Chapter Text
The first detail that caught his attention was the sound of the loud machine that resonated with the blonds’ heartbeats, even if the omega was familiar with the details of this environment, he never liked it, whether it was for his personal situation or someone else. The discomfort inside his chest in the past hours resurfaced like a slap in the face concerning a reality he couldn’t avoid: the white painting on the entirety of the room almost blinded him as he took a clear look at the scene portrayed under his eyes, breaking his heart on the spot.
In front of him was a classic hospital bed with bittersweet details, and the most surprising thing was the man standing in these thin sheets, but it was better than being buried six feet underground. His golden spikes rested against the pillow, with the evident appearance of his scars and their unshared stories that immediately caught the omega’s attention. The recent ones were barely healed and need more time to cicatrize, but the old ones were impressive, similar to many tattoos on this skin. Izuku moved closer to the unconscious figure and sat on the closest chair that separated their bodies by a few centimeters. The loud sound didn’t awaken the sleeping man, as Izuku’s face turned in an uncomfortable expression at the noise.
There was something appeasing at the sight of the sleeping man, with a peaceful expression on his face, as if he was back in his childhood days with their imaginary sleepover. His scarred hands left the border of the bed to slide against the white fabric, losing his thumbs in the scars against the alpha’s arms. Until now, Izuku never had the chance to see the blond’s secrets from such a close angle, and his fingers gently caressed the deepest scars that resided here, afraid to tear them apart again.
His gaze lost itself on the missing grins that usually colored the alpha’s face, moving his hands to accidentally meet his cheeks and feel their warmth, reminding him how Katsuki was still alive. His inner omega begged him to reassure his “alpha” with his scent and mark his wrist, but Izuku denied the request and followed his friends’ advice. He chose to follow his heart and gently move his thumbs against the blond’s skin, trying to not wake him up as he realized how fragile the taller man looked: The most coveted hero, who wanted to take all the pride of the world, lost himself in this dance with the grim reaper, realizing how his life was more valuable than a leaf in the stolen breeze.
Izuku couldn’t be happier to see how Katsuki was alright, but something was wrong: If he was standing so close to him, why did he feel so far at the same time? After all, Dynamight was here, under his eyes and breathing with the heartbeat monitor, but Katsuki Bakugo was missing. His life was saved but at what cost? At the tears of his loved ones, his worried parents, and the intense fear that awoke inside the omega’s chest to be separated from him. The light kick of his pup brought him back to his reality, whipping the tears that fell down his cheeks as he smiled, sitting on the chair with a pillow on his back, and his hands finding the calloused ones.
The green-haired man held onto this warmth a little longer, enough to feel comforted by the strong hands against his. This impression of deja vu crossed his mind, but was quickly whipped away when he let his fingers caress the alpha’s knuckles, and make a one-sided conversation. This illusion of peace couldn’t last an eternity, but the vulnerability of this moment was meant to reside on his skin as indelible tattoos.
Izuku stayed here for many minutes that became an hour, until he closed his eyes and was awoken by a simple movement that brightened his previously grey universe. It was invisible enough to catch the moving fingers against his, before hearing a groan in the background, rougher than usual due to the hero’s conditions. The green-haired man wasn’t sure if the sound on the monitor was Katsuki’s heartbeat or his, but one thing was sure: The sleepy man was now wide awake with thousands of questions at the tip of his lips.
The scarred fingers unconsciously held his tighter, afraid to wake up from this dream too good to be true, and welcomed the shock of the crimson eyes looking at him with bags under his eyes. It didn’t take long before seeing how own vision was becoming blurry by the tears when he felt the familiar scent of the alpha by his side and the light smirk at the corner of his lips. Something was wrong and the blond was supposed to wake up tomorrow but none of this irrational miracle mattered when his heart melted at the tender scenery that brought colors back to his face!
“You’re back,” he mumbled with a low tone, holding the strong hands as if their lives were on the line. Call him desperate, but Izuku didn’t mind being selfish when it came to the amazing memories brought by the blond and his existence that colored his redundant habits, especially with all the support he brought to him during his moment of weakness.
“Did you really think I would let this extra win? I’ve faced stronger than his shitty quirk,” exclaimed the taller man with a rough voice. The freckled man immediately gave him his bottle of water and made the rest of this talk easier, realizing how much he missed him: They’ve only been separated by a few hours, but it had been the longest of his life and now Izuku was more than convinced that he couldn’t give up on someone as supportive as Katsuki.
He whipped his tears away with a warm smile, ignoring the scarlet color on his cheeks, and jumped to the taller man’s neck, resting his head into the crook of his shoulders. The gesture caught the golden-haired man by surprise, returning the strong embrace when the fragile fingers held his hospital blouse tighter. The strong hands held the omega’s back, trying not to bring him into an uncomfortable position with his belly, until their shells finally broke. Izuku didn’t know why, but seeing the blond alive made him more affected than seeing his unconscious state…. such as Katsuki, appeasing the trembling teacher with a kiss on his green curls, and a reassuring scent between them.
“It’s alright, I'm here,” he whispered with a relieved tone. The protective alpha wanted to freeze this moment and stay in the unforgettable scent until he gets older enough to accidentally meet Izuku’s reincarnation and fall in love with him all over again. How stupid was he to forget about the impact this near-death experience would have on his family? He needed to make himself forgiven! “I didn’t know you missed me this much, freckles.”
“I didn’t know it was possible too, but look at me,” Izuku laughed and regained his calm, while erasing the last tears on his porcelain skin. All these emotions probably stressed chaos to his daughter, but she didn’t seem to be annoyed or show a sign of boredom, so he assumed she was as happy as him to know the blond was alive. “Seriously, you gave us a real scare but I don’t understand…. the doctor announced that you’ll be able to wake up in a few days. Your body isn’t healed after the operation and your injuries- Shit, are you okay? Did I hurt you ?”
