#❝ lit the sun & the black on fire: you were ever-light ﹝ofdetonation﹞

[roguesenses]

maybe we are not meant for the perfect ending @ofdetonation !

The beach was quiet, but in the best, most relaxing way. Izuku sank his toes into the golden sand, reveling in its warmth. UA kids were given some time off - they all deserved it after everything they had been through. Most were occupied playing beach volleyball, while others went off exploring. Izuku was told to stay close to the shore until his remaining injuries healed while one or two of the others kept him company at all times. They didn't need to, and he had reassured them multiple times that he was fine, but his classmates were capable of being very stubborn when it came to taking care of him. They were worried about his mental state, you see, because the war had taken something very precious from him - One for All.

In a way, it was the perfect price to pay for peace. One for All was always meant to defeat All for One, so it made sense for them to take each other out in the end. Izuku was quirkless again, but he didn't mind, because he was able to protect those he cared about and restore his loved ones' smiles.

Still, his head felt empty without the previous users, and every so often he got a sinking feeling in his chest like he was missing something. For the first few nights, he couldn't sleep, and that turned out to be a good thing, he supposed, because otherwise, he would have missed out on some important conversations.

Izuku leaned back, resting his head against Katsuki's shoulder. The blond was either too preoccupied with cutting up the watermelon to shake him off or decided this was grudgingly allowable after what they discussed.

His eyes slid from the bridge of Katsuki's nose, down his neck, then fixated on his chest. This wasn't allowable and should he stare a few seconds longer, he'd probably get barked at. Izuku had been doing that a lot lately, weirdly finding himself staring at Katsuki's chest, eyes searching across the smooth skin without understanding exactly what he was looking for. Was something missing there?

Stop it. Izuku internally nudged himself to calm down. The war was over and everything was set to right, so he must stop feeling restless as if something was wrong still. Was this PTSD? Maybe he should talk to someone after all. They did hire that nice new counselor with a soothing voice...

As Izuku's gaze shifted, he spotted someone in the distance. Tattered clothing, bruises, and blood. This person did not feel like he belonged on this beach of serene beauty and laughter.

"Kacchan?" He sat up, puzzled. "But..." Kacchan was sitting right behind him. How could there...be two?

[roguesenses]

Sweet, sweet success.

"I heard their red bean bread is really good," Izuku said, opening the door for his royal highness Bakugo Katsuki. The sooner they get this one out of this place where they can continue this argument, the better. He will make sure to get Eri-chan some strawberry cream puffs after too, to cheer her up.

sometimes ( or a lot of the time ), his pride wins out ... which means that such a tactic like a distraction is usually a fair way of diverting him from something.

he might not be izuku level fanboy, but the potential of securing a vintage sticker of all things catches his attention anyway.

❝ ... tch. ❞ goddammit. he has no idea what the fuck he'd do with a vintage sticker besides stash it away somewhere safe, but fuck it, if he can get something that izuku doesn't have ⸺ ❝ i'm gonna make sure you're the 101st customer so you miss out. ❞

[roguesenses]

hold my hand ,  i don’t want to lose track of you .

ᵗʰᵉ 𝑫𝑼𝑺𝑻𝒀 𝑻𝑶𝒀𝑩𝑶𝑿 . (accepting)

The sky was a beautiful heather purple, featuring streaks of gold and orange.

In his ears was the sound of laughter, children shouting at each other in joy as they raced with one another toward the game booths, betting on which one among them would be able to scoop up the most goldfish.

That was them, once upon a time.

Now, they were both surprisingly silent. Was it a sign of maturity, that they were becoming older and wiser...or something else?

Izuku dug his spoon deep into his cup of shaved ice, fetching a tiny syrupy mountain to rest on his tongue. It melted slowly, blueberry-flavored and icy, but doing nothing to ease the blush from his cheeks.

The fireworks were starting soon, and a second crowd of kids rushed by, temporarily pushing the two of them apart on their quest for a better viewing spot. That was when Katsuki said what he said, and Izuku's brain temporarily short-circuited.

Right, he thought as he started stretching his hand across the gap that separated them, once his mind was working properly again. It was just so they didn't lose track of each other. There were, after all, a lot of people around.

Except there was a strange tickle inside of his chest when their fingers touched, and it had him internally panicking for reasons he didn't fully comprehend. Izuku felt his face burn with a new intensity, and this time all he could hear next to his ears was the sound of his own heart beating. He opened his mouth to say something stupid - there was always that desire to self-sabotage and ruin whatever this was between them. This time, though, he managed to force his lips shut again.

