Archive of Our Own ^omega

Izuku Midoriya was not older than three apples when he discovered love for the first time, and the owner of such thoughts was named Katsuki Bakugo. 

The freckled boy was often described by his shy personality in his youth, taking every occasion to hold his mother’s hands and hide behind her legs, and remaining discreet in conversation.

However, everything changed when fate guided him to a certain child in the neighborhood, with a fortunate happenstance that’ll start an unforgettable journey. The first thing the freckled boy noticed was the blurry voice in the background, complaining about this “forced” meeting that ruined his afternoon. Izuku unconsciously put the blame on himself after hearing such words and wrapped his tiny hands around his mother’s pants, holding back his tears. Inko Midoriya knew her son was a ray of sunshine who got easily sensitive to the harsh comments from the outside world, and acknowledged how the disappearance of his father made the situation harder for his broken heart. 

She convinced him to take a baby step by making a short presentation to their neighbor, and the smaller figure had no other choice but to agree to the request to make his mom happy. He considered himself a bug in this giant world, but wanted to make his mother proud by standing in front of these strangers, with his trembling hands, and teary emerald eyes. Despite his blurry vision, he noticed how the taller woman seemed to be around the same age as his mother, with a shade of blonde and crimson eyes, standing beside a man with brown hair and a welcoming glance. His lips mumbled a few words with a blush rising on his chubby cheeks, until his eyes caught the owner of the previous words, which caused such a tantrum inside his chest. 

The first thing that caught Izuku’s attention was the golden spikes, similar to the ones owned by the blonde woman. The quiet streets welcomed the distant songs of the birds, even if the comfortable environment couldn’t compare to the beauty of the painting drawing itself under his eyes. The pouty shadow standing beside the taller adults looked at him with a curious frown, and crossed arms against his chest, revealing his pretty eyes. 

The sparkling glance reflected the rising admiration at this natural confidence, similar to jewels residing in the palm of his shaking hands. Luckily for him, the stranger was the same age as him, and presented himself with another mumble, even if Izuku didn't hear his name right, which brought a rosy blush to the blond’s cheeks.  

Izuku immediately apologized, but his eyes widened when he caught the familiar sound in the background, echoing a familiar song his ears had already heard a thousand times. Inko smiled when she noticed how her son’s face brightened at the generic of his favorite TV show, relieved to see how his jovial spirit caught the interest of the grumpy neighbor, who asked if he wanted to watch the new episode with him. Their two shadows faded away in the blink of an eye, with the echoes of their mumbles and comments inside the house, offering a fond scenery to their parents' chests.

It was the first time she saw her son being so happy to spend his solitary afternoon with someone who shared the same interests as him, especially when he used to be an outcast in their old town. After all, Katsuki Bakugo never had any friends until now, and observed the surprised reaction from the adults, touched by the natural chemistry between their children, acting like magnets who unconsciously attract each other. 

That day, the embarrassed shadow that previously held his tears, regained color with endless mumbles and a pinky promise to watch the next episode together. Izuku was too young to understand the change inside his sensitive heart, but the moment his interested glance found the crimson ones, an indescribable wave of warmth filled his chest, almost like the taller boy charmed his soul with a timeless spell. He didn’t know anything about Katsuki Bakugo, but he already assumed he was the coolest with his future quirk! 

A slight smile drew on Inko’s lips when she heard for the first time how “Kacchan” was amazing, listening to the sweet mumbles of her excited son until this melody became a recurrent habit, The small boy,  who struggled to have a place in this world, felt safer around his new best friend, who supported his numerous mumbles and sparkling glance on his adorable face. 

Katsuki wondered why their paths hadn’t crossed earlier but was glad to have someone to hang with, erasing the past conversation with the loneliness in his room. His face sparkled when he heard the ringbell at his dorm, and recognized the shorter figure with his All Might backpack, his blushing freckled cheeks, always highlighted by his excited smiles. The blond couldn’t deny how he wasn’t touched by the sight, and easily put his guard down to welcome Izuku Midoriya into his world, until their differences forged an indelible tale.

The delicate whispers of the wind described this rising friendship as a tender show for the most observant eyes who saw the rising smile on their innocent faces. Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo were inseparable: It was impossible not to catch their endearing shadows holding hands, sharing pinky promises, and magical kisses when the other was injured. Their parents couldn’t be mad at their touching adventures when the two boys made a lifetime promise to be each other’s white knights, and didn’t hide their possessiveness when the other children tried to steal their best friend. 

After all, Katsuki was the first and only friend Izuku ever had, and the simple idea of being replaced overnight, broke his heart. Nothing could tear them apart after the numerous fortresses they’ve built together, and the bigger plan to open their agency when they’re older!. Unfortunately, there were some nights when Izuku was the target of invisible monsters under his bed, making him more vulnerable than he already was. The poor soul didn’t want to awaken his sleeping mother, who had already sacrificed so many things for his happiness, a gesture he admired despite his young age. The uncomfortable silence in this room made the shorter figure sensitive to scary thoughts, holding his sheet with trembling hands until he got inspired by the whispers of the wind that met his open window…

Izuku and Katsuki were neighbors on the same street, but their houses were separated by a few meters, making each of their movements visible to the curious glance of the other. This situation turned in their favor when they created a secret technique to communicate when the sky was wrapped by a dark pall and by thousands of stars, who observed the naivety of a youth. These light habits became an encouraging gesture, especially in the vulnerability of a night like this one,  when the freckled boy grabbed his courage to perfect the made-up paper plane, putting his tongue on the side to send the fragile piece of paper to the blond’s window.

 His trembling fingers held his All Might pajamas with a stressed glance, afraid to wake his best friend up or get caught by his mother, until his face brightened when he noticed the familiar spikes, appearing near the distant window. His emerald eyes sparkled when he recognized the curiosity in his glance that matched the obscurity of their environment, mimicking language that only they understood, warming their parents. Izuku made a shy wave at the taller boy, with a hidden smile in the corner of his lips, hoping the blond wouldn't notice the tears that found their way into his porcelain skin. 

“Zuku, why are you up this late ?” Asked the blond, ruffling his sleepy eyes, and rested his arms against the cold material that separated their houses. 

The breeze of the wind crossed his forehead and reached the messy curls on the other side, catching how the fake smile became an evident hint of sadness. The blond immediately understood the emergency of the situation, and the main reason for this late-night call, which made him concerned about his best friend’s state. Katsuki Bakugo might be known as rude, according to the common gossip, but only Izuku was able to read between the lines of his favorite book even if the blond struggled with his emotions.

 “They made their appearance again….Why don’t you talk to your mother about that? I’m sure Auntie Inko will be there to cheer you up,” he said with a low tone, watching how Izuku lost his fingers against the comfortable tissue of his clothes. 

The freckled boy held back his tears, but he didn’t want to pretend to be alright when he was still haunted by the pictures he'd seen in his bad dream. Under different circumstances, his first option would be to rush into his mother’s bed and explain the situation, but he had a preference for the late-night talk with his best friend, who always found a way to bring a smile back to his face. 

“Can’t do that, she’ll be worried about me,” he replied with a discreet tone, conscious that the fresh breeze transported his moment of vulnerability to the blond’s ears. Izuku wished Katsuki were there to give him one of his magical embraces that always warmed his broken heart, but he wouldn’t exchange this moment against any wishes made to the stars!

“She’s your mom, she’ll always be worried about you, nerd,” pointed out the golden-haired bo with the hope of bringing color back to his best friend’s face. After all, many people tried to separate them, but their failed attempts proved how the common gossip underestimated the strength of their bond, with the most vulnerable secrets shared in the euphoria of the moment. “You know my old hag and old man are always afraid I might hurt myself, and refuse to let me grow up, but apparently they care about us, or whatever this means.”

“But I can’t be as strong as you, Kacchan,” the smaller voice added with a distant tone, noticing how the crimson eyes turned sadder at the previous words. 

Izuku always considered him his biggest hero, a title that satisfied the blond’s ego, but secretly melted his heart when he observed the beauty of this unconditional support served on a silver platter, more valuable than any of the goals he hadn’t achieved yet. Katsuki wanted to make history, and the least he could do was to bring his loyal acolyte by his side and make this agency dream come true. 

“I mean, no one can be stronger than me once I get my quirk, but you can be my wise partner, like the movies. You can be the brain like Dave, and I can always represent the force like All Might, they make a pretty good team together. You know…I’m pretty sure these nightmares will disappear if you kick his ass, it’s not like he can physically fight back,” Katsuki said with a teasing tone, followed by a light chuckle when he noticed how Izuku laughed at the previous comment, taking the risk to get scolded if his parents found out about their secret 

However, this moment of peace didn’t last for too long when the emerald eyes revealed the recent tears that fell down his cheeks, reflecting how tender promises and imaginary advice couldn’t erase the pain of a missing paternal figure that caused the worst of nightmares. Katsuki hears about how Hisahi Midoriya deserted before his son’s birth, “a real asshole” as he said, until his mother punched his shoulders and Izuku smiled at the scene. The pinky promise they’ve made that day echoed as a gentle song to their calm heartbeat, recalling the desire to stay the best of friends until they become as old as their grandparents and the most unforgettable heroes of this cursed town.

“But he’s always here when I close my eyes. I’ve never seen his face but he’s always threatening the people I love, explaining how he’ll take my mom and you away, but I don’t want any of this! Kacchan, no one is gonna steal you from me, right ?”. 

After all, they have school tomorrow, but the two boys considered these bonding moments more important than a few hours of sleep they could catch up on another night. Their symbolic promise mentioned the idea of being there to cheer the other every time he was feeling down or needed to cry, even if Izuku was the one relying on this term most of the time, a detail that convinced the blond to do everything in his power to be the hero of the nerd’s story. 

“Tch, of course, nerd,” the blond said with a confident tone, showing his pinky finger at the window. “It’s not some crazy extra with his stupid power that’ll convince me to leave my best friend behind. If this old man ever shows up at your door, I'll make sure to kick his ass with my quirk and protect you and Auntie Inko from his bad curse.”

Izuku’s eyes widened at the previous words and tried to cover his blush with his blanket, but got caught by the observant glance, which never missed any details about this pretty view. The shy boy never took the time to ask what kind of witchery Katsuki did on him during their first meeting, but he always felt safe and reassured when the blond was around, almost like he was his white knight in the fairytale stories, read by Inko before sleeping. 

“Kacchan’s the best,” he whispered with an impressed tone, locking his gaze into the pleased crimson ones. None dared to talk, but their appeased hearts knew the indelible value of these exchanges being more precious than any good grade at school or praise from their parents. Izuku and Katsuki were each other’s missing pieces, ready to play the white knight in front of any obstacles and take revenge if someone said an unpleasant thing about their best friends. “Do you think we’ll be best friends our entire lives ?”

“I hope so,” Katsuki exclaimed with an amused tone, observing how Izuku’s face turned softer at the previous words. His parents often described him as obstinate, but he would be the worst of idiots for putting such an amazing friendship like theirs down. “If I become really stupid, remind me about our promise, but I know we’ll be best friends in every universe, Zuku….Wait, I hear some noises, I have to go- See you tomorrow !”

The freckled boy nodded at the alert and immediately put his head below his open window, hearing the comment from Mitsuki about why this “damned window” kept opening itself with the wind. Izuku put his hands on his lips to cover his chuckle, until the noise stopped and the first glimpse of his green curls appeared from afar. His sparkled glance found the amused crimson ones, waving their last goodnight with a grin on their faces, promising to keep this secret for themselves. 

That night, Izuku rested inside his bedsheet with a bright smile on his face, excited about their next meeting, unaware of the weight of the delicate vows shared by their childhood mindset, meant to transform into the worst of venom. 

—----

The years passed by in the blink of an eye and before realizing it, the two shadows became teenagers with their own struggles. The inseparable shadows from this calm neighborhood saw their heartwarming reputation falling with the mocking laugh of the breeze against their cheeks, marked by the sharp tears on their skin. 

This narrative started as a touching story shared with the stars during their moment of loneliness, often highlighted by the hidden smile at the tip of their lips, but faced an unexpected downfall that questioned the strength of their bond. Don’t get them wrong, Izuku and Katsuki’s childhood was marked by an affectionate nostalgia each time they recalled one of their precious souvenirs, forged over this indelible ink, that slowly turned bloody with the weight of curse and distant glare. 

Their elementary school years were complicated, but they created thousands of new souvenirs, had hidden conversations at their windows, and reassuring words to erase the distress that broke their sensitive hearts. It didn’t stop the appearance of conflicts, but the majority of them revolved around numerous paper plans on the ground of their isolated room, with a secret message, meant to appease the situation. 

However, this comforting scenery was replaced by the discreet curse and death glare from the crimson eyes, that used to promise him the world at the palm of his hands. The cherished sleepovers and movie afternoons disappeared with the last ounce of hope to save this relationship, which erased their past teasing with symbolic promises. The inseparable Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo were now considered enemies, motivated by unknown struggles that transformed their delicate bond into a fragile thread, meant to break anytime soon. 

Their tormented souls often stole a glance at the covered windows trying to ignore the dark tales that brought ashes to a symbolic dynamic. The pinky promises and unique vows stolen by the time, were replaced by the guilt concerning a tragic ending that no one saw coming.

The last summer before their entrance to middle school was the scene of many changes, starting with the casual, until their hangout became less recurrent, questioning the value of their friendship. Izuku was the first to knock on Mitsuki and Masaru’s door to ask if his best friend was alright, but the replies always stayed in the blur. The situation became irreversible when he asked the same questions to his own mother, who couldn’t solve a situation caused by personal emotions that created the worst of war inside the teenagers' chests.

Izuku refused to give up on this relationship that brightened his darkest days with melodious laughs until now, and decided to search for the truth by himself. He started by directly reaching out to Katsuki’s house by surprise and asking him why his best friend was avoiding him, but the blond justified his actions with a stupid excuse and stayed distant.

 The freckled boy let his determination take the lead, showing up as much as possible to ask the same question all over again to his best friend, who never offered real answers except tiredness or “another bad mood”. Izuku wasn’t stupid and recognized the attempts to escape this inevitable conversation, forcing him to change his strategy and be wiser than any of the superheroes he's seen on television until now.

 He naturally stopped his annoying series of questions and started to take his distance to see if Katsuki wanted to make the first step by himself when he felt ready, but that day never came. Izuku couldn’t contain the hidden tears each time he looked at the open window of his neighbor's house, longing to see the excited expression on these crimson eyes that used to make him feel lighter than clouds in the sky. The green-haired teenager had no other choice than praying for a miracle: During his heartwrenching dreams that forced a cruel awakening, he took the time to grab the closet pen and piece of paper, and watched how his fragile, untouched on the blond’s floor. The shorter boy stayed awake until sunrise but naively continued with the same repetitive schemes. The entire time, his secret messages had been sent to their destination, but he never received any replies….

At the end of summer,  Izuku accepted his defeat and got tired of being the only one sacrificing his precious time to get their old friendship back, and naturally gave up on childhood promises. Katsuki refused to have a proper talk about the situation or his feelings, and Izuku had been struggling enough with this one-sided war, which led him to give up the most important fight of his life. A decision that wasn’t unnoticed by the distant blond, who hadn't said a proper word about his inner struggles that occupied his chest since the beginning of this summer, being related to the appearance of unknown sentiments concerning his best friend. 

Izuku Midoriya had always been a source of mystery for his intrigued soul, who adored every detail on his pretty face, from the form of his freckles, to the breathtaking view when the gentle sparkles crossed his glance.  Katsuki never asked too many questions about the foundation of their relationship and the warmth that followed each of their exchanges. He enjoyed how his best friend opened his eyes to the outside world and the beauty of a future together, which didn’t seem scary anymore. 

