( A gift is left outside of Denji's door, a riotous hoard of candy. Most of it is christmas themed - think candycanes, and snowman shaped marshmallows, and present shaped chocolates - but there's also a little tin with a jesus drawing on the front hosting silver-foiled wrapped candy coins inside. There's a card attached with a note: Do you think Wolfwood would have found those funny? Happy holidays, Denji! - Vash )
[contrary to denji's gift giving in the sly of night after he fell asleep, bakugou opts to wait for his boyfriend to sleep on christmas eve before carefully reaching under the bed and dragging out the presents he'd stashed there for the past two days. sometimes it's to his benefit denji isn't cleaning his room every day. lifting them from their resting place, he rests them against the nearby dresser, in sight when the half-devil wakes whenever he does the following morning. a small collection of gifts robed in smart black wrapping with orange and green ribbon (those are his colors) with a small card tagged on the top. who knows when they'll get to the gifts in the morning. might not even get out of bed for a while...
inside the larger one, a folding table to be mounted on denji's wall. no more floor-bound late-night burger munches unless they're too lazy or tired to swing the table down. the smaller contains a simple pair of mugs, since bakugou knows his boyfriend's a major fanboy. and while they did get figurines of each other during that late-novermber festival, he went back for a second one later.
smaller than a full-body figure, the little statue is a bust sculpture: bakugou and denji back to back, chest and shoulders and head alone. one side is their normal appearance in their school uniforms, the other side displays chainsaw man and great explosion murder god dynamight. impressive, but with an element of obvious closeness between them.]
denji. i never thought i'd have someone like you in my life at the start of the year. it was always so far away. but you've made everything so much better, no matter what we go through. thanks for being there for me every step of the way. i don't know what the future holds, but if you're there with me, i know we'll trash the fuck out of it and come out victorious. i trust you, hero. love you.
~ katsuki
inside the larger one, a folding table to be mounted on denji's wall. no more floor-bound late-night burger munches unless they're too lazy or tired to swing the table down. the smaller contains a simple pair of mugs, since bakugou knows his boyfriend's a major fanboy. and while they did get figurines of each other during that late-novermber festival, he went back for a second one later.
smaller than a full-body figure, the little statue is a bust sculpture: bakugou and denji back to back, chest and shoulders and head alone. one side is their normal appearance in their school uniforms, the other side displays chainsaw man and great explosion murder god dynamight. impressive, but with an element of obvious closeness between them.]
denji. i never thought i'd have someone like you in my life at the start of the year. it was always so far away. but you've made everything so much better, no matter what we go through. thanks for being there for me every step of the way. i don't know what the future holds, but if you're there with me, i know we'll trash the fuck out of it and come out victorious. i trust you, hero. love you.
~ katsuki
Edited 2024-12-22 22:12 (UTC)
[ There's a gift left on Denji's doorstep at Christmas, wrapped in pink paper. Inside is a bunch of small things all wrapped up:
Denji-kun,
Have a good Christmas! Take it easy and relax, okay!
- Yuji. ]
🐯 A dog plushie, with a collar around it's neck and a note that says 'name me!'Under it all is a little note:
🐯 A lot of chocolate. Like, almost as much as he gave Gojo-sensei.
🐯 Paid for tickets to the cat onsen for a night, for, you know. Date.
🐯 A scarf and beanie combo, in a nice bright colour.
Denji-kun,
Have a good Christmas! Take it easy and relax, okay!
- Yuji. ]
(On Christmas day, Denji will receive a gift from Tsurumaru. It comes in a gift bag and is stuffed with a bunch of decorative tissue paper and ribbons. Inside he will find,
- A box of crystal jelly candy. The outside is a delicate sugar crystal shell with a soft jelly candy center.
- A cozy sweatshirt and a pair of warm, fluffy slippers to wear around base to keep him warm.
- A gift card for about ~50 dollars worth of Kryptos. He can spend it however he wants.)
Happy Christmas, Denji-kun.
I don't know what gifts are usually given during this holiday but I hope these are good. If you're free, I'd like to enjoy new year with you and Aki.
