Chapter Text
“This whole thing is nothing but a big pain in the neck!”
Small dust specks blur the grand structure of the palace as gates scratch the ground beneath, opening wide in joy and celebration of the prince’s return. Five long years have passed since he left the capital, travelling, training, exploring, seeing the world. In other words, wising up before taking on any responsibilities as the next king. The thing is, Bakugou Katsuki, is a rather unique prince with an even more unique personality. Not to say that he didn’t enjoy his half-a-decade trip, in fact it granted him freedom that he didn’t exactly have when living in the palace.
Let’s just say Bakugou Katsuki is an impatient prince. Sometimes, well, most of the times, kind of grumpy and not very approachable. However, for some reason that even the prince himself doesn’t understand, his unapproachable demeanour doesn’t convince the young, beautiful ladies of the country to keep their distance.
“My Prince, I am so happy that you are back! Please choose me at the ball! My heart is all yours!”
“No, Your Highness, please choose me! Accept my feelings, my dear prince! I will gift you as many children as you wish!”
Many young ladies are hoping to capture the prince’s heart. A good number of people have moved to the capital from other cities in the kingdom, just to have a bigger chance at catching the prince’s eye. It’s true that members of the royal family often visit various parts of the kingdom but they reside in the capital, after all. So living in the heart of country is a step closer to being the chosen one. Even men eye Bakugou in a hopeful manner although they’re not showing as much fervour as the girls, perhaps from lack of certainty. After all, prince Bakugou has never said a single word about what he would like in a partner.
“My my, young Bakugou, is that the first thing you say returning to your country?” Voices Bakugou’s travel companion and supervisor, the man who took on the role of protecting and training the prince while away from the capital. Yagi Toshinori is also the Captain of the Royal Guards although he had the leave that duty in the hands of one of the head guards for the past five years.
“What do you want me to say? I’m tired, in case you hadn’t noticed, and all this yelling and cheering is not exactly helping. Can’t they do this some other day?”
“It’s because they love you, young Bakugou.”
Why? Why on God’s green earth do they? In Katsuki’s opinion, nothing he’s done has rendered him worthy of such blind trust. He’s not sure how to feel about so many people acting like his pores ooze amiability, kindness, warmth and all those other strange things. He’s nothing like that. He didn’t not even care much for etiquette in the past which, honestly, did get him in trouble with Her Majesty a couple of times. His mother is not really a fan of his rebellious tendencies although he’s been told that he takes after Queen Mitsuki in that aspect. So because of that, he tries to follow the protocol and code of behaviour around other people - he would rather not anger the Queen, at least not often - but within the solid walls of the palace, he is still Katsuki, the way he’s always been.
As a child and teenager, Bakugou was unlike any other member of the royal family; brave, resolute, discerning and he most certainly had a big mouth to complement the rest of his personality. His parents hoped that a long journey, learning about the world, about the people of the country, his country, would change him in certain ways. However, there’s also something Toshinori said that still - and will always - stands.
“I do not understand why the Queen complains so much, she’s barely changed after all these years and considering that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree..”
Well, that about settles it. Even so, Katsuki did learn. He may have complained that his journey had been boring and long and whatnot, but experiencing freedom in a way he hadn’t before, seeing how life is outside of the capital, did help him grow, just not necessarily in the manner his parents would like. That’s how he is, for God’s sake, let him be.
At any rate, his voyage did complete its purpose in a way. Toshinari said he looks about ready to return to the palace and take the next step, he’s prepared long enough for how to lead a kingdom. However, to look and to be are not really the same. He may look read but is he? He’s not sure.
“Welcome home, Your Highness. I am relieved to see that you have returned safely. Everyone has been expecting you with much excitement!” Before Bakugou got the chance to speak, Toshinori jumped out of the carriage that picked him and the prince up at the main entrance into the capital.
“Nighteye, my dear friend. I have missed you dearly. How have you been? How is the Royal Guard?”
“Captain.” Sir Nighteye replies firmly although not coldly. Despite his stagnant, expressionless face - most of the times - you can clearly read his moods in his voice. “I would love to stay and chat with you but priorities first. We need to lead His Highness into the palace.”
