synflux | TRAVEL LOG #1

TRAVEL LOG #1

TRAVEL LOG #1

CONTENT WARNINGS: potential mentions of drugs, suspected mind-control, alcohol, and gambling, gore.

▶ 001. A RUDE AWAKENING.

On the morning of the 15th, the Outsiders will hear an alarm sound in the early hours. No matter what you’re doing, the alarm will not stop sounding, and it’s because they’re playing directly into your oculars. If one is sleeping, they may even be roused by the spark of colors on their oculars dictating an emergency. After a few minutes of this, the following message will appear:

PLEASE REPORT TO THE DATAPORTAL AT THE TOKYO BRANCH AND BE PREPARED FOR DEPARTURE.

"Captain Yamakawa speaking. You’ve done a great job in testing the data portals. Now that we are able to travel, we were sent a call for help in another city due to lack of personnel and resources abroad. You will be looking for evidence of a new kaiju around the rendezvous point. It may be a difficult journey, so prepare yourself. SYNTHIA will still be online to help you make it to the city. Report to the POD CHAMBER where we have installed an international dataportal and prepare for transportation."

Following the success of the dataportal testing, the engineering department was able to fine tune its abilities and widen the reach of the portals. The portals can connect even abroad now!

Despite their best efforts, however, they cannot guarantee that the same symptoms won’t appear, and ask all Outsiders who are utilizing them to practice caution. Additionally, through all their testing, they found that people who hold hands or make contact with others as they pass through will be hit with less issues.

▶ 002. WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS.

When one passes through the data portal, they will see the refuge city of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Similar to Neo Tokyo, it is also rich in life and known as the city that never sleeps. Incidentally, it is also famously noted as a place of endless vice. The city is built up around a strip of land of roughly 4.2 miles. A vast majority of the city was built up over the wreckage of the old, and some fixtures were simply made new with whatever was left preexisting. The Mojave Desert has expanded towards surrounding cities, though it will take a vehicle to get there in a timely manner.

The city has no shortage of hotels and with each hotel, a casino. While Outsiders here are on a mission, there’s no stating they couldn’t participate in the fun of Vegas while LILITH crew begin their investigation. While some hotels will be clearly abandoned or less traversed, there is no end to all card tables and slot machines, all asking for your KRYPTOS.

The hotel the Outsiders are slotted to stay over the course of the next few days is one where they built directly over the hotels of the old. While it offers a decent place to sleep, it’s not without a refurbished pirate themed bed, or the columns of what appears to have been from Caesars Palace. Is that a giant clown face staring at you in the room? Don’t worry about it. The hotel offers that this is the best place to depart into the desert from. For this mission, Outsiders may bunk up with whoever they would like, and each hotel provides two queen sized beds.

Excited to venture out into the city? Even under the threat of kaiju, the city doesn’t sleep. Outsiders may venture through the Las Vegas Strip and treat themselves to a fun night of drinking, gambling, shopping, partying and circle-style performances. The Grand Canal Shoppes, a Venetian-inspired high end mall, boasts a man-made canal with gondola rides for a fee, along with many retail outlets and restaurants. There are also numerous spas and carnival-style rides to enjoy. Las Vegas was once known as the ‘Marriage Capital of the World’, and in a world besieged by kaiju, the people don’t seem to think they have anything to lose. Outsiders may spot a few bride and grooms-to-be partying in the street.

(LILITH does not have a stance on whether or not Outsiders are permitted to get hitched as long as it does not affect their performance. )

▶ 003. TROUBLE BREWING.

It’s normal for fights to break out with so much alcohol being passed around, but something … isn’t quite right with some of the locals here. Outsiders who keep an eye open might notice people acting erratically, and not just from being intoxicated. There are people ready to pick a fight from just being looked at, people falling into despondent sadness and lethargy, people wandering mindlessly and people becoming distressed from seeing things that aren’t there. Ask the locals and they will tell you these cases seem to be popping up more often the past week.

The most concerning of all are the stories of people disappearing completely. One little girl will tell you she cried as she saw her mother mindlessly walk into the desert, as if called by a voice no one else can hear. There are many other accounts of this happening. In fact, all the people acting erratically seem to disappear within a few days …

Outsiders may interact with civilians who are acting erratic and aggressive, but asking questions they may receive answers that do not make sense, are perverse and inappropriate or may trigger aggression. Any Outsider to gets into a fight and is severely injured may report to a local hospital here and will find they are pretty packed with other civilians acting strange, hurting each other and themselves. Certainly, this was the main cause for concern that got LILITH's attention anyway.

▶ 004. FOUR FOR THE ROAD.

Within a day or two, the Outsiders will once again be called to action by a blaring notice in their implant.

YOUR VEHICLES ARE PREPARED. ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE CITY IMMEDIATELY.

When they gather at the location provided to them, they will find a fleet of armored campervans waiting for them. Each campervan comes equipped with beds, a kitchenette, and bathroom facilities, and will fit about 4 people. Within the campervans, they will find desert-appropriate attire designed to protect them from the scorching sun. These campervans also come with some basic artillery such as a mounted machine gun. There are also supplies in the form of water bottles and MRE ration packs.

Those who have driven large vehicles in the past are encouraged to take the driver’s seat. If the group does not have any driving experience, they will be given a crash course on driving recorded by the man himself, Seok Dang. (He probably shouldn’t be doing this with the stunts he’s pulled, but the Commander does not have any time to be teaching anyone driving, and Seok Dang volunteered so eagerly…)

"Listen. If you’ve ever handled a ▄▄ before, the joystick is exactly like that. You gotta tug it, but not too hard. Gently, yeah, like that, that’s the path to ecstasy … "

If it eases anyone’s worries, the campervans are armored and highly shock resistant, so they should withstand a crash or two.

(Those who finish his course and successfully drive 100km while supervised will receive an international driving license.)

▶ 005. THE HUNT IS ON.

With everyone settled into their campervan, the large scale road trip begins. LILITH has a general idea of where the biggest energy signal is located for the rift and they will feed the coordinates to the Outsiders. The journey will take about a few days into (and around as LILITH is searching for both people & the source of the rift energy) the Mojave Desert, and Outsiders will be permitted occasional rest stops to give drivers a break and to investigate the terrain. The terrain itself is a harsh desert, with cacti and small local fauna abundant. (Those not wanting to eat ration packs can take this time to hunt the local fauna such as birds, lizards and desert foxes.) While there is nothing else around, observant Outsiders may notice signs of human life - footprints in the sand, a shoe or torn piece of clothing being left behind, and even the odd human carcass being torn apart by vultures.

The logical conclusion would be that those missing humans have been here, and the only thing left to do is find them … but Outsiders and civilians aren't all that lurk here, and time will tell what lies beneath the desert surface ...

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our very first travel log! Each campervan will accommodate anywhere between 3-5 people, with 4 being the ideal and 5 being a squeeze. Players are encouraged to connect with each other to fill up a van but the mods will not be enforcing it. If you need help finding roommates, there is a FIND A ROOMMATE header below that you can make use of.

If you'd like to test your gambling luck, we also have an IC SLOTS HEADER for you to comment to for you to see how well your character does at the slot machines. This is entirely for fun, and of course you are always welcome to have your characters winning or losing at the slot machines as much as you want in your prompts so long as they aren't winning jackpots.

Following this log, all characters who have purchased style upgrades will receive an update to their chip enabling them access to desert attire and popular styles within Las Vegas.

All tags on this log are worth 2 points.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[that's always why bakugou's cooking the damn things rather than just biting into them raw. make sure the heat gets all the way to the center of the meat before deeming it done. beyond that, there's nothing more they can do unless they want to enjoy the rations provided. which aren't the greatest, but they're not horrible either. not like they haven't eaten kaiju before.]

Che. [he looks like he wants to argue, but then decides to accept denji's concern. sometimes it's hard not to think denji's a walking nap waiting to happen. but if he says he'll be alright, bakugou trusts him. it's not like the half-devil hasn't earned that trust. and yeah, denji can sleep through a fucking cacophony, so he can nap on the road tomorrow. that's one less noisy in the van while they drive. luckily for bakugou though, denji's more messy than noisy, unless he's grossed out by something.

it's tempting to flop down and let his boyfriend just mess with his back like that, the sensation alternating between ticklish and soothing. yeah, considering the way he's propped up, his shirt's falling open on his chest, and those chiseled abs and defined pectorals are on full flexing display. don't worry, denji. he'll button up when dinner happens. after a quick shower, because hunting made him break a sweat. fucking birds are fast.]

