Chapter 1: The First Trial
Chapter Text
The delicate freeze that crossed his forehead with the same mockery he’d heard since that fateful night, condemning an innocent into an eternal jail.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became at his own mistakes that caused this downfall. Cursing after unreachable gods who mocked his misery will bring nothing but bitterness inside his shattered heart, knowing he needed to hold on a little longer until their souls are reunited.
The slow footsteps crossed the leaves on the ground, catching the lamp that revealed his presence in this deserted location. This place welcomed a few visitors, but no one stayed as long as Katsuki Bakugo, who made sure to keep his promises, even if his lover couldn’t hear them anymore. The calloused hands pushed the gate, feeling the change of temperature between this freezing atmosphere against his heated palm, a symbol of their different worlds. Many people explained how coming here was a way to commemorate the deceased and reach the afterlife for a few minutes, but it became the only sensation of home inside the blond’s chest: Why would he rest to a house with a roof over his head when the only person that mattered to him was standing too far and close at the same time?
The wind told him not to move closer, but he ignored their warning.
He felt curious eyes looking at him with surprise when they recognized his familiar figure: The first time the taller man reached this place, he was covered with salty tears falling down his porcelain skin, and stayed there the entire night, mumbling endless apologies. The years passed by and the shaking shadow that stood beside the statue became another illusion of a ghost haunting this place, visiting every night with the same longing expression on his face. The taller man ignored the whispers surrounding him, and simply stopped at his final destination, observing the statue standing right under his eyes.
The gods did him a favor by letting him keep the same size as his living, having the impression of returning to the past of those golden years. The calloused hands gently lost his thumbs against those freckled cheeks that used to be his source of warmth, highlighted by the tender laugh that escaped from Izuku’s lips. Each touch made against this frozen frame reminded him of his cruel reality, where the man he loved was stolen away from the happy ending they were supposed to create together….
The brutality of this scenery was how his husband looked as gorgeous as he used to be on his living, feeling this illusion of joy each time his tired crimson eyes met the unmoving irises. The blond still recalled how those scarred fingers easily found their ways into the golden spikes, and the rising blush over his freckled cheeks. As stupid as it seems, every frame crossing the blond’s mind reminded him of a time he’ll never get unless he succeeds in his three missions, a rough quest for someone who only wanted to die to stand by his lover’s side.
Katsuki rested his head against the cold stone and mumbled a bunch of inaudible words to the wind, ready to steal his narrative and share it with the selfish gods. He was convinced Izuku was still there and listened to each of his monologues, but was forced to see his husband suffer The light apologies always introduced the most heartbreaking speech from a strong figure like Katsuki, who usually broke down once the public's eyes were away. The only thing he asked was a last chance to say how they deserved better than this doomed fate, but the blond needed to stay strong….for the promises the two men sealed with the stunning wedding ring on their fingers.
—----
It started with a simple glance, two curious souls catching each other’s interest until their worlds became one. Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo weren’t supposed to meet in this universe, but a single mistake brought them together, transforming their narrative into a gentle beginning.
The first conversation between them happened with the best of care between two children who lost their way, until they found some reassurance in each other’s presence. It was an attraction at first sight, not necessarily romantic for their young age, but something lighter than the wind ruffling their faces, stealing their laughs, and hidden smiles on their faces. The freckled man had always been a shy kid in town, but the love from his mother wouldn’t be enough to fill the sadness inside his chest when he saw other children playing together in the forest.
He became envious of them, until fate brought him the miracle he’s been waiting for, even if their first interactions were based on misunderstanding, until it became something more precious than any narrative shared by the lullaby read by his mother as bedtime stories. Katsuki had to pretend he was also a human to not scare the small boy, looking at him with amazed glances and stunning curls on his head, wondering if they were as fluffy as they appeared to be. The gods weren’t supposed to have any contact with the mortals, but the blond braved the rules to explore the unknown and found the missing piece of his puzzle.
Izuku Midoriya was all he expected from humans: he was curious about everything in his surroundings, amazed by the slightest changes in the world, and obsessed with the tales concerning the unreachable deities protecting their existence. The sparkling irises were mesmerized by the thousands of narratives shared by his best friend during their casual hangout, causing grey hair to Katsuki’s parents, but the best souvenirs for the curious blond. The green-haired boy always insisted on standing by the other’s side, explaining how they’ll explore the rest of the world outside this small town once they’re older, making the lonely blond be attached to someone for the first time in his life.
In reality, Katsuki Bakugo wasn’t a simple god as he depicted in those stunning stories, but a demigod. His father was a mortal who fell in love with his mother, a deity who braved the forbidden to experience a once-in-a-lifetime experience: He couldn’t complain, his parents had been more than protective toward him since his birth, especially when he was a chaotic child…but their love was real. The intrigued blond found himself searching for a romance similar to the one shared by his parents, and naturally held onto the first bond that echoed those similar feelings. Fate brought this innocent shadow who followed him everywhere with constant praise on a silver plate, forging an inseparable bond between them.
Izuku Midoriya was the first mortal he interacted with, catching his complete attention while the smaller child grew up in the blink of an eye The impressed figure became a softer boy, hiding the blush that rose over his freckled cheeks and the adoring glance over his face, almost like he wanted to share some truth that refused to leave his lips. The green messy curls stayed as stunning as the ones he saw during their first interactions, but the stubborn teenager became more focused on details he hadn't seen before, such as the distinct form of the freckles on his cheeks, the distinction between his irises, and how pretty he looked under the midnight sky.
The mortal liked to mumble about his future projects with passionate eyes, mentioning how he wanted to live his life to his fullest without an ounce of regret once it was his time to leave this place. The simple mention of disappearing from this world acted like a slap on Katsuki’s face, realizing how their notions of the afterlife were different: If Katsuki was aware of the possibility of staying immortal or falling into Hades’s tricks, Izuku seemed to accept his fate as forgotten ashes like the other people who stood there before. At this moment, Katsuki, used to loneliness, started to feel guilty for living in a world where this impressive shadow will be out of reach, longing for a ghost that might never come back to life after his final breath.
The same day, the teenager asked his parents if it was possible to turn a human into a god to stand by their side for the rest of his life. The question caught his parents off guard, but the truth was as heartbreaking as he expected: The rules were clear and only a miracle could prove the purity of the mortal’s soul in order to make them reach such status. Katsuki wasn’t comfortable with the idea that his father would die one of these days, leaving his family heartbroken, but he drew the line at the idea that his only friend, couldn’t escape from this tragic fate. It didn’t take long until the blond revealed the truth about his real identity, under the surprised glance and the open lips, who had a thousand questions to ask.
Katsuki answered each of them, and when Izuku asked why he decided to reveal all of this now, the answer naturally escaped from his lips, like a truth he hadn’t had the courage to share until now: “Because I want to let you explore the changes the next decades have to offer to this world. I’ve never been attached to anyone until now, but the very first interaction with a human showed me another side of the unknown I fell in love with it. Dying isn’t interesting when you know how Hades only played with the tormented souls for his selfish wish…consider this as a treat from your guardian angel.”
Izuku’s face turned redder at the previous comment and his fingers held the fabric of his clothes tighter, questioning what this strange feeling inside his chest was. Instead of digging into it, he moved closer and showed his pinky finger, explaining how they promised to stand by each other’s side, even if death had to interfere with their future plans. If Katsuki accepted the pinky promise, he made sure to avoid this tragic ending at all costs: After all, he already faced solitude and now he found his best friend by his side, he refused to let him go, as selfish as it sounded.
Hanging out with his childhood friend became his favorite activity to occupy his boring day, especially when those captivated irises searched for him. Everything became easier since the blond revealed his true identity, with Izuku accepting him for his real self, something no one had ever done before. The two shadows created unforgettable memories: he was the shoulder to cry on after the fight between Izuku and his father, the source of comfort during the lonely nights, and the chest to rest during their late-night talk.
The relationship between demigod and human was considered unusual, knowing the nature of their distinct universe, but everything felt natural when the freckled man was standing by his side, promising the world at the palm of his hands with his gentle smiles. Katsuki Bakugo used to stand alone in the corner, but all his worries disappeared when the familiar curls appeared in his field, brightening his world. Naturally, Katsuki fell into the unknown and believed each of the words whispered by his childhood friend as ethereal promises to hold for the rest of their lives.
It didn’t take long before he realized how this affection became something stronger, a sentiment he hadnever felt before. It only manifested itself through simple gestures and strange sensations inside his chest when some other mortals stood too closeto the nerd, until he made sure to let this extra understand how this was a losing battle If Izuku didn’t understand the sudden change in his childhood friend’s behavior, he noticed how the taller man seemed to make more effortsduring moments that weren’t supposed to be intimate. Hesitant calloused fingers ruffled his knuckles under a midnight sky after a conversation about their future together, stolen glances, and blushes that became apparent under the amazed eyes, touched by the sight.
After all, Izuku had always seen his childhood friend as this impressive figure since he was four years old….but there was something different, almost reassuring about the unreachable figure, being vulnerable near his reach. It’s not like Katsuki was a bad-looking person, on the contrary, he was one of the prettiest men Izuku had ever seen with his stunning irises, golden spikes that reminded him of the jewels collected by the hunters, and the seductive grin crossing his lips. He wouldn't mind drowning into those gentle irises and learn each of their secrets, reading each line like his favorite tale, and being his muse to his untold stories. The freckled man enjoyed the idea of being closer to this man who offered him endless support, even in his craziest ideas.
The freckled man smiled at the encouraging realization, deciding it was time to send some hints about the feelings he’d never shared since their teenage years. The first time the scarred fingers ruffled the calloused ones, Katsuki felt a sudden heat rising on his face,under Izuku’s loving glance.. When the signs became obviousthe taller man decided to take his time and accept love as a whole, especially when Izuku Midoriya was his biggest treasure to cherish….
That night, the taller man walked his childhood friend back to his house, catching the amused expression on Izuku’s face and the mutual tease between them. The scarred hands were residing inside his back as the wind ruffled the messy curls on his forehead: Under this angle, the emerald irises had never been this beautiful, such as the adorable smile that crossed the tip of his lips and the genuine happiness released through each of his laugh, stolen by the wind.
Izuku stayed the same child who caught his attention since they were brats, but the years transformed this intrigued soul into the breathtaking poem the blond had ever read, mesmerizing every prose and making sure everyone will remember this ethereal beauty in the next decades. Katsuki Bakugo had never fallen in love, but he was ready to brave the forbidden to see a glimpse of Izuku’s smile, projecting how this sound will look like once they’re in their eighties with bags under their eyes and gray hair.
Their two figures stopped on the road with a silence filling their previous conversation: The taller man put his hand behind his neck, mumbling a few things under the gentle glance, who only smiled at the touching sight. His body moved on its own to make the first step and steal a quick kiss against the demigod’s cheeks, stopping his previous mumbles to catch the rising blush on his cheeks.
“Thanks for today….and for everything, I’m really lucky to have someone like you by my side,” he whispered with a loving tone. If the freckled man had doubts concerning the sentiment of his childhood friend, someone he knew by heart, he decided to trust his instinct and give for a try. Rejection was still an option, such as misunderstanding, but Izuku Midoriya wasn’t afraid of taking a risk when it came to the stranger who became his pillar in life.,“You know, I never thought that the stubborn Kacchan could be this cute, It looks good on you..You should show more of this hidden side of your personality.”
None of them knew who made the first move after this unexpected confession, but everything became easier with the delicate prose that escaped their lips. The hesitant handholds became concrete ones, stolen glances transformed into light kisses, and love confessions spread through meaningful whispers. Falling in love with Izuku Midoriya was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he wouldn’t wish for a better fate than the one where he would spend the rest of his life with the same shadow that offered him a chance to enjoy life instead of fearing it. Their dynamic became more intimate with more symbolic gestures, secret smiles exchanged under the sheets, and the presence of a ring that marked their unconventional journey.
The story could reach its perfect ending, with both men standing beside each other until the end, with Katsuki fighting to keep his husband alive as long as possible, and Izuku touched to see the ethereal devotion. The symbolism of this precious ring on their fingers represented their biggest pride, something transcribing through their smiles, even when the town congratulated them for their union.
Izuku couldn’t be happier to have Katsuki as his husband, admiring how caring and gentle he was: he always made sure to check on him, and shared his worries during the darkest days. The two men were meant to be with each other in this lifetime, and their genuine love became radiant in each of their secret exchanges in public, but some deities disapproved of their union and decided to put some obstacles in their way. Katsuki warned him about this eventuality, but Izuku was amazed to see his husband fighting against the strongest form of power to save this relationship, even if this meant sacrificing his status as a demigod to become a simple mortal, but this offer was refused.
Unfortunately, a stronger enemy crossed the line and twisted the rest of this tender tale.
Katsuki will never forget the moment when an unexpected shadow crossed the corridor of his house, with his troubled parents and the menacing grin on the other’s face, explaining how the family had a debt to pay. The taller man was stunned to learn about this secret his family kept hidden for too long, knowing he could’ve helped instead of facing a price that everyone feared. Katsuki held his fist tighter, putting his nails into his heated palm to let some blood over the carpet when this asshole explained how he was here to take the only thing this owner of the house cherished the most.
Mitsuki and Masaru stepped back and pointed out how they won’t let their son be taken away out of their reach for eternity, but the shorter man only replied with a mocking laugh. The tension in the room became unbearable, feeling each breath separating this revelation as a stab in the heart, realizing something was wrong. The crimson eyes send a death glare at the extra with crossed arms against his chest, looking at them with a malicious expression on his face.
“I’m not here for your son, he’s not a good use,” his voice filled the silence, looking at the blond with a mocking glance. “Indeed, he became a source of interest for my dept: I could’ve come sooner, but the timing fit with plansoTo my knowledge, you reached the majority a few years ago…. This means you’re now the owner of the house according to the rules. I’ve heard about your union with this mortal, a challenge against the gods if you ask me, but I hope you enjoyed this peace while it lasted.”
“Don’t you dare touch one of Izuku’s hairs or I’ll make sure to torture your soul until it becomes rotten with ashes,” Katsuki threatened with a menacing tone, pushing the shorter man against the wall. His death glare didn’t impress the asshole who simply rolled his eyes and left the previous grip, cleaning his hair under the previous scene he caused.
“I should’ve expected you would’ve been protective over him,” he added with a sigh, looking at the terrified expression on Mitsuki and Masaru’s faces. It seemed like the couple already understood the outcome of this conversation but fatecouldn’t be more cruel: Their son didn’t ask to be the one paying from their previous mistakes and yet, he became the unfortunate target of this deal that was meant to steal away the most important thing in the owner’s house, no matter if it was: an object or a person. “If I were you, I would make sure to spend enough minutes with my lover until he became out of reach….”
“What do you-” His crimson eyes widened at the sudden reality that slapped him in the face. He connected the dots and realized how having this title of owner implied that his husband’s life was in danger, and no matter what this asshole did to hurt the nerd, he would make him pay.
The taller man left the place as soon as possible, reaching the isolated house in the town he knew by heart, until he caught the familiar green curls from afar. The first thing Katsuki noticed was the teary emerald eyes and the shaking arms wrapped around his back, with Izuku’s head against his chest. The calloused hands held the shaking figure closer, asking him what happened until he wiped the nasty tears away from the freckled cheeks, trying to erase the anxiety rising inside his chest.
“Kacchan they’re….” Izuku sobbed against his warm chest, losing his fingers against his husband’s clothes. He was terrified, but wanted to hold onto the safest place he knew if this meant spending his last moments as the strangers described earlier. “They destroyed my door and claimed to take the price of the debt, but I don’t know what they were talking about! I tried to understand what was happening but they put something on me and left, explaining how it was too late. I don’t understand-”
“We have a short time, but I just learned how my parents made a stupid deal with one of the gods and never returned their debt. Some fucked up story I couldn’t properly understand, but I came here as soon as I heard this bastard threatening your life,” he explained with a concerned tone, moving his fingers on the shaking body to see if there wasn’t anything strange going on. Knowing the deities, they were tempted to use many tricks to make their victim vulnerable, and if there was someone to pay this price for Masaru and Mitsuki’s mistake, it should be Katsuki…not his husband! “Shit, how do you feel ?”
“I’m getting colder but I don’t….I don’t know, it’s like my muscles are stuck…I can’t move anymore,” Izuku mumbled with a sudden sob, holding tighter to his husband's chest, wishing to wake up from this terrifying nightmare. “I feel like dying, but it’s changing me from the inside. I’m scared, save me, Kacchan…I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to leave this place without you.”
“You won't I promise,” the taller man mumbled with an ounce of hope, but both men knew how it was too late. The calloused hands held the shaking figure as close as possible, apologizing for not being able to predict this when he was supposed to save the man he loved from the vultures in their surroundings. Izuku’s sobs broke his heart, followed by the light whispers until their teary eyes met, and the terrible truth appeared like a slap in the face: Izuku was about to be turned into a statue for the rest of his life. “Shit, listen to me- I know it’s scary but you need to believe in me. I don’t know how long it’ll take but I’ll make sure to bring you as soon as possible, even if I have to move mountains to save you. I-”
“I’ll wait for you, always,” the freckled man confessed in a low tone, looking at the teary crimson eyes. It was the same loving irises that accepted his vows during their wedding, the affectionate glance that looked at him with care after their intimate encounter, with a soft smile at the tip of his lips. Katsuki tried to be strong but the shaking figure suddenly became heavy against his arms, the stone marking the tears that fell down his freckled cheeks.
Through the years, Katsuki learned how being human implied facing regrets, but he realized how harsh this reality was when the last words he heard from his husband were confession he hadn’t had the time to return. The taller man didn’t hear the call of his parents who ran toward him with worries- he stayed focused on this warmth against his skin, knowing it was probably the last time he ever felt something so reassuring.
—---
Thinking about the old memories will only let bitterness consume the last ounce of hope inside his shattered soul, begging for a savior. What were the odds that the white knight that was supposed to bring a smile to this stupid face for the rest of their lives ended up being the one bringing them down? Katsuki wanted to laugh at the stupidity of the situation and how everything would’ve been different if he had known earlier about this debt that took away his only source of joy and reason to live….without his muse, he was destined to be an empty shield with nothing but meaningless lines to transcribe on those black pages.
A bitter laugh escaped from his lips as he wiped away the recent tears, realizing how he was, once again, overwhelmed by his emotions. If his husband were there, he would've had a stupid comment about how cute he looked with his adorable pout but unfortunately, this belonged to a precious past he cherished more than any treasure he received until now. The years separating him from the reunion with his missing half felt like constant stabs in the heart, as the dust started to take its trace on this statue that welcomed each of his tears. Losing those calloused hands against the scarred ones didn’t feel the same now the statue couldn’t reply: Shit, he was supposed to be stronger than that, but he only wanted a last sign….a hint that giving up wasn’t an option but a reality he needed to hold on!
The last words shared by Izuku replayed inside his mind as the taller figure rested his body against the uncomfortable stone. He rested his head between his knees and let his sobs echo in the empty place, aware of the disconcerted spirits who watched the heartbreaking show of those two lovers separated by fate. The scars might never heal and start to rot through the years, such as the dry tears that left their marks on the fragile skin after his stupid mistakes.
The heartwrenching sobs reflecting his genuine suffering, despising every single day that passed by where he wasn’t waking up beside this stupid smile and a good morning kiss. He missed how he used to have everything at the palm of his hands, and lost it without being able to say a final goodbye like the asshole he was. It would make sense for Izuku to be mad at him for failing his promises, knowing he deserved so much better than wasted tears and words that caress the freckled man’s ears, without receiving any answer.
“You have no idea how pretending is hard when you want to break everything down at the mention of what happened,” he confessed between his sobs, knowing the freckled man would’ve probably held him closer and kissed his spikes if he were here by his side. “I don’t think I’ll forgive myself for making such a thing happen, being the cause of our downfall….It was supposed to be our happy ending, but when did it turn into our worst nightmare ?”
The gods probably laughed at the stupidity of his words, realizing how he was doomed to melancholy for the rest of his life. Izuku was his everything, but being separated doesn’t mean Katsuki’s love for the green-haired man will fade away…it’ll only become stronger once they can catch up the lost time in an unknown future.
“I keep seing your face every nights, searching for this reassuring presence on the bed but the only thing i find is your ghosts, disappearing when the morning comes,” Katsuki added with a heartwrenching tone, recalling how he missed those moments that felt like precious souvenirs to his shattered heart, begging for a chanceto fix his past mistakes. “Life doesn’t have any meaning without your stupid smiles, freckles, and laugh that became my reason to breathe. If only I were smarter, maybe I would’ve been able to save you instead of letting you take the final line and close this chapter of our lives.”
Knowing his childhood friend, the nerd would’ve probably made it clear how it was not his fault, but the heavy silence against his ears and the burden on his shoulders made each of his breaths an unbearable sensation inside his own body. Dying probably feels less painful than waking up with those thorns finding strength in your scars to make them bleed until the only thing you can throw is venom from actions and regrets you should’ve done earlier.
“You must think I’m desperate and you’ll be right,” he added with a mocking laugh at himself. He stood up from the floor and wiped his tears, looking at the emerald eyes that used to shine brighter than any midnight sky. “But I refuse to let death take me away from you, I’ll bring you back, even if this means sacrificing my life for this. Wait for me a little longer, it’s all I’m asking and maybe we’ll be reunited sooner than you think…It’s my last request before you give up on me.”
The calloused hands ruffled the wedding ring forged into thestone, knowing it’ll forever remain the symbol of their love and strength. His face softened with a slight smile that only lasted for a few seconds, knowing Izuku’s soul was still resting there, even if they were away from each other. The heated palm met the cold cheeks, wishing he could cup them but only rested his lips against Izuku’s forehead, whispering a low “goodnight”.
His shadow left the path with nothing but emptiness inside his chest, but he held on to their next reunion. No matter if it was in the timelines or circumstances heart and soul will always belong to Izuku Midoriya…
—--
The night had already left its mark with the stars observing the lost figure moving away in this forest like a ghost looking for his past. The fresh breeze crossed his face as a reminder of strangers breathing the same air as him, continuing their lives like nothing happened, when Katsuki was still stuck in his despair. His heart was full of anger toward the people who betrayed him and used his husband as an innocent target of their selfish tricks, leading to more disaster than relief, as they all claimed.
Many years had passed, but the shadows who had been offering their support about the sudden loss started to forget about Izuku and his existence, with Katsuki Bakugo being the only one remembering their beloved memories together. It must be another spell from the gods, erasing Izuku’s presence from everyone’s mind until his name was no longer pronounced, leaving the poor blond being the final soldier suffering in silence. The huge tree above his head covered his footsteps, with the leaves reaching his face as messages to move on, a recommendation he ignored on purpose.
This forest became a road he knew by heart, recognizing the different shades of the leaves falling on the ground, with the trees that marked his first discovery of the area. The legends tend to say how the god of nature was offering a soul to each breathing person on this place, and Katsuki played with her nerves when he punched a few trees to release his pain until blood appeared on his skin. He made an apology the next day but knew this nature surrounding his vulnerable shadow already saw the worst of him.
The blond sighed, losing his fingers in his golden spikes, before taking a quick glimpse at his surroundings. This environment could’ve caused such amazement for the naive spirits who explored this part of the lands for the first time, but wore a darker mask once the night had come. This charming aspect of this welcoming forest transformed into a golden jail for every soul who had the misfortune to end up in a lonely spot like this one, made to echo each of their thoughts as a reminder of their biggest flaws. Izuku and him already walked past similar landscapes in the past with the scarred hands holding him closer, explaining how everything was impressive…unaware of how this magical atmosphere quickly turned into a real nightmare once the stars started to meddle.
Katsuki would do anything to hold Izuku’s hands one last time, and cuddling until they both fall asleep, but it was too late. His despair even caused auditory hallucinations, where the wind transported the delicate sound of his husband’s voice calling his name with a soft tone, but the taller man didn’t step back. He knew all of this was a trap made by the gods to see how far he was ready to go to continue this unconventional narrative. Izuku would’ve been stronger than him: If the roles were reversed, Katsuki would be the one stuck in the stone until his white knight saved the day, but he recalled his last words and couldn’t destroy this last promise.
His crimson eyes caught the light coming from the closest house that resided in this area, knowing it was known for its solitude. The first time the taller man reached this place, he was covered with injuries and blood over his body, begging not to be helped under the concerned eyes of the stranger, who came to his rescue. Back in those days, he had no idea how this mysterious person saved his life by teaching him the knowledge to get rid of every situation concerning health, a precious treasure that can potentially help him in the days.
