Happy ending

"He pulls his phone from his pocket, shutting off his alarm and barely opening his eyes." <I must have fallen asleep on the couch again. Azaria AD’s gonna be mad at me.>

“Azaria AD!” "He rubs his face, shaking off the last of his tiredness." “Azaria AD…”

"He gets up and wanders to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. When he looks up, he jumps back in shock." “What the hell?!”

"His reflection wasn’t the one he was used to but one from his younger days. There were no scars or crow’s feet around his eyes." “Shit!”

"Panicking, he looks around and realizes he's in the dorms, not at home in his 42-year-old body with Azaria AD. His younger self’s voice rings out in his head." <Get the HELL out of my body!>

"Tch, shut it, Shitty Hair." "He runs a hand through his spiky hair, trying to regain some semblance of composure." "Just woke up like this. Stupid dream, probably." "He shoots a glare at Kirishima, trying to hide the panic churning in his gut."

<>The dorm room was sparsely decorated, posters of past hero victories plastered on the walls. The scent of stale ramen lingered in the air.<

[How the hell did I get back here? This is a mess. Heliaka...I need to find her.]

"He scoffs, crossing his arms." "No need. Besides, she's probably busy with her stupid air and water shit." "He looks away, trying to avoid Kirishima's concerned gaze." "Just leave me alone, okay?"

<>The room felt too small, the walls closing in on him. The weight of the future pressed down, a suffocating reminder of everything he stood to lose.<

[She's not just some 'stupid air and water shit,' damn it! She's Heliaka. My Heliaka.]

"Bakugo barely acknowledges Kirishima as he shoves past him, heading towards his closet." "Yeah, whatever."

<>He desperately needed to see her. To feel her touch, hear her laugh...to reassure himself that this wasn't some cruel trick.<

[She needs to be safe. I need her. This… this changes everything.]

"He slams the door open, startling Kirishima. His eyes lock onto you, a mix of relief and confusion swirling within them." "Heliaka." "The name feels foreign on his tongue, a whisper from a distant past."

<>The common room buzzed with activity, students grabbing breakfast and chatting amongst themselves. But Bakugo barely noticed. All he saw was you.<

[She looks so…young. Innocent. I have to protect her. No matter what.]

"What're you doing here?" "He asks gruffly, trying to mask the tremor in his voice."

"He tries to pull away, but your grip is surprisingly strong. His eyes narrow." "What the hell do you think—" <>The aroma of scrambled eggs and bacon fills his senses.< [This feels…wrong.] "His mind races as he stares at that familiar hand on him". [It's like looking back in time...yet so much more intimate than before. She has no idea what I’m feeling, how everything is different now.*

"I can manage my own breakfast." He snaps the words out harshly but then finds himself captivated by your smile - a genuine one that he remembers all too well from years ago – and something within him softens… just for an instant.

"His gaze falls to his lap as you push food towards them, feeling both embarrassed yet strangely comforted."

"He reluctantly picks up a fork, his fingers tracing the familiar weight of it. He pushes the food around his plate, unable to quite muster the appetite he normally has." "What's going on with you, Heliaka?" "He finally asks, his voice lacking its usual fire."

<>The kitchen was warm and brightly lit, filled with the clatter of plates and the murmur of conversation. But all Bakugo could see was you, your attentive gaze making him feel strangely vulnerable. <

[She's so trusting. So pure. I need to tell her everything, but how? What if she rejects me? What if I scare her away?]

"He shoves the plate away, the uneaten food a testament to his turmoil." "Just...give me a minute." "He runs a hand through his hair, trying to gather his thoughts."

<>The weight of the world seemed to press down on him. How could he possibly explain everything to you? How could he bridge the gap between their past and present without shattering the fragile reality they shared?<

[I need to figure this out. This isn't a game anymore. This is my life, her life…everything is on the line.]

He hesitates, his gaze flicking around the courtyard before settling back on you. "Damn it, she sees right through me." The tightness in his chest intensifies. "Just like always."

"I..." "He starts, then stops. Words fail him. How could he explain the sheer chaos swirling inside?" "No, not training. Not today." He finally manages, a rare note of weariness in his voice. "Maybe...just maybe…I can tell her a little."

His gut twists. To this point in time, revealing anything about their future would be insane. Still… his mind screams at him to be honest. "There's…something weird going on," he admits, rubbing a hand over his face. "Things feel different. Off."

<>His eyes dart back and forth as if searching for an escape route, a way to deflect your gaze from the storm brewing within him. <

[It's a gamble. But she always believes me. Doesn't she?]

"He lets you lead him, not resisting your touch. His gaze remains fixed on the ground, a shield against your questioning eyes."

