Chapter Text
When Bakugou Katsuki, prince of the barbarians set out on his journey, he was pretty confident he’d be able to fulfill his quest and earn his place on his mother’s throne. His people didn’t believe in birth right only. He had to prove himself worthy to lead them, fearless, brave and strong. The oracles had predicted great adventure awaited him on his path, one on which he would encounter great dangers and slay vicious beasts, to attain a priceless treasure, meeting a lifelong companion along the way, forging an unbreakable bond with the one who would fight all future battles alongside him.
Katsuki had rolled his eyes as they droned on, he thought that was a load of shit.
He didn’t need a companion, he fought his battles alone and always came out on top, the gods knew he had the scars to prove it. A companion would only be deadweight to him, he didn’t want to have to worry about protecting someone in the heat of a battle. He could watch his own back
A few weeks into the quest however, he started wishing he had paid more attention.
He had traveled out of his tribe's lands, fought through the jungle, been almost swallowed by the desert. Fought monsters and beasts, and yet still no sign of the fabled treasure from the prophecy. He had now come to the enchanted wood and was more than ready to head back home.
“Enchanted wood my ass.” He could have sworn he’d been past this exact tree at least thrice in the last hour. The blond grunted, gritting his teeth. According to the map he had been given, he should be near the edge of the darned forest by now and yet he seemed to only sink in deeper into it, the trees and tall grass twisting upon themselves, foliage so thick he had to use his sword to clear the path every few feet.
He knew where he wanted to go, and yet it was as if the forest itself was trying to steer him off his way…
“Surely that can’t be,” he growled, deciding it was time to take a break. The barbarian took off his cape and sat down on the soft grass to slide out of his fur lined boots. Perhaps the heat was getting to him.
Katsuki laid down against the forest ground, trying to gather his thoughts but the heat was making it hard to think.
‘I thought it would be cooler in these woods.’
He had barely finished his thought that he sprung to his feet, suddenly hyper aware of his surroundings. It was supposed to be cooler around these parts, especially with the warm season coming to an end. First he was walking around in circles, then he was overheating.
Was this the work of a spell?
“Alright, I am only going to tell you once,” he called out to the woods, to any dimwitted wizard or fae foolish enough to try and jinx him, “show yourself you fuckin’ coward!”
A deafening sound resonated in the forest in reply and he brought up a hand to shield his face as a burst of hot wind blew in his face. Instead of any number of magic wielders he had expected to see, a sight like no other welcomed him.
Where previously had stood the tree he'd seemingly been orbiting around, only charred wood and roots remained.
Cautiously, the barbarian prince approached, drawing on his magic as his palm sizzled. But his hand dropped as soon as he could take a proper look at the cause of the damage.
There, still surrounded by burning embers and seeming to glow from within laid, unmistakable and majestic, a dragon egg.
“...Fuck.”
Katsuki came to a realisation in that moment: the priceless treasure and life companion, were one and the same.
After mulling it over for the better part of an hour, the prince decided he had no choice but to take the egg with him. He pulled his cape from his shoulders, ripping off a piece from the thick cloth. Tying one knot at the end, he now had a makeshift satchel to carry the egg. He loathed to think he’d have to take care of the… creature that would soon hatch from it, but he couldn’t in good conscience leave it there at the mercy of predators or poachers looking to make good money off it. Dragons were rare creatures and an egg was easily worth a fortune. More than that, he had to prove to his people that he had succeeded in his quest, and that meant bringing back the egg or dragongling back with him.
Kneeling down into the earth, Katsuki paused to admire the sight before him. The egg was big, around the size of a squash. Jagged scales lined the otherwise smooth surface in random clusters. As he extended a hand towards it, the heat that emanated slowly abated, from where it was no longer burning hot but just a warm weight against his hand.
Katsuki scowled. He hadn’t the first clue how to take care of another living creature, much less once as rare and precious as a dragon. Perhaps there laid his true trial. He was strong and talented, fearless but he knew that people also considered him to be brash, rough, temperamental. It wasn’t his fault he was always steps ahead of these irrelevant extras in his life. He knew he had what it takes to lead, he may have been harsh but he wasn't cruel. He cared about his people, wanted the best for them. But the level of care he would have to give this dragon if he hoped for it to bond enough with him to be a lifelong companion… He had no idea where to start. Taking care of this thing was going to be a major pain in the ass.
Gathering the egg into the makeshift bag, he stood back up and set out on the trail. The journey was going to be long, and he felt a weariness in his bones that had little to do with exertion, and everything to do with the new weight on his shoulders.
If Katsuki had known on that fateful day that he would one day find himself in this situation, he’s not sure whether or not he’d have taken in the egg.
The egg wasn’t even a dragon egg, but that of a dragon hybrid. An ancient race of magical, shapeshifting creatures that looked similar to humans, but had the power to breathe fire and shapeshift, among other things.
And though he was loath to admit it, and would yell at anyone who would dare insinuate so, he was taken by the creature at first sight.
