my prince

checkmate

"what's my schedule for today, katsuki?" shotō looked down at the male kneeled in front of him. he pushed his foot out slightly to allow him to slip his shoe on with ease.

"english lessons at 2," his voice was rough yet his hands worked gently to tie his shoelaces. "fencing at 4," he dusted himself off as he stood. "aand that's all for your schedule today."

todoroki's gaze followed him, sharpening when he finished speaking. he didn't need to say anything, he was immediately understood.

"that's all for your schedule today, your highness."

"understood." he stood from his bed, tapping his foot against the floor to check how tight his shoe was put on. "i have a free day then? come, we'll play chess until then."

katsuki nodded, walking ahead of him to open the door. when they got to the game room shotō set up the chess board and gestured for katsuki to sit. todoroki sat down first, taking the black pieces. he hesitantly followed suit, glancing down at the white chess pieces in front of him.

he moved a pawn forwards.

"you've been my butler since you were 16," he moved a pawn. "and you're still just as shit at it as you were then."

"i'm only 20." katsuki grumbled. he moved a pawn to match the one he had moved earlier. he looked up from the board, studying the younger male in front of him. it wasn't a serious game, yet he still conducted his moves in such a princely way it somehow surprised him as well.

the red stone attached to the ring on his middle finger seemed to sparkle as he lifted his hand to move a pawn. "i still don't know why you were hired."

"it's been four years and ya ain't fired me yet, why's that?" he moved a random pawn. four years and he still barely knew how to play.

shotō hummed, seemingly out of amusement. "you'll learn, i have high expectations of you." he moved one of his bishops.

bakugō was focused on his words more than the game. they'd known each other for a while, his dad was a servant and his mom a cook. it was only natural that they'd have some encounters when they were younger. but he wasn't anyone near shotō's status, so why would he have high expectations?

he was sure he only got the job of butler because both of his parents already worked there and were trusted. of course he was glad for that, he was making money and was rarely bored, but dealing with the prince was... quite a lot sometimes.
not just him being spoiled due to status, but he always said and did things that ultimately left katsuki feeling confused.

he moved a pawn on the right of the board. "save the high expectations towards people that can meet 'em, yeah?"

"you aren't confident in yourself? don't make me laugh." he moved a rook. his gaze was focused solely on the pieces, "you're cocky. you know you can meet my expectations, don't act like you can't."

"to put it plainly, your highness, it doesn't make any sense to give me high expectations. i'm just your butler." he moved a knight. "i know i can meet 'em. that's a given."

"katsuki." shotō picked up one of his pawns, examining it before his eyes met katsuki's. he gave a suddenly cold gaze. "you're a pawn. that's the role of a butler, you're my pawn." he sat the piece back down in its original spot and moved a rook. "checkmate."

bakugō stared silently at him for a few seconds. sure he was a sore loser, but that was besides the point right now. there was something something bothering the prince... something was on his mind, but he didn't know what.

as the role of the butler, he had almost all information on shotō memorised. it was needed if he wanted to be even slightly good at the job. and for the first time in 2 years, he didn't know what had made him speak so sternly.

"ah, that was a short game. it didn't even last 20 minutes, how boring." he leaned back slightly in his seat. "do you want to play again?"

"whatever you wanna do is fine." he grimaced, suddenly remembering his defeat. he'd never won a single game against shotō, he wasn't a good opponent, yet he was still asked to play any time shotō was free.

todoroki nodded, already starting to reset the board. "may i ask you something?" he looked up and gestured for him to play.

"you're in charge here, ain't ya? ask away." he propped his elbows up on the table and rested his face in his palms.

shotō hummed, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes for a few seconds. katsuki leaned slightly forward. the widely feared, yet loved, prince who sat in front of him looked... vulnerable. it might sound strange but even bakugō, who was around him almost 24/7, rarely saw him in a vulnerable state besides when he was sleeping.

he cleared his throat, tapping his finger against the table a few times. katsuki had seen this before, and it unnerved him every time.

"why don't you love me?"

...what? if katsuki was drinking something, he would have spat it out immediately. how was he even supposed to respond to that? it was unexpected to say the least. "i... don't think i get what ya mean."

"you know better than anyone, i don't repeat myself." his eyes narrowed. even though his question was completely out of the blue with no prompting, he was deadly serious.

as much as he wanted to laugh it off and push his dumb question to the side, he could also use this to his advantage. unbeknownst to shotō, his butler had been crushing on him since their very first meeting when they were little. "i didn't know i was allowed. a butler in love with his prince... that's pretty taboo, ain't it?" his brow cocked, a small smirk forming.

shotō held back a gasp, his focus on the game quickly diminishing. he didn't have any expectations for an answer, but he certainly thought it'd be more than just because it was forbidden.

he was always told he could have anything he wanted, but did his status also account for who he wanted?

no, of course not. his marriage was already arranged and there was no need for him to even think of the possibility that he'd be with someone else. but a secret relationship between him and katsuki did sound particularly appealing, that was undeniable.

he adjusted his posture, examining the board in front of him. "a prince in love with his butler," he paused for a moment. "a terrible play, yet one that's hard not to make."

katsuki stayed silent, almost unsure how to respond. so shotō continued.

"directly... i want you, katsuki."

"that wouldn't be smart and you know it!" bakugō's voice raised unintentionally. "you can't want me! that's a stupid decision and you're smarter than that."

shotō sighed, combing his bangs back with his fingers only for it to fall forwards again. "you want me as well, why are you denying it?"

"because i'm gonna be the one under all the fuckin' heat if this shit gets out! you'll get off easy but me n my family are gonna get screwed over!" he raised his hand to slam it on the table, quickly stopping himself when he earned a glare from todoroki. "look, i'm not blamin' ya, it's just how things are. if that got out, everyone would say i was seducin' you, they'd make me seem like the villain in the story."

"if it's just us, how would anyone find out?" he crossed his legs, placing one hand in his lap and moving a pawn with his other hand.

bakugō's brows furrowed as he leaned back in his chair. "it won't bother you to keep us hidden? — if we were to try this..."

a small laugh slipped out from the prince, making katsuki suddenly pay closer attention to the male in front of him. he wasn't sure why he was smiling — or what he was laughing at — but in that moment... he felt cupid's arrow go straight through his heart.

"i've been hiding things my whole life, this will be no different. i'm more concerned with you." a faint smile was still visible as he looked up at him. "do you think you will be alright with it?"

"hah? of course i'll be fine with it! i wouldn't consider somethin' if i wasn't cool with it!" he rolled his eyes, though quickly making sure to keep his focus on todoroki. "are we tryin' this then, your highness?"

"i believe we are." he hummed, turning the ring on his finger a few times. "checkmate."