Chapter 15
Katsuki thinks this is the most satisfied he's ever been. To know that Izuku has finally conceived... it feels like a dream come true. Now he's backed into a corner and he can do nothing but accept his place beneath Katsuki. It's taken so long but it's beyond worth it, especially if he continues to experience pushback. He knows now that Izuku needs to be trained and he expects it, but he hopes that Izuku will develop more omegan qualities and become more submissive. It's fine to have fire as long as it's controlled.
After Katsuki left the room, he gave Uraraka her new assignment: she needs to concoct prenatal essential vitamins for Izuku, so the pups are born strong and healthy. But she seems a little out of it for some reason, though Katsuki assumes that it's because of the fight he got into with Izuku. It probably just scared her a bit since she doesn't react well when people raise their voices.
Well, no matter what her reason is for being upset, it isn't Katsuki's problem. She'll deal with it and move on just as everyone else does. For now, he should prepare for the dinner tonight and at least clean himself up a bit. There's a bit of Izuku's blood on him and he should polish it off.
It doesn't really matter how his mother feels about his presentation, though. Everything he does is wrong to her. He's not cultured enough to act like proper royalty, and he figures he acts more like an animal than a man. Life has been much more fun that way.
Maybe she could learn a thing or two from him.
When the sun falls beneath the hills to the west, he knows it's about time to head to the dining room. But when he arrives, he finds that he's actually quite fashionably late: Izuku is already seated across from the queen, with only lit candles dividing the two of them. Of course Mitsuki dons her military regalia, which is very excessive when she has much more suitable clothing options. Maybe she wants to leave a strong first impression.
How passive aggressive.
Yaoyorozu stands right beside Mitsuki as Izuku simply stares directly at his plate full of food, not even looking up towards Katsuki as he pulls up the chair next to him. The room is so silent, there isn't a single noise besides Katsuki quietly easing himself into his seat. At this point, Mitsuki narrows her eyes and stares directly at him. "Is this a joke?" she asks. Her voice is a lot colder than he remembers, or maybe she's just more upset than he thought she'd be.
A slow smile starts to spread across Katsuki's lips and he cocks his head. "A joke?"
"I thought it was when I first heard the news, but maybe I was overestimating you." Mitsuki easily keeps his gaze, which is quite the feat even for someone blood related. "Shame on me for thinking the best of you."
"Shame on you indeed," Katsuki says as he leans forward. "You should
never expect a single thing from me, since you'll always be disappointed."
"You're trying to get back at me."
"For?"
"I built this empire with my bare hands." Her tone darkens significantly and he doesn't bother to hide his widening smile. "I conquered and I killed and I slaughtered to get this far, and you're handing all my work down to that thing. I thought you'd find a mate that would challenge you, not turn into a brainless fuck toy every few months."
"That doesn't actually answer the question," Katsuki says, cocking his head. "Why would I try to get back at you?"
Mitsuki scoffs at that. "Because you do things just to piss people off and spit in their faces."
"Actually, I think I've mellowed out a great deal. But I'm very serious when I say that this is the choice I've made."
"This isn't something that only affects you, Katsuki. It affects me and the entire kingdom. I won't allow my legacy to be passed down to an omega."
"It's unfortunate that you can't do anything about it then," he replies smoothly, rubbing his hands together as he finally takes a glance down at his food. "You know, I haven't had a dinner like this in a very long time."
"You're underestimating me," Mitsuki starts with a growl, but Katsuki is already unwrapping his napkin to find the silverware. "I can do so much more than you think."
"Do we have chopsticks here? I'd much rather use those."
"I can fetch a pair for you, your highness," Yaoyorozu offers.
Katsuki nods. "Yeah, do that." "Don't ignore me," Mitsuki snarls, and Katsuki meets her gaze again once Yaoyorozu disappears into the kitchen.
"Mother, half your organs are failing. You've been terminal for the last six years and the only reason why I didn't kill you along with my father is because I needed someone to handle the politics back at the capital," Katsuki says coolly, and while Mitsuki doesn't immediately pale, he can sense a shift in the air. "You also have a bit of sentimental value to me, but besides that, you're essentially useless."
