#dkbk age-gap Izuku was 10 years old when he watched his village...
Elle Cross ✨@Ellecross0
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Dec 02, 2025
~20 min read
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#dkbk age-gap
Izuku was 10 years old when he watched his village burned. When all of the houses were burning, he couldn't do anything except tremble and weep.
He couldn't even save his own mother, whose last words to him were to run. So that's what Izuku did, he ran.
Izuku was 10 years old when he watched his village burned. When all of the houses were burning, he couldn't do anything except tremble and weep.
He couldn't even save his own mother, whose last words to him were to run. So that's what Izuku did, he ran.
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He ran and ran until Toshinori Yagi found him barefoot and nearly dying from exhaustion and thirst in the middle of the forest.
For the life of him, he did not know how how he was running. He didn't care.
For the life of him, he did not know how how he was running. He didn't care.
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His little feet were caked with mud and bleeding, Toshinori took him in, washed his feet, gave him new clothes and fed him.
Izuku could already read and write, but it's of his own language. So Toshinori taught him a different one, the same language that Toshinori spoke.
Izuku could already read and write, but it's of his own language. So Toshinori taught him a different one, the same language that Toshinori spoke.
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That was more than enough for Izuku, but Toshinori didn't stop there. He taught Izuku mathematics, science, history and when they're studying, Izuku would be solving puzzles on top of the tall linden trees in their forest instead.
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By this time, he had already accepted Toshinori as the father he had prayed for. Despite what happened, Izuku considered himself lucky that he survived and that he was given another chance.
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Izuku was 12 when he started wondering, what on earth did Toshinori do for a living?
There was an abundance of wild animals to hunt and plants to forage in the forest, so they had no problem with regards to their survival.
There was an abundance of wild animals to hunt and plants to forage in the forest, so they had no problem with regards to their survival.
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But once every month, Toshinori would run him through their procedure of 'what to do when Izuku is alone at home' and then Toshinori would leave him by himself for days. The length of days varied, but Toshinori would not be away for more than two weeks.
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And that was more than fine for Izuku. Because although his teacher lived alone, he had an impressive collection of books in his library.
By the time he was 13, he had read all of it. He had also been trained by Toshinori on how to properly hunt. He knew their forest by heart.
By the time he was 13, he had read all of it. He had also been trained by Toshinori on how to properly hunt. He knew their forest by heart.
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He could tell the time by chirping of the birds, or how long before a storm approached by the way the trees swayed along with the wind.
When Toshinori would come back home, he'd bring Izuku new books.
When Toshinori would come back home, he'd bring Izuku new books.
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Izuku had asked to come, on multiple instances, but Toshinori firmly said no. His teacher was usually gentle with his words, but when Izuku insisted that he'd go along on his travels, Izuku was scolded for the first time, worry .. and fear in Toshinori's eyes.
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Izuku is 15 years old when he sets foot on the Bakugou kingdom for the first time. This is the kingdom that Toshinori serves, he says.
It is amazing. The roads are lined with stones, not just dirt. Flags bearing the Bakugou family's crest are placed in front of the houses.
It is amazing. The roads are lined with stones, not just dirt. Flags bearing the Bakugou family's crest are placed in front of the houses.
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They have merchants, selling all sorts of fruits and trinkets that Izuku only read about. They have more than three blacksmiths! There's a tea house, there are taverns, toy stores, tailors, armory, and store that sells lamps?! LAMPS?!?
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Izuku only had candles to light up his night-reading! Toshinori says that they can visit later, but first they must meet the royal family.
"Are we in trouble, Toshinori-san?"
"Are we in trouble, Toshinori-san?"
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Toshinori only chuckles, "No, my boy. We are here because I am one of the advisors to the Bakugou family."
Izuku almost falls off his horse. "Sorry, Mighty." He pats his horse on the side gently as an apology. That is a lot to take.
Izuku almost falls off his horse. "Sorry, Mighty." He pats his horse on the side gently as an apology. That is a lot to take.
