Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Song rec: Motion Sickness (Phoebe Bridgers)

Part one: Cassiopeia

Izuku Midoriya stretched his aching fingers as he rotated his wrist in circles, trying to release the tension in his arms from painting for hours. He absolutely had to get this painting on the market by the end of the week or his mother would be on his tail.

You see his family had the pleasure of being class five. This meant they had to rely on the arts to make their money, which was not a lot. Izuku was a painter like his stepfather and he had been spending hours of his Wednesday afternoon tediously finishing his third piece of the month. It was nearing winter and that meant that sales were about to increase drastically for holidays and winter parties and his family was barely surviving the fall. He had to get good sales, now, if they were going to make it.

His mother, Inko Yagi, was a seamstress and knew how to make the most gorgeous pieces. She had learned such a skill in her previous job as the assistant to the queen of Yuuei. Before Izuku’s father had died when he was ten his family was in class six. Class six is categorized as servants and factory workers. Yuuei consisted of 8 classes and the lower the class you were the worse and more unnerving your living conditions could become. They had it lucky when they could become servants in the castle rather than work 14-hour shifts in dark industrial plants or clean horse stalls for farmers. The castle allowed them free housing and food as long as they remained hidden and quiet and completed their jobs perfectly. Izuku was thankful his mother's talents had allowed them a life close to luxury.

However, after his father died early on his mother had met Toshinori Yagi, who was thankfully or unfortunately a class-up. He had visited the castle to bring artwork he had made and the royal family had purchased. He remembers how smitten his mother was when they got introduced and soon thereafter the two were getting married.

Izuku and Inko had enjoyed their time in the palace as he grew up. His mother had become friends with the queen herself after she was her maid during Mitsuki’s time in her selection. She had been there when King Masaru had held his selection competition of 35 eligible women to be his wife. She watched as Mitsuki competed fiercely and won the crown and the prince and the two remained friends for some time thereafter.

Being close to the Mitsuki Bakugou growing up meant that Izuku was often exposed to the other members of the royal family. Prince Katsuki Bakugou, son of Mitsuki and Masaru, had once been Izuku’s closest friend. They used to run together in the gardens while Inko would sew Queen Mitsuki the finest dresses for balls and galas. They'd play hours of hide-and-seek using the entirety of the castle, giggling and hugging each other when they were found. Inko would bathe them both at night and Izuku would often be invited into his royal quarters to watch All Might movie reruns and have sleepovers on the finest of mattresses.

He remembers holding Katsukis hand and crying to him when his father died.

“Kacchan we might have to leave” Izuku remembers confessing to the blonde prince when his mom remarried a five. Although Toshinori was a fantastic artist it was rare to be invited onto castle grounds.

“No way Deku!” The nickname “Deku” meant useless which Kacchan often joked he was as his servant. As Izuku got older he was supposed to be serving Katsuki when he attended meetings and job requirements however the two boys acted more like brothers than coworkers. “We need artists here in the palace too!”

Shortly after him and his mother were dismissed from the lavish life they lived. It came as a shock to their small family. His older brother Togata had been 12 at the time and had become quite good at blending into the lifestyle. He had made friends with one of the guard's sons as well, Tamiki. For everyone this news was heartbreaking.

He can remember his mom bawling over the loss of the friendship she thought she had as they left the castle the next evening. Mitsuki had been cruel in sending them away making it clear that she and Katsuki had only used them as servants and any further relationship was a misread on their part. Izuku hadn't realized the family could be so cruel.

Izuku sobbed on his mom's shoulder as they left and never returned. Prince Katsuki hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye. Izuku was silly for ever thinking the prince was truly his friend.

Izuku finished up his painting while deep in thought and made his way back into the kitchen for dinner (a bread roll and some tuna) with his family. He wiped the yellow paint he had been using on his worn-out jeans and stopped by his step-dad’s room to collect him as well.

He stopped short in the doorway and observed his father figure. He felt horrible every time he looked at him. Toshinori has lost an incredible amount of weight in the last 8 years and his eyes were sunken in with thin hair on his head. He had always been a quite successful painter and made decent money for a single man but after marrying Inko and taking care of Izuku and his 3 siblings, Eri, Kota, and Togata, it made money sparse and it took a toll on him. He had taught Izuku to paint after joining their family in hopes that Izuku could continue his legacy. Izuku tried his best and had become very talented himself in the last 8 years but he always had a lingering feeling that he would never live up to the idea of Toshinori Yagi.

It helped when his older brother Togata caught his stride in sculpting. Money was flowing in until he moved out and avoided sending funds to the rest of the family. Izuku didn’t have it in his heart to blame him for it but seeing his father in such a horrid state made it harder to forgive Togata. Togata had been in the castle until 12 years old and Izuku could understand him for wanting to get a taste of luxury once more. He would come around for holidays and would always bring lavish gifts but Izuku always caught the look in his mother's eye of disappointment in the treatment from her own son.

His two younger half-siblings Eri, who had just turned 8, and Kota, who was 4, had known nothing about Izuku’s father, or the castle, or the friendship once shared with the Bakugou family. They had lived in near poverty their entire lives. Izuku would do anything to get his family into a comfortable place again even if that meant spending hours a day working on paintings and absorbing every ounce of knowledge from his father's brain.

Toshinori turned around when he felt Izuku staring at him. “Oh, my boy!” He hacked again a frail-sounding cough and used his dirty paint rag to wipe his mouth. Izuku winced at the sorry state he was in. “Is it dinner time already?” Izuku eyed his father's painting and as he shook his head yes. It was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. Of all the painters Izuku had come to know Toshinori Yagi was the best. He had known that Toshinori's own mother had been a very skillful painter as well and had also had paintings line the walls of the castle as her sons currently did. Izuku wondered if one day he would also add to the collection. The idea of one of his paintings residing in the castle and not him made his stomach twist and he shook the thought out of his head.

“Well, we’d better get going then or Inko dear is going to wring us” The man was always good at wearing a smile even when times were dark. Izuku admired him deeply.

They walked into the kitchen to sit with the rest of the family as Inko rushed around placing their singular set of cutlery and plates down on their broken table.

Izuku took a bite into the stale bread and tried not to wince at the texture. He thought back to the tarts and fritters he used to eat growing up and imagined it in the replacement of his reality.

Conversation at dinner was, as usual, Inko discussing how Eri and Kota needed to start finding a talent and how Izuku needed to finish up his pieces to take down to the market. Izuku started to fade away from the conversation staring down at his sad plate as he picked around the cold tuna when, suddenly, a white envelope consumed his vision. He looks up at his mother who looks at him nervously, running her teeth against her bottom lip. He grabs the letter noticing the texture of the paper and the gold lettering on the front that says Izuku Midoriya, Musutufu. He feels sick at the sight of his mother's shaky hands.

Before he can even peel back the envelope his mother begins speaking again, everyone else eyeing the letter as she speaks up. “Listen, Zuku, I know we have had our differences with the royal family” Izuku’s ears start ringing, making it hard to hear the rest. “A-and as you know money’s tight and-” Izuku felt his anger rise up without permission.

“You cannot be serious right now” Izuku rarely raised his voice but right now he was having a hard time concealing his disgust. He had the envelope in his closed fist crumpling it as he rose from the table only having finished his bread. “They treated us like shit mom you cannot seriously consider me going back.” He threw the envelope back onto the table and headed to his room where he would reside for the rest of the night. As he was leaving he heard Eri speak up “Mommy what did that letter to Izu mean?”

“Not right now sweetheart, we will discuss it again later tonight.”

Like hell we will Izuku thought. He got up from his bed and slipped on his red sneakers, which had been a signature for him since he was old enough to walk, threw on a hoodie, and walked over to his door to lock it. He headed over to the window and climbed out of it to meet the only person who would agree with him on this.

The air was starting to get cold as winter came and Izuku hurried to the neighboring treehouse with some of his bread from dinner and the tuna he didn’t end up eating. He climbed up carefully with one hand, trying to avoid the splinters that had formed on the handles after years of this routine, and at the top was met with the one person who understood him.

Rody Soul.

When Izuku, Togata, and his mother moved to this area 8 years ago Rody and his two siblings had come over to welcome them. Slowly from there, Izuku fell in love with Rody and the two had shared many nights together in this treehouse. Rody started as a replacement for the friendship he had had with Katsuki but as puberty hit and Izuku began to mature he realized he found a deeper connection to the boy than the platonic one he thought.

“Hey cutie” Rody smiled down at him and extended a hand out to assist him in getting into the treehouse. Izuku was tugged into the warmth of the room and began setting down his things and letting out a deep sigh of relief of finally being able to express his frustrations from the day.

“You would not believe the day I have had Rody” He quickly gave the boy the food he had brought and snuggled close while he ate it. Rody threw one of his arms around Izuku and lightly rubbed circles on his shoulder as he made quick work of the food. Rody and his siblings were in class six. His dad had abandoned them when they were young and then his mother had died when he turned 18. Now at 21, he was the primary financial supplier for him and his two younger siblings, who rarely had enough to feed their mouths. Rody was a factory worker and often worked 14-hour days to try and make ends meet. Any opportunity Izuku had to lighten the load on Rody he did and tonight that meant feeding him and staying close.

In between his bites Rody asked, “You got your letter I’m assuming?” He laughed but somewhere in the laugh seemed sad and distant.

“You knew?” Izuku moaned out disgruntled, throwing his hands over his face, “I mean obviously I am not going to do it” he shook his hands in the air aggressively. “I mean like I'm so happy with you and I love being an artist” he looked up at Rody who had stopped eating and was staring back at Izuku solemnly. “I mean who would want to subject themselves to such an outdated form of dating and romance” Izuku rolled his eyes and chuckled but was cut short by the expression on Rody’s face.

“LaLa got one too.” He continued to stare at Izuku distantly. LaLa was Rody’s 18 year old sister. Of course, she would get one too he thought stupidly. “She seemed thrilled at the idea of not starving every day and getting to wear clothes that weren’t beige and full of holes”. Izuku’s face reddened at the accusation he had made.

The green-haired boy quickly dismissed his initial thought “I mean I’m not saying it is a bad thing to want to do it necessarily” He laid his head on Rody’s shoulder, not wanting to make eye contact suddenly “It’s just not for someone like me” He moved the sleeve of his sweatshirt to cover his cold nose.

Rody took a long pause before continuing. “And who is someone like you” He nudged Izuku’s head forcing him to look at him. “Izuku?”

Without hesitation, the younger boy spoke, “Someone in love” Izuku barely finished the sentence before Rody was pulling him in for a passionate kiss, tongue diving into the roof of Izuku’s mouth. They pulled away when both boys were breathless and hot.

“I just thought you might like the idea of wearing tailored suits and filling your belly with the finest sweets” Rody jokingly prodded his elbow into Izuku’s side but something about the statement made the green-haired boy pause and frown. He had just this morning been reminiscing on the castle and a few hours later was poking fun at anyone who might want that. What a Hypocrite he had become. Of course, any five or six would love to have a chance of that.

Rody must have seen the gears turning in Izuku’s head because he took a deep breath before saying, “Maybe you should consider it” He wouldn't make eye contact with the other as he said it. Izuku felt like his heart was shattering.

“What the fuck Rody?” He moved from Rody's side to kneel in front of his open legs. He grabbed both of the boy’s wrists as he spoke. “You know how I feel about that family and Katsuki and the class system” he could feel himself getting angry and his grip getting tighter. “Why would I want that?”

Rody finally looked up at him, “I mean Izuku it could be a chance at a new life” Izuku could feel tears gathering in his eyes. “Do you wanna give up on royalty for a six like me?” Izuku could feel guilt rising from his stomach to his head.

“Rody I was once a six and you know how much of an asshole Kac-Katsuki was to me” Izuku caught a glimmer of something in Rody's eye when he slipped up on his childhood friend's nickname. “I am not doing it” There wasn’t finality in the way Izuku said it.

Rody checked his watch and sighed. He pulled out a tiny feather from his pocket and put it in Izuku's green hair behind his ear, gently moving his fingers from the freckled boy's temple to his jaw. Rody collected feathers for Izuku and he had a jar full of them back in his room, collected over 8 years of knowing each other. “I gotta get back to the kiddos Izuku, but promise me you’ll at least try it” he brushed a ghost of kiss across Izuku’s freckles. “Please, for me” With that Rody left Izuku there to cry alone. He felt the hot tears running down his cheeks at the thought that Rody might be okay with Izuku leaving him.

30 minutes later he climbed back in the window and quietly went to go to the bathroom to wash up when his mother rounded the corner, a crumpled piece of royal paper in her hand. She could tell he had been crying. He tried to quickly rub over his eyes hoping it just came off as tired.

“Zuku, baby, listen” He didn’t dare speak, knowing all of it would result in more tears. “I am not asking you to win or even stay too long but please, the earnings you get weekly would change our lives baby” He hadn’t realized he would be paid to do it. “If you at least try to apply I promise I won’t harp on it anymore”.

After the conversation with Rody and the begging from his mother Izuku, he couldn’t find himself to fight the inevitable any longer.

“Okay”

Izuku had trouble sleeping that night, dreaming of the red piercing eyes and the spikey blonde hair that he had once called his friend.

The next morning Izuku read the letter over and over at least 100 times feeling more ill with each read

Dear Izuku Midoriya of Masutafu

It is an honor to formally invite you to apply for The Selection.

The Selection is an event in which the royal family hosts 35 eligible young men and women into the castle to form relations with the prince. All 35 members will stay at the castle for the duration of The Selection. It is an event that has been held since our nation's formation centuries ago and has served the royal family well in expanding their lineage. All participants will receive weekly pay until being asked to be sent home by the prince. If you make it to the top ten, you will be considered an elite and your pay will be doubled for the remainder of the competition.

The prince, Katsuki Bakugou, has requested all young bachelors and bachelorettes ages 18-20 be invited to apply for his hand. The application will be open for two weeks time.

It is highly suggested to be honest on your application and winning participants will be drawn at random on November 1st on “The Report” weekly live update.

Good luck

In best regards,

The royal family

Just because he agreed to apply did not mean he would get it he kept reminding himself. In fact the odds were nearly impossible. He sat down with his mother as they filled out his application. If he did not have to focus on what he was actually filling out, having a day of the week where he didn't have to paint for hours on end was kind of nice. He realized two hours in however that he would much rather be covered in a variety of colors with a paintbrush stuck in his stiff hands than answer another ridiculous and specific question.

Class: five
Languages: two, English and Japanese
Talents: Painting, piano, singing

A long list of questions was filled out and Izuku felt exhausted as the hours passed by.

Blood type: A
Nationality: Japanese
Gender: Male

“I mean come on!” Izuku threw down his pencil in defeat as his mom sighed. “Like why do they have to know all of this if the competition is drawn at random anyway” He looked up at his mom in annoyance, who to be fair also looked put out and exhausted.

“Oh, shush honey” she patted down his curls “We're almost through here, and if we finish up in the next 15 minutes or so we can take it down to the post office before they close” Inko shook her head to keep awake and continued on “Okay, what's your shoe size” she giggled a little but it did lighten the mood.

Izuku groaned a smirk forming across his face but picked up his pencil to finish. That meant in 15 minutes and a quick trip to the post office he could say he tried and forget about the whole thing ever happened.

The walk to the post office felt draining after the long day he and his mother had. When they arrived at the post office Izuku’s stomach started to feel the nerves of what he was actually doing. He was putting himself in a drawing that could result in him leaving his family, moving into the castle, and worse of all facing his childhood friend. And to top it all off, the chances of not being able to stay with Rody.

His mother must could tell how he was feeling and she reached over to push the curls out of his face. “You know I love you no matter what happens Zuku” and he did know that. Inko was an amazing mother and he couldn’t blame her for taking this risk no matter the cost it had on her son. Something as simple as one week in the castle would give them plenty of funds to make it through until they could get back on their feet.

“I know, mom” he smiled painfully at her trying to push down any of the negative feelings. He wouldn’t be like Togata. He would help everyone he could.

When he finally took in his surroundings he noticed that there were hundreds and men and women here to turn in the very same application they all received this week. He started to feel bashful when he noticed the men had slicked back their hair and wore button-downs and the women had applied lipsticks and had silky hair. Izuku still wore the black hoodie that said “hoodie” and red sneakers from his journey the night before. He felt himself brushing through his curls with his fingers. He hoped the tiredness he felt didn’t show in his eyes and the hunger that was constant didn't show in his cheeks.

Ugh.

Why did he care?

As they made their way to the front of the line they ran into Rody’s sister Lindsey, or as they always called her LaLa.

“Oh! LaLa dear!” His mom was pulling them towards her not being aware the pain it was bringing Izuku to see glimpses of Rodys face right now. “Darling!”

LaLa turned around with a beaming smile on her face. She had also caught the message that red lipstick and rosy cheeks were necessary for the event. “Inko! Izuku!” She rushed towards them losing her place in line. Inko had always mothered those three siblings after their parents were gone.

When LaLa reached them Inko immediately started combing her fingers through LaLas brunette bangs and running her finger over the slightly smudged lipstick. It was obvious that if Inko could pick anyone in the world to get a chance like this after Izuku it would be LaLa.

“Oh gosh” LaLa started patting down her own hair along with his mother “I hope I look okay” she had such a similar demeanor to Rody it was almost painful to not reach out and touch her “I was kinda rushing” she gave them both a she smile.

Izuku still loved LaLa despite his fight with Rody and wanted to calm her nerves, because just like his mother, he really did want this for her “You look beautiful LaLa” She blushed up at him “and after all it’s not like you’re meeting the prince today” he laughed but he noticed how she slyly looked him up and down. He tugged at the drawstrings on his hoodie.

“Yeah we just have to take that picture for the application is all” He felt his stomach drop. He looked like shit right now and all three of them knew it. LaLa tried to not make it obvious “Maybe I should’ve gone your route and stayed casual!” she gave him a genuine smile and Izuku couldn’t find it in himself to take her words for anything but kindness. He glanced at his mother who looked downright mortified at the state he was in. He went to speak up but was cut short.

Inko jumped in before it could get any more awkward “I think you both look lovely” she pulled them both in for a hug “LaLa how does Rody feel about the prospects of his baby sister leaving the nest?” Inko was giving her eyebrows and Izuku felt his heart pang. They were nearly at the front of the line now and Izuku felt like he was going to vomit.

“Oh you know Rody” She playfully rolled her eyes. “He is a nervous wreck about me leaving” she giggled and it was evident how much she admired her brother. Who wouldn’t? “But you know I think he has got his mind on his own special person” She raised her eyebrows back at Inko and Izuku felt his heart rate raising. He couldn’t fight off the smirk that was tugging at the corner of his mouth and the blush spreading across his freckled cheeks.

“Who” Izuku blurted out before he could stop his mouth. LaLa and Inko both turned towards him eyeing him suspiciously at his eagerness. You see dating across classes was somewhat frowned upon. The only reason Inko and Toshinori had gotten away with it was because of the status his family held working for the royal family. However, if Izuku and Rody married Izuku would have to move back down to class six since Rody had little to no experience with the arts. That is something he knows his mother would absolutley hate. So they had kept it a secret.

“Zuku don’t be rude” she wacked his arm.

He rubbed the sore spot as LaLa continued “Oh it’s fine Inko” She rubbed Izuku’s arm with him “I actually don’t know who the lucky person is but I think Rody might propose soon” Izuku’s brain shut off and all he could do was smile dumbly as she continued. “He has been saving up like crazy”

Izuku was about to speak up again to ask when but was interrupted by the man in uniform asking him to step up for his picture.

“Sir” the man said louder the second time.

“S-sorry” Izuku hurried into the chair in front of the pale yellow backdrop.

“Smile” the worker spoke dryly.

But Izuku didn’t have to because after hearing the news LaLa had just revealed he had the biggest, most radiant grin he has ever worn.

The next night Izuku’s family shared their usual routine. Izuku finished his painting and had been sitting with Kota trying to teach him different brush strokes It was nearly dinner time and then afterwords, since it was Friday, the family would gather around their incredibly outdated tv to watch the weekly Report from the capital.

Izuku had nearly forgotten all about the application at this point and had put all of his thoughts into the fact that Rody wanted to propose to him. He wondered why he hadn’t brought it up before but was excited nonetheless.

They ate the same meal they had for 3 nights now and then Izuku aided his mother in washing dishes while the other three started gathering around the Tv.

He could hear “The Report” starting from the kitchen and quickly hurried up drying their dishes before going to sit next to his step father and pulling Eri into his lap.

The royal reporter, Hizashi Yamada, or Mic as people called him, gave the usual report. League of villan attacks in the west, report any activity you see, curfew will be moved earlier for the winter blah blah blah. “The Report” was almost over for the night when suddenly the cameras turned over to King Masaru.

Izuku couldn’t help but feel fondness towards the man. Although Mitsuki was a raging bitch to him and his mom Masaru was always kind.

“Good evening Yuuei citizens.” Izuku felt himself moving to the edge of the couch. “I am honored tonight to update you eager young bachelors and bachelorettes on the selection drawing” Izuku felt bile rising in his throat. “as you know applications are due in 12 days time and I wish all applicants good luck” 12 days. Izuku had to make it 12 more days. “That being said I wanted to introduce my son Prince Katsuki Bakugou to speak to all applicants.” Izuku felt his heart in his stomach. He realized, suddenly, he hadn’t actually seen Katsuki since they were ten as Katsuki didn’t make many tv appearances and when he did Izuku often avoided them.

The camera panes over to the most striking figure Izuku had ever seen.

Katsuki was no longer the toothy ten-year-old boy with unruly hair and lanky arms. No, Katsuki had become a man Izuku realized. He was tall, at least 6 feet, his hair was still spiked and jagged but looked put together in a completely new way. He had those same ruby eyes that could pierce Izukus's soul. Besides the huge arms and broad chest accompanying his now much more mature body Izuku also noticed the faintest scar tight under his eye.

Izuku realized his jaw was slightly open staring at Katsuki and tried to quickly close it and slouch back into the couch. Of course, he is handsome, Izuku, he is a prince. It didn’t mean Izuku couldn’t see through the facade of it all.

The prince finally spoke up “Hello citizens of Yuuei” Holy fuck his voice was much gruffer than before. Izuku stop it. He reprimanded himself. He took a deep breath at the same time as Katsuki “As you all know I rarely make public appearances” He smirked at the camera. “However my parents, the king and queen, felt it was important I speak to the eligible contestants of the selection and thank them for their applications.” Izuku couldn’t tell if it was because he knew the prince or if it was that obvious how painful this speech was for Katsuki. “So, thank you” with that Katsuki walked off the camera frame and Mic awkwardly tried to pick up the pieces. The tension in the room was palpable and Izuku wondered if there was a chance Katsuki didn't want this at all.

The show wrapped up shortly after the speech and Izuku hurried into his room for the night.

_ _ _ _

He was just about to fall asleep when he heard a familiar tap on the door. He hurried over to peer through it and there stood Rody. Izuku hurriedly let him in immediately grabbing him into a passionate kiss. All thoughts of their fight were put past Izuku at this point and all he wanted to do was marry the man that stood before him. Rody was consumed by the kiss and grabbed the back of Izuku’s neck to push into his mouth further. Izuku took this opportunity to pry his tongue into the other boy’s mouth and could feel the moan Rody let out into his lips. Izuku could hardly handle the excitement he was feeling after learning the news yesterday. Rody wanted to propose to him and here he was.

“I saw LaLa yesterday turning in her application” Izuku was trying to hint that he knew without embarrassing Rody too much.

“Oh, so you did it” Rody removed his hand from Izuku’s face and took a few steps back “Good, I'm glad” He nodded and continued looking back at the floor

“Yeah, but there’s no way I get it” Izuku giggled out as he took a few steps forwards to touch Rody again. As he did so Rody began to move backwards once more. Izuku’s smile faded. “Rody?”

“Listen Izuku” Any warmth and love in Rody’s voice had faded to something more distant. “I wanted to talk to you about something-” Rody froze as they both heard a knock at the door. Before they could finish the sentence Rody was already climbing out the window as Izuku wiped his mouth and tamed his hair back down. With no goodbye, Rody was gone and Izuku unlocked the door to see his mother standing on the other side.

“Could you please come help out with bathing Kota” Izuku tried to hide his disappointment and despair form his previous unfinished conversation with his lover.

“Of course mom” He shoved past her a little aggressively and headed for the bathroom.

Falling asleep that night was nearly impossible as he stared at the jar of feathers on his desk and thought about how different the prince had looked on television that night.

Chapter Text

Song rec: Peace (Taylor Swift)

Izuku hadn’t seen any more of Rody since he escaped from his window on Friday. They never got to finish their conversation and Rody had yet to bring up what he wanted to talk about or mention any prospects of proposing to Izuku. 

It was Thursday evening, one night before the announcement of which 35 lucky young adults would get picked for the Selection and the honor of marrying Prince Katsuki. His poor mother was in a complete tizzy. She hadn’t stopped cleaning all day, pausing to hover over Izuku's painting or adjusting Eri’s tension as she learned to crochet. Constantly, Izuku was being reminded of tomorrow by his mother's hounding questions of which he tried to answer politely.  

“Zuku, sweetie, do you still have that suit from when we played at the winter festival?” She didn’t stop to put down the broom as she spoke. 

“Mom I was 13” Izuku was trying not to be annoyed with his mother's adamance. “If we do have it I highly doubt it fits anymore” Izuku didn’t understand why she was thinking so hard on something that had little-to-no odds of happening. 

“Oh, yes, right” At this point she had now abandoned the broom and was trying to reach something that had fallen under the couch. “I suppose” she paused to grunt as she reached for the unknown object, “I could let the seams out to see how that works” Izuku stood from his painting and went to help his mother up off the floor where she was crouched, a runaway sock in her fist. She threw it on the couch as her son helped her up. Izuku definitely inherited his anxiety from her and he felt his annoyance drift away as she stood up and they remained holding hands. At this angle, he could see that she had been crying. 

“Mom” he brushed her silky green hair from her eyes. Izuku stood at about 5’9” so although he wasn’t extremely tall by any means, hovering over his five-foot-nothing mother like this felt like consoling a child. “What’s wrong mom?” he stayed hunched over and pulled her into a hug.  

“Oh, I shouldn't worry my own son like this” she wept into the crease of his shoulder. 

Izuku pulled her back to brush the tears from her cheek. Over his mother's head he could now see Toshinori standing in the hallway watching them with a sad smile on his face, admiring the scene from afar. 

He looked back down at Inko’s stress-ridden face “You can tell me anything, Mom” She slowly raised her big green eyes that had been passed down to him and took a shaky breath. 

Izuku grabbed her hand and moved them to the couch and Toshinori joined them as well. 

“Oh my boy” Toshinori threw one of his long arms around both the Midoriya’s “I am fearsome it is my fault” Izuku could see his father’s tears start to gather. The boy had never seen him cry. He always smiled. “My hands are just too shaky now and my paintings aren’t as precise as they once were”. He barely finished the last sentence before choking up. 

“What are you guys talking about” Izuku could feel panic consuming him, the tell-tale signs of a racing heart and starry vision arriving. 

“Baby” His mother was at full sob now after watching her husband “We're going to have to sell the house” Izuku hadn’t even realized tears were already streaming down his face. 

He had flashbacks to the last time they were forced to pick up and move. Were they cursed to always have to do this? Would the rest of their life be getting any morsel of peace shattered and being forced to pick up the broken pieces? They had thought they made it out when she married Toshi but in reality, all they did was drag another person down with them. Thoughts of Togata popped into his head and he wanted to drive his ass down to his two-story home and bash his head against the wall. 

Instead, Izuku plastered a smile on his face at a time when he knew neither of his parents could. He reached out his hand for his mother who looked confused at his action but reached out anyway. He tugged her up and swung his thick arm around her neck, kissing the crown of her head. “Well, we better go try on that suit” Inko allowed herself the faintest smile as she followed him down the hallway. 

It was just busy work until they could sit down and figure out what to do, but for now, it was enough. 

---------

After hours of his mother pinning and re-sewing the only suit he owned, they had both given up. It was far too small no matter how they tried to work it. Puberty had been quite kind to Izuku even given that there were months like this one where eating wasn’t always guaranteed. 

Izuku has always had a stockier build and many of the girls he went to school with often were very interested in him romantically. Izuku wasn’t opposed to dating girls and he had definitely had fun before he recognized his feelings for Rody, but damn did Izuku have a thing for strong biceps and rough hands. 

The pants had hardly fit over his thick thighs and when buttoning up the suit jacket the fabric wrinkled far too much where it was tight around his pecks. The fabric squeezed at his upper arms and if he lifted his arms at all the fabric was bound to rip. 

His mother had cooed at him for how big and strong he had gotten and how he must have gotten his good looks from her. Izuku had always been told he looked just like his mother whereas Togata got all of his looks from their dad. Sometimes he wanted to resent him for having the last physical evidence that their dad ever existed and still turning out to be an asshole. 

The son and mother got a good laugh at least out of the ill-fitting suit and it had lightened the mood a little from the dreary cloud that hung above the three oldest members of the house. Toshinori had gone back to painting after their conversation and while Izuku was changing back into clothes that actually fit him he could hear his mother humming in the next room. He imagined her hunched over Toshi’s back swaying them as he painted. Izuku knew he would have a love like that with Rody. Love that, no matter what conditions, could still thrive and be lively. Being able to sing and dance and embrace one another throughout the darkness that may be consuming. He knew he and Rody could be sixes and be happy, he just needed to convince Rody of that. 

Izuku had already made up his mind that he would try and see him tonight. Every Thursday Izuku would wait for the familiar tap on his window and if he didn't it meant Rody would be heading for the treehouse. 

Although they were having chicken tonight for dinner, which was his favorite, he thought it would help ease the tension between him and Rody if he brought the dinner for Rody to eat. When his family sat down Izuku pretended to feel nauseous about the results tomorrow and insisted on staying in his room for the night. After his family finished their meals and he heard his parents turn in for the evening he carefully paced back into the kitchen to receive his portion of dinner; they had even left him a glass of tea. Once he had the course wrapped in a piece of cloth he snuck back into his room to gather his belongings. Today was October 31st, which used to be celebrated as New Hallow’s Eve. Sometimes he wished the country still celebrated the holiday. 

The air was only getting colder as the days passed so as Izuku adorned his same black hoodie as his last forbidden journey he also made sure to slip on his hole-ridden denim jacket on top. He threw the food into his yellow backpack, but before leaving the jar of feathers had caught his eye.  He quickly decided to bring them to boast to Rody how full his collection had gotten. 

It was dark by now and Rody hadn't come to knock so Izuku quietly opened his window and climbed out. After making it out of his yard he could see the faintest glow of a candle from the treehouse. He rushed over, knowing Rody was in there.

He followed the same routine of climbing up the stairs, and pulling himself in to find Rody peering off into the window. When he heard Izuku arrive he whipped his head towards his companion. 

“You came” was all he said the warm smile that usually accompanied his face gone. 

Izuku brushed his hands on his jacket and sat his backpack down to start pulling out the food. “Of course I came” he felt saddened that Rody might actually think Izuku would abandon him. “I always come,” he said a little quieter than he meant. 

Rody didn't seem to have an answer for this and was already looking down at the food the green-haired boy had started pulling out. Izuku admired Rody’s short brown ponytail he always had pulled back and thought back to how pretty LaLa had looked at the post office. 

“I love you” Fuck. They had never said that. Not that they didn’t mean it it’s just there was some secret rule between them that it wouldn’t be spoken. Still, he waited shakily while he hoped for Rody's return. 

Rody took a deep breath before speaking, “Izuku, I need to talk to you” ouch. Izuku didn’t respond but held out the loaf of bread so Rody could begin eating. He didn’t reach out for it. 

Instead, he sat up and began pacing back and forth between the small space that could barely hold his height and continued on. “I don’t want to marry you” Izuku’s heart fell hard. If you would have told him that his beating heart was in front of him bleeding out on the ground he would have believed you. Rody stopped short, noticing his panic. “I meant” he hurried over to kneel in front of Izuku’s body and grabbed his shoulders “At least not right now” Izuku let out a small sigh of relief but still felt little calming from the clarification. When Rody understood he had no words to put forth into the conversation the brown-haired boy continued. “You bringing me food all the time when we both know you aren’t eating well isn’t right”. 

Izuku finally felt the need to speak up. “Rody, my family eats plenty.” He grabbed the other boy's wrists from his shoulders and pulled them into his lap. “It’s all I can do to help you” Izuku shifted to grab his backpack and pulled out the jar of feathers. “And look” he held it up to Rody’s face “It’s not like I do it for free” Izuku was trying to lighten the mood but it was obvious by the look on Rody’s face that he had struck a nerve. 

Rody pulled his hands away and stood up again to walk to the other side of the treehouse. “Izuku, you shouldn't have to sacrifice your livelihood, and talent, and - for fucksake - the goddamn food at your table for me” He could tell that Rody was angry and there was nothing Izuku could say to turn this around. 

“What did you mean when you said you couldn’t right now ” he had to understand what Rody was getting at before their conversation would be cut short once more. If, god forbid, his life changed tomorrow, he couldn't not know what Rody meant. 

Rody sighed as if he was preparing to lift some giant boulder off his shoulder “I applied to serve in the military”. Izuku Immediately felt his throat tighten up. “And I got in” he took one final breath before finishing the sentence with one last twist of the knife. “I leave Saturday”. 

Everything that Izuku had forced himself to pin up in his mind cracked through his tough exterior all at once. The application he turned in. Katsuki. His stepfather’s shaky hands and bated breaths. His mother’s tears that were in constant behind closed doors. Eri and Kota never having tasted freshly made bread. Togata abandoning them. The place he called home being ripped out from under him. His boyfriend's family not having enough food. His boyfriend. His military boyfriend. The cold air made him feel the tears on his checks before he even registered they were coming out of him. 

“WHY” It came out as a wretched sob. It was all he could think to say; it had so many meanings. Why is this happening to me? Why am I not good enough for you, as you are for me? Why can nothing ever just work out? Why me? 

He hadn't realized that Rody was so close to him until he reached up to brush the tears off his cheek. Izuku finally opened his eyes to see that Rody was crying too. “Izuku” He combed a finger through the boy's green curls. “It will make me a two” the two came out in a croak. “All I have to serve is four years” he grabbed Izukus's face in both hands “Four years and we can be together forever” Izuku couldn't feel his anger subside like he knew it should be. “Four years and we can live as Twos ” He said it like that was supposed to have some greater meaning than it did. 

“Why didn't you tell me” It came out too angry and accusatory but he couldn't help but feel betrayed. “I would have been happy being a six but I also would have been happy not spending our last goddamn week together for four years arguing because you wouldn't tell me what the fuck was going on”. Izuku stood up from the grasp Rody had on him and went to lean on the window to breathe the fresh air he desperately needed. 

“Izuku” Rody stood up to join him. “I tried, but I didn't want to tell you until I was sure I was getting in and I-I only found out the other night when I came to your room” Izuku looked over at him finally noticing how tired his eyes looked. “And then your mom knocked on your door and I had screenings and two 16-hour shifts and” he grabbed the nape of Izuku’s neck. “I’m sorry” 

“It’s fine” It wasn't fine but Izuku had a habit of letting other people's sadness outrank his own. 

Just as things were beginning to calm Rody opened his goddamn mouth again. He pulled away from Izuku’s neck. “Plus it's not like you didn't just sign up yourself to get shipped away” That was it. 

“EXCUSE ME” He pushed off the window ledge to walk backward, away from Rody. 

“I didn’t actually think you'd do it, Izuku” Rody sounded pained but Izuku could no longer handle it. He had been people-pleasing all week and he couldn’t just sit by and pretend that Rody hadn't asked him to do just that. 

“You're the one who told me to Rody!” Rody winced at the point made by his partner. “Now what?” Izuku's back had hit the other side of the tiny room. “I’m just supposed to wait around for years hoping you make it back alive?” His head was pounding from the stress of the day and the lack of food. 

“Maybe you will get the honor of entertaining yourself with Prince Katsuki while I'm gone” The jealousy was evident. He didn't even look at the other boy as the vile words spit from his mouth. 

The exhausted boy was done with arguing for the night, so he gathered his belongings grabbing the jar of feathers to stuff back into his backpack. 

“So what now? You're just running away?” Rody sounded hurt and Izuku hated it. He shouldn’t get to be the hurt one. 

He stood up with ferver dropping the glass jar on accident on his way up. “I AM NOT THE ONE RUNNING AWAY” he knew he shouldn’t have said it. Rody was trying to make a better life for them and he understood that deep down, but for now the anger and fragility of the situation was overconsuming. The guilt formed in his stomach when he saw the shattered glass on the wood floor of their safe haven. Izuku fell to his knees to pick up the pieces but it was far too late, feathers were already flying out of reach and into the crisp night air. He picked up a shard of glass cutting his hand. “ Shit” He watched the dark red start to build and pool out of the cut through blurry eyes.

Rody was at his side in an instant, grabbing his hand to examine the wound. “Are you okay?” The voice was shaky and wet. Izuku looked up so the pair of tear-soaked eyes could meet his own. 

“I’m scared Rody” He was enveloped into a tight hug by the bigger boy. 

“Me too Izuku” Rody finally let himself sob into Izuku’s shoulder and the green-haired boy followed suit. “And I love you too” 

Izuku cried harder than he thought imaginable and the boys stayed in each other's arms for the remainder of the night. 

—------------

When dawn woke them up Izuku hurriedly grabbed all of his stuff to try and get home before anyone or any police noticed they broke curfew. In a hurried goodbye, he made sure to feverishly kiss Rody and make him promise to come visit him before he left on Saturday. Izuku rushed home with newfound hope that they would be okay. 

By the time he got back to his room and crawled back through the window it had hit him that today was the day of the announcement and he was sure his mother would be more high-maintenance than ever. He unpacked his backpack from the night prior throwing the too-far spoiled chicken out of the window for the birds. When he reached the bottom of the mustard yellow bag he found one single feather that had survived the fight. His breath hitched and he carefully picked it up to move it to a safe place on his dresser. Physical proof that everything would be okay. A lifeline. 

He changed into his worn-out painter jeans and a plain black thermal to begin his evening of painting. He had started a new piece this week that challenged him to start moving towards Toshinori's style of realism. He was about to move his easel and paints to the living room when his stomach let out a low rumble. He was starving from skipping dinner last night. 

He walked into the small kitchen to find his mother and stepfather already in there, and it smelt delicious. Wait. It smelt delicious? His feet quickened in pace to bring him to the source of a warm home-cooked meal. As he approached the couple, his mother's green hair whipped around towards him. Her eyes immediately beamed when she saw him enter. 

“Oh! Izuku!” Before he could even return the hello he was being swept up into a rib-crushing hug that didn’t seem like the small women could accomplish. Her arms had gone around his, leaving him at an awkward angle to rub his hands along her back. 

“Good morning, mom?” It came out as a question rather than a friendly remark. He gently pried her arms off and he walked around her to peer at the new-found meal. Pancakes. Izuku felt tears in his eyes. Damn those Midoriya genetics for making him a crybaby. When was the last time he had pancakes? And that wasn’t all, there were fried eggs, enough for each person to have one, there was orange juice, and even bacon. They could never afford bacon! He suddenly felt very confused by the situation and wondered if he was just still dreaming and his real body was still up in the treehouse with Rody. He looked up at Toshinori who was flipping pancakes like a professional. “What is all this?” He spoke to both of them. 

Inko looked shy as she walked up to him to grab his hand, “Well, it’s just your big day” Oh boy. “And I wanted to make it special for you” Kota and Eri rounded the corner together hand in hand. They must have just woken up because both kids had ratty hair and tired eyes. Inko went to hug Eri as Kota threw his hands up towards Izuku. The older son couldn’t possibly deny the boy, even if he was getting a little big, so he picked him up and allowed the tired kid to rest his head on his brother’s shoulder. “I was just about to get you two” Eri looked up at her curiously. “Since today is the day we get news on Zuku-” 

“And if he gets to marry a prince!” Eri cut her off excitedly, practically bouncing as she said it. Izuku rolled his eyes playfully but could feel the anxiety start to set in. 

Inko continued, “Yes, if Zuku gets to marry a prince” That time the excitement was gone and his mother looked at him almost as if she had just realized how much pain this could cause her son. “I thought we could try something new for breakfast” This time Kota was the one who woke up and started trying to look over Izuku’s shoulder to see what breakfast had brought them. Izuku walked Kota over and Eri grabbed his hand on the way to show them what their father was cooking. The tall man had been eerily quiet all morning and Izuku wondered if it was the same anxiety he was having. The anxiety that something was changing. 

Izuku set Kota down on the counter and bent down to throw an arm around Eri. “They’re called pancakes”. You would have thought he announced that Santa was here. Cheers filled the kitchen and Izuku allowed himself to smile. 

He hoped, one day, somehow, Eri and Kota could enjoy as many pancakes as they’d like to have. 

—-----------

Once they had all finished up breakfast Izuku was feeling more full than he had in the last year. It was close to noon before they all finally left each other's company, Eri rambling on about the pretty dresses all the girls would get to wear and how she wished that she were 18 so she could go. In some way’s Izuku wished that for her too. He thought about LaLa and how he hoped that he would get to hear her name get called this evening. This evening. They were just 7 hours away from hearing the news. Rody’s other younger brother, Roland, or as they called him RoRo, would be by himself if it all played out as Izuku hoped. With LaLa at the castle and Rody being shipped off to serve, he made a vow to himself he would befriend the younger boy and look after him while they were gone. 

He helped his mother with the dishes before scurrying off into the living room to finally begin painting for the day. Kota, seemingly in a good mood from the pancakes, was patient enough to join him and watch the different strokes as Izuku was learning the new technique himself. They spent the next multiple hours talking about color theory and shading and Izuku even sacrificed one of his smaller scrapes of canvas paper to allow Kota to try out oil paints. Izuku was mildly impressed from the four-year-old's capability and hoped that they had finally found a talent that would stick for him. 

Before the two brothers knew it, it was time to start settling down for the evening and getting everyone showered before “The Report” came on. Izuku finally got a good look at Kota who was covered in various shades of greens and yellows. He chuckled as he could remember his first few years painting and how clumsy he was at the time too. 

Izuku showered and put on his plaid pajama bottoms with his black hoodie and made his way into the living room. They had fifteen minutes and for some reason, all the anxiety he had pent up in him seemed to die down that moment. It was like he had finally come to peace with the fact that all odds were against him going to the castle. Hundreds of thousands of people applied (and Izuku was never known for his good luck). He found himself even smiling as the show began and his mother pulled him into her arms as if Hizashi was announcing the lottery. Which, okay, he kinda was. 

Eri sat to his left leaning on his shoulder and drawing circles with her fingers gently on his pant leg. Kota had taken residence in between his legs, leaning back to rest his head on his older brother’s thigh. Izuku looked over to his stepdad who was anxiously tapping his leg. It seemed everyone was more wound up about the situation than he had ever been. 

By the time Izuku was done analyzing his family's anxious tendencies it was already nearing the start of the drawing announcement. 

“The names will be announced by class.” Izuku focused in on the announcer’s bright yellow hair and black shades he typically had sitting on his angular face. “And i’m not the one who drew these names of course” he shot a charming smile at the crowd of two’s that could afford tickets to weekly reports. His laugh was jagged and loud. “Don’t shoot the messenger” He shot a few winks at the first row. “Alrightttttttt” he waited for a full five seconds before continuing. Even Izuku who had no interest in being drawn was starting to feel annoyed with the lengthy introduction to the big event. 

“Oh, I can’t watch” he heard his mother say as she stood up to pace behind the couch. Izuku felt mildly exposed with her warmth gone. 

“Starting with class two” Hizashi held up a peace sign dramatically. Izuku was unsure why, but he had assumed that this would have been a live drawing. Instead, Mic was just holding fancy envelopes labeled by class for him to open. They must have held the drawing privately before announcing to the public. Probably for safety concerns Izuku concluded. 

“Our very first contestant will be... Camie Utsushimi” The crowd went berserk at the recognition of the name. Camie was a very famous model that even fives like himself, who couldn’t afford magazines knew about. 

Izuku recognized most of the two’s for that matter, given that it was the class for the rich and famous. “Sen Kaibara” World-renowned wrestler. “Ibara Shiozaki” Pop artist. “Itsuka Kendo” Govenor’s daughter. “And our final two will be…Tenya Iida”. Blockbuster movie actor. 

Izuku couldn’t help but let his mind drift to Rody after the announcement of the caliber of twos joining the competition. In less than 24 hours Rody would be joining them in status, simply for serving the military.

