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The last thing Izuku remembered was a strident scream with inaudible words. As much as he tried to search for the owner of this deafening sound, the blurriness forced him into an unexpected nap that neither his mind nor his heart planned in this crazy journey.
It all started with a mission made by Aizawa to face the reality awaiting them after graduation, but a single second of inattention was enough to transform this day of knowledge into simple ashes. The villain's words became a vulgar souvenir, easily replaced by the unmistakable dizziness. However, his heavy body, previously a source of conflict, ended up becoming subtly lighter, floating in the air, and this endless bottomless pit, surrounded by darkness. The freckled man never expected to regain the center of attention for the outside world, but he assumed his celebrity beat him in his own game, especially after the inner scars the wars left on everyone's souls.
Izuku Midoriya was just another shadow among the numerous faces crossing the UA’s building, trying to move on after their trauma. After all, they were forced to face the cruelty of their reality, and being involved in this life-or-death mission ended up costing more than a simple innocence. The shorter man returned to his past habits, reminding him of the old days when he used to be a naive shadow in the crowd; saving his childhood friend from a certain death.
Some nights were more indelible than others, occupied by the ghosts of past regrets taking a darker form to be the source of tears falling down his cheeks in the early morning. Izuku Midoriya might be UA’s sweetheart in appearance, but his loved ones succeeded in noticing the irreversible marks it left on his genuine soul, such as the evident scar on his face, erasing a part of his freckles. However, he easily adapted to this new lifestyle, being an inspiring teacher to his students with amazed eyes, and a helpful brain during missions or daily training. After all, he was powerless, but it doesn't take away the wisdom that guided him to survive in the toughest conditions, the same quality that led his conscious to the most questionable choice during the last years..
This mission was supposed to be prepared with the utmost care to avoid any damage or injuries, no matter if the students were on the battlefield or hidden from afar, giving instructions. This villain prepared a backup plan, catching them off guard by attacking the center of the reflection instead of the pawn in this chess game. Izuku can bitterly affirm how this asshole was smarter than them but also erased all the weight on his vulnerable shoulder at the same time, giving him the impression of finding peace for the first time after the tragedy of his stolen youth.
All his pain transformed into a blurry souvenir to his tormented heart, slowly guiding him into the next step of this journey. In all honesty, the freckled boy didn’t know if he was simply dead, in a coma, or vulgar dream, but he let this unknown force drown him at the bottom. The first thing his sensitive ears heard was the delicate sound of the birds outside the open windows, followed by the light breeze, moving the curtain to meet his sweaty forehead. His thumbs ruffled the closest source of air near his reach, realizing how he wasn't standing in a freezing place as he expected, but in a welcoming atmosphere. His emerald eyes glanced around to analyze his surroundings, from the slightest details to the most evident ones.
The quick heartbeat inside his chest became an unbearable melody as his eyes stared at the unknown bedroom, colored by a light shade of skin tone, which seemed to fit with the wood over his head, holding the foundations of this house that seemed recent enough based on his first assumptions. The wardrobe was still open to reveal the presence of a few clothes, highlighted by slight objects residing on the wooden furniture, with a mirror standing at the owner’s height, if not a little higher. The emerald irises caught the comforting bedsheet, wishing to stay a little longer in this impression of embrace, even if the weight of his muscles forced his shorter figure to slowly leave the bed, letting his feet meet the cold floor. A slight groan escaped from his lips and caught him by surprise, realizing how he was still able to use his voice and control his body, which was an advantage if the stranger living here wanted to attack him.
His footstep slowed down as his figure reached the closest bathroom, with two towels of distinct colors, indicating how two people resided there, bringing more danger to his current situation. Izuku easily guessed the identity of the owners, being a couple, based on the matching objects speeded all around the space, making him smile at the cute representation of their bond. His scarred hands grabbed the handle with a deep breath, wondering what was hiding on the other side, and yet, the first thing that caught his eye was the brightness of the unknown space. His heart missed a beat at the sudden light passing through the windows of this living room, with an open kitchen and a few details of crumpled sheets on this agreeable couch, and the presence of two cups on the countertop, indicating their recency.
The green-haired man sighed, rubbing his fingers against the fabric of his shirt, a stressful habit he had gained after the war, often used to remember how he was still alive. The more his amazed eyes discovered the mysterious environment, the more welcoming he felt in this stranger’s house: He knew it was stupid to care about this illusion of the afterlife, assuming he was already dead, but his heart was that his soul was bonded to this place, even if he was discerning each secrets for the first time. Izuku glanced around, losing his thumbs over the tender notes on the walls, pointing out how the owners needed to not forget the spice, making the teenager laugh at the stupidity but tenderness of this gesture. The note beside the spice reminder was a direct answer, mocking the terrible habit of this person with a hidden “love you” at the back, revealing the complicity of the couple.
The shorter man moved his head to notice the difference between the previous room and the one standing by his side, which was explicitly targeted toward a young child, probably a newborn, based on the series of toys and fairytales standing on the small table. The intrigued soul continued his research until a certain picture crossed his attention, his thumbs grabbed the gold frame showing two people standing in an amusement park, with a ring on their finger, apparent on one hand. The detail that left the freckled man speechless was the familiarity of those faces: Izuku easily recognized the familiar golden spiky hair and the crimson eyes, especially the grin crossing the blond’s lips in the picture.
He wondered if he was simply dreaming about a perfect life where each of his deepest desires came true, especially when his eyes landed on the shorter figure beside him, wearing the same green messy curls and emerald eyes with evident freckles on both cheeks. The main difference between them was the unmistakable scar on Izuku’s face, hinting at how the wars probably never happened in this alternative universe. A part of him envied this stranger who had to experience life at its fullest instead of digging his own grave against his will. Many questions crossed his lips at this instant, wondering where he landed and if he was stuck in this tender dream for the rest of his life. After all, he didn't know anything about this space-time, except a sweet scent of vanilla crossing his nose, as if the air was telling him a hidden message his heart couldn’t understand for the moment.
“You’re back already? I thought you were supposed to go on patrol-” a sudden voice echoed in the room, catching the teenager’s attention.
Izuku immediately put the picture back in its place in a rush, until his eyes met the owner of this place. His heart missed a beat when his emerald eyes met the same one he caught in the picture, standing a few meters away, having the impression of facing his carbon copy.... definitely older. In the next few seconds, he connected the dots that this future Izuku was probably the one sleeping here, but who was the person standing by his side, based on a couple of evident notes and objects left everywhere?
