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synflux2024-09-28 11:36 am
synfluxmods) wrote in synflux2024-09-28 11:36 am
Entry tags:
- !event,
- chainsaw man: makima,
- critical role: taryon darrington,
- devil summoner: raidou kuzunoha,
- fate/grand order: okada izou,
- final fantasy 7: kadaj,
- genshin impact: wriothesley,
- in stars and time: siffrin,
- library of ruina: malkuth,
- lobotomy corporation: yesod,
- mobile suit gundam seed: dearka elthman,
- mobile suit gundam seed: lacus clyne,
- mobile suit gundam seed: shinn asuka,
- my hero academia: katsuki bakugo,
- original character: lilias hollow,
- original: aodh,
- pacific rim: raleigh becket,
- persona 5: akira kurusu,
- yu-gi-oh! gx: manjoume jun
TRAVEL LOG #3
TRAVEL LOG #3
ā¶ 001. TARGU MURES AIRPORT.
In the early morning of the 1st, Outsiders will receive a message in their oculars.
True enough, a SPECIAL ALERT will blare through the implants shortly after, asking those who would be willing to help with a distress call to head to the hangar. The reward will be an additional bonus pay, as this seems to be different from detecting a kaiju. There, they will see a familiar sight: the LILITH SKY CRUISER, a spacecraft capable of carrying 80 passengers. There is little time for seat assignments, so seating will be on a first come, first serve basis (hopefully you donāt get the middle seat!) and the flight will last about 10 hours. Just like any aircraft, Outsiders may stand up and walk around once the seatbelt signs turn off. There is inflight entertainment consisting of AI movies or virtual reality games (see TRAVEL LOG #2). Characters with inhuman features are required to wear their cloaking devices.
The plane will touch down at Targu Mures Airport, Transylvania, Romania, which appears to be abandoned and desolate. There isnāt a living soul to be found.
There isnāt a data portal in Romania, and thereās just no way to transport the number of cars needed for over 60 people via plane. Letās hope you managed to get proper rest on the way here, because the hike will take about 5-6 hours through the dense forest, with the Captain feeding directions through the ocular based on where the kaiju readings are most pronounced.
All teams will be traveling together along a treacherous terrain which will include both harmful flora & fauna. Outsiders can expect to come across brown bears, wolves, European lynx, golden jackal & wild boars. Although the forest is dense, these animals are scarce to come by, but they can appear, especially when the hike takes place at dusk and into the night.
In this time of the year, hay fever is a common occurrence in these forests. Those sensitive to pollen may be sneezing and feeling fatigue through this hike. There will be steep hills, slippery ground and eerie sounds of the night to serenade the Outsiders. It doesn't help that the further they travel, the thicker a dark fog gathers around them, making the surroundings difficult to make out. Everyone will be provided with flashlights, but those with abilities to see in the dark or cast their own light will be encouraged to lead small groups. Everyone is going in the same general direction, but giving each other some space might be helpful. There will be no time to rest, no matter how tired Outsiders may be.
Just when it feels like they might need to trek through the forest forever—is that smoke coming from a fire up ahead?
"Oh, seriously? Youāre putting this on my plate now when I have so much to do? Tch ā¦ Outsiders currently caring for Imugi eggs, bring them to the medical bay. Iāll take over for now. Captain Yamakawa needs everyone to report to the hangar right away. Thereās been a distress call from a distant land and weāre noticing some strange readings. We need you to go investigate this.
ā¦Put some catnip on my plate, Alex. Itāll be a long night."
ā¦Put some catnip on my plate, Alex. Itāll be a long night."
True enough, a SPECIAL ALERT will blare through the implants shortly after, asking those who would be willing to help with a distress call to head to the hangar. The reward will be an additional bonus pay, as this seems to be different from detecting a kaiju. There, they will see a familiar sight: the LILITH SKY CRUISER, a spacecraft capable of carrying 80 passengers. There is little time for seat assignments, so seating will be on a first come, first serve basis (hopefully you donāt get the middle seat!) and the flight will last about 10 hours. Just like any aircraft, Outsiders may stand up and walk around once the seatbelt signs turn off. There is inflight entertainment consisting of AI movies or virtual reality games (see TRAVEL LOG #2). Characters with inhuman features are required to wear their cloaking devices.
The plane will touch down at Targu Mures Airport, Transylvania, Romania, which appears to be abandoned and desolate. There isnāt a living soul to be found.
"Most of the country was destroyed decades ago, so there shouldnāt be anyone still living here. Yet, these readings ā¦.. And we canāt ignore that call for help. Weāll need to investigate further. My Angels, go the rest of the way on foot..."
There isnāt a data portal in Romania, and thereās just no way to transport the number of cars needed for over 60 people via plane. Letās hope you managed to get proper rest on the way here, because the hike will take about 5-6 hours through the dense forest, with the Captain feeding directions through the ocular based on where the kaiju readings are most pronounced.
All teams will be traveling together along a treacherous terrain which will include both harmful flora & fauna. Outsiders can expect to come across brown bears, wolves, European lynx, golden jackal & wild boars. Although the forest is dense, these animals are scarce to come by, but they can appear, especially when the hike takes place at dusk and into the night.
In this time of the year, hay fever is a common occurrence in these forests. Those sensitive to pollen may be sneezing and feeling fatigue through this hike. There will be steep hills, slippery ground and eerie sounds of the night to serenade the Outsiders. It doesn't help that the further they travel, the thicker a dark fog gathers around them, making the surroundings difficult to make out. Everyone will be provided with flashlights, but those with abilities to see in the dark or cast their own light will be encouraged to lead small groups. Everyone is going in the same general direction, but giving each other some space might be helpful. There will be no time to rest, no matter how tired Outsiders may be.
Just when it feels like they might need to trek through the forest forever—is that smoke coming from a fire up ahead?
ā¶ 002. BRAČOV, TRANSYLVANIA.
Wander further through the bushes, and behold, it does appear to be smoke—but not from any natural fire. Itās coming from a chimney! The Outsiders will stumble upon the historic region of BraČov, known for its Gothic architecture and medieval towns. Romania has been classified as a desolate region for a very long time, and as far as LILITH is concerned, this city should be completely destroyed and abandoned. Yet, there is smoke coming from the chimneys, fresh laundry hanging on lines and the faint chatter of children playing. There are very clearly people living here, and this has LILITH completely dumbfounded.
One thing Outsiders will notice when they step into the town is how it appears to be lost in time. The date is still 2278 as far as anyone knows, but thereās no sign of any modern technology—no computers, telephones, or any sign of electricity or plumbing. Each and every house looks like it could have been plucked right out of the 1700s, and there even appear to be horse-drawn carriages parked along the pavements.
The townspeople themselves also look plucked out of time, with the women donning petticoats and aprons, and the men sporting waistcoats and riding boots. They welcome the Outsiders with warmth, delight, and over-the-top hospitality; more than happy to show the visitors around Brasov on their carriages. With how rarely they meet anyone from outside the village, the children are full of curiosity, following the Outsiders around and poking at their technology while bombarding them with questions, such as where did you come from? Do you know how to play any games? What do you like to eat?