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Being an advisor to a royal famliy meant that he must have been a big deal.
He later learns that Toshinori was a general to the Bakugou's army. The most successful one and the one who retired with the highest of honors the whole kingdom could give.
He later learns that Toshinori was a general to the Bakugou's army. The most successful one and the one who retired with the highest of honors the whole kingdom could give.
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But if that is the case, why is Toshnori living in the forest in seclusion? Izuku almost asks his teacher, but he gets distracted when he sees a .... "IS THAT A LIBRARY?!"
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"Come on, Izuku. We will be late." Toshinori drags Mighty's reins and Izuku with him to help them move along.
Izuku will never forget how he gasps with awe at the height of the castle walls. It's fortified and built with massive, rectangular stones.
Izuku will never forget how he gasps with awe at the height of the castle walls. It's fortified and built with massive, rectangular stones.
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From the top, the Bakugou Family flags sway along to the gentle breeze. It's vivid red and visible from a long distance. In the middle of it is bright, golden dragon.
"Do you remember your lessons on etiquette towards royalty?" Toshinori rides his horse next to Izuku's.
"Do you remember your lessons on etiquette towards royalty?" Toshinori rides his horse next to Izuku's.
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He's still staring straight ahead as they pass under the castle's main gates.
"Yes..?" There were more than 2 thick books about it. Because royal family etiquette also varied depending on the family, of course!
"What's the most important thing when speaking to the Bakugou's?"
"Yes..?" There were more than 2 thick books about it. Because royal family etiquette also varied depending on the family, of course!
"What's the most important thing when speaking to the Bakugou's?"
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"Never speak if you're not spoken to."
"...and?"
"Always start or end with, 'your majesty' or 'your highness'."
"and... for you?"
Izuku gives him a wry smile, "... not to be smart-ass."
"That's my boy." Toshinori pats him on the back.
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"...and?"
"Always start or end with, 'your majesty' or 'your highness'."
"and... for you?"
Izuku gives him a wry smile, "... not to be smart-ass."
"That's my boy." Toshinori pats him on the back.
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Izuku swears his mouth has been hanging open since they set foot on the kingdom. Everything he's seen has been so impressive, massive and sometimes excessive.
But to see all of it, all crammed together in a busy and modern city, is still a sight to behold.
But to see all of it, all crammed together in a busy and modern city, is still a sight to behold.
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People always seem to be in a rush, they always have somewhere to go and must be there at a certain time.
Even their stable, where the guards told them to leave their horses in, is also massive. It probably can house at least 300 horses!
Even their stable, where the guards told them to leave their horses in, is also massive. It probably can house at least 300 horses!
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Izuku guides Mighty and Toshinori's horse, Starlight to one of the stalls in the stable. Toshinori waits by the gate to catch up with one of the guards that he seems to be good friends with.
"We'll be back. Don't run away from us, ok?" Izuku whispers to Mighty.
"We'll be back. Don't run away from us, ok?" Izuku whispers to Mighty.
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Migthy gives a huff.
"Neigh!" Izuku grins. He's the only one who ever appreciates his own jokes.
"Neigh!" Izuku grins. He's the only one who ever appreciates his own jokes.
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Izuku and Toshinori are walking back to the entrace of castle and Izuku is anticipating all the magnificence of the towering above them when the sound of children crying catches his attention.
To the side, right before the castle entrance is a kid with brown hair.
To the side, right before the castle entrance is a kid with brown hair.
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He's on the ground, crying for his toy to be returned. It looks like his bully, the boy with blond hair is dangling a wrangled teddy bear in front of him. There are two other boys behind him, all laughing at the crying child.
They can't be more than 9 or 10 years old.
They can't be more than 9 or 10 years old.
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"You want your toy?! Well, this is mine now! Because I said so!" The blond boy scoffs.
"Yeah, you tell him, Katsuki!" The other boy cheers behind him.
Izuku immediately stalks in their direction. "HEY!
"Yeah, you tell him, Katsuki!" The other boy cheers behind him.