-Tsurumaru
- A box of crystal jelly candy. The outside is a delicate sugar crystal shell with a soft jelly candy center.
- A cozy sweatshirt and a pair of warm, fluffy slippers to wear around base to keep him warm.
- A gift card for about ~50 dollars worth of Kryptos. He can spend it however he wants.)
Happy Christmas, Denji-kun.
I don't know what gifts are usually given during this holiday but I hope these are good. If you're free, I'd like to enjoy new year with you and Aki.
-Tsurumaru
Edited 2024-12-28 17:16 (UTC)
[ On Christmas morning, there will be an elegantly wrapped package waiting, along with a festive card. ]
Mr. Denji,
As the Christmas season graces us with its quiet beauty, I take this opportunity to extend to you my warmest wishes for a holiday filled with peace, joy, and the company of those you hold dear. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and all manner of good fortune.
With kindest regards,
Sebastian Michaelis
[ Inside the package is an assortment of fine and extremely delicious baked goods--all made by Sebastian himself, naturally. ]
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tree-branch-gift-tag-2461102-227-2000-505444e1c67e4392b9ef5eb7b2b7c1ed.jpg){kind=link}
Mr. Denji,
As the Christmas season graces us with its quiet beauty, I take this opportunity to extend to you my warmest wishes for a holiday filled with peace, joy, and the company of those you hold dear. May the New Year bring you health, happiness, and all manner of good fortune.
With kindest regards,
Sebastian Michaelis
[ Inside the package is an assortment of fine and extremely delicious baked goods--all made by Sebastian himself, naturally. ]
[ first of all, 'Mr.'??? no one has ever used that on him before?! denji is hanging this card on the wall for that reason only. second, sebastian just made the biggest mistake of his demon/butler life, which is exposing himself as an excellent chef. guess who will always ask to be fed moving forward?
this guy. ]
this guy. ]
Edited 2024-12-30 17:02 (UTC)
[ in front of denji's doorstep will be be an envelope with food vouchers, including ones for hangover soup.
later, yuwon just sends a text: ]
I still don't get what sort of "sin" you're getting into, but I also don't want to know.
Don't forget to eat.
later, yuwon just sends a text: ]
I still don't get what sort of "sin" you're getting into, but I also don't want to know.
Don't forget to eat.
(new Year arrives and Denji will receive a notification. Someone has sent him an e-card and that someone is... Tsurumaru and Aki. The e-card card appears as an image of a money envelope traditionally given to children for New Year. Once he opens it, there's a fun little effect with cheers and a little jingle. The next thing he knows... He's received 25,000 kryptos which is about 250 dollars. It's a lot of money to get considering most children usually get a bunch of envelopes from their relatives and collect money that way. It's not Tsurumaru's fault he doesn't know what a normal amount is but it looks like Aki has approved the amount so!!!!)
May you have many wonderful surprises in the year to come.
[not sure when. not sure how. but deep in the night's darkness, amid a wrap of blankets on denji's bed, within denji's warm strong arms, chest rising and falling steady with his silent breaths ... he vanished. curled into his boyfriend to avoid the snowy weather outside trying to get in through the window, everything had been comfortable and quiet in those midnight hours. arms previously wrapped around bakugou's shoulders sank inward, a leg trapped between his thighs suddenly freed, the mound of fabric deflates without warning as if the bed's gentle exhale ghosts into the night. no warning, no preparation, no noise. no presence.
no telling what or how denji reacts to it. everything in bakugou's room remains, save for the hero's costume and gear. no longer in their prepared little wall cell for quick deployment. mementos of his presence linger around his lodging, from clothes to figures to bedding to gifts he's received. a quick inspection online reveals conversation history remains logged and accessible, but attempts to contact bakugou in any form are grayed out. unavailable. no longer in existence beyond an option that once was.]
no telling what or how denji reacts to it. everything in bakugou's room remains, save for the hero's costume and gear. no longer in their prepared little wall cell for quick deployment. mementos of his presence linger around his lodging, from clothes to figures to bedding to gifts he's received. a quick inspection online reveals conversation history remains logged and accessible, but attempts to contact bakugou in any form are grayed out. unavailable. no longer in existence beyond an option that once was.]
