was smaller than him, but whoever was hiding behind this shitty bucket hat seemed to immediately recognize his presence. 

Izuku’s heart missed a beat when he faced a stranger in front of him, realizing how he had been caught. There was nothing wrong about this situation, but the teacher’s ability to embarrass himself was one of his biggest flaws. His scarred hands held the fabric of his shirt tighter, a gesture the crimson eyes noticed but didn’t point out, afraid to make this more embarrassing than it already was Instead, he crossed his arms against his chest with a grin at the corner of his lips and decided to start the conversation, afraid to face an uncomfortable blank.

“You should act more natural if you don’t want to be seen as a psychopath,” his voice filled the previous silence. Katsuki had no intention of betraying someone he had just met, but he was amused by the circumstances of seeing a grown man acting like a shy teenager about something as meaningless as this. “This place is full of new faces, there’s no risk of being caught.” 

Izuku stayed silent while his fingers held his shirt tighter. This man wasn’t scolding or judging him for his stupid actions, he might even offer his help, but ifthe freckled man wanted to reply, he was stunned by the familiarity of a voice he had already heard from the blur in his teenage dreams; It was impossible, and yet, a part of his soul was seduced by the idea of crossing the path of a ghost of his past. Suddenly, his entire attention remained focused on the mysterious owner of a voice he could recognize anywhere… but it doesn’t make any sense-

“I don’t know how to pretend when this day had been a complete mess in the first place,” he mumbled, forcing the taller man to move closer to hear the distinct tone of his voice. “You can denounce me to the guide.”

“Why would I ?” Katsuki asked with a curious tone. “It’s none of my business if you lost yourself and can’t use any of your senses. Consider yourself lucky you’re not in a forest, because you would’ve already been dead at this point, idiot.”

The blond wasn’t the kind of person to easily fall into naive beliefs, but his memory never failed him and helped him in the craziest situations: he was convinced he had already heard this extra’s voice in the past with this distinct tone! Consider him crazy for jumping into this rushed conclusion, but he was sure this gentle tone owned some magical power: After all, how could it be possible to erase his previous concerns in the blink of an eye, almost like those years of desperate answers had been solved with a single talk. 

If Izuku’s heart lightened at the change in the other’s voice, he stayed silent. The previous comment wasn’t as harsh as the taller shadow let it seem, but the teacher appreciated how this stranger was taking his patience into account. Many people would’ve ignored him and moved on to something else in their visit, but this man insisted on staying by his side. Under  different circumstances, Izuku would’ve been creeped out by his behavior, but something in his chest convinced him that he had finally found his missing half. 

He finally moved his fingers behind his curls, taking all his courage to lift his head and have a clear look at the taller man, who waited for an answer. His heartbeat echoed a familiar song against his sensitive ears, and his world stopped when the welcoming emerald eyes met the crimson ones. His cheeks turned rosy when he observed every detail on the other’s face, being ethereal at first sight.

Izuku never had any issues with his sexuality, but he had to admit how the guy standing in front of him was the prettiest man he had ever seen, with his charming crimson eyes similar to jewels, golden spikes able to bring concurrence to the most stunning gem, and the intrigued expression that crossed his face. Each of his expressions reflected an ounce of naivety despite the choice of his previous words, even if the exposed tattoos on his arms caught the attention, proving how he lived long enough to mark his skin with indelible ink. 

 There was something enchanting about this scene almost like his entire soul was drowned by this sudden interest in a stranger he had never met before, even if his heart seemed to say the opposite. Using rational explanation wouldn’t help his case, but Izuku wanted to find some rational explanation about why this unknown face brought him a sudden warmth inside his chest, almost like they had already seen each other in a past life, but they would’ve known if it was the case….

If the emerald eyes showed their surprise, it was nothing compared to the crimson ones. There was something interesting about the rising emotions inside his vulnerable heart, realizing how this “extra” who had been catching his attention was the most beautiful man he had ever seen. His entire attention was now focused on this breathtaking painting: those emerald eyes had no right to be so gorgeous, as addicting as an open book with each line reflected through a simple expression on his face. The freckles on his cheeks had different forms under a close angle, wondering if this skin was as fragile as porcelain in a museum..

Katsuki Bakugo had never felt that way for anyone before, but the craziest thing about this unexpected meeting was how he had the sensation of meeting the missing piece. He tried to understand why standing beside this shorter figure offered him genuine happiness, something he had never felt before for anyone. It could be considerate as love at first sight, but his insticntswamrned him about this strong bond that just formed with a single glance: Those jade irises looked at him with enough care to transcribe this mutual joy that rise inside their chest, leading them to the crazy theory of being soulmates eunited after endles sears of research, but it was impossible.

“Have we met before ?” Izuku asked in a low tone. 

Each word escaping his lips echoed as a forgotten promise stolen by the wind, highlighted by the stunned glances on their faces- The freckled man already heard about love at first sight and the intense sensation it brought to your heart, but he was convinced this meeting wasn’t a simple coincidence, but a curious happenstance. 

“Not to my knowledge, I would’ve definitely remembered you,” the taller man whispered with a scarlet color on his cheeks, a sight the freckled man chose to mesmerize him beyond the multiples frames that crossed his vision field until now.

“I can return the compliment…my name is Izuku Midoriya, nice to meet you,” the green-haired man affirmed with a slight smile, hidden from the curious glances but explicit enough for the captivated crimson eyes. 

There was something enchanting about this sight and the impression of deja vu concerning this name that already escaped their lips a long time ago- This situation as a whole came straight from one of those fairy tale mothers read to their children as bedtime stories, but reality was different from imagination. It was reassuring to know this unusual impression was mutual, based on the clear expression on their faces. 

“Mine’s Katsuki Bakugo,” once again, Izuku’s heart missed a beat at the mention of this name, but he decided to keep this source of curiosity aside for the moment.

 The only thing that mattered was how the taller man in front of him was looking into his emerald eyes with enough care to make him fall in love on the spot, especially with such a breathtaking beauty coming straight from a timeless poem with the prettiest prose. “I never expected to meet such an angel in a place full of ghosts, but don’t worry… You can stay here until the end of the visit, it’s not like you’re going to jail for that.” 

“Are you sure ?” Izuku asked, even if he already knew the answer to this question. 

It felt odd to return to the original topic of conversation they had previously forgotten, but the shorter figure simply smiled at the careful attention. There was something intriguing about Katsuki’s soul, almost like he already knew each of his secrets through a single expression on his face, reading into his captivating eyes like an open book. If their path had met earlier, there’s no doubt the two of them would’ve created an unforgettable narrative, but maybe it was the occasion to grab this chance in this lifetime!

“It can be our secret, and to be honest, you have no idea where your group is…I’m right ?” The interested expression on the blond’s face brought a light blush to the freckled cheeks. 

The scarred fingers moved behind his neck, ashamed to be caught at his own game-In all honesty, the previous topic of conversation was easily forgotten when this breathtaking beauty was standing before his eyes. The blond was an unreachable figure to reach, standing too close and too far at the same time…but Izuku was an explorer not afraid of sacrifice, if this meant searching into the unknown to discover past secrets they’ve kept hidden for too long. 

“….Maybe,” he admitted with a slight smile, moving his curls behind his ears with his delicate thumbs. The scene caught the blond by surprise, but he wondered why this simple gesture brought so many bittersweet memories to his soul. 

“Be my guide, maybe you’ll be better than the actual one,” he said with a teasing tone, putting the bob back on those messy curls. 

The emerald eyes glanced at him with his shining irises, a sight the blond didn’t miss, even when he pretended he wasn’t affected by the previous scene. Katsuki Bakugo had a lot of projects, but he never planned to change each of them by a simple meeting during a summer afternoon, in the same place that started this crazy journey. As crazy as it seems, a simple glimpse was enough to realize how they’ve probably known each other for decades. 

If Katsuki was attracted by challenges, Izuku simply followed the unknown when a new occasion appeared on its doorstep…. Even if the blond’s name was too similar to a certain nickname he muttered numerous times in his dreams. It’s not like he had important plans awaiting him at home, but life gave him the occasion to get the answers to his unsolved questions, especially with this breathtaking man by his side. 

“I would love to, and maybe you can tell me more about you,” Izuku replied with a soft tone, almost fond if he wasn’t biased by his personal interpretation of the situation.

 A light smile crossed his lips as he put his hat back on his curls, realizing how the taller man simply smirked and waited for him to join the rest of the group. The shorter man knew he was already longing for this captivating glance on the blond’s face, but this visit was the perfect occasion to know what he was doing here and if their paths were meant to happen by accident.

—--- 

The shorter man wasn’t naive and noticed how the crimson eyes sent him stolen glances when the other wasn’t looking, but this realization only forged his false beliefs, biased by this mutual attraction between them. Their presence in the group was as discreet as their whispers: it was reassuring to have a genuine talk with this stranger, he had the impression of knowing him for decades, hearing how his version of the story was oddly connected with his. 

The scarred fingers lost their way behind Izuku’s back, with the hope of not pushing Izuku’s boundaries: He admired how those endearing crimson irises reflected every emotion crossing his mind, from the seriousness to the annoyance, offering interesting variants. Despite staying silent for a while, Izuku stayed an impressed observer, mesmerized by this sight as his favorite lullaby to get before his bedtime.  

Katsuki Bakugo was impressive as a whole; his job reflected his captivating aura, and he seemed to talk about his tattoos as his biggest pride, especially when the same clients returned to his independent shop more than once. As the curious soul he was, Izuku didn’t hesitate to ask if the ones he had on his arms had a meaning, but he found with amusement how most of them were born out of a random idea. The emerald eyes were amazed to see how some of them were perfectly done, no matter the drawing styles or the marks they left on these strong arms,

 However, the freckled man easily found his favorite when the blond pointed out its existence, explaining how it was the very first tattoo he had done on himself. The taller man kept describing his presence with small comments compared to the previous ones he mentioned earlier, but Izuku found a unique appeal in this precious mark on this breakable skin.

“There’s nothing impressive about this,” the blond affirmed with a low tone, ignoring the judgmental glance from the rest of the group. It’s not their fault if those extras couldn’t stay focused on the explanation by the guide! He took a quick glimpse at the amazed emerald ones, who asked if he could touch the ink, until he got the permission with a nod and naturally lost his fingers against this sensitive skin. 

“It’s your version of the narrative, but I found it impressive,” Izuku mumbled with a light tone. His thumbs ruffled the porcelain skin ignoring the blush rising on his freckled cheeks and the sensation of deja vu that filled his heart. “Maybe you still consider this period with a bittersweet, but when you think about it….Without this one, you wouldn’t be there today.”

“That’s an interesting way to see the situation,” he replied with a grin. “Let’s see if you’re strong enough to change my mind, but it’s a tough quest…”

The breeze crossed their face and succeeded in stealing the stupid bucket hat away from the green messy curls, but this second of inattention was marked by the natural reflex of those strong muscles beside the rosy skin. Izuku held his breath when he felt how the taller man unconsciously brought him closer, almost like he was afraid to let him fly away with the wind. The teacher lifted his head to meet the confident grin, while his strong hands put the bucket hat back on the other’s hair, ignoring how he already stole Izuku’s heart on the spot. 

“I think we should continue the visit, or we’ll get both lost, and this time I’ll put the blame on you and your pretty face,”  the taller man added, being touched to see how the shorter figure simply nodded at the previous comment. 

The ghost of those thumbs against his skin occupied the blond’s mind, realizing how he wanted to know more about the scars owned by this porcelain skin that treated him like a precious treasure Katsuki didn’t pretend when  those blushing cheeks was as his favorite painting, while the shorter man continued his mumbles, unaware of the affectionate glance crossing the other’s face.

 There was something relieving about the discoveries of their mutual interest something that wouldn’t be possible without the appeasing aura of this place: In all honesty, both men knew they wouldn’t mind being more than a one-night stand if they met under different circumstances. The darkness of this nightclub wouldn’t compare to the sun highlighting each detail of their faces, transforming a simple meeting into an unforgettable beginning. 

The conversation continued for a while,  with their two shadows getting to know each other in more detail about their personal life: They even mentioned the bond with their parents, a touching moment highlighted by the comprehensive glance at each other’s faces. This mutual attraction justified the light smile crossing the corner of their lips, transforming this talk into a comfortable bonding moment between two strangers who found their saviors in the least expected. 

“So…You’re a teacher ?” Katsuki asked with a grin, taking a sip from his grey gourde. The group made another break earlier while reaching some lost areas of the town, reminding them how they needed to stay focused on the actual reason for their presence. The freckled man looked at him with an intrigued glance until his emerald eyes turned softer, stealing the blond’s heart for the umpteenth time-

“Exactly, why are you surprised ?” Izuku returned the question with an amused tone, putting a lost curl behind his ears.. Katsuki Bakugo was more understanding than any person the teacher had seen until now; while some wouldn’t mind showing their disregard for the conversation, the comprehensive glance never left his face, and he was deeply focused on each of his words. 

“I’m not, you have the face that fits with your job, which is a compliment coming from me,” the golden-haired man added with a smirk. Izuku started to get used to his unique personality, coming from a random person who turned his world into new beginnings he had never seen coming. After all, he was ready to listen to his monologue for endless hours if this meant staying a little longer by his side. 

“I should be relieved, but I would've praised you with the compliment about how you were the kind to save people’s lives, not putting ink on their skin,” he pointed out with a tease, catching the way Katsuki raised his eyebrows at the previous comment. The freckled man started to find peace with the idea of exploring more about this unknown mystery, but he secretly prayed to get Katsuki’s number at the end of the day to continue this narrative that had become his favorite.  

“And many people thanked me for this service, don’t have a bigger ego, freckles,” The more the nerd started to reveal his true self, the more intrigued the blond became. 

It was heartwarming to see this adorable face being highlighted by delightful smiles on his lips and scarlet colors against his fragile skin, but it was more touching to see him taking his ease in the conversation. The shy shadow who hesitated to pronounce a single word became now comfortable enough to even tease this stranger, who offered him an unexpected reassurance, being something he had never felt before. 

“I’m not, I’m just sharing my initial thoughts,” Izuku replied with a light smile, this time looking straight into the other's eyes. “I bet I wasn’t the only one making such assumptions, but I appreciate the fact that you respect our mutual boundaries. I tend to think each job reflected a different savior in their own ways: you by bringing a smile to people’s faces, and me for being the inspiration of the youngest.”

