9)     A weird but mildly inconvenient curse to cast?

That you always wake up 5 minutes before your alarm is meant to ring… xD so cruel

15)  Who would you trust less: city fairies or wild fairies?

Definitely city fairies as they would have more knowledge to work with

Hey there, @void-rune , Happy Birthday!! 

Happy birthday for the lovely @void-rune! I’m so glad we met! Your world-building skills amaze me to no end and good lord I hope we can keep exchanging ideas for the longest time! Anyway! Without further ado, here is... YOUR GIFT! I hope you enjoy it, as you know fantasy is not really my best genre BUT I tried to make it great for you!

Words: 2633

Pairing: Tododeku

There once was a fearsome dragon. Well, no… Not really fearsome… Not at all actually. When it came to dragons in general, Izuku could very well be the least scary of them all. Not that he actually cares about any of that, after all it had been a long time since humans last hunted them, so it wasn’t like he needed to look threatening.

Besides, Eijirou and Kacchan always have his back, so it’s not like he’s in any sort of danger even if some misguided human stumbled upon them and started stirring up trouble, even though he can actually take care of himself. Sure, he looks harmless, but he isn’t a weakling, despite what Kacchan may say. He may have chubby cheeks covered in dark green freckles and tiny black horns that are barely visible under his messy head of wild green curls, and the scales on his arms and back aren’t nearly as tough as every other dragon’s, his wings barely big enough to allow him to take flight. But just because he doesn’t look big and scary, not even out of his human form – everyone teases him about being no bigger than a three-year-old hatchling –, he can still knock someone out with a single right hook, assuming he’s not being serious about it.

And… that’s exactly how he ended up with an unconscious prince by his feet, wide-eyed and sputtering through an apology that he only realises halfway through it that it’s futile given no one’s listening.

Izuku drops to his knees with a squeak, brushing the red and white hairs from prince Shouto’s closed eyes, careful about touching the scar over the left one, not because of the scar itself, but due to the large bruise that’s already darkening under it. He winces.

“Gods have mercy on my soul, that’s the third time this month.”

With a heavy sigh, Izuku snakes his arms underneath the prince’s legs and back, lifting him up to his chest and starting on the trek back up to his nest. Kacchan will not be pleased about this…

Halfway there, Shouto starts stirring, a few groans escaping his lips before his eyes slowly flutter open, a dull sheen to them that betrays his confusion. As soon as his gaze lands on Izuku’s face, his expression morphs into that of a lovesick puppy, small smile stretching his mouth slightly and mismatched eyes shining brightly all of a sudden.

“Hi.” Shouto breathes.

“Hey yourself.” Izuku rolls his eyes in a mix of exasperation and amusement before shaking his head at him. “Your grace, you really need to stop sneaking up on me. Or coming here for that matter.”

“An impossible request. I will die before I stop seeing you. And I can’t help being light on my feet.”

“You could, I don’t know… Announce your presence?” Izuku suggests for what feels like the millionth time with a noncommittal shrug.

“And disturb you while you appreciate the afternoon sun? I wouldn’t dare, you look much too beautiful.”

Izuku’s blood rushes to his cheeks, his cheeks burning with a flush that the prince never fails to bring out of him. He’s always been easily flustered, no doubt about it, but something about Shouto just makes him extremely so. Perhaps it’s his brutal honesty, or maybe it’s the way his face looks when he says those things, as if they’re as easy as breathing. Though, if Izuku were to be honest with himself, he’d probably admit that it’s because he may have taken a liking for the prince as well.

“And yet, here I am, carrying you to my nest – again – and not enjoying the afternoon sun at all.”

“My apologies. It wasn’t my intention to startle you.”

When Shouto’s hand rests over his already heated cheek, Izuku nearly trips on his own feet, luckily getting back his balance and not tumbling down to the rocky ground. Noticing the effect it has on him, Shouto withdraws his hand, instead resting his head on Izuku’s chest, which, to be fair, isn’t that much better for his heart. The prince can probably hear the frantic way it’s beating, feel the way it’s warming with the fire stirring behind his ribs. Izuku coughs up a tiny wisp of smoke.

“I can walk if you’d like.”

“I hit you pretty hard. I’d rather not risk you fainting on the way and rolling all the way down the hill. It’s pretty steep and my legs are getting tired.”

“Suit yourself, I’m comfortable in your arms.”