They were glued together and shared the best of confessions under the midnight sky, even with a few meters separating their house and bright smiles…but the appearance of novelty transformed a perspective he knew by heart, into a crazy twist he'd never seen coming. It started with his mother teasing him about his romantic feelings for his best friend, a truth the stubborn teenager denied until it became an inevitable truth. 

It didn’t take long before admitting how his jealousy often appeared when some extras moved too close to Izuku for the blond's liking, asked him about his notes in class, or publicly tried to ask him on a date. If the nerd always rejected the offer, he never looked back at Katsuki and made himself discreet until he became a ghost of this haunted building. Katsuki hated how this situation was unfair for the nerd, who unconsciously paid for this change of heart, and handled all the pain on his own, instead of fighting back and putting his bully down. 

Once again, the nerd proved how his devotion lasted until his final straw, acting like a thousand stabs in the blond’s chest. Katsuki Bakugo was unworthy of Izuku’s support, and never replied to any of his secret messages despite seeing and reading all of them in the early morning. He noticed how the handwriting often betrayed the explicit doubts that crossed the teenager’s chest, from the trembling letters to the trace of tears at the bottom of the page, taking the form of uncompleted creations that took ashes over the years. 

“I had another nightmare, and I really need to talk to someone. Are you here, Kacchan ?”

“Why are you ignoring me? I’m sorry if I said or did something wrong, I've never wanted to hurt you.”

“Yesterday I asked the stars to keep our promise safe  but I don’t think they’ve heard my desperate call.”

“I miss my best friend, our sleepover, and everything we’ve built together. Can you talk to me….one last time ?”

“Alright, I understand, I won’t bother you anymore. Thanks for being my friend all those years.”

Katsuki was a dick and the worst of friends for letting such a misunderstanding happen without saving the most important relationship of his life.  The last letter revealed the final line Izuku crossed with his desperate attempts, acting as a bittersweet consequence of this no-return point. The naive blond always kept his window open at night with the hope of receiving other letters that would’ve ended his in his secret spot, in case he needed to read them all over again, but the night went by and the floor remained intact. Katsuki had no other choice but to admit his defeat when he saw Izuku’s windows closed… 

Izuku Midoriya was his first everything: First love and first heartbeat, caused by venomous threats that'll haunt him for the rest of his life. The distant teenager cursed himself for letting so many occasions escape his reach: He wanted to fix his mistakes, rewind time to strand straight to Izuku’s doorstep and apologize for the sharp tears that created scars inside his bleeding heart, but it was too late. Once again, this desire to solve an unknown problem by himself caused the downfall of a relationship he’ll forever miss, even if he was doomed to observe a broken shadow that’ll echo as the receptacle of an unexplored love.  

Izuku was able to stand up and return the situation in his favor if necessary: After all, he was the only one who knew each of Katsuki’s darkest secrets, his moments of weakness and fear of the unknown. The shy teenager had many occasions to ruin the blond’s reputation but he knew this betrayal represented a no-return point he wasn't ready to risk. A single glance into the crimson eyes was all it took to read the pain residing inside his best friend’s glare, who tried to cover his suffering with the only emotion he expressed in public: Anger. 

Despite his sincere need to listen to Katsuki’s unrevealed tears, Izuku chose to keep his distance and continue his own narrative. He truly cared about the only friend he ever had, and the impact of this unexplained separation unconsciously played an important role in the failed attempts to make new friendships. All comparisons lead to the warm souvenirs of their past with the delicacy of stolen laugh and pinky promise, that took on grey colors in this beautiful painting that remained his favorite. Izuku was grateful for the support brought by his mother, marked by the numerous times she comforted his cries. The older woman brought colors back to his face, she held him in the most reassuring embrace, and promised to keep him safe at all costs, recalling how the trembling teenager was the same newborn that rested inside her arms with fragile tears. 

The first time the teenager mentioned the strange feelings inside his chest, he was welcomed with the soft smile of his mother and a truth that put him in a complicated position: Being in love with his executor wasn’t the narrative he'd planned! Unfortunately, Izuku couldn't ignore the values of such sentiments and the light they brought in their past, now considered forgotten in his shattered heart, broken into millions of pieces. 

Sometimes, the green-haired boy found himself sharing a curious glance at the blond’s window, observing the taller figure working on his homework or cleaning his room. The only miracle he could hope for was the beginning that awaited him at the end of their middle school years, wondering if their narrative would’ve seen a happier ending in another universe, where their relationship would’ve survived the worst of heartbreaks….

—------

If fate challenged the last remaining of their bond through a series of accidents, Izuku and Katsuki were forced to admit how this fortunate happenstance led them to a situation they’d never thought possible. 

According to their beliefs, both teenagers accepted – against their will – the unplanned goodbyes of their beloved friendship, and the start of another chapter in their lives but none of them expected to see the familiar face of a ghost that haunted each of their thoughts, with thousands of unsolved questions. After all, Izuku and Katsuki belonged to different worlds with numerous souvenirs to create with strangers who’ll take a symbolic role. However,  what were the odds that their fragile bond ended up on a thin line with this circumstance that forced many interrogations about their stolen wishes made to the stars in their despair?

Izuku Midoriya cherished their childhood memories as the most valuable treasure that ever crossed their broken palm, recalling the lifetime promise that erased the hidden tears on their porcelain cheeks. Ignoring the existence of Katsuki Bakugo was impossible, especially when the blond remained the one at the origin of the numerous discoveries that found their place in his heart. Considering this period as a waste of time couldn’t fit with the nostalgia that always filled his chest when he perceived the lost spirits of their unfinished conversations. 

It wasn't a secret if this small head with his warm curls and mesmerized glances became his source of comfort when the situation became too hard to handle, but he underestimated the value of such souvenirs in this ocean of regrets. The past years caused an inevitable ending to a gentle tale that brightened their old days, but the first ounce of hope took the form of fortunate happenstance, guiding them into a second chance that occupied their longing glances.

The emerald eyes unconsciously searched for the distant crimson ones with a bittersweet impression of deja vu, bringing some change in this redundant scenery. The nature of their relationship became a source of teasing to the new faces, observant enough to catch their broken glance with the impression that something deeper was residing behind these blurry explanations. Izuku should mention the heartwrenching details of his middle school years, but his heart chose to protect his childhood friend from all the damage he'd caused. After all, Katsuki was a teenager who struggled through his unexplored conflicts, bringing him down in this new beginning would be an act of revenge that’ll feel too heavy on his shoulders!

The last summer confirmed Izuku’s desire to be like his favorite hero, in a narrative that took root in the naivety of children’s conversation, and began to form a complex, but vulnerable tale in Izuku’s heart. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to get rid of his romantic sentiment for his childhood friend, being the last thing that connected him to a past he cherished more than any praise from his classmates.

 However, Izuku was surprised to see the taller figure breaking his previous silence to make baby steps in this second chance, offered on a silver platter.  It started with rolled eyes, short comments during their training, and hidden notes in the teenager’s dorm. None of them used their voices to raise the damages caused by their heavy past to the table, but the green-haired teenager was touched to see how the blond made his proof, though hidden and symbolic gestures in their fragile bond. 

The discreet glance became a sign of hope when the shy teenager made a slight smile and a wave at his childhood friend, acknowledging the previous efforts and returning the gesture. After all, he wished to hear sincere apologies from Katsuki’s mouth, but he needed to welcome new beginnings with an open heart. Their intrigued grins transformed into a longer conversation until the reveal of a secret the stubborn blond never saw coming.  

Katsuki was confused to see his childhood friend in this building, usually inaccessible for quickless people. He heard about the engineering field, but the news acted like a slap in the face when he connected the dots: Sure, the blond was distressed, confused, and angry about the implication of such a mystery, especially when this power was given by the hero they’d both admired since they were brats. A part of him was glad to see how his childhood friend succeeded in creating his own narrative outside their relationship, but old habits were more robust than the haunting frames.

If Izuku noticed the distance in some of their conversation, he remained thankful to see how the blond got his back. The lips were occupied by the unsolved questions, but their chemistry on the training session proved how a simple nod was stronger than any orders shared until now. The two teenagers had many conflicts to solve on their own, but their dynamic was inspiring for anyone who caught their team-up mission with the desire to share the same strength as them.

 There was no Deku without Kacchan, even during their late-night talk that guided their hearts into a temporary rest. It wasn’t common to see the great Katsuki Bakugo break his precious sleep schedules to change his mind on the balcony, but the soft emerald eyes knew his childhood friend by heart. Katsuki was a wise soul and never let any of his actions or confessions be influenced by something as meaningless as coincidence, and the teenager's theory was proven right when he walked closer to the taller figure and noticed the pensive expression on the other’s face. 

The delicate breeze caressed their skin, whispering some of the latest rumors that spread through the empty corridor of this building, now occupied by the landscape drawing itself under their eyes. The moving curls met Izuku's forehead, losing his hands on the rooftop railing with a light smile on his face, reading behind the lines of this touching book he hadn't explored in a while. The chapters said the same, highlighted by the promise of a reassuring future that hasn't taken form yet, even if the natural charm of these pretty crimson eyes reflected the sincerity of unsaid apologies that’ll leave these cursed lips. 

“It’s rare to see you thinking about something other than your next victory,” Izuku said with a pleased tone, moving closer to the taller figure, who simply turned his head to meet his fond glance. The teenager knew he was doomed for letting his heart fall for someone as mysterious as his childhood friend, but he was convinced this journey into the unknown was worth the try. “You did great the last time, but I know you’re also a bad liar when it comes to feelings What’s bothering you at this late hour, Kacchan ?”

Katsuki learned the meaning of such treasures after losing the most important person in his life, and promised never to commit the same mistakes again. This self-discovery won’t be easy, but the result is promised to be better than any victories on the battlefield, especially if this means standing beside the one who's accepted this discreet apology The warmth of this meaningful nickname brought them back to past days, which slowly regained their colors through discreet laughs, stolen by the wind. 

The crimson eyes observed the breathtaking painting within his reach, unworthy of his cursed hands, even if the appealing beauty in these emerald eyes reminded him of why he had ever fallen for his childhood friend in the first place. Izuku Midoriya had always been this unreachable shadow, standing too close and too far at the same time, causing interesting revelations inside a vulnerable heart, able to heal at this endearing smile The shy teenager was a jewel to protect, a mission the blond miserably failed, and yet…every path led him back to his unfinished business, and the lifetime vows.

“You’re a wise soul and always give a second chance to assholes who don't do it,” the blond mumbled with a sigh, conscious of the explicit meaning behind his chosen words. “Your kindness is a serious strength no one should take advantage of, even if this means wasting your time with people able to bring you down all over again .”

It’s been years since Katsuki opened his heart to praise something other than his own ego, and this realization brought a rosy blush to the freckled cheeks. Izuku knew he couldn’t escape from the grip left by the imposing figure that was his childhood hero, and still appreciated how this toxic statement transformed into an enchanting spell for his heart. How was he supposed to fall out of love when his executor became a vulnerable teenager used to loneliness, with the dream that occupied his sparkling crimson eyes?  

“I never thought I would hear the great Katsuki saying praise about his rival. Life isn’t always defined with clear pages and expected narratives, and there’s nothing wrong with saying how you’re the exception to every rule,” replied the shorter figure with a smitten tone, teasing Katsuki’s elbow with his own to get an amused expression on the other’s face. This temporary moment of delight brought them back to their numerous sleepovers, with the naivety of youth, stolen by the tough obstacles that they’ll meet on their path.  

“Don’t put me on a pedestal,” the blond pointed out with a sigh. He couldn’t change the nerd’s mindset and erase the wasted tears that broke Izuku’s cheeks, but he still had the chance to be a better person. Many of their classmates would’ve lost their minds if their interested glances caught this endearing scene between the two childhood friends, who easily became the center of attention. None of this mattered when the stubborn blond was residing beside the familiar face that erased his injuries with a magical kiss, praised his strength since they were brats, and looked at him like he was his entire universe. “I don't deserve any of this,” 

“I know…But I missed talking with you,” the green-haired boy added with a nostalgic tone, unconsciously resting his head against the other’s shoulders. 

Katsuki didn’t push him away after this affectionate habit that returned like the echoes of a distant laugh, that warmed their healing hearts. The stars observed how the crimson eyes softened after the previous confession, using a hidden grin at the tip of his lips, instead of an answer that would be easily forgotten in the euphoria of the moment. Izuku couldn’t help but make a light smile when he felt the heat against his messy curls, welcoming the rosy blush on his cheeks.

 He had the ability to read into each of the blond’s breaths as an open book and guess the expression on the stubborn teenager’s face, holding back his tears at the confirmation that his childhood friend also missed the authenticity of their bonding moments. His scarred fingers unconsciously searched for the calloused ones, but failed their mission to interlace their hands together, conscious of their rising sentiments. When they were younger, their naivety could excuse any romantic gestures, but their past forged distinct conflicts that caused enough damage in their souls to take the time to explore their new dynamic step by step.

“Why didn’t you try to ruin my life ?” Katsuki asked with a low tone, catching the slight change in the crook of his neck. After all : He already wasted so many years in silence, handling the weight of such words, that easily escaped his lips during a nostalgic night. The blond shouldn’t consider this as a victory when the rest of the journey into the unknown wasn’t defined yet, but the light pressure of Izuku’s fingers against his cursed palm, made him realize the impact of his naive question, which reflected inner struggles. 

“Because there’s no need to,” Izuku replied with a gentle tone, losing his glance into the breathtaking landscape taking the form of the prettiest dream he had ever had since this heartwrenching summer. He couldn’t recall the last time he felt this good around someone's warmth that wasn’t his mother’s, and was relieved to know the first to brighten his lonely night was the stupid shadow that made him believe in a second chance.

“You should’ve taken your revenge,” explained the taller figure with a distant tone. The lost curls moved to reflect the concerned glance on the other’s face, until Izuku realized the meaning behind the chosen words. It wasn’t surprising to see his childhood friend blaming himself for actions that deserved thousands of apologies, but if the words couldn’t escape his open lips, his baby steps were already a good beginning….

“I understand your reasoning, but I don’t want to, not when I know the person behind the mask,” he pointed out with a reassuring tone. 

Katsuki barely looked at him, ashamed of mentioning a sensitive topic that deserved a deeper conversation, compared to this light talk with the night owls. Izuku Midoriya was a soul that had been broken too many times, but always found the brightest side of every situation, even when he was the target of unfair behavior. If the green-haired teenager appreciated the slow steps toward a sincere apology, he didn’t forget the soul behind the curses that gave him nightmares, being the same child afraid of thunder and making projects for their “Wonder Duo” agency.

 Time forced them to grow up against their will in a world where each of their decisions was heavily biased by the complexity of a situation none could’ve controlled. The two teenagers were simple souls who faced the weight of regret and left unsaid, but this new beginning seemed more delightful than any of the secret wishes made to the stars. 

“I truly don’t deserve you, freckles,” the blond whispered with a grin. 

Katsuki truly meant everything he confessed in this moment of vulnerability, especially when he used to long for the thousands of confessions shared in a simple glance. The delicacy of the messy curls against his forehead was nothing compared to the beauty of this longing smile that made its appearance more often in the intimacy of their discussion, a miracle for their younger selves.

“My mom always said my empathy was my biggest quality and flaw,” Izuku said with a pleasant tone, covering the light chuckle that filled the close space between them. 

He noticed the delighted expression rising on the blond’s face, similar to jewels served on a silver platter of his egoistic hands. After all, the rest of the world hasn’t heard about the great Katsuki Bakugo yet, and had no idea about the amazing hero hidden in the curtain, waiting for his time to shine and create an unforgettable story for the bravest souls. The freckled boy didn’t have anything special and needed to control his quirks but he couldn’t wait to stand by his childhood friend’s side and be proud of the man who survived his inner demon. 

“How is she ?” He questioned with a discreet tone, reflecting his doubts. 

