Archive of Our Own ^omega

The thousands of thoughts inside his mind couldn’t erase the uneasiness of their situation.

His hesitant fingers ruffled the fabric of his pants. Izuku didn’t know the last time he felt so invested in an important event like this one, hoping the background music on the radio would distract him until they reached their final destination.  The shorter man glanced around, only to find the landscape appearing under its eyes, similar to a frame of his golden youth. 

This time, he wasn’t a small child who fell asleep against the window of his mother’s car, with the appeasing sound of the road, but Katsuki wouldn’t mind if his lover needed a quick nap before facing the most stressful dinner of their lives. Izuku rested his back against the seat with a sigh, trying to find a comfortable position while sensing the lost thumbs of his childhood friend against his shaking legs.

If the crimson irises stayed focused on the traffic, they naturally drifted toward the reassuring figure beside him. It wasn’t a secret that Izuku Midoriya struggled with anxiety, using unconscious gestures to release this overwhelming pressure on his vulnerable shoulders. Dynamight was a public persona but Katsuki Bakugo remained obstinate once the cameras were off, it didn’t stop him from acting like the caring and concerned partner he was. 

Standing by Izuku’s side was the biggest blessing he ever received from fate, a gift he’ll be forever grateful for, but he hated being powerless in front of this heartbreaking situation. After all, the nerd’s worries were justified, but the freckled man already faced death under a close angle- it’s not some asshole who’ll ruin everything with his false apologies!

“Are you alright? You know, it’s never too late to take the next stop and pretend we missed the road signs,” his voice pointed out with an understanding tone. “I don’t think they’ll be mad at us for canceling this meeting and ordering pizza for our movie night.”

 The world would probably lose its mind at the sight of the unreachable Dynamight, exposing an ounce of humanity, but it was a treasure the freckled man wanted to keep for himself. Call him selfish, but Izuku Midoriya didn’t mind spending the rest of his life with the man who shared half of his soul and the muse of his favorite poems. A slight smile crossed the teacher’s lips at the meaningful gesture made by his lover. He truly enjoyed how his partner stayed as inspiring as the impressive shadow he first met in this neighbourhood, catching all his attention. 

His fingers moved from the fabric of his pants to the familiar skin, the tip of his thumbs ruffled the blond’s knuckles, trying not to distract him from the traffic, knowing the light hadn't turned green yet. Everything felt comfortable when his childhood friend was around, almost like his presence was the miracle Izuku’s vulnerable soul needed since his first newborn cries: Katsuki was his white knight, and the freckled man was his biggest weakness, especially when this mutual affection kept growing through the years. 

“As much as the offer is tempting, I can’t let this happen,” he sighed, resting his head against the window. The crimson eyes looked at the understanding crimson ones, who seemed to read behind each of his expressions like an open book, if not his favorite. The gentle fingers wrapped around the calloused ones, making a slight smile when he felt the blond’s lips against his heated skin, trying to erase his worries with another one of his magical tricks. 

Their participation was confirmed before the announcement of his arrival, and the freckled man was more than excited to spend the evening with his mother and Katsuki’s parents, who wouldn't miss any of their meetings. Despite their heavy past, the two childhood friends succeeded in reconnecting in the most unique way, transforming their previous conflicts into a blurry frame, compared to the endless souvenirs belonging to their tender narrative. Their families had always been close, especially during their youth when Izuku and Katsuki always loved to hang out in each other’s house, but the appearance of an unexpected shadow ruined their plans. 

Hisashi Midoriya wasn’t supposed to return home. 

This man already had a life outside this town, but his universe fell apart after being rejected from his second family and this asshole had no other choice but to knock on Inko’s doorstep with fake apologies. He claimed out loud to be there to catch the missing years with his son, when Inko wanted to throw him away from this house that used to be his. This selfish soul only wanted a roof over his head, and never had any problem using the victim role wasn’t to his advantage…but the reunion with his son didn’t happen the way he expected.

Izuku received the sudden news during his history class, with his students being interested in his speech and captivated by his knowledge. Some recognized him from the frames the television interviews, especially when the “Wonder Duo” became the center of many conversations since their return to the ranks. The freckled man found a way to handle those distinct lifestyles with the company of his other half, who transformed his fear into reassurance with tender promises. 

Their bond stayed as strong as the first day : they turned into a genuine love story that brought light to those grey paintings, highlighted by genuine confessions, offering some colors to those timeless creations. They were each other’s muse, and this pride was enough to bring a smile to the corner of their lips when their public image was erased by their real selves, with their peaceful house that covered so many hidden smiles and ethereal confessions under the sheets. 

“You know you can count on me to kick his ass,” pointed out the taller man, noticing how the light turned green a few seconds ago. It was a miracle to not see his lover being annoyed by the loud klaxons, but Izuku appreciated how his state was Katsuki’s priority at the moment. 

“I know, but I need to show I’m wiser than him,” the shorter man said, losing his glance toward the endless painting drawing itself under his eyes. Some days, he wished to be a simple kid who got tired of hanging out with adults, and play with his best friend…but denying the conflicts of adulthood means his previous bleeding and wasted tears were reduced to nothing but forgotten frames.

In all honesty, he was convinced he wouldn’t be able to handle this weight without the precious support of his loved ones and his boyfriend, who supported him at his worst. A rational person would’ve lost their mind a long time ago and dumped the freckled man as soon as possible, but Katsuki Bakugo stayed despite their ups and downs: After all, their fate was meant to be since their first meeting, exploring every kind of relationship to their current present. 

Their childhood had been peaceful enough to describe this period of their lives as something “appeasing”, but middle school transformed those precious frames into forgotten ashes. Their foundations and years of mutual support disappeared in the blink of an eye, due to inner conflicts that took too much place in their shattered chest, but this never stopped their bond from getting stronger through the evident distance. When Katsuki was struggling with regrets, Izuku secretly prayed for a second chance, until fate decided to bring them back together in the most ethereal way….

It started with stolen glances in public until their old bond guided each of their thoughts and became the center of their universes. This previous distinction disappeared when their eyes caught the familiar presence in the room, bringing a soft smile to the corner of their lips. Meeting new people after all those years suffering felt strange, almost considered a betrayal of the first relationship that created this unique narrative, but their jealousy slowly transformed into novelty. 

It took them years before realizing how this second chance, offered by fate, was the miracle their younger selves wished for, justifying the special attachment toward each truth that escaped their lips or stolen glances. The near-death experience and heavy loss in their personal lives didn’t make their teenage years easier, but Izuku and Katsuki knew surviving those two wars was enough to appreciate life at its true meaning. 

Don’t get him wrong, most of the freckled man’s nights have been considered a source of concern for his childhood friend, who made sure to stand by his side after the important loss of his quirk. If their intimacy was forgotten during the day, they found reassurance in each other’s arms once the night had come: the shaking body became a sleeping one, with a complete innocence rising on his fragile skin. Back in the days, Izuku Midoriya realized how this bond became stronger than any obstacles they faced until now, until romantic feelings made their appearance. 

Loving Katsuki Bakugo was easier than breathing, but it remained the most important treasure residing in the broken palm of Izuku’s hands. The stubborn blond slowly accepted those changes until their intimacy became their source of comfort and a habit for their vulnerable hearts. If the freckled man trusted fate about the rest of the journey, Katsuki decided to accept this rise of new feelings as a new beginning…

Loving Izuku Midoriya was a risk but a blessing at the same time and each second spent with him wouldn’t be enough to express how much his presence saved Katsuki’s life. Each of their smiles, hidden laughs, or handholds under the sheets became their favorite moment of the day until romance transcribed each of their gestures as an untold confession. 

Their worlds became one the moment their eyes met that night: Every wasted tear they’ve shed in the past became a pillar to their current bond, highlighting this mutual adoration that couldn’t be described in words. Their love confession happened without a single word and a kiss to their lack of experience, until the two teenagers agreed to be each other’s white knight. 

The years passed by and the two men were closer than ever, being the jealousy of some, and the envy of others. Their families were amazed by their dynamic and how far they’ve achieved, especially how Izuku and Katsuki’s story was a lesson to all the bravest souls who haven’t made the first step into the known yet.

 It was obvious how Katsuki was the shoulder to cry on when Izuku returned home with teary eyes, complaining about his shitty father. The taller man made sure to hold the shaking figure closer until they found a mutual warmth in each of their words, echoing to the start of their journey. The freckled man cherished this gesture and fell harder for this inspiring man, who already stole his heart with a simple glance.  His relationship with his father had never been the most inspiring one: Izuku made peace with the idea of never seeing this man again, but this stranger who claimed a title that wasn’t his, decided to twist his entire beliefs overnight. 

Having dinner with him was considered a real hell, but the teacher was relieved to know he got the support of his loved ones for this complicated evening. His boyfriend assured his safety, his mother got his back and the Bakugos were ready to kick this stranger’s ass if necessary. However, the idea to make eye contact with this individual –who returned for selfish reasons – only filled him with disgust, knowing he never belonged here in the first place. 

