synflux | watch that trigger finger (closed)

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watch that trigger finger (closed)

WHO: Bakugo and Yuji
WHAT: Arcade shenanigans
WHERE: Lilico Game Center
WHEN: Saturday after that Synder swipe
WARNINGS: None at present. It's not like it's a date or anything...

[
Fuck. It's one thing to invade someone's life by kidnapping them, their body by shoving tech into it, and their privacy by linking to their minds. It's another to try and drive someone's personality by forcing them to bond with others. Which is, ironically the reason Bakugo found himself here. A chill hangs in the air, causing his breath to ghost in a frosty puff above the scarf about his neck as he pushes his hands into his jacket pockets. It's an hour after noon, and he's punctual, as expected of someone like him. He doesn't expect Yuji to be a clock watcher, but the guy's pretty damn diligent.

Amid the color changing flash of neon lights (probably gave a more psychedelic/rave feel at night than in afternoon), Bakugo's left to wonder about this entire thing. That damn AI Synthia has interfered with his life twice now, both attempts to get him to change his behavior. Didn't work, but the way she couched that interaction encouragement as a fucking dating app... Ugh. He KNEW what it was and STILL participated. It might have forced unknown admissions of interest or set up a few casual dates between people as cost for interaction, but... Bakugo can't say he was forced to be here with Yuji.

It's probably no surprise that Bakugo's never been on a damn date before. He's never been interested enough to go for one, and anyone else has been too intimidated by him to express interest. The only experience he has in these things came from the random chick flick his mother occasionally made him watch with her when he was younger. But if it's with Raidou... Just a casual date, someone told him. Was it? Who the hell knows.

Yuji's someone Bakugo has grown to... tolerate. He's looked out for him a few times, and their battle together during the kaiju fight only further cemented a good work instinct between them. There are things he's said to the sorcerer that have been more than "get your shit together" and it's not a hidden fact that Yuji's similarity with two very important people in Bakugo's life has prompted him to be more open with him. Yet the more he spends time with the other guy, the more he finds difference among the parallels.

Between the values of hero and sorcerer, kaiju battles and destruction relief, what would happen if they were just two teenagers for a few hours? As the people wander in and out of the arcade, Bakugo looks up at the sky, thinking back to his world, his life there. A hero in training, but still just a high school student. A boy with a normal life... It wouldn't kill him to do that every now and then. Yuji too.]

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[ Yuji had gone into the whole Synder thinking it was just a thing to make friends, but after Denji had told him it was some kind of dating app the utter horror he had felt at sending out so many hearts was only tempered by the fact that he hadn't sent too many to anyone that would be really embarrassing. If he had sent one to Nanami, for example, he definitely would've been mortified and might never have dared to show his face outside his dorm for a while.

At least one of the people that he had 'hearted' was Bakugo, who Yuji doesn't mind spending his time with, both inside and outside of fighting.

It takes him very little time at all to make his way to where he had agreed to meet his friend, style chip set up for a simple set of jeans and a fitting hoodie, flexible enough to let him move but not anything that would get caught in any gear they might have to wear. He's never really played laser tag before, but he knows enough to be prepared to dress properly for some kind of exercise. Knowing how seriously Bakugo would take this kind of thing...

This is just casual, right? Friendly? No way Bakugo wants to kiss him like - well.

Skidding to a halt beside his friends, he grins, lifting his hand and waving. ]

Yo, dandelion! You ready to kick some butt?

[Had anyone gone into that thing thinking they were walking out with dates or hookups? Had anyone not gone along with the "play nice" prompts thinking they'd get locked in their damn rooms for not participating? Seems like Synthia's going to make a fucking habit of putting people in strange social experiments with weird results, whether that's companionship or solitary confinement. Bakugo had thought to just ignore the entire thing, but... there are some people he wanted to talk to for this reason or that.

Which meant a stupid heart. Or x. He just didn't want to see Yuji's sad puppy dog eyes when he asked why he got an "x" from someone he thought was his friend. (YUJI'S WORD, NOT HIS!) ... Yeah. That's all. It's not like Bakugo minds spending some time with Yuji.

He glances to the side when the other boy calls to him, scowling at the nickname like usual.] I'll start with yours, Gari Head. [Because obviously he's made good on those threats before. Red eyes take a quick once over Yuji. Good clothing pick for laser tag and mountain climbing if they go that route. Hmph. Hoodies look good with Yuji.

