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Chapter Text

Izuku was four the first time he met Kacchan. He had been playing in the forest just outside his village when he came across the small unconscious blonde, a large bump on his head. The boy was dressed strangely. While Izuku had on breechers and a loose small tunic, the boy had only two beaded necklaces and pants. He wasn’t even wearing shoes. Izuku muttered to himself for a while about whether it would be better to go and get help, and risk leaving him alone, or to just stay by his side until he woke up.

Izuku decided to stay by his side.

He sat down by the boy who occasionally groaned or twitched as signs of life, patiently waiting. An hour or two passed before the stirring became more deliberate, and his eyes started to blink open. Izuku jumped to his feet, a bright smile.

“You’re awake! Are you lost? I was really worried - oh!” Izuku’s words were cut off when their eyes met. The stranger’s eyes were a bright red, impossibly so, and his breath caught in his throat.

“Amazing,” Izuku breathed, mesmerized at the sight. They stared at each other in shock for another moment before Izuku reached his hand down towards the boy. “Here, let me help.”

“Hah?!” Ignoring the hand and leaping to his feet, tiny sparks began to crackle in his palms and Izuku fell backwards, their positions now switched. “What did you do to me?! Who are you?”

Izuku flinched back from the yelling, tears starting to form in his eyes. He couldn’t resist staring at the sparks, though. “How are you doing that?” he asked in awe. “And why are you dressed like that, and who - ?”

“Shut up already!” he snapped, the sparks getting more intense. “I’m the king and you have to answer all my questions, stupid!”

“King?” Izuku’s eyebrows scrunched together before his face lit up in understanding. “Oh! You’re playing Barbarians! I love that game! If you’re king, I wanna be a great warrior!”

“Tch, there’s nothing great about you.” As if to prove his point, the boy stopped his display of power and crossed his arms over his chest.

Izuku frowned, getting to his feet. “There is!” he insisted. “I’m going to be a hero when I’m big, and go on adventures, and protect people!”

“Oh yeah, what’s your power?” the stranger asked. When Izuku only gave him a look of confusion, he held out his hand and set off the sparks again. Izuku shook his head.

“I don’t have one,” he said. “No one in my village does.”

The boy squinted his eyes at Izuku suspiciously before they widened suddenly. “Hey,” he said, “You’re a human!”

“Yes? Aren’t you?”

“No way!”

“Then what are you?”

“I’m a dragonborn, idiot.”

“Wow!” Izuku’s face broke out in a wide grin, his eyes practically shining. “You really are amazing! What’s your name?”

Obviously pleased with the praise, the boy started, “It’s Ka - ” before he cut himself off, his proud expression shifting into a suspicious glare. “Wait, my mom told me not to trust humans.”

“Oh, well then, you don’t have to tell me!” Izuku said, still grinning and unphased. “I’ll just call you… Kacchan!”

“What? That’s a dumb name!” he sputtered. “What’s your name then, huh?” Izuku, anxious now that he had upset Kacchan so much, muttered his name under his breath, causing the dragonborn to scoff at him. “I can barely hear you. Sounds like you said ‘Deku’. It means useless in dragon-tongue so it suits you. Dumb human with no powers.”

“I don’t need powers to play, Kacchan,” Izuku muttered, blushing and looking at his feet. “If you still wanted to play king and warrior?”

Kacchan considered him for a moment. “Fine. But remember I’m the king so you have to do everything I say, got it?”

Izuku’s face broke out in that huge grin again, so easily placated from his earlier scolding. “Got it!”

This time Kacchan returned his grin. “All right then, Deku. Let’s go!”

Izuku, as it turned out, was terrible at following orders. For the rest of the Summer the two boys would find each other in the woods and play king and warrior, which consisted of Kacchan inventing some sort of quest they had to accomplish for the day. He tried to show off each time, proving his own greatness by climbing a tree, swimming across a river or catching a snake. Each time, he ordered Izuku to stand back and watch. But each time, Izuku would attempt to accomplish the same feat, usually to disastrous results.

Kacchan also regaled him with stories of All Might, a powerful dragonborn with a special gift who guarded Kacchan’s home from evil. Izuku hung onto his every word, looking at Kacchan as if he were the hero in the stories.

By the end of the season, Izuku had a collection of cuts and bruises that had his mom threatening to keep him locked up inside, but it never once deterred his desire to follow where Kacchan led. When the leaves began to change color for Autumn, Izuku learned that Kacchan’s people weren’t actually from this area. They were only passing through.

When Summer left, so did Kacchan, but each year the return of Summer also brought the return of Izuku’s strange friend. Their games grew and matured with them. Every few years Kacchan would appear with a new tattoo marking his skin, or a beaded necklace added to his collection. Izuku started bringing notebooks with him to their outings.

He was eight years old, leaning against the trunk of a tree, writing in his notebook when a familiar presence sat beside him.

“The fuck is all this?” Kacchan grunted, squinting at the scribbles on the page.

“Notes for when I start going on adventures,” Izuku said, handing the book over. “Wanna see?”

Kacchan rolled his eyes. “It’s too dangerous out there for a Deku like you,” he said, but took the notebook anyway. He glared at the pages as if they’d personally offended him. “I don’t get it,” he said blankly, turning the book this way and that as he tried to decipher the words.

Izuku stared at him for a moment before the realization hit him. “Kacchan… can you read?” he asked hesitantly.

Kacchan threw the notebook back at him, jumping to his feet with a vicious snarl. “I’m not stupid, Deku!” he snapped. “Don’t look down on me just because I don’t know your dumb human markings!”

“I’m not! You’re not!” Izuku waved his hands in front of him wildly, shrinking back into the tree. “We’re just different, I know that! There’s so much about your culture that I don’t understand, and your powers, I still don’t know how they work and everyone’s different, or how you’re actually related to dragons, or wait, is it just that you’re connected to dragons, either way I don’t think I’m better than - ”

“Holy shit Deku shut up,” Kacchan huffed, his annoyance overtaking his anger. He sat down across from Izuku, both cross-legged so their knees brushed, and reached over to snatch the notebook from his lap. Kacchan glared at the writing, brows knitted together, as if he could frighten them into revealing their meaning.

Izuku held his breath, afraid of setting off Kacchan’s temper again. Then he spoke, so quietly it was almost a whisper, “I could, uh, teach you? If you think you’d like that.”

“You’re not smarter than me,” he growled, but his anger seemed less than before, his eyes still fixed on the page in front of him.

Izuku smiled, taking that as an agreement.

“I know I’m not,” he said. “Kacchan is amazing.”

Sure enough, Kacchan was reading and writing human script by the end of that Summer. Each year after that, Izuku brought Kacchan a new book as a gift for the other boy to keep.

They were eleven, laying on the bank of the river, soaked through and breathing heavy. Kacchan had slipped on the log that lay across it, falling into the rough currents below. Seeing him fall, Izuku had panicked. As soon as Kacchan went down, Izuku jumped in after him to help. In the end, it had been Kacchan, the stronger swimmer of the two, who had to pull Izuku safely to shore.

“Stupid. Fucking. Deku.” Kacchan forced out each word between breaths, sprawled out on his back.

“I’m sorry, Kacchan,” Izuku said, pushing himself up to sit. “I saw you fall in, and I just - ”

“I DON’T NEED YOUR HELP!” Kacchan’s yell startled the birds out of the nearby trees and he launched himself up, fixing Izuku with a furious glare. “Get this through your thick human skull! You’re just a useless, dumb Deku. You’re not stronger, or smarter, or faster than me. I have a great destiny, everyone in my clan says so! You’re a human with no powers and you almost died you idiot!”

Tears started streaming down Izuku's face. He pulled his knees up to his chest and curled in on himself, sniffling. "S-sorry, K-kacchan," he stuttered.

"Go home, Deku."

"What?"

"I said go home!"

Kacchan stormed off, and for once, Izuku didn't follow him. Instead he made his way back to his home, where his mom hurried to dry him in front of the fire and held him while he cried. Despite all her attempts, she couldn't get him to tell her what had happened.

The next day, Izuku snuck out, hoping that Kacchan wasn't too mad to see him again. To his pleasant surprise, Kacchan was there waiting for him. They fell back into their usual routine and didn't talk about the river incident again.

They were thirteen, and Izuku sat on a tree stump, taking notes while Kacchan demonstrated his power to him. They saw each other less often now. Still every Summer, but Kacchan said that as he got older, he had more responsibilities, and couldn’t spend as many days running off into the woods. But he escaped as often as he could.

Kacchan must have been feeling particularly patient that day, or perhaps was just enjoying the rapt admiration Izuku gave him, because he answered Izuku’s questions and helped him understand the extent of his gift.

“And with enough force, in the right direction, I can propel myself through the air, see?” Kacchan said with a grin as he proceeded to do just that, landing gracefully in the clearing they’d settled in.

“Kacchan that’s so incredible!” Izuku scribbled down everything he could in his notes as the blonde came over and sat on the ground beside him. “Your power is really amazing. Is that why you have this ‘great destiny’ you keep talking about?”

“Sorta. There’s this other, bigger power. It’s been passed down by the guardian of our clan from generation to generation. All Might is cool as hell, but he’s old now. It’s time for him to pass it on. You gotta be strong as fuck to accept the power though, or it’ll burn you from the inside. That’s why only dragonborns can wield it. I’m the strongest and the best, so I’m going to get the power for sure! Everyone in my clan says so.”

Izuku was so entranced by the story he was, for once, speechless, and Kacchan merely sat back in the silence, basking in the glow of the boy’s awe.

“Oi, Deku, I got questions too,” he said finally, breaking the spell.

“Oh?” Izuku closed his notebook, giving Kacchan his full attention. Every once in a while the differences in their cultures would come up, but for the most part the dragonborn didn’t show any interest in his human ways. He always insisted it was beneath him.

“Do humans mate?”

“What?!” Izuku turned a bright red, nearly falling off the stump he was sitting on. “W-W-What do you mean by mate?!”

Kacchan rolled his eyes, a soft blush hitting his cheeks as well, clearly agitated with Izuku’s reaction. “Mate, asshole! Like, two people who commit to being together and standing by each other for the rest of their fuckin’ lives!”

Izuku’s heart rate slowed a little at that description. “Oh. Oh . Yes, um, we call it marriage, instead,” he said. “Two people, a husband and a wife, together forever.”

Kacchan frowned. “How do you know who’s the husband and who’s the wife?”

“Ah… the husband is the boy, and the wife is the girl.”

“Oh.” A silence stretched between them at that, and Kacchan seemed to be in deep thought, so for once Izuku kept his mouth shut, not wanting to interrupt.

“Is it always a boy and a girl? You can’t have two boys, or two girls?”

“You can!” Izuku said, brightening up. “We have couples like that in my village too! I guess I just said husband and wife because that’s what my parents were, but you’re right, it doesn’t have to be.”

“Do you want a husband or a wife?”

Izuku chewed his lip, realizing he’d never really thought too hard about the subject, before he broke into a soft smile, his body language relaxing. “It doesn't matter to me,” he said finally. “As long as I can stand by their side. What about you, Kacchan? What do you want in a mate?”

Kacchan took an equally long amount of time thinking of his answer, looking at Izuku a little too intensely, before he stood with a wicked smile. “I want a mate who never questions me! One who listens to everything I say, all the time, and stays back and lets me protect them.”

Izuku wasn't sure why, but Kacchan's words caused rage to flare up inside him. He stood up as well, drawing himself up to glare at Kacchan despite still being shorter than him. “Yeah well, I want a husband who’s kind and gentle and compliments me all the time!”

“Husband, huh?”

“Shut up!”

They were fifteen.

They sat together at the edge of a cliff, on top of a tall rock wall they had just climbed.  The forest stretched behind them, and they couldn’t have taken the long path up, but Kacchan suggested the climb instead. It was a race to the top, and Kacchan won, but it hadn’t been by much. Izuku had gotten stronger in his teen years, a sudden growth spurt bringing him closer to Kacchan’s height, and the summers spent with Kacchan had strengthened his body and broadened his shoulders. He was still lean, but he wasn’t fragile.

Izuku fidgeted nervously, and Kacchan knew that meant there was something he wanted to say and was finding the courage to say it. But he also knew the other boy well enough to know that asking him would only make the process take longer, so instead he semi-patiently waited for Izuku to spit it out.

“I have a question,” he said finally.

Kacchan raised an eyebrow, noting that Izuku’s notebook was tucked away in his bag. “Yeah? What is it?”

“What’s your name?”

Kacchan froze. His eyes widened before his face contorted in a mask of fury. "You know I'm not gonna to answer that."

"But why not?"

"Fuckin’ drop it."

"Tell me why!"

Kacchan didn't answer him. Instead he stood, walking away. Izuku stared after him in shock for a moment before scrambling up to chase after him. “Kacchan, wait, I just thought - ”

“You didn’t think!” Kacchan spun around to face him, stalking towards him now, angrier than Izuku had ever seen him. “Stupid human, why’d you have to go and ruin a perfectly good thing, hah?!”

“But I don’t understand!” Izuku was back up against a tree now, Kacchan’s hands popping with sparks as he looked over him. “We spend so much time together, you’ve already taught me so much, what different is a name? How is that more risk than showing me your power, or sleeping next to me, or telling me about dragonborns - ”

“It’s just personal!”

“Everything we do is personal!”

“No, these summers, this bullshit, this is all a game, it doesn’t mean shit.”

“So that’s it? If we don’t share names, you can keep pretending that you don’t care? That we aren’t friends? That I’m just some seasonal dream and not a real, living person?”

“I should have stopped this years ago, this has gone too far.”

“My name is Izuku.”

The explosions in his palms stopped, and rage died away. Kacchan’s face fell, and without a word, he turned and walked away. Izuku stood for a moment in shock at the sudden shift, but quickly gathered himself and pushed off the tree to follow after him.

“Kacchan, please!”

“This is it, Deku. Go away. I ain’t coming back.”

“Don’t say that, you’re my friend!”

“Go the fuck home!” Kacchan turned to face him, holding his hand out and letting out a large explosion that sent Izuku flying back, slamming into a tree. He crumpled to the ground, the wind knocked out of him, but Kacchan was walking away again, Kacchan was leaving, he couldn’t let him go.

“We can talk about this!” Izuku got to his feet and stumbled after him, desperate to fix what he’d broken between them. They were down by the river now, Kacchan clearly intending to go back to his clan and leave Izuku behind.

“Why don’t you ever just fuckin’ do what I tell you to do?” Kacchan turned, and with a hard right hook, slammed his fist into Izuku’s head. Prepared this time, Izuku managed to hold himself upright, but his vision was swimming. “You’re like a shitty fucking dog, doesn’t know when it’s not wanted.”

“Why are you like this?!” Izuku yelled. He closed his eyes when his own voice had caused a pounding in his head, gritting his teeth, when a loud yell caused him to open his eyes. What he saw horrified him.

Kacchan was drowning. He was still on the shore, but he was drowning. It looked as if a piece of the river itself had come alive, detaching itself from the stream and coming on land and it was surrounding Kacchan and he was drowning . He attempted to set off his explosions, but the water surrounding him wiped the sweat off his skin and muted the impact. Red eyes met green, and one look at the desperation, the rage, the fear in Kacchan’s eyes sent Izuku running before he could think.

He sprinted towards the river monster, getting up to its side. Planting his red boots into the ground as hard as he could, trying to keep his face out, he thrust his hand in and grabbed a hold of Katsuki’s arm. And then he pulled . He could feel Kacchan’s struggling grow weaker, could feel the water pulling him in too, but he couldn’t let go, couldn’t leave, couldn’t just abandon him - 

A fierce roar echoed across the area, a massive gust of wind, and the water beast was falling apart, slipping back into the river from where it came. Kacchan fell to the ground with a thud and Izuku looked up to a dragon, huge and light brown with teal eyes, growling at him. In his right mind, Izuku probably would have realized that this wasn’t an enemy, seeing as how Kacchan was a dragonborn. But Izuku’s adrenaline was still racing and so he stood over Kacchan’s body, holding his fists up like he could fight off a dragon with them.

“Leave Kacchan alone!” he yelled, holding his ground as the dragon snarled, showing its teeth, but otherwise not moving.

“There, there, Mamoru.” The deep male voice seemed to come from nowhere, and Izuku stiffened even as the dragon began to relax. That was when he noticed him. Sliding off the dragon’s back was a man, tall and thin, with hair yellow like corn and eyes a fierce blue.

Underneath Izuku, Kacchan began to cough, spitting up water and groaning as he shifted on the ground.

The stranger watched with curiosity as Izuku bent down to help Kacchan sit up, seeming to realize that if the dragon meant them harm, it would have done so already. Kacchan’s red eyes blinked open, and with a few more coughs and spits of water, he finally noticed Izuku’s arms around his, his face close and full of concern.

“Get. The fuck. Off me,” Kacchan growled, not sounding too different than the dragon had just moments before. He shoved Izuku off, standing up. Although he had let go, Izuku stayed by his side, hovering next to him with hands out and ready to steady him should he fall.

It was only when he’d drawn himself to his full height that Kacchan addressed the new comers. “The fuck you doing here, old man?” he said.

“Mamoru simply wanted to stretch his wings,” he responded with a polite nod and a glint in his eyes. “It’s a good thing he did. And a good thing this young man was here to help.”

“Deku didn’t do shit.”

“Deku? That’s a cruel name for someone who just put his life at risk to save yours.”

“That’s a dragon!” Izuku exclaimed, drawing their attention. He stared at Mamoru with eager eyes, his muttering coming in full force. “Right here, in front of me! So he must be a dragonborn too, and this is his bonded dragon. It seems like he understands common speech, although it could be that he only understands his partner, if the bond works that way, which would make sense since only dragonborns can form these bonds, but - ”

“Shut the fuck up!” Kacchan elbowed Izuku hard in the ribs, silencing him.

The stranger came forward though, ignoring Kacchan and moving past him to stop in front of Izuku, bright eyes searching. “Tell me, young man, why didn’t you use your powers against the river beast?” he asked.

“I don’t have any, Sir.”

His eyebrows shot up. “A human?” he said softly, eyes flicking to Kacchan, who pointedly looked away, before bringing them back to Izuku. “Then why did you run in like that?”

“I- I don’t know,” Izuku said, unable to look away from him. His presence was calming, but there was a strength there, buried beneath the frail appearance. “My feet moved before I could think. Kacchan, he… he just looked like he needed help.”

“I didn’t need your fucking help, shitty Deku!” Kacchan snapped.

“I see.” The man hummed to himself, seeming to consider something before Kacchan broke him away from his thoughts, storming towards the dragon.

“What does it matter? He’s just a stupid human. Let’s go,” he snarled, climbing on top of Mamoru who let him with a smull huff.

The stranger chuckled. “Very well,” he said, not taking his eyes from Izuku. “But before I go, what’s your name?”

“Midoriya, Sir,” Izuku said easily. He shifted his gaze to look at Kacchan, who had stiffened in his seat. “Izuku Midoriya, from the the Mustafu village just south of here.”

With a nod, the man rested a hand gently on top of Izuku’s head. “Well met, young Midoriya. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again,” he said, before turning and mounting Mamoru, the dragon taking both him and Kacchan into the sky and away.

Izuku returned to their usual clearing in the forest the next day, not sure what to expect. So much had happened in such a short window. He was fairly certain he had seen the last of his angry blonde friend, and so was surprised when Kacchan stalked out of the treeline, joining him in the expansive open space.

“Kacchan!” The relief was clear in Izuku’s voice as he smiled nervously. “I’m so glad you’re here, I thought I was never going to see you again.”

“Fight me.”

“What?” Izuku paused to take in the look on Kacchan’s face. It was serious, blank, almost curious as his stare pierced into Izuku.

“You’ve always thought so little of me,” he said, his voice low and rough, but calm. Somehow that calm was more terrifying than any of his yells. “Show me why.”

“Kacchan, I never - ” The explosions from Kacchan’s palms cut off Izuku’s words. He burst forward with a speed Izuku couldn’t escape from. Throwing his arms up defensively, he took the brunt of Kacchan’s weight slamming against him. Kacchan landed on his feet while Izuku was thrown backwards, the wind knocked out of him. He coughed, trying to stand.

“No matter what I said, you just kept following me. Trying to save me.” Kacchan gave Izuku just enough time to get his footing, and then he was rushing him again. This time, Kacchan stayed close, kept the battle to their firsts and legs, occasionally using his bursting palms to get around Izuku or throw him off balance. Izuku’s punches were sloppy, and his footwork was crap, but he took the beating the Kacchan dished out, refusing to go down easy.

He couldn’t hold out forever. Eventually, sooner than Izuku would have liked to admit, he found himself on his back in the dirt, dizzy and hurting. Kacchan loomed above him, hand on one wrist, and his boot on the other. His free hand created warning sparks by Izuku’s face as his boot ground Izuku’s arm into the grass.

