"Tha-thank you," Midoriya stammered, the pair of coins clinking in his palm as he bowed. The door creaked shut, knocker rattling against the wood boards. He pocketed the change into the dedicated pouch in his satchel, hopping his way down the stone steps. A shiver wracked his body, and Midoriya resisted the urge to curl in on himself. The air was brisk, today. Autumn was in full swing and the temperature was on a steady decline. Casual dress around the city had taken a shift, too, with more civilians donning thicker, woolen jackets or dresses. Midoriya had no such thing, though, and he trembled in his boots as he dodged back out into the street.

"I must say, this seems rather inefficient." Iida fell into step beside him, sword thumping rhythmically against his hip. Midoriya's brows furrowed.

"I-inefficient?"

"Yes," he said, exasperated. "This isn't very streamlined. You're running yourself ragged getting these people their orders. Wouldn't it make more sense to have a system?"

Midoriya blinked. System? "I'm...not sure I know what you mean."

"A system!" Iida cried. "You should have quadrants, and multiple personnel delivering each quadrant. Divide the work and get more done. It's only logical!" His arm chopped at the air as he spoke, as though for emphasis. Midoriya wasn't entirely sure why or if Iida even realized he was doing it, but the chopping tended to appear whenever Iida went off on one of his tangents. Like now. Midoriya usually just let it happen and nodded along in all the right places. Or, tried to. It was a little hard to focus when he was preoccupied trying to struggle to read his scroll of deliveries and not bump into any passersby. He fumbled with the parchment, squinting down at Hadou's messy scrawl. Hmm. Did that say Tokage? Or Tokabe? He reached up to tug at his lip, brows furrowed. Maybe he should just pull out the potion bottles and check their labels…

A firm grip latched onto his shoulder and yanked. Midoriya let out a yelp, heart in his throat. Panic burned at his skin, in his veins, and he flailed. Oh gods, oh gods what—

"Deku-kun! Please, you must watch where you are walking!"

Midoriya blinked. A man ladened with a cart of ripe fruits trundled past, shooting Midoriya a rather dirty look. He gave a sheepish wave before letting out a shaky breath. Well. That was...something. The grip on his shoulder loosened and dropped away, and Midoriya turned to take in Iida's worried glare. "So-sorry."

Iida just huffed. "How am I to keep you safe if you insist on putting yourself in harm's way?" he said. There was an exasperated edge to his tone, and Midoriya ducked his head and bit his lip. Perhaps he wasn't doing a very good job watching out for himself... He wrung at the parchment in his grasp, chest tight. Gods, here he went again, making another person's job more difficult. Midoriya opened his mouth to apologize, only for Iida to drop another sigh and beat him to it. "Are you alright?"

His mouth clicked shut and he blinked. "Ye-yes."

Iida's sharp gaze traced him over, and he hummed. "Shall we continue?"

"Ri-right." Midoriya glanced down at the crumpled parchment, brows furrowed. He still had no idea which name it was. Not that it really mattered at the moment— Midoriya supposed he could just circle around and come back. That would give him time to root around his satchel and maybe look at the vials and figure it out. Uraraka tended to be the one that wrapped and labelled those. Her or Yaoyorozu, anyway. Which meant they were much, much easier to read. A grimace twitched across his features, as he could already hear Hadou's indignant whines. Midoriya felt bad thinking it, really, but it was the truth; Hadou's handwriting was a mess. He rolled the parchment and stuffed it back into the satchel, making sure it was fastened closed. "This way."

And so they went.

Deliveries were pretty heavy today. Which was to be expected. The shop was endlessly busy these days, as though the onslaught of cold weather brought everyone to their door at once. Uraraka insisted these few weeks would be their peak, and they'd drop back down soon. But it felt as though there was no end in sight. Midoriya was ladened down with deliveries, satchel strap digging into his shoulder enough to leave marks, and the past four days he even had to swing back by the shop in the afternoon for another whole load. He stared down at his bread loaf as he chewed, brows furrowed in thought. Maybe there was something to Iida's rant, earlier. He tore off another chunk, gnawing a bit on the hard crust. Dividing the city into quadrants could be helpful...unfortunately, Midoriya was really the only one delivering right now. Yaoyorozu and Uraraka were both tied up with making and packaging the charms and potions, and Hadou was busy with...something.