No flailing, he instructed himself firmly. No dismissals. At some point, he was going to have to face this head-on, and Izuku Midoriya was supposed to be brave.

[roguesenses]

you can’t ask me to make that choice .

 ᵗʰᵉ 𝑫𝑼𝑺𝑻𝒀 𝑻𝑶𝒀𝑩𝑶𝑿 . (accepting)

tw: mention of death

The water was gentle, or at least it had always been in his memories. It was the coolness in the towel over his head when he had fevers, and in the ponds where children splashed and played. It flowed in rivers, provided fish for dinner, and was the source of life for their crops.

He had never seen it like this - forceful...violent.

Izuku started running up the hill the moment the sky darkened, clouds gathering low and heavy, full of anger. When the waves crashed, they were loud and unforgiving, icy walls of water sweeping up everything nearby.

Apparently, something like this happened every so often. The last time - a few years before Izuku was born - the gods had chosen the chief's daughter and half of the village was wiped out before she found her way out of her hiding place and gave herself to the waves. Izuku didn't want anyone to get hurt this time, so he must rush. Race towards his death so others could live.

By the time he had arrived by the cliffside, he felt no fear, and Izuku didn't let himself look back at the village in case that would dissipate his resolve.

Just as he sucked in a breath and prepared himself to jump, a hand caught his arm.

"Kacchan," Izuku greeted, his smile a bitter one because of their soon-to-be-said farewell.

One person, or an entire village? The choice sounded like a straightforward one until feelings were involved.

"It's okay," he promised in a whisper, the wind stirring in his green hair. "The choice has already been made. All you have to do is let go."

[roguesenses]

👪 / here's smth to hopefully cheer up poor izuku dvgfbnv

the meme (accepting)

"No, no, shhh." Izuku put a finger to his own lips and gave them two light taps. "You can't follow me and start calling your dad Kacchan. It's still father to you. Father."

Gentle persuasion might work for another kid, but not this one. He took after Katsuki in every way, from the blond hair to the crimson eyes, even the difficult personality.

Really cute, though - Izuku couldn't actually get mad, even as the tiny gremlin waved his little fists and start chanting Kacchan like some sort of mantra. The more Izuku tried to shush him, the louder he got.

"Want me to tell you a story? We can talk about what your dad was like when he was around your age?"

The distraction tactic worked! The child had stopped running around and came to sit by Izuku obediently.

"See, we both wanted to be heroes from a young age. Back in the day, we looked up to the same person..."

[roguesenses]

He didn't know why he was panicking so much. By now, he was more than used to Katsuki being angry, to the point that it didn't really bother him, so why was his heart beating really hard and fast as if he was actually nervous? Was it because of something else then?

"Ka-" The rest of his sentence was shoved back down his throat by a spoonful of well-timed food. Izuku stumbled back, choking slightly. He flailed, catching the back of Katsuki's chair in an attempt to restore his own balance.

In the ideal world, everything would have worked out and he'd bid Katsuki farewell and apologize for intruding upon his meal time. Return to his seat and guide his attention back to homework so he would be able to stop grasping for the thoughts that his mind was deliberately trying to hide from him.

Unfortunately, fate was capable of being very finicky, and instead of regaining his footing with the support of the chair, Izuku only managed to drag it, and the guy sitting on it with him toward the ground.

As his entire life flashed before his eyes - for surely the only possible outcome of this chaotic scenario would be his ultimate demise - Izuku saw young Kacchan again. He had the same crimson eyes, bright and brilliant. Though more often burning with anger than not, Izuku must admit...he always loved it when the other's gaze was on him.

apparently where he missed, izuku had to intervene. at first, it didn't freak out katsuki so much ╱ he just stared intently at forest green eyes while the other wiped away the grain from his face. no, that was fine. it was ... how long he lingered afterwards.

fuck, that's embarrassing. ( even scarred, were izuku's hands always that soft to the touch ? wait, no, that's not ⸺ gah ! )

❝ i could gotten it myself if you just damn well told me where it was ! ❞ defensive, reflexive, katsuki growls at poor izuku ... ignoring just how he felt about the contact. what the fuck does the nauseating feeling in his stomach even mean ? ❝ damn nerd, do you always gotta go doin' things yourself or what ?! ❞

maybe he's determining that feeling in his stomach as disgust and not what it actually was ... or maybe he just wanted to act like he didn't know what it was.

