[Koro is absolutely shocked hearing this. With the bags placed on the table and his hands free, Koro approaches Bakugo...and ruffles his hair with both of his hands.]
You guys are getting along now? Oh I'm so proud of your growth in character. To think my special little man is now getting along with my other special little man...
[Katsuki doesn't have the energy to fight back the ruffles beyond a very weak push with his one arm, and he can't hide how pink his cheeks were at the praise either. Secretly, he likes it....]
D-don't call me your "special little man"!! What are you? My other dad??
[Koro chuckles and tones his hands down, now moving to just one hand. His subject change indicates that Bakugo doesn't need to answer that question. That hand on Bakugo's hair moves down to his forehead, and Koro kneels down.]
[He was going to give him a staunch and firm HELL NO, but then Koro changes the subject by checking on him which gets a cute little pout. He won't try to push his hand away when he checks for a fever, but he does look off to the side as he feels a little shy in this moment.]
...I'm fine.
[Not entirely the truth. He felt pretty awful, honestly. Thankfully he was given pain medication to help with the phantom pains, but during the near hour it takes for them to settle into his system Katsuki is in complete hell. And he's been on and off when it comes to a fever, both his body naturally sweating as well as his Quirk acting up once in a while as if to adjust to the new reality of half of it being torn away.
Right now, he was nearing the end of a dosage but not in too terrible pain just yet, and he was a little feverish. Clammy feeling, and sweaty as hell.]
[A sigh. Is Bakugo really going to lie to a demon who has lived a thousand of his lives and learned to pick up on lies? Koro can only exhale a small huff in amusement.]
Why don't you lie down for me, hmm?
[Koro walks back to the table and brings the bags he had with him, setting them down in front of the pouty blond. He begins taking out items one by one, revealing: A packaged cool pack, a cup of ice cream, a chilled bottle of water, and a random, brightly colored soda. Teenage human boys like brightly colored sodas, right???
There were other care items in the bag, but he didn't find it necessary to take them out just yet.]
Katsuki's pout only grows when he's told to lay down, but he does sink back into his little nest a bit. Not fully laying down but much more cozy and leaned back than before.
And his eyes light up when he sees those cold treats and the cool pack, the latter he immediately picks up and puts on his forehead which gets a relieved sounding sigh. Having a sweat based Quirk was the worst sometimes. So uncomfortable...]
...thanks for bringing all of this.
[He'll be polite and mind his manners, giving Koro a quiet thanks as he lays there for a moment just enjoying the cooling sensation on his forehead.]
[Of course he's going to immediately take the pack and use it!! He'll go for that water bottle too, just to press it against his warm cheek. So now he has the ice pack just laying on his forehead, while he's holding the bottle against his skin and he looks so happy...
But then Koro mentions something about having his own experience with an amputation, which gets him to peek over at him. Studying to see if he can find a prosthetic limb on the demon.]
From what I've heard of other experiences? Mine.. has been kind of a luxury.
[Numbing, a blindfold and classical music to listen to while it happens vs.. most other people who have lost their limbs in battle or accidents.]
[He has a lot of reasons why he didn't want to be asleep during the surgery, even though being awake was a living nightmare. The main one being: his heart. After an intense injury, his heartbeat is irregular and he didn't want to take any chances by being medically put to sleep. Call him paranoid, but he prefers being safe over sorry with these kinds of things.
But that reason is a downer, and he's sensitive about his heart still. So the reason he decides to tell Koro is:]
The doc who did it is kind of weird, and showed too much interest in my Quirk. I wanted to make sure he wasn't gonna do anything to me while I was out, so I chose to stay awake and I made Strawberries 'n Cream watch over the whole thing as extra security.
[That nickname is something that just tickles Katsuki okay--]
Doesn't sound surprising. I'm sure this place has its fair share of quirky people.
As long as you didn't suffer...I'm glad.
[As much as he is glad, ever since mentioning his own experiences with amputation...a look of unease has been formed on his face. As if remembering something that he's trying to forget about while talking.]