Something that kept her away everyday. She came home in the evenings, shoulders slumped and her usual enthusiasm dampened. Worry often lined her features, lingering through forced smiles and jokes. And more often than not, she'd spend time whispering with Uraraka or Yaoyorozu, always when his back was turned. Whatever it was, it only added to the heavy clouds of worry that blanketed the shop. Constant whispers, nervous glances. It was almost too much, at times.

As exhausting as delivering was, Midoriya was always glad for the chance to get out and breathe, a little. Even with the added company of Iida. The task oriented nature of delivering left little time for his mind to wander. Less time to dwell on monsters and nightmares and fears and missing Champions. He could just exist away from it all. He could be normal— the Apothecary shop's delivery boy. Midoriya almost wanted to laugh.

Strange, how things changed. Not so long ago he dreamed of exciting adventures. Now...now he'd had enough of a taste of adventures for the time being. Glowing eyes and gleaming teeth and horrific, garbled screams danced across his memory, and Midoriya's breath hitched. A shiver wracked his body, despite the warmth of the autumn sun beating down on him, and his heart felt as though it was in his throat. Midoriya stared down at the blurry loaf clutched in his grasp. He breathed, in and out, trying to will the tremors away.

Yeah. Normal was fine.

"Deku-kun?"

Midoriya jolted, gaze whipping up to meet Iida's. "Ye-yes?" he stammered, face heating. Iida's brow was pinched, and he leaned forward a bit, looking Midoriya up and down with mounting concern.

"Are you alright? You seem... as though you've been spooked."

A nervous laugh bubbled its way past his lips and he looked away, face heating. Was it really that obvious? "I-I'm fine, really," he said. "Just...tired." Which was most definitely a lie. If Iida could tell, he didn't mention it. But Midoriya could feel his stare lingering. He just forced a smile and took another bite of bread, chewing slowly as he stared out into the streets of Endeavor City. Busy and bustling as they always were. Midoriya couldn't help but admire the people that strode past, with their sharp coats or long, flowing skirts.

All this time, and he still felt very much like an outsider looking in.

Midoriya chewed on his loaf and sighed. Well. Perhaps he should just pack lunch early and finish delivering. Maybe then he could stop thinking for awhile.

Maybe.

~#~#~#~

The sunset blazed like fire in the sky when Midoriya trudged his way back to the Apothecary shop, satchel finally, blessedly empty. Gods, it felt as though the deliveries today were neverending. He went back twice for another load. Twice. And still, they were backed up. He'd probably have to do the same tomorrow, and frankly, Midoriya wasn't looking forward to it. His body ached something fierce, and he was exhausted. It was nearly a feat that he was able to stagger back on his own two feet, without any assistance from Iida. Who, by some black magic, strolled alongside Midoriya as though they hadn't been running through the streets of Endeavor City all day.

He even somehow had the energy to drone on about something— Midoriya wasn't paying attention to what it was. Not that he didn't want to, he just could hardly focus on putting one foot in front of the other, let alone listen to his companion rant and rave beside him. So Midoriya just settled for tiredly nodding along, eyelids drooping. Perhaps he could skip doing his letters tonight and just head straight for bed...

In fact, he was so out of it, he narrowly missed the two large horses decorated with shiny, well kept tack and intricately braided manes, hides practically glowing in the low sunlight, picketed right outside the shop's door. Midoriya drew up short, brow notching. He blinked, head tilting, as he surveyed the scene. What…? Milling around the door, talking quietly amongst themselves were at least four of the king's men, their red uniforms matching Iida's. Midoriya's heart skittered to a halt in his chest, breath catching in his throat. Gods, what on earth was this about? He broke out into a sprint, exhaustion forgotten in the wake of the terror gripping his chest in a vice grip.