In all honesty, the freckled man’s love life had been chaotic in many ways, but none of his past experience made him feel so much comfort with a single glance like Katsuki did; he continued to believe in his theory of following his heart about this stranger who gave him an ethereal sensation of love. After all, this was nothing like his past experiences, and yet, this mystery surrounding this impression of deja vu constantly occupied his mind…. Maybe he could dig a little deeper into that in the next hours. 

“But tell me, what brought you here ?” 

The question naturally left the teacher’s lips, catching both men off guard and their glances met.

Katsuki looked at the tender irises, who seemed to be entertained by the set of circumstances, as the group started to gather around the meeting spot they had established earlier. The freckled man wished to freeze time to discover Katsuki’s secrets, even if his heart was tormented by unexplained sadness. The sun highlighted the distinct shade behind the chaotic curls, catching the blond’s entire attention until his glance fell into the pleased expression on the nerd’s face, almost like he caught him staring at this forbidden sight. 

“I thought you were more interested in the visit,” the taller man pointed out with a grin, standing up from the previous bench to move in front of the shorter figure. Izuku smiled when he caught the taller figure covering the sun with his shadow, understanding with a single glance how it was time to continue their low masses in the crowd. 

“I do, but I also want to know more about your interest in this place if it’s not indiscreet.” His answer was justified by the natural curiosity inside his charming irises, convincing the stubborn blond to put his guard aside and fall for this enchanting trick. 

His calloused hands appeared in the teacher’s vision field, exposing the beginning of some scars against this heated palm and those delicate lines on his skin. The freckled man’s glance never left the blond’s while putting their heated palms together for a few seconds that echoed as hours for their shattered souls. Their shadows regained the previous group as the visit continued, but the only thing that mattered was the previous confidence they shared for a gesture that brought an unexpected warmth inside their souls. 

“There’s something mysterious about this place, almost like these ruins were calling for my presence since my youngest days. Nothing to be afraid of, just an odd sensations that offered a bittersweet taste on my lips, the kind of shit you can’t explain to people unless they consider you crazy.” 

It was the first time Katsuki described his feelings about the situation that had already occupied too many years of his life. The previous statement became a cruel reminder of this current situation, where he had no choice but to face the mysterious answers this place kept hidden from him. However, he had the impression he could offer his blind trust to this guy he had met a few hours ago!.

“But you can be with me… It echoed with mine and I’m having precious time to waste,” Izuku replied with a light nod, moving closer to push his shoulders against the blond’s. 

Katsuki’s face softened when he realized how the nerd was trying to understand the similarities between their stories. The scarred hands found Izuku’s back, and his understanding glance appeased his past worries about a possible misunderstanding. 

“The truth is, I don’t even know where this feeling started,” he explained with a sigh, staring at the ruins of abandoned houses and the last relics of an unforgotten past. This impression couldn’t be justified by the pictures Katsuki had seen in his youth, knowing it was a sentiment stronger than any nostalgia he felt before. “It followed me since the early beginning, but only made sense in my adulthood. …Tell me,  did you ever feel a sudden pain crossing your chest about a name you shouldn't be worried about, but resonated as a forgotten past you kept blurry on purpose ?”

A sudden silence filled the conversation, leading to inner reflection that acted like a slap in the face. If Katsuki felt guilty for imposing an uncomfortable atmosphere, he noticed how the emerald eyes widened at his words, being an echo of his own experience. Izuku needed to process how it was strangely related to his story, despite never explaining any of this before. This couldn’t be a simple coincidence, especially with the unplanned meeting and the mutual sensation of knowing each other for decades-

Don’t get him wrong, it would be naive to believe in reincarnation, but his heart flinched for the easiest option. After all, the hints kept reappearing in distinct forms to guide their journey straight to the unexposed secrets, able to change their world into either ashes or revival. If the freckled man kept his impossible theories discreet, he simply moved his head and made a light nod, realizing how the blond was waiting for answers. 

“I do…A lot,” he mumbled in a low tone. His fingers held the back of his shirt with a tighter grip, ignoring this bittersweet sensation rising inside his chest: He had the impression of getting closer to the truth he had been looking for, but the explanations related to this wouldn’t make any sense. After all, decades had passed since the last souvenirs of Pompeii, so how could they be related to this event if they didn’t have any memories of it? 

“I guess this makes us equal, then, what’s the deal with you ?” Katsuki noticed the sudden change, almost like this previous curiosity became a sadder feeling he couldn’t erase from Izuku’s pretty face. The taller man didn’t want to be too invasive, hoping he would be able to cheer him up…. 

“My case is similar to yours in many ways, I’m just a visitor of time looking for answers to unsolved questions,” he pointed out with a nostalgic tone, wondering how those people must’ve felt during the tragedy. He couldn’t imagine how painful it was to assist in your own death, with the inability to escape from a place that was already doomed to be the source of disaster. “This place is well known for its history, but there’s something with a deeper meaning for me. I…. I’ve always felt a bond to these frozen ruins, and yet, I felt a huge pressure on my shoulders the moment I crossed this place-almost like I was walking on burning ashes and each of my steps or breaths was counted.”

“I thought I was the only one losing my mind, but I’m glad to know I got an ally in this mystery," the taller man replied with a grin, ruffling the light curls. He noticed the hidden tears residing at the corner of the shorter man’s eyes, moved by his speech.. 

At first sight, lying about such a thing was stupid, especially when the reaction on his face and light change of tone revealed how he was sincere about his attachment to Pompeii. In all honesty, the stubborn blond was relieved to know he wasn’t alone in this particular case, but his instincts warned him about a deeper meaning, compared to simple coincidences that happened at the right place at the right time. Katsuki tried to change Izuku’s mind and bring a smile back to his face, and even if the shorter man appreciated the gesture, he felt guilty for imposing a blank in a conversation that had gone smoothly until now.

“Tell me, do you believe in reincarnation ?” The question escaped his lips on purpose, compared to the previous one, noticing how the taller man looked at him with curiosity. 

Izuku was patient and ready to hear this answer that shouldn't mean anything to him,  and his face softened when he read the curious expression on the blond’s face, falling for his unconscious tricks, until the answer turned out to be something different from his expectations. 

“Absolutely not,” he added without an ounce of doubt. Many people might consider him harsh for being so direct about a sensitive topic, but he had the right to express his beliefs with no guilt. It’s not like he didn’t care either, but he was a down-to-earth guy. “But you look like the kind of guy to believe in this, so I won’t hurt your ego.”

“And you’ve never been curious about your past lives ?” Izuku asked, stopping himself in front of a deserted street from the tourists. He didn’t know how he ended up here, having the ability to lose himself in the most isolated areas, apparently. Katsuki made sure to be respectful, and Izuku was glad to see this soft and understanding side of his soul that seemed harsh at first sight. 

“Not like I needed to, I have my present, and each souvenir related to this lifetime, recalling more memories of the past will only make things harder than they already are. Imagine walking into a shop and seeing your neighbor, knowing he was the guy who beheaded you decades ago ?”

“Now that you described it that way, I understand your reasoning,” he replied with a gentle laugh that caressed the blond’s ears as one of his favorite songs. “But you never thought about this with a more romantic angle ?”

 Katsuki was ready to mesmerize each lyric until his final breath, to recall their ethereal beauty, if this means letting this delicate melody charm his shattered heart. Hearing Izuku’s laugh erased a bunch of burden on his fragile shoulders, and he felt suddenly lighter when the mesmerizing aura surrounding the nerd felt like a delicate envelope to protect them from the outside world. Emerald eyes looked at the soft crimson eyes, and their heartbeat became one as their two shadows resided there, in the middle of this empty street with nothing but souvenirs of an unreachable past life guiding their hearts. 

“What do you have in mind ?”

“I don’t know, there’s something touching about meeting your soulmate in a different lifetime and falling for them a thousand times. It might be my hopeless romantic side, but I wouldn't mind experiencing this kind of love if the occasion showed up.” Izuku’s voice turned softer, but his glance never left the amiable ones, who listened carefully to each of his words. This probably fed his crazy theories about reincarnation, especially with the undeniable bond forming between Katsuki and him…..

“As long as you don’t wear a wedding ring on your pretty fingers and your heart isn’t occupied by anyone, this sounds good to me,” the golden-haired man added with a grin, ruffling the messy curls to see the flush on the freckled cheeks. He knew he was taking a huge risk by being direct in his attempts to gain the nerd’s attention and number at the end of the day, but the shorter man didn’t seem to mind when his face turned lighter at the previous comment. 

“Today must be your lucky day because I'm single, but may I return the question ?” Izuku was usually the kind of guy to let the others make the first move, too shy to try anything on his own, but there was something reassuring about this Katsuki Bakugo. 

The teacher swore on his life he could trust this stranger he met a few hours ago with a blind trust, almost like he was able to predict each of his reactions and read into his glances like an open book. There must be a reason for the sudden apparition of this warmth rising inside his chest, guiding each of his thoughts as the most breathtaking prose on this timeless poem, written with indelible ink over those pages. 

“I’m not usually interested in this type of relationship, but I can make some exception if the person by my side is worth the fight,” he replied with a grin, sending a hidden message to the shorter man. It seemed like Izuku was relieved to know he could be a contender to steal Katsuki’s heart, even if this meant making his proffers over the next months. 

“Oh…I see,” he mumbled with a smile, bumping into the taller man’s shoulders. 

Katsuki rolled his eyes and followed him as they both reaggregated their group and observed their surroundings with a lighter heart. Their fingers unconsciously tried to have a heat of the other’s skin, and thumbs lost themselves into their fragile skin, until they stepped back with a fast heartbeat inside their chest. Everything felt natural compared to their previous relationships, almost like time froze when they were surrounded by the other’s presence. 

The visit continued in complete silence until a specific spotlight caught the freckled man’s attention. Many people stopped to take pictures, but Izuku was the one standing there the longest, with his fingers holding his shirt tighter with a somber expression on his face. Katsuki made a move to rest beside him, hoping the nerd would acknowledge his presence. However, his observing glance noticed how the fragile fingers started to shake, unable to control himself, forcing Katsuki to interfere with Izuku’s thoughts. 

A single glance was enough to read the intense emotions that escaped from this heartbreaking sight, consisting of a bunch of human bones on the ground and lifeless bodies that disappeared over time. They didn’t have any name to remember, only the rest of the tragedy that stole thousands of lives and ruined their future….

“Did you think they could’ve had a chance to survive ?” The shorter man asked with a low tone, indicating how he was emotive about the emotions crossing his shattered heart. Don’t get him wrong, he knew things would be hard the moment he entered this tourist spot, but he never expected such pain to appear in front of a sight that seemed so distant and close at the same time. 

“If they escaped right before the volcanic ash, maybe they could’ve shared their stories with the rest of the world, but they remained unforgettable in their own ways,” Katsuki explained with a reassuring tone, moving closer enough to wrap his hands around the shaking shoulders. Izuku didn’t fight back and rested his head against his chest, feeling this sudden pain taking the lead over his rational thinking. If Katsuki was more distant with this burden, Izuku became the target of those ghosts related to a past that haunted him decades later. “I don’t know if this ending is more memorable, but what would you have done if you were in their place ?”

“I don’t know,” the green-haired man mumbled in his beard, appeasing himself with the comforting heartbeat of the blond’s against his ears. No matter how hard he tried to think about his reactions concerning the tragedy itself, he would’ve probably been frozen in fear and unable to fight back his tears, the same ones that previously ruined his porcelain skin. “But it’s still unfair, all these lives taken away due to unfortunate circumstances. Do you think things would’ve been different if historians had warned them earlier ?”

“The answer is obvious, it’s like asking if the world would’ve been different without World War two, but it doesn’t change the fact that the relics are remarkable.” Finding the right words to comfort a sensitive soul like Izuku’s wasn’t an easy task: His goal was to let those shaking shoulders melt under his strong touch, letting him know how he wasn’t facing this on his own. If Izuku stayed discreet, his fingers grabbed the blond’s shirt, releasing all that suffering into the closest form of warmth that unconsciously brought him back to life. “We can’t change the past, but we can still cherish their memories and make their sacrifices worth the marks they left in the public consciousness.”

“You’re right, but it’s still heartbreaking,” Izuku mumbled, realizing how he found peace at the least unexpected. As selfish as it seemed, the shorter man wanted to rest inside those protective arms and fall asleep in this sentiment of reassurance he couldn’t find anywhere. “We should probably return  to the group, they must be tired of our discreet escapade..but thanks, I know it’s not easy to deal with me and my emotional mess, but I appreciate the gesture, Kacchan.”

“I’ve seen worse and- Wait, how did you call me ?” The shock in his voice forced the shorter figure to leave the previous embrace, exposing his rosy cheeks and teary eyes. 

If this sight was heartbreaking for some reason, the blond couldn’t understand yet, he was focused on the previous nickname that left the nerd’s lips. It wasn’t a big deal, just a childish nickname that could be forgotten overnight, but the actual sensation it brought to the blond’s chest was not normal. If it was a simple detail meant to be forgotten, why does his heart unconsciously crave more and immediately feel a strong impression of deja vu? According to his old souvenirs, the first and only time he heard this nickname came from a faceless man chasing after him in the darkness but if their path had already met- why couldn’t he remember anything if this was important to his soul? 

“I’m sorry, but we can pretend it never happened and avoid this embarrassing situation-”

Shit, Izuku really has the power to ruin everything he touches. The moment was gentle enough to be considered a good souvenir but it was a question of time until he transformed this into a real nightmare: It was obvious how Katsuki was uncomfortable with this nickname, but it doesn’t erase the guilt rising inside Izuku’s chest. He should’ve kept this information for himself instead of throwing it away without realizing the consequences of his actions!

“No, keep it…it looks cute when you say it,” the taller man affirmed with a grin at the corner of his lips. 

The freckled man wasn’t convinced by the argument but held his breath when he felt the gentle thumbs losing thumbs in his fragile curls, only to push some behind his ears. The crimson eyes never left his, even when their faces were separated by a few centimeters, with a scarlet color on the freckled cheeks offering more concurrence to the blond’s irises. Izuku had never looked prettier under this angle, and yet, the taller man tried his best not to shut the shorter man down with a kiss. The gentle thumbs left the porcelain skin and offered some space between them until the freckled man regained his breath, still speechless after this unexpected rapprochement. 

