[Honestly, it’s the answer he wanted. It doesn’t matter whether or not the city turned out to be shitty. He doesn’t want Midoriya to regret anything, and he doesn’t want the desire to be the best, Number One, to diminish. He’s relieved. It wasn’t a mistake coming here after all.
Following Midoriya, he takes the offered cup. Dr. Pepper because he wants to taste the “spice” of it. A small amount of ice because he enjoys having something to bust with his teeth even if he hates when the drink is watered down. He’ll have to chomp the ice before that happens.] Alright.
Come on. Let’s get the hell out of here.
[In the future, they can go somewhere else. Somewhere in the heart of Scandinavia, lost in the woods and the snow and the pinch of sunlight lasting the whole day. The edge of India maybe, right at the crook of meeting Asia, the other side where it runs into the Middle East. France, maybe, or Spain. Greece. Turkey. Germany. The places he never considered because he was too full of nationalism.]
I still have to meet that Stark fuck. And everyone else, I guess. Who am I supposed to be worrying about? [His gaze falls completely onto Midoriya.] Oi. Who’s the strongest hero in their arsenal?
[ There are some things that he wants to talk to UA's teachers about because they could do with things like exchange students. More than that, getting other teachers looped in from other schools. There was a school here too, one that could exchange students and teachers and they'd both benefit from it. There were schools all over. Maybe it wasn't for everyone but All Might was absolutely right about this being something that would broaden his horizons as a hero. ]
It took me a few weeks to actually get a chance to talk to him. He's a little...abrasive sometimes? I mean, he's incredible and a genius and the Ironman suit is incredible but he's also... well, he's getting better! He actually didn't hire us either, Ms. Potts did, and you'll see her a whole lot more.
[ Her quirk is putting up with Mr. Stark is what she jokes; she hasn't stated what hers is, smiling it off every time Midoriya asks.
Back in the elevators, he takes a long pull off the soda and sniffs the bag. Fake cheese, he loves fake cheese it's so gross and perfect. ] It really depends what you think of as strong? There is someone who can channel electricity like Kaminari can. It's amazing, so long as he has something that's basically a focus for his quirk he's able to manipulate electricity and can even generate. He doesn't end up getting hit with it when he uses it, so I suggested to Kaminari that he tries doing something like that. He's also extremely strong; I haven't beaten him in an arm-wrestling match yet.
[The Americans had as much of an arsenal of heroes as they had in Japan. Now he has standards to look into. See how they all fit into his own, the ones he's use to seeing and following.
He's not sure if he can take Midoriya's words from the last several months. Not when Midoriya goes bonkers over literally every hero. It's one thing to save everyone, like Midoriya. It's another to win. Are they victorious? He'd like to know.
With the straw in his mouth worried between his teeth but not drinking, he watches Midoriya smell the bag of food. It wasn't terribly aromatic, like pizza, but enough to give the elevator a lingering scent of god-awful American congestive heart failure.]
Tch. With your shitty, shrimpy arms? [Which are not at all shrimpy? Bakugou.] Yeah, I can see why you lost. I'll take him later. [He'll at least put up a decent fight...
The real problem is he's an extremely sore loser unless they're giving it their all.]
[ Another ding, and then he's heading out of the elevator, flexing defensively. His arms are not in fact, small at all. The tshirt he dragged on underneath the hoodie stretches with him but barely, even if Bakugou can't appreciate it. Midoriya's fingers go against the hand scanner and the door whooshes open for them, Barkugou skittering to meet them. ]
If you do end up sparring I want to watch.
[ Partially because it's always incredible to see Bakugou fight and partially because Midoriya himself could barely lay a finger on Thor the first time. Maybe Bakugou would do better.
His food is settled onto the countertop and on his way to get plates, he scoops up his dog, murmuring nonsense to her as her tail wags excitedly. Plates are brought down, along with forks and knives just in case, and then he brings the whole paper towel roll over because they'll probably need it. ]
[Following Midoriya inside, Bakugou does the same with his own bag and drink, plopping them on the counter. The dog gets a cursory glance. The dog and Midoriya together get a longer cursory glance, but he waits.
Patient, up until the dog is again returned to the floor and decides to finally trot over to see what he's up to doing. For a moment, he seems undecided. A look at Midoriya, a look at the dog. To hell with it. He's tired of wasting his time trying to hide the bit of affection he's got for the damn thing.
Bending down, he scoops her up in one arm and lets her rest against his chest and shoulder. He gives what he hopes is a scratching to her chest, but he's not sure with all the soft fluffy, and then he scritches on up to the head and ears before he puts her down.]
I told you already. It looks good on a pro resume.
[It's easy to say when he has his back turned while washing his hands at the sink. Midoriya knows him too well (he knows this), and there's obviously more to him coming than simply the good look of having a background in overseas hero work. One of the reasons is standing right here beside him.
Slowly, he casts a glance over his shoulder to see if Midoriya is giving him a knowing, skeptical look, to see if Midoriya is even looking at all.]
[ Barkugou is significantly more social and people-friendly than her namesake, which means he's pretty sure she'll be easy to get adopted. Part of him hates the idea of it, but that's why he's fostering after all. It means shorter times with the animals, but they go to good homes and he gets the benefit of a pet without having to worry about things much. Once she's settled down and Bakugou's scooped her up, he putters around a few moments, doing his best not to stare at Bakugou in his kitchen, nonchalant like he belongs there.
He does belong there, though. ]
So does one in Japan.
[ He's not going to let it go that easily. While Bakugou washes his hands Midoriya comes over to do the same, looking up at him like if he just stares long enough he'll wear Bakugou down and get him to talk. ]
Are you staying in here or did they give you your own room?
[ A kinder version of the question he really wants to ask: is Bakugou staying with him, or does he need his own space? The apartments are massive, and the little office area that Midoriya's been using could probably fit a bed if they wanted but he's hoping...well. He knows what he's hoping for, but it depends on what Bakugou wants. ]
[Pressing him goes better than it would have if he were younger. Pressing him in a different way is better than pressing him in general. He makes room for Midoriya when he moves to dry his hands on a paper towel.
