👿 Open Post 3

[blastedass]

Open Post

What to hit up Bakugo for some action? Feel free to do whatever here!



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[blastedass]

[bakugou doesn't like to admit he needs help or wants any kind of backup, but in this case, it's the potential future problems of getting an earful for not heeding proper warning that prompts him to give todoroki the order. if they hadn't already been invaded once, ambushed another time, and otherwise targeted by the league of villains over their year at u.a., not to mention the lingering intentions of war, he wouldn't have bothered. thing is, they're going into an unknown place, trailing someone who could possibly a wanted, mass-murdering villain leading them into a disadvantageous field, and between letting them get away and at least alerting allies before charging in, bakugou's picking the latter.

he's NOT asking what the hell todoroki just sent, even though he immediately has misgivings about whatever text the other boy with his social cue issues shot out. probably something stupid, alarming, or accidentally dirty... shit, now he wants to know. and still doesn't at the same time.

dammit, half-n-half! stop thinking of him as another fucking kidnap-possible target! he's never getting taken again, you hear him! they'd have better luck trying to stuff todoroki in a damn sack and escape out the air vent!]

Fuck. We can't ask for a name or card or anything to identify that asshole either. [the privacy of the clients in places like these is top notch due to the illicit and secretive setting.] Unless you plan on staking out the front and back doors, we're gonna have to go knocking on the occupied rooms.

[which is awkward as fuck!]

Hey! Don't walk in front of me, bastard!

[sure, let bakugou be the first one to walk into a seedy love hotel. that'll look great on his record... well dammit, most of the time the "top" goes in first and the "bottom" follows, so hell if he's not going first!

that's how it works, right?]

[hairsplit]

( for all that he seems to know some measure of detail about these kinds of places--which may or may not have come from listening, with one ear, to conversations between some of their classmates back at the dorms--he can't quite place bakugou's insistence, other than the fact that he's always the first person to charge into everything. always bursting ahead of everyone, always trying to be in control, always being some kind of leader: it earns a lukewarm glance, a lift of his brows, as bakugou yells at him, the usual response to his antics.

it doesn't really bother him. if bakugou wants to be the first person to walk into the love hotel, he isn't going to stop him: although he'd be mildly amused to know the reasoning behind it, and if they're going to get into 'top' and 'bottom' hierarchy, he gets the feeling bakugou is not going to like his observations.

in any case, as they come up at the front of the hotel, past the nondescript entrance, he simply reaches for the door, giving it a soft pull to allow bakugou to walk ahead of him into it. he may or may not have a faint smile pinned at the corner of his mouth. )

They're not going to let us in to do that without....

( --well. he figures he doesn't have to spell it out, actually, and doing so might just encourage bakugou to yell again. in the lobby of a love hotel. where it's nearly utterly silent, save for the slight, soft music playing over the lobby speakers.

clearing his throat, he falls into step behind bakugou, right at his heels, feeling the door close behind them with some strange feeling of finality. it's one thing to hear about these places, but another to experience them: immediately, his gaze goes around the lobby, from the muted front desk to the tacky furniture set in the middle, to the wall displaying all the different rooms available. swallowing, he nudges at bakugou's shoulder. )

...Just act natural. ( naturally, he's back to saying things that don't need to be said out loud. ) Let's pick one out.

[blastedass]

[there are reasons for him demanding to be first most of the time. mostly to do with pride, some to do with his admittedly-effective ability to react to things he encounters, and the definitely-not-admitting-to heroism that tells him to protect his current partner when entering a potentially-dangerous event. there's also the reality that bakugou's pretty damn sure todoroki's never been to this kind of place before and, while the blonde certainly hasn't either, the two-toned guy would possibly be in for a massive culture shock if he comes face to face with... well... blatant smut.

yeah, no comment on the 'top' and 'bottom' hierarchy thought process here. and keep your damn observations to yourself, half-n-half bastard. he doesn't need to know them. especially since he has a feeling they're going to have to talk to the front desk person and doesn't want said person assuming shit from their entrance positions.

bakugou ignores the smile plastered on that face. even if he does get the ungodly urge to try and close the door in todoroki's face. which he can't, cause it's in the guy's hands.]

I know! [he snarls at the drawn out reminder. they can't just walk in and start banging on doors without a reason. and the reason they have is flimsy at best. ugh, the music is fucking elevator / lobby music, but definitely with that calming and erotic sort of twist. kind of what you'd expect from this sort of place.]

Shut up! It's not natural to say that shit! [telling someone to act natural is the first unnatural thing to say! fucking hell... bakugou heads for the front desk. or whatever's serving as the front desk and receptionist. plenty of rooms available. now there are two options here:

1) they rent a room and then go exploring.
2) they blatantly tell the receptionist they were left this address by the blonde-lookalike and see what she says.]

Gimme the paper you got. [he growls at todoroki over his shoulder. the one that was left at the bar. then back to the person at the front.] We were given this address by someone who has hair similar to mine, and told to meet here.

[hairsplit]

( well, at the very least, he's learning a lot about love hotel etiquette: which, apparently, includes not telling anyone to act natural, not opening the door for the person one is interested in, and not ogling over the wall that displays all the various rooms they can choose from. his smile drops, softening a little before it falls off his features entirely; it's hard to take this like he should, a mission rather than something they're doing for fun, and though he knows the situation is serious, it's hard to be completely deadpan here. even for him.

so he takes in a breath, realizing only a moment too late that he's still staring at the interior and not following bakugou to the front desk. with a jolt, he pads after him, nodding faintly at the growl and reaching down into his pocket for the slip of paper he's now folded, meticulously, over so much that it takes a bit of time to unfold it. gently, he smooths it out on the dip of the front desk counter, passing it over.

wordless, the person--he can't tell if it's a woman, a man, an alien--takes it from them, but doesn't seem particularly bothered, or even interested in their words. when he thinks on it, it does make sense: why would the receptionist care if they were left an address for the hotel in question? it sounds like they're asking for the sake of meeting up with someone, rather than asking for the sake of tracking someone down; that makes him swallow, glancing sidelong at bakugou, but he knows better than to say it out loud.