He had many interrogations about this dream that felt too real to be a simple imagination, analyzing the shadow beside him. At first sight, his carbon copy was the same height as him, with flexible clothes covering the top of his body, highlighting an evident baby bump. There was no doubt the scars on his wrist stayed the same as his, such as the freckles on his exposed legs and chubby cheeks, sharing a similar shocked expression on his face. The scarred hands held onto the closest furniture, facing thousands of scenarios in his tormented mind, from the possibility of bearing life as a man, to the evident resemblance between this stranger and him.
The older Izuku seemed to have a hard time processing what had just happened under his eyes, having the sensation of visualizing his younger self, except for the huge scar standing on the teenager’s face. His first questions concerned its origins and how he got such a painful injury at such a young age. The first thing he needed to do was to regain his breath, knowing it might have a direct impact on the pup’s state, already active despite the early hour. The green-haired man sighed, closing his eyes and wiping the sweat from his forehead after his previous shower.
“Alright, this is probably the weirdest thing I’ve seen today, but there must be a good reason for facing a stranger in my house,” the omega confided with a calm tone, resting his hands on his exposed belly, understanding how the previous agitation seemed to calm down. He had a lot of questions to ask about how this person, coming from another universe, ended up here in the first place, but he needed to be patient. “I know you’re probably losing your mind, and I do too, but let’s have a talk, would you ?”
The teenager simply nodded with a pale face, accepting this strange dream. After all, why did his other self call this sudden interruption “strange” when he was the one bearing a child- The green-haired boy sighed, closing his eyes and regaining his calm as he obeyed. His body naturally moved to the relaxing couch he noticed earlier, resting his back on the cozy fabric. Izuku Midoriya, seventeen years old, was currently in an alternative reality where his older self was pregnant with someone else’s child with an odd but welcoming scent near his body.
Rushing to the wrong conclusion might create more misunderstanding than logical explanation, considering this possible as a quick accident: After all, it wasn't surprising but the detail that caught his attention was the previous picture he saw with his childhood friend and him in the amusement park, especially the wedding ring on the blond’s hand. Was Kacchan married in this alternative universe, and Izuku was a wingman in the ceremony? If it were the case, who was the lucky soul who got to spend the rest of their life with someone as caring as his childhood friend?
The sudden footsteps brought him back to this…reality, where the omega put a plate on the wooden table with two cups, one having the distinction of hot chocolate and the other, a simple tea with a catching scent. His emerald eyes noticed more details about this environment while thanking his other self, who offered him the heated cup.
“How…How do you know it’s my favorite ?” He asked with a curious tone, noticing how the omega looked amused by the question. Izuku wanted to question what was particularly funny in his previous comment, but he stayed silent, knowing he’d have the answers, even if this impression of a fever dream occupied most of his mind.
“An intuition, I guess,” the omega affirmed with a soft tone, noticing how the teenager rested his palm on the cup to feel the warmth that reminded him that none of this was an illusion. Deku’s fingers grabbed his cup, sensing the sweet scent near his nose until his lips met the border and tasted the familiar taste he recognized by heart. It wasn’t his favorite, but the doctor recommended he take a lighter drink during this stage of pregnancy and keep the pup safe. “I would’ve loved to take the hot chocolate, but it’s best for me to grab a lighter drink, despite the circumstances and this little bean.”
Izuku simply savored his sip while the hot liquid passed through his throat, failing to burn his skin. In all honesty, this drink was actually pretty good, probably one of the best he ever had, compared to the one served at his high school during his break after class. However, if the comfort of this hot chocolate was enough to change his mind for a few seconds, he didn’t forget how he was stuck here with this impression of knowing this place by heart despite meeting his other self for the first time. He wanted to believe he’d wake up in a hospital bed soon, but he was captivated to get the answers to his unsolved interrogation. The emerald irises took a few minutes to analyze the omega closer, noticing an evident biting mark on his neck, wondering who was the one who caused such a painful injury.
“I bet you have a lot of assumptions about this world, but I think proper introductions are necessary,” the omega explained with an understanding tone, realizing how the younger shadow was the little brother he never had. It was almost like the omega was taken by a sudden mission to protect this reflection of past and unsolved conflicts. “As you guessed, we look alike and it can’t be a simple coincidence: I’m you but older and living in a different reality….if we can describe it in a logical sense. Our names are still the same despite some light but meaningful changes, and this is not a dream because we’re both breathing the same air and are very much alive. May I ask how old you are ?”
“Seventeen,” the shorter figure replied with a hesitant tone, almost like he was uncertain about his own identity. In all honesty, it was quite perturbing to see such a scene with his naive spirits, but he was interested in this universe and how his other self ended up in such a state.
“As I expected, I remember how teenage years had been a complete mess, but I have to admit, your scars are really impressive,” Deku explained with a concerned tone, noticing how the shorter figure stayed distant after the previous words. The omega felt guilty for being an intruder in the teenager’s life, but he tends to forget how his naive curiosity can make some people uncomfortable. It wasn’t his intention to transform this hesitant expression into a sadder one, hoping he didn’t mess up this conversation. If only his husband were here, maybe the blond would’ve handled it better than him, but this idiot was on a patrol on the other side of the town. “I apologize for reaching a sensitive topic, I hope I didn’t make you feel bad. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone time-traveling from another reality, and it’s strange to talk to yourself, but I naturally assumed that our lifetimes were distinctive with specific events.”
“You did nothing wrong, it’s just…I still have a hard time handling the previous revelations,” Izuku added with a sigh, taking another sip from the cup. The heat warmed his scarred palm, realizing how he needed to figure out a few things before escaping from there, especially now this evident belly kept being the center of his attention. “I’m sorry if the question sounds rude, but what are you exactly? I mean, you look like a human but have a strong scent that emerged from your body, bite mark on your neck, and…this.”
“I wondered when you’ll start to ask this question, but I’ll make sure to guide you into this mess,” Deku mumbled with an amused tone, ruffling the messy curls. Izuku easily noticed how the previous vanilla scent changed to become softer, almost like this quirk hitting his other self was reacting to his evident mood swing. “My world is similar to yours, except for a few important details. Quirk and heroes are still a thing, but people are born with some….specialties.”
“What do you mean ?” Don’t get him wrong, the teenager immediately recognized them the instant he caught the familiar figure standing in the room earlier, but he was interested in seeing the rules of this alternative universe! After all, it was probably the first and last time he’d see such crazy settings, and he couldn’t wait to write it in his notebook once he returned home, even if his mind was still lost about any logical reasoning.
