[Sliding one or two of the hot potato sticks into his mouth, Bakugou purposefully watches Midoriya struggle with the wrapped onigiri for a while. Look, he may secret have a thing for this idiot, but he won't let that stop him from occasionally being an asshole about things.]
We're not at the goddamn beach. [Iida, wtf, don't bring them a damn melON AT THE HOSPITAL.] Stop. [Reaching out, he sweeps his hand in and snatches the onigiri away.] You look like an idiot. [Carefully, easily, he opens the plastic--
--glances up, somewhat mischievous, somewhat knowing, an almost kind of bedroom eyes in a strange way, and then he lifts the onigiri to take a frustratingly off-center bite out of the side of the peak of it. He hands it back to Midoriya with a similarly daring look--say some shit to him, he wants it.]
I'm banning them all from coming back in here. They're a pain in my damn ass.
[But he got these treats from them. And he got some treats from Kirishima, plus a few books and comics to keep him busy with what the new phone and the television won't.]
[ He won't let himself be frustrated with it, but he is, at the same time. Everything takes so much longer one-handed and this cast itches. The healing and the itching is the worst part of all of this. Maybe he can see if they'll hurry the healing up if he agrees to sleep twice as much. Probably not, but he's going to try. ]
No one appreciates how cool thumbs are until you don't have two of them to use.
[ Really, the bite shouldn't surprise him. It's peak Bakugou, but more than that it's this weirdly intimate thing, not being annoyed about the bite, sharing silly food on the hospital bed. He's had moments with others in the hospital, of course. Most heroes are decent with people because you have to be, and Midoriya knows he's pretty good at getting people to talk to him, at being friends, but with Bakugou, always with Bakugou it's different. ]
You know if you tried they probably wouldn't listen anyway. We'd have Uraraka floating people up to the window. [ Their friends are good but also A Lot and know Bakugou well enough to not leave anything alone. Midoriya eats the rest of the snack without minding that Bakugou's taken a bite out of it. The next one he tosses into Bakugou's lap, expectantly, but he looks away a moment later. There's something he's been considering, sitting on, but hasn't quite known how to ask. He fully expects Bakugou to say no, and knows that it might be a little unfair to ask this but, well. All in. ] Kacchan, before you give it back to me, I wanted to know if we could...try a few things with it.
[The only good thing about the cast is the fact everyone else signed it, and as much as Midoriya complains, Bakugou is well aware and waiting for when Midoriya bawls over it being broken during removal. Idiot.
He watches the other eat the onigiri he bit out of quietly, lacking the fuel of Midoriya making a fuss over it, a reason to get him to keep being mean. He’s ran out of a lot of that in recent years: bullying fuel, even from the person adjacent to him. No one takes his bullshit with fear anymore; no one takes it at all, and so he’s left slowly growing softer and better for it. Learning there’s no path down the route of abuse, only a dead end. They’re literally killing his old self with kindness.
When the onigiri is chunked at him, he catches it in his palm before it can land in his lap and smash the potato sticks. But maybe he doesn’t want this one. Just Midoriya’s. So he does the same thing: opens it up and takes a bite out of the side of the peak, and then he hands it across to Midoriya.]
The hell is on your mind, nerd? Didn’t I tell you I wasn’t your fucking experiment?
[The circumstances had been, uh... really different, but whatever. The look he’s giving says Midoriya is going to have to keep talking, going to have to convince him. Explain.]
Edited (wait i forgot to respond to the onigiri fuck) Date: 2018-11-22 02:06 pm (UTC)
[ They won't let him frame it, which is bullshit (but also fair because the point was made that until he stops breaking bones or needing casts on a couple times a year basis he can't frame every one.) Instead he diligently takes photos of the doodles and sets the most recent ones as class A's contact photos if they're particularly good.
The onigiri is passed back to him with another bite out of it; Midoirya doesn't look surprised and it's unclear if he wanted that to happen or not. Either way he's demolishing it in two quick bites, finally a little less hungry. ]
You're not so that's why you can tell me no. [ It's important that Bakugou knows that because there's a difference between the sort of quirk measurement tests they went through their first year with Aizawa and the kind of information Midoriya wants. It also depends on how quickly he heals, and if the other villains out there decide not to cause too much trouble before Midoriya himself heals. ] The way, um, it works, means it's stockpiling ability, power, and then transferring it if the owner wants it to. But I was thinking about it, and the way that it worked... well, if those two combined and became it I don't think it's ever been combined with a quirk like yours before. So I'm curious if it's going to enhance your strength, or your explosions, or both.
[Gently, his face bunches around he lips and the brows. He seems to be debating, but somewhat skeptical about fucking around with One For All. Mostly since he doesn’t know shit all about it aside from what has been explained to him by All Might and Midoriya. Messing with such a powerful, particular, and maybe fragile power feels... dangerous.
And Bakugou likes danger, but fair danger. Knowable danger. Danger while following the rules.
His eyes lift from the bag of snacks to watch Midoriya finish the onigiri.] So you’re saying it could’ve made me fucking stronger or something. [It’s not a question. His eyes flicker across Midoriya’s face, and then he suddenly reaches out to swipe his thumb over the edge of Midoriya’s lip, knocking away a grain of sticky rice.]
I don’t think it’s some great idea to fuck around with this kinda thing. But... if you wanna find out of some shit... fine. I guess a little won’t hurt nothing. But the point is for you to get fucking better so I can shove it back in you or whatever. All Might chose your dumbass, not me, so it’s your responsibility. We can’t wait around forever with it split.
[ It seems...feasible. They won't know for sure, though. There's also the risk that if it does make Bakugou stronger, it might risk damaging him. He hadn't considered that until this very moment and now he's weighing if it's actually worth it or if Bakugou's quirk will protect him with the enhanced durability along with the fact that he's had a quirk long enough and knows how to use it. Maybe they ought to start small. ]
I mean...there's a chance. There's no way to really know until we test it.
