Accidental Valentine's Dinner

[the_fourteenth]

WHO: Open log for one and all
WHAT: Raidou is making you all dinner.
WHERE: Base cafeteria and commons
WHEN: Evening of Feb. 14th
WARNINGS: N/A

Everyone could use something nice after that kaiju fight, and what better than a real meal? It won't be easy to cook for so many people, but Raidou is willing to try. He makes sure to get permission to use the kitchen and the commons space, and recruits a few friends to help get it all together.

It's not an easy feat to get all the ingredients together, especially in the aftermath of a kaiju attack, so it won't be the most resplendent meal the Outsiders ever had. But if nothing else, he can make the broth and noodles for some ramen, and get as many vegetables together as he can to fill it out. It takes him several days to make what he hopes is enough, and hopefully no one raiding the fridges will take any of it in the meanwhile. He's not the world's greatest cook, but this surprisingly domestic devil summoner is good enough to make something delicious. It's not like Narumi was ever doing any of the cooking back home, so someone had to do it.

Early on Wednesday, everyone would have gotten a text saying that dinner will be at 1900 hours in the common area, and he comes straight home from school to work on putting it all together. Anyone is welcome to help cook or set the tables, and once it's ready, people can line up to get a bowl of their own to take. People are also welcome to bring their own food or drink if they have any they want contribute. Who's got dessert?

After dinner entertainment will be provided by Yuji Itadori, who has managed to find a small projector to use on the commons wall. All the tables and chairs will get rearranged to cram everyone in. Get close, okay? The first feature will be a comedy, and the second will be a horror movie.



OOC: Happy Valentine's Day, Outsiders. Raidou only just learned today what that is, whoops. If your character doesn't have any hot dates planned in a city recently smashed by monsters and tsunamis, then drop in a top-level comment, have a seat and enjoy some soup and some team bonding. Check up on your teammates after their first big battle.

Comments

[blastedass]

[Bakugo's used the kitchen once or twice before, but that was only a corner of it and because he was a growling beast who didn't have the time or patience to make it back to the dorm. Besides, he proved his skill quickly enough. He doesn't make a habit of it so as to not wear out the tolerance. Usually he sticks to Everlight's kitchen since it's more controlled and has less people milling around to interrupt him.

Bakugo's always been annoying like that, succeeding at whatever he put his hands to. Social skills being one of only real bad spots. But that's because he doesn't care to TRY to be social. Other things he isn't good at simply because he's never attempted them. If Yuji wants to put up with Bakugo, he's free to ask for lessons. The young hero isn't alien to filling his time up as well, currently adding kendo lessons from Raidou and Shion to his work on the police force and personal training.

He aims to find a school or library to continue his own schooling as well at some point.]

Do these. [Bakugo nudges another chopping board over and sets down a bowl full of garlic bulbs and mushrooms. Though after a few moments of quiet...] How's your leg?

[eyescar]

[ Yuji is happy to hang out at Bakugo's side, to cook beside him and just be in his space. He'd found the other guy aggravating and annoying at first, if only because he'd been the one to talk to his friends about his mental space, but he understands the reasoning behind it all now. For all the bluster and anger, Bakugo had been genuinely trying to help him, had been trying to ease some of his burdens and make sure his friends were aware too.

Taking the garlic and mushrooms, he gets to work without pause. It's not the most graceful of chopping and mincing, but he's doing a decent enough job. He's better at brawny things than being gentle and precise most times anyway.

The question makes him glance up, though, pausing in the movement of his knife. ]

My leg? It's doing okay. I got Raidou to help heal me, so it's been getting better.

[ He has to be careful to call him 'Raidou' and not 'Johei' to other people, since that's what he promised. ]

It's as if nothing happened, really.

