Chapter Text
Katsuki didn’t regret getting captured.
Well, no, fuck that—getting captured fucking sucked.
But he couldn’t bring himself to regret what he had done.
He had been out gathering medicinal plants for his mother—her health had only gotten worse as the weather turned colder—when he came across a turtle stuck in a fishing net.
The ghost-like wad of string had been trailing behind a large ship, attached by a few long cords of rope, and Katsuki knew he had to act fast.
Katsuki rushed forward, careful not to tangle his tail up in the mess of synthetic fibers before pulling his knife out from his satchel.
The turtle croaked and thrashed against the net, making it hard for Katsuki to saw through the cords without risking nicking the little guy with his blade.
“Hey, calm down,” Katsuki said, putting a soothing hand on the turtle’s back.
Although the turtle didn’t understand him, it stilled, allowing Katsuki to finally cut him free.
The turtle immediately swam away, not even looking back at Katsuki.
His shoulders slumped in relief.
He was about to swim away himself when something heavy landed on his shoulders.
Katsuki tried to break out of its hold, but he just sank further down.
Shit.
He was caught in another net.
He fumbled to get his knife back out, but in his struggle he dropped it.
He could only watch in horror as it sank into the depths, helpless, as he was pulled out of the water.
The cold air of the world above pricked Katsuki’s skin like thorns, sending goosebumps across his bare flesh.
As he was brought to the deck of the ship, he got a good look at the fuckers who had caught him.
Among a sea of shitty human faces that Katsuki could not be bothered to process was a head of curly, moss green hair and full freckled cheeks.
Katsuki gasped, the air leaving his lungs as emerald eyes locked with his.
There was no mistaking him.
Izuku.
Before Katsuki could say his name out loud, he was hoisted aboard and dropped on the ground like a bundle of wood into a fire.
Katsuki growled, trying to rip himself free of the net, but his claws alone weren’t enough to cut through the thick material.
One of the humans, a caustic looking man with long white hair, knelt down to inspect his prize. Katsuki shuddered at the nasty smirk that spread across his lips.
“What a pretty thing,” the man purred. “You’ll fetch us a high price.”
A wave of white hot fury washed over him. He tried to kick at his captor with his tail, but it was so tangled in the net that he couldn’t even lift it off the ground.
He was dragged, still bundled in the net, down off the deck through the depths of the ship. They brought him all the way down to the brig, deep within the ship.
There, he was finally cut free. Katsuki tried to thrash against the men who had brought him down, but they were much bigger and stronger than he was, easily able to force him into a seated position on the ground.
His arms were lifted above his head, before the first shackle was secured around his wrist.
Katsuki bit back a scream of pain as his skin ignited against metal that felt as if it had been freshly cast.
It must have been iron—something fae were never to touch.
Already, Katsuki felt his skin starting to swell as the other shackle was clamped down on his free wrist.
Then, they just left him there, alone in the musty, dark cell.
A flash of biting cold fear struck him in the gut as the reality of his situation sank in.
Even if he was able to dry off in the dark, damp hole they had put him in, his disgusting, human legs wouldn’t be able to save him. The iron made Katsuki’s hands stiff and swollen, rendering his fingers useless and unable to make any attempt at picking the locks.
The man had talked about selling Katsuki.
This was why Katsuki had never been interested in exploring the human world. He knew what humans were capable of—had heard the horror stories.
How Izuku had ever tolerated the human world was a mystery to Katsuki.
Izuku.
A combination of fury and dread settled in his gut.
Katsuki had been sure Izuku was dead.
As if on cue, the door to his cell opened.
Izuku was at the entrance, a bucket of what appeared to be water in his hands.
He placed the bucket down, glancing behind his back before closing the door.
They stared at each other for a few beats, neither saying a word.
Izuku’s face then crumpled—big, fat tears streamed down his cheeks as the fucking crybaby ran up to him and collapsed to his knees, pulling Katsuki into a tight hug.
“I’m so sorry,” Izuku hiccuped. “I thought I’d never see you again—are you hurt?”
Katsuki scoffed, but held his tongue, remembering their last interaction before Izuku had disappeared over a year ago.
