Archive of Our Own

They say the best tales are created from the misfortunes of others, and the story of Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugou isn’t the exception to the rules. It all started decades ago, way before the creation of the multiple titles owned by the two men, representing a double-edged sword against their will…

The golden-haired man will never forget the day when his eyes met the emerald ones for the first time, falling for the breathtaking painting standing beside him, that’s never seemed so close and so far at the same time. Back in his mortal days, the great Katsuki Bakugou was known to be a comprehensive ruler for his lands, born as a savior and helped by the greatest guards with the countless victories attributed to his family’s title. He represented the biggest pride of his ancestors, who taught him that the sake of his lands came before love, especially when this world was already corrupted by the vicious souls, ready to take a single second of inattention to take their opponent down.  

The king always followed these strong beliefs until he put his guard down: For the first time in his life, his crimson eyes were mesmerized by something other than the gold that belonged to the crowd on his spikes. There was something addictive about the way these shining emerald eyes reminded him of the prettiest jewels of this lonely castle, the unique shade of green that occupied his messy curls, without mentioning the freckles on his porcelain cheeks. Their delicacy reminded him of the innocence of a drawing made by a younger hand on a black page, shining brighter than a midnight sky. 

Katsuki knew his heart belonged to the freckled man the moment he found the scarlet color heating the knight’s cheeks, heard his marvelous laugh that resonated as his favorite lullaby, and felt the scarred fingers intertwined with his in a moment of weakness. His knowledge concerning love was limited by the reading he’d made in the past, even if none compared to the rising bliss inside his chest every time his gaze found the warm one, accepting how he was ready to fight the strongest army if this meant bringing a smile back to the nerd’s face. 

Izuku Midoriya never thought he would be the target of a legend that occupied his childish dream and found himself falling for this unreachable name, meant to heal the scars of a broken past. He had already served thousands of battles with haunting nightmares that kept him awake at night until he accepted the fact that his biggest weakness was sharing the same name as his unexpected savior. The green-haired man knew he wanted to serve for his kingdom and show his entire devotion to the lands that gave him an occasion to mark history, but he naively pushed his guard down and became more than intrigued by the charming crimson eyes. The king was a good-looking man, if not the prettiest he had ever seen, with his golden spikes that couldn’t compare to the gold of his crown, the ethereal beauty of his glance, and the signature grin that caught more than one heart on the spot.  

It would be a lie to deny the mutual attraction between them, hidden under the form of discreet gestures and casual interactions, innocent to the public's eyes but meaningful for their narrative. He easily accepted the idea of being a forgotten shadow in the background of Katsuki’s reign despite his growing love, until his secret wish took the form of a routine that brightened his days. 

The beloved ruler of Mustafu’s lands was reputed to put the sake of his lands before his personal duties, a well-known rule that found an unperceivable change over the next weeks, which shocked more than one spying glance. The distant king started to spend most of his time with his knight and assisted him during his training until their conversation slowly drifted to their personal lives, getting to know each other, conscious that their paths would separate at the end of the day. Their roles in this occupied building were defined by their function that took the form of a thin barrier between friendship and romance, bringing a slight smile to the corner of their lips or a hidden blush on their marked skin. Katsuki never hid the fact that he was a huge admirer of Izuku’s fighting skills, and the freckled man easily agreed to learn more about his king with an innocent glance…only to realize how fate had another idea in mind concerning their growing relationship.

The sparring session ended up becoming more intimate, and before realizing it, the weight of their weapons was replaced by the warmth of their intertwined fingers under the sheet, and the stolen kisses. The couple never questioned how they ended up in such a vulnerable position and cherished every moment of intimacy they’ve shared together, from the light tease at the tip of his ears, to the memorable confessions and the delighted smiles on their faces. Izuku Midoriya didn’t know anything about love but he didn’t hesitate before opening his heart and giving his whole heart to the king, who covered him with praise despite his flaws. Katsuki Bakugou was afraid of making mistakes with this blessing displayed at the palm of his hands, and never got ashamed of the sharp tears falling down his cheeks, welcomed by the fond whispers of his lover. 

Together, they’ve lived thousands of pleasant discoveries and unforgettable memories, to the point of being considered each other’s muses. They became inseparable and shared thousands of promises meant to last for a lifetime, only to be interrupted by the cruel twist of fate, the same one that brought them together in the first place. Their relationship was the best thing that ever crossed their broken hands, ruined by the blood of innocents on their porcelain skin, until the shade of red belonged to the person they loved the most. 

The attack wasn’t supposed to ruin their peaceful afternoon and the guards made sure to secure every entrance, but their rivals were faster and wiser, transforming the previous calm into a bloody scenery that forever haunted the narrative. The echoes of the heavy weapons and loud curses between each hit occupied the lonely walls of this castle, reflecting the cruel day when the lifeless bodies of innocents resided on the ground, including the unfortunate Izuku Midoriya. Katsuki’s world shattered into millions of pieces when his teary crimson eyes recognized the freckled cheeks from afar, drowning in his blood with a cold skin and a missing heartbeat, telling him how it was too late to save the man who represented half of his soul.

The lively days of this coveted castle were quickly transcribed into forgotten whispers, caressing the people’s ears with the creation of a heartbreaking legend. No one knew the true story but everyone explained how the king who once showed the brightest colors on his face, turned grey and let himself die after the loss of his lover.

The golden-haired man faced loneliness since his birth, taking the form of distinct souvenirs in his youth with a bitter taste that questioned him more than once. He didn’t mind occupying his solitary days with his king’s duties until he found another priority after meeting the knight who changed his entire life. Suddenly, the darkness of his moments of weakness and doubts was erased by the warmth of comforting arms wrapped around his, the gentle kiss on his skin, and the reassurance of timeless vows through intertwined hands. The knight, discreet from the crowd, became the muse of every confession that escaped the king’s lips and continued to occupy his thoughts after his death. 

The subtle chuckle was erased by the empty side of the bed, waiting for a ghost that’ll never return to him, as he spent most of his time tearing up and begging the gods to bring his lover back to him, even for a final goodbye. His desperate wishes followed him to his deathbed, convinced he could have a better chance if he had premeditated this accident and asked for more power even if his intentions were motivated by his desire to save the man he loved, and avoid him a terrible fate in their next lifetime. 

Katsuki Bakugou died in a cold chamber with no heir to his lands and a broken heart that never mourned the loss of his missing half. 

His entire life, he heard multiple explanations about the kind of place awaiting him in the afterlife, depending on his actions during his living. The taller man expected to find a darker scenery after the terrible murders he’d committed during the wars and the wasted blood in the cemetery but it seemed like fate reserved another ending for a soul like his. The first thing he saw was the clarity of this place that made him think he accidentally arrived at the good place, only to learn about the identity of the extras that changed the rest of the story: The entire time, they’ve been listening to the king’s wishes and decided to make his wish come true, an offer that seemed very fortunate if there wasn’t the price to pay acted like a thousands of stabs in the chest. 

From now on, the blond will be considered a deity, but each time his glance meets the emerald eyes in a new lifetime, the poor Izuku Midoriya will be forced to live with the weight of his past lives. The golden-haired man expected many conditions from powerful names like theirs but he was stuck at his own game: He didn’t know if he should be relieved to know he’ll be able to protect his lover again or curse the deities for the unbearable pain it would bring to the couple’s hearts in the next decades. It was too late to step back and the stubborn blond would rather die a million times than live in a world where the nerd was out of his reach….

——-

Katsuki underestimated how the wait would kill him more than the heartbreak he felt in his first life, each year passing by felt like a waste of time and his longing heart always kept an eye on the state of the world, with the hope of seeing familiar curls. His nights in were often filled with sweet memories from the nerd and and discovered a passion for letters, usually written to confess his moments of vulnerability and nostalgia, despite never sending them to his deceased lover.

 In the meantime, he became used to his new title of deity, creating a strong reputation for himself and witnessing how time was moving faster than he thought: he assisted in the creation of a few temples, including the one that resided in his hometown, and past lands, which faced many changes since his death. A few people took the time to visit this symbolic place and ask for the blond’s favor, a request he often accepted to entertain his boring days, knowing it would be better than searching for a soul that hadn’t reincarnated yet. 

