[With another bite of his apple, Scott starts following Bakugo. And despite all his earlier comments, he is kind of impressed with the different rooms that the other hero now has for himself. The thought of just stopping by and hanging out also feels easier, now that his friend is giving him a tour of everything.
After all the shit from a few days ago... it means a lot.]
Less attention and stuff with the lower ranks. You will have to deal with your own fanclub now. [Other guests fawning over him. Staff sucking up to him majorly. But Scott supposes that probably isn't all that much different than how hero stuff goes in his world. It's so bizarre, whenever he fully thinks about it, but at least preferable to the stuff that Getou told him. Yeah, that whole system is shit.
But focusing on the friend that's still giving him a tour...]
So, if I stay more and sleep over, I won't have to clean it. Got it. [Sounds like a good deal to him-- and maybe just admitting that he's going to do all that without being too mushy about it.
The living room is definitely nice too, but not surprising. There really hasn't been a dud of a room. He takes another bite of his apple as he looks at the entertainment system, before shifting his focus to the fake scenic view.]
Wow, even got your fake windows. [...Maybe a reminder that they're still trapped though, huh?]
[Bakugo has a few companions here with a higher rank, but his pride generally refused to mooch off them unless it was a special occasion, or they invited him to come see them. He made his rank 3 room work, and whoever's getting it after him (provided the resort staff doesn't fuck it up on purpose) is gonna get a well-kept room with quiet the attention to preserving detail. He'll be keeping the same efficiency in his new suite.]
Those fucking bastards'll learn to leave me alone. [A few small explosions crash and pop around his palm, implying exactly what Scott figures he means. He already spent a month as a Queen and had to blast the damn flockers off several times. Hell, they're the reason Scott and he got trapped in the hall and made a break for the winter woodlands, leading to the cabin...]
You'll be cleaning the room you stay in. [Well, "cleaning" meaning he makes the bed at least and doesn't leave trash all over the floor. Mostly teasing, since he knows Scott takes care of his stuff as well. Probably not to the same high standards as Bakugo's ridiculous preferences, but enough it won't be a problem.]
Aa. You can change the scenery on the. I dunno how yet. [Just got here two days ago and one of those days was spent dealing with... post heart slam shit.] Che, it's all a buncha fucking distraction. Where do you live?
[Maybe he can switch the view to someplace Scott'll recognize? Now he has to go look at how to do that... A remote or something on the wall? Start looking too, Shades.]
[He catches Bakugo's drift quickly enough, although a small part of him wonders if that will truly be enough to really push away the more determined guests. Royalty is royalty and always treated like celebrities, with the added bonus of them being able to get away with more stuff. Annoying, but in this case, he can see it being extremely useful. Bakugo can definitely use it to his advantage when exploring more of this casino or doing whatever else, something he's sure that the hero already has in mind.
It's probably why he worked this hard to get to this position.]
Yeah yeah, mom. [The mutant rolls his eyes though, but despite how untidy he leaves his own room at times, he tends to be a little more conscientious when staying over at other people's rooms.]
Jeez, really? Don't even know how to change the channel? [He teases. Still, he starts looking for the remote-- unless he can just go to the 'window' and touch it? Make a menu appear? Scott can't help but try that first, going over to the fake window/screen to tap on it.]
[Even if it doesn't permanently keep them away, it'll be a solid chunk of time before the losers manage to wrench themselves out of the wall/ceiling or come back to consciousness from getting blasted across the hall. And if royalty is treated as royalty, then telling them to piss off should be followed, dammit! Cause if they're not gonna follow THAT, why the hell should they follow anything?! Anyways, he'll deal with the stupid cling-on's if he has to.
Scott's right on the money with Bakugo's intention of using his new rank. He gunned for this more to help others than himself; the latter's simply a bonus he factored in.
Only he wasn't willing to whore out like a lech to speed towards this goal.]
Shut up. [Them's the rules, man! Bakugo'll rage even at his own classmates for leaving their spaces an untidy mess! Usually when they invite him over. He isn't some anal hall monitor looking into doorways. But if they're hosting... clean the fuck up.]
You wanna die?! [Scott's pushing his buttons and he knows it! Bastard! There's a remote slotted in a stealthy alcove between the entertainment center and the wall, as well as a touchpad on the wall which can be manually triggered or linked to the watch. Tapping on the window does nothing but make tiny quiver ripples around the point Scott's finger touches down.]
No. All Might lived in America for several years. He went a few times.
