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kewltie · 13 days

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bkdk au where katsuki is a burnt out superstar spiraling out of control and izuku his v good at managing disaster & when ppl are the worst, he's at his BEST so he's tasked to help katsuki regain his crown except an hour within meeting each other katsuki already fired him THREE TIMES.

izuku is soft spoken, detail orientated, and weirdly clumsy but sincere. he's the opposite of a corporate shill trying to squeeze whatever money is left out of katsuki's fame and fortune. he actually cares and wants the best for katsuki and KATSUKI CANT EVEN BULLY HIM TO QUIT. katsuki grew up in the limelight. both his parents are famous designers so he used to be a child model, then a child star, and then A SUPERSTAR and his face was plastered everywhere. he been in the spotlight all his life and it’s searing.

katsuki's vice isn't drinking or smoking etc bc he's not fucking stupid enough to touch that shit but it's his volatile temper and his inability to work under and with ppl. he's his worst critic bc he holds himself to ridiculous high standards and expect everyone to be the same. he would set filming back for hours, DAYS even, just for retakes but he's unhappy with his performance or his partner. he'll fight with the director and coworkers bc their vision doesnt align so ppl start accusing him of making it a toxic work environment, his violent tantrums, and how he's impossible to WORK with and how he mistreats his coworkers and the other staff members. someone even leaked to the gossip rags that katsuki threw an equipment at a staff once in anger.

which led to a floodgate of BAKUGOU KATSUKI'S STORIES how he is so difficult to work with, how toxic he is, and how nobody want to work with him even after the story about him throwing stuff at a staff was proven false but damaged to his reputation was done. he was ostracized.

katsuki just brushed it off that he doesnt care even though acting is all he ever wanted and even though many the stories were lies, HE WAS AN ASSHOLE and difficult and hold ppl to ridiculous high standards and loses his temper so easily so yea he fell in to a rut until izuku who is v v v good at being his best when ppl are at the worst which means he's great at cleaning up messes and somehow amidst the thunderous and violent storm of that katsuki rages, izuku always find his peace and can juggle katsuki's anger and his anal perfectionism with ease.

katsuki has anger issues and even though he's going to therapy for it, he has a hard time controlling his outburst and that's scary for most ppl bc they think he's capable of much violence from what they heard even though there's never been a proven story that he ever HIT anyone. izuku is mild-manner and v sweet. he's polite to everyone he interacts with and is very kind to the employees but he's also reckless to the point of stupid sometimes that he has no qualm snapping back at katsuki bc he knows in his heart that katsuki's bark is worse than his bite.

izuku has watched katsuki's grow up on screen & news. he seen all his movies & dramas. bought all his magazine covers. he knows a star when he sees one. katsuki was made for the screen, to be up the among the stars, shinning brighter than everyone but he got to fix himself first. even though katsuki has all the talent and skill but it doesnt mean he can get away with treating ppl like shit and his loner only-i-can-do-it is not helping him gaining any friends and allies in the industry. being talented is no excuse for being a piece of shit to others.

izuku admires katsuki deeply and sees so much potential in him but katsuki has to turn his attitude around first and out of katsuki's own volition. izuku can encourage him but he cant force him to change for the better. this is something katsuki has to realize on his own. izuku didn't single-handedly make katsuki a better person, he's the initial kickstart that made it possible but all the effort is on katsuki he wants to do better, to be better. to fixed all his broken relationships and repair his mistakes bc he wants to prove everyone wrong. but more importantly he wants to go be good to prove it to himself that he's worthy to stand at the top and be the person who is worthy of izuku's love and admiration all the while the world hyper scrutinizing his every move and ready to tear him him apart if he make one slip up.

like katsuki doesnt being an ASSHOLE lol he's still brisk and blunt with ppl but when he feels like he's going to lose it, he takes a step back, breathes and immediately look for izuku. izuku will smile encouragingly at him and suddenly all the loud noises in his head quiet down.

izuku becomes his emotional crutch. he always there on every set of every commercials shoots, TV, and films. it becomes known that you cant hire katsuki w/o izuku there watching over him. they call izuku his tamer/wrangler as thought katsuki is a wild animal and izuku hates it. bc he knows katsuki is trying his best & he has his mood and temper but he making a lot of effort to not fall back into the horrible person he was once so yea, izuku isn't TAMING katsuki one bit but ppl like that narrative better then the thought of katsuki being a change person.

it's not like katsuki less of an asshole tho. he still fight w ppl and say asshole things like firing izuku five times this month bc they couldnt agree on his schedule and bc izuku refused to give katsuki a key to his apartment even though izuku has his phone AND key to his house. izuku can freely go in/out of katsuki's house and izuku has access his phone bc they have nothing to hide. izuku go wherever katsuki go and when they answer someone request it's always "we do this" or "we'll think about it" bc they're one unit and are married w/o marriage part.

it's kinda codependent how much their life are intertwined with each other that katsuki cant work w/o izuku there and izuku spend literally every part of his day with katsuki no day off; no vacation; no life outside of katsuki. their name and life are so bound, it's... unhealthy. even when katsuki is one his way to the pinnacle of his career again and he's the new comeback king, izuku feels uneasy bc he feels like he's holding katsuki back bc bc ppl are like YOU CHANGED HIM, YOU MADE HIM BETTER, YOU DID THIS, oh what would bakugou be w/o you there to help, completely dismissing katsuki's efforts bc izuku can schedule all the appts he want w katsuki's therapist and try to get him there but it's katsuki who has to actually SHOW UP and actually work with the therapist to improve his temper and behavior and try to be the better person.

he also realizes that katsuki relies on him too much that as his emotional crutch and that izuku felt good to be needed like that, that izuku has issues to work on that his sense of self worth is tied up in how much he can do for katsuki and how much katsuki needs him. this is why izuku likes this kind of manager job bc in the midst of all this chaos, izuku can find his calm and feels a sense of value to himself when he can solve and fix things for others. that he's only good when he can do something FOR THEM not bc he himself is worthy.

so when during at the height of katsuki's career, izuku packed up and completely disapepar one day, while leaving katsuki with a new manager, new and very good jobs opportunities with the best director and scripts, and planed out literally a year of schedule ahead for katsuki. izuku go on his long waited vacation that he rightfully deserved after working for katsuki W NO DAY OFF for literally almost 3yrs. he traveled the world, sight sees, learn about new cultures and himself and rediscover the person he can and is without the attachment of Katsuki. while katsuki ages bc izuku is gone and it was fucking rough for him that first month w/o katsuki and it's like he fell back to dark time where his emotions cant be contain and he lashes out but with the help of his friends and family, katsuki slowly gets a grip of himself. w pure spite like he's trying to prove something to the world that he CAN LIVE W/O IZUKU, he can be this better version of himself w/o izuku handholding him and HE CAN!!! his career shoots off and he's improving and doing so much better and ppl stop bringing izuku up around him.

katsuki is thriving and living his life w/o izuku there. his career is doing amazing and his reputation is nearly salvagable now but even when he's doing perfectly w/o izuku and prove to everyone and himself that DOESN'T NEED IZUKU, he realizes that he WANTS IZUKU rather. he doesn't need izuku to fix him, to make him better, but he want izuku as a part of his life bc he loves izuku and wants him there in every space that he occupied. he wants izuku deeply and profoundly in a way that all the fame, trophies, awards, and money can't ever give him.

so instead of searching for izuku and force him to come back to him, he make izuku COME TO HIM out of his own free will by making a movie w izuku's favorite director and picking izuku's favorite script and making a fucking film dedicated TO IZUKU that only izuku can see. he finds a way to get the movie premier ticket to izuku's hand and izuku stares at the invitation and doesnt know if he should or how to answer it. like all these past months w/o him there, he saw katsuki's career took off and how he able to stand on his own two feet w/o izuku. he doesnt need izuku anymore. maybe he never needed izuku in the first place and it's heartbreaking bc it like katsuki is moving on w/o him but here is this invitation and it's calling him to come back. he doesnt know if he should but izuku always put his job first, others first.

so maybe it's time to be a little selfish and get what he wants because through traveling the world, izuku finds there's so much to see and experience but everytime he turn around and want to point out something amazing, he calls out katsuki name and realizes he's not there. izuku is content with himself but he NOT HAPPY bc katsuki isn't there with him bc being with katsuki makes him stupidly and ridiculously happy even though when it wasnt healthy that time, he misses katsuki so deeply it hurts. he wants katsuki to be there with him to exp life. so even when he knows katsuki is better off w/o him, izuku decides to be selfish once in his life and takes that invitation and go see katsuki in his new movie except when he arrives at the theater; there's nobody else but him. it's like this place is rented out just for him.

he watches the movie; it a short film that he and katsuki had seen a hundred times bc it's by their favorite actor turned director toshinori yagi. katsuki is monologuing izuku's favorite scene from the movie and it always make him teary and katuski made fun of him for it lol. but now katsuki is acting out his favorite scene and izuku IS CRYING AGAIN but nobody is there to tease him. he's WEEPING EVEN HARDER bc katsuki on screen is so, so fucking good delivering the lines like a fucking punch in the heart and-and he cant believe he stupidly walk AWAY.