[Katsuki has noticed the look of unease, but.. honestly, he's not one to sniff his nose into other people's business. So for now, he doesn't ask about it. Instead, he tries to change the subject to something a little nicer... maybe.]
...what flavour of ice cream did you buy? You can't taste, so I bet you picked something shitty.
Hm? Oh, right! Better get on that before it melts.
Uh, I went with what the store clerk recommended. She said that teenage boys tend to like chocolate. But I did get vanilla as well, just in case. Whichever you don't eat you can have later if you want, or if you don't like it, I'm sure someone else in this house will.
[Koro pulls out the second cup. And also pulls out a bottle of mayonnaise.] Oh, that's ones not for you.
So you like either one? [Koro notices how he went for the vanilla first.] Good to know. Do you need help opening that? Or do you want to try doing it yourself? There's a wooden spoon underneath the lid, by the way.
Katsuki was going to try on his own honestly, but he's immediately thankful that Koro offers. Being someone who has a hard time asking for help himself.. it's easier when someone offers.
[Koro pulls off the lid and takes the spoon out to give to Bakugo. He then grips the cup and holds it out for him to eat from. Just setting it on the table might still prove to be difficult.
He doesn't mind, he can hold his arm out for a good while.]
If there's anything else you need help with while I'm here...let me know.
[Katsuki was about to take the cup and figure it out himself, but Koro ends up holding it out and it has the boy pause for a moment. He's.. never really had anyone do something like this for him before, and it's obvious he doesn't know how to react at first. Staring for a few seconds too long, before finally deciding to just dig in.
He was still feverish and overheating, so the ice cream was too good to pass up....]
...all of you have been so nice to me. I know it's not supposed to be surprising, considerin' my situation right now but... I want to pay everyone back, somehow.
[He'll think of something nice to do for Koro, Hijikata, Shoto, Mike, and everyone and anyone else who decides to check in on him during his recovery. He's not sure what but... something.]
[Katsuki was about to go for another scoop of ice cream, but Koro's line of questioning gets him to stop. He's pretty sure he remembers Koro mentioning that he was a demon before, with the whole "no taste" thing, but he didn't really get into the stuff he did in the past.
...which makes him immediately suspicious. Why is he bringing it up now...?]
....uh. I kinda thought your species were just called demons, not that you actually were one.
[Demons... they're bad people, aren't they? Katsuki looks a little like he doesn't want to eat any more of that ice cream...]
I can't believe Koro is giving him a history lesson
An immediate dread fills Koro. Wasn't Bakugo okay with demons? He seemed fine when Koro revealed it back then...what did he mean by this? Did he not think he was an actual demon? Is that why he took it so well?]
I...I mean...you're not wrong... technically. The word "demon" originated from the Greek word "daemon", which referred to spirits both benevolent and malevolent, but as the Catholic Crusades spread around Europe and forced their influence and condemned other beliefs, the word shifted to refer to strictly malevolent creatures.
We simply adapted the word to best communicate with humans. What we originally call ourselves is in a language that would drive you to insanity if you heard it.
[Koro was clearly nervous with how he was rambling about religious history. A pang of guilt struck him, and Koro grabs his chest, briefly gasping in pain before continuing.]
But...demons are demons. There's no other "species" that calls themselves that...not to my knowledge anyway.
[Katsuki knows a lot about the history of demons and religion, surprisingly. He's a very, very book smart boy for how stupid he acts all the time. But he's also patient and lets Koro explain, his expression a bit hard to read as he listens.]
There's a lot of different people from different universes, here. I didn't wanna assume the word "demon" meant the same for every single person.
[Because that would be silly to assume, he feels. Especially coming from a world where some people's Quirks can make them look like demons straight from the bible.]
Especially because you've been so nice.
[And now he's starting to second guess that niceness... though. Hijikata did seem to trust him. So he'll hear him out, at least.]
But now you're gonna tell me that you're not so nice, huh?
[Well. He's not screaming out in terror. Or screaming in anger about being betrayed. Even now Koro can remember the faces of those he met in his past lives that found out.
