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Katsuki sighed as he sat back in his chair. He raked his hand through his blond hair, pushing it back and out of his face. The candle on his desk had melted to a nub, and its flame flickered with a soft glow. He glared because it stood as an example of how long he had been working. Begrudgingly, he pulled another candle out of his desk and used the old one to light it. The room brightened a bit with the new candle, and he felt the strain on his eyes lessen a bit as he discarded the candle nub.
All right, let’s go over this one more time, He thought as he picked up the paperwork off his desk. Before him, were the plans for the Spring Debut. He had known hosting would be troublesome when the position was first offered to him but, he was still annoyed by how difficult everything was getting. On top of his tasks as Grand Duke, he had to do things like selecting a menu, figuring out a seating chart, and figuring out a way to stop the guests from burning down his castle. Why did everyone have to be so picky about where they sat and what they ate? This was supposed to be a tea party for kids so they could get to know each other, not a fucking war! And do not even get him started on the guest list! Every child was allowed to bring themself and a chaperon. These rules were very clear and have not changed over all the years since the Spring Debut was established. So why was he receiving multiple requests for guests to bring a giant entourage with them? Were the rules not clear enough? Did he have to beat it into their heads that this was supposed to be a simple tea party?
“Papa?” Katsuki looked up to see his 10-year-old daughter Hana, dressed in her nightgown and poking her head into his office.
“What are you doing up?” He grumbled, standing up and walking over to her. As he got closer, she reached her arms up at him, and he picked her up effortlessly. Hana yawned and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I had a nightmare. It scared me so I couldn’t sleep,” Hana mumbled, as she clung to her father with her eyes closed. Katsuki adjusted his grip to carry her with one arm as he walked over to his desk and picked up his candle with the other. After managing to close the door to his office somewhat with his foot, he carried the girl back to the bedchambers.
“So why are you all the way over here?” He asked as he walked through the halls of the castle he and Eijiro fought so long and hard to earn the right to.
“Daddy said you were here.” Katsuki was not surprised. He figured it was odd that his husband had not come by already to, once again, persuade him to go to bed. Now, he knew why.
“I see, that bastard ratted me out, is that it?” Hana giggled and nuzzled her face into his neck as he climbed up the stairs to the next floor.
“No, you can’t be mad at Daddy! This is your fault.”
“My fault? How do you figure that, pipsqueak?”
“You didn’t read me a bedtime story.”
“Eh? Aren’t you too old for those?”
“Nope! I want a...I wanna a story. I can’t sleep if….I don’t get a story.” Hanna kept yawn trailing off as she spoke.
“Oh yeah? Fine, what kinda story do you want?” Katsuki first stopped by her room and laid her down on her bed. She laid there a bit before she opened her eyes lazily and pointed to one of the books on her shelf. “I want the one about the Sun Knight.”
“That one again?” Katsuki said as he grabbed it off the shelf. Hana nodded with a big smile on her face. Her pearly white teeth made her dyed red hair stand out even more. Katsuki still was not sure what possessed his husband to dye their 10-year old’s hair red, but at least she seemed happy about it.
“No! No! Not here!” Hana protested as he tried to tuck her into bed. “I want to sleep with you and Daddy tonight.”
“Why, because of a bad dream? What did I tell you to do when you have a bad dream?”
“Go back and beat the crap out of the monsters?”
“Damn right! No monster is going to haunt my daughter’s dreams!”
“But I didn’t dream about a monster!” Katsuki watched his daughter as she pouted and gripped her sheets. With a sigh, he reached over and ruffled her hair.
“So what was it then? It better have not been two monsters. You’re much stronger than even two monsters.”
“I...I don’t want, Itsuki to disappear too.”Hana hesitantly said, then pulled the covers over her face to hide. Katsuki grumbled and sat down on his daughter’s bed. He reached over to pull Hana on to his lap.
“What makes you think he’ll disappear too?” He asked as he patted her head. She just shrugged and hugged him. The two of them sat there as Hanna cried quietly. This was the real reason Katsuki had spent so many sleepless nights preparing for the Spring Debut. He wanted this party to be perfect so that his son could smile as brightly as he used to, and his family would not have to worry about Itsuki’s safety. At the end of the day, it was all to give him the best birthday he could.
When Hana had settled down a bit. He up picked Hana, her book, and his candle and made his way to his bedroom. Unsurprisingly, the lights were still on, and Eijiro was still up. What was surprising was the fact that Itsuki was asleep in the bed next to Eijiro.