He was woken from his thoughts by the loud voice on the TV. “And now we move on to our threes” Hizashi was dancing around with the envelopes as the crowd chanted “MIC! MIC! MIC!” Music blasted loudly in between class announcements. 

The three’s category was by far the largest, most likely because it was the most heavily populated class. Three status was reserved for the “thinkers” of the society. Professors, Doctors, Inventors. 

The blond bimbo finally settled down, ripping open the first envelope. “And our first three will be…Momo Yaoyorozu” Izuku knew he would recognize some of these names but wasn’t expecting the first one to be from the most well-known family of inventors ever. Her family had been responsible for most of the military technology they used current day. Izuku didn’t know most of the other names called after that. “Shihai Kuroiro…Yosetsu Awase…Neito Monamo…Rikido Sato…Mezo Shoji…Minoru Mineta…Setsuna Tokage…Pony Tsunotori…Yuga Aoyama…Tsuyu Asui…Denki Kaminari” Izuku recognized the name Kaminari as the name plastered all over the electrical boxes in all districts. Izuku was surprised his family hadn’t been moved to class two. “Eijiro Kirishima…Fumikage Tokoyami…and finally Testsutesu Testsutesu” What a horribly stupid name Izuku thought, however, he got away with it since his family had invented the metal alloy used in the country’s fighter jets. 

Hizashi took a dramatic breath in as if that was the longest he had spoken in decades. The crowd giggled at him as he wiped a fake bead of sweat off his brows. “What a phenomenal line-up we have so far” Izuku could practically go blind looking at his pearly white teeth in a cat-like smile. “The show is not over yet folks as we move into our fours!” 

The difference between a four and a five was astronomical. Fours were for business workers. It had the largest margin for growth and if done right a four could easily blend in with a three in both status and money. Being placed as a five gave away any chance of flourishing and sent every ounce of survival. 

Hizashi took in a deep breath just as dramatic as the first and continued. “And our first four will be…Ochaco Uraraka” She looked sweet. Izuku smiled back as her bubbly picture appeared on the screen. “Shoto Todoroki” There it was. Izuku recognized the family for their heating and cooling systems primarily used for upper classes. They were a family easily mistaken for three’s. “Mina Ashido…Kosei Tsuburaba…Jurota Shishida…Nirengeki Shoda…Toru Hagakure…Koji Koda…Kyoka Jiro” Something behind the purple girl’s eyes told Izuku she was hoping to not be drawn, just as he was. “Hanta Sero…and finally Kinoko Komori”  

Izuku had been keeping count and the odds were pitiful. Three left. There were only three spots left and out of thousands of money-hungry and desperate fives Izuku would be a free man in no time. He did feel a pang in his chest for LaLa though, she would have made a beautiful guest and the viewers would have gone crazy for her personality. 

He kept watching as a secondary man dressed in all black, long black hair to match, came up to hand Hizashi the last 3 measly envelopes. His mom was now hunched over the couch hugging him from behind, death-tight grip. His frail father had stood up at some point, moving closer to the tv with crossed arms. Eri and Kota were both bouncing up and down in front of him. At this moment Izuku finally felt his hands begin to sweat. He wiped them down his pajama pants as the announcer started up again, winking at the companion who had brought him the final lucky winners. 

“What we have left here is our smalllllll-” he dragged the word out far too long for Izuku panic “-llllll group of fives” He winced as if he had said a bad word, a grimace on his face as the crowd murmured. Izuku was used to the way his class was seen but having it broadcasted to all of Yuuei stung a bit more. 

Hizashi took even longer to open the first envelope leaving the crowd begging him to continue. “Okay, okay, okay” the crowd hushed down. “And our first five will be…Hiryu Rin” Izuku imagined the boy jumping up and down with his family, kisses and hugs being passed around. “Reiko Yanagi” The crowd was going ballistic ready to hear the final name to be crowned. 

Fuck . Izuku thought in relief. It really is over. He looked over behind his shoulder to his mom who already had tears in her eyes. He started to feel a little remorseful for ever feeling happy about not making it. 

“And the last and final contribution being added to our extraordinary list of eligible young adults will be” he paused for dramatic effect. He continued looking at the tears running down his mother’s cheeks, her eyes still glued to the TV, as Hizashi called the final name. He was about to speak up, turning around to console her when it happened. 

“Izuku Midoriya” 

Izuku spent the next few hours in a blur of unbelief. Hizashi had said his name, and everyone had heard it. His mother had immediately jumped up running to the other side of the couch. At some point Izuku had stood up from the couch himself, in shock he was sure, and Eri and Kota were tugging excitedly at both ends of his hoodie. His face was ghostly white and his body was numb as his mother pulled him into a gripping hug. He only caught a few of her words “Home…Thank you….you did it!” He couldn’t think of anything. Not the house. Not Rody. Not Katsuki. Not his Family. His brain had turned into a blank slate of tv static. He peered over to his stepdad who was looking at him with a smile on his face, somewhere in his deep-set eyes he looked just as pained as Izuku. At least someone else seemed to understand what could actually come out of this. 

After the announcement a flurry of people came over, cousins and friends, to congratulate him. Iuzku isn't sure he said a word to anyone the whole time. 

“Izuku you’re being rude to the guest” He can remember his mom saying. 

“Sorry”. 

The night was thousands of hours. 

The final guest came at 9:00 that night. Two hours since the news. His family had been sitting in the living room, Eri coming up with a million questions to ask him, him trying to answer without ripping his innocent sister’s head off. His mom was running around trying to find the best clothes he owned since the suit clearly wouldn’t work out. Somewhere deep in his mind he also worried about what he would look like when he saw Katsuki for the first time. 

The knock was heavier than the others and the Midoriya-Yagi family all stood still, not knowing who was going to be here this late. Izuku suddenly had flashes of Rody coming here to sweep him away, run away together to the mountains somewhere. He hurriedly stood up finally snapping out of his daze and running towards the door. He ripped it open hoping to see that brown hair pulled back and the big arms wrapped around him. It wasn’t. 

He was faced with the most uptight man he had ever seen. His collar pulled high over his mouth as if he was hiding it. 

In confusion all Izuku could think to say was “Um, hello?” He was still standing in front of the door not letting the stranger intrude his home. 

His mother at this point had caught up to her eager son and lightly slapped his arm “Don't be rude Zuku” He flinched back at the touch and rolled his eyes in annoyance. “How can I help you sir?” Inko doesn’t know a stranger and was already pulling the tall blond in with no second thought. 

“My name is Tsunagu Hakamada” He finally unzipped the comically tall jacket and sat it down on the dining room chair. “I am from the castle” Izuku had to give it to him, for being someone from the castle he was showing little disgust for their small, somewhat messy home. 

Izuku thought his mom might actually pass out. “Oh my gosh” She pulled out one of the other chairs at the table for the man. “P-please sit down” She was now bowing and Izuku tried to help by taking the man’s jacket to put on the hook by the door. The man sat down and pulled out a large binder. “C-could I get you any tea sir?” His poor mom was going to give their last cup of tea to this man who probably bathed in it. 

“No, ma’am” At this point the rest of his family had joined the dining room table, with Izuku leaning against the cabinets since their five seats were taken. “I will just be here briefly, thank you for your offer though” He watched his mom relax a little at the man’s kindness. Everyone sat silently, breath held, as they waited for what the stranger wanted. “I just came to brief Izuku Midoryia,” He gestured towards the green-haired boy leaning across the room “I assume that’s you,” Izuku gave the man a curt nod still feeling unsure of his presence. “There is just a few more questions I have to ask and a few things he should know before departure tomorrow morning”. 

Izuku rudely cut him off “Tomorrow?” he didn’t expect that he would be leaving tomorrow . He walked closer now, much more curious about what was happening. 

“Yes, at 8:00” Izuku would be leaving at 8, 2 hours before Rody got shipped out at 10. Fuck. He had to talk to Rody before he left. 

“May I continue” It sounded snarky but when Izuku looked up at Tsunagu he seemed to genuinely wonder if Izuku was in a state to move forward with the questions. He wasn’t but he shakily nodded his head in consent. He took Kota out of his seat and placed him back on his lap instead. Izuku needed to sit down. 

“Alright” he flipped through to a different paper. “Do you have any ill-will towards the castle or the royal family” Izuku let out a small huff of a laugh when his mother kicked him hard under the table. 

Tsunagu was just staring at him blankly waiting for an answer “Um, n-no” He noticed how his stepdad shifted in his seat uncomfortable, seemingly as anxious as his son. 

Tsunagu wrote down a few hasty notes and then continued, “Have you participated in either heterosexual or homosexual intercourse”. He said it like he was asking the boy his favorite color. 

Izuku shot his hands over Kota’s ears as Eri was already asking “What is that mom?”

Inko looked around flustered and Izuku decided to just finish the conversation. He coughed “N-No, sir” Tsunagu unaware of the small chaos that had ensued wrote down his answer. 

“Okay, final question” He flipped to the last page. “Do you have any food allergies” Izuku tried not to laugh at the meaningless question after the last two had been so extreme and crude. 

“No” 

Tsunagu stayed for about 15 minutes after that telling Izuku and his family the plans for the morning and all Izuku could think about was how he was going to be able to see Rody. Would he be mad at him for being chosen? Would he want to break up? 

The castle man stood up to leave but before walking away he slickly pulled out a piece of paper stating rules that Izuku was meant to follow while at the castle. He read them aloud as the boy tried his best to not drown him out. He glanced down noticing that at some point during the conversation he had picked his fingers to bleeding. 

The man was almost done reading out the basic rules in his monotone voice, handing the paper towards Izuku, when his last rule caught the boy off guard. 

“All contestants are now considered property of the government and the contestant may not deny the Prince of any requests he makes, physical or not”. He thrust the paper towards Izuku in one final movement. 

The boy didn't reach his freckled hands back “ Excuse me”. Was he being serious? Would his Katsuki- well the Katsuki he used to know, really be okay with forcing someone to do anything physical with him if they weren't comfortable? 

“It's simply a rule of the selection Mr. Midoriya”. With that, he headed towards the door. 

The man zipped his silly collar back up and left the family with vitamins he was supposed to take daily. 

Izuku left for the castle in ten hours. 

-----------

Izuku woke up in the middle of the night to throw up. 

He had never felt so anxious in his entire life. 

How would he find Rody in the next few hours to explain or say goodbye?

Four years. 

He wouldn’t see him for four years. 

How long would his selection even last? 

Weeks?

Months?

Years? 

The man said last night said The Selection didn’t have a time limit and the thought of staying away from his family for that long made him throw up a second time.

Before he knew it, it was 6:00 and his mother was knocking on the bathroom door. 

He reluctantly opened it knowing he looked like shit. 

“Izuku have you even slept?!” she was grabbing him and dragging him towards his room. 

“I was nervous” He didn’t feel like keeping a cool demeanor any longer. He had tried for his mother’s sake to keep her from feeling bad, but it was too late, he was breaking. 

“I am sorry Izuku” she sat down with him as she folded some of his shirts “I know you have always resented that family for them sending us away” her hands were shaky. Izuku reached over to hold one. “But they had their reasons Izuku and I know it upset both me and you but Katsuki, Kacchan as you used to call him” She poked him in the rib. He felt his face heat up in a blush, embarrassed by the childhood nickname. “He had nothing to do with it, he was just a child as you were”. She brushed the hair off his forehead.

Izuku knew she was right. He had held a selfish resentment for Katsuki for getting to stay at the place he called home when he himself couldn’t. He suddenly felt immensely guilty for putting up such a fight during the whole selection application and for any harsh comments he may have made toward his mother. He would get through this, maybe get to talk things through with the Bakugo family, and then come back and in four short years marry Rody. His family would have money, their house would saved, and there would be food on the table. He could do this. He reached out and pulled his mother’s small frame into a hug. 

“‘I'll miss you guys” he choked out. 

That opened the floodgates for her and they sat there teary-eyed as they finished packing his small list of personal items. 

Izuku had decided on wearing the best pair of slacks he owned, which were still far too tight, and a sage green button-down that he had gotten for high school graduation last March. Tsunagu told him last night he would be leaving by train and would get a “Send-off” at the post office. 

Around 7:45 a sleek black limo pulled up to his door. It almost looked comical compared to the surrounding houses and bikes. Izuku hugged every member of his family tight once more. When he reached his father the frail man had pulled him closely to his head, much more intimately than they usually interacted. 

“Please, be safe” He whispered it like he dared not let anyone else hear. 

Izuku pulled back slightly, confusion plastered on his face. He tried reading Toshinoris deep eyes, searching for the meaning of his words. He was about to ask when the man pat him hard on the back and pasted a cartoonish smile on his features. “You’ll do great my boy!” the sentence was followed by a slew of coughing. 

Izuku was about to walk out when he turned back to his mother. “Hey” he paused deciding on his words “Do you think you could tell the Souls goodbye for me” He didn’t make eye contact “I didn’t get a chance to tell them bye, especially since Rody is leaving for the military this morning”. He tried to keep his voice level, not wanting to reveal the pain behind them. 

“Of course sweetie!” Inko pulled her boy into one last fierce hug before sending him out the door. 

The same man from the night prior was, apparently, also his driver. He held the door open to the sleek vehicle when Izuku hopped in. It was by far the most luxurious thing he had done in years, but he couldn’t seem to enjoy it as he reflected on what his life was now turning into. 

The ride was quiet until they reached closer to the post office. He could hear chanting and screaming and hurriedly whipped his head around to see the fuss. 

Hundreds of people had signs and were chanting his name in excitement. He couldn’t help his face as it lit up as he scanned the area. Tsunagu rolled the back window down for him so he could wave to all his admirers. He scanned and scanned hoping to catch a glimpse of familiarity. 

And then there it was. 

In the crowd was him. 

Rody soul. 

Izuku’s face beamed as they made eye contact. Cheeks filling with wet tears. 

Except it wasn’t Just Rody.

Rody had his arm wrapped around a girl . 

Both boys seemed to realize this at the same time as Rody’s face fell into unwelcoming sadness. Time moved still as the limo slowly moved through the crowd. Izuku rolled his window back up and faced forward. 

It seemed Rody had made his choice in what to do about uncertainty in their situation. 

And now, Izuku would go to make his. 

Chapter Text

Song rec: looking too closely (Fink) 

Izuku was still lost in thought when Tsunagu called his name from the front of the long vehicle. He was picking at the seams that connected the padding to the leather seat to avoid giving his desperate cuticles any more damage. Rody had his arm around that girl just mere moments ago. That had been certain. Was that the “Person” LaLa was actually referring to? Had he brought her around to family gatherings and showcased her to the public while keeping Izuku in the shadows like he was something shameful? No. He refused to believe this. It all felt too real. The love they had is- was- can be real. The tears had dried 30 minutes into the drive and the castle man had been nice enough to not mention the red eyes and wet cheeks. 

“-riya” Izuku finally caught the sound of his name being called. 

“Mr. Midoriya” He was thankful that although Tsunagu was blunt there was always kindness in his eyes. 

Izuku brushed the despair from his own eyes and shook the plaguing thoughts out of his head. “S-sorry, what's up?” He grabbed the yellow backpack, which had fit all the possessions he had needed for the trip. He was told to come with anything he wanted at the castle but that everything he needed would be there at his disposal. 

“I said” he was looking at the boy through the rearview mirror. “We have arrived at the train station” Izuku finally looked out the window to see that, yes they were here, and yes that made him extremely anxious. 

He had only ridden the train a handful of times and was starting to get tired of being stuck with just him and the lanky man. It felt awkward to be stuck with a stranger when Izuku was hardly around anyone but his family and Rody’s. He wanted to confess to someone how he was feeling and he couldn't say that Tsunagu would be the most responsive person to confide in. He missed his family already. One week, he reminded himself. One week was all he was expected to do and surely the Bakugou’s wouldn't be thrilled about him being there either. He would be home in no time. He repeated it to himself like a mantra as the unconventional duo exited the vehicle. 

“It looks like one of you is already waiting for the train on that bench over there” Izukus's head turned to see a man dressed in complete black, ill-fitting clothes. He must also be a five. He had stark white hair, and for some reason, Izuku felt uneasy looking directly at him. “We are waiting on two more if you’d like to join him” Tsunagu was too busy looking over documents to notice the unease on Izukus's face. It felt like he was being set up for a playdate of some kind. 

He was about to decide to just stay, until another contestant, a girl, he recognized rounded the corner. She had a small pink suitcase and Izuku identified her smile as the cheerful one on last night's report. Ochaco was her name he believed? He grabbed his backpack from the platform floor and felt better now about walking towards the residing bench. 

He hurried over to her, honestly, kind of excited to talk to someone outside of his usual circle. Izuku was not always great at making friends and often didn't get the opportunity to as a five. Most of his social outings were because he was performing for a party or selling something at the market. He may have hustled over too fast, however, because as he reached out his hand to greet her he tripped over a crack on the platform and nearly fell face-first. 

The girl, who didn't even know him yet, immediately sprung into action, grabbing his arm as he tumbled downward and preventing him from starting the competition covered in bruises. 

He quickly pulled back from her, embarrassed by his clumsiness. “I-I am so sorry!” He blurted it out as he tried to brush any possible dirt he could've gotten on the pale yellow blouse she was wearing. He felt slightly awkward touching the girl's shoulders who he had never met and was trickly trying to avoid her quite large breast before just finally putting both hands down in a grimace. 

She didn’t seem to mind and was giggling at the troublesome boy in front of her. She straightened out her blouse and spoke in a high-pitched voice, “Don’t worry about it!” She looked down at the name tag on his backpack “D-Deku?” The name made his stomach drop as soon as it left her round lips. He hadn't heard anyone call him that in years. Since back then. Since Katsuki. Katsuki had gotten the idea from the spelling of his name. If you were proficient enough in Kanji, which I guess she was, it could be read as “Deku” or useless. 

He threw the backpack over his shoulder to keep her gaze from looking at the name tag any longer. “N-no” he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “It’s Izuku actually” He tried to relax his shoulders as he admired the smile that still sat on her face, despite the delicate topic. “It can be read as Deku, which is confusing sorry” he picked at his lip. Great. The one person that he wanted to make friends with here was now probably going to hate him for running her over, and then correcting her grammar. 

“Oh! Izuku!” She perked up, clearly not affected by the correction. “I kinda like Deku” she giggled and Izuku felt his body sag in relief. “I am sorry though!” she reached out her hand so they could successfully shake this time. Izuku extended his as well. Her hands were extremely soft and had a light paint shade covering her nails. “I didn’t mean to call you the wrong name!” She kept the same wholesome smile plastered on her face. 

Izuku readjusted his backpack and then took the suitcase from her to carry as well. His mother had always always always made sure he was a gentleman. She nodded a little embarrassed by the courteous gesture. “It’s no problem” he sent a genuine smile her way “Really” he nodded. Maybe, just maybe, the competition wouldn't be so bad. If there were other people like Ochaco there then maybe he would enjoy himself a little. 

She interrupted his thoughts by saying, “Maybe we should head over to that other boy while we wait” She pointed at the same figure in black he saw from afar earlier. Izuku nodded at her and they started moving towards him, Ochoaco walking with her hands behind her back and Izuku carrying their little luggage. She gasped as if she had forgotten something. Izuku jumped at the sound. “I didn't even introduce myself!” she exclaimed. Izuku hadn't even realized since he had already recognized her from the TV. 

He messed with the strap of his backpack as they moved. “You actually didn't really have to”. He chuckled, feeling more comfortable with the girl now. “I remember you from the announcement last night.” He looked at her hoping she didn't think he was strange for remembering her. 

“Oh my gosh!” she grabbed his arm. “I'm sorry I didn't recognize you!” She pulled her hand from his arm to rub it down her face and groaned. “I totally blacked out after I got called and then before that I was having a hard time listening anyway” She kept rambling on “And I was so nervous” 

He cut her off. “It really is fine Ochaco” he grabbed her wrists to stop her from flailing around anymore. “I was the last one called anyway”. She relaxed and slightly blushed at his touch. He removed his hand before continuing. “I'm a five”. He was waiting for the usual repulsed reaction. 

She took this news as if it meant nothing. “Ohhhh okay, that makes sense!” Izuku liked this girl a lot. Maybe she could win? Although thinking back to how Katsuki used to be he wasn't sure their personalities would match. “I was totally already celebrating after I got called and tuned the rest of the competition out”. She laid a finger on her chin. “Maybe I should learn to study more like you” She crinkled her nose in thought. 

They were starting to approach the other competitor and the white-haired boy looked up to meet them walking together. Izuku made brief eye contact before the man hurriedly put his head back down. Ochaco seemed more open to approaching the guy as she sat next to him and immediately started conversing. 

“I’m Ochaco!” The boy looked up at her and nodded. Not one for much conversation it seemed. The lack of response didn't seem to bother his new friend. She ran her fingers through her short brown hair and looked up at Izuku who was awkwardly standing in front of them instead of trying to squeeze onto the bench. “And, this is my friend Izuku!” Izuku hadn't heard anyone call him a friend in a long time. His face warmed and he gave both of them a genuine smile. 

The boy watched them both curiously and Izuku decided it was his turn to speak. “It's nice to meet you” he let out a slight cough when there was no return. “What’s your name”. Izuku crossed his arms and leaned closer to the bench, waiting for a response. 

“Shihai” The boy let down a bit of his guard and leaned back against the bench. Ochaco was beaming at him. “Shihai Kuroiro” He spoke up a bit more. 

Ochaco grabbed the new boy's arm as well, clearly not a stranger to physical touch. “Well, it’s nice to meet you Shihai!” Izuku nodded in agreement with her. 

The quiet boy cleared his throat to speak again and Ochaco instantly stopped talking to give the boy the liberty to speak. Her eyes beamed wide and Izuku admired how much she seemed to care for people she didn't even know yet. “My driver” He pointed over to a different black car that was similar to the one that picked up Izuku “He said there was going to be four of us”. Izuku looked at the clock on the platform and then around at the vacant area. 

He looked to see Ochaco was doing the same thing. “You’re right, and it's almost time for our train” Izuku looked back at his own driver to see he didn't seem bothered by the absence of their fourth travel companion. “Maybe they got stuck in the crowds or something.” 

The group had just started to nod in agreement when a tapping noise caught all of their attention. There was the sound of the click click click coming from somewhere around the corner of the station. And then suddenly there she was. 

Camie Utsushimi. 

Camie could clearly afford a better look than the current trio could put together. Izuku in his thin button-down, Ochaco in her baggy yellow blouse, and Shihai in his black T-shirt were nothing compared to the walking magazine shoot heading towards them. 

The model had the shiniest blonde hair that Izuku had ever seen and it was adorned in thick teased, curls that accentuated her sharp features and doe brown eyes. Sleek sunglasses were perched on top of her head and they matched the rest of her tight and dark outfit she wore as she strutted in perfection towards them. 

The lack of color would have been almost uncharacteristic for Camie if it hadn't been topped off with her signature red lipstick to match the bottoms of her high heels. 

Ochaco stood up as the boys gaped at her walking towards their platform. The bubbly brunette raised her hand to wave at their final guest but was cut short by Camie sticking her hand in her face. 

The model walked right past them, gum-smacking, and said, “Don't bother” her hand still put up from being in Ochaco’s scope. Izuku saw his new friend's face deflate a little bit but she quickly shook out of it almost impressively fast. 

“Well, guys we better head into the train and find our spots” Her voice lacked the usual high-pitched excitement and even Shihai looked like he felt a bit bad for her. Izuku reached out his arm for Ochaco to latch onto and grabbed her pink suitcase with the other. 

“Let's do it” He realized that although they hadn't arrived at the castle yet, some people were already playing the game. 

The train ride was just barely long enough for Izuku to learn about the small group traveling together. The three of them had opted to sit together while Camie sat at the back end of the train reading magazines she had brought with her. Unlike the others the model had brought, not one, but three full red suitcases that her driver had loaded for her.

Izuku tried to picture Katsuki with someone as cutthroat as Camie. It seemed to make more sense than Ochaco but something about his old friend having to live with that chick made his stomach swirl. And he basically hated the guy. 

Izuku had learned that Ochaco was a four, but they struggled almost as much as his family. Shihai was actually a three, but Izuku would have never guessed by the way he presented himself. Ochaco had so many questions about his paintings and musical abilities and it was kinda nice to talk to someone about his job without trying to pitch it as a sale. Izuku loved to paint when it came down to it, job or not. Knowing he would have to give up full-time to be with Rody did sadden him at times and he hoped he could continue it as a hobby. 

He was lost in deep thought when he felt a tug at his shirt from the girl. She was up on her knees on the train seat and was eagerly pointing out the window. “Izuku! Izuku, oh my gosh look” 

Izuku moved in closer to her to see what she was admiring. It all felt too familiar as he saw the castle fill his vision. The same ornate gold trim and tall white pillars. Izuku could admit it was beautiful and somewhere deep inside of him he felt he was returning home. 

He almost felt guilty for the excitement that filled him. He was supposed to hate it here. He was supposed to hate the royal family. He wasn't supposed to miss this place like he so often did. Even looking over at Camie, Izuku could tell she was taking it all in. 

The group all peered out the window for as long as they could before the treeline began to cover the view again. Izuku slumped back in his seat mind whirling full of memories from the castle. Would some of the staff remember him? Should he tell other people of his relationship with Katsuki? Would people be jealous or thankful that he was already starting out on the wrong foot? He peered back over to his friend to ask her about her own strategy but stopped short when he noticed her face was full of dread. She was tapping her fingers anxiously and biting her lip, nearly bleeding. Izuku slowly moved his calloused hand to place it over her fidgety fingers. She instantly tensed up and looked at him worried. 

He didn't know what to say to her, she had seemed so excited a trivial few minutes ago. “It’s going to be okay” he rubbed his thumb across her hand “Ochaco?” 

She looked up at him and he saw tears brimming her eyes. She took a shaky breath before releasing her thought to him. “I’m just worried for my family is all” Izuku looked at her eyes and could tell they had the same weight on their shoulder. “I know we are fours, but we struggle, and I just hope that I can at least stay long enough to help provide for them.” Izuku couldn't stop himself from grabbing the girl and pulling her into his chest. They sat awkwardly leaning into each other for some time, Shihai not watching, and Camie scoffing at them from the other side of the train. It was nice to have a friend. A friend that, surprisingly, he could relate to more than he thought at first. 

Right as Ochaco pulled away and affixed her signature toothy grin the doors at the back of the train slid open. Tsunagu, along with three other men similarly dressed stepped out. Izuku hadn't even realized that they had come along. 

The four contestants shifted awkwardly in the mostly empty train cart to see what news their chauffeurs brought. Tsunagu seemed to take a backseat, as he allowed a different man to clear his throat and introduce himself. 

This dude was much taller and broader, and overall much more intimidating. By the way Shihai was looking at him, it must have been his driver. He nodded his head at the small bunch “Hello, contestants” He was half smiling. “As you can see” He gestured to the castle that was now back in view “We are nearing arrival to the castle”. He looked down at a sticky note that Izuku hadn't noticed he had been carrying the first time. “As you know, you will be residing here for a finite amount of time, although the amount is not certain.” He then gestured to his fellow drivers to acknowledge their existence “My name is Vlad King” he waited for the others to speak up, which they didn't. Izuku wondered how it was possible these guys worked for the castle and yet were so socially inept. Vlad continued, “And these are my fellow colleagues Kugo Sakamata, Tsunagu Hakamada, and Baturo Hiro” The three men remained unphased. Vlad sighed before continuing once more, “Once you become settled in your quarters for the duration of your stay you will be given a staff of three maids and/or valet that will be responsible for your appearance, attire, and well-being during the competition.” The thought of this made Izuku feel somewhat uncomfortable. That had been his mother once, that would have been him if his mom had never remarried. He could've been participating in this selection in a whole different way if his life hadn't changed those 8 years ago. “However” Izuku snapped out of his train of thought “For tonight only we will be serving as your arrival appearance crew” 

Arrival appearance? Were they going to try to change people's looks? This seemed to make Ochaco very excited as she lightly slapped him on the arm and squealed “Makeoverrrrrrr” Which made him relax again. I guess some people may feel the need to revamp their style, which there was no harm in doing, but he hoped he had a say in what happened. 

The one who was introduced as Kugo finally spoke, “Upon exiting the train car, there will likely be a long line of fans excited to see the contestants before The Report in six days time.” This time Izuku noticed Shihai's discomfort but also noticed how Camie threw her hair over her shoulder in confidence. He really didn't like her. “You may sign any autographs or talk to whoever you want, just please be mindful of the time required for your arrival appearance appointments” The train came to a halt and Izuku realized that here he was . The place he used to call home. The place he would be stuck in for however long as necessary. He could already hear exciting chanting as her grabbed his bag and made his way to the doors following behind the other three. He took a deep breath in before stepping out into the sun. 

—---------------

Izuku had not been prepared for the amount of attention he was going to get off the bat. People were surprisingly welcoming to him being a five, and there were a few people who already had signs with his face plastered over them from his headshot that day in the post office. He had signed many articles off paper, pictures, shoes, even a forehead or two. He had never felt so overwhelmed and claustrophobic in his life. He tried to move swiftly towards the entrance but was too kind to turn any stranger down. He talked to old women, young children, and even a few adults around his age that clearly wanted him if Katsuki didn't. While the attention was nice he politely turned them down. 

Camie had obviously been a showstopper, everyone in the country idolized her. She took more photos and signed more mementos than all three combined. Shihai made a quick swoop through the crowd and waited for the remainder of his aspirants at the door with the drivers. Camie had ignored any request that wasn't signing or posing and quickly dismissed anyone who wanted to chat to make her way to the entrance as well. Izuku came up about 10 minutes later and Camie, once more scoffed at his residence at her side. Izuku eyed through the crowd to find Ochaco still talking to some of the young girls, letting them put flowers in her hair. He smiled at the gesture and really hoped she was as genuine as she came off. As he looked around he also noticed that it was Ochaco, not Camie, who had the most pictures in the crowd. It seems her picture last night had struck everyone the same way it did him. 

Camie smacked her lips in annoyance and looked at the two men to either side of her. I guess Izuku had the upper hand over Shihai because the bodacious blonde chose to speak to him. Her catty eyes glared at Ochaco as she mumbled to Izuku, “How many people do you think that effervescent idiot had to sleep with to get this many fans” Izuku stared at her in shock as his fists immediately began to curl. Don't hit a girl. Don't hit a girl. Fuck it. Izuku had begun to reach up his arm as Ochaco arrived and grabbed it. 

Izuku turned towards her wide-eyed. She tucked a strand of hair, covered in flowers, behind her ear. “Sorry, guys” She looked embarrassed as she realized they had been waiting on her. “I felt bad turning anyone down” Izuku nodded at her and allowed her to hang onto his arm as the castle doors opened. Camie let out a tsk of indignation but seemed to be out of quick comebacks for the time being. Shihai timidly followed behind them. 

As soon as the doors opened they were being swept away to their “Arrival appearance appointment”. Izuku barely got to take in the familiar carpet and marbled floors as he was being led to a room he didn't recognize. Each guest was sat at a different vanity and was being pricked and primed to perfection. At a quick glance around Izuku tried to take in the competitors before being thrust into his chair. It seemed they had been the last group to enter. Tsunagu came to stand behind him, instantly putting his hand through Izuku’s green curls. He was turning his chin to uncomfortable angles and two women he didn't recognize both came to inspect his nail beds. 

As they inspected every inch of him he peered around the room trying to see the other contestants and their makeover procedures. Instead, what caught his attention was the 10-15 cameras that were whirling around trying to capture footage of the appearance appointment. Izuku had known that this would be documented for the rest of the country to indulge in, in thirty-minute segments every Friday as a part of The Report, but he hadn't actually put thought into what it would be like to be on camera. 

He was shifted away from the cameras and back to sitting straight by his blonde driver who was whispering a few comments to his two lackeys. Izuku tried turning around to hear what they were saying, but he only caught a few words, two being green and freckles. They didn't like his green hair or his freckles? 

He could admit that the freckles on his cheeks weren't the most handsome thing that he graced but his green hair came straight from his mother and he would be damned if they change that. Before he was thinking he rudely blurted out “I DON’T” he lowered his voice not meaning to scream. “Want to change my hair.” All three beauticians looked at him in pity. 

When they could tell he wasn't backing down the smaller girl touched his cheek to brush her fingers across his freckles. “And what about these” She was uncomfortably close. “Could we touch up these spots with a bit of makeup?” her beady eyes stared at him waiting for an answer. 

Izuku had always felt his face was plain-looking. After moving to his neighborhood at ten and attending public school for the first time, he had been bullied for the spots on his face. The only time anyone had ever commented on them in a way that wasn't poking fun at him was actually, well, Katsuki. 

Katsuki and him would often find themselves in the castle kitchen where his dad had worked before passing. Children were typically not allowed in there during or after hours but Iuzku quickly learned that being best friends with the prince meant that rules were made for breaking. There was one specific night when they were 6 or 7 years old when Katsuki had just been begging for spiced hot chocolate, which Izuku found repulsive but if they left the cayenne out of his cup Izuku could have some normal hot chocolate too. The small boy always felt nervous of getting in trouble but Katsuki was always adamant that they were the best and nothing could happen to them. 

“ Come onnnnnnn Deku, it is just a drink” Katsuki was always good at persuading Izuku to sneak him in with his father's key. “ We will be in and out in no time” Izuku rolled his eyes but couldn't help the mischievous grin that formed on his face as he grabbed his friend's hand and walked with him to the kitchen. 

One thing about Katsuki is he was never satisfied with just getting in and out, especially when they were doing something they weren't supposed to. The “Quick hot chocolate making” Had turned into “Who can make hot cocoa the fastest”, “Who can fit more marshmallows in their mouth”, and “Who can chug their drink the quickest”. When Izuku had won the last competition making their little contest 2-1, Katsuki had lost his mind. Winning was everything to the little competitive boy. He grabbed a large chunk of the cocoa powder and threw it at Izuku, landing it right in his hair. 

“ KACCHAN” Izuku grabbed the boy's wrist before he could run away and grabbed his own handful of cocoa powder. However, Izuku had always been the more strategic one, so instead of throwing it he brought his hand up to his mouth a blew it into the prince's face.

 Katsukis eyes had widened in horror as he realized what had happened. Anger flashed across his face and Izuku felt fear boil up in his gut. The green-haired boy quickly dropped the other's slim wrist but the prince just readjusted to snatch up the younger boy's arm instead. 

Izuku was trying as hard as he could to run away when suddenly he fell face-first onto the ground. He rubbed the side of his face feeling confused as to why Katsuki had hurt him like that. He went to speak up but noticed the boy was admiring his own reflection in the shiny pot they had been using. 

“ Deku, I look like you!” Izuku was stunned at the lack of malice behind the blond's words but knew he was still just poking fun at him. The chocolate he dispersed across his cheeks and looked like he had fallen into a mud pie, just like Izuku always did. 

“ Stop being mean Kacchan.” Izuku, still on the floor refused to look at his friend, feeling betrayed by the ruthless bullying. 

Katsuki was pouting right back at the boy and came to squat right in front of him. “ How am I being mean?” His lip was jutted out in a frown and Izukus's frustrations started to simmer away as he realized he wasn't joking. The prince was looking at the floor ashamed. “ I just meant I had the same cool dots on my face that you do”. He finally shot his red eyes back up to the green ones. 

“ Y-you think they are c-cool?” It was the first time Izuku could remember blushing. He had never been complimented. 

Kastuki had the same red tint on his ears but was better about hiding it somehow even though his complexion was much lighter than Izuku's olive skin. The boy reached his chubby fingers up to roll them down the bridge of his friend's nose. Izuku stayed impossibley still not wanting to shy him away. “ I think they are pretty” He quickly stood up after that, lightly kicking Izuku’s shin. “ You better clean all this up before we get in trouble” He stuck his tongue out as Izuku slowly stood up stunned. They never talked about the conversation again. 

“So should I get the concealer?” The woman was still looking at him wide-eyed. Izuku snapped back and nodded his head gently. He felt bad for denying them of all their request, plus, it was just a little concealer which was better than permanent hair dye. When he didn’t answer verbally she spoke again, “I'm just gonna go get the concealer” She looked over at her other two workers annoyed and he heard Tsunagu sigh heavily from behind him. 

“I'm sorry” He knew he shouldn't feel bad but he couldn't help but feel like he wasn't participating like everyone else. Probably because he didn’t want to participate like everyone else. 

Tsunagu went to lecture him before they both caught eye of the TV playing. It was showing footage from their signings earlier and Izuku was floored to see the headline showing “Five on the Rise?” People liked him.  

“Well it seems the people like you the way you are anyway” The driver sighed again in disgust at the green mop on Izukus's head. “Can I at least give your curls the bounce they are craving?” 

Izuku smiled, feeling rejuvenated from his previous worries. “Yep!”

Izuku could admit seeing himself in the mirror with fresh, smooth skin and healthy tight curls, he looked good. Ochaco thought so too bouncing up and down as they meet back up for dinner they would be having with all the contestants. She had minimal changes to her appearance as well, only having a fresh set of nails and eyelashes that appeared longer than earlier. 

They were being escorted by their beauticians to the dining hall. Izuku tried not to pay attention to the memories that popped up as he walked through the familiar halls. He had actually never been to the dining hall, as servants weren't allowed in, but the journey towards it was all too dear. 

Ochaco who had hooked her arm in his again looked bewildered by every sight she saw. She must've caught a glimpse of his nonchalant expression and nudged him lightly in the rib “You act like you've seen all this before” She giggled but it died down when she noticed Izuku was just smiling sadly. “Are you okay?” He grabbed her hand for comfort 

“I guess it's just my turn to be nervous” She gripped his hand back as they opened the doors to the hall. 

Inside was filled with 33 people already sitting at their tables. They were last and Camie made sure everyone else knew it by mumbling “Not even fashionably late” There were a few snickers as they took the last two seats. Ochaco was now seated next to a petite girl with jet-black hair and beady eyes and Izuku was sitting next to none other than actor, Tenya Iida himself. He felt extremely intimidated by the small talk he may have to perform in front of such a famous person. 

“Well,” everyone’s heads tilted to discover where the new, deep voice had come from. At the front of the table stood the same man who briefly appeared on the TV the night before. His long dark hair was slicked back into an elegant bun however his all-black outfit and tired eyes remained. “Now that our two problem children are here” Ochaco squeaked and Izuku blushed. “I will introduce myself” Everyone shifted in their seat, even Tenya who held so much poise in his demeanor, seemed a little nervous about what was to come. “My name is Shota Aizawa” He pulled at the yellow tie around his neck. “I am going to be a supervisor of sorts for the duration of the selection. My duty is to aid you in etiquette classes and the history of the royal family.” Izuku perked up at the mention of history because he has always been a huge nerd. “I will help you prep for any interview questions and, unfortunately, I will be available at all times of the day for any questions you may have” There were a few more snickers, although the man seemed serious. “Now I know it has been an extremely long day for most of you so I will leave you to chat amongst your peers and dinner will be out shortly”. He nodded before going to take a seat on the other side of the room with some of the other staff.

Izuku took note of the closeness of the teacher's knee next to Mic’s own bony leg. If they were together they sure were an odd couple. 

There was a growing noise of chatter as people started to introduce themselves. They were informed in passing that they would not be meeting Prince Katsuki tonight and that he would make his first arrival tomorrow for introductions. 

Izuku had been trying to talk to Ochaco but she had already made great friends with the two girls sitting next to her. The same girl with the black hair and the one directly next to her whose skin was so pale it had a pinkish tone that matched her, what Izuku would guess, freshly dyed pink hair.  Izuku awkwardly turned to his other side to make small talk with none other than Mr. blockbuster but he was also in deep conversation with the Todoroki boy.  The loner sighed to himself as he decided to opt in for observing the others instead. He couldn't help but notice the snood faces being turned his way and whispers about how high his ranking in the competition already was. How come Ochaco could be placed equally as high yet not struggle at all with her fellow competitors adoring her? He Watched as Denki Kaminari was animatedly talking to the brute redhead next to him. They noticed he was watching and both boys waved and smiled at him. At least they seemed to be more genuine than some of the other.  

“Midoriya was it?” Izuku jumped at the sound of his name. The Todoroki boy was calling for him with an outstretched hand and Tenya Iida was looking at him with his shiny smile.

Izuku quickly wiped his sweaty hand on his khakis and shook the firm grip of the spilt-haired boy. “Y-yes!” Unlike the pink-haired girl Shotos half red half white hair had always been his signature. Tenya reached his hand out to be second in line and Izuku was shocked to find the large man had a gentle handshake. “You can call me Izuku though!” 

Tenya rested a hand on his shoulder and shook it a bit. “It's good to meet you Izuku Midoriya” He looked over to Shoto. “I was just talking to Shoto Todoroki and my name is Tenya Iida” He seemed so sure that Izuku would not know who these, very famous, people were. 

Izuku giggled softly, “I know who you two are” He was starting to like these guests as well. Maybe there would be more genuine people here than he originally thought. 

The Todoroki boy was more quiet than Iuzku would have reasoned but Tenya was good at filling in the gap for both the awkward bunch. “Really?” He looked back at Shoto in shock who was just drinking his tea now. “Well, how about that” Tenya smiled and looked around like he was seeing if anyone else caught his eye. When no one did he continued, “Well, are you looking forward to the competition?” 

Luckily Izuku was saved by the clamor of hoards of food coming to them via kitchen staff. Even people like Tenya seemed to drool at the feast they were about to embark in. 

Piles of hams and turkeys moist with flavors were sat down in front of the crew. The smell of the room was something Izuku wasn't sure he had ever smelt. He heapingly filled his plate with all the meats, potatoes, and steamed veggies available, noticing how the other lower-class kids, including Ochaco, did the same. 

Minutes later he was already feeling full and his Khakis felt even tighter than before. He went to grab seconds but was interrupted by the man who introduced himself earlier as Mr. Aizawa. He was just standing at the head of the table waiting for everyone to quiet down. Izuku tried to not be annoyed at the lack of another serving he wanted but had to remind himself that there would hopefully be at least another two or three meals in his future. 

While everyone was dying down Ochaco lightly grabbed Izukus's arm to grab his attention and then rolled her eyes in a moan, reacting to the food. That made Izuku laugh out loud. When he looked back up Mr. Aizawa was staring at him in disapproval. He coughed to still his giggles. “Sorry.” He could tell he was blushing furiously. 

“Now that I have everyone's attention” He flipped through a book he was holding “I have everyone's room and floor number” Izuku got anxious at the idea of meeting the sixes waiting to serve him. “We will be dismissing everyone by room quarters and you will be kept in your rooms for the remainder of the night” Izuku honestly didn't mind the alone time right now but was a little bummed at not getting to know everyone. 

“As I call names, you may talk amongst yourself, and I may disclose it is important to get a good rest tonight, for tomorrow you will be meeting Prince Katsuki Bakugou.” Excitement spread throughout the table at once. Ochaco squeezed the arm she was still holding onto. Izuku tried not to think of Katsuki’s striking figure from the TV and pushed out any thoughts of excitement that flashed over him quickly at the idea of rekindling with the Prince. 

Slowly but surely groups were called out and by the time they dwindled down to the last floor, and the last two sleeping quarters Izuku was feeling exhausted. “Group 6 will be, Eijiro Kirishima, Tenya Iida, Shoto Todoroki, Tsuyu Asui, and Mina Ashido.” Izuku instantly rolled his eyes. 

Thankfully he was staying next to Ochaco but unfortunately, he was also staying next to Camie. 

“And our 7th, and final group will be Ochaco Uraraka, Camie Utsushimi” Ochaco coughed loudly at the name and then shot Camie a fake apologetic smile. “Kyoka Jirou, Momo Yaoyorozu, and Izuku Midoriya”. Izuku recognized the Kyoka girl as the one who seemed displeased in her picture and Momo was one of the threes he recognized. 

The odd group of five stood up to be walked to their quarters and Camie shot him a glance that told him she would do everything to make his life a living hell. 

It wasn't even day 1 yet and Izuku felt like the competition was already starting. 

Izuku stood in front of his door sometime after the others had entered their rooms. Ochaco waved him goodbye as the other three pushed opened their doors with no second thought. 

When he finally gained the courage to open his own door he was met with an odd group of three waiting for him at his…table? He took in his room as the three made their way over to introduce themselves. His bed was bigger than his entire bedroom at home and the dark wood that bedecked the furniture was shiny and smooth. There was gold accents on the handles and door knobs of the room. It reminded him of the nights spent with Katsuki outside of his dingy servant living quarters. 

