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Chapter Text

In the country of Japan ruled by kings and queens of their respective parts of the land, there has always been talk about a young powerful prince cursed with a pitch black soul. Who cursed him was unknown, as was, whether there was any magic in play in the first place. What else would follow a prince like that? Misfortune, of course. From when he was young, people of all ages, while they admired or envied him, tried to fight or kill him through various ways. Considering, he wasn't known as powerful for no reason, he survived it all. The prince's name fitting his image and cha--

"This is bullshit!" Bakugou Katsuki burns the script papers in his hands with one swift explosion,"How the fuck do you expect me to be interested in that shit? It's just the same goddamn shit-talk about me you can find anywhere!"

"The queen simply asked me to hand it to you. No need to be that pissed," Ashido nonchalantly explains from next to him, dusting off the remaining burned paper that landed on her dress,"They hired a new historian. Apparently he wanted to be a novelist first, but it didn't work out."

"I don't give a shit," he scowls and quiets down as he hears familiar footsteps approaching his tent. So does the stylist beside him, and while she looks at him, he looks at the entrance of the tent.

"The tournament is starting," It's Yaoyorozu, one of the head knights of the royal family,"The Queen and King request your promised presence."

"Promised my ass," the blonde prince mutters, forcefully putting his hands in the pockets of his pants. His custom-made outfit truly fitting the image of a prince, gracefully fitting his body, neither too tight nor too loose. Ashido squeaks quietly, watching Yaoyorozu and Bakugou leave,"Don't be so aggressive with my creations, my prince, your outfit took me a week!"

Bakugou wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for his parents, the king and the queen, forcing him.

All three of them sitting on their thrones, with the queen's throne in the middle between her son's and husband's. She stands up and holds up a presenting hand towards the various fighters alligned in the arena facing her. "Thank you all for coming today!" she adresses both the fighters and the crowd in the stands around the arena. "As you all know, my son is getting his own first trusted unit ready. After all he will be King in a few years. This is the 8th tournament that makes it possible for anyone to get a chance to prove themselves for it!" She puts her hands to her hips, ending her speech with a nod and a smile.

The crowd cheers. As expected of a well known royal family, these tournaments aren't like any other tournaments. The onlookers get a fair dose of entertainment while also getting to see well known knights and fighters from all around the country, and even if they aren't well known they have always been of high caliber. It has always been exciting to watch. 

Except for the prince himself, who now raises his hand lazily, signalling for quiet and the crowd stills.

Another thing to remark would be that the prince, after seven tournaments, still hadn't choosen anyone. Always rejecting with a few harsh words.

"Be prepared to lose." His deep voice cuts through the air.

"Katsuki, that's rude," the king remarks. Katsuki grunts, sending all of the candidates a quick glare, one by one. Technically, they aren't even candidates in his eyes. He, himself, is the strongest here anyway. He doesn't need some fucking trust unit, or trust in others, or others' trust in him or... well, anyone, really.

His red eyes meet another pair of red eyes in the line of candidates. That fucker dares to smile at him! He doesn't even look intimidated like the other candidates. A friendly smile of all things, no fear or nervosity in his eyes. Katsuki scowls. What the fuck? He feels blood rush to his cheeks for some reason and he hopes it's the usual anger. 

The candidates disperse and the man doesn't break eye contact (neither does Katsuki, who is obviously confused and provoked by this kind of behaviour), even as he slowly walks towards one of the small tents to wait to be called on for his match. Only when the arena is empty does Katsuki hear that his name is being called, probably not for the first time.

"Someone caught your eye?" his mother's voice borderlines teasing and he looks at her. Only now does he notice that she already sat again. He shakes his head quickly and looks back into the arena. The queen's smile doesn't disappear but she smacks his head,"You little shit ignored me and then you don't even fucking tell me why."

"I was just thinking and stared off into a random fucking direction, old hag!" he holds the hit place and replies with a half-true excuse through gritted teeth,"I'm not here because I goddamn wanted to but because I was fucking forced to, so I imagine where else I could spend my valuable fucking time."

"How fucking dare you--"

"The first match will start, would you two stop and act like you're actually a prince and a queen." the king's words, though sounding gentle, weren't a request but a command. Reluctantly, both the queen and prince turn to the arena. It's not like they hate each other or anything, it's just their similar personalities obviously clash at times and this is part of their dynamic.

Katsuki is sure that man, that smiley candidate, is just like any other man, perhaps too arrogant because of that fucking smile. The red head hopefully won't win. Even if he wins, it wouldn't matter. No one actually wins, Katsuki thinks, because he never accepts anyone.

The 9 one-on-one matches go by in a blurr. Katsuki doesn't remember even half of them (he could've if he wanted, but he didn't). The 9th fight was between someone with multipe arms and someone with super strength. The woman with super strength won before the fight dragged on too long. Not like Katsuki cared. He was only half attentive while leaning his arm against the armrest to put his head on his hand, his mind already forgot about the provoking red head. He's bored and thinking about what to do once they're on their way back to the castle again. Battles like these are nothing new for him after all.

Until, for the last match.

The provoking red head steps into the arena with a grin that shows how ready he is for the battle. Katsuki's half lidded bored eyes finally show interest, which doesn't go by unnoticed by his parents. Admittetly, it's not like it's the first time he shows some kind of interest for a match or candidate, but everytime it sparks hope anew within his parents. Though that interest is usually short lived because Katsuki's interest goes for the quirks of the candidates and how they use them (for future reference, who knows).

The candidates are asked to introduce themselves and Katsuki wonders about their quirks already. Both men have well build bodies, wearing their individual battle costume.

"I am Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, my quirk's called Steel!"

Katsuki spares the man a short glance before finding red eyes already looking at him. Katsuki frowns, eyes narrowing.

The guy smirks, voice filled with confidence and enthusiasm,"Kirishima Eijirou. My quirk is Hardening and my goal is to become one of the prince's own knights."

Who the fuck does he think he is? And no one even asked about his fucking goals either. Katsuki rolls his eyes, turning to his mother in a bored manner, speaking just loud enough to try to provoke the two candidates before they start their match,"Why did you put these two together? Their quirks are way too similar. Not to mention one guy's whole name seems like a pun for the word 'steel' and the other looks like he's into public bondage play."

He turns back to the two. Tetsutetsu obviously offended, while Kirishima simply looks a bit sheepish with a hand on his neck, smile not fading.

"It's random," his father answers instead,"We're only doing this so you can see their Quirks, strengths and battle style. We hope you find a few people soon, my son."

Katsuki grunts in response.

The fight ends with both candidates knocked out. While Katsuki is satisfied with that, the queen isn't and requests medical aid for them, so they can arm wrestle instead. Since it's not the first time she suggested something like that, Katsuki lets it go giving only an exasperated sigh. Of course, the red head wins that. Katsuki feels a bit pissed, especially when Kirishima turns to smile at him, still a bit dirty from the fight before. Katsuki only scowls, baring his teeth in response.

A few minutes later the 10 winners of their respective matches line up and the prince is asked to judge.

He stands from his throne and walks closer to the edge of the platform, on which the thrones are, looking down on them, literally and figuratively.

"Can't fucking believe you losers think you could've won me over," he yells, raising his hand baring small explosions, making most of the candidates (and audience) flinch,"What makes you think you're anywhere near my expectations? You're just like pebbles on the road - easy to kick away with nothing remarkable about them. Which just makes you despisable to me, you useless fucks." By the end of his speech his voice went back to its normal volume with a dark untertone. He lets his hand fall back to his side and turns to walk away,"The tournament is fucking finished. Get lost."

The king and queen, used to his behaviour just like the audience in the arena, stand up and with a bow, politely thank the crowd for coming, in the way you'd expect of royalty, before they, too, disappear into the back of the platform.

Katsuki decides to stay in the tent until they start their return to the castle, laying on a sofa, using one arm as a pillow.

His parents decided to go around the big village while they're still here. Their castle is positioned a few hours away from the village they held the tournament in, following the ready path through the woods and crossing a river on the way, it's easy to find. But his parents love visiting the villages in their lands. This one in particular is the biggest, they have 2 smaller ones in their lands. The prince himself would rather not, instead he would go into the mountains to hike and wander. Katsuki closes his eyes and imagines being there instead of here. He knows he won't fall asleep, so he settles on just relaxing.

Though, even relaxing is hard. His senses tingling most of the time, cautious, and that might be the only thing he can't completely win over. The way he hears all the people walking outside his tent, the way he feels their presence, the way they approach the tent only to go a different route. Katsuki really fucking hates it. It can be useful, sure, but that's it. In moments like these, he has a hard time turning them off enough to relax.

Then he hears unfamiliar footsteps stop in front of the tent's entrance and his whole body tenses for a moment. Maybe it's a thief, an assassin, someone who simply doesn't like him or wants revenge for the rejection. None of it would be for the first time. Who knows? Katsuki doesn't, but he doesn't care either. Maybe he can make use of this situation, if it really is one of his guesses, Katsuki will be happy to blast their sorry asses away. So, holding back a smirk, he acts as if he is actually asleep when the person walks into the tent. From their footsteps, Katsuki can tell, the person is cautious.

It should be about a meter now, the distance between them and Katsuki mentally prepares to go off. It'll be fun.

"Woah," he hears the stranger whisper instead, and it's a nice voice. No, wait, maybe it's a pervert after all? He fucking woah-ed at his (supposedly) sleeping figure after all!

Oh hell fucking no.

The moment the stranger steps closer, Katsuki opens his eyes.

They stare at each other for a moment, none of them saying anything. Katsuki's usual glare, mixed with tiredness, looks into strangely innocent eyes, that seem to hold none of the suspected malice, but embarrassment instead.

"What the fuck?" he sits up and Kirishima takes a step back.

"Y-yo..." the red head greets weakly, before clearing his throat,"I didn't think you'd be sleeping. Sorry, haha." At least Kirishima is wearing normal clothes again... it'd be weird(er?) in his costume.

"You come into my fucking tent, as an intruder, get embarrassed instead of fucking scared when you are caught and then, you say that shit?" Katsuki growls, his hand coming up with sparks,"I'll fucking kill you." With that he stands to throw an explosive punch but Kirishima blocks with the help of his hardening quirk.

"Hold on! Wait!" Kirishima steps back a bit more, widening the distance between them for his safety,"Listen first, would you?"

Considering Katsuki is fucking royalty (mighty royalty, mind you), where the fuck is this guy's respect? "Look here, fucker, I'm not your fucking classmate. I might not be a king right now, but I'm sure I can be granted doing a private execution on intruders in my fucking tent so--"

"Hold up, I know for a fact you never killed anyone and would probably nev--"

"Hah?!"

"No no no!" Kirishima steps closer again, his whole upper body hardened,"I really don't wanna fight with you right now. I just wanna talk, dude." Katsuki visibly tenses when Kirishima's hands gently grab his arms.

"Fuck. Off." Katsuki snarles and hits Kirishima's chest with both of his open palms, giving off a big enough explosion for Kirishima to fly right out the entrance. Smokes in his place, Katsuki breathes it in. "That should've done it." He mumbles to himself, throwing his body back into the sofa. He hears the commotion outside, tries to ignore it, but he can't. Really can't. Damn it.

With a frustrated sigh, he gets up and walks out the tent. He walks to where people gather in a circle around Kirishima. The people in the crowd quickly notice his presence and make way for him.

Now, seeing Kirishima unconscious, laying on one of the smaller tents that collapsed when he landed in them, he walks until he stops right in front of the body. Must've hurt. Should teach him the lesson to stay the fuck away from him.

Okay, sure, he didn't know why the guy was in his tent but honestly, he didn't care. How can you fucking expect to go into the prince's tent, unauthorised and suspiciously (because hell the guards should have seen and caught him), and come out unscathed? Especially if the prince is Bakugou Katsuki for fuck's sake.

"He ain't dead," he tells the crowd,"Somebody get me Sero. No words about this to anyone." The crowd breaks off reluctantly, secretly giving him disapproving looks.

Katsuki stays where he is and waits, giving Kirishima a good look-over in the meantime.

Admittedly, Kirishima Eijirou doesn't give off the vibe of a bad guy. Katsuki should know, he has met his fair share and people consider him an asshole after all, so. Pitch black heart and all that. Also, Kirishima, while he did stay on defensive, really did not seem like he wanted to fight.
Kirishima's spiky red hair is now messier than before, thanks to Katsuki, but he is quite attractive anyway. He's probably the type to have a family, a lover, lots of friends, and all that jazz. People probably like his personality, though Katsuki has not seen much of it, but the guy did leave a noteable impression on him from the first time he saw him. Why is he fucking analysing this random guy? 

Katsuki grimaces. 

"Prince?"

"Take care of him and don't tell Shuuzenji," Katsuki casually puts his hands in his pockets,"Actually, don't tell anyone. Don't even tell me, just let him go when you're done."

"Certainly, my prince, but I can't carry him to my tent on my own, so I'd need to tell--"

"For fuck's sake," mutters Katsuki, quick to easily pick Kirishima up bridal-style,"Let's fucking go to your tent then."

Sero Hanta really wants to laugh (hello, the prince is carrying someone bridal style and blushing, too!), but he doesn't want to get his face blown off so he bites his lip and leads the way for the blonde.

Chapter Text

Eijirou lays there, after having been blast out the tent by Prince Bakugou Katsuki. He stares into the blue sky for a moment, before sighing and closing his eyes. The injuries were not a big deal, since he had his quirk activated (luckily... maybe he could have been burned toast with a concussion, he thinks, considering he has been in a match only little ago).

He has been so dumb... sneaking into the prince's tent...
The people forming a talkative crowd around him are probably thinking that Eijirou is an idiot. Another rejected candidate, who wanted to be rejected harsher a second time. He doesn't even need to open his eyes or actively listen to what they're saying, he just knows but he agrees only with the idiot part.
The crowd around him probably doesn't consist of anyone other than the workers, who were part of the staff to manage the tournament area outside the arena; the arena being in the centre, further down from here.

The Bakugou family is widely known, yet he has never heard anything remotely good about the prince, who alone is probably a big factor for their fame. Well, beside him being powerful and strong - personality-wise people only said negative things about him. Descriptions going from asshole to actual potential evil. He should have expected the prince's reaction. One of the things that had Eijirou relieved when he first heard it was that the prince had never killed and would never, as bad as the rumours made him out to be, he couldn't be that bad. Eijirou kind of believes in that, because it makes things easier for him about approaching the prince but also because King Endeavor was the one who told him that. Royalty knows other royalty, he guesses. The Todorokis ruling the neighbouring lands have been in alliance with the Bakugous for 6 years now, which is general knowledge if you live anywhere in or near both their lands.

The crowd around him suddenly quiets down completely and it almost makes Eijirou shiver, breaking him out of thoughts. The air has turned cold with the silence.

He can't bring himself to open his eyes. He is tired, kinda nervous. It's probably the guards that silenced the crowd with their presence, he did manage to sneak past them to get into the prince's tent, so they're surely not happy with that. Maybe if he acts dead they'll just throw his body out the tournament area and he can go on and try something else to get to the prince.

"He ain't dead," the deep voice cuts into the silence,"Somebody get me Sero. No words about this to anyone." Who's Sero? Eijirou hears the people shuffle away, and then a moment later he senses someone right in front of his body. Now Eijirou can't back out, can't think of anything to do, so he continues to act unconscious. It's the prince for sure. Has he called for someone to get rid of his body? Perhaps capture him for punishment? That only makes sense after all; the prince seemed pretty upset about Eijirou sneaking into his tent.

"Prince?"

Eijirou almost flinches as he suddenly hears another voice a bit further away from him and the prince. Is it that Sero? When the prince leaves, Eijirou shall try to escape. The Sero guy hopefully isn't strong enough to stop him or--

"Take care of him and don't tell Shuuzenji," Eijirou hears the prince again,"Actually, don't tell anyone. Don't even tell me, just let him go when you're done."

What?

"Certainly, my prince, but I can't carry him to my tent on my own, so I'd need to tell--"

"For fuck's sake," mutters Prince Bakugou, gently (another surprise) but quickly picking Eijirou up bridal-style,"Let's fucking go to your tent then."

Eijirou's heart skips a beat and he carefully lets as much of his face as possible fall on the other man's chest, in an attempt to hide his possible red cheeks while not blowing his cover. Okay, he has to admit, the prince is really manly. He was picked up so swiftly and pressed onto a well build body after all. A manly body. A manly body that smells nice as well. It was gentle enough to not hurt him any further, too.

Eijirou wants to slap himself, since blushing about the prince isn't what he has come for, but he takes it. Just enjoy the moment, he thinks.

(He doesn't know the prince is blushing just as much as he is.)

The way to Sero's tent takes about 3 minutes; Eijirou isn't sure if they felt too long or too short.

Minutes filled with Eijirou blushing the whole way while his heart pounds loudly in his ears, Prince Bakugou's cursing and Sero's attempt to calm the blonde. Eijirou wonders how he survived that.

The prince gently (Eijirou tries his hardest not to go even redder) lays him down on a bed and Eijirou continues his act of unconsciousness.

"Sero, what the fuck is this?" the prince's voice hinting a startle and confusion,"The guy is red in his face. Is it a fucking fever? What-- can you fucking die from being unconscious and having a fever?" This dude is good at concealing the nervosity in his voice, but Eijirou notices it and blushes even more. Who would have thought he would get to hear that kind of tone from the permanently angry prince.

"Oh no!" Sero gasps,"Prince, we will need cold water! But the assistants aren't here and you said not to tell anyone, what should we do?"
"W-What! I'll fucking get you cold water!" the prince exclaims immediately and Eijirou hears him actually running out the tent.

Great, look what his blushing has resulted in.

"Dude, stop it already," Sero speaks in a deadpan, very different from his earlier (apparently faked) worry,"I knew you were awake the whole time."

Eijirou gulps and cracks open one eye, giving a nervous smile to the man in front of him, who looks unimpressed. What was he supposed to do now? Ah right, escape!

"Honestly, as brutal as the prince can be, he usually takes care not to go overboard and controls his power well, so this - considering you did not fight him in an official match, neither do you seem to be of danger to him - if it were real, would be very unusual," Sero explains in a bored manner, crossing his arms,"One glance told me you were faking it and enjoying it. I think he would have noticed soon though, so I sent him away so he won't actually break any of your bones. You do have injuries, which I will treat since he ordered me to though."

Eijirou sits up, a bit ashamed and asks lamely,"You got a healing quirk, Sero?"

Sero raises a brow at the mention of his name and shakes his head, walking over to some cabinets,"My quirk is called Tape. It's useful here for bandages 'n' stuff." He points to his elbows, before he starts taking out necessities. Eijirou gives a short hum. Cue to awkward silence.

Eijirou leans sideways against the wall and slaps both his hands on his cheeks. Sero gives him a look, but doesn't say anything and simply walks over to get ready to treat his wounds. Now Eijirou hides his face behind his hands. He is tired and embarrassed by everything he has done from the moment he decided to sneak into that stupid tent. He also feels kind of ashamed, since faking this seems to have seriously worried Prince Bakugou.

"I'm back and got the cold water!" a dishevelled frowning blonde sprints in, panting, careful not to spill the water in the bucket too much. But when Prince Bakugou meets Eijirou's eyes through the slits of his fingers he allowed himself, the prince stills.

Eijirou watches him take a deep breath and straighten up properly before he strides over to them and puts the bucket of water next to Sero's feet and stares at it. Eijirou drops his hands slowly on his lap and stops leaning on the wall, not taking his eyes of the prince with a worried frown.

"Thank you," Sero grins at the prince,"Since our patient is awake now, it'll be easier to treat him!"

"I don't give a shit," he says quietly, looking up to glare at Eijirou. Then he turns around, hands in his pockets and Eijirou watches his back.

"Thanks."

A whisper, one word, and Eijirou was sure the prince hasn't heard him. But the prince halts in his steps, making Eijirou's heart skip a beat, before looking at him over his shoulder, only to say,"Don't feel special, I just had to do it." and leave.

Eijirou continues to stare at the entrance, even after he's gone.

Then he laughs.

Actually laughs. He feels better, kind of.

Sero looks at him as if he's lost it. Maybe he doesn't get it.

"Okay...? maybe you hit your head after all?" Sero gives him a wry half smile when Eijirou looks at him.

"Nah," he replies,"But your prince ain't that bad after all, huh?"

Katsuki, who sits there on the grass with crossed legs next to the tent he left a few moments ago, hears that.

He grimaces.

"What are you doing out here so late, my Prince?"

He heard her coming, so he isn't surprised. He sighs and stands up, not bothering to dust his clothes off,"I fucking can't?"

"Well," Yaoyorozu gives him a bow by greeting,"it's already getting dark, shouldn't you be in your tent getting ready for the ride back? We'll be leaving soon."

"Are my parents even fucking back yet?" he starts walking towards his tent, the knight falling into step next to him. She nods her head, hands behind her back,"They just arrived, they told me to look for you, since they'd like to sit in the same carriage with you."

"Why?"

"...I'm not sure I should be the one to tell you, my Prince."

He stops, so does she then, and turns to actually look at her,"What the fuck is it, just spit it out." He's got an idea what it could be, he is smart after all.

Yaoyorozu avoids his glare, looking to the side,"My prince, I might get in trouble if I tell you. I deeply apologise." She bows. Her words only make him scowl. He lets it go though, about to walk again until he hears a loud female voice laughing.

"Oh my, if that isn't one of the candidates from today!"

Katsuki's eyes widen and he quickly turns the corner.

Oh for fuck's sake.

"My prince? Is something wrong?" Yaoyorozu proceeds to follow him around the corner, to find his shocked angry expression directed towards - she proceeds to follow the direction of his eyes - the king and queen talking with a red-headed stranger. "Hm?"

"Hehe, yeah..." Eijirou, surprised, rubs his neck nervously with a hand, before he deeply bows,"G-Good evening, your majesty."

"Oh, we made him nervous," the king comments with a smile,"No need to be."

The queens laughs again,"Good evening! What are you doing here so late? All the candidates should have left long ago. Don't tell me you're here for some kind of shady business?" She raises a brow at him, grins, and Eijirou can't tell whether she's serious or not. Doesn't even know what to tell them. Oh man. 

Katsuki watches on with wide eyes. If he barges into the conversation it might go into the wrong direction, especially if his parents think he is connected to hair-for-brains. Dammit.

"Oh, my queen, my king!" Sero pops up (where the fuck does he come from?!) and bows with a friendly smile,"He was just leaving. Have you perhaps seen the prince on your way?"

"Ah, Sero Hanta!" the queen remembers happily. The king answers,"We sent Yaoyorozu looking for him. Is he not in his tent?"

Oh, look at that damn smirk Sero has on his face, that fucker. They think he is being friendly, but Katsuki knows that little shit better than them. But he won't dare--

"We were just with him, this guy and me!" Sero replies innocently, turns to Kirishima,"What's your name again?"

"Kirishima Eijirou?"

Sero thanks him in a duller tone than he used on the king and queen, before he turns back to the king and queen with a friendly smile again,"You see... Kirishima, the prince, me... we were in the medical tent, just hanging out. They seemed to get along really well!"

Sero, shut the fuck up.

He sees the eyes of his parents shine in curiosity and surprise even from this distance.

"So that's why you were sitting there?" Yaoyorozu wonders out loud, worried about the lack of trust the prince had towards her (a head knight not having the trust of her prince? tragic for her),"You could've just told me, my prince."

"That's not fucking it, ponytail!" he shouts.

And he isn't even looking at her, isn't even angry at her, he is just angry that's it. Okay, maybe he is pissed at Sero... and Kirishima. Ahh, and he tried to control himself too... Now they're looking at him.

"Katsuki!" his parents exclaim in surprise. Damn, their expectant eyes bore into him. Stop looking so fucking happy about what Sero said!

He stomps over to them.

Yaoyorozu follows even though she is a bit lost regarding the whole context here, but Kirishima is confused too, so they're already two.

"That's not fucking it!" he shouts when he joins their circle,"I won't explain it but that's not it!"

"Well, why can't you explain then? Just tell us how it really was," his mother shrugs, crossing her arms.

Katsuki shifts his glare to Kirishima, who looks at him apologetically, then turns back to his parents. The king smiles at him,"It's okay, Katsuki. You can tell us if you want him." 

Kirishima fucking blushes, sheepish,"B-But we haven't known each other long enough to mar--"

"That's not what he means, you fucking idiot!" Katsuki interrupts Kirishima quickly, his face is red, too, but from anger. For sure. Definitely. Probably. Yeah.

Sero, say something dammit! He looks at the dark haired male, who only smiles at him as if he was going to stay out of it now. Okay then. Enough fucking damage from you for today!

"You want him as your knight, don't you?" the king continues, not understanding what the youngsters are so worked up about,"Isn't that amazing!" His father looks genuinely happy and his mother practically glows. "I knew you had it in you, dumbass!" she ruffles his hair as if he is a child again, and holds him close. Katsuki's cheeks turn pink and he looks away, stays quiet.

"My prince," Yaoyorozu gasps, salutes and bows,"Congratulations on your first chosen knight! I hope you won't stop relying on my services!" Sero agrees,"Yeah, congratulations, prince!"

Eijirou and Katsuki meet eyes, identical tinted cheeks. Katsuki tries to glare into those innocent wide eyes that stare at him.

He's not sure he is successful, because he gets back one of the sweetest smiles he's ever seen directed at him. He decides to look away then.

This wasn't even Sero's plan about teasing their prince, but this is fun, too. He definitely needs to tell Ashido about this (and Prince Bakugou's ruined outfit) later.

Chapter Text

The ride in the carriage is a bit bumpy from time to time and from the small windows you can see a bit of the woods they're riding through in a steady pace. It's a dark night, but the light from the lanterns inside and outside the carriage illuminate just fine.

Eijirou has never thought that he would be sitting in a carriage together with the royal Bakugou family. Well, a knight has joined them as well, whose piercing stare is hard to ignore since she is sitting right next to him. As if that wasn't enough pressure, with every small bump shaking the carriage a little, his knee would touch Prince Bakugou's knee, who is sitting on his left, pointedly looking out the window.

"Say, Kirishima," the king starts, pulling him out of his thoughts and breaking the awkward silence,"by no means do I want to offend you with this, but since Katsuki probably won't tell us, I was wondering why he choose you and how it happened. It's a curious case, really." He meets his son's frown and laughs, looking back to Eijirou,"To be honest, I was thinking he'd never choose anyone and we would have to give up."

Eijirou glances at the prince for a moment, not knowing what to say. But the prince stays quiet, not meeting his eyes. Eijirou decides to reply with what he has been thinking about for a while,"Well, our quirks are compatible... me with my Hardening and the prince with his explosions; I think we'd make a good team! That's probably it!" He finishes off with a smile.

"I see," the king smiles,"but that can't be all, right? I mean..." he trails off and looks at his son, his smile faltering a bit.

"But doesn't he tick you off? He's an asshole, you know," the queen speaks up, giving no chance to quiet. She seems pretty worked up about this. Well, okay, he is the first person Prince Bakugou chose but he hasn't expected it to be this much of a big deal. (Admittetly, it might not have been completely voluntarily on the prince's side.)

Eijirou tilts his head, genuinely confused,"Hm? Why would he? I mean sure he can be mean and loud, but that's just who he is. He isn't a bad person. Actually... he's really manly, don't you think? Though I don't know much about him..." He rubs his neck and laughs, looking down, when he feels the prince looking at him. With what kind of expression could he be looking at him? For some reason he can't bring himself to look up.

"That's a first!" Yaoyorozu blurts and slaps a hand on her mouth when she realises it,"I-I apologise. It's just... people usually think our prince is evil. Though it's not true, of course." Eijirou looks at her and sees her smile sadly to herself, completely different from her analysing stare from before.

The carriage rattles slightly.

"It doesn't matter what people think!" Eijirou grins in an attempt to cheer her up,"As long as he himself knows who he is, and you all know, too."

She looks up and her eyes light up,"I agree. Though he should probably try to clean up his attitude a bit before becoming king."

"Shut up, ponytail, I'll do whatever I fucking want!" the prince in question growls, making everyone laugh, before looking at his parents,"Instead of talking about useless crap, tell me why the fuck I'm not riding in my own carriage."

The laughter dies down, Eijirou is the last to stop because he doesn't know how the mood turned sour so quickly. To be fair, he is the only one who doesn't know what's going to come up now, so.


The queen frowns,"Take care of your damn attitude. I doubt you want to talk about it here, we didn't think there would be a guest riding with us. We can talk about when we're back in the castle, alone."

Eijirou looks worriedly between them, but decides to try and give them their privacy by looking down and trying to think of other things.

"He is my knight, isn't he? He can fucking hear it for all I care, just tell me already," he grits his teeth,"I got a gist, but with you two I can never be fucking sure."

So the prince actually accepted him? Ah wait, he wasn't supposed to listen!

"You two, calm yourselves at least in front of others," the king reminds gently, before continuing,"Alright then, since you seem to trust him enough, we shall talk about it here. Remember the Todorokis from the neighbouring lands?"

Eijirou perks up, still looking down though. Now he has to listen, but he shouldn't be too obvious about it. Not only would that be rude but it might seem suspicious.

"I knew it," the prince finally mutters, frowning and leaning back to create distance from his parents,"You want me to fucking marry their daughter, don't you?" Ahh, prince you almost had it.

"Close," the queen smiles, amused by her son's already obvious coming objection,"It's Todoroki Shouto, one of the sons, that we want you to marry. He is your age and has a powerful quirk, too. We will meet them soon, your attitude better be damn respectful."

Eijirou kind of pities the prince for a moment, because he can see behind that angry frown of his, he feels betrayed.

"It's not for sure, right? Both of us can decline, right?" Eijirou sees how the prince balls his fists in his lap,"You said you wouldn't do this kind of shit!"

The king crosses his arms, trying his best to tell his son gently,"That's possible, but without reasonable arguments it won't work. Katsuki, considering you have just now chosen a knight - and we thought you'd never - so we had to arrange a few things. You can't rule on your own when you're king, we already told you that, as much as you think you can do it all on your own. Respect our conditions."

"Think about the benefits, my prince," the knight speaks up in support,"their family is as well known, if not more, and as powerful as yours and your lands would double the size. The marriage would bring a huge part of Japan together."

The prince groans in frustration but doesn't say anything more. Of course, Eijirou thinks, he is a prince and he knows he has huge responsibilities he can't simply altogether ignore.

Besides that, for the whole silent ride back, Eijirou feels guilty. It's worse when he feels the prince's knee touch his.

When they arrive at the castle, though Eijirou can't see all of the castle's glory, he is awed by how magnificent it looks in the night and the limited light.

"You don't have anything with you?" the knight who was with him in the same carriage asks him, and he realises the royal family has gone already, the other few carriages emptying with workers and servants stepping out. Over the knight's shoulder, he spots Sero laughing with a pink woman in the cluster of people. He'd have to thank him later, kind of. He might not have gotten a better chance at getting to the prince, than the one Sero unknowingly provided him with.

The knight is still staring at him, expectant and serious. He shakes his head,"I, uh, left all my stuff back in the tournament area in the village. I kind of forgot, haha..."

"That's no laughing matter. But anyway, I shall show you where you can stay overnight," the knight guides him into the castle,"We knights get a place in the castle too, if we don't want to live outside of it. Since Prince Bakugou choose you himself, you should get a decent room to live in."

"Is there any way to see the prince again soon?" Eijirou questions,"I'd like to talk to him if possible."

The woman gives him a look borderline scrutinising,"I suppose you can find him tomorrow, it's too late now and he's probably tired. Usually he wakes up late and goes to the training field, if nothing else is planned. My name is Yaoyorozu by the way, I'm one of the three royal head knights. I forgot your name, sorry."

"Ah, it's alright. I'm Kirishima Eijirou. Thank you for telling me," Eijirou smiles, having to deflate her suspicion (he probably sounded a bit too eager to see the prince again),"He has chosen me, so I'd like to get to know him better and work on our battle dynamic, you know!"

Her gaze softens and she smiles, looking forward,"Oh, I see! I'm so happy for my prince. Please, serve him well in all loyalty!" Kirishima tries to give a good smile back, but Yaoyorozu doesn't seem to mind his wry expression as she is happy enough on her own about it all.

After a long walk down a couple corridors illuminated by lanterns, she finally opens a door,"This is where you will be staying. It's usually for the knights of visiting guests, but it should do. I'm sorry if it might seem too small; we don't have many visitors who stay overnight."

Small? To him, it's big and well decorated. If Eijirou didn't know better he'd think it's a room for royalty! But then again he is a simple man from a small village...

"If you need help or an escort, please ring one of the bells, which you can find next to the door. Other than that, I will send someone to pick you up for breakfast tomorrow. Good night, Kirishima Eijirou." Eijirou wishes her a good night too, still looking around the room and she leaves him alone.

He finds fresh clothes on a stool by a desk next to a large mirror; clothes to sleep in and clothes for the next day. Amazing how quick things work in a royal castle.

After preparing for a good rest, Kirishima throws himself into the bed. Soft and comfortable! He could get used to this, he thinks.

"It's been a long day..." he sighs and blows out the last candle on a nightstand. He wonders how his family and friends at home are doing and when Kaminari would contact him. He's lucky he is friends with a powerful mage who can contact him even now, though Kaminari gets stupid if he uses his powers for too much.

Before he can fall asleep, Prince Bakugou finds his thoughts.

He has known him for a day and has caused him so much trouble already, but at least he's getting somewhere. He feels guilt gnawing in his chest; guilt, for him to be the prince's first chosen knight.

(It's what he wanted, what he planned for, and yet...)

He falls asleep, wondering if the prince is okay. After all, it's been a long day for the both of them.

Chapter Text

The next morning's sun shines through the white and gold adorned curtains and lights up the room.

It doesn't take long before Eijirou's eyes flutter open with a relaxed sigh. The bed is nice and let him sleep well, he'd like to stay in it but there is a whole day waiting for him. He has stuff to do so he gets up from bed; good thing he can be a morning person. In that moment his bed head hears bells - he guesses it's to signal the beginning of the day - time to wake up - since they stop about a few moments later.

He's thankful to the castle's people. Not like he has met them all or anything, but they seem to be doing their jobs well. The laid out new clothes, which remind him he's been wanting to thank Sero for what he did for him yesterday. He got treated and got clothes. If he did not get that shirt from Sero yesterday, the queen and king might've thought something else had happened, since his actual shirt was kinda burned.

