that was the original plan, but he was so sick of eating all those orcas so he couldn't stomach the idea of having more. he is, however, keeping a few nice souvenirs in case some rich freaks are into buying a kaiju's fin. surely they are worth something.
bakugou didn't need to know about this. ]
hmm, maybe some mashed potatoes on the side. let's get grape juice and pretend we're drinking wine too.
[just for that, bakugou's going to ask the scientists of LILITH to look into whether the meat is safe for consumption. if it is, there's no point in leaving a food source out there to rot. maybe they can use other parts of the kaiju for supplies. bones, oil, blubber, skin, teeth, who the fuck knows. it's primeval, but they're not running luxury here.
you really think horny people are going to buy kaiju fins for aphrodisiacs, denji? ... stranger things have been done.]
hmph, dork. sounds good. i'll make your mouth water.
.... please don't tell him people can use the fins for horny drugs. he will double the price in a beat. if he knew, he would've stolen more from the corpses they left behind. ]
[one, he's not going to tell him. two, it's not like they ACTUALLY make horny drugs. it's just a stupid superstition that gets a lot of sharks killed for bullshit reasons. though honestly, bakugou does want to recycle and use the kaiju corpses if possible.
the irony of calling this a date when the other thread is...]
[ declaring 'it's a date' as a joke, without any added pressure of thinking about his sexuality dilemma- is one way to cope with life. thank you, bakugou, for not calling him out on it. ]
[he's had enough of his classmates use the phrase by now to just ignore it, only calling them out if he feels like being a gremlin. which is more common than you think.]
[ it was enough time for denji to get to the local butcher, holding a smile on his face as he walked in knowing he had enough money to treat himself tonight. this might be a common privilege to other people, but for the half-devil, this is pure luxury. he then picked up a decent cut, enough for two, paid the amount, and walked out of the store; still a bit taken back by how that fucking felt. the simple exchange was so important to him. the food he was bringing home is not plain bread, it was not instant ramen or cheap local pizza— this was fresh delights that he bought with his own damn money.
of course he would share it with bakugou. he's the one who helped him get the job in the first place. not only that, he made sure he understood what his new duties were, how to handle cases and report back; training him from start to finish. he has done so much for him and even a brute like denji knew how to show gratitude when the situation begs for it. by the time he reached the base, he already made a stop at a grocery store along the way and picked up the other ingredients and drinks, walking in with two heavily loaded plastic bags before he placed them on the kitchen counter.
he breathes out, staring at his achievement with subtle pride. he glanced towards bakugou and offered him a thumbs up. ]
I hope you're hungry. I got us the best piece of fresh meat!
[they all got a hefty pay for their work taking out the kaiju, as promised by lilith at the start of all this. plus the new job isn't doing anything negative on denji's wallet at least. bakugou's found the job even more tolerable (even enjoyable) now that he has someone he knows on the force with him. another strong outsider makes it even better. not every day is taking down criminals, some days are boring work, like keeping watch (and order) over an event or coming to inspect a call about a potential intruder or thief, but there's definitely enough work and issue in neo tokyo to keep two cops busy. plus getting to drive.
bakugou's in the kitchen as said earlier, the rice cooker already going with a load of seasoned rice. it'll be a bit before it's done, more than enough time for them to make the rest of the katsudon. he looks over his shoulder when denji arrives, arching a brow when the half-devil sets down two large shopping bags. a steak of meat and a bottle of grape juice can't be the only things he has in that load. but the look of pride on denji's face curbs any comment from bakugou. let the guy have his moment.]
I haven't eaten since breakfast. [so he'll devour whatever they make. leaving the counter, he comes to the table to look at the groceries.] What else did you get outside of steak and "wine"?
[ driving, huh. that's on the list of skills bakugou needs to teach him in the future, and it would probably be the most entertaining one for denji too. it will truly make him feel like an adult. a normal adult who is going to work while driving the most badass car he has ever seen. however, he won't rush it; he kinda enjoys being the passenger princess. he gets to choose the songs they listen to, take a quick nap on a slow day, and (against bakugou's wishes) stick his head outside the window to feel the breeze. ]
Fresh potatoes for the mash, peanut butter, honey, jam, and fruits. I got some eggs that I totally paid for this time and ... this.
[ inside the store was a small bakery kiosk that appeared to entice a lot of attention for its sponge cake. it sounds average, but there must be a reason people seem to wrestle to get their fresh cut and he got it. two slices sealed in their own plastic container. he's not sure if bakugou enjoyed sweets, but the option will always be there for him to accept or dismiss. denji figured it would be a nice treat to have while watching a movie afterward. again— his teammate is not obligated to amuse him, but they deserve a lazy night after that intense mission, and is there a better way to do it aside from getting cozy on the sofa and enjoying a flick? ]
I'm feeling good ... so I got more things. [ 'happy' is a reach, so denji will stick with 'good' for now. there is a reason why he wanted to voice it out, it's one way to say thank you without being too sentimental. bakugou is starting to be someone very influential to him, even when it is more of him depending on the other boy in an unhealthy way, but it also made denji more— well, protective of him. it's hard to justify this part since he knew the hero did not need anyone shadowing him, and he's not about to baby him either. it's another type of attachment that is too foreign to make sense of.
he leans his head to the side, meeting bakugou's gaze. ]
[he'll work on the driving skill at some point, but didn't want to overload denji with a lot of things to learn at once. hell if the guy even knew how to fire a gun before he became a cop, but considering the reaction before and request not to have one, bakugou assumes "nope" on that skill. as per denji's preference, he wasn't given a gun, and if possible, the officers he works with tend to stick to stun guns and tasers for the outsider's comfort. hey, the guy can pop chainsaws. that's a big boon!
bakugou has been tempted to swerve and ram denji's thick head into something when the guy sticks it out the damn window... but he resists the urge and usually just grabs the half-devil's shirt to drag him back inside when it's time.]
Damn, you went all out for this. [ha ha fucking ha on the "paid for" clarification. but when denji mentions "this", bakugou narrows his eyes at the reveal of a surprising dessert. sponge cake? and no some simple fare either. it's obvious the half-devil either waited in line or punched a few people to get to it. while bakugou's not fond of sweets, he doesn't dislike them. lighter sweets are his preference, such as popsicles or ice cream, but every now and then, cakes and cookies aren't bad. he can indulge in this since denji's put in such an effort.]
Heh. Flatterer. [he gets the gratitude in denji's voice and words, accepting in in his own gruff way. it's not like bakugou lets denji mooch off him all the time. if they cook together, they do the dishes together. they're on the same police force together. sometimes grocery shopping together (and damn right they either toggle payments or split the bill). but denji's someone bakugou finds he doesn't mind being around him, doing whatever he's doing. in some ways, he's similar to kirishima, a very honest guy who can exasperate bakugou, yet also proves to be a quiet comfort.]
Go ahead and change. I'll put this away. When you get back, you can help cook. [that's actually a highly-paid compliment coming from bakugo's mouth.]
[ of course he will be called out on the flattery, but aside from offering bakugou a smile, he'd leave it at that. there's a lot of unspoken truth between them, and if denji is honest— he doesn't mind it. this might be his first time building a relationship that didn't involve his past or whose heart he had beating in his chest; it was more of him being a kid for a change. it's about experiencing life in a way he never had the opportunity to. wake up, go to work, buy some groceries, head home, clean up, have dinner then watch a movie. denji didn't need to live in poverty and have people dictating what he could and couldn't do anymore— he had a choice to be who he wanted and for once, when he was around bakugou, he didn't care for chainsaw man. he just wanted to be a kid, hang with another kid, and do normal shit.
it would've been nice to be emotionally intelligent to comprehend why he's feeling this way other than 'me have money. me happy'. it was a lot more than that, but give denji some time to figure it out on his own. for now, he leaves to get himself cleaned followed by a change of clothes. the warm waters return to bliss their base again, and the hot springs are long forgotten. back to their old routine.
as he entered the kitchen again, denji paced himself until he was standing behind the other boy, peering over and catching whatever bakugou was occupied with, probably working his knife skills and chopping away. it was a bit chilly indoors, as the base didn't have the best heating system, so he was wearing a gray hoodie and black sweats to keep himself cozy. gently, he leaned over, resting his chin on bakugou's shoulder as he continued his work; not thinking much of it. power had the habit of being in personal space at all times, and even then denji didn't think it was too weird. ] I am ready to taste test. Gimme.