“Hi, you must be” The unfamiliar pink-haired girl looked down at a sticky note “Izuku?” A purple-haired boy next to her shoved his arm into her side. 

“It's nice to meet you, sir!” This time it was the blonde girl who spoke up. Izuku stared at them in slight disbelief. He could tell already they had extremely differing personalities and although he didn't mind much what he looked like or how he was cared for during his short duration here he couldn't help but wonder how this crew got anything done. 

The petite blonde girl waited for the other two to stop silently bickering before continuing. “Sorry about them” She made a tense face and pointed her thumb towards the others “It’s been a long day” She bit her lip. 

Izuku realized he had just been staring so he cleared his throat to speak up. However, moments before words could leave his lips the pink girl chimed in again. “Oh! And” She looked back down at her sticky note “Izuku” she paused as if she wasn't sure that was correct. Izuku nodded his head in affirmation. “We are your maids and valet!” She did a “Tada” with her fingers and the purple boy looked like he wanted to strangle her. “I am your headmaid in charge of designing all your outfits, Mei Hatsume!” She gave him a cheesy thumbs-up. “And that depressing glob is Hitoshi Shinsou” She was laughing at herself and Izuku felt a bit uncomfortable by her erraticness. 

“I can speak for myself you know?” He pushed the girl's thumb up back down to her side. 

This did not affect her mood as she joked “He speaks!” The blonde girl chuckled a little before getting glared at by Hitoshi and coughing a bit to play it off. 

The boy directed his attention back to Izuku. He extended his hand for a shake and Iuzku took it. “I’m Hitoshi Shinsou as she mentioned” he glared at her again. “I'll be in charge of styling” That was all he had to say Izuku guessed. 

“N-nice to meet you two” Izuku chirped out before looking at the smallest girl who had yet to introduce yourself. 

She looked up at him and smiled “I'm Melissa Shield” She also extended out her hand for a shake “I'm your seamstress!” Izukus's heart immediately grew a fondness for the girl. She had been around the same age and had the same job as his mother had when she had worked in the selection twenty-something years ago. 

“It is nice to meet you Melissa” The group all gave him a differing smile back before Mei spoke up again. 

“Well, if you don't need anything from us we will get back to designing you a fantabulous outfit for tomorrow's big day”. Izuku gave her a weary smile back. 

“Yes” He walked them back to the door which they seemed to find hysterical. He registered that besides the other two fives in the competition, no one else would probably be as kind to their staff. “Uhm, thank you guys, and uh” He itched the back of his head. “See you tomorrow?” They all nodded in confirmation before scurrying out. 

Finally, Izuku was alone. 

—---------

Somehow his bright backpack had ended up in his room, probably during the chaos of his “Makeover”. He moved over to it to slip on the tight t-shirt and baggy shorts he brought to sleep in. He didn't feel like dealing with the difficulty of a bath and all he could think about was sleep at this moment. 

He reached in grabbing the wadded-up wrinkly clothes but felt something tickle his fingers on the way down the pouch. He curiously pulled at it overriding the search for sleepwear. 

Izukus's breath hitched as his tired eyes finally focused on what he had pulled out. 

The single feather. 

The last evidence that Rody had been more than a dream.

This couldn't be happening. 

Not right now. 

Izuku dropped the feather as his hands instantly clammed up. 

His breathing was fast and the enormous room started to feel no bigger than a coat closet. 

He tried to steady his rapid heart rate but his hands were too shaky to navigate the foreign room. 

His eyes were losing vision and he tried to find his way to lay on the bed. 

No good. 

He needed air. 

He found the balcony doors and lunged for them. 

Locked. 

Why would they be fucking locked? 

Fuck it he thought to himself. He knew the castle like the back of his hand and if he needed fucking air he was going to get fucking air. 

He threw his door open, bare feet and having unbuttoned the first three buttons on his sage shirt to breathe, with the khakis he had worn all day. He could hear nothing but the padding of his feet as he made his way through the familiar hallway and tears gathered in his eyes. 

Izuku couldn't keep track of how time was passing but he finally made it to the doors that he knew led to the gardens he used to play in as a child. He tried to push past the fortress but was met with two burly guards, each grabbing an arm. 

Izuku was hardly ever rude to people but the guards weren't understanding the severity of the situation. If Izuku didn't get a breath of goddamn fresh air his throat was going to close up and he would die. “GET OFF OF ME”. 

Neither guard let down their iron grip. “Sir” The taller one spoke, “You need to go back to your room before we request your immediate expulsion from the competition”. 

“I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THE COMPETITION” Iuzku flailed in their arms. “I NEED TO BREATHE”. Izukus's feet were practically off the ground now. 

“No one is getting fucking expelled” All three of the fighters tensed up at the command. “Put him down, before I request that you two guards get an immediate expulsion ”. Izuku was promptly dropped, falling to his knees from the exhaustion of flailing. Izuku still faced the doors, too scared to turn and face the voice. 

He took steady deep breaths and he saw the shiny pointed black shoes fill his vision. The figure dropped into a crouch in front of the broken boy. “Deku?” Izuku forced himself to slowly raise his head to meet the eyes he dreaded to see. “You need air?” Izukus's breathing was already slowed from the gaze of those ruby eyes, yet he nodded in agreement. Katsuki reached out his hand to help the boy up. The prince was hardly ever this soft. “Let's get air” Izuku timidly grabbed his hand to be thrust up. 

It was a haze as they exited to the gardens that they hadn't entered hand in hand together in 8 years. Katsuki allowed Izuku to hang on his arm like Ochaco had been on his earlier, for stability.

It was a quiet walk as they made their way to the benches they had spent hundreds of hours talking on. Izuku was supposed to hate Katsuki and Katsuki was supposed to think nothing of Izuku. So why did it feel like he had returned to the arm to which he belonged?

Once they reached the bench Katsuki gently led him to sit and took his place in silence next to him. 

“I’m sorry” It was all he could think to say. He always apologized without knowing if it was really appropriate for the circumstance. 

“You still say that, huh” It was the first words Izuku could finally clearly take in. He found himself just staring at his old friend and wondering if this were all a dream. The blond was still wearing some princely attire and the moonlight behind him lit up his sculpted silhouette. 

“I missed you” 

“I wanna go home” 

They both spoke in unison. 

“You wanna go home? ” 

“You missed me? ” 

They spoke over each other in unison once more. 

Katsuki allowed Izuku to finish his thought first, clearly being slightly embarrassed by his boldness. 

Izuku drew closer to the prince “What do you mean you missed me? You hardly cared that I was here in the first place, and you sure didn't seem to care when I left” 

Katsuki clenched his strong jaw and looked away from the green, pleading eyes. “I wanted to reach out Deku” He looked down at his fisted hands. 

“Oh you wanted to reach out ” He stood up from the bench now angrier about the situation than ever. “You wanted to reach out to me? Deku? Stupid, useless Deku?” His arms were thrashing around Katsukis's still stature. “I was just useless to you” he sat back down exhaustion hitting him again. 

Katsuki sat silently for a while before his own frustrations boiled up “You know that fucking name is a term of endearment to me”. Izuku scoffed. He had known this but to actually hear it made his stomach flip. “You think I wanted to see my best friend leave?” He actually looked hurt at the memory. 

“Then why didn't you come to see me before I left?” He was pleading for answers at this point. “Why didn't you write me or reach out after I moved?” It had always been a secret hope of his in those first couple of years that he would get that gold script letter in the mail from the prince. 

Katsuki relaxed backward on his hands “It is complicated Deku”.

He turned his tired body to look closely at the other “Can you really not say my name Katsuki?” It came off in a sharper tone than he had really meant. 

Katsuki sat in silence just surveying Izuku. 

The delicate royal fingers reached up in a way that made Izuku flinch. Katsuki Almost retreated but continued his finger's path forward, landing three on the bridge of Izukus's nose. The same as that night in the kitchen. Izukus's breath caught in his throat. His displeasure calming. Katsuki gently moved his finger in a drag across the other's face before making eye contact again. “What happened to these guys?” Izuku could only assume he meant his freckles after the memory he had had earlier this evening. 

“Concelar” He could only get a singular word out with the soft fingers moving so closely to his lips. 

“I liked those” 

“I know” 

Katsuki finally retreated his hand to look indifferently at the small pond in front of them. 

He turned back after a few minutes passed with just Izuku awkwardly playing with the cracks in the bench's cement. “What happened to my little nickname” He tried to smile but Izuku could see through to the deep sadness that plagued his once hot-headed friend. “ Kacchan” The deep voice saying the kiddy nickname sent chills down Izukus's spine. 

Katsukis's smile faded as Izuku gave no friendly gesture in return. “I just grew up I guess” He could admit he was starting to feel bad for his moodiness. 

“Ah,” Katsuki turned to grab the boy's arm again to walk them back to the castle. The thought of leaving the place and the company ached him. “Well, I quite liked that too” Izuku coiled his arms around the other trying to ignore to tightness of the royal jacket on his bicep. “Now tell me why you want to go home” He felt the man's arm flex slightly under his as he asked the question. It was almost as if he didn't really want an answer. 

“Are you going to send me home?” He was beginning to worry he wouldn’t even get a singular paycheck. 

“Whenever you want me to send you home I will Deku” It came out like he regretted the words pouring from his mouth. 

“I need the money” Izuku couldn't even make eye contact as he said it. 

Katsukis throat bobbed “I'll keep you here until you request to leave” He turned to guide them to the path they took down here. “If that's in 3 days or atthe  top two” Izuku gapped at the generosity. 

“T-thank you!” He pulled back to bow, not caring about their feud from earlier. 

Katsuki stopped his shoulder from bowing “It's the least I could do for you and Auntie” He pulled Izukus's arm back into him as he nodded at the guards who had been watching the two's interaction. Izuku found it fond that Katsuki still felt like he could call Inko auntie after all these years. To be fair he had probably spent more time with Izuku’s mother than his own. “Can you tell me why you want to leave so bad before the guards take you back to your room?”  For some reason the prospects of guards taking him back and it not being Katsuki made him disappointed. 

He took a deep breath before blurting out “I have a boyfriend” He shielded his eyes from the reaction only to hear Katsuki laughing . Izuku peered through his webbed fingers to see his old friend in a real, full grin this time. He reached up to pry Izukus's hand from his face. The shorter boy took note of how he held onto them after they were long gone from his eyes. 

“Then why the fuck did you sign up for this”. He was still giggling and still gripping the shaky wrists. 

Izuku felt like Katsuki’s hands were producing fire up his arms. 

“Well had ” Izuku realized how embarrassing the situation was as it came out. “He joined the military today” He chewed his lip as he continued “And I think he may have been cheating on me?” Katsuki’s giggling stopped right away. 

“Some fucking boyfriend” He spat out. 

“Kacchan not everyone has it as easy as you” 

“There it is” Kacchans grin was back at Izuku’s slip-up of the habitual nickname. 

“You're not listening to me” Izuku was blushing furiously at his mistake and tried to brush it off by just continuing “He wanted to join the military to become a two and provide for us!” They had made it indoors now and the guards were patiently waiting for Kacchan’s cessation of the conversation. 

“And the cheating?” Kacchan had the nerve to look smug. 

Izuku felt the tears well in his eyes “I-I don’t k-know” He felt ashamed and humiliated. 

“Okay, so what?” Izuku’s head snapped back up. “You won't see that fool for four years anyway” He finally let go of the wrists and Izuku’s whole body felt colder. “Just enjoy your time here if there isn't any rush” Izuku knew he was right. 

“You're really just gonna let me stay?” It felt too good to be true. 

“On one condition” There it was. Izuku sighed “You have to keep calling me Kacchan” He stopped to ponder “Well not in public or in front of the other contestants but in private” He put two fingers in front of his eyes and swerved them in front of Izukus as to say ‘ im watching you’. “ Or ill personally kick your ass and send you home”. The smaller boy couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. 

The guards were gathered around him now to escort him back and Kacchan was slowly taking steps backward to go back to his own quarters. “That's all?” He was waiting for the other shoe to drop. 

“That's all.” With that, he prince turned and started walking away leaving Izuku almost wanting more. He made it partially down the hall before turning around once more “Oh and” he pointed to the middle of his own face in disgust. “Stop wearing all that concealer crap” He began walking up the red-carpeted stairs, not waiting for a response. 

“Okay, Kacchan” He barely whispered. 

He watched the prince from the back tilt his head back in delight before being escorted back to his own room for the night. 

He washed off the makeup with a wet rag before finally hitting his bed for his first night's rest in the castle. 

Chapter Text

Song rec: Are we Still Friends? (Tyler, the creator)

Izuku woke up with a massive, throbbing headache. 

He had no concept of what time he got back last night, and he probably could’ve slept for several more hours if it weren’t for the knocking on his door. 

“Ughhhhh” he groaned to the perpetrator of the racket, “Just five more minutes” He rolled over tucking himself in further. 

He could hear whispered conversation on the other side. “ We can’t just barge in” It sounded like the blonde girl . “Yeah, what if he’s naked” Said the boy. Izuku groaned again but this time threw his legs onto the cold wood floor to go and let the crew in. “ Well if he is naked then that’s all the more rea-“ The feisty leader was cut off by Izuku swinging his door open. 

The small girl and boy straightened up at his presence but the pink one continued looking at him in disgust. “You look like shit” She started to shove herself in as Izuku went to close the door on her instead. 

“Mei!” Screeched the other girl however the boy was actually laughing hysterically at the bluntness. 

At Izuku’s failed attempt at keeping them out the three barreled in to start their project. Each held a few bags and chests that he was sure was full of a bunch of stuff he didn’t want. 

Izuku, still too tired to say words looked at them through heavy eyes and threw his hands out as to say do what you have to do. 

Mei quickly started taking measurements as Melissa sat down to start sewing on something forest green. The purple-haired boy seemed almost as tired as his clientele and threw himself into the big bed. 

Mei turned his body to uncomfortable angles and commanded out “Seriously why are you wearing yesterday's clothes?” She wiped at them. “And why are they dirty?” This woke Izuku up. He had totally forgotten he hadn’t changed after last night's excursion and immediately started blubbering. “Relax kid we aren’t gonna tattle” Izuku did relaxed “We’re in charge of your styling and wellbeing” She started lifting up his leg to measure. “We don’t really care what goes on besides that” She snapped her head towards the resting boy “and Hitoshi get off the bed!” 

Melissa had wide eyes in the corner as she watched the two bicker. It seemed to be a normal routine for them. 

Hitoshi rolled his eyes but sat up anyway, not quite getting off the bed, but making an effort to appear less rude. “Mei, he’s a five” He looked Izuku up and down and the contestant felt his anger start to rise. “He’s cool” Izuku gasped slightly before letting a timid smile cross his lips. No one ever used “Cool” and “Five” in the same sentence. 

Mei looked at him as if she was waiting for his approval. He nodded to her, his smile growing wider on his face. She looked at the other and rolled her eyes back but continued working again without pestering her partner. 

A few minutes passed of comfortable silence before she was finally done and she moved the measurements she had been taking to Melissa. “These seem right?” She hovered over the girl and it was almost cute how much calmer she interacted with her compared to the boy. You could tell the two must’ve grown up together and loved each other like sisters. Mei watched over the other's face for approval. 

Melissa’s eyes studied hard for a while before smiling “Yes!” She looked over at Izuku, who had just been awkwardly standing in the middle of his room, to speak to him as well. “It should be ready for introductions at noon!” He looked at the clock on the wall which read 9:03 then back at her who was just holding a bunch of the fabric. 

“What will be ready?” He thought maybe they were making him a tie or something to compliment his hair. Was he supposed to supply a suit or would they all wear black ones? 

“Your suit.” She looked at him like that was obvious. 

“The whole thing?!” He blurted out. 

Hitoshi chimed in this time, finally standing off the bed “Well yeah that’s kinda our jobs.” Izuku stared at them stunned. No wonder his mother was so talented. I mean he knew she was more than capable of creating masterpieces but hadn’t known to the extent she was expected to do it back then. 

He was stunned “W-Wow” he looked around feeling immensely grateful for not only their hard work but their laidback attitudes, it calmed him. “T-Thank you so much. 

Mei made her way back to him from across the room and ruffled his curls. “Yeah, yeah” She bopped his nose. “Thank us when you win” She grinned mischievously and then turned back to get to work. 

He felt guilty. A group this great deserved a contestant who was going to actually try. Hitoshi saw his face fall and broke the tension “Now go take a bath, you stink” This did cause Izuku to huff a laugh and lifted his spirits enough to obey. 

As he closed the bathroom door he heard Melissa giggle and then the boy teased her by saying “What are youuuu laughing about”  

He wished he could give them enough time to create even more wonderful suits and accessories but he decided with the time he would give them he would make sure they made the most of it. 

———-

After soaking far too long in that bath because he couldn't remember the last time he got to have such a luxury, he heard Hitoshi knocking on the door. “Suit needs to be tried on hurry up!” Izuku frowned to himself; he had been engrossed in replaying last night over and over again he hadn't realized he’d been in there for almost an hour. “Plus I need time to fix that mop you call hair” Izuku chuckled at the insult and stood up. 

“Coming, coming” He propped open the door half-dressed, only having slipped on his sleep short. Mei had already warned him that they would be helping him get dressed and he should get really comfortable with them really quick. 

He came out wiping a towel through his, so-called, mop as wet beads dripped down his torso. All of them were now standing around a hung-up suit that caused Izuku’s entire jaw to drop. Across the room dangled a deep, forest-green suit that almost matched his hair perfectly. On the cuffs of the ankles and wrist laid a gold trim. When he walked closer he could see there was almost an iridescent pattern on it of shiny little flowers that when the light caught it shinned a pale yellow. 

“Holy shit” He spoke out and all three helpers turned their heads to take in his reaction. 

“Holy shit is right” Squeeked out Mei. The pink-haired girl was no longer staring at the suit they had crafted but at the boy's torso. She walked towards him to poke him in the hard stomach. “You have abs?” He was bright red at the touch and could already hear the other two giggling from their table. 

He didn't know how to respond and was extremely intimidated by the straight forward manner of his maid. Or could he call them friends now? “Can I call you friends” He bluntly blurted out. He sometimes had a habit of speaking out loud when he didn't mean to.  

“You must have a tough time making friends if you pick that one” Hitoshi was pointing at the girl in front of him as she shot Izuku a toothy, almost evil, grin. 

“Dont listen to him” Mei pinched his cheek which was…endearing? “You have great taste” She went over to grab Melissa by the wrist as she was pinning something in the suit and dragged her over. She pointed between their bodies back a forth repeatedly “And we are great friends” Melissa smiled at them both. 

“I would love to be your friend Izuku” He nearly teared up at the innocence of the small girl. She reminded him of a lot of his mom. It hadn’t even been a week but he really missed his family. 

“Yeah, yeah, friends, whatever” Hitoshi sounded annoyed but Izuku could tell on his face he was happy to see everyone getting along. “Now can you come put on this, suit abs of steal?” 

This got the exact reaction the purple-haired boy wanted, with Izuku’s cheeks reddening quickly and he hurried over towards the outfit as Mei hollered “He is so easily embarrassed!” 

After humiliatingly putting on the suit in front of six peering eyes they moved him to examine himself in the mirror. He could admit he looked stunning. He had never felt material of this quality before. He wanted nothing more than to be able to show his mother the crafty work. She would have admired the seamstress as well as the way her work looked on her son. 

Melissa hurriedly made a few altercations before Izuku was being dragged in front of the vanity for Hitoshi to do his hair. At this point, Hitoshi had dropped the attitude he had had all morning and Izuku got to appreciate his focused eyes and professional hands go to work through the mirror. He did a similar procedure to the one Tsunagu had done and it was pretty amazing to see how healthy and shiny his curls could look when taken care of.  

After he had finished Izuku watched him move to another chest that was full of makeup. Izuku saw as he reached for the concealer that he had on the day before. He applied some to a sponge and went to move it towards the bridge of the boy's nose. As his wrist got closer memories of last night and the deal he made forced Izuku to reach up and grab the delicate wrist. 

Hitoshi looked at him shocked. “S-Sorry” Izuku let go instantly and Hitoshi took the gesture for what it was as he sat the sponge back down. “I don’t want to cover them up anymore” Hitoshi studied his face. “My freckles, I mean.” Hitoshi continued to observe him until Iuzku watched his eyes drag from his nose over to his ears. He grabbed one of the lobes rather hard and moved in to get a better look. “ Ouch ”. Izuku gruffled. 

Hitoshi moved backward to look him in the eyes again. “Dude” he went to grab some more stuff out of his chest. “Do you have your ears pierced?” Izuku reached up to his own ear feeling it. Honestly, he had completely forgotten about them. He was forced to sell all his jewelry when things had gotten really bad and never got the opportunity to buy more. 

“Oh uh yeah” He rubbed his thumb and pointer finger around the small hole. “I forgot about them honestly” He looked at the ear through the vanity mirror noticing how Hitoshi was already smiling at whatever he had found in the chest. 

He then moved his hand around Izuku’s neck to in front of his face to show him the mystery objects. There in his hand laid the most delicate little gold hoop earrings. Izuku gasped at the sight of real gold. “May I?” said Hitoshi as he moved to grab the green-haired boy's ears. 

“O-Of course” Izuku stared at himself in awe as he watched the gold hoops add the perfect balance to his young-looking face. Between the suit, the curls, and hair and jewelry, Izuku really did feel like this was the best he had ever looked. Even Hitoshi was smiling at him in the reflection. “God, I’m so good.” He had a hand on Izuku's shoulder that he gave a tight squeeze. 

“Are you boys done in there?” It was Mei growing impatient from the closet trying to find a pair of shoes. 

“Let the genius work” Hitoshi groaned as Izuku hurried to move back to the girls. 

“If anyone's the genius it's me” Mei sassed out. “I am the one who designed the outfit” Izuku admired himself once more. 

“It really is amazing thank you, guys.” Everyone was too busy rushing around to properly answer him and Mei jumped up with a pair of sleek black dress shoes. 

“BINGO!” Izuku slipped them on as the clock read 11:45. 

A knock on the door from a guard told them it was time for lunch and introductions. Even tho Izuku had technically been introduced to Katsuki around 3 years old and then again last night, something about the way he was dressed and the fact that everyone would have to see them interact made his stomach coil up. 

He stepped out of his room to meet a small girl guard with two blonde buns perched on either side of her head. “You're almost late Izuku I already walked everyone else in this quarter over”.

Izuku swallowed and nodded before the guard fiercely turned around and began leading him back to the dining hall from the night before. 

The games begin now. 

After the short walk to the dining hall Izuku decides he fucking hates these shoes. He isn't used to something so stiff on his feet and he can already feel the blisters forming on the sides of his toes. He quickly dismisses the pain, however, when he smells the glorious smell he has been craving since last night's meal. 

Luckily a few others sneak in at the same time as Izuku making it less awkward. Denki Kaminari being one of them. The guards had taken up their perch on either side of the doors leaving Denki and Izuku to enter. Izuku went to grab the handle at the exact time the other boy did resulting in an awkward handhold and a shock through Izuku's hand. 

He pulled away quickly at the feeling. Denki reached over to his shoulder to shake him out of the awkwardness. The electric boy wiped his hand on his dress pants and exclaimed, “Sorry, my suit is a little static-y”. He sent the boy a striking smile. He then slowly moved his hand back towards the door knob in a comedic manner to ensure they didn't touch again and Izuku giggled at his eccentric nature. 

They walked in together, Katsuki nowhere to be found, and Izuku noticed that the group seemed slightly smaller than the previous night. As he pondered Denki ribbed him in the side and then stuck out his hand, making him jump a bit. “The name is Denki Kaminari by the way” Izuku gave him a firm handshake back although the static-y feeling still struck him. “What’s your name?” 

Izuku started to feel awkward as Denki didn't let go of his hand. “Izuku” he coughed. “Izuku Midoriya”. 

“Ohhhh yeah” He dropped his hand and then shot him a finger gun “You were the last one called” Izuku was shocked that he hadn't mentioned his class. “Super suspenseful dude”. Izuku let out an awkward laugh and tried desperately to look for Ochaco in the crowd somewhere without coming off as rude. “You should come sit with us.” 

“Us?” Izuku turned back to the conversation where at some point during his search the redhead boy he sat with last night appeared next to him. 

“Eijiro Kirishima, nice to meet you man” Instead of a handshake this boy opted in for pulling Izuku into a tight man. 

“Oh, uh nice to meet you too” He felt shy at how comfortable they were with talking to each other already. Izuku slowly followed them to the table relieved to see that they picked a spot still relatively close to Ochaco. He now sat with Denki and Eijiro on his left and then the purple-haired girl and Ochaco on his right. 

Something he noticed after most everyone had sat down was, that almost all of their maids had gone with neutrals for the introduction. Both of the boys he had spoken to were dressed in all-black suits with colored accents and Ochaco and the purple girl to his right were both wearing a pale tan color. Either Mei was evil or genius, or probably more likely both. He tried not to feel out of place or self-conscious and could see Camie snarling at him from across the table as she too had picked neutrals, opting for a white babydoll dress.  

Mr. Aizawa appeared at the head of the table and the chatter died down. “Alright children” He looked annoyed which seemed impossible considering no one had even spoken up yet. “Lunch is being brought out now”. Just as the words came from his mouth a line of chefs arrived carrying various tin plates and Izuku’s mouth watered at the sight. “As you eat you will be called one at a time to meet with Prince Katsuki Bakugou”. There were many excited gasps around the room which Izuku rolled his eyes to. They knew this was happening today? “You will each have two minutes with the Prince to introduce yourself” The excitement turned to disappointment. “As you know there are 35 of you and we mustn’t waste the prince's time”. He looked down at his notes and sighed before continuing. “We will go in order of selection meaning” He glanced down again “Camie Utsushimi” He looked over at her where she had placed herself at the head of the table “You may be dismissed first”. 

The same blonde guard that had taken his floormates to the hall escorted her to the back of the dining hall. Everyone's heads swiveled to watch her when, for the first time, they noticed that the prince was sitting at the back at his own table eating lunch. Izuku gasped at his attire. He was wearing a deep burnt orange suit that almost appeared brown and a shiny gold crown atop his head. Izuku was eager to talk to him again after last night and honestly, he didn't really know what that meant for him. Upon arriva,l he had been terrified to talk to him but sitting here now with him just a few feet away from him made him need it. 

Meeting Kacchan again had been much different than Izuku imagined it would go. He had built up this idea of Kacchan hating him and being repulsed by his presence, yet, the prince had almost seemed relieved to see him again. He even admitted that he missed him and cared for him in some capacity. It appeared that the years Izuku had missed had softened his friend, for better or for worse. 

Izuku couldn't help but watch how Camie interacted with Katsuki from afar. Everyone else at the table seemed content with minding their business and picking at their food, but his eyes were begging for a glance at Katsuki’s every interaction. He watched as Camie lifted her hand and sat it on top of Katsuki’s own resting on the table. He watched as Kastuki made no effort to move it. He watched as Camie ran a high-heeled foot towards his leg moving it up, up, and u- 

“Are you going to watch everyone like that or are you going to actually eat your food”. Izuku snapped his head back to the new voice. It was the purple-haired girl he had yet to talk to. He didn't answer and rather just put his head back down to pick at the starter salad. She threw an elbow at him gently into his side. “I'm only messing with you” He swiveled his head back to see she had a shit-eating grin on her face. 

“O-Oh!” He turned his chair slightly so he could talk to the girl. “I-I guess I’m just nervous is all” He reached out his hand to shake hers to which she stared at it in confusion and did not return the gesture. Izuku put the hand back down and wiped the sweat onto his green suit. He coughed trying to relieve the awkwardness. “You're Kyoka, right?” He gave her a wary smile. 

“Right, Izuku” He flinched a little at his name, taken aback that someone had finally recognized him. She was still eating her salad as they spoke. 

“Yes! Wow!” Camie came to sit back at the table as Sen Kiabara stood up to go himself. He got a little distracted by how smug Camie looked and tried to keep the salad from coming back up. He turned back to the girl who was already giving him a knowing look. “I didn’t think people would remember me from the report” He smiled and waited for a response. She just continued to stare “Ya know since I was called last and most people were already celebrating by the time I got announced.” This made her break eye contact and look out the window towards where Momo was sitting at the other head. 

“Yeah well,” she spoke quiter this time. “Maybe I wasn't celebrating”. Izuku stared at the girl until he realized she wasn't joking at all. Her face was stonely still and her breath was unwavering. He remembered thinking that she looked unhappy from her picture and now he wondered if he could have possibly found another ally. 

“You know” He spoke up which made her turn away from the window and back to the boy with saddened eyes. “I didn't really want to be picked either” Her dark eyes looked from Izukus's left to right eye repeatedly as if she was trying to tell if he was serious or not. He looked at her in pressing truth until she relaxed. 

“I would never have guessed it by the way you were just drooling over him ” Izuku flushed at the accusation and wondered if that’s what it really looked like. In his mind he just wanted to protect his friend from that heinous woman but to others did it look like more? He was suddenly very aware of how many eyes may be on him when it was his turn to go speak to the man. 

He shuffled back into his seat “I just dont like her is all” He flashed a glance at Camie who hadn’t even touched the food and had her lips pursed as if she was bragging. He flashed back to Kyoka’s face to see she actually had a wide beautiful smile on her face. 

“Well,” She looked over to Camie as well before making a fake barf face. “ That we can agree on” She raised her fist towards him which caught him off guard before realizing she was asking for a fist bump . He actually snorted at the silly gesture and knocked his knuckles back against hers. 

He felt better as he continued with his meal chatting idly with the boisterous boys and the rebel girl. 

—-------

The two boys had come and gone and now they were down to the lower classes. Ochaco was the first four to go which had to be nerve-racking, yet when her name was called she simply stood up, sent Izuku a wink, and made her way over with grace. When she arrived back one minute and 59 seconds later she shot him a grin and a thumbs up which made Iuzku assume it went pretty well. 

Kyoka came and went with no changing emotion and soon the fours were done. 

At this point, all the courses of lunch had been served and everyone was picking at crumbs on their plates waiting for dessert. 

“Izuku Midoriya” 

“You got it man” came from the redhead. 

“Yeah show em what you got dude,” said his friend. 

“Try to keep the drool in your mouth this time” giggled out Kyoka. 

“Thanks, guys” he pat the guys on the back while ignoring Kyokas jab at his earlier actions. 

He passed Ochaco and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze and then made his way over. 

Step by step Katsuki’s figure got closer. He looked exhausted from having had 34 conversations with complete strangers. 

“So” Izuku spoke up which made the prince tilt his head in his direction. Izuku didn't miss the way Katsuki’s eyes dragged over the fabric of his suit landing on the bridge of his nose. A small smile tugged at both boy's mouths. “Did that go well?” 

Katsuki scoffed at the, apparently, ridiculous question. “Just come sit down we only got 2 minutes”. Izuku’s heart lept as he took the secondary seat at the table. It was warm of the 34 other bodies. 

“I’m Izuku Midoriya sir Prince Katsuki” Izuku pretended to gush and sent heart eyes towards his friend. Katsuki rolled back in his chair and sighed in annoyance. 

“Dont be a smartass Deku ”. He gently kicked Izuku's foot with his own but instead of taking it back let it rest, just barely touching Izuku’s shoes. Izuku felt that fire again begin to go from his toes to his gut. He adjusted, sitting up so they were no longer playing the game of footsie. The gesture made Katsuki sit up as well. 

“I'm just lighting the mood Katsuki ” The red eyes pierced him in devilish anger. “But really” he crossed his arms in front of him to lean forward on the table, trying to come off unintimidated, relaxed. “Did you feel like you could connect with anyone?” He asked it with sincerity in his voice but resistance in his heart. “And what did I say about that nickname?” All he wanted was to hear his name fall from those lips. He stared directly into the ruby eyes refusing to back down. 

“And what did I say about mine?” The blond leaned forward as well giving them no more than six inches of room between each other's lips “ Izuku” 

“ Kacchan” It came out breathy and desperate. The prince's eyes flickered down to the freckled boy's mouth if only for a moment. 

The prince fell back into his chair too abruptly and looking way too satisfied at Izuku’s submission. “Better,” he said calmly as Izuku gaped like a fish out of water. What the hell had just happened? It was like he fell under some kind of spell suddenly. “Anyway” He carried on taking a sip of his water while Izuku tried desperately to stop the sweat from dripping down his back. “No” he shot a glance to the other 34. “I'm shit at dating and I hate meeting new people” This caught Iuzku attention. 

Izuku was strategic in nature. Solving problems and analyzing people had always been a strong suit for him. He started talking without meaning to, which was another habit he struggled with. “Well in both personality and family ties Momo would be a great choice politically but in that same boat you could go for someone like Shoto who has the family ties but from a lower class” He snapped his fingers and pointed at the prince “That could make you look humble”. Katsuki watched in awe as he blabbered on. “And then there's always the fan favs like Ochaco, Tenya, or Camie” he made a disgusted face “But I would not go for her” Katsuki tried to speak up but Izuku continued. “And then just based on the little conversations I have had and observed you could go for someone that you personally get along with which I would guess would be Eijiro, Denki, or Hanta” He took a deep breath “However, if you are looking for a good leader and ruler I think my bets would be on Mina or Tsuyu” He smiled at the other innocently. 

Katsuki didn't speak for several more seconds, jaw still hanging on the floor. 

“Sorry,” Izuku suddenly felt he might have overstepped. “I didn't mean to blab on that long” 

Katsuki swallowed with an overwhelmed face. “No, I-It’s fine it’s just” He looked over to the group and then back towards the grinning boy. “I dont know who half those people are” He shrugged indifferently.

“KACCHAN” The soft fingers landed on his lips shushing him. He pulled the thin wrist from his face hoping his cheeks weren't too red. “One of those people could be your future husband or wife.” Katsuki’s face, once smiling, fell suddenly and he moved back from the closeness of Izuku. Izuku felt cold with him so far. 

“Okay well then help me” He wouldn't make eye contact. 

“What do you mean help you?” he didn’t think the prince could be serious. 

“Help me pick” he shrugged blase as if it was as easy as picking a tie color. 

“Kacchan” He waited for the boy to meet his eyes. “That's a choice you have to make” Katsuki studied his face. They were running out of time. “Don’t you want to pick someone you love” For some reason saying the sentence out loud made tears well at the bottom of his eyes. 

“I dont love any of those extras” He wasn't looking at Izuku anymore. 

The boy gave in at the solemn look on the other's face “Fine” that got Katsuki to look at him again. “I'll help”. He knew he was going to regret it when the smile on the prince's mouth sent a pang through his chest. 

Izuku walked towards the long wooded table where everyone else sat looking more relaxed, and full than they had an hour ago. People were exchanging dramatized stories of their two-minute encounter with the prince and Izuku could hear a blond boy he recognized as Neito Monoma bragging about how Katsuki had already told him he was by far the most handsome contestant. Yeah, right Izuku thought.  

He placed himself in the same seat he had come from and couldn’t help but notice that a reasonable chunk of people were already missing from the original mob of contestants. Maybe they went to the bathroom? After about five minutes of waiting he started counting heads. It seemed like close to ten people were missing. 

“Eight” The edgy girl spoke without looking at him 

“Eight” he spoke back biting his lip and bringing his finger to his chin to survey who the victims were. 

He first noticed that the boy he came over here with, Shihai, was gone. Ochaco who must have overheard them, also noticed, as she leaned over Kyoka to whisper to Izuku, “Poor Shihai”. Izuku nodded at her solemnly wondering what he could have possibly done to already be sent home. After recalling in his head he also noticed Yosetsu Awase, Kosei Tsuburuba, Jurota Shishida, and Nirengeki Shoda were also missing. It was surprising to realize Katsuki had also sent home one of the few two’s Sen Kaibara. Finally, Izuku realizes he was the only five left as Reiko Yanagi and Hiryu Rin were also gone. Eight people have been cut less than 24 hours into the competition. Izuku tried to keep the sour taste out of his mouth as he pondered why the fives were all gone. 

Before he could think too hard people began straightening up and pushing their plates back and Kastuki, surprisingly sat at the head of the table, unfortunately, next to Camie. Everyone exhibited vehement silence as they waited for what he would say. At this point, others had started to notice the people missing. 

“Don’t let me stop you” More silver platters came out filled with tarts, cakes, and pastries that instantly filled the room with a succulent flavor that Izuku had dreamed of for the past decade. “I’m just here for dessert” Kastuki spoke cleaner and more concisely when regarding the others. Izuku realized how hard it must be on him to mask his personality for others. 

The emergence of the sweets, which even the twos, weren't blessed enough to enjoy often, overrode the desire to be seen as poise for almost everyone at the table. Hands were reaching for different treats to fill their porcelain plates. Ochaco squealed quietly before slapping her hand over her mouth and Izuku giggled like a little boy as the cherry filling dripped onto his dish. 

Rather than indulge as the others were, Izuku noticed how Camie was talking to Katsuki and he was actually smiling. Izuku chose to not ruin his appetite any further and turned to focus back on the mound of sugar that would likely give him many, very worth it, cavities. 

Silence filled the room as people began to dig in, too focused on the rarity rather than the company. The calloused hands grabbed onto the pastry shakily, replaying a few days ago when he had pretended to be eating this very dessert to avoid the disparities of his typical meals. 

He brought it up to his mouth and memories transported back to him as his mouth flooded with saliva. Denki was looking at him and chuckling when Izuku realized he had moaned out loud at the flavor. A few others gave good-hearted laughs at his reaction and his face grew hot. 

“That good?” The green head snapped towards the head of the table where Camie looked like she was mid-sentence. However, Katsuki had interrupted their little talk to point out the misconduct of Izuku’s to the whole room. 

There were a few more laughs now that were not in such good nature. He quickly wiped any cherry remnants off the corners of his mouth with the deep blue cloth napkin that had been idle in his lap. He finally made eye contact to see that Katsuki was grinning at him evilly. “Yeah! I think if my mother got her hands on one of these she may cry”. 

The prince's face softened at the mention of Inko. They had always had special places in each other's hearts. The table was now all watching the blond to see his response to the crude bluntness. “You wanna bet?” 

A few people exhaled sharply and threw their heads back to him as if they were watching a tennis match. “A bet?” Izuku was confused by the proposition. 

Katsuki waved over one of his guards to have them write down his words as he spoke. “A friendly bet.” He leaned back in his chair, eyes only on Izuku, no matter how hard Camie was poking out her breasts. Izuku swallowed as he waited for the stipulations. “How about we send Au-” He cleared his throat to cover the slip. “Your mother, a bundle of these tarts” Izuku felt tears well in his eyes. Eri and Kota. He wished less than a week ago that they would get a chance to try the delicacy and now here Kastuki was granting it. Katsuki smirked slightly at his reaction “We will send a guard and if she does, truly, cry” The guard jotted down the rules quickly. “Then you can have whatever you want.” 

Izuku’s sharp inhale met the reaction of most at the lunch. Some of the contestants looked excitedly at him, encapsulated by the back and forth, while others looked like they wanted to see his green curls on a stick for taking all of the prince’s attention. 

Thoughts whirled through his head at the possibilities. Even Kyoka looked at him with a grin he hadn’t seen on her yet. 

“Dude pick something” Chirped up Denki next to him, seemingly just as excited as he was. 

Kastuki waited patiently as Camie sulked next to him. 

“Anything?” His own voice sounded foreign through the ringing in his ears. 

“Within reason” A few laughed at him, trying desperately to force his eyes back on the task. 

Izuku looked around at the area, frantic for an answer to come to him. Sending the tarts to his family was truly enough for him. He shifted in his chair suddenly feeling the squeaky shoes his feet were rammed into. 

He grinned up at his friend finally making eye contact. Katsuki raised his eyebrows at the sudden confidence. 

He took a shaky breath before negotiating “I want to wear sneakers”. 

Some looked at him confused and others looked at him amused. Eijiro reached around to slap his back and he heard Kyoka comment “Ballsy”.

The prince had his head back, full body laughing, which resulted in others around him laughing too. He didn't know if he should feel comforted or embarrassed by the reactions. “Deal” Kastuki spoke up once he reeled in the reception. 

Izuku grinned in victory before realizing that was only half of the deal made “And if she doesn't?” He sounded so loud in the large echoing room. 

The feral look on the other face told Izuku that he had already called to mind the perfect punishment. He looked away nonchalantly, “I need a new sparring partner”. 

Okay, not what he was expecting. When they were boys Izuku would occasionally join Katsuki in his martial arts lessons, only joining when the instructor allowed it (or Katsuki begged). He hadn’t even stepped on the mat in 8 years and Katsuki had been training his whole life.  A stuttering mess poured from his mouth. “I-I can't!” He threw his hands in front of his face “I don’t spar!” A few people seemed nervous at his denial of the request. He realized that this was technically a crime, denying him of anything. “I mean are you sure you don’t want someone better” He looked nervously at the stoic face. 

Another smirk tugged at the royal mouth “You look strong and athletic to me” He shooed the guard finalizing the deal. “You’ll learn”. Soon after the words left his mouth he stood up to be dismissed, leaving the contestants to sit alone again. 

“That seemed sexually charged” Ochaco was leaning over Kyoka again to chime in. 

“ Ochaco !” he spoke through gritted teeth. 

As he looked around and saw the irritated faces he realized he had just gained a long list of enemies. 

————

Several days passed in an unsettling silence. Time was moving slowly in the castle. It was now early Wednesday morning, two days before the introduction Report would be out and the public would officially get to see their makeovers. They were told for the first Report or two they would not be interviewed but eventually they would be expected to speak. That was what was keeping him up this morning. 

He had woken up much earlier than he was expected to. He had measurements today for his first report outfit and besides that, he would be spending his day like he had Monday and Tuesday. There was a common room where the large group was allowed to go and mingle for the day. There were any supplies requested so Izuku could paint if he wanted to, but for now, he was content getting to know some of the competition better. 

He and Ochaco had only gotten closer and he was relieved to discover that she was as genuine as she had seemed the first time they met. Surprisingly he had also had great conversations with Tenya Iida and Shoto Todoroki and both boys were surprisingly humble for their status. He tried to approach Kyoka when she wandered off by herself and he couldn’t help but notice how she would often stare off peering towards other groups talking, looking wistful. He imagined she was wishing that, like him, she could enjoy herself more. 

He was currently staring at the ornate ceiling trying to calculate what those 8 contestants could’ve done to get eliminated right off the back. And why hadn’t Katsuki mentioned it? Matter of fact why hadn’t he seen Katsuki the past few days if he wanted his help so badly?

He heard a swoosh coming from his door and sat up at the noise. In the still dark morning light he could see a faint red envelope with gold lettering similar to his selection letter. Without a second thought, he swung his legs to the ground and hurried over to the envelope 

To: Shitty Deku  

He rolled his eyes at the ridiculous nickname dressed up in the liquid gold and swirly lines 

He ripped it open and pulled out a tiny card that just read

“ I win, nerd ;)”

Shit. 

His mom cried at everything. How did he possibly lose this one? 

He turned over the note to see more writing 

“Meet me at 7

You know the place”

He did know the place. It had been several years since he had been done to that gym but he could make it there blindfolded. 

Soon after the letter arrived his three helpers with all kinds of gadgets and gizmos to pair him in the best ensemble. This outfit was his, supposedly, signature green look except this time it was closer to the sage green he had worn on his travels over. He was excited to see what the bunch would come up with. He spent about three hours being rotated around and nearly poked to death with pins with no apology from Mei. 

He watched her frantically jot stuff down as Hitoshi helped sort and Melissa sat in the corner sewing something. 

“No one else was wearing color on Sunday” he pointed out to the head girl. 

“Obviously,” she said casually. 

“She’s bat shit but she’s smart as hell” Hitoshi pointed out. 

Mei turned around in a fake shocked face and cooed at her partner “Oh Tosh, you flatter me”. 

He laughed with Melissa at their shenanigans. Once he was finally done being a humanoid mannequin he slipped on one of the casual outfits they had made him. It was a plain red polo with some, much better-fitting khakis. He shoved on his, god-forbidden, uncomfortable shoes and actually mourned the loss of the bet. He really wanted those damn sneakers. 

While thinking of the bet he suddenly realized the only clothes that would be appropriate for his afternoon plans were his dingy sleeping clothes and he would not be wearing that in front of his royal highness. 

He felt almost embarrassed to bring it up though. It felt like he was doing something wrong or sneaky “Hey um” he cleared his throat as he was leaving to eat lunch with some of the others. The three turned their heads towards him. “Do you think you could make me some workout clothes?” All he got back were stoic faces. 

