No, I didn't...I didn't wake up with it. [He needed a moment to confirm that, according to LILITH records, he had purchased the book series from home. It was before he died, and seeing his personal copies on the bedside of the room assigned to him convinced him thoroughly that the Outsiders giving him strange looks in the hallway or insistanting that he was here before were the ones in the right.]
I had to pay for it. It's all really expensive, so I picked something that would give me hours upon hours of enjoyment! Since--
[Ah. Right. He should calm down before he goes to far and spoils something. He clears his throat and takes in the sparse interior decoration.] I see you...made it homey. [The futons. The utilitarian cooking set.] I think it's temporary. Everything I own is in storage in Tokyo. Transporting all my supplies is going to be such a hassle. And I have a job there!
[It's retail, but it's a job.]
If you don't wanna go detail every little thing LOL just vague post introspectively any details
[All the same, knowing that the villain was put to rest forever, that his brother isn't dead and that everyone seems to be alright is such a weight off him.]
As long as the issue is no longer an issue, I'm glad he decided to make the wrong decision. Who all was there to witness it-- You I am already assuming.
You paid for it? Where? [Bakugo's aware people could request things from home from LILITH, though one or two have mentioned they found something from home in a store or elsewhere. Very rare. If the guy means he bought it from their handlers, then fine, no issue. But given the way he pauses and has to think about the answer raises Bakugo's suspicions. Hey, if there are other ways of getting shit from home without going through LILITH, he wants to hear about it!]
I haven't done shit with it. [Homey?! He only got to this room a few days ago, dammit! The futons were already there. The cooking set, well... yeah, he'll give Taryon that. Most because Bakugo prefers eating what he makes himself. Rice and tea are staples and he lucked out on the rice cooker in this place. Could've just used a pot. Also there's some concern over whether his original stuff is still there back in Tokyo... Who knows.]
We haven't gotten a full report of the damages to the city. [Though the base was, at least, not completely obliterated, so it seems like it'll be salvageable.]
Oh I'll gloss over things cause yeah. He ain't Izuku.
[There are other weights to sit on shoulders. Even after their win, a lot of them have a hard time thinking of it as, well... a win. There's still so much to do, so many they have to help, and all of it has to be better.]
His immediate death? Just me. Izuku and All Might were there, but Izuku was focusing on the Nutsack Face Lackey, and All Might was trying not to get blown off a damn roof.
[And he couldn't move much either.]
Yeah, by all means lmao. I really appreciate the catch-him-up thread though, thank you!
[Just Bakugo... The man can't see it, but that makes Shoto smile. Despite it all being them, Bakugo deserves that big win, he's worked hard and while again attributed to everyone, he's sure...]
Is that your last memory? Shigaraki and Midoriya fighting?
No prob! Feel free to use this as a generic "update" if you wanna for Shoto's knowledge, haha~
[His defeat of All for One is the only win in his life Bakugo will refuse to ever take sole credit for. Even angrily lashing out at someone for asking how "he beat" All for One. Did he deserve it? Pride wise, hell yeah he was eager to trash talk that asshole and take him on as All for One's final boss!
But inside? No, he did it because he was the only one standing between All for One and the world. He can't say he felt like he deserved the victory. Honestly, he had far more beef with Shigaraki than fucking Nutsack Face.
Dammit, though, he'll take the damn swell consolation prize!]
No. I went home and came back. The war's been over for about a week and a half. My last memory's in the classroom with the rest of you.
[These are all things that he is actually happy to hear, that the threat is gone and that his friends are safe. That things are so far "alright" enough that they can even go back to class. Sure, he's certain like was mentioned that it's not all easy peesy lemon squeezy but at least hearing Bakugo say things are going to be alright makes him feel like there are less things he has to concern himself with.]
We get to go back to school.
[Not a question, a statement, and one that he starts to look forward to. Even with the hardships in between.]
I want that again without the threat of everything.
["Alright" enough. That says a lot. Midoriya didn't promise they would get everything back, that they would return it all to normal as if nothing ever happened. No, they could only promise they would save everyone and do their damnest to do things better going forward. For everyone. Sappy shit like that.
But Shoto's right. Things are going to be alright. Better for some than for others.]
Aa. Graduation was delayed.
[Obviously. Shoto knew that already.]
Aizawa-sensei's still gonna be our homeroom teacher for our 2nd year.
[Yeah, the idea of having a "normal" school year without the shadow of war.
In the...at the base. You know, when you pay money and they do their science and grab it from home. Same with Doty and my other equipment. [It's amazing how many of LILITH's arsenal can replace Taryon's expensive armor and tools, at times functioning even better.] You should talk with them the next time you're there. I don't think they're any limit as to what they can bring back.
[He stands in the middle of the room, glancing at every corner of the room, unsure where he's supposed to sit. Is this a case where he has to just pick a spot on the floor?]
Well, you've made it better than a bare room. I'd say that's some hard work. It just needs a bit more tender love.
[By that, he means a lot, but he is trying not to hurt the kid's feelings.]
True. We could move back in a matter of months. I've seen those construction sites. These machines make work so much faster than if we had to do it all by hand.
Oh. So you did get it from those bastards. [Being the title he usually refers to LILITH as. Items from home. He'll be sure to treat the books with attentive care and return them to Taryon in the same condition he received them. Rough and aggressive as Bakugo is, he's surprisingly efficient.]
I've already had a few things from my world brought back. [Namely his costumes, though he only had to bring one, since he lucked out on the other two. Since he was literally wearing them when he was brought here. The only thing else he's bought from them are two sets of tracker rings and his vehicles. Which could stand to use a wash...
Anyways.]
Sit wherever you want. [Nope. There are no seats here. The rooms aren't really furnished so the Outsiders basically have to make do with what's here. Bakugo and Denji will likely go foraging later.]
I don't need flattery. [Hard work? To bring in some futons and a box/crate or two? Don't tick him off with pithy praise, Taryon. This is a stopgap and both of them know it.]
What'd you do, turn your new room into a fucking palace?
[They couldn't go back to Neo Tokyo yet, so they're all stuck in these bunker base bedrooms. But Taryon brings up an actual timeframe and it piques his interest.]
A few months? Huh... if they can get the materials and supplies, they have drones to help with the work.
[It's true. Things won't be easy and even not having gone through it yet, Shoto understands it. He's not sure how to feel about it yet, other than proud of Bakugo-- of everyone. Maybe even a little bit himself. He was able to save his brother. That's more than he could ever ask for.]
I wish I could say I'm excited to get home to be back in school with you all. I'm proud of you, of everyone. But it's going to be a hard fight still, isn't it? To get to the point where I can enjoy Aizawa-sensei as our teacher again.
[There's a lot to process, even if Shoto's getting the information from word-of-mouth rather than experience. Bakugo still finds himself dealing with some shellshock in his private moments. The unreal feeling of surviving. Of going through a war. Of the monumental task that is recovering.]
You wish? What, you're content to stay here forever?
[Both surprise and mild taunting at best.]
Yeah, you've got a lot waiting for your when you return. Even though I told you this, you won't remember any of it when you go back.
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