Chapter Text
XX
The storm came with the night, relentless and demanding. The sea responded in kind, treacherous waters surging around a ship caught within. Waves crashed and winds roared, and the sailors aboard struggled to keep control as water rolled over the deck.
As the ship tipped and groaned, one sailor dared to let one hand go from the railing and clutched a set of prayer beads around his neck. A flash of lightning briefly highlighted the sea green stones and jade frog charm hanging at the end.
Silently, he prayed.
A moment was all he could spare to make his plea, but a moment was enough. He looked up and gasped at the sight before him, his heart filling with hope.
Standing on the middle of the sea-soaked deck, a petite woman stood, unbothered by the raging storm or the churning waters rocking the ship. Her long, black hair fell down her back, spreading out over the deck boards like the train of a dress. She wore robes that looked made of fish scales, shimmering under the flashes of lightning, and her feet were bare, the pale skin a stark contrast to the tar-coated ship.
Without a word, she closed her eyes and lifted her palms into the air, and a hush fell over the water. The storm above still swirled angrily, lightning dancing across the night sky, but roaring waves turned to choppy waters.
A moment later, the storm itself began to calm, sheets of rain turning into a fine mist, and the booming thunder fading. The woman tilted her head to the sky curiously, but her expression didn't change.
And as the ship stopped violently swaying, the sailors began to cheer.
"It's the Goddess of the Sea!"
"Praise be the Lady of the Deep!"
"We're saved! Thank you! Thank you!"
With a deep bow of her head, the woman took her leave, walking to the edge of the ship and diving back into the ocean.
Some distance away, she resurfaced, her hair fanning out around her like floating seaweed. In that short swim, she had let her glamor fall, allowing her horns to appear atop her head as shimmery blue fins that framed the sides of her temples. Her eyes glowed an enchanting aqua blue, and pearly blue scales crawled down her neck, disappearing into the murky depths she floated in. Lifting one webbed hand out of the water, she stretched her clawed fingers and whispered sweet nothings to the sea, and it responded in kind, water solidifying into a thick sheet of ice beside her.
Tilting her head to the sky, she waited.
Moments later, a thick mist rolled across the water's surface, and with it, a great silhouette of a dragon appeared, each beat of its wings bringing a crackle of energy and a gust of air. With a silver flash, the dragon's shape became human just as its feet landed on the icy surface.
It would have been a graceful entrance, had Denki of the Stormy Skies not slipped the moment he landed. With an awkward squawk, he scrambled atop the ice, arms flailing, and the action sent the mist rolling away, showing a lanky humanoid form in shimmering silver robes tied off with a golden belt. His golden hair was cradled by horns in the shape of lightning bolts, with the silver light of his eyes reflecting softly off of their surface. Silver scales covered his arms up through his shoulders, disappearing under his clothes.
Huffing, he looked at the woman floating in the water beside him. "Pretend you were blind during that, if you would, Tsuyu the Tranquil Deep."
Tsuyu hummed softly in response, granting him his request. "I thank you for calming the storm. I hope you were not the cause in the first place."
"N-no! It was naturally occurring. You know that happens more now with the Silver Clan's decline," Denki said, frowning. "Our numbers are small, and the weather makes its displeasure known."
Tsuyu nodded once, slowly. "I see. Then what brings you to my waters, Denki?"
"Oh!" Silver eyes lit up as Denki clasped his clawed hands together. "I bring exciting news for the Aqua Clan! The best news we have heard in, well, decades!"
The water dragon tilted her head. "I am listening."
A wide smile pulled across the silver dragon's face, showing sharp teeth and utter delight. "The Viridian Clan lives!"
Tsuyu's brows lifted slightly, which for her, was a very extreme reaction. "Elaborate, for I do not understand."
Denki nodded, waving a hand dramatically. "Do you recall how the Hills of Aldera suffer less from the Great Wither?"
"I do," Tsuyu replied carefully. "The Elders suspect a pack of Viridian dragon kin might be hiding in its forests, bringing a small amount of life against the slow death spreading across the land. However, no one has found anything, despite frequent searches."
"Until recently!" Denki replied cheerfully, holding up a clawed finger. "Ochako the Tempest found a human with a curse. Except the human was actually a magic-bound half-dragon! Some whacko wizard had this crazy idea to bind his magic at birth, and this dragon child actually grew up thinking he was human! Can you believe it?"
Tsuyu was quiet for a long moment, staring at her companion. "And…this dragon raised as human… is actually Viridian?"
"Yes!" Denki bounced in place, which he realized was a bad idea, because he once again lost his footing on the ice and squeaked as he almost tipped into the ocean. Fortunately, he managed to use the winds to right himself before he splashed face-first. Flustered, he adjusted his robes and drew back his shoulders, as if he hadn't just made a complete fool of himself in front of one of the strongest of the Aqua Clan. "A-anyway, the binding was so strong it erased his entire scent! Ochako could not smell a trace of magic on him! However, she had been dreaming about him, you see, but she did not know it was him!"
"So how did she figure it out?" Tsuyu asked.
"The cultists who serve the lich figured it out first. We still do not know how," Denki replied, his voice laced with displeasure. "They kidnapped him and tried to make him descend. They…" He trailed off, shuddering. "They almost succeeded."
"But…?"
Denki smiled, sharp teeth visible thanks to the light his eyes cast. "The Tempest took that personally."
