Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

VII

He knew that Bikarin was the heart of the Tribe lands, with everyone from all corners of the Edalian forest coming together to trade. He just wasn't expecting such a huge place, a plaza carved out in the centre of the forest that was bustling with more people than Shoto had seen in his life. It was loud, busy, and quite overwhelming, but after a moment of letting it sink in, Mina was dragging him into the crowds.

People wound in and out of each other, shouting greetings and brushing shoulders as they travelled from stall to stall. Many people waved at Mina who greeted them back with a wide smile, her pink curls bouncing with each step. It was all he could do to keep track of them amongst the crowd of people, knowing he would struggle to find his way out on his own. 

The first stall they arrived at wasn't one that sold clothes but rather sweet smelling tarts. He chose one that was full of strawberries, enjoying the rich and sweet flavour whilst trying not to drop it, Mina not wasting a second after paying taking him to the next stall. 

"We should probably get you a cloak since it'll be getting cold soon. Do you like the one Bakugou wears?" Mina asks, glancing over her shoulder to make sure he was still with her.

"It looks warm." he commented, not knowing the fashion trends of the people here. Their clothes were far more simple and less-restrictive than those in Endeavour, so anything would probably suffice. 

"I think red would look nice but Bakugou would throw a fit." Mina giggled as they arrived at the next stall, hidden even deeper in the crowds. "Maybe a dark blue?"

There were lots of cloaks of different colours and sizes, some for adults and even smaller ones for children. Some had fur, some were lined with leather, some had fancy designs sown around the collars. He spotted one hanging in the far right, a dark blue that had a simple fur trim around the neck that would surely keep him warm.

"How about that one?" he asked, gesturing to the cloak so the seller could bring it down to try on.

"Ooh, this one's great! The perfect length too. You'd look like the most handsome prince wearing it whilst riding your horse, the breeze making it flow behind you." Mina smiled widely before handing some bronze coins to the seller, putting the cloak into the bag she had brought with her before taking him to their next stop.

"How do I repay you?" he asks, eyes catching a stall selling the most vibrant and colourful jewels as they passed, a simple necklace lying on the table with a jewel that looked like a falling snowflake. It was gone in an instant and soon they were looking at shirts. 

"No need, I'll just take the money from Bakugou later! Try this!"

It was a similar design to the one he was wearing now, but where the one he was wearing tied up at the front, this one had a higher collar and a small tie to adjust the fit at the side.

"He lets you do that?" Shoto questioned, knowing if he dared take any money from his father's personal deposits that weren't stored in the vaults under the castle then he wouldn't have a hand left.

"He will!"

After buying two shirts, Mina helped him pick out trousers, socks, gloves and scarf, plus undergarments by comparing his and Kirishima's figures. It was all done in a rush, that when they finally stepped back onto the path to the castle he was hot and a little out of breath.

"That was fun!" Mina declared. "Kiri isn't the biggest fan of going shopping. But I'll go with you anytime!"

"Thankyou?"

He spent the rest of the afternoon putting away his new clothes and cooling himself off with the wash basin in his room. He was careful when hanging up the cloak, knowing simply by feeling the material in his palm that it was quite expensive. As he hung it up, he noticed that at the bottom of the cape, circling the fabric, was a simple design sown in gold that swirled and circled the trim. It was subtle, and caught the sunlight coming through the window when he angled it just right. It was rather beautiful.