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sheiireen · 29 days ago

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Disguised as commoners, Izuku and Katsuki head into town. This is how I imagined their outfits for ch 3 & 4 of "Ashes to Life":

Chapter 4 'Conviction' is up:

His legs felt heavier because of the numbness from before, but Katsuki managed to run to the alley. The scene he first registered was how Izuku held the child in his arms, while his back was pushed into a broken wall. What surprised Katsuki the most was not that, but the fact that there was another man in front of Izuku. A huge man who fell to his knees, grinning like a maniac as he said that Izuku was crazy, almost as if he enjoyed the fight. The man was three times as big as a normal person. His muscles and their proportions to his body seemed abnormally broad, too. Once he fell down and shut his eyes, Katsuki registered what was happening: Izuku managed to defeat that huge monster, without major injuries, all the while protecting a child at the same time.

While he, on the other hand, was almost choked to death by some extra because of a stupid mistake he made. Izuku coughed a few times before his gaze focused on his surroundings. “Are you okay, Katsuma?” Izuku said with a small smile. The boy nodded. He helped the boy get up and followed suit. “Let's check on the man before he gets up again. My punch wasn't that strong, he might wake up anytime soon.” Katsuki slowly walked up towards them while Izuku tied the man up. Now he noticed that Izuku's hands were purple and bruised. Some fingers looked crooked. When Izuku noticed Katsuki, his expression changed.

“Kacchan! What happened? Are you alright?” He ran up towards him, his eyes analysing Katsuki's state. “Are you hurt? Is that your blood? We need to get a doc-”

When his hand reached for the injuries, Katsuki slapped his hand away.

“I'm fine.”

Izuku's eyes widened in surpise, but he still kept his eyes on his neck and stained shirt with a look full of pity. It got under Katsuki's skin. Did he see him as a pathetic loser? Izuku didn't move and kept his gaze firm on Katsuki.

“M-Mr. Deku, the man is moving.” Katsuma interrupted them. “Right. Let's get him to the police station.”

♚♚♚

Once they arrived at the station with the unconscious men, some policemen took them away and asked Izuku and Katsuki to wait for some questions. They gave Katsuki fresh clothes and tended to Izuku's wounds. While he was trying to pin-point his injury, Katsuki was checking the officers, probably looking for someone specific.

A man with spiky red hair arrived from an office at the back and smiled at them. “Katsuki! It's been a while. Did you capture these criminals? That's so manly of you!” When the man noticed Izuku, he reached out his hand. “Hello! My name is Eijirou Kirishima. Nice to meet you.”

“Hello, I'm Iz- Deku.” He could tell the man wanted to ask more, but he held back.

“We found their hideout from a map in their pocket. Thanks to you, the girl has been saved.”

“What were they planning with the children?” “We don't know. We will interrogate them about that soon.”

“I'll talk to them first.” Katsuki said. The policeman nodded, but before he stood up, two officers ran up to them. “Mr. Kirishima, we have a problem. The captives have escaped!”

“What? How did that happen? Go after them.”

“We've looked around already.”

“Send a patrol and check the area. They can't have gone too far.” “Yes, Sir.” Eijirou had a worried expression on his face.

“How convenient.” Katsuki said what they all were thinking. The policeman nodded and hesitated before he quickly glanced at Izuku. Katsuki nodded. “Talk freely.” “Something strange is going on. Despite our attempts at strictly patrolling the area, the crime rate has increased. It's almost as if...”

“...there is a traitor who works with the criminals?” Izuku finished. “There were no police patrols at all during the whole day. Did someone higher up change the orders?”

“That could be the case. I'll think of a way to get the info about the orders discreetly. For now, I'm just glad the kids are okay.”

He turned to Katsuki. “What are you doing here today? Orders from All Might?”

“Errands.”

“Did he not send you because of the letters?”

Katsuki was confused. “What letters?”

“From the town council? About the current harvest?”

All letters that are sent to an aristocrat are checked by their servants, so the fact that Katsuki didn't get any of them means they had never arrived.

“Now it makes sense why he never reacted.” This town would soon be under Izuku's charge and he was glad he was not excluded from the conversation. They would have to find out who destroyed the letters. The cases might be connected, he thought. He hoped that they would be able to find out more. If his uncle knew of the current situation here, he'd be with them right now. Izuku was certain of it.