Outsiders will be presented with food, clean clothing, and a room to stay at the village inns (2-3 people per room). They are free to roam and explore the village, where they will find taverns, fresh food markets, shops, inns, and a church dedicated to the village god.
One notable aspect of the town is the fact that they appear to have fresh, non-lab grown food. The vegetables taste fresher and are vibrant in color. The meat tastes much richer than it would back in Neo Tokyo. This is owed to the fact that the people of Brasov actually tend to their own farmlands, a lost practice in these times. Venture a little out of the city and youāll find it: acres of farmland, growing wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, grapes and sunflowers. They even have livestock!
The people of Brasov are more than happy to answer questions about their town and way of living. Outsiders who go around gathering information from the villagers will learn the following:
"So itās true ā¦ The resilience of humanity cannot be understated. Iāll need to report this to the Commander right away. My Angels, embark on the town. We need to find the source of this distress call and investigate these kaiju readings. I know weāve had setbacks recently, but Iāve always had my faith in you."
One thing Outsiders will notice when they step into the town is how it appears to be lost in time. The date is still 2278 as far as anyone knows, but thereās no sign of any modern technology—no computers, telephones, or any sign of electricity or plumbing. Each and every house looks like it could have been plucked right out of the 1700s, and there even appear to be horse-drawn carriages parked along the pavements.
The townspeople themselves also look plucked out of time, with the women donning petticoats and aprons, and the men sporting waistcoats and riding boots. They welcome the Outsiders with warmth, delight, and over-the-top hospitality; more than happy to show the visitors around Brasov on their carriages. With how rarely they meet anyone from outside the village, the children are full of curiosity, following the Outsiders around and poking at their technology while bombarding them with questions, such as where did you come from? Do you know how to play any games? What do you like to eat?
Outsiders will be presented with food, clean clothing, and a room to stay at the village inns (2-3 people per room). They are free to roam and explore the village, where they will find taverns, fresh food markets, shops, inns, and a church dedicated to the village god.
One notable aspect of the town is the fact that they appear to have fresh, non-lab grown food. The vegetables taste fresher and are vibrant in color. The meat tastes much richer than it would back in Neo Tokyo. This is owed to the fact that the people of Brasov actually tend to their own farmlands, a lost practice in these times. Venture a little out of the city and youāll find it: acres of farmland, growing wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, grapes and sunflowers. They even have livestock!
The people of Brasov are more than happy to answer questions about their town and way of living. Outsiders who go around gathering information from the villagers will learn the following:
Outsiders can do as they please. The villagers are very friendly and will try to accommodate them however possible. There seems to be very little crime in the town and the people look happy. LILITH has been quiet for some time now. Maybe this is a great opportunity to have a well-deserved break? How can you not when the people are so kind and the food looks and tastes so delicious? In fact, the longer that Outsiders stay here, the more some of them may begin to feel like they belong here.
- Why is the land so fertile? This is all owed to their benevolent village god, the Lord of the Forest. No one goes hungry because their god takes care of them. Observant Outsiders will see a common symbol plastered around town: a canine skull.
- There was a distress call. Is everyone okay? The townspeople would respond in confusion and assure the Outsiders that nothing is out of the ordinary. They have been living peacefully for centuries and it’s because their god protects them. They don’t seem to know anything about what’s going on outside their town and the word ‘kaiju’ is lost on them.
- Who is the Lord of the Forest? The townspeople will sing his praises, telling the Outsiders about how he has been providing for and protecting their town for many years.
- Where is the Lord of the Forest? He lives in the forest and mountains that surround the village. Sure enough, if the Outsiders look around, they will see they are completely surrounded by foggy forest and mountains as far as the eye can see.
- Can they go into the forest? The villagers will look worried. While the Lord of the Forest keeps them safe, the forest is still filled with dangerous creatures. Also, the thick fog and trees makes it easy to get lost. Only the most skilled hunters venture out to catch prey like deer and bears. Characters who venture into the woods will get turned around and lost but will eventually find their way back to the village, to which others will reply it is the lord's guidance that brought them back to safety.
ā¶ 003. BONFIRE FEAST.
On the night of the 7th, the villagers will knock on doors inviting everyone to a bonfire party! Itās just about time to harvest their crops so food is abundant. They canāt think of any better way to use it than to prepare a feast. The bonfire will be held in the council square. Tables and benches have been set up and an impressive spread of fresh food is laid out for everyone to enjoy. Outsiders can enjoy bread, cheese, fresh pork, stew, roasted chicken, seasonal vegetables and free flowing alcohol. There are live musicians on the scene as well, playing merry tunes on their instruments. Some of the villagers have even started dancing around the bonfire and theyāre pulling people in to join them! At the center of the table, a canine skull is placed, and the villagers give thanks to their god before partaking in the food.
Nothing seems out of the ordinary ā¦ Full and content, everyone will feel tired and want to retire for the night. Characters that do not need to sleep will also feel tired.
Night passes, and daybreak comes. Outsiders might notice that their numbers have dwindled; certain people have gone missing and are nowhere to be found. There wonāt be a trace of the captured Outsiders aside from their belongings that they may have left behind.
The villagers do not seem bothered and everything seems normal in the village. Asking the villagers about these disappearances will result in no answers—they claim to have no clue as to the missing Outsiders' whereabouts. It also wonāt be possible to contact them, or even LILITH for that matter. It is almost like communications have been cut off completely and their implants receive weak reception.
Observant characters may notice that a heavy fog has descended upon the village overnight and though it gets better during the day, it never lets up.
Captured Outsiders are as followed:
Nothing seems out of the ordinary ā¦ Full and content, everyone will feel tired and want to retire for the night. Characters that do not need to sleep will also feel tired.
Night passes, and daybreak comes. Outsiders might notice that their numbers have dwindled; certain people have gone missing and are nowhere to be found. There wonāt be a trace of the captured Outsiders aside from their belongings that they may have left behind.
The villagers do not seem bothered and everything seems normal in the village. Asking the villagers about these disappearances will result in no answers—they claim to have no clue as to the missing Outsiders' whereabouts. It also wonāt be possible to contact them, or even LILITH for that matter. It is almost like communications have been cut off completely and their implants receive weak reception.
Observant characters may notice that a heavy fog has descended upon the village overnight and though it gets better during the day, it never lets up.
Captured Outsiders are as followed:
Aventurine
Choso
Dan Heng
Denji
Ereshkigal
Hiyori Iki
Kabru
Kaga
Lucy/Kaede
Maki Zenin
Makima
Malkuth
Loop
Nanami Kento
Rover
Sampo Koski
Taryon Darrington
Wriothesley
Yzak Jule
Zagreus
ā¶ 004. THE CHOSEN (KIDNAPPEES ONLY).
A separate log for KIDNAPPEES ONLY can be found HERE.
ā¶ 005. AFTERWORD.
Welcome to our third travel log!
