[ Only fools try to summon the King of Demons. Fools, and people who wish for death. So much so that the exact ritual needed to do so has been lost for centuries.

So when he feels the pull, the pulse of desperation that comes from summoning, he lets it happen. To see just who was foolhardy enough to bite off more than they could chew, to try and subjugate and control powers far greater than they could fathom.

The ritual that Basil uses is a success. A dark portal appears, crackling with red lightning around the edges, and only a few moments later, a boy steps out. He's- unremarkable, truly. Looks human enough that it could be a mistake somehow.

But Kazuya doesn't pay his summoner any mind immediately. Instead, he smudges his foot at the circle. There's usually some attempt at caging summoned demons for the summoners own protection. Demons are fickle, after all. More prone to attacking a summoner outright than to listen to a demand. Freedom is ever the allure, and blood a close second.

When the circle smudges, and a feeble barrier is broken, it's- amusing. It'd have had no hope of confining even the weakest of demons, and using such a thing in hopes of ensnaring their King...]

It's been awhile since someone last called on me. Pretty bold of you, I think. You caught [hah. ] me in a good mood, so I'll hear you out, at least.

( Basil is well aware that he's doing more than he can handle. He's aware of the risks and that death could be a direct result of all of this. However, if he were to die he knew that this would be due to his own carelessness rather than something he had little control over. That doesn't change how scared he was. As soon as Kazuya steps out of the portal, Basil feels himself tensing up almost immediately.

It feels like the air has grown only more heavy, and his eyes lower. Somehow, he suddenly feels far smaller than he did before, fingers twisting together in front of him. This... demon... looked strangely human, but he knows far better than to let his guard down. He has no idea how strong they are, but Basil would be a fool not to think that he could die in an instant if he approaches this the wrong way. )

I... ( He tries to find the words, and his tone is quiet. ) I... I need protection.

M-My life has been in danger for a long time... I can't outrun the demons after me anymore.

( Would he realize that Basil hadn't intended to summon any demon in particular? Would it be obvious? )

[Kazuya moves, hoists himself up to sit like he's some sort of friend and not a monster that could kill his summoner in a moment when he proves to no longer be amusing. But then, his summoner has that going for him, doesn't he? He's small. Weak. Desperate. All of the things that make him ready and ripe for consumption for any demon, and and would be an incredibly tasty treat besides.

He clasps his hands together, contemplatively.]

And in exchange for my protection, what do you offer? You're not just asking for something for nothing, are you?

( Despite the casual movements, Basil only tenses up all the more. What can he give... There's nothing. He has nothing of value besides an old photo album and some spare plants. He doesn't have anyone he would ever dare even think of sacrificing. For all Basil knows, the thing that he could demand is his life in exchange for some temporary safety. )

N-No. ( Basil bites his lower lip, lifting his gaze upwards for only a moment. He so nervous, anxious. Whatever consequence happens from here, it's something he deserves for his recklessness. )

I... know that I can't ask for something without giving you anything, but I... I don't know what I can give.

No? You summoned a demon without even considering what you could offer them in exchange?

[That's bold. And stupid. He should be offended, but he's not. Instead, he just leans in, intrigued, eyes wide and curious.]

Most humans tend to offer material valuables that we demons don't have much use for anyway. And blood sacrifices only get you so far as well.

[So where does that leave them? Well, Kazuya is technically bound to his summoner until a deal is reached or the summoner dies. Not that that necessarily means he has any obligation to protect him, however...]

But if you want me to choose something I want from you, I can certainly do that too.

( Instantly, Basil feels himself back away, his grip tightening further, if it were possible. )

I-I didn't know what else to do. ( He whispers. It was a last ditch attempt to save his own skin. ) All I have-- are photos and flowers.

( And those were so very valuable to him. His captured memories were everything. But, those are useless to a demon. )

And the important people to me-- ( They aren't friends. Not anymore. ) I-I don't... I don't want them to get hurt.

