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krbk a/b/o AU (a!Kiri, o!Baku) swf (for now) tw: slavery, abuse, prostitution (mentioned) ancient Rome but fantasy extremely self-indulgent
Note: this is fantasy because im too lazy to research ancient Rome and it has a/b/o. Entirely self-indulgent. Hope you enjoy!
Katsuki liked the town square.
It was nothing like the one in his hometown â no cracked cobblestones, no stench, no scared servants huddled together to do something about dirty laundry. Which was useless â the water in the fountain was always dirty too.
It was nothing like the one in his hometown â no cracked cobblestones, no stench, no scared servants huddled together to do something about dirty laundry. Which was useless â the water in the fountain was always dirty too.
Katsuki was pretty sure he could even drink this water, though.
Amazing what a lack of corruption does to a city, huh?
If he played his cards right, he could get as much as half an hour of just⌠doing nothing. Simply sitting on a warmed marble and watching people pass by.
Amazing what a lack of corruption does to a city, huh?
If he played his cards right, he could get as much as half an hour of just⌠doing nothing. Simply sitting on a warmed marble and watching people pass by.
So busy they werenât paying attention to him â ever since his first hesitant walk down here on his own, no one approached him to ask where his Master was. No one cared that there was a lone omega sitting around without aim or purpose, and if he tried hard enough, he could
even pretend that he was even /free/.
Because in this city, there were free omegas, apparently. It threw him off at first, when he saw a woman arguing, pretty much shouting at the vendor, and no one stepping in. Well, not counting poor guard who tried to dissolve the argument.
Because in this city, there were free omegas, apparently. It threw him off at first, when he saw a woman arguing, pretty much shouting at the vendor, and no one stepping in. Well, not counting poor guard who tried to dissolve the argument.
âHi!!â
Right. Katsuki could pretend up to a point, the point being a telltale feather of the royals guard cap, and familiar scent of sandalwood.
âDo you mind if I sit?..â
âYou will sit anyway, whatâs the point of asking,â Katsuki huffed with a roll of his eyes, squinting
Right. Katsuki could pretend up to a point, the point being a telltale feather of the royals guard cap, and familiar scent of sandalwood.
âDo you mind if I sit?..â
âYou will sit anyway, whatâs the point of asking,â Katsuki huffed with a roll of his eyes, squinting
lazily in the bright afternoon sun. It was always impossibly sunny here, almost annoying.
Kirishima immediately plopped down, bright grin on his face as he kept barely enough distance between them to be respectful. Katsuki was pretty sure that if he didnât pointedly move away
Kirishima immediately plopped down, bright grin on his face as he kept barely enough distance between them to be respectful. Katsuki was pretty sure that if he didnât pointedly move away
the first few time, the dumbass wouldâve kept sitting as close as possible.
âWell, itâs rude not to ask! Besides, you looked so peaceful, Iâd hate to ruin the mood.â
Kirishima was⌠something else. Tall, enough that Katsuki had to tilt his head to look him in the eye when
âWell, itâs rude not to ask! Besides, you looked so peaceful, Iâd hate to ruin the mood.â
Kirishima was⌠something else. Tall, enough that Katsuki had to tilt his head to look him in the eye when
they were standing, and broad â prime example of an alpha, if only it wasnât for his puppy-like personality. Itâs been a while since Katsuki actually saw a puppy, but still. He was pretty sure he accidentally got himself one in human form.
Kirishima was always eager to⌠talk. He didnât touch Katsuki aside from the accidental brush of their hands, and he didnât try to scent him. He didnât try to posture, of brawl about his prowess, or make Katsuki talk about his own life.
Because he did, the first few times they met. And Katsuki, who could walk down the street without his head lowered in obedience and a collar stifling his neck for the first time in his life, he snapped. Glared the annoying alpha down and made his distaste for interrogations
clear, in a few very⌠improper words.
Gods, he had been terrified, then. Because Kirishima was obviously higher in status than him (who wasnât, though?), and Katsuki did all the things he new he /couldnât/ do â
Kirishima apologized.
Gods, he had been terrified, then. Because Kirishima was obviously higher in status than him (who wasnât, though?), and Katsuki did all the things he new he /couldnât/ do â
Kirishima apologized.
Looked and him with eyes not unlike a kicked puppy and fucking /apologized/.
So now he would talk. About the weather (always so damn good it made Katsuki sick), about his friends, how was his duty going, latest rumors â anything and everything. Katsuki didnât even have to talk
So now he would talk. About the weather (always so damn good it made Katsuki sick), about his friends, how was his duty going, latest rumors â anything and everything. Katsuki didnât even have to talk
aside from some noise to show he was listening, and that wasâŚ
He didnât know what to do about that.
â- It was /terrible/, there were feathers everywhere, and honey, why would someone even think of selling feathers and honey in the same booth?!â
He didnât know what to do about that.
â- It was /terrible/, there were feathers everywhere, and honey, why would someone even think of selling feathers and honey in the same booth?!â
For an alpha, Kirishima was very⌠sweet. And /pretty/. Katsuki always wanted to touch his red hair because he never saw a person with this color, and his eyes were red too. Katsuki would think they were the same, but Kirishima never had problems with the sun â where Katsukiâs
pale skin burned terribly if not covered, dumb alpha was tanned like everyone else in the city, and never seemed to keep his uniform top closed.
