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synflux2024-06-14 07:15 pm
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2024-06-14 07:15 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- chainsaw man: makima,
- devil summoner: raidou kuzunoha,
- fate/grand order: okada izou,
- genshin impact: wriothesley,
- honkai star rail: dr. ratio,
- jujutsu kaisen: yuji itadori,
- library of ruina: gebura,
- library of ruina: malkuth,
- limbus company: ishmael,
- limbus company: rodion,
- limbus company: vergilius,
- lobotomy corporation: yesod,
- my hero academia: katsuki bakugo,
- spy x family: yor briar
KAIJU FIGHT #3
KAIJU FIGHT #3
▶ 001. POSITIVE THINKING.
The aftermath of the last kaiju battle, has had LILITH researchers scrambling to find an adequate way to combat the aftereffects of the kaiju discovered in the desert. While their research is still very much a work in progress, for now… it’ll have to do. In the early hours of the morning, a message will appear on everyone’s oculars, asking them to suit up immediately and meet at the given coordinates, which will act as the Outsiders rendezvous point. These coordinates lead to an abandoned hotel within 1 mile to the outskirts of the strip.
A new update awaits each Outsider on their oculars. There is no option to decline, and right away it prompts you through several steps. This update was all in part thanks to the various dreams that the oculars have been reacting to. The researchers for LILITH figured out a way to combat these pesky mental side effects by forcing the mind into a state of equilibrium. In order to do this, Outsiders will be asked to think of their happiest memories. Perhaps, due in part to everyone downloading this update at the same time, people will automatically feel an odd sensation as they think back on these memories, almost as if their mind is connected to a collective. These memories will leave each Outsider feeling fulfilled, or even a temporary sense of high as the download continues. As a result, Outsiders may feel giddy or a sense of calm. Some may be motivated to talk about their happy memories with others the first time they do this.
"The system is updating…
The system is updating…
Downloading: ⇓"
The system is updating…
Downloading: ⇓"
A new update awaits each Outsider on their oculars. There is no option to decline, and right away it prompts you through several steps. This update was all in part thanks to the various dreams that the oculars have been reacting to. The researchers for LILITH figured out a way to combat these pesky mental side effects by forcing the mind into a state of equilibrium. In order to do this, Outsiders will be asked to think of their happiest memories. Perhaps, due in part to everyone downloading this update at the same time, people will automatically feel an odd sensation as they think back on these memories, almost as if their mind is connected to a collective. These memories will leave each Outsider feeling fulfilled, or even a temporary sense of high as the download continues. As a result, Outsiders may feel giddy or a sense of calm. Some may be motivated to talk about their happy memories with others the first time they do this.
▶ 002. BREACH OF THE CITY.
Once the download is completed, there’s zero time to rest. It looks like whatever they found in the desert isn’t interested in just sitting and waiting. They’ve come to the city with clear intentions of gradually infiltrating its borders. Who are they? Why, the missing people of course.
Apparently, as part of the kaijus life cycle, it lays eggs, which then hatch into younger worms, similar to actual earthworms. These young worms, unable to protect themselves, control the minds of other living entities in order to do their bidding and keep their own bodies safe. Once infected, their hosts become vicious and hungry for meat, attacking any living thing in sight and trying to eat its flesh to nourish the parasite within.
It’ll be up to the Outsiders in order to scope out these young worms controlling the people of the desert, while simultaneously knocking those individuals out of commission. In some rare circumstances, there will be no turning back for these individuals; if the young worm actually burrows themselves into the bodies of the controlled, they are no more than a reanimated corpse, and will need to be eliminated immediately. The longer these worms exist within these people’s bodies, the larger they grow, and by extension, the more influence they can exert over a larger net of people.
Instead of the camper vans, LILITH has provided other sleeker vehicles in order to quickly traverse the city. The vehicles are equipped for speed and are meant to assist in getting to the various coordinates LILITH sends out to everyone’s oculars. The coordinates all mark where these “controlled people” have been seen via drone footage.
