" Are we getting closer ? " Kota asked while drinking from the fresh water source they just came across.

" I think so. It's been getting a hell more quiet. Monsters here are not just morons as the ones who'd charge straight on the outskirts. "

" So why aren't they attacking ? "

" I'm powerful. They can sense I'll beat their sorry asses if they even came close. "

" Powerful and angry. " Kota said flatly.

" Ya're a sassy kid ha ? " Bakugou snorted.

Besides them, TetsuTetsu hadn't said a thing for quite a while.

He couldn't believe he was associating with a thief and a trespassing kid who mastered black magic to save his prince, who had fled on his own decision. What was he thinking ? He was a prince loved by his people and the Queen, his mother. He had just turned eighteen, was at an age he could get married and could have whatever he asked for in a wealthy and beautiful kingdom.

TetsuTetsu was proud to be a guard of the royal family, proud to keep safe the most important person of his nation. It was something he dreamt about his whole life, since he saw the prince's first public apparition when they were both seven. So what was it that pushed Garnet to flee the castle, make his mother and his people sad, associate with a vulgar band of thieves and risk his life ? The prince couldn't be on his right mind. Something must have happened, someone must have convinced him to do all of that. There wasn't any other reason. And whatever the reason why, TetsuTetsu would shield him from all of that and bring him back safe to the castle. He swore it on his honor as a knight.

" We've lost enough time, let's go. " He said earnestly.

" Look at you, all serious now. " Bakugou mocked with a dismissive wave of his hand.

" Talk all you want, thief, but I'm not listening to your venom any longer. "

" No fighting. " Kota abruptly said, not really easing the tension in the air.

The improvised group got back on track, but none of them were talking anymore. Kota could feel an uncomfortable sensation in his stomach, and swallowed as he looked at the two men walking by his sides. He wanted to say something, not that he knew why, but anything so his stomach would stop to ache.

" Tetsu ! Thank god I finally found you ! "

A voice from above startled them all, but TetsuTetsu was looking more in pain than surprised.

" Yaoyorozu... "

Falling from the thick ceiling of leaves, a young woman in a shiny silver armor landed gracefully on the ground, her spear in her hands. When she stood up, Kota noticed she was taller than Bakugou and TetsuTetsu. Her soft black eyes and long black hair made her look very beautiful, and the scars on her face made her seem as equally tough. Bakugou and TetsuTetsu weren't saying a word.

" I can't believe you, getting lost in such a small forest. It took me hours to find you ! Kendou and I already told you, when you're lost, you need to stay at the same position so you can be found easi- Oh dear ! "

Yaoyorozu finally seemed to notice TetsuTetsu wasn't alone, and her eyes wrinkled suspiciously when she looked at Bakugou, who suddenly was very stiffed.

" Bakugou... " She sighed while holding a hand to her face in a desperate way. " I had a feeling it was you yesterday. "

" Then why did you shoot that arrow straight into my face ! " Bakugou snapped.

" You know I did it to warn you you were in danger and had to hurry- "

" By almost killing me ? Yeah sounds logical ?! "

" Bakugou, would you calm down for a second ? " Yaoyorozu frowned, and it wasn't a very good sign. " We want the same thing. "

" What is the meaning of this ? " TetsuTesu asked, dumbfounded at the revelation Yaoyorozu and Bakugou knew each other and apparently worked together.

" Tetsu, we'll talk about that later. For now we need to get Prince Garnet back to safety to Lindblum. "

" Alexandria. "

The two knights' voices overlapped, and while Yaoyorozu was sighing, again, TetsuTetsu's eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head.

" What do you mean Lindblum ?! " He yelled, truly desperate. " You're a royal knight too, what kind of nonsense is this ?! "

" Shut up, you're going to give me a headache. " Bakugou growled, fire crackling in his hands to warn him.

