Chapter Text
Katsuki brushed his fingers across the expanse of gauze wrapped around his neck and sighed shakily at the mirror. The bandages didn’t hide anything, not the skin that had melted to disfigurement, or the dark red patches that licked the edge of his jaw. The bandages didn’t hide the swelling and purplish black bruises on his arm as it rested in his sling, or the fact that when he opened his mouth wide enough, people could see the large gap in his tongue.
It ached more than he could even comprehend, every motion a chore, and every word a battle.
His good hand shook as he dropped it to the bathroom counter. He chewed at his chapped lips. It had been seven days since they’d dragged themselves out of the woods with more injuries between them than a small army and though he’d thought the agony he was in was surmountable, he’d woken up in the early morning unable to talk and unable to move. Inko and Granny patched him up, spoon fed him soup, and like a loyal guard dog, Izuku didn’t leave his side.
Izuku, who had healed quickly, had taken to resting Katsuki’s head in lap and carting his fingers through his hair. The next three days were painful beyond imagining, and he’d been in an out of consciousness for half of it. Izuku held him tightly the whole time, and he was only lucid enough to realize he had visitors once or twice during the duration.
The first had been Todoroki and Yoarashi, looking the worse for wear, but happy in each other’s company. They had thanked him for stopping the Council from executing them, for saving their friends, and providing them with a distraction so that Yoarashi’s attack on the sheriff wasn’t the most concerning matter for the Council to fret over. Todoroki said he was in charge now, and that he, Iida, and Nemuri would amend the laws so that Izuku could stay in Umimura with his mother, and they would provide him with enough blood to keep him healthy.
And after that, Katsuki had passed out to wake up half a day later and find Izuku in heavy conversation with none other than Iida Tenya, who sat on the edge of Izuku’s bed with the most somber of expressions. Neither had noticed him, though, too enraptured in their own conversation to pay attention to the way his eyelids fluttered. He breathed out his nostrils and pressed his eyes shut, listening intently.
“-can’t be together forever.” Izuku had sighed shakily, and Katsuki felt his soft fingers brush against his cheek. “He’s gonna grow old, and it’ll be wrong to be together. He shouldn’t feel stuck with me, and I- I can’t keep him forever.”
“It’s difficult, Izuku,” Iida had agreed, and the shadow that passed Katsuki’s eyelids had made him think Iida had reached out to Izuku. “Being with someone is hard when you know you’ll outlive them. It took me years to come to terms with my attraction to Uraraka because of it, you know.”
“Y-yeah.”
“But Bakugou went head first into a war he didn’t belong to for you,” Iida continued. “And I think that makes it quite clear that he’s not going to give up on you two just because of your affliction. And I believe you shouldn’t give up either.”
“I’m not, I just-” His breath brushed against Katsuki’s cheek as he sighed. “I want him to be happy.”
Katsuki choked, audibly, and the strangled sound that came from his throat was hard to make out. Izuku flinched, and Katsuki could feel it from his spot in Izuku’s lap. When Katsuki opened his eyes, he could see the teary eyes looking down at him. “I-” he started. It hurt horribly to talk, but not as much as it did to hear Izuku doubt them. “I am happy, nerd.”
Izuku choked, and leaned forward with shaking lips to press them firmly, chastely against Katsuki’s. The warmth of Izuku’s kiss spread all throughout his body, and filled him with a new strength and determination to get better, to heal so that he could help Izuku heal. The moment he got out of the sling, he’d wrap his arms around Izuku’s waist and drag him into the most loving embrace Izuku would ever feel. When Katsuki’s neck and throat were fixed, he’d whisper more affection in Izuku’s ear than he’d ever done before. When he was better, he’d make Izuku better, too.
Katsuki sighed at the mirror now, realizing that wouldn’t be possible. At least, not for a few months. Understandably, but much to Katsuki’s chagrin, Inko had contacted his parents. According to her, she’d put off informing them on Katsuki’s condition for far too long. She said that no matter how strained Katsuki thought his relationship with his parents was, they’d be concerned. They needed to know.
