20+ years old | Asexual biromantic | An introverted and shy girl; avid reader; hobbyist writer and artist that loves listening to music and spend most of her time in her own fictional world.
His fingertips drag over the warm, sweat touched plane of your stomach, trailing ever so appreciatively downward. Bakugo's hair is plastered to his forehead, softened by exertion and the day behind him by like his expression. A tickle of a smile tugs at his lips, then falls.
"So," he trails off. You're too lost in the post coital haze and exhaustion to do anything more than watch him, head propped on his arm to look at you, bicep plump from how his arm is coiled.
"So?" you repeat back with a coo.
"I got an appointment with the uh-" He furrows his brow in thought- "piss doctor tomorrow."
Well, there goes every shred of romanticism. You almost laugh, but Bakugo's face is incredibly stoic, bordering on sad, so you force yourself to have a calmer reaction.
"Ooo-kay?" you clear your throat, "Do I wanna know why?"
He sighs as his hand flattens against your lower stomach. "Because it's been six months."
"Six months of what?"
"Of what?" He narrows his eyes, voice still austere. "Of us trying."
You stare at him. "Trying what?"
"Woman, don't play dumb," Bakugo huffs, "I've been trying to knock you up for months and-"
"Katsuki." You sit up abruptly, "Are you fucking with me?"
"No! This is serious!" He sits up too, matching your eye level, "What if my balls don't work or something?"
You want to sigh. Maybe even laugh. But instead you say, as calmlyas you can muster: "I'm not pregnant because I'm on birth control."
Bakugo blinks.
"No, you arent."
"Yes, I am."
No, you are not."
"Katsuki."
"I've never once seen you take a pill other than a fucking lactaid."
"Implant." You point to the spot on your arm where the bugger resides, "It's been there for years."
The tips of his ears go pink, followed by his cheeks and the tip of his nose, as he opens and closes his mouth, struggling with what to say. Then, he grips on to his pillow and swings it less than gently at you, knocking you back.
"Are you fucking with me?" Bakugo groans, more embarrassed than angry, "Every fucking night all you say is-"
Whump. He brings the pillow down on you again
"Breed me, daddy," he mimics, voice high and nasally, "Put a baby in me, daddy--"
"It's just a kink!" you manage before the pillow hits you again. This time, he holds it there, not tight enough to actually hurt, but it gets his point across.
"I was putting my heart and soul and fucking sperm into knocking you up!" Bakugo whines, shaking you. You can't help but laugh as you try to push him away. "I was convinced I was broken!"
Finally he lets you back up, still scowling, but a bit more good natured.
"At least you can cancel your appointment," you offer.
"No fucking way," Bakugo huffs, "I'm keeping it and you're coming. I need to make sure I can get the job and you need that son of a bitch out of your arm."
"Women don't go to the urologist for that kind of stuff," you laugh, "Sorry-- piss doctor."
Summery: You've heard the stories about his people and what they were capable of, merchants passing through were always willing to tell the tale of the barbarians and their lust for blood and treasure. Nightmarish versions of dragons breathing fire and quick to leave a trail of bodies and ash in their wake. Tales that you were certain came right out of an outlandish fairytale.
But when your tiny village comes under attack you are captured and taken to a strange new kingdom with the two small children in your care. You don't speak their language or understand the strange customs they have.
What's even more confusing is why the Barbarian prince has taken you as a prize. Now you must navigate this new world and all the surprises it has in store for you.
Genre: Strangers to lovers, Fantasy AU
WC: 9.7k Also posted to Ao3
Please consider leaving a comment and a reblog if you enjoyed this! I would truly appreciate the feedback♥
Your village was small, minuscule, compared to the other places surrounding you. Calm and peaceful. A place you had called home since you were born. Now filled with mostly elders, it was a quiet farming community that supplied fresh food to the kingdom a day's travel from here. It was under the protection of the king who swore that no harm would fall upon your tiny village, as long as you held up your end of the treaty made all those years ago. Most of the able-bodied men were recruited to be a part of the king's guard, which left only those too old to fight and the rest who were still children.
But the king hadn’t lied, you were under his protection. Many knights passed through your village, picking up the weekly offerings of freshly grown crops. While those who were just out on a voyage made their presence known. But it wasn’t like you had much to fear in the first place. All over, the kingdom had been in a long-standing peace treaty, after tiring of the endless battles and death. Which opened up the opportunity for unity and growth.
A growth you were happy to take part in up until six months ago.
Your childhood friend lost her life. Her husband met his tragic end just before she found out she was with their second child. You did your best to console her when the news finally reached the village, and if it had not been for your constant support, you would have lost both her and the baby that night.
But you did what any friend would do and you stepped up. Moved into her home, so you could help her take care of her child, a small boy who just hit age four. He had big blue eyes and beautiful red hair just like his mother. A happy child, despite the tragedy that struck his family. The two of you formed a loving and safe space for him to grow up in.
About to be a mother for the second time, she fought to welcome her child to this world. You were able to successfully deliver her baby with the help of the town's doctor. He plopped the fresh baby girl, wailing so loudly she almost matched the cracking thunder from outside, into your arms as he worked frantically to help your friend recover.
As if life didn’t find it cruel enough to take her husband away, it then stole her from you as well. She barely even got to see the beautiful baby girl she just gave birth to before the gods decided to whisk her away. She was bleeding too fast and too heavily for the old doctor to fix. All you could do was clutch the screaming child in your arm as you held her mother's hand. Silent tears streaming down your face as she used her last moments to make you swear an oath to her.
“Take care of our children… Please.”
