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Katsuki honestly doesn’t know why he, as a goddamn prince, has to go to the marketplace. Something he doesn’t mind, really, but he knows that it's a way for his mother to get him out of the palace. Because, of course, in Queen Mitsuki fashion, she was throwing a stupid courting ball in his honor. Invited all the stupid princesses. All his fellow princes. He knew he was going to get a headache and half tonight, having to put on fake diplomatic smiles and appearances. Having to put up with equally fake people. Especially those airheads who just wanted to “share” the throne with him and reap the benefits. Katsuki knew his kingdom had power. Hell, it was one of the most bountiful. But that didn't come with just pretty looks and luck. The King and the Queen worked hard at building their legacy, and he was not about to let some nobody Royal take it away.
He sighed as he walked down the small marketplace, only holding the kingdom's finest fruits and vegetables and flora. He took a small apple in his hand, observing the fruit for bruises and grabbing a couple and putting them in his small satchel. He went to the grapes, grabbing a bundle.
“Would you like a basket, Prince Katsuki?” The elderly shop worker said with a grin.
He shook his head, pointing to his small bag.
She nodded, the kingdom used to their silent prince. Only because if his mother would find out he was speaking brashly in public, she'd send him to Sir Hakamada again and he didn't want to deal with that bullshit. He was biting his tongue most of the time.
He handed some money to the shop owner, and she shook her head right back.
“No, my Prince. Please take it. It's the least I can do for your family after helping us in our drought.”
“Nonsense.” He scoffed, placing the money on the counter.
“Oh, your highness, this is more than enough.”
“Take it.” He demanded.
She laughed, “Oh. Alright. Thank you, your Highness.”
He nodded again, walking to the other booths.
“Cheese, your Highness?” Said another shop vendor, holding a wooden tray towards him, “I always make sure to have your favorite.”
“Two small truckles, please.”
“Of course, Prince Katsuki.”
The shop vendor wrapped up two small wheels of cheese, and Katsuki paid and left.
He always found himself here when his life got too much. He loved the market, he loved getting to find that one special spice, ingredient that would elevate his meals. Especially from these family shops.
It was always quiet here. Always peaceful. Always a place for his stupid brain to--
“Look a dragon!” screamed someone from the crowd, shouts and the rapid sounds of footsteps around him. “Wow!”
“What? A real dragon!” Shouted someone else.
He looked up to the sky, and he felt his heart start to beat faster when he saw the creature cut across the clouds. But, he grinned. This is what he was made for. This is what he was trained for. He was the Barbarian Prince for a reason, the kingdom's finest knight.
He took a fighting stance, watching as the dragon started flying closer to the market. He was surprised it was not breathing fire. But, still.
“Stay back, everyone! I got this.” He shouted, a sly smile on his face.
Katsuki readied his body, tensing his muscles and putting his hand over the sword he had sheathed at his hip.
But, he felt taken back, watching as the creature fluttered his wings in the air, looking as though the wind was getting the best of it. He immediately relaxed, thinking that maybe the creature was hurt. The creature in the air seemed to be getting smaller as it came closer, and he panicked. He heard a shout coming from the sky, and then his world tilted.
“Look out!” Said a voice above him and then the air was punched from his chest.
Before he could react, he felt the press of a heavy body on his own, and his back scraped as he was dragged across the stone floor. He felt his head bang against wood, arms wrap around his back, to help his fall as he was slammed to the floor again.
Apparently the world had a vengeance against his head as fruits pummeled against his skull and he shouted, realizing that there was a man on top of him.
“Hey! Get the fuck off me!” He yelled, groaning as he realized his own bag had spilled, all the contents either squished or gone.
“I-I’m sorry!” Said the man above him.
He didn’t know where the dragon went, but he could feel his breaths sawing out of his chest, dust falling in his eyes, a sting on his back.
He reached up to wipe the dirt from his eyes, and he felt his breath leave his lungs, his heart stop.
Because above him was the most gorgeous man he had ever seen, towering over him, his arms at his sides. Ruby red eyes sparkling back at him, blood red horns sticking up from a curtain of dark red hair. It was like his whole body was filled with the prettiest crimson. But, the most surprising of it all was the large, leather-like wings spanning from his back. The sunlight crossing through and making his scales shine.
He allowed himself to look at his blushing face for a second, rose red. A camellia.
But then, the rage built in him.
“Get off of me! Look at what you did to the stand you stupid lizard!”
“Oh!” The idiot said. “I’m sorry! Ah--I’m still getting used to shifting.”
He rose from the ground, and Katsuki was finally able to catch his breaths.
“I’m so sorry about your stand!” He shouted, bowing, his wings touching the ground and scratching at his legs.