Tsuyu blinked, waiting for him to elaborate. The Silver dragon obliged her. "She borrowed the entire clan's magic, stormed the Decaying Mountains, and ripped him away from the cultists. I could feel the way she carried the storms across those mountains, and, ooh, I still get shivers thinking about it!"
As if to demonstrate, he shuddered, shrugging his shoulders up in delight, a ridiculously goofy smile on his face. "I'm so glad the Tempest is in our clan. Every time she uses our magic, the echo effect makes my skin buzz so pleasantly."
"That's nice," Tsuyu said flatly. It wasn't the first time she had to listen to Denki go on about members of his clan.
It took the Silver dragon a moment to refocus. "Anyway. The Viridian survivor is safe with us, and he is coming into his magic. When he does master it, the Great Wither can be put to an end."
"That is indeed good news," Tsuyu said warmly, bobbing gently in the water. "I thank you for bringing it, and I must thank Ochako for saving him. For all of us."
"Hah! About that," Denki replied, his tone turning cheeky. "Seems she has already claimed the Viridian as her own!"
"Has she? That seems most unlike her," Tsuyu replied evenly, although a trace of skepticism could be felt in her words. "She has rejected all suitors because they could not best her in battle, although at this point I think Katsuki keeps trying just to prove he can win. Regardless, a dragon raised as a human has no chance of defeating our Tempest, so how did he do it?"
"I do not know," Denki replied honestly, shrugging. "What I do know is that our Viridian survivor wears one of the Tempest's scales around his neck. Toru the Learned saw it personally, and a few others saw it at dinner."
Tsuyu looked more surprised by that than from anything else said tonight. "That custom has not been used in decades. I am surprised Ochako even knew it existed."
"Right? Who knew that she would go chase the undead and come back betrothed to the last Viridian? The Tempest moves fast!"
XX
Earlier that day…
When Ochako had stated the dragons' refuge was in the sky, Izuku had assumed she meant hidden away in the mountains. That was logical. It made sense. "The sky" wasn't a literal statement.
Now, an hour later, as they approached their destination, Izuku realized that was a really stupid assumption, because dragons only made literal statements.
From his place in Ochako's arms, being carried by the wind, he watched as they approached a set of floating islands wrapped in clouds, and he wondered just how many more surprises he would encounter today.
They landed on a marble platform, wide and spacious, and Izuku had to assume it was that size for full-sized dragons to land comfortably. Any further observations were derailed as he became acutely aware of the large crowd waiting for them, gathered at the edge of the platform. Most were in their human-like form, dressed in robes of various colors, each with different types of scales or horns or similar features. As much as he wanted to assume this was a usual greeting custom, he knew very well that was not the case when they all began to point at him as Ochako's feet touched the platform.
He gulped nervously, suddenly feeling incredibly self conscious with his new appearance that he was still coming into. His eyes flicked down to his hands, at the dark green claws that had evolved from his fingernails in the last day, and the bits of moss and lichen clinging to his wrists. The angry skin around his dragon mark was still swollen and discolored from what the cultists did, and honestly, it looked unsightly, sprawled over his bicep and forearm like cracked tree bark.
He had to wonder, as everyone stared at him, did he look how a half-dragon should? In some ways, he knew the answer was yes. He had scales and horns erupting out of his skin, one in the shape of glossy green leaves, and the other in tree branches on the cusp of Spring. It was hard to not be aware of them, with how they made his skin sensitive and itchy. And the way his curls were slowly turning from black to shades of dark green was probably within the realm of acceptable, given Tenya's silvery hair that glittered in the sun.
But… no one else had vines curling around their elbows. No one else had moss clinging to their skin and flowers blooming in their ponytail. No one else had a wound that looked like tree bark. Were these normal? Without anyone to really compare to, it made him self conscious, and as Ochako put him down, he felt the strong urge to hide behind her and out of their gaze. He'd never been much for attention anyway, given most of the attention he'd gotten over the years had been… bad.
As if sensing his anxiety, Ochako stepped in close, protectively, wrapping her arm around him in a way he just wanted to lean into. He refrained, too nervous to openly show that need for her strength, but she leaned in close to murmur in his ear, "Do not worry. They are excited to know you live. You bring hope."
He swallowed, nodding shallowly, eyes moving away from the crowd and to Tenya and his mother. Tenya was holding Inko's travel bag, refusing to even consider the idea that she should carry it. Beside him, Inko was taking the time to readjust her clothes that had been ruffled by the journey, smiling pleasantly as she did so, and seemingly unbothered at the idea of standing on a floating island with a crowd of dragon people staring her down. Why could he not have his mother's unwavering composure?
"We have returned, gloriously!" Tenya shouted, bowing to the crowd that had gathered in front of the platform.
And like that, the dam broke. They rushed forward, questions and comments coming all at once. Izuku sucked in a sharp breath, taking a step back as they came at him with eager interest, but as they closed in, Ochako stepped in front of him, stance wide as a burst of wind erupted from her form, halting the incoming crowd. The magic prevented them from continuing forward physically, but their words still followed.
"We want to see him, Tempest!"
"Ochako, did the cultists really start the ritual? Is he okay? Is he safe?"
"Can you control your magic? Have your ancestors spoken to you?"
"Is it true you were raised as a human? Did you really have no idea who you were?"
