The Dracilt Kingdom

Bakugu watches as Eijirou leaves, trailing behind Deku. The dragon shifter had dropped so much information in a short period of time, his head is still reeling from the influx of new knowledge.

Not long after Eijirou and Izuku leave there is an insistent knock on Bakugou's door. Katsuki groans and gets up to answer it, expecting one of his idiot friends to be behind it. Into the room steps Shouto Todoroki, who immediately begins to berate him with various questions.

"What the hell happened? Did you even find what you were looking for. Who is that savage you dragged home?"

Katsuki bristles at the other prince's questions. The Todoroki had hardly spoken a word to him before, and now he suddenly thinks he has a right to demand things of him. The normal stoicism of the other prince seemed to be all but gone. Katsuki snarls, "Why do you even care? I'm still alive right, I haven't ruined the precious marriage plans."

Katsuki moves to his wardrobe to change his tunic careful of his still healing wound, turning his back to Todoroki.

Todoroki's eyes rake over the exposed form of the Kurinao heir. The expression on his face rather unsettling. "I care enough to want to know why you dragged in a street rat after almost getting yourself killed."

Shouto scoffs, "Not only did you bring a rat into the castle, but you let it out of its cage."

Bakugou whips around, face flushed in anger. "What the fuck do you even know? That so called street rat happened to be the one to save my life. He is the only reason you still have a tie to this kingdom at all!"

Izuku and Eijirou choose that moment make it back to Bakugou's bedroom. Kiri pushes the door open to reveal the two princes, in the midst of what appears to be the beginning of a heated argument. Izuku immediately bows and greets prince Todoroki, the man ignoring the mage entirely. Kirishima simply glares at the man, not moving to greet him in any sort of way.

Todoroki looks pissed. He snaps at Katsuki, "Your brutish pet only proves me right. He can't even address nobility properly."

Bakugou takes a step towards the other prince, ready to start swinging fists. Todoroki's eyes flash with a startling blue as Bakugou lunges at him. Kirishima puts himself between Todoroki and Bakugou. "I think that is a clear enough dismissal prince Todoroki. I don't believe Prince Bakugou wishes to be in your presence any longer."

Todoroki merely scoffs at Kirishima before turning and stalking out of the room. He calls back over his shoulder, "Don't forget who you belong to Katsuki. We marry in a week and a half."

Todoroki punctuates his exit with a sharp slam of the door behind him.

Kirishima huffs, "Man that guy is seriously an asshole. Not to mention he was about to start using magic when you got all up in his face."

Katsuki grumbles, "Yeah, his eyes did that weird glowing shit. Can't believe I have to marry that stupid fuck."

Izuku pipes up from where he had been standing in the corner. "Kacchan, there is something not quite right about Prince Todoroki. I know all about the Todoroki family, and nowhere is there any record of Shouto being able to use magic."

Bakugou shrugs. "I don't know Deku, maybe it was a secret or some shit. He was probably king dickhead's secret weapon."

Izuku begins muttering to himself, he exits the room hurriedly with a quick wave. The door shuts firmly behind him, leaving Bakugou and Kirishima alone.

Kirishima moves to sit on the edge of the bed, the dragon shifter appearing to be in a better mood. "So tell me again, why do you think your soulmate hates you? If you really found your soulmate are they really gonna let you marry prince dickbag?"

Bakugou looks uncomfortable. He can't let the dragon shifter know that he is his soulmate. He simply shrugs and says, "What's not to hate? I'm mean, I'm selfish, temperamental, and pretty crass."

Kirishima chuckles, "Don't forget arrogant and prideful." Eijirou's face turns serious of a moment as he speaks again, "You are also determined, brave, intelligent, and caring. This soulmate of yours needs to learn to look behind the shell of hostility you show the world."

Bakugou is shocked by Eijirou's words for a moment before scowling at him again. He scoffs at the thought that this man, supposedly his soulmate, could think he was any of the things he mentioned. He mutters, "The fuck do you know about me dragon boy?"

Kirishima stands to his feet before stepping closer, getting into Bakugou's space.

