What Is Free? (Kiribaku Midevil Au)

part 4

It turns out Ida is a tall and muscular teenager with a booming voice.  You could tell that he was ripped even under his blacksmithing apron. He probably earned those muscles from his work anyways.

"Ah, Midoriya!" He greeted as he came up to the front of the shop portion of the building, which was where they were right now. Bakugo's weapons wall at his cabin was a mere drop in the bucket compared to here. Almost every inch of the walls was covered. One wall was dedicated specifically to shields. Another to basic weapons like swords and axes and such. No two weapons were the same unless they were the immaculate sets of throwing knives and daggers. Then there was a wall dedicated to non-weapon work like horseshoes or tools and such. The metallic taste of iron smelt so strong in the air Kirishima could practically taste it. The heat from the forges in the back clung to you like a second skin.

"Hey Ida, we need your help and expertise." Izuku said.

"Sure, what can I help you guys with?" Ida offered.

"Well you see," Uraraka said as she took off Kirishima's scarf. "Our friend Kirishima needs this collar off him." She said gesturing to the obsidian collar. "And we figured you're the best person to help us." Friend? Did he hear that right? Did these guys consider Kirishima their friend? The thought warmed Kirishima's heart and he smiled softly. Not the wide and blinding smile he usually does but a softer, gentler one.

"Well you'd be correct I am." Ida smiled proudly.

"Oi can we get the ass-kissing over with and just get the damn collar off?" Bakugo huffed.

"Bakugo! That kind of language is not permitted in this establishment!" Ida said raising his hand.

"Here we go." Izuku sighed.

"I can use whatever language I want!" Bakugo yelled.

"It's disrespectful of the staff and other patrons!"

"What other patrons? We're the only ones here dumbass!"

"Uhhh, guys?" Kirishima piped up. "Can we just get the collar off please?" Apparently, that was enough to stop their yelling contest with each other.

"Sure! You all just gotta follow me to the back." Ida offered. Izuku and Uraraka lead the way. Both of them were already well familiar with the shop and its layout it seems. Kirishima followed them as Bakugo growled at Ida. The forge itself was huge compared to the shop. Tools hung up with care everywhere he looked, a huge rack full of the best and most durable metals, multiple design tables, numerous anvils in different shapes and conditions, and of course the roaring forge itself. Its mouth was wide open exposing its rich molten yellow interior containing monstrous flames. The flames dance hypnotically as they beckoned Kirishima closer. He walked closer and closer to the light, the warmth, the familiar spark of power that had been caged deep below the surface. Closer, come closer, come home.

"Wait be careful you can't-" Ida was cut off as Kirishima had now completely climbed into the forge itself, causing panic to rise for everyone except Bakugo and Kirishima. "We need to get him out of there! He'll die!" He quickly grabbed a long pair of metal tongs to get Kirishima out.

"Oi, he's a fire dragon dipshits. This is normal for him." Bakugo said.

"He's a what?!" Ida asked.

"You didn't notice the horns on his head?" Izuku asked.

"I thought it was apart of his hair," Ida admitted. Kirishima was practically purring in the forge. This was heaven to him. To be constantly surrounded by light and warmth. He was glowing.

"Oi shitty hair, if you want that collar off you gotta get out of there." Bakugo chimed in right outside the entrance of the forge. Kirishima pouted in response to him. "Sorry not everyone can withstand being in a literal fire, now get out!" He huffed. Kirishima sighed and crawled out. He shivered almost immediately after getting out, already missing the warmth and safety the forge offered. He huffed and slumped into a chair next to one of the design tables.