And as she told them, and they demanded Katsuki return home and spend the last few weeks with them before school started, Katsuki found it hard to be furious. In the months it had taken him to find the ability to trust and love without the fear of abandonment or manipulation, he’d realized that there were truly evil people in the world, and his parents had nothing on them. He had learned that extending an olive branch, trying to build a bridge, turned apparently horrible people into the very ones you’d risk your life for. That’s how he’d made friends, afterall. Even if it was thanks to a little push from Izuku.
After everything that had happened, he wanted to see his parents. He wanted to try and fix the bond that had worn down to bare threads. He’d found the family he’d always wanted in Umimura, and now he wanted to fix the family he’d always had.
“Katsuki, they’re here!” Inko shouted from downstairs, and Katsuki turned towards the open doorway. He could hear incoherent voices, talking jovially with one another. He sighed, one of the few things he could do with his raw throat and aching neck, and headed for the staircase. Chickpea was on the top step, clucking to herself as Katsuki stopped and looked back at his open bedroom door.
He didn’t sleep there anymore. Izuku’s bed had become his, too. But still, that room was his, and a small smile tugged at his lips when he realized with quiet satisfaction that it always would be. He may be going home now, but he’d be back.
And the Midoriyas would always have a place for him.
He bent down and awkwardly scooped Chickpea up into his good arm. She snuggled in, clucking contentedly as she tucked her head in Katsuki’s armpit. It tickled, but laughing hurt, so he released an airy breath instead, and descended to the first floor with heavy footsteps.
He caught his friends’ eyes when he reached the first landing, and furrowed his brows as Yoarashi, Todoroki, Shinsou, and Kirishima stood awkwardly in the hallway. “We wanted to come see you before the send off,” Kirishima said, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Yknow, since we won’t be able to hang out for awhile.”
“You’re really leaving, huh?” Yoarashi added, his scowl setting deep as he dropped his head atop Todoroki’s, chin set directly between red and white.
Katsuki pursed his lips and nodded, his eyes drifting between Shinsou and Yoarashi’s bodies to find his suitcase sitting abandoned by the front door. It almost hurt to see it, and when he looked back at his friends, they all looked somber. “Not gonna lie,” Shinsou groaned, kicking his toes into the hardwood. “Gonna miss that bitchy voice of yours.”
Katsuki snorted at that, ugly and strained, and Shinsou responded with a scrunched nose and an, “Actually, maybe not”, which sent the others into laughter.
“Boys,” Inko cut in, appearing in the kitchen threshold with a dish towel in her bruised hands. “Izuku won’t be up for another hour, and he needs his sleep. Why don’t you go hang out on the porch, and I’ll bring out snacks in a bit.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Midoriya.” Todoroki nodded, smiling warmly at her. Just a month ago, Katsuki wouldn’t have thought Todoroki was capable of smiling at anyone besides Yoarashi, and definitely not Inko.
Times had changed.
He and his friends drifted to the front porch, where they took their seats in the limited space--Todoroki finding his own spot in Yoarashi’s lap. Katsuki inhaled the scent of damp wood.
It had stormed for two days after the fight, the humidity having risen too high. The rain was greeted warmly as it washed away the dark, twisted events of the town, and left Umimura in a position of rebirth. Even now, just looking out at the street and the way plants bloomed and the sky seemed to shine with light clouds and a bright sun, Katsuki thought there was only one way to go: up.
Umimura would be better now. He was sure of it. Iida and Todoroki would take up the role as their clans’ leaders, and usher in peace between the different factions, as well as bring equality for the members with afflictions or pasts that were less than ideal to many of the townspeople.
The fact that no one had yet to speak out against Izuku and Inko’s amnesty was enough to silence the fears that Katsuki had about leaving. They’d be okay until he got back. He knew they’d be taken care of.
“When are you coming back?” Kirishima asked, fiddling with his fingers as he looked on at Katsuki with furrowed brows.
Katsuki cleared his throat and inhaled through his nostrils as he spoke through the pain. “Winter break,” he said. His eyes shifted towards the front door. “Or sooner, if I can.”