The car suddenly stopped at the parking, catching the shorter man by surprise, until he noticed the familiar pattern of his garden The old toys were replaced with professional materials, and new flowers that his mother let grow, being another of her passions she discovered a few years ago. The old cabin with its brown and used wood brought an ounce of nostalgia in the freckled man’s chest, recalling the days when Katsuki and he used to play heroes and villains with big dreams in mind. 

The slight movements of thumbs against his knuckles caught his attention, turning his head to meet the silenced crimson eyes, waiting until his lover left his thoughts to return to their current reality. The shorter man made an interested glance, observing the crimson eyes with a gentle gaze. The blond couldn’t help but admire his childhood friend with the same adoration that guides each of their confessions since that fateful night.

“We’re here….do you think you can handle this ?” Katsuki’s voice echoed in the heavy silence, observing how the radio was turned off, with the forgotten noises of the roads. The scarred hands held the strong ones tighter, letting the other know how ready he was, despite being afraid of the rest of the evening. 

“I survived the worst, I’m not scared of this idiot,” he replied with a nod, noticing how the taller man smirked at his confident response. Izuku Midoriya knew his enemy was standing behind the door of a place that covered each of his breakdowns and smiles since his birth….but the freckled man would rather die than let his supposed “father” use his false lies to seduce those naive souls into believing more of his bullshit. 

“Then let’s teach him a good lesson,” the blond said with lost fingers into the messy curls. The shorter man smiled at the familiar gesture and rested his head against his lover’s shoulders, crossing his fingers they’ll make it out of here alive. 

—----

It’s not the first time Izuku decided to make a surprise visit to his mother, and standing on this doorstep with his lover became a habit, but the circumstances were different. This time, his biggest rival was standing inside his childhood house, eating at the same table as him when he was younger, which probably caused some worries for his poor mother. The freckled man had to knock a second time and stepped back when he heard noises from the inside, including footsteps coming closer. 

The lock opened to reveal the familiar corridors of this house Izuku and Katsuki recognized by heart, meeting the welcome,g glance of Mitsuki, who seemed happier than ever. The taller woman immediately reached the two figures to offer a hug, kissing her son’s cheeks and ruffling the messy curls: If Katsuki complained about it, Izuku simply laughed. It didn’t’ take long until Masaru arrived and joined their sweet reunion; the brown haired man ruffled his son’s spikes and asked if he was alright, before making a slight nod at the shorter man, who returned the gesture.

Mitsuki and Masaru were his second family, and seeing them reunited at the same place was heartwarming. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the familiar voice of Inko, whipping away the floor on her clothes until her glance met her fragile newborn, who became a radiant man. The green-haired woman was known to be the opposite of her neighbor, and a smile crossed her face when she welcomed her son into a tender hug, explaining how she missed him. The scarred fingers held her closer, giggling when his mom checked if he was alright, under the delighted expression on his face.

“You have bags under your eyes, since when did you change your sleep schedule ?” She asked with a curious tone, looking at Katsuki with a welcoming glance. The blond moved closer and stayed polite despite knowing her since birth. Inko only chukled at the gesture and appreciated the efforts Katsuki made to impress her, especially after the hell he gave to her son in their middle school years. “I have some tea in the kitchen, which can help you with your sleep issues. My baby shouldn’t look this old when you’re only in your twenties !”

“I’m getting closer to the thirties, but if you say so…” Izuku mumbled with a soft tone, noticing the grin at the tip of his childhood friend’s lips. “What? You know I can’t contradict her or she won’t give us this recipe you love so much.”

“It’s not a big deal, you’re getting closer to the thirties than the beginning of your twenties as you said,” teased the blond, pinching his lover’s nose. The shorter man gasped, offended by the previous comment, and rolled his eyes, punching the hero’s shoulder with an adorable pout on his face. “But we both know I’ll love you even if you have grey hair and two teeth, as long as you have these freckles and natural charm.”

The scarred hands found the calloused ones, intertwining their fingers together. Nothing had changed since the first discovery of this place, and yet, Katsuki was still touched to see the baby pictures of Izuku and his mom on the wall, the same ones he had probably seen a million times during his visits. The roof over his head, that already covered his secret smirks, offered a sudden nostalgia, but it retained its ethereal beauty: It wasn’t a simple location, but a source of souvenirs as impressive as every first they experienced here. 

The first thing that caught their attention was the good-looking table standing in the living room, with the distinct plates, the silver cutlery, and the flowers in the vase, offered by Katsuki’s parents. The background television filled the blank of their conversation, but the freckled man simply held his boyfriend’s hands tighter, figuring out how they couldn’t step back. Katsuki brought the shorter man closer, wrapping his strong palm around his waist, observing a slight smile drawing itself on his lover’s lips. However, this soft moment between them only lasts for a few minutes until their eyes meet the familiar one of the hidden shadow. 

The calloused hand held the freckled man’s shoulders closer and the previous shakes stopped at the gesture, but it was evident how the taller man standing a few meters away from them shared the same apprehension about this meeting. After all, Izuku and Katsuki knew his real intentions, justifying their cold glance while their parents talked in the kitchen about the rest of their plans for the next week. The teacher held his boyfriend’s hands as tightly as possible and felt how Hisashi didn’t share a single word since this uncomfortable interaction. 

Hisashi never said anything about the approval of their relationship, leaving his opinion in a complete blur but the two childhood friends didn’t care. They had a near-death experience twice and refused to let some assholes like him change the most important fight of their lives! His man can be against their relationship or be a fake supporter, but it doesn’t mean his words were worth the attention.

“Izuku,” Hisashi said with a short tone, breaking the previous silence. The three of them needed to pretend for the rest of the evening if they didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere, even if this might be a tough quest for the couple’s anger toward this man who didn’t belong here in the first place. “I didn’t know you would be here tonight.”

“I only came here for Mom and Kacchan’s parents,” he replied with a cold tone. “I wouldn’t miss any of our meetings against anything because it makes them happy, don’t think you’ll have a place in my life after using your mouth to spread so much bullshit.”

“Sweetheart, I prepared an extra portion of Katsudon in the fridge to take over to your house, remind me to give it to you at the end of the-” Inko’s speech stopped when the intoxicating tension crossed the room. She was a single mother, who raised her child with as much love as possible, and understood the justified anger Izuku had toward his father. It would be a lie to say the green-haired woman never hated her husband, knowing he never signed the divorce papers. “-Dinner….Now I think about it, Katsuki we need your help in the kitchen, can you come with us?”

“Using too much spice wouldn’t be a bad way to kill someone,” the blond pointed out with a frozen tone, quickly followed by a sigh. Izuku looked at him with an understanding tone: he appreciated his cooperation but refused to put the man he loved in danger for such a thing. “But maybe I’ll bring my help, if you listen to the nerd, he’ll burn the kitchen down.”

“Kacchan, stop portraying me as the bad guy when I’m a good cook, you said it yourself,” he replied with an offended tone, pushing the taller man with an amused expression on his face. The previous tension was quickly forgotten when the couple stayed with their loved ones and barely made conversation with Hisashi. 

—---

The dinner was amazing for their taste buds, even if Katsuki explained how it needed more spice with a biased opinion.

Izuku joked about how he needed to burn his tongue each time he was cooking something for his boyfriend, with the rolled eyes of the blond and the diverted expression on their parents' faces. The atmosphere was light enough to erase the previous tension, even if Hisashi opened his mouth to make conversation and participate in the debate, offering his opinion that wasn’t worth listening to. If Inko felt bad for putting her son in this complicated situation, she found help from Mitsuki and Masaru’s side, forced to include this stranger in their talk to reinforce the impression of a family dinner

The first question arrived after the praise of the food and the exchanged smiles, with Mitsuki and Inko asking a bunch of details about their future plans at the agency. Izuku relaxed and expressed himself about this easy topic that wasn’t taboo, even when his boyfriend took the lead and replied to the interrogations concerning their desire to expand their love. Everyone at the table knew about the sensitivity of certain subjects, but their superficiality couldn’t hurt either Izuku or Katsuki’s hearts if boundaries were set. 

The couple admired their parents for this form of respect, and didn’t push further when the two women explained with excitement how they would love to have grandchildren, under the blushing expression on the freckled cheeks and the slight grin on the blond’s lips. After all, the two men agreed to take their time with meaningful projects like this one, even if the expansion of their agency already took up an important part of their daily lives but they weren’t against the idea of adopting some small habit that’ll brighten their days in the future. 

“I keep convincing Kacchan to adopt a pet if he didn’t feel ready for a child, but he always teases me about sharing this love with someone else,” Izuku mumbled with a soft tone, pinching the blond’s shoulders, under the annoyed crimson eyes. “I bet the media would kill to know how the great Dynamight is grumpy if he doesn’t get his precious hours of sleep.”

“And I’m pretty sure your naive students wouldn’t mind knowing how their favorite teacher likes to emotionally corrupt his favorite hero to get everything he wants, even the craziest request in the middle of the night,” the taller man answered back with a grin, noticing the rising blush appearing on the adorable freckled cheeks.