Their excited energy made his skin crawl and he found his breath quickening as his heart began to pound. Nervously, he took shelter behind the woman standing in front of him, grateful once again that he was a slight man.
"I–I," He grimaced at his own stutter, trying to find his voice, and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to get his nerves under control. This wasn't the same as Aldera. They meant no harm. Ochako was right there, and he could feel the way her magic was oozing off her form, offering him a protective barrier from the hyped crowd.
"Give him space, siblings!"
The voice that came from behind the crowd was not particularly booming or loud. It wasn't demanding or angry. In fact, one might call it soft and comforting. And yet… it was powerful. Immediately, everyone took a step back, clearing the platform, and a way was parted for the speaker to pass. Nervously, Izuku peeked over Ochako's shoulder to see the person approaching.
She moved gracefully, her white horns rising up around her head like a regal crown and wrapped in gold filigree with white stones. Her hair was like pale sunlight, and her skin and scales both the color of fresh snow. Dressed in robes of pristine white with gold accents she smiled warmly and bowed her head in greeting.
"Please forgive our brethren. Your existence brings good tidings, and it has been so long since we had good news. We welcome you, Izuku Midoriya, heir of the Viridian clan, and you, Inko Midoriya, beloved of Hisashi of the Emerald Valley."
"Um t-thanks," Izuku replied, still unable to quell his nervous stutter or the pounding of his heart. He tried again, this time a little louder. "T-thank you for receiving me. I just…need some time to adjust, and, uh… then I can answer your questions?"
"Ah!" Tenya proclaimed, holding a silver claw into the air. "Shall I tell the story on your behalf? It would be my honor to regale your origins and rescue to my fellow brothers and sisters and those in between!"
"O-oh," Izuku replied softly, glancing over at the Silver dragon. "Yeah, p-please. That would be great."
With a proud grin, Tenya began to round up the other dragons, ushering them towards… somewhere. "Let us go, and I shall spare you no details!"
Carefully, Izuku leaned forward and whispered in Ochako's ear. "Uhm… how much does he actually know?"
Ochako turned her head slightly, and he could hear the wry amusement in her voice. "Enough to distract them. Not enough to get it right."
Izuku furrowed his brow at that, but before he could worry too hard about what consequences that might have, the dragon in white spoke again.
"Thank you for your patience with us. My name is Ryuko the Wise. I imagine you have many questions, and fortunately, I am a creature of many answers. Walk with me."
They fell into pace behind her, and with the crowd distracted, Izuku could finally look at his surroundings.
The architecture was towering and spacious, with rounded archways large enough to let a full sized dragon walk through. The structures were very open and organic in their design, with curves and columns instead of corners and doors. The hallways and arcades were tall and wide, wrapping around courtyards filled with ornate fountains and remains of gardens that would have been beautiful before the Great Wither.
As they moved across the marbled floors and past richly colored tapestries, Ryuko spoke, her voice gentle and soothing. It did a lot to calm Izuku's bundle of nerves.
"These islands are called the Heights Alliance. Once upon a time, they were filled with dragonkin from all clans. Our offspring ran in these halls. Our brethren danced in the courtyards and bathed in the heated pools. Now, with our numbers so few, many of our rooms only house memories."
Izuku looked over at his mother, who stepped in and took his hand in hers as they walked behind Ryuko. Ochako was behind them, moving so silently that Izuku only knew she was there by the sweet scent she gave off. Ryuko continued. "When the last Viridian died, we closed off the Viridian wing out of respect for the dead. We reopened it this morning in anticipation of your return, and it will be ready for you."
"Oh, um, thank you," Izuku replied, finding it easier to talk now that he wasn't being overwhelmed by everything. "And–and my mother?"
"She is an honored guest. As a lover of the late Hisashi, and as your mother, she will be treated as a member of the Viridian clan. The wing is hers as well." Ryuko turned slightly, looking back at them. "If that is acceptable…?"
"It is wonderful," Inko replied warmly, smiling. "I appreciate your hospitality."
Ryuko smiled back, sharp teeth with no malice. "What questions might you have that I may answer for you? Bear in mind, I am not omniscient, despite my clan's designation."
"Ah," Izuku replied softly, looking up. "What are the different clans?"
"Mm," Ryuko nodded slowly, as she was prone to do. The metal decorations hanging from her horns waved softly with the action. "Each clan represents a certain order in nature, and our magic aligns by that order. You are already familiar with the Silver Clan, the harbingers of the seasons and the elements. And you now know you are the sole survivor of the Viridian clan, which represents the cycle of life and death. Of growth, nature, and prosperity."
She paused, turning to him with a smile, and he blinked, coming to a stop in response. It was then he realized that his magic, as they walked, had been slowly flowing out, leaving behind small blossoms and budding leaves in his wake. The courtyard to their left, just past the arcade, had been slowly spreading in green grass and dandelions, and one could see, in real time, how it was slowly coming back to life, bit by bit.
He blushed, because despite it being a good thing, it wasn't something he meant to do. It was just… happening.
"Do not be ashamed. There is no harm for your magic to simply flow free, and soon you will learn to control it. In fact, letting it be as your body adjusts is for the best."
He nodded, shooting his mother a nervous look, to which she gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his hand.