“I think we should return to the group…we’ll be late,” escaping from this rising happiness inside his chest won’t change anything, but he didn’t miss the way Katsuki looked at him with a soft glance. Shit, Izuku didn’t know if he’ll be able to survive the rest of the day if this literal god standing beside him was making another move- He was a weak soldier when it came to love, but he wouldn’t mind succumb to the blond’s charms and steal a kiss if the taller man authorized it. 

Katsuki couldn’t help but admire how the nerd became shy after the previous gesture, but he knew he would find this fascinating smile again. After all, Izuku already caught his heart, and he was ready to wait if this meant knowing his Happy Ever After with someone like him. 

—---- 

Pompeii - 24th of August, AD 79,

10 AM

The bright sunlight decided to share new stories in those streets that welcomed the first shadows of this early morning. The background noises caressed the most sensitive ears and guided them into their regular activities, despite the tragedy that would reach the city at the beginning of the afternoon. 

The light shade of orange made its appearance under this new day, observing the first shadows moving in the streets with bright smiles on their faces. Pompeii was known for its cultural activities that transformed this simple town into an unforgettable one, and the reward was given to the numerous professions. The horses and merchants woke up at dawn to prepare their stands for this new occasion to gain a few moneys to feed their families, while the tavern and restaurant cleaned the last hints of an active night. 

The attractive fruits and vegetables standing in front of the most curious eyes succeeded in catching the attention of many - It was quickly followed by the attractiveness of the shops expanding themselves under the early souls, who considered morning as a way to explore the surroundings. The background noises accompanied the most intrigued spirits who joined the crowd at this early hour, especially when the town seemed to be already awake. In front of those beautiful landscapes was the maintenance made by the gods to keep an eye on their creation with enough discretion. 

Indeed, half of the city was already destroyed due to a previous anger from the deities, forcing the residents to accentuate their beliefs and seek their mercy. Seeing those ruins should be considered a heartbreaking sight, but most of the residents here considered this a charm, being the occasion to bring more people into their town and continue their exchanges. 

The harbor, residing a few meters away, made their communication easier with the rest of the world, offering their treasures as a way to thank the gods for their protection and the sacrifices they’ve made all along. The previously abandoned building had been rebuilt with enough care to share a new narrative, giving those roads a chance to welcome the beauty of multilingual exchange about their resources, under bright sunlight in those enchanting streets. 

This vegetation brought a natural beauty to this welcoming environment, but it was the least of Katsuki’s worries. He used to be a morning person, but this one was different from the others, especially when he hated the cold side of the bed. He knew this idiot would’ve left as soon as possible to avoid any gossip about their relationship, but it was odd to live under such conditions when their love was genuine. The calloused hands lost themselves in his golden spikes, feeling the delicate wind against his skin, whispering some unreachable secret.

His crimson eyes glanced around the active town and the many strangers visiting the town for the occasion. The taller man was tempted to get some bread to share with his lover as a morning breakfast, but his last money was reserved for a more precious gift…something he couldn’t pay for at the moment, but would be a source of happiness for their families once the time had come. Katsuki ignored his stomach and focused on the fountain, finding a spot to sit while waiting for his lover’s return, as the other had promised. 

A gsmile crossed the corner of his lips as he recalled the previous night when he lost his delicate thumbs into those light curls, followed by loving emerald eyes that looked at him as if he were his entire world. The sheet that’s been separated from them was thin enough to reflect each movement under their amused glances, trying not to get caught by Katsuki’s parents, despite them already being aware of their secret escapade when no one was looking. The gentle warmth of those freckled cheeks rested against the calloused hands, remembering how they needed to raise their voice to bring justice to their relationship. Their mission succeeded but Katsuki’s biggest treasure he could ever remove from fate was  Izuku’s love.

Izuku and Katsuki have known each other since they were brats, but they always felt a strong connection between them. Their parents joked around and described it as fate, while some explained how the gods joined their souls together in this lifetime, an explanation that was too absurd to believe at first sight. The two best friends might have a lot in common and the ability to protect each other, but it’s not like they were meant to be lovers, especially when this kind of relationship needed to stay hidden from the public eye. However, the longer they spent time together in the neighborhood, the stronger their sentiment became…

Their teenage years opened their eyes to the nature of their relationship. 

Izuku Midoriya became prettier with the same adorable face that seduced anyone on his path, but his heart stayed loyal to his childhood friend, who became his first everything. It was undeniable how Izuku’s beauty was the center of much attention and jealousy, catching the glance of many men and women, while defending the harsh Katsuki Bakugo, described as someone who’ll cause his downfall one of these days. The freckled boy never believed in their lies and chose to stand beside Katsuki’s side until the very end, ending this conflict as soon as it appeared, under the surprised crimson eyes. 

If the green-haired boy knew when he started to fall for his childhood friend, the answer was less evident on the blond’s side: It’s not like he despised Izuku’s company; he loved it more than anything, but he was afraid of ruining this strong bond by bringing romantic sentiment in the process. It explained why Katsuki Bakugo took so much time to make the first move with the touched expression on Izuku’s face, who returned these genuine confessions. The freckled man was no longer a teenager when he jumped into the arms of the blond and shut him down with a kiss in front of the fountain, explaining how he had waited for this moment for too long. 

Since that day, the two men became inseparable, to the point of becoming each other’s light. 

Despite the popular beliefs, their parents accepted their relationship and supported them in each step of this crazy journey. The light noises of water falling into this central fountain brought the taller man back to his reality: A simple movement of his head was enough to reply to the merchants who recognized him from afar. He wished he had a tool made to catch the time passing by, separating him from his next reunion with his partner….but the more he waited, the more excited he would be to see his lover again.

Falling in love with Izuku Midoriya was easier than breathing, especially with his adorable freckled cheeks and warm curls on his head, reflecting a distinct shade of green. His beauty was probably the favorite painting to admire from Katsuki’s perspective: he loved to read between each of his expressions like his favorite poem shared in public, and enjoyed even more the delicate kiss made by his lips when the night had come. Izuku was the sweetheart of Pompeii, but the constant rejection of wedding proposals or even dates shocked the crowd….even when his apologetic face turned into a bright smile when the golden-haired man was around. 

Katsuki considers himself a blessed soul for being the target of the nerd’s beauty until his dying days, a role he refused to exchange against a more peaceful life, corrupted by egrets. The golden-haired man sighed and stared at the landscape drawing itself under his naive glance: He couldn’t believe how this city, known for its luxury when it comes to cultural activities and precious resources, was the jewel of many people. Izuku and Katsuki had already talked about their plans concerning the future, including the choice to either stay here or explore the world, but it remained an unsolved problem at the moment. 

The sound of footsteps crossed his sensitive ears and forced him to turn his head…only to meet the muse of his art. The shorter man appeared from the familiar road that both men had already taken too many times, with a lost leaf against his hair and his clothes, highlighted by the bright sunlight against his skin. His freckles, the most mesmerizing eyes were the crimson ones, who had already drawn many stars on this porcelain skin under intimate moments, but always admired how gorgeous his fiancé looked under this angle. Izuku Midoriya was a treasure from the gods, brought up on a silver spoon to brighten Katsuki’s days, 

The scarred hands, marked by the training with a weapon for an upcoming war, moved to put his lost curls behind his ears with light mumbles escaping his lips. The freckled man’s face lightened when he found the amazed crimson ones looking at him with the same glance that seduced him years ago, realizing how he wouldn’t mind falling a thousand times for this unique shadow who already owned half of his soul. There was something captivating about the way Katsuki’s eyes reflected his genuine emotions that transpired through a simple glance, being his favorite poem ever written, especially when he was the unique muse of those thousands of untold confessions. 

The background noises brought the freckled man back to reality, taking a quick glimpse at the taller man with his casual smirk. Izuku didn’t need to hide his excitement when he rushed into the blond’s arms, resting his head against his chest and wrapping his hands around his back with a tight grip. Their separation only lasted a few hours,  but each minute spent away from their missing half felt like a step closer to eternal loneliness! Katsuki’s face turned redder at the gesture, realizing they were in public, until he ignored the judgmental glances and returned the embraces. His heart melted on the spot when the small curls found his chin and the shorter man learned into his touch, whispering how much he missed him.

“Kacchan! I’m so sorry I forgot to say goodbye to my mom earlier,” he added with a light mumble, losing his fingers against the fabric of his lover’s clothes. The sweet perfume crossed his nose, bringing a smile back to his lips until he lifted his head and met the unimpressed crimson ones. Izuku knew it was all an act, especially when the taller figure returned the hugs a few minutes ago…but that’s what he also liked about his fiancé, his ability to show a softer side once the public's eyes were out of reach. 

The shorter man made a soft laugh when he pushed curls behind his ears, waiting for an answer. Katsuki tried to cover the rosy color heating his skin but gave up when the gentle fingers pinched his nose: It was endearing how his childhood friend’s glance expressed this natural beauty, able ot steal any hearts on the spot. 

“I just arrived anyway,” he lied with rolled eyes, noticing how the shorter figure nodded at his comment. Even if the freckled man knew about the excitement the blond had about their meeting, he decided to enter into the game of his stubborn lover.. 

Falling for Katsuki Bakugo was easier than breathing, with his beautiful irises able to steal anyone’s heart on the spot, his golden spikes, and the delicate skin that sounded like the safest place in this world. One of his favorite habits was to lose his scarred palm on purpose against his fiancè's cheeks to cup them in the most delicate way, only to see this rising and beautiful shade of red crossing his face. It was a well-known fact that Izuku Midoriya only had eyes for his childhood friend, even when the strongest soldier who survived the toughest battlefield presented himself for his hand in marriage. 

Everyone who tried to steal Katsuki from Izuku’s life ended up paying the price with death glare, realizing how their biggest mistake to even thinking about it. . However, it didn’t stop the freckled man from falling harder for this inspiring figure by his side, who created one of the most breathtaking promises, Katsuki Bakugo was all he ever wanted, his first and last love in this lifetime, his biggest hero, and the man who completed him in the most ethereal way. 

 “Is this necessary ?” Katsuki asked with a grin, wrapping his hands around the smaller waist. 

Izuku’s eyes widened, realizing they were in public and people might talk behind their backs about this interaction, but the tight grip against his skin reminded him how that gossip remained meaningless. The shorter man moved lost his fingers against the calloused ones, and smiled when he felt the light kiss against his curls. Exposing their relationship to the public was a crime, especially when they weren’t married yet, but the two men only cared about their feelings: No matter the obstacle crossing their path, it stopped them from fighting the toughest monster to bring a smile back to the other’s lips. 

“Kacchan, I’m as excited as you to wear your last name for the rest of my life, but it’s a precaution for tradition…” he replied with a smile, closing his eyes when the blond’s lips met his neck.

 The wind ruffled their faces in a light warning about their explicit gestures, until they stepped back from their previous embrace. Their fingers interlaced together with their heated palms, while the shorter man moved his head to take a look at the gentle crimson eyes, admiring him as his prettiest jewel. Izuku put on his tiptoes to wrap his hands around his lover's neck and steal a gentle kiss, catching his entire attention.

“It’s not a precaution anymore when you sneak into my room once the night has come and you stay until my parents cover us in the morning,” the blond replied with a grin, noticing the rising blush on the freckled cheeks. As much as he loved teasing his soon-to-be husband about this secret between them, he would never complain when those delicate fingers wrapped around his, and their worlds became one in the most ethereal promises transcribed into indelible ink on those pages.

“It’s different-”

“And how exactly? I thought your mother loved me, she approved our union and even prayed to the gods,” he teased with a smirk, feeling the shorter man pushing him away with an amused expression on his face. It was evident how Inko was more than happy to hear about this wedding, especially when she wouldn’t wish for a better son-in-law than the small boy who promised to protect her son during their youth. 

“She loves you a lot, but there’s something special about feeling your arms around my waist. I just enjoy being yours, I’m selfish when it comes to you….” Izuku whispered with a loving tone and didn't fight back when the taller man stooped to steal a last kiss against his warm curls. 

“Good because I’m also obsessed with your shitty freckles. I know I’m impatient, but the wedding is soon and I’ve never been more excited for something like this in my life,” he replied with a hidden smile, one he only reserved for his loved ones. Izuku considered himself blessed to have this sight for the rest of his life, especially when their narrative became his favorite a long time ago

“I can’t stop thinking about it, too, being your husband and holding you closer every night. Would it be considered an offense to the gods to steal you another kiss ?” he teased, aware of the damage they had already caused in the popular gossip. The town had something to talk about for the next days, but the only thing that mattered to the couple was the presence of rings on their porcelain skins.

“Not if the god himself authorised it,” the taller man added with a grin, he wouldn’t mind being the target of those charming spells.

“You’re stupid,” Izuku laughed, putting himself on his tiptoes and wrapping his arms around his lover’s neck. He didn’t have an ounce of hesitation when he moved his gentle lips against this source of warmth that chased all his nightmares and brought reassurance at the least unexpected. The kiss only lasted a few seconds but it was enough for the blond, who got enough energy for the day. “But I love you.”

“Love you too, but tell me, what are we planning today ?” he asked with a curious tone, ruffling the messy curls before pinching his nose. 

Izuku put his hands on his chin, trying to think about what they could do for the day, especially with this active town and the numerous activities within reach. He was convinced they had already explored all of them, but he enjoyed the confidence in this attractive glance, ready to put the world at the palm of his hand if necessary. 

“Spending time with my favorite person for sure,” the shorter man pointed out with a smile, punching the blond’s shoulder. “But I heard about a new activity in the amphitheater, it’s brand new, and I think it would be great to discover it together. It’s not like you can’t escape from it either, we both know you can’t live without me.”

“Says the one who got jealous when some strangers spent more than five minutes talking to me,” he looked at him with rolled eyes, ignoring the complaining from his pouting fiancé. “But the program sounds great, but, I think I need to make something for the old man…some new recipe he wants to try for tonight. Do you think you can survive this long without me ?”

“We both know I can’t, but it’s alright if this means being all yours for the day,” Izuku affirmed with a grin.

“And the rest of our lives, freckles,” the blond whispered with a seducing tone, noticing how the shorter man rolled his eyes at the comment. 