He stopped counting the numerous sunsets that brightened the day for the mortals and the sunset that sent them into a peaceful dream, accepting the fact that he was slowly dying by a thousand cuts until he accidentally faced change. 

The old kingdom of Mustafu experienced many transformations in the next fifteen years that followed the king’s loss, keeping the history intact with the gratefulness for the previous sacrifices and the inspiration for a new day that convinced more subjects to take the lead. The broken buildings became brighter ones, the radiancy of their faces expressed their joy with this town that honored its past and new beginning, with the rise of newborn cries and the last breath of the elders. 

The recognizable landscapes were often described as a city full of life, and Izuku Midoriya had known this truth since his birth. Growing up taught him many lessons about the magic of this place that gave him the unexplainable sensation of having a deeper connection to this part of history, convinced it was a sentiment related to the unconditional love brought by his mother, but his heart proved him wrong when it tried to convince him to read between the lines. There was nothing wrong with the idea to stay here with his friends and lovely mother, despite his deep desire to travel outside this city that already knew each of his secrets….which led him to search for answers in the only place he trusted more than his secret diary.

Katsuki Bakugou was a name that always sounded strongly familiar to the mortal’s lips, despite learning about the tragic story during his childhood days. When he was younger, he often asked questions about the reason behind this splendid temple a few meters away from his house, and cried in Inko’s arms when he realized its deeper meaning, hoping the lovers’ paths would meet again. 

According to the legend, the building was well known for the reputation that preceded the poor king who never moved on from his lover’s death and became a god after this pain, more unbearable than his own breath. It was just a story meant to entertain the curious ears but Izuku felt the ability to complete the rest of this story, despite not remembering any of it. The mortal was convinced he was, somehow, connected to this place or its owner, but never had the courage to go by himself and hear the answers to his unsolved question…until now. His scarred fingers held the tissue of his clothes with a strong grip, holding his breath as his footsteps echoed in this quiet place, which seemed bigger than all the houses of his town combined. 

The luxury of this material gave him the impression of not belonging in such a place, even if his emerald eyes were mesmerized by the view and the impressive status standing in front of him. The stone hasn’t lost its brightness since its creation, reflecting the slight colors that appeared on this huge ghost, which looked too familiar for Izuku’s heart. There was something comforting at the sight of these eyes that seemed to cover a certain sadness, and the shade of gold on his spikes, almost like he had already seen this face before to recognize such details, meaningless on the outside but important for his longing heart.

Izuku moved closer to the ground, catching the warm atmosphere that wrapped his shorter body in this giant room, making him feel like a bug in the words of giants. He was conscious that his words wouldn’t be more remarkable than the previous demands shared by the shadows who crossed this path, with the hope of having explanations for this odd impression that occupied his chest since his first cries. His knees found the cold floor, sitting in a respectful position while lifting his head to lock his eyes with the status ones, hoping it wasn’t a waste of time. 

“My apologies for not visiting you earlier. I’ve heard all the miracles you’ve brought to our town, and wanted to have some of your knowledge concerning a decision that’s been occupying my mind for a while.” He explained with a sigh, conscious about the choice of his words and his desire to make a good impression, despite the despair he had painted with the shaking tone in his voice. “I don’t know if my request will reach out to you, but I’m lost in my own narrative. I’ve been discovering every aspect of this hometown I’ve known with blind sight, found each of its darkest secrets, and yet, something convinced me to stay, almost like I’m missing something important in the rest of this journey. I’m putting all my trust in your knowledge so please…Could you lead me to the right way without waiting  for a miracle that’ll never come in a small town like this one ?”

The silence in the room brought a sudden weight on the freckled man’s shoulders, wondering if he made the right choice by visiting this temple instead of talking about this with his mother but it was his last option. There was no reason to believe in a bond between them when they had never met before, but this feeling was different from a traditional religious belief! Izuku sighed, giving another try with the hope of being heard by the invisible force that chose to either save or end someone’s narrative, despite the hidden tears that fell down his cheeks.

“I don’t know what brought me here or what motive made me connected to this place, which still holds many secrets for this world. I don’t have the pretense to distinguish myself from the other shadows in the crowd, but my heart kept begging me to find answers to this specific spot. My name is another one behind the thousands you’ve already heard, but please…Tell me what I should do now. I’m lost and terrified of what would happen if I leave this temple without any explanations.”

It’s not like Izuku expected to be noticed by the deity and contained his slight disappointment when he realized how a few minutes had passed without any hints of the desperate answers he’d been looking for. The green-haired man sighed, accepting his defeat and barely noticing the change of atmosphere in his surroundings until the closest source of light turned darker with background footsteps that merged in the shadow.

Another person in town had probably found him in this compromising position,  until the previous noises stopped a few centimeters away from his trembling shadow, as the light breeze caressed his ears with the sound of a thin tissue finding the cold ground. Izuku didn’t move, ashamed by what had previously happened, and welcomed the sudden fingers on his shoulders, which gently moved to his chin and lifted his head, until his teary emerald eyes noticed the breathtaking sight near his reach. The trembling fingers never left his chin as they slowly moved to the side of his head, cupping them with a hesitant touch, and covering the rising blush that highlighted the previous freckles on his cheeks. 

Izuku’s heart missed a beat when his glance found the stunning crimson ones, revealing the mutual tears that sharpened their porcelain skin, as the impressive statue took the form of the most attractive man he had ever seen. The heat of his fingers felt too real to be an illusion, such as the delicacy of these movements against his skin and the familiar face he could read like an open book. The previous replica of the god was nothing compared to the ethereal beauty of the blond, who looked at the mortal as if he had found a stunning treasure in these cursed lands. Katsuki expected to see another extra ask for his help the moment he heard the footsteps in his temple and never planned to accidentally meet the love of his life and recognize the tone of his voice on the spot!

Izuku had never looked this beautiful, prettier than any of his souvenirs. The taller man couldn’t help but release the tears he’d held for too long and let his body move on its own and held the shorter man closer in a shaking embrace. He took the time to mesmerize all the details he’ve missed over the years such as the warmth of his messy curls against his chin or the beauty of his scarred hands. The muffled apologies crossed the mortal’s ears until a series of familiar souvenirs crossed his mind and occupied all his attention.

During a short moment, his body was transported to another universe, one where he had already met the stunning man in front of him and already knew each detail of the warm lips. He didn’t even know if he was still breathing or was stuck in a dream too good to be true, remembering every conversation they’ve had, their stolen laugh and the first I love you exchanged with each other in a universe that didn’t belong to their current present. Everything felt so natural and charming under this angle, replaying the fond memories of the two lovers creating a story that ended with a tragic note. 

Tears fell down his cheeks when he connected the dots and felt the strong arms holding him tighter, afraid to let him go. The story he’s seen in his head wasn’t a magical trick made by the gods to play with his nerves, but a gentle reminder of a treasure that got stolen from them. Now Izuku clearly understood why he felt so connected to this place and this temple, and quickly realized how the blond’s legend wasn’t a naive story, but a reality, and the clear consequences of what happened after his death. 

The green-haired man held the blond tighter, realizing how he’d finally found a way to stay with his missing half and continue the promises he’d broken against his will. His shaking voice mumbled low apologies, recalling the pain of his last thoughts and how he would never forgive himself for leaving his lover on its own, but the emotional reunion was only the beginning of this new chapter they were ready to complete, no matter how long it would take to face their last comma.

The subtle fingers inside his back moved to face the teary emerald eyes, understanding how their paths were now connected. The crying child, wishing for a happy ending for this story, ended up being the savior of his own narrative. He cupped the blond’s cheeks and rested his forehead against his, with a heartwarming smile on his lips. His younger self didn’t know that the missing piece of this unsolved mystery was standing right under his eyes from the beginning! 