Ryuko turned forward again, but continued to speak as she walked. "Besides the two you know, there are six other clans. The Vermillion Clan boasts the magic of fire and heat, and its relative associations. The Aqua Clan lord over the waters, from the oceans to the smallest streams, and the ecosystems within. The Bronze Clan are protectors of the earth, strong as the hardest of rocks, and rich as the most fertile of soils. The Golden Clan are creatures of Arcane and order, and of magic without an intrinsic natural element, much like the magic many human wizards use in their spells. The Amethyst Clan are the muses of the world, inspiring creation and art, and their magic does the same. And finally, the White Clan, my own, are the creatures of knowledge and dreams. We know much, and we curate that knowledge through the world of dreaming."
Izuku inhaled, eyes wide. "That… um. That's a lot."
"It is," Ryuko agreed warmly, not looking behind. "Unfortunately, many of our clans are nearing extinction, not unlike the Viridian clan. Golden and Amethyst both suffer heavily, and Silver has diminished due to the heavy burden they must carry, and Vermillion has suffered similar losses as well."
Inko glanced back behind them towards Ochako. "Are… all Silver dragons like Miss Ochako? As in, what we call Dragon Knights?"
"Not all," Ochako said quietly, something heavy in her voice. "While the Silver clan's magic is the best for putting to rest our kind that have descended into undeath, most full-blooded dragons are not… well adapted to be warriors. It is those of us who are half-breeds who take up that mantle. We are better able to manipulate our magic outside of the natural order."
"What do you mean?" Izuku asked, looking back at her.
Ochako shrugged, silver eyes looking at him briefly, before back at the courtyard that was slowly resurrecting before her eyes. "Dragons play a role in nature. We keep the world moving. A full-fledged dragon has to abide by those rules. A half breed, because they have human blood, can bend those rules so that magic can be used more… strategically, if you will."
She paused, before adding, "And in my case, the rules do not apply."
Izuku came to a stop, and the others stopped with him. His brow furrowed as he considered what she said. "Wait… why don't the rules apply to you?"
"Because she is a second generation half-blood. Both of her parents are half human, and we were… desperate, if not curious. What would happen if they gave birth to a child?" Ryuko said almost clinically. "The result is the warrior you see before you. The elements are hers to command, at uncanny strength like a Silver clan elder, however she can use that magic like a human might…"
"In combat," Ochako said simply, eyes leveling on Izuku. "I said to you before. I am bred for battle. This is how. Our kind are dying, and my role in this is to protect those I can, and slay those who have fallen, and I do so with my entire being."
They stared at each other, and there was something in her gaze that Izuku could not identify, but it felt… melancholic. It was a heavy burden she had been tasked with, and he recalled the few times her mask had slipped, and he saw the weight of that burden on her face. And while he knew he shouldn't put human emotions on the situation, he couldn't help but ask, "Are you… okay with that? With what you do, I mean. Does it… does it make you happy?"
Ochako looked back at him with an intensity that made his heart pound. "Before, it was my duty. I did not put my emotions into it. Just my power. However, that has changed. You are here, and you are now the one I must protect most. For the first time, I look at my duty, and I am pleased. No one shall take this honor from me."
Her declaration made a warm flush crawl over his skin, from the top of his head down to his neck and shoulders. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his mother looking at him, but he would be damned if he would glance back to see what kind of look it was.
Not after that statement.
Not with the way it made his heart pound.
Not with how pleased Ochako looked, a self-satisfied smile on her lips as she stared at him, daring him to say anything at all.
Like he would say anything. He wanted her attention, and she knew it. But did she have to embarrass him in front of everyone at every waking moment? What a sadist…
Ryuko hummed behind them. "The Tempest is revered by all clans, and has the status of a full dragon because of her magic and skill. This is not something that was forced against her will, although I do understand why one raised as human might think that. Your kind have… very unkind treatment towards each other throughout history."
"You have no idea…" Inko breathed, and Izuku ducked his head a little, knowing very well she was thinking about how he had been treated all his life.
"I disagree. I have been alive long enough to have many ideas," Ryuko replied, and the irony was not lost on Izuku that a dragon of knowledge did not get the meaning of his mother's statement.
Before anyone could reply, someone came from around the corner. "Oh! I found you!"
He stood tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair. He wore bronze robes that shimmered softly in the light filtering in from the courtyard, and his horns twisted and curled in contrast to the way his hair stood up straight. "Please excuse my interruption," He started, taking a deep bow. "Tenya the Zephyr spoke highly of Lady Inko Midoriya's ability to transform foods in the kitchen. I have humbly come to request that she demonstrate this skill to me on the boars brought back for tonight's meal."
Inko blinked owlishly from her place beside her son before her surprise melted into warm reception. "I'd be happy to. To whom do I owe the honor of assisting?"
"Oh, please excuse me! I am Rikido the Rock Wall. I normally cook the meat for our kind to eat, and Tenya speaks his praises of how you make it taste delectable and tender."
Inko smiled, then looked at her son. "Are you okay with me leaving?"
Izuku gave her a soft smile in return. "I–I'll be okay. Ochako's here. Are you okay leaving me?"
Inko's smile turned smug. "I am. Miss Ochako's here."
The blush that had almost receded came back full force as his mother patted his arm and followed Rikido in the other direction. Ochako stepped up beside him, watching his mother leave before looking over at him. "I suspect after dinner, they shall try to steal her from you, given her skills with food."
She paused, before adding, "You should know, Izuku, that I will fight anyone who tries to steal you from me."