Playing the seductive god won’t work when Izuku’s heart already belongs to him, but he appreciated the efforts to see his flushed cheeks. The golden-haired man was about to reply until a sudden sound coming from the mountain caught his attention- his crimson irises checked the shorter figure to see if his lover was alright, and read the surprise at the previous movements from the ground. They were used to earthquakes, but this one was stronger than usual, implying how the gods were angrier about something the mortals barely knew! 

A sudden panic filled the blond’s chest when he wrapped his arms around the smaller figure, making sure to keep him safe in front of the explicit anger from the deities. The shaking hands found their way into the strong arms, making sure to rest in the blond’s embrace until the town regained its previous calm. Everyone stared at each other with shock, especially when prayers were already a huge part of their day, but no matter what happened there….it was none of their business, as long as they believed in this supernatural force.

 Something in Izuku’s chest suddenly awoke at the previous earthquake, reminding him of the day when a part of Pompeii was destroyed by the same anger that caused small death on its way. Maybe it was all in his head….explaining why he decided to change his mind by accompanying his fiancé to their next spot, holding him tighter. If Katsuki reassured him with light kisses against his curls and cheeks, he noticed this weird sensation rising inside his chest, but it was probably unjustified fears.

—-- 

Pompeii, 1 PM

The city was falling apart, it was only the tip of the iceberg, and yet, the freckled man ignored the desperate call from his stomach in front of those seductive tricks made by the merchants. The only thing that mattered to him was the idea of spending more time with his soon-to-be husband and creating new moments they’ll consider unforgettable in the years to come. 

The frames of this previous morning replayed inside his mind, bringing some joy to his anxious chest during his walk to the amphitheater: His goal was to get some information about this new performance that caught the public’s eye. Izuku had always been a huge fan of creative performances, and bringing his fiancé herewas only an excuse to stay glued to his strong arms, acting like teenagers discovering their first love.  

His younger self never thought he would be able to enjoy this genuine warmth that brightened each sunrise, being excited to grow as old as their parents and be each other’s final breath. The wind reached his sweaty forehead as his curious glance looked around for help, hoping someone was able to help him in his quest. The amphitheater was bigger than the last time he visited, and the gods probably heard his request when a shadow crossed his path to bring the answers he needed: At first sight, he seemed to work here and noticed the curious interest of the people who discovered this place.

He found how the tickets for the show cost less than he expected and thanked the older man with a smile. He held the ticket in the palm of his hands, putting this precious treasure in front of his heart, excited to see the blond’s reaction. It was clear how Katsuki always complained about being dragged to those "annoying" shows, but secretly enjoyed them. Izuku might be a tease about this guilty pleasure, but he wouldn’t change the admiring glance on his soon-to-be husband’s face during those performances.

His cheeks became redder at the idea of celebrating more events similar to this one in the next years, completing those blank pages marked by this golden ink. He welcomed the fresh breeze across his face that guided each of his thoughts, until the floor started to shake under his feet: The shadow in the crowd immediately grabbed onto each other while staring with disbelief at the mountain from afar- Panic started to fill Izuku’s chest as he held the tickets closer and immediately hid himself behind the stone stairs with some strangers, who shared the same ideas as him. 

The earthquake continued a little longer to the point of being considered an emergency, creating more debate about what could’ve happened out there to let those innocents pay the price for something they didn’t do. A few minutes had passed since the last sign of anger that caused a complete shock on everyone’s faces: the taller figures tried to reassure the crying children who searched for their parents, using a lie to appease their tormented hearts. If Izuku wasn’t convinced by the explanation made to calm the crowd down, his first thoughts immediately revolved around the blond, who’s probably looking for him in town. 

The freckled man didn’t think twice before running into the similar streets of this city he knew by heart, dropping the tickets on the ground. His body moved on its own to catch a glimpse of his surroundings, finding reassurance with his rational thoughts, until fear became the center guiding each of his gestures. He didn’t know what he would do if the man he loved had to suffer from the anger of the deities, which explained why his scarred fingers held the fabric of his clothes tighter. 

He needed to find Katsuki and make sure to check if his lover was alright!

—---

The golden-haired man made a quick nod when he thanked the merchants for the products he had just bought, given earlier in the morning. As much as he complained about it, the blond was curious to see what his old man had prepared for the night, especially when everyone loved his cooking skills, and if fate was in his favor, maybe he could bring the nerd and Inko to celebrate this new recipe! 

The idea doesn’t sound too bad, and he decided to keep that in mind until his lover mentioned this topic again in their conversation- talking about Izuku, it felt weird to explore the city without his shining irises and fingers holding his arms while explaining how this was his favorite place in the world.  Don’t get him wrong, it’s not like he was unable to live without his childhood friend either. Katsuki had his own hobbies and interests, but he always felt bad when the nerd had to be separated from him for unknown reasons. It’s not like someone could steal him away, knowing how this idiot only has eyes for his fiancé, but this jealousy was probably related to old insecurities about losing his only friend against his will. 

The taller man chased those frames from his mind, and glanced at the ring standing on his broken fingers: they’ve already been to war, took too for the sake of the gods, but it was the same one who became a source of comfort for someone able to read through their layers. He never thought he would be able to hold Izuku’s hands and see this symbolic alliance on their fragile skin, but it remains his biggest pride to this day.

His previous reflections were suddenly interrupted by the shaking ground, causing more chaos. Katsuki would’ve told them to calm down and take a breath, but he sensed that something was wrong…. 

The floor started to shake a second time, and the crowd became worried about the current state of their beloved city, which became the target of an unexplained madness from their deities. This time, the calloused hands held the bag closer to his chest until they fell on the ground. Panic started to fill everyone’s chest; with the best of help in their surroundings and moving figures putting their loved ones into a safer spot. 

The only thing that mattered at the moment was the fact that Izuku was somewhere else in Pompeii, probably dead worried about him. Knowing this idiot, he was probably hurt due to a second of inattention, and leaving him with open injuries will only make things worse than they already were. The taller man held his fist tighter and rested behind a wall on his knees, his skin meeting the cold ground until the mountains finally appeased themselves, offering some calm of mind for the shocked spirits who experienced the previous scene. 

The crimson eyes glanced around to see the merchants explaining their concerns, but the only thing that crossed his mind was his childhood friend. Katsuki was determined to find his lover in this afraid crowd, running as fast as possible and glancing around to make sure he didn’t miss him with a second of inattention. Many scenarios crossed his mind, panicking at the idea of facing the lifeless body of his childhood friend or even worse, if he was unconscious due to a potential stone that fell on his head. Shit, he was supposed to protect him, he couldn’t let anything happen to the man he loved: If Izuku became a ghost in the cemetery, Katsuki was doomed to transform into ashes until death welcomed him with open arms.

Each second that separated them was seen as a stab in the chest, holding onto the idea that his lover was still alive somewhere else, especially in this crowd with constant movements. His lips called Izuku’s name too many times to count, at the entrance of every street on his path with the hope of hearing a reply back, but he was only met with silence…and fear rising inside his chest. He moved closer to the entrance of the city, where many people wanted to escape, while others explained how the gods decided to punish them for their previous sins. 

The crimson eyes widened when a sudden voice crossed his ears. The taller figure moved further in the crowd to stare at a street he had previously faced in the rush, until the shadows disappeared and let the shorter man reveal himself. Izuku kept calling his name with this shaking tone, holding back his tears until his emerald eyes met the concerned crimson ones, and their world stopped. Izuku’s body moved on its own to rush into the strangers and ignore their complaints about him being too harsh: tears fell down his cheeks when he realized how his childhood friend was safe and sound, but the fear of losing the most important person in his life gave him hidden scars. 

Katsuki didn’t think twice before welcoming the shaking body against his, noticing how the freckled man rested his head against his chest and let his thin fingers hold the fabric of his clothes. Usually, the blond would make some jokes about this desperate reaction, but he had never been so terrified of losing the love of his life under a close angle, especially when they made the promise to protect each other until death do us part. 

The shaking hands grabbed the taller figure as close as possible, refusing to let him go as tears fell down his cheeks, explaining how he was scared of losing him. The blond rested his head against the freckled man’s shoulders between the sobs, holding Chim closer to share this mutual fear…

They were terrified at the idea of losing each other, and yet, there was something heartwarming about the way their bodies mutually held onto each other as if their lives were on the line. The taller man was the first to step back against his will, losing his shaking thumbs against the freckled cheeks, erasing the nasty tears on those gorgeous eyes that shone brighter than any midnight sky. Izuku unconsciously moved to his lover’s face to check if he wasn’t hurt, and rested his head against his chest, relieved that everything was alright.

“I leave you alone for a few minutes and you already gave me grey hair, what am I gonna do with you?” the taller man complained with a tease, covering the discreet tears that fell down his cheeks. He held the shorter figure closer, rubbing his thumbs against those light curls he adored more than any treasure he had received until now.

 In all honesty, none of them were sincerely reassured by the previous events, and it only became worse when another earthquake appeared, forcing their shadows to rest into the closest source of warmth within their reach. Katsuki’s strong hands protected the shorter figure until the ground stopped shaking, holding back their breath.

The emerald eyes stared at the worried crimson ones, who seemed to share the same concern about the situation, while some desperate souls already made their way out of the city to save their loved ones, even if this meant never coming back to a city that owned an important part of their past. At this moment, something awakens inside their chest, realizing how it was something more important than their religious beliefs. 

“We should probably find a spot to stay hidden until it stops,” Izuku proposed with a serious tone, but noticed how the taller man was hesitant about his idea. Katsuki always supported all his ideas without an ounce of doubt, but there must be a good reason if he showed apprehension for this one. “The whole city is running away, everyone kept pushing each other, and we need to warn our families-”

“Do you think we’ll have enough time to bring them with us? I’m not saying we should leave them behind, but what if something happened and we’re stuck in the city with the impossibility can’t asking for any help? Izuku, I’ve never been so afraid of the gods, but I refuse to let them take you away from me. Your protection is my main priority, and if you put yourself in danger again, I-”

“We’ll be fast, and we’ll all get out of here, I promise,” the freckled man added with a light tone, rubbing his thumbs against his lover’s cheeks. Katsuki’s worries were understandable, but they couldn’t leave their loved ones behind, and each second mattered! The taller man sighed, making a slight groan about how he shouldn’t fall for his tricks but blindly followed him in the craziest situation…

—------ 

Pompeii, 1:40 pm

The city of Pompeii was suddenly surrounded by the constant scream and call for help. 

The radiant atmosphere of this morning was now erased by the fear, the constant movement of the crowd, and the desire to find protection as soon as possible. The first houses started to be deserted by the casual inhabitant who used to welcome their neighborhood with a smile, leaving all their past behind in order to survive the shaking ground, which could break at any moment. The first vases fell a long time ago, while the most curious eyes were focused on the mountain that started to awaken by releasing a huge cloud in column-shaped cloud. 

A thousand questions resided at the tip of their lips, begging the gods to spare their lives, while others ran without looking back. This was the first time the deities made such a show and yet, the strongest souls succeeded in getting their loved ones and saving them as soon as possible. The entire city of Pompeii, previously highlighted by the joy rising on those strangers’ faces, was no longer downcast to darkness with his suffocating atmosphere. The location of all the wonders became a source of terror with a series of events such as shaking ground to the chaos happening in town. 

Some merchants left their poor shops abandoned to save their lives, others stole a few resources to survive outside the city, while children started to tear up. The background noises of the amused conversations were now replaced by apprehension, as the first damage started to appear with statues falling on the ground and lifeless bodies drowning in their own blood. The first reactions were highlighted with people throwing up at the explicit view of broken bones and exposed skull, others mourned the loss of their loved ones, while Izuku and Katsuki had no other option than run.

They knew they shouldn’t have returned to the city in the first place and run away as soon as they could, but they refused to let their families die there. Katsuki didn’t miss the way Izuku held him tighter after the previous sight of the lifeless bodies, exposed on their paths, causing more sorrow than disgust. The saddest thing about their current situation was how those people who had died on the floor used to be neighbors who saw them grow in the past years, seeing familiar faces on the ground with this empty gaze and pale face was enough to create nightmares for the rest of their lives. 

Katsuki comforted his lover after this terrible scene and held his shaking shoulders tighter, explaining how they needed to rush as soon as possible to get out of here. The shaking man simply nodded and held the calloused hands, afraid to let him go or lose his path in their run….a gesture the blond noticed but didn’t point out, being too preoccupied by the fear rising in his chest. He needed to keep Izuku and their families safe at all costs, even if this meant putting his own worries aside until they all found a good way to escape this hell.

The scarred hands held his while running into those streets: It was uncommon to see this lovely neighborhood being filled with terror when it used to represent a source of comfort in their youth. None of them had time to think about nostalgia when their lives were on the line, explaining why Izuku insisted on going to the closest house. Katsuki didn’t reject his idea and followed him as soon as they reached Inko’s home, realizing how Mitsuki and Masaru were already there, surprised to see him.

Izuku left the previous group to rush into his mother’s arms and make sure she wasn’t hurt, while Katsuki’s parents explained the situation. The earthshake happened when they were praying and caught them off guard, forcing them to rush into the green-haired woman’s house to make sure she was okay, until the two families were reunited at the same spot. Mitsuki’s hands reached her son’s cheeks to see if he had any injuries, while Masaru asked what had happened out there. When Katsuki brought the answers they expected, their faces decomposed into a pale glance….

The sound outside their house reflected the trembling ground, forcing them to leave as soon as possible. The vases fell on the floor, along with their precious objects and souvenirs, as the two families took a last glance at the place they used to call home. If Izuku and Katsuki were younger, the older adults felt a stab in the heart at those souvenirs they left behind, losing a part of themselves in the process. 

“We need to go,” the golden-haired man said with a straight tone, pointing with his fingers at the chaos happening in town. “We’ll be on our own once we get into this hell with people pushing each other and lifeless bodies on the ground. Don’t let this mess with your head and keep following us, if we can walk fast enough, maybe we’ll be able to find the entrance of the town.”

“Wait, Kacchan-” Izuku's hands grabbed the blond’s arms, looking at him with a concerned expression on his face. “With this chaos, everyone reaches the main streets, it’s harder if we take the most famous roads. Don’t you think it’s safer and more efficient if we take the secret passages ?”

