Chapter Text
"Just pray that you'll be born with a quirk in your next life, and take a swan dive off the roof of the building!"
Those were the last words Katsuki said to Izuku that day. He didn't think anything of it at first, thinking he'd see Izuku the next day, just like always.
He and his friends ended up spending most of the afternoon at the arcade, later going their separate ways towards their homes. It took Katsuki around an hour ー reaching his house when it was already dark outside. He unlocked the door, changed into his slippers, and made his way towards his room, when the cycle stopped...
"The fuck happened?"
He asked, a little more anxious than he thought he'd be ー the old hag was sobbing. So was the man next to her, though he was clearly holding back tears to comfort her.
Katsuki stared in confusion and slight unease that he wouldn't ever admit.
He didn't think anything of it at first, thinking he'd see Izuku the next day, just like always.
Katsuki felt his skin pale, his heart drop to his stomach when Masaru explained what happened. He dropped his schoolbag to the floor, staring at his parents with eyes full of terror? ー It wasn't an emotion he had ever shown before, especially in front of his parents. Without a second thought, Katsuki ran out of the house, not bothering to change his shoes. He ran and ran, ignoring anything that was happening around him. It wasn't true.., was it? He must be hallucinating; it couldn't be real.
He reached Aldera Junior High, sirens blasting everywhere, people staring ー some even crying. He noticed Inko through the crowd, on her knees, sobbing as if she was in pure agony and despair. He could feel the nauseating feeling pooling in his stomach, getting worse as he stepped closer to the scene in horror.
He didn't think anything of it at first, thinking he'd see Izuku the next day, just like always.
The next day, Katsuki, his parents, and, of course, Inko attended the wake. They all sat in silence, honoring the dead with Katsuki staring at Izuku's body with a numb, almost zoned-out look in his eyes, as if he wasn't present. He hasn't exactly been himself since he found Izuku.
The day after was the funeral. All of their classmates, alongside the students' parents, joined.
It was a long day, even though it flashed quickly. Katsuki remembered waking up just a short while ago, and now they were already back home from the funeral.
He got out of the car without a single word, entering the house and rushing to his room as the door let out a loud thud, being accommodated with a following click when he slammed and locked the door ー even though his parents had a spare key for emergencies.
He has lain in his bed for quite a while now, unsure how much time has passed. He could feel his stomach rumbling, indicating he was hungry, but he refused to get up.
"Katsuki?"
It was his dad.
"Dinner's ready.."
Katsuki stayed silent, not bothering to answer his father. He didn't want to leave his room and instead curled up further under the covers.
"Katsuki, please, you haven't eaten anything since 2 days ago.."
Masaru repeated, worried about his son's mental and physical health.
"... 'M not hungry.."
Katsuki muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. It was surprising that Masaru even heard him.
"Can I come in?"
He asked after a short moment of silence.
Katsuki sighed at the question, turning his head to face the door. However, he froze, his eyes dilating in shock, fear, and an oddly relaxing feeling that he couldn't exactly describe. There, right in front of him, was a person, a familiar person.
"Iz... Deku?"
Katsuki quickly sat up, flabbergasted. Izuku looked so different. He was bloody all over, just as the last time he saw him. He felt his heart race as he stared, trying not to cry right then and there. Izuku was dead; it made no sense for him to be standing right in front of him. Heck, they were even at his funeral just a few hours ago.
"Kacchan~"
Izuku's voice... Katsuki gulped quietly, shifting a bit closer ー he sounded so... ghostly, as if he was far away but really close at the same time.
"Wha.. How... How are you here? I thought.."
He asked in disbelief. However, just as Izuku was about to answer, Masaru opened the door in a quick, panicked movement, making Katsuki snap out of whatever was happening.
"Katsuki?! You weren't answering.. Are you feeling okay? Do we need to go to the docto-"
"Eh..? Oh.., uh... Yeah, I'm fine, dad.. Just... leave me alone.."
Katsuki replied, trying to act nonchalant so as not to worry his father any further. He lay back down, getting under the covers and ignoring the man behind him.
There was a moment of awkward silence before Katsuki felt the bed dip a bit when Masaru sat down.
"You know.., you can always talk to me when something bothers you, Katsuki. I know what happened must be really hard, and it's okay to feel the way you do. Just, please.., talk to me. I'm worried about you."
Katsuki didn't answer, tensing up at the words. He heard a small sigh a few seconds later as Masaru stood up and walked up to the door.
"I'll give you some space.."
He said before leaving the room, closing the door right behind him.
Ever since that day, Katsuki found himself seeing Izuku almost all the time, even dreaming about him. At first, it made him feel shitty, having Izuku remind him at all times of what he had done, of how he fucked up, but as time passed, he grew fond of being able to still have Izuku by his side, to the point that when he wasn't around, he freaked out. Katsuki grew obsessed with whatever he was seeing. He needed Izuku.