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(no subject)

Who: Katsuki Bakugou
Status: Closed to crewmates
Where: Aboard the Mighty Explosion God Ship Bomb!!
What: Katsuki returning from his canon update.
Warnings: Spoilers for up to chapter 360 of MHA, Blood, Vague description of injuries

Two days. Katsuki has been missing for two days when he's suddenly reappearing on his crew's ship.

The right side of his face is a bloody mess, the eye on that side is swollen shut and there are tears and sweat streaming down his face. He'd been getting back to his feet to continue the fight when he was pulled back to the ship.

He stumbles forward, trying to gain his bearings. The adrenaline from the fight is fading as he realizes he's not still facing off with Shigaraki. That he's back on the ship now. "Shit..."

Everything hurts. And the memories of this place are all flooding back.

"Not now... shit. Gotta get back."

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Toge didn’t help with patching up of Bakugo, because as much as he could’ve before, he’s not really in his best shape to do so now. What he does do is, after he’s had some sleep, come into the room with a small cutting board in hand for him.

There are grapes and strawberries that have been washed and placed. Some cheese, some cured sausage that is cut rather awkwardly. It’s not perfect, but still worse than Shoto could do, so likely Toge did it himself, and a fresh savoury ham, onion and cheese pastry that he had Shoto pick up for him.

Toge sets it down on the nearest surface and produces his mug, holding it out to Katsuki. It’s already filling up with fresh hot chocolate, as magic bottomless hot chocolate mugs are wont to do. Toge also offers him a gentle smile.

Katsuki is feeling pretty rough on more ways than physical. There's so much going on in his head. Too much. How badly outmatched he was in that fight was a blow to his pride. How little he felt he could actually do.

Toge is actually someone he wants to see right now. After all, he's the only other person Katsuki knows of that got sent back and returned here. His one eye is covered with a bandage, but the good one opens when he hears the other approach.

He looks over the board of food and sits himself up a little better. He reaches for the pastry.

"Thanks."

And start digging in. Turns out having your ass kicked ten ways to Sunday gives you an appetite.

"You also got sent back to your world before right?" As if Shoto hadn't texted him at the time absolutely heartbroken at the loss. Of course he knows. But he's opening a conversation here.

He could make a better breakfast, but people were busy right now and Toge wasn't in the best position to do it. The conversation seems like an invitation to talk so he hooks a chair leg with his foot and drags it over.

Toge sits and pulls out his shellphone to let the weird voice do the talking for him. At least he's eating, that's a good sign. He's not here to baby Bakugo though.

Yeah. I think I fell asleep here and I was back, but I didn't remember this place while I was there. I had the strangest dreams for the few days I was there, and I could smell the ocean, which was kind of weird. Then everything happened and I came back.

Looks like Toge is already answering his biggest question. Which was if he also forgot everything here when he went home. But he chews and swallows while he listens to the robotic voice convey these details.

"Yeah. The same happened to me. It's like this place never really existed."

He hates it. He hates the idea that whatever entity is moving them around can just wipe away months of memories.

"Does Icy-Hot know you forgot everything?"

He isn't sure he should say anything to him or Izuku about that part.

He's not sure if he would've remembered or not. He actually hadn't been home long for the span of time he was. Maybe? He'd gone home to chaos.

Toge's brow furrows, did he ramble that when he came back? He doesn't exactly remember, he didn't come back terribly lucid. He feels like the conversations afterwards that maybe he didn't mention that.

I don't remember if I told him or not, but I don't think he said anything about it? So I'm not sure that I did. Maybe not.

Thinking about it, Toge isn't sure he wants to say anything either.

"Not that I enjoy hiding things, but I dunno that I wanna have that conversation with Izuku yet."

They've worked so much out. Come so far. And it could all mean nothing the minute they go back home. That scares him.

He imagines it would be even worse for Shoto and Toge. They aren't even from the same world...

Then again looking at the situation he left, maybe he won't get the time to even try to rebuild. That's also on his mind.

"I won't say anything to Todoroki either. That should be your call to make."

