[It's a lot of information for Katsuki to take in at once. Talks of a God-like machine that runs the world. Of Angels. Of a mechanism that controls all of reality. It's nothing like what Katsuki has experienced, and it sounds straight out of some kind of science fiction novel.
But it's Mike's reality. And the boy's worried eyes are glued onto the man, as he explains in more detail of his mother's plan. Of how she tracked down the perfect mage, and stole her pregnant body. That leaves him almost speechless, at the thought. Of how someone could do something so cruel, like that.
He can't even imagine... that's just evil.]
...why do you call her your mom?
[It's a small, quiet question. But it's something Katsuki doesn't understand. If she stole his actual mother's body, she shouldn't deserve the title. Is what he feels, anyway.]
I'm skipping ahead in the story but when I was thirteen...she had custody of me. My father was dead. So was my paternal grandmother. She killed them both to get me. She told me I had a Destiny. I was born to do one thing.
To open Pandora's Box.
I didn't want to give her anything. So I tried to...kill myself. She found me and stopped me. That was the day she put a spell on my mind. I have to do what she tells me. She says I call her mother, I have to call her mom. One of her commands to try and persuade me into opening Pandora's Box.
Except she can't just order me to. The box won't open unless I do it of my own free will apparently. Destiny says I will one day. Apparently. That's part of my Destiny with the box. Only I can open it, one day I will, and she's been doing everything she can over the last twenty nine years to take every reason I have to live from me.
Because when I open the box, it'll be the last thing I ever do.
Katsuki feels this painful, tight feeling in his chest as Mike explains a life bound by a spell. Of a life with a predetermined path set for it. And a boy who tried to take himself out before something dangerous happened. It causes a thick lump to form in his throat, that he can't quite swallow down. This was one of the reasons why Katsuki hated getting close to other people... the empathy towards them when he sees them get hurt. Or learns something painful about them. He has the urge to apologize, and give Mike a hug--- even if those are things he rarely ever does. But he's not sure in this situation if either would even be... appropriate.]
...don't go back home.
[He's not sure anything was appropriate, really. So in a case where nothing is, he lets the first thought that he has in his mind out. Even if it might be silly, or childish. A simple way of thinking.]
If there's ever a way for us to go back to our homes... don't. You can come back with me, or someone else if there's someone you love. It doesn't matter who just--
[Katsuki looks at Mike, with this mix of anger and sympathy on his expression. And he grabs onto one of his arms, firmly. As if to keep him there, like he's about to go back home at any second.]
[Mike's eyes soften at the words. He feels his own lump in his throat. It grows and he tries to desperately swallow it. It tugs at his heart. The words do. He doesn't pull away or move at all, really. He listens to the words. They ring with such temptation. A true and deep temptation to listen to them.]
I don't want to. Mostly. There are people in my world I miss and I care very much about. ...But I know me being around them puts them at risk.
...I'm not going to just go back without thinking it through. I can tell you right now I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Okay? I promise.
[Katsuki glares at Mike as if he doesn't believe his words, because part of him doesn't. Part of him worries he'll immediately go rushing back-- but he doesn't know everything about Mike. He doesn't know if he was the type to bluff to make a kid's worry at ease, or if he really didn't want to go back and would think twice about it.
He decides to just listen to him for now, though. But his expression still is a little intense. And he refuses, for the moment, to let go.]
You better not. If you left after telling me all of this depressing crap, I'd find a way to follow you and kick your ass.
[Katsuki just let Mike in. He just started to bring his walls down around the older gentleman. He'd be.. crushed if he left anytime soon. The thought of it really upsets him, actually. Which in turn just pisses him off.]
And then I'd kick that bitch's ass too while I'm already there.
[Mike doesn't blame Katsuki for not believing him. Destiny is a bitch and Mike doesn't know what or how he could be forced to go back. Willingly or unwillingly. But he knows if he has a choice, he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It would be cruel to be here for Bakugo and leave so quickly. Mike is many things, he tries to not be cruel.]
I won't. I'm not going to dump that on you and vanish. Not if I have a say in it. And I don't think I need to worry too much. It doesn't seem like the magic holding me here is deteriorating or anything. Okay? And if I do break that promise, you deserve to kick my ass.
[Mike almost smiles saying the last part. But then his face turns a little more serious.]
