Chapter Text
Kirishima looked back and forth from Bakugou and the two strange boys at the door. There was an uneasy silence. Bakugou and Deku both looked hesitant to speak, shocked at seeing the other again in this place.
"How about we all go inside?" Iida suggested sensing the tension. The group followed him in, and he shut the door behind them.
The room inside was neat and organized. There was a small table surrounded by couches and chairs. Books lined the shelves along the wall. The mantelpiece above the fireplace held a long, thin piece of wood that resembled a wand.
Iida removed his hood and hung it up on the coat rack beside the front door. Two long white rabbit ears poked out of his head. Kirishima also removed his cloak, hanging it up on the rack.
"So what brings you here, Ochako?" Iida asked as everyone arranged themselves on the couches and chairs. The witch glanced between Bakugou and Deku who were sitting across from one another and still staring at each other in disbelief. "And who are your friends? I recognize Kirishima," he smiled with a nod at the wolf who grinned back, "but I've never seen the others before."
"This is Momo, my girlfriend." Ochako gestured at Momo.
"Pleasure to meet you!" Iida leaned over the table in the middle and shook her hand. Momo greeted him back, and Ochako laughed at the enthusiasm of their handshake. Once they'd both resumed their seats, she gestured at the swan next to her.
"And that's Bakugou. He's cursed."
"By him." Bakugou sneered with a nod at Deku. The boy shifted uncomfortably under his scrutinizing glare.
Iida looked back and forth between Deku and Bakugou. Deku's face was flushed, and he kept looking anywhere but at the swan. Bakugou, on the other hand, had his glare directed straight at the boy.
"We're trying to find a cure to the curse." Momo explained to both Iida and Deku. "Ochako tried to break the curse, but your magic was too strong. I suggested that," Kirishima coughed and Momo sighed. She shook her head. "Never mind. The point is, could you remove the curse? We could convince Bakugou to pardon what was done, and everything could go back to how it once was."
Bakugou scoffed at this, and Momo glared at the swan. He only ruffled his feathers unperturbed.
"I don't want to return to the kingdom. I'm happy here now." Deku spoke up at last. He glanced over at Iida with a warm smile which the boy returned. "But about the curse...I wish I could help, but I can't."
"What?" Bakugou demanded. The swan leapt up and stretched his wings out wide. Deku shrunk back, and Iida's ears twitched.
Momo frowned, puzzled, and placed a hand on Bakugou's back in an attempt to placate the swan. He hissed at her and snapped his beak at her fingers. Momo swatted him and turned to Deku with a sigh.
"Is there no way to reverse the effects?"
Deku bit his lip.
"I would do it myself if I could, but even after all this time I have trouble controlling my magic. I've been practicing and improving, but I can't risk worsening his condition or messing something else up."
"Well, then this was a waste of time."
"Does any other way exist?" Momo pressed ignoring Bakugou's snide remark. The boy fidgeted and glanced around the room. Iida nudged him encouragingly, and Deku sighed.
"There is a way..." He started, then hesitated. "True love can break any spell."
"Well then, fuck this." Bakugou hopped off the table and stormed towards the front door.
"Where's he going, he can't reach the doorknob, can he?" Iida whispered, rather loudly, to Ochako who shrugged.
The door swung open, and Bakugou squawked, nipping at the ankles of the stranger who'd entered. The newcomer looked down at the swan, puzzled, and then up at them. Bakugou dashed past him, and the boy shrugged, shutting the door behind him.
"Bakugou!" Kirishima, Momo and Ochako all exclaimed. Kirishima jumped up and dashed out after the swan, leaving his cloak behind on the rack, and shoving the stranger aside. He slammed the door behind him. The stranger frowned after the boy and then turned to look at them all.
"Tenya, Izuku, who are these people?" The boy's eyes drifted over the group assembled around the front room. Momo noticed one of his eyes was brown and the other icy blue and cold. There was a scar on his face. His hair, one half white and one half red, was unlike anyone else's in the town except for one.
"Todoroki?" Momo exclaimed.
"Oh, hey Momo."