Katsuki remembered how protective Injo Midoriya was toward her son, and probably despised him for everything that happened in their middle school years. The blond knew he had messed up, and wanted to have enough courage to apologize straight to her face, especially when he needed to be stronger toward the woman who welcomed him so many times in her comforting house. 

“She’s fine and keeps doing her best to keep me alive another morning, even if I keep giving her grey hair, ” replied the shy teenager, who realized how long it had been a while since he had seen his mother. The entire neighborhood admired the strong bond the mother and son forged since his birth, but she was getting older and Izuku wanted to keep her safe. Inko Midoriya was his everything, and he was grateful to see his childhood friend checking on her, proving his sincere desire for change. “You know, she hates you for the things you’ve done… Seriously, why did you stop answering my messages and pretend to be someone you’re not ?”

Katsuki sighed, forced to admit a truth he'd kept hidden for too long. In all honesty, he was relieved to have this conversation about a past they couldn’t ignore, even if exposing his weakness out loud was still a risk he was willing to take to start a relationship on better terms. The fast heartbeat inside his chest was louder than his own breath, locking his vulnerable glance into the fond emerald one, who unconsciously moved his scarred hands closer to the calloused ones, as a sign of support. The heat of their skin gave him enough courage to fall into the unexplored topics of their dynamic, highlighted by the gracious smiles and stolen chuckles that marked their late-night talk.

“That’s understandable and to be fair, I was an asshole who got scared of his own demons and destroyed the only thing that kept me alive,” he admitted with a low tone, until his face turned into a gentler expression that transcribed the hundred of apologies he hadn't shared yet. Izuku immediately noticed this delightful change that warmed his heart, holding the calloused fingers in a slow movement. “I got scolded by my old hag and received life lessons from my old man all this time, but I had an ulterior motive, something I’ve never admitted until it was too late…”

“May I ask which one ?” Izuku pointed with a pleased smile, interlacing his vulnerable fingers with the strong ones. 

If the blond appreciated the initiative and the sweet smile on the other’s face, covering the numerous questions hidden behind his glance, he chose to reply with a stronger gesture. He returned the intimate confession by pressing his broken palm against the sensitive one, conscious of the boundaries they’ve broken too many times in their relationship, but he didn’t care. After all, it was probably the last time the two teenagers had the possibility to hold each other’s friend’s hand in this intimate environment…afraid to ruin a precious friendship that represented the pillar of their lives.

“I can’t say it for the moment, but you’ll know sooner or later For the moment let’s put the past behind us and start all over….Are you still up for the agency ?” He asked with a tease, admiring the sparkling eyes near his reach. 

Many of their classmates wanted to be a part of history, but Katsuki would rather be down in the ranks, than live in a world where his favorite idiot rejected such an offer. Don’t get them wrong, the two teenagers had a lot of things to work on before reaching their ultimate goal, but their mutual trust on the battlefield was their biggest force, something worth a thousand praises from strangers in the crowd. 

“I’ve never given up on this,” the shorter figure whispered with a loving tone, wishing to freeze time and frame the beauty of this scene. The touched stars watched the rest of their conversations, highlighted by the silenced glance and the presence of a simple grin, unaware of the cruel series of obstacles awaiting them…

—--

Katsuki Bakugo got kidnapped by the League of Villains a few days later. 

The terrifying frames replayed themselves inside Izuku’s head, causing numerous nightmares marked by the heavy sweat falling down his forehead. Izuku Midoriya spent his entire life living with his childhood friend by his side, no matter the few meters separating their houses, and their dorms, but his worst nightmare became a reality against their will. The school didn’t stay powerless in front of this situation and ensured the best of safety to Mitsuki and Masaru, who ran into the director’s office with many complaints. 

The shorter figure stood there in silence, holding his pants with trembling hands and barely noticing the distant voices, asking him if he was alright until his shaking figure rushed into the couple’s chest, releasing the sobs that reflected his shattered heart. The scarred hands held the taller figures tighter, apologizing for failing his promises to keep an eye on their son, while Mitsuki and Masaru reassured him as much as they could. 

The regrets turned into anger and desire for revenge toward the authors of such crimes.  Izuku’s heart had so many poems to share that deserved to reach out to his muse, leading him to prepare the wisest plans to get Katsuki back. His empty glance was now filled with a strong determination, while exposing every detail about his recent plans to his classmates, who joined his side.  

Izuku wished he could be relieved to see his plan taking form but his heart ached at the simple reminder that his place didn’t belong by Katsuki’s side in this situation. He might’ve held his best friend’s hands many times in his past, and recently with their late-night conversation, but he couldn’t ignore the stab in the chest at the idea of being replaced with the blink of an eye. His jealousy didn’t make this mission easier, and filled his broken heart with many thoughts that influenced his decision during the rescue mission…but he knew this moment of sadness was worth the try once they brought the blond back to a safer location. 

Many of their classmates and friends noticed the sudden change in behavior after they brought Katsuki back to their side, but only Izuku recognized the silent suffering inside this distant glance in the void. The stubborn blond returned to his old habits, using anger to manage to cover the tears that marked his skin during his lonely nights. If the crimson eyes shared a glimpse with the worried emerald ones, no one dared to talk and find the strength to express the weight of their unspoken thoughts that haunted their previous separation. It was evident how Izuku and Katsuki have been more than impacted on different layers, with the appearance of new conflicts that made their reflections harder to distinguish in their list of priorities.

However, Izuku found a way to bring colors back to his face when the blond found a familiar piece of paper in the early morning. Katsuki didn’t need to question the owner of such a light gesture that made him smile, being the first he had made since his return from the hospital. His thumbs read with a caring glance the naive words written on this paper plane, which became a recurrent gift in the next few days. Izuku hasn't talked to him in person yet, but his messages were centered around casual praise about his recent training or answers in their last class, and he often asked him if he was alright with answers through hidden gestures. 

The freckled boy’s glance warmed up and nearly turned emotional when he caught the distinctive signs the next day, communicating through simple glances and genuine grins. Izuku couldn’t force his childhood friend to talk about a recent trauma that’ll leave serious scars on his broken soul, but he knew these signs were a good beginning. Their sweet interactions and childish messages continued a little longer until Katsuki decided to break the ice and finally have a word on the situation. 

“We need to talk about your quirk” echoed as a simple proposition, but they’ve both underestimated the symbolism of this fight that forced a cruel truth to escape their trembling lips. That night, the sweat on their forehead matched the speed of their bodies, the curses leaving their mouth, and the heartbreaking confessions that sharpened their bleeding heart into nasty tears on their faces. 

 Their worries mixed with the loud scream, and the pale expression on their faces, including the moment when Izuku revealed his deepest fears out loud. If Katsuki was tearing up, it was nothing compared to the shaking body of his childhood friend, who sobbed about his “fear of living in a world without the person he trusted the most”, and the “pillar of his next achievements”. being eaten by the regrets 

Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo considered the night as their biggest ally, who saw their most vulnerable moments highlighted by either a delicate chuckle in the air, or sharp tears on their cheeks. Tonight was marked by the unexpected release of hidden secrets appeasing the conflicts that drowned their spirits into a darker path none wanted to explore and everything happened faster after that, in a series of events that forced harsh realization to their healing hearts. 

The two shadows stayed inseparable, afraid to let go of the other’s grip and constantly reaching through secret messages. The cruel paintings found a way to appear in their peaceful dream, transforming their temporary happiness into a harsh reminder of the worst-case scenario that could’ve torn them apart. The rest of the narrative wrote itself with the symbolism of every interaction and shared glance, no matter if it was in the form of advice during the house chores, or secret thoughts during a convivial dinner. 

Izuku and Katsuki made the pinky promise to never let the other ever again, but the mocking wind observed their misery during the indelible cries and numerous near-death experiences that occurred in their youth, stolen by remorse. Katsuki never had any ounce of doubts when he sacrificed himself for his childhood friend and Izuku regretted his sudden departure, but the reunion offered another side of the story that brought them too many scars on their young souls. It took him many years and wasted occasions, but the sincere apologies under the rain echoed as the untold poem he’s kept hidden from his muse. 

The weight of his unshared truths took the form of tears falling down his face, highlighted by the sensation of heavy rain that met his venomous skin, as the words naturally reached the sensitive ears of the trembling figure. Izuku Midoriya wondered when his longtime friend would feel at ease about such an important step in their relationship, and when the moment had come, it proved how wrong Izuku was to underestimate the great Katsuki Bakugo. 

That day, their worlds became one, recalling the childhood promises and wasted tears that already ruined their bloody pages, but the two teenagers knew they wouldn’t change a single detail of their narrative. Their story wasn’t perfect nor inspiring as they expected it to be, but the series of obstacles led them to the current situation where Katsuki refused to let the fragile body that found rest inside his warmth, wishing to freeze time and stay in this embrace until his final breath. Unfortunately, this peace didn’t last for too long until the sight of a scene that’ll forever haunt his shattered heart.

 Their strategy was to separate to kill Shiagraki and One For All together, but the villain had reached the no return point when the casual grin on the blond’s face was reduced to a body drowning in his own blood. Izuku knew the situation was out of control, and each attempt to get his attention was motivated by darkest thoughts, but the more he looked at the pale face near his reach, the angrier he became. The only thing that mattered at this moment was how these cursed names already ruined their fragile narrative, Izuku couldn’t forgive the kidnapping and mocking comment about Katsuki’s unconscious body, but this time Shigaraki went too far. 

The original soul residing inside the villain’s body was long gone, and the vicious smile proved how All For One enjoyed this desperate situation, where anger took the lead over logical reasoning. The users tried to warn him, but the only thing that occupied Izuku’s heart was the idea that his childhood friend, his confidant, and the person who mattered the most to him, was dead. He heard the background noises trying to bring the blond back to life but the desire for revenge was so strong, and led him to the inevitable loss of his cherished quirks, and only heritage from his mentor. 

The last thing he recalled from this victory was the disappearing ashes of an old dream he couldn’t bring back. None of this should’ve happened in the first place, but the awakening at the hospital proved how he succeeded in saving the person he loved, standing right beside him with teary crimson eyes at the heartbreaking revelation. The entire time, Katsuki Bakugo had seen the flaws and qualities of a dream that used to be considered out of reach, until it got stolen without a final goodbye, such as the pinky promises made during their innocent youth.  He couldn’t understand how the nerd was alright with this idea of giving up after making so many sacrifices, but the confessions that escaped his trembling lips betrayed the sentiment he'd kept hidden since their middle school years. 

“For the rest of our lives,” resonated as a childish promise made between their broken hearts, but the tears that fell down their broken skin proved the symbolism of these words. Izuku and Katsuki never stopped chasing after each other, but the only thing that mattered was the stupid smile on the other’s face. The freckled boy couldn’t help but tear up at the familiar shadow that regained color to his face, compared to the lifeless body that occupied each of his nights. 

In the end, they were both teenagers who found hope in the worst circumstances, but their near-death experience proved the strength of a bond stronger than death…

—----

Their first year of high school was marked by many losses and none of the people standing in this classroom was ready to forget the atrocities of the last months with names that now belonged to the cemetery. 

Everyone tried to survive after this bloody scene, especially the two teenagers who saw death from a close angle, who stole a treasure more valuable than their own lives. As heartbreaking as it seems, it wasn’t surprising to hear some background noises, taking the form of loud curses or sobs, that filled the silence of this empty room, with a cold side of the bed. The fragility of childhood memories couldn’t erase the traumatizing paintings that flirted with their biggest nightmare, as a reminder that life wouldn’t show any favoritism before taking their loved ones away.

 Izuku and Katsuki got enough chances to rest by each other’s side, even if these silent mornings were often marked by the grieving soul who saw a lover, or teachers sharing their last breath on this cold ground. The return to their old habits wasn’t easy: each of their touches gave them chills with the fear of breaking this porcelain skin, and the support from their friends and family remained the pillars of their revival. Mitsuki and Masaru insisted on keeping their son safe during the summer holidays, while Inko never left her son’s side, as if it was the last time she'd ever see him. The two teenagers forgot how the atrocities of the last year could be harmful for their parents, who almost lost the most important people in their lives! 

The uncomfortable atmosphere in their own dorms felt suffocating after the appearance of regular dreams that mocked their vulnerabilities, being nothing else than their own enemies. The first months were handled in silence, until a sudden note found the ground of each other’s room, catching the familiarity of a gesture that brought a smile back to their faces. No matter the author of these invitations, the golden-haired or freckled teenager always knocked on the wooden door that reunited their common struggles 

At first, the two teenagers felt guilty for their selfish actions, but the concerned expression on the other’s face confirmed how this pain was mutual, stronger than any obstacles they had faced until now. They chose to let their unspoken vows speak louder than any of the praise they've received during the day: Their weakness became one when the messy green curls rested against the blond’s chest, followed by the calloused hands caressing the other’s back with enough care to appease a shattered heart. 

This impression of deja vu gave them the impression of reliving their forgotten sleepovers, unaware of the romantic sentiments that haven’t let their presence be known since the beginning of these unjustified wars. Izuku and Katsuki didn’t have the time to think about romance when their friends' lives were on the line, but these small moments of intimacy reminded them of this strong bond that appeased unspoken conflicts. It wasn’t about the survivors of this big tragedy, the childish souls of Deku and Kacchan, who saw their biggest nightmare come true… 

The repetitive habits became a strong reminder of the ounce of hope life could offer after an unplanned tragedy, even if this peace was meant to fade away in the early morning. Izuku and Katsuki didn’t hesitate to knock on each other’s dorm in the middle of the night and slide into each other’s sheets with a blurry vision caused by their explicit tears. There was something appealing about the heartbeat inside the blond’s chest that reminded him of a mesmerizing song that guided his exhausted body to fall asleep in this reassuring warmth. 

Katsuki welcomed the shorter figure with open arms and appreciated the weight of Izuku’s body against his, only to hold him closer and feel the welcoming curls at the palm of his hand. One of his guilty pleasures was to wake up earlier than the nerd to mesmerize the touching scenery of the sleepy figure residing inside his arms, with a reassured smile at the corner of his lips. Returning to the naive vision of love after the previous accidents was uncomfortable at first, and both teenagers felt guilty for pushing their traumas aside but the joy that resided in their fond interaction was worth the try. 

Izuku used his nights to confess his struggles about the loss of his quirk, glad to see how Katsuki stayed patient and understanding. He held the shaking figure tighter, he whispered tender promises between his sobs and even made a pinky promise to never let such a thing happen again. The blond easily broke his shell to return the gesture by mentioning the numerous insecurities that filled his shattered heart during his kidnapping, and exposing the weight of darker thoughts that corrupted his lonely nights. 

All the roads lead back to the sensitive Izuku Midoriya and the stubborn Katsuki Bakugo, who knew every secret about the other, as minimalist as they might be. The last years proved how their bond survived a near-death experience and their late-night talk brought them closer, but all the signs convinced them they were on the right road for a proper healing. 

The months passed by and their classmates chose to honor the important names that fell on the ground and died as heroes, while expressing their grief The two childhood friends seemed to show meaningful progress, even if the creation of a misunderstanding brought some jealousy inside Izuku and Katsuki’s chests. Don’t get them wrong, they both knew how their relationship was stronger than any of the recent ones they’ve formed over the last year, recalling their timeless promise to keep each other’s backs, but this flaw caused an overthinking that wasn’t meant to be! 

The blond knew he was Izuku's biggest weakness and strength, just like the nerd was his. 

This statement warmed his chest during their late-night talk, but he remained a bad liar when it came to jealousy! Shit, it was evident how Izuku was a good-looking guy, with his natural charm, adorable sparkly glance, and freckles on his cheeks, but why does any of the extras have to stand so close to his childhood friend? Technically, their target remained the was the same guy who rested inside Katsuki’s arms with his blush, but the blond couldn’t erase the scene that occupied his worst nightmares.