"I know that you put on a big show of being all tough and mean, but you care about the people around you. You care much more than you would ever say out loud. You say it with your actions. I know for sure that you would gladly play the hero if it meant keeping your family safe."

Eijirou grins down at the prince, who looks both confused and flustered.

"I have eyes Katsuki, I've been paying attention. How about you?"

Bakugou is floored by Eijirou's words. His eyes are wide and nervous. He steps back as Eijirou steps closer. He was definitely no used to people getting so far into his realm of personal space, or complimenting him in such a way. A deep blush covers his pale cheeks, creeping down his neck. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Kirishima rolls his eyes. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. You just don't know how to handle a compliment. You really don't like to admit things, to yourself or otherwise."

The dragon shifter stalks closer to the visibly flustered prince, each step only enhancing his words. "Who is your soulmate Katsuki?"

Bakugou takes a step back with each step Eijirou takes towards him. It isn't long before Katsuki's back bumps against the wall and he has nowhere else to go. He is frustrated, but he still won't tell Eijirou they're soulmates. He knows it won't end well, he won't admit something so vulnerable to someone he could never be with.

Kirishima knows Katsuki won't tell him the truth, but continues to push him. "Why won't you tell me? Huh?"

Bakugou is cornered, and tired of fighting off Eijirou's persistent questioning. He sighs and looks up at Kirishima defeatedly. "Because no matter what I fucking do they never could, or would want to be with me! Don't you fucking get it! I have to marry Todoroki because he's a prince and my soulmate isn't! It doesn't fucking matter who I'm meant to be with. I don't get a choice!"

Kirishima gives the other prince some space, having pushed enough. He speaks softly, "Katsuki there is something I need to show you. You weren't wrong when you thought I was hiding something back at the ruins. I think you have proven well enough that I can trust you to see what it is. I can fly us there. Don't worry, I will have you back in time for your wedding."

Bakugou grimaces again at the thought of his impending marriage to Todoroki. When Kirishima finishes explaining he grins and shouts, "You motherfucker! I knew you were hiding something! What you gonna give me a wedding present from your horde?" Bakugou doesn't give Kiri time to answer before moving around his bedroom grabbing more supplies for their impromptu journey. Katsuki groans, "Ah shit, I'm gonna have to get Deku to fucking cover for me or the old hag is gonna go on a rampage."

Kirishima watches as the prince eagerly packs some more gear, he laughs at his words. "Yeah I don't really wanna make your mom any more angry at me than she already is."

The two finish up and head straight to find Izuku. To Bakugou's surprise the mage doesn't put up a fight regarding the impromptu trip. Izuku promises to cover for the prince while he is gone, while warning them to hurry back in time for the wedding. The mage gives Eijirou a wink as the two wander off to say the rest of their goodbyes. With a quick goodbye to Kaminari the two quietly slip out of the castle, careful to not be seen.

Eijirou and Katsuki slip past the guards, taking the longer route back to the forest trail. They trudge down the trail along the cliffside. Once they reach the land below they can pass without being seen. So long as they stick close to the cliffside holding the bridge. The pair manage to reach the edge of the bridge unseen. They climb the path that leads back up to the forest trail. Eijirou speaks up after they are out of earshot of the guards. "We must be really lucky that there are paths down and up from the gorge. We would have been spotted on the bridge immediately."

Katsuki huffs, "Of course there are paths you idiot. Did you think we just leave the poor assholes who fall off the bridge down there?" Eijirou rubs at his neck sheepishly. "Oh, well when you say it that way I guess it makes sense."

The two walk till they are a good ways into the cover of the trees. Eijirou gives Bakugou a reassuring smile before beginning to transform. Katsuki takes the time to really look at the shifter. Before they were in the heat of battle, or in danger. Bakugou realizes that the shifter must have some sort of charm that lets his clothes disappear, or shift away with him. Katsuki had never questioned why the shifter always reappeared still wearing clothes that would have ripped off in his dragon form if not for the aid of magic.

