Fantasy AU catchall

[inheritance]

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[glaciers]

[ It's been sixteen years of being told exactly what to do and exactly how to act. But he's been able to observe his father's lands and what he finds... is lacking. The commoners aren't being treated well, the nobility is taking advantage of them.

And Shouto? He's nothing more than his father's favored child. Which meant relentless training. One day he would inherit all the lands the Todoroki family was able to conquer but Shouto has no need of it. He's had enough of being used like a pawn for his father to control.

Only a few servants and knights in the castle are on his side. The few are willing to sneak him out. "Go now, Shouto. While you still have a chance." A sword is hastily tied to his belt, some gold, some food. Enough for him to survive for a week and a half.

There's a kingdom just a stone's throw over, ruled by Toshinori. His father despised the man and his flourishing kingdom. That's enough reason to find a place there. His father wouldn't expect him in the home of his enemy. If he can properly disguise himself, dye his hair keep his hair long enough to cover the scar- he'll be fine.

A few days later and he gets as far as dying his hair completely red before somebody seems to be in a fight with a bandit. Another is right behind the victim, about to slash down on the stranger's unprotected back. His father would leave them to their fate, but Shouto needs to be better than that.

He rushes up and parries the blade, easily disarming the less skilled opponent.]

Watch your back.

[inheritance]

[Aizawa is going to kill him for going off on his own, is Izuku's first thought when he gets ambushed. What was supposed to be just a quick ride into the nearby woods to cool off after this morning's meeting has turned into something much worse--already he has a few bruises and cuts that he knows he cannot hide from his father's advisor or the royal physician.

Eyes wide, Izuku whirls around just in time to see the stranger fending off an attacker that he didn't even notice. If he hadn't helped... well, it's probably for the best that they don't have to find out.]

Thanks! [Izuku grimaces as he clashes blades with the first bandit, then finally manages to knock him out with the pommel of his sword. Adjusting his vest, Izuku quickly scans the area for more surprises, just a bit relieved when he finds none. He has no idea why these bandits attacked him when he made sure to dress down, with clothes more suited to a well-traveled merchant than a prince, but he can worry about that once the last bandit is taken care of. Izuku turns back toward Todoroki, ready to jump in if his help is needed.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto looks around, searching for any other potential threats. After some tense minutes of searching their surroundings, it seems to be just the two of them.

He doesn't know enough about his fellow royalty to recognize them on sight. So he can't recognize who this person is... at all. At least he doesn't seem like any kind of threat and he doesn't seem like the type to drag him all the way back to Enji's kingdom.

The stranger looks like a merchant, though he hardly seems to be carrying around any wares. If he's lucky, maybe he can land a job.]

Were you going somewhere?

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Just for a ride. [Once it's clear that the danger's passed, Izuku sheaths his sword and begins rooting through the first bandit's pack.

His eyes are sharp and authoritative when he glances up at Todoroki.]

Do you have some rope on you? It doesn't feel safe leaving them here, where they can attack someone else later when they're awake again.

[Sure, he can send knights out to investigate later, but the bandits would probably be long gone by then.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto looks completely baffled by this question. Look at him, all he's got are the clothes on his back, a small bag and a sword strapped to his waist.

Where would he even keep rope?]

I don't. This is all I've got on me.

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[Izuku's face flushes slightly when he realizes he hasn't been paying as much attention as he should've. Just because someone makes a striking picture doesn't mean he should get distracted by them!

Luckily, Izuku manages to find some rope in the bag he's rummaging through and makes quick work for the bandits.]

Thanks for your help earlier. I would've been in a lot of trouble if you hadn't showed up. [His face lights up with his smile as he straightens up.] Where are you headed?

[glaciers]

Shouldn't you bring them to the kingdom for trial? Or something.

[Shouto gives a little shrug.]

There were only two of them. You probably would've been fine. Just... more injured. [Well, now's his chance. He needs a job and this guy is indebted to him, right? Right.] Nowhere in particular. I'm looking for someone who'd employ a swordsman.

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Normally, I would, but... my horse ran off when they attacked me earlier. [Sheepishly, Izuku rubs the back of his neck. He knows he had been careless this time.] There should be some knights patrolling this area--I'll point them in this direction.

A lot more injured! I think that's worth a thanks. [Izuku peers at him, green eyes earnest.] Hey, why don't you come along with me? I'm heading back to the castle, you know. If you're looking for a job, I'm sure there's someone who could use your skills!

[glaciers]

We could try dragging them.

[There's one for each of them. Plus it's another way he could prove himself while he's in the capitol. "See, look. I stopped robbers. I'm useful."