“For what” It was Melissa who spoke up which made him feel even dumber about the confession. Some part of him just wanted it to be his and Katsuki’s little secret even though every other contestant knew about it. 

“You know you can’t use the gym here, it’s for the prince” Hitoshi spoke out the obvious. 

“Yeah uh, about that” There were gasps from all three and suddenly Izuku was being manhandled away from the door handle and thrust back into his room. 

“Speak” was all Mei said as her eyes bulged out of her head. 

Izuku looked at all three of them hanging onto his every word. “He uh invited me to workout with him tonight” He closed his eyes as the squealing, yes even from Hitoshi, filled the room. 

“Izuku you’re the first date?!” The pink-haired girl spewed out profanities as she instantly got to work. The three were in a whirlwind suddenly pulling out new fabrics and pacing around with anxiety. He hadn’t thought of it like that. I guess to people who didn’t know the two boys' relationship this could be considered a date. Great, now people would be even more annoyed with him. “Oh my god, oh my god” She was muttering to herself. “Hot workout clothes.” She moved at lightning speed. “First date” She grabbed his bicep squeezing the muscle to check its largeness. She gave him quick eyebrows of approval, pausing her panic, at his quite jacked arms. She spun back around looking all the more stressed. “Okay, okay” She held a few things up to him “What exactly will you be doing anyway” She grabbed an ankle. 

He regretted mentioning the whole thing altogether as he felt his stomach growling. “Just sparring” He tried to not lash out during his hanger. 

“ SPARRING” she yelped back 

“That’s kinky,” Said the purple-haired boy. 

He groaned at their overreaction. “Guys, I just have some experience in it and he needs a partner” They looked at him like he was stupid. “It’s not a big deal” 

“Right” Spoke the boy as he lifted up his left arm to observe his…armpit hair? Mei still had his leg as Melissa pulled at different stretchy fabrics in the background. “Because I invite all my best bros to roll around all sweaty on top of each other in an area of the castle restricted to only me” he gruffed. 

Izuku removed his arm from his grip and stepped back mortified. “Omg is this a date?!” Surely this wasn’t that right. He and Katsuki were friends. Sure Izuku had some unrequited love problems from when they were boys but Katsuki had never returned those feelings and also knew he was still in love with someone else. Katsuki just needed help, he reminded himself before he spiraled back to his old ways. No matter how hard he used to wish for those arms around him and those lips around-

Okay, stop Izuku. 

But also? 

Rody cheated on him. 

He didn’t have to be loyal to him anymore 

STOP IZUKU he reprimanded himself. 

Katsuki wouldn’t be asking for help if he was the one he was in love with. 

“Are you okay Izuku?” Melissa’s timid voice spoke. 

He realized they had sat in silence for probably close to 3 minutes as he internally panicked. He rushed back to the door, exiting before they could protest. “Yep!” he was already halfway out. “Just hungry!” He pulled the door shut as he yelled “I trust you guys to make something reasonable” He slammed the door shut which started the two girls outside the door. It was Kyoka and…Momo? They looked like they were getting along perfectly well for the stoic nature that Kyoka usually exhibited. 

His appearance seemed to startle them more than it should have as Momo ventured nearly five feet away in one swoop as if she had been hiding something. “Izuku!” She spoke up loudly brushing her ponytail out of her face. They hadn’t spoken yet and yet she was acting as if they were old pals. “I was just introducing myself to Kyo” There was a pause “Kyo-Kyoka, I mean” Izuku eyed her warily. Kyoka was bright red and looked flustered for the first time since Izuku had met her. “And she said you two have spoken!” She grabbed his arm. “Walk with us to lunch?”

He tried to lighten up, ignoring the awkward start to the conversation. “Y-yeah!” she squeezed his arm a little too hard. Just then Ochaco also walked out and Izuku went to her immediately. “Ochaco” he looked at her with the I have something to tell you later face and grabbed her arm to hook it around his “Join us for lunch?” 

She looked at him a little odd but then chirped up “Sure!” The four headed to the dining hall in comfortable silence. 

—---------

“You're telling me you think you caught Kyoka and Momo doing something ?” When she said it out loud like that it did sound dumb he realized. They had grabbed some of the tea time finger foods and were heading back to find a table. Unlike formal dinners, when the royal family wasn't attending they dined in a more casual environment with several dark wood tables that could fit 5-6 people rather than the massive one they had upon arrival. 

“Okay well saying it like that sounds stupid” She pushed him gently and they both took seats next to each other at the empty table. He looked around to see where everyone had landed. It seemed that Denki and Eijiro were still sticking together and they were surprisingly sitting with the pale pink-skinned girl that Ochaco mentioned was Mina and also Kyoka. He also noticed that Momo was sitting at the farthest table from Kyoka as she could. “I mean look” he gently pointed towards both girls. “Since I ran into them this morning they've been avoiding each other and me like the plague”. 

Ochaco took a moment to consider “Okay I mean that is a little weird” She took a big bite of her sandwich. “Buth wath do you thinith you cau them doin?” It came out as gibberish as she spoke. He threw a napkin her way. 

He sighed and delved into his own plate. “I guess I dont know” He peered back at Kyoka’s table long enough to see Hanta joining them and snapping Kyoka out of her daze that was mysteriously pointed towards Momo. 

Ochaco slapped his arms lightly. “I almost forgot to tell you!” Izuku stopped his meddling and studied her eagerly. Maybe Katsuki had asked her to be his first date? He felt both excited and nauseous by the thought. 

Before she could speak two more guests surprisingly joined their table. It was Tenya and Shoto both holding thoroughly packed plates in hand. “May we sit here?” Spoke the actor. 

Ochaco seemed a little starstruck so Izuku spoke up instead. “O-Of course!” 

The small girl that Ochaco had been talking to on day one then passed and Ochaco reached out to grab her “Tsu!” The girl turned around and took it as an invitation to sit as well. “You need to hear this too” Spoke his friend. 

“Hear what, if I may inquire” puzzled Tenya. 

Ochaco bounced up in down and waved them to lean closer which everyone did except for Shoto. However, he was still listen politely and intently. “So get this” She looked around to make sure no one else was listening. “The guard who guards our quarters” She pointed to the girl with buns that had escorted Izuku early that day. “She’s pretty good friends with one of my maids” They looked at her waiting for her point as she paused for dramatic effect. “Anyway, she let my maid know who let me know that the prince has a date tonight.” She squealed as everyone took in the information. Izuku stared at her puzzled. Was this a date? No, surely he wouldn't have told anyone either. Maybe that guard had been the one to slip it under his door and hadn't known the contents inside of it. That could be it. 

“Who do you think it's with” It was the first time he had heard Tsuyu speak and her voice was nasilier than he thought it would be. 

“Welllllll” she moved her head around the table. “I was hoping it would be one of you” Her eyes drifted straight to him. 

“Why are you looking at me?!” He squealed as he turned to see everyone else was also looking at him. 

“My bets would also be on Izuku,” Shoto said casually. 

Izuku busied himself with his food trying to not look suspicious. “Why would you think that?” It came out shaky and obvious. 

“Well you clearly came in here, already ready having had a crush on him” Ochaoc was giggling and even Tenya had a small smirk of pleasure in his embarrassment. 

“HUH?” he barked out. Had Shoto somehow found out about their relationship? Was he about to ruin everything?

“You know,” Shoto said between bites. “The way you acted on Sunday” Izuku relaxed a bit. “You were all shaky and nervous and looking back at everyone's conversations like some jealous housewife”. It seemed like he was being mean but by the look on his face, Izuku could tell he was just kindly blunt. “And then you came back all flushed and giddy after talking”. Ochaco was snorting at this point. “Then there was the whole sexual tension over tennis shoes and workout regiments” 

“Okay stop it” Ochaco was doubled over. “My abs hurt so bad, I can't laugh any harder.” She was leaning over on the other girl. 

“It is quite alright to have a celebrity crush!” Chanted out the stiff actor. 

“I just figured he would pick someone that is already head over heels to feed his ego” That sent the whole table over the edge until Mr. Aizawa came over to shush them. 

Izuku whispered back to the group. “Okay first of all I'm not head over heels for anybody” Shoto waved his hand in dismissal. “Second of all Kac-Katsuki” he shook his head and breathed “ Prince Katsuki does not have an ego ”. He leaned back in his chair in gleeful annoyance. “Plus I’m going sparring tonight with him for losing the beat so he is probably going on his date after that anyway.” Everyone calmed down a bit while mentally brainstorming who the date could be. 

After their meal was almost complete Ochaco chimed in one more time. “Could you at least grope his abs for me?” She sent puppy dog eyes and everyone bursted out again. 

“How many times shall I tell you, problem children?” The man was back to hush them and they all quietly chuckled as the day passed by. 

—--------

By the time the group was done chatting for the day, Izuku had learned a ton about them. He was starting to grow fond of the people he was meeting here. They would start their etiquette classes next week so they were all trying to enjoy the free time while it lasted. 

At some point in the day, quite a large group of them had joined up to all play card games. Eijiro, Denki, Tsuyu, Ochaco, Tenya, Shoto, Kyoka, Momo, Hanta, Mina, and Izuku had all been playing for so long that Izuku began to lose track of time. He glanced at the clock and realized that it was already 6:40. Shit. He was supposed to meet Katsuki in 20 minutes. 

They were in the middle of a card game Momo had taught them when he stood up abruptly and mentioned that he had to leave. He gave pleading eyes to the four who knew about his whereabouts and they all played it off well. He had explained to them that he really didn't want people to know he was getting alone time with the prince even if they hadn't understood it at all. 

“I think he had a suit fitting with his maid tonight?” He heard Ochaco do her best acting to the crowd. He owed her. She turned at the last second to mouth to him remember and then crudely stuck out her tongue and ran a hand down her “Abs” He chuckled and hustled towards the door. 

He rushed through the halls back to his room hoping that his maids would have his outfit ready and that it wouldn't be ridiculous. He pushed open his door shocked to see that his maids weren't even there. He started to panic before locating a small drawstring bag perched on his bed with a note stuck to it that said 

First date material ;)

He didn't have time to look at it so he grabbed it and prayed that it would be tame. He was out the door in no time and it wasn't until he was heading down the old dark wood stairs that the nerves started to hit him. Alone with Katsuki again. He didn't know how long he could be in close proximity with the man without opening up old wounds. 

Before he knew it his thoughts had brought him to the gym doors. He popped it open hoping that he had made it here before Katsuki. He surprisingly did it seemed. 

He took in the sight. The low-lit room was just as he remembered it. The weight sets and punching bag in the corner. The mat in the middle of the room with old wood benches to rest on. The “Explosion Murder God” band poster that Katsuki used to love as a kid. It was a billow of nostalgia. Of what he once was. Of what made him now. 

He made his way in familiar steps to the bathroom to change. He realized that he didn't have shoes so he hoped Kastuki would also be barefoot. He took a deep breath and opened the bag, ripping the drawing tight. You have got to be kidding me Izuku thought as he pulled out the first item. 

He unraveled from the bag a shirt that looked like someone had taken scissors to. The actual shirt design wasn't bad, just a plain Yeuui University shirt in a dark navy. However, Mei had taken free will to cut off the arms exposing them and most of his ribcage as well as cropping it slightly so the very edge of his stomach hung out. He found another note inside the bag. 

Abs of steel 

-HS

Okay, he wouldn't have guessed this was Hitoshi’s doing but he was still feeling too mortified to put it on. 

The second thing he pulled out was tight compression leggings that cut off at his calf. Thankfully there was also a loose pair of shorts to go on over them, so he wouldn't be totally exposed but this was a lot. 

He begrudgingly put it on and saw his reflection in the mirror. As much as he hated to admit it he did look good however the prospect of seeing Katsuki in this silly outfit made his pulse quicken. 

He carefully stepped out of the bathroom after bunching his other clothes into the small bag. He peered around, relaxing when the prince had yet to arrive. It was the instant he let his guard down when he heard the gruff voice speak. 

“What the hell are you wearing” Katsuki had walked in in a, very, normal outfit, simply wearing tight black sweats and a black compression shirt with a skull on it. He threw his bag down and sat down to stretch on the mat as Izuku stared at him mortified. 

He slowly moved to sit next to him. “Sorry,” he mumbled, refusing to forge eye contact with the rubies racking over him. “My maids are crazy” He put his hand behind his back to lean back in defeat. 

“Your maids are smart” He didn't miss the way Kastukis eyes scanned down to the exposed skin and back up. Izuku was admiring Katsuki’s own build when the blonde spoke up again. “You ready to get your ass kicked nerd?” 

Izuku stood up and reached a hand out to help Katsuki up, but he shoved it away and stood up on his own with a tsk. “You know even if you do bet me” Izuku was feeling bold after the obvious pleasure Katsuki had gotten from his outfit. “I haven't sparred in eight years, so what’s the big deal?” Izuku experimented by slowly stretching back allowing the shirt to ride up even farther across the rolls of his stomach muscles. Sure enough Katskis eyes lingered for a second too long. 

Katsuki snapped out of it, assuming position. “Just get in position, nerd”. 

Izukiu stared at him a bit long before obeying “Whatever you say, coach.” He barely had time to get into a starting position before he was being hoisted over Kastuki’s broad shoulder and slammed to the ground.

Kastuki climbed on top of him and pinned both arms above his head. He was really close and Izuku could smell the scent of caramel and smoke that he had worn since they were kids. “I thought you were supposed to be coaching me ”. 

Izuku took the moment of distraction as an opportunity to thrust his hips up forcing Katsuki back over the green hair. Now with Izuku on top Katsuki stilled. “I would but my client is being a little difficult”. He stood up to move back to the center of the mat and the prince scowled at him from the floor. “Plus” he shook some sweat off his curls. “I heard you have your first date tonight anyway” 

Kastuki stood up quickly and looked at Izuku bewildered, almost hurt. “Tonight?” All tones of malice were gone. 

“Yeah, who is the lucky person” Again, it barely left his mouth before being shot to the hard mat again. “ Ouch,” He spoke through gritted teeth. This time he was on his stomach with his arm uncomfortably twisted behind him. 

Katsuki hunched over close to his ear. “Don’t believe everything you hear Deku ” His breath was hot and wet against the other ear. Voice low and rough. Izuku was suddenly very aware of their positioning and flipped around keeping Katsuki in his lap. 

He was surprised when this time the prince made no effort to move. Rather he stayed on his knees on Izuku’s bare torso as he pondered what to say next. “Has anyone caught your eye?” He tried to wiggle out of the position but Katsuki seemed fully intent on staying. “You know you have to start trying eventually”. That snapped the blond out of his thoughts. 

He stood up finally and snapped at Izuku to get back to his starting point. “Whatever I'll start when I want to”. This time Izuku initiated the battle, sweeping his legs under katsukis to swoop him onto his back. 

He climbed on quickly pinning Katsuki’s hands above his head this time. Katsuki must have been out of shape because his entire face was red after the takedown. “Now” Izuku moved in closer. “Who has been catching your eye?” 

Katsuki wrapped a leg around Izuku’s back to roll them over “What about that chick you're always around” He puffed out his cheeks and laughed. “With the round cheeks”. 

Izuku whipped them back around putting Katsuki on his stomach. He gritted out “Her name is Ochaco and she is nice ” Katsuki rolled his eyes and Izuku tightened his grip. “So you need to be nice to her”. They both stood up again making their way apart to the circle. “Any others?” For some reason the talk was making Izuku pissy. 

“There's the boy with the shitty hair.” Katsuki at least had an expression that looked like he was trying. 

“Shitty hair?” Izuku threw his arms out. “Do you think you could elaborate?” 

Katsuki threw his arms out as well. “I dont know! It's red and shitty!” 

“Eijiro”. 

“See you know the one!” he pointed at his friend. 

Izuku felt bile in his stomach. “You like Eijiro?” For some reason, it felt a little painful compared to Ochaco. 

“He’s hot enough.” Katsuki was talking about it as if he were discussing the weather. 

“Anyone else?” Izuku knew it came off flat and annoyed. 

“Why are you getting pissy”. Katsuki moved closer and pointed a finger into his chest. “If you don’t want to help me then don’t.” 

Izuku grabbed the other wrist and yanked it off him. “Anyone else?” he repeated with a snarl. 

“Yeah, actually there is” Katsuki moved back to position and Izuku was ready for a real fight this time. Katsuki ran at him with fervor and soon Izuku was back on his back. “Ears”. 

“Ears?” 

“She just sat there and listened the whole time.” 

“Kyoka” Izuku flipped him around but Kastuki immediately gained the lead again. 

“Ponytail”. 

Izuku quickly remembered Momo being the only one who wore her hair up that day. “Momo”. 

Both had stood back up throwing punches and dodging each other attacks. 

“Sparky” 

“More detail” Izuku grunted as a blow went into his exposed ribcage. 

“Parents work in electric”. 

“Denki”. Izuku got a hit on Katsuki’s face. 

“Watch the prize shitty Deku” After a few more doges Katsuki spoke again. “That a long enough list for you?” He kicked Izuku hard throwing him to the ground and positioning himself above him for the hundredth time tonight. 

“Plenty” He wasn't even trying to hide his irate attitude. 

“Oh wait” he tapped his chin. “Let's add one more” He leaned in close, too close, to Izukus's face, sweat dripping from the prince's forehead to his. “Camie”. Fuck.  

“Oh, you know this one’s name?” he spat out. 

“Hard to forget” His breath was hot on the other cheek and words were aching on his heart. 

“Oh really ” Izukus's eyebrows shot up and his eyes were wide, attempting to throw the other boy off. Katsuki held still gripping the wrists above the green head hard. 

“Yeah, I mean you couldn't quit staring at the two of us during the introduction” Izuku felt like he had been caught red-handed. “So she must be a good one” 

“Sure if good were a synonym for devil incarnate”. Katsuki had the audacity to laugh in his face. They had gotten so close during the conversation. 

“Maybe I'll ask her tomorrow”. He looked at the clock. “Well I guess I have time tonight if we're done here?” He glanced back at Izuku with an egotistical face. 

“Whatever” Izuku blew a puff of air towards his forehead to, unsuccessfully, blow a piece of hair off the sweat-soaked area. He knew how childish he looked and sounded. 

“Jealous?” The grin on the prince's face could stop traffic. 

“You would like that huh?” Izuku pushed up again but the prince was unyielding. 

Suddenly Katsuki reached his hand up and gently pushed back the hair Izuku had been trying to get “If you wanna be the first date that badly Deku just speak up and it's yours” His lips were inches from his own. 

He held back a screaming yes. He didn't know why but at this instant he had a realization. These feelings from childhood would never and will never go away. In some wicked twist of fate, Katsuki would always be his. No matter what separated them Izuku would find himself wishing for a part of him. Suddenly panic ensued. Rody. His family. The Bakugous. The monarchy. And Kacchan was so so close. “Kacchan?” 

“Deku?” Izuku could practically taste his lips. 

The quote from the man popped into his head.

You cannot deny the prince of any request physical or not.

He couldn't do this. Not tonight. In a gut-punch reaction, Izuku threw his knee up in an attempt to get up. 

It was only after that he realized he had knee’d the Prince of Yueei in the dick. Katsuki was hunched over in pain yelping “What the hell Deku” Glaring at him fiercely. 

“I-Im so sorry” He rushed over the help the other up but Katsuki pushed him away. “W-We just got so close and I” 

Kastuki looked at him hurt “You what?” Katsuki would force him to say it. 

“I-Its just that the man that brought me here” He tried to sound calm and reasonable. “H-He said we couldn't deny you and” 

“Deku wait’ 

Izuku kept mumbling on “A-And we-we were so close and then I thought” 

“Deku” 

“I thought you might tr-try a-and kiss me and” 

“ Izuku ” 

Izuku snapped back at the name. He looked at the hurt boy awaiting his response. 

“Is that really what you think of me?” 

Tears immediately filled the green eyes. He felt immensely guilty. Of course, Katsuki would never force him to do anything. Before he could speak up to apologize Kastuki had his hand up in refusal. 

“Just go” Izuku begged him with silent eyes. “Please”. 

Izuku left without bothering to change or even grab his stuff. He ran barefoot all the way to his room sobbing as soon as the door slammed shut. 

Through teary eyes, he made his way to the bed. He had ruined everything. Katsuki would send him home first thing in the morning and he would never see him again. Screw the money Izuku would never get to rekindle the relationship they once had. All because he couldn't get out of his stupid head. 

He turned to find the feather. The comfort of home. The comfort of a relationship. 

Instead, he found a black box labeled “ Deku” 

Izuku shakily opened the box not knowing what could possibly be inside. Whatever it was must have been sent while they were sparring. 

He gasped when he saw the bright red hightop sneakers almost identical to the ones he'd grown up wearing. 

Hope this is still your style 

Only on Saturday, please 

-Kacchan Bakugou  

Izuku laughed at the given name and then tears instantly started up again. He had deeply hurt someone who so obviously cared so profoundly for him. 

Starting now, if he got to stay, he would make it up.

Izuku mourns as he wakes up. 

His maids kindly don't mention the puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. 

He doesn't mention to them that he will be sent home today. 

He can't break any more hearts. 

He quietly gets dressed in another casual daytime outfit, slipping on the painful black shoes, not looking at the ones he had been granted. 

He lets Hitoshi do whatever he wants to his hair and he leaves around noon still having not said a word. 

He hoped they didn't think that he was mad at them, but he couldn't bare to hear himself speak when the last words on his tongue had been so vile. 

He made his way, quietly and alone, to the social area for lunch. 

It took him five whole seconds to realize that sirens were blaring all around him. 

Panic. 

He had never heard the sirens sound in all his years of living there. 

A guard suddenly grabbed him and he was being dragged down twisting tunnels. 

Rebel attack. 

He was gently thrown down onto the ground with the other 27 contestants and started immediately searching for familiarity. It was so dark in whatever hidden corridor they were in and he could hardly make sense of anyone's face. He wanted to find Ochaco. 

Then it hit him. 

Where were his maids? 

They had been in his room less than five minutes ago. Did they make it somewhere safe? He moved without thinking and headed back up the stairs to find them. 

He had just opened the door back into the twisting tunnels, tears streaming down his face, and running as fast as he could, when he ran face-first into someone. That someone grabbed him hard and pulled him in close. 

“Where the fuck do you think you're going?” Katsuki. He relaxed into those arms and let the delicate fingers fall into his curls. No one could see them here. 

“My maids” He sobbed into the expensive suit chest. His body racked as he shook the prince's body with his cries.  

“Izuku” He grabbed the smaller boy's face and pulled back to make eye contact. “I need you to go back down there okay?” Izuku didn't move. “The maids know what to do and they have their own area to hide.” He moved his hands down to push Izukus's lower back toward the hideout. “We have all been through this before”. When had this all begun? There had always been people who disagreed with the class system but they had never used to get into the castle like this. 

He shook his head softly as they both made their way back down. Once they were back down he gently directed him towards Ochaco and gave the side of his torso a quick squeeze. 

“I'm sorry” Kastuki knew what he was referring to. 

“Don't be” Queen Mitsuki and King Masaru were sitting on chairs towards the front of the room and Izuku could at least admire how calm they looked through the chaos. “I need to check on the others.” He slowly pushed Izuku to sit down. “Ochaco could you keep an eye on him?” 

“Of course”. He hadn't even realized she was next to him yet. She pulled his hand in hers and Katsuki made his way throughout the room checking on everyone. “He cares for you”. Izuku didn't respond as he laid his head on her shoulder and silently let the tears fall off his cheeks. 

—--------

After about 30 minutes of sitting in complete silence, it was King Masaru who spoke up. This was the first time they had been addressed by him directly. 

“I am terribly sorry for the inconvenience,” Izuku noticed how still and calculated Mitsuki looked. He shivered at the memories of her cruelty towards his mother. He tried to keep his face from glaring at her. “As you know, there are many who oppose the monarch” His voice was slightly quavering but Izuku doubted anyone who didn't know the man noticed. “Occasionally we do have to take immediate shelter due to foreign entities entering the castle grounds.” Queen Mitsuki was piercing the crowd and Kastuki was looking at his feet next to her. “We have been told it is completely safe to now return to our usual daily activities.” Everyone slowly shuffled to stand up and make their way to the door. 

They slowly broke off, everyone opting in for returning to their rooms for the day. It had shaken all of them. He still had Ochacos's hand in his. “It may not be a good time” She let a short huff of a laugh out and Izuku noticed that she had been crying too. “But I do have some good news”. 

He smiled at her, smiling for the first time since yesterday. “I'll take anything at this point” He laughed. They had broken up from the large group and were now just with their quarter, Camie, Momo, Kyoka, and them. Momo and Kyoka hadn't left each other's side, deciding this was an appropriate time to keep others close. Izuku almost felt bad for Camie who walked bravely in front of the other four without a word spoken. Although maybe no one else noticed, Izuku noticed the wobble in her usually confident steps and the way she tried to rub any sign of fear from her eyes. 

Ochaco squeezed his arm “I have a date tomorrow” She beamed up at him and Izuku threw an arm around her to hug her. 

“That's great Ochaco” He felt a mixture of relieved and desirous. He was glad that out of everyone she would get the first date. 

They parted ways and Izuku opened his door slowly. His maids were there and he felt the breath he had been holding release. He ran to them as they huddled as a group on his bed. Melissa was sobbing and the other two were trying to calm her down with their own shakily breaths. When they noticed his arrival they all jumped up to run to him. 

They spent the rest of their evening with each other, close by and never waning. 

Izuku made a promise to himself that he would protect these three from now on. 

He had friends here now that he was determined to help. 

Regardless of why Izuku originally came here, a new fire was lit under him. 

He would restore everything that was once broken. 

Chapter Text

Song rec: Fine Line (Harry Styles) 

They woke up together that morning.

Izuku had been shaken up after the attack and it seemed his maids weren't too eager to leave each other either. The bed had been big enough for him, Melissa, and Mei, and Hitoshi had graciously taken the couch. 

It was now Friday morning and the day of the first Report. Katsuki would be interviewed tonight over his first week in The Selection and then next Friday the contestants would be expected to appear on screen. 

When he woke up the other three were already awake and buzzing around. They must have left at some point to gather up fabrics and appliances because it looked like they had already constructed half of an outfit. The clock on the wall read 11:12. 

“Sleeping beauty is up” Hitoshi proudly announced when he caught a glimpse of Izukus's partially opened sleep-ridden eyes. Izuku couldn't remember the last time he had slept that long. The week must have finally caught up with him when he had company to lull him to sleep. 

“Are you okay, Izuku?” Melissa was at his bedside with a cup of coffee and a muffin. It looked like she had hardly slept compared to him and the others. 

He got up quickly and ruffled her hair causing her to blush. “Thank you Melissa” He took the treats from her and immediately started downing the liquid energy. 

“Glad you're finally awake” Mei spat out sarcastically. She was wrapped around the sage green fabric they had been testing on him a few days prior. “I need you to try these on” It was an almost see-through, mesh, white, shirt that had an iridescent finish like his first suit. The sleeves billowed similar to a pirate's and when he slipped it on you could see his nipples through the sheer cloth. 

“Mei, I cannot have my nipples out on live television” He was covering his pecks by crossing his arms like it was something the three of them had never seen before. Mei went up to him and gave said nipples a pinch. “ Ouch ” He threw his hands out and looked to Hitoshi for backup but he was conveniently… dusting? 

Mei scrunched up the fabric and turned him around to look at the back. “Obviously you can't have your nipples out Izuku” He was not following at all since this shirt very much had his nipples out. His mother would watch this! “Just trust me okay?” She waved her hands to tell him to take it off which he gladly did. “You should be spending this time writing anyway” She had moved towards Melissa to sketch something over her original blueprint. 

Izuku snuck on his sleep shirt again. “Writing?” 

She shrugged back at him as if it didn't matter, while Melissa brought him an expensive pen and cardstock. “The prince wants everyone to write home after the attack” The words left her frail mouth as Izuku tearfully grabbed the stationary supplies. 

He didn't speak another word as he rushed over to the desk and put the pen to the paper instantly. He missed his family more than anything and he wanted to be able to hear about everything he had missed. He wrote for half an hour trying to put as much information on the small card as he could. He wrote to his stepfather about the stone castle grounds and the elegant paintings that hung on the wall. He wrote to his mother about the suit fabrics and plump hams. He wrote to Eri about the beautiful ball gowns and gold-trimmed floors. He ended with Kota encouraging him to keep working on his paintings while he was gone and maybe he would get to sneak him some more tarts. Before sealing the envelope he decided to slip in there that someone should check on LaLa and RoRo in Rody's absence. Writing the name of the militant boy hurt him. The love letters he had once addressed to him were now filled with remorse and apathy. 

It was nearing noon now and Izuku would be expected to arrive at the Report by 5 for dinner before the show. They would be served lunch in their rooms and were told that all communal areas would be closed in preparation for the evening. He hadn't gotten the chance to see the others since the attacks yesterday. He wondered if anyone was able to truly recover from it. 

He re-read the letter over and over again, still in his pajamas from the night before. They were quite nice compared to what he was used to. The thick red flannel pants and knitted tight shirt had probably been more expensive than all his clothes at home combined. 

“Zukuuuuuu” Mei sing-songed out and Iuzku already knew what that meant. He started taking off his shirt for the thousandth time that evening already aware that Mei had, yet another, thing that he had to try on. Hopefully this time it would at least be less indecent. 

He pulled his shirt from the neck and shucked it off as a knock came from the door. Lunch . Finally. Izuku had gotten used to the large and filling meals and found himself being insatiated by the muffin from an hour ago. Melissa went to grab the door as Hitoshi, invasively, grabbed his torso to gather measurements on his hips. 

“You know you're already gaining weight” Hitoshi squeezed his sides. 

Izuku chuckled at the ticklish sensation and pushed the boy's hands away “Yeah well” he made a sarcastic face. “Sorry, I was starving” The boys howled out laughter before Izukus's ears were only filled with the screeching sound of his own lonesome laugh. He opened his eyes again to discover why Hitoshi had stopped his enjoyment in their joking when he was met with the boy's purple eyes looking somewhere behind him towards the door. 

Izuku quickly turned around to see a mortified Melissa holding the door for none other than the prince himself. The valet made his way expertly around Izuku’s bare waist before grabbing Mei and shuffling all three of them out the door. Katsuki smiled in awe at their erratic behavior and their insistent bowing as they left the room. 

“They are quite the trio,” He said as he made his way into the bedroom, not needing permission from anyone. Not that Izuku would have the power to deny him anyway. Izuku stared too stunned to answer. Why was he here? Was he finally getting eliminated for his behavior during their spar? “Measurements?” Katsuki questioned. 

Izuku didn't understand his words at first until he detected the ruby eyes locked to his olive torso on full display. Izuku suddenly was very aware of his nudity. He screeched out “Wahhh” scrambling for a shirt while at the same time saying “Kacchan” which made the whole embarrassing, fluster-filled, panic come out as “Wacchan”. 

He shoved a shirt on as he listened to Katsuki convulse with laughter “Chill out nerd” he moved closer to the wooded desk and admired Izuku's penmanship while Izuku desperately tried to gather his bearings. The prince turned his sharp jaw back towards the green boy after giving him a moment of privacy “Nothing I haven't seen before” likely referring to the baths Inko would give them as boys. Izuku was red for all kinds of reasons at this point. 

Katsuki had come here to eliminate him. His poor maids had worked so hard all day for zero payoff. He could feel tears behind his eyes as he tried to croak out any words. 

“You good?” Was all Katsuki said, not moving closer to observe the sorrowful scene. 

The damn broke for Izuku as he spurted out “Are you eliminating me?!” Tears fell from his cheeks in rapid succession. 

Katsuki was over in an instant grabbing his face to wipe the tears as fast as they came. “What?” He spat out as he moved them both to sit on the bed. He moved the sleeve of his own casual wear to his palm to brush the non-stopping wetness off the green orbs. “Izuku, talk to me” Izuku could only imagine how horrid and puffy he probably looked right now from the amount of crying he had done this week. Again, curse those Midoriya genes. “Why do you think I am eliminating you?” 

Izuku hiccupped and stopped heaving suddenly “You aren't eliminating me?” He finally looked at the wildly confused look on Katsuki’s face. He threw his head on the taller boy's shoulder as the prince stayed confused and stony. 

He pushed the forehead off his arm to get a look into Izuku's eyes once more. “Why” his eyes were squinted and his mouth was ajar “Did you think that again?” he kept his hand on the other’s shoulder. 

Izuku was still working on reeling in the sobs “I-I” he took a shaky breath as Katsuki tried very very hard to remain patient “I s-said all those a-awful” He attempted another breath before getting cut off. 

“Look Deku” Katsuki stood from the bed and went to lean back on the desk. Izuku watched the fabric tighten around his biceps as he crossed his arms. “I’m not eliminating you” Izuku went to speak up but was cut off again by Katsuki raising his pointer finger to silence him “I also don’t have all day to blubber on about my long list of reasons why” He had just realized how exhausted the blond looked. 

Izuku rose from the bed as well and walked slightly closer, scared to ask the next question. “Why did you come here then?” He finally allowed his eyes to meet the others. “if not to eliminate me?” He leaned back against the foot of his bed which gave the appearance of him and Katsuki being mirror images. 

“I needed to talk” The smooth fingers traced circles around Izukus's borrowed desk until running into a foreign, prickly, object. The green eyes widened in horror as he watched his old friend pick up the memorabilia of his only relationship. The prince absent-mindedly twisted the feather in his hand before questioning “Where did this come from?” He held it in between the two of them, eyes almost crossed. 

Izuku frantically grabbed the boy's wrist, plucking the feather and gently setting it down before guiding them to sit at the table instead. “Never mind that” he nearly shoved a shocked prince down into the wooden chair. Izuku took the other seat “Go on” He threw his hand out to allow Katsuki to continue trying to not pay attention to the boy's obvious confusion at the sudden personality change. “What do you need help with?” He tried his best to smile. 

Katsuki’s eyes were still narrow but he continued on anyway “I have a date” Right. Izuku had almost forgotten the means of their relationship. “With Round Face” he was tapping his fingers anxiously on the table. 

“Ochaco” Izuku corrected. 

“Whatever” The other scoffed out. 

Izuku leaned back feeling more relaxed “So you needed help with…” Katsuki looked like he wanted to set him on fire “What exactly?” If Katsuki had the power to explode Izuku he would. 

The prince stood up, chair squeaking, and headed for the door. Izuku stood up, instantly following. He kept messing up everything with his big, stupid mouth. He grabbed Katsuki’s wrist moments before he exited and pulled him back in “Okay, okay,” Katsuki’s face softened only slightly “I wanna help really” Katsuki tilted his head in skepticism. “I guess I just don’t understand what I would know that a prince wouldn’t,” Katsuki sighed, still saying no words. “In the dating world, that is” Izuku finished up, words anything but eloquent. 

“vnevrbenonadate” Izuku grabbed the prince's wrist tighter, thinking he may be having a stroke. 

“Did you just say something?” He got uncomfortable close to the prince in worry “Kacchan?” He felt Katsuki's forehead before he pulled back in disgust. 

“I’VE” the prince spoke before pausing and turning to face away from a very confused Izuku. “Never” Izuku tried to move back into his line of sight but Katsuki was dodging any and all attempts “ beenonadate”.

Izukus's brain movement halted. He could not have heard that right. “ What?” He went to reach for Katsuki’s arm but was slapped away. 

“Don’t make me repeat it just help” Izuku admired how red Katsuki's neck was in embarrassment. 

“Okay,” he refrained from giggling. “Lucky for you, Ochaco is probably the sweetest chillest girl you could have asked” Katsuki Visibly relaxed. “She would love a simple dinner and maybe a walk through the gardens” Katsuki nodded along as if he was taking notes in his head. 

He waited patiently for Izuku to continue but the freckled boy was done. “That’s it?” Izuku shrugged in agreement. “I had to track you down and sneak into your room for that?” He looked angry again. Izuku took a few steps backward and Katsuki charged forward. 

“How about we come up with a system for when you need to talk?” Izuku tried to calm the boy “Like when we’re in public and you need to ask me something later you do a sign and then I know to be expecting you” Katsuki pondered. “Then I can try to come with some better strategies.” He gave a weary smile. 

He took a meditating breath before sighing in surrender “At least that would refrain me from walking in on you butt ass naked again” The anger had been replaced with the prince’s usual charming smirk. 

Izuku rolled his eyes in disbelief “I was shirtless Kacchan, not naked” This resulted in a snort from the other. He let out an ugh “Anyway, what do you want the sign to be?” he pushed his bangs out of his face. 

“Isn’t that your job?” Unbelievable. 

“Is everything my job?” Izuku squeaked out as Katsuki just shrugged in enjoyment at the stressed boy. 

Izuku thought quickly “You remember all might right?” Katsuki looked at him confused. 

“Uh, yeah” He picked up one of the chocolates off of Izuku’s snack platter and went to raise it to his mouth. Izuku slapped his wrist before it could make it there. “That could get you executed, you know?” 

Izuku actually growled in frustration this time, giving Katsuki all the more pleasure “Okay, so how about this” He lifted his hand into a small fist similar to how All Might would in the movies when he was victorious. 

Katsuki looked at him pitifully before shoving his head in playful aggression “You are still such a nerd”. 

Izuku hoped he wasn’t as hot in the face as he felt “Whatever” he was slowly moving them both towards the door “Is that all you needed?” 

Katsuki actually looked at him shocked this time “Are you dismissing me?” Izuku looked around trying to find what else he could have meant. They were in the doorway now “You’re unbelievable” The prince was looking down at him from where they stood closely in the doorway.

“Unbelievably helpful?” His breathing was shallow, too aware of the heat radiating from the blond’s body

“Sure, Deku” They both stayed in silence for a stretch, Izuku’s hand on the doorknob and Katsuki’s eyes on his face. Time moved idly as both boys looked at each other with words on the tips of their mouths. Katsuki broke first, clearing his throat. “We’ll I better let you fix” he gestured towards Izuku’s pajama’d self “all that”. 

Izuku couldn’t bother to feel annoyed at the statement because as Katsuki opened the door three maids fell right in. Katsuki kindly stepped over them waving off as he left the quarters. 

Mei looked up from her tangled limbs on the ground. “Awe, look guys he is blushing” 

They jokingly cooed at him but Izuku couldn’t even deny this time that it was the prince's doing. 

————-

Izuku anxiously watched as they put his final pieces for the night together. 

The sheer little number was still out and about and Izuku was having a hard time putting all his trust in them. 

“These.” Mei tossed him a pair of sage green slacks. “On.” He tugged off his pants and slipped on the slick material. “Shirt too.” Izuku tossed off the shirt as she threw him the white sheer top. 

He tugged it on in front of the mirror. “I am still seeing a lot of nipples Mei” He heard Hitoshi snicker. 

Mei walked over with another piece of the puzzle that matched the shade of the pants and walked behind him. “Here, here you prude” She stuck his hands through the arms and zipped him in from the back. It was a tight vest that sat flush with the pants. The sheer billowed arms still stuck out showing off his complexion and the vest had tightened around his torso showing his figure. He looked masculine and yet soft. They finished off the look with shiny white boots that had a small inch heel. They almost reminded him of go-go boots he had seen in movies. As he admired the look from the mirror Mei stood behind him with a told you so look. “So” she said boastfully. 

“It’s amazing” He trailed his fingers down the sheer fabric and turned at different angles to admire the art they had put together. 

“Hair” Hitoshi grabbed him by the belt loop and shoved him to the vanity. He did his usual routine in silence before adding a new element to the side of Izuku’s hair. When typically the man would let the green curls do the heavy lifting, instead Hitoshi added a small braid to caress one side of Izukus's head. He finished his look off with some dangly silver earrings with pearls at the bottom. He had officially learned to never doubt his maids again. 

It was 4:45 before he was officially ready and about to run out the door to make it on time. He exited his room at the same time that Ochaco left hers, with the guard with buns at her side. He peered into her room wondering why the guard was needed in there. 

Ochaco sensed his concern and grabbed his arm “Oh she’s just friends with my maid remember?” Right. He had remembered her mentioning that earlier in the week. He finally got to take in her breathtaking look. She had been put in a gorgeous tight black dress with pale pink flowers down it. The bottom had been sheer enough that you could see her pointed pink heels popping through. Any concern he had flew out the window. 

“Ochaco” He grabbed both of her hands and took a step back as she blushed. “You look phenomenal” She took one of her hands back to cover her face. 

“You're one to talk” She mumbled without making eye contact. Just then the other three floormates, Camie, Momo, and Kyoka came out to join them. Of course, Camie was wearing the tightest, lowest cut, reddest dress imaginable, but Kyoka and Momo were the real stunners. Kyoka had looked more regal than Izuku had seen her before, in a shimmery purple dress that cut off at the shins to show off shiny high-heeled boots. Momo looked like she was truly fit for the crown in her maroon ballgown that probably weighed more than all five of them combined. 

Camie didn't wait up as she started making her way to the hall and Momo raced to catch up with her. Momo was better than him and he had noticed that she had been trying desperately all week to get on Camies good side. Ochaco and him were walking arm in arm when he heard Kyoka sigh behind. He turned to see her anxious face and reached out his other arm to offer her to take. It seemed she really was extremely nervous because she actually took the arm without thinking much of it. “You okay?” He asked the small girl. 

“This is stupid and I am uncomfortable.” Izuku couldn't help but laugh at her pessimism. 

Ochaco was giggling on the other side of him as well “Well you look beautiful Kyoka” He grinned at her and she turned her head away from him to hide her own smile. 

They ran into their other floor mates as they entered the hall. Tsuyu was wearing a plain black long-sleeve dress with an open back that showed off her petite figure. Shoto was wearing an all-black matching suit set with light blue flowers on it and blue boots similar to his own. Tenya was wearing a tight black shirt that showed off his, extremely huge, arms that Izuku had not known were there, and white slacks. Eijiro had on a gray vest that left most of his arms and a chunk of his stomach out, showing how toned he was, that was paired with extremely baggy gray pants. Finally, Mina had on a teal ballgown, in a similar shape to Momos, that complimented her fair skin. 

Izuku took in how stunning everyone looked. 

As the large group of them scattered to find seats in the dining room Izuku found that he had seated himself next to Toru Hagakure and Neito Monoma, an odd duo but he wasn't opposed to getting to know some more of the competition. 

“Izuku, right?” The girl spoke up in a cheerful voice. Her dress caught the light at all angles and she was by far the brightest one here. 

He went to properly introduce himself when the blond next to him chimed in “Obviously” Both of the others whipped their heads around to see what he could mean by the statement. He paid them no mind as he filled his plate. “I mean how could you not know about the one sneaking the prince into his room this morning”. He heard Toru gasp a little and Izuku grabbed his wrist in an attempt to shut him up. 

Izuku spoke through gritted teeth, “How do you know about that?” He finally noticed he was wearing a suit almost identical to the one Katsuki had worn to introductions. Copycat . Neito still hadn't made eye contact and was now shoving a roll into his mouth. 

He spoke with the bread being crushed through his teeth. “I know everything” Izuku felt shivers down his arms and turned to speak to Toru but she was now avoiding him and looking down at her own plate. “You know he isn't going to go for someone who can't handle the rebel attacks.” Izuku looked around anxiously to see if anyone else had heard their conversation. “You were practically bawling your eyes out” He wasn't ashamed of his reaction and he knew Katsuki better than this idiot. “Any who the attacks are probably his fault anyway for being such a pussy excuse of a Prince”. Izukus's ears started ringing. 

“ Excuse me” Neito could talk all the shit on Izuku, he didn't care but Katsuki did not deserve any of the harsh words spewing from that imbecile’s mouth. Neito was now laughing at him as Izuku looked up and realized he had slammed both hands on the table, rather hard, and had garnered everyone's attention. 

He turned his head down to his own plate quickly and finished his dinner in silence. 

—---------

Eventually, the time passed and the large group of 27 got escorted to the massive room where the report would be held. There was a stage set up at the front and rows of chairs for the contestants to sit in. The stage held two other chairs, one for Yamada and one for Katsuki. Towards the left were two larger seats for the king and queen to watch from. The group got shuffled in as they waited for the interview to begin. Izuku couldn't believe that in one week, if he was still here, he would be expected to stand up there. 

It felt like hours passed as Yamada gave weekly updates that ran like static through Izukus's ears until finally Prince Katsuki was being brought up on stage. He was dressed completely head to toe in white silk and gold trimming. The crown on his head was somehow the least royal thing about his look tonight. 

