Worth Any Price
By: Marle

Chapter 3: Its Weight in Gold

Uraraka groaned, bringing her forearm up to cover her eyes as she tried to remember what happened.

She had lost against Bakugo and fainted, but she woke up in a firm bed with soft pillows and plush blankets. When she opened her eyes and observed her surroundings, she gasped and gathered the sheets close to her. She was in a giant king-sized bed that the four-posts looked like they were carved from tree trunks, containing ornate designs of dragons, wolves, and warriors, accented with gold leaf and red gemstones. It was the biggest room she had ever seen in her life, with grand windows that were draped with red velvet curtains spanning from the high ceilings to the floor. A roaring fire illuminated most of the room that was encased in an obsidian hearth. There was a sitting area with four large bookshelves and a tall cabinet, with rows of swords and shields from different regions adorning the walls. As she looked around, she noticed the headboard was just as ornate, with the famous Pyre knots accenting it, outlined in gold and red gemstones like the posts of the bed. There were two nightstands on either side, equally as elaborate in design and splendor. To her surprise, there were two small gold lamps on both, but the nightstand on the left had a stack of books on it. This room is as big as my house, she remarked to herself, bewildered and gaping at the splendor and beauty of the room. It took her a moment to realize she was no longer in her travel garments, but in a silk nightdress that was deep brick and cool to the touch.

"You're awake." A familiar voice called from the side. She squeaked a little as Bakugo entered the room with Kirishima behind him, "Good. It would've been really inconvenient if you never woke up again."

"Hey, Uraraka! How are you feeling?" Kirishima chimed. Uraraka shrieked and covered herself with the sheet as best she could.

"I-I'm a little woozy," She admitted, watching Bakugo cross the threshold and over to the nightstand with the books on it. He opened up the drawer and took out a small vial of blue liquid then sat on the bed next to her. Instinctively, she leaned away, which seemed to irritate him, before she realized he was handing it to her.

"Relax, it's not poison," he grunted, "Drink it. It'll help you feel better."

Uraraka took the vial cautiously and opened the lid, she sniffed it before taking a large gulp of its contained liquid. A rush of heat washed over her, almost as if she had just submerged herself into bath water, followed by a cooling sensation that soothed her aching body, "What was that?"

"A special elixir of my own making," Bakugo replied, taking the empty vial and passing it to Kirishima, "It'll heal your wounds and replenish your magic almost immediately."

"Thank you," she said, leaning back into the plush pillows around her, "Where am I?"

"You're in our room."

Uraraka gulped, feeling her eyes betray her as they widened, "What do you mean 'our' room?"

Bakugo sighed and turned to Kirishima, "Get out of here, shitty hair. Go make sure Deku and the other idiots aren't causing any trouble and are settled in for the night."

"Are you sure, your highness?" Kirishima asked, feeling somewhat uneasy about being sent away, "If something should happen…"

"Did I fucking stutter?" the Beast King bellowed, his temper flaring immediately, "Leave us!"

Kirishima bowed quickly before quickly leaving and closing the door behind him. Bakugo turned back to a visibly shaken Uraraka, who had grabbed the sheets and brought them up to under her chin to cover herself. He huffed as he stood up, crossing over to the sitting area and rummaging through one of the cabinets that hung aside the bookcases. He took out two gold goblets and a bottle of port, yanking the cork out with his teeth, and then pouring the dark liquid in each. Placing the bottle on the nightstand, Bakugo handed Uraraka one of the goblets.

"Um… I don't drink…"

"You're going to want to for what I'm about to tell you." He warned. Against her better judgment, she sat up, dropped the sheets, and took the goblet, taking a swig of the sweet dark port before leaning back again, "What do you know about the Kingdom of Pyre?"

"It's the youngest Kingdom on our continent that was founded by warring tribal factions in the Scorched Valley. Despite the majority of the area is uninhabitable due to the terrain and beasts that roam it, there are about six clans that live in the region. Pyre is rich due to the mining and farming it's able to do. Due to the natural borders and impregnable walls surrounding the Fortress of Pyre, it's practically impossible to invade. The economy is entirely self-sufficient, but the tribal leaders have been trying to devise ways of expanding their relationships with neighboring countries."

