***Hi everyone! So, I know that at the end of the last chapter I said there would be more Dabi, Kai, and Tomura- unfortunately, the amount of drama and angst that went into this chapter did not leave time to put in a whole other scene and subplot without making the chapter super long! Chapter 10 will be the end of Part One, and I will focus on them then. I promise!

***Warnings: Language, angst, lots of angst and lots of drama, sex (only on AO3), jealousy, suspense, mpreg

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


Chapter 9: Welcome Home?

Izuku could barely remember boarding the ship after he heard that Bakugo already has a mate. Never did Bakugo mention another omega the entire time they were together. While he was sharing a cabin with Bakugo, the alpha wouldn't look at him. Izuku also had nothing to say to Bakugo. Well, he had a LOT to say, but he was still in shock. Who is this other omega? What are they to Bakugo? Why hasn't Bakugo bonded with them?

The ship left port and neither were speaking. Bakugo eventually laid down to fall asleep, his back to Izuku. Izuku continues to sit in the cabin, staring at Bakugo, as if in a trance. When his stomach started to feel a little queasy, he figured it was the movement of the ship, so he left to get some air. Suddenly, he felt as if he would vomit once he reached the deck. This was unlike him because he's a fisherman and has grown up all his life on and around boats. He leans over the side to dry heave, but nothing comes up.

'Could it be?' Izuku placed his hand on his lower stomach and smiled. 'Am I carrying Kacchan's baby? Our baby?' Then, that happiness turned to distress and that's when he let the tears fall. 'Kacchan has another mate…does he have another baby, too?'

"Are you alright?"

Izuku quickly wipes his eyes and looks over to see the mage omega, Tokoyami, still cloaked in all black watching him. The other was very slight in build and shorter than him with thick black hair and a pointed nose, almost like a bird.

"I…I'm alright…" Izuku replied, sniffling.

"For a man that lives on a fishing island, one wouldn't think you couldn't handle being on a boat,"

Izuku shakes his head. "No, it's not that. It's because I think I'm-"

"Oh. I see." Tokoyami walks closer and lays his hand on Izuku's lower belly. "Stay still,"

Izuku did so, feeling the nausea suddenly melt away at Tokoyami's touch. "How did you do that?"

"I can use magic," Tokoyami reminds him. "And I can safely guess this is Bakugo's baby?"

"Yes, it is," Izuku turns back to look at the sea. "He never told me he had a mate,"

Tokoyami joins him in staring at the ocean, standing by his side. "What did Bakugo tell you when you asked where he was going before the shipwreck?"

"He didn't really tell me anything other than he was just on the boat,"

"Well, the true reason is that he ran away from the approaching marriage with a young lord, Shoto Todoroki, whom he was promised to,"

"...promised? So, he didn't want to be with Shoto of his own free will?"

Tokoyami shakes his head. "No, it's not quite like that. It isn't my place to say-"

"Then I'll say it," another voice joined them and it was Shinso. "Bakugo has very strong ambitions, which you can't provide for him. I know that sounds harsh, but you must be mindful of the type of person Bakugo is."

"I've seen a different side of him," Izuku says. "I saw and felt it in our bond. He wouldn't have bonded with me if he really loved Shoto."

"Yes, that's true. It's best if you speak with Bakugo about this before we land in the kingdom," Tokoyami tells him. "Try to get some rest. If you still feel sick, come to my cabin and I will have something for you."

"Okay. Thank you, Tokoyami."

Izuku turns his attention to Shinso. "I'm aware of Bakugo's ambitions, Shinso. He told me about them,"

Shinso throws his scarf further around his neck, covering his mouth from the cold. "He's already achieved as much as a person of low birth can," Shinso says. "His other ambitions…he can't do them alone. A noble marriage to a noble omega with great wealth and power, such as the Todoroki family, is the only way he can achieve everything. You don't factor into any of that,"

Izuku holds his breath for a moment, then replies, "People can change,"

Shinso tilts his head slightly. "Can they? You haven't known Bakugo for very long, have you?"

"I may not be of high birth, but I can help Bakugo achieve what he wants, what he needs! He and I share the same ideals to make the world a better place for everyone! There's nothing we can't do, so long as we're together."

"I think Shoto said something along those very same lines,"

Shinso said nothing else to Izuku as he walked away, almost disappearing into the darkness and fog of the deck. Izuku felt another stab of hurt and jealousy at what Shinso told him, about Bakugo and Shoto. But Tokoyami is right, he should talk to Bakugo about everything; and he has wonderful news to tell his mate, as well. Yet when he placed his hand on his belly, the joy he felt about telling Bakugo suddenly faded into despair.

