Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It doesn’t make any sense. If there was one person on this planet who shouldn’t be here, it should be him. 

How could he stand in their living room, laughing and spending time with his parents when they barely knew anything about why he came here in the first place? Haru could see the awe and surprise on his parents' faces, how they were facing their teenager the previous day, and suddenly they were two in the house. Haru was forced to live with the older version of himself, the adult one who got all the praise. 

Until now, the teenager tried to keep his jealousy to himself. He started thinking it was a bad feeling in his chest, that it could fade away as this stranger left but no because it’s worsened. Instead of taking their time to understand how his older version came into this world, they ask him about who he was in his world and what his pride was and get their son in the background, watching the scene.

If Haru tried to be okay with living with an older version of himself, he was still curious to know. What did he do to be so amazing, to have his parents’ attention the entire time? The worst part was his only answer: "I can’t tell you, it could change everything.”

Seriously? He only asked a few questions, trying to hide his jealousy, but it was too late. When this extra was sleeping on the couch, Haru couldn’t close his eyes, feeling how his nights were constituted by nightmares recently. Unfortunately, he couldn’t put them into worlds until now, until he figured out the reasons behind this bad feeling. 

Izuku and Katsuki noticed it. They knew something was wrong with their son, their actual son, and how he was trying to hide between his cold tone and being distant. A part of them broke when they saw the broken gaze of their son, watching the older version taking them out to talk. Izuku glanced with Katsuki, who seemed to have the same thoughts as him, before making a slight sight, the subject was important.

Haru couldn’t help but laugh at himself. How did he end up in this situation, being jealous of himself? There was no way it was possible, and still, it was happening. How could you blame him when fights constitute his life with his parents, tears, and “I’m going to leave the house as soon as I can because I hate you”? 

It was the words he said that day, and he regretted it since, even if his parents had forgotten him, there was still this feeling something was wrong. Now he saw his older version, taller and better than him living the life he should have. He should be the one who got the praise, who heard the « amazing » from his dam and the « Tch » from his father, the one watching his parent’s eyes turning big when he was explaining how he came this far in the top. 

Haru had to admit it, the three were better looking than in their actual life before he came. Maybe it was his mind, but the teenager felt that his older version had a better relationship with his parents than with him and his current relationship. At this point, overtaking started and destroyed him from the inside, he couldn’t sleep or think about something else than himself. After all, he came to his home and stole his life. He stole his parents, and he won in the end. 

“Are you alright, sweetie ?” Izuku asked, checking if the teenager didn’t have any fever. Recently his state was worse than usual, and it worried them both. Katsuki insisted on checking if he was sick, but the teenager refused to talk. 

/“Yeah, keep your sweetie to the extra. I don’t need them.”/ It was what he wanted to say, but instead, he whispered, “I’m good.”

Which was a lie, obviously but for his excellent sake…Izuku, instead, did not ask more. He knew that gaze, how there was something else between those cold red eyes, and how the freckled cheeks weren’t enough to hide the way he was sitting, his cheeks to stop tearing up. If there was one thing he could do, it was hug him. He did…but the answer wasn’t what he expected.

“Let go of me,” Haru answered, pushing him away. “I don’t need you and your shitty hug. You can keep them for yourself, leave me alone.”

Izuku’s face went wide. Katsuki, who was in the same room, instantly moved closer and checked why their son was reacting that way. 

“Oi, what’s wrong, kiddo ?” He asked, trying to look at him, but the only thing he could find was his son's red, teary eyes. 

“I said I’m fine.” The other yelled, knowing he was raising his voice, but he didn’t care. “Why are you so worried about me as if I was five again? You can stop, I know you’re just preening, and I don’t give a shit about the one you prefer. Now leave me the fuck alone.”

“Wait-” Izuku tried to stop him and saw how the teenager was pushing him away. It was common for them to face his crisis, after all, he was a teenager, and they went through this period too. The couple promised to do their best to keep their son safe and to support him no matter what, even when they heard hard words. 

A loud door filled the silence. Izuku’s face was pale, trying to understand what just happened as the blond stood by his side, stunned. 

Never in their life, and until now, they faced something like that. Usually, his crisis was intense, but it was resolved in a few minutes, one of them would apologize, and the world would return to his sense, but this time it was different. This time, Haru ignored them the entire night. The teenager didn’t even come to the dinner because he was too focused on staying in his room and doing his stuff, which broke Izuku’s heart. The freckled man expressed his worries to his mate, telling him something was wrong, and he could feel it, but he hated to know that their son was suffering and they couldn’t do anything. Katsuki tried his best to comfort him, telling him that he’d talk to him as soon as possible in the morning, but he knew it was deeper than that.

Haru’s older version knew something had happened when he came to the dinner that night. The freckled man had teary eyes, while the blond was strangely silent. At first, they refused to talk before agreeing and explaining the entire situation….which changed everything. 

Haru’s older face turned pale when he knew he should do something. 

——

That night, Izuku and Katsuki barely sleep. Their son’s words resonated in their mind, and for the first time in their life, the comfort of the other wasn’t enough. It’s only when the sun reaches the window that their eyes close themself, too exhausted to do anything.

Maybe they would've stayed awake if they knew what would happen.

Indeed, the teenager reached the living room with a bag at that exact moment. It was heavy enough to survive a few days and change his mind, but something caught his eye: a letter was on the table for him. He knew he should leave her behind, but his instincts told him it could help him later. 

Unfortunately, he hated to say this, but he took the letter, buried her in his clothes and food, and gave a last glance at the place. It used to be a comfortable and welcoming place, where even in his wrong moment, he was loved by his parents. Now everything was gone, gone because of this extra that came into his life and ruined everything. Older version or not, Haru didn’t care if there was a reason, he just saw how the other took the perfect timing to reach his family and steal his life. After all, why should his parents keep him? He was only making crises, insulting his parents, yelling, and hurting them with his words. He was useless, they would be way happier if they had a son like his older version, someone perfect and strong enough to be the family pride. 

Leaving them won’t be a problem, after all…they had already replaced him. 

With those last thoughts and a few tears falling down his cheeks, the teenager left the house discreetly. He took a picture with him, an older photo that he will never forget that day. 

During school, the teacher asked them to bring their parents. Haru refused, thinking it would be a shame, but instead, it turned out to be the best day of his life. He would never forget when instead of being the clingy parents and couple they were at home, they made sure to explain how they used to do their work for themself. Still, they were doing every single mission for their son because they knew they had to return home. 

——

Katsuki was the first one to wake up. 

The sunshine reached his face and woke him up, making him groan as something was blocking him. His eyes fell only to find the freckled man curling into his chest, holding him like there was tomorrow with a worried face. 

The previous night was complicated…it was the least to say. 

The blond knew he had to do something, talking with Haru was a first step, and he would still try. That’s why he decided to make the first step, even if this meant being welcomed by an angry teenager yelling at him in the morning. His strong hands came to put the freckled man by his side, hearing the noisy noises coming from the other when he left the familiar warmth. 

The sight made the blond smirk, kissing Izuku’s forehead and noticing a slight smile on his face in answer, the nerd deserved to sleep. It was the least he could do. The blond groaned when he found the cold floor. He wasn’t old, yet he was already acting like an older man, which was surprising but lovely for his husband. The first step was hard as he was trying to take control of his entire body, wiping his eyes and closing the door of his room.

The first thing he saw in the corridor was a wooden door with their son’s name on it. 

Katsuki remembers when Haru was four. He invited me to have his name in his room because he was a big boy now and wanted to grow up to make his parents proud. They still cherished this memory, even if time faded, and the sad reality took this naivety away. Katsuki sighed, taking a deep breath, knocking at the door, and hearing a dead silence…maybe Haru was sleeping. 

He knew he shouldn’t do that, but it was his only chance to solve the problem. The bond knocked a second time, but still no answer, and he started to call him. 

“Oi,” He said with a low tone, not trying to wake his husband up. “I know you don’t want to talk to your mom and me, but can you please answer with a groan, kiddo,”

Still no answer, there was a dead silence, just like the entire house.

“I’m not asking you to use words. I know you’re mad because you’re my son, and I know everything about you but can you open this door ?” A silence. “Please ?”

When a few minutes passed, and the blond felt like the only one doing the job, he decided it was too much. If his son wanted to ignore them, there was no problem but at least answer when his father asked if he was alive. 

“You want to ignore us? Alright. I’m not asking you to make an entire speech, but I know something is wrong, and if you think you’re going to go away, you can’t because I won’t leave until you answer me and tell me what the fuck is going on.” Katsuki sighed before reaching the point and opening the door. “I told you, don’t start screaming at me if -”

His eyes went wide. Instead of seeing a sleepy face on the bed, there was only an empty room. The posters were still here, the only thing missing was the family picture they took that day, and the sheets were messy, like someone had left rapidly. Without thinking, the blond started calling him, hoping to hear an answer but being met with dead silence as an answer. 

He searched everywhere in the house, ignoring how panic was starting to take control of his body. His voice shook little by little every time he called Haru’s name. When he found the Drawerful, his eyes went wide, and his face was pale. A few food and clothes were missing, Haru’s favorite. 

“Kacchan ?” A sleepy voice called him, revealing how the freckled man was still half asleep. “What’s going on? Where is Haru ?”

Katsuki said nothing, knowing that silence was worth more than words to describe the situation. Izuku’s face turned pale, and suddenly the hard-asleep omega turned into a worried dam with wide eyes and a shaking tone. 

“Where is my son.” It was a question anymore. Instead, there was something darker in the green emerald eyes, something almost scary. “Kacchan, can you tell me what happens.”

The band knew he had to say it, even if the words coming out of his words sounded like a death wish.

“He’s…” He knew the following words would be hard to hear, and he came closer, taking the other into his chest. “He left.”

“He did what ?” Izuku’s voice was shaking. The dark tone turned into worry as his body was shaking.

“Listen, I tried to search for him the entire morning. I looked everywhere in this house, and I couldn’t find him. I don’t even know where this brat is, and I-”

As expected, the freckled man broke down. It was like his entire world fell apart, knowing their son left in the night and they could do something earlier destroyed him. It broke him even more, to know how their last conversation was a fight between them. 

“No,” He whispered, without noticing, he put himself on the other’s chest. His scarred handsome to find the blond’s back and held him tighter, as the sound of his sobs resonated in the room. “No, there’s no way.”

Katsuki didn’t answer. He knew how this situation was an emergency but seeing his mate and husband tearing up and begging him to tell him it was. It destroyed him. He promised to be here for him in his wedding vows, even in the bad moments, including this one.

“I’m sorry, we’ll bring him back, deku,” Was the only thing he could say to comfort the other. 

He ignores the pain in his chest, the one telling him to scream and to yell to the entire world to find his son and bring him back home.  The two of them stayed in their embrace for long minutes, hearing Izuku’s sobs as Katsuki’s words weren’t enough to cover the pain in his chest. They failed, they thought they raised him well the entire time, making him happy, only to see the thing they cherish the most leaving them without any explanation. 

——

From his side, Haru glanced around. He had never walked into this neighborhood before. It was a journey to discover more about the two and ignore the pain in his chest. The same pain kept telling him to return home because he had made a mistake. 

It doesn’t matter anymore, his parents already replaced him with the extra. 

They kept looking at him like they used to look at him when he was younger, with love. Haru knew it was his fault if he messed up, he knew he acted before thinking, but he needed to leave this place. After all, he was sure that the perfect son was already with his family and taking Haru’s life. He had nowhere to go. He couldn’t go to his friend’s house because he could be found anywhere. Having your parents as the pro heroes number one was an inconvenience when you tried to run away. 

The teenager was lost, lost with himself and his thoughts, but he tried to convince himself that it was a good thing, maybe his parents would love his older version more than him. Maybe he would make them proud and give them the life they wanted, without no crises, no fights, and no things he would regret later. Now he was all alone, and he could think about why he left.

The entire time, he was escaping from his older version, the perfect one who always succeeded, but it was deeper than it seemed. It wasn’t just about making his parents proud but about his fear. Casually, people would reflect their fear on other people, which explains why there could be so many people we hate. Still, it’s different when it’s yourself. Instead of feeling confident and thinking he could do it because he had the proof under his eyes, Haru let himself see the bad things. 

Of course, he was just a teenager. He still needed to learn many things about life, make mistakes, and be someone better, but it wasn’t. 

Instead, he was stuck with this idea of not moving on, watching the others, including his older self, doing their best and staying afar just because of his anxiety and stress. At first, it was supposed to be temporary, but when it lasted years, he knew it was too late. At his age, people don’t have many expectations but growing up was one of them, not knowing what you’ll do, how you’ll end up, or even how you will be in 5 years could be scary. 

The only thing stopping him from overthinking and his fear was himself. After all, everything was in his head, and if others could do it, why couldn’t they?

He remembered when he saw one of his friends having his quirks at a young age, way before the other, and claiming to be an amazing hero. At this period, he didn’t have any sign of a quirk and could be quirkless…which wasn’t a problem because no matter what, his parents would always accept him for how he was. 

This was one of his biggest fears at such a young age, seeing the other classmates as the next hero and knowing that he could be useless. The only thing that saved him was his parents, how Izuku and Katsuki explained that it was okay to have fear and they would always be by his side. 

That day, Haru cried on his dam’s shoulder, feeling his father’s hands ruffle his back soft before hearing how they were already proud of him. But what about now? 

Now time changed him, and he could not do a single thing properly. Due to his anxiety and his lack of confidence, the only thing he was able to do was get in a comfy zone which destroyed him little by little. Facing reality and what he could have if he had worked hard on it was like a slap in his face. It might be the day he realized that he was weak. 

The entire time, he hid it, making fake smiles and admiring the others growing up without doing like them because he thought he could have time but no…time was already moving. A few years later, the other kids were making progress in his class, while he was stuck using his quirk. He might have the support and the love of his parent, but Haru knew how the worst thing was to be a disappointment in himself.

It might explain why seeing his older version was painful because he made it. The extra made it while he was still struggling with himself, not ready to have the answers to his questions yet. Then, without realizing it, tears fell down his cheeks, and he wiped them, walking away from where he used to live and being ready to accept his uselessness. 

After all, his parents won’t search for him because they had the perfect son, it wasn’t like he was important to them.

—

Haru was the most important thing in their life. 

Izuku will never forget when he held him for the first time In his arms, hearing his newborn tears and watching the tiny eyes opening themself. He was so small that the freckled man was scared to make him fall, but when he held Haru for the first time, he knew it was about to last a lifetime. 

Katsuki couldn’t be prouder of his son. 

He always had trouble expressing his feelings to others, especially his loved ones. In high school, it was a major problem with his relationship with his childhood friend and how their love story was complicated. It took them years to figure out the real nature of their feelings before letting each other accept how they love each other for their good and bad sides. Today, Katsuki struggled to express his affection toward his son. He always tried his best, but he never gave up on himself, not a single time, even if the words “I’m proud of you” never reached his mouth. 

It might explain why Izuku tried to hide his anxiety as the phone was on loudspeaker. The blond was pacing around as he heard his friend's voice, trying to comfort him. This wouldn’t change the situation, and yet, each second matters. It was a life or death situation because Haru could be anywhere in town, already hurt because everyone knew he was the son of the “Wonder Duo.”

It was always “We’ll find him” or “The heroes are on his trace,” but the couple already knew how this would end. At the end of the day, none would have any answer to their question and a broken heart. Izuku sighed, wiping his tears away, and his arm was already marked by the trace of the nail on his skin, mostly because he was stressed the entire time.

“Did they have any news ?” Izuku asked two hours later, glancing at his mate with desperate and worried eyes. Katsuki would love to answer “yes,” to see the light coming back into those green emeralds' eyes, but he couldn’t, not when his heart was broken. 

“No,” The blond answered, his heart sinking at the sight of the soon-to-be tears in his mate’s eyes. 

He felt bad, too, he wanted to fight, and that’s what he was doing, but he couldn’t live that way, not when his son’s life could be in danger. Katsuki couldn’t live with the idea that he was the one at the origin of Haru’s pain, how the boy would hate him all his life for an unknown reason. “It’s just a question of time before they find him.”

“And what if they don’t ?” Izuku’s shaking voice asked, scared too scared to say more and holding on to his last sight of hope. His instinct was to tell him that their son was alive, they needed to find him and solve the problem, especially since Haru’s older version was gone. 