"You don't know everything I've done for you," she speaks slowly, deadly. "I've paved the way for this empire and you should be grateful, not calling me useless."
"I am grateful and you were absolutely useful before, but I'm just saying that you're useless now that a better queen will replace you," Katsuki clarifies, though Mitsuki still seems upset. "You're actually quite lucky that I think you're stronger than my father, or else you would have landed in the shallow grave right next to his."
"You're a fucking monster."
The word makes a bout of nausea rise in his throat and Katsuki's eyes narrow. "I don't like that tone very much, you know."
"I don't like you speaking ill of your father either."
"Why are you saying that like he's still alive?"
"Because I wish he was," she snarls. "I regret being too afraid of you to do anything. I had a soft spot for you because I loved you, but now I realize that I should have known you were never normal."
Katsuki sighs, leaning back in his chair as he takes a glance towards Izuku. He's not bothering to look at either of them, just keeping his eyes dead set on the table. Yaoyorozu unfortunately had to change his robes but they're still silky and soft, hugging his curves with smooth fabric draped across his form. Sometimes, Katsuki has to remind himself that Izuku genuinely believes he's an alpha, though he figures that it makes sense. If he were seven or eight centimeters taller and completely lacking in omega scent, he could easily pass as one.
"Are you hungry?" Katsuki asks, resting his hand on Izuku's thigh. Mitsuki is probably fuming from being ignored again but right now, Izuku is drawing his attention much more than she is. "If this food doesn't interest you, we can order something else from the kitchen."
Izuku's eyes narrow and there's a spike of irritation that pulses through the bond, probably from being touched. "I'm fine." "You haven't even touched it."
"No one else is eating so I didn't start."
Thankfully, Yaoyorozu arrives with the chopsticks and Katsuki takes them, flashing them to Izuku.
"Well now we can eat," he says, and his mother scoffs over the table.
"Why do you even bother using those damn things?" She rolls her eyes as she takes her fork, digging into her rice. "Silverware is much more practical."
"I'd rather not shovel food into my mouth. It makes me sick."
"It's not shoveling food—"
"They look like shovels to me," Katsuki replies coolly. His palm continues to rest on Izuku's thigh as he eats, much to the omega's dismay. He was probably looking forward to Katsuki having to handle the chopsticks with his right hand, but luckily, a certain someone destroyed his coordination for quite some time. It forced him to become ambidextrous.
Izuku begins to eat regardless. He probably can't help his appetite and the pups need their fill if they're to stay in their mother's belly. Katsuki rubs his thumb in smooth, gentle circles right beneath the hem of Izuku's robe and he wishes he could touch his mate's stomach again.
He's giddy whenever he thinks of the pups, especially once they're large enough to start kicking. If Izuku were a female alpha or beta, then he'd only conceive a single pup. Lucky for them, Uraraka said that they should be expecting a full litter due to how fertile omegas typically are. This is such a dream come true and Katsuki honestly can't think of a time he's ever been happier.
The bond fuels him. He adores feeling this close to Izuku, especially while mated. It became apparent that he took Izuku's company for granted and he didn't fully acknowledge how much the bond meant to him until they were separated. Everything about Izuku makes him feel so full inside...
"Katsuki."
It's his mother's voice that breaks him out of his thoughts and he almost feels annoyed. His thumb pauses for a moment as he looks up.
"Hm?"
"If you were going to finger your mate under the fucking table, I wouldn't have taken the invitation to attend dinner." "I wasn't fingering him," Katsuki says, bringing another piece of sticky rice to his lips. Izuku seems just as irritated but Katsuki can't tell if it's from the alpha's touch or Mitsuki's accusation.
"Does that omega always smell like that, then?" she asks and buries her nose in her napkin. "It absolutely reeks."
"Well, he was on suppressants for a long while so now his scent is a bit out of control."
"Or it's because it's pregnant. I swear, if the castle continues to smell like this, I'll flush those pups out of its body."
