mixingbowl | Fantasy AU catchall

[Holy shit. Oh he's so fucked-- Wait no. Izuku didn't recognize him and Shouto didn't recognize him either.

Maybe he can work somewhere he's less likely to be found out. Except he's also mentioned working for him instead and it would be weird if he did a total 180 from that stance.]

... Should I bow?

[That's what they do in his kingdom, but it's different here. It's a lot less damning than "why have I never heard of you?"]

[The look of horror on Izuku's face would probably be comical if Shou wasn't worried about blowing his cover.]

Oh, please don't. [He blurts out, shaking his head emphatically.] You...you don't have to act differently just because you know who I am now.

[It had been nice, just talking with Shou earlier, without a care for status. All the bowing and scraping that he gets nowadays makes him uncomfortable, and there's no break from it when the townspeople all know your face.]

[Part of him feels like he should, but the rest of him is more than willing to accept it. There's no way he'll ever remember to bow in the presence of royalty. He never even did it for his father.

It's one less thing he needs to remember.]

If you say so. Remember, you asked me not to.

[Oh, phew. That took a lot less convincing than Izuku would've thought.] Trust me, I'd prefer it this way!

[His relief is short-lived, though, when the patrol arrives.] Your Highness, the king has been asking for you!

Thanks. I'll head over immediately. [Izuku looks just a bit uncomfortable as he addresses the soldiers.] Um, here! We ran into some bandits not too far from here. Can you take care of them?

[Once he's passed the horse's reins over to them, Izuku takes a hold of Shou's wrist and tugs him toward the town's gates.] You might as well come with me. I did say I'd help you find a job, and there's no better person to ask than the king!

[He didn't think this through at all. Though he's quiet as Izuku gives the horse over to the guards and Shouto needs to find something to say. He doesn't look quite as obviously like Shouto Todoroki, but is this disguise going to keep this kingdom's king fooled? He doesn't think so.

Izuku can still take him easily as Shouto falls into quiet while his brain works on overdrive.]

Does the king need a swordsman?

[Yeah, that's not suspicious, right? He doesn't think it's suspicious.]

Well, not exactly... but he might know someone who does.

[Despite how scrawny Izuku might look at first glance, his grip around Shou's wrist is a strong one--besides, Shou's the first person in ages who doesn't seem too deterred by his status. He's not going to get away any time soon.

They make their way through the marketplace, Izuku even waving bashfully at a few shop owners as he passes by.]

Is it you?

[Izuku's stronger than he looks. That's a good thing for a potential ruler. That means people who are dealing with him will underestimate his strength in battle. Any advantage in a fight.]

They seem fond of you.

[Cough!!] He's definitely tried to convince me to find a personal guard recently...

[Then, he squirms a little, trying not to look too pleased.] You think so?

You did get jumped in the woods. [He's never going to let this go.]

I don't usually see townspeople that friendly with their rulers.

It's...sort of a long story. [His smile goes a little wobbly, even as Izuku tries to hold onto his cheer.]

Ah, the castle's just ahead! We're almost there.

[What a subtle change in topic! Also don't mind Izuku just picking up the pace a little, like he's trying to flee from the conversation--which might've worked if he wasn't still holding onto Shou's hand.]

[Something Izuku doesn't want to talk about? He'll keep that in mind. Though he doesn't think they'll be able to avoid it forever.]

What's the king like?

He's really kind! [Now here's a topic that Izuku could easily go on and on about. There's no hesitation whatsoever when he answers.]

Toshinori's the kind of ruler that really cares about his people. It'd be hard to find someone as honorable and fair as he is. U-um, that's just my opinion, anyway!

[How odd that he calls him "Toshinori" instead of "dad", though. Not that Izuku notices, too caught up in his enthusiasm.]

You call him by name.

[Weird! Even Shouto calls his father "shitty old man".]

It's good that you think that, but do the people?

[It takes everything in him not to freeze in place. Note to self: Shou's observant!]

I'm sure the people feel that way. [He's fairly certain, because he used to be one of them.

The castle's gates loom in front of them now, the guards immediately letting Izuku and Shou through when they spot the prince.