 He never meant to interrupt or even hear the topic of their conversation behind this door, but the blond couldn’t ignore the trembling voice of Round Cheeks after confessing her regrets for not saving Toga  Katsuki wasn’t cruel and knew this loss was important for her, but he was more uncomfortable with the stupid habit of the nerd to easily embrace people.  This situation could be misinterpreted and falsified into a truth that wasn’t one, especially when the previous talk was mentioning the grief of a loved one, a similar step the two boys faced…but the blond hated himself for thinking about romance when this situation was purely platonic. 

After all, Round Cheeks have been turning around Izuku since their first day at school, and showed a clear sign of interest toward a name that already belonged to Katsuki’s heart. The blond couldn’t blame her or any of their classmates for having a crush on someone as kind and inspirational as Izuku, but the main struggle was the fact that some people started to think they had a chance to steal his childhood friend after such a gesture, and Katsuki was one of them. He’s never been possessive over someone until his middle school days, but Katsuki shouldn’t take the risk to reveal such a flaw and d create an uncomfortable distance in their bond. 

In all honesty, having an interest in Izuku Midoriya was one of his strongest fights, being used to seeing different faces, familiar or not, trying to get an ounce of his attention or make him flush at the slightest occasion with selfish ideas in mind. Katsuki wasn’t perfect, but each time he observed Round Cheeks’s interactions with the nerd, his heart arched at the idea that he wasn’t meant to offer enough love for someone as unreachable as the nerd, who deserved the best treatment. 

The stubborn blond naturally turned to his second-best friend, who welcomed his discreet tears during a lonely afternoon. The red-haired man listened and discovered with surprise the long story that connected the blond with UA’s sweetheart, understanding the struggle of such pain. His own situation with Mina wasn’t perfect either, but their fights were similar, and giving up wasn’t an option!

Katsuki agreed to spend more often with Kirishima when Izuku was occupied or out of town, a situation that didn’t necessarily match with the freckled boy’s liking, who heard about the recent change in the blond’s training habits. There was nothing wrong with the situation, after all the blond and he trained together most of the time, they’ve never been this close with their late-night talk, highlighted by genuine hugs…so why did this little detail in their daily habits cause so much pain in Izuku’s heart?

 The blond couldn’t help but picture some extra standing too close to his childhood friend, with Izuku being the center of the attention of another idiot who would eventually take the situation to their advantage. Izuku was ready to forgive the student who fell for the blond’s charms, but he couldn’t control his jealousy at the idea that the chosen shadows were none other than Kirishima. Don’t get him wrong, the teenage boy couldn't be happier to know his childhood friend was having fun…but the major problem was why Katsuki stayed discreet about this change of mind when he always described the bond with the nerd as the most indelible one? 

The emerald eyes observed in silence the interactions between his two classmates, being consumed by jealousy every time he caught a gesture that seemed like a threat. Izuku never considered his childhood friend as an object, but it hurt him to think about Katsuki falling for someone else when Izuku deserved his chance! The tormented teenager didn’t say anything at first, and chose to jump to the wrong conclusion, despite keeping his struggle hidden when the taller figure held him closer at night. 

These moments of intimacy were the last thing fate hadn't stolen from them, and their silent glance betrayed certain truths that represented a huge weight on their shoulders. Izuku and Katsuki remained humans and had already been separated by death, they refused to let anything break their bond, even if their romantic sentiment toward each other led to misinterpretations. The scarred hands often held the black shirt tighter, with his head resting against the other’s chest, whispering how he refused to lose him again. The calloused hands gently ruffled the messy curls and comforted his trembling body, even if Katsuki knew his heart couldn’t find interest in anyone else than his favorite idiot, who changed his entire world into a colorful painting. 

Unfortunately, the repetitive misunderstandings led to a false conclusion that led to a no-return point. Izuku and Katsuki naturally spent their time with their friends to confess their fears and the strange situation that forced a distance between them, creating more confusion in their heartbreaking glances. 

The shy teenager was convinced that he wouldn’t be enough for someone as strong as Katsuki Bakugo, who deserved a better partner than someone representing a bother in his journey to the spotlight. The bitter impression of deja vu made them sick, recalling the distance between each of their glances or the unreachable expression on their faces. Izuku loved his childhood friend and wanted his happiness, but letting the blond go under such circumstances made him sadder than he already was. 

The stubborn blond noticed the change of expression in the emerald eyes, questioning the disappearance of such colors, now replaced with familiar shades of grey that cover hundreds of struggles behind this distant look. Their late-night talk became less recurrent and their training habits were a rare event, often dodged by stupid excuses: When Katsuki couldn’t make it due to his hangout session with his friends, Izuku talked to Ochako and his group about the weight he couldn’t handle anymore.

 The golden-haired boy saw how the shorter figure would rather spend his time with round cheeks and potential lovers than him but Katsuki hated the idea of letting someone like the nerd go when he hadn't even tried to get his heart back. They’ve survived an early encounter with death, but remained fragile when useless details almost broke them apart…After all, he was nothing but a dick who couldn’t handle his own emotions, and the nerd deserved to be happy with someone else! 

—-----

Everything changed during a rainy night, transforming their narrative into a tender story to share with the souls ready to hear their narratives. It all started when the emerald eyes couldn’t help but stare at his screen, waiting for another answer from the blond, who promised he would train with him tonight, but never came to their meeting appointment. It’s not like Izuku expected some miracle to happen after the last months of cat and mouse game, but he was naive enough to believe that Katsuki would send a message to apologize! 

The shorter figure sighed, losing his hands in his curls and holding back his tears. How stupid was he to even think this would ever work: After all, he was the one who spent most of his life chasing after the unreachable, and needed to accept how the intensity of his love couldn’t go against the tricks of fate. The only thing Izuku did wrong was to fall in love with his childhood friend, who brought him the most memorable souvenirs, but it would be a lie to deny the journey they've been through. The freckled boy knew he would rather fall a thousand times for his childhood friend with the same heartbreak than give his love to another person, who would never be as memorable as Katsuki Bakugo. 

The background noises caught his attention, forcing him to open the door and meet the intrigued expression on his friend’s face. He wondered why Kirishima was here when the blond and he were glued together in the last days, but the distressed glance on his face proved how it was too early to kill his classmate. His low voice questioned what happened but the answer caught him off guard. 

“It’s Bakugo, we’ve tried to reach out to him after his training but he didn’t answer,” Ochako exclaimed, sharing a glance with the red-haired teenager. “He was more distant than usual and insisted on training on his own, then we heard loud noises coming from the gymnasium and realized how he hadn't returned in hours. If Aizawa caught us outside our dorms, we’ll be doomed to the house chores until the end of the year, and you know Bakugo better than any of us.”

“I’m not sure I have this title anymore,” Izuku mumbled with a sigh, ignoring the preoccupied glance of his classmates. It doesn’t stop him from being deeply vigilant about the stubborn blond, ready to go beyond his own limits and push his body to its maximum in the worst conditions. 

“Come on, you’ve grown up with him, and everyone knows how you’re the only one able to resonate with his obstinate mindset,” the taller figure said while putting his hands on the shorter's shoulders. Izuku envied the way Katsuki started a relationship on good terms with his classmate, knowing how none had experienced the unpleasant downfall. “We’re all worried about him, you are too but maybe this is the moment to figure this out. One of you needs to brave the forbidden and have a clear talk, don’t you think we haven’t suffered enough with this endless pining and tragedy of the last year ?”

“But why should I be the one doing it when there are better people to take this role and replace me? “ There was an ounce of vulnerability in his tone, holding back his tears at the idea that he wasn’t important to his childhood friend, not anymore. “Kacchan knows what he’s doing, and he never lets fate impose a situation that’s not to his liking. I…I don’t think he truly wants to see me guys.”

“I never wanted to reach this far but you gave me no other choice,” the brunette said with a regretful tone, knowing she’ll pay for this later. “It has to be you and no one else. You and Bakugo always had this inspiring relationship we’ve all dreamed about, but if you can’t be honest with yourself and open your eyes for one second, you’ll be doomed to a life of misery. Think about it…he could be dead at the moment-”

Izuku’s eyes widened when he heard the previous words, recalling the terrible flashback that gave him sleepless nights. His body moved on its own and rushed through the closest stairs to run as fast as possible: Shigaraki was out of reach, but that doesn’t mean that Katsuki was safe from an unpremeditated death. He never rushed this fast under the raindrops that wrapped his body, until his scarred hands pushed the wooden door with all his strength, ignoring the material damage. 

The loud sound resonated in the empty building, with the echoes of his heavy breath that covered each of his footsteps while calling the familiar nickname. He held his fist tighter, ignoring the blood that found his palm when his nails reached too deep into his fragile skin, holding back his fear that found a way to transcribe into his trembling voice. Izuku’s lips opened to call with despair the childish nickname that took many symbols over the years, even if it now resonated as stabs in the chest. Shit, he couldn’t believe how he spent the last months wasting his time without fighting back to have the end of this conversation they haven’t started yet, and the simple idea of apologizing to another grave was unbearable! 

His teary glance discovered another door open with the sound of a locker that made his body rush as fast as possible to the new location. He rushed into the smaller room and shouted the blond’s name out loud, exposing his shaking voice that became dangerously close to sobs that shattered his heart into millions of pieces. The light footsteps beside him forced the shorter figure to turn around and meet the surprised crimson ones, ready to ask him what he was doing here, before being pinned down straight to the ground. A groan of pain escaped his lips when he felt the weight of the shorter figure against his, realizing how Izuku had been too quiet for Katsuki’s liking. 

The blond desperately called his name, and even lost his hands in the messy curls to catch his attention, but the only answer he received was broken sobs. He didn’t fight back when Izuku rested his head against his chest, holding his taller figure tighter and releasing the tears he'd kept hidden for too long. The past months of suffering took the form of the most heartbreaking revelation, understanding how Izuku would rather be a distant shadow in Katsuki’s life, than being the hero of a story where his missing half died in cruel circumstances. He punched the blond’s shoulders and cursed his name, knowing it was time to expose his truths, even if the trembling teenager feared rejection. 

“How could you-” he whispered with a broken tone, grabbing the blond’s shirt, only to rest his forehead against the blond's. “How could you think you can welcome death after the numerous promises we’ve made?  Did you ever think about my feelings when you started to break my heart and push me apart without any explanation? Shit, you’re the worst, I hate you…I hate you so much that I've been dying to get an ounce of your attention, but you’ve always looked away.”

Katsuki had seen his childhood friend in many states, feral being one of them, but it was the first time he saw the genuine misery inside these teary emerald eyes. Izuku Midoriya had always been stronger than him, a quality the blond admired and envied more than anything, but the desperate call for help was gutwrenching. After all, he hadn't realized the severity of the situation until the person he loved the most reached his own limits…something he truly regretted.

“I’ve never looked at anyone else other than you, my entire world has been centered around your name and your existence, but what did I get in return? Absolutely nothing except pain.” 

Izuku knew there were better ways to communicate about his insecurities, but each time his mind pictured the fragments of their childhood memories, his heart broke at the idea of being replaced by someone cooler and stronger than him. 

 “I’m nothing but ashes in this second chance, always corrupted by the darkest flaws and a jealousy killing me from the inside. Kacchan, tell me what he has more than I! I’m not perfect and will never be, but don’t tell me all these nights spent together were just a way to abuse my bleeding heart. I can change to be an amusing shadow too, I can be stronger than you if that’s what you’re looking for, I can be so many things just to be by your side, but you won’t let me be. I can bring the world down for a glimpse of your smile, kill someone for you,  and my heart will know I’ll always find a way to fall all over for your shitty smile-”

Katsuki’s eyes widened at the revelation. He always pictured his love confession with the tender setting and the rising blush on the other’s cheeks, but he now regretted this terrible turning point in their narratives. It was clear Izuku was deeply marked by the event of the wars and the distance between them, but each word that escaped his trembling lips acted as a thousand stabs in the chest, forcing a reality he had avoided for too long. 

The blond never claimed to be perfect, but everyone knew how their tease unconsciously reached a genuine soul who suffered in silence. He never stopped caring about his childhood friend, more than his own life but wished to be a better person…someone able to cheer the guy he loved without letting his inner conflicts turn all their efforts into dust. 

“I’ll always choose you over any strangers crossing my path or selling me pretty lies, even if you’ll never see me as a romantic partner. I’ve never felt that way for anyone, and I love you, I love you so much it’s killing me but I just can't ... .Don't erase me from your life when you’re all I have.”  

Izuku Midoriya was a naive soul and believed in second chances with their ups and downs, but he never thought he would be the one breaking their boundaries in a dramatic way. His blurry vision didn’t make things easier, and the trembling hands left the blond’s shirt to move inside his golden spikes, resting his head against the other’s chest. Izuku knew he was about to feel bad for exposing his selfishness about a romance that had sold him many dreams in his youth, but he didn’t have any regrets. He was convinced about his ability to fall for the same soul a hundred times in the next decades, even if their next lives are meant to be strangers or lifetime lovers. He needed to fight harder to prove how his love was stronger than any of the misunderstandings that led to this crazy situation…Rejection was an option, but his heart prayed for a happier future, even if they both needed a serious conversation.

“I hate you, Kacchan,” he whispered with a low tone, holding the taller man closer while releasing the last tears that met the white skull on this shirt he could recognize anywhere

Izuku remembered that day when his mother accidentally caught him wearing it and laughed at the adorable scene, with a proud grin on his best friend’s lips.  If Katsuki was forced to accept the sudden revelation that questioned his entire narrative and personal beliefs, he decided to return the gesture and hold the shorter figure in a warm embrace, similar to the one they’ve shared in their late-night talk. 

“It’s okay, I'm here, freckles,” the blond replied with a reassuring tone. “We’ll fix this, I promise.”

He lost his fingers in the other’s back with a relaxing movement that always appeases his best friend during his complicated nights, and simply grinned when he heard the nerd whispering how much he hated him, while wrapping his hand closer to him. Katsuki thought he knew his childhood friend by heart, but the sudden confessions made him curious to read more of the unexplored chapters of this book that always found a way to surprise him….

—---

Katsuki considered his childhood friend as his favorite poem to share with the cautious stars, who observed the fond glances and stole kisses against the messy curls, that brought a smile to the sleeping figure by his side.  

He couldn’t recall a single souvenir without his loyal acolyte, who always stood on his doorsteps with his chubby cheeks and his sparkling eyes. With hindsight, it was natural to fall for someone who comforted his tears, protected his darkest secrets, and chose to save him when he needed a good lesson, but this naive romance wouldn’t be as ethereal as the fairytale that charmed their childhood nights. This story was built on a strong base with many obstacles to challenge the values of their promises, meant to stay intact despite the heartbreak and the sharp tears that marked their bleeding skin. The strength of a simple glance was defined by the circumstances, the intensity of the rising emotions inside their chest, and the light confession made with their stolen laugh in their intimacy. 

The blond’s stubbornness had always been seen as a bother, sometimes as a praise toward his numerous dreams, when only he knew the value of his words. He spent his entire life pretending to be someone Izuku could trust, before betraying his trust and bringing the last pieces together into a heartwarming narrative, even if the plot couldn’t match the struggles of their reality. The last years forged the confirmation that Katsuki and Izuku’s feelings were strong enough to brave death, but when the worst-case scenario took form under their eyes, the forced revelation didn’t leave them indifferent. 

Katsuki knew he needed to have a good talk with the extras about their schemes, but his main priority was the sleeping figure beside him. He barely answered their messages or straightforward questions and chose to put the shorter guy into a comfortable position, with his messy curls displayed on the white pillow and the slight eyebrows on his pretty face. The calloused hands pushed the bedsheet off Izuku’s shoulders and made sure to stay here a little longer, in case the nerd decided to wake up from another nightmare. The previous revelation, proved how this poor soul handled so much suffering behind his silenced glance, which caused so many questions for a broken heart like his. 

