longer.blue

Katsuki sighed deeply. Another long day full of paperwork, petitions, gripes, financial allocations and longwinded speeches about crop rotations. He was glad Deku was shouldering at least parts of it, but as long as he was king, he would take a certain amount of interest in everything himself. He wasn’t just going to stamp his name on something he didn’t know at least the minimum of detail about. But sometimes he really wished he had the possibility to lay it down, if even for just a moment. 20 Years on the throne and the crown weighed heavier than ever. “We have most of the things underway that we need for the new crop allocation system, so we should be able to finalize it by tomorrow…” Katsuki started to tune Deku out. He couldn’t take in any more, he just wanted to lie down somewhere… His head turned as they walked past the courtyard. A few knights were sparring with wooden swords. Katsuki stopped in his tracks. He barely noticed that Deku had walked ahead of him, or that he stopped talking. Because all his focus was on 𝘩𝘪𝘮. A young knight, by the looks of it. His red hair shone in the afternoon sun, glittering like freshly spilled blood. Katsuki wasn’t sure if it was the way he moved or the wide grin on his face as he beat his opponent without fail. Maybe it was the way his muscles rippled under that tan skin. “…go. King Bakugo. 𝘒𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯!” Katsuki blinked and turned around to see Deku roll his eyes. “The fu- you haven’t called me that in ages, you stupid nerd,” he grumbled and Deku laughed. “Yeah, well, you were miles away.” He looked down into the courtyard thoughtfully. “His name’s Kirishima Eijirou. He joined last week, but Captain Taishiro already spoke about a possible promotion. He is apparently very capable.” Katsuki could feel his face heat up. Was he 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 fucking obvious? “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he grumbled and Deku sighed. “Sure. Just… make sure you talk to the Queen first. You know how she gets when you keep these things from her.” Katsuki turned away and stomped off without another word. Yeah, he fucking knew how his wife would get. She would start pouting and scolding him for not confiding in her and asking for her help. And then she would say that he should find someone who could stay with him longer than just a night. Their marriage, like so many other things, had been arranged. And Katsuki had opened up to her as soon as they entered their wedding chamber. About the fact that he did not enjoy the company of women. About the fact that he would still have to lie with her, at least a few times, because the kingdom needed an heir and there was nothing he could do about that. She had listened and then gently replied that she had no problems with him taking lovers – so long as he allowed her the same. He had hesitated for a moment, and Momo’s eyes had narrowed. “There needs… to be clarity that the children are mine.” He finally said, quietly. He would not put his kingdom and his children in danger by having rumors of bastards circulate. Her face had softened then. “You won’t have to worry about that.” She said, smiling. “It turns out, I enjoy the company of women enough for the both of us.” He had agreed, then. Their few nights together had been awkward, stilted and a lot of work for Katsuki to stay hard enough for long enough. It took nearly half a year, before Momos monthly blood didn’t come. Nine months later, Kana was born. And no matter what their relationship was, no matter that they were not in love like husband and wife should, Katsuki would not have changed a thing. Kana was his sunshine, his treasure, the most beautiful child in the world. They needed to do the song and dance one more time, an heir and a spare, as painful as these words were. But Katsuki knew too much history, if anything should happen to Kana and there was no heir, the kingdom might fall into civil war upon his death. Of course, he did 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 he could to keep her and her brother Tomo safe. They were the apple of his eye, his reason for living. He was also liked Jirou, a bard his wife had grown exceedingly fond of and who spent the night in her chamber more often than not. She was a quiet soul, but Katsuki enjoyed the way she played. He himself had taken lovers over the years, but rarely for more than one night or two. His libido was one thing, but his heart was… difficult. He could not easily give his trust, too much weighed on his shoulders. Too much was at risk, should someone talk. He made sure to compensate any and all companions he had generously but also made it clear that the wrong word in the wrong ear would have very dire consequences. And now this young knight… barely old enough to call himself a man, from the looks of it. He wasn’t right for Katsuki. He was too young, too innocent. Nothing good would come