" About that- "

" Enough ! " Yaoyorozu roared. " Our first priority is to find Prince Garnet. We need to keep going. Bakugou, any clue for the prince's location ? "

" ... Some monster took him away, and I'm pretty sure he's with the King of the Forest. "

" Oh dear. Were you on your way to find him ? "

" Hm. Shouldn't be very far now. "

While Bakugou explained the situation to the Valkyrie, TetsuTetsu was dragging himself behind, absolutely unable to make sense of what was happening. Was Yaoyorozu on the thief's side ? What would he was supposed to do if she was a traitor ? He didn't know who he could believe anymore, and honestly just wanted to curl up and scream at this point. The only thing he still trusted was his mission as a royal guard and the Queen. He gritted his teeth, and held back a scream of frustration. But then, he felt a water drop on his nose, another, and soon, he was drenched and it came to a stop. He wondered if it had suddenly rained, but observed Bakugou and Yaoyorozu were still completely dry.

" Wh- "

" Do you feel better ? "

Beside him, Kota had his palm facing the sky, droplets of water floating around, waiting to be used. Serious worry was written on his face, and the knight realize he wasn't acting very knightly in front of a child who was already frighten enough. He probably looked really lame if said child had tried to find a way for him to feel better. Rather than being annoyed by what anyone would think as a prank, TetsuTetsu appreciated the concern from the tiny black mage.

" You're such a weird kid. " TetsuTetsu deadpanned.

" My aunt used to say the same. "

" Oh, you have an aunt ? " Then what was he doing here by himself ?

" Hm, she helped me control my magic powers. "

" She must be... Very powerful then. I'd like to meet her, maybe she could help at the castle. "

" You can't meet her... She stopped. "

" What do you mean ? She stopped teaching you ? "

" No, one day, she just... Stopped. "

TetsuTetsu suddenly understood what Kota was implying, even though it was a strange way to express it. He looked concerned, and lowered his guard around the kid.

" My condolences, Kota. "

" What are condolences ? " The young boy asked, eyes filled with interest over something he didn't knew about.

" It's... What you give people when they stop. To express you're sad and it hurts. "

" Do you know people who have stopped ? "

" ... Yes. And I wish for it to never happen again. " TetsuTetsu said, his expression darkening.

" My condolences, Mister Tetsu. "

The knight looked a him, surprised. But then, he actually smiled a little, and ruffled the black mage's hair.

" My thanks, Kota. "

Slowly, Garnet opened his eyes, still drowsy from the soporific gas the monster used on him. Everything around him was pitch black, and the ground was uneven under him. He was lying on what seemed to be large roots.

" Knocked down twice since you escaped, very manly Garnet. " He thought, annoyed at himself.

He tried to sit up, but quickly noticed he was unable to move, his body feeling heavy as a rock. The prince cursed under his breath, then proceed to perceive something that felt like a root wrapped on one his leg. Now that he was more or less awake, he saw a dim light emitted by the root. Was the plant feeding on his energy ?

His heartbeat began to rise. Where was he ? What had happened to him ? He wanted to scream, but he was literally drained and more exhausted he'd ever been. Just as his mind decided to distract him with all the worst-case scenarios happening from here, his heart skipped a beat when he heard a loud and angry voice.

" Ready you lazyfucks ? "

Bakugou put his googles on his eyes, and crouched, fire already crackling inside his hands.

" DIE! "

Along with the yelling, a deafening explosion torn Garnet's prison, and a monstrous screech coming right from the hurt creature startled them. Light, as much as there was on this dark forest, struggled to brighten the place, but it was enough for Garnet to figure he was inside an alcove the yelling blonde man had just destroyed.

" Your Highness ! "

Knowing which voice it was, Garnet felt relief pooling in him. He never thought he would be that happy to hear TetsuTetsu's harsh voice one day. Maybe he wasn't as ready to leave home as he thought. Biting his lips, Garnet let himself be held by his royal guard, not able to do much by himself for now.

" Prince Garnet ! Are you alright ? What did it do to you ? "

" Tetsu, you need to cut the root at his feet, it's draining all of his vitality ! " Yaoyorozu shouted at him, obviously worried.