“Everything’s fine, you didn’t hurt me, I promise,” he replied with an understanding tone, pushing the lost curls behind the omega’s ears. He truly missed the beauty of this painting that drew itself under his eyes as the most breathtaking prose he ever wrote as a poet for his muse. “I don’t know how it’s even possible, but I’m here and definitely need more rest. I bet these extras will be surprised to see how I always find a way to kick their ass.”
“Kacchan I’m serious, you’re still fragile from the operation, we can’t let this slide and risk your life. I found you back, I don’t want to lose you again!” The green-haired man confessed in a moment of weakness, highlighted by the light blush that colored the hero’s cheeks. Izuku spent the last hours being dead worried about this man, and he couldn't let their emotional reunion be ruined by another trick of fate, even if Katsuki seemed pretty confident about his body’s ability to heal at the speed of light.
“And you won’t lose me,” he affirmed with a gentle cup on the freckled cheeks. Standing by Katsuki’s side was a privilege envied by many people: Katsuki was not a teenager anyone, but he acted like one sometimes, and the teacher hoped his daughter wouldn’t be as obstinate as him. "What are you doing here ?”
“I came here the moment I learned about the news,” explained the shorter man resting back on his chair while intertwining his fingers with the calloused ones. This gesture was strangely intimate for people who have been in each other’s lives for a month, despite their impression of knowing each other for a longer time.
“You didn't have to.” There was an ounce of hesitation in the hero’s voice, almost like he felt guilty for making his loved ones concerned about his state. He would've avoided it if it were possible, and was reassured to know this villain was now rooting in jail in a safe town…such as Izuku and his daughter. The only thing that mattered now was the comfort of their interlaced fingers with a relieved smile and sparkling eyes on the teacher’s face, looking at him as if he was the prettiest man he had ever seen…reminding him of their memorable exchange that night.
“I know, but I wanted to,” he admitted with a smile, caressing the alpha’s knuckles. “I couldn’t stay in the blur, distance would’ve made me more nervous about your state so I decided to take some risk. Now I know the last hours of waiting were worth the try if this means holding your hands and knowing you’re safe. Oh, and I accidentally saw your friends and parents waiting outside the chamber, they’re nice people…I didn’t know Kacchan had so many friends. I’m glad to know you’re not alone outside this boring teacher who request your builder skills.”
“You’re not boring, and I would’ve already ditched you if it were the case, if I’m still here so this means you’re doing a great job at convincing me to stay by your side, freckles. I hope they haven’t said anything weird!”
The first thing the green-haired man noticed was the calm expression on the hero’s face, despite his evident tiredness and the light music in the background. Izuku had never felt this close to the blond’s heartbeat, representing something strangely intimate, considered as the most appeasing noise after his daughter’s heartbeat. The red-haired man’s words replayed inside his mind, figuring out how Kirishima and the rest of the group were right when they described their mutual affection even if the two men belonged to opposite worlds…
The crimson eyes tried to search for a sign of discomfort in the emerald ones, who held his hands closer. At first sight, the nerd seemed calm by the heat of their skin, a statement that was also chased by the golden-haired man, who felt his heart beating slightly faster at this realization, hoping the machine wouldn't betray him. However, he needed to stay calm and imagine the conversation that could’ve happened when he was out of reach: He had no idea that Izuku would rush to check on him, but meeting the idiots and even his parents on the way was something scarier than death!
He had full trust in Denki, Sero, and Jirou, such as his parents, who didn’t know the truth, but he was more anxious concerning Shitty Hair and Pinky! These dumbasses could've easily let something important slip out of their lips in the euphoria of the moment. Hopefully, the readable expression on the omega’s face told him how his friends had a polite behavior, even if he would need a serious talk about what kind of things they asked the nerd.
“Why would they ?” Izuku returned the question with a curious tone, almost like Katsuki was hiding something from him. “They were surprised for sure, and looked worried about you. They even insisted on letting me visit you first but I’ve already waited this long, I knew I wouldn’t leave this hospital without checking on you…But what happened out there ?”
“What did the media say ?” The interrogation was simple, but meaningful enough to let the two men understand the message behind these words. The golden-haired man already explained how some articles or online resources had the tendency to exaggerate the situation for the attention!
“They stayed in the blur, that’s why I’m searching for answers from my most reliable source.” His fingers haven't left the calloused ones and didn’t plan to, wondering if this action was the result of his inner omega staying in this source of comfort to feed his delusion, or Izuku’s fear to wake up from this dream in his silent apartment.
“I’m afraid you won’t get a lot of information, at least not detailed ones, put the blame on this shitty headache and the drugs they gave me. From what I know, this guy escaped from jail due to a moment of inattention from the guard and claimed out loud how he wanted to fight me, after the scene he caused I had no other choice but to kick his ass. Unfortunately, this fucker was wiser and attacked with something I’ve never seen coming: Everything was blurry and his quirk became strong enough to knock me down…you know the rest of the story.”
Izuku replied with a silent nod, holding the strong hands tighter. It’s not like he didn’t expect something like a fairytale concerning an event as dark as this one, but his heart missed a beat when he imagined the pain the blond had been through. After all, he saw how life was as fragile as a newborn's cries, reinforcing his overprotective instinct as a dam toward the future of this unborn pup, even if he was thankful to see how the stars didn’t take the blond away from their lives.
“The most important things are how you saved the town and returned back to us,” his understanding tone caught the taller man by surprise, hearing the fast heartbeat on the machine under the amused gaze on the omega's face.“I’m glad you’re okay…I would love to stay here a little longer, but you need some rest and a good night's sleep. I’ll be back tomorrow to continue this conversation, I promise.”
The strength that connected Izuku and Katsuki’s souls couldn’t be transcribed into words, even if this original sentiment was fed by this impression of deja vu that caused a conflict inside the teacher’s heart and his desire to fall for the unknown. Yet, these moments of doubt and unconscious desire to chase after a ghost of his past, were replaced by the fondness of these memorable exchanges between them, reminding him how there was still a light to hold onto during the darkest days, taking the form of an unexpected savior or a friend he’d known for years.