[Hopefully Bakugo doesn't catch the way Scott's mouth twitches upward when he's threatened by the usual 'you wanna die' comment. Yep, some things really stay the same. Nonetheless, he at least notices the touchpad by the wall soon enough, letting the ripples of the image fade back into 'normal' before he looks through the menu.
It's really not that hard to find New York as one of the settings that he can switch the scenery to, and soon the visuals change to reflect the great city-- starting off with a penthouse like view. Staring out at the buildings from 'above,' it's a nice illusion.]
All Might. He's one of the great heroes, right? [He asks, while turning his head to Bakugo.]
[Scott's safe. Bakugo's attention lies elsewhere in the room, searching for the stupid controller or however he's supposed to work the window scenery. Probably has something to do with his watch, but how the hell is he supposed to link the damn watch if he can't find anything to link it to?! Until he notices the windows fade away into their normal default mode. Gold, of course.]
Oy. [How'd he do that? Bakugo approaches Scott's side and looks down a the touchpad on the wall. So that's what it did. The damn thing was covered when he first got in here. He thought it was a vent or something! Saying nothing, Scott's given full rein for the scenery. And there it goes.]
Looks like Tokyo.
[Most metropolis look like metropolis.]
He's the greatest hero who ever lived! [And fanboy speaks up in Bakugo's gruff voice.]
[So New York looks like Tokyo... guess that's not too surprising? A big city is a big city, though he still imagines that it has its own distinctive look that sets it apart from his home. It'll probably be easy to see, once he switches the scenery once more, but Scott wants to look at this visage of New York for just a bit longer. He honestly doesn't look out at the city like this often. He lives in Westchester, not really in the middle of the bustling city.
A small smile spreads across his face. Maybe just a little melancholy, still fresh from the shit that happened in the tunnels.]
Wow, even you're admitting that? [He teases lightly, though it's clear he's interested in hearing Bakugo talk more about All Might. There's definitely a note of excitement in his voice, a sort of admiration that he doesn't hear too often from his friend.]
[Close-packed buildings, skyscrapers, streets between, parks occasionally forced into being, with an impressive-to-jagged skyline depending on who you ask. Of course there are unique elements to each skyline, though Bakugo hasn't been to Tokyo for a while. He moves to stand by the couch for a better view of the cityscape. Doubts Scott's running around in high-rise buildings for scenery like this anymore than Bakugo is.
One problem with the scenery windows is the temptation to make yourself fucking homesick...
Their experience in the basement didn't do anything to help with that feeling, echoes of his classmates and parents still lingering in his mind. Expected, only two days from the ordeal.]
Why the hell wouldn't I?! I'm gonna surpass him and become even greater! [He is not gonna be able to do that, no matter how hard he tries. No one can be All Might.]
No matter what kind of enemy he faced, All Might would win and save everyone. Because of him, villains were too fucking scared to try much. He's the world's Symbol of Peace.
[Ah, there it is. 'Going to surpass him and become even greater.' Maybe something that sounds almost childish from a distance, but he knows that Bakugo is actually serious about it. He'll put all his effort and training to become the best hero in his world. It's admirable?? Scott finds himself supporting him anyway. He wants Bakugo to reach those heights and even more.]
Even known internationally... that is pretty impressive. [Being a symbol of peace... is that what he and the X-Men need to achieve to in order to rebuild human-mutant relations? Maybe. Will even that be enough? But shaking those thoughts, at least to the best of his ability, Scott smiles at Bakugo-- before switching the scenery to resemble Tokyo.
He already misses his home too much.] So that means that you have to be known as the galaxy's symbol of peace.
[Did he expect anything different? If anyone dares tell him his ambition is childish, he'll pound it into their heads until they realize just how amazing his goals are! Being the best has always been his pride and joy, a pinnacle he strives for in everything he does! What kind of hero is satisfied with the mundane plateau? Forward, father, stronger, higher, faster, better! Everything is his to surpass! Until his victory is complete undisputed!]
Aa. He was what every hero aspired to be. [Well, "most" is more accurate, but Bakugo grew up saying "every" and it's hard to change his childhood habit despite knowing reality.
The Symbol of Peace had gone through a lot during Bakugo's first high school year, the two wars that came with it, All Might's retirement... What a Symbol of Peace was, what it stood for, when it was there and when it was gone... A little boy thought All Might could do everything, heroes were always right, everything was amazing in the world.
Reality's a bitch. Bakugo watches the Tokyo scenery with a quieter expression, thoughts running all over the place. He absent mindedly rubs at his shoulder, the one with the scar. Then blinks back to the present.]