“You felt in the mood for a late-night walk ?” The familiar voice interrupted his inner monologue. The shadow stayed hidden in the darkness until she revealed herself with a lamp in her hand and arms crossed against her chest. She wasn’t surprised to see Katsuki staying up until a late hour, especially when his nights were either constituted by a nightmare and an unreachable name at the tip of his lips.
“I couldn’t find sleep, too occupied by old friends,” he mumbled with a sigh, noticing how the woman’s face turned understanding after this previous comment.
“You visited him, right ?” Mina asked with a worried tone, moving closer to give him the second lamp she kept at her belt.
The calloused hands grabbed it with a light “thanks” knowing the healer’s glance was all over him for the wrong reason: After all, their path weren’t meant to met and yet, the pink haired woman helped him to survive a little longer ears ago after learning about the debt, Katsuki confronted his parents and decided he couldn’t forgive them after this betrayal: The demi-god put the blame on them, explaining with rage how they should’ve mentioned it earlier instead of using Izuku as a vulgar sacrifice!
No matter the arguments used by Mitsuki and Masaru, the blond didn’t even bother looking back when he left the house, with anger rising inside his chest until his body decided to have a bitter taste of a near-death experience. The pink-haired woman was heartbroken to hear all the suffering this poor soul had endured for the sake of selfish will, but Mina agreed to offer him a roof over his head, hoping it would be enough to bring color back to his face. Today, many years have passed and the two became close enough to consider each other friends, especially when Katsuki was forever grateful to Pinky for saving his life when he should’ve left this world a long time ago.
“I know he’ll feel bad if I don’t say goodnight, another one of his shitty habits,” he mumbled with a longing tone, holding back his tears. It was stupid, but standing beside Izuku’s statue gave him the impression of being connected with him…
“I’m sure he appreciated the gesture, but he would also be worried about your state,” the pink-haired woman explained with a light smile, ruffling his messy spikes to erase his tears. It was evident how Katsuki was entirely devoted to his childhood friend, making this story more heartbreaking, but his despair led to actual action that might change their fate for the better! “You should get some rest, the judgment will start soon and you need all your strength. I know you’re in the mood for a sleepover with your husband, but you need to erase these bags under your eyes, you look twice your age, Kats.”
“And I don’t need a babysitter either,” he replied with rolled eyes.
Katsuki pretended to be annoyed by the previous comment but knew how caring the pink-haired woman was, especially when the stubborn blond reminded her of her old self. During their bounding time, the two learned about each other’s life and realized how they shared the same suffering: separated from their lover against their will, except one of them succeeded to came right in time to catch the last words, compared to the pink haired woman, who regretted not being fast enough to stop her lover’s injury.
If Mina complained about how he was about to give her gray hair, Katsuki stayed silent, thinking about the trial he had to face soon. This decision to go against the god's values was already seen as a huge risk the moment they considered Izuku and Katsuki’s union as a betrayal of his true blood, but they became more offended after the unexpected request. With the help of the healer, the blond learned about the possibility of making a once and unique trial to regain his right concerning any of his wishes, knowing he could have the gods’ favor if he survived the three trials and proved his determination.
It didn’t take long until Katsuki introduced his request to save his husband, stuck in stone against his will. The story was well known in the olympus, being an advantage in his case: Everyone warned him about the danger of losing his life and becoming a simple mortal with a short timespan if he failed his missions, but Katsuki only looked at them and swore on his life that he was ready to do anything to bring his lover back to him. The gods accepted this source of entertainment and decided to share the first hint of his first test, until Hermes mumbled what awaited him in the next days.
Katsuki immediately discussed it with Mina, the only person who supported him in this crazy idea. He was afraid of putting her life on the line, especially after what happened to Izuku, but the pink-haired woman only smiled and described how she survived so much worse, and it shouldn’t be a worry for her. Now he thinks about it, he needed to figure out how to get away from the potential tricks made by the gods to make him fail on purpose. The letter detailed how Katsuki Bakugo was tasked to beat one of Hades’s creatures and spot the treasure hidden in the room with a limited countdown. If this mission seemed easy at first sight, it became more complicated when he realized how these people were ready for anything in order to bring him down.
“Do you know how to fight and hold a sword?” The pink-haired woman asked knowing the answer was obvious
She already saw him training against innocent trees as a way to release all the anger he had accumulated for so long: His moves were smooth enough to avoid unexpected attacks, but he needed to stay focused on his target a little longer. Katsuki never complained about having Mina as his personal trainer: the healer was a good teacher, giving him advice and even creating illusions about false rivals with her potions to see the maximum of his capacities. Katsuki Bakugo was a great student and an impressive soldier who could’ve gone to war and returned home without an injury for sure. She wasn’t worried about him, but the mindset of the ones who created these games in the first place.
“Where do you think I got this ugly scar ?” He replied with a grin, sitting on the chair. It’s been a while since he hung out in town to get some bread and something to eat for dinner, but it would be strange to visit the town at night.
“At least we know you’ll be able to defend yourself, but be careful with their tricks. They might be the creators of these games but they won’t treat you differently from the previous participants,” Mina added with a serious tone. “I believe in your ability to get out of there, but you need to be observant enough to notice the slightest change within the limited time. Knowing them, they’ll probably make it perfectly hidden, but you’re lucky I know a few things about covering objects.”
“Or you could simply join the game instead of me and we’ll save Izuku in the blink of an eye,” he pointed out with a grin, but the taller woman simply sighed.
“You don’t seem to understand the urgency of the situation, Kats,” she replied, letting him know how things will be different once he’s on his own.
It was a well-known fact that every soldier needed constant practice to have a perfect use of the weapon in question, but Katsuki’s case was different and his only way to survive was to use his emotions to dictate each gesture.
“Once you’ll beat this creature you’ll be alone: The spell differed from healer to another, such as the deity's powers, but there’s a common point between the previous comparison,” she added with a concentrated tone. Great, she succeeded in having his complete attention, knowing the next information could save his life. “Every object cursed or covered in magic has a weakness: they either shine brighter than the others, have a distinct form or shade but the most important ones are the most vicious.”
She grabbed the cup she had previously put on the counter and put an apple next to it. It was clear Katsuki wasn’t convinced by her argument until she made things clear.
“Unless you have eye problems, you can distinguish an innocent apple from this casual cup. Two objects different on the outside, but pretty similar if we make them fall under the same spell,” Mina added with a grin, Aslight blur crossed their faces, making the blond cough until his eyes caught the two cups: He saw an apple standing there a few seconds ago, but the two objects looked exactly the same! “And now you’re wondering how to figure this out? That’s easy. On the outside, they both look alike under every angle, as much as you tried to look for something unusual, but you’ll waste your time.”
“Then how am I supposed to figure this out ?” He asked, grabbing the fake cup and realizing how it was harder than it seemed to notice the difference from the real one. “It has the same shade, material, and even the last trace of this strange drink you always love.”
“That’s why I'm here, dumbass,” the pink-haired woman affirmed with a grin, pushing his shoulders. “Anyone would be fooled by this, but if you look closer at the bottom of the fake cup, you’ll notice some shade that doesn’t belong to the original one. You can check by yourself, but as meaningless as it could be: each detail matters and wise attention was requested for this mental task. A single mistake and all your efforts and promises to save your husband will fall apart. I don’t think Izuku will forgive you if you die before him.”
“Oh I see….” he mumbled, observing by himself the distinct shade that wasn’t present in the original object. At first, he thought it would be evident changes but he was relieved to have a mentor like Pinky to help him in this quest. Many people would’ve told him a simple good luck and Katsuki would’ve easily died; now he knew the tricks, he couldn’t fool the creator of their own games. “They’ll be harsh on me, aren’t they ?”
“You made them mad by having an unconventional wedding and chasing after this mortal they hated more than anything, trust me they’ll make this the hardest quest someone has ever faced,” she pointed out with a sigh. If something tragic happens, she refuses to be the one announcing the news to Izuku! “That’s why you need a lot of rest, unless you want me to knock you out by force and explain to your husband how stubborn you are. You still have two days before the first trial, make sure to train tomorrow and get at least eight hours of sleep-”
“I get it, calm down, you're not my mom,” he rolled his eyes, pushing the chair away. His footsteps grabbed the lamp beside the wooden table and stole the apple, which took its original form after the demonstration. His fingers moved the fruit toward his lips under the unimpressed glance of his mentor: Katsuki’s face softened after the previous support offered by the pink-haired woman, glad to have someone to count on during this tough time.
Katsuki was aware of the risk of starting those dangerous games, but he needed to come back alive for the nerd… who’s been longing for his return. Tonight, he’ll dream about Izuku’s voice and gentle fingers against his cheeks, hoping it’ll give him enough strength for the next day…..
—--
Two days later,
Katsuki prepared for every eventuality to fool his soul in the arena, but the voices in his head didn’t make this easier. The only rest he gained was during a nap, when tiredness appeased his worries. It was agreeable to find hope in tender frames of his past but none of the “what ifs” could justify the current situation.
This morning, the bright sunlight passed through the moving curtain, reflecting a new day in this isolated area. Katsuki sighed, holding his pillow closer to his chest, realizing how today marked the beginning of his downfall or revival. His heart missed a beat at the idea of confronting the gods to prove his endless devotion to his childhood friend, but the more he thought about it….the more reassured he felt about the possibility of having a part of his husband’s spirit inside the ring residing on his fingers.
At this point, the blond tried to find motivation in every single reminder of his past life. Leaving the bed was a painful chore, but a single glimpse at the scars on his arms gave him enough courage to face whatever creature was expecting him home on Mount Olympus.
He took a deep breath and closed the wooden door, walking straight to their new destination. His crimson eyes caught the family location, and convinced Mina to make a quick stop before continuing their road. He didn’t know what he was supposed to say, but he knew it was his duty to keep the nerd informed about each step of the trial but they’ll be reunited very soon.
The interaction between the demigod and the stunning statue made her realize how it was more than just a mission, but their only chance to bring Izuku back. The stakes were more important on Katsuki’s shoulders, letting this poor man take all the weight until the final result. No matter the outcome of these trials, she’ll make sure giving up wasn’t an option once they opened the Pandora box.
A light expression crossed the blond’s face once he returned from his quick conversation with the statue. The pink-haired woman had never met this Izuku, but he must be really sweet if he brought a blush to Katsuki’s cheeks every time his name was mentioned in conversation. There’s no doubt the three of them could’ve been friends without the tragedy … but there was a beginning for everything. During their long walk, the two shadows exchanged about their expectations concerning the environment in Olympus..
However, it was clear how Katsuki’s participation became the center of the whispers that crossed his ears. This event was probably a huge thing for their immortal spirits who needed distraction: the demigod was forced to follow their rules to gain their trust and return home with the man he loved. The taller man didn’t have any regrets marrying his childhood friend and would defend him in front of the filthy gods if necessary, especially when only he knew the symbolism of these rings on their fingers.
The path toward their final destination was longer than they expected, with recurrent breaks to get some water The last letter they received informed them how Hermes would be there, waiting for them at the meeting spot indicated with this indelible ink.
“Do you think we’ll get a seat to watch the game from afar or we’ll be forced to stand up on our legs the entire time ?” Mina asked with her fingers to her chin, catching the blond’s attention. Katsuki only rolled his eyes at the question, knowing there was more important than stupid seats when his life was on the line. “I would love to support you but there’s a huge chance of my passing out from exhaustion if I had to stay up the entire time. I swear my ghost will be there to help you from the afterlife!”
“I guess I’ll have to dig my own grave if you’re giving up before me,” the taller man replied with a sigh, recognizing the surroundings previously hinted at by the map in the palm of his hand. “If it’s the case, remind me to bury you with the inscription: the idiot residing here died in the stupidest way:”
“Apparently you’re only in a good mood for a tease with one person, do you know how beikg respectful is an option ? ” She said, lifting her head to meet the familiar tree appearing on the paper.
The map guided them to the famous spot mentioned in the letter, but there was no sign of Hermes until a sudden burst caught their attention. The two shadows exchanged a curious glance when the messenger revealed how the gods were known for their impatience, especially with an event as big as this one. Hermes even praised Katsuki for being problematic enough for reuniting the most famous names to observe this show, but the blonds stayed silent.
He knew he would rather die as a human with a proper life than spend the rest of his immortal years with this mentality of considering things as objects….Maybe he might ask for a moral title if he survives the trial, to spend the rest of his life with Izuku and understand his world. The hands on his shoulders made him jump, as Hermes continued his monologue until the three of them reached the sky. Katsuki and Mina shared a curious look, questioning how they'd ended up so high, but maybe the gods wanted to keep this as secret as possible. After all, many people could use this previous information about the communication between their worlds….
The first thing that caught their eyes was the huge room in front of them: The whole zone was ten times bigger than the small house Izuku and him got in their hometown, with a white marble as thin as the details on the fabrics above their heads, protecting anyone standing there from any crises made by the god of climate. The huge floor was highlighted by a distinct design that came straight from their wildest imagination, with an ounce of orange and black hidden as a symbol on the carpet. The curved structure was made with enough metal to see each pillar owning a fire lamp, matching the gold with the marble on the few stairs that separated the distinct floor from a few meters. A single glimpse at the environment outside this golden jail revealed a radiant blue sky with a few clouds, realizing how they were probably higher than their eyes could ever imagine as simple humans.
Katsuki and Mina felt like two strangers, too small to even be a part of this world, compared to the gods, who seemed to return to their casual seats, taking a few glances at the shadows standing there. They probably look like lost children looking for their parents, but ended up catching empty seats on the side with their names written in golden ink against the black material. It gave them the impression of being in a fever dream with this luxury, Izuku would’ve probably lost his mind and praised the beauty of this place if he were there. The nerd would’ve held his husband’s arms with a close grab and whispered how gorgeous this looked, ignoring the owners who transformed this natural beauty into a crime scene.
The blond refused to be fooled by the charm of this place, recalling the reason for his presence here. He wouldn’t mind fighting each of them if it wasn’t for his childhood friend, knowing the asshhole who stole him away was probably admiring the show from afar like the coward he was. This wasn’t a simple trial, but a personal revenge against the ones who took his source of happiness away, and a desire to give justice to a forgotten name. It was more than entertainment, but a survival for this demigod able to lose everything with a single second of inattention, a final goodbye he couldn’t whisper to this statue who’s been waiting for him at home,
Katsuki Bakugo was aa toy to play with….but he’ll make sure to let them know hiw their biggest mistake was to underestimate him. If the pink-haired woman noticed the sudden change of expression on the blond’s face, she knew the deities standing in the room were probably smart enough to read between the lines.
“Katsuki Bakugo, what a surprise you showed up, maybe people would’ve run away, it's not too late to give,” Himari said with her fake smile. Katsuki could’ve cursed everyone in the room and let them know how it was against the moral beliefs on earth, but making the creators of the quests angrier at him before even starting their stupid games was risky.
“I have a promise to keep and it’s not like I have no other choices, you threatened to shorten my lifespan on earth if I refused this deal,” he replied with a cold tone. His presence here was only a way to attract the curious eyes, but he held back his anger and simply stayed distant: After all, he wouldn’t give them the pleasure to show his weakness in front of their corrupted spirits, who stayed too long in luxury to ignore the price of a human life.
“He’s one of our funniest guests, I have the impression this trial will be interesting,” the goddess pointed out and looked at the others' shadows, who simply laughed at the previous comment.
Mina stayed distant from any conversation made with the immortal deities who wanted to learn more about human life on the other side: she wouldn’t give them such information that could turn against them in this judgment. The difference between their universes became more than explicit when the two strangers were the only ones separated from the loud conversations, being the center of many wipers and stolen glances. Himari decided to clap her hands and have everyone’s attention, starting her speech to the vultures, intrigued to see the outcome of this convocation.
“Are you sure you’re alright, Kats ?” The pink-haired woman asked, making sure her voice wasn’t caught by the wind that caressed the rest of the assembly, apparently lost in their important explanation.
“I think it’s too late to pretend to be sick worked in my case, I’m just a meat to their eyes, but the faster I finish this shit, the faster I return to this shitty house,” he replied with a tired tone, catching the offended depression on his friend’s face..
“Thanks for the compliment,” she mumbled with rolled eyes, punching his shoulders.
To be honest, the demigod knew he would probably lose his mind if he had to deal with all of this on his own, but having Pinky’s advice will be more than helpful if he wants to complete all the missions made by the stronger forces to prove the value of his wasted tears. The sudden mention of their names caught their attention, moving their heads to see the gods looking at them with stunned expressions on their faces, almost like the simple breath from their mouths was considered a threat to this illusion of peace that was built on lies. The crimson eyes noticed the multiple reactions, understanding how some of them seemed empathetic enough with an apologetic glance, while others ruffled their hands with the coins hidden in their tunic.
“You know, our guest is really an amazing pawn,” the familiar voice filled the previous silence, looking straight into the unwelcoming crimson irises. The mutual hate between the two of them didn’t need to be covered by false praise, making each death glare explicit each time their names were mentioned in conversation.”Did you know he married some mortal for the sake of love? We should probably ask Aphrodite how we ended up in such a situation but-”
“Izuku,” the blond’s voice suddentlyinterrupted the previous speech and Mina noticed how her friendstood up from the previous chair with tight fist, looking straight into the crowd's eyes. The blond didn’t care about his harsh behavior and their consequences, but he refused to let them bring his lover’s name like he was vulgar ashes in the air. “His name is Izuku Bakugo Midoriya. If you want to talk about him, give his name some respect.”
“Alright, this mortal…Izuku, ended up being the victim of a tragic ending straight from the romance humans read to their children. I’ve been there a few times, some stories are really interesting, despite their lack of depth,” Himari added with interested glances at her guests, who nodded in answers. It was clear how she enjoyed being the center of attention, wearing her reputation and title very deep inside her heart…betraying the beliefs mortals held with temples to honor her power. “This shouldn't have happened in the first place, but we succeeded in erasing this human’s existence, except for one soul…the same one who is apparently willing to sacrifice his life for.”
“And I would do it over again if this means bringing him back to me,” the blond replied with a threatening tone. This was a direct threat to those symbols of hope that abused their authorities to make such a cruel judgment happen in the first place: What if we shorten the introduction and go straight to the point? I don’t have the time to hear your false empathy and apologies for something you’ve obviously enjoyed.”
“He’s right, we have time to talk about that once the first quest starts,” another shadow pointed out with a glass of wine in the palm of his hand, losing his hands inside his white hair. “I heard it’ll be different from the previous years, What are you and your friends planning again ?”
“You don’t need to use so much praise, my dear,” Himari explained with a laugh, covering her lips with their hands until she glanced at the demigod standing there, waiting for an answer. “The first trial is focused on wisdom and observation, if not strength for the most obvious part. The rules are simple: Our candidate needs to kill his opponent, made with Hades’s precious care, and find the hidden treasure within a limited time. The rooms were conceived with the help of the best names to make this pleasing to watch, but I think we had enough talk ... we should probably ask our guest if he’s ready to take the risk and prove his devotion.”
Katsuki’s glance fixed the somber irises of the goddess, who held an indifferent grin at the tip of her lips. The atmosphere in the room became suffocating, with glances that transcribed the bitter truth covered by the false lies on the immortal’s lips. The demigod held his fist tighter, taking a quick glimpse at the pink-haired woman, who nodded as a sign of support. It was now or never, it’s not like he could run away….
“I’m more than ready.”k The anger he felt toward the crowd reflectedin each of his chosen words and determined glance ready to go to the underworld if necessary. “Let’s finish this shit as soon as possible.”
“Perfect, let’s start the first trial,” Himari’s voicemumbled in a low toneand turned her head to make a quick sign at Hypnos, who followed her order .The taller man’seyes closed themselves, until complete darkness took the lead over his vulnerable body.
—--
When Katsuki opened his eyes, he was wearing different clothes, which surprised him.
The delicateness of this thin tunic hides his skin, exposed to anyone who stares for too long at his huge scars on his body, offering lighter protection compared to he expectations. It’s not like the demigod experienced the best comfort with the wind against the exposed part of his skin, but maybe the gods considered it more important to give fewer clothes to someone chasing after death. The sight of his cursed blood, due to his birth and his unconventional wedding, on this silk toga, was decorated with a golden thread around his stomach. Under different circumstances, the blond would’ve complained about the clear exposition to potential injuries and attack from his enemy, but this choice wasn’t made by coincidence…and resulted in a strategic dilemma concerning the theatricalization of his death.
The crimson eyes glanced around the sphere surrounding him with this old material the huge humans' loss in the past years. It didn’t erase its natural beauty either, but the context made it more complicated to enjoy his small visit in the unreachable places he might’ve never seen again. He immediately noticed the presence of a sword and a spear on the ground: How nice of them ot give him the choice when they knew each weapon would cause a different scenario for their perverted eyes. The spear seemed efficient enough, but it implies a precise strategy with seconds of inattention. His final choice turned into the sword he grabbed without an ounce of hesitation, feeling the weight on his heated skin.
The spear disappeared in the next seconds as the lamps surrounding him started to irritate the beast, hidden behind this silver gate. Once again, everything was planned to offer a good-looking death, but Katsuki only smirked at their stupidity: He had already lost the love of his life and was motivated by the revenge inside his shattered heart, being the main reason for his presence in this arena. At first sight, this place looked unreachable based on the background landscape that was barely recognizable, it’s not like he had the option to escape either with the high stairs. The first strategy that crossed the demigod’s mind was to use every angle to his advantage and understand his target’s movements related to its speed or its strength.
A sudden sound caught his attention, forcing him to turn around and see the mentioned treasure in the previous conversation. It must be where the hidden objects resided, but the crimson eyes barely had time to prepare his plan for the second part of his mission- a sudden sound brought him back to earth with the floor highlighting the loud movements, revealing the creature hidden in the shadow. The demigod observed the apparition of the well-known Hydra, resurrected many times after being the poor victim of those terrible quests.
The calloused hands held the sword tighter inside his hand, taking a clear glance at his enemy: The huge creature was way tallerthan he expected, with its three heads and teeth able to kill anyone on the spot. The distinct color on its skin reflected a slight shade of purple, mixing with the heavy step made by the creature, forcing the smaller human to step back with caution. His younger self would’ve probably shitted in his pants, and yet, the blond wiped his sweat with his forearm, never leaving Hydra’s glance the entire time.
“I was about to ask about your day, but apparently you’re not in the mood for a talk,” Katsuki pointed out with a mocking grin, avoiding narrowly the first head that moved too close to him.
This dangerous game was meant to keep an eye on the monster with his strength and rapidity: He needed to be extra careful with the seconds of inattention near his reach, but he was a man of challenge. The creature groaned and tried to reach the miserable insect on the ground from its perspective, moving the three heads to create a fast movement, forcing the demigod to grab his sword and give the first hit. Katsuki released a curse once the tissue against his legs was taken away with an injury caused by the dangerous teeth trying to rip him apart.
“I get it, fucker,” he added with a death glare. He didn’t expect Hydra to reach his arms with those sharp white teeth, creating another injury to the list. The blood dropped against the floor, catching the creature’s attention, who moved closer to the sudden scent. The blond’s face turned into a grin when he understood the first weakness of his target. “If you wanna play, let me teach you a good lesson.”
The advantage of being smaller than his opponent made each of his movements more discreet than another human standing at the height as him in casual fights. Katsuki smirked at the sudden idea that crossed his mind, moving beside the legs of the creature to reach the silver gate. He whistled to get Hydra’s attention and played with danger as the creature immediately rushed toward him, angrier than ever. The first hit of the sword reached the lower bases of the monster, making it groan at the sudden pain, until the smaller figure left his previous spot to look at those eyes, full of determination.
The sound of the creature’s groan and the demigod’s breath resonated in the room, while Katsuki made sure to calculate each of his movements. He succeeded in reaching the small space between the three heads to take one away without any effort, having a hard time avoiding the two others. The taller man jumped out of the unexpected attack right in time, making a curse when his back found the wall, wiping away the sweat from his forehead.
It only took him a few minutes before distracting Hydra from his second attack, taking the second head away, and letting it fall on the ground. The creature was angrier than ever, finally having a common point with the blond, even if their fights differed in many ways. Katsuki reached a safe spot on the ground, looking at the tall creature before putting his sword closer to his other arm. The atmosphere in the room became tense until everyone gasped when they saw the blade meeting the demigod’s arms, revealing a huge injury with blood dropping on the ground to attract Hydra into his trap.