The golden-haired man wanted to fight back and prove how the nerd was wrong, even if the exhaustion of his body took the lead over his proper reasoning. If he could, he would’ve stayed a little longer too, but he had a promise to hold and was ready to count the number of hours separating him from this kind smile that brightened the loneliness of this room. The freckled man released his calloused hands from his warm touch, as he prepared himself for leaving by grabbing his coat. Katsuki’s inner alpha begged him to stay in the cautious hands wrapped around his, convincing him to grab this occasion and offer the answer that was stolen from him against his will.
“Wait-” he shouted, almost too loud which made both of them jump.
Worries filled the emerald eyes as he walked closer to the golden-haired man, standing a few centimeters from him with his hands in his spikes and recognizable scent. The gentle glance locked with the vulnerable crimson ones, as the kindness of these thumbs fell to his cheeks and left the warmth that connected them a few seconds ago. None dared to speak, Izuku waiting to hear what the blond had to say, and Katsuki acting like a shy teenager under the prettiest man he had ever seen, with his messy curls and this face that transcribed the purest intentions, highlighted by the light smile at the corner of his lips.
“I’m sorry for scaring you and the pup…I have something to say,” the taller man whispered with a hesitant tone. He didn’t want to ruin this moment due to his inexperience when it came to love, and fuck it if he had to make some mistakes: He was here to learn and be a better version of himself, even if this meant breaking his own boundaries. “I don’t know how to say it but yes-”
“For what ?” Izuku asked with a curious tone. He thought the medicine had started to do its effects, but a single glimpse at the fragile crimson eyes let him know how sincere Katsuki was. There was something heartwarming about this scene, with the most envied name in this town, acting all shy with this adorable blush on the corner of his ears.
“For the movie invitation,” he pointed out with a sigh, resting his head in a better position on the white pillow. It was a question of time before seeing the nurses and doctor entering the room to ask annoying questions, he wanted to be selfish a little longer and chose his personal happiness instead of his heroic duties. “I would love to come with you. I was about to respond but this extra forced me to get my attention."
The last time he felt so much love was during the night he spent with this unknown alpha. He never thought he would be able to feel such a thing when his fond eyes read the shyness of this tender scenery near his reach. The echoes of lost sensations that occupied his heart resurfaced as hints of new beginnings, highlighted by the hidden tears that formed at the corner of his eyes, and the similar song in his ears.
Katsuki had seen many angles of the teacher’s smiles, but this one was the first that almost blinded him with the tenderness residing behind this gesture. He noticed how the shorter man looked at him with the same loving glance and discreet smile that crossed the tip of his lips in the early morning after their night together. Slowly but surely, the reconstruction of this night that changed their lives, took the form of a more endearing story, built on patience and comprehension, with the growing bond between their two souls, meant to reconnect in every lifetime.
“I wouldn’t go with anyone else,” said the green-haired man, pushing a lost curl behind his ear. “Let’s meet next Friday at 4pm? We can’t bring you to such a state.”
“I can’t wait, freckles.” The comforting nicknames caressed the teacher’s ears as a tender lullaby, when Izuku shared a last glimpse at the taller man, wishing him a good night.
Katsuki watched the shorter fade away from the room, leaving the tired hero with a grin on his lips and a certain joy inside the teacher’s chest. The freckled man was still lost in his inner battles, and welcomed the agreeable souvenirs he forged with his favorite idiot, unconscious about the weight of a single decision on this established narrative…
—----
Izuku Midoriya was now six months pregnant, and many things had changed: With hindsight, his current self was open to different opportunities compared to his past self, who would’ve waited before jumping into the unknown.
His relationship with Dynamight was already highlighted by the fondness of their interactions and their mutual teasing: there was something heartwarming when the green curls appeared in the hero’s vision with a smile and the pleasing crimson eyes, which softened at this sight. As expected, the teacher kept his promise and returned the next day to stand by his side as long as possible, taking news of his state and his feelings after this near-death experience. Izuku had the chance to be there when the hospital freed him from his chamber after a few days in this lonely room, explaining the precautions toward his wounds.
Katsuki rolled his eyes at the announcement, glad to leave this stupid room with the nerd who helped him to reach the garden of the building, under the surprise of his loved ones reunited in front of him for the occasion. The crimson eyes looked at the emerald ones, who explained how they planned this surprise to celebrate this victory against Grim Reaper, representing a touching gesture from the people he loved the most. That day, their group exchanged conversations, with Katsuki scolding the extras for being too intrusive when his friends hadn't done anything wrong, and Izuku talking with Mitsuki and Masaru about the kind gesture. The golden-haired man had the occasion to see by his own eyes the way the nerd easily fit into his group of friends, had the attention of his parents, and even gave him a last surprise from the students he had visited in class.
His strong hands held the paper with a delicate movement and opened it, touched by its content. His heart missed a beat when he read the different words concerning his rehabilitation, wishing him the best and explaining how his visit was one of the best they’ve ever had. In all honesty, Katsuki knew he wanted to impress Izuku that day, and admitted how the weight of his stupid tease was now seen as something undeniable in the journey of these brats. The kind attention didn’t stop there: If Katsuki returned to his apartment to get a few days to rest and go back to his agency as soon as possible, he smirked the moment he recognized y the visit of the stubborn teacher on his doorstep. It wasn’t surprising to see Izuku standing here, knowing how they’ve been hanging out in each other’s apartment too often not be bothered by their "roommates" title as the green-haired man introduced himself as his “good fairy”.
If the golden-haired man rolled his eyes, he welcomed the nerd with a grin and ruffled messy curls, hearing the delightful laugh that escaped his lips. Spending time with each other in such close proximity brought them closer: Izuku made sure to be the one taking care of the blond and return the gesture after everything he did for him and his pup the last month, a comment that brought a hidden blush to the hero’s cheeks, quickly covered by a pretentious goan. Their meal wasn’t as bad as Katsuki thought, praising the omega’s cooking skills and listening to his stupid argument about how “he needed to make good homemade food for his daughter”. In all honesty, the freckled man could’ve stayed at home, but his omega wanted to stay by his side until he showed signs of progress in his rehabilitation!