...If you somehow come across her. If she comes here or is here as an illusion or you get in my head somehow...please run. Don't fight her. Please, Bakugo.
[Katsuki is quiet, when he's asked not to fight this Villain who deserves to be fought. Katsuki knows himself all too well... if she ever showed up, even just as an illusion, he'd want to at least try to fight her. He's killed the strongest person on (his) Earth, and he has a feeling he'd be able to kill anyone because of that.
Granted he's at 100%, and not in the state he's in now.]
...I can't promise that I'll run.
[He's honest, looking up at Mike with this all too serious gaze. His willpower unwavering.]
It's in my nature to fight. And to try to protect the people I care about. And I'm really angry at what she's done to you... and your mom.
So if I get the chance? I'm probably taking it.
[Katsuki's so passionate when it comes to his sense of justice... he's already upset another person saying he'd go to their homeworld and help fight their Villains. He knows everyone is just worried about him, and his reckless behaviour, though. So he tries to say something that could help quell Mike's fears just a tiny bit.]
But... if it happens before I replace my arm, and master how to use the new one, I'll leave it be and let someone else fight her. I can at least promise that much.
[A part of Mike feels angry when Bakugo won't promise to run. It's hard to explain how frightening his mother is with words. So difficult to grasp the power and horrors she can unleash. She could end things so quickly for so many and yet she enjoys playing with them more. To make them suffer. To break their spirits.
She is a god of viciousness and heinous acts.
He swallows as his face falls a little. He can't stop Bakugo from being who he is. But he's still worried and hopes beyond hope the magic that brings them here is smart enough to not grab her. She won't help this world recover. She'll bend it to her will, one way or another. Seasonal magic would be even more terrifying in her hands.]
...If any of this happens...if. And I hope it never does but if...if she kills you, I will never forgive myself.
[Katsuki can't help but feel a little guilty, when Mike's face falls like that. He knows it would make everything easier if he could just promise that he wouldn't risk himself to fight. If he could just say "you know that? I take it back." and promise to never try. But Katsuki knows himself better than that, it'd be unrealistic if he said he would run. And it'd be more of a shock to promise one thing, just to do the other when the time comes.
But hopefully that time will never come. This conversation is mostly about "what-if" scenarios, not anything set and stone. Yet they're both so serious about it as if it was just around the corner.]
...can't you have at least a little faith in me?
[He finds himself feeling hurt at how quick everyone was to assume Katsuki would die if he fought their Villains for them. Of course he doesn't know how strong they are, and can't REALLY judge if he'd be able to win against them or not. But at the same time-- these people don't know how strong the Villain that Katsuki killed was, either.]
I didn't fuck my arm up over nothing. It wasn't some accident or mishap that took it from me. It's a scar from a battle that not even the Pros who have been Heroes for decades could win.
[Katsuki hasn't had the chance to tell Mike what happened, not in full detail anyway. It's not like he hurt himself doing a normal battle, though. And he needs to make that clear.]
But I did win. I was the final boss for a Villain who made everyone's lives a living hell. Someone who was more or less immortal, himself. And who my idols were terrified of. Someone who stole people's powers from them. Who wiped so many powerful Heroes completely off the map.
I was the one who finished that Villain off. Me.
[He lets go of Mike, finally, so he can get to his feet as he starts to feel passionate while making a case for himself.]
Not even my best friend who had been given the most powerful Quirk on the goddamn planet could do it! I was me, with the Quirk I'd been born with who killed him! I didn't need anyone to give me their Quirk! I didn't need anyone to teach me anything special, either! I used my own special moves that I made up! I used the strategy that I thought of to fight him!
I did it all by myself and I won!
[His voice raises, and he stares Mike right in the eyes as he continues. So angry and desperate to be seen as powerful. And it might be a little egotistical to say he did it all by himself-- he did deliver the final blow, but it was thanks to the help of everyone around him that he was able to in the first place.
But. Still. He's holding onto the fact that he killed All For One as tightly as he can.]
And that was after a hole had been blown right through my fucking heart! It was after my arm had been crushed! I was so powerful on the brink of death-- do you know how powerful I'll be when I'm back to 100% again?!
[Mike realize three things in this moment as Bakugo speaks.
