help me / bakudeku omegaverse /

part 10

For nearly a month, life in the palace settled into a steady rhythm. Each day started with Katsuki knocking gently on Izuku's door, a fresh set of clothes prepared by the maids. Breakfast was shared together in quiet contentment, with Katsuki grumbling about nobles while Izuku smiled softly over tea. Their mornings passed in the royal office, Izuku curled up with a book near Katsuki's desk, always beside him, never quite ready to be anywhere else. Afternoons were spent at the training grounds, where Izuku observed Katsuki's every movement with sharp, attentive eyes, ready to give quiet feedback once they returned to the safety of Izuku's room. Evenings ended with dinner and long, warm embraces, moments of closeness that neither of them dared define, but both cherished deeply.

Everything felt like it was finally becoming safe. Comfortable. Like home.
And then, the letter came.It arrived during the middle of an otherwise uneventful morning, delivered by a royal courier bearing the seal of the Todoroki Kingdom. Katsuki read it twice, jaw clenched. He didn't speak at first. Izuku, watching from his place beside the desk, noticed the tension in his shoulders."Is everything alright?" he asked, setting his book aside.Katsuki finally looked at him, the corners of his mouth pulled into a tight line. "There's a diplomatic meeting today. One I wasn't told about until now. Neighboring royals are visiting... My mother set it up."Izuku tilted his head. "W-we're meeting with other kingdoms?""Yeah," Katsuki muttered. "Apparently it's urgent."He didn't say more, but Izuku sensed something off in his tone. Still, he nodded. "D-do you want me to come with?"Katsuki paused, then softened. "Actually... yeah. I do. I wanted to introduce you to my parents anyway. Maybe not like this, but..." He reached over and gently squeezed Izuku's hand. "You're not just anyone anymore. They should meet you."The palace ballroom had been transformed for the occasion. Gold-trimmed banners hung from the arched windows, the long banquet table adorned with rich velvet runners and crystal goblets. Nobles and dignitaries mingled around the space, voices low and diplomatic.Izuku stood at Katsuki's side, dressed in his green and gold finery, fingers twitching slightly with nerves. His presence didn't go unnoticed. The whispers started almost immediately. Some subtle. Others not."That him?""The omega?""Is he really...?"Katsuki didn't acknowledge them. His hand hovered near Izuku's back, protective, grounding.A door at the far end of the hall opened. Four figures stepped in—King Enji Todoroki, towering and stern; Princess Fuyumi, graceful and elegant; Prince Shoto, reserved, gaze unreadable; and Katsuki's mother, Queen Mitsuki.Izuku stiffened as they approached. Mitsuki wore a pleasant smile, but her eyes gleamed with something unreadable."Katsuki," she greeted. "You finally made it.""Didn't know I was supposed to," Katsuki said flatly. "Funny how that works."Mitsuki waved a dismissive hand, then turned her gaze to Izuku. "And this must be him."Izuku bowed quickly, nerves clawing at his throat. "I-Izuku Midoriya, your grace. I-it's a h-honor to meet you.""Mm," Mitsuki hummed. "We'll see."Enji stepped forward. His gaze raked over Izuku with a critical, almost disdainful look. "So this is the male omega we've heard so much about?"Katsuki's arm subtly moved closer. "Yes. He's also my—""I find that difficult to believe," Enji interrupted. "Male omegas are long extinct. If this is true, it would make him a political asset... or a very clever illusion."Izuku's breath caught. "I-I'm not lying."Enji looked down at him with cold scrutiny. "Prove it.""Excuse me?" Katsuki growled."There's a test," Enji said simply. "A potion made by our court alchemists. A drop of omega blood turns it gold. If he is what you say, then it should be no issue."Mitsuki sighed, rubbing her temples. "Enji—""He's either an omega," Enji pressed, "or you're making a mockery of centuries of biology and tradition."Katsuki looked to Izuku. "You don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with."But Izuku, trembling, nodded. "I-I'll do it."A servant approached with the small vial and silver needle. Izuku sat down, trying not to flinch as the tip pricked his arm. A drop of blood was drawn and dripped into the clear vial.The potion hissed softly.And then, before the room's collective breath could be drawn, the liquid turned gold.A hushed silence swept through the hall.Enji's expression didn't change. "Well. I'll admit that much."But then his gaze narrowed."Still. Soulmates?" he scoffed. "You expect us to believe that this frail creature is bound to the prince of our strongest allied kingdom?"Izuku's breath hitched.Enji stepped closer, gesturing harshly. "Look at him. Thin. Malnourished. He can barely hold himself upright. Do you truly think this is a fit match for royalty?"Katsuki moved forward, fury blazing in his eyes—but Izuku held up a hand."It's fine," he whispered."No, it's not—""I said it's fine."He turned to Enji, gaze lowered."I... I know I'm not much. I-I know I'm not what people expect. And maybe Katsuki does deserve someone better. Someone stronger. Someone like her."He glanced toward Fuyumi, who looked genuinely taken aback, not by his presence, but by his pain."K-Katsuki," Izuku said softly. "Maybe you should choose her. She'd be better for you."Katsuki's face fell."I'm sorry," Izuku whispered. "I'm sorry I'm not enough."And then he turned.He ran from the room.The murmurs exploded behind him, but he didn't stop. He couldn't stop.Katsuki stood frozen for a breath, jaw clenched, fists shaking. He turned slowly, gaze blazing at Enji."Your words mean nothing," he bit out.Shoto, silent until now, stepped forward, tone cool. "You insulted him for no reason. That wasn't diplomacy, Father. That was cruelty."Fuyumi, visibly shaken, touched Katsuki's arm. "Go after him. He needs you."He didn't wait.Katsuki found Izuku in the corridor near the side gardens, curled on a bench, trying to hide his tears with trembling hands. The sight cleaved straight through him.He didn't speak. He simply stepped forward, knelt beside the bench, and reached out.Izuku flinched.But Katsuki touched his hand gently. "Come with me."Izuku looked up, eyes glassy.Katsuki didn't wait for permission. He stood, took Izuku's hand, and pulled him down the hall, heart hammering.He needed answers.And he needed to remind Izuku exactly how much he meant.