“During your birth, you are either blessed with a quirk or not,” Deku pointed out with a calm tone, noticing how the teenager nodded at the previous statement. At least there was some resemblance in this mess, having the impression of being at home despite the crazy circumstances. “However, it’s not the only important event that happened in your childhood. Children at the age of four find themselves attributed a second gender that’ll dictate their nature for the rest of their lives: Fate either attributes you the favor to be an alpha, an omega, or a beta. It’s hard to explain in detail, but you need to remember how this gender will change your body, unless there’s an exception, and the scent escaping from our body is a common characteristic, except for the beta.”
“What are the differences between all of them ?” As crazy as this sounds, those arguments sounded logical based on the previous scent, implying how this future self couldn’t lie about such a thing! Izuku put the blame on exhaustion for believing all of this explanation by putting his logical reasoning aside, but the glance in the omega’s eyes convinced him of his sincerity. The omega was touched to see how his younger self was afraid of being judgmental about this reality, even if it wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially if the strangers came from an outside world.
“It’s the most important part: The alphas are considered as the protectors, they also own a strong scent that differs according to their moods and are the ones often representing the power, even if it’s mostly cliches,” Deku explained, making sure the shorter figure understood his explanation, and according to his slight nodd, the teenager seemed okay with this wacky detail.
“Omegas are often the most common second gender, they also have a lighter scent compared to the others, but strong enough to mark their territories. The difference with the others is marked by the fact that only they are able to bear life and give birth to children, what we like to call pups in our reality…Are you still following ?” Izuku stayed hesitant for a second.
He knew he needed to put his reason aside and trust the other’s words, especially when his older self was taking the time to guide him in this mess. The teenager was grateful to be helped by someone who seemed to have patience. After a serious nod, the freckled man continued with a relieved expression, happy his younger self wasn’t rushing to the wrong conclusions.
“Then we have Betas, they are the rarest but had similarities to the previous one I’ve quoted,” he added, making sure the other was still following his explanation. “Compared to the others, they have a slight scent, but are almost invisible, and can’t bear life or don’t repent some kind of forced in a pack. This second gender, in general, offers some changes on our bodies, and I can’t really go into details about this topic, but it’s the bare minimum you need to know about the conditions of this world.”
“I think I start to understand, but what is the mark on your neck ?” Izuku asked with a concerned glance, making the omega realize how he needed to be specific about this part of the process. He shouldn’t go into details to scare the shorter figure beside him, but make sure this wasn’t an injury but a symbolic mark in the common beliefs.
“It’s called a mating bite. There are some specific rules that are too complex to be mentioned here, but you need to know how their presence existed due to an alpha claiming an omega as his, in a specific area called the scent gland. Once two people are mated with each other’s bite at this spot on the neck, their souls are bonded in this lifetime. You can consider this as a form of timeless promise, except it’s like a tattoo, it’s indelible and often made with the person you consider as your other half.”
Izuku sighed and rested his back against the couch. Alright, he needed time to understand the rules of this universe! According to his other self, the resemblance was the same, but the apparition of a second gender will define the rest of your life and bring some changes in your body. Some genders have the ascendance over others, and people having this strange mark on their necks were bonded until death do them part. The teenager agreed with his older self concerning the symbolism of this gesture, being seen as romantic but a complete mystery to his logical mindset.
“So, if I get it, you’re some sort of omega, bearing someone’s child and being bound to a person sharing half of your soul, unable to separate from them ?” Izuku asked with an intrigued tone, noticing how the omega simply nodded at his questions.
At least he understood how his other self ended up in such a situation, but many interrogations resided at the tip of his lips. One of the many curiosities that crossed his mind more than once was the person sharing Izuku’s life, being probably an important figure in his life! A part of him wanted to be with Katsuki Bakugo for the rest of his life, but he wondered if the picture he saw earlier had a link with the mating bite on the other’s neck.
“I couldn’t help but notice the evident scar on your face, may I ask how you got it and what happened to you ?”
“Oh…It’s the result of one of my biggest fights that ended up on the most unforgettable failure of my journey,” the teenager confessed with a troubled tone, taking a quick stare at the scars on his arms, realizing how it was the first time he was talking about the incidents of the war since Shigaraki’s death. “It started in the most unexpected way, and before realizing it, everything went out of control. The rival everyone feared was nothing but a heartbroken child who faced a terrible fate, stuck in an empty shield with the inability to fight back and suffer until his body became ashes in the air. I tried to save him, but I failed and nearly lost my loved ones in this quest. There’s not a day passing by when I don’t think about the lifeless body of my childhood friend on the floor, the moment I lost everything, including my arms, and One For All. I had the impression of falling apart, and even a fake smile couldn’t change the suffering in my chest…”
The omega’s face turned more distressed at the previous narrative. He naturally had some assumptions about this painful scar on the other’s face, but he would’ve never guessed that such a tragic backstory followed this timeless mark on his fragile skin. Deku couldn’t help but imagine how hard it must be to stare at his own reflection each morning, knowing he was haunted by ghosts of his past. His scarred hands rested against the shaking figure’s shoulders, catching his attention and noticing the teary eyes. Deku wanted to put the blame on his maternal instinct due to his pregnancy, but he tried his best to not break the boundaries with the heartbroken teenager, who seemed to have too much pressure on his shoulders.
“I don’t know what to do and what awaits me in the near future, but I’m scared….” Izuku explained with a shaking tone, resting his head against the omega’s shoulders, having the impression of offering an embrace to his mother he hadn’t seen for a long time. “My nightmares are all the same, and I’m starting to lose my mind. I almost lost the man I loved twice, my friends, and yet, the world counts on us to be the better version of ourselves when we barely handle changes.”
“It’s okay to be afraid, I’ve been there too, but it doesn’t mean you need to give up,” the omega pointed out with a soft tone, feeling how the pup reacted to the tears falling down the teenager’s face. He couldn’t imagine how painful this must’ve been, especially to live in a world where he remembered his childhood friend as a vulgar ghost in a cemetery. “Every universe is full of obstacles, but it doesn’t take away the courage you’ve shown during these tough circumstances. The tears you’ve wasted on this fight showed how he was understood, despite his silent fight. I don’t know anything about him, but I can assure you, you’ve done an amazing job at saving him until the very end, and I’m convinced Kacchan also thinks the same way.”