Izuku immediately stalks in their direction. "HEY!
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What do you think you're doing?" He shouts and all of the children look back at him. Izuku doesn't notice it, but everyone else, including the guards and the passers-by all stare at him in shock.
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Without really thinking about it, Izuku grabs the dusty toy from the shocked blond kid's hand (Katsuki, right? That's his name according to the other kid.) and gives it to the other child.
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He seems to have stopped crying, but he's just staring at Izuku with wide eyes, unmoving and not taking the toy from Izuku.
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Before Izuku can ask anything, the blond kid moves quickly and stomps on his foot. "What do you think you're doing?! Do you know who I am? My father will hear about this"
Izuku shoves him on instinct and the boy falls on his butt on the ground.
Izuku shoves him on instinct and the boy falls on his butt on the ground.
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"You're a bully, that's what you are!"
Izuku also doesn't notice the crowd gasping around them and Toshinori coming over to him and dragging him away with his arm.
"IZUKU!!" That's Toshinori's urgent voice. Izuku immediately backs away. What's all the fuss?
Izuku also doesn't notice the crowd gasping around them and Toshinori coming over to him and dragging him away with his arm.
"IZUKU!!" That's Toshinori's urgent voice. Izuku immediately backs away. What's all the fuss?
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It's just kids and Izuku defended a kid being bullied.
Then with sudden clarity, Izuku remembers the Bakugou royal family-tree. That was in a diagram in the Royal Family Bloodlines volume 31, page 76.
Bakugou Masaru is married to Mitsuki and their first born, Bakugou Katsuki.
Then with sudden clarity, Izuku remembers the Bakugou royal family-tree. That was in a diagram in the Royal Family Bloodlines volume 31, page 76.
Bakugou Masaru is married to Mitsuki and their first born, Bakugou Katsuki.
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Izuku glances at the worried look from Toshinori and the menacing, approaching guards coming near them.
"Ah, damn it."
In his first day in the Bakugou kingdom, Midoriya Izuku picks a fight with the prince.
"Ah, damn it."
In his first day in the Bakugou kingdom, Midoriya Izuku picks a fight with the prince.
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TBC
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From the top x.com/Ellecross0/sta…
I'll post the update in a few hours. For now i need to do some adulting stuff IRL
I'll post the update in a few hours. For now i need to do some adulting stuff IRL
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When Izuku imagined that he'd be standing before the king and queen, it would be because he became one of the kingdom's greatest heroes!
He did not think it'd be because he picked a fight with their little prince.
He did not think it'd be because he picked a fight with their little prince.
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So much for his grand fantasy that he'd be in the good graces of the royal family. Now he's here with Toshinori in the middle of the throne room with his head bowed down, one knee on the ground as a sign of respect.
His hands are trembling as he grips on his satchel.
His hands are trembling as he grips on his satchel.
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His heart shrivels a little with regret when he remembers his excitement packing for this trip. His favorite books are still snug and safe in it.
Are they going to execute him? They should spare Toshinori. It's only Izuku's fault for being impulsive.
Are they going to execute him? They should spare Toshinori. It's only Izuku's fault for being impulsive.
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He can't help it, there was a child who looked like he needed help. Izuku's mother raised him to always extend help when he can.
He's startled at the sound of shuffling, but he fights the urge to look up. The queen walks towards them with footsteps muffled by the plush carpet.
He's startled at the sound of shuffling, but he fights the urge to look up. The queen walks towards them with footsteps muffled by the plush carpet.
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She pauses before Izuku. Her shoes are adorned with tiny little gems that glitter under the sunlight, and the laces that hold it tight, are coated in gold.
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The craftsmanship is so facinating and Izuku chooses to focus on that to resist the urge to look up, and to justify himself that he was just defending a...
"I heard," Queen Mitsuki starts, Izuku visibly flinches, "you pushed my son?"
"Y-yes, your majesty."
"I heard," Queen Mitsuki starts, Izuku visibly flinches, "you pushed my son?"
"Y-yes, your majesty."