" You fiend plant, stay away from the great Prince of Alexandria ! "

TetsuTetsu drew his sword, and slashed the root, earning yet another screech from the King of the Forest. The ground began to shake violently under their feet, and the roots slowly moved, as if they were suddenly coming alive.

" Mister Tetsu ! "

Afraid, Kota slapped his hands on his mouth, ashamed of his behavior. He never yelled this way before. But he felt like he had to do it : he had to warn TetsuTetsu he was in danger, because he didn't want him and Prince Garnet to be harmed.

" Tetsu, get out of here ! Take Prince Garnet with you and go ! We'll stay and fight. " Yaoyorozu ordered, spinning her spear gracefully and planting it strongly on the ground.

" No, I can't leave you behind ! " The knight protested, carrying Garnet in his arms, his urge to help still stronger than his grudge against Bakugou.

" It wasn't a question, dumbass. Go take him to safety, isn't it your stupid mission ? " Bakugou added, growing impatient as the guard was hesitating when there was absolutely no place to.

" But the two of you won't make it alone against this monster ! "

" They're not alone. " Kota stated as he made his water spear emerge from thin air.

"I know you're talented, Kota, but- "

The black mage didn't wait for TetsuTetsu to finish his protest. He summoned a dozen of various weapons shaped in water, and dared the guard to say more. Although his eyes were fierce and determined, someone carefully looking at them would see he was afraid.

" Kid thinks he's an adult. " Bakugou scoffed.

" Reminds me of someone I know. "

" Oh shit ! " Bakugou spat, surprised by the sudden appearance, almost throwing himself on the ground.

Right beside Bakugou, a man his age, scar on his left eye and hair split in two different colors was waiting, arms crossed on his chest. The red part in his hair reminded Kota of something, but he didn't get enough time to recall properly.

" Todoroki ! What are you doing here ? " Yaoyorozu asked, looking quite pleasantly surprised.

" I had something to deliver to our runaway kid. " He replied while Bakugou glared at him. " But I might as well help since I'm here. You look like you'll need it. Care to lend me that ? "

Todoroki eyed a pair of water daggers Kota had created. The tiny black mage nodded, though he had no idea what the man wanted to do with it since he couldn't manipulate them. Then, he touched one of the dagger, and it froze instantly, making it totally usable as long as he had gloves. Which he conveniently had. He immediately threw them at the roots of the gigantic rafflesia who was slowly awakening. Its large petals slowly opened, and a putrid odor soon filled the air, along with a dreadful screech.

" Fuck, I'm so gonna destroy you ! " Bakugou groaned.

" Let's go get it ! " Yaoyorozu yelled, notifying them they had to seriously engage combat now.

The Valkyrie bend her knees and jump as high as she could. She prepared her spear, and dived into the rafflesia at full speed, thrusting her weapon deep in the plant's core.

The King of the Forest screeched, spilling more spores, and Yaoyorozu jumped back. She let Kota wash the air clean with a water spell, taking away all of the spore, just as they planned on their way. His weapons, froze by Todoroki, soon fled and stuck themselves in the rafflesia and its roots, cutting them and the energy supply to the monster.

Some roots were soon high in air, acting as whips and targeting all the fighters. Yaoyorozu covered Kota, who was actively shielding them from poisonous and soporific spores. Todoroki, who ran out of weapons, was running around, freezing all the roots he could come close to, while Bakugou took good care of smashing them all after him. Their enemy lacked mobility and true strength : the issue of this fight had been decided the moment they launched at it, covering all the fronts and not letting it time to heal and counter.

The King of the Forest, running out of power, his energy supplies being cut and its core being constantly tore through, was close to its end and was weakly whipping around its last roots.

" Bakugou ! " Yaoyorozu called, bending her knees, prepared to jump a second time.

" Ready or not ! " He yelled back.