“Finally decided to come to bed?” Eijiro chuckled as Katsuki glared at him and then glanced at Itsuki. Eijiro looked over at their son, who was fast asleep and then back at Katsuki and shrugged his shoulders. “He said he wanted to sleep with us tonight.”
Katsuki rolled his eyes and tucked in Hana next to her brother. He kissed both of them on the forehead before getting into the bed himself. Both fathers were about to turn off their lights and go to sleep when Hana rolled over and accidentally slapped Itsuki in the face. The blond boy woke up quickly and, in the process, woke up his sister. Once she was awake, she immediately started asking for the story she was promised. Eijiro and Katsuki exchanged a tired look before settling in and getting out Hana’s book.
“All right! All right! Pipe down and I’ll tell you the story about the Sun Knight and the asshole he worked for.” Katsuki yelled as he opened the book and started reading.
~*~
The morning of the Spring Debut Garden Tea Party started like most others. Katsuki and Eijiro got up just before dawn, jogged around the training grounds, and sparred. Once the sun was up, they were joined by their children for some early morning stretches. Afterward, they all washed up and ate breakfast. It wasn’t until late morning, just a bit before noon, that chaos slowly started to arrive.
Katsuki and Itsuki waited at the entrance to the castle to greet the first wave of early guests, and after enough people had arrived the focus of the party moved to the garden properly. Mina Ashido-Hatsune and her son Tomomi were among the first to arrive but, she disappeared quickly with Eijiro to catch up and play with Hana.
After the party moved to the garden, Kyoka and her daughter Megumi Iida arrived, and Megumi and Tomomi quickly escaped from the rest of the party to chat away from the others. Kyoka lingered around Katsuki for a bit before wandering off to talk with one of the violinists hired to entertain.
Mirio Amajiki arrived with his two twin daughters, Izumi and Kimiko. Both girls resemble their mother however, their pointy ears and Izumi’s black hair made it clear who their biological father was. They were also accompanied by Amelia Tokoyami, their friend and a noble herself, though her birthday was not until later in the year.
Mirio was quickly surrounded by nobles as he was the headmaster of one of the most prestigious schools in the Yuei Empire. All of the nobles wanted to either bribe Mirio to get their child into U. A. Academy or to get information about the children going to the cademy. Neither would work but it did not stop them from trying.
Like the calm before the storm, everything was going well for a while. Then, as Katsuki watched Itsuki talk to a bunch of noble brats that sucked up to him and hung on his every word, an arm wrapped around his shoulder and he was pulled into a hug.
“BAKUGO! HOW ARE YOU?” Inasa shouted into Katsuki’s ear. Katsuki pushed away Inasa but before he could yell at him, He saw an equally annoying blonde woman come walking up behind Inasa.
“Hey, dude! How are things? Like, planning all of this was really hard, right?” Cammie asked. Cammie was wearing an off the shoulder dress that looked much too fancy and revealing for an afternoon tea party for kids. While Inasa was dressed entirely in heavy armor which had to be uncomfortable in the afternoon heat. Even though he knew the two of them were coming, Katsuki could not understand why they could not just talk with the other nobles instead of bothering him.
Cammie leaned in far too close and examined Katsuki’s face. “Oh yeah, I can tell. You’ve been working too hard. Why don’t you go relax and maybe have some fun somewhere or with someone,” She added a wink at the end.
“NOT ACCEPTABLE! Bakugo has been working so hard shouldn't he see the fruits of his labor?” Inasa said, dismissing the statement entirely. “My kid has been really looking forward to this. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK!”
“Have you still not learned how to keep your voice down? Do you want me to fucking teach you how?” Katsuki warned. Inasa laughed it off, but some of the other chaperons looked frightened like there was going to be a fight. Granted, most of the chaperons were maids and butlers who were not used to the Grand Duke or the people he associated himself with.
“Come on. Don’t be so grumpy just because you’re tired?” Cammie said and poked Katsuki’s nose. “Hey where’s the little man? I brought some more dresses with me this time. I know he’ll just look darling in them.”
Katsuki rolled his eyes. He never did understand why she was so fascinated by the idea of Itsuki in a dress. Cammie tended to get him a new dress every year that would just end up being handed down to Hana because Itsuki was never really interested in dresses.