Had something happened? Was...was everyone alright? Did someone get kidnapped? Crooked smiles flashed in his memory, and Midoriya's breath lodged in his throat. Oh, gods, no, no no no no no. Distantly, Midoriya could hear a startled yelp from Iida, but he was already to the door, hands scrabbling for the brass knob as he threw open the door.

He expected a mess. A...a crime scene. Knights crowding the space, or perhaps Hadou or Uraraka or Yaoyorozu huddled in a corner, worry wrought on their faces. He expected shelves overturned or perhaps some sort of disturbance. Something. Something unusual, something amiss. But Midoriya was not expecting the absolute calm that greeted him as he burst inside. Everything was as it should have been. Shelves carefully stocked and organized, lamplight casting a gentle glow in the space, and the three witches he called friends blinking at him from around the counter, eyes wide and surprised.

What he perhaps did not expect, though, were the unexpected guests turning to peer at him.

Standing amidst the eclectic backdrop of the shop, stood two people dripping with class and poise. Everything, from the way they held themselves to the clothes they wore, were different than anyone Midoriya saw on a daily basis. Clothes of fine linens and silks, bright and colorful and clean, free from the dust and stains that most common folks' clothes were privy to. His gaze was drawn to them, to the patterns woven into the structured, navy vest the man wore, or the intricate stitching of the woman's underskirt. They seemed to glow, almost, in the fading light. Reds and blues and hues of gold, offset by the flickering lamplight and deep shadows that began to creep into the shop proper.

And on top of it all was the contrasting scrutiny fixed onto him immediately. From warm and curious to aloof and icy, Midoriya felt caught amidst a gale. His mouth opened and closed, like a fish out of water, mind void of any semblance of speech, when something solid bowled into him from behind.

"Deku-kun, please, slow dow— oh, goodness." Firm hands grasped his arms, steadying him. "Are you quite alright? You need to refrain from running around, I nearly knocked you down! I—" Iida fell silent, then, his hands stilling from where they were patting Midoriya down. There was a beat, and when Midoriya looked, Iida was gawking with his mouth wide open and glasses sliding down his nose.

"Ca-Captain! Your Royal Highnesses, Princess Fuyumi and Prince Shouto! What-what are you doing here, outside the castle at this hour?"

Princess? Prince? Midoriya's gaze whipped back to their guests, eyes going wide. Oh. Oh goodness. His legs felt like jelly beneath him, and he kind of really wanted to sit down. And maybe hide. Midoriya resisted the urge to cover his face with his hands and instead clutched onto his satchel strap for dear life. Gods, what was going on? Why on earth would the princess and prince be here of all places? His mind felt like it was spinning and spinning with these questions, making him feel almost dizzy. He wavered in place, feeling very much like he was about to collapse into a heap, but didn't feel as though he was allowed. Oh, gods, should he bow? His eyes grew wide. Yes, yes he should. So, he bowed, chin tucking against his chest.

"Tenya, please. Wait outside." The captain's voice rang out throughout the shops' space, and when Midoriya jerked up, he could see him lingering in the shadows, one hand on his sword hilt and brows notched. Iida stiffened behind Midoriya, grip on his shoulders tightening.

"But, sir—"

"Now, please."

There was a click— his jaw snapping shut, perhaps— and Iida released Midoriya. He wobbled in place, the sudden lack of support almost disorienting, his weak knees nearly giving out under him. His teeth dug into his lips as he steadied himself, gaze darting over his shoulder in time to see Iida take a sweeping bow, before stiffly walking back out the door, boots clunking against the hardwood floor. The door creaked as it opened, and slammed shut, making Midoriya flinch. He blinked at the space where Iida had gone, heart thumping in his chest. Something about it was...unsettling. Absolute.

"Deku-kun." Uraraka's voice, kind and gentle, snagged Midoriya's focus. He found himself looking back to the ragtag group, crowded as they were around the counter. His gaze latched onto Uraraka's and he settled, the anxious storm brewing inside him calming, if just for a moment. She hesitated, a nervous smile flitting its way across her features. "You...you have some visitors."

