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Katsuki spoke true. It only took the two of them a few hours to reach the Tribe's village. Izuku had traveled much since he left his home village, seen villages as small as a handful of houses and cities that stretched as far as the eye can see, but he had never seen anything like the Bakugou Tribe’s village.
The first thing he saw was a dragon.
He couldn’t help the slightest falter in his step, awe filling him at the sight of the great creature. Its scales were colored a bright orange, glinting harshly in the evening sunset, and even though it was curled up in what looked like a restful position, anyone could see that it was irritated. Big puffs of air were escaping from its nostrils, blowing the grass in front of where its face rested on its big paws. He instinctively rested a hand on Eri’s back when he saw the glint of sharp black claws in the earth, but he figured if the alpha wanted to kill them, he had plenty of chances before now.
Katsuki sped up once they broke from the trees into the big clearing that surrounded the village, until he was almost running to the dragon that had perked up as soon as it noticed him. The dragon let out a weird rolling trill at the sight of its - assumed - rider, rising up on its paws to amble closer. The dragon was as big as a house and the ground shook at each thump of its tail, oddly resembling a hound when it caught sight of its beloved master.
Izuku kept his distance as Katsuki reached up and rested his hands on the dragon's face, gripping its face spikes and giving its head a little shake. The dragon puffed in his face, evidently not annoyed or used to the barbarian's actions, and Katsuki chuckled.
“Yeah, yeah, you little shit. I’m back.” He stroked over the dragon’s nose, letting it snuffle around his face and neck until it seemed satisfied. “Told you I’d only be gone a few hours.”
It was then that the dragon noticed Izuku and Eri, turning its massive head towards them with a deep chitter. It moved its head closer, its long neck allowing it to reach out behind Katsuki without moving the rest of its body. He resisted the urge to flinch and back away, having encountered many beasts in his travels and knowing most of the time that signs of fear were always a bad way to go.
The dragon didn’t touch him, merely sniffing the air around his body, and leaning closer for one heart-stopping second to sniff at the bundle tied to his chest. Eri was awake but occupying herself with tugging on the laces of his shirt, and the dragon finally backed away with another huff.
“This is Kem.” Katsuki said, walking closer to Izuku with one last pat on the dragon's face. “My cradle-mate and mount.”
Izuku cocked his head. “Cradle-mate?”
“It’s tradition in my tribe to place a dragon egg in the cradle of a newborn if there are any eggs available.” Katsuki explained. “Not all of them hatch, and those without cradle-mates can still bond with and ride other dragons, but legend says bonds with an egg hatched in the cradle are stronger.“ He scoffed. “I never really believed that shit.”
Kem made an affronted noise and Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Oh shut up, you. Anyone can ride a dragon if they fucking work enough. Just cause you’re like an annoying twin brother to me doesn’t mean that automatically makes me the best.”
Kem snorted, fully snorted like a human, and Izuku bit back the urge to laugh. “Oi!” Katsuki barked. “I’m still the best because of my skill, not just ‘cause you hatched with me! Don’t give yourself that much credit, shitty scales!”
“Well,” Izuku said, not wanting to see what might happen if Katsuki got into a fight with his dragon. “It’s nice to meet you, Kem.”
The dragon puffed up at that, giving Katsuki what was undoubtedly a smug look as he ambled closer, softly butting his large head against Izuku’s stomach, careful to avoid the pup strapped to his chest. He giggled at the feeling, absurdly picturing Kem as a large, scaly, dangerous cat with the way he wanted attention.
“Alright, alright.” Katsuki huffed, moving to stand next to Izuku. “I’m home, and I’m not leaving again for a while yet, so you ain't gotta skulk around anymore.” Kem seemed to agree, blowing another soft puff of air at them that made Eri gurgle against his chest, before he backed up and spread his wings. Izuku did everything he could to keep his eyes open even as wind buffeted against them, watching in blatant awe as the mighty creature lifted itself into the air, gaining height before smoothly turning and soaring toward the mountain in the distance. It was closer to the village than it wasn’t but he still got to watch as Kem took to the skies gracefully before he disappeared behind the rocks.