Aa. But if something attacks, you better wake me up. I don't care if you blow it through the ocular or kick the fucking van over.

[half because he's protective of denji. half because he doesn't want to miss a good fight! what's he gonna do, sleep through some asshole monster trying to rip out those tawny eyes he's currently watching the fire light make glow all stupid and pretty? ... okay maybe he should focus on something else, dammit. but acknowledging denji wants to take the responsibility of the watch is just as helpful to the half-devil as it is to the hero. he'll get some sleep and trust his boyfriend to handle the night.]

[ good. night watch duties are secured for him and it's a done deal, no further negotiations are needed. ah, if he does run into a kaijuu here, he certainly wouldn't lead it toward the van where his teammates are vulnerable and resting. was it necessary to give bakugou an answer that won't please him? no. denji is learning when to pick his battles, and with that, he nods. ]

You'll hear my chainsaws before anything else. But ... if it makes you happy, I will yell 'help me, hero!' to get your attention.

[ the lazy smirk on his face implies he might be joking, but he's dead serious. it didn't mean he would wait for bakugou to join the fight, he'll make sure to go for the kill first. since he decided to use the simulation room, denji has been learning new things about himself; he's faster, stronger, and with more stamina. however, it had nothing to do with hard work. no, it was probably due to what nayuta had explained to him that day; how fear makes devils stronger, and with all the unfolding events of the church, fire devil, and mass casualties that bred fear into the hearts of humans — it gave both denji and asa an easy boost. he felt a bit ashamed whenever he got a small compliment from bakugou about his progress. ugh, made him feel like a fraud.

gently, he pulled his hand away, and while still keeping his focus on the other's eyes only — denji started tugging on bakugou's shirt, covering him up a bit. he's not sure when will someone join them and he doesn't want his partner to be seen like this. listen, he will enjoy a free show from others, he appreciates beauty in all shapes and forms (and now genders), but others aren't allowed to look at bakugou this way. something he discovered about himself at this very moment. this is how it's been since he was intimate with this guy; one self-learning realization after another.

and if he was honest, it still felt like a lucid dream. there are a lot of unanswered questions, unspoken confessions, and blurred lines yet denji isn't sure he should beg for clarity. again, uncertain why he felt that way. ]

You wanna ... chill a bit? watch the stars and be totally sappy? [ a tease, you unromantic hooligan. ]

[if denji doesn't wake him up if a kaiju shows, those bastards are loud enough it won't even matter. unless there's a horde of tiny silent things. then that's an entirely different issue. with the agreement on the night watch settled, denji's assumed compliance with waking him up should he need him accepted, bakugou can get back to cooking. or in this case, sitting here watching it cook by the fire.]

Che. [that gets a little amused scoff from him. yeah, he's pretty damn sure denji would do a thing like that. but hey, it's appreciated and now he has confirmation.] Then I'll show up and kick whatever's bothering your fucking ass.

[bakugou knows he's being serious. and he wouldn't want denji to wait for him either. he trusts the half-devil's combat ability implicitly. waiting would only endanger other people, something bakugou knows first-hand can be a huge detriment for those in harm's way. he was one of them... though he doesn't know much about the alternate side of denji's progress, he doubts many people are running around terrified of chainsaws in this world. far more terrified of kaiju and the natural disasters they bring with them. a chainsaw would likely be seen as a blessing, something to fight with. though if denji's own world is somehow leaking through to empower him... fuck, bakugou's not going to complain about it. any connections to their homes is good!

the blonde arches a brow at the two-fold action. denji's taking his hand away... and pulling on his shirt. he looks at his boyfriend with a quizzical expression. what, does he think bakugou's cold right now? he's a sweaty mess. or is he using the shirt to wipe up the gleam on his skin? what other reason does he have for tugging the material ove- ... oooh. is it that? the corner of his mouth twitches up slightly. on the one hand, it's kind of cute, that protective, jealous instinct showing up. on the other hand... dude, you're not wearing a shirt either, denji. and you're also lounging in front of the fire.

but does he mention it? bakugou opts not to. he doesn't want to make the guy feel self conscious about it at the moment. maybe later they can talk about that. he drops on his back and puts his hands behind his head, shirt sticking to the sides of his chest and stomach from where denji's pulled it. that'll get uncomfortable soon enough.]

I'm not going anywhere until those shitty birds cook. [so that's a yes without admitting to the last part. sappy dork.]

[ why would he feel self conscious about that? bakugou underestimates how unbothered denji can be, especially when he has a lot going in his head right now. he will always be the guy who acts on impulse, going for raw honesty over anything else and expecting the same from others. whether it is a good perk to have or not— but it's a reaction to having many people be manipulative and lying to his face. assuming since he didn't get any loud protests, then it's good to go. yeah, cover up.

denji joins him soon after, resting back with both hands chilling on his abdomen; the cord inching to the side a bit as he centers his focus on the sky above. denji blinks, idly perking his lips as he realizes this visual begs for something poetic. yet, he can't think of anything that would flatter the odd serenity he's experiencing right now. hmm, perhaps it's best to keep it to himself.

he relaxed his shoulders, closing his eyes; content about them sharing space. they will settle here until the delicious aroma of a cooked meal sobers them up. which denji assumes won't take long.

they stayed quiet for a bit until denji confessed softly. ]

I'm glad Aki is doing better ... he seems happy now.

[it's because this relationship thing is new to him and bakugou still doesn't do feelings well. he's also had a year back home to mature from the complete shithead he was at the start of the year to the not-entirely-as-completes shithead he is now. getting into a discussion about why denji wants to cover bakugou's torso up when he's leaving his own exposed sounds stupid, especially because the blonde's assuming his boyfriend's doing it as a protective intent. which is kinda cute. you don't stop something you think is cute. well... you do when "bakugou" is the "cute" thing and the guy rages about it.

buuut he's also not bothering to stop the mixture of breeze and gravity from messing with denji's efforts. without doing those buttons up, the corner of one half of his shirt is starting to drift to the side. kinda wants to see if he's gonna continue messing with it once the shirt ends up falling open again. if they can end up being distracted from looking up at the stars.

it's been some time since he got to see the stars like this. always busy in the city with its lights and traffic. but out here, with nothing to interfere with the sky but a few campfires, it's pretty damn awe inspiring. as for the meal, it'll take a few rotations to really cook through...]

Have you two patched things up?

[bakugou knows aki and tsurumaru are likely contributing to that happiness, but he hopes aki and denji have been able to resolve some of the whatever between them too. he knows the pain of a rift between you and your best friend...]

[ well, denji is not any better when it comes to relationships; every single one of them, romantic and platonic, ended up bursting into flames in the worst way possible. anyone would be amazed that denji is still trying when he should've been scarred for life. it might have to do with holding a simple mind, a simple heart, calm yet shameless when it comes to expressing himself. it helps that he's not complicating his newfound closeness with the hero. denji has been subtle, content, and reserved. okay, he did spend the next morning humming 'because i'm happy~' while making breakfast, but he certainly didn't see the necessity to tell anyone about their private time together. bakugou is precious to him, and with it comes a sense of - hmm, protection? possessiveness? he's unsure. whatever it might be, denji hoped he would figure it out along the way.

he raised his hand, lightly pushing his hair back as a cool breeze brushed his forehead. that felt so good after spending the entire morning getting cooked under the sun. the conversation is a bit uncomfortable, even when denji didn't show it. he's not seeking sympathy, someone such as bakugou might not be willing to be that type of support, it's more of aiming for guidance. ]

Uh, not sure if there is anything to patch up. You're just supposed to be honest and apologize and then hope the other person still wants to deal with you, right? We're over that part. It's just ... for the first time, since we came here, he seems a loooot better.

[ guess a part of him wanted to hear it from someone else. someone like bakugou who wouldn't lie to him to not hurt his feelings or sugarcoat things. if katsuki says he looks happy, then he is happy and denji can rest. he turns his head, silently searching the other's eyes for an answer. the breeze earlier seemed to have done more than blow away the gross heat, and denji squints with a tiny hint of a blush. again, without saying anything or much thought, he reached over to tug on the fabric and is now attempting to button him up -

- with one hand. yeah, let's see how that works. ]

Also, let him cook breakfast this time. He'll mope around if he's not feeling helpful.

