Fantasy AU catchall

[inheritance]

Comments

[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.]

[inheritance]

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.]

[inheritance]

[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.]

[inheritance]

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.

[inheritance]

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?

[inheritance]

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.

[inheritance]

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.

[inheritance]

[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.

[inheritance]

[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?]

[inheritance]

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.]

[glaciers]

[There's a short pause as Shouto considers the difference between his life and Izuku's.]

That's not as bad as some royalty. I'll stay by your side during events they're around.

[inheritance]

It's not? [Then, interest piqued, Izuku tilts his head and gives Shou a considering look.]

So you've dealt with royalty before this. That's good to know.

[Though Izuku has a tendency to stumble over his words when he's nervous, there's no denying that he's incredibly observant. As Shou probably realizes now.]

[glaciers]

[Shit. Fuck. He has to lie to cover his ass now-]

It was mostly just rumors I heard when I was passing through.

[inheritance]

[Though Izuku doesn't notice anything amiss, his curiosity is piqued.]

Really? What kind of rumors have you heard?

[Sorry, Shou. You managed to find someone incredibly nosy to attach yourself to.]

[glaciers]

Just that some princes and princesses are dealing with assassination attempts. If you stick to the shadows you hear a lot more than in a castle.

[That's true. He's heard of his own multiple assassination attempts when he was walking here. And the rumor that Prince Shouto was finally killed and Enji was trying to cover it up by sending him away.]

...I'm not saying you should go into shady bars.

[inheritance]

Is that how you got the news, Shou? By hanging around shady bars? [Heavy topic aside, Izuku still finds the ability to tease him a little.

Though it's unfortunate, Izuku isn't all that surprised. They are royalty, and assassination attempts come with the job description, after all. He's had a taste of that himself already.]

[glaciers]

They're great places for news that people aren't supposed to talk about.

[There's always somebody who wants to be a royal and they'll do whatever they can to get the crown. Including assassinations. Shouto would know, he's been the target of plenty.]