[ well, it is helping. he is sacrificing his tongue for the sake of perfecting the flavor— surely, bakugou will consider this a crucial role in the cooking process. then again, would anyone trust someone who can stomach eating monsters and devils raw? hmm. ] Oh, and about the steak ... is it true in fancy restaurants you get to choose the way you want it cooked?
[bakugou will never want to not be a hero, but there's something to be said for occasionally remembering that he's also just a high school kid. their school might be a hero school, but it's also a high school. his classmates would be comically "shocked" whenever they ended up getting tasked to do, what they called, 'normal' classwork or scholastic activities. things that didn't involve dealing with villains invading their school, villains kidnapping their classmates, villains starting a national war with the heroes... and not dealing with aizawa-sensei's training from hell. though somehow the man managed to make that always a factor of whatever task they were doing, whether that meant threatening them with a time limit or incorporating his own requirements so it wouldn't be a purely "fun" task to do. all said, the chance to just be a normal kid again... for a while... it's not the worst thing to do.
denji shouldn't be too hard on himself. many people find money to be the root of happiness. it provides comfort and security, two things that branch off surviving to make it enjoyable. bakugou won't try to pry any deeper feeling from denji at the moment. he's had enough of people (synthia) trying to pry shit out of him as well. so while the devil hunter goes off to change, bakugou tasks himself with putting the groceries away. he leaves out what they'll need for the katsudon.
when denji returns, bakugou's already got an array of things waiting. an egg wash in one bowl, a flour dredge in another, and the seasoned panko coating in a third bowl. the meat lies on a cutting board, getting sliced into thin strips by the blonde's skillful hands, then laid to the side on a plate. compared to denji's current casual wear, bakugou's in much the same, a black t-shirt and black sweatpants with basic slips so he's not walking around barefoot. he tenses up when denji suddenly leans his chin right on his damn shoulder. what the fuck?! persona! space much?!] You wanna get stabbed?!
[though he's not telling denji to... you know... move. it is chilly right now and the added body heat isn't completely unwelcome. even if it's fucking weird to have someone so close. tch, no one's in the kitchen so... maybe he'll just let him get away with it for once. denji's been through a lot.] The meat's not even cooked, dumbass. Go put a carrot in your gullet.
[no, he doesn't think raw meat will be bad for denji. but it won't taste as good. it's not like it's sushi.]
Yeah? You can order rare, medium, well done, blackened, whatever you want. [and just in case-] It's not the same for katsudon though.
[ he's honestly impressed with how organized the table is before them, and it reflects on bakugou's personality perfectly. from visuals alone, denji is already salivating, knowing damn well he will dine like a king tonight. he's unsure if he can truly be helpful, yet he is happy to linger around and be a burden instead. the threat of being stabbed that followed perked his interest, and there was an effort on his part not to dismiss it. he averts his attention to bakugou's body language soon after, finding that side of him far more honest than the aggression in his words. the knife is there, sharp and ready to inflict harm, but aside from that— he can't sense any discomfort from his teammate and he was back to chopping. it's fine? yes, it's fine.
he relaxed, hunching forward, and he returned to enjoy the cooking show before him. the knife isn't even good quality, purchased from their earlier days in the base at a cheap price. the fact bakugou managed to produce such clean cuts exhibits mad skills. ]
Blackened sounds like a fancy phrase for 'burned'. Hmm, maybe teach me how to do it medium? yeah, medium sounds good ...
[ and sounds rich. they should go for it since tonight is special in a way, for denji at least. the offer to munch on some baby carrots is tempting, but that's not the service he was aiming to provide. he wants to taste test, damnit. so he will wait until katsuki has something to offer for sampling. he can wait, no reason to rush anything. he's— pleased where he is right now, leaning on a warm body, connecting with an old feeling that he yearned for. one that he had with pochita, power, and then nayuta. devils sure love to cuddle and share body heat, and he found himself missing that sensation oh so much. though denji isn't really embracing the other boy, his arms remain limp next to his side, deciding that will do for now. let's not push it, huh.
he hums lazily; the smile is subtle in his tone. ]
[you wanna organize shit if you're making a meal with different ingredients! who wants to cook with all their crap piled in the same general area? at least denji can take it that bakugou's the kind who likes it that way. even if the blonde can't see it, he figures the guy hovering over his shoulder is close to drooling. good thing there's some food within hand reach to stuff in his mouth if he starts to drip. annoyingly, denji pays more attention to bakugou's body language than his words (like most of his u.a. classmates do) and that means he gets to stick around longer without driving the explosive blonde up the damn wall. so instead of going int denji, the knife returns to the vegetables in front of him. slicing the carrots and peppers, dicing potatoes and mushrooms, taking broccoli down to florets, making matchsticks out of radishes, and mincing some garlic + ginger for added flavor. it'll be a rather filling katsudon.
so long as denji doesn't get all flush up against his back, he's not going to get bakugou's elbow repeatedly thudding into his stomach for his troubles. he focuses on the food in front of him, not entirely sure why he's tolerating this hovering, but for whatever reason, is. maybe it's warmth, maybe it's just because he knows denji's a damn puppy.]
Only the outside is charred. The inside is still good. It's a longer form of searing. [just for explanation. bakugou quirks a brow at the mention of teaching.] We're not doing katsudon medium. You wanna learn that, we'll do it another night.
[especially considering the meat's going to be breaded and fried in oil rather than baked or cooked in a pan. it's going to come out relatively medium simply due to that. though bakugou did just say "another night" so denji's got the option to get a second cooking out of him, as well as the lesson on how to do it. good thing there's no attempts to embrace him or else bakugou would've yelled at denji. cause he's chopping a bunch of shit right now and doesn't want to add denji finger to the damn mix!]
Did they deserve it? [usually the better place to start when it comes to why denji would do that. vegetables done, he's going to start working on the strips of meat.] Turn that burner on, the one under the pot. I need the oil heated.
[ well, bakugou is the chef here and he will not protest about him taking the lead so long it will taste good— and they both know it will. the kitchen equipment didn't have the best quality, matching the interior of this entire base which is a silent reminder of how it is living in the slums, but the stove never failed to carry its duty. unbothered to move, he reached out through the small gap between bakugou's arm and waistline, aiming for the black knob before twisting it; triggering the fire to come to life. he then sets a temperature, and since the hero mentioned he needs to heat the oil, denji assumed its best to keep it on high intensity. that would get the pot to hit the boil in no time. ]
He deserved it. He tried to rob the cashier when I was about to pay. I didn't make the arrest, though.
