Arranged Marriage
#KrBkMonth2020 #krbk

It's not like Katsuki expected to become king one day. Not with three older siblings. But he still had never expected -

"You're to marry Dragon King Eijirou of the Eastern Isles. And don't pitch a fit about it!"

- this.

"You want to SELL me?!?"

So much for not pitching a fit like his mother Queen Mitsuki had told him.

"I'm not selling you, brat! You'll be helping make an alliance with the biggest and most powerful kingdom on this side of the sea. We need this, Katsuki..."

And yes, they really needed an alliance. Katsuki had just never imagined it would be like that! But if the rumours about the neightboring kingdom preparing for war were true, there was only one possible target - the Barbarians. Katsuki's people. His home...

But still! He wasn't going to just let himself be bartered like a bag of potatoes! There must be another way. Other than marriage!

"There's no other way," Mitsuki said as if reading his mind. "There really isn't. Or I wouldn't be asking this of any of my children."

"But can't someone else-" Katsuki was getting desperate.

"No." Mitsuki said with finality. "The King chose you."

"Chose me?"

Katsuki had never met King Eijirou. He had never seen him neither up close nor in the distance. So how exactly had the King chosen him was a mystery.

"Yes, you. He's been here in the castle the past couple of days," The Queen said.

"Under a spell, of course," she added. "He looked like a completely different person and was dressed like a common servant. He wanted to observe all possible spouses without their knowledge before deciding on a... mate."

And apparently Katsuki had won that unknown competition. And for once in his life he wished he had not won. Funny that.

He tried to think what could have possibly made the King choose him but he couldn't. He hadn't done anything particularly worthy the past two days.

And both his younger brother and older sister were considered better looking than him. So why? Why was Katsuki the one to get his life turned upside down?!

He was a warrior! Not the best in his kingdom but he was getting there. He had worked hard. He was a good strategist as well, much to many people's surprise. He was good at fighting and he was good at war.

He would not be good at being a pampered obedient mate.

"-ki? Katsuki!" Mitsuki's voice cut through Katsuki's thoughts. "Go change. You'll find your outfit on your bed. Your handfasting ceremony is at dusk. Tomorrow you leave for the Eastern Isles."

The Queen stood up and stepped closer to her son. She touched his cheek with a hand.

"I'm really sorry."

Katsuki hadn't seen his mother cry in more than a decade. But her eyes were wet with tears now and her lips quivering a little.

He turned around and left before tears came to his eyes as well.

#kiribaku #krbk #bakugou #katsuki #bakugoukatsuki #kirishima #eijirou #kirishimaeijirou #fantasyAU #dragonshifterkirishima #kingkirishima #barbarianbakugou #princebakugou #arrangedmarriage #nsfw

Katsuki had dressed in elaborate outfits before for several official occasions. But the outfit currently laid out on his bed was fancier than any of them. The creme furs that adorned the top of a deep red cape shined in the light, every hair in the right place.

The rough leather of the boots and belt was polished. The bottom of the tunic had intricate goldowrk designs.

It was clearly a handfasting outfit. And it only made the situation all the more real to Katsuki. He was really getting married. To a person he had never met.

But he had heard more than enough about Dragon King Eijirou. Who hadn't? The man was only six summers older than Katsuki and had already built an empire almost from scratch.

His people's kingdom had been so overrun it had been reduced to a speck on a map.

Then Eijirou had taken the crown, after the previous King and his whole bloodline had been assassinated by the enemy in an attempt to further weaken the kingdom so it could be wiped completely.

And that had been their gravest mistake.

With a new capable and resolute leader, a great warrior, and a true dragon shifter as a King, the tables had turned in favor of Eijirou's kingdom.

In just two years he had recovered the lost territory. In another one he had taken all of the Eastern Isles.

And in another one - he had expanded his kingdom to the shore of the continent.

It was a very impressive war career. Currently his kingdom was the biggest and his army - the strongest.

Katsuki's mother had been right - an alliance with King Eijirou was the best possible solution to their problems. It was almost too good to be true. Except for Katsuki.

He took a deep breath and started changing into the handfasting outfit. Dusk was nearing.

The sun dipped into the mountains on the horizon and Katsuki mother came to fetch him. She wore an elaborate ceremonial outfit as well.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Let's get this over with."

"This ceremony will be small," Mitsuki said while they were walking down the hall. "The big wedding awaits you on the Eastern Isles."

Fucking great. Two weddings.

Barbarians performed the handfasting at dusk, under the sky.

The Queen led him outside and down a narrow stone path. At the end of it, people were standing on both sides, waiting. Katsuki recognized each and every person.

King Eijirou was to arrive last, as per the custom. If it was an outsider marrying a Barbarian, they walked the path last.

Mitsiki stopped at the end of the path and turned around, facing her son and the small crowd behind him.

Katsuki noticed her eyes focusing on the distance and he barely stopped himself from turning to see.

Everyone quieted down and only a pair of boots hitting the stones could be heard. Closer and closer.

Until a figure appeared on his right and he couldn't help taking a look.

King Eijirou was... gorgeous. Katsuki almost swore in surprise. This was hands down the most attractive man he had ever seen in his entire life. A walking example of every trait he found appealing.

And then some he didn't even know he found appealing. Like those two thick horns protruding from the Kings forehead. Katsuki could clearly see the ridges on them. He should not find them attractive! And yet...

He only realized he had been staring when the King turned and grinned at him. Sharp teeth, holy shit!

Katsuki felt his whole face burn. He abruptly faced forward and barely moved a muscle while his mother droned about who knows what. He sure wasn't listening.