[of course no one needs to know what they do in the private time, dammit! that's their fucking business! ... literally. not all the time literally, but sometimes literally. bakugou has never been a coward, rarely feels fear, and refuses to admit he's capable of feeling nervous. now he has a boyfriend, is in a relationship he grew up 100% convinced he would never need, and has no real idea of "what" he's doing in it. only knowing he has no desire to mess it up. denji's far too important to him. and he never gives anything less than his 100% to accomplish. so if he's not being the best boyfriend, then dammit, he's failing!

just, what his "best boyfriend" traits are versus what other people think "best boyfriend" traits are like collide.

bakugou sits up so he can rotate the birds, making sure they're new sides are rightly facing the fire to continue that even cooking, then flops back down on his back again. shirt open because gravity is a bitch and no one buttoned it. the cool of the desert night is already approaching now that they sun's down.]

Yeah. You did the right thing.

[that's all you can do when it comes to that sort of rift. bakugou had to do that to midoriya. bared himself to his childhood friend, honestly spoke to his feelings and actions in the past, owned up to everything, before bowing his head and apologized. he even said he didn't expect it to change anything between them, knowing life and people--himself included--aren't that easy. but the fact that step was taken was the important part. there wasn't nothing left but to move forward from there.]

Why do you think he's better?

[the question's not asked in doubt of denji's analysis. bakugou wants to know what denji sees aki doing, saying, expressing, that makes him better and happier. half of it's because that guy's usually so calm and deadpan, it's fucking hard to see any kind of emotion on his face. like that shoto. where "i'm happy" and "i'm annoyed" don't look any different.

denji starts trying to mess with the buttons on his shirt.] Oy, I'm covered in sweat! [let him get washed off before you try and drag a shirt back on!] He can cook breakfast if he wakes up in time!

[granted bakugou still gets up at 5:30 and does his morning exercises around the campervans.]

[ 'best boyfriend' in denji's perspective is bakugou simply being himself + access to fucking anytime and anywhere. he's really not asking for much and he would be baffled if anyone else thinks he'd be demanding more. the fact that someone kinda likes him enough to be around him like this without ulterior motives is shocking. trust me, he is satisfied. this is more than he deserves.

not that he knows in specific details, but he recalls their conversation during the bathhouse party and how bakugou seemed to relate to him with his own experience. though denji is certain it's not to his level of extreme. all he knows bakugou is remorseful for his actions towards an old friend. it's good to have his validation. it would've been better if that's all they need to do to fix everything and make what's broken all new again. reality is when you fuck up that bad, it's nearly impossible to come out of it scar free. things can't be the same, but maybe that's okay? maybe.

how did he know aki was doing better? ] He's being fluffy with someone.

[ came out the quick answer. aki has gone through a lot, lost everything, got betrayed by the closest people around him, and shared space with his own killer — isn't this the kinda shit that traumatizes someone from ever functioning? instead, his friend chose to experience life again, open up to someone, and be happy. of course he's better! denji is no expert but this looks like solid evidence of someone healing from getting fucked so hard in life. he breathed out a chuckle at the other's protest, half amused with bakugou's total dismissal of the indecent exposure, and the other was entertained by how much he was struggling to get a single button to hook. it might have to do with him being distracted despite genuine efforts to get the job done. ]

I can fucking see that! [ he snapped back with a hint of fun. ] How can I not see how sweaty you are? Those sweaty, shiny plump nips ... go get yourself cleaned up if you want. I'll watch our dinner. [ he eventually pulls himself up, leaning over the other and finally using both hands; that's when he starts closing up that annoying shirt of his. fucking hell. ]

I think you wake up with the sun. It's insane to beat that, but I'll tell him to try and win ...

[rest assured, bakugou is never going to stop being himself for anyone. he may decide to change something someone brings to light if he takes the time to evaluate whether that change is beneficial for himself, but not for someone else. maturity, however, is a beast, and even his stubborn nature can't completely resist growth brought by experience. denji will have bakugou as bakugou as long as bakugou exists. period. (and dude, rein in that "access anytime anywhere" idea right now, cause he will blueball you without a problem if it's inappropriate or inopportune. then rail you later with interest.)

bakugou has watched denji grow over their time here. he's not high maintenance in any stretch, doesn't demand too much or whine if he doesn't get his way. stubborn rarely, and friendly when piqued. yet that mixture of puppyish innocence at being given attention and affection with the reality there is a traumatized person there with issues makes him really complex. bakugou wasn't lying when he said he wanted to be the best experience denji ever had. but he's not promising "best" always means "good". surgery hurts, for example, and it's dangerous, but if it prevents death, it'd be the best thing you ever did.

in some cases, it's not the the level of extreme as denji and aki's circumstances. having to kill your best friend because of some manipulative murderous bitch is one thing. willingly bullying your childhood friend mercilessly for years to the point of suggesting he kill himself for being so pathetic is one thing too. yet it still manages to resonate between them. perhaps it's best they don't get into the details, as the comparisons and contrasting could be difficult. just to know they've both been hurt by rifts that opened between them and a close friend. to know that bakugou can attest that denji's decision to talk to aki, apologize, and move forward, is the best route he could have taken. it'd be a dreamworld to think that's all it took... but it's not. wounds heal, but scars remain forever. proof of the injury. proof of survival.]

Fluffy?

[why the hell would denji describe it as that?! granted it's probably better than "mushy" or "sappy" as bakugou calls it. but fluffy is such a weird fucking way to put it. fluffy is pillows, birds, or dogs. or some of bakugou's classmates' hair. denji's not wrong though. experiencing happiness once again is one of the best signs to someone's healing. it's one of the reasons bakugou likes to see denji's smile and hear him laugh. because he knows his boyfriend's been fucked hard by life too.

HOW THE FUCK IS THIS INDECENT EXPOSURE?! guys go around shirtless all the time! look at yourself, ripcord chest! at least bakugou's not actively fighting denji, though he is giving him A Look for being a pain and enjoying it. maybe he should just kind of arch his back a bit and push his stomach against the button denji's trying to work on, abs hardening under the arch like a real jerk. what, no one said bakugou unlearned how to be a brat himself.]

I'm gonna sweat even more if you keep pulling my shirt back on! You're not even wearing one! [finally chucking his boyfriend under the proverbial bus. damn shirtless hypocrite. at least until denji starts talking like that and bakugou promptly claps his hand, palm first, over the other boy's mouth to shut him up, his own face flaring up a hot red. what the hell, denji.] Urusei! I'm not going anywhere!

[still not stopping him when denji rolls over to mess with his shirt. ugh. next time, he's hunting without one.]

You know I wake up early.

Fluffy!

[ it's the perfect word to describe what he's seeing between those two, and no one can change his mind, but in reality, it's just slang for aki being 'mushy'. which, hey, isn't a bad thing! denji understood how that makes you feel; it sets up the mood for wanting to spoil and dote on the person because their very existence is making you happy. it's a very human reaction to want to pick up a flower as a gift, tell them you care about them, or LIGHT UP SOME CANDLES! romantic shit that kacchan is against. the struggle is real, yet denji might be the perfect partner for this clash of personalities since he does not care and will probably try again. he will experience every romantic scene he watched in a movie, damnit. he will! a new dream.

okay but ... does he really need to explain the diversity between their bodies?

denji blinks, eyes a touch wider, not out of the astonishment of being gagged by a nitroglycerin-drenched hand, he's more puzzled that this boy is blind enough to think there is room for comparison here. he muffles a loud hum, unbothered to free his mouth, and opts to roll his eyes upward in deep thought. ah, this might be the first time he thinks this brilliant hero is being silly. he never thought he'd live long enough to see this day but here they are. when he met bakugou's gaze again, one could almost see the dirty smirk solely on the slight curve of each eye — he then grabbed the other's free hand, and pulled it up with some force, denji then urged his boyfriend to cop a feel of one of his pecs. sure, the muscles are toned, which gives a glimpse of his body strength but there is nothing more to it. just a normal dude who works out and is fit (he never worked out a day in his life, but you get the point!). he makes sure bakugou has a nice squeeze before he twists his wrist and urges him to feel himself next. denji nods, raising an eyebrow, still gagged by the other's hand by the way, but everything about him screams:

'You see the difference?!'

oh, bakugou will kill him. maybe it's best to shake his head and protect himself from getting blasted with a direct hit; he sticks his tongue out once he breaks free, lips wet from all chemical traces. is he disgusted? not really, since he's licking his lips clean a second later with no reaction to it. he's still holding onto each wrist, not really restraining the other boy, but he's not letting go of him either. the smile is mischievous, fit for everything in his mind, and reflected in his words. aside from the little stunt earlier, from an outsider's perspective, they come off as two 'buddies' being playful, which explains why denji didn't bother to move away yet. ]

Don't even compare! I'm allowed to be shirtless.