From the moment Eijirou Kirishima - named after the Kirishima dragons - popped out of his egg and settled those innocently wide crimson eyes on him, the blonde swore an oath to protect him with his life. No matter that he hadn’t the first idea how to raise a pet, or a child, or anything really, the hybrid took his first shaky steps, on unsteady clawed feet and snuggled up to his leg, and he was ready to murder anyone who would ever even look at him the wrong way, with his bare hands.
There was little to worry about however, as the whole barbarian camp celebrated their prince’s success on his quest, and the young hybrid was dotted on by everyone. Curious and mischievous, he would often be found playing with the children and the animals, indiscriminate of whether they walked on two feet or four paws, or if they could talk or not. More often than not, little half-dragonling could be found stuck to Katsuki’s side, nibbling on his sword or nuzzling in his cape. Wide-eyed he would watch as the other trained and follow his steps wherever he went, learning to navigate the world by imitating his companion.
Everyone had always expected the young prince to eventually mellow out, like his mother before him. — though King Mitsuki still led her people with a fiery temper and an iron grasp — They just had never expected it to come from a fiery little hybrid that would melt his heart. He’d never say it aloud but he was filled with pride every time he thought of how he was the only one that Eijirou had taken to like this.
Not to say he changed completely, of course. He let the little hybrid climb all over him, but still reserved threats and death glares to anyone else who’d ever so much as try to pat him on the back.
And every night, though Katsuki always made a show of shutting himself into his tent for the night, the little hybrid always ended up snuggling up to him in his bed, or curled up against his neck.
It was on such a night, one that had been like any other that something changed. He’d drifted off to sleep, the warm weight of his companion a comforting weight on his chest. But strangely, as the hours went by the easy weight that usually settled on his chest had shifted into something heavier, until he woke up, disconcerted at the feeling.
His first instinct was to push off the offending weight, and he heard it fall down with a thud, followed by a moan of pain, and a hiss. Leaning down to the side of the bed, he could only stare down at the sight in front of him, confused.
Sprawled out on the floor in a tangle of sheets and limbs, was a hybrid. A dragon hybrid nonetheless but instead of the small presence he had grown accustomed to over the past months, this one was tall and built like a brick house. A long mane of fiery red hair spread out against his head like a halo, framing majestic features: crimson eyes and slit pupils, framed by thick lashes that fluttered against high and chiseled cheekbones, he truly was a sight to behold. Katsuki’s eyes traveled down to where he noticed sharp collar bones above a plump chest. The sheets were wrapped around his midsection but from the deliciously thick thighs that peaked out he could very well imagine the rest of him to be as beautiful and strong looking. Despite his awe, ever ungracefully one question spilled from his lips as he struggled to swallow: “What the fuck?”
“‘Tsuki, that could have hurt!” Ignoring the nickname that fell from the other’s lips, he watched as rippling and beautifully red, a layer of scales receded from his skin, where they had grown towards his head as if to protect him from the impact.
Katsuki could put two and two together, and it was easy enough to deduce that the hunk of a man sitting at the side of his bed was Eijirou. The hair, the scales, the teeth, those eyes. Undoubtedly it was him. But as to how he was suddenly nearly six feet tall and muscled beyond compare? The prince had a lot of questions.
One cursory look through the Bestiary later, he’d found out that growth spurts were a normal occurrence for dragon hybrids.
They would grow and learn at an incredibly fast pace, unmatched in any other creature. It was thought that it was to ensure the survival of the species, afterall, dragon hybrids, especially of the Kirishima kind, were rare. And suddenly it made that much more sense to Katsuki that the hybrid had always been so keen to watch and follow him intently, learning and storing information. In turn, the blond was now watching him as well.
From then on, Eijirou’s growth had been pretty consistent, and it was incredible for Katsuki to see him everyday, growing a little stronger, flying a little higher, learning how to hunt like a dragon and fight like a warrior. And Katsuki, well, he was now growing a problem. Because early maturity meant early reproduction, and though the barbarian was trying to avoid such thoughts, it was hard when the other just kept becoming more beautiful everyday, his body filling out in all the right places.
He’d slammed the book shut at the mating and anatomy section, preferring not to get into the details of that.
While Katsuki was hyper aware of the changes in the hybrid, the latter seemed not to understand how it affected the other man. Turns out that he became even more trouble than he was as a youngling, but for different reasons entirely.
At rest Eijirou would often drape himself all over him, in an effort to scent him and his belongings, and he could still be found in Katsuki’s bed - or traveling cot - every night, despite the blonde having told him it was now too small to share. All this while ignoring threats and warnings he had once taken seriously. Katsuki was only human, afterall, and to have that body pressed against him so often… He hated to admit the dumb hybrid was affecting him so much. The blond’s frustrations were becoming more evident, and as he seemed to snap more often lately then ever since the Eijirou had joined their clan, he decided perhaps a break would do them good. It didn’t help that the dragon himself was becoming more and more restless, and his attention seemed to be even more on Katsuki these days than it usually was. If he so much lifted a finger, the redhead would snap to attention, his slitted gaze following his every move. It was unnerving.