“I’m better than you, Deku,” Kacchan snarled. “In every way. Victory is mine. Never forget that.”

He released Izuku then, who instantly curled up in a ball, coughing and wheezing as he tried to catch his breath and take stock of his injuries. By the time he’d risen up to his knees and looked around, Kacchan was gone.

Izuku didn’t see him again after that.

“I’m sorry, Katsuki. He’s gone.”

Mitsuki came to stand beside her son, gazing out from their tall view point at the open rolling fields that surrounded their city. At the end of the field, resting in the shade at the edge of the forests that start there, was a light brown dragon, roaring up into the sky.

The royal family had given Toshinori Yagi the room he deserved for his years of service to their kingdom. A massive bed with their best blankets and cushions, constant attention from the castle help, and any food and drink he could think of. But as he felt his time drawing nearer, he wanted his last breaths to be where he was the happiest. In nature, with the fresh air, curled up by his long-time companion.

“He was a senile old fool,” Katsuki grumbled, turning away from the sight and stalking back into the stone halls of their home. They called it a castle, but it was more of a fortress. A massive structure built directly into the side of the mountain itself. The outer wall had large caves and landing sights built in for the comings and goings of dragons. Although there was a road that led up to a lower entrance, flight was by far the easiest way in.

“Don’t speak that way of the dead, brat!” Mitsuki growled, storming after him. As a child, he looked exactly like his mother had at his age, all red eyes and blonde spikes and soft features. Now at 23, he had grown taller and broader than people had expected, considering the slim stature of both of his parents. The sharp lines of his face accentuated his perpetual scowl, making him an intimidating sight.

“Oh yeah? What else do you call him when All Might dies without leaving our clan a new guardian?” They entered a room adorned with a sturdy dark-wood desk, bookshelves lining the walls. Mitsuki took the seat behind it, gesturing for Katsuki to take one of the seats in front, but he stood stubbornly, arms crossed.

She heaved a sigh. Mitsuki knew that Katsuki worshipped All Might, but his pride poisoned his words. “He wouldn’t do that,” she said, softer than before. “Toshinori was our Symbol of Peace. He loved our people as much as we do. If he says a new guardian is coming, then a new guardian is coming.”

“It should have been me,” Katsuki hissed, slamming his hands down on the desk. His mother only raised an eyebrow, unphased by his temper.

"Well, it's not you," she said, folding her arms and leaning back. "The guardian will be here, and we're going to welcome him when he does."

It had been in this very room, when Katsuki was 20, that he, Mitsuki and Toshinori had gathered to discuss the subject. Toshinori’s condition had taken a turn for the worse, and even as they sat and talked, he had coughed up a worrying amount of blood.

“Toshinori, my old friend,” Mitsuki had begun with a rare tenderness. “You’re unwell. Not to be blunt, but a Queen’s got to be practical on behalf of her people.”

Toshinori gave her a weak smile. “You need not apologize, Queen Mitsuki. That resolve has served your people well. It was my honor to have served you. But yes, my time as your guardian is coming to an end.”

“You must pass on the gift,” Katsuki cut in bluntly, earning a glare from his mother that she ignored. “If you don’t, it dies with you. I’m ready. I’ve been ready.”

“Ah, my young prince.” Toshinori’s smile became sad, and his shoulders sagged. “I’m afraid I cannot give my power to you.”

Katsuki felt as if the ground had fallen out from under him, his face twisted in disbelief. “The fuck are you saying, old man?”

“Katsuki, that’s enough!” Mitsuki said before turning her steady gaze back to Toshinori. “I’m sure you have your reasons, but that doesn’t change the fact that my brat is right. We need a new guardian.”

“And a new guardian you shall have,” Toshinori paused for another coughing fit before he continued. “The truth is, I chose my successor some time ago. I passed the power onto him, and have been training him in secret. I hope you’ll forgive my deception, Queen Mitsuki. I couldn’t risk our enemies discovering him before he was ready to face them.” He turned his eyes to Katsuki then, the guilt written plain across his aging features as he met the younger man’s vicious glare. “Oh, don’t look at me with such venom, my prince. I trained you myself, and you have become a strong and brilliant young man. You will be a great king, I have no doubt at all. But this gift requires heart, which your new guardian has plenty of.”

“Who is he, then?” Mistuki asked before Katsuki could burst. “Is he ready now?”

“Not yet, my queen. But he will be.”

Chapter Text

Izuku stretched his arms with a low groan, the horse underneath him shifting to accommodate the movement. The woman sitting in the saddle in front of him turned her head just enough to make sure he could see her roll her brown eyes.

"You know, this would be a lot more comfortable if we still had two horses," she said.

"I know, I'm sorry!" Izuku said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "But that man was so old. I couldn't just let him walk the rest of the way to his village!"

She shrugged off his attempt at an apology hug, but a small smile betrayed her lack of real anger. "Always the hero," she said, her short chestnut hair bobbing with the small shake of her head.

"I try," he said. "Let's hope the dragonborn see me that way."

"They will, 'Zuku. They have to."

"I've just spent so long dreaming about this, you know? Meeting Prince Katsuki, living with the dragons, protecting the dragonborn. Like All Might said I would."

"And you will!"

"I suppose..." Izuku fidgeted in his seat and refused to meet her eyes.

"You have fought necromancers, fended off King Enji, and reversed floods. You're a hero. Honestly, what's got you so nervous?"

A silence stretched between them before she heard his voice. "I have to be as good as he was," he said quietly.

She turned in the saddle suddenly, causing the horse to adjust it's balance and Izuku to yelp in shock as she grabbed his face in her hands and forced him to look at her. "You aren't All Might," she said sternly. "You're Izuku, and Izuku is incredible. You're going to protect them, and they're going to love you for it. And if they don't, I'll beat them all up."

Izuku snorted. "Beat who up?"

"All of them. The queen, the prince, all their dragons and every dumb dragonborn who thinks you aren't good enough."

Izuku grinned, and she smiled back, releasing his face so he could wipe the tears that had escaped. "Thanks, 'Chako. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"What the fuck was the old man thinking?" Katsuki growled, pacing back and forth in his personal quarters. The main room housed a seating area and work desk, and bookshelves lined the walls. A door built into the stone walls led to his sleeping chambers.

A man about his age with red eyes and matching hair sprawled out on one of the couches. "I don't think he chose to die," he said with a frown.

Katsuki rolled his eyes. "Not that, Eijirou," he said. "Choosing a damn successor that's a fucking secret and not here and not me!"

"Gods, Katsuki, we just sent All Might to our ancestors a few hours ago!" A pink-skinned woman chided. She leaned against the wall, arms folded across her chest, and glared at Katsuki with eerie black and yellow eyes. "Can you at least wait until his pyre is cold before you go at him like that?"

Katsuki rounded on her, looking like he was about to blow when the door opened and two more men entered the room. It seemed with the funeral proceedings having come to an end, his entire shitty court was converging on his room.

"We got here just in time. Looks like Blasty is about to go off," the first one said with a grin, joining Eijirou on the couch. His hair was a shocking yellow with black streaks, and his eyes an uncanny gold.

"Mina, what did you say this time?" the second one laughed. His black hair matched dark eyes as he went over and joined her.

"Denki. Sero. All of you. Get the fuck out," Katsuki said, pointing to the door.

"He doesn't mean it," Eijirou said with a smile.

"When I'm king I'll have you all executed."

"He doesn't mean that either."

"Speaking of," Sero cut in, "has the queen budged at all on your coronation?"

"No." Katsuki deflated a little, his rage replaced with weariness. He sat down at his desk, resting his head on it's surface. "If anything, All Might's death has made the old hag even more stubborn. She refuses to retire until I have a guardian to support me."

"She has a point," Mina said softly. "Queen Mitsuki was the first person to unite the clans under one rule. And she could only do that because she had All Might by her side. Even with him gone, they all respect her."

"You sayin' they don't respect me?" Katsuki grumbled, but the venom was gone from his voice. Mina rolled her eyes.

"I'm not and you know it," she said. "But you're young. The clans get restless. And we all know King Enji has been eyeing our lands for years. A guardian in your corner will ensure people think twice before messing with you."

"And in the meantime," Sero smirked, "We can start placing bets on what we think this guy and his dragon will be like."

Katsuki stayed quiet as the conversation devolved in jokes and speculation about the incoming stranger. His friends didn't push him, knowing that the silence meant he was taking their words to heart. Despite his brash nature, Katsuki wasn't stupid. His kept company with his small court for a reason. For all their wild personalities, they brought unique perspectives. And for some fucking reason none of them were afraid of him.

"Eijirou," he said suddenly, standing and heading towards the door. "Come on. I wanna go for a ride."

Eijirou grinned and leapt up, following him out into the hallway. "Great! I was wanting to stretch my wings," he said.

Katsuki rolled his eyes but smiled fondly despite himself. "Fuckin' dragon."

Izuku had felt it when Toshinori passed away. The exact sensation was difficult to describe. There was a new shadow that shifted in his consciousness, a strange feeling like a breeze in his veins. He couldn't explain how he knew, but he knew.

Despite this, it didn't lessen the blow when the news was confirmed for him. It seemed that no one in the dragonborn lands were discussing anything but the passing of All Might and the future of their young prince. It's all they heard in every town they passed through, every inn they stayed at, and every tavern they ate in.

"It's going to be okay, 'Zuku," Ochako said gently. She and Izuku each had their own horse now, having acquired another on their journey. They were arriving at the town that surrounded Queen Mitsuki's castle, and Ochako could see the nerves starting to eat away at her friend.

He gave her a shy smile before turning his attention back to the city.

The rest of the clans in dragonborn territory lived more traditionally. Some were nomadic, while some settled in huts that made up small villages. Living with dragons didn't generally allow for more urban development.

But Mitsuki had a vision for the nation she was building. She and All Might agreed that a central leadership needed a permanent, defensible location. They had found the old fortress, a remnant from a time long ago when dragonborns were more dragon than human and lived in caves with the mystical beasts. She had overseen the renovation that made it the castle-like structure it was today, and then built up the city around it, inspired by what she'd seen in Yuuei.

The city had become a small bit of guaranteed civilization in the dragonborn lands, so merchants and travelers were common here. Because of this, no one paid Izuku and Ochako any mind despite their foreign clothing.

"Think about it, you finally get to meet the prince!" Ochako said with a grin, trying to cheer her friend up. "Everyone talks about how strong he is. I bet he's handsome, too. And a total gentleman. He's probably going to take one look at you and think you're amazing!"

Izuku laughed at that, feeling a small bubble of hope in his chest. All Might had told him all the stories of his time serving Queen Mitsuki. Their bond had never been romantic, but that didn't mean it wasn't deep and true. Izuku knew the new prince was waiting for his arrival to become king, and he had thought maybe he and this ruler could have the same thing.

"Prince Katsuki Bakugo," Izuku said wistfully, as he often did. There was something about the name that made his heart flutter just the tiniest bit. "Yeah, maybe you're right. After all, he's got to be just as excited to meet me!"

They decided it best to check into an inn for the night to rest and wash. Tomorrow, Izuku would reveal himself.

"Aizawa, Sir, who is that?"

The anxious guard was looking to a man with black shaggy hair and scars under his dull eyes. They stood on one of the landings of the castle and gazed at the ground below them.

And they weren't the only ones. Curious eyes looked down from various viewpoints as word spread about the strange sight.

A boy was walking up the winding footpath to the castle entrance dressed in the style of Yuuei. He had on an off-white shirt with long sleeves and stiff collar underneath a green vest, buttoned up the front. Dark trousers tucked into red boots, and thick white gloves that covered up his hands and wrists, the shirt sleeves tucking into them.

But that wasn't what caught Aizawa's attention. Walking with him was a middle aged man with light brown hair and teal eyes.

"Mamoru," Aizawa breathed, his eyes growing wide. He snapped his attention back to the guard. "Get Queen Mitsuki, and hurry. Tell her that the guardian has arrived."

The castle was in chaos.

All around them, people would come by to catch a glimpse of the two before running off again. The whispers and comments were difficult to ignore. But no approached or spoke to them directly. And no guards stopped them in their path.

Toshinori had told Izuku that Mamoru would wait in the city to present him to the queen once he arrived. He had known for years this day was coming, but that didn't calm the nerves he felt now that it was here.

Izuku sent up a silent prayer in thanks for the familiar dragon by his side. Mamoru had been as much of a presence in his life as All Might had, and his frequent warm smiles sent Izuku's way allowed him to relax ever so slightly.

All those years, all that training, it all led to this.

"You'll be fine, young Midoriya," Mamoru whispered to him.

"Y-yeah," was all Izuku managed back, not trusting his own voice.

Mamoru led Izuku to a large cavern, easily big enough to fit several full grown dragons within it. It was sparsely decorated, with only sources of light and the occasional rough tapestry along the walls. At the far end of the room sat two massive stone thrones, not brought in later, but carved out of the room itself.

The thrones were empty, but a small cluster of people stood by it, talking loudly amongst themselves. The room echoed, making it sound like a crowd. But the moment the door shut behind him, the chatter died, and all eyes turned to Izuku.

Mamoru turned to Izuku and motioned him forward. He approached, keeping his face neutral while his heart raced in his chest. A woman stepped out of the group, her red eyes looking at him curiously and all Izuku could think was how oddly familiar she seemed.

Her attention however shifted to Mamoru, and her voice rang out, strong and harsh like the stone that surrounded them. "Mamoru. Is this him?"

Mamoru's warm smile turned into a full grin as he bowed his head to her. "He is, my queen. The guardian is here."

"He's so small."

"Where's his dragon?"

"Look at those freckles!"

"He's got a baby face."

"How old is he?"

The group erupted in conversation again, discussing him as if he weren't there. Even the queen's gaze was slipping from curiosity to confusion as she looked him up and down. He could even feel Mamoru's eyes on him, encouraging him, reminding him -

Izuku shifted his feet, clenched his fists, and called on the power.

Stripes of red light glowed through his skin, and small arcs of green lightning jumped around him. A burst of pressure went out from him, forcing the others in the room to steady themselves on their feet. Once he had their attention, he dropped the power, but stood tall.

"My name is Izuku Midoriya." He didn't ring with the force of voice that All Might had, or the command of Mitsuki's, but it was steady and bright. "And I am All Might's successor."

He walked up to Mitsuki who was grinning now, a wild look in her eyes. Izuku kneeled in front of her, but looked up with a determined set to his face.

"I'm here to pledge my service to the dragonborn people. I will stand by you, Queen Mitsuki, and your son, Prince Katsuki, for as long as your will is for the good of your people."

He swallowed nervously. He had thought those words sounded impertinent, but All Might had insisted the guardian wasn't a servant of the throne. He was only an ally, and allegiances could be won or lost.

Mitsuki seemed to approve.

"Dramatic little shit," she said with a loud laugh. "I was beginning to think you'd never show up!" Before Izuku could react, she'd reached down and grabbed him by the shoulders, hauled him to his feet and pulled him into a tight hug.

"Aizawa, Mamoru, let's go. We've got a coronation to plan! And someone find my brat son."

Katsuki sat atop his fierce red dragon, coming in for a landing at his fortress home. Four other dragons landed beside him, their riders all as windswept, sweaty and sore as Katsuki was. It had been a long morning of flight training, and all of them, riders and dragons, were ready for a relaxing evening.

Eijirou nipped playfully at the pink dragon beside him, yellow horns atop her head and a soft gold shimmer to her scales. "Oi, Ei, cut it out. I need a fuckin' bath," Katsuki snarled, kicking the dragon while knowing full well he could barely feel it through his hard scales.

He slipped off Eijirou the same time Sero leapt off Mina's back, and the dragons all shifted back into their humanoid forms. Unembarrassed by their nudity, they took their time sifting through their packs for clothing and getting dressed.

Katsuki ran his hands down his face, breathing slowly. I just want a bath, he thought bitterly. A bath, some food, and some fucking quiet.

"Prince Katsuki!" Denki was out of breath, running out onto the landing towards their group.

Katsuki groaned, tempted to throw himself (or preferably Denki) over the edge of the landing. But because he had infinite patience, thank you very much, he instead fixed Denki with a scowl.

"This better be good."

"Oh, it is!" Denki had a shit eating grin on as the rest of the dragons and dragonborn gathered round. "The guardian is here! And he's human! His name is Izuku Midoriya."

The next few hours were a blur. Izuku was introduced to dozens of people (although it felt like a hundred), and ushered away to Mitsuki's private study along with Aizawa and Mamoru. She seemed unable to decide if she wanted to interrogate Izuku or plan the coronation first, so she did both. She jumped between asking Izuku questions and bouncing plans off of the other two, much to Mamoru's amusement and Aizawa's chagrin.

Izuku could see how her aggression and enthusiasm would have complimented All Might's steady strength and positivity. Izuku was fond of her already, and if he had to guess, he'd say the feeling was mutual. Things were going even better than he could have dreamed.

Until a rough voice in the hall sent Izuku's anxiety spiking.

"Where the fuck is he?!"

"Katsuki, wait!"

Izuku jumped to his feet and spun to face the door as an angry blonde burst through, his red-haired companion stumbling in after him. Falling back until he bumped into Mitsuki's desk, Izuku was met with a familiar sight.

Standing there, like every nightmare and dream Izuku had ever had, was Kacchan. Izuku had been thrilled when he'd finally gotten his growth spurt, but Kacchan still stood taller than him, if only by an inch or two. He had always found Kacchan's face pretty, but now it was truly handsome. All sharp angles with no baby fat left. And he was broad. Wide shoulders tapered down to a narrow waist, with clearly defined muscles the entire way down.

How did Izuku know this? Because naturally, Kacchan was shirtless.

"K-Kacchan?" he sputtered, too in shock to be ashamed of his quaking voice.

"Deku." Kacchan's voice came out steady, deeper than Izuku remembered it. The room fell silent as everyone seemed to hold their breath, or maybe it was just Izuku doing that, waiting…

"I'm gonna fuckin' kill you."

The room erupted as Kacchan lunged at Izuku.

Several screams, crashes and explosions later, the room was destroyed. Guards had come to check on the commotion and had been chased out by two furious blonde royals.

When the dust settled, Katsuki sat on the ground, Deku stood with his back to the wall opposite him, and the other four stood between them. Katsuki pulled at the restraints that held him, but it was the ropes that Aizawa used to capture dragons. Unbreakable and fireproof.

"Why the fuck are you here you piece of shit!" Katsuki yelled.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, brat?!" Mitsuki yelled back, but ignored her. His eyes were fixed on Deku.

But Deku wasn't looking at him. Why the fuck wasn't Deku looking at him?

"Mamoru, why didn't you tell me?" Deku said, his voice soft and his eyes wet with unshed tears. Why did he always have to be so pathetic?

"Hey, I'm talking to you, asshole!"

"Someone better explain what's happening here," Aizawa cut in.

Deku looked from Mamoru, to Aizawa, to Mitsuki, even taking in the sight of Eijirou. But he still wouldn't look at Katsuki.

How fucking dare he.

"I take responsibility," Mamoru said, sighing. "Toshinori knew they had… history, when he chose young Midoriya. He thought it best not to tell them, and I agreed."

"Kacchan's name." Deku was finally looking at Katsuki, but all the prince saw in his face was something that wasn't quite sadness. "You never told me your name. This is why?"

"Fuckin' obviously, Deku. Why would I want some shitty human knowing that I'm a prince?"

"Wait, Deku?" Mitsuki asked. Suddenly, the frustration on her face slipped into realization. "You mean like Deku, the imaginary friend you had a kid?" She looked to Deku, eyes widening. "Midoriya, didn't you say you were from a village by the southern forest? That's near my mate Masaru's village. All those Summers we went to visit his clan, and Katsuki would run off into the woods…"

Katsuki's face flushed pink and he looked away, his snarl still plastered on his face.

"We're childhood friends," Deku said.

"Fuck you," Katsuki said, meeting his eyes. "We were never friends."

Mamoru took Izuku to a set of rooms that would be his. The entry room was small but filled with bookshelves and a fireplace with two plush chairs by it.

"He'll warm up to this, young Midoriya. You'll see," Mamoru had said with a smile before leaving him alone.

Izuku set to the task of keeping himself distracted. The books were old, and a mix of different languages. They were mostly about dragon history and culture, but it seemed like there was a book for any subject.

Venturing into his sleeping chambers, he found it was also small but comfortable. Soft bed, wardrobe, and narrow work desk lined the walls as well as a second fireplace.

On top of the desk lay a piece of parchment, folded in half with his name scrawled across it in familiar handwriting. Izuku opened it with shaking hands, struggling to read the short message through his tears.

Next it's your turn

Go beyond

"Man, I wanted to make a good first impression!" Eijirou groaned.