"i-i miss you so much, kacchan," izuku mumbles to the screen and suddenly a familiar voice enters his ear.

"say that to my fucking face, stupid," katsuki says, appearing out of the darkness and nearly scaring izuku to shit but omfg izuku being honest with himself FOR ONCE.

katsuki is like be selfish with me, tell me what you want and izuku weeps and chokes up as he confess i want you. KATSUKI breathes a sigh of relieve bc fuck he wants this more badly than he wants anything else in the world and now they're FINALLY agreeing on something.

"i want you to work for me," katsuki says because he's an asshole and just as izuku about to shoot him a glare bc he's NOT WORKING for katsuki. they're not going down that road again. "as my boyfriend, dumbass," he scolds him bc he's also a dumbass who is bad w/ words lmao

izuku hiccups and smiles through tears. "what would you pay me with then?"

"my body," he grumbles and izuku goes red bc they're dumb and in love and now izuku can be katsuki's bf w/o worrying about unhealthy work dynamic that comes with their deep attachment to each other.

it started with izuku being katsuki's emotional crutch and his sense of self worth being tied to how much katsuki's need him, and them realizing it's FUCKING unhealthy so they separate, grow independent and realizing they're ok w/o each other but are more HAPPY TOGETHER.

#bakudeku #not!fic

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kewltie · 14 days

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Sorry if you’ve been asked this before, but what are your favorite shows/other media with court/harem drama and politics? I love reading your fic snippets with those aus!

;asjdf;j OMFG HI IM SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO REPLY (i had work and an essay in b/t... cries)

anyway, i had to look through my list but here are some of my fav shows in no order whatsoever:

goodbye my princess: OMFG SO MUCH CRYING. if you like pain and main chars doing dumb shit and thinking it's all for love yeaaaa. also a bad end so fyi. i was so bitter about. refuse to rewatch it again but dont regret watching it.

nirvana in fire 1 & 2: less romance but i love the politics in it esp in nirvana 1!!!! everyone is soooo smart and the mind games is LEGIT in this.

scarlet heart: i--i love this so much. it's achingly poignant and the chars are so complicated and the ending will ripped your heart out.

under the queen's umbrella: the only kdrama on this list and IT'S SOOOO FUN but also just gut-wrenching. the family feels all to this and how chars are so multidimesional even the badies that im so glad to see some of them getting redeem while knowing that some ppl are just fucking evil ya know??? the family vibes in this is just chefs kiss. also super great politic and harem fighting for the crown.

the king's woman: this like just trashy romance but i fucking love it. i love ppl being awful and doing awful things for love. no fucking redemption and it's great. also reba is soooo pretty I LOVE HER.

also thank you<33333333333!!!!! i havent done much worthy writing but i appreciate your kind words anyway lol

#anonymous #ask #ttheres prob more but these are at the top of my head

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kewltie · 26 days

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[S02E03] time travel au

“So, your future boyfriend is hot. Your life is just so tragic,” Ochako teases. Izuku blushes. "I just can't believe he was alone all these years!" Her smile wanes. "Bakugou always been single-minded. He waited for you ten years, but I don't think he would have stopped there."

for izuku the 10yrs time skipped seem minuscule and bkdk's relationship was <3months old, so while he loves katsuki he's still caught in the youthful stage of love in a new relationship while katsuki has yrs to crossed that line into intense devotion.

#twitter drabble #bakudeku #verse: francesca

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kewltie · 2 months

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I remember you are (were?) a huge fan of George SMP. What do you think of recent developments?

hi anon!!!!

oh man, that felt like ages ago but yea i was into minecraft streamers particularly gnf but then like a lot of things that i become fixated on for a period of time i eventually moved. so when i saw your msg i have no clue what you were talking about but i looked him up!!! i honestly dont know that much detailsor that emotionally invested to like have a concrete opinion on any of it so i cant really judged anything. however, even tho i moved on from gnf that i have no clue whats going on with him, i still find myself disappointed and my past memories of him are getting soured by this. so yea.

#stanning rl ppl is hard bc damn they tend to disappoint you in the end #bc you think you know them BUT YOU NEVER REALLY DO

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kewltie · 3 months

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[S02E02] timetravel au

"Your face is red." Katsuki frowns. "What the fuck were you even doing?!" Despite his scowl, he presses their forehead together to feel the quickly rising temperature. His blush deepens. "I'm f-fine." This close, he could melt under the relentless heat pooling under his skin.

izuku is a virgin bc of time travel while katsuki is a virgin out of choice to devote his dumb ass at the altar of his first and only love. even though katsuki has a decade of exp on izuku, he still fumbling and bumbling to navigate their relationship.

#bakudeku #twitter drabble #verse: francesca

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kewltie · 3 months

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[S3E01] - re:kasumi

"Your dad was dumped?!" Ai screeches. "But he's Dynamight, the best hero!" "Well, Dynamight is the best, but out of the suit he's just a boring, old man. He hasn't gone on a date in over ten years." Kasumi huffs. "Oh, that Midoriya-san must be something then," Ai says in awe.

we're back with s3 of re:kasumi. in which kasumi extremely bright and clever but also terribly wrong like midoriya is my other parent?? IMPOSSIBLE!!! BUT MY DAD GETTING DUMPED? V POSSIBLE. nobody is katsuki the biggest fan and hater than kasum

#bakudeku #twitter drabble #verse: re:kasumi

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kewltie · 4 months

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Happy Holidays M4dG4rl!

prompt: romeo & juliet

"You live in this area?!" Katsuki frowns at the decrepit buildings around them.

Izuku nods.

He eyes him. "You know this neighborhood is declared a black zone by the Hero Commission."

Rampant crimes, deteriorating infrastructures, and lack of government support. It's not the best living condition, Izuku knows, but to him it's home.

"We can't always choose where we come from," he says with an ambiguous air.

Katsuki's frown deepens. "If you're in trouble, I can—" His coms suddenly beeps, cutting the rest of his sentence off.

"Dynamight, we need you over here Ward D," a familiar voice comes through. It sounds like Chargebolt.

They'd never met, but Izuku has always seen him on the news, standing side by side with Katsuki as his equal. His partner. A place Izuku had once dream of.

Katsuki clicks his tongue in annoyance. "I'm busy."

"It's the League." Hush. Urgent.

Katsuki turns to Izuku, conflicted.

Izuku puts on a smile and silently mouths, "It's fine."

Katsuki sighs. "I'll be right there," he says to Chargebolt, before shutting off their connection. "I'll take you home first."

Izuku shakes his head. "My apartment is close by. I can go on my own," he insists.

"Your ward was voted the murder capital of Japan twice," he says dryly.

"Dynamight-san," Izuku says a little too politely, and Katsuki flinches at the sudden formal address, "I may be quirkless, but I'm not helpless. I been living here for two years now, so I think I can handle getting home alone."

