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The Way You Used to Do
"We're really sorry," his father says, in a teary-eyed, wobbly way. "But your friend, Izuku, he's... He's gone, son."
Katsuki can do nothing but blink up at them for moments that feel like an eternity, eyes darting between both his parents in obvious confusion, disbelief, and, more than anything, indignation.
"What the fuck are you two talking about? The damn nerd is standing right beside you!"
During a battle, Midoriya gets hit by a villain whose quirk detaches his soul from his body. Stuck in a ghost-like state, the boy enters a race against time in order to save himself from permanently dying. Much to his luck - or lack of it -, the only person who can see and talk to him in this state is no one other than Kacchan.
Alternatively: Deku and Kacchan are soulbound.
Katsuki can do nothing but blink up at them for moments that feel like an eternity, eyes darting between both his parents in obvious confusion, disbelief, and, more than anything, indignation.
"What the fuck are you two talking about? The damn nerd is standing right beside you!"
During a battle, Midoriya gets hit by a villain whose quirk detaches his soul from his body. Stuck in a ghost-like state, the boy enters a race against time in order to save himself from permanently dying. Much to his luck - or lack of it -, the only person who can see and talk to him in this state is no one other than Kacchan.
Alternatively: Deku and Kacchan are soulbound.
1953 pages, ebook
Published October 24, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
November 17, 2021
I mean this when I say that I believe this is the greatest, most in depth, fanfiction that I've ever read. Like seriously, this story is super long, but once I started I literally could not stop reading until I was finished. This story just gets everything right, from the characterization to the tension that comes with each chapter trying to find out what'll happen next. My only complaint is that I can't relive the feeling of reading this for the first time.
July 18, 2021
probably the best fanfiction ive ever read
March 25, 2026
I mean, es una biblia Bakudeku por un razón. El nivel de slow burn es infinito.
April 10, 2024
I don’t care that it’s fanfiction I didn’t read over 600,000 words of slow burn and screaming at bakugo’s emotional constipation for it to NOT count towards my reading goal
March 9, 2023
insuperable, la biblia bakudeku indeed
April 24, 2023
“He hadn’t fallen in love. It hadn’t been rushed, or sudden. It had been a stroll, a fieldtrip, a lifetime of wandering the dark with only the light of green eyes shining upon him, from the very first day, until he found himself unable to keep soft green curls and starlike freckles out of his damn mind.”
I did not read a 670k words fanfiction for it not to count for my Goodreads challenge. Especially one as good as The Way You Used to Do. It is one of the best character studies I've ever seen ever, and it made me adore one of my all times favorite characters even more.
It's very descriptive but I ate it up like a woman starved and I just could not stop reading. It's a lot of angst and way not enough comfort, but the ending makes it all worth it. It's simply the most well written character development I've ever seen. It made me adore Katsuki and Izuku so much more than I thought I would.
Definitely one of the best fanfictions I've ever read.
August 3, 2021
WHAT A RIDE second longest thing i’ve ever read omg.. and the AMOUNT of slow burn it was craaazy
May 23, 2023
670,230 words of pure slow burn gold. One of the most in depth and extensive characters studies that is not overbearing.
January 27, 2025
2000 pages and 670k words of absolute insanity this lowkey changed my life
March 10, 2025
WOAH ON GOODREADS??? I’m going to make multiple accounts to glaze this fic. Best piece of literature I’ve EVER read.
October 18, 2025
so so so so good. all the 670k words I read, felt like so little it was just so so good ughghghfhf
November 5, 2023
Ahhh nothing can beat From The Sidelines. Sorry. I'm putting my bets on why this isn't a perfect read on the fact that I couldn't stop myself from comparing the characters from this fic (Katsuki and Izuku mainly of course) to the canon characters. Because this story branches off from canon, I was naturally more reliant on them being closely similar to their series counterparts. And especially towards the end is where I cringed a bit because I just knew they wouldn't do this in canon. This is completely subjective and some may completely oppose me on that one, but that is what I personally think. Also there were some major plot holes? The timeline of when this fic takes place is terribly confusing and just little tid-bits here and there that left me confused.