[blastedass]

[Bakugo has no regret or apology about asking Yuji's friends as to whether he could trust the guy. He assumed he couldn't, considering how similar Yuji is to Izuku, but decided to at least check his assumption. He got the answer and more. And despite the growling at each other, Bakugo's seen Yuji's improvement and his determination to at least make good on that promise. 100% of the time? No. But that attempt is what matters to him. That Yuji didn't lie. And that the people who cared about him knew.

He finds being around the other guy aggravating, but in the way that reminds him too much of his classmates from back home. Which means Yuji's a comfortable area for Bakugo. They work well together and that's not something he dismisses easily.

Bakugo glances at Yuji's work. Decent, but the precision is completely off. Not surprising for a brawler. How can you Black Flash, a technique with fraction-of-a-second application, and still suck at precise cuts?! Plus he stops to answer, so that's another indication.]

So Shashou's got the healing input too. [Conversely, no one knows who the hell Bakugo's talking about until he describes them. Stubborn fuck. Yuji says "as if nothing" like that's fact.] You were limping earlier.

[Says the guy who's still got stiffness in the shoulder of the arm he almost got bitten off.]

Oy, knife up. I'll show you how to do it faster.

[eyescar]

[ It was probably for the best, since Yuji had shown that being trusted to do certain things was beyond the realm of sanity for him; he keeps pushing himself, getting himself into situations that have the domino effect of causing more problems. He's improving at least, he can admit that, and working with Bakugo and the others is helping him to re-realise things. He'd been happy to work as a team once, but after everything that had happened... A part of him still thinks it's better if he's the one that suffers and no one else does.

Wouldn't that make their lives easier, somehow?

Nodding his head, he sighs a little as he stares at the garlic in front of him. Is he messing this up? He feels like he's messing things up, and he winces a little as he shakes his head, glancing back over at Bakugo. This guy really is good at so many things, huh? He's going to have to work to keep up. ]

Yeah, I helped him out when he was finished with the surgery. [ Sat with him and healed him, which had been nice. He likes being useful, being helpful. Being able to heal instead of hurt. It makes a nice change.

Looking down at his leg, he sighs softly. Damn, observant. ] It's still a little sore, but it's okay.

[ Nodding, he moves to give Bakugo space. ]

I'm ready to learn, sensei!

[blastedass]

[There are certain aspects of Yuji's life that, were Bakugo to know about them, wouldn't consider them the sorcerer's fault. It seems like he's the kind of guy things revolve around, not because of his own blunders, but because he keeps stepping on or in shit others have left behind, accidental or on purpose. Danger magnet, just like Izuku. And then rather than retreat or ask for help, the two buckle down and handle it themselves to avoid burdening anyone else. Rinse and repeat. One day, he'll find out more about Yuji, likely talk to him (grumpily) over things, but for now, Bakugo's at least content to see the improvement.

He doesn't intend to let Yuji sacrifice himself further. Went through that enough with Izuku... It's impossible to make everyone's lives easier. Doing so at the cost of your own will just make those who care about you have it rougher. A balance is needed.

No, Yuji's not messing the mincing up. In other places, it'd be fine. But they have the time and means to make it better. Bakugo's mostly amused Yuji's fighting style comes through even in cooking. Hard, heavy, fast, precision being... not on point.]

Wonder how many people have it now. More than five... [The last part's a mutter to himself. He pushes the topic aside and moves to flank Yuji's right. Of course he's observant! It's not like he gave each of his acquaintances a once over after the battle when he saw them to note their status and recovery. Not him. Nope.

He sets his knife's tip down on the block.] Grip it like this. Thumb and middle, ring, fifth around the handle, with your index on the top of the knife. It'll give you more control of its motion and pressure. [...] Now lift and drop with your wrist, keeping the knife's tip on the block. [Guiding him to rock the knife's blade up and down, kind of like going up on your tiptoes and then dropping to your heel.] You spend less time lifting and lowering the entire blade with each cut.

[eyescar]

I wonder if they expected this many people to opt into it. I wanted to do it quickly, since healing is so rare where I come from, but I didn't think it would be that popular, especially with how painful it is.