At this, his eyes went wide, and he looked back to the prince and princess. He? Have visitors such as these? His face burned, hands twitching with the need to hide. The duality of their gazes on him didn't help matters any. The princess smiled, eyes crinkling around the edges. There was a warmth, to her, that made Midoriya feel...embarrassed. What had he done to earn such a smile from someone like she? He looked to his dusty, worn boots, shifting in place.

And the prince… Midoriya shivered. From what he could tell, they appeared to be of the same age. But the similarities ended there. He glared at Midoriya, expression stony, cold, closed off. It was similar to that of the king...similar to that of...someone else…

"O-oh," he stammered.

"Please, no need for formalities." Her royal highness, the princess, smiled brighter. "Call me Fuyumi."

That earned some wide-eyed looks from everyone in the room, save for Prince Shouto, who merely maintained his cold glare. Though even he had a flicker amidst the ice.

Midoriya wasn't well versed in this culture, but even he could figure out that what Princess Fuyumi had said was unprecedented. Shocking, even, if everyone's reactions were anything to gauge. Still, he dipped his head in a nod, tongue refusing to work. The princess didn't seem to mind. Instead, she clasped her delicate hands and leaned forward, eyes wide and earnest. "Deku-kun, is it?"

He nodded again, the room swaying around him with the motion. Oh, oh gods. The princess knew his name. This was too much, truly.

"There's been a rumor going around the castle." Fuyumi tilted her head, lamplight reflecting off the intricate braids she wore, circling her head like a crown. "My servants tend to think I don't listen to the whispers, but… Well, let's just say I hear more than they realize."

Captain Iida seemed to stiffen at that, and Midoriya could see Yaoyorozu and Uraraka share glances. What they meant, he didn't know, but Fuyumi spoke again. "And the rumors say that you witnessed something unusual, a few days ago." Her voice was soft, gentle, but firm. Expectant. Midoriya gulped, dipping his head.

"I-I-I dunno if it wa-was unusual, Y-your Roy-royal Highness—"

"Please, the title is unnecessary."

He flinched. "Yes you-erm. Yes, o-of course." Midoriya took a steadying breath. And another. "I-I reported the-the i-in-incident with Iida-kun, Princess Fuyumi."

"Yes, I'm aware," she said, quiet, soothing. "I still would like to hear it from yourself, if that is alright."

At this, he blanched. She...she wanted...from him? But why? Why would a princess care about what happened to him, of all people? Midoriya looked from Princess Fuyumi to Uraraka. There he found assurance in her gaze, warmth in her grin, and the uncertainty buzzing in his chest settled, a bit. Okay. Okay. He faced the princess again and squared his shoulders.

"Okay."

He told it again, like before, careful and slow. His gaze remained fixed to the grain of the hardwood floor, tracing its pattern over and over again as he spoke. It was easier that way. Staring at the wood meant he didn't have to face the gazes trained on him, intent and watching. He could use it as an anchor and lessen the overwhelming anxiety tracing its claws over his bare skin and making him shudder. The pattern of the wood was different, familiar. It creaked under foot when he shifted, serving as a reminder that he was here in the shop and safe, and not out in that accursed alleyway.

That he was not in danger.

Silence filled the space when he finished, like water pooling up from a ground spring. Midoriya waited with bated breath, brows pinched and teeth gnawing at his lip. And then, a sigh. His gaze jerked up to see Princess Fuyumi staring out into the shop, expression hollow and forlorn.

"So it's true…"

"I'm still not sure what you wanted to gain from this."

A chill settled onto Midoriya, and he shuddered, eyes wide. Prince Shouto shifted in place, cool expression icing over even more as his gaze flicked over Midoriya. "The rumors were true. So what? We can't know that Touya is involved; there isn't enough to go on."

Fuyumi sighed again. "But we have a witness— a confirmation. We know people are getting taken— that's better than theories and rumors."

