***Warnings: Language, slight sexual harassment, jealousy, talk of witchcraft and sorcery, alpha/omega dynamic terms, humor, angst

***Please read on, enjoy, and review!


Chapter 4: The Mirror

Shoto walks along the balconies of his palace with his best white fur coat, pulling the hood over his head as another quick gust of winter chill ripples through the open area. He is on his way to see Tokoyami, to find out more about where Bakugo ended up and who the omega is tending to him. Shoto was a bit concerned with how fast winter had struck the kingdom and wondered if Bakugo was suffering somewhere in the cold. An omega may have found him, but who's to say the omega is taking care of him in full? Never mind that he felt a twinge of jealousy.

The winter night air whistled and stung at his cheeks, forcing him to pull not just the hood of his coat but the scarf around his nose and mouth as well. As he neared Tokoyami's quarters, Shoto's ears picked up the mourning howl of a hound. Shoto instantly recognizes the howl as Kirishima's, or Kiri for short, Bakugo faithful and loyal hunting and war dog. Shoto takes a quick detour to follow the howling of the dog longing to be with his master. He sees the large red beast, more wolf-like than hound, howling at the full moon. Shoto watches the wild furred beast for a moment, then whistles to him. Kiri's red ears twist and turn as he hears the whistle and starts lumbering towards Shoto.

"No, no, no, no, no, STOP!" Shoto finds himself on his back with a wet tongue lapping at his face. He manages to get Kiri off of him, wiping his face of saliva as the large dog sits before him, tail wagging and tongue hanging out. "You miss your master, don't you?"

Kiri's ears fold back against his head and he lets out a stream of whimpers, crawling on his belly to rest his head on Shoto's lap, seeking comfort.

Shoto strokes the red fur, scratching behind Kiri's ears as the large canine settles against him.

"I miss him, too," Shoto says to Kiri. "I'm shocked that he left you behind...he never goes anywhere without you."

It was true, for wherever Bakugo was, Kiri was right beside him. To most people who don't know Kiri, the large dog is frightening to look upon; and when he is wearing a spiked collar in battle, he's a terrifying threat. Kiri can even stand and walk on two legs, for a very brief moment, giving the image of a werewolf. But when he isn't fighting, Kiri is the biggest, clumsiest dog who likes to eat, play, and beg for belly rubs.

"Come with me," Shoto says, getting up and snapping his fingers for Kiri to follow behind him.

They arrive at Tokoyami chambers and Shoto knocks on the door. He stares at the purple flame sconces, always amazed at the sight of the color. Tokoyami, like Kiri, can be a fierce mage who uses the dark arts to fight, defend, heal, and offer predictions for the future or see things that are currently happening. He is also friendly once one gets to know him but still likes to keep to himself at times.

The door opens and it's not Tokoyami but his giant alpha of a lover; a foreign slave who Tokoyami bought and freed when they crossed paths at the docks a year ago. The alpha, Shoji, usually works as a bodyguard for not just Tokoyami, but for Shoto and Bakugo as well. Bakugo rarely needs a bodyguard, but Shoto doesn't mind the silent company of Shoji.

"Good evening, Lord Shoto," Shoji greets. "What can I do for you?"

"I would like to see Tokoyami if he is available?"

"He's with Lieutenant Shinso right now," Shoji replied. "But please, come in and have a seat. I'll let him know you're here."

Shoto enters with Kirishima and takes a seat on the black velvet cushioned fainting couch. Kiri jumps onto the couch and sits dutifully beside him. Shoto keeps a straight, calm face as Kiri pants next to him, the dogs' breath blowing the right side of his bangs. He was curious to know why Shinso is here. Many inhabitants of the castle come to seek Tokoyami's knowledge of the dark arts; mainly fortune-telling and medicines. Shoto has never asked Tokoyami to show him his 'future mate' or 'how many children he will have;' those were for lesser people. And, most of the time, he didn't want to know. Finding and falling in love with Bakugo was a surprise and pleasure in its own right, and he was glad that he hadn't seen it coming.

Shoji returns from the other room and says, "You can come in now. He's finishing up with Shinso."

Shoto greets Shinso when he sees him; an alpha with wild purple hair and tired eyes, nursing a sprained wrist with one of Tokoyami's many remedies.

"Would you like me to leave?" Shinso asks Shoto.

"No, you can stay," Shoto tells him. "I don't mind. In fact, you may be able to help me."

Shinso gives a small nod. "If it's something I can do, I will."