[ it was a petty crime, it's not like the guy had a gun/knife to hurt anyone. it was a sad attempt to appear intimidating and it backfired. was it really worth anything more than getting a kick from using the taser for the first time? the cashier was probably armed; denji noticed she was utterly unfazed by the whole ordeal, almost as if dealing with hooligans was part of her job. it felt like a good opportunity to have some fun— nothing too serious. it ended with the guy making a run for it and everything resuming to normal. it was like any other night in this neo-city. ah, it seems bakugou is almost done with the prep, watching him do some minor cleaning around for a bit before he decides to pull away, allowing his partner the freedom to move around without a dead weight on his shoulder. the first thought that occupied his mind was- "... It's cold". perhaps borderline chilly, and denji tugged on his sleeves, covering his forearms before shoving his hands inside the front pocket.
for now, he'd help around when he's needed, quietly picking up on each detail and following bakugou's recipe. he'd shadow him until it was time to set up the table and pull out the glasses for their 'wine'. all denji can find is a boring set, though, but let's all keep indulging in the pretend game to make this more special. ]
[it's going to taste good. bakugou plans to knocking denji's damn tongue out the back of his skull with this. if the guy's never had katsudon before, he's going to wonder how he ever got along with it. (well, denji probably thinks that about almost every piece of food.) even if their kitchen has shit equipment and shoddy tool quality, so long as what they have is clean, bakugou can at least work with it. growling about it, but working. he yelps at the sudden snake of an arm around his waist to turn the burner on, not having expected denji to do that.] I coulda moved, dammit!
[and no, he's going to turn that knob down so it's not at full flame under the oil. that's just asking to smoke it at best, burn it at worst. no one wants an oil fire in the kitchen. something for denji to keep in mind when bakugou explains, quickly, why he's adjusting the flame. oil's a finicky bastard. deep frying takes some safety precautions.]
Tch, bastard. [agreeing with denji's decision to zap the guy, though he's split on whether or not he should've arrested the criminal. it was a petty crime, minor infraction, and a fine paid at best if he was brought in. at the moment, however, there are worse things to deal with and stretching the police force's resources for a shit criminal who just got the ever living fuck tazed out of him is probably not the ideal process. denji called it right.] He better take his luck and fuck off.
[with the vegetables done and set off to the side, he can get to the meat now. it's a good thing denji opted to move, because bakugou was going to need the space now. noticing the way the other blonde tugged at his shirt sleeve, he makes a mental note for another hot bath or something. if they're going to indulge tonight in whatever the fuck. denji gets to watch bakugou pat each slice of steak dry with a paper towel, then dredge it in the beaten eggs, next in the flour, and finally in the seasoned panko crumbs. he sets that one aside, then repeats it with the second one, doing it all over again until each of the slices if coated. once finished, into the oil it goes, with that immediate roiling outline of white bubbles as the oil fries the batter and cooks the meat inside. he won't take them out until they're done and crispy, needing denji to get some paper towels on a plate to absorb any lingering oil drips.
finally, time to plate it up. or bowl it. the hot rice goes into the bottom of the bowl, then some vegetable fillings, then some rice, the vegetable toppings, a drizzle of sauce, and finally one crispy fried steak atop it to crown the bowl. it'll go well with the "wine" denji procured for them. plus it warms the kitchen up too so he shouldn't be as cold.] Eat it while it's hot.
[ he could've moved, true, but why bother? when he can simply get the job done from where he was. not that bakugou could've seen it, considering their posture, but denji didn't even notice the smirk that was provoked by his teammate's reaction. listen, he won't (purposely) harass him again, but that was fun. it's over, though. kacchan is free from being his emotional support human for the night. ]
He fucked off all right! [ he nods, happy that he made the right choice with that criminal, even when deep down in his soul he just wanted to use his new weapon. a tiny urge to abuse power. regardless, it was super important to report to his partner about everything, blah blah something about the police code— even when he didn't believe in half of it, denji still wants to take this job seriously. it pays well, really well, and bakugou went out of his way to help him get in. so, he will do his best to switch his little pochita heart into giving a fuck about the civilians here and help around.
they finally settle at the dining table, each has their dish in front, beautifully served. he went ahead and filled bakugou's glass before he picked up his own to cheer; smiling. he's pretending they're not about to inhale a bunch load of food coloring and sugar in one go, but whatever. it can't be worse than feasting on a fucking kaiju. without wasting any time, he digs in, taking in a bite from his bowl. he's salivating again, both from the warmth of the piece of meat and the balanced flavors of the dish. it hits your taste buds just right, it made denji want to slow down and savor it. sometimes saying nothing and instead going in for a second, third, and fourth chomp is a higher compliment in itself.
'it's so good' — he muttered between munching, nodding his head. he then leans back on his chair, reaching for his glass, and going in for a taste. ah, the sugar rush will be a beauty tonight. ]
When is your follow-up appointment?
[ for his busted shoulder. surely they will need to monitor the hero's progress and make sure he's ready for the next mission. not out of love, but to make sure he's in the best shape to serve lilith for sure. bakugou seemed to be doing a lot better, yet they couldn't ignore that was a nasty injury. ]
[purposefully... huh. bakugou didn't elbow denji in the stomach over the infraction, so that says something. though he'll just chalk it up to them already being there and it being cold. no one else is around to witness that little, um, bonding experience. with the burner going and the oil heating up, it'll only last a bit longer before things have to move and denji's going to need to relinquish that not!embrace thing he's got going on.]
Good. Bastard doesn't know he got off light. [bakugou's not going to mention denji tasing someone just because he wanted to use his taser... but hearing the guy talk about his day without making it sound like a drag he doesn't like is pretty heartening. it's good to know denji's liking his job (to whatever degree = comfortable, for him) enough to want to share about it. considering the stability of police work, both activity and financially, it's a good fit for both boys for different reasons. bakugou's glad denji took him up on the offer. even if the guy doesn't give as much a rat's ass about the civilians as the hero does (and bakugou's "give a shit" meter is hard to see sometimes).
he lifts his glass to denji in response. they did a good work out there and it should be rewarded. a good meal like this is a nice way to do so. psh, some juice isn't a bunch of fake full of sugar and coloring. but that'd require looking at the label and all that crap. he doesn't know if denji did and isn't about to read him his rights over it right now. there's food to eat and he's hungry. cutting the meat into pieces with his teeth is easy enough: lift a piece with some rice and vegetable grasped beneath, then bite down and sever it while taking the rest of the load in along with the snippet. the flavors and warmth work well with what he put in. denji should be in heaven over there with it. at least he's not inhaling it like it's the last meal he'll get. the silence is indeed a compliment to the chef. bakugou's not a big talker over food in the first place.
'not gonna serve you shit' is the returned mutter as he chomps down on another piece and chews through the meat/vegetable/rice combination. he doesn't drink as much during the meal, but every now and then, it's there for a palate cleanser.]
Next Monday. As long as I do the physical therapy, I'll be fine. [he doesn't like that his shoulder took the beating it did, having to mitigate the recoil of his explosions out his shoulders in general, but the doctors informed him there wouldn't be lasting damage if he took care of the recovery. a few small scars from the whale monster's teeth will be all bakugou will need to deal with beyond that.] Bet you're happy the hot water's back.
[ he scoffed at that mutter, grinning a bit as they enjoyed their hard-earned meal. at this point, denji is aware everything his teammate touches will end up being gold and that's the kind of person bakugou is. he thrives to perfection, but it's not given to him, he seeks it. in one way or another, he's been positively influencing denji to be more motivated, and that's not a simple achievement. no, it didn't mean he wanted to pick up cooking lessons and match his talent, nor did it mean he wanted to be this selfless hero either. he just didn't feel like wasting his life in a shitty low job anymore. yet, he is still a bit puzzled about what else he wants from this city. he's finally able to be chainsaw man, so that's out of the way. when pochita asks him "what's next?" — it is fated to leave denji speechless. aside from wanting to protect aki and live a comfortable life, he found himself still yearning for something more. he's unsure, and it's been bothering him a bit. ]
... Good. I like fighting by your side. It's fun.