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His palm hurts from squeezing his fist so tight.
"And why did you do that?" Her voice is so soothing, yet so intimidating.
"Because he forcefully took another child's toy and he said it was his because he, 'said so'." Izuku almost forgets, "your highness."
"And why did you do that?" Her voice is so soothing, yet so intimidating.
"Because he forcefully took another child's toy and he said it was his because he, 'said so'." Izuku almost forgets, "your highness."
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"And why is that a problem?"
"Because it's not his." Before he's even aware of what he's doing, Izuku tilts his head up and stares up at the queen. "...your highness."
"Because it's not his." Before he's even aware of what he's doing, Izuku tilts his head up and stares up at the queen. "...your highness."
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This is it. He is digging his own grave. This is Izuku's downfall. He hopes that they'll allow his books in the dungeon, IF they decide to spare his life.
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He's had a good life despite the attack in his village. He could have died alone in the middle of the towering trees in the forest, but instead, salvation came for him in the form of Toshinori.
He was given care, knowledge and love that he didn't ask for.
He was given care, knowledge and love that he didn't ask for.
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He's seen the "city" and he'd had a mighty horse! That's more than what other people probably will ever enjoy in their lifetime.
Toshinori tenses right next to Izuku, "Your majesty..." Please, Toshinori. He doesn't have to be dragged into Izuku's mess!
Toshinori tenses right next to Izuku, "Your majesty..." Please, Toshinori. He doesn't have to be dragged into Izuku's mess!
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Izuku waits for the verdict, 'off with his head!' or something similar, but instead, the queen grants him something, that Izuku later learns is valued so much more than her pardon - a genuine smile.
"I like you, Midoriya Izuku." The queen says.
"I like you, Midoriya Izuku." The queen says.
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What?! Izuku must have misheard. He's about to voice it out loud, but someone else does it for him.
"WHAT??!!" A smaller, familiar voice reacts all the way from the other side of the throne room.
"WHAT??!!" A smaller, familiar voice reacts all the way from the other side of the throne room.
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It's the little prince Katsuki, who seems to have failed at hiding himself behind the thick curtains in the throne room. His little feet have trailed mud after him, all over the carpet.
The queen doesn't even spare a look at her son.
The queen doesn't even spare a look at her son.
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"While I never appreciate a show of disrespect for royalty, I have a fondness for those who are brave to act upon their moral principles."
She keeps talking as she sits back at her throne, right next to the king. Izuku finally gets a good look at both of them.
She keeps talking as she sits back at her throne, right next to the king. Izuku finally gets a good look at both of them.
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Unlike other royal families, at least the ones whose portraits were drawn in the History of the Royal familes book, King Masaru and Queen Mitsuki have thrones of the same size and are placed on the same level, indicating that they are equal when it comes to ruling their kingdom.
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King Masaru's whole demeanor is so soft-spoken, kind and gentle. And when he speaks, it compels him to listen.
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"You strike me as someone with a good moral compass, Midoriya Izuku." The king tells him, "It doesn't come as a surprise to me that you are the chosen student of our bravest and wisest general." He gestures a nod at Toshinori.
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Did they know that Toshinori didn't exactly have a choice? Izuku was thrown into Toshinori's hands because Izuku had nowhere to go! Toshinori didn't choose him.
"Rise, both of you." King Masaru says.
"Rise, both of you." King Masaru says.
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"Let it be known that starting today, Midoriya Izuku is officially under General Toshinori Yagi's guardianship. Izuku will accompany and assist Toshinori in his missions for the kingdom and he will learn his knowledge and skills for posterity."
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Izuku tries to stand up straight and still, but internally, his world is spinning.
Is this really happening? One moment, he's bracing himself for a lifetime of imprisonment, and now he's going to go on adventures with Toshinori?
Is this really happening? One moment, he's bracing himself for a lifetime of imprisonment, and now he's going to go on adventures with Toshinori?
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He had long dreamt of exploring the world and learning new things. Oh how his mother would have been proud of him!