'I should wait until I hear everything he has to say about Shoto Todoroki.'

Bakugo couldn't sleep even though he was exhausted, mentally and physically. His thoughts are what is keeping him awake- thoughts about Deku, about Shoto, and about something else that he refused to admit or acknowledge. That bit was like a splinter that wouldn't come out as it was deep under the skin. He couldn't admit it to himself, so he wouldn't. He would let it fester.

"Kacchan?"

Bakugo stiffened at the sound of Deku's voice but responded by sitting up and turning the lantern light above the bed on brighter. Deku's normally stupid, cheerful face was a mask of unhappiness. They haven't spoken to each other since boarding the ship, not that Bakugo could blame Deku for giving him the cold shoulder. However, unlike Shoto, he can gamble on Deku easily forgiving him. Shoto was going to be a challenge.

"We need to talk,"

"Yeah, we do," he says flatly. "I'm sure you have a lot to say, so, just come right out and say it, or ask it."

"Why didn't you tell me you had a mate waiting for you?" Izuku asks right away.

"What would it have mattered?"

"Because I probably wouldn't have let my omega instincts take over and pursue you!" Izuku countered. "Is it true that you were running away from your promised marriage to Shoto?"

Bakugo snorted. "I don't run from anything,"

"What do you call it, then?" Izuku countered again. "Voluntarily withdrawing?"

"Sarcasm isn't becoming of you,"

"I deserve to know!" Izuku was holding back his angry tears.

Bakugo was finding it hard to bring forth the right words to say to Deku. All he could do, in the end, was tell the truth.

"I didn't want to get married yet," Bakugo began. "Shoto pushed the marriage sooner, without my knowledge or my permission. His father agreed to it…Shoto was ready, but I wasn't. On a whim, I left the kingdom; jumped on a boat, sailed for…wherever, hit a storm, and ended up with you."

Izuku, by now, had taken a seat near the bed. "Did you tell Shoto you weren't ready yet?" Izuku asked, hoping that Bakugo would say 'yes' and that Shoto forced his hand.

"No, I didn't tell him. I just left."

"...Shoto must think that something horrible happened to you…or that you don't like him anymore to run away and not tell him."

"Look, it wasn't one of my BEST decisions, okay?" Bakugo snapped. "If anything, shit happens for a reason! Who did I bond with? Huh? Was it Shoto, or was it you? If I had felt a bonding towards Shoto, then I wouldn't have left! Now we're through talking about this!"

"No! We're not done!" Izuku stood up from the chair, fist clenched at his sides. "Shinso said that you have ambitions that you can only achieve with Shoto because he's a noble! Were you stringing Shoto along all that time? Just to use him for your gain?"

"That's how it started out!" Bakugo countered, his eyes flaring now with the way Deku was attacking him. "It's not my fault that Shoto decided to fall in love with me! He has his own fucking ambitions! No one is stopping to think about SHOTO'S side to this, only mine! It's fucking annoying! Yes, Shoto can raise my status even higher to that of matching the king! In return, Shoto gets to act as an ALPHA alongside me, making all the political laws and shit like that! Me, as his alpha husband, would grant him all the abilities to do as he pleased, despite omega rules and standards! By marrying me, he avoids other arranged marriages and alpha suitors who only want him for breeding and wealth! The both of us had something to gain from our union!"

Izuku sat back in his chair, looking down at his lap.

"What? Nothing to say? You were full of words a moment ago,"

"I…I have to know," he couldn't bear to lift his eyes to Bakugo. "When we…arrive in the kingdom…what am I going to be to you? An omega mate? Or…an omega lover?"

Bakugo honestly did not have an answer for Deku's question because he didn't know what was going to happen when they arrived at the royal city. By now, Shoto knows they are coming and who Deku is thanks to Tokoyami's magic. He does have a tough decision to make; he can leave Deku and marry Shoto or stay with Deku and lose all hopes of achieving higher status. The thought of leaving Deku's side created an ache in their bond that tugged on his soul. He couldn't leave Deku even if he wanted to; but how could he keep Deku while having Shoto?

"Deku…everything depends on what happens when we get to the Todoroki castle," Bakugo said. "I don't have any other answers, so, let's leave it at that," he lowered his tone, feeling the ache in their bond again as Deku was hurting emotionally.

"You should have just told me from the beginning," Izuku says, his voice barely above a whisper. "Then I could have just been your friend," he got up from the chair and left the cabin once again.