Apparently, as part of the kaijus life cycle, it lays eggs, which then hatch into younger worms, similar to actual earthworms. These young worms, unable to protect themselves, control the minds of other living entities in order to do their bidding and keep their own bodies safe. Once infected, their hosts become vicious and hungry for meat, attacking any living thing in sight and trying to eat its flesh to nourish the parasite within.
It’ll be up to the Outsiders in order to scope out these young worms controlling the people of the desert, while simultaneously knocking those individuals out of commission. In some rare circumstances, there will be no turning back for these individuals; if the young worm actually burrows themselves into the bodies of the controlled, they are no more than a reanimated corpse, and will need to be eliminated immediately. The longer these worms exist within these people’s bodies, the larger they grow, and by extension, the more influence they can exert over a larger net of people.
Instead of the camper vans, LILITH has provided other sleeker vehicles in order to quickly traverse the city. The vehicles are equipped for speed and are meant to assist in getting to the various coordinates LILITH sends out to everyone’s oculars. The coordinates all mark where these “controlled people” have been seen via drone footage.
▶ 003. WORM ON THE MIND.
While the attention will be focused on destroying the monsters that have come up to the city, there will be occasional tremors that can be felt that seem to come from far below— almost as if they were cries from the old city that lay forgotten below. Unfortunately, it’s much worse.
In the middle of staving off the attacks from the mysterious creatures, there will suddenly be the sound of the defense alarm blaring, and without any additional warning, something breaks through the center of the city. This will first be punctuated by the sounds of the building around them crumbling, followed by the clear visual of the large serpentine creature they’ve encountered in the desert. The large sand worm doesn’t even pause to regain its bearings. As soon as it recognizes the presence of other organisms, it begins glowing a fluorescent shade in varying indefinable colors—
Thanks to the updates on the oculars, there will no longer be hallucinations that follow any contact with the worm, however, if one stares too long, they will still be met with splitting headaches and a pressing sense of agitation, so Outsiders are cautioned against prolonged exposure. That said, it won’t always be easy to take a breather against such a large creature.
A brief is sent along with her message.
Note: Roles can be decided by the characters themselves as to what they figure is appropriate and most fitted to their skill set. Everyone will eventually fight the worm (so this does not affect the fight mechanics of the worm itself) and people can also jump from one role to another.
In the middle of staving off the attacks from the mysterious creatures, there will suddenly be the sound of the defense alarm blaring, and without any additional warning, something breaks through the center of the city. This will first be punctuated by the sounds of the building around them crumbling, followed by the clear visual of the large serpentine creature they’ve encountered in the desert. The large sand worm doesn’t even pause to regain its bearings. As soon as it recognizes the presence of other organisms, it begins glowing a fluorescent shade in varying indefinable colors—
Thanks to the updates on the oculars, there will no longer be hallucinations that follow any contact with the worm, however, if one stares too long, they will still be met with splitting headaches and a pressing sense of agitation, so Outsiders are cautioned against prolonged exposure. That said, it won’t always be easy to take a breather against such a large creature.
█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: ALITTA VIRENS
HEIGHT: 400 metres
WEIGHT: 1,900,000 kg
CLASS: Extremely Dangerous
LOCATION: Las Vegas, USA
ABILITIES: Mind control. Although full details are UNKNOWN, its young can take control of human and animal hosts. Once under their control, the hosts will become aggressive and hungry for meat, which is theorized to feed and nourish the young worms until they are ready to emerge.
EXTRA NOTES: According to what the researchers have surmised, similar kaiju have appeared on a much smaller scale and are susceptible to water poisoning and electrical shocks. LILITH has not found a way to fully free the hosts from the parasite, but they can be stunned after receiving multiple electric shocks.
"
YAMAKAWA: Angels of LILITH, please be advised of your roles moving forward. With the city already infiltrated, we will need to be quick."
YAMAKAWA: Angels of LILITH, please be advised of your roles moving forward. With the city already infiltrated, we will need to be quick."
A brief is sent along with her message.