What he found out from the rest of the conversation was that Katsuki and Eijirou have known each other for a long time. They talked about other people who seemed to be friends with Katsuki. Izuku didn't know that Katsuki had friends who were commoners, so it came as a nice surprise. Apparently, he used to come into town frequently when he was younger, but because of his duties as main servant, he was too busy now. While Eijirou would look up the case in secret, he told him and Katsuki to wait at a tavern in the meantime and meet up with their other friends, who were hanging out there today. Katsuki was not happy with the idea, but Izuku felt both excited and nervous about it, because he had never been to a tavern before and he was curious about Katsuki's friends. They were greeted by a huge, shouting crowd. A girl with the pinkest curly hair hugged Katsuki, who was fighting to get her off of him.

“We missed you, Katsukiii!” Some others came up and did the same. Izuku hid slightly behind his butler, because the people shouting were a bit overwhelming. One man staggered past them and murmured some strange tunes as he walked out the door. All tables were taken, some by smaller groups who were enjoying some alcoholic beverages, some by bigger groups who danced to the music that played catchy tunes with made up lyrics on the spot to adapt to the crowd's wishes.

“Shut up, you are all annoying.” Despite his snappy tone, Izuku could tell he was happy.

A young blonde man wearing a black necklace noticed Izuku. “Oh! A new friend?” He looked at Katsuki, who didn't want to bother introducing him. “Picked him up on the road.”

His answer clearly made them more curious, especially because Izuku didn't clarify. He just said “I'm Deku, nice to meet you.” The pink-haired girl took Izuku by his arm and led him to their table.

“Come sit with us, what do you want to drink?” He was seated beside the blonde guy, while Katsuki took the other empty seat a few seats next to him.

“So, Deku, was it? Are you from here?” The man was in a good mood. Izuku tried not to sound too insecure as he made up some lies. “Um. I just moved here.” Some faces turned into worried expressions. “Oh. Sorry...it's not the best time to live here.”

“What do you mean?”

“The harvest was really bad this year, so the prices for the food and necessities have increased a lot. Some shops even had to close. Like my beautiful workshop!” He dramatically put his face on the table, when a woman with short dark blue hair joined their table with more drinks. “Your blacksmith business had been bad before. Don't blame it on the rising prices.” Izuku noticed that they were both wearing the same gold ring on their fingers.

“My sweet wife Kyouka, don't spread lies to my new friend. I am...was...the best blacksmith in town!” Despite his failed business, the man seemed to be happy. He could tell that he harboured a lot of love for his wife by the way his eyes were following hers adoringly as she started to blush. “Stop staring at me, idiot.” She put down the drinks and left. The pink-haired girl, who introduced herself as Mina, laughed and put one hand on Izuku's shoulder. “Aw, look at them. They got married a few weeks ago, aren't they sweet?”

“Oh! Congratulations.” He smiled.

“Tell him how you asked her, Denki!” He started to blush and looked away before he spoke. “Well, like I just said, everything is expensive right now. But thankfully, I had prepared our rings before my shop closed because I had decided long ago that she was the one I wanted to marry and spend the rest of my life with.” Mina continued for him. “And then he wrote a song for her!” “Stop!” He was still blushing, but smiling. His friends were all laughing while everyone commented on his proposal.

“So cute!” “So tacky!” “That is so him!”

While Denki talked more about their life, Izuku couldn't help but notice how their story sounded just like the romance novels he liked to read. He felt warm inside thinking about how some love stories did become true. It was sweet.

Seeing them talk and speak freely was nice. Izuku was wondering if they had a bit too much to drink or if they were always so talkative and cheerful, because they didn't seem drunk from their mannerism. They were talking about their perfect weddings and Izuku was glad that he could just listen.

Until he made one mistake.

When Mina talked about how she wanted to get married like noble people, in a big mansion with gifts, cakes, pastries and beautiful dances, he said “it's not that great.” Now everyone was looking at him. He quickly glanced at Katsuki's seat, but it was empty. At least he didn't have to find out about Izuku's screw up. He didn't have time to look around for Katsuki, because Mina and Denki moved closer to Izuku. “How do you know?”

