Chapter Twenty-Five

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The feast upon their return to the palace was loud and messy. Soldiers and Knights mingled, boasting their wins and accomplishments in the battle that took place nearly a week prior.

Katsuki was focused on Izuku, though. The Omega was quiet, smiling only half-heartedly to those that welcomed him home. The Omega picked at his food, gaze distant.

The King breathed deeply and stood. He leaned over beside the greenette and held out his arm. "Walk with me. It's getting too loud in here."

Izuku blinked, almost startled. He hooked his arm with Katsuki's and stood up. The Omega followed Katsuki out of the grand room, staying quiet as the cheers and chatter steadily began to muffle out.

"I'm glad you're okay, Deku," Katsuki muttered softly, placing his other hand on Izuku's.

The Omega looked up to him, the setting sun catching in his eyes.

"The whole time you were gone... I was honestly... Scared. I could only think of the worst things. I thought maybe Shigaraki had you... That maybe you were... Being hurt every day... And I was helpless because I didn't know exactly where you were. I couldn't do anything."

"Kacchan..."

Katsuki scoffed and smiled bitterly. "That damn nickname... I can't even describe just how much I missed it... How much I missed your voice..." He pulled the two of them to a stop and turned to face the greenette. "Izuku... I don't want to live without you. I can't. I know how selfish that sounds, but after everything we both went through, I can't fucking help it."

Tears welled up in Izuku's eyes, his free hand gripping his shirt over his chest.

The King gently cupped Izuku's face and brushed his thumbs under his eyes. "I... I love you, Izuku... I know that you probably think that I don't, especially with all the shit I gave you, but I do. I didn't... I swear, I'm telling the whole truth. I swore I would once I had you back home and safe." He pressed their foreheads together, gritting his teeth. "I didn't want you to love me... I did, I wanted your love, I wanted you to be happily mated to me, but I couldn't let you be..."

"Why..?"

"Because I didn't want you to suffer if anything happened to me..." Katsuki sucked in a sharp breath, wrapping one arm around Izuku's slim waist to press their bodies together.

Izuku bit his lip, raising his arms to keep some semblance of distance between them.

Katsuki swallowed thickly. "My father... Couldn't wait to die after mother. He wouldn't let the doctors treat him. He died slowly and painfully because he wanted to be with mother again. I vowed I wouldn't ever let you go through something like that. So... I never announced our betrothal. I hid you away so no one knew of you and... I hurt you... I hurt you over and over again because I didn't want you to love me as much as I love you. I didn't want you to love me like my parents loved each other... I regretted and hated every single moment, but I... I felt like I had to. I thought that... I was keeping you safe... I was so... So fucking wrong."

The Omega whimpered, tears streaking his cheeks. "K-Kacchan..."

"I'm never letting you out of my sight. I swear, I'll keep you safer. I swear to you, I'll love you, okay? I'll be better. I want to be better for you. I want you to be loved like you deserve."

Katsuki tilted his head, pressing his lips to Izuku's trembling ones. There was no return, but the King expected that.

He sighed and pulled the Omega into his chest. He nuzzled Izuku's curls, breathing in his scent. "I love you, Izuku... I'll keep you safe... I'll make you happy again..."

Izuku sobbed into his chest, body shaking. His scent began to sour slightly Katsuki swayed with him slowly, rubbing up and down his back.

"Let's go get some rest," the King whispered into Izuku's hair. "Will you stay in my room with me tonight..?"

After a long pause, Izuku slowly nodded.

Katsuki smiled, inner Alpha purring. He's safe. He's home.

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704 words

Soft Katsuki

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