Needless to say, Katsuki was a bit flustered when he ran into that bare chest on their first meeting.
With a soft sigh, he stretched
Needless to say, Katsuki was a bit flustered when he ran into that bare chest on their first meeting.
With a soft sigh, he stretched
his arms over the heavy basket resting in his lap, casting a quick look to the shadows. His free time was almost out.
âI would say youâre making this up, because it sounds too absurd to be true, but I guess your dumbass friends would be stupid enough to pull something like that
âI would say youâre making this up, because it sounds too absurd to be true, but I guess your dumbass friends would be stupid enough to pull something like that
off,â he shook his head with a soft snicker, something that always made Kirishima stare at him with an expression Katsuki couldnât put a name to.
Despite his puppy-like nature, he had a lot of those. Expressions Katsuki couldnât read.
But it was gone just as quickly as it
Despite his puppy-like nature, he had a lot of those. Expressions Katsuki couldnât read.
But it was gone just as quickly as it
appeared. âHey, donât say that! Theyâre great, you should meet them sometimes. Iâm sure youâd love them!â Kirishima was pouting as Katsuki stood up and dusted off his clothes before teasingly flicking his nose.
âI got you to deal with almost every day, not sure if I could handle
âI got you to deal with almost every day, not sure if I could handle
someone else just as annoying.â
Kirishima apparently didnât hear him â or wasnât listening more likely, eyebrows dipping in a sadder expression that always threw Katsuki off. âWait, are you leaving already?â
Like he /wanted/ Katsuki to stay longer. He knew dumbass didnât have
Kirishima apparently didnât hear him â or wasnât listening more likely, eyebrows dipping in a sadder expression that always threw Katsuki off. âWait, are you leaving already?â
Like he /wanted/ Katsuki to stay longer. He knew dumbass didnât have
a long break either, what was the point in wasting it on Katsuki?
He arched an eyebrow. âSome of us has actual work to do and canât laze around the city all day, you know.â
Kirishima offered a small smile at that. âWell then, will I see you tomorrow?â
âYou wish.â
He arched an eyebrow. âSome of us has actual work to do and canât laze around the city all day, you know.â
Kirishima offered a small smile at that. âWell then, will I see you tomorrow?â
âYou wish.â
It wasnât that Katsuki prided himself on being rude â it was that he /could/. In this city, with Kirishima. When everyone thought he was just another omega, and could talk to someone like Kirishima on equal grounds. Tease him back. Say the things he says. /Walk away/ whenever he
wanted because Kirishima would never try to grab him to stop him, and would never demand for him to stay longer.
And that made Katsuki feel things he didnât want to even think about.
âAwww, turned down again, mister guard? Maybe you should just give up already?â He heard one
And that made Katsuki feel things he didnât want to even think about.
âAwww, turned down again, mister guard? Maybe you should just give up already?â He heard one
of the vendors tease, no malice in their voice.
Just like always, he could easily picture Kirishima knocking his fists together with a bright grin.
âGiving up wouldnât be very manly of me, would it??â
Such a dumbass.
Just like always, he could easily picture Kirishima knocking his fists together with a bright grin.
âGiving up wouldnât be very manly of me, would it??â
Such a dumbass.
Katsuki bit back a grin of his own and shifted the basket in his arms. With the last soft sigh, head held high, he got on his track back home.
âCan I have an apple?â
âNope.â
âBut Katsukiii â â
He paid no attention to Kirishimaâs pitiful whine, focused on re-arranging the apples in the basket so they wouldnât topple at the first movement. Damn, he shouldâve got less â
âNope.â
âBut Katsukiii â â
He paid no attention to Kirishimaâs pitiful whine, focused on re-arranging the apples in the basket so they wouldnât topple at the first movement. Damn, he shouldâve got less â
âBut I really want an apple, and I donât have any money on me to buy one,â Kirishima whined again, sprawled on his back on the fountain edge and tugging lightly on the sheer fabric of Katsukiâs sleeve. âAnd you have so many â canât you really give me a single itty bitty apple?â
Katsuki only snorted, flicking the alpha on the forehead. âSucks to be you, then.â
âYouâre so mean!â
He shifted to get up, only to knock the basket with his shoulder, toppling the apple pyramid Katsukiâd been so carefully building.
âYouâre so mean!â
He shifted to get up, only to knock the basket with his shoulder, toppling the apple pyramid Katsukiâd been so carefully building.
They watched as one of the apples fell into the fountain, bobbed a few times and merrily drifted away to the further end of the fountain.
âI changed my mind, you can have that one.â
âKatsukiii!â
âI changed my mind, you can have that one.â
âKatsukiii!â
There was a reason Katsuki was only a mere servant.
It wasnât that he wasnât grateful for that â and how fucked up it was, that he was fucking grateful for not being molested on daily basis, thank you very much â but he did think about it sometimes.
It wasnât that he wasnât grateful for that â and how fucked up it was, that he was fucking grateful for not being molested on daily basis, thank you very much â but he did think about it sometimes.
That maybe, if he was prettier, better omega, he wouldnât be stuck in this life.
