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chloe-spade · 2 years ago

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The Swan Prince Prologue: I choose you

Once upon a time, two kingdoms were at war. The Kingdom of Helios and the Kingdom of Selene. The war started after the two kingdoms began to fight over the land, and it has been that way ever since. Many generations have fought in the war, many were loss because of it, including the eldest son of the Selene Kingdom, Prince Touya.

Who knew how long they've been at war, but some say it spans many years. Years of war, traps, betrayal and many more passes by, only stopping when the king of Helios dies and wife, Queen Inko proposed or rather begged for a truce. It was for the safety of her kingdom and had newborn son, Izuku.

King Enji, also known as Endeavour, almost denied her pleads if it wasn't for his wife, Rei who also seeked mercy from her husband as she didn't want any of other children dying after Touya's unfortunate demise.

For his wife, Enji agreed and the war ended, agreeing that the land was split, visitations allowed.

Which is great for Enji as soon as the war concluded, his youngest son was born.

It was clear to many that Enji adored his youngest son, Shoto. But it wasn't love, it was determination, a way to suppress the Kingdom of Helios once again. To Enji, Shoto was a gateway, a becoming warrior to dominate even the most powerful of foes.

It was never love, it was selfishness. Shoto was too young to know that.

🦢

Today was Shoto's birthday, and he was on his father's huge throne, accepting gifts from everyone who has came, from near or far.

But he wasn't happy, only nodding towards his guests with a solum expression, not uttering a word.

"Shoto, dear," Rei spoke softly, "What's the matter? You don't like your birthday?"

"...it's fine," Shoto mumbled.

Rei frowned at her son's small words. She was sadden by his her son become less excitable after her husbands harsh training. She missed his smile and happy eyes when Shoto was happy, but now they looked dark and empty. As a mother, she wish she could make her son happy again.

"Your highness, Queen Inko of Helios has arrived." notified a guard, bringing Inko and her son into Rei's view.

"Thank you," Rei thanked the guard and walked over to Inko, and curtsying to her, "Welcome to our kingdom, Inko, I hope the snow didn't hinder your way here."

"Oh no no," Inko giggles, "It was just very cold and chilly. Even the ponds were frozen."

"I apologize once again. Our Kingdom has always had cold winters here and there." Rei looks down at the young boy looking around with a massive grin on his face. "And what's your name?"

"Izuku!" The boy said with a bow, "It's nice to meet you, your highness."

"Nice to meet you too."

"Izuku, don't you have a gift for Prince Shoto?" Inko spoke.

Izuku nodded and immediately zipped through the ballroom to the silent prince on his chair. Shoto stared at the boy in a small surprise, eyes widen slightly at him.

"Hello! I'm Prince Izuku," Izuku greeted, "I came with a gift!"

Shoto looked at him and looks down, "...put it with the others."

"Well," Izuku grinned, "This doesn't have a box to put it. So how about I show you, your highness."

Shoto kept his grip on his chair, Enji's many threats echoed his head, to not leave the chair and to not interact with the presents who entered the castle. He didn't even acknowledge the fact that he was shaking in his chair.

Izuku noticed and walked forward, taking the prince's hand.

"Are you ok?" He asked softly, "You're shaking." He didn't get a response, only small breathes of panic were heard.

Izuku takes the prince's other hand and gently helped him off the chair, keeping Shoto steady.

"It's ok," Izuku spoke, "You are safe with me, your highness." He continued to hold Shoto's hands gently and he has a small smile as he spoke.

Shoto looks around for his father and looks back at Izuku and started to breathe to calm himself down. Izuku was still with him for the entire thing, incredibly patient Prince Izuku is.

"W-what is your gift?" Shoto asked.

"Oh! Right!"

Izuku looks into his pocket and takes out a heart shaped silver locket with a swan engraved on it. He held it out to Shoto with a big grin.

"Here you go, Shoto!"

Shoto gasps at the locket and carefully takes it in his hands, staring at it. It felt amazing in his hands, and it was slow beautiful to look at, very different from all the books and weapons he received from others. This was an actual gift, with thought behind it.

"I-its so beautiful," Shoto gasps, "..I love it.."

Izuku smiles and pulls Shoto into a hug, which was surprising for Shoto, but he managed to hug back.

Izuku pulls away from Shoto and takes the locket, and holds it up. "Can I put it on?" He asked.

