Fates Entwined (A TodoBaku ff) ✔

XCI

There was excitement lingering in the air around the breakfast table. Katsuki and those from the Tribe Lands seemed to have already settled in, making themselves at home in the castle, and were eagerly making plans for the day to go and explore the main city. Shoto ate quietly, conversing with his sister and Katsuki about the final plans and schedule for his coronation tomorrow, but mostly enjoyed his view from the head of the table. Hearing loud voices and seeing bright smiles only assured him further that he had done the right thing, made the right choices, so that they could all have a bright future. 

He picked up his glass of cranberry juice, noting the deep red colour was the same as the colour he had not seen on his hands for some time. Sometimes when he woke up from nightmares his hands would feel warm, damp as they spread blood onto his bedsheets. But when he turned on his bedside lamp there would be nothing. It seemed he had been so busy even his mind had been too exhausted to torture him, but Shoto hoped it was the good company that helped too. The juice was sweet, perfect in waking him up after his morning cup of tea, and he felt energised enough to finish his last few duties before spending the afternoon with Katsuki as promised. 

Speaking of the king, he was currently turned in his seat throwing a napkin at Denki, yelling at him to stop spilling his drink over his goblet through throwing his arms up in excitement. Sero was teasing him about finally using some manners, and only Shoto could see hints of red-tinted ears under blond hair. It made him smile, seeing Katsuki making an effort for Shoto. At the thought, he looked to his left where Natsuo was eating quietly, jaw clenched between mouthfuls. His eyes remained on his plate, but he was polite and answered when one of Shoto's friends spoke to him. Yet he didn't cast a glance to neither Fuyumi nor himself, and left the table saying he had classes to attend to. 

Shoto thought Natsuo looked his way before closing the door behind him, but he couldn't tell what emotion lay behind those cool grey eyes. 

"He'll come around." Fuyumi spoke to him, drawing his attention back to the breakfast table. 

"Was I cruel to him, last night? Comparing him to Enji?" he asked, feeling Katsuki place a warm hand on his thigh in silent support.

Fuyumi sighed but smiled. "I think Natsu didn't realise how much he had hurt you by not supporting you. We both want to look out for you, we weren't able to for such a long time. And, I don't mean to offend you Bakugou," she paused to bow her head to Katsuki, "but seeing as your choice of partner was the man our father arranged you to marry, and that he isn't exactly the calmest person, Natsu couldn't help but worry."

"I don't want him to tell me what to do. I just want him to support my choices." Shoto sighed.

"Like I said, he'll come around. I think more than anything he's embarrassed that you scolded him in such a way." Fuyumi tried to sound lighthearted, but her words only made Shoto's shoulders drop further.

"Did I..." he hesitated to ask, the words tasting like venom on his tongue, "Did I sound like him? When I yelled? Perhaps he saw me and saw him and I-"

"Stop right there, Shoto. You are not our father, but that does not mean you are not allowed to get angry or express how you feel." Fuyumi assured.

"Plus it's your coronation tomorrow, so ya get to boss him around all ya want for being such a bastard." Katsuki grinned, downing his goblet of wine. 

"Katsuki!" Shoto exclaimed, though he kept his voice down to not alert their friends. "I won't do such a thing!"

He looked over at Fuyumi, surprised to see her hiding a smile and stifling her laughter behind her napkin, seemingly amused by Katsuki's antics. She took a moment to compose herself before reaching over to refill her teacup.