Shangri La Pt. 1

120: Bewildered

"So now, Your Majesty, who do you know–that's very close to you–can use a Ruby Gem at free will?" Zeri questioned. 

After hearing that explanation, there was no need for Shoto to think about this answer, and he knew right away just who it could be. 

"My Captain... Bakugo..."

"Phew~ Finally done." Katsuki sighed as he finished hanging up the last sheet that was freshly washed. 

Hours had passed since they'd started doing all this laundry to the point that the Sun was far gone from the sky and the moon was in full sight. But though it was a dark night, it was actually quite peaceful, especially for the blond as he felt peace and quiet after doing this for a while. 

'Geez, how is it that I was the one who ended up doing all of this when she's been–' When he turned back, expecting to see a certain greenette, Katsuki paused his thoughts to see that Izumi was still there, but sound asleep. 

There she was, sitting up against the brick wall with her eyes closed and letting out a faint snore. He couldn't help but approach the sleeping greenette and kneel right in front of her to see just how peaceful she appeared to him that he could only smile. 

'Well... I guess it isn't all that bad, she did practice archery this morning and then went into the city with me for a while. She gets tired faster than I do, but it's cute.' he thought as a faint blush grew on his cheeks.

And just as he was about to stand back up to make sure all the laundry truly was done, he noticed right away how the sleeping greenette shrugged and then shifted her head from one direction. 

But that wasn't all, as her head–and the rest of her body–started leaning downwards to the point that Katsuki had to jump over to sit next to her and make her head stop by resting on top of his shoulder. 

He made a slight little moan, but remained silent once more and she didn't seem to wake up from the sudden muscled pillow she was resting her head on. 

'Close call...' he thought to himself as he let out a sigh of relief that he caught her. But even after catching her and seeing her sitting right next to him asleep, he knew that them sitting out here in the cool night air could only make the greenette get sick. 

'Dammit, can't make anything last forever.' he thought as he carefully reached his right arm up and over the greenette until he rested it on her lower back. 

He then used his left arm to slide under her legs and carefully struggled to stand to his feet with the greenette in his arms; bridal style. 

"There's a better place for you to sleep, so I'll take you there." he whispered, only to see a soft smile creep on her lips, making him want to smile too. 

'Cute.'

"Bakugo has... a Ruby? But... But that would mean... my father gave it to him..." Shoto muttered as he had to take a few steps back. 

"So then this entire Arranged Marriage... was a hoax for my mother?" Momo asked. 

"It would seem that way." Momo could only drop to her knees from this kind of shock, as long before she realized her feelings for the Young Prince, she could've sworn that her parents would listen to her when she said she didn't want an Arranged Marriage.