[ A hand is suddenly coming for his face and rather than flinching, Midoriya dares to curl fingers around his wrist and press a kiss to his palm, shameless, before letting it drop and acting like nothing happened. Warm cheeks give him away, even if he'll never admit it.]
Hey, I'm almost perfectly fine at this point. The cast is gonna come off and I'll probably have to do some physical therapy, or, well, more but that's expected. Besides, if something happens, I can still act, I just won't be entirely...myself, I guess?
[ His hand slides over Bakugou's knee, settling warm and heavy there, not reaching for any of the snacks. ]
You need to get discharged from the hospital, first, you know.
[Wow, stop trying to make him embarassed in the hospital! And, like, maybe turned on a little. The worst possible place. The hand on his knee doesn’t help, heavy and warm and scarred at the edge of the wrist down, but he doesn’t brush it off at all.]
I’m fine, idiot. I’ll probably be released tomorrow or something. They’re just keeping me fucking here because they think I’m gonna tear the stitches.
[He would.
For a bit, he won’t look Midoriya in the face, not with the hand on his knee. His eyes flicker over the Karamucho bag, the bigger one with the rest of the goods inside. Like Midoriya, his face may be a little red at the edges.] Might as well see what the fuck it can do before it goes back. Besides, you’re only getting this shit when you aren’t some half dried up loser with a worthless arm. Legs don’t mean shit.
[Finally, his gaze lifts to Midoriya again.] Better hide this before the nurses come back for their rounds. I’ll be pissed if it gets confiscated. [He’s trying to find something to bitch about so he doesn’t have to say something sappy.]
[ There will be no tearing of stitches for any reason, but especially not because he got Bakugou too riled up by knee-touching, thanks. ]
...That's not exactly an unrealistic worry here.
[ It's a very valid concern and Midoriya fully intends to make certain that Bakugou doesn't do anything stupid like tear his stitches, which means he's grabbing the bag and obediently wrapping it up. It's placed underneath his pillow on his bed for the time being and the wrappers are hidden away a moment later. Outside of the bag of Karamucho there's no evidence. It's a little bit clumsy with only one good arm but he manages and as soon as it's done he's back on Bakugou's cot, hand back on his knee again. ]
Well, if they do let you go home tomorrow, you're still going to have to take it at least a little easy, right? Or are they going to take the stitches out too?
[Uh, WOW? He looks irritably incredulous about the almost accusation.] Oi! I won't bust the fuckin' stitches! [Midoriya is so lucky--fleeing to hide the bag, and he's suddenly lacking the person to throw a tantrum at.
So he grumbles and shifts a bit on the bed, taking the bag of potato sticks from his lap and instead putting it beside his thigh on one side--the side away from the door so it's hidden.]
I'm gonna do what the hell I wanna.
No. [He sounds a little like a petulant child answering questions, mumbling.] They said they dissolve on their own. I just can't rip them before that happens. They sped up the healing, but it'll still need a half a week or whatever to heal completely.
It doesn't even hurt as much as my fucking ass hurts from the booster shot they had to give me for tetanus.
[ Midoriya shifts so that his body acts as some sort of guard between the door and Bakugou's snacks, the same way he does when they're sleeping in the same bed together. It's not the snacks that need protecting, of course, but it's a simple thing that makes him feel better usually. ]
So nothing too strenuous, then. [ Midoriya's brow furrows and he nods like he's considering it, but a moment later the stupid smile on his face undoes any of that seriousness. ] I'd offer to kiss it better but that probably falls under strenuous activity, huh?
[ And before Bakugou can take a swipe at him he's moving out of the way, heading for his bag to tug a zippered hoodie on. It looks as stupid as it probably sounds; he's still got an arm in a cast, but the wrist portion has been cut off so it's about as easy to do possible with one functional arm, and it keeps him warm. ]
In all seriousness, then, we'll want to wait on testing anything out until we get the all clear here. The results wouldn't be entirely accurate anyway, right?
[Midoriya is lucky about the second escape. Not that Bakugou has the energy to try to punch the guy--but yeah. He's embarrassed about the comment even if his face only colors just slightly and just for a few seconds. (The ears are what're really red briefly.)
With a soft, long groanish huff, he drops back against the pillow and the raised top end of the hospital bed.] I hate fucking waiting around doing nothing. I'm gonna go fucking crazy in this place. [He's not sure how Midoriya spent so much time in the infirmary.
House arrest almost did him in; he's dying with this short stint.] I just wanna leave. [There's something comforting about being in his own apartment. Hell, even Midoriya's apartment. It's not... a hospital.
A few moments pass, and he eats a handful more of the spicy potato sticks. With his clean hand, he folds the previously read book closed and puts it out of the way.] Deku. [It's a bit out of nowhere by his tone, more serious than the complaining from before.]
Why did me dying matter so much to you that you'd give me it?
[ He could go to his cot but instead he drags a chair over, sitting in it rather than on the bed. He's pretty sure he's got the nurse schedule down in his head which means they'll be coming in shortly and the last thing either of them need is to get chastised again for being on the same bed. Already one of the nurses gives both of them a look when she comes in and Midoriya returns it with a bright, sunny smile because that usually manages to be distracting and he's not above using it. ]
I know. Sitting around waiting is the worst. [ Well, no, being dead is the worst but sitting around without anything to do is probably a pretty close second. Midoriya folds his arms delicately onto the bed and rests his cheek on top of his un-covered forearm. He's not gazing at Bakugou, but he's watching him eat, a little drowsy. He'll probably fall asleep given the chance, still recovering from the healing but then --
Ah. The question. He knew Bakugou would ask it eventually but he's been weighing his answer over and over because he's not sure what to say. There are some things he just...can't say. Some things are too much for this fragile, tentative...whatever this is, for either of them to even consider addressing it. Answering that he would have given it to Todoroki, or Uraraka, or a few of the others if he absolutely had to, if it was the last resort isn't the answer either. ] I'll tell you, but I want to know what you think, first.