But Bakugo isn't. Is that...a good sign? Koro puts the ice cream down.]
I suppose you're right. Even other demons here are much different than me and my demons...which is saying something considering how different I am from them. My own brethren.
[The way Koro's eye glazed over when he says those last sentences speaks volumes. There's definitely a powerful meaning behind it.]
And well...it depends on who you ask. To some...I'm a malevolent abomination of hell that terrorizes and tempts innocent beings into sin. To others I'm a hot piece that's totally "metal".
And to some...I'm just some guy doing his job, what he was born to do. What he's expected to do for all eternity. Punish the wicked souls. Perform unspeakable tortures on them.
My brethren...they enjoy their jobs. I never did. It was just work. Started out indifferent. Then became bored. Then that boredome turned into...pain. anguish. I was feeling guilty. Empathy. It soon became unbearable and I escaped my hell.
[My hell. Two meanings there.]
I still don't know why I always felt that way. I just assumed I'm broken. Abnormal. You could probably call that nice. I don't really think I am, though.
[Katsuki continues to patiently listen, feeling... some kind of way as he hears his story. How he sounds like a very stereotypical demon that you'd hear about in media or from a bible-thumping mom online. Torturing those who deserve to be in Hell-- whatever "deserves" means. It's always subjective, and Katsuki never cared for religion because of it. His family was religious, but they barely practiced and he certainly didn't believe there was any "God" out there listening to millions of people pray each day.
Obviously, it's different in Koro's world. Or maybe all that stupid shit about Hell and Heaven were true. Either way, he's feeling.. confused. And conflicted. He has no idea why Koro is telling him about all of this, all of a sudden. Is he trying to convince him that he's a bad person?]
...okay. So you tortured people who went to Hell and felt guilty enough to quit.
[He's not sure how to respond to Koro's guilt, honestly. He's.. just a teen. Is he supposed to pat him on the back and reassure him that he did nothing wrong? He doesn't know him well enough, really... or what he did or if the people he hurt even actually "deserved" it.
Some people go to Hell just for being gay, apparently... he has no idea just how much was considered "sin" for real.]
I guess that would make you a good person, depending on who you ask. I think it also depends on what you did before you quit, and to who.
I mean... I can't imagine every single person who goes to Hell actually deserves it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Oh. So that's what you were shocked about.
[Makes more sense than the name itself..]
Well... he was really cool at the arts festival. And he's been giving me advice here and there, so I guess we've been getting along.
[He sounds and looks extra embarrassed as he explains himself, and why he suddenly likes the Commander.]
I'm also man enough to admit when I'm in the wrong, and I.. really had the wrong idea of who Hijikata is as a person.
[They're just too similar in personalities, so they butt heads...]
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You guys are getting along now? Oh I'm so proud of your growth in character. To think my special little man is now getting along with my other special little man...
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[Katsuki doesn't have the energy to fight back the ruffles beyond a very weak push with his one arm, and he can't hide how pink his cheeks were at the praise either. Secretly, he likes it....]
D-don't call me your "special little man"!! What are you? My other dad??
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[Koro chuckles and tones his hands down, now moving to just one hand. His subject change indicates that Bakugo doesn't need to answer that question. That hand on Bakugo's hair moves down to his forehead, and Koro kneels down.]
How are you feeling? Doing okay? You feverish?
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...I'm fine.
[Not entirely the truth. He felt pretty awful, honestly. Thankfully he was given pain medication to help with the phantom pains, but during the near hour it takes for them to settle into his system Katsuki is in complete hell. And he's been on and off when it comes to a fever, both his body naturally sweating as well as his Quirk acting up once in a while as if to adjust to the new reality of half of it being torn away.
Right now, he was nearing the end of a dosage but not in too terrible pain just yet, and he was a little feverish. Clammy feeling, and sweaty as hell.]
no subject
Why don't you lie down for me, hmm?