"Fuck that." Katsuki paced the floor of his living chamber, tiny explosions popping off in his palms.

Eijirou frowned at him. The dragon was silent for longer than normal, and Katsuki could feel his stare.

"What? Spit it out already!" Katsuki turned to glare at his friend, but stopped when he caught sight of Eijirou's face. It was too similar to the look Izuku had worn earlier. No anger, just… disappointment. Katsuki felt his heart drop into his stomach as he finally calmed down enough to feel Eijirou's worry seeping through their bond.

"I could feel you," Eijirou said. He put a hand over his heart. "It wasn't like you. Even when you're mad, you always do what's best for your people. But this time… Katsuki, are you doing the right thing?"

Katsuki clenched his clenched his jaw. He knew Eijirou was right. Deku being the guardian may be his own personal Hell, but that didn't change the fact that it was true. And the dragonborn needed their guardian.

And he supposed Deku wasn't evil. Just a condescending asshole that didn't know his place.

"Fine. I'll talk to him tomorrow. But you're coming with me."

Izuku swung his sword in wild, fast strokes. The storm of emotions inside made his technique sloppier than usual, but the raw power was there. Sero barely blocked each swing, the impact sending pain up his arms until his own sword went flying out of his hands.

Mina applauded from where she stood, while Denki beside her laughed.

"As expected of the new guardian," Denki said.

"Don't lie, you said he looked soft," Mina teased.

"Well he does! I mean look at those cheeks!"

"Hey," Sero grumbled, "why don't one of you go a round with him?"

"Nah," Mina said with a grin. "Wouldn't be fair for him."

Izuku laughed, picking up Sero's sword and returning it to him. "Ah, sorry about that! I didn't mean to go so hard," he said. "Just got a lot on my mind I guess."

"You don't have to be subtle, Midoriya," Mina said. "Katsuki literally tried to kill you."

"Yeah man, why do you think we invited you to train with us?" Denki said. "Couldn't leave you cooped up after all that."

"Thank you," Izuku said, and he meant it. It was been a long sleepless night, so their knock on his door early that morning had been a welcome distraction. He flashed them a bright smile. "I hope we can work together in the future!"

"You ain't working with anyone without my say-so."

Izuku turned at the sudden sound of Kacchan's voice. The prince was scowling, a smiling Eijirou close behind him.

Izuku had spent countless hours thinking about what he would say if he ever saw Kacchan again. He was furious at himself for allowing his surprise to get the better of him yesterday, but this time, he was ready.

"Fight me."

Mina gasped. He could feel the tension spreading through the group, but he kept his eyes locked on Kacchan who looked about to accept his challenge with a wicked grin when Eijirou stepped forward, putting his hand on Kacchan's shoulder.

"Katsuki," he said softly. "Don't forget what's important."

Kacchan looked like he was having an internal argument with himself before he growled, crossing his arms. "No. Eijirou is right. I'm not here for that."

Izuku felt bitterness in his gut as he shifted his grip on his sword, taking a step closer. Izuku wasn't stupid, but this was Kacchan. Kacchan always made him lose his reason.

"And if I don't give you a choice?" Izuku snapped. Another step. The red stripes glowed faintly across his face. He heard the shifting of ground as Katsuki's court adjusted their stances around him.

"This ain't about us, Deku." Katsuki was visibly tensing, not used to this kind of pushback from the human. But he kept his arms against his chest, not reaching for any weapons or taking a fighting stance. "My people need a king and I need a guardian to back me. Otherwise, it could mean war."

Izuku wanted to lunge. He wanted to scream and swing his sword and fight, as if he could beat Katsuki into admitting… what? Izuku didn't even know exactly what he wanted. He just knew he had a lifetime of hurt bottled up and it was ready to burst.

But this time, Kacchan was right. Closing his eyes, Izuku lowered his sword and took a deep breath. Any visible signs of his power stopped and a weariness took over him. He opened his eyes and looked at the people surrounding them. They were all watching him cautiously.

He turned to Eijirou. "Kacchan actually listens to you, huh?" Izuku asked, his voice tired and dull.

"Yeah!" Eijirou brightened up, throwing an arm around Kacchan's shoulders. "He listens to all of us most of the time. We're friends after all!"

"Friends, huh?" Izuku looked back at Kacchan, then heaved a sigh. "Okay, Kacchan. Let's plan your coronation."

Chapter Text

Once things had settled with Kacchan, Izuku had told Queen Mitsuki of his friend that was waiting in the city below for word. When he asked if his companion could join him in the castle until the coronation, she had raised an eyebrow at him.

"Will she be staying with you, or needing her own rooms?" Mitsuki asked.

Izuku scrunched his brows in confusion. He was certain there were plenty of empty quarters in the castle, so he wasn't sure why Mitsuki would ask. "Ah, well, we've shared rooms before, we certainly can if we need to," he said.

Kacchan, who was in the room with them, rolled his eyes. "She's asking if you two are fucking," he said with a neutral tone, but his eyes betrayed a curiosity.

Izuku didn't have a moment to consider that though when his face turned beet red. " Oh. No, separate rooms, please, that'll be fine, thankyouverymuch!" he sputtered out. Mitsuki laughed at his embarrassment before they'd moved on to more pressing conversation.

To Izuku's great relief, Ochako was brought up to the castle (and given her own rooms) that very day. Despite the friendliness that Kacchan's court had shown him, having someone familiar helped with the anxiety that still sat within him. Ochako became fast friends with Denki, who she immediately recognized as a fellow witch. She even made fun of Izuku for not realizing it sooner. He'd spent that afternoon grumbling about how he couldn't be expected to notice such things when the prince had been trying to kill him.

His days were spent learning the names of important members of the clans that he would be meeting, practicing his role in the ceremony, or training with Kacchan's court. They laughed the first time he pulled out a notebook to ask questions about the dragons, but soon got used to his eagerness. Any free moment he had, he would escape the castle with Ochako for fresh air and time away from curious eyes.

A week passed this way, and Izuku found himself content in his new routine. He knew it was temporary and things would be different after the coronation. But, for now, he was happy.

Kacchan didn't attack him again, but that was about as good as it got. He avoided Izuku whenever possible, and when they were forced to work together or be in the same room, Kacchan gave him cold indifference at best or his harsh insults at worst.

Today was one of those days. Izuku and Kacchan stood side by side in the grand chamber that Izuku had first met the queen in, the stone thrones behind them. The announcements that Mitsuki had sent out should have all arrived by now, and the coronation would be held in two weeks. That gave time for the foreign guests and various clan members to make their way to the capital should they choose to attend. The queen had harped on them about how important this coronation would be. She was the one who had dragged them here today in order to practice.

"Midoriya, stop fidgeting," she said, arms crossed as she scowled at them. "You need to look powerful! And Katsuki, don't sound so sarcastic. They already think you're a brat. Don't prove them right."

Izuku immediately locked his body, trying his best to keep his face neutral and serious, but Kacchan just rolled his eyes.

"Who gives a fuck what they think? I'm gonna be king, I've got my idiot guardian, there's nothing that can do," Kacchan snapped.

Mitsuki looked like she was going to lunge when Aizawa stepped in. "We've been practicing for a few hours, why don't we take a break? We can try again in the morning."

"Tsk." Mitsuki crossed her arms. "Fine. We're going to run your oath tomorrow, so make sure it's memorized. Katsuki, the clans have never answered to someone who ruled by birthright. You can't give them a single reason to question you. And Izuku." She turned her eyes to the guardian, expression softening when she did. "Dragonborn are a stubborn and independent people. They'll be looking for any excuse to destroy what Toshinori and I built. A king is a great man. But a guardian has to be a legend. You're the myth behind the throne. Katsuki won't say it, but he's counting on you."

"Like hell I am!" Kacchan spat, glaring at his mother.

"I understand, Your Majesty," Izuku said, his mouth set in a thin determined line.

Mitsuki just looked them both over once more before exiting with Aizawa, leaving the two alone. Despite the massive size of the chamber, Izuku couldn't help but feel like it was cramped as long as he was in there with Kacchan.

"Well?" Kacchan's voice surprised Izuku out of his thoughts, bringing his green eyes to meet red ones. "You going to run off with round face again?"

"Round face?"

"Your witch friend, dumbass." Kacchan rolled his eyes before looking off at the wall, as if he couldn't stand the sight of Izuku for too long.

Did Kacchan sound… annoyed? Izuku's gut twisted. It seemed like anything he did was wrong in Kacchan's eyes.

"Ochako? Oh, probably. I mean, I trained with Sero this morning, and it's been a long day of practice. I figure there's nothing else you need me for?" Izuku shifted his weight anxiously. Was there something else he was supposed to do for the coronation that he'd forgotten?

"You spend a lot of time with her."

"Well, yeah. She's my best friend," Izuku said, tilting his head slightly in confusion.

"Tch." Kacchan's scowl deepened and he turned to leave.

"Kacchan!" Izuku called suddenly when the prince was almost to the door, surprising even himself. Kacchan stopped and looked over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.

"I won't let you down,” Izuku said, feeling the fire in him as he said it. "You can count on me."

Kacchan's eyes widened slightly before narrowing back into a glare. He left without another word.

She's my best friend.

Deku's words had cut deep. Hadn't he been Deku's best friend once? And sure, Katsuki was the one who had ended their… whatever it was. But part of him had always assumed that Deku would never get over it. After all, Deku had been obsessed with him. Admired him. Practically worshipped him. He used to catch Deku staring at him with those wide eyes.

And now Deku hardly looked at him.

Not that it fucking matters.

It didn't help that everyone found Deku so charming, either. There were still grumbles about his human heritage, but at least among Katsuki's friends, they found Deku positively delightful. It was disgusting.

Eijirou had tried to talk to him several times about the deep bitterness he felt. Katsuki could tell his dragon was frustrated with him, but he refused to discuss it. The tiny compartment in his brain labeled Deku had been off-limits for years, and that wasn’t about to change now.

Besides, he had a coronation to focus on.

Mitsuki was handling the majority of the preparations, but she insisted on Katsuki’s constant involvement as a “learning experience” for him. Working with her on the guest list had been particularly painful. Had it been up to him, the whole affair would be much smaller than it was turning out. The invitation that was extended to Yuuei’s royal family, the Todorokis, especially rubbed him the wrong way. Although they were technically allies, relations with King Enji were always tense. It was Mitsuki and All Might who had helped put him on the throne after working with him to defeat the previous king, who had been an old but powerful witch and the last born of the Shigaraki royal line. Enji had been a witch with noble blood and great combat power. He had been invaluable in the fight against the old king. But with each passing year, Enji grew more power hungry, increasing the boundaries of his kingdom bit by bit.

Even more agitating though, was Deku’s reaction when he found out a group of Yuuei representatives were expected to arrive.

They had been in the training grounds, Katsuki sparring against Sero with swords as Deku practiced his hand-to-hand against Eijirou. Mina and Denki mentioned the Yuuei envoys to Ochako on the sidelines, and Katsuki heard a sudden ‘yelp’ from the training ring next to him.

Eijirou had Deku pinned, the freckled man calling, “I give, I give!”

Laughing, the dragon helped Deku to his feet. Before he could make a comment about Deku’s sudden lack of focus, the guardian was running over to Ochako who grinned at him widely.

“You heard? People from Yuuei!” she said excitedly, clapping her hands together.

“Yeah!” Deku came to stand beside her, looking back and forth between Denki and Mina. “Do you know who’s coming? Any names?”

“No, sorry Midoriya,” Mina said. Both his and Ochako’s faces betrayed their disappointment. Katsuki and Sero had stopped their match to join the group. “The message only said to expect them a few days before the coronation. It’s a safety thing.”

“What’s it to you anyway?” Katsuki asked, trying not to look too interested.

“Izuku and I stayed with King Enji for a while,” Ochako said with a nervous laugh. “He invited us to the palace. Said he’d heard of the things Izuku had done to help some local villages and he wanted to reward him. Turns out he’d actually heard reports of All Might coming to Izuku’s village to spend time with him, and thought Izuku was his secret love child or something.”

Deku groaned and buried his face in his hands when the rest of the group burst in laughter. Katsuki stared at him. “You two weren’t fucking subtle at all, were you?” he said.

“You never figured it out,” Deku muttered, his face still hidden.

“Hah?! You fucker - ”

“Anyway,” Eijirou interrupted loudly, putting a hand on Katsuki’s shoulder. “So you a fan of King Enji then?”

Deku dropped his hands, his expression sour. “No,” he said firmly. “We left on bad terms.”

Katsuki raised his eyes at that. He should have been concerned that his new guardian was some kind of enemy of the state to their powerful ally to the south. But Katsuki’s resentment of the Todorokis ran deep, so he found this fact satisfied his petty side.

“Then why are you both so excited?” Denki asked.

The brightness returned to both their faces as Ochako answered, “King Enji isn’t exactly the most popular man in the palace. Izuku and I became good friends with some of the others that lived there. We haven’t seen them since we left, though we write letters as often as we can. But even then, we have to be careful in case the king reads them.”

“Now even I’m excited for them to get here! I hope you get to see your friends,” Mina said before the subject changed and they got back to their routine. Despite the return to training, Katsuki couldn’t help but notice the soft smile Deku now wore, and couldn’t explain why it caused a pain in his chest.

Katsuki slouched in the stone throne, his elbow on the arm of the seat, and his cheek leaned against his fist. To his right Deku was practically bouncing in place, eagerly watching the door. The guardian didn’t even notice the disapproving glare that Katsuki was sending his way. The Yuuei envoys would be arriving any minute now.

Mitsuki sat on the throne to Katsuki’s left, her back straight in her own eagerness. When Mitsuki and All Might were uniting the clans, they'd traveled to a southern village where she'd fallen in love at first sight with a dragonborn named Masaru. She said she declared her intention to make him her Queensmate right then and there, and she claimed he was too afraid to say no. (Masaru insists that’s a joke, and he had been equally infatuated with Mitsuki.)

About a year ago, Masaru's mother had been injured in an accident, and he had traveled back to his village to help care for her. Mitsuki stayed behind to lead the clans, eagerly awaiting the day she could pass her responsibilities onto her son and join her mate.

That time was finally coming.

A loud creak echoed echoed through the empty space as the doors began to open, and Katsuki sat up tall.

Three people entered the room. In the middle was a man with red and white hair and mismatched eyes. His clothing, although simple and comfortable for travel, were clearly made out of rich fabrics. Katsuki recognized him immediately as Enji's heir, Shoto. To his left stood a knight decked in his armor, the tallest of the three with dark blue hair. And on the right, a woman with long dark green hair and green eyes reminiscent of Deku's own coloring.

Katsuki heard Deku gasp at the sight of them. The knight and woman glanced Deku's way, giving him a small smile before focusing back on the queen. Shoto, however, didn't react. Good. Katsuki hated the bastard. He didn't know what he would do if the other prince had been one of Deku's friends.

Mitsuki stood, as did Katsuki. She held her arms out in a grand gesture. "Prince Shoto," she declared, "how you've grown since I last saw you. We're honored you've made the journey for Katsuki's coronation. You and your companions are welcome guests here."

Shoto bowed exactly as deep as was appropriate. "Thank you, your majesty. My father sends his warmest regards. We look forward to many more years of friendship between the Todorokis and Bakugos."

“You’ve traveled far to be here,” Katsuki said in a bored tone, reciting lines that Mitsuki had prepared for him beforehand. “You’ll be escorted to your chambers, and tonight we’ll have a welcome banquet in your name.”

Katsuki hastily made to leave as two guards stepped forward to guide the Yuuei group to their rooms. None of that happened as planned though when a green blur rushed past him. Deku, clearly having decided the formalities were over, sprinted to the group.

And, to Katsuki's unpleasant surprise, headed straight for Prince Shoto.

Deku grabbed the man, who was taller than even Katsuki, around the waist and picked him up, spinning him around in a tight hug before setting him back down.

"Shoto, I can't believe you're here!" he laughed, the other two moving in for their own hugs and greetings while the now-blushing prince attempted to smooth out his shirt.

Shoto? He fucking calls him Shoto?

"It's good to see you too, Midoriya," Shoto said. His voice was inexpressive but the corner of his lips turned up in the smallest hint of a smile.

The guards who were tasked with guiding them awkwardly stood to the side, unwilling to interrupt. They were also clearly uncomfortable with the sight of their guardian, their human guardian, and his closeness with the foreigners.

Yeah, that's why it bothered Katsuki. Deku should be focusing on the clans. Not worrying about his dumb friends.

When green eyes glanced over and met his, Katsuki realized that he'd been staring. Well, glaring daggers was more accurate. Either way, he fixed in face in a scowl as Deku tilted his head slightly.

"Did you need me, Kacchan?"

Nope. Absolutely not. Never have, never will.

"Yeah, stupid Deku," he said before he could stop himself. Deku's eyes were on him, and he found himself suddenly willing to say anything to keep them there.

The three from Yuuei visibly bristled at the harsh words, but Deku just gave them a smile and a promise to catch up later. He followed Katsuki out without question. Before they left, Katsuki gave a smirk over his shoulder at Shoto, who was giving him a cold look. Katsuki wasn't sure what the competition was, but he was certain he had just won.

Katsuki led them through the halls, not sure where they were going but walking with confidence anyway. Deku followed faithfully, and Katsuki couldn't help but think of their days as children playing together in the woods.

Kacchan took them to one of the highest points in the palace. It was a small balcony with a view of the city and surrounding fields, and standing there they could see out over the southern forest. Izuku admired the sight for what it was, but like everything else the dragonborn did, this spot had a purpose. Kacchan dismissed the guard that stood there on lookout, telling him to wait for them inside.

Izuku leaned against the railing and gazed out. He was surprised at himself, to be honest. He should have been antsy to get this over with and get back to his friends, but something was different about Kacchan today. He was still agitated, but his normal fire wasn't directed at Izuku.

And so Izuku was content so exist in the new peace between them, afraid that breaking the silence would bring it all crashing down.

"This is your home now," Kacchan said finally, leaning on the railing next to Izuku, who hummed gently in return.

"I know," he said, keeping his voice as soft as he could while still being heard over the winds. "I'm happy that it is."

"Are you?"

The question caught Izuku by surprise. When he didn't answer right away, Kacchan pushed off the railing to turn and face him, standing at his full height.

"You called King Enji's asshole kid by his first name."

"We're friends."

"But he calls you 'Midoriya'."

"He's just formal around other people," Izuku said with a nervous laugh. This was not going well. Why wasn't this going well? "He uses Izuku in private."

Kacchan jerked back as if he'd been struck. "In private?" he hissed. "And what the fuck does that mean?"

No, no, no! Not again!

Izuku took a step back, holding his hands up in front of him. He had to try and save this situation. "It's not a big deal," he said, trying to keep his voice calm through his growing frustration and looking away from Kacchan. Was his loyalty being questioned? "It's no different than you being alone with Kirishima or the others. He's my prince."

Whatever Kacchan had wanted to hear, that wasn't it. Izuku only got a second to register the rage that twisted Kacchan's handsome features before the dragonborn lunged forward, grabbing Izuku's arm with one had and gripping his face with the other. Fingers dug into his cheeks as Kacchan forced Izuku to look at him.

"No, he's not. I am."

Izuku felt his face heat up as he stared into eyes that were fire and lava.

Oh.

He tried to shift his face but Kacchan held him firmly in place, waiting for some kind of answer. Izuku knew he couldn't mess this up, but there was only one truth he could give him.

"Yes," he breathed, green eyes wide and admiring and honest. "You are."

My prince. My hero. My everything.

Kacchan stayed there for a moment longer, searching Izuku's eyes for some sign that he was lying. Finally he let go with a huff, seemingly satisfied by what he saw. The silence stretched between them and Izuku held his breath, waiting for whatever else Kacchan seemed to preparing to say.

"What did you want us to be?" Kacchan asked finally, his voice more gentle than before. "Back then?"

Izuku gave Kacchan a sincere smile, hoping it conveyed everything he felt.

"Anything," Izuku said, "As long as I was by your side."

The day leading up to the coronation passed by in a blur. The dragonborn, Kacchan’s court included, were civil towards the group from Yuuei but avoided them whenever possible. The underlying tension was clear, but it didn’t stop Izuku and Ochako from spending as much time with them as possible, much to Kacchan’s disapproval.

“I thought you were loyal to me now, hah?”

“I am, Kacchan. But Shoto is still my friend. I have those now, you know.”

Things with Kacchan had been better since the day in the lookout though. They weren’t perfect, by any means, but Izuku would take what he could get. And if what he got were stiff nods, gruff acknowledgment and actual full sentences, then it was fine that those sentences were still peppered with curse words and insults. He would take it. He would take anything Kacchan offered him because, well, he always had.

“What did you want us to be?”

