mixingbowl | Fantasy AU catchall

[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?

My chambers. [Izuku glances back at him, still giving him a puzzled look, like he's not sure what to make of him taking the job so easily.]

It's safer to explain things in there.

[Doesn't that sound so ominous?]

[He hasn't agreed to anything except for listening... right? Unless somebody assumed he said yes and now he's serving another king.

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.

[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.

[Shouto takes a seat on whatever happens to be around, so... he's sitting on the edge of Izuku's bed, looking up at him.]

Oh. [That explains a little bit.]

... Does he have any heirs by blood?

No... that's why I became the crown prince after he married my mother.

[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.]

[Here's the thing, Shouto is incredibly good at holding his poker face when it comes to things like this.]

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.]

[Surprise makes his brows arch slightly.]

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.]

I'll take it.

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.

... Any one of the options will be fine, really.]

You seem comfortable with me.

[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.]

... I'm not used to it. [Strangers trusting him.]

Well, there's a first time for everything, right?

[No less cheerful than before, Izuku holds his hand out for Shou to take.] Looks like we'll be stuck together for some time! I'll trust you to watch my back, and you can trust me to look out for you while you're here, too.

[He takes Izuku's hand and shakes it.]

Isn't it my job to make sure you don't get killed?

[Then again Shouto has chronic rude bitch disease, so he could definitely say some shit if Izuku doesn't stop him.]

[It's a firm grip, one that surprises people because of how scrawny Izuku tends to look at first glance.]

Just because you're looking out for me, doesn't mean I can't do the same for you. [With an amused little curl of the lips, Izuku lets go. That humor fades in a second.] I already explained what's going on with...the nobility here. There's some things you can't fight with a sword.

[Huh. He's a lot stronger than his scrawny frame suggests. That should make protecting him a little easier.]

Yeah, I don't know much about things like that.

[He knows plenty.]

Then that's what I'm here for. [Izuku nods, looking pleased that things are working out. It makes him feel better, making this kind of arrangement, when he can contribute something, too.]

I'll keep an eye on any political tangles and keep you updated on any potential threats. And you can make my mom and Toshinori feel better by being around in case anything happens.

[... Oh wait.] Does that mean I have to get... clothes for here? [He has to abandon his traveling clothes? Or at least not wear them around constantly? They got him pretty far.]

I'll make sure to protect you from physical threats in turn.

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