“We’ll take care of them for you. You know that, right?” Todoroki squeezed Yoarashi’s hand and leaned back into his chest. “Izuku’s our friend, and even if he wasn’t, we still owe you for everything you did for us.”
“How’s your clan taking- taking the-”
“-the fact that their new leader is deviant?” Todoroki finished, seeming overall unconcerned with Katsuki’s question. “They’ll get used to it. The deputies that worked under my father are the most hesitant, but I’ve got support from the omegas, betas, and the majority of the guard. Of course, I have the guards’ support just because they love Inasa.”
“That’s not true, Shouto, they love you, too. What’s there not to love?”
“Mmmm,” Todoroki chuckled, lifting a hand to rub at Yoarashi’s cheek. “I’m happy you think that.”
“You guys are disgusting,” Shinsou groaned, scrunching his nose and looking on with disgust. “Just because you can be out and open doesn’t mean you have to give everyone cavities with your tooth-rotting love.”
“Oh, and what? You’re better?” Kirishima snorted. “You know how fucking in love you look when you see Hatsume gutting a truck?”
Shinsou bristled. “She looks good with oil streaks on her face! Don’t fucking judge me over facts!”
“Well, I don’t think anything is gonna be as sickening as Katsuki and Izuku at the bus station later.” Todoroki, Shinsou, and Kirishima all nodded in unison at Yoarashi’s observation, and their eyes all shifted to Katsuki, who turned a violent shade of red and looked back towards the door.
“I’m gonna miss him,” Katsuki choked out. “He- He thinks it's unfair for him to stay with me,” he said on a whim. It was still bothering him, still upsetting how Izuku seemed to think he was being selfish for keeping Katsuki to himself. “Because he thinks the fact that he’ll live forever and I won’t, means he shouldn’t waste my time.”
It was the most he’d said aloud in a week, and the weight that lifted off his chest from sharing the fear was exhilarating. He felt like he could breathe, like he could finally enjoy the stars appearing in the wake of the disappearing sunset. No one said anything, at least, not at first. The group shared worried looks, and pained expressions, but it was Shinsou who finally broke the silence. “Do you want me to talk to him? Mei and I- we struggled with that, too, when we both realized we didn’t have forever.”
Katsuki sighed, his voice a little shaky, and he bit his lip and looked back at his friend. He blinked slowly and shook his head. “I’ll- I’ll talk to him about it when I get back. Just keep him happy until then.”
“We will.”
“Will what?” The group turned their eyes to the door where a hesitant Izuku stood with his fingers twiddling in the hem of his sweater sleeves and his hair a wild mess. He looked fresh from bed, and Katsuki thought it was a good look on him.
“We’ll text him,” Kirishima said, smiling. “He doesn’t want us to forget about him while he’s home.”
“Oh.” Izuku gravitated over to Katsuki, kneeling just beside him to lean his body into his. He shuffled a bit to look Katsuki in the eyes. “You’re gonna text me, too, right?”
Katsuki nodded and pressed a quick kiss to his forehead. “Obviously.”
“Good.” Izuku’s voice was quiet as he looked down at his lap and slowly lifted his hand to wrap firmly around the one in Katsuki’s sling. “I don’t want you to forget about me.”
“I would never. You’re too important.”
Izuku hummed at that pressed further into Katsuki, resting his head gently against Katsuki’s chest and inhaling a deep breath. He didn’t need to, not anymore, but Katsuki figured the habit was soothing for him. He used his free hand to card through Izuku’s hair soothingly. The group fell into a comfortable silence and simply enjoyed it for the remaining time they had together.
Katsuki was grateful for it. For the silent support.
Because he would never show it, but he was struggling to leave. He wanted to--he wanted to see his parents again, to talk to them--but it was hard.
He couldn’t do it without them.
Without his friends.
“Goodbye, Auntie,” Katsuki hummed, his words muffled by her shoulder. It hurt to bend down, and the strength at which she hugged him crushed his arm, but he didn’t say anything. He’d miss her, too, and he wanted her to know that. When she pulled away, he continued. “I’m sorry I was such a handful.”
