Chapter Text
“Every youngest child felt they were raised up in the wild but now you're home,”
Izuku Midoriya was cursed from his first cry.
This statement can be surprising for the inhabitant outside this luxurious castle, who barely survived the end of the season, but his story was worth listening to. The great Hisashi Midoriya married a noble woman when he was barely eighteen, resulting from an economic agreement made to bring those two kingdoms together for a stronger source of power and influence over the innocents, who looked at their two shadows with a naive glance.
A few years had passed after this unexpected union, and the state of the kingdom became a source of envy and jealousy for the rivals lands, who tried to go against the King and Queen’s authorities: Many murders attempts, that miserably failed, have been committed against their lives but the two familiar faces remained intact and dodged the numerous bullets that were meant to bring them six feet underground. Hisashi Midoriya was the head of the army and proceeded to gain more territories while Inko Midoriya, was described as a wise woman.
She was often pushed aside by her husband’s imposing presence, but she didn’t flinch when she had limited power when the king was at war. Everyone who ever had an encounter with the green-haired woman was able to recognize how she was as mean as her husband and didn’t even hesitate before making a cold decision, often transcribed into lies to the poor inhabitants, unaware of the dark secret residing behind this illusion of happiness.
The rumors in the peaceful lands of Mustafu explained how the royal couple were “happier than ever” at the birth of their first child, representing a sign of hope for the next decades. Their son was the symbol of protection for a land that already wasted too much blood and graves in the cemetery, but the smiles they’ve made during public appearances covered a somber secret. However, this charming facade covered a darker secret: As crazy as it seems, Izuku Midoriya didn’t have a single memory concerning his life before his childhood, being too young to even recall the sign of affection from his parents.
The first souvenirs he got from this step in the unknown, while not taller than three apples, were the evident distance between the people he was supposed to call “parents” and his reclusive shadow. The royal couple was envied by the others, but hated by their first son, who wondered what he had done wrong to deserve such a fate. The small boy was often ignored during conversation, and a few maids had the sympathy to make conversation and take care of him, while the distant shadows were too occupied to even look at him. Izuku never understood the reason behind their selfish behavior that caused so many tears on his freckled cheeks, but his entire world changed after the announcement of their second child.
At the age of 5 years old, the kingdom welcomed the second son of Inko and Hisashi’s Midoriya’s legacy. As expected, this secondborn was as loved as the first one, even from Izuku’s perspective, being glad to finally have a friend to play with. He was still ignored, and noticed how the royal couple would rather spend more time with their duties than with their heirs, causing a close proximity between Izuku and his younger brother. The maids kept the secrets hidden and made sure to watch the surroundings when the green-haired boy played with his little brother, who became his closest friend and the only one he could count on in this cruel life.
He had so much love to offer, and having Kenji's attention with his sparkling dark eyes was a genuine treasure to cherish. Izuku never failed his role as big brother, he took care of his little sibling and always told him bedtime stories before sleeping with his forehead kiss. For the first time in his life, the prince had the impression of being the hero of someone else’s story, and made a pinky promise to Kenji to keep him safe at all costs in a reassuring hug until they both fell asleep.
Izuku had the impression of sharing his pain with someone else who understood him better than anyone. This statement was enough to bring a smile back to his face and create a stronger bond between them, even when his own name and existence started to be erased from the kingdom. It was the least of his worries, knowing he always returned to his secret spot with his little brother, who awaited him with a magical hug. Their lifestyles differed in many ways: The firstborn was alone most of the time and tried to find enough knowledge with the maids’ support, while Kenji was already trained by the best teachers to represent the pride his parents never had with Izuku.
The two brothers were inseparable and thankful for the maids who protected their secrets. After all, their differences had never been an issue, especially when their bond was stronger than any of the comments made by the royal couple, who had a firm opinion about the idea of letting one of their sons to the throne.
Unfortunately, this harmonious atmosphere changed during a fateful day that sealed the end of this temporary happiness. It wasn’t the first time Izuku’s observant eyes noticed the strange attention from Inko and Hisashi toward his little brother, explaining how they wanted to spend more time with him, despite pushing him aside since his birth. When Kenji announced the amazing news with sparkling eyes, the green-haired teenagers supported him, even if he was burning with jealousy inside his chest…but his brother’s happiness was the most important thing in this life.
Their casual hangout became a forgotten souvenir when the shorter teenager spent hours in the garden, waiting for his little brother, who never showed up…too occupied by the "family time” with the royal couple. Izuku never stayed discreet when the king and the queen explained out loud how they had an amazing son as their biggest pride, while the shy teenager stayed discreet at the table. Kenji tried to correct them a few times, explaining how his older brother would also make a great leader, and keep his presence alive for the most intrigued souls, but these gentle efforts didn’t last for too long.