Katsuki looks away, lips pursed and shoulders tense. "I didn't fucking mean that," he says. Terse. "I haven't thought of you like that in a long time now, so don't put shitty words in my mouth."

It's not an apology for their past, but Izuku's heart softens by his sincerity.

It been over twelve years since they last saw each other, that's long enough for each of them to grow out of the discomfort and awkwardness of youth, and the ignorance of childhood. Without Izuku there, Katsuki had matured into a young man who can owned up to his past mistakes. Izuku is so proud of him, but there's a part of him that wishes he was there to witness it, to be a part of it.

"Sorry," he murmurs softly, clutching his conbini bag tightly. "I know we're not children anymore. You've grown and I'm happy to see that." And that's the truth. "I'm really happy," he repeats, the handle of the plastic bag crunching under his palm, "but then I wonder what it would be like if I was there with you."

Katsuki stares at him, gaze unrelenting. "Then don't disappear on me again."

"That was out of my control," he explains. His mother's untimely death. The separation. And now their reunion after all these years. None of it ever felt like it was within in his control. "But you have my numbers now and you know where I live. I'm not going anywhere this time."

Katsuki gives him a skeptical look.

Which is quite unfair because it's not like Izuku made a habit of running away and hiding from Katsuki. It only happened twice! The first time, he wasn't mentally prepared to meet Katsuki and the second, the timing was just awful, so Izuku wasn't doing it on purpose or anything.

He glances down at his watch, looking annoyed. "I have to go, but we're not done here," he says, and it sounds much like a threat.

The corner of Izuku's lips twitches. "I know," he says. Katsuki definitely won't let him off again. "It's okay, go fight some bad guys, hero-san."

Katsuki snorts. "Shut up, Deku," he says as Izuku tries to stifles a laugh. "I'm coming back for your ass, just you wait."

He grins. "I'll be waiting then," he says, waving Katsuki goodbye as he gives Izuku one more lingering glance before off he goes in a blast into the night.

Izuku stands there with his konbini bag for a moment, watching Katsuki blazes through sky like a distance star as he gets farther and farther away.

Their reunion seems worlds apart, ill-fated.

He takes one last look at Katsuki's quickly disappearing spark before heading back.

Izuku's apartment is a few blocks down, but the closer he gets to it the night seems to seep in every crevasse till the last of the streetlight gives away to neon signs and chouchins that hang in front of the shops lining the streets. The darkness encroaches in dim alleyways and unseen corners.

The inhabitants, though, doesn't seem to care or notice the remaining light of civilization fading away. Here in Ward X, the Hero Commission's reaches does not touch. They make their own rules however violence and capricious it may be, but Izuku and thousands of others call it home.

Izuku navigates through the cramp, dark streets with a familiar ease. Occasionally, he'll bypass groups idly squatting in a corner, people luring guests into forbidden teahouses under red lights, and lone figures staking out defensively victims. He walks pass them unbothered.

A third of the way, he starts hearing footsteps behind him that keep on crawling closer. Izuku purposely slows down enough for the footsteps to catch up and stop. He feels the press of something hard against his back.

"Give me everything you have," the figure murmurs in his ears. Low. Threatening.

"Hello, Kawakami-san," Izuku greets, recognizing that voice right way.

The pressure on his back abruptly retracts as Izuku turns around to see a large man with an alligator head hastily taking a step back.

Kawakami withdraws the knife back into his pocket, looking chagrin. He clears his throat, the scar on his jaw rising with the movement. "I didn't know it was you, Midoriya."

"Would you like some curry bread?" Izuku offers instead, ignoring the blade that had pressed against his back earlier.

Kawakami blinks in confusion briefly, and then finally accepts Izuku’s offer of peace. He scratches his lower jaw in embarrassment. "Uh, yes."

Izuku rummages through his hefty plastic bag and pulls out one of the curry breads he had bought earlier at the convenience store before bumping into Katsuki. "It's still warm," he says.

"Appreciate it, kid," Kawakami says gruffly, taking the bread from him, and artfully avoids touching Izuku.

"Stay safe now," Izuku says, pleased with their rather pleasant exchange. "Try not to rob anyone else tonight."

Kawakami's nostrils flare. "Go home already, Midoriya. Your presence is nuisance to my business."

"I'm glad then." Izuku flashes him a grin. "Good bye, Kawakami-san."

And with that, Kawakami slinks back into the shadows and Izuku is back on track toward home once more. Except he makes a detour to a dilapidated tea shop nearby under the red glare of a neon sign. He spots two women standing outside, decked out in flashy make-up and the finest clothes.

"Izuku-chan!" one of them calls out as soon as she spots him.

The woman next to her with bleached hair crosses her arms, less enthusiastic than her partner but it nonetheless doesn't deter him.

"Hi, Yue-san and Riko-san," he says, approaching them. "How are you doing tonight?"

"Cold, hungry and annoyed." Riko casts an unimpressed look at their surroundings. "Would be better if we could catch some flies before we freeze to death."

"It's been slow night for us." Yue shrugs before sending him a playful wink. "But now that you're here it's much better."

Izuku's cheeks heat up. Yue always like to tease him, but he still has yet to get used to it. "U-um, would you like to have some breads?"

Riko's eyes narrowed, her long red nails tapping on her upper arm. Displeasure on her face. "You think we're charity case now, Midoriya?"

Izuku shakes his head. "I got these heavily discounted because they were going to expired tonight and I surely can't finish them all." It’s an easy excuse.

Yue bumps Riko's shoulder. "Hey, be nice to Izuku-chan! He's always bringing us snacks."

Riko scowls, eyes scrutinizing him before relenting. "Fine. Give it here, Mary-sama." The words are crude and unapologetic.

Izuku ducks his head in embarrassment. "P-please don't call me that."

"But you're like our little saint, bringing us a little peace and hope," Yue insists vehemently. Earnest, but no less embarrassing.

He could take Riko's mocking derision, but Yue's words weigh him down with its sincerity. He shoves the entire bag of food into her arms. "Here please take it all. You can share it with the rest of the girls," he says, and he doesn't wait for a respond as he makes a run for it.

Izuku got far enough that he no longer sees anyone close by. It's eerie quiet around him. Unusual. Suddenly, he's made painfully aware that he's all alone. There are still chouchin lights hanging outside of several buildings, but there's no sound, no people. Nothing. Just him. His apartment is just ahead, but this ominous feeling doesn’t leave him.

The silence doesn't stay for long, because Izuku soon hears wings flapping overhead and then something heavy drops down in front of him. One. Two. Three of something.

Under the dim moon of Ward X, a nomu breaks free from its pack and approaches him with steps full of intent.

Its stops short of Izuku and he holds his breath as it drops down on one knee with familiarity. The rest of its brethren follow suit as a purple swirl of gas appears, tearing into the space and a well-dressed figure steps out, outlined in smokes.

"Izuku-sama," Kurogiri greets him with a low bow. "I hope you are doing well on this lovely tonight."

He doesn't step back, but his skin crawls at the pressure that Kurogiri exudes just with his presence alone. "I’m good, thank you."

"I'm glad," he says expressionlessly. Not that Izuku can read much of it anyway. "Sensei is very proud of you. He'd seen what you done with Ward X so far and he's impressed."

Izuku stiffens. "I haven't done anything yet." These two years been nothing but him avoiding his responsibilities. His duties.

"You have gained their loyalty and trust." The yellow glare of his eyes softens. "They adore you, their Mary-sama."

Izuku is seriously beginning to hate that word. That title. It's wrong. He's no saint at all. He's a devil in whites.

He takes a deep breath, shaking off the heaviness in his chest as he tries to regain his footing. "I told him to leave me alone for five years," he says. Firm. "So why are you here in my territory?"

Kurogiri tilts his curiously like he didn't expect Izuku to challenge him like that. "Sensei wishes to see you."

"Why?" Izuku presses.

"You haven't visit him in two years. He misses you," he reveals like he's reading off a fact in a book. "You are most precious son after all."