█ █ █ MISSION ROLES:
✖ GROUP ONE: Those who fulfill this role will need to be equipped with brute strength and the ability to survive the attacks in a city that is the midst of being destroyed. They will also need the stamina to keep the worm at bay as the others complete their tasks before also gathering to exterminate the kaiju.
✖ GROUP TWO: With strong mental fortitude, these individuals will be expected to clean up the group of controlled individuals; not all will be able to be saved, and the ability to make that distinction is imperative for this role. Those who appear too far gone will not be able to regain their senses. They will need to be killed.
✖ GROUP THREE: This group will be concentrated on being able to property evacuate the citizens that remain in the city of Las Vegas. Preferably those who are quick on their feet, or are able to stealthily circumvent the dangers in the city in order to get the people to safety would be ideal for this role.
✖ GROUP FOUR: Those with support skills or a medical background will be expected to assist those in the other groups, whether by healing, additional abilities, or by assisting the other groups as needed.
Note: Roles can be decided by the characters themselves as to what they figure is appropriate and most fitted to their skill set. Everyone will eventually fight the worm (so this does not affect the fight mechanics of the worm itself) and people can also jump from one role to another.
▶ 004. LET'S WRAP UP.
The areas the worm has traversed leaves the ground above it weak and unsteady. Due in part to this, those who have evacuated will need to remain in the shelter until further notice. As a result, it’s up to the Outsiders to clean up the city. Aside from the large gaping hole in the center of the city that they can’t address immediately, they are first expected to get rid of the carcasses of the larvae.
Each Outsider will be provided with a suit and will even be given hover packs to scale down the side of these large holes. They will also be given traditional ropes and lines for those who want to get creative with scaling, or who simply didn’t make it there quickly enough to grab a hover pack (with the destruction to the city, some supplies are still in transit). They will be expected to review each carcass and tag which ones can be sent to the lab for further review, and which should simply be discarded as being unusable.
A coordinated effort is needed to adequately dispose of the largest kaiju. The alitta virens will need to be cut into several thousands of pieces, and so work needs to begin immediately. It’s not like the people can return to everyday life with a giant serpent-like entity laying on top of their city. Outsiders should be particularly cautious with it; even when dead, as it still seems to have strange tendrils inside of its body that appear to be writhing even after its death.
Each Outsider will be provided with a suit and will even be given hover packs to scale down the side of these large holes. They will also be given traditional ropes and lines for those who want to get creative with scaling, or who simply didn’t make it there quickly enough to grab a hover pack (with the destruction to the city, some supplies are still in transit). They will be expected to review each carcass and tag which ones can be sent to the lab for further review, and which should simply be discarded as being unusable.
A coordinated effort is needed to adequately dispose of the largest kaiju. The alitta virens will need to be cut into several thousands of pieces, and so work needs to begin immediately. It’s not like the people can return to everyday life with a giant serpent-like entity laying on top of their city. Outsiders should be particularly cautious with it; even when dead, as it still seems to have strange tendrils inside of its body that appear to be writhing even after its death.
▶ 005. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our third kaiju log!
Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the smaller kaijus. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below!
All tags on this log are worth 2 points.
Feel free to NPC your characters' fights with the smaller kaijus. The main fight with the largest one will be determined via a HP-based system (See below). Feel free to ask any other questions below!
All tags on this log are worth 2 points.
EVENT BREAKDOWN (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. POSITIVE THINKING: LILITH has updated everyone's implants and encourage them to think of their happiest thoughts to give the technology the mental boost they need. Some characters may feel high or giddy and want to express their happy memories to someone else.
2. BREACH OF THE CITY: The worm larvae have a parasitic nature and are taking over the bodies of civilians. Outsiders are tasks to seek out those affected, killing worm larvae or civilians with parasites who are beyond help.
3. WORM ON THE MIND: The largest worm breaks through the ground in the heart of the city and Outsiders are encouraged to attack within their arranged group.
4. LET'S WRAP UP: After the sandworm monster is killed, Outsiders will be tasked with clean up efforts.
no subject
Heh, it's always been cool. [Katsuki returns the little smile. He might try to hide his nerd energy, but he hasn't been too successful when it comes to Yuji's skills. From martial arts to cursed energy to raw strength to blood manipulation. The guy's awesome.]