She smiled through her tears and waved his apologies away with a flailing hand. “Don’t apologize,” she sobbed. “It was good to have the house so lively again, and- and I’m so grateful for what you did for Izuku.”
Katsuki winced and looked over across the platform. Everyone was there, his friends, Nemuri, Granny and Ol’ Torino. They all talked animatedly around him, hugging people who weren’t even leaving, and engaging Izuku, Katsuki, and Inko in constant conversation. And that’s where Katsuki found Izuku’s melancholy smile as he conversed idly with Uraraka and Iida, stealing glances over to Katsuki. “Y’know,” Katsuki started, glancing back down at Inko. “I’m really in love with your son.”
She smiled. “I know.”
“Will- will you remind him while I’m gone?” he asked, chewing at his lip. “I’m gonna text him every night, but I don’t want him going off my word alone. You can even tell him about this conversation, but please don’t let him start to think that I don’t, or- or that I don’t want to be with him.”
“Katsuki-”
“-I don’t want him to feel bad,” he said. “I don’t want him to think that him being a vampire makes me want him any less.”
“Katsuki, I think he knows.”
“Huh?”
She nodded and her eyes looked like they looked right through him, and then Katsuki heard someone clear their throat. He turned, too fast for his injured body, and sucked in a sharp breath in response to the pain. His eyes caught onto Izuku, and he smiled nervously, his cheeks tinting pink once he realized that Izuku had heard him. “H-hey…”
“Kacchan…” Izuku twiddled his thumbs and bit his lip, his head was cast down towards the cobblestone beneath them, but his eyes looked forward towards Katsuki. His shoulders hunched and he sucked in a breath. “I know you love me; I love you, too. I’m just- I just don’t want you to get hurt when I stay nineteen forever, and you realize that we won’t grow old together, and that the world will stop seeing us as a couple, and-”
Katsuki reached forward and grabbed Izuku around the waist with his one good hand, and yanked him closer. Izuku’s hands found Katsuki’s chest, and his fingers knotted in his shirt. He looked up at him with wide eyes, and Katsuki looked down at him with serious, tense ones. “I don’t care what the world sees us as ever. I care about you. I care about your happiness, and the time we get together.
“Deku, we have time. We have a lot of time before I get old and wrinkly, and start to look gross,” Katsuki told him, his voice withering away with every extra word. He’d used his throat more than he had in a week, and talking was starting to ache more and more. “We have the time to figure something out, okay? We will figure it out, but I’m not gonna leave you. Ever.”
Izuku didn’t answer, merely parted his lips in surprise and looked up to Katsuki with awe. And Katsuki’s eyes glanced down at them for a split second before closing the distance and pressing a firm kiss to Izuku’s opened mouth, slipping his tongue in and savoring how Izuku sucked on it when he tried to gasp. A shiver ran down his back, and though it hurt when Izuku’s hand finally reached up to rub against his jaw, he couldn’t help but lean into it as Izuku deepened the kiss.
Katsuki’s heart felt like it would burst. His head felt numb with the ecstasy of the kiss and the sheer love it was loaded with. Izuku was the one to pull away, to step up on his tiptoes and knock his forehead against Katsuki’s. He sighed, shut his eyes and pecked one last, chaste kiss to his swollen lips.
“I’ll be back soon,” Katsuki said, numb and happy. Izuku’s kiss had numbed the pain, and as he opened his eyes and looked down at him, he could hardly comprehend his beauty. He wanted to stay. He wanted to, but-
“Bus is leaving soon! All leaving Umimura, this is your final call!”
The call sent an ache through Katsuki’s heart, and he looked back at the bus, then at the group surrounding him, watching intently as he grabbed Izuku and wrapped him in a final, bone crushing hug. He didn’t care about the pain, or the way his arm was crushed between his and Izuku’s bodies.
He only focused on the love of his life wrapped in his arms, and the way it made him feel whole, like three months of agony and turmoil were worth it just to have found this.