[weeks? days? hours? no clue. only one moment he's there... and the next... bedding. sheets. warmth. softness beneath him, bunched around his shoulders and limbs. fuck, pain. seconds wrench into eternity, one hand clenching into material. a ceiling vaguely familiar, the scent of something... someone... wrapping around his head. bringing with it a flood of memories and splits his head into throbbing pieces. a city. raging monsters. the hell? an organization. a building. where? faces flash by. people he knows he should recognize. you again? this place, this world, he had- ... no! fuck no! a desert. a worm. a forest. a castle. not again! no! he doesn't- ... he had a life here. he had people he cared about. but his world, his life, his home. don't- ... don't! NO!
i'm back.
fingers ease out of their death-dealing crush and he slowly lets himself come down from a rushing heart. instantly cringing in pain and gripping at his chest. fuck! ... right. slowly he pulls himself up, breathing easier amid his pounding head. his life here. lilith. the outsiders. denji. his boyfriend. that's whose scent clung to him in a comforting embrace. god, feels like someone crammed a book in his head. resting his forehead on his hand, he gives himself a few minutes of adjusting before lifting his head. right. nothing he can do about it.
the room's a fucking mess... how long has it been? morning.
denji. god, the half-devil's probably gone fucking mad. where's his phon- ... oh right. the other headache.]
denji. hey. stop raising hell. i'm in your room.
[and looking... different, body sporting a collection of new and old scars, his right arm hanging by his side looking a complete wreck.]
i'm back.
fingers ease out of their death-dealing crush and he slowly lets himself come down from a rushing heart. instantly cringing in pain and gripping at his chest. fuck! ... right. slowly he pulls himself up, breathing easier amid his pounding head. his life here. lilith. the outsiders. denji. his boyfriend. that's whose scent clung to him in a comforting embrace. god, feels like someone crammed a book in his head. resting his forehead on his hand, he gives himself a few minutes of adjusting before lifting his head. right. nothing he can do about it.
the room's a fucking mess... how long has it been? morning.
denji. god, the half-devil's probably gone fucking mad. where's his phon- ... oh right. the other headache.]
denji. hey. stop raising hell. i'm in your room.
[and looking... different, body sporting a collection of new and old scars, his right arm hanging by his side looking a complete wreck.]
[ he knew he was gone.
it's not like bakugou didn't wiggle his way out of the strong embrace many times before, whether he had to use the bathroom, leave on an early jog, or he decided he had enough wasting the morning and would rather be productive— for whatever reason, denji always felt the slight shift and shuffle, and he would always, always force one eye open to check on his partner. this time, as he followed an old routine, he peered through his tired lids, only to find no one around. he woke to silence. the kind that wasn’t peaceful, wasn’t soft, but hollow. a void where something should have been. instinctively, his hand reached across the bed, searching for warmth, for presence— for him. but all he found were cold sheets, untouched, undisturbed ... as if bakugou had never been there at all.
dread and utter fear begin to settle in. denji's fingers curled into the emptiness beside him, gripping at nothing, trying to find proof that bakugou had been there. that this wasn’t real. that this wasn’t happening. this can't be happening! a deep, sinking chill spread through his chest as he threw the blankets aside and bolted for the door. his pulse pounded against his ribs, panic creeping up his throat, drowning out reason, drowning out everything but the need to find bakugou. the first victims happened to be aki and tsurumaru, blissfully sleeping in their room, unaware of the chaos coming their way. they didn't have an answer. raidou's next— he's bakugou's friend, right? best buddy. he should know something. the poor guy was up for a rude awakening, but he also had no answers. who's next? yuuji. vash. any other everlight who managed to answer his rapid knocking on their door. denji pushed forward, turning sharp corners, scanning every room, every shadow, expecting— no, praying— to catch a glimpse of him. a flicker of movement, a sliver of hope. but all he found were empty spaces where bakugou should have been.
the air in his lungs turned thin, tight.
this wasn’t right.
this couldn’t be right.