Cammie immediately ran off to fawn over Itsuki and later Hana. It made sense that she was so attached to them as she was their surrogate mother. Though she had a family of her own, she still kept visiting them, even though it caused some more foolish people to spread wild untrue rumors about her.
Once about half, the guests arrived, King Shoto arrived, bringing with him several guards and an attendant. King or not, Inasa and Cammie both clung to him almost immediately and a small group began to form of all of the people Katsuki knew more personally.
“Your garden looks lovely. Did Eijiro redo the landscaping?” Shoto asked with a soft smile on his lips but a wicked twinkle in his eye.
“Don’t make me laugh! That dumbass wouldn’t know a rose from a gardenia!” Katsuki grumbled and Shoto raised an eyebrow.
“Wow. I didn’t know you had such an ability. To think you could be gentle enough to work with plants.”
“OF COURSE I’M FUCKING GENTLE!”
“Yes, how could I forget. You are known for your care.”
Maybe it was because Katsuki was surrounded by so many people who did not at all care about his authority or the power he possessed but Katsuki became so wrapped up in conversation with Shoto and Inasa that he did not even notice the arrival of Hitoshi, Denki, and their daughter Keiko.
~*~
Keiko did not want to go to the party. She made that clear through her words and her actions. All week leading up to the party she tried to sabotage the carriage so they could not leave and hid so they could not take her. Still by some miracle both of her fathers managed to track her down, get her dressed, and only be a little late to the party.
“Why do I have to do this?” Keiko asked as the three of them walked to the garden.
“Because it’s a tradition to celebrate your coming of age. It’s not a big deal. Just stick with us and barely anyone will talk to--” Denki explained before being pulled away by Mina and Eijiro. Hitoshi attempted to stop them but they were gone, taking Kyoka with them as they left.
Keiko looked up at Hitoshi who sighed and ushered her along. He had suspected Denki would not be able to focus too much on Keiko and her whereabouts but it would have been cruel to not allow him to come with her so he could see his friends.
In the garden, all of the children were asked to sit in assigned spots and drink tea while they were served tiny sandwiches and desserts. Itsuki was seated at the head of the table with Keiko to his left and Megumi to his right. Next to Megumi was Tomomi with the twins and Amelia at the end of the table. Amelia acted as a barrier between Izumi and Kimiko, though that was clearly not going to stop the two from causing mischief.
“Thank you all so much for coming this afternoon,” Itsuki said before they started eating. “This year marks the beginning of our lives in society and hopefully the beginning of our friendships together.”
As Itsuki stood giving a long and sentimental speech about friendship, Keiko caught Megumi looking over at her. The blue-haired girl's smile brightened once she saw she had caught Keiko’s attention. Keiko looked away and tried to focus on Itsuki but the more she did the more she wanted to leave. She was not here to make friends. If anything she was here to make people avoid her entirely. As Itsuki finished talking and they were served their tea, Keiko started phase one of her plan.
“I like your dress,” Megumi said before taking a bite out of her quiche. Tomomi looked at Megumi and then to Keiko and chuckled. Itsuki looked over at Keiko and nodded.
“Yeah it looks really nice, Keiko. It kind of matches Megumi’s hair.” Itsuki mentioned, not at all noticing what he was implying.
“I didn’t pick it out.” Keiko said quickly but that didn’t seem to make the conversation stop.
“Oh was it your parents that picked it? My mother said I should have worn the indigo dress but I thought it might match you too much. I guess that was their plan.” Megumi said with a slight shrug. Keiko did not know if this was true or not but she would not put it past her fathers to do this. Well, to be specific she was sure Denki and Kyoka would plot something like this. Without even a bit of hesitation, Keiko knocked her plate onto her lap and spilled water all over her new blue dress.
“Oh no. What a tragic accident.” Keiko said, feigning surprise in a way that only Itsuki believed.
“And after we were just talking about how nice it is, too,” Itsuki said, genuinely saddened. “Here I think I have one you can borrow. I’ll show you where--”
“No!” Keiko shouted, interrupting him. “I mean, I could not take you away from this lovely party. I can have a maid take me there. It is not an issue.” Itsuki pouted a bit but conceded and had one of the maids waiting nearby escort her to the guest room.
“Where are you going?” Hitoshi asked as he saw Keiko walking away from the party.
“Lord Shinso. I do apologize but I was just escorting the young miss to one of our guest rooms under the Young Master’s orders.” The poor maid said bowing respectfully.