"I'm so confused..." Deku sighed, burying his head in his hands. Iida patted his back, and the boy sighed and straightened up in his seat. "Let me get this straight. You know Ochako," he pointed at Iida who nodded. "And you know Momo." He pointed at Todoroki who shrugged. "And both of them know Bakugou."
"It's kind of hard not to know her in this village. We've conversed a few times at the book shop before." Todoroki said. Momo nodded.
"That's true." Deku mused. "Even I've heard your name, though I never expected you'd come visit us."
"I apologize for intruding." Momo blushed. Then, she glanced over at the newcomer. "Todoroki, I had no idea you lived here."
"Tenya, Izuku and I live together. We haven't been here too long, though. Anyways, nice to meet you Tenya and Momo's friend." He nodded at Ochako. He shook her hand, and she shivered at the cold touch. Todoroki sat down next to Iida and Deku and glanced over at the front door which was now shut tight.
"Who's the swan?"
"That's Bakugou." Deku explained.
"Oh, that Bakugou." Todoroki nodded. "I thought you brought another pet into the house or something." Deku flushed bright red at this.
"I don't bring home that many animals!"
"Uh-huh. Tenya agrees with me, right?" Both of them turned to Iida who looked between them. The boy's ears twitched, and he fiddled with his hands.
"A-Anyways, the point at hand is shouldn't someone go after this Bakugou friend of yours?"
"Let them handle it themselves." Both Momo and Ochako nodded. Iida's ears twitched but he didn't protest, and Deku breathed out a sigh of relief.
"I'll go make hot chocolate." Todoroki suggested. Ochako smiled at him.
"That'd be great."
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"Bakugou!" Kirishima yelled. The swan was nowhere in sight. He gritted his teeth. He hadn't gone farther into the town, had he? That would be an issue, for all of them. Kirishima took a deep breath and tried again. "Bakugou!"
"Quiet screaming, shitty hair. Do you want to alert every human in the town?" A voice snapped. He looked down to see Bakugou glaring up at him. Kirishima scooped the swan up who let out a startled yelp and cuddled him.
"Put me down..." Bakugou grumbled, and Kirishima placed the swan on the ground. He ruffled his feathers and sighed. The swan headed off away from the town, and Kirishima followed him. At last, he plopped down underneath a weeping willow tree not far from Deku's house, and Kirishima sat down next to him.
"Look, it's not so bad." Kirishima started, breaking the silence. "At least you know how to break it. I'm sure you'll meet someone, and you'll both fall in love, and that'll be the end of the curse."
"Like that'll happen." Bakugou scoffed.
"You never know." Kirishima shrugged. His tail started to wag, beating at the ground while Bakugou scratched at the dirt with his foot.
"Bakugou, why do you think everyone thinks we're together?" The swan whipped his head towards the wolf and cocked his head. Kirishima wasn't looking at him, instead playing with one of the twigs hanging down from the tree.
"Because you're the only one who puts up with me." He grumbled. Kirishima laughed, but stopped when he glanced over and saw the sullen expression on the swan's face. "I've been wondering, why did you even help me that day?" Bakugou continued. "And then chase after me? You could've just let me go off and get killed. You didn't have to intervene."
"I help anyone I run across in the woods. It's an obligation, but it's also because I do care about the people visiting or lost in the woods. And when you ran off, I couldn't just let you get yourself killed."
Bakugou shuddered as memories of the other wolf rushed back to him. In all the time they'd spent in the woods, that was the one of the few times he felt he was in danger. Ochako and Kirishima always preached about taking caution while in the woods, but aside from that day, he never really felt nervous or afraid.
Rather, he felt at home. Being with Kirishima over the years had made him feel more fearless and invincible in the unknown. He'd even started going off on his own, although Kirishima always cautioned him not to stray too far, to be careful, and all other words of warning.
He'd always scoff and snap at the wolf, but he heeded his advice. And a part of him, too, trusted that if something went wrong, he and Kirishima could take on whatever it might be.
"Thanks."
Kirishima blinked. He tilted his head.
"For what?"
