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?!
[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 accepted when he agreed to listen...probably. Either way, it looks like Shouto's going to hear the story sooner or later. Most likely sooner, since Izuku's pushing one of the doors open and gesturing for Shouto to follow him.
The sound of the doors closing behind them is loud in the silence. Izuku sets his pack on the desk with a sigh. And even though it's just the two of them, it still takes Izuku a bit of time to gather his thoughts.]
You asked earlier why I call Toshinori by his name.... it's because we're not related by blood.
So...that means you're willing to take the job? [Another pause, before Izuku adds, with an unhappy twist of his lips--] It's likely you're going to end up mixed up with some court politics, you know. If...you'd rather not accept after knowing that, I won't hold it against you. And I'll still keep my promise about finding you a place to go.
[While Izuku knows it's in his best interest to just give Shou the position already, he wants to make doubly sure that it's something Shou won't regret.]
You're going to have to teach me about the court politics. I'm just a swordsman.
[It is true he doesn't know about the court politics here. He'd probably have to stumble his way through it and step on a dozen toes without somebody guiding him through.]
Aizawa's going to insist on filling you in anyway. [The king's adviser was incredibly thorough with his work, even if he could be scary about it sometimes.] And you'll have me to ask if you can't remember something!
[He hasn't drawn up profiles of the people around the castle and the nobility for nothing!
And then it sinks in, what Shou had said just now. His eyes widen.] W-wait, really? You accept?
[Izuku does seem to know people, even if they're not necessarily the royalty of this kingdom. He could ask who Aizawa was right now, or Izuku will tell him- or Shouto will figure it out eventually.
[At that, that initial burst of shock melts into acceptance. Izuku cocks his head, smiling at Shou.]
Yeah...I am. Does that surprise you? [His smile softens even more when he pauses.] You jumped in to help me before you even knew who I was. That's a pretty good reason to feel comfortable around you, don't you think?
A little. Not many people would trust a stranger that easily.
[But he supposes if there's any way to quickly earn points, it would be to save somebody's life. If he puts it like that, he doesn't find it quite as weird.]
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[Weird! Even Shouto calls his father "shitty old man".]
It's good that you think that, but do the people?
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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?
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[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?
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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?
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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.
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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.]
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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?!
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Shouto looks bewildered as his gaze settles on Izuku. ]
Do you want me?
[ Belatedly he realizes how that sounds. ]
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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.
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Then you should tell me about it. If anybody knows about the job, you would.
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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.]
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... Where are we going?
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It's safer to explain things in there.
[Doesn't that sound so ominous?]
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Is that what happened in the room with Toshinori? Shouto has no idea anymore.]
I can't imagine why anybody would want to hurt you.
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The sound of the doors closing behind them is loud in the silence. Izuku sets his pack on the desk with a sigh. And even though it's just the two of them, it still takes Izuku a bit of time to gather his thoughts.]
You asked earlier why I call Toshinori by his name.... it's because we're not related by blood.
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Oh. [That explains a little bit.]
... Does he have any heirs by blood?
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[Izuku leans against the desk, green eyes on Shouto's face, looking for any kind of reaction to what he's telling him.]
Some...of the noble families aren't too happy about it. [It's admitted quietly, the reason why Toshinori thinks he needs a guard in the first place.]
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I can't protect you from poisoners. But I can protect you from people who try to kill you more directly.
[So Shouto sounds like he's taken the job.]
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So...that means you're willing to take the job? [Another pause, before Izuku adds, with an unhappy twist of his lips--] It's likely you're going to end up mixed up with some court politics, you know. If...you'd rather not accept after knowing that, I won't hold it against you. And I'll still keep my promise about finding you a place to go.
[While Izuku knows it's in his best interest to just give Shou the position already, he wants to make doubly sure that it's something Shou won't regret.]
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You're going to have to teach me about the court politics. I'm just a swordsman.
[It is true he doesn't know about the court politics here. He'd probably have to stumble his way through it and step on a dozen toes without somebody guiding him through.]
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[He hasn't drawn up profiles of the people around the castle and the nobility for nothing!
And then it sinks in, what Shou had said just now. His eyes widen.] W-wait, really? You accept?
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... Any one of the options will be fine, really.]
You seem comfortable with me.
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Yeah...I am. Does that surprise you? [His smile softens even more when he pauses.] You jumped in to help me before you even knew who I was. That's a pretty good reason to feel comfortable around you, don't you think?
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[But he supposes if there's any way to quickly earn points, it would be to save somebody's life. If he puts it like that, he doesn't find it quite as weird.]
... I'm not used to it. [Strangers trusting him.]
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