“Let them be, youth is made to have the craziest decisions,” Masaru said with a happy tone, putting his glass of wine against the tip of his lips. If Inko and Mitsuki continued this debate around their own experiences and lessons they learned from their golden youth, the atmosphere was quickly dread when Hisashi decided to ask a question that didn’t belong here in the first place. 

“What about marriage ?” He said with a curious glance. “After all, we’re talking about future projects and you’ve been discreet about it.”

His face seemed almost innocent if his vicious eyes didn’t hide the same dark glance that appeared earlier in their heated interactions. Katsuki shared a bothered look with his parents, while Inko’s face turned sadder when she noticed how her son became colder at the previous words. 

At first sight, this question remained innocent, nothing simpler than a father checking on his son if he was ready to get married to the man he loved, but it was another one of his plans to get in everyone’s favor. It was easy to pretend to be a good parental figure to the most curious eyes, walking with his bloodline during the most important day of his life: that’s how he wanted to be seen, as the hero who stole the show during Izuku and Katsuki’s potential wedding. After all, it would put the highlight on him, to be the center of conversation about how sorry he felt for being a “stupid” father who put his career before his family to get strangers’ empathy.

Little did he know how the shadows standing at the same table as him were aware of the mistake he had committed. Izuku and Katsuki did already mentioned the idea of getting married, but not under the pressure of society, and needed to do it when they felt ready. The idea of being in each other’s lives until their final breath was more than perfect, but this was a hell of an organization for a single day, even if this means delaying to later the symbolism of these imaginary rings.  If their parents never mentioned these subjects again, it was because they trusted their children to talk about it when the time came, but Hishi had no excuse. He knew about it, and Inko even made a summary about what to mention or not in tonight’s dinner…but once again, he decided to ruin everything. 

“Maybe because it’s none of your business,” Katsuki said with a serious tone, taking his glass against his lips. From afar, his crimson eyes noticed how Inko and his parents sent a judging glare toward Hisashi, well aware of the mistake he made, but the dark grin on his face didn’t seem to represent a good sign for the rest of the conversation. “Izuku and I have more important projects to make before jumping into a financial hell like marriage. We just want to make sure it’s not a mistake, you’re probably the best person to know what I’m talking about.”

“I was talking Izuku,” Hisashi added with a sigh, resting his back against the chair. His thumbs reached the silver spoon under the suffocating atmosphere: He didn’t care if he said something he shouldn’t, he had the right to be a part of this conversation and shouldn’t be pushed aside due to his distance in the last twenty-seven years! “It’s my right to be curious about it, I would love to be the one walking by my son’s side during the most important day of his life. His happiness is my main priority, and I wouldn’t miss the occasion to show him my support.”

Bullshit.

Izuku didn’t know what was worse: this constant play of the “perfect” father who returned to his family’s life or the darkness behind his manipulation tricks. Both of them were selfish enough to realize how he only breathed through the public opinion and wanted to be seen as the poor man who understood his mistake too late, but it was a matter of time before seeing him acting like a dick and abandoning them again. 

If the freckled man used to be the target of unfair thoughts, he knew he had the support of his mother to move on and focus on her presence in his life, but this time the roles will be reversed: Inko Midoriya was a sensitive woman, she wanted the best for her only son and was ready to put the world down to make him the happiest boy on earth. She was his source of inspiration to this day, the one who saved him from searching after a shadow that wasn’t worth the try, but it’ll break Izuku’s heart to see his mother devastated by another abrupt separation. 

Don’t get him wrong, he never understood why she took him back, and needed to have a calm conversation about it, but this decision belonged to her, and Izuku didn’t have the right to force his own beliefs in her personal choices. This situation could’ve been way healthier if Hisashi showed sincere apologies and made actual changes without using lies to seduce the naive souls. Maybe the freckled man would’ve taken his time, but his genitor liked to manipulate their surroundings: It made him angier than ever to even imagine this man raising another family with the love they never had in this house. 

His “perfect” speech about families and “getting reunited” was meant to fit with his persona but Hisashi never knew how to raise a child. His hidden family on the other side of the world probably left him behind for the same reason, forced to live with his natural stupidity.  Izuku wasn’t a teenager anymore, his emotions were developed enough to adopt the mature reactions at the perfect timing and show how he wouldn’t let himself do, even if this meant putting his genitor back in his place! 

The shorter man sighed, holding his breath in order to avoid another scene and ruin all the efforts made by his mom to create a good atmosphere between all of them. The crimson eyes noticed how his childhood friend held his fist tighter under the table and almost held his pants, an evident sign of distress crossing Izuku’s chest. With light movements, almost invisible to the curious eyes, the strong fingers moved under the table to reach the scarred ones until their palm met in a reassuring touch, being enough to appease the negative emotions that crossed the teacher’s heart.

“Too bad there’s already another person replacing you for that,” Izuku said, losing his thumbs against the calloused ones under the table, to let him know how grateful he was for the support. 

If a wedding had to happen, the choice concerning the person bringing him to the altar was already made: if the choice was possible, he wouldn’t mind bringing his real paternal figure. Despite not being blood-related to his idol, Yagi Toshinori made his proof a long time ago! He might not be the best mentor, but his presence proved how he sincerely cared about him as a human being instead of a simple successor. 

This decision can be judged from an outside perspective, but everyone who knew their dynamic easily recognized how Izuku considered him as the father he never had. There’s no way this impostor standing in the living room, with the same genes and freckles as him, will be the one ruining the most important day of his life. Katsuki even agreed with this crazy choice, considering him the biggest fanboy, but secretly appreciated how the man who raised their childhood would be a part of this eventual ceremony.

“What did you say ?” Hisashi mumbled, trying to keep his calm. His logic was clear: Izuku Midoriya had no one to play this important father figure during this fateful day, and Inko was the most evident choice too. However, hearing his own bloodline taking him down hurt his ego, putting the blame on Izuku when the older man was unable to realize his own mistakes that created this terrible reputation. 

“Listen, we both know my opinion about this and you shouldn't push the limit too far. When the day comes, I’ll choose another person to walk by my side, while you’ll stand in the crowd or do whatever you want if you even care about it. Maybe we should change the topic-”

“Don’t treat me like a nobody when I’m the one who made a move to step back into your life,” the older man fought back with a serious tone. The previous grab on the silver spoon was now forgotten, showing how his fist was explicitly exposed to the curious eyes at this table. Hisashi Midoriya never raised a hand against anyone, he might be an asshole but he never pushed the limit to physical damage, Nothing assured he’ll be able to control himself if his own son played with his nerves!

“Oh, and we should thank you for returning 27 years later after suddenly remembering the existence of your old family? Congrats for having rational thinking,” Izuku added with a mocking tone. This discussion shouldn’t even have happened, but the more it developed through stupid arguments and deaf dialogue, the more intolerable it became. 

“It’s the topic of the wedding that bothered you? After all, Katsuki and you knew each other for a very long time, maybe it’s time to take another step,” he sighed, deciding to appease his nerves. The tension between Izuku and him was suffocating but none dared to interrupt, knowing how the freckled man needed to release all those years of suffering with explicit words….even if the spell was broken by the stubborn hero, who recognized the emergency of the situation.

“Thanks for this false care, but Izuku and I agreed to have more important priorities” Katsuki affirmed with a simple tone.

 It wasn’t a direct threat or a death glare, but it remained important enough to see the slight change at the end of his sentence, reflecting how he was more than concerned about his lover’s state after the previous conversation. It wasn’t a simple intuition either, this decision was taken due to the strong grip against the calloused hands under the table, highlighting all the hate this poor soul accumulated in silence. 

“I deserve to be a part of my son’s life, even during his wedding. Why do you act like it’s a shame if I’m present on the most important day of his life? I’ve been there too-”

“And then you cheated on mom and ran away until your second family pushed you like the trash you are, we already know the story,” Izuku mumbled with an exhausted tone. His therapist will probably be mad at him for falling into his old habits, but some of the healthy advice concerning communication doesn’t apply to the current situation. 

“Izuku-” The poor green-haired woman barely had time to continue until the freckled man continued his speech in the next seconds. 

“Listen, let me be clear once and for all,” the shorter man said with a deep breath. 

He sent a simple nod to his childhood friend, letting the other know how he handled the argument, even when the calloused hand left his. Instead of throwing the table away and making a scene, he decided to show a mature reaction and simply stay calm; using harsh words to describe his truth will be more than efficient, even if this means asking questions that will never find a proper answer. Izuku pushed his chair and stood up, putting his scarred palm on the white tablecloth, wishing to end this already.

“I’ve been on my own since my birth with my mom raising me as the most important treasure of her life. This was all I ever needed to be the better version of myself, despite my flaws, but I found happiness in these heartbreaking circumstances and I accept your departure. I understood this selfish decision a long time ago, made peace with it, and moved on by enjoying life at its fullest with amazing people by my side.” 

The freckled man wanted to end this conflict and return to the previous ambiance with the genuine laugh and light conversation….not this intoxicating argument that was meant to raise more fire than appease it. 