Their shadows stayed on the couch during their casual rewatch of their childhood movies, sharing comments and analysis that slowly derived into Dynamight’s fighting style, until Izuku’s voice filled the silence of this apartment with his wise observation. Katsuki made sure to note and take each of his advice into account, catching the supportive glance crossing the chubby freckled cheeks, hiding a truth they haven’t found yet. Lost in the conversation, the green-haired man complained about the weight gain, and how he reached the last week of the second trimester, under the comprehensive blond that teased him at the slightest occasion. Izuku assumed it was all in his head, but his heart missed a beta when his affectionate glance found the loving crimson ones, convinced he had found the one his heart had been looking for for months…but this impression was quickly erased by the calloused fingers in his curls.
That night, Katsuki insisted on letting the nerd sleep in his bed, but Izuku fought back and replied that the couch was “more than fine”. After all, his goal was to keep an eye on the blond, and leaving the apartment at this hour was too risky for a single omega like him. Unfortunately, the stubbornness in their debates lasted for too long, until they accidentally agreed on sleeping on the same bed, a decision that caught both of them off guard, but satisfied their obstinate minds. They insisted on keeping an eye on each other, knowing they’ll be close enough to act right in time instead of wasting time until the realization acted like a slap in the face the moment they entered the bedroom: they were going to sleep together in the same bed! Izuku’s face turned redder when he realized how he should've accepted the other propositions, while Katsuki understood how he was doomed when he showed his bedroom to the nerd, known as a place he hadn't shared with anyone until now.
If he had known about the teacher’s stubbornness, he would’ve cleaned it! His scarred fingers lost their way into the fabric of his “night” shirt and his pants, adapted to the state of his exposed belly, until he found the hero with a light grin. The green-haired man had always been described as a hopeless romantic, he liked to think that one day he would share the bed of someone who’ll love him for his true self, but he never thought that the one breaking this boundary would be Dynamight! Izuku didn’t know why he acted like a teenager experiencing some kind of crush for the first time, when he already held the hero’s hands …but why did sleeping beside Katsuki feel so intimate than his sleepovers with his friends?
His dynamic with the blond wasn’t so different from the one he shared with his old classmates, except for a few exceptions. Katsuki liked to talk about his freckles and see the slight blush heating his cheeks, he didn’t have any problem with the idea of giving him a surprise visit and staying the night to check on him and his nightmare. All this attention convinced Izuku to serve his trust on a silver platter: Until now, all their interactions were marked by a certain distance, but it felt strangely intimate to sleep in the same bed as the most coveted man of the town!
Izuku couldn’t deny that this scent had similarities with the ghost of a past that kept haunting his nights, but it felt refreshing at the same time. The freckled man assumed that this strong attachment was related to the joy and excitement of this new relationship that brought something new in his daily habits, despite knowing how it was related to something deeper than these simple explanations. In the euphoria, he unconsciously associated this protective shadow with the signature grins and the golden spikes of the blond, with the mysterious ghosts of his past, as desperate as it seemed.
Izuku could’ve stopped this descent into a dangerous path, he would’ve done it earlier but it was too late to ignore the look-alike between these two shadows. He wasn’t naive but couldn’t explain this impression into words, leading him to this current situation…Katsuki asked him if he should wear a patch to make things easier, only to hear the nerd declining the request with a blush on his cheeks. There was something endearing about the few centimeters separating their bodies, under this midnight sky, that already painted this town in blue. The low breath that escaped their lips appeared as a gentle melody in this silent apartment, admiring how this discrete town reflected the discreet spies, unaware of the narrative forming itself in this innocent room.
The golden-haired man often wished to feel the sweet scent against his and feel these warm hands intertwined with his, and couldn't be happier to define this as his new reality. The calloused finger moved to slide a lost curl behind the omega’s ears, noticing the way Izuku’s eyes widened, but welcomed the touch, putting his guard down for one night. The casual discomfort of his pregnant belly was now forgotten when he was wrapped by the alpha’s reassuring scent that made him feel at home, searching into each other’s eyes a truth they hadn't revealed yet.
“What you said earlier about your weight gain,” whispered the taller man moving the sheet closer to the omega’s shoulders. “It was wrong. It’s not because you’re gaining more weight that you’re automatically losing the charm that made you stand out from the crowd in the first place. The people who couldn’t see it are just assholes who want their casual stereotype, but you’ve never looked this beautiful to me and you know why? Because you’re bearing life, and this brat needs her mamma to keep her as safe as possible.”
“Kacchan,” the nickname, unconsciously slipped out of his lips when he felt a wave of joy rising in his chest. The fast heartbeat mixed with the slight kick from the pup, brought him back to his reality when he accidentally looked back into the sincere alpha and this welcoming expression on his face. He had been called pretty many times, but “beautiful” had never been a word that escaped someone’s lips, and even less since his pregnancy. Sure, he changed a lot, but Katsuki had never stopped looking at him in the wrong way …
“So if you ever call yourself a whale again, I'm about to kick your ass and convince your brat to do the same, got it ?” He affirmed with a grin and observed how the surprised glance on the omega’s face turned lighter at the previous comment. A captivating chuckle escaped his lips as he punched the hero’s shoulders, explaining how stupid he was before regaining a pleased smile on his face. “If you plan to steal all the sheets for yourself, you'd better warn me…I know she’s giving you a struggle with sleep, but I’ll be there if she needs a return to reality.”
“Don’t be mean to her, she’s just a child,” Izuku added with a smile, cupping his belly. He couldn’t believe how fast she was growing up and the more weeks passed by, the more excited he became to hold her and cover his daughter with kisses until she got bored with her clingy dam.. “But tell me if you don’t feel good, I’m pretty sure I’ll be awake a long part of the night, and I don’t want to find you at the hospital this soon with this stupid head of yours.”
“You insisted on this decision now look where it leads us…” The blond teased, ruffling the messy curls.
