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The air was cold. Shoto’s breath lingered in hazy clouds as he stood on the balcony, gazing over the castle ramparts and rooftops of the city below. The sun was barely making itself known to the new day as it slowly crept over the mountain tops to the east, softly caressing the land that lay before it in a hauntingly familiar delicate glow of lavender and peach.
He stared off, unblinking as a breeze picked up and blew the crimson and silver strands of his hair up and away from his eyes. He inhaled deeply, exhaling a long shaky breath.
His gaze softened and his chest tightened as the sun rose. It enveloped a large peak in the distance, and it reminded him of the once lively glow from it’s silhouette that glittered the horizon at night. Those lights that used to bring him awe as he looked up to them flickering within the night, contrasting their bright gold hues with the pale silver of the stars.
He reminisced on the sounds that could be heard echoing through the canyons and into the valley. The gentle humming of a mountain kingdom filled with warmth, ferocity, hope and strength. He remembered how it calmed him to sleep on the troubling nights he had as a child… And he nearly wept for how dearly he missed the sound. He missed the warm embrace as he listened, trying to decipher the soft low sounds between man and beast as it lulled him into a dreamless sleep.
Those lights have long since been snuffed out. Out of sight for many, many years. No longer lively with echoes of heavy laughter, competitive shouts engaged in rivalry and friendly competition. No longer dancing with the sight of eccentric folk, fretting and celebrating in festivity at the bringing of harvest or hunt alongside scaled beasts who roared and flew through the skies in fierce grace. No more wagons or riders that came from the roads to trade gems hewn from the caverns deep in the mountain, or the sturdy, rough, armor crafted from dragon scale…
No. The mountain has long been quiet. Nothing but a mass grave of a once vibrant culture. One that his own family brought to ruin. All because he dared to love someone who loved another. His friend… One he used to hold so dear to his own heart.
Someone, who would never be his.
Someone… Who would, thanks to him, never come home…
The day coming sickened him. It was the start of a festival that he would have done away with when he had finally become king, had it not been a welcome reprieve for the people of his kingdom. A day to celebrate the downfall of that very mountain kingdom that made his heart ache to gaze upon from his perch, remembering those days that passed so many years ago. A celebration… Of winning a war. A stupid war that he started, all because he loved someone who loved another…
No…
It wasn’t a war…
It was a fucking massacure…
And it was. All. His. Fault...
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Izuku Midoriya wasn’t a strong lad. He never stood out in a crowd and was unable to do really much of anything in a fight… He was shy and anxious, jumpy and had a bad habit of mumbling to himself even with other people around. But he was smart. And he was kind…
He helped in a magic item shop with his mother within the Castle City. His studious life led him to the practice of using rare gems to create special inks, dyes, threads and engravings that would boost one's magic potential and power. There was no better crafter in the kingdom in most eyes. He was young, barey the age of 19, when his craft was mastered beyond what even the castle elder crafters could do.
Shoto remembered how frantic the young man was when he first walked through the shop doors with his captain of the guard. The poor thing was a nervous wreck, stammering over himself thinking there was no way on earth he would be deemed worthy to be hired by royalty. His dark green, untamed curls would somehow manage to get even messier as he would hide his face in his crossed arms, and his freckled face would burn red as the rubies he carved. Those crystal clear, bright green eyes would dart around like they were desperate for a distraction away from the prince. He was not frail, nor strong, but lean. Lean from the years of hiking to the mountains in search of materials for his craft. And his voice… It was like glass. Smooth and clean to the ears like water gently trickling over rocks in a woodland stream. He was, in every aspect… beautiful.
But Midoriya was already in love with another. An unfortunate thing… Many times Shoto had tried to woo Midoriya, but to no avail. The man was already smitten.
You see… Izuku didn’t go up the mountain solely for crafting materials… But to also spend long days wrapped in the embrace of another. The two had known eachother since childhood. Not surprising given that the two kingdoms were so close, and the mountain where the Dragonian Throne sat was right on the border. It was as if they built it arrogantly, to taunt, to dare anyone else to come try and invade.
Izuku Midoriya was in love with someone dangerous… Someone that if challenged, would shatter an already tenuous pact between the two kingdoms. It could spiral into a full on war that would result in many, many lives lost… Izuku Midoriya was in love with Katsuki Bakugou, the young King of the Dragonian Kingdom. And Katsuki Bakugou, was in love with him.
It hadn’t been worth it to Shoto… After all, the two were so fiercely in love it was palpable to anyone around them. He wished nothing more than for the young man to be happy, so instead he formed a different kind of bond. He formed a friendship. Not just with Izuku Midoriya, but over time he also befriended Katsuki Bakugou. It had taken a long time. Years… But he had managed. It was strange, and seeing the two whenever he would accompany Izuku up the Mountain, hurt. It was painful that he would never have those soft green curls tangled between his own fingers, never to brush his nose against those delicate cinnamon freckles that dotted his cheeks… But he endured. For his kingdom’s sake… He endured.