“No need.” Bakugou signals with a short hand movement. “I know my way around. You two can go and tete-a-tete like old friends or whatever.” Said the prince while making his way past the royal guards that came to greet him at the palace gates.
“Oh, young Bakugou, I will not be around for a short while starting tonight. Now that we are back in the capital I would like to go and pay my nephew a visit. I miss him dearly as well.”
“Do as you wish. Not like I care..” Came Bakugou’s short, tired reply from somewhere in the distance.
“He.. hasn’t changed much, huh?” Nighteye observes as he watches the retreating back of the prince he serves. Toshinori smiles knowingly.
“He has, actually. In mind, yes. In personality, not so much.” The blond explains as he stretches his limbs that went numb during the long carriage ride.
“Make it make sense, captain. If he had changed in mind, it would’ve been apparent in his personality too, am I wrong?” Nighteye pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, side-eyeing his comrade.
“You will see what I’m talking about, old friend. Give it some time. He just got here.”
Nighteye remained quiet for a good ten seconds before he sighed and intertwined his fingers behind his back. “If you say so.”
Katsuki takes slow, measured steps. An odd feeling is thickening the air around the prince and he has a vague sensation that it has to do with the fact that once he steps foot inside the palace, his life is bound to suffer some changes. They may be for the better for all he knows but over the past five years he grew attached to the freedom he was given and thinking he might have to give some of it up doesn’t sit well with Bakugou. Maybe he’s not fit to be a prince - a king - after all.
No.. He might go through rougher phases at times but Bakugou Katsuki does not doubt himself. He can’t. He will not.
Before any other thoughts reach the boy, he looks up. To say the palace’s garden is big is quite an understatement. Hedges of different shapes and sizes decorate the acres, the tallest of them mostly showing the way towards different entrances into the palace - Katsuki is on the main road, leading towards the biggest, most official, entrance into the building - flower vines can be found in various places of the garden and even climbing the walls of the royal palace, giving it a beautiful and captivating fairytale-like charm. On the right side of the garden lays a grand and round lake surrounded by palatial benches and light poles. Katsuki remembers having a perfect view of the lake from his room in the palace. There are also some abstract statues and several fountains that can be found inside the garden. Now, Katsuki wonders how he already passed the breadth of the garden as he looks at the - unnecessarily - big double doors, guards standing on each side of said doors, bowing towards their prince.
Katsuki sighs and then makes his way to the entrance, steps still calculated, the boy taking his time. Two security guards grab the knobs to let the prince inside. As the doors open, familiar marble floors and chandeliers invade Bakugou’s line of vision. Entering felt alright, nice and nostalgic even but hearing the clatter made by the doors closing behind him made everything real. He’s back home.
⸙⸙⸙
“Your Majesty, what is it that I can do for you?” Nighteye said, stepping closer to the thrones in the great hall.
“Nighteye, do enlighten me, please! Has my beloved son arrived home?” The Queen asked, irritation readable in her voice. If you let her tone sink in, you’ll realize that she doesn’t really need - or want - an answer. She already knows. She’s aware of everything that moves in the kingdom, so knowing what goes on inside the palace is a given.
“Yes, Your Majesty, he is home at last. Why do-” Nighteye paused. Realization visible on his features. “..Oh! Am I wrong to assume that His Highness did not show his face to anyone?”
Mitsuki does not even bother to hide her irritation. Masaru sighs and rests his chin cheek onto his palm. They’re happy and relieved that their son is back, they really are but..
“Five years and he doesn’t even bother to come and see us for two seconds. Seems like he hasn’t changed at all. That brat!”
“Mitsuki, dear, perhaps we should give him a day or two to be with himself and no one else. I’m sure Toshinori has informed him about his new responsabilities. Not to mention, the ball that we’re preparing for is right around the corner, now that the prince is back home.” Mitsuki considers her husband’s words but does not reply. She seems lost in her thoughts until another issue rises confusion on her delicate features. She looks at Nighteye.
“Speaking of Toshinori, where is he?”
