help me / bakudeku omegaverse /

Part 17

The morning after the third date was calm—deceptively so. The skies above the Katsuki palace were clear, the breeze gentle as it passed through the open windows of the eastern wing. Izuku and Katsuki sat at the long wooden table in the sun-drenched study, papers spread out before them.

Katsuki was scribbling notes on merchant activity from the outer provinces while Izuku carefully organized budget drafts. The peaceful rhythm between them was only broken when a knock echoed at the door.

"Enter," Katsuki said without looking up.One of the guards stepped in, bowed, and spoke with practiced neutrality. "Your Highness, the Queen Regent requests your presence in the northern chamber. Immediately."

Katsuki stiffened slightly, then glanced at Izuku.

Izuku looked up, green eyes questioning. "Did something happen?""Dunno," Katsuki muttered. "But she doesn't summon me like that unless it's serious. Come with me."

Izuku hesitated. "Should I?"

"Yeah. If it's about you, I want you there."They walked the corridors together, the usual warmth between them muted by something heavier. When they entered the northern chamber, Mitsuki was already standing near the tall windows, arms crossed.

Her expression was unreadable. But her eyes flicked immediately to Izuku—and there was concern in them.

"Mother," Katsuki greeted coolly.

"Close the doors," Mitsuki said.

A servant did so without a word.

"I assume this is about what happened in the village," Katsuki said.

"It's about the fallout," Mitsuki replied sharply. "Word has spread across the kingdom, Katsuki. Rumors. Whispers. Some of your advisors are already discussing the scandal."

Katsuki folded his arms. "Scandal? For what? Protecting my mate?"

"You attacked a citizen," Mitsuki said, her voice rising just slightly. "In public. Without restraint. You lifted him off the ground with one hand. The reports are dramatic, to say the least."

"He humiliated Izuku," Katsuki snapped. "Dragged his past into the open. Called him a pet—like he was property. What was I supposed to do? Shake the bastard's hand?"

Mitsuki's jaw clenched. "I understand why you reacted. But as Chief, your first responsibility is control. Your image is already volatile. They're calling you unpredictable. Dangerous."

"Good," Katsuki said coldly. "Let them be scared."

"That's not how you lead, Katsuki."

"And maybe you forgot what it means to protect someone."

Izuku flinched.

Mitsuki's eyes narrowed. "You think this is just about one man? The merchant's accusations aren't even the point anymore. The court is murmuring about the omega's influence on you. That he's weakening your judgment. That you're not fit to lead with him at your side."

Katsuki's fists clenched. "And what if I don't give a damn what they say?""Then you'll lose them!" Mitsuki snapped. "You'll lose the council. The provinces. The court! If they stop believing in your leadership, you'll have nothing to stand on. They won't follow a chief who places instinct over policy."

"Instinct is why he's alive."

The room pulsed with silence.

Katsuki stepped forward, voice low and shaking. "He had a panic attack in the middle of a crowd that treated him like a freak. And you're standing here worrying about my image? He's the last male omega. The last! Do you have any idea what that kind of exposure could've done to him? He could've shut down entirely. He could've run."

Mitsuki's shoulders tensed. Her next words came too fast.

"If you can't balance your bond with your duty, then maybe you can't have both."

The words slammed into the room like a hammer.

Izuku went very still.

Katsuki's face darkened. "What?"

Mitsuki's expression faltered immediately. Her mouth opened again, trying to backtrack.

"I didn't mean—"

"You did," Katsuki said, voice ice-cold. "You just told me to choose."

"Katsuki—"

"No," he said. "You don't get to take that back. You just told me I can't protect my mate and be Chief. That's the line, huh?"

She looked pained. "You know that's not what I meant. I'm just... trying to prepare you. The world isn't kind. You have to be smarter—more controlled. For him, too."

But Katsuki was already done. He turned without another word and took Izuku's hand.

Izuku's face was pale, his eyes glistening. He hadn't spoken once since they entered—but tears were trailing down his cheeks silently.

Katsuki brushed one away with his thumb, jaw clenched.

"We're leaving," he said.

"Katsuki, please—" Mitsuki called, but it was too late.

The door slammed behind them.