One: Bakugo wants him to believe in him. He wants Mike to believe in him that he can do anything and everything. It hits him hard in his chest. He is a young adult wanting someone parental to believe he could defeat God. Mike wants so badly to believe it too. He does. That little bit of hope that someone in some part of this gigantic ass multiverse could stop her. But that hope? That wish died long ago for Mike. Yet Bakugo wanted to bring that hope alive again.
Two: Bakugo would not be talked down. He had accomplished something on the same level as killing a god from the sounds of it. Perhaps this villain was as powerful as his mother. But he isn't sure. Maybe he was. But it sounds like this fight or fights wasn't alone. And Bakugo nearly paid for it with his life. After that, he wouldn't back down at all.
Three: If she was here, if she got ahold of Bakugo. Or Cole. Or Emeth. Or Wukong. Any of the people he's come to care for so much here, he would surrender himself to her. Get her to let them go, to not hurt them, and just go with her. Better him than any of them.
Mike stands up as Bakugo finishes and pulls the blond into a soft hug. One he can easily escape from if he wants.]
Okay. [His tone is soft and almost defeated.]
Okay. Just please...don't fight her alone. Don't rush in without a plan and help. No matter what she does. Especially to me.
At least promise me that. That's all I'll ask of you. Don't...don't do any of it alone. Please, kid. Just give me that.
[Katsuki isn't sure how Mike would respond to his rant. His passionate rant built from the want-- the need for other people to take him seriously. He's expecting more of the same... Mike telling him not to, or even that she's far more powerful than he'll ever be. That there's no chance in hell of him winning. He's prepared to continue to be on the defense, or to give in if Mike gets angry with him. A screaming match with his new parental-like guardian isn't really something Katsuki wants to take part in... no matter how strongly he may feel about this.
When Mike stands up, the boy tenses as he prepares to be yelled at. But rather than a harsh scolding, he's pulled into a gentle hug. One that immediately extinguishes his angry flames, and that feels unsure and like he could easily break free from. But he... doesn't. Not because he feels like he needs the hug himself, but because he feels like Mike needs it. And giving someone a hug when they need it is kind of like a heroic duty? Not one Katsuki usually partakes in, but he feels like it's important to. In this moment.
So very awkwardly, and hesitantly, he'll wrap his left around Mike and lean in. Though it's painfully obvious that he doesn't get hugs often, with how rigid he seems to be.]
...okay. I won't do it alone.
[That's a promise he can actually keep. He's smart enough to know that going head first, completely by yourself, isn't the way to go. He only does that with the guys who are very obviously going to lose against him.]
And I won't go after any other crazy powerful Villains by myself, either. I'll ask for help when I need it.
[Mike holds Bakugo a little longer after he awkwardly returns the hug and finishes speaking. Mike knows he does need this. He needs it quite a lot. He sighs and pulls back slowly. He looks down at Bakugo for a silent moment.]
Thank you. I really appreciate it. More than I can really say. I do want you safe. That's the crux of it. You're a good kid and you deserve to be happy and safe. Well as safe as a hero fighting powerful villains can be. Not wrapped in bubble wrap.
[Katsuki allows Mike to hug him as long as he needs, just waiting it out patiently and quietly. And when he does pull back, and look down at him, Katsuki looks back up at him with this stern yet soft expression. A slightly worried look, from a child who just wants their father figure to be okay.]
I know. I know you just wanna make sure I'll be okay. I get it, and I'm not mad at it.
[There's a few people he'd be annoyed at if they said the same thing to him. But he's never upset when a mentor is just looking out for him. It's their job, and expected of them to worry at least a little. And obviously he has a soft spot for Mike, too.]
But you're a good person too, Mike. You deserve to be just as happy and safe as I do.
[Katsuki's sure there's many people who would agree with him.]
[Mike has a lot of thoughts and feelings buzzing around inside of him. He sucks in a breath and lets it out slowly. Trying to calm the storm of internal bees that are inside. At least he can hear Bakugo still. He swallows.]
Thank you. I don't often feel like a good person inside sometimes. I know a good handful of people who would say I am but I don't often feel it.
[Mike follows and sits at the table. He watches Bakugo move and then those words come out and he blinks once, twice. Did that just happen? He feels his heart almost break. But in a good way.]
That's a big step...Katsuki. Do I need to add kun at the end? I know Japanese. Mom made me learn a lot of languages.