There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may sit wherever they choose. Inhuman-looking characters will need to wear their cloaking devices so as to not alarm the people of the town. A separate log has been prepared for kidnappees only. An additional prompt will go up for non-captured characters before the kaiju fight. The scheduling will depend on actions in the captive log. We will announce it on plurk.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.
There are no assigned seats this time, so characters may sit wherever they choose. Inhuman-looking characters will need to wear their cloaking devices so as to not alarm the people of the town. A separate log has been prepared for kidnappees only. An additional prompt will go up for non-captured characters before the kaiju fight. The scheduling will depend on actions in the captive log. We will announce it on plurk.
All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards October AC.
EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)
1. TARGU MURES AIRPORT: There has been a distress signal. Characters caring for eggs must leave their eggs with Dr. Spim and report to the hangar to board their flight. The Outsiders will touch down in Targu Mures Airport, and will need to hike the rest of the way through the forest.
2. BRAČOV, TRANSYLVANIA: Romania was thought to be a desolate country but one village seems to be thriving. The town of Brasov has historic, medieval architecture and the people seem plucked out of the 1700s. They are friendly, welcoming and curious, having never seen technology like what the Outsiders have. Outsiders are provided free lodgings, fresh clothing, food and water. The villagers raise their own livestock and grow their own food, which is unheard of in these times. They don't know anything about a distress call. All around the village, the symbol of a canine skull can be found. This is the Lord of the Forest, the god of this village whom the villagers worship.
3. BONFIRE FEAST: The villagers invite the Outsiders to a bonfire party where fresh food is abundant. After a night of merrymaking, they find that certain Outsiders have disappeared from their numbers and nobody seems to know what happened to them.
you mean we're not hunting š or š or š ooohohoh
compared to what he tried to wrench out on the network, there's no real change to their mission. a new place, an unknown monster, waiting within the civilization present until the goddamn thing attacks again. and this place adds fucking creepy to the bundle.
too many nice people, too welcoming for an isolated religious group, especially when they came from the woods, a place these people are wary of already. it raises too many questions and suspicions bakugou isn't in the mood to handle. if these extras don't like the woods, then guess where the fuck he's going to spend some time? maybe it's stupid to invite denji to go with him for foraging. that kind of thing would bore both of them if either hadn't come up with the idea. but...]
I talked to the old bag in the apothecary. She showed me the plants she uses for medical treatments. [since their oculars are on the fritz (another point he's wary of) bakugo produces a notebook and hands it to denji. inside are sketches and written notes of different plants (leaves and flowers) indicating which they're looking for, with the dangerous ones identified.]
I want to bring some back to Neo Tokyo to grow.
he's always hunting for š š š but he's being NICE today! this is important to kacchan!!
plus ..... his boyfriend asked him to come along. he couldn't say 'no'. he's weak like that.
he takes in the offered notebook; denji starts flipping through some pages, and in a few seconds - he's smiling. ah, another reminder of how smart and determined bakugou is. the taken notes had clean handwriting, the sketches were precise with added details on the color, shape, and what to look out for. denji can tell the other boy worked hard on collecting this information, and this hunting trip is significant to him. it's important to bakugou. that's when the half-devil decided to take it as seriously, and he will do his very best.
the illustrations are the most useful, visually catering to denji's short attention span, and he'd follow those instructions over reading the long essays. he flips through another page- ] ... You're amazing, Katsuki. [ no, he's not being a sap (for a change). denji does look genuinely impressed. ] Is our medical system back home bad or something?
[ it's not like denji ever had a reason to visit a hospital; all it takes is a few drops of blood to fix him up, so he's wondering if bakugou noticed something a bit shady. ]
they can look for weed(s) instead!
bakugou wedges his boot under a few rocks and pries them out of the pine-needle littered ground. one after another stacks up against a nearby tree trunk, making an obvious man-crafted marker to help them know their way back. not that he can't simply blast them both above the tree line and head back that way. probably make a few villages shit themselves if they saw them coming...
who knows what denji would've thought if he saw midoriya's notebooks. he takes even more detailed notes than bakugou, though quantity over quality can be argued between the two boys. not that midoriya's lack quality. damn, the other hero's a walking hero trivia bank of nerdy knowledge. katsuki stretches his arms over his head, popping a shoulder as denji reviews the books. now, that's not to say he hasn't given some thought to testing the plants out on his boyfriend. while he'd never willingly harm him, he acknowledges his lover's natural resilience and regeneration is just as much a benefit as it is occasionally unnerving... he'll think on it.]
'rusei. [he appreciates the compliment. hence that quiet retort rather than a yell.] No. But they're fucking stingy with their anesthetics and analgesic medicine. [oh. right.] Pain killers. Like morphine. [sorry, babe.] Each time the Outsiders get surgery for one of those shitty implants, they have to take it without any drugs.
fuck yeah. time to get high~
I didn't know that ... [ if denji hadn't experienced going under the knife wide awake and sober, he wouldn't understand how crucial this little trip is. at first, he was doing it for bakugou's sake, and nothing more. but now, it's a bit more personal. when he had no choice but to sell his organs for extra cash, the underground surgeons made no effort to be generous by sedating him. it was probably one of the most agonizing experiences in his life, and that says something considering everything he had been through. he remembers spending the next few days curled up, in pain, feverish, and clinging to pochita as his only source of comfort. this is another motivation to take this hunt more to heart.
as bakugou works on leaving a clear trail behind them, denji got distracted by an odd tint poking out between the repetitive greenery, it captured his attention, urging him to slow down a bit before stopping completely. it's too vibrant and hard to miss, even between the light mist. he flips through the pages of the notebook; almost certain he has seen those patterns somewhere. eventually, he steps close to the bush, crouching down while tracing his finger down a specific image. it's ... similar, but not exactly the same. he's unsure how specific they must be, but it was worth calling out bakugou to inspect it. whatever it may be, or what it is used for, denji has already plucked one outā holding it up for a sniff. again, is it safe to do so? not sure, but that's happening. ]
It's pretty, right?
not that kind! he would never!
They're saving what reserves they have for life-saving operations. Usually after kaiju attacks and natural disasters. [bakugou might be angry at the lack of pain killers for the outsiders, but he's not about to spin this in a way that deliberately maligns the hospital and lilith. they have a sensible reason for their decision, even if he thinks the reason's shit. but if getting more plants, more seeds, more supplies, can give the hospitals more resources to make a surplus to help the outsiders in the future, he'll work towards that. he's seen too many of his friends and other teammates come back from the procedures as if they had returned from a torture chamber.
katsuki finishes the trail marker and turns to denji, only to find him further away, inspecting something. he approaches and looks over the guy's shoulder, noticing the plants he's rooting around within. was that a mushroom or a flower? no, turns out it's a bush. as denji finds a similar image in the notebook, katsuki pulls something out of his backpack and unfolds a carrying case full of little bags. certainly wasn't operating on "pretty" but denji's simple observation is, again, cute. he can't help a tiny smile pulling at his lips. tch... he loves his boyfriend.]
