Chapter Text
Kirishima and Shinsou were heading south. The last known whereabouts of the once-forgotten warrior. Was a mountain in the south plains that crawled with wildlife and have bountiful amounts of food and water there to keep a man alive for years. The sound of their horses stepping and crunching the leaves under their heavy feet. Kirishima had a lazy handful of the leather reins in his hand. His broad chest had a tribal tattoo that covered his left peck and all the way over his shoulder. The black ink moving down his arm and faded onto the skin on his back. His body heavily scared to show the pride he took in his widely known strength. “Do you think he will cooperate?” He asks turning his head to the side. His hair that fell well past his shoulders swaying to one side.
The violet mage with him snorted, leaning forward on his own steed to pat his neck as he labored, "From what Midoriya said, I highly doubt it. You've heard stories about what he was like as a child, I doubt the years have mellowed him. We should stop soon; the horses need their rest. "
“Have faith, he may have taken the time that he had all alone and turned it into meditation.” He joked and nodded, agreeing that the horses needed a rest. “There looks to be a clearing up ahead. We will set up a fire and sleeping tent there.” He said and kicked his heels to make the horse speed up to a steady gallop.
Shinsou rolled his eyes, but urged his own as well, "I say we rest; you say move faster." He mumbled good-naturedly, "I'll set up the tent if you gather the wood."
“Very well.” He nodded and once they got to the clearing, he slid down off of the side of his horse. Patting her neck with a mumble of praise he tied the reins to a tree. Going into the wooded area again to gather some wood. A large armload would be enough to last them through the night.
Shinsou set up the tent as he had promised and cleared a patch of ground with some stones for a firepit before taking their horses to a nearby stream to drink as he brushed them down for the night, carefully checking their hooves in case of stones, his traveling cloak and tunic abandoned back at the tent, leaning him in only his undershirt and pants.
Kirishima came back with wood that couple more than likely last them a couple night. Though he knew they were only staying one. He wanted to be prepared. If the temperature dropped, they would have the wood to keep them warm. He set up the wood, getting a bed of hot coals underneath so he could stack some larger pieces of wood on top and let it burn.
Shinsou rinsed his arms and let the horses splash around for a bit, rubbing them down as well and rubbing their noses with a smile. Once they were all cooled down, he led them back toward camp and removed their saddles, setting them by the tent, and let the horses wander and feed on the grass.
"I see you were productive." He said as he sat by the slowly growing fire, watching his reptilian companion work.
“If you say so.” He said and continued to blow on the fire making the wood catch on fire. He sat back once he knew it would be ok and he stretched out his arms and legs with a growling like groan.
Shinsou pushed himself back up and trailed his fingers over Kirishima's shoulders as he passed, murmuring a soft muscle relaxing spell as he moved to find the bag of food with their things, "I do say so. We should eat through some of the perishables tonight." He said as he returned, tossing an apple over.
Kirishima caught the apple, and he took a bite out of it. “Did we bring meat?” He asked and scooted over so he could look inside the burlap sack.
Shinsou tilted it toward him to see better, "mostly dried... no wait, I think I see something." He reached in toward the bottom and pulled out something wrapped in leaves and string, handing it over, "cow. We have some cow."
“Hand it to me and I’ll cook it up.” He said and scooted closer to the cure cleaning a couple sticks so he could cook the meet over the fire.
Shinsou did as was asked, leaving that to the dragon, and laid back in the soft grass, "how does your back feel?"
“I’ve been riding all day so definitely sore.” He said and skewered the meat on the sticks.” He said and held it over the fire.
Shinsou hummed noncommittally at that, "do you think there's any chance of surviving this, even if he comes back with us?" He asked, tone somber.
“We have allies... they will fight with us... the rumors say that this guy will be our strongest. I want to have faith in our kingdom.” He said and turned the meat over.
Shinsou sighed, stretching, "Yeah, I know..." He mumbled, "Is it bad I'd rather this whole war just... Blew over and it doesn't come to bloodshed? That this can all be talked down in offices and treaty talks?"