He's quiet for the time it takes him to throw the paper towel away.]
I'm staying here unless you annoy the shit out of me and give me a reason to get my own room.
[He can't!! just say!! it nicely, can he!! What a giant TURD. Midoriya doesn't deserve him, yet here they are. Awful.] Doing some runs in America looks better on paper than some shit work in Japan.
Besides... [He won't look at Midoriya as he digs into his bag to get the cheesesteak out, flattening the bag when he puts it on top. Stares at the thing like it's got a head and moos.] Someone has to make sure you don't fucking kill yourself trying to be a hero.
And you left without it, and I came to give it back to you because I told you I was tired of hauling it around. That woman, she...
[But he doesn't continue or clarify, instead cutting himself off by shoveling a bite of the cheesesteak he's sure will kill him into his mouth.]
[ He'll press here and there but knows better than to go too far. His hands are wiped mostly dry, meaning it's all the easier to press his hand up underneath the back of Bakugou's shirt, stroking over the small of his back. It's not a lingering touch, just idle affection as he passes by to start unpacking the rest of the way. He digs into the first one carefully, forgoing the fork and knife to try and take a massive bite out of one part of it to make it a little less of a disaster with limited success. ]
She what?
[ That's interesting. Midoriya had wondered if the more he used it the more he would contact the...well, 'ghosts' doesn't seem quite right but that's probably the closest approximation of what they were. Did he see All Might? It's a question he's dying to ask but knows better than to try, so instead he stuffs his face. The first one he kills in just a few bites. The second, he eats a little more sedately, giving up on wiping his fingers halfway through. ]
What do you think? I haven't had one before, but I had nachos when some of us went to the movies and they were actually pretty great. [ They're garbage. He loves them. ]
[The detour gives him time to think about what he wants to say, or, more importantly, how he wants to say it. Not often has he really given the two of them a chance to communicate decently... about anything. His fault entirely. Midoriya was and has always been more than willing to talk.
But being away for so long--even with the phone calls, the texts (easier), the video calls--has made him just a tad more bold. Or he thinks he can be bold. Being alone with One For All helped a little, too.]
It's disgusting. [He's eating it without really stopping much.] It reminds me of all the awful food back home at the festivals. [Therefore... not entirely bad even if it's horrible for you.]
That woman... [Again, he pauses, looking over the last remnants of the cheesesteak, taking a sip of the drink.] She said I should probably give it back. There's no reason someone as fucking young as you should be giving it up like that. [He doesn't say if this is what the woman told him, too, or if this is his own addition.]
I'm tired of seeing that weird shit. Especially when I'm trying to sleep.
[He wants to be Number One, but he never wanted the burden of having one of the best quirks in the world.]
[ They weren't particularly thrilled with his idea but they hadn't hassled him about it. Its purpose was still alive and it was a backup plan. It was more or less the only indication that Midoriya had given he might feel any sort of nervousness about leaving but he would never say that and blessedly Bakugou would avoid certain uncomfortable situations for the most part if he did pick up on it. [
I'll take it back whenever you want.
[ It's the least he can do. Especially since Bakugou's here, living and breathing and within reach instead of thousands of miles away. The idea is a little useless at this point, but Midroiya's still relieved he did it. It doesn't sound like it was ever necessary, but that's good. ]
Did you ship anything here?
[ It's an almost abrupt turn of conversation as he realizes that Bakugou had the backpack and the suitcase, sure, but Midoriya had shipped a few boxes to himself when he moved: decorations, extra clothes, a winter jacket, that kind of thing. It's 50/50 on whether or not Bakugou would send them or go between "don't need it" and "fuck it, I can buy it." ]
[Midoriya's not wrong... again. He opted, of course, for the "fuck it, I can buy it" route.] Just my uniform. I sent it before I even left, so it should be here in a few days. [The stupid gauntlets and the neck piece wouldn't fit in any of his cases with other things.
Aside from that, he's got enough clothes shoved in the large rolling suitcase and some in the duffle bag to last a week before having to wash, not including some winter outerwear.
He'll be fine.
The last bit of cheesesteak it popped into his mouth and consumed. He wipes his lips and chin with the back of a wrist in case there's stringy cheese or bread crumbs left behind.] I guess that means you're fucking shitting yourself to take me shopping or something. [Geez. There's a reason he skipped out on the mall trip when they had joined U.A. (He's Travis Willingham.)]
[ Bakugou must have spent so much money getting all of this here, including himself, unless Mr. Stark paid for it. Midoriya doesn't want to consider just how much money an unplanned trip would cost but it's absurd, he's sure. Still, he feels a little greedy being so happy about it. Bakugou's staying and Midoriya is thrilled to bits. ]
You can always borrow something of mine if you need to.
[ Winters are cold and summers are hot and Midoriya worries about him even if he knows Bakugou can handle himself. He polishes off the last of the cheesesteaks and starts to neatly put them back into their bags so he can toss them out, sliding a drawer out where the trashcan is hiding.
His hands are washed in the sink again but once that's finished, he's heading back over to Bakugou, settling on the other side of the kitchen island again to look at him. If he's smiling a little stupidly the whole time then, well, it's understandable. ]
I was saving all of the tourist attractions for my last month, but it might be fun to go the next day or two while we're waiting for your uniform to arrive?
[Summers are fine. Bakugou craves warm springs and hotter summers. He's a sweaty boy, and he loves to sweat because it means he has more nitroglycerin for his explosions.
Winters, on the other hand, suck. Even with the redesigned winter uniform, they still suck.] Yeah, show me how much more this city is shit. [He's only being disagreeable for the sake of being disagreeable.
When he starts seeing evidence of All Might's legacy peppering the place beneath the loud billboards of other heroes, he'll come around.]
Where were you planning on going exactly? The woman in the ocean? Uh-- [Hang on, let him butcher it with his accent:] Statue of Liberty?