Is that what you're attracted to? [mostly teasing as he inspects the bush. he's about to pull out a knife when he stops and looks at denji. hm...] Oy. Have you ever tried to change the size of your chainsaws?
[quirk nerd has escaped his closet again]
): let him be a teen before he returns to his sad life
he rolled his eyes playfully at the tease; he then leaned over, reaching up to press their cheeks together in a brief, modest 'kiss'. no one was around, and denji assumed they could get away with it. ] ... Do you really want me to answer that? [ jeez, what a lost case denji is. even when he does pull away and allow his partner to do his work in peace, he's still a bit flustered in his little corner. luckily, bakugou is quick to distract him with an interesting question. it forced him to think about it, consider if that's a possibility, and ultimately realize something- ]
I'm not sure ... I guess I'll know when it matters. If that make any sense?
[ this might be one of their biggest obstacles during their training sessions, which is denji's ignorance of what he can and cannot do. the ideas comes at him when he's drunk with adrenaline, in the heat of the moment, where he's so lost in the thirst to kill, only then he can figure out a new trick, an improved endurance, what more can he do with his chainsaws. he's nowhere close to the chainsaw devil's level, and denji is unsure if he could ever be and that's fine by him. however, bakugou isn't asking for an extremeā he's starting with the basics. the hero was smart like that, and he knew how to educate denji that being creative with what you have is another way to get stronger.
changing the size of his chainsaw, huh. denji ends up staring at his fingers, wiggling them, thinking. ] Maybe I can do some new tricks after a few more fights against the kaijus.
[ perhaps he didn't explain it to katsuki in detail, how his powers function, but the hero is aware devils feed on fear, and that is enough to give a hint that as long as denji is seen as a hero, an ally - it's unlikely for him to reach his true, terrifying potential. while denji is a-okay with it, he's wondering if being fucking brutal and menacing with the kaijus could trigger some unease in any passing civilian. that might be an innocent way to collect some boosters, terrorizing them without hurting them. maybe. ]
That reminds me ... when are we gonna try that super cool move?! [ the one that would likely detonate his arms into smithereens. bakugou might've tried to avoid it last time, but he hasn't forgotten. ]
not with drugs, babe
katsuki grumbled something when denji nudges their cheeks together. tch, what a sap. he lets him get away with it without growling and shoving at him. that was supposed to be a taunt regarding denji thinking the plant was pretty. what a dork. once denji draws back, the hero springs a small pocket knife from his pants and starts working on making a cutting from the bush, taking stem and node along with the leaves. He brings a plastic bag from one of the larger sacks he's got, fills the bottom with some soil, and plunks the cutting, node-down into the soil before closing up the bag. The tip of the pocket knife puts in a few air holes before he returns knife to pocket and bag to sack. There. They can cultivate a shrub from the cutting.
bakugou acknowledges denji is great thinking on his feet in the heat of the matter, popping out some random variation on his devil powers in either ability or usage. but he's not the kind of person to sit at a desk or kick back on the bed and think about all the different ways he could use his powers. something katsuki certainly does. hell, they even had classes in u.a. where their required coursework was to come up with two or three new ultimate/super moves, names and all, before the week's end. denji not doing this has often driven the blonde up the damn wall. one of these days, he's gonna shove his boyfriend into a hero-like course and make him explore his powers more.
what? he thinks it's awesome. denji's answer, however, doesn't please him. why the fuck is he so keen on picking the proverbial can down the road?
You don't need a fucking kaiju to explore your powers, dammit. [yeah, he knows devils grow stronger on fear, but in a world like this, were people are scared all the time (of kaiju), fear should be ripe. well, in this shitty time-displaced village, probably less fear, apart from the wariness towards their "god" ... anyways! fuck it! blowing denji's arms up still makes him roll his eyes. of course he's not forgotten, dammit.] The next time we're in the training room under our own orders.
[not shoved in there as punishment like last month. getting off that subject-]
If you can make a chainsaw from your arm and leg, can you try to make one from just your finger?
yes, dear š
he squints, a bit confused by that reaction. uh, killing a live kaiju and experiencing that rush is the fastest way to test his skills. he's not used to sitting down and thinking about things; never had the proper guidance of a mentor to help him understand better. bakugou joined a school that specializes in preparing young heroes-to-be, each student had the attention they required to grow, while denji could only comprehend how far he could go when he was face to face with death itself, and only then did it click. yeah, he would like it if he can ā you know, sit down and make a plan, the same way bakugou does, though he doubts his brain functions in a manner that would allow him to remember anything when he's mid-fight. he always had the dumbest most reckless ideas and they tend to be so loud and mask away basic logic; like torturing a devil until it begs him to just fucking die, or setting himself on fire, or drowning himself to the bottom of the ocean. then again, those were solo fights. in here - he didn't need to go to this extreme. he had bakugou by his side. ]
... okay. [ nghh, there is some miiiild doubt here, and it shows from the semi-pout and the head tiltā however, he will trust his boyfriend knows better. don't be mad at him if he still does something stupid in the future, like jump into a kaijus mouth so he can slash it from the inside out. back to the main request, the tiny chainsaw ... denji nods, eventually deciding to try it out. with that, he steps away from both bakugou and the herbs, leaving enough space between them to avoid getting caught in the shower of blood; the loud revving might attract some of the wild creatures but whatever. the rotation of his blades slows down to a complete halt soon after, welcoming back the eerie silence of the forest. ]
Let's try this ...
[ first, he abandons those massive chainsaws from both arms, and he throws them in the air as if trying to hype himself as they break apart, and thenā he points an index finger up, challenging the sky, but ... nothing. with a 'huh?!!', he drops his hands, staring them down, jaws open, making a 'thinking face'. he returns to wiggling them, and before all hope is lost he gasps. ]
Woah! Baby Chainsaw is here. [ well, not really, but from a closer perspective .... the tiny, sharp blades circle his finger, cutting through his flesh. even when it's not fully assembling a weapon, this is, without any doubt, super fucking exciting. denji parades it, swinging it from one side to another, with his other hand on his hip. ] Be afraid! Be very afraid ...
he does it cause he loves you
bakugou's aware denji lacks proper schooling. he never had a teacher to sit down and go at him one on one with his powers. (well, there was that scar-faced guy the half-devil mentioned in passing one time.) but if this means he has to sit down and spend the time with his boyfriend for denji to be more open with exploring his own powers, he'll do it. not like he hasn't tutored some of his classmates before. albeit people might be concerned in calling that "tutoring" since it involved banging people over the head and yelling at theme for not knowing what he just taught them. katsuki's not like denji; he's curious and wants to explore things when it comes to powers and abilities. but that's the world he grew up in, invested in quirks, superheroes, superpowers. the more he knew about them, the greater a hero he'd be. denji's kind of content with what he has. until a shiny new comes along and takes his attention. it's fine if he doesn't want to take the time himself to make a plan or explore; that's what bakugou intends to do for him. so long as his boyfriend's not going to dig his heels in when it comes time to practice.
don't worry. he has a way to help with memory in the middle of a fight. it's called training so hard and often, it becomes second nature to do the thing you want to do. once that's done, you add another one, until you can do two, or even three things at once without thinking much about it. endeavor taught him, midoriya, and todoroki that lesson. look, he's not going to chew denji out (much) for jumping into a kaiju's mouth and trying to gut it. bakugou wanted to do the same with the dragon. he's not here to stop denji's curiosity; he's here to encourage it, albeit outside of battle as well as during.]