The moment he got scolded enough after defending his brother’s rights, something changed in his glance. Suddenly, the small head who begged his big brother to read a bedtime story, looked at him with a heartbroken glance and barely talked to him, or mentioned his existence. Izuku tried to understand this change of mind, but Kenji was colder and rejected each attempt to answer his brother’s questions: The green-haired teenager wasn’t stupid and knew how his sibling was suffering, but he decided to wait until Kenji was ready to open his heart.
It was his biggest mistake.
Izuku should’ve kept fighting, rather than paying the price of this life he never wished for in the first place. The green-haired man was now old enough to access the throne, a role he never wanted, but each time his glance met the colder one of his brother…his heart shattered into millions of pieces.
Izuku Midoriya was twenty years old and the ability to use this symbolic title, but when he had the audacity to mention these details in a conversation, his family gave him a death glare. He was sent to his purgatory without any defense, hearing how his little brother deserved this title compared to him, who never deserved such a role. It’s not like Izuku expected sincere apologies, but what hurt the most was the harsh answer from Kenji....who used to be the smaller shadow he promised to protect in their hugs and hidden tears.
“Did you ever imagine you’d get the throne after being as forgettable as a ghost haunting these walls ?” He asked with rolled eyes, losing his hands on his forearms, after sharing a glance with his parents. “Being the firstborn automatically gave you this honorific title, but we all know you’ll never be able to understand the priorities of our lands like I did. You barely get the current conflicts …Maybe you should make yourself discreet and disappear when the time comes .”
Izuku Midoriya was the heir of Mustafu’s lands, and faded away as soon as he appeared to the public’s eyes. The only name residing at the tip of their lips was his little brother’s, his achievements he had already made despite his age, and the pride he represented to this kingdom. The worst part was how the jealousy drowned Izuku’s soul six feet underground, forced to be a ghost that watched the most important person in his life, turning against him. All those years of reassurances and pinky promises under caring embraces, faded in the blink of an eye: The only thing that mattered to Kenji now was the constant attention from his parents, and the idea of being the one wearing the crown, even if this meant breaking the rules of long traditions.
The freckled man was conscious of his lack of knowledge about this role but it was worse than a thousand stabs in his chest. He spent the last years raising and protecting his little brother as the one he cared about the most, but Kenji was nothing but a puppet manipulated by their parents. All those souvenirs they shared together forced heavy tears against his porcelain skin with a broken sob at the tip of his open lips, cursing fate for taking away the only shoulder to cry on.
Izuku hated himself for letting such a thing happen, and yet, he knew his big brother’s instinct couldn’t hate this small head that used to give him healing kisses on the forehead after a nightmare. Kenji was still his younger sibling and the only true family he shared unforgettable memories with, but the shorter man had no other choice but to leave him with a distinct choice he made on his own, even if he’ll always keep an eye on him from afar.
After that cruel realization, the prince became more distant than usual, with some gossip describing him as a ghost haunting this place, and loud voices describing the coronation of their second-born. The freckled man didn’t even try to fight something that never belonged to him, and decided to create his own road… lonely but distinctive enough to mark the spirit of the next decades.
—--
Katsuki Bakugo’s life was shitty, without an ounce of doubt.
He had the right to complain about his current situation, especially when his entire world had been twisted apart due to terrible circumstances. He was the only child of this forgotten family on the side of the lands, living on a small but comforting farm. Growing up in such a relaxing environment offered him many resources for his imagination, talking with the animals, and helping his old parents with the hardest chores to prove how strong he was stronger than they.
Mitsuki Bakugo was a woman with a strong personality, way distinctive from the usual shadows in this town. The blonde woman didn’t hesitate to raise her voice if someone was bothering her, but she was also the most caring mother. Compared to his father, Masaru Bakugo, his mother was a hard book to read and Katsuki questioned how this kindhearted man succeeded in charming someone with an opposite attitude from his. His father was a more discreet man, who loved his wife and son and enjoyed this restful life in a more secluded space: Masaru never complained about the ups and downs of this chosen lifestyle, or the darkest moments of their lives, but he was the most supportive father and husband.
However, all his questions were easily erased when Katsuki noticed the sincere love between his parents, causing amazement as a child, and a loving vision as an adult. It’s not like he wasn’t interested at all in romance, some people tried to flirt with him multiple times until they got rejected, creating some kind of reputation concerning the unreachable farmer and his heart, protected by strong layers. The golden-haired man never tried to contradict such stupidity and kept living without giving a single care about the common gossip in town.
