Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

XII

It felt soothing, having Mina gently brush through his hair after finishing his make-up for the evening. A red shimmer on his eyelids, a peach tint on his lips, and the same silver shimmer on his cheekbones that was cool against his warm skin. The brush ran across his scalp, carefully sorting out the red and white despite Mina saying the little blends of pink looked cute. Her soft humming against the background of the evening celebrations set a warm ambience in the room.

"You were very incredible today," she spoke quietly, giving him a warm smile in the mirror as she continued brushing. "I can't remember the last time I saw Bakugou lose a fight. Only to his mother, of course." She grinned, as if recalling a fond memory. 

"Were they close?" Shoto asked, blinking open his eyes to look at her through the mirror's reflection. "Bakugou and his mother?"

"Bakugou would never admit it, but they had a very close bond. A relationship as explosive as Bakugou's magic, always shouting and slamming doors at each other, but that also meant they understood each other deeply. Mitsuki was definitely much nicer, but she was a strong warrior and taught Bakugou how to fight before Aizawa stepped in as his tutor."

"If it's not rude of me to ask, how did she pass away? All I know was that she fell ill quickly."

"It is strange," Mina mused, putting the brush down and picking up a bottle, pouring some oil onto her hands before running them through his hair, "Mitsuki was always strong and healthy but within a month it went from headaches to being bedridden. Even the best healers didn't know what to do, but she never feared death. She said her time had come and she would return to mother nature, that Bakugou would make an excellent king."

"How did he deal with it?"

He remembered losing his closest family, how alone and isolated and numb he felt, feeling lost and confused and overwhelmed in a body too innocent and young. The world for so long was in black and white and dull tones of grey, the only constancy the burning of his father's flames.

"Horribly. Shut himself away for a fortnight, was rude and loud and almost cruel in the days leading up to his coronation. It was a quiet affair with the elders, Bakugou's father and us. But that day seemed to bring him clarity, and not a day has gone by where he hasn't been a great leader for us."

Shoto hummed, sighing as Mina's hands retreated and she announced she was all finished. He somehow looked sharper yet softer than he had seemed this morning, the evening drops of sunlight resting in an amber glow upon his skin.

"Thank you." He stood from his seat to look at her. "For everything."

"That's what friends are for." Mina grinned, linking their arms and leading them over to the door; with the soft click of the lock behind them they descended down to the dining hall where a feast was being prepared. 

The smell of roasted meats and vegetables, of sweet tarts and pastries, wafted up the staircases as they headed to the main floor. People were carrying large bottles, tankards and barrels of various alcohols, baskets full of their contributions to the feast. Garlands hung all around the room, red and gold colours gleaming from the roaring fires on both ends of the hall. Every inch of the large table was full of food, steaming and sizzling ready to be eaten. Mina informed him that Bakugou would give a speech before everyone could eat, and people usually took the time to eat together before heading out for the lantern lighting. 

"He gave his first speech last year, and it went better than expected." She laughed before continuing. "He didn't swear in every sentence, can you believe?! It was a lot of shouting but everyone was roaring and cheering so it went well. Ooh, look! Strawberries! You like those, right Shoto?"