“We never talked about it, and I never knew how he felt about that,” the teenager explained with a shaking tone, wiping his own tears away. For some reason, it felt right to share all his hidden worries with someone outside his inner demons. “He had always been pretty discreet about his real self, but he still sacrificed twice for me, and I’m unable to let him know how much this gesture meant to me. I want to hate him for making such stupid actions, but thank him for saving me…he’s so complicated.”
“I know what you're talking about, my Kacchan is exactly like yours, and it took us a while before realizing how stupid we were,” the omega declared with a sigh, catching how the messy curls moved from his chest to meet the concerned emerald eyes. “This journey was tough and full of misunderstandings, but it led us to our current reality, where we’re happier than ever.”
Deku wasn’t naive and knew this topic would catch his younger self’s attention, especially when the omega easily recognized this impression of deja vu, recalling the days when he considered himself unworthy of this happy ending with his childhood friend. Izuku stared at the amused eyes until he remembered the picture and the wedding ring on the blond’s finger. The teenager was curious to know how Izuku felt during this ceremony; knowing his current mindset, the simple perspective of picturing a stranger with the man he loved was more heartbreaking than a thousand stabs in the back. Maybe this older self wished it was he instead of this stranger on the altar, being doomed to accept a lifetime where Katsuki Bakugo wasn’t and will never be his. After all, falling in love with his childhood friend was easier than breathing, and the idea of imagining a world where Katsuki chased after another shadow was heartwrenching. Maybe this Izuku succeeded in moving on and finding love, but his teenage self knew he would never be able to do such a thing!
“Let me tell you a story,” the omega started, his fingers ruffling the messy curls and bringing a tissue to the shorter figure. “I think it might help you with the rest of the journey, especially at such a complex period of your life and everything you’ve been through.”
The teenager accepted it and stayed silent, catching the sudden stress appearing in Deku’s eyes about the outcome of this story. It was evident how this younger self was desperately in love with his childhood friend, like he claimed earlier, making the omega realize how this bond between Katsuki and him was meant to be unforgettable in every lifetime. The existence of this child resulted from the genuine love between their shattered souls, who succeeded in healing their inner scars by being each other's saviors. If he had the luck to stand by his childhood friend’s side and wear his family name, the omega secretly hoped this younger version of himself would have the chance to experience such happiness, especially when all Kacchans loved their Izukus!
“You probably already identify these two shadows standing in a river during a summer afternoon, one guiding his hand in the air and the other sending an offended glare in return. I assume you already know the rest of the adventures with childhood dreams to achieve, and the natural admiration these two owned for each other until their middle school years. The ups and downs, regrets that kept haunting a certain blond’s lips to this day, and the fresh start of a new beginning once their names finally made it to UA’s building.”
Until now, Izuku felt reassured to see the similarities between this version of Izuku and Katsuki, according to the ones in his universe. Those familiar events appeared to be a canon event in their self-growth, leading the teenager to question if the omega had a quirk or not, even if he was afraid to ask such a personal question. Instead of minding someone else’s business, the green-haired teenager stayed silent and waited for the most interesting part: Their high school years. After all, this future self looked like he knew what he was talking about with this nostalgic expression on his face and this light smile crossing his lips….
“The years of changes and revelations for their shattered hearts, tormented between a timeless bond for a friendship they cared more about than their own lives, and romantic feelings in the process. I can only share this version of the narrative, but I think you’ll recognize some similarities despite the timeline of events,” the omega explained with a teasing tone, being touched to see how the teenager listened to him as a child adoring a bedtime story. He couldn’t help but make a slight smile when he realized how his pup would share the same amazement in his eyes, under the caring glance of his parents, who’ll cherish him more than anything. His scarred fingers ruffled his belly, excited to welcome this miracle into their lives.
“I never faced any wars or similar events that caused similar damage to yours. Instead, my narrative is only composed of a slow burn of two people chasing and pining after each other in the craziest ways. You should’ve seen the way my younger self was tormenting himself about the worst-case scenario when it had never been the case in the first place. It was the longest years of my life, but I’ll forever recall the moments we spent together, even when my Kacchan promised me to stand by my side during graduation,” he added with a soft tone, remembering the precious frames crossing his mind.
In all honesty, even the omega took a while before accepting this step in their relationship, where each worries were amplified by the fear of losing the most important person in their life. It wasn’t a surprise that Katsuki Bakugo was his everything, but his heart still ached at those misunderstandings.
“His crimson eyes were looking at me as if I were his everything, such as mine, who refused to say goodbye to this reassuring presence that saved me at my lowest. That night, the two of us agreed to stay in our dorms instead of celebrating with the others, continuing our casual movie marathon. Each embrace had an impression of bitter goodbyes, probably because we both knew time and distance would separate us in a few days, forcing our shattered hearts to live without each other for the first time in our lives.”
Don’t get him wrong, the green-haired man recognized how the middle school days were highlighted by an evident distance between them, but it was different. Indeed, the past years were brightened by negative emotions and the complex dynamic between them, but the two childhood friends kept seeing each other every day, even under the most cruel circumstances. The simple idea of spending a few days without seeing his favorite person easily broke the omega’s heart, but he had no choice but to accept the harsh reality.
“What happened after that? I mean, you always had the choice to stay by his side and join his agency,” the teenager pointed out with a concerned expression on his face, noticing how the omega turned more distressed after the previous words. Izuku understood why this separation might be painful, especially when he couldn’t survive a week without hearing his childhood friend’s stupid comment. From what he guessed, the development between Deku and this Kacchan seemed longer than his, but the outcome stayed the same: two Izukus protecting their precious dynamic with their Kacchans, no matter the boundaries and the universe.
“It was in my project, but not his…and before realizing it, I was forced to see the man I love leaving the airport with a doleful expression on his face,” The omega’s eyes turned sadder at the poignant revelation, disliking how those negative emotions still haunted a part of his soul after all those years. After all, Deku didn’t have any issues with ghosts of his past, but he simply chose reassurance by caressing his pregnant belly, almost like this slight attempt of connection between this unborn child and his dam was strong enough to erase those unshed tears. “You see, he told us a month before graduation about his departure for New York, explaining how an offer was presented to him and he wanted to grab this chance before it was too late. I could've stopped him and convinced his stupid head to stay by my side, but I wanted his happiness more than mine, even if this meant saying our final goodbye. That day, I didn’t stop him and wished him good luck, unaware that it was my last interaction with him.”
