Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

LXIX

The following morning Shoto was the first to arrive at breakfast, Katsuki following shortly after. Unspoken between them they each filled their plates before sitting together by the fire. Despite spring growing brighter each day, the days warm with a cool breeze, the mornings were still cold and sunlight didn't filter in through the hall's windows until late morning. The fire was the perfect way to stay warm, and they ate in a companionable silence only interrupted by a jest or two alongside content sighs.

Katsuki hadn't yet brought up Shoto's return to Endeavour outside of their meetings, meaning he couldn't figure out to what extent Katsuki would miss his absence once he left. Recalling his conversation with Kirishima the previous night, and the way Katsuki had stayed close to his side throughout the meal and ongoing evening, he hoped that the king would hold the same feelings as himself. Of course he wouldn't wish negative emotions upon Katsuki, but it would help his confidence that Katsuki felt the same way towards him in return. 

"What're you thinking about, princess?" Katsuki asked, breaking the quiet between them. Shoto blinked and pulled his gaze away from the fire, meeting Katsuki's interested gaze. 

"You, mostly." He replied honestly.

"Fuck off." Katsuki immediately replied, Shoto knowing it was more of a reflex at this point than a reflection of the man's actual thoughts and feelings. Katsuki swore again at his small chuckle, but Shoto could see amusement hidden in his eyes. 

"I only have three days left here." Shoto began. "It feels like these past few months have gone by quickly, and whilst I'm looking forwards to returning to my siblings and my people, I sometimes find it hard to think about the future."

"You're going back to become king and help your kingdom, but who the hell thinks you'll never come back? You can visit here, we'll visit your kingdom, and all the others will want to hold meetings and parties because they're sappy idiots who can't stand being apart from each other."

Shoto huffed, a small smile on his lips. "Kirishima said a similar thing. If Mina says yes, I hope I'm invited to the wedding. I assume you will be his best man."

At this Katsuki laughed loudly, grinning back at Shoto. "We do our weddings a little differently here. For one, I'll be the one who marries them."

"Really? You don't have anyone from the monasteries, no priests?"

"Nah, so Shitty Hair better be on his best damn behaviour and treat Pinkie properly else they ain't getting fucking married."

"It's nice to see you care so deeply for your friends."

"Fuck off."

"You've already used that one today, be more creative Katsuki."

The red-haired man in question may or may not have found them tackled onto the floor, their mostly empty plates pushed to the side as they fought in front of the fire. Kirishima could have split them up, but with a grin dived right in and helped Shoto tackle Katsuki to the ground, both of them laughing whilst Katsuki cursed them ever so colourfully. Eventually they gave in, and Kirishima joined them for their meal.

As everyone slowly trickled in, some more adapted to the morning than others, a light conversation began to flow around the room, and Shoto settled into his chair at the table, taking in every laugh or swear or item of cutlery thrown across the table as if it would be the last time. Meals in Endeavour would be far quieter, not mentioning the unavoidable struggle of trying to connect with his siblings. From being forbidden to speak to each other, to seeing each other at meals on the rare occasion, to suddenly having nothing to keep them apart was a big change, and he hoped they would stay by his side and help their kingdom together...