Prince Shouto nuzzles his face further into Izuku’s skin and his wings involuntarily twitch, itching to wrap around him, an affectionate gesture among his kind that is much too intimate for someone he’s met a whole of five times, all of which he ended up knocking him out. His face burns even more and he looks up at the sky to hide his obvious blush from Shouto.

“This needs to stop, your grace.” Izuku forces himself to choke out, choosing to ignore the feelings stirring inside him.

“Why is that? Do you not like my company?” The prince pauses, humming. “I do suppose all the hits I’ve taken should have been enough of a hint.”

“You know that’s not it… The king will think I keep kidnapping you.”

“I wish you would.”

“Please, don’t say that, your grace. You’ll start another war. Your lord father has been waiting for an excuse to hunt my kind for as long as he’s been alive and his father before him as well. It really wouldn’t help if you returned with a new bruise each time.”

Shouto grows silent after that, knowing it to be true. Izuku refuses to look down, his heart nowhere near ready to face the pout on the prince’s lips that he is absolutely certain to be there. There’s a tiny huff and Izuku’s attention is instinctively drawn to the source, the prince’s pursed lips dangerously close to his scaled skin, and he almost drops him when he’s hit by the image of them actually kissing it.

“Deku, there you- What the fuck, again?”

“Hey, Kacchan…” Izuku sighs, already turning his back on the blond so that he can’t poke Shouto’s face. “I hit him again,” Kacchan is already opening his mouth to shout before he continues “by accident, he didn’t do anything. Is Shuzenji-san around?”

With a roll of his crimson eyes, Kacchan points towards the back with his head, crossing his arms over his chest, his black and golden scales flaring orange as he huffs out an annoyed puff of fire through his nose. Izuku finds the healer without much trouble and she quickly gets to work, scolding him for always reacting without thinking. No matter how many times he says that it’s an instinct he can’t control, she only glares at him, so he’s stopped trying, resolving to just nod solemnly and wait for the witch to work her magic and heal the prince.

“For the last time, Izuku, look behind you before you throw a punch.”

“Yes, ma’am… Sorry…”

Shouto rubs at the spot she just healed as she walks away. “I apologise for causing you trouble.”

“That’s alright, at this point, it’s a habit.”

Izuku grins at the mild flush on the prince’s face, revelling in what feels like a little victory when usually it’s always him who gets embarrassed. Shouto clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair.

“I’ll try to make myself known next time.”

“I appreciate the thought. Even if you have said that exact same thing the last four times.”

“What can I say… I get lost in the way the sun shines on your scales.”

Izuku glows scarlet once more, covering his face with his arms with a groan. “What about that one time it was raining and overcast, then?”

“The way the water slides on them is much too enticing.”

“Your grace, I would appreciate it if you stopped playing with my emotions.”

Shouto blinks at him for a long moment, his brow furrowed in either confusion or concentration. Whichever one, his gaze is too intense for Izuku to withstand it, so he looks away at a far corner of the tiny hut they’re in, observing the intricate workings of the runes painted on the walls. Shuffling steps pull Izuku’s attention back to the prince and his heart squeezes at the downcast expression on the other’s face.

“Your grace, I-” He starts to apologise but is quickly cut off by Shouto’s hand raising.

“No, it’s quite alright.” Mismatched eyes rise to meet his and Izuku’s breath hitches at the determination behind them as Shouto steps closer and takes his hands. “I should have made myself abundantly clear. I am deeply sorry for the confusion.”

“C-confusion?”

The prince hums, a light flush dusting over his cheeks that Izuku can’t quite take his eyes off of, feeling his own fire rising along with his blood, making his face hot and his insides hotter. A shaky and awkward smile stretches onto Shouto’s lips and Izuku swallows around the lump in his throat, all semblance of thought leaving him as he gapes.

“Every word I utter that is meant for your ears is nothing but the truth. The day I set out to your nest with the intention of never returning was the day I truly knew what it was like to want to live, if only to admire you from afar.”

Izuku gasps, eyes growing impossibly wide when Shouto’s hand rises to his face, weaving through his curls and revealing one of the horns hidden beneath them. He shudders, his wings fluttering along with his heart, and once more resists the urge to wrap them around the prince.

“If you truly want me to leave and never come back, just say the word and I’ll be gone. But please know that all I have said is real. My life in that castle is miserable. Seeing you gives me peace, it gives me joy. I was taught that dragons were dangerous and deadly and that was what I sought. And yet I found beauty and kindness in your eyes. I daresay it was fate that brought us together, but if you want nothing to do with me or my family, I understand.”