But his eyes are unnerving red, and whatever color his hair used to have had long since been bleached from working long hours in the sun. His physique is not delicate despite all the signs that it
But his eyes are unnerving red, and whatever color his hair used to have had long since been bleached from working long hours in the sun. His physique is not delicate despite all the signs that it
should be â his waistline is ruined by the muscles, and his arms could hardly stay as thin as his wrists with all the heavy lifting he had to do. His hands were rough too, covered in countless little scars from burns and nicks and cuts, and more were hidden under his loose
clothing. So when Kirishima said â
âItâs so unfair when you look like this! Itâs like I want to look away but canât, youâre too pretty!â
He had no idea what to think of it.
So he always settled on, âDonât look, then, if my appearance bothers you too much,â and Kirishima would
âItâs so unfair when you look like this! Itâs like I want to look away but canât, youâre too pretty!â
He had no idea what to think of it.
So he always settled on, âDonât look, then, if my appearance bothers you too much,â and Kirishima would
get one of his weird looks, like he had hard time processing what Katsuki just said.
They sit quietly for a bit, Katsuki folding clean laundry to take back to dry and Kirishima sitting by his side, one of the bins in his lap.
âDoesnât he tell you youâre pretty?â The alpha
They sit quietly for a bit, Katsuki folding clean laundry to take back to dry and Kirishima sitting by his side, one of the bins in his lap.
âDoesnât he tell you youâre pretty?â The alpha
finally asked, almost mumbled, and Katsuki had to fight back a disgusted expression.
It took him a bit to realize that Kirishima, sweet oaf that he was, didnât actually understand who Katsuki actually was. From what Katsuki could tell, his family only had a couple of servants,
It took him a bit to realize that Kirishima, sweet oaf that he was, didnât actually understand who Katsuki actually was. From what Katsuki could tell, his family only had a couple of servants,
so it shouldnât have been all that surprising that the alpha had no idea how to deal with slaves, but still. For once, he somehow disliked the word âmasterâ on itself, always saying âheâ when referring to Katsukiâs owner. And his questions though incredibly stupid most of the
time, didnât come from malicious thoughts.
Maybe it was wrong, but Katsuki⌠wasnât in a hurry to correct him. To tell that he was even less than a servant, that Kirishima shouldnât smile at him so sweetly and give him praise like that.
âMy Master doesnât care much for
Maybe it was wrong, but Katsuki⌠wasnât in a hurry to correct him. To tell that he was even less than a servant, that Kirishima shouldnât smile at him so sweetly and give him praise like that.
âMy Master doesnât care much for
appearances,â Katsuki offered with a wry smile. âHe values people but how useful they are to him, not how they look. And if he did ââ He had to pause at that. What /would/ happen to him, if Shigaraki cared for anything in this world aside from his thirst for power?
âNevermind that.â He didnât want to think about it.
Maybe he was stuck living his life as a slave, but at least he had roof over his head and food. He was safe, as long as he didnât step out of line and followed his order. All in all, he was even /lucky/ it was Shigaraki who
Maybe he was stuck living his life as a slave, but at least he had roof over his head and food. He was safe, as long as he didnât step out of line and followed his order. All in all, he was even /lucky/ it was Shigaraki who
bought him all those years ago.
Katsuki had nothing to complain about. At least he didnât end up having to sell his body in some dingy brothel to keep himself fed â as an omega slave, he didnât have much options between that and servitude. And without the mark inked on his
Katsuki had nothing to complain about. At least he didnât end up having to sell his body in some dingy brothel to keep himself fed â as an omega slave, he didnât have much options between that and servitude. And without the mark inked on his
shoulder, he still needed an alpha or at least a beta mate to be considered a citizen, he couldnât have a job or property or- anything, really, otherwise.
Being an omega wouldnât suck that much if it wasnât for those stupid laws.
Shigaraki didnât have to do anything to keep
Being an omega wouldnât suck that much if it wasnât for those stupid laws.
Shigaraki didnât have to do anything to keep
Katsuki by his side â they both knew there was no other choice for him, is all.
âIâm not sure I like him very much,â Kirishima murmured, like it wasnât meant for Katsuki to be heard, poking at the loose straw of the bin.
It was cute, how petulant he looked. âYou and me both,
âIâm not sure I like him very much,â Kirishima murmured, like it wasnât meant for Katsuki to be heard, poking at the loose straw of the bin.
It was cute, how petulant he looked. âYou and me both,
then,â Katsuki huffed, folding the last of the clothes and pulling the bin from Kirishimaâs hands.
He had to go, now, before those confused and sad eyes made him blurt out something he didnât want to. Like tell Kirishima to quit this sickeningly sweet act when he knew nothing
He had to go, now, before those confused and sad eyes made him blurt out something he didnât want to. Like tell Kirishima to quit this sickeningly sweet act when he knew nothing
would ever come of it.
âSee you later, Red,â bins hefted carefully in his arms in the single way that would be more or less secure, he gave Kirishima a nod, not bothering to turn around when the alpha called after him, telling he would be waiting tomorrow.
âSee you later, Red,â bins hefted carefully in his arms in the single way that would be more or less secure, he gave Kirishima a nod, not bothering to turn around when the alpha called after him, telling he would be waiting tomorrow.
Even if Katsuki was just a servant, nothing wouldâve come out of this courting shall he ever give Kirishima a chance. Without his parents, the control over him went to the closest alpha to him⌠meaning Shigaraki.
This relationship was doomed from the very beginning, and on bad days Katsuki wondered how longer would it take until Kirishima stopped tormenting them both.
