A/N Merry Christmas everyone!!

"Alright, what was all that about?" Toya asked as he came back from the war meeting to see Himiko and Tenko huddled up in blankets while eating a whole stash of chocolates.
"And where did you get those?"
"I'm the boyfriend of a prince, I have my ways" Shigaraki stated as Toga popped another chocolate in her mouth.

"Besides, Shiggy was sad and you had to leave! So this is the best I came up with! It's really effective, you should try it too!"
Dabi sighed, rolling his eyes as he closed the door.
"Are you ready to answer me? About why you were so upset in the first place?"
Tomura sighed and signed Toya over.
"It's Shinsou... Or, well, his boyfriend I guess... I-I know him from long ago, before I met you guys"

"Oh, oh, oh! Story time! I love story time" Himiko smiled, suddenly super excited as she plopped down in Tenko's lap. Her head was laying on his legs and she was looking up at him expectantly. The blue haired man sighed as Toya sat down behind him, wrapping his hands around him in a hug.
"You guys know I was cursed by the empire... That I was forced to work under Endeavor... But there was some time between me getting out of there and meeting you" he sighed.

"I was chased away from my village... People called me a monster, a bad person, I- I-I can't help it... It's not like I w-want everything I touch t-to die- It's just-"
"Hey, it's okay, we understand" Dabi whispered.
"And you have the gloves now, so you don't have to worry about that anymore"
"Yeah... I had gloves back then too" Shigaraki mumbled, frowning a bit. Not such fine quality like these though...

They were in leather, handmade by none other than Kaminari himself. That boy could craft many things and had a lot of knowledge about nature. It surprised him time on time again every time they went exploring together.
"You had gloves before? Why didn't you say so? We could've got some for you!" Toga smiled.
"They...didn't do the job... I fucked up anyway" Tenko sighed.
"Kaminari Denki, Shinsou's boyfriend, h-he..."

"Hey, take your time, no need to force yourself" Dabi spoke as he let his head drop on top of Shigaraki's.
"It's okay... You two deserve to know anyway" he sighed.
"I tried to steal from Kaminari and his father. They were hunters, travelling with a caravan of all sorts of traders. He caught me, always the light sleeper"
Tomura let out a short chuckle as he looked down upon his hands. The gloves were being used to the fullest, he almost never took them off. Yet they were still in a great shape, their condition practically the same as when he got them.

"With those stupid bright eyes... He didn't get mad, he didn't attack... He just asked me what I wanted, if I needed food or money or anything"
"Sounds like a good guy" Toya muttered.
"I ran away when he reached out to touch me" Shigaraki continued with a shrug.

"Somehow he tracked me down and offered me food. We chatted for a bit, well, he talked and I listened... In the end, Kaminari managed to convince me to come with him. H-he introduced me to his friends and they just...accepted me? Kaminari was so trusted within that group that anyone he liked was treated like an old friend... I-I started opening up to them... Told them my name, about my curse..."

Tenko took a deep breath and let a small smile take over.
"Then next Kaminari gave me hand-made archery gloves"
"Aw~ That's so sweet~" Toga grinned, poking Shigaraki's cheek.
"So why does he hates you now? He said you killed his friend"
"The caravan took me in, taught me all kinds of things. I was happy there" Tenko continued.

"B-but then... The caravan was raided, people got hurt a-and-"
He cut himself off, clenching his fists.
"I-I tried to save him... A damn necromancer trying to rescue someone from the death... I was such a naive fool"
"Kaminari blames you for his death..?" Toya asked quietly.
"It's Kurogiri" Shiggy snapped.
"What?" Dabi asked confused.
"It's... It's Kurogiri" Tomura repeated.
"I-I corrupted his soul- I turned him into a demon- I-I've been trying t-to reverse it b-but-"

"That's why you wouldn't let us in with you" Toya cut him short.
"You never let us in that cave with you... You never told us what you did with him there... You didn't want us to know about this side of you, did you?"
"I-I've never used my magic on a person after that" Tenko choked out.
"Animals were okay b-but never people... Not ever again"
It was silent for a bit as they let everything settle in. He finally told them... He finally got it off his chest and came clean.