As if only then realising what he was doing, Shouto takes his hand back, looking down to the ground and apologising for intruding. Never mind that he had done much more just on the way here today, let alone in their previous encounters. It was as if the prince had only now realised that his feelings might not be returned, such was the sheltered life of a royal whose father was feared and every single friend was bought to appease him.

Although, Izuku had a hard time convincing himself that this was a terrible idea when someone so conditioned for violence and hatred could turn out so kind and goodhearted. One might even say he is desperate to be loved. And to hell with the world if Izuku isn’t beyond tempted to do so, hopelessly falling for him as well.

He takes the Shouto into his arms and finally lets his wings envelop him, shrouding them in hues of emerald and gold as the light hits them and shines through the thin skin. Izuku buries his nose in the prince’s neck, taking in his scent and committing it to memory so that he may find him if he ever needs to (and so that he can know he’s coming whenever he sneaks up on him again). He feels Shouto’s hesitant fingers on the scales of his back for a moment before he lets his arms fall back to his side and he pulls away with a sheepish smile, scratching at a freckled cheek.

“Please make sure your lord father doesn’t find a reason to kill us all… Although, I suppose seeking a dragon as a mate might be one, huh?” He’s met with a shocked gaze and laughs nervously. “Changing your mind? I don’t blame you, I guess this is a lot and you might have been confused about how you really felt, but you seemed so sure that I-”

Izuku’s words turn to ash on his tongue when Shouto’s lips crash into his for little more than a second and he coughs up smoke in his surprise. The prince pulls back with a choked gasp and Izuku apologises profusely, coming to his aid by patting his back somewhat gently.

“If my father tries to lay a single hand on you or your kind, I will fight the entire kingdom if I have to.”

Izuku can’t help the little smile that takes over his features. “I wish you wouldn’t, your grace.”

“Please, call me Shouto.”

“Shouto…” The name slips nicely from his lips. Izuku hides his blushing face with a wing, leaving only his eyes for the prince to gaze upon. “Then, I suppose you could call me Izuku. I take it you should return to the castle soon?”

“Unfortunately. It’s still quite a long way there and back.”

Nodding shyly, Izuku sighs heavily. “I’d offer to fly you there but... I’m kind of the runt of the nest...”

“That’s okay, I’ll just come earlier next time.”

“Next time? When would that be?”

Shouto offers him another small smile, rubbing at the back of his neck. “As soon as you’d have me, preferably.”

“Tomorrow?”

“As you wish.” The prince takes his right hand and brings it up to his lips, leaving a soft promise on the back of it. “I will set out at first light.”

“And make sure no one thinks you’ve been kidnapped by dragons.”

“I’ll try my best. I have gotten pretty good at sneaking out, so it’s nothing new for the guard. Light on my feet, remember?”

“Don’t think I could forget with all the times I’ve knocked you out because of it.”

“That’s fair.”

They start walking towards the edge of the nest, going past Kacchan arguing with Eijirou about something or other, past a few hatchlings playing together and scorching the grass beneath their tiny feet, and they smile through red-tinted cheeks all the while. They stop before Shouto actually leaves, looking down on the castle and the capital on the other side of the river that separates it from the rest of the world.

“How is it down there?”

“Dreadful. But it’s easier to get through since I met you.”

Izuku hums quietly, fidgeting with the light grey cloth of his trousers as he turns something over in his mind. After a moment’s consideration, he tears out a strip of fabric from the right leg and takes Shouto’s hand, tying it around his wrist.

“To think of me.” He tells Shouto in a whisper.

“I already do. Thank you, though.”

“If Kacchan says something weird about this, ignore him.” Izuku adds before letting go.

“I know what it means.”

They both pink all over again at the implications and Izuku sputters for a moment. “R-right... Um... Well I just... Didn’t have anything else so...”

“I don’t mind being yours.”

A groan escapes Izuku’s throat and he covers his face with his hands to hide his embarrassment. The prince’s honesty will eventually be the death of him. With his gaze fixed on the grass, Izuku pushes against Shouto’s back to shove him forward.

“Okay, off you go now. I don’t want my head mounted on your lord father’s throne wall.”

“As if I’d ever let that happen. But alright, I’ll leave. Until tomorrow then.”

“Yes, until tomorrow.”

Izuku sits down and watches Shouto make his way down the hill, trying to ignore the holes burning into his back from both Kacchan and Eijirou’s stares. He will never hear the end of this.