Noble and Pride [Katsuki Bakugo x Shoto Todoroki]

Chapter 29 : Yamari

"I don't have any dangerous intention. Let's talk it out," Inasa reassured.

Shoto immediately stood in his fighting stance, fists clenched, and looked at Inasa with furrowed brows. It doesn't matter if the male's figure was huge. He faced and trained with his father. Right, the only good thing that came from his father was that he was able to grow this strong. Inasa's appearance doesn't intimidate him, not at all. He just found it a nuisance to be caught this early.

"I'm not here to kidnap and drag you against your will,"

"That's what all kidnappers say," Shoto grunted, disbelief.

"We've known each other since we're teens, Shoto! You do know I won't do that, especially not to go along with your father's plan," Inasa quickly said, hands raised high to show he was harmless.

"That's right. I know you for a while. That's why I can't trust you. You're not a trustable person. When we first met, you pretended to befriend me just to get in a closer look at what Doryoku really is," seems like there was no other choice. Some of Inasa's knights probably have blocked the opposite way, and since they were all around this village some might follow him back home.

Shoto didn't know how far has Inasa tracked him. He'll have to face this man and knock him out cold so Shoto darted forward and aimed a punch, but the alpha instead of dodging, let himself being punched, which made Shoto blinked.

"Good. Take all my hit until you fall on the ground-" Shoto exclaimed and turned to the side, swung his leg, and throw more attacks while Inasa didn't do anything but keeping his defense.

"Shoto! I'm saying the truth! I mean no harm, hear me out at least!"

Shoto narrowed his eyes and stayed suspicious, remembering the small dagger he found in the thief's pocket earlier and alas, kicked Inasa's torso until the taller prince was slammed onto the wall, Shoto locked him and launched forward the dagger until it become extremely close to Inasa's neck.

"Well, let me hear it out. I'll see whether your throat is worth being sliced," Shoto hummed, pointed the sharp dagger threateningly while Inasa gulped.

"Damn Shoto. You're as amazing as I last met you," Inasa breathed out. "Despite being, you know. You're so strong. It's kinda hurt my pride to acknowledge your strength," he chuckled.

"I know someone's stronger," Shoto mumbled and Inasa, all of sudden, leaned close which made the prince startled. The taller prince seemed to be sniffing him and Inasa's look turned into a deep frown. "You have another alpha's smell on you.

Is that him? The one with the spiky hair?"

Shoto didn't immediately scratch nor stab Inasa with the pointy weapon when Inasa does that, he quite trusted him since the alpha didn't try to harm Shoto. Even in this situation. However, he should have known Shoto still won't hesitate to harm. He won't kill, yeah. But he can still break a limb.

"That's unfortunate. I have been waiting for you all these years. Hm, he didn't mark you yet so I think I'm still not too late," Inasa grinned and Shoto squinted.

"I can still slice your throat, Inasa. I'll let it cut through your vocal cord and made you unable to speak ever again without killing you. Up to you to believe my cutting ability. It won't be a waste for me if you would like to try it out.

So make it straight to the point. Tell me your motive,"

Inasa sighed some. "I've talked to your most trusted knight, Momo Yaoyorozu," he began. "She told me about your mother's condition and everything about your journey,"

Right, Shoto indeed told her everything. In case his father decided to be the biggest asshole and threatened Momo to spill the tea, he could torture her mercilessly and wouldn't care less whether Momo actually knew the truth or not. She could just simply tell why Shoto was gone and that'll make her free from his father's rage. At least, it lessens the punishment.

"Your mother couldn't last too long, Shoto. And you assume I would have sided with your damned father? That king was an absolute menace. I couldn't dare to watch what he had done to your kingdom, to you. That's why I agreed to marry you. To make everything's under my protection and to fix everything. To make you happy," Inasa confessed.

"We've talked about this, Inasa. I like you but not that way. Never that way," Shoto glowered.

"I know, I know. But you never have anyone in your heart either so I think, I still have the chance," Inasa explained. Shoto wanted to say something but Inasa continued his words. "The motive I'm here is to join forces with you. Let the Kazerashi Kingdom fight along with you,"

"Join forces with me?" Shoto snickered, switched the dagger's position to the spot where Inasa's adam's apple was. "You trust me that much? I could have agreed and annihilated you, take the power of your kingdom as the one who succeed murdered you and have everything easily under my hands. Without being concerned you might stab my back instead,"

Oh god. Inasa loves this omega prince so much. He can sleep in the same bed with the risk of being strangled to death by Shoto the next morning but he didn't fucking care. Okay, maybe that's too extreme.

"Raiders are wild in your kingdom, Shoto. A lot of innocent villages have been attacked and your father didn't give a single damn. You were there to protect your people, to save them from being mistreated but now, you don't. And I couldn't do anything. Kazerashi is a great empire, but it's not as powerful and as rich as Doryoku. I...don't have the right to interrupt the ruling of your kingdom," Inasa said, swallowed the bitter lump of reality and Shoto's eyes widened in shock.

"You may not able to trust me, Shoto. But do it for the safety of your people. All this while I've been your friend was I as evil as your shitty father, who proudly called himself as a great king?"

Shoto seemed to be lost in his thought for a moment. His kingdom. The throne he held ever since his born was the main reason for his very suffering being. His torture of life. Regardless, he never regretted it. He was never mad for being born as one. As much as he wanted to be in peace, he wanted his people to feel the same. Kazerashi had the kingdom's criteria that he would love to see in his own.  

The harmony. The justice. The warmth.

"You're my best friend, Inasa. You were there when I thought I had no one. And to my people, I'm the last hope as their savior," Shoto finally took the dagger away, the serious wall he had put up earlier softened.

"You have my trust, but not fully. The first statement of my betray plan might not be a lie in the future if I see a flaw in your behavior. Everything is for the sake of my people. I doubt it would be as easy as marrying me," Shoto rubbed the back of his nape, trailed his gaze to the side where the still unconscious thief was. 

"There must be a lot more people with the same fate as him," Shoto mumbled. "Keep your word well, Inasa Yoarashi. For being lied is what I despise the most,"