the hours felt like days, even weeks. it was so easy to slip into an ugly mindset, desperate to escape a pain that's fate to consume him. it's unbearable. suffocating. and then— he got the text. his legs moved before his brain could catch up, shoving past furniture and bolting down the hall at full speed. the walls blurred around him, and his breath tore through his throat. denji's heartbeats roared in his ears as he shoved the door with enough force that it slammed against the wall, barely registering the sound, barely registering anything beyond the fact that his boyfriend was there. real. living and breathing. ] Katsuki ... !! [ yeah, he noticed immediately. the way the hero was sitting, stiff and too still, shoulders slightly hunched as if bracing for something. the morning light behind the sealed curtains cast shadows along bakugou's skin, but not enough to hide the fresh marks carved across. denji's eyes locked onto his arm first. the way it rested too carefully in his lap, fingers curled but tense. the bruising, dark and violent, creeping along his forearm. the scars are another story. how did— .... when did he get all of this?!! denji didn't know where to look. some healing, some raw. some thin, some deep.
it's not right. he's not okay ... ]
........ what happened?
[ there are ten other questions lined up and ready to bust out of him, but denji bites them back. breathe. breathe. breathe ... ]
it's not like bakugou didn't wiggle his way out of the strong embrace many times before, whether he had to use the bathroom, leave on an early jog, or he decided he had enough wasting the morning and would rather be productive— for whatever reason, denji always felt the slight shift and shuffle, and he would always, always force one eye open to check on his partner. this time, as he followed an old routine, he peered through his tired lids, only to find no one around. he woke to silence. the kind that wasn’t peaceful, wasn’t soft, but hollow. a void where something should have been. instinctively, his hand reached across the bed, searching for warmth, for presence— for him. but all he found were cold sheets, untouched, undisturbed ... as if bakugou had never been there at all.
dread and utter fear begin to settle in. denji's fingers curled into the emptiness beside him, gripping at nothing, trying to find proof that bakugou had been there. that this wasn’t real. that this wasn’t happening. this can't be happening! a deep, sinking chill spread through his chest as he threw the blankets aside and bolted for the door. his pulse pounded against his ribs, panic creeping up his throat, drowning out reason, drowning out everything but the need to find bakugou. the first victims happened to be aki and tsurumaru, blissfully sleeping in their room, unaware of the chaos coming their way. they didn't have an answer. raidou's next— he's bakugou's friend, right? best buddy. he should know something. the poor guy was up for a rude awakening, but he also had no answers. who's next? yuuji. vash. any other everlight who managed to answer his rapid knocking on their door. denji pushed forward, turning sharp corners, scanning every room, every shadow, expecting— no, praying— to catch a glimpse of him. a flicker of movement, a sliver of hope. but all he found were empty spaces where bakugou should have been.
the air in his lungs turned thin, tight.
this wasn’t right.
this couldn’t be right.
the hours felt like days, even weeks. it was so easy to slip into an ugly mindset, desperate to escape a pain that's fate to consume him. it's unbearable. suffocating. and then— he got the text. his legs moved before his brain could catch up, shoving past furniture and bolting down the hall at full speed. the walls blurred around him, and his breath tore through his throat. denji's heartbeats roared in his ears as he shoved the door with enough force that it slammed against the wall, barely registering the sound, barely registering anything beyond the fact that his boyfriend was there. real. living and breathing. ] Katsuki ... !! [ yeah, he noticed immediately. the way the hero was sitting, stiff and too still, shoulders slightly hunched as if bracing for something. the morning light behind the sealed curtains cast shadows along bakugou's skin, but not enough to hide the fresh marks carved across. denji's eyes locked onto his arm first. the way it rested too carefully in his lap, fingers curled but tense. the bruising, dark and violent, creeping along his forearm. the scars are another story. how did— .... when did he get all of this?!! denji didn't know where to look. some healing, some raw. some thin, some deep.
it's not right. he's not okay ... ]
........ what happened?