Sooo, this is it for the first part! Your thoughts? Also... POV switch to our sweet boy Kirishima in the next part? 
it´s 6 am an i feel like i signed my soul off to the devil, so toss spare some qrts and kudos, oh valley of plenty, of valley of plenty ~
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Act 2.
âWhatâs wrong with him?â Sero asked, not even pretended to be quiet as he nudged Kaminari with his elbow. There was no need to clarify who âheâ was, the problem was obvious from the first whiff of something that smelled vaguely like wet wood.
Kaminari shrugged. âIsnât it obvious? Heâs pining. Hey, Kirishima, Riot will kick you if you keep rubbing that spot.â
Eijirou blinked at the brush in his hands. Was he really cleaning the same spot?..
âSorry girl,â he murmured, gently petting his horse, who hardly paid him any
Eijirou blinked at the brush in his hands. Was he really cleaning the same spot?..
âSorry girl,â he murmured, gently petting his horse, who hardly paid him any
attention, too focused on her apples. Just like Katsuki didâ
âAaaand here we go again,â Sero clicked his tongue, his boots appearing in Eijirouâs line of sight where he sprawled over Riotâs back with a sad sigh. âSpill, lover boy, whatâs wrong? I know your pining, and this
âAaaand here we go again,â Sero clicked his tongue, his boots appearing in Eijirouâs line of sight where he sprawled over Riotâs back with a sad sigh. âSpill, lover boy, whatâs wrong? I know your pining, and this
isnât it.â
Well, that was because Eijirou didnât know if he could even pine anymore.
âHeâs got a collar,â he mumbled, petting Riotâs velvety back absent-mindedly, brushing all but forgotten. If it wasnât for the duty, heâd probably be drowning his woes in the wine, but he had
Well, that was because Eijirou didnât know if he could even pine anymore.
âHeâs got a collar,â he mumbled, petting Riotâs velvety back absent-mindedly, brushing all but forgotten. If it wasnât for the duty, heâd probably be drowning his woes in the wine, but he had
the night guard today, so. Being miserably sober it was.
âWhat? Can you speak any more unclear?â
Eijirou sighed once again. âI said, he has a wedding collar. Katsuki.â There was a double âAhhhâ as he kept going, âShowed up with the damned thing today. I was surprised,
âWhat? Can you speak any more unclear?â
Eijirou sighed once again. âI said, he has a wedding collar. Katsuki.â There was a double âAhhhâ as he kept going, âShowed up with the damned thing today. I was surprised,
obviously, because he didnât wear one before and I thought no one was courting him!â He wouldnât have been coming on so hard if he knew Katsuki was already taken⌠most likely. âBut turns out that master of his wasnât his /teacher/, he literally calls his /husband/ that. I mean,
how was I supposed to know, who even does that anymore?!â
He honestly thought that it was Katsukiâs teacher. Because he never⌠well. He never looked particularly happy when talking about the man. And â it made sense, kind of, an apprentice living with his stern teacher while
He honestly thought that it was Katsukiâs teacher. Because he never⌠well. He never looked particularly happy when talking about the man. And â it made sense, kind of, an apprentice living with his stern teacher while
he learned the ropes of the craft. Katsuki looked young enough, and it explained why he was always so busyâŚ
And now Eijirou had to shift his entire worldview on its axis because Katsuki didnât just have a stern teacher he had to get through. No, the pretty blond omega was
And now Eijirou had to shift his entire worldview on its axis because Katsuki didnât just have a stern teacher he had to get through. No, the pretty blond omega was
/married/.
âDamn⌠That sucks, man,â Kaminariâs light hand patted him on the back, his comforting honey scent filling the air. Eijirou didnât really need it, but he appreciated the comfort still. âDid he, uh, did he know you had no idea?â
âDamn⌠That sucks, man,â Kaminariâs light hand patted him on the back, his comforting honey scent filling the air. Eijirou didnât really need it, but he appreciated the comfort still. âDid he, uh, did he know you had no idea?â
Eijirou shook his head. âI donât think so? I mean, thatâd explain why he told me to quit it so many times, and told me not to be silly, butâŚâ He bit his lip. âI donât know, manâŚâ
To him, it made no sense. How could Katsuki â beautiful, radiant Katsuki â be married yet so
To him, it made no sense. How could Katsuki â beautiful, radiant Katsuki â be married yet so
unhappy?
âI mean. I nearly flipped into the damn fountain in surprise when I noticed it, and he was just so nonchalant about it? Said that the previous one was in working order but his husband threw this thing at him and /demanded/ he wore the thing from now on?â He frowned. He
âI mean. I nearly flipped into the damn fountain in surprise when I noticed it, and he was just so nonchalant about it? Said that the previous one was in working order but his husband threw this thing at him and /demanded/ he wore the thing from now on?â He frowned. He
wasnât sure he got this bit correctly since it felt like his head was dunked underwater from the mere idea that Katsuki was already taken, but he definitely got the gist of it.
âYou sure? Doesnât sound like a loving marriage to me,â Sero leaned against the stable railing, arms
âYou sure? Doesnât sound like a loving marriage to me,â Sero leaned against the stable railing, arms
crossed and an eyebrow arched. âUnless you heard it the way you want to hear.â
âOh come on, heâs pining but heâs not delusional,â Kaminari stepped in for him, and Eijirou lifted his head up to offer a weak grateful smile.
