Kirishima's PoV

The next morning I was awakened by sounds from the living room. Tired, I opened my eyes and blinked in surprise. The sun had not quite risen yet and only the reddish dawn illuminated the room a little. I suddenly straightened up when I remembered that the mission started today. Wide awake, I threw the blanket aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. Then I went to the wardrobe. I hadn't found it necessary to get dressed yesterday and was still naked. I quickly picked out my shirt and trousers and put them on.

I opened the other cupboard door to take out my back holster with the twin blades, but frowned irritatedly as I looked at the empty hook on the inside of the door. I hadn't used the swords much lately and had actually only taken them out for training, but I was sure that I had hung them back every time.

I ran to the door. "Kat? Did you move my ..."

I paused and a little smile crept on my lips. Katsuki stood at the kitchen table and was packing up provisions. His ash blond hair shimmered a little in the orange-red light and he wore his cape.

He hadn't worn the red cape, which actually identified him as a subordinate of the king, since our arrival in the mountains. The golden embroidery shimmered slightly and the fur snuggled around his neck. He looked like the strong, unbending dragonslayer I had met over three years ago. Only the simple steel sword hanging from his belt ruined the picture. I hadn't paid any attention to his sparkling dragon blade at the time when I had healed him on our flight and thus saved him from death. Katsuki had never accused me of it, but I felt guilty every time I thought of it.

So much had changed since then and yet the former dragonslayer had remained true to himself. At that time we had fled together from the royal empire and there was something symbolic about the fact that he had put on the cape again for the journey back to the Todoroki kingdom.

"You look good," I said quietly.

Katsuki looked up and his hand stroked over the cape. "I have always seen in the red of the cape a symbol of hope and peace. My idea of it may have looked different back then, but the symbolism remains the same. I just thought it suited the mission," he said quietly. His forehead was slightly wrinkled as he felt the thick fabric of the cape.

"Yes, it does. It suits the mission, but it also just suits you," I said with a smile. Katsuki looked away and began to finish packing the bags. Although he had turned his face away, I saw the slight blush on his cheeks.

The Order might not be able to to see it, or simply refused to see it in him, but Katsuki had always been someone who had strived for justice. He wasn't the type for long planning and big speeches and not at all willing for diplomacy if anything didn't match his goals. No, instead he was spontaneous, able to assess situations at the blink of an eye and remained true to his ideals. This was probably the very reason he kept clashing with the Order, but I admired him for it.

My gaze wandered from our provision bags to the rest of the things scattered on the table. I found there my twin blades as well as a brown waistcoat with fur at the lower edge and different metallic pieces, which I weren't sure of.

"What's that?" I asked in wonder and felt one of the bent metal plates. They were quite thick and strong, but surprisingly light. They were also hewn into a rough pattern so that the silvery metal shimmered in the light from different facets.

Katsuki shrugged his shoulders. "That brought Taran by about an hour ago and woke me up. It's just some protective clothing. After all, we don't know if we have to fight and in what form you do it. You're too valuable to them to let you go without any protection."

I snorted irritatedly. "Why do I need protection? They've been preparing me for what's coming for the last few years."

Katsuki looked up, a serious look on his face. "Put this on. Be glad that the order and I have the same opinion for once," he grumbled and held the equipment out to me.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, Mom," I said a little annoyed, but accepted everything. It didn't take long and I had put everything on. It was really just a light shoulder protection and light curved guards for the arms to withstand unexpected hits. I was pleased to find that they didn't hinder me at all in my freedom of movement and that the straps of the twin blades still fit on my shoulders. It wasn't that bad.

Katsuki looked at me from top to bottom. "Are you ready? I packed everything. Clothes, blankets, provisions. Everything should be there."

I looked around and nodded. "I would say we can go," I said enthusiastically and wanted to march past him towards the door. But Katsuki grabbed me by the collar and pulled me towards him. I made a short surprised sound before I felt his lips on mine.

I sighed contentedly and turned so that I could put my arms around his neck. Katsuki's kiss was gentle and full of love and I felt how much he would miss our togetherness during the journey. I felt the same way and so I returned the kiss with the same longing.

Finally there was a knock at the door and Katsuki broke away from me. He looked me in the eye for a moment before he gave me another fleeting kiss. Then he took a step back. "Come in," he shouted before marching towards the door. I followed him.

Hesitantly, the door opened a crack wide. "Are you naked?" Telana asked and I could hear the grin in her bright voice. I giggled stealthily.

"Tch. Just come in," Katsuki grumbled annoyed.

Telana and Taran came in. Telana had braided her copper-red hair into a plait that fell on her shoulder. Her green eyes sparkled amusedly. Taran looked as serious as ever. Both carried bags over their shoulders containing their luggage. Taran also carried a sword on his belt.

Telana embraced me as a greeting and then went on to Katsuki, who stiffened a little but endured her embrace with a roll of his eyes.

Taran gave me a handshake and then patted me friendly on the shoulder. "Ready? he asked with his calm deep voice and looked me in the eyes. I nodded with a smile. "Well then I would say, there is no reason to stay here any longer."