[ Not that Yuji was particularly bothered by the pain: he handled it well enough. It was worse having to deal with everyone's reactions to him having the surgery, with how mad they all were at him opting for it. Either way, it's over with now, and he's not planning on getting any other upgrades or changes in the future. He's strong enough, isn't he? It's whatever.

Nodding his head, he watches Bakugo showing him the right way to cut, and he nods, following along. He takes the knife back and begins to replicate it. It seems easy enough, and he's always been good at picking things up and learning quickly. This is no different. ]

Are you interested in any of the upgrades? Or are you happy with things as they are?

[ He wouldn't blame Bakugo if he was doing okay as it is - he's strong enough, and smart, apparently. ]

[blastedass]

Does it really surprise you that other people would endure pain to help others?

[Certainly not Yuji of all considers. Despite their different backgrounds they were brought in from, a lot of Outsiders seem to be people with altruistic leanings. It's not entirely surprising. LILITH would be shooting themselves in the foot to bring in someone self serving and callous towards the plights of other people. (Villains, for example.) While it's true that what Yuji's done is done, it hasn't stopped other people from getting the implant for similar reasons the sorcerer did.

Bakugo notices Yuji taking to the instructions quickly, replicating the hand position and actions to start cutting more fluidly. This guy has good hand-eye coordination with an impressive physical memory. Once he's got the motions down, Bakugo pushes a carrot through Yuji's blade, letting him feel and see the difference in speed and control as the up-and-down rocking keeps the cuts far more aligned in size and quicker to cut.]

Che. I am, but I don't trust them enough to let these assholes shove more tech into me.

[Yuji's not wrong in assuming Bakugo feels like he's able enough on his own. But...

...he furrows his brows.]

It was frustrating to watch people bleed knowing I couldn't help them more than binding or transporting them.

[Especially when he knows there's a way to grant himself that ability to help others. But would All Might or other Pros do such a thing? No one hero can do EVERYTHING, nor should any one person be expected to cover for every possible situation.]

[eyescar]

No, not really, but it was quite a lot of pain.

[ Yuji doesn't think that he's any more altruistic than the next person, he's just good at dealing with pain and getting himself out of situations with a bit of force. It's not a shock to think that other people would want to do the same thing as him, but he does wonder about what'll happen when they all go home. Would he be able to keep this power when he gets there? It would be really helpful when they fight against more people in the Culling Game...

Taking the carrot, he sighs softly, tilting his head back as he pauses in his chopping - he's not quite dumb enough to cut without looking.

Maybe it was kind of foolish for him to be so quick to trust them, to let himself be used in their science, but he had thought it was the best idea. If he was able to be as useful as possible, then he'd be less of a problem for other people in the future, and he'd be able to take care of himself if the worst did happen. If he'd been able to heal other people before... Things would've been totally different.

Looking over at Bakugo, he smiles softly. ]

I think that's just as important, though. If people are healing, they need someone to protect them. Why can't that be our jobs too? To look after as many people as we possibly can.

[ Yuji might want to do everything, but he recognises his limitations a little more now, compared to before. ]

[blastedass]

Pain's just a sensation. You handle it or not.

[Bakugo would argue that point; Yuji is very much altruistic, far more than some people would ever hope to be. But it's partially for that reason that he's having second thoughts himself. If someone like Yuji can handle the implant, and be of even greater help to others, then should Dynamight, a hero proper, avoid such a thing just out of skepticism? ... Well, perhaps it's no different than accepting another Quirk from All for One, but in that example, everyone knows AFO would be doing it to get something out of it. There's no telling about LILITH. That said, he doubts they'll keep anything they get here when they go back home.

Red eyes flick towards Yuji when the guy tilts his head back, wondering for a moment if it's annoyance or a neck cramp. Bakugo knows more about Yuji now, understands him enough to accept why he would trust people in the name of saving others. Best idea? ... Doubtful. Most enticing? Damn right. It's hard for Bakugo to think the same way as Izuku and Yuji. He's too proud, too self-sufficient, too arrogant to sacrifice so much of himself. Losing that much control is not in his realm of acceptability.

