[He's a stubborn bastard. Did Esikko really think he'd be able to sit behind his glacier walls and make Bakugo give up while the sound of explosions steadily pound away at his reserves over and over? While he isn't someone who pries into people's personal lives, if he wants to know something, he'll dig it out of them. Not sure what's more surprising, that Esikko's a bachan boy, or the strange smile on his face while speaking of her.]
Did she grow flowers too? [If she was the one who got Esikko so into his horticulture lifestyle. It feels like a damn relief to finally know at least one fucking person in the prince's world was a good influence on him, and left some positive mark on his life. Che, it was starting to sound like a damn sob-story fanfiction.] Sounds like she cared about you a lot.
[She wasn't afraid or disgusted like the rest of the castle staff.]
Haa? You're always so damn quick to poison shit! [Fuck! Esikko puts himself down, voices his assumed problematic existence, instinctively believes he was nothing but a burden on everyone, as if he can't possibly accept someone actually was positive towards him.] If she didn't say it, then you weren't a pain in her ass, idiot! Don't decide for her what you were to her.
( Esikko is a little surprised by that last outburst, fingers subconsciously moving to loosely try and intertwine with Bakugo's, just barely— just a quiet search for reassurance that he doesn't even catch himself.
Much like he hadn't thought of the implications or way he thought of his own last comments. )
I'm not just making it up, you know? My parents were always telling me the trouble I put halmeoni ( grandma ) through.
( Not a thought that originated from him, but the negativity he holds never was, originally, was it? He blinks a few times, first at the other and then down the path he's leading them, considering. )
...I do think she didn't mind it, though. Or that she felt I was worth the time. I suppose that's why I enjoyed visiting her so much.
But she passed while I was still quite young. ( Otherwise things might have been different, he thinks. He always felt like she was trying to make them so, anyway. ) I remember refusing to talk to anyone for at least a week... Mm, aside from my younger brother.
( His free hand twirls a strand of his hair around a finger. ) But yes, the palace garden was her doing, and she had her own plants in her rooms, as well. She taught me secrets on their uses, their growth in our weather, their meaning... and how to find out more, of course.
[He's lucky Bakugo doesn't take their entwined fingers and punk Esikko right on the nose with his own damn hand! Without letting go. Tempting... Serve him right for trying to darken the glimmer of light Bakugo pried out of the prince's brain. Wasn't easy, you know! He could've dropped the topic minutes ago!]
What the hell, are you five years old? You're a grown adult, dammit! Look at your own memories and decide for yourself what they mean to you! You don't have to believe everything your parents say in your head.
[Parents shape and mold their children for better or worse, but there comes a time when the child is old enough to decide for himself. No longer able to blame his parents on his thought process, feelings, or actions. Esikko might never break free of his parents' influence, but he doesn't have to subject himself to their abuse further.]
If she thought you were worth it, then believe her over anyone else. She knows herself best. [No matter what others say of her or imply about her choices and actions. Bakugo shifts his steps, leading them around the bend and taking the next incline slower. Steep drop.]
Hmph, no wonder you turned your room into a greenhouse. [The person he's fond of had one while Esikko was growing up. Emulation, preference, simple efficiency? Any of those. He's done a few things his parents did, even though Bakugo gruffly denies doing anything like them.]
( Despite it being a scolding, Esikko laughs a bit. It's shorter, no less genuine but with a hesitation that makes it clear he's getting a little emotional thinking about it— but nothing he can't keep himself together for. It's just— )
I think she would have liked you.
( The realization of that. The idea that she never got to see him make any friends, only continue to deal with the world the way it was. The idea that she'd have joined Bakugo in ribbing him only to softly pinch his cheeks and draw him closer, to soothe him for it all. The comfort within stern insistence.
He sighs a little. )
In any case, you're right. I know. Her memory isn't poisoned, so don't scowl so much. This is a date, isn't it? ( He swings their joined hands just once, playful. ) I just haven't told anyone about her before, so I was surprised by the topic, you know?
[Esikko's been chuckling a fair bit since he brought up his grandmother. Did finally remembering someone he actually cared about and looked up to break some of his normal demure somber open? No regrets if he did. There's more to life in this man than the prince gives himself credit for.]
Hmph! She can get in line. [The ironic part being, in the future, despite his aggressive demeanor, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight is popular among senior citizens as a Pro Hero. He obviously never had the chance to ask his future self about his future life. Far too busy trying to imprison each other.
Bakugo steps atop a larger stone, elevating himself for a quick pop, and drops back to ground level, causing Esikko's arm to momentarily lift and fall along with him.]
Then watch what you say before spewing that negative crap! [If Esikko doesn't want him scowling so much or snarling at him.] Think about shit first, and defeat yourself. Otherwise I'll crush you for you every time.
[Merciless. Even on dates. No, he's not telling Esikko to shut up and stuff his bad feelings. He's telling him to recognize his own pessimism and confront it internally, using his own strength and positive feelings. Friends are good, but using them as crutches all the time will only weaken his legs.
Bakugo silently appreciates Esikko's admission about how private this memory is, and he'll keep it guarded behind his own lips.] There's another river coming up. You wanna cross it or take the bridge?
( But he's fond, brushing it off like that. He's only recently gotten friends in the first place, so it's a stunted sort of catch-up, working through when to reach out and when not to lean, but he's trying his best. And for once, he thinks he's doing fairly well for himself!