The question haunted Izuku. He had meant every word of the answer he had given. Back then, he’d been a kid full of admiration for a boy that was his own age but was everything Izuku wasn’t. Brave, strong, smart. Kacchan had been the sun, and Izuku was happy to bask in his light.

But now?

Izuku was realizing that wasn’t enough anymore.

And hoo boy what a realization that was. The two of them hadn’t mentioned that conversation again. They left it at that, which left Izuku with a whole mess of feelings he needed to sort through but was too afraid to address. So what if his cheeks still burned where Kacchan had touched him? Or if he only saw fiery red whenever he closed his eyes?

It was fine.

Izuku was fine.

Kacchan had only wanted to be sure of Izuku’s loyalty to the dragonborn clans. That had to be it. Nothing more. And Izuku was a terrible guardian because all he could think about was how close they had been, Kacchan’s breath on his face, his lips - 

“Oi, nerd. Stop fuckin’ muttering.”

Izuku leapt out of his skin as Kacchan’s voice brought him crashing back to reality.

“Sorry.” Sorry for being a horrible guardian and thinking about you in ways I shouldn’t.

“‘S fine. Just don’t fuck this up for me, got it?” Kacchan grunted. The two of them stood in the hallway, the doors to the throne room in front of them. Any minute now, the guards would open the doors and they would enter. They would walk side-by-side, because the guardian is the monarch’s equal, until they stood in front of Mitsuki and the twin thrones. Kirishima would be beside her in the full glory of his bright red dragon form, a show of Kacchan’s strength. Izuku would take his place at Mitsuki’s other side, and Kacchan would kneel before her and recite his oath. Then, because crowns were cumbersome and couldn’t be worn into battle, she would instead place a new necklace on him. This one would boast scales from her own dragon mixed with elaborate glass beads, forged in dragonfire. Kacchan would rise, the new leader of the dragonborn clans.

The weight of the moment grounded Izuku. This was what All Might had trained him for. This was more important than his muddled feelings.

So Izuku took a deep breath and gave Kacchan a wide grin. “I won’t, Kacchan,” he said, surprising himself at the steadiness of his voice. “You can count on me.”

It must have been the day for surprises, because Kacchan responded with a wide, toothy grin of his own.

It was time to make Kacchan a king.

Chapter Text

Izuku didn't faint and Kacchan's only deviation from his script were a few choice swear words. So, overall, the ceremony was a success. With Eijirou back in human form, and Kacchan now a king, the crowd moved to another room in the fortress that was set up with tables and food. The dragonborn called it a feast. Izuku thought it was more like an after party.

The celebration was nothing like the ones he'd experienced in King Enji's castle. Other than the head table were the Bakugos, Izuku, Shoto and other guests of honor sat, all the tables were lined with benches instead of individual seats. Izuku realized why as he watched over the course of the evening. All the dragonborn walked around among the tables. Sitting here, standing there, dancing in the open area off to the side. The booze flowed heavily and there seemed to be no structure or plan.

Izuku had started the event in a seat to Kacchan's right, but soon excused himself and Shoto to join the rest of the group from Yuuei. They'd tucked themselves as far from the dance floor as they could. Izuku, Ochako and Asui each had a drink in hand, while Tenya and Shoto had opted out of the dangerous-looking alcoholic beverage. Izuku took a long drag from his cup, causing Shoto to raise an eyebrow.

“Well that’s new,” the prince said. “Though I suppose I can’t blame you with the way King Katsuki treats you.”

“You still haven’t told us why he hates you specifically,” Asui said.

“Bad luck with kings?” Izuku said with a tense smile and a shrug. He’d avoided telling his Yuuei friends about his history with Kacchan, and Ochako had kept his secrets to herself. He was too vulnerable as it was to open those wounds again.

“I hardly think it’s bad luck,” Tenya said, crossing his arms and frowning. “Possibly it’s the disrespect you have a tendency to show whenever you disagree with someone.”

“Tenya! I thought you were on my side!” Izuku clutched his chest and made a dramatic face of fake agony.

“Maybe Tenya has a point,” Ochako said, poking Izuku’s cheek. “Maybe he just wants you to worship the ground he walks on.”

“I did that already! And that was before I knew he was royalty.”

The group froze. Izuku slapped his hand over his mouth when his words registered and immediately he cursed himself for becoming complacent.

“I, uh, nevermind! Just drunk, probably, cause that sentence didn’t make any sense, so now I think I’m going to go drink more, anyway, bye!” Having just smoothly excused himself, not looking at all like an idiot, Izuku scurried away from the group. He heaved a deep sigh as he got his distance and began to refill his cup. Ochako would smooth things over with them, and they’d change the subject, and he could go back. It would be fine.

“Hey, Midoriya!” Izuku jumped when he felt an arm slung around his shoulders and turned to see the unnerving yellow eyes of Denki. “We’ve been looking for you, man. Come on!” Before he knew it, he felt himself being led across the room towards Kacchan and his friends, the arm never leaving him.

“Kaminari?” Izuku asked, starting to pull away. “I don’t know if Kacchan wants to see - ”

Denki cut him off with a harsh tug, pulling Izuku closer until the sides of their faces were practically touching. His grin never faded, but he spoke quieter this time. “I’m doing you a favor,” he said, oddly serious. “It’s your king’s coronation. You can’t spend it with the Todoroki prince. The dragonborn are too proud to say anything, but it bugs them.”

Izuku tripped over his own feet and was caught by Denki, who laughed and continued to guide him to the others. He let himself be led, angry at himself for not realizing sooner what it must have looked like and realizing he still had a lot to learn about politics and keeping up appearances.

“I’m out.” Katsuki turned to leave when he felt a hand snatch his elbow and pull him back. The second he had realized that Denki was heading straight for Deku, Katsuki knew this was a situation he no longer wanted to be in. Getting into a fight with his guardian, on the night of his coronation, with a full audience may seem on-brand for him, but he wasn’t a complete idiot.

“Oh no you don’t,” Eijirou said with a toothy grin. He looped his arm through Katsuki’s, locking the king to his side. "You're talking to him."

“You aren’t gonna let him get away with spending your coronation night with another prince, are you?” Mina said, planting her hands on her hips as she shot a glare over to where the Yuuei group stood.

“Who said anything about spending the night?!” Katsuki spat. His mind suddenly called up the image of Deku in Shoto’s rooms, alone, in the dark - 

“Bro. I can literally feel your jealousy,” Eijirou said, interrupting Katsuki’s petty spiral.

“I’m not jealous,” Katsuki said, “I’m just pissed that my fucking guardian is all over a Todoroki.”

Sero shrugged dismissively at Katsuki’s plight. “You could just, you know, get it over with?”

Katsuki narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Get what over with?”

“Gods above, Katsuki,” Mina groaned, dragged her hands down her face. “Just fuck him already! The sexual tension is killing us!”

Katsuki froze. All Might himself could have come back from the dead with a Sorry Katsuki, it was you who should have been the chosen one all along and Katsuki wouldn’t have enough functioning brain cells to react to him. He glanced over at the green-eyed source of all his life’s problems to see that Denki was already starting to lead him back towards the group.

“Don’t be fucking stupid,” Katsuki snapped, lowering his voice as the two approached. “I don’t have feelings for that shitty nerd.”

“Uh,” Sero shifted awkwardly as he and Mina exchanged looks. “No one said anything about feelings. We just said take the guy to bed.”

“Whoa whoa whoa!” Eijirou released his hold on Katsuki’s arm. He could feel the dragon's concern spiking to obnoxious levels. "Maybe we shouldn't take an already complicated situation and encourage Katsuki to literally fuck it?"

Katsuki opened his mouth to say something that would have definitely been a brilliant denial of any desire he had to sleep with his guardian, but the arrival of Denki and said guardian cut him short.

"Hey everyone," Deku said, anxiety underlying his words as Denki pulled him into the circle. Deku's eyes were on the cup in his hand, recently filled with more of the potent drink.

Katsuki rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long night.

The evening dragged on, and, to Katsuki's surprise, Deku stayed with him for the rest of the event. Even as Sero, Mina and Denki flitted around the room, socializing and dancing, Deku never left his king's side.

The nerd took it in stride when Mitsuki came to ruffle his curls and tell him how proud she was of him. Deku even navigated conversations with grace when dragonborn clan leaders came to address him with disdain hidden in their words, clearly still displeased by his human heritage. Despite their hesitance though, it was undeniable that the guardian's presence by Katsuki's side empowered and emboldened the king. Deku was a calming and steady strength, and Katsuki couldn't help but be impressed by the man Deku had become.

A part of him had always wanted Deku by his side. Not in some romantic sense, but in an instinctual, possessive way. Deku worshiped him. Deku was weak. Deku was his to own and protect. And it infuriated him every time Deku had behaved in a way that threatened that power balance.

But now Deku had power coursing through his veins. His shoulders had grown broad and his arms thick with muscle. Katsuki had noticed, the few times he'd seen Deku without his gloves, the scars that painted a vivid picture across his hands. He wondered if the rest of him held scars like that.

It was like the strength of Deku's body had finally caught up with the strength of spirit he'd always had. And Katsuki had no idea what to do with that. Had no idea exactly what it was he wanted from Deku now.

But, fuck, he knew he wanted something.

The words of his friends played through his mind. Was this a sexual tension between them? Katsuki was no blushing virgin, but it had never felt like this before. Raw and brutal and necessary. He hadn't considered it before tonight, but since they'd mentioned it he couldn't get the idea out of his head. 

"Kacchan, are you all right?"

Katsuki looked at Deku as he realized he must have been spacing out. It was just the two of them, standing together, a brief pause in the long string of well-wishers. The large room was slowly emptying as the party died down.

"Come to my rooms," Katsuki blurted.

Deku furrowed his brows, tilting his head slightly. "Why?" he asked.

Katsuki groaned. How could someone so smart be so fucking dumb? "Fine! Fuckin' don't then!" he snapped.

"What? I don't… oh. Oh! For, um, wow, Kacchan," Deku said breathlessly. His round eyes grew wide, turning the already green depths into larger pools that Katsuki would lose himself in if he stared too long.

"Gods. Do or don't, Deku. I'm going. There won't be anyone else there tonight, so just, fuck, it's up to you, okay?" Katsuki said, looking away.

"Is there usually?" Deku asked, his voice small.

"Usually what?"

"Someone else there?"

Katsuki clicked his tongue, looking back at Deku and searching his face. He looked for signs of jealousy or possessiveness, some hint that maybe Deku was suffering the same way that Katsuki was. But Deku's expression was, for once, carefully neutral.

"Does it matter?" Katsuki asked finally. Deku searched Katsuki's face and the new king hated the way that his guardian's observant gaze made him feel so bare.

"No," Deku said after a long pause. "I guess not."

"Great. Fucking fantastic. I'm going to bed. You make up your mind. I'll see you or I won't. Whatever." Katsuki didn't wait for a response, turning swiftly away to head to his own chambers, refusing to acknowledge the uncertainty gripping his heart.

Izuku stood in front of the imposing door, shifting anxiously in place as he worked up the courage to knock. Kacchan had invited him. To his rooms. And now Izuku was here, taking him up on his offer.

He let out a groan, dropping his face in his hands and leaning against the opposite wall. He couldn't do it. Izuku knew what this meant to Kacchan; absolutely nothing. Kacchan wanted to celebrate his coronation and Izuku had been the nearest warm body. 

And Izuku was in love with him.

There's no denying it anymore.

"Stupid Izuku," he muttered to himself bitterly, glaring at the door like it had personally offended him. "Just do it. Just do it. Don’t be such a coward!"

Because, sure, maybe after tonight his heart would break into a million pieces. And maybe this was the worst thing he could do because he'd taken All Might's power and sworn to stay by his king's side no matter what. And just maybe he'd have to spend the rest of life watching Kacchan take other lovers and find a mate and have a family.

But right now, Izuku had a chance to have the man who’d been a recurring vision in his dreams since childhood. Possibly his only chance. And Gods, did Izuku want.

He took a deep breath and, like diving into a cold lake, moved without thinking and brought his fist down to knock on the door. Glancing back down the hallway, Izuku began to debate if he had enough time to run away without being caught when he heard movement behind the door. Before he could make the choice to escape, the door opened and Izuku found himself frozen under the stare of surprised red eyes. They stared at each other in an uncomfortable silence.

“Can I, uh, come in?” Izuku said, being the first to find his voice. The question made Kacchan gather himself as a wide, sure grin spread across his face. He said nothing but moved aside to make room from Izuku to enter, closing the door behind him.

“You came,” Kacchan said, matter of fact. He wore only loose pants, hung low on his hips, and Izuku allowed himself the luxury of staring at his exposed torso as the newly crowned king made his way to his bed, laying on it casually, as if his childhood friend hadn’t come here for a one night stand.

If this was the only night Izuku got, he planned on indulging himself.

“I did,” he said, not looking away from the body splayed out in front of him. He found confidence in the dim lighting and the fact he was here on invitation. Tonight, Izuku would willingly make a fool of himself to make every memory that he could. He moved towards the bed, ignoring Katsuki’s raised eyebrow and sat on the edge, pulling his shirt off hastily.

“Oi,” Katsuki said. “The fuck’s with all those scars?”

Izuku glanced down at his newly exposed torso. Rough lines marred the otherwise smooth, tan skin. A combination of cuts and burns were littered over his hands, arms and upper body. And, unseen to Kacchan but known to Izuku, they stretched down his legs as well.

“Oh, those. Remember what you said, when we were kids?” Izuku started to mutter, the confidence had slipping away as quickly as it had come. “About the power burning you from the inside if you aren’t strong enough. Well, I wasn’t. Strong enough, that is. Not at first. Being human didn’t help. And then there were the scars from sword training, I was pretty bad at that at first too. Oh, and I guess I can be awful reckless when there’s danger, but you know me, I just want to help all the time and - ”

“I get it,” Kacchan groaned. He sat up and reached out, grabbing a handful of Izuku’s hair and pulling. The guardian let out a yelp, causing Kacchan to chuckle at him. “Why so nervous all of a sudden, huh, Deku? You’re acting like a fuckin’ virgin.”

The blush that erupted on Izuku put the roses to shame. It bloomed in his cheeks and on his neck, even stretching down to his chest in his embarrassment. Kacchan gawked at his silence before erupting in a mocking laugh.

“Shitty Deku,” he sneered, giving Izuku’s hair another tug. “Not only could you not master All Might’s power, but you couldn’t manage to get laid along the way either? You really are still useless. What’s even the point of - ”

“Shut up.”

The words came out quiet but harsh, a knife cutting through the stillness of the room. Izuku was looking at his lap, but he could feel Kacchan’s hand yank back from his hair as if burned.

“This was a mistake,” Izuku said, quickly leaving the bed and grabbing his shirt, shoving it over his head. He made his way to the door, only stopping when he felt a hand grab his elbow. He hadn’t even heard Kacchan leave the bed.

“Hey, the fuck’s is wrong with you?”

“With me?” Izuku yelled, spinning around to jab his finger into Kacchan’s chest. “There’s nothing wrong with me! Did you think calling me useless was going to get me hard? Well, guess what, asshole. It didn’t. And that’s the only thing I was here for, so there’s no point in me sticking around.”

“You going find someone else to fuck you?” Kacchan said, tightening his grip on Izuku’s arm.

"Who else would I be with?!"

"That Todoroki bastard is still here."

Izuku’s jaw dropped. He gaped at Kacchan, not believing what he just heard. Kacchan, who treated Izuku like a disease. Kacchan, who wouldn’t even give him the title friend. Kacchan, who never let him forget how unworthy he was. That same Kacchan was now trying to exert some sort of claim over Izuku. And once upon a time that would have thrilled him. But not now. Not like this.

"I don’t answer to you,” he finally said, yanking his arm free of Kacchan’s grasp. “I can march right to Todoroki's room now and spend all night with him if I wanted to. Or Ochako’s. Or anyone’s! You can’t push me around anymore, Katsuki.”

Knowing he didn’t have much fight left in him, Izuku stormed out of the room, making a point to slam the door loudly behind him. He refused to look back to catch a last glimpse of Kacchan’s face. The hallways were thankfully empty save for the occasional drunk staggering back to their bed, which Izuku was eternally grateful for. Despite his words, he went back to his own rooms alone, where he tucked himself into bed and finally let loose his rage and hurt in a steady stream of tears that soaked his pillow. Izuku didn’t know why he expected that to go any different than it had. It had all been so typically Kacchan.

But he had hoped. He had taken his chance, and what a mistake that had been.

Chapter Text

“Midoriya, wait up!”

Izuku paused at the sound of his name, turning to see Eijirou running down the long hallway after him. Once he caught up, the dragon threw his arm around Izuku’s shoulders with a big toothy grin.

“We missed you at the training grounds this morning,” Eijirou said as the two began walking together.

Izuku shifted his shoulders awkwardly under the dragon's affectionate touch. He avoided eye contact and muttered, "I wasn't feeling well this morning. Must have drank too much last night."

“Is that so?”

"Yeah, I'm actually heading to the baths now, so…." Izuku trailed off, hopeful he would take the hint.

Please, let me be alone.

"I'll come with you!"

Damn it.

Izuku resigned himself to the company and half-listened to Eijirou's cheerful stories about the chaos he, Mina and Sero had gotten into the night before. When they arrived, Izuku undressed and slipped quickly into the hot waters of the spring that formed naturally in the caverns deeper in the mountain. He tried not to notice Eijirou staring at the scars that covered his body, the action only bringing back memories he tried to ignore.

Thankfully, Eijirou didn't comment on them. 

“What happened with you and Katsuki last night?” Eijirou said instead once he settled in.

Izuku's brain came to a screeching halt.

No, no, no no no.

"W-what?" he said, unable to process the question.

"He was pretty upset this morning," Eijirou said with a shrug. "And you were with him last night, right?"

"Is that what he said?!" Izuku yelled, standing up so quickly he splashed Eijirou. "He's going around telling people I was with him?!"

"No!" For once the dragon seemed flustered, glancing around as the other occupants of the bath began to stare at them. "No, he didn't say anything. Mina saw you heading towards his rooms!"

I'm such an idiot.

Izuku got out of the bath, rushing over to dry off and dress himself. He left in a hurry and headed down the hallway towards his own chambers with the full intent of locking himself in and hiding possibly forever. His hair stuck damp to head and dripped down his back, and he didn't know if his shivers came from the cold or his anxieties.

“Midoriya, I’m sorry!” Eijirou called, catching up and falling in pace beside him. His usual cheer was gone from his face. "I didn't realize you were so private - ”

"I don't care if people know I have sex!" Izuku snapped, stopping in his tracks and facing Eijirou. "I care if people know I was with him."

"Oh."

The two stood in awkward silence, Eijirou looking at him worriedly while Izuku glared daggers at the floor.

“I’m sorry, Kirishima," Izuku said finally, his voice small. "You didn't deserve that. Kacchan just makes me crazy. He's so… so ... ” A small sob caught in his throat and cut off his words.

"Hey, Midoriya." Eijirou's voice was gentle and Izuku was surprised to look up and find him grinning. "Wanna go for a ride?"

Katsuki's day started as badly as his night had ended. He had slept fitfully, his mind racing with the thought of Deku finding solace in someone else's room after he left. But it wasn't simple jealousy. It was the idea that he was replaceable to Deku. That anyone else could fill the hole that Katsuki had left in his life. He was finding out every day just how much Deku had moved on from their strange friendship, how Katsuki didn't simply fit the way he used to into Deku's routine. And it bothered him more than he ever expected it to.

Unable to lie down any longer, he'd been up even earlier than usual and down at the training grounds. He'd skipped his sword work to instead stretch his powers and vent his growing rage through the satisfying explosions in his palms. He'd even been looking forward to his friends joining him. But when they came down with shit eating grins, asking how his night with cute Midoriya was, he'd had to leave.

Now he sat behind the desk in the office that had once been Mitsuki's, glaring at the paperwork laid out in front of him. His parents had left that morning, eager to return to Masaru's mother and start their life of peace.

That glare shifted to the door when it opened without a knock, and Shoto entered, closing it behind him.

"Daddy didn't teach you to knock?" Katsuki growled, but didn't move to stop him as he took the seat in front of his desk. "I outrank you now, fucker."

Shoto huffed out a bit of air, and Katsuki assumed that was his version of a laugh.

What does Deku see in this guy?

"Power's gone to your head already, your majesty," Shoto said in his monotone voice, with the slightest hint of teasing. Secretly, Katsuki was relieved. He didn't think he could handle an ass-kissing Todoroki.

"What do you want?"

"The pleasure of your company."

"Ha. Ha." Katsuki rubbed his eyes wearily. "Look, I'm too fuckin' tired for this, so get to the point or get out."