"I never told you that. For what you did." Bakugou rustled his feathers and looked away. Kirishima's face split into a grin. The wolf scratched the back of his neck.
"You know, I always worried that you didn't like me."
"What the hell? Of course I like you." Bakugou snapped. "How could anyone not like you? You're cheerful and friendly and basically help anyone even strangers. Not to mention, you're always there for me. If anything, I can't understand why you do put up with me."
"I like you a lot, too." Kirishima scratched at the dirt. The wolf's ears twitched, and Bakugou frowned.
"Why?"
"Well, it's true at first I thought you were kinda intense." Kirishima laughed nervously. "But I'd never leave anyone who needed help-"
"Yeah, I know." Bakugou huffed.
"But we've been through so much together."
"Like that time we got dragged to that shitty tea party by Kaminari and Sero." Bakugou grumbled, and Kirishima laughed.
"Yeah. I had to restrain you from killing them both. And don't forget that time we nearly burned down Ochako's cottage."
"That was your fault." Bakugou argued. Kirishima shrugged, sticking out his tongue.
"I was the one who suggested we make cookies. You were the one who insisted on putting them in the oven."
"She was pissed at both of us..." Bakugou grumbled, then sighed. "There was also that time with the hunter." A shiver ran through Kirishima's spine.
"Yeah. Most humans are friendly, but that guy wasn't. But the point remains, I like spending time with you. And I love you, both as a friend and more. I just...I never really understood if you felt the same."
"I love you too..." Bakugou muttered. Kirishima's ears perked up. He grabbed the swan and hugged him. Bakugou squawked and then sighed, nuzzling the wolf.
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"You guys should come over sometime, I'm sure that-"
The door swung open. Iida's ears perked up, Ochako broke off mid sentence, and the whole room turned to look at who'd entered. Kirishima entered the room carrying Bakugou in his arms, the boy still in swan form.
"You're back!" Momo clapped her hands together, jumping up. She frowned, looking from Kirishima to Bakugou and back up at the wolf. "It didn't work?"
"Well," Kirishima flushed. "We didn't actually kiss or anything yet, I mean, if that's even the way to break it."
"We're dating." Bakugou stated. The swan blushed as he spoke, but he had a small smile on his face. "Personally I don't believe in that true love breaks all curses bullshit, but it's whatever."
"That's great!" Momo cheered. She wrapped the two in a hug earning a nervous laugh from Kirishima and a startled squawk from Bakugou.
"I was so sure it would work..." Deku frowned.
"As long as they're happy, I don't suppose it matters."
"Tenya's right. Don't beat yourself up over it. It wasn't your fault to begin with anyway." Todoroki added. Deku nodded but didn't look convinced. Iida nudged him, and Todoroki squeezed his hand. "We can practice magic later too, if that'll help cheer you up." Todoroki added.
"I think that's a good idea!" Iida agreed and nodded, his head bobbing up and down. "You'll improve with more practice, and you've gotten better at preventing outbursts of magic."
"Thanks guys." Deku laughed. Ochako hummed happily, waiting for the three to finish their conversation before she spoke. Deku noticed her watching them with an amused smile, and he blushed. "Is there anything else we can do to help?"
"Nope. You guys have done more than enough, we're sorry for intruding. Thanks for everything." Ochako smiled at them. She set her now empty mug down on the table and stood up. "Remember, you're always welcome."
"Thank you Ochako!" Iida cheered. He also stood and gave her a bow. She laughed and shook his hand.
"Anytime. Any friend of mine is welcome in my cottage."
"I don't know if that's a good idea..." Deku sighed with a glance at Bakugou. The swan was currently screeching at Momo, although the girl didn't seem at all fazed while Kirishima laughed, the swan still in his arms.
"If Bakugou gives you trouble, I'll handle him. Or have Kirishima handle him." Ochako huffed with a wave of her hand. "Don't let him bother you. He's upset, yes, but he'll get over it, and it really wasn't your fault. Magic is unpredictable and sometimes uncontrollable."
"She's right." Todoroki nodded.