Which is why he allows himself a moment to consider that question, weighing the pros of each. But who is he kidding? )
Let's cross it. You won't let me slip, so it's a safe sort of challenge, right? Hehe.
( To help himself get used to water more and more. And more excuse to keep holding this hand. He's honestly just surprised he's still able to keep moving without being out of breath. Improvements really are noticeable when he stops to think about it, now... )
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no subject
Date: 12/31/25 04:04 (UTC)Did she grow flowers too? [If she was the one who got Esikko so into his horticulture lifestyle. It feels like a damn relief to finally know at least one fucking person in the prince's world was a good influence on him, and left some positive mark on his life. Che, it was starting to sound like a damn sob-story fanfiction.] Sounds like she cared about you a lot.
[She wasn't afraid or disgusted like the rest of the castle staff.]
Haa? You're always so damn quick to poison shit! [Fuck! Esikko puts himself down, voices his assumed problematic existence, instinctively believes he was nothing but a burden on everyone, as if he can't possibly accept someone actually was positive towards him.] If she didn't say it, then you weren't a pain in her ass, idiot! Don't decide for her what you were to her.
no subject
Date: 12/31/25 05:15 (UTC)Much like he hadn't thought of the implications or way he thought of his own last comments. )
I'm not just making it up, you know? My parents were always telling me the trouble I put halmeoni ( grandma ) through.
( Not a thought that originated from him, but the negativity he holds never was, originally, was it? He blinks a few times, first at the other and then down the path he's leading them, considering. )
...I do think she didn't mind it, though. Or that she felt I was worth the time. I suppose that's why I enjoyed visiting her so much.
But she passed while I was still quite young. ( Otherwise things might have been different, he thinks. He always felt like she was trying to make them so, anyway. ) I remember refusing to talk to anyone for at least a week... Mm, aside from my younger brother.
( His free hand twirls a strand of his hair around a finger. ) But yes, the palace garden was her doing, and she had her own plants in her rooms, as well. She taught me secrets on their uses, their growth in our weather, their meaning... and how to find out more, of course.
no subject
Date: 12/31/25 20:15 (UTC)What the hell, are you five years old? You're a grown adult, dammit! Look at your own memories and decide for yourself what they mean to you! You don't have to believe everything your parents say in your head.
[Parents shape and mold their children for better or worse, but there comes a time when the child is old enough to decide for himself. No longer able to blame his parents on his thought process, feelings, or actions. Esikko might never break free of his parents' influence, but he doesn't have to subject himself to their abuse further.]
If she thought you were worth it, then believe her over anyone else. She knows herself best. [No matter what others say of her or imply about her choices and actions. Bakugo shifts his steps, leading them around the bend and taking the next incline slower. Steep drop.]
Hmph, no wonder you turned your room into a greenhouse. [The person he's fond of had one while Esikko was growing up. Emulation, preference, simple efficiency? Any of those. He's done a few things his parents did, even though Bakugo gruffly denies doing anything like them.]
no subject
Date: 1/1/26 05:55 (UTC)I think she would have liked you.
( The realization of that. The idea that she never got to see him make any friends, only continue to deal with the world the way it was. The idea that she'd have joined Bakugo in ribbing him only to softly pinch his cheeks and draw him closer, to soothe him for it all. The comfort within stern insistence.
He sighs a little. )
In any case, you're right. I know. Her memory isn't poisoned, so don't scowl so much. This is a date, isn't it? ( He swings their joined hands just once, playful. ) I just haven't told anyone about her before, so I was surprised by the topic, you know?
no subject
Date: 1/1/26 19:39 (UTC)Hmph! She can get in line. [The ironic part being, in the future, despite his aggressive demeanor, Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight is popular among senior citizens as a Pro Hero. He obviously never had the chance to ask his future self about his future life. Far too busy trying to imprison each other.
Bakugo steps atop a larger stone, elevating himself for a quick pop, and drops back to ground level, causing Esikko's arm to momentarily lift and fall along with him.]
Then watch what you say before spewing that negative crap! [If Esikko doesn't want him scowling so much or snarling at him.] Think about shit first, and defeat yourself. Otherwise I'll crush you for you every time.
[Merciless. Even on dates. No, he's not telling Esikko to shut up and stuff his bad feelings. He's telling him to recognize his own pessimism and confront it internally, using his own strength and positive feelings. Friends are good, but using them as crutches all the time will only weaken his legs.
Bakugo silently appreciates Esikko's admission about how private this memory is, and he'll keep it guarded behind his own lips.] There's another river coming up. You wanna cross it or take the bridge?
no subject
Date: 1/2/26 06:29 (UTC)( But he's fond, brushing it off like that. He's only recently gotten friends in the first place, so it's a stunted sort of catch-up, working through when to reach out and when not to lean, but he's trying his best. And for once, he thinks he's doing fairly well for himself!
Which is why he allows himself a moment to consider that question, weighing the pros of each. But who is he kidding? )
Let's cross it. You won't let me slip, so it's a safe sort of challenge, right? Hehe.
( To help himself get used to water more and more. And more excuse to keep holding this hand. He's honestly just surprised he's still able to keep moving without being out of breath. Improvements really are noticeable when he stops to think about it, now... )