[ was this serious? was it that deep? hell no. denji is simply having some fun, even when it's a manifestation of genuine sentiments. he's not the type to dictate his partner's choices; he will just mess with him and express himself in his own ways; with more warmth and less demand. he relaxed his fingers, tracing them upward until they curled with bakugou's. ]

You don't trust me with the cooking, right? how mean.

Forget I asked!

[bakugou's not going to try to change his mind, but he's damn well going to try and forget about the reference entirely! the idea of aki and tsurumaru being "fluffy" isn't something he wants in his head. that's their fucking business! if it's not been made clear already, the explosive blonde is not someone for sappy displays of affection. at least for denji, should the half-devil do any of those sappy things, they're not going to get thrown away or swatted out of his hand like bakugou would have done two years ago. he'd gripe about it, yet still put the flowers in a vase with water, if he liked any in particular, he might press them (look, some flowers look like explosions), and candles are candles. he's not against the room smelling good so long as it's not some overpowering weird scent like... fucking cotton candy or heavy floral. denji's stubbornness is one of his most attractive facets in bakugou's opinion. even if it can annoy him depending on what his boyfriend's being stubborn about.

WHAT?! they're both guys with muscular figures! denji doesn't have scars like bakugou, but he does have a ripcord dangling out of his chest! how is this any different?

doesn't excuse denji's loudmouth spiel on his pecs. zero apology for whapping his hand on the other boy's mouth. bakugou furrows his brows when the half-devil starts to think about this. like there's something deep about the protest or comparison. but instead of saying something, he gets his wrist grabbed and hauled up. it drops him flat on his back so he's not dangling off the grip on denji's mouth, or hanging by his arrested wrist. fingers and palm plaster onto the guy's chest and that, plus the smirk behind his hand, earns bakugou's boyfriend a wry growl and sneer. and yet, he doesn't take his hand off. gives him the touch he wants. feeling over the curve of his pectoral, then down the side to his ribs, and across the arch of his diaphragm. and off, before getting plopped onto his own chest.

oh yeah? is that what's going on here?

he opens his hand and releases denji's jaw from his grip. it's not the first time denji's had bakugou's palm on his mouth or his tongue on his skin. and so long as he doesn't have any ignition propensities in his throat or stomach, those tiny traces of nitroglycerine-like sweat aren't going to blow up before they're absorbed or dissolved or whatever goes on in the other boy's stomach. instead, he starts to push upward against the hands on his wrist, slowly lifting denji upward. no, he's not embarrassed about anyone seeing them wrestling around on the blanket; hell, he was throwing people around in the damn hot spring earlier this year. whether denji's just messing around or not, bakugou's now left to wonder just how denji sees himself.]

Are you telling me what I can and can't do, Ripcord Pecs? [nah, he won't get into that serious discussion out here, so he's turning this into a challenge. but later, he'll want to talk about it. whether denji feels jealous of other people seeing bakugou shirtless while sitting around shirtless himself. whether denji feels like he's not attractive enough to warrant someone looking at him with desire or interest. bakugou finds denji's sculpture, body, face, all of that, very attractive. so if that's the case...

but later. when they're in private. when he's not working on half-benching his partner above him.] You were just talking about Ponytail cooking! Now you want to?

[ that's exactly what's going on here. denji is glad his message was heard loud and clear. as for swallowing his sweat? yeah, denji is not worried. total trust, blind loyalty, and all. he knew the hero wouldn't hurt him in that way; maybe a smack on the head or a tiny blast to the face when he's really pushing his luck, but nothing too serious. he likes to believe bakugou shared the sentiment and trusts him in return. denji's chainsaws will never touch a hair on his boyfriend's skin, not even by accident; a promise he made to himself and he plans to honor it. this might be why the training sessions they share tends to be the basics, more aimed at improving denji's stamina, strength, and endurance, but did they ever face each other in a fake battle? one on one? no. their powers are not compatible; his blades aim to slice and nothing more, while bakugou was smart enough to use such a destructive quirk and control it perfectly. he weaponized it in a way that allowed him to strike and defend. denji is unlikely to reach that level. not that it was anyone's problem but his own.

oh, bakugou is pushing back. is this turning into an invite to a stubborn wrestling match? hmm, not sure if he's up for throwing hands at this late hour but denji didn't feel like budging either. so, he stays, with enough force to protect himself from getting knocked over but not enough to urge bakugou back. with a blink and a puzzled stare, the half-devil is having mini doubts if he did come off as someone spitting mandates a second ago. he then shakes his head- ]

I'd never tell you what to do. Well ... [ he's thinking again. god, why does denji look like he's struggling every time he's trying to connect the wires between his brain and emotions? it was never easy, even when he knew he was feeling something. he knows the emotion— he merely doesn't understand why and what triggered it. if that makes any sense. ] ... I might do it sometimes. When I'm worried about you.

[ denji's features eased into a nonchalant smile, somewhat reassuring him that covering up his chest is not that serious and he's not that insane; it's just a minor desire to keep any prying eyes from enjoying a free show. he is aware he's being somewhat ridiculous. guys can walk around with their nipples out for all to see, it's fine— but, bakugou just looked too sinful for it. it made denji feel a bit hmm about it. nevertheless, between the two of them, if anyone will get an appreciative stare ... it's likely the hero. it's just scientific facts!

with a shrug and a mental 'oh well!', denji decided to get on top of his partner, straddling him while still clutching his wrists. hey! if bakugou was fine fighting other dudes naked in the past (don't do that now, you!), this should be a piece of cake. he then relaxed his fingers completely, letting him go. however, the half-devil kept his guard up; ready to defend himself if the other boy decided to fling him to the side for this. ]

Uh, I actually don't care about cooking. You just kept talking about how sweaty you are. I figured you wanted to clean up and I offered to supervise those birds from burning up as you get your beauty shower.

[ he was trying to help you! ]

[of course he trusts him. bakugou wouldn't have bared his neck or let denji's at his wound to refuel his blood if he thought the half-devil was dangerous to him. he's rested behind those chainsaws, catching a breather while denji revved the blades into an opponent, all the while growling about how he wasn't ASKING for any damn help. that trust is another reason he idles some of their intimate time together by playing with denji's ripcord, not fearing the potential gout of blood should he pull it. then again, lbr, it'd take a conscious effort to yank that cord hard enough for a transformation. bakugou's started a chainsaw and a lawn mower before. you don't accidentally rev one of those. while he has accepted denji's decision not to clash with him chainsaw versus explosion, it's not stopped him from occasionally nagging his boyfriend to train with his chainsaws in other aspects. ideally he'd like denji to reach a conscious effort of finesse with his blades to the degree of instinctively stopping and starting the proverbial motor depending on what's going on. just like how bakugou can instinctively lessen the power of his explosions depending on the damage he wants to do, helping with that simultaneous defense/offense tactic. denji thinking that's no one's problem but his own doesn't get agreement from the explosive hero. partners, remember?

anyways. more on that later. when he's not definitely instigating a wrestling match on the blanket while the birds cook round the campfire. or rather than wrestling, perhaps it's more a strange sort of arm wrestling instead, with bakugou holding the other boy up and refusing to get pinned down, but not actively trying to throw or roll him either. oh come on, denji. you've heard bakugou yell about being ordered around over the smallest of things. he'd rage if someone told him to cover his mouth in a cloud of poisonous gas! HE KNOWS TO DO THAT ALREADY, DAMMIT!]

Well? [bakugou invites him to try and make those mental connections to his emotions, digging at him to follow the thought instead of abandoning it out of frustration or embarrassment. he's not a psychologist and he wouldn't say he's empathic, even if he is, but the hero's well aware denji has emotional and mental trauma, making it difficult for him to work with either at certain times. one at a time, step by step, slowly encouraging him to try and work those things out.] Che. When do you get worried about me?