Things had been bearable. That is, until the two announced they would marry…
Shoto had been happy for Izuku for so long, but he would be lying if he hadn’t been grasping firm to a small glimmer of hope that the two wouldn’t last. The slightest chance that Izuku would run to his arms instead someday... He had been holding tight to that frail strand for so long… And then it was gone. It slipped through his fingers, shattered on the ground and faded away into the night…
It had broken the prince. He played the part of the supportive friend and ally. He smiled. Clapped when the two gave their vows and an overly passionate display during the kiss. He gave a heartfelt toast at the feast.Then went home. He couldn’t stay… And he never visited again. It was just too much.
It didn’t take long, very little time had even passed when his own father took notice. The man never seemed to care much. He was hard and thunderous in his rule. Fair to his people, not to his family… But he was also power hungry. And any reason to gain such a vast, strategic and resource rich territory was enough. He took the chance and seized it.
He made plans.
He built his army.
Then he waited.
He never breathed a word to his son, whom he knew would object. Instead, he sent him away. A “diplomatic mission” to the west. Away, so he couldn’t interfere…
Shoto was gone for a long time… He and his royal guard. When they came back, there were no lights on the mountainside. No gentle hum in the night to hold him close as he fell asleep. All that was left was a foul smell on the wind, and an empty hole in his heart.
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Katsuki remembered everything so well… Meeting the weak green fluff as a child while visiting the city with his late father. The old King and Queen would fly them down on the back of dragons, soaring high above fields and forests… The reasoning varied, but that day was to finalize some treaty. He was too young to understand, so he ignored it. He would sneak out and explore the city walls, chase cats and find anything he could to occupy his mind. This city was exciting at first, but it quickly bored him. Singing fur off of the cats as he chased them was only so much fun. Nobody would talk to him. They all seemed too afraid for a long time. It made him angry and he got into some bad habits of scaring people who upset him. Being born a Dragon Kin meant he was able to use strong magic from a young age, and he was putting it to good use to be an absolute little shit. But after a while even that got boring. Until he met him.
He was wandering around the outskirts of the city, when he saw a tuft of green hair sobbing next to an overturned basket of flowers. The small boy attached to the mess had such an amusing expression to him. His cheeks were puffed out, his eyes red, snot ran down his face and he hiccupped while picking up the bruised flowers one by one. The boy was covered in dirt on one side of his body as if he had been pushed to the ground, and the cloth around his elbow was speckled red with a scrape along his skin underneath. He normally would have left him alone. He had stopped caring what others thought or did… But for some reason he decided to go up and pick up the flowers with him. He didn’t know if it was because he found the boy amusing, or if it was because he felt pity for the child. Whatever it was, that small action would guide the rest of his life.
Katsuki was a hot head, and often spewed out burning insults to anyone around him he deemed weak. And this green haired boy certainly seemed to be weak… He had begun his normal routine, spitting fire as he smirked and crouched to pick up the flowers. He had actually expected the boy to run away, like the others in the city had in the past. His eyes went wide and his mouth had stopped however, when the small boy looked up to him with big thankful eyes. He felt he could drown in them forever… Such brilliant globes… So bright they could have been tiny green suns… Even if they were sloppy with tears, Katsuki thought they were wonderful.
They drew him in, and over the years, the hot tempered prince would return to see the boy. The boy never ran. Not once. Not even as Katsuki lost his temper and acted like a raging little shit again and again. It was the exact opposite. In fact he seemed excited to see Katsuki. Even gave him a nickname after some time… When he was finally old enough to ride alone, he would often sneak out and fly for visits on his own.
It didn’t take too many visits to the city to realize that the kid had been waiting for him. It was almost like Izuku knew when Katsuki would show up. He’d land, and always hear his nickname called out before he even dismounted from his dragon. He’d find Izuku, waiting nearby. He’d climb down and smile as the boy ran up to him for a hug.
As the years passed, Izuku would come to him on visits and they rotated who visited when. But after Katsuki’s parents passed and he became King, he couldn’t visit anymore. His responsibilities to his people came crashing down on him like a landslide, and he found himself buried in that darkness. He wasn’t ready… He had only been 16… He just. Wasn’t. Ready… He felt as though he’d been dragged so deep that he couldn’t breathe.
It wasn’t until a clean, clear breath pressed through his lips and filled his lungs. A visit… Unannounced from the green haired boy. Just being around him made things easier. He begged Izuku to stay a while, and after that, begged him to visit more. Izuku was more than happy to agree, and after a year or two Katsuki got a strong hold on his new role. And he felt his heart yearn for more…
He found himself staring into those deep green pools for hours on end. Even if he teased or played to be annoyed, he felt like he could sit forever and listen to the soft trickle of words that flowed forth like liquid gold from Isuku’s lips. He had always felt so close… And wanted to be closer… Always.