Does your cord always brings out the one on your head first? [that one seems to be the only chainsaw denji can't retract, compared to his arms and legs. he's seen those blades come out enough by now the gore of his boyfriend's transformation doesn't bother him. thanks for not bleeding all over the plants, babe. sure some wandering deer will get a meal later cause of it.] You haven't thought about it much. Don't get disappointed if you can't at first.
[he wants to settle denji's expectations and let him know katsuki's not expecting him to immediately succeed. it took him a long time to do something less than a big BOOM when he was learning his own quirk. there he goes, pumping himself up with a finger to the sky. is he surprised denji doesn't get it on try one? no. he said as much. but there has to be more to his power than simply five blades and swinging his arms around. chainsaws may be simple, but everything has details if you look. it's denji's power, he should be able to apply it in many way-
oh. bakugou leaves the sacks on the ground and approaches denji to inspect his finger. phht, "baby chainsaw". hey, if that helps his drive. the blades are definitely there, running the length of his finger like a miniature. probably gonna be like his usual blades that go from elbow to hand, this one from his knuckle out the first joint once it fully manifests. that's katsuki's guess at least.] Heh, good job.
[honestly that was faster than he thought.]
.... o-oh šš
even when his boyfriend reassured him there was no shame in not getting it right from the start, he still didn't want to disappoint; yet it was a healthy type of stimulus. he wanted to make him proud but denji also understood the only consequences if failure here meant they would end up working together and trying again. so when it happened, regardless of the unfinished product, it was difficult not to get excited that he managed to do something in the end. he offers his hand for bakugou, not to touch (because it's sharp), but to make it easier for him to look at those tiny edges poking out, leaving behind a thin drop of blood with each wound, sharp and ready to bite. by now, leaning in close enough for their shoulders to touch came in a breezeā chainsaw man knew how to keep his head low, tip the blade in the opposite direction, and carry on with the conversation. the first month or so he was too self-conscious, no longer burdened with crippling vigilance the more they spent time together in missions. he does take a step back once he's done flaunting his achievement, raising his other hand and pulling the same trick, index fingers mirroring each other.
when it was safe to glance up and meet bakugou's eyes, he was a bit taken aback by the smile on his lips, and thenā praise. he honestly expected another reaction to his foolery and demand to be feared, a smack to the head or something, so this was .... yup ♥ ah, this might be bakugou's first time witnessing chainsaw man's version of a blush. as his engine begins to overheat, a thin swirl of steam formed to rise from the vent and behind those sharp teeth, feeling the familiar warmth fill his lungs. as denji exhaled, a thin mist of smoke spiraled upward, fusing with the rays in the sky before drifting with the light forest breeze. perhaps this is something pochita didn't even know he could do, since when do devils feel the heavy doki dokis. ]
Thank you! I ... I'm a little flustered! [ denji truly came off a bit rowdy when he's in this form, almost as if he had a lot of energy in him that he didn't know where to unleash if he's not killing a creature, but he's still learning how to cool it off and have a discussion with more tame. oh, wait. bakugou did ask him a question earlier, about the blade on his head- yay, a distraction. ] Oh yeah! This one always comes first and I can't get rid of it. I guess it's part of the chainsaw devil's identity, or maybe extra protection for my head.
[ even when it busts through his brain and skull. as he continues elaborating, the hand that was pointing at his helmet is different, all his fingers had tiny blades popping out of them by now; as if he was still testing it out. ] Protecting the head makes sense, right? ... maybe you should wear a helmet, too.
now with the mental image of "look, chainsaw dick!" and getting blasted.
seeing the other boy's happiness and pride over his success brings a cocky sense of satisfaction (and yeah, happiness) to his chest. probably what the u.a. teachers feel when their students succeed in their challenges. as he looks at the small chainsaw on denji's finger, bakugou caught with his boyfriend's potential. what else could denji do all this time that he didn't simply because he never bothered to try, and no one was there to encourage him to look. the saw isn't ripping out like his arm saws. huh, is that because denji doesn't want it to come out any further or because he doesn't know how to extend it? katsuki's likewise come to acknowledge and avoid chainsaw man's saws when he nears him, ducking his head or tilting it to the side as he leans in to talk to him. sometimes even pushing the side of his hand against the flat of the blade to give it a shove if he's grumpy or teasing denji. it's interesting how in tune they've become around each other during battle, not touching burning hands and avoiding the blowback of dynamight's explosions while the hero dodges chainsaw swipes and knows just how far back he can safely move his own elbows when he's back to back with his boyfriend.
tch, what the hell? he's not going to yell at denji or smack him for succeeding! that's saved for someone who's not so vulnerable to such a reaction. (like grumbling at midoriya for only managing a tiny blackwhip compared to the massive rage of tendrils he did before.) denji's trying to do what he said and made it work. he gets a 'good job' for the accomplishment. no giving up here. katsuki glances through the visor slits into the half-devil's glowing yellow eyes. though he's distracted a second later when steam starts escaping denji's engine head through the vents. for a moment, he's confused, then quickly puts two and two together. fuck, seriously? that's adorable. smoke plumes from the half-devil's exhale, curling into the steam above. like a machine rumbled to life. you know, he could leave him without comment about it...]
You sap. I bet you're red as fuck under there. [he taps the back of his index finger against the chainsaw man's helm. nope! totally commenting on it cause he's a dick and this guy's his boyfriend. every bit of him. perhaps they should spend more time working together in denji's transformed state outside of battles and heavy construction. learn how to mitigate the energy inherent within the change. then again, maybe that's not a good idea... denji needs to see himself as strong too. just like heroes "feel" different when putting on their costumes. it's a statement not just to villains and civilians, but a reinforcement to themselves as well. he'll think about that one.]
Probably both. [especially when he puts it that way. so long as his ripcord's pullable and he can ingest blood, denji can come back. katsuki notices the prickles on the half-devil's other fingers. huh, so he's working on that even while they're talking. that speaks a lot to his determination.]
Hell no. [bakugou rejects the helmet immediately.] Only a few people can pull that look off. [he is not one of them. he'd prefer to have his ears and senses all uncovered, thanks.] I don't let people get close to my head in a fight. [besides, those explosive bursts out the back of his mask can provide some shielding. they're sharp.]