rather than give any sort of indication, the receptionist slides a tray forward: the sort where one should place their cash, card, or whatever type of payment method. and then, in a flat voice: that address is for this hotel. please let me know the room you wish to purchase. availability is visible on the wall back there.

his lips press into a flat line: and then, without even asking bakugou, he continues-- )

Number seven, please. ( he has no idea what room that is. just the first number that came to mind. he starts digging in his pocket for his wallet. )

[blastedass]

[... he's going to slam a door in your fucking face, todoroki.

this is a mission! he hasn't come here with the intention of using the place for what it's intended purpose is! though he can't say he's been in one of these before and thus finds himself similarly tempted to be distracted with the place. the rooms to choose from is obviously vying for his attention and his eyes take a gander mostly to see how many rooms they're going to possibly have to check out to find the potential person they're here looking for. and if he feels bad about robbing todoroki of his smile while inspecting the place...

why the hell is he smiling about a love hotel anyways?!

at least he doesn't snap at todoroki to follow him, only glancing over his shoulder for a second to make sure the other teenager is still in the lobby with him. he's not about to come in here alone! once todoroki's next to him again, he watches him unfold and present the paper, then turns his attention to the receptionist. while he could've just rented a room and then gone exploring, that's more along the stealthy sort of mission he doesn't enjoy. just be upfront and then watch for the reaction to see if this is a lead or not.

an alien. totally an alien with that face.

that said, wording the inquiry so it sounds like they're supposed to meet this person is exactly what the blonde wants to imply. for a few reasons. if the person in question does tend to leave numbers around for the sake of meeting people, then the receptionist should recognize that and they can proceed from there. if the receptionist has no idea what they're talking about (and can prove it via expression and voice, which he's paying attention to) then they'll know they're wasting their time here. and if there's confusion on the entire issue, perhaps that will give them a chance to either get a room and wait or meet the person who left the number to clear up the misunderstanding. either way, it's hopefully going to give them an idea of what they're dealing with.

... looks like the second option is the route they're going on. it's like the "meeting" comment went out the window and the receptionist thinks they're just paying customers. he debates on pushing it, but growls to himself and reaches for his wallet. guess they'll just have to explore on their own, dammit.

WHY IS TODOROKI JUST PICKING A ROOM?! he has to swallow his snarl for the moment and promptly pays with cash, refusing to use a card or device so as to avoid leaving his name here. doesn't want this transaction on his record.]

I'll cover it.

[hairsplit]

( bakugou wins this one, much to his immediate dismay--and it's apparent on his face, glowering for the first time since they left the bar, staring at bakugou's side profile almost incredulously with his hand still fisted into his pocket for his wallet.

admittedly, paying with cash is much easier and safer. he should have thought about that one: and maybe he did, a little, and maybe a part of him would have found some sort of sick, adverse pleasure in endeavor having a heart attack about seeing him paying for a room at a love hotel on the credit card bill. then again, bakugou probably just spared him about two days worth of missed calls and clumsily-written text messages demanding they meet up and touting the virtues of safe sex, plus he's easily covered their tracks and prevented any sort of backlash from the school, so. once again, bakugou wins, but only narrowly. and he's not particularly pleased about it: manners tell him he should have covered at least half. )

...I'll pay you back. ( softly, almost sullenly, under his breath--this is the old shouto, grumbling and hard as ice, and he stands there waiting as the alien receptionist shuffles about back behind the counter both for bakugou's change and for the key, both of which she lays out neatly in the tray to return back to them.

the money is bakugou's, so he doesn't touch it, but he does reach and pick up the key, closing it into his fist. it has a sensor keychain on it, to use for the lock, which is shaped like a garish pink heart, with the name of the love hotel on it. he looks at it for only a moment before he pushes it into his pocket.

what was that about tops going first? shouto turns away from the counter, thinking nothing of it as he leads the way across the gaudy lobby towards the hallway leading to the elevator bank. at least he remembered which floor the room is on, from his brief glance at the key: he presses the up button on the elevator and waits, seemingly unconcerned as to what room it is they even picked, or if bakugou's head is going to explode from any of the things he's done unconsciously. )

[blastedass]

[damn right he does. flawless victory too. it makes it even better that he can practically feel the grump radiating off todoroki. red eyes flick to the corners for a second, just so he can catch a glimpse of that scowl.] Phht- [okay, that totally makes the price of this crap worth it. the blonde's wearing such a shit-eating smirk right now.

that's what it means to be prepared, you half-n-half bastard. carry cash enough to cover something so you don't have to use a card. he's not worried about getting mugged either, cause he'll kill anyone who tries. simple as that. (though not going to lie, if todoroki said he wanted to pay for it with endeavor's card just to stick it to the man for once, the blonde would have a hard time saying no... cause it'd be pretty fucking amusing.) but since there's no comment, he's operating on keeping things as clandestine as possible and not causing any record marks. part of him wonders if any other heroes have had to do such things to catch criminals. there's old films and movies about spies pretending to be prostitutes or assassins pretending to be strippers in order to get the target, right? ... is that what they're doing? kind of.]

Tch. No shit. [of course todoroki's gonna pay him back! you think he wants to slap down his cash for a fucking love hotel room?! but he keeps some modicum of amusement about the other boy's attitude right now. even rubs it in his face a little more by taking the money and the key-] OY, BASTARD!!

[don't just take the fucking key from him! the alien behind the counter just gave it to HIM, the guy who paid for the fucking place! he rounds on todoroki with snarls and flaming eyes, but unfortunately, this asshole's got his hands on the key and doesn't look like he's going to be surrendering it any time soon. if that closed fist is any indication. (honestly, he'd probably take one look at that ridiculous pink heart keychain and make todoroki hold it anyways.)

TOPS GO FIRST, DAMMIT! growling, he katsuki stalks after the other boy, shoving his hands into his pockets after the money's returned to his wallet. twisting around in the elevator, he's about to plant his back against the wall, but then remembers where they are, and deliberately does NOT do that. just stands in the semi-middle of the metal box and waits, glaring at the door in front of them.]

Did you catch which rooms are occupied?