“They will,” The blond answered, bringing him into his arms and making a sigh. It wasn’t just any respect but the most important mission in his life. “And if they can’t, I’ll be the one doing it, nerd.”

Izuku’s eyes went wide, noticing the sudden confidence in the other’s eyes and face. It might be a while since he saw his mate that way. The last time a villain hurt him, Katsuki acted without thinking and went too far. That day, the media recovered the case. They explained how Dynamight was stronger than they believed, even with the blond’ defense about how he saved a life.

“Don’t,” He whispered, catching the surprised eyes of the blond. ”Don’t risk your life. I don’t want to lose you too. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you both. So I’ll be the one searching for him.”

“Don’t even think about it, freckles” His hands found the scarred one, seeing how they were shaking. “You’re not okay, and it could be dangerous, you can’t fight in your state. Nothing would happen to me, I promise.”

Izuku said nothing, knowing his mate was right, but still, he wanted to fight too. His mental health and state shouldn’t be a problem because he faced worse.

“I know this gaze” The other cut him off his thoughts. “You know I won’t change my mind, my goal is to keep you safe here. I can’t lose you, too, and I’ll fight until my last breath, got it? I can’t go back home without him.”

“I want to be a part of it, kacchan,” Izuku insisted. “You can’t do this by yourself. We’ll fight together like we always do, especially for him.”

The blond knew he couldn’t see his husband’s mind, especially when they were this small list of hope and confidence in his eyes. The regret would soon be a part of the past because they would bring their son back home.

“I have an idea,” The freckled man said, catching the other’s curiosity. “One of us must stay here to be here if we have any news about him. After that, we should probably make a shift and let the other know how it’s going.”

Katsuki smirked, ruffling the green curls and seeing a soft smile on his face. It was nothing and would never cover their pain, but it was a beginning, which doesn’t mean they would give up.

——

From afar, things were different for the teenager. He had to hide multiple times, knowing many heroes were looking for him, and he couldn’t risk getting caught. 

He took a huge risk of being exposed to the world, especially to the villain who could take him as an easy target. Haru constantly glanced around him, searching for a place to hide and always finding the most lots and isolated issues he could see. 

It wasn’t always comfortable, he barely had enough food and drank to survive, and he started to regret everything. Was running away a good idea? Was he strong enough to face his parents and reveal how useless and jealous he was? Probably not. Haru’s body moved on his own when he left the house, thinking it was the right thing to do, but now it was getting dark, and the voice behind him was fading away. It could be an excellent spot for the night….even if it were risky, it was the consequence of his choice. 

The night was slowly falling into the hidden place, rivaling the stars in the sky and how it was the only thing the teenager could admire from afar. It was like watching himself as a lost star and the other one around him being his loved one. A regret hit him. He left everything behind and couldn’t imagine how his parents must be worried. A part of him was missing them, the familiar warmth of his home and the happiness from here. 

Now Haru was alone in this place, on his own, with the thoughts that had hunted him until now. All this time, he was scared of them, yet nothing would come when facing them for the first time and he could have a real heart-to-heart talk with himself. 

A sudden sound caught his attention, hearing a familiar voice and his body froze. His sire kept yelling at the other heroes to do faster because they needed to search for him the entire night. Haru’s face turned place, and his heart missed. Hurt when he realized he wanted to scream and yell that he was here. 

He wanted to find his father so badly, to apologize, but it would be too much, not when he was already a shame to this family after all, why they were looking for him when the other version was here to fill the disappointment they found in Haru.

The footsteps faded, revealing how Katsuki and his team were out, and the teenager was alone again.

Haru sighed. It was getting late, and he needed to cover himself. His hands found his back, reaching a sweet he used a pillow and a few teeshirts he attached to cover his body as a sheet. It was the same comfort as his bed, cold and barely warm, but it was all he had. The boy took another slip of his water, eating the rest of the food he took from the fridge, and glanced around. 

“Why does it feel bad when it was what I always wanted ?" He asked himself. “I guess I should be used to it now.”

His hands found something in the bag. 

His eyes widened when he found the surprising letter he had taken before leaving with his name on it. The teenager didn’t know who could have written it, but by deduction, it couldn’t be his parents, he knew their writing by heart. It didn’t matter now because the question would be solved in a few seconds as he opened the letter. 

----

“Dear little me, 

Writing for yourself is strange, especially for a younger version of ourselves. In therapy, they said it’s a good way to heal, but I don’t think it’s the same case here. I know what you’re thinking, “Who’s this idiot” “What was he thinking by writing this” or even “Why the hell should I read this thing?”…well, you’re right. 

I mean, I’m you, so I know exactly what you might think now. I had a difficult phase too, the same one you’re into, and the only thing I can say is sorry. I’m sorry for messing things up in my timeline, because of my stupidity, it cost our parents’ lives. 

You have all the right to ignore, burn or even put this letter in a bean. You also have the right to know the truth. I know what you might think, how I took your place, how I was the perfect son and made them happier. Well, you’re wrong.

 You're mistaken if you think mom and Dad would find someone better than you. I heard them explaining to me how they love you and would do anything to make you happy. We were young, letting our insecurities slowly destroy us.  You need to know the truth about what I hide. When you asked me about the future, and we’ll be, I said I couldn’t say anything because it could change your timeline, but there’s something you can do, something which could save them. I won’t say how we reached the top and even became one of our generation's strongest heroes because it can’t be enough to explain the pain and trauma I went through. 

In my timeline, I also ran away. I thought they hated me because they were too busy with the agency, they would rather see me away than by their side. How wrong I was. That day, I also took my bags and left the house, hiding as a new adventurer and thinking I knew everything about the world. After a few days, it turned bad to the non-returned point. 

I heard about the heroes looking for me, the officer calling my name, and our parents begging us to come off we were here. I never answered, and it was my biggest mistake. It’s time to tell my story, how the hero I am now is someone broken and unable to heal from his regrets and the past.  I came home a few days later without food, water, or dry clothes. I was exhausted, unable to walk anymore, and that’s when I saw our house. I remember having a bright smile on my face, thinking I would go home and hug mom and Dad again, but the reality was otherwise.”

Haru said nothing, holding the paper and shaking. 

“I opened the door and saw no one. I wondered if they were still here, so I called and searched for them the entire time in our house, who used to bring us comfort in the past. I still remember the paper on the table, Dad’s glasses next to the cold coffee, and the phone open with spam of old notifications never opened. 

I will never forget when I saw the news. I will always remember the unbearable pain In my chest when I saw the TV with big text explaining how heroes Deku and Dynamight were found dead this morning. The only thing I could think about at this moment was how I let them go without letting them know how much they meant to me, to us. The last memory of us would always be our fight, the sadness in their eyes, how I broke their heart, and they always fought for me until the end. 

In my search for liberty, I let go of the most important thing to me: our parents. Today, I might be the number two at the top, people might admire me, and you might be jealous of me, but they’ll never know. They’ll never know how broken I was after this tragedy, how I wished there were mom and Dad in the crowd at my graduation, smiling at me and telling me how proud they were. I missed so many things, so many occasions to say how I love them because they were always there for me, but I couldn’t return the favor. 

Today, I’m not and will never be happy. None of the success and pride I have in my timeline would replace the thing that left my soul that day when I knew none of them would return home. You might think I’m dumb, and guess what? You’re right. If something might change in the future, it should probably be this. I suffered enough, and finding them again, watching them saying how amazing my lifetime was, made me happy…because, for a moment, I felt that they were here again with me. I don’t want you to suffer the same way I did. I know how hard it must be for you to see all of this, but I want you to be happy…at least one of us deserves to have mom and Dad by their side.

I time traveled when I had the chance to meet them a last time. I think you can understand better now, and your jealousy must be transformed into sadness, just like me writing this letter. I will leave in the night, I didn’t say anything about the tragedy. You’re the only one to know. 

I only told them to stay safe in the house and not leave it, even if it was complicated. I don’t know if they followed my advice, but if they didn’t…you should reach them as soon as possible. In my timeline, they were killed on October 6th by a villain named Magistro. 

You’re the only one able to change fate. I wish I could explain everything to you, but if you read this, I might be already gone, and our parents must be looking for us. 

Take care of yourself and take care of them, they’re the most important thing you have. You deserve to be happy and to erase the mistakes I’ve made in the past. You’re our last hope. 

● Haru Bakugou Midoriya, 20XX”

---

Haru said nothing. The only thing that reached his mind was the previous words he had read, the ones that changed his life forever. 

Despite his older version, he used to think he was better than him, but he was wrong because he was hiding the fact that he was broken. Broken with the loss of not only one but his two parents, the one who loved him and who might have searched for him the entire day. 

The teenager felt terrible. The pain in his chest increased, almost unbearable, as the letter fell on the floor, his vision was blurry. Since when did he start to cry? He didn’t know and didn’t want to know.  

His instincts were telling him to run away to find himself when it was only the beginning of the end. For him, it was supposed to be a reason to understand himself better, but it turned out to be his worst nightmare. Never had he imagined what his life could be without his parents, without his mom cooking the causal burned Katsudon and his dad complaining about how the nerd should let his mate cook.  How, every single time, they had to make a fake smile, pretending it was good before getting caught by the freckled man and making fun of him. It was one moment Haru cherished, how sometimes the simple and daily life moment could turn into something unfordable. 

He couldn’t imagine how it felt to live in this big house alone, facing a constant dead silence and knowing Izuku and Katsuki wouldn’t be here to ask about his day and what he would like to eat tonight.  The simple thought of this life broke him down. He truly loved his parents more than anything but hated being the reason for their pain and embarrassment. This hate toward himself that he forgot the most important point: that his parents were worried about him. 

Imagining himself growing up without them was so painful that he had to stop thinking about it. If he was in this state right now, he couldn’t imagine how his older self might feel after living all this time alone. But, contrary to him, his older self never had the chance to say a last goodbye and was not eaten by regret.  It wasn’t the life Haru wanted. He wanted to be happy with his stubborn father and his corny moms his entire life, seeing them when they’ll be older men with their grandchildren and explaining to them how the nerd’s Katsudon was shitty because their grandpa was a better cook.

Haru couldn’t stay that way. He couldn’t let the pain eat him from the inside and bring him down, so he decided to act. Haru knew he couldn’t stay the night here, closing his eyes and knowing that it was just a question of time before his parents would be gone from this world.  He instantly checked his phone, noticing the date: October 5th. 

The boy was far from home, way too far, and it would take him a few hours before going home alone. At this point, he didn’t care about getting caught. The only thing he wanted to do was reach his house, hug his parents, and apologize. 

That’s how Haru, wiping his tears away, took his stuff and walked toward his home. This time, he’ll change his fate and choose his happiness.

——

The door opened, catching Izuku’s attention. His green eyes immediately found the familiar red ruby one with the same gaze, the same one he had the entire day after each switch.

“Did you find him ?” He asked with a shaking voice, running toward the blond and helping him to get better. It started raining hours ago and the time was the worst condition to look for someone. Katsuki knew how it wasn’t a stupid climate change who would run his search for their son. 

“No,” He whispered, holding his fist and letting the freckled man give him some clothes to change himself. “I can’t find him. What did I do wrong? I searched for him everywhere, even the hidden one, and he wasn’t there.”

Izuku noticed how the blond was trying to hold back his tears. Katsuki was always like that, when something was bothering him to the point of keeping his tears to himself, it was important to him. The freckled man saw it twice and wished he never saw it again…until now. 

The most frustrating part was how they were both trying everything to search for their son, even with Haru’s older version, who told them to stay home. When they asked, he refused to explain why but there was this sad face, knowing something was a wing, but it deserved to be hidden for the moment. 

“Kacchan,” Izuku whispered, watching his husband leave the bathroom with his casual clothes. This sad gaze on his face and red, teary eyes revealed how he cried out of frustration in the shower. Izuku wished he could help and find the right to comfort him, but unfortunately, he couldn’t. “Look at me.”

The blond let the scarred hand find his chin before resting on his cheeks and feeling the smaller freckled man cupping them. His green eyes were still sad, but there was this small light of love in his gaze, the same stars that used to shine when they were young. 

“You did nothing wrong,” Izuku said with a tender tone, trying to hide the pain in his voice. “You and I know we’re doing our best to find him. This doesn’t mean we will give up because we’re here for each other. Even if it takes months or years, we will find him, I promise.”

“Shit,” Katsuki answered by putting his head on the other’s shoulder, letting himself go. “Why is it so hard ? What did we do wrong to let him hate us ?”

“He’s not hating us, Kacchan” The freckled man ruffled his spiky blond hair, knowing how hard it was for both of them. “He’s just lost, and it’s alright. The most important part is how we’ll reach for him until our last breath. I know he’s somewhere else, and we’ll find him soon.”

“How can you be so sure ?”

“I’m scared too.” Izuku confessed, wiping the other’s tears, “I’m scared to lose him, but I’m also scared to lose you. I know we’ll stay up until we have any news, even if the sunrise appears tomorrow, because Haru is alive, and you’re not alone. You will never be, love.”

Those words weren’t enough to cover their pain, but it was good to focus on each other during a small moment. The only time of the day when they glanced into each other eyes and saw the love and caring, the same gaze they had when they got married and said « yes » for the rest of their life. 

There was still a chance to fail, never to find him, but this didn’t mean it was time to stop the research because they would look for him for an entire lifetime if necessary. 

“I miss him too,” Izuku whispered, letting the tears fall on his freckled cheeks. “I hope he’s fine and he’s alright. I can’t handle our last conversation being a stupid fight.”

“It" ’s not the end,” Katsuki said, meeting the teary green eyes. “This doesn’t mean it’s over for us.”

Izuku smiled, letting the other kiss the scars on his hands. It was a comforting gesture they made to each other when they needed mutual comfort.

“I know it’s just…I don’t want to think about what could happen if we disappeared before finding him again.”

“Me too, but this doesn’t mean this will happen because, guess what, freckles? I will protect you until the end, even if you keep telling me to run away or that kind of shit.”

Katsuki’s comment made Izuku laugh as they reached the living room. It was still messy with the paper on the table, full go the contact name they could’ve found in the last hours. To comfort him, the freckled man decided to prepare him a cup of coffee, his favorite, and wait for any news as the TV revealed background noises.

“And I would do the same thing, kacchan,” Izuku answered, knowing it was bothering the blond, but it always made the other smile. His mate was hard to read, but they knew they needed each other. 

——

The boy’s legs run faster than they did in his life. 

Even in his training class, he never reached this speed because it was a question of time before the time on his phone got midnight and October 6th. His head was full of thoughts, some of them were reminding the previous words he had read, the impacting their choices, and how he wanted to avoid this lifetime. He wanted to save them, they wouldn’t die at Magistro’s hands. 

The familiar street and neighborhood he had walked in earlier were now a frame in his memory, way too occupied by the rain on his way, making his blonde curls wet and each step more dangerous than the other. He could fall on the floor and ask for help, but the only thing that mattered was how the path of his house was closed as time was turning. 

His death was heavy as the loud sound of the rain filled his ears, knowing there were many houses before reaching his. In one glance, his heart stopped when he found the time: Midnight, October 6th. In his letter, his older self never mentioned when the tragedy happened. He only knew how it happened in the morning. 

Hopefully, his tears were mixed with the tears perfectly. He stopped counting the hours he ran, trying to take a break and for some reason, met no one patrolling at this hour, not even a sign of his parents. The pressure and anxiety started to increase as time passed before facing his house. 

As expected and described in the letter, watching his house meant he could find his parents and apologize, but he knew the side story. Haru knew how, in one lifetime, none of them survived, and he sighed. He took a deep breath, noticing how no one was around, and opened the door. His heart beat faster as he remembered the letter because she explained how their house was already open when it happened. 

Haru tried to control his breath, being discreet and closing the door. The house stayed the same, and his eyes recognized the glasses next to the coffee, the paper on the table, and the TV in the background. His eyes went wide when he saw the house empty. They should be here at this hour, safe behind those walls and away from danger. Without thinking, his red eyes glanced around the house, thinking about the worst and each letter's words. 

No, there was no way. 

