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To my little prince,
The first and most important thing I wish to tell you is how much I love you. I have yet to spend an entire week with you, yet my body overflows with joy every time I see you. You are my sun in the morning and every star I see at night. The elves truly blessed the royal family the day I was set to wed. They held nothing but a small stone and made promises that our greatest wish would come true. When I touched it, out came you. Swaddled in blankets as soft as flower petals, I could hold you in one hand. You were so small.
A soft humming filled the nursery as Izuku stared down at the bundle of black and green hair in his arms. He gently swayed as a thumb brushed over the infant’s forehead and into their hair. Nothing could match the adoration that overcame Izuku’s features each time he looked at his child. This child was a gift that held no match, one given to him and his king by the magic of the elves. Yes, no gift could ever match this one. One that held all his heart in their tiny hands.
“Izuku?” Eijiro called quietly, walking into the nursery where the green-haired man still swayed, enthralled with the sleeping infant. “Have you eaten anything?” the black-haired draconic asked. When Izuku looked up, he noticed that Eijiro held a plate of food.
“Not since breakfast,” Izuku whispered, green eyes falling back to the sleeping face of his child- their child.
“You have to eat,” Eijiro spoke affectionately as he came to look down at the bundle in Izuku’s arms as well. He could understand what the other was feeling. They had resigned themselves to a rule without children but in came the elves with a gift that guaranteed peace for generations- or at least one of their long generations. Izuku hesitated but nodded and gently placed the baby down into their cradle. They squirmed for a moment before settling in.
Eijiro put an arm around Izuku and led him away from the crib, though his eyes lingered on it even after he was unable to see the infant. “I just…I can’t believe it.” Izuku whispered as he sat down on the couch and took the plate.
A low rumble left Eijiro’s throat as he pressed his forehead against Izuku’s “He isn’t going anywhere.” The other assured Izuku as the green-haired man started to eat.
“We should think of a gift for the elves,” Izuku stated between bites.
“We will.” Eijiro hummed, handing his love the glass of water that had been sitting on the table long enough that it was room temperature. Izuku sighed and took the glass. He knew why Eijiro was acting like this. This wasn’t the first time he had been so occupied with their child that he forgot to take care of himself. Just as Izuku finished his lunch, there came the soft whining of an infant just waking up from a long nap. Izuku nearly stood up before Eijiro gestured for him to stay. “Relax, I’ve got this,” he stated, placing a kiss on Izuku’s forehead before he stood up.
“Remember, we have a painting today-”
“Nice outfit it is,” Eijiro confirmed as Izuku drank his water and watched as Eijiro readied their son for the oil painting. Izuku could already feel the headache the artist would get trying to paint a squirming baby. Despite that, a smile still grew across his lips at the thought of their first family painting.
The infant, dressed in expensive garbs, wiggled in Eijiro’s arms as he walked back to the couch. By now, Izuku had finished the glass of water and was back to being enamored by the child. “We should get going, you still need to change,” Eirjiro suggested, as he went to grab the child’s crown.
Izuku looked down at his clothes, blushing a little when he realized he was still in his lounging garbs. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”
You grew up so well. We were not always the best parents but despite it all, you grew up better than we could have ever imagined. You remind me so much of your father each time you smile and each time you cry I am reminded that you are part of both of us. I hope that you never forget that. You may not have been born from a body, but you are a part of us. Riku, my son, you will never cease to be a gift.
“Careful!” Izuku laughed as he watched Eijiro and Riku struggle with a horse. Or rather, watched Riku struggle to get on a horse and Eijiro try to help him while the child was struggling.
“I’ve got this, Dad!” Riku yelled, his small voice causing the horse to bob their head in irritation.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to-” Eijiro offered one hand as a stepping stone for the child.
“No way, I can get up on my own!” Riku grunted, using the outstretched hand as a stair regardless of what he said a moment before. Eventually, Riku was able to get up and hold onto the saddle. Now Izuku was worried. Riku was only seven, maybe Izuku had said yes prematurely. “See! I got this!” Riku called out, waving to the father that sat on the sidelines. Eijiro, on the other hand, rushed off to mount his horse in a single movement.
Riku’s reaction to that was enough to offset Izuku’s anxiety and cause him to giggle. It also made him want to join them out there in the field but he settled for watching them from the shade of the terrace. Watching Riku learn to ride a horse alongside his father, servants came and went with documents for Izuku to sign. A king in training had no time to spare, even though all Izuku wanted to do was spend time with his husband and son.
“Your Highness, an envoy has arrived and the king has requested your presence.”
Izuku stopped writing, eyes gazing out to where Riku and Eijiro were having fun. Sorrow filled his features as he handed off the paper in his hands to the servant. “So be it,” Izuku spoke softly as he stood up, taking a moment to watch his husband and child before he turned and allowed himself to be escorted to the reception room.
I cannot put into words how sorry I am to have let those small moments go. What good am I as a king if I cannot properly care for the ones closest to me? Listen and hear me when I say I should have joined you. So many times, I should have joined you. When you played, I could have too. When you rode, I could have too. Even when you walked around the palace grounds, I could have too. I wasted so much time that I didn’t realize was limited.
“Father!” A twelve-year-old Riku called out, running up to Izuku who was on his way to a meeting with Duke and Duchess Yaoyorozu. “Father and I were just going on a walk around the palace, do you wanna come?”
Izuku felt his heart tear a little as he wanted to join them so badly. Even Eijiro held a sorrowful look as he came up and put a hand on Riku’s shoulder. “Your father is very busy. Perhaps we can schedule a time for him to walk with us.” the black-haired draconic spoke softly. Izuku couldn’t look at Riku when Eijiro finished talking, he could only imagine the disappointed look on Riku’s face at the harsh reality.