There was something moving in the sudden change of tone, almost like the omega never forgave himself for letting his lover go. After all, Katsuki’s happiness had always been his main priority, but the price to pay was more painful than any broken vows the two men exchanged until now. Izuku couldn’t help but admire the courage Deku had shown about this tough obstacle, knowing how he would’ve easily left without a final goodbye too if the roles were reversed….
“I was the one reaching out to him by sending texts and praising his victories on the news, with the hope of getting an answer, but he never replied…not even once in three years. At this moment, I convinced myself to move on, but how can you even think about that when your heart and soul are already taken? In all honesty, we both spent the next three years with our respective lives: me by changing my mind, and he by creating more scandals on public television. This narrative might be biased, but none of the mistakes I made during this period of the year erased the emptiness in my chest, it made it even worse. I was desperate for a sign, but got mocked by fate for believing in such a thing as a miracle.”
It’s been a long time since Deku has talked about this story to someone else, recalling the blond’s reactions the first time he heard it. Back in the day, Katsuki swore he should’ve made more efforts to read into those teary eyes instead of thinking about his selflessness, even when his husband told him it was fine. Indeed, none of them really appreciated this distance, especially when the blond’s narrative strangely fit with his: chasing after an unattainable ghost and calling an invisible name in the middle of the night…
The teenager couldn’t go against the omega’s previous statement that Kacchan’s career was more important than his own sake, especially for a nobody like Izuku Midoriya, who chased after the happy ending he wished for. He couldn’t help but imagine how much suffering his older self had to endure, realizing how the picture standing on the table was a reunion Katsuki and him probably a long time after their separation. The blond was probably married to someone else, while Izuku stayed heartbroken until he found the right person by his side, even if this stranger might never be Katsuki Bakugo.
“I'm sorry you took a different path against your will,” his voice whispered in the silenced room, catching Deku’s attention. The omega shared an understanding glance at the teenager, teasing his shoulders and trying to erase the desolate smile on his face. Indeed, the omega wasn’t mad at Izuku, knowing how it could potentially happen the same way once the teenager returned to his reality, and both of them knew how they needed to avoid this fate at all costs!
“You don’t have to apologize for a thing you never did or caused in the first place, I was the one at fault for not trying to reach him and confess my feelings earlier,” Deku affirmed with a soft tone, waiting until the freckled shadow calmed himself down to process the next part of the story. The omega expected some misunderstanding for the rest of the story, especially with the previous information about him finding another person by his side, someone who wasn’t his childhood friend. Deku didn’t need to ask direct questions to see how the teenager immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. “However, you’ll be surprised by the twist of this tale when a sudden knock woke me up one night, and he was here, standing under the rain with crimson, teary eyes and ruined flowers at the palm of his hands. It was the first time we were reunited since our separation, you should've seen the way I rushed into his arms after he begged me to have his forgiveness, convincing himself he was an asshole for messing things up when we were both at fault.”
Izuku’s face softened, realizing how he was envious of this fairytale, wondering when it would be his turn in his universe. After all, their fate was controlled by the unknown, who took great pleasure in ruining each of their plans, but it was touching to see colors regaining Deku’s face. This man had been through so many obstacles, and the three years without his childhood friend must’ve been terrible for his mental health! Izuku couldn’t be too judgmental of this poor soul who had to survive in a world where Katsuki Bakugo was a blurry memory to a youth he used to cherish.
“Did….Did you two figure out the nature of your relationship ?” He knew it was none of his business, but Izuku was naturally interested to see how this version of himself succeeded in having the perfect life he always wanted. The simple idea of having someone as unreachable as Katsuki Bakugo confessing his feelings to Izuku Midoriya was a scenario that resulted from his wildest imagination. Deku noticed a genuine interest in the rest of the tale, being glad to share his own experience with his younger self, acting like the big brother he never had the chance to have.
“We never left each other since that day, he became my main happiness and I became his, even when we pronounced our vows on the altar and he blessed me with the most precious gift we could’ve ever asked,” the answer was simple but efficient enough to brighten how the narrative never ended after their final goodbye at the airport. It only took a slight break before being reassembled together in the most breathtaking poems with this charming ink on that blessed page telling their narratives. The main goal of this conversation was to let his younger self understand how some times were harder than others, but it never excluded him from getting the happy ending residing in the palm of his hands. Sometimes patience was the key to an unexplored chapter of his life, and new adventures that waited to be discovered by their brave souls…
The scarred hands unconsciously rested his vulnerable fingers against his belly, caressing the fabric of his shirt with the hope that this pup could feel his warmth. The omega couldn’t wait to see his precious pup be a part of this world and create his own journey just like his parents did, under the genuine care of those two men, who decided to transform their promises into the most charming tale.
The emerald eyes lost themselves on the tender sight, noticing how the omega would make an amazing parent until he connected the dots- At this instant, the previous words of the omega replayed inside his mind, recalling the previous hints: Katsuki’s wedding ring on the picture, and the one standing on Deku’s fingers, a detail he had never noticed until now! His face turned pale at the realization that the father of this child and his "mate" wasn’t complete stranger, but his childhood friend!
In all honesty, this seemed too good to be true, especially when this situation started to take the turn that Izuku wanted and not the actual narrative of his universe, surrounded by nightmares. Indeed, his heart missed a beat when he put his logical reasoning aside and focused on the shadow beside him. If Deku wanted to lie about such a sensitive topic, why would he choose such a specific narrative that includes the happy ending they both wanted? Izuku’s cheeks turned redder when he realized how this pregnancy was the result of an intimate encounter that both teenagers hadn’t reached yet.
It was hard to believe such a thing when the teenager considered himself unworthy of any kind of love, even the platonic one from his friends. The idea of being married to the man he loved, bearing his name and his child, was crazy, and yet, the reality said otherwise. This Deku did have an exposed belly with an amused tone on his face, given the space and time to handle the news. After all, Izuku Midoriya had always chased after Kastuki Bakugo, and being together was a dream come true…..at least one of them got his happy ending.
“You mean….”
“Did you really think that Kacchan would give up on us ?” Deku asked with an amused tone as if this truth was evidence to his lips.
If this looked unbelievable to Izuku, this became his new reality the omega, who appreciated the surprise in those emerald eyes, recalling his youth. After all, having Katsuki as his husband was a blessing! He wouldn’t wish for a better story, even with its ups and downs, but maybe they wouldn’t be together in this timeline, and this child would be a blurry memory, which sounds unbelievable for their current self.