[ there are ten other questions lined up and ready to bust out of him, but denji bites them back. breathe. breathe. breathe ... ]
guess its time to use the tracker rings even when baku needs to leave to piss
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nutkick
- 2025-02-02 15:35 (UTC) - Expand[So after Bakugou is Bakugone, Denji'll get a message. She’s doing it privately because...well, because she can. Which is also why the rest of the message is what it is.]
I don’t know if you’re talking to me but how is figuring it out with Hayakawa going?
Not well, I’d guess.
But not being able to save the people around you isn't anything new is it?
I don’t know if you’re talking to me but how is figuring it out with Hayakawa going?
Not well, I’d guess.
But not being able to save the people around you isn't anything new is it?
[ seeing her name on the screen was enough to make his chest feel tight. a part of him wanted to delete it without acknowledging it. ignorance is bliss, you know? but, of course, he read it. ]
yup.
got a pretty shitty record in keeping people around me.
[ take it, makima. take the win. ]
can you actually help?
yup.
got a pretty shitty record in keeping people around me.
[ take it, makima. take the win. ]
can you actually help?
[ megumi sends a message with screenshots of this conversation attached; ]
i believe in standing up for my friends and staying true to my word. as a matter of principle, i intend to settle matters with this person in front of Revelation Room 2. if we're neighbors, i apologise for the disturbance; i'll do my best to keep things short. for non-revelation residents, i'm sending this as a heads-up in case this causes trouble for all of us.
if you're not this person, i would appreciate knowing the truth and i apologise for the disturbance. if you are this person, you're a pathetic, weak-spined coward shamelessly picking on kids who just want a safe place to live in. have a good day.
i believe in standing up for my friends and staying true to my word. as a matter of principle, i intend to settle matters with this person in front of Revelation Room 2. if we're neighbors, i apologise for the disturbance; i'll do my best to keep things short. for non-revelation residents, i'm sending this as a heads-up in case this causes trouble for all of us.
if you're not this person, i would appreciate knowing the truth and i apologise for the disturbance. if you are this person, you're a pathetic, weak-spined coward shamelessly picking on kids who just want a safe place to live in. have a good day.
[he knows this day is among the worst. he knows bringing attention to it dredges up memories so bittersweet, it makes you want to cry and puke and laugh at the same time. a heavy change from someone who saw no real worth or reason in his own birth. he wants to tell denji how much he means to him, say cliche things about being glad he was born, tell him he thinks his birth was worth something. but to do so means to make this wonderful horrible meaningless day the focal point all over again. the best kind of birthday for him right now isn't the kind he thinks of when he thinks of birthdays. his mind isn't the same as denji's, his life isn't the same. so then... wouldn't the way to celebrate denji's birthday be the same as every other day? for a boy who wants to have a normal life, and be adored as a hero, and be loved as a partner... what a troublesome man he's fallen for. heh.
he could be a super fucking cliche, say the gift he gives to denji is "us" after his words on the card. but since when is bakugou content to do something only partial? the card's nestled on a box robed in green wrapping paper, settled on the dresser across from the bed. carrying a small collection of little things he knows his boyfriend likes. 1) three bags of his favorite snacks, 2) a customized set of chopsticks and case (orange and black with "silver" lengths to play with chainsaw man's color scheme), 3) two duplicates of the damn shirt he keeps yoinking out of bakugou's closet (because next time denji commandeers it, he'll just take one of his new ones), and 4) tickets to a sports game and restaurant for a proper "date night" on the town.
plus a small calendar with a red pen beside it, instructing him to pick a date for their beach camp redo. because no, he hasn't forgotten the promise he made to denji.]
Denji,
You know, whether you believe it or not, I'm pretty fucking lucky to have you in my life. Never thought the scrappy guy at the locker two years ago would be my boyfriend now. Thanks for putting up with me all that time. Thanks for loving me. And letting me love you. There's so much about you I like, and so much I still want to learn. I'm really stubborn, and I don't give up on anything. Ever since I got back from my world, I've thought about you, about us. And I'm not willing to lose the man I love again.
