Ethereal ◆ Shoto Todoroki x Reader

17 | Warmth

"Of course I care about the kingdom," Shoto replies, "but I feel it may be a little rushed."

King Endeavor smirks. "What? Your emotions getting in the way again, son? She's a pretty girl, and plenty smart, but do you really care? Is there some other reason you won't marry her?"

You frown. Is there? Really?

Does the king know something you don't?

Shoto is quiet, but the king continues.

"Very well then. Two days from now, I will arrange a gathering. I will even invite the commoner you mentioned. But there will be a wedding in two weeks."

Nobody opposes the king. Nobody dares. 

Shoto starts to leave the room, silent. You follow him with Takahashi trailing behind.  The room is filled with tension you could cut with a knife, and you're glad to finally leave. 

One you've all left earshot of the king, you tug on Shoto's sleeve. "What are we doing?"

"We're leaving," he says, anger dripping in his quiet voice, "right now. We're going to Moyasu."

"But it's nothing but ashes. What's the point?" You ask.

Shoto mumbles something to himself. You can't tell what he's thinking, and you're worried. You've never seen him like this, not even during previous fights with his father.

"Takahashi, prepare a carriage," he says to your gaurd. Takahashi nods and runs off.

"Shoto," you plead, gently holding his arm as he avoids your eyes, "are you okay? What's going on?"

"I don't know!" 

He jerks away, leaving your hands empty and heart heavy. There's something wrong.

"I don't know," he says again, calmer this time. His eyes are downcast, and his hands are limp at his sides.

"Hey, hey. It's fine," you whisper, getting closer to the prince, "Nobody really knows, do they? That's something I've learned. Something Hiro used to tell me."

Your heart aches for your brother. You miss him so much, as you can't even count how long it's been since you've seen him last.

"Life is unpredictable, no matter how much you plan, no matter how much you want something different to happen." You can't help but think of leaving your family as you speak, of everything you wish hadn't happened. Maybe things would be different. "..but it's okay."

Shoto's face is unreadable. His eyes are locked onto yours, and his hands are still at his sides. You're so close you can feel the heat radiating off of his right side. The warmth.

"We're in this together, married or not," you whisper, and the next thing you know, Shoto's arms are wrapped around you, everything hitting you at once. He's hot and cold, sad and angry, confused. And more than anything, you want to hug him back. So you do.

And you both stay like that, for what feels like forever. Reveling in the warmth of each other, and searching, wondering, if there's something more between you.

"Ahem," Takahashi clears his throat, "your Highnesses, the carriage is ready."

You both jerk away from each other, startled by Takahashi's presence. 

How embarrassing.

You can feel your cheeks turning red and growing warm, and you can't help but notice how the prince's are as well.

"Lead the way, then," Shoto says, calmer than before. Maybe your 'pep-talk' worked.

Or maybe it was just the hug.

You follow the two men outside, to a carriage awaiting you.

"Since the king doesn't know of our departure," Takahashi chuckles, "I'll be driving."

"Oh boy," Shoto jokes.

You can feel the mood start to lighten up. Takahashi is magic.

"Which also means you'll be alone in the carriage," the guard smirks, "so please behave yourselves."

"Oh hush," you say as Shoto helps you up with him into the small carriage. 

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Moyasu.

Once a beautiful village, bustling with people and joy, now a reminder to the people of what dangers lurk in the Todoroki Kingdom.

"People are starting to get angry," Shoto tells you, "I can feel it. They've tolerated my father's rule for as long as possible, and I fear Moyasu's ashes are a pinnacle of everything they hate about him."

You shift in the cushioned carriage seat next to the prince, scared that his words hit home. But you know he's right.

"What are we going to do, Shoto?" You mumble.

"We'll figure something out, Love," he replies, "As you said, nobody can really know the future."

You smile at the mention of the nickname he's given you. He's been calling you 'my love' or 'love' every so often, even if you're alone. ...you can't say you hate it.

You sigh and look out the window, watching as the hills and trees fly by in a blur of greens and occasional pink buds of flowers.

Suddenly, you hear Takahashi start to shout, and the horses causing a ruckus.

"What's wrong?" Shoto shouts out of the window. No response.

Instead, the carriage halts, and you can hear Takahashi curse.

"Something spooked the horses, your Highness."

Shoto helps you out of the carriage, and rushes to Takahashi. The ground is rocky and rough, and you suddenly wished you had worn something more comfortable. 

"The wheel busted," Takahashi sighs, "whatever the horses saw, it spooked this one enough to kick the carriage."

The gaurd pats one of the horses, both looking frightened. There's two, both white as snow, terrified of whatever crossed their path.

"Probably a snake or something," Takahashi sighs, climbing on one, "Looks like we'll take these girls. Moyasu isn't too far off. Plus, the king would have my head if I made your Highnesses walk back."

He mounts the smaller horse, and calms her down by stroking her mane. 

"Now don't be shy, Prince," Takahashi gestures to the horse, "you two are going to have to ride together."

Shoto nods, blushing slightly, and climbs on the horse, offering his hand to you. You take it, and reluctantly climb on. 

"I've never been on a horse before," you say, sort of worried. 

"It's okay," Shoto says softly, "I have tons of times."

"Well, well Master of Horses, let's go!" Takahashi laughs, then his horse shoots off, "I'm gonna beat you there!"

"Hold on tight, Love," Shoto whispers, and you wrap your arms around his waist, "we're not losing."

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