“You might be the expert on marriage, but I know my values are better than false promises. I want to spend an entire lifetime with Kacchan, even if this means not getting married or in our late eighties in a small ceremony with the rest of our loved ones. I’m the one controlling my life choices, as chaotic as they might be but I wouldn’t change anything. You had thousands of occasions to make yourself forgiven but never did anything until it suited you, we should put an end to this conversation and stay strangers for the moment.”

“You need to listen to him if you don’t want to face the consequences of your selfishness.” As tempting as it was, Katsuki held himself back concerning the slight “asshole” that wanted to leave his lips. 

After all, it’ll make the tension higher, and Hisashi already ruined the mood with his shitty comments. However, this didn’t stop the stubborn hero from stepping by his boyfriend’s side and supporting him in this difficult quest: He knew how many tears Izuku wasted about not being enough during their youth, but the blond refused to let his lover be hurt by this manipulative man.

“I’m just saying, getting married sounds like a better option than wasting your youth with false hope for the future. If you don’t marry him, you two will get bored with each other real quick and you'll regret letting someone else put a ring on his finger when it should’ve been you. I’m just giving some advice in case-”

“I’ve had enough,” Izuku’s voice echoed in the room, catching everyone’s attention. 

His scarred fist held the table tighter, highlighting the hidden tears that refused to leave the corner of his eyes. Admitting his weakness in front of his biggest enemy was worse than letting the ghost of Shiagarki occupy his nightmares but he had no other choice. If Mitsuki and Masaru had a pale expression on their face, the shorter woman wiped the last tears that fell down her cheeks with her silent cries. This was supposed to be a family time but Hisashi decided to make this about his stupid ego and push Izuku’s limits to their maximum. 

“I need to take some air, give me a few minutes."

The first reactions were to stand up and stop the shaking figure, but Izuku felt himself getting closer to the breakdown he had tried to avoid since the first exchange with his father. This was an emergency sign when it comes to this adorable boy who always smiles and blushes after the unexpected praise, but seeing his emerald eyes so heartbroken was a terrible sight. If Mitsuki and Masaru decided to give him some space, Inko held back her tears and watched her son close the door without looking back…. 

The poor woman immediately fell on her knees with light sobs, understanding how her close friends tried to reassure her, but the only thing that mattered was her son. Mitsuki made a nod at her husband, explaining how she’ll handle this with her friend, while Masaru will have a small talk with Hisashi, who hasn’t moved since the end of the argument. Katsuki knew how his father, under his naive and innocent aspect at first sight, could be terrifying when he was angry at something, the kind of person able to put Hisashi back in his place and give him a good scare.

“I’m going to check on him,” the blond said with a confident tone, sharing a nod with his parents. His crimson eyes meet the teary emerald ones of the shaking woman in the other room, who begged him with a glance to save her precious baby. Katsuki knew he was ready to put the world down for a glimpse of his childhood friend’s smile, and making sure his boyfriend was alright remained his main priority! 

—--

The light breeze against his sweaty forehead didn’t compare to the anxiety rising inside his heart and the previous frames that crossed his mind: The more he recalled the heated interaction, the angrier he became at himself for not stopping Hisashi earlier. This man went too far with his own son, but the only priority that mattered at the moment was to find Izuku’s location. 

It’s not like the nerd could run away from town, knowing Katsuki had the keys to the car and the only shops were fifteen minutes away from their current locations. The fight with his father probably exhausted him mentally, so the nerd had to go to the closest source of reassurance he could find, not away from the house but close enough to be exposed near his reach. The possibilities weren’t this big, especially when the wooden cabin in the corner of the garden was closed entering here implied getting some unclear disease, and Izuku wouldn’t take the risk!

 The strong hands moved inside his golden spikes with a sigh; everything looked perfectly clear but there was no sign of the nerd unless- The crimson eyes widened at the sudden revelations. Of course, he should’ve thought about it earlier instead of jumping into wrong theories, but a simple lift of his head gave him the answer he needed: A few meters away was standing a huge cabin in the tree, with a wooden ladder used by the time, and a fragile scale, moving due to the recent shadow that crossed this old relic. 

Their parents already warned them a million times to be careful, unless they wanted to get hurt and go to the hospital- back in the day, it used to be useless warnings, but under his adult eyes, Katsuki completely understood their worries. It was a miracle if this thing was still alive, but his thoughts naturally drifted toward the hidden shadow that probably resided inside the space, too small for his adult size, able to break anytime soon.

 This treehouse didn’t have anything special at first sight, it was a simple creation by their parents' hands during another summer where they let their children finally have the HQ they always wanted for their mysterious adventures. Katsuki remembered the joy he felt when he saw this shining creation for the first time, but it wasn’t as impressive as the shorter boy, who immediately ran into his mother’s arms and explained how he was the happiest. 

If the younger Katsuki didn’t say anything, he simply smirked when his parents ruffled his hair, explaining how he could have his own place from now on. It was a topic of conversation he mentioned later in his adulthood, when he finally explained he was proud to have amazing parents like them, but he never had the strength to confess this. Things naturally became easier after the creation of their secret spot: The two boys spent their entire afternoon in this wooden house that used to be bigger than them, and started to bring objects from their houses to transform this fresh roof into a reassuring spot.  

Toys, posters, sheets, and All Might pillows were often found there with their lucky charms, simple keychains that never left their sides to this day. The blond remembered how Izuku and he absolutely loved this place, it was their favorite location to make a sleepover when they felt like sudden adventurer or talked about their future agency together. However, Katsuki stopped visiting during their middle school years, but never forgot about those memories he forged with his best friend, who probably spent many lonely nights here with his tears.

 It was impressive how a place that didn’t have any symbolism during its creation, became the pillar of their childhood with memorable souvenirs. It probably explained why Izuku, from his big age, decided to rush into the safest spot he knew outside the walls of his childhood house. Katsuki will never judge him when he remained a human with weakness, and it was natural to find reassurance in meaningful objects or people that represented the safest place of their childhood. The taller man smirked at the thoughts and decided to brave the forbidden by saying hi to an old friend, with the hope of not seeing this relic fall under their both weight. 

After all, they weren’t children anymore and it would be stupid to go to the hospital because their muscles caused the fall of a treehouse! His strong palm reached the border of the scale, catching a thorn that made him groan until he decided to pick up the pace and put his first foot into the fragile wooden boards, that separated their two worlds. The path toward the balcony of their treehouse was tough, but he made a sigh in relief when he realized how this relic was still as strong as the first day.

 It was crazy to see how their perspectives changed while growing up: one day you wake up with excitement and unforgettable souvenirs about this place, and the next day you’re 27 years old and realize how a location became the pillar of your childhood. Everything felt ten times easier as a child, but it’s probably the nostalgia that influenced each of Katsuki’s thoughts, especially in a location that held a huge party from his past. His steps felt like a dangerous path toward the unknown, realizing how the beauty of this place was probably related to the souvenirs and their strengths. 

Katsuki couldn’t believe he almost forgot about this, but when he returned to his roots, he had the impression of finding his real self, with his best friend who became the love of his life. The curious glance lost itself in the marks of painting against the wood, something Izuku and he made when they tried to help their parents in the process. A slight grin crossed the corner of his lips when he noticed the blue and yellow pattern, unaware of how they would become each other's biggest hero in the next years. His thumbs ruffled the dry painting, made with genuine chaos, based on the frames crossing his mind, but the laughs they shared brightened their days. 

Katsuki sat on the old carpet, resting his back against the wooden door. The wind transported the hidden sobs that resonated in the treehouse, breaking the blond’s heart but he needed to keep the ethereal promises he wanted to share at the altar. 

—---

Izuku should have expected it, but he never thought this man would be worse than any of his expectations since his last meeting. His younger self would’ve probably been stunned to see this man – he used to waste his tears about– returning to his life, only to change his peaceful present into a complete nightmare. However, he was glad to see how his boyfriend got his back during the exchange, even if he should’ve been more honest and harsh about what he truly felt, especially when this battle wasn’t over….

He tried to find a more comfortable position between the creaking wood and each of his movements. A groan of pain escaped from his lips after the headache that followed his sudden run, The window was covered by a curtain of his favorite idol as a child with the messy stains representing their attempts to glue their favorite pictures together, until Izku decided to keep them hidden in his secret box. 

 His messy curls reflected through the light movements of his head, but his blurry vision didn’t make things easier: The weight on his shoulders felt ten times heavier than it should be, but the suffering inside his chest acted like thousands of stabs in his chest. 

It’s been a while since he felt that way but, unfortunately, this sensation wasn’t as forgettable as he used to believe. He had been an idiot since the beginning: seriously, how did he even think he could beat his own father at a game this asshole owned for 27 years? His therapist told him how some people wouldn’t change their strategy, knowing it worked a thousand times, but the best way was to find another one, more distinct to the point of bringing a surprised effect and have this first victory. The freckled man tried to apply this strategy, but his opponent was stronger and the key was to use this opening until it consumed his rival to nothing but anger. 