With that, Ochako and the others bid them farewell. Iida gave them a basket filled with carrots and lettuce leaves which Ochako accepted and thanked him for.
"Who was that Todoroki? I've never seen him before." Kirishima mused. He was still holding Bakugou in his arms as they made their way through the town, cloak now on once again.
"He's an enchanter of sorts. Although I'm surprised you knew him, Momo." Ochako smiled.
"Half and Half's an enchanter, too?" Bakugou grumbled with a shudder.
"I didn't know he could use magic, but I've met him before in the village. He's nice. Those three were all really kind."
"I wonder how they met." Kirishima mused. Ochako and Momo shared a knowing smile, and he pouted. "You two know, don't you?"
"Who cares?" Bakugou huffed, nipping at Kirishima's neck. The wolf laughed and stroked the swan.
The group arrived back at the cottage as the sun began to set. As soon as they'd crossed the bridge, Mina, Tsuyu and Jirou ran out to greet them.
The glowing red sun dipped below the horizon, and in a flash of white light and feathers, Bakugou transformed back into a human as happened each night. Kirishima set him down on the ground. The boy picked the white feathers out of his hair and sighed.
"Aw, so it didn't work, then? To be fair, I wouldn't turn you back if I was him either." Mina teased. Bakugou shot her a withering look.
"Just for that, I'm not gonna tell you anything." He brushed past her, and Kirishima chased after him, discarding the cloak on the ground.
"So what happened?" Mina asked Momo who whispered something to her. The sprite clapped her hands together with a squeal and chased after the two into the house.
"She's been so excited this whole time." Tsuyu explained. "Confecting theories about what she thought would happen."
"I made sure the house didn't get destroyed." Jirou added, licking her paw. "So what happened? What's the news? Did this Deku guy refuse?"
"No...His powers are out of control, and he's only recently started learning how to use them." Ochako explained with a shake of her head. "So for now, it looks like Bakugou's stuck. We also discovered he lives with another enchanter named Todoroki and you'll never guess who else? Iida!"
Jirou stopped licking her paw and looked up at Ochako. The cat tilted her head.
"Oh, so that's where Iida went. Ojiro's gonna be pissed when he finds out."
"Bakugou and Kirishima are also together now!" Momo exclaimed.
"About time." Jirou huffed. She lashed her tail, and then stretched. "So tell me more about this Todoroki person. I swear I've heard that name before..."
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"Well, I guess I'm stuck as a swan forever. At least during the day." Bakugou sighed. He and Kirishima were curled up on the couch. Kirishima nuzzled him.
"Hey, I love you anyway. Feathers or not." Kirishima chuckled, and Bakugou cracked a small smile.
"Glad someone does."
"We all care about you, you know. Ochako, Momo, Mina, Tsuyu, Jirou and all the others. And look, what happened sucked, but look at what came out of it."
"That's true..." Bakugou muttered. "Life's definitely more interesting than back at the castle." The boy sighed and shook his head. "It's a good thing I met you back then. And I'm glad we're together now even if I'm stuck in this curse."
A silence settled over the two. Kirishima grinned at Bakugou, and Bakugou cracked a small smile back. Before either really registered their actions, the two kissed, before both pulled away blushing.
"Good night, Bakugou..." Kirishima smiled. Bakugou huffed and wrapped his arms around the wolf whose eyes widened and tail started to wag.
"Night Kiri..."
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Bakugou woke up the next morning curled up on the couch next to Kirishima, his arms still wrapped around the other boy. He blinked. Wait, arms?
He looked down to see his arms, torso and then his legs which were covered by the pants that always appeared when he transformed back. He glanced down further and saw he was barefoot and that he had feet, normal not webbed ones.
He was still a human. He reached up with his hand, hand not wing, to feel his hair. His hands traced his face.
It was morning, wasn't it? He hadn't just waken up in the middle of the night?
He ran into the front room and whipped open the curtain. Sunlight poured in. He rubbed his eyes. The sun still streamed in, spreading its glow over the front yard.
Am I dreaming? He pinched his cheek and shouted in surprise at the pain. Ok, he wasn't dreaming. He wasn't. This was real, he'd turned back, the curse was broken or whatever.