He made sure everything was alright for the omega and his sleep position, before whispering a low “goodnight”, only to hear Izuku’s voice returning the gesture. The comfort of their shared scents appeared as a source of tease for the unborn pup, who played with the nerves of his dam until the poor omega begged him to give him enough sleep. The movements of the sheets caught the blond’s attention as he faced the desperate teacher making a one-sided conversation with their daughter, until the hero took the lead and noticed the efficient change when the small girl calmed down.
Izuku looked at him with a thankful grin as tiredness guided them back into their sweet imagination that led to a domestic scene, brightened by the first ray of sunshine that passed through the windows. The first conversations, outside the apartment, caressed the alpha’s ears when he remembered how the previous night became one of his favorites. He accidentally found the sleeping omega in a different position, with the pillow pushed to the side, and the messy curls rested against the blond’s neck, closer to his scent gland.
The shorter man moved against the alpha’s warmth, even if the pregnant belly between them forced a small distance. A light smile crossed Katsuki’s lips when he slid a lost curl behind the omega’s ears, watching the scarred hands unconsciously wrap his belly, almost like he was trying to protect their pup from the outside world. There was nothing more endearing than the painting portrayed under his eyes, ghosting his finger into the freckled cheeks to cup them to steal a quick kiss against the omega’s forehead. Izuku’s face softened at the touch, highlighted by a fond glance at his daughter, visible though an ultrasound at the moment.
“You know you give us a lot of struggles,” he whispered with a low voice, trying not to wake the omega up, who desperately needed some rest. “We both know he’s strong but it doesn’t mean you need to use him as a punching ball, kiddo. I know you want to get out of here but you need to stay patient and wait a little longer before meeting us. It wasn’t a coincidence if you recognized my voice, right? You got your dam’s intelligence, let’s hope you’ll get his freckles too. I’m also excited to meet you, more than anything, but we need to keep this as our little secret.”
The taller man took a last glimpse at the sleeping figure, who seemed too lost in his thoughts to even acknowledge the previous conversation. Katsuki smiled, pushing the bedsheet closer to his shoulders and putting the pillow back to the side, in case this idiot looks for it later. He successfully slid out of the bed against his will, and made sure the freckled man was comfortable enough as he gently closed the door…ready to prepare breakfast.
—----
Their hangout in town after the release of the new movie brought the sweetest souvenirs, from the moment they recognized each other’s figure outside the theater, to the pleasant exchanges shared in their long walk, prolonging this moment a little longer. The freckled man couldn’t be happier to get the best of company in occasion he would’ve usually spent on his own, especially when Katsuki was attentive to every detail pointed out by the teacher concerning their previous watch.
The two men briefly talked about the debate that led them to sleep in the same bed, but acknowledged its impact when the blond’s scent became an immediate source of reassurance for Izuku’s omega, even during his surprise visit to the alpha’s agency to wish him a good day. Katsuki got the unfortunate tease from his friends, who knew the truth, and pretended he was annoyed by their behavior, when he was secretly touched to see how he finally reached step two of his romantic plan.
It didn’t take long to see the stubborn alpha returning the gesture when he did something that no one else ever did before, marking more points in the teacher’s heart. It happened during a complicated night, when the wind blew the leaves of the trees and shared a terrible echo in the silent apartment, plunged in the darkness with shaking hands holding the bedsheet. Until now, Izuku was sure he was able to beat any form of defense coming from his inner thoughts, but this one caught him off guard: It started as something simple, a sweet scenery where he saw his loved ones and his pup playing together in a public park, but the darkness started to surround this innocent environment and transform it into a morbid setting.
The last thing the freckled man remembered was the distant figures telling him two pieces of heartbreaking news: His daughter had gone missing, and Dynamight had been found dead after his recent fight. Each breath escaping his lips acted as a thousand stabs in the chest, observing the lifeless body of the blond on the ground, drowning in his own blood, and the empty swing was still moving in the air…
A few minutes ago, it used to be a small girl with her chuckle, asking the omega to come in a mumbling language, but the second he reached this cursed area…he was welcomed with a suffocating emptiness inside his chest. His heart begged to get his daughter back, looking everywhere for her but every time he tried to forget about the lifeless body on the ground, it found a way to haunt his mind. No matter how hard he tried to desperately call for help, he was alone with the plushie, a symbol of innocence, which found this ocean of blood with this cruel scenario
The pain influenced the fast heartbeat inside his chest, forcing him to become too intense and instantly woke up with a scream and tears falling down his cheeks. His first reaction was to immediately wrap his hands around his belly, and slowly regain his breath when he felt the weight on his body that didn’t represent a bother anymore. His fingers held his night shirt tighter, mumbling low apologies, picturing the bloody hands that became scarred ones in his reality.
His shaking hands grabbed his phone on the nightstand and typed his code with trembling fingers. When the bright light almost blinded his eyes on the spot, he reached his contact and pressed the button: The heavy silence on the line and this apartment made him sadder than he already was, holding back his tears with the hope of hearing an answer as soon as possible. Katsuki Bakugo was someone with good sleep schedules….until he met Izuku Midoriya. He didn’t have any shame when it came to feelings and how he was ready to do anything for this man and the family he wanted to protect more than his own life. However, receiving a call from the said omega in the middle of the night, past the teacher’s sleep schedules, was a direct sign of an emergency.
He didn’t think twice before answering the call, only to find the trembling voice and the hiccups breaths on the other side of the line. The crimson eyes widened when he understood how Izuku had another nightmare, this time more important than the others, but Izuku’s fear acted as a thousand stabs in the chest. He needed to do something, the only option available was to do something risky at this hour-
“Shit, shit- Izuku, are you still here ?” He asked with a serious tone. “Fine, I need you to listen to me: There’s no way I'm letting you on your own after what I've heard, so I'm coming straight to your apartment and you’re gonna explain to me everything in the slightest details. Put the keys on your door and let it open for me, I should be there in a few minutes, and stay where you are. If someone enters before you receive any message from me, take a weapon and kick them out, get out ?”
“But Kacchan…How am I-” The teacher barely had time to finish his sentence before hearing the decline of the previous call.
