Chapter Text
"Hah? That's your idea, your majesty?" Katsuki questioned, leaning leisurely in the armchair like he was at home. "A series of balls?"
With a look of silent disapproval, Enji looked at his horrible posture from the other side of the desk and sighed when Bakugou’s lip ticked up deviously in return.
“Yes, Bakugou.” Enji replied, placing his hands on his thrones' armrests. “The balls will draw in potential suitors and suitresses to the kingdom. At the moment, my advisors and I aren't sure of the number of people that’ll come to delight us with their presence and gifts, but we know there’ll be many, because who would miss out on an event like this after all?” He sounded a mix of smug and proud at that. “Hence the balls that’ll occur for five days."
To himself, Enji then hummed thoughtfully. "Not to mention, if a person wants to attempt wooing Shouto multiple times and heighten their own chances of getting selected in return, then they would have time to try.” The king's fingers drummed on the table as he continued. “With the gifts and lodgings in the village for travelers, it'll bring in profit for future wedding expenses and the kingdom as a whole. And by the end of the balls, if Shouto finds a spouse…” Enji trailed off, moving to thumb his crown that was placed on a crimson pillow by his side.
It was the King’s crown, he thought. Shouto’s future crown.
Enji flicked his eyes to Katsuki. “Well, that’ll greatly benefit him and the future of the kingdom, don’t you agree?”
As if on cue, the afternoon sunlight peeked through the window and hit the King straight in the face. The light revealed what the darkness of his office hid. His cheeks were sunken, his skin a sickly pallid, and his hair a dull red and so lifeless that it seemed that it would fall with one touch. The sight made his statement—made these balls—feel heavier. It made the fact that time was against them, the Kingdom, heavier. It was a ticking-time bomb.
It was a known fact that for the past few years, there has been a relentless race between Time and the King’s health. Always edging close to one another, brushes apart, but never fully passing the other up. Now all that was left was who would fall first and with the King’s illness, the question of the kingdom’s future weighed down on the King more than ever. Of how this kingdom needed a ruler to survive and flourish. Of how these dances were the last attempt to leave Shouto with someone who’d take care of him and rule alongside him.
Just thinking about the kingdom’s potential troubles made the room feel thick and sour. Made it sit and permeate throughout the silent, cold room.
After a thick swallow, Katsuki spoke up again.
“Does His Highness know?”
There was a slight pause, then the King glanced at him.
"I informed him." Enji answered, eyes gleaming, as if he was fully aware of Katsuki's redirection of the conversation. He probably was. However, no words came after that. Not one of the king's usual furious reactions or rantings. He was a silent statue, focusing his attention on running his fingers through the crown’s swirl engravings and attached gems.
God damn it, with the way he was reacting, that couldn't be good. Shouto’s reaction couldn’t have been good.
“And security?”
They both knew Katsuki would be watching over Shouto. That was non-negotiable, but Katsuki didn’t know about those other damn extras who called themselves Guards. Izuku and Eijirou were satisfactory, way better than those other idiots, but still. You never knew what could happen at open events like these.
“It’ll be dealt with.”
After the words were said, Katsuki knew it was an irrefutable dismissal. Immediately, he stood up and bowed, low and deep.
"Thank you for your time, Your Majesty. I'll discuss this subject with you later then."
This conversation was done for now. He had to look for Shouto, and Enji hummed, looking at him knowingly on what he was gonna do next.
"Until then, Bakugou.”
From the six years he had been working with the Todoroki’s, Katsuki already knew where Shouto could be at the back of his hand. However, he wouldn’t have known back then, that’s for sure. Oh, how eighteen-year-old Shouto had hated his fucking guts.
Well, Katsuki had encouraged it with his own witty remarks and non-bullshit demeanor.
Before he took on this job, he had heard everything about the other Guards assigned to the prince and their terrible experiences from Izuku and Eijirou, who worked at the castle. Those two were the ones who recommended him this job after he left the Army, and the situation on how he got assigned to the castle was ironic, really.