“Your Highness, we are going to be late if we don’t start moving now.” the servant informed. Izuku merely nodded and started walking. There wasn’t another word exchanged as he was escorted to the reception room for a boring meeting and yes, the meeting would be boring.
Izuku had been through plenty to know what was going to happen. First, they would be greeted, then there would be a lot of talk about inconsequential things. By the end of it all, he would be exhausted from people pleasing and missing his family.
Speaking of, a single glance out the window during a lul in the conversation revealed a sight that had his heart aching. Outside, off toward the villa, he could see Eijiro and Riku playing. How unfair. Green eyes stared out with jealous at both their freedom and all the quality time they spent together.
I am ashamed to say there were many times I because green with envy because of your relationship with Eijiro. I have now come to regret all those times my pride didn’t allow me to join you and him. Unlike Eijiro, I struggle with greed and envy. I wanted all your attention- no, I wanted you to talk to me with all the affection you do with him. I wanted that without having to earn it. What a foolish human I am. When I realized my mistakes, it was too late to fix them. Sometimes life is unfair and shorter than we all realize.
“I’m sorry, your Highness. There’s nothing we can do.” the doctor stated, putting away his equipment. Izuku felt numb. He had been in bed ill for a while but to think it would be something… something like this. Eijiro was at his side in moments but Izuku barely felt when the man grabbed his hand with rough calloused ones, nor did he hear his husband's comforting words. No, he was too busy being overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions.
“Izuku!” The green-haired man snapped back to reality, his eyes locking onto Eijiro’s flaming red. Only now did Izuku realize his breathing was heavy and erratic. “My love, breathe…” Eijiro purred out, trying to comfort him as he pressed their foreheads together. After a moment, Eijiro pulled away, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of Izuku’s hand. “Let’s have a nice family dinner and think more about this after we’ve filled our bellies.” the draconic purred again. Izuku nodded, giving the doctor the okay to leave for the day.
“Don’t tell Riku.” Izuku blurted out as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I don’t want to scare him.” he partially lied. Riku was seventeen, he could handle a little bad news. Some part of him was also scared that the boy wouldn’t react at all or worse look at him with disdain and feel glee at his demise. In such a state as he was, seeing that look would possibly bedrid him with heartbreak. With Eijiro’s help, Izuku stood and got ready for dinner. A filling dinner and sleep would do him wondrous after the past week he’d had.
While walking, Izuku kept his love’s hand firmly within his own, using it as both physical and mental support. This grip was received well and in response, Eijiro continued to rub the back of his hand. “Everything will be alright….but we do have to tell Riku eventually.” the draconic mentioned, red eyes looking down the hall rather than at him.
“I know…just not yet.”
By the time they made it to the dining hall, the servants were done setting the table and were ready to get them anything they desired. Izuku let go of his husband’s hand, going to his seat at the head of the table while Eijiro took the seat to his right as always. It was a good few minutes before Riku entered, eyes locked onto Izuku immediately before they flicked to Eijiro. There was a silent conversation, something along the lines of ‘What is he doing here?’ from Riku and a sharp ‘Sit down’ from Eijiro.
Riku obeyed the draconic and sat down to Izuku’s left, obviously keeping his gaze away. The conversation was equally as awkward as Riku would always pointedly skirt around answering any questions Izuku would ask.
“How was your day?”
“It was a day.”
“What did you learn in your lessons today?”
“Finance.”
“Riku!” Eijiro interrupted the awkward back and forth, something Izuku hadn’t had the courage to do.
“What?” The Riku asked his eyes following the servants as they came out with dishes of food.
“You know what you are doing. That is no way to treat your father.” Eijiro commented as dinner was served.
There was a lull in the conversation as everyone began to eat. Then Izuku had a sudden bout of courage that caused him to nearly put down his fork. “What do you say about a walk today?” Izuku mentioned out of the blue, blindsiding Riku mid-bite. The boy nearly choked but got it under control. Then Izuku’s worst nightmare came to pass.
“No thanks, I’ve got a lot of work to do. The tutors you got me really pile on the work.” Riku stated, his eyes growing cold as he stared directly at Izuku. He had chosen those words very carefully, replicating every time Izuku himself had to turn the child down when he wanted to spend time.
For the second time, Izuku felt the buzz of numbness coursing through him as he looked back down to his plate and took a tasteless bite. “I see,” he murmured, feeling like a fool for thinking that his child would care anything for him after years of choosing the throne of them. Izuku couldn’t even rebuke them, he had done this to himself. He was a strong-willed child, and Izuku didn’t have enough time to win him back over. He could barely hear the arguing in the background as he took another unsatisfying bite.
“Izuku?” Eijiro called, the man looking up at the sound of his name. His husband was braced to rush to his side at a moment’s notice. Only now did he realize how dry his mouth was, most likely due to the fact his breathing was once again becoming ragged. He took a drink of water before pushing out his chair.
“I’m fine. I- I just need to go lie down for a minute. Please, continue eating.” Izuku smiled and waved the looks away as he exited the dining hall. The moment he was alone, his smile broke apart and he nearly let a sob slip. No, he held it in until he made it to his room, then all hell broke loose.
He could only do so much to fix his relationship with Riku, and no matter what he said the boy wouldn’t take it to heart. So, after Izuku pulled himself together, he took out a quill and ink and started to write.
There is no sorrow and regret stronger than my own. I hope that through this letter, you understand that if I could do it again, I would spend every moment with you. Kingdom be damned, I would give up my crown, no, my entire lineage to spend even a day longer with you. My last wish is for you and your father to stay together. Take care of him, I know you can.