He rolls his shoulder and pops it, still working some stiffness out of the injury from the kaiju fight.]

If we get a joint pass, we get access to all the games inside, rather than paying each time we wanna go into one.

[ Yuji should've paid more attention to what was going on before he decided to message a bunch of people, but at least not everyone took him that seriously. If Denji-kun hadn't let him know about it all, he just imagines the utter embarrassment, but... Whatever, it's over now, and it least it meant he got to hang out with Bakugo and with Raidou - and the reminder of that afternoon makes him feel a little bit better about the whole situation.

Whatever, he's here, and his focus should be on what lies ahead of him, and his excitement for something fun after the mission and the fighting that came hand in hand with it. He's been enjoying his time here, despite the kidnapping, and while the mission had been dangerous and a little intense, it all feels worthwhile. He's been dwelling a little on the things Bakugo had said to him too, so...

Nodding his head, he waves off the comment about kicking his butt - it'll definitely be a good fight - immediately frowning at Bakugo's shoulder. ]

Yeah, that sounds like a great idea.

[ Leaning forward, he peers a little. ]

Are you sure you're okay?

[Considering Bakugo's upcoming ice skating evening with Raido and Denji wrangling the explosive blonde in for dinner, perhaps it's not a bad thing the Outsiders were able to find time to spend together that didn't involve training for upcoming threats, or dealing with said upcoming threats. Just getting the chance to hang out and live a little. Bakugo doesn't hold Yuji responsible for the whole dating app thing, since the AI knew what it was doing and took advantage of some of the dumber people.

Still... somewhere in Bakugo's mind, he knows he's... technically on a not!date with Yuji.

Truth be told, while the prickly hero isn't one most people can drag off to social events, the ones he does get hauled into tend to either see him being is antisocial self off to the side or getting involved with it because of his competitive nature. Case in point, this place is just begging to get a bunch of high scores with his name slapped all over its screens. And he's got Yuji here as one hell of a backup.]

Wipe that frown off. [Bakugo didn't suggest this place to see the pink-haired boy get sad.] I'm fine. I've had a lot worse than some fucking whale bite me. [Though as if he needs to further prove it, he drags the fist full of scarf+jacket+shirt collar to the side, showing his collar to shoulder area. Just some very faint scarring, but nothing worse than the other small nicks and cuts that comes with being a hero.] Get all your damn worrying out now cause I don't wanna see it once we go inside.

[It's... one way to be encouraging.]

[ If nothing else, this is bringing them all together, and Yuji can't fault that. He knew that getting closer to Fushiguro and Kugisaki had helped them rely on each other a little more, to trust one another more, so maybe that's what this whole thing was about. Even if they don't end up dating - he can't say that much for that, since his date with Raidou went so well - it's at least getting them all to hang out, maybe with people they'd never spend time with otherwise.

It's working, whatever LILITH wants, he can't deny that. It's making it happen.

While Yuji is more willing to accept that Bakugo is feeling a lot better, given his own nature, he can't quite ignore his concern. His own leg is essentially fully healed, thanks to his own weird body and his healing touch, so it's easier to focus on Bakugo still being stiff and sore than to try and hide his own aches. There's nothing to hide, because he's better... Oh, well. If anything happens during their time together today, then Yuji can touch him to make it feel better.

It sounds less weird in his head than it would out loud.

Nodding, he steps aside and starts to head towards the entrance. ]

I'll trust you this time, but if you end up more hurt, I'll be mad at you!

[ He's got his eyes on you, Bakugo. ]

[Tch. Even if that was Synthia's goal, the AI should be smart enough to know what else it's implying by turning the damn mingle into a fucking dating app. Most worlds have the same idea about dating and getting together like that! Then again, maybe it's better to learn to trust people in these ways rather than getting caught up in villain attacks or putting them in training simulations that inevitably force them to work together to avoid getting smashed through a building...

Bakugo's never really thought much about dating, always shoving it into the "waste of time" category. But it'd be a lie to say going out with Yuji is in the same vein. There's something about the guy that meshes with Bakugo as much as it clashes with him. Kind of like Kirishima. Someone who could soon enough call himself Bakugo's friend without the blonde immediately ripping his face off for it.