This boy, who never ran. This young man who was always gentle and kind to anyone, even if they didn’t deserve it… This beautiful person… Yes… He loved him… Dearly… But it took a whole year for him to admit it. He had finally broken and crumbled to his feelings.
He had enough of pining. Izuku would be his.
When they were both just shy of 21 years of age, he had nothing but the beautiful man on his mind. So much so that he finally snapped, leaving a council meeting mid way, outraging his court. Izuku had been visiting and was rummaging around the apothecary when Katsuki literally swept him off his feet and threw him over his shoulder. He climbed his dragon, setting Izuku in front and held him tight as they flew into the evening sky. Their bodies pressed firm as the dragon flew into the fading light and the stars blinked overhead, keeping eachother warm.
After Izuku had calmed from the initial fright, Katsuki remembered how wide his smile got as he looked into the clearest night sky that could ever be seen. How he leaned back into Katsiki’s chest and muttered endlessly about the view as they flew over lakes, rivers, trees and rocky countryside. He felt like he could fly like this forever. And it was then he realized… The green haired man had felt as he did. Their body pressed firm, and Izuku’s hands had found their way to his, entangling their fingers tightly as they flew.
His heart danced… It soared higher than they could ever fly when Izuku turned to him with those thankful eyes that entranced him long ago. But there was more to them this time, a warmth and pull he could not… Would not deny. He remembered the softness as their lips pressed together for the first time…. And how his dumb dragon decided it was the perfect moment to take a dive and ruin the moment by making them scream, tumble off and fall into a lake.
He wouldn’t have had it any different though. That night, under the stars by that same lake, the two were in love. They had built a fire, and stripped to dry their clothes, bearing witness to one another's forms in a new light. It was then… Sprawled out on a very wet crimson cloak, fur lining mixing together with dark green tendrils of silk, that they two shared a moment. Their skin meshed as one, gliding across the sweat of their passion. The two laid together, sharing a fire in their souls so deep it would shame the sun. They embraced until the night turned morning, and the sun’s first light kissed their naked bodies and bathed them in new warmth.
That would have been Katsuki’s favorite memory, were it not for the awkward cold they both came down with when they returned. They were bedridden by force and the council didn’t let Katsuki have a moment of peace until he threatened to set them on fire.
He quickly made it known that Izuku and he were mates. And word spread faster than wildfire. Not just for happy reasons, but the skeptics regarding how the Dragon King fell in love… With a man! There were concerns about an heir… After all, Katsuki had no children or siblings. He was the last of his line. Katsuki paid the worries little mind. He had plans… Ones that he worked diligently on, and following the announcement of their wedding, he put them into action.
Magic was a wondrous thing… It could make flowers bloom in winter, it could allow one to manipulate ice or fire, heal wounds and even repair gear… And old magic was even more powerful. It could raze cities, transform landscapes… Or allow a male to conceive and bear children. But it didn’t come without risks, and Katsuki knew this. It took a while, but Izuku agreed. He too wanted children, and so they agreed to continue with countless rituals and magical applications. They continued to try, and try and try… But Izuku’s belly never swelled… They continued to try, but Izuku had his limits it seemed. Katsuki ordered all activity to halt when Izuku suddenly became ill.
Katsuki had worried Izuku was too weak from the stress and became ill from exposure. It didn’t seem that bad, and Izuku protested, but Katsuki wasn’t having it. Be it a mild cold or plague, he didn’t want to risk his mate any further harm. Especially with the warm seasons coming to an end.
It had already begun to get cold, the land showing signs it was getting ready to sleep as the chilling breath of Autumn crept in. Harvest came and the first frost set in already. The dragons had all left for their hibernation deep in the mountains, hidden from all who might try to find them.
It was unheard of, a Dragon Kin without their dragons, until Katsuki’s parents established the treaty. Dragon Kin were weak in the cold times of the year. They were slower, less responsive and slept long hours of the day. The treaty allowed protection during this time, and gave needed reprieve to the Dragonian Kingdom, it’s people and the dragons that dwell within it. In turn, the Dragon Kin would assist their ally with resources, military might during warmer times, hard labor and transportation.
The treaty in itself was fair… The tensions between rulers were not...
The Dragonian Kingdom was nestled in a prime resource hotspot, not to mention being a towering mountain range that provided defensive advantages for neighboring invaders. Any kingdom would be stupid not to want it. During the warmer seasons, the Dragon Kin were unstoppable, but during the colder seasons they had always taxed their dragons too hard, keeping from their natural cycle of hibernation. Thus the need for the alliance…
So many years had passed peacefully, nobody ever thought the pact could crumble… Or that anyone would betray another…
They all were wrong…
Katsuki slept hard and long, curled up close to his mate in their room, trying to keep his ailing love warm. It was dark and the air was frigid as the wind began to blow. The whole kingdom was content and quiet, sleeping in peace within their homes. He remembered waking suddenly to the screams of his castle staff, the sound of stone crumbling and the smell of smoke, dust and blood. Everything shook as Izuku and Katsuki tried to steel themselves. He remembered the horrified expression as their door swung wide, a servant rushing to their side and sobbed in broken breaths… They were under attack… And it was by none other than the kingdom to the west that was supposed to be their ally.