That being said. For a work of fiction being written without any sort of money or payment involved, this is fantastic. Yes there might've been some moments where Katsuki and/or Izuku were (in my opinion) OOC, but the moments where I didn't think that I heavily enjoyed their development and relationship growth. It was such a reward to see them finally come together in the end. I sort of wish I had read this as the chapters were being released so I could've gotten more of a sense of nostalgia when the fic finally finished. Nevertheless, I find it exceptionally admirable that someone could complete a piece of literature this HUGE (640K words I believe?!?!) for free, no rewards attached?? That's beyond impressive!! Edema_ruh is extremely talented for being able to do this and I look up to her for it!!
I'm glad to say I've finally read this and don't regret it! Reading this I became inspired to read other bkdk fics (cough cough Fire Lily cough cough) that I read a while back so I might just continue doing that for November although we'll see, as I don't keep to my word often...
Also 2000 pages. 2000 PAGES?? I can't believe the longest book I've read is a bloody fic 😭 (honestly not ashamed of that though it's just ironic)
That being said. For a work of fiction being written without any sort of money or payment involved, this is fantastic. Yes there might've been some moments where Katsuki and/or Izuku were (in my opinion) OOC, but the moments where I didn't think that I heavily enjoyed their development and relationship growth. It was such a reward to see them finally come together in the end. I sort of wish I had read this as the chapters were being released so I could've gotten more of a sense of nostalgia when the fic finally finished. Nevertheless, I find it exceptionally admirable that someone could complete a piece of literature this HUGE (640K words I believe?!?!) for free, no rewards attached?? That's beyond impressive!! Edema_ruh is extremely talented for being able to do this and I look up to her for it!!
I'm glad to say I've finally read this and don't regret it! Reading this I became inspired to read other bkdk fics (cough cough Fire Lily cough cough) that I read a while back so I might just continue doing that for November although we'll see, as I don't keep to my word often...
Also 2000 pages. 2000 PAGES?? I can't believe the longest book I've read is a bloody fic 😭 (honestly not ashamed of that though it's just ironic)
May 10, 2023
I agree with the person who commented that this is absolutely the most in-depth character study of Katsuki Bakugo, ever. This story was so compellingly written, I remember finding it during the pandemic and just sitting for hours greedily consuming it.
The exploration of anger issues and the feelings behind them was so well conducted I began to see my own anger issues differently. If this were an original novel, I’d recommend it to everyone I know. Currently I am limited to just recommending it to others in the fandom.
Also this wasn’t just a slow burn, this was glacial - but absolutely worth it! I don’t think I cared for the very last chapter, it was a bonus I think.
The exploration of anger issues and the feelings behind them was so well conducted I began to see my own anger issues differently. If this were an original novel, I’d recommend it to everyone I know. Currently I am limited to just recommending it to others in the fandom.
Also this wasn’t just a slow burn, this was glacial - but absolutely worth it! I don’t think I cared for the very last chapter, it was a bonus I think.
October 27, 2021
El mejor fanfic que he leído, todos están dentro de personaje, tanto que se siente que realmente estás leyendo una historia en canon y está tan bien manejada y descrita la relación bakudeku que te enamoras más de ellos y hasta te dan esperanzas de que terminen siendo canon xD. Es increíble, un slowburn con mucho angst y desarrollo de personaje, se disfruta tanto que lo largo no se siente. A pesar de haber pasado ya un tiempo de haberlo leído, aún cuando recuerdo ciertas escenas me pongo muy sensible, ayuda, es genial. En fin edema ruh dios, gracias por semejante obra de arte.
May 7, 2023
No suelo leer fanfics ni ponerlos en goodreads pero me ha gustado tanto que quiero que me quede guardado para futuras ocasiones
May 19, 2026
Probably the best fanfiction I've ever read, which took me a whole week of non stop reading to finish. This was so angsty, oh my god.
November 11, 2024
QUE VIVA EL AMOR, GENTE, que viva el amor ni a ustedes ni a mi nos va tocar pero que viva el amor, todavía existe
December 27, 2024
Se me estaba acabando el tiempo para terminar mi reto del año JAJAAAJ y lo rellene con un fanfic que es más largo que cualquier libro. Ese es mi girl math.
June 3, 2026
Me ha gustado mucho! No suelo leer fanfics, pero viendo que pueden estar tan bien escritos... empezaré a hacerlo!