[Koro walks back to the table and brings the bags he had with him, setting them down in front of the pouty blond. He begins taking out items one by one, revealing: A packaged cool pack, a cup of ice cream, a chilled bottle of water, and a random, brightly colored soda. Teenage human boys like brightly colored sodas, right???
There were other care items in the bag, but he didn't find it necessary to take them out just yet.]
no subject
Katsuki's pout only grows when he's told to lay down, but he does sink back into his little nest a bit. Not fully laying down but much more cozy and leaned back than before.
And his eyes light up when he sees those cold treats and the cool pack, the latter he immediately picks up and puts on his forehead which gets a relieved sounding sigh. Having a sweat based Quirk was the worst sometimes. So uncomfortable...]
...thanks for bringing all of this.
[He'll be polite and mind his manners, giving Koro a quiet thanks as he lays there for a moment just enjoying the cooling sensation on his forehead.]
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Of course. I...can imagine getting your arm amputated isn't an easy time. Figured you'd like the support.
[He just grabs the cool pack so quickly and uses it? STOP BEING SO CUTE DAMN IT]
...I can only hope your experience wasn't anywhere near as awful as mine.
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But then Koro mentions something about having his own experience with an amputation, which gets him to peek over at him. Studying to see if he can find a prosthetic limb on the demon.]
From what I've heard of other experiences? Mine.. has been kind of a luxury.
[Numbing, a blindfold and classical music to listen to while it happens vs.. most other people who have lost their limbs in battle or accidents.]
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Yeah, it was a surgery, right? Knocked you out? Numbed you?
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At the question, Katsuki nods.]
I wasn't knocked out, no. But that was my choice.
[He has a lot of reasons why he didn't want to be asleep during the surgery, even though being awake was a living nightmare. The main one being: his heart. After an intense injury, his heartbeat is irregular and he didn't want to take any chances by being medically put to sleep. Call him paranoid, but he prefers being safe over sorry with these kinds of things.
But that reason is a downer, and he's sensitive about his heart still. So the reason he decides to tell Koro is:]
The doc who did it is kind of weird, and showed too much interest in my Quirk. I wanted to make sure he wasn't gonna do anything to me while I was out, so I chose to stay awake and I made Strawberries 'n Cream watch over the whole thing as extra security.
[That nickname is something that just tickles Katsuki okay--]
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Doesn't sound surprising. I'm sure this place has its fair share of quirky people.
As long as you didn't suffer...I'm glad.
[As much as he is glad, ever since mentioning his own experiences with amputation...a look of unease has been formed on his face. As if remembering something that he's trying to forget about while talking.]
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...what flavour of ice cream did you buy? You can't taste, so I bet you picked something shitty.
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Uh, I went with what the store clerk recommended. She said that teenage boys tend to like chocolate. But I did get vanilla as well, just in case. Whichever you don't eat you can have later if you want, or if you don't like it, I'm sure someone else in this house will.
[Koro pulls out the second cup. And also pulls out a bottle of mayonnaise.] Oh, that's ones not for you.
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Like I'd want a bottle of mayo in the first place.
[He'll just assume it's groceries...]
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So you like either one? [Koro notices how he went for the vanilla first.] Good to know. Do you need help opening that? Or do you want to try doing it yourself? There's a wooden spoon underneath the lid, by the way.
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Katsuki was going to try on his own honestly, but he's immediately thankful that Koro offers. Being someone who has a hard time asking for help himself.. it's easier when someone offers.
He hands it out to him.]
I'd give it a try but I'm tired as hell.
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[Koro pulls off the lid and takes the spoon out to give to Bakugo. He then grips the cup and holds it out for him to eat from. Just setting it on the table might still prove to be difficult.
He doesn't mind, he can hold his arm out for a good while.]
If there's anything else you need help with while I'm here...let me know.
no subject
He was still feverish and overheating, so the ice cream was too good to pass up....]
...all of you have been so nice to me. I know it's not supposed to be surprising, considerin' my situation right now but... I want to pay everyone back, somehow.