[He manages to catch the small shift in Bakugo's mood, the way all that bustling energy smooths into something quieter, more contemplative. Nothing he hasn't seen before, but generally more rare and something he doesn't want to interrupt immediately, so he keeps a few moments to himself as he looks at the Tokyo skyline. It's a nice city, one that he hopes to see sometime in his own future.
There's definitely mutants there. People that need help. He wonders if the only time he'll get to really travel in the future is for something X-Men related.
But hearing him, Scott tilts his head back to him, small smile tugging at his corner. Something encouraging, quiet and yet amused, all wrapped together as he nods.]
Become known as the Galaxy's Symbol of Peace. That's when you know you really surpassed him.
[Sometime in their future... He wants to go to America at some point. Who knows if he'll remember Scott when he arrives. He doubts it, sucks as it is, because of his own experience. But is it wrong to want something impossible? No harm comes from it, save for disappointment when it doesn't come. There are people, things, and memories he doesn't want to forget from this place, people he's come to care about. Just one more way this place fucks its captives over.
Pushing those thoughts and feelings aside, he locks them back up once more. Shit he'll deal with by himself. Alone. Later. Scott doesn't need to be burdened with stuff not his onus.
Instead, Bakugo's expression flattens and he levels a wry look at the mutant across from him.]
[Scott's wholly unaffected by Bakugo's flat expression, his grin increasing in response and looking more genuine than the smirks that he often flashes at him. It's a little nice talking about dreams and goals, even if it means he won't ever see Bakugo achieving them back home. He has the time he has here with him, however long that will be. It almost felt like all of it was going to end soon when they found the heart.
But no, they're still here, still dealing with the casino and its shit. Scott can't help but feel just a slightly happy about it, as bad as that feeling may be. They can't be here, they have duties back home, friends to fight for still, but he can't deny that it won't be bittersweet in some way when it happens.]
They don't exist that you know of, things can change. Besides, I thought you were aiming big. [Come on, the whole galaxy!
There's a flicker of something unreadable behind Scott's eyes, the teen clearly pausing, like he's trying to muster up something that's been building in him the past few hours.] I thought we were getting somewhere when we encountered the heart.
[Bakugo's reached his one-year anniversary in this place, making any thought of his time here being over soon vanish pretty perfunctorily. Earlier on, he wanted nothing more than to slam this place down and leave immediately, damn anything else. But enough time, and now he has reasons to stay. Semi-unfortunately, given the state of his world back home. But those thoughts are his to bear. People, memories, experiences, things he doesn't want to lose.
Yeah, it is a bad feeling to come to find he likes seeing certain people here, to realize he would be sad (momentarily) if someone he cared about left, even if he knew they were going home, to think the disgusting thought of being happy someone from his world was brought here to have a friend or companion... Guilt, twist, and another selection of thoughts he deals with on his own.]
I'm not insane. [Big difference between aiming high and aiming stupid. The galaxy? Please. There was no mention, not one, of any sort of space program or idea in the canon series. People were way too entertained with heroes, villains, quirks, all happening on earth, to bother about going beyond it.]
We did get somewhere. We confirmed this bastard's alive and vulnerable.
[But as amusing as it may be to bicker about something like that, Scott did come here to check on Bakugo and talk to him about what they saw down in the tunnels. Maybe apologize for chasing down the voices of his teammates, but that ended up being moot anyway as they bumped into the heart in the end. Still, he can at least acknowledge that Bakugo was right about it being a trap.
Even though it hurts so much thinking about. Even if it nearly gets Scott to stifle his breath for a moment, trying to push back everything. At least he won't notice him closing his eyes behind his shades as he pulls everything in, tries to package it up tight. All that's come with a reminder of how alone he sometimes feels in this place, despite all the friends he made.
It's stupid, he knows, but it's a feeling he can't shake now.]
This place is alive. [He acknowledges, quietly.] And it was a big enough jerk to taunt us with voices of the people we care about.
[The greatest in all the galaxy. Something a little kid would say. Or they could stand here and bicker about stupid things rather than Scott trying to apologize for something he never needed to apologize for in the first place. Bakugo already knew his friend was chasing what he could hear, knew the lure of those voices in his own head. How the hell could he demand Scott ignore them? ... Well, he did, yelling at him it was a trap before growling and accompanying his dumb friend to keep him safe from himself.
Bakugo flicks his eyes to the side, noting the way Scott's neck flexes with a tiny swallow, the way the corners of his brows flutter in a way suggesting his eyes aren't sure what shape they want to make, before the furrows in his brow smooth even more as if he made peace with something. Look, he's learned to read Scott's face (and neck) to gauge his reactions and emotions, more than his eyes and words.]
