mixingbowl | Fantasy AU catchall

[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?

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.

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!

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.]

[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.

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?

[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.]

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

... Is this the horse that got spooked?

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.

[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?

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.

Not too far.

[... You know what, Shouto should've figured out a cover name a while back. As it stands, he just looks off balance for a moment.] Shou.

[Now, that was odd. If Shou had gotten injured during their scuffle with the bandits, Izuku might've been a bit more worried, but... as it is, there's no reason why he would've hesitated before giving his name.

Izuku presses his thumb into his bottom lip, studying Shou again before internally shrugging and letting it go. For now.]

Well...nice to meet you, Shou!

[Whatever Shou's hiding, Izuku figures he'll know about it later, if he really does hire him. Even if Aizawa would tell him he's being too naive, Izuku doesn't think it would hurt letting him stay a mystery for now. He'd rushed in to help Izuku, after all. That has to count for something in the trust department!]

You too, Izuku.

[All Shouto really wants to do is keep his name to himself and find some employment somewhere his father can't touch him. The name he gave is close enough to his real one that it doesn't really feel like his lying. Besides, it'll be easier to remember to respond to it if he does end up working for Izuku.]

[Ah, Shou seems a bit quiet, but he's nice enough! At least Izuku doesn't mind filling in the silence with chatter on his own, jumping from how nice the market in the castle town is (you'll really like it Shou!) to the talented smith he's made friends with recently (Mei's really young, but you wouldn't think so when you see her workmanship!).

Of course, there's no fending off the curiosity forever. It's no surprise that Izuku eventually begins asking questions.]

Are you from around here, Shou? You're traveling so lightly.

[He's actually relieved that Izuku is so chatty. It makes it easier for Shouto not to have to make up things.

But that's... true. He actually is from the neighboring kingdom, but saying that will definitely give his game away.]

Not really. I got robbed by bandits recently. While I was asleep. I only woke up when they were trying to take the stuff that was strapped to me.

[That sounds believable enough, doesn't it? It explains why he's carrying so little and why he has his sword and coin pouch.]

Oh no... [When Izuku looks over at him this time, his eyes fill with dismay.]

You were robbed??! You should've said something earlier, Shou! [Even if it wasn't Shou's intention to get Izuku's sympathy, that's definitely what happens.] I'll...do whatever I can to help you find a job!

[Uuuh... this kid has a really soft heart and now Shouto's worried that somebody's going to take advantage of his trusting nature.]

They're long gone by now. I didn't think it was that important.

[But Shouto's view on that is pretty skewed. He has some money and he has a sword.]

But ... [Izuku shakes his head. Maybe it's because it happened a while ago, but he's surprised that Shou's taking this so calmly.]

Even if you say that, that's still a terrible thing to have happen to you. [Izuku reaches over to curl his fingers around Shou's wrist, meeting Shou's eyes with his earnest green ones.] You'll let me know if you need help, right? If you're staying in the town, we can keep in touch!

You're the one who needed rescuing before.

[Why can't he just take the help and not criticize?

While Izuku looks into his eyes, he can see that they're two very different colors, gray and teal. There wasn't anything to be done about his eye color. His hair was the easy part.]

If anything, you should tell me when you need help.

[It's kind of refreshing to have Sou be so straightforward with him.]

You're not going to let me forget that any time soon, are you? Just because you helped me out first doesn't mean I can't return the favor, you know!

[What's tact and what is it used for?]

It is how we met. ... Though that's true. Finding me a job would be the biggest favor.

I'm going to run out of funds if I don't start working.

Then, that's what I'll do! I'll put in a good word for you and everything.

[Now that he knows the misfortune that Shou had run into earlier, Izuku's determined to help him settle in.]

It's the least I can do.

Thanks.

[Should he... be feeling guilty about his own poor lack of packing? His father would've noticed if Shouto took more than what belonged to him. Enji would've locked him up and reminded him of his place.

... No. He shouldn't feel guilty over this.]

If you ever want to go into the woods, let me know.

[Immediately, Izuku looks cheered by the offer.] I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Shou!

[As they draw closer to the castle, Izuku begins to wonder if he should, well, warn Shou about his status. But before Izuku can decide, a patrol spots them just when they're leaving the line of trees behind.]

Your highness!! [They call out, hurrying toward them. Izuku winces.]

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