“Oh, he asked for permission to go and visit family now that he is back in the capital. The prince allowed him to leave. He said he will come back soon.”
“That’s just great!” Mitsuki’s words drip in sarcasm. “Since my son couldn’t care less about greeting me after five years, I hoped that we could at least talk to Toshinori about their voyage together. Guess that will have to wait too.”
⸙⸙⸙
In a green and flourishing area near the capital, in a valley east from the royal palace, is a small town named Asamidori. It’s considered a trading town, some streets looking like huge markets, people buying and selling from sunrise to sunset. Well, Asamidori is close to a port town - where trading is even livelier and louder - so naturally markets also opened in Asa, as some people call it which is very fitting considering the town is situated in the east. On the main street of said town, where you can see dozens of stores on both sides of the paved street, there is one particular store that everyone in the vicinity knows of. Their goods are known for their quality and the people who own the store are known too, for their kindness and amiability. The wooden sign above store says one word: Midoriya. This one word, as everyone in the town is aware, is the family name of the owners. The Midoriyas are actually speculated to be one of the oldest families in Asamidori, one of the first families to settle in the town. Currently, the family consists of a mother and a son, both working at the family's store. They are known in Asa for their refined and detailed artwork.
They usually start working very early in the morning and close around seven, every evening, except for Sundays which are days off for the family. However, despite the CLOSED sign hanging on the door now as it is past eight, the door chimes sing loudly in the spacious store.
“Hello! I am here! ..Is nobody coming to greet me? My dear nephew? My lovely sister-in-law?” A gasp and then footsteps were heard from another room. A door opened and Toshinori was greeted by delicate, gentle features. Wide, kind eyes looked at the blond man with joy and relief.
“Toshinori, oh my God, you are back. I mean, I heard rumours today but I wasn’t sure. Oh my, I’m so glad to see that you have returned safely.” The woman speaks. Green and soft strands of hair frame her face beautifully and her smile is blinding, the wrinkles in the corners of her eyes disappearing.
“Inko, you are glowing as always. And do not worry about me. I told you many times, I always return victorious.” The man pointed to himself and smiled. Inko Midoriya sent him another kind smile and nodded.
“Please come inside.” The store is equipped with three doors. One leading to the storage, one outside and one right into the house of the Midoriya Family. “You must be tired after such a long voyage. Are you hungry? We have raspberry pies.”
Toshinori - who started walking towards Inko as soon as he got invited inside - stopped dead in his tracks. A shiver travelled his body and he swallowed.
“Good God, I almost forgot about those extraordinary pies you make. I’ll have as many as I can eat, if it’s that’s alright with you.”
Inko laughed softly.
“Of course, it’s no problem at all.” They both made their way inside the house and then directly into the kitchen.
“Oh, by the way, where is my handsome nephew?! Is he not home?” Toshinori asked while looking around as if a tuft of green hair was about to jump out of nowhere.
“Izuku is taking a shower right now but he should be done any minute now. He’s going to be very happy to see you.” The woman exclaimed with joy, almost singing the last few words.
“Oh man, I bet he’s all grown up now. Last time I saw him, he was doing pretty well on a sewing machine. I bet he’s a master now.”
Inko smiled to herself, her green eyes shining. “You have no idea. He’s had some great years, he’s gotten better at everything. I dare say he’s better than me now. You remember, back then, he used to sew and stitch for himself only. Now we have clients that ask specifically for him.”
Toshinori felt his chest tighten with pride. He is very close to his nephew, well he actually thinks of Izuku as his son, that’s how much he cares for him. To hear that he’s doing so well makes Toshinori incredibly happy.
“He can do everything. You name it, Toshinori. Simple dresses, blouses, evening gowns, gloves, hats, suits, jackets. Recently, he’s started adding little personal touches to shoes as will. His talent at drawing and embroidering is amazing too. At this rate, I’ll have to retire soon.” Joked Inko with a hearty laugh. “This store will prosper like never before.”