It was too early, and Magistro couldn’t be here, Haru tried to be here faster than he could, but it was too late. His biggest fear was to change the channel and see the news with the tragedy, how their son couldn’t save them.  His eyes went teary, letting the sudden fear and pain out as he tried to focus. Maybe the villain was here and ready to kill him too…after all, it wouldn’t be a problem if he died because everything was already gone. He wasn’t strong like his older versions and would never be. He felt like shit for not being able to change their fate, knowing he could have saved them.

“I’m sorry” He whispered, realizing how it would be his reality now. A reality he was scared to face, and he was the only one to blame. His older self must have been disappointed if he was seeing him now. 

A sudden sound caught his attention. Haru turned around, ready to define himself with the skills of defense he had before facing them. However, none dared to talk, observing each other with stunned faces as Izuku’s voice was shaking, unable to express himself or say a word.

“Haru…is that you, sweetheart ?”

The boy said nothing. The only answer he could give was the sudden way to run into his dam’s arms. He couldn’t say anything, any words would be enough to express his joy and the pressure feeling down at the current moment. The teenager could feel the scarred hands hesitate before hugging him tighter when he heard the following words “I’m here, I’m here.”

At that moment, it was like time had stopped around them. The frame that changed the fate of this life when Izuku was tearing up, holding his son, and feeling the other return his embrace, like there was no tomorrow. Haru’s sobs could be heard in his shaking voice, unable to say a single word as he let the familiar wartime comfort him, knowing that he was safe and his dam was alive. 

They both stayed in this embrace for long minutes, feeling how the scarred hands ruffled his cheeks, wet from the last tears. The gesture was tender and loving, reminding him of his childhood when his dad used to do this when he felt sad. It might seem crazy, but Haru missed this, the tender way his dam was cupping his cheeks, how he was wondering him as a precious thing and how Izuku was sometimes seeing him as a baby.

“Oi, nerd. What’s this-” Katsuki’s face turned place when he saw the red ruby eyes looking his way. His heart stopped when he met his son’s face and how he was standing in front of him, his clothes and hair wet from the tears, but he didn’t mind. The most important thing was how he was back at home. “Tell me it’s the coffee you gave me, deku. You might have something about hallucination here, there’s no way.”

For some reason, the boy was surprised to see how his parents doubted his existence. He could understand it. After all, some people could hallucinate after living through trauma, so maybe the previous day was so hard that they hold on to the hallucination to stay alright.

“Did you miss me, old man?” Haru said, moving closer to the blond before feeling the strong hands ruffling his blonde curls. 

“Of course I did, kiddo. The next time you run away, I’ll kick your ass,” Katsuki smirked, not trying his teary eyes as he let the boy give him a sudden hug. 

The blond wasn’t the type to who his accretion easily, but his loved one knew how much he loved them. It wasn’t a problem for Haru, who was surprised to see his father hugging him back without making any comment. Haru stayed a few minutes in the blond’s arms. He could feel his father’s heartbeat and how he was alive and back home. He did it, he saved them and authorized himself to be happy. Katsuki said nothing, feeling Izuku’s gaze on them, but nothing would be strong enough to describe the joy overwhelming his chest. 

There were some things he didn’t understand because he searched everywhere and didn’t find him…the most crucial thing was to have their son back home. 

Haru met his father’s eyes, seeing recognition and love in those red ruby eyes. At that moment, the boy realized his older self was right…why he should give up when he could have his parents looking at him as if he was the best that could happen to them because it was. 

Izuku and Katsuki also realized how this lesson taught them something: to express their love and affection more often before it’s too late, before their son leaves the house and does not return.

The three of them were standing in the room, glancing at each other and knowing they had so much to tell, to express. Haru wanted to say how sorry he was, he didn’t want to hurt and scare them. Izuku and Katsuki wanted to apologize for their behavior and for putting him aside when they should focus more on him. Instead, the teenager decided to speak first.

“Where…where is he? I thought he was with you,” He asked, knowing his parents understood who their son was talking to. 

“Oh,” Izuku said, “He left early in the morning, e couldn’t say goodbye to him, but he asked us to stay here and ensure safety. I didn’t understand what he meant by that.„

“Did you listen to him ?” the boy asked, already knowing the answer.

“No, and why does it have anything to do with finding you? I think you have something to explain, young man.” Izuku smiled, ruffling his curls. “But first, you must shower and wear warm clothes before you catch a cold.”

Haru rolled his eyes, hearing about his dam’s complaint, while Katsuki watched them leave from aside. 

The last day was insane. First, they thought they had made a mistake and had a fight with him before being worried for their son the entire day. Seeing him here was surprising, knowing he had so much to explain, but each thing in time. The priority was to take care of him and make him feel safe again.

—---

It was still a shock to them. The previous events kept replaying in their mind, reminding their mistakes and how, hopefully, everything was over.

Izuku made sure to give a drink to Haru, his favorite, while noticing how Katsuki’s eyes were dry from the last tears. To be fair, they were all at fault in this story, but they had so much to tell and many things to keep secret. Haru kept the letter in his bag, keeping it to know how success and celebrity couldn’t bring him the happiness his family had given him. 

“So…” Katsuki asked, noticing the curious glance on his son’s face. “I can’t understand a single thing, brat. We looked for you everywhere in town but couldn’t find you. Where did you go ?”

The teenager made an awkward smile. “I heard about you and Mom calling me, you know. I was scared, so I changed places multiple times until I found it.”

“Would you love to share this hidden place, or would you rather keep this secret ?” Izuku said with worried eyes.

“I don’t think I can now.” The boy answered, “But I think I’ll tell you one day when I’m ready.”

Silence filled the room, leaving the TV as a background sound. Haru knew his parents wanted to ask many questions. Still, they didn’t want to oppress or stress him, especially after a complicated situation.

“…with that, we learned how heroes caught the villain Magistro in the previous hours. Unfortunately, we couldn’t say more about the case, but apparently, he tried to attack a family and was ready to kill them before the heroes showed up and stopped him. Who knew the type of disaster the victims could live in if it were too late…” the reporter said, catching everyone’s attention. Haru’s eyes went wide, and his hands holding the cup were shaking as he could feel how his parents were keeping him tighter. They might probably think how horrible it would have been if they were the victims…a truth that only Haru and his older self knew.

“Oh my god,” Izuku whispered, sharing a worried glance with his husband “What a villain like him was doing here at such late hours? It was in our neighborhood, kacchan-”

“Fuck I know,” the blond answered, “but at least they caught him before it was too late. I don’t even know what I’d do if this happened to you both.”

“Me too,” Haru whispered, remembering the letter and his reading those words were awful. For a moment, he thought this reality happened, and he was condemned too, only to find how he was safe and they were alive. If only his older self were watching him, he would’ve been so proud to know that Haru kept his promise.

“We were so worried, sweetie.” The scarred hands came to cope with his freckled cheeks, checking if there were no injuries. “I don’t understand what happened. When or even how did you leave? If we knew, maybe we could’ve-”

Haru sighed, hearing his dad’s voice was caring and worried at the same time. “It’s alright. You couldn’t change it anyway. I knew I had to leave to take some time. That’s why I left without waking you up.”

It was hours before Katsuki woke up. 

“Shit,” the blond said, “I checked on you a few hours later, but you were gone. It was too late.”

The teenager’s hands came to find the blond’s, showing him how he shouldn’t be worried anymore. “Hey, it’s fine. I’m here, and I made a mistake. I thought I was doing the right thing, but instead, I put your life in danger and realized you were everything I have. Kinda funny for someone jealous of his older self, right ?”

Izuku and Katsuki’s faces went wide. What did he say? It didn’t make sense, Haru couldn’t be jealous of himself, especially his future self, but the teenager's voice wasn’t lying. There was this slight hint of pain in the way he was using those words, how he could lie, but instead, he chose to tell the truth. 

“Wait-” Izuku tried to speak, but no sound would come out of his mouth. He tried, he wanted to talk and ask many questions before the memories returned. The freckled man remembers the pain in Haru’s gaze, the way Katsuki and he were much closer to their son’s older version than the younger one, who needed their attention and love. Katsuki and he were lost in their illusion, seeing how their son’s older version looked at them with caring and teary eyes without knowing why. Their first mistake was to pit their son away and make him feel bad. “I’m sorry.”

Haru’s face turned to surprise. 

“I’m sorry for putting you away, making you feel like you didn’t deserve to be here. You have your place. You always had it. Kacchan and I were too ignored to see how we destroyed our family. I’m truly sorry, sweetheart.” 

The teenager noticed the tears falling down his dam’s cheeks. With a glance, his eyes found his father’s and saw how sad they were. He knew how being an adult could be hard, sometimes way too complicated, but his parents were the people he admired the most because no matter what, they would always fight until the end…even for him.

“No, it’s not,” Haru cut him, putting his hands away and playing with his finger stressfully. “I was the one at fault too. I let my inner thoughts take the choice for me, thinking it was good when it only led the people I cared about in danger and heartbroken.”

“What inner thoughts, kiddo ?” Katsuki asked, putting his hands on the boy’s shoulder. His voice had worries, just like his dad talked a few minutes ago.

“The one I kept having since he came here.” The boy confessed, “You deserve someone else, a better son able to make you proud, a son like /him/. Why should I even compare and be jealous of myself? It’s such a stupid question, but it seemed right. You two seemed so…so happy and proud to see him, to hear about his story and his lifetime when I was here to watch. I couldn’t do anything except accept it, letting my fears control my thoughts.” 

“Sweetheart….”

“Why should I try when I know it’s already a loss? When I’m not and will never be strong enough to fight my stupid anxiety and fear, knowing I’m unable to use my quirk properly when he could ?” Haru made a bitter laugh. “Before realizing it, I concluded that you were better without me. You two had already replaced me with a better version that caught your attention. After all, I’m just useless and unable to do things properly, the only thing I can do is hurt my loved one by my mistake. I was stupid because I hated him, but I understand now. He did all of this for you two, not for me, not for changing his past or teaching something to his younger self…you two were the only reason he came here in the first place.”

“Brat, what are you-”

“I used to fear and despise him, but I get it now. You don’t have to feel bad, you welcomed him as the son he was and gave him the love he deserved. I should’ve understood him better, but I think he was happy to be here, to…catch the lost time with you two.” Haru wiped his tears. “It was my first mistake, and I can’t believe it will happen again.”

“What would happen? You’re safe here, but what are you talking about ?”

“Nothing” The teenager smiled, thinking about how lucky he was to be here, by his parents’ side. “It’s from the past now, sometimes, few things deserve to be kept hidden, as someone taught me.”

Silence filled the room. None dared to talk, letting the dead silence and their mutual worried gaze fill the silence. Haru spoke without thinking, yet it was the closest truth they could have, knowing they were gone in another timeline would destroy them. Haru wasn’t the type of person who opens about his feelings openly. He was the kind of guy to stay and watch from afar, so revealing all of this was like showing his weakness. 

Izuku said nothing. His heart was beating faster, and his vision was blurry. He didn’t know when he started crying and didn’t want to know. The only thing that mattered now was to take their time to listen to each of their son’s complaints, even the most basic ones because it was their first mistake: to ignore him. Finally, the strong hands came to find the scarred one, meeting the red ruby eyes of his husband and seeing the same pain in those eyes, how Katsuki never needed to use words to express himself, especially now. 

They realized their mistakes too late. They had to wait and see their child running away, putting his life in danger because he was scared. Izuku knew something was wrong since the first day their son’s older version reached this house, but he did a horrible job as a dam. He let his curiosity win instead of taking care of and chasing their son, who they raised and saw crying, laughing, and smiling when he was just 5. The same son they love with their everything, but they put him aside. 

Hearing all of this was heartbreaking. No one deserves to listen to this, especially parents who try their best to keep their children happy. Haru was hiding his tears and feelings the entire time, letting himself destroy himself little by little…without thinking about how his departure could affect his family.

“You’re wrong,” Katsuki said, cutting the silence and meeting the curious eyes of his son. “If you think we’re disappointed to have someone like you in the family, you’re wrong, brat.”

“Why? I mean, I left because I was egoistic and-”

“You weren’t egoistic,” Izuku cut him, cupping his freckled cheeks and smiling with his teary eyes. “You just needed time, and your departure is the result of our stupid We forgot the most important person in our lives, leading you to this. If there’s someone to blame here, it’s us, not you.”

“I know it’s shitty, but I couldn’t help myself, it’s been years, and now…now I realize that It’s too late.” Haru whispered, feeling the familiar touch of his dam, wiping his tears and taking him into his arms.

“It’s never too late, sweetheart,” Izuku reassured him, knowing how hard it must be for him. “You always have time to improve, train, and progress with your quirk. It isn’t easy initially, but this doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You need more time, and that’s why we’re here, to help you.”

Haru put his head on the freckled man’s chest, holding him tighter, and he was listening to the sweet tone of his dam. He never thought he could hear it one day, yet it was happening.

“You said we would be better without you, remember?” The blond asked, ruffling the messy blonde curls. “But I don’t see why. We don’t need anyone perfect who knows how to deal with problems…on the contrary. We love you because you’re our son, you make mistakes just like we did, and we learn from them. You’re not perfect, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have your place in your family.”

Haru didn’t answer. His heart was beating faster, and he stopped counting the number of tears he had left at night. It was something hard to accept, to know your mistakes, and to decide if you wanted to grow up or not. The scariest thing was how you’re on your own, and you always had been, the choice is only yours…but with your loved one’s help, you can heal. You can get better little by little until you feel ready, it was the most important lesson the teenager forgot.

“I just feel like it wasn’t right to be here….”

Izuku smiled, putting the boy closer to him and kissing his forehead, “Listen, sweetheart, your dad is right. We don’t need anymore else, we don’t need the perfect child, the one who brings the best grade, the most powerful quirk, the stronger one…we only need you.”

“But-”

“Even if you’re struggling with yourself because we did the same at your age. We lived much worse, and we’re still standing here, I heard things no one should hear, and yet, I’m still here with the man I love and the child I’ve always wanted.” The freckled man cupped Haru’s freckled cheeks tenderly. “I’m sorry we didn’t take care of you the way we promised at birth, for making you doubt and seeing how we could not do anything to protect you. You don’t need to be perfect because you’re /our/ son, and you’re already perfect in our eyes, even if you can’t see it. For nothing, we would replace or change you because we love you for who you are, sweetie.”

Haru’s heartfelt warmth to those words, how he wished he could hear them earlier, but he was too stubborn to think about another way to solve this problem. It was hard, hard to be away from the people he loved the most, the ones who loved and supported him until the end, the ones he secretly cared about. He was just a lost child scared of abandonment, like anyone at this age. Haru didn’t know he needed to hear those words until now until he sobbed in the living room at 3 am while hugging his parents like there was no tomorrow.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for scaring you both. I made a mistake.”

“And you came back,” Katsuki answered, ruffling his curls. “But if you do this the next time, I promise you'll sleep on the couch.”

Haru’s eyes went wide, and Izuku laughed. The three of them stayed together until enough words were used to comfort their son, enough hugs to remind him how he was and would always be welcomed in this house, and enough forehead kisses to explain how he would always be a part of the family. 

From afar, a shadow was watching them. The man had a nostalgic smile as he looked at the scene from the window. 

“You did it,” he whispered. There was no shame or hate in his voice, only awed and recognition. “Make them happy for me.”

...

Chapter Text

The wind gently ruffled the curls against his forehead, forcing him to open his eyes and take a deep breath. His hands held the paper tightly, afraid to break this dream come true, realizing how far he’d gone since the accident.

His blonde curls caught more than one curious eye, being known as the son of the wonder duo, the inspirational figures that saved the country more than once. Today, the messy and insecure teenager has become someone stronger, able to reach his goals. Every night he was recalling the haunting memories of the tragedy that unconsciously saved his family’s life…Something he was grateful for. 

He didn't know how he would feel if Magistro had succeeded in his plan, having his parent's blood on his hands, destroying a family.

His conversation with his parents comforted him in his worries, reminding him that he would never be alone, no matter if the path he needed to take was full of obstacles. Indeed, Haru had never been this happy after this heart-to-heart conversation with his parents, being a reminder of how loved he was. Don’t get him wrong, this event marked a terrible day for the family, but the three healed with time.

Since that day, Izuku and Katsuki made sure not to repeat their previous mistakes and to be the parents they’ve always wanted to be. Haru’s birth had been the most important day of their lives and facing this smile on their son’s face always melted their hearts. Sometimes, Izuku still has nightmares about not being able to save their son, leaving this world without any apologies. 