[no, he's actually curious about the answer. those electric geckos were trouble enough and bakugou hasn't forgotten denji biting him in order to refuel and stand guard over him for a while. he knows denji was concerned about his comfort level after they interrogated the prisoner. plenty of other times as well. that casual smile is a nice expression to see and bakugou eases off the initial speculation about denji covering him up with his shirt. you know he's going to taunt the guy about that another time. wait till the summer really hits and they're at the beach. if someone starts slobbering all over denji while bakugou's around, you better bet he's going to threaten them with death. but if they're just quick admiring the view, well... that's what bakugou gets for having an attractive boyfriend.]

Oof! [and not denji's mounting him! the blonde's eyes widen at the sudden action and he growls in response to this now being another more prominent challenge. is that how it's going to be?! as denji eases his grip on his wrists, bakugou thinks about his options. with his leg position and denji's knee, he could easily try and dump him to the side, reverse the roll, and pin him. but his boyfriend's obviously got his guard up. ready. hn...]

Haa?! You swapped from cooking breakfast tomorrow to dinner right now! [that makes a big difference! muscles tense as he starts to sit up, grinning when both hands slide up denji's arms and go for his shoulder and chest. yeah. he's deliberately attempting to rock the other boy back so he can lift himself up.] I'll get a shower after we eat. It'll be messy.

[no, he does appreciate the offered help, babe. but it's gonna be mouth to meat and juicy. best shower right before going to bed.]

[ honestly? even if he does pull on the ripcord, his partner is already prepared for it. it's subtle, almost as if he didn't want the other to notice and misunderstand it as denji dislikes having the cord fondled with, yet the second bakugou's fingers reach for a touch, denji would tip his chin upward. it's a bit tricky at times, but he can manage, not that the hero is stupid enough to yank on the thing unless it was necessary to revive him. however, it didn't stop him from wishing to be cautious. aside from it being an erotic kink, at times when he's not thinking with his dick, he'd find it - adorable. it's like bakugou connecting with pochita, in a peculiar way. not sure anyone would find that endearing. heh.

he stares bakugou down, watching the guy trying to calculate his next move and when to strike. such a cute menace; always thinking of a way to win even during lighthearted situations, yet he can see his brain working a plot for victory. denji is not going down without a fight, that's what he thought— until he noticed the other grinning. oh no. his gaze lowered, following those hands along his arms, chest, and shoulder, and then found himself being pushed back. with neither of them resting on the blanket anymore, and as they reach eye level, that's when he decides to stop being so compliant; hands grabbing onto those wrists once again and refusing to bend back any further. they'll stay where they are, with denji still chilling on his lap, but somehow it's a more nefarious posture. that's kacchan's punishment. to be fair, if he really wanted to launch denji over the fire— he probably could with enough spite. it's a mere cold war of sheer stubbornness for now until the birds are ready to be eaten— only then, the half-devil will get off and free his partner.

dinner should be ready soon, in a few minutes, which might be enough time to share a confession. denji was happy to dismiss voicing out he does stress about bakugou at times until he was prompted to elaborate more. when does he worry? hmm. he's back to thinking, but not as hard as earlier, which might give the impression that is something he tends to mull about more often. it didn't mean he shouldn't be careful; he's learning his brute honesty is not welcomed all the time. ]

I worry because you would die to protect a nobody. That's what heroes do, right? even if a civilian treated you like shit, you would still risk everything to keep them alive. [ people find that admirable, amazing, what an honorable act of courage! but, for denji- ] ... I worry when I see you reaching your limits but you keep pushing. [ then quietly: ] You do that a lot ...

[ granted, denji is not unsympathetic. if anything, he doesn't want to see unnecessary deaths and if he could help, he will. perhaps he's not as passionate as others, and maybe he will pick a cat over humans, or toss a guy trapped in his car at a devil, denji will still desire not to harm others. not consciously, not actively. his humanity is not all lost even in the face of constant cruelty, but he didn't understand the concept of selfless sacrifice for strangers, and bakugou had it. with how close they are, the emotions running through denji are more visible. the expression on his face comes off as a gullible curiosity with a glimmer of something more, it's an odd mix of innocence and maturity. despite that, it's a valid concern in theory. heroes have loved ones, spouses, siblings, parents, or even children who worry about them, but with denji's unease, there is also ... jealousy and mild vexation. it was a thought that would've been best kept muted, but denji is a fool despite all efforts to be courteous. ]

I would tell you to stop. I would make you stop ... because it's unfair that you die for someone who wouldn't even think about you the next day.

[ with that, he brought one of bakugou's hands closer to kiss the back of his fingers. there's more he wants to say; there is a 'i don't want to lose you' and another solemn confession of 'i don't want to be alone again', but it's too heavy on his tongue. a kiss will do for tonight. in the end, he will support the hero's dream and ideology, he will be by his side no matter what. he likes to believe what he shared was not too intense. he is taking it step by step - letting him in. there's more to come in the future.

glancing back and over his shoulder, he nods towards their cooked dinner- ] It's starting to smell good ...

[unfortunately denji's playing with a guy who has a pretty good intellect. meaning bakugo has noticed the way denji's head lifts whenever he plays with the cord, or if they're closer together, how his arms would spread just a bit, always careful to make sure the emerging blades would never reach him. he even saw it when denji finished drinking his blood in the amusement park and didn't pull his cord until he was facing away. bakugo's never brought it up. the care is charming and he doesn't want denji to stop doing it. especially since, if they're in a heated mindset, that tilted chin simply invites the hero to lean in and go for the half-devil's throat with his mouth or hand.

oh he's gonna fight back, huh? bakugo immediately flexes his arms when denji catches his wrists, leaving the guy more or less kneeling over his lap while his hands stay locked on the half-devil's shoulder and chest. he could give one of those pecs a squeeze, since denji likes doing that so much to him... you know, why the fuck not? squeeze! aggressive copping feel. the other one's staying on denji's shoulder, refusing to move even when his own arms are getting grappled. now they're in a stalemate, probably leaving anyone watching to wonder if bakugo's going to try and dump him or if denji's going to try and throw his weight.

if they had no clue what was going on between them. bakugo doesn't like people worrying about him; it makes him feel like a burden the other person has to carry, and that they don't trust he's strong and able enough to handle himself in a threat. too bad the blonde's not an ignorant. he knows why people worry and they won't stop even if he yells at them to. that's what emotions are, what relationships come with. denji's ironically even more blunt than bakugo at times, though his comes out of not thinking about it compared to bakugo not giving a shit about it.]

I'm not gonna die. Even if heroes are supposed to be ready to, strong heroes make sure they don't ever get put in that position. [ironically, he has the same concerns about midoriya, all might, and one or two others in this world here. reckless idiots who think with their hearts and not their minds or bodies. charging in willing to die without a second thought rather than take a moment to see how to accomplish that protection without such sacrifice. dying for someone is undoubtedly a most noble sacrifice, but he'd much rather live for someone.] Hmph... Limits are made to be broken. But if you're with me... tch, I guess I can rest.

[as he had with the geckos and a few times prior. accepting denji's help in shielding him, grumbling as he was about it. he trusts denji to protect him and give him time to recover before he jumps back into the fray. because he can't let the half-devil do all of it either. he worries about denji too...]

Aa. That is unfair. But in my world, that almost never happens. [dying for someone who wouldn't know about it or think about it? hardly. even a hero showing up at the same store would have most civilians gushing about it for the next week. but with the civilians the way they are now, full of distrust, wariness, fear, anger, perhaps denji's right. at the moment. he frowns in thought as the other boy brings his hand to his mouth, features softening at the gesture and silent words. yeah... he understands them. loss. loneliness. denji doesn't have to say it. what he shared already was enough.

it's why bakugo leans in and kisses denji. right here out in the open. short, warm, deliberate. a mutual promise not to die, not not to be another loss in his life, not to leave him alone. those weeks ago, he promised to be a positive experience in denji's life and he's not about to break that promise.

... before abruptly dropping backwards and tossing denji over his head with a well-timed press of his shin and yank of his arms.] I'm checking on the food.

[Which he will in a second. Yeah, those are done. Time for cooked dessert fowl with meager spices.]