[Honestly, he knows why. Or, at least, he assumes why because Midoriya's why isn't far off from his own why, or the why he would give if he had done the exact same thing.
But he's also stubborn and a fool idiot. He's not going to say what Midoriya really wants to hear, not yet, because it'll risk him a moment or embarrassment. The fact it's a cover-up is obvious for Midoriya, however.]
'Cause you're a good-for-nothing who always tries to save everyone else with the most dumbass plan imaginable.
[There's just too much to put together for it to be so easily dismissed this way. The fact that Bakugou doesn't break Midoriya's hand or arm every time he's touched. The fact Bakugou even returns kisses at all. The fact that Bakugou even instigates a lot of the sex.
The fact that there's sometimes late night texts which say, Go to bed. or Call me.
The fact this has been an ongoing thing since circa U.A. first-to-second year, a whopping--what? Four, five years? Five years of dedicated touching, and fucking, and kissing sprinkled into rivalry.
He wants Midoriya to tell him without him having to admit to anything first. Just in case.]
[ Truthfully, Midoriya isn't looking for a declaration of love. It'd be nice, sure, but he doesn't need to hear it right now to know that he means something to Bakugou. It's obvious; Bakugou doesn't spend time with people he doesn't like in some capacity and he has little to no tolerance for idiots or people who waste his time or energy. More than that, Midoriya knows that they're still not really in a place where they can talk about these kinds of things yet. Not the way they should be able to, not the way he wants to be able to. Maybe with enough time, maybe with enough patience but not now, not yet.
His cheek lifts from on top of his arm and his now freed hand settles itself back on Bakugou's knee, rather than his hand or anywhere else. Close, but not so close it's too much because Bakugou is still like an overlarge, skittish cat and Midoriya knows he has to be careful. ]
I did it because when I think back to nearly every important moment of my life, it's never just me there. You're there too. Even... [ Midoriya pauses a moment, just a breath and then continues on. ] Even the bad, early on. And I think about what would happen if you weren't there to drive me, to push me, to inspire me and it's kind of terrifying, really. You push me to be a better person, a better hero, and the idea of waking up in a world without you there is...
[ Awful. Terrifying. Real, maybe, if this hadn't happened. He could have woken up in the hospital, been discharged and had to go to a funeral, maybe. ]
It's too much. I won't let it happen, not if there's anything I can do to stop it. I did it because I know that you're only going to get better, and stronger, and more amazing and I want to be there to see it. I want to push myself to be just as good as you are, which means you need to be there.
[Oh no. The reply is like a hot slap in the face; it startles him and also quickly, jerkingly humbles him. It's a reply he half expected (because it's Midoriya), but a reply he didn't want to hear because the words make his ears sting fiercely.
Naturally, he turns his head just a bit to the side and looks away, after first visibly, for a second, appearing shocked. His brows then, of course, sourly bunch in the middle of his forehead, and his eyes narrow, his lips thin out.
The admiration is beginning to wear on him. It's not like the admiration received in middle school, in elementary school. This admiration is undeserved, and it forces him to think about the many reasons why. The stack upon stack, the pile upon pile of examples of why and how he's been garbage to the fucker who continues to idolize him almost as much as All Might.]
You're so fucking stupid... [For thinking the world of him, for giving him goddamn One For All to save his sorry life. He may be confident in his abilities, but he has a whole lot of self-loathing packed away under the determination.] I wasn't... [A pause. His voice lowers more; he won't look at Midoriya still.] I wasn't fucking worth it... Not for that... Not for... it.
It's not mine. [He finally looks.] And I don't want it, your stupid ass quirk. [The "stupid ass" part sounds like a lie.] I ain't got time to let you crawl your ass to Number One just because I died. I wouldn't have given up so easily, jackass. So you should have kept it. I don't need it just because some pole got shoved through me.
I should've punched your damn lights out with it after you pulled that shit.
Edited (dammit html) Date: 2018-11-23 05:44 am (UTC)
You were. You are. I'll tell you that as many times as it takes.
[ Midoriya's tone is even and calm, refuting Bakugou's words without hesitation or stuttering.
It's weird how now, these days, he's like a Bakugou's bullshit translator.
You're so fucking stupid isn't actually an insult anymore. Once, it might have been. Once, Midoriya might have believed it, at least a little bit. In all the years he's gotten to know Bakugou - to properly know him, it's something else entirely, though. He's not saying Midoriya's actually stupid, he's saying he doesn't think he deserves it. The quirk isn't stupid, either; Midoriya knows how much it, and its former owner mean to them. It's a whole lot of prickly packaging that he has to unwrap to get to what he's really saying. ]
I already agreed I'm taking it back. [ His hand squeezes Bakugou's knee gently, thumb rubbing lazy circles against his kneecap as he meets Bakugou's eyes, earnest and certain all in one. ] Maybe you didn't need it, and maybe it didn't...do anything, really, but I wasn't willing to take that chance. You got injured because of me, Kacchan. Don't think I didn't see you take what you did, when everything was happening. You were the one who got us out of there, too. Not me. Not it. You.
[He won't ever be able to escape the unrelenting optimism and determination of Izuku Midoriya. He knows this. He knows this because it's exactly what gave him so much trouble when he felt he caused All Might's retirement.
There's been an annoying as piss, green-haired moron running behind him since they were kids, clinging desperately to his legs. And maybe--
Maybe instead of dragging Midoriya through the mud, he's realized, slowly, he should... actually stop and offer a hand. Except... he doesn't have to offer a hand now, and he didn't when they were in U.A. Midoriya stood up beside him, joined him, and now all he has to do is link arms. If he'd stop being so stubborn.] Tch.