Katsuki remembered the screams, the clash of steel on steel, heavy footsteps on stone and the deep crimson that painted the floors of his great halls. He raged deep in his chest with anger and rushed to help his people only to be pulled back by the need to get Izuku from harm. He managed somehow… He never forgot that hand that reached for him so desperately as he sent the love of his life to safety. The shrill of Izuku’s cries would throb in his chest and ring in his ears as he mustered the strength to send him away with magic… Somewhere far, to the only place he could think… To that lake that was on the other side of the mountains. That precious location, where the two could go and be free without a care for responsibilities, guards or any cares in the world. That secluded, beautiful place where he and Izuku built a small cabin and would escape so often when Spring bloomed to life…
That would be the last sound he’d hear from Izuku. A shrilling, sorrowful cry that made his heart swell and body crumble. He hoped with all his might that Izuku was gone, before he saw what happened next. He didn’t want him to witness the arrows that whistled through the air and landed in his back. He didn’t want the beautiful, gentle human to witness his unsightly snarl as he fiercely fought off enemy after enemy, getting battered and slashed until he finally collapsed to the ground. He didn’t want those flawless green gems to be sullied, seeing his king, his mate, lying helpless on the ground under a tyrant's boot, wrapped in chains and then hauled away in pain.
He only wanted him to remember his last words. A promise, that he would find him. That he would come home.
He thought Izuku would be proud of him. Proud of how he never broke. How he never caved to the constant beatings and lashings. He never screamed at the torture, no matter how many times the red hot iron pressed deep into his skin, or how many times his flesh was cut away. He fought back, even in his injured state and never gave up so long as his limbs could move.
He thought about it alot. How it was disgusting.The monster of the once allied kingdom wanted knowledge only Dragon Kin royals had. That’s the only reason he was alive. His people he knew were not so lucky. He could smell them in the wind when the door to his cell was opened. He could taste the ash and hear the small remaining cries through the dungeon halls before they suddenly became silent. All quieted as the snow began to fall. After a while he could no longer taste the ash when the guard opened the door and allowed air to push its way in from the bitter cold outside. All he remembered was the glimpse of the pure white snow at his captors feet. Too much snow. Much more than he remembered there ever being in the past. His heart ached, thinking it was the world’s tears freezing as it wept for his people.
He couldn’t tell how much time had passed, but eventually he thought they realized they could get nothing from him. They stopped the pitifully poor efforts of treating his injuries that they had before. Food came less and less until it just stopped altogether. The dark of his cell gradually became colder and colder and his strength faded. Even if he had not been bound and his magic sealed, he didn’t have the strength to stand let along break free. His wounds ached, his stomach wrenched with nothing left to give, and the air became foul in his cell as his failing body slumped on the floor. He felt tired, and closed his eyes while he pictured green gems staring up out of firelight. Tendrils of green silk tangled against fur and crimson, as warm light danced across two bodies embraced under the stars.
He never could figure out how, but the next time his eyes opened he could see the snow crunching under large armored feet below him. The snow seemed to glow brightly against the contrast to the darkness of the night. He felt slightly warm, a welcomed crimson cloak wrapped around him with coarse fur tickling at his nose. He recalled a blur of ruby and silver hair and he was lashed to a horse. Muffled words dripping with anger and sorrow as a hand grasped his broken and bloodied one, before it slapped the horse hard with a yelp, sending it barreling off into the night.
He was free. How and why, who or when, he didn’t care. All that flooded his mind was that lake. With the last embers of rage in his chest, he clutched the reins and spurred the animal towards that paradise. He had a promise to keep…
He spurred the beast forward, unyielding even as pain shook his form and cold racked him until his fingers turned black. It almost seemed like the animal knew where Katsuki wanted to go. Through bouts of seeing nothing but darkness, he would always wake to the horse continuing forward in the direction he wanted. He could smell spring creeping in on the air, not yet here but not far off. He thought it was fitting… Maybe he could share that with Izuku when he finally returned to his side. He thought they could watch the flowers bloom together. Lay and count the stars as clouds parted from the sky and illuminated the frozen lake.
A comforting thought, even if that was all it was…. A dream.
Days of riding sucked all Katsuki had left from him. He was slumped over the beast when it finally came to a stop. The animal should never have been able to run like that. No normal horse should have the strength… Whatever… Katsuki didn’t care. He loved the animal for carrying him. He gently pat it’s shoulder to show his thanks as he opened a weary eye and gazed at the snow covered cabin. Snow gently fell around him and he all but fell off the beast. It trotted away from where they came and slowly disappeared into the white expanse without any sound.