The red head is half-way in new pants, when he hears someone strongly knocking at his door. "A moment, please!" he calls, quickly getting ready and pulling the new shirt over, before walking over to the door, not letting the person on the other side wait for too long. It's probably someone Yaoyorozu sent to fetch him.

He's still adjusting the shirt when he opens it with a smile,"Good morning!" It takes Eijirou a moment to realise that it's not some random person in front of him. He stares back into the glaring eyes. The bags under those eyes could've gone unnoticed, because people tend to only see the glare itself. That's probably what they want to see and expect from him.

Bakugou breaks the silence with a sigh, eye contact steady. "Pony--" he stops and starts new,"Yaoyorozu said you're looking for me."

Kirishima grins and nods, leaning against the door his hand holds open.

"Well? Fucking out with it! I have stuff to do... And stop fucking staring at me," Bakugou leans in to intensify his glare,"It's disgusting."

"Dude, you look like you haven't slept well. I did, though, by the way. The bed is soooo comfortable!" Kirishima thanks him happily,"Haven't slept this good in years. Thanks, man."

"Hah?" looks like Bakugou is about to get really pissed off, but the prince seems to hold himself back with a deep breath because a moment later he is turning to leave. Kirishima grabs his arm,"Hey, sorry, you're going to the training fields, right? I'll come with you! Can't have you falling over from sleep deprivation."

Prince Bakugou forcefully tugs his arm away,"Don't fucking touch me." and proceeds to walk away.

This time, Eijirou simply follows him.

The walk through the castle halls is quiet and Eijirou isn't quite sure for how long they're walking.

He isn't walking right next to the prince, a step behind. Kirishima can't help walking a little slower to let his eyes trail his body, in those dark clothes that fit just right. Just curious, yeah? Man, he wants to thank whoever makes those outfits though, because they look so good on the blonde. Tight fitting but not too tight. It's just right, really. Not that Kirishima would mind seeing him in something tighter or--

He crashes into the prince's back. When he looks up (from where his eyes were actually staring at his ass) he is greeted by a raised brow the prince throws him over his shoulder,"Are you fucking sleepwalking, hair-for-brains." It's not a question. He blushes, even though the prince (hopefully) doesn't know what he was doing,"S-Sorry, hehe." At the same time he would have thought the prince would yell at him, but he might be too tired judging by those dark circles.

"Are you already on such comfortable terms?" Yaoyorozu sends him a disapproving look from where she is standing in front of the prince. So that's why Prince Bakugou stopped walking.

The prince does not give him the chance to retort instead he steps aside so he stands next to Eijirou, not in front of him.

"I'm sorry for bothering you so early, my prince," Yaoyorozu turns her attention to the prince, her professionalism still active in her personal worry,"You did not sleep well last night, did you? The news of the marriage must've been a shock to you..."

"I'm fucking fine, ponytail. Worry 'bout your own ass," the prince's next words make the female knight frown deeply,"Half-n-half was after you in the first place. Now he fucking found a way, too. It's not like you're against the fucking marriage either, oh loyal knight." Eijirou raises a brow in curiosity. Did Prince Todoroki Shouto have marriage interests involving the Bakugous' knight or something? He didn't know that.

"He wanted me to work for him, but I choose you-your family! I'm loyal, my prince! But I'm staying objective. You, too, know about the many benefits!" the knight replies, a determined fist on her chest,"Even if you marry him, my loyalty is not for him!" Eijirou looks at the prince who doesn't seem to have noticed her slip up in choice of words, or maybe he did but choose not to react to it. Who knows. But it wasn't marriage, huh.

"What-fucking-ever!" the blonde grits his teeth and continues on his way, hands shoved into his pockets.

Left behind are the two knights. As soon as the blonde is completely out of sight, Yaoyorozu's shoulder slump a bit - though dejected her proud professional posture stays. Her eyes find the floor, before she, too, goes in an attempt to leave the atmosphere behind.

"Hey!" Kirishima's voice makes her halt in her steps. She doesn't turn around. "Can you tell me what that was about?"

Yaoyorozu considers for a moment. He is Prince Bakugou Katsuki's knight. Personally chosen. If the prince chose that man, then Yaoyorozu should accept it and support it. So she does turn around in the end and walks back to him, though a bit reluctantly, as much as she tries not to be.

"You see, I am from a family of aristocrates and I wasn't supposed to be a knight." She speaks in hushed tones, steadily looking into his eyes whenever she isn't checking around them,"But our families were friends and I liked playing with him a lot whenever we got to meet... We were a group of kids, not just from the riches. Prince Bakugou supported my dream of becoming a knight, in his own way, and got me a place to secretly train and spar. Later Todo- Prince Todoroki Shouto joined us. He wanted me to be his knight in the future, but I had already made my choice. Thanks to the Bakugous, I am here right now."

It takes Eijirou a moment to take it all in.

"You're..." he blinks and she looks at him in question,"really cool! You really went after your dream and fully realised it. That's amazing, you know!" For a moment Yaoyorozu thinks his bright grin might've actually just blown away the atmosphere of before on its own. He puts a hand to the back of his neck, looking down,"Technically, aren't you his first chosen knight then?"

"W-Wha..." The female knight's mouth opens but she can't form a sentence immediately, cheeks reddening the longer it takes her,"I-What-no--I-I mean! I mean, the queen was the one who actually gave me my Accolade for knighthood, y-you see..."

"But the one who believed and supported you, was in the end, the one who chose you, right?" Kirishima smiles at her and pats her shoulder,"When he's king you'll stay an important retainer to him, I'm sure."

Yaoyorozu closes her mouth and cracks a smile,"That'd be wonderful."

There he is.

Lost in a castle.

After the female knight ditched him in a moment of happiness with a few quick thankful words, saying she would have to live up to her goals, with that also correcting him, since her dreams involve being Prince Bakugou Katsuki's own knight, so they're not fully realised yet.

Such a passionate person.

Somehow he ends up in the gardens - the castle grounds are huge, but also very beautiful, he has to admit. The flowers, trees and all the plants in general are growing well and healthy. He greets the gardeners and whoever he meets on his walk. So far the people he's met have given off a warm impression; he hopes he made a good impression on them as well. At least he got the chance to meet some people and wander around the castle property.

He wonders where the prince ran off to. He hopes he is on those training grounds that Yaoyorozu talked about, that'd be great. He'll ask the next person about the way.

Eijirou puts his hands in his pockets with a sigh. He feels like he's been too carefree. He took this job on the light shoulder, thinking he could master it with ease, but it's quite the emotional burden. And it's only the second day... From what he's seen Prince Bakugou may be quite angry and mean (and someone who yells easily), but he doesn't seem at all like the evil prince people make him out to be in rumours. The only 'bad' thing is his attitude if anything, but there were no evil deeds so far, were there? The prince may have blast him away once with his explosions but to be fair it was partly his fault for being an intruder, so there's that. But afterwards the prince made sure he got taken care of, personally and gently (which was super manly). Yaoyorozu's story just makes him look even manlier and cooler. Angry kid believing in his friends and making things she needs for it secretly available for her? Definitely good stuff. Kinda troublesome for Prince Bakugou that his parents want him to marry his rival (if that's what you can call Prince Todoroki for Prince Bakugou).

As he walks by the horse stalls his eyes catch sight of familiar figures, which he obviously has to approach immediately.

"Oh, look, it's Mr.Prince's-Knight-over-night," Sero greets him with a smirk and the pink woman he's talking to, turns to Eijirou as well. She smiles brightly,"Oho, so you're the one who got my creations messed up. Hmm, hello there, I'm Ashido Mina."

"Hello! Kirishima Eijirou," Kirishima greets and tilts his head in confusion,"I messed up your creations?"

"Dude, Blasty's clothes," Sero says.

It clicks. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to do that! Wait... Blasty?" He bursts into laughter,"Dude, if he hears that he might punch you! Hahaha!"

Ashido chuckles,"Aw, our Blasty has to be careful since he'll be King soon, so his temper tantrums have ceased a little, you know, he chooses carefully what to get physical about."

"Though he does intimidate with some explosions, heh," Sero adds quietly, his face implying that he's remembering something unpleasant.

Eijirou smiles,"Thank you by the way, Sero, for yesterday! And I thank you, too, Ashido, you're cool." Gotta thank both.

"Oh, I dunno why you thank me, but no need to thank him, since the prince ordered him to, ya know," Ashido waves it off. Sero turns to her in a dramatic scandalised way,"Ashido! I would've helped either way! I'm always ready to help!" She just laughs and looks at Eijirou,"But what are you doing, wandering around the horse stalls? Already fed up with Blasty and wanna leave?" She smirks but Eijirou feels like she isn't joking and means her question.

He shakes his head. Kirishima isn't sure if he should be offended by how people think he's just gonna up and leave, especially on the second day. The prince can't be that bad. Either way, he can't just leave even if he wants to, but he doesn't want to in the first place. He simply says how it is,"I'm actually looking for him. Can you tell me where I can find the training grounds?"

Ashido squints her eyes, yellow irises seemingly glowing in some sort of curiosity or suspicion in the black,"It's further down, right before the mountains. If you walk it'll take forever so I recommend a horse."

"Oh, okay. Can I just take any horse or...?"

"You're a knight, aren't you? You should know."

Suddenly the two in front of Eijirou cackle darkly and at the same time say:"Actually, we got a horse for you to use!"

Then he sits on a pitch black horse, finally that is, because it's a rowdy one. He almost got kicked in the face thrice, even though he stood in front of it. Apparently all the other horses were out of question because they had schedules for them or something, and only this one was free. 

"He's actually sitting on Ignition," Ashido whispers to Sero, both staring at him. Eijirou isn't sure why they're whispering since he hears them very clearly. He busies himself by gently petting the horse he's sitting on since it seems to enjoy that. So her name is Ignition. Reminds him of Prince Bakugou.

"That's Blasty's knight for you," Sero whispers back before he steps forward and actually fucking (2 days too much around Prince Bakugou?) slaps the horse's back,"Just straight ahead, buddy, and you'll see it eventually!"

With that he's off, but at least into the right direction.

They were right, it doesn't take long, and he's calmed the horse by the time he sees the training grounds.

He rides onto the grounds, the horse complying him and going slower. He looks around, but everyone there seems to already be looking at him. Confused, he continues on his way, looking for the blonde prince. Or Blasty, as Sero kindly provided. 

BOOM!

That - followed by many other boom!s - did not scare the horse much besides a small startle. This horse surely is a weird mix of calm and rowdy.

"Thanks, man, wait for me here, 'kay?" he pats the horse when he's off it and binds it to a tree near the border of the training grounds, before following the noise. The prince himself isn't visible yet but he's got to be in that group of fighting men over there, since that's were the explosions were coming from. He tries hard to ignore the stares of the people around him and go on about his business. Does he look shady or something? Sure, he's a stranger but--

Damn, did someone just almost fly right into him?!

He looks behind himself from his ducked position and sees a man a few meters away,"You okay there?"

Before the injured man can answer, another flies right on top of him and shuts him up. Did he just hear a crack? Ouch. Kirishima eyes them with pity, gets up and jogs over to where he can finally see Prince Bakugou, who is throwing people in his direction. The blonde is smiling widely. Well, smiling in a Bakugou-in-battle way.

You know, he seems like he is enjoying himself. That's a better way to say it.

Katsuki is enjoying himself. Everyone's right he's amazing at anything he wants to be good at, but this is his favourite thing to be amazing at.

"HAVE FUN FINDING BACK, FUCKER!" he sends a man flying somewhere into the mountains. Not too far though, since he has to hold back these days. That guy was fucking annoying though, going on about how he can copy quirks - a definite way to win. Yeah, guess not, asshole.

He takes multiple opponents at once. There are more waiting to spar with him and he takes on anyone who wants to. That's what he's fucking good at after all. Man, woman, whoever, whatever, Katsuki will win. He has to.

He can train on his own, sure, but people keep finding fights with him and who is he to say no to official matches in which he can go off a little bit? He's a fucking good future king, see? Very considerate.

His opponents attention sways away from him for a moment and he looks to where they are looking.

Is that that fucking red dumbass?

How dare he come here and interrupt his fun time. What the fuck, that's rude.

"Oi," he calls over to the men and women to get their attention back,"Come at me, let's find out if flying works without a quirk and how good I can aim with humans." His grin definitely set them off and his words confused them, but hey, they're finally fucking coming at him again. He'll throw them at Kirishima. That'll teach him some fucking manners.

That's what he thought.

In the end Kirishima stands in front of him with a wide grin,"Dude, that looked cool but you almost hit me a few times, you know!"

Katsuki can't fucking believe it,"That was my fucking intention! How the fuck did you even get here?"

"I met Sero and Ashido! The two said I could take Ignition to come here," Kirishima shows a thumb up, one hand on his hip,"Rowdy girl, but I got her."

He rode on Ignition? That fucker. Ignition is his horse. Ignition is Bakugou Katsuki's horse, for fuck's sake. No one ever rode on Ignition. No one ever could, but him. There were days Ignition did not want even him to ride on it (like today, dammit!). But here Kirishima is, just fucking taking his horse on his second day of even having met him.

"Animals are loyal my ass," Katsuki mutters, kicking dust up.

"Are you pouting right now?" Kirishima's wide eyes are close, when Bakugou looks up,"What's wrong?"

The blonde silently pushes past the red head, purposefully bumping his shoulder on his way. Hard enough to hurt, he hopes.

"Damn man, you got some good shoulders! We leavin' already? I'd like to spar with you, too, you know? It'll be fun!" Kirishima fucking follows him like a lost puppy. 

"Fuck off, shitface. I'm leaving." He speeds up.

"But I just arrived!"

"Prince!"

"My prince!"

"Dude!"

"Oi!!"

"Blasty, come on, let's--"

"What the fuck did you just--"

With Bakugou suddenly turning around he knocked face to face with Kirishima who was literally right behind him in his speedy walk.

"Fuck!" Katsuki scrunches his face up in pain,"What the fuck! Why are you so hell-fucking-bent on bothering my ass!"

"You knew I was staring at your ass?" Kirishima blushes, wide eyed, despite the pain in his own face. His nose might start bleeding but at least Eijirou's sure it's from actually getting hit and not some other dumb reason.

Now Bakugou himself is blushing, too. Great, fucking great. That's not even what he meant. What the fuck!

"What the fuck!"

Thank you, for your vocal emphasis, Bakugou.

Chapter Text

The days go by slowly and Kirishima uses most of his free time mapping out the castle grounds, additionally making friends with the castle's non-royal residents. He wonders why the Bakugous use a castle as their main residence, and why they don't live in their palace instead; he heard it's a small but impressive one.

It's hard to catch sight of Prince Bakugou, it really is. There are days when he does not get to see him at all (those are the most boring days). Then when Eijirou does get to him the blonde makes him feel dumb for even trying to establish anything with him at all, shown through all the yelled profanities and the way he seems to always find a way to get away from him in the shortest amount of time.

Once, he remembers, he caught sight of the blonde on one of the higher verandas of the castle while he was inside, not wanting to disturb the peaceful stance. A permanent burning glare in those red eyes. He isn't sure why he remembers.

(His eyes amaze Kirishima; Prince Bakugou's eyes look like there are golden flames dancing within them whenever light shines upon them. Especially in the sunlight.)

Whenever Yaoyorozu starts to talk to the prince, the prince actually complies, but when it's Kirishima who starts to talk to him, it turns into complete refusal to spent time together as soon-to-be king and knight. It's frustrating.

Eijirou can understand Prince Bakugou, sure. It's not like he actually chose him as his first knight completely voluntarily... but still! Why is it so hard to actually have the prince spent time with him voluntarily?

Someday in the second week of his stay the queen actually forced Prince Bakugou to spar with him, so she could watch and judge their compatibility. Kirishima thought his chance to prove himself had come, but after a good lengthy fight he ended up losing. 

Furthermore the prince ended up leaving right after, not fazed.

The queen did say she liked Kirishima's attitude though, especially how he treated her son. So who's the real winner here? The queen made her support for him clear that day.

The guilt in his chest is usually as repressed as possible.

But at night, with nothing to distract him, he feels everything and it's hard to stay optimistic, so sometimes he ends up staying awake for way longer. Some nights even go by unslept.

Finally, after a month of staying in the castle, Kaminari contacts him when it's one of those sleepless nights.

Eijirou carries a pocket mirror with him and through that Kaminari can contact him, though with limited power it never lasts very long. Every time the mirror vibrates, then, instead of seeing himself in it, he sees and hears Kaminari.

Kaminari's wide grin is the only thing he sees,"Yo, how's it goinnnng?"  The mage must be excited, but so is he.

"Dude, it took you an eternity to contact me. Why?!" Kirishima whines, hoping the image of him in the small pocket mirror can convey Kaminari his anguish,"I went through a lot and as thanks you call me in the middle of the night? Shame on you."

"Kiri, please, you were awake anyway-" Kaminari moves so his whole face is visible while waving a hand to dismiss the subject,"-you know how my quirk works, don't you, so shut up. Tell me how far you got in that time span instead."

Eijirou has to ignore the guilt in his chest to - as unconcerned as possible - slowly count all the things he's found out so far,"Well, I got the whole place mapped out... If they don't have some sort of secret passages then that would be done. The people living on the castle grounds are actually pretty friendly as well... Ah, they only have a small group of knights as guards permanently staying in the castle though. I have only met one of them personally, but she alone seems high caliber already, and I don't even know her quirk. I kinda noticed that no one here actively uses their quirks except the medical team, so their quirks are the only ones I know about..." He trails off here. Of course, he knows he should avoid talking too slow since there is an indefinite time limit to his friend's power, but he'd like to avoid talking too much about the main person of interest as much as possible, to be honest.

Kaminari hums in response, his cheek propped on his elbow while his eyes look at the red head attentively,"Okay. What about the evil prince?" The blonde's smirk almost makes him squirm but to reply, he just averts his eyes nonchalantly,"Oh, him? I did not really get near him much. He always disappears to fulfil his 'royal schedule' and when he's done with that and I, per chance, find him somewhere, he just yells a lot and runs away."

"The evil prince runs away?"

His friend catches on, but Eijirou does not notice. Instead he unconsciously pouts and looks down."Not literally... he just avoids me. On my second day he even threw people at me. I talked to him and even got a bloody nose, but the moment I looked away from him he was just gone. And that 'just gone' happens most of the time, you know? I try so hard too..." A sullen sigh leaves his lips.


There is a pause before he himself catches on.

But when he looks up, his friend's smirk is enough to make him frown,"Don't give me that kind of face, I'm just trying to do my job, Kaminari, okay."

The mage chuckles,"Sure, buddy, so am I. If I didn't know that it's all part of our job, I'd say you sound like Hagakure from next door who stresses over Ojiro. Buuut anyway! He threw people and gave you a bloody nose on your second day! He sure does his best to live up to the rumours. Please, be careful, man." Eijirou gets a weak smile from him that shows the worry underlining the humour.

"No need to worry, it's not that he's hard to handle. The bloody nose was an accident though, afterwards he panicked and called Sero - a guy on the med team - to take care of me." Eijirou smiles at the memory,"He left as soon as Sero arrived though..."

Though the smile's duration was short, Kaminari noticed the warmth in it and it makes him worry even more about his far away friend. He decides not to say anything serious about that for now though. "Onto more important matters... is he as hot as they say?" he questions instead, leaning forward,"Your dreamy expression tells me I should have gone instead."

"Dude, stop," Kirishima narrows his eyes at him,"I admit he's really attractive, but he's royalty, what else do you expect? Honestly..."

"Man, I would've liked some eye candy..." Kaminari sighs, however his eyes widen when he remembers something else, feeling his power flickering,"Before I forget: how did Prince Bakugou react to the marriage news?"

"Ah, I found out the same time as him. He didn't seem to like it. Even got a background story... oh." Kaminari is gone and his own reflection looks back at him. Damn it, time's over.

The fullmoon's borrowed light shines through the curtains and Eijirou sighs yet again. It's been a month, the only thing he is actually 100% sure of since coming here is how easily he feels guilty and how much he hates that he can't just think that the prince is as evil as they say.

This whole thing would be much easier if the prince seemed as evil to him as to everybody else.

(But he isn't the only one who thinks differently. The time spent here may be too short for now to get an actual impression of that, but if someone like Yaoyorozu, who's known the prince for a long time, thinks differently then that just fuels Kirishima's doubts about this whole thing.)

He hopes everything will just turn out alright somehow.

But now he definitely won't be able to sleep.

Eijirou finds himself wandering in the castle's gardens.

He has walked around the castle grounds so much to memorise it, that he can't get lost anymore. But even that small success can't make him feel better, because he does not have the castle grounds memorised because he is Prince Bakugou's chosen knight, but because it's his job for somebody else.

His feet kick away a lone pebble and ironically, he remembers the day of the tournament and the prince's end speech. The rumours say the prince is evil, but they also say he's got that kind of charisma that some people actually enjoy seeing.

A fierce prince full of dark charisma. Well, Eijirou doesn't find himself disliking it either so he can't judge, really.

Another sigh for the night and he realises he's walked into the part of the garden that's filled with roses and a few oak trees. It makes it harder to see, but the moonlight and the few lanterns on the way make it visible enough to know where he steps. "Guess I'll just walk around till I get tired enough to sleep," he mumbles to himself, hands in his pockets.

But his thoughts are blown away not only by the sudden strong breeze, but in the close distance he sees a relaxed figure sitting on a bench that is fully engulfed in moonlight.

The ash-blond messy hair. The dark suit of royalty. An arm prepped up on the back of the bench, head hanging to the side. Moonlight graces his whole form magnificently.

It's the prince and he looks beautiful.

He shakes his head. Is it alright for the prince to be out here in the dark middle of the night? Isn't it dangerous? What if someone sneaked up on him? What if he gets sick from the cold? What if that uncomfortable position hurts his neck later?

(That's not how he is supposed to think but there is no stopping him.)

He finds himself right in front of the prince's relaxed figure. Is it alright for him to feel lucky about seeing the prince like this? Prince Bakugou has his eyes closed, eyelashes resting on his cheeks, rosy from the cold. Is it alright to feel special? Maybe he is one of the few people to see Prince Bakugou like this.

Kirishima decides to sit down closely next to the prince and ignores how he finds himself shivering at the contact while the blonde's body tenses for a second before it's relaxed again. It's cold outside, he reminds himself for some reason.

Now that he is close enough he repositions the blonde's head on his shoulder. That'll be easier on his neck, right? He must be really tired, Eijirou thinks, a prince like him has a lot to do after all.

He feels the body next to him shift the slightest bit, his right hand on his lap slides on Kirishima's thigh and it almost makes his heart stop for a moment. Prince Bakugou's hair tickles Kirishima's neck and now he is closer than before, almost fully leaning on the red head. Scratch his heart beat stopping, it's going way too fast to stop now for sure.

It's cold outside, he reminds himself, because he feels warm suddenly and he can't have that. At least that's what he tells himself.

They sit there like that for a while.

Eijirou still feels warm but his heart has calmed down by now. This feels right, keeps him warm and makes him feel at ease.

"We always seem to find each other when the other is faking."

Eijirou's breath hitches the moment the quiet drowsy voice reaches his ears. Did he get found out this early? Bottom lip between his teeth in worry, he can't find any other reason for the prince to say such a thing. When did the prince fake anything though?

His heart erratically starts beating again, he isn't sure if it's fear because fear doesn't feel like this. For a moment he even thought his imagination played a trick on him, but the prince continues,"Though I was the one who started it, I guess." He did?

The prince is awake, yet they're still in the same position and the prince doesn't seem to move anytime soon.

Building up enough courage - it feels hard, he doesn't know why - to look down to Prince Bakugou's face, he doesn't regret it at all. But his heart is pounding so loudly in his chest, it worries him.

Prince Bakugou's tired expression makes it hard to believe that it's usually a frowning and scowling face. Now that those red eyes, staring forward into the night, are shining in the moonlight too, Eijirou can't help staring.

(Again he thinks how beautiful his eyes are, like they have flames dancing in them - especially in the sunlight. The moonlight's effect on his eyes rivals that; now it's a calm shine.)

Luckily he realises what he's doing soon enough. This whole situation actually. "I'm s-sorry!" he manages in a small startle, cursing himself for stuttering. Then he curses for his sudden movement because Prince Bakugou straightens up and away from him then. At the moment he is not sure about luck and regrets.

Gone is the warmth by his side, the hand on his thigh and the head on his shoulder.

It's cold outside, he can feel it again.

The prince is hunched over, elbows resting on his knees, head low and a mumble traced by fatigue,"'m so fucking tired." With a sigh the prince stands up and turns to look at him. He's trying hard to glare, Eijirou notices.

Red gazes into red.

"Don't just fucking go out in the middle of the night. Go sleep already," tired voice laced with authority, Prince Bakugou turns to leave and Eijirou stares at his figure,"It's... an order."

He walks away, disappears yet again, abondoning Kirishima in the castle's garden.

Awakening the next morning in his room, Kirishima questions whether last night really happened.

However, he knows it's real.

(He isn't sure whether to feel good or bad about it, but he feels it.)

Chapter Text

"Prince Bakugou, you're not up yet?!" the shrill voice wakes him with a startle.

Ashido, what the hell.

The prince, still deeply rooted in his pillows and blankets, only grunts in response. This is the best sleep he's gotten in such a long time. How dare they disturb his beloved fucking sleep?

A second familiar voice sounds,"My prince, you've got a full schedule for the next few days because of the upcoming visit of the Todoroki Royal Family. Have you perhaps forgotten? I'm sure you haven't. Is it stress? If you need help with anything I--"

He interrupts Yaoyorozu there,"'m up..."

Grumbling his way out of the blankets and above. With no complete success, only his head ends up sticking out from a spot under a pillow,"What's on for this damned day again?"

Yaoyorozu smiles warmly,"Your day is starting with the adjustments for the suit you'll be wearing on the meeting. That's why Ashido is here. After that you have your teacher waiting for you. Following that is a quick health check. And then... Ah, my prince you're dozing off again..." she frowns worriedly. Worry isn't the only emotion apparent though. Small relief too.

The Bakugou Katsuki she knows really loved sleeping a lot and wasn't a morning person. It's been a few years and while he was up on time in all that time, she's always had the worry that sleep problems were the cause, which the dark bags under his eyes were evidence enough for, amongst other things. Not like she, as the knight, can just ask about such personal things. But she did, not like the prince told her the truth. She's known anyway. It's been obvious, to her at least.

So she views this situation as a good sign.

"I'm fine," a strong swing with his left arm sends the blankets off him and he sits up with his legs crossed, elbows on his knees for support,"Pinky, get your shit and let's fucking get over the worst part of my days."

"Geez, grumpy this morning, aren't you?" Ashido pouts but obeys anyway, getting her things ready.

Bakugou finally leaves his bed, he faces Yaoyorozu as he stands. She's just a few small steps away. "Why the fuck are you still here?" Yaoyorozu hears there is no actual malice, he's just curious and confused because she should be with his parents instead. She knows but after Kirishima gave her that pep-talk... how could she go on as usual? She's got to actively pursue her goals again! She's been focusing her energy towards this goal especially since then.

"I will be accompanying you today!" she beams, all rosy cheeks and smile so broad her eyes close.

His deepening frown and narrowing eyes are to be expected. "What the fuck? Why do you look so-" he tilts his head in search for a word,"-happy?" about being with me, he adds only in his mind. Honestly, he knows for a fact (he is royalty, fuck it he calls whatever he wants facts) that people would do anything not to be in close proximity with him.

A certain redheaded man pops into his mind as if being an argument against his 'fact'. Wait, isn't there something he is forgetting here?

He shakes his head, whatever, turning his attention back to the knight in front of him.

Her eyes sparkle when she opens them again, smile softer and hands behind her back in a proud position,"I will do my best to earn your trust and be a loyal vassal, my prince." He isn't sure what she means so he dismisses it with a raised brow, looking over her shoulder to the other pink woman who has been watching their conversation with interest.

She grins when their eyes meet and Yaoyorozu turns aside to let the first part of the day's schedule begin.

"Ahh, Prince Bakugou, this will be fun!"

Sure, Ashido, fun for you.

Walking down the corridor to the meeting with his teacher, Katsuki stretches. As he hears a few cracks he can't help but let out a satisfied groan. Finally the whole adjustments deal is fucking over. Hands all over his body, clothes on, clothes off, loose, tight, mostly tight (why the hell)... ew.

"You seem awfully relaxed today. Did you sleep well?" Yaoyorozu questions offhandedly, walking by his side.

He shrugs, his hands finding back into his pockets,"What the fuck makes you say that? I'm always relaxed."

She does not respond verbally but he feels the look she gives him. "...Okay! Goddamn, ponytail, stop that stare! I just got some real good sleep for once, a'right? Let me fucking live, damn..." The blonde turns his head to the side his words ending up mumbled at the end.

"I'm just happy that's all, Ba- Prince Bakugou!" she starts off confident but she ends it with an embarrassing attempt to cover her mistake.

"Seriously?" Bakugou scowls, perplexed by her unusual behaviour,"What the fuck is up with you? You've been weird for some shit time now."

Her eyes flicker over to his in a chuckle,"Is that so? Hmm, it's probably because of your knight. He made a good impression on me so far!" It's nice of him to notice, she thinks.

"Ah, 's that so." Not a question, the blonde looks forward. An obvious try to show how disinterested he is.

Good thing Yaoyorozu knows him better than that.

"Kirishima Eijirou seems like a good man," she continues, ignoring his following show of annoyance,"I admit I was wary about him at first, did not support the idea wholeheartedly but you chose him for a reason after all and I think I'm slowly starting to see that reason. I hope it was the right choice!"

"I'd like to see that fucking reason too," he mumbles as they reach the door of the study room.

She ends up craning her neck to hear him better in vain. Before she can ask any further, he opens the door and has her follow him inside before closing it behind him.

A man with messy black hair and blood shot baggy eyes is already sitting at the table in the center of the room. The walls aren't visible, covered with bookshelves, a lone tall window illuminating the room. The man stands up and gives a curt bow, addressing them both,"Morning, Prince. Knight."

Katsuki quickly finds his usual seat next to the man, all needed utensils already prepared.

They go through Maths, Biology, Literature, Strategy and Chinese.

Yaoyorozu is a very smart woman. Both of them enjoy learning. It's boring when it's only Aizawa anyway, the blonde thinks.

Aizawa Shouta is one of the head knights of the queen and king, but most of the time he is Bakugou Katsuki's private teacher. His service is usually only used for emergencies and no casual incidents. Following the standards of the king and queen, that is.

Five hours go by in a fly.

"There is something I wanted to tell you before you leave," Aizawa stops the two younger ones from standing up. "Your chosen one," he starts slowly,"I've noticed him lurking around a lot. Lurking, literally, besides making friends with everyone he meets. I've been avoiding him. It's not that I think he is dangerous but I advise to be careful. I don't know your reasons for choosing and trusting him nor do I care, but something feels off."

Aizawa expects angry yelling from the prince. Something like 'How dare you question my fucking decision-making skills?!' or something.

He's confused by the calm response he gets.

"It doesn't matter. I'll kick him out as soon as I can, I can't do that yet, so I'm avoiding him, just like you do."

The one who does seem to be angry on the other hand, which is just as surprising, is Yaoyorozu. "Are you saying you chose him just for show?" her glare does not faze the prince.

Aizawa is puzzled for a moment, but he assesses the picture quickly. It was weird to hear the prince had chosen someone either way. The prince, who despite his image, was very much against lying and deceiving. It wouldn't make sense if he chose someone just for show, he'd do it for real or not at all. After all he's been determined to show his parents how much better off he is on his own. There's got to be a story behind this, but Aizawa knows he is missing important pieces.

"That's not fucking it!" the prince's glare is way more intense as he stands up, towering. Katsuki feels like the last time he's said that exact sentence was just a few weeks ago. Oh wait, it fucking was. He can't just rat shitty-hair out either.

Yaoyorozu doesn't back down, rather stands up, but her eyes show she is going through a similar mind process their teacher just went through. There is a moment of silence with the two of them glaring at each other and Aizawa sitting between them. Aizawa holds up his hands in a calming manner at least,"Get yourselves together, you two, I wasn't even completely done yet."

"Can't you just tell me then?" Yaoyorozu's voice is strained, directed at the prince.

Bakugou keeps quiet in exchange, glare wavering but not breaking. He points to the door,"Wait outside. It's an order, fucking follow it." The female knight, despite herself, leaves the room as professionally as expected of her.

When she's out and the door's closed again, the table suffers Katsuki's piercing glare and burns from the small explosions eliciting his palms. He's angry, not sure at who though.

"You weren't fucking done yet, were you?" he spits out.

His teacher sighs boredly,"It did not seem like you were avoiding him last night."

His eyes widen and he can't help but feel embarrassed, his glare doesn't affect his teacher at all. "Are you all obsessed enough with me to fucking stalk me now? Where the fuck is my privacy, you damn assholes?" he demands, raised fists cackling with small sparkles.

Aizawa crosses his arms. "We have Jirou as our security system with me as the head of security, some things are bound to get out. Stop being childish. She thought she heard suspicious movements over the rose gardens and ended up identifying you and your knight."

"She saw?" he croaks out, turns his eyes back down the table.

Aizawa raises a brow at that,"Saw what?"

Which means she did not. Probably.

Katsuki feels the need to escape - now - so he turns fast. Aizawa's judging stare is hard to ignore, he feels it bore into his back even after he's closed the door behind him again and Yaoyorozu stands before him in a professional state.

She stares straight ahead, her happiness from before isn't visible anymore. Her gaze is hard, ahead, distant and calculating. He does not mind.

"Let's fucking go."

Katsuki is not sure why he felt the need to escape. There is nothing to hide, is there? Nothing even happened that night, but for some reason right and wrong jumble together in his head.

The prince meets the root of almost all his recent problems again soon enough. It's late afternoon when his schedule finally gives him room to breath and even Yaoyorozu leaves him be.

His plan of seeing his horse Ignition and riding her into the woods destroyed as he catches sight of Kirishima.

While he stands in the open entrance, the red head is standing outside the stall's half-door, smiling and petting Ignition who seems just as comfortable as the red head.