[ it's not mandatory to have a fighting buddy by your side, yet it will increase their chances of finishing off the mission faster and well— surviving it. that's the real concept about putting the outsiders in groups, right? despite that, denji knew they won't always end up in the same spot, and they would have to carry on the mission on their own at times. however, if he had to choose, he would rather watch those explosions light up the sky while his chainsaws make it rain in red in a beautiful symphony. he misses that thrill, and there is something about bakugou's quirk that just hit the sweet spot. it's loud, it's burning hot, it's blinding and intoxicating. it might be a subconscious fascination due to its resemblance to reze, and the spike of emotion that triggers it ... maybe. who knows? but it gives him a feeling that he deemed as 'good' and that's all he needs to comprehend.
he takes in another piece of the meat inside his mouth, eyes on the boy in front of him. he chews with the tip of his chopsticks still pressed against his lips, thoughtful. in theory, he should appreciate having access to hot water again, it's their basic human fucking rights in here, but somehow now it's kinda, sorta -
-lonely.
it was nice having someone to talk to at the time. it muted the nasty thoughts in his head and calmed him down. he won't say that, though. instead, he shrugs, leaning his head back and taking in another big chomp of the veggies/rice. ]
We never got to sing it out so I'm not happy at all. Very unhappy ...
[the meal is worth it. bakugou put some effort into this katsudon, even it if looked effortless to denji. a proper balance of vegetables and meat with the rice and seasoning isn't the easiest thing to do (and damn is he glad denji doesn't dislike vegetables or else there'd be fights) but he wanted the meal to be special. the half-devil obviously thought it was so and the hero decided to return the sentiment. well, not everything bakugou touches ends up great. denji should see the guy's interviews; they don't even air his loud, foul-mouthed segments on live news, much to bakugo's rage. and anyone could point out the blonde's social skills suck. badly.
denji strikes him as someone who sways between the two, coming off as naive and kind one moment, then being blunt and rude (even without meaning to) the next, depending on his excitement, disinterest, or irritation at whatever he's currently encountering. it's not a lie to say bakugou's never met someone like denji. how can the guy be so hollow and blank canvas, yet also have such a defined personality inside him, and still shadow the aura of someone who's on the verge of snapping mentally at any given time? tch. if his being around denji can positively influence the guy to better himself, bakugou's not about to stop it. he won't admit the notion, but he really wants to see denji grow. there's a good person in there, someone who didn't deserve the shit life he was given. he makes bakugou want to reach out to him, both as a hero and a person.]
I'm not going anywhere.
[while he often can, and likes to, handle things on his own, since he can go at his own pace and accomplish it must faster and more efficiently than most other people, bakugou's had to learn to fight on a team. picky and demanding with his teammates, he's not any "better" or "worse" on a team than he is solo. yet some teammates he meshes better with. denji's one of them. on top of the guy being more willing to work with the flow bakugou needs, he's not stupid, and carries his own strength and battle smarts enough the blonde doesn't feel like he has to hold his hand. the revving of chainsaws has become a sound he associates with confidence, knowing denji has his back in a battle. chainsaw man is one of the few people dynmight will actively seek out for a mission to team up with, having acknowledged the guy's prowess as a teammate. it might be gory, but hey, monsters are already ugly as fuck, so mow them down. bakugou's always going on about splattering people and slaughtering enemies anyways.
biting off another piece of meat, he arches a brow when denji eyes him like that. for a moment, he expects something, then realizes the half-devil's thinking. while staring at him. ugh, annoying. the returning hot water shouldn't take this long to factor as a "yea" or "nay" in denji's brain. who wants freezing cold showers in the first place? even coming in from hot work outside doesn't make people crank it to "fucking frigid" any day of the week.
denji moves again and breaks the eye contact, so bakugou goes back to his food. he grunts at the suggestion of singing it out together and takes another bite. there's a few ways he could take that, but...] You think you can beat me at karaoke or something?
god, where to begin? how can he pick up the clutter of emotions clashing in his mind, piece by piece, and attempt to dissect each one of them so they make fucking sense? it's impossible; they rushed in without any warning, and denji found himself unable to control the gutwrenching realization that those words will always remain a lovely lie. he can't even name a single person who stayed in his life long enough to make that a promise worth believing. yet, he found himself struggling a bit in— letting it go. it was dangerous to indulge in it, maybe torment himself by questioning if that could ever happen to him. it's bittersweet. more bitter, less sweet.
denji returned to picking at his food, keeping his head down. there are things he can't control, one of them is to stop feeling this shitty and heartbroken for himself, but he can shift that energy to where it matters— and it's protecting that lie. protecting bakugou. the hero said he's not going anywhere, so he'll make sure he won't go anywhere. the righteous act in this situation is to recognize his mere existence is fated to be the downfall of everyone denji will ever care for, and maybe it's time he keeps to himself and not drag anyone else into this hell, but he's not that valiant. he can't push away someone willing to be around him. someone who can help him forget, even for a few minutes the perpetual pain throbbing in his chest. even when those dreams constantly haunt him that he's 'unworthy', 'can never have a family', or 'can never be loved' - he is stubborn, or fucking desperate, enough to keep trying. that's his resolve, right? keep bakugou close, attempt to do a better job in keeping this one safe, and hope he won't have the same tragic end as everyone else in his life. yup, sounds super fitting for a scum like him.
back to the food, back to the singing in the shower, back to anything but thinking about this further. he takes in a breath, wiping his mouth clean with the back of his fingers. ]
For sure. I have years of experience in my resume. I might be an expert at this point.
[ it was a habit he picked up from when he was a kid and pochita seemed to love it, it made them both happy. they made up most of the songs together, but now that he's mingling with society better, denji knows some popular songs. it didn't mean he had a great voice, but - you know. the spirit is admirable. ]
The heating system still sucks, though. I'll steal an extra blanket from Yuuji later.
[perhaps it is a lie. in that bakugou knows he'll have to return home once they finish their role here. hell, if what he heard is true, they're already "home" and continuing on their lives, while their existence here is more another "them" entirely. it's not hard to really grasp, but it's not pleasant to think about either. yet once they're done, there's no telling what will happen to them. can bakugou bring denji back with him to his world, or vice versa? will they just vanish like turning the television off? can he really make good on that promise he just gave denji? ... hmph, as long as bakugou's conscious, alive, and in control of himself in this world, he's going to damn well hold to that promise. even if he grouches at denji for it, the half-devil is free to come to him and rely on him for whatever. doesn't mean he's always going to do it, but he'll be here.
strange as it is, bakugou wants to protect denji. he's not sure why. it's not the same as the general heroic idea to protect those around him because it's the role of a hero. there's something personal to the feeling. while he refuses to coddle and shield the other boy, he wants to invest in him, and watch that investment come out to be something great. denji has that potential and bakugou can tell it's there. damn if it won't take a lot of work and patience, the latter which he's not that good at. there's no shame in continuing to try. heroes do it all the time. even when knocked down, defeated, broken, despairing, they have to continue to get back up and continue. the only time a hero ever really loses is when he or she dies. because a dead hero can no longer protect anyone. but even injured, they can return. bakugou has no intention of dying, and refuses to accept defeat, so he's going to rise every fucking time and get back on his feet. denji can count on him for that without hesitation.]
Tch. Yeah right. I won't let you best me at anything, Ripcord Pec. [denji's gonna get a cycle of nicknames, just so bakugou's not eternally referring to him as chainsaw man. chainsaw face, ripcord pec, shark teeth, tired eyes. shit like that. he's denji before he's chainsaw man. at least he's that to bakugou. is he challenging denji to a sing off in the shower? ... technically yes, but perhaps it'll get sung out at the karaoke club or something instead. even though bakugou hates those things.]