The recent tears that fell down his cheeks, acted like a sharp knife against his bleeding skin and welcomed the sobs that slipped through his lips. He immediately rested his messy curls against the knees he brought closer to his chest, even if the pregnant belly made this position more uncomfortable. The freckled man had already experienced many obstacles and heartbreaks, but nothing hurt more than the intense pain spreading inside each of his bones and making his heart more fragile than it already was.
It took him a few minutes to get enough strength to whip the tears away and open the door of his apartment. His shaking hands grabbed the closest form of weapon within his reach and prepared himself for the worst-case scenario, keeping his eyes on his phone. Katsuki didn’t know he was able to grab his clothes in such a fast rhythm and didn’t even check if he locked his door, being too preoccupied with the teacher’s state. The heartbreaking sobs haunted his mind, as he ran as fast as possible into the building and typed the code : He released a groan when he failed, due to stress, and pushed the door while awakening the whole building with his footsteps on the stairs.
The taller man finally arrived in front of the door, noticing how it was open, and texted the freckled man. The sound of the notification and the drop of the weapon resonated on the other side, before pushing the door and catching the most heart-wrenching scene. The green-haired man, who usually teased him about the stupidest thing, was residing behind the count with the knife on the ground and his teary eyes when they immediately recognized the familiar figure.
Katsuki’s body moved on its own and ignored the open door, feeling the weight of the trembling omega against his chest. His fingers held onto the blond’s shirt tighter, with muffled apologies in the omega’s sobs. His messy curls, usually described as the most beautiful gems, were now covering his chest with the darkness of this apartment. The golden-haired man immediately held the vulnerable omega as close as possible, trying not to bother their daughter.
“Shit, it’s worse than I expected, but I'm here….It’s okay, I won't leave, Izuku,” he whispered with a kiss in his hair, holding him as if there was no tomorrow. Their two scents created a unique song with their heavy breath and their muffled mumbles, while their hands were lost in each other’s backs. The connection made by their bodies during the euphoria of a spicy night was now transcribed into the beauty of their souls forged together in a moment of vulnerability, stronger than any promises made until now. “You’re safe, no one's gonna hurt you now.”
“I’m scared,” the freckled man mumbled with a strong grip, listening to the alpha’s heartbeat. Izuku never wanted to put the blond in such a mess, but was glad to see how Katsuki didn’t hesitate a single second to risk everything just to check on him “I don't know what to do, I’ve tried to stop them, I sincerely did but they always found a way to be stronger when I put my guard down. Promise me that they won’t take you and my daughter away from me, you won’t let them separate us-”
“I wouldn't let such a thing happen,” he replied with an encouraging tone, stepping back to lift the teacher’s chin and put a lost curl behind his ears. “I already told you, I got you and the brat’s back, but you need to regain your breath. You’ll scare her and this’ll only make things worse, then you’re gonna tell me what you saw okay ?”
Izuku didn’t find the courage to answer and simply nodded while wiping away the tears on his cheeks. He never liked the idea of showing his vulnerability to anyone, even his loved ones, but the situation became out of control! His inner omega held into the consoling shadow, relieved to feel the protective alpha and his scent, who held him as if there was no tomorrow. There was no sign of possessiveness in this gesture, even if Katsuki chose to mark the teacher’s wrist and his neck, knowing how these affectionate vows automatically appeased the previous tremble.
“That’s great, you’re such a good dam, that’s my omega,” the words accidentally slipped by accident in the conversation, causing a sudden rise inside his chest.
Shit, the only thing Katsuki wanted to do was to erase the nasty tears on the freckled man’s cheeks, but he forgot they weren’t mated! How selfish of him and his inner alpha to claim Izuku when the nerd was probably interested in someone else. A sudden purr caught his attention when he moved his head and found the fragile expression on his face, trying to make some sense about what he just heard: There were a bunch of theories that crossed his mind, explaining this change of behavior, but the most rational was the idea that Izuku and his inner omega were such in such distress, that they became attached at the closest form of reassurance.
Katsuki continued to appease the shorter man as much as he could and heard the slight noise of complaints escaping Izuku’s lips when he moved to close the door. The taller man decided to guide the teacher into his bedroom and stay on the messy bedsheet as he brought a glass of water and joined the silent man.
“How do you feel now ?” He asked, breaking the silence with a slow caress in the omega’s back. The calloused hands made gentle movements on his stupid night shirt, and brought the shorter man closer to him, observing how the messy curls found the crook of his shoulders. A quick glimpse at the scarred hands revealed how they unconsciously moved toward his belly, trying to reassure their daughter at the same time. “Did she show any sign of distress or discomfort ?”
“She’s good, she’s a strong one…not like her dam,” Izuku mumbled in a low tone. The caress on his belly slowed down, revealing his moment of hesitation, but the blond was observant enough to notice the hints and read between the lines. After all, he already crossed the lines by calling him beautiful and “his omega” earlier!.
“What are you saying, she’s inheriting from your genes and you’re the smartest person I’ve ever seen. I have no doubts this kid will be as wise as you,” explained the taller man, wrapping his fingers around the omega’s back to continue the gesture he stopped earlier. His goal was to let the nerd know how he was safe in this new environment, no matter how long it would take and the number of praises shared by the blond, who had been waiting to hold the man he loved close again…even if he wished it was under different circumstances.
“I’m not sure about that,” mumbled the shorter man. Don’t get him wrong, he truly appreciated the support from this relationship they couldn’t name, but Izuku wasn’t as perfect as Katsuki portrayed: He was full of flaws, and inner conflicts that reminded him of his weakness once the night covered his sleepy eyes with its darker tricks. “It’s not because your vision is biased by your attachment that it means she’ll share the same opinion. What would she say if she knew her dam became miserable over stupid nightmares? I know there’s some fight we can win, but why does this one take so long to achieve ?”