Katsuki made a groan of pain at the sudden pain inside his body, but he used the slight seconds of inattention for his final hit. His shadow was seen running as fast as possible, reaching the creature’s back before putting the sword straight to Hydra’s heart. The huge creature released a loud sound of pain at the sensation of the metallic weapon inside his body, under the dark grin on the demigod’s face, admiring his victory.
The ground trembled once the heavy body fell against the floor, meeting the others' ashes that resided here. His calloused hands pull some tissue from his clothes to wrap it around the open injury to make the blood stop; It would be stupid to pass outknowing he needed to stay cautious for the rest of the quest. He dropped the bloody weapon on the ground with a middle finger at the people watching him.
“I hope you enjoy the show, because it’s just the beginning, assholes,” he said with a mocking tone, standing in front of the gate, with the thousands of treasures residing there. “Now let’s start the timer.”
“Oh….No one told you? How stupid of me,” the familiar voice replied with a laugh. Katsuki didn’t like the tone of her voice and anxiety rose inside his body, but the next words froze his blood, making him angrier than ever. “The timer started the moment you reached this place, defeating Hydra was a part of it but you should be fast…you only have five minutes left.”
“You…” Katsuki cursed between his breaths but decided he shouldn’t waste more time.
The taller man rushed into the small room, full of treasure, shining to the point of almost blinding him at first sight: His face turned somber when he realized how this quest was a pain in the ass, but he stayed focused on the right strategy to use with his limited time. The gods tricked him into thinking he could have this victory with the blink of an eye, but once again….time became his worst enemy.
“This should be pretty interesting,” Himari expressed with a malicious tone, putting the drink to her lips. She thanked her assistant for the plate that reached her fragile hands that wasted too much blood. The entire room was whispering about how heartless the demigod was, but their interests were focused on the last part of the quest, as Hermes kept an eye on the countdown.
The blond sighed and focused on the main differences taught by Pinky earlier: The various treasures mixed with the presence of fruits and weapons distinguished themselves by their shining aspect. Katsuki cursed himself during the first discovery of the room, putting all the heavy objects aside, making it too obvious. He repeated the gestures with the various colored treasures with different shades, looking alike even from the most hidden angle. The inability to know how much time he has left made him impatient but he knew he needed to use this distraction for later: Shit, Izuku’s and his lives were on the line and he could complain later!
After a slight groan of pain from his heavy injury on the arms, bringing him back to his reality, he decided to focus on the most strategic spot. The gods could’ve put the object at the very end of this huge stack of treasure, but his instinct told him he was on the wrong way, as he tossed a bunch of stuff on the ground. His curses mixed with the sound of objects meeting the floor, until a huge series of hidden things crossed his eyes: It would be too obvious to hide it in this mess, but something different caught his attention. The calloused hands pushed the previous boxes on the ground, revealing the jewels residing there.
A groan of annoyance left his lips when he realized how he had been looking in the wrong direction, knowing the gods were probably mocking him afar. Shit, shit, shit…..Katsuki needed to think but he didn’t have any options in mind! His feet reached the boxes on the ground and gave a kick, noticing the series of diamonds and jewels residing there. He moved closer, putting his knees on the ground to have a clear vision of the content, remembering what his friend said in the last days. The sensation of gold against his broken palms felt wrong, but his thumbs kept searching, knowing he was on the right track.
“One more minute left, I’m almost disappointed. I wanted to see him participating in the other quests, but at least it was entertaining,” the woman explained with another sip at her empty glass. Her sinister glance observed the scene with a smile, until her face turned paler. She left the golden throne while releasing a huge scream, being offended by what was happening- He couldn’t be this close, and- this asshole couldn’t win!
The taller man rested on the ground, playing with the multiple treasures residing there, like a kid occupying his boring days. His crimson eyes observed every angle with the sensation of being closer, even with this overwhelming fear of wasting too much time. He was surprised to find another box in the mess he had caused earlier, with a bunch of rings residing here: They all had different forms and colors, even in their material with used silver or bright gold. He accidentally made a few of them fall on the ground, until a detail caught his attention. At this moment, his heart missed a beat and he recalled how six rings fell on the ground….but only five of them formed a proper reflection against the wall.
His body moved on its own to grab the rings and made sure to project each of them against a surface to check their reflection. The calloused fingers made sure to catch each the detail for each of them, until a sudden grin crossed his lips….The taller man stood up from his previous position with a mocking laugh, exposing the used ring inside his cursed hands.
“You should probably learn your lesson before underestimating me,” he shouted with a mocking laugh. At this moment, all his previous fears left his heavy shoulders, understanding how he made it. He couldn’t help but grin at the victory, knowing he was able to return home tonight. “This ring looks pretty shitty compared to mine, but if this is a message of me getting closer to my goal, I would gladly accept the reward and skip the next trials.”
“This is impossible !” Another god screamed from afar with a stunned face, looking at Himari. “I thought you prepared this quest with enough care to make the participant die at the first round-”
“I don’t even know how this happened! It’s the first time someone survived this test, but even his injury doesn’t seem to bother his stupid smirk on his face. This demigod is completely crazy,” she replied with a sigh, resting her hands against her forehead, looking at the last two seconds: She was so close to her goal, but this asshole had to ruin everything! “Hypnos, make things quick and bring these two out of my way, their presence irritated me.”
It was only the begining of the trials, but she already wanted to put this demigod six feet underground.
Chapter Text
The last thing Katsuki remembered was the sensation of pain invading his body, until he passed out due to an unexpected tiredness. It made sense, especially after he lost an important amount of blood and needed some rest before reaching the second test, even if he was unsure about the mess he created. Don’t get him wrong, provoking the gods was a decision he made on purpose, but maybe their treatment will be harsher than a vulgar soldier who could’ve enjoyed his victory in silence.
However, the blond didn’t have any regret about each of his actions, from the moment he killed this creature, to the discovery of the hidden ring, which was a strategic choice. It was made to remind him of everything he lost before coming here and, the life he put behind to sacrifice his own self in order to accomplish some impossible mission that’ll fade like the ashes of his body in the air. With hindsight, the demigod almost found this offense amusing, especially when the shitty ring he held was bullshit compared to the material of the one standing on his finger, surviving the worst conditions.
His figure moved on the bed sheet with a sigh: He probably underestimated how this cut would cause enough damage to the point of taking a few days to heal, if not weeks. The freckled man will probably be mad at him for acting that way, but he had no other choice but to use the weakness of Hydra to turn it against the creature.
“Looks like the sleeping beauty is awake,” another voice appeared in the room after pushing the wooden door against the wall. The pink-haired woman held a tray in the palms of her hands, with a cup full of an unknown medicine the blond couldn’t recognize, and a plate with a bunch of food that caught his stomach's attention. She sat on the bed without an ounce of hesitation and put the tray on the wooden desk, looking at him with an amused tone. “You should’ve seen the way Himari was mad at you, she definitely has you on her radar for the next quests.”
“My head hurts,” he mumbled with his hands against his forehead, looking at the taller woman’s face. It was strange to wake up in this place without having any news about his friend's feelings about the previous fight, but she made sure to explain everything that happened, under the shocked eyes. “Wait….Does this mean I’m qualified for the second part of the trial ?”
“After the show you gave them? Everyone wanted to see more, but I have the right to be mad at you for hurting yourself on purpose. Did you lose your mind ?” Mina asked, almost offended that her friend didn’t seem to take the consequences of his actions seriously. Maybe he wanted to hurt himself on purpose, but it’ll be less amusing once he’s buried six feet underground with a cold grave and a name on it.
“It’s not a big deal-”
“If Izuku were here, standing in front of you, what would he say ?” She asked with a serious tone, crossing her arms against her chest. Don’t get her wrong, she didn’t like to use the “Izuku” argument on him, knowing the importance of this topic, but if this can open his eyes to see, it wouldn’t be a problem either. It's not because his husband was out of reach that Katsuki Bakugo had to end his life for fun! The taller man stayed silent, facing the previous question like a slap in the face: He knew Mina didn’t have any bad intention, but it was already hard to live with this emptiness inside his shattered heart, thinking about what his childhood friend had made things worse and-
“Kats…answer me.” It’s not like she forced him to develop about this topic, but his stubborn ass needs to realize how fragile his life was, as a demigod or simple mortal. Mina noticed the sad expression crossing the crimson eyes when he understood the meaning of her words: She only wanted to open his eyes and not bring him down, even if the blond tried to avoid this truth for too long.
“He would’ve begged me to stop hurting myself with his stupid but adorable emerald eyes,” Katsuki replied in a low tone, remembering how the nerd used to be deadly worried about the slightest injury on his skin.
He missed those days when the shaking hands were the ones ruffling his skin, reaching his injuries until he rested his head against his neck, whispering how terrified he was of losing him. He longed for this sensation of gentle warmth wrapped around the most vulnerable scars he had never shown to anyone, praised by Izuku’s soft lips against his skin and gentle confessions under the sheet between two laughs.
“He would’ve looked at me in the eyes and said how seeing me alive was worth than a thousand victories on the battlefield, and how…How should I heal before making a stupid decision?”
“Exactly,” the taller woman moved closer to push his shoulder, catching his attention. She noticed the hidden tears at the corner of his eyes, but didn’t make any comment about their presence, knowing it would make the conversation uncomfortable. “If you don’t feel ready to do this for you, do it for him.”
“I hate you,” he added with a middle finger, pushing the pink-haired woman away under the light laugh that resonated in the room. It was touching to see how he succeeded in returning to this temporary house he considered his second home, knowing his first wasn’t too far from him either. His thumbs ruffled the wedding ring in silence until the pink-haired woman left the bed to give him the glass, full of medicine.
“And I'm glad you survived this mess, the detail about the ring without a reflection? I could’ve never predicted this,” she pointed out, almost impressed to see how bad-intentioned the gods were about this special trial. They both know the worst was about to come, explaining why the blond needed as much rest as possible before sacrificing his life in the blink of an eye!
“Me neither,” Katsuki sighed. The taste felt dirty on his lips, but he had no other choice: the faster he healed, the faster he could save the man he loved “What are we going to do now ?”
“Wait for a miracle to happen and the instructions of the second trial,” she added with a sigh, grabbing the tray under her arms, with the glass in her hand while opening the wooden door. The bright sunlight revealed the vegetation that took its source on this beautiful spot, even when the demigod was stuck on a bed for the rest of the day…at least until his injury was fully healed. “You just finished the first trial and caused some chaos up there, I don’t think it’ll take too long to have a second appointment with Miss Superiority Complex, which is why you need to take the longest nap of your life.”
“Am I obligated to ?”
“Stop being bratty and take some rest unless you want me to tell Izuku how annoying you are,” she shouted from the living room with rolled eyes.
Katsuki couldn’t help but grin at the stupidity of their interaction: He wasn’t a huge fan of staying in his room the entire day, but he shouldn’t push his own limit. After all, chasing after the unknown concerning the second trial must be a waste of time, knowing the deities themselves were probably sharing their craziest ideas at the moment.
“Trust me….he already knows that, and loved me that way for some reason I can’t understand,” his voice muffled in the silent room. His stomach was calling for help, but the only thing he could think about was the green messy curls and the stupid smile on those freckled cheeks. Katsuki has a complex relationship with the gods, but he needed to thank Aphrodite for bringing Izuku by his side, no matter if it was a question of deliberate choice or fate….
—----
The night had already fallen a few hours ago on this silenced town, welcoming the endearing songs of the hollows, and the shining stars whispering each sins to the perverted wind.
It was probably the same breeze that crossed his forehead, telling him not to mess things up by putting the healer into a genuine anger: Maybe Mina will kill him if she notices him being missing, but she was already asleep, based on her loud snore that awoke the entire forest. After all, Katsuki could use this late-night walk as an excuse to change his mind and take some air, even if he couldn’t avoid his selfishness when it came to Izuku Midoriya.
Being away from Izuku acts like a thousand stabs inside his heart, dying step by step with thorns feeding themselves with his salty tears and bitter blood. The calloused hands held the lamp not to let this fall, knowing his arm was still sensitive to rough movements, despite the medicine offered by the pink-haired woman earlier. His fingers pushed the gate, catching the familiar whispers who observed his familiar shadow, knowing it was the hours when the deceased often visited their loved ones in sleep.
Katsuki knew this legend couldn’t fall into the rules of a statue that was still alive: The conditions can be harsher for the freckled man, who probably lost the notion of time and waited for his husband's visit to have an ounce of novelty in his redundant days. It crossed Katsuki’s mind to think about the fact that Izuku was slowly losing his strength and welcomed death with open arms, being unable to fight back while feeling himself more tired every day….a theory that even Mina agreed to, but no one will find the proper answer to their interrogation, no one except Izuku Bakugo Midoriya.
His footsteps stopped in front of the statue, realizing how he was ready to disobey a hundred times to Pinky if this meant looking into those gorgeous eyes, which kept the same charm in stone. No matter how many times he put his heated palms against his cheeks, he knew the freckled man was able to feel the emotions transcribed into his gesture, as delicate and fragile as they seemed. The taller man who used to joke about fighting the gods to keep his lover alive, ended up keeping his promises at the least unexpected, but each sacrifice was worth the try if this meant bringing his missing half back.
“I’m still alive, dumbass,” his voice mumbled out with a slight tone that could be seen as amusement under a certain angle. Indeed, it took him a while before accepting how making this one-sided conversation with the statue helped him to reflect on thoughts he hadn’t acknowledged yet, making the transition between comfort and reality easier to accept. “You probably knew I would make it out of here alive, but I’ve been the victim of their tricks…I didn't expect to see the gods play with my nerves, but I had to make it fair for both of us.”
The breeze caressed his face, understanding how the whispers probably spread the news to the big names he had seen earlier. The demigod couldn’t care less about what miss asshole could think about the situation, as long as he had his moment of peace with his husband…that’s all the blond wanted. This request might be selfish and meaningless on the outside, but it was the last thing he held to before falling into an inevitable downfall.
“They talked shit about you, pretending you were some kind of name everyone can forget, when it’s a complete liee I don’t think i’ve seen anyone crossing your path and remembering you as a vulgar stranger when your presence has always left indelible marks on their lives….at leats you did in mine,” he confessed with a longing tone, remembering this young child who used to looked at him with sparkles in his eyes, constantly asking questions about the demigod abilities. “I wouldn’t stand there with an injury as big as my previous scars and a stupid smile on my face if you were forgettable. As crazy as it seems, I’m not doing this for a simple desire of revenge, but a reason to bring you back to the world you truly belong, to my side, and explore these promises we left on a break against our will.”
If Izuku could reply, he would definitely blush at the previous praise, and put his head against his husband’s shoulders, with sensitive fingers holding the scarred ones. The previous worries left the blond’s chest at the representation of the “what ifs”, turning their existence into a tender tale that appeased his vulnerable heart.
“You know, keeping your honor safe almost cost me an arm, you better make it up for it when you’re back,” he added with a tease, rubbing his thumbs against the cold stone, distinguishing those freckles despite the midnight sky that observed their heartwarming interaction. “They made Narcissus fall in love with his own reflection, but I’m probably crazier to say I’m still falling for an unreachable name that can’t answer any of my confessions yet. Trust me, one day you’ll be able to break from this cage that keeps you hidden from your free will, and will release those truths you’ve kept hidden for so long.”
Katsuki sighed, moving his thumbs against his spiky hair with a slight smile.
“I’ve survived the first trial with a meaningless injury, I can deal with whatever the gods planned for my downfall to hear your voice a last time. I’m almost curious to see what kind of tricks they’ve prepared…It’s probably worse for you, but trust me for the rest of this journey until I bring you back the remedy. I have a promise to keep, and I’ll do it until my last breath, because you got me addicted with your shitty eyes and charming laugh- I hope I’ll make you proud.”
The taller man was glad he didn’t shed a single tear tonight and returned home safe and sound. Katsuki whispered a light “goodnight”, secretly hoping for an answer that would wake him up from this terrible dream that lasted for too long. His shadow disappeared in the darkness when he closed the gate and sent a last glance to the statue, letting his lover know that everything would be fine. The low footsteps ruffled the leaves that had previously fallen on the path earlier in the day, being guided by the breeze against his face until he crossed a familiar figure that looked at him with an annoyed expression on her face.
“Katsuki Bakugo, one day I’ll knock you down by force you'll regret it,” Mina added with a threat throwing the lamp at the blond’s face. Katsuki made a groan of pain at the uncomfortable sensation: he deserved it for playing with her nerves, but tonight he could sleep with peace of mind….
—---
One week later,
“Guess what arrived,” Mina’s voice rose from the previous silence, making the blond curse in the silent room.
Katsuki knew she liked to make unforgettable entrances, but he almost burned his lips with his cup because of her stupidity: If something happened to him or his pretty face, he’ll kick her ass and blame her for the damages. The taller man sighed, pushing the chair away with his arms, almost healed by the remedy found by the pink-haired woman, complaining about his stubbornness. It was a miracle if the blond made it out of here alive knowing how impatient he was to finish this trial, acting like a spoiled child.
“Your sense of humor ?” He repliehearing the offended gasp that left Mina’s lips. She pushed him away with enough strength to make him groan, until she dropped the letter on the wooden table, catching the demigod’s attention: After all, she received the news this morning after Hermes appeared with his casual welcoming expression, explaining how it was time for the second trial to start soon without giving more information.
“Something even better,” she whispered, sitting on the closest chair to cross her arms against her chest. The blond seemed disconcerted by the situation and how long it took to keep them informed. His nose recognized the terrible scent of the perfume worn by Hirami who tried to cover her anger through shitty charms that didn’t work on any of them. “Aren’t you supposed to open it ?”
“Should I ?” He wanted to know what kind of show he needed to offer, wondering if their theories about making each trial worse than others became a bitter theory that made its way into their reality “It’s not like I have the choice to not show up, but they made sure to prepare a good presentation this time instead of rushing the writing. I could almost feel for their tricks if I were a naive soul.”
“What does it say ?” The focused expression on Katsuki’s face reflected how serious the situation was once he passed the classic introduction and false praise by the same people who had prayed for his death earlier. The silence in the room was highlighted by the change in the crimson eyes, starting from annoyance to surprise…to conclude with a lost frown. Katsuki Bakugo wouldn’t hesitate to say out loud if he was impressed by something, or disgusted but it was rare to see this stubborn demigod being silent by a simple letter Something was off with the formulation of the words transcribed into the ink of this letter, but the mystery was quickly resolved when the taller man sighed, putting the letter on display to the healer’s eyes.
“They asked me if I was a good pawn able to use his brain for something else than fighting big monsters,” he explained out loud, sliding the content to the taller woman, who grabbed it and noticed how the god's politeness was as delicate as their fake smiles. “They want me to spend the second test on a maze but didn’t say anything more. Do you have any idea in mind ?”
“That’s pretty blurry but they didn’t seem to indicate any timer or creatures chasing after you, This means we’re safe,” she pointed out with a curious tone, putting her thumbs against her chin.
In all honesty, this situation was very strange for someone who became the target of deities able to ruin his life with a snap of the fingers. Being stuck in a maze was already a thing they’d heard before, so what was the difference with this one? Maybe they reserved some surprises, or used simple ideas for once…but after the previous reactions, there must be something else.
“Did it say more with the golden ink? The one they love to use to share secret messages instead of going straight to the point. I’ve never understood why they were doing such a thing…..”
“They only wished me enough rest, it’s as blurry as you trying to make a deal with anyone in town to gain some coins,” he sighed, losing his hands on the wooden chair to sit there He put his elbows against the used table, losing his fingers in the golden spikes, and tried to think about what kind of trap they reserve for him, but he had at loss for words It was the first time he was stuck in the unknown and actually scared of it, but he had four days to prepare for every eventuality! “They need entertainment for their sick minds, it’s not their kind to recommend something without having a second thought. There’s some fucked up shit happening behind our backs, and we’ll figure this out soon.”
“I’m sorry Kats, I wish we had more hints, but the only advice i can give is to follow your heart and instinct,” she said with an understanding tone, knowing how hard it must be to trust the unknown when your life and your lover’s were on the line. “When you think about it,It worked with the reflection thing and the way to kill Hydra, it’s not much of a big help, but it’s better than starting from zero.”
“If they wanted us to get crazy after this letter and its mystery for the next four days, well done…But I guess you’re right- there’s one way to find out.” e.
He held his first at the idea that the asshole who stole Izuku away was probably delighted at the idea of seeing Katsuki’s downfall. After all, it would be a huge achievement to be the one who made the demigod and this vulnerable mortal pay for crimes they didn’t commit, but the blond refused to give him this satisfaction.
It wasn’t too late to take every option into account…offering them the chance to get ready for it even if it was as blurry as the line between their different worlds.
—---
It was the longest four days of Katsuki’s life.
Mina and he came across every theory possible followed by headaches, but none of them seemed adequate for this kind of test. It would be stupid to make the most obvious tricks to fool the “pawn” in their chess game: None of the deities talking behind their back would take the risk to ruin their precious reputation over some mistakes like this one. This task was already complicated, but seeing Hermes standing at their doorsteps and guiding them to the new spot, was unbearable.
If the pink-haired woman checked on her friend to make sure he was okay, Katsuki only replied with a sigh, explaining how they didn’t have the time to pass through Izuku’s statue. Mina tried to cheer him up and mumbled how it doesn’t need to be in the head but in the heart, pointing to the wedding ring on his broken fingers that had already wasted too much blood since his teenage years.
The blond simply grinned at the previous comment; He made sure to recover from his arm injury in case he needed to fight, got enough water and food to use his rational thinking in this life-or-death situation. The apprehension inside his chest became inevitable, such as the worst-case scenario until the three of them got transported to their meeting spot, being used as a transition between the gods and mortals.
The slight admiration they felt for this natural charm was erased by the corrupted souls of the people standing there with the same shitty glasses of wine in their hands, and fake laughs. Against their will, the two friends were forced to mix into the crowd until they reached their seats, until the goddess showed up. Her tunic was refined enough to steal the attention with her beauty, covering the darkest parts of her immortal soul. She didn’t even bother to look at the two guests, ignoring the cold crimson eyes and putting on her glasses to celebrate the second trial and the victory of the demigod.
“What a night, I can’t remember the last time we got all reunited over such an event,” Himari exclaimed out loud with a smile, taking a sip of her transparent glass. “I’m falling for nostalgia again, but it doesn’t mean our sweet reunion is over. The last presentation was impressive, but the stakes are unique with this new test.”
“Being stuck in a maze is so scary, I’m going to cry over my mom’s clothes and ask for a hug,” Katsuki’s voice resonated in the room, he wasn’t afraid of the idea of being alone with his thoughts in a maze, he could get out of here easily by using his rational thinking-He was more anxious about the traps awaiting him on the other side than the threat as a whole. “You could’ve just asked the other extra to put me to sleep and your shitty monologue would’ve been avoided. My ears already suffered enough from your bullshit.”
“I see….your injury is healed, I wouldn’t ask for perfect timing,” she added with a disturbing grin, losing her fingers in her hair. “Maybe we should’ve shortened the introduction of you’re so impatient to face your imminent death.”
“If this means saving the man I love, I’ll do it a thousand times even if this takes decades to happen. It's not some shitty trials and maze that’ll scare me and force me to give up, I’ve survived worse,” he affirmed with a determined grin.
This sudden change of expression on his face made the goddess realize how he wasn’t talking about a vulgar fight, but something more meaningful: those years of longing after his unreachable husband forged him enough strength to know his rights and hold onto the tender frames that erase his nightmares at night. Izuku was a curious case: a mortal who fell for a demigod, knowing his real identity and agreeing to face the consequences of their relationship, becoming his biggest strength but weakness at the same time. Love can really drive people into stupid decisions….
“You’ll probably change your mind very soon,” her voice resonated in the empty room, aware of the crowd judging each of their interactions.
“You know nothing about me,” he threatened with a death glare. A few people gasped and were almost offended by theaudacity of this demigod to go against someone as powerful as Himari, but this mutual hate only created a rivalry that was meant to last forever.
“I know your weakness, and I hope the tears you’ve wasted on this vulgar statue will save you from the next obstacle,” the goddess added with a laugh, too fake to be a genuine one. She let him know how each of his movements and breakdowns was observed and considered as a source of interest. Katsuki wasn’t afraid and was ready to fight back, even if this meant creating another scene.
“His name is-”
The blond barely had time to finish his sentence, feeling a sudden tiredness forcing him to close his eyes. He could’ve cursed her existence one last time, but decided not to waste his time anymore, preparing himself for the next trial. If Mina stayed silent, she didn’t hide the annoyed expression on her face when the Hypnos moved the sleeping body to an unknown room, while Miss Superiority Complex continued the conversation like nothing happened.