It's an empty threat, of course, since his mother can't actually do a single thing. But those words trigger something harsh and protective, a code wrapped tightly in his DNA that makes his shoulders stiffen. Heat prickles beneath his skin and Izuku probably senses it through the bond, since the omega's eyes immediately dart up towards him.
At first, Katsuki was foolish enough to think it was a submissive gesture. Maybe, just maybe Izuku was beginning to learn his place. But as he starts to turn towards the omega, he realizes that there's just one piece of silverware missing from his set: the fork, which just so happens to do much more damage than a butter knife.
And of course, Izuku lunges.
Right when Katsuki is distracted, too distracted to think of anything but his pups. Izuku flings himself at the alpha and knocks him out of his chair, and
soon enough the room is spinning around him before the back of his head hits the edge of the table with a sickening crack. Katsuki hisses through gritted teeth when a sudden array of dark spots flitter across his vision, and he reels as he struggles to catch a clear glimpse of Izuku.
A glint catches his eye—it's the fork coming in full swing towards his throat and Katsuki barely has time to catch Izuku's wrist. In fact, the sharpest corner had managed to nick his neck and he already tastes the fresh tang of blood in the air.
Fuck, that scent actually gets him a little hot under the collar. He licks his lips and he can taste in there too, probably from biting his tongue when he hit his head. Izuku is still pressing down on Katsuki's grip with that lethal look in his eye, pushing and pushing the fork closer and closer to his jugular. The omega somehow managed to straddle Katsuki's hips, forcing and pinning him against the cold tile floor.
"You're so beautiful," Katsuki gasps and damn, his cock aches. His toes curl as Izuku growls from above, glaring down at him with such gorgeous, angry eyes. "If you were an alpha, I'd honestly let you fuck me." "Fuck off," Izuku snarls, and the sound of it makes Katsuki want to moan. He's already half hard from the throbbing pain in his head but this? This is too much.
"I love it when you hurt me," he purrs hungrily. "I want you to pull my hair and make me bleed, fuck, I love you so much."
"Just die already—"
Katsuki thrusts Izuku's wrist away and rises up just high enough to crash his lips into the omega's. Izuku reels in surprise and he tries to pull back but Katsuki kisses with as much intensity as he can manage, rough and hot and obsessive. It's sudden but fuck, it's romantic and it's the best first kiss he could ever possibly have.
God, it's so wonderful. Even when Izuku sinks his teeth into Katsuki's bottom lip, hoping to inflict any amount of pain to resist, it only makes Katsuki moan. His mind feels fuzzy, like it's melting at the seams. His grip tightens around Izuku's wrist and the omega yelps, leaving enough of an opening for Katsuki to slide his tongue inside for only a moment. But of course, Izuku sinks his teeth down into it and Katsuki whines— whines against his lips—and he almost wishes Izuku would fuck him into the floor.
"You fuck me up," Katsuki growls, with eyes half-lidded and red dripping down his chin. He tries to lick it up but it smears from his bloody tongue. "When you pull this shit, I'm always torn between putting you in your place and letting you put me in mine."
"You're fucking unstable," Izuku hisses.
"And I am so goddamn in love with you."
Katsuki doesn't hear or smell Yaoyorozu until he suddenly senses her presence behind him. Honestly, he completely forgot about her and Mitsuki, though he supposes it wasn't too hard to do so when his head is in a daze.
"The queen has taken her leave, your highness," Yaoyorozu says, leaning down slightly. "I believe she was frustrated with your public display of affection."
"Don't care," Katsuki mutters as he hovers above Izuku's lips. The omega keeps his gaze, hard as iron as he breathes a bit heavier after the kiss.
"Should I take my leave?"
"Do whatever the hell you want."
"I don't want anything in particular, your
highness."
Katsuki is about to lash out at her, but this time, Izuku is the one who speaks up. "Go, Yaoyorozu," he says, though he doesn't break eye contact with Katsuki.