Shoto's face hardened, a difficult task on an already blank canvas, and he leaned forward in his seat. The shift of mood got Katsuki's attention.

"I'm here as a friend, Katsuki," Shoto said, his words slow and careful.

Katsuki's eyebrows shot up. Not once, having known each other their entire lives, had Shoto ever called him by his first name without his title.

"Is this about Deku?" he asked, already baring his teeth for the coming fight.

But Shoto only looked confused. "Midoriya?" he said. "Of course not. He can spend the night with whoever he wishes. Though I do question his taste."

Katsuki was mortified at the blush that hit him and he began to sputter an inelegant response. But Shoto continued.

"I'm here about real issues. Like Shagaraki."

Katsuki's heart rate increased at the familiar name. "Shigaraki is dead," he said firmly. "Our parents killed him before either of us were born. All Might nearly died to bring him down."

"Yes," Shoto agreed. "But he had a son."

"What?"

"Tomura. He's been biding his time, dealing in dark magic and raising an army to get his revenge. He's already amassed a considerable force."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Small sparks popped off in Katsuki's palms, his eyes fixed on Shoto, searching for any sign of deception. But the prince stared back, unflinching. "Where is he now?"

"At the base of the Wakagumo mountains."

Katsuki furrowed his brows, thinking back to the maps he'd studied. "But that's right in the shadow of your capitol," he said slowly, the gears turning quickly in his head. "There's no way someone could have raised an army there for years without you knowing."

"Correct."

The word hung between them like an executioner's axe, confirming all of Katsuki's suspicions. There was only one reason Enji would allow a force to grow so close to his own borders, and that was because he planned to use it himself. And who else would he be using it against, but the scattered, fledgling nation to his north?

"So what now?" Katsuki asked with a sneer, leaning back in his chair in an attempt to seem unphased. "Your old man send you to get an early surrender out of me? Cause that's not fuckin' happening."

"My father doesn't know I'm telling you," Shoto said, his eyes dropping to his lap. "He thinks he's going to catch you by surprise. I… can't allow him to do that."

Never had Katsuki seen such unease in Shoto as the witch's shoulders slumped. It was as if he was showing the weight that he usually carried in stride. Katsuki couldn't help but think that this vulnerable version of him was the one that called Deku "Izuku" in private.

"Why not?" Katsuki asked, eyes narrowing in his suspicion. "You ain't loyal to your own king?"

That accusation broughts Shoto's head up quickly as he met Katsuki's eyes. "I'm loyal to my kingdom," he said firmly, almost angrily. "Not my king. I don't want to see my people dragged into an unnecessary war. There's no reason Yuuei and the dragon clans can't continue to be allies. His greed will kill us all." 

Katsuki let the words sink in, his mind shifting to his parents living at the southern border of his kingdom, together and at peace and vulnerable.

"I could ruin you," he said finally, standing up to learn forward on his desk, creating an imposing figure over Shoto. "I could kill you right now. Or take you hostage and use you against your kingdom. Or even worse, I could tell Daddy what you've done and send you back to him. Maybe he'll give you another scar on your other eye to match."

Shoto stayed sitting and looked up at him calmly. "You could," he said, his tone unbothered.

Katsuki sneered. "So why come to me?"

"Midoriya convinced me," Shoto shrugged. "He said you would do the right thing. I trust him."

"Deku knows?"

"I told him when I first arrived. I would have warned him sooner, but my father has people checking communications in and out of the palace."

Pushing himself up to his full height, Katsuki crossed his arms over his chest, physically holding himself back. Not important, he reminded himself, remembering the warnings Eijirou had given him. He'd have to deal with Deku later. With Enji about to start a war, they had much bigger problems.

"All right, half 'n half. Tell me everything you know."

Izuku had ridden on Mamoru before, but that was nothing like this. Mamoru was old and efficient, and as incredible as it was to ride a dragon regardless, Eijirou was something else . The red beast dove and spun through the clouds like he was chasing something, wings snapping open and closed with expert precision. Izuku had to active his power to keep himself on, but couldn't hold back his cheers and hollers, and Eijirou indulged him. The adrenaline and wind drowned out his misery. He found himself grinning and laughing as if his heart hadn't been broken just last night.

Eijirou had taken them to a nearby mountain lake and landed beside it, turning back into his human form and dressing himself before sitting by the water and encouraging the guardian to join him.

And they talked.

Izuku told him everything about growing up with Kacchan, all the way up through their last fight in the forest. Then, after some more encouragement, told him about what had happened the night before. Eijirou listened patiently, giving Izuku his full attention.

“You know,” Izuku said, “When we were kids, I used to think that if I could just get stronger, he'd let me stay by his side. But even now, with all this power, he still looks at me like I’m a burden.”

"I can’t explain why he acts the way he does,” Eijirou said with a shrug, “But I can tell you that he cares, in his own way.”

Izuku couldn’t help but laugh at that, which made Eijirou smile in turn. It felt good to get this off his chest. Not just the story of their past, but all the pent up emotions he’d buried since he’d first realized that Kacchan was Prince Katsuki.

"You know, I'm jealous of you," Izuku said finally when his laughter died down.

"Jealous?” Eijirou looked lost. “Midoriya, you have nothing to be jealous of! Katsuki is like my brother. Nothing romantic there at all."

"I know,” Izuku said, his smile melancholy. “Honestly, if it were romantic, I would be less jealous. But he trusts you. Sees you as an equal. He lets you fight with him, watch his back, listens to your advice. Maybe he does care about me. But I want him to respect me."

Eijirou grinned at him. “You’ll get there. You’re the only person I’ve met who’s as stubborn as he is."

"I have to ask though," Eijirou said, looking at Izuku thoughtfully. "Why go to him at all last night? Don't get me wrong, it's shitty what he said to you, but it sounds to me like it wasn't abnormal either. What were you expecting?"

Izuku's cheeks tinted pink and he looked down at his fidgeting hands. "It's not like I was expecting romance, or sweet nothings, or anything like that," he muttered. "It's just, Kacchan has always surprised me. He's amazing. And things had been getting better between us, and the invitation itself was completely unexpected. I guess… I just hoped he would surprise me one more time."

Suddenly Izuku felt warm arms around him as Eijirou pulled him in for a tight hug. The dragon's natural body heat, so similar to Kacchan's, warmed and soothed Izuku's body and spirit.

"Let's get you back," Eijirou said as he pulled away, and Izuku could only nod and grin, feeling like maybe once the Yuuei envoys left, he wouldn't be so alone after all.

"Excuse me, um, guardian, Midoriya, sir?" The guard seemed unsure as he approached Izuku on the landing, Eijirou getting dressed beside him.

"Yes?" he responded with a blinding smile, his mood infinitely better than it had been that morning.

"King Katsuki wants to see you in his work room."

"Ah," Izuku's smile stayed, but a strain entered his voice. "Of course. I'll be there soon."

The guard left and Izuku made his way to Kacchan's office with Eijirou by his side. The last thing he wanted to think about was what Kacchan might want him for, so instead he filled the walk with a different question that had been bothering him.

"Why do they always seem so unsure?" Izuku asked. When Eijirou gave him a confused look, he clarified, "Other people in the palace. Like they don't know how to address me. Why is that?"

"You haven't announced your guardian name," Eijirou said with a shrug. "Like how Toshinori's was All Might. That's what everyone called him. They're just waiting for you to pick yours."

The two fell into silence after that as Izuku contemplated this. He'd known Toshinori had had a hero name, but he didn't think much of it. Didn't realize he was expected to do the same thing. The longer he was here, there seemed to be more and more he didn't know.

Eventually they reached the office and entered together, surprised to find both Kacchan and Shoto leaning over a map of Yuuei that was spread across the desk.

"Why doesn't anyone fucking knock?" Kacchan growled, not bothering to look up.

Shoto, however, did. A look of what might be relief crossed his face at the sight of Izuku. "Midoriya, good," he said. "I told King Katsuki everything. We could use your input."

They quickly brought Eijirou up to speed on the situation, and discussed it briefly before Shoto took his leave. It would be suspicious for him to linger too long in the council of the new king. The three that were left went back and forth over strategies both diplomatic and deadly. Back up plans, alternatives, supply costs and warrior counts.

It was all happening so suddenly that Izuku didn't have any time to consider the strangeness of being in Kacchan's presence again. He instead did quite the opposite. Finding himself in his comfort zone, he pulled paper over to himself and scribbled elaborate notes on all their conversations and his own observations and ideas, muttering to himself uninterrupted the entire time.

Hours passed before Eijirou stretched out, yawning widely. "All right, I'm calling it," he said, slamming his palm down on the desk. Izuku leapt at the sudden noise. "You two will be at this all night if I don't stop you."

Izuku yawned as well, as if Eijirou's words had reminded his own body of how tired it was. "Good call," he said, rubbing his eyes. "We can pick up again in the morning."

"Wait." Katsuki's voice stopped them both. They stared at him with bated breath, but his eyes were fixed on Izuku. "Deku. You knew about this. And you didn't tell me."

Izuku felt heart leap into his throat and swallowed anxiously, unsure of how to respond. Eijirou looked between the two of them and shrugged.

"Yikes," he said, heading for the door. "Well, I'll let you two hash this one out."

"Kirishima, but - "

"Nope! Not a chance. Good luck Midoriya!" Eijirou gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder before leaving the two alone. The door closing behind him felt like a nail in a coffin as Izuku stared at his feet, waiting for Kacchan's rage.

But it never came.

"Deku." Kacchan's voice was calm but stern. The shock of it caused Izuku to look up and meet his eyes, finding only frustration there. "Why didn't you tell me about this before the coronation?"

"Shoto had all the information," Izuku explained in as steady of a voice as he could manage. This was an issue between a king and his guardian. Nothing personal. "He needed to come to you himself. We both agreed it would be better to do afterwards, when things were calmer."

"Idiot," Kacchan snapped. His calm was quickly fading. "If you'd said something sooner we would have had my old hag and Masaru here to help us figure this mess out."

Furrowing his brows in confusion, Izuku said, "Help? But I knew you would be able to handle it."

"Oh yeah? Decided that all on your own, did you?" Kacchan was bristling like an agitated cat, and Izuku would have laughed if the situation were different. "And what made you so fucking sure?"

Izuku let his own agitation show as he returned Kacchan’s glare with a steely look of his own. "Because I'd be here,” he said, his voice certain.

That gave Kacchan pause. His face showed his surprise and slowly the tension seeped out of his body. His eyes never left Izuku's face, searching for something.

"Are you still?" Kacchan asked finally. "With me?"

Izuku couldn't help the small, sad smile that broke across his face. "I'll always be with you."

And damn it, despite everything, Izuku knew he still meant it. Every word.

Kacchan seemed to come to the same conclusion since his anger didn't resurface. The two went their separate ways without further discussion, knowing they'd need to get their rest to deal with the bigger problems they were facing.

Katsuki groaned when he entered his chambers to find Eijirou sprawled out on his couch. "Fuck off," he grumbled, but dropped himself down on the cushion next to his friend.

“So, full disclosure. Midoriya told me what happened,” Eijirou said, immediately scooting out of arm’s reach at the sharp glare he got in return. His next words came out in a rush before Katsuki could cut him off. “And I just think you should talk to someone about it!”

“What’s there to talk about?” he said, throwing his head back and dragging his hands down his face. “Nothin’ fuckin’ happened.”

"Of course nothing happened, the way you talked to him,” Eijirou said with a teasing grin. “How the hell do ever get laid? You always talk to your lovers like that?"

"Of course not!” Katsuki snapped. “But it was just shitty Deku. What I say has never mattered before. He's always been obsessed with me."

Eijirou shrugged. “Well, obviously it matters now.”

"So, what? You came here to defend him?"

"I'm here to help you out,” Eijirou said with a roll of his eyes. “You're being a shit king."

Katsuki bared his teeth at the insult. "Deku's feelings have nothing to do with me being king."

"They do when he's your guardian."

“What, so I have to woo him?”

"Hell no!” Eijirou shifted in his seat so he was facing Katsuki and grabbed his shoulders, forcing the king to face him directly. The dragon’s face was more serious than Katsuki had seen it in quite some time, and he knew it was time to stop and listen.

“No one said anything about romance. You don’t have to love him. You don’t even have to like him. You're the idiot that invited your guardian to your bed. Midoriya is powerful and smart and if you'll stop fucking around and let him do his job, you'll realize that he can help make you the greatest king this nation will ever see."

Katsuki let the silence linger as he absorbed Eijirou’s words. He was right. All around him everyone, Deku included, were trying to brush past last night and move on to making their clans stronger and safer. So why the hell was Katsuki fucking Bakugo, King of the Dragonborn, still caught up in one bad one night stand?

Why was he still replaying it in his head, wondering where it went wrong?

And more importantly, why the fuck wasn’t Deku doing the same thing?

Knowing he’d been heard, Eijirou released Katsuki’s shoulders and ruffled his hair. “Get some sleep, your majesty,” he said with a crooked smile. Katsuki ignored him in favor of heading straight to his own bed, where he decided he would no longer allow Izuku fucking Midoriya to distract him from the things that were truly important.

Chapter Text

Katsuki was up early again the next morning. Despite his determination to put the night of his coronation behind him, sleep was still coming fitfully to him. So he was shocked to enter his office and find Deku already in the room, scribbling away in a notebook much nicer looking than any he'd had when they were kids.

"Kacchan, you're up early! I mean, so I am I, so I can't really say much, can I?" Deku said, rubbing the back of his neck and getting to his feet. Katsuki merely grunted and shut the door behind him. "I just thought, before anyone else gets here, can we… talk?"

Here it comes.

Katsuki crossed his arms and grinned, waiting. He knew it. That night had to have been consuming Deku's thoughts that same way it had Katsuki's. There was no way that Deku of all people was going to let this slide without some shitty heart-to-heart.

He always comes back. He's gonna apologize for being so fucking sensitive. He'll ask for another chance to come back to my room and -

"It's about my mother."

"Hah?!" The smile dropped from Katsuki's face and he looked at Deku incredulously.

"My mother," Deku said quickly. His eyes met Katsuki's but fidgeting hands betrayed his nerves. "With me gone, she's alone in our village. I worry about her, and I'd like to bring her here. With me. Not in the castle, I think it would be too severe for her, but in the city. I'll pay for it, or build a home myself, whatever I have to do. Just a small place, she's very helpful, she's a wonderful healer and - 

"Deku, shut up," Katsuki interrupted. "Send for her."

"... What?"

"Are you stupid?" Shoulders slumping, Katsuki walked past Deku and took his seat behind his desk, determinedly not looking at his guardian. "I said fucking send for her. Don't worry about a home. We'll figure that shit out later."

He couldn't explain the disappointment in his chest that grew with the silence. Scowling at the papers in front of him, Katsuki concentrated on forcing the feeling to go away. He had almost forgotten that the source of his misery was sitting right there in the extended silence.

"Thank you, Kacchan," Deku said, surprising Katsuki out of his moping. His voice was soft and full of a warmth that made Katsuki's ears burn. He glanced up to find Deku smiling at him fondly, and could only grunt in response before looking back down at his work.

The two didn't speak again until Eijirou and Aizawa joined them later in the morning. The bright side was that with Katsuki having been recently coronated, it wasn't strange that he and his closest advisors would spend the next few days working tirelessly to gather information and make adjustments, supposedly to establish him into his command. The down side was trying to make those changes without it being obvious that they were preparing for conflict. And it didn’t help how fucking distracted Katsuki was. He tried to ignore the looks that Eijirou kept sending his way, but he could feel the dragon’s concern as much as he knew Eijirou could feel his agitation. Deku, thankfully, seemed completely oblivious to Katsuki’s inner turmoil.

“How much longer until Prince Shoto returns to Yuuei?” Aizawa asked, the bags under his eyes worse than usual.

“Tomorrow morning,” Deku answered him quickly. “So if you have any questions for him, it has to be now.”

“I assume you’ll be spending time with him tonight before he leaves?” Aizawa continued. When Deku nodded to confirm, Katsuki scowled, small tendrils of smoke rising him up from his palm. He hastily shoved his hands under the desk. “Good. So we can send any questions we have with you. It’ll be too suspicious to bring him here again.”

“Of course!” Deku nodded.

“I’ll go with you,” Katsuki blurted, causing three surprised faces to turn to him.

“You will?” Deku asked.

“Will you?” Eijirou stressed his question not-so-subtly.

“Yes, I fucking will,” he snapped at Eijirou.

“I’m positive that defeats the purpose of using Midoriya,” Aizawa said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “But something tells me you aren’t going to budge on this, and I really don’t care enough to fight you on it.”

“I do!” Eijirou said, looking exasperated. Aizawa made a point of ignoring him and began to write down questions and information for Shoto. “Katsuki, there is literally no reason for you to be there.”

“Of course there is,” Katsuki said with an eye roll. “A long, private visit with half’n’half the night before he leaves? They'll wonder where Deku’s loyalty really lies.”

Aizawa looked up from his work to raise an eyebrow. “That… actually makes sense,” he said, not hiding his surprise.

“One night won’t make people think that,” Deku said, frowning. That only set Katsuki off more. Why was he fighting this so much? Did he want that badly to be alone with Shoto?

“You’re from Yuuei,” Katsuki pressed, “And people have seen you together. They’re not fuckin’ stupid. You’re clearly close to the Todorokis.”

Deku’s frown deepened. “I have no love for King Enji.”

“What about Shoto?” Katsuki imitated Deku’s voice, mocking the way he said Shoto’s name.

A dark blush bloomed under his freckles. Deku’s eyes went wide and his jaw dropped. As much as Katsuki enjoyed seeing him flustered, he was mostly waiting for the denial.

Tell me you don’t. Tell me you never. Tell me. Say it!

Instead Deku just sighed in defeat as he pulled himself back together. “Okay, Kacchan. We’ll go together.”

With that settled, the four men finalized the last things they would need from Shoto before communication became limited. Once they were sure they’d covered all their bases, they called it a night and went their separate ways. Except, of course, Katsuki and Deku. They walked side by side in silence towards the guest rooms that Shoto was occupying. At least for now, Katsuki had the relief of knowing that Deku and Shoto wouldn’t be alone, and then Shoto would be gone tomorrow.

Izuku had spent his whole life admiring Kacchan at an arm’s length. So what they had now was no different. If anything, it was better. That night in Kacchan’s room seemed to mellow out the fiery king’s aggressions. Maybe Izuku hadn’t gotten what he wanted, but he had stood up for himself. Everything happens for a reason, after all.

Kacchan’s behavior had also left no doubt in Izuku’s mind that that night was, in fact, meant to be a one night stand. He’d assumed as much, but the confirmation helped to soothe his longing. Kacchan wouldn’t have spoken to him like that if his interest ran deeper than getting his dick wet. They’d both made themselves clear, and now they could move on.

Except, Kacchan didn’t seem to be moving on. Izuku had spent his entire childhood observing the blonde, and right now it seemed like his king was waiting for something . But Izuku couldn’t figure out what. So he would go about his days, do his job, and focus on what he could

They reached Shoto’s room and Izuku knocked, despite Kacchan’s grumbles of “he didn’t knock so why the fuck should I”. The Yuuei prince seemed surprised to see both of them, but let them in without complaint.

“Bakugo, have you realized you’re going to miss me?” Shoto asked, the corner of his mouth smirking ever so slightly.

“Shut up, icy hot,” Kacchan said, making himself comfortable on a couch. “I’m here on business.”

Izuku reached out and gave Shoto’s arm a small squeeze as he walked by before sitting on the couch beside Kacchan. Shoto took the seat across from them as they laid out the papers and wasted no time in diving into work.

“Midoriya, do you remember the necromancers you fought a few years ago?”

A full shudder went through Izuku’s body. “How could I forget?” he said, rubbing his arms. An entire village had gone missing, seemingly overnight. Izuku and Ochako had gone to investigate, only to find a nearby cave where the necromancers were hard at work with the bodies. They stopped them from completing whatever sick magic they had started, but for months Izuku’s nightmares had been haunted by the smell of rotting flesh and the empty moans that came from mouths that had once been dead.

Izuku felt a warmth. It was barely noticeable, but Kacchan had shifted closer, brushing their arms together just slightly. Izuku had no idea if this was intentional or not, Kacchan wasn’t even looking at him, but he focused in on the contact. He grounded himself in that warmth, in the strength of Kacchan beside him.

“Well, it turns out they were part of a much bigger organization,” Shoto said. “A league of people and creatures controlled by Tomura Shigaraki whose goal was to destroy All Might.”

“All might?” Kacchan furrowed his brows. “Why not your old man? He was the one who took the throne.”

Shoto shrugged. “I don’t pretend to understand crazy. He came to my father one day with a proposition: work together, kill All Might, and take over the dragonborn lands. Obviously, All Might is no longer part of the equation, but that hasn’t seemed to change anything else about their arrangement.”