He stuttered a mess of “I'm just saying that- you know- I learn a lot about them and well...”

When he felt his book in his bag, he had an idea of how to save himself. “I- I'm an author and sometimes I get invited to some balls or weddings to write down what the noble families do. Some nobles want to present the world how they celebrate to show off their wealth, right?” Some of them were nodding. “Did you meet Katsuki at All Might's place, then? Since you just said you work with nobles?” “Um...y-yeah?” They started to shift their focus, for which Izuku was glad.

“But All Might doesn't seem like the type to be so showy about his wealth, right?”

“I don't know, I've never met him personally.”

“I have seen him a lot when I was younger, but he doesn't come here anymore.” “Does he not care about the town?”

“I heard he had a successor. Maybe that's why? Maybe the new guy in charge doesn't care?”

Izuku wanted to reply, but he knew he'd be too honest if he opened his mouth now. Please be patient. He silently wished. I will help you, soon. It was hard to keep quiet for the next part of the conversation. Just as much as he wanted to be defensive, his voice probably wouldn't be able to make a sound, as his heart sank a bit when he heard it.

“At least we aren't dependant on the aristocrat family that Sero works for.”

“You mean the Midoriya family?”

“Duke Midoriya sounds like a strict man.” “Remember when he was assigned to his family. He was sad.”

Izuku recalled the first time Sero arrived at their mansion. He did seem nervous, especially around his father, but after a while, he opened up to Izuku. He knew his father was strict, but he would have never guessed that his family name would reach commoner's ears from other towns, especially since their towns were far away from each other. It was almost amazing how rumors spread so fast. He was wondering how they knew his former butler and couldn't help his curiosity. “Is your friend not here anymore?” He carefully asked.

“He used to live here in Musutafu but when he passed the butler examination he was sent to another town.” Izuku wished he could speak to Sero right now to ask him if he hated working for him.

“But I think he is doing fine, now. He wasn't assigned to the duke, but to his son! In his letters he always talks about how he is the sweetest person he has ever met.” Izuku smiled at that and softly let out a small breath.

“Imagine if Katsuki was sent there, it would be hilarious to see him work with a strict noble.” Denki said.

“He wouldn't leave even if it killed him. His family is devoted to All Might, remember?”

“I know. I'm saying hypothetically, since he won first place.”

“What do you mean? Did he take part in the exam?” Izuku asked.

Apparently, Katsuki took part in the butler examination to spite everyone who claimed that his family was merely spoiled, living with All Might and passing down the role of butler without any real talent, as they never had to prove their skills by passing a test. He got a perfect score.

Izuku felt a strange sense of pride and found it fitting for Katsuki. He did everything perfectly, after all. Izuku kept looking around for the man they were talking about, but he was still not in sight.

As time passed, the tavern filled with more laughter and clicking mugs, the air thick with the scent of alcohol. The conversations of the other tables became a blur of slurred words and soon Kyouka and the owner of the tavern, a girl named Tsuyu who resembled a frog, kindly made the customers leave. Some had passed out on their seats, so Izuku decided to help them by carrying the drunk guests out. Tsuyu turned the sign on the door to “closed”, so that regular customers wouldn't come in. Izuku and the others helped clean up the tables, but Kyouka insisted that he should sit down. “It's okay, I really don't mind!” Izuku replied. He had to resist the urge to ask if they knew where Katsuki was, but their tired gazes constantly shifted towards the door, telling him they were waiting for his return as well. He couldn't deny that he was a bit hurt that he left without telling him where he went. Another part of him was angry, but more than for himself, it was on behalf of Katsuki's friends, who were eager to meet him today.

A dull thud brought him back from his thoughts - a full mug he was trying to pick up hit the table, spilling the liquid over the edge. He should have been more mindful of his hand injury. He saw Kyouka approaching, but he already picked a handkerchief from his pockets to clean up the mess. Despite his insistence that he'd take care of it, she cleaned the floor, while he cleaned the table. When she was finished, Izuku felt her gaze on him and stopped halfway, suspecting what she was about to say as he stared at the crest on his handkerchief. “Are you earl Midoriya?”