His main priorities were the help at the farm and the desire to create his own story. After all, he was twenty years old and had already left the kingdom after his majority, until he got homesick and decided to return to his roots. Since his first taste of adventure, the stubborn farmer was convinced his destiny belonged somewhere else…but it was a question of time before seeing his life take a no return point.
All this chaos happened during a calm afternoon.
The bright sun met his golden spikes after the previous task, reaching the closest barn to clean his face with an efficient slash of water, while his calloused hands erased the sweat on his forehead in the familiar tranquility of the farm. A groan escaped his lips, complaining about the numerous chores awaiting him tomorrow, but something bothered him on his way home: The closer he became to his house, the more his instincts warned him of this evident danger, residing behind this false illusion of peace.
Katsuki’s palms met the cold lock, holding his breath with a suffocating apprehension rising inside his chest. His instincts never failed him, but now it was clear that the menace hidden inside his house, had bad intentions. It’s not like he could run away and leave everything behind without an ounce of regret, but those precious seconds of rest helped him to slowly open the door to make his presence discreet inside the silenced room.
As expected, the atmosphere in this place seemed colder than any of the scoldings made by his mother, observing around and immediately found that a few objects had been thrown on the floor. He should try to call his parents and see if their lives weren't on the line, but he was afraid of making things worse! His tired glance became darker, moving closer to their room to check on them, until he found with horror, the terrible scene happening under his eyes.
A stranger, probably the same height as him, was completely covered by a hook and looked at his prisoners, attached to the chair. Mitsuki and Masaru’s mouths were covered by a tissue, hiding each of their pleas, but their terrified expression bolded the blond’s blood. Their ankles and wrists were attached by a strong knot, shortening each of their movements, with a few injuries on their skin, revealing their previous attempts to escape from here. Katsuki barely had time to ask about the attack on this intruder, who ditched his hit, before hearing a rough voice filling the void, with his menacing eyes revealing themselves behind this hook.
“Don’t start to play with fire unless you want to burn yourself,” the stranger explained with a clear tone, clearly bothered by the unexpected punch that could’ve ruined his plans. He shouldn’t waste more time with a casual conversation, but something tells him that good arguments were necessary if he wanted to convince the angry blond. “If I were you, I would think twice before making a gesture you’ll regret. I’m the only one able to keep them alive, but maybe you should stay a little longer.”
“Bullshit, I don’t know what story you’ve heard about us, but it shouldn’t concern them,” Katsuki argued with a death glare, holding his fist tighter. He wasn’t scared to throw a punch if necessary, but the quick glimpse at his parents’ faces recommended he calm down.“Who sent you here and what are your motives ?”
“I’m glad you asked,” the stranger said with a pleased tone that made the farmer’s blood boil on the spot. “For my own safety, I won’t share my identity but I know enough about you and your reputation to choose you as the perfect target for my tricks. I’m here to make a deal, Katsuki Bakugo.”
“I don’t mess with dark business,” he said with a cold tone. His life was perfect until now and some fucker had to ruin his day and waste his time with a short presentation instead of going straight to the point. The farmer was prepared for every possibility, but none were as scary as the following answer…
“I’m afraid you can’t refuse this one,” the man said with a threatening tone, and his cloaked hands grabbed the weapon to throw it on the floor. Katsuki’s face stayed unreadable in front of the dagger, while his parents’ faces became paler…deducing how this situation was darker than they expected. “Someone sent me here to give you a special mission: Your goal is to take the prince’s life away with this dagger and bring me back the sharp blade with his blood.”
“What if I refuse ?” The stupid question brought a mocking laugh at the tip of the stranger’s lips.
Katsuki held his fist tighter, waiting for an answer: There’s no way he’ll kill someone and do the dirty job because of their laziness. A life was a life, even if this person committed the worst of crimes, or if his target was a complete innocent who didn’t ask for such a fate. He refused to feel the weight of this weapon against his broken palm, who couldn’t protect his own family from this attack he never saw coming.
“Your parents will die by my hands.”
Katsuki’s face turned paler at the ultimatum, sharing a worried glance with his mother and father, who seemed as afraid as him. The conflicted expression on their faces sent opposite messages, begging him to refuse this dangerous quest, but assuring enough safety on their side if escaping was an option. “A life for a life: You kill the firstborn of Mustafu's kingdom, and I’m letting your parents return to your precious house.”
“How can I know you won’t betray your promise ?” Katsuki wasn’t born on a mountainside and recognized a similar pattern to the one many traitors had in the past, trying to steal his parents’ farms with pretty lies. However, this time it wasn’t a question of a roof above their heads, but human lives that mattered more than any resources the family had gained until now.