How do you refuel your cursed energy then? Rest? [A "basic energy" fuel like ki, chakra, chi, etc.]
no subject
[ Yuji is a bit of a unique kind of fighter, so he just shrugs his shoulders. His cursed energy is a side effect from Sukuna, so the limitless nature of it is because of how his body had shifted and changed from housing a special grade curse inside him for so long.
Yuji hates it, but there's nothing he can do about it. He has to accept that this is how he is, that his strength isn't really his own, he's just... A vessel.
At least he has Katsuki to focus on. ]
Because of being a vessel.
no subject
[As far as Katsuki knows, Yuji is still able to keep up with Sukuna even after the curse jumped to Megumi's body. Didn't seem like he lost much of anything when it came to his skill and power. He doubts the sorcerer got to use all of Sukuna's probably-vast energies and powers, but it's certainly made him an even greater fighter.
Katsuki's always going to support Yuji in regards to his power, even if it used to be Sukuna's and was directly related to him. Kicking Sukuna's ass with energy derived from him would be a fucking awesome "in your face" result. But he'll never accept Yuji's thoughts on being "just a vessel" ever.]
It's your power now.
no subject
[ Yuji still doesn't really see any of this as 'his' power. His body was moulded because of Sukuna. He learned blood manipulation from the death womb paintings. He learned healing from Yuta's body and Simple Domain from Kusakabe's. None of this is him - it's all borrowed skill, even if he uses it well. The only thing he can claim is Divergent Fist, and that's because he didn't have enough control yet.
Waving his hand, he leans back, flopping on the ground behind him. ]
It's power, whatever it is. That's all that matters, in the end.
[ Especially if he can use it to kill Sukuna. ]
no subject
[Katsuki would be willing to try and ram it into his head as to how this is "his" power. Sure, the source of it and the transition weren't purely Yuji's, but like any gift or skill learned, it becomes his own. Even borrowed skills aren't replicated flawlessly. The sorcerer puts his own spin on them, filters that knowledge in his own fighting style, and uses his own power, strength, smarts to fuel and enact all of those skills. Most knowledge and ability is borrowed, or if that's too guilty a word, passed down from one source to another, in one way or another.
That's why Katsuki refuses to say Yuji's power is anything but his own. Make that strength your own. It's what he told Izuku regarding One for All; he'll say the same thing to his best friend in Neo Tokyo.]
Hmph. Do you think it'll disappear after you kill him?
[Don't you dare say you're going with him to die! This is hopeful hypothetical, Gari Head!]
no subject
[ Yuji frowns, flexing his fingers absently. ]
Now that I've eaten the Death Womb Paintings, I'll have their cursed energy anyway, so not having Sukuna doesn't matter so much. I've also been inside Yuta-senpai and Kusakabe-sensei's bodies, so maybe that would impact things as well? I really don't know the answer.
[ He hasn't thought that far ahead. His focus is just on destroying Sukuna; everything else doesn't really register in his head just yet. Sukuna gone, Megumi safe... That's all that he can focus on.
Breathing out, he looks over. ]
I don't think anything like this has happened before.
no subject
[Time would tell, huh. Katsuki finishes dripping his sweat into the ball and holds his hand out to detonate the rest in a few small explosions. Then he can cap off the blood bomb and wrap it in more plastic to keep it nice and secure for later use. It's lighter than his makeshit grenade containers, so that'll make for an advantage.
Katsuki's always been someone who looks forward. Not all the time, certainly not some weirdo who plans specific things a year in advance, but looking only at the present isn't always to his benefit. He's glad to hear Yuji has more energy, even if he did have to consume the others. Perhaps in a way, his brothers are happy to be a part of giving Yuji their strength. If that energy keeps the sorcerer alive in any way, then his brothers will have saved his life.]
New territory. You'll be able to make it work. You adapt and learn quickly.
no subject
[ And not other things.