“As interesting as this idea is, I fear it’ll lead us to a more complicated situation,” he affirmed with a sigh, rubbing his thumbs against his lover’s curls to notice the determination and worries inside his charming irises. “We can’t take any risk, and with the anger of the gods and this cloud over our head, our time is limited. I can’t let anything happen to you and our families, you need to trust me with this…please, Izuku, this is our last chance to get out of here alive.”

“I’ll always trust you,” the shorter man replied with a loving smile, stealing a kiss against his lover’s forehead to let him know how he’ll follow him everywhere. Katsuki’s face lightened at the touch, and a simple glance at their parents was enough to understand how they needed to leave. 

Their figures found their way in the crowd, with the focused expressions on the couple’s faces and the terrified ones on their families, realizing how things would never be the same if they survived this chaos. Some faces too, recognized for their shattered heart, resided on the ground, noticing how the structures that had protected them until now ended up causing their death in the most cruel way. Inko rested closer against Mitsuki and Masaru while Izuku and Katsuki took the lead, guiding them into the closest exit they could find. 

There was something heartbreaking about this sight of a city as gorgeous as Pompeii, falling into ruin, with deceased bodies on the ground. The freckled man held his breath when he found a sudden stone statue falling a few centimeters away from them, killing someone on the spot. The taller man held him closer and looked into his teary emerald eyes, explaining how he was safe as long as they stood by each other’s side, even if the blond started to fear his own promises. 

A few glances were made toward their parents, who followed them with a nod, until a series of obstacles appeared on their way: If Izuku and Katsuki stood close enough to avoid some damage, their parents became the unfortunate souls of a huge stone falling between them, forcing an abrupt separation between their common goal. There was no other way to jump on the tough material without being hurt or making mistakes in the rush, but the crowd movements made each conversation inaudible. The freckled man explained how they’ll find a way, while Mitsuki and Masaru reassured them about knowing a place near this area to rest until the chaos is over. Katsuki wasn’t convinced by the idea of being separated from his parents, and held back his tears when he was forced to watch them fade into the crowd.

They promised to meet again once  Pompeii could revive from its ashes, but something inside the blond’s chest warned him that it was their last goodbye. Izuku welcomed the tears falling down his cheeks after the abrupt separation he had made with his mother, praying to the gods to be saved and be reunited with their loved ones at the end of the day. His teary eyes met the concerned crimson ones, but giving up wasn’t an option: their parents were safe on the other side, and they needed to stay together and reach the closest house on their way.

The gates of the city were full of shadows pushed each other in this terrible reality: there were too many people sharing the same goal, stepping over lifeless bodies, or being the next targets of a cruel death. Selfishness became the only way to survive, and the best way to find safety was to hide in one of the houses that wasn’t ruined by the previous damage caused by the strong material. They weren’t the only ones who thought about these backup options, seeing a part of the crowd looking for their own houses to immediately enter and close the door.

This quest was more difficult for the two men, who tried to find one in these constant movements while avoiding the structure at the same time. The sudden rain of stones above their head didn’t make their task easier:  If some survived right in time to find a shelter, others tried to protect themselves with objects or tissue over their heads, only to dig their own death under the terrified expression of the couple, powerless in front of this scene. Izuku’s hands held the calloused ones tighter, following the taller figure who succeeded in finding an abandoned house at the least expected. Izuku didn’t think twice before following his lover and closed the door as soon as possible, until a complete silence filled the room.

Usually, the couple would’ve laughed about these crazy adventures, but the somber expressions on their faces reflected the severity of the situation. The taller man sighed, turning around to stare at the broken objects on the ground, and pushed them aside to avoid further damage. Izuku stayed silent the entire time, resting his back against the wooden door with arms crossed against his knees and tears falling down his face. Each breath escaping his shaking lips acted like a betrayal of his own promise to protect his mother, being deeply worried if they succeeded in finding the spot Mitsuki had mentioned earlier.

Katsuki wasn’t naive and noticed how the shorter figure was too quiet, a reaction he had already seen before. The last time it happened was years ago, when an important name in the city reached the Bakugo’s doorsteps to ask their son’s hand in marriage: According to the rumors, it was an arranged wedding to benefit both families, but if Mitsuki and Masaru refused, Izuku’s reaction differed from the blond’s expectations. This time, there was no more joke or some pouting that melted Katsuki’s heart, but a silent cry about how Izuku was terrified of losing his only friend. If the taller man reassured him with a simple embrace, he wasn’t sure the gesture would be enough to erase the genuine pain crossing his broken glances. 

He put his knees on the floor to stand at the same height as him, losing his gentle fingers in the messy curls. He hated to see the man he loved suffering for a situation none could control, but at least they had each other’s backs in the darkest circumstances. Katsuki’s thumbs played with the warmth of his curls until they fell down his porcelain skin, cupping his cheeks and erasing those nasty tears with a reassuring glance. Izuku didn’t say anything and continued to sob until the taller man brought him closer to his chest: His body moved on its own to rest as close as possible to this source of comfort, despite the rising pain eating him from the inside, even when the strong hands held him closer.

The two men stayed in this embrace a few more minutes until the previous tears stopped. Katsuki realized how being stuck between four walls wouldn’t ensure complete safety, but it was better than staying outside with the risk to die anytime soon. Can I tell you a secret? Something I’ve never told to anyone,” Katsuki mumbled with a low tone, noticing how the nerd simply nodded at his question. He wouldn’t force his childhood friend if Izuku wasn’t ready to use his words, especially after the heavy shock and terrifying frames they’ve faced earlier. “I didn’t want to say goodbye against my will, I never wanted any of this to happen, but they’re stronger than us and already survived the worst. It’s not your fault, it’s not mine either, it’s these stupid gods who’ve made us the target of their shitty anger.”

“What if they don’t ?” Izuku asked with a shaking tone. 

He moved his head to look at the teary crimson eyes, realizing how they were both in the same pain, even if they showed it in different ways. The shorter man always admired his childhood friend for his strength and determination, but those qualities quickly turned into weakness when the blond covered his humanity to keep a strong face. Luckily, this shell was broken a long time ago when it comes to Izuku Midoriya, but it didn’t mean this situation was easier to accept: He loved his childhood friend more than anyone, but it doesn’t mean his fiancé has to endure such pain either.  

“The only thing we can do for the moment is to pray for their safety,” the slight change in his voice reflected his sorrow about this specific topic, realizing how they were on their own from now on. 

Indeed, Katsuki didn’t want to think about the possibility of saying his last goodbye to his parents in a rush without telling them how much he loved them. He might’ve been hard to deal with as a child, but this doesn’t mean this affection was one-sided! It was evident how Izuku already guessed the heartbreaking theories that crossed his mind, losing his trembling fingers against the fragile cheeks and cupping them to get his complete attention. Their eyes met, and the freckled man rested his forehead against the blond’s, letting him know he was here if he needed a shoulder to cry on.

“This wasn’t what you planned, but we’ll be fine…” 

Katsuki Bakugo owned many titles: he was a hero, a white knight, a best friend, and an amazing lover…but he had never been a poet, owning the truth. Even his great spirit and knowledge of the situation transformed him into a vulnerable shadow of this poem he was writing with this golden ink that turned darker, due to the inability to predict the last comma of this crazy story. Until now, the two men thought they had the world at the palm of their hands, but their lives and existence were as fragile as the tears of a newborn, making their first step into the unknown. They might have lost their parents, but they knew their last foundations resided in those caring gestures made by their significant others, offering some warmth to their fragile souls. There was no Izuku Midoriya without Katsuki Bakugo, and yet…they were each other’s pillar with the tragedy happening outside those doors. 

“Don’t leave me, Kacchan,” the green-haired man mumbled with a broken tone, holding onto him like his life was on the line. He always accepted weakness as a part of his humanity, but he never thought it would be his last way to pray for a better future….

“I would rather die by your side than let some fuckers take you away from me,” he whispered in a soft tone. 

His calloused hands moved behind the shaking back to hold him closer, losing his head against Izuku's neck and holding him as tightly as possible. The only thing that mattered at the moment was the sensation of standing beside the only person who kept him alive the entire time, especially after the premature goodbye with his parents.

He refused to let death take his childhood friend away from this comfortable embrace, even if this meant fighting the deities to keep the man he loved safe a little longer. 

—--- 

Pompei, 4 PM

The situation took another turning point, consuming the last ounce of hope this city had known. 

At 2 pm, a complete obscurity started to fill the sky and the last hints of humanity. The city was plunged into complete darkness, with unusable lamps that immediately turned off once the flame met the fragile fabric, realizing how they were stuck in their own misery. The panic had never been stronger than the running shadows who constantly asked for help outside those walls, tripping over dead bodies until it was their turn. 

In their cruelty, Izuku and Katsuki considered themselves lucky to find a hidden spot right before this disaster, knowing their research would’ve been more complex under complete obscurity caused by some unknown power.  The background noises didn’t make their conditions more comfortable, especially when the only thing the couple could do was to stare at the windows and move in obscurity, using their last senses to survive this chaos. 

At 3 pm, a cloud of ash started to appear and surround the entire city. The survivors on the outside observed with terror the terrible show happening under their eyes, realizing how the majority of the innocents who stayed in town, were doomed to death. 

Izuku nearly jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulders, remembering how he wasn’t alone and the darkness outside the house was worse than the darkest night this town had ever known. Forced to use their senses instead of their visions, the scarred fingers moved onto the cold floor to find their way to the blond’s shoulder, holding onto him as a point of support. 

The shakes in each of their movements reflected their mutual fear of facing a fate worse than death, especially if this means being forced to watch each other die in terrible conditions. The sound of their stomach calling for help broke the silence, forcing a small grin on the blond’s lips, while holding the shorter figure closer. He was unable to see the concerned emerald eyes, but could still sense his fear in each of his touches, no matter if it was the simple ruffle of their thumbs against their skin or the strong grip against his clothes. The moment of silence became rarer once the chaos outside the house stopped for a few precious minutes, where each of their breath was considered as their final resources.

Katsuki didn’t know if they’d be able to survive the night, but the strong grip reminded him of his promises to keep, despite not sharing them on the altar. The previous events forced deeper reflections inside the couple’s minds, transcribing each of their worries into meaningful touches, able to be understood by the other, without a single word. It was one of their biggest strength, but it remained the last thing they got from their previous life, knowing it was impossible to leave the town at this point.

Most of the survivors were either dead or hidden in the abandoned houses, creating a climate of tension. Some forced themselves into the broken door, others begged from the outside, and some threats lost themselves in their selfish speech. Izuku Midoriya was someone with a good heart, “too kind for the cruelty of this world”, according to his loved ones, but he found himself being selfish when it came to his last hours in this town. This location that started the biggest dreams in his shining eyes transformed into their opponent, who became a genuine source of nightmares. 

“Do you think this situation will get better ?” Izuku asked with a low tone, resting his head against his lover’s chest. 

He didn’t realize how much he missed the sun until this treasure was taken away from him by force, giving more strength to the darkness to erase his rational thinking. The night was often considered the best part of the day, where both men could rest hours in each other’s embrace and steal gentle kisses without letting anyone know about their secret, but it was different. The obscurity covering the entire city and the cloud of ash highlighted the final comma of an entire place that would succumb to a fate worse than death. 

“Do you want the honest version or the lies ?” Katsuki said with a sigh, resting his head against the wall. 

His thumbs ruffled the green curls and fell down to the scarred hands, only to intertwine their shaking fingers together. When he was a kid, Katsuki hated the rain and the night, reminding him of the monster who waited for him under his bed, but the years transformed those objects of terror into a source of comfort. He never thought he would return to his roots by holding onto his childhood friend as a brat looking for his mom after a bad dream. He was thankful the nerd was patient with his gestion of the situation and rough emotions that guided some of the craziest decisions. 

“I always considered your honesty as one of your charms," the shorter man replied with a smile, moving his ears as close as possible to his lover’s heartbeat. Under different circumstances, he could’ve been alone with his own misery, but he was glad to have the man he loved by his side when the world started to fall apart.

“I don’t know,” the answer was honest enough to reflect the doubts in the blond’s voice. Katsuki was the kind of guy who never showed any sign of weakness and found a way to get out of here, but it was probably the first time he was brutal with himself. “I want to believe there’s a way to get out of here without any injuries and see your shining irises again, but the only thing we can do is wait. I truly despise the situation, and I hope our parents found a way to leave the town….even if these idiots are ready to die for us.”

“Every loving parent is ready to sacrifice their last breath for their children, it’s the same echoes as lovers standing by each other’s side during their final confessions,” Izuku whispered with a soft tone, guiding their intertwined hands to his lips. He might not be able to see the crimson eyes in this crazy setting, but he could still reassure the blond with the love language they both adored. “It should be hopeful, but why does it feel strange to be a simple spectator of our downfall? The prayers became unnecessary when the gods drowned us into crimes we never committed."

“I learned about the victims of the most powerful tricks, but I never thought an entire city like ours would be the topic of many conversations in the future. The history repeated itself with some forgotten tales over the decades and others marked by distinct narratives,” he sighed, closing his eyes and projecting frames of a past that felt wrong at the palm of his breakable hands. It wasn’t his type to make deep reflections like this one, but he hated how their despair led them to consider death as the only option possible. 

“I hope ours will be memorable,” the green-haired man added with a fond tone. In all honesty, the couple was still afraid of what would happen once they opened this door tomorrow morning, but whatever awaited them….they were ready to kick his ass. Izuku smiled when he recalled the delicate frames of their golden youth with late sleepovers, mentioning legends under a midnight sky, explaining their beauty and strength…. They never thought that they could become one of them. “But I'm glad you’re the one standing by my side, I wouldn’t ask for a better treasure than this, even if it’s messed up.”

Katsuki Bakugo was used to Izuku’s love confessions, being his favorite lullaby to hear before sleeping, always followed by lost curls behind his ears and stolen kisses against his forehead. However, there was something different with this one, almost like the hopeful soul the nerd was, started to accept death without fighting back. After all, their bodies were exhausted by the previous run and hadn’t eaten anything for hours. If death has to welcome them, it better be with a delicate breeze against their broken skin, once tiredness takes the lead over their rational thoughts. 

If the blond didn’t answer, he simply held the shorter man closer. Izuku stayed when he realized how his lover was also afraid of saying goodbye in the most terrible ways, cherishing each second as if they were the last.

—-- 

Pompeii, Midnight.