Bakugo took a sip and nodded, "So you know a little bit about it here. Like I said before, despite the tribal factions living in peace now, they still have a monarch they hold as the kingdom's figurehead in terms of diplomacy and keeping the tribes united. Because of this, strength is still the main rule here. The monarchy isn't like Endorea or Edo, anyone can challenge the throne."

"Like you did four years ago when you got here," Uraraka commented, "Deku told me a little bit about when you left."

"That fucking annoying nerd," Bakugo growled, taking another swig, "I'm assuming he gave you some half-assed version of what to expect when fighting me?"

Uraraka shrugged with a smile, "I made my own deductions while fighting you as well."

Bakugo smirked, he couldn't help but be slightly pleased with her, "But forget the damn small talk and to the point of my demands. Since I turned eighteen, the tribal leaders have been on me about making the kingdom more legitimate in the eyes of our allies, meaning they want me to take a queen."

It was at the word 'Queen' that Uraraka choked on her drink, pounding her chest and coughing hard, "Q-Queen? Then what did you want me for? I'm no queen!"

Leaning back on his arm and bringing the goblet to his lips, she saw the corner of his mouth curl up into a smirk as his eyes fixated on her, "Not yet, but you will be."

Her face flushed hot red as she waved her hand around, "Wait, wait, wait - you wanted me as a prize so I can become your queen? As in your wife?!"

"You catch on pretty quick, round-face," Bakugo chuckled, his pinky tapping the side of his goblet.

Mortified, she took a final deep drink of her port before extending the goblet to him again, "More. Now."

"Tried to warn you-"

"Give me the damn wine, King Bakugo!" She yelled. It irritated her to no end that he was laughing the whole time that he rolled over and got the bottle, pouring her another serving before topping off his own.

She took another deep gulp as she felt the liquid finally warm her insides, taking the edge off of her flaring nerves. Side-eyeing him, she continued to fume at his amused expression as he lounged on his side, sipping his wine, "Katsuki."

"What now?"

"My name is Katsuki Bakugo," he replied, "You should use my name since you're going to be my wife."

"I'll call you Kacchan because it'll piss you off!" She seethed. Bakugo shrugged, the damned smirk still gracing his lips, "The fire in you is why I chose you, round-face."

"Stop calling me 'round-face', it's Ochaco!" she fumed, "I can't even - why did you want me? Prince Shouto said you've had women practically thrown at you. Why didn't you pick one of them?"

"Because they were all self-serving and narrow-minded," he replied firmly, "I have no respect for people who disgust me and I can't fucking stand peacock peons with a single-tracked mind. You, on the other hand," he sat up and was practically nose-to-nose with her, making Uraraka gasp and freeze immediately, "Admit it, Ochaco, you were fucking terrified to face me in battle, but when it came to your life versus your goals, you didn't even fucking flinch. You were faced with a situation where you had no damn personal gain and you fought until your body gave out. That's the only reason you stopped, otherwise you would've kept going until I was on the ground."

His closeness made her uneasy, he was so close that she felt the radiating heat emitting from his stern frame. She was surprised by the fact that he smelled like warm caramel and spices. His burning crimson eyes fixated on hers and she couldn't help but feel slightly flattered that he was complimenting her in his own way, "What would you expect of me?"

"Be the charming and benevolent Queen I know you'll be. The people will love you, the tribal leaders will adore you, and I'm sure the old hag will find you endearing as well." Bakugo listed, sipping his wine again.

"Wait, 'old hag'?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Uraraka thought of her next question carefully. She couldn't figure out a proper way to say it so she simple alluded "And what about the wife things?"

Bakugo's head leaned onto his shoulder, reaching his free hand up to brush his thumb lightly across Uraraka's bottom lip. Unwillingly, she felt her body shudder in response, this time in a sensation she had never felt before and it took her by surprise.

"One thing at a time, angel-face." He cooed, inching even closer to her, "If you'll have me, I have no intention of half-assing the husband thing. You'll be a satisfied woman in all the ways."