Tokoyami straightens out the raven mask he uses to cover everything above his mouth. He was the shortest one in the room with Shoji dwarfing him to the point where it almost looked ridiculous. In fairness to Tokoyami, Shoji dwarfed all of them but never raised a hand in anger or strutted his obvious physical strength. Even when protecting, he never lost his temper or even harmed anyone. None that Shoto had seen, anyway.

"I assume you're here to know more about Bakugo?" Tokoyami asks him.

"I am. Have you seen anything new in your visions?" Shoto asks. "Where is he? Who is the omega?"

Tokoyami walks over to his magic mirror and pulls the purple velvet cloth from its reflective surface. "I can't say that I have," he tells Shoto. "But it is a full moon tonight, and the powers of the other side are closer to our realm, thus giving us clearer visions and readings."

Shoto smiles softly. "So, you think we may get a better answer if you ask them tonight?"

"That depends on you," Tokoyami replies. "Are you willing to offer a bit of blood and ask them yourself? If they choose to hear you, then the answer will show in the mirror."

"Just tell me what I need to do,"

Shoto lets Tokoyami guide him in the short process, pricking his middle finger and dripping it into a bowl filled with various herbs, tiny bones, and other small items. Kiri is right beside him, nudging the hand with the bleeding finger and licking it clean. Shoto looks at himself and Tokoyami's reflection in the mirror before asking the question. However, he did not ask about Bakugo, but rather about the omega Bakugo is with.

"Show me the omega caring for my mate, Bakugo," Shoto states the question calmly.

Tokoyami waves a black-gloved hand from under his dark cloak in front of the mirror and fog appears inside. Their reflections disappear but are shortly replaced with the image of a young man. The man, who Shoto assumes is the omega, has friendly green eyes, freckled cheeks, and messy green hair under a floppy hat. The mirror shows the man petting sheep in a field, fishing off the dock and on a boat, picking vegetables in a garden, and cooking in a hearth. Then, the mirror shows Bakugo, bandaged on a bed, with the omega dabbing a cloth on his forehead and offering soup and talking to him. Shoto narrows his eyes slightly at how calmly Bakugo was acting towards the omega and how, in turn, the omega appeared coy. Shoto's shoulders tense when the omega serves Bakugo some food while rubbing the bandaged leg.

Kirishima saw the image of his master and yelped in glee, licking at the mirror only to be shooed away by Tokoyami.

Unbeknownst to Shoto, Shinso's gaze was locked on the green-haired omega, a friendly, carefree omega that looked gentle and kind. Instantly, his alpha instincts reacted to the sight of the omega. These instincts also cause alphas to think ahead in the process of courting a possible omega mate. If Bakugo should dump Shoto for this omega, then Shinso would attempt to woo the omega to him. But challenging Bakugo to a fight or a duel is a foolish act; and yet, the instincts of an alpha are far greater and more important than good judgment. Shinso forced himself to look away, cradling his sprained wrist. How he wished he was a beta to avoid such feelings.

Rarely did Shoto ever feel threatened by another, least of all another omega. But this omega, judging by what he can see, is a threat to his relationship and mating with Bakugo. The omega is a commoner; Shoto was born and raised a lord. However, Bakugo was once a commoner, too. This omega is used to hard work judging by the broad shoulders; not only that, but he is skilled in domestic living as well. Shoto has never had to lift a finger to do much other than his studies and training to advance not only his body but his mind, too.

Sometimes, he felt that Bakugo was a little threatened by their match in knowledge and academics, not just skill. To Shoto, that was one of the things that drew him to Bakugo; the passion play behind friendly banter and debates. But what if Bakugo realizes that he wants a more docile omega as a mate? Shoto knows that Bakugo wants to advance his career with marriage to him, but Shoto thought Bakugo had some love for him. The alpha still may, but he's just stubborn. Even if Bakugo marries and mates with him, it's not uncommon for alphas of high rank to have more than one omega on the side; sometimes they can be live-in mistresses or lovers. Even children born out of wedlock can be considered an heir, but only if they were an alpha- omega bastards are often ignored. He can't allow that to happen; it would be a disgrace on his family name, his mother, and even his pride as an omega. Lovers and whores are one thing with a high-ranking alpha, they aren't threats. But one omega IS a threat.

"Where is this place?" Shoto asks. "Can you see where it is?"

Tokoyami moves his hand along the mirror, shifting the image. "No. All I can see is that it's a fishing town, of which there are many in this region."

"Why not find which ships set sail that day?" Shoji offers.