[ It's meant as an answer even if it really isn't one. There are so many places that he's wanted to go but just hasn't for one reason or another. Having Bakugou in town means that he has the perfect chance to go see all those places with plenty of justification. There's an additional part of him that loves this - loves hearing the way he says Statue of Liberty], loves that he's making an attempt even if he is dragging everything that exists. ]
That's one of them. There's the Empire State building too, I promised Kirishima I would get him one of the figures of the gorilla on the building and send it back.
[ He can, of course, go get that from any shop around town but it's not the same if he doesn't get it from the place that it's supposed to be from. ]
Did you want to stay in tonight and just watch something on the couch or go out?
Hong Kong. [Wait. That's not right. It's what he gets for trying to listen and speak English so much after just getting here.] King Kong. [Nevermind, don't look at him. He quickly tries to pretend like he's putting all of his shit in the bag together so he can throw it in the trash, too.
Shut up. He can make mistakes.] That dumbass knucklehead would want some kind of stupid souvenir like that. [Kirishima didn't tell him to get anything... Wow... So much for being bros. Maybe Kirishima will tell him later or something.
Maybe he was too busy crying over his best friend leaving for six months. You know.] I dunno.
Yeah, him! And don't be mean, Kirishima thinks he's manly since he climbed the building.
[ Listen, he couldn't even think of the name here so Bakugou is already doing a thousand times better than he is at this point. Midoriya gives his hands one final wash after tidying up and then shamelessly boxes Bakugou in against the counter, hands pressed on it either side of him, looking up at him with a slow, warm smile. ]
Hey. Thank you for coming.
[ It's a low rumble more than a word as Midoriya waits for Bakugou to meet his eyes and then leans in for a kiss, sliding their lips together gently at first and then he presses the line of his body up against Bakugou's own, gentle, easy kisses until they're not, until Midoriya is catching Bakugou's lower lip between his teeth and nipping playfully, deepening it with a soft sigh that's swallowed up between them. ]
Tch. What's so manly about a fucking... [Oh. Midoriya is coming right in. He's trapped by two large arms and a man practically matching him in weight.] ...gorilla... climbing... [Yeah, he should probably surrender.] ...a building...
I don't want your thanks, damn nerd. I said I didn't... [Midoriya eats the words off his lips, and he doesn't try to finish his usual deflection regarding why he does what he does. He didn't come for Midoriya. Sure.
Even telling their friends that before he left was met with a quick, knowing exchange of glances. The only stupid one here is Bakugou.
The slower kisses are irritating, but fine. He's full a satisfied, and it feels nice to be able to fist his fingers into the front of Midoriya's clothes like he can pretend he's the one in control. It's not so much an intimidation as a lifeline, holding him up from drowning when the kisses get deeper and they're left tasting like each other and faintly like stupid, cheesy steaks and soda.
The spark between them is a surprise, a lick of green and electric energy, and he pulls back for a second, unsure. A slap between the middle of them, like someone shoving fingers through their chests. It doesn't hurt at all. In fact, it feels quite good, not unlike the currents tickling his face when Midoriya's leg missed him by centimeters when they fought in the street as teenagers.
Now he's hungry. Now his fingers abandon the wrinkles he put in the clothes and instead tangle into Midoriya's green hair to yank them together. He kisses like his life depends on it, like he hasn't seen Midoriya in several months which isn't at all a lie.]
[ He has a gift list a mile long for everyone, little things for some people and then specific ones for others. Aizawa had leveled a look at him and told him not to get anything, which means he's absolutely gotta find something for him. His mother keeps sending cute packages of food to him, too, things he misses while he's gone and he's done the same with the weird things he finds in America, sending them to the others. Later, he'll worry about gifts, though.
Right now, the real gift is he doesn't have to rely on phone calls or texts, and while sexting or phone sex was kind of fun it's not the same. This is what he was missing. Not just the kissing or the way his stomach went tight with heat and want when Bakugou pressed against him, but the intimacy of it. The smell of Bakugou's shampoo, the scent of burnt sugar that seemed to seep into his clothes, the hard-muscled lines against him. Bakugou could shove him back and could take him down, sure, and that's its own thrill but he doesn't want to. The hands fisted in his shirt holding him in place are proof enough of that.
It's the spark of electricity from his, no their quirk that he doesn't expect. Midoriya makes a shocked noise and stares back in turn when they feel it, eyes wide, green swallowed up by his pupils but then they're kissing again, fiercer, harder. It's like its own battle: give and take, relearning how to move together. Midoriya makes a hungry noise into the kiss and his fingers spark when they lift to cup Bakugou's chin, sliding up over his cheeks, his jaw and shamelessly groaning at the tug to his hair as he pushes harder against him and the counter.
Eventually, though, they have to breathe and Midoriya pulls away with a shuddery intake of breath, going for the soft skin under his jaw, biting and kissing there. Between those: ]
I-- wow. It's like kissing an electrical outlet, kind of. That's...new.
[A starving, low growl trickles out of him. Getting hard happens in the snap of two fingers, much quicker and easier than it use to be when he had a slight bit more endurance against Midoriya's shit.
He knows Midoriya is studying him, even accidentally. It's practically second-nature by now. The way Midoriya says the words, like he's a specimen in a glass case being tested by curious fingers.]
I'm not... [His chin tips, voice tightening, throat moving when he swallows under the exploring lips.] ...some fucking experiment, dammit.
[Or someone who will simply lie back most of the time and take this kind of torture. His fingers get a good handful of green hair and pull, turning Midoriya's head back, turning Midoriya's body in the same direct to the side, guiding it with his own. He flips them and crams the edge of the counter into Midoriya's back, rough when he rubs them hip and hip, when he tangles their legs at the knees, the ankles.
But he piles his weight on top, smooshing Midoriya flat over the counter without care. The marble is chilly when it licks Midoriya's back as he yanks the shirt and everything else up. The torso hasn't changed minus any new scars. It's the same one he nearly forgot the memory of, and his face and mouth hover close to the skin, breath hot, like he's trying to decide where to plan his lips exactly.