“Yes, father. My dress is filthy,” Keiko grinned and curtsied. Hitoshi glared at her suspiciously but nodded.
“Fine but I’m going with you. If you are not out in 15 minutes I am coming in after you.” He warned and Keiko resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She did have a plan in case something like this happened but she did not want to use her quirk if she did not have to.
The three of them made their way to one of the upstairs guest rooms. Once there, Hitoshi waited with her until the maid arrived with a bright yellow dress.
“Don’t you have anything darker? This will get just as dirty as the last one.” He asked but the maid shook her head.
“I am sorry, Lord Shinso. The only dresses Dame Cammie gives to the young master are all lightly colored dresses like this one.”
“Do not get this one dirty. This is a gift for your friend and they are letting you borrow it.” He waited to get a response from Keiko but she did not give one so he left so the maid could help her change.
Once changed, Keiko did have to admit she liked the way she looked in the dress. While it was a bit too big for her, the fabric was soft and the dress flowed and a way that looked pretty. It was a shame it would not stay this pretty for long.
“I need a matching ribbon for my hair.” Keiko said as she twirled around in the mirror.
“I’m sorry, Miss Shinso but a ribbon doesn’t come with this dress.” The maid said but Keiko did not budge and repeated herself a bit louder this time. The maid frowned then left to go find a matching ribbon.
With the maid gone Keiko barred the door and started tying sheets together so she could climb down. She was surprised by how many she was able to tie before her father came looking for her. Then, suddenly, bang! Fireworks exploded outside, and she saw Hitoshi and Mirio chasing after the twins.
“Miss? Miss Shinso?” Unfortunately for Keiko, the maid was already back. “Please open the door.”
“Oh is the door locked? Are you sure? Let me see. I think it’s stuck. I can’t open it either!” Keiko shouted and started working faster. She had her makeshift rope finished and was halfway out of the window when a group of guards came bursting through the door.
“Oh I see you got it open,” Keiko said as they dragged her back up and out of the room.”I was just trying to get out so I could rejoin the party. I do not want to miss the party of the season.”
“Oh of course not. That would be dreadful!” Denki said, standing by the now broken door with his arms crossed.
“Hi daddy,” Keiko batted her eyelashes and beamed up at Denki as two guards stood on each side of her holding her up. Denki sighed and dismissed the guards and thanked the maid.
“Keiko, sweetheart, we aren’t asking much. Just behave for a few hours to celebrate your birthday with some of your friends.You won’t have to see anyone you don’t want to after this. I promise.”
“But I don’t want to see them now. Can’t I just go home? Half of these people I don’t know and most of them I don’t even like. Besides if these were really my friends, HE would be here,” Keiko pouted and looked away, and Denki frowned.
“Is that part of why you’re acting this way? Because your cousin isn’t here?” Denki asked. After hesitating for a bit, she shrugged. He smiled sadly and ruffled her hair. “I get you might be annoyed you can’t talk about him. Especially after the things Itsuki was talking about but don’t worry there is method to all of this. This is for his protection.”
Denki looked around to see if anyone was watching him and then leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Okay listen I don’t like this much either. Just follow me and we’ll hang out with my friends. No one will bother you if you are with us. Just don’t tell your father.”
Keiko grinned. She knew using Kazunori’s absence would work in her favor. While she was not listening to Itsuki at all; Itsuki was not Itsuki if he didn’t mention how sad he was that Kazunori was gone at least once in a conversation. It’s probably how he got the title The Prince’s Fiancé after all.
She was almost in the clear as the two snuck through the castle towards the sitting room when the sound of someone clearing their throat could be heard behind them.
“You know, the party is downstairs. Did you get lost?” Hitoshi asked, shaking his head disappointedly at his husband and daughter.
“Oh um yeah! We just got a little turned around. Kacchan’s castle is so unnecessarily big. It’s so easy to get caught-I mean lost!” Denki said, avoiding eye contact. “Right, sweetheart?”
However, when Denki looked down, Keiko was already gone. Running as fast as she could, she turned the corner after focusing on putting distance between her and her father. The more she ran through the castle, the more people started to chase after her, so when she got the chance, she slipped into a storage closet and hid behind a crate. Once things grew quiet, Keiko let out a relieved exhale and stood up.
“Looks like the coast is clear.”
“Yea--” Keiko went silent and turned around to see a blond man poking his head through the wall.