Izuku Midoriya faced near-death experiences with regrets that haunt each of his nights, and committed mistakes, but he never thought he would give up so easily. The current circumstances were too much to handle, even for the strongest soldier who couldn’t convince his opponent to change his mind, no matter the wasted sacrifices they would make. He literally saw his childhood friend dietwice under his eyes, and today, it was the same man who held his trembling hands and kept him safe from a potential downfall.

The shorter man pressed his legs closer to his stomach and rested his head against his knees. He didn’t fight back and welcomed the tears as the result of those years of sadness expressed through meaningful tears that broke his porcelain skin. If Katsuki were here, he would’ve probably explained how it was alright but it wasn’t! No matter how much his loved ones and boyfriend will try to cheer him up, the teacher will always feel like a shitty soldier who died in his own bloodbaths. He pretended to be strong but had his moments of vulnerability,  Izuku knew he wouldn’t be able to look at his own reflection in the mirror for the rest of his life after this stupid fight he lost against his will.

His trembling hands wiped the last tears away, staring at his environment. He forgot how this treehouse looked so beautiful and small at the same time, probably because its proportions differed when they were not taller than three apples. The messy desk was covered in dust with old stuff that couldn’t find its way into their house, some forgotten fields from Inko’s old job, and the dusty television that occupied a part of the weight. Izuku didn’t even remember the presence of a jack, but the boxes of DVDs glued to the black material, informed how it used to distract their youngest nights, if not afternoons.  

The sheet under his body felt comfortable enough to highlight the marks of hot chocolate the two boys accidentally left during their hangout, with the fear of getting caught, such as the old drawing glued on the walls. The teary emerald eyes stared at their content, with one of them being a heartwarming representation of two stickmen holding each other’s hands, explaining how they’ll be the “best partners and heroes”. The gentle frames crossed Izuku’s mind, bringing a slight smile to the corner of his lips, even when he grabbed the All Might box close to him, and started to look through his favorite childhood pictures they took together with their Polaroids. 

Kacchan and he weren’t children anymore and had responsibilities awaiting them outside this treehouse, but it didn’t stop the freckled man from returning to his old self for a while. The world was too harsh, even for a soldier who feared his evident downfall. A series of three knocks caught his attention, forcing him to turn his head at the wooden door, recognizing this sign everywhere. It was the secret code the two best friends used to enter their secret spot, but it was endearing to see how his boyfriend remembered it after all those years…

“Is there anyone in the super secret HQ ?” asked the golden-haired man, resting his head against the lock to catch the slightest noise coming from the inside. The previous sobs stopped for a few seconds, which was reassuring for his broken heart, but not enough to be relieved about the situation either. 

“The captain is on a break, no more missions for the moment, Agent Kacchan,” the freckled man replied with a distressing tone. He knew he shouldn’t make his boyfriend more worried than he already was. Izuku was glad to see how Katsuki immediately checked on him, when a rational person would’ve let him drown in his own breakdown. Yet, it didn’t stop a tender warmth that filled his chest when he recognized the familiarity of this interaction, being the same as the one they used to share back in their youth. It was considered their secret language, a treasure that resided at the palm of their hands for the right reasons…

“Maybe you were right, we should’ve stayed at home and watched this shitty novella,” exclaimed the taller man, hoping his concerns didn’t show through the change of his tone. He was able to read into his childhood friend’s soul like an open book, even with the delicate changes that seemed meaningless for others, but important for his observing soul. “I never knew Auntie Inko kept this treehouse, I always thought she destroyed it after the middle school years.”

“She wanted to, but I convinced her to keep it… It was the only safe place I got when my own house became too overwhelming,” replied the shorter man with a lighter tone, bringing an ounce of hope in the hero’s chest. It was a small progress until they both felt completely safe to have an open conversation about what happened earlier, but reminding their childhood wasn’t bad either!

“I bet it’s dusty inside, make sure to return home without any insects, I won’t clean your mess agent freckles,” he added, hearing the tender melody that escaped his lover’s lips. Izuku’s laugh was his favorite song to hear, with those mesmerizing lyrics and rhythm able to seduce the coldest heart on the battlefield. It was a treasure to cherish, and Katsuki refused to let something as impressive as Izuku’s laugh escape from his reach in this lifetime. “Can I enter ?”

“You know the door is always open for you,” Izuku mumbled with a loving tone. He felt his cheeks becoming redder when he remembered how he used to spend his gay panic and realizations concerning his sexuality in this place, knowing the shadow that caused them became the most important person in his life. 

The shorter man moved as much as he could to the small door, welcoming the first appearance of the sunset from afar, until the familiar figure caught his complete attention. A soft chuckle escaped the teacher’s lips, amused by how his boyfriend was way too tall for this cabin, but it didn’t stop Katsuki from finding his way into the confined space, with his concerned crimson eyes focused on the teary emerald ones. His heart missed a beat when he noticed the familiarity of this sight, recalling the numerous fights they had as brats, but this time they’ll need more than apologies and hugs to bring a smile back to Izuku’s face.

Izuku was the prettiest painting he had ever seen and yet, the most heartbreaking one. Each of his facial expressions was considered a story to share, and a narrative to transcribe into blank pages with this indelible ink. The scarlet color that usually owned those adorable freckled cheeks became Katsuki’s favorite shade of red, and made sure to mesmerize each sound escaping his lover’s lips, to transform it into an unforgettable prose to the favorite poem However, seeing those beautiful shades falling into gray colors was hard stp see, knowing those teary emerald eyes became the center of his suffering too. 

His body moved closer enough to feel his knees meeting the border of the used sheet, catching the hesitant expression crossing his boyfriend’s face. He decided to cheer his lover up with a special gesture that always brought a smile back to his face, another one of his tricks he used during emergencies. The calloused hands that wasted blood on the battlefield, slowly lifted the teacher’s chin until the tips of his thumbs reached his freckled cheeks. It was intimate enough to feel their strong bond between each of their breath, while the blond’s eyes looked at the emerald one as a jewel to admire in all its glory. 

Izuku’s heart missed a beat when Katsuki’s hands cupped his skin, moving his palm against his fragile fabric of his soul, until he grabbed a curl that lost its way on his forehead. The taller man gently pushed the green curls behind his boyfriend’s ears, catching the close distance between their faces, and the rising blush on the nerd’s cheeks. 

“Did I tell you how you look shit when you’re demoralized ?” His voice echoed in the small space between them, transforming each emotion passing through their glances into a love confession. Izuku was used to special treatments from his favorite hero, but his inner demons kept convincing him that he wasn’t worth the try. Katsuki already reassured him thousands of times about this insecurity, but the freckled man was afraid of messing things up with the man he loved !. 

“All the time,” the shorter man replied with a light smile, charmed by the slight tease that crossed the blond’s lips a few seconds ago. Many people would be offended by the previous words, but Izuku knew how his childhood friend was here to cheer him up, even if this meant having this stupid and charming grin.

“But you’re still the prettiest idiot I've ever seen, even with the tears that ruin your porcelain skin, the most breathtaking piece in a museum if you want my opinion,” Katsuki’s voice lightened at the sudden confession, losing his thumbs into the heated cheeks. The emerald eyes almost widened, as if it was his first time hearing such promises, when he already knew their rhythm by heart….but it didn’t stop him from resting his forehead closer against his boyfriend’s.

“You’re biased by your own feelings, even a work of art can have its flaws,” he tried to convince himself that this was a dream too good to be true, but it was useless.

 After all, if this fight wasn’t worth the try, Katsuki wouldn’t be there in their old treehouse, with nothing but love and adoration each time his glance met the nerd’s. Izuku was self-aware of the pressure he put on himself, even his therapist recommended taking a breath instead of being overwhelmed by his anxiety, but only Katsuki was able to appease his tormented soul with a simple grin that brightened his world. 

“Not when his creators consider this as his biggest pride,” the blond whispered with a smirk, losing his fingers against the fragile curls.

 This time the touch was delicate enough to reflect this intimacy that followed them since their first kiss, and guided each of their decision into the most sensational narrative they’ve ever seen. Izuku was Katsuki’s damsel in distress Katsuki was his white knight who came to his rescue, as stupid as it seemed, their love transcended the expectations of the crowd. The freckled man found himself smiling like an idiot, welcoming the rising blush on his cheeks, and rested his head against his boyfriend’s chest, enjoying the way those scarred hands caressed his back as genuine support.

“My mom always recommended I bring the people I care about to this place, and beside her, you’re the only one who saw the old state of this relic. Nothing really changed, different years but still the same person by my side…Sometimes fate does a good job at ruining shattered souls,” the shorter man whispered. He had no doubts Hisashi was probably yelled at on the other side for his stupid behavior, but the only thing Izuku cared about was the privacy of their moment: Each mistake and wasted tears contributed to their journey, and became a souvenir to either cherish or forget….. 

“I’m touched to be the one with this special privilege, and I would've been jealous if you brought some extras over our secret spot, ”mumbled the blond, leaving their previous position to directly sit beside their lover. Don’t get him wrong, he didn’t mind sensing the scarred hands around his back and the messy curls caressing his chin, but he needed a better position if he wanted to continue his speech! The freckled man looked at him with a soft glance, until the box of their favorite childhood memories caught the curious crimson eyes.