Izuku almost wanted to laugh. Sensei. Father. He always has a flair of dramatic. Instead of dropping by himself personally, he sent Kurogiri and three nomus to take Izuku back for a visit. Truly ridiculous.

"And what if I say no?" he shoots back daringly. Stupidly.

Kurogiri turns toward one of the nomus next to him. "It only takes one of them to bring down an entire building here with all those people inside. Do you want to test it, Izuku-sama?" he asks coolly, fully aware of the lives he wields over Izuku's head.

Izuku clenches his fist.

Helpless. He hasn't felt that way in a long, long time. The only one who can make him feel this crushing defeat was and still is his father. He always managed to grab Izuku's weakness and exploit it to the fullest.

Izuku's eyes flutter as he sighs. "Let's go then."

"A wise choice." Kurogiri steps aside and gestures for Izuku to step toward the portal. "Sensei will be very happy to see you again, Izuku-sama. He'd personally prepared all your favorite dishes tonight."

Izuku stops, brows furrowing. "He cooked?"

"I believe he wanted to impress you," Kurogiri explains. A pause. “He really did miss you quite a bit.”

Despite his father constant machination and the differences how they view people's life, this is the same man who stayed up late and held Izuku in his arms when he couldn't sleep after a nightmare. Izuku loves his father with equal fervor as much as he hates and fears him.

The world may know All for One as a monster, but to Izuku he's just father. Overbearing. Overprotective. Obsessive. Izuku suffocates under the weight of his father's love. It's why he ran all the way here to Ward X, because he has to escape his father’s clutch before it completely ruins him.

"Let's go then before he decides to destroy something to get my attention," Izuku murmurs with anticipation and dread of meeting his father again after their two years separation.

This is why he didn't want to meet Katsuki again.

He hopes Katsuki will never know the truth because what will Katsuki think of him then? An enemy? A traitor? Or someone so unworthy of even his notice? He may believe he’s reuniting with an estranged childhood friend, but what Katsuki doesn't know is that the scariest thing here is not the dark alley, the impenetrable night, or the threat of looming violence, it's Izuku. Izuku isn't his father, but some days he thinks he's worse than that because he lies as easily as he breathes.

They're like parallel lines stuck in their own course but if they're force to meet, it’ll be an inevitable collision. A heartbreaking, bloody collision. His father will not let Katsuki live and Katsuki certainly won’t give him mercy either. And Izuku doesn’t know when it comes to down to it, who would he choose to side with?

#holiday drabbles 2023 #bakudeku

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kewltie · 4 months

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Happy Holidays Noone!

prompt: THE STEP BROTHER AU

"—and lastly, would you like some dessert for later?" their server asks, just about wrapping it up.

"Um, well." Izuku flips through the menu again hurriedly while Katsuki roll his eyes.

"What do have then?" he says, not waiting for Izuku to take ten more minutes to decide.

"If you don't mind, this week's special is dedicated to lovers: our flower parfait is made with rose jelly, sprinkled with flower petals, and topped off with vanilla ice cream and cherry mouse. It's meant to be shared with a partner," she says with a smile directed at them.

Izuku stiffens. "We-we're—" He stops, denial on the tipped of his tongue, but he glances over at Katsuki's stony face, offering up nothing. No help in return. He swallows. "Y-yes, we would like that please, thank you."

The server nods in acknowledgment and leaves with the menu.

Jittery with the knowledge of what he'd just done, he looks around at the cafe distractedly, and he can't help noticing how many couples there are this evening.

"Stop gawking."

Izuku's head snaps back, ducking his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's just this place is so nice!"

"I just didn't expect you would take anyone to a place like this."

Katsuki stares at him, eyes searing right through him. "You're not just anyone now, you're my boyfriend," he says, the title rolling off of his tongue so easily it makes Izuku feel hot and awkward in his seat.

Izuku hasn't been able to say that word yet. 'Boyfriend' still feels foreign and clumsy on his tongue, scraping against the inside of his mouth with its jagged edge, but Katsuki said it like he knew each stroke and line of the characters written in his heart. Boyfriends. Lovers.

He'd spent five years trying to convinced himself that they're something else — a family maybe, brothers he'd hoped — but Katsuki had dismantled it with a stolen kiss.

He'd traded comfort and familiarity of their childhood for this sea of unknown; it's scary, but also exhilarating.

#holidays drabble 2023 #bakudeku

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kewltie · 4 months

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Happy Holidays Margo!!!

prompt: the parent trap au wherein kasumi found out she has a twin (and a father, at that!!!)

"You have my face," Kasumi says in awed, reaching out to give her a pinch.

Sumire slaps her hand away before it could land on her person. "No, you have my face," she retorts.

"Okay, whatever." Kasumi roll her eyes. "We shared the same face then."

"But how?!" she demands.

"Could be cloning," Kasumi muses, looking thoughtful, "or the more rational explanation is that we're related."

Sumire hesitates, then, "sisters?"

She nods. "Twins."

"But Dad told me he'd picked me up on the roadside."

Kasumi stares at her incredulously. "Are you stupid?"

"I'm not stupid!" Sumire crosses her arms defensively. "I know he wasn't serious about that, okay?! He just never mentions my other parent let alone that I have a sister."

"Clearly, he wanted to keep it a secret because getting dumped by my Papa is embarrassing." Kasumi snorts.

Sumire bristles, primping herself for a fight. "No way! Who would ever dump my Dad?! He's Dynamight, the no.1 hero, and the best in the word! You're crazy if you think my Dad would get dumped!"

Kasumi smiles and it's razor sharp. "Dynamight-san is nothing compare to my Papa."

"Take that back!" She points an cursory finger at Kasumi. "Who is even your Papa?!"

Unfazed, Kasumi's smile twists into something nefarious. "Why don't you meet him and find out? We can switch places and test each other parents."

Sumire bites her lip before nodding. "Fine."

#holiday drabbles 2023 #bakudeku

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kewltie · 4 months

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Happy Holidays Prince!

prompt: vtuber izuku/twitch streamer katsuki au

Katsuki watches his character on screen get speared with a numbing despair.

"Oh, you died." Izuku's voice fill his ears, the discord notification lighting up. "How many times already?"

"How was your sponsor?" he grits out instead, clicking on the restart button a little too hard.

"It went great! I just finished streaming so now I can watch you play," he says. "And die."

"Or you can just go to bed and stop bothering me," Katsuki says dryly.

"Am I distracting you, Dynamight-san?" Izuku hums.

"Fuck no." One of his eye’s twitches. "I'm about to end it."

"Chat, how long has he been grinding this game?" Izuku asks instead, bypassing Katsuki completely to pry answer from his traitorous chat. "Ten hours?! And he's only half way to completion?" he squeaks out. "Kacchan! Did you even take any break?"

Katsuki pauses. "Just a water break."

"That's not healthy! You can't just squat in front of your PC for hours without any real break," he nags in his ears, like an annoying buzz. "I'm going to stay here and keep an eye on you."

Katsuki scoffs, but complies anyway, moving his cursor to pulls up Izuku's vtuber model.

He places the model on the main screen and aligns it right next to his cam, Deku's floppy bunny ears swaying into Katsuki's face.

On the second screen, his chat having a field day with this: 'Did they forget that they're live?' a commenter says. 'Fucking e-daters. Gross AF.'

#holiday drabbles 2023 #bakudeku

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kewltie · 4 months

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Happy Holidays Hiimeka!!

prompt: More winter!au please!

The biting wind cuts at Katsuki's cheeks, but still he drags his tired body forward. His destination remains in sight, but abruptly he pulls to a stop. Up in the distance he spots a familiar figure bracing himself against the harsh weather.

His sighs, letting out a long exhale. He glances back at the hunting party.

Shoda flashes a grin. "Go see to your sweetheart," he orders as Katsuki frowns at the choice of word, but he doesn't dispute it. "You've done enough." He gestures toward the deer's carcasses behind them.

And that's all he needed to hear.

He rushes forward, ignoring the chills pressing down on him. "Get back inside, idiot," Katsuki greets him with a scowl.

The words were snappish, but Izuku meets them with a smile. "Welcome back, Kacchan!"