❝ lemme eat my goddamn rice in peace, ❞ is the continuation, shovelling more rice down with a glare to the poor boy ⸺ before trying to shove some food into izuku's face as well. ❝ and shaddup, you fuckin' pain in the ass. ❞

[roguesenses]

Love made things infinitely more difficult.

Izuku wondered why the gods had chosen to entwine his fate with Katsuki's, if they truly knew everything and anticipated the blond's stubborn nature. Surely they would know the other would fight. Wouldn't it have been better to create a sacrifice who was shunned by the world and lacked the motivation to linger in it? Why gift him with loved ones only to insist for him to throw them all away?

Perhaps it was a test, or maybe they were just cruel like the villagers said.

"I don't deserve you," Izuku said, but realized by now the other would not be deterred by words. Had it not been for a distant cry from one of the village children, he would have perhaps persisted a little longer with this conversation, at least listen to Katsuki's proposal of an alternate solution. Now, he had to get a move on.

So he dropped the lantern, letting that final flicker of light disappear into the darkness below. With his freed hand, he formed a fist and swung it toward the right side of Katsuki's jaw. He yanked on his captured arm again simultaneously, hoping the force of the punch would loosen the blond's grip.

I am sorry.

The last thing he wanted was to hurt Katsuki. When he did picture their goodbye in the past, Izuku must admit to having imagined something sweeter. The cliffside was fine, but instead of throwing punches, he pictured something incredibly sappy like star gazing together before he leap off to fulfill his prophecy. "Kacchan, please-"

But then again, if it was that peaceful, then they wouldn't be them anymore.

how could he agree but still not brave the decision to change fate's course ? katsuki stands defiant. the wind picks up to a wail around them, and though the sun cannot shine through heavy clouds, blond strands still catch the bits of light there were ⸺ from izuku's lantern and the flashes of lightning on the horizon.

and yet, the more striking feature is the fire behind his carmine gaze ; as fierce as the growing scowl, the tightening grip on the other's arm, his grounding stance.

❝ you don't have to do anything. ❞

perhaps the gods had no idea they were making a mistake as soon as they determined katsuki would be a part of izuku's life, however finite it might be. perhaps they didn't realise that the boy with gold for hair and blood for eyes would be the most defiant of all. there was only so much an oracle may foresee, only so much a god or goddess of future and prophecy may determine ; because even with the course laid out in complex and mosaicked tapestry, someone may still defy what they are given.

the gods are furious. not at izuku, but at katsuki, for knowing what was happening and finding himself at the edge of the cliff with the other. ( whispers among ethereal beings question it ╱ how could a mortal deny his destiny ? someone else's ? ) the blond can tell with how the thunder bellows.

❝ if you'd just let me, i could save you both. ❞ izuku, and the village. ❝ i already said i won't let go. ❞

he stands, unafraid. he knows the gods encroach on the village.

❝ if you wanna make me, fine. give it your best shot. but i'm not gonna let you jump to your death, 'cause the gods never fucking deserved you. ❞

[roguesenses]

Kacchan sure felt a lot taller than he did before.

His tiny rabbit nose wrinkled as he was lifted into the air and tucked into Katsuki's arms. Izuku was rather comfortable in this position and instinctively rubbed his chin on his childhood friend's hand.

Now what? He wanted to inform Katsuki of exactly what happened, but could not speak due to the fact he had turned into a rabbit. Maybe he could try to write but wasn't sure how well he'd be able to hold a pen, even both forelegs.

He tapped against the floor once he was put down, considering the possibility of just writing with the mud he dragged in with him when he heard the offer of a bath.

No! Izuku waved his foreleg in an attempt to communicate that, ears tilting back flat. The idea of a bath did not appeal to him in this form, and he must prevent it at all costs.

Oh, right, perhaps he could just act out what happened!

So Izuku recruited a tissue box and a cell phone charger to be the villain and the civilian he had saved. Positioning everyone as best as he could, he began the dramatic reenactment of what happened. Essentially he saved someone from a villain, but the civilian accidentally used her quirk on him while panicking and did not stick around after. Now the villain was still out there, and he had no idea how long he was going to be a rabbit.