“I’m a man of words and they’ll be resting in jail in an unknown area until you finish your mission. If I learn you broke your own promise, you’ll receive their bloody skulls but if you act like the good son you are…the three of you will return to your happy life…. So, what’s your final decision ?” The man asked with an impatient tone, looking into the angry crimson ones. He already shared enough information about this secret mission, and if Katsuki refused, he’ll have to kill him too…which wouldn’t be a huge loss.
The golden-haired man stayed distant, processing the previous information. It was now or never if he wanted to save his parents, but the threat of this stranger was more than serious: He wouldn’t hesitate to kill them on the spot, under his eyes if necessary, making this dilemma more difficult than it already was. He never planned to commit such crimes in his lifetime, but given the current circumstances, the poor farmer had to choose between his morals and his heart. The worst part was how these fuckers made a good preparation with the identity of this stranger kept hidden and the fact that he was somehow “chosen” to fulfill a quest he never asked for. Katsuki Bakugo was ready to save his parents at all costs, but he’ll never forgive himself if he has unjustified blood on his hands.
“One last question,” he pointed out with a careful tone, looking straight into the other’s eyes. “Why should I take this prince’s life away? What do you have to win if he leaves this world ?”
“You see, he reached his majority a few years ago,” the man added with an exhausted tone, tired of this annoying behavior. “We haven't heard about his opinion concerning his desire to take the throne or not, but my boss has for mission to execute each Midoriya. Seeing him taking the lead represents a huge fear for our kingdom, especially when he’s vicious and manipulative enough to kill anyone to save his own life.”
“Now you’re acting for the inhabitants when you threatened innocent lives a few minutes ago, you should choose your side once and for all instead of wasting my time, asshole,” the farmer argued back with an angry tone, even when the previous answers offered him a few hints about his target.
He didn’t know a lot about the royal family, but he heard about how King Hisashi and Queen Inko were proud of their only son. The previous explanation reassured his hesitant heart about the decision to grab this dagger or not. His crimson eyes met the desperate glances of his parents, convincing him to escape as soon as possible, but it was too late. The farmer will probably regret this decision, but he moved to grab the sharp weapon against his broken palm, seeing the dark grin on the stranger’s face.
Katsuki wasn’t doing this for the sake of his land, but as a survival mission to save his family.
“I’m glad you accepted this quest, you have three months before returning us the dagger. If you can’t fulfill your mission, we’ll be forced to let you know the price of your mistake.”
“And how will I be able to find you ?” He asked with a cold tone, holding the weapon tighter.
In all honesty, their proof for accomplishing this murder was stupid, he was able to have his own blood if he failed in the next 90 days! The stranger gave him enough information about a secret spot residing at the entrance of the forest, with a specific area behind a certain tree, where he needed to deliver the weapon, until the arrival of a letter that would indicate the next location. The worst part was how Katsuki barely had time to say goodbye to his parents, taken away by force with teary eyes, telling him to stay strong…and before realizing it, the poor farmer ended up alone in this silent house, with a curse leaving his lips.
Shit, he didn’t know anything about the right way to kill someone and never thought about that before: All of this was too sudden, and yet, he shouldn’t waste more time!
The golden-haired man decided to train himself for the next week, switching between the farm’s basic chores and his use of the dagger, causing a few injuries on his skin. The angrier he became at himself for letting such a thing happen, the harder he trained until he got enough defense and knowledge of this small but powerful weapon. He couldn’t help but regret his choice some nights, staying awake with his inner demons and ghost hunting his walls, with a mocking laugh.
He started to make his observations once he sold his products to the town, analyzed the huge castle from the outside, the constant guards, and a potential secret spot where he could enter with discretion. The worst was about to come, but in the third week, he got enough hints to finally make his way and become an intruder in his luxurious place. His light breath barely escaped his open lips, and the air filled his lungs while holding the weapon tightly inside his pocket, with the suffocating tension that forced constant glances in his surroundings.
He made slow footsteps and looked around to see how big these rooms were, until he saw the family portraits residing on the walls. The king and his wife stood there with their selfish expression on their faces, holding the shoulders of their son, presumably their firstborn, who shared the same dark expression as them. Maybe this stranger was right about the rumors around the only legacy of this family, ready to sacrifice the weakness to reach their goals….