“Trust me, this man loves you more than you can ever imagine. He has a hard time expressing his sentiments, but when he does, he makes you feel like the happiest soul. Even though I have a hard time accepting my reality, I wouldn’t change it, even if I faced the same obstacle; It’s the beauty of each narrative, they’re as unique as the souls they cherish and the ink transcribing these moments on blank pages. Ours differed from each other in many ways, but this doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to have this luck.”
“Do you think I’ll ever have a chance with him in my timeline ?” Izuku asked with a serious tone, holding the fabric of his shirt.
His thumbs reached the closest source of warmth, under the touch expression on the omega’s face. Deku wanted to reassure him, but he also needed to let his younger self experience every first he deserved with the supportive shadow who never left his side. However, this doesn’t mean the omega couldn’t bring some help and a slight push to make his younger self happier and avoid the mistake he committed….
“Oh sweetie, he already fell for you a long time ago, you have nothing to lose,” Deku pointed out with a sincere tone, almost like he already knew what was expecting him on the other side despite never meeting his universe.
Izuku will always be impressed by this facility of reading in people’s eyes like an open book and finding the right words when things go wrong. Deku seemed innocent on the outside, but the omega knew what he was doing when he chose those specific words toward the hesitant figure. Maybe the Katsuki of this universe should thank him, knowing how those two stubborn teenagers would’ve never made a move until a push of fate.
“I have to say, coming here was supposed to be treated as a curse and not an eye-opening conversation, but I think the villain that sent me here probably saved me from a terrible decision,” he pointed out with an amused tone, regaining some color to his face.
It was touching to see how the previous hesitation was now replaced by sudden confidence in the emerald eyes. The both of them won’t probably be in touch for a long time, and it was reassuring to know his teenage self would get the occasion to make his proof.
“Then your Kacchan must be deadly worried for you,” Deku affirmed as a matter of fact, knowing his husband’s behavior by heart.
He recalled the numerous times when the omega ended up at the hospital for a stupid reason, under the concerned crimson eyes, begging him to never do this shit again, quickly followed by a forehead kiss to calm the alpha down. There was no doubt, no matter the Izuku of the universe, he’d never get used to the attachment and devotion of his childhood friend, who showed a vulnerable side since the blond welcomed acceptance in their relationship. If Deku melted at this special treatment from his favorite hero, Izuku will definitely cherish those moments once he returns home…..
“Can I ask a question ?” Izuku asked, breaking the previous silence, feeling a sudden heat covering his cheeks. He shouldn’t have asked such a thing, but he was already embarrassed by the stupid mistake he had committed until the omega ruffled his messy curls and looked at him with an understanding glance.
“Sure,” he added with a calm tone, waiting until the teenager regained his breath. He didn’t know what crossed Izuku’s mind, but he was convinced to offer him the answer he needed if this meant returning to his universe with an appeased heart.
“How does it feel…to have another human in there ?” The teenager didn’t know the right words to use to question such a personal detail, but he knew Deku would understand its meaning.
After all, his emerald eyes had been attentive the entire time about this belly and never really asked about the sensation. In his universe, only women were able to beat life in such a meaningful way, and it never crossed his mind that men could have the same treatment in an alternative universe. In all honesty, the idea itself was strange at first, but after seeing the omega being caring and attentive toward his baby bump during the entire conversation, he was convinced that his other self would be the perfect parent for an innocent in this cruel world. There was no doubt that Kacchan would make a supportive father, but with hindsight, the symbolism was beautiful.
“Pretty surprising at first, but you learn how to live with this child and notice how he became more active through the months. I understand your surprise, it’s common in our universe, but yours must be distinctive in its own way. If this can guide you, the relationship you forge with your child is the kind of bond poems couldn’t transcribe into prose, these enchanting spells that forge a dynamic stronger than any golden thread between the both of you,” Deku affirmed with a smile crossing his face, grabbing the echography beside the wooden table to give it to the shorter figure.
“This sounds amazing…” Izuku confided with a low tone, admiring how strong the omega was for handling all those changes and preparing his body for the birth process, which was apparently a real hell according to his own mother. It was reassuring to see how anyone and any kind of relationship could lead to reproduction, even if he knew it was strange to imagine it on his own vulnerable body. “Even if I don’t see myself handling so much pressure on your shoulders, it’s also very symbolic of new beginnings. I have no doubts this child is blessed with the most supportive parents.”
“That’s really sweet of you,” Deku pointed out with a soft tone, being relieved to have the approbation of his younger self. Maybe both of them understood another life lesson from this naive conversation that ended up opening their eyes about inner conflicts that lasted for too long. The omega’s eyes widened, and his face softened when he felt a sudden bump interrupting his thoughts, bringing him back to reality. “Look who’s finally showing up, you probably heard we were talking about you, but tell me….Aren’t you supposed to get some rest, little bean ?” His eyes met the captivated emerald ones, who wanted to stay distant from this tender bonding between them. Deku made a reassuring smile, catching the teenager’s attention. “I know it’s unusual, but do you want to feel it ?”
“I don’t want to bother….”
“It’s okay,” replied the omega with an understanding tone, guiding the scarred fingers to the belly until the teenager took his ease, looking at his older self to know what to do. The welcoming atmosphere highlighted the presence of the two shadows in the room, almost like the unborn child wanted to be the star of the show. “I can’t really explain this phenomenon, but if our bodies differ, our souls stay the same: technically you’re somehow connected to this child, such as me, who literally offers him a good roof over his head, right sweetheart ?”
Another bump appeared, making the omega chuckle at its familiarity while Izuku’s eyes widened. On the outside, it looks like an innocent bump that came out of nowhere, but the echography beside him revealed another human being here, being the source of this tender scene. Izuku kept his previous statement about having a hard time imagining this on a fragile body full of scars, but he understood the omega’s words when he described this strong bond between them. There must be a reason for this sudden connection between the Izukus of different words and this familiarity with this child, but the teenager simply sighed and accepted this bond with a child he’d never seen.
The first sign of tiredness appeared through the sudden sensation of weakness inside his muscles, until a familiar sensation crossed his chest, letting him know it was time to reach his home. His eyes took a quick glimpse at the clock on the wall, realizing how many hours had passed since his unexpected visit to this house. Izuku didn’t even notice how hours passed by in the blink of an eye, but Deku simply understood how it was time to say goodbye. In all honesty, the omega wanted to know more about his world and its system, especially his relationship with Kacchan, but he knew he needed to let his younger self go. Scarred fingers ruffled his messy curls, explaining how it’d be fine until the sleepy figure of the teenager faded away on the couch.