@roguesenses inquired : Normal rabbits aren't green and don't have freckles or wear a tattered yellow scarf, but just in case you have any doubt left, please note that's indeed tendrils of black whip attached to this one's tiny feet. Swinging itself up agilely onto your window ledge, the rabbit stood up on its hind legs and wrinkled its nose - it was an attempt at communication, but unfortunately failing. ╱ prompted.

one would think that katsuki was used to stupid shit always happening to the nerd. leave it to izuku to run headfirst into danger at every turn ⸺ or, even better, getting himself wanted for mass murder in otheon, even though he'd never touch a hair on an innocent's head. katsuki has dragged his hands down his face metaphorically and literally on so many occasions. could he stay out of mischief for longer than two seconds ?

the answer : apparently not.

when he turns his head around to the noise coming from his window, he did not expect to stare into the beady black eyes of a rabbit ... a rabbit with green fur. and freckles. and a tattered yellow scarf around its neck. and tendrils of black whip dancing around said rabbit with its black and turquoise colour ⸺

katsuki sighs, face scrunching up in frustration for a split second, before warm palms open the window and carefully pick up the rabbit ╱ the rabbit that was undeniably izuku, anyway. what other rabbit would look like that ?

❝ that's really you, ain't it. ❞ he settles the bunny in his arms ⸺ remarkably gentle, taking care to do it properly ⸺ while contemplating what his life has come to, small scowl on his face. okay. this is fine. this little shit got himself turned into a rabbit. what is this if not another day in the life of walking disaster izuku midoriya ? ❝ at least bein' a rabbit got you to shut up. ❞

a pause. katsuki slowly sets bunny izuku down on the floor, sitting in front of him.

❝ you're expectin' me to take care of your dumb ass, aren't ya ? ❞ carmine stares intently into the beady eyes of the rabbit, watching. ❝ tch. and look at your stupid fur, it's fuckin' filthy. i should dunk you in a bath or something. ❞

[roguesenses]

Back then he hadn't expected an apology, just as now he wasn't prepared for a thank you. How their relationship had changed, matured, and evolved in a way Izuku had never dreamed was even possible.

"The victory is thanks to everyone," Izuku rushed to share the credit. "They'll be so happy to see you awake. Let's tell them tomorrow morning so you can get some more rest."

Katsuki's thumb across his skin tickled but in a pleasant way. It stirred Izuku's heart and reminded him of what it was like to be lost in the illusion world. He figured out by this point why everything had felt so real - it all came from his own mind. Every detail was pulled from his memories, brought to life with his emotions. What happened in there reflected his own wants and needs, including feelings he wasn't quite ready to face.

Actually, what was he going on about? Izuku wasn't ready to face those feelings right now either! Now that anxiety over whether or not Katsuki would wake up faded into the joy of reunion, his mind finally had a free moment to think and latched immediately onto the next item of stress.

"S-so Kacchan, how much do you remember about the...battle?" If Katsuki couldn't recall much about the illusion world, then that can be Izuku's little secret alone. If he did remember, then...well, maybe he'd not realize about...yeah.

isn't that a familiar sight ? katsuki watches izuku sit up with care, half-smile briefly appearing on his face when he notices the tears ╱ he shouldn't make fun of it. they were both here. so then ...

the hand taking his is an oddly reassuring gesture ; while his dreams didn't have the same sorts of sensations, he could feel the warmth emanating, the texture, affirming his waking state. ( his mind is fogged, scattered. so many things from the before and the now were quickly circulating, trying to piece together the chain of events. he was awake, alive, but ⸺ he didn't wake long enough during ... )

izuku all but confirms it : we won the war.

then their fight against all the odds, everyone's close calls, his literal death experience and revival, it was all worth it then ? for them to be breathing, alive and warm and real, they won ⸺ and survived.

it wasn't a perfect win ... but even with the war carving its memory into them, they stepped through to the other side.

❝ don't go sheddin' tears now, you big crybaby, ❞ he manages, voice thick with fatigue, ❝ we made it. you won the damn war. if anything ... ❞ he stares at their intertwined hands for a moment, feeling the weight, his fingers adjusting to better hold and thumb grazing across the other's palm. ( a brief flash of that illusion crosses his mind ; he wonders if this feels familiar to izuku, somehow. ) ❝ ... i should be thanking you. you gave 'em a fighting chance to make this happen. ❞

[roguesenses]

A hand found its way into his hair. Izuku felt it - he'd been hyper-aware this entire time, waiting for this.