You would've been the one in a fucking grave if I hadn't. [But Midoriya had come up with the plan? Midoriya had told him what to do, and he just did it.] Anyway... [For a moment, he leaves it hanging. His fingers brush over Midoriya's on, like a ghost, and then they smooth harder, thread their fingers together.]
[ It's a low, pleased hum in response to the cursing, like he's not even concerned with the cursing directed at him. They're two halves of the same coin in some ways and Bakugou balances him out in the same way that Midoriya likes to think he tempers Bakugou at least a little bit.
Proof that they've both grown; Bakugou doesn't shove his hand away or hiss and spit like an angry cat because Midoriya knows how to push without going too far and Bakugou's tolerance has increased as time went on. ]
Probably, yeah. [ It's a little unsettling to think about but they've also brushed with death countless times. Bakugou's hand settles over his and for a moment he thinks that brush is all he's going to get, but then their fingers are tangling together and Midoriya's beaming up at him, squeezing his hand in turn. ]
[The "tch" is a little quieter this time. He keeps his red eyes down and his fingers hooked lightly along Midoriya's own. A squeeze, and then he's very much like a cat and very Done. For now. The silence, the fact they're able to look at each other, makes it harder.
He pulls his hand away, but reluctantly. It's fine. This makes up for it:] If you're not getting up here with me, [The worst invitation in the history of the world. He is the literal worst.] then go back to your own damn bed.
Especially if you're too worried about getting caught by the nurse.
[He probably shouldn't challenge Midoriya so much over things so petty, knowing the other will more than likely accept them. This is why they always get into so much trouble.]
[ It's enough, just that little moment of contact before Bakugou pulls away. Midoriya would have been thrilled with that, except moments later comes the shittiest invitation and he's swept with a wave of fondness so huge it aches. Fuel on the fire is Bakugou making any kind of challenge out of it. They haven't been separated yet, so Midoriya rises up out of the chair and gingerly lifts himself up after lowering the bar in the way.
He's careful to put his cast to the outside, otherwise the cot would be too small for both of them, but he dares to settle himself on his side, pillowing his head onto Bakugou's shoulder to make sure that he doesn't have to move or shift over very much. Can't risk tearing those stitches. ]
Do you tip nurses? I kind of think we should get her a melon for having to deal with us.
[ Eighteen distressed heroes and parents in the waiting room at various points, and then the two of them? He ought to get the nurses a fucking apology cake at this point. His cast settles itself gently across Bakugou's thigh for lack of anywhere else, not wanting to risk his torso.]
[The only, sole reason he decides not to fuss or be argumentative is because Midoriya did what he wanted and is now up with him in the bed. He does shift over a bit to make room, getting the potato sticks and book out of the way; up here, this close, Midoriya can see it’s, The Tale of Genji.
Even with a scoff, as soon as Midoriya is settled, Bakugou turns his head over and buries his cheek and mouth into the fluffy, green hair, against the temple. Smells like Midoriya for sure. It’s been a short while since they’ve had the opportunity to be this close, uninterrupted. Close enough his breath is warm on what little bit of skin and scalp it brushes over when he sighs quietly.] Whatever, if you wanna. You don’t tip them money though, idiot. They probably couldn’t even take it anyway. [So they’re relegated to giving the girls something to split. Maybe a melon, yeah.]
Who the fuck wants a melon, though? Get them some chocolate or a cake.
I know, I know. I was mostly joking, but... well, we really should get them something. Our class is a lot. Our moms are a lot.
[ With his arm wrapped in a cast like this there's not much that he can do in terms of touching Bakugou and it's driving him insane approximately two seconds into lounging like this. There's no way to do it without risking hurting him so instead, he very gently tilts his arm and rests the fingertips not hidden against the top of Bakugou's thigh.
It's not perfect but it's something. His leg slides across a moment later, shamelessly tangling itself with both of Bakugou's, and when he feels that sigh he snuggles, mouthing a kiss against a shoulder. ]
Cake or chocolate is good. [ The exhaustion tugs heavily at him again, threatening to slide him under now that he's stopped moving and he's warm, content. ] Hey, Kacchan, you should read to me.
[A soft, low “hooh” kind of inquiry comes out of him, and he turns his head just barely enough to glance at the book on the other side. Dammit, he’s comfy, and now he’s got to read to some nerd? Geez.]
Don’t act like you don’t already know the damn story. [It’s murmured into the fluffy hair with a whole lack of combustion he’s usually dishing out. He thinks he could be harder if Midoriya wasn’t so fucking warm leaned against him, fitting into his open places like a puzzle piece.] Fine, I guess. If it means you’re shut up for a while. [Even if, really, he doesn’t mind Midoriya talking when it means he doesn’t have to do it himself.
Reaching back over his thigh, he grapples the book and hefts it back over between them. He does have to move, stretch his arm around Midoriya’s neck and shoulders so he can hold the book open with two hands. He doesn’t start from the beginning, but simply from where he left off. With just two hands, the red good luck pouch from one of their peers he was using as a bookmark flops against Midoriya’s chest, and he leaves it there for now.
For once, he has a string of conversation without any cursing and with a strange, husky recitation. He sounds as smart as most can tell he is, as he had been in school based on his scores, not like an uneducated ruffian. A hidden, secretive smart boy, a nerd not unlike Midoriya in a different way. The one that very rarely emerges in tactics or logic. He doesn’t falter over words or stutter.
It’s surreal to hear Genji’s kidnapping of Murasaki and his tutelage of her out of Bakugou’s mouth.]