“He can’t seriously believe this psycho won’t turn on him,” Kacchan said.

“He knows,” Izuku said. His hands were gripping each other, white-knuckled at tense, as he looked from Shoto to Kacchan. Izuku’s face was fixed with a rage that rarely touched his features and he could see Kacchan’s eyes widen in surprise. “They both know. But King Enji can’t beat you by himself, and Shigaraki can’t beat you or King Enji alone. They’re going to use each other to take out the dragonborn, then fight each other for complete control.”

Izuku could feel his stomach dropping. This was sick . The amount of pain and destruction that would happen because two men with power had morality that was longer dead than the corpses Shigaraki’s league worked with was cataclysmic. Shigaraki, at least, he could understand. The son of a murdered king, clearly insane, with a birthright he thinks was stolen from him and nothing else to lose. But Enji. King Enji Todoroki, throwing away everything just to prove once and for all that he was the greatest conqueror in the land -

“Oi, Deku!”

“Izuku!”

Izuku blinked. He hadn’t realized he’d been muttering out loud. And on top of that, red lights were flashing to life under his skin. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, hiding his face in his hands as he calmed himself down. Slowly his power slipped away, leaving a shaking, furious, embarrassed Izuku in its wake.

“‘M sorry,” he mumbled.

“It’s okay, Izuku,” Shoto said. He had moved to sit on Izuku’s other side and was rubbing gentle circles on his back. “I felt the same way, when I first found out. Flames and all. It would be upsetting even without the history you have with my father.”

“History?” Kacchan asked. Izuku looked over at him, almost having forgotten he was there. He looked… upset. Great. Now he thinks even less of me.

Shoto frowned. “You never asked Izuku why my father hates him?”

Kacchan shifted in his seat, his discomfort evident. Izuku glanced back it his hands. “He - King Enji - wanted to use me against you,” he said softly. “I mean, not that I knew it was you at the time, but against Prince Katsuki and the dragonborn. He tried to play off my human heritage, said I owed it to Yuuei to spy on you, be a man on the inside for him. When I said no, he… he threatened Ochako. So we left.”

Izuku risked looking at Kacchan, the blonde was eyeing him carefully, but said nothing.

Shoto stood. “We already knew my father was a monster,” he said. “But now, if there’s nothing else you need from me, I’d like to get some sleep before my long travel begins tomorrow.”

“Ah, of course! Sorry, Shoto, and thank you! We’ll see you off in the morning,” Izuku said, jumping to his feet. Kacchan gave Shoto a short nod before following him out. Izuku headed back to his rooms, and instead of finding himself alone, realized Kacchan was going the same direction. He decided to say nothing, assuming that Kacchan had somewhere else to be. But they eventually reached Izuku’s door, and the king was still silent beside him.

“Um, good night?” Izuku tried.

"I'm coming in.”

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Deku.” Kacchan’s eyes narrowed at him. “You almost lost it in there. I wasn't asking."

Izuku knew a command when he heard one, and he was too drained to fight it. “Fine,” he said. Once in the sitting area, he stood and faced Kacchan, crossing his arms over his chest. He knew sitting would only invite the king to stay, and his warning bells were going off.

Kacchan approached him cautiously until he’d invaded Izuku’s space, and slowly reached his hand up. Izuku’s muscled all tensed, remembering the feel of that rough hand pulling his hair the last time they’d been alone like this. But Kacchan, in an action that could only be described as tender, brushed a loose curl away from Izuku’s face.

Izuku’s heart stopped.

“Worried ‘bout you,” Kacchan murmured softly, brushing his knuckles down Izuku’s cheek.

What was it Izuku had told Kirishima? That he had hoped Kacchan would surprise him?

Well consider him stunned.

Red eyes flicked down to Izuku’s lips, and the human slowly uncrossed his arms, breath hitching in his throat. The warning bells rang louder, frantic along with the racing that Izuku’s heart was doing now that it remembered it needed to beat. “Why are you - ”

Kacchan kissed him. Both his hands came up to cup Izuku’s face and tilted his head back as he brought chapped lips down and slotted them expertly against the guardian’s. The warning bells were silent. Everything was silent except the pounding in Izuku’s ears and the wet sound of Kacchan moving his lips against Izuku’s and -

Holy shit I’m kissing Kacchan!

His body moved on instinct, as if it had just been waiting for this moment. And maybe it had. Izuku’s arms wrapped around Kacchan and yanked the man towards him roughly, pressing their bodies together. Kacchan grunted at the sudden pull but didn’t break the kiss, gently nipping Izuku’s bottom lip in response.

“Kacchan,” Izuku breathed, not daring to open his eyes in case this turned out to be a dream.

"I'm pretty great, Deku,” Katsuki said. Izuku could feel him grinning against his lips. “Don't get attached."

Izuku froze. The warning bells were back as his stomach sank. Quickly he pulled his arms back, putting his hands on Kacchan’s chest. Wow he’s solid. No! Not now! Gently, he gave Kacchan a push to put space between them.

"You should go," he said firmly, trying to fake much more resolve than he actually had.

"The fuck is wrong with you?" Kacchan said. It was his turn to look stunned.

"I can't do this!” Izuku wrapped his arms around himself, trying to hold himself together. “Kacchan, I've been… attached to you since we were kids."

“So?” Kacchan scowled, his shock shifting to frustration. “Shouldn’t that mean you want this?”

“I do. Want you. More than anything. But you have to talk to me,” Izuku said, swallowing his nerves. “About last time. About us . Otherwise, you should go.”

“Now you want to talk?” Kacchan snapped. “Don’t be an idiot. I’m not going anywhere. And we’re not talking about that.”

“Fine. I’ll leave then.”

Kacchan rolled his eyes. “And where the fuck are you gonna go?”

“I don’t know!” Izuku threw his hands up, exasperated. “Back to Shoto’s room if I can’t sleep here!”

“Fuck no you aren’t.” The muscles in Kacchan’s jaw twitched, and Izuku noticed. He noticed his hands flexing as if preparing to explode. He noticed the sharp glare. He picked all the signs because he’d seen them all before but Izuku knew this wasn’t the time to back down.

“You don’t get to be possessive when I’m not yours,” he said, refusing to break eye contact.

“You’re my guardian.” Kacchan was snarling now.

“Yeah, your guardian,” Izuku yelled. “Not your mate. Or your lover. I’m not even your fucking friend. And you were the one who made that perfectly clear.”

Kacchan froze as Izuku took a step back, bracing himself for the fight he was sure was coming. But it never did. Instead Kacchan’s muscles relaxed. And, with shoulders slumped, he glared down at the floor.

“Okay. We can talk. Just… don’t go.”

Kacchan’s teeth were still gritted like the words caused him pain, but Izuku knew he was being sincere. Could hear it in the strain in his voice. He stepped closer, closing the distance that he had created earlier. Reaching up with one hand, Izuku gently grabbed Kacchan’s chin and tilted his head up to look at him.

“Kacchan…” he said, eyes beginning to sting with tears that were ready to fall.

“Stop sayin’ it like that,” Kacchan grumbled.

“Like what?”

“Like that.” He snorted and wrapped his arms around Izuku, gently holding him in place. “Makes me wanna kiss you again.”

Izuku chuckled. “Talk first,” he said. He put his hands on Kacchan’s shoulders, not pushing him away but not letting him get closer either. “You can’t keep treating me like shit then expecting more from me. I love you. And it’s okay that you don’t love me back. But I need you to know how I feel, and what all this means to me.”

Kacchan glared. “Who said I didn’t love you back?”

“Do you?”

The king hesitated. Izuku waited patiently, smiling sadly up at the red eyes that kept him awake at night before finally Kacchan responded. “I… don’t know.”

“I understand.” The tears were slipping down his cheeks now, and he wiped them away quickly before giving Kacchan his best grin. “You take all the time you need to figure it out. I’m not going anywhere. But I can’t do this until I know where I stand, and we lay down some ground rules.”

Kacchan nodded silently. He hesitated only a moment before leaning down to kiss Izuku’s forehead, then pulled away. “I don’t hate you, Deku,” he said with a small blush. Cute. “I’m sure about that at least.”

Izuku went to bed alone that night, and he cried a little, but it was more out of relief than anything else. Kacchan wasn’t obligated to love him, but now he’d planted a tiny seed of hope in Izuku’s scarred heart. He would give himself just tonight to pine over his first friend, first crush, first heartbreak, and then tomorrow he would go back to focusing on his duty and being the guardian he promised All Might he would be.

Chapter Text

Katsuki was at the training grounds alone. He’d sent the rest of his court to help prepare the Yuuei envoy for their travels home, and Deku hadn’t left Shoto’s side since he’d woken up early that morning.

Because they were friends.

He grumbled to himself for a moment before realizing it sounded suspiciously like Deku’s muttering. Could bad habits be contagious? Only growing more agitated with himself, Katsuki dumped what was left of his canteen of water over his head, sighing as the sudden chill distracted him from thoughts that weren’t important right now.

“King Katsuki?”

He turned at the soft voice to see the friend that Deku had arrived with standing there, her hands clenched into fists. It was clear she was nervous but she was doing a valiant job of trying to hide it.

“Round face,” he said gruffly, patting his face with a towel.

“Round…? Ochako. My name’s Ochako,” she said, frowning. He waved at her dismissively, not even bothering to look her way.

“Who cares,” he said. “The fuck you want, witch?”

When she didn’t answer right away, Katsuki turned to face her to see she had her eyes closed and was exhaling a deep breath. He figured she was trying to keep herself from snapping at him. It was a sight he was very familiar with. The tension in her shoulders released and she looked at him with a tight smile. “You sure don’t make it easy,” she said. “But I wanted to talk to you.”

Katsuki snorted. “Get in line.”

“It’s about Izuku.”

Now that got his attention. “What about him?”

“He’s reckless.”

“And Eijirou is a dragon. You just come here to state the obvious?”

“No,” she snapped, her glare sharp. “It’s more than that. ‘Zuku is more powerful than you realize, but he never knows when to stop. He’s obsessed with winning. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve had to call out to him, grab him, keep him from killing himself from overdoing it.”

Memories flashed in Katsuki’s mind. Deku, jumping into the water to save him. Deku, attacking a river monster with his bare, powerless hands. Deku, sitting in Shoto’s room, red lights flashing under his skin at the mere thought of King Enji’s crimes.

“So you’ll just have to keep stopping him.” Katsuki kept his voice steady, but even he couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in his stomach.

“I won’t be here,” she said. “Yuuei is my home. Now that Izuku is settled here, it’s time for me to go back. I’m leaving with the envoy.”

“What, you decide to bail and suddenly I’m responsible for him?”

Ochako rolled her eyes. “Tell Kirishima to watch him. Lock him in a tower. I don’t care,” she said. “But the fact is that Izuku would rather die than fail you, and I just thought it was important that his king knew that.”

Katsuki could only grunt as she left, and he couldn’t help the weight sinking down on his shoulders. The thing was, he knew that already. He knew all of that about his stupid guardian. But maybe he’d forgotten how different that recklessness was now that it was paired with great power. He thought back to that night in his room, remembering the scars that covered Deku’s body, and a sense of dread crept over him.

The envoy’s departure was met by a sniffling, teary-eyed Izuku. Knowing that dragonborn eyes were on them as they stood in the courtyard, he gave Shoto a lingering look, soft smile and respectful nod as a goodbye. Ochako, however, was crushed against his chest. He wrapped thick arms around her and held her close as he muttered his love and gratitude into her hair before letting her go, feeling like a piece of himself was going with her.

Izuku adored Shoto and his other friends from the Yuuei palace, but Ochako had been by his side for years. Her friendship was a constant in his life, a light in his darkest times, and he was quickly realizing that he would have to learn how to cope without her.

Thankfully the next two weeks were uneventful enough. He and Kacchan didn’t discuss their feelings any further, and Izuku was all right with that. They’d found a steady rhythm of working together, and now that the Yuuei prince was gone and Izuku had adjusted to the customs of the dragonborn, he was more accepted and welcome among them. It meant that he could fill his time when he wasn’t needed by his king.

Tonight he found himself in the library, eyebrows furrowed in frustration. The scroll selection was limited, seeing as Mitsuki was the first to try and assemble a written library for her people. But Izuku scoured over what he could, trying to find more information about necromancy.

Witches got their magic by tapping into nature, and each was born with a certain affinity. Ochako’s was gravity, and Denki’s was lightning. Some witches were born with a connection to life magic. Most of the time, that meant healers, but there were those who had found a way to twist the gift. Instead of preserving life, they used it to reanimate that which should remain dead.

It seemed the lost Shigaraki prince was one such mage, and had found others like himself to slowly build an army. How many of those necromancers had once been practiced healers before he’d pulled them into his plot? How many had been twisted to begin with?

Not discovering anything he didn’t already know, he rubbed at his straining eyes furiously and put everything away. Izuku wandered the halls in his exhaustion, vaguely hoping that muscle memory would guide his feet back to his rooms when he felt a strong arm flung around his shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance.

“Guardian!” Sero yelled, the strong smell of ale coming off him.

And then another, pinker arm from the other side. “Come party with us!” Mina said, her eyes practically glowing in the dim light of the hallway.

“Party?” Izuku asked, attempting to steady both himself and his two hangers-on. “What’s the occasion?”

They both stared at him for a moment, confused, before bursting out in laughter and dragging him to a nearby set of double doors, ignoring all his questions. Izuku could hear the sounds of yelling and banging coming from the other side, and when the doors opened, he was met with pure chaos. Unlike the night of Kacchan’s coronation, there were no servants handing out food and special booze, no clan leaders mingling in the crowd, no musicians playing. Instead, there were chunks of meat and bread scattered across long tables and kegs of cheap ale in various spots. Izuku recognized the crowd as the soldiers who normally trained in the morning and guarded the palace as well as their dragons. Their armor and weapons were scattered forgotten around the room.

“We found M’dor’ya!” Sero slurred as he released Izuku and stumbled into the room. Mina kept her arm on the human to drag him in as a drunken cheer erupted and began introducing him to the men and women around the room. A mug of ale was shoved into his hands at one point, and Izuku decided to say fuck it.

He stayed and he drank, and ate and drank, and yelled and drank. He told stories of his training with Toshinori and his victories in battle. He listened to the stories that they shared with him. Izuku had the most fun he’d had in - possibly ever - and didn’t make his way back to his room until just before sunrise.

Except when he got to his room, the door was locked.

Huh.

He banged on it loudly, hoping in his exhausted, inebriated state that whoever was in his room would let him in. And, eventually, the door did open to the sight of a furious, sleep-tousled King Katsuki.

Izuku looked down the hall one way. Then the other way. Then back at Kacchan.

Then Izuku started to laugh.

“What the fuck?” Kacchan said, his voice raspy with sleep.

“Wrong room,” Izuku said once he’d gotten his laughter under control. “‘M tired, just gonna crash here.” He stumbled past Kacchan into the large sitting area and collapsed dramatically and fully-dressed on the sofa.

“Oi, are you drunk?!” Kacchan yelled, slamming the door.

“Shhhhh, Kacchan, so loud all the time,” he muttered into the pillow.

“Fuck no.” Kacchan stormed over to where Izuku lay on his back and grabbed two fistfull of his shirt, hauling him up. “You’re not sleeping here, asshole.”

Izuku groaned at the movement, but when he opened his eyes and saw Kacchan’s face close to his, he immediately lit up. “Oh! Was gonna tell you anyway! Guess what!”

The corner of Kacchan’s lip twitched. “What?”

“My new friends,” he said with a smile. “They helped me pick my guardian name!”

"Fuckin' great. What is it, All Might Junior?"

"No, but I did consider that one.” Izuku’s face broke into a wide grin and he reached up and held Kacchan’s hands in his. “It's Deku!"

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"

"Nope."

"It literally means useless."

"'M gonna change that."

"You can't just change the meaning of a word!"

"Why not?"

"That's not how that works!"

For a brief moment, Izuku seemed to sober up. His gaze focused on Kacchan’s red eyes, and his face became stern. "You once told me a human couldn't wield the guardian's power,” he said steadily. Red lights flickered over his hands where he held Kacchan’s before fading away.

Green eyes traced the line of Kacchan’s throat when he swallowed, and through their hands Izuku could feel him shiver. "No one will take you seriously,” Kacchan said, but his voice was losing its conviction.

Izuku smiled at him. "We'll see about that.” He gently pried Kacchan’s hands off his shirt and brought them up to his face. He waited a moment, but when Kacchan didn’t pull away, Izuku gently kissed one hand, and then the other. Then, letting go, he laid back down on the couch and immediately passed out.

Katsuki took his rage out on the morning training group as he sent them through a brutal sparring regimine. It was clear who had been off-duty last night, as they were loudly suffering. That’s what they get for getting Deku drunk, he thought bitterly. Barracks parties were common among the dragonborn, but usually it wasn’t something Katsuki had to deal with. It was their chance to unwind without leadership, and he was more than happy to stay away from the chaos. Apparently, though, they considered the guardian as one of them. Which, honestly, was how it was supposed to be. A king for the throne, and a guardian for the people.

And that was all fine and good, until said guardian staggers drunk from said barracks party to the private room of said king.

Then, there were problems.

“Damn, Katsuki,” Eijirou said with a whistle. “You’re really laying into them today. What’s got you so pissed?”

Katsuki snarled. “Why don’t you ask the idiot human that’s passed out in my room?”

There was a pause as Eijirou stared at him before the dragon burst out laughing. “You’re kidding me!” he said. “Mina told me they’d gotten him drunk last night, but I didn’t know - ”

Katsuki walked away, the temptation to blow something up growing too strong. He left Eijirou behind to finish the training session and headed back to his office where Aizawa was waiting for him, and the two started going over the latest reports they'd received from Hitoshi.

"Kacchan? Kirishima said you'd be here."

The door opened and a very ragged looking Deku entered. His hair was even more tangled than normal, and although he's clearly changed into fresh clothes, he had only managed to throw on trousers and a loose tunic. Even his normal gloves were missing, scarred hands visible to the world.

"I wanted to apologize for last night, I - oh! Aizawa, I, uh, didn't know you were here." Deku blushed fiercely the moment he noticed the older dragonborn.

"I don't want to know," Aizawa said sternly, leveling both of them with a hard look.

Katsuki rolled his eyes. "There's nothing to know," he grumbled. "Other than our new guardian has shit alcohol tolerance."

Aizawa narrowed his eyes at Katsuki in suspicion, then sighed. "I still don't want to know," he said before turning his attention to Deku. "Either way, it's a good thing you're here. Shinsou, the one we sent to try and get a look at Shigaraki's army, sent us word. He's on his way back now with more details, but it looks like they're striking sooner than we thought."

Katsuki watched in mild awe as a flip seemed to switch in Deku. He watched the guardian’s muscles tense and his posture straighten. Green eyes hardened as he nodded, mouth set in that stubborn, kissable line as he came over and sat by the desk, going over the message they had received.

Ever since they'd been children, Deku had been stubborn. But seeing him now, Katsuki didn't hate it anymore. It still scared him, in a deep dark part of him he didn't want to admit it. But now, it excited him, too. And filled him with pride, knowing how often those fierce eyes were on him.

"I have some questions for Shinsou," Deku said, pulling Katsuki from his thoughts. "I'd like to ask him when he gets here."

"Good luck," Katsuki snorted. "He's the biggest asshole I've ever met. Worse than the Todoroki brat."

"He doesn't like people to begin with," Aizawa explained with a shrug. "But he hates Katsuki here the most."

"He challenged me for the throne," Katsuki spat. "But I put that extra in his place and he's been insufferable ever since."

The king looked to his guardian, expecting loyal indignation at the reveal. Instead he saw green eyes wide with awe.

Oh fuck no.

"He challenged you?" Deku said, voice light. "That's…. amazing! He must be so brave. What's his power? I can't wait to meet him!"

Katsuki stared open mouthed. He heard Aizawa snort-cough in what he was sure was an attempt to hide a laugh.

Unbelievable.

"I take it back, Deku," Katsuki grumbled. "I really do hate you after all."

Chapter Text

Izuku whooped at the top of his lungs from Eijirou’s back as the dragon swooped down to land at their mountain fortress. He was already transforming before Izuku managed to get off, leaving the two in a laughing heap on the ground. Eijirou was the first to catch his breath, shoving the human aside and reaching for the pack with his clothes. Izuku stayed splayed out on his back, snorting in his attempts to settle his laughter.

“Bastards!” Sero’s voice echoed through the cave’s entrance, causing another round of laughter. Mina landed roughly, dumping Sero of her back and transforming quickly with a grimace. They were both soaked.

“Bad form! I expect as much from you, Ei, but Midoriya? I’m shocked!” she grumbled as she pulled equally wet clothing out her own pack with a sigh.