"Where is Kurogiri now?" Himiko asked, wondering out loud.
"Oshi took him, didn't he? So where is he now?"
"Kaminari has him... Maybe it's better that way" Shigaraki sighed.
"I also discovered that Shinsou is the son of someone that was part of that caravan so I guess it's okay..."

"Wait... How old is this Kaminari guy?" Toya asked confused.
"I-I don't know" Tenko frowned.
"He didn't seem that much older now that I think about it"
"What species is he?" Toga asked curiously.
"I... I don't know..." Tomura said, frowning even harder as he dug into his memory.

He always thought Kaminari was a human... Most of the traders were and he didn't show any sign of being any different. But his slow aging process gave away he definitely wasn't.
"For a person you seem to think so highly of, you know very little about him" Toya mused, playing with Shigaraki's hair.
"Oh shut up" he grumbled, pushing his boyfriend a little.
"It doesn't matter now anyway. That life is in the past"

"If you say so... You don't have to force yourself to move on, you know?" Dabi sighed.
"I know a-and it's okay. Kurogiri is where he belongs now... Besides, I have you guys. You're my family now"
"Aw~ Shiggy~" Himiko smiled, hugging him.
"Ugh, that was so sappy. Who are you and what did you do to our grump?" Toya chuckled, ending in Tomura slapping him.

Meanwhile in the garden

Katsuki wasn't surprised to see the dragons all over each other when he returned from the war meeting. They were laying around half on top of each other in disorganised piles of scales. He didn't expect anything else from the beasts, seeing as it is in their instinct to seek comfort of the pack whenever a chance is provided. What did caught him off guard was the fact there was signing. A soft, beautiful female voice ringing through the air, accompanied by a guitar that played ever so gently.

Bakugou walked towards its source, making his way through the maze of dragons before finally ending up in the center. The person singing was Jirou Kyoka and Kaminari Denki was playing the guitar. They sounded perfectly in sync with each other, something that came to be after many years of performing together. Shinsou was sitting next to them, smiling ever so slightly, enjoying the sound like everyone else in the garden.

Katsuki scowled, still reeking him. Why wasn't he covering up his scent? Don't all black magic users do it? It was strange the dragons hadn't noticed yet... Or maybe they did and they ignored it? That was more likely. Because if Katsuki could smell him, they definitely could. The king didn't notice how abruptly the music stopped, just that it suddenly seemed to have ended while he wasn't paying attention.

"H-how was the meeting, my king?" Denki asked, his fingers still resting upon the strings of the guitar, staring at the ash blonde with mixed feelings.
"We will set out soon. Be prepared to leave" Bakugou grunted, his eyes lingering on the guitar.
"Where did you get that?"
"I brought it with me when I went outside" Shinsou explained.
"It was just laying around in the palace and the knights of the Frog Queen said I could take it"

Bakugou hummed at that, placing his hand on one of the scaly creatures around them, petting them. He very rarely showed affection to other people, but dragons always had a special place in his heart, that was something that would never change.
"I thought I told you to cover up that stench" the king muttered as he looked back that purple haired male over his shoulder. Hitoshi frowned a bit, but didn't react in any other way.

"Yeah, I've been wondering about that-" Jirou stated.
"It's not because we know you're using illegal magic that we want to bathe in its smell"
Shinsou rolled his eyes and stared off into the distance before sighing.
"I can't, okay?"
"What?" Kyoka asked confused.
"I can't supress it" Hitoshi repeated, more clearly now.

"Ever since... Since Kurogiri was pulled away from me, I haven't been able to use my magic..."
Everyone stared at him with big eyes after that, up until Bakugou reacted to it.
"And you only think of sharing that information now?! We're at fucking war you asshole! I need ever man I can get and now you're practically useless to me!"