You didn’t even have time to process those heavy words before you nodded your head and let out a heavy sob. The gods took her away before you could form anything close to a yes.
Our children.
The words still linger in your mind every time you see the children. You know in your heart that she wasn’t just talking about her and her late husband. She was talking about you as well, the one who had taken on the supporting parent role after the loss of her husband. The one who would have helped her raise these precious angels that were now left entirely in your care.
For months now, deep into the autumn season, you had taken on the role of a new parent. Living and learning as you went about trying to properly care for such tiny humans. You were left with more questions than answers though as time ticked by. You had no real way to feed a new infant. By the grace of the gods, they supplied you with an answer. The neighbor down the road gifted you a goat, as a gift of mourning, supplying you with a way to feed this new child. The other women in the village helped you to craft a vessel out of clay and leather so the baby could feed.
So, with your newly acquired family, you start doing the work of two people. Tending to the fields and selling what you could spare at a little stall in the village. Often bartering one thing for something you needed. Working alongside the others to just survive.
But all of that couldn’t be further from your mind when you heard the first warning bell go off in the distance. What was once a bright and sunny day had quickly become one of pure fear. Your heart was nearly beating out of your chest when you first heard the warning bells.
Raiders were near.
You were too far inland for raiders to find your small town. There was nothing of value here, why would they attack? You were but simple farmers and elderly people now. Your mind raced as you tried to think of any reason they might attack your village. Maybe they were coming to ransack the crops you hadn’t yet sent to the kingdom?
You quickly abandoned your food stall in favor of saving not just your life, but the lives of the small children you were charged with. You were panicking as you bolted down the dirt path back to your home, all the way on the other side of the village. You had the baby wrapped securely to your chest, while the toddler you were nearly dragging along, before scooping him up and throwing him over your hip. You rushed home as fast as you possibly could.
You can hear the yells from the town behind you, and the screams start as you run. You hold your tiny humans closer to you to keep them from bouncing as you stumble. Finally, in the distance, you could see the small shack that you called home. Nearly out of breath and straining for air. You manage to make it to the door, just as the screams start growing louder.
Throwing it open, you quickly shut it behind you. You let down the eldest child who can stand on his own, while you shove what sturdy furniture you have in front of the door. The loud scraping noise is painful to your ears, but you’re not stopping now to give yourself a moment to breathe. You run to the corner where the trap door that leads under your house is, and run back to the toddler once you open it.
His panicked cries ring out as you guide him under the floor. Slowly you lower yourself behind him. You stop to crawl on your hands and knees into the furthest corner only after you grab the handle and close it. It wasn't much, but with any luck, the raiders would take what was in the house and leave you and the children be.
In the meantime, you start trying to soothe two extremely upset and scared children.
"Shh, my love. I need you to be quiet!" You brush the hair out of the toddler’s face. "Remember when we played the quiet game? I need you to stay as quiet as you can, ok?"
You beckon him to stifle his tears. You are gently trying to soothe the crying baby cradled into your chest with a wrap. Spending time cooing at her, and gently rocking her back and forth.
The overwhelming desire to keep the promise you made to their mother before her untimely death was hitting you hard. You remembered her words, to keep her children safe, her dying wish. So far you had been successful in keeping that promise. You had not let an ounce of harm come to them. Their biggest worries were the occasional scraped knee or bruise that children tend to get while playing.
You would protect them until your last breath if it meant they lived to see another day.
It took a few minutes but you succeeded, they both quieted down, and now the young boy let out nothing more than a couple of residual sniffles as you pulled him into your side. Your success came just in time.
You can hear the loud roar of the raiders trekking closer and closer with each passing second. The harsh clang of their swords and metal bashing against metal rang out in the world outside. You could hear the foreign language they yelled growing ever closer.
All you could do was sit and pray to whatever God might pity you enough to listen. Rocking the tiny children gently in the hopes that this would be over soon enough.
But luck didn't seem to be on your side today. After a few moments of quiet, you heard the unmistakable screech of your furniture being shoved away from the door. A moment later you heard the chatter of two men just a few feet away from where you sat hidden away.
Their heavy boots kicked up dust and dirt as they entered the threshold, sending flecks of debris raining down on the three of you through the floorboards. Still, you prayed that they wouldn’t notice you were here. You had nowhere else to run, and you were sure you would meet your death today if they found you.
One of them laughed as he started to move your furniture around, the other one plopping down in a discarded chair next to where the table used to sit. They were rifling through your few belongings, looking for valuables. They wouldn’t find much you thought to yourself, you didn't have any jewelry, or anything valuable except for your life.
Even that wasn't worth much.
Your body refused to relax as the men carried on just above your head. Talking in a language you couldn’t understand; you flinched each time they laughed loudly enough to shake the frame of your home. Your breaths came out in soft pants as they plundered your house. After only a few minutes, which felt like an eternity to you, they must have grown tired of finding nothing. You watch through the cracks in the floorboards as their shadows stand and move towards the still-open door. Finally, they started to walk away while you waited with bated breath. Just as they crossed the threshold back out of the house; the tiny, innocent baby cradled into your chest moved and started to wail.
In the blink of an eye, they were darting back into the house, standing right above you. Now both children crying as the dust falls around you. Panicked screams escaped you as a heavy booted foot is lifted into the air and stomped down on the fragile wood of the floor. The plank gives under the pressure and wooden splinters rain down right in front of you.
A hand was quick to reach for the other planks and easily rip them from the floor like they were nothing. You were met with the red eyes of a man with a mouth full of sharp teeth. His wide smile didn't bring you an ounce of comfort as he started to speak, turning his head, and talking to the other person in your house.