Katsuki does not stop himself from watching the scene. He feels his heart squeeze when he hears the redhead laugh as the horse sticks his tongue out and licks one of Kirishima's hands. If it were Katsuki she would've probably actually bitten him for fun instead.

Those times of basically every day when Kirishima tried to talk to him flood his mind. It's been annoying at first. The way he was so persistent about being on better terms with him, but Katsuki couldn't just give him a chance. Yet at some point the actual irritation disappeared step by step, he doesn't know how the red head managed to do such a thing to him. Avoiding was all he's been doing till now. Talking to Bakugou is a hard thing to do in general, so even when the blonde actively ignored the other man he did not let go at all. Instead kept talking about his day, what friends he's made (Sero and Ashido often mentioned), how he wishes he could do more with Bakugou instead too.

Even when Bakugou left him all the time, yelled and ignored him...

Sure, his plan is to avoid Kirishima as much as possible since he can't get rid of him right now, but as soon as he's king he will be able to. Yet now that's something that feels wrong.

Last night was something else entirely. He felt--

"Prince Bakugou?"

Katsuki snaps out of his daze and finds Kirishima looking at him. Right in front of him. When the hell did Katsuki walk over?

The red head steps away from Ignition to give him a bow in greeting, features displaying confusion. Katsuki only nods back to greet.

He can't make his eyes look away, as much as he tries to.

"Is there something on my face?" Kirishima asks as he straightens up again, index finger scratching his chin in confusion,"You've been looking at me like that for a while now..."

Bakugou feels heat rush to his cheeks as he clears his throat, blinking his glaring eyes strongly in an attempt to get them to look away for longer than a second from the other man,"Why the fuck are you here?" He forces a scowl on his face.

"Oh, I come here a lot lately. Ignition is such a good lady!" Kirishima smiles, not at him but at the horse. Why not at him-- no. Fucking stop that.

"That doesn't answer my question, fuckmunch," finally he pries his eyes away and onto Ignition instead, crossing his arms. He's still kinda offended by her liking Kirishima. He knows Kirishima comes here often because his mother told him.

"Sometimes when I go to get the horses with your father, your knight is there with yours and we always end up talking to him," she had laughed,"I'm glad you choose him, you idiot, he's a sweetheart."

Fuck that, Katsuki thinks.

Kirishima's answer does not surprise him,"I hope to meet you here, obviously! So far it's worked on the wrong Bakugou more than on the one I wanted to see though." He laughs quietly.

"Why..." Katsuki breathes in deeply to actually get the question out, no curses, no yelling,"Why are you like this to me? Last n-n-night, too! What the fuck?" The way he wanted to ask did not work, but he managed to ask. The blonde squeezes his eyes shut when he feels like his head might explode because he knows he is that red.

Kirishima sure takes his sweet time to fucking answer.

"Oi, shit-stain--"

"I'm your knight. But I also wanna get closer to you as a person. Isn't that obvious?" Kirishima is blushing too when Bakugou looks up, but he looks into his eyes in all seriousness,"Why do you have to be so rude about it, man? I know you don't want me here, but can't we at least try? You've been running away from me and I-I..." he trails off before he starts again,"I see that you talk to other knights, but never to me, your own. I can't help feeling shitty 'bout it either."

There are no good feelings in Katsuki's chest when he sees that somber frown, those pouty lips and those frustrated eyes staring up into his, but he won't admit it to himself.

"Why don't you just fucking stop then?" he grits out finally, scowling and glaring into the red eyes opposite of his. Everyone stops at some point, everyone fucking stops so just stop and leave. People left for way fucking less.

Kirishima glares back bravely,"It's my choice. It's my choice to be here, so I'll try my best while I still have the chance to... be with you."

Moments go by with them glaring at each other.

Until Ignition fucking neighs loudly.

Kirishima bursts into laughter. What the fuck? "S-Sorry, hahahahaha, it's-- hahaha-- the whole angry tense atmosphere just--hahaaha!" He steadies himself by holding onto the blonde's shoulders, who can't help the laugh that escapes his own lips. They laugh together, hold onto each other to stop themselves from falling over.

It's not even that funny, yet here they are. 

It's funny because they're here together.

They calm down at some point, still closely holding onto each other. A faint smile still on both their faces.

The two stare deeply into the each others eyes, both with rosy cheeks from all the laughing. The blush only deepends as awareness floods in, both their smiles fall off almost immediately.

As they realise how near their faces are, they realise the rest of their position haltingly as their eyes travel downwards. Kirishima's arm is loosely around his neck, his other hand on his shoulder; while Bakugou holds onto the man's waist with one and the other on his chest. Both blush and slowly pull away.

The prince gulps, takes a step back to straighten up and decides to break the silence,"I guess you're n-not that bad, shitty hair. What you did last n-night... I wanted to punch you but I was too tired!"

Damn, he almost said '... helped me sleep, thank you'. Phew, fucking saved himself last second!

Kirishima pouts,"The least you can do is remember my name, dude. Not like my hair is that much different from yours!" Kirishima means it sure, but he only wants to tease the prince. He doesn't expect what comes next at all.

"Kirishima, I shall allow you to stay by me from today on," the prince steadily says, frown implying seriousness instead of anger,"As you are my knight I will be holding a lot of expectations for you." The small speech ends with a lopsided grin by the prince.

"And I shall do my best to reach them all, Prince Bakugou."

For the rest of the day, the blonde prince forgets his teacher's warning words and the red haired knight forgets what his real goals were supposed to be.

The day is spend with the two of them in a stinky horse barn, together with Ignition.

Chapter Text

There is running behind him.

It's night and the lanterns are the only source of light in the castle corridors. His schedule was packed enough for it to be finished only now.

He stops in his tracks.

He has heard that dumb running often enough by now for him to identify who it is as soon as he hears it.

Sigh. "If you plan on jumping on my back again, I will fucking deck you."

The steps abruptly stop right behind him.

A hand cautiously finds his shoulder,"C'mon, dude... I didn't know you'd fall over. You look really sturdy so I thought I could just latch on you. At least the king thought it was funny." Kirishima may be trying to look apologetic but it's not working.

"I only fell over because I wasn't expecting a heavy rock to fucking fall on me, okay. Don't remind me of that shit!" the prince retorts, hands raised and sparkling.

"Rude. My quirk wasn't even activated that time," Kirishima pouts and the hand on his shoulder moves over so the arm is slung over Katsuki's shoulders. Katsuki lets him.

"What was on today's programm, huh?" Kirishima continues with a bright grin,"Didn't see you at all today!"

The prince puts his hands in his pockets."The day was just filled with preparations for tomorrow, shitty-hair. Anyway, you got someone as your partner for the ball?" Katsuki turns his head away from Kirishima before continuing,"All the people in the castle are fucking invited and can bring a plus-one, even if it's an outsider." Shitty-hair probably knows a lot of people he can take as his plus-one. Katsuki feels himself pout and bites his lip. There's nothing to pout about. Bakugou fucking Katsuki is not someone who pouts anyway!

"Nah, I'll probably hang around Ashido and Sero most of the time. If you feel bored you can call for me, I'll be ready anytime!" He gives an enthusiastic thumbs up.

"Huh... I heard you're close with a lightning mage. You can call them if you wanna. We have a mage of our own so they might get along or some shit," the prince says and Kirishima's responsibilities feel ten times heavier now.

"Ah... how did you know? I don't think he has the time to come over here on such short notice," Kirishima awkwardly retracts his arm around Prince Bakugou's neck. Both ignore their dislike for that move.

"Oh, but can you tell me more about your mage? I've met almost everyone but a handful of people. The mage is quite skilled, aren't they?" The red head switches topics to lighten the mood.

Katsuki side-eyes him. Does he have a thing for mages or something? "She's a sound mage. She's a huge part of our security system here, together with Aizawa. I guess you can fucking meet her tomorrow. She hangs around Ponytail a lot. If you don't find them, just find me and I'll introduce you."

Kirishima sighs happily,"Ahh, Prince Bakugou, I like your nice side!"

"What the fuck do you mean nice? I'll kick your ass!"

"Charming," Kirishima comments and Bakugou isn't sure if that was sarcasm or not, but the red head continues more serious then,"By the way... what do you think of marrying Prince Todoroki Shouto? You gonna do it?"

Katsuki contemplates, raising a brow in his direction.

Honestly Katsuki doesn't know what to do about that matter yet. He brainstormed a lot since the his parents announced the possibility of marriage to him, that day in the carriage. But most of his plans have a low succeed rate.

He decides to be honest with Kirishima,"I sure as hell don't fucking want to. But there's no way my parents will let me become king without a marriage partner. If it's not Half-n-half it'll just be someone else, so who fucking gives a shit, I guess."

They stop in front of the prince's bedroom.

"Ah, I see," Kirishima replies and looks to the floor, hands behind his back; though not in the professional way Yaoyorozu would stand but rather almost shyly. That's what Bakugou thinks, but Kirishima's truth is guilt more than anything.

"Why the sudden interest, shitty-hair?" Prince Bakugou questions him with crossed arms and a smirk to match his proud stance. He isn't sure what he wants to hear or why he feels so... confident? Katsuki is always self-confident, but this... he isn't sure what he expects but he expects something from the red head.

Kirishima looks up with a small smile,"I kind of support that idea. I'm sure it'll be beneficial to you as well as the kingdom." Katsuki doesn't know that Kirishima had to force the words out of himself.

The smirk on his face falls off and an irritated scowl sets in,"So you fucking think like them, huh? Think I can't handle a kingdom on my own or some shit? Doesn't fucking surprise me!" He ignores Kirishima's crestfallen expression, glares back instead and turns to go inside his bedroom,"I don't fucking need anybody."

He was about to shut the door, but Kirishima's hand catches it just in time.

"Wait, prince!" Kirishima calls as soon as he snaps out of it and struggles to keep the door open, while Bakugou pushes against it from the other side,"T-That's not what I meant!"

"Then what the fuck did you mean?" the blonde yells enraged, pushing even stronger,"I swear to god, if you don't let go of the fucking door I will fucking send you flying back to wherever you came from, you fucking country basket!"

"Prince, please give me a chance to explain!" Kirishima hardens his arms, pushes just hard enough to push himself into the room. The door crashes closed with that, Bakugou leaning against it while furiously glaring at him.

Bakugou was seriously about to lose it. He doesn't know what he expected by accepting Kirishima a week ago.

"You get one more fucking chance to leave me the hell alone before I will crush your skull in my fucking hands and let it explode in all possible directions," Katsuki is already in a fighting stance. Another smirk, different from before, appears on his face and sends a chill down Kirishima's spine,"You take the damn chance or not, Kirishima?"

This isn't the way Kirishima would like him to say his name.

He hardens his body just in case,"Calm down! I lied. Let me explain!"

The prince visibily falters for a moment before his smirk widens,"Don't say random shit just to please me. Your chance expired." He charges forward, and Kirishima closes his eyes and braces himself.

It takes less than a few seconds and Katsuki has him wrestled to the floor. The red head lies on the floor with the blonde sitting atop of him. His arms are restricted above his head by the blonde's hands. He stops struggling.

When he opens his eyes again the prince's face is calm, simply staring at him. But Kirishima can't help noticing their closeness. A blush finds its way to his face.

They're so close; Kirishima thinks his heart is going to burst out his chest if the prince moves even a little bit closer.

"Did you really think I would blast your fucking ass right now?" Prince Bakugou nonchalantly asks. His hands loosen around the red heads wrists but don't leave.

Kirishima finds his voice after a moment, replying with a half smile,"Actually I was pretty sure. Are you aware of how intimidating you can look?"

"Hm," Katsuki tilts his head in understanding, blinking unimpressed.

Kirishima is kind of curious. He tries ignore how hot he feels and frowns,"Can you switch between batshit scary and calm like this anytime?"

The prince grins proudly and unconsciously moves his face closer,"I'm Bakugou Katsuki." As if that's answer enough.

Kirishima blinks up into his eyes and Bakugou blinks back.

Then Katsuki frowns. Why is hair-for-brains so red in the face? Did he get him that much out of breath?

"What?" Kirishima squeaks, growing redder by the second.

"Can you breathe?" Katsuki lets his hands go and moves, so he stands on his knees, both on either side of Kirishima's hips instead of him sitting on Kirishima's hips. Katsuki tilts his head from side to side in confusion, looking down on him, now that they're not so close anymore,"You're really fucking red in the face. Did I break something?"

Kirishima groans in annoyance and uses his now-free hands to hide his red face,"Ahh, Prince Bakugou, enough already! Stop it!"

"I'm not even fucking doing anything!" Bakugou scowls, more confused than ever, stands up and takes a step away from Kirishima whose face is as red as his own hair. Maybe he needs room to breathe or some shit? Maybe water will help? Does he even fucking have water in his room? Bakugou looks around in search.

"It's alright..." Kirishima mumbles, sitting up,"It's my own fault, okay. Ignore it. I get red in the face a lot, that's totally normal." Lame excuse but for some reason Kirishima believes the prince will buy it.

Apparently he buys it. "Ah, do you?" Katsuki says. It's not really a question. If it's normal then there is no damn need to worry. Not that he was worried in the first place, alright.

"Get the fuck up," Bakugou nudges the embarrassed man with his boot, oblivious to that very embarrassment. He holds out a hand, looking at him intently.

Kirishima moves his hands away from his face and his eyes widen when he sees the blonde's outstretched hand. He looks up at the prince as if asking for permission.

Katsuki frowns and shakes his outstretched hand,"Go on, fucking take it and get up already."

Kirishima takes his hand with the brightest grin tonight.

"Oi, shitty-hair?"

"Yeah, Prince Bakugou?"

"Why the fuck are you still here?"

Eijirou sits up from where he was laying on Katsuki's bed. Who the fuck allowed shitty-hair to lay on his bed in the first place... ah, Katsuki himself. Okay, forget that.

"Can't a man enjoy some quality time with his bro?" Shitty-hair pouts, using his puppy eyes on Bakugou, who's standing by the edge of the bed with his arms crossed. Now looking away because using a fucking puppy eyes expression is unfair.

"You've been here for way too long. I'm sure the sun will be up in a few hours already and I have a full fucking schedule tomorrow, you asshat," Bakugou scowls, not in his direction though. His scowl might fall if he looks at him right now.

Kirishima breaks the puppy expression finally and grins happily,"You're not gonna sleep anyway, are you?"

"Doesn't change the fucking fact that you should go to your own damn chamber and not be here in mine!"

Kirishima lays back down on his stomach, cuddling the pillows while looking up at him still,"I still haven't explained myself yet. Don't you think you let me get away with too much?"

Katsuki glowers,"Do you want me to beat you up or some shit, hair-for-brains?" To make a point, Katsuki rolls up his sleeves. "I'll kick your fucking ass."

"Nooo!~" Kirishima whines, unaffected. Did his glare lose effect on the red head? Kirishima pats the place next to him on the bed for Katsuki to join,"Let's talk about it-" Katsuki gives him a look. "-okay, let me talk about it and you try listening, yeah?"

The blonde sighs,"For fuck's sake, alright. Let me just get changed, I hate these fucking tight clothes. Fucking uncomfortable." He steps towards his pyjamas on the foot of the bed.

Kirishima watches him,"Looks good on you though."

Katsuki shrugs. As if on cue he casually takes his clothes off, one by one, to change.

"SHIT NO! WHAT-" Kirishima stops himself from screaming (and openly staring) as he sits up and continues in a scandalised whisper,"What are you doing, dude?" The heat rushes back into his face. Actually scratch that, he feels hot all over.

The prince, now in just his boxer shorts, looks at him as if he is the weird one here. "Did you just fucking scream?" he asks simply, slowly continuing where he left off as he picks up his pajama pants and Kirishima sits there, wondering what he did in his life to deserve this. He can't decide whether this is a good thing or bad, but... still... "Prince Bakugou, I shouldn't see you like... like t-this!"

"Like this? What the fuck are you talking about, hair-for-brains?" Katsuki frowns, now he has some pants on at least. Eijirou sees how his muscles move (he likes it) and thinks wow, the prince must have a really good work-out routine. That's not what he should be thinking though!

God, why does the the prince have to be so damn confident about his body and... everything! Kirishima doesn't really want answers. He wants himself to calm down, because this is the prince's fault. He facepalms himself so he doesn't have to look at absolutely dense Bakugou's absolutely nice body.

Bakugou on the other hand just shrugs, then throws the pyjama shirt behind him,"It's too fucking hot to wear a shirt to sleep."

"Why..." Kirishima mumbles to himself, hearing what the prince said.

Bakugou sits down next to him with crossed legs and leans over slightly,"Yo, your face is red again. We got a fucking medical team for that shit, you know. And you don't have to be so fucking embarrassed about it."

"So you do know I'm feeling embarrassed!" Kirishima looks up at him. Mistake! He looks down. Another mistake! He faces the other way. This. This is okay.

Katsuki frowns. Kirishima, what's with you? He lays down on the covers with a sigh,"Don't fucking mind it and spit out what you wanted to say before. You said you lied."

Kirishima is still sitting and looking the other way when he feels himself become nervous about other matters. He takes a deep breath and starts,"About the marriage... it's obvious how much you hate the idea, so of course, I don't really like the idea either. But I thought I should support it as your knight... Maybe you'll find it good later, who knows? But yeah, I did lie about supporting it. I think that if you don't want to do it then you shouldn't do it." That's true but it's also true that his other job unofficially wants him to support it.

"Oh?" Katsuki crosses his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling and quietly replies,"That's a complete new opinion amongst, well, fucking everyone. For once you have my fucking agreement."

Kirishima hums and slowly turns towards him. "Can I... lay down?" he asks in a whisper.

"Might help with your fucking red face problem," Katsuki shrugs as he looks at him. He says that - Kirishima smiles - yet the prince has rosy cheeks by the time he actually lays next to him.

They stare at the ceiling in silence.

"Kirishima," Bakugou starts, making the person in question turn his head to look at him. After he takes his hands away from under his head and on his abdomen instead, he continues,"Why did you come into my tent that day?"

Truthfully Katsuki thinks that he had come that day to kill, fight, rob or harass him in whatever else way. Because that's the obvious answer to the question, to him that is. Admittedly, by now that suspicion has obviously dulled a little, but the doubt of Kirishima's sincerity is still present. This whole matter is weird and doesn't make sense to Katsuki at all.

It's non-sense that there is somebody on his bed together with him. It's non-sense that he lets that somebody do things that he'd never let anybody else do. This, for example, the way Kirishima fully turns to him and puts his hand on Katsuki's arm gently. Why the hell does Katsuki let him? It's absolute non-sense. Kirishima could lie to him right now and if Katsuki notices, he might let him, too, and let him get away. What the fuck is wrong with him?

After the shortlived stillness, Kirishima's grip on his arm tightens the smallest bit. It doesn't hurt, it's just more prominent now. Katsuki prepares himself for the answer, he is almost fully sure that he won't like it.

"I wanted to see you," Kirishima breathes out, as if he feels as tense as Bakugou,"I really had to... I guess. Personally, I mean. How else could I have shown you how much I wanted to be your knight and have you accept me? Though I'm not sure why I had to choose that approach, haha."

Technically it's not a lie, Eijirou tells himself. He feels Bakugou relax next to him. Shame hits him yet again. "I'm sorry," he mumbles and looks down, biting down on his lip. It's not like the prince knows why he is apologising, but he feels the need to do it.

He feels a hand ruffles his hair slowly,"What are you apologising for, hair-for-brains? I'm kind of glad you took that dumbass approach of yours. You were fucking annoying at first but you've become... tolerable? Tolerable, yeah."

When Eijirou looks up he sees the blonde prince smile. A genuine smile. He thought he would never see such a warm expression on the prince.

"D-Do you like me being here?" Kirishima dares to ask before he can stop himself from indulging in the moment, unconsciously looking hopeful. 

Katsuki's smile drops and Kirishima almost regrets asking.

"Shit, I kind of like it."

Katsuki grimaces, scrunched nose and all, about the apparent new discovery. Even more when Kirishima's face lights up not even a second later.

"I like it, too, Prince Bakugou!"

Chapter Text

The prince watches people fill the ballroom, orientate themselves and talk with each other as he stands in the small interior balcony above them all where nobody can see him. Elbows on the railings with his head propped up on one. Opposite the balcony he's at, the musicians are already playing some background music in the Minstrels' gallery.

Bakugou Katsuki is bored out of his mind.

He checks who has come only from time to time, mostly listening to the names announced because he doesn't even watch the entrance of the grand ballroom. His eyes are on the royal knights, standing by the King and Queen whose round table is in the end of the room. Most knights, though dressed fancier than usual, are scattered near the host table for now.

Since the Bakugous are known for having a small but very effective security team, there aren't a lot anyway (and people better not try to start shit, because most people - not just the knights - in this castle can defend themselves, the place and its people). Kirishima, Yaoyorozu and Aizawa stand quite far away from each other; Aizawa (though seemingly not pleased) is next to Yamada Hizashi, Yaoyorozu stands with Uwabami and Takeyama Yuu (both her seniors in knighthood), and Kirishima has apparently befriended Shouji Mezuo and Tokoyami Fumikage just now, since Katsuki sees how they shake hands and bow formally.

Their mage, Jirou Kyouka, sits in a corner and just like Katsuki, her eyes are focused on either the entrance or the knights.

Well, the prince's eyes usually find his own knight.

Kirishima isn't wearing anything simple like he usually does. All the knights are wearing something fancy, with the main colour being black; this way it's clear they're the Bakugou Knights.

The black suit adorned with gold, red and white suits him well and Katsuki knows Ashido had something to do with it, since the design reeks of her. Fitted perfectly. He should know, he only gets to wear whatever her department makes for him. Katsuki guesses that since Kirishima is friends with Ashido now, she just made him that suit and gifted it to him, not accepting any 'No'.

Katsuki himself is wearing a white suit, adorned with red, gold and black instead. (His parents were about to make him wear his crown for this occasion too, but hell no, the suit is uncomfortable enough.)

Suddenly Kirishima's smile towards his two new friends turns into a laugh and his eyes travel upwards coincidentally, meeting with Bakugou's. The blonde tries to hold down the blush creeping up his neck (it shouldn't be visible from this distance anyway, right?) and simply plans to hold his gaze for a moment as if he hasn't just been caught staring at the red head from his safe spot. Kirishima doesn't back down either, shows a smile as well.

"Welcome King Todoroki Enji, also known as Endeavor, and his son Prince Todoroki Shouto!"

The announcement startles him a bit and his eyes are ripped away from his knight and onto the newly arrived guests. As soon as the Todorokis walk down the staircase of the entrance and fully into the ballroom, Prince Todoroki quickly spots Katsuki in that small interior balcony. They have four other people with them, probably as guards. The blond prince recognises three of them in distaste, but the fourth is a stranger to him.

Now - Katsuki knows because they've known each other long enough - Todoroki Shouto will disappear from the ballroom to meet up with Prince Bakugou. It's not like they actively plan things this way, but every time they're at the same place, Prince Todoroki seeks Prince Bakugou.

Katsuki straightens up, takes a few steps away from the railing and out of sight, putting his hands in his pockets and waiting for the other prince to appear behind him.

(Kirishima pouts and gets back to the conversation at hand, not sparing a glance to the new guests. He should have.)

"Bakugou."

He does not turn around, rather sighs and lazily looks over his shoulder to the prince of another kingdom.

Said prince frowns at that before asking:"Are we going to do it?"

Katsuki knows what he means but still scoffs at the 'we'. But really, they might actually become a fucking 'we' by offical means. The thought alone makes him cringe.

"Let's not get caught alone together or this might actually get worse," he says as Todoroki comes to stand in front of him and they look at each other,"We obviously both don't want to but whether we will do it is something entirely fucking else. Any ideas, half-n-half?"

Todoroki says it quietly, frustration in his voice, as if things seem almost hopeless to him. "This is something we can't solve so quickly, isn't it? If they arranged this sooner in an official manner, I might have agreed completely, but now... we have to try stopping this."

"Oh, you fell in love?" Katsuki smirks because he knows who and it's amusing - expected. Shouto nods as he meets his eyes again.

A few years ago Todoroki Shouto confessed his feelings for Yaoyorozu, not to her but to Bakugou, who had already noticed on his own. Though that was when the three of them were lonely children and Todoroki only had the other two to play with for a long time, before he met others his age.

"Good," Katsuki teases, smirk still intact,"So, how far did you go with that little shit Deku?"

Todoroki blushes, looking up to half-heartedly glare,"We didn't do anything... and stop calling him that."

The blonde shrugs,"Huh. Anyway, does your father know of your little affair?"

"He took notice of it but he hasn't said anything yet. I'm sure that's one of the reasons he suggested this to your parents out of a sudden."

"They've been talking about this shit when we were younger, too. I fucking thought they were joking," Katsuki grits his teeth,"We have to take care of this bullshit."

"My father is the responsible one for this becoming serious in the first place and I doubt I can change his mind. Maybe we can do something about your parents?" Todoroki suggests,"Your parents married out of love, perhaps you could--"

"I don't have anyone like that," Bakugou states, looking at him as if it's obvious.

The princes stay quiet as they stare into each others eyes.

Bakugou doesn't know how Todoroki Shouto expected him to have someone like that (someone he's in love with, who loves him back) and he sees the way Todoroki realises it himself. Sure, he has people fawning over him and all that (next to people who hate his guts), but it would be weird for people to fall in love with someone like him. As fucking amazing he is, he isn't the type of person people fall in love with - or should fall in love with. At least that's what Katsuki thinks.

"Sorry." Todoroki's apology only pisses him off, but he stays quiet because he doesn't have any better ideas to stop their parents' plans.

"Look half-n-half, if you can't find a way, I--"

"Shouto!" an out of breath Midoriya rushes in, seeing Bakugou seems to make him feel embarrassed. He quickly looks back to Todoroki,"I m-mean Prince T-Todoroki! You suddenly disappeared without any notice to any of us! We should g-get back to the ballroom!"

"We are in the fucking ballroom, Deku," Katsuki remarks.

"I-I mean down t-t-to where the others are..." is the quiet reply of Midoriya. His cheeks are red and he actively avoids his gaze, while the first part is probably from the running, Katsuki feels like that's not all.

Ready to ask what the fuck his problem is, somebody else interrupts him before he can even open his mouth.

"Yo, why's everyone up here?"

"What the fuck, shitty-hair?"

"Prince Bakugou!" Kirishima beams and walks closer to sling an arm around his shoulder,"The king told me to get you out since this is an important night for you. And I told you to call me by my name, dude!"

Bakugou feels the confused looks of shock from both Deku and Todoroki on them and finds his face feeling hot, while he glares at Kirishima who seems to be the only happy one here.

"Fucking let me go!" Katsuki tries to shove him away to no avail, but Kirishima lets go himself soon enough to properly greet.

"Prince Todoroki, Midoriya Izuku," he nods at them and bows, so do they albeit still shocked.

As he straightens up, his eyes go to the blond prince again,"Let's go!" His arm is around the blonde's shoulders again as he drags him away and out of the balcony,"I met Jirou, by the way! She's..."

Kirishima and Bakugou disappear of sight, Kirishima's voice fading out with distance.

"Who was that?" Midoriya asks out loud to no one in particular,"I've never seen..."

Todoroki has seen Kirishima before.

He frowns as quiet anger builds up in him.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" Bakugou hisses as he successfully pulls away. They stop near the entrance to the ballroom.

Kirishima scratches his chin with his index-finger,"Well, the king--"

"That's not it, and you know it!"

"Okay okay! The atmosphare was getting more and more tense! I couldn't continue listening to that!" the red head holds up his hands innocently.

"What? Listening?" Katsuki growls lowly, glaring and stepping closer while Kirishima steps back,"How long have you been eavesdropping, hair-for-brains?"

Eijrou's back hits the wall behind him. He does not feel intimidated much. It's just that the prince is so close - again - and his heartbeat quickens by the blonde's actions. He smiles nervously. "So your parents married out of love, huh?"

It's enough for Bakugou to understand. The blonde steps away, gritted teeth and a scowl, hands back in his pockets. Kirishima isn't sure, but Prince Bakugou is definitely not pleased about it.

A mutter of "don't fucking do that," is all Kirishima gets before Bakugou takes on a proper stance, proud and tall, entering the ballroom.

Kirishima stays where he is, relaxing against the wall and holds a hand on his chest. "Calm down, man" he whispers to himself. He hears how the ballroom quiets down at the appearance of Prince Bakugou.

(There are worlds between them and barriers hard to climb.)

After Eijirou feels collected enough he walks back in, too. The announcer spares him a small glance before leaving the staircase, since his job is done and all expected guests have arrived already.

He walks into the well-scattered crowd of royalty, aristocrats, knights and their companions. Technically, he is a knight as well so he shouldn't feel so out of place, but he does. It's not because he hasn't had an official accolade yet (that'll be done by Bakugou Katsuki, when he's king), but it's just a gut feeling. People are friendly, amazed by him, who was chosen by the Bakugou Katsuki, the black-hearted prince.

Lost in thought with a drink in hand given by a caterer, he stands back by the King and Queen's round table by the end of the room. The king and queen themselves aren't there since they have left to greet their guests personally. The other knights have scattered around the huge ballroom too, it's just him there.

He sips his drink with a grimace - he doesn't even like alcohol.

Then he sees them.

It's Kaminari Denki.

Kaminari has his back turned towards him and he is talking to someone. Eijirou's eyes widen.

Kaminari is talking to Prince Bakugou.

His body moves - almost on its own - he walks towards them, leaves the drink on a random table on his way and when he reaches them, he is even more bewildered than before. Bakugou doesn't even look angry about the mage's presence and Kaminari doesn't look nervous at all.

The two blondes look at him as their conversation halts to a stop.

Kaminari smiles at him,"Hey, man. Why do you look so surprised?"

Kirishima glances between the two,"I didn't know... uh..." Bakugou raises a brow.

"Ahh, you wonder why I'm here? Well, King Endeavor felt like taking me with him. Honestly, I couldn't say no to seeing Prince Bakugou in person!" Kaminari holds his hands in Bakugou's direction in a presenting way,"A man true to his image."

"Shut the fuck up," Bakugou slaps his hands away,"You fucking found who you were looking for, I'll leave now."

"Wait!" Kaminari grabs a hold of his arm before he can turn away (though his grip loosens by the glare he gets in return),"Haha... why don't you hang around with us if you've got nothing better to do?"

Bakugou glowers at him and he lets go of his arm,"I will fucking leave now."

The prince looks at Kirishima for a moment, then he leaves the two alone. Eijirou watches as people make way for him almost immediately as he walks to the royal host table to sit by himself.

"Cat got your tongue or something? Oi, dude," the mage waves a hand in front of his face and he snaps out of staring at the blonde prince.

"K-Kaminari!" Eijirou exclaims and holds said man's arms in panic,"What are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me? The prince is really smart, okay, and now he knows we have a connection! And you have a public connection to Endeavor! And I, oh my god. He might-- mmpfh!"

Kaminari put his hands on his mouth,"Shh! It's okay! Usually you're the chill optimistic one of the both of us... what's up?" He takes his hands off when Kirishima calms down and looks at him with a pout.

"I'm just here on a whim, courtesy of King Endeavor," Kaminari grins,"Don't worry! ...No, wait, actually, yes, worry. Last time we talked I noticed something about you and man, I didn't think I was right, but I think we gotta talk."

Kirishima gulps.

Chapter Text

"Whatever it is, don't say it, Kaminari, please."

"We have to talk about it or else you'll get worse. I understand. I've seen him, man, I've talked to him."

"Oi, what's that supposed to mean?"

Kaminari sighs,"Your jealousy is showing."

"I-I'm not jealous! I just-" Kirishima splutters,"Whatever, why would I be jealous! You know what, don't even continue with what you wanted to say, I don't wanna hear it!"

"Then stop it so I don't have to say it!"

"I don't even know what you want me to stop with!"

"Ah. You're the guy who likes Blasty."

The monotonus voice belonging to no other than Mage Jirou Kyouka makes both Kirishima and Kaminari jump.

"How long have you been listening?" Kaminari points an accusing (trembling) finger towards her,"Forget whatever you just heard!"

Kirishima closes his mouth (which fell open when he heard Jirou's words) and feels like he needs to lay down on the floor for a while. This person just said he liked Blasty - uh, Prince Bakugou - and this is not a healthy reaction. He feels caught but honestly why does he feel that way? It's not even true!

"Huh... I just came over to say hello to the only other mage in the ballroom," Jirou replies, still in a monotone until she smirks with her next words,"As a plus I finally get to see the talk of the castle grounds."

"I think you got something wrong there, haha!" Kirishima laughs nervously as he clamps a hand on his neck,"I do not... uh... like... uh..." He trails off here, doesn't know how to continue because of her blank stare boring into him.

"Hm?" she blinks innocently before she smirks (again),"I just wanted to show my gratitude for you since you're one of us now. You know, not a lot of people like Prince Bakugou, but the people in this castle kind of do. How did you interpret my words, Knight?"

Kirishima smiles despite feeling sweaty,"O-Oh, I s-see! Yes, uhm, thank you, too, for taking the time to come over to us!"

"And I thought she figured out that--oompf!"

Kaminari wouldn't have gotten Kirishima's elbow into his side if he just shut up. Kaminari deserved that, Kirishima thinks.

Jirou Kyouka laughs.

The conversation flows well. Each of them tell the others a bit about themselves.

Jirou is a powerful sound mage but today is her day off. She winked when she said that with the explanation that it's supposed to be a secret but she trusts the knight (and the lightning mage who is the knight's best friend) because of Prince Bakugou. The female sound mage generally mentions the prince a lot; She tells them about how he stays up far too late and it's not like she spies on him, she swears, but he wanders in the gardens a lot at night so she always finds out. She also tells them how dangerous it can be around Prince Bakugou, either he attacks you or somebody else attacks you while they're attacking him. "If you ever find yourself in trouble you can count on him though," she says that with a small smile and an encouraging pat on the red head's shoulder.

The more she says his name the heavier Eijirou's heart feels. But he can't stop himself from listening either.

Kaminari notices, of course, even if it's a bit late. Finally the mages are talking about something else, their special fields of magic.

Kirishima feels the need for some fresh air so he excuses himself and leaves to the balconies on the right side of the ballroom. Going through the curtains and coming out on the side of the long empty balcony is a freeing feeling.

He leans his elbows against the railings and looks over the gardens; Colourful, green, full of life and beauty.