I know this is important. Thank you again, Katsuki.
[Katsuki thinks for a moment about that question, if he should add -kun to the end or not. Usually, if it's an adult calling a child by their first name then yeah he'd add it. However...]
...well. Parents don't use -kun.
[Now that the kettle is full, he'll go put it down and turn it on. And then turn to look at Mike while he speaks to him, leaning his back against the counter as he does.]
I mean, it doesn't really matter to me either way. But if we're going to pretend like we have some kind of dad-and-son bond while we're both stuck here together... don't use it.
[Bakugo has unlocked the true dad tier. Mike's eyes widen as the dots connect. This is not what he expected from this conversation but there it is. Out in the open.]
Just Katsuki it is. [Because is he going to jump go with this? You bet your ass he is. ]
I should introduce you to some people then. If you feel up to it today. Got people from my world here. A couple of friends and my son.
Oh and Emeth at some point. He's a permanently ten year old girl in the castle I'm staying at.
[Katsuki can't hide how sheepish he feels when he's welcomed like that, so quick and easy. He has to look away, but the way his ears were red shows how he's feeling. But he's also... happy. A little bit!! He feels like this was okay, and kind of a natural progression of their relationship anyway. He'll allow this man to be his substitute dad, while his real one isn't around. It wasn't what he expected at all when he first responded to Mike's call for a sparring partner-- but it's not unwelcome.
This place works in very weird and mysterious ways, anyway.]
I've talked to the kid already. She told me that you were a "Prince of Magic"... now I get why.
[But he doesn't want to dwell on that subject more, so quickly he moves along.]
I'll meet whoever you want, though. Just make sure they know I'm easy to piss off ahead of time.
[Katsuki will definitely do his best to be polite. But he can't promise he won't snap if someone tests him...]
[Katsuki is a young man who doesn't fully know how to deal with softness. Which makes sense given what he knows. And he will help his new adopted son learn to feel that kind of softness and still be strong.]
She's a sweetheart. Yeah. She is from a world with kings and stuff so I went with Prince of Magic to help her understand why I was living at the castle.
And the others I'm planning for are good at not pushing buttons on purpose. Unless you piss them off.
Cole is the big one. Fair warning for him though. He's from my world and has a crazy ass past too. Kid was kidnapped by fairies.
And then there is my biological son Max. He is kind of a fairy now but other things. He can probably explain it better than I can. I'll tell him to not piss you off on purpose. He is a shit stirrer.
[Katsuki nods along as Mike starts to list off the different people he wants Katsuki to meet. Emeth, the apparently permanent ten year old from a world with kings and queen. A guy named Cole, who's from Mike's world and has been kidnapped before. Katsuki immediately feels some empathy for him, as he had been kidnapped himself. In fact, when the word "kidnapped" is mentioned Katsuki visibly straightens his posture up and looks a bit more alert. Listening more intently as he describes the last person. His real son, Max.
It's good that his biological son was here with him, Katsuki thinks. He'd imagine Mike freaking out at the idea of leaving his son behind with that evil wench still there... so he feels a sense of relief for him.
...and also feels a need to compete with Max. But he ignores that. Katsuki's not Mike's real son!! He doesn't need to be jealous!!!!]
What are fairies like? I've only seen them in movies or video games.
[Katsuki is curious, since Cole had been kidnapped by them and Max was apparently one himself. Is Max itty bitty then? Like how fairies usually are in media???]
Fairies are weird. They're not like in the movies or video games. Not really. They're creatures who have Titles. These names or well titles that give them power. The Queen of Magic is a fairy title my mother stole. So she is now Queen of Magic and has rules she has to follow.
Same with others. Cole could explain it better than I can. But they also have a lot of power. In their realm of Arcadia, they have complete control of everything. And I mean everything. They write the story, the rules, and it just happens.
They don't have a lot of weaknesses either. Cold iron is the biggest one.
Apropos of Nothing, what flavors do you like in cake?
[Katsuki listens as he gets a couple of cups ready for the two, while the water in the electric kettle finishes boiling. So, fairies aren't like how they are in media. They have these roles, or "titles" as they're called, and each one has a set of rules to follow. And they also have their own realm where they have complete and utter control over everything? Yeah, that's definitely not alike the fairies Katsuki has seen on TV. And he'll definitely have some questions for Cole, since he seems to know more.
