Noble and Pride [Katsuki Bakugo x Shoto Todoroki]

Chapter 5 : Ryotatsu

Indeed. For the weeks he had traveled and three days being chased by knights, he hasn't bath for once. Since he didn't have any pair of spare clothes to change. Shoto was lead to the guest room and once pushed aside the door, he gazed around. It looked comfortable. There was a small bed next to the table, and since Mina mentioned well, Shoto figured he'll be bathing in the open.

He shouldn't have been surprised. The tradition here and his kingdom, of course, would be different. He passed by the river earlier and saw the large bathing area where alpha, beta, and omegas were mixed. Right. He shouldn't have shown his discomfort either. Peasants are lucky enough to bathe once a year...he can't be whining for not being able to bathe for days. What can he do? Even rivers at his kingdom were guarded tight and people needed to pay a take more than a bucket a day.

A towel around his waist. If there was a person to see, he would have their attention on the flittered scars on Shoto's body. Lovemaking scars since Shoto was an omega? Of course not. His scars were huge as if being stabbed, injured severely multiple times.

Right. He bet any alpha would have appetite just by looking at these scars.

He lowered the bucket that was tied with the rope, slowly and once filled with water, he pulled it up. Dropping the water and let his hair, head, and whole-body wet. A slight shiver from how cold it was.

His mother was dying.

Is it alright for me to stay here longer? Shouldn't I continue my journey? She is suffering, I must not delay the time of my research. But the kids here, need my help. I can't see them die without enjoying life to the fullest, not at such young age.

Shoto's hold onto the rim of the wall tightened, water dripping from his hair bangs. He was frustrated and in dilemma. Anyone's life was important. He can't be picky just because she was his mother. She wouldn't like it if she knew, Shoto abandoned helping this land for her sake. Too deep in his own thoughts, that was when his concentration was stolen by something slimy rubbing against his feet.

A snake.

A small squeak left the prince's lips and the hand that grasping on the well slipped, along with his body. If it wasn't for a pair of the brawny, firm arms around his waist he would have fallen into the well. Shoto sighed in relief. He could have sworn he had the adrenaline rush as if he missed a stair, but since he had an ice quirk, he figured he would be fine anyway.

Wait. Brawny, firm arms?

Shoto quickly looked at his behind, heterochromatic orbs widened once he saw the dragon king. So close, if Shoto was an inch closer, his nose could brush against the ash-blond's neck. This was way shorter distance than their encounter in the forest. Well sculpted jaws, pair of sharp vermillion orbs. His eyes were pretty. As if looking alive because of the red flame of determination and strength.

Regardless, before Shoto could admire the feature further he was roughly pushed aside and Shoto stumbled, almost fall face flat on the grassed ground if he couldn't balance himself quicker.

"W-Why are you here?" Shoto inquired, hands fumbling to quickly retie the towel around his waist since it almost fell.

"You took too fucking long, half and half. I've grown a beard while waiting," Katsuki snarled, grabbing the bucket and dropping on his spiky ash-blond locks. Seemed to be relaxingly bathing while Shoto was flustered by the sudden scene earlier. Well...they're both males so he assumed, it's alright to bathe together like this. They weren't completely naked either.

"Guest room, fuck that. The room you'll be spending the night in was a storage room. Those dumbasses were the ones tiring their ass to clean it up. Even prepared a fucking bed when I told them, don't bother.

This goddamn spot is MY bathing area, you got that? There's only one well here. Get used to this or scram!"

Fair enough. The ash-blond didn't give any weirded stare like how he gave the prince when staring at Shoto's bi-colored feature. The dragon king doesn't seem bothered by his scars nor showed any look of disgust. Perhaps, since the king has one himself. Huge claw marks on his back that none could see due to him wearing a cape.

He assumed he was too much in thinking until couldn't notice the snake on his feet. He wondered if he should say it.

"Thank you," Shoto mumbled his gratitude, picking up another bucket. A huff left Katsuki's lips and he glared. "We're fucking even now,"

Shoto blinked once. Oh. Katsuki was talking about how he healed the dragon king? Talking about healing- the wounds and injuries Katsuki got earlier on have already disappeared. Shoto was in awe for a short moment. "How interesting," he murmured. "Hey, do you think you can give me a sample of your blood? For my research?"

Katsuki barked at that. "Fuck off! Thought medics are supposed to fucking heal!"

"Just a tiny prick. It won't hurt, I promise," Shoto snorted. Katsuki furrowed his brows and Shoto could see the wrinkle of annoyance on his forehead. "There's a lot more plants here to do your shitty research with, dipshit. I swear to god if you ask this to someone else here-"

"A lot more plants?" The caught Shoto's attention. "Fuck. Don't cut me!" Katsuki bawled.

"There ain't only plants but monsters. Bet you won't get to do your fucking research if you're scared of a tiny snake," Katsuki lifted the snake, pushed forward to Shoto's face but the prince quickly stepped backward.

Shoto narrowed his eyes. "I was just surprised- and tiny? How is this tiny?" Shoto pointed. Seriously, this snake was as large as both Shoto's arms combined and as long as how tall was Katsuki. "There are bigger ones in the mountain. And this, we have this roasted and boom. A fucking snack,"

The prince almost puked hearing that.

"Why would you eat your own kind..." Shoto murmured.

"I can hear that! Want me to throw you in this fucking well for real?" Katsuki barked.

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Shoto was already inside his room after the bath, having the clean clothes fitted him. He used a towel to ruffle his hair dry and had a moment of thinking. A lot more plants in the forest but there were monsters. This could be a great opportunity. This is the dragon land, after all. Shoto was sure most forests and landscapes were never being explored by mere humans. Therefore, the monsters and mutated predator plants could be high in strength due to untouched mana.

This is worth the try. He doesn't have to worry about wasting time without doing his research anymore. A tiny, rare smile sketched his lips. He only smiled when he encounters something positive and this is indeed it. Where could be the most beneficial research of medicine ingredients if not the great exotic land ruled by dragons itself?

He laid himself on the pillow, staring at the empty wall. Shoto was always alone. He was used to drowning in his own thoughts for, hours even. There was so much in his mind. If not thinking, he would have been training till he passes out. Talking about training...reminded him of his father. His father better not be doing anything that could endanger his mother. They also wouldn't dare to enter this land, right?

His father knew Shoto was afraid of dragons. Traumatized to be precise. He would assume Shoto had never stepped near this land. He was supposed to be having another matter. Curing not only his mother but himself as well. He wasn't having any strange disease but rather...something resided inside of him.

Yet Shoto never bothered to look for a way. Saving his mother has always been his top priority.

"I'm getting closer to saving you, mother. Do be alright by the time I return,"