“You..you’re real,” he mumbled with a soft tone, delicate enough to be stolen by the wind. It was strange to realize how he lived the past twenty-two years of his life with this impression of knowing the complete story, portrayed as pleasant dreams and inaccessible shadows in his imagination. With hindsight, it seemed crazy to even think about how it was possible to forget someone like Katsuki Bakugo, and he never did…technically, the blond still occupied a part of his heart and mind, even in his blurriest frames.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to hear your voice again,” responded the taller man with a smitten tone, one he hadn’t used a long time since their forced departure. Suddenly, all his lonely days were brightened by the presence of his favorite idiot, who held him as if there was no tomorrow. “I swear, this silence was going to kill me one way or another, I’m glad you came to my rescue- Shit, I missed you so much.”

“I can’t believe I forgot about you, but I remember everything now. Kacchan, I’ll choose you all over again,” Izuku confessed with a comprehensive tone, stepping back to hold the taller man closer to his chest and resting his head straight on his neck. He refused to let this reassuring warmth disappear after spending so many years in the blur about a future that’s already been written for them for decades. “You never left my heart and always found a way to haunt my dreams. I was convinced I was meant to be there, by your side and you’re back…we’re back!”

“I’m ready to wait a thousand more years if this means seeing how beautiful you look,” the blond replied with his signature grin that almost made Izuku tear up even more. The strong grip behind his back softened when they took the time to act like their younger selves, falling all over again with this breathtaking view and the delicate details on each other’s faces. Their narrative ended up a long time ago, but it was only a break in the blank pages they haven’t written yet, ready to be completed by their next adventures. 

“Wait..If we’re reunited this means you’re a god and the legend..,” the shorter man whispered with a broken tone. He knew this tale always caught his, but everything took a darker turn when he connected the dots behind the true story and the deep heartbreak his previous death caused to their bond. “Kacchan, why did you do that? You could’ve remarried someone and given an heir to your lands, you had the occasion to fall for another person so why…why did you choose to wait for me instead of putting your happiness first? I don’t get it.”

“Izuku, you’re my only priority and half always been the moment our eyes met,” the blond confessed with a reassuring tone, stealing a quick kiss against the mortal's forehead and wiping his recent tears away. “I wouldn’t have chosen someone else, not when my heart and soul belong to you in every universe. I don’t need some extra who’ll never have a bright smile like yours and adorable freckles. I’m sorry for letting you learn the truth that way, but I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

The green-haired man smiled at the fond answer and decided to shut his lover with a gentle kiss, reflecting all the years of loneliness faded away with the warmth of this exchange. The scarred fingers lost themselves in the golden spikes as he deepened the gesture, before reaching his breath and locking his emerald eyes into the crimson ones, telling him everything he needed to know about the rest of this journey. Izuku originally came here for hints concerning a future that’s never been so delicate on these bloody pages, knowing he already found his home and is happier than ever to continue what got stolen from them in cruel conditions.

Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugou chose to live in a small town close to their native lands, and enjoyed each moment together with the comfort of their handholds, stolen confessions under the form of whispers, and the joy rising inside their chest. Things couldn’t have been happier for them as the years passed by, standing by each other’s side the justified arguments or not, and the teary apologies due to their past life. The two men were inseparable and got married at the small doorsteps of their house, with stunning rings that stayed on their fingers until their mortal last breath. 

This time, Izuku didn’t die with pain or in the sea of his own blood, but in the warmth of his husband’s arms, in his sleep. He couldn’t be more grateful to know Katsuki was here until the very end and stood by his side in their last promises, hoping to meet again and start the vows they hadn’t achieved yet. It was the first time the blond didn’t feel suffering when he realized how his lover was gone, and knew they would meet again, no matter how long and the distance keeping them apart… 

——-

Once again, the next years became the loneliest, but the presence of the ring on his finger reminded him how this fight was worth the try. He had no other choice than waiting, repeating the same process and continuing his role of deity to the growing town, which faced many changes without any sign of messy green curls in the crowd. Katsuki knew one day he would immediately recognize the man he loved and repeat the process all over again…

His boring days took a pleasant turn when he noticed an unusual shadow walking in the street of a familiar neighborhood on a summer day. His crimson eyes immediately saw the familiar shade of green that colored his shining eyes and curls, recognizable and yet, bringing him the cutest smile on his lips. For the moment, he chose to protect him and make sure nothing would interfere with the freckled man, realizing how long it’s been since he had seen the nerd this happy! 

It was a risk to take, but his healing heart couldn’t intervene, not when he’d been waiting for their reunion. The meaningful promise to stand by each other’s side in every universe echoed as a timeless vow meant to be kept with each new beginning. The taller man tried to move a few things in the nerd’s house and let him think he was another ghost, touched to face the adorable pouty expression, until his plan went too far. He swore he never meant to be caught in his silly games, but the shocked expression on the mortal’s face proved how he rushed his own plans to make a good entrance.

A light grin crossed the tip of his lips and Izuku turned redder, connecting the dots about how the annoying ghost wasn’t a simple stranger, but his deceased lover. The souvenirs of their past lives warmed the freckled man’s heart as he simply smiled at their reunion, pushing the blond’s shoulders with a light hit while explaining how much he missed his angelic face. Katsuki easily admitted his faults and exposed his complete plans, under the amused chuckles of his lover, who still looked at him with the same glance that kept stealing his heart every single time. 

The easiness of this lifetime seemed to please the two men, who always cherished the silly tease and moments of intimacy once the shade of midnight started to reveal the brightest stars in the sky. Their narrative never stopped, it was just a question of time before being reunited for new adventures, which seemed more like a blessing than a curse. Izuku couldn’t believe how the annoying ghost in his house had been his grumpy husband, the same man who held him close at night and whispered how much he loved him, knowing the value of such confessions. 

The freckled man was always the one condemned to a terrible fate, but his last goodbye had been the happiest he ever had, with the hope of experiencing it a thousand times if it meant living like there was no tomorrow. The strength of their bond resided in the moments shared at the most vulnerable confessions, the curious kisses transformed into the timeless prose of their favorite poem, such as the precious smile that crossed their lips with the shade of red on their cheeks. Katsuki never thought he would be able to experience such happiness with the creation of new memories, but his fantasy was about to quickly fall apart with a trick he had never seen coming. 

It all started as a casual afternoon between the two inseparable lovers, and became the worst day of their lives: It happened in a few seconds of inattention and a bitter impression of deja vu, but the knife meeting Izuku’s stomach was already too deep to be removed. In the past, Katsuki had already been the spectator of his husband’s death concerning their original tale and promised to offer the best of care in their next reincarnation until he realized the praise that came with such a selfish wish. In his castle, he couldn’t save the strong knight that saved his life and the curse reinvented itself when he was powerless in front of the mortal’s final breath…

The robber saw this hidden spot a few weeks ago and made a list of the owner’s habits to prepare his plan for the D-day. The first thing he noticed was how the freckled man was crazy and spent most of his time talking to himself with an imaginary friend called Kacchan, until the invisible ghost turned out to be the great god Katsuki. The blond immediately shared a murderer look, cursing his name before pushing this asshole out, knowing the rest of the deities would take care of his case. 

The only thing that mattered at the moment was the terrifying scene under his eyes, and the frames of Izuku defending himself to protect his husband, only to pay the price of this bittersweet sacrifice. At the end, he ended up holding the man he loved more than his own soul in his last breath, despite another death, more painful than the last one. The echoes of their first separation replayed inside his mind, and his shaking hands tried to convince the blond that everything was fine, even if the tears falling down their cheeks betrayed their failed attempts. There was no need to pretend when a single glance was enough to see how the blond held the shorter man as close as possible, reminding them of their first reunion in this temple, which couldn’t save the freckled man, even with the best wishes….

Katsuki didn’t know he was able to share so many tears, and took the time to kiss Izuku’s forehead, whispering how sorry he was for failing his mission to protect him. The freckled man used his last strength to smile and steal a last kiss from his husband’s lips, explaining how he wouldn’t mind dying in the god’s arms a thousand times. The golden-haired man didn’t say a single word and held the lifeless body of Izuku until his suffering extended over multiple nights, making the other deities worried about him, before seeing the gut-wrenching scene in this isolated house that knew the best of tales. 