His eyes widened when he heard footsteps in the background, hiding himself behind a wall. He held his breath when he caught the familiar mumbles of the green curls he had already seen multiple times, entering and leaving the castle, during his observation weeks. Katsuki hasn’t seen the man’s face in detail to distinguish him from the crowd, but his green messy curls were the center of the crowd’s attention! Establishing direct contact with the person represented a huge risk, but he couldn’t face this mission alone and the idea of having an acolyte by his side, at least, guided him in this huge place and helped with the royal couple’s habits.
The farmer held his breath and followed the shorter man until his target stopped in a lost room. It was too early to kill the prince, and the stranger seemed to share a genuine hate toward the royal couple, which made things easier: At least he didn’t have to use argument or a death threat to let this extra join his side. The taller man moved in discretion, taking a quick glimpse around, and decided to act once he got all the keys to make an efficient attack. His body moved faster and his strong arms found the shorter man’s neck, pushing the sharp blade of the weapon against his neck. The strong grip of the blond made each movement impossible, forcing his target to stay quiet, unless he needed to put his hand to cover the other’s mouth and his potential call for help.
Little did he know how he messed up with the wrong target…but maybe those circumstances could be in his favor.
—--
Izuku’s day started in the worst way.
Earlier this morning, he was welcomed with heavy tears falling down his cheeks after the previous nightmares, and decided to change his mind in town to bring some fresh ingredients to the people sacrificing their lives in this cold castle. If some of them ignored his presence, others were kind enough to make a small nod or smile when their glances met: The firstborn was considered a lost ghost, but he enjoyed this ounce of warmth when people took the time to listen to him.
In all honesty, there was something relaxing about being invisible enough to leave this golden jail and find peace with his own adventures, instead of being his parents'puppet and assume the pressure of this symbolic title: Kenji can keep his desire to get the throne, but he better not put on his knees and have his big brother’s forgiveness if he failed his selfish mission. Thinking about all of this made his tormented brain more exhausted than it already was, but changing air and facing the sun against his messy curls, brought him some sense of comfort.
At this hour, the town was already active and many faces recognized his presence as the gentleman who worked for the castle, unaware of his royal title, but Izuku chose to fit into this welcoming persona that looked like his true self, rather than some asshole who wanted to correct the others. The old lady immediately recognized his smile and freckled cheeks, explaining how happy she was to see him again as he paid for the casual ingredients, resting in the best conditions. His parents already have too much money they tend to lose at every corner of the castle, and it wasn’t considered stealing if this money belonged to the inhabitants at first.
The rest of the morning happened with calm interactions, exchanging with the familiar faces who thanked him for his benevolent gesture. The guards barely looked at him when he asked to open the door, with his arms full of bags, ready to fall anytime soon: He needed to repeat his order until the huge door finally opened to let his small shadow get lost in this colder atmosphere.
The prince immediately missed the endearing atmosphere of the town, but each of his footsteps was highlighted by his hidden thoughts walking closer to the kitchen area of the castle. The people working here welcomed him with a happy nod, explaining how he saved their lives, and even taught a few cooking tricks to the prince, making him more amazed by their abilities to create the best recipes. The rest of the day was calmer after that, he spent his time with his thoughts, ate alone at this big table, and rested a little longer in his room.
To avoid more boredom, he decided to visit the castle, exploring the garden he and his brother loved as children, and the numerous places where they both used to play hide and seek. He missed the old days when Kenji and he were inseparable, but time changed and their parents succeeded in turning the biggest ally into the wrong side, pushing the knife deeper inside his back. He lost himself in his mumbles when he reached the huge portraits on the walls, representing the selfishness of this family, but he wasn’t surprised by the fact that he didn’t even get his own portrait, compared to his little brother.
Little did he know how the casual complaints about his shitty parents would be the cause of a curious happenstance. He was conscious of his bad luck, but what were the odds that his life was being menaced by some stranger, ready to kill him at the slightest occasion? What terrible way to sacrifice his last breath-
“Don’t even try to escape or I’ll cut your throat and leave you for dead,” the stranger said with a menacing tone. The strong grip made each of his movements impossible, feeling the heavy breath against his ears and the fear rising inside his chest.
Izuku closed his eyes and groaned when he felt how the weapon left a small injury on his skin. After a quick glance in his surroundings, he figured out how he was doomed: No one was around in this forgotten room of the castle, and his body wouldn’t be found until a few days, if not weeks, after his death.
“I can give you all the jewels of this castle,” Izuku whispered in a low tone. He wasn’t afraid to get caught, knowing no one would come to his rescue and let his body drown in his own blood, but he didn’t mind reasoning with this stranger to get out of here alive ! “I..I know all the secret spots where the royal couple hide their precious treasures-”
“That’s not what I want,” Katsuki said with a sigh, noticing how the shorter man was trembling. He never thought he would be the oppressor, but he couldn’t let this extra escape, not when he was essential to his plans. “I’m not interested in such things with no value to my eyes, but you seem to know this place better than I and I need your help.”
huh.
