Death Paradox 💥BAKUDEKU💥

Chapter 16

The Emperor

✧༺✦✮✦༻✧

Chapter 16

The storm katsuki had been eyeing, rolled in faster than he'd anticipated, the once clear night sky turning a sickly shade of gray, with clouds swelling and roiling like an angry ocean. The wind howled around them, whipping through the trees below as flashes of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the forest beneath in jagged, fleeting bursts. Rain hammered down on them in heavy sheets, soaking through Katsuki's cloak, his armor, and every inch of him until he was chilled to the bone.

Kirishima's wings beat harder, but even with his strength, the winds made flying treacherous. Katsuki cursed under his breath as another gust slammed into them, almost knocking them off course.

"Damn it, we need to land!" Katsuki shouted over the roaring wind, wiping rain from his eyes.

Kirishima's massive form shuddered beneath him, his scales slick with water as he fought to keep them steady. Katsuki could feel the dragon's silent agreement through their bond, the tension in his muscles, the strain in every beat of his wings as they struggled to find a safe place to land.

There! Kirishima growled down the bond, his voice a deep rumble that echoed in Katsuki's mind. His golden eyes locked onto a small outcropping of rock nestled in the forest below—a natural overhang, just wide enough to offer them some shelter from the storm.

With a final, powerful sweep of his wings, Kirishima descended, landing with a heavy thud just outside the outcropping. The rain poured down around them, the noise deafening as Katsuki slid off Kirishima's back, cursing as his feet sank into the mud.

"Fucking hell," Katsuki muttered, brushing a hand through his soaked hair, which was now plastered to his forehead. His cloak clung to him like a second skin, drenched and heavy. He glared up at the overhang. It wasn't much—just a rocky shelf barely big enough to keep them dry—but it would have to do.

Kirishima shifted behind him, his massive body barely fitting under the shelter, his wings folding tightly against his sides as he crouched down, the tip of his tail curling around his feet. Even in his dragon form, Katsuki could sense his weariness—days of travel, and now this damn storm, had worn them both down.

Katsuki huffed, shaking off as much water as he could before stomping toward the shelter. "We need a fire," he grumbled, dropping to one knee as he began rummaging through his pack, pulling out what little dry kindling he had left. But as he glanced around at the soaked forest and the deluge of rain pouring down around them, he could already tell it was a lost cause.

"Great," he spat, tossing the wet sticks to the ground. "Everything's too damn wet to burn."

Kirishima, now nestled comfortably beneath the overhang, gave a low, amused rumble as he watched Katsuki's growing frustration. With a slow, deliberate motion, he shook himself like a giant dog, sending water flying in every direction—including all over Katsuki.

"Oi!" Katsuki barked, flinching as a spray of water hit him square in the face, drenching him even more. He glared up at the dragon, his teeth clenched. You trying to make it worse, shitty scales?!

Kirishima's golden eyes gleamed with amusement as he settled back down, his massive tail flicking slightly behind him. You're already soaked, he said, his tone light and teasing. A little more water won't hurt.

Katsuki scowled, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "That's not the point, dumbass," he grumbled, though there wasn't as much heat in his words as usual. He was too tired, too cold, and too damn soaked to really get into it with Kirishima right now.