His dreams always started most innocently, with the three of them talking in the living room before falling into a real hell when the light turned off and the first gunshot echoed in the room. The sound keeps haunting the freckled man’s ears, forcing him to watch his family dying under his eyes before waking up, and shouting his husband’s name.

In times like those, Katsuki chose to always stay up until the situation was completely resolved. It often took more hours to fully reassure each other, but the tall figure was ready to spend the entire night awake and be the shoulder to cry on. He hated the sign of salty tears falling down those beautiful emerald eyes, wiping them before kissing Izuku’s forehead and telling him how it was over. The scarred hands held his shirt tighter, afraid to be in a fever dream and waking up in a world without the most important people of his life.

However, Katsuki Bakugo was the kind of man to break his character and have a breakdown when he reached his limit. Unfortunately, Izuku and Haru had been the spectators of those heartbreaking scenes where pretending wasn’t enough…and would never be. If the blond was someone discreet, feeling like an intruder in his own house, he knew his loved ones did their best to bring his smile back. After a few reassuring words from his son and a tender forehead kiss, full of promises, from his husband…Dynamight’s worries faded away.

Their family had never been perfect but they were each other’s savior. Haru was the light of their lives. After each fight, old insecurities tended to resurge and apologies escaped from their trembling lips, holding the teenager like they were afraid of leaving him behind. The events of that night have always been a sensitive topic but seemed to forge a stronger bond between those broken souls.

Izuku and Katsuki decided to put their son first and assist with each of his progress. Most of the time, the green curls and golden spiky hair could be seen in the crowd from afar, shouting out loud their support, being an embarrassment for the other parents but a source of happiness for the boy. Haru couldn’t help but be grateful for everything his parents sacrificed until now, especially when his graduation had come and tears fell down his cheeks…

/ They’ll never know how broken I was after this tragedy, how I wished there were Mom and Dad in the crowd at my graduation, smiling at me and telling me how proud they were. /

The blonde-haired man still recalled the moment when he decided to stay away from his conflict and read the most traumatizing words. It haunted his days to the point of questioning the future he was building with his shaking hands, the one where his parents would be forever safe. He was the only one aware of the terrible truth residing behind this letter, something destined as a hint of a new beginning.

Haru Bakugo Midoriya was a simple soul: He couldn’t live without those daily comments and the familiar scent of coffee teasing his nose, laughing when Izuku was complaining about how he loved his husband but hated his taste in coffee. During his graduation, his eyes were only focused on the teary emerald one and the proud expression drawing itself on his father’s face. 

At this moment, he welcomed his tears, accepting how he made it. Despite the amazing grades and progress with his quirk he reached through the years, his biggest pride would be the reason for his parents’s smile in such a meaningful moment of life like this one. He underestimated until now the power of this frame forged in time, the unbreakable ones. Still, he took into account the possibility that, in another timeline…he would’ve been alone with no one waiting for him.

“We’re so proud of you,” Iuzku mumbled between his sobs, ignoring the whispers coming from strangers about how annoying he was to his son. Hopefully, the most cursed lips shut down when they met the cold glance of the blond, before letting everyone know how we shouldn’t mess with his family. His crimson red iris met the heartwarming scene, where Haru was holding Izuku tighter, afraid to let him go and tearing up. 

/ I will never forget when I saw the news. I will always remember the unbearable pain In my chest when I saw the TV with a big text explaining how heroes Deku and Dynamight were found dead this morning./

Despite the difficult phases and stages throughout his life, Izuku and Katsuki had always been there for him. This true love was only hinted at by a few gestures in the past and is now highlighted by physical gestures of affection and words of affirmation. Haru wasn’t aware of his vulnerabilities when his lips whispered the following words that only he seemed to fully understand:  “Thank you for being the strongest people I’ve known.”

Izuku’s face softened, unsure about the meaning behind this specific answer, but he held the shaking figure closer. His baby grew up too fast, one blank and the tiny shadow making a mess with the toys in the living room ended up being their biggest pride and graduating high school. The two stepped back, delicate hands wiping the tears on his son’s face before kissing his forehead and expressing how he should be the one thanking him for returning home that day.

From afar, Katsuki made a slight smile before meeting Haru’s eyes. Many things changed since this sudden hit in the face and the possibility of losing his family, but their biggest pride was to see how Haru became the amazing person he was today, despite having such stubborn behavior like his sire. The blonde-curled man smirked, moving closer to his father and letting the callous hands play with his messy hair. This had always been a tender gesture between them since his birth, and Haru knew how it was his father’s way of expressing his feelings.

“You did pretty good until now, kiddo,” pointed out the hero, almost as if he could read in the other’s mind. A genuine smile draws itself on Haru’s lips, unable to resist the temptation of returning his affection to the tall figure. Katsuki rolled his eyes, meeting with the emerald ones, laughing at the scene before returning the hug. “I don’t think I’m teaching you anything new about life when I say it’s shitty but you’ve been braver than my younger self. You’re a grown-ass man now, still tolerating us even if we’re not the best but we’re trying.”

The blonde-haired man chuckled, hugging the other tighter. Sometimes, he caught himself acting like a child enjoying the time with his parents, without worrying about tomorrow. From now on, he was confident about the next page he’s gonna write, with an ink stronger than any wasted tears he shed until now. 

“Why should I complain when your love is already enough to reassure me for a lifetime? You’re already the best parents someone could ever dream of and I like our family that way, even if we’ve messed up for the world.” 

Katsuki tried his best to hold back his tears. He wasn’t the kind of guy to show his vulnerabilities in public, but he was grateful to realize how trying led him to unforgettable success, better than any fights he faced in his career. One quick look at his husband was enough to reveal how Izuku’s eyes were speaking louder than any promises they made until now. 

Haru couldn’t help but smile, wiping his tears and glancing at the sky. Somewhere else was hiding a broken version of himself who never had this chance to reach this happiness. As naive as it sounds, he sincerely hoped his future self was doing alright at the moment.

—-

The small light passed in the familiar curtain, highlighting the childhood bedroom that started to adapt through the ages of the owner. 

The small head who begged his parents for a bedtime story ended up becoming a person able to tell his own narratives, even if his journey just started. He used to cherish this safe place full of dragons and creative tales, including his two heroes in his fantasy world and saving him from the bad guys. Haru realized how growing wasn’t scary anymore, knowing how it was a phase in everyone’s life, including the strongest people by his side: the inspirational people who raised him.

Sometimes, Izuku and Katsuki found themselves sharing the advice they learned through the years to pass the legacy and assure complete safety for a curious soul like their son’s. Being an adult had never been an easy step, facing more tears than he expected and even consulting a therapist with his parents’s support through the entire process. The blonde-curled man appreciated this freedom the two men gave to him, as a sign of respect and still representing a shoulder to cry on when times were hard. 

Today was an important day because it was his first step in college life. Despite having an amazing quirk, the boy decided to focus on his studies in case something bad happened with his plan A: take the legacy of his parents. He had no doubts about succeeding in this goal, remembering how his future self was already number two on the rank in his timeline. 

Haru took a last glance at his room and followed him until now, happier than ever. A smile appeared on his cheeks when he recalled the letter hidden in his desk, a place safe enough to be only found by him. He never read it again, claiming to didn’t have enough strength to project himself in the past. He still had respect for his future self who had no choice but to grow up alone in this terrible world. 

It would be unfair to compare their two lives when they were way different…

“-Brat, if you don’t move your ass, I’ll be the one driving you to your college and put out loud this song you loved as a child,” threatened Katsuki’s voice from afar with a teasing tone. 

Haru’s eyes widened, his shadow appeared in the living room where the two men were standing, apparently laughing about this situation. The blonde curled man sighed, rolling his eyes when he watched the domestic scene of his parents being awfully in love. Don’t get him wrong, he was curious to know how their relationship was amazing after all this time supporting each other, especially with their opposite personalities. Izuku was the sweet and caring omega who only wanted the best for his family while Katsuki was the protective alpha, usually described as loud and stubborn.

“Don’t you dare, we all know how it was a phase, Dad!” Pointed out the blond with a blush on his cheeks, ashamed by this memory. It was in his parents’s genes to care about their son, especially when their lives would’ve taken an unexpected turn if something happened to their family.

“To my knowledge, you still know all the words to “A Perfect World” so I would shut up if I were you,” the hero objected with a smirk, hearing a soft chuckle escaping from the freckled man’s lips. 

“I can still picture your small curls and your baby voice mumbling the only words of the song,” added Izuku with a smile, putting his hands toward his son’s shoulders and giving a comforting hug. He couldn’t believe how his baby was going to his first day of college, especially since he still remembers facing his newborn cry in the labor room. “But it’s getting late. I'm sure we’ll have a lot to talk about tonight, I can’t wait to hear it. Have a good day, sweetheart !”

Haru thanked him, accepting the forehead kiss given by his dam before reaching the corridor and checking his phone. His friends had been texting him for a few minutes, explaining how they wouldn’t be able to survive on their own without him. However, his father decided otherwise when this mature man reversed the role by monopolizing his husband’s attention and making the omega smile. 

“Are you going to let me leave without my goodbye kiss, freckles ?” the blond whispered to his mate’s ears, before letting the scarred hands cupping his cheeks in a gentle movement. 

Izuku smiled, realizing how time had not withered the features of this face which had attracted his attention as on the first day. Millions of expressions were drawn on thethosese lines that the man had retained more than once, and yet Katsuki Bakugo still represented the one who successfully stole his heart in their younger days. Back in the day, the freckled man thought he would be put aside and replaced because no one was able to give him love, but his classmates changed his life with a heartwarming confession. Their love story led to ups and downs but the two childhood friends say “I do” on the altar and fall in love with each other every day.

“How could I? I know it’s my magic trick to keep you safe, darling,” mumbled the omega with a soft tone before pressing his lips against the blond. Each of their kisses sounded like a revival, echoing like new promises shared in this bright future they created themselves. Izuku didn’t know how, but Katsuki’s lips had always been mesmerizing and since the first moment they agreed to break their boundaries. “I love you”

Katsuki was conscious of how this habit was stupid, especially when he was confident about returning home to see his family. Who was he to fight back against this gesture of affection coming from the love of his life? He returned the compliment by stealing a quick kiss on his mate’s lips, making Izuku blush like a teenager facing his first love before stepping back. Haru’s voice cut to their romantic moment, explaining how they had room for that. 

The freckled man sighed, making a goodbye wave to his family before hearing the door closing itself, leaving him with complete silence. He hated being alone in such a huge house, missing his family when they weren’t around, but the omega enjoyed this time for himself, knowing how it was a good way to make things clear in his mind.

—--

A few hours later, the omega stared at the cleaned rooms in the house, proud of his work…However, the last one occupying his mind was his son’s.

He was conscious about how entering into his Haru’s personal life was a risk, but he lost himself in his nostalgia. He recalled the moment when his husband and he stayed up all night to comfort the crying pup, or when their son insisted on creating his own story where his parents were the heroes. Being here awakened an old sensation the freckled man considered forgotten, but it reminded him how he was grateful for everything this journey offered to him.

He noticed how the newborn ended up being a dynamic pup before becoming this inspirational man who started to take care of his own life. It was heartbreaking to see how time wouldn’t do any favor with his parental instinct, having conflicted emotions between admiring the person his son became or keeping him as a pup, begging for his attention. 

A smile appeared on his lips, meeting the picture on Haru’s desk, framing the different stages of their lives. It started with one where the two men were holding the baby in their arms, to the latest where their son was spending time with them during the vacation. 

A groan of pain echoed in the room when his knees unconsciously hit the wooden desk, opening one of the drawers. Izuku sighed, letting his fingers grip the handle before noticing something off. Everyone in his surroundings described the green-haired man as a curious soul, ready to put himself in situations where he shouldn’t be. His hands seized the space within its reach, lifting the lighter piece of wood that had to be displaced due to the previous hint. With a sudden swing, Izuku managed to lift the complete board without breaking it, before discovering with surprise its contents.

His eyes widened when he discovered an unknown letter. Don’t get him wrong, he wasn’t the kind of person to search into his loved one personal stuff but something caught his attention. At the top of the paper was his son’s name in familiar handwriting… because it belonged to Haru itself. He was able to recognize it everywhere, and his fingers grabbed the paper, full of dust.

Millions of ideas crossed his mind, but the only way to find out was to break this mystery…After all, no one had to know. With a deep breath, Izuku started to face the two pages and started his life-changing reading.

—--- 

(A/N: This is a reminder of the letter from the previous chapter, but you can skip it if you already read it or remember the content)

“Dear little me,

Writing for yourself is strange, especially for a younger version of ourselves. In therapy, they said it’s a good way to heal, but I don’t think it’s the same case here. I know what you’re thinking, “Who’s this idiot” “What was he thinking by writing this” or even “Why the hell should I read this thing?”...well, you’re right.

I mean, I’m you, so I know exactly what you might think now. I had a difficult phase too, the same one you’re into, and the only thing I can say is sorry. I’m sorry for messing things up in my timeline, because of my stupidity, it cost our parents’ lives.

You have all the right to ignore, burn or even put this letter in a bean. You also have the right to know the truth. I know what you might think, how I took your place, how I was the perfect son and made them happier? Well, you’re wrong.

You're mistaken if you think mom and Dad would find someone better than you. I heard them explaining to me how they love you and would do anything to make you happy. We were young, letting our insecurities slowly destroy us. You need to know the truth about what I hide. When you asked me about the future, and I said I couldn’t reveal anything because it could change your timeline, but there’s something you can do…Something which could save them. I won’t say how we reached the top and even became one of our generation's strongest heroes because it can’t be enough to explain the pain and trauma I went through.

In my timeline, I also ran away. 

I thought they hated me because they were too busy with the agency, they would rather see me away than by their side. How wrong I was. That day, I also took my bags and left the house, hiding as a new adventurer and thinking I knew everything about the world. After a few days, it turned bad to the non-returned point.

I heard about the heroes looking for me, the officer calling my name, and our parents begging us to come off we were here. I never answered, and it was my biggest mistake. It’s time to tell my story, how the hero I am now is someone broken and unable to heal from his regrets and the past. I came home a few days later without food, water, or dry clothes. I was exhausted, unable to walk anymore, and that’s when I saw our house. I remember having a bright smile on my face, thinking I would go home and hug mom and Dad again, but the reality was otherwise.

I opened the door and saw no one. I wondered if they were still here, so I called and searched for them the entire time in our house, who used to bring us comfort in the past. I still remember the paper on the table, Dad’s glasses next to the cold coffee, and the phone open with spam of old notifications never opened.

I will never forget when I saw the news. I will always remember the unbearable pain In my chest when I saw the TV with big text explaining how heroes Deku and Dynamight were found dead this morning. The only thing I could think about at this moment was how I let them go without letting them know how much they meant to me, to us. The last memory of us would always be our fight, the sadness in their eyes, how I broke their heart, and they always fought for me until the end.

In my search for liberty, I let go of the most important thing to me: our parents. Today, I might be the number two at the top, people might admire me, and you might be jealous of me, but they’ll never know. They’ll never know how broken I was after this tragedy, how I wished there were mom and Dad in the crowd at my graduation, smiling at me and telling me how proud they were. I missed so many things, so many occasions to say how I love them because they were always there for me, but I couldn’t return the favor.

Today, I’m not and will never be happy. None of the success and pride I have in my timeline would replace the thing that left my soul that day when I knew none of them would return home. You might think I’m dumb, and guess what? You’re right. If something might change in the future, it should probably be that. I suffered enough, and finding them again, watching them saying how amazing my lifetime was, made me happy...because, for a moment, I felt that they were here again with me. I don’t want you to suffer the same way I did. I know how hard it must be for you to see all of this, but I want you to be happy...at least one of us deserves to have mom and Dad by their side.

I time traveled when I had the chance to meet them a last time. I think you can understand better now, and your jealousy must be transformed into sadness, just like me writing this letter. I will leave in the night, I didn’t say anything about the tragedy. You’re the only one to know.

I only told them to stay safe in the house and not leave it, even if it was complicated. I don’t know if they followed my advice, but if they didn’t...you should reach them as soon as possible. In my timeline, they were killed on October 6th by a villain named Magistro.