[hairsplit]

( well, seems like the jury's out about the top debate: shouto may have been the one to get to the elevator first, key in tow, but katsuki is the one that stalks forward into the elevator once the doors split with a pleasant little ding. seemingly still unbothered by it, glancing back at the lobby once to see if katsuki's outburst has now caused them to have the love hotel police hot on their tails, he follows in after him, gently pressing the button for their floor. the doors slide shut, and while shouto expects katsuki to lurk at the back of the elevator like a little gremlin, he finds he's mistaken about his location; it means they bump into each other, as he backs away from the console. one of his hands lifts, brushing lightly down the length of katsuki's arm--and then, embarrassed, cutting away before he tries holding his hand again.

instead, he slips his hand into his pocket, looking down at his feet. the elevator's pretty small, anyway, probably to allow for couples to feel close, excited, warm; for the first time since arriving, he wonders if this going to put a wedge in this thing he's been pursuing between them, or if katsuki is even thinking of it at all. true, they're here for a self-proclaimed mission--and something potentially more serious than that, if it does turn out to be related to the league of villains--but he can't help but think of what they could be doing instead. if nothing bad had happened, they would be back at the bar, pressed together, talking or laughing or even getting screamed at, he doesn't really care which. it's dawning on him that this is now becoming work: and he'll be getting less of katsuki's attention. )

Mm. ( a soft nod of his chin, assenting, as he stares at his shoes and tries to mentally recall the glimpses of that wall of rooms he'd been gawking at a little. ) On our floor... Ah... Four others. The other floors had...maybe one or two each, I think the second floor had three.

( it's a struggle to try to remember which had been which, though--which will likely be a disappointment. luckily, the elevator door opening saves him, and he gestures with a soft bump of his elbow against katsuki for him to make his way out first. )

We should check our room first. There's the possibility that something's in it.

( it's a far fetched idea, but with the way things are going, it isn't entirely out of the realm of possibility, so it makes the most sense. jerking his hand out of his pocket, he follows katsuki, holding the key out to him pointedly to take to unlock the door. )

[blastedass]

[tch, of course he's getting on the elevator first. the "rules" still apply even if they're not walking into the damn building. though for his desire to be first, katsuki pays for it via shouto getting to the floor button first. his own hand's rising, just ready to go for the glowing circle, but abandons the attempt after it's stolen. clicking his tongue in annoyance (because who doesn't like to push the button) katsuki shoves his hands into his pocket and pretends he's never been reaching for it in the first place. they can just stand here in silence, take vigil in front of the door, as the blonde expects shouto to remain to the side in normal statue mode. this is ridiculous. a love hotel? what the hell are they even doing? that person could've been innocently passing an expected date the information they just took! to say nothing of an entire building full of rooms that could house their supposed target. katsuki's busy thoughts momentarily pause when shouto's hand wanders over the length of his arm instead of rebounding off like it should've done. for a second, it almost appears as if he's going to try and take his hand-

nope. damn right, half-n-half.]

Stop staring at your feet. It looks weird. [like shouto's embarrassed about something. even if this entire situation is fucking ridiculous, they don't have to look guilty or shy. who knows what kind of predators are lingering around here to take advantage of anyone they think is easy target. not exactly the way he thought their night was going to go. after the shower post-drunken-mishap at the bar, things between katsuki and shouto had begun a weird progression. he's pretty sure it's still developing, and getting rammed into a love hotel on a mission is... who knows what it'll do? they could be back at the bar, completely heedless of this stranger, talking and eating and drinking. fuck, this asshole's going to pay for ruining his night. he hadn't been done with his time together with shouto! it's not like they have all the damn free time in the world!

least the answer comes with more certainty.]

That matches what I remember. Second floor had two, first floor had three. [close enough. katsuki folds his arms over his chest and scowls into the mirrored surface in front of them. it's going to be even more awkward if other heroes end up getting involved in this. the fucking headlines...]

Oy! Stop hitting me! [right, because a little nudge of elbow to elbow equates to hitting. shooting a glare at shouto, the blonde heads out of the elevator, peering up and down the hallway in front of them and the doors studded along the walls. looks like a hotel, but there's a certain exotic to the decor, an intimate atmosphere in color and design.] Fine.

[katsuki steps into the hall, one hand swinging back to snatch the key from shouto's offered hand without looking. their fingers brush at the quick motion and he pulls the metal item into his fist. number number number... it's an easy enough countdown before he stops in front of the door and inserts the key into the lock. the fob on the end of it resonates with the pad and after a quiet 'beep' the door unlocks and katsuki shoves the handle down before pushing it open.]

[hairsplit]

( like always, a statue that can at least walk and follow orders, he stays at katsuki's side, letting him have the key before he lets his hand fall, slipping it into his pocket. the other follows suit, but the hotel itself is a distraction, even when they're not in the lobby, or in their room: just the hallway is enough, his gaze drawn up to the decorative borders around the doors, the way the room numbers are displayed, the heavy scent of perfumed flowers in the air. it's true that this is nothing like any hotel he's ever seen before: he's never even heard about things like this, other than their mere existence. natsuo might've mentioned them once in passing--but then he thinks that had been more about going anywhere with his girlfriend other than the hallowed halls of their former home.

well, this is sort of the same situation, only not at all. he wouldn't have invited bakugou back to his family home after the mess that happened that first time, anyway; but maybe they would have collided together into one of their dorm rooms together at the end of the night, if things had gone the way they were supposed to. it doesn't matter now.

the sound of the door unlocking draws his attention back down to the room. quiet, he waits for katsuki to push open the door before he stretches his own arm out, above his head, and creaks the door open further so that they can both step inside. at first glance, in utter darkness, there doesn't seem to be anything there: he immediately reaches for the light switch, flicking it on as they both stand there in the entryway, the door slipping past them and shut behind them with a light little click.