"There are too many ships that go out of port every day," Shoto tells him. "It wouldn't help much,"

Shinso surprises them by stepping forward, staring at the mirror and the omega inside. "They offer tributes, don't they?" he states. "The bookkeepers have a strong record of all the people they collect tributes and taxes from. Each person is described in the books. If you can find omegas with green hair and eyes, that should narrow your search."

Shoto's eyes widened at Shinso's suggestion. "That's a fine idea," he says. "I'll set some of our scholars to work. And Shoji, we will look at all the ships that set sail that day. If we have a description of the omega, we will get a town name, and the ships' logs should say where they planned to sail."

Tokoyami waves his hand again and the image fades. He stumbles a bit but Shoji steadies him, lifting the smaller omega into his arms like an overgrown child.

"You've exhausted yourself again," Shoji tells him. "I told you, you have to rest more often."

Shoto nods and says to Tokoyami, "Thank you for your help. Let me know if there is anything you need to make a speedy recovery."

"I'll be better in time, with good rest," Tokoyami tells him. "The spirits showed you much this night. Your aura must be very strong."

"Well, I am a Todoroki, after all," he says, rubbing the top of Kirishima's head. "There's no end to the power and mysteries of my family blood."


"DEKU FISH! Where are you! I have to piss again!"

Izuku came in from outside in the garden, hands still covered in dirt, when he heard Bakugo shouting for him. He quickly grabbed the chamber pot and handed it to Bakugo, turning his back to give the other privacy.

"It's all this damned tea you give me," Bakugo grumbles, finishing up. "I'm tired of lying in this bed all day and night! I'm going to get pissed over very, very soon if something doesn't change!"

Izuku takes the chamber pot and says, "You mean, you can get even angrier than you normally are?"

"W-wha- Just get out of here and dump that! And get me another book before you disappear outside again!"

Izuku empties the chamber pot outside the back window then picks out three books. These were narratives rather than academic books. He brought them to Bakugo and placed them on the alpha's lap.

"I thought you might like a change from the other books. These three stories are my favorite! This one is about a young man who finally gains magic powers in a world where everyone is already very powerful with their own magic. This green one is about a very smart sorcerer who has to find a way to save the world after all humans turn to stone! And this one is a darker tale about a cursed man with a large dragon-slaying sword who constantly fights monsters and demons that are after him. I think you'll like them, and I would enjoy having another person to talk to about them."

Bakugo looks at the three books for a moment and then waves Deku away. "I've got nothing else to do, so I guess I'll read them."

"Great! I'm going to finish the work in the garden and then I'll go into town to sell some of the vegetables and hopefully come back with fresh milk! If I make enough from the market, I could buy some flour and eggs to make bread!"

"Whatever. Just find me something that isn't fucking fish for dinner!"

"I'll see what I can find," Izuku says and returns outside to the garden.

Bakugo hates how he's stuck in this bed, wounded from a shipwreck, with a broken ankle and arm. He felt so useless that he had to rely on an omega and piss in a pot; not something he was used to doing. It made him think though; Bakugo came to realize that he has grown a bit spoiled living the high life of a royal officer and shacking up with the Todorokis. Growing up in the town, they all had pots or a shared shithouse (as he called it) in the center. At the Todoroki castle, everyone had their own, always cleaned and always private. He should be adapting to his current environment as he has lived like this before. But there wasn't the smell of fish and turnips everywhere.

He lays down and closes his eyes, thinking back to the times when he dined in Shoto's chamber at a mahogany table with high back chairs. On his plate was the finest cut of charred meat, roasted potatoes and carrots, and fresh-picked grapes. A goblet of the best red wine never emptied with a tray of sweet cakes and tarts ever-present. Everywhere were clean stone walls, paintings, tapestries, decorations, rugs; not like here, in this little run-down hut that smells of fish.

'I've got to get better and get the hell out of this place before I go nuts,' he says to himself.

"Bakugo, I'm going into town now, so I'll be gone for a little while," Izuku says, coming back inside and lighting the lantern. "It may be dark by the time I get back."

Without opening his eyes, Bakugo says, "Don't forget to find me something not-fish to eat!"

"I'll do my best," Izuku says, making sure Bakugo is settled before leaving and heading into town.

Izuku shivers at the cold breeze and turns his head from the basket of vegetables to let out a little sneeze. Tomorrow he would have to split more wood if the weather continues to get cold like this so quickly. He couldn't focus on that now, though, because he worried about coming home empty-handed to Bakugo. Other types of meat were expensive and while he may be able to purchase one, he wouldn't be able to keep up with Bakugo's diet demands. He doesn't want to fail Bakugo, he wants to gain his respect and trust, so the alpha can help their cause.