And so the two companions found themselves on a long trek out of the barbarian lands. Suddenly, the blond stumbled as the weight of the hybrid settled upon his back. “You can’t just throw yourself at me like that, shitty scales!” Eijirou however paid him no mind as he snuggled into the warmth that the other gave off. Pressed completely against the tan skin, the dragon couldn’t help the satisfied sigh that spilled from his lips. “But you’re so hot and strong ‘Tsuki, you can carry me so easily.” He nuzzled into the blond’s neck, forked tongue coming out to graze at the skin. Katsuki could only freeze. He could feel every part of Eijirou pressed against him and he would be lying if he said he was immune to it. The tight chest plastered against his skin and the thick thighs that wrapped around his waist, not to mention that damned tongue of his… they were giving him certain ideas.
But no! Mere moons ago he had only been a tiny lizard brat.
“It seems like you haven’t noticed yet but you’re not exactly travel sized anymore you dumbass, use your legs.” He punctuated that by grasping onto said legs, sharply pulling them from his body and causing the other to fall to the ground with a thud.
“Ow! That was mean.” Katsuki didn’t even have to turn around to know the other was pouting. He didn’t want to, lest he get invested in those plump lips next. The journey was going to be long.
After a few days' travel, the two finally reached their destination.. Not far from there was a merchant village where they could go for food in supplies. However, Katsuki opted to scope out the area to find shelter instead of going into town where there would surely be an inn. He settled on a well hidden cave in the surrounding rock formations. There they would not be disturbed, and he thought perhaps a good soak in the hot springs would help them both relax.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on with you lately, but we’re here to take the edge off. So here’s what we’re gonna do.” Unknowing of the other’s eyes on his body, he started undressing, kneeling down to take his boots off. “We are going to go in there, take a relaxing bath, you can release the tension or whatever the hell has you so strung up lately, and then we’ll talk.”
Katsuki’s words might as well have been static, because all Eijirou could focus on was the gorgeous body being unveiled in front of him. And who could blame him? Katsuki looked like he’d been carved by the gods themselves. Eijirou was getting frustrated. How difficult could it be for Katsuki to understand? The oblivious prince was driving him crazy.
The redhead may still have a lot to know about the world as a young hybrid, but he knew what his instincts were telling him without needing anybody to spell it out. He was an omega dragon in pre-heat, and there was only one solution to his problem: he needed to be fucked. Hard and deep and passionately. If only Katsuki would touch him at least a little, help relieve the pressure. Eijirou had done nearly everything he could think of: he made sure to release his pheromones when the other was near, had scented the barbarian’s clothes and even his bedspread! There was also that one occurrence where he’d stolen the other’s cape to add to his makeshift nest, but the blonde had gotten rather angry at that.
Maybe it was a human thing? Perhaps the barbarians had mating rituals he didn’t know about and so he was going about it all wrong. Well, it’s not like he could ask Katsuki, could he? The blond was currently leaning back against the rocks, eyes closed as he relaxed in the hot spring. There he looked so at ease, the perpetual fold between his brows finally smoothed out. Eijirou’s gaze traveled down and he licked his lips, watching as the rivulets travelled down his companion’s chiseled chest and broad shoulders. What he wouldn’t give for this strong body to just pin him down and ravage him through his heat.
The redhead sank down further in the water, until his eyes and the top of his head were the only part of himself peeking out. He looked every bit the predator his kind was, as he approached the sleeping human in a daze. Eijirou just wanted a little taste, surely it wouldn’t hurt anybody?
He immersed himself in the water, pausing for a second to let his eyes adjust to it. Then his gaze zeroed in on his prize. Even soft the barbarian’s cock hung nice and heavy between thick muscular thighs. Just looking at it caused a wave of heat to unfurl in his belly, oh how he would love to see it hard and glistening, to feel it stretching him in all the right ways, delicious friction against his inner walls. A little moan escaped him underwater as he felt his hole clench at the thought. He swam closer, trying to keep his tail from swishing too hard with excitement. Just a few inches closer…
Unbeknownst to him however, Bakugou had just been pretending to be asleep, just relaxing in the spring. He’d felt the redheads' unnerving gaze on him all along, and wanting to see what he would do, had let him get closer. But now the charade was up. His blood turned static as the hybrid’s hand grazed his balls, fingers coming to caress the underside of his cock and he couldn’t stop the whole body shiver that coursed through him despite the heat of the spring. Snapping out of it, he grabbed Eijirou by the hair and pulled him out of the water.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, shitty scales?”
The hybrid had the audacity to pout. “Bakugou~ I was just trying to-“ His sentence broke off, as he realised he himself wasn’t even sure what he was trying to do. Eijirou’s frustrations mounted as the blonde glared at him.
“Whatever it is keep those claws of yours away from my dick, you damned lizard!”
With a scowl he swam away from the redhead, irritation spreading to his body as well as a deep blush, at the hard on between his legs, leaving behind a frustrated and disappointed hybrid. Eijirou sunk back into the water, keeping his distance and watchfully ruminating in his mind. He’d have to do something to get Katsuki to understand. And soon.