STOP! i hate that he will 100% do this joke if they weren't stuck in a spooky village
that aside, bakugou is helping him learn to fight without depending heavily on feeding, to fight without losing too much blood along the way, to fight a lot smarter, to be creative with his powers, and to avoid getting himself hurt in the process. there are ways to win a fight without self-harm; denji shouldn't end up cutting himself in half or get gutted by a sword to finish a kill. until he reaches that point, they will still have to depend on chainsaw man's relentless cycle of feeding, recovering then fighting again. alas, he does have a proposal that will not repulse his boyfriend (hopefully), but it is something he should've done months ago-
- he wanted to bring it up if it wasn't for the teasing. of course, his boyfriend would call him out like that. of course! but hey ... itās fine. the whining that slipped out of his mouth was nothing but a playful surrender to getting exposed, and chainsaw man lowered his head in shame, coughing out one last whiff of smoke. ]
You donāt smile often, but when you do ... itās like a stab to the heart. In a good way. [ here. have some poetry and a confession as payback. he leaves his partner's side to go collect the notebook he left behind near the bush, careful in lifting it up after getting rid of those little daggers as they sink inside his skin again. he then pats it clean, ready to return to their little hunting trip and find their next herb. ]
You do look good in a helmet ... [ your motorbike, katsuki. the personalized helmet looks pretty badass, but he kinda gets why the hero isnāt into it. not that he had ever seen any of the previous kaijus get close enough to snatch the boy by the neck; those explosives made him hard to seize, and it cemented the hero as one of the fastest in their team. ] Though, if weāre talking about making me a lot, uh, better in missions ... I need your help to figure out how to carry a blood source. Kinda like how you store your sweat in the armpiece? I need to find a way to carry my own fuel.
[ heās not asking katsuki to help him accumulate blood each night before a mission, put on the gloves, and help him drain the liquid to some containers; that gory process will be denjiās sole duty, and what a unique visual for a fellow everlight to catch him in the middle of the night in all that mess. yeah, that's denji's problem, and so will the tedious cleaning session that follows. he's hoping bakugou will have an idea of how to make it happen. design-wise, how can they create a compatible mechanism to keep the substance fresh, portable, and durable from busting open during the action-packed mission, and more importantlyā easy access for the half-devil mid-battel?
yeah, it's a lot. but he has faith in the hero. ]
it'll have to come later, ohoho!
[he doesn't look down on denji (now) for not exploring his powers. the guy got by well enough with hack n slash to win. given denji's strength and resilience, he doesn't exactly need to be a flashy creative person to win his battles. hell, most of bakugou's prompting to explore his devil abilities is out of sheer nerdy curiosity and wanting to see what else denji can do. besides, if this is the reaction he's going to get, with his boyfriend being happy over making progress, that's simply one more benefit to pushing chainsaw man's abilities. while he hasn't gotten to the point of carrying around a few tiny blood bags/vials to pitch into denj's mouth during battle, he doesn't discount the guy's regenerative powers either. not... quite sure he wants to go exploring the limits of those, however. it feels weird to blast the guy he likes into pieces. katsuki's human after all.
the more denji's able to wield his chainsaws to proactively defend himself and end a fight faster, the less they have to rely on his regenerative powers needing to stand up to limits they don't know. given what he's seen of denji, however, those limits are fucking high. anyways, flexible chainsaw powers are more interesting than regenerating your wounds. he's seen that shit before. katsuki's accepted fighting, injury, feeding, recovering, back to fighting, is the cycle of chainsaw man's battling. he means to make that even more efficient if possible.
eh, no apologies for making denji blush. when the half-devil lowers his head like that, he reaches up and rests his hand atop his helm, giving it a slight rub to make sure the guy knows it's nothing to be ashamed over. (while bakugou's the one that shoves his own face into a pillow whenever denji embarrasses him in bed.) another cough of smoke earns a slight "heh" in amusement.]
Huh? I smile plenty of times! [yeah, newsflash bakugou; denji's not talking about the cocky smirks, bullying grins, or slasher leers of a villainous dervish ready to blow up anything standing in his way. he lets his arm drop while the other boy heads to collect the notebook. probably should get back to the reason they're out here. leaving denji with the book, katsuki starts scouring another area, peering around the tree trunks and occasional jutting boulders. not a lot of felled trees... or any now that he's actively looking for them.]
When do I- [oh. right, his motorcycle helmet. the responsible boy who shoves a helmet at denji as well whenever they go out on his motorcycle. activating his plug suit, he reaches into a bush and gently moves the branches aside, looking for anything growling alongside or beneath it. yeah, he'd rather not get a skin irritant pawing through shrubbery.] Che, that's different.
They have blood bags and vials. Bags would be better, since you could throw the whole thing in your mouth and they come in different sizes. [no, it's not like bakugou's ever thought about this before. already running out suggestions for his boyfriend's ability in battle.] You can wear them on a holster or a belt, fitted under or over your clothes. [not at all. there's another idea taken from a villain in his world, but katsuki's not sure he wants to fit denji out to run around with that blood bitch's needle-suction device.] You wouldn't be able to refuel them in the middle of a fight unless you have blood drawing equipment.
[actually katsuki hasn't had a problem helping accumulate blood for denji. if the guy asks him, he'll put away some packets for his boyfriend, provided they do it two days in advance, since he's not about to give blood a few hours before a battle. might mean it'll be cold when denji gets it, but that's up to him, whether he needs it fresh or if he can handle it a few days old. he'll also make sure it's not messy. they'll do it in the shower or bath or something. but with the iv and a healer nearby, it'll be fine. katsuki's already planned on that happening if denji ever wants him to. keeping the blood fresh in the middle of battle, however, will be more a challenge. again, it depends on how "old" denji can still maximize its effects. they can easily keep it from being contaminated though.]
deal š
bakugou would be able to feel the heat emitting under his fingertips, which gives another impression of how flustered chainsaw man is. he does, however, lift his chin up to seek further solace in the gentle pat. ah, yes. it also implies heās enjoying the attention. bakugou makes an excellent mentor without even trying; he knows when to push, when to relax, when to reward denji's efforts, and when to blast him away. if he werenāt so sedated by being a big smitten kitten, he wouldāve elaborated further on the smile comment. while there are different flavors of a smile; altering between menacing, threatening, cocky, and sincere - there is a rare sighting of a soft, gentle one that denji doesn't get to see so often from his boyfriend. it compliments bakugou's natural charm, highlighting his good looks from another perspective, but it is also so warm to the gaze and in his heart. yeah, no one can blame denji for blushing the way he did. it's justified.
as they began scanning the area, he returned his attention to the notebook ā and only then did he notice it was nearly impossible to read through anything with that massive blade in between. he might stab through the pages bakugou worked so hard on, canāt let that happen, and with thatā chainsaw man retires for the day, the slime-like substance slides down his skin, leaving behind some blood stains from the initial slit through his skull, tainting his blonde locks in red. eh, heāll rinse it off later. ]
I thought about that, too. Like a cool belt added to the suit. [ totally not cheating from dynamight's hero suit. ] But letās test it out when we get back to the base, yeah? I donāt know, fill them up with juice or something at first. I feel that if I get tossed around, those bags will pop and spill all over.