Bakugou watches as red scales make their way across Eijirou's skin. The scales shift and clack, the shifter's body growing and morphing into the form of his dragon. The prince tries not to wince at the sharp cracks and snaps of Eijirou's bones reforming. He thinks to himself that later he will have to ask Kirishima if the process hurts. The noises cease and Kirishima's magnificent red dragon sits before him.

Katsuki takes only a moment to admire the large red dragon. He notices that Kiri's scales are like armored plates, doubled up in some sections. They look jagged and rough, almost like stone in other areas. Katsuki assumes that the scales must be like armor for the dragon shifter. Without further delay the prince climbs up Kiri's side to sit upon his shoulders. Eijirou swings his massive head back to make sure Katsuki is secure. Once the prince is settled Kirishima takes to the sky. The sun is just beginning to set along the horizon, Eijirou flies up in the cover of the clouds till the sun fully sets.

Katsuki feels an overwhelming sense of peace while flying with Eijirou. They fly throughout the night, careful to stay hidden out of sight. Once the barest beginnings of dawn streak across the horizon, Kirishima sets them down in a dense grove of trees. When Bakugou is off his shoulders Kiri shifts back to his human form, looking tired. He says, "We need to stop for a bit so I can rest. We can set up a camp here."

Katsuki nods in understanding, he begins to collect wood, for a fire. Bakugou chuckles, "Not gonna lie, this is much more convenient than riding a shitty horse all the way out here."

Kirishima laughs at that, "Well I bet. Flying is so much faster." While Bakugou gathers wood Kirishima sets up some of the other gear they had brought.

Bakugou finishes gathering supplies and assembles a fire pit. He tries to light the wood with little luck. Kirishima comes over carrying some extra wood. He smirks, "Need some help with that?"

Bakugou glares for a moment before sitting back on his heels and sighing. "Go for it dragon boy."

Kirishima shifts quickly, the massive dragon now sitting in their little campsite. He breathes fire on the dry wood. It catches immediately and blazes brightly. Kirishima shifts back into his human form. He looks rather proud of himself as he grins at Katsuki. Bakugou chuckles at the dragon shifter's antics. He sits beside the fire, content to be close to its heat. Kirishima sits beside him gently stoking the fire. They sit in silence for a bit before Kirishima speaks again. "So obviously you don't know much about the Dracilt kingdom, but I'm curious what you do know."

Bakugou sighs, "I guess I really don't know all that much. I know that they were killed off by the dark kingdom and that there was a war. That is all I was required to know."

Kirishima nods before launching into a story. "The Dracilt were ruled by the Kirishima family. As you can probably guess, a family with a long line of dragon shifters. The Dracilt kingdom used to stretch over most of what you now know as the Pyre Kingdom. The intense fear that has been spread among the masses regarding dragon shifters comes from lies. Enji Todoroki and others under his rule began spreading rumors among the people that the dragon shifters were barbaric and savage. That my people were ruthless and uncivilized. The worst of the lies being that we wanted to take control of the other kingdoms."

Katsuki sits in silence, his attention focused on Eijirou's story. Eijirou continues, "The Dracilt kingdom was prosperous until attacks began all throughout our kingdom. The dark kingdom began picking off our people with help from Todoroki's small forces. None of the other kingdoms would offer any aid because of the fear surrounding dragon shifters. So our kingdom fell. And yeah, I guess that about fills you in on my kingdom."

Bakugou looks truly pained by Eijirou's words. Those people didn't deserve to be slaughtered, and certainly not for a power move by a mad king and a power hungry lowlife. Katsuki is frankly disgusted. He is horrified and shocked at the actions of both Todoroki's kingdom and the surrounding kingdoms. He says to Eijirou with complete sincerity, "I'm so sorry Eijirou."

Kiri shrugs, "Well it isn't your fault. It isn't as if your family had a direct hand in the destruction."

Bakugou's features quickly go from melancholy to exasperated. "But didn't they though? They didn't do anything to stop the dark king! They watched on and did nothing!"

Kirishima sighs, "They had been lead to believe that my kind were ruthless killing monsters, not worth saving."

Katsuki runs a hand through his wild blonde hair in frustration. "That's fucking bullshit! Anyone who can sit by and watch idly as innocent people are slaughtered like animals isn't worthy to call themselves a fucking king!"