Bakugo hissed under his breath. "Shit," he mumbled, running his good hand through his hair. "Damn omegas. Thank the fucking stars I was born alpha."

Back out on the deck, shivering in the cold air, Izuku cried heavy tears over the banister railing of the ship. No matter how many times he wiped them away, more would follow in an endless torrent. Only a short time ago, he was happy and full of hope. Oh, how he wished he could go back to that time; how he wished this ship had never come! While he should be celebrating with his mate about the new life inside of him, he is bawling in despair instead. Something was draped over his shoulders and he turned to see Shinso had appeared, offering his coat.

"It's too cold to be out on deck…your tears will freeze."

Izuku sniffled and replied, "Doesn't matter…new hot tears will melt the frozen ones,"

Shinso felt a tugging at his heart and an ache in his chest seeing Izuku cry. The only image he had of Izuku was in Tokoyami's mirror, a cheerful omega with a bright friendly eyes and an equally friendly smile. As usual, Bakugo had managed to hurt another omega; first Tokoyami, then Shoto, and now Izuku. The damned hero alpha squashes omega hearts as if they were insects. While he didn't feel a spark with Tokoyami or Shoto, he does feel the spark with Izuku.

"I'm guessing Bakugo told you everything?"

Izuku nods. "Yes, he did. You were right, Shinso."

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know," he took a deep breath, wiping his nose with his sleeve. "I wish I were a different kind of person,"

"...why do you say that?"

"Because I'm Bakugo's omega mate, but I feel terrible about what Shoto must be going through! Anyone else would be glad they won over their alpha, so why can't I be that way, too? I would be happier if I didn't care about Shoto's feelings."

Shinso has never met anyone as pure-hearted as Izuku and he was smitten all over again. A bastard like Bakugo does not deserve an omega like Izuku.

Nearby, Shoji and Tokoyami had been enjoying a peaceful, quiet night in the dark; Tokoyami wrapped in Shoji's large arms when they overheard Izuku's conversation with Shinso.

"Poor Izuku," says Tokoyami. "That kind of heart will only get torn to shreds in the kingdom. One must have tough skin, or they'll never be able to safely navigate."

"Hm. Maybe someone like Izuku is the wake-up call the kingdom needs," Shoji says.

Tokoyami nuzzles his face into Shoji's chest to shield it from the wind. "I agree, but the kingdom is a cutthroat, backstabbing place and Izuku is from a little island town where everyone trusts each other."

"Who knows? I didn't think I would ever be free from those chains, but thanks to your kindness, you broke them for me. I'm a free man now, and you've changed my world."

Tokoyami takes one of Shoji's large hands to look at the scars around the thick wrist from years of captivity and slavery.

"I wish I could heal them completely."

Shoji chuckles softly. "It's alright," he glances over towards Izuku and Shinso again. "We should befriend Izuku…he's going to need all the help he can get when facing the world of the court. And Shoto."

"Yes, you are correct. When we return, I will create an amulet of protection for him…poor little lamb."

Bakugo continued to toss and turn in the bed, uncomfortable by not just thoughts but the rocking of the ship. Also, Deku wasn't back yet. He was prepared to go and search for him since it was getting late, but he didn't have to when the cabin door opened to reveal his mate. He looks at Deku's face and can tell the other had been crying because the green eyes were bloodshot and swollen. He says nothing as Deku strips down to his underclothes and, shockingly, gets into bed beside him. Yet Deku didn't stop there.

When Deku straddles his waist, he asks what he's doing only to have his answer come in the form of the omega preparing himself. He can smell the omega arousal and slick in the air, igniting his desire to claim his bonded mate. This was not what he expected after their harsh conversation earlier.

***Edited for FF. Read scene on AO3***

Izuku snuggles against Bakugo, resting a hand over the alpha's heart.

"We'll work something out. Together," Izuku says to him.

"You're different from before," Bakugo notes. "Did you catch a fever from being in the cold and are delusional?"

Izuku was still not ready to tell Bakugo about their baby yet since he fears it will complicate things at the moment. Bakugo should be able to sense the life inside of him, but there are some things Bakugo is NOT attune to.

"Goodnight, Kacchan."

"...goodnight."

When they arrived at the royal port, Izuku was speechless and in awe of the structures, houses, and buildings. He knew he was only seeing a tiny portion of the royal city, but if this was big to him, then what was the rest of it like? Izuku only fell off the ramp into the water a few times as he was so focused on the city. And the docks! They were bustling with merchants, workers, and guards. Watching all the activity was making him dizzy.