It's funny to think back to a few weeks ago and how stressed he was at failing Ratio-sensei's exams, and now it doesn't feel as if it matters as much. He should probably check in on his teacher, especially with the memories that he bore witness to, but he's not in the right mindset to face reliving Nanami's death all over again. It's a little too painful for him.
Closing his eyes, he rests his arm over his face for a long, drawn out moment. ]
And I have aniki and Gojo-sensei to help me practice, so it'll probably work out.
no subject
[Enough to do it on his own without ending up with a mess on his hands.
Katsuki doesn't want to go visit anyone he shared painful memories with, with the intention of talking to them about said memories. Yuji and Denji saw the worst ones, even those aren't comfortable. Even if both of them are closer to Katsuki than anyone else. It will be a while before he's willing to revisit those feelings and talk about them. He doesn't begrudge anyone who saw his memories, it wasn't their faults, but it'll take time to adjust to the reality.
Katsuki tucks the blood bomb into the safety of his pocket.]
Aa. [Yuji's surrounded by a network of people who will always come to his support, whether he wants them to or not. He rests for a while in quiet before grumbling-]
Never thought I'd miss wanting to sleep in my own room.
no subject
[ And it's probably harder to mess up chocolate than other stuff, but he's not going to say that. He knows where self-deprecating gets him when he's around Katsuki, and the last thing he wants is to inspire another lecture about his own nature and how he treats himself. They'll just end up pouting at each other and that'll lead to even more trouble, in the end.
For now, he just wants to enjoy himself, to let himself have this moment of peace. Wiggling a little, he leans into his friend's body with a sigh, stretched out. ]
It feels far away right now, doesn't it? Like we've been here forever, even though it's only been a few weeks.
[ Yuji's concept of 'home' is strange and twisted, since those people are here, but... ]
I miss being able to just... Lie there and enjoy the quiet.
no subject
[Some people might argue that. Katsuki knows people who'd rather run into a burning building to save someone than try to bake a cake in the kitchen. Anytime Yuji brings up his self-depreciation, he's going to get lectured about it. Because if Yuji can't or won't care about himself, then Katsuki's going to do it for him. Even if it's tough love version. This boy's important to him. Enough that he'll fight for Yuji, no matter who the enemy is.
It's almost magnet by now, how the sorcerer leans into him and the hero accepts it without a problem. He turns a little so his friend has an easy settle against him, one arm resting around Yuji's waist for some comfort and contact.]
Che. Yeah. A week of waiting for LILITH to get their ass in gear and then slogging through the fucking desert.
[Just to run into the worm, have that fiasco of failure, then retreat home licking their wounds... all within the oven-baked heat of the desert in a gambling city, makes the rush and stop feeling of the past few weeks an exhausting whiplash.]
You? Quiet?
[Katsuki's mostly teasing him, looking down at the other boy, mouth resting in the bed of pink spikes. Yuji might be able to feel that little smirk against his scalp.]
no subject
[ Is Yuji going to pout for this entire conversation? Maybe, especially if he keeps getting teased. It's not as if he minds, when he can cuddle close to his friend and find comfort in him, letting himself bask in the companionship.
Developing friendships like this is still something of a novelty for Yuji, who didn't have that many close friends in middle school. None of them have kept into contact with him, probably because he didn't have a cell phone back then, but that doesn't mean he's not a little sad about it. Maybe it's easier, considering how dangerous his new life is, but... He can miss simplicity a little bit, can't he? Almost as if it's nostalgic.
Settling against Katsuki, letting himself be comfortable, he wonders what it would've been like if the two of them had met in school.
Probably explosive. ]
At least it'll be over soon and then we might be able to go back to base. Then we can stop melting.
no subject
[Really, is Katsuki one to talk about being quiet and stealth? He's ignoring it in favor of getting to mess around with Yuji instead and enjoy the physical comfort. Even if he's not the best with people getting touchy feely with him, the sorcerer's one of the few Katsuki's comfortable with letting into his personal space. Hell knows they need the comfort before tackling the monster approaching.