At this moment, the blond wished he could have simply died and join his lover in the afterlife, but he was stuck in his own wish, which became a terrible curse for his shattered heart. The last words of his husband kept replaying inside his mind as promises that faced the worst of endings, and this time, there’ll be no rest in his temple. The god spent his time mourning the inevitable loss and accepted how Izuku was gone after burying his body in a proper grave, ready to wait another decade to share his muffled apologies…

——-

Izuku Midoriya knew he was special since his first cries. 

His mother always taught him how unconditional love could save his heart from a terrible heartbreak, and the freckled man took those words very seriously. The indelible memories shared with Inko were enough to teach him the value of his courage and his curiosity, which became his biggest qualities in this corrupted world. The shorter man could easily describe the details on these paintings that colored his solitary days, the familiar shade of green in a forest that offered a clear contrast to his messy curls, and the presence of supportive people who saw his growth over the years. 

The green-haired man always felt the need to stay connected to this place despite his interests in the outside world and foreign countries, but his attempts to walk away from this city always led him back to the god’s temple, even if he never received any answers. It became a habit for his solitary days and moments of vulnerability, looking for comfort in the only building that made him feel heard, outside of his childhood home.

This place became a safe spot for the multiple events that happened in his youth, from the wasted tears shed for a nobody after a public humiliation, to his desire for knowledge concerning the enigmatic bond between him and this temple. To his knowledge, he didn’t have any reasons to spend most of his time in a religious place, but his heart always led him back to the blond’s statue, with the impression of being observed by an indiscernible force. Izuku was convinced this sensation was made by genuine intention from the deities, explaining he felt a certain ease at the idea of confessing each of his heartbreaks and unrequited love. 

Some days, he swore to even feel the weight of ghost hands on his shoulders, and held onto the inexplicable sensation that everything would be fine. In his naivety and the pleasant discoveries of his youth, the shorter man decided to take the risk to leave his native hometown, only to unfortunately years later to commemorate his mother’s funeral, and never left since then. Many people convinced him to mourn Inko’s loss and grab his chance for a new beginning, but something felt wrong: At first, he thought his grief after Inko’s death was the main reason behind his desire to stay here until his old days, but he quickly realized how it was deeper than that… 

This unexplainable sensation never left his chest, as the years passed by and the reassuring ghost always showed up in his vulnerable moments. Izuku knew there was some part of this mystery he hadn’t solved yet, and the quest to find this sensation of missing his other half was too complex for his shattered heart. He found himself wondering about this blurry figure in his dream, unreachable in the darkest nights and early mornings, taking the form of a moving shadow with frames that never so familiar and forgotten at the same time. 

Lost in his thoughts and the redundancy of his everyday habits, the green-haired man succeed to regain a smile on his face and watched the neighbors, who’ve known him since he was a child, expand their families. Izuku wondered if he would ever be able to experience this kind of love and fondness in this lifetime, despite the sentiment of wasting his time with his failed dates and relationships, which never lasted longer than two months. His love life was pretty chaotic with lessons he learned in the harsh way, and still accepted the help from his ghost friend, who cheered him up with a comforting presence, almost like they’d never left his side…

The freckled man accepted he couldn’t go against the indelible curse and decided to enjoy the small moments of happiness brought by this redundant lifestyle. His longtime friends got their own children and moved away from this grey hometown, as a wave of solitude slowly covered this quiet place, which used to show the brightest landscapes in his youth. Izuku had a few regrets about not taking his chance to explore the world after his mother’s death, but he strangely felt comfortable with the familiar songs of the breeze caressing his ears and his recurrent visit to the blond’s temple. 

Katsuki naturally saved his lover’s life a countless number of times, even if he was far from the reality awaiting him on his deathbed. It’s safe to say that Izuku had some fun in this life, sadder moments, and bright smiles, despite being the target of an incurable illness. He’ve already heard a few people mentioning a similar story happening to their loved ones, and accepted his fate when the time had come, until his body started to deteriorate. His coughs became louder and his muscles weaker as he spent more time in bed than doing activities he previously loved, but it was the price to pay for this peaceful death awaiting him in the next few weeks.

The green-haired man wasn’t scared of death, not when he always felt that this ending, seen as tragic for the others, was considered a sign of familiarity for his case. In all honesty, he didn’t even understand the reasons that led him to such reasoning: Izuku knew he couldn’t get all the answers he needed in this lifetime, and was alright with the idea of getting them in his next reincarnation, as naive as it seemed. 

When the time had come, the silence of this house was replaced with the loud footsteps of the moving shadow, reduced in his movements, to the point of getting weaker every morning. At this point, the mortal waited for the visit of the shadow, ready to close this chapter of his life as a sad smile crossed the corner of his lips when he realized that he didn’t have anyone at his side for his last moment. 

He sincerely hoped he would get enough time in his next life to accomplish the dreams that were stolen away from him, especially with this sensation of missing something, if not someone, since his youth. The shade of orange that colored this calm sunset caught his attention, picturing a sweet landscape under his observing glance. Izuku had experienced many things, and yet, he still felt the presence of this reassuring shadow that never left his side and accompanied him in his last breath. 

The first time Katsuki interacted with his lover in this cursed lifetime, was during Izuku’s deathbed. He had never stopped looking at him from afar and kept him safe, even if he regretted not interacting with the nerd, afraid of being a bother, when it had never been the case: In their past lives, the nerd always reminded him how his company was the best treasure he ever received, and he couldn’t live without him..a joke that turned out to be true when he saw how the mortal’s loneliness. 

His taller figure moved in the silent house, trying not to make too much noise or bother the exhausted man on the bedsheet, whose crimson eyes could be recognized anywhere. His heart missed a beat when he moved his head and noticed the bags under the tired emerald eyes, his pale face that lost all its color, and the sensation of coming too late to a tale that was supposed to be theirs. The couple had already known a happy ending before, and weren’t afraid of doing it again, but unfortunately, their desperate wishes came back to life at the worst timing in their doomed narratives….

The crimson eyes watched the fragility of a body he praised in his past lives, and didn’t fight back when he saw the emerald eyes looking at him with a shocked expression on his face. None of them dared to talk, afraid to break this moment that seemed too breakable to be considered as their last goodbyes, even when the freckled man’s face softened at this sight, glad to face his lover whom he never thought he would see again. 

The sharpness of the previous blade that met his stomach was equal to the bloody coughs killing him every day, until it consumed his broken body and last ounce of hope in his naive soul. Katsuki didn’t speak when he noticed the tears falling down the pale cheeks, realizing how Izuku remembered their past lives, and chose to reply with a smile, instead of an angry glance. The endearing scene could be considered a heartwarming reunion despite the wasted years that took many discoveries away from their narratives. The golden-haired man left his previous spot to move closer to the bedsheet and sat right next to the mortal, who held his fragile hands into the trembling ones of the blond, afraid to wake up from this ethereal dream.

“So it was you…keeping me safe all along ?” Izuku asked in a low tone.

 If he had enough strength, he would’ve a chuckle at the craziness of this situation, but accepted how their timeless vows stayed intact through the decades separating them against their will. He was moved to see how the reassuring force protecting him from afar was the same man who swore an unconditional love since their very first meeting, who never forgot about their secret whispers and stolen kisses. The bittersweet reunion with his missing half filled the emptiness that occupied his worries his entire life, knowing he finally got the answers to his unsolved questions, which took the form of the prettiest man he had ever seen.

“I’ve never stopped,” replied the blond with a sad tone, moving his thumbs to meet the nerd’s knuckles. The gesture reflected the tenderness of this situation, which had never seemed so conflicted to their longing hearts: The two men were happier than ever and heartbroken to see how this moment of joy was meant to happen with their first and last conversations. 

“You know, I’ve already heard your voice before, a hundred times actually,” the freckled man explained with an understanding tone, holding the calloused hands tighter. He knew he didn’t look as beautiful as he used to be in their past lives, but a simple glance at the gorgeous blond was enough to feel the strong bond between them. “It always happened in my dreams, when you’re too far from my reach, and yet, I’ve never been so happy to see you. I truly missed you, more than anything, may I ask why you haven’t shown up when I came to your temple the first time ?”