Spear tightly gripped, Yaoyorozu pointed it towards Bakugou who leapt off, landing gracefully on the tip of the spear. Bracing himself, he was then being projected in the air by the Valkyrie. She took off shortly after, spinning to position herself carefully, and gave a second push to Bakugou.

Yelling at the top of its lungs, Bakugou dived straight at the rafflesia's core, dealing the final blow. Fire crackling in his palms, Bakugou let his power explode right in its center, not fearing any counterattack after that. The after blow of his own blast threw him off, and he whirled in the wind, landing perfectly on his feet. He took off his goggles, and yelled along with Yaoyorozu.

Barely looking untidy, Todoroki sighed, relieved it was over. Behind him, Kota watched the three fighters, eyes wide and cheeks warm. He stared at his hands, finding hard to believe they had took down such a monster. He didn't really gave it a thought while he was fighting, but it was a scary monster who had harm the prince, and he had successfully protected him and took it down.

" We made it ! It's been such a long time since we fought together like that ! " Yaoyorozu laughed. " I must say I miss being with you all... "

" It was a good fight. " Todoroki nodded.

" I'm really happy we made it. And Kota, you were amazing, you must be very proud of yourself ! "

The tiny black mage shook his head, excitement bubbling in his stomach. He didn't really knew what the Valkyrie's words meant, but from the look of her face, he could tell he was feeling the same. He was proud.

" Shit. " Bakugou cursed, having a bad feeling about how the King of the Forest's corpse suddenly withered, its roots turning dry at an alarming pace.

" What's happening ? " Todoroki asked, aware something was wrong.

" We just killed the forest's first energy supplier. If I'm not wrong- "

Yaoyorozu gasped as the dry roots turned to stone. They didn't expected petrifaction as an aftereffect, and from the look of the others plants around the dead gigantic rafflesia, it was spreading at an alarming pace. Flock of hidden monsters came out, fleeing the deadly process and converging straight to the startled the four fighters who were soon dashing through the woods, looking desperately for a way out.

" Guys, how did it... turned... ? "

" Run you moron ! " Bakugou yelled.

" What's happening ? " TetsuTetsu shouted while beginning to run, holding the weakened prince in his arms.

" We killed the King, and all the forest's dying with it ! We need to get out ! "

" Oh my god what have you done ?! " TetsuTetsu cried out.

Huge monsters looking like praying mantis began to angrily hunt them along with roots reaching to anything it could grab, and Bakugou saw how the monsters they took hold on were immediately turned into stone. He felt shivers running down his spine, and yelled, warning all the others to avoid those roots at all cost. Sweat was rolling on his forehead, and adrenaline was the only thing allowing him to run as fast as he was now.

In their desperate rush, despite their lungs burning and their legs aching, they took a final sprint as they could finally see a light coming through the woods. Bakugou grinned, knowing they reached a safe place. He accelerated, but a voice caught his attention and he shoot a look behind his shoulder. Todoroki had stopped, and was getting something he had dropped in the rush.

" What are you doing you fucking idiot ?! "

" Midoriya asked me to give you this. " He shouted.

The ice mage resumed his running but had been delayed a second too much. Seeing he was about to get caught by one of the monster, he unleashed his power and froze a great number of them coming after him. Panting from the energy this spell required, he resumed to run, but realized he wouldn't be able to escape, as he saw too late a root came straight to him from his blind spot. He tried to froze it, but had totally exhausted his own magical power, and struggled, thoughts rushing through his head.

Bakugou rushed to him, fire already crackling in his palms, but Todoroki frowned and used his last strengths to toss a carefully folded map at him. Kota had stopped too, trying to help, not even thinking about how dangerous it was. But Bakugou knew it was too late.

Before having another comrade snitched out, he got the map, lifted Kota, securing him against his chest, and dashed through the dying woods, cursing his former crew member. Todoroki was now petrified, alone in the stone forest. He yelled as Kota was weakly struggling against his shoulder, his eyes wide with horror as he looked at Todoroki's stone body.

