"How are you feeling?" Katsuki asked over his shoulder, his voice gruff as he stood and brushed off his hands.
Rosie smiled at him, her cheeks flushed with the remnants of warmth from the fire. "Much better, thank you for being kind."
Katsuki grunted in response, his usual aloofness masking the subtle concern he'd shown earlier when she wasn't feeling well. As he turned to continue packing, he heard Rosie speak again, this time addressing Deku.
"Would you like to join us in the Adventurer's Guild? We just finished a job and were on our way to get another."
Katsuki's movements stilled.What the hell was she doing?His eyes narrowed as he straightened up and shot a glare toward Rosie, his annoyance flaring. Why was she inviting that idiot along with them? The last thing he needed was to drag Deku along, especially after what happened last night. His presence was already an unnecessary complication.
Deku chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "That would be great! I'd love to join you guys. It's been a while since I've worked with others."
Katsuki's brow twitched.Damn it.He shot Rosie a look that was clearly saying,Why the hell are you doing this?
"We only have two horses," Katsuki said, his voice tight with frustration as he gestured toward the animals. "So, good luck keeping up."
But Rosie, ever the optimist, gasped softly. "Oh, you're right! Please, take my horse, Deku. I can walk."
Katsuki's eyes widened. "You idiot, you can't walk the entire way," he snapped. His voice was gruff, but there was an edge of genuine concern beneath it.
Rosie smiled, brushing off his irritation. "We elves have vast endurance and speed. I'll be fine, Katsuki."
He rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. She was too damn stubborn for her own good. Without a second thought, he mounted his horse and walked it right beside her. Before Rosie could protest, Katsuki reached down, grabbed her by the waist, and hoisted her up with ease, placing her firmly in front of him on the saddle.
"Stop being a pain in the ass," he grumbled. "You're riding with me."
Rosie blinked in surprise but quickly relaxed, a small smile tugging at her lips. She made no further argument, leaning back slightly against him, seemingly content with her new spot.
Deku watched the entire exchange with raised brows but said nothing. After a brief moment of awkward silence, he mounted Rosie's horse and fell into pace beside them.
As they rode through the darkening woods, Deku's curiosity got the better of him. He glanced over at Rosie, who was perched comfortably in Katsuki's arms. "I've never met an elf before," Deku said softly, his eyes flickering with interest. "Where are you from, Rosie?"
Rosie's expression softened, and she turned her head slightly to look at him. "I'm from the Silven realm," she answered with a gentle smile. "It's far past the Whispering Mountains, deep within the forests. It's a hidden place, shrouded in magic to protect it from the outside world."
Deku's eyes widened in fascination. "The Silven realm? I've heard stories about it. It must be beautiful."
Rosie nodded. "It is. Our forests are ancient, filled with trees that have stood for millennia. It's peaceful there, but… I wanted to see the world outside of it. That's why I left."
Katsuki, who had been silently listening to the conversation, rolled his eyes. "Tch. You sound like you miss it."
Rosie chuckled softly. "I do, sometimes. But I'm glad I left. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you." She smiled up at Katsuki, her tone light, though he could hear the sincerity in her words.
Katsuki's grip tightened slightly on the reins, his eyes flicking away from her. "Yeah, well, don't get all sappy."
As the conversation lulled and the forest grew darker, the rhythmic movement of the horse and the warmth of Katsuki's body behind her seemed to lull Rosie into a peaceful state. Before long, she was slumped slightly against him, her head nodding as she drifted off to sleep.
Katsuki felt her weight shift, her breathing becoming slow and even. He glanced down, frowning as he noticed her slipping lower in the saddle. Without a word, he adjusted her position, carefully turning her so that her body was facing his, her head resting against his chest.
His arms instinctively wrapped around her, holding her close as she slept. Her breath was warm against his skin, her soft hair brushing against his neck. Katsuki's face turned slightly red as he realized how intimate their position was, but he didn't move her.
He could feel the steady beat of her heart against his chest, the warmth of her body soothing in the cool night air. For a moment, he allowed himself to relax, letting the tension in his muscles ease as they rode through the silent forest.
Deku, riding beside them, glanced over and smiled softly at the sight. He said nothing, choosing to leave them in peace as the three of them traveled toward the next town.
As the night deepened and the stars blinked into the sky, Katsuki looked down at Rosie, her face peaceful in sleep. His grip on her tightened slightly, a strange warmth blooming in his chest.
Katsuki glanced down at Rosie, still fast asleep in his arms, her soft breathing barely audible against the quiet backdrop of the darkening woods. Her slender frame was curled against him, her cheek resting lightly on his chest, while her usual attire—a loose, flowing tunic and tight-fitted shorts—did little to protect her from the chill of the night air.
He grumbled under his breath, annoyed with the way her clothes left so much skin exposed.Stupid elf and her need to show skin, he thought with a scowl. She'd probably grown too used to her magical homeland, where the weather was likely more forgiving. Out here, though, it was different. Especially at night, when the cold seeped in like a living thing, biting at his skin despite his own naturally higher body temperature.