[ UH.

sir? the tit squeeze??? can we come back to this one?!

denji never left that moment, locked in a haze even when he knew bakugou was answering his concerns. he had to force his mouth shut after making the most feminine gasp of his entire life, face flustered with a forced scowl, a false display of focus as he attempts to hear what his partner had to say. it starts with 'i'm not going to die' and - this might be the first time he couldn't bring himself to accept bakugou's words despite his blind trust towards the other. he knows his partner truly believes and thrives to be someone that others can depend on, strong enough to be there for them and never end up being a burden. denji knows. it's why he isn't offended by that statement, didn't take it as a lie to reassure him and shut him up. katsuki means it, but it's not true ... is it? how can anyone be sure? with their jobs as cops and as a unit to kill kaijus? it's not like they're living a normal, teen life. he's not asking the hero to promise him he will survive no matter what, that's an unattainable dream. he just wanted him to be more careful.

'But if you're with me... tch, I guess I can rest.' ... ah, yes. that's more like it. that's what he wanted to hear. maybe that's good enough for tonight.

ugh, perhaps he's thinking too much into it. he shouldn't allow it to ruin his mood and instead welcome getting far too distracted by bakugou's soft features as he spoke to him. he doesn't get to see that side of him more often so whenever it's within sight, it calms denji down, and he drops his guard. the kiss was another sedating touch, leaving him feeling warmth, eyes half-lidded and in bliss. he could stay like this forever, forever and ever, and then denji found himself getting lifted and then flipped over upside down, and then hitting the ground with a loud thud in a wwe wrestling style.

what the fuck.

blinking, staring upward at the view of the night sky full of stars, trying to process what just happened. give him a few seconds, and when he finally sits up — denji shoots a nasty glare at the other's back, half-snarling and baring his teeth. grumpy, grumpy. that was a fucking dirty move! unhero like! villain like! he mutters something under his breath, sulking a bit as bakugou attends to their dinner. going back to that scandalous moment, denji ends up staring down at his own chest and he can sense the hot blood pooling around his cheeks. he feels ......... violated. that was, somehow, so violating and lewd more than anything they had ever done. why is his sexual meter sooooooo fucked up? how is a tiny squeeze is considered more naughty than getting dicked down? how did that make him feel like a slut? he pressed his hands against his face in a total dilemma of his own demons! a muted scream into the abyss of 'what's wrong with me?'. denji is having a crisis as his boyfriend sets their dinner ready. the duality.

the struggle persists until the hero calls him in, and even when he's in the middle of going through it — food will always be a priority. he joins bakugou's side, still feverish, still frowning, still mad at the wrestling toss, and for that ... he grabs the biggest bird out of the options in front of them. his partner will probably call the others to join in, all their teammates are starved after a long day and he caught enough prey to feed them all; denji won't stop him, and yet he was obligated to make one thing certain as he pointed a finger in his direction. ]

If I pop a confused boner, it's your fault!

[you grope his pecs a lot! don't dish it out if you can't take it in!

no one goes into a fight planning to die. hell, the second someone walks to a challenge with the casual admittance of "maybe i'll die" they've already weakened their own resolve! bakugou's not arguing to throw reality out the window and pretend he's immortal. but hell if he's not going to look denji in the face and tell him straight to it, "i'm not going to die." it'd be more true to say maybe he will, but how the hell is that going to communicate the sheer drive bakugou has to keep himself alive no matter what challenge crashes into him. he could be bleeding out on the floor, missing an arm, puking blood, and he'd still grit his teeth, snarl, and force himself to hang on. over and over in his head: i'm not going to die. i'm not going to die. he's waiting for me. i'm not going to fucking die! because he promised denji he would live. you don't get that sort of resolve if you always admit that you might die, or that you "could" die. no. he'll defy reality and logic when it means staying alive so the ones bakugou cares about don't have to go through their lives with a him-shaped hole left in their hearts. that's why he tells denji he won't die. no matter their jobs as cops, their work as outsiders, the battles against criminals, disasters, and kaiju.

i'm not gonna die.

he'll keep his unattainable dream AND be careful. fuck you.

if denji ever wants to break open that argument vocally, he'll get the same impassioned speech. though it might be a little more difficult to do if their mouths are together like this. bakugou's nice and doesn't tempt his boyfriend with a little bit of tongue he could've otherwise done. but a gentle, warm kiss, sealing that quiet promise... that isn't going to stay forever because someone had to mention the food almost being done. what'd denji think he was gonna get, a polite request to slide off his lap? ha! fuck no! consider that a bit of reflex training, hot stuff.

is he a bad boyfriend for thinking the "thud" was kind of satisfying? denji gets to growl and glare at him while double checking his own groped pec. (dude, that was no where close to violation.) bakugou's unfortunately unaware of his boyfriend having a mental crisis behind. he focuses on the "desert chicken" at the fire. turning them around and then using another skewer to poke at the leg meat. that's good... now for the breast... okay. last check is to turn the entire thing upside down and let the juices drip. once they run clear without problem, that means it's done. and if this one's done, the others are as well.

maybe someday he'll learn that food is a good way to help denji pull free of his own mental land mines. but for now, he's content to take a seat on the blanket and stab three of the skewers into the sand beside it so he and denji have their choice of bird. unfortunately fruits and vegetables are canned and tinned back in the campervan's rations, so it's pure meat tonight. bakugou arches a brow when denji grabs for the largest bird. something tells him his boyfriend's irked right now, but not in the "really mad" way. childish pouting? hm. (to give credit where it's due, bakugou was only on the hunting team; there are more people than him to thank for this.) but yeah, he'll send a message to the others in their van via the ocular. it's up to them to come and get it.

bakugou actually barks a laugh at that sudden finger point and comment. oh is that what denji's grumpy about? he just grins right back at him.]

I'll take care of it tonight then.

[don't say he never accepted responsibility.]

[ ah, he does need to hear that lecture.

it would truly shine a light on plenty of underlying, repressed anxieties that he is dealing with. the main reason denji is drawn to that boy from the beginning is because he came out as someone worth the blind trust. bakugou never lied to him, and he won't feed him dreams he never plans to make an effort to achieve — it would be best for that minor inkling of suspicion not to grow within denji's damaged heart. if he could understand the true meaning behind 'i won't die' and the symbolism behind it, it would further secure their bond because he would know what the hero truly meant. it's important, maybe not right now since they both seem to have moved on from it, but it's a conversation that should be added to the list of priorities; which is something bakugou will likely acknowledge when he learns more about the guy he decided to be romantically involved with. he will understand the trauma response of denji being more protective and fearful at the same time. bakugou, as a friend, was a badass, unbreakable war machine. bakugou, as a loved one, is still as badass but breakable. he's instantly more human, more fragile in his eyes — and yes, that would piss the hero off to no end, even when it didn't mean he's viewing him as weak. not at all. it's just ... he knew the pain that would shackle him if he ever ended up repeating history and dealing with another loss. when they were teammates, it was a level of grief denji could handle. but now? they're in it too deep, too personal, and too real. it would fucking destroy what little mental stability the half-devil has left.

so, don't fucking blame him if he's a bit - skeptical. denji learned the hard way to be cautious over carefree. he'd rather be overbearing on the hero than watch him get hurt.

he squints at the laughter, then wrinkles his nose at the words afterward. is this a night full of untruths and stressful sexual discoveries?! it sure is. ] How?!! We don't have any privacy around here. You can't even piss in peace without having someone hear you. How are you gonna deal with it?! I can't even deal with it myself.

[ the bathroom is an option, or that's what he thought until he noticed when it's quiet enough in the van you can hear someone in there or the water running, totally not fitted for quickies or one pleasuring himself. bakugou underestimated how much denji had put effort into finding a way to make this work but, alas, he knew he had to suck it up and wait until they return to their ugly-ass hotel room in vegas. this might give a hint on why denji was a bit mindful not to be touchy-feely with his boyfriend, and no- it's not because he respects bakugou's privacy and how he dislikes PDA. fuck that. it was more of him trying to keep his hormones from rioting until he was free to do whatever. a kiss here and there is fine, they had enough practice to build denji's stamina, but this stunt earlier? damn you, hero!

annoyed, denji chose to take a bite, mind still loaded with everything until his teeth broke through that crispy skin, sinking deeper to taste the soft flesh underneath and -

snap. the irritation wilts away, the expression easing down, relaxing his shoulder as he chews his first bite. it's so juicy, beautifully seasoned and even though it's burning hot, it was worth the pain. yet, denji makes a mental note to slow down so he can truly savor it. ]

Mm, it's good ...