A firm, muscled spot right at the top of the ribs on one side just below a pectoral muscle. When his lips drag across, soft sparks of green energy follow the connection, offering a playful and pinching zap.]
[ He might have all the measurements and response times and everything jotted down for Bakugou with his quirk combined with Midoriya's own but that doesn't mean that he's not watching him, drinking all of it in. ]
I know you're not. Maybe I just like looking at you.
[ Midoriya's eyes follow down to the line of his throat bobbing and he wants to trace it with his mouth, wants to leave a series of bruises underneath the line of his shirts, his uniform, wants to know that when he's putting that uniform on, the marks he's left will be underneath them. It's not possessiveness necessarily, more just that Midoriya likes the idea of leaving marks where they can and cannot be seen, like it's proof that Bakugou's considered him worthy of doing it.
Abruptly, he's pushed back against the counter and chokes out a startled laugh. Bakugou's insistent, pushing his shirt up and the cold marble against his skin makes him squawk, squirming pressing him back just enough so he can heft himself up on to the counter. It gives him a few extra inches over Bakugou and lets him wind both of his legs around his waist, hitching his ankles together to hold Bakugou into place, arms dropping over the top of his shoulders, letting Bakugou have full access to his chest, another laugh escaping. ]
I wish I could, mmmn, ask if this is normal or- Kacchan. [ His toes curl within his shoes, thighs tightening around Bakugou's waist as he fights the urge to push him back, sensitive and not sure if they actually want to go out or not. ] Kacchan.
[The electricity popping in his mouth is not unlike chewing on aluminum foil. Like crunching a hard piece of lifesavers peppermint. Something tingling and invigorating.
One his big hands clamps down over Midoriya's mouth, smothering any other words, smothering his name. He presses firmly, clamping his fingers into the cheeks.] Shut up for a damn minute. [As much as he just bitched about Midoriya treating him like an experiment, it's his turn to test the plane of the other man's chest.
Each muscle, he hovers his parted lips, each line of rib, letting the occasional spark zip between them until it begins to fade, and then he plants his mouth solidly on whatever hunk of flesh he can find. Low on the sweep of the stomach, just off enter and up from the navel. There's no more sparking at his face.
But rivlets of them pop up over his shoulders and down his back as he sucks a meaty section of skin. They only vanish when he lifts his head away. The hand drops, but before Midoriya can say much, he brings the other in by the neck and kisses with thankfully no distracting charge.]
[ Midoriya is an adult, a full-grown adult who saves lives, who pays his own bills, who has a full time job doing superhero things.
Midoriya absolutely is an asshole who makes a protesting sound and then licks over Bakugou's palm in retaliation, eyes bright, hair wild. He doesn't want Bakugou to stop, of course; how could he, when literally anything he does feels so overwhelmingly good but it's like he's hardwired to be a pain in Bakugou's ass so there's really no stopping him.
The counter is cool underneath him and Midoriya squirms against it, against the tingling press of lips and teeth, a breath shivering out of him when Bakugou's mouth trails along and he threatens to suck a bruise against his skin. The hand drops, the electricity fades and Midoriya kisses back fiercely, leaning in from where he's perched, licking into his mouth with no small amount of determination or want. He can't touch as much like this, either. His hands skate over Bakugou's chest, down further until he's skimming over the swell of his arms, feeling the way muscles flex and shift underneath his fingertips, eager and hungry. They're supposed to go out but he doesn't want to be the first one to pull away so he doesn't, scraping his teeth lightly over Bakugou's lower lip, kissing over his chin, his cheeks, over the bridge of his nose. ]
I missed you so much. [ It's uttered like a confession; he never dared to say it much because he didn't want Bakugou to feel bad or worse about staying behind but now it's like the floodgates are open. ]
[Firmly, but maybe somewhat playfully, he bumps his jaw and cheek against Midoriya's own, almost like a kind of embarrassed reprimand for the words. He doesn't return them outloud, though it's easy to tell he must feel the same with how he buries his face into Midoriya's neck and shoulder, how he loops his arms around Midoriya's lower back and squeezes the two of them together at the edge of the counter.
Deeply, he inhales the long-remembered scent. The wash for the clothes is different, but the skin beneath is the same. Masculine and clean. He doesn't want to be the first to pull away either, so he doesn't. If they don't go anywhere at all, he'd be fine with it.]
You were gone too damn long.
[He couldn't stand it. And if Midoriya wasn't coming back early, the next thing he could do was go to Midoriya instead. Now he's here, mildly homesick for the first day and a half, but strangely relieved and comforted in having Midoriya. Honestly, he's not sure how Midoriya handle the beginning week without any of them around.
The only reason he does finally pull away is to pull Midoriya forward and throw Midoriya over one of his shoulders. Heavy, not too painful. He shifts the weight and moves away from the counter, out of the kitchen and to the couch. The dog, unsure about this really, hops up and stands in confusion distantly before giving a few distressed barks.]
Can it, fuzzball. He's mine.
[His prize is taken to the couch, but Barkugou is having none of it and toe scrapes across the floor, barking, leaping onto the couch first to put her paw down.] What did I fucking say? He was mine before he was yours! [But he's unbothered, and grabs the dog up in the other arm so he can just turn and drop Midoriya on the couch in place.]
[ He doesn't need to hear the words back, not when he knows that Bakugou is stubborn and wouldn't go see someone he didn't want to see. He wouldn't fly across the ocean for a huge number of hours unless he actually wanted to be there, and Midoriya knows that even if Bakugou's a little stubborn and reserved about some stuff, he still matters. He hasn't doubted his worth to Bakugou in years, but it's different, telling Bakugou that he missed seeing him, missed touching him, missed the stupid little moments that they had together. There's I missed you when they see each other again, the response that sort of a given when it comes down to seeing a friend you haven't seen in months and then this, between kisses, a more heartfelt confession. ]
The longest I've ever been away from you.
[ He'd only realized it after the fact, not quite sure what to do with that information. Bakugou had been such a piece of his life for so long that having him out of it was weird. Now, he's back and -- throwing Midoriya over his shoulder. ]
I take it back, Kacchan, you're the worst.
