Noble and Pride [Katsuki Bakugo x Shoto Todoroki]

Chapter 39 : Yamari

"Huh?" Katsuki squinted. "You shouldn't have bothered asking such a dumb question, halfie. No. I fucking won't," 

Shoto looked at the other with his half-lidded eyes. Not at all offended by Katsuki's words. The dude was protecting his ego like it's the hugest thing in the world yet he spit all those dirty jokes shamelessly. Katsuki Bakugo is a shameless man.

Shoto turned to the side and fixed his laying position. "You're a far worse jerk than I thought you are. Where are you thinking you're running off to after stealing my virginity?" 

"I'm so close on fucking suffocating you with this damn pillow," Katsuki growled threateningly, which earned a quiet chuckle from the sleepy prince. "It's too damn early for that, damnit. I won't get married to you. You'll get married to me. I'm the one who'll fucking purpose to you, got that?!" Katsuki snarled. 

"Ah. You're planning another romantic moment to do so, don't you?" Shoto hummed and slowly closed his eyes, shifting comfortably. "And I just ruined it,"

"You don't sound at all guilty to me, you half and half bas-" Katsuki's words halted upon seeing the already slumbering omega prince. Katsuki grumbled in annoyance silently and stared into Shoto's features. "You're the blindest fucker I've ever met. You're the omega that every alpha could imagine to mate, yet you're still degrading yourself without rest," 

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Katsuki's friends, no, Shoto's friends now as what they called themselves, rather seemed to be in relief and happy after hearing the news of Shoto not being given a punishment. There was nothing hard between them as they spent the dinner time together after Shoto have gotten his rest. Shoto gave his medicine book to the medic that was supposed to treat them as a better reference, and they healed pretty smoothly. Quicker than if they use the ordinary treatment. 

"Shoto. May I have some words with you?" Inasa called out. The omega prince looked over, slow his doing of drying his hair with a towel. Thoughts came across Shoto's mind of what it could be. Was Inasa going to change his mind? No longer willing to fight against his father because of what had happened? That's unfortunate. But he wouldn't force the other to put his life on the line. Shoto nodded and told the other to give him a moment, and Inasa understood. 

Inasa told him that he'll be in the backyard and Shoto went there. Roamed around for a moment of where the alpha could be and spotted him sitting on a bench. The omega prince sat next to him, chin lifted to gaze on the taller male. 

"Well, what is it? Is it about Yamari?" Shoto began after a short period of silence. 

"Y-Yes, it is," Inasa cleared his throat. The prince looked nervous as if wanting to say something but reluctant to do so. Shoto looked dumbfounded by the alpha's demeanor. "Oh, no. It's not. It's about your father," 

The omega's eyes widened. "Did he find out I'm here?" 

Inasa blinked and quickly shook his head. "It's not that either, I'm sorry! I mean, do you know how I didn't tell my knights about you? Well, the rumor of you has spread like wildfire. I've told my knights to be quiet and explained to them my alliance with you...but you know, there will always be uncertainty. I'm trying as best as I can to be a good prince to my kingdom. I hope they'll have faith and stay loyal to me to not leak any of our secrets.

But you do know your father...he always plays dirty," Inasa sighed, and Shoto looked downwards to his lap. "I guess, it's best for you to not come here and return to your kingdom, then. He won't be suspicious of your loyalty to him anymore. Works must be piling up for you there," Shoto spoke and Inasa tittered. 

"That reminds me," The alpha turned to face Shoto, bent down to have an eye-level with the omega. Shoto was a bit surprised by the sudden closeness. Inasa gently took Shoto's hand, kept it within his own larger palms, and hold them with the most care of the world. A deep inhale, and the smile Inasa put up earlier switched to one that filled with sadness. 

"I know you won't return my feelings, but can you let me confess it all? It has been bottled up so long in my heart," Inasa breathed out. Shoto could feel the firm hold was trembling. As if Inasa was on the verge of breaking down. Right there in front of the very person, he loved the most.

"I'm not strong, Shoto. I realized all of my weaknesses. I wasn't there to comfort you when you really in help. I'm not trustable enough for you to tell your hidden stories. You see me as nothing but a close friend. And I- I truly, appreciate that. I don't want that bond to break just because of my strong feelings towards you," 

Shoto wasn't aware at all of what he have done to his first best friend. The one he spent the years with, the one he used to escape the misery his father provided him with. For a person with such an intimidating appearance yet never failed to put on his sunshine-like smile, he was being so emotional. As if he would break into tears at the very moment and Shoto just realized it all. It was him who turned Inasa this way. 

"You may not call yourself a spells user, but you definitely had one on me. I can take you out of my head. I want to, I want to...protect you, to make you not have to worry about anything anymore, but I realized, I'm not the one you need," 

"Inasa, that's not true. You still have given an impact on my life. A great, bright one. I might have lost my sanity long ago if it's not because of you," Shoto frowned. 

"That's not enough. To be with you, I must be able to do a lot more. But I can't. It pained me to see there's already someone who can give you all you need. Especially the happiness you yearned for so long. I keep wishing it was me who you look at so lovingly, I keep wishing that it was me instead who stood up for you. I'm weak. I simply wasn't suitable for someone as strong as you," 

Tears have already fallen and it landed on their connected hands. Inasa was startled, quickly released their hand and wiped it off Shoto's hand, then his own eyelids. "Haha, I'm so emotional for some reason. It's alright. It really is, I'm perfectly fine. I'm...I'm just afraid everything will become awkward for us-" 

Shoto softly pulled the larger male into an embrace and rubbed the alpha's back, trying to ease Inasa.

"It won't. I've told you, you've been so much of an impact on me. I can't possibly wish to lose that. To break this precious bond we have. You're still a friend that I treasure very much. I can't exceed that, but I can guarantee you it won't be lesser

If anything, we still have each other to rely on. You've already done so much for me. Thank you for willing to be my friend, Inasa," 

Inasa calmed himself and succeed to form a genuine smile. "You're too good for me. Katsuki better appreciates you reaaaaalllyyy well. Still, I can't confirm I won't mess with him. I have to see whether he really loves you or just trying to mess with you," 

"You should've known what will happen if he tries to do so," 

Both of them broke into laughter afterward.