His scowl deepens even as he could feel the cold slowly seeps out of him.

#holiday drabbles 2023 #bakudeku

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kewltie · 5 months

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"We can't let this go on any longer," Lord Haga beseeches to the entire war room, hands gesticulating wildly. "You all must understand how serious this situation is. The future of our kingdom is at stake!"

His grave tone matches the somber mood that reflects in the weary face of the various council members.

"I recognize your concern, but it only been a month so far. It's still early," Lady Fukuda refutes, gripping the handle of her cane tightly. "We should give them some time."

"Time?" A harsh snap of a fan catches their attention. "It's exactly what we don't have." Lady Sada snorts.

Fukuda bristles. "With such an importance matter, we can't let it be compelled solely your whims."

"My whims?" Sada glares at her old rival. "I'm speaking what we're all thinking! It's because this is so important that we can't wait too long to take action! Hesitation can be costly."

Fukuda nearly rise to her feet in anger before Lord Date drags her back down into her seat. "She means well," he consoles.

"I don't care about her vapid opinion," she huffs, "but these things take time. We can't rush it. It needs delicacy and thoughtfulness to bear fruit."

Sada purses her lips. "It's all because of those inane ideas like yours that we're in our first month already and no progress has been made yet."

"Then what do you suggest? We should have just forced it instead of letting it occur naturally?" Fukuda frowns, shaking her head. "That's not right."

"Is it really time to think about right or wrong when we have to consider our people’s need?" Sada insists loudly, voice rising above the ruckus. "Or do you not care about the future of our kingdom?!"

"That's not what I said—" Fukuda begins, but is drowned out by other dissenting voices filling the room.

"I agree with Sada, we have to take necessary action—"

"No, you're crazy! We should—"

"Perhaps, we should lower our voices and talk this over like proper ladies and gentlemen—"

"It's like you all had forgotten what it's like to deal with this in your old age. This requires—"

Lady Keema clears her throat and that's enough to silence everyone as she takes control of the room with a wave of her hand. "All your opinions are valid and I thank you for your passionate views," she says diplomatically, "but shouldn't we address the other half of the concerned party here?"

Thirteen pair of eyes turn toward the seat at the head of the table where Bakugou Katsuki, the reigning Furie, has been brooding in his seat with an increasingly sour look on his face for the past hour.

"Are you all done yelling at each other about my marital life?" He sneers.

Haga's weathered face, carved by many decades on the battlefield, frowns. "It's only because we care," he asserts. "The seed of our kingdom is in jeopardy. Has the consort shown any change in feelings toward you?"

Katsuki scoffs. "Am I his keeper? I can't read his fucking mind."

"Then there haven't been an effort toward building an emotional connection to him?" Keema prods with a concern look. "You had at least make an attempt to have a meal with him once a day, right?"

Katsuki scowls. "I been busy! And besides, it's not like we have that much to talk about either."

Keema gives him a look of complete disappointment like he's five again and she can guilt trip him into behaving. Un-fucking-likely. Katsuki has long outgrown that shit. He's the ruler of his kingdom and she isn't his wetnurse anymore, not that she seems to care about semantics.

Keema stands up, her small figure seemingly towering over him easily despite his large stature on her. "You are wedded. He is your consort," she says. "Your heartsoul. Talk to him. Know him. Love him. Do what is necessary for the sake of our future."

"Just say you want us to fuck, so you can have an heir to raise,” he snaps. He would rather march into another war before he has to deal with being interrogate by his advisors about his marital strife.

"If that would help," Keema says with no hesitation. "Please sleep with the consort."

During the majority of his childhood, Katsuki's parents were far too busy fighting off foreign invaders from their border, so he was single-handedly raised by Lady Keema whose iron wills had helped shape him into the person he is today; in other words, she does not put up with any of his bullshit.

While Katsuki can bully his council members into obedience when their insistence blabbering annoy him, it's hard to scare someone like Keema who'd practically wiped his ass since he was a kid.

Katsuki smiles, but it has a sharp, biting edge to it. "You're more than welcome to be an audience in our bed chamber," he offers.

He eases into his seat with enough comfort that spoke of the confident of someone who knows his place in the room; it's the head of this table.

This does not impress Keema as her eyes flutter imperceptibly.

"That would not be necessary, Your Holiness," Haga quickly interjects before it can further descend into any bloodshed between them. "We only wish to help."

"Marriage can be a challenge navigate for a newly wedded couple," Fukuda adds. "It's understandable if you're having a difficult time."

Katsuki frowns, irritated at their insinuation. "We're doing fine," he insists, but it sounds hallow even to his ears. "He and I don't fight."

"It would be really hard to fight when you two barely even see to each other," Keema says dryly, siting back down in her seat and looking upon him with heavy skepticism. "Wouldn't it be nice if you could use that mouth you were born with to communicate with the consort more?"

Unable to rebuttal, Katsuki scowls.

A flurry of chatter abruptly erupts in the room as everyone seems to have a certain impression of his and Izuku's relationship stuck in their head and plans on how to resolve their various non-existence issues.

“A moment please.” Lady Ogane raises her voice above the noise. "It's a little crass to say this," she startgs, "but perhaps it's a problem of intimacy that's making things difficult for the couple?"

Silence cuts through the commotion.

"Are you suggesting that the Furie lack the skill to bed the consort properly?!" Haga asks incredulously, clutching his chest in horror.

Katsuki's left eye twitches.

"There's nothing wrong with his prowess in bed," Haga continues to blabber on like Katsuki actually need defending. "Even if that was the case, his inexperience would only allow for him to grow."

Katsuki could feel the grip his sanity loosening with each word that passed Haga's lips.

Ogane’s eyes widen in appall. "That wasn't what I said!" she protests, face pinches as she sends him a heated glare. "It says a lot about you that your first thought led you to the bedchamber rather than just thinking I had meant a more interpersonal development between them, Lord Haga."

Being called out like that in front of all his peers flustered Haga enough that he tries to muster up a comeback. "Plenty of new couples have had problems with consummation of their marriage and the Furie is no exception to this. It's perfectly reasonable to assumed that was what you meant!"

It doesn't take much to pressed upon everyone here that Haga had reversed his earlier stance where the assumption was that Katsuki’s lacked the expertise in the bedroom was slanderous to now saying that yes, Katsuki is very much new at this and his ignorance is to be expected.

The betrayal would have hurt Katsuki less if it didn't happen within the span of minutes. Haga, who taught him how to hold a sword and fought by his side through several battles, was his greatest defender and traitor. The flimsy loyalty in his subjects is truly appalling. He should just abuse his power and have them all executed for their disloyalty and dissent. It would save him the headache of having to put with this asinine affair, but there wasn't even time for Katsuki to bring his plan into fruition before someone got another bright idea.

"If I may," Fukuda interjects, breaking through the tension in the room. "The Furie can try to show his affection to the consort with a hand written letter. Words on paper can be a window to the soul."

"So, you’re basically suggesting His Holiness should a write a love letter," Sada says flatly. “Like a smitten fool.”

"It's proven method," Fukuda argues. "I won my husband's hand in marriage that way."

"Your husband is an idiot for being swayed so easily like that." Sada rolls her eyes. "Instead, the Furie should take the consort out on a hunt and impress upon him with his martial skills."

Fukuda frowns. "That's not going to move the consort's heart! Courtship is all about being sentimental and thoughtfulness. You can't brute force romance!"

"It's call being engaging," Sada says testily. "Romance doesn't always have to be soft. It can also be an adventure and excitement!"

"But where's the vulnerability and poetry to it?" Fukuda asks, shaking her head. "You need to take your time with it!"

"Then we would be dead before we see any progress." Sada snorts. "It's about passion and the thrill, which clearly you would know if you weren't so boring."

"That's right, we can't wait around forever for them to open their heart to each other," someone says. "Immediate action needs to be taken."

But another dissent is quick to defend the other side’s point. "But I agree with Fukuda, love can't be pushed. It has to be nurtured carefully."