[ It sounds like a joke, but it isn't. He does like hearing Bakugou talk when he's not yelling, or cursing, or generally being a dick just to be one. This is nice. This is just Bakugou's low, warm rumble underneath his ear, the line of his body pressed close. He doesn't stumble over words like Midoriya knows he would. This is the Bakugou that he knew from a child: painfully smart, articulate, the kind of person Midoriya ached to be. Bakugou's confident as he reads, shaping the words easily, working through it and before Midoriya really realizes what's happening, his eyes are sliding shut.
He's not going to fall asleep. There's still the nurses to contend with and technically they're not supposed to be in the same bed together, that's why he had the chair. He's not going to fall asleep because Bakugou's bored and he needs someone to keep him entertained, and it's not fair to leave him alone like this.
He absolutely falls asleep, slumping into Bakugou's side, mouth pressed so he's exhaling warmth against the curve of his collarbone, nosing into his throat sleepily as he dozes. ]
[Honestly, Bakugou doesn’t mind Midoriya falling asleep. He won’t mind if the nurses find them, even if the nurses find his stack of potato sticks either. Mainly because, he too will be asleep when all of this happens.
He keeps reading for the hell of it, voice almost a whisper. Midoriya’s labored breath on his neck is the lull. The book and arms begin lowering, and his own head, leaned on Midoriya’s, gets heavy. His eyes shut, open, shut again; there’s no way he can keep them open like this. He doesn’t get as good a sleep in the hospital as he does when Midoriya is squeezing into the stupid bed with him, when they’re entwined at the legs and arms together. It’s good.
He’d die before he ever admitted any of this to anyone.
But it’s good. Midoriya wrapped up in him and asleep, nothing for him to get riled up about. Snacks. Midoriya’s hair smells fresh and faintly washed, the wavy curls soft. A pillow he won’t ever say he enjoys. Like the bookish reading, Bakugou’s sleeping face is a dream. He’s so much gentler, a real handsome and sweet boy when his eyes aren’t narrow and his brows together.
And maybe Midoriya gets an e-mailed picture way later of the two of them from the same nurse as the first time.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2018-11-22 05:44 am (UTC)We're not at the goddamn beach. [Iida, wtf, don't bring them a damn melON AT THE HOSPITAL.] Stop. [Reaching out, he sweeps his hand in and snatches the onigiri away.] You look like an idiot. [Carefully, easily, he opens the plastic--
--glances up, somewhat mischievous, somewhat knowing, an almost kind of bedroom eyes in a strange way, and then he lifts the onigiri to take a frustratingly off-center bite out of the side of the peak of it. He hands it back to Midoriya with a similarly daring look--say some shit to him, he wants it.]
I'm banning them all from coming back in here. They're a pain in my damn ass.
[But he got these treats from them. And he got some treats from Kirishima, plus a few books and comics to keep him busy with what the new phone and the television won't.]
no subject
Date: 2018-11-22 05:51 am (UTC)No one appreciates how cool thumbs are until you don't have two of them to use.
[ Really, the bite shouldn't surprise him. It's peak Bakugou, but more than that it's this weirdly intimate thing, not being annoyed about the bite, sharing silly food on the hospital bed. He's had moments with others in the hospital, of course. Most heroes are decent with people because you have to be, and Midoriya knows he's pretty good at getting people to talk to him, at being friends, but with Bakugou, always with Bakugou it's different. ]
You know if you tried they probably wouldn't listen anyway. We'd have Uraraka floating people up to the window. [ Their friends are good but also A Lot and know Bakugou well enough to not leave anything alone. Midoriya eats the rest of the snack without minding that Bakugou's taken a bite out of it. The next one he tosses into Bakugou's lap, expectantly, but he looks away a moment later. There's something he's been considering, sitting on, but hasn't quite known how to ask. He fully expects Bakugou to say no, and knows that it might be a little unfair to ask this but, well. All in. ] Kacchan, before you give it back to me, I wanted to know if we could...try a few things with it.
no subject
Date: 2018-11-22 02:04 pm (UTC)He watches the other eat the onigiri he bit out of quietly, lacking the fuel of Midoriya making a fuss over it, a reason to get him to keep being mean. He’s ran out of a lot of that in recent years: bullying fuel, even from the person adjacent to him. No one takes his bullshit with fear anymore; no one takes it at all, and so he’s left slowly growing softer and better for it. Learning there’s no path down the route of abuse, only a dead end. They’re literally killing his old self with kindness.
When the onigiri is chunked at him, he catches it in his palm before it can land in his lap and smash the potato sticks. But maybe he doesn’t want this one. Just Midoriya’s. So he does the same thing: opens it up and takes a bite out of the side of the peak, and then he hands it across to Midoriya.]
The hell is on your mind, nerd? Didn’t I tell you I wasn’t your fucking experiment?
[The circumstances had been, uh... really different, but whatever. The look he’s giving says Midoriya is going to have to keep talking, going to have to convince him. Explain.]
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Date: 2018-11-22 06:21 pm (UTC)The onigiri is passed back to him with another bite out of it; Midoirya doesn't look surprised and it's unclear if he wanted that to happen or not. Either way he's demolishing it in two quick bites, finally a little less hungry. ]
You're not so that's why you can tell me no. [ It's important that Bakugou knows that because there's a difference between the sort of quirk measurement tests they went through their first year with Aizawa and the kind of information Midoriya wants. It also depends on how quickly he heals, and if the other villains out there decide not to cause too much trouble before Midoriya himself heals. ] The way, um, it works, means it's stockpiling ability, power, and then transferring it if the owner wants it to. But I was thinking about it, and the way that it worked... well, if those two combined and became it I don't think it's ever been combined with a quirk like yours before. So I'm curious if it's going to enhance your strength, or your explosions, or both.
[ maybe it just makes bakugou extra sweaty ]
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Date: 2018-11-22 07:13 pm (UTC)And Bakugou likes danger, but fair danger. Knowable danger. Danger while following the rules.