“Because I was scared,” pointed out the taller man with a broken tone, holding back his tears. Katsuki knew he shouldn’t cry, not when it would be the first and last vision his lover would get from him, but the pain was unbearable. He’ve should’ve acted earlier instead of letting his fears interfere with the complexity of this curse, which took the form of the prettiest tale: The shorter man didn’t deserve this life, not when the blond hated himself for being completely stupid! 

“Kacchan is scared of something ?” A light laugh escaped from the mortal’s lips, replacing the silence of this quiet room with the charm of this melody that melted the god’s heart. Shit, he missed this angelic voice that brightened his days, and longed for these embraces and kisses that never happened in this lifetime. 

His hand moved with enough strength to gently wipe the recent tears that fell down the blond’s cheeks away, with a caring glance, despite the fact that Katsuki almost broke his promises due to his stupidity. The freckled man was conscious about how this represented a serious weight on his god’s shoulders, especially with his title of deity that forced him to handle all this suffering until their next reunions. The golden-haired man never expressed himself about the impact of those endless years separating them, and Izuku wasn’t naive: He immediately noticed how the teary crimson eyes were releasing all the pain he’d kept hidden for too long, especially with their brutal goodbyes in their past life.

“Yes,” he confessed with a broken tone. “Losing you and condemning you to a miserable life are my biggest fears,”

Izuku could’ve experienced so many things without this shitty curse, instead of spending the rest of his life stuck in a place that replaced his bright smiles with a shade of grey, that followed him until his last words. The calloused fingers held the fragile ones tighter, resting his head against the mortal’s chest, knowing how the sharp tears on his skin won’t be able to catch the lost time between them. The blond couldn’t recall the last time he’ve authorized himself to be vulnerable, it always happened when the nerd was around and today wasn’t the exception when he his muffled sobs noticed the slow heartbeat on Izuku’s chest, and the fragile hands holding him closer. 

“Then loving you in every lifetime is my biggest pride,” whispered the green-haired man with a fond tone, moving his fingers to lift his lover’s chin and lock his tired glance into the teary one. 

Katsuki had never looked this gorgeous and succeeded in stealing his heart with a simple glance, even if they were way too old to be considered human, marked by the decades that separated them and their multiple narratives. It belonged to this ethereal secret they’ll bring to their graves, and a story that’ll repeat itself a thousand, if not millions of times, with the same sentiment of falling for each other all over again.

“You’re so strong,” he added with a caring tone, cupping his lover’s cheeks. Izuku’s lips stole a fragile kiss on the god’s forehead, before losing his fingers behind his neck as a reminder of the old days they cherished more than their own lives. “You’re the most courageous and devoted person I’ve ever seen, ready to brave death to stand by my side, even when I don’t deserve it. I can’t imagine how painful it must be to handle all of this on your own, I couldn’t have wished for a better lover than you. I love you, more than any treasure that belonged to these cursed lands.”

“And yet, I haven’t had the strength to show up in this universe.” Katsuki Bakugou knew he made stupid mistakes in his past lives, but his biggest was to stand behind his own narrative when they could’ve had their happy ending a long time ago. The apprehension to see his soulmate disappear in his arms again scared him, to the point of not realizing the chance he had to feel Izuku’s arms wrapped around him and the warmth of these emerald eyes, which looked at him with so much love to offer in their limited interaction. 

“I forgive you,” said the shorter man with an affectionate tone, offering his brightest smile to the man who stole his heart in thousands of lifetimes. 

The most coveted men and women of the old kingdom could stand at his feet and offer him the most prestigious gift and promise of internal love, it would never compare to the ethereal sensation of catching the charming crimson eyes in the corner of the room with his signature smirk. Katsuki made him feel thousands of different emotions at the same time and it was the beauty of their journey, no amount of jewels and pretty promises could ever replace the complexity of the narrative he shared with his childhood friend, including the ups and downs of their relationship.

 “I forgive you because you always protected me from afar, kept me company, and offered me comfort when I needed it the most. You saw me at my weakest and never gave up on me, even when I broke our promises too…and you’re still here, standing by my side in my deathbed, with the same face that made me fall for you the first time.”

The visible trace of fresh blood on the bedsheet reminded them how Izuku was getting weaker and their moving reunion couldn’t last forever. A simple glance between their teary eyes was enough to understand how they would have more chances the next time, conscious of the apologies and love confessions that resided at the tip of their lips.  

“What are we going to do now ?” The question unconsciously escaped the god’s lips. His crimson eyes observed the beauty of the stunning emerald ones, as he held their intertwined fingers closer. Izuku knew how his time was up, he would rather spend the next few minutes with his lover than a ghost that had been haunting his mind for too long. 

“Wait until our next reunion, knowing how my heart will always be yours.” His answer was simple but efficient enough to read between the lines. His face brightened with a warm smile when he made a sign to the taller man to move closer to his frail body, until their faces were separated by a few centimeters. “For the moment, hold me close…I want to stay by your side until the end.”

“I’ll be better, I promise,” whispered the blond with a low tone, stealing a quick kiss against the mortal’s forehead, and saw the light shade of red that colored his porcelain skin. Katsuki never thought he would be able to see this adorable sight again, and moved closer enough to hold the shorter man in another embrace, feeling how the shorter man returned the gesture, afraid to be separated again despite the current circumstances.

“You don’t need to,” confessed Izuku with a comprehensive tone. If he had enough time, he would make sure to let his husband know how amazing he was, even if they were both conscious that actions spoke louder than words in their unusual romance. “You’re already perfect to my eyes, even with your flaws.”

“You’re stupid,” replied the bond with a smirk, moving a lost curl behind the freckled man’s ears. The sparkling emerald eyes never left his, touched to see how their paths always met, even in the craziest circumstances when death tried to tear them apart, only to get stronger in every reincarnation. Katsuki’s fingers slid to the porcelain cheeks to cup this fragile skin, admiring this scene for the last time with the pride to know he was still loved despite his mistakes: He hated the idea of waiting for a miracle or a fortunate happenstance to happen again but he had no other choice than covering his soulmate with love until his last breath. “Take some rest, you’ve fought enough and I’m proud of you…The next time you’ll open your eyes I’ll be there and I’ll meet you again, a thousand times if necessary, freckles.”

“I can’t wait,” mumbled the shorter man with a warm smile on his lips, before resting in a more comfortable position. 

His messy curls rested on the reassuring heartbeat on the blond’s chest, as their intertwined fingers never left each other’s side while the warmth of this touch slowly lost its color. Katsuki didn’t say anything or try to wake the nerd up, not when he was conscious about the endless wait on the other side, with the hope that his missing half had peace in his last breath….

—-

The deities didn’t ask any questions when the golden-haired man returned to his chamber without a single word, portraying a scene that looked sadly familiar to their curious eyes. It was a well-known fact that Katsuki Bakugou had only eyes for his first love, who still occupied each of his thoughts after his numerous deaths. Some whispers even described this romance as something endearing, while others simply had compassion for the lost deity, who lost all the colors on his face every time he returned to this golden jail.

Katsuki was glad to have the occasion to meet Izuku and continue the story they’ve left incomplete in their living, but it felt wrong to sit here in these luxurious bed sheets when the side of the bed had always been cold. He would rather die a thousand times on each than be immortal and see the freckled man dying all over again, with different perspectives on a story he wanted to protect more than his own life. Izuku was the muse of his creations and also the author of the sharp tears that fell down his cheeks every time he remembered their goodbyes. 

Waiting for Izuku’s next reincarnation gave him enough time to think about the chaos he caused in the last lifetime: The memories kept haunting his nights, such as the ghost of the reassuring touch against his broken skin and the words, that couldn’t heal his grief. He wasn’t proud of what he did, and he messed up by wasting so much years instead of creating new adventures, but Izuku’s last words were a harsh realization that acted like a slap in the face: The green haired man spent his entire life waiting for the god’s return and sacrificed all his dreams, forced to accept a life that wasn’t his.

Izuku was forced to be on his own when he was meant to change history, instead of being a ghost of a tale that condemned their happy ending in cruel twists and the man he loved to a perpetual loneliness. Indeed, the blond already noticed the hints in the past, but none of them had been this obvious until it took the form of a realization he couldn’t ignore anymore: Every story shared in the past owned a certain weight on their shoulders with Katsuki forced to wait for a miracle, and Izuku recalling the pain of his previous deaths. 

