Ever After (BakuDeku)

Chapter Eighteen

Katsuki pulled back the curtains of his parents canopy bed, a grin forming on his face.

He'd barely slept. How could he after the night he'd had?

"Mitsuki, wake up," Masaru urged, sitting up in bed, "our son has something to tell us."

The queen blinked open her eyes, squinting.

"Mother, father," Katsuki began, allowing the thoughts that had clouded his mind while he was supposed to be sleeping, to take form as words, "I want to build a university with the largest library on the continent, where anybody can study, no matter their station."

Mitsuki's brows furrowed in confusion, "All right, who are you and what have you done with our son?"

Katsuki laughed and closed the curtains, before remembering something else. He pulled back the curtains once more, "oh, and I want to invite the Romani to the ball."

~

Cold water hit Izuku and he awoke with a gasp, sitting up in bed.

"Are you ill?" Aku growled, holding the wooden bucket he'd used to drench Izuku and his bed.

Akari and Akumu stood behind their father, Akari's face frozen in horror, while Akumu watched the scene unfold with a smirk.

"No," Izuku replied, before groaning, collapsing back on his now damp pillow, "yes."

"Where were you last night?" The Baron asked, eyes narrowed.

Izuku froze.

This was not going to end well.

"I got lost," Izuku tried, his voice wavering.

"I don't believe you," Aku scoffed, an accusing look on his face, "you're hiding something from me, I can feel it. I demand to know what it is."

Before Izuku could think through his next words carefully, he said, "why don't you tell me so I can go back to sleep?"

"What about our breakfast?" Akumu shrieked. 

Izuku just raised an eyebrow, already feeling his eyes growing heavy, "you have two hands. Make it yourself."

"You lazy little leech," Akumu seethed, though Izuku didn't quite hear her, drifting off to sleep once more.

~

Izuku dumped the bucket into the water, filling it to the top.

His body felt heavy, but he didn't feel bold enough to risk angering Aku further. He was lucky that the mornings events didn't lead to a harsh beating, though knowing Aku, he wouldn't forget that easily.

"Zuku," came a desperate voice, pulling the greenette out of his thoughts.

He looked over to the side of the house, noticing Ochako leaning out the window, "you better get in here quick," she insisted, her expression telling Izuku that whatever it was, wasn't going to be good.

He hurried into the house, leaving the bucket.

Uraraka pointed in the direction of the Baron's bedroom, where Izuku could already hear the faint voices of Aku and Akumu.

Stepping into the room, Izuku froze, taking in the sight before him. 

Akumu was holding Inko's dress to herself, while Aku inspected it with approval.

They turned at the sound of Izuku's footsteps.

"Look who finally decided to grace us with his presence," Aku drawled.

"What do you think you're doing?" Izuku asked, anger beginning to rise, though he attempted to keep his voice steady.

"Trying on my dress," Akumu smirked.

"Do you honestly think after your performance this morning i'd let you go anywhere?" Aku scoffed, "you're lucky i'm even allowing you to stay under my roof."

"Do you honestly think these games, these intrigues, are going to win you a crown?" Izuku snapped back, "To hunt royalty like some sport, it's disgusting."

"You're just jealous," Akumu sniffed, walking towards the door, still carrying the dress.

Izuku picked up the shoes that went with the dress, turning to his stepsister with desperation in his eyes, "these are my mothers."

Akumu smirked, "yes, and she's dead."

Izuku stormed over to her and before he could think, raised his fist and punched Akumu in the face.

She tumbled to the ground, the smirk wiped from her face.

Izuku advanced towards her, still clutching the shoes, and Akumu bolted up, rushing out of the door, shrieking, "father, do something!"

Akumu screamed as Izuku chased her down the stairs, eventually running into Izuku's room.

Akumu snatched Utopia from its place on the small nightstand Izuku had, holding it over the open fire.

"Get away from me, or so help me, God-" Akumu threatened, panting as she tried to catch her breath.

Izuku felt the blood drain from his face, his anger replaced with fear. Not fear for himself, though he should have, fear for his mother and the last thing he had to remember her by.

"No," he pleaded, "Akumu, don't! Please!"

"Give me the shoes!" Akumu demanded, the usual sadistic glint returning to her eyes.

She was well aware of how much the book meant to Izuku and she found joy in watching him suffer.

"Put it down," Izuku repeated.

Aku walked into the room, accompanied by Akari, who looked almost as pale as Izuku.

"Consider carefully, Izuku," the Baron advised lightly, as though they were discussing the weather, "your mother's book or her shoes."

He walked towards Izuku, "though neither will save you from a brutal punishment."

Izuku flinched, the weight of what he'd done settling in. 

He handed the shoes to Aku who snatched them out of his hands.

Izuku held his hand out for the book but Akumu's smirk just grew wider.

She threw the book directly into the flames, watching gleefully as Izuku rushed over, attempting to retrieve the quickly burning memory. 

Izuku's hands were burned but desperation was clouding his ability to think properly.

At some point during this, he had begun to cry, tears streaming down his face. 

There was an unbearable ache in his chest and it felt almost as though Inko had passed away again. Like a piece of him burned up along with the book. 

He felt arms around him, hauling him back and away from the fire.

T.B.C

That chapter was tough to write, ngl...

Mostly because it's so sad...

ANYWAYS, 

I haven't asked this in awhile but, how do y'all feel abt the story so far? Any suggestions?

I'll be back next week with another chapter!

Also, Happy (almost) Halloween! What're y'alls plans for it (if you celebrate)?

~A

P.S. It was so weird saying Happy Halloween because I actually finished this chapter on August 20th...