It was so quiet. Nothing but the soft creak of the cabin door hinge blessed the world as Katsuki laid in the snow. He crawled, slowly through the frozen walkway to the open door. There was at least a foot of snow in front of it, crossing the threshold and keeping it from fully closing.
Katsuki willed himself to stand, wearily pushing the door to the cabin ajar as he leaned on it’s frame. Something scooted behind the door, scraping against the floor with a dull sound that faded quickly back into total silence. Katsuki gazed inside the dark room. There was no light from either candle nor fire, and everything had a soft dusting of white. His eyes searched the building. Searched for that messy fluff of green. They searched for bright green suns and cinnamon dotted cheeks...
He had shuffled softly inside, collapsing on the floor again. He felt nothing but peace now as he crawled forth. He crawled with his broken body towards the bed, pulling up just enough for him to slump over the edge. He couldn’t move his feet anymore. He couldn’t feel any pain, nor the cold of the air around him. He reached out to the mass dusted in snow and lovingly ran his fingers through soft green tufts carressed in ice. He curled his broken hand around a small mass that was cradled in the other’s arm and wrapped in a sheet, pulling himself in enough to softly place a kiss on freckled cheeks and that tiny bundle.
He laid his head against them and closed his eyes. The last he remembered was a familiar warmth rushing over him, with soft embraces, echoing with glittering laughter and campfire light...
He kept his promise…
He was home...
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Izuku has always been teased as a child. From the freckles that littered his cheeks, to the unconscious muttering and stutter he couldn’t help from squeezing past his lips when he spoke. He didn’t really have any friends and was bullied. Pushed to the ground just for doing something to help his mother, like picking medicinal flowers for the shop. He expected nothing from people at that point. Nobody had ever stopped to help before, so why should that day have been any different.
But it was different.
Someone did help.
This boy, Katsuki Bakugou, helped.
His chest swelled and he held back a river of tears as he looked up to another small hand, picking up those very flowers with him. The words he heard were like coals tossed to his feet, but the actions splashed those coals with a torrent of spring water and snuffed them out in an instant. He followed the arm up to see a half dressed, wild eyed ash blond with a cheeky grin. Izuku would remember that grin for the rest of his life. A dangerous thing, arrogant to be sure and full of mischief. But he was helping, when not even the adults did. That smile felt safe and oh so warm. He followed that smile. That confident, arrogant, wild grin that made his whole body rise and fall like the tide. He would always follow that smile, for as long as it would let him.
Izuku found more happiness over the years following that cheeky grin than most people would experience in a lifetime. The boy was indeed what could easily have been called, a brat… But He had found it endearing. The boy had no fear. None. He challenged everyone and stepped back from no one. Izuku admired that. It was something he was never able to do. He tried and it always ended badly. But here this kid was, this wild bright thing tearing ass across his city like a wild boar. He found himself laughing too many times to count at the boy's antics. Sure, he got in trouble sometimes, but it was so worth it. After the fact they would always find a sunny spot, sit and laugh while eating whatever tasty snacks they managed to get a hold of.
As they grew older, Izuku began to learn his trade, and spent as long hours as he could manage to perfect it. He wanted to be good at something. The ash blond that captivated him seemed good at just about everything, and he wanted to make him proud. He worked hard, and eventually became rather skilled. Nit-picking and muttering his way through work order after work order, perfecting his craft and making a name for himself quickly. He felt accomplished, having achieved his goal.
He often reminisced on the gift he made for that ash blond, and the expression he got in return. He was paid for a job with a large ruby once. Too large to take lightly, and cut for some basic amulet or armor inlay. He had been saving it and planned to turn it into something special . Earrings… Two, flawless earrings made to resemble the claws of a dragon. He cut and polished until they were as smooth as obsidian, unclouded and pristine. The look on the blond as he dismounted his dragon, spread his arms and embraced Izuku was something he always held close. That cheeky grin… But the expression on the young man’s face was comical when Izuku presented the earrings to him. He had never seen such a dumbfounded look on a person. It had made him laugh with a bellow that came from deep in his gut. Remembering it always brought him into a snickering giggle fit and often got him scolded for doing it at inappropriate times. He quickly learned not to drift off and think about it while speaking with a noble about custom accessories… Yeah, that wasn’t ever a good idea. Highly unpleasant. He made sure to scribble down notes about it…
Izuku knew well about the blond and his standing by that point. He was a fierce price of a barbarian like kingdom in the mountains. He could probably afford much better quality gems and accessories, but the young man genuinely had been taken aback at how the blond reacted to his gift. He acted like it was something so precious. He didn’t even flinch when Izuku pressed the needle to his ears, securing the gems in place. He wore them proudly, and Izuku never saw him take them off.