“Hi, you must be Keiko. I am Mirio.” Keiko stepped back towards the door as a fully dressed man walked through a wall like it was not even there. “You’re pretty fast, kid. But I think it’s time to come back to the party, don’t you?”
Defeated, Keiko let Mirio pick her up and carry her back to the party and sit her down next to Tomomi and Megumi.
“You look nice.” Megumi said with a sweet smile.
“I see your escape attempt didn’t go very well.” Tomomi laughed.
Keiko glared at the both of them but sat still when she saw her father watching her from a distance. While some people were still at the table eating and drinking tea, others were up chatting and dancing to the music. Over in a corner by themselves, Keiko saw Izumi, Kimiko, and Amelia sitting by themselves as Amelia lectured the two.
“You missed it. They set off fireworks and Kimiko kissed Amelia. That’s really cute, don’t you think?” Megumi said, leaning over and whispering into Keiko’s ear. Keiko jumped at Megumi’s closeness.
“Everything alright, Keiko? Your cheeks are looking a bit red.” Tomo teased.
“No, actually I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I should go back inside.” Keiko stood up, but Tomomi put his hand on her shoulder.
“If you aren’t feeling well then sit and drink some tea. It should make you feel much better. When was the last time you ate food? You could also just be hungry.”
“No, I’m tired. I should lay down, right Megumi?” Keiko looked over to Megumi who frowned which made Keiko immediately regret her words. She did not like looking at Megumi. Her hair was so long and dark blue. It reminded her of the river by her grandfathers’ estate, and Megumi's eyes sparkled like stars any time she started talking about magic and enchantments. Not to mention she was so tall and strong. It was almost unfair that Megumi wanted to become a mage instead of a knight. But Keiko also feared that if Megumi was to be a knight, Keiko would never be able to beat her. Megumi was so brilliant she could probably think of a plan to stop her before Keiko could even say a word. All in all, Megumi was just too good so, every time Keiko looked at her, Keiko’s heart felt like it would stop.
“I guess if you really are not feeling well…”
“Nonsense, why don’t you two go for a walk?” It was a question, but Tomomi stood up and nearly dragged the two out of their chairs. “You need fresh air and I think Megumi has been sitting too long. So go for a walk. I’ll wait.”
Both girls looked at each other and then back at their mutual friend, who gave them a threatening smile before they took his advice and started walking. Keiko glanced at her father, who looked at her with suspicion, but Keiko shrugged and pointed at Megumi. Hitoshi frowned but let her walk off with Megumi.
Despite agreeing passively to walk together, neither girl talked, though Keiko could see Megumi was trying. Keiko, however, had a game plan that would, unfortunately, mean this little date would come to a quick end.
“Happy birthday.” Megumi finally said to Keiko’s confusion.
“It’s not my birthday.”
“I know but technically this party is to celebrate all of our birthdays so….happy birthday.”
“Um happy birthday to you too. I guess.”
“Thanks. I’m glad we could spend it together.” Both girls laughed awkwardly and looked away. As they walked the sound of horses could be heard in the distance. This meant the stable was nearby and, that’s exactly what Keiko was looking for. To her surprise though, Megumi went running towards the sound.
“Come on! I heard that Lord Bakugo has some of the best horses in the empire!” Megumi took Keiko’s hand, and the two ran together. There was no one in the stables when they got there as most of the staff was focused on the party, but they were full of strong, proud-looking horses in various colors and sizes.
“Amazing. What I wouldn’t give to ride one of these.” Megumi mused as she reached to pet a black stallion. Keiko watched Megumi for a second and looked away. As she looked away, she came face to face with a Lemonsilla that huffed disappointedly at her.
“It’s not my fault you got caught,” she whispered to it but, it only huffed at her again. Keiko rolled her eyes. “Come on, I always pull that card and you always fall for it.”
The horse shook its head and stomped its feet, and Keiko sighed. “Fine I’m sorry but I will leave this stupid party.”
“Yeah this party is kind of stupid, isn’t it.” Megumi said, making Keiko jump.
“I wasn’t talking to a horse!”
“Wait, what?”
“Nothing,” Keiko cleared her throat and shrugged her shoulders. “It is boring though, the party I mean. Don’t you want to escape?”
“Yes but if you want people to leave you alone, being here is the best way. If no one remembers you but everyone knows you were here they will just see you as unimportant and leave you alone.”