“Great, we’re finally getting rid of this annoying demigod. Now we’re all reunited, I can finally share the spicy adjustment we made,” Himari added, pointing at her servant to guide her to the golden throne.
Her menacing irises glanced over the crowd, wearing their prettiest tunic to celebrate this second test, with the glasses in their hands and a curious expression on their faces. She moved her fingers inside her hair, making an somber look that reflected her real personality, even when a sudden question caught her attention.
“A labyrinth ?” Dionysos asked with a sigh, unimpressed. “What’s so unique about such a basic trial? With his rational thinking, he could escape in less than an hour, where’s the trick…”
“It’s not a simple one,” she replied with a grin at the corner of her mouth. Moving her fingers against the curved rim, she made sure to create enough tension to reveal the next information, crucial for this surprise she kept hidden for a good reason. “Have you ever heard about the illusion of running after an unreachable goal until you lose yourself and succumb to death ?”
“You mean….” Dionysos mumbled with a stunned expression on his face, connecting the dots. He knew he shouldn’t have underestimated her for her strategic plan, but this one was the most interesting Himari ever made.
“He’ll need more than his brain to figure out the issue with this maze, if he doesn’t die before that,” she said, taking a sip on her fragile glass, while crossing her legs on this golden throne that exposed her authority. “Aphrodite really has the potential to distinguish the craziest love story, I forgot the last time I saw someone so devoted to his partner, it could be almost touching if I had a heart…but enough talk. Ladies and gentlemen let’s start the second trial, with the one our pawn doesn’t disappoint us again.”
The crowd cheered when she raised her glass in the air with a grin, wishing a false “good luck” to Katsuki, while the taller man was now visible to everyone’s eyes, exposed like a beast in a circus.
—---
Katsuki cursed the asshole who dropped his body out of nowhere without taking into consideration potential back pain. It’s not like he expected some care coming from the immortal who considered him a life beyond a thousand who already did this trial, but a little respect wouldn’t be bad! The taller man sighed, moving his heavy body from the ground and lost his hand behind his neck, taking a quick glance at the familiar tunic. Once again, their perverted eyes must enjoy the show if they insisted on letting him wear this stupid outfit, but who was to complain about such a thing when his life was on the line?
The calloused fingers moved into the golden spikes, lifting his head to meet the unexpected scenery: In front of him was standing the entrance of a labyrinth with three distinct paths to choose from in this ocean of possibility within his reach. Each of them seemed clean, with this vegetation that took the lead over the bushes. The gods wanted to put the best of care into the projection of their target’s downfall, but they let this mistake pass? He was almost disappointed by their work, but it was a threat to use for another day… if he came out of here alive.
Katsuki recalled the previous information shared by Miss Anger Issues pointing out the unlimited countdown, which should be reassuring but only brought more anxiety inside his chest. It was strange to offer such a gift about an important test like this one, almost like this ounce of fake care covered a deeper secret about this place. The blond trusted his instincts and decided to analyze the three options: the bushes seemed thick enough not to cover any hidden spot, and the endless sky above his head didn’t give him any hint about the size of this hell. If he had a rope or any helpful objects by his side, he would’ve climbed over the wall with his strength to have a clear view, but he was alone with his thoughts.
He stood on his legs and wiped away the sweat from his forehead, realizing how the heat was higher than usual, but it was probably another weakness to make their target weaker. Katsuki crossed his arms against his chest, trying to find some sense and think about the right option to take: Izuku always taught him to go to the right if he got stuck somewhere else, advice the blond never thought he would use so wisely until now. With a sigh, he moved to the right path and started his walk with the goal of discovering more about this space, including what differed from a simple labyrinth. As dangerous as it was, he had no other choice but to stay here for an hour and see if any threat appeared to stop his search toward the exit…
His footsteps resonated in the silent maze, highlighted by his slight breath that gave him the impression of being a traitor in this golden jail. All the new options presenting themselves under his eyes look alike, with the same greenery and impression of facing the same painting all over again. Maybe this was conceived to make the participant lose his mind and fall into craziness, being an understandable reaction, but Katsuki made sure to have backup options while continuing his walk, with the hope of finding answers.
It only took a few minutes until he realized how the god mocked his intelligence, letting his vulnerable shadow face another entrance with five more options, under the same setting he had seen since the beginning. The more he dug deeper inside this maze, the harder it became to find the perfect solution on his first try, giving him no other choice than returning on his steps and choosing another path. He had the impression of missing something important on its way until he realized something was off. His first conclusion was that the tiredness played with his senses, but he was convinced this path to the middle wasn’t there before.
He ignored this detail and retraced his steps, following the previous order with the hope of regaining his original spot to take the other option…but he was faced with an unexpected stone wall. This time, he had no doubts about the fact that he constantly took the right path without a single exception but he would’ve known earlier if there was a huge obstacle! He stopped on his way to take a deep breath and process what just happened: He had all his mind, and yet, he started to notice some changes that weren’t there before -If the slightest ones were described as simple errors of inattention, the most evident ones acted like a slap in the face.
“These fuckers,” he whispered with a cold tone. At this moment, he started to connect the dots: a moment of satisfaction for the goddess who watched the scene with a grin on her face on the other side.
“Looks like he figured it out…It only took two hours,” Himari pointed out with a pride expression, based on selfish revenge against this war Katsuki started the moment he offended the gods by his unconventional union. “This one is more intelligent than the previous participants, The last guy took five hours to realize what was happening. It promises to be interesting for the rest of the game….”
—----
Back in the maze, the taller man couldn’t help but feel a bitter taste on his lips.
Thirty minutes had passed according to his intuition, even the notion of time was distorted, and the results stayed the same. After the previous trap in the previous test, the demigod should’ve known he was the target of every attempt to use the only notion that kept him sane, but he decided to focus on something more important than these vulgar disadvantages. Everything became ten times more complicated now each path was different from the other, as if they were replaced by some magic forces that erased their existence once the blond was out of reach.
Katsuki knew that using his mind to mesmerize each path would be useless and exhausting, costing too much of his precious energy that kept him alive for so long. The solution should be easy from now on, but every proposition crossing his mind didn’t seem to work in practice, until one caught his attention. It was risky with the small resources he got on its path, but it was worth a try if this meant having a clean benchmark.
His crimson eyes noticed the small rock that rested on the ground between themultiples roas offering themselves near his reach, but he avoided their seductive calls to the unknown and decided to use his only landmark to mark his presence here. It was stupid, but at least he knew there was a very light probability of facing repetitive roads that only changed but never erased themselves as he claimed earlier…
His taller figure placed the small rock against the bushes, and he decided to simply explore the whole labyrinth with the goal of finding any hints about a hidden exit. The golden-haired man continued his path and never stopped walking, dropping more rocks on the ground under the mocking laugh of the gods who admired his attempts to change his fate, already sealed the moment he walked into this endless jail. At some point, the minutes became hours and his body got more exhausted by the heat and his constant marking, with variants concerning their appearance: One rock for the first time, and two or more depending on the number of times he already faced it, with the hope of seeing weakness in this system.
In all honesty, he didn’t know how many times had passed in the real world, but this second trial was costing more than he expected: He would rather fight more Hydra and search for treasures than look for hope in this genuine hell, caused by the worst of people. He couldn’t give up and yet, he didn’t have any plans to continue without going insane with the similar landscape that made him want to throw up each time he faced the endless possibilities of going in the wrong direction.
Sudden footsteps caught his attention, forcing him to lift his head and meet an unexpected visitor. To his knowledge, he was the only one stuck in this mess, unless there had been a few trials happening at the same time, but Himari wouldn’t let anyone steal the show made by the demigod, as strange as it seemed.
At first sight, this stranger was probably a teenager around fourteen years old, based on the youth mark on his face and his innocent glance. The crimson eyes noticed how he was holding his hands behind his back, stressed to start the conversation or bother the blond: The naivety on his face reminded him of the same glance Izuku used to have during their teenage years, intrigued about his presence but curious to know each of his secrets.
“Who are you ?” He asked with a curious tone, moving his head to see if there were other people lost in the area, but this brat was the only one. Don’t get him wrong, Katsuki didn’t want to be harsh, but he had thousands of questions crossing his mind about escaping this mess, and he never included the safety of this random teenager, who looked at him with a surprised tone.
“You can see me ?” The shorter figure replied, shocked about something so obvious to even the most curious eyes. Katsuki nodded and moved to give some space to let this brat sit next to him, with the assumption that he was probably drained by his previous walk too. The bags under his eyes proved how his sleep schedules seemed as messy as the messy curls on his hair, even if the demigod didn’t make any comment about it.
“As plain as a pikestaff, but how did you end up here ?” Beat around the bush will only represent a huge waste of time, something he already lost in the past hour he walked through this labyrinth.
It was obvious how this teenager was concerned about something else, but simply thanked the blond to sit beside him. It’s been years since he hasn’t talked to anyone, and his natural curiosity reflected through the shining eyes each time his glance met the crimson ones. Katsuki knew he needed to stay on his guard: Maybe this was another illusion made to exploit his weakness, explaining why he was distant, even if this meant being seen as rude.
“Oh…That’s a funny story,” the boy with blonde curls replied with a smile at the corner of his lips. His glance turned sadder when he looked at the bracelet on his wrist, realizing how much time had passed since his participation in the labyrinth. “I asked the gods to help me find my dad, who went missing for an unknown reason. Everyone convinced us that it was too late, but we didn’t believe them. My mom and I refused to give up on him, and I went in this trial against her will: I faced the same test as you, but never returned home.”
“Wait….what are you exactly ?”This brat seemed human based on his physcial appearence and the details that only transcribed the flaws the teenage years left on the fragile skin. However, something in his chest convinced him that this stranger was sincere and have a bunch of secrets, especially at this young age.
“My existence caused the debate of many interpretations, some consider me a ghost, others as the representation of their loved ones, but I’m just a teenager who succumbed to death in this heartless trial. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone talking to me, but the goddess must’ve been really angry for pushing you to the most cruel fate,” Haruo pointed out, wondering why the taller man was shocked by his previous revelations. After all, he knew what he was talking about due to his terrible death that trapped him in this hell, something even Hades couldn’t handle. “If you’re looking for an exit, I’m afraid you’re looking into an unreachable place.”
“There must be one…..” he mumbled in his beard, unaware of the scene he caused on the other side, being the center of attention.
“Who’s he talking to ?” Apollo asked, looking at the goddess on the throne, speechless by the sudden twist of this story. She didn’t expect such a thing and yet, she wouldn’t ask for a better ending than seeing this demigod, claiming his strength out loud, being like the others who became crazy as time passed by in this labyrinth.
“He already lost his mind, it’s over for him,” Himari affirmed with a sigh, resting her back and rubbing her thumbs inside her hair. It was a shame he had to leave this world in such a tragic way, but he followed the plan made by the goddess since the beginning, offering a satisfying ending for this demigod who had an ego that caused his death.
“You don’t know about the cursed maze ?” Haruo asked with a confused tone, reading the incomprehension inside the crimson eyes. This man was probably tired after all this walking and the revelation he faced but it was only the beginning of this downfall to hell, something that even Hades couldn’t conceive, despite his brutality in the underworld.
“What’s this ?”
“It looks like a normal labyrinth but it’s cursed by the gods,” the teenager added recalling the previous soul who shared the story before him, until he became the one repeating this endless circle. But his goal was to guide the stranger into a second none of the precious participants had until now. “The God of Mischief created this place with the idea to trap each of his targets, thinking they could leave this place, only to realize the scheme against their will. You’ve probably noticed it, but one of the first tricks is to change the road once the shadow leaves the area, to exchange with another but it’s not the worst. I’ve watched this with my own eyes, but this maze doesn’t have any exit, and represents an endless trap: There are no right roads or sensation of hope once you realize how you’re forced to spend the rest of your life stuck here. Luckily, only a few people succeeded in escaping from here and changing their path, but most of them perished here.”
“This means I’m forced to die in the same way the other participants did ?” Katsuki asked, hating the uncomfortable sensation rising inside his chest.
He knew Himani would play with this illusion of hope, but this was probably worse than anything the blond had faced until now. He trusted the brat’s story and the heartwrenching expression on his face reflected how heartbroken he was about seeing another soul being stuck here. Katsuki couldn’t take the risk of ruining his chance to return home because some psycho considered it amusing to offer him a painful death…..
“Unfortunately the only way to get out of here is to find the exit, hidden somewhere else. The gods made sure to use their knowledge to cover each hints with enough care, but if some succeeded, this mean it’s too late and you can always save your loved ones,” Haruo pointed out with a smile, being as innocent as the day where he passed out from exhaustion and said goodbye to his dream of returning home. “But I can help you!”
“Why would you do such a thing? You barely know me-”
“Because I’m tired of resting here, contemplating an endless sky without cloud and longing for a past life that’ll never be mine again. I’ve seen people walking there with a smile on their face and hope in their eyes, but they became Hades’s victim the moment they shared their last breath with the dry tears that marked their heated skin, under the gods’s mocking laugh,” he confessed with a light tone, standing up to make a good use of his legs and explore moe of the area.
“Are you sure ?” Katsuki asked with a curious tone.
It’s not like he didn’t trust this teenager but his story fit in the current context and how he was another victim. The blond was touched by his story, knowing it would be hard to see someone you love disappearing without a trace but seeing this brat helping him with a smile on his face convinced him to return the gesture and offer some joy in their mutual loneliness.
“It’s the least I can do, and you look like you need saving,” Haruo added with a nod.
He noticed how the crimson eyes widened at the previous words- maybe he said something he shouldn’t but the taller man’s face softened a few seconds later. It wasn’t his fault for not knowing the meaning of those words that marked the beginning of Katsuki’s favourite story, all those years of longing for an unreachable ghost, cherishing those memories, and falling for this adorable smile on the nerd’s face. It belonged to a narrative, a song his heart knew by heart with each lyric being an echo of his favourite moment spent with his childhood friend, and the only person who trusted him when he was at his lowest.
Izuku Midoriya was full of surprise, even when he was out of reach and still haunting his husband’s mind, reminding him of those ethereal promises they shared on the altar. This fight wasn’t only for saving Izuku's existence from being forgotten, but to prove how their bond was stronger than any obstacles put on their paths until now. If the roles were reversed, the nerd would’ve done the same, even if this meant fighting every single deity to prove his loyalty to the man who shared half of his soul. They were the muse of others' poems, those breathtaking prose transcribed with an indelible ink on those blank pages, marked by each of their tears and smiles, being their biggest treasures to cherish.
“You remind me of someone, the most stubborn head, but my favorite,” his voice softened, recalling the beauty of those messy green curls and how much he missed his husband’s embrace. “He used to run in the field and return with bloody injuries, but was more distressed about mines. No matter how hard I tried to understand his reasoning, I never did but it became one of the most impressive aspects of his personality….Something I truly admire.”
“Really, who was he ?” The teenager asked, noticing how the taller man left his previous spot on the ground with a soft grin at the tip of his lips.
“My husband, and the reason for my presence here. He was cursed into a stone statue for the rest of his life due to my parents’ mistakes. He paid the price for an action he never committed, and I’ve been fighting to get him back to me,” he explained with a longing glance. The shorter figure stayed silent and noticed how the previous apprehension on his face was erased by a gentle gaze, understanding how serious this quest was for this stranger.
“That’s really sweet of you to look after him, you must care a lot about him…”
“More than my own life,” Katsuki replied with a genuine smile, one he hadn’t made in a long time. Talking about Izuku wouldn’t make this trial move faster, but it gave him enough motivation to continue, even if he had to stay there for the next five years until he found the exit.
“I see, we shouldn’t make him wait any longer and it wouldn’t hurt to have some company when you’re used to loneliness,” Haruo added with an amused tone. The blond couldn’t be mad at him for considering the urgency of the situation as a hangout session with a new friend especially when this poor soul died on its own with an incomplete mission, who’s probably haunting him to this day. This brat was just a teenager who needed reassurance after losing his everything, and he was the guide the blond needed in this maze that would’ve consumed his entire hope if he had to face this on his own.
“I get what you mean….What’s your name ?” He finally asked with a grin, ruffling the curls to have the brat’s attention. The shorter figure turned suddenly shy at the gesture, almost like he was amazed by the demigod's ability to put him at ease in the conversation, acting like the older brother he never had.
“Haruo,” he mumbled with a slight tone, rubbing his fingers against the tissue of his clothes. It was evident how this teenager deserved so much better than living here for eternityand being condemned to be the guide of the next victims of those vicous trials. The blond sincerely hoped he’ll get the peace he deserved….
“Mine’s Katsuki Bakugo, nice to meet you brat,” he replied with a grin, catching the slight smile on the other’s face. It might be nothing, but Haruo wanted to make a good action, Katsuki knew he could learn more about this kid who faced an unfortunate fate.
—-
Katsuki learned a lot of things about this teenager and his souvenirs related to his time on earth.
He was touched to see how Haruo’s face lit up every time he mentioned his father teaching the basic skills to survive, and covering his injuries with patches while his mother gave magic kisses on his forehead. This brat seemed to have a peaceful life, with his loved ones and good memories he cherished, even after his death.
Haruo never have the occasion to share a final goodbye to his family, a regrets that caused some unshared tears to appeared at the corner of his eyes when this topic was mentioned….but it didn’t stop the demigod from using reassuring words to make the brat smile, knowing he faced an ounce of joy in his loneliness that brought them together. Izuku would probably be proud of him for making a step into the unknown, even if the blond would do anything to have those scarred fingers cupping his cheeks with light kisses all over his face.
Their shadows walked in the same environment that became a casual setting for them as Haruo pointed out each stone, representing a huge help during their long walk even if none of them knew how much time had passed since the beginning of this trial. The multiple rocks they left on the side became a checkpoint with some of them being seen only once, while others repeated a certain pattern. If this occurred as a strange coincidence, it became clear how some roads repeated themselves, at least three times.
When Katsuki felt the sudden lack of energy caused by the heat, he took a break for a few minutes to stay focused, feeling closer to his goal. This impression was also shared by the teenager with the blonde curls and green eyes beside him, pointing out how his senses never betrayed him. The taller man made a slight smile and ruffled his head, explaining how he was a good companion and not as bad as he thought, making the spirit smile at the praise. It was heartbreaking to leave someone like him behind, but the brat seemed to have made peace with this idea, showing his maturity.
The golden spikes rested against the brushes, wishing for a pillow and a good nap at the moment, but were distracted by the sudden call from Haruo. Katsuki left the previous spot and groaned like an old man and walked toward the spirit, who pointed to another bush. At first sight, it seemed natural, but the crimson eyes widened when he saw how the teenager’s hands disappeared, something that was impossible until now! The blond moved closer and noticed by himself how the previous statement wasn’t an illusion of his desperate imagination, but something real. The excitement filled his eyes as, looked at a shorter figure who seemed proud of his discovery.
“We have a lead, we’re getting closer,” Katsuki mumbled with a grin at the corner of his lips. Everything became clearer once he detailed the trick to the teenager, who learned to distinguish an unconventional reflection and advice that would’ve saved a lot of lives in the past. Haruo made a thumbs-up in the air with a pride grin, explaining how Katsuki could count on him as the two figures started to search for small hints.
It took them thirty minutes before seeing a clear pattern: It was under their eyes the entire time, but the more they crossed a path with three rocks, the closer they got to the covered bushes. The same road appeared multiple times until they found the last two bushes they hadn’t explored yet. Their eyes met and each of them decided to check by themselves, until the answer became obvious: Hidden between this small space was a wooden trapdoor, indicating the exit.
Katsuki glanced at the teenager and showed him the secret he had found, under the amazed green eyes. A slight smile crossed Haruo’s mind as he realized how he succeeded his biggest mission to guide this stranger into this quest and saved his life….at least something he did great in this lifetime. The calloused hands ruffled his blonde curls as he stood on his knees to stand as the height as him, catching his attention.
“You’ve done an amazing job, I don’t think I would be able to get out of here without your smart brain,” he pointed out with an understanding tone, knowing it was time to say their goodbyes. In all honesty, it broke his heart to leave an innocent here, but he couldn’t bring him back to the real world, knowing he was already dead a long time ago. There were so many things to explore, but maybe in another life Haruo will have this chance and enjoy life to his fullest…
“You were the one who found out about the bushes, the praise should be yours,” the teenager replied with an unimpressed tone, but accepted the compliment. He noticed how the taller man simply smirked at his reaction, even if his body was getting weaker. “So…This is where we have to say goodbye ?”
“I think so, even if it annoys me to leave you behind but you’ll be a fine brat,” the taller man pointed out with a punch to his shoulders. He noticed the slight tears residing at the corner of his eyes, and let them fall on his cheeks, even if the demigod didn’t make any comment about it to avoid a heavy atmosphere. “It was nice meeting you and I have one final mission for you, if you accept it.”
“I’m all ears,” he said with a nod, and Katsuki’s heart arched at the sparkles inside his eyes.
“You were a great guide, but if you’re stuck here you can make good use of the tricks I taught you and save thousands of people who were as desperate as I was,” Katsuki affirmed with a soft tone, showing his pinky finger in the air, under the surprised green eyes. “Try to be the saviors those people need in the hardest times, even if they can’t see or interact with you. Some can be rude, but let your heart make a choice between the souls who deserve your help…Do you think you can do that ?”
Haruo nodded with a slight smile, making the pinky promise with tears falling down his cheeks. The taller man couldn’t help but ruffle his hair and give him a last praise, explaining how he was a good guy and his parents must be proud of him. The teenager thanked him with a smile and wished him good luck for the rest of the adventure, holding the pinky promise to his heart. It didn’t take long until Katsuki was out the moment he reached the exit, knowing he had saved another life on the way.
—----
Katsuki woke up with an annoying headache the next morning.
He didn’t know why this Hypnos had to be so rough with his body when he remained a human like the other, but the gods were already too far to hear his complaint. The calloused hands grabbed the bedsheet closer to his chest, tuning his head to meet the empty side of the bed: This morning wasn’t different from the others, but an ounce of pride filled his chest at the idea that he was someone’s hero for a few hours. He hoped this brat would be fine on its own and keep the promise they’ve made, but Haruo’s name will not be forgotten in this journey.
His legs moved under the sheet and accidentally kicked the tray, which made the cup fall on the ground with the medicine on the floor, mixed with Katsuki’s groan of pain due to the previous hit. The sound immediately caught the pink-haired woman’s attention, who rushed into the room to find a half-asleep Katsuki in the mess he had caused by stupidity. She put her arms against her chest and rolled her eyes, grabbing the empty cup on the floor to put it back on the plate, noticing how the demigod waited for her casual remarks.
“I’m killing myself to make you proper food, and that’s how you thank me? The next time, get off the bed and prepare your own medicine, dumbass,” she mumbled with an annoyed tone. Her glance stared at the taller figure on the bed, who seemed disturbed by his awakening.
“How many hours did this previous trial last? I have the impression of spending the longest two hours of my life-”
“Five hours,” she replied with a sigh, sitting on the bed, under the wide crimson eyes. It was hard to be stuck in the labyrinth with a distorted notion of time, especially under those constant impressions of déjà vu. “Miss superiority complex established the rules after putting you to sleep and thought you wouldn’t make it. She was angrier than ever when you found the weakness of her plan, even if you lost your mind.”
“What do you mean ?” To his knowledge, he was sane and Haruo was real, based on their meaningful interactions. Maybe the gods got a different version, because the demigod was confident he didn’t lose his mind, even if he was close to putting his head against one of the bushes and cursing their names.
“Kats, there’s nothing wrong with that. After all, you’ve been stuck in a maze with the same scenery for five endless hours, it impacted your mental health,” the pink-haired woman said with a tease, pushing his shoulders, surprised to see how the crimson eyes were still unconvinced by her explanation. “You talked to yourself the entire time, everyone started to think you were crazy but you’re fine now!”
“Haruo was real,” he corrected with a serious tone. The brat told him how certain people had the ability to see him while others considered him an invisible force, but does this mean Katsuki was the only one who saw him the entire time? “He had blonde curls and green eyes, he told me how he participated in the same trial years ago and died here. This brat was stuck in this labyrinth for eternity and had no other choice but to watch the other participants die, until he changed my fate….Pinky, he helped me to escape.”
“Are you sure you’re alright ?” She asked with a hesitant tone. Don’t get her wrong, she wanted to believe him, but her rational thinking convinced her it was a dream that still occupied his mind.