It was the price to pay if they wanted to get together, and yet, it felt unfair. The two men already sacrificed enough blood and tears at the price of their temporary happy ending, served on a silver platter until it vanished from their existence in the blink of an eye. The blond was ready to pay for this selfish wish made to the gods, but he never wanted to put the man he loved in this cursed cycle, doomed to suffer when he never asked for such treatment! 

Izuku Midoriya deserved the best and seeing the nerd wrapped with an obvious sadness broke his heart, even if his pain was erased in the conversation that only lasted a few minutes, and not enough to share the apology that almost escaped the blond’s lips. The shorter man claimed to be fine with this lifestyle, and Katsuki knew how much his lover was ready to sacrifice to make his missing half happy, at the cost of his personal happiness. 

The golden-haired man learned this lesson too late and caused the worst ending to someone he promised to protect, and he felt guilty for this wish that became his worst nightmare. He came to the conclusion that living a life where their path never crossed was a better idea than pushing the longing soul into an endless wait and retelling this cursed ending. After all, it would be easier to see Izuku creating his own journey, even if the simple existence of this possibility broke the blond’s heart, despite the numerous times where Izuku confessed how he would rather be cursed by fate, than love someone else.

This confession melted the god’s heart back in the days, and acted as a cruel reminder of their new reality. There’ll never be a new normal for them, not anymore: The two men already experienced the luck to meet as mortals in their first life, and now they were condemned to be star-crossed lovers until death do them part. Katsuki didn’t regret a single memory shared with his missing half, and felt guilty at the idea of forcing Izuku on a path already written before his death…

He decided to make a decision that’ll cause an endless sorrow in his chest, but necessary for the sake of his lover: For the first time in decades, Katsuki Bakugou decided to vanish from Izuku’s life. He won’t be a ghost of his past, nor the one bringing him an inevitable downfall, but a distant shadow observing him from afar. The blond wasn’t pleased by this decision either, and had no other choice but to let the man he loved live his life, which explains why he brought a small help when the nerd accidentally met his new friends, or strangers in the streets, able to change the rest of his journey. 

Katsuki was the one who avoided the interference with the freckled man on purpose, taking his time to put every obstacle aside by bringing fortunate events to the nerd’s path. He smiled when he listened to Izuku’s conversations, explaining how he was lucky since his birth as a statement that caused much jealousy in his surroundings. Slowly but surely, the blond disappeared from the narrative as he watched the warm smile on Izuku’s face in his new lifetime, even if the people he dated weren’t Katsuki with the bittersweet price to pay for this happiness.

The hardest part was saying goodbye to the man he loved, who constructed a life without him. It was heartbreaking, causing the worst of tears of the god’s cheeks, but Katsuki knew it was what his husband would’ve done if he were still by his side. The deity disappeared from the landscape and took care of other business, pretending to be fine when he was missing his lover every single day, knowing how Izuku wasn’t his….not anymore. 

He made a few checks from time to time until he stopped interfering with the new narrative, hoping everything would be fine for the nerd. Little did he know how wrong he was when he received a message from another deity, announcing how his protégé faced the worst of fate and ended up in a cemetery, a few years later. 

Katsuki’s world fell apart the moment he heard the news: At first, he thought it was a shitty joke made by the other gods to annoy him with his perpetual sadness, until he saw the gut-wrenching reality, which acted like a slap in the face. He’d travelled every single cemetery and was relieved to not see the familiar name here until his eyes accidentally met with the darkest grave of this entire place. In front of him was the familiar name with two dates that clearly indicated how the poor Izuku Midoriya died in his twenties. The blond didn’t know anything about his death and how it even happened, but the sentence written on the stone acted like a thousand stabs in his chest: “Here resides the devoted Izuku Midoriya, who longed for a ghost that never came.”

His trembling fingers wiped the tears away with a hesitant gesture, as his taller figure rested on this colder landscape with the hope of waking up from these nightmares, that had become his new reality. The delicate breeze crossed his ears and informed him that it was too late to change the past, realizing how he truly fucked everything up this time. Shit, he was supposed to be Izuku’s protector and miserably failed his mission due to his fear of condemning his lover to an eternal curse, which couldn’t be changed, even with the best intentions!

Katsuki didn’t know if the freckled man spent his last breath alone or with the company of his loved ones, he had no idea if this idiot even thought about him. He hated himself for being the executor in this terrible tale where the mortal was meant to be connected to the blond, one way or another no matter its superficiality. The golden-haired man did his best to let his soulmate enjoy his life to the fullest, and ended up drowning in the ocean of his own regrets once he couldn’t bring the man he loved back. The worst part was how they hadn’t met or shared any interactions together when their promises in their past life were to continue what they’ve started!

The blond faced many situations to his disadvantage, but this one was the worst. He wasn’t good enough to keep the promises made to his lover during their living and Izuku’s final breath, he miserably failed his role of protector and put his guard down instead of keeping an eye on his lover. If he had been there earlier, maybe the nerd would still be a part of this world instead of residing six feet underground…

The nerd sacrificed his limited time for him but at what cost? He might have not remembered the weight of their past lives, but was it really worth the try if this meant creating more suffering on their vulnerable hearts? The bitter answer burned the god’s lips as he kept staring at this name and the adventures they hadn’t explored together, he suddenly realized how much he missed the comfort of his lover’s laugh, handholds, and breathtaking glance. Tears fell down his cheeks when Katsuki accepted his fate, cursing his own name as he shared his muffled apologies to the cold stone, hating himself for being the worst of men for giving up.

He stayed in this cemetery a few more days, wishing he could die here and reincarnate to save the only one who truly deserves this title of god.. He couldn’t face death and was forced to wait with his bleeding heart and regrets killing him from the inside. The golden-haired man continued his facade with the other gods, even if he never forgave himself for breaking Izuku’s trust, convinced to fix his past mistakes and catch the lost time as they promised…

———

Katsuki Bakugou hated being a god. 

He despised the overwhelming silence of this place, the unreadable thoughts in the people’s glances, and the same emerald eyes that never left his mind. He couldn’t stand the cold atmosphere of his room, the privilege that became a curse in his narrative, without mentioning the distance between the name escaping his lips after each nightmare. It wasn’t a surprise if the blond avoided any contact with the other deities and stayed on its own, too focused to search for the green messy curls all around the world. The golden-haired man had so many things to say and so much time to catch up after the bitter lessons he learned against his will: It didn’t stop him from impatiently waiting for the only man who stole his heart, even in the afterlife.

The first time he recognized the messy curls in the street, his heart missed a beat. 

Izuku hasn’t changed since their last meeting and still has this ethereal beauty that caught the attention of a public crowd, knowing how many extras would take the world down to have a second of his attention. The crimson eyes were mesmerized by his charming smile crossing the tip of the mortal’s lips, the gentleness of his voice, and the details that made him prettier than ever. His clothes were still ridiculous but the kindest of his soul and the beauty of his glances succeeded in making the cold god cry at this sight, forced to admit how much he missed him and refused to commit the same stupidity ever again. 

He used a discreet strategy at first, trying to hide in the crowd to not get caught, with a fast heartbeat that reminded him of the excitement of their first lifetime. The golden-haired man forgot the last time he’d felt this impatient about something that was finally accessible to his broken palms, who already wasted too much blood for his liking. He prepared the tender vows meant to escape his lips when his eyes met the fond emerald ones until he realized with terror how he accidentally lost the nerd!

 A growing panic filled his chest when he caught the mocking wind against his ears, as he looked everywhere in this area…only to realize how Izuku had disappeared in the blink of an eye. For a moment, the god thought he was crazy for searching for a guy that shared the same physical features as a misunderstanding, despite the fact that Izuku’s unique features belonged to the muse of his unshared poems. This moment of doubt was subtly erased by the reassuring reminder that this intriguing shadow wasn’t an extra who looked like his deceased lover, but Izuku himself!