The short woman continued to talk about her son as she got some pies out of the oven and placed them on the table. Toshinori listened, discovering what Izuku had been up to in the past five years brought him nothing but pure joy. Inko might actually have to retire if Izuku is as good as his mother claims. Although the blond captain is not really surprised in a way. For a couple of generations, The Midoriyas have been known in the east of the capital - and even some other towns in the kingdom - as top class tailors and embroiderers. In fact, Toshinori wonders why the family never expanded their business. Midoriya is a pretty famous store here and there but that’s only because people visiting other towns spread the word.
“Mom? Who are you talkin-”
Toshinori turned his head way too fast. He heard a bone crack. In the kitchen’s doorway stood Izuku Midoriya, towel in his hands and green, wet curls almost covering his wide and equally green eyes.
“Young Midoriya!” Toshinori exclaimed with joy and got up.
“Uncle!” The young man immediately reacted and went to hug the man he always looked up to. The green-eyed boy always thought of his uncle as a hero. Being the captain of the Royal Guard, serving and protecting the country, the admiration he has for him is grand. Inko observed the exchange between the only two people she can refer to as family.
“When did you get here?” Izuku asked, excitement palpable in his voice.
“I just got here. I, and Young Bakugou, arrived in the capital today and I just knew I had to come here. I had to see you, kid. Boy, oh boy, you sure have grown, huh? Look at you. A real man.”
Izuku smiled shyly but nonetheless accepted the flattering comment. They both talked for hours, delicious pies and hair drying both forgotten. The two had a lot of stories to share with each other. At some point, Inko decided that she needs to get some sleep so she left the boys to talk to their hearts’ content. She’s aware that Izuku will be too tired to wake up when the store opens but Inko will let him sleep in. He deserves it for how much he works and helps her out, besides, it’s not every day that his uncle visits him.
“So, how long are you staying with us?”
“Agh, not long, Young Midoriya. I need to return to the palace soon. Nighteye is probably waiting for me, I bet he can’t wait for me to take back my responsibility as captain again. He’s been the captain in my place for five years, not exactly something he asked for but he is one of the people I trust most.” Toshinori spoke, shrugging as he stated the obvious truth. “Besides, the prince is still in my care and I’m sure the King and Queen want to know how our voyage went. Knowing His Highness, he probably went directly to his room without greeting anyone.”
Midoriya listened carefully to his uncle until he finished talking and then silence fell over the kitchen. It was comfortable though. Both men had one or two things to think about as they drank some tea and and occasionally tasted the sweet, fluffy pie Inko made.
“Uncle?”
“Yes?”
“I have something.. I would like you to give to the Royal Family. Some gifts. I always thought of, you know, sending something. I know people all over the country send things to show their admiration and loyalty, I just never really had the courage to do it, I guess.” Izuku voiced with a soft, almost inaudible, tone, round cheeks and constellations of freckles slowly becoming red.
⸙⸙⸙
Two days have passed. Two days since the prince returned and the country drowned itself in celebration. Two days of Katsuki just walking around the palace and Mitsuki growing more and more irritated with her son, whom she missed dearly, that doesn’t want to show his face. It’s also been two days of Nighteye waiting to be released from a position he never asked for. He got his wish when he heard one of the men guarding the palace's main entrance that the gates will be opening.
“And why are the gates of the palace opening, may I ask?” The green-haired man questioned the guard while pushing his glasses up his nose.
“Sir Nighteye, it appears Captain Toshinori has returned.”
Nighteye sighed.
“At last.”
⸙⸙⸙
“Yes?” The King answered in a firm yet somehow soft tone when powerful knocks came from beyond the immense doors of the great hall.
“Your Majesty, it is I, the Captain of the Royal Guard, Yagi Toshinori. May I come in?”
“Toshinori!” Misuki raised her voice in anticipation. She didn’t even wait for her husband to respond. “Yes, come in.” Not that Masaru minds much. He’s actually quite content with Mitsuki doing most of the talking.
A loud click flew into the room and one of the double doors of the hall opened. Firm steps clicked on the marble floor and continued until blond hair, nostalgic smile and loyal blue orbs eyed the thrones in the room.
“My King, my Queen. I am truly honored to see you both again after such a long time. Please excuse my sudden leave two days ago. I had to make sure the members of my family are safe and healthy.”
