The Past Returns

Chapter 1

Home Again
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"I don't deserve this."

Izuku Midoriya could not believe what he was hearing. The guy he has spent the last decade of his life admiring, the one who bullied him senseless in middle school, and the one who finally came around to his feelings for him in high school, was standing in front of him, ending their relationship.

"We talked about long distance, it shouldn't be an issue!" Izuku argued to the blonde he was desperately trying to convince to stay with him.

They were in Izuku's room, sat on opposite sides of Izuku's bed. Tension is coating the air in the room, making it impossible for Izuku to breathe.

"Kacchan, I can't believe you're doing this. We've been through so much together. Can't we at least try the long-distance thing? We promised each other we would make it work." Izuku says, struggling to hold his composure.

"Don't you get it, Deku? I don't want to make it work! I'm tired of being tied down, suffocated by expectations and responsibilities. College is a new chapter in my life, and I want to experience it freely." Katsuki responds with frustration evident in his body.

Izuku's eyes fill with tears, his voice trembling, "But Kacchan, what about us? What about the plans we made, the dreams we shared? Don't they matter to you anymore?"

Izuku sees Katsuki's body stiffen, his face molds into a defensive look, "Of course, they matter to me! But things change, Izuku. People change. I can't keep living my life based on the decisions I made in high school. I need to find myself, explore my own path, don't you want that too?"

Izuku's voice cracks, the pain evident in his face, "I- I don't know...What about love, Katsuki? What about our love? Can't we fight for it? Can't we try to make it through this together? We can...we c-can... still find ourselves and be together right?" Izuku tries to steady his voice.

Katsuki's gaze towards Izuku softens for a moment, but he quickly shakes his head, putting his hands to his face in anxiety, "Love isn't enough, Deku. Relationships require more than just love. They need time, commitment, and proximity. I don't want to put either of us through the pain and strain of a long-distance relationship. It's better to end it now."

Izuku's tears flow freely now, his voice filled with anguish, he chokes out between sobs, "I can't believe you're giving up on us so easily. We've overcome so many obstacles together. Was it all for nothing?"

Katsuki's voice wavers, his own pain surfacing, "...It wasn't for nothing, Izuku. We shared incredible moments, and I'll treasure them forever. But we can't hold onto something that doesn't fit anymore. We both deserve to find our own paths.

Izuku swears he feels his heart shatter, he has never experienced a pain this deep. His voice barely a whisper.

If this is what you truly want, Katsuki, then I won't fight it anymore. I can't force you to stay.

Katsuki reaches out, his own tears threatening to fall.

They sit in silence for awhile before Katsuki gets up.

"I-I'm sorry, Izuku." He says solemnly before grabbing his bag and leaving. Izuku curls up in the corner of his bed grabbing a pillow to scream in, tears soaking it.
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That was 5 years ago. Izuku remained in Tokyo for a year after graduation, but it was time to go home now. Big city life wasn't for him in the long term, he missed the quaint beauty of a small town. He had scored a decent job in the area and a small one bedroom apartment near his childhood home, close to his mom, who he knew had been missing him the last few years. As much as Izuku wished he could've visited more often, the busy schedule of getting his degree kept him occupied most days and weekends. During holiday breaks, he remained on campus, working for the school and his mom would come to visit. Now that he was home, he was determined to spend more time with her. In fact, they had dinner plans tonight! He was going to be heading to his mom's after work.