Katsuki had trained his whole life to become a soldier, and Izuku, too. Like any other child who had outlandish, ambitious dreams, Katsuki had wanted to get out of his small, unknown village and the non-existent future it held and his only way out had been the Army, the first obstacle being the entrance test.
By training for it, Katsuki had a chance to become what he had always wanted to be, to make a life for himself. To become someone who was big, with a high rank and respected by their comrades. To fight for their country and protect others who couldn't, and like always, Izuku had followed.
Even without magic, Izuku always had wanted to be by his side. Fighting, rebelling, against the will of the world. Against anyone who told Izuku he would never pass the exam without magic. Against Katsuki's efforts to push him farther during their teenage years, but Izuku's hard work had paid off, with a new mentor and powerful abilities.
God knows, Izuku deserved it. Katsuki knew he always did. And Izuku was still by his side. Permanently stuck to him without a chance for Katsuki to escape. Not that he would want to in the first place, Katsuki still was atoning after all.
However, at the tentative age of eighteen, when they had started out and met Eijirou and others, they were ripped from those childish dreams and faced with reality.
Everyday had been a living nightmare. Wherever they went, the coppery smell of blood and cries of despair stained the air. Their metal armor had always been dirty, filthy with sweat and dirt, and leached with unspeakable sins of the League of Villains. And behind them, Death had followed.
A colossal, menacing monster. Spit dripping from its mammoth-like fangs, the putrid scent of human remains in its every breath. Frightening power trembling within its frame as it raked its claws on the grass beside it. Fueling its insatiable hunger and at the same time, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
Two years in, and after a siege and with permanent injuries left behind, Izuku, Eijirou, and others had to leave, but Katsuki decided to stay for one more year, fighting troublesome countries and factions, until it had dwindled down and after, Katsuki had had enough.
He shook his head, trying to dispel those thoughts from his mind and focus on the more important thing.
His departure from the army led him to Shouto and this job. More importantly, he had heard everything about the prince's frequent escapees from the castle to the surrounding village. Then there had been Shouto’s tendency to scare off whoever was his Personal Guard at the time with his frosty attitude and snarky remarks. His refusal to obey his father’s commands. Not to mention, since his childhood, Shouto had cultivated tremendous magic and swordsmanship that could ward off even the above average guard easily.
As Shouto was the heir of the Kingdom, there was already a team of Guards, including Izuku and Eijirou, looking out for him but they had different priorities. Searching the perimeter, patrolling around the castle halls and the gardens, and looking out for any danger that might harm the prince, and on the other hand, his siblings. There was a different team specifically for the King, but Shouto's behavior wasn’t ideal for his team of Guards and his Personal Guard who had to protect Shouto in the first place.
And well, with Katsuki’s background, explosive power, and crass attitude, he had been a shoo-in for the position, and Katsuki always loved a challenge. Thinking back, it was one when he had started out. He and Shouto had a rocky start at first. Arguments, fights. One could name anything and it probably happened.
Most of the time it was just Katsuki chasing after Shouto, and Shouto working his ass off to make Katsuki quit or get him fired. To Shouto's displeasure, his attempts failed, but now, six years later, Katsuki would say they’ve come a hell of a long way. Assassination attempts, deep talks, and being stuck together mostly would do that to anyone.
But as of now, the present moment, Shouto was likely stressed out, wanting relief from his father and his overbearing conversations. It always tended to happen at times like these. In these moments, Shouto didn't want to fight someone with his magic or sword and run himself exhausted but rather do something that would soothe him.
Passing by silver-trimmed doors in the hot baths, Katsuki stopped when he reached the only gold-trimmed door and pushed it open, leaving silver behind him. The gold was a way to show others that it was reserved specifically for Shouto. At his first step inside, Katsuki wrinkled his nose at the strong, minty-scented steam. With a couple of inhales, he could smell hints of cedarwood and coriander as well and knew that Shouto must have put more than one of his fancy, smelly bath liquids. Again.
With his shoes clicking on the tile, Katsuki closed the door behind him and walked towards the left. After passing by the opaque glass wall, he saw the naked form of Shouto, sitting silently in a large tub of steaming water. His arms were hidden in the water while his head lay back on the wall behind him. Shouto looked peaceful like this, his face relaxed and eyebrows unfurrowed, with his long hair floating around him like a halo.