To Izuku, it was the little things that mattered. Things that only he got to experience. The gentleness that the young man showed only to him, the soft expression he made when nobody was around, and the deep warm sound of his voice when he spoke to only him. Izuku knew he had fallen hard for the man. He knew it, but he didn’t share. He was royalty… A prince. He would be expected to marry a beautiful woman who could give him many children. So Izuku had always thought being with him wasn’t in the cards. But he could never pull away. And when word of the Dragonian King and Queen’s passing reached him, he could not just sit back and leave the man alone. He needed someone, even just a friend to comfort him.
It took longer than he had liked, but he finished his work and headed up the mountains to surprise him. His surprise seemed successful at first, and it warmed him so much to hear Katsuki beg him to come more. He was so happy… He gave in and visited as often as he could, leaving his side only when the new King’s duties called him away. It hurt to be away from him, but he found distraction in the castle between the various apothecary labs, the library and even the kitchens.
The feelings that muddled together on that day are ones that kept him warm through countless nights alone… He had been writing notes about some concoction at the castle apothecary, when he felt strong, warm arms come from behind. He smelled the ashen caress as he was hoisted up and carried off. Being suddenly placed on a very large scaled beast that could rip a man in two with a sneeze wasn’t exactly what he would call, enjoyable… And the sudden rush of being high enough over the ground to not even see people anymore was terrifying. He never knew he could scream so loud… But that comforting ashen scent, his back pressed to the chiseled torso as that gentle but strong arm wrapped around his waist kept his body firm and safe… The rush as the landscape below spread wide and the stars came out to play. It felt so right. His fears melted and he leaned back into that muscled god of a man that had swept him away and held him so tight.
He had always hated that feeling of butterflies in his gut. He felt like they could fly out and he would accidentally chew on them every time. But this time the critters flitted about with such force that he succumbed, and they flew away in bright beautiful colors as the two shared that first kiss. That awkwardly gentle kiss high above the world where no one could reach them. Although.... What happened next he could have done without. He would have sworn he tasted the linen and leather of his undergarments with the way his rear clenched as they suddenly fell. Stupid dragon… The water was cold too... How rude..
He’d chuckle softly remembering that. It wasn’t a fun experience, but so worth it in the end. That night was magical. Even though it happened countless times after the fact, that first night was always the most beautiful in his mind’s eye. The halo of gold around spiked ashen locks, swaying softly above him. Crimson eyes that would send most men running in fear were staring at him with such warmth he felt they could warm the world enough to completely skip over winter entirely. The glistening of their skin, the heat as they pressed and slid together with Katsuki rocking between his thighs. The flavor of those lips and tingle as they slowly painted his body was the only spice of life he would ever need. The rest of the food he ever ate could be dry and bland for all he cared, just let him have those lips.
Izuku would always remember that night…
Always...
Even as years passed embracing his king. Even through their wedding nights and the outrageously embarrassing amount of time they spent hiding in corners of the castle, copulating in places they probably shouldn't have. If the council knew what they did on the meeting table or with some of the more interesting shaped items in the apothecary… Izuku had always shivered at what they would do if they were ever found out. No matter what, he knew his husband, his mate, would be there to protect them.
Everything seemed right. But he knew there was one thing that had always been missing. With Izuku, Katsuki would never have children. It was something he stressed over many many times. It was a shock when Katsuki came to him and told him about some old magic that might change that. Izuku’s heart soard, not just for the chance at giving Katsuki an heir, but for that fact he wanted Izuku to bear him children. But he heard what the risks could be and he got scared. It took a lot of calming from his mate to get him to agree. He did want children. He did. Especially with Katsuki…
The rituals were not easy. Many were downright painful, even if he never said anything about it. He had never wanted to make Katsuki worry. He would cherish his lover’s embrace every night as he was coddled to sleep. After so long though, the pain started to not really seem worth it. The constant cramping, getting sick, the headaches and fatigue never yielded any fruit and everything seemed to be unsuccessful. He wasn’t surprised when he finally came down with fever. Everything had been taking its toll so he figured it was bound to happen at some point. Typical Izuku dilemma… Too weak to keep it up… He tried, but Katsuki refused. It warmed him to know that his mate cared more about his health, but he wanted so badly to give him a son. A child of their own to raise and teach to be strong and happy.
But he guessed that wasn’t something he deserved to have...
Instead what they got was bone chilling screams. Fear seized what should have been their happy life. He screamed for how he could not help the man he loved, as he reached out to him unable to grasp what was right there in front of him. The last that he saw of his beautiful mate as he softly spoke words of promise to him, were arrows that were cowardly shot to his back. The grimace of pain as they pierced into him and the great beastly snarl as he turned away. The image of his love faded as he blinked up to a stone and wood wall. The air was heavy with familiar scents of cedar and mountain air and the chaotic sound of war that had rang through the walls just disappeared. Nothing but the calm breeze through the trees, gentle splashes of water along the lake shore and crickets and frogs chirping to the night surrounded him. It was such a lonely sound, and it surged down his throat, pulling all the air from his lungs as he shrieked in horror and called out the name of his love.