[ The air gets knocked out of him so the complaint is muttered, and a hand fits itself to the curve of Bakugou's ass, slapping it gently because it's there. He's flushed all the way to his ears, hating and loving that he's instantly so worked up by how easy it was for Bakugou to pick him up and toss him over his shoulder like that, carrying him like he's just a sack of potatoes. Barkugou, clearly not sure what the reaction is here, is fussing and Midoriya goes to reach out for her but is abruptly dumped onto the couch with another oof and obediently lays there, stretched out, leveling a finger at his well-meaning furball. ]
You're very sweet, but you're not very threatening. Go lay down. [ There's just a hint of firmness in his tone, before he levels the finger at Bakugou, his smile edging into teasing. ] Come lay down, Kacchan.
[The dog is trapped between his elbow and arm and his side, but she tries her damndest to throw her head back and nip at his clothes where they meet his shoulder, gurgling irritably. Apparently, she takes after her namesake, and being cranky is a thing she can do.]
Got a little furry rat I'm gonna take back to the shelter. [The threat sounds full of hot air no matter how serious he tries to make it. His other hand, now free, ruffles the hell out of her head and wrestles the muzzle trying to nip.
And then he puts her down on the couch so she can make a hasty retreat to jump on Midoriya a moment, like she's checking to see if he's okay, like she's wanting to show she's doing a good job "protecting" him from the vicious Bakugou.
Now he's free to grab the wrist of the accosting finger, squeezing it gently as his knees drop onto the couch and he forcefully makes himself a home between Midoriya's legs and on top of Midoriya's chest. Barkugou slams two teeny front paws onto his back shoulder and digs accusingly.
Who is this wild, blond asshole in the room!! Getting her attention!! Teasing her foster owner!! Can he not do literally any of this!!]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2018-12-02 05:42 am (UTC)Following Midoriya, he takes the offered cup. Dr. Pepper because he wants to taste the “spice” of it. A small amount of ice because he enjoys having something to bust with his teeth even if he hates when the drink is watered down. He’ll have to chomp the ice before that happens.] Alright.
Come on. Let’s get the hell out of here.
[In the future, they can go somewhere else. Somewhere in the heart of Scandinavia, lost in the woods and the snow and the pinch of sunlight lasting the whole day. The edge of India maybe, right at the crook of meeting Asia, the other side where it runs into the Middle East. France, maybe, or Spain. Greece. Turkey. Germany. The places he never considered because he was too full of nationalism.]
I still have to meet that Stark fuck. And everyone else, I guess. Who am I supposed to be worrying about? [His gaze falls completely onto Midoriya.] Oi. Who’s the strongest hero in their arsenal?
I wanna know.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-02 05:54 am (UTC)It took me a few weeks to actually get a chance to talk to him. He's a little...abrasive sometimes? I mean, he's incredible and a genius and the Ironman suit is incredible but he's also... well, he's getting better! He actually didn't hire us either, Ms. Potts did, and you'll see her a whole lot more.
[ Her quirk is putting up with Mr. Stark is what she jokes; she hasn't stated what hers is, smiling it off every time Midoriya asks.
Back in the elevators, he takes a long pull off the soda and sniffs the bag. Fake cheese, he loves fake cheese it's so gross and perfect. ] It really depends what you think of as strong? There is someone who can channel electricity like Kaminari can. It's amazing, so long as he has something that's basically a focus for his quirk he's able to manipulate electricity and can even generate. He doesn't end up getting hit with it when he uses it, so I suggested to Kaminari that he tries doing something like that. He's also extremely strong; I haven't beaten him in an arm-wrestling match yet.
They're all amazing though.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-03 01:45 am (UTC)[The Americans had as much of an arsenal of heroes as they had in Japan. Now he has standards to look into. See how they all fit into his own, the ones he's use to seeing and following.
He's not sure if he can take Midoriya's words from the last several months. Not when Midoriya goes bonkers over literally every hero. It's one thing to save everyone, like Midoriya. It's another to win. Are they victorious? He'd like to know.
With the straw in his mouth worried between his teeth but not drinking, he watches Midoriya smell the bag of food. It wasn't terribly aromatic, like pizza, but enough to give the elevator a lingering scent of god-awful American congestive heart failure.]
Tch. With your shitty, shrimpy arms? [Which are not at all shrimpy? Bakugou.] Yeah, I can see why you lost. I'll take him later. [He'll at least put up a decent fight...
The real problem is he's an extremely sore loser unless they're giving it their all.]
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Date: 2018-12-03 01:53 am (UTC)[ Another ding, and then he's heading out of the elevator, flexing defensively. His arms are not in fact, small at all. The tshirt he dragged on underneath the hoodie stretches with him but barely, even if Bakugou can't appreciate it. Midoriya's fingers go against the hand scanner and the door whooshes open for them, Barkugou skittering to meet them. ]
If you do end up sparring I want to watch.
[ Partially because it's always incredible to see Bakugou fight and partially because Midoriya himself could barely lay a finger on Thor the first time. Maybe Bakugou would do better.
His food is settled onto the countertop and on his way to get plates, he scoops up his dog, murmuring nonsense to her as her tail wags excitedly. Plates are brought down, along with forks and knives just in case, and then he brings the whole paper towel roll over because they'll probably need it. ]
Kacchan, what made you decide to come here?
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Date: 2018-12-03 02:09 am (UTC)Patient, up until the dog is again returned to the floor and decides to finally trot over to see what he's up to doing. For a moment, he seems undecided. A look at Midoriya, a look at the dog. To hell with it. He's tired of wasting his time trying to hide the bit of affection he's got for the damn thing.
Bending down, he scoops her up in one arm and lets her rest against his chest and shoulder. He gives what he hopes is a scratching to her chest, but he's not sure with all the soft fluffy, and then he scritches on up to the head and ears before he puts her down.]
I told you already. It looks good on a pro resume.