They’d gotten into an explosive argument over how much time Izuku spent exploring the human world. Katsuki had told him it was dangerous— begged him not to go out, but Izuku wouldn’t stop.
That same day, a vicious storm had blown in.
Katsuki had gone looking for Izuku, but couldn’t find him. After hours of desperate searching, hope dying in his chest with every inch the sun moved across the sky, his only reward was a torn and bloodstained selkie coat.
Izuku’s coat.
“I thought you were dead, ” Katsuki said. “What are you doing on a pirate ship?”
“It’s a long story. I—”
Izuku stiffened. He yanked himself away, getting to his feet. Katsuki was about to ask what was wrong, but before he could, the door to the cell opened once more.
The white haired man from before entered the room. He looked between the bucket and Izuku, who stood stiffly in front of Katsuki. A chill went down Katsuki’s spine as he looked at the sneer on the man’s face.
“Izuku, why is the bucket still full?” the man asked. “You know mermaids only maintain their form when wet, don’t you? We don’t want our friend to be able to stand on his own.”
Katsuki watched Izuku ball up his fists, not missing the slight tremble.
“Tomura, sir, I—”
“I don’t need an explanation. Just do it.”
Katsuki watched Izuku’s shoulders sink in defeat, before feeling rage swell in his chest.
What the hell had this man done to make Izuku so obedient?
And what was Izuku even doing on this ship? They weren’t that far from home. Why wouldn’t Izuku come back? Did he really prefer humans over his own kind? And to add insult, he’d chosen to get into bed with pirates.
Izuku slowly approached the bucket, pausing once he got close. Even from behind Izuku, Katsuki could see the hesitation, his hands trembling once more before he lifted the bucket.
By the time he turned back around to face Katsuki, something about him had changed. There was a steadiness to him, a fierce determination as he walked forward and dumped the bucket over Katsuki’s head.
Katsuki repressed the sigh of relief as water poured over his burning hands and wrists—the reprise was brief, but a comfort nonetheless.
Tomura then knelt before Katsuki, grabbing his chin. Katsuki hissed, trying to pull away, but he looked up at Izuku just in time to see him shake his head.
He grit his teeth as Tomura inspected him. Luckily, his ministrations were minor for the most part, although he couldn’t stop himself from snarling when the man put a hand on his tail.
“Get your hands off me!”
He saw Izuku flinch.
Tomura pulled his hands away with a sneer.
“You’ll be fun to break. Almost makes me want to keep you for myself.” He turned his head to Izuku. “How much do you think I can get for him? I’d say at least five hundred gold pieces.”
Izuku shrugged.
“You’re the expert, sir,” Izuku said softly, not looking at Tomura as he picked at his nails. “Um—by the way, Toga wanted to speak with you.”
Tomura sighed. “Tell her to wait.”
“She said it was urgent.”
Tomura growled. He looked between Izuku, who wouldn’t even look at Katsuki, and Katsuki. His eyes were filled with ice.
“Keep an eye on our ‘guest.’”
Tomura left them alone. Izuku’s shoulders slumped in relief.
“We have to get you out of here.”
“What about you?” Katsuki snapped. “What the fuck are you even doing here?”
“It’s…complicated. But I can’t come with you.”
“Why the fuck not?”
Izuku chuckled, no humor reaching his eyes. “I just can’t. But, I have a plan.”
Katsuki couldn’t believe this. Why would Izuku choose a life with pirates over a life with him? He’d even abandoned his coat!
“Your dad rubbed off on you that much?” Katsuki spat before he could stop himself.
He knew that was a low blow. Izuku’s father was human and had abandoned him and his mother before Izuku had even been born.
Katsuki had never understood Izuku’s fascination with the humans or their world. Why would he want to waste his time around creatures who were so evil and hateful?
Predictably, Izuku flinched.
“Kacchan, please...”
“I’m not leaving without you,” Katsuki said. “Either come with me or watch that monster sell me for parts.”
“Stop!” Izuku’s eyes filled with tears. “You don’t mean that!”
“I’m not leaving without you!”
Izuku sighed.
“Okay, fine.” He glanced away, unable to meet Katsuki’s eyes. “I can’t let them take you.”
“Good. What’s the plan?”
…