Eijirou remembers the fullmoon night he shared with the prince in the rose gardens.

Kirishima lays a hand above his chest where his heart beats. "You're no good like this," he whispers.

Bakugou has been sitting here for about an hour now. People are afraid to talk to him, especially when he's alone. He enjoys it though - being left in peace. He'll just have to wait a few more hours to be able to return to his sleeping chambers. That might be the only thing he's looking forward to today.

"Katsuki, why are you here? You should be with Prince Todoroki."

Bakugou suppresses an annoyed groan as his father, the King, takes the seat next to him. The hesitant smile on his face only foreshadows the topic at hand.

Bakugou ignores him. He isn't in the mood to talk about this right now. He has other things to worry about, you know, like stopping this, and not getting married to Todoroki Shouto (whose heart belongs to someone else anyway).

"Your mother is talking to him right now," his father continues talking, gesturing with a hand towards the queen,"We both think that Prince Todoroki is a good man. Well, as childhood friends you'd know better, of course." He chuckles. 

"I don't want to fucking marry him," Katsuki finally blurts out. His father blinks at him in surprise and the blonde can only sigh in frustration before elaborating,"He doesn't want to fucking marry me."

"But you get along so well..." the King furrows his brows in thought,"We thought you'd be a good pair even if it's not love. I personally think love can come with time, you know? Some people fall in love after marriage as well."

It's hard to suppress the anger in his heart when it's met with ignorance like this. He knows his father means no harm but he can't help the way he feels. "Father, can't you see?" he finally meets his fathers gaze with gritted teeth so he doesn't shout,"His heart already belongs to somebody else! How can you not see that? Aren't you the one with experience in this goddamn subject of love?"

The king is taken aback. "How would you know, my son?" he mutters before he takes his attention over to where the queen is talking to Prince Todoroki, who has his own knight, Midoriya Izuku, next to him.

Katsuki watches the way his father's face changes as realisation dawns upon him.

"I don't know shit about love but some people are just that obvious," he states, fingers playing with the buttons on his left sleeve when he feels his father's eyes fall back on him.

"I'm sorry, Katsuki," his father quietly apologises before he clears his throat with a hard expression,"So that's why King Endeavor proposed this idea so suddenly. But that does not change much even if we decline now. If you don't find somebody else we'll have to arrange something again. Never mind the fact that Prince Todoroki will have problems if he really wants to marry Midoriya."

"Are you against them, too?"

"No, but it's not something we should get involved in either. There are princesses and princes marrying knights. Todoroki's only opponent would be his father, if he really wants to openly be with Midoriya."

A pause.

"Love sure sounds fucking bothersome."

The king chuckles at the blunt statement, he agrees though,"It is but it's worth it most of the time. Maybe you'll find out someday."

"The only damn thing I need to find is some fresh air," Bakugou mumbles as he ruffles through his hair with a hand and leaves the table.

Kirishima turns around, ready to go back in, just as Bakugou steps out from behind the red curtains.

Almost immediately their eyes meet and both pause in their actions. There are a few meters between them on the castle balcony.

"Uh, hey," Kirishima gives him an unsure smile,"What's up?"

Bakugou looks down to the side. His voice is unusually quiet. "Needed some fresh air. What the hell are you doing here?"

"Me too, fresh air," he replies as he steps towards the blonde, who in turn takes a step back.

"You can stay, I'll leave," Bakugou's eyes find his again. Kirishima is confused by the way his heart skips a beat. "Why? You can stay. It's your castle, Prince Bakugou," Saying his name leaves a weird feeling on his tongue he can't quite describe. He wants to say it again.

When the prince does not answer but only stares at him with a small frown on his forehead, he decides to say it again.

"We can stay here together, Prince Bakugou."

The prince gives him a scrutinising look with cautious steps forward but ultimately ends up in front of him anyways.

It's barely a meter between them now and Eijirou has his full attention in the way the blonde does not break eye contact even now. Kirishima hates how happy this small difference makes him feel. He can't help how warm his cheeks feel or the smile that stretches across his lips.

The sun is directly behind Kirishima's head and it makes his hair shine prettily. It's as if there's a bright halo over his head. The way his smile reaches his eyes, just as warm as the sunrays make it a full picture. Katsuki suddenly feels warm and safe.

The prince frowns in confusion, finds the ends of his own lips twitching upwards. He blinks when he notices it and shakes his head quickly.

Kirishima pouts,"Aw, just when I thought you were going to smile."

"Hah?" Katsuki bares his teeth in lazy irritation, sticking his hands into his pockets,"I came here to get some fresh air and peace, not fucking smile."

"I like your smile though, Prince Bakugou," Kirishima leans back against the railings with his elbows. The gardens behind him aren't beautiful enough for him to turn his back towards Bakugou. Especially now when his cheeks are tinted pink and he has a glare directed towards him.

"Don't say shit like that," Prince Bakugou leans his side against the railings and tilts his head to look at the gardens,"I smile a lot anyway, shitty-hair. 'm just not in the mood right now."

That's true. Bakugou looks as tired as he had looked the day Kirishima had sneaked into his tent.

Kirishima laughs,"I don't mean the smile you use in fights or the smirks you use when you're proud of yourself or say something mean, or both. Though I guess I like those, too."

"All the same anyway. See," Bakugou smirks lazily and points towards his mouth just as lazily.

Kirishima glances down at his lips in the flow of the moment without having thought about the consequences and quickly looks away completely from the blonde. Heat rises up his neck. A short glance can do so much to him, he can't believe it. But the prince's lips look so- don't look there again!

He forces his eyes to stay away this time.

By now Katsuki has noticed. But he isn't sure what exactly he has noticed, just that the knight is acting weird again, for whatever reason. "Kirishima, I don't know what you're doing but you should stop," he declares as he turns his head towards the gardens again,"I think you take my position way too seriously, you know. Maybe that's why you have a hard time looking at me? Just drop the fucking formalities then."

Kirishima stops leaning against the railings and stands up straight with wide eyes,"What?" That's not the reason he's behaving like this but...

"Drop the 'Prince' off my name," he repeats in different words with a glare way too soft,"Maybe not in front of other people though since they'll go off on you. Do it when it's just us two." He has turned away again but Kirishima sees his flushed cheeks.

His heart feels like it is going to burst out of happiness and the weight of before seems so far away when he's with Prince Bakugou - no - Bakugou.

The grin on his face is hard to control and even hurts his cheeks a little,"Okay... Bakugou. Thanks!"

Bakugou stops leaning against the railings too now. When Bakugou looks at Kirishima again it's with the smile Kirishima had seen the night before when it was just them, like now. It's just them here. It's warm. 

"Sure, Kirishima."

The atmosphare becomes softer and the sun still shines brightly upon them.

Eijirou's heart has been beating faster and so has Katsuki's but neither know of the other. When they both gradually lean towards each other it's also something neither realise. It all seems so natural.

Just inches away from each other and feeling each other's breath.

Bakugou glances down at Kirishima's lips and back up again, as if asking for permission and Kirishima feels like melting. Yes. Do it. Please.

They're lost in the moment, lost in each other's eyes and the small distance isn't closed yet; Kirishima shyly positions his hands on the blonde's waist and the other puts a hand on the knight's shoulder and another gently on his cheek.

Their lips are just about to meet when-

"Hello, is anyone out there? I'm looking for-- Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Midoriya squeaks when he realises the moment he just interrupted and especially whose moment to top it off.

Both Bakugou and Kirishima were already away from each other in high speed, while Bakugou almost stumbled but Kirishima caught him and let him go quickly when they met eyes again. Midoriya has not seen much of what was going on before he arrived but their red faces are enough of indication.

"Kacchan's murderous glare directed towards me says enough as well," Midoriya mumbles as he slowly steps back behind the curtain and into the ballroom to leave them alone again.

He takes a deep breath in the safety of the ballroom's crowd.

"What happened?" Prince Todoroki suddenly appears next to him and Midoriya jumps.

"Shouto! Where were you?" he whisper-shouts, holding onto the other's shoulders,"I think I just made Kacchan hate me again just because I was looking for you! Stop disappearing all the time!"

"I was looking for Bakugou."

"Why, again?!"

"He's on the balcony?" Todoroki makes a go for it, but Midoriya holds him back fast enough.

"Shouto, not now!"

Chapter Text

Bakugou can't believe what he has just done.

Or almost done. Whatever.

Not only did he almost kiss Kirishima Eijirou, his knight, he also got caught by fucking Deku! It gets worse - he and Kirishima pulled away from each other as if they had burned themselves on each other and honestly, tripping right after and getting caught in the red head's arms again might have been too much.

These emotions are too much for someone so unexperienced in that department, especially someone like Bakugou Katsuki.

"Fuck, I gotta go," that's what Bakugou left Kirishima with before rushing off back into the ballroom after Deku left. He did not even need to see Kirishima's expression fully to know he wasn't happy about it. But one more moment in the other's presence might have made his heart implode into little pieces of confetti. 

Katsuki isn't sure what he's feeling somehow he is. But he couldn't let such a thing happen - Whatever it was.

He is still walking. Walking like he's about to break into a run any moment now. His eyes are focused on the way in front of him, through the people already making way for him as usual.

Prince Bakugou is about to walk into someone's chest. Some asshole isn't moving out of his way. For fuck's sake, it's not the time! Trying to look tough, you ugly--

"King Endeavor," Bakugou acknowledges with a frown and halts in his steps right in front of the man who has not budged out of his way.

A smirk, or a sneer from the tall man,"Well, if that isn't the black hearted prince. Have you met up with my son yet?" 

Be polite. Be calm. Be a prince. 
"I have. If you'd excuse me..." Bakugou trails off, about to walk again when the king known for his flames pulls him back by a hand on his shoulder.

"You've grown quite well since the last time we met," King Endeavor says, head held high and proud,"You're a perfect addition to my son and family, Prince Bakugou. I hope you consider the offer of marriage seriously; Your parents do want a bit of your approval after all so it'd be easier on all of us if you say yes soon."

A cold glare slips into Bakugou's expression and it looks like he considers it for a moment which makes Endeavor smirk broadly. 

Not like that's the case. 

The blond prince shrugs off King Endeavor's hand on his shoulder and calmly replies,"I have no such interests relating to Prince Shouto." Neither does Prince Shouto relating to me. "I doubt you'd understand, King Endeavor. Anyway, I have things to do. Enjoy the ball." Bakugou's dry words make King Endeavor's face fill red in rage, the flames on his face dancing intensely. 

As Bakugou saunters away, it's his turn to smirk now. King Endeavor can't make a scene because 1) Bakugou did not rage, was really polite and 2) because fuck Endeavor, that's why. 

He forgot (denies the balcony moment all the while) why he was walking around in the first place but he spots the buffet and promptly makes his way to it.

Being royalty makes you hungry.

"Here you are, Bakugou."

Said prince almost drops the porcelain plate with a piece of cake on it and his fork as he jumps from another prince's sudden appaerence.

"What the fuck, halfie?" Bakugou growls lowly,"I almost dropped my food, you asshole!"

Todoroki ignores that. Excitement showing in his passive face. "I've been looking for you the whole time. I also just got the notice that you have talked to my father. Whatever you did, good job. He looked angry." Todoroki looks genuinely pleased about his father being pissed off. But hey, so does the blonde so it only fuels his pride.

"Hell yeah, you should have seen his face when I told him I got no interest in marrying your ass," Bakugou grins as he takes some cake into his mouth.

"You told him?!" Todoroki looks shocked. Bakugou doesn't know why, doesn't care so he shrugs,"Well, yeah. Shouldn't be any trouble for you though since I was the one to decline anyway. And I was polite, so fuck off with your scandalised face."

"Bakugou, he knows about Izuku and me. What if he blames him?" the fire/ice prince glares.

"Deku got a quirk though, doesn't he? Flashy one, too. Since Endeavor is into that shit try that way or something," there is red in the corner of his eyes but when he looks it's just a woman with a red hat,"Honestly I never fucking liked your dad so just overthrow him. Or better yet, let me fight him."

"It's not like I haven't thought about those ways," the other answers quietly as he steps closer to Bakugou so no one overhears them, a serious look in his eyes,"I could do it. I could overthrow him but I might need your help... He's still my damn father though and I can't just..." betray family.

The Bakugou Prince understands but at the same time he doesn't. He knows Endeavor has never been a good father or husband, let alone king. 

One time when they had been way younger, Prince Todoroki had actually fled from his home and to the Bakugou residence instead. (It's a long way from Endeavor's lands to the Lands of the Bakugous. Nevertheless the only place Shouto thought safe of apparently was there. No matter how many days it had taken him to reach his destination by horse.) Staying with them for months - Katsuki remembers everything the other prince had told him well enough - Todoroki had gotten a burn on his face and he had told Katsuki how they did not let him see his mother anymore either, so there was no reason to stay. In those months Katsuki'd had a hard time spending a moment without Prince Todoroki by his side who had secretly deemed the angry blonde his safe place.

(Those months had passed. Todoroki Shouto had been picked up by a few knights King Endeavor had sent, with the promise to let Shouto see his mother.)

Bakugou puts his plate and fork away, cake finished. He puts a firm hand on Todoroki's shoulder and leans in to whisper into his ear,"I fucking told you before I don't care about that shit. Being a family - a father - is more than just blood, Todoroki." You are you, take no shit.

Bakugou feels Todoroki's muscles tense as his shaky exhale brushes past Bakugou's neck. 

A pause.

"If you're going to do it, you've got me and I'm your fucking winning card." 

Todoroki pulls Bakugou out of the crowd by his hand, away from the ballroom and Bakugou lets the other drag him away. He doesn't ask where he's being dragged to because it doesn't matter.

(Prince Todoroki has tears in his eyes but the hand holding Bakugou's expresses determination.)

Unfortunately, to everybody else in the ballroom who has seen the two princes stand so close to each other and then disappear out the ballroom, this send an entirely different message.

"Holy shit, did you see that?" Sero excitedly nudges both Ashido and Kirishima, standing between the two, as he whispers,"I bet they're gonna... Wait, hey, Kirishima? You okay?"

They've been standing close enough to see the whole scene unfold just seconds ago, watching with interest. Every moment of it left Kirishima feeling bitter. He should be glad, damn it.

"I'm just kinda shocked," he answers Sero with a chuckle. It's not a lie.

"Me too! Blasty actually responded by flirting back!" Ashido exclaims with wide eyes,"I betcha he whispered some dirty stuff in Prince Todoroki's ears!"

But Bakugou seemed so shy earlier. He wouldn't.

"Should've guessed it. They've always been close," Sero snaps his fingers,"We should've made bets or something, man!" 

Right, the Todoroki Prince has known Bakugou for way longer and he's way closer to him. Ah, shit.

"How romantic, two princes about to enter an arranged marriage have already been holding up an affair behind closed curtains," Ashido leans onto Sero's shoulders to dramatise her speech,"No need to hide their love anymore, they could not hold their feelings back." 

It feels like they're poking his heart with swords, but they don't know.

Ashido and Sero both laugh, Kirishima tries his best, too.

Had he just seized the moment! Why did he not kiss the prince when he had the chance? But then again, would this feeling not be worse? At least this way he won't be feeling the ghost of the prince's lips on his and yearn for them to touch his again. 

Kirishima remembers how close they were standing, how they were holding each other so gently and timidly. He remembers how close the prince was and how even more beautiful he looked up close. The only thing he still feels even now is Bakugou's warm breath ghosting over his lips. And he knows damn well he will be wishing for it to have happened. And he will dream of it all as if it happened.

Is it that different from having actually kissed? 

He knows it could have happened and so easily too.

(But we pulled away.)

(He pulled away.)

It all happened so slowly and yet it was over before it even started.

Maybe Midoriya Izuku's appaerence made Bakugou realise that he was about to betray his lover if he kissed his knight. Maybe the prince was just caught up in the moment? Maybe what happened with the blond prince on the balcony was just a dream, an illusion or whatever. Kirishima can tell himself those things. It's not like he deserves the prince anyway.

It's not like he didn't know what he was here for. He has tried to push it all into the back of his mind so he wouldn't have to think about it as he tries doing his actual job. Because not thinking about his actual motives makes it easier to focus. Yet before he knew it he had different motives and new desires joined in.

Prince Bakugou Katsuki is supposed to be a cruel black-hearted prince full of rage with a mighty power in his hands, certain to be a villainous stain on Japan's history. Why could Eijirou not see him the way those rumours portrayed him all the time?

(There is a lump in his throat and he turns away a little from his friends, a fist hiding his mouth as he tries to will it away. Sero and Ashido are still talking - about the princes. Is it background buzz now?)

Honestly it's not even like Eijirou knows Bakugou well enough to talk. He doesn't and it hasn't been very long since they met but for some reason his brain just can't accept any of the damn rumours (not like he did before but the effects are worse than expected), at least not the way people mean it.

He can't believe how happy he has felt every second he spent with Prince Bakugou, especially on the balcony when they were about to-- even thinking about the prince made him happy. (It might've hurt if he thought about all the circumstances they're under.) So happy. Things felt right (and yet so wrong). And now. Now it feels different. 

It hurts.

But Kirishima deserves it.

Ashido and Sero are looking at him. Why have they stopped laughing?

"Dude, you're not okay," Ashido's brows cease together in worry,"Let's get you out of here, come on." 

Sero puts a hand on his arm to guide him outside, to the balconies,"Come on, man. Everything's alright."

When they reach the outside a small sob escapes his lips. 

"Let it out, it's okay," Ashido gently puts a hand his back,"Breathe, Kirishima."

Kirishima shakes his head and they guide him to a bench for him to sit. Tears pour from his eyes and he hides his face behind his hands as he tries to turn away. Sero holds him back,"You can talk to us, you know? Though it's kinda obvious now why you're like this." 

When Kirishima looks at them, Sero and Ashido offer him small but genuine smiles and in their eyes there is pity.

Kirishima just had to go and fall in love with the black-hearted prince.

Chapter Text

There are some things that are not anybody's actual fault, if those things are actually faults in the first place. Sometimes it's much more of a miscalculation. A result nobody could've seen coming. Things considered bizarre rather than possible.

One of those things is falling in love.

Hard to predict. At least it's understandable sometimes. Even relateable.

If someone falls in love with someone like Prince Todoroki Shouto, for example. Most people describe him as mysterious, polite and chic, knows who he is without flaunting it. He's got the kind of image you'd expect a prince to have. Maybe he's even boring to some, because he seems to be the prince straight out of a fairytale. He's cool-headed but warm-hearted; People know of his generous acts and how he uses his powers to protect. Treating people of even the lowest classes with respect, giving out small gifts in forms of resources, whatever the people needed at the moment, as long as it was something he could give - not something many royals do. A perfect prince, they say, the kind of man you'd love to have in your life. It'd be predictable, understandable and relateable if someone said that they fell for him.

If someone falls in love with someone like Prince Bakugou Katsuki, for example, it's different. Arrogant, but to no fault - he is powerful and smart, highly above average in every way. Anger, violence, deduction, explosion, crudeness - those things are what make him. Maybe he is out some fairytale, too, but he'd be the dragon, the monster equally rude to everyone, living in the mountains and scaring all the villagers. Known to be a loner makes it hard to picture him as anything else but that - a narcissistic prince with anger issues - yet there is room for imagination and people say maybe his dark aura is actually quite appealing. Due to him being a loner some people might think he'd be an easier target for assassinations or kidnappings. Other people will tell you, no way you should better get out of here and try to never be near him because he is cruel and he will burn you into the ground, whether it's with words or the explosions he sends through his fists, or both - many better than you have failed to take his life and kidnappings never lasted long. The prince with the black soul, they say, is the kind of man you'd hate to have in your life. It'd be plain unbelievable if someone said that they fell for him.

Get away from him. Get away from him and don't ever dare to fall in love with him.

Their visuals are great too, especially when the princes are seen together. Scars don't matter; An off-putting personality will push your looks into the background though.

Now there is not much to say. People will talk, the crowds will try to see and whisper, no matter how close or far they are. The crowd is everyone. The crowd is you. What you make of it is your deal though. Not like it matters if you don't try to see for yourself.

Not everything is as it seems and sometimes it is.

But, can't you see, there are no one-hundred-percent clear answers.

"You should go back inside, half-n-half. Wouldn't want anyone to figure out that it's exactly us two missing, for this long too."

"You're not coming?"

"I need a break."

"Tame today, I see."

"If you don't fucking leave now I'll--"

"Be careful," Todoroki interrupts him, teasing tone gone,"I'll find you again tonight when the guests are gone."

"Do whatever you fucking want," Bakugou dismisses it with a wave of his hand,"You find me whenever you get the chance to anyway."

"That's true."

"Don't just fucking admit it!"

"But it is true," Todoroki frowns and when Bakugou mutters one last "Piss off" he's leaving with an amused glint in his eyes.

Bakugou is left alone in the random sleeping chamber he had been pulled in by the other prince. The room is illuminated by the sun outside. The room is a bit messy, some clothes lay scattered on the unmade bed and the wardrobe has been left open. Not like they had cared about it being an occupied room.

He needs time to collect his thoughts, go over them, organise them. He isn't even sure of how long they've been missing the ball but since the sun's still up when he looks outside the window, it's should've barely been an hour.

Todoroki Shouto finally finally - Katsuki emphasises in his mind - decided to do something about his father. Even better: Katsuki gets to participate too. Whether it's from a political view or from an ethical view, it's obvious that King Endeavor is quite problematic. It's not like Prince Bakugou has proposed the idea to overthrow King Endeavor for the first time ever. It's probably the 100th time now since they've known each other, considering Shouto had always declined to do anything aggressive (or, in Bakugou's eyes, Shouto had always declined to do shit in general). Something must have happened before they came here. The fire/ice prince has not told him anything about that yet.

Bakugou will have to concentrate on the facts he does have at the moment.

Together Prince Todoroki and Prince Bakugou developed first drafts about their idea of overthrowing King Endeavor (Bakugou not yelling for the sake of secrecy). For now it's still way too vague but they're both sure they'll be ready to act in the near future.

His legs remind him he's been standing the whole time here so he automatically sits down on a chair by a desk, propping his head up his elbow on the chair's back as he sits sideways. His stare settles on the closed door.

Todoroki has it good. Many people trust him, with just a few words he'd have pretty nice chances in follower numbers. Deku will side with them, too. That's a given, so they're already three (as much as he'd rather not work with Deku of all people).

If they go with one of their more quiet plans they should only need a handful of people. Even so, multiple useful individuals will give them more security and flexibility. Considering King Endeavor's military power, quirk and loyal retainers it's definitely not a disadvantage to move as a bigger group than 3.

But who will follow Bakugou Katsuki in this plan of overthrowing one of the most powerful men in Japan?

Ah, how depressing. Bakugou smirks bitterly to himself.

He can't trust his parents with this, they would try to stop them and not approve. Maybe even decide to lock them away for a while. He is not sure about Yaoyorozu, honestly it depends on how she assesses the situation. She'll do whatever she thinks is the best action to take, so it's not clear whether she'd approve or, like his parents, would try to stop them or tell on them. Better not ask her.

Aizawa and the other knights also work directly under his parents' orders and probably hate Katsuki just like everybody else so who the hell was he supposed to get?

Maybe Kirishima would follow him into this dangerous ploy if he asks him to. That red-head is his own knight after all, so he should prove his loyalty! He seems like those perfectly good hearted people. Someone you can count on, right? ... That is if he considers you important enough to him, huh. Of course, somebody like Katsuki... of course not. There is no guarantee that he'd blindly follow Bakugou (the prince known for his oh-so cruel and violent acts) into overthrowing a damn King. He wishes he could try it at least but he knows he won't be able to, and it wouldn't be worth it either if he says no and gets Katsuki in trouble instead.

Ah, kind of depressing. There is no one to count on. There is no one to trust.

Absolutely no one.

Fuck it. Honestly Katsuki himself is enough! He's fucking strong and fucking smart. He'll kick ass either way. He told Todoroki Shouto that he's his winning card. He alone is. He is enough. He should be enough.

Still, it feels bitter to know there is nobody with you.

He swallows thickly and ruffles his hair. Then he lets his head hang to stare at the hands in his lap.

There is nobody who would always, in any situation, be with Katsuki. Someone who might not approve of what he wants to do and tells him that too, but stays with him anyway because he's just that fucking important to them.

I'm not that important to anybody, Katsuki scoffs and blinks when he feels his eyes warming. He stands up, balled fists at his sides and glares at the floor. Get the hell out with that sentimental bullshit. I'm fucking amazing. I'm--

"Oh?"

A high pitched voice pulls him out of his trance. Before he can even properly react with the explosions in his hand for the girl, he is pinned on the floor. His head colliding with the carpet with a heavy thud. He groans. This is why they hold balls in daylight instead of at night like other royal families! Assassins usually appear at night, but no, now they come with the fucking sun too!

"Who the fuck are you?" he yells as he manages to free himself pretty quickly and pushes her off with an explosion to jump on his feet in a fighting stance. His head throbs from the hit on its backside. It's a hint though: It's unlikely that she's physically stronger than him. Now, what's her quirk?

Her blond hair is messily tied to two buns and she wears a dreamy expression in contrast to his ready grin. Her clothing, white long-sleeved dress to the knees with white tights and boots, seems to have been prepared for his attacks, since there are only some slightly brown coloured places where he hit with his palms, no actual burns. Alright, she's a foe, an informed foe from the way she studies him right now. Question is: Is she working independently or did someone send her? And if it's the latter, who the fuck sent her?

"You're as feisty as they told me!" she giggles and waves a hand in greeting,"Toga Himiko is my name! Can I call you Katsuki?" Pulling two knives out of her pockets swiftly, Toga tries to go for him again but he dodges easily. How predictable.

But what the fuck is she so excited about?!

He grins throughout his defense,"Over my dead fucking body. I'll kill you." His threat seems to have excited her even more for some reason, her smile growing wider. That's fucking weird and makes Katsuki's grin falter.

In the short moment of confusion she manages to swipe the end of one of her sharp knifes just along his wrist. She's quick, he'll give her that. But so is he.

A deep blush is added to Toga's wide smile as she watches blood drip out of his wound.

"Over your dead body? Good, that'll mean two flies with one stone! I get my job done and call my new friend by his first name. I'll start now since you won't be hearing me when you're dead. I hope we can be good friends! Red looks good on you by the way," First she comes close enough to almost stab his shoulder but he dodges and gives a strong swing with his right fist, an explosion sending her flying to the wall above the bed's frame. He hopes the crack he heard came from her body.

As if that did not bother her (her body definitely did mind, but her brain...), rather delighted her, she throws a Kunai out of nowhere directed at his face. He dodges just in time for it not to be critical.

A long cut is left horizontally on his left cheek, just below his eye. It bleeds, making her eager to see more and giggle,"Show me more of that, Katsuki-chan! You'll look even more handsome when I'm done with you!"

His grin grows manic as they lunge at each other,"DUMB FUCKING BITCH, I'LL KICK YOUR DAMN MOTHERFUCKING ASS."

Meanwhile Sero and Ashido had assured Kirishima that everything was alright, they'd be there for him whenever he needed and that it was okay to leave for his room now, after doing their best to cheer him up with talk, food and dancing. After all, his puffy eyes and sad mood would not leave a good impression on the guests. He should rest, they said, and take care of himself if he intended to come back. "Don't you dare come back still sappy, alright, man?" Sero had said with an arm around his shoulders, Ashido agreeing with a laugh.

Kirishima is on his way to his room now.

Damn this whole mission, he'll bail before he sees the prince again. He's gonna pack his damn stuff and just leave. Right now. Who cares. There is enough guilt in him to make up for a lifetime, a little more won't be that critical.

There is muffled noise (suspiciously loud bumps and booms, maybe even yelling) becoming louder and louder the shorter his way to his room becomes. Kirishima is only frowning and pouting down to his shoes, grumbling incoherent words along the lines of "damn this" and "damn that". There is no way he'd pay attention to whatever shit that is right now.

As nice as the people here are, he should definitely leave now. It might not sound manly to give up halfway and run but it's definitely the right decision, alright.

This plan of King Endeavor isn't gonna work out, if you ask Eijirou. Especially with Eijirou acting like a lovelorn little child. It's just plain embarrassing with how things turned out for him. Better give it up now than make it even worse later.

(Honest to god, if he sees Bakugou right now he would be going to change his mind - he just knows it so he better hurry up and leave with no stops.)

He reaches his door and sighs as he puts the keys in to unlock the room. The noise is quite loud now. He frowns (but not at the noise, now close and clear), seems like he forgot to lock the door when he left.

He finally opens the door. The sounds abruptly stop, while his jaw slowly drops open.

All the furniture is in pieces. The bed sheets and pillows are in bits, feathers are flying around the room. The bed itself collapsed. There is red on the floor, the walls, the paintings, on the broken furniture--

There is red- there is blood on Prince Bakugou. There is blood and there are cuts, clothes tattered. So many cuts, everywhere. His face lucky out with one cut, though it's a long one. While most of the cuts do not seem to be very deep, they might be dangerous in this amount. Their eyes lock and Kirishima gulps. The prince has a lop-sided grin on his face, nose scrunched a little (in pain, exhaustion or what else, Kirishima is not sure.)

(There is something boiling inside of Eijirou. An emotion he does not feel often and not this intensely. It's anger.)

The prince isn't the only one who got messed up though, isn't the only one in the room. There is a blond girl on the right, a good distance away from the prince and not as messed up, smiling wide with a bleeding nose - at Bakugou - overall an expression Kirishima can't quite place but if he had to choose he'd say lovesick and creepy. Blushing and panting heavily, as if Bakugou's the best sight she's ever seen and she wants more.

She goes to get it as she sprints forward.

Before Eijirou can even think about it, he has activated his quirk and positioned himself in front of Bakugou as a shield facing the attacker, arms in a crisscross in front of his chest.

The two knives she aimed at him fall out her hands as they clash against his hardened skin. She quickly draws back, smile softer now,"And who might you be? You're blocking my view of Katsuki-chan, you know."

Katsuki-chan? Why is she calling him by his first name in such an affectionate tone? She hurt him for fuck's sake! He grits his teeth as he glowers at her,"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Fuck off, hair-for-brains," Bakugou grows lowly, close behind him,"I can handle my-damn-self." Kirishima wonders if he is still grinning but he probably is, he always grins when he fights. For once it's Kirishima who scowls in anger.

The girl storms forward again and Kirishima braces himself. To no avail, just in front of him she jumps high and lands behind him instead to go for her real target.

"Argh," he hears Bakugou breathe out. Eijirou hopes he isn't too badly hurt. What a useless shield, he has to make up for this slip up.

"I'm your knight, remember?" Kirishima says as he turns around and takes a swing to the blonde girl's head while she was just about to turn around,"I'm supposed to be by your side."

Chapter Text

They're somewhere in the medical department of the castle, a big blank room with beds in rows and filled with only necessities.

Eijirou had carried the half-conscious Prince Bakugou here after he made sure the attacker had been taken care of. There is now blood on him as well and it's not his own. Even his clothes are messed up. Though all in all his body condition is fine. (Ashido might just scold him later for the ruined outfit.)

Eijirou blankly stares down at his shaking hands. If he had only been earlier, he could have prevented the attack or at least appeared earlier so Bakugou wouldn't be looking this bad. The knight isn't sure how long it's been but all he's been doing is sit here on a stool beside the drawn white curtain which separates him from Bakugou, thick enough to not even see the silhouettes on the other side.

He clenches and unclenches his fists to make them stop shaking but it's pointless.

It's Sero who kneels down in front of him to clean his bloodied and bruised hands. Kirishima is not sure when he had deactivated his quirk during the fight with Bakugou's attacker but it does not matter anyway, since he still doesn't quite feel it.

That is until Sero puts some wet cloth on his knuckle's bruises, a burning sensation making him hiss. He finally breaks his gaze on his hands in Sero's and actually looks into Sero's face.

The black haired paramedic is completely focused on his task, not saying a word. Kirishima never thought he'd see Sero Hanta this way - the way he frowns, clear irritation in his expression. The focus is fake, his thoughts are clearly somewhere else.


A quiet yelp comes from the other side of the white curtain, from the prince.

Kirishima flinches but still sees the way Sero's expression turns darker and how he bites down on his lip, as if to hold himself back.

"Sero, what's wrong?" he asks his friend, earning a glare directed at him.

"What's wrong? Are you kidding me, Kirishima?" Sero presses his mouth into a firm line as he lets his hands go and stands up to put away the used medical supplies. Kirishima waits for him to continue, keeping his eyes on him in worry.

When Sero comes back from one of the counters his expression remains the same and his fists are clenched by his sides. He bends down a little, close to his face and whispers, no, hisses with gritted teeth,"We finally thought things were going well but look at this mess. One damn day of freedom carefully planned for the royal family and this is what happens? Again, and that after almost a whole year of peace, which had been a record! Who knows what'll happen next!?"

Eijirou is amazed how well Sero can hold his voice - and himself - back because the emotion in his eyes is way more intense than his words. Eijirou isn't sure what he can say to that, but he feels sorry so that's what he ends up with.

"I'm sorry."

The knight's words seem to have instant impact. Sero's expression softens almost immediately by the sincerity in the knight's words.

Sero sighs as he straightens up and looks to the floor, ashamed,"It's not your fault. I'm the one who is sorry. I'm still a little shaken by the situation, please, forgive my rude behaviour."

Kirishima only grins warmly as he stands up, too, and lays a hand on his friend's shoulder in an attempt to lighten the mood,"It's okay, man. And don't be so formal with me."

"Hmm," Sero humms as a small smiles makes its way on his face as well,"your hands aren't shaking anymore, Sir."

It's a surprise to Kirishima. He hadn't noticed it himself so he holds his hands up only to blink at them. "Y-You're right, I do feel calmer. Thank you, Sero!" The red-head laughs,"But still, stop with the formal talk, dude!"

"Okay, dude," Sero returns a tiny smile. The knight sees his friend's mood has become lighter, though he is still standing stiff, eyes looking rather malcontent behind that smile. Believe me, Kirishima thinks while holding his positive exterior, I feel similar.

"Good, now that I'm patched up, I will kill her!" The curtain is ripped aside by a seething prince, startling both Sero and Kirishima.

