Fantasy AU catchall

[inheritance]

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[inheritance]

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.]

[glaciers]

[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.]

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[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.]

[glaciers]

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.]

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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?

[glaciers]

[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.

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[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?

[glaciers]

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.]

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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.

[glaciers]

[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.]

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[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.

[glaciers]

[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.]

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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.

[glaciers]

[... 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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Your clothes should be fine for everyday wear...but we'll have to get you a set of nicer clothes for formal events.

[A hand comes up to ruffle the hair at the back of his neck as he chuckles softly.] I didn't think things would work out this smoothly. Guess I can't complain. [Izuku tilts his head just so as he regards Shou again.] I'll show you to your room--it's just gonna be the one next to mine.

[glaciers]

[He doesn't manage to hide it at all-] Ugh. [Fancy clothes. He thought he'd had enough of those. Then again Izuku's probably going to wear far fancier. That's acceptable.]

Lead the way. Should I be checking in on you? If somebody tries to assassinate you in your sleep. Or has that not happened?

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Don't worry, you won't need to wear them too often. [Izuku shares a sympathetic, knowing look with him. Being from a humble background himself, the formal clothes just make Izuku uncomfortable. He avoids them whenever he can get away with it.

And then, as soon as Shou mentions the assassinations, the color rises in his cheeks.] That was--that was only once!

[As if once wasn't already bad enough.]

[glaciers]

[He still scrunches up his nose. They're always so stiff... Anyway, at least they won't be stuck in them that ofte--

Oh god??]

Once? I need to sleep in your room.

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D-don't worry, Toshinori took care of it! [Somehow, Izuku hadn't expected his new guard to react so vehemently, though maybe she should have. It's Shou's job to protect him now...

Izuku covers his face with his hands.]

...our rooms have an adjoining door. We can keep it open if it makes you feel better.

[glaciers]

[Izuku, Shouto's life now depends on you! Of course he's going to have a strong reaction to knowing his charge might die in the middle of the night.]

Keep it open. It's important I can get to you easily.

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[There's a resigned sort of sigh as Izuku nods. He'd kind of expected as much after he opened his big mouth and let that slip. Besides, he knows it'll make both his mom and Toshinori feel better, too.

He comes to a stop by a door and holds it open for his new guard.] Well, here it is!

[glaciers]

[He'll slip in, the room isn't decorated, but there's a bed and a desk with a chair. That's all he really needs. Besides, he's sure he's going to end up at Izuku's side more often than in this room alone.]

Come in and close the door.

Tell me who to watch out for.

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[Just like that, Izuku follows him into the room, and the door closes with a soft squeak of the hinges.]

There's a few I can think of immediately. Actually... [Suddenly, the more confident air dissipates and he glances at Shou hesitantly.] There's going to be a banquet in a few days, to celebrate my mother's birthday. Some of them will be there. I can just point them out to you then.

[glaciers]

[Shouto watches him carefully, taking a seat at the desk. It's not... very proper of him, but Izuku doesn't seem like a proper type of prince anyway. He'll live with it.]

Tell me the number of people I should be looking out for.

[How high alert does he have to be?]

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There's only three you'll have to worry about right now. [Izuku sighs and ticks the names off, raising a finger each time.]

There's the Shigarakis--the son's kind of unpleasant, but it's his caretaker that worries me. And then there's Himiko...

[Remember the way she'd practically tailed him at the last formal event, Izuku gives a little shudder.]