Aa. Pretty shit decision. Pissing us off while leading a bunch of us to its fucking heart.
[Sounds like a great way to reinvigorate smoldering hatred AND reveal its own vulnerability. Real "big dick" flex move to pull such a stunt.]
[A shitty thing to admit, but that's the truth of the matter and so Scott isn't going to turn away from it even though the words feel like sandpaper coming out from his mouth. It sucks, admitting that they didn't manage to do what they wanted to do, even if they got to see the heart. Is it progress if they aren't able to go back to the heart?
Not to mention...]
It repelled me twice.
[Scott swallows tightly as memories of that second time flood into his mind. Well, sort of, they're mostly a blur, vague around the edges, but he remembers losing control. Almost hurting someone that he cares about as a sort of madness took root in his mind, possessing him. He folds his arms across his chest, although it looks more like Scott is trying to stop the way his body shakes from what happened there.]
The more it shows us, the more we'll be able to counter it.
[He hates losing, defeat sucks, but doing nothing with loss other than moping is even worse than losing. If the heart has such a quick defense, they'll need to be faster and preemptive. Come in already firing. Learn where its heart is. Navigate the basement. They know it's there now. Anyone still thinking this is some conglomeration or human business doesn't have a leg to stand on now.]
How'd you get there twice?
[Bakugo narrows his eyes as Scott's voice tightens and throat dips a hard swallow. Won't be spending much time on this topic if he's already so reactive to it. Pisses him off he wasn't able to stay with Scott and keep him from doing something stupid like he promised. Why the hell did he go back anyways? AND HOW'D HE WAKE UP BEFORE HIM?!]
[A quiet agreement, showing that Scott isn't down and out for the count just yet, despite his past failures with the heart. It's only when he gives up that he's truly lost, right? Besides, if he let something like this bring him down, there's no way he can lead the X-Men in the future. Still sucks, of course, but learn from those mistakes and be better prepared next time.
He's learned a little more with that second encounter too. It's apparent that Bakugo only managed to get there once, so it's probably important to share what information he has, even if those memories shift uncomfortably in his mind, reminding him of the person he almost killed there.]
I went back down after we were initially ejected. [Voice still steady. Good. Meet those narrowed eyes with his blank sunglasses.] I couldn't find you or reach you, so I thought you might've went back down. Found another friend and we managed to make to the heart.
[A small pause. Like Scott is trying to keep his voice level.] And it affected me differently that time.
[There's no point in letting something like that cut their legs out from under them. A brief glimpse of weakness means they have more to work with as they theorize and plot against the damn chicken. Bakugo's disappointed, of course he is, as he expects most people who saw the heart and dislike their captor. But letting the bird win with a quick snatch is fucking pathetic. They'll be ready to actually hit the damn thing next time.
Is he irked Scott got there twice? ... Not exactly. That's kind of admitting you got tricked twice. Or Scott was walking someone else around the basement who also got tricked. And didn't try to stop them? Yeah, he's not gonna ask too much more about his second trip because that's likely to get him yelling at the mutant teen.]
I was against following those damn voices from the start! [Though would he have gone for a second crack at the heart? Unlikely, given the way it ejected them so readily. Returning would be asking to get pissed off again.]
Affected you? [He's only aware they got thrown out.]
[A simple acknowledgement, tinged with some guilt, though that's not the point that he wants to focus on right now and luckily, it doesn't seem like Bakugo wants to either. He's focused on digging into the part that his friend didn't get to experience-- how it differed compared to their first trek down to the heart and relaying that information to him. While Scott still has some doubts if the heart is truly what they need to destroy, he's also not happy about being tricked about the voices and losing control over himself and almost hurting his friend.
Yeah, those things aren't really forgivable. But. What about the House? It's been mentioned before that they're the true masterminds behind everything, but... that's another obstacle that he hasn't even encountered yet.]
There was this overwhelming madness that overtook me. Like, I couldn't think-- couldn't focus, maybe even breathe... I just wanted to blast everything around me. And almost did.
[Bakugo is of two minds about the heart. His emotional mind and logical mind, each one wanting to destroy the heart and preserve it for different reasons. Kill it, kill the bird, everyone goes back home where they all belong. Don't kill it, threaten it, gain control of the bird, and force it to give everyone the choice to come and go as they please. Either way, they're saved, though the results are bittersweet in one over the other.
Not something he really needs to discuss with Scott right now.
The house is the peacock is the resort is the mastermind. All of it is the same being. If anything else is separated from them, it's the possible Suits. Bakugo's not sure he believes that, but he's open minded to the idea at least. He wants more evidence of it before accepting it as anything more than a rumored possible.]