He grinned nervously, face aflame, because he knew she meant his baking skills, but damn if that didn't sound like something else that he wished for more. However, before he could say anything, Ryuko hummed, catching their attention. "Forgive my interruption, but we have a priority to address. It is my understanding, based on the Tempest's message, that the cultists started their ritual before she arrived. While you seem to be alive and well, we should do what we can to confirm that. It is possible whatever they did to you may have an adverse effect on your body or your magic. Would you allow one of our healers to examine you?"
Izuku blinked, looking up at the white dragon before him. "Oh, y-yeah, that's, um, probably a good idea. Thanks…"
Ryuko nodded, pushing open a large set of ornate doors, the first that Izuku could recall seeing as they walked through the halls. Inside was a large atrium with a glass ceiling. Books and cabinets lined the walls, and several raised beds large enough to house dragons were scattered across the floor, with a few smaller beds for human-sized individuals.
There was one person inside, happily humming as she carried a box of jars across the room. Her hair was chartreuse with pink highlights, but her horns were snowy white, as were her robes. She turned and offered a fanged smile. "Greetings, Ryuko, Ochako. Is this our Viridian heir?"
Her eyes leveled on him and Izuku offered a tiny smile and a little wave. "Um… hi?"
"Izuku, this is Toru the Learned. Toru, this is Izuku of the Viridian Clan," Ryuko said, moving past him. Izuku looked between the two dragons, jumping when Ochako gently bumped him with her shoulder, encouraging him forward.
Ryuko turned so she could look between him and the healer. "Would you please examine him for any lingering magic that could be affecting him? The lich's agents started the ritual before our Tempest arrived, and afterward, his magic was in a volatile state for the night. Though, I hope what we see now is a normal side effect of him coming into his powers."
Izuku stiffened, looking behind him to see the vines that were appearing on the doors they walked through. He turned back and gave an apologetic look. "I'm, um, I'm so sorry."
"Do not apologize for your magic," Ochako reminded, firmly but gently.
Izuku nodded nervously, cheeks pink. "R-right, um. What would you like me to do?"
Toru hummed, putting the box away so she could have her hands free. "Come stand in this circle under the sky lights, please."
She gestured to a circle carved into the stone floor, with lines intersecting in three ways. Izuku nodded, moving to stand in the center. Toru approached him, giving him an appraising look. "Remove those clothes. They will only be in the way."
"W-what?" Izuku all but squeaked, eyes moving between the three dragon women. "My clothes?"
Ryuko bowed her head, apparently understanding the reason for his balking. "I shall wait outside. Tempest?"
In contrast, Ochako snorted, putting her hands on her hips. "Your shame is unnecessary. You were mostly nude in my arms after I saved you from the cultists."
Izuku gave her a pained look, feeling his entire body burn from embarrassment. "Don't say it like that."
"Is it inaccurate?" She lifted a brow, challenging.
Shoulders dropping, Izuku tilted his head up at the glass ceiling and groaned. She had seen him pretty close to naked, after all. And honestly, dragons seemed to not care too much about… well, modesty. "Okay, fine. Stay."
With a resigned sigh he started to pull his shirt off, but the fabric very quickly tangled on his horns and his scales. He grunted, doing his best to work the fabric free without tearing it when suddenly hands stilled him and began to gently pull the material off of his scales. He felt embarrassed that Toru was helping, but floundering would have been worse.
Or at least, he thought it was Toru until the fabric was dislodged and carefully pulled over his still-growing horns, and he found himself staring at Ochako's amused face. She grinned at him, holding his shirt. "You need proper clothes of dragon hair to not catch on your scales."
"U-uhm, yeah," Izuku replied, rubbing his hands over his biceps, feeling incredibly exposed. "I'll… um. Look into that?"
Ochako hummed, reaching up to tuck a piece of his hair behind his ear, and he bit his lip shyly, acutely aware Toru was right there, even if she seemed to not pay the affection any mind, taking the shirt from Ochako and placing it on one of the tables. "There are Viridian robes stored away in your wing. I shall fetch them for you while Toru finishes her exam, and I shall put your bag in your room. Wait for me here."
Izuku nodded, eyes on her hand as she pulled away. "Okay."
Without another word, the Tempest took her leave, and Izuku watched her go, sighing softly. After a moment, he realized Toru was still waiting on him to finish undressing, and his face immediately turned red as he reached for his belt. "Uhh… right. Um. Sorry?"
Toru tilted her head in response, her eyes falling to the pendant around his neck. Izuku followed her gaze, looking down at his chest. "O-oh, um. Can I leave this on? It's, well, Ochako gave it to me, and it's special to me."
The White dragon blinked, reptilian eyes looking over at him, her expression strange. "I would not dare ask you to remove something so precious. It may stay on, as well as your undergarments. I simply need to examine your torso and limbs, Viridian one."
"Oh, thank gods," Izuku breathed, grateful that some of his dignity was to be spared. He missed how the dragon beside him tapped her claws to her lips in wonder as he made to remove the rest of his clothes.
XX
It was really the first time Ochako had ever stepped in the Viridian wing. Its green marbled floors hadn't been walked in over twenty years, and the planters were long since dead. The fountains had been restored this morning, water flowing through them once again, and the lamps lit, with soft orbs of light casting beautiful pale greens and golds along the columns and walls.