“That’s where the dragons live,” Katsuki jerked his chin towards the mountain. “All but the bonded hatchlings make their nests in the caves up there.”
“Incredible.” Izuku breathed, staring up at the mountain and just barely being able to see spots of color among the gray. Those must be the other dragons that lived there. “How many are there?”
“Hard to say,” Katsuki said, walking forward slowly so Izuku could continue to look up at the mountain as they moved. “A lot of the tribe are dragon riders, but there are also plenty who aren’t. There’s a dragon up there for every rider, and a good bit of unclaimed ones as well. Who knows how many eggs are kicking around up there, since we only get to see one when a parent brings a pup up to claim one.”
Izuku’s fingers itched to fish out his journal from his pack, desperate to write down all the fascinating new information he was being given. Most of what is known about the Barbarian tribes was rumor and hearsay, and of course cautionary tales that parents tell their young to scare them away. Even less was known about the Bakugou tribe specifically, the only known dragonriders in the world. He had heard tales of other barbarian clans, those who mastered beasts such as wolves, gryffons, even lions and bears, but no creature was as mighty as the dragon. Dragons were magic made flesh.
Izuku had believed the tales once too when he was young, but after seeing just how cruel his own village full of “upstanding, gods-fearing people” could be, he never put much stock into rumors after that.
He knew scholars who would kill to get even a scrap of the information he was being freely given. He didn’t know what led to Katsuki trusting a random omega so easily with the knowledge of his people, but he was grateful for it.
As they finally approached the outskirts of the village, some of the villagers called out to Katsuki, some with naked relief on their faces at the full basket on his arm, others confused at the stranger who walked next to him. They all seemed to keep their questions to themselves for now, and Izuku could read people well enough to tell that Katsuki was respected in this village, respected by his people. He must be a great warrior.
“I’ll take you to the Chief first,” Katsuki rumbled, something a bit irritated in his voice. “She needs to be informed of any outsiders who enter.” Izuku tried to keep the worry off of his face but Katsuki seemed to pick up on it anyway. “Don’t worry. Once she sees what you’ve done and what you can do, she’ll be eager to have you stay.”
“Besides,” He continued blithely, steering them towards a building in what looked like the center of the village, bigger than all the ones surrounding it. “The Chief’s mate would never turn a pup and their dam out into the cold.”
Well, that reassured him somewhat, but he couldn’t help the nerves coiling in his stomach as they walked up the steps to the grand building, hearing the roar of voices on the other side. They didn’t sound like they were yelling, just talking loudly, but he had to school his face all the same. Eri made a small noise against his chest, gumming at his tunic. He would have to feed her soon.
Katsuki pushed through the wooden doors without hesitation, holding them open for Izuku to follow. The building was wide and completely open on the inside, with a large fire burning bright and merry in the very center. There were tables and benches on either side of the fire and pelts covering the floor. Beyond the flames, Izuku could make out a simple, if intimidating, throne.
His attention was quickly caught by the group standing in front of the fire, closest to them. There was a woman there, outfitted in a cape similar to Katsuki’s and worn leathers, with blonde hair and red eyes so similar to the alpha’s that they must be related. Standing next to her was a man of the same height, with brown hair and warm brown eyes. They were facing an aged woman, nearly half their height, who leaned heavily on a cane with a serious look on her face.
Their conversation cut off as they heard the door open, and Izuku instinctively stayed a step behind Katsuki as all of their attention turned to them.
“I’m back.” Katsuki said simply, striding forward and leaving Izuku no choice but to follow behind.
“Welcome back, son.” The man - Katsuki’s father - smiled, walking forward to softly clap him on the shoulder. Izuku hung back a bit as Katsuki walked toward the elder woman, handing the basket over carefully. He pointedly didn’t look at the other woman who was practically staring him down despite him not having said a word.
“Got everything on the list.” The alpha informed the elder, who was carefully rustling through the basket with her brow steadily climbing higher.
“You found all of them.” Her voice was crackly but deep. “And so much, too. How?” She must be their apothecary or healer, seeing as she handled the herbs with a practiced hand, examining them but careful not to crush any of the petals or stems.
Katsuki looked back at him, bringing their attention toward them again. The elder woman tucked the basket in the crook of her arm, placing both hands on her cane as she observed him with a keen eye, The blond woman - Katsuki’s mother? - crossed her arms and did the same, gaze not exactly hostile but not exactly friendly either.
Katsuki’s father seemed to have all the friendliness the other two lacked. “Welcome. I am Masaru Bakugou, Katsuki’s dam. This is Mitsuki,” He gestured to the blond woman, who puffed up a bit. “Katsuki’s sire and the Chief of our clan. And this is Chiyo, our tribe's best apothecary.”
Izuku inclined his head in respect. “My name is Midoriya Izuku. I ran into your son in the forest just a few hours away from here.”
Eri, seeming to sense that introductions were being made, made her presence known with a babbling chitter, a noise that only pups could make. And Eri loved to make it. Often. Especially in the middle of the night when he was trying to sleep.
Masaru’s eyes seemed to light up. “And who’s this?” He asked, peeking at the bundle but careful not to step closer. Omegas were known to be fiercely protective of their pups, especially in the weeks after they were just born. Since Masaru was an omega himself he realized this instinctively, and Izuku was glad for it. He didn’t think Katsuki’s father would outright attack him or his pup, but his instincts were still rather strong over the babe right now, despite not being the one to give birth to her.
“This is Eri.” He introduced, hand coming up automatically to settle on the babe’s back. There was no actual need for it, he knew the wrap was secure, but it made him feel better all the same.
“And why are you here?” Chief Mitsuki asked, not exactly politely, but she hadn’t tried to step forward at all, which Izuku counted as a point in her favor. He didn’t mind Katsuki being close to him now after hours of traveling together, but this alpha was still strange to him.
“Oi, back off, hag.” Katsuki snapped, moving until he stood at Izuku’s side. Chiyo raised a brow at the display but stayed silent. “We wouldn’t have any of these fucking herbs if it wasn’t for him.”
Mitsuki raised a brow. “You gave our son these herbs?”
“No,” Katsuki said, sounding a bit smug for some reason. “He grew them right in front of me.”
“Oh?” Chiyo said, walking forward, the clacking of her cane on the floor somehow making Izuku feel like he was being judged. “Your magic, I presume?”
Izuku nodded. “Yes. I can grow any plant or crop I’m familiar with, as long as the plant can grow in the environment I’m in. I can also give a little boost to plants that are already growing.” He shifted his gaze to the Chief. “After I grew those herbs, Katsuki said he and his tribe were in my debt. I asked to be given shelter for my pup and me until the spring. I would usually travel through it but the cold air wouldn’t be good for her, being that she’s so young.”
Chief Mitsuki’s face was impassive so he continued. “I would be happy to grow whatever herbs or crops your tribe needs while I stay here.” He inclined his head toward Chiyo. “I also have experience as an apothecary. Not as much as you, I’m sure, but I’d be happy to help out wherever I can.”
Chiyo’s eyes were calculating, likely thinking of all the herbs she had need of that would be easy to access with his magic if he stayed here. Masaru was still smiling, looking between him and Katsuki with something unreadable glinting in his eyes.
The Chief was more skeptical.
“Show us.”
“Hah?” Katsuki replied, rearing up slightly. “You think he’s lying?”
“Did I say that?” Mitsuki snapped back. He got the feeling that these two argued a lot, since he could already tell they were very alike. “I want to see what he can do.”
“It’s alright,” He interjected, not wanting the two of them to get into a fight over something that was easily done. “But we’ll need to move outside.”
Mitsuki nodded brusquely, sweeping past them and out the door behind. Masaru gave him another smile before following his wife, and Izuku walked with Katsuki and Chiyo at the rear. The Chief led their way through the village and even more people stared this time around, but he did his best to ignore them. He knew, logically, they were only looking at him because he was a stranger, something new, but it still made his skin crawl and unwanted memories resurface.
Thankfully it didn’t take too long for them to get where they were going. Abruptly, the rows of houses and buildings broke away into farmland. The soil wasn’t overrun with crops as it would be during the spring and the height of summer; most fields were only half-full of crops that could be grown in the more frigid and rainy weather of the fall.
Mitsuki gestured at the empty soil before them.
“Is there anything specific that you need?” He directed the question half at the Chief and half at the apothecary.
Chiyo thought for a moment. “Yule blooms, if you can. Good for making a salve to treat burns and the Chief and her husband enjoy them in tea.” Her lips twitched in amusement, but Izuku was caught up in his own musings for a second. He already knew that the skirmishes between the Bakugou clan and the Todoroki kingdom were violent, but this painted an even grimmer picture. King Enji was famed for seeking out those with fire magic to populate his army, with everyone from peasants to nobles being sought out and given offers they couldn’t refuse even if they had no taste for war.
He wasn’t afraid of the fighting finding them here; even King Enji wasn’t stupid enough to attack where the dragons lived, but his heart ached to think of all of the people who suffered from burns because of him.
He didn’t sulk too long, though. He was being given a direct opportunity to help them, and he would.
He crouched down slowly and carefully, keeping a steadying hand on Eri’s back while he did so. He let his fingers sink into the earth, feeling it greet and welcome him. Masaru made a little noise in the back of his throat as Izuku’s eyes glowed green, picturing the flowers in his mind and letting his magic take care of the rest.
Sproutlings pushed up out of the earth in the two rows in front of them, rapidly lengthening and blooming the bright flowers. Yule blooms were some of the prettiest plants he had ever seen, petals colored stark white in the middle and fading into a deep blue on the edges. Their petals were cold to the touch, belying their ability to leech out heat in wounds and give a crisp edge to whatever drink they were brewed into.
Once he was finished they were looking at a veritable sea of delicate flowers, all in perfect shape to be harvested. A light sweat had broken out his brow, a result of growing the herbs earlier and blooming twenty plants now, but he wasn’t too worn out.
He turned to Chiyo once he stood up, who was looking at the plants in awe. “They’ll grow a bit faster than regular Yule blooms since they were made from magic, but they’re still susceptible to damage from the weather and outside sources.”
Chiyo stared in silence for a moment more, before abruptly chuckling. “You are gods-sent, boy.” She told him, before ambling forward, taking out a pair of shears from a pouch at her waist to harvest the flowers.
He turned back to the other three, seeing Masaru and Katsuki both looking at Mitsuki with grins, though Katsuki’s was much smugger than his dam’s. Mitsuki was still looking at the plants, something that Izuku parsed out to be close to relief in her eyes.
“You can stay.” She allowed, trying to sound begrudging and failing, although Izuku wouldn’t be the one to tell her that. “Katsuki will show you to the old Hagakure house. They left most of their furniture when they moved, including a crib, I think. My son can give you a tour of the village tomorrow, show you where everything is. After that, just report to Chiyo once a day to see if she needs anything from you.”
Izuku nodded, a weight sliding off of his shoulders now that he knew for sure they had a place to brave the coming winter. “Of course. You have mine and my pup’s thanks.”
Mitsuki said nothing more, just nodding back at him before turning to walk up to Chiyo where she was still harvesting, kneeling down to help her and speak in hushed voices.
“Chiyo will likely take you up on your offer to help.” Masaru said. “She’s been talking about retiring soon, so I have no doubt you will be of great help to her in making potions and poultices. And if you need anyone to watch Eri while you work, just find me. I’d be happy to mind her for a few hours.”
Izuku returned his smile, not knowing if he was comfortable enough to take the other omega up on that offer yet but knowing he might have to someday.
“C’mon,” Katsuki said, nodding towards the path back into the village. “I’ll show you home.”
He followed the alpha, not noticing until then how dark it was getting. He supposed living in the shadow of a mountain didn’t help. Katsuki didn’t say anything as they walked but the silence wasn’t awkward; it was much the same as when they were traveling toward the village earlier. Ahead of them, a man walked along the street, holding up his hand and waving it in front of every lamp that hung up and causing a bright, cheery yellow light to shine from within. The child perched on his hip, a girl who couldn’t be older than two, giggled and clapped her hands every time a light burst forth.
Izuku smiled at the display. Despite all the terrible tales of the barbarian clans he had heard, he could tell the people who lived here were content and happy from what he had seen so far. It had been years since he had been in his home village but he could still remember the oppressive, weary air that pressed down on him with every day that passed, feeling judgemental eyes on his back no matter where he went.
He shook the thought away. It had been years; he couldn’t allow the past to haunt him now.
They finally stopped at a house that stood on the corner of two streets. It was a modest place, only one floor but obviously well cared for. There was no gate or yard but the paint wasn’t peeling, the stairs weren’t cracked or chipping and the door was firm and thick. He could see a sturdy stone fireplace poking out of the roof, and a little flower box attached to one of the front windows.
Katsuki led him inside. The air was a bit old so he propped the door open before showing him around. The door led right into the den, with a puffy couch and armchair surrounding a table, all of which were situated in front of the fireplace. There was an empty bookcase along the wall that Izuku immediately ached to fill. He wondered if any of the shops here sold books.
There was a kitchen that still had a table and four chairs in it to eat at, and there were two bedrooms and a bathroom further in. The largest bedroom, still with a bed and dresser, also had a crib situated by the bed. Thankfully the previous occupants hadn't been gone so long for dust to gather, so they would be able to use the bed and crib tonight without cleaning them. Izuku still might hang the linens out tomorrow anyway.
Once the short tour was done Izuku followed Katsuki to the front door. “I’ll be here tomorrow to show you around the village, where to buy food and all that.” Katsuki said, cast in the light of a nearby streetlamp. “I’m sure the hag will pay you for growing crops and working with Chiyo, so don’t worry about gold.” He rubbed the back of his neck, seemingly not knowing what to say now.
Izuku decided to put him out of his misery. “Thank you, Katsuki. I really appreciate this. We both do.” He rubbed Eri’s back, who was starting to get fussy, wanting her evening meal so she could go to sleep for the night. Katsuki’s eyes tracked the motion, staring for a second before he abruptly coughed and looked away.
“You’re helping us much more than we’re helping you.” He said softly, like he didn’t mean for Izuku to hear it, before he turned and walked down the few steps that led up to the door. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Katsuki.” He called back, watching until the alpha turned a corner and disappeared from view.
Once he was gone, Izuku pulled the door shut and locked it, going back towards the bedroom. He gently set his pack on the floor, resolving to unpack his meager belongings tomorrow as he felt exhaustion nip at his bones. He shrugged his boots off and sat down on the edge of the bed, which was sinfully comfortable after sleeping on the ground for a week.
He unwound Eri, who was working herself up into a full cry now, and haphazardly tossed his shirt over to land on the dresser. Now that he wasn’t sleeping in the wild, he saw no reason to wear a shirt to bed, seeing as he’d have to get up to feed Eri in the middle of the night anyway.
He brought her to his breast, switching from the one he had used earlier so he wouldn’t go dry in the middle of the meal. He had only made that mistake once and he’d had a migraine for a day after to teach him to never do it again.
“Well, little one.” He said as Eri latched on, blinking wide red eyes up at him and setting a chubby hand on his breast. “Looks like we’re home.”