[He'll think of something nice to do for Koro, Hijikata, Shoto, Mike, and everyone and anyone else who decides to check in on him during his recovery. He's not sure what but... something.]
SLAMS THIS IN HERE
I just...like helping people, I guess.
[Koro watches Katsuki eat the ice cream with an odd fondness in his eyes.]
...You know I'm a demon, right? You can probably imagine what kind of things I did in the past.
[Koro wonders how humans in Katsuki's world view demons and their actions.]
OH BOY....
...which makes him immediately suspicious. Why is he bringing it up now...?]
....uh. I kinda thought your species were just called demons, not that you actually were one.
[Demons... they're bad people, aren't they? Katsuki looks a little like he doesn't want to eat any more of that ice cream...]
I can't believe Koro is giving him a history lesson
An immediate dread fills Koro. Wasn't Bakugo okay with demons? He seemed fine when Koro revealed it back then...what did he mean by this? Did he not think he was an actual demon? Is that why he took it so well?]
I...I mean...you're not wrong... technically. The word "demon" originated from the Greek word "daemon", which referred to spirits both benevolent and malevolent, but as the Catholic Crusades spread around Europe and forced their influence and condemned other beliefs, the word shifted to refer to strictly malevolent creatures.
We simply adapted the word to best communicate with humans. What we originally call ourselves is in a language that would drive you to insanity if you heard it.
[Koro was clearly nervous with how he was rambling about religious history. A pang of guilt struck him, and Koro grabs his chest, briefly gasping in pain before continuing.]
But...demons are demons. There's no other "species" that calls themselves that...not to my knowledge anyway.
no subject
There's a lot of different people from different universes, here. I didn't wanna assume the word "demon" meant the same for every single person.
[Because that would be silly to assume, he feels. Especially coming from a world where some people's Quirks can make them look like demons straight from the bible.]
Especially because you've been so nice.
[And now he's starting to second guess that niceness... though. Hijikata did seem to trust him. So he'll hear him out, at least.]
But now you're gonna tell me that you're not so nice, huh?
no subject
[Well. He's not screaming out in terror. Or screaming in anger about being betrayed. Even now Koro can remember the faces of those he met in his past lives that found out.
But Bakugo isn't. Is that...a good sign? Koro puts the ice cream down.]
I suppose you're right. Even other demons here are much different than me and my demons...which is saying something considering how different I am from them. My own brethren.
[The way Koro's eye glazed over when he says those last sentences speaks volumes. There's definitely a powerful meaning behind it.]
And well...it depends on who you ask. To some...I'm a malevolent abomination of hell that terrorizes and tempts innocent beings into sin. To others I'm a hot piece that's totally "metal".
And to some...I'm just some guy doing his job, what he was born to do. What he's expected to do for all eternity. Punish the wicked souls. Perform unspeakable tortures on them.
My brethren...they enjoy their jobs. I never did. It was just work. Started out indifferent. Then became bored. Then that boredome turned into...pain. anguish. I was feeling guilty. Empathy. It soon became unbearable and I escaped my hell.
[My hell. Two meanings there.]
I still don't know why I always felt that way. I just assumed I'm broken. Abnormal. You could probably call that nice. I don't really think I am, though.
no subject
Obviously, it's different in Koro's world. Or maybe all that stupid shit about Hell and Heaven were true. Either way, he's feeling.. confused. And conflicted. He has no idea why Koro is telling him about all of this, all of a sudden. Is he trying to convince him that he's a bad person?]
...okay. So you tortured people who went to Hell and felt guilty enough to quit.
[He's not sure how to respond to Koro's guilt, honestly. He's.. just a teen. Is he supposed to pat him on the back and reassure him that he did nothing wrong? He doesn't know him well enough, really... or what he did or if the people he hurt even actually "deserved" it.
Some people go to Hell just for being gay, apparently... he has no idea just how much was considered "sin" for real.]
I guess that would make you a good person, depending on who you ask. I think it also depends on what you did before you quit, and to who.
I mean... I can't imagine every single person who goes to Hell actually deserves it.
(no subject)