“I know this is crazy but without his help, I would’ve been dead a long time ago,” the blond clarified in a low tone, holding the bedsheet tighter. It’s not like he wasn’t expecting this kind of reaction, but he hated being the only one able to share the truths“You have the right to have your opinion about the situation but what I saw was real. I don’t know how this is possible, but his soul is trapped here and hasn’t fallen into Hades’s hands yet- I hope it’ll never happen because this brat saved my life. I need you to believe me….”
“Listen, I believe your version of the story,” she whispered with a calm tone, letting him know he wasn’t alone, especially with the anxiety of the last trial that might arrive anytime soon. “I believe this Haruo exists, it’s common for souls to lose themselves or never leave the place where they died. It would’ve been stupid of the gods to help you when she can’t stand you. For the moment, you need to take a good nap and we’ll talk about this and what to expect in the last trial.”
Oh…that’s right, Katsuki already did most of the work.
The first test was nothing compared to the toughness of the second one, which made him realize how he needed to calm things down with his direct threats. As much as he hated Himari, he was concerned about the content of the last test: it’ll be worse than the previous ones.
Katsuki and Mina had the right to be afraid of whatever crossed the goddess's mind, especially when she had the ability to control each pawn and create a spectacular version of their death. The golden-haired man sighed, resting his head against the pillow and rubbing his hands against his forehead: He wanted this to be done so he could run into his husband’s arms and apologize for making him wait all those years!
"One last trial,” he whispered, looking at his wedding ring. He wished he could fast-forward time and push a lost curl behind his husband’s ears to catch the breathtaking smile on his lips. “It’s all it takes to end this hell, but something tells me it won’t be easy. I’ve created a beautiful mess with my previous attempts, but the good side is now miss anger issues think I’m crazy.”
“So you think she’ll use this against you ?” Mina pointed out with a curious tone. “In order to make me more miserable? For sure, but that’s why I highlighted this detail earlier…she wants me six feet underground, and pretending to be weak, only to surprise her will do the trick,” he indicated with a sigh.
“As long as you don’t sacrifice your mental health, that’s good for me,” the pink-haired woman added with a relieved tone. As much as she wanted to talk more about their apprehensions about this mystery surrounding this final quest, they both needed enough rest to process rational thinking. “Listen, let’s just take a break for today and focus on peace while it lasts. We don’t know what Himari prepared, but we can still be human for another day and then take a good look at the chaos you caused. I promise we’ll bring Izuku back…”
“This nerd better offer me thousands of apologies for giving me grey hair and bags under my eyes at my young age,” the blond complained with rolled eyes, resting on the bed to find a more comfortable position.
He wasn’t against a few more hours of sleep if this appeased his headache….and he wanted to avoid the shitty taste of Mina’s medicine.
Notes:
Alright, you survived this second chapter, congrats /j
I blamed the emotional playlist I listened to when I wrote the end of the second quest with Haruo. I might've teared up a bit because I wanted to expose this strong bond between Katsuki and him as brothers (with Haruo seeing him as the sibling he never had and Katsuki the younger version of Izuku)...tell me if this works, haha. About the quest as a whole, i found this concept very intersting to make a maze with no exit (or it's very well hidden) with constant changes for the people stuck there, I'm actually proud of this idea and don't hesitate to comment, leave a kudos, bookmarks if you want your support means a lot to me! Thanks for reading, see you tomorrow for the next trial, and my only warning is...take the tissues, it was probably the hardest to write-
Anyway, take care of yourself, and follow me on twt/Bluesky (@Katzukux) <3
Chapter 3: Beyond Your Limit
Chapter Text
During a calm afternoon,
A few days ago, Katsuki Bakugo succeeded his second test, forcing him to rest an entire day in his bed until he got back to work, helping with the chores and dinner. It was relaxing enough to change his mind and think about something else than his apprehension about the last trial, being the source of his traumatizing nights. The first test was explicit enough to give hints and was easy to figure out.
The second one was more cruel when it played with all his senses, messing with his mind and reflecting the existence of this quest in the first place. If the description was blurry, the experience was a real pain in the ass, highlighting how they shouldn’t get focused on the charming words that guided their soul into a rabbit hole.
No matter what happened the next week, the two figures prepared themselves for any eventuality, enjoying their last moments of peace before an inevitable disaster. It must explain why the demigod felt nostalgia at the idea of losing everything with the arrival of this final test. He wanted to keep his habit of visiting his husband: It wasn’t a complete remedy to the emptiness in his chest, but it was enough to bring a smile to his lips for a few minutes.
His calloused hands pushed the gate, ignoring the noise that made him grind his teeth. The demigod moved closer to the statue, looking at this precious material that sheltered the freckled man’s soul. Katsuki made a grin when he noticed the dust, pushing them away with his hands against the cold shoulders.
“I can’t leave you alone for a few days and you’re already causing me troubles,” he said with a tease, looking into the forged expression on his face. “Don’t look at me that way, I know it’s different from our late-night talk but I’m visiting you earlier because Pinky scolded me for having a terrible sleep schedule. As much as she cares about me, she can be a real psycho….but don’t repeat this to anyone.”
The demigod made a sigh, running his fingers into the golden spikes, and took a proper look at the statue. It was crazy how many years had passed since their abrupt separation, but Izuku stayed as gorgeous as their first meeting. As crazy as it seems, it remained a love confession he was ready to share a million times until he was old enough to forget about it and fall in love all over again with this shining shadow by his side.
“The second trial was a pain in the ass, dealt with a shitty labyrinth, and met a new friend,” he added, sitting against the walls, located right in front of the statue. He didn’t want to stand on his legs for too long, wondering if the nerd was having a clear vision of his messed-up state. “He was pretty young but had a good heart, he reminded me of you. His name was Haruo, and he had green irises similar to yours, It made me nostalgic, which is probably why I decided to let him be my guide. He’s a good guy, I’m sure you would’ve loved him too.”
Thinking about Haruo made him guilty of being free when the brat wasn’t: If their paths had met earlier he would’ve saved him before this tragic fate, but unfortunately, he couldn’t change the past. Instead, he decided to stay focused on the present and the tough emotions inside his shattered heart, but he was getting closer to his final goal….It was strange to realize how a last test separated his childhood friend and him from this reunion they dreamed about for too long.
“If you were there, you would’ve found the right words to appease him, but I think I did a decent job,” the blond explained with a grin, resting the back of his head against the wall and closing his eyes for a few seconds. “I’ve been fighting all this time to get your freedom, honor, and souvenirs back but it’s a strange sensation to know you’re closer to this goal. I’m tired of giving more of my precious time to a goddess who only thinks about herself, knowing I can give it to someone else…but it’s the price to pay for declaring war against her.”
Katsuki Bakugo only wanted to run into the warmth of the only person he considered his home: Maybe he’ll laugh about it in a few years, looking back with hindsight about the craziness of the situation and how youth made the most unforgettable tales.
“Is it weird to chase after forgotten frames about a life that’ll be mine soon? Don’t you worry about me changing my mind or loving you less than I am, you have no idea how each day separating us from this second chance makes me more impatient to hold you in my arms and feel these curls against my burning skin. I’m probably jumping to conclusions, especially when you’ll be kicking my ass for being so stupid the entire time, but nothing will erase the pride I'll have to feel your fingers against mine, knowing my world finally has a new meaning.”
He repeated those words a hundred times, but it’ll never erase their genuine beauty once they left his lips, letting the wind transport those vows to the ears of the statue. The bright sunlight crossed the exposed shoulders of the demigod, thanking the statue for offering some shadow on this warm day that reminded him of the conditions in the previous maze. Mina will probably be mad at him, but it wasn’t the first time he disobeyed her, especially if he can stay a little longer than his late-night visit and share more about his thoughts about the unknown.
—---
The letter for the final quest arrived two days later, causing more apprehension than relief.
The pink-haired woman simply glanced at her friend, standing there with understanding eyes: The envelope, delicately wrapped by the hands of the most powerful people in this world, reflected the false illusion of beauty that resulted from decades of severe tricks. The sound of moving chairs broke the previous silence, sliding against the used floor and felt the sudden weight of the two figures sitting there with hidden breath.
The previous tests haven’t felt this scary before, even amusing sometimes, but this naivety disappeared once their instincts warned them about this lasts step toward an obvious victory. It wasn’t a simple game they could play and leave without any scars, Katsuki’s previous experiences proved how each trial required huge sacrifices,, a detail their past selves never took into account until now.
The calloused hands were the first to reach the envelope and open it with a sigh, meeting those familiar lines of introduction that praised his previous success. The concept as a whole was shitty, especially after he had already made enough impact in the last tests to show how far he was ready to go to save his lover. Apparently, their hunger toward distraction reflected the absurdity of the situation, where the demigod had no other choice but to accept his fate and hope he’ll make it out of here alive.
Mina asked if he was alright with the idea of letting her open the letter to appease their common worries, but the blond whispered how he needed to read those words transcribed into those blank pages with golden ink. The pressure on his shoulders became heavier as his crimson eyes read each word used to highlight their real intention, with the hope of finding any hints, When the most annoying part of the letter was finished with a final dot, the demigod focused his entire attention on the second part of the content, reading it out loud.
It was blurry enough to cause some mysteries, offering a bitter taste of their previous experience with the gods. It wasn’t a good sign for the next step, even when the blond concluded his reading and put the paper on the table. His calloused hands rested against his forehead, fingers losing themselves in his spiky hair and trying to process what he just read: these words had double meanings, innuendos with the form of their sentence!
“What does this mean ?” The pink haired woman asked with a sigh, resting her back against the chair. Playing in the blur will only make things worse and the goddess knew what she was doing, tormenting them until the no reaching point, but something feel oddly wrong with the energy that resonated from this letter.
“They asked me if my mental strength will be enough to survive the physical conditions,” he replied in a low tone, putting his fingers on his chin. They already explored this theme in the previous game, exploiting his mental health and playing with his nerves, but they couldn’t repeat the same thing twice, causing more boredom in the crowd. “I already injured myself and they consider me crazy after the labyrinth. The only way to amuse the most curious eyes is to leave me die on the ground with injuries and drowning in my own blood.”
“Something tells me you’re not believing this theory, right ?”
“It’s bullshit,” he pointed out with rolled eyes. After all, Katsuki Bakugo wouldn’t say such a thing if he weren’t determined by what he advances, as risky and dangerous as his statement might be for their cases. He understood how Miss Anger Issues observed each of his movements, but he wanted to let her know how this “weakness” won’t bring him down.. “If they wanted me to reach this kind of ending, they would’ve done it earlier, there must be another idea in their mind. I won’t say something as harsh as the idea of leaving my lifeless body on the ground, but we need to be careful.”
“As much as I tried to think about the multiple options within our reach, it’s a complete blur…At least, with the previous hints,” Mina affirmed with a nod. They probably have no idea what was expecting them in the next days, if not weeks, but the blond prepared himself for the worst: After all, it was the final trial, the explosions and downfall everyone had been waiting for.
“They mentioned Hermes showing up at our doorstep when the time has come,” Katsuki replied with a grin, resting his back on his chair. “This guy probably knows the path by heart, Maybe we should welcome him with cookies and an invitation for a sleepover.”
—----
It only took four days before receiving a visit from Hermes with knocks on the door.
Until now, the only visit they received came from the gods themselves, so the answer concerning the identity of this mysterious stranger was quickly solved. Even if the duo of friends were tempted to use the cookie strategy, they simply opened the door and welcomed him with a fake smile.
Hermes crossed his arms against his chest and sighed, being exhausted by his role of messenger with these two, wishing this quest was over as soon as possible. He declared that the two mortals had the order to see Himari herself for this final test, Katsuki and Mina followed his orders without fighting back, looking into each other’s eyes with concern until they discovered another spot in the forest. This area could be really good for the wood research during the winter season and-
A groan of pain escaped from the blond's lips when he was almost blinded by the sudden light. He didn’t need to open his eyes to catch the background noises of this haunted place, and the sound of heels on this floor. The footsteps walked closer to his direction, until he released a curse when he saw the familiar face of the goddess, mocking his state.
“Can any of your friends, if not subordinates, be careful? We’re mortals, and not shitty toys you can break and assemble like nothing happened. We have back problems in our twenties, this shit is supposed to happen way later in life,” he complained with an annoyed tone, turning his head to check on Pinky, who nodded in agreement after his previous speech.
“My apologies, next time I'll make sure to treat my guests with enough care by dropping them from the sky to their vulgar house. I think you two wouldn’t have any issues with any back problem after that,” Himari replied with a fake smile, barely helping them.
Katsuki and Mina rolled their eyes and wiped away the dust on their clothes, waiting for an answer that might never come if Miss Anger Issues decided to be slower than a nail. However, this didn’t stop them from realizing how they were the only people standing on this marble floor, intrigued to not see the guests betting on the outcome of this game. Their instincts warned them to run as fast as possible but their two figures couldn’t leave without knowing what the goddess had in mind; Choosing the silence treatment was the best they could do at the moment, even if Himari was bothered by their harsh behavior in her presence.
“This is a private audience, this time the weight of your actions will determine your ending, and each single decision matters from now on. No help from the gods, call of despair unless you feel the need to give up,” Himari pointed out with a sigh, sitting on her golden throne. This was the most interesting part: to see their face losing their previous colors and confidence at the sudden reveal. However, with the chaos the demigod caused since their first interaction, she needed to let them wait a little longer…. “I’ve always been surrounded by people who consider me a gift from the sky, but I’ve never seen someone sending so much hate with a simple glare. I wasn’t the one who transformed your mortal into a statue for the rest of his life, I’m just the puppeteer who organized his freedom.”
“By using human weakness against them in your shitty revenge,” the taller man replied with a mocking laugh, noticing how Himari’s face turned darker at his comment. “You could’ve given us the remedy without this mess, but instead you decided to make me the center of your vulgar show. Too bad you found an opponent determined enough to go beyond his boundaries and limits of his own body to fulfill the most important mission of his life. You can try to bring me down, but I cross the line when my loved ones are impacted by your actions…..”
“I thought you were smarter than that, the rules were evident and yet, you didn’t understand a single thing,” Himari’s voice resonated in the empty room, leaving her throne to move closer to the two mortals standing there. “You probably have enough luck with this healer by your side, but if I were you, I wouldn't be so confident about the next step. Many people barely handled it, your name won’t be the exception to the rule, demigod or not.”
“Then it would be easier to simply mention what you want to expect from us instead of gaining time that means nothing for you, but represents a huge loss for us,” the pink-haired woman added with a smirk. As much as she enjoyed Katsuki gaining more power in this verbal confrontation between Himari and him, the time was passing by too fast to Mina’s liking. “If you’re so confident, why don’t you explain everything so we can start and erase your existence from our memories?”
“Oh it already started since the sun rose down your meaningless forest,” Himari affirmed with a sinister smile, enjoying the stunned expression on the mortal’s face. “The birds already sang their warning, but you didn’t hear any of them. Hypnos and Aeolus sealed your fate but I’m glad you asked…this one is my favourite.”
Katsuki shared a strange glance with the pink-haired woman, who seemed to understand his struggles. From all the answers the two friends expected, none echoed as the previous ones they’ve heard: Their first guesses were related to a simple task of their everyday life that can be turned against them, but the list was too long to even begin with. At this moment, their instincts proved how right they were This wasn’t a simple test, but a run against an enemy stronger than anything they’ve faced before.
“You always claimed to save the man you love, being ready to go beyond your own limits to bring him back, but we’ll see if these were simple vows in the wind or another shame to bring to your name,“ Himari explained with a hidden laugh. Her fingers grabbed her glasses of half-empty wine on the marble desk and put them to her lips, savoring the taste falling down her throat as an ounce of victory. “The great Katsuki Bakugo who fought a monster, survived a labyrinth, and ignored the warnings of the gods…. Look at you, being nothing but another puppet in my court. The last quest is very simple: from now on, you’ll have five weeks, and not one more to survive the salvation of your own soul.”
“What does it mean ?” Mina asked with an unwelcoming tone. Her defensive posture reflected how annoyed she was by the conversation, but the explanation she’ll get won’t make her feel any better.
“During the next five weeks, you’ll have the interdiction to succumb to the temptation of eating anything. I’m not a monster so I want to make this more amusing by giving you access to water the entire time,” Himari confided with rolled eyes. “If you find yourself falling for anything related to food, even in your worst conditions, you’ll lose everything and be considered as another forgotten name….like the ones who failed their promises to save their loved ones.”
A sudden silence filled the room.
If Himari simply walked back to her throne and asked to her servant for a distraction, Mina and Katsuki were speechless: the pink haired woman couldn’t even imagine how unpleasant it must be to not have enough strength for a complete week, knowing the damage on the body, based on her previous experience with lost travelers…but five wekks was beyond limit. She turned her head to ask if her friend was alright, but she observed in terror the wide crimson eyes with a pale color on his face. It was the first time she saw the stubborn man being beaten by an obstacle he couldn’t avoid, especially when the source of his anger was residing a few meters away from them. He held his first tighter, leaving a few drops of blood on the marble door, ignoring the odd sensation rising inside his chest.
“I almost forgot, but you can continue your life like nothing happened,” Himari added, thanking the servants. It was satisfying to see these two mortals at her mercy beingthe biggest victory she achieved until now. “Do you have any questions before we say goodbye ?”
“How can we know you won’t trick us again in the five weeks ?” Mina asked with a death glare. If she wasn’t stopped by her rational thinking, she would’ve really kicked her ass and let her taste her own venom but Katsuki’s state was her main priority.
“I have other business to mind and Hermes will knock at your door once the time has come with the remedy,” Hirami sighed with an annoyed tone, sharing an unimpressed glance at the healer. It was obvious how mad she was as mad as Katsuki about this sudden revelation, but the goddess was tired of their bullshit and wanted to move on to something else.
“Wait, what if we need to contact you-”
Mina barely had time to finish her sentence, being transported into the familiar setting of the living room with t the forest surrounding them. She held her fist tighter and tried to not punch the closest wall, understanding: This asshole was taking advnatge of Katsuki’s weakness after the previous trials to impose a painful death, something worst than being killed on the spot or forgoten like the treasure of the first quest.
“This bitch, I knew she was heartless but she went too far,” she cursed between her heavy breaths, resting her head on the back of the chair, pouting like a child who got caught by his parents.
It was unfair after everything Katsuki sacrificed to make his proof, he was now obligated to kill himself on purpose to please some selfish bitch who would rather rush this judgment than give, the remedy and pretend they never met. This time, there were no more guests to watch the demigod's performance, but the heartbroken glance of the only person who saw him at his lowest since the tragedy….a friend, a confidant, and a member of his family. There must be a way to shorten the time by begging help from the other gods who previously felt empathy for his case-
The sound of footsteps caught her attention, forcing her to move her head and notice the taller figure, who had been strangely quiet since the previous revelation. Katsuki Bakugo was known for his ability to cover his emotions until his breaking point: It took him months before accepting his emotions, having a bitter impression of deja-vu, but this time, he didn’t have a stupid nerd chasing after him with an adorable smile and blushing cheeks.
With time passing by, he learned to trust the pink-haired woman and her intentions: The demigod rarely expressed himself concerning his relationship, but the day he called Mina his friend, the healer teared up. Seeing him acknowledging such a title after the support she offered back in the days was a sign of hope for this platonic relationship, especially when it represented huge progress! Unfortunately, Katsuki tended to return to his old habits, and the pink-haired woman hated the familiarity of this scene under her eyes…..
She should’ve asked him if he was alright, but the answer was obvious based on the hostile expression on his face. He still held his fist with a tight grip, ignoring the injuries he kept opening with his nails, hoping it would erase the sadness filling his chest. Mina understood when he needed time to release these intense emotions that needed to be expressed in one way or another. She didn’t try to make him stay when his bloody palm crossed the wooden door to walk into the forest, observing his shadow leaving the lifeless house.
Katsuki Bakugo was a man of words, he would rather die than betraying one of his promises, but Hamari took this to the letter.
The bitterness crossing his shaking lips was nothing compared to this bitter truth: Don’t get him wrong, he accepted the final trial and understood how he needed to go beyond his own limit to make his final proof. The demigod was ready to do anything in his power to finish this shitty game as soon as possible but what hurt him the most was the wait and the damage. This was supposed to be over with another shitty quest, kicking some monsters’ ass and whatever crossed Himari’s mind, but instead he had to wait five more weeks before seeing the man he loved again.
This shit could’ve been solved in a few days and Katsuki would’ve rushed into Izuku’s arms with his silent apologies, but he was forced to wait a little longer and watch himself die. Their reunion was supposed to be an unforgettable moment, not a source of panic for the concerned emerald eyes, welcoming a lifeless body! Katsuki felt guilty for involving Mina in the downfall of this mission they were supposed to complete together but instead, she’ll be forced to see him suffering in a horrific way.
He didn’t even notice when a loud scream left his lips, being as similar as the one he shared the last time he held Izuku in his shaking arms. The birds left their nest at the sudden sound that caught the entire nature off guard, while the nymphs observed with sorrow the heartbreaking scene. His vision became blurry from the tears, but he remained a human with nothing but a dream to achieve and the sensation of being lost in this quest that was supposed to be his revival.
Kasuki didn’t even fight back when the fragile hands of the healer found his shoulder. He knew Pinky followed him, she was scared about the rest of this journey, just like him, but being on its own would only bring more problems than solutions. Her distressed eyes met the teary ones and welcomed the shaking body into a sudden embrace- there must be a way to fix this.
At the end, the only person able to save Katsuki from this tragedy was the same soul that started this timeless run against time….Izuku Bakugo Midoriya.
——-
One week later,
Each mornings were marked by the familiar songs of the birds flying over their temporary home, with the exact melody that transcribes the terrible message they sent a week ago. The rising sun passed through the curtain of this lonely room, with a sleeping figure residing on the bed: He really thought he would be able to continue like nothing happened, but the reality quickly caught him with a middle finger in the face.
The first time he felt his stomach calling for help, he considered this a tease from fate rather than a burden. He couldn’t waste more tears after offering the previous breakdown; Instead, he chose to consider things as a small step in this new adventure. The pink-haired woman made sure to help him by constantly giving him water when he felt the need to eat, hoping it would calm things down, but the demigod wanted to continue his casual routine.
It’s not like Katsuki didn’t try, he did his best to convince Pinky to offer some help, but the healer gave him the most meaningless tasks to avoid a sudden loss of energy. The demigod should be mad at her for considering him a nobody, but he appreciated the care she put into making him participate in the chores, even if he asked for a bigger role.
Mina felt guilty for being the one eating when her friend couldn't have this chance, making a deal with the blond to eat once the demigod was out of reach. It wasn’t pleasing to them either, but it was the compromise they found about this situation, knowing the healer couldn’t put her life on the line when she had an important role in town. The most surprising effect was to see how after six days, he didn’t feel the need to go to the toilet, wondering if this was a good sign or not, but he quickly changed his mind. It wasn’t the most important thing, especially when some effects started to be more annoying than the others, transforming his previous routine in this isolated house, into a real challenge, even if it was just the beginning.
He became more sensitive to any comments or gestures made by his roommate, and more emotional before going to bed. It felt like a huge change for him, who used to cover his emotions, to let them express themselves without an ounce of doubt, being either a blessing or a curse for his loved ones. Mina understood the changes and made sure to give him a break and didn’t stop him from leaving the house in the middle of the night, knowing this was necessary for him to confess to someone who’d known his struggles.
The slight loss of weight made its appearance, catching the two roommates by surprise. It wasn’t something obvious, but it justified why the demigod felt more tired than usual: When the two tried to figure this out, they naturally concluded that his demigod bloodline helped him to make the process slower than a casual mortal. If Mina pointed out how lucky it was, Katsuki simply stayed silent at the realization that this “blessing” would only slow down his death. Don’t get him wrong, he wasn’t asking fate to make him succumb in his sleep overnight, but it was mentally harder to continue when his body would give up one day or another….
Katsuki got used to drinking water as a replacement for any temptations toward food.
It will never have the same taste as the meal he had for dinner, but it was enough to let his body get used to this new routine without a huge shock. He never said it was easy, it took him a few days before realizing how he missed getting energy and continuing his everyday life without being worried about the next sunrise, but it was a game he was forced to play against his will. Katsuki continued to help with extra tasks to remind Pinky about how his slight tiredness didn’t make him useless, even if the pink-haired woman scolded him for taking the risk of getting another injury that would heal longer than the others.