He sucked in a breath slowly, swallowing back down the gasp that rose in his throat. No sounds, not yet, lest he'd disturb this moment of perfection and render it unreal.

Izuku told himself that he'd count to ten, and started doing just that. His eyes started stinging by the time he reached count number five, and by seven, tears had overflown his eyes and trailed down his cheeks.

Ten.

And the weight was still in his hair, Katsuki was awake for real, and he was finally ready to believe it.

Izuku blinked twice, hard, just to put a stop to the waterworks before reaching out, gently taking Katsuki's hand with his own. He sat up, carefully, because a certain someone still had all sorts of tubes attached to him.

"Welcome back, Kacchan!" The joy of this reunion washed away the weariness and pain that still lingered in his bones. Izuku was grateful for this moment, glad that Katsuki was able to return. "We won the war." Because surely the other would want to know that first. It was a difficult battle and cost the heroes too many lives. The destruction of infrastructure would take months if not years to repair, and what could take even longer to remedy might be the faith of the people. Still, one step at a time, they must learn to focus on the positives. At least that was what his teacher said.

"Thank you," he added. For saving me, and for coming back.

after pulling izuku from the illusion, there was ... darkness, mostly. his consciousness felt torn between the vestige world and reality, glimpses of life shining through ; he just remembers the sound of rain. voices yelling, one over the other, all conflicting but all panicked. he remembers uneasy silence.

and finally, once or twice, he remembers the silent beeping of a vital signs monitor, the feeling of something across his chest ... an electrocardiogram ?

he doesn't know how long he's been stuck in this state ╱ when he dreams, there is an uneasiness around every corner. even as he stands atop a mountain he's climbed countless times before, or when he's sitting in the common room with the rest of the class watching a new horror film, or even while he watches the cherry blossoms fall from the trees because of the season ... something tells him he needs to wake up soon. he knows why. he's able to seek lucidity long enough to know.

eventually, the time comes. eventually, he claws himself into the waking world.

crimson cracks open to be met with darkness, the stars shining as they enter the twilight hours of the morn. his breath is slower and deeper than before ; his chest rises and falls with the eventual exhale, head turning to take in his surroundings. the hospital. of course. and ⸺

the weight on his chest registers, and half-lidded gaze finally falls on the culprit. the mess of green curls couldn't belong to anyone else.

there's a lot he wants to say. there's a lot he needs to say. but in the silence of the night and his incredibly exhausted, battered but healing state, the words don't quite reach his throat ; instead, he slowly ⸺ hesitantly ⸺ reaches to settle his hand in among that mess of hair.

[roguesenses]

The hurricane swept them into the air. Izuku squeezed his eyes shut against the cutting grains of sand and pressed his head against Katsuki's chest. On the other side of the scar, there was silence, and only the screech of the wind filled his ears.

Anger burned in his chest like a flame, thrashed like a beast, begging for an outlet. When Izuku opened his eyes again, they were bright with green light instead of tears, blinding as what he thought he had lost was found again. The edges of the world crumbled as he gripped Katsuki's tattered sleeves in a silent promise.

Yes, we will win.

It was half past midnight and way beyond visiting hours. Izuku had his head resting against Katsuki's chest, just as he did in the illusion world. On the other side of the scar, there was a stable heartbeat.

People kept asking him if he was alright, and he always promised them he was. It wasn't a lie completely, because he did feel okay 20% of the time, just from seeing the return of some people's smiles. The other 80% of the time Izuku found himself staring a lot. Sometimes at the ceiling, other times at the floor. Every so often his gaze would wander out the window and find itself following the movement of trees.

On most nights he slept fitfully, waking up in his hospital bed with a pounding heart full of uncertainties. Where was he? Was the world safe? Did he fulfill his duty as a hero? Had he done enough? Was he enough?

Whenever that happened, he'd sneak into his childhood friend's room and put his head against the other's chest. Let the steady sound lull him into a state of semi-calmness.

Some of the other people's smiles may have returned, but there was a condition before he could find his own again.