“I agree, but sadly rulers can be stubborn, and we have no say so in any of this.” He sighed and decided the meat was cooked enough. He took it off the fire and took a bite but quickly pulled it from his mouth. “Ow! Hot!” He said and put a hand to his mouth.
Shinsou laughed, rolling over to look at him, "Lizard brain take over?" He teased, "I didn't know you could burn yourself. Actually, I was rather under the impression you couldn't. You aren't fireproof?"
“I am but only when I morph.” He said with a small pout and his wings drooped. He took the meat again and blew air on it to cool it down. “I’m part human too, ya know.”
Shinsou shrugged, "I know, just thought that might have carried over." He said, "you didn't actually hurt yourself, did you?"
“No, I’m fine.” He said and took a cooler bite. Eating it before handing it over to Shinsou.
Shinsou tore off a small piece to eat himself and handed it back since Kiri was the more meat-eater of the two of them.
Kirishima took the stick back and he ripped some more meat off of the stick with his teeth. Leaving the red to the other as he went to get his bedroll.
Shinsou ate quietly, staying by the fire and watching the sky until it was blocked out by a horsey head coming to investigate him. He chuckled, reaching up to rub her jaw, "hi there, girl. You ready to turn in for tonight too?" He asked softly, setting up and tossing the empty stick into the flames. He tied their horses to a tree for the night and went to find his own bedroll.
Kirishima laid out his bedroll and he dusted himself off taking off his vest that was just a layer for warmth.
Shinsou set up his own roll by the fire for warmth, knowing he was going to get cold in the night no matter what, so he might as well start nice and warm
Kirishima got close to the fire as well. He got comfortable staring at the speckles of light in the sky. “What would you like to do after the war is over?” He asked the other out loud.
Shinsou looked over at him, "Study, like I was doing before we were sent on this fool's errand. Maybe teach future mages as well. You?"
“I’m not sure, I may see if the commander will let me travel.” He smiled and put his hands behind his head.
Shinsou hummed, "You know Midoriya's gonna miss you if you don't come back to visit sometimes." He joked.
Kirishima laughed and he smiled up at the sky. “I suppose you would be right. It would just be nice to be able to see things I never have before.” He hummed.
Shinsou hummed, getting up and pulling his bedroll closer to Kirishima's reaching out to ruffle his hair as he looked at him, "Bring me back books when you do, okay?"
“Of course, I’ll get you all the books I can carry.” He gave his blindingly gorgeous and award-winning smile.
Shinsou blushed but smiled back softly, "Don't go hurting yourself, Reptar." he murmured, hand still in his hair.
“I won’t. I’ll be fine I’ll get a bag full of books and bring them back for you.” He smiled and pressed his head into Shinsou’s hand like a cat wanting to feel the pleasure of being pet.
Shinsou started gently massaging the dragon's scalp with his fingertips, "You're gonna get me a whole library if you act like that." he murmured.
“I would like to build you shelves and bring you a bunch of foreign books to make you your own library.” He turned to lay on his side and face him as he smiled.
Shinsou blushed darker, "Careful, Eijirou, that almost sounds like a proposal to spend your life with me." he murmured, gently raking crimson bangs out of ruby eyes.
“Is... that what you want it to be?” He asked in a bit of a deeper and gentle voice.
Shinsou hummed then sat up as he realized, "Wait.... are you really asking me to..." he asked, brows furrowing.
Kirishima sat up as well, leaning in a little closer and got very close to Shinsou’s face hot breath fanning over the violet-haired man’s features. “I’m not asking you to do anything Mage... I’m asking you a simple yes or no question.” He said with a little purr in his voice his thumb and pointer finger holding his chin as he looked him in the eyes.
Shinsou blinked slowly, focusing on calming himself down again, focusing on the feel of those fingers on his jaw, grounding him. A long, slow sigh and he met his eyes again, "Yes."
Kirishima studied his face for a moment in silence. “Good answer.” He said barely above a whisper, and he pressed a soft kiss to his lips. It was soft but held for what seemed several minutes but was only several seconds.