You’re the only one able to change fate. I wish I could explain everything to you, but if you read this, I might be already gone, and our parents must be looking for us.

Take care of yourself and take care of them, they’re the most important thing you have. You deserve to be happy and to erase the mistakes I’ve made in the past. 

You’re our last hope.

● Haru Bakugou Midoriya, 20XX”

—--

Izuku Midoriya had always been a sensitive person, full of innocence. One day, his mother told him how he’d open Pandora's box and reach the no-return point in his life, but he never knew today this prophecy would hit him like a slap in the face. The perfect life he had planned fell apart, forcing his weak body to rest on the bed. He recognized how the paper was already marked by dry tears, almost like the person who first read it shared the same pain. 

At this moment, the freckled man connected the dots: This letter was addressed to his son, coming from his future self. The timing corresponded to the terrible event when Haru left the house and returned safely on October 6th. His vision became blurry, trying to process the previous information he read. He knew he shouldn’t seek into the past but this curiosity led him to find the most heartbreaking truths. 

The words written in used ink kept replaying in his mind like a cursed song, bringing more tears to his beautiful skin. Hopefully, no one was at home to see his breakdown, as his sobs resonated in the room where the nostalgia was now replaced by an unbearable pain. There was no way his husband didn’t survive the accident….but it made sense when he remembered how the older version of their son warned them to stay inside. Back in the day, the couple didn’t understand how the future version of their son unconsciously warned them to know about their death.

Izuku had too many questions reaching his lips, wiping his tears and reading the words over and over, thinking it was a bad dream. The Truth was written with traumatizing honesty: In another lifetime, the two heroes were killed by Magistro, leaving their son with a broken heart and unable to have the answers to their questions.

He refused to believe it. 

He convinced himself all of this was a bad joke but he lost himself between reality and the false illusion driving him crazy. He held back his tears, imagining a world where he wouldn’t be able to wake up beside the familiar figure of his sleeping husband, smirking at this comforting sight or even the genuine smile appearing on Haru’s face after a gesture of affection. The omega didn’t want to picture a world where he left the most important person in his life due to his failure that cost him their lives.

Izuku swore to build the brightest future for his loved ones, losing himself in the idea of being an old man with the love of his life. He wanted to be here when Haru faced his first relationship, heartbreak, competition, and graduation…not leaving him behind on a cold floor facing two graves. Those broken promises became a reality in another lifetime, where Izuku was unable to give this endless love, being a simple ghost watching his child grow from afar and having regrets.

As stupid as it sounds, the freckled man convinced himself that if he had to leave, his husband would be here to secure his back and be the shoulder to cry on. Life decided otherwise when it took their both souls away from their poor son, who had to grow up without emotional support. The most heartbreaking part was to imagine this shadow losing colors every time he returned home, facing a dead silence, remembering how no one was waiting for him at home and being on his own at such a young age.

Tears fell down his cheeks, unable to control them. He didn’t know how this unbearable pain was consuming his soul, projecting himself into another reality. At this moment, the flashback of the older version of their son appeared in his mind, running like old haunting memories. The truth was how the omega never forgot about their interactions, remembering how awed he was by this older version of this child he and his husband created with love. 

/ I suffered enough, and finding them again, watching them saying how amazing my lifetime was, made me happy...because, for a moment, I felt that they were here again with me. /

The craziest thing was how, no matter the timeline, Haru remained the same: after all, he stayed the same child Katsuki and he was raised with endless affection. The parental instinct in his soul begged him to change the past and give the happiness this older version deserves. It was unfair to see how fate decided to have favoritism, letting one of the two graves take dust and the other gain more color. 

The hardest part was to face this broken soul filled with regrets,  putting into words old insecurities that haunted his night, knowing how a single action would’ve been able to change everything. It was too late to pretend the content of this letter never existed.. He hated the fact that, somewhere else in the world, Haru was unhappy in his timeline because the couple was unable to keep their promises. 

Who were the people supporting this older version of their son when he was broken? Who was here to watch his progress and kiss his forehead during graduation because he made it? Reminding him how loved he was? There were so many what if the freckled man couldn’t solve by himself….

With a deep breath, he let his shaking hands wipe his salty tears and take a glance around him. From now on, he was stuck in this mitigated impression of being an impostor to himself. He had the perfect life he wanted in this timeline with his son and husband, but he felt bad for the alternative universe where everything the couple built fell apart. The older Haru didn’t even say goodbye before leaving, knowing how hard it would be but he shouldn’t have kept all this pressure on his shoulders!

The sudden sound of the door echoed in the previous silence, catching the green-haired man’s attention. His hands grabbed the letter tighter, too afraid to leave this precious piece of paper that changed his entire life. Indeed, his husband decided to return earlier from his shift, surprising his mate and spending the day with him, the advantage of being his boss.

“I’m home, did you miss me, freckles ?” The familiar voice resonated with a teasing tone, but immediately noticed the sudden silence in answer. 

His body got chills, sensing how something was wrong…because his husband would casually welcome him with a smile and a welcoming kiss. This time, the tall figure was on his own in this cold house and started to search around all the rooms to find a sign of life from his mate. The sound of his heartbeat echoed louder in his ears as an intoxicated song, hating this impression of realizing something happened to his childhood friend when he was gone. 

“Izuku, seriously where are-” his voice stopped when he caught the familiar figure in Haru’s room. 

He noticed how his mate was sitting on the bed with his head down, and decided to make small steps to not scare him. He hated seeing this impression of deja vu and planned to use his secret trick to bring a smile back on the other’s lips. He put his knees on the floor, letting his callous hands cup his chin and slowly raise the other’s head in slow movement, before meeting his teary eyes.  

“What happened and why are you crying ?” He mumbled in a broken tone, wiping the dry tears on his husband’s cheeks with the fear of breaking his porcelain skin. He had read all the expressions on this mesmerizing face, but this one was scaring him in the worst way. “Please, talk to me.”

The emerald eyes met him, realizing how his childhood friend was standing in the same room as him. For a moment, the omega lost himself in this temporary world where darkness consumed his last hint of hope. He welcomed the shaking callous hands, before putting his forehead against the other’s.

“Kacchan,” he murmured, surprised to see how he still had water on his body after the flow of tears he shredded earlier. The overwhelming pressure about this other reality was killing him from the inside, unable to hide his suffering. “I failed…We failed.”

“What do you mean, Izuku ?” The taller figure caressed his cheeks, begging for answers before realizing how his husband gave him a piece of paper. As expected, his crimson eyes recognized the handwriting they knew by heart and let his face express how confused he was about this situation. 

“The letter,” assured the omega with a broken tone. “If only I knew maybe things would’ve been different….”

With his head full of many worries, the callous hands grabbed the paper gently, before sitting beside the shorter man. He let his free hands caress his husband’s back and started his reading without realizing how he would also fall for this upcoming hell.

—--

When Haru returned home, he noticed the sudden change of atmosphere in the house, explained by the way his parents were acting.  The previous welcoming sensation was now transformed into something more heartbreaking, giving a bitter echo of the night of the accident. His body got chills at the memory, too afraid to ask questions about what happened when he was gone. Don’t get him wrong, he was aware of how his parents tended to have some hard fights, but this time it might be something really painful, immediately recognizing the dry tears in their skin used by time.

He wished to help them, returning the favors after all those years but his gusts told him to stay away, letting them deal with this unsolved mystery. During the dinner, the college student curled man talked about his day, filling the void and pretending to be fine. However, his heart arched when he caught the scarred hands unable to even move his plate to the kitchen. 

Haru shared a worried glance with his father, asking him how he could bring his help in this situation but the answers surprised him.

“By surviving,” Katsuki said with a sigh, hiding the broken tone and letting his fingers play with the blonde curls. Something odd awakened in the college student’s chest, almost like he had all the hints under his eyes.

“No but seriously, what happened to both of you ?” He asked, putting his hands on his father’s shoulders and noticing how the stubborn face turned sadder. He hated this situation where the only thing he was able to do was to stare as a spectator of this terrible situation. “You know how I hate seeing you in such a state. I’m worried for you two…”

Izuku regained his conscience of those words, almost like he temporarily put on his fake smile to reassure his son. He had always been a bad liar, even to his childhood friend but a part of him was reassured to know that he wasn’t alone in this mess. He always enjoyed how his best friend ended up being his confidant and the one he could count on during the hardest days. Today, the blond assured him he planned to keep the promises he made on the altar until his last breath.

As expected, the number one hero appears surprisingly unscathed from those revelations that will still haunt his soul, even on his deathbed. The world doesn’t need to know that this unbearable pain in their chest had changed the Wonder Duo’s lives forever.

“Sweetie,” Izuku’s voice was gentle, letting his hands cupping their son’s cheeks with delicate movement. After a few seconds, Haru recognized the genuine expression of gratitude before facing this fake smile, the one his dam was using to protect himself. “You don’t need to do anything to fix this situation, I promise we’re fine…just troubled by the recent events.”

“Am I not allowed to support you? I thought we agreed to share everything, the bad like the good days,” Haru objected with a confident tone that successfully made the blond smirk from afar. The couple glanced at each other with an understanding gaze, communicating in a language that only they understood. 

“I know and we’re grateful for many successes in this life,” he explained, leaving a complete mystery behind the meaning of those chosen words. Yet, his eyes were telling a different story, something too deep to discover at first sight. “One of them is having such a wonderful and strong son like you. We didn’t realize until now how lucky we were to raise an amazing boy like you, who makes us proud every single day and we wouldn’t exchange this life against anything.”

Haru felt his guts reacting to this sudden confession. Don’t get him wrong, he was used to this kind of affection, but there was something different with the meaning of this sudden confession. His doubts ended up being confirmed by the heartwarming expression on his father’s face, almost like they were completing each other. He should have been more than just a simple spectator of this terrible show, asked more but he decided to trust their words. 

“And I’m glad I returned home that day,” he whispered in answer. 

Without thinking twice, he accepted the unexpected hug coming from his dam, letting his hands hold the omega’s back closer and feeling how Katsuki joined them. None knew why this unexpected situation created a common pain in their chest, but that night gave them a bittersweet taste of the event of October 6th.

—----

The house was deadly quiet, to the point where even the drunk neighbor's crazy stories filled the silence in this room that used to be comforting. 

The previous atmosphere the family shared at the dinner faded away, being replaced by their casual affection pretending nothing happened. It was unfair to play the happy family when their feelings were mixed between the impression of being impostors for authorizing their son to have his happiness when another version of him was suffering from afar. 

The darkness filled the room, while the ethereal moon highlighted the two shadows in the bed, holding each other closer. From afar, the stars were admiring the terrible scene of Katsuki's head resting against Izuku’s chest, letting their fingers intertwined together as a mutual gesture. It was getting late and Haru went to sleep earlier, leaving the couple with their thoughts about this crazy situation. 

Izuku and Katsuki remember how the interactions with the older version of their son used to be a complete mystery to solve back in the day. They made many mistakes but admired how this version reached his dream, unconsciously reassuring the couple about the fate of their teenager. After this sudden disappearance, the two men realized how they should’ve asked more about him, but the time was too short and was unfair with second chances. 

“I can’t stop thinking about his words” confessed the freckled man with a low tone, almost like he was afraid to wake the ghosts in their house. He let the callous hands hold him in a reassuring gesture, being more meaningful than their previous conversation. “That day, he was so worried about the date and we were blind. I can’t believe he tried to save our lives and we didn’t even thank him properly.”

“We didn’t know anything,” added the blond, moving his head to sit beside his lover. He let his lips kiss Izuku’s forehead, but it wasn’t enough to erase the pain in his chest. Katsuki wasn’t naive and couldn’t stand this weight on his shoulders any longer, but was glad his husband shared the letter with him. “He was afraid to use his own words, but if there was a chance to change the past, we would’ve already apologized for leaving him behind.”

“What did we do wrong, Kacchan ?” Izuku asked with a broken tone, letting his viridian iris meet the crimson ones. This question wasn’t coming out of nowhere, especially with the tone implied in this statement. The green-haired man had always been a devoted soul to his loved ones, but he never planned to be the worst parent by abandoning his child. “I keep asking myself the question about what would happen if our paths never crossed. Maybe we’ll repeat the endless circle and break his heart again….I can’t handle the idea of leaving him alone, even if he’s from another timeline.”

“We did nothing wrong,” answered the golden-haired man, revealing a sadder expression on his face. The only thing near his reach to comfort his partner was to drop affectionate gestures on his lover’s soul, hoping they would heal his wounds. “This tragedy happened out of nowhere and surprised all of us, but we need to remember how we shouldn’t feel bad in our timeline. This sucks, and it should’ve never happened that way, but we still have the right to give love to our son in this one. He needs us like we need him and I’m pretty sure the older version of our brat knew how we loved him until the end.”

Izuku didn’t answer, putting his head against his husband’s chest and holding his figure tighter, realizing how this was unfair to them. The craziest thing was how their son succeeded in keeping this secret for so long, which also explained the mysterious questions surrounding their conversation that night. The scarred hands held the other’s skin closer, afraid to let him go, mumbling a few things before raising his head, only to face the vulnerable crimson eyes. 

“I know but my heart is suffering at the idea of leaving another version of our son alone in this cruel world. I don’t know what I would do if I lost him or even you…” He admitted. “We read the same words and the most devastating news is how we both left this world. I can’t stand the idea of waking up next to an empty bed and talking to your ghost. Please, stay with me until the end because Haru and I need you more than anything, Kacchan.”

Katsuki Bakugo had vulnerabilities, and one of them was to hear the sad confession leaving his childhood friend’s lips.

“You won’t lose me, Izuku,” affirmed the taller figure with a hint of confidence before sharing a quick kiss on his husband’s lips. He appreciated how those small moments represented core memories for the next years. “I’m going to fight until my last breath to keep this family safe, but you need to do the same. I can’t picture a world where my annoying childhood friend left us behind…because there’s no reason to wake up if you’re gone.”

The emerald eyes widened to his revelations. His heart missed a beat, having the impression of being a teenager facing his first love confession. Through the years, the freckled man admired the multiple ways his lover shared his love, some more unforgettable than others. He couldn’t help but fall in love with the only person who knew him more than he knew himself. Haru was born through their sincere love and passion, and this was the best gift the two men could ever wish for. 

“I won’t, I promise, love,” added the shorter figure before making a genuine smile. 

He let his hands find the blond’s shoulders, bringing their forehead closer and lips met in a gentle kiss. The couple had known many times how this story started with a heart-to-heart conversation and ended in the creation of their new miracle. However, tonight wasn’t the case because the greenette was focused on the aim of letting his husband know how much he loved him. He accepted the calloused hands around his waist, before losing themselves in his messy curls and letting Izuku’s back find the sheet. 

Their lips were chasing after each other, dancing with the forbidden while their previous wound healed by each other’s presence. Izuku was this mystery to discover the moment the blond entered his eyes and only opened a new secret when their eyes met at the altar. Their love was genuine and sincere, something many fairy tales described as a happy ending, but sometimes even the heroes faced obstacles once the last commas were written. 

The two figures stepped back, taking their breath back while scarred hands caressed the blond’s cheeks. Their eyes are lost in each other’s mesmerizing souls, ready to bring the world down to bring color back to this unforgettable painting. They were each other’s muse and their best creation was their son…no matter if he was from a different timeline. 

“Until death do us part,” finished the green-haired man with a soft tone, smiling. He welcomed the familiar scene of his husband sleeping on his chest and calming himself. 

The couple needed to solve this story, but the answer might be closer than they expected…

—--

Somewhere else in another timeline, 

The sound of the city resonated in his ears as a cursed melody. 

It had been years since his shadow decided to create a new chapter of life in this unknown city. Through time, he made his presence known and his smile represented the new hope for this generation who envied him for his strength. However, the real reason for the sudden change in his life was the need to take some air and chase the ghost of his past haunting his nights. He was unable to sleep without facing the nightmare of this tragic event that happened on October 6th.

His mind recalled the explicit details of the conversation with an officer, explaining the situation despite the dry tears on his face. The background noses faded away when he learned how his parents’s bodies were found lifeless in the bathroom, killed by Magistro. The officer had to keep the most graphic details about this affair private, but the only information the teenager had was how the couple were trying to defend themselves against the villain. The injuries were too deep to be healed and their bodies remained lifeless on the floor of this house.