His eyes lift from the bag of snacks to watch Midoriya finish the onigiri.] So you’re saying it could’ve made me fucking stronger or something. [It’s not a question. His eyes flicker across Midoriya’s face, and then he suddenly reaches out to swipe his thumb over the edge of Midoriya’s lip, knocking away a grain of sticky rice.]
I don’t think it’s some great idea to fuck around with this kinda thing. But... if you wanna find out of some shit... fine. I guess a little won’t hurt nothing. But the point is for you to get fucking better so I can shove it back in you or whatever. All Might chose your dumbass, not me, so it’s your responsibility. We can’t wait around forever with it split.
Otherwise, you’re useless.
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Date: 2018-11-22 07:31 pm (UTC)I mean...there's a chance. There's no way to really know until we test it.
[ A hand is suddenly coming for his face and rather than flinching, Midoriya dares to curl fingers around his wrist and press a kiss to his palm, shameless, before letting it drop and acting like nothing happened. Warm cheeks give him away, even if he'll never admit it.]
Hey, I'm almost perfectly fine at this point. The cast is gonna come off and I'll probably have to do some physical therapy, or, well, more but that's expected. Besides, if something happens, I can still act, I just won't be entirely...myself, I guess?
[ His hand slides over Bakugou's knee, settling warm and heavy there, not reaching for any of the snacks. ]
You need to get discharged from the hospital, first, you know.
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Date: 2018-11-22 08:48 pm (UTC)I’m fine, idiot. I’ll probably be released tomorrow or something. They’re just keeping me fucking here because they think I’m gonna tear the stitches.
[He would.
For a bit, he won’t look Midoriya in the face, not with the hand on his knee. His eyes flicker over the Karamucho bag, the bigger one with the rest of the goods inside. Like Midoriya, his face may be a little red at the edges.] Might as well see what the fuck it can do before it goes back. Besides, you’re only getting this shit when you aren’t some half dried up loser with a worthless arm. Legs don’t mean shit.
[Finally, his gaze lifts to Midoriya again.] Better hide this before the nurses come back for their rounds. I’ll be pissed if it gets confiscated. [He’s trying to find something to bitch about so he doesn’t have to say something sappy.]
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Date: 2018-11-23 12:08 am (UTC)...That's not exactly an unrealistic worry here.
[ It's a very valid concern and Midoriya fully intends to make certain that Bakugou doesn't do anything stupid like tear his stitches, which means he's grabbing the bag and obediently wrapping it up. It's placed underneath his pillow on his bed for the time being and the wrappers are hidden away a moment later. Outside of the bag of Karamucho there's no evidence. It's a little bit clumsy with only one good arm but he manages and as soon as it's done he's back on Bakugou's cot, hand back on his knee again. ]
Well, if they do let you go home tomorrow, you're still going to have to take it at least a little easy, right? Or are they going to take the stitches out too?
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Date: 2018-11-23 03:15 am (UTC)So he grumbles and shifts a bit on the bed, taking the bag of potato sticks from his lap and instead putting it beside his thigh on one side--the side away from the door so it's hidden.]
I'm gonna do what the hell I wanna.
No. [He sounds a little like a petulant child answering questions, mumbling.] They said they dissolve on their own. I just can't rip them before that happens. They sped up the healing, but it'll still need a half a week or whatever to heal completely.
It doesn't even hurt as much as my fucking ass hurts from the booster shot they had to give me for tetanus.
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Date: 2018-11-23 03:22 am (UTC)So nothing too strenuous, then. [ Midoriya's brow furrows and he nods like he's considering it, but a moment later the stupid smile on his face undoes any of that seriousness. ] I'd offer to kiss it better but that probably falls under strenuous activity, huh?
[ And before Bakugou can take a swipe at him he's moving out of the way, heading for his bag to tug a zippered hoodie on. It looks as stupid as it probably sounds; he's still got an arm in a cast, but the wrist portion has been cut off so it's about as easy to do possible with one functional arm, and it keeps him warm. ]
In all seriousness, then, we'll want to wait on testing anything out until we get the all clear here. The results wouldn't be entirely accurate anyway, right?
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Date: 2018-11-23 04:25 am (UTC)With a soft, long groanish huff, he drops back against the pillow and the raised top end of the hospital bed.] I hate fucking waiting around doing nothing. I'm gonna go fucking crazy in this place. [He's not sure how Midoriya spent so much time in the infirmary.
House arrest almost did him in; he's dying with this short stint.] I just wanna leave. [There's something comforting about being in his own apartment. Hell, even Midoriya's apartment. It's not... a hospital.
A few moments pass, and he eats a handful more of the spicy potato sticks. With his clean hand, he folds the previously read book closed and puts it out of the way.] Deku. [It's a bit out of nowhere by his tone, more serious than the complaining from before.]
Why did me dying matter so much to you that you'd give me it?
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Date: 2018-11-23 04:38 am (UTC)I know. Sitting around waiting is the worst. [ Well, no, being dead is the worst but sitting around without anything to do is probably a pretty close second. Midoriya folds his arms delicately onto the bed and rests his cheek on top of his un-covered forearm. He's not gazing at Bakugou, but he's watching him eat, a little drowsy. He'll probably fall asleep given the chance, still recovering from the healing but then --
Ah. The question. He knew Bakugou would ask it eventually but he's been weighing his answer over and over because he's not sure what to say. There are some things he just...can't say. Some things are too much for this fragile, tentative...whatever this is, for either of them to even consider addressing it. Answering that he would have given it to Todoroki, or Uraraka, or a few of the others if he absolutely had to, if it was the last resort isn't the answer either. ] I'll tell you, but I want to know what you think, first.