[It's easy to say when he has his back turned while washing his hands at the sink. Midoriya knows him too well (he knows this), and there's obviously more to him coming than simply the good look of having a background in overseas hero work. One of the reasons is standing right here beside him.
Slowly, he casts a glance over his shoulder to see if Midoriya is giving him a knowing, skeptical look, to see if Midoriya is even looking at all.]
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Date: 2018-12-03 02:16 am (UTC)He does belong there, though. ]
So does one in Japan.
[ He's not going to let it go that easily. While Bakugou washes his hands Midoriya comes over to do the same, looking up at him like if he just stares long enough he'll wear Bakugou down and get him to talk. ]
Are you staying in here or did they give you your own room?
[ A kinder version of the question he really wants to ask: is Bakugou staying with him, or does he need his own space? The apartments are massive, and the little office area that Midoriya's been using could probably fit a bed if they wanted but he's hoping...well. He knows what he's hoping for, but it depends on what Bakugou wants. ]
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Date: 2018-12-03 02:24 am (UTC)He's quiet for the time it takes him to throw the paper towel away.]
I'm staying here unless you annoy the shit out of me and give me a reason to get my own room.
[He can't!! just say!! it nicely, can he!! What a giant TURD. Midoriya doesn't deserve him, yet here they are. Awful.] Doing some runs in America looks better on paper than some shit work in Japan.
Besides... [He won't look at Midoriya as he digs into his bag to get the cheesesteak out, flattening the bag when he puts it on top. Stares at the thing like it's got a head and moos.] Someone has to make sure you don't fucking kill yourself trying to be a hero.
And you left without it, and I came to give it back to you because I told you I was tired of hauling it around. That woman, she...
[But he doesn't continue or clarify, instead cutting himself off by shoveling a bite of the cheesesteak he's sure will kill him into his mouth.]
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Date: 2018-12-03 02:34 am (UTC)[ He'll press here and there but knows better than to go too far. His hands are wiped mostly dry, meaning it's all the easier to press his hand up underneath the back of Bakugou's shirt, stroking over the small of his back. It's not a lingering touch, just idle affection as he passes by to start unpacking the rest of the way. He digs into the first one carefully, forgoing the fork and knife to try and take a massive bite out of one part of it to make it a little less of a disaster with limited success. ]
She what?
[ That's interesting. Midoriya had wondered if the more he used it the more he would contact the...well, 'ghosts' doesn't seem quite right but that's probably the closest approximation of what they were. Did he see All Might? It's a question he's dying to ask but knows better than to try, so instead he stuffs his face. The first one he kills in just a few bites. The second, he eats a little more sedately, giving up on wiping his fingers halfway through. ]
What do you think? I haven't had one before, but I had nachos when some of us went to the movies and they were actually pretty great. [ They're garbage. He loves them. ]
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Date: 2018-12-03 02:49 am (UTC)But being away for so long--even with the phone calls, the texts (easier), the video calls--has made him just a tad more bold. Or he thinks he can be bold. Being alone with One For All helped a little, too.]
It's disgusting. [He's eating it without really stopping much.] It reminds me of all the awful food back home at the festivals. [Therefore... not entirely bad even if it's horrible for you.]
That woman... [Again, he pauses, looking over the last remnants of the cheesesteak, taking a sip of the drink.] She said I should probably give it back. There's no reason someone as fucking young as you should be giving it up like that. [He doesn't say if this is what the woman told him, too, or if this is his own addition.]
I'm tired of seeing that weird shit. Especially when I'm trying to sleep.
[He wants to be Number One, but he never wanted the burden of having one of the best quirks in the world.]
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Date: 2018-12-03 03:00 am (UTC)I'll take it back whenever you want.
[ It's the least he can do. Especially since Bakugou's here, living and breathing and within reach instead of thousands of miles away. The idea is a little useless at this point, but Midroiya's still relieved he did it. It doesn't sound like it was ever necessary, but that's good. ]
Did you ship anything here?
[ It's an almost abrupt turn of conversation as he realizes that Bakugou had the backpack and the suitcase, sure, but Midoriya had shipped a few boxes to himself when he moved: decorations, extra clothes, a winter jacket, that kind of thing. It's 50/50 on whether or not Bakugou would send them or go between "don't need it" and "fuck it, I can buy it." ]
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Date: 2018-12-03 05:09 am (UTC)Aside from that, he's got enough clothes shoved in the large rolling suitcase and some in the duffle bag to last a week before having to wash, not including some winter outerwear.
He'll be fine.
The last bit of cheesesteak it popped into his mouth and consumed. He wipes his lips and chin with the back of a wrist in case there's stringy cheese or bread crumbs left behind.] I guess that means you're fucking shitting yourself to take me shopping or something. [Geez. There's a reason he skipped out on the mall trip when they had joined U.A. (He's Travis Willingham.)]
I got enough for now.
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Date: 2018-12-03 05:16 pm (UTC)You can always borrow something of mine if you need to.
[ Winters are cold and summers are hot and Midoriya worries about him even if he knows Bakugou can handle himself. He polishes off the last of the cheesesteaks and starts to neatly put them back into their bags so he can toss them out, sliding a drawer out where the trashcan is hiding.
His hands are washed in the sink again but once that's finished, he's heading back over to Bakugou, settling on the other side of the kitchen island again to look at him. If he's smiling a little stupidly the whole time then, well, it's understandable. ]
I was saving all of the tourist attractions for my last month, but it might be fun to go the next day or two while we're waiting for your uniform to arrive?
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Date: 2018-12-05 03:04 pm (UTC)Winters, on the other hand, suck. Even with the redesigned winter uniform, they still suck.] Yeah, show me how much more this city is shit. [He's only being disagreeable for the sake of being disagreeable.
When he starts seeing evidence of All Might's legacy peppering the place beneath the loud billboards of other heroes, he'll come around.]
Where were you planning on going exactly? The woman in the ocean? Uh-- [Hang on, let him butcher it with his accent:] Statue of Liberty?