Both Mitsuki and Masaru smiled fondly at the man kneeling before them. Toshinori has been serving them for decades and they would both put their lives in his hands without a second thought.
“Well?” Mitsuki’s tone was soft. “Are they?”
“They are, Your Majesty. Thank you very much for asking. They are alright.” And with that, Toshinori stood up, looking at the King and Queen with a genuine smile.
“That’s very good.” The Queen replied, tone still so soft but becoming a bit impatient. Before she got the chance to continue talking, Toshinori spoke.
“Now, on to more important matters. I am sure you want to know about His Highness’ voyage and I am here to provide answers for everything you want to know.” The captain has spent way too many years at the palace. He’s learned to understand how the people he serves work. What their gestures mean, what the tones they speak with mean, what their facial expressions say. He understood the undertones in the Queen’s voice right away. He understood that she wanted to know how her son grew up in the last five years, if he went through any rough experiences, if he had needed anything and he wasn’t able to reach them.
They sent Katsuki to see the world for himself, to experience certain things himself in order to become a better man and in those five years they didn’t hear anything from their son. Which is something good actually. The Queen ordered for the two of them to contact the Royal Palace only in case of an emergency, for instance, the prince falling ill or one of them getting badly injured or anything of the sort. Not getting any messages from either Toshinori or Bakugou in those five years meant that they were alright somewhere out there. But Toshinori can tell that the two have been worried sick about their son, that much is obvious to anyone. So he told them everything. How the prince matured, how his explosive character is a tad bit more controlled now and how the experiences they went through had actually helped them both learn more about the world. The relieved expressions on the Queen and King’s faces only made widened his smile. As the King thanked Toshinori for taking such a heavy weight off of their hearts, the blond man remembered something else.
“Oh my, I almost forgot!”
“What is it?” The Queen asked, slightly alarmed.
“No, no, it’s nothing bad. I have a gift for Your Majesty. And for the King and also for your son.”
“Oh? Gifts, you say?” Mitsuki raised an eyebrow and Masaru also looked intrigued.
“Yes, Your Majesty. You see, my nephew is a very gifted young man and he asked me to offer you these gifts that he crafted himself.” Toshinori bowed, smile still present on his face. He’s incredibly proud of his nephew and he knows how talented Izuku is. He just hopes that the Royal family can see it too.
And they saw it, alright.
Hours later, Toshinori was walking down one of the corridors of the palace when he heard his name being called. His name came in strong, determined and excited waves that froze him in place. Yes, that was definitely an excited tone. If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve thought the Queen was out to get him fired or worse. But no, she definitely sounded excited.
He stood frozen in place until the Queen found him and as soon as her eyes landed on him, Mitsuki’s smile widened. The dress she was wearing made Mitsuki stand out so much that Toshinori was slightly bewildered for a good number of seconds before he regained his composure. Her gown screamed royalty and class from miles and miles away. The color of the gown being a blush pink, a dramatic and elegant silhouette created by the skirt of the dress - a long tulle skirt with beautiful overlays - falling down from the waist, billowy sleeves adorning the Queen’s arms, very detailed quality embroidery depicting a magical story across the dress - embroidered baby blue nightingales, white and blush pink flowers and petals and ink words decorating said gown. Mitsuki looks like she got summoned from a fairy tale-like world.
Toshinori still trying to collect his thoughts, his eyes scanned the multitude of artistic details. He knows Izuku is talented but that is ridiculous. Not even once did he imagine his dear nephew capable of such level of intricacy and the way the colors are melting together is a whole different story altogether.
“Hello? Earth to Yagi Toshinori?”
He blinked.
“Ah, yes? I’m sorry, Your Majesty. I got distracted. Please pardon-”
“Forget that.” The Queen smiled. “This nephew of yours. Do you think he will accept my invitation?”
Toshinori blinked again. “Invitation?”
“Yes! I would like him to become a tailor for the Royal family. Please, pay him a visit again, today if possible, and ask him that on my behalf. I want him to live here, in the palace. He will have everything he could possibly need, I can promise you that. Just bring him here.”
Her blindingly hopeful smile put the sun to shame.