Shouto eyes over the stranger before nodding. The castle? Maybe he's a guest?]

Do you want to hire me? It seems like you could use the help.

[Rude, Shouto.]

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[Izuku blushes furiously, knowing that Todoroki isn't exactly wrong.] You wouldn't be the first one to bring up having a guard...

[His father and a few others being the others, that is. Not that Todoroki knows that.]

I...I'll think about it. [His eyes flick back toward the unconscious bandits.] Working for me would be a lot more complicated than you think.

[glaciers]

You got attacked and your horse ran away.

[He's just calling it like he sees it. Maybe the stranger just gets into trouble? That seems about right.]

Should we get going?

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[It's true, he's notorious for being a trouble magnet at this point.]

Y-yeah! We could each take one... [A rustling in the nearby bushes catches Izuku's attention, and he trails off, reaching for his sword again.

Could it be...more bandits???

Apparently not, because it's not a human that steps into the clearing to join them, but a horse. The light brown mare whickers softly and then shoves her muzzle into Izuku's chest.]

[glaciers]

[At least being near him is never boring. Not that Shouto knows this yet.]

... Is this the horse that got spooked?

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You came back! [Yup, looks like this is the horse, if the way Izuku's beaming and patting along her neck is any sign.] Just in time, too.

[Izuku tilts his head toward the bandits now, smiling.] Let's get them onto her back and take them to the castle. They'll know what to do with them there.

[glaciers]

[This means that Shouto will just be trotting alongside the stranger and his horse. Yeah, that's fine.

Shouto takes the ropes on one of them and starts dragging them over to the horse.]

How far are we from the castle anyway?

[inheritance]

About twenty minutes, on foot. [Depending if they run into any more complications along the way, he doesn't have to say.

Izuku takes over from there, lifting the two unconscious men up without much effort and then draping them over his horse's back.]

Okay, that should do it. [As he's wrapping the reins around his hand, Izuku turns toward him with a curious little look.] What's your name, anyway? I'm Izuku.

Ill-Advised Tavern Adventures

[inheritance]

[So, if Shou thought Izuku would forget about their plans for the night, he's sorely mistaken. All throughout the day, as Shou accompanies Izuku through his duties, Izuku's been sending quiet, but excited looks in his direction, though he's disciplined enough not to say anything.

And finally, when evening rolls around, Izuku peeks into Shou's chambers with a wide smile.]

I've got some of my old clothes stored away--think those should work for tonight?

[He's not naive to think that any of his castle clothes would pass the test, when even the plainest ones are so finely made.]

Re: Ill-Advised Tavern Adventures

[glaciers]

[Why does he have to suffer a prince who wants to get into trouble? He looks tired from a whole day of following Izuku around, but he hasn't yet adjusted to it.

He's alert enough to tug Izuku out of the way if somebody recognizes him.]

Yeah. These don't look like they came from money.

[So blunt.]

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[Blunt is what Izuku wants! He beams at Shou before grabbing his ratty cloak to complete the look.]

That's exactly what I was hoping for. Now we'll be able to blend in with everyone else.

[With the disguise complete, Izuku trots out of the room, beckoning for Shou to join him. Patiently, they sneak through the halls, ducking out of the way of any servants or guards. And then, finally, they're out of the castle without any mishap. Whew.]

[glaciers]

[Shouto comes along, following Izuku's pace.]

Do you know where the bars in town are?

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Sure. There's a couple closer to the castle that the guards like to visit.

[Izuku taps his cheek thoughtfully.] We shouldn't go there. I'll be recognized easily, even in these clothes. There are other taverns closer to the outskirts of the city that we can try instead.

[glaciers]

Is anybody expecting you home early? How far is the edge of the city?

[inheritance]

Toshinori and my mother should be busy planning the ball. As long as we don't stay out until the morning, it should be fine.

[The questions only make Izuku smile--it just tells him that Shou's taking this all seriously, which he appreciates.]

Maybe about twenty minutes, if we walk? There's one not too far from the gate that we came in from yesterday.

[glaciers]

[Out from one royal family into another. At least he's not the prince this time around. Though with the way he still carries himself, anybody paying attention to him might think Shouto's some kind of foreign dignitary or higher up.]

We can stay out for an hour and a half. Then we need to get back.

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[Izuku tilts his head, thinking it over, and then gives a quick nod in agreement.]

An hour and a half sounds reasonable enough. It's the first time we're doing this and we don't want to go overboard.

[Even though Izuku would like to stay there longer, even he knows that being gone from the castle for that long would only be pushing their luck.]