'I wonder if I can give him something else that isn't food that he may like,' Izuku wondered. 'He's tired of being in bed, so maybe I can find him a good, sturdy walking stick!' He comes up on the Charms' farm and he grins. Mr. Charm has multiple walking sticks and Izuku was certain the old man would let him borrow it for a bit.

"What ya need it for?" Mr. Charm asks when Izuku knocked on their door.

"Um...I'm going to try carpentry, and I thought a walking stick would be easy to start with, but I would need a model one."

Mr. Charm comes back with a thick walking stick. "This is me best one! Got me through some hard times!"

"Thank you! I'll be sure to give it back once I'm finished."

Izuku then heads to the market, stopping at the vegetable stand first. He offers the merchant the basket full of tubers; carrots, potatoes, onions, and turnips. They bargain back and forth until the merchant agrees to buy the lot from Izuku. Counting the money, he has enough to buy a small piece of meat for Bakugo, along with flour and eggs for bread. He will have to forego the fresh milk for this trip.

Izuku buys the eggs first from the chicken man and the flour from the bakery. The last stop was the butcher, who was surprised to see Izuku in his shop. Izuku asked him what is available for the amount he has left over. The butcher offered him a piece of raw chicken or a piece of pork. The pork was a bit extra, but the chicken would leave him enough money to buy fresh milk! Izuku chose the chicken, hoping that Bakugo would approve. He pays the butcher then finishes at the dairy stand, extremely happy to have a fresh bottle of milk. With his items purchased, Izuku begins to make his way out of the town, until his path is blocked by two guards.

Izuku frowns at them, but says nothing and tries to walk around. The guards stop him by holding out their spears. "Can I help you, gentlemen?" He knew these two; everyone in town did, for they're Kai's rotten bullies who take the title of soldier and guard to the extreme. They look for and cause trouble.

"Well look at that, it's Broccoli Head boy," mocks the first guard.

"Setting up your hut for your empty nest?" mocks the other. It was a jab at Izuku's inability to find an alpha mate and make a 'nest', an old-fashioned term for an omega's birthing room or home.

"No, just some basics for living," he tells them. "I would like to get the milk home and in a cool place. May I pass?" He attempts to pass again, but they stop him. Izuku swallows hard.

"We heard that you were keeping some of the canvas sail from the shipwreck; his majesty's shipwreck,"

'Not this again,' "It's true, but the Magistrate took it. I didn't know it was of the royal fleet, but now I do. If that is all," he attempts to pass for the third time, but they block him. The first one was closer to him and Izuku could smell the booze from them.

"Hey, why don't you come with us for a bit?" The second one offers. "Come have a drink with us,"

"No thank you. I really want to get the milk back,"

"Don't be such a prude, Greenie," Says the first one. "We know you're a struggling omega, so why not the town guards help you out? You give us a little, we give you a little. Get it?"

Izuku took a step back. He did know what they're suggesting, and if they weren't guards, he would strike them for harassment. Anyone who strikes a guard, soldier or official of the crown would be jailed and punished. Izuku can't afford to get in trouble and leave Bakugo alone, so he will have to do his best to get out of the situation peacefully.

"I...I'd really rather not," Izuku tells them. "I...I don't want to spoil what little I have left for a possible alpha mate,"

The second one laughed. "You're too old and big to be a mate to anyone! But you don't have to struggle and starve. Lots of failed omegas become beginner omegas for fledgling alphas."

Izuku blushed with both repulsion and embarrassment. They were talking about practice omegas; unwanted, unloved, or disgraced omegas who whore themselves out to young alphas to prepare alphas for having an omega mate. He didn't know what to say; he wanted to defend himself but his hands were tied. He was helpless. Unless…

"Come on, show us if you're green down there, too." Snarked the first.

"Please, leave me alone!" Izuku tells them, loudly, catching the attention of other townspeople in the area. "Magistrate Kai frowns upon those types of acts! I'll have to report you both to him if you try anything!" That had worked, for the two guards stepped back. Izuku let out a sigh of relief. Kai wouldn't stand up for him, but he would scold the guards.

"Bah! Who wants an old omega with cobwebs between their thighs anyway." Sneers the second and as they break apart to walk around Izuku, the first one knocks the milk bottle from his arms. The bottle breaks on the road and all the milk spills out.

Izuku lowers his head, watching the white substance spread along the road. That was to be his only milk for a long while, and now it was gone. Sighing in defeat, he picks up all the glass, so no one would step on it or get hurt. After disposing of the glass, he takes what little he has left, the chicken, eggs, flour, and walking stick, and heads for home.