It didn't take them more than a few seconds to find the trap door and have it open.
The redhead was speaking to you through the hole he ripped in your floor, but you didn't understand a single thing coming out of his mouth. It sounded like one of the languages from one of the distant lands you heard about in stories from the passing knights. Long vowels and rough consonants, nothing close to what you spoke here.
When he finally realized that you didn't know his native tongue, he was quick to pull back and try to coax you out of the subfloor; a big predatory smile plastered on his face.
The jig was up, they knew you were here, and the only thing you were doing now was delaying your own inevitable death. But still, you couldn’t make yourself move. When he grew impatient after a minute, his hand reached down to rip yet another board from your floor, quickly widening the hole he could see you through.
It didn't take him very long at all to widen the hole enough to step down into the subfloor where you remained, cowering. Half his body was still concealed, but he was quick to remedy that as well. With both hands, he grabbed board after board until he had enough room to bend down, knees popping lightly as he crouched, to see you.
The voice of the other man was angry and violent sounding as he spoke from above, causing the red-haired man to turn his head and respond to him. After a couple of exchanges back and forth, he turns back to you and holds out his hand for you to take.
You can only shake your head and try shield the children by pulling them farther away from him. For a few minutes he did try to keep the smile on his face to seem unthreatening, but soon it was replaced by annoyance. He moved quicker than you thought someone his size could, and grabbed you roughly. He wrestled you around so he could lift you out of the hole. You couldn’t put up much of a fight against his massive figure. He easily towered over you and threw you onto your back on the floor above. There you saw the other man, with black hair as he lifted you from the floor. He looked you over for a moment before his eyes wandered down to the screaming infant swaddled to you; his eyes rolling before he talks to the redhead still in the hole. It only takes them a moment to grab the toddler from the corner and lift him out of the dirt space; placing him on the floor above, while his tiny hands reach out to you for comfort.
The redhead quickly climbed out of the hole to look over his spoils, speaking to the black-haired man with a smirk, before they looked back towards the town. A large hand wrapped around your arm as they lead you back towards the fire and smoke rising from your once peaceful village.
Try as you might you couldn’t keep either child from crying, their panicked-filled wails ringing out into the open air. You don’t blame them, if you had any sense left in you, that's what you would be doing too.
You couldn’t keep up with the two large men, needing to take two steps to their one, and this seemed like a slow pace for them. They carried on a casual conversation with each other as if they hadn’t just demolished the place you called home to ashes. The extent of their destruction becomes much more evident the closer they make you walk to town.
Smoke was billowing from every direction, as you approached, you could still hear the occasional scream of a villager before it was snuffed out. They were bringing you all the way back to town, just so you could die with the rest of the townsfolk. You were passing by massive man after massive man; each seemingly taller and bulkier than the last, making the people of your small village seem tiny in comparison. Some of them were already partaking in the spoils of their raid as you passed by; drinking spirits in the street, eating the bread from the abandoned and busted bakery. The smell of burning flesh hit you like a punch to the gut the closer you got to the center of town. All the while the cries and whines of the innocent people around you seemed to be drowned out by the impromptu party going on.
As you made it to the center of town, there stood a large number of the raiders. They were all half dressed in leather and furs, with sharp pointy jewelry. Some were covered in blood, while others laughed. The sight of your poor town in shambles while these people stood around and celebrated made your stomach turn. Who knew how long you had left to wallow in your misery, you thought bitterly.
What stopped you in your tracks, making the red-haired man's hold on your grip tighter around your arm; was when your eyes landed on a man who was standing next to a burning pile of carts. Massive build, tall, with ash blonde hair, and eyes the color of blood. He looked angry if his face was to tell you anything. His arms were crossed over his bare chest, as his cape blew in the breeze behind him.
When your captor called out to the man and he turned his attention in your direction, your heart sank.
You knew who this was.
You had indulged one too many times in the company of the passing travelers as they made their way through your village. For a night's shelter, they sat around the large bonfire and retold stories of distant lands, ones filled with fairies and trolls. Ones where magic was said to be wielded by a few great wizards. Some even told tales of the dragon nation; a kingdom full of overpowered half-humans, and some joked half-dragon warriors. Hell-bent on pillaging and destruction. Setting fire to the world around them, just for the fun of it. Taking what they wanted and leaving nothing else but scorched earth behind.
It was said the first dragon king had made a pact with the worst kind of demon for the promise of power. Unbeatable strength, a strong resistance to injury, and an immunity to the elements. Creatures of the underworld that were feeding an incurable hunger to wreak havoc on the mortal plane.
The massive blond standing in the distance was the prince; and even worse than the original king if the rumors were to be believed. Angry and snarling as he happily took the lives of innocent people. Leading his hell spawn warriors on a mission to destroy not just the world closest to them, but to new distant lands as well.
Always searching for new treasures to add to the horde.
As you were pulled in his direction you couldn’t help but let silent tears well up in your eyes and fall down your cheeks. If the stories you heard about them were true, then you can only wish a quick death on yourself and the children in your care.
You were all too quickly closing the distance between what you deemed a safe distance and too close to his fearsome presence. The frown on his face turns to an even deeper scowl when he sees your tiny family approaching.
As you got close, the redhead talked to the man loudly; patted him on the back and leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Causing the man to give you one good look over, before he beckoned you to come closer.
But you couldn’t force your feet to move, the fear of impending death was lingering and it had you completely frozen in place.
Annoyed, he moved in front of you instead. His massive figure towered over yours as he leered down at you. He grabbed your chin between his thumb and finger, lifting your head up. Turning your face so he could get a better look at you before his eyes glance down to the baby who was now quietly curled into your chest, and the toddler, who was clinging to your leg.