Kirishima smiles brightly at this man, his supposed match. With every passing moment Eijirou can see why this man could be his equal. Eijirou speaks tenderly, "You are going to be a great king someday Katsuki. When I met you I never would have thought you could be so brave and selfless."

Bakugou grimaces at Eijirou. "No I'm really fucking not. I'm just like them. I took you from your home and dragged you to my kingdom where you could've been put through danger! Just because I wanted too! I'm not a fucking king Eijirou."

Kirishima rolls his eyes, "Of course you aren't a king yet. You still have more to learn, but if you have someone by your side who will call you on your bullshit you will be all the better." Bakugou sighs sadly, "That would be real nice if it was actually possible."

They trail off into silence for a while, their conversation hanging heavily in the air. They share some dried meat and bread they had brought along with them. Kirishima drinks from his waterskin deeply, the dragon shifter tired from their flight.

After a while Kirishima stands up from his spot by the fire and stretches, his tunic riding up to reveal a sliver of toned abdomen. Katsuki catches himself gawking at the dragon shifter and has to tear his eyes away from the mentally berates himself, he shouldn't be so easily distracted by Eijirou. Kirishima begins gathering their few things they had unpacked. "I think I am ok to keep going now. We have at least another full night of flying before we reach the ruins."

Bakugou looks surprised. "Wait, don't you want to sleep?"

Kirishima shakes his head. "I can sleep when we get there. We don't exactly have a lot of time to waste." Without waiting for a reply Kirishima shifts back into his dragon form. He kneels down and motions with his head for Katsuki to grab their things and climb on. Bakugou climbs on, but is worried that Eijirou is going to wear himself out by not resting.

Kirishima takes to the sky once Bakugou is upon his back. He really is tired, but he can't waste any precious time. He has a lot of explaining to do.

Bakugou manages to nod off as the sun starts to set, lulled by the gentle swaying and Eijirou's comfortable heat. Kirishima continues flying throughout the night. Trying his best not to jostle the sleeping prince too much. Just as the sun begins to rise again Kirishima can see the edge of the ruins. Once close enough to the dilapidated castle Eijirou lands as quietly as he possibly can. Katsuki groans upon landing, but does not awaken.

Kirishima gently jostles the prince, leaning his head over his shoulder to blow a puff of warm air over the prince's face. Bakugou groans and opens his eyes. When he sees a giant dragon's face looming much too close to him he all but jumps from the dragon's back. Katsuki lands hard on his ass. He shouts, "Fuck me man, don't do that!"

Kirishima huffs, well there went any hope of being unheard. A few moments later there is a snapping and popping noise, a blur of bright pink shoots from within the ruins. Said blur pounces on top of the prince currently sprawled on the ground. Above katsuki stands a dragon. This one having brilliant bright pink scales in various shades. The dragon is snarling, thick globs of cloudy drool pooling in its maw.

After seeing the other dragon Kirishima springs into action. He immediately tackles the other dragon, effectively releasing Katsuki. Kiri snaps his jaws in warning at the ther dragon. His sharp teeth glinting in the dim morning sun. Bakugou watches in shock as Kirishima and the pink dragon have a tiny scuffle. They snap their jaws and make various growls.

While Kirishima is distracted another dragon appears, this one black and gold. It's scales are thicker along its forearms. It stalks closer towards Katsuki, looking dangerous. Bakugou hops to his feet, but doesn't go for his sword. He instead puts his hands up. "Uh. Hey there. I really don't wanna fucking fight you. Eijirou brought me here for something and I'm assuming it wasn't so you could fucking eat me!"

The dragon seems to pause at the mention of Eijirou. It is at this point that Eijirou realizes that another dragon has Katsuki cornered. Kirishima gives a warning burst of flame from his maw before shifting back to his human form. He looks back and forth between each of the dragons expectantly. After a pause the two dragons also shift into their human forms.

The pink dragon shifts into a woman with bright pink hair and one hell of a scowl on her face. She launches herself into Kirishima's arms, hugging him tightly. She snaps at him, "You have a hell of a lot of explaining to do Eijirou!"