Before the room can descend into another pointless argument, Haga turns to the subject in question and pleads, "Your Holiness, please speak up and share any thought you may have on this."

Katsuki, who been bludgeoned to near death by all sides today, grits out, "I rather die." He pinches the bridge of his nose. "Don't you all have something better to do? Like a fucking country to run to the ground instead of prying into my marital life?"

"Your marital life is the future of this country," Keema states. "The sooner you have children the better for us." She looks thoughtful for a second. "Three would be the ideal number, but we'll take one for now and work up from there."

"That's quite considerate of you," Katsuki says dryly. "I'll get right on fucking Izuku after this meeting end and let's hope that would do the trick."

Unfazed by his causal vulgarity, the smile that stretches across her face is mocking. "If that would have worked the first time around, then we wouldn't be here right now discussing your lack of progress, but that's assuming you managed to even coupled at all since then."

A gasp escapes.

Nobody knows where it came from, but the scandalized face that reflect in each of the them said that it doesn't matter because they all think the same: the Furie hadn't bed the consort yet.

It been a month already, so how can that be?! It's just absurd. Ridiculous. Impossible.

Katsuki bangs his fist on the table and sends a menacing glare to the occupants of the room. "Speak and I'll have your fucking head right now," he growls.

And that's enough to shut them all. It's the first time all day that Katsuki has gain some upper traction in the meeting. But it doesn't last long. It never could.

Fearless even in the face of tyranny, Keema says, "No need to be so combatant, Your Holiness. We're all here to help you."

"I. Do. Not. Want. Your. Help," Katsuki carefully enunciates each word, bristling for a bloody fight with her.

Keema stares at him, their eyes meeting in a clash of wills. Then, just like that she breaks away and sighs. "Your stubborn pride will not only cost us a future, but it won't win you any favor either," she says, with the same chiding tone that she used to lecture him as a child. "This is a marriage, a partnership, so if you're not willing to open your heart and communicate with each other, it will only foster misery and resentment in your relationship. You cannot raise a child in that kind of toxic environment.” The weight of her gaze on him is heavy. “Do you want your future children thinking they're not wanted and loved?"

Her words were cold and callous, yet she was kind in her delivery. That what makes it even worse.

Katsuki groans and looks at all the people in the room, the worry on their face and the sincerity in their eyes. With his walls finally dropped, he asks, "What the fuck should I do then?"

And with that, it unleashed a storm of opinions raining down on him. Suddenly, everybody got a fucking idea of the perfect romance, the way of courtship, and the how-tos of wooing. This is how I won over my beloved, they proudly brag while Katsuki regrets opening his mouth.

These are some of the most powerful members of his court, who wield incredible influence in their respective field, yet here they are fiercely debating the merit of flowers as a romantic gesture.

"Flowers are a classic. You just cannot go wrong with it," Ogane suggests.

Sada gives a derisive snort. "Not if that person doesn't like flowers to begin with."

Ogane turns to Katsuki. "Then does the consort like flowers?" she prods curiously.

Katsuki presses his lips together, finding that to be an extremely difficult question all of a sudden.

When the silence stretches beyond what could be consider a normal length, Haga sighs as he drags a hand down his face. "Your Holiness, it has been a whole month," he says, sounding inexplicably more tired now. "Please tell me you spoke more than ten words to each other daily."

"It didn't come up!" Katsuki defends, feeling like a grade school child who’d failed a surprised test or something. It’s the worst feeling. "It's not a topic that can be casually brought out in a conversation."

The disappointed murmurs that arise from the room cuts at him more than any sword.

"The Furie is talented in many ways and well versed in running this kingdom, but he's still lacked the means understand others on an empathic level," Keema says, all but calling him emotionally stunted while he's right the fuck there. In the room. Sharing the same air as her.

Katsuki's hands clenches, then unclenches slowly. He breathes and holds his tongue.

"Now, here what we're going to do," Keema states to the room and to Katsuki in particular.

Katsuki sits up and gears for what is to be the most important battle of his life. "I'm listening."

Two hours and several heated arguments later, where it almost broke out into three separate fist fights, Katsuki comes out of the meeting vaguely traumatized, but with a mission rooted in his head. Carrying the expectations of his entire kingdom on his shoulders, the pressure to succeed is heavy.

That weight carries him blindly right to the front doors of Izuku's palace.

"What the fuck you mean he's gone?" Katsuki demands, glaring at the cowering servant in front of him when he couldn’t locate Izuku anywhere.

She trembles under the force of his anger, but still, she manages to say, "His Highness is at the atheneum. He's been there all morning."

Katsuki rakes a hand through his hair in annoyance. The atheneum is place full of scholars obsessed with old texts and artifacts. It's boring and dusty, and not a place the high consort should normally be found at. "What is he even doing over there?!"

The servant lowers her gaze and mumbles helplessly, "The consort said he wanted to see their books."

Stunned, but somehow not surprised Katsuki purses his lips. "Fine," he says, and quickly dismisses her.

He rushes toward the atheneum; a massive tower of stone and mortar. A gathering place and an academic center for some of the most brilliant minds in the kingdom. Here, the scholars comb over thousands of years of history and memories. It's also the least exciting area in the entire city. Katsuki would know, he was taught here when he was young; one of their best pupils.

The moment he steps foot in the tower and breathes it dry, dusty air again, it feels like coming home again. If home was an ancient tomb for lost legacy.

"Your Holiness?" one of the sages asks, surprised by Katsuki's sudden arrival. "Is there something we can help you with?"

"The consort?" Katsuki presses, before the man can say anything else. "Where he is?"

Seemingly taking back by his demand, the sage blinks before quickly composing himself with a low respectful bow of his head. "His Highness is in the Blue Room as he had requested," he answers.

Katsuki knows that room. Knows it keenly well. It's where he used to spend hours upon hours in, learning the long, bloody history of his ancestors and the legacy of fallen conquerors and what it means to rule and to serve on the behest of his people. It's where he was made.

He turns around without another word and heads off in the familiar direction, his feet retracing the path he’d used to walk all those years ago. Finally, Katsuki arrives at a thick double door and pushes through, revealing an endless walls of book that touches the ceiling, but no Izuku in sight at all.

He walks deeper in and turns a corner. Another. And another until he finally catches sight of Izuku standing on a bookshelf as he tries to reach for a book up high. His feet are several feet off the ground, hanging precariously on small landing space.

What the fuck. This idiot.

An indescribable feeling propels him forward. "Get down!" he hisses, extending his hands out as he reaches for Izuku.

Startled, Izuku tries to look back, balance swaying in the process and his foot slips from the landing. Katsuki catches him by the waist before he could fall.

His hands are wrapped around a notably thin waist under those heavy layers of robes. Izuku is often so overdressed that he didn't realize till now how small and delicate Izuku feels against him. It surprises him because Izuku carries himself with the surety of two people behind him.

While momentarily distracted, Izuku's elbow collides right into his chest so hard that it knocks the wind right out of him, causing Katsuki to drop Izuku to the floor, who easily lands on his feet.

Izuku is neither a soldier or a warrior, but he's fighter. A dirty, fucking fighter.

"You scared me," Izuku defends with a rosy, embarrassed tint to his cheeks as he steps back, putting a polite distance between them as possible.

"You didn't hear me coming in?" Katsuki raises a brow, peeved.

Izuku smiles sheepishly. "I can get lost in my head when I'm concentrating."

If Izuku wasn't so apologetic about it, Katsuki would be led to think he did on purpose for all the time Katsuki's fail in his dereliction of duty as a husband during this past month, but even though he still has much to learn about Izuku, he knows that Izuku isn't that petty.

But Katsuki is. He hunches over and lets out an exaggerate groans as he rubs the place Izuku had jabbed into. "Fuck."

"My lord?"

He could hear panic footsteps hurrying toward him, so he shoots his hand out. "Got you." He pulls Izuku in by the wrist. "Do you see me now?"

His eyes are round and huge, far too big for his small face, seemingly held in place by Katsuki's words. He drops his gaze, lashes quivering, and a moment of hesitation before Izuku tries to yank his wrist back with enough force to break Katsuki's iron grip with an annoyed huff.