Excuse him but .... how is so lucky?
Izuku starts to cry.
"Izuku..." Toshinori places a hand on his shoulder, "My boy, it's going to be alright."
Excuse him but .... how is so lucky?
Izuku starts to cry.
"Izuku..." Toshinori places a hand on his shoulder, "My boy, it's going to be alright."
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When he's reigned in his emotions, and his tears stop spilling, he bows as low as he can and thanks the king and queen. He'll never forget them for their generosity. Izuku swears his life for the family.
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When Izuku and Toshinori are dismissed, they make their way out of the throne room.
But, prince Katsuki chases after him and blocks his way out. His mother calls out to him, annoyed and obviously losing her patience. ('Katsuki! Come back here!')
But, prince Katsuki chases after him and blocks his way out. His mother calls out to him, annoyed and obviously losing her patience. ('Katsuki! Come back here!')
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"Well? Are you not going to apologize to me?" He folds his arms in front of his chest, a little pout on his face. If he's not such a brat, Izuku would have called him 'cute'.
He wants to say something, but hey, he should let this go. Luck is still on his side.
He wants to say something, but hey, he should let this go. Luck is still on his side.
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He's about to say something polite, to 'please excuse me, my prince.' but the queen beats him to it.
"Have you not been paying attention, you brat?! He has nothing to apologize for!"
"Have you not been paying attention, you brat?! He has nothing to apologize for!"
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Then the king adds, "You, on the other hand Katsuki, owe an apology to your friend for stealing his toy, and to the cleaning staff because you dragged all the mud from the garden and onto the carpet."
"Get your royal butt here, we need to talk!"
"Get your royal butt here, we need to talk!"
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Izuku tries to keep himself together to stop from laughing out loud.
Prince Katsuki. Izuku looks forward to see him grow up.
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Prince Katsuki. Izuku looks forward to see him grow up.
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From the top x.com/Ellecross0/sta…
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Toshinori and Izuku are not given a mission yet, exactly. However, it is clear that they need to rest. Travelling from their refuge in the forest, up to the borders of the kingdom, easily takes almost two days.
They're staying in a small inn with lively tavern below it.
They're staying in a small inn with lively tavern below it.
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Izuku, being a light sleeper, would have been worried, but he's so tired and relieved! He knows he will be able to sleep through anything now.
After the whole ordeal with Prince Katsuki, and the whiplash of emotions, Izuku is more than just physically exhausted.
After the whole ordeal with Prince Katsuki, and the whiplash of emotions, Izuku is more than just physically exhausted.
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The exhaustion creeps all the way deep down his bones. He can't wait to scrub himself clean and lie down.
This doesn't stop him from dropping by the local library though. When Izuku gets Mighty and Starlight secured and fed at the stables by the inn, he sprints to the library!
This doesn't stop him from dropping by the local library though. When Izuku gets Mighty and Starlight secured and fed at the stables by the inn, he sprints to the library!
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Oh what joy! He'll be able to choose his own books!
The moment he opens the door and he sets foot inside, the smell of books permeates every corner of his brain and almost delivers him to eurphoria.
The moment he opens the door and he sets foot inside, the smell of books permeates every corner of his brain and almost delivers him to eurphoria.
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If he can bottle this smell, he would. Then he'd sparingly use it on his loneliest moments.
He browses the shelves quickly, knowing full well that he can come back here tomorrow. He audibly gasps when he sees the Volume 29 of the "Academy of Heroes".
He browses the shelves quickly, knowing full well that he can come back here tomorrow. He audibly gasps when he sees the Volume 29 of the "Academy of Heroes".
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He grabs it immediately, and holds it tight against his chest.
First of all, there are more than 12 volumes?! Toshinori's collection was so limited. He relunctantly puts Volume 29 back as he really should look for the volume 13 first.
First of all, there are more than 12 volumes?! Toshinori's collection was so limited. He relunctantly puts Volume 29 back as he really should look for the volume 13 first.