Alright, it was the first time the prince was captured by someone who didn’t want the luxury of this place! His previous arguments were now wasted and the poor soul had no other option than to listen to this stranger’s motives instead of getting free in more conventional forms. He needed to stay wise, and chose his words with a precision that’ll scare the coldest soldier on the battlefield, especially when his life was on the line!
“And what makes you think I’ll accept it? You threatened my life!” At this point, if the taller man wanted to kill him on the spot, the prince wouldn’t fight back, paying the price for his lack of courage and stupidity. The freckled man sighed, praying the stars to resonate with this guy, who seemed to relax his previous grip….
“Because you’re not my target and the faster I have an ally by my side, the sooner I can finish this shitty mission,” the farmer explained with an exhausted tone. This wasn’t how he planned to get his first hostage, but he couldn’t blame this guy for being on the defensive when he used to be at the same place as him one month ago. He should’ve made a more convincing presentation instead of trying to get into a persona he was not…but it was too late to regret!
“I don’t understand…” the prince said in a low tone. If he wasn’t his target, why does this guy keep holding him with such a grip when he could easily let him go?
Izuku had seen more convincing threats in the last years, but he never thought someone would try to attempt his life. His parents were the ones with the target’s title, but was it wrong to feel a slight ounce of warmth at the idea that someone took an interest in him despite the current situation? Probably, but Izuku was known for his terrible survival instinct, putting the blame on his loneliness, which became his best friend over the past years.
“Wait- why do you have this dagger if you don’t plan to take my life away ?” He asked with a low tone, slowly figuring out how his oppressor wasn’t even trying to stop him from his potential escape. After all, the green-haired man was intrigued to know why someone needed his help for an unknown mission!
“I’m not here to play the babysitter, but I’m here to kill the prince,” he announced with a sigh, releasing the shorter man and letting him regain his breath. Katsuki never said he would fit in such a role, but a part of him prayed not to see this extra leaving him behind with a potential death threat! He put the dagger back inside his pocket, and lost his heated palms against his golden spikes, unaware of the pale expression crossing the prince’s face at the previous revelations.
“Excuse me-” Izuku mumbled with a surprised tone. Many questions crossed his mind: This stranger was here to take his life away, and yet, his heart arched at the idea that this misunderstanding could lead to a no-return point with his little brother. Taking the royal couple’s lives away wasn’t an issue, and the prince was fine with it, but he made a promise to his sibling, even if he hated the person Kenji became. “Isn’t it…too dangerous ?”
“That’s why you’ll help me, I’ve been observing the familiar shadows entering and leaving the castle in the past two weeks. Yours became a recurring one that caught my attention, you work for the royal family and know this place by heart, right ?”
“Ye…Yeah,” he immediately replied without an ounce of doubt, despite being a terrible liar. He shouldn’t mess up now, not when his executor didn’t know anything about his real identity: It was probably the first time Izuku Midoriya was grateful for his shitty childhood and the erasure of his existence to the public world, unless…. “Are you looking for the firstborn of the Midoriya family ?”
It was a stupid question from Izuku’s perspective, but an evident one for Katsuki, who couldn’t doubt for one second about the bitter truths behind these walls. The freckled man didn’t say anything and rubbed his thumbs against his clothes and waited for an answer: no matter the final word, he knew things would be complicated for the rest of this journey. Revealing the truth represented a risk of being exposed for his lies, but his brother was the target of such a threat, and it would never happen as long as Izuku was a part of this world.
“Exactly, the one standing on this shitty family picture, ” Katsuki crossed his arms against his chest, wondering why this extra asked such questions. After all, it was a well-known fact that the royal couple gave birth to one son, and he got the same hostility as his parents’ gaze, according to the painting he saw earlier. “Collaborate with me and our path will never meet again after this deal.”
Izuku released a hidden curse when he realized that he was the only one able to find himself in a crazy situation like this one. He lost his scarred hands against his messy curls. The request was to kill the firstborn of the family, which meant Kenji was the main target, according to the public, but maybe the ones who sent this guy knew about Izuku’s existence. It would be a bittersweet miracle if it were the case, but luckily for him, this taller man behind him didn’t seem to recognise him…Now he needed to protect his little brother and avoid more blood on his broken hands!