 The other deities might trick his delusional mind with shitty illusions, unaware that his heart will always spot his missing half, even in the most crowded street. He couldn’t be mad for this second of inattention, conscious he’ll have another occasion to make a proper entrance, and was relieved to see the freckled man alive : At this moment, the blond swore to sacrifice the next years to find and hold the shorter man inside his arms like there was no tomorrow. Katsuki had never been so determined to look for his missing half and held onto the excitement to see the rising bliss in the adorable eyes, but something always interrupted his premeditated reunion. 

At first, he saw this error as a simple coincidence, until it became too repetitive to be a question of misfortune. He chose to stay discreet and pretend a little longer like he always did in the past decades, and received the confirmation of his theory when he caught one of the deities messing up with the situation, making him angrier than ever. Katsuki didn’t think twice before requesting a clear talk about this fucked up plan to ruin the role he was supposed to keep. 

Every eye was locked on the menacing crimson ones, reflecting his desire for justice and sadness, concerning a story they’ve all known too well. Some murmurs crossed the blond’s ears, but none of this mattered when he raised his voice and asked, if not begged, for questions about this shitty trick put on him. It’s not like he was close to the other gods, they barely talked and were strangers at this point but what was the reason behind this selfish game, created to torment his mind?

“You’ve been a god for a long time and know better than anyone the boredom of this lifestyle. We watched your love story taking different forms with the creation of new promises over the years, including the terrible events of the last meetings. We simply thought it would be intriguing to see if you truly learn from your mistakes and decided to really sacrifice everything for this mortal, who doesn’t even remember you.”

“So you decided to tear us apart again, as if we haven’t had enough pain with this curse ?” Katsuki fought back with a dark tone, moving closer and pushing them to the walls with a strong grip. The other deities were offended by the gesture, but the threats made by the angry blond didn’t erase the shitty smirk on the other’s face. 

“It’s just a question of time before you two meet again and continue this endless cycle, there’s nothing wrong with challenging the strength of your love. Unless you make your proof and show us how these years of waiting didn’t change your determination to get back to him, and if it’s the case, you’ll eventually find your freedom.” Katsuki shared an annoyed glare when he noticed the blurry answers from the extra, who seemed to have a certain idea in mind. 

“Let me be clear for once and all: I swore to spend the rest of my life chasing and protecting the man I love, even if this means taking decades to be reunited with him. I’ll always choose Izuku over any superficial power and luxury offered by this lifestyle, your tricks won’t work on me and I’ll search every single corner of the earth to let him know how much he meant to me. You can try to separate us with death a thousand times, but none of your failed attempts will break the bond between us,” the taller man affirmed with a serious tone. 

He released the previous grip and faced the shocked expression on everyone’s face, before leaving the room with a middle finger, determined to prove to them how wrong they were to even challenge the invisible string that connected their souls. The two men went through enough shit to realize how much they care about each other, which made each of their reunions more tender and significant than the previous ones, despite the bitterness that highlighted some of them. 

Katsuki Bakugou was ready to kill a thousand monsters if this meant seeing the man he loved one last time. 

It seemed like the deities took his threat very seriously when the obstacles became more inevitable: It started with tiny hints when sudden friends appearing in the mortal’s spot when Katsuki was about to make the first move, then it turned into a fortunate occasion that forced the freckled man to leave for another town, and even a forced romance between the nerd and some girl that barley last one week. The crimson-eyed noticed how each trick became wiser, but not impossible to circumvent, especially with the blond’s hints left all over the places, which often brought a light smile on Izuku’s lips with an odd impression of deja vu. 

He knew their interactions were limited, which explained why he enjoyed every second of it, admiring how his shining eyes and fond chuckles reminded him how this fight was worth the try. The small messages and questions in the wind succeeded in brightening their days, even if this happiness was temporary, such as the moment when Izuku’s nightmares suddenly disappeared the moment he found a comforting figure by his side, or the silly comments on his windows, which told him to stay safe. 

If the naive Izuku didn’t understand the reason behind such warnings, he became the target of this complex game between the gods, ready to separate them and his lover, going against the boundaries established in the past decades. The determination of the deities was enough to last two more years, forcing the green-haired man to question the curious events that kept happening in his life, almost like an invisible force was trying to keep him away from an unreachable truth. It would be a lie to say that the green-haired man wasn’t affected by all these changes, especially when he had to live in a secluded area of the lands, almost nonexistent on every map…

Katsuki didn’t give up and fought until the very last second, he took the form of another mortal to ask questions to the other humans and spent hours looking for any hints of his lover, who had disappeared overnight. Every night, he remembered the last interaction he shared with his lover, based on something silly but endearing for their lonely days, filled with each other’s presence. The last words he left on the wooden table, the discreet message on the window, and the cute smile on the mortal’s lips echoed as a reminder of the current weight of time and decided to keep fighting : Unfortunately, even with the best elements concerning Izuku’s habits in this lifetime, the current location of his lover was out of reach. 

For a moment, the blond almost believed that his missing half was dead, revealing how the blond was clearly affected by this cat-and-mouse game that lasted too long for his liking. The lack of warmth and the empty side of the bed acted as a cold reminder of this blessing, which ended up being a perpetual chase after his missing half for the rest of his life. He didn’t mind replaying the same scenario all over again by making new discoveries with the man he loved, and hated the fact that he was challenged about an undeniable truth. 

The bedsheet and luxurious room were quickly forgotten, replaced by the appeasing scenery of two children playing together in a field, full of flowers with the naivety of their youth, until they grew up and became older enough to transform these projects into a reality. The story they haven’t written yet was still considered as agreeable dreams in the blond’s mind, as their blurry talk naturally drifted into a certain topic the couple had already mentioned in their past conversations.

The fragment of an isolated house appeared in his mind, taking the form of a drawing made on this blank paper, catching the god’s attention. He held the fragile piece in his broken palms and took a curious glance at the amused eyes, looking at him with a warm smile. Katsuki knew this was all in his head, and yet, it had never felt so close to his ideal reality, where they would’ve been reunited without any obstacles not near-death experiences waiting for them at the end of this journey. 

“I cleaned my house a few days ago and found this drawing I’ve made when we were young,” the imaginary Izuku explained with a smile, moving closer to the taller figure. His messy curls rested against his lover’s neck. “We weren’t the greatest artists, but I’ve kept this one because it was my favorite. It’s crazy to see how much we have grown up since then! I knew this was our biggest dream, to have our own house in the middle of nowhere, without the bother of the closest town and the annoying neighbors. Things haven’t changed despite my big age, I still want to do this with you…only if you agree to tolerate me for the rest of your life, Kacchan!”

The crimson eyes widened at the previous words, acting like a slap in the face. He immediately woke up from this previous dream with sweat falling down his forehead and a heavy breath filling the silence of this room, realizing how he’d never been closer to the truth. This was the first time he felt the familiar song of the fast heartbeat inside his chest taking the lead over his own rational thinking, connecting the dots of this ultimate quest. The deities wanted to keep them away at all costs, and the best way to do that was to bring the freckled man to a place isolated from the rest of the world if they wanted to make the search harder for the blond….

The taller man left his bed and immediately grabbed the numerous maps he had been collecting and completing since the beginning of this tough quest. His entire attention was focused on the different locations, and spots highlighted by negative answers: if there was one thing Katsuki knew, it was how this world kept moving for decades. He’s seen the changes with his own eyes and quickly realized how he couldn’t get the hints on the most recent maps, but the oldest ones, which tend to be forgotten in the library, gathering dust over the years.  

The next morning, he started looking into every single book containing the maps about the lands that used to be his, and spent hours analyzing the slightest change or elements that didn’t appear in the new map, until he finally found an intriguing detail. His calloused hands pushed the heavy book on the wooden table and stepped back, looking at the indication of an old area that used to be a town back in their first meeting. The familiarity of this spot brought him a wave of hope in his sparkling eyes, conscious it was the only place he hadn’t looked for, and his last chance to get back to Izuku Midoriya.

——

Without warning anyone, he left his temple empty and disappeared into the forest that used to be a comfortable town. 