Haru always blamed himself for not returning earlier. Despite his interaction with the situation when he had the chance to time travel to day his last goodbye, he recognized how some sacrifice needed to be made. He wasn’t angry at his younger self to save himself from this terrible fate, but he wished he had known this meaningful detail earlier. Some nights, the hero loses himself in his imagination to have an actual conversation with his parents, being here to catch the lost time before waking up to the sad reality hitting him straight in the face. 

Each word he put in this letter was sincere. 

He tried to contain his tears while writing this devastating statement about his life, something he never did until now, afraid to break his last hint of hope. He was stupid to believe that his parents would return from the dead, knowing how the entire country was marked by their deaths and their graves often visited by the most devoted fans. Haru’s existence was revealed to the public a few days after the media took this case and explained to the world how the wonder duo had a child since the beginning and they kept his existence private to protect him. 

Haru wasn’t even sure if their statements were correct, but he had no choice but to believe them. After all, the only way to have his answers was to ask at his parents' grave…which became his daily habit. When other people of his age were hanging out in town and having fun, the blonde curled man was spending some of his nights in the cemetery. He never wanted to move too far from his parents, almost as if they were always with him in some way, but he hated how he condemned himself to his death.

The wind ruffled the curls on his forehead, before revealing how the summer was about to start soon. To be fair, the number two hero didn’t care about the new season that was supposed to bring hope to people’s lives. Magistro took everything from him, and the destroyed teenager took his revenge by taking the villain’s life, even if his parents would’ve found another way to solve this issue. His hell started when the world started to see him as a murderer, with the media questioning if his moral values were the same as the Wonder Duo or a simple desire for revenge.

“-You should’ve seen their faces when I arrested this villain in the street. This idiot claimed he was stronger than me but he reminded me how stubborn Dad was,” the man confided with a laugh, sitting on the grass and facing the two graves. 

One of his requests before the funeral was to put their graves together, knowing it would’ve been one of his parents’s wishes if they were still alive. Yet, people tend to see Haru’s shadow so often that they don’t even bother him, realizing how this poor teenager who had his youth stolen by this tragedy, might never recover. There was nothing wrong with trying to heal, but somehow, the only safe place the blond found was the cemetery. 

“I still recall the moment when I left in the other timeline without saying a proper goodbye. I’m having the impression of repeating the history but I certainly know how you wouldn’t be mad at me for saving your lives in another timeline.” He pointed out with a smile, letting his fingers reach the gray stone with a sigh.. 

He hated this impression of always knowing what his parents would do, even if they weren't here to welcome him with a pat on his head or a forehead kiss. Haru was doomed, his instinct begged him to escape from this hell and find something or someone to hold on but his heart was still attached to the memories of that night. Maybe he saved a life in another timeline, but this wasn’t enough to bring his parents on his own.

“I wish you were here with me to celebrate my journey, with Dad’s stupid comments, and the genuine smile on your face, filling the void in my chest, Mom,” he whispered, putting his head against his knees and feeling tears falling down his cheeks. Every time, he ended up crying like his past self, hoping he would hear one last time his parents' voice comforting him. “I have so many things to confess, so many “I love you” wasted, and I’ve been looking for your shadows in my graduation ceremony, even when I’ve been second in the rank…but you were gone. Am I too stupid to hope you’ll be by my side until the end? Because I keep pretending this accident never happened, even my therapist is afraid of my fate.”

During his therapy sessions, Haru learned that grief had multiple stages. Unfortunately, the blonde-haired man had been stuck in the depression stage for years. He couldn’t accept how the figures he was chasing in the crowd were out of reach…Maybe they were watching him from the sky and observing how desperate their son was for a sign. 

“I miss you,” he confessed, picturing the smile of his parents and what they would’ve been able to tell him if they were watching his misery from afar. “I miss you both every day, I’m still hoping to find you both in a crowd and we would catch the lost time but I’m drowning myself in this false illusion of peace. I know there’s a way to accept this reality, but I don’t think I’ll be able to move on, even if that's what Mom would’ve wanted.”

The legends say that the casual worker taking his shift in the middle of the night often caught the desperate soul having a conversation with the ghosts until the sun brought a light of revival to this scene. This scene was heartbreaking for everyone who knew how devoted their son was to those two men who sacrificed their last breath thinking about their last fight. 

—--

Back to the present, 

Mei’s face widened at the proposition. 

She had known the couple since their high school years and saved their lives more than once but this idea was completely crazy! It was impossible to make such a big project without arousing suspicion about their activity. Still, the woman needed to admire how the couple was determined to reach their goal.

Indeed, this idea came out of nowhere in the middle of the night, surprising both heroes. The answers had been under their eyes since the beginning, but they were too blinded by their emotions to properly name them. At home, their son noticed how something changed in their gazes, even if this house seemed to slowly regain its previous colors.

The freckled man was smiling more often, explaining how much he loved his son before laughing when his husband was jealous of the attention. Today, Izuku and Katsuki decided to take another step in their The couple had been spending most of their night making the perfect plan to reach their goal, acting like teenagers having a secret relationship and refusing to be caught by their parents. The scarred hands held the callous one tighter, their eyes meeting with each other before making a nod in agreement.

“It’s probably the craziest idea we ever had but it’s the only way,” added the freckled man with a soft tone, hoping he could use some of his old contact to make this project come true. “You’re the only one able to make this possible and it’s our last chance.”

“I would love to help you because you’re defending a real charitable cause, but we’ll be in trouble if someone knows about that,” she added, putting her hands against her forehead and watching the determined gaze on the couple’s face. 

“It’s your lucky day because you have two of the most influential and powerful heroes to have your back,” pointed out the blond. “Plus, if the media has to know about that, we’ll be the ones to blame and we can try to keep your name out of this mess. After everything we’ve been through, maybe you can make this sacrifice for us, right ?”

Mei sighed. She didn’t know what to do, considering how dangerous it was. Playing with the forbidden was a risky game, but their intentions were sincere. She was human with emotions and nearly cried when she learned the real reason for this project coming out of nowhere. This was a personal goal important for those two inspirational heroes, especially for the new generations and their faces explained enough how desperate they were to make this selfish request come true.

“Alright,” she confirmed, noticing how the two heroes' faces gained colors. “It’ll be complicated to put in place, but there’s a chance to solve this in the next few months if we’re all doing our part of the deal.”

Izuku’s eyes were full of hope for the first time since the discovery, making his husband proud. After all, even the strongest heroes have their own secrets…

—--

A causal afternoon in another timeline, 

The sound of the metal meeting the wooden table became a habit for Haru, especially when he invested his entire soul in each of his projects.

Mostly known for his tragic backstory, he wanted to avoid the media who always asked the same annoying questions about his past instead of focusing on his actual career. The main reason for his presence here, away from the crowd, was because he needed to be alone, and ended up spending time with one of his friends who supported him despite his complicated mental health. Haru was grateful for everything Hatsu brought into his life, even if the woman was trying her best to make him smile, knowing his condition. 

Despite being a famous name on everyone’s lips, the hero felt more comfortable in his own world where each of his creations echoed as a reminder that the battlefield would be considered as its last option if he had to choose. It was something his dam used to do, which was probably a way to stay close to those memories calming his nights. Hatsu was his annoying partner but devoted to making the best even if this simple device might take months to do. 

However, something was different with her today. 

Her behavior this morning was casual with constant teasing and a stupid joke, but everything changed after her break. Haru searched for answers in the expression transcribed on her face, but led to more mysteries. 

“What’s going on ?” Haru asked with a sigh, putting his gauntlet on the table and crossing his arms grasping his chest. Under this sight, the boy looked like the mix of his parents, almost like the wonder duo was still residing in each of his movements. “We both know you’re a bad liar and it’s a question of time before I find what you're hiding.”

“About that ... .There's something-” Her voice was cut off by the sudden intrusion of Keiko, one of their lab’s partners. The purpled-haired woman had a pale expression on her face, holding the folders in her arms closer, afraid to let them fall. Her eyes immediately met Hatsu’s, almost like they were communicating in a language the man wasn't able to translate.

“I need your help with something…If I can call it that way,” she mumbled before sharing a look with the blond-haired man. “Right now.”

Oh.

Knowing Keiko, this situation must be more than serious. He wasn’t naive, he had worked many years with these two and knew them like an open book, and something was wrong….It was just a question of time before finding the truth.

From here, a few background noises could be heard between the two women. The topic of their conversation was blurry, leading the tall man to take a few minutes break to check his phone. His wallpapers revealed an old memory of his parents and him smiling in a picture they cherished in his childhood, which he kept after they gave him all the Wonder Duo’s stuff. This memory was heartwarming for his broken heart, noticing how pure this love was between the two men and how happy his younger self looked in his father’s arms. 

He took a few minutes to answer his text, some of them asking him if he was free tonight for a party organized in their neighborhood. Haru knew how he should accept and change his mind, but he would hate himself if he was betraying his habit of visiting his parents’s grave. It sounded morbid on paper, but it was heartbreaking to face as a spectator of this terrible show happening under their eyes.

10 minutes had passed since the disappearance of Hatsu, which led to many questions in the blond’s mind. His friend would never take such a long break unless there was a serious issue. His instincts begged him to check by himself but his reason recommended to wait, which was the right thing when he recognized the other’s shadow appearing in the corridor. Yet, he didn’t expect to see her teary eyes, immediately thinking something bad happened until she broke the silence by starting the conversation.

“Haru…you have some visitors”

That’s strange, no one knew about his second hobby except some of his friends. Maybe they were looking for him for something important, he knew how one of them planned to have a birthday party for a friend of theirs.

“Listen, if it’s Aiko, tell him I’ll answer his text later.  I already warned him multiple times how he shouldn’t bother me in my workspace.” He added with a sigh, preparing himself to continue his work until the next words froze his blood.

“No….Izuku and Katsuki Bakugo are looking for you.” Hitsu’s voice resonated in the silence. With the tone used in her voice, it was clear how she didn’t know how to handle the news, knowing about this tragedy that still haunts her friend. Still, Haru’s face turned pale, and wished it was true but his parents had been dead, gone, and buried for a long time.

“We all know how this is a sensitive topic for me, I thought we agreed that-”

“I’m deadly serious, they’re waiting in the corridor,” finished the woman with a sigh. “They’re the one requisition you. I don’t know how they found your presence here, but you should give it a try.”

She didn't know she held her breath the entire time but this situation was crazy and unbelievable by itself. Yet, she saw them with her own eyes…Alive. Hatsu wasn’t the kind of person to joke easily about people’s trauma, especially when she was conscious of how painful this one represented for a close friend of hers. Yet, things were crazier for Haru who always heard this sentence in his fever dream to comfort himself. There was no way his parents were still alive, he saw the scene and the only time he interacted with them was during his time travel the first-

Oh.

His eyes widened, and he didn’t realize his hands were shaking until he made his phone fall on the floor, revealing his wallpaper. It happened out of nowhere, almost like he waited for this moment his whole life, but a sudden burst of confidence started to rise in his chest. Indeed, he was ready to take the risk if this meant having the proper goodbye he always wanted. 

Hatsu’s face started to win color as a bright smile appeared on her lips. She saw her friend due to in multiple breakdowns, breaking her heart when sadness was slowly taking control over his life but it was the first time in years since her friend showed sincere hope in his eyes.

It was too late to return and pretend nothing happened, but he couldn’t believe his eyes. At the end of the room were his parents, coming from a previous timeline, indicating how his younger self succeeded in keeping them alive until now. A slight smile appeared on his face, wishing he could thank him for unconsciously making this dream come true. The sound of people talking at the end of the corridor caught his attention and the sound suddenly stopped when their eyes met.

Emerald eyes met with Katsuki's, scarred hand holding the callous one tighter, waiting for a sign to express how this scene was real. The golden-haired man was too stunned to speak, unable to say a proper word, despite how his lips were opened, too focused on the shadow near their reach. The older version of their son hadn’t changed a bit since the last time, even if he seemed more tired due to the visible sign of bags under his eyes. 

Izuku waited for this moment since he read the letter and discovered this hidden secret. The green-haired man spent his night wondering how their reunion would happen but still, none of his scenarios implied being this emotional. His vision started to be blurry by the tears as the inked words repeated themselves into his mind. 

/The last memory of us would always be our fight, the sadness in their eyes, how I broke their heart, and they always fought for me until the end./

Izuku’s body moved on its own, ignoring the shocked gaze around him. In the next few seconds, he put his head into his son’s chest, letting his scarred hands hold tighter, remembering how different he was from the one they had in their timeline. This older version was marked by regrets and never had the chance to have this conversation he desperately needed with his family. After all, Izuku and Katsuki left overnight in this timeline and they couldn’t forgive themselves even if they weren’t able to control the past.

The green curls found the blond’s chin, feeling how the huge difference was obvious between the two shadows, but the only thing that mattered was the impression of having a sudden slap in the face. His parents were standing under his eyes and alive…For the first time in a year, Haru wasn’t imagining this and talking to graves. Without thinking twice, he welcomed the tears and held his dam closer, putting his head on his neck and starting to sob. The freckled man joined him, holding too tight, afraid to let him go, but realizing how taking this risk was worth it if this meant reassuring their son.

/The only thing I could think about at this moment was how I let them go without letting them know how much they meant to me, to us./

“‘Sorry,” mumbled the green-haired man between his sobs, unable to control his tears while he felt the reassuring hands behind his back. For a moment, it was like time stopped and it was only them against the world, like the old days. Izuku had the impression of facing the toddler who transformed their lives into a complex adventure, but the most unforgettable one because their son’s existence has been the best part of this journey. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

Haru didn’t even know how his body handled so many tears, but he let them meet his cheeks and feel the green curls, reminding the sweet scent that comforted his childhood. The minutes felt like hours, letting the family reunion happen under everyone’s eyes. When their two figures separated, the scarred hands cupped the chubby cheeks, still picturing the newborn he saw in the labor room.

“Look at you, I can’t believe you did it and reached your dreams!” explained the freckled man with a genuine smile that reminded the old days of Haru’s childhood. For some reason, the blond felt more tears falling down his cheeks before being wiped by the familiar hands that gave him so much love. “You’re even taller than me but you should thank your dad for this gene.”

They have so many questions crossing their mind from both sides, but the only thing that mattered was how it was real. For the first time in his life, he authorized himself to cry in public, until he felt his father’s hands playing with his curls like the old memories. Haru’s eyes met Katsuki’s, being a reflection of the man who made this possible, before hugging him. Dynamight wasn’t used to showing his love publicly, but after reading the content of the letter, he put himself the idea to make a reunion between the three of them. 

“I never thought I would say that one day but congrats, you made me cry, brat,” explained the blond with a soft laugh before hugging his son closer. He remembers when the conversation about being not enough happened and made Katsuki realize how he needed to show more affection to his son. In the next few years, he succeeded in making this statement come true but in his timeline… Haru had potentially never seen his dad revealing real affection.

“I wouldn’t consider it that way if we’re both in the same state,” answered the man with a chuckle, before watching how the gaze in his father’s eyes was different. He remembers their fight in this timeline where the crimson eyes were broken, holding back his tears when they were accepting them and grateful. It was a show he had never seen until now but enjoyed as Izuku joined them in their reunion.

“Everything should be considered a victory as long as you're a part of our life,” added the freckled man, ruffling Haru’s back and making a genuine smile. 

“How…How did you end up here ?” He asked with a curious tone, wiping his last tears and glancing at the two men. He caught the understanding nod between them, realizing how his parents seemed to have their own secrets. He always admired how loving and tender the couple were with each other, especially when this chemistry was getting stronger every day. When he was younger, the small boy dreamed about having the same kind of love with his future partner, being a reminder of how true love existed.

“We read your letter, and didn’t think twice before time traveling to reach you,” affirmed the green-haired man, cupping his son’s cheeks and holding his husband’s hands. All of this was possible with the held of his childhood friend who made this dream come true after the tears they shed. “You should’ve told us instead of hiding it, we never knew how hard it was for you to hide such a thing. Remember...You’re still human and have the right to be vulnerable because you’re our biggest pride.”

Haru stopped counting the number of times when he visualized his reunion with his parents in the afterlife, finding their peace together. He tried his best to pretend but couldn’t ignore how the worried expression on the emerald and crimson eyes showed enough. His parents weren’t naive, after all, they were the ones who raised him before disappearing due to his mistakes but he was grateful for this second chance.