A green rose adorned by four gold leaves – that was the unparalleled crest of the Midoriya family. He silently cursed himself for reflexively pulling out the evidence for his identity, because only a member of the family is allowed to wear the crest in any form, no matter how small.

“What are you saying? No way!” He awkwardly laughed. “I-I need to go now, I apologize for the mess.” He knew he was a bad liar, and he could tell she didn't believe a word he said. But the last thing he wanted was to mess up more, which is why he was rushing out the main door before anyone else noticed.

Izuku opened the door and bumped into a person.

“Careful there!” It was Eijirou who caught the stumbling Izuku. He was struggling with his balance, but managed to help Izuku stand. Next to him was Katsuki, staring at him with an unreadable expression.

“K- Kacchan, I'm so sorry...!”

“What the fuck did you do again, Deku.” The way he phrased it did not sound like a question. Izuku almost saw flames fuming behind Katsuki's head. Eijirou felt the tension rise in the silence and figured it was best to leave them alone, so he went inside first.

“Don't tell me they found out who you are.” The disappointment in his voice was clear.

“It was a mistake.” Some people were passing by, so he grabbed Katsuki by his arm and led him to a small alley where no people could overhear them. Katsuki crossed his arms.

“I- I'm sorry, Kacchan. I spilled some drink while cleaning up the table and I didn't realize my crest was on the napkin. Kyouka noticed and then I panicked and ran out.” He said it all so fast to get it over with, but the slow reaction from Katsuki was killing him. “I'm really sorry.” He added again.

“You literally had one job.” Katsuki hissed.

“I was really careful this time.”

“Is there anything you're good at?”

Izuku sighed. Katsuki wasn't the only one who was angry. “Look. I'm trying very hard to learn and change and become a proper grown up, but it's not that easy.” He didn't want to attack Katsuki, but he wouldn't deny that the other man's temper hasn't been affecting him.

Katsuki laughed. “Grown up, my ass. You can't even take a trip to the town alone.”

Every word hurt. Izuku's voice grew. “I know that!” The intensity in his voice surprised him, so he repeated the words, more quietly. “I know that.” He looked for Katsuki's eyes and when his gaze allowed him to go on, he did.

“I'm really sorry for all the trouble I caused, Kacchan. I won't burden you with my requests anymore, I promise. But I'm thankful that I got to see what I will deal with from now on. I want to help these people. That's my job as a noble. Even if you are angry at me or hate me, I'm still thankful. And besides...I don't think that anything bad has happened today, so can you please tell me why you are angry? Do you hate me that much?” After a long silence, Katsuki sighed.

“You're the one who is weird. I don't get how you can be happy about the sudden change in your life. Will you accept any choice made for you? Who does that? Why aren't you angry?”

Izuku was not expecting him to be asked that, so he needed a moment to think about his words.

“I- I want to be more powerful. I want to make my uncle proud and help as many people as I can. So I will do my best to fulfill my role. As a nobleman and as a successor. I'm glad I can be here.” Izuku stared at Katsuki to find some kind of mockery, but he just stared at him, blank-faced.

“I see.” He paused, his gaze shifting.“You want more power? With more power, more dangers come. You need to think about your position, Deku. ” He turned his gaze away. “Nevermind.”

“No.” Izuku didn't move from his position. “Is there...any way I can prove myself to you?” “Why do you need my approval so bad anyway?” Katsuki's voice sharpened, irritation creeping in.

“Because I want to work with you. I know how hard you are working for my uncle. Let me help.”

Izuku wished he could read Katsuki's mind right now, because the next phrase came so unexpected to him, while Katsuki's expression told him it was a serious idea he had been contemplating for a while.

“Fight me.” Katsuki pointed at spot where they could have more space to move around freely.

“Huh? N- now?”

“Fight me. If you win, I'll willingly bow to you.”

“And if you win?”

Katsuki grinned. “I'll do whatever I want.”

Will he leave? Request Izuku to move to another mansion? What did he mean by that?

Compared to the huge man he fought before, Katsuki was fast and reacted to Izuku's movements almost reflexively. He had no time to think in between the attacks. “Where are you looking?” Katsuki used all his strength in his attack with his right arm, but Izuku managed to dodge the second time. He adapted to Katsuki's movements faster than he thought. Despite his quick reflexes, Izuku realized he was still no match for Katsuki. He didn't hold back, regardless of the outcome. Forming a fist, he managed to land a good punch on Katsuki's face. He flinched but instead of turning his face, he grabbed Izuku by his arm and pinned him down, one hand on Izuku's face while his other hand held Izuku's right arm. One of his knees held Izuku's leg down.