His favorite time of the day was the late-night talk with a statue who couldn’t blink.
He found himself at ease each time he reached this place, ignoring the ghosts in his surroundings. Talking to Izuku was the only coping mechanism he found after their abrupt separation, holding onto the theory that his husband’s soul was still residing in this frame that caused genuine happiness and sorrow to his shattered heart. At this point, the spirits considered him a crazy demigod, who would rather stay in the arms of a fixed statue than a comfortable bed, something unbelievable from their perspective, but a source of joy for this broken man
—----
Three weeks had now passed since the beginning of this trial, and the situation had become worse.
The early beginning of this quest was forgotten by the tough surprises on their way, especially the demigod started digging his grave without noticing it. At this point, Katsuki was nothing but a vulgar puppet to play with, reflecting constant tears at the corner of his eyes and the burden of being more useless each time he left his bedroom. The only place in this house where he felt safe became the stupid bed he previously enjoyed for its comfort, which became his last source of reliability concerning the outside world.
Each morning felt the same, with this bittersweet song that reminded him that giving up wasn’t an option, not when he couldn’t get back to his previous life….without the salvation and evident bags under his eyes. The sunlight passed through the curtain of this familiar room, but it only mocked his misery, especially when his body was feeding itself with water which became more than a habit at this point. Mina made sure to put water near his reach, in every corner of the room, in case he felt the need to use it: Katsuki didn’t say anything but simply nodded at the gesture, revealing how he was thankful for the support brought by the taller woman, forced to watch in silence this downfall.
His nights were full of nightmares, leading him to make late visits to the statue, which welcomed his sleeping figure on the ground. It was the last spot that made him feel at home during his chase against invisible voices in his head, convincing him to fall for the gods’ tricks. It was evident how Himari put her last cards by playing the temptation with charming food standing at the corner of his room or the wooden table, if not on his doorstep. Everything looked appealing, with this sweet scent that caught his nose’s attention and made him feel an ounce of hunger….a sensation he lost after the first week.
He slowly got used to this taste of emptiness despite each sip of water. The sensation of water itself falling down his throat was almost suffocating, giving him the sensation of suffering with the only thing that kept him alive. The worst part was probably the moment Katsuki realized how he became meaningless: his presence was no longer useful in the basic tasks, he was an emotional mess due to the conditions of his body, and was stuck to resume his long days with sleep.
He started to regret playing Himari’s games if this meant digging his own grave: Maybe it would’ve been better to look for another solution to free Izuku from this curse without attacking the divine forces, who put the tricks against him. The “What ifs” became his new reality, lost in his imagination most of the time, longing for the same smile that became unreachable as the days passed by. Katsuki had the impression of seeing the time moving on in a slow motion, waiting for the midnight sky to show its darkest colors and let him fall into complete sleeplessness ... until the same circle repeated itself over and over again.
The side effects that followed made him groan in annoyance, especially when he tended to wake up with more headaches than usual, if they weren’t as intense as his previous nightmares. Sometimes nausea made an appearance, forcing him to stand on the ground and be reduced to complaining about his sickness and waiting for another remedy. Having a healer by his side was a chance, especially when Mina made sure to calm down the intensity of his headache or appease his nausea, but a single glance was enough to recognize the emptiness inside those crimson eyes.
They used to shine at the stupid tease and comment made by this demigod, who had the goal to bring his lover back, but this man was now forgotten by the weaker version of himself. Katsuki Bakugo, who used to fight monsters and solve the hardest quests, became a shell of himself, staring at the landscape outside his lonely room, hoping for a miracle to happen. His mental health wasn’t spared by this slow but difficult degradation: It started as annoying side effects that took more importance in his routine, to the point of transforming his negative feelings into constant fights inside his head.
Kastuki wasn’t sane, physically with the huge loss of weight and muscle mass, the lack of focus on the most basic task such as grabbing his cup of water, and the numerous tears he wasted before sleeping. When he lost his husband, he thought his world fell apart and he wouldn’t survive….but the previous pain he felt back in the day was nothing compared to the one he was experiencing forthree endless weeks.
It became unbearable, to the point of holding his sheets and mumbling apologies for being close to giving up, explaining how it was probably better if Izuku lived in a world without him. The burden of being a genuine botherechoed ten times harder when the voices in his head twisted each of Mina’s words in their conversation, transforming a simple “good morning” into a curse leaving her lips, followed by a mocking laugh.
It was a rough time and he wouldn’t wish such pain on his worst enemy. The rest of the side effects didn’t turn out in his favor either, reminding him how he was a nuisance in this place. If Hirami wanted to see him decomposing step by step while being alive, aware of the whole process, she had this one and unique victory.
In all honesty, Katsuki was tired: He was exhausted of drowning into emptiness, nostalgia for a past that seemed so out of reach at the moment, longing for a reunion that might never happen if he let fate guide his soul into complete obscurity. The heavy thorns against his fragile scars became tighter, making each injury bleed from the inside, resulting in tears falling down his cheeks between each change inside his soul ... who started to rot like those lifeless bodies on the battlefield.
He started to be more distant during conversation, being thankful that Mina was understanding about his condition and didn’t force anything. This situation was unfair to her, who did her best to bring color back on his face and even asked about his future plans once he saved Izuku, knowing this would remind him of the reason for his strength. The taller man appreciated the gesture, but noticed how this situation was hurting his friend, who never asked to see the man she considered as her found family, dying under her eyes.
Things weren’t easy for her either, but the pink-haired woman became the last person on the living able to keep Katsuki alive. Her mental health was severely damaged by this heartbreaking death, consuming each glimpse of the demigod’s strength, when each sunrise felt like a curse to her teary eyes. She kept her suffering hidden, knowing Katsuki's enough- seeing the tears falling down her cheeks will make him jump to the wrong conclusion and feel another pressure on his shoulders
So the pink-haired woman simply pretended. Mina had already lost the love of her life in an accident she never saw coming and mourned Kirishima’s loss every single day, but she refused to let her friend face the same ending. There was always a way to be saved, and she’ll make sure to keep an eye on the slight opportunity that knocked on her door.
—-----
That night, his soul lost itself in the darkness, walking to the only path he knew by heart. Each step felt heavy on the ground, compared to the leaves losing themselves in his hair. The nymphs were probably heartbroken to see how current state, but the demigod didn’t care about such a detail when his bleeding heart requested the only person who loved him at his worst.
Leaving the house became a rough experience, but he made a slight grin of relief when he saw the familiar gate, secretly calling for his return. He pressed the palms of his hands against the cold material, putting his entire strength in his forearm despite his lack of muscles, and made a groan when he pushed it with his other hand. It hurt like hell, but he continued until the path was finally open. What hurt him the most was the differences between his past self who used to open this gate without any pain, and his current self who struggled to even push it away
It made him more miserable, but he knew he couldn’t stay in his bed when he needed to be near his safest place in the world. He didn’t even look back to close the metallic gate, welcoming the breeze that guided his way through this road that charmed his heart at the least unexpected. The stone statue was as beautiful as he had left it the previous day, while putting the shaking lamp down. Katsuki felt the need to make good use of his legs by having a clear view of the statue as a whole, bringing a light grin to the corner of his lips, an expression he hadn’t made in a long time.
“I’ll be clear-I know I probably look like shit but I’m fine, at least I try to be but it’s hard when you haven’t eaten anything in a month,” he explained with a sigh, looking into the emerald eyes, frozen in time. “But you get used to it, this sensation of forgetting what hunger feels like until water becomes the only thing offering some taste in this redundant habit. I’ve been trying to offer my help with the chores, but Pinky always claimed she could do this on her own. Can you believe it? She’s babysitting me like I was five years old who can’t do anything by himself!”
Izuku would’ve probably acted the same way if he were there, but he found reassurance in the “what ifs” that guided his nights into peaceful dreams, when his inner demons didn’t take the lead and forced him to wake up with nasty tears on his cheeks.
“As you can see, I’ve lost some weight but I know your Katsudon will be able to give me back those precious calories my body has been craving for weeks,” he added with a slow voice. Something changed in the tone of his speech, and the hints became evidence until he was faced with this reality: His ability to make proper conversation was damaged by the slow breathing between his breaks to continue his monologue. “I bet it’ll be amazing, with the slight spice you add for me even if you can’t handle it. You always made sure to cook me something I love and change my mind, even when I was the biggest asshole who can’t say when he loves someone more than his own life.”
Thinking about his past memories brought him back to a nostalgia that led each of his decisions to this current moment, with a shaking figure in an abandoned area and nothing but the wind erasing the slight tears that resided at the corner of his eyes. Denying his suffering was useless, when this last trial gave him the impression of being nothing but a puppet being used to someone’s selfish desire.
If Himari was out of reach and didn’t manifest herself since their last goodbye, it only meant another enemy was waiting for his turn…revealing how Katsuki Bakugo will never find peace. His tired crimson eyes looked at the statue with s shy grin that quickly disappeared into a sigh, almost like he refused to let the wind spread the news to the curious deities.
“I’m always impressed to see how this asshole succeeded in keeping your beauty intact, it’s like you never really left when you think about it….some mysterious and gorgeous status residing here, a forgotten name by the entire world except for the only corrupted soul who swore to protect you until death do them part. I bet you would consider this as romantic, even if I’m curious to know your version of the story,” he pointed out with a tired tone, trying his best to reflect positive emotions despite his current hell. “I came here because I wanted to offer reassurance and tell you I was doing fine but….”
He made a bitter laugh. This time, he welcomed the first tears that fell down his cheeks, wiping them with a slow gesture and ignoring the background noises of the wind whispering to him to return home. Katsuki knew this home belonged by Izuku’s side, and even if he liked the comfort of Pinky’s house, it would never be the same as the dusty spot he left years ago at their village. Izuku and he had so many things to experience, new firsts to explore, and all of this became a simple ashes in the air…like the existence of a past that brightened their darkest days.
“What am I ever saying? Everything is completely wrong,” he confessed between his tears, being lighter than the wind ruffling his face.
Katsuki was tired of pretending and wanted to be honest for once, even if this meant breaking down in front of this last memory of his husband, who’ll forever live inside his heart. The freckled man would’ve found the right words to appease the blood falling down the sensitive scars caused by the thorns inside his chest, erase his worries with magical kisses and healing chukles that’ll echo as tender songs to his ears.
“I barely get any sleep without dreaming about food and tricks made by the gods, my body gives me the impression of falling to pieces, I can’t even take care of myself without having Pinky remind me to take my water. A simple fight against a monster or hide and seek against some ass giants would’ve been better than this. It’s killing me from the inside, seeing my body being forced to gain force in a place he had never been before, changing me from the inside until there’s only my heart left to share my last heartbeat for you. I know what’s your thinking, this is not your fault but mine for playing too far in this threat against the gods, i’m paying the price right now but I would do it again if this mean offering you the freedom you deserve, even if my last promises would’ve been on this place with nothing but admiration for the story that could’ve been ours.”
Katsuki Bakugo considered silence as a coping mechanism to avoid the intensity of his feelings, which never left but only grew stronger through the years. This terrible habit caused much damage during his youth and was the reason for tears falling down his husband’s cheeks. He made changes and took into account his husband's feelings in this rough journey in the unknown, but without his muse, he was nothing but a lost poet without inspiration, holding onto his last creation until he wrote the final comma.
There were thousands of blank pages ready to fill with their next adventures and secret laughs, that ended up being used to share the shitty narrative of a broken soul like Katsuki’s, who wasted his time calling an unreachable name until his final breath. He became the narrator of a story that was supposed to be theirs, recalling the ghosts of his past as his lifetime lover who’ll share this ethereal bond with him in every decade, even if they were simple strangers or soulmates in the next ones.
“After you became the target of this shitty curse, I thought I wouldn’t survive but I did this for you, since the very beginning. Call me selfish, but I would move mountains and oceans to see the warmth of your skin one last time, but I don’t have any regrets.”
His voice started to tremble from the overwhelming emotions filling his chest.
“I don’t have any regrets when it comes to us and our story. I never thought that this simple brat who followed me everywhere as children, will be the pillar of my world, and the reason for my biggest fight against an enemy no one can put down. If I knew it was our last time together, I would’ve held you closer, played with your shitty curls I miss more than anything, and drowned myself in the delicate melody of your laugh. I would’ve held you as tightly as possible to not let anyone touch an inch of your skin instead of putting my guard down, I would’ve….I would’ve actually been the savior you needed instead of the idiot who ruined your life with a simple mistake that cost more than regrets on my lips.”
This was his fault….He was the reason for this downfall that started way before this tragedy.
His parents were the ones to blame for making an action that cost more than tears, but Katsuki Bakugo should’ve never been curious and learn more about mortals. He needed to stay home and spend the rest of his life alone, dreaming about what if his life had been under different circumstances: It was the only way to save Izuku, to let him live with someone else, able to bring him enough safety instead of making him the victim of fate. The simple idea of letting a stranger fall for his childhood friend and having his feelings reciprocated broke his heart, but Izuku’s happiness was the only thing that mattered to him, even if this meant watching the love of his life loving someone was wasn’t him.
In another life, their path would’ve met by accident under better circumstances, a simple smile would’ve been exchanged and the two men would’ve started again with no fear concerning the future. Unfortunately, in this one, the freckled man had to meet the path of this demigod that became the reason for his pain, even if they both promised ethereal vows and went against the gods’ order for this union. Katsuki Bakugo should’ve never met Izuku Midoriya, never fallen for his bright smile, adorable freckles, and charming blush that became his favorite color ....He should’ve looked away instead of sealing his fate with an innocent who never asked for any of this.
If Izuku were here, he would’ve explained how falling in love with him ha hundred times was easier than breathing. His scarred hands would’ve caressed the shaking ones and let him know how it would be fine but Katsuki was a weak man when it came to his missing half. Despite the previous confessions he mumbled in his shaking breath, he realized how he couldn’t let this happen, as selfish as it seemed.
Living in a universe where those bright emerald eyes belonged to someone else felt wrong, especially when they used to look at him with shining stars, even under the sheets with stolen kisses and confessions. Their path were meant to be in this universe and the multiple narratives they haven’t started yet, but the blond was convinced their shattered souls were meant to heal each other’s scars with a simple word that’ll start the beginning of the most breathtaking tale.
“In every lifetime I would’ve saved you, no matter the age and the way to get you out of this mess, I would’ve kept my promise ....Something I never did in this reality. That’s funny, years ago I wanted to end everything and join you in the afterlife until I remember how there was this ounce of hope in your last glance, the same one telling me that you believe in me but tell me….is it still there? Do you look at me with disgust for being an empty shell of the man you used to love? Do you wonder what our future will look like? Because I do, a lot.”
Hirami wanted to destroy him and succeed in transforming his previous confidence into a series of unsolved questions. It would be logical for the freckled man to leave him behind after seeing how he became less stronger than the inspiring figure he admired in his youth: Izuku already mentioned how loving him was more than a simple question of appearance, but cherishing his soul as a whole, and adoring those flaws that made him more human than anyone he have seen before. Katsuki believed his words, even when his night got colder due to the missing piece of his puzzle being away from its owner…
“I can see-” a sudden cough broke his previous monologue.
His body started to succumb to tiredness as the speech continued, but he wanted to share his truths before it was too late. The demigod reached the point of being afraid of not waking up tomorrow, explaining why he wanted to be brutally honest about his conditions and final words.
“I can see the familiar house we would’ve built by our own hands with our sweats and your stupid injuries on your arms for proving you were stronger than me. This place is beautiful, with the best decorations to reflect the compromise we made with the ring on our finger that became a symbol of this second chance we grabbed instead of letting it go. You would’ve been asleep on this stupid bed built by our swety hands because you were too impatient to move inside the house, you would’ve looked at me with this shitty smile that brightened my day and joke about how we made it…and it would’ve held you closer, refusing to let you go.”
Tears fell down his cheeks until slight sobs started to echo in this silenced area, occupied by the ghost of this demigod, who swore his entire life to an unreachable promise. He didn’t want to give up, but sometimes it was easier to let things go and pray for a better life in another life….
“Forgive me if I’m not strong enough to defeat the enemy this time, forgive me for pretending as long as possible until my facade falls apart and there’s nothing but ashes of the man I used to be. Forgive me for not saying a final goodbye when it was supposed to be our new beginning, but if something happened to me and I don’t show up ever again at the end of the five weeks, I loved you until my final breath and will always in every lifetime.“
Katsuki Bakugo Midoriya didn’t want to use his last words with regrets, but hints of hope in their next lives. This was probably the hardest step, but it didn’t mean he was ready to let go of those sentiments and pleasant frames that brightened his life. He’ll always remember this mortal with this adorable smile, chubby freckled cheeks, and gentle laugh with messy curls flying in the air. He’ll always adore those moments spent together, even if they needed to be separated until another reunion, knowing his heart and soul will always belong to him….
“Don’t consider this as my last goodbye, I’m using my strength to explain everything that’s been killing me on the inside. I don’t want you to feel guilty for something you’ve never caused, you were just the spectator of this terrible ending that should’ve never happened in the first place. I’m sorry you had to face this, but I’m still holding onto this slight ounce of hope telling me you’re alive and waiting for me….and if I don’t wake up from this night, I did my best until the very end, fighting to bring my missing piece back.”
He wiped the tears from his blurry eyes, making a bitter laugh at his vulnerable state. He welcomed weakness with open arms, feeling his body getting more drained. Against his will, he simply sat on the ground and rested his head against the stone statue, ignoring the uncomfortable sensation against his spiky hair. He would do anything to simply rest in those arms a little longer, but he felt how sleeplessness started to take the lead, making him grin at the stupidity of the situation.
“Shit, all this talking made me more exhausted than I already was. My back hurts like hell and I can’t find any water anywhere, Do you think you can keep me company until I fall asleep and dream about a past I cherish more than anything ?” He asked with a low tone, knowing he wouldn’t have any answer. The only thing that mattered was how he felt this protective aura surrounding him, helping him to fall asleep, with the hope of not receiving any nightmares.
That night, he fell asleep beside the reassuring figure of his husband, holding onto those precious souvenirs. He didn’t even seem to be bothered by the sunrise appearing on this bright sky, being too occupied by the sensation of feelings of reassurance for the first time in years, even if it was all in his head. The animals and birds started to make their appearance as a new day started, while the previous ghosts disappeared to give their place to the gods, who took care of nature and this isolated area, making a dolorful expression at the sight of the sleeping figure against his only source of comfort.
In this silent forest resonated the familiar footsteps of the pink-haired woman resonated, realizing how her friend hadn’t returned home yet and was worried about his state. Her shadow appeared in front of the open gate with a cup of water in the palm of her hand when she finally spotted the stubborn blond. It wasn’t the most cozy spot, but his face looked appeased and almost innocent compared to the empty gaze he usually had during their conversation. She pushed the gate with a slight movement made by her fragile fingers and walked more slowly to the sleeping figure, putting the cup of water beside him.
“Oh, Kats….You did it again, but who am I to complain when it’s the only thing keeping you alive ?”
She wasn’t mad at him for staying there, and liked the welcoming atmosphere of this place. It could’ve been enjoyable without the tragedy, but she was convinced Izuku’s spirit was still there, even if he couldn’t move and answer the thousands of questions asked by his husband. The pink-haired woman sighed, stepping back to look at the stone statue, understanding what the demigod meant when he described his childhood friend as the prettiest man he had ever seen. She truly wished them the best, but wanted to end this trial as soon as possible to move on from this hell.
“My apologies for not coming earlier, but I know this is special between Kats and you…And I feel like you two deserved this moment,” she whispered in a soft tone. “I’ve heard a lot about you and know how much you meant to him, but we both know this went too far. I’m rarely making desperate measures, but if your spirit is still here, save him. Mina sighed, holding back the tears at the corner of her eyes at the idea that Katsuki couldn’t make it, but it was the last two weeks before saying goodbye to this misery.
“I should probably bring him to bed, but he’ll be grumpy, you probably handled that better than I. Your shadow better keep him safe from this heat, I don’t want to ruin this moment between both of you, especially when his state becomes worse and he wants to have good memories if it’s his last time on earth. Can you keep an eye on him? I’ll wait until he returns home by himself, even if I’m genuinely concerned about his state….”
She started to understand the alluring aura of his late-night talk: the taller woman didn’t feel surrounded by a strong nuisance, but a gentle impression of being held in someone’s arms, even if it was all in her head.. Mina made a slight smile and moved to the gate, meeting an unexpected scene. At first, she considered this as the result of her imagination, which was probably the case due to her lack of sleep, but she swore she saw a tear falling down the statue’s cheeks.
It couldn’t be possible, right?
Notes:
I apologize for the heavy angst in this chapter, but I warned you in the last note!
Tbh, this part of the story was heartbreaking, and I've done some research to check it wasn't complete bullshit- however, I haven't experienced any of this (at least for an entire month), but I've been watching videos about this topic, so don't hate me if there's misinformation. I really loved writing the one-sided conversation with Katsuki and the statue, being a therapeutic way to release all the emotions he kept hidden for so long, even if this final conversation will give him a bittersweet taste in the next chapter, but I can't say anything haha!
If you're still here to read the story, thanks for the support and for reading my works. Take care of yourself, follow me on twt/Bluesky (@katzukux) for more and see you tomorrow for the final chapter (I promise it's toothe rotting fluff, I'm not a monster guys) <3
Chapter 4: The Remedy
Chapter Text
5 weeks since the beginning of the trial,
The end was close, but the numerous tears they wasted weren’t worth the try compared to the sacrifices they’ve made for this final trial. The anger that rose inside their chest became the only sentiment they could feel toward this injustice, cursing the divine forces above their hearts, until the demigod became too tired to even try.
His conditions were intolerable, he avoided every conversation and became distant to the point of staying silent without expressing any words, even if he was suffering on the inside. Water made him throw up, the bags under his eyes became evident to the most curious souls who observed this cruel show, and his body was physically unable to properly leave his room in the last week of the trial.
He should be glad this hell was over very soon, but this experience erased the man he used to be, wishing to never commit this mistake to defy the deities and solve this problem like he always did until now. Instead, the golden-haired man simply turned into a shell of himself who didn’t know whether the food appearing at the corner of his room was illusions to tempt him, or his desperate imagination. His skin became paler, his immune system transformed into the closest attraction to the sickness in the air, with injuries that took longer than usual to heal.
His situation was alarming, leading him to find nothing but comfort in his old habits that used to destroy his mental health. Katsuki appreciated the support offered by Mina, who made sure to let him feel included in this routine that never stopped, but became one-sided with the pink-haired woman making the efforts, and Katsuki observing in silence. The thing he hated the most about his depraved state was his inability to walk to Izuku’s statue and stay here until the sun rises in this isolated forest, feeling guilty for this terrible goodbye he signed against his will.
His husband was the only thing keeping him alive, knowing Pinky would forget about him in a few years and his grave will probably reside closer to the stone statue, who’ll never find the freedom it deserved. Katsuki held those frames who barely crossed his mind during his wildest dreams, being more haunted by nightmares than sweet imagination about this house in the woods, with the radiant smile on those freckled cheeks. Sleeping became his only way to escape: The sensation of pain due to a sudden sickness? He went to bed without any hesitation, knowing his days were meant to repeat themselves.
Mina refused to let this suffering last any longer and decided to have a talk with Himari about the current state of her friend. She didn’t even bother to say hi to Hermes, guiding her to the deity, who barely looked at her presence in the room. The healer had had enough and moved closer to the goddess, grabbing her glass of wine and throwing it straight to her face and tunic, catching her entire attention.
“Don’t you have any shame about what you did ?” She asked with a death glare, throwing the glass on the ground. “Ruining an innocent life because your ego has been broken due to some comments you couldn’t handle well? You have no idea how it feels to see someone you care about letting himself die every single day without fighting back because some shitty deity dared him to reach his own limits- Don’t you have any ounce of empathy about the people who worship you and made you the important force you represent today ?”
“Every mortal is different, but this one played the wrong game and faced the consequences of his actions. He could’ve given up a long time ago or before the last trial even started, but he decided to inflict this pain on himself….He was the only one to blame.”