The black and gold dragon shifts down to a thin man with black hair. He also speaks, "Yeah Eijirou, why is the guy who kidnapped you back here?!"

Bakugou moves to stand behind Eijirou, definitely feeling safer behind the shifter not actively trying to kill him. Eijirou addresses the others. "Look I know it seems crazy, but I trust him. Bakugou is sorry about before. Look I promise I will explain more later after I show Katsuki the underground."

Both shifters are reluctant to let Bakugou pass, let alone into the ruins, but with a prod from Eijirou they begin walking into the ruins. Bakugou keeps his distance from the strange shifters. He leans into Eijirou and whispers, "Fuck me man I thought they were gonna kill me!"

"Oh they would have killed you if I didn't stop them." Kirishima doesn't bother whispering, knowing full well that the other shifters can hear them anyway. Kiri stays close to Bakugou as they slip into a doorway behind what must have been a large bookcase. The begin to descend below ground. Tunnels of rock and clay around them. They walk for a few minutes before the narrow tunnel opens up into a much larger cavern. Inside said cavern there are lanterns along the wall and the room is decorated quite elegantly. The room reminds Katsuki of the front hall of Bakugou castle. There are more tunnels at the back of the room leading deeper underground.

Kirishima stops once they reach the entrance room. He motions to the other two shifters. He speaks to Katsuki, "These two are the head of my guard. Mina Ashido and Hanata Sero."

Kiri then turns to address the shifters, "This is prince Katsuki Bakugou of the Kurinao kingdom."

The two shifters bow in greeting, but don't look as if they want Bakugou in their home. Katsuki mumbles out a greeting as well, but is still wary of the two after they tried to kill him. With introductions out of the way Kirishima leads katsuki through the tunnels.

The tunnels stretch far and are quite massive. Each branch seems to be connected to other smaller tunnels and rooms. The farther they walk the easier it is to gather that these tunnels are home to many people.A few curious faces have popped into the main hall. Each of them giving Eijirou a little bow and a hello.

Bakugou watches as Eijirou is greeted by various people. They all bow to him respectfully. Bakugou remembers that Eijirou had mentioned having a guard, which only makes him more confused. He leans over to Eijirou, "Why exactly do you have a guard?"

The pink haired shifter, Mina, turns to Eijirou and gives him a scowl. She says, "Seriously Eijirou? You brought him down here and he doesn't even know who you are?"

Kirishima shrugs, "He will find out soon enough…"

Just after Kirishima utters those words a group of young children come thundering down the hall. All of them are cheering a chorus of, "Prince Eijirou!"

Bakugou is shocked to say the least. He mutters, "P-prince Eijirou?! You're a prince!?"

Bakugou's voice is unsteady. Kirishima bends down to scoop a few of the children into his arms, swinging them in the air. The children let out a bunch of giggles. The little girl in Eijirou's arms whispers, "Who's that grumpy guy?"

Kirishima laughs heartily at that comment. He motions to Katsuki. "This is prince Bakugou. Now all of you go off and play."

The children run off down the tunnels, leaving shrieks and squeals in their wake. Eijirou turns back to Bakugou. "I guess I never fully introduced myself. My name is Prince Eijirou Kirishima.

"Kirishima?! As in like the royal fucking family?!" Bakugou's eyes seem to grow impossibly wider. "Holy fuck I kidnapped a goddamn prince!"

Kirishima can't help but laugh. "Yeah you guys really got lucky on that one. I also didn't tell you who I was on the off chance that you had heard of my family.

Bakugou looks like he is literally drowning without being in water. He mutters, "I can't believe this."

Bakugou then in that moment realizes that his soulmate is actually royalty. The one loophole to his arranged marriage has technically been achieved. While Bakugou knows he still hasn't told Eijirou yet. How could someone like Eijirou like Bakugou anyway? He fucking kidnapped the guy.

Eijirou can visibly see the wheels turning in Bakugou's mind. He grins, feeling like the other prince deserves a bit more torture before he reveals that he knows they are soulmates. He pulls Katsuki off down a tunnel. "Come on, you need to meet my dad."