“Get the hell away!”
The idiot, much to his credit, started to pick up the ruined apples and fruits, putting them back on the now slanted wood.
“I will see to it that your stand is fixed! I’ll come fix it myself.” He said to him with a smile.
“It's not my stand, moron!”
“Oh!” It was then he realized that he was shirtless, and his traitorous face grew heated. He tried not to stare at the expanse of muscles, his sun-tanned skin. But it was hard not to when he reached out his hand towards him.
Katsuki begrudgingly took it, wincing at his cuts and scrapes.
He immediately checked to see if the shop vendor was okay, and luckily one of the other vendors had her on a stool, bringing water to her.
“You fucking idiot! You could’ve killed someone!”
“It's not my fault! I got distracted.”
“Distracted by what?” He scoffed.
The man blushed, biting his lip with sharp teeth.
Katsuki had heard of shifters before, but he wonders if they were all this beautiful--and stupid.
“Ah-nothing!” He chuckled, but then he held out his hand again. “Hello. I’m Kirishima Eijiro.”
He walked away with a roll of his eyes, going towards the owner of the stall.
“Are you alright?” He asked.
“Oh, sweet, Prince! I am perfectly fine, your Majesty.”
“Please tell me what profit you have lost and I will see that the kingdom replenishes it.”
The woman nodded, “Thank you, Prince Katsuki.”
He sighed as he walked to the entrance of the market. There goes his peaceful time ruined. He’ll never hear the end of it from his mother if he interrupts her planning and decorating, but he has nowhere to be now. Especially now that he had to tend to his injuries.
“Hey, wait! Are you hurt? I’m so sorry!” The stupid, pretty, dragon started to run towards him with his hand out. Katsuki immediately quickened his steps.
“Shut up!” He shouted, tearing his gaze away and hoping he was far enough to hide the burning blush on his cheeks.
“Come on, I didn’t fall on you on purpose!” The idiot shouted, an obvious lack of understanding as he came closer and caught his arm. Katsuki flicked himself away harshly.
Katsuki was not one to throw his title around carelessly. Get it into the wrong hands and he’d be fought, challenged, scoffed at. His temper wasn’t the best for that. However, he didn’t see another way for the stupid lizard to leave him alone.
“Leave me the hell alone or I'll send my knights to banish you from this kingdom.”
If Katsuki thought Kirishima was pretty before, it was nothing compared to the smirk that fell on his face, bordering on mischievous. His sappy, hopeful heart wondering if it was meant to be flirtatious.
“Oh, so this is your kingdom?”
Katsuki squinted his eyes, “What's it to you, lizard?
Kirishima chuckled at that, “Oh, nothing. It's just that--my mothers sent me to this kingdom to attend a courting ball. Apparently the Prince is all the rage.”
“Fuck you.” He said through clenched teeth.
“So, tell me, are you from this kingdom?” Kirishima took a step forward, that goddamn smirk on his face.
“And what if I am?” He crossed his arms, taking a step back.
“Well, I was just really coming for the free food and all. And my friend Denki is a neighboring knight.”
“You’re friends with that dunce?”
“He’s one of my best.” Kirishima grins, as if this is something to be proud of.
“Idiot.” He scoffs.
Kirishima smiles at him again, his eyes bordering on sparkling, his face dipped in cherry red. Hell. His whole….being was radiant.
“Well, I guess now I have to participate in the actual courting. Maybe ask your Prince for a dance or two.”
Katsuki’s heart jumps to his throat, “Only royals can court the prince,”
“Ah, well. Let me introduce myself properly then. I’m Kirishima EIjiro. Royal Red Prince of the Kirishima clan. It's nice to meet you, Prince Katsuki.” Kirishima bows, his wings once again sprouting from his back. He wonders if it is a custom in his kingdom.
He rolls his eyes away from him and Kirishima has the audacity to laugh. And hell if that didn’t send flutters down his stomach.
“So, what do you say? Will you dance with me, my Prince?”
Katsuki is surprised his own heart didn’t sprout wings as it flew out of his mouth, “Whatever.”
“I’ll see you there, then, my Prince .”
Katsuki stocks away, making up some bullshit excuse of needing to go back to the palace to talk about the damages they caused.
But, before he could leave, he took one step back at the market, truly assessing the damages that he will make the kingdom pay for.
And then Katsuki felt his heart skip a beat as he saw the dragon Prince helping the vendor, leading her back to her stand and bowing apologetically, the goofiest smile on his face.
But, he tensed his jaw. That Kirishima was an idiot, nothing more. Even if he was a prince. Even if he had asked him to dance tonight.
An idiot.
Nothing more.
Just… beautiful .