“Because he wanted to save the man he loved,” shouted the pink-haired woman with tears falling down her cheeks. The previous frames of a fragile Katsuki resting in bed with a pale face gave her chills: he would’ve probably be mad at her for trying to gain the gods’ favor, but she had no other choice but to stop this before it’s too late. “Can’t you ask Aphrodite or Hera about the two fates they signed together and the narrative it created? The numerous tears Izuku and Katsuki wasted for each other, and their bond that kept their love alive years after their abrupt separation? Why can’t you let them get the happy ending they want-”
“The people who crossed this path should be aware of what awaits them once they start this endless circle,” Himari explained with a death stare. She left her throne and moved closer to the healer, pushing her away and making her know where she belonged in this heated exchange. “As touching as this story might be, it’s none of my business. If you’re so desperate, try to reach Aphrodite or Hera for a miracle: My participation is already over, and the rest of the story belongs to the choice this demigod made by himself. If I were you, I wouldn’t waste my time and seek help when it’s already too late…Do you have anything to say? “
“Fuck you,” the pink-haired woman exclaimed with a middle finger.
She had enough of her bullshit when she was the caused for this downfall in the first place: The entire time, Mina had to face the anxiety filling her chest about the fear of not seeing her friend returning from each tests, under mocking shadows who considered his life as a simple puppet to manipulate at their convenience.
“You’re nothing but a pain in the ass since the beginning with your layer of superiority, treating people like objects to collect in your games when you’re nothing but miserable. You created this series or trial for entertainment because you know you’re not and will never be happy with this luxury. It’s all an illusion of the blood you have on your filthy hands. Don’t worry, you won’t see either me or Katsuki again, but we’ll make sure to bring you down at all costs.”
The pink-haired woman didn’t even try to listen to Himari’s defense, and simply moved to Hermes, explaining how she wanted to get away from this place. This abrupt conversation signaled a clear hatred between the two of them, but the healer didn’t even mind closing the door of her house and putting her fist on the table, releasing a loud curse toward the goddess, unaware of the curious crimson eyes listening to her angry confessions in the silent house.
This situation was heartbreaking for both of them, but Katsuki needed to hold a little longer….and if the remedy didn’t appear in the next week, he was ready to sign his final breath and say goodbye to this world.
—----
Two days later,
A sudden knock echoed in the early morning, when the birds started to sing their favorite lullaby and the wind crossed the thin leaves of the forest. Another day has started, lighter than the others when the repetitive sound became a source of complaint for the taller woman: She already looked like a monster with bags under her eyes and lack of sleep, why would someone bother her precious rest when they could come another day if this was important? Her footsteps resonated in this lonely house, yawning when her hands grabbed the handle and opened the door. She immediately covered her face at the blinding light, only to open her eyes again and ask the identity of this stranger, until she recognized the familiar figure.
Hermes was standing at her doorstep- This only meant one thing….and it was too good to be true. To be fair, Mina started to lose the notion of time and joined Katsuki in his reasoning about days moving slower than they should. Her eyes widened when she saw the potion residing in the palm of his left hand, and the letter residing on the right one.
“The gods have been observing the series of tests to prove the devotion Katsuki Bakugo had for this moral he tried to save, named Izuku Midoriya. Each trial highlighted a strength found in the most common promises but never proven right until now: the mental strength, the physical courage, and the ability to face death to prove your understanding of the situation. The gods are relieved to announce that Katsuki Bakugo Midoriya’s soul won’t be taken by Hades, especially when he hasn’t succumbed once to any of the tricks in the last five weeks,” Hermes read with a serious tone, noticing how the healer stared at him with a stunned expression on her face. “To thank him for his sacrifices, the gods decide to offer the remedy to the curse put on this mortal. A simple drop against his stone appearance will be able to bring him back from his current state, but this is the only one you’ll get, be cautious with its use.”
“Does this mean….this is over ?” Mina asked with a low tone, catching the surprised expression on the messenger’s face. “Like really over and we won’t have to see Himari’s face again ?”
“Not unless you want to make your proof for another reason, but congratulations to Katsuki Bakugo for achieving his series of trials,” he added with a nod, giving the potion to the shaking palm of the healer, who held it as close as possible. This miracle was everything they ever wanted, the solution her friend had been looking for and yet, it resided in a tiny bottle with some liquid made by the deities to go against the strongest curses. “I shouldn’t share my biased opinion, but the last months have been pretty intense and you standing against Himari was a good lesson she deserves. I hope both of you will be able to recover and start again after the previous damages.”
“Thanks, but our house is still open if you’re looking for mortal cookies,” the pink-haired woman pointed out with a smile, realizing how Hermes might’ve been against this treatment, but he had no other choice but to obey until the judgment reached its end. The messenger simply nodded and wished them a good day, before reaching the portal to another person he had to visit, leaving the taller woman with nothing but a bright smile on her face.
The sudden silence in the house made her realize how they finally did it! Katsuki, despite his vulnerable state, successfully reached all three trials and never betrayed any of his promises, even if the temptation toward food was stronger in the last two weeks. The gods tried to make things more difficult by testing his patience but this game turned against them, hoping this was the last time they’d enjoy those perverted trials.
Her hand held the remedy tighter wondering what Katsuki’s reaction at the news. Maybe he would’ve been excited to know this hell was over, drained due to his current state…but this mess belonged to the past where this precious remedy was about to save a life. For the occasion, and now wide awake by the previous rush of emotions, she decided to celebrate the news with some treatment the stubborn blond deserved: he was still asleep at the moment, but maybe he wouldn’t refuse some cookies for breakfast?
A few hours had passed since the pink-haired woman cleaned the kitchen, with the plate of food and cup of water on the plate, ready to be transported to the demigod’s room. A sudden sound caught her attention when a groan escaped from the room, forcing her to check if everything was alright before seeing the taller figure sitting on the bed with a complaint concerning his strong headache. She grabbed the cup of water and put the plate on the sheets, asking him if he was alright until the crimson eyes noticed the presence of something he hadn’t had in months: food.
At this moment, many questions crossed his mind, but he connected the dots when he saw the small bottle on the plate. This wasn’t another big remedy made by Pinky for any of her clients, but something refined enough to belong to another status….He was too tired to check the content by himself, but the next words acted like a slap in the face.
“Hermes came a few hours ago to give us the news of your success andeven wished you a good rest- pretty surprising I know, but i guess he also wanted to see you kick Himari’s ass,” she added with a nodd, putting the plate on the floor, afraid her precious cookies will be ruined by some rough movement; she didn’t sacrifice herself for seeing her work being ruined!
His crimson stared at the small bottle inside the palm of his hand: it felt so small, able to break anytime, and yet, the content was able to bring his husband back from a reunion he had waited for so long. His heart missed a beat at the many scenarios crossing his mind about this warmth he had been looking for, how his messy green curls would feel against his chin, scarred hands holding his back tighter and this smile- the same smile that caught his heart years ago that’ll make him fall a thousands of times in this second chance. He held the remedy closer, catching a sudden rise of hope inside his chest until his body moved on its own.
With his free hand, he grabbed the bedsheet and felt the sudden breeze meeting the sweat on his forehead due to the previous rush. He tried to hold onto his legs and was shocked by this unexpected force that came out of nowhere, but he didn’t think twice before running into the wooden door, before being stopped by Mina’s voice.
“Hold on, what are you doing ?” She asked with an unimpressed expression on her face and arms crossed against her chest. “Yesterday you were dying on this bed, and now you’re ready to make a marathon. I get it, I’m more than happy you’re finally able to save Midoriya, but you need to get some rest first….What would he think if the first thing he sees after so many years of separation is this state ?”
“He saw me at my worst, and I can’t wait anymore. I need to see him right now,” he said with a dry throat, realizing how he was probably more exhausted and vulnerable than he thought.
Katsuki didn’t care and wanted to leave this house to rush into his lover’s arms, but the healer seemed to have another idea in mind. Don’t get her wrong, Mina was glad he started to use his voice after an unbelievable fight in silence…but he forgot his physical conditions!
“And you will, I promise, but you can’t even stand on your legs and you want to run like nothing happened? I understand you want to see him but you need to get strength before rushing into things.”
“I’ve been waiting for too long, he needs to know this hell is over and you won’t change my mind,” the taller man exclaimed with a strong grip on the lock, ready to go against her orders to stay here. It was the first time in years since he felt genuine happiness, and even if he liked how Pinky cared about the situation, he didn’t need to be babysat!
“Are you sure? You leave me no other choice,” she sighed with an annoyed tone. Mina never thought she would reach this far to stop the sudden joy of the moment, but she had a mission and was ready to kick his ass if necessary.
“What do you-” Katsuki barely had time to finish his sentence before being forced to take another nap against his will. He didn’t know what happened, and will later underhow this change was caused by a hit made by the healer, forcing him to be knocked down on the floor without too much damage.
“Sorry, nothing against you but I know Izuku will always be mad at your stupid brain for ruining yourself.”
The taller woman sighed; they didn’t even eat the cookies she had made for the celebration of their history, and were now forced to deal with a grumpy Katsuki. As much as she rooted for this sweet reunion between the two lovers, she was more worried about his conditions and obvious loss of weight, if not muscles in his body after the rough weeks. The demigod could hate her as much as he wanted, but he needed to look presentable and be healthier once the time had come!
It’s gonna be a tough fight, but she took this sudden nap as an opportunity to put each of her healing knowledge to fix this body that started to consume itself as its only way to survive, hoping it’ll be enough to give him back his energy….
——-
“Come on, it’s just a way to calm you down because you weren’t going to listen to me anyway- I just saved you from a messy reunion with your lover that would’ve caused more worries than relief, you should thank me instead of pouting !” The pink-haired woman said with rolled eyes, ignoring the middle fingers that appeared in her vision field. It’s not like she expected a hug either, but Katsuki was making a scene over nothing…
“You knocked me down by force against my will- Am I supposed to act like this was another good morning? Maybe your cookies are poisoned and you want to kill me,” he replied with furrowed eyebrows.
His back rested against the chair with arms crossed against his chest and a glance away from her. At the hour, he should be in Izuku’s arms and not in this stupid house with those tempting but maybe poisoned cookies! He dreamed about this moment for so many years, wasted too many tears but he was stolen from the freedom he dreamed about in the last five weeks? How cruel how her to be selfish and care about his health instead of the thousands of love confessions he was ready to share with his husband.
“It’s not a big deal, and don’t you dare talk about my cookies in such a mean manner- See? You made me so mad that I had to take another one to calm myself,” the taller woman complained with a sigh, using this argument to steal another bunch of food. iIff her stubborn friend didn’t want their crumbs she’ll be the one stealing all of them…and maybe leave two or three because he needed strength.
Twenty-four hours had passed since his unexpected revelation concerning the end of the judgement, but Katsuki was still angrier at his friend for doing such a thing.
He understood the care behind this forced gesture, but maybe the two of them should’ve talked about it instead of coming to the wrong conclusions. It doesn't matter now, not when he was seeing this plate, with a slight amount of food to slowly return to his previous habit: His body and stomach have been severely damaged by the last trial, and eating like his past self will take some time, but at least he wasn’t residing six feet underground.
The euphoria of the moment disappeared to leave some space for rational thinking and genuine excitement. Katsuki was forced to admit his physical conditions weren’t the most healthy ones, but he appreciated how he slowly got used to food after being deprived of this important resource for so long. The first thing he ate after this long break gave him the sensation of being a child and discovering something new for the first time: small steps and bites, but his stomach became familiar with this sudden source of energy. The pink-haired woman described what she did while he was asleep by taking care of the wounds and making sure his body would heal and offer some peaceful nights, compared to the previous ones he had experienced.
If Katsuki started to talk again and slowly return to his old self, they both knew time was their only ally to heal but the small ounce of energy he felt inside his body was better than the previous emptiness in the last months. It was almost relieving to remember how the most meaningless things about life can be considered as a source of comfort or courage, but Pinky was right: He couldn’t let Izuku see his heartbreaking state, knowing the nerd will be more distressed about him than any of his apologies.
Before realizing it, one week had passed and many changes had made their appearance in the demigod’s routine. The previous actions, such as walking or wearing things on his shoulders, became something he could do without the intense pain he used to feel between each of his steps. His body got used to food and his stomach welcomed the new taste his lips forgot over the past months: He almost felt relieved to hear his stomach calling for help, realizing how he was gaining more strength.
Katsuki’s physical conditions regained their previous state, at least for his muscles and their functionality with the smoothness of each movement, even if his evident loss of weight was the last mark of his terrible experience. He made sure not to force himself and eat at will: his face regained color and he became more active with the chores. Each morning passing by reminded him how close he was to seeing his shuband again and holding him in his arms, knowing it had been two weeks since he hadn’t visited the statue.
His crimson eyes stayed focused on the little bottle containing the remedy he couldn’t wait to use. After all, his past self would’ve never believed any of this but it was probably his biggest pride: being able to surpass the deities and prove to any of those fuckers who bet on his life, how wrong they were to underestimate him.
He didn’t know how to feel after this tough experience: It was full of ups and downs, but the pride he felt after accomplishing his mission was better than anything he felt in the last years of loneliness. A selfish part of him wanted to see Izuku praising each of his victories with those dreamy emerald eyes, knowing this was the beginning of this love story they left on suspense against their will. He started to act like a child who wanted to rush into things without considering the beauty of the moment, especially when his fingers ruffled the ring on his calloused hands, hoping they’ll be able to renew their vows after this giant mess.
The future was still uncertain but this journey had been memorable for his shattered heart. He found the emotional support of an unexpected friend who kstood by his side during his worst moment, and he was about to be reunited with his husband after longing for their reunion….
—--
The first time his eyes locked with the emerald ones, their worlds became one. Back in those days, Katsuki didn’t know he would sacrifice his entire soul to this mortal, who caught his attention and changed his perspective of the unknown…especially when years later, he would fall in love with a simple glance over a stone statue.
His heartbeat echoed ten times louder inside his ears while forgetting the background noises of footsteps and leaves falling on his golden spikes. His calloused hand held the remedy tightly, afraid to let it go or simply fall in the euphoria of the moment: If Mina didn’t say anything about the attention he put into each of his gestures, she simply nodded and supported him from afar, explaining how everything would be fine.
It felt strange to reach this part of the road with hope rising inside his chest instead of loneliness and unreachable dreams, but he couldn’t be prouder of everything he had done until now. Don’t get him wrong, he had apprehension and anxiety about the outcome of this reunion that seemed so gentle in his projection, but that could turn into a nightmare with a second of inattention.
Maybe Izuku hated him for taking too much time, maybe his love faded away, maybe he’ll be an empty shell of himself…so many theories and worst-case scenarios crossed his mind. He tried to ignore their presence and stared at the ring on his fingers, the memories, and the bright smiles they exchanged on the latar with ethereal promises. He was impatient to rush into the shorter man’s arms and hold him like there was no tomorrow -
The slight breeze crossed his face, bringing him back to the reality where his figure stood in front of the open gate, with a slight breath escaping his lips, stolen by the wind. His fingers held onto the cold metal finding support in this scene that came from his imagination, in a place he pictured in each of his dreams. This lost garden, used by time if not decades, welcomed the gentle breeze moving the last leaves in the sky, with the previous whispers of the ghost disappearing like their existence.
Suddenly, this vegetation didn't feel like a golden jail anymore, each plant growing up showed its brightest colors to attract the most curious eyes, and the charming frame of this statue residing in the middle of the area, stole anyone’s attention.
The few strangers who came in this lost part of the town were mesmerized by the beauty of this souvenirs fixed in space-times, with the same details that stole the demigod’s heart in his youth: Many talked about an impression of deja-vu at the simple vision of his face or his name residing on the stone, having the sensation of not facing an hommage for a deceased soul, but a prisoner of time.
The sunlight crossed the golden spiky hair, losing itself in this familiar shade that mixed with the landscape and the slight heat that reminded him of the fresh summer, implying Persephone had already left the Underworld. A sudden hand on his shoulder caught his attention, forcing him to turn his head and meet the understanding expression on Pinky’s face.
“What are you waiting for? I thought you were ready to rush into his arms,” she pointed out with an amused tone, punching his shoulders. She was relieved to know her friend was feeling way better since the end of the last quest, especially when he returned to his old self
“I am…but is it okay to be scared of something you’ve originally been excited about ?” He asked with a hesitant tone. “Isn’t it crazy to prepare for the most important moment of your life with thousands of scenarios crossing your mind but when it finally comes, you’re afraid of facing disappointment when it has no right to be ?”
Don’t get him wrong, he didn’t feel bad for giving the freedom his childhood friend deserved, but was overwhelmed by the multiple sentiments that crossed his chest at the moment. He had the impression of returning to his younger self, acting like a child afraid to get scolded when he had no reason to. If things had to go the wrong way, he’ll assume the responsibilities, but he also knew how Izuku couldn’t be mad at him for such a thing when he praised his courage as his biggest charm.
“It’s natural to feel that way, but you deserve this don’t you think ?” She returned the question with a smile, noticing how the taller man listened to each of her words. He had the right to be scared, he remained a human with vulnerabilities, especially after everything he’s been through, but it doesn’t mean his love was not enough. “You’ve nearly died for this moment, fought the most vicious creature, and went behind the tricks of the gods to save him from an eternal life of suffering. I don’t know about you, but if the roles were reversed, you would probably be amazed by his stubbornness, maybe you’re still the hero of his favorite narrative.”
“We’ll never be safe in this world, but what if I fail again and can’t protect him from the next obstacles? What if the rest of the journey is just both of us chasing after each other without enjoying this opportunity to change our fate ?”
His calloused hands held the remedy tighter, holding back the intense emotions that started to take form into hidden tears. He loved his childhood friend more than anyone, and could spend thousands of trials to see a glimpse of his smile, but he secretly hoped they’ll have peace after everything they’ve been through…..
“You’ll never know but standing by each other’s side is your biggest strength,” she replied in a low tone, trying not to scare him. “You already told me the story of two lovers ready to go on the hardest quests to make the other happy, I personally think this is the most romantic gesture someone can do for their partner. The only one to have the answer to your unsolved questions is standing a few meters away from you, waiting for his savior… Why don’t you ask him directly ?”
Katsuki stayed silent and felt the wind caressing his sensitive ears with delicate whispers. He turned his head back to the statue standing there: this sight brought a slight smile to his lips, sensing the warmth in his chest and guiding his heart into the decision he should’ve made sooner. His worries about the future and their happy ending were justified, but Pinky was right; Izuku and Katsuki were each other’s biggest strength and weakness. Nothing could ever separate them from chasing after each other, even if the demigod had to redo the history of Orpheus and Eurydice with their own sakes.
His calloused palms left the metal gate while his footsteps resonate in the empty area. At this moment, time stopped and his heart asked him to stop to take a clear glance at the stone statue under his eyes: Those details he admired as the most breathtaking part of this painting will soon become his next reality, and treasures he’ll cherish until death do them part. Suddenly, his palms became lighter than the wind, finding their way into those chubby freckles and caressing this cold skin, resting his head against the other’s chest. The whispers naturally escaped from his lips with the unexplored narrated waiting for them, marked by this indelible ink on those fragile pages.
“It’s been a while, but I hope you’ll forgive me for not visiting sooner. Things got pretty harsh in my life over the last weeks,” he mumbled with a sigh. “I'm sorry for taking this long to accomplish this quest but don’t hate me for the sacrifices I've made, I would’ve moved mountains and oceans for you, and we both know that.”
Katsuki remembers the last time he talked with his husband, who was nothing but a stack of bones, sharing a last goodbye that wasn’t meant to be one. If Izuku were here, he would definitely yell at him for even thinking about giving up when he was his image of victory. The simple idea of seeing those stupid but adorable emerald eyes looking at him with concern melted the demigod’s heart; he wouldn’t fight back and accept the punch if necessary ... as long as he could keep his childhood friend in his arms for the rest of his life.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment where you’ll be mine, and look at me, making another endless monologue to a statue that became my only source of comfort after a tragic twist of fate,” he added with a light laugh, being emotional and excited about this reunion. “Don’t mock me for being afraid of facing your anger once I’ll free you from this mess and let you feel the breeze against your skin -I have so many stories to share, but yours will always be my favorite.”
His fingers took the cap off the fragile glasses and put the potion at the top of his messy curls. The only thing he could do now was to wait for the miracle to happen, even if Mina and he had no idea when the potion would be effective. It’s not like they were both in a rush with Katsuki resting his head against the statue’s chest and the pink-haired woman standing afar and waiting for the most important moment of her friend’s life. The seconds become minutes, with the fast heartbeat inside the demigod’s chest and his fingers holding the statue closer: His secret prayers were transported by the wind, who sealed the messages to the gods about the new narrative that just started on this fragile summer day….
Katsuki Bakugo had already waited too many years to lose himself in the “what ifs” compared to his current reality, where he held onto the closest form of moral support within his reach. This statue became his pillar during his darkest days, his shoulders to cry on when the weight became too heavy on his vulnerable soul, and represented the symbol of this new hope that grew inside his chest. His mumbles faded away with the delicacy of the situation, the numerous scenarios crossing his mind, and yet, nothing compared to the sudden rush of emotions that filled his chest when this statue, usually unfazed by its surroundings, started to take life in the most majestic form.
It started with light movements in the air, breeze crossing his face until a sudden sun almost blinded him. His body, petrified and unable to break at the strongest attack, became suddenly lighter than the wind crossing his lost curls on his heated skin. Each sensation became ten times higher than its original impact, from the first movements of the hand in the air, to the heavy breath that escaped from his lips, similar to a newborn that made its first cry. It felt like a first, feeling the sudden sensation of his muscles and his five senses returning to his fragile body
Surprise, excitement, fear and many emotions he couldn’t name due to the speechless expression on his eyes crossed his mind. It was the first time he felt so alive by something else than his late-night thoughts but now this hell was over: Izuku almost forgot the sound of his own heartbeat, the blood inside his veins, the environment surrounding him, and finally, the sound of a voice he could recognize everywhere.
His body was exhausted but the only thing that mattered was the prayers made by the taller man, standing a few centimeters away from him. The freckled man had already seen this scene too many times in their past, with his childhood friend praying to save his life and give him a lifespan longer than the other mortals, but he had never seen Katsuki so vulnerable. The simple sensation of shaking fingers wrapped around his back made him realize how this gesture wasn’t a dream nor a hallucination: The previous confessions shared by his husband, his figure praying for the best of care and familiar golden spiky hair made the freckled man feel at home… where he always belonged.
His body moved on its own to immediately reach the shaking figure, resting his head between those golden spikes and lost his own hands, against the blond's back. His thumbs ruffled the fabric of the shirt, holding him tightly while releasing the secrets he kept hidden for too long. Katsuki didn’t say a single thing, frozen at the sudden realization that this chest, usually silent, was now warmed with a familiar heart, playing his favorite melody. His calloused hands held Izuku’s back tighter and made sure the last ounce of space was filled with their shaking bodies holding each other like their lives were on the line.
At this moment, the souvenirs crossed their minds: the lost laughs they thought they’d never hear again, and the gentle kisses shared in the middle of the night or during a secret wedding. This life they considered forgotten became accessible to their shattered hearts, finding reassurance in each of their sense: the touch with the tight grip, the sound muffled by the fabric between them, and the overwhelming joy rising inside their chest. Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo have been soulmates since the beginning, a truth obvious to everyone who never doubted their mutual adoration and genuine love, this same strength that connected them to this reunion they’ve been waiting for years, if not ages.
Suddenly, each touch became a blessing to the other’s eyes, each sound a melody to their sensitive ears, and the slightest movements a reason to hold the other tighter. Izuku didn’t hide the tears falling down his cheeks when he met the blond’s shoulders, mumbling his name like he was afraid of letting him go- Katsuki simply replied with a sob. He missed this agreeable feeling, the tone of this enchanting voice, and the genuine love that transcribed into each of their exchange. This scene came from a fairytale when the hero found the love of his life and yet, it was an unforgettable moment, a sentiment beyond any words or confessions they’ve made until now.
Katsuki proved how, once again, he was Izuku’s biggest hero.
The freckled man will be forever grateful for those years of patience: He knew an entire lifetime of praise and kisses won’t be enough to let him know how much this meant to him…; especially now he was able to hold the man he loved and apologize for scaring him. He was there the entire time and wished to break these boundaries between their two distinct worlds, forced to see his missing half waste all those tears without receiving any of the answers he was ready to share. This time, he refused to let anything go between their path and be the one to protect his childhood friend: Katsuki had already suffered enough and reserved the best of care after this emotional rollercoaster.
Izuku’s legs suddenly gave up, forcing their two figures to rest on the ground. Their knees touched the ground, but the only thing that mattered was the slow tears that became sobs on the blond's neck, with shaking fingers holding as close as possible. Izuku had so many things to share, yet, his biggest priority was to melt into his husband’s arms and stay there for the rest of his life. He refused to let go of this warmth that became his home, those arms that made him feel safer than any place in this world, and this stupid smirk that caught his heart years ago….the same one that made him feel for the same idiot over and over again.