He screamed.
He cried.
He was sick over and over again at the dreadful sight that lingered in his head.
He crumpled into a pile on the floor and cried… Hours on end he bawled into the floor until his head throbbed and the reservoirs behind his eyes ran dry. Days he spent in misery, cursing anything and everything until his strength for the day gave and he escaped to dreams of golden locks and gentle campfire light. It took some time before he could function normally, finding a sort of will from those last words he heard spoken to him. Words of promise.
He focused on that promise. And he tried to rise up. Oh how he tried. But even as his will to live returned, his strength did not. Something wasn’t right. He had been sick, he knew that. A common illness they all had thought… A simple cold. But what he felt was much more, a twisting in his gut, sharp pangs that dropped him to his knees. A wrenching in his stomach that often at random made him ill at the slightest movement. His strength was fading, and when the pain finally stopped for any moment he pushed with all he could just to stand and keep going. His mate made a promise. He would see it fulfilled if it was the last thing he could see on this earth.
He had no way of leaving the cabin. Katsuki had always flown them on the back of a dragon to this beautiful place, and he had no idea where to begin to travel to seek help. It had also been getting too cold, and the snows crept in earlier than ever before, trapping Izuku in this once perceived paradise of their courtship. There were no servants nor guards to help him here. He was on his own.
There was stock of dried food and herbs for medicinal use. Enough to last a while, but Izuku had to journey into the snow and cold for firewood and water. It was necessary, but was the worst he could have done for his health. He could barely keep any food down, and slept long hours. Too long. So long the embers in the fireplace from a once well stoked fire threatened to die as he finally stirred awake. He hurt. He was tired… But he waited.
He waited.
And waited…
And waited....
The illness that was taking him was the only thing holding him close into each night as months trickled by. He waited and struggled as the snows reached new depths, with strong winds that crept through any imperfections the cabin had. Were it not for his dire state, perhaps he would have noticed the gradual swelling in his belly, and the faint flickers of life within.
His body was so tired. He remembered a brief period of numbness as he laid back in the bed he and Katsuki once shared. He welcomed the lack of pain or hunger, however brief it would be. He remembered hearing the wind howl, and the front door creaking as it was pushed open from the force. Wind and snow rampaged through the door as it hung slightly open, lodged against some unknown object keeping it in place.
Izuku had stared at it, hoping an ashen blond haired figure would walk through, only to feel his heart break all over again when nobody stepped past the threshold. He laid there, calmly staring at it with that welcomed numbness, watching the flecks of ice dance, then rage, and finally settle on the ground or nearby furniture of the cabin.
He thought he should close the door. But the numbness was so rare, he didn’t want to disturb it. It wasn’t until the fire began to die out that he willed himself to sit up in a feeble effort to go keep the cold out.
He had been numb, and so comfortable… Then all at once he screamed and had crumpled back when a sharp pain invaded his whole lower half. Searing… Hotter and sending more pain than any hot iron could ever inflict. He writhed, and could feel his breath stolen away.
It seemed hours passed when he finally was able to take stock of what was happening. His heart broke. It shattered as he felt the cause of the pain push from his body. The smell of his blood stained the air and his chest heaved when it was all finally over. He had next to no strength left, but mustered all he could to lean forward and pick up the tiny, frail mass between his legs. It was small… Too small, barely large enough to fit gently between Izuku’s palms… It’s tiny fingers and closed eyes were as colorless and cold as the snow outside. It made no sounds, no movements. Izuku laid gently on his side, wrapping the tiny lifeless body in the stained sheet and held it close to his face. He nuzzled it softly, giving it small, weak kisses as he softly sobbed.
He paid no mind to the blood that continued to leave him. No mind at all as he curled up to the thing he dreamed about for so long. He just kept his eyes on the tiny figure, never letting go for a second. Wind and snow beat through the door with ferocity. Izuku’s sweat covered hair began to cover gently in ice as he couldn't keep awake anymore and closed his eyes. He finally felt warm…
He let that warmth carry him away.
Away, to golden locks surrounded in that gentle campfire light, cradling a small figure adorn with curled ash blond hair and deep green eyes...
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Coming home gave Shoto such grief that he wallowed in pain for days. He had no idea how to confront his father for the absolutely foul thing he had done, nor about the lie he had told his people to justify his actions. He was furious. How dare he tell the people the war was due to the “kidnapping and torture of one of their citizens.” How dare he lie and use Izuku and Katsuki like that.
How dare he…
Coming home when he did, to what he did was too much. He didn’t learn right away about Katsuki’s captivity, nor about what happened to the green haired craftsman he cared for. Nobody would answer when he asked, and he was forced to resort to bribery and sneaking around to find out. There was never any word of Izuku. All he ever found out was that he was missing. When he learned Katsuki was still alive, he had a feeling Izuku would be too. He didn’t think Katsuki would have allowed any harm to come to him, and had maybe hidden him away somewhere.