Shoto nods and lets Izuku put on his locket. Shoto couldn't help but stare at it with such happiness that it couldn't be faked. Rei noticed from where she was, and it made her smile too.

"May I have this dance?" Izuku offered, holding his hand out.

Shoto looks and smiles at Izuku, taking his hand and leading him to the dance floor.

"I... I don't really know to dance," Shoto admitted, "My father never taught me. He believed that I was made to fight."

Izuku looks and frowns.

"Well! Here I am! Teaching you." Izuku proclaimed, "Don't worry, just follow my lead and you won't get hurt."

Izuku then leads, being very carefully so Shoto can learn at his own pace. He loves how Shoto brights up when he learns a new dance move, and his laugh when he has twirls.

They have no idea how long they danced.

🦢

With the moon rising, everyone was heading home after a long day celebrating.

Izuku putting on his coat, still talking to Shoto about their day.

"I'm glad that Shoto actually had fun," Rei sighs happily, "it's very rare to see Shoto making a new friend. I'm glad Izuku is that friend."

"Well, Izuku loves making new friends,"Inko giggles, "He always opens his hands to someone new, just like his father. Always welcoming people until the end."

Rei watched how Shoto was helping Izuku with his jacket and had an idea.

"Shoto?" She called out, "Do you want to visit the kingdom of Helios one day?"

"Oh? Please! Please come visit!" Izuku cheered, "I would love to show you around my kingdom! I can even show you our garden!"

Shoto looks back at his mother and nodded in excitement.

"Great. We'll send an invite as soon as possible." Inko informed them as she grabs Izuku's hand and walks away to their carriage.

Izuku looks back and waves at Shoto, still happy.

Shoto shyly waves back.

🦢

Shoto loved the kingdom of Helios. He loves how friendly everyone was to him, the food was great and meeting Izuku's friends was also a nice highlight.

Like Izuku promised, he was shown the gardens, which was different from his in Selene.

"It's so beautiful here," Shoto complimented, "It's so colorful and I feel like I walked into a dream."

"I'm glad you do. Mom always planted so many flowers when spring arrives, from roses to moondrop, we have a lot!"

Shoto sits by a bench and watches the butterflies swarm the flowers around him. Some even try to land on Shoto.

Shoto was so dazed and distracted that he didn't noticed when Izuku plants a flower crown on his head, full of red and blue colored roses.

Izuku watched how Shoto examined the crown, purely confused but it changed to a smile at Izuku.

"This is very new." Shoto remarked, "What is it?"

"Mom calls them a flower crown. She gave me one when I was only a baby and said that flower crowns symbolizes new friends! So I made one for you!"

Shoto stayed stoic but Izuku can tell he was still happy.

"But I don't know how to make one for you. You're my..first friend and I wanna make some for you too!"

"I don't mind it! If you are here, you are already a gift, Shoto."

Shoto smiles and watches the flowers, hand holding Izuku's.

🦢

But he loathed the idea of returning home, especially when he left, he heard a small fraction of an argument between Enji and Rei about Shoto's visit.

"Why let him interact with the enemy!?" He heard his father yell, "We shouldn't even think about entertaining the idea of a long lasting truce!!"

"Because their son makes Shoto happy!" Rei screamed back. "You should've seen the way Shoto smiled at him."

"Shoto does not need friends! If he is going to rule this kingdom, he will have to learn to fight, not make friends that could slow you down!"

"You will not attack that kingdom again!"

Shoto gulped as he entered the palace walls, scared at his father's voice began to echo in the halls. The screams of his mother didn't help things either as he was close enough to see that Enji once again hit his mother to ground.

"..mama..?" He whispered in fear, standing in the archway.

"Shoto..!" Rei gasps and gets up, "Leave us, ok? We're just talking about...our kingdom."

Shoto gulped and gripped onto his locket, looking at his mother and father back and forth. He was hyperventilating again, but the grip on his locket was helping him calm down as his mother reassured him.

"...i will...I will never.." Shoto stuttered, "I will never fight Izuku! I will never fight Helios...!"

Enji and Rei gasps at Shoto's sudden outburst, but Enji's shock was quickly replaced with rage, fire of his armor igniting.

"You will disobey what life has planned for you!? Helios has killed many of ours and yet you show them mercy, like your pathetic mother. I did not raise you to coward in fear and beg for mercy! I raise you to destroy anything in your path without any regrets!!!"