They got into a carriage and he and Bakugo rode with Shoji and Tokoyami. Tokoyami had to sit on Shoji's lap because the larger man took up most of the seat. Shinso was on a horse, riding beside them. If this was a type of noble treatment, then Izuku concluded that he could get used to this! But as they rode on, chatting about this and that, they were getting closer to meeting Shoto. Izuku was worried about that, but then his mood changed when the carriage turned on the main road. There were hundreds of shops, tons of people, hundreds of merchants, all well dressed. He noticed that many of the women were wearing oddly large and overly decorated hats.

"This is the Royal Market," Tokoyami tells him. "But don't let all its colors and barkers trick you."

"What makes you say that?" Izuku asked.

"He means this place is full of loyalists, radicals, traditionalists, and witch haters." Bakugo answered for him. "The rich and well off don't take to change that will help the less fortunate," he warns.

Izuku understood what they meant and he gave a curt, serious nod. "I hope we can find a way to make everyone agree."

"Probably not in our lifetime," Shoji says. "Slavery still exists all over the world,"

"We'll find a way to stop that, too," Izuku tells him. "And you're right, it might not be in our lifetime, but we can at least get things started, so that the future will look brighter."

Once out of the main city, they travel a dirt road through wide open fields and near bear trees. Tokoyami tells Izuku that they are traveling on Todoroki land, and Izuku's jaw nearly drops to the carriage floor. How much land could one family need? Hundreds of houses and farms could be built on these open fields! Such land is being wasted just to look at! Then, Izuku's eyes caught sight of a small village with some livestock. Bakugo explained that they were the serfs that live and work on the Todoroki land. Once through there, the Todoroki castle came into view.

Izuku had never seen a true castle in person, only in illustrations but the stone structure was massive. He watched in awe as the drawbridge was lowered and the iron gate lifted, bringing them into a large stone courtyard bustling with more workers, soldiers, and guards. The people stopped to watch them pass and they went through ANOTHER corridor, this time arriving at the front of the castle with a well kept courtyard surrounded with hedges, a fountain, various small trees and bare bushes. Izuku was certain the courtyard was beautiful in the spring and summer.

"Shoto is aware of our arrival," Tokoyami says. "If we're lucky, Lord Enji Todoroki will not be there."

"Is that Shoto's father?" Izuku asked.

"What do you think?" Bakugo snapped at him with sarcasm.

When the carriage stopped and footmen helped them out (except Bakugo who threatened to kill them if they dare attempt to help HIM) Izuku felt the tension in the air as guards and soldiers at their posts were staring at them, most likely at him, since the other three are known to them already. Izuku gulped, unsure of what to do or what he was waiting for; and then, it happened.

All the guards and soldiers suddenly fell to one knee and all heads turned to the side steps leading from one of the many balconies overlooking the courtyard. Izuku looked in their direction and there he laid eyes on who was undoubtedly Young Lord Shoto Todoroki. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of the other omega.

There was not one trace of emotion on the scarred face as he began to descend down the stairs. The omega was dressed in the finest clothes.. A dark blue doublet of damask lies under a thick, velvet-lined dark fur cloak with a collar of white swan feathers. The cloak trails elegantly behind him, rippling down the steps. The brown leather boots with a slight heel click softly on the stone of the stairs. Upon his head is a slim gold diadem encrusted with rubies and sapphires. A silver medallion chain of office sticks out against the rich blue color of the doublet, a sign of Shoto's high rank and status within the kingdom. A thick leather belt with a rapier at its side showed off the slim waist that gave way to a broad build. Shoto was practically gliding along the path like an otherworldly being to stop and stand in front of him.

Izuku had to tilt his head slightly to look at the handsome face of the most attractive omega he has ever seen. Even the scar, which covered the left side of his face, did nothing to take away from his beauty. Even omegas can feel insignificant and submissive to another omega in the same way they do for an alpha. It's no wonder Bakugo would be attracted to such a handsome, accomplished, and intelligent omega. Izuku wished he could read Shoto's blank expression, wondering what the other omega was thinking. By now, Shoto knows who he is but wasn't showing any malice towards him.

"Izuku Midoriya," Shoto's voice was calm yet sturdy with a gentle, authoritative tone. He was not a person who would need to raise their voice to get attention.

The mention of his name broke his thoughts and he quickly fell to one knee like the others.

"Y-Yes?" There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment, and then,

"Welcome to my home."

Izuku's head shot up at the polite greeting as it was not what he was expecting. However, Shoto's expression was still blank, stiff, and cold, like a statue.

