***Warnings: Language, yaoi, hunting/slaughtering

Chapter 2: Red Snow

There was no stag in sight — not one track. The herds are silent. Kirishima is on the trail of a beast, but it is not a stag.

His time is almost up. He has to be back at Bakugo Manor before sundown tomorrow with his promised kill! It won't be a stag or even a doe. It is a cloven foot creature, perhaps a wild ram or forest goat. Kirishima has been tracking it since this morning, and he grins with victory as he finally comes upon the mystery beast.

A boar. It is a young boar, mostly dark coloring with brown spots. The tusks, though small, are dangerous weapons that can bleed the life from a person with just one solid stab in the right place. It's not a stag, but it is still meat. Its tusks will be used to make weapons, the meat dried or smoked, and the bones boiled down to a broth. Boar pelts aren't worth much, but it can be made into a useful article of clothing.

Kirishima readies his bow, pulling the string back, and taking aim. The boar snorts while its snout sniffs the forest floor. Kirishima lets out a slow, steady breath as he lets loose the arrow. It whistles through the air, striking its intended target — the boar squeals as it tries to run but falls to the ground. Kirishima hisses and curses himself when he realizes the arrow did not strike the boar dead in one hit. He can't bear to see the poor creature suffering, so he draws the knife from his belt and approaches the wailing animal. Kirishima apologizes to the boar, gives thanks to the gods and forest spirits, and quickly ends the creature's life.

Now, to bring it back to Bakugo Manor.

Kirishima lifts the boar carcass over his shoulders with a grunt. The damned thing is heavy! Not an issue for him, though. Kirishima grins and laughs to himself as he pictures what Bakugo's face will look like when he enters the manor and presents the Judge with this kill. No, it's not a stag, but fresh boar's meat will grace Judge Bakugo's table, and that puts Kirishima one step closer to winning back his family farm.

"You've helped me out a lot here, buddy," He says to the boar. "I won't forget you. I promise! Damn, it's cold! Stupid winter!"

Kirishima carries the boar all the way back, stopping a few times to rest. By the time he enters the city, it is early morning, and right before sunset, he is in the Bakugo Manor kitchen. The women are surprised and stunned when Kirishima comes in with the boar across his shoulders. He grins at them and asks to see Judge Bakugo. One of the maids says that Judge Bakugo is in the parlor with the Sheriff. It was going to be a bold move on Kirishima's part, but it is one that he hopes will impress Bakugo.

Shifting the boar on his shoulders, Kirishima lets the maid lead him to the parlor. Bakugo is sitting at the desk with a bunch of papers in his hand, yelling at Izuku, and waving the documents around angrily in the air. Kirishima clears his throat, and the two men face him. Izuku's eyes widen to saucers while Bakugo expresses only mild surprise.

"It's not a stag, but a plump boar gives more variety of meat than a deer!" Kirishima flashes his sharp-tooth grin. "Tusks can be sold to make weapons, tools, and jewelry! The pelt will make a fine shawl to brave the winter chill! And this house now has fresh meat to eat and enjoy!" Kirishima drops the boar on the floor before him, stretching his back, rolling his shoulders, and cracks his neck.

"You said you'd bring me a stag," Bakugo says. "That's not a stag. I want a stag!"

"Kacchan, you're ridiculous!" Izuku counters. "That boar will feed you for a month!"

Bakugo shrugs his shoulders. "But stags are bigger."

Izuku rolls his eyes. "I think your wall has enough racks and stag heads on it," He says.

Kirishima's proud grin slowly drifts into a disappointed frown. After all the work he's done tracking the boar, Bakugo isn't impressed.

"Meat is meat, I guess," Bakugo says. "You get only half the amount I planned to give you off your debt because it's not a stag. Take it out to the barn and butcher it. While you're at it, we need more wood for my bedroom fire. Make sure to bring some in."

Kirishima lifts the boar onto his shoulders and leaves the room, going back to the kitchen and finding his way to the barn to prepare the animal.

Izuku shakes his head after Kirishima leaves and looks to his brother. "You can be a rotten piece of fruit; you know that? There are hungry people in the city, and you're brushing off that fine kill as if it were a mere rat!"

"Shut your trap, Deku," Bakugo sneers at him. "I wanted venison for meat, but I'm not going to say 'no' to boar meat. That asshole husband of yours doesn't provide enough for you?"

"Unlike you, I try to share what I have with others. Did you see the look on Kirishima's face when you dismissed his kill?"