"Huh? Bakugou?" Kirishima stumbled into the room. The wolf rubbed one eye, his hair messy and tail tucked between his legs. He stopped when he saw the boy standing there. His eyes widened, and a wide grin split across his face. "It's broken! You're human again!"
"It's broken! Yes!" Bakugou shouted, pumping his fist in the air. He yelped, startled, when Kirishima tackled him into a hug. "H-Hey!" He blushed, sputtering, as the wolf licked his face.
"What's all the noise?" Mina whined. The front door slammed open, and both boys whipped their heads towards the sprite. The sprite tilted her head, taking in the scene, and she grinned. "Whoa, Bakugou's human? Did you guys-"
"Congrats Bakugou." Tsuyu chirped from behind Mina, cutting her off. "Should we tell Ochako and Momo?"
"No, let's just wait for them to wake up." Giggled Mina. She and Kirishima exchanged a mischievous smile.
"Do what you want." Bakugou said heading into the kitchen. The group followed after him exchanging grins and laughing.
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Ochako headed downstairs with Momo. They decided to have Momo stay over the night as it'd gotten late. The two of them had sat up talking about the excitement of the day and theorizing on why the curse hadn't been broken as of yet, and what could be done about it if anything, until Ochako kept nodding off and resting her head on Momo's shoulder. Eventually they decided it was for the best to call it a day and curled up together to sleep.
Ochako pushed open the door and gasped when she saw the group seated around the table in the kitchen. Spread out on the table were dishes stacked with pancakes. Two plates loaded with food sat before the only empty chairs reserved for her and Momo.
Jirou, now transformed, was drinking a glass of milk. Her plate contained an excessive amount of whipped cream heaped onto the pancakes. The girl's cat ears twitched, and she looked up at Ochako and Momo with a grin.
Next to Jirou sat Mina and Tsuyu. Mina was trying to feed Tsuyu despite the nymph's assurance she was fine and didn't need anymore.
Kirishima, meanwhile, was wolfing down on the food and kept glancing over at and chatting with Bakugou who, Ochako noticed, was no longer a swan despite it being morning.
"Why didn't any of you wake me?" She exclaimed. Everyone paused to look at her with mixed reactions of amusement and boredom. "If you wanted breakfast, you should've told me! I don't trust any of you with the stove."
"Bakugou! You're human again!" Momo gasped. She ran over and hugged him. He sighed, but there was a grin on his face.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Wait. How did that happen?" Ochako asked. She looked at Bakugou and Kirishima. The two exchanged a look and shrugged.
"Probably because Bakugou finally came to terms with his feelings." Mina sang.
"Whatever the reason, I'll take it." Bakugou sighed, but a smile twitched at his lips. Kirishima nudged him with his shoulder, and the wolf's tail brushed against his leg.
"Well, I suppose all's well that ends well." Momo sighed and tugged on Ochako's arm, pulling her over to the empty seats. "Now we might as well not let all this food go to waste!"
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Kirishima and Bakugou sat in the wolf's den. The two had bid the rest of them farewell and promised to visit again soon.
"I wonder how the kingdom's been." Bakugou mused. Kirishima looked at him and cocked his head.
"Your kingdom?"
"Yeah." Bakugou nodded. "I don't want to go back, I like it much more here. But I do miss my parents sometimes, and it'd be good to check on how things are. I don't know the way back though..."
"I wish I could help." Kirishima sighed. Bakugou pat the wolf's head, and Kirishima whined happily as he scratched behind his ears.
"It's fine. You've done more than enough for me. Who knows, maybe we'll find it again someday. They're much more accepting of magic there, one of the few human civilizations that are."
"I'm glad to know your family will approve of me." Kirishima grinned. He laid back on Bakugou's lap, and the boy rubbed his head, ruffling his hair. "I love you, Bakugou."
"Yeah, yeah, love you too." The boy blushed. Deku had complicated things, for both of them, but in the end, things had worked out. He looked down at Kirishima with a grin. Worked out a lot better than either of them expected.