...katsuki is probably about to be so mad at him. his random choice? means they're playing prince and princess for the evening, apparently. the room appears to be drenched in shades of red, pink, and black, like some sort of ancient european castle, with a huge four-poster bed and canopy, the floor and the walls done up to look like faux brick or stone. he can't tell. all he knows is that he's very carefully toeing out of his shoes to be polite, swallowing down the urge to laugh--in actual humor, or in fear, who knows--and steeling himself for the inevitable explosion beside him. )

I'll check the bathroom. ( --is what he manages to say, calm and measured, as he steps up into the room proper to proceed. )

[blastedass]

[the worst part is the fucking perfume. it's so damn heavy in the air, flowery and sweet. obviously it's better than reeking of sweat and sex, but the exchange of cloying aromas instead is a questionable trade. smells like one of those incense-stuffed headshops full of candles, rocks, and "mystic" items. of course this is nothing like any hotel they've been in! those hotels are for getting a good night sleep or some time away from home, with the occasional romantic escape happening among the walls. this place is ALL for fucking and sex, a huge difference in atmosphere and setting. not that bakugou thinks he could get into the damn mood with this kind of decoration all around him. maybe the room itself is more tame. he can only hope so as he opens the door and heads inside. the reality that he's going into a room in a love hotel with todoroki behind him is not lost on his spiky head. bakugou's choosing to blatantly ignore that reality.

ah well, if it makes todoroki feel any better, there's a part of the blonde's brain that keeps reminding him if they do end up going even steadier than they are now, there's going to come the moment where he tells the other boy they're going to bakugou's house over the weekend or vacation to meet with his parents. even if he gets along explosively with his mother, bakugou knows she'll murder him if he doesn't let her meet his boyfriend. and part of him wants to see todoroki's reaction when she dotes on him... hell yeah he'll throw his boyfriend to the she-wolf he calls a mother.

and they're not going to say A WORD about this to his parents, thank you very fucking much, half-n-half. he'll make that clear later. but not before snarling over his shoulder at shouto for daring to reach over his head and push the door open like katsuki can't fucking do it on his own via hand on doorknob. at least the other boy gets the lights and the blonde heads into the room, pocketing the key as he scans the area. he's really hoping it's a normal-looking hotel room, simply one used for more carnal purposes, but...]

What the fuck is this shit?! HOW'D YOU MANAGE TO PICK THIS WITH YOUR RANDOM ASS LUCK?! [okay so granted, a medieval castle sort of room isn't horrible, even if he feels like fumikage would like it better. but the drenching crimsons along with black and pink make it look a macabre gothic valentines. the fake brick and stone design isn't horrible, the canopy bed is fucking ridiculous, and as katsuki toes his shoes off in the doorway, he notes the heavy curtains on the windows and a suspicious (ominous) cabinet that likely contains... tools of the trade inside.]

Flush yourself while you're in there. [katsuki rolls his eyes as he begins to explore the room, hands in his pockets and not yet ready to touch anything. at least the room isn't stuffed with flowers and perfume like the hallway. all in all, colors aside, the themed suite isn't the worst shouto could've landed on...

katsuki's just giving him a hard time. like usual.] The windows open.

[hairsplit]

( well, as far as explosions go, it isn't the largest one that he's suffered at the hands of his not-yet-boyfriend boyfriend.

in fact, he's sort of relieved that it's as tame as it is; sure, the people in the room next to theirs might hear the yelling, or they might not. from their view of the hallway, it had been obvious that the rooms are not really that close together, likely to prevent sound overlap, and so there's probably not too big of a risk that they might run into some kind of noise disturbance complaint from arguing. plus, thinking on it, whoever is in the other rooms is likely too concerned with other things to bother with a bit of yelling--that thought makes the back of his neck heat up, embarrassed. one hand rubs over it, sullen, as he heads through the room towards the bathroom as promised.

the room doesn't seem to have much going for it otherwise: the focal point is of course the bed, though there's a decorate lounge chair and a coffee table to serve as some sort of common area, just beyond the ominous cabinet that he also suspects contains things that might make even katsuki blush. even so, the bathroom is quite large, even larger than the one that his parents used to use back home; it opens with double glass doors, which he pushes to part tentatively forward. it's clean, complete with a large tub and a large shower area, though there's no indication of modesty--except of course in terms of the toilet, shut away into a separate room off the side. with a soft breath, he flips the light switch: and then the switch next to it.

interesting. it flashes vibrant colored lights over the tub and shower, enough that he reaches to turn off the fluorescent light to see the effect in relative darkness. with another press, the lights go from all colors to just red: his shoulders lift with a soundless laugh, and he immediately presses the switch one more time to kill all light entirely. )

...The window? ( he repeats, twisting back out of the bathroom to start to approach it, and katsuki, again. ) Mm... It's probably to air things out. But if we're worried, maybe we should close it.

( so that no one can get in. patiently, his gaze swings to katsuki's face, watching his profile closely--like always. he's content to follow his lead, here, at least when it comes to investigation; he imagines katsuki will have a better plan about what he wants to do now that the room seems relatively safe. except for the cabinet. ) What do you want to do?

( --well, speaking of. he lifts a hand to point at the large wooden thing. )

Open that? Maybe.

[blastedass]

[it's mostly because he doesn't want the manager or something to come running in and ask what the fuck's going on. but the entire situation is fucking ridiculous. part of him wants to yell, already tense about being in a damn love hotel with todoroki. the other part of him is growling to himself to focus on the target they're trying to find. now daring the bastard to be something benign and turn their excursion into a pointless endeavor. the quicker they get some kind of clue towards their reason for being here, the quicker they can get the fuck out after figuring it out. he won't have to search the fucking room and find himself wondering about all the different things that have obviously happened in the room prior to their arrival. things the manager is probably thinking he and todoroki are getting up to... fuck.

while the other hero inspects the bathroom, he heads for the windows, pushing them open to look out onto the faux balcony attached to the wall outside. likely not going to be supporting much weight... so that rules out their target climbing up the walls without some quirk aiding them. glancing from left to right reveals more of the fake extensions and windows, separated enough to make jumping between them a difficult choice for someone not trained like the two of them. a straight shot to the building behind them if completely necessary... but it doesn't appear there's been any disturbances. if the person they're looking for is at this location, he feels they're still in the building.

with a smooth slide of hinges and flash of glass, the windows shut and he pulls the heavy blackout curtains across them once again, closing the room off from view and notice outside. a flicker of light behind him catches his attention and he looks over his shoulder. the fuck is all that? vibrant colors come from the bathroom in a strange glow and he can already imagine what the answer is. glowering as he walks to the doorway, the truth confirms his suspicions. lights glowing in the tub and shower, illuminating what should be naked bodies glistening in the colored shine. it goes all red a second later and he pulls back from the bathroom before todoroki can realize (hopefully) that he'd been looking in.]