So lets have lunch today. I'll tell you a story about U.A. Your choice. Then we can cook dinner together this evening. We'll sleep in the same bed tonight. Lets do it again tomorrow. And the day after. And the day after. Lets do it for weeks, then months, then years. Together. I'm gonna stay here with you Denji. I decided that a while ago, because this is the life I want. A life with you to the very end. I want every day to be another one with you. Today, tomorrow, and the thousands after. I don't care if they're exciting, boring, painful, or mundane, as long as we're together for them.
I'll do my damnest to give you a wonderful life. Happy birthday, Denji.
~ Katsuki
he could be a super fucking cliche, say the gift he gives to denji is "us" after his words on the card. but since when is bakugou content to do something only partial? the card's nestled on a box robed in green wrapping paper, settled on the dresser across from the bed. carrying a small collection of little things he knows his boyfriend likes. 1) three bags of his favorite snacks, 2) a customized set of chopsticks and case (orange and black with "silver" lengths to play with chainsaw man's color scheme), 3) two duplicates of the damn shirt he keeps yoinking out of bakugou's closet (because next time denji commandeers it, he'll just take one of his new ones), and 4) tickets to a sports game and restaurant for a proper "date night" on the town.
plus a small calendar with a red pen beside it, instructing him to pick a date for their beach camp redo. because no, he hasn't forgotten the promise he made to denji.]
[ he sits on the edge of the bed with the envelope tucked between his fingers, fresh out of the shower and all cleaned up to start the day. his lips curl up as he opens it carefully, like he might break something fragile inside. the handwriting is bakugou's, without a doubt, and his eyes catch the first line, and he reads it aloud under his breath, because saying the words makes them real. "you know, whether you believe it or not, i'm pretty fucking lucky to have you in my life." a grin tugs at his mouth before he can stop it — stupid and smitten already. he relaxed more into the bed, wanting to enjoy this experience the best way possible as he keeps reading, slower now. unaware that each sentence will turn into a small push, another inch of something opening inside him. he paused halfway through the reading before he even realises he's stopped — the paper sagging against his palm like it suddenly got heavier. the words sit there:
"i'm gonna stay here with you denji."
for a long second denji only hears his own breath. it sounds too loud, like someone else's heartbeat in his ears. his brain tries to argue that bakugou will return to his world, to his old life, that this is impossible, but the sentence keeps pressing against him. "i decided that a while ago," bakugou writes, like it was a plan folded into quiet days, not some snap decision. "because this is the life i want. a life with you to the very end." the half-devil's hands go numb as he imagines early mornings and late-night conversations under the warm blanket, arguing over stupid things, making tea, cooking together, the comfort of sharing a mundane routine in their life. he never let himself picture that kind of forever; he only thought of a farewell. "i want every day to be another one with you. today, tomorrow, and the thousands after." he's never been counted into someone's future like this. it's like being handed a key to a place you didn't think you'd be allowed into. "i don't care if they're exciting, boring, painful, or mundane, as long as we're together for them." denji feels hot; his vision narrows to the line itself, as if the rest of the world hushed down around him. not all days will be good. not all days will be loud. some will be silent and ugly and hard to survive — but bakugou wants to be there for each one.
he wants to go through them with him. together.
he closes his eyes, breathing through the crush of everything. for once he doesn't overthink whats going on in his heart and mind; he lets the feeling settle. the line becomes a pulse under his ribs: i'm gonna stay here with you. and for the first time in forever, denji believes that staying isn't something he has to do alone. he doesn't need to be alone anymore. he doesn't need to say goodbye. he doesn't ...
he folds the paper too quickly, stuffing it into his pocket before grabbing his jacket. his legs move before his thoughts do. he stumbles out of the room — not walking, more like rushing. he knew there was a gift awaiting him that he hadn't opened yet, and he knew they were supposed to meet for lunch later on, but that would be in the next few hours, and denji can't wait that long. he needs to find bakugou right now. whether he's out grocery shopping for their special lunch date, or went early for a shift, or even out for a morning run.
wherever he may be, he will find him. ]
"i'm gonna stay here with you denji."