Izuku waited.

there it was. with the truth exposed, and izuku believing it, the illusion starts to crumble ; it can't sustain its own idealism when reality has been unveiled, and it reacts accordingly to the other boy's swirling emotion. he withstands it. even if it hurt izuku to know, katsuki stands, unrelenting.

he needed to wake up, to come back and give everyone a chance for this.

katsuki can't even promise he'd be in the picture, not like ... this. edgeshot may fail, and he won't be able to slice through watermelon and hand pieces to the green-haired boy, all while he sits on a golden beach with the sun shining overhead. but at least with izuku coming back, he could guarantee that there was a chance ╱ for the boy in front of him, for those still fighting. for himself.

words don't have to be said. izuku reaches, a hand seeking for the war-torn katsuki, the one covered in dirt and bruises and blood, and he understood.

( the ravages of war almost evaporate as he closes the distance, gloved hand quickly seizing scarred. while his costume remains tattered, the wound on his chest finds itself as a scar instead ⸺ a flicker of hope. a chance to let things be right. )

come on izuku, he thinks, we got a war to win.

[roguesenses]

"The real one?" He echoed. What was this Kacchan saying? If he came from the real world, then what did that make this world?

Fake? Fabricated?

Izuku considered the possibility, just because this other Katsuki introduced it. No, unlikely - he was at that hospital for two weeks, and they had classes for a bit too...If something was wrong and everybody around him were imposters, then surely he would realize by now.

Wouldn't he?

A hand tightens on his shoulder. Izuku noted it and understood - Kacchan was being extra protective because he lost One for All. Though the muscles and the memories trained into them remained, a quirkless Deku was certainly easier to eliminate than the one with the powerful gifted quirk.

Oh, that's right.

"I don't have One for All anymore," he told the new Katsuki, holding out an arm and slowly closing his fingers into a fist. The familiar light did not appear, he was as ordinary as he had been the first day they met. "I used it up during the war against All for One." His own Katsuki was clearly not happy that he was entertaining this outrageous conversation, but Izuku had to. Besides, though he no longer had danger sense, he still had his gut feelings, which told him this second Katsuki could be trusted.

"What happened was..." He tried to recollect details of the war and realized the whole thing had become rather blurry. "I...the war..." Izuku's brows knotted as he focused, digging through his mind for the memories that he knew should be there.

He brought a hand to his temple, drumming at it gently with his index finger. It was true that Izuku had sustained some injuries to his head, but they shouldn't have been this bad. "I think...We were all there." He closed his eyes and opened them again, sweat beginning to gather above his brows. "Then...Toga...uh..."

the irritation on his other self mirrors how he would've reacted, right down to the scowl. though ⸺ it was interesting in some confusing, morbid way, to watch the flare of frustration fizzle into discontent and wariness instead, settling for a glare while he strides just a little closer. this world, it was ... almost accurate to the very bare bones. ( it's clear this illusionary version of himself wants to fight, and clearer still is the seething bitterness of being told what to do. he has to give someone credit where it's due for making his other self so accurate. )

hell, now he has to make this sound like it's real ; how does someone explain being trapped in an illusion world by the hands of all for one without it sounding like some farfetched, horrible dream ?

if anyone would believe him though ⸺ if anyone was going to hear him out and find at least some truth in what he's saying ⸺ it'd be izuku. he wasn't the one to lie for some sick joke. he wasn't the kind of person to make up something as dire as this ... but maybe, just maybe, his other version is some sort of guard ╱ almost like someone who is specifically meant to keep izuku here. a defensive projection.

❝ the real one, ❞ katsuki responds, irritated. ❝ the one that's still gotta beat the goddamn villains and achieve ... this whole scene. peace. ❞

that grabs the attention of this other self ; he watches as he grips izuku's shoulder tightly with glare more intense, scowl growing, accusatory. ( his theory starts to feel just that bit more real. )

❝ real one ? that's a bold fuckin' statement. ❞

❝ what, you think i'd just be sayin' it just because ? you think i wanna go back to fighting in a war that'll determine the fate of the world, instead of having whatever the hell this is ? ❞ how does he make it sound plausible ? ❝ for fuck's sake ⸺ without the one damn person who can put a stop to this, we're all as good as fuckin' dead out there. that's the world that needs you, izuku. ❞

[roguesenses]

Kacchan was wrong - this was no party trick. No one could pretend to be Katsuki to this degree...look, even the way they walked was identical.

He studied this new Katsuki's features carefully, noting down details from every crease and line on the other's face to the way his hair looked underneath the sun. The similarity was unsettling, and perhaps that was why Izuku subconsciously took a step back.

It felt wrong to do that. Taking a step away from Kacchan, whom he had spent most of his life chasing.

