𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 ⇆ 𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐢 𝐛𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐠𝐨𝐮

03

As promised, you healed the dragon king with ease. A wave of your hands was all he needed, and his wounds closed up. No herbs. No stitches. No dressings. It took a while, with the whining dragon being a pain and distrusting your abilities in magic. You could tantalise him but the chances of him killing you were at an all-time high, primarily since you've taken sanctuary in his cave. You hardly knew the guy, and yet here you are.

After you healed him, you sat against a wall cuddling your legs together as he retreated near the firepit. Your clothes were still clammy, and the draft was getting to you. The cloak sticking to your clothes acted as your blanket, an uncomfortable one. It was hard enough to get comfortable without the thunder roaring in your ears. You truly felt alone, watching the rain falling on the lake, so lonely you were nearly driven to tears. All the people you cared about back home were probably worried about you. Even Izuku stayed in your mind as much as the next person.

Unintentionally, your fingers found the necklace your father gifted you. You caressed the gold chain and wrapped your hand around it, sighing. Closing your eyes helped your mind remember the moment as if you were in your room once again. 

"I thought you'd like something to keep you at ease today," Your father beamed, unravelling the tiny box in his hands. You've just woken up when he knocked at your bedroom door. He knew you were still upset with him but who were you to deny him entry.

He sat beside your legs, taking out the necklace. "I had someone make something out of mine and your mother's wedding rings welded around a memory gem. It's to let you know that we're with you always and the memories we share are never forgotten,"

You were in awe. "But your rings were so important to you and mother,"

"It was better to have you wear them instead of having them collect dust," The man shuffled up your bed, signalling you to turn around so he could put it on you. You did, and soon you felt something cold hit your collarbone. Picking it up to admire it, you smiled softly, but the smile quickly faded. 

"Look, Y/n, I know you're not happy right now, and I have no right to tell you to ignore those feelings," Your father began, watching you play with the chain until you felt his hand on your cheek. "Just know that I love you always, and I'm so proud to have you for a daughter,"

You nod into his hand, already made up your mind about leaving. He didn't know about your plan nor the bag of supplies you hid beneath your bed. Nuzzling into your father's hand, you hum, not saying a word, or I love you back. You quickly indulge yourself in the moment, enjoying it while it lasts. After he kissed the top of your head, he left you alone, giving you a few minutes before you toss your legs over the side of your bed. Changing into your commoner clothes, you called out to Izuku and climbed out of your bed.

Adjusting your position, you rest your head on the wall, ready to sleep. However, you heard a growl that sent shivers. Then you felt something grab you by the arm making you whine. "H-hey, what are you?"

Bakugou dragged you by the firepit, dropping you on the ground. You were about to yell when his cape was draped over your body. You lift your head in confusion, seeing the man walking around the pit. You saw the large scar on his back, and growing from beneath his shoulder blades were a pair of red dragon wings. His wings were enormous, so big the ends dragged behind him. The alluring part was when he stretched his wings out. You saw that the right one bore a large tear. The display left you rather curious about the cause the halfling endured throughout his lifetime. He's a king, after all. He's bound to have a story trapped beneath that ego of his.

He laid on his side with his back facing you, and his wings were his own covers as you looked down at his cape. You decided to lay down, using one of your arms as a pillow, and the other gripped the fur. You weren't against his somewhat hospitality, so long as you were out of the rain and cold, that's all that matters—a long day ending with you falling into a deep slumber under the scent of ash. Your sore limbs needed it, but your aching heart kept pounding against your ribs.

Meanwhile, back home, King Enji, in rage, set off on his own without notifying his son. The man needs a drink. He ventured into the shadows of your king, into the darkest alleyway and entered a tavern. Enji Todoroki paid for the owner's tallest cup of ale that overflowed because of the bubbles. He departs from the bar counter, where he spots the people he needs for a job.

He met with a group of shading men known as mercenaries—soldiers who fight for no one unless they're paid with sacks of gold. Enji held a satchel of currency from his kingdom in their faces with a task for them in mind—promising them more if done quickly and discretely. Then he tells them about your mistake at the wedding. His curses spat on your name set his heart in stone by the end of the betrothal. So at his secret meeting with the mercenaries, he ordered them. "Find the princess and teach her a lesson before bringing her back here for the wedding! Kill anyone who stands in your way!"   

However, the hell flame king didn't come alone. Hiding away, Izuku overheard the meeting from outside a wind. He swore internally, holding in the urge to fight the king all on his own. Although he seemed capable, Izuku saw one of the soldier's faces and the red wings underneath his cloak. A man going by the name Hawks. He's King Enji's personal officer and very faithful to King Enji. 

"I leave you in charge of the job, Hawks! See to it that the job gets done! now go!" Enji ordered, shooing the man away. Izuku's body retreats behind a barrel, seeing the man flying away. In a flash, Izuku was gone, leaving no trace of presence behind.

"Under any circumstances, do not come after me and do not tell my father of my whereabouts," 

Your orders played out in his head as many thoughts clouded his mind. If there were a solution in protecting you without causing war, Izuku would take it. You were his precious to him, after all. Taking the only option he could think of, but he needed help. His plan is simple, go after Hawks before he could do any harm and many others king Enji would throw your way. His other plan involved him telling the king, but it would end in war, and your kingdom would lose—Izuku wouldn't want that for your home.

As for the wanted help, Ochaco is a witch living in Musutafu and his other friend Iida. If Izuku is to go after the mercenaries, he needs their support in a fight.