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The night wore on quietly. Stars whispering from the sky as the dark marched on. Defeated against those rebel whispers, purveying only where the glistening specks were blocked by clouds. Quieting his mind as all the issues raced through, trying to stampede his serenity. The onslaught of thought momentarily held back under the vast glow of the heavens.
He sighed again. Closing his eyes, opening them once more. Trying to find the peace the stars brought him.
Out here, in the wild, it was quieter than at the castle. The hustle and bustle of everyone constantly clambering over each other—desperately trying to fill their duty to the crown, to their kingdom—tended to grate on his nerves. The only things that settled his constantly upended thoughts were things like the power that sat at his hands, those percussive sounds of fury and light. Or, things like this.
The quiet of winter.
The calm of night.
The stars winking down at him as he stood, entrapped by the watchful eyes of night, on the edge of the field. The grasses blowing in the breeze looked like fingers. Like hands trying to snatch at the starlight.
Here, he felt most at peace. Without all those noisy, nosy people.
HIS people.
The prince sighed again, knowing:
He was a lousy royal.
What kind of prince hated being at his castle? What kind of prince couldn’t stand meetings? What kind of prince had such a short fuse?
The lousy kind.
That was the only answer that ever came to his mind. The only thing that was clear to him amongst the cacophony of the castle’s antics. Nothing else could be heard so clearly. All of his thoughts and his strategies and his plans turned into background noise when pressed against such a disturbing symphony. When so many were vying for space in his mind.
He was probably a lousy royal because of it, but.
Still.
The facts remained.
Out here, it was easier for him to think. Easier for him to hear.
Easier for him to listen.
Someone was there.
“I told you, I don’t want you fucking following me around all the time. It’s unnecessary,” he grumped, not even bothering to see who it was.
He knew who it was.
He could tell by the footsteps. Even against the grass, they felt the same to him. Spoke of that calm, determined personality. That thoughtful, daring girl. The one he’d seen slay stray monsters singlehandedly, willing to defeat any villain she might meet.
It was most certainly her.
His knight.
“I apologise your majesty,” she said, and he could practically hear her bowing. “But, my duty to the crown is absolute. His highness the king has requested I accompany you whenever you leave the castle, regardless of where you go or why.”
Again, the prince sighed. Tired of it all.
It wasn’t the first time he’d heard that excuse.
“My fucking dad…” he grumbled, not truly able to bring himself to be mad. Not at his father, and certainly not at her. No, he was, more or less…
Confused.
“They tell me all the time how capable I am. If they think I’m such a strong fighter, then why the fuck do they always have you shadowing me?” he growled.
Much to his delight, she giggled.
Giggled.
The sound warmed his bones. Smoothing out all the chill in his system as she came to stand next to him. Ironing out the ripples that plagued his body, his mind.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the way she stood. So attentive, so at-the-ready.
…so cute.
He’d forgotten when, exactly, he’d started thinking she was cute. Sure, he could pinpoint the exact moment he’d found respect for her—it was when they were practicing their blade-work, and she’d managed to disarm him for a moment, stunning him, proving to him that she was a force to be reckoned with and a person more than worthy of being his knight—but he’d forgotten when it was he’d starting thinking she was cute.
However, he does remember when he’d first realized he’d started thinking of her that way.
He’d been sitting in court, listening to some peasant babble about something-or-other, and he’d seen her cross the room. Moving swiftly, looking serious. Her eyes assessing as she made the journey. And, although he knew her appearance had nothing to do with her capabilities, he couldn’t help but feel that her appearance felt like a bluff.
No one had any right to be so dangerous, and still remain so irresistibly cute—
That was the moment he’d first caught himself.
The moment he realized he’d been cataloguing those things—the things which made her stand out among others. The moment he’d realized he’d stopped seeing her as he did other women—hell, he’d stopped seeing her as he did other PEOPLE. That was the moment he knew she’d grown to be something more to him. Etched her being into his heart. Imprinted herself on his mind.
She was…
Special to him.
His knight was very special to him.
Very.
When she came to stand next to him—giggles smoothing the ache of his muscles, easing the tension in his bones—he was reminded of that. Reminded that he’d never let someone come to stand in this place with him, not before her. If she were anyone else, he’d cause a ruckus and then blast away. Off to find a new quiet place. To find a new sanctuary, all to himself.
But…
Because it was her that stood next to him, it was… different.
Okay.
Lifting her eyes, she, too, looked to the sky. Marveled at nature’s beauty beside him. As her eyes met with the heavens, stars began twining with the color of her eyes, forcing the brown to glow. Tiny galaxies glittering to life inside her gaze.
He was extremely glad he was the only other person here.
With the stars reaching for her eyes, and with her cheeks glowing in the dim light…
It’d be impossible NOT to fall for her.
And the prince didn't fancy the idea of someone else attempting to sway her. Attempting to reach for her hand the way he intended to.
Yes, with how her beauty was emphasized in this moment, he was glad this image of her belonged to him, and him alone.
Very glad.
“Your parents don’t think you’re incapable,” she said, cutting off his thoughts. Reminding him that he’d spoken. That he’d asked a question.
Well, sort of.
But he was more than happy to accept her answer. Listening intently as she continued her statement.
“They’d don’t think you’re incapable. Rather, they think others might not see that. You can be brash, so you often come across as… irrational.”
“But I’m NOT fucking irrational,” he growled.
Turning, she smiled at him. Reassuring him more than seeing the sun, moon, or stars ever could. Shining through the darkness brighter than the heavens. Speaking louder than a whisper, but moving just as gently.