Don't steal from him! Just fucking ask Gari Head or double bunk! [jeeze! the last thing he needs is for denji to go yoinking other people's bedding and leaving them shivering in the cold. (especially yuuji, because the guy's too nice to really fight for his blanket back.) there are probably other blankets around as well.]
[ 'ripcord pec' is a new one, and denji barely reacts to it. he is accepting his fate only because he knows no one else had the privilege of hearing their actual name out of bakugou. it's fine. there is a sense of equality, but— the half-devil will have another reaction if he ever finds out someone is getting special treatment. oh yes. ]
Heh, fine. Let's wait for the next time we need to share a shower and we'll sing our hearts out.
[ there is no sense of defiance in his tone, nor did he seem bothered to win this challenge— just the idea of them going for it is enough to entertain him. he wonders if someone full of pride like bakugou could hold his ground in a singing competition and keep a straight face. impossible. never going to happen. and if it did— it would be hilarious. with one final scoop of his meal, denji gathers all the remaining rice and takes in his last bite, gently placing his chopsticks on the empty plate. fuck, that was good. the food never lost its warmth, flavors so vibrant until the last taste, and his body felt fucking nourished.
he sulks back in his seat, and that's when he relaxes his shoulders, unaware his earlier thoughts triggered his muscles to tense a bit. another slow exhale, akin to a sigh, then he pulled his glass closer to his lips before scoffing. gari head ... ] Don't worry, he has extra blankets. He was sharing them when the power was out. [ he knows the hero will hammer him about the 'stealing' comment. a SIGH. ] I will ask nicely.
[ only if yuuji was in his room at the time, otherwise he would have to take a blanket and leave him a note. just as good. bringing up the sorcerer into the conversation reminded denji of their dumb exchange on the dating app, and then he found himself thinking about the bizarre ambush. after their first mission and the mass destruction of the city— you might think the next course of action is trying to rebuild and further assist the public, but nope. lilith decided it was time for her recruits to start hooking up instead. it was so fucking random, even for denji who was more than happy to play along. he wonders if that's their added reward, aside from getting paid, they also get some assistance in finding love.
he remembers bakugou and his standards. ah, the smile returns on his face— why is it fun annoying this hero? at least he's not subjecting him to those godawful pranks aki had to live through. be thankful, kacchan. ]
[bakugou doesn't expect denji to react much to the nickname. he seems like the kind of guy that will take whatever name so long as it means he's getting attention and something positive out of it. it's not that bakugou's forgotten denji's name. with an intense enough moment, he'll throw nicknames to the wind and yell the guy's real name out of concern or alarm. so far though, it's been equal treatment across the board. no one's earned the explosive hero's special treatment casual use of their real name.]
I'll murder you with my voice. [despite the blunt way he says it, bakugou is going to take to this challenge with the same force that he takes to all of his clashes. he desires to be the best and he'll strive for it with everything he has. even if it's something as stupid as singing in the shower with denji. which is ridiculous that he let himself get talked into it, but now it's on the table and it's better to do it there than on some fucking karaoke stage or the hot springs... at least it's private in the shower. as for whether he'll get through it without snapping and yelling about how fucking stupid this is... who knows.
bakugou finishes his own bowl close to when denji does. there's still more left, enough for a second bowl each if they want it. but katsudon tends to be very filling with lots of calories, so he's not planning on another round. it'll keep well once they make up the second bowls and then cover them with plastic wrap for reheating tomorrow. he gets to his feet, swipes denji's bowl, and moves to the kitchen counter to start cleaning up.] Tch, the guy's like a damn puppy. [so is denji, though the two boys are vastly different kind of puppies. he glances over his shoulder when the half-devil corrects his previous comment.] Ha. Ha.
[but accepted. as he rinses the bowls and chopsticks, his mind wanders to similar areas as denji. the mingle had put a lot of people in each other's paths, tricking some into stumbling onto dates, and giving the more savvy ones an annoying way to meet up without having to go out on their own limb. an excuse, if you will. bakugou hated the "dating app" cover of it, not liking it when people try to push their agendas or opinions on his life to steer him one way or another. denji's thoughts about synthia deciding to mess with people's thoughts on 'dating' rather than focusing on helping the kaiju-battle-wasted area aren't far from bakugou's own irritation. though he guesses just focusing on the doom and gloom wouldn't help either...
his thoughts get interrupted by a stupid question-] Huh?! [in that annoyed, growling grunt/snarl that rumbles over his shoulder like a threatening challenge. you DARE ask him something that fucked up?! (yeah well, pranking bakugou tends to result in getting blasted off again...) he makes a face at the kitchen wall.] I said I'd go on a few outings. You're the one who was talking about getting dates.
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technically "steak" could still mean kaiju whale meat... it's just a type of cut.
but that's not what denji's getting at, is he.]
you got a special dish in mind you want me to make with it?
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that was the original plan, but he was so sick of eating all those orcas so he couldn't stomach the idea of having more. he is, however, keeping a few nice souvenirs in case some rich freaks are into buying a kaiju's fin. surely they are worth something.
bakugou didn't need to know about this. ]
hmm, maybe some mashed potatoes on the side.
let's get grape juice and pretend we're drinking wine too.
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you really think horny people are going to buy kaiju fins for aphrodisiacs, denji? ... stranger things have been done.]
hmph, dork.
sounds good. i'll make your mouth water.
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.... please don't tell him people can use the fins for horny drugs. he will double the price in a beat. if he knew, he would've stolen more from the corpses they left behind. ]
deal.
it's a date.
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the irony of calling this a date when the other thread is...]how far out are you?
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i'll be there in 20 mins.
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i'll be in the kitchen.
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of course he would share it with bakugou. he's the one who helped him get the job in the first place. not only that, he made sure he understood what his new duties were, how to handle cases and report back; training him from start to finish. he has done so much for him and even a brute like denji knew how to show gratitude when the situation begs for it. by the time he reached the base, he already made a stop at a grocery store along the way and picked up the other ingredients and drinks, walking in with two heavily loaded plastic bags before he placed them on the kitchen counter.
he breathes out, staring at his achievement with subtle pride. he glanced towards bakugou and offered him a thumbs up. ]
I hope you're hungry. I got us the best piece of fresh meat!
[ and no, it's not from a kaiju's carcass. ]
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bakugou's in the kitchen as said earlier, the rice cooker already going with a load of seasoned rice. it'll be a bit before it's done, more than enough time for them to make the rest of the katsudon. he looks over his shoulder when denji arrives, arching a brow when the half-devil sets down two large shopping bags. a steak of meat and a bottle of grape juice can't be the only things he has in that load. but the look of pride on denji's face curbs any comment from bakugou. let the guy have his moment.]
I haven't eaten since breakfast. [so he'll devour whatever they make. leaving the counter, he comes to the table to look at the groceries.] What else did you get outside of steak and "wine"?
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Fresh potatoes for the mash, peanut butter, honey, jam, and fruits. I got some eggs that I totally paid for this time and ... this.
[ inside the store was a small bakery kiosk that appeared to entice a lot of attention for its sponge cake. it sounds average, but there must be a reason people seem to wrestle to get their fresh cut and he got it. two slices sealed in their own plastic container. he's not sure if bakugou enjoyed sweets, but the option will always be there for him to accept or dismiss. denji figured it would be a nice treat to have while watching a movie afterward. again— his teammate is not obligated to amuse him, but they deserve a lazy night after that intense mission, and is there a better way to do it aside from getting cozy on the sofa and enjoying a flick? ]
I'm feeling good ... so I got more things. [ 'happy' is a reach, so denji will stick with 'good' for now. there is a reason why he wanted to voice it out, it's one way to say thank you without being too sentimental. bakugou is starting to be someone very influential to him, even when it is more of him depending on the other boy in an unhealthy way, but it also made denji more— well, protective of him. it's hard to justify this part since he knew the hero did not need anyone shadowing him, and he's not about to baby him either. it's another type of attachment that is too foreign to make sense of.
he leans his head to the side, meeting bakugou's gaze. ]
I need to change. Do you need me here, though?