“I can’t believe you still have your stupid box,” he pointed out with a tease, ruffling the messy curls. 

“I couldn’t let someone steal them away from me, not when I had the best night of my life with my best friend,” Izuku added with a nostalgic tone. His fragile palm wrapped around the blond’s waist, losing his thumbs against the fabric of his shirt, reminding them of their late-night conversations in their cozy bedroom. “You know, I tend to think memories aren’t meant to be remembered through objects but as souvenirs: This treehouse is still alive because it holds the thousands of stories we shared together.”

“We’ll build a new one once we get our big garden and our own house, I promise…and maybe we could stay here all night and see who’s the first one to fall asleep,” added the taller man with a teasing tone. 

Izuku gasped, offended by the previous comment, under the amused crimson eyes. Katsuki knew this silly joke between them became a way to get a laugh from each other: it seemed to work when his worries disappeared after observing how his boyfriend looked gorgeous under this angle. Fuck Hisashi and anyone who tried to separate him from his other half, this world didn’t deserve the gentleness of Izuku’s smiles!

“Cheater, I'm always weaker when you’re around!”

 It was true, and the worst part was how Katsuki decided to pretend he was blind to this evident statement. All their sleepover parties ended with the freckled man sleeping against his childhood friend’s warmth, forgetting about this supposed “rivalry” that entertained their nights. If Katsuki always joked about it, he didn’t want to admit how he enjoyed ruffling the light curls beside him and mesmerizing the adorable expression on his boyfriend's face when the nerd was holding him like his favorite plushie. As crazy as it seems, the blond would rather die than reveal this guilty pleasure to his lover and the rest of the world!

“I have a title to keep, darling,” he affirmed with a pinch at the other’s nose, under the pouting emerald eyes. Dynamight was known for his strong personality in public, but none would be able to read behind the gentle glance he exchanged with his boyfriend when the cameras were down…the same one he shared at the moment when he fell all over him again. 

Their glances met and a natural chuckle left their lips, filling the previous silence with their genial echoes of laughter. For a moment, their worries faded away, replaced by the gentle melody of their confession transcribing into a song that resonated as their favorite sound. The chaotic dinner was a forgotten frame compared to the teacher’s head against the hero’s shoulders, until they both regained their breath. Katsuki was the first one to open his eyes and notice the beauty of this ethereal scene: a gorgeous glance, with gentle fingers wiping away the last tears of happiness, compared to the cruel ones, that previously ruined his beautiful skin. 

At this moment, his body moved on its own to steal a kiss against the other’s lips, who barely had time to answer before returning the gesture, with gentle fingers wrapped around his neck. Izuku knew gestures meant more than any promises they shared until now, and he welcomed the taller man chasing after his lips. Katsuki didn’t even need any confirmation to know the sad expression on his boyfriend was gone, replaced by the genuine happiness that brightened his angelic face. 

“You shouldn’t let this asshole ruin your day, we both know he doesn’t deserve this sight,” he said, guiding the shorter figure closer to his chest. Izuku simply leaned into the touch while resting his body against this warmth that brought him heaven for the rest of his life. “You look prettier with this shitty smile, something he didn’t deserve.”

“It’s just…I thought we made things clear and he kept insisting on being the perfect man he never was. Seeing him showing up at the most important day of my life and taking this unworthy praise will ruin my day,” the freckled man mumbled with a sigh, understanding how he couldn’t avoid this conversation forever. He was glad his childhood friend was the one standing by his side at this moment, especially when some of his truths remained untold to the most curious ears. 

“I accepted you for your whole and yet, can’t help but fall for your stupid ass every day. I don’t care if you’re sobbing in an old relic able to fall apart anytime soon or a comfortable bed with All Might pillows…Your emotions are valid, especially after what this asshole did.”

Reassuring Izuku and letting his emotions be validated in every circumstance was his main priority, and his gentle caresses against the delicate arms to his palm of his scarred hands, proved his desire to show his support. The teacher got chills at the gentle touch against his broken skin, adored by his boyfriend, but a source of conflict for his reflection in the mirror.  He shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by his own emotions, but his thoughts naturally derived toward the realization that he was a bother and ruined everything he touched, even the most mundane interaction like this one with his other half. 

“I’m sorry-” 

“Why are you apologizing for things you didn’t do ?” The question seemed obvious under this angle,  but Katsuki prepared himself for every kind of answer and made sure not to overstep his lover’s boundaries. 

“I’m sorry for being weak…I couldn’t handle it. I could’ve continued the conversation, defended my case but I ran-” 

“-into the safest spot you know, that’s understandable,” mumbled the taller man, understanding the emergency of the situation. It’s not like he couldn’t prevent this chaos either, but the idea of escaping doesn’t seem too bad if he were completely honest.

Admiring his flaws out loud made Izuku feel more guilty than he already was, drowning into the blond’s arms with the hope of not getting rejected after his desperate confessions. Don’t get him wrong, he knew his childhood friend wouldn’t make a tantrum about this, but it was unfair for someone as supportive as Katsuki to face a breakdown that shouldn’t have happened in the first place! 

The stubborn hero had already faced too many ups and downs in his career, including the fear of not waking up another day and leaving this world without a final goodbye. The entire time, the golden haired man took the time to find the right words to reassure his partner, let Izuku know how he stayed his favourite person despite the eventual defeat that had to happen in a near future….but this endless amount of love was the main reason of Izuku’s strength, the same one he pushed aside to let tears replaced his supposed maturity over this shitty situation. 

“No that’s not,” the shorter man corrected with a broken glance, looking into the crimson ones, who still owned this breathtaking glance on his face. “You always…You always defend me about some childish actions when I'm not a teenager anymore!  It’s stupid, look at me running away in this treehouse like someone who can’t handle his emotions when I’m a grown ass adult: I have a job,  and yet, everything about this situation plays with my nerves. I bet I probably look like a mess and you’ll be right to think that way.”

“You’ll never be a disappointment to me, Izuku.” There was something amazing about the delicate change of tone at the end of his sentence, revealing how he didn’t have any issues presenting his vulnerabilities, when each of his flaws was welcomed with the same adorable blush on the nerd’s face. “I love you even more when you remind me how weakness is a part of the journey and we can make it our strength. You’re the strongest person I've known, you have the right to be fragile when it’s too overwhelming…I mean, look at me-”

A light smile crossed the freckled man’s lips. He shouldn't find this amusing to see his boyfriend using his case to be described as the “worst one”, when it was another one beyond the river of similar souls who experienced the same struggles. Izuku always admired how Katsuki succeeded in the hardest battles. None of them was perfect, but those flaws contributed to this part of their journey, as rough as they might be. 

“I’m not the best example to follow, I'm harsh and couldn’t even share my feelings until my twenties, but you still look at me with those amazed eyes that never stopped shining since we were brats. I made big mistakes, you’ve committed some of them too, but does it make you a bad person for letting them happen without realizing the weight of their consequences? I don’t think so.” 

After all, people like Hisashi didn’t seem to have any issues with returning like nothing happened: If Izuku and Katsuki were similar to his case, they would’ve continued their lives despite the damage they caused to their surroundings. The freckled man had this natural beauty that offered too many guilts for things he couldn’t control, but it didn’t change how his childhood friend described him in his favorite poem to write.

“You were young and things were complicated, it’s different from everything that happened earlier. I don’t need to find a stupid excuse to hide behind a mask that won’t be enough to cover my stupidity,” he mumbled with a sad tone.  The shaking fingers grabbed the blond’s shirt as tight as possible, moving closer enough to hear the fast heartbeat inside his chest, a song he considered his favorite lullaby. 

“You’re still learning, but it makes you perfect in my eyes. The world can disagree, but I love the sleepy mumbles and slight snores you make when you feel tired and yet, each time you cry, a part of me shatters at this sight.”

Hearing the obstinate Katsuki Bakugo sharing his feelings was a treasure to cherish, as delicate as the thumbs ruffling the material of a jewel that belonged to a museum. Call him dumb, but Izuku Midoriya was madly in love with his childhood friend to consider this moment as something unforgettable: Each confession escaping the hero’s lips acted like a gentle kiss against his, every song they’ve written under the sheets transformed their tale into an inspiring one, and this wasn’t going to stop…at least not in this lifetime. Izuku’s face lit up at the previous comment, and a soft chuckle filled the previous silence. How stupid was he to even consider the fact that the man who loved him more than anyone else, would give up on their journey for a meaningless detail like this one? 

“Listen, you shouldn’t feel bad for protecting yourself from an overwhelming fear that took the form of a hidden shadow in the crowd. Sometimes you can fight it as long as you want, with your own tears and sweat, but it’ll never be enough…and that’s okay. Stop being the unreachable version of yourself, and continue to stay the stupid nerd that transformed my world into ethereal narratives, with or without marriage.” 

“You always find a way to surprise me, no wonder falling in love with you is easier than breathing,” Izuku confessed with a gentle tone. 