She stopped in front of the round double doors of rich mahogany. A large tree was carved into the doors, with the Viridian mark at its center. The room had once belonged to Hisashi of the Emerald Valley, and now, it belonged to Izuku.
Pushing the doors open, she stepped inside, looking around the room. The large round bed had been dressed and prepared for him, filled with pillows and quilts in earth tones, accented with gold embroidery. The windows were open, with the curtains fluttering in the gentle breeze. Ochako nodded in satisfaction that the room was adequate for him and placed his bag by the bed.
With that, she turned and walked out of the room and down the halls. According to the paintings of the Viridian ancestors that decorated the wing, Hisashi was much taller than Izuku, so she needed to find robes from one of the shorter members. Just as she stepped out, a familiar scent of burning wood touched her nose, coupled with the soft allure of a quiet, winter morning.
"I wondered why I smelled petrichor in these halls."
Ochako turned at the familiar voice, a slight smile on her lips. "Hello, Winter Fire."
The dragon walking toward her gave her the faintest of smiles, moving through the beams of sunlight filtering in from the open corridors. Unlike most dragons, who had a single color to represent their clan, he wore a robe of silver with an overcoat of deep crimson. The contrast of colors matched his unusual appearance. His long, two-toned hair, half silver and half red, was pulled into a high ponytail, with two locks framing his face. Deep red horns curled up around his head with little silver bangles wrapped around the tips, matching the silver earrings he wore. The handful of visible scales on his neck were silver with red tips, and his claws were the same. Underneath his bangs, one eye shimmered like a misty cloud, and the other glowed like an ember from a fire.
"Tempest," he replied evenly, but Ochako still felt the warmth in his greeting. She grinned, stepping forward and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace he immediately returned, clawed hands holding her snugly to him. "I am pleased you returned to us safely."
"I always do, Shoto," she replied matter-of-factly. At that, Shoto pulled back to look at her, eyes sweeping over her face.
"You are exhausted," he pointed out, frowning. "Your magic does not flow freely around you. It is fragmented. You need rest."
"And I shall take it tonight," Ochako promised, sliding her hands to his shoulders and patting them fondly. "I could not afford much rest until Izuku was here. Now we are here, and once Toru confirms he is unharmed, I will be at ease."
He hummed thoughtfully, the sound vibrating in his chest like a large cat's purr. "I know no other as dedicated to their calling as you, Tempest."
She flashed him her teeth in response, grinning. "When you meet him, you shall see why it is so easy to want to protect him. Come. Help me find Viridian robes that would fit me."
Shoto tilted his head, the silvery jewelry swaying with the motion. "Why are you going to wear Viridian robes?"
"I am not, but if we find ones that fit me, they shall fit Izuku. He is a slight man. Small. Fits well in my arms."
"I see. Then I shall help. I recall Ibara the Unyielding Growth was of short stature."
And together, the two dragons set off down the emerald corridors in search of some appropriate clothes for the last Viridian.
XX
Toru exhaled, letting her magic drop from her hands as she finished her exam. "I do not sense anything malicious lingering in you. Whatever they did to your magic seems to be temporary. However, your body is still very strained from the sudden changes. Spend the next two days resting. This will allow your magic to settle, and that should make it easier to learn."
Izuku nodded, rubbing his hands over his arms in a bout of insecurity. "O-okay. Thank you. I'll… take it easy."
"I am unsure what you are taking easily," Toru replied, tilting her head. "What is there to take?"
Izuku opened his mouth to respond, but the doors to the ward pushed open, and Ochako returned, followed by a dragon he didn't recognize dressed in red and silver. He inhaled nervously, remembering his state of dress, however his eyes fell to the fabric Ochako had in her arms. She came to a stop in front of him, holding it up for him to take. "See how these fit you."
Izuku took them, brows lifting at the satin texture as he unfolded the fabric and pulled it on. The material was a rich green with gold stitching, and it slid smoothly over his scales, never catching against their ridges. His brows lifted as he secured the robe in place, tying the sash around his waist. It was just a touch too large, but not enough to be hindering. The hem stopped at his ankles and the neckline was a little loose.
Ochako hummed, looking him over, before she grinned up at the dragon standing beside her. "You made a good choice."
The other dragon offered a faint smile. "This is your Izuku, then?"
Her grin widened, and Izuku turned pink as she replied, "Yes, he is my Izuku."
"Congratulations," the dragon said, which was a slightly odd thing to say, and even Ochako tilted her head, but before anyone could question it, he bowed. "My name is Shoto the Winter Fire. It is a pleasure to meet you, Izuku of the Viridian Clan."
Tucking his hair behind his ear, Izuku smiled. "Nice to meet you, too."
XX
Most of the afternoon was spent with Izuku walking with Ochako and Shoto through the halls, familiarizing himself with the layout of the islands. He learned that for half dragons who couldn't fly, special areas had been set up to allow them to teleport to the other islands. Ochako made him try it, and it was a strange sensation as the magic moved him. The best way he could describe it was being squeezed very tightly both on the inside and the out, but it was so short-lived that it really didn't feel uncomfortable. Definitely weird, though.
There were five islands, with two dedicated to housing the clans, spread out into differing wings. One island, the one they landed on, held the communal buildings, including the kitchen, dining hall, and medical ward. Of the two remaining islands, one was dedicated for storage of various things, from food to materials, and the other was the bathing springs, wrapped in a cloud of steam, and with pools large enough a dragon of full size could soak comfortably.