As he sat down in the chair shaking Yamada's hand Izuku watched his red eyes scan the crowd. They made a brief eye contact that stole the breath from Izuku's lungs. Would he forever pull this reaction from him? Would Izuku go on to marry Rody, or some other lover, and still be dreaming of the scar below his old friend's eye?

He came back to reality when Katsuki first spoke. “I have been busy, but I have a few dates coming up” Hushed murmurs flew across the audience chairs. To the viewers at home, it would appear that Katsuki was content, maybe even excited, about the upcoming endeavors, but as he sat here and listened he knew the anxiety in his voice and the dread in his eyes. 

This was not how Katsuki operated. It was tradition to do The Selection, and nonetheless, Katsuki was making history with the first coed one, but Katsuki was the type of person to fall for someone in the quiets of his heart. Not in the eyes of the public. 

“Do tell, who” The one nicknamed Mic was pulling at teeth to try and get the prince to confess with whom his rendezvous would conspire. The crowd went silent, dying to hear which few lucky people should be the new victims of their envy. 

Mic leaned closely to Katsuki and the boy looked away with his typical devilish smirk “That’s for me to know” He flashed his grin towards the camera “And you all to find out” The crowd erupted in giggles. Izuku stayed unmoving. Seeing the boy like this was just so rare. It was almost uncomfortable how much it didn’t resemble the usual hot-headed man he encountered. 

The host continued to ask a few more shallow questions, about Katsuki’s dream date. To which he answered “Something competitive”. He asked what attribute Katsuki's dream partner had. Katsuki answered with “Smart” which made Denki blurt out a quiet fuck from behind Izuku. This resulted in another slew of laughter. 

Finally, Mic asked him if there was any interaction he had experienced so far that surprised him or made him interested in any particular person. At this Katsuki’s charming grin fell a bit. He sat up in his chair after being previously relaxed while dodging questions. He cleared his throat and scanned the crowd again. Izuku gave him a nod of encouragement when their eyes met and Katsuki began answering, “Well there was someone here who screamed at me when we first met and then proceeded to kick me in the balls later” Yamada stared at him stunned. The crowd stared at each other, looking for the criminal. Izuku stared at his lap in embarrassment. 

“And i’m assuming that guest has left us” Yamada turned towards the camera to let out a jolly laugh before being cut off. 

“No” Katsuki found his eyes once more. “And I don’t think they’ll be leaving any time soon” The contestants were all busy chatting amongst each other to see if anyone had any clues as to who this person was. While they were distracted Katsuki sent him a wink and Izuku physically felt his pupils dilate. If you didn’t know what he was doing you would’ve missed it, but not Izuku. Izuku quickened his breath as he watched Katsuki slowly raise his fist signaling that he and the prince would be talking later. 

——-

There had been an after-party that night full of booze and sweaty young adults. The royal family was not in attendance which meant all attempts at coming off proper were off the table. 

Kendo had her legs hooked over Shoto’s waist as he drunkenly spun her. Mina was practically grinding on Eijiro while Denki grabbed the boy's hips from behind. Momo and Kyoka had let go and were twirling each other around. He was glad they had become friends. Camie even looked like she was having fun pelvis to pelvis with Tenya. 

Izuku found Ochaco on the outskirts of the dance floor. She was sipping on her, likely, 7th drink of the night and was chatting with the guard her maid was close with. Izuku saw a sharp toothy grin on the guard as he approached from behind. He wrapped an arm around Ochaco's waist as she giggled at her new friend. It was a giggle that he had never made her do. She jumped as his thick arm wrapped around her. 

“Oh!” she stepped away from the guard to grab his arm “Izuku!” Her voice was insanely high-pitched. She must’ve been pretty drunk. 

“Dance?” he said a little suspicious of her attitude. 

“Yes!” She said quickly dragging them away from their guard. 

They danced in silence, Izuku lifting and twirling Ochaco when the timing was right. They had even switched partners at some point. He ended up in Denki’s arms, Tsuyu's grasp, and was even drunk enough to let Neito have a turn. 

When Ochaco disappeared once more to chat with the blond Izuku decided to call it a night. 

He knew the castle like the back of his hand, but even for him, it was difficult to navigate the dark twisted hallways in this state. He finally found his door and pushed it open, toeing off his socks, eyes still closed. He had made it all the way to the bed and torn off his vest, all the while not opening his heavy sleepy eyes. 

“Oi, nerd” Izuku eyes shot open. “How many times are you gonna try to undress in front of me?” He was sitting at the desk and Izuku wondered if he had been there since The Report ended hours ago. Izuku checked the time and it was 2:36. 

“K-Kacchan what are you doing here?!” He hastily threw his vest back on. The prince stood up to move closer to the bed where Izuku was still trying to re-zip his outfit. Katsuki reached out his hand and moved towards the freckled back. He took the zipper in his grasp as he took the breath from the boy's lungs and zipped the rest up with ease. “T-Thank you”. Izuku turned his head to look at him, where they made eye contact for a second too long.

Katsuki shoved his tipsy body back onto the bed and walked back to the desk “Well, I gave you the signal” he threw out his hand sarcastically into the All Might signal they had made earlier that day. “So I needed to talk” He tapped the side of his head “Did your idiot's brain already forget” He looked at him with disgust “Or are you that drunk?” 

“Drunk. Very.” Izuku eyes were closed as the room was spinning. He heard Katsuki come closer again. 

He felt his heavy blanket fall on him “Yeah, I had some stuff I wanted to tell you but” Izuku felt fingers push the hair from his forehead “We will tomorrow afternoon” a silent beat “You look like shit” 

Izuku heard him going to walk away and grabbed his wrist quickly. “Kacchan looked pretty tonight”. It came out in a slur. 

Katsuki allowed the boy to hold his wrist before gently pulling back making their fingertips caress each other for a swift moment. Izuku shivered. “Yeah, you’re drunk alright”. 

It was the last thing he could remember before casting himself into deep sleep. 

Izuku had never had a hangover. 

But this must be what Hell is like. 

His head hurt and he spent the better part of the morning with his face in the porcelain toilet bowl. 

Melissa had been kind enough to rub his back as he yacked out every meal he had consumed over the past 24 hours. 

“He dead yet?” He heard Hitoshi yell. 

“I’m sorry, Izuku” Melissa pushed his hair back. “Are you okay?” 

“Death” was all he could spit out. 

He made eye contact with Mei through the mirror who was holding another red envelope, that she had already opened. Noisy. 

He peered through the glass as he swallowed his nausea. “In case you forgot” Mei read allowed in her best Katsuki accent. “Sparring at two” fuckkkkkk . 

He did vaguely remember last night's interaction with the Prince and begged to himself that he didn’t say anything embarrassing. 

He shakily stood up “I don’t know if I’m up for sparring” He threw himself into the bed. 

Mei chased him down “Well it’s not a question and you have two hours to get it together” 

He hoped Katsuki at least went easy on him. 

Spoiler alert he did not. 

Izuku had been on the verge of vomiting by the fourth or fifth time Katsuki had him pinned to the mat. “You still look as shitty as you did 12 hours ago” He grabbed Izuku’s arm and roughly lifted him up. 

“Your guy's alcohol is way stronger than anything at home” He scoffed “Not that we could afford it” Katsuki flinched at the words. “Sorry”. He slumped his head against Katsuki's shoulder which caused the Prince to tense up. “Are you sure you don’t want to ask someone else?” His partner shoved him off as he swayed slightly. “Shoto Todoroki seems like he is pretty athletic”. 

Katsuki made a disgusted face “Not that half-and-half bastard” Izuku howled out a burst of laughter before taking a deep breath to avoid vomiting in front of royalty. 

He sat down on the bench and Katsuki followed, having not even broken a sweat. “If you don’t like him just eliminate him Kacchan” Izuku was smiling but let it slowly fade when Katsuki was looking at him with sad eyes. 

“That’s what I wanted to talk about” He stood up and grabbed Izuku by the collar. “Let's go walk” He made another disgusted face at Izukus's state of shame. “You need fresh air”

Izuku happily took his arm as they made their way to the gardens. He was tired of getting his ass beat over and over again and he thinks Katsuki may have just wanted to talk in the first place. They slowly made their way around the castle, which felt odd. For some reason, it felt like they should be hiding their relationship. I mean as far as Izuku knew no one had really had one on one time with the prince like this. Was Katsuki just okay with everyone seeing them out?

“I can hear you thinking,” said the prince as he guided him to the garden doors. Just as they were about to make it outside without being noticed by any lurkers, the familiar bouncy blonde hair rounded the corner. Camie looked shocked to see the two together but quickly played it off by doing a courtesy to Katsuki “Camie” Was all he said with a smile on his face as he nodded to her curtsey. 

“Prince Kastuki” she stood up slightly before looking at Izuku with a quick flash of disgust. Both parties started walking again as Camie made a point to shoulder-bump Izuku. Katsuki didn't seem to notice and still had a grin on his face from the interaction. Izuku tried to drop it to avoid an altercation breaking out between the two boys resulting in Katsuki not revealing what he wanted to talk about. 

They made it back to the bench where they had originally rekindled that first night and the tall boy and him sat shoulder to shoulder again. That first night had been filled with so much fear and hatred. It was now replaced with something different , something Izuku couldn't quite place. 

“I can't eliminate Half-and-half” he sighed. He turned to meet his friend's eyes “Or a handful of people that is” Izuku stared at him in disbelief, utter confusion. “At least not this early anyway” He looked shameful and Izuku didn't understand what the guilt in his face was trying to tell him. 

“W-Why not?” They held eye contact before Katsuki stood to pace in front of him. 

“There are” he sighed as if it was hard to explain “Certain people” He looked around paranoid. Izuku could tell that whatever he was about to hear was something Kastuki was absolutely not supposed to tell. “There are people that the royal family wanted here” 

Izuku stood up with him “B-But it’s- It's random” It suddenly clicked. The number of well-known people here. What were the odds of that? “It’s rigged” Izuku felt ill. The royal family was lying to the entire country. 

Katsuki held his hand up. “It's not-” he pinched his fingers over his nose “It's not rigged ” He threw himself back down on the bench “It's not completely rigged anyway” Izuku sat with him now more curious than ever. “28 people were random” Izuku sighed in relief. At least there had still been a chance for people like him. “My mom- The king and queen each got a say in who got in.” He looked out at the foggy pond and Izuku held his breath as he waited for a response. He felt lost as to why Katsuki would trust him with such knowledge. “They went through the application and hand-selected a few participants” Izuku went to reach out to grab the boy's hand as he looked towards the scenery. He retreated out of fear, not for Katsuki, but at the fire he may feel in his fingertips if he embarked on the touch. “My mom, she picked Camie, Tenya, and Momo” That all made sense to Izuku. All high-profile names with well-respected families. “And then my dad chose Denki, Shoto, and Kendo” He turned back as Izuku was retreating his hand. “I don’t necessarily have to pick one but I'll get-” he flinched “I won't please them if I get rid of them too soon.” 

“And did you get a say?” Izuku waited with bated breath. Who, out of everyone in the nation, would Prince Katsuki see a picture of and choose? Who would get the honor of being the prince's solemn choice?

“I, um” He hadn't seen Katsuki stutter or look this tongue-tied, maybe ever. “N-No” He was looking out at the trees, this time in avoidance and not comfort. “I didn't choose anyone” 

Hmm “Then who got the last pick?” 

He whipped his head back around “What?” 

“28” Katsuki was red and flustered. “You said 28 were random, there were 35 of us.” 

“Okay you damn nerd” Katsuki was lying. He didn't want Izuku to know. “I meant 29, whatever” He shoved him slightly but Izuku was feeling hurt. He knew it wasn't fair to expect Katsuki to tell him everything. Honestly, it didn't make much sense for Katsuki to trust him this much at all. 

“Why do you trust me?” Izuku blurted out.

Kastuki didn't flinch before speaking “I dont think you'd hurt me” He met his eyes and Izuku could tell that deep within them there were years of hurt. “But It's fine if it's you”. 

They stayed in comfortable silence for a long time after that, both boys trying to resolve what the other felt. 

Why was Izuku an exception to Katsuki?

Why was Kastuki all Izuku could seem to focus on lately? 

Izuku felt it was only fair to start opening up to Katsuki as well, admitting to him why he really applied. 

“C-Can I confess something” It had been so long since either had spoken that it startled the tall boy. He remained quiet to let Izuku speak. He swallowed before continuing, “We have to sell our house” He picked at his fingers even though he knew Hitoshi would be upset with him later. 

Katsuki's voice was shaky, a rare development to his usual confidence “Why?” he picked at his lip with his sharp teeth “Are you moving?” 

Izuku gave him a sad smile at his naive question and could already feel the tears sliding down his freckled cheek. “No um” he coughed trying to break the tension. How do you tell the richest boy in the nation that you can't even afford dinner? “W-We can't afford it” 

Katsuki stood up quickly in shock. “ Why ” It was an innocent question but a painful one nonetheless. 

Izuku grabbed the boy's arm to steady his pacing. “My siblings, they just haven't-” 

“Siblings?” Katsuki's jaw was snapped open. “Plural?” 

It felt like nails in his heart. Boys that once knew everything about each other. Now didn't even know the other had siblings. “Yeah,” he wiped away a tear and sniffled. “I have two younger siblings now” Katsuki sat back down closer this time, still keeping his arm in Izuku’s. “Eri and Kota”. 

“No one told me it was that bad” It looked like Katsuki was rethinking a million things in his brain. 

“It's okay” Katsuki was red in the face at his words. 

“It's not okay!” he had his head in his hands. Izuku carefully reached his hand out as if he were petting a wild bear. He laid a hand to rub down Katsuki’s back. He winced and jumped away from the touch. He had barely laid a finger on him and somehow it seemed like he had punched an open flesh wound. 

“Are- are you okay Kacchan?” Katsuki was pale and lightly grabbing his back. Izuku reached up to peek under his workout shirt seeing a small glimpse of red. Katsuki grabbed his wrist before he could see any evidence. “Kacchan” he screeched. “You're bleeding?!” Katsuki immediately stood up and started pulling them both back towards the door. 

“Look I have to go” They had already made it back to the entrance, in much more of a hurry than their leisure walk there. “Don’t mention anything we talked about, okay?” He looked around to see if there were any curious eyes before reaching up to cup Izuku's cheek. The five couldn't help but lean into those fiery hands. “You can stay until the end, or however long” He dropped his hand as Izuku pathetically chased it with his own. “I'm gonna fix this okay?” 

He left in a hurry with a slight limp Izuku hadn't noticed earlier. 

Izuku spent the rest of his Saturday and most of his Sunday replaying those words. 

It's okay if it's you  

Did he mean it's okay if you hurt me because their relationship was expendable? 

Was it okay because Katsuki considered them friends? 

Did those words leak through something more in his subconscious than the boy had ever meant to release?

“Izuku!” The green-haired boy quickly turned to find the host of the voice calling his name. It was Eijiro walking fastly up to him from where he originally was standing next to a small group. He, Denki, Kyoka, Mina, and Hanta were all dressed in day clothes and looking like they were going somewhere. “Izuku!” chimed the redhead again once he had gotten closer. 

“What's up Eijiro” Izuku made his best attempt at sounding like he hadn't been actively spiraling moments before. 

The muscley boy slapped him on the back as he caught his breath from the jog “Me and some of the others are going to the lounge for some card games” He pointed back to the group and Kyoka gave him a small wave while the others smiled brightly at him. “You comin?” 

Izuku had been wandering around for who knows how long out of boredom and decided this would be a suitable way to get his mind off things. “Sure, that sounds fun” He started walking back towards the group when he suddenly felt a swell in his heart. Eijiro had gone out of his way to do this for him. People hardly ever did that for Izuku, or a five, or their competition by all means. “Thank you for inviting me” He admired the kindness that exuded from such a masculine man. 

Eijiro gave him a soft smile and tugged him into a side hug. 

They walked together, sat together, played games together, and laughed together.

It was exactly what he had been needing. 

On their third game of clue, there was some more chatter as new guests came into the lounge. Ochaco, Tsuyu, Toru, and Momo all came in giggling. They passed by their table when Mina spoke up to them, stopping the small squad. “What are you all so giggly about?” She had a teasing tone to her voice. 

Ochaco immediately flushed as Toru poked her sides and Momo and Tsuyu tried to contain their laughter. “Tell her Chaco” said the nasily girl. 

Ochaco was covering her face when Izuku suddenly remembered. Katsuki and Ochaco had a date last night. Katsuki had completely diminished that during their conversation yesterday and for some reason Izuku felt extremely annoyed at the lack of information. I mean Katsuki wanted his help but didn't want to keep him informed? Katsuki claimed he hated all this “Dating shit” yet was so eager to leave their conversation yesterday to schmooze up to Ochaco . 

Woah. 

Izuku took a step back. 

Why was he so angry?  

Yes, he had told Katsuki he would help when necessary but that didn't mean he had to tell him everything. He couldn't really explain why but he felt so possessive of the boy. The childish urge to scream out to the table “ I’ve known Kacchan since before he could walk” was so intense. 

This was Ochaco. This was the best-case scenario. He had to get a grip on whatever this jealousy was. 

Izuku finally rejoined the conversation. 

“Did you guys kiss?” Denki was making kissing sounds and pretending to love on Eijiro, which had the kind boy howling. 

He stared at Ochaco, his best friend in this competition, but at that moment he thought he might be able to rip her limb for limb if she answered yes. 

“No-no No!” She moved her hands from her blushing face to defend herself out in front of her. “Of course not!” The relief he felt was imminent 

He relaxed as if she was announcing whether a nuclear explosion was about to go off or not. He needed to sit with himself and dissect these horrible feelings before he helped Katsuki any further. 

Dinner and a walk through the gardens she told the group. Well, at least he was a good listener. 

He tried to listen, he really did, but the longer they harped on this date the more he felt aggravated that he was kept in the dark about it. 

THWACK

It took his brain a moment to catch up with what he heard. Eijiro was already standing up and heading to the scene of the crime. Matter of fact Izuku was one of the last people to stand up and head over to whatever had caused the noise. 

Camie was standing in the middle of the lounge holding her face in pain. Toru who at some point had left Ochaco’s group to talk to Camie and Kendo was now looking shameful as guards hastily walked towards her. 

“The bitch slapped me!” Screamed Camie. It was unbelievable. Izuku hadn't known Toru Hagakure long but he didn't think she would ever hit someone without extreme provocation. Eijiro was standing in between the girls with his hand on Camie’s shoulder. Tenya and Shoto must have walked in as it happened as they were both trying to stop guards from taking Toru away. 

Izuku couldn't just let this happen “She wouldn't do this!” He grabbed the guard's arm as he was already wrapping his around Toru. She looked crestfallen. There was nothing he, her, or anyone watching could do. There had been strict rules about physical alteractions and like it or not Toru had broken them. 

Toru was pulled out of the room by two guards as they all watched. 

Ochaco cried on Izukus's shoulder as Eijiro tried to calm Camie down. 

He looked over his shoulder to see Camie fake crying over the kind man's arm with a menacing grin on her face. 

She had done this on purpose, and she was evil for it. 

It was the last time Izuku ever saw Toru. 

Any hope of her returning was gone by Monday morning. It was their first full day of lessons and schedules and everyone was required to attend. Toru was missing, confirming her immediate elimination. 

Who he wasn't expecting to be missing was Neito Monoma. Everyone else seemed to pick up on this as well as they sat down for etiquette and history lessons. 

They sat for hours practicing which forks to use and how to properly stand from a table when addressing your guests. Izuku was sick of it by the first five minutes. 

History, however, was far more intriguing. They went over the extensive history of Yuuei and how the royal family came to be. They discussed the original ruler King Shigaraki, or as many called him “All For One”. He was given this name based on his outrageous plans of a class system. The same class system they still use to this day. His structure was to make himself and his family titled “Ones” while everyone else fell in tandem somewhere below. When his son Tomura Shigaraki took over the crown he was assassinated in battle by a rebel group aiming to end the class system. That would have been Masaru Bakugous's great-great-grandfather. He had promised, to the rebels, and to the nation to end the class system and give everyone an equal opportunity at fortune and success. It was never fulfilled. Bakugou had been nothing but a traitor who wanted the One title for himself. Generations later the Bakugous still sat on the crown; ruling just as the Shigarakis once had. Aizawa would never tell it like this and Izuku would never repeat his thoughts out loud but it was the truth. 

Aizawa would say things like, they saved the nation from its rapid decline into democracy. 

Or use propaganda such as The royal family keeps the class system to ensure there is work for everyone. 

Izuku couldn't tell if it was just his dry tone but something in Shouta Aizawa’s voice seemed to waver when discussing the niceties of the crown. 

Izuku wondered what the rebels this time were after and a chill shot down his spine as he thought of when they might return next. 

After the morning had passed and everyone was properly exhausted they then had to stand and pose for pictures with the prince. Each person would be getting a mural that they could take home with them at the cessation of their time in the competition. 

Izuku was worried about seeing Katsuki in the state he was currently in. Too many things ran rampant in his head over the last 24 hours. Katsuki’s personable words to him, his lack of acknowledgment of his date with his best friend , what had happened to Toru and why had Neito gone with her? 

Katsuki walked in wearing his familiar gold and white suit that screamed royalty all-encompassing. 

Each of them was given either plain navy blue suits or navy blue dresses that cut off at the ankles. They went by order of selection again which was like pulling teeth for Izuku after the long day they had indulged in. 24 people would have to stand and pose before him and each one got to leave after it was over. First up was thankfully Camie. At least if she went first she could get out and stay out for the rest of the turns. 

He watched as that thick arm snaked around Camie’s small waist to land at her pointed hip bone. She wasn't subtle with the way she laid a hand, just under his suit jacket, and stuck her breasts out to showcase. She also wasn't subtle with the way she leaned into his ear after the picture was taken and whispered words for only the two of them to hear. Izuku watched the red creep up his friend's neck and a grin formed on his cheek. What would he have to say to provoke that kind of reaction from the prince? 

He could almost feel fumes out of his ears when his vexations were interrupted by a girl's voice. “I saw you counting earlier” He jumped as Camie changed places with Ibara Shiozaki, their picture seemed much more platonic so Izuku allowed himself to conversate. He saw that the voice came from Itsuka Kendo. 

He was, however, confused about why the girl was reaching out “Counting?” she looked around before pulling him a bit farther away from any group. 

She whispered while looking for suspecting ears “You noticed Neito’s gone too right?” 

He nodded still confused as to why she had been watching him or why this should be important news to him. 

“Listen, I was hanging around Neito quite a bit” 

Izuku rolled his eyes automatically. 

She laughed “I know” she gave him a knowing look “Not the nicest guy but that's not the point” Ibara was almost done and Itsuka would be next. “Anyway I was walking with him yesterday, and he was informing me how he thinks you must have already put out and that the prince was probably using you as a fuck” Izuku stared at her with his jaw on the floor. “I'm so sorry Izuku, I promise I dont think any of that is true”. 

“Why are you telling me this?” He felt offended. Was she trying to hurt him? 

“I'm not trying to upset you just listen, we ran into Katsuki right after he said it.” She started walking away slowly as the guards called for her turn. “He was gone later that night” He continued staring at her as she turned around “Just thought you should know” 

He watched her take her picture and then watched everyone leading up to him as well. He didn't feel like analyzing their body language or obsessing over what Katsuki felt towards them anymore.  

On his turn, he couldn't help but feel put out. He barely spoke to Katsuki and he knew he didn't deserve that. When that arm slipped around his waist and Izuku felt that fire within him he doused it with the waves of regret. 

Regret for coming here. Regret for agreeing to help. Regret for the jealousy piercing through his soul. 

When the picture was over Izuku whispered “I'm raising my fist” Instead of exuding the energy he didn't have to physically do it. 

Katsuki squeezed him a little harder before letting him be the last soul to exit. 

They needed to talk. 

—----------

Katsuki came faster than expected. 

He hadn't even changed out of his suit yet. 

He walked in without knocking and Izuku stood from the bed angrier than he had realized he was. 

“Why did you eliminate Neito” He was walking close to Katsuki's face. 

“What do you mean?” He was playing dumb, and he was bad at it. He didn't back down from the closeness of their yelling mouths. 

“Don’t be stupid Kacchan” Only Izuku would get away with saying this to royalty and living to tell the tale. Katsuki nearly coward at his rash words. “Kendo told me what you heard” 

“Okay, so I eliminate him for it” Spit flew from Katsukis lip to his own. “Is it a fucking crime to get rid of a shit talker?” 

Izuku let go of a week's worth of emotions. “WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT ME?” It felt like the room shook and Katsuki finally took a step back. 

“Is it a crime to care for someone?” His voice was shaky “God Izuku, you must be so miserable if you think I'm doing this for anyone but myself” Izuku stayed silent in shame “You know you're a real piece of work feeling bad for yourself” Tears rolled down his freckled face as he was chastised. “You left the castle a decade ago and immediately decided to hate me huh?” He was right. “You were my first and my fucking last friend Deku” The knife kept cutting deeper. “You got to move on congrats!” He moved closer now growing confident in his words. “You left the castle and went to school, lived as a family, got a fucking boyfriend for fucksake” He threw his hands out “All while I stayed here alone thinking every day about you ” He pointed a sharp finger into his chest. “Every day I wished for you and I couldn't write because” It was a slip-up that Izuku chose to ignore for now. “And I would go to bed alone at night after my mom fucking be-” He sighed again clearly giving up too much information. 

“What did your mom do?” his voice came out meek and embarrassing. 

“It doesnt matter that's not the point” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “The point is” He had calmed down and his anger was replaced with sadness. “Maybe I just want you here?” 

Izuku gasped with a quivering lip. 

“Maybe I just want you for as long as you'll allow it before you leave me again, forever.” It was vulnerable and raw and he meant every word. 

Izuku lept forward squeezing him into a tight hug. Strong hands laid gently on his back not quite hugging back. 

“I'm so sorry, Kacchan.” He sobbed into a jacket that was probably worth more than his house. “I'll never leave you again.” He meant it, too. When he left here, he would make every effort to stay in contact. 

He felt Katsuki take a shocked breath in. He was then being hugged back feeling dampness on his hair from the other's hidden tears. 

They stayed like that for a time and laughed about it afterward. Izuku was left with a hair ruffle and a quick goodbye. 

When he felt his racing heart and sweaty palms, he knew the inevitable was happening. 

Chapter Text

Song rec: Come out and play (Billie Eilish)

The inevitable was happening. 

For the rest of the week, it’s all he could focus on. 

Looking at Kacchan during dinners with the contestants. Fast heart rate. 

Quick chats over who he should go on a date with next. Swarming jealousy. 

Eye contact that held too long over conversations of childhood memories. Shortness of breath. 

Izuku was experiencing all the symptoms before heartbreak. 

He had stupidly fallen for Katsuki once as a boy and that had proven then to be an awful mistake. He couldn’t make it twice and also couldn’t stand in the way of Katsuki finding someone to be with for the rest of his life. 

It was decided.  

He had to crush these feelings. 

He had told Kacchan that he would never leave him again so abandoning the competition was not an option. He had to stand strong and help out his friend before graciously leaving and shriveling up any sign of admiration. 

“Auntie Inko please!” memories of Katsuki from childhood flooded his mind. This time it was the boy begging his mother to let him pick the flowers from the garden. “ I need to po-pose to Zuku!” Katsuki had just learned about his father's selection and how he got to hand-pick someone to help him rule the country and be his “Best friend forever”. Katsuki was now bound and determined to claim Izuku today rather than waiting until they were “Old and ugly”. 

“ Oh, you boys don’t need to be picking at the garden” She patted the spiked blond tips then rubbed his once chubby cheeks. “ And you both are much too young to be thinking of proposing” Both boys pouted at his mother's ignorance to the very important situation. 

“It’s okay Kacchan!” He squeezed tightly against the other four-year-old. “ Ruling the country sounds too hard for us when we’re this little” He reached out his arms to show his wing span. 

“ Whatever!” Katsuki jabbed his little tummy poking out and grinned “ Just remember when we get old you have to be my princess! Okay?” Izuku was giggling at his naive friend. 

“ Kaccccchannnn” he threw his hands out in an explanation. “ I can’t be a princess” Katsuki was looking at him baffled. “ I’m a boy!” Katsuki pouted at him before roughly pushing him down. 

“ It don’t matter!” He pointed an aggravated finger in his face. “ You can just be another prince and we can rule the world!” His face was deadly serious. 

Izuku pushed the boy off him giggling “ Kacchan really likes me!” The baby prince was red in the face. 

“ Course I do!” He stormed off with an angry face as Izuku followed every footstep. 

Just like he’d always done. 

Memories like this one plagued him day in and day out. 

He hadn’t seen Katsuki all week. He didn’t know which one of them was avoiding each other. Katsuki had been brave in his admission of truly caring for Izuku. Izuku had been a coward since he got here. He had blamed Katsuki for what happened to them as boys and refused to validate the feelings that his friend had probably experienced. 

Katsuki had always been the braver of the two and Izuku always the more reckless. 

He tried to focus on other things like the letter he received from back home. Kota had sent him back a letter begging for more treats and a small painting to show he was practicing. It looked like the money he had been sending back had given them enough to buy him some water paints, and frankly, the technique was astounding for a four-year-old. He smiled at the talent the boy was finally showing. 

He distracted himself by studying the history lesson Mr. Aizawa had given them. 

He felt an odd tugging in his stomach every time he learned more about the man they called All For One. It felt like there were missing pieces that were being hidden from them. He made a mental note to ask Katsuki about it later. 

He even finally requested some paints for the lounge and had been working on a portrait of the garden. 

Everything brought his mind back to the prince and he hated it. 

Katsuki was his friend who needed his help and he refused to ruin the fragile relationship they had slowly been building. 

He was still offended that he hadn’t been telling him about his dates and Izuku was sure he had gone on more since Ochaco. Maybe he realized he was the prince of the fucking country and his good looks got him far enough to where he didn’t need Izuku's help anymore. 

It was the day before the report and they had spent the entire week going over what questions they may be asked. Izuku and many of the others were extremely anxious about being televised for the first time and even people like Tenya and Camie who had seen television screens across all of Japan had never been securitized to this level. 

Mr. Aizawa had warned him that Hizashi Yamada would not go easy on them and although he had a kind persona he wasn't afraid to insert himself into their personal lives. They may be expected to answer questions about physical encounters with the prince or questions about who they felt was their biggest competitor. It was unnerving. 

After the first Report they would transition into more professional conversations like the state of the country and what makes them capable of leading it. Izuku, thinks, he may rather be asked if Kastuki has nicer tits or ass. Both would be the answer . Izuku giggled to himself before reprimanding his selfish thoughts. 

He had spent most of the day doing rehearsals and fake interviews with some of the competitors. Shoto asked him questions about the country while Tenya quizzed him on the history of the royal family. Ochaco and Mina had gotten quite close and were poking fun at him by asking if he dreams of the prince's eyes at night . Momo tells them they need to focus on more serious topics or they will all look like fools and Kyoka is next to her looking distant and miserable at her friend's desire to do well in the competition. Eijiro had been arm wrestling people out of boredom and was now onto his newest opposition Tetsutetsu who looked like he was giving him a run for his money. 

At some point Camie had stolen Momo, assuming she was the only one who really knew what she was doing, to practice with her. This left poor Kyoka to practice with Denki who was about as unserious as they come. 

While he and Ochaco were close, he had noticed that she had become quite close with others in the competition as well. He had been having a harder time connecting with people and couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with his status as a five. Eijiro had gone out of his way multiple times to include Izuku in different social functions and since his birthday was coming up Izuku decided he would spend some of the day painting him something as a gift of gratitude. 

It felt good to spend hours hunched over the canvas. 

He hadn't spent time like this since home and never thought he would grow to miss the callouses and lower back pain. 

He had a conversation with Eijiro a few days ago over dinner about movies and superheroes to which the boy revealed that he dyed his hair red from an old obsession with Red Riot. Izuku immediately geeked out as Red Riot was featured in nearly every All Might movie back in the day. Thankfully Eijiro never picked up on the fact that Izuku only had seen all the old movies and hadn't been able to watch the ones that had come out in the last ten years or so, but nonetheless they spent almost all night telling favorite scenes and characters. It made Izuku crave to go back and watch them. Hearing Eijiro, who was a three, talk about the new ones made his heart ache with nostalgia from the nights tucked in the prince's bed listening to the action-packed movies as the boys fell to sleep. 

This decided for Izuku that he would paint the boy a red riot poster. He had to do it all from memory and hoped that the costume design was at least close to what it was in the most recent version. 

The lounge had become completely barren by the time he had to call it quits and decided he would finish the rest before Eijiro's actual birthday. 

He stood up and took a pause of reflection. It was raining outside the foggy window and the castle was quieter than he had heard it the past two weeks. He watched as the raindrops fell across the thick windows and drew shadows on the mahogany wood floors. He had always loved the rain. 

A scraping noise awoke him from his scattered thoughts. He turned to see what caused it when he heard “Oi, nerd” He felt weak in the knees at the sight of Katsuki in his casual clothes walking towards him. 

“Kacchan” The nickname came naturally to him now and he put no effort into remembering to call the prince that like he had to that first week. 

“What are you still doing up?” He came and leaned against the rain-encompassing window with Izuku. 

“I could ask you the same” Izuku spoke as Kastuki looked towards the rain with a bygone expression. 

“Princely duties” He huffed a laugh but Izuku could tell whatever he had just returned from was stressful and hard on his mind and body both. “And you?” 

Izuku shrugged towards the canvas he had been working on. “Painter’s duties” Kastuki turned to see the art he had been laboring over as the rain sounded throughout the room. 

Katsuki admired the work with a sad smile “You paint?” He graced the edges avoiding wet paint. 

“I am a five” Katsuki turned to him, eyes dark and missing the usual bright red “I do all arts” He showed his paint-ridden hands “Piano, sing, paint, occasional needlework” He came to stand next to Katsuki and admired his own work. It looked a lot like Toshinoris. 

“You've always played piano” This was true, he had taken lessons with the prince growing up. Yet another thing Katsuki refused to face alone. When he turned to answer they were uncomfortably close, yet neither pulled any further back. 

“Yes, I have always played” His breath was traveling to the other’s lips. “And now I get paid for it” Katsuki glanced down towards the freckled lips and this time Izuku was the first to turn “I'm not quite done with it” Katsuki turned back to the painting as well after a moment “I haven't been able to see a movie since-” He cut off rather than putting salt in the wound. “I hope it looks close enough to what I remember” 

“Is it for Eiji?” Katsuki admired it closer but Izuku was still stuck on Eiji . 

“Eiji?” He questioned trying to keep a cool tone even the it came out accusatory. 

“Oh, yeah” Katsuki had a red flush gracing his neck “He isn't half bad” Izuku loved Eijiro, he really did but what the fuck made Katsuki like him so much. 

“Hmm” was all he said in return. Katsuki took this for what it was as it seemed both boys were too tired for an argument this late. 

Katsuki moved back toward the window and Izuku couldn't help but follow. They were magnets for each other, never getting too far but never being able to touch either. “You haven't seen any of the new All Might shit then?” Izuku watched him watch the rain. 

“No” It was obvious but humiliating to admit. 

“We should watch them.” Izuku looked at him waiting for him to take it back 

“Really?” it was breathless as if he would change his mind. 

“Yeah,” He shoved him a little to ease the tension “Like old times” Izuku couldn't help himself and threw his body into the other boys. He hugged him so tight that Katsuki surely couldn't breathe. Katsuki pried himself off as Izuku chanted thank yous and tried to keep the wetness in his eyes from falling onto his cheeks. “You got aunties damn crying genes”. He brushed a single tear off the freckled cheek. “Now go to bed so you don’t look like a complete idiot on The Report tomorrow”. He turned back to watch the rain unmoving. 

“You aren't going to bed?” He started slowly walking towards the door finally feeling his sleepiness creep in. 

“I can't sleep tonight.” He still hadn't looked back. 

“Why’s that?” He stopped moving and waited for the answer. 

“I don’t like the rain.” 

Izuku turned when he didn't have an answer and returned back to his empty room. 

He dreamt of heroes and comics and had a night absent of disquietude. 

—--------

This Friday was exactly like the last one. 

No one was allowed to be in common areas or allowed to see each other until dinner at 5 and the whole day was filled with dread and rehearsing what to say. 

Have you got to spend any time with the prince one-on-one?

Yes, I have become his stand-in sparring partner, which usually results in me on the ground.

He wanted to go for chill and comedic and deflect any attention off of him. 

When he had first came, the people had loved that he was an underdog. He didn't want to be the favorite, he didn't deserve people to root for him. 

Unlike the last week, Izuku had no idea what his maids would dress him in. He supposes he was done gaining weight after the first couple of weeks so he wasn't getting measured as often, but he couldn't help but wonder if his maids had something up their sleeve. Or more or less that Mei had some evil plan. 

Turns out he was right. 

He had expected the typical forest green fabrics and accessories but when his team arrived he could tell something was different.

“The parties here!” Hitoshi shouted out. Melissa came up to him and had a huge smile plastered on her face. For once she reflected the same mischievous nature that Mei usually exuded. 

“Okay, what are you guys up to?” He was extremely nervous after the almost nipple exposure of the last report. And this time he would actually be on stage! 

“We may have done some snooping” Said Mei with a matching grin on her own face.

“A little gossip here and there” Hitoshi sounded excited which made Izuku especially wary. 

“Turns out everyone has noticed that Katsuki seems to have a special eye for you and your green,” Said Mei as she hunted around the room for something. 

“Everyone is wearing green tonight, Izuku,” Said the small blonde as Izuku finally put the pieces together. 

“No green tonight?” This was surely going to make a statement that he wasn't sure he wanted to make.

“No green, baby” Hitoshi pulled a piece of his hair to see how dirty it was and Mei pulled something from her bag. 

The evil genius revealed a deep, gorgeous, seductive red piece. It was one of the most gorgeous things Izuku had ever seen. It was a low-cut two-piece suit made of silky material that almost behaved like water. When he slipped it on gold chains and diamonds connected from the button on the front to a piece that wrapped around his neck. Now, where an undershirt would typically lay, instead rested the 6 gold chains leading up to his neck. It complimented his tanned skin and you could see the definition in his pectoral muscles. 

The red complimented his green hair, making it darker. 

Red like the paints he had been using last night. 

Red like Kacchans eyes.  

The chains felt cold against his warm chest and had a slight jingle when he walked. He had on shiny black shoes and Hitoshi let his natural curls do the talking again tonight. 

To finish off the look Hitoshi gave him small green diamond earrings “We can't lose all your emerald” He had said with a smile and Izuku felt a blossom in his chest for all their hard work.

To avoid discussion about Report related topics they were told they would be escorted one at a time to the dining hall, meaning again he would have to wait 24 people to get his turn. It was nearly 5:05 when the guard with the same two buns she always adorned came knocking on his door. 

He walked with her in silence until he couldn't stand it anymore. “You look young” It was small talk but he was also curious about the girl. 

“I am young” She didn't necessarily snap back but she also didn't seem like she wanted to conversate. 

“You’re friends with Ochaco right?” He didn’t miss her quick hitch of breath before she flashed her sharp teeth at him. “No, I am the guard of this quarter” She picked up the pace of their walking. “That is all.” He chose not to push any further but couldn't stop his mind once it had already begun to analyze. Was Ochaco using the guard as a way to get intel on the things going on in the castle? Would he be able to ask Ochaco about it upfront?

When they walked into the hall together she took her place at her post and Izuku walked to his seat. Deep in thought, he had almost forgotten the little plan his team had formed. The room from windows to walls was green. 24 men and women in various shades. Camie, Momo, Eijiro, and Shoto wore deep greens almost edging on black. Ochaco, Mina, Kyoka, and Tenya wore sage greens some basically white. Then there were others like Tsuyu, Denki, and Kendo who went more bold or more electric green. There he was taking the 25th, last seat, in a fiery red like a Scarlett letter. 

“Smart,” said Shoto from his right followed by a “I thought you didn't want to be here” and a sarcastic smirk from Kyoka. Although her words were joking her eyes had a look of betrayal. He gave them both a small smile and sat down wishing he could dissolve into the walls. 

Ochaco smiled at him, but she too looked down at her plate as if he had done something wrong. 

Everyone's reactions bothered him but it wasn’t until Katsuki walked through the doors and he saw the boy easily locate him in the crowd that made his stomach really fall. Katsuki simply looked at him and chuckled with a smirk on his face that made the rest of the table giggle at his charm. 

Everyone only got to mock him for so long, however, because shortly after, Katsuki was making an announcement that would shock everyone. He stood after their meal to speak and everyone instantly hushed down. “I know this may be sudden but I wanted to make the announcement to you all before the live announcement later tonight” Izuku felt his heart race. Whatever it was Kastuki hadn't mentioned it to him. He tried to push the annoyance he felt from the secrecy out. “After tonight, Twos and Threes will no longer be compensated for their time here in The Selection.” There were a few gasps and Iuzku felt his head spinning. “Fours and Fives will still be compensated but at half margins” Izuku let out a relieved breath. Half of what he was getting was still plenty to keep his family afloat.  Some faces looked annoyed while others, like Momo, kept a regal look as if the money had no care to her. “I understand if this upsets anyone and If you request to leave you can after The report tonight. I will be further explaining on the show so I ask before you decide to please hear the reasoning behind this.” Without even a thank you or goodbye he left them to their own fruition. 

They were allowed to mingle for the next 30 minutes or so before The Report and a lot of them chose to stand and gather in groups to rehearse possible questions. Izuku chose to find a corner to sit alone since it seemed most of the others, including Ochaco, appeared to be a little put out with him. 

He was staring at the shine on his shoes when pointed silver heels fell into his vision. “You think you are so smart, huh?” Of course, Camie had sought him out instead of just minding her own business. 

“You look good in green Camie” It was a compliment he did not mean and he knew she could hear the sarcasm drip from his throat. 

“You” She came close and hovered over the chair he was sitting on. He stared at her dead-on, not letting the intimidation get to him. “You are going to regret making a two your enemy, greenie” That he could handled, it was the fact that she finished the last words with her nails ripping into the fabric of his suit and tearing the silk in half. “Oops” She smirked. “Doesn't look so great anymore” He clenched his fist against his suit pants as she walked away. He didn't want to let her win like this but it was hopeless. He could feel tears prickling at the back of his eyes. 

He walked out of the secluded area with half of his bicep hanging out like a complete idiot. He was going back to his room. He couldn't go on like this, he would rather be sent home, which he would be for skipping. Camie had won. Instead of making it out the door, as he passed a group Ochaco grabbed his wrist.

“Izuku!” Any sour mood she had earlier drifted when she saw her friend in pain. She rubbed over the exposed skin and whispered “What happened?” 

Tears threatened to pour out as he spoke through gritted teeth “Not what, who” Her face told him she understood and she grabbed his arm, pulling him quickly. “Where are we going?” He tried to fight it. “I can't go on like this!” 

“I know,” She said plainly “We are going to fix it” She pulled them both directly towards the guards. “Himiko is good with needles,” She said with adoration in her voice. 

“Himiko?” 

“Our guard” 

“Himiko!” She repeated when they were closer. “Help?” That was all she said. Apparently it was all she needed to say because the blonde broke out into an adorable smile Izuku had never seen on her. 

She quickly fixed his suit as the two girls chatted like old friends. 

For now, he chose to not analyze. 

—---------

Everyone was ready to get this over with, it was evident. Instead of the usual seats in front of the stage they were escorted to the back to line up and wait for their turns. Each interview would be around 5 minutes so they could fit into the two-hour time allotment for The Report. 

Katsuki had gone first to reveal how his journey had gone since the last time he updated the public. They showed some of the photographs they had taken while the crowd cheered at the recognizable faces. It was nearly over when Katsuki spoke up suddenly “I would like to announce something to the public” Mic looked a little taken aback and Izuku heard Mr. Aizawa sigh from backstage. 

“G-Go on!” Mic hardly ever stuttered and you could tell he was not briefed on whatever was about to happen. 

Katsuki adjusted in his seat and Izuku wished he was able to make calming eye contact with him. “I was given a money allotment for The Selection.” Murmuring was already beginning. “This money was to go towards pay of the contestants as well as any date expenses.” Mic was nodding warily. “I have decided after hearing stories from contestants, as well as, seeing the state of the country to use that money for other means” The crowd was growing louder. “I have already discussed with the participants and have made the decision to cut the pay of Twos and Threes in the competition as well as half the pay of the Fours and Five” Izuku was a little taken aback to hear the singular use of Five. “This money will now be used to start up food assistance programs in the districts of the participating selection members” Izuku was amazed. Nothing like this had ever been implemented. Katsuki had really meant it and put in the work when he told Izuku he would put effort into fixing things. “Further details will be explained when the programs get up and running this week.” He stood up and handed the microphone back to the host. “Thank you” He exited on the opposite side of the stage. 