Katsuki lost all his middle school friends, Izuku excluded, simply because none of them got into or tried to go for U.A. and he's far more focused on his classmates in high school. It didn't help when U.A. transitioned to a dormitory and going home no longer became an option every day. Though whether the kids that hung around Katsuki during his childhood were true friends or just tagged along to bask in the glow of the popular kid or did so out of not wanting to be bullied is a different question.
Yuji's not the only one who's occasionally thought back to the simple life of middle school. Peaceful...
Katsuki slips an arm around his friend's stomach, gathering him into his lap against his chest as he settles against the wall and rests behind + around Yuji. It helps tend to some of his still-healing wounds as well, chin resting on Yuji's shoulder.]
Hmph. Don't wuss out, Gari Head. [Still lightly teasing him.] Handsome men can't be hurt by water, right?
no subject
[ But he can't deny the fact that he prefers missions where he can go in fists blazing, as it were, and just beat his way through whatever monster they have to deal with. It's still hard, fighting humans, and Yuji's will never be okay with any form of murder, or torture, or evil to the core, but monsters... Curses...? Those are the kinds of things that he can muster up the strength to take down, even if he has to do it alone.
Thinking about all the people he's lost, all the pain he has been through, the suffering and agony, Yuji doesn't think he'd trade it for a simple life. He wouldn't go back to middle school and act as if none of this had happened. He'd made a promise to his grandpa, even if grandpa hadn't been alive to hear his agreement, and it clung to him like a curse.
Yuji is going to help people, use his strength for something good, and try to die without regrets. That's all he can do now.
Curling around Katsuki is easy, and Yuji hooks himself around his friend, closing his eyes. Casual intimacy has always been easier for him than others, but he can't pretend as if it's not easier with this particular friend. They reach for one another and take care of each other, no matter what, and that eases some of the pain in his heart. It makes him feel better.
Huffing a noise, he smacks Katsuki's arm gently. ]
Who're you talking about, handsome men? Pff.
no subject
[He wanted to go in there and crash the auction right away! They knew it was illegal! Why the hell did they have to wait for the actual illegal sales to get started?! Protocol and other bullshit being the answer. Katsuki's not had issue fighting humans, but that's because he's used to it from his own world, where people were the enemies. Of course he's not going to accept murder or torture, but kicking the shit out of people who willingly made bad decisions? Fuck yeah.
No, there's no going back to how things were. Katsuki knows the world's changed in his homeworld. After what the villains have done, what the heroes went through, everything is different now. "Back" is not an option. "Normal" is not an option. The only route they can go is forward to a better future. It's gonna be hard, hell on earth in many places, and will take a shitload of time, with results that Katsuki's generation might not even seen, but something they have to do if they want to bring a better society.
That's what heroes do. They win. They save. To provide a better future for everyone. Dying without regrets is a good goal.
Katsuki finds the physical intimacy between him and Yuji a quiet curiosity, but one he's already grown far too accustomed to think of beyond admitting it's pleasant. It brings him comfort, can quiet a frustrated attitude, and encourages him with thoughts of wanting to do his best for his best friend. He rests his hand on Yuji's forearm, absently tracing his fingers along his skin. The little smack earns a small scoff.]
I'm not wrong, dork.
no subject
[ Aah, well. That was before Megumi had confessed to him, and left Yuji in a confused, mixed-bag of emotions that don't always make sense to him. Trying to wrap his mind around Megumi as his best friend and Megumi who had a crush on him was difficult, so he simply hadn't put his mind to it. If he did, it would lead to his brain bleeding out of his ears for sure.
Whatever it is that Megumi feels for him right now, it's not as important as their friendship, and that's what Yuji clings to.
Leaning into Katsuki's body, he sighs softly, feeling some of his weight and uncertainty fade away. There's no point dwelling on grief or sadness or exhaustion while this guy is around, because he'll just get shouted at, and Yuji isn't prepared to get into another argument because he's too tired to keep his mouth tempered. It's easier to just relax and shove it all aside for now, and worry later.