A shrill honk cut through their silence, and Izuku broke their hug with a sniffle and a wipe of his forearm against his cheek. He bit his lip and looked up at Katsuki, and Katsuki only closed the distance once more. He pecked him on the cheek, and turned for the bus steps.
The moment both of his feet were off the cobblestone, he looked back and his heart lurched at the sight of Izuku’s bright smile and teary eyes. His lips moved before he could think, and he offered the only promise he was intent on. “I mean it, Deku! When I get back, I’ll prove to you I mean forever, okay?”
Izuku cried out and nodded violently as the bus doors began to close. “OKAY, KACCHAN!”
The doors closed, and the sounds from outside grew muffled. The bus lurched and Katsuki stumbled before sending a scowl up at the driver, who simply shrugged. “I figured starting the bus would be the only way to get a move on.”
“Bit rude, don’t you think?” Katsuki asked pursing his lips.
“Maybe. Go sit down.”
Katsuki sighed, and climbed the steps. His hips clunked against the seats’ sides as the bus started again and sped down the rough, dirt roads out of Umimura. Katsuki watched as his friends and family waved him off, and he suddenly felt wrong, like he shouldn’t have left. Like he shouldn’t have left Izuku on his own.
“Sit down, Katsuki. It would be bad if there was an accident, and you weren’t sitting when it happened.” Katsuki’s eyes blew wide as the voice registered in his head, and his gaze whipped down to the pair of seats on his right.
Sitting with her eyes fixed on the chair in front of her, her fingers fidgeting with knitting needles, and her lips pressed thin, Granny Shuuzenji dropped a hand to the seat beside her. Katsuki didn’t accept the gesture--not at first. He was too confused, too shocked. He looked around the bus to see if anyone else had snuck aboard, but he didn’t see anyone.
Hesitantly, he took the seat beside her and gulped, his throat lightly stinging at the friction. “What- what are you doing here?”
“Seeing you off, of course.”
“You couldn’t have done that on the platform?” he asked, but didn’t press the question. He felt unsure of her presence, or what she meant by being there.
“It’s alright, Katsuki,” she sighed, dipping her hand into her purse between them. “I’ll be gone in a second. I just thought I’d give you a parting gift, okay?”
“A- a parting gift?” He furrowed his brows. “Why? I’m coming back during my school break. I’ll only be gone for a few months.”
“Yes, but I- Well, you said you wanted to prove to Izuku that you meant forever, right?”
Katsuki tinged pink, and he quickly averted his gaze to his lap. “Y-yeah,” he stuttered, rubbing his lip between his teeth. “I, uh, I think I’ll ask him to marry me when I get back.”
“Oh?”
“Um, yeah,” he nodded, looking back to her. “Why?”
“Oh, nothing,” she smirked. “Just thought you meant something else is all.”
He furrowed his brow, but hesitated in asking. Granny had a look on her face, like she was about to mess with fate, or steer them off the set-upon timeline. “What?”
“Well,” she started, rifling around in her bag. “You know, I’m grateful for what you did for Umimura. I’m in your debt, really, and I thought I could give a little push for you and Izuku. You know, put you both on the right path towards forever.”
“Huh?”
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “Hold out your hand.”
“Why?”
“Just do it!”
And Katsuki did, extending his one good palm, and feeling something hot smack against it. When Granny removed her palm from his, his eyes blew wide and his heart skipped a beat. “Wha-”
“It’s Izuku’s, and it’ll be good for a year. The vial keeps it warm, but you have to make your decision before then,” she said. “I don’t want to push you towards anything you don’t want, but if you’re serious on forever, this is your path there. Good luck.”
“Wait, but-” Katsuki looked over to Granny, and found an empty seat. She was gone, and so was her bag and knitting needles. The one thing that remained was the vial of blood in his hands, and the option presented along with it.
When he had said he’d prove to Izuku that he’d meant forever, he’d meant he’d marry him. He meant that he’d get off the bus during Christmas break and fall directly to his knees with a ring in his hand and a promise to be Izuku’s until the day he died. And now-
He’d just have to wait and see.