He knows Yuji is being concerned because that's in his nature. He's seen that in full force plenty of times. But Bakugo's dealt with a hell of a lot during his first year at U.A., from getting skewered by Shigaraki to getting sliced to ribbons by the Serpenters to getting... tch... he tries not to think about that last one. It's pretty fucked up. But he survived them all. Yuji can trust him when he says he's fine. Or touch him and get barked at if he's going to call Bakugo out on being stubborn.

He shifts his shirt, jacket, and scarf back around for comfort, then turns with Yuji to go inside.]

Haa?! What kind of shit do you think we're gonna run into at the arcade?

[They're not fighting kaiju, dealing with curses, or clashing with villains. Though once inside, the array of neon lights, stylized signs, glowing galleries, entrance ways branching off to other activities, and more create a very loud scene of entertainment and chaos. While the place isn't packed, it's busy. A good sign at least.

He's gonna keep close to Yuji so he doesn't lose the guy in here.] Right. The passes are at the counter.

[ At least he's managed to come out of it with only a handful of dates and minimal miscommunication, which he appreciates more than he could say. Denji would've definitely shouted at him more if he hadn't been a little more careful about throwing out the emojis as if they were nothing - and if people like Bakugo were tolerant of the nonsense of it, then surely other people would be in the end.

Yuji trusts Bakugo to be the kind of person to go from zero to a thousand over something silly like this, so it's a good point of measurement.

At least this way he can keep an eye on Bakugo and maybe later he can come up with some excuse to check in on him again, to make sure the wound isn't leaving him really, really sore. He stops himself from questioning him again, forcing himself to shove the words aside before he breathes out and turns his head back, biting back the urge to laugh out loud. Riling him up is so easy, and he gets kinda cute when he's all flustered, like some kind of angry cat.

It's cute, but he'd never say it aloud. ]

You never know what might happen in a place like this!

[ Nodding his head, he steps around, starting to make his way to the counter. If he gets there first, maybe he can pay before Bakugo notices... ]

Where do you want to start? I'm happy with anything.

["Tolerant" is pushing it, but he had no other choice if he wanted to communicate. At least Bakugo was pretty clear on whether it was a date or not in the conversation. Though Yuji was the one to ask him and yeah... now here they are. He got a few dates out of it himself, though time will tell whether they're actual dates or just the casual hangout that someone clarified on the texting conversation.

Yeah well, Yuji can go from zero to stupid/cute/intense over shit as well and the blonde's not about to let him escape from that reality. Despite their clash in personality, he finds himself... uh... more than tolerating their time together.

Bakugo wouldn't have invited Yuji out to laser tag and rock climbing if he was feeling sore. (Okay, so he would have out of sheer tough guy denial.) He can tell the sorcerer is biting back a chuckle and shoots him the stink eye from the side. Dammit, Gari Head. One of these days, he's going to trash him for being a brat. YOU CAN BE ONE; DON'T TELL HIM OTHERWISE!]

If a big scary villain shows up, I'll make sure you don't get pounded. [Nar har har. Said in that droning mocking sort of way just to rub it in Yuji's face. Because he can. But hey, it's still protective speech, so Yuji can take that as he wants. Bakugo would definitely punch out a villain to keep him away from the sorcerer.

Yeah fat luck on paying first. Bakugo's already buying passes "online" via the ocular.] Laser tag. I already set up another team we can murder. [Said right when they get to the counter, making the lady behind the computer give Bakugo a strange (worried) expression.

You're dating this, Yuji.]

[ The excitement that he feels walking into something as simple as an arcade is immense: Yuji likes being able to help people, to fight alongside them, to protect others, but he's also still just a teenager. Being able to take a few hours away from the intensity of fighting and danger and enjoy a bit of peace is something that he won't take for granted. It might be a little more intense seeing as it's with Bakugo, but it's still going to be fun.

They might be idiots, but they're idiots who are working well together and enjoying their time, so it works out!

Giving him a look as he heads up to the desk, he waves his hand at the poor lady, trying to put on his most innocent smile so she doesn't get too worried. ]

Ignore him, it's okay! We're going to do the laser tag - we're getting passes, right?

[ Yuji gets talked through the process of getting them set up, the passes for both him and Bakugo secured and passed over to the other guy before he can complain about Yuji being the one to pay for it. Then they're all set up and ready to go, and Yuji's almost vibrating with his excitement. ]

This looks like it's going to be so much fun!