With that, he grabbed Shoto by the collar and reaches for his locket.

Shoto struggled and pushed his father's hand away from his locket, granting him and escape from Enji.

Shoto ran to his room, panting. He could hear his father's footprints nearing and the first thing he did was take off his locket and hiding it inside a box gifted from Rei. He knows his father wouldn't see nor look at it even if he looked hard.

And he was right.

Enji looked around for the locket but it was nowhere to be found, which endangered him even more. But it did take Enji away from Shoto for most of the day.

But he said one thing: "You are not allowed to go to the kingdom of Helios ever again."

🦢

That was years ago and things haven't gotten better for Shoto. After what happened, Rei have been marked insane and was sent away after she spilled hot water on Shoto's face, which cause major burns on his left side of his body and cause some insecurities about himself.

Enji's ruling was more and more harsh as he grew up. Mostly because of his banishment to the Helios Kingdom, so guards are everywhere so Shoto would never escape.

Well, they are horrible at it, because since that day, Shoto has always visited Izuku and Izuku always visited him, both never caught of traveling.

And that's how things were between them. Even some other friends visit him when they have the time to.

This leads to where Shoto is now, only a day until his 17th birthday, and an unfortunate engagement party for his behalf. He was already writing to Izuku about his distain for the idea, and he was debating if he should write his confession to Izuku in the letter

"Shoto?" Called Fuyumi, "May I come in?"

Shoto looks back and quickly hides his letter underneath a book, and opens the door.

"Hey," she greeted him softly, "How are you feeling?"

"..I'm doing ok. Just nervous about tomorrow, that's all." Shoto answered, looking down.

"I know. Father's been pushing so much onto you for so many years now," Fuyumi spoke, entering the room and closes the door. "Which is why I decided to cover for you tomorrow."

"Pardon?"

"Shoto, Natsuo and I know about your friends in Helios. You aren't very sneaky as you thought." Fuyumi giggles. "Well, that's besides the point. Tomorrow morning, you will go to Helios to celebrate your birthday property before the party starts at 7."

"You would do that to me?" Shoto questioned.

"Of course I would! You deserve to have fun with real friends, and I think that what Mother would've wanted."

Shoto's eyes sadden at the mention at their mother, caressing his hand softly to stop him from shaking.

"Tomorrow morning?"

"Yes."

Shoto looks at Fuyumi and hugs her tightly, burying his face in her arms.

"..thank you, Fuyumi."

🦢

The next morning, Shoto, Fuyumi and Natsuo got ready to depart. It was early enough for Endeavor to not noticed their plot, along with the knights as they take their horses and rode away towards the opposite kingdom.

"Shoto, don't forget," Fuyumi warned, "Be back before sunset, ok? Or else father will notice."

"Of course, he'll notice." Natsuo added, "I bet after an hour, dad'll notice."

"Unnecessary input, Natsuo." Fuyumi rolls her eyes, "We can trust him."

Shoto nodded and looks over at the kingdom's gates. The grip on his reigns were tight, from excitement or dear, he didn't know.

"I can continue alone," he said,"I know this kingdom well and I can find Izuku even faster." Shoto takes the reigns and rides away, ignoring the gasps and warnings of his siblings.

As he stroll in Helios, he wasn't surprised that people stared at him, most with discomfort. Considering he's a prince of Selene, people are ready to fight if he started one, but of course he would never.

It just reminded him that he was carrying his father's legacy on his back. A legacy of fear.

"Hello, your highness!!" Called out Ochako, "Come on! Izuku's waiting for you!!"

Shoto chuckles and gets off his horse. "Hello to you too, Miss Ochako. How did you know Izuku's was awaiting me?"

"Well, that's because he has a big celebration planned for you." Tenya spoke, "and he specifically got us to come and escort you to the ballroom."

"I hope it's not a problem!" Ochako giggles, "Come on!"

Ochako took Shoto by the hand and immediately started to speed off to to the royal ballroom, where Inko was helping with some decorations. She takes a lot at Shoto and has a big grin.

"Shoto! Happy birthday!" Inko greeted, walking over. "If you're looking for Izuku, he'll be in the garden, setting up some more beautiful decorations."

"Thank you, your highness."

Both Tenya and Ochako lead Shoto to the gardens, where Izuku, Katsuki, Tsuyu and Eijiro were finishing up the decorations. Butterflies were already making themselves welcomed, which was annoying Katsuki.