His fingers gently put the lost curls behind the other’s ears, admiring how the concerned expression turned into a subtle one at the gesture, as if Izuku was able to feel the comfortable presence by his side. The blond wanted to pretend everything was fine for one night before confronting the nerd about the rest of their story, and the intensity of the secret revealed in a moment of weakness. The bitter tears were now a forgotten memory under the delicate thumbs ruffling the delicate skin and cupping the freckles his mind already counted so many times in their old sleepovers.

Izuku exposed his truth with a certain knowledge that’ll probably ruin their friendship, and prepared himself for a rejection…that wasn’t meant to happen. How stupid would Katsuki be to deny this unique chance served on a silver platter? He did stupid things, regretted a lot of them, but he was convinced that loving his childhood friend was the best thing that had ever happened to him. The freckled boy affirmed his preference for the cruelty of real life, against some pretended paradise with a perfect illusion meant to fade over the years, a perfect illusion, unaware that his "unreachable" lover felt the same. 

This situation became out of control, many tears and thoughts had been lost in the last months, but there was finally some light at the end of this tunnel. Their jealousy led to many assumptions, biased by their fear of abandonment, which caused irreversible damage to their hearts, already shattered by the scars of unforgettable crimes. The blond couldn’t believe how stupid they’ve been instead of having a deeper talk,   and learning from their past lessons. Katsuki had been jealous of  Round Cheeks the same way Izuku did with Shitty hair and despite the values of friendship with the red-haired extra, nothing could ever compare to the genuine joy of seeing the messy green curls with his bright smiles.

The blond wanted to make things right and offer a proper answer once the time had come, but fate had already mocked them enough. The two teenagers had been nothing but puppets in this unfair show, a few seconds of inattention and they lost control of their precious dynamic, but this time Katsuki was determined to be the one to change his own fate. He’ll never forgive himself for the irreversible damages of the past, but he’s been forgiven by the gentle emerald eyes who loved him despite his flaws…offering him a chance to be a better man. 

If the taller man authorized himself to fall asleep beside the shorter figure, he left a small note on the desk in the early morning, asking Izuku to meet at their secret spot in two days. The shy teenager found himself blushing at the clear indication for a serious talk that’ll define the rest of this story, and the memories of the past night, which made him curse at his own stupidity. He wanted to make this unforgettable to be remembered in ten years with a pleasant tone, but he messed everything up! 

However, he was touched to see how the blond didn't tease him or try to make him the center of attention after the scene in the gym, being discreet enough to make an understanding nod from afar. If their friends teased the poor Izuku with hundreds of questions, Katsuki simply listened from afar with a grin and the desire to make a proper confession that would erase the messy one they’ve shared earlier. He naturally reduced his sleep schedule when the D-date came, standing on this balcony that welcomed their warm fingers and conversations, ready to be marked by a new beginning. The breeze met his sensitive ears observing the silent town and the distant painting that appeared near his reach. He bet the extras living on the other side of this cursed town weren’t aware of such luxury, but misery could be defined by the arrival of a white knight, who took the form of the softest name that left the most cursed lips. 

The sound of an open door resonated from afar, until the slow footsteps moved closer enough to stand a few centimeters beside the taller figure, who hadn't made any comment about the presence of the one who caught his attention since they were not taller than three apples. The weight of the rooftop railing was highlighted by the breath, catching the fast heartbeat inside their chest that echoed as a song their souls had already heard a million times since their birth. 

The two children with an inseparable reputation grew up and became survivors of the cruelty of humanity and life lessons learned against their will. If this world was meant to change overnight and all the stories had to disappear, Izuku and Katsuki hoped theirs would be stronger than the ashes of bodies that chose to hold onto each other’s arms in their final breath. At the end of the day, Katsuki Bakugo was determined to choose his childhood friend in every lifetime, with the charming vows that Izuku Midoriya was ready to chase after him in their next lives. No matter their next status, strangers, best friends, or even lovers…the red string that connected their souls was a trusted guide for the upcoming adventures awaiting them after this symbolic night. 

“I’m glad you’ve made it, freckles,” his voice broke the previous silence, turning around to meet the breathtaking muse of his next achievement. 

The understanding crimson eyes met the blushing cheeks, covered by the obscurity of this midnight sky, and the sparkling glance, that offered a serious competition to the stars above their heads. The wind delicately moved the lost curls that found his broken thumbs a few nights ago, reminding him of the fragility of a human’s souls, and the weight of a single tear in this ocean of unexplored tales. A light grin crossed the tip of Katsuki’s lips when he realized how he’d fallen, once again, for this stunning shadow that represented his missing half, and a treasure he refused to let go.

“I couldn’t leave you behind, not after what happened,” said the shorter figure with a calm tone, coming to his senses. Izuku was convinced he accidentally found the prettiest angle of his childhood friend, especially when his glance betrayed his inner thoughts, taking the form of the prettiest prose of his favorite poem. “Can you believe it, we’ve spent most of our time in the false narratives that lead us to so many misconceptions of a relationship that only we know in deep detail. I’m still embarrassed about how things ended but I’m glad you were ready to hear my truth, without the curse and the sobs.” 

“You were afraid of losing me and spilled everything out in despair, you’re good, nerd,” he added with a teasing tone, ruffling the messy curls with his palm. Izuku held his breath when he felt the delicate fingers behind his ears, dangerously playing with his skin until the breeze brought him back to a reality where his captivating glance betrayed the fast heartbeat inside his chest. The beauty of this sight gave enough courage to the blond’s heart to finish the conversation he should’ve started a long time ago, instead of waiting so many years in the void. “So….you love me ?”

The emerald eyes widened at the question, understanding how the taller figure looked amused by the situation. The light smile on the blond’s lips proved how he found a certain form of peace with this talk, meant to share a complete honesty about a topic they’ve left hidden for too long. Their past selves would’ve definitely stood up and delayed this situation for another day, but their current selves had had enough of chasing after time, when they remained the owners of each other’s narratives. 

“I do,” he admitted without a stutter. The shy teenager, afraid of putting into words the source of his happiness and jealousy, decided to break his own boundaries on this fateful night. “I know this sounds crazy, unbelievable for some, but I won't pretend I regret exposing my weakness when I've meant every word I said that night.”

There was something appeasing in the loving tone used by the shorter figure, who never took his eyes away from the taller one. Their glances searched for any hints able to betray their next answers, but the only signs they found were the tenderness of the slow movements coming from their fingers, teasing each other. Izuku prepared himself for rejection and accepted this idea a long time ago, but he would rather live in misery with Katsuki’s friendship than fall for someone else and say goodbye to the love of his life. Many people would consider him crazy for jumping to such conclusions, but the freckled boy was determined by his selfish wish to be the hero of his childhood friend’s story until death do them part. 

“I was hoping you wouldn't regret them, because I would've looked bad to return your feelings if you rejected me,” Katsuki pointed out with a teasing tone, rubbing his thumbs against the scarred ones until their heated palms met in a gentle dance. 

“What..What do you mean ?” If the blond already knew about the authenticity of his words, Izuku’s eyes widened with surprise, before expressing his disbelief. 

 It’s not like Katsuki made a public speech about his romantic feelings toward the nerd, and he did send some signs that could’ve been read in a platonic way. The shy teenager spent so many years in silence, accepting defeat instead of leaning into hope, when he had the answers under his eyes the entire time. All those nights shared together, their mutual embraces and heartwarming secrets, weren’t signs of a deep friendship but romantic gestures that’ve been influencing their reasoning all along. The first tears appeared at the corner of his eyes, and naturally fell down his cheeks once he heard the next words. 

“I love you,” the blond said with an enamored tone, intertwining their fingers together. 

The background noises from the fresh breeze against their faces were quickly forgotten when the blurry vision of the shorter figure was soon filled with exposed tears and a rosy blush. Izuku Midoriya wanted to be seen as Katsuki’s lover, and became envious of something he already won a long time ago, even if he had a hard time believing how the most important person in his life returned his feelings! 

His mother had already told him the symbolic meaning of such words, desired by many, hated by others, but Izuku never thought he would have the chance to experience this happiness in this lifetime! He had so many questions and yet, his first instincts were to hold the calloused hands tighter and protect himself from a fate more cruel than death, even if his childhood friend wouldn’t play with something as delicate as feelings. 

“Kacchan, don’t lie to me-” His sentence was interrupted by the strong hand that found its way into his curls before cupping the warm cheeks, with a glance that spoke louder than any of the praise the shy teenager ever received until now. 

In all honesty, he didn't know how to feel, but this moment of joy felt ethereal, not when there were so many people who deserved to be a better lover than the vulgar Izuku Midoriya, with a heart full of imperfections. However, the delicacy of the palm against his broken skin brought him back to a reality where his insecurities caused more damage than hope in his fragile chest. Izuku learned into the touch and held his breath, locking his glance with the crimson ones, who seemed as pleased as him. 

“Izuku, it’s always been you and no one else,” the taller figure confirmed with a melodious prose, putting his guard down and cherishing this moment as if it were the last time he saw the love of his life. Their opponents were already buried six feet underground and out of reach, but none of this temporary peace succeeded in offering the rightful future their younger selves hoped for. “We’ve spent so much time in the darkness, envying people that weren’t a threat in the first place, instead of observing the signs under our eyes. I’m sorry for wasting so much time with something we should've solved earlier, but I've got tired of chasing after happenstance, fortunate or not, and wanted to be the hero of your story….If you let me be.”

“This title always belongs to you, Kacchan,” he replied with a smile, moving closer to the blond’s face until their lips were separated by a few centimeters. “Why should I look for someone else when you’re already everything I’ve ever wanted? I messed up a few times too, and should’ve talked about it, but I’m glad you opened your eyes. Tell me, are you sure about stepping into the unknown without any foundations ?“

Izuku’s questions were more than valid, and the blond appreciated the way the nerd never doubted the nature of his sentiments. Many of their classmates would’ve made a joke about the great Katsuki Bakugo expressing something else than pride, but it made each interaction with Izuku more memorable. The nerd chose to stand by his side, being an echo of the pinky promises made during their golden youth. It was time to return the compliment with a confession that their hearts weren’t ready to forget….

“More than certain,” his voice whispered with a confident tone, catching the light breath against this forbidden fruit that influenced their flawed thoughts. 

Izuku already fought the hardest villains and paid the price with scars on his skin as a result of his second of inattention, but he didn’t mind offering his heart on a silver platter when it came to his childhood friend. The scarred hand held the calloused one tighter and a light smile drew itself on its face until the last centimeters were filled with the warmth of their lips. His free hand naturally slid into the golden spikes to find their ease, unsure about the right thing to do in this first kiss that highlighted this unexplored territory.

 Izuku couldn’t be happier to share his moment with his first love, and Katsuki gladly shared the same realization when their lips slowly chased after each other, too scared to use their tongues, but delicate enough to let the wind transport this breathtaking song into their ears. The two teenagers were still inexperienced, but the happiness and pride that filled their chests were brighter than any victories they had achieved until now. Izuku couldn’t help but blush at the sight of these captivating crimson eyes, and the heat of their mouth, that offered him the most beautiful confession….

“When did it start ?” He asked with a discreet tone, resting his forehead against the blond’s. The scarred hand wrapped around his back, and the emerald eyes stole a quick glimpse at the stars, praying to rest in this comfortable embrace for the rest of his life. 

Katsuki regained his breath after the previous kiss that made him feel eager to have another taste of the forbidden fruit. The golden-haired boy had never been invested in romance and only saw the description of this notion through multiple interpretations, from the movies to the strong relationship of his parents but everything changed when a certain name became the center of each of his reflections. He knew the nerd was a symbolic figure in his journey, but he never expected to see his first friend return his sentiments. In all honesty, the last days have been unbelievable, but the delicacy of Izuku’s fingers wrapped around him comforted him in the possibility of exploring more titles they haven’t discovered or named yet.

“Back in middle school,” the taller figure said with an ounce of vulnerability, a detail caught by the observant emerald eyes. Izuku didn’t need to hide the explicit favoritism toward his childhood friend, who returned his feelings with a chant brighter than the whispers against them. The shy teenager melted under the gentleness of their handhold and the rest of this topic that’ll bring pleasant discoveries. “I got jealous over some guys who wanted to get in your pants. It didn’t mean my reasons for acting like a dick were valid, we can’t erase the past but I’ll do my best to change these nasty souvenirs into golden ones. ”

“Wait….Is that why you stayed distant that summer-” The intrigued crimson eyes found the wide open glance on Izuku’s face, figuring out other truths after connecting the dots. 

The entire time, the shy teenager blamed himself for pushing their bond to its limit, but the real explanations made so much sense. The person standing beside him wasn’t the same shadow that tormented his middle school days, but a mature version of this executor who proved how growth remained possible in the worst cases, even for a tormented teenager who faced the different sides of a first love. Izuku would’ve probably acted the same way, if the roles were reversed but the values of these dark memories had already been replaced by the joy of their ethereal vows. 

Katsuki recognized his position of vulnerability and knew how his younger self used to curse his own reflections in the mirror about the sentiments he couldn’t erase, that caused so many struggles in his heart, but this lifetime will give him many occasions to be a better person, even if he has to hold onto those touching emerald eyes and delightful smile in his darkest days. 

“I’ll choose you in every universe and love every version of you, even if we’re doomed to misery,” Izuku affirmed with a light chuckle.

 It wasn’t a mocking sound like the vicious wind previously whispered to his sensitive ears, but the notes of the most beautiful song Katsuki had ever heard. This experience with love taught him how these stupid mistakes, able to bring someone down for the slightest misunderstanding, were also a reminder about how falling for Izuku Midoriya was the best thing that ever happened to him. Izuku’s face regained its previous colors and felt the calloused fingers putting the lost curls behind his ears, with an expression that became Izuku’s favorite.

“All this wasted time to be dorks,” he replied with a tease, holding the shorter figure closer. Izuku used this situation to his advantage to offer him a comforting embrace, resting his head against Katsuki’s chest. “I can’t believe you were jealous of shitty hair, he’s not even my type. Didn’t you remember that green is my favorite color ?”

“How could you-” Izuku gasped with an offended tone, transforming his rolled eyes into a pouty expression that caught a light laugh from the taller figure. “Don’t describe me as the bad guy when you get jealous of Ochako. I bet you haven’t heard about the bond she shared with Himiko before her death, she's simply grieving the first love she could’ve had in another universe…Seriously, how stupid are we ?”

“Stupid enough to waste a lifetime confession into a simple conversation, but I’ll make you better ones, I promise,” the blond replied with a sigh, holding the shorter figure closer. Their parents will be surprised, if not relieved, by the officialization of their relationship, but the two teenagers knew they wouldn’t mind sleeping in each other’s beds until death do them part.. 

“And I’m excited to spend the rest of my days with you,” he whispered with a loving tone, resting his curls against his boyfriend’s chin. 

Izuku knew he needed more time to accept the recent title of their relationship, but Katsuki and he would always find a way to survive the toughest obstacles. This journey wasn’t over, but the future had never been this peaceful, especially when their shadows rested in each other’s embrace with conversations stolen by the wind. 

—--

Their first morning as a couple was marked by the background noises of loud conversations, caressing their ears while losing their sleepy glances into the delighted expression on each other’s faces. The familiarity of their position wasn’t surprising anymore, and Izuku even took advantage of this situation to rest a little longer inside his boyfriend’s arms, sharing his first “good luck” kiss for the day.

 Katsuki’s face revealed a sudden blush, and he saw the pleasant smile on Izuku’s face, who guided him to their first class of the day, with a knowing look at their classmates' glance. It didn’t take long before hearing the first congratulations from their friends, who laughed at the absurdity of the situation. Ochako and Kirishima were touched to be considered as temporary rivals, when they already have their own love lives, but they still admired the kindness residing in the couple’s handholds. 