Izuku and many others were thrilled. Some of the quieter, and wealthier, contestants were not. Izuku couldn’t imagine being in a place where one’s wealth kept them from wishing food on plates for others. 

He tried to swallow his admiration for the cause and focus back on the task at hand. He would remember to give Katsuki all the praise when he saw him next. He hadn’t felt such a warmness in his chest since leaving home. People like Rody, like him, would be able to eat. No more starving or moldy bread. Emotions begged to unveil through his eyes. He pulled it together when the first interviewee took the stage. 

He was currently watching Camie going first, and hatefully wishing she would choke on her words and look a fool. Unfortunately, she was killing it with the small crowd of twos that were here live. Of course, they loved her and Izuku hated to admit that her rankings would probably skyrocket. She mentioned going to a red carpet premiere with prince Katsuki earlier in the week. Had that really happened? It must’ve because Mic was ogling over the dress she wore. Why was Katsuki hiding so much from him? When did he have the time for all of this? 

The only other person who came close to Camies, near-perfect interview, was Momo. Izuku was slowly beginning to realize how perfect she was for the position. She answered democritical questions with poised rehearsed responses and even made the crowd laugh when mentioning she and Katsuki hadn’t gone on a date yet. It was mesmerizing. 

Many of the others sounded shaky or awkward but people like Ochaco, Denki, Eijiro, and Tenya still found ways to please the crowds. 

Eventually, he was up and at this point had completely forgotten everything he wanted to, or more or less needed, to say. 

He tried to avoid picking at the lush red velvet seating and opted for his fingers instead. Mic was somehow still lively and dying to know about Izuku just as much as he had Camie or any of the others. 

“Izuku Midoriya,” he said it with a purr in his voice. “We have all been dying to hear from you this evening” This wasn’t a line he had used with anyone else and Izuku was a little dumbfounded from it. 

“M-Me?” Dammit, he was already stuttering “Really?” he tried to put in a smirk and relax. He looked over to where Katsuki had taken a seat next to his parents. Mitsuki looked adequately upset with her son but Katsuki still gave him a soft smile at their glance. The other contestants were all sitting in front now too. 

“Well you were a fan favorite” Izuku nodded encouragingly “And a Five ” Izuku winced at his insolence. “I can’t help but notice the bold choice for the colors this evening either” He heard the crowd murmur excitedly. 

“Oh, this was all my maids doing” He felt small on the big stage. 

“Trying to make a statement to the prince?” His eyebrows were wide over the sunglasses he was wearing indoors. “As a five it’s probably important to make it seem like you fit in?” Izukus's smile dropped. Why was he harping on his class so much? 

“I’d like to believe that the prince likes people for their character” he glanced in the crowd to find Katsuki, mouth slightly parted, encapsulated by his words. “Not for their class” he smiled confidently, knowing this was the truth. Katsuki had been his friend not only as a five but as a six as well. 

“Ah,” Mic looked intrigued. “So you aren’t worried about his status as a One keeping him from possibly marrying a five” Izuku blushed furiously at the implication. Sure he had felt some new and old feelings during his time here but marrying Katsuki? The idea itself sent shivers down his spine, unsure if it was good or bad. Would Katsuki marry one of the lower classes? He knew in his heart he would, no question. Even if it was just to piss his parents off. 

“Kacchans not like that”. He finally smiled wide showing his teeth, confidently admiring his friend's character. It wasn’t until he realized the loud gasping and chatter amongst the crowd that he understood he was a dead man.

Mic looked like he struck gold “ Kaacccchannn, you say?” Izuku watched in horror. He tried to look at the royal family but the lights were all pointed to him blindingly. 

“I-I I am so Sorry” He stood up from his chair and went to exit the stage. Mic didn’t stop him and he heard someone yell cut, directing the end of the show. He didn’t even make it across the stage before the tears started flowing. 

He skipped the after-party this time. He couldn’t face the others at a time like this. After the outfit issue, he couldn’t imagine their reaction to his childish nickname being any more forgiving. 

His maids weren’t in his room as he slammed the door. He had to start thinking before he spoke. God Katsuki was going to hate him. How embarrassing was it for both of them to have been exposed like that? 

If Katsuki didn’t send him home for this Queen Mitsuku would. 

He was still sobbing when his door flung open. Katsuki was walking in with fervor. 

Izuku immediately stood and started walking towards him, much weaker than the prince. “Kacc-“ He choked on the name not wanting to rub salt into the wound. “I’m so-so sorry” he sounded pitiful as he watched Katsuki drawl closer. 

“Shut up, please” Katsukis words were sharp as Izuku coward to the slightly taller boy. The fire in Katsuki’s eyes would be intoxicating if it wasn’t being directed at the mistakes of Izukus's mouth. 

Izuku hicupped trying to stay as quiet as possible. Katsuki gently grabbed onto one of the chains caging Izuku’s chest, warm fingers barely grazing across the tanned skin. Izuku didn’t breathe, afraid it would jump the finger's warmth away. “Don’t apologize for shit that doesn’t matter” 

He didn’t deserve this level of forgiveness “Kacchan I messed up, I should’ve been more focused” He took a step back so he could form sentences without being trapped in the caramel scent of Katsuki. “I-I was just so nervous, a-and he wasn’t being nice to you!” He flailed his arms, getting heated all over again. 

“Very little people have defended me Deku” He laid a hand on the bicep of his red suit. “You fucked up bad” Izuku winced “That’s for sure” He let out a huff of annoyance. “But It was nice to hear.” 

Izuku went to sit on the bed and Katsuki followed. “Nice to hear?” 

Katsuki let out another sigh and fell back onto the bed. Izuku watched from his seated position. Something about the blonde hair being spread out across his bed made his stomach flip. “I don’t think anyone’s really been in my corner since you left” The thought broke Izuku's heart. How had he ever had room for hate in his heart for this broken boy? 

“No one?” it was barely a whisper. 

“You and Auntie saw something in me most people don’t.” He closed his eyes, letting Izuku escape from the ruby gaze. “People think I’m shut off, that I don’t care enough” Izuku made a choice after hearing the confession. With the boy's eyes closed he felt braver. He slowly reached his calloused fingers towards the royal ones. He barely grazed his fingers across the back side of the prince's hand when he tensed. A moment of panic led Izuku to believe he crossed a line. Instead, Katsuki relaxed and reached his hands backward to grab Izukus. Now they remained silent with Izuku’s larger, rougher hand covering the others. 

“You care.” It wasn’t to console it was truth. No one would have come up with a plan like he had tonight if he didn’t care. 

He looked stressed. Worn. “I need sleep,” Katsuki said still unmoving from the bed. He did however pull their hands away without mentioning the touch. Izuku knew Katsuki could only handle so much emotion at once. “They gave you all damn comfy beds,” He said with a sleepy slur in his voice. It was gruff and in desperate need of slumber. 

“You could stay”. It came out different than he meant it. The innocence of sharing a bed seemed to lackluster now that they were grown. 

Katsuki peeked one eye open with merciless dimple showing. “Tempting” was all he said, allowing Izuku to decide the implications of the singular word. 

He stood anyway and headed for the door. “Stop your crying and go to sleep nerd” He couldn’t help the grin that spread across his olive cheeks. 

“You shouldn’t keep forgiving me Kacchan” The words left his lips as a warning for both boys. 

“I won’t do something I don’t want to” He left with those words. 

Izuku didn’t sleep that night. 

Over the weekend 3 people left the competition due to lack of compensation. Ibara Shiozaki was a two yet still left after not getting paid. It surprised Izuku but he wasn't close with her so he didn't bother with it for long. The other two were Rikido Sato and Koji Koda. They were both quiet and kept to themselves and Izuku could see how there may be a lack of chemistry between those two and Katsuki. 

Izuku was emotionally surprising himself more each day. He would wake up to jealous thoughts, wondering where Kacchan may have spent his nights. He would lay awake at night thinking about everyone getting dates with Katsuki and how Izuku was automatically ruled out of the running. By the gossip everyone had been spreading it sounded like almost everyone at this point had gotten a date or one on one with Katsuki. Yes, Izuku had also got to spend time with him but those moments were filled with strategy or arguments. He didn't know what he wanted but he knew something about the platonic nature of their relationship was itching at him. 

He had done well with ignoring himself and his possessiveness for the prince until one conversation sent him over the edge. 

He was working on his painting, while Eijiro was out for the day. Yeah, out as in with Kastuki. Ugh. Izuku was confused about how Katsuki thought he went from having shitty hair to now wanting to spend time with said shitty hair. He had already started the day off frustrated and was having to slow his paint strokes to avoid taking the frustrations out on poor Red Riot. 

Ochaco, Mina, and Tsuyu were all gathering behind him trying, very poorly, to learn piano. They knew he played and Ochaco had asked him about a thousand times in their hour session to teach them. He had warned them beforehand that he would explain his Kacchan slip-up later but was in no mood to right now. 

“I will another time Ochaco” He was snapping at them and felt guilty immediately. “Just let me finish this painting and tomorrow I'll help, okay?” Her face was sad and he felt it like a punch in the gut. Katsuki had this reign over his emotions that was becoming even too much for him. 

Mina tried to break the tension by pulling up some chairs so they could watch over Izuku's shoulder as he finished up. “Tsuyu why don’t you just tell us about your date?” God, no please not this. Izuku would rather do a 4 hour etiquette lesson than sit through another conversation about someone's perfect date with Kacchan!  

Mina was successful as Ochaco instantly brightened back up. “Oh yeah!” She jumped around bumping Izuku slightly and he tried to relax ignoring the overstimulation. “That was last night right?” 

Izuku continued painting in silence allowing the girls to exchange gossip. Every fiber of his being wanted to get up and leave yet something was forcing him to hear every excruciating detail of the retelling. 

Tsuyu was blushing as they bombarded her with questions. 

“What did you wear?” 

“Where did you go?” 

“Was it so romantic!” 

“We did the same thing” 

“Isn't he cute when he is nervous” 

“He opened the door for me too!” 

Word after word. 

Dagger after dagger. 

“Did he kiss you” 

Silence. 

“He did!” Squealed both girls. 

The paintbrush that was previously being suffocated by Izuku's strong hand snapped in half. 

He felt the three pairs of eyes land on his back, seizing the gossip. 

He felt embarrassed. “S-Sorry” he spoke. The three girls looked at him frightened. “I think I need to go lay down for a bit, I have been painting for hours.” He already started moving away from them. “I'll meet you guys back here for lunch” He wiped paint onto his pants and hurried away from the girls and their stories. 

He spent the rest of the morning locked away from other's words until his stomach betrayed him. 

They were supposed to be having lunch with some of the staff today to help build rapport and community within the palace. Izuku was slightly worried he might see staff members who remembered him and hoped no one would recognize his fluffy green hair and plain face. 

He ended up finding Ochaco on her way as well and apologized for snapping at her earlier. He was easily forgiven in return as long as he promised her piano lessons. He was happy to oblige. 

They ended up finding seats at a small table, so far, being unbothered by anyone. Ochaco realized she had forgotten to grab a drink and got up quickly to go grab one, leaving Izuku alone for a few brief moments. Within minutes her seat was replaced with a dark-skinned woman with striking platinum hair. Izuku instantly recognized her as Rumi Usagiyama and from the look on her face, she recognized him too. 

Rumi had been about ten years older than him and the prince when they met her. She was hired under his mother to aid in fashion design for the royal family. When his mother was moved out of the position Rumi, at 20 years old had taken over. It seemed she still held the position today. 

“Little Bunny Zuku” He cringed at her greeting. She had called him that when he was a boy due to his energetic nature as a kid. It didn't help when his mom made him bunny-themed pajamas that Rumi had caught him in late one night. 

“Rabid rabbit Rumi,” He said the insult dryly. When he had gotten slightly older, he shot her back with the insult after she had clumsily spilled her drink all over one of Queen Mitsuki's finished dresses. 

They both stared at each other in a contest before both cracking smiles. She reached up and ruffled his hair. “I missed you Izuku” He used to love it when Rumi would help his mom and she had become a big sister to him. He had hung out with Rumi more nights than his own big brother. 

“I missed you too Rumi” It was just the two of them at the small table and he wouldn't mind keeping it that way. He looked over his shoulder to see that Ochaoc had gotten distracted talking to the other tables that held Momo and Kyoka. 

“So how’d my little bunny find his way back to the castle” She was scrunching her nose and looking at him like he was still 6 years old. 

“First of all, speak quieter” He threw his hand over her mouth “No one knows I used to work here” She rolled her eyes at the use of the word work . “Second of all my mother made me apply” 

She grabbed his arm in adoration for his mother, not many people could meet Inko Yagi and not love her. “Oh, I miss Inko” she said with a nostalgic frown. 

“She misses you” Their talk was interrupted by the royal family unexpectedly joining them. You could tell no one had expected them to gather with them for the luncheon. Izuku watched as Katsuki parted ways with his parents as they made their round. Izuku didn't miss Mitsuki’s eyes on the two sibling-esc pair. She had been very aware of their relationship years ago and likely didn’t like the little reunion happening under her nose. 

“I dont know how Masaru puts up with her” Izuku whipped his head around at her mockery of the crown. 

“Rumi!” He looked around to make sure no one else heard the brash girl. “You can't say stuff like that” He reprimanded her. 

“Around you I can” She stared at him waiting for him to deny his feelings towards the crown. Their staring contest was interrupted by the princes voice making its way to their table. 

“You two are already giving me a headache” He light-heartedly chuckled as Rumi stared at him with love. She had practically helped raise Katsuki. Izuku saw those red eyes and immediately thought of them looking at Tsuyu, puffy lips on hers. He turned around hard without a hello. Rumi eyed them both noticing the clear one-sided tension. 

“I haven't seen my favorite boys together in years” She grabbed both of them by the wrist, pulling them closer together. “Kats I think his arms may be bigger than yours these days” Izuku flushed while Katsuki pulled his wrist away with a Tsk. Izuku still hadn't spoken up. 

“No quick words from you today?” The prince tried to come off snarky but Izuku could tell there was genuineness behind the words. 

“What do you want me to say?” He refused to look at the eyes that were begging for his attention. He could go get attention from Tsuyu if he wanted it. 

“Who pissed in your cereal?”  Rumi knew how this went. Izuku would shut down and Katsuki would rile up, when they fought like this it was hard for the real conversation to rise to the forefront. Rumi quietly admired what she hadn't seen for years. 

“Arent you supposed to be spending time with people your actually interested in?” He snapped, finally giving Katsuki the satisfaction of eye contact. Katsuki looked hurt . Izuku felt like a dick as Rumi looked at him disappointedly. 

“Sure, Deku” He turned to walk away “That's why I came to your table first” Rumi threw him and quick goodbye before shooting Izuku another look of dismay. 

“What's going on with you two?” Ochaco still hadn't made her way back yet and Izuku's lunch was tasting sour. 

“Nothing is going on” Rumi gave him a pitiful look. 

“And is that the problem?” She was smirking at him now and Izuku felt a tinge of relief at the joke. Rumi had known about his little infatuation with the prince growing up and it had always been the thing she made sure not to poke fun at him for. 

He loosened up a bit “It's not like that anymore” He shared a glance to where Kastuki was now sitting with Momo and Kyoka and laughing at something Hanta had said. “I'm not just his shadow following him around everywhere anymore” He turned back to his sad, untouched plate. 

“Izuku” He looked up at her serious tone. “I know you felt like you were always chasing after him” Izuku couldn't stop glancing at the rare smile from behind him. “He was a prince and you were nothing” She was always harsh with her words but she cared for Izuku like a mother. “Just know that that boy ” she pointed discretely at the blond showing his deep-set dimple, forehead cress gone. “He put you on just as high of a pedestal as you did him” Izuku looked at her in disbelief. “Imagine if people had always had such high standards for you ” Izuku was beginning to cringe at his previous attitude. “Don’t you think you'd make a few mistakes along the way?” 

He nodded solemnly as she went to stand. “I'm gonna go mingle with some of the others” He let out a sad chuckle. “Finish your food little bunny” She ruffled his hair as she walked away. Before she left his view she turned back around. “Izuku” He swallowed hard at her tone. “Don’t let him push you away again, okay?” He nodded at her again and soon her seat was filled back with Ochaco. 

After minutes of awkward silence as Izuku absorbed Rumis's words Ochaco broke the peace. “Are you upset, Izuku?” Ochaco and him had barely had a real conversation since Friday. 

After his talk with Rumi, he didn’t think he could take any more sistering for the day. “Can we meet up tomorrow and talk?” His voice came out shaky. 

She grabbed his hand and looked at him gleefully, glad that they were talking again. “Of course” He was immensely grateful for Ochaco being at his side for this. He couldn't imagine being in this competition without her. 

He felt better with her presence. “Oh!” He chimed up “I can give you those lessons” To this she

Beamed. 

“Yes!” She stuck her nose up in the air and tried to give her best “Playing the piano” impression. Izuku was doubled over laughing at her idiocracy. 

He looked around to see if anyone else was witnessing her insane act of improperness but was met with only Katsuki watching them, eyes now locked with Izukus. He had a warm smile on his face and Izuku gave in, smiling back. He could never get in the habit of staying mad at that boy for too long. Without a word spoken Katsuki sneakily raised his fist. 

It was Sunday, December 1st and it had been over a week since Katsuki had given the Signal to Izuku. Katsuki had invited everyone to a birthday party he was hosting for Eijiro on Saturday and otherwise, the week would be filled with classes and Report interviews. 

Izuku hadn’t had a slip-up again after his first one and, surprisingly, it only helped his rankings. Everyone seemed to have gotten over it at this point and were finally treating him normally again. 

He and Ochaco had spent hours at the piano this week. She was a good student and turns out he was a great teacher. He had never seen a path for him in teaching but he found it satisfying each time Ochaco's delicate fingers landed on the correct note in a timely manner. 

“Perfect!” He high-fived her as she finished the very simplistic piece. 

“Very far from perfect” She giggled out on their shared bench. There were a few others hanging out around the lounge today listening to them both butcher the ballard. 

Momo and Camie were both painting their nails and Izuku almost felt relief for Camie making a friend despite her heinous acts. A few of the boys, Tenya, Shoto, Denki, Eijiro, Hanta, and Yuga were playing board games which was becoming their typical time passer these days. Izuku had given one of his canvases to Tsuyu and Mina and was letting them run wild with his paint. 

It left him and Ochaco alone in the corner, rarely something they got to experience. 

“Can I ask you something?” She sounded sad or like she was wary of asking Izuku. It was odd because Ochaco never seemed scared to speak about her feelings. 

“Of course” He moved to put one foot on the bench and rested his head on his knee to listen. 

“Have you” She dwindled off and was looking at the guards lining the entrance to the lounge. She clearly felt anxious about the conversation. “Have you ever been in love?” 

He felt his face pale and his heart rate quickened for two reasons. Reason number one was, yes, he had been in love. So in love, it felt like life was ending as the relationship crumbled. Reason number two was, could she be asking because she thought she was in love with Katsuki? “Y-yes” He barely whispered. 

“What did that feel like?” He noticed as she spoke there was wetness in her round eyes. 

“I” He choked on his words. What did it feel like? “I-um” he fidgeted with his shoelaces. “Why are you asking Ochaco?” He reached out for her hands which were sweaty with anxiety. “Do you-” He didn't want to speak the possibility into existence. “Are you in love with the prince?” It felt like years flew by as he waited for an answer. 

She sighed a deep, painful breath “No” A single tear fell from her cheek and Izuku caught it with the back of his finger. “I think that's the problem” He pulled her into a hug. 

She was scared. She wanted to fall for the prince and something was stopping her. When she pulled away from his shoulder her face spoke of a different kind of heartbreak than he had ever been through. “Do you want to leave the castle?” He brushed a piece of hair from her forehead. “I'm sure Kac-Katsuki will understand.” 

“No” it came out too quickly. With the money the contestants have gotten in the past month leaving now shouldn't have been a big deal. She tried to quickly redact. ‘I-I mean it's just” The tears had stopped now and she acted as if something else may be keeping her here. “I would miss you all and” She continued wiping her face and turned back to continue piano. “Maybe I'll fall for him anyway” She stretched out her fingers and began playing again as if she wasn't crying many moments ago. 

Izuku was jarred at her miscalculated behaviors but nonetheless continued teaching until the sun began to fall. 

He trudged his way back to his room late that night and soaked in the bath for hours. It had become somewhat of his nightly routine to think over things in there. He was lost in thought over why Katsuki hadnt come to see him last week and why Ochaco had seemed so odd when a swoosh noise sounded from somewhere in the bedroom. 

The water had gone cold half an hour ago so he quickly stood up and wrapped a towel around his waist. He unapologetically dripped beads of water on the wooded floor as he made his way to the door to retrieve the noise-bringer.

His heart did backflips as his eyes met the familiar red envelope lying crooked on the ground. He crouched down to read it, not bothering to get dressed or dry his damp hands. Water crept over the thick paper as he read the recognizable handwriting. 

All Might marathon on Wednesday 

I will come by yours at 9 

Sincerely, as you so graciously announced to the world, 

• Kacchan Bakugou 

Not once had Izuku felt humor about his slip-up on The Report, but of course Katsuki would be able to turn the situation into something he could grin over. After getting past that, somewhat uncomfortable fact, it hit him what this really meant. Katsuki was serious about letting him watch the movies he had missed! Izuku felt like a squealing schoolgirl, he couldn't remember the last time he had felt so excited to do something. He mopped up his watery mess and flung himself into his bed bypassing the pajamas. 

He thought about the marathon for days. 

You would’ve thought the excitement would have had him ready for the big night, however, Izuku’s maids had kept him busy all day measuring and preparing him for the next “Big event” The Selection had coming up. 

“You seem antsy” Mei spoke out as she had a pin needle in between her teeth. 

“I'm not” He said as he was being paraded around in new pants she was working on. 

“Awe is someone sad that the prince isn’t giving his lovebird any attention?” Izuku was hoping to keep their rendezvous tonight on the low but Hitoshi was making it hard not to brag. 

“Actually, I will be seeing him tonight, thank you” He heard Melissa squeal in excitement. 

While Hitoshi had once been poking fun at him he was now inches from his face, expression covered in worry. “What are you doing,” he said extremely intrigued, dropping the facade. Izuku forgets how this is a competition for them as much as it is for him. “What are you wearing?” Mei was already looking around for articles of stray clothing. 

“We’re just watching a movie” He shrugged even though he knew the excitement was being projected in his voice “I was just going to wear my pajamas” That part was true.

“I worry about you, you know” Hitoshi moved past him and continued what he was doing beforehand. His maids had learned after the sparring debacle that it was better if he wore what he wanted. 

He continued being their model, slipping clothes on and off until it was nearly 8:30. They finally abandoned his room making it seem unusually empty. He had slipped on his blue and black flannel pajamas with a white hoodie that was far better than the black one he owned back home. He finally got to throw on the red hightops and wallowed in the feeling of comfortable shoes. His legs were rather muscular so the pajama pants fit a bit snugly around his upper legs but besides that, he felt comfier than he had the whole month. 

He lay on the bed anxiously waiting for the prince’s return to his room when he was shocked to hear a tap at his door at 8:45. Sometimes he forgot how punctual Katsuki had always been. 

He tried not to skip to the door from excitement and instead took a deep breath and slowly made his way to look like he hadn’t just been waiting for him to come. 

When he opened the door Katsuki was still wearing his princely attire from working all day and Izuku couldn't help but feel a bit dressed down compared to the literal gold chains hanging from his partner's jacket. 

Kastuki didn't seem to mind as he eyed the blue nightwear “Cute” he spoke out. Izuku hardly had time to process the compliment before Katsuki grabbed his wrist and tugged him out of his room “Come on” Izuku followed willingly, not being bothered by the rough handling of his arm. He would do anything to watch these movies and was so thankful for Katsuki in this moment that the prince could get away with about anything. He did feel bad that he had to walk through the halls while Izuku looked like this, however.  

“You didn't have to come get me” He tried to sound grateful rather than dismissive. Last time they met he had just walked to the gym himself. Katsuki kept his eyes forward “I still know where the theater is” He tried to keep pace with the prince’s fast-moving feet. 

Katsuki looked around as they turned a corner “We aren’t going to the theater” He grabbed the boy’s wrist again when he slowed down. 

Izuku felt disappointment strike through his center. Katsuki must’ve changed his mind about the movie and was opting for strategizing with Izuku instead. He should have known not to think he may have skin in the game, at the end of the day Katsuki needed him for one thing. “Why?” His voice cracked. He desperately tried not to be upset. Rather it was upset at the movie he wouldn’t see or the fact that Katsuki wouldn’t just hang out with him, he wasn’t sure. 

“We’re watching in my room” Izuku’s brain could not function at that moment. “That’s how we used to watch them,” Katsuki said it like it was obvious. For Izuku it was anything but. 

Izuku coughed, taken aback by the fowardness. “Y-Your room?” He hoped his voice came out nonchalant even though the squeal probably revealed his true feelings. “I-Is that even a-allowed?” 

“No” He still had ahold of his wrist and finally let go when they entered Katsuki’s quarters. “That’s why I came and got your clumsy ass” Izuku rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the grin spread wide onto his face. “You probably would’ve been caught by the guards and kicked out before morning” He shoved Izuku playfully. Katsuki did want to hang out with him and more importantly seemed excited too as well. 

Between the whiplash of emotions and the strong arm pulling him, Izuku hadnt realized they were already there until Katsuki gently opened the door. 

He stared mesmerized as he took in the familiar room. It was nearly the exact same as he remembered it. The dark wooden dressers and ornate wallpaper covered walls. He traced his fingers over childhood mementos as Katsuki moved towards his closet. 

Izuku found postcards from other countries, figurines of comic heroes, and book s filled with forbidden stories. Izuku couldn't remember the last time he actually saw a book after so many got banned. His fingers fell across their spines as he read the mystical titles of fiction. He turned to get Katsuki’s attention to ask about the stories he had read but was met with the prince in nothing but his boxers. 

“Kacchan” he screamed out at the prince’s indecency but his eyes forbid him from looking elsewhere. Katsuki was picking out a pair of his own red flannel pants and as he reached down to pull them on the muscles on his shoulder blades rolled deliciously. His lower back was covered in gauze and bandage but Izuku could only look too much before the prince turned around again, this time on a mission for a shirt, unfortunately. 

This put his stomach of rock on full display. If Hitoshi thought Izuku was made of muscle he had clearly never seen the Adonis of a man in front of him. 

“What” Katsuki smirked, clearly knowing the effect it was having on his friend. “You've given me enough strip teases I felt like I owed you one” He winked at the frozen boy as he slipped on a black t-shirt. “Like what you see?” He asked it casually as he moved to get under the covers. 

Izuku, in a bed, with this man, picturing his body under those clothes, what could go wrong? 

“Kacchan’s mean” He mumbled under his breath as Kastuki let out a hardy laugh and pulled the other sides of the covers down to let Izuku slip in. 

It felt natural and yet completely different. The bed left enough room that both boys felt miles apart from one another. Izuku wished he could feel the heat radiating from the blonde but Katsuki seemed perfectly content with the space between them. Izuku sat stiffly as Katsuki located the remote and then tossed Izuku a bag of popcorn. Before they got too comfy, there was a knock at the door that nearly made Izuku jump out of the bed. It felt like they were teenagers caught doing something bad, and technically they were, although not quite in the same manner that Izuku pictured it. 

“Relax it’s Rumi” He jumped out of the bed leaving it colder than it was before and jogged to grab it. He tried to hear their conversation but Katsuki was already yelling at her “Thank you, now please get the fuck out” When he turned back towards the bed he had a mug in each hand. 

Izuku could smell from the steaming aroma what it was. “Hot Chocolate?” He sat up on his knees on the bed in anticipation. The cups looked tiny in the prince's hands. 

“Well,” He took a sip from one of the pipping cups and made a disgusted face. “ Blech. Too sweet” He handed the drank-from cup to Izuku “That one's yours” Izuku goggled at the mug, seeing the wet rim where Kastsukis mouth had been. 

He certainly did not purposefully take a sip from the exact place. 

“This one’s hot chocolate” He pointed to Izuku taking a sip “That one’s diabetes” Izuku didn’t bother with the comment because he was currently being swept up in a warm blanket of nostalgia. 

The liquid was smooth and warm in his mouth and he let out an mmm as it dripped down his throat. He turned to watch Katsuki climb back into the bed handless, one on the remote and one with a spicy hot chocolate, leaving him crawling on his knees. It should not have been as attractive as it was. 

For some reason, Izuku was having a much harder time keeping it together tonight than usual. 

This was his friend. They had done this exact routine hundreds of times. And Katsuki definitely had not moved 6 inches closer than the first time they sat down tonight. 

Their shoulders were nearly brushing as they watched the movie and sipped the hot chocolate. Izuku was stunned by the graphic changes in the last few years and was encapsulated by the twists and turns in the film so far. 

About 30 minutes into the movie after neither of them had interrupted Izuku suddenly felt a touch on his thigh that made him tense. Katsuki was leaning over him, using his leg for balance as he grabbed something out of the bedside table closest to Izuku. He stopped halfway when he felt Izuku tighten under his grip. “Sorry,” he had the same smile as when he was undressing earlier. “Just grabbing these” He picked up a… contact case? 

“Y-You wear contacts?” he whispered over the playing movie scene. He tried to ignore the wildfire on his leg where the boy's hand had been. He tried to ignore the way he wished it’d come back. 

Katsuki let out a grunt of confirmation as he dug into his eye. He reached again, this time on is side, and pulled out a glasses case. 

Fuck.  

The prince pushed on the dark brown frames and slipped farther into the bed in a lying position to continue watching. Izuku tried to follow suit by slumping down against the headboard “D-Do you have a headache?” He felt bad if the movie was bothering the other.

“My eyes are just tired” Somehow with the glasses on Katsukis eyes looked even brighter. 

“I can go!” He screeched out already scooting out from under the bed covers. His wrist was taken captive once again by the prince's quick reactions before he could make it very far. 

“I dont want you to” It was much bolder than Katsuki ever was. Izuku sat back down, somehow even closer than the two times previous. 

Another quiet 30 minutes passed as Izuku tried to focus on the movie and not the fact that Katsuki had adjusted to sit criss-cross and now his knee was resting on Izuku's thigh. The warmth from the other gave him a comfort he hadnt felt in years. By the time the last chunk of the movie came, Izuku could feel his eyelids draw heavily against one another. 

He felt himself slowly fall into slumber seeking refuge on Katsuki’s warm shoulder. He was to tired to read into why the strong arm wrapped around his torso in response. 

The last thing he heard was the familiar “I am here!” As he was being repositioned to lie down, still trapped in that pale arm. 

—---------

They woke up sometime in the middle of the night, limbs tangled in one another. 

At some point, they had switched roles and Izuku woke up to the stroke of blond hair tickling his nose from where it lay on his chest. He heard a low groan from the other as he tried to pry the boy off him. 

Katsuki turned to look at him with dreadfully sleepy eyes, his glasses that he had fallen asleep in now crooked. He stretched slowly, too slowly, moving away from Izuku's chest but not giving him any more personal space than necessary. “We fell asleep” It was deep and grovelled and frankly pornographic. 

“We did” Izuku replied in his also rusty voice. “Sorry,” He felt the need to apologize since he remembered being the first to be defeated by the cozy sheets and warm drinks. 

Katsuki moved to stand and Izuku understandably stood from the warmth as well, knowing he had overstayed his welcome. “You and your apologizing” Izuku was tying the laces of his shoes. “You leaving?” Katsuki eyed him as he made his way to the bathroom. 

“Y-yeah?” He didn't think staying was an option and frankly, he didn’t know if he could handle any more of the fire Katsuki’s body sent through him. 

“Okay,” Katsuki refrained from his bathroom break and instead went to throw on his own tennis shoes. “I'll walk you back” He stood and went to grab the door. 

“I-It’s really okay” Izuku grabbed his arm. Katsuki would definitely be in trouble if someone caught them together this late, if not for his attire roaming through the castles. 

Katsukis tired eyes told Izuku he was too half-conscious to argue and instead grabbed the door and started heading out. Izuku followed after sparing one more glance at the haven before leaving. It was likely the last memory he would make of the room he slept best. 

Katsuki made a show of how difficult the task Izuku was putting him through was by putting basically all of his body weight on Izuku as they walked. At one point Izuku had tried to slip his arm under his to help carry the weight when Katsuki yelped explain he was ticklish there. 

Izuku couldn't help but poke the sensitive areas as the boys laughed hard; harder than either of them had in years. 

They were still in the prince’s quarters and could hear the guards posted up at the front of the hallway. They must be there for the night shift because he hadnt noticed anyone patrolling there earlier. “You really dont have to take me back” He pointed at the pajamas “I dont want you to get in trouble.” Katsuki took this into consideration. 

“Yeah but you could get in trouble roaming around this late by your creepy self” Izuku laughed at the fact that Kastuki had to always wrap a kind gesture in an insult. 

“Have one of them take me” He pointed towards the guards. Katsuki narrowed his eyes and pierced his lips contemplating. 

“ Fine” He grumbled as he walked up to the guards, Izuku slowly following, a little embarrassed by the insinuation the late night had. 

Izuku smiled from the hallway as he watched Katsuki approach one of them, whose face he couldn't see yet, and slap him on the back boyishly. Izuku watched him ask for the favor as he admired the prince. He knew by the craving he felt to reach out and touch that he was far too gone.

“...Could you take him back, Rody?” 

Rody. 

Rody. 

Rody Soul. 

The guard turned to face the unknowing contestant to which he would be guiding back to their quarters. 

There in the military uniform stood him. Rody Soul. His ex-boyfriend. 

“Yes, sir” 

Izuku didn't move an inch. “Rody?” 

His face was lost in emotion. 

Katsuki turned back to Izuku, and the smile faded. “You two know each other?” He pointed between the two. 

Izuku was verbally challenged by the situation, words stuck in his cotton-mouthed throat. 

“We’re neighbors, back home,” Rody said calmly as he walked to take Izuku’s arm. 

Izuku grabbed it hoping neither party noticed the shake in his muscles. 

Katsukis face relaxed back into a smile “Perfect” He hit Rody’s arm again friendly “If you want, Deku” Izuku flinched at the name “I'll have him requested to guard your quarters from now on” 

Izuku nodded slowly as Rody spoke for them. “We would both love that sir”

With that, they split ways. 

Izuku and Rody didn’t dare speak a word as they took the long journey back to his room. 

Upon arrival, Izuku slowly grabbed his door handle. Before he could slip in, escaping the conversation to come, Rody stopped the shutting door. “Can I” They finally made eye contact, and years of memories flooded back. “Come in?” 

Izuku shook his head just as he had earlier, wordlessly. 

And when Rody shoved himself in and his tongue down his throat, 

He let him. 

Chapter Text

Song rec: We Can't Be Friends (Ariana Grande)

The hand was bruising on his waist. 

He moaned into the mouth he missed so deeply. 

The boy he thought he had lost forever was here, tongue chasing his. 

He had been caught late at night with Katsuki. 

But hadn’t he caught Rody, with that girl, one month ago as well? 

Both boys pulled away like they remembered the other's faults at the same time. 

“Did you cheat on me?” Izuku whispered.

“Are you fucking the prince?” Rody chimed in at the same time. 

“ Cheating?” 

“Fucking?” 

They both spoke over one another again. 

Izuku pulled back from the hand on his bare waist. Did Rody think so little of him to believe he would go out and lose his virginity a few weeks after they broke up? “You really think I would do that?” He accidentally spoke allowed. 

“I dont know, Izuku” He huffed. It seemed they had picked up right where they left off that chilly November night. “Why else would you be leaving his room in the middle of the night?” He threw his hands out. “All giggly” He had to add the final suspicious blow. 

“Rody” He hushedly angered out, not wanting to bring attention to his room. What they were doing could be tried for treason. “You know the history between me and Kacchan” Rody immediately rolled his eyes at the nickname. “We were catching up, nothing happened” It felt like a lie even if it factually wasn't. 

Rody sighed knowing there was little he could argue here. After a brief pause, turning over the new information he suddenly caught back up to what Izuku had accused him of. “You thought I was cheating on you?” He rubbed a hand down his face in annoyance. 

Izuku moved closer feeling heated at the memory. “Well, what else do you call it when you have your arm around a random girl as soon as I get into the car to leave for the castle?” Rody’s anger shifted to confusion and Izuku took a step back to allow him to explain. 

“What are you talking about?” He had a look of disgust on his face. 

“I'm talking about just that” Izuku could tell Rody’s confusion was genuine, but what other explanation was there? “I went to leave on that Saturday and there you were with your arm around some girl” He huffed out a shaky sigh. He would not cry over that again. 

“ Hanami ?” He spat out her name in betrayal. 

“Sure?” Izuku bit back. 

“Izuku” Rody had the audacity to let out a laugh. “That’s my cousin ” Izuku felt the blood in his face drain. “They traveled down here to see me off, she tripped, she fell, I grabbed her” His arms were in an explanatory motion and Izuku felt like a complete dunce. 

“I-I didn't know” It was weak and quiet. 

“Obviously” Rody was clearly still pissed. “So what?” Izuku thought they had resolved both situations but by the anger still plaguing the brunette’s face, they hadnt. “You thought you would just move on and throw yourself at Kacchan instead?” Rody turned his back to Izuku. 

He felt like Rody had just taken the embers of love he still had for him and crushed it. 

“Are you being serious?” Izuku's voice had dropped an octave and Rody turned back in shock. 

“No” He sighed regretfully and went to grab Izuku’s cheek. Izuku slapped his hands away. “Izuku, I'm sorry. I was just overwhelmed” Izuku stepped back again. 

“I think you should go” The angered boy turned to head to his bed, hoping Rody would leave him be. 

“Izuku, we need to talk” Rody was pleading but Izuku couldn't take the burden of any more emotional baggage to carry tonight. 

“Not tonight” When he still couldn't hear Rody’s footsteps leaving he let out a broken and shaky “ Please”  

He climbed into bed and wept as he heard booted footsteps and the creak of his door. 

Izuku didn't want to do this. 

Izuku didn't want to do anything. 

Today was Eijiros birthday and everyone would be celebrating him today and then attending a party later tonight. Izuku was almost jealous that his birthday wasn't until the summertime. A palace birthday party thrown by the prince himself was something you could dream of. 

Only Izuku didn't feel like celebrating. 

He decided that instead of attending lunch with everyone he would go to the lounge and finish the painting of Red Riot for the boy instead. He wanted to give it to him today and it would be a good way to avoid people until the party later. 

He threw on the red shoes and felt the taste of guilt on his tongue. Whatever feelings he thought he had for Katsuki had been completely overturned when Rody swooped back into his life. He was nauseated with himself for the complicated feelings swirling through his brain. 

He snuck out of his room hoping to avoid people, however, upon exiting he was met directly with Ochaco. “Do you know where Himiko is?” She was inches from his face with a portrait of despair cast on hers. He had forgotten that Rody being their guard would mean Himko would be moved. 

“Oh” He moved past her, grabbing her arm “I think I remember Katsuki mentioning he moved her and another guard?” He tried to play it off as something he had no part in. 

“Is she in trouble?” in trouble? What could she have done that Ochaco was so worried about. Her face was frantic. 

“No-No” He brushed her shoulder trying to relax the anxiety. “Just needed somewhere else I guess” Her face calmed slightly. “He didn't sound worried about it” That was the truth. 

He watched her chest inhale and exhale with relief. “Okay” Once she had calmed down a bit its like she realized her mistakes “Sorry!” she squealed.”I guess I am just used to her taking us places and all” Izuku watched her warily “Anyway!” She grabbed onto his arm and started walking them “Lunch?” 

He pulled back from her grasp “Actually” He scratched the back of his head and finally noticed the red streaks under her eyes. She had been crying. “I, um” He felt bad leaving her but he really did need to work on this painting. “I have to finish my painting for Eijiro” Her face fell. “Do you want to join me?” She lit up again. They headed there together. 

—----------

After a few more hours put into the canvas and hearing fast-paced stories of Ochaco’s childhood, the painting was done. It turns out, spending time with each other is exactly what both parties needed. 

They had walked back together to get changed and both decided to go for casual for the party. Izuku wore some simple black slacks and black polo with his red sneakers and Ochaco wore a short black skirt with a sweater that fell off her shoulders. 

Izuku was starting to realize that any time he felt the need to curl up and isolate the answer might be for him to find a friend. He was used to dealing with everything alone and now he understood he didn’t always have to keep all his emotions hidden. He hoped he could keep in contact with some of the others when the competition was over. 

Izuku entered the party with the, now dry, painting and was quickly consumed with the aroma of sweets and the sound of pop music. It was held in a new area of the castle, that Izuku wasn’t familiar with. They had all been slipped directions under their doors earlier this morning and Izuku was intrigued by the amount of planning that went into this. Would Katsuki have put in this amont of work for everyone? Or was it because it was Eiji ? 

Izuku would subside his jealousy for today. It was Eijiro’s special day anyway and to be honest, after Izuku's behavior, he didn't deserve to feel jealous. 

It was nearing 10 pm and drinks were being poured heavily to the guests. Izuku was starting to feel awkward lugging the present around but could never seem to find a good moment to give it to the birthday boy. Eijiro had been dressed in a completely white suit that made his red hair pop and his aura exude royalty. Katsuki was similarly dressed and compared to the casual wear of everyone else the two looked like the perfect couple. 

Izuku tried to swallow the bile in his throat with the expensive whiskey in his hand. 

He sat far off by himself watching. Ochaco had gone to dance with some of the girls and he still hadn’t gained the courage to give his painting away. He felt his shoulder bump someone elses and looked up to find Shoto putting his sights on whatever Izuku had been watching. 

They both witnessed how Eijiro whispered something in Katsuki’s ear that made him blush profusely and then shove the giggling boy away. Izuku’s eyes were daggers. 

“They sure are close lately,” Shoto said as he eyed for the other's reaction. 

“Yeah” Izuku looked away taking another sip of his stout drink that he was beginning to feel in his face. “They make a good pair” He laid his glass down on the counter slightly too hard. 

“Why don’t you fight harder?” Shoto was known for his bluntness but the words still caught the green-haired boy off guard. 

“For what?” he played innocent. 

“You are the only one that looks at him like that” Izuku stared into the other heterochromic eyes, searching for an inkling of doubt. 

“You don’t?” Shoto scoffed at his question. The relationship between Katsuki and Shoto was unbeknownst to Izuku but it seemed like both boys needed Shoto to stay here. 

“At least go give your present to Eijiro before you leave” Izuku rolled his eyes and realized he had been gripping the present so hard that the wrapping paper had torn a bit. “You shouldn't hate him for earning the love you wish for” 

Izuku threw his head back towards his friend but Shoto was already walking off back to his table with Tenya and Denki. He looked back towards the love birds to see them both watching him now. He decided now would be as good as time as any to get this embarrassment over with. 

He slowly made his way over stumbling, lights in his face and a loud music in his ears. Some of the guards had been invited and Izuku just prayed he wouldn’t run into a certain one. 

He felt something hit his back and turned to see Kyoka crying. He grabbed her shoulder with his only free hand, tucking the whiskey into the crook of his arm. “W-Whats wrong Kyoka?” She pulled back immediately and he watched as she ran down the hallway. 

He was too drunk right now to try and understand what that could’ve meant but he made a mental note to find her later once hed sobered up. 

He continued on his journey catching Momo’s eyes looking far off and lonely. It made sense if it had something to do with Kyoka’s previous meltdown, due to the nature of their relationship he had learned about through observation. 

When he finally arrived at the love seat that Katsuki had spent all his time at, he was met with a very alcohol-flushed Ejiiro. When the red-heads eyes locked on to the present he instantly stood up and embraced Izuku. Both boys swayed slightly at their intoxication. “Is that for me?” 

Eijiro looked genuinely thrilled at the gift he had yet to open and Izuku suddenly felt guilty for ever having an ill feeling towards him. He handed over the painting silently as he felt Katsuki’s eyes on him. He didnt dare make contact with those ravenous rubys in this state of ineberation. Eijiro’s eyes lit up with tears as soon as he recognized the hero painted on the canvas. Izuku couldn't help but smile at the reaction, casting all other emotions aside. 

“Thank you so much” he was being pulled into another hug “This is so manly” He said with tears in his eyes. 