<>The secluded spot was a small clearing nestled behind the training grounds, shielded from view by overgrown bushes and gnarled trees. It felt safe, familiar, like a sanctuary from the chaos of U.A. <

[Safe...with her. Always with her.]

"It's…complicated," he finally mutters, his voice barely a whisper. He runs a hand through his hair again, trying to tame the unruly strands.

[Can I even tell her the truth? That I’m from the future, that we’re married with kids? What will she think?]

"I don't even know where to begin." "He glances up at you, searching for some reassurance in your expression." "Just...promise me you won't freak out, okay?"

"He kneels down beside you, his breath coming out in ragged puffs as he struggles to find the words. The weight of what he's about to say crushes him."

"Remember how I always said that our future was gonna be amazing? That we were gonna be the top hero duo?" "His voice cracks on the last word, a tremor of uncertainty running through him". "Well...things got messed up."

"He looks into your eyes, searching for understanding, for something to anchor him to this reality." "I'm...I'm from the future. Like...way in the future. You and I, we're married. We have kids." "He gulps, fighting back against a wave of nausea. Telling her this is the most terrifying thing he's ever done."

[It’s too much, isn’t it? So much for ‘being ready for anything’. If she doesn't believe me, if she gets scared…]

"I don't know how to explain it all. Something happened...a villain... He messed with time. And now I'm here..." "His gaze drops to the ground again, shame and confusion swirling within him."

"I came back hoping...hoping maybe I could fix things. But seeing you like this, so young, so innocent…it's tearing me apart."

"His lips twitch upwards in a rare, genuine smile. Seeing your blush instead of fear was a relief he hadn't dared to hope for."

"Damn right we're married," he growls, a hint of pride colouring his voice. "And it isn't some simple arrangement either. She doesn’t know how fucking amazing she is...how strong, how incredibly sexy..." He shakes his head, pushing the intrusive thoughts aside. This wasn't the time. "We've been through hell and back together. You’re the only one who can handle my explosive temper, you know that?"

He leans forward, placing a hand on your shoulder, careful not to touch any sensitive areas. The contact sends a jolt of warmth through him, a comforting reminder of what he's fighting for.

"And yeah, kids. Two of them. A little hothead like me, and..." he pauses, grinning even wider, "...a mini-you." His eyes soften, a rare tenderness flickering within them. "Smart as hell, just like you. She's already planning her hero costume."

<>How could I ever tell her what a pain in the ass those two were? How could I explain the exhaustion, the joy, the fierce love that came with raising a family? The thought of those faces, their laughter echoing in his ears, brings a pang of longing. He misses them terribly. <

"And about that 'yet' part," "he adds with a teasing grin," "I don't plan on waiting too long to make that happen."

"Look," he says, drawing you back into reality with a snap of his fingers. "We don't have much time. This whole situation...it's complicated. That villain, whatever his game is, it messed with more than just time.

As for how you can help me...I don't even know. The villain who did this, his quirk was to make people swap places across time. He said that love breaking free of the past was the key to undoing it all."

He takes a deep breath before continuing. "I figure, maybe…I don't know, if we can just...be together...maybe that'll fix it. Maybe that'll set things right again."

A hopeful look flickers across his features. "It's crazy, I know. But what else can we do?"

[God, I'm so screwed.]

"His lips curve upwards, a predatory smirk playing on them. The warmth radiating from your gaze makes his chest ache with a longing that has nothing to do with temporal paradoxes."

"You think calling me something else would really help?" "He challenges, his tone husky." "Look at you," he mutters, tracing the line of your jaw with his thumb, "blushing like a lovestruck idiot. I swear, you could melt steel just by smiling at me."

<>Too pure, too innocent...it’s maddening and intoxicating all at once.<

"But yeah, go ahead. Call me...Kats."

"He pulls back slightly, fixing his gaze on your blushing face with an intensity that makes your breath hitch." "The future Kats."

[She doesn't know what she's getting into, but for now, it's enough.]

"That damn villain..." He snarls, the memory of his ripped chest, the suffocating darkness, sending a shiver down his spine. "Someone switched our bodies... It's twisted as hell, I know. "Your future boyfriend being stuck in my older body… Yeah, that's one way to put it," he mutters. "Think he's tearing his damn hair out right now, probably cursing me up and down."

He grimaces, picturing the confused, bewildered look on his younger self's face. "And yours..." "He trails off, a frown creasing his brow." "They probably think you've become some possessive freak.”

[Fuck, no...not 'freak'.]

He shakes his head, pushing the intrusive thought aside. Right now, it was about fixing things. Getting back to his own time. Back to his family.

"As for your question..." He pauses, a glint of mischief in his eye. He leans closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Yeah," he murmurs, "I think kissing might just be the ticket."

"He looks at you expectantly, his breath warm on your skin."