Consumed by rage? Or were you eager to let your power out?
[He doesn't want to make Scott dwell on the memories, but he isn't going to simply dismiss what his friend's trying to tell him. Scott knows what he can or can't handle.]
It wasn't rage. Or at least... it wasn't just that.
[He confirms, that part at least sort of easy to admit, even if it means affirming something that might be worse in comparison? He doesn't know, maybe it's stupid to even try and quantify that in the first place. The important thing that he needs to remember is his loss of control and how close he got to hurting a close friend.
A hard pill to swallow, but Scott doesn't intend to turn away from it even if it sucks. He has to take responsibility.]
I wanted to just blast everything and everyone-- I pretty much felt everything at once. Anger, excitement, determination, the want to just... let loose and not hold back anymore.
[No longer wear these glasses and just let his powers fly out because that's who he is?? Except that was just the madness talking, right? Yeah. He's not like that. His fingers dig a little into his arm, trying to force himself to stay focused.]
[Describing feelings is difficult even for empathic people who are good at expressing their feelings. Bakugo, who is obviously Bad With Feelingsâ„¢, doesn't want to encourage Scott's further attempts at expounding on what emotions he felt. You can keep that to yourself, Shades. It was hard and weird; he gets it. What's more important is whether or not the mutant caved to his knee-jerk reaction and blasted whoever he was with. And if the influence is going to repeat itself while he's around Bakugo.
Guess he's gonna keep describing it... The blonde frowns out the "window" as he listens to the mutant vent his frustrations. Having his emotions jumbled up and unleashed would piss anyone off.]
[Now he's just tired, physically. Mentally. Emotionally. But all of that is still better than the out of control emotions that briefly overtook him. These feelings are truly his own, unlike what happened in the tunnel. At least, he's mostly sure those emotions weren't his own. It's easy to feel that way for now. Otherwise he'd have to accept that he might just hurt people close to him and not really think twice about it all for a sense of 'freedom.'
He's never wanted to use his powers in that way, even before becoming a X-Man.]
It stopped after the Heart ejected me for that final time.
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Date: 6/5/25 18:45 (UTC)After all the shit from a few days ago... it means a lot.]
Less attention and stuff with the lower ranks. You will have to deal with your own fanclub now. [Other guests fawning over him. Staff sucking up to him majorly. But Scott supposes that probably isn't all that much different than how hero stuff goes in his world. It's so bizarre, whenever he fully thinks about it, but at least preferable to the stuff that Getou told him. Yeah, that whole system is shit.
But focusing on the friend that's still giving him a tour...]
So, if I stay more and sleep over, I won't have to clean it. Got it. [Sounds like a good deal to him-- and maybe just admitting that he's going to do all that without being too mushy about it.
The living room is definitely nice too, but not surprising. There really hasn't been a dud of a room. He takes another bite of his apple as he looks at the entertainment system, before shifting his focus to the fake scenic view.]
Wow, even got your fake windows. [...Maybe a reminder that they're still trapped though, huh?]
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Date: 6/5/25 23:04 (UTC)Those fucking bastards'll learn to leave me alone. [A few small explosions crash and pop around his palm, implying exactly what Scott figures he means. He already spent a month as a Queen and had to blast the damn flockers off several times. Hell, they're the reason Scott and he got trapped in the hall and made a break for the winter woodlands, leading to the cabin...]
You'll be cleaning the room you stay in. [Well, "cleaning" meaning he makes the bed at least and doesn't leave trash all over the floor. Mostly teasing, since he knows Scott takes care of his stuff as well. Probably not to the same high standards as Bakugo's ridiculous preferences, but enough it won't be a problem.]
Aa. You can change the scenery on the. I dunno how yet. [Just got here two days ago and one of those days was spent dealing with... post heart slam shit.] Che, it's all a buncha fucking distraction. Where do you live?
[Maybe he can switch the view to someplace Scott'll recognize? Now he has to go look at how to do that... A remote or something on the wall? Start looking too, Shades.]
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Date: 6/7/25 15:12 (UTC)It's probably why he worked this hard to get to this position.]
Yeah yeah, mom. [The mutant rolls his eyes though, but despite how untidy he leaves his own room at times, he tends to be a little more conscientious when staying over at other people's rooms.]
Jeez, really? Don't even know how to change the channel? [He teases. Still, he starts looking for the remote-- unless he can just go to the 'window' and touch it? Make a menu appear? Scott can't help but try that first, going over to the fake window/screen to tap on it.]
And I live in New York. Ever been?