The present had started to draw a bit of a crowd since he had been the only one to give one and he started to feel slightly embarrassed as people snickered over such a sentimental gift. Katsuki must’ve sensed his unease because soon he was making his way over to stand between the red head and him and admire the finished painting for himself. “Not too bad” was all it took out of the princes mouth to sway everyone elses opinions. Izuku couldn’t focus on the praise when the caramel scent was entering his nose. 

“T-Thank you” he realized it was his first words to them both. Katsuki looked at him with worry in his eyes but Izuku refused to ruin the great night he was having with Eijiro. He watched as Eijiro admired the prince, going unnoticed, and urgently felt the need for fresh air. “I can go put it in your room!” He snatched the painting back. “You’re on the same floor right?” Eijiro and Katsuki both looked confused at his urgency but he couldn’t care right now. “Ill be right back,” he said as he removed himself from their bestowed love seat. 

The quiet hallway was what he needed to feel the full consequence of his third whiskey. 

He kept his word of making it to Eijiro’s room before placing the painting by his bedside and heading back. He didn’t want to head back but he didn’t want to be alone. If he returned to his room there was a chance Rody would be there but he didnt really want that either. 

He slowly made his way back to the electric music and blaring lights. He could hear the echos of lively people as he stood at the entrance. He was about to head in when he felt a chill breeze through the thin material he was wearing. He turned to the left to see a door open that looked like it led to the roof. 

The walk helped him sober up and he couldn't see the harm in getting some fresh air too. 

He walked out into the foggy Decemeber night and was hit with a wall of cool wet air. The awning protected him from the rain as he listened to the drowned out music in peace. 

He let out a breath of vapor as he walked to a bench under the protected area. 

“You too?” He turned to see the same crying girl he had run into earlier. 

He looked at her with no words but moved over for her to sit down as well. He didn’t understand what emotion she was referring to that could be similar to his emotional state. Mostly because he didn't know what he was feeling.  

“Smoke?” This got his attention and he finally looked over to her. In her hands was a pack of cigarettes, something he had never seen in person before. 

“Where'd you get these?” The suspicion didn't stop him from grabbing one in his tipsy state of mind. 

He popped it in his mouth as she brought a lighter to his lips “Does it matter?” He hoped he was doing it right, based on what he had seen in movies. 

“No” he answered honestly as the smoke filled his lungs. He was shortly cut off with a hacking cough and a bellowing laugh from Kyoka. He hadn’t heard her be that loud, it made him smile. 

“Shut up” He coughed. 

“So why are you up here, instead of” She pointed towards the ground “Down there” She puffed out the smoke like a professional. 

“I followed you”. It was half-truths he was telling tonight. “So you tell me”

“I'm just tired of being fucking trapped here with these people” It felt like he had finally peeled back her layers into honesty. Whether that was his doing or the alcohol, it didn't matter to him. 

“Why don’t you ask to leave?” It seemed like the more he learned about the competitors the more complex their uncertainties became. 

“I just” She sighed taking another puff. At this point, Izuku had gotten the hang of it and could feel the nicotine going straight to his head. “You wouldn't understand” she gave up.

“I think I might; better than you know” He watched bows of smoke float through the air. She looked at him sideways, still not budging. “Is this about Momo?” He had been wanting to ask about her and the liquor gave him the courage to. 

Her face was ghostly “Why would it be?’ She stood up in fear. 

He grabbed her arm before she could get too far away. “You can be honest with me Kyoka” Their eyes met as she relaxed into a hand hold with him. Her petite hand became completely enveloped in his meaty one. “Talk to me” She sat back down gingerly. 

“We knew each other, me and Momo” He had expected something like that. 

“From before?” He shoved his cigarette into the concrete in a mirroring of her own action. 

She nodded. “My family” She looked at him again, begging for his trust. He squeezed a hand on her thigh in reassurance. She sighed again, giving in. “My family works for the Yaoyorozu’s” It made sense to the boy with Kyoka being a four. “We grew up close to one another” Izuku was struck with an apparition of relatablity in her story. 

“Childhood friends” It wasn't a question and it barely left his lips as she continued. 

“Yeah,” she looked out into the sky with years of ache hidden behind her eyes. 

“I didn't want to come here” There were tears falling now “I didn't want her to come here but she had-” She cut off the spilled secret. So, Kyoka knew too about the inner falsities of the selection process? 

“You love her?” He would never intrude like this but he couldn't keep the words in his head from leaving his tongue. 

Kyoka whipped her head towards him guilt written all over it. He remained relaxed searching her eyes for the truth. “Yes,” It sounded scared and confident all at once. 

With this information, he simply stood up from the cold bench and reached out his hand. 

She stared at it in sorrow “You going to go turn me into the prince now?” She looked betrayed. 

“I'm going to take you to dance” She looked up to him shocked before letting out a small chuckle. She took his hand and stood close to him. 

“You're too nice for your own good” He wrapped an arm around her shivering body. 

“You dont know me” was all he said as he guided the broken duo back to the party.

—---------

They danced for what felt like hours. 

Both tried to ignore the peripheral vision that showed Momo and Katsuki talking with Denki and Eijiro on the other side of the room. 

The songs had changed to slower beats and Izuku had Kyoka swaying on his shoulder as they both ruminated over the same hurt. He heard his name being called and looked up to find the birthday boy himself calling him over. Kyoka moved from his shoulder to look as well. “Wanna come with?” He likely already knew the answer. 

She shook her head and made her way over to some of the girls. Izuku watched her go before making his way over to the other group. When he reached the crowd he noticed Kastuki seemed to be pouting, probably from Eijiro inviting yet another person over. 

As soon as he made it to them Denki slung an arm around his neck and Izuku could smell the expensive liquor on his breath. “We were talking” he slurred over the loud music. “And Kacchan ” He jumped back from the boys grasp. 

“Don’t call him that” He snapped. He hurriedly looked at Katsuki and he and Ejiro were already smirking at his possessive statement. “I mean I just dont want you to do what I did” He tried to back peddle.

The energetic boy didn't mind any of it “He said” He pointed to the prince. “That you’re like realllllly good at the piano” Katsuki must’ve been pretty drunk himself if he was both complimenting Izuku and talking so flippantly about details of their childhood. 

“Oh” everyone was watching him now “I mean I play, yeah” He felt someone grab his arm. 

“Are you talking about piano?” It was Ochaco. “He is amazing!” she jumped up and down drunkenly. “He is even teaching me!” He could feel his face heating up from more than the alcohol. 

“Play for my birthday!” Eijiro, now also had an arm around him. “Please” He made a pouty face as he dragged Izuku towards the piano in the middle of the room. He was practically shoved down into the piano bench as a small crowd gathered around. 

He played the first song he could think of, one of the first ones he and Katsuki had learned together. He let the music take him away from the castle. Take him away from the trouble. 

When he looked back up everyone including the prince was watching him. Eijiro was sleepy-looking and resting his head on Katsuki’s shoulder. Katsuki didn't just let people touch him. 

Izuku wasn't the only one who noticed because sometime in the middle of his third or fourth ballad a gasp was heard over the song. 

“Sorry!” He heard Camie screech “I'm a little tipsy” Izuku searched for what crimes she had committed this time. 

He found Eijiro standing in the middle, red wine soaked into his white suit. He looked sad, which said a lot for the optimist. Katsuki hadn’t noticed how it happened or the malicious intent behind it, he was dazed by the piano notes in his ears. 

Izuku stopped playing as everyone stood around awkwardly. Eijiro turned to leave, Camie giggling at his distress. What she wasn't expecting, and neither was he, was for Katsuki to chase after him. 

“Eiji, wait!” He followed after the ruined suit and upset boy.

Everyone left shortly after, feeling like the celebration was over. 

He made it to his room finally, after taking the longest route he could, not wanting sleep to come. 

He had just the perfect timing to see Katsuki leaving Eijiro's room. He stood in the hallway until Katsuki passed, unnoticing of his lurking. 

When he arrived at his door and saw Rody reach out to speak to him he simply said “Please, not right now” and let sleep take him. 

Of course of all mornings, he woke up to another swoosh under his door. Did Katsuki ever want to see him when he wasn’t a ball of anxiety and alcohol poisoning? 

He guessed not as he dressed in his same ridiculous low-cut tank top from before. 

Sparring at 3 

Was all the note had said. 

He had slept hardly at all but at least this time he wasn’t throwing up. 

When he trudged down to the gym with only an apple in his stomach he felt the unbearable weight of annoyance painted heavily on his face. 

Between his encounters with Rody and his less-than-platonic interactions with hid oldest friend he was having a hard time maintaining any strong mental health. He missed his mom. Above all, he missed her and his entire family. 

He pushed open the doors to see Katsuki already stretching. And God fucking dammit. 

He looked good. 

You could tell he had also been tired this morning, probably from his late night in Eijiro’s room. 

He shuttered at the thought of what could have happened behind those closed doors. 

Izuku had to earn the right to touch Katsuki. 

Why did Eijiro get to walk in already embracing his affections? 

Katsuki’s hair was wildly untamed and spiky. He had dark circles under his eyes, but not in the same way Izuku did. In a way that was almost lustful or hungry. He wore a baggy band shirt and unreasonably short shorts. 

He sat down still having not said a word. 

“You still smell like whiskey” Katsuki kicked his foot with his own. 

He had no rebuttal, he hadn’t even showered since the party last night “Sorry” was all he said. 

“Did you not sleep well?” Katsuki was being nice which only made Izuku angrier. Katsuki wasn’t nice. Izuku didn’t want Katsuki to be nice. He wanted him to be real . 

“I don’t know” he hummed “Did you?” He snapped, obviously showing there was meaning behind his words. 

“What the hell is that about?” Katsuki was asking about his tone more than his question. 

Izuku laid back, pulling his knee towards his chest, trying to act like it was a comment of integument and not jealousy. “You were just up late at Eijiro’s is all I meant Katsuki” He sat back up to stretch his arms. 

“Kacchan” The prince corrected with a put-out face aimed right towards Izuku. “And what are you, some stalker now?” Katsuki stood up and reached a hand out, but Izuku stood up himself without taking it.  Katsuki sighed at his stubbornness. 

“Are you Mr. Prince Charming now?” No one here had yet to answer the questions they were being asked. Mostly because they both knew the answers. 

“Oh fuck off, Deku” He shoved him in the shoulder, hard enough to make his weak-from-intoxication body stumble backward. Katsuki continued his path forward, now hovering over Izuku “You and ears looked too busy to notice me anyway” He could not be serious right now. 

“Kyoka” He harshly corrected. “And are you fucking stupid” Katsuki stared daggers into his eyes. He did not get talked to like that. Izuku gulped in fear as the prince remained silent. 

“Izuku Midoriya” Izuku felt his face pale, Katsuki had never used his full name, maybe ever. “You do not speak to me that way” He reached out his hand and this time Izuku took it. Katsuki was right. They both got set on opposite sides of the mat. “ Anyway ,” He charged Izuku. “I wasn’t gonna let Eijiro go cry alone in his room on his birthday just because he got wine on his suit” Izuku had gotten better over the course of their sessions and had successfully dodged Katsuki's right hook. 

He grabbed his ankle, thwarting the prince onto his back. As Izuku looked over him he stated, “You know that was on purpose right?” He tried to not sound quite as rude as he had been a second ago. 

“What was?” Katsuki shoved him off of him and went back to his side of the mat. 

“Camie spilling the wine on Eiji” he started with this nickname but upon seeing Katsuki's face quickly added “Ro” Katsuki rolled his eyes and charged again. 

This time Katsuki ended up on top pinning Izuku.  “Do you just think the worst of everyone?” Izuku's face fell. Did he? “She was drunk for fucks sake” He was still pinning him and his grip was only getting tighter. 

“What about Toru Hagakure?” Katsuki had to have known about the assault. 

“Who?” His face was distorted. Of course, he didn’t remember. 

“She hit Camie” He watched the recognition strike his partner's face. “She wouldn’t have just done that unprovoked.” Katsuki was still on top of him getting closer by the second it felt like. 

The blond stared at him long and hard before finally pushing himself up using Izuku’s chest for leverage. “You’re impossible.” Nonetheless, he still helped Izuku up. 

“Let’s just talk about something else” The grumpy boy mumbled. He really did want to spend time with Katsuki, it just seemed like lately they couldn’t have any real conversations without a screaming match. 

“Isn’t this what our conversations are supposed to be about?” Katsuki raised a questioning brow “Plus I’m not the one who brought it up” He had him on that one. 

“It seems like you’re doing just fine without my help” It was a jabbed but it was also a painfully true statement. Izuku had agreed to help and had been barely any help at all. “I’ve heard talks of plenty of dates you’ve been on” He threw his arms out “trust me” It was sharp. 

“Are you jealous?” Izuku looked at him. He couldn’t say no. He found it so hard to lie to his Kacchan. 

To get around it he told a truth in its place. “I just want what’s best for you” He looked down at the floor, feeling defeated in more ways than one. 

“Is Eijiro not what’s best for me?” He said it in a way that begged for Izuku to scream no. To claim him and run away from everyone else. But how could he say no to that? Eijiro was an amazing person and leader. Izuku was a jealous, possessive, stalker who still had unresolved feelings for his guard ex-boyfriend. 

“He is” It was a whisper of his mouth but it hit both boys like a waterfall of bricks. 

“I think so too” He heard the intentions behind the prince's words. It wasn’t a place of love for Eijiro. It was from a place of resentment for Izuku. 

Izuku could feel the tears on his cheeks before he registered the effect the conversation had reaped on his nervous system. 

He turned to walk away before it was noticeable by the other. It was painfully obvious, however, how much of an idiot crybaby Izuku was. Katsuki had always pointed it out about him. 

This time he didn’t. 

He let Izuku walk away from him. 

“I’m gonna go wash up before dinner,” He said, trying to keep his wet voice at bay 

“Okay,” There was regret in Katsuki’s voice that Izuku couldn’t hear through his own hurt. 

All he heard was finalization. 

Katsuki was done with Izuku. 

————

He threw on whatever slacks and button-down he could find for dinner. He felt like he was in mourning. 

He sat through Ochaco and Mina’s shrills over their retelling of the party last night. 

He listened as Eijiro described how Katuski helped him get rid of the purple stain. 

He watched as Camie rolled her eyes at her back-fired plan. At least at that, he could feel some joy. 

He mostly picked at his food. 

Tenya at some point leaned over. “Still experiencing a bit of illness from last night’s ventures?” Izuku must’ve still looked like shit if Tenya was pointing it out. 

“Something like that” He honestly couldn’t tell if the alcohol or his sour mood was affecting him physically more. 

“You know” Tenya turned closer to him in his chair “My brother has the perfect hangover cure I can share with your maids if you’d like” Tenya spoke to an absent Izuku. 

He couldn’t pay attention to anything but the man walking in the door. 

Katsuki had somehow gotten away with casual clothes for dinner tonight. The group hardly ever saw him without his white princely suit. 

Tonight he looked normal . Of course normal on Katsuki was still acres above anyone else’s best. 

He was wearing a deep green collared shirt. The arms were unbearably tight on his huge arms. If he and Tenya had to compare Katsuki’s arms would probably still be twice as big. His legs were covered by baggy black slacks that hit him right above the ankles, just above black high-top shoes. He adorned the same silver bracelet he always wore over his pale wrist. 

“Izuku” He felt Tenya shove his ribs. “Ah, I see,” Tenya said as he looked up. 

Izuku hated being rude but he couldn’t miss a moment of the show Katsuki was giving everyone. When he sat down most people continued eating. 

Not Izuku. Not a few others. Izuku was feeling dejected. Confused. Momo and Kyoka looked like they were going through their own battle. Even Camie looked too disappointed by the play out of her evil plan to try and stick her breast out for the prince as she usually did. 

Katsuki started eating without a word, looking conflicted himself. Everyone followed suit and it was evident that the few who were in bad moods were affecting the overall vibe of the entire meal. 

As they finished up, they were free to do whatever. Some turned in for the night, others wanted to play games or chat, or simply just didn’t want to be alone. 

He people-watched, and he analyzed like always. Denki and Eijiro were in high spirits and had convinced Shoto to play games with them. Ochaco had gathered a small group of girls for a sleepover. The more reserved crowd like Tenya and Momo said their goodbyes. 

It was as he was looking around that he realized 2 more people had left sometime after the party. Again, Katsuki hadn’t even mentioned a word. Minoru Mineta and Mezo Shoji were both gone, indefinitely. 

It should’ve been him. 

He’d probably follow suit soon. 

While observing what move Camie would make he noticed Katsuki looking at him. 

There was something behind his eyes. 

Izuku had analyzed and admired Katsuki harder than anyone in his entire life, but when that look covered the blond's face it was like he was looking at a stranger. 

He looked almost apologetic. 

He had nothing to apologize for. 

As if he could hear the gears turning in Izuku's mind, he carefully raised his fist, signaling he wanted to talk. 

Izuku wouldn’t do this to him, it wasn’t Kacchan. 

Kacchan didn’t do things he didn’t mean. 

He wouldn’t let him apologize. 

Izuku shook his head “no” and stood up to exit, not looking back at the gut-wrenched face of his friend. 

He was annoyed with Katsuki, yes, but he couldn’t be mad at him. 

Katsuki deserved the love that he wanted and that was Eijiro. 

And that was fine. 

It was fine. 

fine. 

fine. 

fine.  

Izuku flinched at the feeling of his fingernails digging into his calloused palms. 

When he approached his door, angry, hurt, and resentful, he was faced with the familiar sting of home. 

Rody stood there, strong, consistent. 

Katsuki was an explosive, ever-changing, hot-headed ball of unpredictability. 

Rody was a wall of sturdy brick. 

He was in a place of hurt which is what made him act out. And he would come to regret it later in his story. 

He allowed himself to brush, carefully brush, his bare fingers against Rody's gloved ones. He heard his breath hitch. 

He linked his pinky into Rody’s, gently pulling him with him as he pushed open his door. 

“Izuku” he warned. 

“They’re all at dinner” It was all it took to convince the love-struck guard. 

They fell into his room, silence enveloping them. 

Rody had seen how upset he had been over Katsuki last night. He had seen them together late at night giggling. He had the right to question Izukus's heart. 

“Do you love him?” 

Did Izuku Midoriya love Katsuki Bakugou? 

The answer was always yes. 

Even moments after leaving the castle there was a small ember in his heart that always flamed for his friend. 

He couldn’t have that anymore. 

He didn’t deserve that anymore. 

While telling lies to Katsuki always seemed like an impossible task, looking Rody in the face and saying one didn’t seem to be on the list of things Izuku deemed impossible. 

He looked up at the taller boy as he moved closer. “No” It came out moments before he was letting Rody kiss him. 

They kissed and kissed and kissed until breathless and tired. 

With each flick of the tongue or bite of a lip, Izuku felt more and more horrible. 

This wasn’t just seeking refuge in someone else’s lips. 

This was purposefully hurting someone he cared for. He was unapologetically hurting Rody. 

Above all else this was treason. 

He pulled back with a pop. “I’m sorry” he felt his heart rate high from anxiety rather than lust. “We shouldn’t be doing this.” 

“Izuku” Rody grabbed his face but Izuku pushed him away. 

“No, Rody” He closed his eyes so he didn’t have to face another painful expression he caused today. “This is illegal” He opened his squeezed eyes. 

“No one will figure it out Izuku” Rody grabbed his wrists this time. “After you get eliminated I won’t see you for a really long time.” 

“Maybe that’s a good thing” He whispered as Rody teared up. 

“Why?” 

“Maybe we need to learn to grow without relying on the other” 

“I like relying on you” 

“You don’t have to rely on me anymore Rody” The guard looked dejected “You’re a Two” 

Footsteps outside sent Rody out the door without a finishing word. 

Izuku threw up 3 times after that. Not from the alcohol. 

He woke up to the sound of his maids running around his room as usual. 

Honestly of the long list of people he didn't want to see the maids surprisingly aren't on that list. 

He stayed quiet just admiring them from afar for a bit. Mei was a genius, that much was just a fact. The way her mind created such miraculous pieces while calculating what others would do was beyond comprehension for most people. It was almost a shame that people like her could be everywhere but would never fully get to use the full of their power due to their class. 

His stepfather for example was one of the smartest men he knows. Looking at the books in Katsuki's room the other night had sparked memories from long ago. Toshinori had read him a book. His head pounded at the thought. They had been banned but he was certain he had been read one, shortly before Eri was born. 

Did his father break the law often?  

No, his father was good. 

He shook the thought away. 

From there he started watching Melissa. She was so reminiscent of his mother that it hurt. He just knows if he could get them in the same room they would hit it off. He hoped that one day she could too find love and go experience life outside of the castle. 

Then there was Hitoshi Shinso. He covered himself in a facade of humor and annoyance but Izuku could see through it. Izuku also often threw up facades. Hitoshi was lonely. Izuku wondered how he got here and if the job really fulfilled his creative needs. 

“I can hear you mumbling” The same boy he was thinking about said. It made Izuku flinch. “You need to get up soon it's almost 10 and you are required to go to lessons” Izuku still didn't speak up even though it was incredibly obvious he was wide awake now. 

He was tired of his pretending. He would go to this lunch and pretend to be happy, and pretend to not be jealous, and pretend he didn't commit treason last night, and pretend he and Katsuki only met just a few weeks ago, and pretend he fit in as a five in a sea of twos and threes, and pretend his closest friend in the competition wasn't keeping a massive secret from him, and pretend Camie isn't a massive bitch, and pretend, and pretend, and pretend. 

He must have shown the frustration in his tired face because Melissa soon came up to him and laid a hand on his forehead. “Are you feeling okay, Izuku?” No. He wasn't feeling okay, but it wasn't due to a fever or virus. 

“You sick?” Mei finally spoke up from her pile of mesh fabrics.

He could use this out. Let everyone else go do their usual routines while he stayed here couped up in his room. “I-I think I may be coming down w-with something” It wasn't a total lie he did feel horrible. 

“I'll write a letter to Mr. Aizawa and tell him you're staying in today” Izuku could cry at those words. “And we can have your meals delivered here”. Melissa finally took her hand off of his, maybe slightly warm, head. 

“We gotta grab a few things and then we will head out for the day,” Hitoshi said dismissively. Oh, yeah. He guessed it made sense that if he was getting sick they wouldn't want to be around him. 

He stayed silent for long enough that Mei came over to him. She whispered so that the other two couldn't hear her. “Listen” He sat up in his bed. “If you just want to play a little hooky and want some company to join you it's okay” His eyes widened. 

“I can hear you” Hitoshi mumbled. Izuku shot him a glance over hoping none of them thought he was weird or suspicious for wanting to skip. “But she's right” He threw his thumb over to Mei. “We won't snitch if you just want to chill with us today.” 

He smiled for the first time since that night in Katsuki's room. “I would really appreciate that”. 

And so they did. 

The four misfits spent the entirety of the day together playing games, painting, sewing, and telling old stories. He had learned and bonded with Hitoshi over his late father. He informed Izuku how when his dad died he had been left underaged and alone as a 6, which would typically deduct someone down to an 8, ending their life as they know it. Since he was helpful and had grown up with some of the staff Shouta Aizawa had legally adopted him and allowed him to continue his work. He said they didn’t interact much but Izuku was struck with how caring the stoic man actually was. Adoption across classes was almost never heard of and yet the man had reached out and helped a hurting boy anyway. He found a new place of fondness in his heart for the teacher. 

Melissa had explained that her father Dave had simply left her here one night, he had been a guard and when she was just a small child he had left here with one of the other maids he knew explaining that it was for her own safety. Her eyes were wet as she told the story and Izuku held her hand tightly. 

Finally, Mei had worked her way here. He wasn't surprised by that by any means. She was talented and deserved the position she was in. He thought about how great of a Three she could’ve been. Threes were full of inventors and scientists and she had just the brain for it. 

The hours passed quickly and he found himself being rejuvenated by the light conversation. These three right here were the only three people in the castle to which he could (almost) completely let his guard down. He hadn’t realized how tight his shoulders had been and slouch he had carried in his back until he finally got to relax. 

They didn't leave until very late that night, and Izuku had no reason to complain about it. He promised them he would attend all his lessons tomorrow and thanked them for being cool about his apprehension to participate today. The two strong-headed maids left quickly but Izuku could tell there were tears in their eyes as well during the goodbye. They had needed this as much as he did. Melissa, unafraid to show her gratitude left him with a hug. 

“Thank you for treating us like people, Izuku” Melissa left before he could even say a word back. 

It was horrible to imagine what the maids who took care of people like Camie or Neito had been forced to go through. 

He let the thought carry him as he drifted into a, finally, peaceful sleep. 

He slept like a rock for what felt like hours, however, when he woke up to alarms blaring the clock said it had only been a couple hours. 

Alarms blaring. 

Another rebel attack. 

As soon as he realized what was happening Rody pushed his door open and ran to him. 

“They are already inside we need to go” Izuku couldn't move. They were already inside? The previous attack had been quick and painless. They had caught the group before they got in and the damage had been minimal. Whatever this was he could tell was more vicious and scary. “Now” Rody grabbed him. 

At the same time, his maids burst through the doors. Why were they here? They needed to find shelter just as much as he did. “Izuku!” Mei wailed. They had come for him. “You're such a deep sleeper” He realized that Mei Hatsume, the strongest woman he knew, was sobbing. She had a tight grip on Melissa’s, also sobbing body. “We didn't know if you'd hear it” She wretched out. 

They had risked their lives to make sure Izuku got to safety. 

Hitoshi pushed him towards Rody. “You need to go to the royal shelter now Izuku” What did they mean by him? 

“You aren't coming?” Rody was pulling him but Izuku was just as strong as his counterpart. 

Melissa's sobs increased from fear of what was to come “We aren't allowed down there” Choked out Mei. 

“Please just come with” He was sobbing now too. He wouldn't leave behind the only people that really felt like they were on his side. He was once a six and no one here, not Camie, not Momo, not goddamn Katsuki Bakugou, had any more right to safety than these three. “ PLEASE” a guttural scream ripped from him. 

“Izuku they can't” Rody stood gripping him. He whipped his head towards Rody in anger. The guard should know better as a five. 

“You of all people” He gritted out “You should know” It was all it took for Rody’s grip to loosen on his arm. The freckled hands reached out and grabbed Mei’s torso dragging her with him. “You are coming or I will stay in this room and die alongside you” Her face shifted. 

For once she was quiet, just shaking her head okay. 

They were running out of time as Rody eagerly led them all down to the shelter. 

Of course, people eyed them as the large crew entered the safe haven, but he didn’t care. He found Ochaco in the corner alone and ran to her. She was sobbing as well and it seemed like there were very few dry eyes around. 

He had thought that she was scared but instead of acknowledging him as he sat, she grabbed Rody’s arm instead. “Is she okay?” She cried out to the guard. He currently had Melissa under his arm as she kept her head tucked into his chest. Typically this kind of gesture would rub Izuku the wrong way but it was endearing that the two were finding comfort in one another. Was Ochaco asking about their other floormates? He looked around to see that all three girls, Momo, Kyoka, and Camie were down here so it couldn't have been that. 

The guard looked at her sadly and then looked back at Izuku as if to see if he caught any of their secrets. Rody knew something going on with Ochaco that Izuku clearly didn't. “I dont know” She too wrapped herself in his arms, lips quivering. Rody stood strong between the two girls as he himself fought off tears of his own. Hitoshi, Mei, and himself sat silently against the cold, stone wall. 

While he observed, he noticed the royal family sitting where they had last time, while Katsuki made his rounds to check on people. He looked much more distressed about this attack than the last one so Izuku must have been correct in his guess that this rebel crew was a different group of people than the last. 

He finally made his way to Izuku's little entourage and Mei instantly began apologizing. Izuku hadn’t even thought of the possibility that bringing them down here could get them in trouble. 

“Prince Bakugou I am so sorry we have intruded” It was the most formal he had ever heard the girl. 

Izuku Immeadietly butt into the conversation. “I- I made them come down here please” Katsuki turned to Izuku and bent down in front of him, knees buckling onto the hard floor. “Please don’t f-fire them” 

Katsuki suddenly reached forward, as Izuku flinched, worried he might be about to take his anger out on him. 

Instead, he was being shoved into the prince's chest. 

“W-what” was all he could manage to mumble out. 

Katsuki didn't let go. “I don't give a damn that they are down here” It was quiet and warm against Izuku's ear. He felt himself shiver at the closeness. “I just care that you are safe” Izuku, who hadn't been hugging back immediately embraced the other, holding him close. 

Mei, being the only one else to hear the conversation looked stunned at his dismissal of her presence. “I-I am safe” he confirmed to Katsuki. 

“After we fought, and then you didn't show up today I was” His voice cracked and Izuku was thankful for the darkness and scattering of contestants so that they couldn't see the vulnerability that he got to appreciate. “I was scared I would never see you again” They were both crying. 

Rody suddenly stood up, looking directly at the embracing boys. “I just got confirmation that we are all clear” To Katsuki it looked like professionalism on Rody's face but Izuku could tell there was betrayal coated on it as well. “Sir it's probably best if you return to the King and Queen” Again it sounded normal to Katsuki even though it was nearly a threat. 

Katsuki reached out and rubbed Izuku's arm one last time. “Name?” Izuku looked up to see his hand was outstretched towards Mei. 

Mei looked stunned but still quickly met his handshake. “Mei, sir” They shook “Mei Hatsume” He gave her a cordial nod. 

“Thank you for taking care of Izuku, Mei Hatsume” She was baffled at his casual use of her name. He stood to leave the group “I owe you one” 

As he left he heard Mei whisper “ Oh my fucking God” and Izuku could actually laugh at the nature of her awe amidst the horrible situation. 

The laughing stopped quickly after that. 

When the large group entered the hallway where they spent most of their time, it was a horrifying image to see. 

Across the walls written in bright red paint was 

The League of Rebels will end the ignorance of the class system

It seemed just like the last rebel group this one also hated the system put in place across the nation. 

However, this group used horrific and violent approaches to conquer their goals. 

It was barbaric. 

The scene didn't stop there. When he entered his room he had to keep from sobbing. 

His mattress was thrown over, chairs split in half, the suit they had been working on all day torn up and burnt. It was heavy for all of them to witness. 

Without a word, Izuku did what best he knew to and started picking up the broken pieces. 

In the tornado of wreckage there still laid the feather. He quietly laid it back on his desk.

It seemed the representation of his old flame refused to go down without a fight. 

—-------

The next day was eerie and weird. 

People seemed really thrown off by the events and a handful even showed up to lessons in simple jeans and t-shirts. 

This was highly frowned upon but Mr. Aizawa seemed shaken up as well. Although, for the students who didn't know he was a softy, it may have seemed he was just as usual. 

Like last time they were ordered to write home and let loved ones know they are safe from any harm. 

He reassured his parents once more but it felt much different than the last. Last time felt like a fluke, this time felt like a warning. 

It was nice to write with everyone, watching people's brows furrow and hands scribble over the cardstock. Mina had even asked him to draw a cartoon on the back of her letter for her older sister. You could tell in the gesture how much she cared for her. 

“Could you also put her name at the bottom” She had asked. “It's Nejire” He drew it in swoopy bubbly letters and handed it back. She let out a smile for the first time all morning. 

After they all finished up, some sooner than others, like Camie who had just written “I’m fine” and sent it off, Aizawa cleared his throat to make another announcement. 

“If you all haven't noticed yet” Izuku had noticed though. Three more were gone. “Setsuna Tokage, Pony Tsunotori, and Itsuka Kendo have all left the competition” Izuku was saddened by the mention of Kendo's name. She had been kind to him. “They left on account of their safety and Prince Katsuki would like to extend that offer to anyone else who wishes to leave as well” Izuku could hear Camie laughing as if to make fun of their fearfulness. Izuku shot her a glare. “We can now go on with lessons as plan-” 

Mr. Aizawa was cut off by someone entering rather abruptly. It was Katsuki? He shouldn't have been here, he had never interrupted one of their lessons. Whatever he had to say must've been important. 

Mr. Aizawa bowed to him as he arrived closer. “Sir” He spoke as he stood up straight again. “You were supposed to be attending a strategies meeting during the contestants less-” 

“I have an announcement” He rather rudely cut off the teacher. The man stepped back to give the prince room to speak. 

Everyone stared at the blond, not knowing if good or bad news was about to spill from his lips. After last night it felt like everything could change at a moment's notice. 

Katsuki cleared his throat looking nervous “As you all know from last night's attack there is something severe going on between rebel groups and the monarch” He looked up and made direct eye contact with Izuku. He gave him an encouraging nod. “For the safety of the contestants and their loved ones, I have decided to start the Elite part of The Selection, effective immediately” 

Everyone gasped at this. They were informed that The Elite part of The Selection was when only ten contestants remained in the competition. That meant that seven, seven , people were being cut right here, right now, publicly. It was brutal but Izuku could understand why it may be necessary. 

“I will now call the names of the Elite” Izuku saw his friend's hands were shaking. His heart was pounding a million miles an hour. He had yet to put any thought into The Elite. Had he wanted to be a part of that? No, he had to be a part of it. He wasn't ready to leave, not yet. “Camie Utsushimi” It was annoying to watch her gloat but Izuku remembered why she was really here. “Tenya Iida” Izuku watched him sigh in relief. “Momo Yaoyorozu” She elegantly nodded her head and Izuku watched Kyoka’s lip quiver from next to him. “Denki Kaminari” Eijiro pat him on the back but was holding back his own tears. “Eijiro Kirishima” He watched the boy wipe his hands on his face in relief. Izuku had been so busy watching he hadnt even realized they were halfway through and Izuku had yet to be called. Ochaco sitting on the other side of him had already begun to cry. “Ochaco Uraraka” She let out a shaky wet sigh and he squeezed her hand as she looked at him sad, something hiding behind those brown eyes. “Shoto Todoroki” The boy simply nodded and then took another sip of his tea. “Mina Ashido” The girl smiled brightly. “Kyoka Jirou” Izuku turned towards her and was met with a face just as stunned as his. From Katsuki’s comments the other night it made it seem like he wasn't a fan of Kyoka. She must’ve felt that way too because she was shocked at the news. 

One last person. 

Eight people watched each other as they fought for the 12.5% chance that it would be them that stayed. 

Izuku continued eye contact with Kyoka as she looked deep into his saddened eyes. 

“And finally” 

Izuku realized at that moment that he wasn't sad to leave the castle. 

He wasn't sad to leave Ochaco, or Kyoka, or Tenya, or Shoto. 

He wasn't sad to leave Rody.

Izuku Midoriya was sad to leave Katsuki. 

“Izuku Midoriya” 

Izuku let out a sigh that carried the weight of the world as Kyoka let out a sly smirk at him. 

The crying started instantly. 

Yuga Aoyama, Tsuyu Asui, Mashirao Ojiro, Hanta Sero, Fumikage Tokoyami, Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, and Kiniko Komori were being sent home. Right now. 

All The Elite could do was sit and watch as they were escorted out. 

5 of the six handpicked contestants were still here being, Shoto, Denki, Camie, Momo, and Tenya. Whether this was an order or by Katsuki’s true desire was undetermined. What Izuku did know though is for some reason Katsuki wanted Ochaco, Eijiro, Kyoka, Mina, and himself here by his own accord. 

Why was he here? 

What were Katsuki’s true intentions. 

Before Katsuki could quickly leave the room Izuku forced eye contact with him. 

Izuku raised his fist and the other gave him a brief nod. 

He would get to the bottom of this once and for all. 

—--------

Katsuki came hours later. 

Izuku continued cleaning his battered room as he waited.

He took a bath. 

He ate dinner in his room. 

He waited. 

Finally, there was a knock at his door. 

He opened it to find an exhausted Katsuki. He quickly pulled him in, worried for his friend. “Are you okay, Kacchan?” He was still holding the wrist and made a quick decision to let go. 

“Am I” Kastuki paused in confusion. “Okay?” He acted like no one had ever asked him that and as Izuku pondered, it was possible that no one ever had. Izuku pulled his friend into his chest which was slightly awkward as Katsuki had about 5 inches on him. The tall boy gladly crouched, however, and nuzzled himself into the nape of the green-haired boy's neck. It was far more intimate than they had usually been. 

They stayed there for what felt like an eternity until Katsuki pulled back making Izuku feel colder than before they had ever touched. “I came to apologize,” The blond said frankly. 

“Apologize?” The boy looked at the prince confused. 

The prince scratched the back of his head and kept his eyes on the floor. “Yeah, I uh” He looked up. “I talked to Eijiro earlier and he told me the same thing as you” Izuku clearly still looked confused so Kastuki continued, “He said he felt like Camie’s slip up might have been purposeful as well” He let out a sigh. 

“Ah” was all he could think to respond. 

“I'm sorry I didn't believe you” He nodded in finalization. 

“I wouldn't have believed me either” Izuku forcedly chuckled back. 

Kastuki sighed in relief at the end of that conversation and looked around his torn-up room. “Anyway, why did you summon me?” Katsuki wiped some dust off the shelf and then wiped it onto his pants. 

“I- Um-” Izuku was already a stuttering mess. “Can we sit down?” 

Katsuki reached out his hand in a lead-the-way gesture. 

Izuku guided them both to the edge of his mattress. 

“So I know you likely kept Camie, Shoto, Tenya, Denki, and Momo as a part of the deal with your parents” He waited for Katsuki to nod in affirmation, which he did. Izuku let out a silent prayer that Camie wasn't being kept for ulterior motives. “That leaves, Mina, Ochaco, Kyoka, Eijiro, and me as your picks?” He ended his sentence with a question and Katsuki shook his head in affirmation a second time. “Mina and Ochaco I'm sure were kept for their high standings with the nation” Another nod. “Eijiro has obviously been a front runner for you personally the whole time” Katsuki picked at his lip in between his teeth instead of nodding. When Izuku understood he wouldn't be getting a straight answer on that one he continued. “Kyoka is a bit confusing but I can understand how you would want to keep her over some of the others that were left” The nodding started up again. “But that leaves me” 

It hung in the air between them. 

“You're bleeding” Was what Katsuki responded with. 

Izuku shook out of his train of thought. “W-What?” He looked down at Katsuki’s gaze to see that, at some point during the conversation, he had picked the skin of his finger, causing it to bleed profusely. 

He stood up quickly in embarrassment “I-I'm sorry” Katsuki shoved him back down and went to retrieve a tissue from the bathroom. Izuku's hand shook as he waited. 

Rather than hand the tissue to the other Katsuki sat closely next to the boy and picked up the bloodied hand. He laid Izuku's large hand in his lap and gently wiped the blood from his finger. He had never seen him be so soft. 

“You're wondering why you're here?” It was a question but it came out as a statement. 

Izuku just nodded along. 

When the blood was cleared, Katsuki didn't remove his hand. Instead, he slowly ran a hand up the crooked fingers, admiring the scars and callouses. Izuku held his breath at the tingly sensation building in his gut. He slowly moved to intertwine the two boys' hands, waiting to see if Izuku would pull away. 

When he didn't the prince let out a shaky sigh. “Would you hate me if I was selfish?’ It was an odd question given the circumstances. 

“You aren't selfish” Izuku knew this to be true. 

“I want to be selfish” He wouldn't look up. 

“I-I dont understand” 

He let out another sigh and Izuku wished he could just figure it out without burdening the blond to answer. “I know you want to go home” Was Katsuki sending him home now? “And I know you miss your mom” he chuckled. “How could you not?” Izuku couldn't laugh along, his throat was closing shut. “I know you are just here for the money” IT’S NOT TRUE he wanted to scream. “But” No no no no. 

“ I want you here” 

The air left the room. 

Both sat waiting for the other to move. 

“You want me here?” He had to make sure it was what he had actually heard. 

At some point in the conversation, their hands had forced the rest of their bodies to move inexplicably close to one another. When Katsuki finally turned his head towards the other their mouths were no farther than six inches apart. “Yeah,” He whispered and Izuku fell closer as he felt the warm breath leave the other's mouth. “I dont want you as a coach” He felt Katsuki grab his other wrist, turning his whole body towards him. It felt like his heart would explode any minute now. If either moved too much they would slam right into the other. “I want you here ” As he said it he laid Izuku’s hand on the prince’s lean waist. “As a contestant” 

Izuku could count the seconds after he spoke. 

Katsuki unwound their hands and slowly traced up Izuku's arm, causing his breath to hitch and his face to turn an even darker red. The prince’s hand landed on Izuku's neck, cupping his jaw. His thumb reached up and lightly, so lightly , brushed against Izuku’s plump lip. This gave both boys an unbearable desire to close the gap. 

So they did. 

Izuku pulled Katsuki’s hip at the same time Katsuki grabbed his neck. 

They smashed into each other's lips with heated aggression. 

Whatever words they couldn't find the courage to say were said through the pulling and sucking of each other’s mouths. 

This was unlike anything Izuku had ever felt before. 

With Rody, it was soft and homely. 

With Katsuki it was hot and passionate. 

It felt like years of yearning were being pushed out in one giant blow. 

Hands roamed anywhere they could find. 

It only lasted seconds.

There was a knock at the door. 

“ Fuck” Katsuki growled as he pulled away. Izuku ached at the feeling of oxygen in his lungs. He didn't need to breathe if he could have Katsuki back in his mouth. “Shit,” The crude boy said again. “I'm not even supposed to be here right now” He stood up to grab the door and head out leaving Izuku struck on the bed alone. “We will finish this conversation later,” Katsuki said as he answered the door. Izuku could only sit there smiling. 

“Sir” It was Rody, because of course it was. Izuku’s smile faltered. “I’m just doing room checks after the attack last night” Katsuki just nodded as Rody took his position in the room. 

Being completely alone with Rody in this instant felt entirely too wrong. 

After a brief moment of silence, he spoke, “You didn't used to lie to me” He must've seen Izuku’s flushed face and swollen lips. There was no denying what he and Katsuki had been doing. Izuku remained silent as Rody walked closer. He took notice of the feather still lying on the desk and took it between his fingers. “Did he make you do it?” He must've also been aware of the rules of The Selection. 

Izuku had to speak up to this and defend Katsuki’s character. “No,” He said it confidently and with no room for misinterpretation. Rody was still walking closer to him. 

“Don’t lie this time” Izuku knew what was coming. “ Do you love him ?” His soul ached at the feelings in his chest. 

“I-I dont know” He felt small and disgusting. 

“Do you love me?” Rody was his family at this point. 

“Of course I do” The guard continued his path forward. 

It was almost too late when Izuku realized what was happening. As Rody’s mouth made his way towards his own Izuku stepped back. Rody squeezed his eyes in pain at the rejection. “I-I” Izuku was trying to be brave with his words. “I think I need to give The Selection a chance, Okay?” a single tear flew down Rody’s cheek causing Izuku to stutter even more “I-I-Its just like you said” He felt bad throwing words back into the other's face. “We dont really know what the other wants” Rody reached out to grab Izuku’s arm and he let him. “We were simply there ” The close proximity had to do with a lot of their love for one another. “Now that we can live and grow let’s just try to take some time apart and see where that leads us?” Rody nodded his head stepping back. 

“I'll fight for you Izuku” Izuku hadn’t been expecting his words to be retaliated against. “You can have your prince for however long he lets you, but as soon as this is all over you're mine again.” Rody went to move toward the exit knowing he had been here for far too long for just a room check. “When he uses you, and discards of you I'll be right here to catch you as you fall, you got that?” 

Izuku just shook his head in agreement, too shocked for words. 

Before Rody opened the door he turned back. “I love you” 

Izuku fought hard to say it back, he had said it not too long ago. 

“I know” He whispered. 

With one last painful look, Rody left the room. 

Izuku was here. 

The least he could do was try. 

Chapter Text

Song rec: Back to friends (Sombr) 

Part Two: Cygnus 

Izuku observed the constellation he had now learned was Cassiopeia. 

He connected the bright stars with lines in his mind and imagined they were much closer to touching than they actually were. 

From far away, the stars may appear close or even connected. But in reality, they were light years away from each other, maybe not even being truly aware of the existence of the other. 

A hand obscured his view from the picture he was painting in his mind, pointing slightly south from the original position. “That one” the hand traced around a vague shape of a bird. “That's Columba” 

Izuku squinted trying to make out the shape. “Wow,” He mumbled once it fell into a frame for him. “What does that one mean?” He finally turned towards the expert. Katsuki sat with him in the garden for most of the night. Izuku had mentioned how he was wanting to start another painting of the garden soon but this time at night and the prince had insisted on teaching him the constellations so he didn't “Fuck it all up” 

They had just gone over Casseopeia, to which Katsuki explained it was a symbol of love. It had left both boys slightly bashful and the blond had been quick to move onto the next. They also had identified Cygnus, which was the constellation of hope. Katsuki seemed more protective over revealing the meaning of this final one in particular. 