Izuku and Katsuki couldn’t be happier to have the support from their loved ones, who teased their stupid pining that almost gave them grey hair, under the happy laughter and the rolled eyes. In all honesty, the two teenagers expected some drastic changes but came to the conclusion that their bond stayed as magical as the first day, except for the advantage of stealing a few kisses without any guilt. Their friendship was an important pillar to their narrative, but their romance took the form of many commas, until their original authors transformed this series of new beginnings into a charming tale. 

Izuku and Katsuki were inseparable and trained together as the “next duo” that’ll blow people's minds. Their chemistry remained intact, if not stronger than before, and they gently led their casual embraces as welcoming gestures after a long day. This world wasn’t safe pour autant and their desire to be each other’s knights became their main priorities but luckily, every nightmare was reassured with casual praise and sweet promise to stay together until death do them part. 

Their parents immediately noticed the evident stress on their faces during the next holidays. Mitsuki and Masaru started to make some comments about the “great news” the teenagers wanted to share, until Inko calmed the conversation after observing the rising blush on her son’s cheeks. The green-haired woman didn’t know how to feel about the blond after the damage left by their middle school years, but Katsuki undeniably brought life back inside Izuku’s eyes. 

It’s been a while since she's seen her son expressing so much joy and excitement with a single gaze, realizing how the officialization of this relationship was something she didn't have any control over. Izuku’s happiness was her main priority, and was stunned by the apologies made by the blond when the three shadows were away. The poor Izuku was teased by the old couple about the romantic habits of their son, while Inko was touched by the courage and sincerity coming from Katsuki’s gesture, proving how he truly meant each of his words….

The approbation of their families and Inko’s forgiveness was heartwarming for this new dynamic that slowly took form through everyday gestures, often highlighted by stolen praise and laughter in the middle of their talk. The months spent by each other’s side were full of delight and mesmerizing discovery, starting with the light touches, until their curious souls decided to explore a side of intimacy they hadn’t seen before. Izuku was more than stressed to go further with their plans, and Katsuki seemed to share the same apprehension, but the strength of their glance was enough to fall into the spell of the unknown. 

Their first sexual encounter happened during the summer holiday, with a hiking trip organized by their families. The two teenagers had already had a serious talk about the organization of this fateful night and established a special code if something wasn’t to their liking, but their curiosity was satisfied by pleasant discoveries. Sure, their inexperienced bodies have only known the touch of their own hands or slight teasing from time to time, but nothing compared to the ethereal sensation of feeling each other’s lips against the heat of their skin and the delicate whispers against their ears. Their cheery lips were marked by this addictive dance, glance speaking louder than words, and sparkling eyes meeting the admiring crimson ones when their worlds became one. 

They’ve been picturing this pleasure in their wildest dreams, but the reality proved how a perverted imagination won't match with their reality and the most unforgettable orgasms of their lives. The hypnotizing nickname danced around Katsuki’s ears as a seductive spell, convincing the sweaty palm to transcribe this moment into a melody that brought a sudden heat to his body, that replied to the previous orders that left the shorter figure’s lips. The trace of Izuku’s nails on the blond’s back stayed visible for a few days, such as the hidden hickeys that caught the attention of their parents, who didn’t make any comments about it. 

In all honesty, their first time wasn’t perfect, but Izuku and Katsuki wouldn’t wish for a better partner than their missing half, who knew how to balance between affectionate gestures and intimate pleasure. The blank pages found themselves filled with this golden ink that transcribed the dreamy confession shared in the middle of the night, the delicacy of their “I love you”, and the beauty of glances shared in the euphoria of the moment. The echoes of their past took the form of unreachable nightmares, but the trembling bodies always found safety inside the other’s arms, conscious about the chance to live in a lifetime where the Wonder Duo wasn’t a simple title, but the story of two souls, ready to take the world down for a glimpse of each other’s smiles.

Their forgotten jealousy made its appearance from time to time, and caused a grin on their lover’s face: After all, Izuku Midoriya was the blond’s savior, just like Katsuki was Izuku’s symbol of victory! Their inspiring romance became the source of many interrogations and whispers in the corridor as the years passed by, but their tender vows lasted until their graduation day, with the supportive look on their boyfriend’s face.

 Katsuki knew his childhood friend was destined for great things, and he couldn’t be prouder to see the shorter figure rushing into his arms with a warm embrace. The delicacy of their golden youth draws itself under his eyes as a nostalgic movie, leading his body to unconsciously hold the shorter man closer. The small child that stood in front of him with his blinding sparkles became a graduate student who survived the worst of crimes, and found love at the least expected. The golden-haired man made a lot of effort to be the source of his lover’s smile and adorable blush, but he remained emotive about their crazy journey, remembering how when the darkest days brought their souls were brought into a state they refused to experience again. 

Izuku’s face softened when he felt the weight of the strong arms wrapped around his, afraid to let him go. He rested his head against the crook of his boyfriend’s neck and drowned in the perfume that appeased his nights, and caused the apparition of some tears on his pretty cheeks. With hindsight,  their first year of high school was marked by the fear of losing the other in terrible conditions, doomed to spend the rest of their lives beside a cold grave. The blurry memories of this complicated period gave them chills, accepting how the inseparable souls, who started this journey in the most naive way, ended up becoming each other’s biggest pride. 

“We did it, Kacchan,” he whispered between his sobs, releasing all the pressure that had carried over his shoulders in recent years. Izuku never tried to bring back to the table sensitive topics, afraid to create an uncomfortable conversation or justify ptsd, but the support of strong arms around him made him more vulnerable than he already was. In their despair, they found a way to be reborn from their ashes glad to see how this tale was more symbolic than the diploma in their hands.

“We did it, freckles…” The blond replied with a fond tone. He ignored the comments from their friends and promised to continue to save enough money to bring Izuku’s dream back to life. His calloused hands slide into the freckled man’s neck to cup his cheeks and steal a light kiss, falling all over for this gorgeous scenery near his reach. 

“My apologies for intervening in such a romantic reunion, but I need to hold my baby,” Inko said with an amused tone, sharing a nod with Mitsuki and Masaru from afar.  Izuku’s face reddened and he apologized, explaining how they’ll meet later. If Katsuki pretended to be annoyed by the congratulations of his parents, the green-haired man didn’t cover the tears when he rushed into Inko’s embrace. He never expected to be so sensitive about a simple diploma, but the solid proof of his previous achievements made him feel relieved to be alive with his loved ones. “I’m so proud of you, I knew you'd do it even if you gave me sleepless nights! Don’t you think your poor mother needs some rest ?”

“I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful from now on, Mom,” he added with a laugh. If Izuku spent most of his time with his childhood friend, he would never forget the owner of the best songs that rocked his youngest days. Before Katsuki there was Inko Midoriya, the most devoted mother he could ask for, loving and supporting him in each of his baby steps in the world. The love he felt for his boyfriend couldn't compare to the unconditional affection he had for his mother, who loved him despite his flaws. “But thanks for everything, I’m glad to be the son of the strongest woman I've seen. I promise I’ll take the time to make more visits!”

“Oh sweetie, I know you’ll impress everyone at this university,” she said with a muffled tone, wiping her recent tears. Inko knew she couldn’t protect her baby her entire life from the path chosen by her son, but Izuku Midoriya was her biggest pride. As a mother, it felt strange to see the apple of your eyes growing up in the blink of an eye when yesterday, you used to hold a tiny baby inside your arms… 

The next summer was filled with jovial laughter, unforgettable memories, and an emotional goodbye. 

It was strange to imagine how the familiar faces they’ve seen during the last years, were about to separate and create their own narrative, but the strength of their souvenirs remained untouchable. However, this situation was more complicated for the couple, who promised to stay in touch with each other and make more visits as soon as possible, despite the distance between their new homes. Katsuki decided to stay in his hometown to make his proof, while Izuku had to study in another city for his college years, with the support of his loved ones. 

Their last goodbye at the airport was full of emotion, with pinky promises, and a desire to keep their bond as strong as the first day. The first month was the hardest, but Izuku always informed his boyfriend about his recent exam, his new friends, and surprises in town, under the comprehensive crimson eyes that already longed for their next reunion. The distance represented numerous ups and downs, but the wait was worth the try when the great Izuku Midoriya got his diploma and teared up at the familiar faces in the crowd, applauding his achievements. 

It didn’t take long before returning to his hometown and admiring the impressive efforts made by his boyfriend while he was away. The landscape of this quiet neighborhood stayed the same, but the nostalgia of this town warmed the couple’s hearts, ready to start new projects. Izuku succeeded in getting a job at his old high school and met his old teacher, who welcomed him back with a proud smile, while Katsuki continued to save the day, excited to return home at the end of the day. Their old dynamic returned in the blink of an eye, reminding them of the joy of standing by each other’s side with goodnight kisses and fond “I love you”..

If Izuku had never stopped admiring the sacrifices his boyfriend made since their first meeting, he was ready to fall for him all over again when he welcomed the most valuable gift, offered with the best of care. It would be a lie to say the teacher didn’t miss his old life, but he couldn’t be happier to know that his childhood friend was the heart of the project. Katsuki never revealed the price of the costume that gave him the sensation of returning to his precious youth, but the freckled man didn’t think twice before accepting the offer concerning their own agency!  

After all, Izuku and Katsuki already got everything they’ve ever wanted: A timeless romance, their own apartment, close to their parents' house, and their dream agency. They succeeded in catching the lost time with their loved ones, and even started to reconnect with their old classmates. The blond was ready to choose his lover over the crowd’s praise, and the teacher was grateful to see the great Dynamight entertaining his students during his regular visits. 

The origin of the Wonder Duo started a long time ago, but their birth to the public’s eye was described as the proud legacy of the unforgettable All Might. This peaceful routine started to be highlighted by the rise of old ideas that warmed their hearts, especially Katsuki Bakugo, who wanted to marry his childhood friend since Izuku’s return from his university years. He already started to search for the prettiest ring, made the right measures on the sleepy shadow, and even asked for Inko’s benediction, knowing she was a pillar in her son’s life. 

The hero didn’t want to waste more time and had already prepared the perfect setting for this unique proposal, but unfortunate news ruined his plans and caused the downfall of their paradise. Izuku Midoriya received a call during one of his classes and apologized for leaving his student on their own for a few minutes. It didn’t take long before seeing the previous colors on his face, turning into a pale expression when the hospital called to announce the death of his mother. According to their knowledge, the poor Inko Midoriya had been stuck in a coma, and shared her last breath last night…A terrible set of circumstances the old woman never mentioned before, probably afraid to worry her son about her state. 

The news acted as a thousand stabs in the chest. 

Aizawa didn’t try to scold him for canceling the rest of his class for the day after learning about the unplanned death, telling him to get a few more days of rest to deal with the situation. The freckled man thanked him and rushed into the hospital to understand the details he missed: After all, a few weeks ago the two of them promised to hang out in town in one of their favorite restaurants, but once again, the teacher put his guard down and let fate control the narrative.

 He didn’t cover his tears when the doctor announced to him the conditions of her abrupt departure, watching how the trembling shadow stayed by her side until the sound of an open door caught his attention. His emerald eyes met the shocked expression on the Bakugo’s faces, including Katsuki’s, who understood the urgency of the situation. Mitsuki and Masaru immediately rushed to check on the information they missed, but the doctor made it clear: Only a miracle could’ve saved her, but she left without any suffering. 

This wasn’t enough for Izuku, who immediately rushed into the blond’s chest, holding the taller figure as if his life was on the line with the heartbreaking sobs that filled the emptiness of this hospital room. Izuku kept crying over Katsuki’s shoulders, whispering in his sob how he hated this situation, while the crimson eyes turned sadder when he found the lifeless body on the white bed. Inko seemed fragile under this state, a sight that brought him back the last memory he shared with her, concerning the perfect setting that would make her son happy for a proposal. The hero wanted to think she left in peace, knowing her son found the right person by his side…but it was unfair to see someone as kind as her, leaving this world without a goodbye to her only family. 

Mituski and Masaru didn’t contain their tears either, remembering how the deceased woman became their best friend, and ended up spending her last days in a place away from her comfortable house. Death couldn’t do any favoritism, and was ready to take anyone’s life on the spot, even if this soul was a solitary or a loved one. The rest of the afternoon was filled with distant glances, and terrible statements from the doctor who took care of this case, despite his attempts to reassure their sensitive shadows beside him. There was no doubt this patient was loved and will be missed, especially by her son who held his lover’s hands together the entire time to avoid another breakdown in public. 

That night, a heartbreaking silence filled the rooms of each house. 

Mistuki and Masaru promised to stand by each other’s side in their final breath, while Katsuki refused to let the sobbing figure go out of his warm embrace. The teacher was nothing but sobs in his lover’s arms, and welcomed the light kisses against his curls and reassuring words, knowing it would never be enough to erase this intense pain inside Izuku’s chest. The midnight stars observed how the unreachable Dynamight broke his shell and held his childhood friend tighter, promising to protect him and not let something as shitty as death tear them apart, a light whisper that guided the exhausted body to fall asleep against the other’s chest. 

Katsuki’s proposal was delayed, but it was the least of his problems. 

The only thing that mattered at the moment was his boyfriend’s state, and the organization of Inko’s funeral, which erased any ounce of joy in their lives. Izuku’s face lost all its color and the teacher became a more breakable version of himself, who found reassurance in the blond’s chest, begging him to never leave him behind. The golden-haired man couldn’t help but hold the smaller figure closer, apologizing for not protecting his mother when he was supposed to, betraying the wish he made to the stars years ago. 

The next months were complicated, but the funeral reunited old friends for a heartbreaking goodbye. None of them expected a miracle, especially when the distant teacher stayed discreet the entire time and held back his tears, even during his heartbreaking speech. Katsuki watched him from afar with a supportive nod, listening to the kind stories Inko and Izuku had during his youth. When it was the hero’s turn to make his homage to the deceased woman, he chose each of his words with wise precision, and explained how Inko Midoriya was a kind soul who paid for something none could’ve controlled. 

The rest of the day happened without any interference, and the vulnerable couple was seen holding each other’s hands in public and disappearing from time to time. If Izuku and Katsuki pretended to have a quick need at the toilets, none of their old classmates knew about the explicit breakdown that echoed in this small spot. Katsuki didn’t think twice before rushing into the open door and observing the shaking figure, sending him the most heart-wrenching gaze he had ever seen. 

The stubborn hero locked the door to make sure no one would bother them, and naturally sat next to his sobbing boyfriend, who held his costume tighter with the messy curls on his shoulders. The calloused hands caressed the teacher’s back, kissing his curls:  Katsuki was convinced the healing process would take a lot of time, but he made the pinky promise to his childhood friend to bring a smile back on his face, at all costs. Izuku’s finger interlaced with the blond’s as their two figures rested here a little longer, and no one questioned why the guest of honor returned from the bathroom with teary emerald eyes.

 Life after the funeral wasn’t easy, the freckled man was sensitive to the topic of his mother’s death for the first weeks, until his loved ones agreed to erase this topic from their conversation. His students noticed the change in behavior and often asked Dynamight, if their sensei was okay. The blond’s face softened and he ruffled their hair, touched to see that Izuku was loved by many people, and succeeded in being the hero of these small but affectionate heads. 

The hero’s rank was impacted by the complex situation he was facing at home, the blond made sure to be there every time his boyfriend needed help, and prayed for a miracle every night. Katsuki made his proof as a devoted partner by cooking Izuku’s favorite food, watching their favorite movie, and even organising surprise dates. The green-haired man often blushed at the gestures and accepted them, but his fake smile was quickly replaced by a reality none could've ignored... 

It took them one year to heal from the shock of the funeral. Many changes happened in this time-lapse: the world started to evolve, new names appeared in the ranks, Dynamight finally made it into the top 5, and Izuku accepted the fact that his mother was gone. Her body and soul must’ve been transformed into ashes in the sky, but the souvenirs warmed his nights, especially when his protective partner made sure to keep him safe. 

