[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.
[Good to know. Who the hell wants to feel like they're not in control of their own body, mind, feelings? Bakugo had thought to go down for a second shot at the heart, but realized soon enough it was futile. Not gonna waste his time when someone else got splatted against the ceiling not too far away. He assuaged himself with at least knowing his theories about the hotel being alive are true.
So long as Scott isn't afflicted with those crazy feelings in other moments... Bakugo's willing to put the mutant down if he has to (unconscious) but isn't looking forward to a negative-inspired no-holds barred fight.
He doesn't want to see Scott out of control endangering others either.]
If you feel those emotions, go to the training room and call me. Got it?
[If there's anyone that he can trust to handle him when he's out of control... Bakugo is definitely one of those people. Even if he goes all out with his powers, there's still a decent chance that his friend would be able to take him down-- something that is actually comforting. Bakugo knocking him out before he can hurt anyone else, whether it's a friend or a complete stranger. A part of him is worried about Bakugo's safety too, of course, but... he's used to fighting powered people.
He can trust him to do this.
So, Scott swallows, nodding to his offer. A part of him becomes less tense, hands no longer gripping his arms as hard.]
I know you won't go easy on me. You'll do what's needed.
[DECENT?! YOU NEED HIM TO SLAM YOU AROUND A FEW MORE TIMES TO IMPROVE THAT OPINION, SHADES?! (No, he respects Scott's ability and power, even if he's confident he can stop a rampaging Cyclops.) Considering he's never seen Scott at full power outside of some random blasts in the training room. But they've sparred and trained together enough Bakugo's aware of some tactics and habits the mutant can be counted to fall back on.
Scott's optic blasts aren't taken lightly; something that strong with "infinite" ammunition sweeping around as fast as the guy can turn his head? Yeah, who the hell's gonna think that's easy to get around? His confidence isn't only for himself; it gives Scott peace of mind if something goes down badly.
This offer/order is supposed to reinforce that.]
I'm not gonna kill you, dumbass. [Do what's needed sounds so fatalistically dour.] But you're gonna wake up with a giant ass headache and a welt.
[He almost jokes, some of that earlier tension finally leaving his body as a little sigh shudders from his form. It's just that if someone were to get really hurt, if he did end up killing someone, he would want Bakugo to stop him as quickly as possible. A sort of 'fully stop him' before things get worse. Although, he wouldn't want to saddle his friend with something like that either-- he'll just have to trust Bakugo to make the right call if something were to happen.
If their roles were reversed, he wouldn't be able to kill him. Just try and stop him the normal way, knock him out with the biggest headache in the world.]
[Competitive as fuck even now. Ignoring the spade suit's effects, Bakugo wouldn't be surprised if the hotel decided to have some stupid moral inversion event. Shake everyone up, try to knock some friendships and alliances loose. Fractured people with trust issues are much more reluctant to come together against common foes. Now with its heart known, its vulnerability known, the house likely has more notice of people plotting against it.
Scott's trained with him and fought him enough to know where to hit Bakugo despite his versatile Quirk. Run him out of sweat or somehow lower the temperate until it's cold and dry. Good ways to put an end to his blasts, though both are very difficult to come by in a general fight. He'll have to trust Scott to manage it if something happens.]
Try to do it without cutting off my hands.
[For obvious reasons. But if it comes to a choice between maiming him forever or Bakugo killing someone, Scot better be ready to make that decision for him.]
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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.]
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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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Date: 7/4/25 05:16 (UTC)So long as Scott isn't afflicted with those crazy feelings in other moments... Bakugo's willing to put the mutant down if he has to (unconscious) but isn't looking forward to a negative-inspired no-holds barred fight.
He doesn't want to see Scott out of control endangering others either.]
If you feel those emotions, go to the training room and call me. Got it?
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Date: 7/10/25 22:39 (UTC)He can trust him to do this.
So, Scott swallows, nodding to his offer. A part of him becomes less tense, hands no longer gripping his arms as hard.]
I know you won't go easy on me. You'll do what's needed.
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Date: 7/11/25 02:36 (UTC)Scott's optic blasts aren't taken lightly; something that strong with "infinite" ammunition sweeping around as fast as the guy can turn his head? Yeah, who the hell's gonna think that's easy to get around? His confidence isn't only for himself; it gives Scott peace of mind if something goes down badly.
This offer/order is supposed to reinforce that.]
I'm not gonna kill you, dumbass. [Do what's needed sounds so fatalistically dour.] But you're gonna wake up with a giant ass headache and a welt.
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Date: 7/13/25 18:24 (UTC)[He almost jokes, some of that earlier tension finally leaving his body as a little sigh shudders from his form. It's just that if someone were to get really hurt, if he did end up killing someone, he would want Bakugo to stop him as quickly as possible. A sort of 'fully stop him' before things get worse. Although, he wouldn't want to saddle his friend with something like that either-- he'll just have to trust Bakugo to make the right call if something were to happen.
If their roles were reversed, he wouldn't be able to kill him. Just try and stop him the normal way, knock him out with the biggest headache in the world.]
I'll do the same for you, if it happens.
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Date: 7/13/25 19:17 (UTC)[Competitive as fuck even now. Ignoring the spade suit's effects, Bakugo wouldn't be surprised if the hotel decided to have some stupid moral inversion event. Shake everyone up, try to knock some friendships and alliances loose. Fractured people with trust issues are much more reluctant to come together against common foes. Now with its heart known, its vulnerability known, the house likely has more notice of people plotting against it.
Scott's trained with him and fought him enough to know where to hit Bakugo despite his versatile Quirk. Run him out of sweat or somehow lower the temperate until it's cold and dry. Good ways to put an end to his blasts, though both are very difficult to come by in a general fight. He'll have to trust Scott to manage it if something happens.]
Try to do it without cutting off my hands.
[For obvious reasons. But if it comes to a choice between maiming him forever or Bakugo killing someone, Scot better be ready to make that decision for him.]
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