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When his curiousity is sated, and the 13th volume of "Academy of Heroes" is in his hands, he makes a beeline to the counter. The librarian, or at least he thinks it's the librarian, is fast asleep with his head on the desk.
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He has long black hair with thin, white scarf rolled around his neck, almost covering half of his face.
Izuku cautiously pokes on his shoulder. "Uhmmmmmm..... excuse me, sir."
The librarian snorts, and sits up immediately, "What do you want?!"
Izuku cautiously pokes on his shoulder. "Uhmmmmmm..... excuse me, sir."
The librarian snorts, and sits up immediately, "What do you want?!"
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"Are you the librarian? I would like to borrow this one, please. How much is the borrowing fee?"
The librarian squints his eyes at him. Wow. He looks just as tired as Izuku, if not worse. "You're the traveler who pushed the prince, aren't you?"
The librarian squints his eyes at him. Wow. He looks just as tired as Izuku, if not worse. "You're the traveler who pushed the prince, aren't you?"
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Crap. Of course word travels fast around here. "uhhh..." He won't be able to borrow the book, won't he?
"It's free of charge. I know where you're staying. Take care of the book or I'll hang you by your thumbs, understand? Return it before you leave the city."
"It's free of charge. I know where you're staying. Take care of the book or I'll hang you by your thumbs, understand? Return it before you leave the city."
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Okay.. that is a lot. But Izuku thanks him anyway. "Ahh, thank you, uhm... "
"Aizawa."
"Aizawa-san..." Izuku practices the name on his tongue. He bows to thank him and right when he's about to walk out, something catches his eye. It's on the glass shelf behind the librarian.
"Aizawa."
"Aizawa-san..." Izuku practices the name on his tongue. He bows to thank him and right when he's about to walk out, something catches his eye. It's on the glass shelf behind the librarian.
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There are handmade, leather-bound journals, sitting behind the glass in their quiet magnificence. Izuku's eyes widen. THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!
Aizawa follows his gaze, "I can lend you the book for free, but those journals are too expensive to give away."
Aizawa follows his gaze, "I can lend you the book for free, but those journals are too expensive to give away."
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Izuku finds out that the price for it is probably more than what they're paying for in the inn. He can't justify spending that amount of money. He sighs and lets it go.
That night, Izuku doesn't even get the chance to open the book. As soon as his head hits the pillow, he's out.
That night, Izuku doesn't even get the chance to open the book. As soon as his head hits the pillow, he's out.
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No matter how hard he wishes to dream of love and nice things, his subconscious mind only shows him images of burning houses and soldiers carrying torches lit with raging flames on one hand, and a bright red flag with a golden dragon on the other.
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Thankfully, Izuku vaguely remembers his dreams every time he wakes up.
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For the next two months in the city, Izuku has been absorbing, like a sponge, all of the new experiences.
He's picked up new hobbies too, like drawing all of the things that fascinated him in this city.
He's picked up new hobbies too, like drawing all of the things that fascinated him in this city.
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He exchanged the rare dried herbs he bought with him for a thick pad of parchment sheets and charcoal pencils. When he's not taking notes, he's drawing.
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The king also insisted for Izuku to learn how to fight with and without a sword. So together with his regular academics, he would tire his body out in the evenings with rigorous physical training. Toshinori surpervised all of it.
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And by the end of every week, Toshinori and Izuku would be back in the throne room. Izuku would stand here silently, nodding his head occasionally, indicating that he's listening. He's more relaxed now too and confident in his place.
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He would reply only when he's addressed and completely contented that his mentor Toshinori would report Izuku's progress on his "apprenticeship".
Every week, he'd also always catch the little Prince Katsuki spying or hovering around the throne room whenever they're around.
Every week, he'd also always catch the little Prince Katsuki spying or hovering around the throne room whenever they're around.
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His shoes are no longer muddy, but his eyes are still angry every time they land on Izuku.
When they catch each other's eyes, they'd both stick their tongues out at each other. Katsuki would sometimes make a face at him and Izuku bites his lower lip to not burst out laughing.