Izuku lost.

Both were panting, as Katsuki said “why did you lose?”.

There was almost a hint of disappointment in his voice. Izuku didn't reply.

Katsuki shifted away and gave Izuku space to sit up and acknowledge his defeat.

Once the adrenaline settled down, Izuku spoke, his eyes facing the stars in the sky. “I still have a long way to go, huh?” He smiled softly and clenched his hand into a fist. “I'll become stronger and make you acknowledge me.”

After a pause, Katsuki spoke. “If you want power, you will need more connections in the aristocrat circle. But their ears are everywhere and they will use any means, any rumor and any weakness to ruin your reputation.” It was relieving to hear these words from Katsuki's mouth.

“I hope no one else saw you in the tavern. If they find out I let my master work, the rumors will be scandalous. Who knows what those assholes will add to the story?”

“They have too much free time, huh?”

“You're a noble, too.”

“I guess you're right.” He laughed.

“I'm sorry for breaking the rules. It must have been hard for you.” Katsuki clicked his tongue. “Whatever. It's my duty to make sure everything goes perfectly. I screwed up.” Izuku underestimated Katsuki's desire for perfectionism. He was unable to understand what he meant by his last words. His eyes were also hidden in the dark.

“You didn't do anything wrong.” Izuku carefully said. Maybe something had happened while him and Eijirou went away? Because Izuku couldn't recall any moment in which Katsuki failed in his role. Instead of prying more, Izuku decided to let Katsuki choose whether he wanted to open up more or not. Katsuki stood up first and let out a breath. “Let's go back and get some food before we head off to the mansion.” Izuku realized he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.

As much as Izuku felt relief that they had a normal conversation, a hint of sadness made its way into his heart at the thought that Katsuki might leave him. Asking him to stay or help him train would disrespect his victory, so he decided to keep his wish to himself.

♚♚♚

“G- guys, they are here.” Denki was the first one who spoke. He was running towards Izuku and Katsuki and with a pleading motion, he stared at Izuku. “I am so sorry for talking rudely about your family, S-Sir. Please spare us.” Katsuki snorted. They were as bad as Izuku when it came to being discreet, it seemed.

“Why didn't you tell us he is a noble, Katsuki?”

“Who cares.”

“Don't worry about it.” Izuku replied with a soft smile.

“You're an angel. Sero was right.” How much did they talk about while Katsuki was away?

“Don't expect any fancy food here.” Katsuki hoped for a disappointed look, but Izuku looked the opposite. His friends cleared space for them at the table, and this time, they found themselves seated next to each other. Tsuyu brought over some broth accompanied by fresh bread. It was amusing to watch Izuku struggle with the cutlery—or rather, the absence of it. Katsuki wanted to enjoy the show more, but Kyouka stepped in to help.

“You drink it straight from the bowl, but be careful; it’s hot. Best to wait a bit.” Izuku nodded obediently, despite the grumbling of his stomach.

“You don't want anything?” Tsuyu asked Katsuki.

“I'm not hungry.”

Izuku looked at him, but didn't say anything. Instead, he split his piece of bread and handed a piece to Katsuki.

“Let's share?” Katsuki refused to take it, but the daggers aimed at him from all sides annoyed him, so he quickly grabbed it with a “tsk” at his friends. Why did they care anyway?

He listened as they bombarded Izuku with questions - talking about Sero, about court etiquette, the food he ate everyday, gossip and various other topics that Katsuki lost count of. Izuku responded happily and elaborated some answers every now and then. Mina suggested dancing, as she had always wanted to learn some court dances. Izuku looked nervous at first but when Denki and some others started playing their instruments, he slowly warmed up and showed them some moves. Soon, most of Katsuki's friends were dancing.

For the first time today, Katsuki felt at ease. The music and the laughter of his friends echoing in the room were comforting.

“Long day, huh?” Eijirou asked. Katsuki didn't notice him approaching. Katsuki nodded.