from it. Katsuki’s resolve was sorely tested though. Wherever he went, the knight seemed to be. Stationed as a guard in the throne room, patrolling the castle walls when Katsuki went up there to catch a breather, or even just randomly walking past in the halls. Each and every time, Kirishima bowed low, greeting him with the respect he commanded. And yet… there was something cheeky in his voice. Barely there, not enough for Katsuki to be sure he wasn’t imagining it. Just enough to wonder. And maybe just enough to want to see how far the boy would go. “Deku, call Captain Taishiro here.” He said, interrupting his right hand in one of his longwinded speeches. Deku gaped like a fish for a moment, then blinked. “Captain… Taishiro?” he echoed, sounding confused. Katsuki rolled his eyes. “Did I stutter? Call him here, I wish to discuss something with him.” Deku blinked once more, then nodded and tugged on a small cord. Not five minutes later, a runner stood in the door, bowing low. “Go and tell Captain Taishiro the King requests his presence.” Deku said and the runner nodded and was off. Silence stretched between them. “Soooo…” Deku began and Katsuki glared at him. Deku swallowed and nodded but didn’t say anything else. They sat in that uncomfortable silence for nearly fifteen minutes, because Katsuki refused to be the one to break first. Then a knock sounded on the door and Taishiro entered. “My liege, you asked to see me?” he said, going down on one knee, bowing his head. Katsuki nodded. “Yes. You may stand.” He eyed the big man. “Say, captain… what do you think about the new recruit, Kirishima?” Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Deku shifting. Whatever. The Captain blinked. “Oh, Kirishima? Rarely had such a bright one, your majesty, truly! Soaks up every lesson like a sponge, works hard to improve himself and everyone already loves him.” The captain laughed, full bellied. “He’s got that easy charm, you know. Ah, youth…” Katsuki’s eyes twitched. “I see. I want him on my personal security force from tomorrow onward.” The Captain blinked and opened his mouth, but one look from Katsuki made him think twice about whatever he was about to say. Deku sighed quietly. “O-Of course, your majesty. I’ll inform him immediately.” Taishiro recovered remarkably well and Katsuki nodded. “Send him to my chambers this evening, I wish to discuss the details in person.” With that he waved. “You are dismissed.” The Captain bowed and left. The Silence returned. “If you say a goddamn word…” Deku just raised his brows at him but shrugged. “Only what I said before. Tell the Queen.” Katsuki groaned. That evening, he listened with a heavy heart to his daughter talking about a young man she was quite obviously very fond of. The boy was kitchen staff. And Katsuki’s heart burned with pain as he thought of the letters addressed to young noble men of the kingdom that he would go over with her soon. Young men of standing, that would prove advantageous. That would rule beside her as Queen consort when she took the throne. She knew, of course she knew. He could see it in her eyes, that small hint of sadness, that had already settled. She was already aware that unless she was very lucky, she would not get to marry someone she loved. Tomo would have it easier. The weight on his shoulders was not nearly as heavy, though if he decided to marry a kitchen maid, there would have to be careful preparations. For now, he was being fostered by Lord Shoto Todoroki and old friend and battle brother of Katsuki’s. He had been there for half a year already and although Katsuki missed him dearly, he knew it was good for the boy to get out from under the castle’s shadow. He kissed Kana gently on the forehead as she departed to her room, and he could see that sadness settle deeper and wished there was something more he could do for her. An hour later, a knock sounded at his door. “Come in.” The door opened and the young knight stepped inside. He closed the door, then stood straight, arms behind his back, bowing stiffly at the waist. “Thank you, your highness for this immense opportunity. I promise I will do everything in power to keep you safe and satisfied.” Katsuki raised his head. 𝘚𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥? Had it just been a slip of the tongue? Or something… more? “Raise your head,” he said and Kirishima did. He really was beautiful. Fresh faced, with fiery eyes, similar in color to Katsuki’s own. There was a small scar over his right brow. “Hmmm… Tell me, Kirishima, where do you come from? How did you come to be here, in my service?” Kirishima blushed. “I’m from a very minor house near Westwood, my lord. My father has five sons, so of course, things were getting difficult… I am the youngest, so I knew I had to find my own fortune, one way or another. And I’ve always been strong, even if I’m not very smart, so I thought being a knight would suit me…” his flush turned deeper. Katsuki was intrigued.