"Damn butterflies!! Can't they see we're busy!!"

"Easy, Katsuki," Eijiro chuckles, "Izuku did said it would make it extra special that butterflies show up. Says it makes everything more lively."

"I don't care about that. They are annoying me!"

"Everything annoys you," Tsuyu speaks up with a ribbit, "So don't complain, it's Shoto's birthday, and Izuku wants to make it special."

Katsuki scoffed at the mention of Shoto but kept his complaining to himself and only himself.

"Look at the butterflies," Izuku sighs, "they do create such a beautiful sight."

Ochako and Tenya quickly rushed to the front before bowing to Izuku. Ochako alerted everyone with her cough.

"May we present to you- Tenya! You promised you say it with me when he arrived."

"Oh, right!"

"May we now present to you, Prince Shoto of Selene!"

Shoto walked forward with his usual stoic expression but that completely melted away once he saw Izuku's relieved face.

"You arrived! I was so worried you wouldn't come." Izuku proclaimed, going over to Shoto, wrapping into a big hug.

"Well, I could never miss this," Shoto eased up, "You and the others plan all of this for me. Of course I'll find my way over here."

"We're just glad you managed to come by! Everything's set up and we're ready for a ball!" Eijiro cheered.

🦢

Night was slowly approaching and there was no sights of Shoto. Enji was getting impatient and so we're the new guest coming in for Shoto's birthday and engagement party.

Fuyumi has spoken with Enji earlier, saying that Shoto was getting ready, nothing more, nothing less.

But Enji wasn't satisfied with that answer, so he stomps over to Shoto's room banging on his door, trying to rush Shoto.

"Father. I already told you." Fuyumi stalled, "Getting ready shouldn't be rushed."

"He's making everyone wait! My son doesn't make anyone wait!!" Enji yelled, now banging on the door.

He didn't get a response which angered him more.

He was ready to burn the door down but kicking it down was the second best option. But what he saw made him wanna burn this entire kingdom into the ground.

The room was empty, the room was empty and Shoto was not within in the room.

"Where is he...?" Enji hissed, "Where is Shoto!!?"

A gulp from Fuyumi confirmed his suspicions. With anger burning through his veins, he rushed over to the stables.

Grabbing his horse, he muttered to himself, "That brat will think twice about going over to Helios!! He will pay!!!"

With that, he rode off, leaving fire tracks in his wake.

🦢

Shoto watched how the people below him were having a great time from on top of a stairwell, nervous about making his appearance.

Sure, this whole thing was about him but he was from Selene, no, the crown prince of Selene. People are still wary of him, considering he's from the enemy kingdom.

So he was hesitating, his feet planted on the ground, refusing to move.

His eyes kept looking around at the people, and he was stepping back until his back hit Katsuk.

"What the hell's wrong with you?" He questioned, "Chickening out?"

"No!...no, of course not." Shoto whispered, "Just preparing myself. That's all."

"Really? Sounds like your trying to escape." Katsuki scoffed, "Do you know damn well how long it took us to deal with this and chicken out?"

Shoto gulps and looks back.

"You are truly pathetic. And your the crown prince? Such a stupid sight." Katsuki mocked.

Shoto glared over at him before walking towards the stairs, now walking down the, keeping his breath steady. He watched how many people stared at him, most were nice but some were angry, vengeful. Like as soon as he came down, they'd attack.

Shoto reached the bottom of the stairs. But he still didn't move, only to bow his head towards the audience.

When he lifted his head to see Izuku, holding his hand out, like he did all those years ago.

"May I have this dance?" He asked sincerely.

Shoto grinned and takes his hand. "Of course."

Once they entered the dance floor and bow to each other, the music starts and they started to dance. Izuku carefully holding Shoto close as they danced together, practically flying through the ballroom.

"Thank you for this," Shoto spoke, "You've made a whole birthday ball for me and I didn't ask you too."

"Well, why wouldn't I?" Izuku chuckled, "You deserve to be happy on this special day, Shoto. This and every single birthday after."

Shoto blushes and smiles at him.

"You seem to be only one who does. You and your kingdom."

Izuku hold him close, face to face.

"Shoto," Izuku whispered, "I have something to tell you." He looks at Shoto, holding his hand tightly, "I have been in love with you since I was 12, or even before that when we danced when we were kids! Many told me to not to but no one call tell me to love...if I have to choose someone to love, it'll be you, Prince Shoto."