The freckled man apologized many times for ruining everything he touches, but his childhood friend never gave up on him. Izuku couldn’t be happier to spend the rest of his life with someone as incredible as Katsuki Bakugo, even when the crimson eyes watered with tears after the delicate song of his laugh…. The taller man will never forget the first time he heard his boyfriend laugh after one year of silent glances.  That day, his world regained all its colors and his heart missed a beat, realizing how a stupid joke became the source of the most beautiful sound he ever heard. The freckled man started to feel better until he regained his fond smiles convincing the hero to give him another chance in the ring, taking dust in the closet.

Katsuki made everything was perfect for his proposal and applied the advice shared by Inko before her death: He needed to be sure every detail was symbolic for the souvenirs of this night. For the occasion, the great Dynamight brought his lover for a surprise date and asked him to put on his best outfit. Izuku’s eyes widened with sparkles when he recognized the restaurant he had always wished to visit as a child every time he crossed this road with his mother, but never had the chance to explore until now! The scarred hands grabbed the calloused ones tighter and walked into the reserved seat, explaining with his endearing mumbles how happy he was by the surprise. The diner happened with the best of care, intertwined fingers and cupped cheeks, until the desserts arrived at their table. Katsuki's body naturally moved on its own to put a knee to the ground and present the velvet box with the stunning ring, under the teary emerald eyes. 

“I’ve always been unsure about my emotions, and this inability to recognize hints under my eyes led us to circumstances that should’ve never happened, but each sunrise convinced me that standing by your side was the best decision I’ve ever made. There’s not a day passing by that I look at you and realize how lucky I am to be your lifetime partner. The last year had been full of tough decisions, but I remember the first time I heard your chuckle after these gray paintings…At this exact moment, I knew I wanted to make you mine for the rest of our lives and wouldn’t mind falling a thousand times for this breathtaking sound,” the blond said with a gentle tone, admiring the rosy blush on his lover’s cheek

“Kacchan that’s-”

“The truth is…I’ve wanted to propose before the accident, but decided to wait until you feel better to handle such a commitment. I was supposed to reveal the surprise at the wedding, if you ever say yes, but the only one you truly need to thank for this is your mom. She gave her benediction for an idiot like me who succeeded in gaining her trust back, and organized everything in the slightest details setting,” he added with a grin, wishing to shut the trembling lips with a kiss, but he needed to be patient. “So Izuku Midoriya, will you marry the dumb child who gave you grey hair and caused the brightest smiles on your face ?”

“I do,” the green-haired man said with a bright smile, and didn’t even notice his blurry vision until the blond’s speech was over. All this time, his childhood friend tried to make the perfect scenery for this once-in-a-lifetime occasion, but the fact that Inko helped in the process was amazing. “Of course I do, a million times yes-”

He ignored the groan of pain when the box fell on the ground, being too focused on the supportive figure by his side. The shorter man wrapped his hands around the blond’s neck to hold him closer and shut him down with a kiss, until the blond returned the gesture with a sweet dance in the heat of their lips. The breathtaking ring on his hand was now considered one of his biggest treasures, and the restaurant applauded at the touching scene that became the source of attention for the eager media. 

Their friends congratulated them over messages and calls, often followed by teasing about how the grumpy blond found his soulmates, but nothing compared to the proud smiles on Masaru and Mitsuki’s faces. The older couple was amazed by the news, and even agreed to help the engaged couple with the preparation of this big event. In the euphoria of the moment, Izuku decided to make a visit to his mother’s grave and share the news in a low tone. He never thought he would return to the cemetery with good news, but he guessed the kind woman was probably relieved to know her legacy found his happy ending. He dropped her favorite flowers in the grave and started his monologue, highlighted by the truths and “I love you” he should’ve said earlier to his fiancé, standing by his side during this moment of vulnerability.

After all, it was time to start a new chapter of their lives…without forgetting the past that forged this strong narrative.

——

A few months later, 

Preparing a wedding was more complicated than any of their overseas missions the couple had to the sake of the town. The importance of each detail and the cost of every service was about to give them grey hair before their eighties, despite the tricks used to save some money in the process. 

Each time Izuku looked at the pretty ring on his finger, he smiled like a fool, amazed and stressed about the D-Day that was getting closer. Katsuki was as excited as him about the celebration, and used his perfectionism to ensure the most memorable day of their lives! The flowers were chosen with precision, according to their meaning and the colorimetry of the location of their reception, resulting from love at first sight. The price was higher than their budget, but the couple saved some money during the next months to make sure this dream location was theirs. 

The previous nightmares, disguised into blurry form in Izuku’s imagination, took the form of brighter scenarios about the union with his other half and the rest of their journey. Katsuki teased him after learning that his fiancé had already created the most “touching” vows five months before their wedding, when the hero hadn’t even started his! It’s not like he didn’t have the time to sit and write with his heart the confessions he’s already said a million times, but his heavy schedule didn’t give him a minute of rest. 

Izuku and he shared the tasks in many fields, even when the topic of their wedding caught the attention of the media. Some gossip succeeded in erasing the euphoria of the small ring on Deku and Dynamight’s fingers, but the two men were glad to make a private ceremony with their loved ones. No one should be able to ruin the most important day of their lives, especially after the wasted sweats! The couple was thankful to see their friend’s support, erasing a small weight in this ocean of struggles that kept them awake at night. However, it didn’t stop the evident nostalgia when the freckled man pictured a caring ghost who observed each of his words from afar. The golden-haired man didn’t bother his lover with useless questions and simply held him closer, caressing his back and intertwining their fingers together until they both fell asleep in their imaginary world. 

Time was a strange and uncontrollable notion, but some mornings were more difficult than others, like this one, marked by the decisive choice concerning his costume. Izuku Midoriya was glad to be a Bakugo very soon, and even smiled at the stupid comment from his lover, praising his beauty in every outfit. This moment was an important souvenir he wanted to share with the people he loved, but his mother being out of reach and his father missing from his life, leaving him no other choice but to reach out to his close friends. 

The answers weren’t what he expected: Mina and Kirishima were on a holiday trip together, Ochako and her girlfriend were already occupied with an ultrasound for their firstborn, and the rest of their classmates were too busy to make a quick hi. It’s not like Izuku was angry at them for not being accessible to his planning, but he wished fate had turned this miserable situation into lighter memories, instead of emptiness inside his chest. Katsuki considered himself lucky to have his parents by his side during the choice of his costume, and naturally joked about cloning himself to be there for his fiancé in the next hours, but Izuku simply smiled at the tease.

“Are you sure you can’t delay the meeting ?” Asked the golden-haired man, losing his hands into the scarred ones to intertwine their heated palm together. His lips kissed the green messy curls, and naturally felt the subtle grab against his, comprehending the evident apprehension inside his childhood friend’s chest. “We have a certain reputation, nothing forbids us from using it to our advantage.”

“As much as I would love to make this happen, we both know it’s impossible,” the teacher replied with a lighter tone, moving his neck to welcome these incomparable kisses against his exposed skin. The two men never thought that these kinds of domestic mornings would be defined as their happy ending but neither of them complained about the attention. “We already tried on the decorations but the sellers almost kicked us out of the shop and forced us to our appointment the next ago. Cancelling is impossible when a single mistake represents a huge risk with our heavy organization…But I think I can deal with this, it’s just a few hours before returning home, right ?”

“The longest of my life, but I'll wait for you at home freckles,” the taller man pointed out with a fond voice, holding the green-haired man closer. Izuku’s face softened at the tenderness of the previous comment, and he closed his eyes to feel the warmth wrapping his broken heart, which slowly regained its previous colors.

 It wasn’t a surprise to hear the great Izuku Midoriya describing his boyfriend as the savior of his lonely nights, just like Katsuki exclaimed out loud how he wouldn’t exchange his partner against any temptation in this world. Their narratives were based on each other’s praise and achievements, even if the media only saw “Deku” and “Dynamight” as source of entertainment. This ceremony was the opportunity to show the strength of their love and the vows that’ll dictate the rest of their lives, even in their last breath. 

The rest of the morning happened in the most charming way. 

The entire time, the two shadows were inseparable, cuddling on the couch in front of their favorite TV show and preparing their meal with gentle laughs and jokes in the welcoming house. The hero was conscious about the complexity of Izuku's situation, explaining why he wanted to make things right before saying a temporary goodbye to his childhood friend. Izuku noticed the efforts and cupped the blond’s cheeks after stealing a few kisses, which eventually led to a make-out session on the bed, and a light “I love you” escaping his lips. 

Yet, the clingy couple didn’t have the ability to freeze time to their liking, and were forced to trust the clock on the wall, indicating how the appointment was getting closer! The green-haired man laughed when he heard the groan leaving Katsuki’s lips after their separation, explaining how he needed to get a shower if he wanted to look presentable. The stubborn hero simply rolled his eyes and accepted the kiss on the forehead, knowing he needed to leave for a mission that caught the agency off guard. The golden-haired man had no other choice but to leave when the teacher was in the shower and Izuku sighed when he heard the silence of this house, which lost all its hospitable aura when the owner of such thoughts was gone to save the world. The freckled man would never interfere with his fiancé’s mission, being prouder than ever to see the name “Dynamight” shining on the news. 

His back found the cold walls after turning the waters off: It’s not like he needed some feedback about a choice that’ll remain personal about his wedding suit, but he wished to be, at least, surrounded by someone in this important moment. None of their friends had the ability to cancel their plans, Inko couldn’t return from the dead, and his family-in-law were having a romantic weekend. The worst part was how his last option was ruined, since he'd lost One For All and couldn’t even have any dialogue with the user of his old quirks! Loneliness had never been a struggle for the teacher but the symbolism of this situation made him more vulnerable than he already was…

Izuku sighed when an uncomfortable sensation filled his chest at the idea of leaving this safe place, but cancelling wasn’t an option. The time on the clock informed him how time was running out, and an affectionate smile crossed his lips when he found Katsuki’s handwriting, in a little note left before his departure. He held back his tears and decided to steal the supportive message as his good luck charm for the day! 

The road to the shop was filled with the background music coming from the radio and the outside noises from the town, until his shorter figure appeared at the indicated location on the map. The teacher held his breath and forced his hand to meet the cold lock, disappearing in the comfortable setting. A variety of dresses and costumes stood in front of him, with clients who recognized him and simply nodded, until the familiar face of the shop owner made her appearance. She hasn't changed since their last meeting, and Katsuki described her as a kind person, a detail that calmed the fast heartbeat inside the teacher’s chest, despite not erasing the sadness in his glance. 

“Welcome to our shop,” the older woman said with a smile. Her blonde dyed hair, organized in a messy bun, was visible to the most curious eyes, such as the jewels she decided to wear today. The elegance of her necklace matched with the beauty of her wedding ring, which fit with the atmosphere of the shop and the endless proposition near Izuku’s reach. “You must be Izuku Bakugo for our 3 pm appointment? We already had the visit of your partner a few months ago, and now it’s your turn for this big change!”

“I’m still a Midoriya for the next few weeks, but I'll own this title very soon,” he replied with a lighter tone, unconsciously ruffling the ring on his fingers. After all, it was crazy to think how he and Katsuki survived near near-death experience, and got closer to the happy ending served on a silver platter, something their younger selves would’ve never considered possible. 

“My apologies, but I bet you’re excited about the ceremony ?” Asked the older woman, recalling her own journey about something as chaotic and beautiful as wedding preparation. Her story already started years ago on the altar, but the creation of this story wasn’t meant to be a simple source of income, but the exciting beginning of her client’s celebration. 

“I am,” he replied with a nod. He hasn’t felt this powerless since his mother’s funeral, and needed to keep his fake smile if he wanted to avoid another public scene. “It’s a lot of work but the result is worth the try if this means finding safety in this cruel world.”

“And we all hoped for the best, that’s why our service is providing the best solution possible to every occasion or last-minute change. May I ask if someone is coming soon to assist with the selection ?”

Izuku stayed silent and took a last glimpse at his lockscreen, observing the picture of his childhood friend and him during their first date, which brought color to his face, realizing how he needed to admit the truth. He spent the entire time hoping for a miracle that’ll never come…to the point that he forgot that he was here for a marriage. Izuku Midoriya gained control of his life a long time ago by making his own choices, starting with the discreet ones, before taking the form of symbolic objects or promises in his everyday life. The freckled man might be alone for this moment, but he knew his lover was awaiting him at home at the end of the day, and he would always spend time with his friend in the coming weeks. 

“No…I’m on my own today,” he affirmed with a sigh, moving his head to catch the surprised expression on the woman’s face. She didn’t seem disgusted or upset about his revelation, but her glance betrayed her empathy toward her client, who needed support. After all, most of the shadows crossing her doorstep were accompanied by families or friends, but it wasn’t rare to see lonely people reached her shop. In fact, she could even give him a favor treatment, something she usually used when her clients were mentally vulnerable and unable to make a proper choice in this state. 

“I see, don’t worry we’ll make sure to send the best fairies to bring a smile back to this face,” the older woman said, making a quick nod with one of her employees. The dark-haired woman moved closer to the reception area and presented herself with an amicable look on her face, even if her blush betrayed her excitement to see a member of the Wonder Duo! “This is one of my best employees, follow her and we’ll be there if you have any preferences or need some feedback.”

“Thanks,” mumbled the freckled man with a quick glimpse at his environment. 

It was the first time he was exploring a shop where each changing room was marked by distinct reactions from strangers he’ll never see again. The recent songs played in the speakers, offering a peaceful atmosphere as his eyes distinguished the men's area, with hundreds of propositions served on a silver platter. If each costume looked alike on the outside, he easily noticed the shades of colors displayed near his reach, with some that caught his attention. 

The couch was covered by a cozy blanket on one side, with a wooden table a few centimeters away: this scenery seemed too pretty to be true and yet, the voice of the youngest woman brought him back to reality. The first step was to get more information about the wedding itself, such as the dress code, main colorimetric, or if this situation was open to every proposition. Izuku knew taking a costume wasn’t as complicated as selecting a wedding dress, and even smiled when the employee made this request as a joke. 

The black haired woman listened carefully to each of his details concerning the ceremony and was even touched to hear about the proposal, which brought a slight smile to the corner of his lips. Every time Izuku remembered the night at the restaurant, he was convinced that saying yes was the right thing to do, a decision that led him to these circumstances where he was getting closer to this new beginning. The younger woman decided to start the fitting with classic choices to distinguish some of her client's preferences, before switching into original suits that distinguished this event from a casual one.

 The freckled man even selected one of his favorites and felt a slight ounce of excitement at the idea of giving it a try! He nodded as he wore the delicate material of the costume against his broken skin and stared at his own reflections in the mirror, with the slight sparkles inside his eyes, the first he had since he entered the shop. Izuku held his breath, observing how comfortable he looked in such a refined outfit, being worn for a special occasion, and made the mistake of unconsciously turning his head. The only thing he saw was an empty couch with the cup of water he previously ordered…but the reality hit like a slap in the face: His mother had been gone a long time ago. 

The sensitive teacher already grieved this loss, but he never expected to be vulnerable about something he already accepted as his new reality. Izuku made the mistake of staring a little longer at the empty couch and visualizing what his mother’s imaginary reaction would be, including her comments about him being beautiful as the day he was born. He didn’t need to cry, not when he had already done it thousands of times beside her grave, but he truly missed his mom, more than anything. It was strange to live in a world where Mitsuki and Masaru’s neighbors weren’t a kind lady with green hair, but a couple with an unknown face but Izuku needed to accept the fact that his old house, like his mother, won’t come back…. 