What exactly would you want? ( He's indeed desperate. Leaving it in the hands of a demon could mean risking everything. )

Don't run. You can't escape now, even if you wanted to. And if it's not me consuming you, it will be another demon either way.

[It's said in response to him backing up, and Kazuya just sighs, and shakes his head before shrugging and leaning back on his hands.]

I'm intrigued enough that I won't kill you on the spot, and amused enough by your poor wards and lack of even an offer that I'm willing to offer you a deal. Not that you're in any place to deny me it, but I'm feeling charitable enough.

You'll have the protection you seek from the King of Demons, and my word that no demon will harm even a single hair on your head for the remainder of your life, and in exchange, we flip the script a little. I don't belong to you, but you belong to me, and I am exempt from that first bit, and can do whatever I please with you, whenever I please it.

( Moving felt like instinct, more than anything else. He knows that there's no where to run. If no here, than he'll die the moment he steps outside. He's more than aware that what he had just done must have attracted the company of other demons.

The King of Demons... It doesn't make any sense at all. Basil wasn't nearly as experienced as those who had advised him on what to do or the authors of the books he had read about summoning a demon. He expected someone far less well-known. The knot in his throat makes it difficult to speak for a moment.

He feels his heart drop. This... This is what he wanted, isn't it? He wanted safety. He knew that he would have to give up something, but he hadn't expected his freedom to be what he would have to give up in response. )

... I don't understand. ( It's a meek response. ) There's... nothing that I can do that would make myself useful to you. If you're the king, you can probably get anything you want anywhere else.

But, I know that i-if I want protection ( this is not what he wanted, not at all. ) I don't have a choice.

I could get anything I wanted at any time, especially through a show of force.

[Anyone would be hard-pressed to delay him from doing so, let alone stopping him.

He stands, gives a stretch of his limbs that makes it seem like he's not as intimidating as he knows he is. Even other demons cower when the King comes around.]

But sometimes things willingly given are more valuable. Especially when it comes to freedom, don't you think?

( The more they talk, the more Basil's forcing himself to try to ease himself into the conversation. It's... not easy. But, it helps that the person who appeared in front of him seems to human right now. He stops himself from backing away any further, gaze finally lifting a little. By now, Kazuya must see the way that Basil's body is still tense and shaking, and the even breathing he's attempting to try to calm himself down. )

... But, I don't have a choice. ( It can't be willingly given if he's going to die either way. ) And, I thought that... ( He stops. ) if I was going to die, I want it to be in a way that I choose.

( Once again, he falls silent. He's already made up his mind, but he's dreading giving him an answer. Basil must seem so small and fragile in comparison to someone like this. It's how he feels, but at the least - he isn't trying to run away. His mind is racing with possibilities of what exactly all of this could mean for him. What would he have to do? What exactly does a King of Demons do?

It feels like it's ages before he responds. He can do this. He made the resolve to do this the moment he drew that summoning circle. )

I'll-- do it.

Under duress is good enough.

[Really, very few people don't make a demonic bargain under duress, so it was probably as far as his luck was going to go anyway. Still, even for all of the hopelessness he possesses in his frame, there's the resilience in him that's the will to live. The will to do anything to achieve that, even if it's through less than ideal circumstances.

He can respect it.

Kazuya holds out his hand, typical for a devils deal.]

Then I'll bind you to me, for the rest of your natural life.

[It could be worse. Truly. To only be bound for his life and not his entire existence. To yet have his soul free at the end of his service. It's a kindness not many demons would give. Would rather gobble up the decrepit remains of a soul left at the end.

Kazuya's grip tightens around the shaking hand, and he pulls him close as infernal magic claws up his summoners hand in dark streams, only to sink in and disappear not too long later. He's bound, and now there's no escape for him while he draws breath.

No demon will chase him any longer, and though he may still get jeered at by them, none will think of laying a single claw on him. To do so would be directly against the will of their king, and a forfeit of their life.