[ he flips through another page, turning his attention to every mass of herbage along their way, mindful of anything unique in shape or color; the majority of the options they are trying to collect have interesting patterns. considering their medical benefit, surely they will not be so exposed and easy to find, so they should dig around. and denji does so when they come across a huge, ancient-looking tree harboring many bushes, taking the time to sink his hands in and separate the branches for a deeper inspection. ]
Blood drawing equipment? Donāt think Iāll need that ... Iāll just bite the fucker instead. Some kaijus are hard to get close to, though. Like those electrical ones. They kept frying my brain.
[ ah, he found a mushroom hub! it looksā exotic. the dots covering the head seemed to change colors depending on the reflection, and the tiniest shake prompted a dust-like mist to come out. yeah, letās throw that the fuck away. unless katsuki thinks they might be useful. ]
This is gross, and you donāt have to be part of it, but Iāll try different types of blood. See what works for me best. The kaijus so far all tasted like shit. Animals would be better ... maybe get something from the butcher shop and see.
[ this should clear out any doubts that denji would ever ask his boyfriend to donate his own blood. that's pushing the limits and it's hella risky to the hero. they both agreed to do this when the situation begs for it, otherwiseā he'd rather inhale fish blood than drain his beloved dry. additionally, the idea of getting used to drinking human blood felt like playing with fire. he didn't want to get used to it or end up developing a picky taste. yeah, a trip to the local butcher would be fine. ]
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[why the hell are you trying to read the notebook with your headblade sticking out?! sometimes his boyfriend can be a complete dumbass. he glances to the sloughing sound, noting the way the helm and chainsaw melt away down his skin. interesting that sometimes the blade(s) retract into denji's body and sometimes they seep off like liquid. both ways leave the guy with his usual emergence injuries until he heals up. maybe he should get a band to shove the half-devil's bangs back when he transforms. that way he won't come out looking as much like a horror film survivor. in battle? no problem. times like these? yeah...]
I wasn't planning on doing it here. [there's no technology to even make it happen, unless they want to use a bunch of clunky jars used to store sugary fruit and oiled vegetables in. hell no. using substitute liquids in their tests is a good idea, seeing if anything leaks on top of how sturdy the actual containers are.] Half-n-Half carries little metal capsules on his hero costume. Those won't break or burst as easily as bags or vials.
[but they're also harder to get into compared to throwing a proverbial ketchup packet into denji's mouth or breaking into a vial. then again, using them would be a conscious decision and katsuki knows the half-devil could bite right through the metal if he absolutely had to. they could take a beating without getting destroyed. lilith wouldn't have much issue crafting something like that for him; or they'd better not struggle with it...
bakugou crouches beside another patch of greenery, separating weeds from the shrubbery around them. he narrows in on a group of flowers and reaches for them. it's one from the nightshade family. toxic, but used in medicine for several reasons. a lot of plants fall into that category. he pulls out a bag and the knife again, then starts working on taking the plant from the ground. not a shrub this time, so he'll need to take the roots as well. once dug up and freed, he packs the bag with soil and inserts the plant, then closes the bag up, pokes some holes, and adds the bag to his collection in the sack. he rather doubts he'll be finding any opioids in this place.]
You should work on your long-range options for those fights. [whether that's lashing them with his bladed chains or even separating his chains completely to avoid getting shocked through them. but even using the chains as a flail would collect blood from afar. katsuki comes over when the mushrooms are called into question. he flips through the notebook, but there's nothing in there about this kind of growth, and the lady at the apothecary didn't say anything about it. yeah, he'll at least collect a sample or two for whatever reason. there are plenty of spores to use later.]
I'm your boyfriend, idiot. I'll be with you when you experiment. [granted that means collecting the blood will likely be worked into some chores they're doing anyways, but katsuki's going to be there for the checking. work that into training as well, so denji can see how quickly and efficiently the blood works on his recovery. even if it means popping out his chainsaws and sucking them back in multiple times. still, he's glad denji is leaning towards animal/beast blood rather than asking for a steady supply of human blood. it's fine in the heat of things for emergencies, but if it can be avoided, yeah.] Since it's better fresh, you can't use puddings.
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half and half. now thatās an easy one to connect the dots, and denji snaps his fingers as he thinks, āshoto!ā. slowly but surely, heās learning bakugouās language, and he takes great pride in it. as he watched his boyfriend survey the plants, he found himself mimicking his posture, crouched down and watching him up close as he pushed through the bushes, and between all the shades of green they come across more dazzling colors. this time flowers. honestly? he thought the concept of this mission wasn't nearly as entertaining as their previous outings together, yet he knew it was something bakugou had wanted to do ages ago. it didn't mean denji was equally invested or keen to spend a day getting lost in a forest, but ...
but-
itās a bit therapeutic, isnāt it? the peaceful asmr of katsuki's hands digging through the bag, the rustle of leaves, and the clip of his scissors, every step was organized with a knowing touch, and denji couldn't look away. the genuine interest is growing; he started asking questions, heās observant, heās helpful- or, trying to be. he even asked to be the one collecting the sample next time, promising his boyfriend he had memorized the process by now. he got this. when they face each other again, there is a purplish flower nestled over the curve of denji's ear. don't ask why, and play along. he's in a mood. ]
It shouldnāt be hard to find or make something like that, right? I know some outsiders are asked for a boost or extra weapons. Weāll figure it out when we get back.
[ it would save him the time and stress about feeding, and maybe heād be able to come back home without getting assaulted by the cleaning crew and end up coming out of the mission with few stains on his clothes instead of dry gunk from head to toe. and then, casually- as if he just thought about it. a brain fart, one might say. ] Or ... blood pills? I wonder if that will work ... something to toss in your mouth and yeah.
[ it would be a lot easier and less messy to just pop a pill, and with the magic of science, it might burst/melt inside his mouth, giving denji the boost to keep going. then again, bakugou mentioned it should be fresh, and that earned him a ... wide-eyed stare. he can't put the finger on it, but that terminology was eerily accurate and perceptive from bakugou. it felt like he was talking to an experienced public safety official, someone who always knew the laws of devils better than denji himself. true, it had to be fresh and full of life, so maybe a pill wouldn't be the smart choice. still, there is something uneasy about how comfortable bakugou is talking about ... this. uneasy, yet fuckin flattering too. what a wild twist of emotions it was to coexist with each other at the same time. ]
... I guess I'm still trying to get used to that. [ the boyfriend thing? no. the fact bakugou isn't disgusted by him, even when he wouldn't blame him if the hero wanted to skip off the gory side quest of their relationship, but he'd never once felt shamed by it. even the occasional 'ew' from the hero came off more comical than genuine repulsion. yeah, he will never get used to it anytime soon, to feel this accepted. he closed his eyes, all smiles, all flusteredā the ear holding that flower is a lot redder than normal. yeah, that's a growing rash. another toxic friend is discovered. ]
Alright, deal. Operation blood tasting is a go once we reach the base. Let's see how long we can get away with it before the other everlight folks ban us from the kitchen. Heh ...