It took Shoto a while to process but once he did, he started to cry, his face was red as roses.

"Izuku," his voice was breaking and he knows it but he had to, "..is this a proposal?"

"Well...if you want it to be, Sho." Izuku laughs, his eyes already tearing up.

What happened next surprised Shoto, and basically everyone else. Izuku gets on his knee, presenting a beautiful engagement ring, clearly something that he has made himself. And he was holding Shoto's hand, and Shoto realizing that they were both shaking.

"..Yes.." Shoto sobs, nodding his head, "If this is a proposal..then yes...!"

Shoto grinned and hugs Izuku tightly, giving him a passionate kiss, accidentally knocking them down onto the floor.

Everyone cheered as they kissed, happy at the princes proclaims of love towards each other.

"Excuse me...?" Enji hissed, alerting everyone to his presence, "...did you just say yes, Shoto?"

Enji was surrounded by flames, they grow as he walked towards Shoto and Izuku. Guards begin to arm themselves, ready to attack if Enji were to attack first.

"S...so what if I did..!" Shoto defended himself, "It's my choice! And if I choose to be with Izuku, I will choose to be with him!"

Enji grabbed Shoto by his arm, grip so tight that Shoto knew it was going to bruise. But that didn't stop Shoto and Izuku from trying to pull away from Enji.

"Let go of me!!" Shoto demanded, "Let go! You can't take me away from him!!"

"Watch me, Shoto!! And if you continue to resist, I will burn this kingdom to the ground, leaving no survivors...is that what you want for him!?"

Shoto gasps and looks at the frightened villagers, his face filled with sadness and he looks back at his father.

"...I will come with you. But don't even lay a finger at this kingdom...don't even think of hurting them."

Enji huffs and starts to pull Shoto away, just looking forward, ignoring his son's sobs and apologizes towards his lover.

The door closes behind them, with Enji leading Shoto to their horses. They got on their respective horses and begins to ride away.

Shoto couldn't even think about running away, his father would burn everything if he did.

"I am very disappointed in you, Shoto. Here I raised you to be a weapon, to kill without hesitation in the battlefield. I did not raise you to be weak and fall into an enemy trap."

"But they weren't our enemies for so long now. Why be so insistent?"

"They kill everyone in their past, and they didn't even hesitate to kill your older brother! No hesitation. I refuse to lower my guard because of them. You will too one day."

Shoto sighs sadly.

Everything else was silent. The darkness of the woods never scared him, especially as a child. When Touya would hold his hand when he was afraid, to hold him when he was tired...he missed those times.

Shoto took a look at the woods, piercing cyan eyes glared at him through the trees, causing him to stop his horse.

".. someone's here," he told his father, "we're being followed."

"Good observation, dear Shoto," a voice whispered through the woods, "No wonder he adored you. It's too bad that I'm here to get some revenge."

Blue flames started to surround them. Enji immediately took out his sword, looking around. He jumps off his horse, looking for the voice.

The fire around them grew as a black haired man appeared within the flames, holding a grin that send chills down Shoto's spine.

"Poor, poor Shoto. Away from his beloved, far from where you want to be...it's so sad.."

"WHO ARE YOU!?" Enji demanded, "Show your disgusting face!!"

The flames grew more and more, causing both to cough. Shoto was very hazy, but when he looked up, he saw the same figure, only showing a creepy grin.

"Don't worry, little brother..." He whispered, "You'll be safe soon..."

🦢

Helios knights surrounded the area, after the fire had simmered down due to the rain fall.

"Have you found anything?" Inko asked, "Any survivors?"

"Not yet, your highness," The Captain answered, "but we can confirm that this was fire magic. It was so strong to suffocate some people nearby, and burn most of the forest."

"Fire magic?" Izuku muttered.

Izuku walked deeper in the burned forest. He looks around for any clues, some were some footsteps that leads to nowhere so this person was a wizard.

A gasps of air frightened him, the hand of Enji was shown.

"Mother!!" Izuku called out,"I found someone!!!"

"Shoto..." Enji coughed, "...he was..."

"Shoto!? What happened to him!?"

Enji lifted his hand and dropped the swan locket down to Izuku's feet.

The guards immediately rushed over and helped Enji to a horse and was traveled to the royal infirmary.

Izuku looked down and picked up the locket, holding onto it.

"I will find you, Shoto...I refuse to believe you perished."