Bakugo snorts. "He looked like a kicked puppy. It pissed me off. He sucks at keeping his word, but I also know you won't leave my house OR leave me alone until I make amends of some kind. And while I have you here annoying me, what made you want to save this one so bad?"

"I wish I could save everyone," Izuku says. "I just…felt different about Kirishima, that's all. There was something different about him."

Bakugo raises a brow. That's the best word you can come up with? 'Different'? That isn't a good enough reason for me."

"Just give him a chance, Kacchan," Izuku pleas. "His intentions are noble, and I could tell that he is genuine in his feelings for his family home."

"Speaking of homes, shouldn't you be getting back to your husband?"

"Think about what I said," Izuku gets up from the chair. "You're a judge. You have power second to the king. And you can help to make a lot of changes."

Bakugo grumbles and waves his brother away before giving him the middle finger. His brother can be an idiot sometimes- most of the time- all the time. Bakugo has made changes to the city, and he is one of the few judges in the kingdom that's done so. The orphanages have more beds and soup thanks to his (secret) donations. The poorhouses, too. He's even been working on documents to send overseas to establish trade. Bakugo's own view of the king is weak; he hates the rotten apple of a man, and in Bakugo's mind, he would make the better king. Bakugo's also prepared arguments and essays to eventually bring to the king in hopes of persuading the man to cease the constant increase in taxes. This is not an easy task to achieve, and he must step carefully if he wants to be the hero who saves the kingdom from ruin. With all this money going to the greedy king, there is no surplus for the army, and their nation will not survive for long if another country decides to attack. Whoever is on the king's council must be working all hours of the day to keep the other countries from turning their swords on them.

Despite his good intentions, he can not appear soft like his brother when it comes to handling the public. Should word of his leniency reach the king's ears, he's stripped of his title; he'll lose his house, and end up moving in with Deku. He needs to work in the shadows and remain anonymous to ensure he keeps his positions. He can't make changes and win if he loses the title of judge. He has to keep the role of superior ignorance when it comes to the cries of the people.

It's one of the reasons he overruled Deku's letter and accepted Kirishima into his employment by his own accord. Bakugo recognized the determination and loyalty in Kirishima's eyes when the man was pleading in court. Bakugo couldn't tell Kirishima that he has had more than enough chances to catch up on back taxes. According to the law, Kirishima should have been in debtors prison months ago. It's Bakugo damned leniency with the law that overrides people like Kirishima. The man has no criminal record, stands up for himself, and surprisingly isn't entirely threatened by the court. He even told them that he would work the brothels. Prostitution guarantees money, but it is a dangerous profession that no one can ever hope to bounce back from. Prostitutes will be found guilty for the sake of existing and put to death faster than a criminal. People can't find the money to pay their taxes, but they manage to come up with it for booze and sex.

Curious now, Bakugo puts on his cloak and heads to the barn. Inside he hears the cows and goats making sounds and moving around. His horse whinnies in delight to see him, and Bakugo gives the large beast a firm pat on the neck in passing. The sound of cutting and chopping reaches his ears, so he follows it to the slaughter area of the barn. He sees Kirishima cleaning the animal, now stripped of its skin. Bakugo's brow twitches at the unmistakable sounds of meat being prepared. Kirishima is handling the carcass without the hint of repulsion; such is a strength of the hunter.

"Hey," Bakugo calls out to Kirishima, and his voice startles the man.

"J-Judge Bakugo!" Kirishima fumbles with the cutting knife, almost dropping it to the floor. "Y-You startled me!"

"I guess you'd be easily hunted then if roles were reversed," Bakugo claims while looking at the carcass. "It is a nice boar,"

Kirishima gives the judge a lop-sided smile while wiping his dirty hands on the leather apron. "Yeah, it is. It will make for good food. And I'm sorry it's not a stag like I promised. I really am."

"Shut it. Like I said before, meat and meat, and I need to eat something different."

"Um…sorry for being so forward in asking…but…um…" he was getting flustered. "I…I did bring back a kill like promised…so…can I be…that is…um…"

Bakugo crosses his arms over his chest. "It's hard to trust anyone in this world," he says. "If you really want to convince me you are a man willing to do anything to achieve what you want, then come to my room tonight. Wait until all the maids are in bed. Got it?" 'Let's just see how far you are willing to go,' Bakugo adds to his own thoughts. The blush on Kirishima's face as he averts his eyes is a sign that the huntsman has already considered it.