“Wait,” a sudden hit of realization crossed his mind. There was one way to discover this secret, something that only his younger self and he knew due to their previous exchange. He was sure his other self would be jealous to know how his parents time-traveled to see him, but after the reading, he would understand. “Did my younger self”

“Don’t worry kiddo, he doesn’t know anything about the reason for our presence here but he kept the secret for too long, it’s almost concerning,” Katsuki added with a sigh, taking a quick glimpse at the figure beside him. 

Izuku was right, this older version seemed to be in his thirties with a face used by the dust and the color slowly regaining his cheeks. This view was heartbreaking for the blond who promised himself to do his best to make his child proud, even if he wasn’t the best. He didn’t realize how their son was able to keep such a long and heavy secret on his shoulders for so long when they had a hard time dealing with this.

“So….You decided to come here by yourself ?” There was some incomprehension in the tone of his voice, still stunned by the euphoria of their previous reunion. Haru shared a glance with the two women who questioned themselves if they should stay here or let the family catch the lost time. After all, they both recalled the number of tears their friends had shed when it was the wonder duo’s death anniversary and seeing him being this happy was heartwarming.

“Well…not completely.” Izuku shared a nod with his husband, chuckling at how unbelievable this situation was. “It was a miracle that the first attempt worked but Mei explicitly wanted us to know how it’ll be a matter of hours before returning to our world. Even if your father and I had to work in secret to make this happen, we wanted to know everything about this timeline to understand your pain and be the shoulder to cry on.”

Alright, it was a lot to understand. 

The blond curled man was still processing his emotions, but he was glad to finally have this reunion he had been waiting for his entire life. Don’t get him wrong, he knew they weren’t his parents in his timeline, but they always remained the same people who raised him with an ethereal love. A smile drew itself on his face, and welcomed the two men in another hug, this time in a reassuring atmosphere. This was a dream come true and he refused to let this chance escape, especially when he had so many things to share with them.

“You’ve always been addicted to risk, this won’t surprise me but I don’t mind taking some news, even if it is a question of a few hours,” he mumbled with a soft tone, noticing how he missed the tender eyes of his parents. “It’s still better than having a conversation with graves and hearing the wind spreading your whispers…But I’ll make sure to cherish each second as if it was the last.”

Izuku’s face regained its previous colors, before holding his husband’s hands tighter as a sign of reassurance. Katsuki wasn’t naive and understood how the nerd was holding back the tears, and wanted to enjoy their moment. After all, they might have their son in their timeline, but this older version desperately needed them, even if a few hours wouldn’t compensate for years of traumas.

—--

Years ago, Haru Bakugo Midoriya decided to give up on life.

The conception of trying has been hard for a desperate soul like his, who only lived through the ghosts of his past. Visiting the cemetery became his only way to find comfort in this false illusion of happiness. His loved ones were worried about his mental health, observing his state degrading day by day. The hardest part was how he was faking his smile for the cameras and working harder in his lab when no one was looking, almost like pushing himself to his limits had been the only way to feel something.

However, he never expected to face those familiar curls and golden spiky hair in his lab, observing with awe his creation through the years. He always wished to have those reassuring figures by his side, when their specific opinion might be more helpful than the professional sometimes. Despite this naive dream he was chasing, he couldn’t help but mesmerize this frame of the heartwarming shadows standing in the same room as him with wide eyes.

“-It’s impressive !” pointed out the freckled man, letting his fingers touch the past creations and observe each detail. It was touching to see how their son succeeded in taking the legacy by having Katsuki’s strength and Izuku’s smartness. The creations were amazing, revealing how their son might’ve been on this path for a long time. “You put dedication in each of your works, this reminds me of the first time I stayed up all night to improve Kacchan’s gauntlet before graduation. Your dad yelled at me for not taking care of myself but he thanked me later when he made his proofs in the media, remember ?”

Katsuki rolled his eyes, ignoring the blush coloring his cheeks at this specific memory. He crossed his arms against his chest, resting his back near the closest wall and his eyes met Haru’s, almost like the two men were communicating. 

“How can you still have time to switch between your hero's position and assistant? Dealing with one job is hard enough but you’re surprising me by handling both.” The green-haired man affirmed with a hint of worry, facing the bags under his son’s eyes. He hated how this meaningless detail was enough to highlight the other’s state, breaking the omega’s heart at the same time. 

“Let’s say I spend most of the time under the surface creating my world instead of being the number one head on every media and article,” he added with a soft tone. “I do think exercising these two professions is a way to unconsciously stay close to both of you. There are some sacrifices needed in this lifestyle but they’re worth it if this means keeping in touch with a period of my past I considered as a safe place.”

The previous smile on Izuku’s lips faded away, realizing how the future version of their son stayed a devoted soul, despite the tragedy. This person seemed to have a completely different path from theirs, leading to many questions residing in the couple's mind. The awkward atmosphere transformed into laughs, smiles, and revelations as the three figures started to catch the lost time.

Izuku couldn’t help but stare at Haru with a proud smile, listening to each of the conversations the boy was making with Katsuki. During a few seconds, it seemed like time stopped and the family was reunited for the best, healing the vulnerable wounds in their souls.

“If you still have the strength to face your old man, I would like to check if you deserve your rank at the top,” teased the golden-haired man with a smirk, noticing how his son rolled his eyes in answer. 

“Are you challenging me? Because I’m pretty sure you’ll lose this fight,” replied the other. “Well, I can highlight the fact that dealing with such a tragic event had an impact on my quick development, which led me to be late for other people of my age. I used to describe this part of my past as a failure and realized how I should consider it as a strength. After that, I decided to start training more-”

The crimson eyes kept focusing on the awed expression rising on Haru’s face when he started explaining all the progress through the years. After all, he could’ve simply given up, but he honored his parents' name by representing their legacy and being the strongest person this world had ever seen. However, it wasn’t necessary for the couple who admired how far their son had. The world might be too judgemental about him but to his parents' eyes…Haru was their biggest pride.

Silence filled the room, leaving the blond curled man with the impression of returning back to his teenage years, considering himself a bother. His fingers played with the tissue of his shirt, a gesture the couple immediately recognized as a sign of anxiety.

“You’ve changed so much since the last visit you gave us! I have the impression that decades separated us when it’s been only a few years for you…You’ve been so far,” the freckled man confessed, looking straight into the other’s eyes and discerning a hint of surprise. “Sometimes I’m still having the impression of facing the tiny child who woke us up in the middle of the night due to a nightmare. Am I allowed to share my truths with my heart, knowing how my words would never be enough to express how incredible you are today ?”

Izuku tried hard to hold back his emotions, not because of his previous sadness but the pride in his chest. Reading this letter made the couple realize how they missed so many occasions to share their love back in the day, and the man under their eyes was the result of their mistakes. Their presence here wouldn’t be able to change a complete lifetime, but the wonder duo promised themselves to do everything to say their truths before leaving. 

“Someone once taught me how it’s never too late to say the bitter regrets eating us from the inside, but I’m scared my kingdom might fall into crumbles because of the false illusion I created myself until now,” he pointed out with a sigh, putting his back against his chair and glanced at the roof over his head. 

He knew he was secured in this small piece, where no one would be able to take his parents away from him a second time. He swore to protect them even if this meant dealing with the consequences of time travel but seeing them smiling under his eyes made his fight worth it. He hoped his other self enjoyed the luck he had to have strong people like them by his side….

“Nothing assures us that we will be the heroes of every narrative, but I already know how you’re the one in ours. You’ve been the only thing occupying our minds since the moment you’ve become a part of our lives. There are so many situations we wish we would’ve been there in this lifetime, but if there’s something I’m sure is how our past selves loved you until the end.” Katsuki explained.

The hero had never been the kind of person to easily share his emotions, but he surprised himself when the words escaped from his lips without realizing it. The only person he should thank for accepting his flaws was the caring and devoted husband by his side. Back in the day, he used to ruin his own relationship but the blond was determined to let this older version of their son know how he was and will never be alone in this world.

“Some nights are more traumatizing than others, reflecting the terrible news of you two breaking your promise, the one that claimed to stay by my side until the end. I recalled the moment when the officers told me how you died by defending yourself against something that could’ve been avoided if I wasn’t so selfish.” Haru confided with a hesitant tone, afraid to express the truths that resided at the tip of his tongue for so long. 

“Sweetie,” Izuku’s voice filled the previous silence, leaving his previous chair and standing beside the figure next to him. 

Sometimes, the green-haired man was afraid of breaking the porcelain skin that was covered by salty tears. The scarred hands play with the blonde curls, facing the stunned expression on the other’s face. 

“There are so many things I want to say and apologize but a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to explain how your father would never break such a meaningful promise on purpose. I might not know anything about what happened that night but I’m sure you’ve been the last person reaching our mind in our last moments. I’m aware my words will never be enough to erase all those years of pain and terror you’ve faced, but I want to apologize for leaving you alone.”

Haru had been a tough guy until the topic of his family was mentioned in any conversation. He had been holding his pain for too long and often convinced himself that he didn’t deserve any of their love. After all, he might be an inspiration for the world, but a disappointment for his parents who watched his face gaining dust, hoping to join them soon. Yet, at this moment he realized how the men standing under his eyes remained the same people who loved him until their last breath with unconditional love. This was probably the conversation his inner child needed all those years, even if it was hard to believe. 

“We’re sorry for letting you face all those obstacles on your own when you were only a broken soul,” added the blond with a vulnerable tone, something that awoke old memories in Haru’s mind. He had never seen his parents being this worried unless it was a question of life or death concerning their son, being scared to never see him waking up again. “None of this is your fault because we could’ve predicted this turn of events, even the strongest soldiers. You shouldn’t blame yourself for something you can’t control…I’ve been here but I found the one bringing me back to life.”

Emerald eyes widened at his words before turning into a softer expression. He always admired how his childhood friend was this inspirational figure in his life, the one making this dream to build a legacy real and give him the most unforgettable gift: a child.  Izuku wished he could express to the world how he was deeply in love with his husband and proud of his son, no matter if he was coming from another timeline or not. 

“Sometimes the hardest fights are meant to teach you a life lesson, even in the worst way possible and it’s our mistake for not asking about you earlier when you were near our reach. You seem so grateful to see us and we would've never guessed how behind this genuine smile you’ve been through a lot of shit but let me tell you something, kiddo,” his crimson eyes met Haru’s, feeling heartbroken at this sight of visible pain, and unshed tears. “Life is full of shit from the beginning to the end but you’re our biggest pride, even if the world thinks otherwise. We never had a proper goodbye but I have no regret expressing out loud how proud I am to see the person you became.”

Without thinking twice, the tall figure reached his father’s chest and held him closer. He couldn’t believe how he waited so many years to have the conversation able to heal his wounds. He was still a human with regrets, thinking he was the one causing this tragedy but hearing those words made him realize how he was also the victim in this story and not the criminal. Haru kept all this pain in his soul, drowning him in the darkest thoughts, without considering the other side of the story.

Callous hands caressed the tissue of his back, crimson eyes meeting the teary emerald ones. Coming here was a risk, but the couple had no regrets expressing out loud the apologies this older version of their son needed to hear. It had never been in their plan to leave such a vulnerable and innocent soul alone in this world, especially in a world where Haru was building his own identity and needed his family. Don’t get him wrong, the Wonder Duo might be saved in their timeline, but he would never forgive himself for letting death separate them in the most unexpected way.

“None of this should’ve happened but it’s time to let you know how, as much as you hate this statement, you’re still our son, timeline or not. You’re still the amazing pup we raised and you became the strongest soldier I’ve ever seen.” Izuku added, before wiping the tears away from Haru’s cheeks and kissing his forehead. He welcomed him into a tender hug, the kind of affection his inner child begged for all those years. 

“I wouldn’t describe myself that way. A strong person wouldn’t break down in front of graves with the hope of seeing his loved ones returning from the dead. The truth is that I’m only haunted by  many regrets, and one of them is to not let this happen without fighting back, but at least one of us had this chance to be happy.” Haru answered between his sobs, using his dam’s scent to comfort himself at this moment. 

He remembered when he used to be a small child reaching his mom’s chest and talking about the monster under his bed. He would never forget how the scarred hands always knew how to erase all his worries with a magic kiss that only adults seem to have, wondering if his parents were wizards or not. In this imaginary world, the heroes wouldn’t be the people the televisions draw as inspirational figures but his parents. They’ve always been his number one source of strength by their unconditional love. 

Back in the day, the curious boy was already visualizing himself making his parents proud by becoming the number one hero and saw his life falling apart when the casual house full of laughter and smiles turned into a cemetery of ghosts dedicated to his loved ones. The childhood memories became the reason for his tears, mixing with the bitter taste of not being enough and causing their death. Yet, today those statements faded away while the omega’s hands held him closer, afraid to let their shaking figure go. If this situation had been complicated for the pup, he couldn’t imagine how painful the content of the letter had been for his parents, who swore a timeless love to this child and faced a reality where they broke this promise against their will.

“Sweetie, you’re so much stronger than you think. Your letter broke me down and your dad needed a few minutes to calm himself. Do you know how complicated it is to make Kacchan sob like that ?” Izuku laughed, admiring his son. The hardest part of this interaction was how none of them could change the past, but if they had the occasion, they would do it without an ounce of regret. “You’ve never been weak or useless because, even if our past selves never had the chance to express it, we’ve always been proud of you.”

Haru was glad Hatsu and Keiko left earlier,  giving some privacy to family members who needed those truths. His hands held the omega’s back, resting his head closer against his dam’s scent, recalling how some of his childhood memories weren’t as bad as he used to think. He put aside the strength of those moments for too long, forcing him to put aside the real meaning behind them. 

“I’m pretty sure being a crybaby had been in this family's genes,” pointed out the golden-haired man with a teasing tone, without holding back the unshed tears.

Izuku and Haru shared a mutual nod, understanding each other before smiling and grabbing the taller figure by force. Katsuki ended up being stuck between them out of nowhere, before letting himself go and expressing into actions the words he never dared to reveal until now. The three of them stayed in this comforting position for a long moment, making sure their mind marked this gesture as a sign of sincere apologies for the wasted years of suffering they unconsciously gave to their son. This older version of Haru was so much stronger than he thought, putting aside his happy ending.

Haru was the first one to laugh, suffocating in their warmth and explaining how he needed to breathe. The two men stepped back, holding back a chuckle before playing with his hair like the pup he had always been to their hearts. The man in his thirties under their eyes was still the same figure begging his parents to play heroes and villains in the living room and pretending to save the day with his magical quirk. 

The couple remembers the laugh exchanged after their fake smile, where the small boy was on their back with the most genuine smile, and facing the pride of his parents. Sometimes Izuku and Katsuki wished Haru remembered those precious moments but their son was too young to describe how they ended up finding their happiness…the one the two childhood friends had been searching for all along. 

“Tell us more about you, sweetie,” asked the freckled man, deciding to spend the last hours knowing more about the progress and amazing his pup did in the last years. 

From time to time, he could feel his husband’s gaze into his, sharing the same tender and loving glance. Haru’s voice resonated in the room, explaining some of his craziest adventures like a child mimicking some stories he had seen on television. It was probably the safest place the blonde curled man ever had since the tragedy. He enjoyed each interaction with his parents no matter if it was the casual comments from his father or the awed expression on his dad’s face.

Haru knew he always belonged here because his real home was his family.

—--

Keiko and Hitsu shared a glance, wondering if it was time to tell the news to their friend. 

Until now, they’ve noticed how Haru gained more colors, laughing and smiling at the sensation of deja vu. It was comforting to see how the most important people in his life succeeded in keeping their happy endings and reassured his younger self. This sacrifice was necessary if this implied signing the bright future his family was destined for since the beginning of this book they were writing.  

He learned about how the two men were still in love and renewed their wedding vows a few years ago, with a private ceremony in the most catastrophic way, as always. Haru laughed a few times about how stupid they were, but the way they held each other’s hands with such tenderness didn’t lie about the sincerity of their feelings. To this day, the story of Izuku Midoriya and Katsuki Bakugo has always inspired Haru to reach his fairytale, but he underestimates the real lesson: the purest form of love was coming from his parents.