Already shut it. There's no way that asshole escaped through it without a Quirk. [given the height of the building and the fake nature of the balconies. he scoffs at the notion of him being "worried" about shit. the question turns back to him and he frowns in thought, trying to form what would be an acceptable plan.]

Don't open that crap! You and I both already know what's in it! [they're in a fucking love hotel! nothing but sex-related paraphernalia will be anywhere in this room. from sex toys to naughty literature to protection and the like. trying to focus on their "mission" again...] We know what rooms are occupied. Going from room to room outside isn't happening. We'll have to kick down the fucking doors if we want to find out who's where.

[hairsplit]

( so the window is out, by katsuki's determinations, and the cabinet is definitely out, by katsuki's embarrassment. a part of him considers arguing: do they both really know what's in it? he can't say he is entirely sure what could be waiting in there, other than an extra blanket, or perhaps extra pillows. it isn't that he's naive enough to think that there wouldn't be something in there more suited to the theme and obvious usage of the room, but it's more that he can't imagine just what those things might be, or could be--which of course means he's curious. his gaze steadies, staring at the twin doors of the cabinet, almost like he's warring with the urge to open it despite katsuki's warnings.

he decides, for now, to leave it be. he'll have a chance to peek inside later, maybe, or at least before they leave. with a slow breath, he nods, faintly, acknowledging the words; not only would it be extremely creepy to go from room to room outside, it isn't possible, and knocking on the doors inside...

pressing his lips together, he moves further into the room, approaching the bed. it's a little higher than he likes--and honestly, higher than he expected it to be, the mattress and the frame hitting him nearly at his hip--but he uses a hand to pivot himself up onto the edge of it, sitting there while he considers their options. katsuki might hate everything about the room, and he thinks he understands it, but that doesn't mean they can't sit on the furniture. )

We could get kicked out if we knocked on doors, since things are supposed to be private. ( as usual, he isn't telling katsuki anything he hasn't already thought of, but more speaking his own thoughts out loud like they might catalog them easier that way. ) We could listen outside the doors, because if it's anyone with a Quirk that mimics your body, it would...

( there's a quick swallow, embarrassed. ) ...mimic your voice, as well, but...

( frowning, he stares at the canopy around the bed, like it's easier than looking at katsuki. )

...that might...cause trouble, in more than one way.

[blastedass]

[he's not going to look in the damn cabinet! katsuki already knows what's (likely) in there and neither of them need to get distracted looking at the fucking crap! if shouto wants to go look, he's not going to stop him, but don't expect the blonde to be in any talkative move to explore what he'll find! what he knows for certain is whoever they're looking for is not crouched down hiding in the cabinet. how does he know? ... shut up. katsuki ignores the other boy's attention aiming at the forbidden cabinet and goes back to the front door. a quick turn of the lock and he pulls it open so as to facilitate him sticking his head out in the hall and looking up and down the area. it's all quiet and still. shit. what really had been their game plan walking into this place? banging on other people's doors is not only going to get bad to worse responses, the sight that might greet them could be fucking scarring!

to say nothing of being seen as perverts themselves. and haunting the front to watch for anyone leaving or arriving would only make the person at the counter act. whether by kicking them out or threatening to do so if they didn't return to their room. no one else was waiting in the lobby. the potential doppelganger might not even be in the building. fuck, talk about a pointless chase. unless they search rooms, keep watch, or have the front desk tell them something (which was NOT what happened) they're fucked for going further.

katsuki's taken out of his thoughts when he hears a body sink onto the bed. the door shuts behind him and he locks it as his eyes shoot a glare towards shouto. who is apparently opting to test out the bed. ugh, there's a sight he didn't know he'd ever fucking see: todoroki shouto sitting on a bed in the middle of a love hotel room. the medieval theme kind of suits him in a way, however. katsuki quickly shoves the idea out of his head, mentally throttling his brain for being a fucking stupid horndog. he already warned shouto about touching shit, especially knowing what this place is. if the half-n-half moron wants to get his ass dirty, go for it.]

I know that, you idiot. We don't have any damn options for finding this person unless we stake out the front and back of the fucking building. [which they are currently NOT doing while sitting inside the room. though he has to grunt in annoyance when shouto mentions listening outside the door. it's not as rude as knocking, but it's instead a very skeevy thought, especially in a love hotel. hearing what's going on might be even worse than interrupting.]

THEY'RE NOT GONNA MIMIC MY FUCKING VOICE!! NO ONE TALKS LIKE ME!! [thanks for stepping on that landmine, shouto. even if katsuki's probably half right with that comment. hearing himself talking without his usual... uh... heat, would likely be a massive giveaway. but he really doesn't want to hear HIMSELF doing, you know, love hotel things. the very thought of someone fucking around with HIS body is frankly disgusting. makes his skin crawl.]

Dammit, this is shit! I don't want someone fucking around as me!

[hairsplit]

( well, on the one hand, he can't say he doesn't disagree. one landmine means he's going to step on another, given his train of thought-- )

That's true. They don't know what you sound like when you get off, so they wouldn't be able to copy it.

( he says it thoughtfully, casually, as though that's simply part of the puzzle--it's only once it's out of his mouth that he realizes he probably would have been better off not communicating that between them. it also means he's grateful he didn't continue on with what he'd been planning to say: I know what it sounds like, though.

with a soft swallow, he cants his gaze away from bakugou, politely staring up at the canopy above the bed, instead. it's pinned to the posts for now, draped over the top of the frame and down the sides, and a part of him wants to reach out and feel the fabric; he's never slept in a bed this big, never slept in a bed this high, and it's all very strange and interesting in a way that it probably shouldn't be. )

...Our only choice is to stay until morning, then. We might not find the person, but our presence here might deter them from doing anything.

( his weight shifts slightly on the mattress--even if he stretches his legs down, his feet barely touch the floor. such a strange feeling. )

Or, if something does happen, we'll be here to stop it. ( his gaze flickers over to bakugou again, gauging-- ) You can go back to the dorm, if you want.

( at this point, he's practically throwing himself on every landmine he can... )

[blastedass]

Don't say it like that! That makes it sound even worse!