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Date: 2018-12-05 04:52 pm (UTC)[ It's meant as an answer even if it really isn't one. There are so many places that he's wanted to go but just hasn't for one reason or another. Having Bakugou in town means that he has the perfect chance to go see all those places with plenty of justification. There's an additional part of him that loves this - loves hearing the way he says Statue of Liberty], loves that he's making an attempt even if he is dragging everything that exists. ]
That's one of them. There's the Empire State building too, I promised Kirishima I would get him one of the figures of the gorilla on the building and send it back.
[ He can, of course, go get that from any shop around town but it's not the same if he doesn't get it from the place that it's supposed to be from. ]
Did you want to stay in tonight and just watch something on the couch or go out?
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Date: 2018-12-06 04:05 am (UTC)Shut up. He can make mistakes.] That dumbass knucklehead would want some kind of stupid souvenir like that. [Kirishima didn't tell him to get anything... Wow... So much for being bros. Maybe Kirishima will tell him later or something.
Maybe he was too busy crying over his best friend leaving for six months. You know.] I dunno.
Maybe if it's somewhere close.
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Date: 2018-12-06 08:59 pm (UTC)[ Listen, he couldn't even think of the name here so Bakugou is already doing a thousand times better than he is at this point. Midoriya gives his hands one final wash after tidying up and then shamelessly boxes Bakugou in against the counter, hands pressed on it either side of him, looking up at him with a slow, warm smile. ]
Hey. Thank you for coming.
[ It's a low rumble more than a word as Midoriya waits for Bakugou to meet his eyes and then leans in for a kiss, sliding their lips together gently at first and then he presses the line of his body up against Bakugou's own, gentle, easy kisses until they're not, until Midoriya is catching Bakugou's lower lip between his teeth and nipping playfully, deepening it with a soft sigh that's swallowed up between them. ]
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Date: 2018-12-06 09:44 pm (UTC)I don't want your thanks, damn nerd. I said I didn't... [Midoriya eats the words off his lips, and he doesn't try to finish his usual deflection regarding why he does what he does. He didn't come for Midoriya. Sure.
Even telling their friends that before he left was met with a quick, knowing exchange of glances. The only stupid one here is Bakugou.
The slower kisses are irritating, but fine. He's full a satisfied, and it feels nice to be able to fist his fingers into the front of Midoriya's clothes like he can pretend he's the one in control. It's not so much an intimidation as a lifeline, holding him up from drowning when the kisses get deeper and they're left tasting like each other and faintly like stupid, cheesy steaks and soda.
The spark between them is a surprise, a lick of green and electric energy, and he pulls back for a second, unsure. A slap between the middle of them, like someone shoving fingers through their chests. It doesn't hurt at all. In fact, it feels quite good, not unlike the currents tickling his face when Midoriya's leg missed him by centimeters when they fought in the street as teenagers.
Now he's hungry. Now his fingers abandon the wrinkles he put in the clothes and instead tangle into Midoriya's green hair to yank them together. He kisses like his life depends on it, like he hasn't seen Midoriya in several months which isn't at all a lie.]
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Date: 2018-12-07 12:42 am (UTC)Right now, the real gift is he doesn't have to rely on phone calls or texts, and while sexting or phone sex was kind of fun it's not the same. This is what he was missing. Not just the kissing or the way his stomach went tight with heat and want when Bakugou pressed against him, but the intimacy of it. The smell of Bakugou's shampoo, the scent of burnt sugar that seemed to seep into his clothes, the hard-muscled lines against him. Bakugou could shove him back and could take him down, sure, and that's its own thrill but he doesn't want to. The hands fisted in his shirt holding him in place are proof enough of that.
It's the spark of electricity from his, no their quirk that he doesn't expect. Midoriya makes a shocked noise and stares back in turn when they feel it, eyes wide, green swallowed up by his pupils but then they're kissing again, fiercer, harder. It's like its own battle: give and take, relearning how to move together. Midoriya makes a hungry noise into the kiss and his fingers spark when they lift to cup Bakugou's chin, sliding up over his cheeks, his jaw and shamelessly groaning at the tug to his hair as he pushes harder against him and the counter.
Eventually, though, they have to breathe and Midoriya pulls away with a shuddery intake of breath, going for the soft skin under his jaw, biting and kissing there. Between those: ]
I-- wow. It's like kissing an electrical outlet, kind of. That's...new.
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Date: 2018-12-07 02:48 am (UTC)He knows Midoriya is studying him, even accidentally. It's practically second-nature by now. The way Midoriya says the words, like he's a specimen in a glass case being tested by curious fingers.]
I'm not... [His chin tips, voice tightening, throat moving when he swallows under the exploring lips.] ...some fucking experiment, dammit.
[Or someone who will simply lie back most of the time and take this kind of torture. His fingers get a good handful of green hair and pull, turning Midoriya's head back, turning Midoriya's body in the same direct to the side, guiding it with his own. He flips them and crams the edge of the counter into Midoriya's back, rough when he rubs them hip and hip, when he tangles their legs at the knees, the ankles.
But he piles his weight on top, smooshing Midoriya flat over the counter without care. The marble is chilly when it licks Midoriya's back as he yanks the shirt and everything else up. The torso hasn't changed minus any new scars. It's the same one he nearly forgot the memory of, and his face and mouth hover close to the skin, breath hot, like he's trying to decide where to plan his lips exactly.
A firm, muscled spot right at the top of the ribs on one side just below a pectoral muscle. When his lips drag across, soft sparks of green energy follow the connection, offering a playful and pinching zap.]
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Date: 2018-12-07 03:23 am (UTC)I know you're not. Maybe I just like looking at you.
[ Midoriya's eyes follow down to the line of his throat bobbing and he wants to trace it with his mouth, wants to leave a series of bruises underneath the line of his shirts, his uniform, wants to know that when he's putting that uniform on, the marks he's left will be underneath them. It's not possessiveness necessarily, more just that Midoriya likes the idea of leaving marks where they can and cannot be seen, like it's proof that Bakugou's considered him worthy of doing it.