[ bakugou was right about one thing— eating those birds will be a juicy delicious mess. they will need to clean up afterward. ]

[despite his gruff demeanor, bakugou knows there's a change in view when you get closer to someone. relationships come with a risk, both a strength and a weakness. someone who looks like they're the strongest their is suddenly becomes someone you want to protect once you get involved with them. he's thought about that when it came to his feelings for denji. was he willing to take that risk? the answer's "yes" each time. because denji is worth it. eventually they'll have the conversation, bakugou's resolve bared and the half-devil's trauma revealed. and he'd reaffirm his determination to never end up as another piece of trauma laid upon denji's life. a positive experience. that's what bakugou has resolved to be for him.

denji's frantic questions about "how" they're going to get some relief just earns him a pair of red eyes rolling under angled brows before bakugou bites into the heated meat on the stick. there are three real options. one's being fucking QUIET in bed. the camper has sleeping quarters. it's not like they're all stuffed into the same quadrant. two's being the shower, since it'd muffle the noises, but would make it pretty damn obvious what they're doing to the others in the camper. three's going out into the desert and getting it on in the dunes. which is the stupidest option available... that's still an option.]

With my hand over your mouth and the other one down your pants.

[if it comes to that. and don't go blaming him on that stunt from earlier! you're the one that was making him touch your chest and then his own as a means of comparing pectoral sizes! not to mention messing with his shirt cause those horny eyes were lingering too long on his exposed torso. bakugou has no problem taking responsibility for groping denji's chest. he's not gonna be blamed for the other boy's hormones. fuck that. if it means he has to wrestle denji to the desert floor behind a nearby dune, then gag him while jerking him off, that's a price he'll pay without a damn problem. it's dark enough out there they don't have to go very far to have some privacy. visually. they'll have to deal with "audibly" on their own.

he rips off a piece of meat again, chewing on it as the heat and juices hit his tongue. it's certainly not chicken tasting. there's something more acrid and oily to it, not the watery kind of juice you'd expect. but desert bird isn't bad. at least it wasn't a fucking vulture or something. that said, much better than rations meat, no contest. his attention caught up in the food, bakugou falls into contented quiet beside denji. hey, the seasoning worked out well, even if limited.]

What do you think's out there? [indicating the desert.] It's probably some fucking burrowing worm or a desert siren.

[ 'one being fucking QUIET in bed' — yeah, that won't ever work, kacchan. the other options? maybe. then again, is he really pushing his boyfriend to analyze their options on what might work while keeping minimal exposure? to attend to his unpredictable sexual flares? not really, denji simply felt like protesting in a very childish way, with zero expectation to be indulged for it. which might explain the lighthearted chuckle that followed; he then blushed and denji lowered his gaze in equal amusement and flattery. jeez, this guy is actually humoring him. he didn't know how to handle this. a normal man might feel guilt and shame for being such a burden, but nope. this is cute to denji. very cute — he almost wants to bite him ♥ ]

Damn, I didn't know you'd risk it all like that. But- [ with a shrug, since bakugou brought it up ... ] I'd prefer your mouth over your hand.

[ just saying. for future references and all, not that he's pushing for tonight. if it happens, it's fine, but denji would rather not stress the other out over something so pitiful. when the opportunity is right, or the desire is too intense, he'll slip under bakugou's blanket, throw it over their heads, and go with the flow. what will it be? soft cuddling with an awkward boner, dirty foreplay, or say 'fuck it' and go all the way? we shall see. he's happy to munch, rip on flesh, and lick the juices off his lips while trying to maintain some etiquette. denji managed for a while but it was all over when bakugou heard a loud crunch. is this guy eating the bones? oh yes he is.

he hums, cheeks full, as he glances towards the open, endless space before them. it's too dark, too quiet and denji won't be surprised if something is staring back at them as they dine. perhaps hungry over the delicious aroma of cooked meat, or maybe it's more interested in the creatures foraging on them. who knows? anything is possible. ]

Whatever it is ... it likes feasting on humans.

[ the footprints they found along their drive seemed recent, otherwise it makes no sense for them to be as visible when the strong winds of the desert can obscure their marks. denji noticed some carcasses along his walk earlier too, inwardly groaning because of course why else would Lilith bring them here? but so far there are no monsters around. it's been too chill; a bit suspicious. it's why he's hoping bakugou would be so kind to make him some tea later. a bit of caffeine to help him stay alert for the rest of the night. ]

I'm more amazed by the fact some civilians chose to explore the desert willingly. Aren't they kinda asking to be eaten?

[haa?! the hell do you mean it won't work?! he knows how to keep quiet in bed! ~~at least until denji shatters that restraint.~~ it's not that denji's pushing him to analyze shit; bakugou's doing that of his own volition because he's a responsible person. and maybe because he's the reason the half-devil has a boner in the first place. if denji was going to protest more seriously, he wants to have a plan in place, or at least options to offer, to make sure that happens. not like he thinks blueballing it is comfortable for any guy. bakugou doesn't think denji's a burden, even if his sex drive can be fucking ridiculous... boyfriend perks.]

How the hell am I gonna make sure your mouth stays shut down there?! [his voice drops to a hiss to keep this conversation as private as possible, face already flushing redder from the sheer implication.

he'll take the future reference. bakugou shoves the conversation to the side for a bit so he can work on the food at his mouth. doesn't mean his thoughts aren't wandering those possibilities. denji's remarkably stubborn and persuasive when he wants to be. but getting it on in the camper when everyone else is potentially in earshot? fuck, is he even able to do that? it'd get denji a roar later on for being so fucking brazen. yet it might happen if the guy goes for it. he'll take pains to keep quie-

*crunch*

bakugou tenses up and flicks his eyes to denji, just in time to see a jagged piece of bone sticking out of the meat. what the fuck? he just crunched right through that?! ugh, guess the half-devil's eaten worse or tougher things. bone doesn't have blood though, so does that even work for his "fuel" or is it just for enjoyment/nutrition? calcium deficit.]

We don't know if it's eating them. [though the other alternatives to being food are not good dinner talk ideas. bakugou returns to his fowl, biting into the breast and pulling the chunk away with a turn of his head. if denji wants him to make tea tonight, he'll get it without much grouch. especially since he guy is taking the full night watch.] I don't think any of them went willingly. That girl in town said her mom wandered off. Other people just vanish. We haven't seen any exploration equipment either.

[no canteens, no traveler cloak or clothes... just civilian pieces, some fresh enough to be targeted by vultures, which a carnivorous creature wouldn't have left if it were luring food.]

[ well, katsuki, you will soon learn that his 'protests' are just him being whiny and childish for the vibes, but if he is truly having a, uh, urge — denji is more action than talk. he'd grab the other boy, find an acceptable spot, and then go for it after some tenacious persuasion. there will be moment where he'd be more stubborn and times where he would be flexible. bakugou will learn to read him better in the future, or maybe it will always be a pleasant surprise! who knows?

when bakugou lowered his voice like the timid king he is, denji barked a loud, playful 'huh?!'. with a smug grin, he glanced at his partner expecting a smack to the head for that one, and in a heartbeat— his expression softened into one of fondness; a bit caught off guard with catching bakugou's blush. jeez, it's unfair how handsome he can be at times. denji stares down at his hands, aware of how dirty they are from going mad with his dinner, his lips and chin are not any better. with that, denji ends up leaning in and squishing his cheek against the other, closing his eyes and brushing skin to skin; like a feline expressing affection. there! a smooch. ]

I'll bite down on my lip so hard. Don't worry, hero.

[ that won't work but it's good to have some confidence! denji already knows what he will do anyway. since he would be up all night, he figured he'd sneak into bakugou's bed in the early morning, and allow someone else to take the watch so he could enjoy an hour in bed with his sleeping boyfriend, and then just be super creative with waking him up. of course, startling someone who went through an actual war might not be the smartest approach in life — but, it's a risk he is willing to take.

oh, bakugou didn't know about denji's habit of eating anything and everything organic - even if someone dropped their food on the dirty floor, or drinks, licking the surface until he utilized all the food within sight. well, more fun lore for bakugou to discover one day.

he listens to the explanation given to him, recalling what that girl told them and if the creature's tactic in hunting its prey is by luring them into the wilderness, this gives an impression it might be small in size, or too wimpy to riot in the city like the other ones they faced. hmm, what if it somehow persuades denji too? he should be worried, and yet - another crunch. he then flops on the other boy's side, gently banging their heads together, more annoying than cute. ]

Okay, but ... I hate when we have to investigate shit. It's better when they jump at you so you can get it over with. We should just go back to the city of lights! You and I haven't really lived the Vegas experience yet. We should be young and free ... listen to music, dance, and do things we're not supposed to do.