Carefully, Katsuki adjusted his black cloak, making sure it draped over Rosie's small frame. He tugged it tighter around her shoulders, the heavy fabric shielding her from the cold. Her bare arms and the neckline of her tunic vanished beneath its dark folds, and he felt a small sense of satisfaction at knowing she wouldn't freeze because of her own carelessness.
"Always gotta make things harder," he muttered, his eyes narrowing in mock irritation. His hand brushed against her arm as he made sure the cloak covered every inch of exposed skin, and he flinched slightly at how cool she felt. Without thinking, his grip on her tightened, his body heat naturally radiating outward to provide her with more warmth.
Rosie stirred slightly in her sleep, snuggling unconsciously closer to him, as if seeking out the warmth he provided. Her soft hair brushed against his chin, and the subtle scent of wildflowers and pine that always seemed to linger around her filled his senses. Katsuki's face flushed, and he mentally cursed himself for the way his heart reacted, beating just a little too fast for comfort.
"Damn elf," he whispered to himself, but there was no real malice in his voice—just a strange, unfamiliar tenderness he couldn't quite suppress.
As the horse continued its steady pace through the forest, Katsuki sighed, his gaze drifting down to the peaceful expression on Rosie's face.
The cloak settled around her more snugly, Katsuki made sure every edge was securely fastened before pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. The cold night wind rustled the branches overhead, but he hardly felt it anymore, too focused on the warmth of Rosie's body against his and the strange comfort that came from holding her close.
Finally, Deku broke the quiet, his voice soft but pointed. "Why did you want me to lie about how we truly met, Kaa-chan?"
Katsuki scowled, his grip tightening on the reins of his horse. The nickname grated on his nerves as always, but it was the question that truly got under his skin. He cast a quick glance down at Rosie, making sure she was still asleep before grunting in response.
"Her and I just met two weeks ago," he muttered, hoping that would be enough to end the conversation.
But Deku wasn't one to back down easily. He hummed thoughtfully before pressing on. "Still, you didn't have to lie. Why not just tell her the truth?"
Katsuki let out a low growl, his temper rising. "Just because she's my partner doesn't mean I'm gonna start spilling all my damn secrets," he snapped, his voice low and dangerous, careful not to wake Rosie. His crimson eyes flickered with irritation as he caught the faint, cheesy smile spreading across Deku's face.
Deku tilted his head, his green eyes glinting with curiosity. "Does this mean you're ready to go home?" he asked, a touch of something deeper in his tone.
Katsuki's head whipped toward him, his glare sharp enough to cut. "No way in hell am I going back," he hissed, his voice fierce and defensive. "And I sure as hell ain't gonna fulfill that silly old man's demand." His jaw clenched at the thought of it. The idea of returning home, of facing the responsibilities and expectations waiting for him there, made his blood boil.
Deku's expression softened, but there was a knowing look in his eyes. "You've been away for over a decade now, Kaa-chan. Don't you think it's time?"
"Shut up, Deku," Katsuki snapped, his voice like fire. "You don't know a damn thing about what I want. I left for a reason, and I'm not going back just because some old bastard says so."
Deku's smile faded into something more solemn, his gaze drifting down the road ahead. "You're wrong," he said quietly. "I know more than you think. I know how much you've carried on your own all these years. I know what it's like to feel like you don't belong anywhere, no matter where you go."
Katsuki stiffened at the words, his grip tightening on Rosie as if to anchor himself. Deku didn't know. He couldn't know. The truth of their past was buried too deep, hidden under layers of pride and pain. The battles they had fought together, the wars they had survived—it was all part of a history Katsuki wasn't ready to revisit. Not yet.
"Shut the hell up," Katsuki growled again, but his voice lacked the bite it usually carried.
Deku sighed softly, his gaze softening as he looked back at Katsuki. "You don't have to be alone anymore, you know. I didn't think you would have someone traveling with you again, but it's clear she means something to you."
"She doesn't mean anything," Katsuki shot back defensively, his cheeks flushing with heat, though he kept his voice low to avoid waking Rosie. "She's just...useful. That's all."
Deku smiled again, a quiet, understanding smile. "Sure, Kaa-chan. Whatever you say."
Katsuki felt his irritation bubble up again, but he forced it down, focusing instead on the rhythmic sound of his horse's hooves hitting the dirt road. He didn't owe anyone an explanation—not Deku, not Rosie, not anyone. He had left his home behind for a reason, a reason that he wasn't about to discuss. Not with Deku. Not with anyone.
As if sensing his internal struggle, Deku's voice broke through his thoughts again, quieter this time. "Whatever you're running from, it won't follow you forever. One day, you'll have to face it, Kaa-chan. Whether you like it or not."
Katsuki didn't respond. Instead, he clenched his jaw, his eyes fixed on the horizon as the night continued to deepen around them.
For now, he could stay on this path—stay with Rosie, do the jobs, keep moving forward. But he knew, in the pit of his stomach, that Deku was right.
Eventually, he would have to stop running.