Easing the roaring of his mind.
“You’re not irrational,” she replied, sounding factual. Sure. “You come off that way sometimes, but I know you’re not irrational your majesty. That’s the real reason why they allowed me to be your knight in the first place. They know I’ll defend that, because I’m certain of it. That’s the real reason I’m your shadow, because I know, and I’ll stand by it. You might be loud, and a bit abrasive, but you’re absolutely not irrational.”
Ah.
She… believed in him.
Thought he was capable.
Fuck.
FUCK.
He hated to admit what those words did to him. The strange bubbling he felt in his veins. Like his bones were floating into space, readying to touch the stars. All of his nerves jittery, antsy to make contact with those spectacles. With that never-faltering heavenly glow.
So, he did.
Reaching out to her, he felt something in him cease. Like watching a wave die before it hit the shore. Or a tornado spin itself out of existence. Wrapping his arms around her waist, bringing her close, he felt something sink into place. An assurance of sorts. A righting of something that wasn’t exactly wrong, but, rather, something that was off.
Peace settled on the prince as he leaned his forehead against hers. Sighing at how good it felt to feel his tension slip away, melt. How incredibly satisfying it was to feel the pressure completely lifted. Released into the wind as his turmoil crumbled to dust in the wake of those brown eyes, that glowing, simmering smile.
It was these moments—the ones where he was alone with her—where he felt the most satisfied. All the heavens and their glory couldn’t compare to this simple act.
A small touch from his knight was all he needed.
With just that, he felt gratified. Sated. His mind completely quiet, content with the simplicity of existing in moments like this.
“Mmm,” he hummed, closing his eyes. Enjoying the way her hands slowly crawled up his chest, making his muscles tingle. Anticipating something that they had no right to long for.
Carefully, her fingers danced over his collar bone. Dredging up coals and cinders beneath her finger tips. Closing his eyes seemed to amplify the feeling. Gave those small, caressing flames a tender edge.
The slow circles she drew against his skin sizzled, threatening to drive him insane.
He loved it.
He could live here—being soothed by her soft hand—forever.
“Prince Katsuki?”
“Hmm?”
Her voice stirred him from that restful place. Asking for more than just his words. Wanting his gaze, his full attention.
And, for her, he was more than glad to give it.
He opened his eyes to find her eyes worrying at him. Concerned.
For a second, she sucked her lower lip in, biting it gently, uncertainly. Sending a jolt through his bones as his body ached at the action. Her motion emphasizing how soft her lips looked, how welcoming. His system woke to the notion, feeling that it was true. Aching at the sight. Wanting something similar for himself—
She spoke again, reining in his thoughts.
“Are you alright? That’s really what I came out here for. I know Sir Izuku gets on your nerves, and you left dinner in a rush, and—”
“Tch,” he interrupted, the sound more gentle than it usually was. “Can’t you read the atmosphere Round Face? There’s no fucking room for dumb worries right now. We’re having a peaceful, tender moment.”
Ah.
He’d flustered her.
Instantly, red surged into her cheeks, making him hungry in that strange, sweltering way that only she could evoke.
Seizing the moment, he grinned viciously. Eager.
“Why, Lady Ochako, what’s wrong? Your face is red. Perhaps you’re feverish?
Lightly, she smacked his arm, her face coming together in a pout that was meant to control her flush. To stop it from getting worse.
…it failed.
Miserably so.
“You’re so mean,” she told him, lip puffing out again.
Damn.
She was too fucking cute.
He wanted to kiss her senseless. Kiss her until she couldn't breathe. He wanted to kiss her until she was needy for him in the same way he was needy for her. Until she was reduced to ragged breaths and whispers of his name.
But... he couldn't do that.
Not yet.
He needed to calm down.
Overwhelmed by his sudden desire, he planted his face against her neck. Straining to gain control of his wandering mind. His sultry thoughts.
She isn’t mine, he thought. Not like that.
Not yet.
“Can’t we be married already?” he complained.
Breathless, he shocked a laugh out of her. Replacing some of his need with something warmer, kinder.
“Who was the one saying they didn’t need someone following them? Hmm? Who was the guy who rejected my presence right off the bat? Hmm? Who was that? When I came out here, someone told me off. You wouldn’t happen to know who that would be, would you?”
“Wasn’t me. That was some other asshole.”
Ochako laughed again, boosting his energy. Bolstering his heart into being something stronger, sturdier. Lending him some perseverance. Some strength.
Yeah, the castle might get too loud for him sometimes.
But.
Her presence—the way she spoke about him, believed in him—reminded him.
He wasn’t really all that lousy of a royal.
Standing up straight, he basked in the glow a moment or so longer. Letting the stars reflect Ochako’s smile, giving his mind an oasis to turn to. To drink in, even if for just a moment or two.
It would be enough for now, he knew that.
Yes, he’d need this again soon. These stars and the quiet of night and the laughter of the woman he loved breaking through it—a glaring, but true, blasphemy to it all. It wouldn’t be too long before he’d be on the brink again—ready to blow the castle to cinders—but, when that time came, he knew she’d be there.
Even when he hadn’t wanted her like this—with all the aching of ash, and desire stinging the tips of his fingers—she’d been there.
And, he could only hope that she always would be.
“Well my queen, I think we should return to the castle before we’re missed,” he announced, releasing all of her except one hand.
She laced their fingers together, looking a bit daunted. “I’m not your queen just yet.”
“We’ll fix that soon enough,” he assured, leading her back to the castle, leaving the field behind.
Heading toward their future, under the jealous gaze of stars.