[He doesn't want someone other than his boyfriend to know what he sounds like when he gets off! The thought of that reminds him vividly where they are and the rumors of these kinds of places. Fuck, now he just wants to be back in the dorm and only having to deal with their annoying dorm-mates. Who have probably heard a lot anyways.

good thing todoroki doesn't go further with that commentary or he would've found himself with a pillow or couch cushion slammed in his damn face. with a growl, the blonde looks to the window and the door, mind churning for an option, but having little to go on in the way of moving forward. like it or not, they're at a dead end without making an embarrassing decision (that could have negative ramifications on their reputations) or a brazen decision that'd make spending any money on this place a pointless endeavor.

can they just write this off as a strange cosplayer and be done with it? it's not like the person in question did anything weird or untoward them. and todoroki just took a note that could've meant anything...]

If they even know we're here.

[annoyed, he can't say anything against the latter part. if something did happen, they'd be here. yeah. so long as they knew it was happening. a brief snarl pulls at his lips and he shoots todoroki an equally slicing glare.]

I'm not leaving your dumb ass alone in this place! So don't fucking say that again.

[resigned, he storms off towards the bathroom.]

I'm getting a shower. Do what you want.

[hairsplit]

( it's not always easy for him to parse bakugou's feelings through his words: sometimes he thinks he can read through them pretty easily, that they come up in ways that are understandable for him, or at least in ways that he can get to the bottom of them without too much issue. sometimes he knows that it's his own personality, his own misuse of social situations and feelings and emotions in general, that leaves him at a disadvantage, and that he misinterprets in ways that he probably shouldn't, and takes note not to in the future. other times, he feels like he's at a total impasse, where he isn't quite sure how to proceed, or what might be best for him, what might be helpful.

he feels a little like he's messed this one up: there's no saving it, no redeeming himself, and as much as he's tried to carry on with letting bakugou be in the lead, at least in terms of making the important decisions, he thinks that this is one that he's going to feel poorly over, one that he's going to analyze by himself, in the dark, wondering how he could have fixed things. wondering how to improve for next time. even as bakugou storms off towards the bathroom, frustrated with the situation, he thinks he can understand at least that much: it's hard when there's no clear right answer, and there's no answer here that will yield them anything more than they already know.

with a soft breath, he slides off the edge of the bed. his feet hit the floor, and pointedly, he follows after bakugou, catching him just in the wide, open doorway of the bathroom. one hand reaches out for the crook of his nearest elbow, pulling at him, stalling him in his steps: he knows that risks retaliation, or at the very least, getting yelled at, but he can handle that sort of thing. )

Wait. ( soft and low, he lets his gaze roam over bakugou's face in the relative dark: and then he tries, one small, tentative smile, just at the corners of his mouth. ) You need...to pick which lights we want.

( 'we', because he's not letting bakugou get into the shower alone. )

I want to be in here with you.

[blastedass]

[todoroki's to be commended for putting up with the explosive blonde as well as he does. a lot of people give up and move on, letting him have the win or simply accepting they won't get through to him. though much of this is his pride and attitude refusing to let someone else outshine him without a fight. some of it is todoroki's lacking social nuance skills, but he doesn't let that be an excuse when yelling at the two-toned boy for his blunders. what's going on right now, however, has nothing to do with todoroki's shortcomings and all to do with them trying to figure out something with no good lead to go on. perhaps he jumped the gun, perhaps he assumed too much, perhaps he made a big deal out of nothing, whichever the case, the blonde feels responsible for them being in their current situation and it pisses him off they have neither answer nor comfortable solution to a way out. he took some of that anger out on todoroki...

he's also too proud to admit those mistakes, much less ask his partner what he thinks they should do. resting his hands on the bathroom doorway, he braces himself in a v-like hang into the bathroom proper, head down and eyes glaring through his bangs at his reflection in the mirror. cursing in his head, trying to go over their options, but still arriving at the same result of inability. he'll feel even worse if they DO miss something important by giving up and leaving, but at the cost of looking like idiots for staying over nothing. what the fuck should he-- should they, do?

bakugou breaks from the mental treadmill when a hand catches on his elbow and pulls him. an angry expression blazes over his shoulder at todoroki, the faintest pops of tiny explosions sounding around one hand. but... there's no explosion or shouting just yet. instead, the frustration keeps his voice ironically quiet for the moment, jaws locked and eyes glaring as if daring the other boy to have some solution he couldn't come up with.]

What? [still growls the answer. if todoroki thinks he ca-

lights?

for a second, he's completely caught off guard. what the hell "lights" is he talking about? until he quickly recalls the multicolored LEDs from earlier. that might've been enough to make him detonate, and just as his chest swells with air to shout at todoroki for his stupid comment, the other boy hits him with the second part.

'we' - because he wants to join him in the shower.

... well fuck. bakugou's breath rushes out in a hard burst and he drops his head again in resignation. fuck it all. abandoning todoroki out here while he washes off isn't gonna sit well with the other boy; he can see that already. so they get a shower together. that's... of all the ideas right now, that's not one he's opposed to.]

So long as it's not green or blue.

[hairsplit]

( practice means his gaze shifts, alerted to the sound in bakugou's open palm--and honestly, that's one option he hadn't even considered, an option that he would maybe even laugh about if he could put it together. if they torched the whole hotel, lit it up in a flurry of explosions, well: that would smoke out all the guests, wouldn't it? that's definitely the wildcard option, something they could never do, but the thought is enough to settle some of his worry. even if bakugou intends to turn those palms up into his face, a string of frustrated detonation, he could handle it; it's just too funny, the idea of them standing in the ruins, their little love hotel completely obliterated.

of course, he risks being obliterated, too. maybe he shouldn't have asked about the lights. cautious, his gaze settles on bakugou's face, waiting: but there's no sharp remark, no sudden screaming, no insults hurled at him. rather, he seems almost--bashful about it all, quiet and grumbling, and a part of him wonders if he managed to somehow maneuver just right into the situation. it could be that he's finally learning a thing or two about subtle social nuance: or maybe he just got lucky. maybe it's because it's bakugou that he can find those little nooks and crannies to gently elbow himself into.

with a short nod, he lets go of his elbow, reaches instead to flick the switch. immediately, the room floods with a bright pink light--he flicks it again, turning, and the pink melts into that husky red, and rather than fuss with it more, he leaves it at that. there are more important things to attend to, which include rounding on bakugou again so that he can, immediately, dip his hands down to the hem of his shirt to start to pull it up without asking. )

How come you don't like green or blue? ( he has an idea, but, even so, he asks it quietly, patiently, as he works bakugou's top up along his chest, intent on undressing him by his own hand. ) Arms up.