He turned his head and nodded in your direction, speaking to the red-haired man. They spoke back and forth in their strange language that you didn’t understand; but it was clear they had come to some kind of agreement. Nodding heads and hushed words as their eyes glanced back to you every few seconds.
When the blond turned his attention back to you, you were surprised to see his eyes didn’t hold the same anger you had seen just moments before. If anything, he just looked annoyed now; teetering on the edge of two conflicting emotions.
He still sounded angry as he talks while looking at you, but his face told you a different story. If he was talking to you, or about you, still you had no clue; but his mouth was moving and it seemed like maybe they were talking about you still. You hadn’t noticed you were holding your breath until he finally released your chin. Sucking in a deep breath as soon as your body could react.
The red-haired man once again took hold of your arm, this time more gently than before. He leads you to a small clearing where there looked to be others that made it through the pillage of the town.
The group was made up of women and children, and there weren’t many of you. Maybe a dozen or so women of childbearing age still. With them were a handful of children, lingering around and clinging to their mothers too afraid to move. As he guided you towards the remaining group of surviving villagers, he motions for you to sit with them. They already had two massive men standing watch over the group. He said something to you before he walked off, his voice soft as he gives you one last look before nodding in their direction.
What do you think they want?" The young girl beside you asks, her voice wavering as she spoke.
"I fear they may be planning to take us as prisoners." The woman on the end said.
"We don't have anything they would want!" Another woman hissed.
It was a small outburst from each woman as they went over their theories about why you were still alive. And by the time the sun had set in the sky, you had your answer.
The fires were slowly dying out, just as the dreadful sound of a roar filled the chilly air. In the distance, and growing bigger with each passing second were, a set of dragons. Their massive wings sent dirt flying around as they soared in close to the ground, before landing.
The other men were readying their horses, and gathering up their supply carts full of their plunder. It didn't take long as each of the women and children were led away. You watched, steadily growing more nervous as the last few survivors were led away until you and the children were alone.
It seemed like the dragons were being loaded with the treasures from all of their trips. Looking closely, you realized they had far too much stuff with them for it to all have come from your town. Huge straps held large bags to their backs, leaving plenty of room for their wings to expand and fly freely. They were huge, red, leathery beasts whose roars rattled and shook everything around them, bellowing smoke as they stood still. Almost like they were waiting for their next set of orders.
By now both of the children in your charge were sleeping. The baby still nestled into your chest, soaking in your body heat, and the toddler is with his head in your lap. The fact you had even made it this far into the night surprised you.
You were certain earlier, when they found you in the subfloor, you wouldn’t make it to see your final sunset.
Instead, that same massive redhead from earlier was walking back towards you, squatting down to your level, and holding his finger up to his lips, a silent plea for you to remain quiet. He didn't touch you; instead, gently lifting your toddler from your lap. Cradling his head as he lifted his sleeping form to lay against his chest, his little head soundly sleeping on his shoulder.
You watch closely as he stands back to his full height and holds a hand out for you to take. This time you have no choice but to trust him as you took his hand. He walked slower this time while he led you. The two of you didn’t stop until you are led back to the same angry-looking blonde, who was readying a horse. You eye him warily as he stands adjusting the saddle and looking over towards you.
The redhead drops your hand as soon as you were within reach of the blonde; who pulls you into his chest with a look that told you to not move. He looks down at the tiny bundle still sleeping on your chest, saying something in his native tongue before he places a foot into the stirrup and pushes himself over the horse, settling himself on its back.
He quickly gave you a look before he held out his hand. You take it without much thought. You expected him to be strong, but not strong enough to completely lift you to sit in front of him. Giving you room to swing your leg over the horse, his hands came around your sides and grabbed the reins allowing you time to make yourself as comfortable as you could in his embrace.
You panic slightly as you look over and see the redhead walking away with your toddler; but the blonde was quick to guide your eyes to the other sleeping children in one of the carts. You watch, frozen, until you see him being placed down gently while a fur is thrown over his tiny body before you allow yourself to breathe.
It seems like you were the last of the spoils of war to be loaded up; because not long afterwards the small army set off in the direction you assumed their kingdom must be. However far that may be from here.
The gentle trot of the horse and the immense heat radiating off of the blonde behind you were starting to take its toll on your exhausted mind and body. While it was clear that your death would not come tonight, you still held a high amount of anxiety about what was going to happen in the near future.
With each step, the horse took deeper into the dense woods, and the lull his body heat provided; it was almost enough to have you drifting into sleep. You caught yourself with your eyes closed only to jerk your head up as soon as it would fall. It had been over an hour of traveling now and you didn't know how much more you could handle before you passed out.
He mumbles something under his breath from behind you before he leans over and pulls something out of the satchel on the side of the horse. Tapping your thigh with his hand and motioning for you to lean forward; you felt warmth envelop you as he wraps a thick red material around your body. The thick white fur lining the edge gives you an extra layer of protection from the cold. He took care to leave a gap in the front big enough for the sleeping child to still get air.
He was gentle when he reached up and guided your head back onto his shoulder; your head falling to the side, cushioned by the fur lining the cape. It was so unexpected, nothing like what you thought he would do. His hand comes back down to wrap around your middle and steer the horse, securing you to him once more. He moved in such a way that made you feel like he was afraid of spooking you.
As afraid as you were, you still couldn't keep your body from being pulled into sleep. The thought of death drifted from your mind as the overpowering scent of this blonde man filled your senses; it was strong, smelling of smoke and amber, with the scent of fir trees lingering underneath it as well. You found it strangely comforting, you realized, as your body became limp against his.