It was impressive how the notion of time disappeared once obscurity took the lead over your rational senses. When they were younger, Izuku and Katsuki used to glance at the radiant blue sky and watch the direction of the sun to guess the time of the day, but it was too late to repeat an action that already felt out of reach in their current reality. 

Many hours had passed since their last observation about the state of Pompeii, wondering if the rest of the world was also sleeping or was forced to watch this tragic show from afar. Under the fragile roof of this house, the two men felt like vulnerable ashes, able to disappear anytime soon if an element from the outside perturbed their small cocoon. 

However, Katsuki was worried about his lover: The nerd already survived to worst conditions, but his stomach became the only sound interrupting their thoughts, highlighting the heavy silence in those deserted streets. This silence was supposed to bring an ounce of hope, but something in their chest warned them about the seductive lies that transformed into a false belief. 

In order to pass the time, the two childhood friends decided to explore the unknown house to find some food that was potentially frozen or some material to spend the night, even if it wasn’t as cozy as their old houses. Izuku and Katsuki transformed this activity into childhood games, bringing them back to their youth, where their younger selves believed in a bright future: It was unfair to see how many projects fell into forgotten frames due to current circumstances. The previous search succeeded in bringing a smile back to their faces and amused them for a while. 

The shorter man volunteered to glance around the windows to see if there was any ounce of light that could give more hints about the situation. If Katsuki insisted on keeping him safe, Izuku rolled his eyes and used a secret trick to steal a kiss: The blond made a low mumble but was glad to see how the previous sadness that filled their conversation was now replaced with genuine light in the tone of their voices, finding an ounce of happiness in their despair. 

“The doors are stuck by the previous rocks that fell a few hours ago,” he pointed out with a sigh, pushing the wooden door with all his strength. Izuku rested his back against the wood and lost his fingers inside his curls, wondering if they would ever have the possibility to see the light ever again. “It’s a miracle if none of them broke the windows, who knows what could’ve happened if this mysterious cloud reached us in this confined space?”

“It’ll be a pain in the ass to move if we get out of here, but it’s better than nothing,” the blond pointed out with a grin. His body moved in the darkness by losing his palm in his surroundings until he found the freckled man’s knees. Izuku gasped at the sudden touch, and avoiding another kick to the beautiful face of his soon-to-be husband. “But I think I have great news to share, freckles.”

“You found a way to go back in time and escape when we had the occasion to ?” Izuku replied with a teasing tone, moving his hands in the small space between their bodies. His thumbs found the fabric of his clothes and his fingers wrapped themselves behind the blond’s neck. 

“Even better,” the taller man whispered with a smirk. “Tonight is going to be a real luxury for our back pains because we have a bed just for us. You’ll only need to trust me for the path, but it’s worth a try if this means finding some peace after the previous bullshit we’ve been through.” 

“My white knight, what would I do without you?” Izuku added with a soft tone, followed by a light chuckle when he felt the taller man shutting him down with a kiss.

The scarred fingers wrapped themselves around the fragile skin he had already marked a thousand times and cherished with love. The wires faded away when the reassuring figure of his childhood friend repeated a love confession their lips had already whispered a thousand times. The shorter man melted into this rising hope that appeared inside his chest, realizing how he wouldn’t mind spending his final breath in those protective arms. Marrying his childhood friend and confidant was the best decision he had ever made, especially when their love kept shining in the darkness, even if the gods tried to tear them apart. 

A soft chuckle echoed between their lips, separated by a few centimeters, with the heartwarming sensation of deja vu after their first kiss. The scarred fingers lost themselves in the golden spikes, moving in gentle touch to appease their previous worries. The silenced town and their current location, stuck between two walls, brought them back to their biggest nightmare…one where they were forever condemned to suffering. However, the two men found positive things in this situation, where they couldn’t be their true selves, and found the source of their previous happiness that lightened their days. 

“Probably sleep on a shitty floor, now move your ass or I’ll make you sleep on the ground,” the blond replied with a grin, hearing an offended gasp leaving the freckled man’s lips. A small punch reached his shoulders, a gesture that made him smile at the stupidity of their situation, but it was a moment to cherish. 

“And I wonder how I even fell for your stupid face,” he added with rolled eyes. 

The path toward the bed was more chaotic than they expected, with a few objects on the floor, making them groan in pain when they reached their sensitive skin. If Izuku was pleased by the current circumstances, he quickly became the target of those strong palms wrapped around his waist. There was something heartwarming about the familiarity of this scene, recalling their youngest sleepover and childish dreams that became their new reality and their biggest pride. 

The curly hair found the comfortable material and made a sigh of relief at the joy rising inside his chest, thanking the blond for his sacrifices. Katsuki decided to reply with a small revenge by using tickling against the weak spot, forcing a bunch of chuckles to leave the tempting lips that promised him the world a few minutes ago. The heavy silence was replaced with this warm atmosphere of light melody resonating as a lullaby to the blond’s ears until the shorter man begged him to stop. 

“I hate you, Katsuki Bakugo,” Izuku whispered between his breath, punching the blond’s shoulders. The taller man simply rolled his eyes and moved into a more comfortable position, making sure to check if the freckled man had enough space for the night. He mostly used this argument to wrap his hands around the smaller waist to kiss the freckled man’s shoulders and nape, sensing how the nerd was probably blushing at the gentle touch. 

“And yet you still said yes,” he switched the conversation in his favor, recalling the moment when the teary emerald eyes looked at him during his proposal. It was the best decision he had ever taken, especially when it was decided by his heart a long time ago, probably the first time their eyes met in this river during their innocent youth. “How do you imagine it ?”

“Imagine what ?” Izuku smiled when he felt this protective palm against his waist and the light kisses against his skin. Once again, Katsuki succeeded in transforming a heartbreaking moment into a romantic one, proving how he was and will always remain his biggest hero.

“Our wedding,” the taller man added in a low tone. 

The atmosphere in the small space between them turned into a nostalgic one when the topic of their ceremony was mentioned. Don’t get them wrong, the two men loved the rings on their fingers, a symbol they wore with a proud smile, but it would be more impressive with a wedding ring. Izuku’s face softened when he closed his eyes and started to think about his multiple projections concerning this topic:  After all, it was the most important day of their lives, and everything needed to be perfect! 

“Small enough to welcome our families and friends to the ceremony,” he replied in a soft tone. If Katsuki paid careful attention to each of his chosen words, he moved his thumbs against the exposed skin and rested his head against this source of warmth that brought him back to life. “Under a bright sun able to highlight every detail of your beauty, with the same spell that caught my curious eyes and became the most important treasure in the palm of my hand. The ceremony would’ve been mesmerizing enough to leave a tender souvenir in everyone's mind, especially when it could’ve been at the first spot where we shared our first kiss.”

“I didn’t know this area could be rented for a wedding,” Katsuki pointed out with a surprised tone, rubbing his fingers on the scarred arms and caressing this fragile skin. Izuk melted under the touch, falling for his childhood friend’s thumbs against his broken soul. He made sure to rest in this heaven a little longer until darkness fully consumed their exhausted souls. “That’s also how I would’ve pictured the environment, with your favorite flowers that’ll never compare to your natural beauty, but captivating enough to reflect the thousands of promises we shared until now.”

“My vows would’ve been a complete mess with my tears, but this risk will be worth the try if this means being yours in this lifetime,” Izuku added with a soft tone, losing his fingers into the calloused ones who previously ruffled his arms. He turned around to face the taller man, and his gentle breath against his neck, realizing how close they were. “And I would’ve repeated the same process a thousand times in different decades if this means chasing after you as my missing half and the muse of my timeless poems.”

The first time Katsuki faced Izuku’s love confession, he found himself blushing like a teenager. 

He hoped he would get used to these tender gestures through the years, but he fell all over again for the same narrative, sharing different forms. There wasn’t a day passing by that the taller man wasn’t in admiration of the ethereal beauty of his lover, being a vulnerable soul that succumbed to the seductive tricks without an ounce of regret. Hearing those words opened his eyes to how this story reached an abrupt ending in this timeline, but it’ll keep reinventing itself under distinct layers in the next decades.

The scarred fingers moved from his exposed chest to cup his cheeks, caressing his skin with his fragile thumbs. Izuku was aware of the suffering this topic brought to their vulnerable hearts, especially when their wedding was supposed to happen in two weeks. The couple prepared it with impatience since the very first day that followed their proposal, but the most heartbreaking part was probably their cruel reality: their imagination couldn’t bring back and unreachable projects that drowned with them, buried like their final breath. 

“I’m sorry we couldn’t make this happen,” whispered the blond, who learned into the gentle touch. Izuku’s face turned softer at the previous comment, realizing how his lover felt guilty for something he couldn’t control. Katsuki had always been a constant source of inspiration, but seeing his weakness reminded Izuku how much he loved the blond as a whole. “This was important for both of us, and fate had to ruin everything.”

“I don’t consider this a mistake,” the green-haired man added with a reassuring tone, moving closer enough to steal a soft kiss against his lover’s forehead. His head rested against his chest, and he wrapped his hands around his waist until the blond melted into the gesture. “It sucks we have to cancel or potentially delay our wedding, but I’m not mad at fate for bringing us together. I experienced so many firsts with you, more than I could ever count, and yet, I still fell for each discovery made by accident. I wouldn’t change anything, what we have against anything in the world, especially when my heart and soul will always belong to you.….as long as you stand by my side, it’s the only thing that matters to me, Kacchan.”

“I promise to make you happier in the next lifetime,” his voice mumbled in a light tone. His calloused hands lost themselves around the shorter man, feeling how Izuku’s fingers grabbed onto his back as close as possible. This fear of the unknown never left their vulnerable chest, it only stayed hidden until it reminded them of their current reality, the one where they were stuck in an empty town. “I’ll make sure to be a part of your life, even if it takes days or weeks to bring this pretty smile of yours. I’m just guilty to know we couldn’t reach our final dream in this lifetime, knowing I would’ve’ been so proud to call you my husband.”

“Oh Kacchan, you don’t need to, I’m already happier than ever,” Izuku added with a reassuring tone. A smile crossed the corner of his lips, moving into a more comfortable position- at this point, he was just the target of turns that made their appearance through hidden, but important hints of their final goodbyes. He refused to close his eyes, afraid to see the next sunrise and the rest of this adventure “I know our paths are meant to meet, and I will always wait for you, the rings on our fingers represent the symbol of our bond that survived through the strongest obstacles. I’m sorry you didn’t have the occasion to taste the bread made by the baker, I heard it was one of the best…”

“I’ll save every penny in my next life to share a part with you,” Katsuki mumbled in a low tone. 

He hated how distress started to fill his chest at the evident worries The sky was still surrounded by this heavy cloud about their head, the house was stocked by the rock, and they didn’t have any idea if their parent survived or not. Fate might’ve brought them together, but it was the same trick that stole their happy ending in the blink of an eye.

“You know I’ll always love you, right? I know it’s not the time to make a sudden confession in such a desperate situation, but it would be one of my biggest mistakes to keep this hidden from you. You used to complain about the forms of your freckles due to some extras mocking you during our childhood, but they’ll always be the prettiest detail about your face. I remember the first time I read into your captivating eyes like an open book, I mesmerized each of your secrets and made them mine until I drowned in this heaven near my reach….Pretty shitty of me to share all of this when we might die tomorrow.”

“If we have to leave this world soon, I want you to know you were the best thing that ever happened to me,” Izuku affirmed with a gentle tone. 

He used his last strength to wrap his hands around his partner’s neck and give a gentle kiss, hoping it would be enough to remind him how much he was loved. The previous truth that filled this silenced room melted the freckled man’s heart: if he had more time, he would’ve wished to stay in this embrace until his final breath, but he wasn’t ready to say goodbye…not yet.

“I’ll let the wind spread the ethereal tale of two lovers, connected by the strong of fate, who became each other’s light in their darkest moments. I’ll transcribe each of our narratives with our wasted tears, secret smiles, or intimate encounters that left a trace on those blank pages, now marked by this golden ink. I won’t let our ghosts down, and I’ll make sure to repeat the same lullaby until we meet again and start over…because I know I’ll love you in every decade, Katsuki Bakugo.”

“You'd better portray me as the sexy stranger who seduced you at the least unexpected” the blond teased, but his chuckle was stolen by the kiss made by Izuku’s lips against his cheeks. If Katsuki blushed at the gesture, he didn’t fight back when scarred fingers wrapped him into a tight embrace, realizing how the end was near. Izuku and Katsuki had probably made their time on earth and hoped their story would be remembered, even as simple ghosts “You know, I used to joke about getting rid of you, but I’m glad you’re here. You always make the best hugs, probably some magical tricks learned by Auntie Inko.”

“I’ll describe you as the white knight who made me fall in love over and over again, but I have to admit how your cooking skills always impressed me….In our next lifetime, make sure to seduce me again with this, it already worked with me once,” the green-haired man added with a laugh until the heavy silence of the room made its appearance. 

It was evident how none of them wanted to say goodbye or even close their eyes, but their tiredness started to take the lead. Tonight wasn’t so different from yesterday and the thousands they’ve spent together until now; resting in the same bed, holding the other as close as possible, and whispering how much they loved each other. None wanted to mention the sorrow rising inside their chest at the idea of not waking up tomorrow, staying focused on the gentle souvenirs rather than suffering. 

“Are you sure you’ll be able to find sleep tonight ?” Katsuki asked with a low tone, moving his fingers in his hair. 

“Only if you keep me close,” Izuku replied with a smile, stealing a last kiss against his lover’s lips. 

The blond rolled his eyes and brought his childhood friend closer, until the shorter man found a more comfortable position, whispering a final “I love you”. The taller figure smiled and kissed the messy curls, whispering how much he loved and thanked him for everything he offered him in this lifetime. Katsuki closed his eyes and wrapped his hands around Izuku’s body, feeling his small snores as a tender melody to his ears, as his mind replayed each frame of their journey, from the very beginning to the end. 

Little did they know that tonight was the last time they held onto each other’s warmth, but it was the peaceful way to escape this cruel reality outside the walls of this abandoned house. 

—----- 

Pompeii - 25th of August, AD 79,

6 AM.

The previous night in the silenced town of Pompeii had been too calm for the gods’ liking. 