Dodging the roots coming after them the best he could, Bakugou saw the others had got out of the forest, and tossed them Kota, adding a little fire power to his throw, before he put the map in his mouth and projected himself out of the woods. He dashed through the remaining trees who were soon turned into stone, his heart beating furiously, and finally tumbled on the ground outside of the forest, raising a cloud of dust in his path.

Quickly recovering his senses, he jumped back to his feet, only to see Kota staring at the fathomless wall of stoned roots and plants, dumbfounded. It looked like the time had been suspended. Yaoyorozu was standing tall, biting her lips, her fists tightly clenched at her sides, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

" Shit, not again. " Bakugou muttered, his heart on the verge of exploding in his chest.

" I'm sorry, this is my fault. " A weak but kind voice suddenly said.

Bakugou's eyes widen, and he was left staring at Garnet, who had recovered a little. The prince seemed to be exhausted, but the look in his bright red eyes was still fierce, and he stood, his long red hair falling down to his back, waving slightly. Bakugou never really noticed he had such long hair. It only made him look more like a prince, and he forgot a split second what he had just said. But, just as quickly, he remembered, and was so angry a vein could have just opened on his forehead.

" How is any of this shit your fault, shitty hair ?"

" I will not tolerate for you to address his Highness like that ! " TetsuTetsu yelled, bringing a hand to his sword.

" This is absolutely not the moment to fight. " Yaoyorozu interrupted, voice hollowed.

" If I didn't flee from the castle, if I hadn't been captured, none of this would have occurred. Presenting nothing more than my apologies would be plenty disrespectful towards your friend. "

" He's not my friend. "

" That's not the point, you idiot ! "

Garnet slapped a hand on his mouth, and Bakugou raised an eyebrow, surprised, and a tiny bit amused, the mighty prince just called him an idiot. Garnet cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed, and continued his rent. But his conversation with Bakugou had lost its edge, and it was a whole less dramatic.

" I will do everything in my power to ensure he's taking care of. "

" Yes, we have a lot of very competent mages and scientists back to Alexandria. "

" It is not my intention to go back to Alexandria for now, Tetsu. I would appreciate for you to remember that, as it is not the first time I told you so. "

The royal knight looked like he was about to throw up, but bite his lips and refrain to add anymore. Bakugou hold back a laugh, and relaxed a little.

" I'm a white mage. " Garnet reminded them, white and warm light shining in his palms. " I can still sense life from the forest. I think the King was deadly injured, but hasn't lost his life, and cast spores to stop time so he could recover from his wounds. "

" Maybe you can feel it because it drained your vitality, and it's still coursing through its... Roots ? " Yaoyorozu added, arms crossed on her chest, deep in thought.

" Yes, it might be that ! So I don't think your friend- "

" Not my friend. "

" Your comrade, " Garnet said, rolling his eyes, " is alive. And I will personally care to clear up his situation. "

Garnet nodded his head at Bakugou, looking ready to bear the responsibility. Which slightly throw off Bakugou, who was now seeing the bright side of the situation as well. But then, not having entirely recovered, the prince let out a breath and knelt on the floor, sweat breaking on his forehead. How weak, he thought, self-deprecating.

" Hey, you okay ? "

Unlike what he was expecting, it wasn't TetsuTetsu who reached out to him, but the blonde thief. He unexpectedly had a soft voice, when he wasn't cursing and yelling. Come to think of it, he never asked for his name.

" I am fine. I'm not the one you all should be worried about. How are you feeling ? You did just rescued me, confronted a terrible monster and saw him to his demise before running for your lives in this forest. It's my duty to thank you all. I already know about Yaoyorozu -and you'll need to explain what you are doing here as well, Kota -I'm happy to see you're well, and... "

" You could have just asked for my name you know. " Bakugou scoffed with an cheeky smile.

Garnet looked he was about to answer, his jaw slightly opened from his indignation, but instead he choose to keep his dignity and succeeded to only blush a little.