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Date: 2018-11-23 05:08 am (UTC)But he's also stubborn and a fool idiot. He's not going to say what Midoriya really wants to hear, not yet, because it'll risk him a moment or embarrassment. The fact it's a cover-up is obvious for Midoriya, however.]
'Cause you're a good-for-nothing who always tries to save everyone else with the most dumbass plan imaginable.
[There's just too much to put together for it to be so easily dismissed this way. The fact that Bakugou doesn't break Midoriya's hand or arm every time he's touched. The fact Bakugou even returns kisses at all. The fact that Bakugou even instigates a lot of the sex.
The fact that there's sometimes late night texts which say, Go to bed. or Call me.
The fact this has been an ongoing thing since circa U.A. first-to-second year, a whopping--what? Four, five years? Five years of dedicated touching, and fucking, and kissing sprinkled into rivalry.
He wants Midoriya to tell him without him having to admit to anything first. Just in case.]
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Date: 2018-11-23 05:22 am (UTC)His cheek lifts from on top of his arm and his now freed hand settles itself back on Bakugou's knee, rather than his hand or anywhere else. Close, but not so close it's too much because Bakugou is still like an overlarge, skittish cat and Midoriya knows he has to be careful. ]
I did it because when I think back to nearly every important moment of my life, it's never just me there. You're there too. Even... [ Midoriya pauses a moment, just a breath and then continues on. ] Even the bad, early on. And I think about what would happen if you weren't there to drive me, to push me, to inspire me and it's kind of terrifying, really. You push me to be a better person, a better hero, and the idea of waking up in a world without you there is...
[ Awful. Terrifying. Real, maybe, if this hadn't happened. He could have woken up in the hospital, been discharged and had to go to a funeral, maybe. ]
It's too much. I won't let it happen, not if there's anything I can do to stop it. I did it because I know that you're only going to get better, and stronger, and more amazing and I want to be there to see it. I want to push myself to be just as good as you are, which means you need to be there.
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Date: 2018-11-23 05:44 am (UTC)Naturally, he turns his head just a bit to the side and looks away, after first visibly, for a second, appearing shocked. His brows then, of course, sourly bunch in the middle of his forehead, and his eyes narrow, his lips thin out.
The admiration is beginning to wear on him. It's not like the admiration received in middle school, in elementary school. This admiration is undeserved, and it forces him to think about the many reasons why. The stack upon stack, the pile upon pile of examples of why and how he's been garbage to the fucker who continues to idolize him almost as much as All Might.]
You're so fucking stupid... [For thinking the world of him, for giving him goddamn One For All to save his sorry life. He may be confident in his abilities, but he has a whole lot of self-loathing packed away under the determination.] I wasn't... [A pause. His voice lowers more; he won't look at Midoriya still.] I wasn't fucking worth it... Not for that... Not for... it.
It's not mine. [He finally looks.] And I don't want it, your stupid ass quirk. [The "stupid ass" part sounds like a lie.] I ain't got time to let you crawl your ass to Number One just because I died. I wouldn't have given up so easily, jackass. So you should have kept it. I don't need it just because some pole got shoved through me.
I should've punched your damn lights out with it after you pulled that shit.
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Date: 2018-11-23 05:51 am (UTC)[ Midoriya's tone is even and calm, refuting Bakugou's words without hesitation or stuttering.
It's weird how now, these days, he's like a Bakugou's bullshit translator.
You're so fucking stupid isn't actually an insult anymore. Once, it might have been. Once, Midoriya might have believed it, at least a little bit. In all the years he's gotten to know Bakugou - to properly know him, it's something else entirely, though. He's not saying Midoriya's actually stupid, he's saying he doesn't think he deserves it. The quirk isn't stupid, either; Midoriya knows how much it, and its former owner mean to them. It's a whole lot of prickly packaging that he has to unwrap to get to what he's really saying. ]
I already agreed I'm taking it back. [ His hand squeezes Bakugou's knee gently, thumb rubbing lazy circles against his kneecap as he meets Bakugou's eyes, earnest and certain all in one. ] Maybe you didn't need it, and maybe it didn't...do anything, really, but I wasn't willing to take that chance. You got injured because of me, Kacchan. Don't think I didn't see you take what you did, when everything was happening. You were the one who got us out of there, too. Not me. Not it. You.
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Date: 2018-11-23 06:09 am (UTC)[He won't ever be able to escape the unrelenting optimism and determination of Izuku Midoriya. He knows this. He knows this because it's exactly what gave him so much trouble when he felt he caused All Might's retirement.
There's been an annoying as piss, green-haired moron running behind him since they were kids, clinging desperately to his legs. And maybe--
Maybe instead of dragging Midoriya through the mud, he's realized, slowly, he should... actually stop and offer a hand. Except... he doesn't have to offer a hand now, and he didn't when they were in U.A. Midoriya stood up beside him, joined him, and now all he has to do is link arms. If he'd stop being so stubborn.] Tch.
You would've been the one in a fucking grave if I hadn't. [But Midoriya had come up with the plan? Midoriya had told him what to do, and he just did it.] Anyway... [For a moment, he leaves it hanging. His fingers brush over Midoriya's on, like a ghost, and then they smooth harder, thread their fingers together.]
...Thanks, I guess.
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Date: 2018-11-23 06:15 am (UTC)[ It's a low, pleased hum in response to the cursing, like he's not even concerned with the cursing directed at him. They're two halves of the same coin in some ways and Bakugou balances him out in the same way that Midoriya likes to think he tempers Bakugou at least a little bit.
Proof that they've both grown; Bakugou doesn't shove his hand away or hiss and spit like an angry cat because Midoriya knows how to push without going too far and Bakugou's tolerance has increased as time went on. ]
Probably, yeah. [ It's a little unsettling to think about but they've also brushed with death countless times. Bakugou's hand settles over his and for a moment he thinks that brush is all he's going to get, but then their fingers are tangling together and Midoriya's beaming up at him, squeezing his hand in turn. ]
Thanks for saving me, hero.