Kazuya gives his hand a small shake, and smiles a little wider.]

Now that that's out of the way, my name is Kazuya Minegishi. And you are...?

[At least they need to get introductions out of the way, right?]

( It isn't until he sees that claw appear that he attempts to pull his hand away, but to no avail. A startled cry escapes him and he quickly pulls his hand away, his other hand holding onto his tightly. He takes a step back.

Ah... There's no way out of this now, is there.... )

B... Basil... ( He returns the introductions. He might as well try to be polite. It's not in his nature not to be. ) It's... nice to meet you, Mr Kazuya.

( The name didn't really match one of a demons. It wasn't what he expected. )

Do other important demons look human?

Demons come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes we take the appearance as humans, if we want to.

[Easier to feign innocence and friendship until the time to strike.]

Just "Kazuya" will do. I'm not really one for pleasantries like that.

[Here, he stretches again, almost lazily like a cat getting comfortable. And he is. The human realm will be his now too, now that he's no longer stuck in Makai.]

As for you, Basil, my plans for you involve you being my courtesan. Not that you have any say in this, but I'll at least give you a bit to come to terms with your new place in our agreement.

( What.

He has to do a double take then, looking to Kazuya in disbelief. Those were not the words he expected to hear.

Him?? He expected something that Basil could be confident in, but he almost feels like he misheard him. With how heated his face felt now, he's sure that he has to be blushing. A hand covers his face then, looking away before speaking. )

U-Uhm! I don't mean any disrespect, but wouldn't -- wouldn't someone else be better suited for someone like that? I don't exactly have any experience with being with someone...

[ He holds up a hand, giving a small wave. ]

Surely you know about how demons like corrupting purity and virgins, right?

[ Not so much his thing, but not something he wouldn't enjoy either. ]

I don't expect you to know everything immediately, nor do I necessarily expect you to be particularly good at it, but you'll learn.

[ Of course, he's strange amongst demons anyway. A preference to stay in a human guise, an interest in humans beyond consuming them or mutilating them.

Basil is luckier than he thinks. ]

You'll find I have a far gentler hand than other demons, especially when it comes to these things.

( It could definitely be worse, all things considering. Basil has heard horror stories about just how cruel demons are. Asking to be intimate with someone he doesn't know... is something he isn't exactly comfortable with, but he expected the King of Demons to be far more cruel. )

Why.... are you offering any sort of kindness to me...? All of the demons I've met just want to hurt humans.

( And despite the fact that Basil is to be at his side for the rest of his life? He's well aware that he could've asked for him to give up something far less ideal. )

Don't you think it'd be more beneficial for someone you're stuck with in the long run to at least tolerate you? I could break you, sure, but I don't necessarily find that particularly fun. If that were the case, anyone would do, and I wouldn't have made a contract with you in the first place.

[ And he is fond of humans. Maybe not in an entirely wholesome way, but he likes them for what they are.

And this one had gone to extraordinary lengths to survive. Even if he'd stumbled and made bad choices along the way. If he had wanted to choose his own way to die, there had been plenty of other options, but he'd chosen one that had given him some hope.

He can respect that. ]

( No one would have been surprised by the confession that Izuku and Shoto shared. While Shoto was more withdrawn when it came to his own feelings, it was Izuku that was the far more vocal of the two of them. Where Izuku tended to get more flustered and shy, Shoto was the one who was far more blunt and straight forward -- which is exactly the way he had handled telling Izuku how he truly felt.

Izuku was the one who had helped free him from the resentment that had held him back for so long. He was the one who had helped him open his heart and grow into the person that he was now. Despite the feelings between them beginning of one of rivalry for him, he was grateful for how the both of them had grown closer.

Though, Shoto had no issued with telling the class their relationship between one another. Why should he? He was never one to beat around the bush, and the feelings that he shared with him was between them and them alone.

It hasn't been that long since the both of them have started to date when the both of them take on a mission together. Shoto was well-aware that Izuku was prone to getting hurt, but this was the first time that Shoto would help see to his wounds.