[It's kind of sad that they would get excited over doing normal teenager things. Jujutsu school, hero school, teaching them all the things needed to deal with curses and villains respectively, fighting to protect people, and all of that responsibility + training coming at the expense of a "normal" teenage life. Bakugo won't admit it to anyone, but he feels the same kind of relief as any human teen in getting to escape from the pressures he usually puts himself under. Just kick back and do something fun.

Intense fun, but fun all the same. He's kind of looking forward to seeing what it's like with Yuji when they don't have the responsibility of some task at hand prompting their actions.

Bakugo ignores the woman giving them the look, not expecting her to take the words seriously. If she does, that's her issue. She shouldn't be working at a fucking arcade where there are guns, race cars, fighting games, and a host of other things that could create some... interesting word choices.]

What the fuck?! Don't ignore me! [He yells at Yuji, not the woman, go figure. But then gets sidetracked from the snarling by the passes and the fact Yuji somehow steals the fucking payment from under his nose! HOW THE HELL DID HE-?! Bakugo swipes the pass from the other boy, lips pouting in a glare at him for daring to be so nice. Tch. Suck up.]

I'm buying lunch. Try to stop me and you die. [Because obviously that's the way to talk to your date. Still, he slips the pass into his pocket and slams his fists together as he heads for the laser tag section.] Lets wipe these fuckers out and take our place at the top!

[ Yuji can see Bakugo glaring, but it doesn't bother him. He's used to the ire of Fushiguro, which is far more damning in his opinion, so Bakugo's frustration with his kindness doesn't even make him twitch. Maybe when they're a little bit closer, he might feel a bit bad about it all, seeing as he deliberately sneaked in to try and make sure that he ended up paying. He has a decent amount of money after the mission, so...

He's also ridiculously excited about the idea of having a bit of fun and throwing himself into something for the excitement of enjoyment rather than the excitement of a good fight. Maybe he should ask Bakugo if he wants to spar later... He has to keep in shape, after all, even between missions...

Huffing a laugh, he waves his hand, shrugging off the threat, even as the poor woman behind the counter looks as if she might be asking them to leave if they're not careful. It is what it is as far as Yuji's concerned, and he's been out with weirder people (looking at you, Inumaki-senpai...)

Following after Bakugo, he just smiles. ]

Sure, that's fine. Then we've both contributed to the date, right?

[ Though this is turning out to be far less romantic than anything else he's done... ]

Do we have a team name or anything?

[Is it surprising that Megumi's anger is more potent for Yuji? Nope! He's known the pink-haired idiot longer, made a deeper bond with him, while Bakugo and Yuji are still on "learning about you" terms. Not that he thinks he can make Yuji jump or twitch any more than he can get Kirishima to yelp when he explodes. So long as there wasn't a fight over paying for lunch, Bakugo will accept the sneaked-in payment as fair trade. Even if he's slightly miffed Yuji was able to do that... Sneak, that is.

Yuji'll find sparring is one of Bakugo's main "let's hang out" go-to's when it comes to other people, so have at it. Don't expect any special treatment, though the hero will ask about what kind of type and limits they want to do. Quirks and Cursed Energy? Only basic hand-to-hand. Or even weapons, since Bakugo's been learning how to use a sword recently. He can get kind of... nerdy(intense) during sparring because it's a test of his strength and exciting. BUT-

-this professes to be fun too. Bakugo leaves the woman behind without a single thought as he heads through the arcade, glancing at some of the other areas to see what to hit up after the laser tag. Racing games with VR simulations and vehicle-like mounts to make it even more real. Shooters if the laser tag wasn't up the alley. Reaction games to test reflexes and win prizes. (There's a red glowing door way up there that seems... uh... moving on.) A lounge with parlor games, sending out the more adult clink of billiard balls and table set up for board games while calmer folk have a drink to match wits. There's a lot to do here.]

Duh. Is that really a question? [What, you don't think shooting down other teams with laser guns is romantic, Yuji? Bakugo doesn't have a romantic bone in his body (so he would say... though he can definitely be one if he wants to). The team name question gets a grin.] Instant Kill One Shotters! We won't leave them a moment to get single point!

[There's already two people waiting when they arrive. Though the design choice is up the the wearer, the laser equipment is the same: a helmet with visor, vest with front + back + shoulder guards, gauntlets and bicep bands with the laser guns' wire attached to the forearm, greaves around the shin and thighs, and each piece has sensors located within the design for the other team to fire at.