Me animé con éste porque al acabar MHA, vi que mucha gente era fan del ship BKDK, cosa que no entendía de dónde venía (ni veía claro que pudiese funcionar), pero me daba curiosidad... así que probé con ésta historia, y me alegro! 😊
Me parece que está muy bien escrito, perfectamente podría ser un libro oficial, porque es una historia que te hace pasar por todo tipo de emociones, también conserva ese toque cómico en muchas de las interacciones entre los alumnos de la clase A, y mantiene la esencia de la personalidad de los protagonistas!
Siendo una historia tan larga (para ser un fanfic), no se me ha hecho pesada gracias al buen desarrollo de la trama, y me ha sorprendido, porque no esperaba que me enganchase tanto! 😱
La evolución de los sentimientos de los protagonistas me ha parecido muy orgánica y creíble, tanto, que aunque nunca me hubiese creído ese ship consumiendo el contenido canon... la verdad es que aquí está tan bien construido, que ahora creo que funciona! 🧡💚
Me animé con éste porque al acabar MHA, vi que mucha gente era fan del ship BKDK, cosa que no entendía de dónde venía (ni veía claro que pudiese funcionar), pero me daba curiosidad... así que probé con ésta historia, y me alegro! 😊
Me parece que está muy bien escrito, perfectamente podría ser un libro oficial, porque es una historia que te hace pasar por todo tipo de emociones, también conserva ese toque cómico en muchas de las interacciones entre los alumnos de la clase A, y mantiene la esencia de la personalidad de los protagonistas!
Siendo una historia tan larga (para ser un fanfic), no se me ha hecho pesada gracias al buen desarrollo de la trama, y me ha sorprendido, porque no esperaba que me enganchase tanto! 😱
La evolución de los sentimientos de los protagonistas me ha parecido muy orgánica y creíble, tanto, que aunque nunca me hubiese creído ese ship consumiendo el contenido canon... la verdad es que aquí está tan bien construido, que ahora creo que funciona! 🧡💚
August 23, 2025
this was a masterpiece. i’m not typically into reading things like this but omg im so glad i got talked into it. everything about this had me captivated. the tension the banter the angst. omg i cried sm i laughed. i gasped. this resonated so many emotions within me. the slow burn BURNED. it was just really well done and an amazing time.
October 3, 2024
Literally cannot say enough good about this incredible work.
October 28, 2024
I CANT JEZU doslownie prawie 2 tysiace stron poplacze sie 😭😭 ale mam doslownie obsesje, NAJPIEKNIEJSZA rzecz jaka w zyciu przeczytalam
January 6, 2025
im free….
August 22, 2021
god, this has to be one of my favorite things ever (and also the longest thing i've ever read. 1915 pages??? during a reading slump??? i did it!)
i love the way the author handled bakugou's character development, i love the way bakugou and izuku's relationship evolved, i love it all.
in my head, this fanfic has Three parts:
1. izuku's time with katsuki as a ghost
2. izuku back to "normal" with no memories and quirk
3. bakugou recovering and everything that happened afterwards
and i loved all of them. the first part will always have a special place in my heart. it's just so sweet to see katsuki grow attached to izuku, them both starting to understand each other more and more as they share an empathic bond. the second part is quite angsty - VERY angsty - i had to hold my breath during certain scenes. the building scene was hard to read, but in the best way possible. just hurt, no comfort - even knowing it'd be fine, it didn't feel like it - and i LOVED it. as to the third part, i have to say it warmed my heart. started off angsty, sure, but it eventually gave me the comfort i was waiting for. i never thought i'd be a sucker for established relationship, but i find myself wanting to read more and more on izuku and katsuki as Boyfriends. i will miss this story so very much.
lastly, can i PLEASE get bakugou's therapist?
i love the way the author handled bakugou's character development, i love the way bakugou and izuku's relationship evolved, i love it all.
in my head, this fanfic has Three parts:
1. izuku's time with katsuki as a ghost
2. izuku back to "normal" with no memories and quirk
3. bakugou recovering and everything that happened afterwards
and i loved all of them. the first part will always have a special place in my heart. it's just so sweet to see katsuki grow attached to izuku, them both starting to understand each other more and more as they share an empathic bond. the second part is quite angsty - VERY angsty - i had to hold my breath during certain scenes. the building scene was hard to read, but in the best way possible. just hurt, no comfort - even knowing it'd be fine, it didn't feel like it - and i LOVED it. as to the third part, i have to say it warmed my heart. started off angsty, sure, but it eventually gave me the comfort i was waiting for. i never thought i'd be a sucker for established relationship, but i find myself wanting to read more and more on izuku and katsuki as Boyfriends. i will miss this story so very much.