But the image of those hurting in front of him, being unable to do more for them... My Quirk will do whatever I want it to. He said that in the past, knowing full well there are things his Quirk can't do. And yet, when faced with the chance to do more, he hesitates. Returning to his own work, Bakugo resumes turning the carrots and potatoes into slices and cubes.]

I won't let anyone die on my watch. [Protecting people, saving them, he can do that. To look after as many people as possible... He takes some comfort in Yuji's words, though will have more to think about.]

[eyescar]

And I handle it.

[ Pain is just that simple, Yuji gets that, but maybe he shouldn't think of it that way. From talking to Bakugo - and the others - he's trying to adjust the way he thinks, how he handles things. The sour nature of his own thoughts are being challenged simply by being around other people, and while he knows what's going on at home is awful, but painfully important, he can't deny that he is enjoying what feels like a reprieve. There's happiness to be found here, even if he didn't expect it.

He can work on it, can't he? Bakugo had scolded him well enough for it to really hit him, even if he claims to be stupid. If he keeps trying to carry things on his own shoulders, it makes it sound like he doesn't trust his friends, the people around him, and that just isn't true. He knows they're strong, he knows he can rely on them, it's the conflicting feelings of wanting to admit it and say all the things that are on his mind that are the issue.

He's been alone the last few weeks, with Fushiguro as the only anchor he has. Adjustment is going to take time.

Yuji hesitates, the words on his tongue feeling heavy. He can't make that kind of promise, not any more, but he does nod his head. ]

We can work together on that, okay?

[ He can at least try to help people, that's why he got his upgrades and weapons. So he can be better, do better. ]

[blastedass]

That's not the problem you have, Ginger Brain!

[No one questions Yuji's ability to handle the pain (outside of the 'wtf' moment when seeing it). It's more his insane willingness to pile said pain on that drives those close to him up the damn wall! Bakugo's not one to talk too much, as Yuji already saw the guy working through his own injury during the kaiju fight, enough to call him out on it when the blonde bitched at Yuji for not wanting to wait. There's logic in both taking and sharing, emotions in the two as well. But balance is the issue in all things. Something heroes can fall afoul of as well.

Bakugo struggles with his own conflicting feelings as well. Yuji is far more willing to be open and with his friends and teammates than the blonde is. And even if he grouches at Yuji for shouldering his pain silently and not speaking about his suffering, Bakugo would rather die than show someone else the barest hint of weakness or vulnerability. He trusts his teammates to back him up in a battle if it's required, though levies his own high expectations on them as price of that trust, but off the battlefield? It's like pulling teeth or running into a spiky brick wall. Opening up to others is not only difficult; it's something Bakugo avoids.

Even if some people manage to wriggle past his thorny exterior easier than others, despite his own attempts to snarl at them. It's one reason why he's standing here beside the sorcerer, showing him how to improve his chopping skills. Just don't expect him to admit anything beyond not wanting to be late on the meal.

Bakugo senses Yuji's hesitation when he said those words. Yuji doesn't know it, but Bakugo has seen people die. One of them was his own teacher. Though Bakugo likewise doesn't know all Yuji's gone through, he still makes that kind of promise. Just because you fail once doesn't mean you can't get up and step forward with the same goal. Compromising with yourself will only weaken your step. I won't let them die. I won't lose my pace. I won't fail. I won't fail. Even if he fails. I won't. Fucking. Fail! Who wants to hear a hero say "I'll try not to let anyone here die, but shit happens, just in case."? Ugh...]

Hmph. Aa. I'll pick you up any time you stumble. [And kick his ass whenever Yuji needs it. They're here to help. And dammit if he's not going to do it to the best of his abilities. Without going fucking nuts in the process.]