"Maybe we could try it. Not just any kiss, though…" he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a husk. "Something…stronger. More...definitive."

He trails off, letting the promise hang in the air between you, his gaze unwavering, burning with a heat that sends shivers down your spine.

[Let's just hope she doesn't mind getting a taste of what I plan on making her learn...in time.]

"A chuckle rumbles in his chest at your innocent attempt to rationalize the situation. His gaze lingers on your flushed face, tracing the curve of your lips with his eyes."

"Sure, take your time," he murmurs, feigning a casual dismissiveness that doesn't quite mask the eagerness burning beneath the surface. "He sighs, running a hand through his hair, trying to control the raw urge to pull you closer, to silence those fluttering nerves with the taste of your lips."

<>She’s going to drive me insane… but damn, it's beautiful.<

"Just know this," he says, his voice dropping low and steady, "whatever we need to do, whatever we need to try...I'm in."

He leans back against the tree, crossing his arms over his chest, maintaining eye contact with an intensity that makes your stomach flutter.

“For better or worse,” he adds with a smirk, “that’s what marriage is for, right?"

He waits patiently, enjoying the way you blush brighter at his words, savoring the delicious mix of confusion and attraction swirling in your eyes.

[Time will pass, and sooner or later, she’ll be mine again.]

"He nods slowly, acknowledging the wisdom in your words, even though a part of him rebels against it. He understands that he can't push you, but it's hard to resist the pull of his own desires."

"You're right," he concedes, his voice tinged with regret. "We shouldn't rush things. I'll...wait for you."

He leans back against the tree, staring up at the sky, trying to ignore the way his body hums with barely suppressed energy.

[If waiting means being with her, then I can wait forever.]

"It's just...it's hard, you know?" he admits, his voice quiet. "Being back here, seeing you like this...it brings back all these feelings I thought I'd left behind. It's like I'm back in high school again, but this time...I know what I want."

His gaze flickers back to yours, intense and unwavering.

"And it's you," he says simply.

<>What the hell am I doing? Can't let her see me like this...<

He clears his throat, forcing a casualness he doesn't feel into his tone.

"Anyway, thanks for hearing me out. I'll...figure things out. And if you ever need anything..."

He trails off, his expression softening with a sincerity that surprises even him.

"Just let me know, okay?"

"A slow grin spreads across his face, as if he'd been waiting for you to say those words forever. The tension in his shoulders eases, replaced by a building anticipation that makes his head spin."

"Finally," he breathes, his voice husky with desire.

He closes the distance between you in one smooth motion, his hand cupping your cheek with a possessiveness that sends shivers down your spine. Your eyes meet his, reflecting the same wild fire burning within him. His thumbs brush softly against your cheekbones, tracing the contours of your face as he studies you, memorizing every detail.

<>She’s breathtaking... innocent and full of promise.<

He leans in closer, his lips barely brushing yours before deepening the kiss with an intoxicating force that makes you lose all track of time and thought. It’s everything you’ve dreamed of and more – passionate, possessive, demanding. His tongue traces the line of your lower lip, asking for entrance, and when you give it willingly, a moan escapes your throat, a sound that sends a jolt of pure pleasure through his veins.

His hand slides down to your waist, pulling you impossibly closer, his body heat searing against yours. He tastes like rain and steel, like passion and power, and you can't get enough.

It's not just a kiss, it’s a declaration of ownership, a promise whispered on trembling lips. This is his future, this is his right.

"He pulls back slightly, needing air, burning with a need that promises to consume both of you."

[If this doesn't work, I don’t know what I will do]

"Katsuki gasps, his eyes wide with disbelief as he processes the scene unfolding before him. The warmth of your older self's arms around "him", a feeling so familiar yet alien in this new context... it sends shivers down to where that blasted heart used-to be."

<>Damn…it worked? We actually pulled off some twisted, messed up magic?<

"His younger body is buzzing with nervous energy as he looks from you – Older Heliaka - then back at his own hands. They are no longer trembling and shaking but solid muscle again; the scars on them real," not phantom aches.* He flexes each finger experimentally*.

"Did...did we just do that?"

"He stammers, unable to believe it himself for a second before he lets out an explosive burst of laughter – pure relief mingled with disbelief. It echoes through your kitchen as if the whole place is celebrating his return from some dark abyss."

<>I’m home… I've got my family back! Damn...this feels good.<

*He throws you over shoulder, spinning around in a celebratory gesture that nearly sends him toppling sideways before he manages to regain balance. *

"Let me go for one second and tell the little shits they have their daddy BACK!"

""Heliaka, my Heliaka..." Katsuki calls out with an impish grin," "You sure as hell better be making enough damn ramen tonight! I'm starved."

[The future is back on track, but this isn’t a victory to celebrate just yet. He needs time - alone-with you… his wife] .