Jirou started arguing with Katsuki after that, defending her boyfriend even though she had no idea why Hitoshi kept it from them in the first place. His purification was already a while ago, so if he wanted to tell them he'd have plenty of opportunity before. Kaminari felt guilt consume him as he slowly made his way towards Shinsou, placing a hand on his shoulder. It was his fault... He had taken away his magic...

He knew it was one of the risks but he proceeded with the spell anyway! Maybe he shouldn't have... Maybe they could've found another way to save him, maybe-
"Oi"
Denki looked up to meet the indigo eyes gaze of the boy he loved.
"This isn't your fault, alright? Kurogiri fed off my magic and he wasn't leaving my body without it. You did what you had to do"

Shinsou sighed after that, hugging the smaller humanoid half dragon.
"I just... It still left traces... I will never be able to use any other sort of magic again a-and this damn aura, it... It won't go away!"
"Hey, ssh, it's okay" Kaminari whispered, holding onto him tightly as his hand slipped in his pocket, clutching the sealing stone. He rubbed Shinsou's back as he took it out, seemingly unnoticed by the indigo haired boy.

"Try it again" Denki whispered, holding the stone against his back as they hugged. If his theories were right, he should be able to use this as a personal rune stone. If not... Let's not think about that for now.
"W-what...?" Shinsou asked confused.
"Try supressing your scent" Kaminari ordered, now staring into Hitoshi's eyes.
"Just...trust me, okay?"

He nodded and closed his eyes, focussing on his magic and on his aura. Somehow he was able to gain access to the power he thought he lost and within moments, the stench of his magic vanished. The smell of death and despair disappeared, making Kyoka and Katsuki stop arguing to see what was going on.
"I-it worked... It worked!" Denki cheered happily, revealing the sealing stone from behind Shinsou.

"When I sealed Kurogiri away, I trapped your magic in here with him. It's like my magic was once trapped and I was able to use this as a rune stone"
"Rune stones for black magic wielders don't exist" Bakugou hissed.
"Normally they don't, but we artificially created one!" Kaminari grinned.
"Which means that as long as you keep this on your person, you'll be able to use magic again! Oh, and, uh, don't worry about Kurogiri, he shouldn't be able to escape and take control even if you drain his power"

Hitoshi frowned, looking down upon the dark misty stone in Kaminari's hand.
"Are you sure you're okay with me using it? Him?" Shinsou asked carefully.
"I-I know Kurogiri used to be someone important to you-"
"Oshi" Denki interrupted him, placing the stone in his hands.
"I trust you... There is no better place for him to be"

Shinsou stared at the stone for another moment before looking up and kissing Kaminari for what felt like the first time in ages. Denki melted into it, having missed this affection more than anyone. Maybe their relationship wasn't doomed after all? At least not yet...
"I thought you didn't want Hitoshi anywhere near that demon rock?" Jirou asked confused, squinting her eyes.

"Yes, at first I wasn't sure whether Kurogiri would resist or not... But knowing what I know now, I don't think we should worry" Kaminari answered her.
"Tch" Katsuki grumbled, frowning as he realised that someone was missing.
"Where the hell is round face at?"
"Oh, she said she was going to the kitchen to grab some food. She, uh, she's been gone for a while though" Kyoka said.

"Urgh... That damned witch is probably eating all the goddamn rations! I better go check on her before she gets kicked out of the place" the king grumbled, making his way towards the exit. Preparing for war had never been as hard as this idiot circus, but it would have to do. Everyone had a part to play in this, after all. Together they'd reach their goal and all this frustrating preparation time would be forgotten in the glory of victory. At least, that was what he so desperately hoped...

During that time in the Dark Lands

Izuku groaned as he tried to move. He'd heard the commotion from outside his hiding place quiet down a while ago, but he wasn't capable of getting any rest. How could he? Knowing there were innocent people out there? Being hunted for sport like animals... He hadn't seen anyone since Mirio left him, but luckily his wounds had started healing and he was used to going certain periods without food.