And before anything else can happen Yaoyorozu bursts into the room, looking a little out of breath,"Please forgive my tardiness, Lady Shuuzenji, I came as soon as I could! How's the prince... Ah, Prince Bakugou!" Her strict gaze catches sight of said man immediately and goes over to hold both his arms as she looks him over then in his eyes,"My prince, are you alright? What exactly happened?"

A short old woman steps out beside the scowling prince. "Ah, Knight Yaoyorozu. After some rest and good food he should be completely fine again, please, do not worry." She smiles up at her,"I recommend restraining him and putting him to bed after a meal, he has lost quite a bit of blood and has put a lot of pressure on his body."

As Kirishima's eyes wander about Bakugou, the wounds of before look like they're about to disappear already as if it's already been enough time. So that's what Lady Shuuzenji's powers can do.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on me! I still have to--"

"Prince Bakugou, please report to me the events that have caused all of this. Lady Shuuzenji's messenger boy did not give me any details."

Prince Bakugou keeps quiet but Kirishima won't hold back any information even if he does not know much himself. He steps forward and speaks,"There was an intruder attacking him, leading to a brutal fight. I appeared rather late so I do not know more."

When she turns around her eyes fall from his eyes to his hands and then up again. "And you, Kirishima Eijirou, took care of the threat." The way she says it makes it seem like she still holds her suspicions about Kirishima.

"Y-Yes, the guards have taken her down to the dungeons," he curses himself for stuttering. Her scrutinising gaze has always been having quite the effect on him. Damn, he thought Yaoyorozu already approved of him.

"I see." That's all she says, her voice cold, as she turns back to the prince.

"My prince, I shall escort you to your chambers if you'd allow me." Bakugou's scowl deepends by her words whose tone did not seem to leave any room to argue.

To Kirishima it's looks almost unreal how the prince obeys and quietly follows her out the big room.

There seems to be something unspoken - some kind of bond - between Bakugou and Yaoyorozu.

What else is unreal to him is the sudden feeling that grips his being. He does not feel angered by Yaoyorozu but wishes he were where she is. Kirishima wants to be by the prince's side right now. Kirishima wants to be respected by Bakugou enough for him to listen to him like that (in the fight with Toga Himiko he hadn't, before he had also been ignored many times). Kirishima wants to tell the prince that everything is alright now, no matter how much the prince says he does not care anyway. Kirishima wants to be the one to make sure Bakugou all right, both mentally and physically. Kirishima wants to... wants to...

"... be with him?" Sero's voice completes his thoughts and Kirishima whips his head around. He knows Sero knows about his feelings thanks to his breakdown at the ball, but... Does Sero have a secret mind reading quirk? That'd be bad!

"What?" he asks after a few seconds of panic.

"I said, do you wanna come with Ashido and me later to visit him?"

"Didn't you say 'be with him'?"

"Yeah, I did. We can keep him some company after this. Just be with him, you know, nothing big."

"Oh, uh, I'd like to. Yes."

"Okay," the frown comes back onto Sero's expression as he looks at the door of the room,"Ashido is also worried about him but had to stay in the ballroom to hold off his parents from getting the news. Blasty doesn't like that." Sero turns to him with a bitter smile,"Anyway, I'll take my leave now if you don't mind." He bows both to him and Lady Shuuzenji, who's been standing behind them the whole time, and promptly walks out as well.

Kirishima awkwardly shifts his weight from one foot to the other - he'd like to leave as well (check up on Bakugou, find Sero and Ashido) but Lady Shuuzenji is looking at him as if she's expecting something. He has no idea what.

She steps next to him with a smile,"So you are Kirishima Eijirou! I heard Sir Aizawa talking about you."

He nods and bows stiffly, again not knowing what to say. He hasn't met Sir Aizawa in person yet, but he knows that the man takes on huge positions in the castle, that including part of head security, a knight, the prince's mentor and generally important retainer. What could that person have said about him?

"Whops, I said too much, didn't I?" the old woman chuckles and the glint in her eyes does not make it seem like she regrets what she informed him about,"Don't mind me, boy. You may leave."

"A-Alright, goodbye!" He bows again and leaves, not having it in him to ask about what exactly the lady implied. There's other things to worry about anyway.

Eijirou has gotten himself into a mess and has to find a way out of it.
He has to find some way to get out of the mission he is on without risking either Kaminari's life nor his own, or anybody else's for the matter. Nobody can find out about it either. But he'll have to tell Kaminari and maybe, he'll join him as well. They're best friends after all and Kirishima would prefer to have him by his side. After he has done that he will have to find a way to leave this castle and Prince Bakugou.

As for now Kirishima won't be able to leave. Fate seems to have made sure to appeal to his thoughs ("I know I won't be able to leave if I see him now! I have to be quick and run for it!") by making his sleeping chamber the arena for a battle, so that he sees Bakugou.

And feels the intense emotion for the blonde prince that keeps on growing in him, carrying dangerous consequences.

How could a low-class man like him fall into an unrequited love with a proud crown prince? Kirishima wonders this but to his dismay, his brain answers him with listing of memories with Bakugou that send his heart racing as if he's right there in those moments again.

He has to put an end to this at some point.

So for now he won't leave - can't leave anyway. Whether Bakugou did this on purpose or not, but now Kirishima is completely stuck here - curtesy of Kirishima's heart and fate.

(If he'd be a little more honest with himself he'd admit that his feelings were never a sudden thing and that he doesn't want - and never wanted - to leave Prince Bakugou Katsuki.)

Chapter Text

The ballroom's guests are still completely immersed in the festivities.

As Todoroki stands with his knight Midoriya Izuku by his side, passively participating in a conversation with royals of other places, his eyes go through the ballroom's crowd in boredom.

So it is no wonder when he seems to be the only one to notice how rigid the female knight, Yaoyorozu Momo, grows after a servant starts speaking to her. She does not notice his eyes on her as she looks around, seemingly to check where the king and queen are.

And then, some last words to the young servant, she walks out the ballroom - her calm exterior does not match her quick steps.

"I wonder what happened..." Todoroki accidently mumbles out loud when she's out of sight. His gut has been telling him that something's wrong and now Yaoyorozu's behaviour seems to support that idea.

Midoriya turns to him in surprise,"What is it, my prince?"

Said prince coolly glances at his companion before looking around for a certain someone who he usually finds easily. He walks away without sparing any words, not for his knight nor the people he had been conversing with. Midoriya is left having to excuse himself and the prince.

"What are you doing? That was rude," Midoriya whispers with a worried frown as soon as he catches up,"Did you see something?"

"Actually the problem is that -" Todoroki takes another turn and Midoriya finally notices the prince's nervousness,"- I'm not seeing somebody right now."

"What do you mean?" Midoriya holds his arm to stop him and look at him.

"Bakugou still hasn't come back. Yaoyorozu just left in a hurry," Todoroki explains as he looks into green eyes,"I'm having a bad feeling about this."

Midoriya knows that for some reason Todoroki is really good at drawing out Prince Bakugou so he knows something might not be right. But he can't let his own nervousness show - to hold up his professional appearence. His own worry for the host prince is hard to surpress but he manages.

"Knowing Kacchan he'll handle it anyway,"Midoriya holds him in place with a smile,"If anything actually happened in the first place. So please, calm down, Shouto."

With that the red and white haired prince falls silent.

He only listens to his words because while he himself knows Bakugou Katsuki well, he's aware that Midoriya knows Bakugou too, even if a bit differently.

"There's the knight from before!" Midoriya nudges Shouto as soon as he catches sight of Kirishima. But Midoriya frowns as he realises how messy the other knight's appearance is now, but without much ado, Prince Shouto is already on his way there.

There's no choice but to follow.

"You." Todoroki doesn't even stop but keeps on walking as he drags the red haired knight out the ballroom by his shoulder, making sure not to attract too much attention by being too rough.

Midoriya apologetically smiles at whoever does notice the situation,"Just friends! Uh, who haven't seen e-each other in a long time!"

The green haired knight breathes a sigh of relief the moment they're out the giant ballroom and in a far away corner of the halls, out of sight.

"Ngh!" Kirishima's grunt quickly snaps Midoriya out of the moment's relief. He turns around and sees that Todoroki has the other pinned to the wall.

He wonders why Todoroki suddenly looks so outraged.

Kirishima doesn't say anything as he bravely stares back into the prince's cold glare. Even so, Kirishima's confusion shows.

"You," Todoroki repeats again and presses Kirishima's back harder against the wall,"I've seen you in the presence of King Endeavor before. What exactly are your plans?"

"Shitty-Hair was it?" Midoriya chuckles nervously into the growing tension,"Shouto, please refrain yourself from hurting, uh, him. I think he's a close companion of Kacchan. This might get you in trouble."

"Izuku. This man..." Todoroki's piercing eyes still locked onto Kirishima as he lets him go by shoving him against the wall one more time,"I don't know who you are but your intentions can't be any good, considering you've met with my father too many times."

Finally Midoriya looks at the other knight.

Gritted teeth, balled fists, deep frown and... Guilt in his eyes.

Midoriya had seen how Bakugou interacted with this man. It was unexpected but Midoriya had been glad. But now... if Todoroki's suspicions hold truth...

Midoriya has a hard time imagining Prince Bakugou getting caught up in someone's mind games and tricks. People have had tried before - unsuccessfully. So why would this man manage to do such a thing?

"Kacchan is way too smart for that..." Midoriya mumbles and walks closer to the other knight.

The red haired man avoids his eyes by looking at the floor.

"Out with it," Todoroki orders, voice calm and dark,"Speak."

"Shouto, I think Kacchan... I mean, Prince Bakuguo should be here," Midoriya looks over at Todoroki,"Something's not right here and by what I've seen before he deserves to--"

"No!"

Prince Todoroki and Midoriya both turn to look at Kirishima in surprise at the sudden breaking of the knight's silence.

"I'll tell you. Just... please don't..." Kirishima gritts out,"Just please, don't let him listen to this."

The begging undertone is hard to ignore. What does Bakugou Katsuki mean to him? Is he scared of crown prince Bakugou's wrath perhaps? Is that all? Just what has he done then?

Kirishima looks at Todoroki for confirmation of his request. If Prince Todoroki wants to he can have the information he wants by using other means - more brutal perhaps. But Midoriya sees the desperation in the firm gaze of Kirishima and decides to let him have this.

Todoroki opens his mouth.

But it's Midoriya who speaks instead,"That's fine."

Both the red haired knight and Shouto look at him with wide eyes - the only difference being one of them is definitely not approving of that.

That one being Todoroki, yet he does not say anything to protest. He seems prepared to listen either way.

The red haired knight takes a deep breath, despite it being shaky, his voice stays steady as he speaks,"I'm Kirishima Eijirou and yes, I had not come here with good intentions regarding the Royal Bakugou Family."

"My father send you?" Todoroki inquires immediately, anger building in his gut.

Kirishima gives a stiff nod as he looks down and away,"My mission consists of infiltrating and gathering information. Besides that I'm supposed to..." another shaky breath,"...I'm supposed to kill on command."

Midoriya intently listens. There's something absurd about this. Why does Kirishima Eijirou look so impossibly sorrowful?

The pause drags on and Midoriya isn't sure whether the other knight is going to continue. Just about to ask, Todoroki beats him to it,"Who exactly are you supposed to kill on command?"

"King Endeavor told me that if everything went well it wouldn't come that far and--"

"Answer the question!" Todoroki's voice booms through the hall and Midoriya has to shush him. If anybody hears them it'll cause a commotion and only trouble the Bakugou Royals.

"Technically anybody of this castle that King Endeavor deems bothersome," Kirishima finally looks up, gaze somewhere far between Midoriya and Todoroki,"The whole mission was mainly about the prince and information. Though if he did not agree to marrying you, or if he defied King Endeavor while married to you, then I'd have to step in. That's why I had to find a way to get close to him. Now that I'm his knight I--"

"It's you?" Midoriya surprises himself as he is the one who interrupts this time. But now that he's started he can't bring himself to stop either,"You're Kacchan's first chosen knight? Why... why did he... How did you get him to chose you? Why did he have to chose you... Only for you to betray him! I was--"

"Midoriya!" Prince Todoroki holds him back as Midoriya had steadily come closer to Kirishima with a growing voice.

Kirishima looks small like this. As if bitter guilt made up his whole being.

A short interaction, the one from before, was enough for Izuku to know that Bakugou let Kirishima close to him.

Close - but in a different way than Bakugou and Yaoyorozu or Bakugou and Todoroki are close. And back in that moment he believed that it was a good thing. This, of course, changes everything.

Midoriya is still furious when his voice lowers again,"I can't believe Kacchan got caught up in your game! How could he let you in? How could he not see through your lies? How could he not see your true intentions were to harm him? K-Kacchan..." Midoriya's voice breaks and he falls silent, so the tears in his eyes won't fall.

When Izuku had first met Bakugou Katsuki, they had both been about four years old. The thing was that the prince had never noticed the small boy of the servants, but the small boy had always noticed him. Only when he had become 15 and ready to become a knight, had he been noticed. Finally the prince Izuku had watched any chance he got, had finally looked back at him. The prince had started calling him Deku and Izuku had started calling him Kacchan, purely by chance - a chance given by Sir Aizawa. But a few years later he had become the knight of another kingdom's crown prince because even Izuku had been rejected by Prince Bakugou Katsuki, and Todoroki Shouto had become a dear person to Izuku as well.

That same admiration for the blonde prince still exists in Izuku today.

"I'm sorry but-" Kirishima even looks desperately sorry, yet his voice holds determination,"-you might not believe me. But I don't want to do this anymore. I-I have already decided not to continue obeying King Endeavor's orders."

"How so?" Izuku snaps, ignoring the sincerity coming off Kirishima. Is that how he had fooled Kacchan, too?

"He isn't as bad as he had been described to me. And I..." Kirishima swallows, ashamed but gaze still strong as if he couldn't speak any lies. "I've fallen in love with him." The words come in a whisper and his gaze drops back onto the floor.

It's quiet for a long moment.

Both Midoriya and Todoroki are speechless. Need a minute to gather themselves.

It's almost unbelievable how truthful Kirishima's words sounded despite what he has been doing.

"But you can take me now," Kirishima smiles weakly,"Tell Bakugou... Tell Prince Bakugou but please, after you execute me, or whatever else you have planned for me."

The frame of Kirishima displays defeat.

"Bakugou can decide himself what he wants to do with you," Prince Todoroki sighs tiredly, still feeling irritated as he rolls his shoulders.

Kirishima looks like he wants to protest but Midoriya's next words silence him like a slap to the face.

"What happened on the balcony... I don't know whether your words are true or not, but Kacchan isn't the type to lie or do things he really doesn't want to do. I was sorry at first but now I'm glad I intruded on your moment there. The way he looks at you... it might've gotten worse if I didn't. Whatever he may decide to punish you with, won't hurt as much as what you'll let him feel."

"I wish you could have fallen in love with him on a different road," Todoroki coldly adds to the speech,"Or better yet, not at all."

There is an idea. Midoriya watches Kirishima try to hold himself together. The tears roll down his cheeks, eyes fiercely closed, a trembling frame and he bites down on his bottom lip - Midoriya is sure Kirishima will make it bleed any moment now.

"There's something you can do," Midoriya isn't sure whether he'll regret trusting this stranger's words of love. 

Kirishima opens his eyes, bewildered, and lets his bleeding bottom lip go,"W-What?"

Midoriya feels Todoroki's questioning glare on him but continues anyway, voice firm and taking back the professionalism of a knight,"Kirishima Eijirou. I want you to stay by his side until we succeed in overthrowing King Endeavor. Do anything Prince Bakugou Katsuki asks of you. And do anything for his safety."

Todoroki immediately adds:"One wrong move and you're out."

Those are the words the two leave Kirishima with, not even waiting for a reply. 

They let Kirishima stay with Bakugou, even now that they know.

(How visible is his love for the prince?)

How is it that he can feel happy and sad at the same time?

Chapter Text

Through the window's curtains comes the sun's orange light as it is on its way down to welcome the beginning of the darker evening. That's all the prince's sleeping chamber is illuminated with. It's alright for the prince, even as he stirs awake as soon as he hears the door creaking open.

His face stays buried beneath soft pillows, no matter how much his body tenses up.

"Prince Bakugou?" a familiar voice calls out his name quietly,"Prince Bakugou, hey, are you awake?"

Almost instantly his body relaxes again.

Feeling too tired to utter a reply, the blonde prince decides not to answer his knight. Not to mention Kirishima not only disturbed his sleep but also didn't even knock. Minor irritations - if it weren't for the fact that Bakugou feels rather satisfied instead of displeased to have Kirishima visit him in the first place.

The silence apparently prompts Kirishima to shuffle inside the room and close the door behind him.

Bakugou hears how Kirishima approaches with slow steps.

When Kirishima is just beside the bed, on the side closer to Bakugou's half-hidden head, he whispers again,"Prince Bakugou, are you really asleep?"

Bakugou ponders a bit whether to reply this time. Lady Shuuzenji's quirk has the side effect of fatigue so even if it has subsided a little by now, Bakugou would rather not use his energy on anything useless.

Just this once he shall do so, though.

Before he even got to act upon his decision, Kirishima speaks up again, just as quiet as before. "I'm so sorry for what happened today," he whispers,"I wish I had come sooner. Your wounds are practically gone now, I know, but still I... I have a lot to apologise for, anyway." A sigh. "I'm so sorry, Prince Bakugou, for everything."

"Didn't I tell you to drop the honorifics when you're alone with me?" Bakugou grumbles, lifting his head a little to frown at the caught-off-guard red-head.

"Prince-- Uh, Bakugou! You're awake after all!" Kirishima exclaims with round eyes. His hair isn't spiked up and naturally falls around his face, his clothes are casual. So does he not plan on going back to the ball? Or did the ball just end early?

"Of course I fucking am. I heard you coming in, hair-for-brains," the prince drags his body into a sitting position, blanket sliding off him in the process. After that he proceeds to continue frowning at the red-head.

On the other hand, Kirishima tries his hardest not to marvel at how beautiful the prince looks in the ending sunlight. In his nightwear (probably forced on by Yaoyorozu), tousled ash-blond hair messier than usual and sleepiness still lingering in his voice and body.

But it's hard not to, Kirishima thinks.

Bakugou opens his lips to speak and Kirishima finds himself looking down to them.

As soon as he realises that though he almost panics and snaps his eyes upwards to focus on the prince's eyes instead.

Maybe Bakugou closed his lips again or maybe they're still open - Kirishima isn't sure because he tries his hardest to remain eye contact.

Bakugou's face slowly contorts into some sort of confusion, not breaking the eye contact either.

Then Bakugou's eyes widen the smallest bit.

Oh no, has he noticed Kirishima looking at his lips?

Bakugou tilts his head to the left as he finally breaks the silence, slightly stammering in his speech,"I-Is that... Is that why you're here?" He's the one that breaks eye contact then, looking down to the side, a soft blush adorning his cheeks. His voice becomes uncharacteristically quiet,"You don't have to fucking apologise for anything and neither for, uh, t-that, I think."

"That?" Kirishima echoes. What...

He sees Bakugou sneek a quick glance at his own lips, still blushing.

"That!" Kirishima gasps. The almost-kiss!

"Yeah, for fuck's sake. That, on the balcony," Bakugou clarifies, still not looking at him.

As alluring as Bakugou looks with flushed cheeks, being all shy, Kirishima has to stop a moment.

Kirishima isn't even sure that's what he meant when he said that he had a lot to apologise for, considering he still has mixed feelings about his own feelings for the prince. But if Bakugou says he does not have to apologise for that, does that mean...? Is that perhaps what Prince Todoroki's knight had implied?

He really wants to know. How should he phrase this without pissing the prince off?

"But, Bakugou, was that okay of me?" Kirishima asks, voice uncertain. Sure, he wasn't the only one contributing to the situation. Both of them were, ahem, seemingly into the moment - but Kirishima feels like he has to be careful about this topic.

"I mean n-nothing ha-happened after all!" Bakugou stammers loudly and crosses his arms, bottom lip sticking out a little,"And nobody, besides Deku, saw either! No fucking worries, yeah?!"

"Y-Yeah..." Kirishima confirms unsurely. That didn't necessarily help Kirishima with his questions but there are more important matters at the moment anyway.

Not like the prince would ever come to fall for someone like Kirishima anyway, neither should he do so (as much as Kirishima might wish). That's what the knight thinks.

So he proceeds to sit down beside the prince on the bed,"Can I sit?"

Bakugou shoots him a half-hearted glare,"You're already sitting. What's the fucking use of asking then." 

"Right," Kirishima laughs.

Spending even the littlest of time with the blond just always fills Kirishima with warmth. A warmth overpowering any other kind of emotion, as much as they still bitterly linger underneath it.

Under the smile Kirishima directs at him, Bakugou can't help squirming. Kirishima's smile looks so pure and makes him feel so giddy - Bakugou can already feel his face heat up again.

"What's there to fucking smile about?" he bears his teeth at the other, who doesn't even flinch in response.

"Nothing really, but whenever I'm with you I feel kinda happy so-" Kirishima points to his growing smile with a finger,"-I can't stop myself from smiling sometimes."

Cheeks flaring, Bakugou grabs the nearest pillow and hauls it at Kirishima's glowing face. Kirishima falls back on the bed, laughing again.

"How can you even say that so casually?! For fuck's sake, Kirishima!" hands placed on his cheeks, Bakugou hopes he can conceal their redness.

Kirishima stays put, laying on the bed and the pillow still blocking the view to the red-head's expression.

A moment later a sigh escapes Bakugou's lips and he drops onto his back to lay beside Kirishima, both of their feet hanging off the side of the bed,"Seriously, I don't fucking get you..."

"Man, you already have me," Kirishima says and takes the pillow away from his face to give him a softer smile this time.

The blond unconsciously pouts and glares hard at the ceiling, because - dammit - his heart just skipped a beat.

"That's not what I meant, you idiot, you know that," Bakugou hisses quietly.

"But really," Kirishima insists, fully turning to him with that stupid sincerity in his eyes,"You've completely got me now, okay? You don't need to understand me for that. I'm yours."

Those words kicked Bakugou's heart into a fucking run, hammering against his ribcage. Makes him wonder what he has done for Kirishima to suddenly say such things.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Bakugou turns his body away from him and curls into himself, fuming. "Of course, you're my goddamn knight after all. But that doesn't completely make you mine, does it? You're, well, just my fucking knight," he corrects the other, while blessing himself inwardly for not letting his body's reactions show in his voice this time.

There's no immediate reply from Kirishima but Bakugou waits. His own pulse loud in his ears as if this were some big deal. Technically it is. Considering the red-head is literally the only one who makes - has ever made - him feel this way. (Katsuki has to deny that, for the sake of focusing on his goals!)

"I am your knight," Kirishima repeats and Bakugou isn't sure whether he says it to himself or to him,"I don't wanna go over boundaries but... can I at least be your friend, too, Bakugou?"

Has Bakugou ever officially approved of someone being his friend? No. Will he do it now? Well, with Kirishima, the word leaves something weird behind. As in, really?

Friends... is that all of what they are? Is this how friends work? Bakugou sighs. Not like he'd be one to know.

While Bakugou mulls it over in his head, he notices Kirishima having moved closer. They're not touching but Bakugou feels the other's body heat behind him anyway. His heart skips yet again with the realisation, train of thought now interrupted.

When Kirishima quietly speaks up again, his breath softly grazes Bakugou's neck. "It's okay if you say no, you'll have me by your side anyway. As only a knight it is then... while you grow, when you marry, when you become king and while you rule. Or whatever else you want to do. You'll have me until you don't want me anymore."

Bakugou gulps and realises he's been holding his breath. Shakily he breathes out.

There haven't been many times of speechlessness in Prince Bakugou Katsuki's life, but now... he really has absolutely no words.

Almost sheepishly, Kirishima lets out a quiet laugh,"I'll try my best to stay professional from now on. I won't, uh, try anything like that again, or this I guess. You must've felt bad about almost betraying Prince Todoroki. I apologise for my behaviour." His laugh sounds fake.

Bakugou swiftly rolls on his back and turns his head to stare into the red-head's eyes intently, finally finding his voice. "First of all," he began,"I told you you don't have any fucking reason to apologise. Secondly, why the fuck would I have felt bad about anything? And how did I almost betray Prince Todoroki? What are you even fucking talking about, hair-for-brains?"

It's then that Bakugou realises how somber Kirishima looks. Shimmering eyes, Kirishima's face mirrors Bakugou's surprise at the sight.

"I just-" Kirishima quickly blinks his unshed tears away and firmly starts again,"-I didn't know that you were already with Prince Todoroki, is what I'm saying. It makes me wonder why you don't want to marry him. I mean maybe you just want to defy your parents or something. I don't know! I... I guess it wouldn't have necessarily stopped me from doing what I did but...!" Kirishima's rambling trails off here, as if there's more he can't tell. He starts frowning hard at the sheets.

"Kirishima," Bakugou sneers at the other, his tone turns criticising,"I'm not that fucking petty. Who the fuck said I'm fucking around with Halfie? I don't wanna marry him because I'm not into him and neither is he into me. Kirishima, he's in love with fucking Deku, his knight."

"What?" Kirishima looks at Bakugou as if he had said something stupid,"But he cares so much about you! I was sure he was gonna beat me up. And you two even left the ball for a while..."

"We didn't do shit, we just-- Wait, beat you up? What do you mean?"

"Nevermind that. Will you let me try something again?"

"Huh?"

"I'll try being professional tomorrow."

"What the fuck do you mean, Kirishima?"

Kirishima smiles again, soft and warm, and it's as if he's never been somber, even though his words hold something bitter,"Someone undeserving like me should not even dare to ask but... can you let me kiss you, Bakugou?"

Kirishima is patient, even as the blond prince stares at him as if he has lost it, jaw dropped open.

But the silence drags on. Bakugou feels too lost to answer.

The knight's smile falters as he moves to sit up,"Ah, I really shouldn't have asked. I apologise for that."

Damn it. If Kirishima has lost it, Bakugou might as well just lose it too.

And so Bakugou pulls Kirishima back and down towards himself to meet his lips.

Their lips meet harshly - lips stinging a moment, their eyes closing reflexively. But neither of them seem to care as they stay in that position. Kirishima above him, supported by his elbows on either side of Bakugou's head, and Bakugou's hands holding Kirishima in place by his collar.

Kirishima is the first to pull away from their frozen positions. He leaves only for a little distance of their lips, eyes still closed when Bakugou opens his eyes to check on him, grip on the other's collar loosening.

He notices the scar above one of Kirishima's eyes. For a fleeting moment he wonders how he might have gotten it. Then he notices how pretty his eyelashes rest on his cheeks. And he enjoys how flushed Kirishima looks above him. The last sunrays of the day and his let down hair frame his face nicely.

But the small line creeping on his forehead and his clenched jaw bother Bakugou.

In an attempt to comfort, almost as if out of instinct, Bakugou softly places one of his hands on Kirishima's cheek. The knight flinches and Bakugou immediately moves his hand away, but Kirishima's hand quickly comes up to hold it in place.

"Is this okay?" Kirishima mumbles against his lips and this time Bakugou is sure that the question isn't directed towards him, but Kirishima himself probably - Bakugou is the one to answer him anyway.

"It's okay. Kiss me already."

Hesitation is apparent, but Kirishima relaxes and opens his eyes, staring at him like he has to make sure that Bakugou is real, that this is real.

The longing becomes unbearable.

Finally, Kirishima kisses him. Smiles into the kiss. Bakugou can't help but smile too, thinking how typical that seems to be of Kirishima.

The kiss starts out slow, in small pecks. Lips moving against each other, careful not to spook the other.

The gentle force of Kirishima's warm lips against his, only makes Bakugou want more.

It quickly becomes clear how desperate the both of them are and that neither wants the other to hold back at all. Any traces of hesitation disappear the longer it goes on.

Bakugou shudders when he feels Kirishima's tongue prod against his lips. As soon as he lets Kirishima in, their tongues fight for dominance. Bakugou doesn't even mind the sharp teeth all too much.

But it's a short fight because Kirishima's hand travels under Bakugou's shirt and ghosts over his skin, making him gasp.

Bakugou has never been this okay with losing.

As revenge, though, he tugs on Kirishima's shirt and hair to pull him even closer. That leads to a low moan erupting from Kirishima, which leads to a boost of Bakugou's pride.

Just to humour the knight, Bakugou murmurs his name,"Kirishima."

"Bakugou," Kirishima calls back in a gasp, needy - kiss growing more passionate. Their hands roaming on the other's body, fingers ghosting over skin.

Neither want to let go of the other but the need for air makes Bakugou pull away. 

Kirishima rests his forehead against his. They're both panting. Flushed faces.

When Bakugou opens his eyes to look at Kirishima, Kirishima is already looking at him. The pure adoration in his eyes sets Bakugou's heart off for another run. He feels hot and embarrassed, yet he can't look away from his knight above him.

Something momentarily changes in Kirishima's eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Bakugou," Kirishima whispers before kissing him again, small and gentle.

Bakugou kisses back, the rougher one of the two as he deepens the kiss again - too mesmerised to even ask what the fuck Kirishima is sorry for now.

Chapter Text

The first thing Bakugou is greeted with when he opens his eyes is Kirishima.

It's dark and his sight is rather blurry.

Somehow he can still see Kirishima clearly - only him.

"You're awake," Kirishima states, laying next to him, blankly staring at the prince.

Bakugou cocks a brow.

"Where is your soul?" Kirishima asks, still with that blank look on his face and his voice a monotone,"Where is your heart? They're both black, right, Prince Bakugou?"

Confused, the blond furrows his brows and opens his mouth to say I told you drop the honorifics when we're alone and What the hell are you talking about?, but nothing comes out.

His lips move but there is no sound.

"This should have been harder," Kirishima drags his body slowly into a sitting position,"You're so quiet now."

Growing irritated by Kirishima's unusual behaviour and his own unability to speak, Bakugou moves to sit up as well. In a blink of an eye though, Kirishima is on top of him, straddling his abdomen.

Something doesn't feel right.

In Bakugou's eyes Kirishima glows as the only light in the darkness.

"I'm sorry."

Bakugou thrashes around to get the other off. Kirishima's position stays fixed.

"I'm really sorry."

What are you sorry for, hair-for-brains? 

Bakugou looks up with confused wide eyes, when he sees Kirishima activate his quirk on his arms. His hands become sharp like the end of spears.

Bakugou feels his heart rate quickening. He raises his own arms to defend himself with his own quirk and forces a smirk on his face. It's a wavering one.

What the fuck are you doing, Kirishima?

The smirk is weak to begin with so it's no wonder it drops the second he realises no sparks are coming from his open palms.

"I'm so sorry."

Those last words, and Kirishima bores his hardened arm into Bakugou's chest.

With a start Bakugou wakes up, clutching his supposedly impaled chest. He's sweating and panting as if he's run a mile.

"A nightmare again?"

Bakugou's eyes snap to the man standing beside his bed. He grits his teeth and knows lying won't work, so he does not say anything.

He glares at his bored mentor.

Aizawa crosses his arms in a lazy manner, sighing,"You woke up just on time. The king and queen await your presence in the gardens. Get ready, I will escort you."

Bakugou is glad Aizawa doesn't ask, doesn't make a big deal out of it. Even so he sees the small worry in his mentor's blood-shot eyes.

"Prince Bakugou," Aizawa only speaks up when they stop in front of the grand doors to the gardens.

He doesn't continue so Bakugou gives a grunt, signalling him to do so.

"What happened in your dream?"

Bakugou answers with no pause,"I don't remember." And it's the truth. He only remembers the smallest bits.

Darkness. Red. Glowing. Kirishima. More red. Different red.

"The nightmares seem to never end, huh?" Aizawa scoffs, looking at the heavy doors in front of them,"You just have to remember that they're dreams. Never real."

"I know," Bakugou grumbles,"I fucking know."

The black-haired man pushes the doors open, easy and slow, as he speaks again,"No royal knows of what happened yesterday."

Bakugou nods, a little thankful. He really didn't need an earful from his mother about why he couldn't be more careful or why he couldn't protect himself better. 

(He does that on his own well enough.)

The weather is sunny. There are no clouds in the sky. The green of the gardens' beginning seems to glow in the sunlight.

He walks into the garden in search of his parents.

When he finds them, they're not alone.

A round table set for a tea party. There's one free seat out of five.

Knights, as guards, are present as well.

When Bakugou's gaze lands on Kirishima, Kirishima is already looking at him with a happy smile.

On the other hand, Bakugou feels his stomach clench.

Uneasy. Not the feeling he'd expect to have after last night's shared kisses.

The prince adverts his gaze nonchalantly and walks closer to the table, out of the corner of his eyes he can see Kirishima's confused expression.

Now the others notice him. Present, beside his parents, are Todoroki Enji and Shouto, the knights Yaoyorozu, Deku, Uraraka and of course, Kirishima.

The knights stand behind the seats of the respective royal family they're serving.

He doesn't know why his parents had to choose Yaoyorozu and Kirishima to stand their guard today. He really doesn't. They have other knights they should use. Kirishima is supposed to be his own knight anyway, not under his parents' commands.

"Welcome," his mother greets him brightly, while the others nod in greeting,"join us!"

Bakugou takes a seat, nods back,"Good morning."

Instead of answering Kirishima's unspoken wish of actually acknowledging his presence, Prince Bakugou glances at Prince Todoroki Shouto and holds the eye contact, as the older ones at the table start speaking again.

"About the marriage," Endeavor starts at some point, knowingly looking between Shouto and Bakugou,"wouldn't it be brilliant to hold the wedding soon? Beside the good weather, a lot of our neighbouring lands' royals have already crowned their children, as you may know."

Bakugou narrows his eyes, wanting to punch that smirk off King Endeavor's face. Prince Todoroki, Bakugou knows, feels the same way at this point.

The Host King hums in thought,"Hmm, that might be true but there are still many that haven't been crowned or gotten married as well. In the West of Japan, for example. Most of the older generations are still ruling over there."

"Are you saying you do not approve of my son, King Bakugou?" Endeavor's voice turns a tone darker, eyes glinting.

"That certainly is not true. We said that if Katsuki did not chose a knight anytime soon we'll arrange both knights and marriage for him," the Queen says in an even manner,"Now that he has chosen a knight, an acceptable one at that-" she elegantly gestures at Kirishima who moved to stand behind Katsuki's seat,"-we would like to give him more time to fill his trusted unit and decide on his own marriage partner as well."