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bakugou has been tempted to swerve and ram denji's thick head into something when the guy sticks it out the damn window... but he resists the urge and usually just grabs the half-devil's shirt to drag him back inside when it's time.]
Damn, you went all out for this. [ha ha fucking ha on the "paid for" clarification. but when denji mentions "this", bakugou narrows his eyes at the reveal of a surprising dessert. sponge cake? and no some simple fare either. it's obvious the half-devil either waited in line or punched a few people to get to it. while bakugou's not fond of sweets, he doesn't dislike them. lighter sweets are his preference, such as popsicles or ice cream, but every now and then, cakes and cookies aren't bad. he can indulge in this since denji's put in such an effort.]
Heh. Flatterer. [he gets the gratitude in denji's voice and words, accepting in in his own gruff way. it's not like bakugou lets denji mooch off him all the time. if they cook together, they do the dishes together. they're on the same police force together. sometimes grocery shopping together (and damn right they either toggle payments or split the bill). but denji's someone bakugou finds he doesn't mind being around him, doing whatever he's doing. in some ways, he's similar to kirishima, a very honest guy who can exasperate bakugou, yet also proves to be a quiet comfort.]
Go ahead and change. I'll put this away. When you get back, you can help cook. [that's actually a highly-paid compliment coming from bakugo's mouth.]
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it would've been nice to be emotionally intelligent to comprehend why he's feeling this way other than 'me have money. me happy'. it was a lot more than that, but give denji some time to figure it out on his own. for now, he leaves to get himself cleaned followed by a change of clothes. the warm waters return to bliss their base again, and the hot springs are long forgotten. back to their old routine.
as he entered the kitchen again, denji paced himself until he was standing behind the other boy, peering over and catching whatever bakugou was occupied with, probably working his knife skills and chopping away. it was a bit chilly indoors, as the base didn't have the best heating system, so he was wearing a gray hoodie and black sweats to keep himself cozy. gently, he leaned over, resting his chin on bakugou's shoulder as he continued his work; not thinking much of it. power had the habit of being in personal space at all times, and even then denji didn't think it was too weird. ] I am ready to taste test. Gimme.
[ well, it is helping. he is sacrificing his tongue for the sake of perfecting the flavor— surely, bakugou will consider this a crucial role in the cooking process. then again, would anyone trust someone who can stomach eating monsters and devils raw? hmm. ] Oh, and about the steak ... is it true in fancy restaurants you get to choose the way you want it cooked?
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denji shouldn't be too hard on himself. many people find money to be the root of happiness. it provides comfort and security, two things that branch off surviving to make it enjoyable. bakugou won't try to pry any deeper feeling from denji at the moment. he's had enough of people (synthia) trying to pry shit out of him as well. so while the devil hunter goes off to change, bakugou tasks himself with putting the groceries away. he leaves out what they'll need for the katsudon.
when denji returns, bakugou's already got an array of things waiting. an egg wash in one bowl, a flour dredge in another, and the seasoned panko coating in a third bowl. the meat lies on a cutting board, getting sliced into thin strips by the blonde's skillful hands, then laid to the side on a plate. compared to denji's current casual wear, bakugou's in much the same, a black t-shirt and black sweatpants with basic slips so he's not walking around barefoot. he tenses up when denji suddenly leans his chin right on his damn shoulder. what the fuck?! persona! space much?!] You wanna get stabbed?!
[though he's not telling denji to... you know... move. it is chilly right now and the added body heat isn't completely unwelcome. even if it's fucking weird to have someone so close. tch, no one's in the kitchen so... maybe he'll just let him get away with it for once. denji's been through a lot.] The meat's not even cooked, dumbass. Go put a carrot in your gullet.
[no, he doesn't think raw meat will be bad for denji. but it won't taste as good. it's not like it's sushi.]
Yeah? You can order rare, medium, well done, blackened, whatever you want. [and just in case-] It's not the same for katsudon though.
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he relaxed, hunching forward, and he returned to enjoy the cooking show before him. the knife isn't even good quality, purchased from their earlier days in the base at a cheap price. the fact bakugou managed to produce such clean cuts exhibits mad skills. ]
Blackened sounds like a fancy phrase for 'burned'. Hmm, maybe teach me how to do it medium? yeah, medium sounds good ...
[ and sounds rich. they should go for it since tonight is special in a way, for denji at least. the offer to munch on some baby carrots is tempting, but that's not the service he was aiming to provide. he wants to taste test, damnit. so he will wait until katsuki has something to offer for sampling. he can wait, no reason to rush anything. he's— pleased where he is right now, leaning on a warm body, connecting with an old feeling that he yearned for. one that he had with pochita, power, and then nayuta. devils sure love to cuddle and share body heat, and he found himself missing that sensation oh so much. though denji isn't really embracing the other boy, his arms remain limp next to his side, deciding that will do for now. let's not push it, huh.
he hums lazily; the smile is subtle in his tone. ]
I tased someone today for the first time.
[ on their off day ..... ]
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so long as denji doesn't get all flush up against his back, he's not going to get bakugou's elbow repeatedly thudding into his stomach for his troubles. he focuses on the food in front of him, not entirely sure why he's tolerating this hovering, but for whatever reason, is. maybe it's warmth, maybe it's just because he knows denji's a damn puppy.]
Only the outside is charred. The inside is still good. It's a longer form of searing. [just for explanation. bakugou quirks a brow at the mention of teaching.] We're not doing katsudon medium. You wanna learn that, we'll do it another night.
[especially considering the meat's going to be breaded and fried in oil rather than baked or cooked in a pan. it's going to come out relatively medium simply due to that. though bakugou did just say "another night" so denji's got the option to get a second cooking out of him, as well as the lesson on how to do it. good thing there's no attempts to embrace him or else bakugou would've yelled at denji. cause he's chopping a bunch of shit right now and doesn't want to add denji finger to the damn mix!]
Did they deserve it? [usually the better place to start when it comes to why denji would do that. vegetables done, he's going to start working on the strips of meat.] Turn that burner on, the one under the pot. I need the oil heated.
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He deserved it. He tried to rob the cashier when I was about to pay. I didn't make the arrest, though.
[ it was a petty crime, it's not like the guy had a gun/knife to hurt anyone. it was a sad attempt to appear intimidating and it backfired. was it really worth anything more than getting a kick from using the taser for the first time? the cashier was probably armed; denji noticed she was utterly unfazed by the whole ordeal, almost as if dealing with hooligans was part of her job. it felt like a good opportunity to have some fun— nothing too serious. it ended with the guy making a run for it and everything resuming to normal. it was like any other night in this neo-city. ah, it seems bakugou is almost done with the prep, watching him do some minor cleaning around for a bit before he decides to pull away, allowing his partner the freedom to move around without a dead weight on his shoulder. the first thought that occupied his mind was- "... It's cold". perhaps borderline chilly, and denji tugged on his sleeves, covering his forearms before shoving his hands inside the front pocket.
for now, he'd help around when he's needed, quietly picking up on each detail and following bakugou's recipe. he'd shadow him until it was time to set up the table and pull out the glasses for their 'wine'. all denji can find is a boring set, though, but let's all keep indulging in the pretend game to make this more special. ]
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[and no, he's going to turn that knob down so it's not at full flame under the oil. that's just asking to smoke it at best, burn it at worst. no one wants an oil fire in the kitchen. something for denji to keep in mind when bakugou explains, quickly, why he's adjusting the flame. oil's a finicky bastard. deep frying takes some safety precautions.]