[ basically, be actual teens. ]

[a pleasant surprise, most likely. bakugou's the kind of person to treat any protests, whiny or real, with the same kind of response: growling attention. then decide if he's going to listen or dismiss them. there's a part of him that finds denji's childish side endearing; sometimes he plays into them and other times stands his ground. denji's willingness to be stubborn as well as flexible is a great foil to bakugou's usual unbreakable demands. though, lets be real, denji can get him to bend.

WHO'D YOU FUCKING CALL A TIMID KING?! this is private and he's not letting someone else hear about it, dammit! the loud bark and grin earn denji a fiery glare from the blonde. yeah, he would've smacked him on the head, but he's got bird juice on his hands and doesn't want denji's hair getting in his mouth. bakugou tries to get the damn blush off his cheeks, sinking his teeth into a drumstick and putting his attention on the fire instead of denji's handsome face. only to grunt in surprise, face flaring right back up again, when the half-devil opts to nuzzle him like that instead! dammit, denji! don't get all catty on him like that! it's making his heart race (in the good way) and no doing a damn thing for the possible issue in his pants.]

I'm not worried about anything!

[he will totally us his hand to clamp it on denji's mouth even if he's the one down there between the blonde's legs. sex aside, bakugou will be glad to wake up beside his boyfriend, knowing he at least got some sleep during the night. unless the half-devil sees fit to just lie there awake for an hour and decide for himself to be the explosive hero's alarm clock... denji's gonna have variable results depending on how he opts to wake bakugou up. RIP the campervan if he does something stupid.

there's a difference between claiming the five-second rule (for something not wet) and biting through bone itself. it's not like there aren't uses for bone. boiling them for soups and stocks, powderizing them for calcium additions, even snapping them to suck out marrow. but straight up eating them? ... these aren't little fish bones, denji.

bakugou's concern about the potential siren lure is there, but considering they've traveled for a few days and have yet to encounter anything like that, no outsider wandering off or driving a campervan in another direction, it's possible there's either no threat o that sort of lure, or the creature(s) is smart enough to avoid tangling with prey it deems too strong.]

Oy! You wanna stab me or something? [don't bang his head with yours when he's working on a bird bone! not that he's actually shoving denji off or anything. it's cooling down in the desert fast, so the warmth is appreciated. bakugou listens to the whining beside him, chewing another piece then swallowing it down. the half-devil has a point...]

If we go back and they jump us, all those people are endangered. Like this, we can take them out without damaging the city. Unless you wanna have your Vega experience with claw marks and fucking kaiju bodies thrown through buildings. [that last part's given with a leering grin just to pull denji's proverbial chain.] We can end these bastards quickly, then go back and enjoy ourselves.

[but bakugou's not gonna do "things we're not supposed to do" even for you, denji.]

I'd never hurt you ... [ a tiny bone stab to the back of the throat wouldn't be too painful, right? well, no one is hurt; bakugou gets to enjoy some warmth and denji is attending to his touch-starved self. everyone wins in this situation.

denji is already done with his bird, biting through a few tiny bones and hanging crispy skin. fucking delicious down to the last taste. he rolled his eyes to the side, listening to bakugou's answer— not surprised that all he thinks about is saving the folks and ensuring they end the mission with minimum damage to the property. the rules are endless; he's always careful about other things but his own safety. he'd complain, but his partner was smart enough to end it with reassurance that they will have time to enjoy themselves. that grin, while it was hard to 'see' it from where he was resting his head on the others, he could certainly hear it in bakugou's tone. hmm. ]

Did I ever tell you I was in love with the Bomb Devil Hybrid?

[ was that random? maybe. yet, he can't help but compare how both held the same destructive power, one that everyone fears, and then we have bakugou going above and beyond to tame it. he grabs a napkin and attempts to wipe his hands clean, not that it would do much but it's something before he will excuse himself for a quick shower. truth is, denji didn't like talking about his life back home and found no reason to open a conversation about it, but this? he likes to believe despite everything that happened between him and reze — meeting her is something he would never regret. and, it's kinda endearing he's falling for someone who holds the same perks. ]

I fell in love. She made sure I did and then shit happened, and ... I can promise you I know exactly what it would feel like to be killed by your quirk. I've been killed many times and I can honestly say this might be one of the top ten worst ways to die. It's a brutal force. [ he paused, reflecting a bit. ] I guess I just wanted to say that I'm still surprised ... at how you made people feel safe around you. When I was fighting her, it truly was a power fitted for a devil from hell. Yet, when I fight by your side ... all I see is a hero people will cheer for.

[ bakugou seeks perfection in every possible way; denji has learned this about him, and while he finds this an exhausting way to go through life, it is also admirable. despite his boyfriend excelling in many ways, controlling this insane strength is worth respecting the most. he's certain many people have complimented bakugou about this, this isn't something new, but denji felt he should express it at least once. from someone who'd seen the horrors of it, he hoped his words would be taken more than mere praise.

ah, the napkin is sticking to his greasy hands and denji groans. he needs to wash it off with soap and water, or he should just go and shower instead. he pulls himself to sit up now, lips curling up, eyes tired as always but content. ]

I can say more mushy things but I'll spare you.

[ he still needs bakugou to make him some tea, ya know .... ]

I know. [not in any serious way at least, because getting denji's dick shoved right up his ass, all the way, definitely hurt like a fucking bitch! at least the pain passed away relatively quick enough. better than getting a potential bone in his throat, thanks. denji's free to lean against him all he likes, with no risk of getting thrown this time.

oy, it's not all he thinks about. when the topic turns to the potential kaiju and the battle, he thinks about a lot of factors, including the civilians, collateral damage, and wrecking the shit out of the monsters they're hunting. when he first started u.a., he hadn't given thought to the damage he did with his quirk during a battle. aizawa-sensei quickly scolded him for that, something bakugou took to heart despite his grumpy response about the reprimand. but compromising denji on battle vs having a city to return to for later entertainment? not that hard.

just... did not think the conversation would turn to this topic.]

No?

[is it polite to talk about a past crush or past love with your current boyfriend? bakugou wouldn't know; he's never had a boyfriend before. but it's about denji's past, and he's piqued, mostly because there's a "bomb devil" involved and that's kinda cool. does that mean denji's attracted to explosive people? who knows. the half-devil's been pretty quiet about his past, so getting a glimpse into it is intriguing. denji mentioned relationships before, but not "falling in love" before. bakugou didn't know the guy ever had.

the rest of it is a lot to take in. multiple topics to consider, to respond to, all that shit. he wants to talk to them all, but isn't in the mood to do return a lot either. denji summed up pretty damn well and bakugou's left in thought for a while to let it digest before responding.]

I'm nothing like her. If I ever get brainwashed or influenced against you, either get someone else to help you knock me out or tie me the fuck up. You know how my Quirk works.

[if denji can immobilize his hands or even get bakugou's hands strapped against his own chest or face, that'll more or less shut him down, provided the half-devil can handle the rocket ride the former decision will result in. on the one hand, he doesn't want to fight denji, to "kill" him even if he can regenerate from a lot. but on the other hand, he trusts his boyfriend has enough knowledge to take him on, with or without aid.]

Any power can be used for good or bad. People end up trusting the person wielding that power more than the power itself. [his eyes linger on the fire.] It's why I think you're a hero too.

[just like chainsaw man was seen as a hero for a time in denji's world, despite wielding fucking chainsaws, a staple of fearsome power in horror flicks or zombie films. even in neo tokyo, the outsiders are seen a force of defense and protection despite many of them using dangerous powers or abilities. bakugou knows denji can control his own power well enough to use it as he wishes, rather than the other way around. but that what really matters is what he does with it. it's one of the reasons he thinks denji has a heroic heart, even if said heart is damaged and traumatized in many ways.]

Tch, sap. [yet his tone of voice and the look in his eyes indicate bakugou's touched by denji's words. they landed a fair mark on his feelings. and while he's still a little... ummm, about knowing denji had a girlfriend before, that's a conversation he might never bother returning to for both their comforts.] Thanks, Denji.

▶ 001. A RUDE AWAKENING.

▶ 002. WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS.

▶ 003. TROUBLE BREWING.

▶ 004. FOUR FOR THE ROAD.

▶ 005. THE HUNT IS ON.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

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