Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

XXII

Bakugou woke in the next few minutes, enough time for his friends to scatter from the training centre, dragging a speechless Denki with them. Shoto concluded that training was finished for the day and the afternoon could be spent on other matters, so he put the target, human models and weapons away just as Bakugou shot up with wide eyes.

"What the fuck just happened?!" Bakugou shouted so loud it made Shoto's ears ring.

"I knocked you out." Shoto replied, coming to stand by the man and looking down at him. 

"Why?!" Bakugou looked enraged, slapping away Shoto's hand to haul himself up.

"You were going to injure someone, you get too worked up when you fight."

"Well forgive me for having a bit of fucking fun, princess."

"You're forgiven."

"You-!"

Shoto brushed past him, intending to spend the rest of the afternoon tending to Kita; after being inside up until late afternoon he was looking forward to breathing in crisp winter air. He could hear stomping footsteps catching up to him, trying not to flinch when a hand grabbed his collar and shoved him into the wall.

"What the hell is your problem?!" Bakugou seethed. "Didn't know you'd get so fucking sensitive when I told you to get your shit together."

"I'm doing exactly what you want me to. Preparing for the war. Pardon if I no longer have the time to amuse you." Shoto retorted, mismatched eyes locking onto Bakugou's.

Bakugou's grip on his collar tightened, and his look told Shoto he wasn't used to someone standing up to him like this. Expecting Shoto to do what he wants when he wants just because he was King, it was like the man was still a child. It made something inside Shoto burn, not a spark of determination but one of rage.

"You're impossible." Bakugou spoke in a tone so low it was almost a growl.

"Says the king who throws tantrums whenever something doesn't go his way."

"Says the prince who can't get his head far enough out of his ass to realise there are bigger problems than his daddy issues."

"You have no idea of the things I've been through." Shoto shoved against Bakugou's arm, freeing himself from the wall. "Don't you dare think for a second you understand anything. I'm trying to-" His words were cut off, overpowered by Bakugou's vicious tongue.

"All I know is that I should have left you to die when I found you. You don't deserve that." He jabbed Shoto's chest, the necklace's claws digging into his skin.

"Then at least you admit your judgement is wrong." Shoto replied, tone as cold as ice as he took off the necklace and threw it at Bakugou's feet. "You should have left me to die, the world would be better for it if you did."

He left Bakugou, left the training room and the castle, not stopping at any recognisable faces as he paced to the stables. The familiar sight of Kita, strong and steadfast, helped to ease the pounding of his heart, and as he stroked the horse's mane he knew his friend could sense his troubles, pressing his muzzle into his chest. He took slow and deep breaths until his lungs felt relaxed again, and he rested his forehead against Kita's side.

"What are we doing here?" he asked into the silence.

He had thought... he had thought that what he did today was an effort to prove Shoto wasn't weak. He was trying to help prepare Bakugou's friends for the inevitable violence to come, but it seems nothing he does is right in the man's eyes. He thought they had made a step forward in their relationship, especially after their fight, and with how Bakugou had seemed so relieved to see him after his disappearance. He had thought... he had thought he was beginning to find a home here. Clearly he was deluded by the kindness of the people to not see the cruelty that lay in Bakugou's heart that was so much like his father's.