Izuku looks at him.] Ready to meet him?

[ What he thinks: hell no. What he says: ] As ready as I've ever be to meet a king.

Don't worry, it'll be fine! [Izuku chirps, trying his best to reassure his new friend (friend, right?), despite being oblivious to Shou's internal struggle.] Toshinori's really easy to talk to.

[Before they know it, they're already walking up to the throne room and ushered inside. There's no mistaking the way Izuku's expression lights up with genuine admiration when he sees the king standing there.]

Ah, my boy there you are! [There's also no denying that Toshinori has a presence about him, friendly as he might be. Once he's given Izuku a hearty clap on the shoulder, he turns his shrewd blue eyes onto Shouto.] Who's this?

[Shouto looks minorly panicked. Even though he seems like a kind person, he's still a king. And Shouto is still technically in enemy territory in this castle.

As Toshinori's gaze settles on him, Shouto kneels like a knight would in the service of a king. It's fine. It's fine. This isn't his father.]

My name is Shou. I'm here looking for a job. Do you know anybody who needs a swordsman?

A swordsman, you say? [When Toshinori falls silent, apparently contemplative as his piercing gaze lingers on Shouto, Izuku decides to hop in with a tentative little smile.]

He helped me out when some bandits attacked me this morning, Toshinori. He's really reliable. [Even though Izuku had hoped to keep that particular thing secret from Toshinori, he's not going to keep it quiet if it'll help Shouto find a job. That wouldn't be fair of him at all.]

Did he now. [That seems to make up Toshinori's mind about something.] If Izuku here speaks so highly of you, then I've got just the job for you.

[It's still really strange to hear a son refer to his father by name. But maybe this just means they're close? Shouto's not the right person to ask about normal families. His is so much a mess he left his kingdom entirely.]

I did.

... You do? [He can't imagine what needs guarding. Other than Izuku himself, but there's no way a king would assign a complete stranger to a prince's side. There have to be other people around for that.]

I do! [Finally, out comes the smile, the heavy gaze finally letting up. Izuku's knees almost buckle under the strength of the king's hand as he claps his shoulder again with a boisterous laugh.]

Young Izuku here needs a personal guard. I've been telling him to hire one for some time now. Why, the two of you have been getting along, and he seems to trust you. Sounds to me like you've already gotten a head start if you choose to accept!

[Thumbs up! In contrast to the king's pleased smile, Izuku whips his head around to stare at his new dad, eyes just get wider and wider as Toshinori talks.] Eh??? Wait, don't I get a say in this?!

[ Holy shit. What's happening here?

Shouto looks bewildered as his gaze settles on Izuku. ]

Do you want me?

[ Belatedly he realizes how that sounds. ]

[Unfortunately, Izuku knows exactly what's going on here, and he feels ridiculous for not having seen what would happen when he brought Shou along to see Toshinori.]

I... [Oh no, don't ask him that! Izuku covers his face, trying to ignore the king's amused chuckle. If he weren't so set about having a guard before this, Izuku would admit that this arrangement would work out well. Shou would have a place to stay and a steady source of income, Izuku would have a companion that he already likes, and Toshinori and his mother would both feel better knowing he's protected. Sensing Toshinori's gaze on him, Izuku sighs, letting his hands drop back to his side.]

I wouldn't mind, if you really want the job. You should probably know what you're getting into, though.

[... He's been kneeling for the better part of this conversation and he feels kind of weird about it. On the other hand, best to make a good impression on the king, right? He can suffer a bruised knee.]

Then you should tell me about it. If anybody knows about the job, you would.

[Izuku finally snaps out of his shock and pulls Shouto to his feet, shaking his head.]

Then...I'll tell you. Not here, though. [He lowers his voice slightly as he says the last part, glancing at Toshinori uncertainly. The king nods, waving them off when Izuku looks hesitant to leave.] Get him settled, my boy. We'll can talk later.

[Still feeling like everything happened way too fast, Izuku gives his king a shallow bow before tugging Shouto out of the throne hall with him.]

[Shouto gets up and allows Izuku to tug him to... wherever they're going?]

... Where are we going?

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