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Date: 6/9/25 18:36 (UTC)Scott's right on the money with Bakugo's intention of using his new rank. He gunned for this more to help others than himself; the latter's simply a bonus he factored in.
Only he wasn't willing to whore out like a lech to speed towards this goal.]
Shut up. [Them's the rules, man! Bakugo'll rage even at his own classmates for leaving their spaces an untidy mess! Usually when they invite him over. He isn't some anal hall monitor looking into doorways. But if they're hosting... clean the fuck up.]
You wanna die?! [Scott's pushing his buttons and he knows it! Bastard! There's a remote slotted in a stealthy alcove between the entertainment center and the wall, as well as a touchpad on the wall which can be manually triggered or linked to the watch. Tapping on the window does nothing but make tiny quiver ripples around the point Scott's finger touches down.]
No. All Might lived in America for several years. He went a few times.
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Date: 6/10/25 00:13 (UTC)It's really not that hard to find New York as one of the settings that he can switch the scenery to, and soon the visuals change to reflect the great city-- starting off with a penthouse like view. Staring out at the buildings from 'above,' it's a nice illusion.]
All Might. He's one of the great heroes, right? [He asks, while turning his head to Bakugo.]
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Date: 6/10/25 01:46 (UTC)Oy. [How'd he do that? Bakugo approaches Scott's side and looks down a the touchpad on the wall. So that's what it did. The damn thing was covered when he first got in here. He thought it was a vent or something! Saying nothing, Scott's given full rein for the scenery. And there it goes.]
Looks like Tokyo.
[Most metropolis look like metropolis.]
He's the greatest hero who ever lived! [And fanboy speaks up in Bakugo's gruff voice.]
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Date: 6/10/25 14:01 (UTC)A small smile spreads across his face. Maybe just a little melancholy, still fresh from the shit that happened in the tunnels.]
Wow, even you're admitting that? [He teases lightly, though it's clear he's interested in hearing Bakugo talk more about All Might. There's definitely a note of excitement in his voice, a sort of admiration that he doesn't hear too often from his friend.]
no subject
Date: 6/11/25 02:22 (UTC)One problem with the scenery windows is the temptation to make yourself fucking homesick...
Their experience in the basement didn't do anything to help with that feeling, echoes of his classmates and parents still lingering in his mind. Expected, only two days from the ordeal.]
Why the hell wouldn't I?! I'm gonna surpass him and become even greater! [He is not gonna be able to do that, no matter how hard he tries. No one can be All Might.]
No matter what kind of enemy he faced, All Might would win and save everyone. Because of him, villains were too fucking scared to try much. He's the world's Symbol of Peace.
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Date: 6/11/25 19:43 (UTC)Even known internationally... that is pretty impressive. [Being a symbol of peace... is that what he and the X-Men need to achieve to in order to rebuild human-mutant relations? Maybe. Will even that be enough? But shaking those thoughts, at least to the best of his ability, Scott smiles at Bakugo-- before switching the scenery to resemble Tokyo.
He already misses his home too much.] So that means that you have to be known as the galaxy's symbol of peace.
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Date: 6/12/25 14:04 (UTC)[Did he expect anything different? If anyone dares tell him his ambition is childish, he'll pound it into their heads until they realize just how amazing his goals are! Being the best has always been his pride and joy, a pinnacle he strives for in everything he does! What kind of hero is satisfied with the mundane plateau? Forward, father, stronger, higher, faster, better! Everything is his to surpass! Until his victory is complete undisputed!]
Aa. He was what every hero aspired to be. [Well, "most" is more accurate, but Bakugo grew up saying "every" and it's hard to change his childhood habit despite knowing reality.
The Symbol of Peace had gone through a lot during Bakugo's first high school year, the two wars that came with it, All Might's retirement... What a Symbol of Peace was, what it stood for, when it was there and when it was gone... A little boy thought All Might could do everything, heroes were always right, everything was amazing in the world.
Reality's a bitch. Bakugo watches the Tokyo scenery with a quieter expression, thoughts running all over the place. He absent mindedly rubs at his shoulder, the one with the scar. Then blinks back to the present.]
Galaxy?
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Date: 6/13/25 00:28 (UTC)There's definitely mutants there. People that need help. He wonders if the only time he'll get to really travel in the future is for something X-Men related.
But hearing him, Scott tilts his head back to him, small smile tugging at his corner. Something encouraging, quiet and yet amused, all wrapped together as he nods.]
Become known as the Galaxy's Symbol of Peace. That's when you know you really surpassed him.