Tch, bastard. [agreeing with denji's decision to zap the guy, though he's split on whether or not he should've arrested the criminal. it was a petty crime, minor infraction, and a fine paid at best if he was brought in. at the moment, however, there are worse things to deal with and stretching the police force's resources for a shit criminal who just got the ever living fuck tazed out of him is probably not the ideal process. denji called it right.] He better take his luck and fuck off.
[with the vegetables done and set off to the side, he can get to the meat now. it's a good thing denji opted to move, because bakugou was going to need the space now. noticing the way the other blonde tugged at his shirt sleeve, he makes a mental note for another hot bath or something. if they're going to indulge tonight in whatever the fuck. denji gets to watch bakugou pat each slice of steak dry with a paper towel, then dredge it in the beaten eggs, next in the flour, and finally in the seasoned panko crumbs. he sets that one aside, then repeats it with the second one, doing it all over again until each of the slices if coated. once finished, into the oil it goes, with that immediate roiling outline of white bubbles as the oil fries the batter and cooks the meat inside. he won't take them out until they're done and crispy, needing denji to get some paper towels on a plate to absorb any lingering oil drips.
finally, time to plate it up. or bowl it. the hot rice goes into the bottom of the bowl, then some vegetable fillings, then some rice, the vegetable toppings, a drizzle of sauce, and finally one crispy fried steak atop it to crown the bowl. it'll go well with the "wine" denji procured for them. plus it warms the kitchen up too so he shouldn't be as cold.] Eat it while it's hot.
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He fucked off all right! [ he nods, happy that he made the right choice with that criminal, even when deep down in his soul he just wanted to use his new weapon. a tiny urge to abuse power. regardless, it was super important to report to his partner about everything, blah blah something about the police code— even when he didn't believe in half of it, denji still wants to take this job seriously. it pays well, really well, and bakugou went out of his way to help him get in. so, he will do his best to switch his little pochita heart into giving a fuck about the civilians here and help around.
they finally settle at the dining table, each has their dish in front, beautifully served. he went ahead and filled bakugou's glass before he picked up his own to cheer; smiling. he's pretending they're not about to inhale a bunch load of food coloring and sugar in one go, but whatever. it can't be worse than feasting on a fucking kaiju. without wasting any time, he digs in, taking in a bite from his bowl. he's salivating again, both from the warmth of the piece of meat and the balanced flavors of the dish. it hits your taste buds just right, it made denji want to slow down and savor it. sometimes saying nothing and instead going in for a second, third, and fourth chomp is a higher compliment in itself.
'it's so good' — he muttered between munching, nodding his head. he then leans back on his chair, reaching for his glass, and going in for a taste. ah, the sugar rush will be a beauty tonight. ]
When is your follow-up appointment?
[ for his busted shoulder. surely they will need to monitor the hero's progress and make sure he's ready for the next mission. not out of love, but to make sure he's in the best shape to serve lilith for sure. bakugou seemed to be doing a lot better, yet they couldn't ignore that was a nasty injury. ]
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Good. Bastard doesn't know he got off light. [bakugou's not going to mention denji tasing someone just because he wanted to use his taser... but hearing the guy talk about his day without making it sound like a drag he doesn't like is pretty heartening. it's good to know denji's liking his job (to whatever degree = comfortable, for him) enough to want to share about it. considering the stability of police work, both activity and financially, it's a good fit for both boys for different reasons. bakugou's glad denji took him up on the offer. even if the guy doesn't give as much a rat's ass about the civilians as the hero does (and bakugou's "give a shit" meter is hard to see sometimes).
he lifts his glass to denji in response. they did a good work out there and it should be rewarded. a good meal like this is a nice way to do so. psh, some juice isn't a bunch of fake full of sugar and coloring. but that'd require looking at the label and all that crap. he doesn't know if denji did and isn't about to read him his rights over it right now. there's food to eat and he's hungry. cutting the meat into pieces with his teeth is easy enough: lift a piece with some rice and vegetable grasped beneath, then bite down and sever it while taking the rest of the load in along with the snippet. the flavors and warmth work well with what he put in. denji should be in heaven over there with it. at least he's not inhaling it like it's the last meal he'll get. the silence is indeed a compliment to the chef. bakugou's not a big talker over food in the first place.
'not gonna serve you shit' is the returned mutter as he chomps down on another piece and chews through the meat/vegetable/rice combination. he doesn't drink as much during the meal, but every now and then, it's there for a palate cleanser.]
Next Monday. As long as I do the physical therapy, I'll be fine. [he doesn't like that his shoulder took the beating it did, having to mitigate the recoil of his explosions out his shoulders in general, but the doctors informed him there wouldn't be lasting damage if he took care of the recovery. a few small scars from the whale monster's teeth will be all bakugou will need to deal with beyond that.] Bet you're happy the hot water's back.
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... Good. I like fighting by your side. It's fun.
[ it's not mandatory to have a fighting buddy by your side, yet it will increase their chances of finishing off the mission faster and well— surviving it. that's the real concept about putting the outsiders in groups, right? despite that, denji knew they won't always end up in the same spot, and they would have to carry on the mission on their own at times. however, if he had to choose, he would rather watch those explosions light up the sky while his chainsaws make it rain in red in a beautiful symphony. he misses that thrill, and there is something about bakugou's quirk that just hit the sweet spot. it's loud, it's burning hot, it's blinding and intoxicating. it might be a subconscious fascination due to its resemblance to reze, and the spike of emotion that triggers it ... maybe. who knows? but it gives him a feeling that he deemed as 'good' and that's all he needs to comprehend.
he takes in another piece of the meat inside his mouth, eyes on the boy in front of him. he chews with the tip of his chopsticks still pressed against his lips, thoughtful. in theory, he should appreciate having access to hot water again, it's their basic human fucking rights in here, but somehow now it's kinda, sorta -
-lonely.
it was nice having someone to talk to at the time. it muted the nasty thoughts in his head and calmed him down. he won't say that, though. instead, he shrugs, leaning his head back and taking in another big chomp of the veggies/rice. ]
We never got to sing it out so I'm not happy at all. Very unhappy ...
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denji strikes him as someone who sways between the two, coming off as naive and kind one moment, then being blunt and rude (even without meaning to) the next, depending on his excitement, disinterest, or irritation at whatever he's currently encountering. it's not a lie to say bakugou's never met someone like denji. how can the guy be so hollow and blank canvas, yet also have such a defined personality inside him, and still shadow the aura of someone who's on the verge of snapping mentally at any given time? tch. if his being around denji can positively influence the guy to better himself, bakugou's not about to stop it. he won't admit the notion, but he really wants to see denji grow. there's a good person in there, someone who didn't deserve the shit life he was given. he makes bakugou want to reach out to him, both as a hero and a person.]
I'm not going anywhere.
[while he often can, and likes to, handle things on his own, since he can go at his own pace and accomplish it must faster and more efficiently than most other people, bakugou's had to learn to fight on a team. picky and demanding with his teammates, he's not any "better" or "worse" on a team than he is solo. yet some teammates he meshes better with. denji's one of them. on top of the guy being more willing to work with the flow bakugou needs, he's not stupid, and carries his own strength and battle smarts enough the blonde doesn't feel like he has to hold his hand. the revving of chainsaws has become a sound he associates with confidence, knowing denji has his back in a battle. chainsaw man is one of the few people dynmight will actively seek out for a mission to team up with, having acknowledged the guy's prowess as a teammate. it might be gory, but hey, monsters are already ugly as fuck, so mow them down. bakugou's always going on about splattering people and slaughtering enemies anyways.
biting off another piece of meat, he arches a brow when denji eyes him like that. for a moment, he expects something, then realizes the half-devil's thinking. while staring at him. ugh, annoying. the returning hot water shouldn't take this long to factor as a "yea" or "nay" in denji's brain. who wants freezing cold showers in the first place? even coming in from hot work outside doesn't make people crank it to "fucking frigid" any day of the week.
denji moves again and breaks the eye contact, so bakugou goes back to his food. he grunts at the suggestion of singing it out together and takes another bite. there's a few ways he could take that, but...] You think you can beat me at karaoke or something?