Izuku sighed, making a small smile when he caught the huge empty cup of hot chocolate on the table. He should probably get rid of it before his husband returns home and asks questions, but Katsuki will learn about this one way or another. A few hours later, the lock opened itself to hear the familiar voice of the blond on the other side with his reassuring scent in the corridor. The sleepy omega opened his eyes and realized how he had taken a nap without realizing after his younger self left, even if the memories were still warming his heart: This teenager had so much potential at the palm of his hand, and maybe he would’ve learned to use this chance if he knew how the omega was also quirkless….
“I’m home,” Katsuki’s voice echoed in the room, forcing the freckled man to turn around as much as he could, between two groans of pain. The taller figure of the blond appeared in the next seconds, wearing his casual clothes, much to his mate’s disappointment. After all, the omega always loved the seductive sight of his husband returning with his costume, awakening some kind of unexplored kinks since his pregnancy. “Don’t need to rush, I’ll join you, dumbass.”
Izuku rolled his eyes but welcomed the gesture of calloused hands wrapped around his neck before resting his head against his mate’s shoulders. The freckled man smiled, holding the calloused hands, bringing the blond’s knuckles to his lips before seeing the alpha putting his knees on the carpet. He was now the same height as his lover, under the amused expression of his mate, who definitely hid something from him with the two cups on the table.
“Did you have a guest when I was gone ?” The golden-haired man asked with a smirk, shutting the other down with a kiss to taste the presence of tea, understanding how his guest took the half-empty cup of hot chocolate. Izuku tried to defend himself, but he simply gave up when the blond’s lips met the exposed belly, this time addressing himself to the roommate who seemed to be way more comfortable in the womb. “Will you tell me what your dam did? I’m not against having some company, but you’ll tell me if the nerd does something wrong, right ?”
Another bump appeared, and the omega rolled his eyes. Indeed, none of them could interpret the answer from their pup, but they considered this as a “yes”, under the unamused eyes of the freckled man and the soft chuckle escaping the blond’s lips. Izuku took a few seconds to meet the charming crimson eyes, letting his scarred fingers cup his husband’s cheeks and realize how lucky he was. After all, this conversation with his younger self opened his eyes about how they had so many firsts to experience, especially with the arrival of this miracle pup in the next months.
“Did I ever tell you how beautiful you were ?” Izuku asked with a caring tone, laughing when a sudden blush covered his husband’s cheeks, definitely not used to that kind of compliment after so many years of marriage. “But you’ll never guess what happened today….”
—----
The background noises of the machine echoed as an annoying melody to his sensitive ears. He was familiar with the idea of waking up in a hospital, but he never thought it would be a real habit instead of a simple occasion from time to time!
A slight groan escaped from his lips when he opened his eyes, staring at the blinding light that crossed his fragile view, being almost blinded by the sudden return to his reality. The sudden change of his heartbeat resonated in the room as he tried to move his fingers to see if he was able to move his body, and luckily nothing seemed to be injured after the villain’s attack.
Izuku wondered what happened when he was out of reach, but he knew he’d have the answers pretty soon. For the moment, he was forced to glance around and make a quick analysis of the situation. His body didn’t seem to have any injuries, at least not deep or physical ones, and his muscles responded to him, even if it was hard to make the most basic movements. He naturally thought about the way he ended up here, and the theory of coma crossed his mind, explaining why his physical condition was severe, but this only meant he had stayed here for too long…
The teenager moved his head against the pillow, feeling the sweat mixing with his curls against the fabric, such as the slight movements of the white sheet over his legs. He was about to ask for the doctor's help until emerald eyes found the crimson ones, noticing the unmistakable tears with evident bags on his exhausted face. At this instant, Izuku’s heartbeat became faster on the monitor, while the two teenagers looked at each other, too stunned to speak.
The green-haired boy recalled the conversation he shared with his older self and the tender love story on the other side. All of this happened through his long period of coma, explaining why the blond looked so concerned about his state. Izuku started to feel bad for letting a second of inattention cost the price of his fragile life. Calloused hands moved to hold the scarred ones tighter, afraid to wake up from this tender illusion of heaven. The stubborn teenager started to break his shield when the fragile fingers moved against the heated palm.
The last time Izuku saw his childhood friend tearing up was during this heartwarming conversation they shared at the hospital, but the blond never showed his emotions after that. The freckled man tried to read behind the lines, but the dynamic of their relationship slowly evolved through natural gestures, putting aside the idea of having a heart-to-heart talk about this sensitive topic. However, imagine his surprise when he caught tears falling down the crimson irises, holding his shaking hands closer, afraid to leave this comfort under an unreadable expression on his face. In all honesty, Izuku wanted to say something back and explain how he was fine, but the only sound his lips could escape was the nickname cherished by his heart.
A stupid smile crossed his face when his vision became blurry from the tears, and a sudden embrace caught his attention. Golden spikes rested against his shoulders, mumbling inaudible things until the shaking figure returned the hug. It was complicated at first, but their shadows stayed in each other’s warmth until they accepted their reality, the one where Izuku Midoriya survived and Katsuki Bakugo stood by his side. Scarred hands held the fabric of the blond’s shirt tighter, resting his head against his chest and mumbling endless apologies at the reaction he created. After all, he ironed his heart about the rest of the journey, but the words of omega Izuku echoed in his mind like a reassuring reminder.
“Trust me, this man loves you more than you can ever imagine. He has a hard time expressing his sentiments, but when he does, he makes you feel like the happiest soul. Even though I have a hard time accepting my reality, I wouldn’t change it, even if I faced the same obstacle; It’s the beauty of each narrative, they’re as unique as the souls they cherish and the ink transcribing these moments on blank pages. Ours differed from each other in many ways, but this doesn’t mean you don’t have the right to have this luck.”
Izuku’s face turned into a genuine smile as he welcomed the rising bliss inside his chest, making sure to let his childhood friend know that he was still alive and would never leave him again. It was heartbreaking to see someone as strong as Katsuki breaking his shield in the most vulnerable arms, having the impression of being children, reassuring each other after an injury on their knees. Instead, the simple marks on their body became invisible scars marked by time, and the naive children, desperate souls looking for a savior.
Deku was right when he said that each story was authentic to its writers. The omega had its ups and downs with the three years of separation before being reunited with his happy ending, and Izuku had to face cruel wars to realize how much he cared about losing the only person who mattered more than his own life. Now he had the shaking blond inside his arms, he made the promise never to break his heart again, especially if this meant standing by his side for the rest of his life, as rivals or lovers…depending on the chosen narrative. The calloused hands slowly left the tissue of his hospital blouse, stepping back to regain his breath while looking straight into the emerald teary eyes.