This was how you spent the next four days. Traveling. Only stopping long enough to refresh everyone and take a short break. Then it was back on the horses until the next stop.
You have never been this far away from the place you called home. Nothing about the landscape looked familiar to the one you had grown to know. Your big forests and lush greenery had been slowly replaced by a much more drastic scene. The weather was colder here, the trees sparse and bare. It was almost like it was already wintering here despite the fact it was only just the end of summer
In fact, it looked just like snow was beginning to fall around you the farther from home you got. The wind kicked up as you continued moving.
But once you saw that towering castle, set behind a massive wall of ice and stone you were proven correct. It wasn't just a trick of your eyes that made it look like it was snowing.
The massive drawbridge came down as soon as the guards were close enough to see the horde coming back home. Off in the distance, a large mountain was bellowing smoke and rumbling; only adding to the mystery of your new home.
The streets were alive as you cross the bridge and go through the gate into a large town. People of all ages were dressed warmly, going about their lives along the clean streets. Women and children, each one different looking from the next one walking by; stopping only long enough to bow their head at the man holding you in his grip as they pass. All the way to the looming castle people stopped and stared. You couldn't help but feel the gaze of each and every person you pass fall upon you. None of them judgmental, but more curious than anything else.
You started to wonder if this was a common occurrence. Every person you passed by looked so different. They all had to come from different villages and kingdoms. Maybe they were just like you at some point. Taken from their homeland and brought here against their will.
None of them looked distressed or unhappy at the sight of their prince. If nothing else, they looked like were fond of him. Giving small smiles and nodding of their heads along the way. More respect than you had ever seen for the king that promised you protection.
It was a whirlwind once you reached the castle.
The strange blonde dismounted the horse first before he reached up to help you down. Once you got your footing, his massive hand wrapped around your arm and tugged you off in the direction of the main doors. Tall, metal, and more massive than you first thought the closer you moved toward them. You realized that close behind you was the redhead; making a casual stride to meet you, with your toddler sitting on his shoulder. His bright blue eyes were alive with joy as the man bounced him gently as he walked.
It wasn’t something you had seen for such a long time, you almost forgot he knew how to smile.
Once the two of them reached you, the blonde stopped long enough for you to take back your other child. A small pout on his face as he was handed over to you. It seemed like he had been treated well enough that he didn’t fear the wall of a man handing him over while in his care. His little hands waved around and talked fast as he told you about the little adventures. You heard about how when he woke up the big man had something to show him, or fed him something new.
From what you gathered he had been taking good care of your tiny human in your absence.
The fast pace you were forced to walk through the castle didn’t give you much time to look around. From what you did see, this place was far beyond the scope of how you thought the people of the dragon nation lived. Large marble slabs, of various sizes, made up the floor; cut into perfect rectangles and laid out in a uniform pattern. Large stone pillars and chandeliers were spaced out in between the massive windows that lined each hall. The colors are a blend of greys and brown, warm and inviting despite the intimidating size of the place. You walked, finally gaining back some of the warmth you were craving ever since the blonde had pulled himself away from you.
It was like nothing you had ever seen before. Massive and fancy, you felt completely out of your element. Even the main entrance was at least three times the size of your little home in the countryside. Now you understand why those men laughed as they ransacked your home.
Whatever hall they were leading you down was going straight to a grand set of doors at the end. Long runner carpets in deep red ran down the center of the hall. The wide and heavy drapes are open allowing the fading light from outside to filter in. As you made it to the doors, they are pushed open by two guards standing watch outside.
You didn’t realize he was dragging you to the throne room.
A set of thrones sit perfectly aligned at the end of the room. A small stack of chairs leads your vision up to them. Almost making them seem so much more daunting as they sat upon their alter. Highbacked thrones loomed against the golden glow of the candles now being lit by maids. Even from where you were standing you can see the intricate design that had been carved into each one. A true sight to see once you got closer. The dark wood was glossy and smooth, sitting against the leather of the seat.
All eyes were on you as you were led towards the small gathering of people near the thrones. Each one dressed just as barbaric looking as the man who still held a tight grip on your upper arm. Heavy furs and primal-looking jewelry adorned each one, giving you a visual fitting those of the stories you had heard so long ago. It was easy to tell who the King and Queen were. Standing tall and proud, they dressed like they were always ready to lead a war.
Their son, looked like a perfect mix of both of them, although he took after his mother's hair color and delicate features. He clearly had the build of his father. They shared massive shoulders, that made it look like he could lift stones the size of the house with ease. It was impressive how well their genes mixed to make the hulking offspring who held you captive.
He stormed towards them as he talked loudly in his native tongue, leaving you yet again in the dark about anything that was being said. You couldn’t even begin to wrap your head around how they were able to form such words. Deep and guttural, so foreign to your ears; and violent sounding as they almost barked at each other.
But it fit them so well.
It was apparent they were arguing back and forth, their hands waving around wildly as they yelled. Occasionally being thrown into the air and, at one point, the blonde woman even pointed at you. You shifted uncomfortably on your feet under her gaze. She offered you a small smile, easing your nerves, before she went back to yelling at her son more. She must have gotten fed up with his mouth you assumed, as you watched she raised her hand and smacked him on the back of the head; only causing him to roar at her before he picked back up on another tangent.
