Golden Memories (Kiribaku/Bakushima)

Chapter 1

The end of fall was nearing, and with it came an all-too-unpleasant chill that seemed to seep into the earth's pores.

Bakugou hated the cold. It was harder to hunt, harder to use magic, fuck even finding a suitable place to sleep was more difficult (whether in civilization or not). Sometimes it even felt like the evils in his region slowed their pace, too, which for most was a blessing but for the barbarian it was a major inconvenience.

Without any trouble stirring up the blonde had nothing to do but sulk throughout the dry, windy season until it blew over.

He had found himself a nice little overhang at the base of a wild sea of stoney plateaus, though, which would make for a somewhat decent camp for a few days at the very least.

And apparently a few days was all it took for his location to bleed into nearby town-gossip.

Bakugou hadn't thought it really mattered. If anything, word of his presence would deter anyone from traveling too far into the wild, which meant he'd be able to spend most of his time in comfortable solitude.

So really, when he saw an unmistakable group of knights clad in the region's crest no doubtably heading straight for him, he was justifiably slightly puzzled.

But quickly that confusion turned into blazing anticipation because either a) he was gonna be able to get in a hopefully decent fight right there or b) they were about to send him off towards one for a shitload of money.

Upon seeing a familiar large figure with golden hair and a broad smile, Bakugou almost wasn't able to snuff out the slight hope that the second option was what would truly happen. But then a different head of green left the blonde with a sour taste in his mouth and a disgusted sneer, the dark and sparking emotion that boiled up in his gut being the most familiar thing yet.

It took most of his willpower to reel himself back––to sit down with his sword on his lap and a deep–set frown instead of tossing himself right down that hill and dicing the fucker up into pieces. A small voice in his head tittered persuasively, asking why Bakugou Katsuki, renown barbarian and mercenary, was holding back, but though shitty fucking Deku was there, so was King fucking All Might. And he wasn't about to lose his cool and let a wild kid be the first impression the man gets.

He began to regret that decision as he waited for god-knows-how-long for these fucks to wander their way up to his camp. But eventually the heads of a small group of knights––and the King––made their way directly in front of him, All Might raising his hand in greeting.

"Hello Young Ba––"

"The fuck do you think you're doing here?" The ash blonde cut off, voice gruff and threatening. A wolf warning you not to step any further into its territory.

Good. Let him know that I'm in fucking control here.

The king took the hint and stood up straight, looking down at the other with a subtle hint of a new acknowledgement crossing those piercing blue eyes. Deku took a step forward, hand resting tentatively on the hilt of his sword as he immediately began whispering his concerns to the other. Bakugou growled loudly and All Might raised his hand towards the freckled male, giving him quick reassurances.

Deku relaxed slightly and stood a little taller, still looking meek as fuck and still not taking a step back. Bakugou let a deep warning rumble in the back of his throat, and All Might easily motioned for the other to back off. The greenette looked up at his mentor with wide eyes, but quickly obeyed, and Bakugou could feel his patience wearing thin and his control slipping.

All Might cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to inconvenience you, Young Bakugou." Knights turned heads at their king but Bakugou simply raised his chin up in content with the treatment, All Might's gaze steady. Fucking king was right not to speak down to him.