"And if I refuse?" she challenged.

Bakugo let his head fall back and laughed quietly, "If you haven't figured it the fuck out by now, I tend to be impatient on most things, unless I see it's worth the work." When he noticed her demeanor not resting, he immediately became stern - bordering insulted, "Relax, Ochaco, I'd never force myself on you if that's what you're asking or worried about. I had that enacted into law as an immediate death sentence for a reason. It pisses me off you'd even think I'd do that to you."

Uraraka nodded, feeling slightly ashamed at her thoughts, "I'm sorry I misjudged you."

Taking her goblet and his own, he moved to place them on the nightstand, then came back to her, taking her face in his hands, "I swear to all the damn Gods and Devils of this world, I will never let anyone, myself or otherwise, fucking hurt you. Do you hear me? You will always be safe and I'd lay down my life if it meant saving yours."

Her heart began to thud so loud that she could hear it in her ears, "You don't even know me and you're willing to do all of this for me."

"You have to learn real quick in this world how to judge people, Uraraka, especially in the Scorched Valley," he confessed, his thumbs lightly stroking her cheeks "I didn't strike my wager on a whim of your pretty face. You're perfectly fucking capable of handling your damn self, but you never need to fear me, do you understand?"

A thought crossed her mind that she could perhaps sway him to at least give Deku and their companions his King Sigil, even if it meant leaving her behind, but before she could ask, Katsuki interrupted her thoughts, "There is something I want from you now, though."

"What's that?"

"Rest, but prepare yourself."

"Prepare me for what?" She asked.

"Our wedding." He replied, leaning over to fluff the pillows behind her. Uraraka shrilled and shoved him hard back, "What the fuck?!"

"Wedding? Are you serious? When? I don't have a dress, my parents aren't here, and you could have at least gotten me a ring or something!" This was all panic induced at this point. She didn't care about any of those things, her brain just wasn't rationalizing what she had gotten herself into. None of this should be a surprise for when they fought because Uraraka knew what it meant if she lost. A part of her had wished he was behaving like a barbaric savage, at least that way she could be angry at the situation. She still couldn't wrap her brain around why he had chosen her.

"Woman, I swear to the old Gods and the new that if you don't stop shrieking I'm going to bind your mouth shut." he yelled, "Do you really think that after all that shit that I just told you that those kind of things weren't on standby for when I did decide to choose a bride?"

Unwillingly, Uraraka pouted, "So I'm just stepping into a costume made for whoever happened to strike your fancy."

"Gods be damned, Uraraka," Bakugo growled, grabbing at his hair in frustration, "This is a means to an end for the both of us. What would you have me do?"

"Marry someone else and let me continue on my mission with Deku and the others!"

"That's not fucking happening."

Uraraka grabbed one of the pillows behind her and hugged it, burying her face in the fluff. It didn't help that it smelled like him and she found it alluring, "Can't you at least do something to make this special for me?"

Bakugo scuffed and folded his arms across his chest, "So everything I just confessed and promised you doesn't mean shit to you? Don't insult me, Ochaco. I was being fucking serious."

She shook her head slowly, "You don't get it. You've only been planning this kind of thing for a few years, but I've had thoughts about my wedding for a good portion of my life. You can call it stupid or laugh at me for being a sentimental woman."

While he initially thought it was stupid, he sighed and found Kirishima's words coming back to haunt him. Most normal people dreamed about things like marriage and family, Bakugo was not one of them but the role he had assumed required him to think of them. Instead of thinking of their marriage as some sort of arrangement or business transaction, he genuinely meant it when he told her that he wanted to make her happy. Often he would head the tribal leaders jest that a happy wife made a happy life and the last thing he wanted was to have an unhappy woman that made him appear like a weak husband in the eyes of his people. His mouth twitched with annoyance before he shook his head and took a deep breath, "What do you want then?"

Uraraka looked up at him, her mouth muffled in the pillow, "Are you being serious or are you just trying to get me to stop talking?"

"Would you be mad if I said a little bit of both?" he caught the pillow she threw at him. Despite her whining about being annoying, her demeanor and fearlessness of him reiterated to himself that he made the right choice with his wager. "Fuck," he laughed tossing it back at her, "What would make you happy?"