The only thing Bakugo's going to be extremely adamant on is the playing field they select to fight on: nothing urban. He doesn't know all of what Yuji's world is going through, but what he has gathered, combined with the war going on in his own world, is enough to make it clear Bakugo doesn't want to be running around broken buildings and war-torn streets while hunting down the opposing teammates. Too many "hit close to home" issues with that.

A forest, fantasy village, futuristic mall, wacky obstacle course, hell go for a fucking alien hive, anything else is game.]

[ This is the kind of fun that Yuji had been missing out on in his weeks of being a Jujutsu Sorcerer; being able to be a teenager and enjoy himself, to do dumb stuff for the sake of it, to go out and play games. The last few weeks have been nothing short of a new form of torture for Yuji, seeing the people he loves most get hurt, or wounded, or locked away, or killed. Having the freedom to enjoy his youth a little more is exactly what Gojo-sensei and Nanami wanted for him, but...

He shoves those thoughts aside immediately, tucking them away before he focuses back on the mission at hand. He and Bakugo have to go in there and just take part in a game, no matter how seriously they both might be taking it, and that's going to be fun. He doesn't want to dwell on all of his negativity when there's something to look forward to right in front of him.

Following after his friend, Yuji crosses his arms behind his head as they walk, drinking in the games. He's probably not going to be great at any of the shooting things, considering he relies more on his physical prowess than any particular aim or skill, but he was good with a Black Flash, so maybe... There's a lot to choose from, and in the end a game is going to be fun because he and Bakugo will be doing it together.

Bakugo's loud voice draws him back over, and he laughs, shaking his head and resisting the urge to nudge the guy next to him. For someone so cool, he can be really lame, can't he? His username, and now this team name... It's probably better than anything Yuji himself would come up with if left to his own devices, though. ]

Sure, we can be the Instant Kill One Shotters. I hope it fits if we have to type it in.

[ Dragging on his own equipment, Yuji looks out over at the choices of location for them to play in and he breathes out softly. After what happened in Shibuya...

He manages to find one that looks more like an open forest than anything linked to cities or landscapes that hit close to home, and he puts that forward as the place for them to go on before he turns back to his teammate with a smile. ]

Let's do this, Bakugo.

[Enjoy their youth, huh. That would be what the teachers and staff of U.A. would want for their students, but life hadn't gone the way so many people had thought it would. From villains invading their school to more attacking them during training camp to the declaration of war against the entire hero society with the intent of tearing down the world they knew, it's been a hell of a year. Bakugo's arrival here, fresh out from the middle of that hellish battle, made him more appreciative (if not slightly uncomfortable) with the reality of getting freedom to mess around.

Similarly, he pushes the thoughts away, focusing on Yuji and their time together. Of course his version of fun means taking that fun very seriously. Especially since they're a competition on the line and he wants to win it with top marks! Set a record! Completely slaughter the other team! Come out with zero "injuries" of their own! All that perfect stuff!

Well hopefully Yuji's brought his aiming game on because laser tag definitely requires aim and targeting. Something Bakugo hadn't exactly made sure to clear up on the guy's skillset. He said it and Yuji jumped for it, so... Tsk, this guy's happy face is annoyingly enabling. DON'T YOU DARE CALL HIS BADASS TEAM NAME LAME!! He came up with that awesome killer name and it's great! (Actually, a lot of people in Bakugo's world, including his own mentor, think his naming preferences are horribly childish and lame.) If Yuji wants to contest the name, now's the chance... and there it goes.]

I can shorten it. [IKOS if necessary. It looks cool even truncated. Bakugo checks out Yuji's equipment, first visually, then physically. A quick tug on his vest to situate it, pat on the upper arm and thigh to check the armor, making sure the back and helmet are secure and the sensors all work. He appreciates the choice Yuji makes for the game grounds, backing it up instantly. It's only another few seconds before the immersive VR swallows them in their pod and Bakugo walks out into the forest with Yuji.

Hmph, Yuji uses Bakugo's real name that time... Noted.]

We're starting on either side of the forest. [Make their way into the battle range. But first.] How's your aim, Gari Head?

[Yuji's strong with some great power, but when it comes to marksmanship and accuracy of shots... Might as well learn now before their opponents find them. There are other targets around, for test shots. No points, but they work to make sure the guns are connecting and lasers are working.]

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watch that trigger finger (closed)

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