Noble and Pride [Katsuki Bakugo x Shoto Todoroki]

Chapter 15 : Ryotatsu

"Oi,"

The young dragon king called as he looked at the other carefully. Shoto seemed to be rather drained and worn-out. Even though to others he just woke up and it was noon. Katsuki couldn't recall much. What he knew from his mother was just how to make a contract with a demon but not really what happened to the possessed body. Usually, someone who was willing to do so is greedy with power and didn't mind killing countless lives. Someone who had the same evil rationale as the demon.

His mother had a contract with several demons, she feeds them with the lives of men in their war. He remembered there was one most terrifying demon that resided within her mother. Her 'faithful' companion. A tragedy happened because of it. During one fight with the Doryoku, she almost couldn't control that demon and nearly slaughtered everyone. She killed half of their own armies. Since then, she was often seen alone and it wasn't long until that unknown king came and his mother went missing. He was certain that fucking king must be Enji.

"Was that your first kiss?"

Shoto was stupefied for a short moment. "What do you mean?"

"Oh. You don't remember,"

Shoto raised an eyebrow in confusion, thinking of what could be hidden behind Katsuki's words before blushed. "You're as if implying I kissed you earlier,"

"It wasn't a heated making out session so calm your ass,"

Shoto blushed further, frowning. "Sounded like you're disappointed to me," he snorted and Katsuki guffawed. "What? With a fucking spoiled shithead like you? Right, you're a goddamn prince. You feel so great and almighty huh since you got your daddy's back protecting ya?"

"You're such a colossal jerk," the prince hissed.

"You ain't from a so holy bloodline in the first fucking place, I have no reason to not be a jerk,"

And the continuous argument goes on back and forth until the door was knocked, saying Katsuki was needed for an occasion. The ash-blond gave a last glare at the prince before leaving Shoto alone in the room. The prince looked into his hands, gripping them into fists. He needs to be strong, he needs to be brave to face everything. Including his father's wrath and this wicked demon.

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Katsuki could see it. Shoto was avoiding everyone. The children, the adults, Eijiro, Denki, and Katsuki's comrades too. The prince probably was being undoubtedly wary and heedful of being near anyone. He was being so cautious as to not endanger anybody. Shoto was mostly in the medical lab, doing his works with all the test subjects and experiments. Usually, there would some healers offered to help but Shoto refused. He said he would prefer to do them all alone.

Katsuki also may or may not, stalked Shoto for the whole fucking day to know all of this.

"You surprised me,"

Shoto let out a tiny gasp, gazing at Katsuki who was leaning on the window with a drumstick in hand. Currently eating. The prince was wearing a mask as to be careful of handling these mana condensed plants. Some could turn out to be toxic if Shoto mixes it with others. "You're not supposed to eat here. They might get contaminated-"

"Fuck that,"

Katsuki casually spoke, entering the lab without being concerned about him not wearing a mask and eating state then strayed on Shoto's doing. "I'm not done talking about shit with you yet, halfie. Stop busying your ass with these for a damn second,"

"Just talk now. I will hear them," Shoto reassured which received a huff from Katsuki.

"Was it supposed to be this carefree? Your fucking demon. Seemed to be reawakened. What stupid shit have you done since you said it wasn't the date yet?"

Shoto halted his doing from pouring the liquid carefully. He wondered if Katsuki would get more furious for knowing Shoto followed him that day...

"Omega's scent is usually intoxicating. Especially a one with such a high status like you. It's not certain. As if, it doesn't mean all princess are bornt to be pretty,"

Shoto furrowed his brows in confusion. What was Katsuki trying to say?

"Which means grass and dirt ain't enough to cover your fucking scent,"

Oh. Katsuki knew all along. Shoto felt so embarrassed. By the fact, his cover was long blown and also to admit he followed Katsuki to his father's grave the other day. "You went into that fucking house, yeah?"

Shoto slowly nodded. Katsuki heaved an annoyed sigh.

"That's all I need to know," the ash-blond spoke, throwing the drumstick bone in a nearby trash bin and Shoto blinked. Katsuki probably has figured the same idea as him. About this demon being his mother's. If Katsuki was planning to look for his mother, he also planned to go to his kingdom, Doryoku.

Katsuki was powerful. So do his allies. However, he doubted Katsuki would win if he created a war to his father's lines of knights. He was concerned. Katsuki was so precious to him, Shoto didn't know why.

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"A really skillful wizard? Let's see," Eijiro held his chin with his hand, thought for a while before grinned. "Oh! I know one! We actually have a friend who's a traveler, like you," Shoto raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I thought it was dangerous for dragons to travel,"

"He wasn't a dragon,"

Shoto blinked. That's new. So there's actually a human companion to Katsuki other than him. "He wasn't actually a wizard. His girlfriend is. He brought her once here and she was great! She helped to put up the natural mana barrier when one of our mages was sick. She learned how to do the spell in just a day," Eijiro voiced out his amazement.

"This traveler is Bakugo's bestie. Bet he'll know more,"

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"THAT NERD AIN'T MY FUCKING BESTIE!"

Katsuki barked, slightly made Shoto stumble backward from how loud it was. Katsuki was normally loud but this was different. "He happened to be some fucktard my mother picked up and adopt, that's it,"

"He's your family then,"

"Fuck no!" Katsuki scoffed. Shoto assumed Katsuki must hate this person a lot. Then again, he implied he 'hated' everyone.

"I have to meet a skillful wizard to help me finish my medicines. Before I can use it safely for my mother," Shoto mumbled. "You forgot our fucking deal? You ain't going anywhere-"

"But we can't solve anything either if I don't go to the next step-" Shoto interrupted.

"-without me," Katsuki interrupted back, brows twitching in frustration. "Fuck you and your shitty mouth. I need to strengthen my weapons with her magic. And, I have something to confirm with. We're going to find out what exactly that fucking demon inside you is," Katsuki crossed his arms. "I have my right-hand man who can handle this land while I'm gone. Be ready," Katsuki instantly spoke. Shoto blinked and quickly went after the ash-blond who was starting to walk away.

"Wait, now? I haven't packed my things yet and uh. With your current appearance?"

"The fuck is wrong with my look?!" Katsuki snarled.

"...You're naked?"

"I still have my pants on, what the fuck?!"

"Your torso and chest are too exposed. You need to wear suitable clothes to mix well with the others and...I don't want to stand out so much. My father had made a search hunt for me in basically, any kingdoms nearby,"

Katsuki grunted some. "Fucking fine. Getting knights meddling my fucking business sounds shitty. Just tell the tailors to make such clothes," Shoto nodded in response. "I plan to do myself a better disguise too," the prince added.