Bakugou hadn't even noticed Kirishima having moved to the space behind him since he was too focused on ignoring him and focusing on what's in front of him.

"It took him this long to choose a knight. I honestly doubt he will find someone to..." King Endeavor trails off as he shortly glances at Prince Bakugou,"Well, is my son not a good choice? Not only that but think of all the benefits. We have an alliance. A marriage between our children could aid as a symbol for eternal peace between our countries. Our countries - part of the strongest in Japan - becoming one!" King Endeavor boasts broadly.

Shouto and Katsuki look at each other, communicating their irritation through mere eye contact.

The Host Queen blinks her eyes at the sudden outburst. King Bakugou smiles warily,"We are certainly not saying it will not happen. Just a little more time is all we would like to allow our son. He would not want to do anything half-heartedly."

At that, King Endeavor snorts.

"Katsuki dear, do you have anyone in mind for either joining your trusted unit or as a wedding partner?" 

As soon as the question leaves his father's mouth, Katsuki's eyes break away from Todoroki's and he almost turns around in his seat to look at the knight, Kirishima, to his left. Due to holding himself back just in time, Katsuki ends up staring at the foot of his mother's stool.

Now he just looks like a sulking child, dammit.

His mother, of course, chuckles at the sight. "Dumbass," she calls him quietly as she hides her smile behind a hand.

"It is a no from him then," King Endeavor straightens up in his seat, expression turning serious,"His reaction also shows how childish he still is. At this rate nothing will progress. My son is the same, just that he toys around more while thinking he's serious."

Shouto turns to subtly glare at his father.

When the older ones speak the younger ones keep quiet unless spoken to, that's how royalty works. Show manners. You are royalty, act like it.

"Do not glare at me like that!" King Endeavor laughs loudly, the flames on his face dancing with the movement,"You know exactly what I mean, Shouto. You should want this, too... If this does not work out, I might have to get rid of your toy."

Bakugou looks up, knowing the 'toy' is meant to be Deku (who looks uncomfortable, knowing that too).

Prince Bakugou loudly clears his throat and takes a sip of the tea a servant put in front of him. Now that everyone is paying attention to him, he puts the cup back down.

"We can do that," Bakugou says in a calm polite manner, looking at Endeavor first then at Shouto, his ally,"After much thought, I can agree that this definitely brings certain benefits." Holding his gaze as Shouto sits there, shocked that the blond spoke up and with such words too.

He's still looking at Shouto and he smirks provocatively,"Prince Shouto, would we two not work this out somehow?"

This can be used as an advantage in our plan.

Katsuki really hates lying and he choose his words carefully as not to actually tell a lie, but he'll give a sacrifice if a serious need to arises in the future.

"Ah," Shouto says, understanding showing in his eyes and he, too, smirks,"I was worried about your answer. But hearing you say that... I'd love to, Prince Katsuki."

Surprising everyone present with this interaction between the two princes and development, it does not mean much to King Endeavor whose face breaks into a broad grin of victory.

But it means a lot to Kirishima and to Midoriya, who stand behind their cherished princes. Midoriya quickly caught on with their reasons to agree and feels determination in him lit anew, whilst Kirishima stays in his confused sullen state.

The tea party soon finds their end and the young princes are dismissed as their parents decide on their next activity.

While Yaoyorozu and Uraraka stay back with the rulers, Kirishima and Midoriya follow after their princes who make their way back into the castle through the gardens.

Kirishima's eyes are trained on Prince Bakugou's back ahead of him, as he walks together with Midoriya a step behind the two princes.

The red-haired knight glances at the green-haired knight beside him. Midoriya Izuku seems to be in a mood as good as that of the princes.

Midoriya notices his gaze and turns to him,"What's the matter?"

Kirishima shakes his head,"Just... I didn't know they..."

"Ah!" Midoriya seems to have realised something just now,"Did you not notice perhaps? Kacchan just formed a new plan for that matter we talked about."

That matter being the plan to overthrow King Endeavor.

Kirishima blinks and his heart feels lighter,"Oh."

The four end up in the Bakugou Library.

"Bakugou," Todoroki sits down on a sofa at the far back of the library,"Do you have anyone in mind to join our coup d'etat?"

Bakugou frowns and his eyes snap to Kirishima, who makes himself comfortable on another sofa, before he glares at Todoroki,"Shut the fuck up, half-n-half. There is no one."

Kirishima knows that Bakugou has not gotten the information yet that he has already sort of joined their little rebellion. It still nags him though that Bakugou puts so much emphasis on the 'no one'. In other words, the prince did not even think of confiding in him, did he?

The question in his head Why can he still not trust me? quickly answers itself. Because trusting Kirishima, before his feelings for the prince became this deeply rooted, would have been a mistake anyway.

Now it's okay to trust him though. And that's the only thing Kirishima wants Bakugou to know.

"Calm down. Your knight is already part of our cause," Todoroki replies evenly, in contrast to the angry counterpart.

"Hah? What makes you so sure you can--!" Bakugou cuts himself off and turns to look at Kirishima, whose eyes turn round at the sudden intense eye contact.

A sigh and Bakugou's tone is calm but cold, he asks Kirishima,"Since when, shitty hair?"

It's nice to have Bakugou looking at him again, despite the circumstances. So it takes a moment before Kirishima even completely registers the question.

Apparently a moment too long because Midoriya answers for him, having sat down next to Todoroki,"Just yesterday. We have faith that he will not betray you."

"Me?" Bakugou echoes, gritted teeth, now the only one still on his feet,"And who the fuck are you to decide that, Deku, huh?"

Kirishima feels stupid just being beside them even though he's the topic of the growing argument. He stands and walks over to the blond prince,"Bakugou, it's alright, man."

When Kirishima touches Bakugou's arm, the blond flinches away and glares daggers at him. Kirishima feels the pang in his heart.

Wasn't everything good between us just yesterday?

When Bakugou doesn't say anything and only continues looking at him, he carefully moves a little closer. This time he makes no move to touch the other.

"You can trust me, Bakugou," Kirishima says, staring deep into the red eyes of Bakugou.

It takes a moment but the prince's body relaxes and so does his entire demeanour.

"Whatever. To hell with your sincerity, Kirishima."

Bakugou unconsciously pouts as he looks away from the other.

Kirishima genuinely smiles for the first time that day, but it's only late morning.

(Midoriya tries to hide his laugh at the sight, and Todoroki watches with distaste.)

Chapter Text

He has a hard time leaving either of them out of his eyes for too long - especially when they're together.

Even when his father, King Endeavor, had left, Todoroki requested a longer stay with the excuse of spending time with his unoffical fiancé. (Something King Endeavor approved with smugness.)

Well, it's not like Shouto lied.

"You've been observing them the past few days," Midoriya appears by his side,"I have a feeling Kirishima is telling the truth. He won't hurt nor betray the prince."

Todoroki only sighs, eyes still on them.

Kirishima and Bakugou animatedly talk, standing on the vast grass field. The red-headed knight pets Bakugou's horse, Ignition - as if it isn't the wildest horse in the royal horse barn. Todoroki sure is surprised. Only Bakugou could tame Ignition, and not even all the time - so how could Kirishima just appear and do that?

"Well, the Ignition thing is kind of impressive," Izuku speaks Shouto's thoughts out loud, now looking at the two, too. Shouto still does not reply, eyes focused, thinking.

Actually, it seems like Kirishima has the same effect he has on Ignition, on Bakugou as well. Because with Kirishima, Prince Bakugou seems different, almost tamed in some way. Bakugou's eyes hold a special kind of hidden tenderness when looking at his knight.

Shouto watches Kirishima laugh and look at Bakugou. He wonders what they could be talking about, because Bakugou - he laughs too, albeit softer. He knows Bakugou holds himself back to still try to be cautious, like he always has been. But it falters. Shouto sees it. The more time Bakugou spends with Kirishima, the more his walls crumble for him, little by little. Bakugou is self-aware, the guest prince knows. Shouto wonders how it was when they had first met.

Even with Bakugou in a clear frenzy about distance and closeness to his knight. He might just fall hard. (Or maybe he's just a bit better at hiding that he already has fallen.)

It's just what Shouto has observed and concluded.

But Kirishima Eijirou is even worse, Shouto nods to himself. The way Kirishima looks at Prince Bakugou is intense but tender at the same time. Having observed them the past few days, it's been like that all around. Even from here, standing by the horse barn's entry, a safe distance from the two, he can see that Kirishima's gaze is full of adoration for the blond prince. Shouto still has a hard time believing it.

"I can see it, too, Izuku," Shouto finally says, quietly,"It's as if his eyes give him away..."

"But...?" the knight beside him raises a brow with a small smile.

"But I can't help it..." Todoroki clenches his fist and immediately Izuku's hand finds his in a soft embrace,"What if he-"

"Shouto, I'm worried too," Izuku whispers, squeezing his lover's cold hand,"Yet... for some reason... it feels like it'd be wrong to keep him away from Kacchan."

Shouto squeezes back, watches as Kirishima helps Bakugou (who did not ask for help) on the horse (getting glares and shouted insults in return, but also a blush from the blond prince). "I've just never seen Bakugou like that," Shouto leans against the wall behind him,"Blushing, looking shy, stammering... looking so... so... so vulnerable because of someone."

"It's quite the sight," Izuku chuckles light-heartedly,"Kacchan has a hard time keeping his guard up around Kirishima!"

Shouto only hums in response.

The green-haired knight then leans next to him on the wall with a half smile,"That's probably how he tricked Kacchan before... I just hope it's as true as it looks that he is in love with Kacchan. Kacchan might just fall for him too or has al-"

"Will we tell him?" Shouto interrupts, pulls his hand away and moves to stand in front of his lover, back turned to the scene he has been watching. Gazing in all seriousness at Izuku. "I don't think I can keep it from him, not without guilt."

Izuku frowns, almost mumbling, looking back unsurely at the prince in front of him,"I-I am not sure, Shouto. Kacchan deserves the truth, yes... And I'm also still angry about Kirishima having come with tainted intentions at first... but I fear that Kacchan might get seriously hurt and... I just don't know..." Green eyes travel to the interaction between Prince Bakugou and his knight Kirishima.

"Look," Shouto's gaze turns hard,"If the knight does not tell him himself, I am going to tell Bakugou."

Izuku bites his lip and looks down. "But..." he pauses.

Izuku has been watching them as much as Shouto. So Shouto looks at him and does not understand his hesitation. Izuku turns to him again and opens his mouth to speak.

"Hey!" Well, that's definitely not Izuku's voice.

Shouto turns around. He raises an unimpressed brow at a smiling Kirishima. Behind him he spots Bakugou who moves Ignition along. Promptly, Shouto ignores Kirishima and walks over to Bakugou, who stops as soon as they have eye contact.

"I'd like to invite you for a bit of horse-riding if you don't mind," Shouto tells the other prince,"I have my own horse with me."

Bakugou looks slightly confused at the sudden offer, but does not refuse,"Get on your damn horse then, I won't stay long. I've already been here all morning with shitty-hair."

"Would you like me to wait?" Izuku asks, duty as knight.

Shouto shakes his head in response, gesturing to Kirishima,"You can take him with you." And he knows that Izuku knows that it's not 'you can' but 'I order you to as a prince his knight'.

Izuku nods. With a small smile he gets Kirishima to follow him, but Kirishima keeps looking back. Not at Shouto, but at Bakugou.

"Feels like I adopted a fucking puppy off the streets sometimes," Prince Bakugou grumbles when Kirishima looks back for the last time and the two knights disappear behind the closed horse barn's door.

"That's how it looks like," Prince Shouto responds coldly, looking at the other,"At least that's the way he looks at you."

Prince Bakugou side-eyes him, a small blush visible on his cheeks,"Whatever the fuck you mean. Just go get your horse, half-n-half." Then he swiftly climbs on Ignition.

Midoriya and Kirishima walk in silence until they're back at the castle.

Izuku is glad the other does not speak up, but he sees Kirishima pout to himself. For some reason - Izuku does not understand at all - he feels bad for Kirishima.

"I can see it in your eyes, you know..." Izuku says and stops when they're in the castle's main hall, inside. "The way you look at him... do you even try to hide it anymore?"

Kirishima blinks at him in response, blush spreading across his face fast,"Ah! I sorta do! I-I am n-not... w-what... am... am I that obvious?" He puts a hand on his nape, lips tugging into a smile and shyly looks at the floor.

"Sorta," Izuku repeats and gives him a wobbly smile,"Be careful."

"Prince Todoroki does not approve, does he?" Kirishima looks up from beneath his lashes, head still down in a shy manner.

"Uh, yeah, he does not."

Kirishima sighs, hands falling to his sides, blush barely vanishing. "I understand him, you know?" he says, looking out the huge windows, sun still up and shining through, gracing his solemn features,"Bakugou deserves better than me - I will not deny that, but I..." Kirishima's eyes meet him, determination in his irises,"To the best I can do, I will protect Prince Bakugou with all I have. I will be his shield and sword. No one can stop me from doing that."

It's now that Izuku's anger and caution towards the other almost completely disappear and he isn't sure of how it happened, but he feels lighter from those words. As if he absolutely knows now that this stranger is completely loyal to Kacchan, Bakugou Katsuki, the crown prince of this place and his friend.

(Still, can't help the small tinge of lingering bitterness though.)

To Izuku's defense: It's as if Kirishima's love for Bakugou is written in his eyes. Even without Bakugou here, it's visible.

Maybe he's just imagining it - Izuku feels stupid and naive for feeling like this without knowing everything about the situation, but he can't help himself when he says the next words,"I believe you. As angry as I am with you, I do believe you." Then, a frown, he whispers,"I don't know why myself, Kirishima Eijirou..."

An expression of surprise befalls Kirishima.

Just a moment later it's gone and replaced by a bright grin. Kirishima Eijirou stands straight, chest puffed out and his fist comes to his chest,"I swear not to break my words, Midoriya Izuku."

And Izuku still believes him and smiles in return,"You know, I don't think you're bad at all." Words edge into his mind like facts: Kirishima Eijirou's loyalty - Kirishima Eijirou's heart belongs to Bakugou Katsuki.

"Oh," Izuku remembers then, taking a step closer to the other knight,"My prince wants you to tell Kacchan the truth about yourself."
Kirishima's smile falters the tiniest bit, a bit slumped he replies,"Yeah, I will... I just don't know how and when..."

"You should not wait long, Kirishima. Shouto is still pretty hostile towards you. He is not like me, as much as he sees your sincerity."

"I understand. Thanks, Midoriya." Kirishima nods, bows. Then makes a move to leave but he stands still, eyes widening.
Izuku follows his line of sight with his eyes and is met by a cold demeanour, on the top of the staircase.

"What truth is being talked about here that my prince has to hear?" Yaoyorozu's hard voice makes Izuku gulp, and his nervosity build up with every slow step she takes down the long stairs.

Kirishima and Izuku share a worried glance before looking back at one of the head knights of the castle, Yaoyorozu Momo.

It's intimidating - the way she stares the both of them down.

"Have you noticed something about your chosen one?" Todoroki shouts as they race through the field, eyes glued to the front.

Both their horses are quick, but it's obvious that Ignition is just a notch better, faster. Ignition is made to run wild so that's what she does. It's why she's a perfect fit to Prince Bakugou.

Bakugou slows Ignition down until they come to a complete stop. He looks at Shouto, skeptical.

Prince Shouto in turn notices the other has stopped and slows down, turns his horse around and stands next to his friend,"What? You're saying you didn't notice anything?"

"Just tell me what the fuck you mean," Bakugou is calm, attentive. It's as if he wants to hear whether what he thinks is right or wrong, before he has to voice his thoughts.

Shouto turns his head away. He believes Bakugou already had a hunch from the beginning - from the first time he met Kirishima Eijirou. It'd be unlike him not to after all. "I just don't understand what made you choose him," he explains. And that's not a lie, but that's not really what he meant.

Bakugou knows that, for sure, yet doesn't prod further. He shrugs, dismissively,"I don't fucking know. He got guts and skill, 's all." The blond prince gets off Ignition and expectantly looks at Todoroki to do the same, who follows after a moment.

They stand in the wide field of green grass, a few small flowers adorning the ground around them. It's quiet and they enjoy the soft breeze as they come off the high of their horse race. The sky is blue and sunny, free of clouds. When they move into the shadow of a huge tree, the contrast between the sun's warm rays and the cool air in the shadow's becomes apparent. They bind the horses to the tree.

Silent minutes pass.

Shouto wants to say something, prod at what he wants to know, get answers, warn him - but he isn't sure how to start at all, isn't even sure whether he should say anything at all. It's a peaceful kind of quiet. A rare moment with Bakugou, who stares into the distance. He looks thoughtful. The crease in his forehead seems to never leave anyway.

It's times like these, where Shouto finds his choice of having made Bakugou Katsuki his safe place, to be the right choice all along. He has never regretted that decision. He doubts he ever will.

He'd like to return the favour to his friend.

"You don't like Kirishima," Bakugou states, almost making it sound like a question. He's still looking into the distance.

Todoroki is surprised that he's the first one to open the conversation. "Well," he replies, moving closer,"that's not really it. He... hmm." He does not have the correct words.

"I fucking know," Bakugou quietly says, voice firm,"nobody would be like that to me. Of course, I've been questioning his behaviour right from the beginning. How foolish do you believe I fucking am, halfie?"

Bullshit, but that's something to talk about some other time. "That's not what I meant, Bakugou. But, anyway, that means you noticed...!" Todoroki turns completely to Bakugou, narrowed eyes filled with expectation.

The blond prince's gaze is as firm as his voice when he meets his eyes,"I felt that something was off the whole time. I just don't fucking know what. That feeling still hasn't left me. Aizawa says nightmares are just fiction, but sometimes they're telling, you know."

Shouto stays quiet.

(He knows Bakugou is prone to nightmares. But he has never known what plagues his sleep exactly. He has never known what the nightmares are about. This seemed like a hint.)

"I assume you know something I do not know," Bakugou crosses his arms,"The fuck is it?"

He told Izuku he'd give Kirishima time. So he does. "I just... found that he seems to genuinely like you."

And maybe he chose the wrong thing to say instead. Shouto mildly regrets it as he watches Bakugou's cheeks turn pink as he quickly moves over to Ignition."Fucking half-n-half, I didn't know that's what you meant! What the fuck? I was actually being fucking serious here! You make things sound fucking dangerous and I'm all here believing your dumb-fucking-ass and anticipating! I thought-- damn, y-you ass!..."

Shouto listens to Bakugou ramble on, red angry (embarrassed) face and all. The more he talks the more he starts to stutter and sweat. Maybe Shouto does not regret it after all. It's quite amusing. Shouto smiles softly at the sight of his flustered friend.

As soon as Bakugou sits back on his horse, he rides off with high speed. A grin on his face as he looks back at Shouto,"Eat my fucking dust, Todoroki!"

Shouto follows, smirking, as soon as he's on his own horse. They start racing again - and, for this moment, it feels like they're just kids without any responsibilities.

Chapter Text

The next day Midoriya and Kirishima sit in an office of the castle's security department. At the moment they feel trapped and absolute regret, having no idea how to diffuse the situation with head-knight Yaoyorozu Momo as their opponent.

"I have arranged a private place as you had requested. Now..?" as polite as Yaoyorozu still speaks, the ice is evident in her tone.

The two knights squirm under her hard gaze.

Midoriya had taken it upon himself to buy them time to think of a plan by telling Yaoyorozu that they could absolutely not tell her this top-secret information in any public place, that they definitely needed an absolute private place to do so and that it might be lengthy too, so she would need enough time to listen. Kirishima had played along immediately, agreeing. The knight had had no choice but to find a private place... but this office only increased the pressure on the two men. 

As Yaoyorozu glowers down on them, she crossed her arms at their silence,"May I know what is taking so long?"

In an attempt to buy more time Kirishima says,"We're just, you know, eh, not sure how you'd take this information. It's very absolutely ultimately top-secret!"

Midoriya smiles apologetically when Yaoyorozu raises an impatient brow,"He is right. With this sensitive information..." he trails off, shaking his head for their act.

"I see," Yaoyorozu frowns and puts a hand to her chin,"Has this truth about Kirishima Eijirou perhaps something to do with the marriage between the princes?"

"Yes, actually!" Midoriya straightens up as he looks at her in all seriousness. He speaks slowly, the idea still forming in his head on what to tell her exactly,"Eh, sort of that is. Kirishima would you like to tell her yourself?" Midoriya turns to Kirishima, whose eyes widen - before he puts a grin on his face and nods.

"Of course," Kirishima says, earnestly meeting Yaoyorozu's attentive eyes,"I have... fallen in love with the prince."

A soft gasp escapes her lips as the coldness in her expression is replaced with shock and worry,"So that's what Midoriya meant when he said that Prince Todoroki sees your sincerity... Oh my..." She shakes her head, mumbling,"You can't just fall in love with Prince Todoroki..."

"Yes, I--" Kirishima stutters, frowning in confusion,"Wait. What? Prince Todoroki? No."

"No?" Yaoyorozu blinks, now confused as well.

Kirishima sighs. Midoriya looks like he's holding himself back from cringing.

"I've fallen in love with Prince Bakugou..." Kirishima clarifies - for some reason he feels slightly offended,"I'm not sure how it happened either..."

Midoriya sighs and speaks up to her,"Uh, since the princes are going to marry, we were thinking Kirishima should confess his feelings so he can, uh, move on and serve Prince Bakugou in a proper manner."

Nice safe.

"Indeed, that does sound like sensitive information..." Yaoyorozu nods and puts her hands on her hips,"Kirishima Eijirou, I ask of you to take care of your unresolved feelings. An unrequited love for your future-king might lead to problems in your behaviour as a knight. Also, I am very sorry to have made you tell me such personal information, please, forgive me." She bows.

The conversation ends with Kirishima spluttering forgiveness, Yaoyorozu's sincere worry and Midoriya feeling entirely too uncomfortable.

Again, Kirishima gets away with not really lying.

"I can't believe you told her you're in love with Kacchan."

"What else was I supposed to say? You had no better plan!"

"Wow, I see Kirishima has done something stupid again."

"Who are you? Where do you even come from??"

Midoriya looks at the blond man in front of him in horror,"Please, forget whatever you've just heard!"

"Kaminari, what are you doing here?" Kirishima asks, mildly confused. (Midoriya sweating nervously at the sight Kirishima's calm behaviour.)

"You're yelling at each other in the middle of the castle, in a corridor near the security department," Kaminari deadpans,"Are you aware that anybody could have heard your conversation?"

"He's right..." Midoriya wails quietly, before sighing,"Well, since you two seem to know each other, I'll leave this to you, Kirishima." With that the green-haired knight rushes off and leaves the two friends alone in the corridor with no chance for them to say their goodbyes.

Kaminari, looking exhausted and amused at the same time, crosses his arms over his chest as he looks at his best friend,"You do know there is a sound mage managing the castle's security system?"

"I know..." Kirishima smiles in apology with a hand on his neck,"That's not something I need to have a secret anyway. I gotta tell you something else though."

Kaminari raises a brow at his friend's expectant expression, so he juts out his chin in a way to say Let's Go and beckons him to follow.

Arriving in a guest chamber that Kaminari currently occupies for his stay, the blond mage quickly informs his friend that Jirou Kyouka has no connection to this room since he has put up his own barriers for her quirk. The Bakugous must really be one of the strongest and richest, if even the guest chambers for non-royal guests look this amazing. A poor man shall never be not amazed. But that's not important right now.

Almost immediately after the door closes behind them, Kirishima throws himself at his friend,"I'm giving up!"

"What?" Kaminari catches him shakily in his arms,"Sit down first, damn."

Kirishima lets him go and moves to sit on the bed, eyes clenched shut,"Don't be angry, butI'mnotgoingthroughwiththeplan."

"What?" Kaminari repeats, done with his best friend's antics by now.

The knight in front of him sighs, repeats his words again. This time slower and adds on,"I'm not going through with the plan. Not only have I fallen in love with the prince, as you've heard, but I also don't really see why I thought this was a good idea in the first place. We're in a worse situation than we've been in before."

Kaminari's eyes widen slightly,"Yo, you're the one who said this was easy money! Nothing huge happened yet..."

"I was stupid. I am stupid," Kirishima says,"You noticed it too right? The evil prince isn't even evil! The things King Endeavor said... the things I learned here only showed the opposite!"

"I mean, yeah, while the prince is intimidating I don't think he is evil either," Kaminari scratches his head, feeling unsure,"But we can't just bail on the mission. King Endeavor is actually scarier than people admit."

"So we both found out quite some information, huh?" Kirishima lets himself fall back on the bed and stares at the ceiling,"We were following the bad guy's order the whole time... because of stupid rumours saying King Endeavor is like a hero and Prince Bakugou like a villain."

Then Kaminari sits down next to him, looking down to him,"So what should we do? Bailing might get our heads cut off, you know?"

Feeling a small flutter of happiness, Kirishima sits up straight and puts an arm around his best bro,"The two princes are gonna overthrow King Endeavor. And we're gonna help!"

Chuckling, Kaminari shakes his head,"You do realise this could easily cost us our lives? Nothing about this is easy... and we haven't even been paid yet," Kaminari rolls his eyes jokingly,"Guess we aren't gonna get paid at all though."

Kirishima only grins,"But we're going the manly way!" and puts his head on his friend's shoulder.

Chuckling quietly, Kaminari ruffles the red-head's hair,"Man, I sure did miss your talks about manliness and-- WAIT. KIRISHIMA."

"Dude, why are you yelling?" Kirishima's head leaves his shoulder to pout at him,"I-"

"You fell in love with Prince Bakugou?! Are you kidding me??"

"Uh, no. Man, I said that right at the beginning. You even heard me talking with Midoriya."

"Oh my god..." Kaminari puts his hands on his face and drags them down slowly,"You can't just fall in love with a prince! And Prince Bakugou Katsuki of all people! Their bloodline is one of the strongest in all of Japan! I'm honestly surprised he hasn't blasted you away after finding out you started this out as a spy... He likes you back or somethin' ?" Kaminari questions, having calmed down mid-ramble.

But Kirishima stays quiet. Curious, Kaminari decides to take a look at his friend who hangs his head in shame.

"Oh no," Kaminari quietly says, a hand coming up to pat Kirishima's shoulder,"You got rejected?" Kirishima bites his bottom lip and turns his head farther away from Kaminari's gaze. The mage's eyes widen in realisation,"Don't tell me... He... He doesn't know, does he? Why you came here?"

Silence is an answer too.

Denki would love to joke right now, saying how the explosive prince might just kill him for that - but he can't even find it in him to joke when his friend looks this close to tears. He feels Kirishima's shoulders tremble and moves his hand from his shoulder to completely hug Kirishima. 

Maybe he should have had already said something that day. That day when he had first realised Kirishima possibly growing fond of the prince. Truthfully, Kaminari would have never thought it to grow serious in any way. Kirishima is someone who has a warm open heart, but that does not mean he falls in love easily. How much has he learned of Prince Bakugou to have fallen in love with him? What has Prince Bakugou done that is so special that Kirishima fell in love so easily? Or maybe this is meant to be. As cheesy as it sounds, Kaminari had seen the way Prince Bakugou looks at Kirishima at the day of the royal ball. He had not even seen much interaction between the two either. Yet it had seemed obvious that day, that Prince Bakugou trusted and cherished Kirishima in some way. And when Kirishima looked at the prince it was full of adoration and warmth too; it's just that, with Kirishima he can pin-point the emotions better. So - yes, as cheesy as it sounds - if two people look at each other with this much special kind of warmth in their eyes, then it can not mean nothing.

"Kirishima..." he says quietly, holding his friend tightly,"I wish I could tell you not to worry, but I don't know the prince well enough for that... Even so... He... he deserves to know, yeah?"

Kirishima only nods, burying his face in his best friend's shoulder.

In the end Kaminari can only hold him in an attempt to comfort him. And he knows if Kirishima spoke even one word, he'd hear his voice break and cry, so he lets him be and doesn't ask, doesn't prod any further.

"He might just understand, Kirishima."

Later that day, after Kirishima parted ways with the mage, he ends up deep in the gardens of the castle.

The sun is on its way down, colouring the landscape in orange and violet hues. The flowers blooming on flower beds and bushes are in full bloom. Cherry blossom trees sprout their pink petals down on the path made of smooth light-coloured stone. The soft breeze from time to time is cool, making the fallen-down petals swirl around once more.

The scenery is beautiful but not what he pays attention to.

His mind is somewhere else.

Kirishima stops in his tracks, imagines standing in front of Prince Bakugou. Yes, maybe even here in the gardens of the castle. He is not really sure where he should tell him, doesn't even know how or when either. Even in his own mind he can't fathom what to tell Prince Bakugou. (Distinctly remembering the prince telling him to just call him his name in private.)

How is he supposed to start? My approaching you had not been sincere. My approaching you had not been truthful. My approaching you had not been innocent. My approaching you had been to gain your trust, then only to betray you on command.

If he says so, Kirishima wishes, the Bakugou in his mind should get angry and banish him. Should say he never meant anything. Should say he hates him. Then call for guards to throw him into a cell in the dungeons. No apology should be accepted.

But Kirishima can not lie to himself. He is not stupid - he knows the blond prince feels something for him too. This is not as one-sided as Kirishima would like to make himself believe. It can only hurt Bakugou. Kirishima knows.

So the Bakugou in his mind does not do as Kirishima wishes. The Bakugou in his mind only looks at him in utter disappointment and hurt, while only trying to seem angry as he scowls and glares. In his head, Kirishima sees how Bakugou's lips tremble but leaving no words. No yelling. Nothing to say at all. The Bakugou in his mind only turns to look away from Kirishima. Turns to leave Kirishima behind.

Reflexively Kirishima reaches out, not far enough to catch the Bakugou in his mind. He lets his arm linger in the air as his heart aches. None of his feelings for the prince matter, if hurt is all he can give Bakugou. I'm bound to lose him, Kirishima thinks bitterly, I never even had him.

"The hell you standing here? Are you okay?" the voice he's been longing to hear pulls him out of his mind.

Immediately Kirishima's hand falls back to his side and he swirls around, meeting eyes in a darker shade of red than his own.

Chapter Text

"The hell you standing here? Are you okay?" the voice he's been longing to hear pulls him out of his mind.

Immediately Kirishima's hand falls back to his side and he swirls around, meeting eyes in a darker shade of red than his own.

"Prince Bakugou, what are you doing... here?" Kirishima breathlessly asks, wry smile clinging to his lips. The one he tried to hold onto in his imagination is now here with him in reality.

"Bakugou," the prince reminds to drop the honorifics with a glare,"Answer my question first, shitty hair."

Kirishima takes a step back and wrings his hands together, breaking eye contact and looking at the stone path,"I'm fine, Bakugou. I was just taking a walk and it's just kinda... cold..?"

"Is that a statement or a fucking question," Bakugou deadpans, casually shrugging off the jacket of his royal wear while slowly closing the distance between them,"You think our medical team is useless or something? Fucking pay a visit to them if you feel bad. Pretty sure soy-sauce-face would pay you immediate attention." His grumbling is spoken in a quiet voice, nonchalantly throwing the jacket over Kirishima's shoulders.

Kirishima's smile drops and his crimson eyes widen at the action and their proximity. He glances into Bakugou's eyes, then to both his hands that are on his arms in a soft grip as if only to keep the jacket on him. Kirishima's gaze lands back on the floor, a guilty frown forming on his face,"Bakugou..."

It should be now. He should speak the truth right now.

Bakugou only keeps looking at him in an attempt to figure out what might be wrong. Kirishima seems to be a bad liar. And Bakugou isn't stupid either.

Well, either way Kirishima is a bad liar so he shouldn't have started this dangerous game at all. For him, it should've been game over from the start. He does not need to meet eyes with Bakugou to know that Bakugou has already looked right through him. Bakugou's only issue being not having any context to what has Kirishima feeling this way.

Clenching his eyes tightly closed, Kirishima takes a deep breath that ends up shaky.

A few more to steady himself.

This might be the last time, Kirishima thinks, being close together like this. And he doesn't blame anyone but himself. Bakugou deserves to know the truth more than anybody else. It is not fair at all that he already had a few moments so close, and closer, to Bakugou - only indulging his own lovesick feelings.

(Kirishima does not see Bakugou titling his head in confusion, still trying hard to figure out what might be troubling the other. Bakugou's hands are still on his arms - it feels like an attempt at comfort now.)

When Kirishima opens his eyes they are filled with determination. He meets Bakugou's searching eyes with what looks like a glare. The prince looks taken aback for a moment, before responding with a glare himself like a reflex for defense.

"There is something I have to tell you."

"Spill it then."

Kirishima takes one last breath to hold a steady voice before he speaks. Eye contact is held as he starts,"You once asked me why I came into your tent that day, at the tournament." He stops there for a moment and feels Bakugou's hands tense, but not tighten, on his arms just a second after.

Bakugou looks like he knows what's coming. Kirishima sees it in his eyes - as if Bakugou fights with himself not to glaze them over with coldness in a form of defense mechanism, because he still wants to trust Kirishima. The flicker of emotions in his eyes goes straight to Kirishima's aching heart.

And he continues, steady,"I told you it's because I wanted to see you. To show you how much I wanted to be your knight."

Bakugou's hands slowly become loose on his arms. The emotional turmoil is only visible in his red burning eyes. Those eyes that still look bravely back into Kirishima's despite whatever goes on behind them. The rest of his face stays attentive, serious and calm. The walls around his heart are already building up again. And Kirishima can still see it - the way Bakugou want to fight it and be in denial, act like he does not know what's going to come next.

"I didn't lie that day," Kirishima says, his determined expression hard to hold up,"But I only wanted those things because it was my... job to... to..." Kirishima can't help wavering when Bakugou's eyes are so hurtful to watch, every second more so. Bakugou's expression changes from stern to tense. Kirishima sees the muscles in Bakugou's jaw clench as he gulps. Bakugou's hands fall slowly lower with the pause, still not having let go, staying just above Kirishima's own hands

"It was my job to get close to you. For information. Mostly. And..." Kirishima ignores the way his voice wants to break and takes a deep breath to continue steadily, eyes not breaking away from Bakugou's,"Kill on command, if.... if it ever came down to it. I'm sorry, Bakugou."