He lifted his head to share a glance with the crimson one, grabbing the occasion to caress his skin Katsuki leaned into the touch, falling for the delicate movements of Izuku’s fingers against his broken skin, ready to welcome new ones anytime soon. The shorter man simply smiled, understanding how this was better than any engagement rings on his fingers or promises on the altar- it was their reality, the one where they finally wrote their own story.

“The whole thing about marriage is crazy,” mumbled the freckled man welcoming the gentle fingers playing with his curls. “No one should be forced to take such a step in their relationship just to please strangers, if not, society’s expectations. I know a bunch of people who married later and got their happy ending, but only because they were stable and not as a selfish wish…I’m sorry you had to face this, I don't want you to feel pressured about this topic.”

“And I'm not,” the blond pointed out with a grin, kissing the warm hair. “I wouldn’t mind speaking my truths if it were the case, but this should be a us problem, If our parents stayed respectful about this, I’m afraid your dad will be a real pain in the ass until he doesn’t get his spotlight.” Hisashi Midoriya was someone who refused to give up an idea when it crossed his mind, no matter if it was a selfish or a reasonable one. 

“Do you really despise marriage this much ?” 

The question naturally escaped Izuku’s lips, catching both men off guard. Surprised emerald eyes met the stunned crimson ones, realizing how the previous comment sounded like an ultimatum. Don’t get them wrong, Izuku and Katsuki already mentioned this topic in the past, until they came to the decision of waiting at the right timing to make this happen, but something felt too comfortable in the atmosphere- to the point of letting each of their thoughts express itself. 

“I don’t know, how do you feel about them ?”. It was a lie, the blond already had a specific idea in mind about marriage as a whole, but he needed to see if his boyfriend was sharing the same mindset as him! After all, the last conversation they had about it was probably six months ago, and many things changed, including their previous ideas about this topic….at least in Katsuki’s case. 

“I know what you’re doing, don’t reverse the question but alright, I’ll go first…. I think I’ve already said it all during dinner, but I want this unique occasion to be about the bond we timelessly share and the man I love more than my own life,” Izuku added with a light tone, resting his head against the blond’s shoulders. His heart felt ten times lighter after the previous conversation, knowing his soul will always belong to him, even in the next decade. “I don’t mind looking into your eyes and seeing this charming glance that charmed my corrupted soul years ago, no matter if it’s in a black shirt or a fancy costume. Kacchan, you’re all I ever wanted and the only partner I need by my side, loving you for the rest of my life is the biggest blessing that reached my chaotic palms but….“

The taller man moved into a better position to caress the teacher’s back in gentle movements. Hearing Izuku’s perspective will determine if they should keep this project in mind or focus on something else, until they feel ready to make a decision about their situation. 

“I’m afraid of messing things up,” he mumbled, almost inaudible for the wind that caressed the lost curls against his forehead. “Don’t get me wrong, I love you, more than anything but it’s too much pressure. Six months ago, I was ready to say yes at the altar, but imagining the preparation already gives me a headache. This day needs to be perfect for both of us, but I think taking our time is the best thing to do. I don’t care if you have a ring or not, at the end of the day, I’ll love you in every lifetime.”

“I almost blushed at your bullshit,” Katsuki added with a grin, kissing his forehead. The freckled man melted into his welcoming gesture, wrapping his shattered heart around Katsuki’s embrace. “I agree with the fact that we don’t need a big ceremony to celebrate this treasure we have in our everyday lives. As long as you wake up by my side and love each of my flaws, I’ll be the happiest man but I have to disagree about a few things.”

“I knew you would have your grain of salt,” pointed out Izuku with a lighter tone, amused by the situation. He wrapped his hands around his lover’s waist, wishing to freeze this frame until their bodies became nothing but ashes that haunt this place into a symbolic memory of their past life together. “What’s wrong with my perspective ?”

“Nothing but everything at the same time,” Katsuki affirmed with a confident tone, making the freckled man surprised by the previous comment. “Marriage sucks because it costs a lot for a single day, but it also represents an important symbol. There aren’t a lot of people on this planet I want to call my husband, but when I picture this future with you….I know it’s all I ever wanted. Six months ago, I said I wasn’t ready, but I think I changed my mind.“

“You mean….” Izuku chose to hide himself in the hero’s shirt, covering the rosy blush that heated on his freckled cheeks. His heart missed a beat at the double meaning, but maybe it was all in his head: After all, they both made a compromise about it but seeing Katsuki so invested in such a project was…heartwarming.

“I think I want to make you mine for a lifetime, with the expensive cake and the ring,” the golden-haired man confessed with a loving tone. The calloused hands meet his closest palm near his reach,  intertwining their fingers together with a smile crossing the corner of their lips. “I want to let the world know about you being my husband and see these vultures get jealous of something they’ll never have. I want to grow old with you until we fall in love a hundred times in our eighties with our dementia. I want so many things, but we shouldn’t be in a rush either.”

“And I would love to, but what should we do now ?” The shorter man wished he could stay in this tender embrace until the early morning, but he knew both men had to leave this treehouse to face their reality. Izuku held back his tears, welcoming the joy rising inside his chest at the idea that his childhood friend shared the same dream as him, even if this meant changing the codes with their unique narrative.

“That’s simple….All I need is an answer,” Katsuki mumbled with a whisper against his lover’s ears, giving him chills.

 The freckled man held his breath and left the previous embrace to meet the endearing crimson eyes, looking at him as if he were the prettiest jewel he had ever seen. Happiness was a treasure often searched by the distant adventurer, who never understood how they didn’t need to go further when their goal already stood under their eyes. Izuku Midoriy and Katsuki had been in the same position years ago, but those kinds of moments reminded them how, sometimes, the prettiest souvenirs resided in the hidden interactions. The scarred fingers moved from the blond’s waist to cup his cheeks, rubbing his thumbs against his skin he adored more than any victory on the battlefield. 

“What do you have in mind-”

“Will you marry me ?” 

The lovely atmosphere fell into a sudden silence, catching the freckled man off guard. The distance between their faces was enough to reveal the wide emerald eyes and the heavy blush.  of his cheeks. It was the kind of confession Izuku Midoriya pictures in his wildest dreams, something he will never forget if this happened in real life, but the current circumstances made this situation more difficult to understand. The two men were both residing in the small treehouse that represented a symbolic souvenir in their childhood, Izuku’s fingers were still holding his lover’s cheeks with a trembling rhythm, light enough to be discerned by the blond. 

The expression on Katsuki’s face was similar to a painting the teacher had never seen before- he already recognised each expression appearing on his lover’s face since they were four years old, but this one was unique in its own way. Izuku was able to read a punce of hesitation and reassurance in those crimson irises, two contradicting emotions that shouldn’t match together but somehow, worked under these circumstances. Katsuki wasn’t scared, he even seemed confident about this sudden question that twisted Izuku’s entire world. 

The freckled man wanted to spend the rest of his life with his best friend, but he never thought the proposal would happen after a chaotic family dinner! Each heartbeat echoed louder inside his ears, such as the delicate breath that escaped his open mouth, which felt too heavy on those fragile lips who haven’t released any words yet. He had so many questions to ask, especially the main reasons for this unexpected decision they both agreed to keep silent until the fateful day.  Don’t get him wrong, Izuku knew Katsuki wanted to get married, a statement highlighted by the endearing glance he shared during the previous speech….but did he really want this? The frames of a forgotten past crossed Izuku’s mind, recalling their conversation about the organization and how complicated it could be with their current situation!

“Are you crazy? I thought you said -”

“It’s not a question of time, we can use this as a symbolic promise and plan the ceremony once we’ll be financially stable to make all of our selfish dreams come true, but I believe it was the right time to say how much I love you,” the blond replied with a grin, losing his fingers behind his boyfriend’s ears. 

“By proposing to me ?“ Izuku said with a stunned look on his face. He didn’t know his breath stopped until the reassuring touch of his lover,  who knew him better than anyone else, brought him back to reality “You know this is a lifetime engagement!”

Even if his initial reaction calmed down after the tender words it didn’t change the fact that Katsuki always guided him into the craziest adventures. It was his charm, and yet, it succeeded in bringing a stupid smile to the corner of Izuku’s lips, acting like a fool in love with someone who already owns half of his soul. He never expected to return with a promise concerning a wedding after the abrupt goodbyes, but it was the beauty of the moment….the kind of narrative he wouldn’t mind sharing with the stars once the time has come. 

“And I wouldn’t be yours, only if you want to be mine.” Katsuki knew he should’ push his lover’s boundaries, he had already repeated those words a thousand times, but only made sense at this current moment, where their fates became one with a meaningful gesture. “I’ll bring you a ring and make things right, but only if you want to, the choice is all yours and no matter your decision, I’ll respect it.”

“Kacchan…”

Izuku Midoriya already faced tough fights on the battlefield, or in his teaching career with some students more robust than others. He claimed to come back alive from each of them to share his pride with his boyfriend, but it felt strange when the man who praised his victories, became the one to occupy the center of them. He admired how Katsuki was ready to put his own dream aside to achieve their happy ending, with or without rings on their fingers; The stubborn hero had already sacrificed too many things in order to stay alive, and it would be a lie to admit how Izuku wasn’t interested in this charming proposition. 