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Date: 2018-11-23 06:49 am (UTC)He pulls his hand away, but reluctantly. It's fine. This makes up for it:] If you're not getting up here with me, [The worst invitation in the history of the world. He is the literal worst.] then go back to your own damn bed.
Especially if you're too worried about getting caught by the nurse.
[He probably shouldn't challenge Midoriya so much over things so petty, knowing the other will more than likely accept them. This is why they always get into so much trouble.]
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Date: 2018-11-23 06:55 am (UTC)He's careful to put his cast to the outside, otherwise the cot would be too small for both of them, but he dares to settle himself on his side, pillowing his head onto Bakugou's shoulder to make sure that he doesn't have to move or shift over very much. Can't risk tearing those stitches. ]
Do you tip nurses? I kind of think we should get her a melon for having to deal with us.
[ Eighteen distressed heroes and parents in the waiting room at various points, and then the two of them? He ought to get the nurses a fucking apology cake at this point. His cast settles itself gently across Bakugou's thigh for lack of anywhere else, not wanting to risk his torso.]
We should get them something.
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Date: 2018-11-23 01:45 pm (UTC)Even with a scoff, as soon as Midoriya is settled, Bakugou turns his head over and buries his cheek and mouth into the fluffy, green hair, against the temple. Smells like Midoriya for sure. It’s been a short while since they’ve had the opportunity to be this close, uninterrupted. Close enough his breath is warm on what little bit of skin and scalp it brushes over when he sighs quietly.] Whatever, if you wanna. You don’t tip them money though, idiot. They probably couldn’t even take it anyway. [So they’re relegated to giving the girls something to split. Maybe a melon, yeah.]
Who the fuck wants a melon, though? Get them some chocolate or a cake.
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Date: 2018-11-23 05:44 pm (UTC)[ With his arm wrapped in a cast like this there's not much that he can do in terms of touching Bakugou and it's driving him insane approximately two seconds into lounging like this. There's no way to do it without risking hurting him so instead, he very gently tilts his arm and rests the fingertips not hidden against the top of Bakugou's thigh.
It's not perfect but it's something. His leg slides across a moment later, shamelessly tangling itself with both of Bakugou's, and when he feels that sigh he snuggles, mouthing a kiss against a shoulder. ]
Cake or chocolate is good. [ The exhaustion tugs heavily at him again, threatening to slide him under now that he's stopped moving and he's warm, content. ] Hey, Kacchan, you should read to me.
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Date: 2018-11-23 06:17 pm (UTC)Don’t act like you don’t already know the damn story. [It’s murmured into the fluffy hair with a whole lack of combustion he’s usually dishing out. He thinks he could be harder if Midoriya wasn’t so fucking warm leaned against him, fitting into his open places like a puzzle piece.] Fine, I guess. If it means you’re shut up for a while. [Even if, really, he doesn’t mind Midoriya talking when it means he doesn’t have to do it himself.
Reaching back over his thigh, he grapples the book and hefts it back over between them. He does have to move, stretch his arm around Midoriya’s neck and shoulders so he can hold the book open with two hands. He doesn’t start from the beginning, but simply from where he left off. With just two hands, the red good luck pouch from one of their peers he was using as a bookmark flops against Midoriya’s chest, and he leaves it there for now.
For once, he has a string of conversation without any cursing and with a strange, husky recitation. He sounds as smart as most can tell he is, as he had been in school based on his scores, not like an uneducated ruffian. A hidden, secretive smart boy, a nerd not unlike Midoriya in a different way. The one that very rarely emerges in tactics or logic. He doesn’t falter over words or stutter.
It’s surreal to hear Genji’s kidnapping of Murasaki and his tutelage of her out of Bakugou’s mouth.]
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Date: 2018-11-23 06:32 pm (UTC)[ It sounds like a joke, but it isn't. He does like hearing Bakugou talk when he's not yelling, or cursing, or generally being a dick just to be one. This is nice. This is just Bakugou's low, warm rumble underneath his ear, the line of his body pressed close. He doesn't stumble over words like Midoriya knows he would. This is the Bakugou that he knew from a child: painfully smart, articulate, the kind of person Midoriya ached to be. Bakugou's confident as he reads, shaping the words easily, working through it and before Midoriya really realizes what's happening, his eyes are sliding shut.
He's not going to fall asleep. There's still the nurses to contend with and technically they're not supposed to be in the same bed together, that's why he had the chair. He's not going to fall asleep because Bakugou's bored and he needs someone to keep him entertained, and it's not fair to leave him alone like this.
He absolutely falls asleep, slumping into Bakugou's side, mouth pressed so he's exhaling warmth against the curve of his collarbone, nosing into his throat sleepily as he dozes. ]
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Date: 2018-11-23 07:55 pm (UTC)He keeps reading for the hell of it, voice almost a whisper. Midoriya’s labored breath on his neck is the lull. The book and arms begin lowering, and his own head, leaned on Midoriya’s, gets heavy. His eyes shut, open, shut again; there’s no way he can keep them open like this. He doesn’t get as good a sleep in the hospital as he does when Midoriya is squeezing into the stupid bed with him, when they’re entwined at the legs and arms together. It’s good.
He’d die before he ever admitted any of this to anyone.
But it’s good. Midoriya wrapped up in him and asleep, nothing for him to get riled up about. Snacks. Midoriya’s hair smells fresh and faintly washed, the wavy curls soft. A pillow he won’t ever say he enjoys. Like the bookish reading, Bakugou’s sleeping face is a dream. He’s so much gentler, a real handsome and sweet boy when his eyes aren’t narrow and his brows together.
And maybe Midoriya gets an e-mailed picture way later of the two of them from the same nurse as the first time.]