" I'm Bakugou Katsuki. The one who was assigned to your kidnapping. You know, the kidnapping you altered as a tag game. "

" It wasn't a tag game ! " Garnet said, his long hair waving behind him as he was getting back on his feet with Bakugou's help. " I almost died ! "

" Yeah, me too when you applied your enhancing spell on me and I nearly crashed myself to death on the deck of the Prima Vista. "

" Fair enough. But it was... "

" Pretty awesome yeah ? "

" It was manly. " Garnet agreed, sparks lighting up in his eyes.

Suddenly, Yaoyorozu coughed, kindly reminding them they weren't alone. Then showed them TetsuTetsu, sat not very far, having what seemed an existential crisis.

" Prince Garnet, casually laughing with a filthy thief... It can't be... " The royal guard muttered, eyes looking far in the distance.

" How embarrassing. " Bakugou mocked.

" Excuse him, he can get a little... Emotional. " Garnet explained. " But I know no one more loyal than him. I assure you he'll be a great help. "

" Or a gigantic pain in the ass. " Bakugou retorted.

" I did heard that ! "

" I sure hope you did ! "

" Enough you two. " Yaoyorozu was beginning to get tired of repeating herself. " Bakugou, what do you intend to do for now on? Don't you plan to regroup with the Tantalas ? "

" I don't. My mission was and is still taking Garnet to Lindblum. And I'll see it to the end. " He growled, not letting them know he had actually left the Tantalas. It was none of their business.

" Alright then. Now, we're safe from the forest's threat now, but there's still more to come. We need to get a proper rest, and decide what we're gonna do from now on. "

The Valkyrie was right. After such a tough time, they needed to rest, but they had a long way ahead of them. Bakugou's mission was to take Garnet to Lindblum, and Garnet himself intended to go. Yaoyorozu, a former member of the Tantalas in hiding, would be a great help. The royal pain in the ass would surely follow the prince anywhere, but he'd keep an eye on him.

Bakugou then stared at Kota. They didn't really had a choice, did they ? Garnet, seeing Bakugou's torn expression as he was considering what to do with Kota, came closer to the child, and knelt before him, enough for the black mage to look him in the eyes without raising his head.

" You've been very brave until now, Kota. I would like to ask you to join us until we reach Lindblum. "

Heat raised in Kota's stomach. This time, he knew what he felt. He was proud. Proud Prince Garnet asked him to help.

" But you have to promise me something. " Garnet asked, his kind smile turning into a frown. " If you were to feel scared, you will have to tell us. It is natural to be afraid, no matter how powerful or brave you are. Even I was afraid when I was trapped inside the rafflesia. Can you promise me that ? To not keep things to yourself ? To not do things you think are too scary for you? "

" I promise. " Kouta answered. " I will tell you if I'm scared. "

" You can also tell me when you're happy. " Garnet added with a soft smile. " When we'll reach a more peaceful and safe place, we could talk about I want to be your canary ! "

Kota's eyes glittered, and he nodded energetically. Garnet laughed at the kid's enthusiasm, and got back on his feet. He took a look around them, and finally noticed they were at the border of a wide clearing, where only grass could be seen as far as he could watch, engulfed in the night. The moon and starry sky were making enough light for them to see each other, particularly after spending so much time in a dark forest deprived of direct sunlight. Garnet already missed soft rays of sun and bright blue skies.

" For now, " Bakugou interrupted his thoughts, " let's rest. Half-bastard gave me a map, so I'll take care of our journey to Lindblum after we hit the sack. "

The others collectively agreed, feeling the strain of all the events creeping up on them now the adrenaline was gone. Bakugou looked through the pockets of his cloak, and took out what looked like a small flute. He blew it, although no sound came out of it. Garnet frowned, unsure about what Bakugou was doing, when suddenly, a tiny, fluffy creature, with short wings and a tassel hanging on an antenna on its head dashed at them.