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Date: 6/13/25 04:48 (UTC)Pushing those thoughts and feelings aside, he locks them back up once more. Shit he'll deal with by himself. Alone. Later. Scott doesn't need to be burdened with stuff not his onus.
Instead, Bakugo's expression flattens and he levels a wry look at the mutant across from him.]
Aliens don't exist in my world, Shades.
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Date: 6/14/25 16:46 (UTC)But no, they're still here, still dealing with the casino and its shit. Scott can't help but feel just a slightly happy about it, as bad as that feeling may be. They can't be here, they have duties back home, friends to fight for still, but he can't deny that it won't be bittersweet in some way when it happens.]
They don't exist that you know of, things can change. Besides, I thought you were aiming big. [Come on, the whole galaxy!
There's a flicker of something unreadable behind Scott's eyes, the teen clearly pausing, like he's trying to muster up something that's been building in him the past few hours.] I thought we were getting somewhere when we encountered the heart.
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Date: 6/15/25 01:04 (UTC)Yeah, it is a bad feeling to come to find he likes seeing certain people here, to realize he would be sad (momentarily) if someone he cared about left, even if he knew they were going home, to think the disgusting thought of being happy someone from his world was brought here to have a friend or companion... Guilt, twist, and another selection of thoughts he deals with on his own.]
I'm not insane. [Big difference between aiming high and aiming stupid. The galaxy? Please. There was no mention, not one, of any sort of space program or idea in the canon series. People were way too entertained with heroes, villains, quirks, all happening on earth, to bother about going beyond it.]
We did get somewhere. We confirmed this bastard's alive and vulnerable.
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Date: 6/15/25 22:37 (UTC)[But as amusing as it may be to bicker about something like that, Scott did come here to check on Bakugo and talk to him about what they saw down in the tunnels. Maybe apologize for chasing down the voices of his teammates, but that ended up being moot anyway as they bumped into the heart in the end. Still, he can at least acknowledge that Bakugo was right about it being a trap.
Even though it hurts so much thinking about. Even if it nearly gets Scott to stifle his breath for a moment, trying to push back everything. At least he won't notice him closing his eyes behind his shades as he pulls everything in, tries to package it up tight. All that's come with a reminder of how alone he sometimes feels in this place, despite all the friends he made.
It's stupid, he knows, but it's a feeling he can't shake now.]
This place is alive. [He acknowledges, quietly.] And it was a big enough jerk to taunt us with voices of the people we care about.
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Date: 6/16/25 02:02 (UTC)[The greatest in all the galaxy. Something a little kid would say. Or they could stand here and bicker about stupid things rather than Scott trying to apologize for something he never needed to apologize for in the first place. Bakugo already knew his friend was chasing what he could hear, knew the lure of those voices in his own head. How the hell could he demand Scott ignore them? ... Well, he did, yelling at him it was a trap before growling and accompanying his dumb friend to keep him safe from himself.
Bakugo flicks his eyes to the side, noting the way Scott's neck flexes with a tiny swallow, the way the corners of his brows flutter in a way suggesting his eyes aren't sure what shape they want to make, before the furrows in his brow smooth even more as if he made peace with something. Look, he's learned to read Scott's face (and neck) to gauge his reactions and emotions, more than his eyes and words.]
Aa. Pretty shit decision. Pissing us off while leading a bunch of us to its fucking heart.
[Sounds like a great way to reinvigorate smoldering hatred AND reveal its own vulnerability. Real "big dick" flex move to pull such a stunt.]
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Date: 6/17/25 23:20 (UTC)[A shitty thing to admit, but that's the truth of the matter and so Scott isn't going to turn away from it even though the words feel like sandpaper coming out from his mouth. It sucks, admitting that they didn't manage to do what they wanted to do, even if they got to see the heart. Is it progress if they aren't able to go back to the heart?
Not to mention...]
It repelled me twice.
[Scott swallows tightly as memories of that second time flood into his mind. Well, sort of, they're mostly a blur, vague around the edges, but he remembers losing control. Almost hurting someone that he cares about as a sort of madness took root in his mind, possessing him. He folds his arms across his chest, although it looks more like Scott is trying to stop the way his body shakes from what happened there.]
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Date: 6/19/25 00:12 (UTC)[He hates losing, defeat sucks, but doing nothing with loss other than moping is even worse than losing. If the heart has such a quick defense, they'll need to be faster and preemptive. Come in already firing. Learn where its heart is. Navigate the basement. They know it's there now. Anyone still thinking this is some conglomeration or human business doesn't have a leg to stand on now.]
How'd you get there twice?