âOh come on, heâs pining but heâs not delusional,â Kaminari stepped in for him, and Eijirou lifted his head up to offer a weak grateful smile.
Which quickly slipped back into a frown. âIt was such an ugly thing, guys! Clearly expensive, but so ugly. Who even makes collars in green bronze, it stains skin, and Katsukiâs so pale already â â
Kaminari knocked his elbow with Sero. âBet he would spend more than a monthâs
Kaminari knocked his elbow with Sero. âBet he would spend more than a monthâs
payment to spoil that guy rotten.â
Sero shook his head. âI donât bet on things I know will happen for sure.â
Eijirou paid them no attention.
â- Shouldnât he look, well. At least a little bit more happy? Isnât that a symbol that his husband loves him and cares about him?
Sero shook his head. âI donât bet on things I know will happen for sure.â
Eijirou paid them no attention.
â- Shouldnât he look, well. At least a little bit more happy? Isnât that a symbol that his husband loves him and cares about him?
Wait, what if that was his birthday and I had no idea?!â
âOr, your dear Katsuki came back home smelling of unfamiliar alpha and his husband flipped his shit,â Sero chimed in with a wry grin, making Eijirou pause. Was it really his fault?..
âOr, your dear Katsuki came back home smelling of unfamiliar alpha and his husband flipped his shit,â Sero chimed in with a wry grin, making Eijirou pause. Was it really his fault?..
Wait, no, it couldnât be. âFor him to smell like me, Iâd actually have to /touch/ himâ, he huffed, just a little bit upset about the fact. âHe doesnât like being touched, and his home is quite a walk from our spot, so my scent should air out completely. Besides,â Eijirou bit his
lip, frowning once again. âI might flirt, but I never do anything he wouldnât like. He wants to keep distance, so I do. And Katsukiâs a free man, we can totally be friends if he wants to, his husband has no reason to get jealous.â
âBecause youâre the jealous one here.â
Eijirou threw Kaminari a glare, but the other alpha only shrugged, a silent âIâm right, arenât I?â
With a deep, sad sigh Eijirou deflated, sprawling over Riotâs back once again. âYeah. Yeah, youâre right. I just hopedâŚâ
Eijirou threw Kaminari a glare, but the other alpha only shrugged, a silent âIâm right, arenât I?â
With a deep, sad sigh Eijirou deflated, sprawling over Riotâs back once again. âYeah. Yeah, youâre right. I just hopedâŚâ
He hoped that he still had a chance. Because despite his initial hostility, Katsuki would talk to him now. And even if they would stay just friends, itâd be enough, it really would. Katsuki was smart and quick-witted, a tease when he wanted to be, impossibly pretty yet cursing
like a sailor, something that never failed to amuse Eijirou. If only they could do something more than their fleeting meetings by the fountain. If only Katsuki stopped looking so⌠/solemn/ every time he had to leave, the dark shadows under his eyes more prominent when he was
hidden by the shade of the alleyways.
Eijirou knew the omega had to work hard. He walked Katsuki back home once, because his wrist was bandaged and his basked seemed heavy, and the district they ended up at was clearly one of the poor ones. While Eijirou took pride in how hard
Eijirou knew the omega had to work hard. He walked Katsuki back home once, because his wrist was bandaged and his basked seemed heavy, and the district they ended up at was clearly one of the poor ones. While Eijirou took pride in how hard
his father worked as a mayor to achieve the best for their city, there were still people who struggled. Not as much as other cities heâd seen, but many people still had to work hard to make ends meet.
While it saddened him that the person he fell in love with struggled like that, he couldnât say a word â he knew Katsuki was prideful and wouldnât take kindly to anything that could be interpreted as pity. Eijirou hoped, then, that as his lover and maybe eventually even /mate/,
he would be able to offer help, but nowâŚ
What could he do now, without having his gestures terribly misinterpreted?
âHey. Hey man, cheer up! Just because heâs married doesnât mean anything,â Sero chimed in, sensing the atmosphere getting way too gloom. When Eijirou sank down,
What could he do now, without having his gestures terribly misinterpreted?
âHey. Hey man, cheer up! Just because heâs married doesnât mean anything,â Sero chimed in, sensing the atmosphere getting way too gloom. When Eijirou sank down,
he sank down deep, and it was always easier to cheer him up right away instead of letting him stir in his own thoughts.
âYeah?..â
âWell, of course. You said he didnât look happy, did he?â Kaminari added, patting his arm. âMaybe it was like, an arranged marriage! And his hand
âYeah?..â
âWell, of course. You said he didnât look happy, did he?â Kaminari added, patting his arm. âMaybe it was like, an arranged marriage! And his hand
was forced there!â
Eijirouâs eyes widened. âBut thatâs horrible! I donât want Katsuki to be stuck like that â â
âThen maybe you could help him with that! He wouldnât have to be stuck that way if you could help him out, right?â
Eijirouâs eyes widened. âBut thatâs horrible! I donât want Katsuki to be stuck like that â â
âThen maybe you could help him with that! He wouldnât have to be stuck that way if you could help him out, right?â
No, that didnât sound good either⌠âBut wouldnât it be just manipulation? I want him to /like/ me, not be with me because itâs his only choiceâŚâ
Sero groaned, rubbing his face. âNo, not like that! What weâre saying is, itâs not your fault if you woo him out of an unhappy
Sero groaned, rubbing his face. âNo, not like that! What weâre saying is, itâs not your fault if you woo him out of an unhappy
marriage, right? And maybe he would come to you for help, eventually. Ugh, how do I say it â â
âJust keep being his friend,â Kaminari smiled, and really, Eijirou had the best friends ever. âDonât push too hard, but let him know youâre interested if he is. Be yourself, and follow
âJust keep being his friend,â Kaminari smiled, and really, Eijirou had the best friends ever. âDonât push too hard, but let him know youâre interested if he is. Be yourself, and follow
your heart. I canât imagine that asshole husband is any better than you, dude. Remember, as long as theyâre not mates, you still have a chance!â
âThatâs rightâŚâ Eijirou did perk up a bit at that. He never saw Katsuki sport a mating mark just yet! Marriage was one thing, it
âThatâs rightâŚâ Eijirou did perk up a bit at that. He never saw Katsuki sport a mating mark just yet! Marriage was one thing, it
could come and go, but /mates/ - that was way more serious, mating bond was the deepest there could be.