“Come on, guys, don’t be sore losers,” Eijirou said, standing and helping Izuku to his feet.

“It was a race,” Sero snapped. “You dunked us in a lake.”

“All’s fair in love and war?” Izuku attempted with a shrug and guilty smile. Mina looked ready to lunge at them as Eijirou slung an arm over Izuku’s shoulder’s, dragging him away from the wet pair.

“Would love to stay and debate rules, but I can feel Katsuki’s rage all the way from here, so we’d better get going! Later!” he called back, purposefully ignoring Mina’s scream of You can feel his rage from ANYWHERE you’re literally bonded you -

The two of them escaped from the enraged dragon to face their enraged king instead, their laughter slowly dying off as they wiped tears from their eyes. They took their time walking the halls, Eijirou’s arm still warm and comforting on Izuku’s shoulders. He really would never be able to properly express his gratitude to the dragon for his friendship. The way that Katsuki’s entire court had welcomed him was an amazing thing, but Eijirou treated him with a familiarity that made the place really feel like home.

When they finally shoved open the doors to Katsuki’s office, Eijirou frowned, the joy seeping out his body. To Izuku’s surprise, the dragon immediately strode into the room with his body tense, standing by Katsuki’s side where the king was seated behind his desk. Two sets of angry red eyes glared at the other bodies in the room: two men, one with purple hair and matching eyes, and the other blonde with bright blue.

“Shinso. Monoma. You’re back,” Eijirou said, crossing his arms.

Oh. Oh!

“You’re Shinso?!” Izuku said with a bright smile. He approached him, ignoring the highly suspicious glare that the dragonborn was giving him. “I’m Izuku Midoriya, it’s good to meet you!”

“Deku,” Kacchan growled, “Shut the fuck up.”

Hitoshi scowled at Kacchan. “You call him useless?”

“No, it's my guardian title,” Izuku said.

“No , shit head, I am calling you useless!” Kacchan snapped, getting to his feet.

Surprised purple eyes turned back to Izuku. “You’re the new guardian?” he asked.

“I am.”

“So you endorse Bakugo?”

That question caught Izuku off-guard. “Uh, I guess?”

“Then I have nothing to say to you.”

Hitoshi’s dragon gave Izuku a haughty smirk before both men turned their attention back to Kacchan. As they continued whatever conversation they’d been having - something about Shigaraki - Izuku found himself struggling to focus on their words. He’d become so accepted among the dragonborn in the palace, the sudden disrespect caught him off guard.

“Hey!”

Four sets of eyes were staring at Izuku before he even realized he’d spoken.

Well, no turning back now.

“Look, I know that Kacchan can be a real asshole.”

Hitoshi raised an eyebrow. “Kacchan?”

Kacchan groaned. “Deku, what are you doing.”

“He’s arrogant, and rude, and - ”

“Deku !”

“ - and mean, but he cares and he’s smart! He may not be good at showing it, but Kacchan will always do what’s best for his people. So, yes, I support him!”

Kacchan dropped his face in his hands, grumbling something under his breath. Hitoshi, however, was focused on Izuku, eyes searching. A dull ache started to grow in Izuku’s head, before suddenly it was gone and Hitoshi smirked.

“Very well,” he said. “If you say so.”

Kacchan groaned. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

Izuku had a feeling that Hitoshi had done more than just look at him, but decided against picking a fight now as the smirk left the dragonborn’s face. He turned back to Katsuki to give his report, which turned out to be a sobering one. Tomura’s army was growing fast, and were already on the move. A group of them had left the mountains and were heading north, towards dragonborn territory. It was a small team, but it was certainly enough to do some real damage if they caught the southern villages unawares.

“We have to cut them off,” Izuku said, face hard.

“No shit,” Kacchan said. “Shinso, based on what you saw, how much of a force do we need?”

“Two dragon and rider pairs, at least.”

“That many?” Eijirou asked, raising an eyebrow. “From the way you described them it sounded like one dragon should be able to burn ‘em up.”

“They’re using stealth,” Shinso said, somehow dripping disdain into his otherwise bored tone. “As in, keeping cover in the trees. You’ll have to shift to fight, unless you plan to set the entire forest on fire.”

Eijirou looked ready to snap, a rare sight on the usually amicable dragon, when Izuku cut in. “It doesn’t sound like we have any time to waste. I’m going, obviously. Ashido and Sero should come too. Then Shinso and Monoma?”

Kacchan shook his head, getting to his feet. “I need Ashido and Sero here to handle things while we’re gone. With these two assholes,” he gestured to Shinso and Monoma, “then Eijirou and I, that should be enough to cut them off.”

“What?” Izuku asked, taken aback. “You and Eijirou?”

“Yes,” Kacchan said, his voice tense with a clear warning. “Why wouldn’t we?”

“Because you’re the king?”

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“This is a quick mission,” Izuku’s voice was rising, shifting into frustration. “And it’s our first real confrontation with them. We don’t know exactly what we’re getting into. You don’t need to put yourself at risk for this.”

A loud explosion burst as Kacchan slammed his fist down on his desk. Hitoshi and Neito made a hasty exit from the room, saying they’d meet them at the landing once they were ready. But Kacchan and Izuku hardly noticed, red and green eyes were locked in a war of their own.

“Never,” Kacchan growled, “Disrespect me like that again.”

“I’m not disrespecting you, I’m trying to protect you.”

“Midoriya,” Eijirou said softly, getting between them to firmly grip Izuku’s shoulders. “I know you mean well, but that’s not how we dragons do things.”

“But, Kirishima - ”

“No.” Eijirou gave his shoulders a squeeze. “This is expected of him. Katsuki has to go.”

Izuku searched Eijirou’s face for any sign of weakness, any give that he might have for Izuku’s concern, but the human found none. In a moment of rage that surprised even himself, he shoved Eijirou’s hands off and stormed out of the room.

The tension was palpable when they left the palace. Hitoshi, seemingly pleased by Deku’s outburst, had offered for the guardian to ride with him and Neito, which he readily accepted. Katsuki, meanwhile, was doing everything in his power to remain undistracted. On top of his own emotions, Eijirou’s were swarming as well. It was rare that Katsuki was on the receiving end of such a negative storm, but the disagreement with Deku seemed to have thrown him off. Hurt, frustration, betrayal, annoyance, and impatience all flooded Katsuki on top of his own bitter spite.

His mind drifted back to Deku’s witch friend, and the warning she’d granted him before she left. Deku had always been disobedient, and strangely protective for a boy so weak. Now that he was strong, those traits that used to annoy Katsuki now made Deku a true threat.

It was dark by the time they reached the edge of the forest. The dragons swooped down and landed gently by the treeline, shifting form and gathering once all the riders had dismounted. Katsuki checked to make sure everyone was there, his eyebrows raising once his eyes landed on his guardian. Hitoshi was smiling - actually smiling - at the human, seemingly enraptured by something Deku was saying. Deku’s hands were waving around, his whispered voice clearly speaking at incredible speeds, pausing every once a while to allow Hitoshi to give him a short, amused answer.

“How does everyone like him? He’s infuriating!” Katsuki hissed to Eijirou.

“He’s easy to feed off of,” Eijirou said. The melancholy of his voice muted Katsuki’s anger, and he realized the dragon was left with only a dull sadness. “His light, his determination, his energy. It’s funny. He told me that all he wanted was your respect, but I’m starting to wonder if he actually respects anyone himself.”

That thought brought Katsuki to silence as the other three approached, awaiting his next instructions. As much as he’d love to spend more time hearing Eijirou say even moderately negative things about Deku, they were here on a mission. His personal problems were going to have to wait.

Katsuki went over the plan with them again before putting it into motion. It started with Hitoshi reaching out with his power, a mental ability that was strange even by dragonborn standards, to locate their enemy in the forest. Once they had a location, they slipped among the trees, and prepared to strike.

The creature in front of him let out a piercing scream as Katsuki’s blade cut through it. They had hoped to catch the necromancers unawares, but unfortunately it seemed like their unnatural creations didn’t have a need for sleep. There was no consistency to the beasts, other than the fact they were humanoid and had patchwork skin. It looked like the necromancers had taken the bodies of all types and sewn them together into the strange almost-living things. They called them “Nomus”, and it was a small blessing that they could still be killed, even if it took more effort than normal.

There were more of them than expected, and although Katsuki and his team were clearly taking the day, he could feel his own exhaustion and see it in his companions. They were slowing down, and that was dangerous. That’s when mistakes happen. But it seemed like the enemy was sensing their own defeat as well.

“Retreat!”

The low hiss of the necromancer’s voice filled the area. Katsuki swore, unable to pinpoint where it was coming from. The enemy survivors slipped back into the shadows of the woods, their spellcasters summoning a dark cloud to hide their retreat.

“Hold back!” Katsuki yelled, looking around to make sure the others heard. Sure enough, it took only seconds for the dragons and dragonborn to gather around him. The mission for now was only to protect their southern border, and they’d succeeded at that. Not to mention he’d never seen magic like that cloud before. Who knew what lurked inside of it? “We need to regroup, and then tomorrow we can - ”

The ground shook when Deku landed beside him suddenly, green lightning still flashing across his skin. “They’re getting away,” he said, eyes wild. “I’m going after them.”

“Don’t you FUCKING DARE - ” Katsuki yelled, but it was too late. Deku’s skin flashed red under the never-ending sparks and he was gone, disappearing into the necromancer’s black cloud. He moved to chase after him, but arms solid as rock wrapped themselves around him.

“Let me go, Ei! The dumbass is gonna get himself killed!”

“He made his choice, Katsuki! There’s no reason for you to go too!”

“IZUKU!”

The strange black fog that now engulfed Izuku muted his senses. He suspected it messed with his head too, since he could have sworn he heard Kacchan yelling his name. His real name. And that wasn’t possible.

Taking a deep breath, and praying that the cloud wasn’t poisonous, Izuku closed his eyes. He hadn’t shared this with anyone but Ochako, but the enhancement ability of his gift extended to his senses as well when he focused. He did that now, grateful for his mentor’s advice to keep some abilities of the guardian a secret. It meant his enemy had no idea that he could hear them shifting in their makeshift cover. They didn’t realize he could feel the Nomus’ vibrations through the ground, or smell their dead flesh. They were circling him, preparing to ambush the lone fighter.

Izuku braced himself.

Katsuki paced back and forth, restless in the small clearing where they’d stopped to rest. The cloud had dispersed quickly after Deku had run into it, leaving no trace behind of either the guardian or their enemies, and any attempt to search the nearby areas had come up blank.

“Get some rest, your majesty,” Hitoshi drawled, the honorific dripping with sarcasm. “You won’t do Midoriya any good exhausted.”

“What good are your fucking powers if you can’t sense him?” Katsuki snapped, halting his pacing to glare at the other dragonborn.

“C’mon, Katsuki. It’s not Shinso’s fault,” Eijirou said.

They’d tried everything. Neito had copied Hitoshi’s ability, and the two had split up. With Hitoshi on Eijirou and Neito flying on his own, they’d scouted the area and still come up with no sign of their guardian or any of the remaining necromancers or Nomu. Katsuki had insisted they wait and keep looking, but with every hour that passed, even he knew it was growing more and more futile.

“Get up, Ei,” Katsuki said. “We’re doing another search.”

Eijirou sighed, but knew better than to argue. “Let me go to the stream first, then we’ll fly,” he said, walking slowly into the treeline towards the nearby running water. Katsuki’s pacing picked up again as he waited, but then he felt something - a sharp, sudden emotion coming from Eijirou. Then the yelling.

“KATSUKI! HE’S HERE!”

Katsuki couldn’t remember making the decision to move, or how far he ran. It felt like he blinked, and suddenly he was breathing hard, staring at the sight of an exhausted but very much alive Deku. The human was on his feet leaning against a tree for support, and had the gall to have a sheepish smile on his face. Eijirou hovered next to him, anxiety written across his face, clearly ready to catch Deku should he fall.

“Hi, Kacchan.”

Before Katsuki’s brain could catch up with his emotions, Eijirou was grabbing Deku by the shoulders and shaking him.

“So not manly!” he yelled. “You just vanished! What were you thinking?!”

“I’m your guardian,” Deku said, looking agitated. “I’m supposed to guard you. I got them all, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“You could have died!”

“So? It’s my job to protect you!”

“Your job isn’t to die for us!” There was an ache in Eijirou’s voice now, and Katsuki could feel his desperation to be understood. “You know that, right Midoriya?”

“I’m human!” Deku yelled, pulling himself out of Eijirou’s grip. “I don’t have a dragon bond, or natural powers, or a family legacy. But All Might still chose me. And now I have to live up to that!”

“By throwing your life away?!”

“By being useful!”

Oh.

Deku’s words sent the same heartbreak through Eijirou and Katsuki’s chests, but the king felt a sharp guilt at the same time. There were tears starting to form in the guardian’s eyes which he hastily tried to wipe away.

“I was trying to help you. I thought you’d be glad,” he said softly. Katsuki could tell Eijriou was fumbling, wanting to reach out but unsure if he was welcome to.

“Hey, Ei,” Katsuki said, never taking his eyes off Deku. “Give us a minute. Please?”

Eijirou’s eyes widened slightly at the last word, but he nodded and gave each of them one last worried look before making his way back to the others, who he was sure would have a thousand questions of their own. Katsuki was silently grateful that no one had followed him out here.

Deku shifted, uncomfortable under his stare, and refused to meet his eyes. Katsuki took the chance to take in his appearance. There seemed to be minor cuts and bruises where Katsuki could see, but nothing appeared serious. The splatters of blood that stained his clothes didn’t seem to be coming from him, but he was swaying slightly on his feet. He had an arm wrapped around his middle, holding himself.

Katsuki had to admit, it was impressive. He’d seen the retreating force, and taking them all on was no easy task. There was a reason he had been so worried. But here Deku stood, exhausted and battered, but alive and moving. It was incredible. And it was terrifying.

It has been hard ever since the human showed up, trying to reconcile the idea of the fragile kid he’d known with the powerful man before him. And to realize, or even accept, how much his own treatment of Deku might have shaped who he became. He imagined Deku might have the same problems understanding him. And they both seemed to have issues letting their pride get in the way. But they had a war to fight, and they were running out of time to figure it out.

"You can't just keep running headfirst into battles," Katsuki said, his tone carefully even.

But Deku only shrugged. "I can, as long as I keep winning them."

"Why?” Katsuki clenched his jaw in an attempt to control his growing temper. “Why can't you just do what I tell you to?"

"Because I'm going to win every fight,” Deku said, pulling himself up with a wince to stand up straight. “All Might was the Symbol of Peace. But I'll be the Symbol of Victory."

"What ? Why victory?"

"You told me to never forget what you said, Kacchan,” and Deku wasn’t looking away anymore. He had Katsuki fixed in a stare so intense that it stole the king’s breath away. “That day we fought, before you walked out of my life. So I didn’t. Whenever I thought of winning, you were the image that came to mind. That's what I worked towards. But I'm not playing catch up anymore. I'm your equal now."

Katsuki was speechless. Deku, beaten and bloody. Deku, fresh off his victory. Deku, staring down a king, and declaring himself an equal. And all Deku’s pride and stubbornness and selflessness inspired a feeling in Katsuki that no one else did.

Fear.

“You’re a better person than I am,” Katsuki said, and that was enough to sap the fight right out of the guardian. He went slack jawed, staring at Katsuki in shock.

“You’ve always been a threat to me. From the moment I was born, I had so much to live up to. I beat you down because I thought, if I wasn’t better than even you, a powerless human, then I was nothing. You shone, Deku, even then. And I tried to snuff out that light. I thought I only had value if people needed me. And you? You did everything in your power to help me instead.”

Katsuki stepped forward slowly until he was directly in front of him. Deku’s eyes never left his face, wide and full of wonder like they used to be when they were kids. It sent a thrill through Katsuki that was entirely inappropriate for their current situation. But, fuck, did he miss that look. That admiration.

It gave him the courage to continue.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I made you think that destroying yourself was the only way you were worth anything. I want you to stand by my side. But I need you to trust me. I need to be able to trust you. Can we do that, Izuku?”

That seemed to snap him out of whatever spell he was under. The dam broke, and Deku’s tears flooded down his face. He went to lean back against the tree but Katsuki caught him, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him flush against him instead. Deku returned his hold, clinging desperately to the shirt at Katsuki’s back as he cried into his chest.

He didn’t know how long they stood like that, Katsuki hiding his own tears in Deku’s hair, but eventually Deku’s sobs turned into sniffles and he pulled away, rubbing his face on his sleeves.

“Fuckin’ gross.”

“Kacchan!” Deku looked up at him, eyes wide and shining and hurt, but Katsuki was grinning, already reaching out to cup his face and wipe his cheeks with his thumbs.

“We’re both pretty fucked up, aren’t we?” Deku managed in a shaky voice, the hint of a smile pulling at his lips.

Katsuki snorted. “Speak for yourself.”

Deku laughed, and despite how strained it was, it was music to Katsuki’s ears.

Once they made it back to the group, Izuku knew the first thing he had to do. He asked Eijirou if they could talk, and the dragon quickly agreed, even offering Izuku a reassuring smile as he did. The two stepped away from the others, and before Izuku could even begin, Eijirou was already talking.

“Are you all right?” he asked, anxious scanning Izuku’s body, lingering on the larger blood stains on his shirt.

“Huh? Oh. Oh! I’m fine, Kirishima, really. You don’t have to worry about me,” Izuku said. The skeptical look on Eijirou’s face made him flinch. “Right, about that. I wanted to apologize.” Eijirou looked ready to interrupt, but Izuku pressed on.

“No, please let me! Kacchan and I have our problems, but I should never have let you get caught in the middle of it. I didn’t think about your feelings, and I’m sorry. You’ve been an amazing friend to me, and I didn’t treat you the same. I’m sorry, Kirishima. I’m going to do better.”

Eijirou didn’t hesitate to pull Izuku into a tight hug, causing the smaller man to wheeze at the constriction and the pain. He dropped Izuku as quickly as he’d grabbed him, grinning apologetically as Izuku took a deep breath and steadied himself.

“Thanks for saying all that,” he said. “I appreciate it. And I forgive you. Like you said, I’m your friend now. So don’t be afraid to count on me!”

Izuku cried for the second time that day, and Eijirou came in for a much more gentle hug. It wasn’t long later that their group was making the return trip home. As much as Izuku wanted to ride with Eijirou, always feeling most comfortable on the familiar red dragon, he didn’t want to impose so quickly after upsetting him. So he opted to ride back with Hitoshi and Neito.

They all dispersed the moment they landed, needed varying levels of rest and self-care. Izuku himself would have been happy to go straight to sleep, but went to the castle healer instead after some hard looks from Kacchan and Eijirou. After getting checked over and given some salve for his various cuts, he finally did make it back to his quarters, barely managing to wash himself before collapsing in bed. Although he knew war was waiting for them in the near future, he couldn’t help but feel catharsis from his conversation with Kacchan, and hope for the future as well.

Chapter Text

Attempting to balance the tray of food on his hip without spilling, Katsuki raised his newly freed hand to knock on the door. He let a moment of silence pass before knocking again, harsher this time.

“Open up, nerd! You can’t sleep all day!”

This time he heard shuffling behind the door before it opened to a sight that had Katsuki’s breath catching in his throat. Deku leaned against the door frame, eyes half closed as he yawned widely. He clearly hadn’t managed to get a clean shirt on before passing out the night before, wearing only a loose pair of pants that hung low on his hips.

Katsuki couldn’t help but stare. The dragons and dragonborn were comfortable with nudity. Between the public baths, constantly transforming dragons and traditionally more revealing clothing, a bare torso really didn’t mean much. But this was Deku. Self-conscious of his scars, he tended to cling to the human style of dress, covering as much as he could at all times. But now, standing here in the light of day, Katsuki got a full view of the defined lines of Deku’s muscles, and the scars that crossed over his skin.

He wanted to run his tongue along all of them.

“Kacchan?” Deku said, stretching his arms up and wow that was not helping Katsuki focus.

He shoved past Deku into the room, setting the tray of food down on the table. “It’s past noon,” he grunted. “You need to eat.”

“Ah, thank you!”

Deku moved past Katsuki to sit down on the couch, wincing as he did so. Now that he wasn’t blind-sided by the sudden view, Katsuki noticed the fresher cuts that marred his skin. Some were reopening with his movements, bleeding just slightly. It was nothing dangerous, but it couldn’t be comfortable.

“Oi, didn’t you go to the healers last night?” he asked with narrowed eyes.

Deku glanced down at himself and blushed, as if he just realized he was shirtless. “Oh, no, I did, I swear! They gave me some salve for the cuts, but I kinda, fell asleep?” he explained with a nervous laugh.