Shinsou slowly raised a hand to cup Kirishima's neck in turn, leaning into him more, returning the kiss slowly, tentatively, afraid something might break if he put too much pressure, but he didn't know if it would be himself or the moment.
Kirishima’s wings fluttered when he felt the kiss being returned and the touch on his skin that raised goosebumps. Pulling away from the kiss to rest his forehead against Shinsou’s he took the other’s hand in his own.
Shinsou squeezed gently, panting slightly against him, eyes closed, "This isn't a sick prank, is it?" he murmured, "I might have to turn you into a tiny lizard if it is." The wall around his heart he'd let fall for a minute rose back just as tall, if not a little dinged. He wanted it to be true, trusted this man with his life, but the possibility still existed.... and he had the scars to prove it.
Kirishima opened his eyes to see Shinsou’s were still closed. He pressed a hand to his face. “Hitoshi, look at me.” He said seriously, his voice a little sterner but it immediately softened. “Do I joke about things like this?...” he asked and quickly followed his words. “Do you remember when Sero and Denki has played that Prank on Lord Izuku. That the Northern Mixed ice prince Todoroki had sent him a courting proposal? When the Lord found out he was so happy he was crying. Then we found out it was just a hurtful prank. I made their combat training harder for the next month by tenfold. I would never do something like that to you.” He said and squeezed his hand raising his knuckles up to his lips.
Shinsou looked up at him slowly through his lashes, "I remember. I... I remember all too well. I was courting Denki at the time... I was just a prank, too." he murmured, never having admitted that to anyone before. He'd managed to let Denki let him take the blame for that relationship ending, saving both their reputations. "I...." he sighed again, running his thumb over Kirishima's bottom lip, "I hope I can trust you with the pieces that are left."
“Me and you now, no more selfish pranks or lies. I’ll take the pieces you are willing to give me and put them back together.” He said and kissed the pad of his thumb. “I haven’t had the best luck with relationships either if you can remember.” Kirishima had had a fiancé, but once the knight had given her the ring and other jewelry, she ran off only to sell them and marry another man.
Shinsou nodded, "I remember." he murmured, squeezing his hand and kissing him softly again, "Take care of me and I'll piece you together with the gold of the sunsets." he whispered, "You'll shine more beautifully than the world will have ever thought possible." he shifted closer into Kirishima's embrace.
Kirishima blushed a bit himself when he was kissed again by Shinsou. “Then I have no other choice than to take the stars from the sky and meld them together. I’ll put your heart back together with them and you can be the brightest out of all of them.” He smiled and nuzzled his nose into his cheek.
Shinsou flushed darkly in return, hiding his face in Kirishima's shoulder, "Thank you." He mumbled when he could lift his head again. He looked down at his bedroll, flush remaining as he fiddled with the blanket, then wordlessly got up to move again, lying next to Kirishima this time.
Kirishima smiled and he pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You don’t have to thank me.” He smiled and moved over patting his bed to let Shinsou come closer.
Shinsou tentatively shifted closer still, laying under Kirishima's arm so they were nose to nose again. He let out a small snort at the reminder, resting an arm on the dragon's shoulder to gently play with his hair again, "Thank you." He repeated with a playful smirk. He kissed him one last time before hiding his face in the other's chest, settling in for sleep that wasn't going to come for a long while.
Kirishima let the other get comfortable he didn’t expect to get yet another kiss and then be cuddled up to. He put his arms around him and laid his chin on top of his head. “Get some sleep. If we get to the warrior tomorrow, we will need the energy.”
Shinsou nodded, "Same to you. I put up a ward, so we'll know if anyone comes near us." He rubbed the base of Kirishima's neck.
Kirishima nodded and he pressed a kiss to his head. Soon he was asleep. His arms around the other as he let out snores. His long hair falling over his face.
Shinsou smiled at the soft snores, letting them lull him into unconsciousness as well, unconsciously cuddling closer as the fire died down, seeking all the heat he could find.