“Because you have the tendency to keep all this suffering inside you until it explodes,” Katsuki pointed out with a sigh. “I’ve been here too, I've shared the same struggle as you and it took me years to get out of here, there’s always a way to escape the worst-case scenarios. None of this is real, and no matter what they show you, it’s an illusion-”
“But the feelings are real,” replied the shorter man, leaving the previous gesture to directly stare at the concerned crimson eyes. Izuku was conscious of all the efforts made by the hero to cheer him up, and he was sincerely grateful for that, but he was still influenced by the fear that refused to leave his chest.
"You should acknowledge them, the main difference is that you don’t need to handle this on your own, freckles.” He moved closer to pinch his nose and caught the distant glance on the teacher’s face. “You don't need to be strong all the time, being weak represents this humanity that charms so many people. Don’t let these impossible scenarios steal all the memorable souvenirs you’ve created with your loved ones: in this war, you can be your own hero or enemy, the choice is all yours.”
“It was unbearable,” Izuku said with a broken tone, holding the fabric of his shirt tighter. If Katsuki noticed the rising distress back in the omega's scent, he simply covered him with his scent to the nerd’s wrist. “It happened in the blink of an eye, the world turned darker with…these things I can’t forget. It was simple, a naive and empty swing, but the words acted like a thousand stabs in the chest-”
“What did they say? I won’t judge you, I wouldn’t be here if it were the case,” the taller man mumbled with an understanding tone, losing his fingers close enough to catch the thumbs of the omega, hesitant to hold onto his hand.
“They…” The green-haired man took a deep breath and grabbed the calloused fingers into his. He was self-aware about what this gesture meant between them, but he was more focused on the talk about his nightmare than the state of their relationship. “They keep haunting me and spreading the news that my daughter went missing. She’s still here in a blurry face from afar, being as fragile as a leaf in the wind….only to disappear in the blink of an eye. Kacchan, she was so small, I failed to protect her and then I saw blood…”
“It’s okay, no matter what your mind projects, this is all a way to scare you out. You can still break my hand if you want to destroy something or express your intense emotions.”
“The origin of this endless river of pool was you,” confessed the freckled man with a stronger grip. Katsuki was glad the nerd followed his advice and released all his suffering under a physical form, but the revelation acted as a slap in the face. He was tempted to ask more questions about why he was the source of such nightmares, and chose to be patient d for the entire narrative instead. “Kacchan, what I’ve seen was intolerable, from the morbid details on your lifeless body and open injuries, to the anxiety killing me from the inside when you were both gone. I’m so terrified of losing my daughter, but I don’t think I’ll be able to say my final goodbye with you after what happened at the hospital l. How can I protect you both at the same time ?”
“By protecting yourself first," announced the golden-haired man with a kiss in the curls. Izuku’s teary eyes widened at the unexpected answer, revealing an adorable ounce of surprise that sparked his irises. “I can’t speak for the brat, but I know what she would’ve wanted if she had the ability to speak at the moment. Izuku, you underestimate the impact you have on people’s lives the moment you meet them, you’re a magnetic force that brings light to anyone’s day and your strength is a real form of courage. Your brat and I don’t need you to be an unbreakable hero, but a kind soul who knows how to treat his loved ones right enough to make them care about him.”
The calloused hands left the scarred ones to meet the pregnant belly under the shirt. The heat of the warm palm against the teacher's skin gave him a sudden blush, and covered the shade with the obscurity of his surroundings. Izuku was intrigued to know how someone like Katsuki Bakugo could make him feel so many emotions at the same time!.
“Your pup believed in you from the very first moment she heard your voice and recognized it as a crowd,” he said with a comforting tone. Katsuki knew his actions were originally motivated by his desire to get closer to his family, and became the puppet of fate. The short visit to the hospital taught him a good lesson about the mistakes he needed to avoid from now on, refusing to exchange against anything: He got extras who loved him for his true self, the company of the prettiest man who haunted his heart, and the excitement to see his firstborn! “You’re her biggest hero and I saw how devoted you are when it comes to her safety. I promise this kind of accident won’t happen as long as I’m still a part of this world, freckles.”
Izuku’s face spoke louder than any words trying to escape his open lips.
The freckled man was nothing but a broken soul who needed support in a moment of fragility, and Katsuki wanted to make sure he covered the omega with enough love. The strength in their bond was defined by many layers, unreachable at first sight, but meaningful enough to brighten their grey worlds and create an awaited event for their sensitive hearts. Izuku didn’t know about the truth of that memorable night, but he found a way to appreciate his presence and the man behind the mask…and this statement was more powerful than any “I love you”.
“I’m sorry to hear about the content of your nightmares, this nasty accident now belongs to the past and I’m still here, such as the little bean, who never gave up on you. It’s not because some fights are harder than others that it automatically becomes a defeat…Izuku, you’re so strong and you’re gonna be such an amazing dam, in the way you’re already the hero of someone else’s story: mine.” A slight smile crossed his lips when he saw the blush rising on the freckled cheeks. “Don’t bottle up your feelings, we’re all here to help you. I won’t let anyone take me down and I’ll always return stronger from the battlefield, the same way you’ll be with her and this unconditional love you’re ready to share in a lifetime.”
“How can you do that?” Izuku asked with a small smile, whipping the last tears away. He didn’t know this broken melody could take the form of the kindest form of lyricism he had ever seen. The teacher contained a light chuckle when he saw the surprised crimson eyes, moving his head to the side and offering the most beautiful expression on a silver platter. “I mean….You always find the right words to bring a smile back to my face and warm my heart as if you had another quick ability to transform promises into a treasure beyond words.”
It was the perfect setting to reveal everything, but the taller man chose to share another confession instead. As much as he wanted to change the story, Izuku’s reactions remained a complete mystery when it came to the night of their daughter’s conception: It’ll require more research and attention, the blond needed to make sure the omega wouldn’t enter into a shock that would cause the loss of their child.
“This only works for the most important people in my life, and guess what? You’re one of them. If you think I’ll leave you behind after everything you gave me, you’ve truly underestimated me,” he teased with a grin. The taller man brought the shorter man closer, stealing a quick kiss against his messy curls, realizing how the omega’s scent turned softer after this sweet gesture. “How do you feel now? Do you need another glass of water ?”