"Her Royal Highness, the Princess," Yaoyorozu said, voice soft and almost hesitant, "pardon me for asking, but, why are you seeking this knowledge? Surely there's better avenues to determine what's happening...isn't there?" The bold question seemed to throw Princess Fuyumi for a loop, for she merely blinked, delicate lips falling open. Silence swelled in the space, and Midoriya shivered, suddenly cold. Princess Fuyumi looked down, hands smoothing out her skirts— a seemingly reflective action.

"I have...reason to believe that Touya's disappearance may be related, somehow."

Touya... Prince Touya. Their brother. Midoriya's eyes grew wide, realization hitting him in a wall of frigid ice, chills running down his spine. A strangled breath slipped past his lips, puffing up in a cloud. A true gasp, then, because oh, gods, was it cold. He blinked, gaze jumping from the princess to the prince, fixating on the ice crystals criss crossing across his cheek, glimmering on his clothes, stretching across the floor under his right foot…

"Shouto, please," Fuyumi murmured. "Calm yourself."

He scowled, the first heated, passioned expression Midoriya had seen from him yet, and clenched his fists at his sides. "It's time for us to get back to the palace," he said, voice cool and level. Still, his jaw twitched, and the ice latticed across the one side of his face melted back, leaving naught but a sheen of dew in its place. "Before Father finds out where we are." Prince Shouto didn't wait for a response— he stalked past the captain and princess, polished boots clicking rhythmically against the wooden floor. Their gazes met for one brief, frigid moment, and Midoriya's breath lodged itself firmly in his throat, unable to look away. Anger and pain clouded those dual colored eyes, then, before glaciers rose up, blocking any emotions from view and once again restoring Prince Shouto's expression to its unfeeling, cold one. He brushed past, the shop's door slamming shut behind him.

A soft sigh echoed in the shop. "I apologize for him," Princess Fuyumi said. "He's just...worried. We all are." She smiled, soft and warm, and inclined her head. "It is getting rather late, though. I won't keep you all any longer."

Hadou spoke, but Midoriya didn't really catch what it was she said. His focus was no longer on the princess. It was fixed over his shoulder, on the door behind him. A frown tugged at his lips and pinched at his brows.

...reason to believe that Touya's disappearance may be related, somehow.

Ever since Prince Touya disappeared, anyway.

You...you're Giran, right? ...word has it you can help me?

You really shouldn't be here, kid.

A shudder ran down his spine. Apprehension coiled tight in his gut, and he sucked in a shaky breath, images of monsters and crooked smiles batting around his mind hard enough to make his head spin and spin and spin. Midoriya bit his lip. He watched in a daze as the captain and princess took their leave, barely registering his own movements as he bowed alongside Hadou and Yaoyorozu and Uraraka. Something thick and dark settled over the apothecary shop, like dark storm clouds brewing in the skies overhead. It seemed to rumble, in Midoriya's mind, with strange secrets yet undecipherable.

"Deku-kun? You okay?" Uraraka's voice cut through the air like an arrow. Midoriya jumped, whirling around with wide eyes. She peered at him, those warm eyes of hers glimmering.

"Ye-yeah," he lied. "Just...tired."

She didn't look convinced, but she didn't push. Instead she smiled, slightly strained, and nodded, reaching out to clasp a hand on his shoulder, ever gentle. "Maybe we should get you to bed... today's been a little crazy, huh?"

Midoriya cast another lingering glance behind him, another shiver wracking his body. "Yeah…"

Behind him was only an empty shop and the faintest hint of chill in the air.

~#~#~#~

Time seemed to move erratic, after. Like the stretch of that caramel candy some of the vendors sold in the markets— some hours and days flew by while others seemed to stretch on and on and on. All of it was packed to the brim with the height of deliveries, though. They were reaching their fever pitch; Midoriya didn't do much more than wake up, eat, deliver, go to sleep, and repeat the process all over again.

The visit from the royals fell to the wayside, in his mind, only rearing up in memory whenever he and Iida trekked to the castle to deliver the bizarre cocktail of potions the king always seemed to order. Midoriya supposed the demand was high enough to warrant it— the castle housed hundreds of servants and knights and was an ever revolving door of nobles and captains and generals. Potions and charms and medicines alike were a never ending need, and the apothecary shop was honored to serve. Or, at least. That was what Yaoyorozu always said, anyway.

