Death Paradox 💥BAKUDEKU💥

Chapter 23

The Emperor

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Chapter 23

A gull screeched overhead, cutting through the air as waves slapped against the dock with a restless rhythm. The sharp scrape of some crab scuttling along the planks caught his ear, but Katsuki barely spared it a glance. What grabbed his attention—what always grabbed his attention—was the smell. The brine-heavy breeze filling his nose, all salt and seaweed, thick with the reek of fish and tar from the harbor.

He stood at the edge of the docks, staring out at the sea stretching endlessly toward the horizon. Ships bobbed in the water, their sails snapping against the breeze, while sailors shouted and hauled crate. Valorport—loud, busy, and reeking of salt and sweat—was just as irritating as it had been the last time he'd come through.

"We need to tell him, Kacchan."

And then there was this other irritating matter.
Katsuki scoffed, crossing his arms and leaning back against a stack of crates, wrinkling his nose at the idea. "Hell no. We're not telling him shit."

Izuku turned to face him, those bright green eyes narrowing. "Kacchan, he's going to find out eventually. He's not stupid."

Damn right, he's not stupid. And that's the problem. "Exactly," Katsuki cut him off, sheathing his dagger he'd been twirling as he pushed off the crates to face Izuku head-on. "He'll figure it out on his own if he cares that much. We don't need to spoon-feed him everything. He's already tagging along, isn't that enough?"

Izuku frowned, not backing down. "No, it's not enough. He's risking his life by coming with us. He deserves to know why."

Katsuki's eyes flashed with frustration as he turned away, running a hand through his hair. "It's not worth it. What's the point of dragging him into this mess? He's already got enough shit to deal with. You really want to add 'endless cycle of death and rebirth' to the royal pain in the ass' to-do list?"

That and he had to be hiding something, what kind of fucking royal just ups and leaves the comfort of their damn riches. Fuck no, there was a reason he's sticking a nose in their business.

"It's not about what we want, Kacchan. It's about giving him a choice. He's already stuck with us, and if we don't tell him what's really going on, we're not being fair to him."

Katsuki was just about to retort something back at Izuku when—

Master... Kirishima's faint voice echoed in his mind, coming from far above the clouds where the dragon was circling. Worst-case scenario? He thinks you both are absolutely insane and leaves. Like, immediately.

Katsuki blinked, letting the words seep in, before his lips twisted into a sharp, fiendish grin. The idea of spooking Shoto out of his icy calm demeanor with the truth about their shitty curse sounded downright fucking entertaining now.

Izuku's brows furrowed as he stared at Katsuki, clearly sensing the shift in his attitude. "What's with that face, Kacchan?" Izuku asked suspiciously. "What did Kirishima say?"

Katsuki just gave a dismissive snort and reached out, patting Izuku's head—but a little too hard, causing Izuku to stumble forward.

"Don't worry about it, nerd," Katsuki grinned wider, flashing his sharp canines, an almost sadistic glint in his eye. "We'll deal with it soon enough."

Izuku straightened himself, rubbing his head and glaring at Katsuki. "Kacchan..." he started, but before he could finish, a familiar voice broke through the moment.