His footsteps resonated with the heavy rain that met his clothes and he decided to follow him in this meeting that’ll either bring him back to life or dig his own grave. The weather seemed to be entertained by his presence when Katsuki noticed how he was the only one taking this road. Being a god taught him important lessons he never thought he would understand as a mortal, the most important one being the idea that time was meant to change scything in its surroundings: the isolated forest might be the next city, and the lovers could either get married for a stronger bond or be separated after a harsh fight. 

This world was in constant movement, an obstacle that even the deities themselves couldn’t fight, despite their symbolic roles. Katsuki never thought that these meaningless details would save his life and lead him back to his missing half, glad to see how the decades separating them only reinforced their bond instead of weakening it. The blond interrupted his walk the moment his eyes saw a small house, occupied by the light appearing through the transparent windows and the cozy atmosphere that wrapped this isolated place. 

The recognizable curls appeared in a few seconds, captivating the attention of the crimson eyes who immediately missed the tenderness of this view. At this moment, he decided not to rush their expected reunion, conscious that the gods were probably watching their defeat from afar, as a slight grin crossed the blond’s lips. He couldn’t believe how he forgot this sensation of happiness that filled his chest, born from the excitement of seeing his lover after the chaos of their previous lives.

His footsteps slowed when he stood right at Izuku’s doorsteps, hearing his endearing mumbles behind the door, letting the blond know it was time to finally get home, where he always belonged. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door, having the impression of acting like a teenager, experiencing his first love confession, when he’d already shared these words out loud a thousand times in the past. The soft voice resonated from afar, explaining how he’ll be there in a few seconds before opening the wooden door with a wipe at his forehead, lifting his head to meet the visitor who lost their way here. 

“Hi, forgive me for not answering earlier, I was cooking some…” The emerald eyes widened when his glance found the moved crimson ones. The end of his previous sentence was interrupted by the gasp leaving his open lips, with the pale expression on his face and the multiple reactions that crossed his chest at the same time. 

At first, Izuku wondered how the gorgeous stranger lost his path and accidents led him to his house, with an unexplainable sensation of familiarity, until the memories of their past lives acted like a thousand stabs in the chest. He remembered the despair on his lover’s face during his death, the isolation of his past lives when he hadn’t met the blond, and the sensation of finally facing the missing piece of the interrogations that occupied his lips for so long. Katsuki didn’t say a single word and observed how the tears fell down the mortal’s porcelain skin, with scarred fingers holding the fabric of his clothes tighter, a gesture that brought a hidden grin at the corner of the god’s lips. 

Izuku Midoriya never gave up on him, especially with the same expression that stole more hearts than Cupid’s arrow in the last decades and the same caring glance that brightened their days in this repetitive narrative. 

“Ka…Kacchan, is that you ?” The question was naive, but it was nothing compared to the beauty of this reassuring sight of the stunned emerald eyes, sharing hundreds of secrets at the same time. The mention of this meaningful nickname warmed the god’s heart, as he moved closer enough to lose his fingers to cup the freckled cheeks and wipe the nasty tears away. Izuku’s muffled sobs started to offer a real contrast to the sound of the rain in their surroundings, and learnt into the touch, before holding the taller man into a sudden embrace with a strong grip, afraid to let him go. 

The calloused hands held the freckled man’s back as close as possible, resting his head on his neck while Izuku’s sobs were covered by the god’s clothes, which didn’t stop him from resting a little longer in this hug. The terrible pain related to the uncontrollable obstacles on their path resurfaced from the tears he’ve kept hidden in silence for too long, breaking his shell as he realized how they were both holding each other as if there was no tomorrow. The precious apologies that burned the tip of their lips more than once got stolen in bloody pages, taking the form of subtle confessions shared through ethereal glances and the joy of their unexpected reunion.

“I thought I’ll never find you,” mumbled the shorter man with a shaking tone. He couldn’t believe how he was holding Katsuki in his arms, recalling the wasted years of ups and downs in this crazy twist of fate. Izuku made sure to mesmerize the beauty of the teary crimson eyes, who shared the same relief at their reunion, almost like they hadn’t seen each other in decades, despite the impression for the other all over again. “The last time you…you didn’t show up and I was terrified. I’m so happy to see you again, but what happened to you, Kacchan? You look like you have faced hell in my absence, what have they done to you? Please, tell me what’s wrong, love.”

“I have so many things to say, apologies to share, and love confessions to make that even an entire lifetime wouldn’t be enough to express how glad I am to see you again. I’ve acted like an asshole for considering insecurities as our new reality and I’m sincerely sorry for messing things up. The last time you…You’ve never complained about loneliness but your face let me know how it bothered you so I did my best to give you a chance to build a story without me. I thought it was the right thing to do but this sacrifice proved  the stupidity of my action when the first and last memory I had of you was a cold grave and old flowers.”

“You…You visited me after my death- I’m so sorry things had to happen that way but I’ve never been more miserable than the last time I’ve been separated from you,” confessed the freckled man with a trembling voice, resting his forehead against the blond’s. He could cry again with happiness at the warm touch on his waist and the idea that he finally found his home, after losing himself for so many years. “You’ve always occupied a part of my mind, and followed my thoughts until my last breath. Kacchan, it was so scary to be here on my own without you by my side, I would rather suffer a thousand stabs in the chest than live without you. I missed you every single day…Don’t ever do this to me again. I love you too much to let you go, even in this cursed narrative.”

“I’m sorry Izuku,” whispered the taller man with a broken tone, ready to respond with another muffled apology before getting shut down by Izuku’s lips on his. 

It’s been so long since they’ve both felt the tenderness of this gesture, the warmth of their fingers in the other’s body, and the realization that they were finally safe in this messed-up world. The scarred hand held the golden spikes tighter deepening their kiss as a small smile crossed the green-haired man’s lips, holding onto this pleasure, understanding how he was finally at home. Their sweet exchanges lasted a little longer than they expected before breaking their previous kiss to regain their breath and rest their forehead together, until their intertwined fingers found the comfort of a touch they’ve longed for years, if not decades!

“I should’ve come earlier, showed a sign instead of breaking our promises, and I’ve never stopped loving you,” Katsuki added between his breath, wishing to freeze time and stay in this happiness until death do them part. “I missed you every single night and hoped you’ll forgive me for my stupidity, I was simply scared of holding back from your happiness, but I realized how we were meant to be a part of each other’s lives, in every universe. Listen, they’ve tried to tear us apart and challenge my timeless love for you, but I went against their tricks and found you…I won’t let you go, not when I’ve never felt safer in the only place that reminds me of home.”

“You did all of this for me? This explains a lot of things…” pointed the shorter man with a relieved tone, cupping the blond’s cheeks and locking his glance into the blond’s. His crimson eyes found the caring emerald ones, who never stopped looking at him with the same expression that stole many hearts on the spot, with his adorable blush on his cheeks, and the warmth of touch against his broken skin. “I wish we had more time to solve this misunderstanding in the past, but I’m all yours and you’re all mine until death do us part. You’re still the same idiot who caught my heart decades ago, and offered me the brightest memories with an invisible ring that never left my hand. I’m so relieved to know you’ve fought for our love, I would’ve done the same a hundred times if the roles were reversed. Don’t worry, this pain is over and I won’t let you down either..I love you so much, thanks for being mine in the thousands of adventures we haven’t explored yet, cursed or not.”

Katsuki’s face softened at the previous confession, holding the shorter man closer at the realization that he was ready to get rid of his coveted title of god if this meant spending the rest of his life with his missing half. He chose to let actions speak louder than words and seduced his lover with a delicate dance on his lips, enough to bring a smile on Izuku’s face, and kissed him back, losing his fingers in his golden spikes that prolonged into fond chuckles and timeless confessions. Izuku melted into the gesture and whispered how much he loved him, as their shadows entered the isolated house and decided to catch the lost time together. 

The deities admitted their defeat and agreed to release the tortured blond from this golden jail by making his wish come true. The smiling couple wasn’t aware of the next twist of their narrative, too occupied to steal kisses and handholds, often followed by a laugh. The fate of Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugou had been decided after the proofs made by the blond to show his unconditional love for his husband: In their next life, the title of god will be disowned by the stubborn blond, making him equal with his partner, with the goal to start over from the beginning without the pain of their past heartbreak…

-end-