She pauses for a moment, unblinking before she dips her head into a bow. Soon enough, he feels that she's disappeared from the room, leaving Izuku with him. He seems so awake and the energy excites Katsuki, heating his blood as he reaches fever pitch.
"Wanna take this to the bedroom?" Katsuki asks, a feral grin spreading across his face.
It's not like Izuku had a choice in the matter, which is probably why he declined to answer the question at all. Either way, he was going to end up in Katsuki's bed and fucked until he can't breathe.
Katsuki yanks Izuku by a fistful of his hair, knot smacking against his ass with each thrust. Despite how much Izuku probably claims to hate it, he's whimpering softly beneath him, gripping the sheets as slick dribbles between his legs. The room is thick with omega scent, but Katsuki is still dying for more. He presses his chest against Izuku's back, growling as he sinks his teeth around one of the glands to lap it with his tongue.
Izuku shudders beneath him and it sounds like he's about to cry, though Katsuki doesn't really care for the reasons why. His thrusts pick up pace once he feels like he's getting close, though he continues to tease the gland in
hopes of making Izuku cum before he does. The omega is very sensitive and all it takes is knotting him before seed shoots from his tip and paints the sheets beneath him. Katsuki purrs against the gland as Izuku's tight walls milk him, squeezing him until he cums inside its hot, vice-like grip.
A few moments pass and Katsuki is still catching his breath. Izuku is too, though he's much quieter after burrowing his head beneath one of the pillows. After a bit of time, Katsuki adjusts his position to lay on his side, pulling Izuku along with him to wrap his arms around the omega's waist. Even in this position, Izuku hangs onto one of the pillows to bury his face against it.
Like this, Katsuki feels each hitch and swallow to Izuku's chest. He's actually crying now but Katsuki rests his chin on Izuku's shoulder regardless, holding him tightly as his knot is locked snug within him. Even if he's sad, he's at least much calmer, so maybe alpha cock was what he needed after all. Katsuki's hand instinctively slides over Izuku's belly. Naturally it's still flat, especially since Uraraka confirmed his conception a few days ago, but Katsuki still feels protective. He rubs the side of his head against Izuku's neck, scenting him and holding him close. Is this what it feels like to have a mate? To be a future father? It makes his heart full.
"I love you," he whispers against Izuku's ear, and the omega tenses beside him. "You're the strongest, smartest, most beautiful person I've ever met."
Izuku doesn't reply but Katsuki doesn't mind, really. He presses kisses up the curve of his neck, giving gentle nips to mark him. In the morning, he'll look positively gorgeous: sleepy eyes and soft, purple bruises coiling from the scent gland to his jaw. It's wonderful to think about.
"I thought you said your mother didn't care about your father dying," Izuku says coldly. Even if he was crying before, there's no tremble to his voice now. It must have been difficult to compose himself but Katsuki is more than
willing to indulge in pillow talk.
"It was hard to tell, but maybe her lack of response was just shock," he suggests. "I left the kingdom to start conquering soon after it all happened."
"She isn't as bad as I thought she'd be."
"Really?"
"It makes me think that she wasn't responsible for you turning out this way."
Katsuki pauses at that, though he's not sure why. Izuku doesn't turn around to look at him, but the bond is wide open so he probably doesn't have to. He can sense what Katsuki is thinking or feeling without much effort.
"I'm right, aren't I?" Izuku murmurs. "Something else ruined you, but it wasn't her."
"It doesn't matter that much," Katsuki says, carefully tucking a few locks behind Izuku's ear. "There's no point in dwelling on the past."
Izuku says nothing after that, and Katsuki is almost disappointed. He actually likes talking to Izuku... it's just very difficult when he's so closed off. It isn't that Katsuki doesn't want him to be scared—a healthy amount of fear is good—but some interaction would be nice.
Lucky for him, Izuku decides to speak again.
"Did you mean what you said?" he asks, though his voice is a bit more hollow this time. "About what you'd do if there was an omega pup in the litter?" Katsuki returns his chin to rest on Izuku's shoulder, just a little ways away from the scent gland. "It depends."