" Bakugou ! It's been a while since you called me kupo! I recall the last time was when you were all beat up by that monster who- "

" Shut your mouth before I tear your wings off. " Bakugou threatened him, a finger pointed in the fluffy belly of the moggle, deadly serious.

" Kupo ! Rude as usual ! I don't even know why I offer my services to you anymore. " The little creature wiggled angrily in the air, sticking a little claw on Bakugou's nose.

The thief growled, glaring at the moggle, but didn't took it any further, probably not uncovering some secret accord between them, given how the moggle calmed down as well. Was it weird for Garnet to find both of them rather cute right now ? Definitely. But he was so tired he could just lie on the floor and sleep, so he didn't really trusted his mind for now.

" So let's see. Four guests tonight ! I never hoped for even one, so four kupo! I'll make a discount just for you tonight. " The moggle said eagerly.

Snooping through his huge backpack, the moggle took out two folded balls of what seemed to be clothing, and throw them in the air. The moggle's tassel faintly lightened up, and two decently large tents popped out from the balls. They slowly landed on the floor, and with that, the moggle had done his deed.

" Now it's time for payment ! "

" Don't forget the discount. " Bakugou groaned while taking out money from his cloak.

" Kupo ! I would never ! "

After taking his money, the tiny moggle waved at them - Garnet noticed Kota timidly waving back, and disappeared in the night. Bakugou noticed Garnet taking a thoughtful look at the tent, and thought he was probably finding interesting those plebeian convenient ways to sleep outside.

" Your Highness. " Bakugou scoffed with a grin while offering him to enter in one of the tent.

Garnet immediately understood the playful look on Bakugou's face, and he rolled his eyes, not letting him the pleasure to make fun of him. He proceeded to enter the tent, and was surprised to see how wide it was inside.

There weren't any bed or mattress, but comfortable looking and colorful blankets were scattered everywhere, and it just called anyone who entered to just lay down and drift to a wonderful sleep. Garnet immediately went for a fluffy, maroon sheet, and sat himself carefully on it, feeling the soft fabric under his fingers. It was warm, and the prince felt his consciousness fading. He was soon asleep, snuggling against the blanket between his arms, a faint snore already rising up.

" Well, look at him. Throwing his royal ass on the soft blanket and fallin' asleep, mouth open and loudly snoring. Not very royal like. " Bakugou grinned.

" The prince is exhausted. " TetsuTetsu angrily whispered. " This tent will do, but keep in mind it's absolutely unworthy of his Highness's rank. Don't forget that, filthy thief. He's the prince of Alexandria, and when this journey ends, you'll never get to stand close to him anymore. "

" Oh, aren't you getting your hopes up !? Thinking you'll ever get out of this alive ? "

A hit on the head later, both man looked at Yaoyorozu, warning them to stop with angry eyes. Kota had followed Garnet in the tent, and was fast asleep on a blue blanket, not far from the prince. TetsuTetsu glared at Bakugou, and took a step in the tent.

" I will personally attend to Prince Garnet and Kota's safety. "

The sheet covering the tent's entrance was closed, and Bakugou moved to the other tent, trailing after Yaoyorozu.

" Goodnight. " Yaoyorozu yawned, cuddling up in a white blanket after removing her heavy silver armor.

Bakugou hummed and only had enough energy to unhook his cloak before collapsing on a warm blanket, too exhausted to even take his goggles off.

I love those characters. They're so interesting to write. I hope I'm conveying feelings well and that it's interesting to you as well.

I never thought I would enjoy writing fights, mostly because, as a non-native English speaker, I feared my vocabulary wouldn't be enough for me to make something worthy of being read. But I tried anyway and I loved it! For now, the team has it easy because their enemies are small fry. But soon, boy it's gonna go wild.

Prepare yourself for a lot of family dynamics and hurt/comfort and fluff with this team. I'm such a sap lol. I'm super impatient to introduce new characters and explore all kind of relationships.

Thanks for reading! Update should not take too long to come, stay tuned!