“Is it to your liking ?” The employee asked, trying not to scare him. Her voice shortening his previous reasoning when he faced his reflections and the tears that resided at the corners of his eyes. If the younger woman stayed polite and didn’t enter into the personal details about the questions burning her mouth about this sudden change of behavior, she stayed respectful and gave him a few more minutes to regain his calm. “This shade looks good on you, but after mentioning the main color of the ceremony, I think this one might fit with the after-party, if you plan to make an extra for a second suit.”

“Oh, you’re right."He sighed and took a clear glimpse at his current state: the employee made a good point but he didn’t have the budget to have the expense of a second outfit, conscious that the location and the food already swallowed most of their expense. “Do you have any recommendations, or something that'll do the trick?”

“I think I got something better for you,” the black haired woman said with a nod, disappearing for brief minutes. The green-haired man sighed and wiped the tears that unconsciously fell down his face as he observed the presence of a ghost behind his reflections. He didn’t need to be afraid, not when the warmth of the gentle glance took the form of the person he loved the most. 

After that, Izuku continued his parade of suits for an hour and simply rested on the blanket with a low “thanks” after his umpteenth cup of water. It was evident how the teacher wasn’t in a position to distinguish the distinct costumes, and often used the feedback from the employee or the owner of the shop to justify his hesitation. In all honesty, he wasn’t ready to face hundreds of other suits when he seemed to forget his favorite color but he couldn’t leave the shop without anything! 

Delaying represented a huge risk with their planning, but all the money they’ve spent would be wasted due to selfish thoughts. No, Izuku needed to return home with the confirmation that the wedding was still going as the way they planned!- He didn’t need to waste the time of strangers with his emotional breakdown that covered a suffering deeper than any of his fake smiles. He was a well-loved teacher by his students, a source of inspiration for the quickless people who relied on his unique journey, and the hero of many narratives…giving up wasn’t an option. 

Suddenly, all the pressure transformed his breath into trembling prose in this touching poem, taking the form of heavy tears on his freckled skin. The untouched suit stood in front of him, ready to be used, but the only thing Izuku Midoriya presented near his reach was the release of the discreet cries he had kept hidden since the last hours. The nostalgia inside his chest portrayed the gentle laugh of the bonding moment spent with his mother, and kisses against his ears, reminding him of the things he had already lost. His consciousness became his own enemy when Izuku started to think about the surprise, if not disappointment, from his childhood friend if he ever saw him in such a state: What would Katsuki think about this situation and would it lead to a cancellation of the wedding? 

The shorter man brought the stool closer to the wall and rested his knees against his chest, losing his head against this desperate position. The background music covered his discreet sobs from afar, forcing the two women to share a concerned glance, wondering what they should do. This poor man needed reassurance, and they did try to check on him as much as possible, explaining how he could have a drink or a tissue if he wanted to, but Izuku simply mumbled how he needed more time before trying another suit. 

He stayed in this vulnerable position for endless minutes, forgetting his surroundings, and ignoring the sound of congratulations from the clients, who shared a happier moment on the other side. Shit, once again, Izuku ruined everything, but he wasn’t courageous enough to fake his suffering..not when it was killing him from the inside. The poor soul was lost in this ocean of guilt and barely noticed the moving curtain in the background, matching the slow footsteps that stopped at the heartbreaking sight. 

At this point, he had already humiliated himself and was ready to handle the mocking comments from the unexpected intruder, but was caught off guard when the only answer he received was warm fingers inside his curls. His emerald eyes widened when he felt how the delicate slide beside his ears met the teary cheeks, until the force convinced him to lift his head. Emerald teary eyes met the distant crimson ones, and didn’t think twice before resting inside the blond’s chest, holding his clothes tighter. The trembling body gave him a terrible impression of deja vu, but Katsuki made sure to come as soon as possible after receiving the worried call from the owner of the shop, explaining Izuku’s state. 

The hero knew this would’ be easy, but he should’ve deployed his shitty mission to another one of their classmates, to be there with his future husband, instead of facing some extra on the battlefield. Shit, the golden-haired man blamed himself for his stupidity, and naturally returned the warm embrace, dropping discreet apologies to Izuku’s ears. The calloused fingers held the shaking man tighter, knowing the nerd didn’t need to speak to release his blues, even if the song of their fast heartbeat resonated as a forgotten sob….

The freckled man moved his head to the side and locked their glance with an inexistent smile on their lips. Katsuki’s fingers cupped the chubby cheeks with a fond gesture, rubbing his thumbs against this broken skin to erase the tears on this pretty face that brightened all his days. Izuku learnt into the touch, resting his forehead against the blond’s, while intertwining their free hands together, hoping to stay a little longer in this dream. 

“What's wrong, love ?” Katsuki asked, wiping the recent tears away and watching how Izuku’s face softened at the affectionate nickname. He hated the view of his favorite painting losing its brightest color, determined to do anything in his power to bring the man he loved back to life, with his gentle laugh that echoed as his favorite songs., recalling the number of times

“I’m scared,” he whispered between his breaths, holding the hero’s hands tighter. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve been sitting in this shop for hours with nothing that made me feel pretty enough for my liking! After all, I wasted the precious time of these people…”

“It’s okay, I'm here,” the blond added with a kiss on his forehead. The calloused fingers slid against the other’s cheeks, admiring how this idiot remained beautiful despite the current situation, making the hero more vulnerable to each tear that fell down his own face. “Listen, you’ve been handling this pressure for too long, but sometimes there are circumstances that come with unexpected surprises, and I promise you’re not bothering anyone with your feelings. This organization stressed us out in a terrible way and if you want to cancel the wedding or delay it, it’s still possible-”

“No, I want to marry you and be yours for a lifetime but…I don’t know what to do. I can’t stop seeing her shadow beside mine…Kacchan, she’s always here,” Izuku explained with a low tone, sniffing his nose under the preoccupied crimson eyes. The teacher felt guilty for worrying the man he loved about stupid things, but he loved how the great Dynamight always took the time to come to his rescue Seriously, he didn’t deserve this special testament when the only thing he brought was pain and suffering! “I know she’s out of reach but I missed her ghosts, and I don’t know what I would do if you had to despair the same way…Promise me to stand by my side until death do us part.”

“I promise, freckles” he answered with a caring tone, taking the time to put lost curls behind the freckled man’s ears. Katsuki Bakugo was a man of his words and decided to mark the tender vows with a loving kiss against the trembling lips. 

The scarred fingers found their way into the golden spikes at the dance of their lips, with passionate exchanges, highlighted by the kindness that couldn’t be transcribed into words. Their position wasn’t the most comfortable, but it didn’t stop the freckled man from feeling reassured after seeing each of his worries disappear when their hearts helped together in this melody that guided their uncommon tales. The callous hands slid into the other’s back to caress his shirt and a small grin crossed his lips, amused by the blush on his porcelain skin. A proud smile crossed his lips when he realized how the man he loved regained his charming spells, with the same details that charmed the most breathtaking soul on a battlefield.

“Wait…what are you doing here ?” The teacher asked with an embarrassing tone. The last minutes had been nothing but reassurance and seductive dance around each other’s warmth, to the point of forgetting the reason behind this sudden visit! To his knowledge, his childhood friend was supposed to be on a mission with their classmates, and not in the shop to see his future husband with red teary eyes and an untouched suit -

“Did you really think I would leave you on your own? I was supposed to make a surprise visit later in the day, but I had an unexpected call and ditched my mission to give more chores to Icy Hot,” he added with a smile ruffling the mess curls. His heart missed a beat when he noticed how the wide emerald eyes looked at him as if he had said something unbelievable : Kasuki knew the risk of exposing his affectionate side in public, but he was ready to make an exception for his future husband!

“You shouldn’t….” Izuku wanted to feel bad for ruining another premeditated victory from his childhood friend, but he got tired of lying. After all, his desperate wishes to have someone by his side for this important event came true, even if he never planned to see his lover showing up with his stupid grin. “Izuku, don’t lie to me,” teased the blond, pinching the chubby cheeks. The freckled man accepted the gesture as their glances found their reflections in the mirror, revealing their desperate state. The poor teacher was betrayed by his red teary eyes, and Katsuki simply brought their interlaced fingers together to their lips, observing the gentle blush heating the other’s skin. “You’re a bunch of things but bother is none of them. I'm constantly worried about you, that’s my thing, we both know I can take the world down for your melodious laugh, even if you won’t admit it in this timeline“

“But isn't it supposed to be some kind of curse to see the suit before the wedding ?” He asked with a light chuckle. The green-haired man used to consider possessiveness a flaw, but everything became an endearing detail when it came to Katsuki Bakugo and their relationship. Many people were ready to warm the great Dynamight’s bed, but only his loyal partner was able to distinguish the seductive smirk from the radiant smile that crossed the blond’s lips…and wanted to keep this treasure from himself until his oldest days. 

“Who cares about tradition. After all, everyone knows how some rules are made to be broken,” the taller man affirmed with a kiss on the forehead. Izuku’s hands wrapped around the hero’s neck and looked shy once he realized how the people outside the shop waited for a sign of life. 

“You’re right, but that’s why I adore your stubborn mind, Katsuki Bakugo,” he replied with a loving tone, quickly followed by a laugh. The golden-haired man smiled fondly at the scene, relieved to grow old with the name that owned every title possible, only to end with the best and most memorable one. The great Dynamight was admired by many people, but he knew his biggest victories were the warm embrace of his lover when he returned home after a tough fight.

“Now, forget about the nasty tears and try to surprise me, freckles,” Katsuki shut the other down with another kiss, while drowning in the heat of their interlaced fingers. He bet the two women standing outside the changing room already guessed the outcome of this conversation, but the blond was proud to see the rising sparkle inside these gorgeous irises. “And before you mention it, no we’re not doing matching costumes with All Might’s colors. This is a wedding, not a carnival-”

“You’re not fun….But at least I tried,”  Izuku needed to apologize for the scene he had made, and immediately blushed when he met the comforting glances of the two shadows, looking at them with relief.  “My apologies for what happened earlier, but I guess I have a guest now? Do the rules of the shop authorize the future husband to assist in the selection of the final outfit or do we need to kick him out of the building- Come on, don’t look at me that way, it was a joke Kacchan.”

“Oh don’t worry about that, this shop had no rules, each story is unique here,” the older woman said with a pleased tone, touched by the rolled crimson eyes and the gentle laugh that escaped the freckled man’s lips. This scenery proved how the confessions about the Wonder Duo’s love for each other were stronger than any obstacles crossing their paths…. 

—----

Izuku regained colour back to his face when he took a glimpse at the couch, meeting the multiple expressions on the blond’s face with the crossed arms against his chest. The loneliness of his heart was filled with the echoes of his laugh every time his lover made a comment on the choice of his clothes, teasing him if they wanted to get married in pajamas or elegant style!  

 The atmosphere transformed the songs, released from the speakers, into a background melody that accompanied their bonding moments. The owner of the shop and the employee were stunned to see the knowledge owned by the hero about the chosen material and his taste in mode, even if his crimson glance had a specific idea in mind. The calloused hands found his forehead with a sigh, looking into the teacher’s eyes, ready to hear the complaint from his picky lover…At this point, Izuku didn’t choose the suit with his personal preferences, but only to annoy his fiancée a little longer.

“What is this? You’ve already presented me with different variants of this shade earlier, and the answer is still no. It's obvious this color doesn’t match your eyes and my costume,” Katsuki pointed out with rolled eyes, moving closer to ruffle the messy curls. Izuku smiled at the affectionate gesture and almost forgot about the rest of the world, until the background noises returned to his ears. He enjoyed their childish interactions, but they’ve already spent many hours here and the poor women must be exhausted by their behavior, especially when Izuku hasn't picked his costume out! “You need a specific color that’ll bring your irises to the center of attention:  your goal is to be the wildest dream of all our guests, we won’t get out of here if you keep having bad taste, let me deal with this.”

The hero walked closer to the employee and whispered something to her ear, a sight that would’ve made Izuku jealous if he were younger, but a source of his interest for his current self. Katsuki mentioned the precise details about matching colors with his, being a concept pretty attractive to the teacher’s heart, but he wanted to have a simple glimpse of their conversation to know more about his fiancée’s clothes! The green-haired man watched how the youngest figure nodded at the previous words and seemed delighted by whatever happened in the last seconds….

“Oh I see,” she said with an excited tone. “Why didn’t you say it sooner, I have the perfect choice that’ll match with this! You two can continue your conversation until I find the right outfit in the closet, I’ll be right back.” If Katsuki’s face turned into a grin, he quickly filled the previous silence with a groan of pain when he felt Izuku’s punch on his shoulders. The hero met the pouty expression on the teacher’s face, something that was cuter than any of the failed attempts to be mad at him, being considerate as an ethereal crime for his corrupted heart. 

“Please don’t embarrass me, Kacchan!” He mumbled with an annoyed tone. “And what do you mean she can get to know the costume and not me? That’s unfair…” 

“It’s secret for a reason and let’s be honest, everything is better than your All Might costume themes, nerd,” Katsuki teased with a grin, stealing a kiss against the teacher’s forehead. The freckled man wasn’t convinced by the previous words but he needed to be mad a little longer before punishing his childhood friend with kisses in the bedroom. 

Their conversation was shortened by the familiar face of the employee who returned with a satisfied expression on her face, asking the number five hero to close his eyes. Indeed, none of the previous suits requested such a treatment, wondering if they had finally found a way to return home with a souvenir to hold in the palm of their hand, and the perfect proposition for their big day. The black haired woman nodded in approval when the intrigued emerald eyes found hers, holding his breath when he closed he moved closer to the mirror. The reflection showed the prettiest version of himself with the best shades able to highlight his irises, as Katsuki explained earlier, while matching the green of his hair. 

A blush colored his cheeks when he accepted how comfortable he looked in the fabric, and observed the way the crimson glance of his boyfriend turned into the most breathtaking scene he had ever seen. Izuku was able to read his childhood friend like an open book, if not his favorite, but he fell harder for the impression of innocence that rises inside the hero’s glance. Katsuki’s lips were slightly open, but he didn’t release any sound and a hidden blush appeared on his cheeks, a sign that proved how his fiancé fell in love with him, for the umpteenth time. 

Dynamight was harsh in public, but nothing could ever compare to the unconditional love Katsuki Bakugo had for his childhood friend. He always heard about the nostalgic tale of falling once for the right person, but he underestimated how this first acceptance would be the series of new beginnings that led to bright memories and thousands of realizations. Technically, Katsuki fell in love with Izuku Midoriya during their teenage years, and faced many variants of this timeless confession: He fell when his childhood friend kissed him with a light “I love you”, he was mesmerized by the beauty of Izuku’s smile, and he found himself frowning in this ocean of happiness that appeared right in front of him. The sentiment that appeared inside his chest was stronger than any of the praises he said until now, transcribing into magnificent prose the warmth of this romance that made him a better man…and led him to the moment when he accepted how he couldn’t be happier. 

It was easy to project the man he loved with this breathtaking view of the ceremony, holding glasses of champagne, reading his wedding vows, or simply holding his hands under the midnight sky. If the other costumes were simple jokes, this one was perfect in every detail : The fabric was elegant enough to match with Katsuki’s, the colors highlighted his lover’s beauty, and it was in their budget! The golden-haired man’s face softened when he already pictured the warmth of their hands with the rings and stolen laughter in the middle of the night, observing their biggest accompliseùnt from afar.

“It’s this one,” he whispered with a loving tone, locking his glance into the charming emerald ones. The blond didn't even need to make assumptions or ask questions to understand how his childhood friend had already fallen for this one at first sight. Katsuki wished he could express in words the rising joy that filled his chest and his desire to rush into the shorter man to kiss him until they’re both out of breath, but each thing in time. 

If the couple was already excited about the wedding as a whole, this symbolic step proved how they were getting closer to the most memorable event of their lives. That day, Izuku and Katsuki left the shop with their interlaced fingers and heads full of new souvenirs, conscious, being impatient for their wedding and the idea of being the muse of each other’s creations for the rest of their lives…

-end-