He was not prepared for the information about Katsuki however. It tore through him like a knife through paper. In his sneaking about, he witnessed the agony the blond was put through. Day after day, and he couldn’t keep himself from being sick at the sight. He never thought someone should suffer like that, certainly not someone he considered his friend.
Shoto was forever grateful to his loyal captain. The man didn’t even hesitate to help him when asked. He could never repay them man for his bravery and kindness, assisting him with an act that if caught, could get them both killed. He would never be able to thank him enough. Never. There was nothing he could give the man for tricking the cell guards into leaving Katsuki unguarded. For going out of his way to find and wrap his friend in his old, signature crimson cloak. For gently carrying the broken body of the defeated king from the cell to where the prince and his ethereal stallion waited at the stables. He owed this man his life for all he had done…
Shoto knew there was no horse that could carry Katsuki to where he needed to go. None but his own. He had no doubt his otherworldly steed could carry him to the ends of the earth and back without pause. The ghostly creature left no hoofprints nor scent behind, wouldn’t get tired or need to eat or drink. He knew it would run true and carry him safely away.
Gazing at what remained of the once strong king made Shoto rage inside. Deep down, he knew it was too late. But he would give the man a chance at least. To die somewhere free and warm in the embrace of someone he loved. Somewhere comforting and under the stars. That’s all Shoto could give him now. Just the chance.
He held back his tears and rage as he grasped his weary friend's hands, trying to give him words of praise, comfort and resounding apology before sending him away at haste. He watched as the horse took his friend away, and waited for it’s return to him.
As Shoto expected, his father seethed at Katsuki’s escape. He’d find himself smirking at how angry his father became. Good… He could rage all he wanted. He’d never find Katsuki and Izuku again. Not with his stead carrying Katsuki. The perks of being rich and having an untraceable beast… Shoto was happy he could give them at least that much…
Spring had crept in as the pale stallion returned. Shoto waited some time, and under the false pretence of a hunt, he and his loyal capital left. The graceful mount guiding them along the path taken with his friend.
He had to see.
He had to know.
Bird chirps sang and in small places where snow had melted, bright shades green sprung to life. It was still cold, but spring was in full swing. Taking little time to rest, they rode on through long days until the sounds of spring faded away and they stopped at the still snow covered cabin. There was no movement at all. No wind. No birds song in the air. No flowers trying to push through the snow. It was as if time stopped mid winter.
Shoto’s skin shivered and his heart sank as he dismounted and slowly made his way through the ice and snow up to the open door, the only sound ringing in his ears was the low crunch beneath his feet. He remembered hesitating as a strangely warm wind blew from behind into the building, like it was telling him it was alright, that everything was ok now. The wind gently pushed at his back, calmly urging him inside.
He breathed in deep and stepped through the door. Everything inside was still painted white with snow. There was no light and it took him a moment to focus his eyes. He looked past the chairs and table, with plates and cups that seemed forever stilled, past the empty fireplace so long without warmth that snow had blown down and covered the ash from the chimney.
He stepped further in, so quietly, as light crept over the horizon in a delicate glow of lavender and peach.
He walked to the side of familiar crimson cloth that draped over a snow covered figure slumped over the bed. The corners of the cloth rippled gently with the warm breeze, the light from the doorway now softly illuminating the figures that lay before him, tears still frozen to their cheeks.
He stood and stared for what seemed like hours at the figures covered in snow and curled around the tiniest of bundles that never even got a chance. His stomach wrenched and he finally moved away, emptying the contents of his stomach nearby.
This was too cruel…
This wasn’t fair.
Neither of them did anything wrong.
He sobbed loudly and screamed in mourning for his friends and their child. His captain didn’t have to run in to understand. He already knew by his lord’s pained screams. He didn’t know the two like the prince, but even he had to hold back painful tears.
The sobs died away, and Shoto exited the building with eyes red and swollen. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and turned back. He remembers the warmth as fire caressed his left hand, pushing forth and enveloping the cabin. He and his captain stood back, watching the fire burn everything away in a warm glow.
The last thing he could give them, was a burial fit for the royalty they were. To allow them to remain warm in the afterlife, and keep nature from ravaging their forever sleeping figures.
He would always look back on this day and grieve when the sun rose with those warm colors as it peeked over the edge of the world. When spring crept in and began to melt the snows of winter, and the chill in the air started to fade away.
Even if no one else did, he would remember.
He would remember the green curls as they drifted in the breeze alongside wild ashen blond spikes.
Laughter so profound it seemed to threaten to shake the very earth upon which they stood.
Sparkling gems of ruby and emerald peering deep into each other for no other reason than just because they could.
Two people, who lived and loved more fiercely than any who ever had or ever will walk this earth.
He would remember…
Always.