help me / bakudeku omegaverse /

Part 27

Morning came quietly.

Not with trumpets or council summons or servants rushing down halls—but with the soft click of a door opening and the faint smell of warm bread and honeyed fruit.

Katsuki nudged the door to Izuku's room shut behind him with his heel, balancing a tray in one hand. Sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, painting the room in pale gold. Izuku was still asleep, curled slightly on his side, hair a soft mess against the pillow, breathing slow and even in a way Katsuki had learned to treasure.

For a moment, he just stood there.

Not as king.
Not as ruler.

Just... someone allowed to exist here.

He crossed the room quietly and set the tray on the small table beside the bed. Then, carefully—like he was handling something precious—he sat on the edge of the mattress and brushed his thumb against Izuku's wrist.

"Izu," he murmured. "Hey."

Izuku stirred almost immediately, brows knitting before his eyes fluttered open. For half a second he looked confused—then his expression softened when he registered who was there.

"...Kacchan?" His voice was rough with sleep, barely above a whisper.

"Morning," Katsuki said, quieter than usual. "Brought breakfast."

Izuku blinked, then slowly pushed himself upright, hair sticking out at odd angles. Katsuki grabbed a pillow and tucked it behind his back before he could slump.

"You don't have to—" Izuku started.

"I want to," Katsuki cut in gently, already reaching for the tray. "Eat first."

Izuku didn't argue. That alone felt like progress.

He took small bites at first, still half-asleep, eyes drooping between mouthfuls. Katsuki stayed close, steady presence, watching to make sure he didn't rush or forget himself. When Izuku finally looked a little more awake, Katsuki cleared his throat.

"So," he said casually, like this wasn't something he'd been planning since yesterday afternoon. "I was thinking... maybe we go out today."

Izuku paused mid-bite.

"...Out?" he echoed.

"Into the kingdom," Katsuki clarified. "Just us."

Izuku's shoulders tensed almost instantly.

"I—" He hesitated, gaze dropping to the plate. "I don't think that's a good idea yet. Not before the council formally introduces me. There might be backlash if people see us together and start connecting dots."

Katsuki expected that answer.

"That's fair," he said easily. "Which is why we won't be seen as us."

Izuku looked up slowly. "...What?"

"There are spells," Katsuki said. "Hundreds of them. Glamours. Disguises. Illusion overlays. We won't look like ourselves."

Izuku stared.

"...You can do magic?"

Katsuki snorted. "Everyone can."

Izuku looked genuinely shocked. "I—I didn't know you could."

"I don't use it much," Katsuki shrugged. "Mine's more... practical. Nothing fancy. Just enough to get things done."

Izuku studied him like he was seeing him in a new light—then shook his head faintly, smiling. "You keep surprising me."

"So," Katsuki said, softer now. "We go as random tourists. No titles. No pressure. Just a date."