( he should have maybe started the water first: or at least filled up the bath, to start, given that he thinks he wants to try to urge bakugou into it after he rinses off. it might be a good way to blow off steam, figuratively and literally. )

[blastedass]

[HE'S NOT GOING TO BLOW UP THE FUCKING HOTEL TO FIND SOME POTENTIAL DOPPELGANGER!! what do you think he is, a fucking villain?! though for sure he'd like to blow the copycat up purely out of irritation it was that person's fault for getting this entire fucking row of dominoes falling and leaving him and todoroki in this mess. granted a smoke grenade could do that, but despite his and todoroki's quirks capabilities of making smoke, neither of them are all that useful for filling a building with it without any harm. bakugou's larger explosions to make that much smoke would destroy shit. though if a certain someone keeps pushing him, there might be an explosion or two going off in his face... maybe he'd end up the one standing on top of a smoking todoroki, like some hunter that just bagged himself the most annoying bastard ever.

he's not going to. doesn't at least. instead, that tired frustration wins out and he ends up asking about the light color instead of throwing a detonation in todoroki's face. this entire experience is annoying and he's ticked that what was supposed to be a decent night out with his new boyfriend was turned into this mess. being in a love hotel with todoroki isn't the worst thing; he just wishes it was of their own volition rather than chasing after some potential bastard. but that said, he's at least glad he's stuck in this embarrassing situation with todoroki. sitting in a love hotel by himself at his wits end without a direction would be fucking enraging, but keeping his mortification private. yet with todoroki, at least he's got the one person he's somewhat okay with seeing him like this around. not admitting it, but... whatever.

bakugou drops his arms and slides his hands off the bathroom doorframe before stepping inside. he moves to the far wall and quietly bangs a fist against it, letting himself vent a little as todoroki deals with the lights. the sudden glow of pink almost makes him snap, but it changes to a deeper red and that's... better. okay... fuck, get over it. he's not going to do anyone any good standing here sulking like this. at least if he gets a shower and cools down, they can think more clearly and be alert once they get out. right, that's at least a compromise. stakeouts don't have to be miserable.

speaking of, he tenses when hands suddenly find the hem of his shirt and quickly snaps a glare over his shoulder when todorki pulls it up. bastard didn't even ask! ... but he pushes away from the wall and turns around, letting the other boy hike his shirt up over his torso. it exposes bakugou's bared chest and stomach, powerful pectorals and washboard abs flexing under his light skin amid the lurid crimson glow. his scars stand out darker on his flesh as he lifts his arms up at the prompt and rolls his shoulders to let his boyfriend pull the shirt over his head and off his arms. a thin simple silver chain drops back around his neck and rests against his collarbones. hey, they were having a night out. he could dress up a little. nice shirt and slacks with belt and nice boots. nothing underneath.]

Cause I don't. [shut up. he likes military green, but that's not the kind of color a place like this would have. getting the same idea, he glances at the shower and bath.] Do you wanna get a shower or a bath? [he said shower before, but if they're gonna be in here, they could go for the longer option. more intimate. wouldn't mind blowing off steam...]


[ooc: just in case i forgot to tell you in one of our other threads, i'm gonna be on limited net access for the weekend/next week due to family. if/when i make some time to get on the comp, i'll be sure to try and hit up our threads throughout the period!]

[hairsplit]

( he's careful about getting bakugou's shirt off, if only because he knows that it's probably one of the nicer things that he owns. the last thing he wants to do is make matters worse when he's already somewhat soothed them over, at least for the interim; so his hands work slowly, pulling and loosening and neatly dragging the shirt up over bakugou's head before he takes a step back, the discarded fabric now loose in his hands. rather than bunch it all up and toss it aside, he takes a glance around the bathroom, finding a towel rack to loop the shirt over, using it as a hanger. at least that way, he's not going to get any wrinkles in it, and the steam from the shower--or the bath--will loosen them if they're there anyway.

when his gaze falls back, it's on bakugou's bare skin: naturally, he ends up in a silent study, chin dropping slightly so that he can admire all the dips and curves of muscle on skin that's drenched in dark red. the scars, blotched out in a darker color, only make him move closer; a part of him wants to run his fingers over them, just as he has countless times before, but he resists the urge. he doesn't like it when people touch his own, so why is it that he always wants to roll over bakugou's with his touch, like doing so might soothe them over? rather, his hands come up over bakugou's shoulders, smoothing lightly from the ends of them to the thick curve of his neck. )

What? Oh. ( too distracted, he's hardly listening--bath or shower, that makes sense. he shouldn't keep pestering him about the colors, so he'll save that for later when there's a good time to ask again. ) Mm...

( one hand slips, palms against bakugou's collarbones so that he can get one index finger under the length of that necklace, lifting it idly to feel the weight. )

Why don't you rinse off in the shower? And I'll start the bath.

( a compromise, maybe: gives bakugou a moment to himself, while something gets prepared for him. of course, either way, bakugou can't go in with his pants on; shouto's hands abandon the chain, skidding down the front of bakugou's stomach and chest to start to feel for the width of his belt, working it open without looking down at it. )


( ooc: omg no worries at all, enjoy your family time and forget about these!! have a good time, no rush at all. ♥ )

[blastedass]

[all the shit he owns is nice! so long as todoroki's not ripping the fucking thing off, he doesn't need to baby his damn shirt! ... okay so it is a dressy shirt and he'd be pissed if it was just yanked off, damage or no. he ducks his head down so the other boy has easier access to getting it over his head, then steps back and tilts his body, letting him peel the shirt down and off his arms. it comes off his hands easily and bakugou reaches for his belt and pants, but stops when he thinks about it. his hands fall to his side while todoroki loops his shirt over the towel rack. tsk, he'll fold it up later. the hang in the steam won't hurt it. would he be surprised to know the other boy thought of the same thing? ... not really. todoroki seems like the kind of guy who would know "old fashioned" tricks like that. the kind of guy who'd know the proper way to wear and fold a kimono or yukata.