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when denji begins to ask questions, he answers with far less of his usual brusque manner. explaining why bushes and similar plants can be regrown from cuttings, bakugou shows denji where to locate the nodule on the branch and how to use the scissors and knife to make a cut that won't kill the plant's limb. of course, there's a difference in other plants that lack the bush-like hardiness which need samples of the roots or the entire root collection itself. these he shows denji how to dig them up gently and transplant them into the bags, letting the other boy get his hands dirty with the actual extraction. "somehow" a purple flower ended up being the half-devil's ear...]
It shouldn't. They can repurpose containers they already made. [lilith obviously works with high-tech devices and chemical sciences that would utilize metal canisters. sparing some for one of their outsiders shouldn't be difficult, especially since it's to make the mercenary more effective. denji's come up with a good idea to refresh himself in the middle of battle without having to resort to dining on the kaiju or his allies. katsuki's pretty damn sure they've got no chance coming out of any kaiju fight looking fresh and clean, but his partner could prove him wrong...] That'd be a lot of pills for how much blood you can drink.
[denji doesn't guzzle it outside of rampages and a messy need to regenerate a shit-ton of damage, but even spilling a leaking handful into his mouth would be more than ten large pills, and that's being low end estimate. besides, he'd have to carry the pills anyways, returning to the bag vs pillbox vs metal canister decision. but it's an idea to consider and katsuki files it away in his mind for later investigation.
oy, what the hell is that look for? he's been with you for a while, ripcord pec. he knows fresh is best when it comes to blood. never once has he seen denji scrape dried blood off a wall or person and crunch away on it. that's just dry, saying nothing of old blood long ago. blood is proof of life. why would life-giving blood not require it to be full of said life? a pill could work, since blood can be frozen, refrigerated, and otherwise stored for later use without it "spoiling" fast. that's why there are blood banks and storage for it in hospitals. as for his comfort with the topic... 1) blood itself isn't gross. 2) denji's chainsaw man powers are as "quirk" as any quirk in katsuki's world, meaning his nerd side finds it eternally interesting to explore. and 3) he knows of three people in his own world who use blood for their own quirks; one of them is even a hero, the homeroom teacher of class 1-B himself: Sekijiro Kan, aka the Blood Hero: Vlad King.]
Keep trying. I won't stop even when you are. [he'll always hold denji in positive regards, regardless of how gory his life and power get. that doesn't mean he won't try to clean him up and avoid the gore when he can, but that's because he's a neat freak who likes things a certain way. cue those occasional face twists with a "gross" coming from his lips. denji should know by now it's nothing personal; his boyfriend's a jerk. a smart one, since he notices the half-devil's ear is getting redder. is that a blush or is his skin reacting to the flower's oils?]
Oy. [katsuki indicates denji's ear via pointing at his own.] Your ear's getting red.
[calling out his boyfriend's blush or allergic reaction, that's up to the other boy to decide.]
No one's banning me from the kitchen.
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again, he's a bit baffled with the details coming his way. yes, they do spend a lot of time together on missions, and logic begs that someone as sharp as katsuki will do the math on his own, but it was still impressive. shame on denji for not noticing that cute little obsession with bakugou and analyzing different powersā if he'd known, he would've asked him to figure out ways to enhance his abilities a lot faster. he wonders if there is a hidden notebook summarizing the abilities of all the outsiders, kinda like the one deku carried around. well, it wouldn't be surprising since he's holding one of bakugou's creations as he speaks, the one covering all the herbal details. cute. super cute.
more importantly, it felt like they had a solid plan for their future missions; a few ideas were shared, and they were all worth testing. they usually had a few weeks between each mission, which was enough time to test out adding more garments to his suit and maybe try out the blood pills. anything would be better than depending solely on getting close enough to an aggressive kaiju for a bite. as for the long-range techniques, it didn't seem possible ... then again, he didn't think he could grow mini chainsaw from his finger either. it was getting a bit exciting to see how far he could go. he flips through another page, unsure why he got called out for blushing as if he didn't get this flustered over the tiniest things when he's around his boyfriend. yeah, he figured that's what bakugou was talking about and nothing more serious. which explains the dumb grin on denji's face as he answers. ]
That's called ... being smitten. A more scientific term is 'blushing'! You only do it when we're fucking, but I experience it when I think you're being adorable!
[ yes, talking about them squeezing out blood from raw meat in the middle of the night is adorable in denji eyes. subconsciously, he reached up to nudge the flower, and the slightest brush of his finger over his agitated skin urged him to ā scratch it a bit. except, he kept scratching. the shade grows darker under his nails, and it spreads to his cheekbones. ah, he can feel his face warming up, but not in a normal way. a blink, and then denji picked up the same flower, taking a closer look at it. his skin is on fire, even when the half-devil doesn't seem to be in panic over it. ]
.... do we need this one?
[ he drops it to the ground, not willing to let bakugou touch it if that's the kinda reaction it triggers in people. maybe they can collect another one without touching the petals. as for his ear, yeah - it's fucking red. denji knew he shouldn't, but it felt sooooo good to fall into the temptation of that itch. more scratching. ]
Fuck, do you have some water? I need to wash this off.
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no, he does not have a nerd notebook with creepy notes about all of his outsider teammates like a certain green-haired shitnerd who's way too obsessed with writing down everything. it was just recently confirmed deku wrote down ideas and dreams about what kinds of things he'd do if he had his classmates' quirks, like a fanboy writing fanfiction. midoriya's a vault of hero and quirk trivia that's honestly freaky in ways. he won a hero trivia quiz game once and scared the audience with his fervor. all that said... katsuki does have some notes about his allies, though they're limited only to people he's actively worked with or sparred with, and focus on their skills and powers. improvement ideas, curiosity questions, training suggestions, weakness point outs, and other things. ...huh, guess that does sound pretty creeper nerd. and yes, denji has his own chapter.
katsuki's expression flattens when denji retorts in that way. smitten? really? of course he knows he's smitten! the guy makes that clear almost all the time they're together. usually tolerated, sometimes less patiently than others. that big happy grin does a fantastic job of making his chest feel all fluttery and coloring his face from embarrassment over feeling fluttery, dammit.]
I KNOW WHAT BLUSHING IS!! I DON'T BLUSH WHEN WE FUCK EITHER!! [yes he does and they both know it; hell, he's getting hot in the cheeks even now.] I said "ear"! One! That one! [specifically pointing to the one that's far redder than the other one. dammit, denji has to turn this into a mortifying flirt, doesn't he! until denji starts to rub at his ear like that.] Oy! Don't scratch it!
[holy shit, he's having an allergic reaction to it this quickly? bakugou quickly moves forward to pluck the flower from denji's hand and flick it off his ear, keeping his plugsuit on so there's no contact with his skin, but denji's too fast for him and drops the thing first. however, he doesn't go for the water. instead, he quickly hunts around for a plant he saw recently-- there! and snaps off an aloe plant leaf. one strip of the knife fillets the green covering off and he squeezes the gel out into a napkin-like cloth.] Stop scratching at it. You're gonna make it worse.
[either denji's allergic or the plant has an oil-based compound to elicit the reaction. meaning water won't do anything but spread it. he presses the gelled cloth behind denji's ear and against the side of his cheek, smothering the irritation.] Don't touch anything else with that hand.