You jumped as soon as you felt the soft tap on your shoulder, clutching your infant tighter to your chest, and squeezing your toddler’s hand as you turn your head. You are met with the sight of two women, with friendly smiles on their faces. One with long jet-black hair and the others was pink, her skin tone just shy of being a perfect match to her hair color. They spoke to you in a soft tone, likely trying to ease your anxiety from watching the spectacle on the far end of the room. With a gentle touch, they led you out of the throne room. You had no clue as to where they were taking you, but you decided to trust them.
Following them as they spoke to each other you found yourself being lead to the west wing of the castle. A grand staircase, just as intricate as the rest of the castle, leads you to another floor. Paintings of warriors and barbaric nobility hung from the walls, decorating the long hall you were wandering down. Finally stopping once you reach the last set of doors at the end of it.
As they push open the doors and step inside, they beckon for you to follow them, still wearing soft smiles on their face. Once you passed that threshold you realized this was a bedroom. With a tall ceiling and a small balcony off the side; a massive bed that looked like it could fit a dozen people rested near the wall. Blood-red sheets match the drapes laid out on the bed with a small mountain of pillows lining the top.
They kept their voices calm as they worked quickly around you. Taking the drapes and shutting them one by one. While the other lit candles to give the room a soft glow of light. Once there was enough light the pink-haired woman coaxed you to hand over the sleeping infant in your swaddle. Offering you help as you unwound the fabric holding her against your body; cooing at her just like you would as she cradled her in her arms.
With another soft tap, the black-haired woman guided you to another room just off the main one. A bathroom you soon found out, as she walked in with a basket of oils and rags. She went to the oversized tub and turned on the faucet, the pipes roaring to life as water spilled from the tap. Soon after steam started rolling from the water collecting in the tub below.
She walked closer to you, as she rolled up her sleeves, a look in her eyes that said she was asking for permission before she touched you again. She opened her hands up, as if to show you she meant no harm. Nodding your head slightly, she understands the sign and starts to help you disrobe. Pulling away each layer of clothing and letting them fall into a small pile on the floor.
You stood a little awkwardly once you were naked, the chill of the room giving you goose bumps on your skin. She bent down and picked up the soiled clothing before opening a small door and tossing the clothes inside. Making her way back to the tub in order to turn off the water; she held out her hand for you to take. Carefully she helped you into the large tub. Only letting go of you once you were seated with your back laid against the rim.
She took to cleaning you almost immediately. Dropping to her knees next to the tub and washing you up. Starting from your hair and working her way down; running the soapy rag along your skin, scrubbing gently as she went. She made sure you were spotless by the time she was through. Satisfied with her work, she left you to soak for a while. Only returning after the water had turned lukewarm, and your skin had started to prune. She reached in and pulled the intricate plug as you watched as the water slowly start to drain from the tub. Offering her hand to you once again to help you out, a towel sitting close by.
She offered what you can only assume to be small apologies as she ran the towel along your body, helping to dry you off as she worked. Just as she finished and dropped the towel through the same small door where she had dropped your clothes; the pink-haired woman stepped inside the bathroom. She carried your infant daughter and a fresh set of clothes with her as she gave you a smile.
She was quick to hand the new outfit to the black-haired woman who began to assemble the simple outfit. It was nothing more than a silken nightgown. Long and flowing down your body. You can't help but blush at the high slit up the side, exposing way more of your thigh than you have even shown anyone before.
The thin straps of the lavender dress hung from your shoulders. Delicate looking against your skin. This wasn’t a color you were accustomed to seeing often. The only time being when a few royals were passing through your village. It was hard to find, especially when you lived so far from the sea. You had once been told that the dye came from some sort of shellfish that was gathered from the ocean floor to achieve such a color.
It was reserved for people with more money, and far more important than you.
By the time you had made it out of the bathroom, there was a small spread of food sitting at the edge of a table. Bulky and round, it was a lot more sturdy than the one you had tried to barricade the door with at home. Those women still lingered around in your room, helping you to wrangle the children and encouraging you to sit down and eat.
Now that you were looking at the small spread of food once you were seated, it was a little daunting. Various rare fruits, exotic to your region were on display. Apples, sliced pears, and even wild strawberries. A long loaf of bread sat in the middle, paired with a small container of honey. There were nuts in a small variety on the huge plate and two different kinds of meat.
All of which you were nervous to dig into.
Why were you and your adopted children being treated so nicely? What did they have planned for you? Who were these people and what did they want with someone like you? You had no real discernible skills, no title or nobility; you were nothing more than a commoner stuck in the same place you were born into.
You watch as your toddler stumbles his way over to you. With his fingers wiggling away, he was signaling he wanted to be lifted into your lap. You gently pick him up and as soon as he sees the food, he goes to grab the first thing he sees. Laughing softly, you hand him a slice of pear, and while he is occupied with that, cut a few pieces of bread for him to take as well. Once he was satisfied, he was quick to slide off of your lap and bounce back over to the other two women, snacks still in hand.
It took you a little while before you ate anything. However, the rumble of your stomach gives away your current state. You drizzle a little honey onto a piece of bread and lay one of the strawberries on top. Sliding it into your mouth, you can’t help but sigh once you get a taste of the luxury that was honey.
It was rare, even as deep in the forest as you lived. Finding the type of bees that produced honey was about as likely as finding a jewel laying on the ground. When the thick and heavenly taste hits your tongue, you can't help but savor the flavor. It was unlike anything, you had ever tried before.
You take your time with the next piece, opting to skip the fruit this time so you could receive the full, unblemished, honey experience, and you weren't disappointed. Occasionally your little toddler would work his way back over to you for another snack that he shared with the women.
By the time you had eaten you fill, your adopted children were already passed out on the large bed. The two women who had kept them busy gently tucked the older one under the sheets while the other found a crib for the baby; and gently laid her inside. Which just left you.