Katsuki never thought he would be able to enjoy the beauty of those irises under this angle, despite the salty tears falling down his cheeks and the fast heartbeat inside his chest. The blond wanted to make a teasing comment, but knew he’d have another breakdown if he opened his lips without a second thought. Instead, he simply wiped his own tears with his thumbs, taking his time to notice how his childhood friend was standing right in front of him and not as a vulgar illusion in his dreams for the last three weeks. This month of constant visits to the hospital occupied most of his time, putting down his casual training sessions, to be the first one to see when the nerd would open his eyes and ask questions about his state.
“You really scared the shit out of us, freckles,” the blond confided with a sigh, noticing the slight blush rising on those chubby freckled cheeks. He chose to not point this detail out, even if his own heart missed a beat at this sight. How was he supposed to be “alright” when the man he loved was between life and death in a coma, without any signs of hope? Thankfully, the stars heard his prayers and made his wish come true, allowing him to have this second chance to repair his past mistakes.
“‘Sorry,” mumbled the freckled man with a sigh. He rested his head against the pillow, ignoring the blush on his cheeks when he realized that Katsuki hugged him! The teenager forgot the last time he had been this close to the blond, to the point of offering a tender embrace without thinking about the consequences or impact on their relationship. “What…What happened to me ?”
“You took a one-month nap by being a shitty coma if that’s what you want to know,” the blond admitted with an exhausted tone, regaining his calm and putting the chair closer something to the bed, in case the nerd needed some water. This idiot was already self-sacrificial, and the blond refused to let his childhood friend return to another nap this early, not when they had many projects to accomplish together! “This asshole targeted you when we were all occupied by sided missions on the battlefield, and it stopped in the blink of an eye. Before realizing it, you were already unconscious and taken to the hospital until the quirk analyst pointed out the terrible news of your coma.”
“Oh, did we catch the villain who caused this mess ?” Izuku asked, almost like he wasn’t waking up from a one-month coma and was exhausted from his previous hugs with his fragile body.
Katsuki rolled his eyes at the attempts to put a better position until the taller figure stood up and put the pillow and sheet under the amazed eyes of the shorter boy, who looked at him with admiration. There was nothing impressive about the previous gesture, but Izuku was more than happy to return to his reality with his kacchan and his favorite person. After all, maybe he couldn’t bear his child in his universe, but he was able to show his genuine love to the inspiring figure who stood y his side since the early beginning and cherished his company more than any treasure on a silver plate. The support sent by his future self was enough to motivate the teenager to keep fighting, especially when he had the conviction that it was mutual.
“UA made sure to catch this extra, and we eventually found him one week after your hospitalization,” he confessed, holding his fist tighter, under the concerned emerald eyes. Izuku wasn’t naive and knew his childhood friend was slowly accepting those emotions after the suffering, but the teenager hated how he was the reason for this pain. “This fucker simply mocked us and said you’ll wake up after finding the truth you’ve always looked for. It could last a few days or complete years, and everyone kept an eye on your state-”
“-But you insisted to be the one standing there when I’ll wake up to kick my ass, am I right ?” the freckled man affirmed with a soft tone, putting lost curls behind his ears. He noticed how the blond stayed silent and simply nodded, almost like he was ashamed of his actions, when it was simple devotion that melted Izuku’s heart. A soft chuckle escaped from his lips, catching Katsuki’s attention as he was mesmerized by this delicate melody, a sound he had forgotten in the last weeks and that previously erased all his fears. “I understand, I would’ve done the same if the roles were reversed, but I promise it’s okay…I’m home, Kacchan.”
Katsuki ignored how he was touched by the tender nickname that left the nerd’s lips like his favorite prose of the most breathtaking poem. If Izuku noticed the slight change of expression on his childhood friend’s face, he chose to put his comments aside and focused on his reality: He was back to his beloved universe, and even if it wasn’t perfect, he learned to appreciate the meaning and values of small but meaningful frames like this one. Instead of living in constant fear, he needed to cherish each second as if it were the last, even if this meant using the slight push from omega Izuku to help him in his love story.
“You know, there’s a lot of things I’ve learned when I was asleep, but one of my favorite realizations is the beauty of the present, and how a simple souvenir can transform an entire narrative,” he explained, catching the intrigued crimson eyes, wondering what was happening inside the other’s mind. Sure, the nerd woke up from his long nap and was probably in his dream, but he wouldn’t have such a caring and loving glance if it wasn’t the case. “Wars took so many things from us, including our innocence. There’s not a day passing by where I’m not haunted by the terrifying frames of your lifeless body, but being away from you made me understand an important lesson.”
“That you shouldn’t risk your life again unless you want to be kicked out ?” Katsuki expressed with a tease, ignoring how the freckled man rolled his eyes at the previous comment.
“No, idiot, why would I say an evident truth,” he pointed out with an amused tone, before revealing a slight smile on his lips, cupping the other’s cheeks. He never thought he would do such a thing, and yet, here he was, in a hospital bed with each of his decisions being dictated by his heart. “As crazy as it seems, there’s not a single world nor universe where my heart and soul don’t belong to you. Consider me messed up in the head, but I think I wouldn’t mind taking more risks by asking you out on a date….After all, it’s the least I can do to thank you for your genuine support, right ?”
The crimson eyes widened at the previous words. He had never seen his childhood friend in such a confident angle, and in all honesty, he wasn’t against this charming angle. His heart missed a beat when the delicate fingers caressed his fragile skin, catching how the stubborn blond held his breath, losing his glance into the nerd’s. If his reason told him to not fall into this illusion, too good to be true, his heart convinced him to grab this chance and express those sentiments he kept hidden for too long. The only answer his stubborn heart could offer was the sudden distance with a blush rising to his cheeks, followed by a few mumbles.
Izuku heard a slight “whatever” in this mess but considered this as a “yes”. A part of him wanted to explain what happened when he was in a coma; from his curious interactions with his older self to the strange rules of this universe, but he knew he’d find the perfect timing in a few years to share this amusing story. The teenager simply ruffled the golden spiky hair before intertwining his fingers with the calloused ones, who returned the gesture despite his silence. Both childhood friends stayed in this mutual warmth for a few minutes with an evident blush on their faces, until the first shadow of strangers entered the room to check on him.
This time, Izuku made a hidden smile when he left the room, knowing someone would be there for him on his return… and for the rest of his life.
-end-