The gods probably spread the news about their reunions, based on the sudden change of the water with a bright sunlight highlighting their two figures and the background noises of birds flying over their heads. For the first time in years, the blond found himself mumbling a name he never thought he would say again, this time with an answer that’ll melt his heart, even if it was a simple word or gesture that already represented the world to him.
“Izuku,” he mumbled with a shaking tone, making sure none of this was a dream too good to be true. He went through so much shit to hear these light sobs caressing his ears to bring an overwhelming happiness to the thorns who took too many places inside his chest. He repeated this name a second time, a third one, until he got a proper answer with a laugh as gentle as the deities’ lullaby to charm the children in their dreams, making him sob harder.
“Kacchan,” the familiar nickname felt right once he left the mortal’s lips, the same one the blond wanted to kiss a thousand times. He made sure to lift his head to gain a few spaces to regain his breath but felt the thin thumbs against his clothes, on his skin, and the familiar scent from the messy curls he adored more than this forest that watched his misery for too long.
“You’re here,” the tone was lighter than any of the promises they whispered until now, but it felt as precious as the biggest treasure a soldier could find on the battlefield. It was more of a question than an affirmation, making the freckled man laugh at the realization that this situation made them look stupid.
Izuku was the first to step back to bring some air to the taller man, who lifted his head and found the most breathtaking painting he had ever seen: He never thought he would be able to fall over and over for the same face that occupied his dreams and his most memorable souvenirs but it was a gems to keep close to the heart. Shit, he didn’t realize how much he actually missed the shade of his emerald eyes until he discovered them under this close angle, such as the forms of his freckles which seemed inked into this fragile skin as a poem with the most charming prose.
His heart missed a beat when he found the bright smile crossing the mesmerizing lips, such as the messy curls and the source of comfort they represent during his complicated days. He welcomed the scarred fingers reaching his cheeks to cup them with a loving glance, the same one he shared during their wedding. Those gentle thumbs cherished the heat of his skin, marked by the previous tears, until they erased them with a light touch, afraid to break the familiarity of this scene.
Izuku didn’t even know when he started to tear up; probably when he recognized those charming crimson eyes, which seemed so vulnerable to each of his touches and yet, transcribe the hundred messages he never had the occasion to share. During a moment, the two men had the impression of returning to their youngest days where they took care of each other’s wounds with a magical kiss, blush on their cheeks, and a tease about them being each other’s favorite person. Years later, their promises became a reality with the stunning rings standing in their hands and the enchanting glances on their faces, reflecting how the time might pass by, but their love will remain as strong as the first day, if not stronger.
The freckled man couldn't help but make a laugh followed by a sob, realizing how much he missed this: He missed holding his husband like there was no tomorrow, he missed saying how much he loved him, he much admiring how gorgeous he looked under this angle with their universes becoming one in the most charming tale. His body moved on its own to break the distance between them, losing his lips against the blond's, his fingers finding their way into the golden spikes he adored. If none dared to interrupt this moment, they knew how this gesture represented more than any apologies they shared until now, even if they still had a hundred unsolved questions at the tip of their lips.
Katsuki’s hands wrapped themselves around the smaller waist and brought him closer enough to return the kiss and search after those gentle lips who guided him to the right path: he missed this sudden joy filling his chest, those messy movements of their lips chasing after each other like lovers who haven’t seen each other in decades, and the way they both melted into the other’s touch. Suddenly all their previous worries were gone - A slight smile crossed the freckled man’s lips when the blond regained his breath with his adorable blushing face, similar to the shade of his irises, being the prettiest jewels he had seen until now.
Izuku was conscious of his own blush, but he simply lost his hands against his husband’s spikes. The calloused finger moved from the previous waist to caress this delicate skin and those freckles owned by this muse that inspired him the his best creations. The freckled man had never been this beautiful, making him realize how he was ready to drop to his knees on the ground to make his proposal a thousand times and see the same tears falling down his cheeks with this genuine joy crossing this angelic face. Himari can try to bring the demigod down, but now he has found another reason to survive and hopes he’ll never meet her road again…..
“I don’t think there’s a day that passes by where my heart and soul don’t belong to you, but if you give me another scare like that, I'll kick your ass, idiot,” Katsuki whispered with a tease, admiring how the freckled man smiled and laughed at the stupid comment. Izuku never had any doubts about this strong bond between them, but he wished this reunion had happened earlier to let the blond know how this ethereal admiration was mutual until death do us part. “But you’ve never looked so beautiful.”
“And you’re still the prettiest man I’ve ever seen but, look so banged up, What do they do to you, my dear ?” Izuku asked with a gentle tone, losing his thumbs behind his husband’s ears until they reached his wet cheeks. He wanted to erase those nasty tears from this porcelain skin, but he had an entire lifetime to let his childhood friend cherish this love.
“Surviving a trial against the gods left some damage, but I took some rest,” he explained with an amused expression on his face. “Most of the damages are already healed but I-”
At the sudden mention of the trial, the teary emerald eyes went wild. All the memories related to this series of events crossed his mind, from the heartbreaking reaction to the terrible physical conditions. The shorter man stepped back and took a sudden glimpse at the blond's condition: Katsuki was right when he said he looked better with more colors on his face and few bags under his eyes, but what caught his attention was the clear loss of weight.
His face turned sadder when he recalled the previous goodbye his husband shared during his heartwrenching confession, being one of the worst souvenirs he got from this experience. His scarred hands held the blond's shoulders and tears continued to fall down his cheeks: He was supposed to protect him but became a spectator of this slow and painful death.
“Kacchan your weight- Did I hurt you-” he mumbled with a shaking tone, resting his head against his husband’s chest. He continued to sob when he felt those calloused hands holding him closer, trying to appease him. He knew it won't be enough to erase the tears on his face, but holding him closer was enough to have his attention and listen to his muffled voice. “Forgive me for everything I've done, and for letting you participate in those terrible games in the first place. If we were more careful, maybe we would’ve had this house you talk about and I…I absolutely hated each moment separated from you and what we could've done.”
The sudden topic of the house brought a grin back to the demigod's face, who had lost his fingers in the messy curls. His thumbs moved against this source of warmth, caressing the specific spot that always calms his lover down, a discovery he made by accident one night and used as his magic trick to appease a situation too hard to handle.
“Izuku, if I participated in each of this trial it was to save you, I wouldn't done that for a complete stranger but i can do it again if this mean spending the rest of my life by your side,” he replied with his free hand caressing the freckled man’s back, making sure to let him have his complete attention. This simple gesture was enough to reveal the intimacy they had without ever communicating the entire time. “Some of them were annoying, others more entertaining and the last one a real hell, but this doesn’t change how I feel about you and the vows I'm supposed to keep. It’s not a goddess with anger issues that’ll stop me from chasing after you. To be fair, I should be the one apologizing.”
“What do you mean ?” Izuku asked with a curious tone, lifting his head to welcome the calloused fingers and wiping his tears away with his gentle thumbs.
Don’t get him wrong, he already heard his husband apologizing for many issues over the last years, some rational and others based on overthinking, but seeing his childhood friend speak about this was a huge proof of his courage. The emerald eyes noticed how the calloused hand held him closer, but Izuku took the lead: he naturally rested his head against his husband’s chest and calmed himself at the sound of his heartbeat as his favorite lullaby. His fingers searched for the calloused ones and teased his thumbs with the blond’s, until their fingers intertwined, acting like the couple they used to be before this disaster.
“I should've asked questions earlier about the sudden appearance of this asshole in our house, I should've been curious about the rules of a place I didn't consider as my home. Maybe none of this would’ve happened if I were more careful: You wouldn’t have to be the victim of their mistakes and I wouldn’t have to watch you go before expressing how much I cherish the story we built together,” he confessed with a low tone. This reunion was more emotional than he expected, but it only reflected the intensity of this bond that became the source of their previous smiles and kiss that sealed their new beginning. “I’m sorry for letting you go without a fight, I’m sorry for not saying how I love you. I’ve accumulated so many regrets, but seeing you turning into stone without stopping this mess and failing my promise was my biggest mistake. Forgive me for the pain and suffering I brought on our story-”
Oh.
Izuku couldn’t help but bring his head closer to his husband’s chest. He closed his eyes and held the taller man closer, feeling this fresh scent against his nose, bringing him back to the old days when the couple didn’t have to be worried about tomorrow. His fingers held onto the blond's clothes tightly, catching his attention while releasing the reassuring words he had taken too many years to share.
“Katsuki Bakugou, you've never been a bother to me and I don’t hate you for not seeing this coming,” he replied with a soft tone. He missed resting having his favorite pillow near his reach with a song he recognized everywhere. He missed sharing a conversation with his childhood friend instead of being the spectator of this cruel show, but this time was over and the men needed to move on, even with the deep scars it caused inside their souls. “The only ones to blame are your parents and this guy for thinking about their selfishness before the consequences of their actions. I would’ve moved mountains and defy the strongest deities for you if the roles were reversed, I forgave you a long time ago but there’s something I need to understand…”
Katsuki stayed silent but welcomed the gentle lips of his childhood friend kissing his knuckles and ruffling the symbol of their union. He knew something was wrong with the sudden change of tone, as discreet as it may appear, as if Izuku was trying to send him a message.
“I don’t understand how you, with your charming promise of fighting for our rights, decided to say your final goodbye like nothing happened ? Like I would be able to live in a world where the man I loved is a ghost of my past? I would rather die than let you go, put this inside your stupid head,” he replied with a frown, almost pouting.
Katsuki’s face turned speechless by the turn of the conversation until he realized how he probably went too far with this moment of weakness: Obviously, the nerd wasn't mad at him for saying such a thing when their mutual love was something none could compare. In all honesty, he would’ve reacted the same if the roles were reversed, and naturally accepted the slight push made by the freckled man against his shoulders, even if the attempt itself was adorable. The temptation to shut Izuku down with a kiss would only cause more chaos t…but the demigod prepared this plan for later, now he has an entire decade to show his love in the most unbelievable ways.
“I wish I could’ve left this stone earlier and punched you to remind you how stupid you can be. If you ever think about me giving up on you, you’re wrong and i would rather wait a hundred of lifetimes without you than moving on, knowing no one will be able to make me feel the same way as you do,” Izuku explained, moving his head to look at the crimson eyes.
The two men simply communicated with a simple glance, realizing how they were both sorry for this mutual pain. Katsuki knew his husband wasn’t mad at him, or maybe a little based on the slight anger in his emerald eyes…but a hug and this anger would disappear as soon as it appeared.
“I hate you for considering the idea of leaving me behind but I love you so much…I don’t need deities or fate to dictate to me what heaven feels like when I can fall in love with you a thousand times and be still amazed by the same qualities that became my favorite detail in the world.”
“One day you’ll probably get tired of this-”
“Katsuki Bakugo, you can kill thousands of monsters, find the most hidden treasure, and let yourself starve for some stupid trial but it’ll never stop me from loving you,” he replied with a loving smile. His fingers lifted the blond's chin to find their way into his cheeks and cupped them in gentle care. This moment belonged to them, and nothing could change his invisible string that connected them since their first glance, as innocent as it seemed. “If you want to be crazy, then do it with me….You’ll give me grey hair before my eighties with your bullshit, but I wouldn’t change anything now I've found you.”
Katsuki found himself blushing like a teenager at the unexpected confession. Izuku simply smiled and put their forehead closer, until their lips met in a loving kiss: If it was the only way to convince his stupid lover about his ethereal devotion for this crazy story, even if he wasn’t against the idea of covering his husband with thousands of kisses and praises.
“Why am I even surprised to be scolded? I should’ve seen this coming,” he sighed with a grin at the corner of his lips.
A single glimpse at the freckled man made him smile, realizing how the two of them had nothing to be worried about now that they finally had each other. Izuku pretended to be offended, trying to get away from the previous grab, before being forced to return against this strong chest and rest his head here. He was too tired to fight back, accepting his fate in those protective arms that always carried him as his biggest pride, no matter the context and the situation.
“Because you’re the stupidest man I’ve ever seen!” Izuku complained with an unimpressed tone, hiding a slight smile at the corner of his lips that melted the demigod's heart.
He decided to use this moment to tickle the shorter figure and let his charming laugh echo in this place, which used to be full of sorrow, now replaced with genuine confessions and promises of a new beginning. Izuku didn’t even fight back and simply chuckled at the sensation, until he begged him to stop while regaining his breath: His emerald eyes looked at the crimson ones and simply fell into this charming gaze, no wonder why he fell for this seducing tricks when his heart have been his since their first glance, something none deities could take away.
“I’m sorry- I'm here now, I won't leave,” the taller man replied with a grin, ruffling the messy curls and helping the nerd to leave their previous position. Izuku’s figure appeared in the silent area, with the wind and whispers against his ears, wishing him good luck for the rest of this adventure. Aphrodite and Hera were probably touched by the previous reunion, explaining why they decided to send their support to this tender love story.
“You better or I’ll kick your ass and stop my goodnight kisses,” the shorter man threatened with a soft smile, being amused by the offended expression on his husband’s face.
“You can threaten me with anything, but don’t you dare take my favorite moment of the day away- This is inhuman,” Katsuki complained with a gasp, hearing a soft laugh from the freckled man’s lips, before receiving a push against his shoulders. The scarred hands met the air to help him to stand out, their eyes met and the calloused ones agreed to fall for him a thousand times in each decade if this meant creating the most unforgettable story.
“You deserve it for breaking my heart and giving me the scare of my life,” Izuku whispered with a sigh, ignoring the calloused fingers lost inside his messy curls.
His mouth opened to offer another tease until he moved his head and caught the familiar figure of the taller woman standing at the entrance of the gate. At this moment, a sudden blush of embarrassment brightened his freckles when Izuku realized how the stranger saw their previous interactions-
It’s not like he was ashamed of what happened earlier, but he felt guilty for ignoring her presence when she was the one who kept an eye on his husband the entire time! His hesitant emerald eyes met the understanding, and almost pleased expression on her face; the green-haired man’s worries didn’t disappear by any means, but he remained curious to finally meet her! Izuku had many questions to ask, but he let his husband guide him toward the part of the forest he had never seen before for a proper introduction.
Katsuki loved his head to see the familiar figure of the pink-haired woman, who looked at him with an appeased glance between her teary eyes. In all honesty, she felt guilty for being envious of their sweet love story when she had hers a long time ago: their ending might be different but this love they shared lasted until the final breath, and many years after her lover’s death. She couldn’t be happier to see how those sacrifices were worth the try, especially when she hadn’t seen Katsuki’s genuine happiness for a long time.
“I recognize you,” Izuku said with a curious tone, looking at her with surprise. He knew this face was familiar: she was the healer Katsuki talked about, the babysitter who annoyed him most of the days, and was the one who begged him to save the demigod. “We already met before, right ?”
“I’m glad to know I wasn’t losing my mind when I saw that tears in the statue’s cheeks that day,” the pink-haired woman added with a soft tone, presenting her hand in the air, under the intrigued glance of the blond, unaware of this part of the narrative he unconsciously skipped. “My name is Mina Ashido, the most reputed healer of the town and I saved your husband’s ass multiple times. He’s pretty tough but endearing when he broke his shield- I’ve heard a lot about you, but it’s great to finally make a proper introduction, I thought this day would never come !”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Izuku,” the freckled man replied with a smile, accepting the gesture.
The calloused hands wrapped around his shoulders, feeling the sudden weight on his body but none complained: the shorter man rested his head against the blond’s shoulders while continuing this conversation.
“To be fair, I was concerned about leaving Kacchan alone the entire time, but I’m glad he found support when I was out of reach. I wish we could’ve met earlier so I could’ve warned you about his unique personality- I’m impressed by anyone with abilities I don’t have. Would you tell me more about it? In exchange, I can share some secrets about Kacchan considering you a psycho.”
“What the” Katsuki pressed his hands closer to his waist to let him know how this was supposed to stay between them, but the green-haired man simply smiled at the gesture.
“Deal, and I’ll share everything I know about Blondie and what happened over the last years,” she nodded with a diverted tone.
Mina knew Izuku was a good guy, too sweet for the harshness of this world; his innocence reflected in each of his expressions and the taller woman understood why the blond was all over him. The most surprising thing was his reaction: she expected him to be jealous or distant after everything that happened, but instead, he wanted to keep her involved in Katsuki’s life instead of leaving this place behind without a single thought. The amusement in the emerald eyes brightened the previous shade of grey of this place, noticing how Izuku also has his secret tease to annoy his husband, under the rolled eyes of the blond. Maybe the demigod was right when he said Izuku and she would make a great team in their stupidity….
“I don’t know how to thank you for keeping an eye on Kacchan and bringing him back to me. Is there anything I can do to show you my gratitude ?” Izuku asked with an understanding tone. It wasn’t a secret that the stubborn blond was the source of conflicted feelings, until the most comprehensive spirits realized how they became attached to him without realizing it.
“Helping this idiot to eat more and be less stubborn will be great and I bet we have a lot of questions about how it feels to be a stone statue,” the pink-haired woman added with an intrigued tone, as she started to lead the way toward her home. She didn’t expect another guest, but it wouldn’t be a problem to keep Midoriya a little longer if this meant having the answer to their questions and seeing the bright colors on Katsuki’s face.
“I’ll answer to all of them if I can have a peaceful sleep tonight,” Izuku joked with a smile, feeling the weight of the taller man’s hands around his back, guiding him through the unknown path he would discover later after enough rest.
“I’m sure Kats wouldn’t mind sharing his bed with you….” She added with a wink at the blond, making the freckled man laugh. The pink-haired woman looked at the shorter man, who seemed delighted by the situation and even started to enter into her game to play with his husband’s nerves.
“I hate both of you,” the golden-haired man mumbled with an exhausted tone.
In all honesty, he couldn’t be mad at them for being stupid- it’s not like he didn’t predict it either, but it was touching to see how the two people who supported him the most had a good chemistry. Maybe he wouldn’t mind staying a little longer now he had a comfortable bed to sleep in, with the love of his life by his side and his stupid friend who only wanted his happiness.
——-
The midnight sky had already fallen on this isolated house, with the forest surroundings the slight murmurs about this intruder who lightened the ambiance. The leaves described him as a treasure from the gods, the trees as another shadow who found his place, and the ghosts as the affectionate lover who was finally reunited with his missing half. Izuku Bakugo Midoriya became the center of attention for many reasons, but none could ever compare to the genuine joy in those crimson eyes.
His calloused hands reached for his under the table during the dinner, while Izuku detailed more about his conditions and how it was strange to be stuck in a statue without any interaction. Katsuki and Mina listened to each of his truths with captivated eyes, asking more questions: The suffering in the green haired man’s speech reflected a source of worst case scenario, where they would’ve failed their missions and condemned this innocent in a fate worst tha death, being immortal in a body that reminded a past life you’ll never have again. The freckled man reassured them and gave a slight glance at his husband, pointing out his ethereal trust in his childhood friend and his evident success even if this took longer than the couple expected.
Hearing how Izuku never gave up on him made the blond guilty about the confessions he made that night. Their previous reunion proved how each of his words indirectly impacted his husband and made him sadder than he already was, some truth he regretted if he had known earlier about this meaningful detail.
Luckily, the welcoming atmosphere between Pinky and the nerd changed his mind while the two started to get to know each other; Mina shared her story and a heartbreaking love story similar to theirs, under the teary emerald eyes, who offered her more comfort. The pink-haired woman even joked about keeping him for herself, under the jealous glance of her friend and the lost chuckle of the freckled man, who didn’t make this easier for the demigod’s heart!
Tonight was the first night the two men rested in the same bed after being separated for so long. Until now, their conditions differed in many layers: Katsuki breathed the same air as him but hated this source of loneliness, while Izuku forgot this comfort over the years. If Mina made a wink at the blond about not causing too much mess tonight, letting him know how quiet sex was the only option possible, she only rolled her eyes when a middle finger and the blush rising on the freckled cheeks appeared in her vision. It was almost endearing to see how the two men acted like teenagers who shared a room for the first time, with this excitement and familiarity of this gesture, that reassured their lonely nights in the past. The previous tease of the healer disappeared when the wooden doorways closed by the taller figure, who moved his head and took a quick glimpse at the shorter figure in bed.
Izuku had never been so fragile under this angle, with his messy curls and elbows residing on the sheet with a radiant smile crossing the tip of his lips. Many years might’ve passed by but the frreckled man stayed as young as the last time they slept together with his gentle expressions and sparkles rising inside his captivating irises. His half-naked chest was exposed to the intrigued crimson eyes, with the lamp on the wooden table highlighting the same scars on his chest that the demigod cherished as his biggest treasure. The marks residing against this fragile body that seemed tos survive the worst obstacles reflected this strength that inspired the best of narrative, knowing the blond will always admire their presence and this charming glance on the nerd’s face.
Izuku couldn’t help but make a slight smile when he turned his head and looked at the reassuring figure who joined him in bed, knowing Katsuki who never stopped loving him. He made some jokes about how cozy the bed was and he wouldn't mind marrying it instead of his childhood friend, which made the blond groan. The freckled man apologized for the joke but couldn’t stop his laugh, even when it was the only sound resonating in the room that used to welcome Katsuki’s darkest days. When Izuku tried to gain his sympathy by wrapping his hands around his waist and resting his head on his shoulders, the blond didn’t fall for the tricks, even when he was close to giving up when the freckled man stole a few kisses against his neck.
There was something appeasing about this scenery and old habits that returned as if they never left in the first place. If the green-haired man pretended to be hurt by the “rejection”, he only grinned, knowing it was a question of minutes before facing his clingy husband, who couldn’t live without him. A hidden smirk crossed his lips when he felt the taller figure moving closer to him and rested his head on his shoulders, while wrapping his hands around his body, acting like a possessive child. Izuku wished he could enjoy the tease a little longer, but his heart melted on the spot when the blond complained between two kisses against his neck and shoulders. How was he supposed to refuse this offer when he would do anything to feel this breathtaking feeling for the rest of his life?
After a small battle of tickling and soft laughs resonating in the house at this late hour, the couple decided to simply gain some rest after this previous mess. Izuku’s face was still red from the tears he made after the childish battle, while the demigod simply admired the breathtaking painting beside him. His calloused fingers moved into the messy curls to ruffle them with care, before losing his thumbs against this porcelain skin and cupping those freckled cheeks. The green-haired man smiled and learnt into the touch, letting his lover know everything will be alright from now on.
That night, the two men discussed their childhood and the new dreams they wanted to achieve until tiredness took the lead over their vulnerable bodies. The early morning sang another song made by the light melody over their heads, with the sunlight passing through the curtain of this cozy room, highlighting the two sleeping figures. The shorter man’s head was resting against his husband’s chest, fingers around his waist with a peaceful smile. Katsuki’s hands were unconsciously wrapped around Izuku, making sure to keep him by his side with an appeased expression on his face.
Even if Mina wasn’t a morning person, she was worried about the mess the couple had caused the night before! Her doubts disappeared when she pushed the door in slow movements to not wake the two lovers up, especially with the fondness of this scene. The story started as a curse highlighted by regrets until it became the most unforgivable tale the gods had ever seen. If some narratives just started with the meaningful cries of a newborn, others were marked by the genuine love of two soulmates who’ll find each other in each lifetime…
-end-
Notes:
And they lived their happy ever after and renewed their wedding vows! Alright, I don’t know where to start, but first of all, I’m more than happy to see how my friend ended up liking this fic and the support my readers brought me with judos and bookmarks. The story was probably one of my favorites, at least something I hold dear in my heart, and I hope it made someone smile through the discovery of this crazy journey.
As I promised, Izuku and Katsuki got reunited at the end, and I appreciate the way their reunion scene turned out in the final result. It’s the tooth-rotting luck they deserve, and I can give some epilogue details for the most intrigued readers! After the ending, Izuku and Katsuki decided to stay a little longer with Mina to continue their friendship. The three of them stayed close, and Izuku even thanked the pink-haired woman for the emotional support she represented during those tough obstacles, and they brought her once they renewed their vows (as a unique guest). Our two lovers decided to return to their old house and continue their lives, promising to be careful from now on!
Don’t ask me what Himari is the goddess of, this one is free to your imagination, and thanks for reading, take care of yourself! Follow me on twt and bluseky (@katzukux) for more, and see you soon for another one shot (I still have a lot to post haha).
Nyxdrawhine on Chapter 1 Tue 22 Jul 2025 09:02PM UTC
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