Brushing by Kirishima's hands, Bakugou lets his own fall away from him, slow and torturous, . His eyes drop away from Kirishima's. He lowers his head and his voice is just as low and quiet as he asks,"Whose command?"

"King Endeavor." Kirishima answers immediately as he watches the other. Now he can't see the prince's eyes anymore, shadowed by his ash-blond hair.

What he does see is the way Bakugou clenches his hands into tight trembling fists.

The sun has already set by now. Light coming from the castle's windows and lanterns in the small distance. The night hasn't completely settled yet.

The way Bakugou stays silent with his head held down worries Kirishima. He isn't sure what to expect but his long-held steadiness breaks fast under the reality of the situation.

It's hard to stay calm, Kirishima isn't sure how Bakugou does it - even though he knows Bakugou is not calm on the inside. He wonders when he became so good at reading the other.

"I knew it," Bakugou's broken whisper cuts through the air.

Kirishima feels his heart shatter. He knows Bakugou wants to stay more so he stays quiet, even when he sees tears drop down from the other's face on the stone beneath them. Hands opening and closing shakily on repeat. Kirishima wants nothing more but take the other into his arms. He shouldn't so he doesn't.

"I knew from the start something... just... something! Fucking something's wrong!" Bakugou yells, but it sounds weak under his tears,"I tried not to dwell on it but stay on alert... The whole damn time that fucking wrong something never went away though! Who the fuck would be like that to me? Who the fuck would treat me the way you did? Who... And Why... Just... How... How could it feel so real?!" He coughs a few times and tries to keep himself together.

Then he looks straight into Kirishima's eyes, voice hoarse and quiet and desperate,"How could you make me feel this way about you..." One of his hands come up to clutch at the fabric covering the place where his heart is,"You shouldn't have... told me this at all. Or... or at least when my heart was still doing good at living up to its rumours of being black."

Kirishima's own tears are flowing down his cheeks as he helplessly gazes back into Bakugou's eyes, pain forming his expression.

Straightening himself, Bakugou uses the sleeve of his dress-shirt to forcefully smear the tears and snot away from his face. Kirishima only watches him with longing in his eyes.

Then Bakugou looks at him again when he realises, frustrated, his tears just won't stop flowing. He sniffles.

"You took my defenses down and with time I actually... I fell in love with you..." he whispers accusingly and heartbroken. His eyes are wet, red and tired.

Kirishima's chest is pained by the sight. Lungs and heart heavy. Bakugou actually fell in love with him and he is so happy to hear that but at the same time it only hurts because he is hurting Bakugou right now.

"I decided to tell you-" Kirishima wipes his own tears away, a weak self-deprecating smile forms on his lips,"-because every moment I spent here I realised you're not the way they told me you were. I wanted to follow you and be with you. I'm a really stupid idiot, you know. And somewhere along the line... I fell in love with you too..."

Hearing those words, Bakugou's shoulders shake and more tears run down his face. He quickly turns his back to Kirishima and composes himself. In split seconds, his back looks strong and confident without signs of pain. Royalty amitting from him. Like this, nobody would guess just how broken he is. 

"Bakugou, I'm sorry. I'm so... I'm so sorry..." Kirishima breathes out, hand reaching for the one he loves.

"Someone is going to be here any minute," the prince's voice is hoarse, but he speaks like it's a matter of fact.

"Did you..." Kirishima's teary eyes widen as realisation dawns upon him, hand stilling in the air,"The sound mage of your security system, Jirou."

"You can decide what happens from here," Bakugou continues, his sleeve coming up to wipe at his face again,"Run if you want." I won't stop you. I'll let you go. Kirishima hears the unspoken words.

Kirishima reaches for Bakugou again and grips his sweating hand,"What if I don't want to run?"

The prince's jacket falls off the knight's shoulders and onto the stone ground.

"You stay and fucking see what happens," it comes out like a threat and Kirishima flinches.

Then, as if Bakugou didn't want it to sound like that, he clarifies,"The king and queen rule so I can't promise your safety."

It stings and it's warm at the same time. "You... don't want me to go away?" Kirishima asks quietly.

"I don't want to see you at all, damn it," Bakugou shakily says, under a false play of calmness,"But you're here for more than just me now. I'll give you this chance. You said you'd follow."

That's not true, Kirishima thinks. Even if he joined the Plan under Prince Todoroki to overthrow King Endeavor, that's still not true. Even that is mostly because and for you, Bakugou. I follow you.

In close distance they can hear footsteps of armour approaching in fast strides.

"I'm staying."

Bakugou's hand finally holds his too instead of just letting Kirishima hold on.

It's short-lived.

Suddenly his hand is pulled away from Bakugou's immediately loose grip. In a swift movement his legs are kicked out under him, he is thrown onto the ground and his hands in a fierce grip behind his back as the side of his face is forced against the ground. His cheek stings and his head throbs a little from the impact.

"Do not touch the prince."

Yaoyorozu's voice is woven with ice, and so must be her gaze - Kirishima can only imagine that part from his position under her. But he can't really blame her either.

He hears Bakugou curse under his breath before he speaks up with authority,"Who else knows?"

"Only me and mage Jirou Kyouka, my prince. We were the only ones present to hear. I made sure to come alone and tell the mage to keep this for herself until I come back," Yaoyorozu replies in a professional fashion. The ice in her voice is never meant for the prince.

Ever since Yaoyorozu determined the prince to be the one she serves, she has been making sure to pay attention to the prince's wants and needs more than before. And stick to them. Yaoyorozu Momo is doing her best to be Prince Bakugou's knight.

Bakugou lays a hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to hold him down. I don't know how much you've heard but he ain't fucking going anywhere." His voice sounds almost gentle as he tells her. Yaoyorozu feels the anger in her heart calm a bit. She isn't used to feeling this way.

Reluctantly she obeys, lets Kirishima go and moves to stand beside the prince. Even so she can't help but glower at the other knight. She had trusted him, from knight to knight. Now she just feels stupid.

Kirishima stands up and touches his bruised cheek. Flinching a bit, he gives her a small smile,"You didn't hold back there, did you?"

"If I didn't, your face would look much worse, Kirishima Eijirou," she replies evenly. She folds her hands neatly in front of her in a proud stance of a knight as she glares at him, protective of the prince next to her.

"Oh... thanks," Kirishima grimaces. He believes her every word. 

"Yaoyorozu," Bakugou lays a hand on her shoulder again and he looks at her. Startled by the contact and sound of her name, her cold expression falls into a surprised one as she faces the prince.

Her heart clenches. Only now she actually looks at Prince Bakugou. It's a heartbreaking sight. Dried tears on his rosy cheeks, eyes red and tired as he holds himself firm. Yaoyorozu can barely fathom how pained the prince must be. From surprise to worry, she puts a hand over the prince's on her shoulder,"Prince Bakugou..."

She finds herself thinking that maybe Prince Bakugou put a hand on her shoulder to steady himself - mentally that is. He still looks strong, just like his presence. She's glad to be there for him.

He scowls a bit at the worry in her eyes, but not mistaking it for pity. She wouldn't pity him, she's glad he knows by now. "The Todoroki's brought a mage with them. I want you to--"

"I already spoke to Kaminari!" Kirishima interrupts quickly,"He's like me, Bakugou! He doesn't follow King Endeavor anymore."

"It's Prince Bakugou. After all this you shouldn't drop the honorifics anymore," Yaoyorozu comments before Bakugou can speak up.

Kirishima blinks and looks down.

"If you fucking say so. But even so, Halfie should at least have a talk with him," Prince Bakugou doesn't correct her and she sees the way Kirishima's shoulders seem to slump a bit. The prince doesn't even spare a glance in Kirishima direction.

Additionally Prince Bakugou hasn't turned away from her at all, so she turns back to him. His eyes seem to be judging her as he stares into her eyes as if searching for something. His hand on her shoulder tightens. Yaoyorozu feels a bit nervous but stares back with confidence.

"Fuck it," the prince says then, taking her by surprise,"Are you with me, Yaoyorozu?"

She answers with no hesitation, brows furrowing,"Yes, my prince."

He smirks, eyes glinting as if he realised something good and new,"You'll have a talk with me then."

She nods and gives a strong smile back. Something big it seems?

Kirishima smiles at the interaction. Bakugou seems to have realised, among other things, that he can absolutely trust Yaoyorozu. But there is a bitter taste on his tongue - Bakugou hasn't met his eyes once since he turned his back to Kirishima.

But he doesn't need Bakugou to look at him to stay with him - as sword and shield.

Chapter Text

 
On an evening a few days later Kirishima finds himself standing behind Prince Bakugou, who sits at a grand dinner table. Rather small for royalty. It must be a personal meeting then. Servants rush in and out, preparing the table.

Prince Bakugou had let a servant call him down and now they're in this empty room waiting for something Kirishima still doesn't know about. He hadn't seen Prince Bakugou after that night when he had confessed everything. Until today - and the only words Prince Bakugou had uttered as soon as the knight stepped into the room, without even sparing a look had been "Stand behind me, Knight". And so Kirishima has been standing next to Prince Bakugou's seat and a few steps behind. It feels cold but at least Prince Bakugou lets him do his job as his knight. (He misses being with Bakugou, so he appreciates even this.)

Silence.

It's probably barely been 5 minutes. Kirishima can only hear his heartbeat against his ribcage, loud and steady. He wonders if Prince Bakugou feels as tense as he does.

The doors open again.

"My prince," Yaoyorozu enters the room and immediately moves to Prince Bakugou's side, bowing curtly,"Please forgive my tardiness." Yaoyorozu knows Prince Bakugou doesn't care so she doesn't explain herself either, moving to stand a few steps behind on Prince Bakugou's other side. She probably isn't even late anyway, Kirishima muses in his thoughts.

The still open doors reveal Prince Todoroki entering and taking a seat opposite Prince Bakugou, at the other side of the table. Right behind him stand both Knight Midoriya Izuku and Mage Kaminari Denki. Ah, so that's what this is about. It took some time. Kirishima thought they had privately taken care of things but apparently they haven't had the chance to do so yet. He's glad to see his friend safe with the other prince though. They meet eyes and exchange a smile.

"Aren't we supposed to eat with your parents soon?" Prince Todoroki asks as a servant pours him a glass of water. He thanks quietly before continuing since Prince Bakugou didn't seem to plan on answering,"I'm guessing you couldn't wait to see me in private again." The smallest of smiles tugs at his lips.

"You wish," Prince Bakugou scoffs, quirks a smirk,"It's about a change of plans."

Glancing between Kirishima and Yaoyorozu, Prince Todoroki then quirks an eyebrow at Prince Bakugou in curiosity.

"There is someone I'm thinking about adding to this. Additionally, your mage works with us now. Yaoyorozu's in, too," Prince Bakugou explains, a servant rushing past both his knights behind him,"If I should miss out on something and she is available, she has the command in my stead."

Out of the corner of his eyes Kirishima sees Yaoyorozu's confusion and surprise, which surprises him in turn. So she still has yet to know. He's curious about how she will react.

"Obviously she doesn't know what this is about yet," Prince Bakugou takes a sip of his water. Then, thoughtful,"I'll tell her soon in private. Soon but not sure when yet."

"I thought you wanted to keep her out of this matter," Prince Todoroki narrows his eyes at Yaoyorozu and Kirishima,"What changed?"

"I changed my mind, that's all," Prince Bakugou says with an aura of finality, ending the conversation subject.

Kirishima can't help his eyes trailing to Prince Bakugou. The prince is an odd kind of calm today, Kirishima thinks, Prince Bakugou hasn't raised his voice once nor has he cursed at all. This kind of calm only makes him feel unease. Another glance at Prince Todoroki, whose face is pensive, reveals that he probably thinks the same as Kirishima.

"By the way," Prince Bakugou's voice startles Kirishima out of his staring. He blushes and looks away. (Prince Bakugou probably didn't even notice. He's standing behind the prince, damn it.) The prince's voice is amused, adressing the other prince,"You're supposed to sit next to me. My parents will arrive soon."

Prince Todoroki stops scruitinising Kirishima and Yaoyorozu, attention back on Prince Bakugou,"You're only telling me now? That's rude, Bakugou. I feel embarrassed now." If it wasn't for his rosy cheeks, Kirishima honestly couldn't guess his embarrassment from his frown and monotone voice alone. His companions following, Prince Todoroki seats himself next to Prince Bakugou, taking his glass with him.

He hands Midoriya the unused glass in front of him,"Do you mind?"

"Of course not, Shouto," Midoriya chuckles softly and takes the glass, placing it on his old seat, then coming back to stand behind him.

A seemingly comfortable silence stretches between the princes. Less servants rushing in and out the room now that the table preparations are almost done. Midoriya and Yaoyorozu look as professional as ever, but he can't say the same for himself nor his nervous-looking friend Kaminari. Any second now Kaminari will speak up, Kirishima knows.

Just as his mouth opens, so do the doors again. Poor Kaminari - Kirishima holds back a smile - but maybe it's better this way, sorry buddy.

The King and Queen of the Bakugou castle enter, greeting everyone in the room before sitting down.

Kirishima meets eyes with a man with long messy black hair and bloodshot eyes, who stays outside the room. Probably one of the head knights, Kirishima guesses and looks at the King and Queen, one of the head knights right under their command.

When the table is set and the food is warm and waiting, the Queen clasps her hands together. "So, please sit down and join us!", the queen invites with a bright smile, looking at the four people still standing.

All four looking at their respective princes immediately.

"Of course," Prince Todoroki gestures for his two companions to sit. They do.

"Yaoyorozu," Prince Bakugou points his thumb to the seat on his other side, then nods his head in the same direction,"then Kirishima." With a nod, they sit down at their seats. Kirishima feels like that's a personal jab at him. Yaoyorozu sits between them, not minding the tension. Or maybe Kirishima is the only one feeling the tension anyway.

"Oh, it has been a while since you've called Yaoyorozu by her name," the king remarks, pleasant surprise in his features.

His son simply shrugs.

"Katsuki, do tell," the queen grins playfully,"Why have you been requesting Yaoyorozu's presence so often these past days? She's one of my favourite knights, you know that."

"I want to make her one of my personal knights," Prince Bakugou doesn't react to her playfulness, calmly explaining,"If she agrees, of course." He is the first to dig in his food. Todoroki then follows his example.

Momentarily both his parents eyes widen. Kirishima knows they find their son's out of the ordinary calmness and lack of cursing probably just as weird as he does. And they're probably even more weirded out by their son's request.

"Huh," the queen eyes Prince Bakugou critically. The king sends each non-royal a smile and friendly gestures for them to start eating too. He himself starts too.

The queen is the only one not starting, looking at her son like he hides something and she wants to dig it up. (And he does hide some things, Kirishima thinks as he chews on a piece of steak, a mother's intuition probably.)

"You..." the queen starts and everyone looks up at her. Her eyes narrow down on her son's forming scowl.

Kirishima doesn't know about the others, but he is ready to speak up as the mother-son pair continues their stare down. Yaoyorozu seems to notice; Under the table she puts her hand above his firmly before he can even open his mouth. Nobody notices. She keeps her gaze steady as it drops away from the queen and back to her food. She lets his hand go and continues eating. Kirishima does the same then.

"You are getting taught some manners by her, aren't you!" the queen's glare completely disappears as she laughs loudly,"No yelling, no curses... We've been trying for so long. If you had told me you only needed to have Yaoyorozu as your teacher... You little shit, you're finally growing into your role as a prince! Is it because you'll be king soon?"

Prince Bakugou rolls his eyes and turns back to his food,"Whatever."

The King puts a hand on his wife's shoulder gently,"You should eat too, Mitsuki."

"I will, Masaru" she nods at her husband with a smile, then looks to Todoroki,"And how long are you staying here? You know your presence is welcome but we will be visiting King Hakamata Tsunagu soon. Which means we will travel by your territory first. Would you like to join us for the way, Prince Shouto?"

"Oh," Todoroki says as if he noticed something just now,"Actually I was planning to stay for a while. I'd like to spend time with your son, if you'd allow me."

"You're a romantic, Prince Shouto? I didn't think you were the type," The king chuckles,"You can stay, of course. Feel at home."

Kirishima smiles at the king's gentleness. A man this gentle and a woman this passionate would fight for what's right, Kirishima thinks, Maybe asking for their support on Endeavor wouldn't be as bad as the princes make it out to be. But that's still their decision. They must have their reasons.

Prince Bakugou sighs,"Father, you're fucking embarrassing."

Kirishima's smile brightens, eyes immediately finding Prince Bakugou who scowling down at his food. It just feels better when Bakugou sounds like himself, instead of a muted version of himself. He likes Bakugou like this more. Way more.

When he stops himself from staring at the prince with a dumb smile, he catches the queen's eyes on him. It seems she has been watching him. He doesn't know when she started.

He gulps, his smile wobbly as he gives her one. His heart rate picks up in nervousness. He feels caught, but doesn't know for what. She smiles in return, a glint in her eyes that worries Kirishima. But she doesn't say anything, she simply continues eating and conversing with everyone at the table, building a comfortable atmosphere.

After a while even Kaminari feels enough at ease to crack jokes with the Queen, who seems to have taken a liking to him. Yaoyorozu smiles now and then, politely commenting. Prince Todoroki often teases Prince Bakugou, which the King and Queen seem to appreciate a lot. Prince Bakugou quickly acts like his usual self again, which everyone finds amusing to see, but he looks just as content as the others at the table. And Kirishima himself chooses to join only when spoken to.

Later that evening when they finish dinner and the servants are already working to clean the table, the king and queen bid their goodbyes since they will be leaving in the morning.

Alone in the castle without the king and queen means things will progress faster from here on.

The next day comes, his parents leave and by noon Katsuki spars on the training grounds. Todoroki, with Deku of course, should be having a meet-up with that lightning mage and Kirishima by now.

After the heavy night from a few days ago, Katsuki has been making sure not to meet Kirishima. (Or Todoroki. Or Deku. Dumbasses would notice that something happened and nag at him.)

It feels just like the beginning when he had done his best to escape even the gaze of Kirishima. The castle grounds are big but even so it's easy to walk into each other somewhere. Considering that Kirishima has a lot of free time since he isn't an official knight yet, only under Katsuki's personal command until he becomes king. Katsuki catches sight of Kirishima a lot near Sero, Ashido and Tokoyami, sometimes joined by Kaminari. He also hangs around the training grounds a lot. Or the kitchens. Or the gardens. Often seen helping around any kind of servant around the castle. Kirishima fills his time. It makes Katsuki feel a little less like he's doing something bad. And when they do meet eyes, the smiles Kirishima gives him seem a little sadder than he knows them to be. (Kirishima's smile looks wrong like that, damn it.)

On the other hand he keeps Yaoyorozu around. Wherever he goes – the training grounds, his private quarters, horse riding, studying, meetings...

Katsuki knows Yaoyorozu is very curious as to how this developement started. She probably has her hunches. She's smart.

As a prince, Katsuki has never wanted to be pampered or pitied, whatever happens. Rather, he has been working towards being as independent, knowledgeable and strong as possible. As a result of his never-ending efforts, he is pretty confident in his abilities. He has to be the best, else there is no worth in him. If people call him black-hearted in response to his power, so be it. It's true that he is sort of ruthless too. Whatever, he knows what he wants to do and be.

But Yaoyorozu has never called him black-hearted or anything in that direction, and never feared him either. Although, when they were young children, she had liked to call him hot-headed and wild. Often seriously scolding him for bad behaviour. She is still honest with him, doesn't fear any outburst from him. Whether back then, as the daughter of aristocrats or now, as a knight working under the Bakugou Family. Leaving her own family behind in exchange to stay with another one, here with him. Her attitude towards him never changed much at all.

A shy girl blossoms into a confident lady. That was cheesy, Katsuki thinks to himself, but really, she's become badass. Always has been, if he is honest with himself.

Just like that night. When his heart felt a thousand times too heavy. When loving for the first time had broken down on him, feeling like a mistake. Like a lighthouse, her presence alone had guided him to remember that there are more important matters than his feelings here. Then like an anchor, she had stayed by his side and kept him grounded. She hadn't asked, and he knows how much she still wants to know.

And, he admits when she throws yet another sparring partner over her shoulder with ease and elegance, she has never betrayed my trust.

"Yaoyorozu, let's do a round!" Katsuki calls over to her. Her steel gaze meets his and her lips soften into a smile as she jogs over. He smirks,"Don't you fucking dare hold back."

Yaoyorozu moves first and thereby starts the sparring match,"That would be rude now, wouldn't it, my prince?"

Honestly, being with Yaoyorozu is entertaining, comfortable and calming. Talking to Jirou Kyouka can wait. Visiting the dungeons can wait. Planning further with Todoroki Shouto can wait. For now, for today, he puts everything else to take care of aside and lets himself have fun with his – dare he say it – trusted friend.

Chapter Text

The only audible sound in the empty grand medical department is the clattering of utensils and glass. Sero and Ashido occupy the main room, consisting of the beds and cabinets that are in the process of becoming filled and organised. Somewhere in the back, inside a separate storage room, there is muffled chatter from the rest of the medical team.

“I know Sir Aizawa warned us about Kirishima when he first arrived, and I also know we didn't take him seriously,” Sero starts as he carefully fills the cabinets with medicine, organised by their effects,”But judging by Kirishima's and Prince Bakugou's behaviours these past days, I'd say something went down. And Aizawa warning us again? Now? After, what, a year? Worrying as hell.”

Ashido's groan echoes through the medical room. “Maybe Kirishima confessed his feelings or something, who knows! I doubt Sir Aizawa warned us about Kirishima falling in love with our prince. He probably meant his warning regarding Kirishima in a more serious sense, you know. ”

“That's what I mean, Mina,” Sero eyes two similar jars of herbs before deciding where to put them,”We know Kirishima has feelings for Prince Bakugou. But I doubt our prince would start avoiding Kirishima because of that — considering Bakugou seems to have opened up to Kirishima, well, before whatever happened that they behave like this now. Kirishima probably did something serious and we didn't catch up on it. Aizawa did though, and he spends time with only Bakugou. While we spend time with both."

“Hanta!" Ashido gasps and straightens up from leaning against the wall next to Sero,"Kirishima never made the impression to be one of the bad guys!"

Sero mutters something along the lines of not having enough concentration before he fully turns to Ashido with furrowed brows, leaving the mess behind him for later. “Sir Aizawa told us to keep an eye out for a reason. Maybe we should've listened better, well, should listen now at least — is all I'm saying.”

Ashido pouts, moves away to sit on one of the beds in the medical rooms. Head in her hands, groaning again.

“I know you really like Kirishima. So do I,” Sero says with a sympathetic smile as he looks at her,”I mean I kinda played some strings for Kirishima in the beginning, but I didn't think he'd actually end up staying, additionally getting on Bakugou's good side. My main objective was to play around with Prince Bakugou — You know I love teasing and pranking our prince! But something has been off since the beginning. I know you felt it before I did.”

“Yeah,” she exhales, her cheerful exterior slowly falling into a tired one,”I wanted to be wrong though. When Kirishima arrived the first time, I told you how suspicious everything seemed and yet I was the first one to drop my guard... I wonder what the trouble is though, we barely know anything about him... But maybe we are wrong with our suspicions!” She looks at him, hopeful.

“Maybe,” Sero shrugs.

A solemn silence befalls them. While Ashido lays down on the bed completely to stare at the ceiling in thought, Sero turns back to working on organising the shelves.

The main residence of the Bakugous is a place of high security, defense and offense. Nobody has actual detailed information about the Bakugou castle or their army, besides the location and a few well-known faces like their head-knights who make their regular public appearances. In battle their soldiers stay anonymous – using individual armour in the colours of the Bakugou Land, usually with a helmet or mask to conceal their identity. But no outsiders know about the true mechanics behind that strength.

A few knights display the power of their land and their own by using their public appearances mostly for tournaments. But the knights aren't the only ones in the spotlight. The Royals also make their regular appearances at gatherings with other royals and independently. Workers of the medicine division, for example, also have meetings with representatives of other lands regarding medicine research. Since the hand-in-hand system has been working so well in Japan for the past years, wars and other huge threats of violence have become less and less. Though the power-hungry still exist, big and small — every citizen and ruling royal has to keep that in mind.

On the other hand, mages like Jirou Kyouka worry less. Despite the existence of Quirks, mages are still considered rare. Their powers often greater than Quirks. Additionally she works for the Bakugous. Which is, in itself, a huge plus point for her livelihood.

“Do people keep forgetting I can hear basically everything or do they just not care...” Jirou groans, rolling her stiff shoulders. The security division of the castle has their grand office on one of the higher floors, in the center of the castle. This way Jirou's powers cover a wider range of the castle, news spread faster and possible danger is faster taken care of.

“Anything to report?” Head-Knight Aizawa asks as he shuffles through work sheets for the prince's studies tomorrow.

“Sero and Ashido regret not listening to your words,” she replies evenly, keeping the details to herself. She still remembers Yaomomo's request to keep certain matters to herself if she happens to overhear anything like last time. Though what she has just heard implies that Aizawa is not clueless. She sighs softly. Despite having worked for the Bakugous for only a year and a half, she's quickly become close with Knight Yaoyorozu Momo and values the friendship a lot. And, even though she rather keeps her distance from Prince Bakugou, she does have sympathy for him regarding that night.

Sir Aizawa seems nonchalant, not inquiring further. After some time he looks at her and simply says,”You can't actually hear the whole castle. I'd have to report you to the Queen and King if you invaded the privacy of our people that strongly.” Whether he is joking, Jirou isn't sure.

“Yeah, okay,” Jirou admits, cheeks dusting pink in embarrassment of having her exaggeration corrected,”But I do hear most of the castle premises, Sir Aizawa, depending on where I have my focus. Except those few places I'm not allowed or able to listen in, like the private rooms 'n stuff.”

“If you heard everything here you'd get more migrains than I do,” Aizawa packs up the worksheets, moving drowsy,”But I don't mind if you exaggerate like that when you're present at festivities and public events. It's fine to scare outsiders a little after all.” A small smirk forms on his exhausted features.

She shudders,“That's sadistic, Sir.”

“...and then he will drown in his own damn blood as I kill him!” Prince Bakugou finishes proudly, jumps out of his seat with a victorious fist raised and a huge battle-ready grin on his face. He looks at the woman in front of him for a reaction. He continues boasting,“You will see all of that glory first-hand!”

So cute and full of energy, Kirishima smiles at the sight with a soft sigh. He looks so excited.

“You know that's not supposed to be charming, right?” Kaminari whispers from his place next to him. Kirishima ignores his friend's words, waving a dismissive hand.

“My prince...” Yaoyorozu trails off after a pause, looking at him with concern and bewilderment in her eyes, a hand covering her open mouth. 

“I told you to choose me to tell the plan,” Prince Todoroki says with a straight face but very obviously sulking in his seat next to Prince Bakugou,”It's less profanity and less gore.”

Prince Bakugou, still standing, crosses his arms over his chest and rolls his eyes,”I'm better than you, she knows. Go cry in the corner, half-n-half.”

Kirishima snorts. Prince Bakugou immediately points his glare at him. His heart jumps. “Sorry,” Kirishima says, not sorry at all as he avoids eye contact immediately to hide his amusement.

“Anyway,” Prince Bakugou turns back to Yaoyorozu who still looks at him with round eyes of worry,”Are you in? You're next in command after me.”

“Of course. It honours me, my prince. But are we really going to war?” Yaoyorozu quietly asks and casts her eyes down.

“Not in the traditional sense,” Midoriya is quick to supply,”We're taking the throne away from King Endeavor as a small group and pretty much undercover. We won't harm anyone unnecessarily for some show of power or whatever. And preferably, nobody will drown in anyone's blood.” 

“We'll see,” Prince Bakugou declares with a smirk.

“I see,” Yaoyorozu nods, still looking unsure,”I understand your reasons to go against King Endeavor, my prince. As well as Prince Todoroki's and Midoriya's, but what about those two?” She gestures at Kirishima and Kaminari with a hand. She's still distrustful and Kirishima wouldn't blame her.

The two in question stand by the window, a small distance from the other four in the room.

“Oh,” startled by the sudden shift of attention, Kaminari replies first,”He's, uh, an ass...Uh, I've been working for him this past year. He does some dirty stuff behind the curtains and has, like, no respect or basic human decency to spare anyone who isn't himself... His wife, the queen, is locked up in one of his towers as well. She is well taken care of regarding food and hygiene, but is not allowed to go out. Additionally, she barely has any actual interactions with other people.”

“Wait, did you meet her?” Prince Todoroki asks and shoots up in his seat, eyes widening with emotion,”How is she? Is she--”

“Only once. She's more or less okay,” Kaminari smiles in an attempt to comfort but still be honest,”Considering the situation she is in... I found out only recently about this, before we came here. It's a well-kept secret.” Midoriya stretches over Prince Bakugou's empty seat to give Prince Todoroki's hand a small squeeze.

The guilt sticks in his throat and Kirishima clenches his teeth. He didn't know about that at all. How could they ever have accepted working for King Endeavor? They should have known. God damn it! If only they--

Kaminari nudges him. Kirishima looks up, frown still intact and opens his mouth to reply as well.

“Bottom line is, they're both too stupid with choosing who the fuck to work for and ended up with that piece of shit of a human-being,” Prince Bakugou drawls with a scowl before the knight can say anything at all, appearing fed up with the topic already,”Bad decisions. Late realisations. That kind of shit.”

Can't argue with the truth. Kaminari apologises as he nods. Kirishima lowers his head again, doing the same.

“Just so you know,” Yaoyorozu says, her voice and gaze turning icy as she addresses them, making them wince slightly,”I will not hesitate to put you in your place if I notice any--”

“So you will follow me?” Prince Bakugou turns her attention back to him, expectant.

Determined Yaoyorozu says,”Of course, I will follow you, my prince. I will do my best to be of service.” She stands up and bows deep.

“Good,” Prince Bakugou says,”It's fine, raise your head. There's still stuff to go over.”  A pause. “You two,” now he is addressing Kaminari and Kirishima, scowling,”I don't know what the fuck you're doing by the window the whole time but sit down already.”

Kirishima feels his heart sting at the glare that lingers on him, breaking eye contact again,“I didn't think we--”

“Exactly, you didn't think. I don't care, sit the fuck down instead of taking useless distance. We still got shit to talk about,” Prince Bakugou narrows his eyes even more, nodding his head to the two free seats at the table. He said it like his words mean more than that, Kirishima chews on his bottom lip, Huh. The sting of his sharp teeth go unnoticed compared to what goes on in his heart for the other man.

So Kirishima sighs but doesn't argue further. Kaminari whispers a soft “Damn” and they take their seats.

“Kacchan, aren't you being kind of harsh?” Midoriya gently says from his seat next to the still standing prince.

Before Prince Bakugou can fire off his retort, Kirishima shrugs it off with a smile,”It's fine, Midoriya, thanks. It's not unjustified, trust me.” Midoriya only looks at him, confused and worried.

Carefully then, he meets Bakugou's fierce glare. He holds the eye contact – hopefully conveying that he really thinks so.

But Prince Bakugou's glare wavers. Becomes pained.

Kirishima sees it. Feels it too.

Abruptly, Prince Bakugou breaks the eye contact by looking to the side, frowning hard. “Just shut up for fuck's sake.” He hisses. That alone is like another jab at Kirishima's heart, who ends up lowering his gaze again. 

Prince Todoroki sighs before complete silence drags on for too long. He tugs at Prince Bakugou's sleeve and eyes him to sit down, which he begrudgingly does.

Irritated, Todoroki asks into the round,“Any suggestions regarding the plan?”

Seemingly relieved for a chance to change the atmosphere into something more professional, Yaoyorozu speaks up after a small moment,”Jirou Kyouka, our mage, is trustworthy and capable. How about scouting her for this as well?”

Prince Bakugou leans back in contemplation. Todoroki and Midoriya shrug. “It's one of your people, Bakugou, you decide,” Todoroki says, leaning his chin on his palm,"I don't mind."

Bakugou's gaze flits to Kaminari, who scrambles to sit up straight in his seat.

“Having two mages sounds pretty strong,” Kaminari comments, looking at Prince Bakugou who's now scrutinising him.

As Kaminari grows nervous under his unwavering stare, he continues,”King Endeavor has none, since I'm not actually on his side, haha. Huge advantage.” He quirks an unsure smile at the other blond.

“Sure, she knows too much for us to ignore her now anyway.” Bakugou dismisses, leaning back in his seat and glancing at Kirishima for a moment. Their eyes meet but Bakugou breaks it off without hesitation. Not being under Prince Bakugou's intense stare anymore relaxes Kaminari though, who goes back to slouching in his seat.

“I'll make sure to inform her!” Yaoyorozu nods with a determined smile. Kirishima smiles softly. He hasn't spent much time with Mage Jirou to know her well, but he kind of guesses that there is no way she will refuse Yaoyorozu.

“What about Sir Aizawa?” Midoriya suggests.

“Risky,” Kirishima hums.

“Yeah,” Prince Bakugou agrees without looking at either of them (Kirishima can't help the small smile tugging at his lips),”For now. He is not only a head-knight but also one of the personal knights for the old hag. Deku, fucking think before you speak.” He glares at the green-haired knight beside him.

“Don't talk about your mother like that, Kacchan,” Midoriya pouts. Prince Bakugou scoffs in response,"Fuck off." Their exchange amuses everyone at the table enough to lift the tension a little more.

“Oh,” Kaminari remembers,”Prince Bakugou, didn't you say you were thinking about adding someone last time we gathered?”

Perhaps Sero or Ashido? Kirishima wonders. Surely Bakugou trusts them! Would they be useful? They're both skilled but can they fight as well? I don't know much... Sero is a medical expert so that'd be really useful... 

“Yeah, a prisoner.”

“What?!” Kirishima raises his voice in shock, mouth dropped open. All the prisoners that were held in the dungeons of the castle were absolutely not to be messed with. Most of them are assassins! Whose main goal was to kill you!

“Fucking calm down!” Prince Bakugou glowers at him for his outburst.

“That's dangerous, my prince, why would you take that risk?” Yaoyorozu frowns,”And which one is it? How much do we know about the prisoner?”

“It's too dangerous, exactly!” Kirishima continuing his protest immediately, standing up,”I've been down there. All those prisoners are too fucking dangerous, Bakugou!” He can't be serious. Right?!