“Or you could leave altogether then no one will remember you being here at all and you won’t have to be here.”
“So do what you have been doing? I don’t know if that is a solution. You’ve been standing out more by doing all of this. Well, you and the twins. I don’t know if you’ll go unnoticed or if people will just ignore you in hopes of avoiding social disaster.”
“Social disaster sounds fun,” Megumi laughed but then stopped for a second.
“You know….I don’t think that’s a bad idea.”
“What destroying people’s social standing by being around them? Yeah that does sound kind of fun.”
“No, no. Well yes but I mean if you make a really big scene. One bigger than what the twins did, You will stand out, sure but people won’t want to associate themself with you because you will have a bad reputation.”
“Maybe, but that could cause my fathers trouble and make it harder to get into U.A.” Keiko pointed out.
“Maybe,” Megumi frowned and looked as if she was thinking hard about this. Keiko thought it was kind of cute that she cared so much about helping her.
“Honestly my thought was just to take one of these horses and ride away. I’m sure Lord Bakugo would understand as long as I made sure it got back to him.”
“That’s it!” Megumi shouted, grabbing Keiko by her shoulders. “If we make your dress dirty again we could say you wanted to go home to change because you couldn't bare being seen in a dirty dress again especially since it was a gift.”
“I doubt I’ll make it far unless I have a distraction. Maybe we could let loose the other horses?” Without even realizing, Keiko was wrapped up in Megumi’s plan and thinking through it with her. “If anyone asks I could just say I wasn’t sure how to get one of the horses out. If anyone asks why we’re together I’ll just say you know the area better.”
“You would take me with you?” Megumi asked. Keiko’s face flushed as she hadn’t realized that Megumi hadn’t implied that already.
“I-I mean if you want. You are probably better at riding horses than I am anyways...”Keiko looked away but realized Megumi was still holding on to her.
“You know, you can be really sweet when you want to be,” Megumi said and hugged Keiko. Keiko froze and did nothing until Megumi pulled away.
“I’ll stay back to explain everything. That will minimize the damage. Hopefully with this, people say you are just socially inept and not a criminal or something.”
Keiko nodded awkwardly, and then the two started working on their plan. The smeared mud and hay all over Keiko's dress and opened the doors to all the stalls. Keiko climbed on the back of the Lemonsilla horse, now seemingly less upset with her than it had been before.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Keiko asked. Megumi nodded, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling as she looked up at Keiko.
“No, you get out of here.” Keiko nodded and rode off as Megumi banged two buckets together over and over until it spooked the horses enough to run.
There was a short delay where for a second Keiko thought the plan would not work and that no one would notice the horses, but then came the screaming. Keiko did not stop at all, and thankfully, as she passed the guards by the gate, they only waved at her with a look of confusion as she rode by.
She didn’t want to go too far as she honestly did not know the area around the castle very well. So she decided to stop in a field just outside of the castle walls. She laid on the grass and took a nap as her borrowed horse stood loyally beside her, chomping on grass.
She wasn’t sure how long she’d been napping in the grass but when she opened her eyes she was in a carriage with her head laying on Denki’s lap and Hitoshi shaking his head as he looked outside the window.
“Good morning,” Keiko said, sounding a bit drowsier than she expected. Her father looked at her then frowned.
“I honestly don’t know what I expected.”
“Don’t be too mad. None of us wanted to be there.” Denki said. Keiko knew both of them were probably very pissed but she appreciated the fact that her dad was still trying to be on her side.
“I’m sorry.”
“No you’re not.”
“Okay I am not but I’m sorry that you had to be here because of me.” Hitoshi sighed and rubbed his temples. He looked at his husband who smiled sympathetically and his daughter that shrugged her shoulders with only a mild look of regret.
“What am I going to do with you two?”
“Don’t worry I think Katsuki will calm down in a few weeks. We’ve done worse things to his castle.”
~*~
As the last of the guests rode away, Katsuki’s shouts rang through the evening air as he finished corralling his horses back into the stables. Eijiro and Itsuki sighed. Not only had the tables set out for the party been overturned, with a few broken, but they would have to buy several new sets of teaware. While one might think all of the damages were due to the horses, the truth was that the stampede was the straw that broke the camel's back. For so much of the afternoon, Katsuki had been holding back his outbursts, but the stampede set him off.
“Wow, your husband is so gentle,” Shoto said, sipping his tea calmly and sitting comfortably in his chair.