Katsuki's gaze veered to the side, noticing small, glass bottles placed on the floor next to Shouto. His prediction about Shouto’s bath oils was proven correct.
Without opening his eyes, Shouto said, "Bakugou."
It had to be Katsuki as he was the only other person allowed in here, after all. But Katsuki didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed one of Shouto's towels from his towel rack and laid it down on the floor, smoothing it down. Still standing up, Katsuki pulled off his shoes and socks and placed them neatly to the side, a safe distance from the water. Sitting at the edge of the tub, he pulled up his pants to his knees before dipping his feet up to his ankles into the water.
By the Gods, Katsuki withheld a wince. The water was hotter than it looked.
Heterochromatic eyes blinked open to look at him and Katsuki smirked as a greeting.
“Your Highness."
Shouto grinned at Katsuki's voice, the flowers in his cheeks indenting so beautifully.
Shouto lifted his arm out of the water, making it ripple, as he raked his fingers through his wet hair in a backwards-motion, giving Katsuki a full view of his forehead and scar; Katsuki could see how Shouto’s cheeks, neck, and shoulders were flushed red from the steaming water.
"I assume you talked with my father?"
At Shouto’s mention of the King, Katsuki glanced over, trying to gauge how Shouto felt about Enji’s…meddling? Intervention? Shouto didn't seem to compelled to continue his train of thought and his expression didn’t reveal anything as well.
Shouto just stared up at the ceiling, his face blank as he took a deep breath in the scented steam. He sank into the water more like he wanted to engulf himself in it and never come out. This always happened when Enji was involved, Shouto getting quiet. Katsuki couldn’t help but wonder what Shouto had said to his father, what they discussed, but he didn’t want to push too far. He wanted Shouto to tell him in his own time, whenever he felt like it or felt comfortable to do so.
"Yeah, I just did.” Katsuki answered simply, shrugging off his jacket. Mismatched eyes watched his movements as he loosened his tie with a tug of his fingers. "What do you think, Your Highness?"
There wasn't a need to add more, Shouto understood what he was truly asking.
Shouto chuckled, a tired, soft thing. A pensive expression settled on his face.
"I have to do it.”
Looking down at the water, Shouto chewed on his bottom lip; Katsuki found his gaze locked on the action. With some effort, he stopped himself from telling Shouto to stop biting, so they didn't tear and bleed again. Resisted in wanting to apply an moisturizing oil on them himself.
"It's not like my refusal will stop it from happening,” Shouto muttered, jolting Katsuki out of his one-sided staring competition. He jerked his eyes back up at Shouto, who was still looking down at the water. “And as much as I despise it…” The dances, the King, Katsuki at once caught on while Shouto fixed his gaze on him, “the old man's getting old, and someone has to step up.”
To the throne, was unsaid.
At that, Katsuki hummed as he moved his feet in the water, wiggling his now-prune toes. During the brief time he had been here, he noticed Shouto had shifted closer to him. So close that his toes almost touched Shouto's legs.
"Don't worry.” Katsuki tried to reassure him. Unable to handle the scalding water for any longer, Katsuki yanked his limbs from the tub, so they didn’t feel like they were fucking burning off, while Shouto—the lucky bastard—continued sitting in the water casually, the temperature not affecting him in the slightest. His skin tingled from the heat as Katsuki moved into a criss cross-applesauce position on top of the towel. Shouto didn’t shift any closer. Katsuki tried not to grimace at how his wet feet soaked through his pants.
“I think you’ll have fun. There’s gonna be food, dancing, people and friends. So, what’s not to be excited about?”
“You’re so great at this reassuring thing.” Shouto said sarcastically, now leaning his elbows on the tub’s edge to where his neck stretched, smooth and pale, while amusement glimmered in his eyes.
Rolling his eyes, Katsuki scoffed playfully.
Still, he continued.