“Tuna mayo.” Toge is quick with his thanks, because he knows that if Shoto has to know about this, it needs to come from him. They do need to talk about this, but he’s not sure it’s going to deter Shoto in any way. So far, he seems to roll with most of what he tells him.

It would be absolutely terrible, but it just makes Toge think that he can enjoy the moment if nothing else. He’s good at compartmentalizing like that. Enjoy what he can, and when it’s gone, don’t be surprised. This might not be the healthiest mindset out there.

I should tell him, I just can’t remember if I did. I was kinda out of it. But if you and Izuku figured it out here, then you could do it again. I know that sounds hard but, I’m cheering for you.

He likes both of them and Toge wishes them nothing but the best, if his smile is anything to go by.

He knows eventually he needs to tell Izuku too. It's something they can't change. That what happens here isn't forever. And Izuku deserves to know. But he isn't ready. Not yet.

"I dunno. It hinges on me getting my shit together. Odds are good someone else is gonna see him for the catch he is and make a move before I figure it out."

He drops his head back. "Fuck! Hate how defeatist that sounds! But he's such a catch... and I've been an idiot our whole lives not to see it."

Edited 2024-06-03 21:02 (UTC)

Toge listens to him, head gently tilted to show he was, and he seems to sigh a little bit. He considers that for a moment.

You’ve already done it once. I had some weird feelings or thoughts while I was gone. I could smell the sea and I remembered Shoto’s pretty eyes, so…it’s not impossible. What if you remember that you want to work it out with Izuku?

He’d like to hope that love wins out in the end for people who can have that. It’s only because he’s in this world that he can even conceive of that. There’s no hope of him having a romance if he returns home for good. He knows that.

I know it’s not guaranteed but you two seem close to begin with. It might work out, if only you just need to remember to work at it. For you and Izuku’s sake.

Using Izuku’s proper name is incredibly rude, by most standards, but Toge tends to remember the shortest version of people’s name at all possible, in case he needs to say it. It would have to be a crisis for that to happen though.

He didn't have any dreams or memories when he went back. But he also wasn't there long and was basically distracted the whole time by impending battle and then getting his ass kicked.

He can't tell Toge what he's got on his mind. First he can't risk that it would get back to Shoto or Izuku. But also... it's not something he wants to lay on Toge's shoulders.

That the man he was fighting way outclassed him. That he had the upper hand and Katsuki wasn't sure he could do more than stall.

And that loss meant death because Shigaraki had been clear. He wanted a corpse.

"Yeah. Maybe I'll remember."

Is what he finally settles on with a sigh, staring up at the ceiling.

He doesn't comment on the name. Katsuki is weird with names. Toge is still 'Salmon'. Shoto half the time is 'Icy-Hot'. For all he knows Izuku and Toge have become besties.

"Tell your boyfriend he's not getting out of the double date by the way." Topic change. "I'll be healed enough to at least manage that."

Toge is probably surprisingly tight-lipped about most things so Bakugo could certainly confide in him, but he doesn’t say anything one way or another. He just nods his encouragement.

(Someday he might learn Bakugo’s nickname for him - and promptly ask him to change it.)

“Salmon.” Toge laughs a little bit at that, nodding enthusiastically.

I think you’ll be fine for a date. We can take it easy, I don’t mind. I know Shoto’s happy just getting out.

He'll probably learn it soon enough. There's no way they're getting through a sleepover and a double date without him saying it.

"Has he been cooped up lately too?" Probably taking care of Toge if he had to guess. Which reminds him; "How are you feeling? You got fucked up worse than I did."

Edited 2024-06-07 16:31 (UTC)

Not as much, he's been going on patrols again. I know because he keeps bringing me cake. I think it's a plot to fatten me up or something.

His expression betrays his overall amusement.

I'm doing okay. Shock's faded away now I'm just going to have to adjust to how things are. Doesn't hurt much anymore either. It sucks, but I'll figure something out.

"Did you tell him you like cake?"

He would not be surprised if Shoto just... latched onto something like that and decided to bring it every chance he got.