This morning, they decided to use their final attack to erase the last trace of survivors in those streets, occupied by the ghost of the lifeless bodies on the ground, and the broken structures that used to create envy in most glances. The bright shade of yellow and orange mixed together to highlight this sleeping town, covered by the broken floor and this huge ash cloud, covering every source of light, blocking those poor souls from seeing the sun for the last time. 

The last survivors could barely walk after the injuries they received, the loss of their loved ones, and the tiredness that took hold of their exhausted bodies. This city that used to shine with the brightest light became ashes of bones. Deceased souls remained on this ground that used to welcome the best of care and hidden smiles between lovers. The last people alive barely notice the apparition of a stronger obstacle, ruining everything in its path….. Unfortunately, there was nothing they could do against the monster forming under their eyes. 

The anger of the deities reached its maximum when a burning liquid arrived in those silenced streets to erase the last people residing there. The temperature reached 300 degrees Celsius with no other choice than either dying as forgotten ashes, explosions from the previous damages, or suffocation. This bright shade captivated the eyes of the early spirits until the first scream echoed in those occupied houses. The material started to melt and fall apart with the burning temperature, taking the last survivors on its way….

The first area touched by this unexpected attack was Izuku and Katsuki’s neighborhood, while the forest started to spread the evident fire in the surrounding area. The movements were fast enough to be similar to a speed of  100 kilometres per hour, the cloud being mostly constituted by dust and stone, until the main place was targeted by the burning lava, destroying every shop and house, until it approached the house of the two lovers.

The fragile walls of this house weren’t strong enough to fight against the strength of this heated temperature, which burned the wooden door and access to the outside world. The two sleeping figures rested in the small bed, holding each other close with a peaceful expression on their face, unaware of the disaster awaiting them in the next seconds. 

Katsuki’s head rested against the light curls, while Izuku’s face stayed closer to the fast heartbeat of his lover, with lost hands on the other’s back. The sheet was enough to cover half of their legs with their heads resting on a poor accumulation of old clothes that was used as a pillow, but these current conditions didn’t erase the smile on their faces.

It happened in a few seconds, and before realizing it, their bodies burned like the thousands of people who sacrificed their last breath in this place. The two men didn’t have to worry about their parents, who passed away a few minutes after their separations, killed by a statue that fell over the roof of their house. Their families were now reunited in the afterlife for an unknown duration, leaving no other choice than reincarnation for the next stories Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo left unwritten with tears as final commas.

At 1 pm, twenty-four hours after the beginning of the tragedy, Pompeii was officially considered dead, with the last ghosts meant to haunt this place with nothing but regrets at the tip of their lips. 

—-- 

Italy, 20XX, 

Katsuki couldn’t help but notice the stolen glances made by the freckled man, who regained color on his face after the previous conversation. Thinking about Izuku’s tears made his heart ache; there was no way an angel like him could ruin his porcelain skin when it’s supposed to be the biggest treasure that ever reached the blond’s hand.

The taller man wasn’t someone who believed in reincarnation stories, but the more he explored this place, the more similarities he found with the nerd’s speech. Until now, he had always sworn to find the answers to his questions, but when the occasion showed up at his doorstep, he welcomed it with open arms. Life was made of unexpected encounters and new experiences, and meeting Izuku Midoriya was the present that offered itself on a silver spoon, transforming his redundant world into the shining prose of his favorite poem.

The green-haired man was gorgeous and caught the curious glances, but no one compared to the captivating crimson eyes that looked at him as if he were untouchable. The breeze crossing his warm curls and moving them in the air brought a gentle reminder of this reality where their paths met for a reason, no matter if it was fate or happenstance, they knew they couldn’t return home as if nothing had happened. It took less than 24 hours to catch the missing piece of their puzzle, the guy who erased all their worries with a single glance, and the white knight they’ve been looking for. 

Izuku’s beauty was ethereal, a gift from the gods who created the prettiest soul this place had ever known : he was a sensitive soul who needed reassurance, and found it at the least unexpected. Each expression crossing his face became Katsuki’s favorite line to mesmerize and every hint about his sincerity made the blond fall harder for those meaningless but important details.

The gentleness in each of his words reflected the naivety behind his eyes, a natural charm able to seduce the strongest soldier on the battlefield and guide him to his downfall with seducing spells. The blond wasn’t an example, he made a bunch of mistakes and learned from his lesson, but everything felt right when the freckled man was around: his hidden smile and scarlet color on his cheeks transformed his adorable face into the prettiest painting he had ever seen. 

Katsuki’s beauty was unique, hidden behind thick layers of protection made to be untouched by anyone, with the risk of falling apart at the slightest occasion. The curious emerald eyes naturally took his time to discover more about this stranger who became the center of his attention, the source of his smile, and the owner of a sentiment a love, the kind you’ll only find once in a lifetime. 

His charming eyes played a huge role in this mutual affection between them, but Izuku found appeasement in the way this stubborn man was patient and understanding about the person beside him, no matter if it was a lover, friend, or stranger he met a few hours ago. The freckled man had nothing special, and yet, he became the source of light in the blond’s life, a sentiment that was mutual based on the caring glimpse exchanged during the visit.

“You know, you didn’t have to make a whole scene about the nickname, I found it pretty cute,” Katsuki explained with a grin residing at the corner of his lips.

Izuku moved his head to meet the understanding gaze, which looked almost amused by the surprised expression on his face. To be fair, the freckled man forgot about this accident that happened thirty minutes ago, but a slight blush crossed his cheeks.

“You’re only saying this because you’re trying to reassure me,” he added with an unimpressed tone. After all, ut was just a childish mistake, and he hoped the blond would forget about it, but his assumptions went wrong when fate decided to make him face the consequences of this naive comment, which started the beginning of the most unforgettable story.

“Why would I do such a thing? I would’ve told you earlier if it was shitty to me,” the taller man corrected with a serious tone, crossing his arms against his chest. Under this angle, some of his tattoos were visible, and yet, the only thing that caught Izuku’s attention was the soft layers residing behind the choice of his words. He learned about the harsh personality of the man he met a few hours ago, but he didn’t consider this a flaw, and more like another hidden quality that worked with Izuku’s mindset about love.

“So you really like it ?” The teacher asked with a soft tone, pushing lost curls behind his ears. 

The golden-haired man smiled, returning to his teenage experience concerning love, with every ounce of novelty that seduced his naive soul years ago. After all those years of loneliness filled with meaningless experiences, the blond thought he had found every secret about this unreachable notion that was love, but the presence of a freckled man proved to him how wrong he was. 

“I do, but maybe because it’s the person saying it more than the name itself,” he confided with a grin, catching the rosy shade rising on the freckled cheeks.

“But you don’t have any nickname for me, it’s unfair,” Izuku replied with a sigh. After all, owning a nickname for a special person was a sign of affection, something that has lasted until now since their meeting. However, if the teacher was losing himself in the numerous possibilities and scenarios caused by this butterfly effect, the answer caught him off guard.

“You’re wrong, I have a lot: freckles, dumbass, angel, even if the last one is for something else…”

“Oh,” Izuku’s face turned redder at the explicit double meaning.

He knew he wanted to know each layer of Katsuki’s personality, but even in his wildest scenarios, he hadn’t imagined them going this far! In all honesty, the pet name didn’t sound too bad either, bringing a sudden warmth inside his vulnerable chest, and wondering what kind of seducive spell his tempting lips reserved for the rest of their lives, only if they decided to continue this adventure together. 

The shorter man glanced at his surroundings, noticing how they reached the center of the town, destroyed by the timeless damage. The atmosphere brought a heavier weight on their shoulders, and the entire group seemed to share the same sensation as their previous conversations stopped, almost like breathing the same air as the ones who died there, which was considered a selfish privilege. It was stupid to feel guilty for something that nature caused, the tragedy was made by a force stronger than any human that once held a weapon in vulnerable palms…and yet, the importance of those vestiges held a symbolic meaning in modern times.

If this zone were free to explore, a specific house caught the Katsuki’s attention. He moved out of the group in slow steps and stopped right in front of the destroyed house that was nothing more than a few walls and a burned mattress on the ground, which probably faded into ash over time. This place looks like the thousands of houses residing here, so why did his heart ache, having the impression of staring at a familiar painting with a special meaning?

It was different from the emotional scenes the movies depicted about this place, being a huge source of inspiration for the cinema nowadays. The constant impression of deja vu replayed inside his mind every time his glance met the ruined relics that had gathered dust over the years. It was indescribable, similar to a stab in the heart, almost like he’s been there before, but forgot about it- 

Izuku noticed the change in expression, being concerned when this confident shadow, who had flirted with him a few seconds ago, was now nostalgic about this specific location. He didn’t want to scare him, so he simply walked beside the taller figure and let the silence fill their conversation: his concerned glances looked at the longing crimson ones, realizing how this place probably meant something important to him, similar to the previous location that caused Izuku’s breakdown. 

“Are you alright ?” Izuku asked in a low tone, putting his hands on the blond’s shoulders. Katsuki turned his head and noticed how the shorter man was checking on him with a worried glance. If the shorter figure didn’t mention his frozen state, he stayed understanding and respectful concerning the meaning it might represent for Katsuki, who has never acted so nostalgic until now. 

“I’m good…At least I think I am, I’m not really sure,” he mumbled with a sigh, putting his hands on his forehead, taking a clear glimpse at the scene under his eyes. This place was nothing but vestiges being the source of many interrogations, but Izuku’s presence opened his eyes and made him realize how he wasn’t alone, not anymore. 

“It’s one of the houses that paid for the gods’ anger at the early morning of the second day, the historians found the ashes bodies, but they also found something more impressive,” the teacher added with a light tone, hoping this explanation would be able to erase this heartbreaking expression on the blond’s face. “Back in the day, some materials were stronger than others, and the rings they found on the ruins survived the tragedy. The discoveries of the vestiges led to much information about their civilization, but the most surprising detail about these forgotten rings was the slight burn on the left side, even though the object remained intact as on the first day. It’s fascinating to see how some precious objects kept their beauty, even after their original disappearance…”

Katsuki appreciated how the nerd tried to reassure him by appeasing his mind with some answers he couldn’t find anywhere else, especially with the sincerity residing in those shining irises. However, it didn’t erase this unbearable pain, highlighted by thorns that consume his anxiety as their fuel. It never happened before, at least not until he stopped in front of this house and heard the previous explanation: his nostalgic glance stared at the scars on his arms with a ghost sensation on the fourth finger of his left hand. He was convinced the metal was still ruffling his skin, but it wouldn’t make any sense: he hadn’t proposed to anyone, never planned to, but why did this sudden sensation of missing a ring bring him so many souvenirs of a past life he couldn’t remember? 

“It must be a coincidence then,” his voice mumbled with a sigh. Katsuki regained his breath and thanked the sun that highlighted his golden spikes, knowing the nerd watched the previous scene with an understanding glance. 

“What are you talking about ?”

“We both know this place is somehow connected to us in a way we couldn’t understand yet, but there are some locations more intense than the others. Am I the only one who feels connected to this house ?” Katsuki asked, searching for answers in the teacher’s glance. Someone with rational thinking would’ve run away a long time ago, but Izuku Midoriya stayed for some unknown reasons. “I’ve never seen them before, but everything felt bittersweet all of a sudden, almost like this place still had many secrets meant to be discovered.”

“No….I do too,” replied the shorter man with a reassuring tone. After all, he knew what the blond felt and it wasn’t a reason to bring him down for some personal interpretation that worked in one sense. Izuku agreed with this perspective, being convinced the city of Pompeii was “exposed” to the most curious eyes, but only the wisest souls were able to discern the stories of each person who used to live here. “I have a more heartwarming sensation, almost like we shouldn’t be afraid of this ruin, because it owns its unique souvenirs. I wonder why our feelings differed, especially when it had no reason for it, but each time I look into these vestiges, I feel surrounded by a loving warmth.” 

The scarred thumbs moved with hesitation in the small space separating their two hands, understanding how rejection was still an option. Izuku should step back but he moved his fingers closer enough to the calloused ones until the blond welcomed his gesture. 

A genuine smile crossed the corner of his lips when the heat of their palm met; the freckled man knew this physical gesture would be more efficient than any explanations concerning this mysterious sensation …but they were ready to make this fight theirs. If Katsuki stayed silent, he enjoyed how those fingers were fragile enough to intertwine with his and treat him so nicely.

“Whatever happened here, it didn’t change the fact that these people probably died in their sleep or didn’t suffer when the volcano reached the town,” whispered the freckled man. It was wrong to make such assumptions about untold stories, but he was convinced by the meaning of his words, even if there was no logical explanation for this curious event.  “Pompeii is known for its tragic deaths, but I’m sure some of them were peaceful enough to erase the suffering they’ve experienced. It wouldn’t be surprising to hear testimony about families or lovers who died in each other’s arms…”

“You’re right, it belonged to the past but if it’s over…why does the circle repeat itself?” Katsuki sighed, realizing how he had probably asked a stupid question. For a moment he started to believe in the reincarnation theory, something irrational at first sight, but each hint of their ways guided them into the acceptance of this final statement. “It doesn’t matter, there are a bunch of things to explore, this city isn’t ready to say its last word.” 

If Izuku nodded and joined the group, he didn’t hide his slight smile when Katsuki found his casual expression, the same one that made him fall at first sight. 

——-

Izuku Midoriya visited the ruins of Pompeii for answers, and he ended up finding a shadow who colored his grey colors universe.

The delicate handhold brought enough warmth to appease his future nightmare, wondering why those heated palms felt so gentle around his. If the two men had met under different circumstances, they would’ve spent the night together until their silly meeting became a timeless narrative, but things differed from their expectations. Izuku didn’t pretend when Katsuki was around: It felt easier than breathing to make conversations and stare into those captivating glances that reflected the beauty of his soul. 

The freckled man almost felt bad for seeing how their visit was soon finished, realizing how he wished to stay in the blond’s warmth until his dying days. This statement was pretty rough for someone he hadn’t known for twenty-four hours, but the strong bond between them in their previous interactions forged them an indelible connection concerning this curious happenstance. If Katsuki didn’t say anything about the crazy theories Izuku mentioned earlier, the green-haired man started to find comfort in those ideas that they used to be more than strangers in a past lifetime. 

“-The actual bodies you’ve seen during the entirety of the visit have shown impressive proof of conservation over the decades. The historians wished they had found more to dig into each story hidden behind the numerous houses of Pompeii, but the remaining bodies offered a reminder of what their reality used to be, a huge improvement for the numerous mysteries of this place!" The taller woman added with a nod, noticing how most of the visitors lost their glimpse of the exposed bodies, with either an impressed glance on their faces or a sorrowful one due to the important loss. 