When they catch each other's eyes, they'd both stick their tongues out at each other. Katsuki would sometimes make a face at him and Izuku bites his lower lip to not burst out laughing.
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It only amuses Izuku to no end, that he starts to look forward to their weekly audience with the royal family.
On weeks when Izuku would show up with bandages around his arms, (because he gets injured during sword training with the castle guards), Katsuki looks extra angrier.
On weeks when Izuku would show up with bandages around his arms, (because he gets injured during sword training with the castle guards), Katsuki looks extra angrier.
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His little hands clench tighly into fists on his sides. What is that about? Izuku wonders.
It's after a few weeks of these when Toshinori shares his observation, on a warm afternoon, while the two of them are playing chess.
It's after a few weeks of these when Toshinori shares his observation, on a warm afternoon, while the two of them are playing chess.
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"In all of the times that I've had an audience with the king and queen, it's only with you when the prince would remain inside the room. Every time I talk about you, his attention is so focused."
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"Really? Because he just keeps throwing ugly faces at me whenever I catch him staring." Izuku sips his tea as he contemplates his next move on the chess board.
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Toshinori smiles at him, the corner of his eyes also wrinkle with mirth, "I think our prince has taken a fondness for you, Izuku."
Izuku snorts, "Unlikely. Checkmate!" He places a piece in front of Toshinori's king.
Izuku snorts, "Unlikely. Checkmate!" He places a piece in front of Toshinori's king.
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Toshinori moves one piece, "Ahh, you need to be more observant, my boy." He moves one of his pieces and Izuku realizes he's already lost and Toshinori has been setting him up in a trap for his king! "Check. Mate!"
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Izuku has just turned 16 years old when he and Toshinori set off for their first official mission. It is the middle of summer and Izuku has just celebrated his birthday a few days ago.
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Mightly and Starlight are both well rested and on their sides hung two bags with light provisions. The rest are on the bags on Izuku's back. This should be enough for them to reach the next kingdom.
They report one more time to the king and queen.
They report one more time to the king and queen.
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As always, like a dependable, solid presence, little Prince Katsuki is there and his red eyes never leave Izuku.
When he catches Katsuki staring at him, he hopes to see that angry little pout or funny ugly faces, but instead, he sees only sadness this time.
When he catches Katsuki staring at him, he hopes to see that angry little pout or funny ugly faces, but instead, he sees only sadness this time.
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When Izuku is about to climb on Mighty, the little Prince Katsuki runs up to him.
"Oi!!" His cheeks are flushed from running. "I got you something, you useless dumbass."
When Izuku is about to climb on Mighty, the little Prince Katsuki runs up to him.
"Oi!!" His cheeks are flushed from running. "I got you something, you useless dumbass."
97
Izuku is taken aback not because of the way he's been addressed by the prince, but by the realization that this is actually the first time Prince Katsuki speaks to him after their first ever fight. It seems like it's been ages ago.
98
Izuku gets down on one knee, to be on eye level with Katsuki, "Ah, my prince, you didn't have to get me anything."
"Don't tell me what to do." He shoves something thick and heavy, wrapped neatly in colorful parchment onto Izuku's face. "Here. Take it!"
"Don't tell me what to do." He shoves something thick and heavy, wrapped neatly in colorful parchment onto Izuku's face. "Here. Take it!"
99
Izuku curiously accepts the gift and bows his head down a little as thanks. He carefully unwraps it, fully aware that the prince is carefully watching his reaction.
100
But as soon as he sees what lies beneath all the colorful parchment, Izuku doesn't even need to fake his most genuine reaction.
He gasps out loud and almost chokes with sudden tears. "Oh my prince, this is ..." it's the leather-bound journal from the library.
He gasps out loud and almost chokes with sudden tears. "Oh my prince, this is ..." it's the leather-bound journal from the library.
101
Izuku has been eyeing that every time he goes to the library. His hands have longed to touched its surface with his fingertips. But there was no way he could ever afford it, so he's long accepted that he'll never have it.