Izuku’s face turned redder when he heard the alpha’s heartbeat align with his, having a strange impression of deja vu. His mind was already sensitive due to the previous nightmare, but he was glad to feel Katsuki by his side and stay with him a little longer in this illicit affair, observed by the spying stars. Neither Katsuki nor he was able to define the true meaning behind their meeting, considered a treasure from fate when it represented so much more than that. They find a way to complete each other in a sentiment beyond every title they’ve been through, and the ones they haven’t explored yet…
“Better, tired from all this crying but I’m glad you came here to check on me, thanks Kacchan.” Izuku had so many things to say, and not enough time to share the confessions that belonged to their unique narrative. Katsuki Bakugo was a good-looking man, and he had never been this beautiful at this exact moment, when his weakness became a source of courage for the omega’s heart. “Would it be stupid to consider you as my white knight? After all, you always fly to my rescue, take care of my child’s well-being, and like to be the source of my brightest smiles. I bet many people would’ve envied me-”
“They can dream as long as they want about it, we both know there’ll only be one nerd stupid enough to think his problems aren’t important,” the taller man pointed out with a grin, ghosting his fingers against the freckled cheeks. “Between us, this title looks pretty good on me, but only if you want to be my damsel in distress. Listen, as much as I would love to have a sleepover with you, you need to get some rest. I’m going to prepare the couch and-”
Izuku’s face turned paler at the previous words: It’s not like he expected this sweet exchange to last forever, but he underestimated how attached he would be to the idea of feeling Katsuki’s warmth against his! A part of him wanted to let the hero go and pretend none of this had happened, this fake illusion of peace wouldn’t fool his heart…not when he was too deep into this relationship that reminded him of something he had already lost in the past.
“Wait-“ his voice shouted out, and he grabbed the alpha’s wrist with his head down. Izuku’s cheeks turned red, refusing to let Katsuki go. “Stay with me tonight. I mean…I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep on my own again, and I don’t want to let you risk your life at this hour.”
The green-haired man can lie to himself as much as he wants, but he knows the truth behind this gesture resided in something deeper than a simple fear of dreams that has already faded away. Maybe Izuku was too scared to admit it for the moment, even if he wanted to hold onto the alpha’s scent a little longer, and make sure his daughter was safe… definitely not because he was afraid of sleeping alone after the night they had at Katsuki’s apartment.
The taller man already knew how to read between Izuku’s lines to feel how the teacher came here for different motives than what he claimed, matching the blond’s desire to hold the man he loved as close as possible. He didn’t care if the things that happened tonight and the accidental words that slipped out of his lips would change something in their relationship, his only priority was to let Izuku know how he was, and would always be safe by his side.
“Alright,” he whispered with a grin when he saw how the emerald eyes turned brighter at his answer.
Shit, he looks adorable under this angle, leaving the blond sensitive to the view that felt too intimate for platonic friends. He followed the shorter man into the familiar bedsheet and even assisted him in his special position to sleep, a detail noticed by the green-haired man, who replied with a hidden smile. Katsuki was attentive to every informations mentioned in their exchanges, convincing his inner omega that, in the craziest circumstances, he could be the one his heart had been looking for.
Izuku ignored this heartwarming thought as he moved to the side, and felt the calloused fingers pressing the sheet on his shoulders as the strong hand simply moved his gentle touch to share a single glance that meant a thousand “I love you” at the same time.
The freckled man had never looked this beautiful, but it was nothing to Izuku, who took the time to observe the heartwarming details on the hero’s face. He had never been so accessible until now and yet, the fragile fingers on this broken skin were too afraid to commit the unforgivable by touching this painting. There were so many things to praise about the kindness of the alpha’s soul, his strength, courage, and even his stubbornness that gave grey hair to his loved ones…but nothing compared to the amazing soul behind this pretty face, able to steal anyone’s heart on the spot.
“Kacchan…thanks for everything you did for us. I hope one day I’ll be able to return the gesture,” he confessed with a small push to his shoulders. The teacher had never been this close to opening his lips and saying something he might regret later, even if the temptation to simply cup the hero’s cheeks made him vulnerable to every change in the hero’s face.
There were a bunch of reasons why falling in love with Izuku Midoriya was easier than breathing, and Katsuki hoped he would be able to spell each of them in this lifetime. He started to fall for the stranger that haunted his nights, before admitting how the name that escaped his lips in the euphoria of the moment was so much stronger than it appeared on the outside. Their heated encounters portrayed a pleasant surprise from this kind stranger who shared his biggest secret with someone he trusted enough, but nothing compared to the real Izuku Midoriya. This name was the symbol of so many praises, fond souvenirs forged inside his mind, and his unconditional love for their daughter.
There’s no doubt, Katsuki Bakugo wouldn’t want a better man than Izuku Midoriya to be the dam of the most precious gift he could ever ask: their unborn child.
“We’ll talk about this when the time has come,” he whispered with a quick kiss on the messy curls. “Now, if you and the brat want to, you should get some rest because I already know you’re gonna sleep like a big baby tonight. If you have another nightmare, I’m here, and I won’t leave, I promise.”
“What did I do to deserve your kindness ?” Izuku asked, mesmerizing every word leaving the blond’s lips.
“Be the prettiest and the strongest omega I’ve ever seen,” confessed the golden-haired man with a tease, even if they both knew how Katsuki was a man of his words. Technically, he could’ve said so many things, such as the pride to know their daughter will inherit from her dam’s beauty and kindness, or the fact that Izuku became more beautiful each time he looked at him with this sparkly glance! A thousand reasons would’ve been enough to transform the sleepy omega into a painting full of red, due to the heavy blush on his cheeks, but this tease was enough for the moment.
After all, they needed to take their time with this relationship, Izuku was still figuring out his own emotions and Katsuki wanted to make his love confession at the right time. The tender “goodnight” they whispered that night was highlighted by their pleased scents as their bodies found rest in each other’s embrace…