for a long second denji only hears his own breath. it sounds too loud, like someone else's heartbeat in his ears. his brain tries to argue that bakugou will return to his world, to his old life, that this is impossible, but the sentence keeps pressing against him. "i decided that a while ago," bakugou writes, like it was a plan folded into quiet days, not some snap decision. "because this is the life i want. a life with you to the very end." the half-devil's hands go numb as he imagines early mornings and late-night conversations under the warm blanket, arguing over stupid things, making tea, cooking together, the comfort of sharing a mundane routine in their life. he never let himself picture that kind of forever; he only thought of a farewell. "i want every day to be another one with you. today, tomorrow, and the thousands after." he's never been counted into someone's future like this. it's like being handed a key to a place you didn't think you'd be allowed into. "i don't care if they're exciting, boring, painful, or mundane, as long as we're together for them." denji feels hot; his vision narrows to the line itself, as if the rest of the world hushed down around him. not all days will be good. not all days will be loud. some will be silent and ugly and hard to survive — but bakugou wants to be there for each one.
he wants to go through them with him. together.
he closes his eyes, breathing through the crush of everything. for once he doesn't overthink whats going on in his heart and mind; he lets the feeling settle. the line becomes a pulse under his ribs: i'm gonna stay here with you. and for the first time in forever, denji believes that staying isn't something he has to do alone. he doesn't need to be alone anymore. he doesn't need to say goodbye. he doesn't ...
he folds the paper too quickly, stuffing it into his pocket before grabbing his jacket. his legs move before his thoughts do. he stumbles out of the room — not walking, more like rushing. he knew there was a gift awaiting him that he hadn't opened yet, and he knew they were supposed to meet for lunch later on, but that would be in the next few hours, and denji can't wait that long. he needs to find bakugou right now. whether he's out grocery shopping for their special lunch date, or went early for a shift, or even out for a morning run.
wherever he may be, he will find him. ]
[ A pretty lengthy text gets sent to this inbox. ]
Hey. My name is Lil Hal. I am an artificial intelligence application designed to simulate Dirk Strider's otherwise inimitably rad typing style, tone, cadence, personality. The algorithms are guaranteed to be 9X% indistinguishable from DS's native neurological responses, based on some statistical analysis I basically just pulled out of my ass right now.
I am conducting a questionnaire that is highly confidential and will only be shared between myself and Dirk Strider. The questionnaire is to help DS get to know strangers, friends and acquaintances better to help him have more confidence in his social skills. Although the information in the questionnaire will be shared with him, our conversation right now is 100% encrypted away from him.
Would you like to participate in the questionnaire?
Yes or no?
Hey. My name is Lil Hal. I am an artificial intelligence application designed to simulate Dirk Strider's otherwise inimitably rad typing style, tone, cadence, personality. The algorithms are guaranteed to be 9X% indistinguishable from DS's native neurological responses, based on some statistical analysis I basically just pulled out of my ass right now.
I am conducting a questionnaire that is highly confidential and will only be shared between myself and Dirk Strider. The questionnaire is to help DS get to know strangers, friends and acquaintances better to help him have more confidence in his social skills. Although the information in the questionnaire will be shared with him, our conversation right now is 100% encrypted away from him.
Would you like to participate in the questionnaire?
Yes or no?
[ Though Gojo skipped most of the travel opportunities offered up to the Outsiders, he was interested in the fight rings of Vegas. While he was there, he took the opportunity to do his Christmas shopping. An obnoxiously festive gift bag will be dropped outside Denji's door. He gets a bag of salt water taffy labeled Norm's Hot Honey (hot sauce-honey flavored). The flavor decisions of American small gift shop taffy-makers are truly a mystery. ]
[Sitting below their room's little decorated tree is a smart-looking folded box of black board sealed with string looped about a stylish orange faux gem clasp. Resting inside a protective arrangement of orange packing paper is a handsome wooden double ringbox. Conspicuously empty. Not the ringbox of those trackers LILITH made, but rather proper engagement rings. And a small note asking Denji to pick a date "to help me fill it" together. This is something he won't make decisions on without his fiance. An impressive splay of chocolate flowers sits in crenelated plastic of red and green. A set of various picture frames of both standing and wall-mounted style already include pictures of Bakugo and Denji, various moments in their lives in Neo Tokyo captured over the years. And finally... A pair of boxer briefs. Shut up.]