The sun's starting to set when he's helping Izuku back to the dorms, keeping his pace slow enough for the other to keep up with. He only stops for a moment to check on him. )

Midoriya, are you alright? You can lean on me if you need to.

[ Izuku isn't really any better at social situations than Shoto, he just handles them differently. He was almost relieved to hear his feelings were reciprocated. He didn't know how to approach it, and Shoto's bluntness just cleared the air.

The problem with Izuku fighting anything has always been that he'll put himself in unnecessary danger to save or protect anyone else — even if they don't need it. (Just ask Bakugou.) He'll also push himself too hard. He has better control over One For All than he did, but it wreaks havoc on his body. He doesn't have broken fingers all the time now, though they'll always be just slightly crooked now from the times he broke them. Recovery Girl always does her best, but healing isn't some magic cure all. There are still consequences.

Part of Izuku's uniform is burned away at the shoulder, though it did its job and he isn't burned. He has some gash along his torso that is slowly bleeding. It's superficial, but it does make movement more painful. That says nothing of the bruises and the general injuries that come from overexertion. He's sure he'll get an earful back at the dorms. ]

I'm okay! Really.

[ He's sort of okay, but sort of not. He doesn't have some macho need to pretend, but he doesn't want people to worry about him, especially Shoto. This line of work will always have risks. They both know that. But they both care too much, don't they?

In the end, he lets Shoto support him as an excuse for closeness. ]

Sorry. I don't mean to make more work for you.

( It was no secret to anyone in the class that Izuku was getting hurt often. While Shoto didn't quite understand his quirk completely, he was well aware that it oftentimes came at a cost to his health. While he wasn't relieved by any means that he had hurt himself again, Shoto was glad that he could at least help him get the help that he needed.

He keeps a pace slow enough for Izuku to keep up with, partially letting him take the lead in order not to push him. Whether he was a Hero or not, Shoto was someone who would want to help someone who needed it like this. Perhaps in the past, things would have been different thanks to his father's influence -- but, he had Izuku to thank for helping him begin to change as he did.

At the least, he's thankful that his injuries are no where as dire as they were in the past. Perhaps his powers aren't as destructive as they were before...?

His gaze softens, and he shakes his head. )

You don't need to apologize. ( His voice is as quiet as it usually is. )

You risked your life to help others back then. Doing this is the least I can do.

( Never mind that both of them ended up risking their lives... )

[ Even Izuku doesn't have full understanding, which has always been part of the problem. It isn't just about his body being unprepared for a quirk at all, let alone one of One For All's calibre. There are things he's still learning how to do. The voices from the previous holders are easier to hear now, but he has work to do.

And in the meantime, it's still Izuku himself suffering for it. Progress is happening, just not as fast as he'd like. And the world with all its dangers can't wait for him to figure his quirk out, so it is what it is.

He smiles, slightly pained but genuine. ]

You risk as much as I do. H-hey, Shoto? I don't…I don't need to go to the infirmary, okay? Let's just go home.

[ Izuku might be avoiding Bakugou a little to avoid the inevitable explosion (haha) that always comes when Bakugou learns he's hurt. He's also definitely avoiding lectures from Recovery Girl. But part of him just wants to stay like this, as close to Shoto as he can be. He doesn't really need the excuse, but still. ]

( Shoto can't help but stop in his steps then, and for a moment he looks thoughtful. There's a big part of him that wants to protest. He should go to the infirmary where Recovery Girl can properly treat his wounds. But, he knew Izuku had his reasons, too. He wouldn't allow himself to stay down for too long. He couldn't understand that as much as anyone in their class could. )

Alright. I can do what I can to tend to your wounds. Even if they aren't serious, they shouldn't be left alone.

( It's a gentle request. He doesn't expect him to refuse, but Shoto will be insistent if he does.

Though, he's definitely not experienced when it comes to medical treatment. He won't be able to do much except bandage them up... )