[in the shower at that.]
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god, where to begin? how can he pick up the clutter of emotions clashing in his mind, piece by piece, and attempt to dissect each one of them so they make fucking sense? it's impossible; they rushed in without any warning, and denji found himself unable to control the gutwrenching realization that those words will always remain a lovely lie. he can't even name a single person who stayed in his life long enough to make that a promise worth believing. yet, he found himself struggling a bit in— letting it go. it was dangerous to indulge in it, maybe torment himself by questioning if that could ever happen to him. it's bittersweet. more bitter, less sweet.
denji returned to picking at his food, keeping his head down. there are things he can't control, one of them is to stop feeling this shitty and heartbroken for himself, but he can shift that energy to where it matters— and it's protecting that lie. protecting bakugou. the hero said he's not going anywhere, so he'll make sure he won't go anywhere. the righteous act in this situation is to recognize his mere existence is fated to be the downfall of everyone denji will ever care for, and maybe it's time he keeps to himself and not drag anyone else into this hell, but he's not that valiant. he can't push away someone willing to be around him. someone who can help him forget, even for a few minutes the perpetual pain throbbing in his chest. even when those dreams constantly haunt him that he's 'unworthy', 'can never have a family', or 'can never be loved' - he is stubborn, or fucking desperate, enough to keep trying. that's his resolve, right? keep bakugou close, attempt to do a better job in keeping this one safe, and hope he won't have the same tragic end as everyone else in his life. yup, sounds super fitting for a scum like him.
back to the food, back to the singing in the shower, back to anything but thinking about this further. he takes in a breath, wiping his mouth clean with the back of his fingers. ]
For sure. I have years of experience in my resume. I might be an expert at this point.
[ it was a habit he picked up from when he was a kid and pochita seemed to love it, it made them both happy. they made up most of the songs together, but now that he's mingling with society better, denji knows some popular songs. it didn't mean he had a great voice, but - you know. the spirit is admirable. ]
The heating system still sucks, though. I'll steal an extra blanket from Yuuji later.
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strange as it is, bakugou wants to protect denji. he's not sure why. it's not the same as the general heroic idea to protect those around him because it's the role of a hero. there's something personal to the feeling. while he refuses to coddle and shield the other boy, he wants to invest in him, and watch that investment come out to be something great. denji has that potential and bakugou can tell it's there. damn if it won't take a lot of work and patience, the latter which he's not that good at. there's no shame in continuing to try. heroes do it all the time. even when knocked down, defeated, broken, despairing, they have to continue to get back up and continue. the only time a hero ever really loses is when he or she dies. because a dead hero can no longer protect anyone. but even injured, they can return. bakugou has no intention of dying, and refuses to accept defeat, so he's going to rise every fucking time and get back on his feet. denji can count on him for that without hesitation.]
Tch. Yeah right. I won't let you best me at anything, Ripcord Pec. [denji's gonna get a cycle of nicknames, just so bakugou's not eternally referring to him as chainsaw man. chainsaw face, ripcord pec, shark teeth, tired eyes. shit like that. he's denji before he's chainsaw man. at least he's that to bakugou. is he challenging denji to a sing off in the shower? ... technically yes, but perhaps it'll get sung out at the karaoke club or something instead. even though bakugou hates those things.]
Don't steal from him! Just fucking ask Gari Head or double bunk! [jeeze! the last thing he needs is for denji to go yoinking other people's bedding and leaving them shivering in the cold. (especially yuuji, because the guy's too nice to really fight for his blanket back.) there are probably other blankets around as well.]
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Heh, fine. Let's wait for the next time we need to share a shower and we'll sing our hearts out.
[ there is no sense of defiance in his tone, nor did he seem bothered to win this challenge— just the idea of them going for it is enough to entertain him. he wonders if someone full of pride like bakugou could hold his ground in a singing competition and keep a straight face. impossible. never going to happen. and if it did— it would be hilarious. with one final scoop of his meal, denji gathers all the remaining rice and takes in his last bite, gently placing his chopsticks on the empty plate. fuck, that was good. the food never lost its warmth, flavors so vibrant until the last taste, and his body felt fucking nourished.
he sulks back in his seat, and that's when he relaxes his shoulders, unaware his earlier thoughts triggered his muscles to tense a bit. another slow exhale, akin to a sigh, then he pulled his glass closer to his lips before scoffing. gari head ... ] Don't worry, he has extra blankets. He was sharing them when the power was out. [ he knows the hero will hammer him about the 'stealing' comment. a SIGH. ] I will ask nicely.
[ only if yuuji was in his room at the time, otherwise he would have to take a blanket and leave him a note. just as good. bringing up the sorcerer into the conversation reminded denji of their dumb exchange on the dating app, and then he found himself thinking about the bizarre ambush. after their first mission and the mass destruction of the city— you might think the next course of action is trying to rebuild and further assist the public, but nope. lilith decided it was time for her recruits to start hooking up instead. it was so fucking random, even for denji who was more than happy to play along. he wonders if that's their added reward, aside from getting paid, they also get some assistance in finding love.
he remembers bakugou and his standards. ah, the smile returns on his face— why is it fun annoying this hero? at least he's not subjecting him to those godawful pranks aki had to live through. be thankful, kacchan. ]
Did you find a date?
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I'll murder you with my voice. [despite the blunt way he says it, bakugou is going to take to this challenge with the same force that he takes to all of his clashes. he desires to be the best and he'll strive for it with everything he has. even if it's something as stupid as singing in the shower with denji. which is ridiculous that he let himself get talked into it, but now it's on the table and it's better to do it there than on some fucking karaoke stage or the hot springs... at least it's private in the shower. as for whether he'll get through it without snapping and yelling about how fucking stupid this is... who knows.
bakugou finishes his own bowl close to when denji does. there's still more left, enough for a second bowl each if they want it. but katsudon tends to be very filling with lots of calories, so he's not planning on another round. it'll keep well once they make up the second bowls and then cover them with plastic wrap for reheating tomorrow. he gets to his feet, swipes denji's bowl, and moves to the kitchen counter to start cleaning up.] Tch, the guy's like a damn puppy. [so is denji, though the two boys are vastly different kind of puppies. he glances over his shoulder when the half-devil corrects his previous comment.] Ha. Ha.
[but accepted. as he rinses the bowls and chopsticks, his mind wanders to similar areas as denji. the mingle had put a lot of people in each other's paths, tricking some into stumbling onto dates, and giving the more savvy ones an annoying way to meet up without having to go out on their own limb. an excuse, if you will. bakugou hated the "dating app" cover of it, not liking it when people try to push their agendas or opinions on his life to steer him one way or another. denji's thoughts about synthia deciding to mess with people's thoughts on 'dating' rather than focusing on helping the kaiju-battle-wasted area aren't far from bakugou's own irritation. though he guesses just focusing on the doom and gloom wouldn't help either...
his thoughts get interrupted by a stupid question-] Huh?! [in that annoyed, growling grunt/snarl that rumbles over his shoulder like a threatening challenge. you DARE ask him something that fucked up?! (yeah well, pranking bakugou tends to result in getting blasted off again...) he makes a face at the kitchen wall.] I said I'd go on a few outings. You're the one who was talking about getting dates.
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