Izuku steps back, putting the exact same icy distance between them. His glares at Katsuki defiantly. Green on red. Neither glancing away or backing down. "Don't joke like that," Izuku says quietly, rubbing his wrist. "That's not funny."

It's firm and chiding. And a hint of peevishness that is hard to hide.

Katsuki's lips twists in wry smile, but he doesn't apologize for it. He simply bends his head in acknowledgement. "I'll remember that next time."

Izuku's gaze breaks contact with him momentarily before it snaps back to him again. His eyes are cool and placid now, that earlier spark is gone.

"Is there anything I can help you with, my lord?" Izuku asks with a cordial smile that is so perfectly in place. It's disturbing how he easily switches off from that initial anger to something far friendlier and accommodating like he's covering up a failing on his part.

Izuku presents himself as this well-mannered and dutiful person, so effortlessly clean and boring. It makes Katsuki want to ruffle him up and shake him around, peeling back whatever mask to see the real Izuku underneath because he can't be that fucking dull like a lifeless doll.

It makes for a great consort; perfectly presentable to the public, accommodating to all, and a polite and gracious host, but a stale marriage partner if all Izuku give him is deference and a pleasantry.

It's annoying. He doesn't want to be chained down to a bore. So, Katsuki didn't bother to make an effort with Izuku. But maybe that was a mistake to begin with.

He straightens up and looks pass Izuku to the bookcase behind him. "What were you doing earlier?!" he demands.

Izuku drops his gaze, hands clenched together in front of him defensively. "I wanted to a book, but I couldn't reach it from the floor."

"Why didn't you just use your Blessing?" Katsuki stares confusedly.

Izuku looks at him, lips pressed together. "Well," he says, voice drifting off as Katsuki remembers why.

Feeling stupid, Katsuki walks over to the bookcase and touches the gold sigil carved into the side of it.

"Which book?" he asks, brows furrowing at rows and rows of endless books.

"Um, that one," Izuku says, pointing a thick tome with a red binding.

Katsuki presses his thumb into the sigil and it lights up. As though reading his mind, the book slowly pulls itself from the shelf.

"Amazing," Izuku murmurs, looking at it with a childish awe and wonder. Not a hint of resentment for what he is lacking, while others can call upon it as easy as breathing.

It stirs something in Katsuki to know in a world of gods and magic, Izuku is bless by neither; unchosen.

The book floats down into Katsuki's waiting hand. He glances down at the cover, written in bold black ink, ‘Conversations with a bedfellow of kings: the life, lies, and love.'

Katsuki frowns. "What is this—s?"

Izuku snatches the book from his hand, blushing. "It's nothing."

He clears his throat, shifty eyes and clutching the book his chest. "Is there something you need from me, my lord?" he asks again.

Katsuki's eyes are still glue to the book, but his mouth still finds a way to speak for him. "Pack your stuff. We're taking a short sabbatical."

Izuku blinks, slow and wary. "Why?"

"Think of it as a break," Katsuki says. "You get to leave the palace for once and see the mountains and lakes around here. And sniff the air or something. I won't even have any work to bother me for a while."

Izuku perks up immediately. "Who else will be coming with us?"

"It'll just be you and me," Katsuki replies.

"Oh," Izuku says, deflated.

Irritated by his lackluster reaction after knowing that they'll be alone for this entire trip, Katsuki sneers. "Is that a problem?" he demands.

Frantically shaking his head, he says, "No, not at all." He plasters on a diplomatic smile. "When are we leaving then?"

Now, it's Katsuki to look shifty. "Tomorrow afternoon."

"What?!" Izuku all but shouted.

"I can't leave Ashein to govern on its own, so I can only spare four days," he explains as he backs away. "So, get ready."

He makes the decision to leave after that, dashing for the door before Izuku can get another word in to question him further about it. This wasn't his plan; it's the old cronies who thought the couple needed to spend some alone time together to build up an emotional connection.

It sounds like a terrible idea, but he doesn't have any better solution to make this marriage work. This trip is supposed to lay down the cornerstone of their relationship, so of fucking course the morning they're about to set off, some fucking idiots decided to stage a violent uprising at the borders.

History has a tendency to exaggerate the duty of a ruler; assassination, secret affairs, and plenty of deaths. The death thing is true, but there's only so much wars Katsuki could find before someone has to drag him home so he can properly govern his ever-expansive empire.

The truth is ruling is a lot of delegation, micromanaging, calling out people when they're being a dumb shit, and squashing any disorderly before it become another full-blown war. Katsuki may like the thrill of the battle, but wars are costly in gold and men. It's always consequential.

So, it's of the utmost important that Katsuki keeps shit from turning into deeper shit.

An illegitimate eldest daughter, a younger son of the official wife, a dead lord, and no will can be found, leading to a dispute over who can sit as the rightful heir of an earldom.

It quickly spilled out into a violent altercation between the two parties, drawing different lines of loyalty from key members of Katsuki's court. This requires the kind of delicacy and diplomacy that Katsuki is poorly lacking. Something that his tutors had failed to successfully drill into him.

Katsuki won't be able to solve this easily just by making the daughter and son duel each other, and the winner gets the seat. It was a valid suggestion, but none of his advisors were happy about it. He actually has to put in the work to make sure that this doesn't get out of control.

Normally, this wouldn't be an issue itself, because as much as dealing with his annoying subjects aggravate him, they’re his people and he won't fail them, but there's now Izuku. They were supposed to leave today to spend some time alone together to work on their relationship.

It's just he can't leave now and abandoned this matter to his court.

"It's fine. I understand," Izuku says, after hearing his dilemma. His smile is reassuring, but it doesn't make it any easier.

"I'll come to you within a day," he says. "I won't leave you there by yourself."

Izuku's smile softens into something more sincere. "I'll anticipate your arrival then, my lord."

"And I'll take care of him," Keema says confidently. "Just go do your job."

Katsuki hesitates, then nods his head. He's determined to resolve this and meet up with Izuku soon.

Instead, it took Katsuki nearly three whole days to settle this matter, because everyone behaved like a fucking child throwing tantrum for not getting what they want. These are the people who sit at the top as they wield tremendous power over a mass of land and citizens. Fucking Idiots!

And now his sabbatical with Izuku is about to end and he hasn't even left the fucking palace yet while Izuku is already spending three days alone up in the royal’s mountain villa.

Katsuki has never been more frustrated and embarrassed by his own inadequacy. He'd failed in his promise. Failure is a beast lurking in the shadow, ready to jump at him as soon as he slipped up and he'd slipped up big this time. Fuck.

As soon as he wrapped up the feud, reminding all parties involved not the start any shit while he's away, he calls the stable master to get his steed ready. Going against the advisement of his guards, Katsuki rides ahead of the retinue. If he wants to make it there in time, he can't wait for them along with the servants and carriages that hold all the necessities for the trip. They're extra baggage right now that he can't afford.

From dawn to dusk, he rides through the palace walls, the capital city, and then out into the open field for nearly 10 hours straight until he reaches a spiraling villa at the base of the Mount Tsai.

The guards stationed outside jump into attention upon his haggard appearance.

"Your Holiness!" one of them exclaims in surprised. "We thought you would be here tomorrow."

"You thought wrong then," Katsuki deigns to say before marching pass them, letting determination carry his numb legs through. Dirt and sweat sticking to him like an extra layer of gunk.

"Where is he?" he demands, spotting Keema sipping her tea under a canopy by the koi pond.

Putting down her teacup, she glances up at him from her seat unfazed by his sudden arrival. "He's fine," she says, which didn't answer Katsuki's question, but somehow still answered it. "He’s been relaxing and enjoying himself in the activities around the area."

Katsuki frowns. "Did he ask for me?"

"Not a single word," she answers blithely. "The consort easily understood that you have your duty, so he didn't have much expectation from you in the first place."

He flinches as though struck. It has no right to cut as deep as any sword ever did.

