Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

LXVIII

The week leading up to Shoto's return to Endeavour was hectic, to say the least. He shared his plans in their meetings, highlighting his new agricultural systems and changes to the law he planned to make. They settled on an annual date to commemorate those lost in the war and to celebrate their hard-earned peace. Shoto spoke with Inasa, thanking him for protecting those who were forced into Enji's army, and allowed himself to laugh when Inasa bowed so low his head nearly hit the ground. The man spoke to Ibara and TetsuTetsu on his behalf, the latter who could be seen spending long hours sparring with Kirishima, their competitive nature and similar powers making their duels entertaining for those who came to watch. It made Shoto happy, seeing the lack of animosity between them, a sign of hope that both sides can come together and live peacefully. 

He managed to find the time for afternoon tea with Masaru in the library, making the most of the delicious teas Masaru continued to introduce him to. The man was always thanking Shoto for helping their people and being a confidant for Katsuki, saying that is all Mitsuki would have wanted for her son. When Masaru told him he would like to exchange letters once Shoto had returned to his kingdom he was quick to agree, knowing that way he could continue learning from the man and keep up on how the Tribes' people were doing if Katsuki was too busy with his duties. 

His friends spent most of their days with him, taking him to new spots and showing him all the new foods that they could eat now spring time had arrived. One morning he and Sero rode their horses to a mountain side to watch the sunrise, a breakfast of salad buns and baked tarts with fresh fruit alongside. It was a short path that split off from the route to Tapsken, and Sero asked if Shoto would like to come to his tribe and spend time in Tapsken when he visited. Shoto agreed, and with the more time he spent with the people he had grown closer to, now the threat of war was behind them, he truly hoped he would have time to visit them frequently. 

That evening Mina asked if Shoto wanted to have a sleepover in her room, and once the sun had fully vanished she had shown him a secret staircase that led to the roof of the castle. There they drank hot, melted chocolate that was a perfect choice for the cool spring night, and watched as stars began to appear across the endless sky. Shoto showed her the constellations he could find, from Sirius and Orion to Lupus and Cassiopeia, and Mina was so enthralled she decided that she would go and find an astronomy book in the library that very next day. She quietly added that it would be the first time she stepped foot in the library, and they both couldn't help but laugh loudly at the absurdity. They eventually returned to her room and quickly fell asleep on her bed, and Shoto, for the first time in a while, felt like a young man without the weight of the world on his shoulders, spending a fun night with his treasured friend. 

It was Kirishima's turn for time with Shoto the next morning, and he eagerly asked if they could spar with Shoto's fire. He explained that his sparring with TetsuTetsu had increased the durability of his power, and that he wanted to test it out against Shoto's flames. He had seen how his red flames had flickered blue and white whilst he was fighting his father, and said that with training maybe Shoto could make pure white flames. What a thought that was, when mere weeks ago he was terrified of raising his left hand against another person, yet now Kirishima looked like he wanted nothing more. 

He accepted Kirishima's invitation to spar, and soon a crowd had gathered in the training room, cheering and making bets on who would win. Mina was cheering loudly for her partner, and a loud whistle came from the crowd when Shoto removed his half-burnt shirt. He quickly looked away from Kirishima, who seemed to be thinking about his next attack, to see Katsuki leaning in the doorway, grin widening when he met Shoto's eyes. Shoto shook his head at Katsuki's childish actions but felt amused all the same, and his fight with Kirishima was the most enjoyable sparring session he had ever had. It ended when they were both panting hard, sweat on their brows, and an assortment of scrapes and bruises on their bodies. Shoto shook away the frost that clung to his hand before offering it to Kirishima to help him stand, and the crowd that had gathered cheered for them before they left for a well-deserved bath.