lastly, can i PLEASE get bakugou's therapist?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
"And I don't know what love is.. but you taught me that"
UGHHHH IM SOBBING. When I started this, I thought I was just gonna read another mid fic that got bakugo's characterization wrong, but god was I wrong. This is one of the best stories that I have ever read. I loved the character growth and all of the different characterizations, and I loved that we got to see the truly hard parts of Bakugo and Deku dealing with what Bakugo has done and said to Deku. They are not easy and they are in no way perfect, but they are meant for each other.
Also, the plot of this fic was amazing. I loveee amnesia tropes where one is struggling because they aren't remembering something and the other is struggling because they want the other to remember. There was so much pining and angst and I sobbed too many times to count.
Anyways, I had to log this seeing as it needs to be given the recognition it deserves, and I will definitely be rereading it.
UGHHHH IM SOBBING. When I started this, I thought I was just gonna read another mid fic that got bakugo's characterization wrong, but god was I wrong. This is one of the best stories that I have ever read. I loved the character growth and all of the different characterizations, and I loved that we got to see the truly hard parts of Bakugo and Deku dealing with what Bakugo has done and said to Deku. They are not easy and they are in no way perfect, but they are meant for each other.
Also, the plot of this fic was amazing. I loveee amnesia tropes where one is struggling because they aren't remembering something and the other is struggling because they want the other to remember. There was so much pining and angst and I sobbed too many times to count.
Anyways, I had to log this seeing as it needs to be given the recognition it deserves, and I will definitely be rereading it.
December 18, 2023
oh my fucking god what was this???????????? how am I supposed to continue with my life now???
No puedo creer que me lei esta wea de case 2.000 págnias en menos de una semana por dios que me pasa?? asi de obsecionada estoy con estos wns.
Este fanfic me hizo sentir todas las emociones posible que se pueden sentir: lloré, grité, me enojé, me rei, lloré otra vez y asi. Son casi 2000 páginas de puro slow burn con el mejor writing que he leido en mi vida en un fanfic. La manera en la que destruyo a los personajes y los volvio a reconstruir...just wow. De verdad que no soy la misma después de leer esta wea.
En fin, viva el bkdk.
No puedo creer que me lei esta wea de case 2.000 págnias en menos de una semana por dios que me pasa?? asi de obsecionada estoy con estos wns.
Este fanfic me hizo sentir todas las emociones posible que se pueden sentir: lloré, grité, me enojé, me rei, lloré otra vez y asi. Son casi 2000 páginas de puro slow burn con el mejor writing que he leido en mi vida en un fanfic. La manera en la que destruyo a los personajes y los volvio a reconstruir...just wow. De verdad que no soy la misma después de leer esta wea.
En fin, viva el bkdk.
April 18, 2023
absolutely horrible how dare anyone make such and amazing fanfic with the best characterisation of bakugou and an amazingly written bakudeku relationship development and just post it on ao3 for me to come across and read it in 5 days. I hate it like my expectations for books were way too high already whoever wrote this deserves absolutely everything good in this world but i also hope you realise my whole life was changed by this and the emotions i felt while reading this were unexplainable and now i’m gonna go cry about it for a bit
December 6, 2024
Need me more bakugo in my life. That boy deserves some rest man...
I read this whole fanfic in 9 days. Call me crazy but this just solidifies how good fan made content can be to me. Maybe went a bit crazy but at the same time, i am cringe but i am free.
Sorry to all my close friends who had to listen to me ramble on about this story for almost 2 weeks straight.
I technically read 200 pages a day which is a crazy i can't match all the time haha
I read this whole fanfic in 9 days. Call me crazy but this just solidifies how good fan made content can be to me. Maybe went a bit crazy but at the same time, i am cringe but i am free.
Sorry to all my close friends who had to listen to me ramble on about this story for almost 2 weeks straight.
I technically read 200 pages a day which is a crazy i can't match all the time haha
February 18, 2025
This was truly life changing
July 18, 2025
the first fic ive managed to read and finish
it was longer than the bible but i wish it had been twice as long.......... i'm going to miss my babies
it was longer than the bible but i wish it had been twice as long.......... i'm going to miss my babies
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews