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Chapter Text

Izuku had always known that he would never marry for love. He was a prized Omega prince and his small home kingdom needed someone larger to protect them or they would be swallowed up by another kingdom soon. It had never been a secret that Izuku would be wed to the heir to the throne of the Bakugou kingdom. 

Bakugou Katsuki had made it very clear that the only reason he had agreed to marry Izuku was the rich agriculture of the Midoriya kingdom and Izuku’s potential of birthing him a strong heir. He would protect Izuku and his people, but he would not love him. He would respect his input as his consort, but he would not share his bed unless he was in heat. Their relationship was nothing but a business transaction.

Izuku knew all of that.

It still didn’t stop him from falling head over heels in love with his husband the first time he had laid eyes on him when they were both still children. And because of that Izuku wasn’t surprised by the doom that came and found him later in his life.

Izuku spent his 20th birthday surrounded by his friends and family, celebrating his life and future as the consort of the Bakugou kingdom while their people celebrated outside. The day after his birthday he and the possessions he wanted to take with him were boarding a carriage and he left everything he had ever known behind him.

He had taken the journey before, of course. He and Katsuki had visited each other often over the years. Mostly those visits were for formal reasons and discussions of the future. How the military was to be used and stationed, how the food would be distributed across the two kingdoms, and other matters that were important in joining the two countries together.

Katsuki had visibly hated those visits, but Izuku had loved them. He got to spend time with his Kacchan and even though he knew the Alpha didn’t feel the same it didn’t matter to Izuku. The only thing he wanted was to provide for his people and to support Katsuki. If he had to endure a cold marriage for that he would gladly do it.

When both of them had been teenagers Izuku had contemplated simply running away. Away from his responsibilities, from his status as the crown prince, and from his beloved Kacchan, who had treated Izuku with nothing but cruelty and had flaunted the fact that he had spent his first rut with three different omega concubines.

Even remembering it, Izuku could feel his heart crack a little bit. He had considered all those cruel things Kacchan had said back then and he had almost fallen to despair. But then his father, King Toshinori, had taken him on a tour through their small kingdom and Izuku had met the people working and living there.

He had seen their dedication, their love, their loss, their joy and he had decided that it didn’t matter what Kacchan thought of him. Izuku was going to do his duty for these people that had treated him with nothing but kindness and respect. He wanted to pay them back, no matter what it took to do it.

After that, the visits between their kingdoms had been more reserved and Izuku had noticed a change in Katsuki. The Alpha seemed to do some growing on his own. His tutor Aizawa took the young Alpha Prince under his wings and Izuku could see the changes that Katsuki went through.

He never outright apologized to Izuku, but he had told him he would do anything to protect their shared kingdom and he would respect Izuku as his consort. He had also told him that he would never love him.

Even though those words should’ve broken his heart, they didn’t. The opposite seemed to be the case. Seeing this new, confident Kacchan made his feelings soar even higher and he could feel them solidifying like stone armor around his heart.

It didn’t matter what other people said. It didn’t matter that Kacchan didn’t return his feelings. Izuku knew his place in the world and he knew his own heart. He would love Kacchan until he died. He would love his people until he died. And because of that, he would be able to fulfill his duty.

When he arrived at the Bakugou palace he was received with much fanfare. His belongings were gathered up and brought to his future rooms and Izuku was greeted by Aizawa.

“Your Highness,” the stoic adviser said and gave a respectful half-bow.

“It’s good to see you again, Sir Aizawa.”

“The journey wasn’t too hard on you?”

“Not at all.”

Izuku didn’t ask about Katsuki’s absence and Aizawa didn’t offend his intelligence by making up an excuse for it. Both of them knew the situation better than most others. That was one of the qualities that Izuku appreciated about the older Omega. He was straightforward and honest and Izuku could trust him to be blunt with him, sometimes even to the point of rudeness.

Izuku never minded. He preferred Aizawa over the elders of both of their courts by far.

“Before we’re going to your room, the queen has asked me to give you a tour of the castle.”

Izuku looked at Aizawa in confusion. He knew Queen Mitsuki and her consort would abdicate the throne after the mating and coronation ceremony of Katsuki and Izuku. 

“Alright,” he said and hesitantly followed Aizawa into the castle. “But I already know my way around here? Wasn’t that what all the previous visits were for?”

“You’re not wrong,” Aizawa said and let Izuku through familiar hallways deeper into the palace. “But there are things we don’t show to outsiders, no matter how close an ally they are. But since you’re joining the royal line tomorrow it’s time to show you the most important secret of this castle.”

Izuku felt a shiver of anticipation and dread run down his back. What kind of secrets was the Bakugou family keeping? Izuku knew that the line of Bakugou had been unbroken for generations and that no enemy had managed to take the capital since its foundation. 

There were rumors about strange magic running through their veins, more strange and mythical even than their fire magic and their bonds with the dragon tribe. But no one could prove what exactly it was that made the ruling family so special and dangerous to their enemies.

They arrived in the portrait hall. It showed every generation of Bakugous together with their consorts. Izuku had been here before, back when he and Kacchan were still children and he had listened to the young Alpha boy brag about how he was going to be a better King than all of them combined, and Izuku had believed him.

He still did. Whatever else he thought about Katsuki, he knew for a fact that he was a strict but fair ruler and he would do whatever it took to ensure the future of his kingdom. And that also included Izuku's people now.

They reached the end of the hallway and the portrait of the first Bakugou king, Alpha Bakugou Taro, and his male Omega consort Bakugou Yuu. Aizawa stepped up to the massive portrait and pressed against a part of the ornate frame. There was a quiet clicking sound before the portrait swung open and revealed a hidden stairwell leading down. 

The two Omegas followed the winding steps down into a massive cave. Izuku would never have guessed this would be hidden underneath the castle. It was wide and open and countless plants were growing underneath the natural light that filtered in through-

"Is that the lake in the castle gardens?" Izuku wondered, his eyes tracking over what looked like a water surface. Aizawa nodded.

"It's the actual lake, not an illusion or something similar. Ancient enchantments are keeping it in place. It's a last emergency measure. In case someone finds this place the whole cavern can be flooded and destroyed."

Aizawa took a few steps forward and gestured for Izuku to follow him.

"But this wasn't what I wanted to show you. This is."

In front of them stretched rows upon rows of statues. All of them were made out of the same dull blue crystal and all of them depicted deceased Kings and Queens of the Bakugou line. And now that he was pointing it out, Izuku could make out something else floating just above the water line at the roof of the cavern. It was a glowing, blue crystal. It was hard to tell how big it was from down where they were standing, but if Izuku had to guess he would say it was taller than him

"What is this?" 

"This is the graveyard of Rulers and the last defense mechanism of the capital. In case of an attack that we wouldn't be able to weather or a natural catastrophe, our rulers will go down to this cavern and recite a spell. The crystal is what powers the magic of the Bakugou line and gives them their durability. And in times of need, it joins with them to cast a protective barrier around the city and protect its citizens."

Izuku's eyes widened in understanding.

"So these statues..."

"Aren't statues. They're the crystalized bodies of past rulers."

"Is there no way to undo this?"

Aizawa shook his head. 

"We haven't found a way. Sometimes the crystallization process was undone by itself, but only rarely. In over 500 years it only happened once. The Queen of that time had triggered the barrier to protect the city from the eruption of the nearby volcano. She was crystalized for less than a day and when the threat was neutralized the crystal receded from her body."

"So, the longer the threat is present, the more permanent the effect is?"

"Apparently. But in the end, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that you know how to get here."

Izuku swallowed heavily.

"So it's going to be my duty to activate the barrier if the need arises?"

"No," Aizawa disagreed. "It will be the duty of Queen Mitsuki or Prince Katsuki. They are the ones with the Bakugou blood running through their veins. But it is important to share these secrets with the consorts. One day your children will have to take on this burden too after all."

Izuku's eyes wandered back toward the lonely, dull statues and fear gripped at his heart. He didn't want Kacchan or one of his future children to end up like this. He hoped they would never have to use this last resort.

But as his gaze drifted back up to the slowly spinning crystal, the thing that had protected this kingdom and the line of Kings and Queens for centuries, a dark and foreboding feeling overcame him. He turned away with a start and followed Aizawa out of the tomb, leaving the cruel truth about the Bakugous and their power behind.

Before Aizawa escorted Izuku to his rooms there was one more stop they had to make.

When the contract for the merging of the countries was finalized and it was decided when the wedding would take place, the elders of both countries had asked Izuku if there was anything he wished to bring to the Bakugou country to make it seem more like home. Izuku had only requested one thing.

The new greenhouse on the castle grounds had been built with his specifications in mind and it sparkled in the sun like freshly fallen snow. Izuku was delighted to find all of his plants had made it here safely. 

He called upon the magic resting deep inside him and released tiny sparks from his fingertips that danced from plant to plant and suddenly all the green was brighter and the smell of the flowers more intense.

"It's interesting," Aizawa noted as he watched Izuku take care of his plants. "Prince Bakugou's magic is used to destroy while yours is used to nurture."

"You shouldn't underestimate me and my magic," Izuku smiled and watched as Aizawa was suddenly dangling from the ceiling, his ankles held by a thick sturdy vine that had crept up on him without being noticed. "I may be an Omega, but I am not frail or fragile. And neither is my magic."

"Put me down," the older man said, even though Izuku could see a small, amused smile hiding in the corner of his eyes. 

The vine gently lowered the older man to the ground and he dusted himself off.

"Impressive. But enough of that, it's time to get you ready for dinner. The King and Queen have organized a feast in celebration of your birthday and your arrival."

"Isn't that a bit excessive?" Izuku asked as he followed Aizawa out of the greenhouse. "I mean the wedding is tomorrow."

"Today is to officially celebrate the arrival of the spouse," Aizawa said as he led Izuku toward the royal wing. "Tomorrow is the first day of the wedding ceremony. The whole affair is going to take four days."

"Four days?!" Izuku exclaimed, his eyes wide and his mind racing. "I thought it was only two days?"

"No, the wedding is going to last for two days. But after that is the coronation of Prince Katsuki and his official ascendance to the throne."

Aizawa gave him a small smile.

"It isn't every day that the heir to the throne gets married and starts his reign as the King after all. The people want to celebrate."

Izuku let out a sigh but couldn't stop the small smile from appearing on his face. He supposed he could understand the sentiment. Kacchan deserved to be celebrated after all.

He hadn't brought a lot of clothing and jewelry from home with him. Only a few of his favorite pieces that held some kind of sentimental value and of course the traditional wedding garb. He wouldn't be wearing it at his wedding though. He and Kacchan would be clad in the traditional robes of the Bakugou kingdom. To compromise and show his origin Izuku had decided to wear his own clothes tonight instead. 

He wanted to feel pretty and confident and for that, he wanted to wear something familiar. His maid Ochako helped him get dressed and weave flowers and small gems into his hair. 

The outfit consisted of a white and light green corset embroidered with flowers that accentuated his waist and showed off his shoulders and unmarked neck. The pants were white and flowing, giving the illusion of actually being a skirt and his feet were clad in soft slippers. A billowing cape with a trail was attached to the back of the corset and trailed after him for several feet.

He felt beautiful and he could only hope that Kacchan would feel the same way. He knew the hope was probably futile. He had come to terms with his fate but sometimes his traitorous heart couldn't help but hope for something more.

Izuku knew that kind of hope would die with enough time.

When he stepped into the grand hall of the castle all eyes were on him. He felt his heart swell as his eyes finally for the first time in months met with the deep red ones of his Kacchan.

The Alpha was sitting to the left of his mother, his father sitting on the right side of the Queen. Izuku felt himself flush under the intense stare his husband-to-be gave him.

"We welcome you, Midoriya Izuku, into our noble home," Mitsuki said while standing up from her chair and her words were met with roaring cheers and applause from the crowd. 

Izuku bowed and gave the traditional answer that was expected of him.

"Thank you for your gracious invitation. I look forward to joining your home and family line."

Now it was Katsuki's turn. He stood up from his chair and walked up to Izuku, every inch the proud Alpha Prince that he was. He offered his hand to Izuku and the Omega shyly gave him his own.

"We welcome our most beloved spouse into our noble home and vow to protect them with our lives."

Then he led Izuku up to the high table and let him take his seat to Katsuki's left. As soon as both were seated again and Mitsuki was yelling for the celebrations to start, Katsuki let go of Izuku's hand again. He couldn't help but feel bereft and cold by the loss of that warm palm wrapped around his own. 

He tried to concentrate on the luxurious food that had been prepared especially for him, or the dancers that performed traditional dances of the Bakugou kingdom to entertain the guests, or even the exciting and heartwarming music that was being played.

But he couldn't. His attention always wandered back to Katsuki. And because it had always been that way, Izuku spent his evening watching Kacchan while the other man didn't even glance in his direction. Instead, he was watching the Omega dancers and servers, who were all too happy to look and flirt back at him.

Izuku knew his marriage would be loveless.

He had known he was only a tool for peace and for producing an heir.

But to see it so clearly still felt like a dagger to the heart.

He was determined though. Even though his love wasn't reciprocated he would still give it freely. Even though his husband wouldn't be faithful to him, Izuku would be. And while Katsuki would live to protect the people of their joined kingdoms, Izuku would live to protect Katsuki.

Because that was his fate in this world.

Chapter Text

The wedding was a grand affair. It wasn't every day after all that the heir to the throne got married.

On the day of the ceremony, Izuku was woken up by his maid Ochako and 3 other maids provided to him by the Bakugous. They spent hours cleaning him, filing his nails, grooming his hair, dressing him up, and painting his face and body with the traditional wedding runes of the royal family.

The outfit consisted of several layers of robes worn over the other. The colors varied in different tones of orange and red and when Izuku moved it looked like his body was bursting into flames. It was mesmerizing to watch and he spent a good five minutes standing in front of the floor-length mirror just looking at the garment. 

When it was time for the ceremony to begin, Izuku was led toward the chapel in the middle of the city. They would be wed in the eyes of the gods and the holy flame that had created this world after burning the previous one to ash. The same fate was going to happen to this world someday. It was a never-ending cycle of death and rebirth and every world that rose from the flames would be stronger than the last.

Izuku wasn't sure if he believed in the Holy Flame. His people shared the thought of death and rebirth, but they worshiped nature and the mindset that even death had a use for the next generation to appear and grow stronger.

He supposed both could be true at the same time. After all, sometimes you needed to burn a field down to fertilize the earth and bring forth a newer, stronger crop in the future.

The way to the chapel had been marked with flower garlands, bright reds, pinks and oranges, and it felt like all the citizens were lining the streets while he was being carried toward his destination. Everyone was cheering and throwing flowers and Izuku felt almost overwhelmed by the display. It was heartwarming to know the people of the Bakugou kingdom accepted him so readily as their new king's consort. It strengthened his resolve to try his hardest to be worthy of their trust and lead them well by Katsuki's side.

This wedding wasn't about him. It was about the people and the new hope for a brighter future that this union represented.

Once he arrived at the chapel he was led inside by the soldiers who had escorted his carriage. King Masaru was already waiting for him.

"Mitsuki is inside with Katsuki," he explained as he gently took Izuku's hands in his. "Don't be nervous. I know coming to a new place is scary and the title of consort can be a heavy weight but I know you can do it. The whole country is excited about your rule and I promise you, you'll be loved by everyone."

At once Izuku remembered that it had once been Masaru standing in his place wearing the robes of the Omega consort. His and Queen Mitsuki's relationship had been a whirlwind romance full of aggressive courting and adventure. Because of this, it had been so surprising that they decided to arrange a political marriage for their son. But Izuku didn't know all the details behind their match and he had never dared to ask.

Instead of asking now or doing something else that could humiliate him or ruin this day, he nodded and gave his father-in-law a smile.

"I can't wait," he said and he found he meant it. No matter what Katsuki felt for him, Izuku loved him. And being able to marry him had always been a dream of his, even after finding out the cruel truth of the world.

Masaru gave him another soft smile before letting go of his hands and taking his place in the procession. For a second, Izuku was standing in the great entrance hall of the temple all by himself and he felt terribly lonely and small. He wished his parents could’ve been here. He understood why they couldn’t leave the security of their kingdom, but it still hurt to know he was facing this new part of his life all on his own.

He just hoped it wouldn’t be too long before he could see them again.

From inside the chapel, music started to play and Izuku straightened his shoulders. The maids quickly approached him to fix his veil and robes and then the doors opened and Izuku started slowly walking down the aisle.

He had no time to take in the grandeur of the temple as he was too busy making sure not to trip over the long and heavy robes and make a fool of himself. He took measured steps in time with the music just as he had been taught to by Aizawa and before he knew it he had reached the edge of the altar. He lifted his eyes and there was Katsuki.

Izuku’s view was hindered a bit by his veil but he still felt all the air leave his lungs at how handsome his husband-to-be looked in his matching wedding robes. If Izuku’s robes reminded him of a fire, then Katsuki looked like the sun. He was decked out in bright orange, yellow and gold. 

Izuku couldn’t remember most of the ceremony after that. He knew he managed to speak when it was expected of him and he knelt when the priest asked them to. But the only thing he could recall in complete clarity was the moment when Katsuki lifted his veil from his face so the two of them could claim each other. The way his red eyes were shining in the light coming through the stained glass would forever stay with him.

Katsuki was the first to bite him. While it was a bit painful, it was also a pleasant feeling that made his toes curl. The realization that he was now Katsuki’s and Katsuki was his, at least in some kind of way, was something that made warmth bloom in his stomach. Even if he never returned Izuku’s feelings he would still wear Izuku’s mark until the end of his days. 

The mating venom would change their scents until they would smell like each other, even if they hadn’t scented each other for a long time. A constant reminder of their partner, their mate, for them and everyone around them.

He couldn’t help the little possessive thought that it didn’t matter how many concubines Katsuki would sleep with in the future, there would always be Izuku’s underlying scent to claim him as his.

Once their bond was sealed and the priest declared them mated in front of everyone and the holy flame it felt like the whole kingdom broke out into joyful shouts. Izuku’s ears were ringing with the noise, and his head was swimming with the image of Katsuki’s satisfied and smug smirk, his teeth and lips still painted red with Izuku’s blood.

They linked their arms and walked out of the temple, back towards the carriage that Izuku had arrived in. Once they were seated, Katsuki let go of Izuku’s hand to gently grab his neck. Izuku’s breath stuttered when Katsuki tilted his head to get a better view of his neck.

They didn’t say anything but the tension in the small space had Izuku’s stomach tying itself into knots. He had always watched Katsuki, it had never been the other way around. To have the attention of the Alpha on him and him alone now was exhilarating.

They arrived back at the palace way too fast for Izuku’s liking. The newly mated pair was escorted into the fest hall, the people around them keeping up the constant cheer and excitement. Once they had taken their places of honor at the head of the table, Queen Mitsuki yelled for the festivities to start.

For the next few hours, Izuku and Katsuki were greeted and congratulated by row after row of nobles, both from the Bakugou kingdom and the other foreign allied kingdoms around them. They received lavish gifts and well-wishes and the procession was only interrupted by the serving of another course of food or another performance in their honor. 

As the hour got later Izuku couldn’t help but fidgeted in his seat a bit. His nerves and his excitement were growing with every minute that passed. He knew what was expected of a newly mated pair on their wedding night. He had been prepared for it since he had presented as an Omega and had experienced his first heat. And while he was nervous about it, he also couldn’t wait. He wanted Kacchan to look at him, to only think about him, even if it was only one night.

He knew it was stupid, but he couldn’t help it.

He was ripped out of his thoughts by bells being rung. His whole body straightened in anticipation because he knew exactly what those bells signaled. The newly mated pair would now leave the festivities to consummate their bond. They would return the next morning for another day of feasting and celebration.

All eyes in the hall were on the two of them as they stood up and Katsuki took his hand. Everyone was cheering and wishing them well as they made their way out of the opulent fest hall and towards the royal wing. 

Izuku hoped Katsuki wouldn’t notice the slight shake in his hand. He couldn’t help but feel nervous about what was to come. 

Neither one of them said a word, the only sound surrounding them were their own footsteps and the clanking of the armored guards that were accompanying them for protection. They would stand guard in front of the doors so the new couple would not be distracted till morning. 

They arrived at Izuku’s rooms and once they were inside the doors were closed and locked behind them. Unsure of what to do now or what Katsuki was expecting of him, Izuku stood in the middle of the room and watched his Alpha move around the space. He inspected the changes that had been done to Izuku’s sitting room, the many plants that had been brought over from Izuku’s home, and the row of bookshelves that had been installed. With one look at Izuku, he opened the double doors leading to his bedroom and walked in.

Nervously, Izuku followed him.

Katsuki was looking over the nest that Izuku had built yesterday after arriving. It wasn’t much since he didn’t have enough time, but Izuku was proud of how it had turned out. He hoped his Alpha would like it as well.

From Katsuki’s small nod, before he turned back to Izuku, it seemed he did. Slowly, the Alpha came closer until they were standing only a short distance apart and Izuku had to crane his neck to keep looking into Katsuki’s eyes.

“You know what’s expected of us,” Katsuki said and Izuku nodded in response.

“This will seal our bond in place. After this, you will truly be my Omega.”

“Yes, Kacchan.”

“You will bear my pups and I will soothe your heats.”

Izuku nodded again, a bit shyer this time.

“But that will be all.” Katsuki’s eyes weren’t cruel, but his tone was matter of fact. Izuku felt his heart breaking a little.

“I know. This union is for our kingdoms, nothing else,” Izuku answered and was proud of how even his voice came out. He wouldn’t cry and burdened Kacchan with his feelings. The Alpha hadn’t asked for this and it wouldn’t be fair to put expectations on him that he wasn’t willing or able to fulfill.

Katsuki leaned down to give him a gentle kiss before leading him toward the nest. It was Izuku’s first kiss and he knew he would treasure the memory forever. Especially since he knew it would very likely also be his last.

Katsuki was careful not to hurt him and Izuku was astonished at the pleasure the Alpha gave him. A small, bitter part of him reminded him of all the other Omegas his husband had practiced before this night but Izuku pushed it to the side. 

Once it was done and Izuku could feel the subtle bond humming underneath his skin they laid together in Izuku’s nest. Next to each other, but not touching and something deep inside him ached at the distance. But he knew it wasn’t his place to cross that bridge.

“What happens now?” he asked, a blanket pulled up to his chin and eyes on Katsuki’s side profile.

“Now, we rule,” the Alpha answered without returning Izuku’s gaze.

“No, I mean with us,” Izuku said. He could already see the frown returning to Katsuki’s face so he hurried to continue. “I know what you said and I understand and respect it. But we have to rule over a nation together. Do you think we could at one point at least become friends? Or do you not want to see me outside of council meetings and while I am in heat?”

The frown on Katsuki’s face softened but didn’t leave. His husband turned on his side so that they could look at each other. They were so close that Izuku would only need to move his hand a little bit to touch him but he didn’t dare.

“I don’t hate you, Izuku,” Katsuki said. “You don’t need to keep your distance. I just don’t want to hurt you or this alliance by promising things I will not give you.”

“I understand,” Izuku answered and the tears that sprang to his eyes were of relief this time. “I’m glad you don’t resent me for this. I’m glad we can still be friends.”

“Still a crybaby,” Katsuki sighed, but the corner of his lips twitched into a small smile. “Go to sleep, the next few days are going to be long.”

“Yes, Kacchan,” Izuku answered while closing his eyes. Before drifting to sleep he swore he could feel a calloused hand stroking across his cheek, but it must’ve been his imagination.

Just like Aizawa had told him after the wedding celebrations were over Queen Mitsuki abdicated the throne and Katsuki was crowned the new king. He wore a similar outfit to the one he had donned at their wedding, all orange and gold and awe-inspiring like the sun. Izuku was standing next to him as his consort and partner, dressed in matching colors to his husband.

The celebrations were just as grand as the wedding had been and there was even more food, performances and merriment all around.

But where Izuku had been the one to share the new king's bed the first night, now it was the concubines. Izuku watched Katsuki favor a different one every night and when it was time for them to retire he looked away as Katsuki walked toward his own chambers.

Izuku was left to his own devices, with a nest that still smelled like them and a room that may have been filled with his things but was still completely unfamiliar to him.

But it was what he had expected and what he had prepared for. The stone armor around his heart was strong and he knew he wouldn’t waver. Not now that he had Katsuki’s mating bite on his shoulder and the kingdoms relied on him completely. He would do his duty and he would do it gladly. 

If his husband smelled like a different Omega every morning, that was something he would have to learn how to live with.

Chapter Text

Even though his marriage lacked the romantic side of things, Katsuki was true to his word. After the celebrations were over and the new routine started he didn’t avoid Izuku. They took breakfast together every morning before sitting in on council meetings. While Katsuki was King and the head of the council, Izuku was his consort and only second to him. His words had weight and Katsuki valued his input.

While their paths separated in the afternoon, each having their own duties to attend to, Izuku made it a point to at least see Katsuki one more time in the evening. He always made sure to leave before the King retired for the night. He didn’t want to know if his husband shared his bed and if he did with whom.

It was hard enough to smell someone else on him in the mornings.

But despite Izuku’s hurting heart, he was happy. His decisions helped to protect his people and improve the living conditions of both kingdoms. The love of his life wanted him by his side, while not as a lover then at least as an equal partner, and trusted him with his thoughts.

A few weeks into their marriage Katsuki surprised Izuku. When he arrived at Katsuki’s chambers for his nightly visit, a chessboard had been laid out.

“You still play?” Katsuki asked as he offered him the white Queen and Izuku smiled.

“I do. But I have to warn you, Kacchan, I’m not an easy opponent.”

The smirk on Katsuki’s face was sharp.

“Good. I need a challenge.”

After that their evenings together grew longer. They started getting into the habit of meeting earlier to start their game and simply took dinner together over the board. On top of that, Katsuki started joining him some afternoons when he was tending to his greenhouse or they were taking walks together through the palace gardens surrounding the lake. In those times Katsuki shared with him many stories about the Bakugou family and the kingdom. Some Izuku already knew through his own studies, some were legends only told through the generations that had never been written down.

Whenever this happened, whenever Katsuki chose to spend more time with him, Izuku’s traitorous heart skipped several beats behind its stone armor. He had been prepared for a cold and absent husband. What he hadn't been prepared for had been to fall even more in love with Katsuki every day that he spent with him. 

And then Katsuki’s rut started.

He was notified by Kirishima, the general of the army and the King’s closest friend and trusted advisor. In the morning when he was getting ready to head to breakfast a knock sounded at his door and Kirishima entered. 

“Good morning, your Highness,” he greeted him with a smile and Izuku returned the smile. He genuinely liked Kirishima and was glad that his husband had such a trusted companion by his side.

“Good morning, Lord Kirishima. What brings you to me this early?”

“I apologize for the early disturbance. I just wanted to inform you that the King has entered his rut and because of that the council meetings will be postponed for a week. Just until he is back to his usual self.”

A wave of heat rushed through Izuku at the thought of his husband in rut and unbidden images of their wedding night came to mind. He felt himself flush and cleared his throat before speaking again.

“Thank you for letting me know. Is there anything I need to take care of? Or do you want to escort me to the king’s chambers immediately?”

“Oh,” the general said and Izuku watched him shift uncomfortably from one foot to the other. He didn’t meet Izuku’s eyes when he continued. “Uhm, you won’t be needed in the king’s chambers. The King has already sent for someone.”

Izuku stood there dumbfounded for a few seconds until he understood just what Kirishima had said.

“He… already sent for someone?” Izuku asked, careful to not let any emotion show on his face.

“He has,” Kirishima confirmed and Izuku could swear there was something like pity in his eyes. That cut him deeper than anything else had. Here he was, being pitied by someone because his husband would rather call a concubine into his bed than his husband.

“I see,” Izuku said and clasped his hands in front of him to hide their shaking. “Thank you for informing me, Lord Kirishima. If that will be all?”

“Yes, your Highness.”

“You may take your leave now. Please inform the guards and servants outside that I will be taking my meals in my rooms for the next couple of days since the King will not be joining me in the dining hall.”

“Of course, your Highness.” Pity again. Izuku closed his eyes to stop the tears from falling and he waited until he heard the door close before giving in to the feelings welling up inside of him.

The next day felt like an eternity to Izuku. Where he went in the palace, pitying looks followed him. It was one thing to see royal concubines for stress relief. No one talked about it, but Katsuki wouldn’t be the first Alpha King who entertained concubines even after mating an Omega.

But calling on them during his rut? That was a different matter. Ruts and heats were tools to ensure the line of rulers and for the King to not share it with his mated Omega was humiliating for said Omega. It would give off the impression that something was wrong with him or with their union and if word of it got out of the palace it could even worry the public.

After the first day, Izuku chose to keep to his chamber or flee into the sanctuary that his greenhouse offered him. No one would dare to disturb him there except for the King himself or the council in case of emergency. So he was surprised when he found his father-in-law waiting for him at the entrance of the greenhouse on the third day of Katsuki’s rut.

“Izuku,” he greeted him warmly and pulled him into a quick embrace. Izuku went along willingly, letting the older Omega scent him and taking comfort from the familiar gesture. “How have you been?”

“I’ve been good,” Izuku lied while unlocking his greenhouse. Masaru followed him inside and took a seat on a bench once Izuku gestured to it.

“I know that’s not true,” Masaru said and Izuku’s shoulders slumped as he sat down next to his father-in-law.

“I have no right to be upset,” Izuku said and pointedly didn’t look at Masaru. He had thought long and hard about the situation in the last few days and had come to a conclusion. “Katsuki said he couldn’t love me and he only promised to ease my heats. He never said anything about his own ruts. I shouldn’t have made assumptions.”

“Izuku, I love my son with all my heart, but that’s bullshit,” Masaru said and Izuku was so startled by the sudden swear that he looked up. “My son is being rude and disrespectful toward you right now and you have every right to be upset.”

Izuku felt the first tear drip down his cheek as Masaru pulled him into another hug. He let himself cry for a while, letting out all of the emotions he had bottled up in the last few days. After he had calmed down, Masrau asked him about his plants and Izuku spent the rest of his day explaining different gardening techniques to his father-in-law.

Katsuki’s rut lasted for four days. On the morning of the fifth day, the Alpha knocked on Izuku’s door while the Omega was inside having breakfast. He stepped into the room, freshly bathed and smelling of himself. But as he came closer there was still this undercurrent of Omega on him and Izuku couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose. Katsuki seemed to pick up on his uneasiness and decided to keep standing instead of sitting down. Izuku didn’t offer him a seat either.

“I came by to see how you are doing. You weren’t at breakfast,” Katsuki said and Izuku nodded.

“I have been taking my breakfast alone these last few days. I didn’t know you would be back today or I would’ve joined you.”

He didn’t offer anything else and neither did Katsuki. The silence between them was tense and awkward and Izuku was resolved not to be the one to break it and put Katsuki out of his misery.

“The council meetings will resume tomorrow,” Katsuki tried again and Izuku gave him a tight-lipped smile.

“I see. Thank you for telling me.”

Katsuki nodded and the silence descended once more upon them. But now Izuku was tired of it.

“Was there anything else you needed?” he asked and pointedly took a bite of his eggs. The Alpha stared at him for a second in shock before shaking his head.

“No. No, there wasn’t.”

“I’m sure you’re busy today, so I won’t be taking up any of your time. I’ll see you tomorrow at breakfast.” With that said he turned back to his breakfast but against his expectations, Katsuki didn’t leave.

“Tomorrow?” the Alpha asked, a strange note in his voice that Izuku couldn't decipher. “What about tonight?”

For a short moment, Izuku was confused. He didn’t think Katsuki valued their evening meetings. At least not in the same way that Izuku did. But here he stood, a vulnerable look on his face and asking why Izuku won’t join him like he usually did.

Izuku would almost find it endearing if he wasn't still hurt by the last few days.

“I haven’t been sleeping well,” he said and didn’t look at the Alpha. “I will retire early tonight I think.”

Katsuki shifted from foot to foot and Izuku could see he wanted to protest, to say something or even demand for it. But he did nothing. He simply nodded before turning around and storming out of the room.

Izuku slumped down into his seat like a puppet with its string cut. He didn’t like fighting with Katsuki but he needed to get his point across. His husband was free to do as he liked with a few important exceptions and this was one of them. It wasn’t just Izuku’s reputation on the line, it was also the reputation of their marriage and their kingdom’s alliance. If enemies thought them weak they would try to exploit that weakness.

In the afternoon, he swung by the library to get a new book to read in his greenhouse. While he was standing between the stacks, hidden from sight he heard voices approach his spot. He recognized both of them.

“I just don’t get why he is being so difficult,” Katsuki grumbled. Izuku couldn’t see him, but he wagered that Katsuki was here to pick up some of the reports from the last few days. He liked to do it himself as he claimed he wasn’t the type to sit on a throne all day. “I did nothing wrong.”

“You can’t be serious, brat,” Mitsuki said, her voice mocking. “You spend your rut with someone who wasn’t your Omega and then expect him not to care? For fucks sake Katsuki, you still smell of her now.”

“It’s not my fucking fault! I can’t get the scent out!”

“Of course not! You spent several days with her, it takes a while for a deep scenting like that to fade. Idiot.”

“I’m your king, you can’t call me an idiot, old hag!”

“I was Queen before you, so I can call you whatever I want, brat.”

There was a beat of silence before Katsuki spoke again.

“But still, he knows not to expect anything from me. We talked about it!”

“Katsuki, this isn’t about Izuku’s hurt feelings,” Mitsuki said, clearly exasperated with her son’s lack of understanding. “Or not completely about that. Do you know how this looked to the rest of the palace? To the rest of the kingdom? Their King refuses to bed his OMega during his rut. What kind of message does that send? This could put our country and the whole alliance in danger.”

Another beat of silence.

“Also, I don’t think he appreciated the pitying looks everyone gave him the entire time. I know you wouldn’t like those either.”

Their voices faded out near the end while they left the library again and Izuku couldn’t help but let out a sigh. He was kind of relieved that Mitsuki had talked to Katsuki about this. Maybe now he could avoid further uncomfortable conversations with his husband. 

But to his surprise, it seemed that Katsuki was persistent. 

He had just settled in his greenhouse when the door opened and the King strode in. Maybe it was just Izuku’s imagination, but he looked a little less confident than usual. The Omega put his book aside and stood up.

“Katsuki,” he said and he noticed a bewildered and slightly guilty look pass over Katsuki’s face. “Do you need me for anything?”

“No,” the King answered and gestured for Izuku to sit down again. “I was hoping that I could take my break here with you.”

Izuku had no real reason to refuse him, so he nodded. He braced himself for the underlying scent of that other Omega, but nothing came. In fact, Katsuki smelled of nothing at all.

“I asked the healers for a scent-neutralizing cream,” Katsuki explained as he saw Izuku’s confused look. “I didn’t mean to offend you this morning.”

“I see,” Izuku answered. He bit his tongue to not tell the Alpha he hadn’t been offended. He didn’t need to spare Katsuki’s feelings. 

“I wasn’t thinking,” Katsuki said without looking at Izuku. “I just followed my instinct.”

In spite of what Katsuki might have been thinking, this did nothing to heal the pain in Izuku’s heart. The stone armor around his heart cracked and Izuku desperately tried to keep it together. He took a shuddering breath.

“Am I that repulsing to you?” he asked and Katsuki’s head whipped around to him, his eyes wide in shock. 

“What? No!”

“But your instinct was to call for someone who was not me while you were in rut.”

Katsuki’s mouth closed with a click and his face was troubled. They were silent for a while.

“I don’t think you’re repulsive,” Katsuki grumbled after a while and Izuku could swear there was a flush on his husband’s cheeks. He gave him a wry, tired smile.

“Then why, Kacchan?”

“I’m sorry,” the Alpha said instead of answering. “It won’t happen again.”

Izuku said nothing and opened his book again. Katsuki was silent as well, simply sitting beside Izuku and letting their arms brush together slightly with every breath.

But he stayed till Izuku was ready to go back inside. And even then he stayed, walking Izuku to his chambers and wishing him a good night before walking back to his own room.

The next morning at breakfast he only smelled like himself and the slight smell of Izuku again.

Chapter Text

Things returned back to their usual routine after this. Izuku had breakfast with Katsuki every day and in the evening they spent time together in the Alpha’s chambers. The only difference Izuku noticed was the sudden lack of Omega scent on his husband. Where in the past he would smell it every few days now it was absent completely. He wasn’t sure what it meant but it wouldn’t do to get his hopes up.

He tried to be more distant with his husband, mostly for the sake of his own heart, but he didn’t succeed. Katsuki had a way to pull him into his orbit and Izuku was helpless to refuse the pull he had on him. Even though his trust had been broken, his naive heart was still beating for Katsuki. 

They avoided all talk about ruts and heats and kept their conversations to the political happenings of the merger of their two kingdoms and their daily activities. Safe topics that wouldn’t result in another fight.

But it wasn’t long before it was Izuku’s turn.

He knew his heat was coming up soon and he knew his husband would share his bed again. In the weeks building up to it he was furiously building and rebuilding his nest until it was perfect. He was nervous to have Katsuki in it again, especially after the disaster that the king’s rut had been. 

Then one morning he woke up feverish, wet heat between his legs and a desperate need inside of him. He let out a low whine before calling for his maid.

Ochako only took a peek inside of his room before she was already giving instructions. She had been with Izuku since he had presented and knew exactly what to do. While someone else notified the council and the king, she made sure everything Izuku would need was easy to reach from his bed. Then she placed some water and pre-peeled fruit on the bedside table before quickly scenting his cheek.

“Call for me if you need me. The King should be here any minute.”

Izuku let out a low purr to let her know he heard her before she moved away and left the room again. It didn’t take long for the door to open again and the most delicious scent to waft toward him. 

He let out a questioning chirp and got a deep, pleased rumble in answer. The voice made a shiver run down his spine and his legs spread of their own accord.

“Alpha,” he called out and a hand cupped his cheek.

“Izuku,” the voice said and Izuku opened his eyes. Katsuki was kneeling at the edge of his nest, careful not to disturb the edges of it.

“Kacchan,” Izuku said and pulled at the hand that was still resting against his cheek. “Come. You promised.”

“I did,” Katsuki said and carefully shuffled inside of the nest. Izuku noted in delight that he was already naked. Such a good Alpha, already getting ready to soothe Izuku’s needs. He took another deep whiff of his scent and let out a pleased chirp again. No other scent clung to him, only the smell of soap, Katsuki and Izuku. 

The Omega had never shared his heat with someone else before and at their wedding night he had been too nervous to do much of anything. But right now he let his instincts take over and pulled Katsuki closer. They moved together in sync and the Alpha took care to sate all of his needs.

In the bouts of lucidity in between he made sure to clean Izuku, to feed him and make sure he had enough to drink. He massaged his cramped muscles and cuddled him close when they were asleep. 

It was the most pleasant heat he had ever experienced. When it was coming to a close and his mind returned to him it did so with a feeling of dread. He didn’t want Katsuki to leave again. He didn’t want to be alone now, he wanted his Alpha to stay in his nest with him.

A distant part of him knew the feeling of dread came from the overflow of hormones in his body right now, but it was hard to think logically right now. He could only concentrate on the fact that his heat was over and that meant Katsuki would leave now.

His Alpha must’ve noticed his suddenly tense body, since there was a sleepy sound from behind him and an arm wrapped more securely around his middle.

“Go back to sleep, Deku,” Katsuki mumbled and pressed a kiss against the mating mark on his shoulder.

“My heat’s over,” Izuku blurted out without thinking and regretted it instantly. Katsuki tensed behind him and there was a long, awkward silence between them. It seemed that neither of them dared to move, too afraid to shatter something between them.

“It’s late,” Katsuki said finally, his voice neutral. “Let’s just go to sleep.”

“You want to stay?” the Omega asked, his voice tiny and quiet. He could feel the tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.

Another kiss was pressed against his mating mark.

“Go to sleep, Izuku. We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

With a shuddering sigh, Izuku grabbed Katsuki’s hand and pressed it to his chest. He closed his eyes and let the scent and proximity of his Alpha soothe him into a deep slumber.

They didn’t talk about it in the morning. Their breakfast was interrupted by an urgent messenger that called for an emergency council meeting. Izuku did his best to hide his lingering heat scent, but by the looks some of the people around him gave him when he and Katsuki walked to the council chambers let him think he hadn’t entirely succeeded.

Katsuki growled at some of the more obvious pairs of eyes and stuck close to Izuku’s side.

“What can be so important that it couldn’t wait another goddamned day?” he grumbled as he held the door open for Izuku.

“It’s fine,” Izuku said and readjusted his clothing. The material was soft, but it still felt too coarse against his sensitive skin. “I can deal with it.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” Katsuki said and gave him a serious look. “I promised to soothe your heats, not force you to leave your nest and safety before you were ready.”

“You did,” Izuku protested and in a bold move he grabbed one of Katsuki’s hands. “You did soothe my heat, Kacchan. Thank you.”

For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other before Katsuki cleared his throat and looked away.

“I’ll do even better next time,” he said before striding off. “Now, come on. Let’s get this over with quickly.”

It turned out the meeting was important. The neighboring force that had threatened the Midoriya Kingdom before was on the move. From what their scouts had told them they weren’t moving closer but were instead spreading out, slowly but surely surrounding the kingdom and cutting it off from its allies. The council demanded immediate action and Izuku couldn’t agree more.

“We will accelerate our plans,” Katsuki said and gestured for Kirishima to step forward. “The troops we had prepared to be stationed in the Midoriya Kingdom will have to move out earlier than anticipated. Kirishima, make the announcement and the necessary preparations. We will leave as soon as possible.”

“Of course, my king.”

“I will also accompany the troops,” Katsuki stated and Izuku gave him a concerned look.

“It will show our dedication and seriousness,” Katsuki continued and moved some pawns around on the battle map. “They haven’t taken aggressive action yet, so we can’t retaliate. If we are smart about our movements maybe we can scare them into retreating without bloodshed.”

He looked back over his shoulder at Izuku.

“I don’t want to cause unnecessary distress for the citizens of the Midoriya kingdom by starting a war in their territory if we can avoid it.”

“A wise decision, your majesty,” one of the council members proclaimed and the rest was quick to agree with him. 

“In my absence, my consort will watch over the throne and deal with all important business regarding the crown.”

“Of course, my king,” Izuku said and bowed his head. “I pray to the Holy Flame for your swift and safe return.”

Katsuki nodded before turning back to the council. Kirishima excused himself to start preparing the troops and Izuku couldn’t help the anxious feeling that pooled in his gut. He was glad that the threat had been recognized and was dealt with so swiftly, but he still feared for his people. 

The troops were ready to march out at the end of the day. Since their stay in the Midoriya Kingdom had already been planned, the needed provisions were easy to gather. The whole day was filled with decisions and planning, so Katsuki and Izuku barely had time to eat or take a break before it was time for the King to leave with his army. 

Izuku walked with him to the palace entrance, his heart heavy with dread and nerves.

“Don’t worry, Izuku,” Katsuki said and gave him a steady look. “Nothing is going to happen. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I trust you, Kacchan,” he said and gathering all of his courage he leaned up and pressed a lingering kiss at the edge of Katsuki’s jaw. “Please keep our people and yourself safe. I’ll do the same here.”

Katsuki nodded. They stared at each other for a while, simply taking their partner in.

“I’ll see you soon, husband,” the Alpha said, holding his wrist out for a parting scenting. Izuku swiped their wrists together and gave his Alpha a wobbly smile.

“Safe travels, husband.”

The days dragged on after this. Izuku tried to stay busy, but even though it seemed like there were never enough hours in a day, the time still crawled by at a snail's pace.

The first relief came with a letter, delivered five days after the army had left the capital. It was a message from Katsuki, updating him on their progress and noting down important information they had been able to gather. It was short and to the point, but it was signed with “Love, Katsuki” and he had sent the letter to Izuku and not the council. The traitorous butterflies in his stomach worked overtime and he felt the need to kick his feet like a giddy child. He quickly wrote down a reply, just as filled with useful information as Katsuki’s had been and gave it to the messenger to deliver. He also ended the letter with the same parting words as Katsuki had and added his wish for his husband to stay safe.

The letters continued even when Katsuki arrived at the royal palace of the Midoriya Kingdom. Katsuki gave him word from his parents and Izuku did the same in his reply. The movement of the enemy had stopped, but they hadn’t retreated yet, so the King and his general decided to stay in the capital for a while longer until they deemed it safe again.

While these letters soothed Izuku’s mind, his body seemed to suffer under the strain of his new responsibilities as sole ruler in Katsuki’s absence. He had trouble sleeping and just the thought of food made him nauseous. 

Everything came to a head at a council meeting. The meeting had just adjourned and Izuku was pushing himself out of his chair when the world around him started to spin and he blacked out for a second. When he came to again, he was sitting in his chair and several council members were fawning over him. They offered him water and helped him up, demanding he see a doctor this instant.

“His Highness would never forgive us if we overworked you,” one said and offered his arm to Izuku which he took gratefully.

“I’m sure it is nothing,” Izuku said but let himself be led to the royal physician without protest. While he was examined, Masaru stepped into the room to offer his support. He and Mitsuki had helped Izuku out as much as they could and he was thankful for them. 

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” Izuku said, trying to calm himself and his father-in-law at the same time. “I’ve just been overworked. All of this started right at the end of my heat, so my body is simply a bit strained right now.”

Masaru nodded but said nothing. There was a certain glint in his eyes though that made something like excitement flutter in his stomach.

“Well, your Highness, I have good news for you,” the old physician said with a small smile. “While you are indeed overworked and need to take more breaks in the future, that is not the main reason for your fatigue. You are expecting and your body is adjusting accordingly.”

It took Izuku a few seconds to process what he had just heard. Next to him, Masaru let out a delighted gasp and squeezed Izuku’s hand.

“Oh! That’s wonderful news! The king will be so pleased to hear about it!”

“... What?” Izuku asked, his voice filled with wonder. He placed his free hand against his stomach, still trying to fully grasp what he had just heard. “I’m… pregnant?”

“Indeed you are, your Grace,” the physician said with a motherly smile. “Congratulations.”

 “The kingdom will rejoice once the news gets out!” Masaru said.

“It’s still early,” the physician said, her voice serious. “There is still a chance that the pregnancy fails. It’s not uncommon, as you very well know, Duke Bakugou. I would wait a few more months before announcing it to the public just to be sure it actually sticks around.”

Izuku cradled his stomach protectively just at the thought of losing his baby. Next to him, a pained look flashed over Masaru’s face and he nodded. Izuku wanted to ask what troubled him but didn’t dare. He turned his attention back to the physician in front of him.

“But I can tell the king?” he asked.

“Of course, you can, your Highness. You can tell whoever you wish. I am simply advising you to take it easy and wait a little while before sharing the news with the entire court.”

“That is wise advice, Izuku,” Masaru agreed. “We can tell Mitsuki together at dinner. And you can either write to Katsuki yourself or wait for his return. You’re still early on, so it will be a while before you are starting to show.”

“I think…” Izuku said, one hand gently rubbing up and down on his stomach. He imagined Katsuki when he told them the news and the butterflies in his body fluttered in excitement. Or was it maybe the baby within him? Already excited to meet their sire? “I think I want to tell him in person.”

“Alright,” Masaru said and his eyes were soft as he placed a gentle hand against Izuku’s back. 

That night after dinner and after Izuku escaped the excited arms of his overjoyed mother-in-law he sat down to answer Katsuki’s latest letter. After he had reported on the going ons of the kingdom he hesitated for a short moment. Then he wrote one more sentence at the bottom of the paper.

“I have something important to share with you once you are back, since this is the kind of news to share face to face. Hurry back safely, husband.

Love, Izuku”

He sealed the letter and wandered over to his nest. Katsuki’s scent had long faded from it, but Izuku still found comfort in one of the capes he had stolen from his husband’s chambers. Now he curled up with it, hand and knees pressed to his stomach, and smiled.

“I can’t wait for you to meet your father,” he whispered to the small life growing inside of him. “I hope you’ll love him just as much as I do.”

Chapter Text

It took almost two months until the King and a small part of his army came back to the capital. Just as they planned, most of the soldiers had been left behind to take on their new post for the protection of the Midoriya Kingdom. They had been trained and prepared for this moment since the engagement of Katsuki and Izuku had been announced almost over a decade ago.

After receiving the letter with Izuku’s cryptic message Katsuki had been asking after the news Izuku wanted to share with him in every new missive he sent, but Izuku had remained silent. His secret was only known to the court physician, Katsuki’s parents and his maid Ochako. He hadn’t even confided in his mother yet, too afraid the letter would be intercepted or, even worse, she would share them with Katsuki in her excitement as long as he resided with them. 

He still wasn’t showing, or at least not in a way that anyone who wasn’t him would notice. Where his stomach had been flat there was now the slightest curve, not noticeable through his clothing. But when he stood naked in front of a mirror he could see it clear as day.

The King was expected to be back every day now and Izuku spent most of his time trying to figure out how to break the news to him. He couldn’t wait too long or Mitsuki and Masaru would explode by having to keep his secret. 

The servants around the castle had been instructed to notify him as soon as the king’s entourage came into view so Izuku could welcome him at the gate, but as always his husband defied every expectation.

The Omega was taking care of the plants in his greenhouse when a giant shadow passed overhead. That in itself wasn’t anything that scared Izuku anymore. The first few times it had happened he had cowered in fear before remembering that he was now living in the land of dragons and they roamed the skies over the castle freely. Now, months into his stay at his new home he didn’t even bat an eye when it happened anymore. 

But instead of passing by, the shadow circled above the greenhouse and seemed to be getting closer. Confused, Izuku looked up to see a familiar, red dragon land on the grass adjacent to his greenhouse and his heart skipped a beat as he recognized the pale blond hair of the rider. He almost dropped his watering can in his haste to let go of it, but still, he wasn’t fast enough. Katsuki had already leaped from the dragon’s back and was now striding across the grass. The King threw open the door to the greenhouse and to Izuku’s shock, he didn’t hesitate to pull him into his arms.

“I’m home,” he whispered into Izuku’s hair and Izuku could feel how his eyes started to tear up. He lifted his arms to wrap around his husband and pulled him closer. He inhaled the familiar mix of their scents and for the first time since his heat had ended, he could feel his muscles truly relax.

“Welcome home, Kacchan,” he whispered back and for a while neither of them said anything. 

“Where’s the rest of your guard?” Izuku asked after a while and he felt Katsuki’s shrug.

“They were too slow, so I left them behind.”

“Kacchan!” Izuku reprimanded him. “Their job is to protect you! They can’t do that if you ditch them somewhere on the road.”

“I don’t need protection,” Katsuki grumbled and rubbed his chin harder into Izuku’s head until the Omega squealed and begged for mercy. Izuku stared up in wonder at Katsuki, who still hadn’t let go of him. What had come over the Alpha?

“I wanted to get home faster,” Katsuki admitted and his cheeks flushed a handsome pink. “There I was in your kingdom, surrounded by all these green things and it took me way too long to realize the green thing I wanted to see the most was here back home.”

Izuku’s heart skipped a beat as Katsuki lifted his head again and looked straight into his eyes.

“I missed you, Izuku.”

“Oh,” Izuku said and he blinked rapidly to try and keep the rising tears at bay. “I didn’t think you would.”

A look of guilt and hurt flashed over Katsuki’s face upon hearing that and he gripped Izuku tighter.

“And the only one to blame for that is me. I’ve been horrible to you for no good reason and you didn’t deserve that.”

“You weren’t horrible,” Izuku tried to argue, even though a small part of him remembered the hurt and embarrassment during Katsuki’s rut. 

“No, don’t make excuses for me. I promised to respect you as my partner but then I broke that promise. The truth is, I’ve been afraid.”

Katsuki lowered his head until his hair was hiding his eyes, but still he didn’t let go of Izuku.

“I asked my parents for an arranged marriage because I needed a strong partner that would support but not weaken me. Not like it did for my parents.”

“Your parents?” Izuku asked, confused. “But your mother has been one of the strongest rulers your country has ever seen.”

“She was. So isn’t it confusing that she resigned from the throne already? There was no need for me to take over yet and still she did. And the reason for that is my father. You see, after I was born my parents tried for more children. They were open and proud about their love and our enemies saw it and tried to use it to their advantage. Since my birth there have been countless assassination attempts on my parents and when I was five they succeeded.”

Izuku startled, his eyes wide.

“But I don’t understand. Your parents are fine.”

“No, they’re not,” Katsuki said and when he looked up there was a deep sadness in them that shocked Izuku to his core. “My father is dying and my mother with him. When I was five years old, my father got pregnant again and our enemies used that against him. They poisoned him and the unborn child inside of him and used it to slowly kill him from the inside. I will never forget the screams of my mother when she found out and could do nothing.”

“Kacchan…” 

“The healers managed to extract the poisonous fetus in the end but not without cost. My father took severe damage and would’ve likely died anyways if my mother hadn’t bound their life forces together.”

“That’s ancient and forbidden magic,” Izuku hissed out. Just the thought of ripping your soul apart and binding it to something else made a shiver run down his back. “That’s dangerous to share. Why would you tell me this?”

“Because you deserve to know and I trust you,” Katsuki answered simply. Izuku was blown away by that declaration. It was one thing to trust him, but this secret was on a whole other level. If the people of the kingdom or even their enemies heard about it it could destroy the legacy of the entire Bakugou family line.

“My mother cut her own life span in half to stay with my father. She has no magic left in her and both of them only have a couple of years left by the estimate of the healers,” Katsuki continued. 

“That’s the reason why they chose my kingdom to offer an alliance too,” Izuku realized. “Our healing and fertility magic has been known to ward off dark curses and offer a longer life. Your mother still wants to save your father.”

Katsuki nodded.

“That’s why I pushed for a political marriage. I wanted a partner I could trust but who I wouldn’t rip the world or myself apart for. I wanted to protect myself and my kingdom. I wanted to call for you during my rut and that scared me. The thought of wanting someone, of depending on them like that was too much, so I pushed you away and hurt you in the process. I know there is no easy way for me to make amends but if you’ll let me I’ll try my best.”

Izuku took a step back out of Katsuki’s arms. Katsuki’s face contorted in pain at the gesture but Izuku gave him a small smile to reassure him and took one of his hands.

“Thank you for telling me this and for acknowledging what you did. It means a lot to me. I will be honest with you too, in return. I know what kind of marriage awaited me when our families agreed to this alliance and I was prepared for it. You don’t owe me anything in terms of your feelings. But you are right, your actions during your rut hurt me deeply and have shaken my trust in you.”

Katsuki looked stricken, but Izuku pushed on. It was time to speak his truth and to stop hiding. For himself and for the life he was carrying inside of himself now.

“I don’t want to ask things of you that you can’t give me. I don’t want you to be unhappy and resent me. But I need to know that you are committed to this alliance and will not slander it again with your actions. I gave up my whole life to serve my kingdom and I demand your respect.”

“I do,” his husband said, his eyes pleading. “I do respect you, Izuku.”

“Then prove it with your future actions.”

“I will.”

“Good. Then let’s not speak about this anymore,” Izuku said with a smile. His shoulders felt lighter and he was glad that he had spoken his piece. It would take time and effort to regain the trust that Katsuki had lost from him, but Izuku wanted to believe that it was possible. His heart had already decided that there would be no one else for him after all.

“You are too forgiving,” Katsuki whispered and Izuku chuckled.

“Maybe. But I don’t want to fight with you. Not when I have good news to share with you.”

That seemed to perk his husband up.

“Is this the secret you couldn’t tell me over letters?”

“It is,” Izuku said with a small smile and guided Katsuki’s hand to rest against his stomach. Katsuki frowned, not understanding what Izuku was trying to tell him.

“Kacchan,” Izuku said simply and pressed his hand tighter to his stomach. The face of the King cleared and filled with impossible wonder.

“You are…” he said but trailed off as his eyes fluttered away from Izuku’s face and fixed on his stomach.

“Yes.”

The Alpha let out a keening whine before collapsing on his knees and gently framing Izuku’s stomach with both hands. Izuku jumped, a bit taken aback by the reaction.

“Your heat?”

Izuku nodded.

“It seemed it took at the first try.” He let out a chuckle. “Seems all that fertility talk of my kingdom isn’t just for show.”

Katsuki let out a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a sob. Izuku felt his own eyes tear up in response.

“I don’t deserve this,” Katsuki said, his eyes still fixed on Izuku’s stomach and the new treasure hidden inside. “Any of this. Not you, not this. Not after what I did.”

Izuku grabbed the Alpha’s face in his hand and forced him to look up. He gave him a determined look, his voice serious.

“Then make sure you deserve it. Prove it to me, Alpha. Prove to me you truly are the man I hope you are.”

“I will,” Katsuki gasped out before he pulled Izuku closer to press his face against his clothed stomach. Izuku could see tear stains appear on the soft linen. “I’ll prove it to you. To both of you.”

Time seemed to fly after this. The triumphant return of the King and the successful defense of their closest ally were met with a joyous celebration by the people. It didn’t take long after that for there to be another celebration as Katsuki and Izuku announced Izuku’s pregnancy and the upcoming birth of the new heir to the throne of both of their countries. The festivities lasted for days and it didn’t take long for countless gifts to be delivered to the castle.

Katsuki had an almost obsessive need to check every single one of them for traps or things that could be harmful to Izuku and the child, but after hearing the story about his parents Izuku indulged him in his need.

Their relationship underwent another shift as well in that time. Where before it had been mostly Izuku looking for some of Katsuki’s time, now it was the other way around. Katsuki had taken to joining Izuku in his chambers in the evening since according to the Alpha he didn’t want Izuku to walk to him every night. He needed the rest after all. 

He also posted more guards around Izuku’s chamber to ensure his safety and wherever he went someone accompanied him. Most of the time it was Katsuki himself though. Whenever Izuku voiced out loud that he wanted or needed something it was delivered to him by the hour. Even when he was craving ice cream in the middle of summer, the King moved mountains to fulfill his wish. In that case even literally.

“He and his dragon collected the ice for this from one of the nearby peaks themselves,” his maid Ochako told him with a sly smile as she delivered the ice cream to him. “It seemed there was no other way to get it in time.”

As much as Izuku adored the attention, he couldn’t help but wonder though. While Katsuki did everything in his power to make Izuku happy, he never made any mention of his own feelings. Were his actions motivated by duty and guilt? Or were there softer feelings hidden behind his actions?

Izuku still hoped for the latter of the options. He couldn’t help himself and craved more from Katsuki than simple companionship. He also wanted his love. But he was not brave enough to voice that wish. Not yet, not while he was still unsure if there was hope for him or not. 

When it was time for the baby to be born, Izuku was nervous. The physician had prepared him of course and Masaru and other Omegas were there to support him and guide him through the birth, but he still longed for something more. Something that only one person could give him.

But to his horror, his husband left the capital city only a few weeks before Izuku’s due date.

“I promise you I will be back in time for the birth,” Katsuki said as he stood next to his massive dragon in the courtyard. “But this is something I simply can’t delay. You’ll understand once I’m back.”

“I trust you,” Izuku said and Katsuki gave him a sharp look, his eyes wide in surprise. Izuku hadn’t used these words, not since their conversation in the greenhouse all those months ago. 

“I won’t betray your trust. Not again,” Katsuki vowed and stepped closer to press a kiss against Izuku’s forehead. Then he kneeled down and pressed a kiss against Izuku’s protruding stomach. “Don’t give your dam any trouble while I am away. And wait for me.”

“If they don’t I’ll be cross with them,” Izuku said with a gentle smile.

“You’re never cross with anyone,” Katsuki said and Izuku chuckled.

“I was very cross with you not long ago.”

“I deserved worse.”

“Be careful what you wish for, my king,” Izuku said and a sullen, serious look overtook Katsuki’s face. He gently grabbed Izuku’s face in his hands and pressed featherlight kisses against Izuku’s eyelids. His heart skipped a beat.

“Don’t even joke about that, husband. I’ll see you soon.”

“Safe travels,” Izuku sighed and watched as Katsuki mounted his dragon and flew away.

It took him six days to return and when he did Izuku cried. Not only did Katsuki keep his promise, but he had also once again brought Izuku exactly what he had been craving without him even knowing. Izuku watched as the king helped another figure dismount with gentle hands and Izuku let out a sob as his green eyes met a pair of identical ones.

“Oh, my baby!” Queen Inko Midoriya exclaimed as she ran to cross the courtyard and pull Izuku into her arms. “I’m here now!”

“Mama!” Izuku cried out and wrapped his arms around his mother in a hug. “How-?”

“Your husband thought you might need me right now. He wrote to me and your father months ago but we needed some time to arrange for me to leave for a longer period of time. You know your father would be here too if he could but he sends all of his love.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get her earlier,” Katsuki said as he stepped closer to them and Izuku looked up at him with wild eyes.

“You did this?” Izuku sobbed out and Katsuki nodded, a gentle smile on his face. Izuku released his mother to grab Katsuki. He rose up to his tiptoes and pressed a fleeting kiss against his husband’s lips.

“Thank you,” he whispered and the look in Katsuki’s eyes made his heart flutter.

Chapter Text

Izuku hadn’t realized just how much he had missed his mother until he finally saw her again. Her presence was a balm to his soul and helped soothe his nerves as nothing else could. Still, even his mother couldn’t quiet the fear arising in him once his labor started. Katsuki wanted to stay with him, but Inko was insistent. Seeing his small Omega mother kick out his giant Alpha husband was a sight.

It was not an easy birth. Male Omegas generally had a harder time with it than females and Izuku certainly suffered for it. At long last, after ten hours filled with pain, walking, exercises, and more pain, finally, the cry of a baby could be heard. The healthy set of lungs made a smile appear on everyone’s faces and Izuku weakly held his arms out, demanding for his baby.

“Here you go, your Majesty,” the head physician said as she carefully handed him the naked baby. “We cleaned him up a bit, but skin-to-skin contact is very important for pups at such a young age.”

“Him?” Izuku asked, his eyes stinging with tears and sweat.

“Congratulations, you gave birth to a healthy boy! And one that will probably turn out to be an Alpha as well!”

“An Alpha as heir to the throne,” Inko said and pressed a kiss against Izuku’s forehead. “You did so good, Izuku.”

“Where’s Kacchan?” Izuku asked without looking up from his son. The baby's eyes were wide open and familiar green eyes stared up at him. 

“The King has been sitting outside in the hall since he has been kicked out by your highness’ mother. He refused to leave and conducted the council meeting out there,” one of the wet nurses said with a bright smile. “It has caused quite the commotion. Do you want us to bring him in?”

“Yes, please.”

It didn’t take long for Izuku to hear the hurried steps of his husband and then he was there at his side. His hair was a mess as if he had run his hands through it several times and his clothing was rumpled. It really did seem like he hadn’t left after Inko had kicked him out on his ass and that fact made the smile on his face widen.

“Izuku,” his Alpha said and leaned down to press a kiss against his sweaty curls. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Kacchan,” Izuku answered and repositioned his arms a bit to present their newest treasure to the king. “I’d like you to meet your son.”

To Izuku’s surprise, Katsuki let out a dry sob as his eyes fell on the tiny bundle in Izuku’s arms. The Alpha collapsed next to the bedside and leaned his head against Izuku’s shoulder, face to face with the tiny pup in his arms. 

“He’s perfect,” Katsuki whispered and used one finger to carefully stroke the pup’s cheek. Izuku couldn’t hold back the emotions in his heart and started to sob too. Alarmed, Katsuki looked up at him and placed his other hand against Izuku’s cheek.

“Are you in pain?” he asked, a concerned frown on his face.

“No, not at all,” Izuku answered and smiled through his tears. The pup in his arms squirmed as his nose tried to decipher the heady mix of pheromones his parents released. “I’ve never been happier than right now.”

The birth of the crown prince was announced and the kingdom rejoiced. While the palace celebrated, Izuku and Katsuki retreated into the Omega’s chambers and his nest to rest and recover, their new bundle of joy between them. Katsuki had never entered Izuku’s nest outside of his heat, respectful of his mate’s boundaries. But now Izuku grabbed his Alpha’s hand and tugged him into the circle of blankets and pillows.

“The wet nurse said it’s important for the pup to have bonding time with both of his parents,” he explained as he rearranged some of his nesting materials to make space for the pup to comfortably lie in. They laid down on both sides of their baby and simply stared at it for a while, each grabbing onto one tiny hand.

“Is it really okay for me to be here?” Katsuki asked after a few minutes of quiet and Izuku gave him a surprised look. 

“Of course it is, you are his sire. Where else would you be?”

“I mean, is it okay with you?” Katsuki asked, a pained look in his eyes. “I don’t want to force myself into your space if you’re not ready for it.”

Izuku let out a sigh and lifted his other hand, wrist up. Katsuki reacted immediately and rubbed their wrist together in a soothing scenting.

“Kacchan, I always want you in my space. How can you not know that by now?”

“But why?”

“Because I love you, you big idiot Alpha. I always have.”

“But-”

“No buts,” Izuku interrupted him. He had spent enough time watching Katsuki beating himself up for hurting Izuku and he was done with it. The Alpha had more than proven how committed he was to Izuku and their relationship. He had never outright said so, but Izuku knew what he had done. 

As consort, it was his responsibility to manage the employees of the palace and any major changes were reported directly to him. So of course he had been notified when Katsuki had released all of his concubines from their service. They were free to either pick a new master of their choosing or be let go with a hefty sum of money as compensation for their services. But since Katsuki’s promise of doing better, of treating Izuku with the respect he deserved he had not shared his bed with someone else. 

“I want you here. Our son needs you here. So here is where you will stay.”

“If that is what my consort demands,” Katsuki answered with a wry grin and Izuku answered it with a smile of his own.

“It is indeed. Now be quiet, that son of yours is huge and I am exhausted.”

“That son of ours has a name, you know,” Katsuki growled playfully before pressing a kiss against the soft cheek of the sleeping pup between them. “Isn’t that right, Katsuya?”

Inko stayed three months with them. Izuku was grateful for his mother's help and was sad to see her go again. He promised to come to visit her and his father together with Katsuki and Katsuya as soon as the pup was old enough to travel safely.

Katsuki looked conflicted as Inko’s belongings were settled on top of the dragon.

“What’s troubling you, Kacchan?” Izuku asked while lightly bouncing Katsuya. He had just finished feeding him and now the pup was getting sleepy. He pressed a quick kiss against his pale, blond locks and inhaled his milky scent.

“I’m worried about the journey. I should go with them as extra protection.”

“Your mother is still a capable fighter, Kacchan,” Izuku reminded him again as they watched the second and third dragon land. “And Kirishima is going to watch over them.”

Mitsuki and Masaru had decided to join Inko on her journey back to the Midoriya Kingdom. The official story was that they longed to see their old friends again and that the change of scenery would be beneficial for their health. In reality, they would work with several of the Midoriya kingdom’s best healers to try and prolong the shared life span of the resigned ruler pair. Izuku hoped they would be successful, for both their and for Kacchan’s sake.

“I know,” Katsuki grumbled. He stepped closer to Izuku and wrapped an arm around his waist. Izuku’s heart skipped a beat at the casual display of affection. Since Katsuya’s birth, Katsuki had been much more liberal with touching him and Izuku reveled in it. “I still have a bad feeling about them leaving.”

“You worry too much, Kacchan.”

“You don’t worry enough,” Katsuki growled back but there was a smile hiding in the corner of his lips that told Izuku his mate didn’t mean what he said. He giggled and leaned back against Katsuki and kept on watching the dragons. Katsuya was warm and safe in his arms and Izuku was truly happy.

When Katsuya turned six months old with no complications and was expected to reach adulthood there was a ceremony he had to undergo. Izuku had been skeptical about it at first, but both Katsuki and Aizawa assured him it was necessary.

Katsuki took Izuku and Katsuya down to the graveyard of rulers underneath the lake. Just as with his first visit, the giant blue crystal was slowly spinning under the ceiling, illuminating the space below in an eerie blue hue. Katsuki guided him to the top of a platform right underneath the crystal and pulled out a small knife. Izuku pulled his baby closer on instinct. Katsuya let out a small grunt and yawn before snuggling more firmly against Izuku’s chest.

Katsuki had explained the ritual to Izuku, so he knew what was going to happen, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

Carefully, Katsuki cut into the soft flesh of Katsuya’s arm until he had drawn a small droplet of blood. The pup whimpered in Izuku’s arms and the Omega could feel his heartache. Katsuki let out a wince in sympathy.

“I know, my little love,” he said and kissed the crown of the pup’s head. “It’ll be over soon and then I’ll make sure you’ll never have to come back down here again.”

Izuku didn’t like the implications of that. He knew that in case of emergency, either Katsuki or Mitsuki had to fuse with the energy of the crystal to protect the city and with Mitsuki absent in the Midoriya Kingdom that only left one choice.

Katsuki took a gentle hold of Katsuya’s arm and started to receive the old spell that connected his family to the crystal. Slowly, a small drop of Katsuya’s blood started to lift up into the air. Around them, droplets of water danced through the space, with no apparent gravity to hold them. Both Katsuki and Izuku watched as the drop of blood lifted up into the crystal and disappeared. The crystal flashed brightly for a second and the cut on Katsuya’s arm healed instantly.

“I don’t like this place, Kacchan,” Izuku whispered, afraid to disturb the quiet. Katsuki pulled him into a hug, their baby safe between them.

“I know. But the crystal has kept us safe for centuries without ever taking more from us than we could give. And I’ll make sure Katsuya will never need to use it.”

“But what about you?” Izuku looked up at his husband with wide eyes. “I don’t want you to have to use it either.”

“I won’t,” Katsuki said, a determined look on his face. “I promise, Izuku.”

“I’ll hold you to that promise, husband.”

“Mama!” Katsuya crowed out in delight and Izuku leaned down to where his son was sitting in the grass with a soft smile.

“What is it, darling? What do you want to show Mama?”

As proud as only a small child could be, the pup held up a tattered daisy he had ripped out of the ground.

“Pretty!” the barely one year old pup said and Izuku laughed softly.

“It is. Flowers are pretty, right my little love?”

The pup giggled and rolled over into Izuku’s lap, the flower forgotten on the ground. Izuku grabbed his son and squeezed him tightly which caused the child to only laugh louder.

“He sure is energetic today, isn’t he?” Ochako asked while she placed the basket with food on the ground next to them. Since the weather had been nice, Izuku had decided to take his lunch outside with his son. He and Katsuki tried to spend as much time as possible with him, but their duties sometimes prevented it. 

Trouble had been brewing in the neighboring kingdoms for a while and the army was on high alert. The troops stationed in the Midoriya kingdom over a year ago were still fulfilling their purpose and were keeping the peace at the borders of the kingdom. But their scouts had come back with troubling sightings of enemy movements lately. The council of both their countries feared that a war was imminent, but Izuku hoped something like that could be prevented.

Katsuya pulled himself up to stand in his lap and patted his hands against Izuku’s cheeks.

“Mama!” he said again with a bright smile that showed off all five of his milk teeth. “Food!”

“Of course, your Highness!” Izuku said dutifully and scooped the small child into his arms and stood up to spin him around. Katsuya squealed with laughter and kicked his legs in delight. 

“Dragon!” the pup yelled and Izuku laughed.

“Yes! You are a dragon! You’re flying high, just like Papa!”

“Papa!” his son yelled almost as if to agree with Izuku.

“I’ve been summoned?” a new voice said and both Izuku and Katsuya let out a gasp.

“Papa!” Katsuya said, voice full of pure joy, and stretched his hands toward the Alpha that had just appeared. With a quick grin, Katsuki swooped in and took their son into his own arms and started pressing kisses against his chubby cheeks. The pup squealed in delight at the attention and tried to wrap his short arms around his father’s neck.

“Hello, my little love, did you miss me?” he asked and the child giggled.

“Yes!” Katsuya said and pressed a slobbery, wet kiss of his own against Katsuki’s cheek. Izuku lifted a hand to his mouth to hide his own laughter, but his husband caught him.

“Oh? You find that funny, Deku?” he challenged and stepped closer.

“Very much so, Kacchan,” Izuku answered and stepped into the open arm Katsuki stretched out toward him. “I didn’t know you would join us for lunch. Didn’t you have a meeting with Kirishima and the other generals?”

Katsuki’s face turned into a grimace upon hearing that.

“The meeting was postponed a few hours. Apparently, they are still waiting on the newest scout report and it would be senseless to start without that. So I thought I’d use the opportunity and come find you two.”

The Omega let out a thoughtful hum and carded one of his hands through Katsuki’s hair which made the taller Alpha purr in contentment.

Their sweet moment was interrupted by the insistent slap of a toddler's hand upon Katsuki’s cheek.

“Papa! Food!”

“For fu- fricks sake, kid,” Katsuki said, stopping the swear word at the last moment and Izuku only grinned at him before sitting down in the grass and opening the basket.

“Come now, Alpha mine, before our child decides to eat you instead.”

Once their stomachs were filled and the small pup was dozing in Izuku’s lap, the two parents relished in the rare moment of quiet and peace between them. But Izuku had something important to ask Katsuki and now seemed to be the perfect opportunity. He took a deep breath and steeled his nerves before turning towards his Alpha.

“Kacchan,” he said and Katsuki let out a grunt to show he was listening. “I want another baby.”

Katsuki’s head whipped over to him so fast that Izuku feared the Alpha had pulled something. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open for a second and Izuku would’ve laughed at him if he hadn’t been so nervous.

“What?” Katsuki croaked out and Izuku repeated himself.

“I want another baby,” he said and pulled Katsuya closer to him. “I know you already have an heir now and don’t need another one, but I really want Katsuya to have siblings to grow up with.”

He could feel the blood rush into his cheeks as he forced himself to keep looking at the Alpha at his next words.

“And I want to have another baby with you, Kacchan. Because I love you.”

“Izuku,” Katsuki whispered before he reached over and gently grabbed Izuku’s face. He pulled him closer into a long, deep kiss, the first one in a long time and Izuku could feel his heart flutter in joy. When they separated again, Katsuki kept close and leaned his forehead against Izuku’s.

“Are you sure?” he asked and Izuku nodded.

“Yes, Kacchan. I’ve thought about it for a long time now.”

Katsuki sighed out a shuddering breath before surging forward and kissing Izuku again.

“Izuku, I-”

“Your Highness!” a voice called out from the palace gates and both Izuku and Katsuki turned towards it. Kirishima jogged over the grass toward them, a worried look on his face.

“Your Highness, please forgive my interruption, but the scout has just returned to the capital with news from the border.”

Izuku felt a feeling of dread pool into his stomach and his grip on the sleeping Katsuya tightened.

“Any news you can share with us already?” he asked.

Kirishima nodded his head with grim determination.

“I’m afraid the signs are pointing towards war.”

Chapter Text

The council meeting proved Kirishima’s fear to be true. According to their scouts, the enemy troops that had been gathering by the border had started to advance on the capital of the Midoriya Kingdom and had already taken out an outpost and garrison of the Bakugou army on their march. The rest of the stationed troops had already been deployed to intercept them, but the enemy numbers had doubled since their last push almost two years ago now.

“The sheer size of the enemy's army requires us to take immediate action,” a council member stated while they moved some of the tokens on the battle map. “If we do nothing the enemy will overrun the Midoriya Kingdom.”

Murmurs of agreement came from the rest of the council and Izuku pressed a hand against his mouth to hold back a sob.

“We will not let that happen,” Katsuki said from his seat at the head of the table. “We will gather our forces and start a two-sided attack on the enemy, the stationed forces from the front and our forces from the back. The ground troops may be slower, but our flyers can reach the battlefield in a matter of days.”

“We need to be careful about our own defenses,” another, older council member said. “We can’t leave our capital and people completely defenseless.”

“The people of the Midoriya kingdom are our people,” Katsuki growled out and the other man shrank back into his seat at the glare. “But you are correct. We will of course leave a part of our troop behind to guard our back in case of emergency and to protect the capital.”

“We will prepare the troops,” Kirishima said and stood up from his seat. “The dragon riders will be ready to depart tonight, the ground troops tomorrow at dawn.”

Katsuki nodded, before looking over at Izuku. They exchanged a look for several seconds and with sudden clarity and fear, Izuku knew what Katsuki would say next.

“I will fly with the dragon riders tonight,” he said and turned back to the council. “Kirishima, you and your mount will join the ground troops.”

“Yes, my king,” the general exclaimed before leaving the council room. The rest of the council dispersed as well, all having already been preparing for this possible occasion for several weeks and knowing what to do now. 

Katsuki slumped into his chair, one hand pressed against his eyes. Izuku stood up from his own seat and walked over to his husband slowly. He pushed Katsuki’s arms away and slid into the seat of Katsuki’s lap. The Alpha’s arms wrapped around Izuku to secure him and pull him closer.

Neither one of them said anything, simply taking comfort from being close to their partner for a while. 

“I’ll be careful, Izuku,” Katsuki whispered and Izuku nodded. 

“I know. I’m still scared. For you, for my country and my people.”

“I’ll come back to you,” Katsuki said with conviction and grabbed Izuku’s chin to look him in the eyes. “To you and to our son. And to our future family as well.” 

One hand slid over Izuku’s thigh and settled low on the Omega’s stomach. Izuku could feel the tears he had tried to hold back throughout the council meeting start to roll down his cheek and he leaned his head against Katsuki’s shoulder and let himself cry. His Alpha held him through it all, offering his strengths and support. 

Both knew it would be the last time for a long while.

Katsuya watched with wide eyes as the courtyard filled with dragons of all shapes, colors, and sizes. Izuku hadn’t allowed the small pup to get close to the great beasts yet, but his curious pup held a fascination for them like nothing else. 

Next to them, Katsuki tightened the straps on his flight suit for the last time. Once he was done he stepped closer to them and pulled both Izuku and Katsuya into a bone-crushing hug. The small pup wiggled in their arms, unhappy with the hard leather pressed against his soft skin.

“Papa! Hurts!” he whimpered and Katsuki loosened his grip and placed a quick kiss against the pup’s cheek.

“I’m sorry, my little love. Papa’s just going to miss you and Mama a lot.” 

“Fly safely, Kacchan,” Izuku said, trying to hold back his tears. It wouldn’t do to cry in front of their soldiers and he was sure if he started to cry Katsuya would too. His pup was as sensitive to emotions as Izuku himself was. “Come back soon.”

“I will. I promise.”

“Papa?” Katsuya asked and tried to shift himself over into his sire’s arms, but Katsuki gently pushed him back toward Izuku.

“Papa needs to go now.” He pressed another kiss against the pup's forehead. Then he lifted his head and gave Izuku a gentle, lingering kiss.

“I love you,” Izuku whispered and Katsuki kissed him again. Then the King straightened his shoulders and turned toward his soldiers. Izuku watched him walk away, his red cape billowing out behind him, and tried to burn the image into his mind. 

Katsuki did not look back at them.

“Your Majesty, it’s time for the council meeting,” Ochako said softly and Izuku nodded. He was still lying in his nest, his sleeping pup beside him. Katsuya had been fussy ever since Katsuki left and Izuku was thankful for every time he managed to get the pup to sleep. He carefully extracted himself from the small child's arms and replaced himself with the stuffed dragon toy that Katsuki had gifted their son on his first birthday. Then he wrapped him more securely in the blankets that had started to smell of only Izuku.

It had been three weeks since Katsuki had left the capital and from the reports of their scouts their ground troops had reached the battlefield a few days ago. It seemed to have turned the battle in their favor, but still, there was no fast end in sight for the conflict and Izuku and the council were worried.

“Stay with him while I am away,” Izuku told Ochako and quickly changed into some more appropriate attire. “I’ll try to be quick.”

Accompanied by his guards, Izuku hurried down the corridors toward the council chamber. Thankfully, he wasn’t the last to arrive and the meeting started shortly after. The newest numbers of their supply lines were discussed, as well as the numbers of new recruits from the town folks. After their main troops had departed from the capital, the people had been asked to consider taking up arms in time of need. Many young men and women had gathered at the palace to begin their training, but they were far from battle ready. Still, Izuku was relieved that these people would be able to defend themselves better if the need arose.

“There has been no new missive from the King yet,” one of the council members said as he updated the battle map in the middle of the table. “So we can’t give an accurate estimate of the enemy's numbers yet, but from what we have gathered up until now let us believe they are far too many to be just a single kingdom. We believe several nations have banded together or mercenaries have been hired to strengthen their force. We need to be prepared for more to join them because of this.”

“That is an astute observation,” Izuku agreed. “I think it would be best-”

But he was interrupted by the door slamming open and a wide-eyed soldier entering.

“Apologies, my lords! But I have urgent news that can’t be delayed.”

“Speak then,” Izuku demanded.

“Your Highness, enemy troops have been sighted just outside of our gates and they are advancing on the city.”

For several seconds there was only silence before chaos erupted.

“Impossible!” some of the council yelled. “How can an enemy force just appear on our doorstep without further notice? We should’ve been able to spot them from miles away!”

“Our flying scouts have already been sent out to investigate where they’re coming from, but they are here! A whole army of them, way more than our soldiers inside of the city!” the soldier cried out and Izuku could see real fear in his eyes.

“Evacuate the outer plains of the city!” he ordered, his voice loud and confident over the voices of the council. “Barricade and fortify the walls! Prepare another flying messenger and send word to the King and our allies immediately!”

“At once, your Highness,” Aizawa saluted and left the room in a hurry, the fearful soldier on his heels. Izuku turned back to the council.

“We have prepared ourselves for a possible attack, even though we have not anticipated it happening this soon. All of you know your duties and I expect you to fulfill them. We will hold another meeting once the scouts are back and will be able to give us a better overview of the situation.”

“Yes, your Highness!” the council responded and hurried to leave the room as well. Once he was alone, Izuku slumped down into the chair and buried his face in his hands. He couldn’t lose control of his emotions right now. He had a kingdom to lead and protect while Kacchan did the same out there. They had prepared for this. They would get through this.

The reports from the scouts were disheartening. The enemy army was indeed larger than their own remaining troops. They had snuck up on the city by making use of giant earthworms that had dug a tunnel straight into an abandoned mineshaft near the city. Work there had been stopped decades ago since the resources from there had dwindled and it had lain dormant and forgotten since then. The enemy had used it to slowly funnel their troops and supplies into their kingdom and now that the war against the rest of their forces had drawn away the main part of the Bakugou army they had decided to strike. 

Thankfully the march from the mineshaft had taken them long enough that the population living outside of the city walls had been able to flee into the city proper safely. Due to the alliance with the Midoriya kingdom, the food stores were full and would be able to sustain them for a long time, but the main concern was the wall. 

While it was thick and sturdy, equipped with many defenses, it was also old and the lack of soldiers meant the remaining ones would have to work longer shifts to keep it and the weapons manned. This would put a drain on their troops and their morale. And on top of that, there was the worry of the enemy making use of their worms once again to simply tunnel underneath the city itself. It was only a matter of time till they would be fully invaded and the council was losing their minds while trying to find a solution.

“We simply have to hold out until the King and the army come back to us.”

“And how do you expect us to do that? The army is occupied fighting the rest of these demons on the other side of the border. And even if they manage to defeat them swiftly, they still need to make their way back here. They will be hurt and exhausted and in no shape to fight another battle so soon!”

“Well, what do you propose then?”

“I say we call the king back.”

“For what? He’s only a single man, there’s nothing he can do all on his own!”

The council member was silent, but the look in his eyes still halted everyone else in their movement.

“You can mean to…”

“It is his duty as our king. He shouldn’t have left in the first place. He and his family are our last line of defense, and no offense to his Highness Izuku, but even though his leadership in these trying times has been stellar, he is not of Bakugou blood.”

“What difference does my blood make in this situation?” Izuku asked slowly. He knew of course what the answer would be, but he refused to acknowledge it. He refused to think about the fact that the council wanted to call back his husband just so he could sacrifice himself to the crystal down in the caves.

“Your Highness, you know the difference. Everyone in this room knows it, but no one is brave enough to speak it. The duty of the House of Bakugou is to protect this kingdom, at all costs necessary. And both King Bakugou and Duchess Mitsuki know this and are prepared for it.”

“Duchess Mitsuki!” another council member exclaimed, their eyes wide. “We can send word to the Duchess. She is still first in line for the crystal.”

A feeling of dread and resignation washed over Izuku as he watched the rest of the council nod in agreement. His soul cried out for his mother-in-law, but what the council member had said wasn’t untrue. Both Mitsuki and Katsuki had been prepared since birth for their duty and they would not shun it.

Even though a small part of his brain reminded him how Mitsuki had been ready to tear her soul apart for her husband to live and how he wasn’t sure of her dedication to the crystal if it meant dooming Masaru as well. But he wouldn’t shame her or her conviction with his doubts.

“If all of you are in agreement, make haste and send the message. As you said, we have no time to lose.”

It took six days for the messenger to return from the capital of the Midoriya Kingdom. Neither Mitsuki nor Katsuki were with him. Instead, he stepped into the meeting room with a grim look on his face.

“Honored council members, your Highness King consort Izuku, I come with grave news of the battlefield. Both Duchess Mitsuki and King Katsuki have been cut off from the main forces and their current whereabouts are unknown. We believe the enemy has worked hard to single them out so that the news of the siege on the capitol cannot reach them. General Kirishima was unable to tell me if both the King and the Duchess still lived.”

“What about Duke Masaru?” Izuku asked, his heart beating in fear.

“The Duke was still in the capital with your Queen Mother,” the scout answered and Izuku exhaled in relief. That meant that at least Mitsuki was still alive. Of course, he couldn’t share this news with the council, but it gave him hope that both Mistuki and Katsuki were still alive and would make it back to their forces.

“These are dire news indeed,” Aizawa said and Izuku could see just how exhausted the other Omega was. “That means we can not count on support from that front.”

“It means more than that,” a council member said after the scout had been sent away, “It means the city’s last defense will not work. Our people are doomed.”

“Is there no other way to activate the crystal?” Izuku asked. He couldn’t imagine that magic as old and powerful as this wouldn’t have a failsafe. The other people in the room were silent and Izuku could feel his desperation building until finally, someone spoke up.

“There might be one more way to do it,” one of the oldest council members said, but the look on his face was grave. What he said next froze all the blood in Izuku’s body and he could feel his heart breaking.

“Crown Prince Katsuya has been bonded to the crystal. He could activate it with our help.”

Chapter Text

“What did you just say?” Izuku asked, his voice shaking with fear and rage. His hands were balled to fists in his lap and he could feel his magic instinctually reach out to the decorative plants in the room in defense.

“I merely answered your question, your Highness,” the council member answered, but his eyes were cold.

“If the King was here he would have your head for even suggesting this,” Izuku growled out and the other people in the room shifted uncomfortably.

“If the King was here, he would do his duty and protect this kingdom.” 

After that statement, all hell broke loose. The different members of the council started yelling all over each other and Izuku was shaking with barely held back emotions. To his despair, he could hear voices in favor of the councilor's plan as well as against it. How could these people even consider sacrificing an innocent child just to save themselves?

“I’ll do it,” Izuku said and suddenly everyone was silent. “I’ll merge with the crystal.”

“As honorable as your offer is, you Highness, it is not possible,” Aizawa said, and Izuku could see the regret and helplessness in his eyes that he himself felt. “Even if you were to undergo the ritual of binding right now, your connection to the crystal wouldn’t be strong enough. That is the reason why the royal line goes through the ritual as young as possible, to give their magic and their connection to the crystal enough time to nourish and grow. Because of that I don’t believe using prince Katsuya is a wise idea either. The boy has only bonded with the crystal a mere 6 months ago. There is no way the crystal would accept him as a host, even if no one else is available.”

“We won’t know until we try,” a voice from somewhere in the room said and several murmurs agreed with him.

“No one touches the crown prince,” Aizawa said, slowly and with deadly intent. “All of you are acting as if our doom is imminent. We don't have all the necessary information yet and most of our allies haven’t made am over yet either. We are not without help and the Bakugou kingdom will not fall.”

Izuku was thankful to Aizawa for taking over the meeting because he wasn’t in any state of mind to continue in a civil manner. His inner Omega was screaming at him to rip out the throat of everyone who had threatened his pup, completely terrified by the new enemies that had revealed themselves in their midst.

After the meeting was finally adjourned, Aizawa accompanied Izuku back to his chambers. As soon as they were inside, Izuku scooped up his son and held him close to his heart.

“Mama?” the still sleepy pup asked, his soft cheek rubbing against the marked scent gland on Izuku’s neck in a clumsy scenting. Izuku let out an instinctual purr to calm himself and his child and sat down on one of the lounges.

“It’s nothing, my little love. Mama just missed you a lot while he was away.”

“Hmm,” Katsuya hummed and soon he was fast asleep in Izuku’s arms again.

“Thank you for speaking up earlier,” Izuku whispered toward Aizawa, who was standing next to the door. “I don’t think I could’ve talked more. I would’ve straight up attacked them.”

Aizawa nodded.

“I figured as much. But it is my duty to protect the royal family and that’s what I will do. I’ll double the security around your private chambers just in case. I don’t think the council would try anything right now, but dark times like these bring out the worst in desperate people.”

Izuku shuddered and curled his body more fully around his pup.

“How could they even suggest something like that?” he asked, silent tears dripping down his cheeks. “How could they even think about sacrificing a child?”

Aizaw said nothing, but the silence was much more telling than a thousand words would’ve been.

Time crawled by and with every day that ended without a new message on the king’s whereabouts, Izuku could feel the hope and morale of the people dwindling. The walls still held strong and the food stores were still full, but the constant pressure from the outside chipped away at everyone piece by piece.

Each council meeting ended with people arguing about what to do. Their allies were not replying to them, which meant they had either abandoned them or their messengers were being intercepted and killed on the way. As far as they knew, no outside help would arrive any time soon and their options were getting more limited each day.

The turning point came on the day that the first wall was breached.

It wasn’t a big incident and their soldiers were quick to contain the small group of enemy soldiers who had somehow managed to scale their walls unscathed, but the damage was done. Those men had not only breached the walls, but they had also brought a new wave of fear and despair with them. If one group had already managed it, just how long would it be for the next one? And the one after that? And just how long until the whole army of enemy soldiers marched right through their front gate and destroyed everything and everyone in their path?

That day marked a change in the council and Izuku could feel it settle around himself like a noose around his neck. With each day the desperation in the council’s eyes grew and the loop tightened and threatened to cut off the air he needed to survive. Aizawa had increased the guards at his doors, but Izuku asked himself just how long they would remain loyal if they were fed lies by the council that Izuku was risking the kingdom's safety? Just how long would it be until these people had twisted the minds of the court and made Izuku the enemy?

He needed to find a way to protect his son. But as much as Izuku thought about it, as much time as he spend in the library going over old tomes and legends, and as much as he begged and prayed, no answer came to him. Without outside help, there was no way to defeat the enemy. Without the crystal, there was no way to strengthen their defense and secure their survival.

In the end, there was only one thing he could do.

After another long council meeting where the voices of his enemies grew louder and louder each day, Izuku hid in the safety of his chambers. Katsuya was sitting on his playmat, completely absorbed in the game he was playing with his stuffed toys and Ochako. While Izuku watched his son, it suddenly hit him. No matter what happened, there was no way that Izuku would be able to watch him grow up. No matter what sacrifice had to be made, Izuku would always lose. He just had to make sure that he would be the only one and that his son would be safe.

Instead of joining his son, he turned to his desk and pulled out several sheets of paper. He quickly started to write and didn’t stop even when the light started to dim outside. Ochako knew better than to interrupt him and took care of Katsuya, even though the young pup was whining for his dam.

It took him several long hours to finish, but when he was done, he had written letters to all the most important people in his life. To Katsuya, to read when he was ready. To his parents, to tell them Izuku was sorry for giving them grief. And of course, to Kacchan, his husband, who might not even be alive to read Izuku’s last words to him.

He left the letters on his desk and walked over to his nest, where Ochako had already tucked Katsuya in for the night. The pup was still restless, moving around with a frown on his face and Izuku softly crooned to him as he climbed into the nest. Immediately, the frown lines softened and Katsuya shuffled closer to his dam in search of warmth and comfort.

“I love you,” Izuku whispered as he pressed soft kisses against every part of his pup’s face as he could reach. “I love you so much, Katsuya. You are the greatest gift I ever received and I am so happy. I can’t bear the thought of being parted from you, but even worse than that is the thought of someone hurting you. Papa is away to protect the kingdom, so now it is my turn to protect you and him. But I want you to know that I will love you forever and I’ll be always with you, wherever you may go, my little love. Mama loves you so, so much.”

He allowed himself to lay inside the nest for a little while longer before he carefully stood up again. The palace walls around him were silent as he grabbed the small knife that Katsuki had used for Katsuya’s ritual all those months ago. After Izuku had asked him, Katsuki had explained everything to him. How it worked, which phrases to say, and how the crystal could be activated. All of this would benefit Izuku now.

He slipped out of the room and the guards outside stood to attention.

“I need you to stay here and guard the crown prince,” he said and the guards saluted him. “I won’t be gone long, I only need to get something from Aizawa. I will be back shortly.”

“Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better if one of us accompanied you?” the guard asked and Izuku shook his head with a smile.

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I would be much calmer if I knew my son was guarded with the utmost care.”

“As you wish, your Highness,” the soldiers said and retook their posts. Izuku felt touched by their dedication to his safety and it put him at ease to know Katsuya was safe inside that room. On silent feet, he made his way toward the portrait hall and after that down into the cave of the crystal, the grave of rulers.

The tomb was silent, the only movement coming from the light reflections on the water. The crystal was glowing as always, the same eerie blue it had been the other two times Izuku had been down here. He climbed on top of the platform underneath it and pulled out the dagger. Without hesitation, he cut into his arm and watched the blood trickle down his arm. Just like Katsuki had done, he recited the spell that would bind his life force to the crystal above.

But nothing happened. The crystal simply kept on spinning above. There was no change in the air, no gravity-defying magic around him, and his blood was not lifted up into the crystal. Confused, Izuku dropped to his knees.

“Why?” he asked, his voice ringing loud in the silence. “Why won’t you accept me?”

The crystal had no answer for him. 

Izuku could feel his eyes burning, the despair and rage in him threatening to spill out. 

“I need to save my son!” he yelled, head thrown back and eyes locked on the crystal above. “I need to save my husband! I need to save this kingdom! I have a duty and responsibility and I am powerless! All my magic is compared nothing to the threat we are facing and you are my only hope! Please! Accept my offering and use my life force to defeat our enemies!”

There was no change and Izuku let out a yell.

“Fuck you!” he screamed, eyes unseeing, too blinded by the tears. “Fuck you, you useless piece of rock!”

He broke down crying and screaming, his fists banging uselessly against the floor. He screamed himself hoarse, but still, the crystal was unresponsive. Blood ran down his arms and mingled with the water on the floor.

“I am not leaving,” Izuku whispered and reached deep inside himself to where his own magic resided. The tiny plants that had grown out of the ground in the centuries this cave existed reacted to him and started to glow. “You can cut me down, take everything I have, but I will keep standing. My heart is strong and will remain so and I will not give up. Lend me your power! I am Bakugou Izuku, of the Midoriya Kingdom, mate to Bakugou Katsuki and father to Bakugo Katsuya. You may not accept my blood, but you have the blood of my son. You are already a part of me and I bed of you, please listen to my plea!”

The plants around him continued to grow and the cave was lit up from all sides now. The blue of the crystal mixed with the green of Izuku’s own magic and the air was humming with energy.

From behind him, he could hear voices approaching and he stood up and stretched his hands up to the crystal.

“Your Highness!” he heard Aizawa yell at him, but Izuku didn’t turn around. “What are you doing?”

Izuku recited the bonding spell one more time, willing his magic to connect to the crystal and for it to accept him. And finally, something happened.

The wandering lights of the crystal came to a standstill before all converging on the platform and Izuku. Instead of his blood being lifted up, he could feel his own body become weightless and start to float. Behind him, he could hear more voices screaming, but none of that mattered anymore. A strange calm came over him and he allowed the light to embrace him and carry him away.

‘Do not be afraid, child of nature and life,’ a voice inside his head said. It wasn’t a real voice, more like a dream of a voice he once knew. ‘We have heard your plea and will grant your wish. You will become one with us and protect this kingdom and its people for all eternity. We will honor your sacrifice.’

‘As long as my child and husband are safe, I am content,’ Izuku thought and closed his eyes. He felt one single tear slide down his cheek before one more fleeting thought entered his head.

‘I just wished I could’ve seen him one last time.’

And then Izuku knew nothing anymore as his fingers touched the crystal and the blue light overtook everything else.

Chapter Text

Katsuki grunted in pain as his dragon landed in the middle of their camp side. The hard impact was murder on his injuries and broken bones, but he bore the pain with gritted teeth.

“Tits and balls,” his mother groaned out behind him, her hands wrapped around Katsuki’s waist and putting even more pressure on his wounds. “Can’t your dragon be any gentler?”

“Be thankful we still have a dragon that can drag our asses back here, you old hag,” Katsuki growled back, but the careful way he supported her while climbing down revealed his deeper feelings. He was simply grateful that he still had her around to complain at him. Well, most of her. The battle had taken a toll on her. Her dragon hadn’t made it and the attack that took it out had also severed her right leg from her body. Katsuki had stayed with her but had been unable to move her due to the unrelenting attacks of their enemy. 

It had taken them weeks to escape from them and even longer to make their way back to camp. He trusted Eijirou to handle the army in his absence, but still, he was worried about the state of the battle. He was also worried about Izuku. What had been reported to him? Did he think Katsuki was dead? He wanted to spare his mate every grief he could, even though he knew he was doing a fucked up job at it.

After he had finally pulled his head out of his ass after his disastrous rut at the beginning of their marriage, of course. He was still ashamed about how he acted and wished he could travel back in time to punch himself in the face. His brilliant idea of getting a mate and not getting attached to them was simply ridiculous. Especially because his mate was Izuku.

Izuku, who had a strong heart and endless compassion. Izuku, who was patient with him and supported him in every way. Izuku, who had given birth to their perfect son. Izuku, who Katsuki was head over heels in love with but was too afraid to tell him. 

It was dumb and he had no good reason for keeping these feelings hidden, but even after Katsuya’s birth and Izuku’s confession, Katsuki still didn’t feel like he deserved Izuku’s love. But now, in this war zone, he realized how stupid this fear was. Izuku loved him and Katsuki returned his love. He vowed the first thing he did when he got back was to tell him how he felt. It had been this vow, this thought of Izuku and Katsuya, that helped him survive, to keep going even after his mother’s dragon was killed and she was injured. 

He would survive and he would go home to see his family.

“Your Majesty!” a nearby soldier yelled out and ran toward them to help him with his mother. “We’re so relieved to see you! When you and your mother disappeared we feared the worst.”

“I need to speak to General Kirishima at once,” Katsuki said and another nearby soldier nodded.

“We’ll notify him immediately.”

“Go with them, Katsuki,” his mother said with a grunt. “I’ll be fine.”

“Make sure she gets to the healers as soon as possible,” Katsuki ordered the soldier that took his place at his mother’s side.

“Of course, your Highness!”

He quickly made his way across the camp to the command tent. His generals were already waiting for him, relieved looks on their faces. Kirishima strode over and unceremoniously pulled him into a hug.

“I knew you would come back,” he said and Katsuki could hear the tears in his best friend’s voice.

“Of course, I would,” Katsuki said and gently pushed Kirishima away. “Now, what did I miss?”

Kirishima gave him a tired look.

“The battle here is progressing in our favor. We are gaining more and more ground each day. The troops were rattled by your disappearance but we were able to keep up morale. It will be a boost to them to know you and your mother have returned. However, this is where the good news ends.”

Kirishima pointed to a second battle map and with sudden terror, Katsuki realized it showed the capital city of the Bakugou Kingdom. The number of enemies placed around it made him feel sick.

“How?!” he barked out, his eyes jumping from one battle map to the other. “Their main force of troops was supposed to be here! How did we miss this many enemies?! And how did they get as far as the capital completely unnoticed?!”

Kirishima explained to him something about a diversion tactic and earthworms, but Katsuki was only half listening. His heart was beating fast and his whole body was pounding with it. His thoughts were overcome with images of Izuku and Katsuya, scared and alone and maybe even worse. 

“So far the walls around the city are holding up and according to our sources, the stores are full enough to keep the city fed. But if we can’t end this battle quickly and move our troops back home we don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Katsuki gritted his teeth, his hand gripping his sword. With fire in his eyes, he looked up.

“I’ll kill the enemy general myself if I have to. This battle ends today.”

“You Highness, you can’t rejoin the battle,” Kirishima said with a worried glance at Katsuki’s badly wrapped bandages. “Your wounds are-”

“My wounds are of no consequence,” Katsuki interrupted him. “Not if the capital and my family are in danger.”

Before Kirishima could try to argue more, the flap of the tent was opened and a harried soldier ran inside.

“My apologies,” he said, clearly out of breath from running. “We just received a missive from the enemy.”

“What do they want?” Katsuki growled out and the soldier straightened his shoulders at the attention of his king.

“They’re surrendering.”

“What?!”

To the surprise of everyone, the missive they had received did indeed state the enemy's surrender and their willingness to comply with any terms the Bakugou-Midoriya alliance wanted to put on them as compensation for the attack.

The generals and Katsuki were at a loss as to what had triggered the sudden change of heart. Katsuki knew it couldn’t be his reappearance. He knew that as the king he was an important figure but he had no delusions about his position. 

They got their answer shortly after when their own scouts returned from the capital city.

“The enemy has been completely wiped out,” they stated and once again, the war council was in shock.

“How?” Kirishima asked. “Did one of our allies send aid?”

The scout shook his head.

“No. We’re not sure what exactly happened, we only know that the area in front of the city is littered with enemy corpses and the capital is surrounded by a magic barrier keeping everything and everyone out.”

Katsuki could feel his heart freeze over with fear.

“A magic barrier?” he whispered and Kirishima gave him an alarmed look.

“Yes, your Highness,” the scout answered, unaware of Katsuki’s inner turmoil. “We believe it was triggered from inside the capital and was probably part of the magic that destroyed the enemy. Because of that the second part of the enemy surrendered.”

Katsuki felt his knees buckle and with the additional strain of his injuries, he fell back into his chair. His heart had turned to ice and the sharp edges dug into his lungs and made it hard to breathe. 

The magic barrier, the crystal underneath the palace, had been triggered. And there was only one way to do it.

Katsuya. 

What had those bastards done with his son? And what about Izuku? Katsuki knew the Omega would rather die than let anything happen to their son. So what had happened to his mate?

“I need to go,” he said and pushed himself out of his chair.

“But your Highness,” one of the generals tried to stop him. “We need you here for the negotiation of the terms of surrender. It is your duty as king-”

Katsuki gave him a withering glare and the man wisely shut up. 

“Lord Kirishima has done an excellent job in my absence. I trust he will continue to do so. The news from the capital is more than urgent and demands my immediate attention. Are we fucking clear?”

“Yes, your Highness.”

“Good. Kirishima, I’ll leave this to you.”

“Of course,” his friend nodded. “Safe travels, my king.”

Katsuki turned around and left the ten and waved over a common soldier.

“You, make sure my dragon is prepared to take off immediately. If he is still too injured from my battle make sure any dragon is prepared, I don’t care. I need to leave now.”

“As you command, my king.” With that, the soldier hurried off and Katsuki limped over to the provisions tent to fill up his pack with enough food and water to last him a few days. He knew he could make the journey in 3 days at normal travel speed. If he pushed his mount he could make it home in two.

‘ Izuku, Katsuya ,’ he thought, his mind already flying through the sky toward his family. ‘ I’ll be there soon .’

He arrived at the capital in two days. He spent the whole time feeling helpless, his body swallowed by the whirlwind of his emotions. Worry, fear, rage, fury, despair; all were raging inside of him and he could do nothing but wait and bear it. As soon as the city came into view he understood what the scout had said when he said that the enemy had been ‘wiped out’. 

Bodies littered the ground in front of the gates for miles. The ground was completely torn up, almost as if something had erupted from there and he wasn’t sure if it had been the earthworms Kirishima mentioned or something different. And just as the scouts had said, the city was encased in a shining, blue barrier.

Katsuki had never seen something that had filled him with more despair in his entire life.

He landed the dragon in front of the gates and approached them. He couldn’t see through the opaque barrier no matter how much he squinted. With a deep breath, he lifted his hand and placed it against the magical barrier. A shudder went through his body and there was another kind of magic reaching out to him. It was familiar and filled Katsuki with a sense of security that he desperately tried to ward off.

And then, there was a shudder that went through the magic, and all at once, the barrier dropped. Behind it, the city was completely unharmed. The gates swung open and Katsuki was greeted by the joyous shouts of the soldiers.

“The King!” they screamed, their weapons lifted in the air. “The King has returned!”

Katsuki wasted no time and mounted his dragon again. He lifted off and flew straight to the palace. He jumped off before the dragon had even fully reached the ground and his injured leg buckled underneath him and he fell face first on the ground. Several people were trying to help him up, but he ignored all of them in favor of dragging himself up. He limped towards the gate, his focus on finding his family.

“Your Highness, you have returned,” Aizawa’s familiar voice ripped him out of his thoughts and Katsuki’s eyes snapped to him.

“Katsuya,” Katsuki growled out. “Where is my son?”

“Your son is fine,” Aizawa said and there was something in his eyes that gave Katsuki pause.

“Where is he?”

“Come with me,” Aizawa answered and led Katsuki away. They ended up at Izuku’s chambers and Katsuki let out a breath of relief. If his son was here he couldn’t have activated the crystal. For a second, he allowed himself the hope that the council had found a different way to activate the barrier, that both his mate and son were alright.

He pushed open the door and was greeted with the sight of his son being tended to by someone he had not expected to see.

“Camie?” he asked, completely taken aback by her presence, especially in Izuku’s room.

“My king,” she said and bowed. Before Katsuki could ask her what she was doing here, his attention was caught by a loud scream.

“Papa!” Katsuya wailed out and thick tears dripped down his cheeks as he reached out for Katsuki with his chubby arms. In a heartbeat, Katsuki had gathered his son in his arms and buried his face against the blond locks. He took a deep breath, inhaling Katsuya’s scent and calming his nerves.

“Hello, my little love,” he said and he could feel tears gathering at the corners of his eyes. “Papa’s home again.”

Katsuya was inconsolable and Katsuki spent a few minutes simply holding him.

“Where’s Izuku?” he asked and was taken aback by how rough his voice sounded. He kept on scenting his pup while he turned to the other two people in the room. “Where is my mate?”

Both were silent and avoided his gaze.

Katsuki felt his heart drop through the floor.

The cave was quiet when Katsuki descended the stairs, the silence only broken by the occasional water droplet hitting the surface of water or smooth stone. 

Katsuki’s eyes wandered over the familiar crystal statues of his ancestry, the people who had given their lives to defend and protect their people and their legacy. Before today he had felt proud to be a Bakugou, to be part of something that important, to have the power to protect people.

But as his eyes fell on the newest addition to this morbid statue garden he felt only regret. It was his fault this had happened. Slowly and almost reluctantly, he walked closer to the new statue. If he didn’t look it wasn’t true. If he didn’t recognize the face it simply hadn’t happened. But there was no denying what he saw once he came to stop in front of it.

Izuku’s face looked peaceful, almost tranquil in its crystallized form. There was no trace of the pain or sadness he must’ve felt at the moment it happened. He simply stood there, his stance relaxed and his open palms raised toward the ceiling, toward the crystal. The blue of his crystalline form was pulsing slightly in a cruel and mocking imitation of a heartbeat. Katsuki knew it was only a matter of time till the leftover magic would fade from him and take Izuku away completely. Around his feet, countless flowers had started to bloom. They had dug themselves out of solid stone and were created by Izuku’s nature magic, intertwining with his feet and giving him an ethereal feel.

“Izuku,” Katsuki whispered and lifted his hand. “Are you still in there?” 

As soon as his hand met Izuku’s cheek his knees collapsed. Izuku’s skin was hard and cold, just as a crystal should be. There was no life in him, no softness and Katsuki couldn’t handle it. A hard, broken sob tore its way out of his throat and it was there, at the feet of his husband's crystallized form that Katsuki allowed himself to cry. He broke down and cursed everything in this world; their enemies, the crystal, and himself. All these things had hurt Izuku, had broken him down and taken from him. And now he was gone.

With bitterness, he thought back to his ridiculous notion of not getting attached to his mate so he wouldn’t put them before his duty. Now, kneeling here in front of Izuku’s statue he finally understood his mother and her urge to save his father, no matter the cost.

His eyes wandered up to the crystal, the source of the power and success of his kingdom. The thing that had protected and kept them safe for centuries and for the first time he felt something like resentment toward it.

“Your Highness,” a voice from behind ripped him out of his musings. “The council is waiting for you.”

“The council can wait,” Katsuki rasped out. “I need a way to turn him back. It happened before, right? I just need to figure out what to do.”

“My King, you can’t think like that or you’ll fall to despair. Your husband died to protect this kingdom and your son. He died a hero. We need to honor his sacrifice.”

Katsuki whirled around, rage and hurt flashing in his eyes to tear into his old teacher but the look on Aizawa’s face stopped him. Katsuki could see such deep heartache and regret that it took his breath away. Aizawa’s eyes were red and swollen from crying and he avoided looking at Izuku.

Katsuki deflated as he remembered he wasn’t the only one who was mourning a loss.

“I am not giving up on him,” Katsuki said as he lifted himself up to his feet. “There is still magic in him. As long as he hasn’t turned to crystal fully I won’t stop.”

Aizawa said nothing but Katsuki could see in his eyes that he had already given up. The Alpha gritted his teeth and strode past his old teacher.

“Let’s go and give the council a fucking piece of my mind.”

Chapter Text

The first thing he noticed when he stormed into the council chamber was the obvious absence of some members. He was just about to ask why they were not there when Aizawa stepped into the room and started to explain.

“Several council members are under arrest after trying and failing to abduct the crown prince Bakugou Katsuya.”

Katsuki froze, his eyes glaring at the rest of the council that seemed to shrink in their seats.

“They tried what?!” he hissed out, his anger only growing with each minute.

“We believe they were trying to use him and his connection to the crystal to trigger the barrier. The idea had been put forth by them in several council meetings already, but had been strictly put down by the royal consort Bakugou Izuku, me, and several other council members. The offenders have been detained and are awaiting their trial,” Aizawa continued and Katsuki’s shoulder relaxed a minimal amount.

“Some council members,” he said and trailed his eyes over the people in the room. “But not all of them, huh? So some of you thought that maybe using my infant son to save your own lives was a good idea?”

No one answered him and Katsuki gritted his teeth to hold back on snapping at them.

“I will have individual conversations with each and every one of you to evaluate if you are suited to be on this council,” he announced and when some of them looked displeased by this he gave them a wicked grin. “Of course, Aizawa and several other trusted advisers and my mother will also sit in on these meetings. So don’t even try to get out of this, are we clear?!”

No one spoke and Katsuki nodded before taking his seat. He noticed a lingering smell around the chair and took a deep breath. His senses were overcome with the smell of Izuku, his mate, his husband, and Katsuki had to blink several times to hold back the tears.

“Now,” he said, his voice rough with unshed tears. He hoped it would be confused as rage. “Tell me what the hell happened in my absence.”

He was quickly filled in on all the happenings. How the enemy army had surrounded them, the decisions that had to be made, and finally the idea to use Katsuya as a catalyst when it seemed impossible for Katsuki or his mother to return to the capital and Izuku’s reaction. 

With every detail, the pit in his stomach grew and threatened to drown him in his guilt. Just because he hadn’t been here, Izuku had to suffer. If he had just stayed back in the capital and had left the army to Kirishima none of this would’ve happened. Katsuki would have done his duty and Izuku would be safe with their pup.

“How did Izuku trigger the crystal?” he asked, his hand gripping the chair tight enough that the wood started to creak. “He wasn’t bonded to it, there was no way he could’ve become the catalyst even if he knew the spell.”

“We’re not sure,” Aizawa answered and the troubled look on his face gave Katsuki pause. “We think he tried to use the ritual of joining to establish a connection but even if he was successful, which I don’t think he was, it shouldn’t have been strong enough to merge with him. I believe it has something to do with his own magic and the fact that part of him was bonded with the crystal through Katsuya.”

“What do you mean?”

“Katsuya’y blood has traces of both of you in it since you are his parents. My theory is that the royal consort used his own magic to somehow access that connection between the crystal and the crown prince and hijack it. This has never happened before, so there is no evidence to support my theory.”

“Does that mean the merging of Izuku and the crystal is different from the others?” Katsuki asked, suddenly much more alert than before, and sat up in his chair, hope in his heart. Aizawa gave him a sad look.

“No, your majesty,” he answered. “I was in the cavern when the merging happened and saw everything. It happened exactly as described in the ancient texts. The royal consort has become one with the crystal.”

“Why were you in the cave?!” Katsuki roared and sprung up from his chair. “Why didn’t you stop him?”

“When I entered it was already too late,” Aizawa explained, seemingly unphased by Katsuki’s outburst. “The merger was already in progress and I was unable to reach him in time to try and stop it. For why I was down there, I went to check on him and the crown prince and was able to stop the attempted kidnapping of Prince Katsuya. There I also found several letters written by the royal consort explaining the situation and his decision to try and merge with the crystal himself to save this kingdom and his son.”

“My King,” one of the braver council members said and stood up to bow before Katsuki. “Your mate has done the impossible and with his determination and heart, he has saved the kingdom and your heir. He is a hero and his memory will live on in our history forever.”

“He’s not dead yet!” Katsuki growled out and even Aizawa seemed taken aback by the viciousness in Katsuki’s voice. “Don’t talk about him like that! The merger with the crystal can still be undone.”

“Your Majesty,” AIzawa said and Katsuki turned his head away, unwilling to listen to his old teacher. “You know as well as we do that the undoing of this process has only been accomplished once. And on that occasion, there was hardly any time before the threat had been neutralized. Royal Consort Izuku has been merged with the crystal for over two weeks now. Now that the barrier has been taken down it is only a matter of time until the magic runs out.”

“No,” Katsuki said, his voice shaking with rage and grief. “Izuku is strong. He had a good heart and he is not going to give in. I believe in him. He is going to come back to me.”

No one said anything after that, but Katsuki could clearly see the pity in all of the council’s eyes. No one believed that Izuku would return and they all had buried him already in their minds. Katsuki wouldn’t let them.

“Council meetings will resume as normal tomorrow,” he said and pushed out of his chair. “You are all dismissed.” Before anyone could protest, he stormed out of the room and towards Izuku’s quarters. He needed to see his son and lay down in Izuku’s nest, to calm his nerves.

But when he pushed open the doors, it wasn’t Uraraka who greeted him, but Camie.

“Why are you here again?” he asked, not unkindly. He and Camie had parted on good terms, but her presence put him on edge, especially this close to his son.

“The council requested it, my King,” she answered and stood up. Katsuya let out a delighted yell and ran over to hug Katsuki’s legs. The Alpha scooped his pup up and pressed a quick kiss against his cheek.

“Where’s Uraraka? She is in charge of Katsuya’s care while my mate is indisposed.” Izuku had been very clear in his instructions about who was allowed to take care of Katsuya and the list hadn’t been long. Uraraka had been with Izuku since both had been freshly presented Omegas and there was no one Izuku trusted more and Katsukia had conceded his judgment.

“Uraraka has been injured when the despicable members of the council attacked and tried to take your son,” Camie explained and Katsuki’s eyes widened in shock. “She tried to fight off the attackers but was overwhelmed. She is in the medical wing and still recovering from her injuries.”

“I will have to pay her a visit to thank her in person,” Katsuki answered and hugged Katsuya even closer to him. The thought alone of someone hurting his child made a vortex of blind rage swirl in his stomach but he tried to keep his anger at bay so as to not scare his son. “So the council appointed you as his caregiver?”

“Yes,” Camie answered, a small smile on her lips. “Considering our past involvement, I think they thought it might be best to order me back to the palace.”

Camie had been one of Katsuki’s concubines. She had chosen to take the settlement when Katsuki released them from their service. Katsuki didn’t think that she was holding a grudge against him, but still, it didn’t sit right with him to have her here. It almost felt like he was betraying Izuku’s trust by allowing her to be in Izuku’s chambers and taking care of her son.

“I am grateful for your service and your willingness to return,” Katsuki said, choosing his words carefully. He didn’t want to hurt the woman without cause, but he needed to be clear. “But I think your service won’t be necessary anymore. You may return back to your home.”

Camie frowned and took a step closer.

“Your Highness, are you sure? With the war over your responsibilities are many. You need someone to support you and lighten the burden for you.”

“I have my husband for that,” he growled back. Camie gave him a confused look.

“Your husband? But I thought he was… gone,” Camie said, trying to be delicate.

“He’s not. You have been misinformed. As I said, your services won’t be needed in any capacity.”

“Of course,” she answered and bowed before quickly leaving the room.

“Papa?” Katsuya said and Katsuki turned all of his attention to his son. “Where’s Mama?”

Big green eyes that looked just like his husband’s looked up at him and sent an arrow straight through his heart. He had to swallow several times to dislodge the knot in his throat and be able to speak.

“Mama is protecting the kingdom,” he said and walked over to the nest. “He’s doing something important but he will be back soon.”

“I want Mama,” Katsuya whined and Katsuki shushed him with a low croon.

“I know, my little love. I miss him too.”

He put down his son before crawling into the nest after him. The small pup cuddled up to him immediately, his stuffed dragon toy clutched tightly in his arms. Katsuki rested his head on the pillow and took a deep breath, ready to let the faint traces of Izuku’s scent calm some of his emotions down.

But there was nothing.

His eyes shot open and he took another deep breath, his nose pressed to the fabric. Izuku’s scent was gone, overwritten by someone else’s. A low growl threatened to rip out of his throat but was stopped by Katsuya’s whimper. Camie had slept in here in Izuku’s absence. His mate’s nest had been invaded, had been ruined and Katsuki was furious.

He pressed a kiss to Katsuya’s cheek before scooping him up again and leaving the nest. He didn’t want his son to sleep in a nest that had been marked by a different Omega. On his way out of the room, he signaled one of the maids to come and clean up.

“I want you to wash everything in there and then bring it back,” he instructed. “I will reconstruct the nest myself.”

“But your Highness,” one of the maids said. “Shouldn’t an Omega build the nest?”

“My husband will no doubt completely rebuild it once he is back,” Katsuki said and gave her a warning glare. “Until that time no other Omega is allowed in there with the exception of Uraraka once she recovers. Am I understood?”

“Yes, of course.”

He took Katsuya back to his own chambers. If he was honest he couldn't remember the last time he had been in here. He spent most nights in Deku’s nest together with their son. But it was better than letting his pup sleep surrounded by a stranger's scent. He let his eyes trail over the ample space in there and wondered if Deku would like to move in here with him. He could keep his own chambers of course. Katsuki wouldn’t take away his privacy and space. But maybe they could finally drop the pretenses.

A wave of pain crashed over him as he remembered the only thing holding them back had been Katsuki and his inferiority. He remembered his vow to be honest and tell Izuku how he felt and determination pushed away the grief. Izuku would return and Katsuki would get his chance to tell him everything. Otherwise, he wasn’t sure if his heart could take it.

After a restless night, Katsuki turned up to the council meeting with Katsuya in his arms.

“Your Highness,” one brave council member asked. “Wouldn’t it be better to leave the crown prince with a caretaker?”

“I will, once Uraraka has recovered,” he answered and took his seat, a sleepy Katsuya in his lap. The small pup was sucking on his thumb, his other hand clutching onto Katsuki’s cape. “Until then I trust no one with my son and he will accompany me wherever I will go. Are we clear?”

“Of course, my King.”

And that was that.

Katsuya was on his best behavior the whole time, wide eyes jumping from one person to the next and curiosity written all over his face. When Katsuki looked down he saw so much of his mate in his son that his heart gave a painful thud every time and he needed a second to blink away the tears.

In the afternoon, he took Katsuya down to the cave. The small pup was silent, his eyes wide and attention captured by all the sparkling light around them. When they stopped in front of Deku’s pulsating statue Katsuya gasped.

“Mama!” he said and stretched out his hand. Katsuki stepped closer and allowed the pup to touch Izuku’s crystalline face. “Mama!”

“Yes, that’s Mama,” Katsuki said and raised his free hand to lay it upon Izuku’s other cheek. The crystal under his fingers was unyielding and cold.

Katsuya didn’t understand, but he babbled happily and kept touching the statue’s face all over. The longer they stood here, the bigger the grief inside Katsuki grew. He had hoped that Katsuya’s presence would trigger something in Izuku, but it seemed his hope had been for nothing. There was no change in the statue or the surroundings and Katsuki felt close to crying.

“Izuku,” he whispered and leaned close to press his lips against his husband’s cold, hard ones. “Please come back. If not for me or for our kingdom then for Katsuya. He needs you.”

Katsuki released a shuddering breath and a tear rolled down his cheek.

“I need you.”

“Papa,” Katsuya said, a sad frown on his face and his small hand petted underneath Katsuki’s eye. “Don’t cry.”

Katsuki did his best to smile for his son and wrapped his arms around him in a crushing hug.

“Let’s go,” he said and looked back at Izuku. “We’ll visit Mama again tomorrow.”

“I want Mama,” Katsuya said with force and Katsuki winced.

“I know. But Mama needs to stay down here for a while longer.”

“Mama?” Katsuya said with a confused look as he looked from Katsuki to Izuku and back. “I want Mama!”

Thick, crocodile tears started dripping down Katsuya’s cheeks and Katsuki found his heart breaking again. He wanted to cry too, but he did his best to keep a brave face for his son. 

“I know, my little love. Mama will come back soon.”

Together, they ascended the stairs back to the castle, the small pup crying outright, while the heartbroken Alpha cried on the inside. They left the last part of their family behind, down in the graveyard that had claimed so many lives before and protected even more on the surface. The world was cruel and nothing came without cost, but Katsuki had never understood this until now.

But just like he said, they came back the next day. And the next. 

There was never a change for the better and with each visit, Katsuya grew more and more upset, as did Katsuki. The only thing that changed and that caused Katsuki unspoken amounts of anguish was the vanishing glow of the statue. Izuku’s crystalline form grew duller each day and each time Katsuki saw it, his fear and grief grew.

Chapter Text

Things around the capital started to return to normal. The troops returned and the clean-up of the battlefield and the surrounding farms and homesteads began. The dead were accounted for and preparations for the funeral rites were in full swing. But with people returning to their daily lives, they also started to talk.

Since the appearance of the barrier and the end of the attack, no one had seen King Consort Izuku. He had not made an appearance in weeks and even when the King himself had made an announcement about the end of the fighting he had been nowhere to be seen.

It didn’t help that whispers from the castle seemed to indicate something had happened to him and that some of the council seemed to push the King into a new alliance. Nothing was confirmed from the palace of course, but the walls had ears and servants liked to talk, especially in the evenings when the ale was flowing and they had enough willing ears as their audience.

But still, no announcement was made by the council or the king and the kingdom was left wondering what had happened to their beloved King Consort.

Katsuki was starting to lose hope. He had been back in the capital for two weeks now and still, there was no change in Izuku. He stopped taking Katsuya down to the cave since the pup only got more and more distressed as time went on, but he never stopped going. Now that Uraraka was healed up enough to work again he had given Katsuya’s care back over to her. He had assigned more guards for their protection though. He didn’t doubt Uraraka’s capabilities, but she was still recovering from her injuries.

In the mornings he dropped Katsuya off with her before sitting through the council meetings that dealt mostly with the rebuilding and resource management of the city, even though more and more meetings involved certain members of the council pushing for Katsuki to accept Izuku’s apparent death, which he vigorously denied. 

In the afternoons he spent time with his pup. He knew how important bonding was too small children and he didn’t want to deny Katsuya or himself the close contact. Nothing soothed him and his frayed nerves as holding his pup close did. Katsuya’s mixed scent, parts Katsuki and parts Izuku, was everything he had left of his husband’s presence.

And after that, he descended into the crystal cavern and spent time with Izuku. 

In all the times that Katsuki had come down here nothing had changed, except the slowly fading power radiating off of Izuku’s form. Each day it got a little darker and Katsuki got more and more desperate. He tried everything he could think of, every magic he had learned about and some he had to research first, but nothing was working. He tried screaming, pleading with the crystal, with Izuku, but no reaction came from either.

Even though his hope was dwindling, he still gripped tight to it, refusing to let it slip completely. Izuku was strong. He would get through this and find his way back to Katsuki’s side.

But when he stepped down into the cavern this time, everything was dark and still, the only light coming from the crystal that still hovered under the ceiling. Izuku’s statue was dark, just as inert as all the other statues around him and Katsuki felt his knees threatening to give out under him. With shaking legs he sprinted across the cavern until he came to an abrupt stop in front of his husband. The flowers and plants that had been growing around him looked gray, almost wilted and all the air left his lungs in one big rush.

“Izuku,” he whispered and grabbed the cold, hard face of Izuku between his palms. “No, no, no, no! You can’t do this, please! Izuku!”

But as much as he screamed and pleaded, there was no change in Izuku. His lifeless eyes stared straight ahead, uncaring of Katsuki’s suffering. 

Desperate, Katsuki fell to his knees, his hands still gripping tightly to the statue in front of him. In a flash of realization, he remembered his mother. She must’ve felt the same as he did back when his father was dying. Helpless and furious at the world that threatened to take her love away. Finally, he could understand why she had done what she did, why she tried to move the very fabrics of the world to keep him from leaving her.

“If I bind my soul to yours, will you come back to me?” he whispered, staring up into the unmoving eyes of Izuku. “Or would I just turn to stone at your side?”

For a moment he considered it. He and Izuku, together forever, in life and in death. Would dying really be a bad thing if it meant he would have Izuku back in his arms?

But then he remembered how he had felt while watching his parents defy life and death. He remembered the fear and loneliness and he knew he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t, wouldn’t put Katsuya through the same thing. He wouldn’t rob him of two parents.

Viciously he rubbed at his eyes and stood up again. He pressed a gentle kiss against Izuku’s cold forehead.

“Forgive me,” he whispered, his eyes closed. “I won’t waver again. I am going to be strong for Katsuya and for you. I know you will come back to us, Izuku, I just know it.”

With that, he turned his back on his husband and made his way back upstairs. He needed to take care of Katsuya in Izuku’s absence.

The next day when he went to find his son, he wasn’t in Izuku’s rooms. That wasn’t exceptionally unusual, since Uraraka often took him out to Izuku’s greenhouse to play and get some fresh air. He made his way down to the gardens and stopped by the sight of Camie standing in front of the greenhouse and Uraraka obviously blocking the door.

“I told you, the council sent me,” Camie said in a bored voice and Uraraka only lifted an unimpressed eyebrow and crossed her impressive arms in front of her chest. The guards he had assigned to her and Katsuya awkwardly flanked them, unsure what to do.

“And I told you, that I don’t give a damn about what the council does. I only take orders from King Katsuki and King Consort Izuku. So if the King didn’t send you, I am asking you to leave right now.”

“The council said the King is busy,” Camie said with a shrug of her shoulders. “They said he ordered me to help take care of the Prince, so here I am. I am only listening to orders.”

Katsuki had heard enough and stepped out of the shadow of the tree that had shielded him from view.

“And just which council member has given you this order?” he asked and everyone jumped at his sudden appearance before bowing in respect.

“It was council member Kimura, your Highness,” Camie answered and Katsuki nodded in understanding. 

“Thank you. You are dismissed, Camie. Thank you for your service but as I told you before, it is not needed.”

“Of course, my King,” she said and with one more bow she turned around to leave the gardens again. Katsuki looked at Uraraka and gave her a nod in gratitude and respect.

“You did the right thing in keeping her from Katsuya. Please look after him for a little while longer while I interrogate Kimura about his intentions.”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”

Katsuki wasted no time after that in finding the council member in question. Kimura was an old man who had already served on the council when Katsuki’s mother ascended the throne. He was intelligent and Katsuki had always valued his input. But now he was furious at the implications the council member’s order brought with it.

Just as he had expected, he found Kimura in the library. The old man looked up, pleased to see him.

“My King,” he said with a low bow. “It’s good to see you. I take it Camie has done as I ordered and taken over the care of young Prince Katsuya?”

“No,” Katsuki pressed out from behind gritted teeth. He was trying to hold onto his patience but the patronizing look in the council member’s eyes made it harder with every minute. “Who gave you the right to issue an order like that?”

Kimura raised a surprised eyebrow.

“Well, I thought it would be best, my King. After all, you have important duties to oversee.”

“There is nothing more important than my son.”

“Of course. But you will agree that the absence of King Consort Izuku has left its marks on you. You spent less time with the council and your duties and more with raising your son. I simply thought it would be good to have someone to relieve some of your burdens.”

It wasn’t what the man said that set Katsuki’s teeth on edge, but the way he said them. There was a hidden meaning to his words and Katsuki would be damned if he just took them at face value.

“Speak plainly, old man,” he barked and the council member seemed a bit taken aback by Katsuki’s rude demeanor. “Why did you send my ex-concubine to take care of my son if there are more qualified nursemaids who you could’ve reached out to?”

Kimura was silent for a moment before he let out a sigh and gave Katsuki a calculating look.

“Every Kingdom with a married King or Queen is in comparison happier than the ones without,” he said, his hands folded in front of him. “The people are uncertain about what happened to King Consort Izuku and rumors are starting to spread. We need to address the issue and let the people know that their beloved ruler has passed away.”

Katsuki reared back as if slapped, but the council member continued to speak.

“After we made the announcement there needs to be a mourning period but after that, it is essential that you find a new mate. Camie comes from a good and loyal house and has proven her compatibility with you in the past. She would be a good match for you. If she starts taking care of the young Prince right now, it will be less jarring for him when she becomes his new mother once the time comes.”

For a second, Katsuki couldn’t speak, his rage choking him. The sheer audacity this man had in saying any of this, in planning Katsuki’s future without his input and worse the future of his son.

“My husband,” Katsuki started, carefully calm and collected, like the sea just before a storm. “is not dead yet. But if the worst happens and I do lose him you can be sure that I will not take another mate until the day I die.”

“Your Highness, you need to be reasonable-”

“You need to be silent!” Katsuki roared and Kimura took a step back in shock. “You have meddled in places where you have no business to meddle. I did my duty to this kingdom by agreeing to a political marriage. My husband is the best thing that has ever happened to this country. He has given me a son, an heir and he has given his very essence to protect you. I will not allow you to slander his sacrifice by trying to marry me off the first opportunity you get!”

Katsuki loomed over the terrified man and showed all of his teeth in a deep, rumbling growl.

“If I ever notice this kind of meddling again, from any of you, I will personally throw you off the highest tower this castle has. I have given enough of myself and my happiness to this kingdom. If my husband does leave me, I will not take another mate and that is final. Am I fucking understood?”

“Yes, my King,” Kimura whimpered and Katsuki gave him one last glare before whirling around and leaving the library. He was still too angry to go back to the garden and get Katsuya. He didn’t want to scare the pup with his intensity. Without thinking, his feet carried him down the corridor of his ancestors and through the portrait of Bakugou Taro. He paused for a moment in front of the painting and looked at the ancient king.

“Why did you make a pact with the crystal?” he asked, his fists shaking at his side. “Why did you become king in the first place? I think I would’ve been much happier if I hadn’t become king.”

But if he hadn’t become king he wouldn’t have met Izuku and a life without Izuku was a life without meaning. He continued his way down into the cavern and stopped in front of the inert statue of his husband. The flowers around him had wilted even more and there was no trace of magic left in him. 

He placed his hand on Izuku’s cheek and gently caressed it. He knew it made no difference to the statue, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to be anything but gentle with Izuku. Not after everything he had done. Not after everything he hadn’t.

“I still had so much to tell you, you know?” he said, his eyes tracing over the features that had become so dear to him. “I promised myself I would tell you everything once I came back from the war. I promised myself I would tell you just how much I adore you and how happy and blessed I am that you decided to forgive me for my stupidity in the beginning and stay by my side. For fucks sake, Izuku, I never told you how much I love you.”

He could feel tears prickling at the edge of his eyes, but he ignored them. There was no one here to see him cry.

“When you told me you wanted another baby I was so damn excited. I wanted to give you everything you want, no matter what. And I could have if I hadn’t been such a ducking coward. How you ever fell for an idiot like me I'll never understand. But you did and you loved me and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. At least until Katsuya was born. And our son is such a gift, I could never imagine a better child. It doesn’t even matter that he seems to get temper tantrums from me. He has so much of you in him, everyone will instantly fall in love with him. I’ll have to ward off his suitors with a stick once he presents. It won’t even matter if he’s an Alpha, Beta or Omega, everyone will love our son. But no one will love him as much as we do.”

He was crying now, his forehead leaning against Izuku’s and his tears dripping down on Izuku’s face. From Katsuki’s point of view it almost looked as if Izuku was crying too. 

“I will never love someone as much as I love you,” he said and pressed a kiss against Izuku’s lips.

There was a tingle in his lips, but he didn’t pay any attention to it, he simply kept pressing his lips on more parts of Izuku’s face, trying to reconcile himself with his grief and the love he had lost.

But then the hard surface under his lips softened and Katsuki opened his eyes in shock.

The blue crystal that made up Izuku’s body seemed to ripple in front of his eyes, the inert magic sparking to life again. At his feet the flowers that had been gray and wilted only seconds before were regaining life, their stems and leaves regaining their vibrant green color, their petals colored in all the hues of the rainbow.

Katsuki kept his hands on Izuku’s cheeks, too afraid to pull away and break the spell that was happening right now, so he felt it when the cold surface became warm and pliant and suddenly the blue crystal seemed to drip off of Izuku’s face like water to reveal his freckled face.

The ripple continued down Izuku’s body and took all the sparkling blue with it to reveal his clothes and skin. Katsuki didn’t dare to breathe until Izuku did, so he held his breath. Then all at once, Izuku’s chest expanded as he took his first lungful of air and Katsuki did the same. 

“Izuku?” he whispered, shaking with repressed fear and hope. 

Izuku’s eyes fluttered open and for the first time in months Katsuki could see the green of Izuku’s eyes looking back at him.

“Kacchan?” he asked, his voice raspy from disuse and barely there. Katsuki wasted no time in pulling him to his chest. He let out a bone-deep sob that shook his entire body.

“You’re back,” he cried out, tears dripping freely from his eyes. “Izuku!”

Izuku’s legs gave out on him and he collapsed in Katsuki’s arms. The Alpha gently lowered them to the ground and he gathered Izuku into his lap. He buried his face into Izuku’s neck, his nose pressed to Izuku’s mating mark and inhaled the scent that had faded from Izuku’s rooms so long ago.

“It’s you,” he said, disbelieve coloring his voice. “It’s really you.”

“Kacchan, what happened?” Izuku asked and Katsuki simply shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter, I’ll explain later. Right now the only thing that matters is you.”

He lifted his head and pressed a soft kiss against Izuku’s lips. His husband returned the kiss and Katsuki was pleased to find Izuku’s cheeks blushing a pretty red when he pulled away.

“I love you, Izuku,” Katsuki said and delighted at the startled gasp coming from Izuku’s lips.

“Kacchan,” he said and placed a hand against the Alpha’s cheek. “I love you too, but I am so confused. What happened? I only remembered the crystal and-”

He stopped himself, his eyes wide and he looked at Katsuki with a sudden and urgent expression.

“Katsuya! Katsuki, where is my baby?”

Katsuki laughed in relief and kissed him again.

“Come, let’s go see our son.”

Katsuki stood up, Izuku secured in his arms. He let out a laugh at Izuku’s flustered face and felt the urge to kiss him again. He did, since he wasn’t going to deny himself or Izuku anything ever again. Not when his husband had been returned to him. Katsuki would never again take anything for granted, especially not when it concerned his family.

The walk through the palace was something to behold. Wherever they went, people dropped things in their shock, either the things they were holding or simply their jaws. No one dared to approach Katsuki as it was obvious he had somewhere to be, but the excited whispers followed them through the castle.

It didn’t take long to get to Izuku’s chambers and Katsuki carelessly kicked open the door. Inside, Uraraka and Katsuya both looked up in shock and confusion at the loud noise but when they saw Izuku in Katsuki’s arms they both let out a scream.

“Your Highness!”

“Mama!”

Katsuya practically squealed as he pushed himself up onto his chubby legs and sprinted as fast as he could across the room. Izuku almost rolled out of Katsuki’s arms in his haste to get to his son and they met in the middle, Izuku on his knees and Katsuya in his lap, all of his arms and legs clinging to his dam.

“Mama!” the small pup cried out, his joy obvious, even as fat tears rolled down his face. Izuku was no better and his happy purrs filled the entire room. Katsuki dropped down next to them and simply pulled both of them into his lap, his arms surrounding them in a secure hold.

“Your Highness, what happened?” Uraraka asked and Katsuki smiled at her.

“A miracle.”

It was hours later, after countless explanations and an extensive examination, when Izuku and Katsuki were curled up in Katsuki’s bed, Katsuya sleeping between them. Izuku had been displeased when he saw the state of his nest but had accepted that he was still too weak to rebuild it that day. Katsuki had promised to help him first thing in the morning and that had mollified the Omega enough to follow Katsuki into his chambers.

Now they were lying side by side, their hands clasped over their sleeping pup. Katsuki was unwilling to fall asleep, too scared that when he closed his eyes Izuku would vanish and everything would turn out to just have been a dream. 

“I wonder how I turned back?” Izuku mumbled after a while when the two of them had simply stared at each other in silence. “I mean, it seems like the magic had already run out, right? And if I was able to turn back, why was no one before me able to? Was there a certain condition that had to be cleared? Was it because of my own unique magic?”

“I honestly don’t care,” Katsuki answered and lifted their joined hands to press a kiss against Izuku’S knuckles. “As long as it means you are back in my arms it could’ve been a deal with a demon and my soul will forever be lost after my death.”

Izuku frowned.

“It better not be. If I have to fight for your soul with a demon after we’ve died I’ll be cross with you.”

Katsuki let out a startled laugh which made Katsuya growl unhappily. Izuku leaned over to rub his cheek against his son’s in a small scenting and the restless pup calmed down again. Once Katsuya had calmed down, Izuku leaned over and gently rubbed his cheek against Katsuki’s to scent him as well. The Alpha could feel his entire body relax into the soft bedding, finally content for the first time in a long time.

“Did you read my letter?” Izuku asked, and Katsuki lazily owned his eyes again.

“No,” he simply said and IZuku’s eyes widened in surprise.

“No? But why not?”

“I couldn’t,” Katsuki admitted. “If I had read it it would’ve felt like admitting defeat. Like admitting you wouldn’t come back to me. And that was something I wasn’t willing to do. I believed in you until the end, Izuku.”

“Kacchan…” Izuku whispered with tears in his eyes. Katsuki kissed his hand again.

“I love you, Izuku. And I’ll never make the mistake of not telling you just how much ever again.”

“I love you too,” the Omega answered and pushed himself closer to Katsuki. Between them, Katsuya let out a content chirp before snuggling deeper into their embrace.