You watched as the women gently closed the door behind them as they left you alone for the night. Turning back to face the room you can't help but hear the large bed calling out to you. Sleep begging you to visit once more.
But could you really sleep here? It was far too open and you still didn't know anything about this place. With a heavy sigh, you make your way over to crawl beneath the sheets, until a noise at the door stops you in your tracks.
Your heart once again pounds away in your chest as the door creaks open and the face of the ash blonde man with the piercing red eyes is peering inside. Walking in and closing the door soon after his eyes land on you halfway in the bed.
He looks over the room quickly, spotting the half-eaten tray of food still laid out on the table. The crib next to the side of the bed you had chosen, and then to the sleeping toddler laying in the middle of cloud red sheets.
He stands there for a moment just taking the sight in, but you were still completely frozen in fear. What was he doing here? And how long was he planning to stay?
Some of your questions were answered when a knock sounded at the door. He opened it and in came the bulky figure of the red-haired man that had first caught you. Carrying on his back a small bed.
It was simple in design, but large enough to fit a person on. Moving around his friend he gives you a small smile and takes the piece of furniture over to the side of the bed you had staked claim to. Dropping it softly a few feet away, next to the wall. They work together at that point, the blonde walking over and unlocking the giant chest that sat at the end of the bed. A large wooden top lifted up and he disappeared for a moment, only to return a second later with a small stack of sheets and blankets.
Handing them off to the redhead he dives back into the chest and pulls out a few furs. All in different colors, but definitely more than enough to keep someone warm. They assemble the bed, even placing down a small pillow before the blonde walks to the other side of the main bed and pulls the blanket away from the sleeping boy.
Reaching under him he lifts him up and off of the bed, pulling him into his chest. Walking him around and placing him in the smaller bed. The redhead threw the blankets and fur across him, tucking him in for good measure.
You start to climb in with the toddler as they talk low to each other, even though you didn't understand a single word that they spoke. A glance is thrown your way before the redhead chuckles under his breath earning a glare from the blonde. The redhead just smiles at his friend and pats him on the back a couple of times before pointing at you and heading for the door.
Then the blond's attention turned to you. Saying something and looking at you like you could give him an answer. But you just shake your head and pull the furs over yourself; hoping that he remembers there was a language barrier and you didn't know what he wanted.
With a grunt of frustration, he storms to stand before you. And not too gently scoops you into his arms before moving you to the large bed, sweeping your feet off the floor and pulling the covers up over you. The look on his face told you that he wanted you to stay put.
Without giving you time to think more about what he just did; you watch as he goes around the bed to the other side. Throwing off the cape he wore on his shoulders so that it lands on a chair close by. Sitting on the edge of the bed he bends and you can hear him untying the laces of his boots before you hear the soft thud of each one landing on the stone floor.
He stands back up just long enough to go around and extinguish the remaining candles lighting the room. Popping open one of the long curtains just enough to let some light into the dark space.
What makes your heart catch in your throat though is when you feel the bed dip beside you. The heavy blanket resting on top of your body moves and you instantly feel the heat radiating off his body as the blankets settle around you once again. He wasn't touching you, but it was still an almost overwhelming sensation. Never had you slept in a bed with a man before. Especially one you hadn't even been able to communicate with.
It seemed like this was most likely his room and he was being nice enough to share for the night. You can see enough of the room now that the moon is shining into the space. A pale blue light illuminated everything softly.
He turns to lie on his side facing you. And the two of you just stare at each other. Not able to say anything the other would understand. Before he yawns and mumbles out a word to you softly, his hand coming up and covering your eyes for a moment.
That must be their word for sleep, because when he let his hand fall, his eyes are already closed and he snuggles further into the soft down of his pillow.
You can't help but watch him for a moment longer, that is until he cracks an eye open and sees you still staring at him. Once again muttering out the word he seemed to be using for sleep and shut his eyes.
This time you listened. Turning yourself away from him and towards the wall. Looking at your sleeping babies blissfully unaware of what was going on in the world around them.
What were you going to do now? He didn't think you would just be ok with all of this, did he? He took you from your home, not just you but others too. Brought you back to a land you knew nothing about, where you had no way to communicate with anyone.
The reality of your situation hit you all at once. You didn't know what he had planned, nor could you even ask. You were just waiting until he decided on what to do with you. Sleeping in the same room, the same bed as him.
His soft snores fill the open space. Somewhere you didn't feel safe enough to sleep in. It was too open, made you prone to an attack. Left more than enough room for a person to linger in the shadows, just out of sight.
Your emotions were all over the place as you feel the first of many tears slide down your face. Laying on your side caused them to drift over the bridge of your nose and drop onto your pillow. Warm and wet on your cold skin, you were scared and exhausted.
At least the children were safe for now.
Still sleeping soundly as you wept silently. Maybe if they were lucky, they would stay that way. They were young enough that they could be adopted into a new family if something were to happen to you.
The boy was easy to care for, he needed siblings old enough to help wear down the extra energy he had. Guidance on how to direct that energy into making himself a stable and fit person for society once he was of age. And your baby?
She needed someone who would learn to love her as you did. Even at her young age, she needed a lot of attention. She was a needy child, always quick to cry or whine when the slightest inconvenience happened in her tiny world.
Speak of the devil.
A tiny disgruntled whine started up as soon as you closed your eyes. The baby in the crib beside your bed started to move around, her tiny arms lifting and coming back down signaling that she was awake. Without a second thought, you quietly pull the covers from your body and sit up. Cooing at her softly as you reach over and pick her up from the crib.