As if taking pity on him, Keema sighs. "Don't take it as condemnation. The consort is a member of the royal family now, so he knows that sometimes obligation to the crown is given more priority. He isn't upset."

But that doesn't alleviate any of the tension he feels. "Let me talk to him," Katsuki insists.

"Why don't you washed up first?" she suggests, eyeing him up and down. His dishevel appearance did not impress her. "You look like you belong in the trash. The consort is relaxing right now. If you appear suddenly in front of him looking like that..." She gives him a knowing look. "Don't give him any reason to worry. Wash yourself in the hot spring first then you can meet him tomorrow. You still have one more day, make good use of it."

Katsuki's feet refuses to budge at first, but under Keema's unrelenting glare he finally gives him. "Fine. Tomorrow," he hisses.

"Ane, if you please," Keema commands the young servant girl beside her. "Make sure he's well taken care of."

Ane bows. "This way, Your Holiness."

The girl steps ahead of him, leading him away from the canopy.

"Oh, you'll thank me later for this," Keema says as she waves him off.

There's a suspicious cheeriness in her tone that set off the alarm bell in his head. He narrows his eyes, but continues to follow Ane anyway. His weary bones propelling him forward.

Katsuki doesn't have time to consider what the fuck that was about. He's too tired and aching right now; his body feels like it had taken a hard beating. Maybe a relaxing soak in the hot spring can cool his head and wash away the exhaustion that cling to every muscle in his body.

Ane leads him toward a secluded and private outdoor area. Surrounded by bamboo walls, the hot spring is situated in a natural reservoir created by the dormant volcano the villa is built on. Beyond the bamboo walls he can hear running water and feels the hot air seeping through.

"If you need anything else, please call me," Ane says, before begging her leave.

Katsuki makes a grunt of acknowledgement and starts to disrobe as Ane heads back out. He strips down to the bare essential, taking a towel with him as he opens the door to the outdoor hot spring.

A fog of hot air clouds his vision and all he sees are the murky water and shadowy figures of overcast trees and boulders. Katsuki sighs as he makes his way inside. He dips his foot and sinks in till he hears a very distinct scream coming a few feet in front of him.

"P-pervert!"

This was a fucking setup. Can't even trust any of his advisor now.

Katsuki quickly turns away, but not before catching sight of damp hair clinging to flushed skin and large, round eyes staring at him in shock. Bared shoulders and collarbones above water; it's obscenity.

"What you are doing here?!" Izuku demands. His tone accusatory.

Katsuki swallows, the hot, damp air making it hard for him to think. Flashes of bared skin haunts him, repeating over and over in his head. Quickly, he stomps it down like roaches. It cannot be allowed to fester. To overrun in his head.

He clears his throat. "I was led to believe this was a private bath." Pauses. "For one."

Silence. It's nearly unbearable.

The humid air and hot water, Izuku only a few feet away from of him, and they both equally exposed and vulnerable, this wasn't how he'd imagine their reunion to be.

"Ah, I see," Izuku murmurs, finally realizing the mastermind behind their awkward situation now. Tension releases from his voice. "Did you just arrive?"

Katsuki nods, but still refuses to look at Izuku. Rather he finds the wall of rocks in front of him suddenly very interesting.

Katsuki fought many battles, saw people lost their limbs and bleed from their orifices, and sit by the side of a comrade as he breathed his last breath. He seen it all, blood and destruction and horrors of living and dying. It didn't scare him, but now he's afraid what he'll see if he looks at Izuku.

The spring is outdoor with plenty of space and everything in between them, but Katsuki feels confined. Suffocated. Every noise is suddenly magnified. Izuku’s drawn-out breathes. The swishing sound of the water highlights even the slightest movement from him. It's aggravating, because Katsuki can almost see it. Imagine it.

Sometimes what the mind conjured up is worst then the reality.

"You—" Izuku say, breath hitches. It's loud and clear as though it blew right into Katsuki's ear. "Don't look."

He clenches his hand under the water, nails digging into his palm. The heat is getting to him, making his head fuzzy. Muddled. A hazy fog over him.

"I'm not," he grinds out, shaking his head. He can't. Fuck. He stands up, doesn't care if he's buck fucking naked and can hear Izuku's muffled squeak from behind him.

"What are you—?" he asks, shocked.

"I'm out," Katsuki growls. This is a damn trap. He's an idiot if he chooses to stay.

A surge of wave moves forward, sloshing loudly as it hits the edge of the hot spring, then a hand grips his wrist. It anchors him in place. Wet skin on wet skin.

"W-wait, don't go," Izuku pleads. His touch burns hotter than the rapid heat that is taking over Katsuki's head. "I'm done, so you can have the bath instead." His voice is quiet, but reverberates in Katsuki's ears. "You must be tired from your long travel. The hot spring here is good for easing the ailing body."

Even when Katsuki had obviously wronged him, Izuku's first thought is on him.

"Gracious. Kind. And, most of all, someone who allow you to be selfish with your duty as a ruler, putting the kingdom first," Keema had told him. "These are the qualities we're looking for in your consort."

But to Katsuki it sounds less like a partnership and more of servitude.

It's all the more aggravating because he would have preferred anger than this gentle consideration. He doesn't deserve any of it.

"I don't need it. I'm fine," he says gruffly. He can't make out Izuku's face, but the hand around his wrist doesn't lighten.

"You don't look it." He can hear the frown in Izuku's voice. It's condemning. "Stop trying to be noble and take the bath. You need it with the way you smell right now."

Katsuki rips his wrist out of Izuku's hold, turning around, but the slight hitch coming from Izuku has him reversing course.

"How come you're so insolence when there's nobody else around," he scolds, rolling his eyes as he reacquaints himself with the rocks. It's less of a rebuke, but more of a revelation than anything. That veneer of politeness is easily scratched off once Katsuki picked at it hard enough.

"That's not true, I have the most utmost respect for you," Izuku says, voice light and airy through the heavy haze of the hot spring. Every word chosen with care and somehow it still leaves Katsuki doubtful. "If you would please close your eyes while I get out of the spring."

Katsuki sighs, shutting his eyes. Darkness quickly encases him as he hears the whooshing of the water as Izuku moves pass. They don't touch, but the heat emanating from Izuku's body and a note of soft, fuzzy peach lingers in the air. Close enough that it teases all his senses.

With his eyes closed he can't see anything, but even the slightest sound is enhanced; Izuku's breathy exhales and waterlogged footsteps play in his ears.

Katsuki sinks into the water as though he can hide himself from the potent allure of his own husband. It's fucking appalling.

"Have a good wash, my lord," says Izuku, oblivious to Katsuki's inner turmoil. "I'll be taking my leave now."

"Wait," he calls out suddenly, because he's not a complete asshole. He didn't forget. "Tomorrow morning, come with me to the lake. There's something I want you to see."

"Oh." It's a curious little slip, but it also says nothing at all. "Is that so?" He's not letting Katsuki go that easily.

He makes a face. "Would you like to go to the lake with me?"

"I'll see you tomorrow, then," Izuku says.

He can't see it, but he hears it in Izuku's voice. There's a smile. Katsuki knows it. It's in the tilt of Izuku's words and the promise he made. He'll be there.

Katsuki opens his eyes just in time to see Izuku's back slipping through the door and wet tendrils of hair clinging to his nape before he's truly gone for good.

He turns around and leans his head back against the edge of the spring, letting out a long, weary exhale as his body finally feels the heat sinking in. This entire interaction with Izuku was more mentally tiring than mediating a border dispute and the rushed journey to get here.

Katsuki has learned to navigate the turbulent water of the court, but the ebbs and flows of his husband's mood is something he's only starting to figure out. Whoever had first suggested the idea of trading Katsuki’s hand in marriage, and possibly in his sanity, for peace should have been executed right there and then. He would take a hundred more battles then this marital dance of theirs. Izuku is going to be the death of him, and he’ll do it kindly and softly. And worst of all, Katsuki couldn’t even say he doesn’t deserve it.

#fic: incandescent nights #bakudeku #fic snippet

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