Chapter Text
Katsuki Bakugou doesn't know what the announcement is.
He does, however, know that it's been planned for months on end. Both his parents hovering over him at every corner and going over his old papers. Legalities and documentations of existence that he really doesn't understand needing when they're trying to unify kingdoms and have been since before he was born. Dates and measurements and medical conditions and when he asked about it he was given no definite answers, just that it was important.
He also knows that Eijirou Kirishima and his ambassadors are here for the occasion, dressed in their finest attire. Long, full coverage robes over the usual which leaves far more on display ("We usually burn too hot for the cold to bother us up North," Eijirou helpfully explained when asked why so much skin was on display). Royal attire, not casual— it's mildly concerning, really.
He bumps his shoulder against Bakugou's to get his attention.
"What's going on?"
Katsuki shrugs and offers a simple response. "I'unno."
"Great." There's a twinge of anxiety on Eijirou's voice. It's swiftly snuffed by Katsuki jabbing a fork into his serving. "Hey—"
"Eat it before it gets cold or I will."
A smugly hissed, "How the hell are you a prince…"
There's still an underlying string of tension even as the dinner fades into the usual chaos of something worthy of an announcement. Katsuki tries to ignore it. Toys with the hem of his clothes. Awkwardly cuts a slice of meat into smaller and smaller pieces ad infinitum. Keeps his eyes firmly locked on anything but the people around him.
Eijirou does the same, drumming his fingertips (claws cut down to be acceptably human passing) on the table and glancing around. He wishes he knew why the hell he was dragged all the way out here by his ambassadors on his mothers whim. At least that way he could spill to Katsuki what the hell is going on in full detail—
Silence washes over the room, cuts straight through Eijirou's thoughts and forces him rigid with anxiety. He and Katsuki both glance up to Mitsuki, simply standing, that's all it takes with wings flared.
"Subjects, I'm certain you're all curious as to why we've called you here, let's keep it short," She simply starts. "The foods too good to let it get cold, yeah?"
There's an almost humoured murmur among the crowd.
"Now, most of you are aware of what we have been trying to do since before my reign, before my parents reign, before their parents reign— further unification between the Seowyth Kingdom and Snærbjǫð,
"It's gone amazing for the most part through the last century. We've had more trade and far more casual visitation from the dragons, as half-dragons have had more visitation to Brennafold, even outside of official business. There's a comfortable air of casual connection between our kingdoms."
An uproar of agreement. Mitsuki lets the chatter between dragon and half-dragon flourish for a brief moment before clapping for attention again. A single snap of the fingers would work, really. Katsuki doesn't get the dramatics, she doesn't need to clap her husband does.
"To further this connection, to make it more intimate, if you will, we have decided that a marriage would be best in order. It wasn't a decision that I and Akaruiryūō came to lightly, we spent months discussing which of our children would work best for each other. And if this pairing fails, well, it's a good thing there's so many."
Katsuki can't help the smirk. Finally, one of his sisters (maybe multiple) is gonna be out of the area so he can breathe for once. Aw, there they are across the table, concerned already. It's a sick sense of satisfaction but he's allowed to feel it after how annoying they've always been to him.
"Of course, we don't expect children from the marriage of Eijirou Kirishima and our only prince, but hey, who knows— you all know what season it is."
And Katsuki chokes. Breaks into a minute, muffled coughing fit. The marriage of Eijirou Kirishima and who? Eijirou offers a helping hand by slamming his fist to Katsuki's back to try and break him out of the coughing fit. There's already a glare from Mitsuki lining up on them.
"Then, all that said," Mitsuki starts, smile returning, "A toast to the marriage between Katsuki Bakugou and Eijirou Kirishima, and for good luck with courting period."
A cacophony of, "Cheers!" and, "To the marriage!" and other likewise sentiments erupt in the dining hall.
Eijirou Kirishima has his head in his hands, dread clear. So that's why father didn't tell him the full details of the marriage. He, in an attempt to be polite in a kingdom not his own, raises his glass.
Katsuki Bakugou is silent amidst the cheers.
-/-/-/-
Katsuki Bakugou is told he has one last night in the kingdom, and to say any goodbyes he wants to get out of the ways. To any servants or friends or whatnot that may miss him that didn't hear word at the dinner.
"Just tell them I got killed instead," Katsuki remarks to Mitsuki, "Same fucking difference."
She opens her mouth to speak, to bite back, to be really unprofessional. She refrains. "Collect what you need and sleep tight and go get courted for the month."
"Oh yeah? What happens if it doesn't work?"
"You'll be in heat whether you're effectively courted or not."
A sensation akin to ice spirals across Katsuki's body, nestled deep in each of his nerves. Shock, he's pretty sure it's shock. Stemming from the truth of the matter, yes, but shock regardless.
She, they, it's all timed out perfectly.
What are they even playing at? There's no way in hell he can get pregnant.
He doesn't know and he doesn't think he wants to know.
"Fine." Katsuki bites the word with sparks of fire in the back of his throat. Spite and annoyance and fear.
When he turns to leave Eijirou is on the other side of the door, standing there awkwardly. Katsuki's not sure if it's guilt on his face or something else. He doesn't care. He just walks by and heads directly for his room.
He stuffs everything he could possibly need for a months stay in a snowy field at the base of a mountain into a bag and dreads it the entire time.
-/-/-/-
Katsuki Bakugou walks to Snærbjǫð with Eijirou Kirishima and his ambassadors at his side.
"It'll be faster if we fly," One of the ambassadors curtly remarks.
"Don't care, didn't ask," Katsuki remarks back.
"Really, man, we even brought a sadle so you wouldn't have to ride bareback," Eijirou sheepishly doubles down with. He doesn't push any further. He doesn't expect any response from Katsuki either.
"If my feet get sore we'll fly," Katsuki simply states, "Until then, we're doing it my way."
Both ambassadors go quiet with a huff of indignation. Walking like humans, Katsuki imagines it must be degrading to them. He doesn't care. Hell, he'd rather it be degrading to them considering they probably whispered marriage into Akaruiryūō's ear.
Eijirou tries his best to keep tension light the entire walk.
Katsuki tries to humour him.
He might as well get a headstart on good relations with the guy he's gonna be fucking in a months time.