âThanks, guys. I think â I can do that. Being myself, I mean. And be there for Katsuki. If heâs fine being with that guy, then itâs alright I guess, but if notâŚâ
âThanks, guys. I think â I can do that. Being myself, I mean. And be there for Katsuki. If heâs fine being with that guy, then itâs alright I guess, but if notâŚâ
Kaminari cheered, and Sero grinned at him with a resolute nod. Right. Eijirou just had to keep his head up.
As long as Katsuki could be happy with him, it was okay.
As long as Katsuki could be happy with him, it was okay.
Katsuki was /not/ happy.
âWhat the fuck is going on?â He almost growled, eyes narrowed as he watched the water under his feet. Which, Eijirou could understand, there was always something unnerving about seeing water where it wasnât supposed to be.
âWhat the fuck is going on?â He almost growled, eyes narrowed as he watched the water under his feet. Which, Eijirou could understand, there was always something unnerving about seeing water where it wasnât supposed to be.
âKatsuki! Hi!â He chirped, grinning as brightly as he could as he gave a quick wave to the vendor he was helping.
âThe fuck happened here?â Katsuki grumbled instead of greeting, and while it wasnât exactly unusual, Eijirou still had to pause for a moment. He looked way more
âThe fuck happened here?â Katsuki grumbled instead of greeting, and while it wasnât exactly unusual, Eijirou still had to pause for a moment. He looked way more
tired that usual, dark circles bright against pale skin of his cheeks and usually neat lines of his grey shawl sloppy.
If Eijirou wasnât mistaken, there was also a clear green smear from that stupid collar, just like he expected.
âRough night?â He asked with a tilt of his head,
If Eijirou wasnât mistaken, there was also a clear green smear from that stupid collar, just like he expected.
âRough night?â He asked with a tilt of his head,
the most polite version of saying the omega looked like shit. Well, as much as Katsuki could look like shit â he managed to look stellar even in the plain white of his clothes, the old faded color and all.
Katsuki took a deep breath, carding a hand through his hair and only
Katsuki took a deep breath, carding a hand through his hair and only
messing it up even more, knocking his hood off in the process. âDonât even say it. Just had some⌠annoyingly loud company over. There was wine involved,â he cringed, and Eijirou winced, catching red splotches on his arm where the sleeve rode up. They mustâve stayed outside if
Katsuki got sunburned, and he said those itched like hell.
Still, Eijirou grinned, leaning just a bit closer and taking a pretentious whiff. âOh-hoh, so someone is suffering from a hangover? You donât smell of alcohol though â â
Still, Eijirou grinned, leaning just a bit closer and taking a pretentious whiff. âOh-hoh, so someone is suffering from a hangover? You donât smell of alcohol though â â
âShove it,â Katsuki didnât let him finish by pushing him back with a palm on his face, and Eijirou wouldâve been angry, but like that, he could smell that sweet caramel scent from Katsukiâs wrist gland. Which was probably creepy, but a guy would take what he could.
âYou gonna tell me what happened or not?â He looked adorable as he huffed, crossing his arms and pouting â thought of course he would deny pouting.
Eijirou melted in a smile. âUh, something clogged the drainage and also clogged the mechanism, so they canât get the water to go
Eijirou melted in a smile. âUh, something clogged the drainage and also clogged the mechanism, so they canât get the water to go
down or turn off the fountain,â he explained, tapping his foot to make a light splash.
Katsuki grimaced. âWonderful. Guess Iâm not sticking around then.â He pouted even harder at the news and Eijirouâs heart fluttered a little at the idea that Katsuki was actually disappointed.
Katsuki grimaced. âWonderful. Guess Iâm not sticking around then.â He pouted even harder at the news and Eijirouâs heart fluttered a little at the idea that Katsuki was actually disappointed.
Because overflowing water meant no fountain time for them, and that Katsuki actually /liked/ their fountain time!
âWe can go somewhere else, then! Thereâs a park a short walk from here, how âbout that?â He offered eagerly, excited to go somewhere else for once. Somewhere more
âWe can go somewhere else, then! Thereâs a park a short walk from here, how âbout that?â He offered eagerly, excited to go somewhere else for once. Somewhere more
private, even! He could by them some cold tea, and maybe see if there were any sweets sold around â Katsuki liked sweets, didnât he? â and they could â
âSorry, Red, but I have to go,â Eijirouâs thoughts came to screeching halt when Katsuki shook his head instead of agreeing.