[Bakugo narrows his eyes as Scott's voice tightens and throat dips a hard swallow. Won't be spending much time on this topic if he's already so reactive to it. Pisses him off he wasn't able to stay with Scott and keep him from doing something stupid like he promised. Why the hell did he go back anyways? AND HOW'D HE WAKE UP BEFORE HIM?!]
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Date: 6/21/25 13:23 (UTC)[A quiet agreement, showing that Scott isn't down and out for the count just yet, despite his past failures with the heart. It's only when he gives up that he's truly lost, right? Besides, if he let something like this bring him down, there's no way he can lead the X-Men in the future. Still sucks, of course, but learn from those mistakes and be better prepared next time.
He's learned a little more with that second encounter too. It's apparent that Bakugo only managed to get there once, so it's probably important to share what information he has, even if those memories shift uncomfortably in his mind, reminding him of the person he almost killed there.]
I went back down after we were initially ejected. [Voice still steady. Good. Meet those narrowed eyes with his blank sunglasses.] I couldn't find you or reach you, so I thought you might've went back down. Found another friend and we managed to make to the heart.
[A small pause. Like Scott is trying to keep his voice level.] And it affected me differently that time.
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Date: 6/21/25 19:08 (UTC)Is he irked Scott got there twice? ... Not exactly. That's kind of admitting you got tricked twice. Or Scott was walking someone else around the basement who also got tricked. And didn't try to stop them? Yeah, he's not gonna ask too much more about his second trip because that's likely to get him yelling at the mutant teen.]
I was against following those damn voices from the start! [Though would he have gone for a second crack at the heart? Unlikely, given the way it ejected them so readily. Returning would be asking to get pissed off again.]
Affected you? [He's only aware they got thrown out.]
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Date: 6/24/25 23:52 (UTC)[A simple acknowledgement, tinged with some guilt, though that's not the point that he wants to focus on right now and luckily, it doesn't seem like Bakugo wants to either. He's focused on digging into the part that his friend didn't get to experience-- how it differed compared to their first trek down to the heart and relaying that information to him. While Scott still has some doubts if the heart is truly what they need to destroy, he's also not happy about being tricked about the voices and losing control over himself and almost hurting his friend.
Yeah, those things aren't really forgivable. But. What about the House? It's been mentioned before that they're the true masterminds behind everything, but... that's another obstacle that he hasn't even encountered yet.]
There was this overwhelming madness that overtook me. Like, I couldn't think-- couldn't focus, maybe even breathe... I just wanted to blast everything around me. And almost did.
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Date: 6/25/25 02:19 (UTC)Not something he really needs to discuss with Scott right now.
The house is the peacock is the resort is the mastermind. All of it is the same being. If anything else is separated from them, it's the possible Suits. Bakugo's not sure he believes that, but he's open minded to the idea at least. He wants more evidence of it before accepting it as anything more than a rumored possible.]
Consumed by rage? Or were you eager to let your power out?
[He doesn't want to make Scott dwell on the memories, but he isn't going to simply dismiss what his friend's trying to tell him. Scott knows what he can or can't handle.]
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Date: 6/25/25 23:45 (UTC)[He confirms, that part at least sort of easy to admit, even if it means affirming something that might be worse in comparison? He doesn't know, maybe it's stupid to even try and quantify that in the first place. The important thing that he needs to remember is his loss of control and how close he got to hurting a close friend.
A hard pill to swallow, but Scott doesn't intend to turn away from it even if it sucks. He has to take responsibility.]
I wanted to just blast everything and everyone-- I pretty much felt everything at once. Anger, excitement, determination, the want to just... let loose and not hold back anymore.
[No longer wear these glasses and just let his powers fly out because that's who he is?? Except that was just the madness talking, right? Yeah. He's not like that. His fingers dig a little into his arm, trying to force himself to stay focused.]
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Date: 6/26/25 01:53 (UTC)Guess he's gonna keep describing it... The blonde frowns out the "window" as he listens to the mutant vent his frustrations. Having his emotions jumbled up and unleashed would piss anyone off.]
Do you still feel that way?
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Date: 7/4/25 00:43 (UTC)[Now he's just tired, physically. Mentally. Emotionally. But all of that is still better than the out of control emotions that briefly overtook him. These feelings are truly his own, unlike what happened in the tunnel. At least, he's mostly sure those emotions weren't his own. It's easy to feel that way for now. Otherwise he'd have to accept that he might just hurt people close to him and not really think twice about it all for a sense of 'freedom.'
He's never wanted to use his powers in that way, even before becoming a X-Man.]
It stopped after the Heart ejected me for that final time.
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