Prince Bakugou looks taken aback but quickly recovers himself, standing up too. With a scowl he explains, in a louder voice than before,”It's just a suggestion, damn it! Make a deal with the prisoner, Toga Himiko – she's barely sane – and let her loose when the time comes, that's all! And stop fucking cursing!”

“I won't let you risk your head for something we can do perfectly fine on our own! We don't need others to do our job for us, especially not someone who sits in the damn dungeons for a fucking reason. Most of those people were after your head in the first place. Don't go risking your life, Bakugou!” 

 “Kirishima, Kacchan, please--”

“I didn't say hey let's do it guys it'll be fun, I'm just suggesting! Suggesting, you fucking idiot! We're like, what, not even 10 people! I will risk my damn life, Kirishima, if it means bringing a piece of shit like King Endeavor down! You can't fucking stop me!

 "Please, you're too loud..."

“Watch me! I will not risk your life and I won't fucking let you do that shit, Bakugou!!”

"Oh, reeeaaally! Acting like such a proper knight now, huh?! Fuck off, I can take care of my damn self!! How about you take care of yourself first!!"

 "Stop it, please..."

"What? I am not even allowed to care about you now?! You don't let me talk to you, let alone come near you and now I don't even get to care about you? How the fuck can you say that while knowing how I feel about you, Bakugou?!"

"Who the fuck asked you to care?! Who the fuck asked you for some shitty feelings, huh?! I sure as fucking hell certainly did not, Kirishima!!"

 “OH MY GOD, STOP YELLING! CLEAR UP WHATEVER ISSUE YOU TWO HAVE WITH EACH OTHER BEFORE ANY OF YOU COME OUT OF THIS ROOM. WE ARE LEAVING!” Midoriya screams and slams his hands on the table for emphasis, a borderline screech over their yelling. Frowning up in disapproval at the two and breathing heavily by the end with rosy cheeks.

Momentary silence. Everyone just stares at Midoriya, speechless. Even Bakugou looks more than shocked at the smaller (usually sweet) one's outburst.

“Let's please leave these two to themselves for now. They need it,” Midoriya says in normal volume, the frown on his face still evident. Without hesitation he gets up to leave and slams the door behind him.

“W-What was that...” Kaminari whispers, hugging himself,”Why is everyone so angry...”

“Please, leave the two alone already!!!” comes Midoriya's muffled exasperated yelling from behind the door.

Kaminari is the first to follow the order. Immediately scrambles to follow after Midoriya, not even glancing at his friend who he leaves to fate alone. Utter betrayal... Kirishima thinks bitterly.

With begging eyes he looks to Yaoyorozu and Todoroki, knowing fully well he won't have a chance at influencing either of them.

“Don't you fucking dare.” Bakugou quietly threatens as he glares the remaining two down, shock still evident in his expression. They don't even listen to him! Kirishima wails in his mind.

“See you later, Bakugou,” Todoroki smirks, obviously and absolutely enjoying this as he leaves the room as well. It's not funny! None of you know what you're doing to me here! Kirishima becomes more anxious by the minute.

“You fucker...” the blond prince grits out after the other prince, whose position as friend-ish he reconsiders now.

Lastly, Yaoyorozu stands up and gives a curt bow, leaving without another word. She closes the door after her quietly.

Silence.

Click. "This door stays locked until you sort your issues out. I'm sorry, you two. Kacchan, please do not burn or break anything. Otherwise I will tell your mother, and Aizawa won't like the study room destroyed either. And if you try jumping out the window like the last time you and I talked about feelings... just don't, okay? It could be bad! Ah, sorry again and take as much time as you need!" Midoriya sweetly sing-songs as if there is an apologetic smile behind that stupid piece of wood and metal.

Frowning hard at the door, Kirishima shakes his head in disappointment. Oh, he is not sorry at all... 

“I hate all of them,” Bakugou growls, boiling, directed at no one in particular. Probably.

Kirishima drags a hand down his face, muttering softly,“Shit.”

“Stop fucking cursing already!”

A long sigh escapes his lips. As much as he has been thinking of what to say to Bakugou every day... Kirishima does not feel ready for this conversation. Doesn't even know if he has any chance to actually reconcile with Bakugou at all. 

They can barely look each other in the eye.

Lungs feeling constricted, his heart races in his rib cage.

Chapter Text

With only the two of them left in the room. Bakugou is torn between looking for an escape and simply wanting an embrace from Kirishima.

Looking at Kirishima — right in front of him, standing on the other end of the table - he feels so many things at once.

On one hand he feels as if his insides were filled with butterflies. And the beat of wings by those many small butterflies is ecstatic. All they seem to want to do is burst right out of his chest and fly him closer to Kirishima. And Bakugou, well, he wants that. Because despite everything that has happened, Kirishima symbolises certain things to Bakugou: strength, warmth, joy, serenity... even trust.

And most of all: love.

On the other hand he feels bitter and hurt. He can't help but keep going back to all the times he has felt suspicious of the other and simply dismissed it. All in favour of... what exactly? Childish concepts he has never before been interested in? Hope his suspicions would be only that, suspicions. If Kirishima had not ended up changing sides, Bakugou would have died a fool by his hands; the hands he trusted, and still trusts for some reason. A fool that deliberately turned a blind eye to every little misgiving. Before meeting Kirishima, he would have never done that. Never did. But it just had to be different with Kirishima. Here he is, a fool of a prince having fallen in love.

Luckily Kirishima is just as much of a fool as he is. Luckily he fell in love too. Luckily the bond they have grows on both sides.

The bitterness will follow him around for a while, he knows. Sometimes Bakugou just feels too intensely. Though it's hard, he does want to try.

In the end the butterflies overpower everything that hold him back from a step forward.

Bakugou clears his throat and crosses his arms across his chest as he looks to the side, instead of at Kirishima who seems to avoid eye contact as well. He wants to play it cool and careful. Bakugou doesn't want to be a fool anymore.

"So," he starts,"you care." Wow, way to mention the obvious. Bakugou internally curses himself for being lame.

Out of the corner of his eyes he sees Kirishima sharply look up at him. "Of course I do!" he says. Then a little quieter,"And so do you."

Bakugou grunts with a nod before meeting his eyes,"I'm not going to deny it."

Kirishima holds his gaze, eyes hard and sharp. It feels like he's looking for something in Bakugou's eyes. But Bakugou is just as stubborn as Kirishima, if not more. He glares back.

Ultimately Kirishima sighs and crosses his arms as well, looking away for a short moment before meeting his eyes again. "Please don't employ dangerous people for this, or ever really," he calmly requests.

"Technically, you are 'dangerous people' who I employed," Bakugou reminds him.

As if he knew Bakugou would try to provoke him like that, Kirishima only gives him a small wry smile,"Past tense, man. It's different now and you know that." He puts a hand to his neck and the other on his hip, looking sheepish as he jokingly adds,"To be fair, I don't think I'm capable of killing anyway."

"What are you now?" Bakugou raises a brow, expectant.

Kirishima looks confused for a moment, even juts his bottom lip out in a pout. Bakugou bites on his own bottom lip at the sight, thinking of a taunt to fire off instead.

But before he can say anything at all Kirishima gives him an answer.

"I'm your knight," he puts the other hand on his hip too and confidently struts around the table to stand next to Bakugou, facing him with a grin,"I'll be your shield and sword. Your unwavering companion, my prince." He theatrically bows deep.

Caught off guard by the proclamation Bakugou's face falls into surprise, feeling the heat rush over his whole face and his heart loudly hammering against his ribcage.

When Kirishima straightens up again with his hands behind his back, his whole expression is softer and yet a thousand times warmer. And all the adoration in his eyes is directed right at the prince — right at Bakugou.

Bakugou's hands feel clammy.

"You better fucking keep that promise!" Bakugou blurts out, in the need to say something, anything. His eyes keep flicking to and away from Kirishima's steady gaze. Because Kirishima is so open and loving, just with his eyes alone. The way he seems to talk right to Bakugou's heart without uttering even a single word.

Bakugou tries not to let it show, just how much Kirishima affects him.

And Kirishima just keeps smiling with a soft blush on his cheeks, eyes glimmering just as softly with a hint of amusement.

To Bakugou it's a lot to take in.

"Of course I will, my prince," Kirishima whispers, and steps closer, eyes not leaving his. His smile only softens more, till it's only the smallest up-curve of the corners of his lips.

The movement seems casual. But Bakugou can see the playful yet hesitant glint in Kirishima's eyes. The contradiction in Kirishima's eyes shows how he dares Bakugou to do something, wants Bakugou to do something, touch him perhaps. At the same time Kirishima lets him take his time, careful about boundaries. He gives Bakugou the choice.

Kirishima is so close — as close as they possibly can be without touching — and Bakugou's breath hitches.

The longer he looks into Kirishima's eyes, the more he is pulled in, the more he falls.

"Damn it," Bakugou mutters.

In the end Bakugou practically throws himself against Kirishima, arms around his shoulders and pressing his face into the space between Kirishima's neck and shoulder. Kirishima catches him with a surprised huff, arms wrapping around his waist.

And it feels overwhelmingly wonderful to embrace and be embraced by Kirishima.

Bakugou presses closer and nuzzles the side of Kirishima's neck, almost intending to never let go again. He knows he has to, but he wants, no, needs this moment.

"That tickles," Kirishima chuckles softly and Bakugou stops nuzzling his face into his neck, but stays just as close anyway.

Kirishima hugs just as tight, and Bakugou feels the butterflies roar in his chest.

After a while Bakugou loosens the embrace and Kirishima lets him, they comfortably hold on to each other. It's pure serenity. And all Bakugou wants is to tell him everything he holds in. 

"Kirishima," Bakugou mumbles gently and quietly, only for them to hear even if they're alone in the room,"I want to be with you." Saying those words brings back the heat on his face and he feels a little embarrassed. He's glad Kirishima can't see his face like this.

But maybe Kirishima can feel the way Bakugou's heart thuds against his rib-cage as if it wants out, loud and hard.

Maybe he feels more than one heartbeat in this embrace and Bakugou hopes he isn't wrong, that his heart isn't alone with this feeling. Kirishima just takes too long to answer. Is an answer not necessary? Bakugou has never felt this way before and therefore has no idea how any of this works anyway.

As if having heard his thoughts, Kirishima pulls them apart a little so they can look at each other. He looks happy, with that beautiful smile of his.

Bakugou keeps his hands loosely around Kirishima's neck. As a prince you're usually well-trained in keeping your emotions in check, and yet he feels himself smile too, just a little bit. He has to keep his cool at least a little after all.

Kirishima moves one hand away from his waist, to gently cup Bakugou's face. And he looks as if he's so happy that he can barely believe it himself.

"I want to be with you too, Bakugou," he tells him.

It is in that moment that Bakugou stops holding himself back. Carefully inching closer.

Bakugou kisses Kirishima.

The kiss bears hesitation, is full of uncertainty, is only a brush of lips. That alone is enough for Bakugou to feel his heart imploding.

And when he pulls away from that short sweet kiss and opens his eyes again, Kirishima's stay closed. Bakugou, in all self-consciousness, just keeps looking at him and thinks Open your eyes! Tell me, is this okay?

"Can we kiss a little more?" Kirishima asks then, eyes fluttering open and meeting his,"I've missed you for so long, Bakugou."

Bakugou doesn't trust himself to speak - his voice might break from how much he feels right now.

This time they both lean in and meet in the middle. Their lips press and move with intent; slow, loving and gentle. Bakugou pours all he can't find words for into the kiss and receives just as much.

Kirishima's hands hold him close around his waist but, as if secretly, drop lower, thumbs beginning to pleasantly rub circles into the sides of Bakugou's hips. Meanwhile, with the slightest nervous tremble in his hands, Bakugou gently threads a hand through Kirishima's hair.

He wants to say it's soft but... his hand gets stuck in the styled strands and Bakugou breaks off the kiss to laugh, quick to hide is face by nuzzling Kirishima's neck again. He feels breathless and happy and he can't stop the grin on his face from growing.

Kirishima seems to understand almost immediately and he chuckles,"Maybe I shouldn't have styled my hair today? Is it that funny?" He easily takes Bakugou's hand away from his hair and makes him look at him, still holding onto it.

"Your shitty hair totally ruined the mood," Bakugou says, grin full intact, face still flushed with emotion as he looks at his lover.

"I can fix that," Kirishima smirks in all confidence as he keeps their eye contact going. And then he moves Bakugou's hand to his lips and presses a kiss on Bakugou's knuckles, slowly blinking at him with half-lidded eyes.

Just like that Bakugou's grin falls into a shocked expression, blinking and blushing hard. "Not fair..."Bakugou mumbles in disapproval of such a strategy, the other hand he has on Kirishima's shoulder holds on tighter as his heart-rate picks up again.

Bakugou should totally teach him a lesson for making him feel like this.

In one swift movement his hand is out of Kirishima's and around his neck again as he pulls Kirishima close, pressing their lips together once more. And Kirishima sighs in contentment, both hands pulling him closer by the waist again.

It's because Bakugou wants to teach Kirishima a lesson — not just because he wants to keep kissing Kirishima, that's just an extra bonus, okay — Bakugou tries to establish dominance by getting bolder.

As they kiss, still unhurried and slow, Bakugou decides to back Kirishima into the wall and he succeeds. After all Kirishima complies easily.

"How far do you wanna go, Bakugou?" Kirishima asks after he breaks the kiss for air, lips turned up in a small smirk still and face flushed as much as Bakugou's.

Bakugou knows the question means multiple things. "Anywhere with you," he breathes out, mirroring the other's confident expression. With that he successfully catches Kirishima off-guard for once and watches his expression change; his eyes go round, blinking, his blush darkens even more.

Bakugou's smirk simply grows in triumph as he leans in for more, finally having enough guts to ask for entrance with his tongue.

And so, their kiss deepens. Languid gentle movements turning more passionate, desperate. Kirishima's lips taste and feel familiar, even though it's only the second time they explore each others' mouths.

Finally Kirishima's back hits the wall. Bakugou momentarily believes he is still in control. But in a matter of heated seconds Kirishima turns them around, pressing Bakugou against the wall instead.

"Asshole," Bakugou whispers between kisses.

Kirishima answers him in the same manner, words accompanied by short kisses in between,"You can't just press me up against a wall and expect me to stay still." He taunts his lover as he pauses in his kisses completely, panting,"You make this feel a bit like a competition, you know? I can't help it."He grins.

Their heavy breaths mingle and Bakugou thinks that, up-close, Kirishima is even more beautiful — the scar on his eyelid, his sun-kissed skin and deep crimson eyes.

For once he can't think of a good comeback so he just kisses Kirishima again, their tongues and bodies pressing and moving with each other in warm passion. Bakugou once again finds a hand in Kirishima's hair at the back of his neck and this time he tugs a little.

A groan escapes Kirishima, low in his throat.

Kirishima's hands are warm when they sneak just a little under the hem of Bakugou's shirt to reach and trace his skin. Bakugou shivers anyway.

That seems to encourage Kirishima to become more daring, because he ends up breaking their kiss, lips moving down to Bakugou's collarbone, pulling his shirt down a little bit. Slowly, at first, he peppers a trail of gentle kisses back up his neck. Bakugou feels goosebumps on his skin as he lets his head lean back against the wall and to the side to give better access.

Then Kirishima's kisses stop by his ear. "My prince," he whispers, voice husky,"May I leave a mark?"

It feels a little like he's playing with Bakugou, because Bakugou doesn't know what he means by that at all. Confused and breathless he tilts his head a little to look at Kirishima in question.

Kirishima meets his gaze with a gentle smile, patiently waiting for an answer.

Hasn't Kirishima already left a mark on him? In his heart? Perhaps Kirishima means to make it official by asking? An official reconciliation? If so, he obviously can.

"Of course," Bakugou grunts out, voice a little rough,"you can make it official."

For some reason it makes Kirishima chuckle a little,"That's... weird wording but I'm not complaining."

Bakugou just smiles a little with him, an eyebrow raised, still confused.

Then Kirishima moves back to his neck and licks a stripe up with his tongue until he softly bites, sharp teeth careful.

Bakugou hisses a little, grip in Kirishima's hair tightening, unconsciously pulling him closer against him.

Kirishima sucks on his skin, one of the hands under his shirt moving a little further up and the other moves to the small of his back. Bakugou feels absolutely tingly by the new sensation, feels a thousand times warmer than before.

Bakugou finds himself moaning softly,"Damn, Kirishima..."

When Kirishima moves away a little, looking really proud of whatever he's done, Bakugou is the only breathless one.

Bakugou wants to take Kirishima's breath away too, he captures his lips again and catches him off-guard, dominating with his tongue and holding him close. Kirishima quickly catches up, fighting for dominance.

Somewhere at the back of his mind, Bakugou registers knocking noises but he dismisses it completely because all he can focus on is Kirishima; Kirishima right here in front of him, with him. Kirishima, Kirishima, Kirishima...

"Eijirou," he whispers against his lips.

Kirishima moans softly, kissing Bakugou with new vigor.

It's then that the door a few metres next to them bursts open. Both Bakugou and Kirishima are immediately startled and break away from each other immediately — Bakugou pushes Kirishima off him and Kirishima pushes himself off, tripping on the way and falling on the floor, landing on his bum and palms propped behind him for support, wide eyed.

They are both still breathless and clearly flushed and — Bakugou looks at Kirishima on the floor — if Kirishima looks that much like a mess, then Bakugou must look worse.

They both stare at the person in the doorframe, who stares at them both, eyes going back and forth between the two.

There stands the head of security, knight and mentor Aizawa Shouta, his usual pokerface remains more or less, but the surprise and distaste is clear in his expression. His bloodshot tired eyes are open a little wider than usual, eyebrows slightly furrowed and lips in a thin line.

There is tense silence.

Bakugou doesn't know what to say, clearly caught red-handed, just blinks wide eyed at Aizawa and trying to catch his breath, because damn, this is embarrassing and awkward as fuck. Even so he hopes Kirishima won't say anything either — a glance to his shell-shocked companion tells him, yes, good, Kirishima probably won't say anything either.

Aizawa opens his mouth multiple times but closes his mouth again.

In the end he quietly says, as if more to himself than to them,"I should've just left the door locked and come back later," He pauses to sigh,"I have regrets."

Bakugou gulps.

"I will walk out of here," Aizawa says a little louder, calm and clearly adressing them,"And when I come back, you two will be gone. Do not talk to me about this, I absolutely do not want to hear it."

Bakugou fully faces Sir Aizawa and opens his mouth to speak,"But—"

"Trust me, this is nothing I want to tell anybody... as unexpected as it is to me," Aizawa interrupts with a stern gaze,"Just don't cause trouble, Bakugou."

Bakugou straightens his posture then bows his head a little in shame. "I won't," he scowls at the floor.

When he looks up again, he sees Aizawa looking at Kirishima one last time, before he sighs again. "Be gone when I come back," he reminds. He steps out of the room and closes the door behind him.

Next to him on the floor, Kirishima lets out a long breath and lets himself fall back completely on the floor to lay and stare at the ceiling in relief,"I don't know what I expected to happen, but Sir Aizawa sure can be scary."

"It's just Aizawa, it could've been worse," Bakugou grunts, frowning down at him. He steps forward and holds out a hand,"Get up already. We gotta fucking leave, didn't you hear?"

"Yeah, yeah," Kirishima takes his hand and pulls himself up with his help,"Kinda think Sir Aizawa doesn't like me very much."

As Bakugou wants to let go and inquire more about that, Kirishima keeps their hands locked and playfully grins at him,"I love this look on you by the way."

Bakugou wills his blush down, but isn't sure if he's successful. With a glare he says,"Considering how you look, I really don't want to fucking look into a mirror right now." He looks Kirishima up and down.

Basically Kirishima may look like a mess, but a beautiful mess, with his hair in disarray and kiss-swollen lips.

"Aw, man," Kirishima's voice sounds kissed as well he notices (Bakugou feels proud to be the cause),"No need to be humble."

"Humble," Bakugou repeats with a scoff. Then he averts his eyes, conscious of his sweaty hand still in Kirishima's as he quietly mumbles,"I don't mind looking like this then, if I can make you look like that in return."

"Bakugou!" Kirishima perks up even more with a bright grin, softly blushing. His thumb gently rubs Bakugou's knuckles.

"Katsuki," Bakugou tells him, sticking his nose high in the air,"Now let's go."

With that he drags a happy Kirishima out of the study room, all the while Kirishima repeats his first name quietly behind him.

Bakugou loves the sound of it.

Somewhere in the castle sits Kaminari, in company of Yaoyorozu and Jirou. Midoriya and Todoroki having left them alone in favour of preparations (preparations for what Kaminari doesn't know).

The stairs, Kaminari sits on the bottom of, are broad and made of white marble, with a fancy red carpet to lead the way as accessory. There are no guards whatsoever around, only the three of them. 

"This castle confuses me on so many levels," he groans with annoyance, a palm propped on his knee and chin resting on it, as he looks around.

Jirou, standing next to him leaning on the wall, scoffs,"I'm not surprised. You seem easy to confuse."

"The main residence of the Royal Bakugou Family is actually a mix between castle and palace," Yaoyorozu explains with a finger in the air.

"Oh, I read about the differences in a book once," Kaminari nods absent-mindedly, then shakes his head,"Not my point. I wanna know what my best friend is doing with the hot prince and—"

"Privacy," Jirou narrows her eyes at him with a glare. Kaminari rolls his eyes. Nobody understands him. It's best friend privilege to invade a little privacy in these dire times. Not like he has any chances to do it though.

Yaoyorozu wistfully sighs as she sits down next to Kaminari on the stairs, looking down on her lap,"I have to admit, despite respecting Prince Bakugou's privacy, I am very curious as well." Kaminari nods again at her words, relating, and comfortingly pets her shoulder. Of all people the intimidating knight lady understands him. That's cool.

"I wish I could tell you what's going on, Momo, but certain rooms have specific protections so I can't hear it at all with my quirk," Jirou apologises, sitting down at Yaoyorozu's other side and petting her shoulder as well.

Kaminari makes a face at her immediate change of demanour. Really?

Oh whatever, he just hopes for Kirishima to be alright. Kirishima and the prince sure are taking their time with their talk.

Kaminari sighs once again, leaning his head against the railing.

Chapter Text

As the days pass Kaminari becomes closer friends with both mage Jirou and knight Yaoyorozu. He has also been introduced to Kirishima's new friends in the Bakugou residence, Ashido and Sero among them. So most of his free time is spent with those people. In the mean time the princes, Bakugou and Todoroki, are busy with whatever princes do if they're not busy trying to form a "non-violent" plan for a political overthrow.

In other words, Kaminari has no idea what they are up to. He's just enjoying his time here.

Surprisingly Kaminari has grown quite fond of Prince Bakugou, who seems to have become more comfortable with him too. Kaminari even gets away with treating him as a normal friend instead of the boisterous prince he is. They occasionally hang out alone and when they do, it's spontaneous most of the time.

Like right now!

"You've been looking at that map for literal hours, dude, " Kaminari sighs as he sees Bakugou still sitting over a huge map on a desk in the library. Kaminari has been in the library for about 3 hours already, going through the books, but has walked past Prince Bakugou – who has been here before him – in that position like eight times already.

In his concentration Bakugou doesn't spare him a glance as he answers, "I've been studying. Right now, I'm working on my personal unit. That's more time consuming than you might think–" then he gives him a glance, "–dunce-face."

Kaminari ignores the insult/nickname and leans over his friend's shoulder to chance a curious glimpse at his notes, "How many people do you need?"

Next to the organised notes (Prince Bakugou is quite neat in both writing and structuring! Though Kaminari understands little of it...), there is a list of people, a few points to who they are and their abilities.

"I don't fucking know yet, minimum is probably like 5 or 6 people? My mom's got 6 people in her unit and my dad has like 13, who also go on a lot of travelling missions..." Bakugou's explanation trails off to a mumble as he frowns at his notes and the list,"... I guess it'll be fine if I just take the best and whatever number comes out will be it for me..."

So the list consists of potential personal unit members. Kaminari hums in understanding and looks it over with attention.

• Utsushimi Camie: Glamour, Illusionist/Ninja → Odaibakin, North District
• Shinsou Hitoshi: Brainwashing, Information Broker → Odaibakin, East District
• Kendou Itsuka: Battle Fist, Warrior/Engineer → Ueki Village
• Shiozaki Ibara: Vines, Cleric/Druid → Ueki Temple (South of Enchanted Ueki Forest)
• Monoma Neito: Copy, Blue Mage → Ueki Village
• Amajiki Tamaki: Manifest, Paladin → Juyou, Central District
• Hado Nejire: Wave Motion, Dancer→ Juyou, Central District

With a sigh, Kaminari stops reading, only halfway through the names on the list.

While some of the information beside the names give Kaminari the creeps and some confusion as to what their abilities actually are, he does hope that all of these people on the list are not as dangerous as they sound. Ideally, they're all friendly easy-going people; though Bakugou probably wouldn't let a hostile appearance stop him anyway.

He guesses the places besides the names are where to find the person. Kaminari has never been the best at geography (Yaomomo might know more) but he has at least heard of these places. Some of these people might not be easy to find, let alone the potential dangers in the long travel from here.

The land of the Bakugous is rarely referred to by its actual name Bafuji, since the ruling royalty is more famous than the place itself. It's quite big, a combination of nature, quirks and modernism. While it has electricity and technology, this place is kept quite natural, clean and has its own working systems in terms of functionality. One of their unique systems for example is their security: small but efficient. Its roots in tribal culture are not forgotten either, but very resident. All in all a very respected region in Japan.

Comparing the Bakugous' Bafuji with Odaibakin and Juyou for example, creates an interesting contrast. Odaibakin and Juyou are both bigger regions, which are more densely populated. These two modern regions are two of three of the first and only ones to use rail systems with trains and have a famous reputation promising entertainment and activity. The rest of Japan is still more nature and quirk dependent in comparison.

Kaminari doesn't even want to continue reading who the rest of the people on the list are or where they're located. How the hell did Bakugou even take notice of any of these individuals? Aren't the people around him, here in this castle, enough variation to choose from?

Then,"Why don't you just take Kirishima into your personal unit?"

Bakugou pauses to look up at him over his shoulder. He scrutinises him a little, noticing he has been looking at the list, before replying with,"This list is only a small summary on a few potential members of my unit, or people I simply wanna be on good grounds with for when I reign. Both Ponytail and Shitty-Hair aren't on my list, since they're my obvious choices." Bakugou purses his lips, almost a little defensive.

But Kaminari finds absolute glee in that particular information,"Oh my god, I gotta tell them about this! Does Kirishima know? He didn't even tell me so–" A hand covers his mouth as Bakugou quickly stands to shut him up. "Shut up, I haven't told anyone about any of this!" He hisses quietly.

As Kaminari only blinks and makes no move to be loud again or free himself, Bakugou slowly takes his hands away from his head. The moment Kaminari takes a step back, he grins full force again but keeps his voice small, "Aww, Prince, I appreciate the trust! Don't worry, I'll keep it secret until you're ready!"

Bakugou rolls his eyes and grumbles a "Whatever" before he sits back down.

Kaminari smiles at his diligent friend and sits down in the seat opposite him to watch him work in comfortable silence.

Just two days later, Prince Bakugou announces that he will leave for travel the following morning. Though he gives no reasons why to anyone, except to his parents.

But Kaminari knows, and as mischievous as he is, gleefully strides over to the prince to clasp him on the shoulder,"You'll take us with you, right?"

As the rest of their small get-together watch curiously after the surprise of the travel announcement. Including Bakugou and Kaminari, there are Kirishima, Midoriya, Prince Todoroki, Yaoyorozu (who he gets to call Yaomomo now!) and the new member of the group, Jirou. Bakugou called them all to the library this evening.

"Yeah," Kirishima stands up from his seat at the desk with a determined fist and smile as he joins on Bakugou's other side,"I'll pack my stuff and we can leave whenever."

A resigned face is all Bakugou reacts with, definitely not pleased about the development but having no intention to stop it. He probably knew that they would want to join this implicit promise of adventure.

"I'd like to join your journey as well... But may I know what you plan on doing, prince?" Yaoyorozu asks.

Jirou nudges her with a smirk, gesturing to Kirishima,"Honeymoon." Then she frowns at Kaminari,"Do you have to go too?"

"You don't have to worry about me! Sweet of you though," Kaminari grins with a thumbs up, having looked right through her words (Just look at her, averting her gaze and blushing!), before he turns to Yaomomo,"Bakugou is just trying to full-fill his duties as a prince."

Midoriya immediately shoots out a hand with a loud gasp,"KacchanWantsToMeetPotentialMembersForHisPersonalUnit!ICan'tBelieve–"

"Take a damn breather, Deku!"

"Right..." Midoriya takes a breath, before continuing at a normal speed,"I'm just very surprised."

"I did not understand a word," Todoroki finally speaks up, arms crossed.

Kaminari sighs fondly at the troupe and then at his other two friends beside him. Bakugou trusts them enough to travel in such a small group of three without any other knights or protection, huh? Kirishima and Kaminari can definitely protect him if the situation calls for it. Not that Bakugou can't protect himself (he's famous for his success in battle!) but he appreciates the trust they have build up. It'll be a fun adventure between bros–a trio! Kaminari can't wait to boast to Ashido and Sero later.

"Yaoyorozu, you're coming too. I don't wanna be alone with these idiots."

Nevermind then.

"Of course, my prince!"

He only forgives Bakugou for this emotional betrayal because of Yaomomo's happiness at the invite.

After their meeting Kaminari latches onto Yaomomo just as everyone's about to leave and the group disperses into different directions,"Hey, can I ask you something geography related?"

"Of course, I shall do my best to answer correctly," she smiles at him and continues walking, gesturing for him to follow her out of the study room and down the halls of the castle. He obeys and Jirou curiously trails along.

"Do you know the Ueki Village? Or the Temple?"

Yaomomo makes a noise of surprise,"Oh, of course. I've been to Ueki a lot actually. What do you want to know?"

"What kind of place is it?" Jirou asks,"I've heard of its beauty."

The knight chuckles, fondly remembering,"Indeed, it is a beautiful peaceful village with friendly individuals. Many of our knights actually visit in their free time sometimes to enjoy the hot springs in their traditional inns."

Kaminari hums,"Sounds like a cool place. Is it far from the castle? If you visit it so much, is it located in the land of the Bakugous?"

"While the village itself is under our protection, it's officially an independent place of its own. As long as you don't get lost in the rather dangerous Enchanted Ueki Forest, it should take about two days from here," Yaomomo explains.

They reach the gardens and continue following Yaomomo towards the horse stalls. Both Jirou and Kaminari listen intensely.

"The Temple is located in the center of the Enchanted Forest though!" Yaomomo chuckles with a hand covering her mouth.

Kaminari stops, so do Jirou and Yaomomo then.

"Ah, right. You two should get ready for bed. I will just be checking the horses and equipment for the morning, have a good night," with a gentle smile and a small bow, Yaomomo disappears off towards the horse stalls in sight.

"So," Jirou turns to him,"Why did you wanna know about Ueki?"

Kaminari still looks off into the distance and evenly says,"Jirou, If I don't come back, I want you to be happy with Yaomomo."

"What?! What are you even talking about, you idiot!" Shy, embarrassed and confused Jirou slaps him over the head and runs back into the castle.

Meanwhile Bakugou and Kirishima are in Kirishima's room. Kirishima is laying on his bed, arms crossed behind his head to lean on as Bakugou looks through his belongings.

"I can pack on my own you know. I was gonna do it in the morning," Kirishima watches him diligently sorting through the different clothes and items.

Bakugou shoots him a glare, not stopping his actions,"I don't have anything else to do anyway. What? I'm not allowed to? You want me to fucking leave?" His lips form a pout as he averts his eyes.

Halfway through his sentence Kirishima already sat up,"No! I would never, dude. I love your company."

Bakugou only grunts in response, cheeks tinted pink as he proceeds to pull out a backpack to fill.

Kirishima hadn't brought a lot of things with him to begin with, and a lot of the new stuff he had bought from around here – the amount is still not a lot. But Bakugou seems to want to keep the luggage small anyway.

"Where are we going?" Kirishima asks, still watching him, more fond by the minute,"Are we going to travel on foot? How far is it?"

"Our first destination is the Ueki Village. It should take at least two days till we arrive. We'll travel by horse carriage and take a rest at night. Since it's early autumn we should dress warm enough..." Bakugou trails off as he considers the jacket in his hands.

"I'm guessing Ashido got you some nice stuff to wear, huh?" he grins and almost laughs when Bakugou throws the jacket to the side with a huff.

"Nah, I already have my stuff packed. Pinky is still bitter that I'm taking Sero and Yaoyorozu with me but not her," Bakugou snorts in amusement,"You should've seen her face at the news."

Kirishima pauses at the information.

"Oi, you wanted to go alone with only with the two of them?" Genuinely offended but playing it off as a bit of a joke, Kirishima stands up and puts his hands on his hips. He moves to stand behind Bakugou, frowning at the back of his head and then over his shoulder at whatever he is holding at the moment.

"Yeah, but I had a hunch some of you idiots would tag along no matter what I say, so," Bakugou shrugs and turns around, but startles as he realises how close Kirishima is.

"Oi," he lightly pushes at his chest for it. Not that Kirishima budges anyway.

Kirishima catches his hand and keeps it there. Pouting with the best puppy eyes he can manage, he says,"But Katsuki, I'd miss you so bad."

"Ohh god, don't just fucking say shit like that!" Bakugou hides his face by looking down but it's already too late. Kirishima has seen it all, the beautiful blush on his face. Even his hears are red. Cute.

"Wouldn't you miss me, Katsuki?" Kirishima sweetly continues, letting his lover's hand go in favour of loosely hugging him around his waist instead, not taking his eyes off him.

There is a pause. But hesitantly Bakugou moves to hug him back, loosely putting his arms around Kirishima's neck only to proceed with hiding his face in the crook of it. Kirishima laughs and Bakugou doesn't have to say a thing because Kirishima understands.

It's moments like these Kirishima might just love the most; small moments that make him feel a lot. In their embrace is a gentle warmth.

But just because Bakugou doesn't have to say anything to make Kirishima understand him right now, he still decides to.

Against the skin of his neck, Bakugou quietly answers him,"Of course, I'd miss you, dumbass. But I knew you would follow me." Finally he meets his eyes, loving, open and still a little shy.

Kirishima's heart soars.