Toge laughs suddenly, a bit startled, and he’s quick to muffle the sound with his hand, but a few giggles escaped before he could do it. It’s entirely possible Bakugo might feel like laughing, if he got caught up in the cursed energy or not.

I did, and I do. It’s very sweet of him to bring me cake. He has said he’s going to mix it up though with some savoury things which is good. I think he likes to bring me things. I don’t do that so much, mostly I cook for him.

At least…he did. Now Toge doesn’t know what he’s going to do.

The feeling bubbles up inside so unexpectedly, starting with a snort that becomes a laugh. Startling him when it does. But not necessarily in a bad way.

Damn. After the couple of days he's had back home, a laugh is actually kind of nice? It breaks the tension that's been like a rubberband stretched taut inside him.

He blinks at Toge for a moment. Previous topic of discussion waylaid.

"So it even works with sounds like that?"

He really hadn't meant to do that, and that's always the risk being around him. Most people wouldn't assume that risk, that Shoto does makes him incredibly happy, and while Bakugo doesn't look mad at him - yet - he's immediately picked up on him.

Toge's shoulders slump, he looks like he's bracing himself. "Tuna." It's not a confirmation, it's an apology.

He'd only apologize if it was true though. He hates accidentally cursing people by accident.

Katsuki takes in the slumped shoulders and the way he's bracing himself and frowns.

"That better damn well not mean 'sorry'." Because he already knows 'salmon' is a confirmation. It's the only one he's worked out. And he doubts it's a no with that reaction.

"I'm not gonna bite your head off for laughing."

"Salmon." It did, but it's okay, Toge will use his shellphone to explain more.

It was an accident. You surprised me. Usually I can contain my emotions.

Very healthy, that. I'm glad you're not too upset. My friends all agree that that might happen, but uhhh most people aren't okay with accidentally being cursed.

"It was a laugh. It's not like you're playing ping pong with my body again."

He clicks his tongue, vaguely annoyed but not about being cursed.

"If it's harmless like you muttering in your sleep or making me laugh or whatever, it's fine. That shit isn't going to bother me."

Toge is relieved, and he looks it. He smiles at Bakugo though and tilts his head a little bit, in wordless thanks.

I appreciate that.

He looks happy, even though it's so simple.

My clan's really strict about cursed speech and that kind of thing isn't really acceptable to them. Even ingredients make them nervous, you know.

"Sounds like they're a bunch've cowards then. I'm not scared of you and your weird ingredients language."

He thunks his head back to stare up at the ceiling.

"...you could probably kill me with a single word. But you haven't. Good enough for me."

Too risky to just tell you to die, but yes, I probably could. I don't want to though. I only kill people when I have to.

It's a gentle confirmation of what Bakugo says, but also Toge isn't sure if Shoto has told the others about that conversation, that part of his job. He knows Shoto didn't like it, and frankly, he's not surprised by that.

His clan are cowards, and so are the Elders. That's why they try to constrain him so much. They're all afraid of him.

Katsuki doesn't know about any of that. It hasn't been a conversation they've had. As a hero, Katsuki believes in taking villains in alive. So he doesn't really agree with the idea of killing someone. Even if he does run around yelling 'die' in his battles.

That said... he doesn't know shit about Toge's life. For all he knows that only killing when he has to thing means self defense. Which with a power like Toge's makes sense to him.

"Right. And it's not like I plan to give you a reason to. So unless you actually hurt me with that speech of your, keep your apologies."

Having talked this out with Shoto, Toge is aware that the heroes likely would not approve. Granted, he doesn't have much of a choice, his world is a neverending hellscape and he wants to survive. So, he's avoided talking about it too much.

He does nod. Bakugo isn't going to give him a reason, he's pretty sure, and he has many non-lethal ways of dealing with people should they cause him a genuine threat as he very well knows.

I'll do my best. That shouldn't happen, I'm not a kid anymore. I have a good hold on my emotions most of the time so I won't like, get mad at you or anything. I did accidentally hurt people back then. I feel bad about it.