“Columba is my favorite actually” Izuku watched those crimson eyes be filled with a reflection of stars. He ached to learn in the same way Katsuki got to. He wanted to read , to understand, to expand his knowledge of the world that lived before him. He had brought a notebook out with him to scribble down everything the other said. He wanted to eventually show his father and more importantly, he didn't want to forget himself. 

Izuku propped his head up on his palm as he turned to face the other on the blanket they had been sharing. “Let me guess” Katsuki angled his head to listen. “It's the symbol of arm muscles and hair gel?” Katsuki’s restful face twisted into one of annoyance as he shoved his hand into Izuku’s speaking mouth. Izuku grabbed his wrist and tried to pull it off as he mumbled through the gaps in his fingers “Loud music and spicy food?” Katsuki gave his head one final shove. 

“Do you even wanna learn about this shit?” Suddenly Izuku felt awful. Katsuki realized he was only joking right? He hurried over, leaning his head over the prince’s field of vision. 

“Of course I do, Kacchan!” The childhood nickname slowly erased the pout that had formed on the blonde's lips. “I wanna learn everything Kacchan will teach me” he grinned down at his friend, loving how red he was making him from the closeness. Izuku decided to go easy on him and laid back down on his side of the blanket. 

“It’s the symbol of peace” The boy whispered, still clearly feeling embarrassed. Izuku looked wordlessly at his shallow breathing. Katsuki, the prince of Yueei, one of the most confident people Izuku knew, had suddenly given Izuku a whole new perspective on him. 

Katsuki viewed peace, as he viewed the constellation. Something far off, unattainable, light years away. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, but in this moment Izuku realized just how much this country must actually mean to the prince. Maybe somewhere in that calculated brain of his he too wanted a change for the nation. 

“I think that’s my favorite too” He whispered. They sat for multiple more minutes in silence, letting the scenery do the talking for them. “I wish I could've kept learning with you,” He was referring to all the lessons he got to attend until he had to leave the castle. The only response he got to this was a deep sigh that carried through the quiet air. He sat again for a few minutes before bravely speaking up a third time. “I always wondered” He sighed, scared of the topic he was bringing up. “What the true intentions of making us leave that day were” This finally forced a response from the other. 

Katsuki sat up quickly and Izuku dragged his own body up as well. “What do you mean?” Katsuki said it calmly but Izuku could see a faint erraticness behind his eyes. It read less as what do you mean and more as what do you know . 

“I just mean we could've stayed here if you all really wanted us to” He was trying to sound factual, not pitying. 

“You know it's more complicated than that,” Katsuki huffed. 

“Well,” He swallowed, “One of my maids” He avoided making eye contact “Hitoshi Shinsou,” By the boy's reaction to the name, he knew where this was going. 

“That's different, Izuku” He was starting to get annoyed with the pestering questions. “Shouta took him in, so he could stay” He laid back down, clearly hoping it was the end of the conversation. 

“I just wish” He sighed “I don't know it just sucks we lost all this time together just because my mom got remarried” He found Cassiopeia again. 

Katsuki clearly frustrated blurted out “For fucks sake Izuku” He pulled his hand down his face in frustration. “It's not because she got married it's wh-” Katsuki quickly cut himself off but Izuku had already caught it. “Just” Katsuki tried to backpeddle. “Let's just be glad we get the time now, okay?” 

Izuku had gotten enough information for now and decided not to pry any further. He instead decided to abruptly change the conversation. “How’d you become such a nerd though?” Izuku teased, to try to save the mood. Katsuki, finally done with his provocation, shoved him down hard. 

“Says the nerd!” Katsuki fussed out. 

They laughed until all went quiet again. 

Both peered down to the other's lips. 

They had not spoken of the kiss since it happened. 

With Katsuki here, under the light of the stars, it seemed like there had been nothing more beautiful. 

Maybe Rody had once represented Cassiopeia. 

When Izuku felt the most lost and desperate, he turned to Rody to find love. 

But Katsuki was something more. Katsuki was his Cygnus. His hope. He had saved him and his family and was working harder every day to bring a new hope to the nation. Whatever small actions he could take to win he would. 

That left Columba, Katsuki’s favorite. 

Maybe Izuku could be the symbol of peace Katsuki needed. 

Maybe he could be the symbol of peace the nation needed. 

His mind slowly crept to the thought of a crown on his head. 

Drip Drip Drip

Kastuki shot up and grabbed Izuku's arm. 

“That's our sign,” He said rather anxiously as a small rainfall began. 

Izuku closed his eyes as Katsuki pulled him into the safety of the dry castle. Katsuki clung to Izuku as the freckled touch slowed his nervous heart rate. 

Hope. Peace. 

The staring, the longing. 

The quiet. 

Would Izuku ever get to taste those lips again? 

“Kac-” 

“Prince Katsuki!” He was interrupted. 

Both turned to see Momo walking towards them. Izuku had already been informed that the two had a date planned for tonight, but seeing Momo in her tight black dress with the low cut back caused his stomach to churn. 

It hurt when Katsuki quickly dropped his arm. 

Izuku was painfully reminded, yet again, that this was a game. They weren't just boys again. 

“I-I'll be going now!” He called out to pretty much no one. The two were already talking as Momo had an arm wrapped around Katsuki's. 

Reaching his door, Rody was already waiting for him. 

“It's pretty late” The obvious comment caused his blood to boil. Ever since the night he caught them kissing, Rody had been doing a rather poor job of trying to win Izuku back. 

“The stars don’t come out in daylight,” He was referring to the research for his painting, but honestly had no desire to explain that to the other. 

When Rody had no comment to the rather confusing answer, he let Izuku retreat to his room. 

Cassiopeia was light years away, but so was Cygnus. 

It had been a calm day at the castle so far. 

The remaining ten contestants had gotten somewhat close. Well, as close as you could be while actively competing against one another. 

They had all dragged through etiquette classes with Mr. Aizawa, rehearsals with Hizashi, lunch and dinners together with the royal family, and many more dauntless tasks that they weren’t used to. 

Today, they were learning proper penmanship as Mr. Aizawa had seen some of the letters they sent to loved ones last time and was mortified by their, so he called “Chicken scratch”. 

At least while they practiced this it gave them time to talk to one another and learn more about the people they'd been living with for nearly 2 months. 

They discussed their family members and siblings and traditions held within each family. 

Izuku animatedly talked about his two younger siblings and their love for the outdoors. He also felt brave enough to bring up Togata and how some of his and his father's work can be found around the castle. He learned that Denki, Eijiro, Camie, Kyoka, Momo, and Ochaco were all only siblings. It wasn't uncommon for the upper classes to only have one child. They needed fewer hands working to stay afloat. Shoto briefly discussed his older siblings, Natsuo and Fuyumi, fondly, however, by the way he talked of the oldest Todoroki sibling, it seemed like they had an even worse relationship than him and Togata. 

Tenya had an older brother, which everyone already knew since he was equally as famous as his counterpart, and finally Mina talked about Nejire and her identical personality to her sister. 

It was nice to learn more about everyone, but it left a feeling of dread for the next elimination. 

Denki and Mina were in a rather heated discussion about which person's cursive “B” looked better when suddenly everyone quickly quieted down. 

Izuku was very involved with trying to weave his mother's name in one swift motion to look up and notice who had walked in. He could feel his tongue poking out of the side of his mouth in concentration when Shoto elbowed him hard in the ribs. 

He bit his tongue at the jostling and playfully shouted “ Sho!” With a swollen tongue. 

When no one laughed and Shoto didn't even bother looking at him, Izuku realized that Mitsuki Bakugou had entered the room and was now staring at him very unamused. 

He quickly stuck the swollen muscle back into his mouth as Aizawa reprimanded him silently with a side eye and spoke up, “Queen Mitsuki”. The contestants stood to bow at her. “To what do we owe the honor?” 

Mitsuki smiled a fake fake smile and sat at the end of the table, everyone else following suit. “I just came to observe the behavior, ” She was looking directly at Izuku and he threw his red face down in shame “Of our Elite.” Even Mr. Aizawa looked nervous. “You may all continue discussing whatever you were discussing. I will just be here.” This did not reassure anyone and even Momo and Camie looked anxious at the words they had been mouthing moments ago. 

Minutes of agonizing silence passed by. Only the sounds of scribbles on paper could be heard for a long long time. 

Someone cleared their throat and a few couldn't help but gasp at the intrusion of peace. 

Momo Yaoyorozu held herself elegantly as she began to speak directly at the queen. Mitsuki waited but Izuku couldn't read her face. “Your Majesty” It seemed Momo had a good start since a cocky smile spread across her face. “I was” There was a slight stutter as the nerves got to the brave girl. “I was wondering if you could” She looked to the others for support, however, she was receiving very little from the cowering bunch. “If you could tell us about your Selection” 

You could hear a pin drop on the marble floor at how much silence enveloped the room. 

Everyone held their breath as she stared deep into Momo’s eyes. Izuku was impressed by the eye contact Momo managed to give back. Momo was regal, mature, but behind her eyes Izuku could almost see a challenge. Izuku saw how Kyoka's eyes widened at her friend's quiet undertones as well. 

“Of course” You could hear the tension leave the room as a more genuine smile crossed the Queen's face. “What would you all like to know?” She was clearly deflecting as she gave the panic-stricken audience the floor. 

Momo looked around for help and surprisingly Tenya spoke, “How long did the duration of your selection last?” It was a mild question to test the waters of how intimate she was going to be with them. 

They watched as she seemed to do some mental math, “It was close to six months,” Wide eyes looked at each other from around the table. They were a little over six weeks in and were already down to the Elite. Izuku couldn't imagine spending that long away from his family. 

“Wow,” Momo spoke up again, “You must’ve been best friends with your maids at that point.” She said half-heartedly. 

The two couldn't help but whip their heads towards each other. Mitsuki stared at him almost frightened? Izuku stared at her back sullenly.  Both broke eye contact as soon as it happened. “Sure” Was her only answer as Izuku felt the knife twist in his back. She had almost sounded remorseful at how it had all played out. 

“What was your wedding like?” Mina spoke a little too loudly from the opposite end of the table. 

Mitsuki must've been warmed up enough to their company because she didn't seem to mind the lack of acknowledgement to her title or the ill-mannered phrasing from the pink-toned girl. Instead she smiled. “It was gorgeous” She lit up. “My entire family attended, the King wore a suit of gold,” She was staring off, clearly reminiscing. “My dress,” She couldn't help but glance towards Izuku again. “My dress is still the finest thing I’ve worn to this day”. The dress his mother made out of pure love for her best friend. 

Izuku tried to discreetly wipe his eyes. 

Louder chatter started at the talk of the wedding. More questions about parties and balls and what kind of cake she had. Some of the contestants were even throwing out ideas for their own. 

“I would definitely stick with vanilla,” Chimed in Momo 

“I wouldn't let anyone below class Three attend” spat out Camie. 

“I think a formal dance would fit nicely at the reception,” Argued Tenya. 

Izuku sat there blankly. 

A wedding. 

He had been certain in November that he would be getting married to Rody, yet he had never pictured or even dreamed of a wedding. It never seemed attainable to the two boys. Since Izuku had made it to The Elite, he was considered a Three from here on out. Now with Rody’s status change as well, it all seemed possible again. 

Would he and Rody have had a large ceremony in an old church building, would he have worn all white as he walked down the aisle? Would there be a three-tiered cake with stark white frosting dripping from its sides? 

Whatever it would've been felt wrong now. 

What would his palace wedding look like in the castle? Everyone seemed so sure of their decisions and fantasies. When Izuku tried to picture it, he only saw one thing. 

Katsuki. 

Ochaco bit her lip next to him. She hadn't spoken up once about the topic. Even Kyoka, who Izuku had learned was in love with Momo, had told the table how she would have her father walk her down the aisle. Ochaco was clearly struggling as much as he was. 

As the chatter continued, Ochaco cut everyone off, “How” It came out slightly louder and more aggressive than she had meant. She lowered her voice. “How did you know you were in love?” 

Eyes cast themselves from Ochaco to the queen and back again at her bold question. 

“I didn't.” 

No one moved. 

“But Masaru did” It felt like she was being honest for the very first time. 

“Sometimes all it takes to fall in love is for the other person to show you what love is” She stood abruptly after that, chair screeching against the floor. “I will be going now” Everyone watched as her slim body elegantly walked away from them, as quickly as she had come. 

“ Show you what love is?” He heard Ochaco whisper. 

“I don't believe you need to be in love to be the King and Queen anyway,” Camie spat, somewhat annoyed at the conversation they had just had. It was clearer now than ever that she was here for the crown and the crown only. 

“I think her story was nice,” Said Eijiro, and Camie glared back at him. The two hadn't gotten along since the birthday party incident. 

“Alright everyone” Aizawa broke into the conversation again clearly wanting to avoid any altercations between the stressed bunch of ten. “You all are dismissed whenever you wrap up your letters.” 

Both Ochaco and Izuku seemed to take this opportunity rather quickly, Izuku wanting to ask his maids a question on something they would be talking about on The Report and Ochaco clearly in disarray from the conversation. 

When they stood at the same time, Ochaco gave him a frightened glance to which he tried to return a friendly smile. He needed to find time to talk to Ochaco alone before the girl fell apart. He could explain to her that Katsuki makes exceptions for people here for money and wouldn't be upset with her for not being head over heels with him. He offered out his arm and as her shaking body walked with him he whispered out “Do you want to tell me anything?” 

He kept his eyes forward, never knowing who might be listening. 

“Izuku” It was broken and wet and barely audible. He squeezed her arm tighter. “I messed up-” They rounded the corner, frightened by the two guards walking towards them. The four members nearly smacking right into each other. 

“Sorry!” Izuku squeaked out as he grabbed Ochaco's arm to steady her again. He looked up to her only to see an expression he couldn't put a name on. He looked up to see just who they had run into. 

“ Himiko?” 

“Ochaco?” 

“Izuku?” 

“Tamiki?” 

Everyone spoke at once. 

When Izuku was younger, Tamiki had been Togata’s friend, he was a son of one of the guards. 

From the looks of it, he had taken that route for himself and now was standing smack dab in front of Izuku. 

Fuck.  

Ochaco, and for that fact, nobody knew about his past, and according to the majority, Tamiki should certainly not know Izuku. 

“Himiko?” Tamiki said secondly to his questioning of Izuku. 

“Tamiki?” Then asked Ochaco.

“Himiko was our guard for a while” Izuku addressed Tamiki’s concern first, trying to distract him from the fact that Himiko had not even tried to acknowledge him as well. “And uh” He stared at an unhelpful Tamiki who was quite shy and not a people person. “I met Tamiki one of the first nights during his patrol,” Ochaco and Himiko both seemed to buy the lie. Or maybe they were just too busy staring at each other. Izuku did recall that they had become pretty good friends until Rody took her place. 

“Ochaco” Himiko said quickly, clearly not worried about Tamiki and him having a reunion of sorts. “Did you still need me to talk to your maid about that one thing?” 

“Wha-” Ochaco caught on to their rouse a little late. “Oh!” She looked at Izuku who was giving her a suspicious look. “Yes come with me!” She grabbed Himiko’s hand and tore them both down the hallway. “I'll catch up with you later, Izuku” she said without turning back. 

Being alone with Tamiki was awkward and quiet. While he and his brother had been very close, Izuku can't recall a single conversation just the two of them had ever had. 

“So” Izuku shifted back and forth on his feet. 

“Do you still talk to Togata?” Tamiki, rather aggressively spat out. 

Izuku, a little taken aback, stuttered. “Uh n-no n-not really” It felt horrible to admit out loud, especially to his old friend. Tamiki searched his face like he was looking for some lie hidden between the freckles on his cheeks. 

“You haven't talked to him since you came here?” He sounded suspicious of something Izuku may or may not know. 

“No” Izuku was leaning back from how close the other had gotten. 

Tamiki must've decided Izuku was telling the truth because he leaned back and relaxed, “T-that’s a bummer” He was back to the shy kid Izuku remembered him by. 

It was really weird to see him lash out like that. Had him and Togata had some sort of falling out, like him and Katsuki had? Had they talked since Izuku had come here? 

“Yeah, it is” and it was to Izuku at least, Togata he would never really know. 

“Well I-I better g-get back to it” Tamiki said as he turned around to walk opposite of Izuku. 

“O-Okay” He stuttered right back. 

It was like Tamiki changed his mind on something as he turned back one last time. “You should” Izuku waited as the boy pondered on what he wanted to say. “You should contact your brother” 

Izuku didn't have time to answer before the guard was walking away again. 

Izuku took out a piece of cardstock from his stationary once he got back to his room. 

Dear Togata, 

He blanked. 

It didn't matter because moments later his maids were arriving to his room for fittings for The Report later that week. 

“Get ready to strip down!” Hitoshi loudly shouted as he entered the room with the door still open. Izuku quickly shoved the cardstock under a pile of clothes, feeling a little embarrassed. 

“L-Lets do it” He tried to play it off. 

There were a few moments of silence as the crew got out all their supplies for the suit fitting. Upon seeing Melissa, thinking of her father, he remembered the question he had for them originally. “Hey” All three of them turned to him. They were all sixes so the question felt appropriate for them. He also wouldn't mind discussing the matter with Rody if they happened to see each other before Friday. You see that day in class, they were informed that they would be giving their opinions on Yueei’s military. Izuku had always seen the military as a class climbing ability. It was clearly aimed to get low-class people like him and Rody to give up their lives to serve the crown in order to become a two. The lower the class, the more desperate you would be to turn to draft yourself. The thing that was really bothering him, however, was the mandatory draft held every ten years. They would randomly draft men across the country, aging from 20-30, meaning it was practically unavoidable to not participate. However, the draft was only held between classes five, six, and seven, making it extremely exclusive. The fives were creative minds, sixes were industry workers, and the sevens were manual laborers, if anything, they were the most qualified for the job of a guard or soldier, but, what about their lives, screamed expendable to the crown. What made him and Rody more ready for the cruelties of war than, let's say Eijiro or Denki? He spoke again, “Do you agree with the drafting system?” 

It was silence that filled the air around the four. 

It was known, no matter what class, you did not argue with the crown. 

“Uh” Mei looked uncomfortable “I dont know if-”

“I mean don't you agree the abuse to the lower classes is sick?” He interrupted. 

Silence again. 

“Come on guys you know I won't say anyth-” 

There were knocks at the door. 

Mei sighed loudly at Izuku before moving to grab it. 

Katsuki was standing there and Izuku, for once, still had all his clothes on. 

He would resume this conversation with the others later, he guessed. 

“K-Kacchan?” He moved towards Katsuki as he made his way into Izuku’s room uninvited. 

“Izuku,” He nodded his head, “Mei,” He nodded towards his maid who actually blushed at the acknowledgement. “Hitoshi” Hitoshi clearly didn't know Katsuki was aware of him because his jaw was damn near on the floor. He stopped short of Melissa.  “I dont think I have been introduced to you,” He stared at the small girl who looked like she was seconds from fainting. 

Izuku quickly went up to her side, grabbing her shoulder to introduce her. “This is Melissa Shields” Melissa stuck out her hand to which Katsuki shook more gently than he usually did. 

“Dave's kid?” He asked. Izuku was shocked that he would recognize her from that. 

Melissa seemed embarrassed by her father's abandonment of the castle as she did a small shake of the head rather than answer verbally. 

Katsuki didn't seem bothered by the relation to the guard. “It's nice to meet you,” He smiled down at her before turning back to everyone, “It's nice to see you all but I'm stealing the nerd for a bit” He grabbed Izuku’s wrist, pulling him nonconsensually. 

“Wah-chan!” Izuku screeched as he was being dragged through his own room. He could hear his maids snickering which only made him blush more. Katsuki opened the door as Izuku hurriedly told his maids he would be back later. “Where are we going Kacchan?” Izuku said both eagerly and suspiciously. Both boys had relaxed from their aggressive pulling, but Katsuki still hadn't let go of the wrist of the other. 

“Shut your trap and you'll see” Katsuki said, somewhat aggressively. 

“Are you okay?” Katsuki tensed before relaxing again. 

“Yeah” he coughed “Sorry” he inaudibley mumbled out. 

“I-it’s fine” Izuku said worriedly.

“Just be quiet and trust me okay?” Katsuki gave him pleading eyes. 

Izuku just nodded along “Okay” 

They walked for several moments, Izuku's wrist still in hostage, until they arrived back to Katsuki’s quarters. 

“Y-Your room?” Izuku said somewhat nervously. Last time they were here was when Izuku first realized just how attracted he was to Katsuki. He didn't know if he would be able to handle himself if they stepped foot in there again. 

“No” Katsuki spoke without clarifying as he looked around for any witnesses. Izuku tried not to be slightly disappointed by the lack of invitation into Katsuki’s sleeping quarters. “I need you to promise me something” Katsuki turned his attention back to the curious boy. 

“Of course!” Izuku refused to break the trust of his friend ever again. Whatever Katsuki was showing him, Izuku would keep to himself. 

The blond playfully rolled his eyes at Izuku’s, too excited, answer. He shoved a hand through the green curls as the shorter boy patiently waited for the reveal. 

Katsuki looked around one last time. “What I am showing you is only known by 4 people, m’kay?” Izuku nodded excitedly. “The king, the queen, Rumi, and I” He turned to face the wall, confusing Izuku. Suddenly Katsuki reached to a small place on the wall that Izuku realized was slightly miss colored. When the man pushed in on that area, the wall itself pulled back. “Hurry” Katsuki grabbed Izuku’s arm and pulled them into the space that had fabricated from the once plain wall. 

“K-Kacchan?” Izuku abruptly realized where they were. He looked around in awe as he took in the sights and the smell of the room. He could already feel tears prickling the corners of his eyes as he moved his head from floor to ceiling. “What the hell is this?” He continued turning in circles, mesmerized by it all. 

“It's called a library” Izuku was bewildered by the amount of knowledge held in the room. From floor to ceiling lay thousands of books in different colors and shapes. Katsuki was moving through the room, gently brushing against different titles with his slender fingers. It was so easy to see that, just like Izuku, Katsuki was a giant nerd. 

“I” Izuku sniffled. “I can't believe it” He slowly reached up to a red book with gold accents. He pulled it out carefully, seeing that it had to have been hundreds of years old. “Why” He looked up to see Katsuki already smiling at him. “Why did you bring me here?” He opened the book to run his fingers down the yellowed pages. 

Katsuki moved closer, taking the book away from Izuku and setting it on a table. He leaned in close and brushed a curl from the freckled forehead. “You said you wanted to learn.” Katsuki’s fingers brushed against his ear before pulling away again, too soon. Izuku pathetically leaned into the touch as it left. 

“I love this,” He felt a tear escape, but he was too busy looking for the next book to open “Thank you” He turned around to see Katsuki flushed, but happy. 

“Yeah, yeah” He shoved him “Tell anybody and you die” He moved to search for his own book. “And hurry up, we only got an hour before I have to go”. Have to go these days was code for have a date. Izuku tried to let it slide off him so he could focus on the entirety of the library. 

“I” He looked for something to stand out at him. Something to scream read me . “I dont know where to start” There were books that were small, large, colored, gold, how was he to pick? 

“You liked learning about the stars?” Katsuki said it almost curiously rather than factually. He wanted to know if Izuku actually enjoyed the other night as much as he did. 

“I did,” He said cautiously, “But” Katsuki’s face fell a little clearly hoping Izuku was as interested in his fixations as he was. “I like when Kacchan teaches me,” Izuku grabbed under Katsuki's chin to watch the red creep up his neck. 

Katsuki panicked for only a moment before swiping his hand away, “Nerd” He mumbled before walking back a few steps to gather himself again. 

Izuku was enjoying the flirting, but he sincerely wanted to leave here with as much knowledge as possible so he cleared his head and got to work. What was something he was curious about? He thought back to before he came to the palace. Art? No, he knew a decent amount of art history just from his mom and step-dad. History? Yes, but they do have weekly lessons on it, and asking Katsuki directly about his family's corrupt background might not be a wise choice. Think Izuku he begged himself. He thought about the chilly night, the day before he found out he was selected. October 31st. 

“Do you know what New Hallows Eve is?” Katsuki turned to him a little quickly. Izuku hadn't heard anyone but his step-father talk about the holiday. 

“Halloween,” Katsuki said moving closer suspiciously. “That's what it is usually called” He grabbed Izuku’s wrist and pulled him to a distinct section of the room. 

“I would like to learn about that,” He said as Katsuki was already reaching for a book in mind. 

“How do you…” Katsuki trailed off a little bit before slowly handing the book over to Izuku.

“My step-father talked about it once, I think” Izuku said absentmindedly as he caressed the smooth edges of the dark green book. 

“ Course he did,” Said Katsuki under his breath, but Izuku was too busy finding somewhere to sit and read it to care. 

Izuku found a wooden table where he and the prince could both sit. “Die” Izuku read an unfamiliar word “Ree?” He turned to Katsuki who looked more serious than he had a few moments ago. 

“Die” Katsuki corrected. “Uh” Izuku watched his mouth move. “Ree” He opened the book for the other. “A diary is like a journal a person can keep over their own lives and thoughts” 

“Diary” Izuku whispered. The name under it was all too clear, however. “Shigaraki’s diary?” He let go of the book in fear for the words that may lie in it. 

Katsuki grabbed his hands and guided them back to the book. He momentarily got distracted and turned Izuku’s right hand over. “Your hands are rough,” He ran his fingers parallel to Izuku's crooked and calloused ones. 

“Sorry” Izuku removed his hand to lay it back on the book leaving Katsuki looking disappointed. “It’s from painting” Katsuki cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the book. “Why” he turned the first page. “Why did you give me All For One’s diary?” All for one felt easier than spouting the cursed name of Shigaraki. 

Katsuki moved to where their thighs were touching. “I’ve read all the books in here” Izuku stared at him stunned. He was extremely jealous and equally as impressed. “That's the only one that I can remember mentioning Halloween.” 

Izuku instantly dived in as Katsuki perused some of the fictional sections. So far the book was mostly details about his life, what he ate for breakfast, him and his brother playing in the gardens, a solemn section over the death of his mother.  It had almost been the full hour and Izuku had yet to find the Halloween section. 

“Here!” He accidentally yelled out loud when he came to it. “S-sorry” He apologized once he remembered they were in a secret place from the look on Katsuki’s face. He moved closer to sit back down and hear what Izuku had found anyway. 

Izuku read the passage aloud 

October 31st, 

Halloween

Mother says this is one of the last Halloweens we will celebrate as a nation. She said it’s ridiculous to hand out candy to young children who didn't earn it, especially if all they did was dress up in idiotic costumes. 

We would phase this out along with the many other traditions of the nation. 

I quite liked dressing up and I know my brother Yoichi always enjoyed the sugar-filled treats. 

I will miss you, Halloween.

Both boys sat silently with the words. 

“Halloween sounded amazing,” Izuku spoke sadly. It seems that Prince Shigaraki had once been just a boy like Katsuki. Izuku wished he had more time to keep reading but the hour was up. 

He turned to see Katsuki’s gears turning in his head, looking like he wanted to say something. Instead, he checked his watch, “I have to go now,” he sighed. 

Izuku frowned down at the book. This had been one of the best moments of his life and it was fleaing too fast. He shut it softly as if he was trying to memorize the weight in his hands. “Okay,” He finally said as he stood up to put the book back where it was found. 

“Deku” Katsuki stopped him before he could walk away. “You can” He paused deciding long and hard about his next statement. “You can keep it for now” Izuku felt his eyes pop out of his head. “If you want” Katsuki looked even more unsure than Izuku. 

“I would love to!” Izuku yelped before Katsuki could even finish his sentence. 

The boy stared at him fondly in return. “Come here,” Katsuki gestured him over closer. 

Izuku moved slowly, getting closer and closer until the both of them were nearly toe-to-toe. Katsuki brushed another curl from his face but left his hand lingering this time. He slowly cupped his hand around the freckled nape of his neck in a similar fashion to when he kissed him the other night. Katsuki was gonna kiss him again . The prince used his other hand to drag down his body, landing right on his hip. He had been in a simple shirt when Katsuki came to pick him up so he had easy access to sneak a thumb beneath the fabric. Izuku’s breath hitched when the, slightly sweaty, hands touched the bare skin of his hip bone. 

Izuku found himself leaning in as Katsuki’s eyes fell to Izuku’s lips. He felt Katsuki slightly turn his hand and pushed the tips of his fingers just barely beneath the waistband on his pants. 

Izuku got less than an inch away from Katsuki’s lips when suddenly Katsuki dropped the hand from his face and grabbed the book from his hands. He used the hand in his waistband to pull his pants out just enough to shove the book right between his pants and his boxers. 

“ KACC-” Izuku screamed as Katsuki slapped a hand over his mouth to muffle it. 

Katsuki kept his hand on Izuku’s mouth as he hunched over to die of laughter. Izuku stood there like a fool with the first King of Yueei’s diary stuffed against his di-

“Oh that was priceless” Katsuki giggled out, hand still over Izuku's mouth. “I mean you really wanted to kiss me,” Katsuki was having a hard time catching his breath. 

Izuku, feeling particularly childish and very much embarrassed, decided to protrude his tongue out and onto the prince’s hand. He licked a fat strip across his palm. 

Katsuki pulled away quickly in disgust, laughter leaving the room completely. “ DEKU” He panically wiped his wet hand on Izuku’s chest. 

“That's what you get for messing with me” He stuck out his tongue one more time for good measure. The taste of him filled his mouth. “Why's your hand so sweaty, anyway?” He wiped his tongue with the back of his hand to get the salty taste off his buds. 

Katsuki, who was still wiping off the now nonexistent spit, said back in a more childish and more mocking tone, “ Why is your face so ugly?” 

Izuku could only roll his eyes at the horrible comeback. He tried to de-wrinkle the shirt Katsuki had made a mess with “You know you're the one who kissed this ugly face.” He looked up between crossed brows. There it was. They hadn't discussed the kiss until now. 

Katsuki was red and still pouting from the previous events. “Yeah and you're the one who hasn't done it back” Izuku stopped moving. 

“Done it back?” Katsuki moved them from the library and shut the secret passage again. 

“Well yeah” He shrugged. “I kissed you, balls in your court” Izuku still felt stunned. 

“Well how is that fair?!” How could Izuku know when it was appropriate to kiss Katsuki? They were told the prince would initiate everything. 

“What's that supposed to mean, nerd?” Katsuki guided them slowly back to Izuku’s room. It was a nice gesture considering Izuku knew how to get there on his own. 

“Well how do I know you’re not just kissing everyone else first? Only making me do the work,” Katsuki squinted at him, “Everyone else gets to sit back and relax,” Katsuki looked clearly annoyed with him. “I heard the story from Tsuyu,” He felt himself getting annoyed as well.
“Sure seemed like you were the one doing the kissing” He smacked his lips.

“I'm not kissing people” Katsuki shot out. 

They had made it to his room finally. “What do you mean?” Oh god, had Kacchan gone farther?

“What I just said” He sighed when it was clear Izuku wasn't following. “I kissed Tsuyu and then I kissed you” He reached up to pick at something between his teeth. “And Tsuyu was because I hadn't ever kissed anyone and she seemed nice enough to not care” Izuku’s heart was pounding. A part of him felt relief, joy even. Those lips hadn't seen many people and hadn't seen anybody twice . And as for the rest of Katsuki's body, it had yet to be explored at all. 

“Wow” Izuku’s bad habit of speaking before thinking hit an all-time low “You're a virgin!” He said loud enough for Katsuki to throw him into his room and slam the door behind him. 

“Can you shut the hell up?!” He stared at Izuku in awe of his idiocracy. 

“S-Sorry!” He threw his hands out in front of him, scared Katsuki might actually try to kill him. “I spoke before thinking!” He scratched his head awkwardly. 

Katsuki let out a tsk and rolled his eyes as if that piece of information was obvious. After a few moments of awkward silence, left Izuku wondering why Katsuki hadn't left yet, Izuku moved a bit closer. 

As if Katsuki sensed this, he spoke up, “Besides,” Katsuki said, not making any eye contact. He was suddenly very interested in the painting on the wall. Izuku was currently trying to destuff the book from his pants. “Are you not?” Izuku made a confused face and Katsuki rolled his eyes before further explaining. “A virgin?” he huffed. 

Izuku damn near threw the book across the room reactionarily. “I-I” Words were suddenly extremely hard. The longer it took Izuku to spit out his words, the more panic-stricken Katsuki’s face was becoming. “No-No” Katsuki’s eyes widened. “No! I mean no, I haven't had um” His face was feverishly red as the word sex became foreign to him. 

“Sex” Katsuki finished, choking on his words a bit. 

“Sex” Izuku confirmed trying to stand a little straighter (ironic). 

Katsuki turned quickly, likely to hide his own face. “Cool” He instantly opened the door, trying to remain as nonchalant as ever. “I gotta go now” He said without looking back. 

“Right” Izuku confirmed again like they were having some sort of business meeting. 

Right as the door was about to close, Izuku spoke up again. “Wait!” Katsuki caught the door with his foot and peeked back in, finally giving Izuku the full view of his red ears and neck. “Who is it with?” Izuku asked quietly. He had to know who Katsuki would meet tonight, and would they be lucky number three? 

“Tenya” Katsuki nodded before closing the door finally. 

Izuku shook out the event that had just occurred, trying not to think of a virgin Katsuki underneath him, and picked up the book. 

He started reading. 

Izuku was lost in thought over the many things he had read in Prince Shigaraki’s diary. 

Low piano noises filled the background of his mind as he thought about Halloween, or the lack thereof. 

“Ugh, I am never going to get that part” Ochaco said frustratingly as she missed the same note she had been struggling with since they started practicing two hours ago. “Izuku?” 

Upon hearing his name, Izuku came back down to earth. “Sorry,” He grabbed her wrists and placed them where they should be lying on the piano. “There” he said and even he could tell he sounded absent-minded. 

“You okay Izuku?” Ochaco said keeping her wrists in the same place, like she was trying to memorize it for the next round. 

Her asking him this made him realize they were finally alone again and he could ask her about what's been wrong with her as well. He decided to flip her own question back to her. “I actually have been wanting to ask you that,” He turned to where he was now straddling the piano bench.

Ochaco also turned towards him, finally moving her wrists. “Something’s been bothering me.” She finally admitted. Ochaco was one of those people that didn't want people to know she was hurting. She put others first to a fault. 

“What is it?” He tried to sound open-minded and more present in the conversation than earlier. 

“I uh” Izuku could see the moment she turned from being completely honest to a change in heart. “How did you really know Tamiki?” She finally made direct eye contact with him. It was obviously a distraction from her true intentions, but if this is what it took to get her to open u,p Izuku would bite. 

“Oh,” Izuku said flustered by the comment. Nothing he said would sound completely believable except the truth. Could he trust Ochaco with this? Out of everyone here, if he had to tell the secret to someone, it would no doubt be her, but was he ready? 

“Izuku, please” He noticed suddenly that she was nearing tears. “I feel like no one's being honest with me lately,” She grabbed his hand. 

He didn't understand what she meant by that, but it was clear it had something to do with whatever she wouldn't tell him. 

Ochaco didn't want Katsuki, that much was clear, so she wouldn't use this against him as blackmail or anything. She also wasn’t one of the higher status classes, meaning he shouldn't feel embarrassed to tell her he had been a six before. 

“Okay,” He said confidently. 

And then he began. 

Izuku told her everything. How he was born in the castle, how his mother worked as a selected maid, how his dad worked in the kitchen and the garden. He delved into the complexities of growing up the prince’s best friend and the devastation of leaving people he considered family forever. He informed her on Rody, leaving out the part where he was currently here, how he felt things for him, but they couldn't possibly surpass what he had always felt for Katsuki. She remained quiet as he continued. He discussed how he hated him and met him the first night on accident. How he originally wanted to help him find a lover before falling into the trap himself. He admitted his jealousy and insecurities and his inability to ever fully move on. He finished the whole story, catching her up to what had happened when they kissed the other night. 

He looked at her nervously as he finally finished, catching his breath. 

“ Holy shit” She cussed out under her breath. “Izuku!” She playfully slapped him. 

“What?” he said meekly and unsure of what she could answer to all of that. 

“You are in love with him!” 

“Huh” Sure, Izuku was very attracted to Katsuki, but how did he know the difference between that and love? 

“I have never heard anyone talk with that much fondness about someone in my life,” She was giving the first genuine smile he had seen from her in days. 

“You know about love?” He only asked because she herself had asked Queen Mitsuki about it earlier that week. 

“I have been thinking and” She paused looking out into the gardens from the window they sat at. For the first time since they started this conversation, Izuku realized the guards were out there for training. She turned back as if she had made up her mind. “Giving someone another chance is the truest form of love” 

Second chances were practically his and Katsuki's thing. 

“I think you're right, Ochaco” 

They both continued playing, feeling lighter than they had earlier. 

—--------

It was the night before The Report and this one would be different than the others. This one they would be challenged to discuss politics. The topic was military, and after Izuku had expressed, only slightly, to his maids what he thought he realized he may have to shade his true feelings into a different color for a little while longer. He had decided he would mention how he felt everyone should be a part of the draft, but leave the emotional part about how the country treated the lower classes out for now. 

Everyone picked at their dinner as they sat around nervously. Clearly everyone was thinking about tomorrow, and Thursday nights had turned into this for them. A nauseating countdown to the live event. He was sitting next to Shoto and Eijiro and decided to ask one of them what they were planning on saying tomorrow. 

He turned to Shoto first, thinking he could probably get a slightly more intelligent response from the boy, but he was currently in a deep conversation with Denki about their respective family businesses. That left him with Eijiro. 

Only when he turned to the boy, he saw he was mouthing something, but no words were coming out. He tried to read the silent lips but was finding it hard from this angle. He followed the redhead's line of sight to see it lead right to Katsuki at the head of the table. 

Whatever Eijiro had just said made Katsuki shake his head yes with a slight smile. Eijiro turned back to Izuku a little startled that he was already looking at him. “Sorry man!” He threw a solid arm over his shoulder. “Did you need something?” 

Eijiro. Sweet as ever. “No,” Izuku said, pulling away slightly, disgusted. Eijiro did not deserve that treatment. But Izuku felt revolted at whatever secret conversation he and Kacchan had just had. 

They aren't the only two here that can have secret chats, Izuku thought to himself in a mocking tone. After a few minutes passed to make it a little less obvious to his envy, he looked up at Katsuki, waiting for him to make eye contact. 

Once he did, Izuku gave his best siren eyes and threw up a subtle All Might fist. 

Although Katsuki did seem allured by the look in his eyes, he shook his head no. 

No???? 

Izuku must've shown the complete and utter betrayal all over his face because Katsuki made a disappointed face back and mouthed the word busy . 

Busy. 

Busy???? 

Whatever Eijiro had asked him didn't seem like it was hindering any of the prince’s plans. 

Izuku didn't finish another bite before standing up to dismiss himself back to his room for the rest of the night. Tomorrow would be another day locked in his rooms with his maids before The Report. So he guessed if Katsuki wanted to see him he would just have to wait until Izuku wasn't busy either. 

He huffed and puffed all the way to his room until he was met with Rody Soul. 

Always at his door. 

Never a moment away from the painful and frustrating reminders of their unkindled love. 

Izuku tried to brush past him without a word but Rody knew him better than that. He grabbed his arm before Izuku could grab his door handle. 

The touch on his arm felt different. 

They hadn't touched in weeks. It felt foreign. 

He instantly relaxed from his anger. 

Izuku never felt these feelings of anger and frustration towards Rody. 

Rody was easy. 

He thought back to Ochaco’s words. 

He had given both Rody and Katsuki second chances. 

But maybe they were in different ways. 

Izuku let Katsuki in. 

Izuku let Rody through. 

Katsuki got to see sides of him never seen. 

Rody got to experience things with that others may never. 

If he was battling between the love of both boys, he may have to turn to Queen Mitsukis words instead. 

Who was going to show him what love is?

Izuku fidgeted with his fingers backstage. He had spent the entirety of the day a nervous wreck. Answering questions about your love life seemed like a walk in the park compared to what they were about to tackle. 

Since there were only ten of them now, it felt much less easy to blend in, instead, every eye would be on you, taking in every word you said. Since this topic was much more serious, you could tell in the way people dressed that they were being serious too. 

Camie went first as she stepped onto the stage in a silk, black, floor-length dress. Going first was usually something Camie could boast about but tonight Izuku almost felt bad about her having to take the stage first. That was until she opened her mouth. In typical Camie fashion, she insisted that the draft happened more. She thought ten years was far too long and our military was far too small to defend against potential enemies. There had been growing unrest in the nation for years now, but Izuku couldn't see how anyone would think that was a real solution. 

Izuku stared at his polished shoes rehearsing what he would say over and over as Tenya left the stage in his dark navy suit. He gave him a light pat on the back as he went to take his seat in the audience. Izuku felt bad that he couldn't even give a synopsis of what the actor had said since he was so busy focusing on his own speech. He suddenly realized that being last meant everyone would be completely honed in to his words. 

He decided to look up and listen to whoever was next, which turned out to be Momo. 

Momo was hard to read sometimes. It was hard not to put her into the same category as Tenya and Camie given she was such a high-reknowned Three but then she befriended people like Kyoka and seemed to be down to earth in most capacities. He wasn't sure what side she would lean on for this debate. 

The answer was shocking. 

Momo proposed that women be allowed to join the military. Both voluntarily and by draft. Izuku was shocked but couldn't help but applaud her once she was done. 

Denki, Eijiro, and Ochaco all had similar ideas of mental health facilities and family centers being put into place to encourage more people to join, which was good but obvious. The royal family, nor the viewers wanted obvious. 

Shoto came up with a rather cunning idea of implementing large businesses, like his own, into funding the military so that fewer casualties would happen overseas. He had gotten the largest reaction from the crowd so far. 

Kyoka went right before himself and unfortunately, just like Tenya, his ears were ringing and his neck was sweating far too much to comprehend her statements. 

Just like that it was his turn. He looked down at the forest green suit he wore to make sure his sweat had not completely soaked through. 

He took a deep breath and went to greet Mic who was already waiting for him. 

The interview started off relatively relaxed to the point where Izuku almost forgot why he was here. That's when Hizashi knew to spring the question. 

“And do you, Izuku, have any ideas on how the nation can improve its military?” He leaned in closer and Izuku could smell the mint breath from his lips. 

“I believe I have an idea” He trailed off nervously. 

“Ah, I can tell right there that yours is going to be a crowd shocker isn't it?” 

Izuku swallowed nervously and looked into the crowd. For once, he didn't want to make eye contact with Katsuki. He wouldn't be able to say what he was going to if the ruby eyes met his. “I guess you will have to tell me” Izuku joked as he gestured to the audience of Twos watching live. 

“Do go on” Hizashi laughed. “Shock us,” He was enamored clearly not prepared for the bomb Izuku wanted to drop. 

“I don't think the draft should exist at all” 

Silence. 

Hizashi didn't even know what to say, which made Izuku realize he may have messed up. 

“Explain” It was the most serious the exuberant blond had ever sounded. Izuku peered at him prepared to see ferocity behind his eyes. Instead he looked curious to pick Izuku's brain. 

“I don’t think it's fair to underpay and overwork the fives, sixes, and sevens, only to expect them to be the sole laborers and servants to the country.” It was how he felt, and now the whole world knew he felt it too. 

Hizashi tried to recover from the awkward silence that occurred for several seconds after, but even he was taken aback by the severity of Izuku’s words. 

Izuku didn't remember much of the interview after that, and when he walked off stage, he felt the weight of half the nation he had just defended fall onto his shoulders. He had just made himself a vessel for the lesser's words, whether he had meant it or not. 

—------

Izuku didn't get drunk that night. He just watched the others. 

The talk tonight had him thinking of a specific memory, not the fond ones the castle usually brought to him. This one was about a boy who was only five or six years older than Katsuki and Izuku at the time when all three of them lived in the castle. Izuku was only three or four when the story occurred, so he couldn't remember the boy's name, only that Katsuki called him Hawks, because he liked to sit and stare at them. 

He was a son of one of the cooks, just like Izuku, only it didn't seem like Hawks and his parents ever got along. He would show up at places covered in bruises and Izuku doesn't think he ever spoke to him. He would just sit and watch. Like a Hawk. 

He was only a couple of years older than Togata and Tamiki, but even when Izuku would mention him to them, they couldn't recall who the boy was.