Izuku and Katsuki looked away from the sight of deceased bodies of actual people, as heartbreaking and fascinating it might be.  The two men continued their conversation with a surprising ease, highlighted by their casual smiles and mutual teasing until the shorter man followed the blond. The shorter man noticed how the crimson eyes seemed focused on a specific vestige, captivating his entire attention. 

The calloused thumbs ruffled the material with delicateness, making sure not to ruin the treasure it represents for the current decade. If Izuku simply looked at the Roman writing residing on this plate, he wondered why he felt so attracted to the mystery behind this specific relic, which seemed meaningless at first sight, but echoed a heartwarming sensation inside his chest. Katsuki’s longing glance lost itself in the gentle writing that resided here despite not understanding a single word: It was the second time he felt a sudden connection to another vestige of this place that already owned an indelible part of his past….something he couldn’t remember but somehow forged the person he became now.

“Oh, I see you found one of the most interesting ruins that survived the tragedy," the guide’s voice crossed their ears, catching the two men by surprise. She looked amused by the situation, with them acting like teenagers who got caught for their natural curiosity. “Back in those days, the Romans used to mark their presence with a special gift. It was a simple transcription into stone, but this was made to celebrate every type of event in their lives such as weddings, births, deaths….They wanted to keep the souvenirs of those moments alive, a great treasure for us nowadays. "

“And what’s written there ?" Asked the golden-haired man, connecting the dots and realizing how he was getting closer to the truth- 

The taller woman moved closer to take a clear glimpse at the white slab, surrounded by a mesmerizing frame, which had lost its color over the years but kept its ethereal beauty. Her blue eyes analyze each of the letters and their meaning in this specific order, despite not having the entire knowledge of alphabet of this period. She could still give it a try, especially when she noticed how the shadows were more interested than the rest of the visitors!

“Most people wrote the names of their loved ones to commemorate their existence even after their death, this slab is one of them," she added with an impressed tone. The guide stepped back, looking at the two men, waiting for an answer “But it said Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo, I would even add with the slight detail on the left, that this type of writing was made to celebrate a union approved by the gods, especially in the popular beliefs."

 A heavy silence appeared between the three shadows, highlighted by the distinction between Izuku and Katsuki’s pale faces and the curious one of the guide. After all, many visitors had distinct reactions to those kinds of relics, but it was probably the first time the older woman noticed such disbelief. 

If Izuku and Katsuki heard the footsteps disappearing in the background, they couldn’t help but stare at the writing on the stone. It couldn’t be an auditory hallucination, but the two men finally connected the dots from the evident hints that followed their journey to this place….the same one that took their lives away decades ago.

The golden-haired man was too stunned to speak,, he put this crazy theory aside as long as possible, but the coincidence couldn’t be a simple mistake! It was written with an indelible ink on this stone that forged their presence, but what were the odds that their ancestors owned the same name as them? Especially when their paths met in this timeline with this bond that felt too strong for a simple happenstance. 

But this wasn’t a question of the right person at the right time”, it was something deeper than any of the popular beliefs about this kind of bond. Indeed, it felt very different from a reunion about two soulmates who met and haven’t seen each other for decades: it was more distinctive in its process, almost like it had already happened multiple times in the past. The best aspect was the fact that each lifetime owned a special narrative, and theirs was created in the most breathtaking way. This statement acted like a stab in his chest, not because of the " burden " it might represent for some, but the heartbreaking reality that each decade owned a story shared by the stars, but forgotten by their reincarnations. 

 The circle repeated itself, every single time. 

The story started with a meeting organized by fate, guiding their two souls into the unknown until an obstacle crossed their paths and separated them against their will. The Izuku and Katsuki who lived this tragedy in Pompeii weren’t the first ones to experience this, but their presence remained the most famous one, being a question of luck in their misery. It was clear -with the blurry existence of frames belonging to their past - that the next reincarnations repeated the circle and disappeared without a trace…

Their existence might be shortened by an unexpected welcome from death, but it wouldn’t erase the meaningful impact of the look that reflected the symbolism of their love despite the decades. The most impressive thing was probably the fact that they were each other’s missing piece. Katsuki was mad at himself for forgetting the breathtaking beauty of the freckled man in his past life, wondering if his face stayed as adorable as the current one with his distinct freckles and mesmerizing irises…..

If Katsuki’s reaction reflected the genuine curiosity, quickly followed by the admiration of this statement, everything was different with Izuku Midoriya. He was a naive soul who found comfort in the popular beliefs, especially reincarnation, even if the concept itself hasn’t been proven by the scientific….but he never thought Katsuki and he would’ve been the first to experience such a thing! It’s not like they were the only people who faced this unique experience, but their souls were simple bon vivants, and meeting their soulmates through the process of multiple reincarnations was insane!

 None could’ve planned these shocking revelations about ancestors they barely remember, the same ones who left their marks in history without realizing it. 

Not only did his past self - who experienced the tragedy of Pompeii - find a peaceful death by his lover’s side, but he also succeeded in falling in love with the same man a thousand times over the numerous decades. Suddenly, the freckled man wanted to open every history book and search for a trace of their past self, realizing how they always found a way to find each other, even if their narratives became blurry or forgotten at the end of the day.

Finally, he started to make peace with the idea that this strong bond wasn’t a great happenstance but a series of events that led to this exact moment. The only thing that mattered was how he finally found a reason to trust this odd sensation that guided him to his missing half. It started with a single glance, but it was enough to relieve all those decades of souvenirs that took form into the most breathtaking poem inside his head, reminding him of his favorite childhood movies.

These two strangers who had nothing in common, became the target of fate in the most delicate way, being visitors of time to finish a quest their old selves hadn’t completed yet…. in the same place that erased their existence decades ago. Izuku Midoriya had no doubts about his ability to fall for the same person in every universe, especially if this meant sharing a book of different narratives. The emerald eyes glanced at the stunned crimson ones but didn’t hide the affectionate expression on his face when they both realized what had just happened.

Fear and doubts were replaced by explicit answers and gentle smiles at the corners of their lips, strongly influenced by the symbolism of this relic. It explained the sudden loss of an imaginary ring he might never have again, unless he offered it to the same man who owned his heart for decades. Katsuki and Izuku still have a lot of questions about their past lives and their endings but they decided to enjoy this moment….knowing they’ll be forgotten and who knows how many years they have to wait to meet again?

Izuku smiled at the implication of an actual wedding approved by the gods back in the day. He had so many questions, but the previous anxiety concerning the cancelled wedding disappeared when he connected the dots: The freckled man would do anything to see the state of their rings found in the ruins, hoping a simple look would be enough to have more souvenirs about this part of their history. 

If it was too early to get married in this lifetime, knowing the complexity of the situation: They were unknown shadows in the early morning, but soulmates once the night had come. They learned a lot about each other, from the most personal details of their lives to their mutual interests in this quest. Izuku and Katsuki couldn’t erase this sensation of knowing everything about the other, probably a knowledge from their past lives, but everything felt so different at the same time. Maybe it was a simple projection into this reassuring future their ancestors in Pompeii never had, but the idea of getting married doesn’t sound too bad. The craziest thing was the justification of those hints that guided them to the truth!

The crimson eyes noticed how the teacher’s face softened - maybe the previous realizations transformed each of their thoughts into a gentle reminder of their past, but Izuku had never been this prettier. Under this angle, he looked like an angel that fallen down on earth to heal the curious and even shattered heart of the blond, who finally found his home. 

The freckled man moved a lost curl behind his ears, conscious of the gentle glance of the blond for each of his movements, but he simply smiled. He welcomed a slight blush against his cheeks, realizing how he wouldn’t mind discovering more about his soulmate after this visit that lightened their hearts. Even if they wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk about this life-changing revelation, the two men decided to use meaningful glances instead of words, being used as a strength in every universe. 

—--

The bright light was now replaced with the delicate shade of orange in this endless sky, followed by the stolen murmurs. Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo weren’t so different from the type of visitors who came to honor the untold stories of this place, realizing how they became one of them a long time ago with the kind of love that was meant to last for a lifetime!

Izuku couldn’t help but make a slight smile every time this statement crossed his mind, stealing a lost glance at the taller figure, apparently lost in his mind. There was something impressive about their two souls, living in distinct universes, succeded to be reunited in each timeline to continue the narrative their ancestors left unfinished. When their time has come, they won’t be scared of goodbye, knowing their paths were meant to meet in the near future.

Katsuki had enough time to accept the news as the truth, if not the one he had been looking for. Their common interest became their biggest strength and weakness at the same time - maybe the end of this visit will offer a gentle beginning to those incomplete blank pages, ready for their adventure in this timeline. The previous group, who saw their recurrent escape, faded into forgotten frames until the touristic place became almost empty: the only exceptions were the last people who asked a bunch of questions and the guide reuniting with each other to make a summary of their day. 

If their curious glances proved how they wanted to mention the previous event, none dared to take the first step: After all, it was stupid they finally found out the truths they’ve been looking for, including their missing half…. but the fear of being a disappointment remained as strong as their previous doubts! 

It was Katsuki who introduced the conversation by making small comments about the beauty of this place and its sunset. The freckled man appreciated the gesture and naturally led into the talk with enough ease to erase forget about any eventual misunderstanding.

“I always thought this kind of thing happened in the movies, but once again fate proved me wrong,” the freckled man mumbled with a light tone, moving his thumbs against the old wood of the bench. Each of his movements was calculated to highlight his selfish desire to stay in touch with this heated skin that brought him light in darkness. “Rushing into things is useless; knowing the past had already made most of the job but I’m glad things happened this way in this timeline.”

“It's still unbelievable they were supposed to get married. The craziest thing is probably how we didn’t have any clues if they made it or not, " the taller man pointed out with a sigh, resting his back against the old bench. “After all, I want to think they escaped and ran away before this town was destroyed under ashes, but it’ll be too hopeful, especially with the crazy details concerning the relics of…rings, as intact as the first days.”

“Something tells me they didn’t either, it must be why fate decided to offer a second chance in every timeline, probably another trick from the gods to repeat the same story under different versions a thousand times. It’s pretty symbolic of this love succeeding through the years when you think about it, their story was marked by the tragedy but the next ones probably had a better ending. Today, we’re not a simple relic of their souls and the unfinished promise they left while disappearing with this city, but the proof of their desire to meet each other in every universe," the shorter man added with a reassured tone. His heart ached at the idea that their past selves somehow disappeared in the narrative of time and forgotten graves in the cemetery, but at least they had been happy until the very end. “Should it be considered as a curse or a blessing? No one will ever know.”

“Probably both,” replied the blond with a sincere tone, catching the curious emerald eyes. “This is the kind of question no one should’ve asked themselves, at least during their living: Is the creation of new memories worth the try if the end is already written with bloody ink? Does the same tale deserve to be told in thousands of versions and will it keep its original beauty? I guess it’s probably too late to ask the ones who’ve been here before.”

“But we still have this present to make it unforgettable," Izuku added with a light smile at the corner of his lips 

There was something gentle about the way this guy, who should be realistic about their fate, easily accepted this gift from the unknown. It’s not like they couldn’t escape it either; there’s probably been a few timelines where their paths didn’t even meet or separated in an abrupt way… 

“We can return home and pretend nothing happened or continue what we started. I never thought I would be forced to face such a decisive choice about something as mystical as love, but my answer had never been this obvious.”

“Should I be afraid ?” Katsuki asked with a grin to cover his fear of rejection. 

He didn’t feel comfortable about the idea of returning to his naive holidays with this impression of saying goodbye to a happy ending that was written to be his for decades. He had been looking for this unreachable truth, and letting the owner of this rising happiness go, was heartbreaking…but things were different for Izuku. He had a life on the other side, friends and loved ones who couldn’t understand what Katsuki and he had been through- maybe he’ll reject him, but the blond deserved to hear the truth, as heartbreaking as it might be.

“Only if you have a reason to,” Izuku whispered with a genuine smile. He pushed the other’s shoulders to get his attention until the concerned crimson eyes looked into his, realizing how they already knew the answers to this fateful question. “I wouldn’t mind continuing this journey if this means repeating this circle, but the rest is on you. I’ll understand if you want to stay on your own, but if it’s the case…I hope you knew how meeting you made my day brighter than anything I’ve experienced until now.”

“I wouldn’t mind too but are we alright with the idea that the rest of the story might be blurry once our time on earth has come ?” This fear was valid, especially when the two men became too attached to a sentiment that resulted from decades of endless affection Katsuki couldn’t imagine how heartbreaking it might be to say their final goodbye when the time came, but for the first time in his life…he was ready to take the risks. 

“It already caught us a bunch of times and we’re still here. I don’t think we should be afraid of such a thing when it’s just a question of time before finding each other again,” Izuku admitted with a clear tone in his voice. It wasn’t nostalgia or excitement about their next versions of themselves who’ll create their own story, but the gratitude to have something unforgettable in this universe that tried to separate them so many times. “But  I still want to know everything about you and hope you can handle my company a little longer….”

“I was about to ask if you wanted someone to walk you down to the parking but maybe we can extend this conversation around a restaurant? I know a few names in town if this can reassure you, even fast food if it’s your thing,” the taller man added with a grin. 

He felt the hesitant thumbs against his knuckles, and the calloused hands returned the gesture when he naturally held the scarred ones. The atmosphere in their surroundings became lighter, understanding how it was too late to pretend nothing happened when their missing half was ready to continue this adventure!

Izuku’s chuckles were stolen by the slight breeze, listening to their conversation, under the amazed crimson eyes- After all, knowing all those truths about their past and current fate transformed their worries into strong promises. It was once in a lifetime experience to meet someone able to make you feel loved with a simple glance; some people spent their time on earth finding this treasure and now Katsuki Bakugo found it….He refused to let it go.

“I would love you, Kacchan.”

That evening, their two shadows left the vestiges of a place that stole their happy ending, only to change this inspiring tale decades later. The history books might not remember every Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo, but their timeless narratives remained a pillar for their souls, who kept chasing after each other in each timeline after this blessing from the gods. After all, it was easier to fall for your soulmate in every universe when you already spent thousands of decades loving him, right? 

-end-