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Good. Hurry up with that meat and get some to the kitchen."

"Yes, sir!"

Kirishima shivers while washing his naked body of all the blood and dirt from the day. He does it by moonlight in the farthest corner of the stable with a small pail of water and a cloth. The winter night air chills his skin but he endures it for tonight, he has to make himself presentable. Whether or not Judge Bakugo plans to do anything of a physical nature to him, Kirishima needs to impress him. Having never been with another person intimately, Kirishima doesn't know what to do or how to act. The first step in all of this, at least, is to be clean. Judge Bakugo isn't covered in dirt, grime, and boar's blood, so he will want Kirishima to be the same. Though his clothing still smelled as he puts it back on, at least his skin will be clean. That is, assuming he will end up naked.

Entering the manor and finding his way to Judge Bakugo's room, he sees that the door is slightly ajar. Kirishima pushes it delicately to peek inside. The darkness of the room flickers with the warmth of a fire. Kirishima sees the bed, but Judge Bakugo isn't in it. He pushes the door open further with a squeak to step one foot inside.

"Took you long enough,"

Kirishima's startled by Bakugo's voice. "I'm sorry. I got lost on the way here. I didn't really know where your room was,"

"Come in and close the door."

Kirishima does as commanded, closing it behind him and standing in place, awaiting the next order. The room is spacious and warm. Kirishima looks to the roaring fireplace and the man seated in front of it, lounging in a chair. All Kirishima can see of Judge Bakugo is a hand holding a goblet.

"Are you going to stand there all night, loser?" Bakugo says. "I've got enough statues already."

"I'm sorry!"

Kirishima wants to speak his mind and tell Judge Bakugo that he shouldn't be so cross with others when they don't know how to act around him. If he moves on his own accord, the judge will yell at him. If he does nothing and waits, Bakugo yells at him. The man just yells. Kirishima hurries over to the chair, relieved to finally feel the warmth of a real roaring fire. He doesn't look at the judge, though. Instead, he watches the flames dancing on the snapping and crackling wood. Kirishima suddenly wants to lay down before it and fall asleep.

"You want some wine?" Bakugo offers.

"Huh? Wine? I've never had wine before," occasionally, Kirishima would have ale closer to the winter holiday. Drinking wasn't his thing. "Only ale."

"That stuff tastes like warm piss," Bakugo says. "And the shit you drink is probably worse than that." He looks up at Kirishima and holds out the goblet to him. "Go ahead. Take a sip."

Kirishima takes the goblet and looks at the red liquid inside of it. It smells sweet. Best not to keep Bakugo waiting, so he does as he is told. He wrinkles his nose at the bitter flavor even though it has a sweet aftertaste. Again, he takes another sip, without Judge Bakugo's consent.

"It takes some getting used to," Bakugo tells him. "But it's a hundred times better than ale."

"I agree with you," Kirishima hands the goblet back to Bakugo. "Um…thanks for the drink. Did you…enjoy your supper?"

Bakugo scoffs softly. "It wasn't stew," he says. "Everyone was thrilled with the meat."

Kirishima smiles. "So, I did good? Can I work at your house to pay back my debt?" His heart beats rapidly in his chest as he anxiously awaits Bakugo's answer. When no reply comes, Kirishima swallows and asks, "Do you want me to…do more?" Lazy, mocking crimson eyes look up at him while Bakugo takes a sip of wine.

"You're a virgin, right? What could you possibly know about using seduction and lust to get what you want? If I were a client in a brothel, I'd pay nothing for you. Then the pimp will toss you out if you can't make them money. You're already off to a poor start of convincing me you'll do anything to get your home back."

Kirishima clenches his fists. "I said before…I've never been with a man or a woman. I've never even…kissed another person."

Bakugo smirks at that. He has an idea, and he welcomes the entertainment. "Show me what you think I would like," he orders Kirishima. "With no knowledge of seduction, try to make me aroused."

Kirishima feels his face turn red and his cheeks burn. "A-Aroused?!"

"You've been aroused before, right?" Bakugo gives him an amused, almost baffled look.

Kirishima looks away. "Um…Yeah, I have but…I've never had to do it to another man."

"So, do it now. Entertain me," he can't wait to see the humiliation in Kirishima's clueless performance.