Katsuki glanced over to the nightstand by the bed, where a vial sat filled with the liquid. He went to grab it, moving back to Deku who was watching him warily from the couch. Without warning, Katsuki slipped behind Deku on the couch, sitting down so that the human was between his legs. He felt Deku stiffen, frozen on the spot.

“Just eat,” Katsuki said, glad that Deku couldn’t see his own blush. “I’ll put it on you.”

“O - Okay…” Deku stammered, leaning forward both to grab the food and to put some space between him and Katsuki. The blonde opened the vial quickly before he could change his mind, and spread it on his fingers before starting to gently apply it to Deku’s cuts. The human winced at the contact at first, but Katsuki kept going, and eventually he began to relax under the king’s hands. The food was all but forgotten as he dropped his head and sighed, muscles loosening.

“Hey, Kacchan?”

“Hm?”

“You know you don’t owe me anything, right?”

Katsuki paused and Deku shifted until he was sitting next to him on the couch and turned to face him. Green eyes were determined as he fixed Katsuki in his stare.

“Of course not,” Katsuki grumbled, looking away. “Why would I?”

“You haven’t cursed at me once this entire conversation,” he said firmly. “And you haven’t called me Deku at all since the battle. Not to mention this?”

“What, I can’t be nice?!”

Deku crossed his arms, glaring slightly but saying nothing. Katsuki rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he huffed, still avoiding Deku's stare.

"Look, I know I'm an asshole. And I know it fucked you up. So I'm just trying to do better, all right?" he said.

Katsuki risked a glance at Deku's face, and was surprised to find a bright grin there. "Kacchan ! That's… really amazing. Yeah, you could stand to be a little nicer, but I still want you to be yourself. There's a middle ground in there somewhere, I'm sure."

"Fuckin' embarassing," Katsuki grumbled. It caused Deku to laugh, much lighter this time, and even Katsuki couldn't resist a small smile in response. When Deku stood to walk away, Katsuki found himself reaching out to grab his wrist.

"I'm not done yet," he said, gesturing to the still half-full vial of salve. "Gotta get your front."

"Oh, you don’t have to - "

"I want to, so sit the fuck down," Katsuki glared, yanking him back to the couch. "Stay still, Deku."

A deep blush spread from Deku's cheeks all the way down his neck, and Katsuki couldn't resist smirking as he began to tend to the cuts on the front of his torso. Even having seen the definition of his body, Katsuki couldn't help his surprise at how solid Deku felt under his hands. Part of him still saw the human as soft, and somehow each bit of proof that he wasn’t still managed to catch Katsuki off guard.

"This isn’t a good idea," Deku muttered.

Katsuki paused. "And why the fuck not?"

"I know you mean well,” he said, reaching up to gently hold Katsuki’s hands and pull them away from his body. “But you also asked for time, and I want to respect that. But it’s not easy for me when we’re together like this.”

The smile that he gave Katsuki was soft and sad but still so damn sincere. It almost had the blonde forgetting why they needed space in the first place, why they weren't kissing each other right now.

Almost.

"Yeah," he grunted. "Sorry."

Pulling away, Katsuki told Deku that he'd meet him whenever he was ready and made a hasty exit from the room. He knew he'd done the right thing. Deku had been right before. If they were going to do anything, they needed to talk first. And with the fight looming ahead of them, there was no time for that now. And Deku understood that. Deku was supporting him.

His chest grew tighter with every step that took him further away. He couldn't help but feel like he had just missed an opportunity. What if something went wrong in the upcoming battle? What if they didn't have a chance to be alone afterwards?

What if Deku just… moved on?

That thought hit Katsuki like an arrow, stopping his steps and his breath. And suddenly he realized, he couldn't live with that. He couldn't exist in a world where he wasn't the center of Deku's attention.

Because somewhere along the way, Deku had become the center of his.

Katsuki used to believe that he was the sun, and Deku just revolved around him. But that wasn't true. They'd always been twin stars, circling each other. Eventually they would have to come together, or drift apart. And Katsuki was now confident which one he wanted.

But now wasn't the time.

He made his way to the war room with renewed purpose, now with even more reason to prove himself and get them all to the other side of the war.

Wait for me, Deku.

Sitting here in the dragonborn war room, the gravity of their situation was sinking in. Now that there was no longer a need for subtlety, they were able to utilize the larger meeting space with maps and charts lining the walls. With all of the king's advisors and generals gathered together, they finalized their plan.

They would meet the enemy in the open plains, where their dragons would be more effective. Word had already been sent to the village on the forest border to evacuate, and either find refuge with the nearby humans or make their way to the capital for shelter. They'd also reached out to the scattered clans to have warriors sent to increase their numbers.

Izuku revealed that Shoto would be attempting to reason with his father, and should that fail, then overthrow him. Best case scenario, it works and the Yuuei army comes to support them. 

Worst case, well, they would have two armies to fight.

With the meeting over, Izuku glanced at Kacchan who gave him a nod, and with a grin Izuku hastily made his way out of the room. He knew that they were getting short on time, and there was still a lot of work to be done, but there was someone Izuku wanted to see before they left.

Making his way into the city, he greeted everyone with a smile as he made his way to a small home just at the edge of the market. A large amount of potted plants were scattered in front of the house, and Izuku knew that a well-cared for garden laid out back.

"Mom, I'm here!" he called, opening the front door without knocking.

"Hi, sweetie! I’m in the kitchen,” a warm voice called back to him.

Izuku made his way through the small living room into the kitchen, following the smell of his mother’s cooking. The two spent the rest of the afternoon together in pleasant conversation, their laughter filling the corners of the house. It reminded Izuku of his years living at home, and their small place in Yuuei.

He’d been worried initially about his mom’s happiness here in the capitol. It was a frightening thing, a small group of dragonborn showing up at your door and announcing that for your safety you were being moved. But once she’d arrived and settled in, Inko had assured her son that she was happy for the chance to be near him again. And her gifts as an herbalist along with her warm personality had made her popular in the quickly growing town.

As the sun started to set outside, Izuku fidgeted nervously in his seat, eyes fixed on the table. “So, uh, I’m leaving the city soon, and I’m gonna be gone for a while, but you don’t need to worry! Everything is going to be fine, it’s just really important that I do this, and I’m really strong now, and it’s not like I’ll be going alone, so - ”

“Izuku.” His mother’s voice was gentle but firm, and he anxiously glanced up to look at her. Even knowing how far he’d come, being with her always managed to make him feel like a kid again.

“I know about the war. I’m not so naive as to think you wouldn’t be fighting in it,” she said, pulling her chair next to her son’s and reaching out to hold his hands. “You were always such a small, sweet boy. I tried so hard to keep you home. Keep you safe. But you never did listen to me.” Their eyes met, exactly the same in every way, right down to the tears they both now had. “You kept leaving anyway. And now you’ve grown so strong. Honey, I’m so proud of you.”

The two hugged and cried until well after the sun had dipped below the horizon. Izuku left that night with a lighter heart, despite the redness in his eyes, and he couldn’t help his smile as he returned to the castle.

The entire next day was spent preparing for their departure. In all the chaos, Izuku was able to easily set aside all his personal fears and hurts and focus on the mission at hand. Kacchan and Aizawa had the big picture task of organizing their troops and supplies, and they’d given Izuku the seemingly ridiculous task of being seen. He spent the day with a bright smile and laugh, scurrying around the different preparations and helping with the small things wherever he could. Cleaning weapons, moving horses, lifting heavy things with comical ease. His job for the day was to boost morale.

It felt silly, but even Izuku couldn’t deny the impact he saw as he made his rounds. Toshinori had warned him about this. He’d told him that his role as a symbol was just as if not more important than his prowess in battle. But still, Izuku’s fingers itched for his maps and notes, wanting to spend his time reviewing their plans instead.

He barely had time to pack his own belongings that night, and then the next morning they were leaving before the sun had fully risen. Izuku had learned that while all dragonborn are physically capable of it, to actually bond with a dragon was a great honor and challenge that not many managed. This meant the majority of their force was either on foot or horseback, and so the dragons stayed in their human forms to travel at their pace.

A force that size would normally be painstakingly slow, but thankfully the dragonborn were a traditionally nomadic people. Despite their numbers, they were able to maintain a steady pace as they headed south. Each night they made temporary camp, and each morning they were once again on the move.

He spent his days apart from Kacchan and his court, making an effort to stay among the soldiers, but at night they would all come together to debrief before catching their few hours of sleep. This night was different though. Their scouts had returned with a visual on Shigaraki’s force, and it looked like they would be encountering them late tomorrow. So they gathered around a map laid out of the ground, illuminated only by the light of their campfire, and made sure everything was in place for the upcoming battle. 

“Be careful if you see a black mist on the battlefield,” Izuku told them. “Spread the word to your troops. It’s a person who has the ability to teleport whatever is in his mist, and the only way to stop him is to find his body.”

Eijirou furrowed his brows. “Didn’t you kill him when you fought him last time?” he asked. “You said you took out everyone in the mist before you came back.”

“Yeah, I did. But that wasn’t the first time I’d killed him. So I doubt it’ll be the last.”

The only sound for a few, tense moments was the crackling of the fire as the information settled on the group. Lowly Izuku heard someone curse fucking necromancers, but he wasn’t sure who said it. He kept his eyes fixed on the flames and his hands clenched together as the usual rage he felt at the thought of them boiled over, making him shake, his jaw clench - 

Until a rough hand gently landed on top of his own. The pressure snapped Izuku out of his thoughts and he followed that hand up to meet red eyes, narrowed in concern. Izuku gave Kacchan a weak smile before closing his eyes and taking steadying breaths. He heard the discussion continue around him as they finalized their strategy, but Kacchan’s hand never left his. The weight kept him grounded until the conversation turned to jokes and casual chatter, and Izuku took the chance to swiftly dismiss himself and make his way back to his own tent. He was barely inside when he heard the tent flap open again, and turned to see Kacchan entering behind him.

“Sorry ‘bout that,” Izuku said with a tight smile. “I’ll be good for tomorrow, don’t worry.”

“Not worried,” Kacchan grunted, crossing his arms. “Not about that, anyway.”

“Ah.”

Izuku shifted his weight, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly when Kacchan didn’t respond. He stood there, blocking the entrance, narrowed eyes staring at Izuku with an intensity that caused his face to heat up.

“So, um, if there’s nothing I can do for you, should I just - ?”

“We can’t be distracted. Tomorrow is too important.”

"I know! Kacchan, I know," Izuku said quickly, waving his hands in front of him. “I won’t let you down, I swear!”

"Let me finish. This war is coming and we need to focus on it. Together. I need you with me if we're gonna win this."

"Of course! I understand - "

“Holy shit!” Kacchan stepped forward and grabbed Izuku’s face, squishing his cheeks until he couldn't talk. "I want you! I want you, okay? I want us. But you were right, we need to talk about this shit, and we don't have the time to do it properly right now. But I need you to know.”

Izuku’s vision blurred and, oh - was he crying?

“What do you mean?” he asked, sniffling but refusing to look away from the fire in Kacchan’s eyes. It was a fire that consumed him from the inside out in a way he loved, a way he refused to pull away from if it was being offered.

“What do I - ? Ugh, stupid Deku!”

Kacchan smashed their lips together in what was easily the least appealing kiss they’d had to date, between the King’s frustrations and Izuku’s tears, but Izuku wasn’t sure he’d ever been happier. He wrapped his arm around Kacchan’s slim waist and pulled him in, their hips pressed against each other as Kacchan’s hands slid into his hair, pulling to adjust their angle. Izuku whimpered as Kacchan bit down on his lip, and he dug his nails into the dragonborn’s back in return. Both felt thrill at the pain because it told them this was real.

“Stay,” Izuku panted as Kacchan left his lips to kiss and bite down his neck. “With me. Tonight. Please, Katsuki.”

“We shouldn’t,” he grunted while simultaneously pushing Izuku back towards his cot. “Should wait, and talk.”

“Fuck that!” he snarled. Grabbing Kacchan by the shoulders, he flipped them around and shoved the blonde back onto his furs. The shock and pleasure on Kacchan’s face gave Izuku a surge of confidence as he climbed on top of him. “I love you, Kacchan. If you’re saying that you - if you’re saying what I think you’re saying - then give me tonight. We can talk after the battle.”

“Yeah,” Kacchan said. “Yeah. I do, by the way. You. Feel the same.”

Izuku could feel the grin splitting his face as he looked down at the man he’d admired his entire life, who looked up at him with a wonder that had only ever gone one way. Breathlessly, Izuku said, “I know,” before leaning back down for another passionate kiss.

Chapter Text

Izuku panted heavily as green lightning flickered in and out of existence around him. As far as he could see, bodies clashed in combat, and his ears were filled with the sounds of war. Metal clashing. Yelling. A dragon’s roar. A necromancer’s chant.

And, above it all, the clear cry of King Katsuki’s commands, magically enhanced to carry across the field.

The guardian had to resist the urge to spend the battle by Kacchan’s side. He was needed elsewhere. And besides, Eijirou was watching the king’s back. This was the strategy. This was for the best.

That didn’t make it any easier.

But then again, none of this was easy. Izuku’s body and mind were both exhausted. It was as if they’d been fighting for hours, but judging by the setting sun, it hadn’t even been one. Shigaraki’s army was larger than they’d expected. His necromancers had been busy at work finding bodies, not just in the smaller villages, but in the slums of the larger cities. People that had gone missing without any official notice. The chaos of the battle field also limited the damage that the dragons could do without hurting their own. Most had opted for their human forms, where their extra strength and stamina could be channeled more directly.

The dragonborn refused to lose. They couldn’t lose. Too much hung in the balance. But even so, despite all their determination and ferocity, even Izuku had to admit things looked bleak against the seemingly endless tides of undead. Just when he started to think he’d have to do something reckless, even by his standards, a loud horn sounded from a hilltop nearby.

Izuku took the moment to spare a glance and was greeted with the sight of Yuuei’s war flag billowing over the kingdom’s fully equipped army. For a moment, his heart was caught in his throat and the world around him stilled.

Who was leading? Was it Enji, or Shoto?

“Arise, Riders of Yuuei!”

For a brief moment it looked like an avalanche cascading down the hill, the light of the setting sun glinting white off their armor. Izuku’s breath caught in his throat, searching, hoping, praying - 

And sure enough, a flash of red and white at the front of the formation had his heart beating wildly in his chest. Izuku couldn’t resist. He grinned and whooped, flaring out in a massive flash of green and red as he tore through the enemy with renewed vigor. He could hear the cheers around him, the guttural battle cry of warriors catching their second wind.

The war wasn’t over, not by a long shot, but victory felt closer than ever before.

Katsuki was exhausted. They had won the battle, but it wasn’t the end of the military campaign. The dragonborn weren’t used to this type of extended conflict, normally operating in quick and brutal fights. But the enemy continued to retreat further into the dark shadow of the mountain, and they all knew it would be foolish not to finish them off now.

The large push into Shigaraki’s stronghold lasted two weeks, and in that time Izuku and Katsuki didn’t share a bed. They didn’t talk about their relationship. They were focused, working now with the backing of Yuuei to ensure this threat never rose again. In the end, Shigaraki forces were defeated, but he managed to escape with his general of black mist. Shoto and Katsuki returned to their respective thrones, while Izuku stayed to hunt down the necromancer himself.

It was torture for Katsuki.

He hated the idea of returning to the capitol when the fight wasn’t finished, but he couldn’t leave his people kingless while he chased ghosts.

So instead, Katsuki and Deku stood, awkwardly staring at each other as the dragonborn packed up camp around them. The king was bursting with things he wanted to say, and he could practically hear the gears turning in Deku’s head, but neither of them wanted an audience for this. And Deku couldn’t waste any more time. He and Deku eventually clasped their hands in a firm grip filled with promise before his guardian left with Sero and Mina by his side.

The first few weeks back were hectic. Katsuki kept himself busy trying to rebuild after the conflict. Weapons had to be restocked, food stores replenished, and the dead honored. But as things settled down, he became more and more restless. It didn’t help that he also had to feel all of Eijirou’s worry and longing. He couldn’t remember the last time his dragon had been separated from Mina like this.

Three months passed without any word from Deku or the others. Until one day, when their stress had reached its breaking point, the castle came alive with the sighting of a pink dragon flying in from the north. Katsuki and Eijirou sprinted just in time to see Mina landing in the mountain’s large opening. On her back, Sero, seemingly unharmed. Sitting in front of him, held securely in Sero’s arms, was Deku. He was covered in hastily wrapped bandages, slumped against Sero’s chest, but he had a grin on his face as he waved weakly at the quickly growing crowd.

Katsuki felt too much all at once. His relief mixed in with Eijirou. Eijirou’s joy with his trepidation. Eijirou was sprinting forward, scooping Mina up the second she was in human form, kissing her, laughing, happy - 

Meanwhile, Deku had one arm around Sero’s shoulders and another around Hitoshi’s. The crowd roared their approval as they made a path for Deku to limp through, clearly on his way to medical. And Katsuki could only stand and watch, suddenly so unsure of himself. He and Deku had left things so uncertain. Should he approach him? Wait for Deku to come to him? Grab him and kiss him right there, in front of everyone?

What if Deku had changed his mind?

Before he knew it, Deku was gone and the crowd dispersed. Eijirou had left with Mina, and Katsuki was left wondering what the fuck he was supposed to do now.

“So that’s it? It’s done?”

Izuku tried to give Denki a smile, but his exhaustion was bone-deep, and all he wanted to do was sleep.

“Yeah, it’s done,” he said, yawning as the healer finished applying the new wraps to his aching torso.

“I can’t believe it. You realize you’re a hero, right Midoriya?” Denki gave him a wide grin. “You’re going to become a legend!”

Izuku couldn’t stop his blush as he muttered, “I just want to help.”

Denki rolled his eyes. “Of course you do. What did Katsuki say? I’m guessing he’s pissed he wasn’t able to do it himself.”

Suddenly the weariness felt even heavier. Izuku’s shoulders slumped as his eyes dropped to the ground. “Kacchan hasn’t been by,” he said quietly.

“Oh.” And awkward silence stretched before Denki forced a laugh, saying, “I’m sure he’s just busy! You’re his guardian, he can’t avoid you forever.” Izuku’s eyes shot up to Denki’s face and the witch became flustered. “Not that he’s avoiding you, because that would be ridiculous. Right? He’s got no reason to do that!”

Izuku stood with a sigh, carefully putting his weight on throbbing legs. “I could really use some sleep. I think I’m gonna go and rest.”

Denki seemed relieved and gave Izuku a small smile. “Good idea. Here, let me help you back to your room.”

Izuku didn’t see Kacchan for the rest of the day. Or the next day. Or the day after. The streets of the city were bustling with an impromptu festival to celebrate a new era of peace, and Izuku was directed to Aizawa to give his full report. It was on Izuku’s fourth day back that he got sick waiting and made a point to hunt down Kacchan. He brushed past the guards that tried to insist that the king requested no interruptions and entered the other man’s office. The hurt from being ignored for days was festering in his chest and he shot a hard glare at Kacchan the moment he entered.

“What the fuck, Kacchan?”

“Seriously?” The dragonborn scowled at him standing and moving around the desk until he was an arm’s length away from Izuku. “All that time apart, and that’s what you want to say to me?”

“All that time apart, and you’re avoiding me!”

Izuku could see Kacchan’s jaw muscles twitching, but he didn’t say anything back. The silence lasted what felt like an eternity before Izuku huffed and turned to leave, but was stopped by a strong hand gripping his forearm.

“I’m sorry.” Kacchan spat out the words like they caused him pain, but Izuku raised an eyebrow, facing Kacchan once more. “I didn’t know if, I mean, it had been so long, I wasn’t sure - ”

Izuku threw his arms around Kacchan’s neck, pulling him for a rough and desperate kiss. He could feel the sudden tension in the king’s body, but it only lasted a second before he was wrapping his arms around Izuku, pulling him close and kissing him back.

“Idiot,” Izuku muttered between kisses and desperate breaths. “Always you. Never anyone else. Love you, Kacchan.”

“Fuck.” Kacchan’s hands found the back of Izuku’s thighs before he lifted him, spinning them so he could set Izuku on the desk. “Love you too,” he whispered before diving back in to take Izuku’s mouth again. “Don’t leave. Not again.”

“I can’t promise that.”

Kacchan pulled back with a growl, but Izuku just smiled and gently cupped his face with both hands. “But I’m here now. And I will always find my way back to you.”

Kacchan looked ready to fight, but instead he sighed deeply, slumping forward until his forehead was pressing against Izuku’s. “Be mine, Izuku?”

The grin that spread on Izuku’s face could light up even the darkest rooms when he said, “I always have been, Kacchan. And you’re mine.”