Ochako insisted Izuku have a bath, advising the mineral waters would soothe his angered skin. He had a moment of panic that she might try to bathe with him, but much to his relief, she and Shoto stayed off to the side and she pulled up a wall of fog to grant him privacy.
It was the best bath he had ever had in his life. He hadn't realized how tired he was until he sunk into the hot water and groaned, leaning back against a rock. Immediately, his skin felt less irritated, and with a weary sigh, he let the heat seep into his bones. He wasn't sure how long he stayed in the bath, but by the time he got out and dried off, his fingers were a little pruny, but his skin felt so much better.
Moving past the fog, he found Ochako and Shoto, blinking at finding the former with her head in the latter's lap, snoozing quietly. Shoto seemed unbothered, staring off into the clouds thoughtfully. When he saw Izuku, he nodded his head, then gave the dragon girl a tap on her shoulder. "Your Izuku is done bathing, Tempest."
Ochako was awake in an instant, sitting up and yawning. "Mmm, good. How do you feel?"
"B-better," Izuku replied, tugging at the sleeve of his robe. "You were right. This helped a lot."
Part of him couldn't help but focus on how he found them. Was… it just dragon culture to be that physically comfortable? Or was there something between the two? Regardless of the answer, it made him question her intentions with him, and he hated the way his anxiety ate at him, unsure of what she actually felt towards him.
His worries plagued him all the way to dinner.
The dining halls were large, and many dragons sat in clusters on cushions around round tables. The dragon from earlier, Rikido, was bringing out large plates of meat, and Izuku saw his mother back in the kitchen, completely in her element. He wouldn't have been surprised to learn she had been cooking since she left. It was probably a good way for her to burn off her own nervous energy. He didn't doubt she was still upset about him being kidnapped and almost killed, even if she was hiding it.
Ochako tugged him along, and he found himself seated between her and Shoto at one of the tables, along with Tenya, and two dragons he didn't recognize. One was a girl with pink hair and purple scales on her arms. Her horns were sharp and thin, and she wore pale purple robes with pink accents. Her eyes were interesting, with black sclera and golden irises. She flashed him a toothy smile as he sat down, but didn't dwell too much on his presence, far more interested in leaning against the dragon beside her. He was toned, his bronze robes sleeveless, and his bronze scales glittered softly in the dining hall lights. Twisted horns came out of his head not unlike Rikido's, a contrast to his shaggy dark hair that framed his face. He had a few scars, including one over his eyebrow, and he gave Izuku a fanged smile, lifting a clawed hand in greeting, the other lightly resting on the Amethyst dragon's thigh.
"Greetings, Izuku the Viridian," the Bronze dragon said, his eyes shimmering like gold dust. "I am Eijiro the Unbreakable, and this is my betrothed, Mina the Moving."
Mina waggled her claws at him, not lifting her head from Eijiro's shoulder. "Tenya has told us your story, and how you grew up as a human. That must have been very lonely."
Izuku gave a polite, albeit bashful smile. "Without my mother… it would have been unbearable."
Eijiro's eyes flashed. "We look forward to meeting her and sampling her dinner. The word has spread that her magic soars in the kitchen."
Izuku furrowed his brow, intending to correct them that it wasn't magic, but Ochako chuckled beside him. "Wait till you try the pastries," she said, lifting her head up slightly. "I have never had such delectable food in all my years of travel, until I spent two weeks living with these two. Their skills are unmatched."
Tenya leaned forward, eyes wide over his spectacles that he most assuredly didn't need, but still had yet to remove. "Izuku! Do you also know the ways of the kitchen?"
"W-well," Izuku replied, shyly tugging at the sleeve of his shirt. "Yes. Both my mother and I enjoy baking, but there's no magic involved. It's more… a science."
"Alchemy?" Mina asked, putting a clawed finger to her chin.
"...Close enough," Izuku concluded with a weary smile. He was spared further elaboration when a large platter of food was placed on their table, with thick cuts of tender pork and several slices of boiled eggs. It was no surprise the dinner was lacking in vegetables. There were none growing here.
Conversation fortunately became sparse as everyone ate, and mostly got reduced to praise to Inko's cooking. The woman herself had snuck over once every table had food, and Ochako made room so she could sit between her and Izuku. Before Inko could even attempt to serve herself, Izuku had snatched up her plate and leaned forward, grabbing several slices of pork and a couple of eggs from the platter. The action caused his pendant to fall out of his robe, the silver scale glittering softly as it dangled from his neck.
He didn't notice the way several eyes fell on it, especially since people had been looking at him all evening, far more focused on making sure his mother had food and was taken care of.
It was only after he had sat back down that he realized he couldn't feel the comforting warmth of the scale against his chest and he glanced down, quickly tucking it away so that it lay against his skin, before returning to his meal.
XX
Somehow, he knew he was dreaming. He stood in the center of a great platform, formed by branches woven together in looping patterns. Around him were various silhouettes of dragons, some in full form, some in humanoid form, all embodied in green flames. Behind them were tall, gnarled trees, ancient and powerful, each with a spiral heart on its trunk.
He looked around, trying to understand what was going on. It was then a dragon approached, its body towering over his small form. Through the Viridian fire, he could see beautiful green scales, and the reptilian eyes looked down at him almost… fondly.