âSorry, Red, but I have to go,â Eijirouâs thoughts came to screeching halt when Katsuki shook his head instead of agreeing.
âA park sounds⌠fucking nice, actually, but I canât. Sorry,â he offered a wry smile, not a hint of amusement in his expression, and Eijirou could feel his own smile slipping.
Katsuki really did want to stick around, huh.
Katsuki really did want to stick around, huh.
âItâs alright! Hopefully itâll be fixed tomorrow, yeah?â Smile back on, he grinned like nothing happened, grinning a bit more genuine when Katsukiâs smile got a hint warmer too. âJust watch your step, itâs really slippery here, easy to fall. Wouldnât want that, would we?â
Katsuki only scoffed. âYeah, right, like I would do something so fuuuuck-!â
Of course, it took him exactly two steps to slip up, nearly ending up on his butt if it wasnât for Eijirou swooping in like the gallant guardian he was.
âYou were saying?â He snickered, trying not to
Of course, it took him exactly two steps to slip up, nearly ending up on his butt if it wasnât for Eijirou swooping in like the gallant guardian he was.
âYou were saying?â He snickered, trying not to
pay attention to his hands on Katsukiâs waist and how /thin/ it felt. Fuck, could he wrap his wrists fully around it?..
âOh fuck you! Lemme go, you dumb brute â hey!â
Eijirou didnât wait for Katsuki to slip once again as the omega trashed in his arms. Instead, he easily
âOh fuck you! Lemme go, you dumb brute â hey!â
Eijirou didnât wait for Katsuki to slip once again as the omega trashed in his arms. Instead, he easily
lifted him up in his arms, grinning so brightly it hurt because damn it, but it felt /right/ to hold Katsuki in his arms like that.
It also helped that he was too flabbergasted by Eijirouâs audacity to do much but gape at him.
It also helped that he was too flabbergasted by Eijirouâs audacity to do much but gape at him.
âI think itâd be safer if I just carry you to the dry land, o fair maiden!â
âAre you an idiot?!â Katsuki seemed to unfreeze at that, smacking Eijirou on the back of his head yet smart enough not to writhe too much to get dropped down. âPut me down, dumbass! Fair-fucking-maiden,
âAre you an idiot?!â Katsuki seemed to unfreeze at that, smacking Eijirou on the back of his head yet smart enough not to writhe too much to get dropped down. âPut me down, dumbass! Fair-fucking-maiden,
I can walk on my own!â
âOh come on,â Eijirou laughed as Katsuki pushed his elbow against his cheek. âItâs safer this way, promise! Trust me, I know -!â
Eijirou did not know what he was doing.
âOh come on,â Eijirou laughed as Katsuki pushed his elbow against his cheek. âItâs safer this way, promise! Trust me, I know -!â
Eijirou did not know what he was doing.
His tailbone /hurt/. His head somehow didnât, but then again, everyone always joked that it was made of stone.
As soon as the world stopped spinning and he realized what just happened, he sat up with a gasp, very much concerned over the weight currently sitting on his stomach.
As soon as the world stopped spinning and he realized what just happened, he sat up with a gasp, very much concerned over the weight currently sitting on his stomach.
Alarmingly little weight, but that wasnât his main worry at the moment.
Loud hiccup broke the silence, and Eijirouâs heart /shattered/.
Oh no.
âKatsuki?! Gods, I am so sorry â are you hurt? Did you hit anything?!â He grabbed the shaking omega by the wrists, head spinning
Loud hiccup broke the silence, and Eijirouâs heart /shattered/.
Oh no.
âKatsuki?! Gods, I am so sorry â are you hurt? Did you hit anything?!â He grabbed the shaking omega by the wrists, head spinning
either in distraught or from light concussion, only to blink in confusion as Katsuki thumped his forehead against Eijirouâs shoulder.
âYou â you /dumbass/,â he wheezed, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his stomach.
âYou â you /dumbass/,â he wheezed, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes as he wrapped his arms around his stomach.
âItâs s-safer this way!â
Oh. He wasnât crying. He was howling with laughter.
âHow can â how can someone be so stupid?!â He tried to take a breath but one look at Eijirouâs face threw him off cackling again.
Oh. He wasnât crying. He was howling with laughter.
âHow can â how can someone be so stupid?!â He tried to take a breath but one look at Eijirouâs face threw him off cackling again.
One by one, people around them started laughing too, yet Eijirou couldnât bring himself to be even the tiniest bit embarrassed.
âYeah,â he mumbled in agreement, slowly wrapping shaking Katsuki in his embrace, soaking in this moment, the sweet happy scent surrounding them,
âYeah,â he mumbled in agreement, slowly wrapping shaking Katsuki in his embrace, soaking in this moment, the sweet happy scent surrounding them,
the bright sheen of those ruby red eyes, the /laughter/. âSo stupid.â
He could agree to be dumbest man in the world if it would keep Katsuki in his arms like this.
He could agree to be dumbest man in the world if it would keep Katsuki in his arms like this.
âShigaraki Tomura! Itâs a pleasure to finally meet you in person,â his father grinned, shaking hands with the man introduced to them as Eijirou watched in curiosity.