Still... He's grinning a little. ]
You're just teasing me.
no subject
[Whether that's a tie or the top button done on the stupid collared shirt! (He isn't going to ask about Megumi because Katsuki's aware of that relationship aspect. Sometimes you just have to keep your crush to yourself and make peace with watching over the person you like without saying it.) It's apparently more applicable to growl about having to wear formal clothes to a formal event, when said formal event was a front for a sting operation... Katsuki hates ties.
He isn't unrealistic to Yuji. Grief and sadness are parts of life; someone who doesn't experience them is either insane or has a crazily-blessed life. Telling Yuji not to acknowledge those pains and exhaustion isn't what the blonde wants. Suffering begets resolve and strength. It's only when Yuji lets his grief swallow him to the point of looking like he's giving up or admiring the issue with no attempt to conquer it that Katsuki gets irritated and yells at him. Thankfully that's becoming rare as Yuji gets better about it and the young hero becomes more understand and supportive of him in those times. They're both maturing together.
Katsuki will always be there for Yuji to come to for comfort, venting, sorrow, pain, relaxation, anything. Even if he might give him a harsh truth, the blonde will never stop caring for his friend.]
Figure that out by yourself?
no subject
[ Shaking his head, he sinks into Katsuki a little more.
In another world, another realm, this might still feel weird, seeking out affection and needing it for himself, desperate to find some kind of peace and comfort, but for the Yuji who had seen so much death and heartache and suffering... He thinks he would've hugged Nanamin, and Gojo, and Higuruma more if he realised he wouldn't get much more chances at it. He would've never let Kugisaki or Megumi too far out of reach.
Maybe it's an okay thing, to want to have these moments, to steal away the comfort where no one can touch them.
Patting Katsuki's arm weakly instead, he tries to hide his grin. ]
That's not fair, you can't be mean to me. Not when I'm so tired.
[ It's fine, Katsuki can definitely be mean to him whenever he wants. He's fine with it (and used to it). ]
no subject
[Maybe he's just being petulant, not wanting to admit Yuji might be more right in this.
There are many people Katsuki has similar feelings towards. Not the close embrace type that Yuji's quietly grown for himself in the blonde's bristly exterior, bu the same desire to keep close and protect, not knowing if there'd be tomorrow. But he didn't have that luxury back home, only barely glimpsing a few of his classmates and teachers before everyone was shunted off into the portals to face their respective challenges. Are they alive? Are they dead? Will they be there at the end of the war? ... He doesn't know. But the idea he might not get to spend more time with them is a strong motivator to stay alive.
It's why he's determined to live here. Not just for his world back home, but for the friends he's made here, for this boy he's holding in his arms right now. Quiet moments alone like these that remind him what he's living for.
He drums his fingers lightly on Yuji's arm, flexing the tendons in the back of his forearm under the blonde's pats.]
Che. You're such a little kid sometimes.
[But there's undeniable fondness in his voice when he says it, completely counter to the small scowl he usually wears.]
no subject
[ He's definitely being a little petulant.
All the same, Yuji grins, unable to resist the urge despite how tired he is. It's been a rough, painful few months, and he still isn't sure how he's going to cope with it all, even when he goes back to Neo Tokyo and escapes Las Vegas proper, the memories too fresh in his mind. It hurts, and it aches, but he's managing, somehow, to pull himself together and slot all his pieces back into one place.
He's clinging to it, but that's how it's been for a long time anyway, so that's nothing new.
Lifting his head, he looks up at Katsuki, offering a smaller, softer smile, more at peace, calmer. ]
I'm barely sixteen, so isn't that something I'm allowed?
[ Almost pouting. ]
Sometimes it makes things easier.
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How do YOU tie a tie then?
[Cause as far as Katsuki cares, they're both made with the same looping knot and tighten when one end's pulled! Certainly not arguing the external intent of them. Because he's being petulant too now.
This isn't going to be an easy month to come back from. Between the embarrassing defeat in the first encounter, the horrible stripping of privacy in having his memories shoved into people's head, the guilt over hurting other Outsiders while battling them, and his own injuries in the fight, to say nothing of Vegas and its stupid heat wearing out its welcome, Katsuki's had enough of the place. He's ready to go back to his Everlight room and lick his wounds in private.