It's now or never, Kirishima tells himself as he moves to stand before Judge Bakugo. Though he wants to look away from Bakugo as he does this, Kirishima also knows that a real man accepts a challenge with full eye contact. It's unnerving to look into those hard judging eyes, but he does, keeping Bakugo's gaze. His mouth becomes dry as he lifts the tunic over his head, exposing his naked chest. With the fire's heat against his back, Kirishima feels his nipples tighten and wonders how that can be since he's not cold. But then he knows why; it's in Bakugo's eyes as they gaze over his torso. Kirishima holds back the little cry of surprise when the continued tightening of his nipples releases a tiny, instantly fleeting sensation. It was a good feeling. He wonders if he might feel it again.

Bakugo isn't surprised by Kirishima's hard muscles for the man lives by working his body constantly with the elements of daily life. It shows. What surprises him the most is how quickly his body responds to the naked sight of Kirishima. If he decides to take Kirishima on as an indentured servant, the spiky-haired redhead will make a durable bed partner. Bakugo is not a gentle lover, and most of the time he turns men into limp, useless broken forms. Of course, those men had all been lean and small, like his brother and Tokoyami. But Kirishima has muscles like his own; hard as rocks. Seeing Kirishima carrying that boar over his shoulders today is further proof of the man's endurance. And to add to it all, the man is dumb as a brick. He'll be easy to manipulate.

"You haven't a clue," Bakugo tells him.

Kirishima swiftly removes his pants to now stand fully naked before Bakugo. He fights the urge to cover himself. "Sorry…I'll try harder,"

"Have you ever seen two people fucking?" Bakugo asks.

Kirishima's face is still red and he glances at the floor. "Y-yeah. Kind of. In passing. You know, in a back alley and in front of brothels…animals, of course."

"What about sucking cock?"

Kirishima's face burns hotter. Bakugo really has no filter just like Judge Tokoyami said! "O-Of course!" That particular act seems less involved than sex. "I've seen that!"

Bakugo smirks and leans forward in his chair, spreading his legs to show Kirishima the growing bulge in his pants. "Then let's start there. You're fucking clueless when it comes to this stuff, but it amuses me as well. Let's see if there's more than just rocks in that empty head of yours. How does one go about sucking another guy off?"

"I…I don't think I can do that without hurting you," Kirishima says. "M-my teeth are sharp."

"Clueless. Utterly clueless," Bakugo pours himself more wine. "Curl your lips around them, obviously. Now hurry up! I don't like to be kept waiting. If you want employment with me, then you need to prove your worth. Prove to me that you're not just spouting sob stories and begging for an easy way out of a situation you put yourself in."

Kirishima's brain doesn't have the time or the strength to argue with Judge Bakugo. He needs a place to live through the winter. He needs money, and he needs the support of Judge Bakugo. Kirishima also needs to keep in good faith with the sheriff, Bakugo's brother, who has done his best to help. He can't fail his family, but most importantly, he can't fail himself. He is a man; a man who will do whatever it takes to reach his goal. He must endure Judge Bakugo's insults and abuse without complaint.

***edited for the site. Read it in full of AO3**

"Did I do okay?" Kirishima asks him, his voice a bit hoarse and his throat dry despite all the salty juices he had just swallowed. Bakugo's flavor lingers on his tongue and lips. "Can I stay here with you, Judge Bakugo?" He asks. "I'll do more for you. I'll work off my debt like this…if you want me to?" He suddenly had the urge to reach out to Bakugo and bring the man into an embrace. Maybe being a servant in all forms for Bakugo wouldn't be such a bad thing. He should despise the judge, but he doesn't. To show he is sincere, Kirishima reaches between his legs and begins stroking himself.

"You can stay," Bakugo says. "But get the hell out of my room." He adds with a sneer and a hiss.

Kirishima's eyes widen and he goes limp. He looks up at Bakugo with confusion. "I…did I do something wrong? Why are you angry?"

Bakugo kicks Kirishima away with his foot, knocking the other back and almost into the fireplace. "I said you could stay, but get the fuck out of my room! Before I take a horse crop to your fucking back!"

Kirishima quickly gathers his clothes and races from the room, slamming the door behind him. What did he do wrong? Didn't he please Bakugo? But why was the man so angry? Bakugo says he can stay, but why did he act like that? Kirishima is startled when he hears something crash in the room. He dresses in the dark hall and leaves for the night to sleep in the stables. A small part of him had hoped he'd be invited into Bakugo's warm bed, and he would have said yes.

TBC