bakugou lifts his chin slightly, silently challenging the other boy over... nothing really. just that todoroki's staring at him in that scrutinizing way. when his mind wants to tell him it's out of attraction, but also says it's fucking annoying because todoroki's fucking staring at him. pride gets in the way of both of those and instinctively flexes his muscles, pectorals and abs hardening in the open air, scars shifting slightly along his shoulder, chest, and lower stomach. the red light makes them stand out on his skin. it's not like todoroki's never seen or touched them before. always gives bakugou a slight stay in the mind, since the half-cold, half-hot hero doesn't really like it when people touch his scar. sometimes the blonde will get away with it, brushing his fingers under his eye or smoothing those red bangs back to brush his lips across his brow. but it's not often and he telegraphs his intent enough todoroki can stop him each time if he wants.

but he knows why the urge to touch scars is there... maybe they can talk about it another time, when todoroki's not running his hands over his arms and shoulders, feeling muscle and hard curves before settling on the sides of his neck.]

Tch. ["oh" he says, distracted obviously. as todoroki's hand presses to his collarbone, the blonde reaches up and starts to deftly undo the other boy's shirt one button at a time. fingers work nimbly, passing the pearl-like buttons through the holes. it gives him something to do while todoroki plays with his necklace. it's a solid chain, tight linked to give it a "thick" cord-like design, revealing some weight when the other boy lifts it. you'd know it was there when it moved. another button, then another, opening the shirt further and revealing todoroki's torso beneath.]

No. Because whichever one I get in, you're getting in with me, dumbass.

[he's over the embarrassment from before, the anger still there, but todoroki's managed to stifle it for a bit now. enough that his presence is what bakugou wants rather than privacy. as the other teen's hands go to his pants, abs hardening under todoroki's skimming fingers, the explosive blonde finishes the last button and deftly slips the hem of his boyfriend's shirt out of his pants.]

You look nice...

[hairsplit]

( and here, something a little rare, the sort of thing that he finds almost dumbfounding: a compliment, slipped right from bakugou's lips, almost as though he doesn't even recognize that he's saying it.

they're not much the type for words, although he's come up with plenty of his own, things he's wanted to say to bakugou or things he's wanted to compliment him on, but they always get caught up in his teeth, in his tongue, and he stumbles into them more often than he says them, pointedly, with intent. he's more the type to talk with his hands, with his mouth, to twine his arms around bakugou's shoulders or dig his hands into his hair or reach for him at night, coiled together in the darkness. he knows that bakugou tends to be the same way with him, as if compensating for the fact that he's clumsy with words and feelings: bakugou shows him how he feels by touching him, kissing him, watching him, taking care of him, even.

in the dark, luminous red of the bathroom, he thinks that maybe his blush won't be so obvious: stubborn, it sits high on his cheeks, a silent reminder of how his heart rabbits a little at the thought of bakugou thinking he looks nice. such a ridiculous thing to get excited over. carefully, he lets his hands drop, if only so that bakugou can help him out of his shirt entirely once it's pulled out from his pants. )

I wanted to look nice for you. ( low and quiet, he finds the words he wants carefully, like he's picking out a gift. ) I like it when...you look at me, and it's like your eyes never go anywhere else.

( well, that's equally embarrassing. swallowing, he dips his chin, using his bangs as an excuse to hide a little as he patiently works bakugou's belt apart entirely, not pulling it out of the loops but rather, tending to the front of his pants with careful fingers. )

We'll rinse in the shower and do the bath, then. ( mumbling, trying to firm up his voice. with bakugou's pants split open, his fingertips skim the hem, tugging at it with tense knuckles to start to urge the material off his hips. ) Together.

[blastedass]

[he recognizes he says it. but todoroki better recognize that too and not bring any damn attention to it, or else he's going to get the same kind of reaction the blonde usually gives if someone calls him out on that: angry denial or flippant dismissal.

yet that's something that makes them work well together, the lack of unnecessary or annoying words. todoroki can piss him off plenty at times, asking stupid (in his opinion) questions or being socially naive about shit. but he's not big on small talk and comfortable in quiet without making things feel weird. but it's when todoroki talks with his hands or eyes and his actions that really make him find himself drawn even more to him. arms wrapping around his strong shoulders until he feels the other boy's definitions pressing against his body. hands digging into his hair and dragging his attention one way or another. bodies pressing together under the sheets or darkness as they move with each other in ways that say so much more than words. todoroki encourages him to be more open with those feelings if he doesn't have to say them. convey them with the way he cups the bottom of his chin and tilts his head down to kiss him. or resting his head in his lap in their room while he reads or checks something on his phone. or when he draws todoroki close in the heat of their breath and sweat as their bodies connect in that intimate, primal way.

the red light hides todoroki's blush pretty well, though he has no real intention of pointing it out since the other boy could fire back just as easily. but the blonde still reaches up to brush a thumb across his cheekbone, acknowledging its there without mentioning it. he feels warm under the pad of his thumb... then he's busy with that shirt, finishing up with the untucking and pushing both hands up to todoroki's shoulders to shuck the shirt off them. smooth, strong, broad shoulders. ones he's held onto before as their bodies writhed together.]

Tch. You'd have to try to look bad. [it comes out in a grumble, like he doesn't want it to be a compliment or anything, even though it obviously is. skimming the shirt down todoroki's arms, fingers deliberately tracing and feeling along the way, he slides the sleeves off the other boy's hands, looking down at them to avoid those two-toned eyes gazing at him. stupid words hitting right into his chest...] Why the fuck would I look at someone else?

[he sounds annoyed it's even a possibility, just to hide the fact it's true. he doesn't look at anyone but todoroki when he's with him. the mirror is very interesting right now, letting him escape to the corners of the room while his belt flicks open under todoroki's skilled fingers and his fly pops soon after. the gritty drag of his zipper sounds too loud even with the shower turned on.]

Fine. [they can get the bath warm and ready before they get out of the shower. his hips shift a little at the tug, rocking forward slightly before the material skims down over his hips and boxer briefs. it only needs to get down below halfway on his strong thighs before gravity and the weight of the belt drag his pants all the way to his ankles.]