"On my behavior?"
"Yes, I'd say so."
"But if you like it when I fight back, you'll be upset if I stop," Izuku points out, and he sounds anxious. "And then you'll do things to bother me until I snap at you, which you'll punish me for later."
Honestly, he doesn't have the answer to that question. For fun, maybe? There's a constant push and pull that he likes, but the balance is what keeps him entertained. He would be irritated if Izuku restlessly refused to accept his place beneath him, but he'd be equally annoyed if Izuku submitted completely. Maybe a good balance would be allowing Izuku to push back but only within the confines of his position.
"That threat stressed you out, didn't it?" Katsuki murmurs. Izuku stays quiet but he still feels that signature tenseness through the bond. "I just don't know how else to make you behave. It's okay to be aggressive, as long as you understand that you have no choice but to be mine. Otherwise I'll have to resort to methods that you may not like."
"Like fucking your own son?" he growls.
"I wouldn't do it immediately, I'm not that barbaric. He'd have to officially present first, so I'd say about a year after that just to be safe," the alpha clarifies, mulling it over. "But that's all hypothetical, of course. I doubt you'd put our pups through that if you really cared about them."
"Don't you dare put this on me. If anything, you're the one who doesn't care about them if you're actually considering mating with one. It's fucking child abuse."
"Not if it isn't painful. He wouldn't know a life that's any different than the
one he's been given, and he'd possibly love me unconditionally for it."
Now there's a queasy feeling through the bond and Izuku must be sick just talking about it. Katsuki isn't entirely sure why but maybe incest is much more taboo than he thought. He was mostly thinking of it from a practical standpoint, and besides, it's not like he'll actually do it if Izuku manages to be a good mate. There would be no need for any of this.
"You're a piece of work," Izuku says, and it almost sounds like he's about to laugh. Maybe he's going to have another breakdown. "I knew you were awful, but I didn't think you'd ever do something like that."
Katsuki tilts his head. "Are you saying you thought better of me?" "Yeah. Not sure why I did."
Izuku has shown a wide spectrum of emotions towards him, all ranging from disgust to anger, crushing sadness to nerve-wracking fear. But disappointment... it strikes a different chord. Katsuki isn't even sure why it feels different, but it bothers him.
Before he can say anything though, the omega sits up suddenly—he can't move much, especially with Katsuki's arms around him—and his eyes dart towards the door. Katsuki allows his gaze to follow: it's cracked slightly ajar and the hallway seems much darker than the bedroom. Still, he's not entirely sure what Izuku is looking at.
"What is it?" Katsuki asks, but Izuku doesn't reply. Not at first.
"Nothing," he murmurs, and there's still tension within the bond. "I just thought I saw something."
Katsuki doesn't sense anything, though Izuku doesn't seem to be bluffing. It's
been getting easier to tell when he lies and right now, he seems on edge. Perturbed, alert, and anxious. But just to be sure, Katsuki slides out of bed to check. It's unfortunate, especially since he sort of wanted to stay inside Izuku most of the night, but his knot has already deflated anyways. Whatever.
When he opens the door, the hallway is completely dark. He can see the outlines of the walls and furniture but... still, nothing.
Katsuki sighs and shuts the door entirely, locking it just in case before he returns to the bed. Izuku is sitting straight up with his knees pressed to his chest and blankets pulled up to his chin, eyes still on the door. Why is he so scared? Uraraka should give him a psychiatric evaluation to make sure he's not seeing things. Maybe his hormones are making him crazy?
"What did you see?" Katsuki slides his arm around Izuku's shoulders, guiding his head down into his chest. The omega reluctantly allows him to do so, though he's still very stiff.
"It's nothing," he mutters softly. "I'm probably just tired."
If that was the case, he probably wouldn't have stayed awake until his eyes could barely open. Katsuki nuzzles and scents him as often as he can, and a few hours later, the omega has no choice but to doze off beside him. He must be exhausted, but whatever he saw kept him from sleeping for quite a while.
How strange.