"T-Thank you…sir?" Those six words were the only ones spoken to him. Shoto moved to greet Bakugo instead.

"I'm glad to see you are safe and well," Shoto tells him.

Bakugo snorts. "Yeah, it was quite the adventure,"

"Once the doctor has examined you, we'll have dinner in my chambers. We have much to talk about,"

Bakugo nods but looks away. "Yeah, we do."

Izuku gets up from the cold ground and calls Shoto. "S-sir!" Shoto turns to look at him. Izuku smiles and adds, "Thank you for welcoming me into your home."

Shoto slowly turned his body and walked back to Izuku. "You do not speak to me unless you are invited to," Shoto tells him. "And when you do, you may only address me as 'My Lord' and your eyes must always be cast down."

"Oh geez, don't start this noble-life shit," Bakugo sneers angrily at Shoto. "You're just being an ass right now!"

Izuku didn't know what to do but he decided to obey Shoto and lower his eyes to the ground, wanting to apologize yet remaining silent, as instructed. He has to remember that he is still a peasant among nobles. He watched as Shoto leaned into Bakugo to whisper something to him.

"Be grateful I let him come here at all," Shoto whispers to Bakugo. "You and I have much to talk about, and we will discuss every bit of it, even if it takes us all night."

Bakugo moves his head to face Shoto and glare at him, but then his features softened a bit when he recognized the silent hurt and betrayal written in Shoto's mismatched eyes.

"Right."

As Shoto walks off, Izuku comes to stand next to Bakugo, taking his hand. "Kacchan?"

"Hey, Deku…for now, I think you should stay in your own room. You'll have one prepared. Just until I can talk things over with Shoto."

Izuku doesn't want to be away from Bakugo now that he is pregnant but he understands the situation. He is, however, fighting the flicker of jealousy that keeps threatening to emerge at the thought of Bakugo and Shoto being alone together. He has faith in their bond and yet a part of him is trying to feel envy. He is not the jealous type and refused to be one now. But still… there was that tiny little ember just waiting to turn into a flame. He's better than that!

"I really do want to be with you right now," Izuku tells him. "This is my first time for a lot of things…and I need my alpha,"

"Yeah. Let me get off my- oh no! DON'T YOU DARE! DOWN! SIT! STAY!"

Izuku, utterly confused by Bakugo's reaction, suddenly sees a massive red-colored, wolf-like dog lumbering towards them, mouth agape with a long tongue and slobber. In a flash of red, Bakugo was on the ground and the large dog was sitting on him, licking madly at his face, whimpering happily and tail wagging so hard it looked ready to snap off. Izuku chuckles at Bakugo's wild cursing, calling the dog 'Kiri'. Bakugo never mentioned he had a dog.

"You mangy mutt! Get off of me! Can't you see I'm in bandages?" Bakugo yells at the dog once Kirishima gets off of him, barking merrily and spinning. "You're going to make yourself dizzy again! Knock it off!" Kirishima lowered himself onto his paws, ready to play, with his tail still wagging.

"I didn't know you had a dog," Izuku says.

"He's my hunting and war dog," Bakugo tells him, getting up on his own with the use of the cane. "He looks like a dorky mutt now," Kirishima decided to chase his tail. "But you should see him take down an elk or a horse," he smirked. "Or the enemy. Kirishima is vicious and one snap from those jaws on your throat and your head will be nearly severed."

Izuku gulped and clutched his neck. "Guess I shouldn't make him mad then?"

Kirishima yelped when he caught his tail but then focused on Izuku. To Kirishima, he can smell his master on Izuku, recognizing him as a mate. Dutifully, Kirishima crawls on his belly with his tail wagging to Izuku.

"He likes you," Bakugo says, watching as Deku kneels down to let Kiri lick his face, laughing happily. 'At least the meeting with Shoto didn't go too bad,'

"Izuku Midoriya, you may come with us," it was a well dressed servant and a castle guard. "We will show you to your room."

Izuku gets up from the ground, wiping the slobber from his face and turns to Bakugo. "When will I see you?"

"Depends how long my meeting with Shoto goes,"

Izuku manages a small smile. "Okay. I'll wait for you, then." he gives Bakugo a kiss on the cheek and leaves with the servant and guard with Tokoyami and Shinso following behind.

Bakugo notices movement on the balcony and looks up to see Shoto peering down at him. 'Ugh. This is going to be something,' he mutters to himself. 'I'd rather face a fucking army head on, alone, with no weapon rather than sit through this moment.'

He makes his way inside the castle, first to the doctor, and then to Shoto's chambers.

TBC