“It’s not like I have the choice,” mumbled the prince. He refused to let his brother get killed, but he won’t sacrifice himself either: his plan started on unstable bases, but it was better than doing nothing at all
The shorter man sighed, it was definitely the most dangerous mission — and the only one — he faced in his life! He turned around to finally face the man who gave him grey hair before his eighties, and was stunned by the taller figure standing under his eyes.
The mysterious stranger that caught him off guard and threatened his life, ended up being the most gorgeous man Izuku’s heart had ever met. He didn’t know his own heart missed a beat at the evident size difference between them, making the freckled man feel like a bug in a world of giants, but admired the mesmerizing details on his pretty face. The prince wasn’t the kind of person to believe in legends, but he swore he almost fell in love at first sight with these annoyed crimson eyes, being brighter than any jewels he had seen until now.
This specific shade of red was hypnotizing enough to distinguish his black pupils and each expression crossing his tempting lips, considered as a forbidden fruit. His golden spikes were as gorgeous as the sun that brightened his skin earlier, and the natural charm on his face was able to melt anyone’s heart on the spot! Suddenly, the naive target didn’t mind dying at the hands of this stranger which caused a wave of unknown sentiment the freckled man had never felt before…
If Izuku’s blush betrayed each of his thoughts passing through his silly brain cells, it was different for Katsuki, who found himself stuck in an impression of discovery, leaving an unforgettable mark on his tormented soul. The green messy curls matched perfectly with the ethereal gem residing in his eyes, offering a distinct show of shades he never considered beautiful until now.
The rosy blush on his skin highlighted the delicateness of his freckles and the fragile lips, releasing light breath, stolen by the wind. There was something fascinating about the shorter man standing there with an innocent glance, but an evident sadness, hidden under thick layers inside this precious chest. His crimson eyes observed the presence of scars residing on his porcelain skin, being fascinated by their birth, and slowly lifted his head to meet the gentle glance of his prisoner.
None dared to talk, waiting for a distraction to continue their conversation and make a proper presentation, until fate heard their desperate calls. Sudden footsteps echoed in the background, forcing a surprised expression on their faces: Izuku barely had the time to defend himself before being pushed away by the taller man, who rested his back against the closest wall. His lips were covered by the calloused hands against his heated breath, feeling his own heart drop at the series of events that transformed this chaotic day into an unforgettable one.
Katsuki’s back stayed as close as possible to the wall, holding back his breath, covering his weapon, and making sure none of them betrayed their spot. The silence seemed unbearable until the two guards disappeared, lost in their conversation, giving the hint to release the poor prince from the string grip against his body. The farmer sighed, losing his hands inside his golden spikes, and turned around to meet the stunned emerald eyes, who looked at him with a captivated expression on his face, barely processing the previous event.
Katsuki presented his calloused hands, revealing the beginning of his scars, and Izuku noticed the multiple details on the other’s palm, and lifted his head to meet the fond crimson eyes.
“My name is Katsuki Bakugo,” he said with a lighter tone. He should have done this before all these stupid misunderstandings, but at least he gained this extra trust. Their two shadows stood there, with their eyes interlocked with each other, trying to read the lines behind this ethereal painting that became their favorite.
“Mine’s Izuku, nice to meet you,” the freckled man said with a low voice, regaining his calm.
It was too early to dig into these unknown feelings, but he would rather discover more about his killer than say goodbye to his chance of surviving another morning. His scarred hands met the strong palm, establishing a first contact between the two strangers, who sealed their fates with this meaningful promise. It was clear they both had too many interrogations about the rest of this journey, but they both won something in this unexpected deal: Katsuki Bakugo got a guide for his mission, and Izuku Midoriya, the opportunity to save his life.
—----
“What are you exactly ?” Katsuki asked, taking a quick glimpse outside the windows. This model was way more luxurious than the ones he got in his hidden farm, but he wouldn’t mind scrutinizing the slight smile or the rolled eyes from shadows in the crowd.
Izuku stayed on the wooden chair, resting his back against the material that barely covered his pain. The previous attack left some damage to his poor body, but he didn’t want to show it to Katsuki Bakugo, who seemed to calm himself after their odd presentation. He lost his delicate thumbs inside his curls and moved his head to notice how the taller man looked at him with a captivated glance, waiting for an answer. The prince needed to be smart to cause enough confusion, but create a solid lie that’ll probably be big enough to slip through the cracks!
“I’m a maid,” he pointed out with a nod. Izuku took the first idea that naturally came that crossed his mind, being forced to justify his clothes that differed from the people working here. His guesses were right when the crimson eyes analyzed him in the slightest details, as if he didn’t believe in his lies, which caused a slight heart attack on his poor chest.