She was wide awake and upset. Something that wasn't uncommon you realized quickly. You guessed that it might be because the three of you normally slept in your small bed back home. She wasn’t used to being alone. But she was easy to satisfy, you just had to walk her around for a little bit and talk to her sweetly. Hum a small tune to soothe her irritability and lull her back to sleep. Once she was sleeping soundly again you would take the both of you and climb into your toddler’s bed. It was a similar enough size to your own bed back home.
The same thing her mother would have done.
You take slow steps around the room, bouncing her gently as you roam. Taking her over to the window to look around at the view. You were sat up high in the castle, able to see the way the fiery mountain spit and gurgled with fire and heat. And how the lights from the kingdom below gently glowed and went out one by one. The people living below also turn in for a night's rest.
You had to admit, even if you were scared this place had a certain kind of charm to it. The colder temperature and the way the ash from the mountain drifted along with the gentle falling snow was a beautiful sight. It gave a sense of strange wonder to the land around, but maybe it was just that it was so different from what you were accustomed to that made it seem that way.
You hum quietly to the calming baby in your arms. Feeling the remains of your silent tears spring back to life. Your emotions taking a hold of you once again, this time not for yourself.
These children were still so small, and you were in charge of them both now. A dying wish from their mother to care and love for her children like they were their own. You still didn't know much about what it took to raise a single child, let alone two.
But you were trying your best.
It was just up until recently that you had even managed to get them onto a routine of sorts. Making sure they ate, even if you didn't that day. That they took their naps and were able to thrive, despite the added hardship they bestowed upon you. Both of them attached to your hip as you navigated your way in this new life. One where you were in charge of not just keeping them alive but protecting them as well.
Your thoughts raced as you gently climbed into bed with your son; being careful not to wake him. But how were you ever going to protect them here? In a new land alone, and your future so uncertain?
Stuck in your thoughts you didn't hear the faint sound of the covers being thrown back from the bed, and you didn't see him appear until he crouched down next to you. His tall muscular body and ash blonde hair invades your personal space. His mouth formed into a thin line as he locked eyes with you.
He didn't look angry or upset that you had snuck away from the bed, but rather sympathetic to your emotional state. His thumb comes up just in time to catch a fresh tear as it cascades down your cheek. The pad wiped away the excess moisture as he looked at you.
You could tell he wanted to say something, to give you a little comfort. But the barrier of different languages kept you both silent. And after a moment he lifts the now-sleeping baby from your arms and walks her back to the crib.
Cradled in massive arms, it was almost funny to see him handle her with such gentleness. Something that none of the stories you heard ever spoke about.
They only talked about the wrath, raw power, and lack of any emotion. They never once mention that they could be softer too.
He lays her down in the crib and walks back to you. Taking your hand in his he gently pulls you up and guides you back to his bed. Helping you lay back down and throwing the thick blanket back over you. Before he turns and climbs in on the other side. Turning your body, you face him as he shifts the blanket up to his ears. His glowing red eyes almost match the luxurious blanket covering you both.
Once more he mutters the same word as before to you, before he closes his eyes. His voice was deep and gravely from being woken up. Not as harsh sounding as it had seemed before. His face softens when he stretches his arm to rest under your pillow, making himself just a little bit closer to you.
"Sleep."
It was a simple word, but the fact you started to understand even just a little bit was enough to finally lull you into a slumber. Finally allowing your body to relax more as you slowly feel the heat emitting from his body inch closer to yours throughout the night.
A special thank you to my beta reader for making this as awesome as possible @ephemeralchymist
There are a lot of people on tiktok who seem to think that Todoroki hates Bakugou or that he should hate Bakugou and that always puzzles me because he clearly doesn't
Todoroki fought with Bakugou and decided Bakugou is his friend and nothing will shake that
In fact the more time they spend together the more Todoroki clearly considers Bakugou to be one of his bestest best friends
How I think Todoroki's brain works as someone who is autisitic:
1. They have fought both in training against each other and against common enemies. This is how he made friends with Midoriya so it stands to reason thats how you make friends
2. Bakugou has given him a nickname! That is something friends do
3. He has furthered the bond by making observations of Bakugou to show he is paying attention to him!
4. They have spent much time together at extra training!
5. He unlocked Bakugou's Tragic Backstory ™️ . It does not matter if Bakugou doesn't consider having to physically fight adults as a kid as Tragic Backstory ™️
Like I just feel that whenever the two of them are in a room Bakugou is born annoyed to fuck but also swallowing down what he knows about Todoroki's trauma because even he isn't going to use it against him
Whereas Todoroki is just thinking "I am successfully interacting. I am so good at social interaction right now"
But in general the "snarky" comments Todoroki are less snarky and more statements of fact and he clearly enjoys Bakugou's company because he invites him along on the internship at his dad's agency. He didn't have to do that, it would have been easier not to but no, he wanted Bakugou there
And I'm sorry but Bakugou being pulling kicking and screaming into friendship by Todoroki is the funniest fucking thing in the world.
Because it's not like Todoroki is intimidated by Bakugou, so he takes his temper tantrums quite well
And what's more his determined "Bakugou and I are Besties" belief system is actually fucking working (if you know you know)
UA is great for Bakugou because he ended up in a space where there are multiple people as stubborn as Midoriya about befriending him but who also aren't willing to put up with his bullshit either
He's like an angry feral cat that Class 1-A decided was horrible but theirs and they are both going out of their way to get him to come close enough for pets and refering to him as "stinky garbage bastard kitty" while telling him off for trying to bite them
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