“He seems like a good person.” Katsuki didn't say anything.

“Aren't you dizzy?”

“Me? Of course not. Are you mocking me?” Eijirou shook his head. “Did you talk it out with him?”

“We fought.” He flashed a grin. “I won.” A disappointed gaze from Eijirou told him he was not surprised.

“It would have been stranger if he won.”

“I had to know.”

“Why?”

“Because he is weird.”

“What do you mean?”

They both were looking at Izuku now, who was showing new moves to Mina. Each step he made was fluid and his movements radiated grace. Looking away from him was difficult as he drew everyone's eyes around. It was almost enchanting.

He shrugged slowly and Eijirou's eyes were on him now.

“You don't know how to deal with him?” Katsuki gave him a quick sharp glance and Eijirou went back to looking at Izuku.

“It's ok to be afraid.”

“'m not afraid.” Katsuki replied instantly, at which Eijirou laughed. “I meant to say it's ok to let him in.”

All Might had mentioned something like this before. Katsuki had been quietly watching the other man for some time now. There was so much he still needed to learn, yet Izuku was improving at an impressive pace—something he couldn’t help but admire. He had a natural way of drawing people in, a charm that Katsuki rarely encountered. It was a terrifying power. He would never admit that to Izuku's face, though.

♚♚♚

“We're home.” Katsuki woke the sleeping man up.

“Kacchan, good morning.”

“We just came back from town. It's still night.”

“Oh.” Izuku registered the dark sky once he wobbled out the carriage.

“What time is it?” His sentences were drawn out.

“I don't know. Past midnight.”

“Do you have the keys to the library?” Izuku's eyes looked sunken, as if he was struggling to stay awake, why would this crazy man want to go to the library now?

“No.” The disappointment seemed to wake Izuku up, his gaze was clearer now.

“Is there another entrance?”

“Why the hell do you need the library now of all the times?”

“I want to look something up.” Katsuki couldn't be bothered to argue. They had a strict plan and Katsuki would make sure they stuck to it. If Izuku decided to skip his sleep, so be it. He'll wake him up early in the morning regardless.

“There is one secret entrance.”

Izuku followed Katsuki to the direction of the entrance. He was surprised to enter Katsuki's room, instead of stairs. He was clearly confused.

“You have to enter from here.”

Izuku observed the furniture and paintings on the wall before they arrived at the curtains hiding a small door.

“I didn't know there was another door to the library! I've never discovered this when I was here as a kid.” He looked like an excited child finding a treasure.

Katsuki wanted this room specifically because of the door. When he was a child, he used to sneak into the library a lot. It was his secret hideout. Of course he claimed this room as his and it had remained this way ever since.

“You can open the main door from the inside once you're finished. Don't use my door, unless you want to wake me up and make me kill you.”

Izuku nodded.

Katsuki decided to patrol the mansion before going to bed. He liked walking around in the night. It was quiet and calm.

He walked passed a mirror in the main hall and inspected his body for any injuries. Aside from the bruises on his neck, he was fully healed. The pain was dull, but it was a reminder of the fight he had today.

When Eijirou uncovered evidence of sabotage, he stumbled upon a bag containing small balls—the same smoke that Katsuki had inhaled. Although they couldn't identify the culprit, they could at least examine the ingredients. He didn't tell Izuku about what they found out while he was away, but Katsuki was certain he'd be asked about it tomorrow. He decided that reporting it to All Might would be the best option. After entering his room and changing into his nightshirt, he noticed a soft light coming from the library. Was Izuku still there?

He decided to check it out and quietly walked down the stairs, only to find Izuku still sitting at a table, with his head lying on one resting arm and shoulders rising and falling slightly. His eyes were closed, the candle on the table casting a soft glow to his face. He looked peaceful. Katsuki noticed shattered papers and a few books on the table and took some of the notes. He found a collection of scribbled laws, contracts, costs, and various approaches for importing goods and identifying potential negotiation partners to support the community of the town. Katsuki's eyes softened as a wave of emotions spread through his veins. The quietness of the room paralleled his thoughts, as a bittersweet fog washed over his head.

“You win.”

#dekubaku #dkbk #dekubaku ff #bakudeku #bnha #mystory #myart #sheii

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