Even the incident fell to the back of Midoriya's mind, with only the occasional nightmare ripping him from his sleep and leaving him screaming and sweaty, woolen blankets balled into his fists as tears dripped down his face, cloudy, dreamy visions fading away in the wake of moonlight and the worried gaze of Uraraka. Those nights, she stayed with him until he fell back asleep, a gentle hand carding through his hair.

They didn't talk about it. Midoriya didn't know what to say, and they were too busy as it was.

"—was preposterous!" Iida's voice snapped Midoriya from his reverie and yanked him to the present. He blinked as an arm appeared in his line of sight; Iida chopped at the air again as he spoke. What it was he was ranting about, Midoriya didn't really know. They'd fallen into this pattern, somehow. While they darted through the streets, Iida would rant and rave about anything and everything, and Midoriya would half listen as he tried to deliver the day's goods. It worked out well enough he supposed— Iida's chatter was something comforting, now. It filled the immediate background and let Midoriya know he wasn't alone. That he was safe.

Besides, at least he knew now that Iida didn't really expect or even need a response. He hardly seemed to notice Midoriya didn't participate much. At least, he never made mention of it, and Midoriya wasn't keen on bringing that fact up anytime soon.

Rocks scattered underfoot, and a shadow from the impressive towers of the castle blanketed over them. Iida walked just a bit ahead, leading the way to the smaller, side entryway that the servants use. It was discreet— a smaller, well worn wooden door well within castle grounds— and the proper way to deliver, apparently. The first time he'd tried delivering to the castle on his own, he'd gone to the front, and one of the castle guards had looked on him with such disdain as they informed him of protocol as though he should have already known, despite being very, very obviously new.

Now, it hardly mattered. His gaze drifted across the royal stables as they strolled past, watching the stablehands lead fine looking horses with high heads and gleaming hides in and out. One in particular caught his focus— snow-white, mane like silk, tack so polished Midoriya found himself having to squint as the glare stabbed right into his eyes. He watched the young stable hand pass the reins off to someone dressed in fine linens, richly colored cape brushing the dirt, and oh— Midoriya went still, eyes growing wide. Prince Shouto. That shock of red and white hair was too easy to recognize, and Midoriya felt a chill settle over him when the prince turned, their gazes meeting across the open yard. The autumn chill grew impossibly colder, and a violent shiver wracked through his body. Midoriya's boot caught something—a rock, perhaps?—and he yelped as he nearly tumbled to the ground, face first.

He stumbled, arms flailing and satchel thumping against him, heart hammering as he somehow managed to right himself. Midoriya blinked, gasping. Welp. That almost happened.

"Deku-kun? Are you quite alright?" Footsteps thudded in Midoriya's ears, and he looked up in time to see Iida peer down at him, brows knit tightly. He rubbed at the back of his neck and smiled awkwardly.

"Ye-yeah. I just tripped a little."

Iida sighed. "What have I said about being careful?" He stepped closer, grasping at Midoriya's shoulders, and practically dragged him along. "Please, let us get on with this— you have more deliveries and I'm sure Hadou-san would like you home before dark."

Midoriya just let it happen. It was easier than trying to wriggle free— Iida was strong and determined, and he meant well enough. Still, Midoriya could feel the lingering chill of Prince Shouto's glare fixed onto his shoulders. He sucked in a breath and adjusted the strap of the satchel. Whatever the prince's issue was, it was not a priority right now.

Delivering was.

He left Iida at the doorway— something about proper decorum, and servants' quarters not for a knight of the king to tread around in— and scurried his way down the bustling hallways. His feet settled into the familiar path to the potion store-room that Kamiji had first taken him to on his first visit to the castle. Greetings rang out over and over again from some of the more chipper of the king's servants, and Midoriya returned them with a flushed face and mumbled thanks.

His constant deliveries made him a familiar presence, here, for better or worse. Midoriya still wasn't sure how to feel, really. He supposed it was nice to be established.