It's been two years since we met. In that time, I've seen you grow into a heroic young man I'm proud to stand beside and call my partner. This is the life I've chosen to stay with, because I want to be at your side for the rest of mine. Doesn't matter if we're killing the fuck out of kaiju, going to different countries, or dealing with whatever bullshit or celebration Neo Tokyo throws at us. We'll tackle it together. My life going forward won't be complete without you in it. I promised I'd give you the best life I could, and I don't intend to break that promise. Ever. Thanks for being my partner, my friend, my boyfriend, and my fiance. Love you.
Merry Christmas, Denji.
Katsuki
[ heh, this is what he was waiting for: his gift from bakugou. hell yeah! excited to see what his boyfreind came up with this year and if it will outshine the last. denji was already grinning as he picked up the neat black box, turning it over like a kid examining a present to guess what was inside. his smile tilted sideways, confusion creeping in around the edges as he opened it. the excitement didn’t disappear ... it merely stalled, rearranged itself into something uncertain as the wooden double ringbox sat between his hands. his brain stalled again, but then picked up on a thought that denji quickly dismissed. there's a small note: pick a date. together. fill it. his chest tightened, emotions blooming into something so intense it almost hurt; the realization came in pieces, each one heavier than the last. a bit overwhelmed already, the half-devil got distracted by the other gifts, starting with the chocolate flowers, and then his gaze shifted towards their pictures together throughout the years in this city, going through the memory behind each visual. the lewd pair of briefs came last. he picked them up for a closer look, breathing out a heartfelt laugh despite the tears filling up his eyes. ah, only katsuki can make him laugh and cry at the same time.
and now— he reached for the letter. the word 'my fiance' caught and denji's heart slammed so hard it felt like it stole his breath, and he had to sit down before his legs remembered they were supposed to work. the bed creaked under his weight as he read it again, slower this time, every sentimental line pressing in on him from all sides. wait. they agreed to do this when they're older, right? has katsuki changed his mind?! what — is this real?!! he just sat there for a while longer, the letter clenched tight in his hands. a reckless spike of energy made him want to hunt bakugou down and hear it straight from him, hear it out loud, make it real. denji even pushed himself off the bed, halfway to bolting before his thoughts could catch up. then he stopped. he forced a slow breath in, then another. soon after, he sat back down, shoulders slumping as he let the rush burn itself out instead of feeding it. he read the note again, not searching this time, just letting the words exist. minutes passed without him counting it. his breathing evened out, his heart stopped trying to outrun his body. the reality of it all finally had room to sit beside him instead of crashing through him. soon after, the need to run was gone, replaced by resolve and a warm smile that belonged to someone who was deeply, sickly, and madly in love.
his christmas gift for bakugou waited nearby, and now it felt unfinished. yeah, change of plans ... ]
and now— he reached for the letter. the word 'my fiance' caught and denji's heart slammed so hard it felt like it stole his breath, and he had to sit down before his legs remembered they were supposed to work. the bed creaked under his weight as he read it again, slower this time, every sentimental line pressing in on him from all sides. wait. they agreed to do this when they're older, right? has katsuki changed his mind?! what — is this real?!! he just sat there for a while longer, the letter clenched tight in his hands. a reckless spike of energy made him want to hunt bakugou down and hear it straight from him, hear it out loud, make it real. denji even pushed himself off the bed, halfway to bolting before his thoughts could catch up. then he stopped. he forced a slow breath in, then another. soon after, he sat back down, shoulders slumping as he let the rush burn itself out instead of feeding it. he read the note again, not searching this time, just letting the words exist. minutes passed without him counting it. his breathing evened out, his heart stopped trying to outrun his body. the reality of it all finally had room to sit beside him instead of crashing through him. soon after, the need to run was gone, replaced by resolve and a warm smile that belonged to someone who was deeply, sickly, and madly in love.
his christmas gift for bakugou waited nearby, and now it felt unfinished. yeah, change of plans ... ]
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