But... he's still got a job to do here and a hero doesn't cower away from responsibility. He's going to win this.
Katsuki tilts his head again, eyes cast downward to meet Yuji's gaze. The soft smile earns a quiet breath. Accepting, maybe a little amused too.] I didn't tell you to stop. [Sometimes it does make things easier.]
never apologise, i am always here <3
[ It's not as if he's wearing a tie that often anyway, since he never has to wear a proper uniform and he hasn't been to any proper formal events...
They're content together, letting himself curl around his friend, to bask, and he wonders what'll he do, leaving and coming back. To have Katsuki's existence ripped away from him and then returned, to miss his friend without knowing that he missed him... Yuji knows that heading back home is what he needs to do, but he needs to come back. He has to come back and find his friends again, to bring the good news of survival.
Until then, he can do this job. He can survive here, and find some kind of peace.
Eyes locked, he hesitates for a moment before his face breaks out into a slightly wider smile. ]
I'm not gonna stop, don't worry.
apologizes in the key of forever jus cuz! ♥
[Where his version of "always" is most adults' and proper students' version of "looks nice" when it comes to a tie. He hates wearing the damn things! It's worse when his school uniform requires them... which he... does not obey. Katsuki likes Yuji's school uniform. It seems more comfortable.
Katsuki thinks about that painful thought more than he should. He will never not want to return home. He has things to do there even if his world's paused while he's here. The fact is, he doesn't belong here; none of the Outsiders belong here. It's in their very name. (Fuck SYNTHIA for calling them "angels" all the time... Gross.) But leaving here means forgetting everyone he came to like. It means forgetting Yuji... Yet he's just as determined to return to Neo Tokyo after settling shit in his world as he is determined to get back to his world eventually. There are people he needs to return to here as well. Yuji has to know that Katsuki survived and made it out relatively okay. So many others do as well.
But that's in the future. For now, this is what's going on. A comforting moment between them. That smile he gets from Yuji will always bring a gentle brush of comfort and assurance to his chest.]
Che. I let you get away with so much shit.
[He combs his fingers backwards through Yuji's hair, messing with his spikes for the hell of it. At least Katsuki acknowledges it.]
if you'll also forgive mine!! ♥
[ Like, dude... Yuji rarely wears ties, though, so that might be part of the problem; hoodies are more his speed and always have been. Even his uniform is hoodie based, thanks to Gojo-sensei, and come to think of it he doesn't seem many sorcerers wearing ties, just Nanamin... Maybe it's a safety measure? If a curse grabbed your tie and pulled, for example... That could be bad.
The touch to his hair has him relaxing again almost immediately, sinking back into Katsuki and breathing out softly. It's nice, to be taken care of, even if he feels a little guilty all the same - as if he doesn't deserve to be taken care of when Katsuki has suffered as much as he has.
Closing his eyes, he smiles. ]
That's because you're one of my best friends. If it wasn't like that you would've kicked my ass.
i pour out forgive from bounty bowls ♥
[Even his school uniform went bereft of it because he hated them. Well, recently he's been wearing his, for reasons, but even then, it's loose as all getup, leaving his throat visible between his uniform shirt's top two buttons left open. Katsuki does his best to avoid ties. Formal wear has always ticked him off. So damn stuffy and stiff. He prefers tee shirts and light button downs, but hoodies are nice in cooler months. Kind of has to be in a mood for one though...
Katsuki continues the lazy motions, fingers playing through Yuji's hair and grazing across his scalp. It feels nice when the sorcerer melts into him like that. His eyes lid as he focuses on nothing but the other boy's warmth and presence. Oy, don't talk about guilt over this. He's doing it cause he wants to. And it helps balm his own suffering. Focusing on someone else for a while so he can charge up and deal with his own shit later.]
Heh. Damn right. [Best friends and ass kicking.] You ass isn't as easy to kick now. Makes it more fun.