He returned home shortly after sunset to find Bakugo sitting up and reading one of the books by lantern light. The moment he came in, Bakugo started hollering at him that it was too cold in the house and the fire was near dying. Izuku placed his items down and tended to the fire, getting it to light to full blaze once again.

"You took your sweet time coming back," Bakugo says, placing the book on his lap. "Did you get something other than fish?"

Izuku nods. "Yes. I was able to get some chicken," he shows it to Bakugo. "I'll fry it up for you with some carrots and potatoes."

"It's not my favorite, but it's a shit ton better than fish!" Bakugo tells him. "What about the stuff for the bread?"

"Yes, I got the eggs and flour."

"Did you get your milk?"

Izuku pauses for a second, then says, "No, I didn't. I didn't have enough on me, but that's okay. I have a surprise for you, though!" Izuku shows him the walking stick. "See!"

"A really big stick?"

"Well, it's a walking stick! I borrowed it from someone in town who has plenty of them. I thought you would like to get out of bed and start moving around."

Bakugo grinned and snatched the stick from Deku. "I'll take it! Finally, you did something useful, Deku Fish! Get started on supper! I'm starving!"

"Are you sure you don't want my help getting up at first?" Izuku offered.

"No, just start cooking,"

Izuku silently begins to prepare the chicken and vegetables while he hears Bakugo hissing and cursing behind him. Izuku can hear the walking stick on the wood floor.

"Feels damned good to get up out of that shitty bed!" Bakugo says, going over to the window. "Hm. Waves are high tonight." He cocks his head slightly to look at the lighthouse. "I remember the lighthouse disappearing in the storm," he says.

"It must have been scary," Izuku says.

"I'm not afraid of anything," Bakugo boasts. "But it was annoying because it couldn't wait for us to get to port! It HAD to strike right then!"

Izuku turns the chicken over in the pan. "Some of the old fishermen still believe in superstitions about ocean spirits and wraiths causing storms."

"Well, they're stupid," Bakugo says. "But there are stupid people everywhere, even in the Royal City and the Capitol. And among the nobles as well." He scoffs. "Some of them still believe in witchcraft and sorcery."

Izuku looks over his shoulder at Bakugo. "You shouldn't make fun of people for what they believe,"

Bakugo hobbles towards him. "Yes, you should. Do you know why? Because stupid superstitions like ghosts, spirits, and witchcraft make for scapegoats for people- easy to blame- and innocent people end up suffering for it."

Izuku turns back to the chicken. "It should only be an issue when it becomes dangerous for the people who believe it and feel they should act on it,"

Bakugo thought for a moment. "Yeah, you're right. For once, Deku Fish. Supper ready yet?"

"Almost."

Bakugo hobbled to the table instead of the bed, carefully taking a seat and hissing as he arranged his broken ankle and arm. Deku finishes at the wood stove and brings a plate over, placing it in front of him. Bakugo's mouth watered at the charred chicken and steaming vegetables. Anything but fish! But there was only one plate with chicken, the whole piece of chicken.

"What are you having?" Bakugo asks him.

"Leftover vegetable stew," Izuku replied, going into the cellar for a few moments to come up with a jar of it.

Bakugo frowned, looking at his well-put-together meal and hearing the plopping sound of old stew hitting the bottom of a pot. "Hey, shitty Deku, have the other half of this chicken."

Izuku looks over at him, stunned. "What?"

"Are you deaf? Do you have seaweed in your ears? I SAID, have half of this chicken!"

"No! I got that just for you. It's okay, really! I don't mind having stew."

"I don't care what you want, I said to have half of my chicken! If you make me say it again, I'm going to stab you with this fork!"

Izuku grabs another plate, going to the table so Bakugo can plop half the chicken meat onto it along with a few vegetables. Izuku was touched by Bakugo's kindness and it made up for the lost milk.

"Thank you, Kacchan. I won't forget this,"

Bakugo starts to eat, not looking at Deku. "It's just food."

Izuku hadn't had chicken in a long time. When he placed a small piece in his mouth, the flavor overwhelmed his senses and he realized how much he had missed something other than fish. But the best part of the whole supper was getting to share it with Bakugo just like a proper mated couple. Izuku blushed the whole time eating.

Outside, at the bottom of the path leading to Izuku's house stood the two guards from earlier.

"Let's stop in for a cup of tea," says one with a smirk then adds, "Or two."

TBC