Abruptly, he's pushed back against the counter and chokes out a startled laugh. Bakugou's insistent, pushing his shirt up and the cold marble against his skin makes him squawk, squirming pressing him back just enough so he can heft himself up on to the counter. It gives him a few extra inches over Bakugou and lets him wind both of his legs around his waist, hitching his ankles together to hold Bakugou into place, arms dropping over the top of his shoulders, letting Bakugou have full access to his chest, another laugh escaping. ]
I wish I could, mmmn, ask if this is normal or- Kacchan. [ His toes curl within his shoes, thighs tightening around Bakugou's waist as he fights the urge to push him back, sensitive and not sure if they actually want to go out or not. ] Kacchan.
[ Like he didn't just start this. ]
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Date: 2018-12-07 03:44 am (UTC)One his big hands clamps down over Midoriya's mouth, smothering any other words, smothering his name. He presses firmly, clamping his fingers into the cheeks.] Shut up for a damn minute. [As much as he just bitched about Midoriya treating him like an experiment, it's his turn to test the plane of the other man's chest.
Each muscle, he hovers his parted lips, each line of rib, letting the occasional spark zip between them until it begins to fade, and then he plants his mouth solidly on whatever hunk of flesh he can find. Low on the sweep of the stomach, just off enter and up from the navel. There's no more sparking at his face.
But rivlets of them pop up over his shoulders and down his back as he sucks a meaty section of skin. They only vanish when he lifts his head away. The hand drops, but before Midoriya can say much, he brings the other in by the neck and kisses with thankfully no distracting charge.]
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Date: 2018-12-07 07:26 am (UTC)Midoriya absolutely is an asshole who makes a protesting sound and then licks over Bakugou's palm in retaliation, eyes bright, hair wild. He doesn't want Bakugou to stop, of course; how could he, when literally anything he does feels so overwhelmingly good but it's like he's hardwired to be a pain in Bakugou's ass so there's really no stopping him.
The counter is cool underneath him and Midoriya squirms against it, against the tingling press of lips and teeth, a breath shivering out of him when Bakugou's mouth trails along and he threatens to suck a bruise against his skin. The hand drops, the electricity fades and Midoriya kisses back fiercely, leaning in from where he's perched, licking into his mouth with no small amount of determination or want. He can't touch as much like this, either. His hands skate over Bakugou's chest, down further until he's skimming over the swell of his arms, feeling the way muscles flex and shift underneath his fingertips, eager and hungry. They're supposed to go out but he doesn't want to be the first one to pull away so he doesn't, scraping his teeth lightly over Bakugou's lower lip, kissing over his chin, his cheeks, over the bridge of his nose. ]
I missed you so much. [ It's uttered like a confession; he never dared to say it much because he didn't want Bakugou to feel bad or worse about staying behind but now it's like the floodgates are open. ]
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Date: 2018-12-07 04:23 pm (UTC)Deeply, he inhales the long-remembered scent. The wash for the clothes is different, but the skin beneath is the same. Masculine and clean. He doesn't want to be the first to pull away either, so he doesn't. If they don't go anywhere at all, he'd be fine with it.]
You were gone too damn long.
[He couldn't stand it. And if Midoriya wasn't coming back early, the next thing he could do was go to Midoriya instead. Now he's here, mildly homesick for the first day and a half, but strangely relieved and comforted in having Midoriya. Honestly, he's not sure how Midoriya handle the beginning week without any of them around.
The only reason he does finally pull away is to pull Midoriya forward and throw Midoriya over one of his shoulders. Heavy, not too painful. He shifts the weight and moves away from the counter, out of the kitchen and to the couch. The dog, unsure about this really, hops up and stands in confusion distantly before giving a few distressed barks.]
Can it, fuzzball. He's mine.
[His prize is taken to the couch, but Barkugou is having none of it and toe scrapes across the floor, barking, leaping onto the couch first to put her paw down.] What did I fucking say? He was mine before he was yours! [But he's unbothered, and grabs the dog up in the other arm so he can just turn and drop Midoriya on the couch in place.]
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Date: 2018-12-07 05:59 pm (UTC)The longest I've ever been away from you.
[ He'd only realized it after the fact, not quite sure what to do with that information. Bakugou had been such a piece of his life for so long that having him out of it was weird. Now, he's back and -- throwing Midoriya over his shoulder. ]
I take it back, Kacchan, you're the worst.
[ The air gets knocked out of him so the complaint is muttered, and a hand fits itself to the curve of Bakugou's ass, slapping it gently because it's there. He's flushed all the way to his ears, hating and loving that he's instantly so worked up by how easy it was for Bakugou to pick him up and toss him over his shoulder like that, carrying him like he's just a sack of potatoes. Barkugou, clearly not sure what the reaction is here, is fussing and Midoriya goes to reach out for her but is abruptly dumped onto the couch with another oof and obediently lays there, stretched out, leveling a finger at his well-meaning furball. ]
You're very sweet, but you're not very threatening. Go lay down. [ There's just a hint of firmness in his tone, before he levels the finger at Bakugou, his smile edging into teasing. ] Come lay down, Kacchan.
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Date: 2018-12-07 08:58 pm (UTC)Got a little furry rat I'm gonna take back to the shelter. [The threat sounds full of hot air no matter how serious he tries to make it. His other hand, now free, ruffles the hell out of her head and wrestles the muzzle trying to nip.
And then he puts her down on the couch so she can make a hasty retreat to jump on Midoriya a moment, like she's checking to see if he's okay, like she's wanting to show she's doing a good job "protecting" him from the vicious Bakugou.
Now he's free to grab the wrist of the accosting finger, squeezing it gently as his knees drop onto the couch and he forcefully makes himself a home between Midoriya's legs and on top of Midoriya's chest. Barkugou slams two teeny front paws onto his back shoulder and digs accusingly.
Who is this wild, blond asshole in the room!! Getting her attention!! Teasing her foster owner!! Can he not do literally any of this!!]
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From:them, leaving: do we... do we donate... the toys... to goodwill..........
From:midoriya wrapping them up in like, tshirts and sending them in their own box LMFAO
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