The guy was an alpha, but his scent wasnât very strong â he liked that, Eijirou supposed, he had more respect
The guy was an alpha, but his scent wasnât very strong â he liked that, Eijirou supposed, he had more respect
for those who could keep from flaunting their hormones in everyoneâs face. Something upper elite of the city was prone to do more often than not.
âMayor Toyomitsu, the pleasure is all mine. I heard a lot about you,â the man offered back, voice low and raspy.
He was weird.
âMayor Toyomitsu, the pleasure is all mine. I heard a lot about you,â the man offered back, voice low and raspy.
He was weird.
Kirishima wasnât sure heâd seen the man before, because he definitely wouldâve remembered somehow like Shigaraki. He stood out almost in every way, from his pale hair to his dark purple robes, uncommon color in the city for how hard it was to get the dyes for it. It definitely
marked the man as a foreigner, thought Eijirou couldnât tell how he felt about the blatant disregard of even trying to fit in.
âAnd this is - ?â
âAnd this is - ?â
âAh, this is Eijirou! Kirishima Eijirou, my son. Heâs aiming to be the head of the royal guard!â Toyomitsuâs booming voice pulled Eijirou out of his thoughts and he smiled sheepishly at his fatherâs prideful words.
âKirishima?..â Shigaraki inclined his head, offering Eijirou
âKirishima?..â Shigaraki inclined his head, offering Eijirou
a handshake that he returned.
âMy late sisterâs family name after marriage. Didnât need to deny lad his heritage to call him my own,â his father explained with an easy shrug, long since used to the story, while Eijirou couldnât hide his surprise at the unexpectedly firm
âMy late sisterâs family name after marriage. Didnât need to deny lad his heritage to call him my own,â his father explained with an easy shrug, long since used to the story, while Eijirou couldnât hide his surprise at the unexpectedly firm
handshake.
âI see. Pleasure to meet you too, young Kirishima. Now, if you will excuse me â â
He didnât pay that interaction any more mind after that. Just another person one of many, and while Shigaraki was unusual, he was hardly the weirdest person in the room. There was
âI see. Pleasure to meet you too, young Kirishima. Now, if you will excuse me â â
He didnât pay that interaction any more mind after that. Just another person one of many, and while Shigaraki was unusual, he was hardly the weirdest person in the room. There was
something vaguely familiar about him too, but that was probably just his imagination. Eijirou all but forgot about it, sulking on his own in the corner as he watched the partying crowd, wishing he could snuck in his friends or maybe even /Katsuki/. He would look good in lush
robes, white and red and gold, and all the pretty jewelry Eijirou could get him to match his eyes and hair!..
âItâs a relief to know that Katsuki spends his free time in company of such a reliable young man.â
âItâs a relief to know that Katsuki spends his free time in company of such a reliable young man.â
Eijirou almost dropped his glass as he whirled around, heart dropping in his stomach as he met eyes with a silver-haired alpha in dark robes.
Shigaraki didnât look bothered by his startled expression one bit.
Shigaraki didnât look bothered by his startled expression one bit.
âI was worried that he was off getting in trouble with someone much less⌠/respectable/. Wouldnât be surprising with his looks and temper, you know?â
/Thatâs/ what was familiar. The scent. Note of anise he thought was a part of Katsukiâs own scent when the omega was unhappy.
/Thatâs/ what was familiar. The scent. Note of anise he thought was a part of Katsukiâs own scent when the omega was unhappy.
Clearly, he was wrong.
âMy apologies. Would â is there any problem with it?â Eijirou prided himself on how his voice didnât shake one bit. âKatsuki didnât say he wants us to stop talking just yet, and heâs free to decide that for himself.â
âMy apologies. Would â is there any problem with it?â Eijirou prided himself on how his voice didnât shake one bit. âKatsuki didnât say he wants us to stop talking just yet, and heâs free to decide that for himself.â
Somehow, Shigaraki found that funny. With a low chuckling that made Eijirouâs hair stand on end, the other alpha twirled his whine glass, eyes narrowed in amusement.
âMmm, he is, isnât he? Itâs not like I /own/ him, after all.â
âMmm, he is, isnât he? Itâs not like I /own/ him, after all.â
Eijirou still couldnât fathom what was so amusing in this situation.
âI only wanted to ask you to be careful, is all. Katsuki is⌠a very /delicate/ creature, after all. Would be terrible if something happened to him, right?â
âI only wanted to ask you to be careful, is all. Katsuki is⌠a very /delicate/ creature, after all. Would be terrible if something happened to him, right?â
And just like he appeared, the man was gone, leaving Eijirou frozen in place and trying to put his scrambling thoughts together.
âSon? You okay?â Familiar heavy hand was placed gently on his shoulder, but he kept watching Shigaraki as the alpha talked to someone else, his expression and gestures light and easy, like nothing had just happened between them.
âYeah. Itâs â itâs okay, I think I just had too much wine.
How could â
It couldnât be â
It couldnât be that Katsuki was married to /this man/.
It just couldnât be.
...Could it?
It couldnât be â
It couldnât be that Katsuki was married to /this man/.
It just couldnât be.
...Could it?
End of the Act 2.
Intermission.
you have no idea how hard i cackled writing that last scene. im pretty sure that's one of my favorites here! anyway, we're switching back to Katsuki in the next bit and seriously, drop some qrts, I'll love you forever.
now im off cuz im obviously mad to stay up this late lmao
now im off cuz im obviously mad to stay up this late lmao