"How-" Izuku's lips moved in an attempt to voice his concern but found those words stuck on his tongue. He'd known Katsuki since he was an actual child, how could this even be possible? It was certainly not a dream, because when he stumbled back earlier, the side of his hand brushed against a watermelon slice. It was cool to the touch with a lightly sticky after-feel, exactly as it should be.

Fortunately, there was something else in this scenario for him to latch onto. "You mentioned a world needs to be saved," he said once he'd managed to recollect himself enough to do so because being a hero and protecting others would always be a priority for Midoriya Izuku. "Which one is that?" At this point, Izuku's brain had come up with a slightly wild but acceptable theory to explain everything. It involved parallel universes and felt very comic-book-y, but he was willing to consider it.

"Let's hear him out," he told his Katsuki, giving him a pat on the arm in an attempt to soothe that flaring temper.

first there was void. then, a different kind of void ; a room in black space, chairs set in a circle in a crumbling room ... and seven ⸺ no, was it eight ? ⸺ faces staring right at him. katsuki recognises the shaped golden light of all might among them, but he stares warily back at the others, raising a brow and eventually attempting to demand answers. there isn't time for answers, says the one with white hair and striking green eyes, we need you to save izuku midoriya.

the summary is brief but precise ╱ izuku is trapped in an illusion world made by all for one's hands that the other vestiges cannot access, despite their attempts. and he, being the closest to izuku, needed to brave the illusion alone and bring him back to the real world. a tall order ... but katsuki was no stranger to such things.

katsuki enters the world after a few failed attempts, crimson eyes darting around to capture the scene, determine his next move. a beach on a clear day. most of the class resides on the firmer sand to play beach volleyball, their competitiveness knowing no bounds as they use their quirks to garner an advantage. the ones that were missing aren't of any concern to the blond ; it looks ... ideal. picturesque. if this was an illusion tailored to izuku, then the rest of the class was probably off to do something incredibly reckless, fun, or both.

when his gaze falls on izuku, it doesn't take much for him to recognise himself behind the green-haired boy ⸺ preoccupied with slicing up watermelon, face twisted in concentration, accepting izuku's closeness. actually, it's ... very close.

ah. izuku noticed him, his bewildered stare. he strides over with a stern gaze and shakes off the confusion ; he's here for a reason.

❝ izuku, shut up and listen to me. ❞ his voice captures the attention of the ... other him ? illusion him. ( it's odd, looking at him in this world ; same eyes, same glare, but places that should've scarred do not ╱ his chest remains untouched, as though he never faced shigaraki. what the hell was going on ? ) ❝ you got a fuckin' world to save. ❞

❝ tch, ❞ says this other version of him, ❝ some party trick, tryin' to be me. world's saved, asshole, didja miss the damn memo ? ❞

❝ hah ! way to just roll over and pretend everything's fine, where's your goddamn sense of self ? thought this weird-ass version of me would at least wanna pick a fight with whatever threat might be lingering. ❞ ignoring himself ⸺ this is fucking weird, he can't be the only one thinking that, right ? ⸺ katsuki turns his attention to izuku once again. ❝ i said we gotta go. ❞

[roguesenses]

"Eri-chan only wanted to wish you a happy holiday." Not quite the right holiday, we understand, but maybe it's because she can see through Katsuki's tough guy exterior and see the kind, caring boy he really was. Don't blame a kid for that!

MIND YO BUSINESS, DEKU.

[roguesenses]

Izuku stared, and the rice grain stared back in challenge.

Unable to help himself, Izuku moved, using his thumb to gently brush the offending grain from the spot it had stubbornly clung to.

Kacchan has really soft skin, he thought, not understanding why this fact would be so strangely distracting to him.

"I got it!" He blurted out once he realized that the skin contact had lingered longer than necessary. "Y-yeah, it is gone now."

𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘁 ? that was all the nerd was staring at ?

❝ ... tch. ❞ his left hand reaches to try and brush off the rice grain, brows furrowing when he swears he felt nothing change. ❝ well ? satisfy your weird ass starin' or what, izuku ? ❞

the rice grain is still criminally there, unfortunately.

[roguesenses]

Oh no, he was caught.

"The truth is, Kacchan, you have a rice grain on your cheek. On the left side."

@roguesenses ╱ one-liner / lyric starter.

❝ oi, you haven't taken your fuckin' eyes off me this whole time. cut it out. ❞