Six months ago, he was the one proposing this idea with an understanding tone and accepted this compromise between them, but if the last months appeased his mind, this didn’t erase his desire to say “yes” on the altar. Hisashi was now forgotten and the only thing that mattered was the idea of living in a lifetime where he could get married to the man he loved and complete half of his soul! Maybe this offer sounds more tempting due to the conditions mentioned by the blond earlier, concerning the time and the financial stability, understanding how they could also wait for the next years and be each other’s fiancé with this honorific title. 

Izuku’s face brightened at the idea, deciding to fall for this charming spell residing on his lover’s lips: Katsuki was his white knight, the reassuring shadow that loved him during his wrong. It was the same man who opened his heart and asked to be his for an entire lifetime….Izuku couldn’t be happier, to the point where the words naturally escaped from his lips. 

“That’s insane- of course I will, more than anything !” He finally replied with a bright smile, feeling the calloused thumbs whipping the tears away from his porcelain skin. He moved his forehead against the blond’s and wrapped his hands around his neck, under the surprised but gentle expression that crossed his childhood friend’s face. “I’ll marry you in a barn or a breathtaking place, with our bedclothes or the fancy costume that comes with. I’m sorry I took so much time to reply but I’ve never been so sure about a choice until now: I’ll marry you a thousand times if necessary, Kacchan.”

The crimson eyes softened and he wrapped his hands around the smaller waist, ready to beat the nerd at his own game, but Izuku was wiser. It happened in the blink of an eye, but the shorter’s body moved on its own to rush into the blond’s, sensing each of his heartbeat with their bare skin glued against each other. Katsuki’s lips opened, ready to make another comment, until Izuku’s lips stole his in a gentle kiss, shutting the other down. Usually, the hero would’ve complained about this charming trick, but he fell for it and simply held the shorter figure as close as possible, while the scarred fingers moved from his neck to his golden spikes. 

The discovery of this intense sentiment was something they’ve never experienced before, even when they thought they had everything they ever wanted in this relationship. During a few seconds, it was Izuku and Katsuki, losing themselves in their comfortable bubble with silly laughs until their glances met each other and they knew. The answer was obvious on both sides, being stronger than any words they shared until now, while the gentle fingers played with his golden spikes and the calloused ones found their way against Izuku’s body. 

“Good because I’ll kick your ass if you reject this offer- to be clear, I’m not doing this to let this asshole have his meaningless victory, I'm doing it for us,” he pointed out with a grin, falling for the soft chuckles that caressed his ears as his favorite song. Katsuki noticed how the freckled man smiled at the comment and stole another kiss, this time quicker but efficient enough to make his boyfriend, now fiancé, blush. 

“Hold on-” Izuku stepped back with a pale glance, understanding how some of their conflicts weren’t unsolved. Katsuki looked at him with raised eyebrows, wondering what crossed the nerd’s mind, even if the answer was obvious with the adorable expression on his face. “What are we going to tell our family ?”

“The truth,” he added with a simple nod, grabbing their intertwined hands together. “About how we have a secret project and we’ll announce it when there’s a pretty ring standing there. Your father might have his own thoughts about the situation but none of this mattered, especially when there’s nothing to change.”

“What do you mean?” The freckled man asked with a light blush when the hero’s lips kissed his knuckles, until they fell onto the evident scars on his arms. 

“We might have an honorific title to our relationship now, but this doesn’t mean we have to switch our entire habits for a thing that’ll happen way later in the future. This lifestyle is chaotic enough and I wouldn’t mind continuing that way, the only thing that’ll differ is how you won’t be my boyfriend anymore but my fiancé…only if you’re ready to deal with the idiots in our surroundings asking too many questions.”

“Alright, let’s do this,” the shorter man laughed and rested his head against his lover’s chest. He wouldn’t wish for a better future than the one where he’ll reside beside his childhood friend’s grave in a cemetery, wearing the same name as him, even in the afterlife. His fingers naturally held the blond’s shirt with a gentle movement, remembering how their families were probably waiting on the other side, but he wanted to be selfish a little longer. “Would you consider me crazy if I say that I want to stay here a little longer ?”

“I don’t mind either,” Katsuki’s voice echoed in the small space, holding the shorter figure closer. Izuku melted into the touch and simply stayed in this comfortable embrace, being thankful to cross his childhood friend’s path in this lifetime. In another life, maybe the two of them would’ve never met, or be simple shadows crossing each other’s path in the streets without looking back….but they’ll always get back together.

“But what if they get the wrong ideas about our sudden disappearance-”

“Don’t worry about that, they’re already used to our bullshit, I wouldn’t mind if they came to the conclusion that we either fell asleep there or made out in this small space,” the golden-haired man pointed out with a sigh. 

“It wouldn’t be a first for us…” Izuku couldn’t help but smile when the hero’s palm brought him closer and naturally rested his head against the hero’s shoulders. The previous hesitation about their future projects faded away, replaced by the gentleness of the expressions crossing their faces. 

“You started it the last time, freckles-”

“And you made me the happiest,” he affirmed with a teasing tone, recalling how their intimate moment became a running gag between them. Don’t blame them for trying new things to spice their libido when it was almost impossible to let the other escape from their reach with this beautiful glance. His scarred fingers reached the calloused palm, losing his thumbs to the blond’s knuckles until their skin met in a gentle interaction that reflected their mutual trust. “I love you.”

“I love you too, dumbass,” replied the blond, ruffling the messy curls until their eyes met. 

At this moment, the only thing that mattered was the presence of their significant other and the promises they’ve built in this symbolic place, the same one that started their journey years ago. The small boys who used to run here, ended up growing up too fast, with haunting nightmares about goodbyes that shouldn’t be seen at this age, but it made them closer than ever. 

Izuku Midoriya couldn’t imagine a world without Katsuki Bakugo, and the blond was ready to put the universe down for a glimpse of his childhood friend’s smile. Getting married wasn’t a source of conflicts anymore, even if their plan was delayed to an unknown future, but the reassuring project filled their hearts with a genuine joy. It wasn’t surprising to see how their souls completed each other in the most magnificent way, hoping the timeless ink on their pages wouldn’t take dust like the other tales that ended up forgotten with time…..

—-----

Their two shadows decided to leave the treehouse a few minutes later, being surprised by the heavy silence in the house when. A single glimpse at the expression on everyone’s face was enough to guess how the heart-to-heart talk opened Hisashi's eyes, with the stubborn man standing on the couch and Inko, surrounded by her two neighbors. Izuku was hesitant to make a move, but easily accepted the embrace from his mom when she ran into him, apologizing for letting such a thing happen, under the distant eyes of the forgotten shadow.

Izuku and Katsuki ended up missing their show, but caught it up with some popcorn and cans the next day until they fell asleep in each other’s arms. Everything felt ten times easier after the blond showed his support, from the moment they left the treehouse, to their return home with a yawn. That night, the couple got enough energy to put on the most comfortable clothes near their reach and went to bed, only to cuddle until they both fell asleep. 

  The freckled man knew with a simple glance how his heart and soul would always belong to his childhood friend, even if this meant getting married in their late eighties. It was all he ever wanted, and yet, he was surprised by the sight of the blond standing on his knees a few months later, with a shining ring in the velvet box. 

The question was the same he asked that day at the treehouse, such as the endearing expression on his face. The only things that changed were the settings, in a comfortable area in town, and his shaking palm while holding the box. Izuku noticed how Katsuki was still stressed about an answer he considered obvious, but it made this scene more memorable. The freckled man didn’t think twice before jumping into his lover’s arms, accepting the tears of happiness that fell down his cheeks at the sight of this gorgeous ring on his fingers. The two men knew they weren’t ready to prepare a ceremony for the moment, but the pleasure of calling each other “fiancé” was something worth a thousand victories on the battlefield. 

Their families were more than happy to learn about the news, their friends bullied them with stupid questions but the more Izuku looked into this precious ring, the harder he fell for his missing half. Hisashi stayed silent and only said his congratulations, even when the two got married four years later on a bright summer day. The atmosphere was radiant, highlighting each of their smiles and tears, showing how the two men only got eyes for each other. 

Katsuki agreed to show vulnerability during Izuku’s vows, while his speech caused a sudden sob to leave the nerd’s lips. The poor pastor had to see the number five hero holding the shaking figure closer until Izuku regained his senses, in front of the crowd, essentially constituted by their families and loved ones. Hisashi Midoriya never brought his son to the altar: Instead, he watched Inko and Yagi moving to the hallway with a reassuring expression on their faces, while he stayed in the crowd. He didn’t try to ruin his son’s wedding, and stayed discreet the entire night, while Izuku and Katsuki simply enjoyed their ceremony.

At the end, the blond shared this crazy story with their guest, showed trough the gentle smile crossing Izuku’s lips after they shared their first dance together. The freckled man simply laughed and held his husband closer, explaining how he wouldn’t wish for a better proposal, as unique as the first one had been. From now on, he was a Bakugo and will make sure to cherish this precious treasure that resides in the palm of his hands….until death do them part. 

-end-