“-That day Kacchan, made a whole scene because the media suspected me of cheating and made things clear, even if this cost a reprimand from our PR team and apologize for all the curses he said,” chuckled the freckled man. “You should’ve seen his face, it was hilarious.”

“For the last time, I told you how no one controls me and my actions, I just did it because they would make this situation worse…not because I was scared of our PR team,” objected the blond with an annoyed gaze before being punched by the scarred hands and faced the annoying comment from their son. 

It was heartbreaking to destroy such a pure moment of bonding and happiness between people who were ready to sacrifice their lives to save each other. Unfortunately, time was running down and the end of this reunion was getting closer. The only rule with time travel was how they shouldn’t mess with the specific delay…one wrong move and they’ll be stuck here forever. Despite this tender interaction with the future version of their son, the two women also knew how the wonder duo couldn’t leave their timeline. 

With a quick glimpse at the corridor, Haru noticed the familiar figure smiling sadly at him. His heart missed a beat when he understood the hidden message,  even if he wished things were different. He had so many things years to catch up on and needed to taste the Katsuson of his sire a last time, hear his mom’s comment, and remember what happiness felt like. However, he shouldn’t be selfish. After all, he already reached all the answers he wanted with their emotional reunion and the tears they shared between confessions. If there was only one person he needed to thank for this dream to come true…it would be his younger self who listened to his advice. 

“Haru, are you okay, sweetheart? You look like you saw a ghost,” asked the green-haired man with a worried expression on his face. He let his hands reach the other’s forehead to see if he didn’t have any fever but everything was fine. 

“I’m happier than ever but…”

“...It’s time to go ?” completed Katsuki with a sad sigh. He hated how this statement escaped from his lips naturally, knowing how he wanted to stay here a little longer to discover more about their son. Unfortunately, the uncomfortable silence on Haru’s face answered their question. The scarred hand held the callous ones tighter, afraid to leave this reunion but reminding them how their son was probably worried about them in their timeline.

“That’s how the story always ends,” Haru pointed out with a sigh, followed by a genuine smile when he realized how he made it.  Hearing all of this awoken old feelings in his chest, something he thought was hidden forever. Maybe he deserves the right to his happy ending…because he is now aware of how his parents will always support him, even if they were simple stars in the sky observing his misery. “I’ve never been good at goodbye.”

Izuku shared a hesitant look with his husband. He let his hands escape from the callous one and cupped the freckled cheeks most tenderly, smiling. He hated the idea of leaving him behind, but he knew his son would be able to do his best and make them proud even from afar. It was a truth he knew as a parent and since the moment his eyes met the newborn….because he was the most important person in their lives.

“Me too, I’ve always hated goodbye but this is a simple see you later, sweetie,” expressed the shorter shadow, letting his feelings talk for themselves in the slow movements. “We both know that your father and I will be watching you from afar, listening to each of your stories, and the next obstacles in your lives. We might not physically answer you, but we’ll love you until the end…Always.” 

Haru welcomed the tears falling down his cheeks, hugging his dam closer and holding him like he was scared to let him go. Izuku smiled, returning the hug and making sure to let their son know how loved he was, even if it was through whispers coming from the wind. The scarred hands were shaking but he didn't hesitate to repeat how much he loved him, from the beginning to the end.

“You became my biggest pride the moment you entered this world and your eyes met mine,” explained the green-haired man with a smile, wiping the tears away and kissing his son’s forehead. “I love you until the end even if you have the impression your life is empty because a part of us will always follow you until the end. The world might never know how your parents’ words are worth than millions of fights and a name written in history. I hate the idea of leaving you behind a second time, but I know you’ll be an amazing person…just like the one I’m facing under my eyes.”

“The nerd is right,” added the blond with a smile, putting a small hit to his son’s shoulders and admiring how stunned the curled figure stared at him with awe. This sight reminded me of the first time the blond showed his quick to his son and the small figure started asking too many questions, followed by the freckled man’s laugh on the other side of the room. “I might not be the best at expressing my emotions but I know how you’ve been the best thing in our lives, but think about yourself. Stop chasing after ghosts of your past when you have nothing to worry about.”

“How am I supposed to know if we’ll meet again ?” Asked Haru between his tears and reached his father for a hug. “What if my happy ending is with the both of you, making me feel at home because this is where I always belonged.”

Shit, Katsuki couldn’t contain his tears any longer. He faced the tender smile on the green-haired man’s lips, reassuring him about how it was all right to be vulnerable in this situation. After all, he was the one who saw those small eyes being amazed by the words before fate took their colors away. 

“Sometimes your happy ending is residing somewhere else in this world but you just need to search a little deeper to find it,” answered the golden-haired man with a soft tone, wiping the tears away from his son’s cheeks like he used to do as a child. “It’s time to create your own story where you authorize happiness with other people by your side because we’ll never leave you. Your happiness is the only thing that matters so please, take your time to talk with these graves and share with them all your adventures without losing yourself.”

Haru nodded. He refused to accept how this was the final goodbye, the one he had always been looking for since the tragedy but had no regrets about making all those sacrifices. From now on, his parents’ advice opened his eyes about how life was worth it if your goal was to find yourself on this journey. Maybe there was a risk of losing yourself in his past worries, but he will always remember the reassuring words of wise people who taught him how loved he was. 

They didn’t have enough time in this world, but he was ready to make them proud and honor their legacy. He chuckled himself at how stupid he was for letting himself cry this much but one glimpse at the other figures was enough to realize how it was mutual. After all, the two men were here from the beginning to the end, watching him from afar with amazed eyes, the same ones who brought him this ethereal love he needed to grow up. 

He wasn’t alone and will never be….

“I love you both,” he explained with a smile, letting the callous hands ruffle his curls and his dam’s lips kiss his forehead a last time. “Make him happy because he deserves it.”

Izuku tried his best to hold back his tears and let his husband hold him closer. He promised himself to always give the world to their son, even if this imply braving the forbidden and learning an important lesson from this experience. Haru watched his parents whisper a last “I love you” before their figures faded away in the corridor, returning to their timeline where his younger self was probably waiting for them. 

He wasn’t jealous, because he knew he needed to keep this meaningful promise he made with his parents….After all, his path might differ from the other timeline but he was glad things turned out that way. He observed how Hatsu’s shadow reached him, without asking if he was fine, already knowing the answer before letting his head reach her shoulder. It wasn’t a secret that his friend was touched by this story, especially when this family was one of the strongest she had seen until now. 

Haru put inside a corner of his mind how he needed to answer this text, grab this first chance to change his life, and keep his regular visit to the graves.  

Everything will be fine. 

—---

Back to the present, 

Everything felt wrong, facing an odd feeling of deja vu. 

The college student refused to check the television, too afraid to face terrible news. There was no way his parents refused to answer his endless calls and texts! Don’t get him wrong, he knew the couple sometimes went on dates together like the old time but they would’ve always told him. The anxiety in his chest started to rise, playing with his nerves and refusing to project into the worst-case scenario, even if his mind led him.

He refused to believe this tragic scenario to avoid becoming his new reality, where the endless circle kept repeating itself in a different universe.

He remembered the last time he read the letter from his future self, being devastated and having the most heartbreaking conversation of his life. At this moment, the teenager understood how he was too hard on himself, being loved despite his flaws the two men considered as his strength. The shaking figure was holding back the tears at the idea of watching his life falling apart overnight.

Haru didn’t spend the last years building this perfect and strong bond between them to see the two men disappearing without saying a last goodbye. For a moment he realized how painful this must’ve felt for his older self, and he hated this sensation in his chest. Yet, the college student noticed how things were different since the last days, almost like the two men were hiding a huge secret from him. This might’ve been the reason for their sudden disappearance in the middle of the night...despite the number of calls he gave to his parents’ old classmates, none knew where Izuku and Katsuki Bakugo were. 

The sudden sound of a door opening itself in the silent corridor caught his attention. He immediately turned his head, preparing himself to defend himself in case an intruder succeeded in entering their house. His heart was beating faster, hearing the footsteps getting closer and an awkward silence filling the room. Without thinking twice, Haru grabbed his weapon and appeared in the middle of the corridor, shouting at them to get out before he called the heroes. The previous weapon was found on the floor due to the sudden shock on the college student’s face. 

“Where….Where were you? Do you know how worried I was about you being gone for too long ?” He shouted louder than he expected, waiting for an answer. 

He had the impression of reversing the role where he was the adult and the two men, just teenagers risking their lives outside. At first sight,  none of them seemed to have injuries, just a tired face indicating how the day must’ve been tough for them. Yet, the couple exchanged a genuine smile, making their son more worried about their activities. 

“We’re sorry for scaring you, sweetie,” the freckled man explained with a soft tone. “Your father and I were just….Visiting an old friend.” 

Something was strange with the way his parents were acting, almost like they were naive without facing the consequences of their actions. Haru had no right to be mad at them for having their own lives outside the house, but every time their shadow left this place, his anxiety appeared like a hit in the face. The fear of seeing his life tuning into hell overnight kept resonating in his guts, which might be why he was so overprotective of them…

“I don’t know what kind of visit it was, but you two look like you’ve cried all the tears of your bodies and expect me to not be worried about you ?” He couldn’t believe they would ask such a stupid request, and this time the “I’m fine” wasn’t even considerate an option. 

“Let’s say things got emotional but there’s nothing to be worried about us,” said the blond with a soft tone, putting the lost curls to their place on the other’s forehead. Katsuki was forced to realize how he saw his son growing up too fast, which reminded him how Izuku and he were getting older too.

“You’ve been acting weird for a few days, tell me what happened.” Haru insisted with his arms crossed against his chest. 

This situation gave an impression of déjà vu to the couple who remember how they already had this conversation in the past. It was years ago, but Izuku and Katsuki can still picture their small boy with his chubby cheeks and holding back his tears, standing on the couch and asking them why they were hiding from him. Haru was 5, curious about the world surrounding him, and made the two men laugh. They never planned to give this gift this early, but Izuku and Katsuki agreed to share the dynadeku merch they found in this shop, the one catching their son’s eyes every time they walked in this street. 

Haru’s small eyes widened with awed, grabbing the shirt and thanking his parents, hugging them and explaining how he was so happy to have such amazing people in his life. That day, Izuku decided to spend the evening with the small boy, while Katsuki watched the two figures commenting on a documentary happening on their favorite television channel.

“Well…we should probably return the question because you’ve been hiding a tough secret for too long.” Izuku objected with a slight smirk on his face, before pinching Haru’s nose. The emerald eyes met his son’s, reading surprise and curiosity in those irises he mesmerized by heart and saw growing up through the years.

“What do you mean ?” 

“We know about the letter,” Katsuki added, his voice resonating in the living room.

 At this moment, memories crossed Haru’s mind, remembering every single detail about the letter’s content and the way it saved his life. Don’t get him wrong, he had many questions about the way such a huge secret had been discovered so easily, knowing how he hid it in a place where only him got access so-

“Wait what- How did you even find it-” the sudden rise of panic in his voice indicated how he was scared of being reprimanded, forcing the freckled man to bring the college students closer and give a quick hug, speaking louder than words.

“A few days ago, when I cleaned the house, I ended up discovering your secret place and read the mystery you’ve been hiding the entire time. You should’ve told us instead of keeping this pain for too long…” Izuku explained, letting his hands cupping the chubby cheeks, almost like their son was still 5 and scared to be punished for breaking a toy. 

“But it was the only way to save you both. I should probably thank him for saving your lives and sacrificing himself to make another version of himself happy because I don’t know what I’d do if you were out of reach, in a place where even the strongest heroes couldn’t reach.” His fingers played stressfully with the tissue of his shirt, making Katsuki smile. It was rare to see such a strong and stubborn person showing his emotions around his loved ones. It must be why Izuku and Haru wanted to cherish it until the end…

“Don’t worry, we already solved this case, kiddo,” replied the golden-haired man with a gentle expression on his face.

“What do you mean ?”

“Let’s say we broke the law and used one of our magic tricks to our advantage,” insinuated the green-haired man with a smile. He couldn’t reveal more details about the process, unless Haru was ready to hear the entire story, from the moment his parents interacted with his older self, to the final goodbye. 

“There’s something you’re still hiding from me but I’ll discover it one day…but you gave me no signs of life and got me deathly worried. You could’ve been dead I wouldn’t even know !” 

Haru’s worries were valid, especially now the trio knew the turn of events on October 6th.  The content of the letter became a common point between their pain, something they’ll probably need to figure out with therapy sessions and conversations…but each thing in time. For the moment, the couple returned safely to their timeline and still processed the emotional rollercoaster they’ve faced today.

“It’s our fault for not telling you our plans, and we’re sorry for scarring you. It was something your father and I needed to do on our own, and we’re ready to share this life lesson when you feel comfortable enough for a bedtime story, even if you’re probably too old for that,” explained the greenette with a comforting laugh, making sure to mesmerize the detail on each expression drawing itself on their pup’s face. 

Katsuki gave him the most unforgettable gift by letting another human share the ethereal devotion of his husband and Izuku wished he could return the favor, even if he would be forever grateful. Until now, the Wonder Duo was facing death as a common risk in their job, without thinking about how the danger could be at their own house, ready to attack and break into this personal life they tried to protect from the world. Each of their actions was made to assure a sentiment of security, often followed by promises that even the couple was scared to keep. The hospital trip started being the reason for Haru’s anxiety when he was younger, tearing up when he was happy to see how his parents were still alive and by his side. Years later, the freckled man still had the impression of seeing this tiny human, holding his fingers in a bassinet too huge for his small size, with a heartwarming giggle filling the room. 

“The last years had been impressive, reminding each of us how life is an invisible string, thin enough to break at the slightest obstacle and becoming stronger once we transformed our flaws into strength. The idea of losing either you or Kacchan scared me more than once and I’m still fighting to keep you both alive, every single day…but I know one day my time will come and it’ll be you two against the world. At this moment, I’ll be the one watching the most inspirational people I knew from afar with a prideful smile.”

Katsuki’s eyes widened at the content of the sudden speech, a quick glimpse of Haru’s face was enough to indicate how his son seemed to share the same questions. It wasn’t unusual coming from someone like Izuku to share such a deep and meaningful confession similar to the previous one they’d heard. Still, there was something off with the whole time travel trip they did and the sudden realization that hit the number one hero…

“Stop letting your pretty lips spread so many bullshit,” objected the taller figure, putting lost curls behind the nerd’s ears, catching a sudden blush coloring the freckled cheeks. The world might consider him a vulnerable person, but Katsuki Bakugo has no shame in screaming to the entire world how he’s in love with his childhood friend, the same man who gave him the most precious gift mates could give to each other: a pup born by true love. “If you’re thinking about leaving us behind, you need to revisit your plan because sating alive better be on your priority list number one. I’ll face death if this means keeping you alive any longer, because if you decide to go down…You’re taking the brat and me. Don’t do this on your own, freckles.”

Izuku’s face lightened to this confession, hearing the echo of his heartbeat being louder than the sound of the conversation happening between his husband and their son. Maybe all of this crazy journey taught them how time was a precious notion they should enjoy, even if this means having a difficult period. Their biggest strength was their mutual love and support, something that even death couldn’t take apart, even if it tried. 

“- I understand, Dad,” Haru sighed, letting his eyes meet the emerald one. “I should apologize to both of you for keeping this truth for so long, probably too long knowing it still has an impact on me today. A part of me will be always sacred to let you both leave overnight, especially in a fight where I would be the reason for your pain. However, you didn’t defend your case by scaring me to death with your sudden disappearance…We should probably start again and pretend this incident never happened.”

Emerald eyes met the crimson one, hands sliding into each other’s as a secret gesture affirming how the couple have their language, a skill they developed through the years. The trio was aware of how this conversation just started, but they were ready to be vulnerable around each other at the idea of losing a part of their soul. 

“If you still accept us as parents, despite our flaws and chaos, we would love to…” The freckled man answered with a laugh before letting Haru’s figure share a hug. During a moment, the family realized how moments like those were significantly important for their development, no matter if it was in two different timelines. 

“Always,” answered the other, holding his parents’s figures closer, afraid to let them go. There’ll be enough time to share the untold secrets and missed occasions to express their love to each other. This journey had been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone, but this made their bond stronger, something that even time couldn’t defeat. 

End