“Y'know you could think of it more like a get-together rather than having to look for a spouse,” Katsuki suggested, wrapping the end of tie around his finger to do something with his hands, “and if you find someone you really like, well, that works for all the better."
Shouto paused for a few moments and looked at him with a discernible stare that Katsuki couldn't interpret.
"Someone I really like," he repeated slowly.
Katsuki stopped playing with his tie, deciding to put his hands on the towel to support himself. He leaned slightly back before answering.
"Yeah,” he said, a little confused. "You never know who you might meet."
The room got silent, Katsuki’s response left to linger in the air. For a minute or two, the only sounds in the room were the soft splashes of water made by Shouto’s fingers and the huffs of their breaths.
It was comfortable.
Peaceful.
Quiet.
Just how Katsuki liked it.
Then, breaking the calm atmosphere, Shouto spoke up.
"Bakugou, could you get my towel please?"
Already moving, Katsuki huffed. Always a princess, will always be a princess, he thought. He couldn’t help but tease:
"Sure thing, princess.”
As he turned to get up, slipping on his socks and shoes, Katsuki didn't see how Shouto shivered at the nickname, face flushing as the water bubbled up from a sudden spike in heat.
Quickly, Katsuki walked to the rack and snatched another towel and before he could turn back, froze at a big ripple of water behind him. His body was chained to his spot when Katsuki turned around. It was like it was in slow motion: Shouto pushing himself out of the tub, muscle lining his arms and stomach on clear display while water ran down his face and body in rivulets.
When wet footsteps hit the floor, the realization of how Shouto was fully naked hit him.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
His cock, ass, and everything was out and about. Out of the tub. In front of him. For the damn whole world to see. Katsuki knew everyone would die at the chance to see Todoroki Shouto like this.
Wet, silky strands of crimson and white clung to Shouto’s face. His hair had grown so long now that it reached down all the way to his ass and did absolutely nothing to cover his ripped body. A body that took years training and eating healthy to cultivate, and like second nature, Shouto's right side steamed up, the temperature rising in the small room, as he dried himself off.
How convenient, Katsuki thought. He didn't say anything, but instead teared his gaze from the prince, turning his head towards the wall.
Shouto was shameless. He got only more shameless with the years.
“Here, your jacket.”
Katsuki blinked at Shouto. He looked at his discarded jacket in Shouto’s hand that was doing a poor job of covering him down…there and darted his eyes back up to Shouto's face.
Now that Shouto was standing straight up, Katsuki had to tilt his head up to look into his blue and gray eyes. He couldn’t remember when Shouto had started to pass him up. Instead of being shorter than him, Shouto was taller than him and Katsuki felt a bittersweet taste on his tongue at that.
As Shouto stepped forward, time stretched infinitely longer. Katsuki resisted the urge to step back.
To get farther. To walk away.
They were closer than he had initially thought. Only a few feet apart, their faces a few spaces apart.
With every breath, the scented steam burned through Katsuki’s nostrils into his lungs. Made every breath feel like it was burning him inside out. Made his stomach stir with molten, gooey warmness. Made his skin, underneath his shirt and pants, disgustingly sticky and sweaty.
For some reason, it was hotter than it had been in the tub.
Ripping his jacket from Shouto’s hand, Katsuki shoved the towel into his chest, making Shouto grunt and take a step backwards. And at the new distance between them, Katsuki’s body untensed.
“Unless you wanna give the castle a whole show,” Katsuki growled out. “Put on your damn towel.”
Like he was processing what Katsuki had said, Shouto blinked at him prettily and looked down. After a few seconds, he let out an, “Ah,” before nodding in agreement.
“We wouldn’t want that, now, would we?” Shouto said thoughtfully, wrapping the towel around his waist.
Once Shouto was covered up down there, Katsuki muttered, crossing his arms. “Took your sweet damn time there, didn’t ya?”
Shouto’s mouth opened, curving to the side, like he was going to make another snarky ass comment, but Katsuki beat him to the chase when he turned around towards the door and called out, “Come along now, Prince Charming.” Bare footsteps followed behind him. “We’ve got some fuckin’ work to do.”