"I want my parents here because I want my dad to walk me down the aisle," she requested.

"There is no aisle in weddings of the Scorched Valley, it's a hand-fasting ceremo- but we can make an aisle. It's a royal wedding, I'm sure they'll be open to some damn adjustments if I want them…"

Uraraka sat up, bringing her head up proudly and extending her left hand, waving her ring finger on it, "And I want a ring that's made just for me."

"The ring they have has been worn by the Queens of Pyre since the country was founded 100 years ago," Bakugo groaned, "That's non-negotiable."

"Can't you at least propose in some sort of romantic gesture?"

"Are you fucking crazy?"

Uraraka smirked, waving her hand, "I'm not the one who wagered making a bunch of old geezers happy by betting on a bride. Or are you incapable of being creative enough to propose to the woman of your dreams?" To her surprise, Bakugo's face became pink and flustered. His reaction elicited the same from herself, "I-I mean it's just that - um - ah…"

"Just drop it, goddammit!" Bakugo snapped, "What else?"

"Can I at least see the dress I'm supposed to wear and maybe add my own touches to it?"

Bakugo scowled and shifted on his feet, "Fine, but you have the best dressmakers in the region."

"I can sew just fine."

"You're not going to make alterations to your own dress. It's not done by the Queen."

She sighed and threw herself back onto the pillows behind her, "There are so many stupid rules. Don't you do anything by yourself?"

"Not because they like it, but because I don't give a shit. It's better to demand forgiveness than ask permission." Katsuki chuckled, "But I'll work on your requests, my darling."

The way he said 'my darling' made her heart start racing. It wasn't snarky or sharp, but it wasn't quite endearing either. He sounded like he wanted to seduce her, which made her fluster at the thought. As he turned to leave her, she sat up again, "Katsuki?"

He felt his heart skip a beat and his body quake softly as he heard her say his name for the first time. It rolled off her tongue and tantalizing mouth so perfectly that he feared he'd grow powerless to her every whim, "What is it?"

"W-When are we getting married?"

"On the next solstice."

"B-But that's in three days!" She exclaimed.

Bakugo laughed and waved his hand, "Yeah, I know. Get some rest and I'll send Mina and the girls in with your dress tomorrow morning."

"Where are you going to sleep then?"

As soon as the question escaped her mouth, she immediately regretted it. He glanced back over his shoulder at her, his eyes smoldering and a sultry smile graced his lips, "Would you like me to sleep with you tonight?" Bakugo already knew her answer but acknowledged a part of him wished she would say yes.

"N-No!" she exclaimed, grabbing the sheets and covering herself once more. Bakugo chuckled and bowed slightly to her, "The hour is late and your companions have already retired. I'll send your ladies in to greet and dress you in the morning. Good Night, my lady."

When he left her, Uraraka found herself unable to console herself to the fate that awaited her. She would never be able to make her own choices again, there would be no hope for her to have a life of her own, and she had bargained away her future - including any possibility of one with Deku. Tears rolled down her face as she curled up in a ball, bringing the covers over her head and sobbing quietly into her pillow.

Bakugo stood outside the door for a moment, listening to her mourning before deciding it would be better to leave her alone for the night. He was drained from dealing with the barrage of questions that Deku and Iida threw at him in the afternoon, amused uncontrollably by Prince Shouto's discomfort in the openly flirtatious women of his court, and planning the ceremony to his future bride. As he walked down to his temporary chambers, Kirishima, Sero, and Kaminari stood waiting in the hall.

"Hey, King Bakugo, playing the villain aren't we? Putting the damsel in the tower?" Sero jested.

"Shut up, you idiots! Or else!" Bakugo thundered, storming past his guards.

"Seriously though, I would've definitely held back on her. I can't believe you went all-out on such a frail girl, my lord." Kaminari lamented as they trailed behind their king.

Bakugo let out a brief laugh and immediately stopped, causing the Pyre Trio to freeze as well. There was a moment of uneasy silence before they heard the Beast King ask quietly, "What part of her was frail?"