It huffed a plume of green smoke from its nostrils, and Izuku felt, rather than heard, its voice deep inside of him.
"Child of ours, survivor of our clan, we welcome you, and we await you. As you grow into who you are, your connection to us will strengthen. Do not fear it. Do not shy from it. To harness all the magic of the cycles, the full power of our clan, you must foster this connection. It is vital to your success in restoring what the world has lost in our deaths. With our help, you will succeed."
Quietly, Izuku stepped forward, clawed fingers coming to touch the snout of the dragon before him. Its lips pulled back in what he suspected was supposed to be a smile, and for a brief moment, he could see the flowers woven in the dragon's mane.
He sucked in a breath, eyes wide as he had a single thought before he woke up.
'Hisashi of the Emerald Valley.'
XX
Izuku awoke with a start, staring up at the vaulted ceiling of a room most unfamiliar to him, with green vines hanging from the beams. It took a moment to recognize he was in his new room inside the Viridian wing.
The room that once belonged to his father.
He exhaled softly, pushing himself up into a seated position on the bed far too big for one half dragon who couldn't transform. He huffed softly in amusement, eyes lingering on the sheets tangled around his waist. His robe hung off one shoulder, its size getting the better of him in his sleep, and he pursed his lips at the way vines sprawled out over the marbled floors, white moon flowers blooming under the pale moonlight shining through the open windows. It wasn't as bad as the previous night, where his entire room in the cottage had been covered in moss, vines and mushrooms, but he still felt ridiculous.
The sheer curtains were blowing softly, fluttering with the cool breeze rolling through the room, but a flash of silver made his breath catch, and he looked up to see a familiar form sitting on the window sill. She was asleep, back against the frame and one leg drawn up. Her scales glittered in the moonlight, and it was the first time Izuku had ever seen her wear something besides her battle dress. The silver robes draped against her body, gathering at her thighs thanks to the way she was perched.
He had no idea why she was there, but he found himself admiring the way the pale light made her skin almost glow, and how the Silver clan's robes actually made her look more beautiful than her battle dress, somehow.
Finally, his sleep-muddled brain began to work, and he realized there was no real reason she should be there. Frowning, he slid to the edge of the bed and moved silently across the floor, the marble cool against his bare feet. Just as he reached out to touch her, her eyes snapped open and her hand caught his wrist, reflexes so fast he didn't realize what happened until after it was done.
She blinked, startled, before letting go of him to look up at him in confusion. He gave her an equally confused look in return. "What are you doing?"
She hummed, rubbing at her eyes with a hand. "I was sleeping."
He sighed, this time giving her a flat look. "Yes, I saw that. Why are you sleeping there? The window is hardly a comfortable place. You're not even using the pillows right here."
To his surprise, she didn't immediately answer, brows furrowing and lips pursed. It was unusual that she hesitated, and he found himself sitting down on one of the pillows lining the window sill, his hand resting atop hers.
"I…" she started, looking down at his hand, "I could not sleep in my own bed. I did not understand why. Although I was so tired, my body would not allow me to rest. When I thought over why it was, I realized… it was because I could not see you. Even though this place is safe, I…" She swallowed, and Izuku almost felt like her rosy cheeks had spread across her whole face. "I still feel uncomfortable if I cannot see that you are safe. So I thought I would… sleep here. Where I could watch you. I apologize for disturbing you, for I know you are also tired."
He felt his own cheeks heat up, a shy smile touching his lips. "I'm safe now. You rescued me. I'd say there's no need to worry, but… I know what that's like." He paused, glancing back to the bed behind him, large enough for at least six people. They had already shared a bed once, so…
Curling his fingers around her hand, he stood up, tugging her toward him. "If seeing me is what you need to sleep well, then at least come stay on the bed where it's comfortable. I mean, it's huge. We could sleep on opposite sides and never touch."
Even if he didn't want that, he was too nervous to not give her an out, even as she slid gracefully off the window sill and followed after him. He loved the way the silver robes fell around her, dragging against her legs as she moved. She yawned cutely, covering her mouth with her free hand, and he bit back a grin, letting go of her to crawl back into bed.
Just as he slid under the sheets and moved to get to the far side, she was beside him, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him flush up against her. He squeaked in surprise, feeling his face go aflame more from his reaction than from their positions, although that did contribute a little. His heart was pounding as she hummed in approval, snuggling up against him and nuzzling his cheek with her nose.
"Your heart is excited," she mumbled, and the way her voice was right in his ear made him shudder.
"Y-yeah, I, um, you caught me by surprise," he admitted breathlessly.
"Mm, I know. It amuses me. You are cute," she replied, still nuzzling him. His face burned, but despite his embarrassment, he was ecstatic that this was what she wanted. With him.
He didn't know what they were exactly, but she was here, with him, holding onto him because she needed to know he was safe, and snuggling him because she wanted to. With a happy sigh, he twisted in her arms until he was comfortable, his back to her, and she hummed her approval, tugging him close and throwing a leg over his thighs. His arm covered hers, and he threaded their fingers together, enjoying the way her smaller hand felt against his.
He stayed awake until he felt her breathing slow, each gentle breath like a warm zephyr on the back of his neck. Her grip on him loosened slightly as she fell asleep, and he smiled to himself, loving how his bed now smelled of petrichor, and that felt just so very right.
He was asleep before he knew it, and the Viridian dream did not return for the night.