“A man as a maid, how is this even possible ?” the golden-haired man questioned with frowning eyebrows. He was convinced this guy was someone who probably worked in the kitchen, due to the numerous round-trips, but he was wrong. His instincts warned him not to put his guard down, but Katsuki considered these thoughts as something influenced by the euphoria of the situation: After all, this idiot had no interest in lying about his true self when he could’ve said the truth earlier.
“Yeah that’s…new, an order from the prince himself, but he’s very isolated and never leaves his room,” Izuku affirmed with a serious tone. His goal was to create a credible and strong story, and watch his back in case this gorgeous stranger tried to betray their deal.
“I’ve never heard about that,” Katsuki mumbled in his beard. He walked closer to the wooden table and grabbed the closest chair, to sit there and give some company to his new ally: Getting against his speech and doubts about each of his truths was a risk to break his only chance to save his parents. The farmer couldn’t play with fire and put his mom and dad on the deathbed when he still needed them to survive! “Since when did you work here ?”
“Too long to count,” the green-haired man replied with a sigh. He appreciated how this stranger was ready to establish interactions, even if it wouldn’t assure a peaceful journey. The prince needed to stay on his guard, but it didn’t stop him from creating an imaginary life, based on his real souvenirs and his little brother. “My mother was also a maid herself and fell in love with someone outside the castle. The circumstances led her to give birth in the same place that became her jail, but the only condition imposed by the royal family was to keep my existence hidden. According to her words, they didn’t agree at first, but after a secret deal was made between them, they decided to keep me here…as a maid.”
“Isn’t it a lonely life ?” asked the golden-haired man. It was the first time his natural curiosity led him to discover more about this random guy he selected as his target, and his heavy history. Izuku’s face turned softer at the sincere care residing in the blond’s voice, admiring the human hidden behind these unreachable thorns …and he was also the first person to sincerely listen to him since his brother’s sudden change of personality.
“It's strange at first, but you easily get used to it,” Izuku replied with a quiet tone. He put his knees closer to his chest and rested his head against them, feeling how the crimson eyes followed each of his movements. There was something mysterious about this man, standing in front of him with a weapon able to take his life in the blink of an eye, offering some minutes of his precious time to listen to his story. “I used to fear loneliness, but I discovered how this curse gave me so many opportunities to create my own narrative. I’ve never heard about my mother after my fifth birthday, so I had to raise myself and talk to ghosts….”
“That’s still shitty life,” the blond pointed out in a low tone. His comment wasn’t meant to be harsh or hurt the other’s ego, but he noticed how Izuku didn’t flinch at his observation. This maid was an intriguing book to read, and the farmer wanted to know more about the secrets residing behind his charming emerald eyes, which kept so many wasted tears and unshared truths.
“You said so,” Izuku said with a slight smile. Until now, he used to have a few interactions with the outside world, but this long talk warmed his heart. It was the bare minimum, and the prince was conscious about this statement, but he was desperate enough to get some attention from people, after being ignored for so long. “After all, you can’t choose your family, but you can have a word about the people standing by your side, and it’s better than any illusion of love, meant to fade over the years.”
“You’re cruelly hopeful for such circumstances, are you even sure you enjoy this life ?” Katsuki was supposed to stay a few minutes, but instead, he started a whole conversation about something that shouldn’t concern him but the more he got to learn about this Izuku, the more he questioned the person behind the mask.
“I’m not sure if I’ll ever wake up tomorrow, so I’m forced to simply enjoy things as they were, and change them if they’re not convenient,” Izuku added with a light voice. He forgot how reliving it was to have someone to talk to and express his insecurities. His emerald eyes noticed how the taller man looked around with a searching glance, and this sight was enough to understand that it was time to end their short introduction. The shorter man’s face turned softer as he left the old chair and noticed the curious expression on the blond’s face. “As much as I enjoy our conversation, I think it’ll be safer for you to leave this place before you get caught. I know each spot of this golden jail, I can be your guide.”
Katsuki followed the shorter man and stayed distant, forced to admit that he had this odd sensation of following a spirit in this haunted place. Freckles must be an outcast to recognize each area of this castle, especially when he grew up here and was forced to be forgotten against his will. Izuku turned his head a few times to check if Katsuki was still following him, until both shadows approached an isolated corner, with an open door guiding him straight to the back of the castle.
Their eyes met with a warm glance transcribed into silent words. Izuku let him know how he should leave, and Katsuki made an unconscious promise to meet this stranger again, who seemed to be an ethereal painting to admire, and discover. If the freckled man watched the taller figure disappearing in the background, he had no other choice but to return to his room.
The last hours had been the craziest of his life, but one thing was sure….Izuku Midoriya was doomed.