But even then his body was in a weakened state. If he were to come up against someone in a fight, he would most definitely get killed even if it wasn't a trained soldier. Basically anyone could end his life at this point, seeing as he was just squirming around a dimly lit hollow tree, unable to move more than a few inches. If someone didn't finish the job soon, he was sure his own body would gladly dispose of him. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath.

No... Mirio senpai said someone would come for him. He'll receive food and care and he'll get better, even though he wasn't so sure he deserved it. But that's when a creaking sound pulled him out of thought and a small boy came through a seemingly closed off entrance. It must be hidden with some sort of concealment magic, something you had to know was there to actually make use of it.

Izuku's eyes widened as he recognized the boy as Kota, the child he seemed to run in more often than not in this damn hell. It made him wonder why fate seemed to pull them together over and over again, as if destined to meet.
"I-it's you..." he whispered, staring at the runaway prince with surprise written all over his face.
"You're... You're prince Izuku?"

There was disbelieve in his voice, like he couldn't comprehend the weight of his words. That or he wasn't able to connect such a title to the pathetic male in front of him. Izuku knew he wasn't radiating wealth and royalty at the moment so he didn't blame the boy for being a little shocked about it.
"Yes, unfortunately..." the green head breathed, flinched as he heaved himself up to sit against the wall of the hollow tree.

"K-Kota? Right?"

The dark haired child nodded before taking out a wrapped up package he carried with him. When unwrapping the cloth, its contents revealed to be bread and dried meat. There were also several herbs, probably to treat Izuku's injuries or numb the pain.
"I-I can't take this- The people in the hunting range, they-"
"They'll survive, like they've always done" Kota spoke, sighing.
"We all know how important it is that you live, prince Izuku... You'll end our suffering"

With that Kota broke the bread into smaller pieces, handing it to the green head to eat slowly and carefully. He'll end their suffering... They truly believed in him. Izuku would certainly try his best, he'd even give his own life to save others. He hoped that he wouldn't let them down in the future...
"I need to redo your bandages, please hold still"
"There is no need for formalities, we're all the same, definitely in here" Izuku sighed.

"We're all only human, after all..."

Yes, only human... Creatures that were known for their low magic abilities, for being born without magic most of the time. Beings that have a reputation of surviving stubbornly and fighting amongst their species for whatever wealth and status they may receive. The reasons for human wars left other beings baffled sometimes and the fact they couldn't seem to stand each other raised the question of how the race had survived that long.

Sometimes Izuku wondered the same thing, surely when looking at his supposed king and father... If that man was still considered to be human, that is.
"There is strength in that" Kota stated.
"A-at least... That's what my aunt always tells me..."
Izuku hummed, hissing as Kota pressed onto a wound in his side. The boy muttered a small apology as he continued to apply the new bandages.

"Humans are survivors, that much is true" the green head sighed, remembering a quote he read a long time ago.
"Against all odds, we always manage to thrive in horrible circumstances and desperate situations. If we'd been any other race, we would've already wiped ourselves out"
"Gods amongst Titans" Kota said, making Izuku's eyes widen.

That was the name of a book, written very long ago. All For One had made him read it as part of his education. Not a lot of people knew of its existence, let alone live to ever see a copy of the scripture. It uses a lot of symbolism to project the world as the author sees it. Humans are Gods walking the surface of the earth, surrounded by Titans that could crush them beneath their feet if they were ever merely mortal.

It's supposed to press on the fact humans survive by being purely human, disregarding of magic or superior technological advancements. According to the author of that book, that's what makes our race superior to others.
"How did you know what I was quoting?"
Kota looked up at the prince was a bit of confusion, halting his movements for just a second.

"I was taught to read with that book" he explained. He frowned, quickly shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter. I finished applying medicine and your cuts are all covered again. Eat the rest of your rations and stay put, okay? Don't let the hunters find you"
With that the boy left, leaving Izuku all alone once more. Kota was taught how to read... Strange, seeing as he was a slave, a lower servant, someone born within the hunting range. Unless...he wasn't..?