It was an adjustment, at least.

"Ah, there ya' are." Kamiji huffed, wiping her hands on a ratty rag. Behind her, the massive table was littered with powders and vials, half filled and empty alike, and stacks of parchment paper with ink words scratched all across every page, top to bottom. "Yer running late, today." She turned, skirts twirling, tossing the rag onto the table and working to straighten her parchments. "Just leave it 'ere," she said, gesturing to one of the few empty spaces. "I'll give it a look and get yer payment in a second."

Midoriya hummed, already digging through his satchel. This time, the order was heavy. A whopping total of twelve potions and charms altogether— Midoriya thought it would be best to run the coins back to the shop before finishing the day's deliveries, for surely today's payment would be too much to carry around all day. He carefully transferred vials from the satchel to the table; one, two, three, four, five-six-seven-eight—

A gasp tumbled past his lips as vial number nine slipped from his fingers and thumped onto the ground. It bounced once, before rolling away from view beneath the table. Midoriya squeaked, dropping immediately to his knees and crawling after it. The pseudo rug scraped against his palms and bunched in places as he fumbled after the runaway vial. It had rolled nearly to the center of the table, the shadows darkening the liquid inside. Midoriya's breath lodged in his throat alongside his pounding heart and he stretched, satchel swaying in place as his fingers grasped the cool glass. He let out a breath. Oh, thank the gods; the vial was intact. He hugged it to his chest, head hanging as he thanked his lucky stars because that was way too close. Midoriya blinked, gazing down at the stitching just beneath him. Gods, this was just not his day. His gaze trailed from the shadowed silvers of what appeared to be a breastplate, to his left, brows pinching as he took in the sight.

Forever captured in the finest of weavings was the visage of a man. Tanned skin, broad shoulders, golden hair, and the widest of smiles Midoriya had ever seen. Kind blue eyes stared unseeing, and haloing his head were a series of stars. Midoriya cast a glance over his shoulder. One, starting from the shoulder, two, three, four, five, six, seven… A frown tugged at his lips. Strange. What an odd number of stars. He looked to the man's smiling face once again, something curling in his chest…

"Oi! You 'bout done fetching the vial ya' dropped, or are ya' sleeping down there?" Kamiji's sharp voice had Midoriya jumping, head cracking against the top of the table. He yelped, pain stabbing through his skull, and nearly dropped the vial again as he reached to clasp at his throbbing head.

"C-coming," he stammered. Midoriya awkwardly shuffled backwards, clinging to the vial and his sore head and trying desperately to not smack it again. He rose on wobbly legs and set the vial down with a sigh. "Here."

Kamiji tisked. "Clumsy today, eh?" She watched, arms crossed over her chest, as he unloaded the rest so she could check the labels and ensure the order was correct. Glass clinked in the background, and skirts rustled as Kamiji bent and pulled out the coin chest. More rustling, and the clinking of metal coins, and she whirled around and thrust a bulging and heavy sack at him. "'Ere," she said. "Payment." She whirled around again, her hair, done in a braid today, swinging against her back. "Take this too." Kamiji presents a carefully wrapped scroll, tied with a velvet ribbon. "S'tha next order. Needs to be done prompt like, the king is willing to pay double to get it done. Hadou'll understand, just make sure she gets it."

Midoriya blinked, looking from Kamiji to the scroll balanced in his open palm. "O...okay. I'll be sure to let her know."

Kamiji nodded, turning back to her potions and parchments, leaving Midoriya staring after her. This was unusual. Normally, Midoriya didn't get the orders— one of the squires would run the scroll to the shop and hand deliver it, usually days after a delivery. This sure must have been important if he was being given the scroll immediately like this.

But...what could the king possibly need right away?

Hello there! Long time, no update ^^; Or, well, not on here anyway. I update quicker on ao3, if you want to check me out there. In any case, I'll be posting the chapters that are missing from this site shortly, lol. This story will be finished one day, haha, even if it takes me forever. Thanks for reading!

-Kat