He's about to ask Mike if they're tiny, because that's the biggest thing he's curious about, but then Mike switches the subject and asks about Katsuki's favourite cake. It's extremely obvious why he'd be asking, and Katsuki's immediate reaction is to make a face as he expects some kind of party to go with that cake.]
None of 'em.
[Which isn't a lie that he's saying to try and get Mike not to make him one. He just.. doesn't enjoy sweet stuff..]
If you're thinking of making me somethin' for my birthday, you'd be better off giving it to someone else. I don't like sweets.
[He likes red bean buns... but that's not a cake!]
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But it's Mike's reality. And the boy's worried eyes are glued onto the man, as he explains in more detail of his mother's plan. Of how she tracked down the perfect mage, and stole her pregnant body. That leaves him almost speechless, at the thought. Of how someone could do something so cruel, like that.
He can't even imagine... that's just evil.]
...why do you call her your mom?
[It's a small, quiet question. But it's something Katsuki doesn't understand. If she stole his actual mother's body, she shouldn't deserve the title. Is what he feels, anyway.]
CW: Mention of attempted suicide
[It's three words but they carry so much weight.]
I'm skipping ahead in the story but when I was thirteen...she had custody of me. My father was dead. So was my paternal grandmother. She killed them both to get me. She told me I had a Destiny. I was born to do one thing.
To open Pandora's Box.
I didn't want to give her anything. So I tried to...kill myself. She found me and stopped me. That was the day she put a spell on my mind. I have to do what she tells me. She says I call her mother, I have to call her mom. One of her commands to try and persuade me into opening Pandora's Box.
Except she can't just order me to. The box won't open unless I do it of my own free will apparently. Destiny says I will one day. Apparently. That's part of my Destiny with the box. Only I can open it, one day I will, and she's been doing everything she can over the last twenty nine years to take every reason I have to live from me.
Because when I open the box, it'll be the last thing I ever do.
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Katsuki feels this painful, tight feeling in his chest as Mike explains a life bound by a spell. Of a life with a predetermined path set for it. And a boy who tried to take himself out before something dangerous happened. It causes a thick lump to form in his throat, that he can't quite swallow down. This was one of the reasons why Katsuki hated getting close to other people... the empathy towards them when he sees them get hurt. Or learns something painful about them. He has the urge to apologize, and give Mike a hug--- even if those are things he rarely ever does. But he's not sure in this situation if either would even be... appropriate.]
...don't go back home.
[He's not sure anything was appropriate, really. So in a case where nothing is, he lets the first thought that he has in his mind out. Even if it might be silly, or childish. A simple way of thinking.]
If there's ever a way for us to go back to our homes... don't. You can come back with me, or someone else if there's someone you love. It doesn't matter who just--
[Katsuki looks at Mike, with this mix of anger and sympathy on his expression. And he grabs onto one of his arms, firmly. As if to keep him there, like he's about to go back home at any second.]
Don't. Don't go back.
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I don't want to. Mostly. There are people in my world I miss and I care very much about. ...But I know me being around them puts them at risk.
...I'm not going to just go back without thinking it through. I can tell you right now I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Okay? I promise.
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He decides to just listen to him for now, though. But his expression still is a little intense. And he refuses, for the moment, to let go.]
You better not. If you left after telling me all of this depressing crap, I'd find a way to follow you and kick your ass.
[Katsuki just let Mike in. He just started to bring his walls down around the older gentleman. He'd be.. crushed if he left anytime soon. The thought of it really upsets him, actually. Which in turn just pisses him off.]
And then I'd kick that bitch's ass too while I'm already there.
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I won't. I'm not going to dump that on you and vanish. Not if I have a say in it. And I don't think I need to worry too much. It doesn't seem like the magic holding me here is deteriorating or anything. Okay? And if I do break that promise, you deserve to kick my ass.
[Mike almost smiles saying the last part. But then his face turns a little more serious.]
...If you somehow come across her. If she comes here or is here as an illusion or you get in my head somehow...please run. Don't fight her. Please, Bakugo.
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Granted he's at 100%, and not in the state he's in now.]
...I can't promise that I'll run.
[He's honest, looking up at Mike with this all too serious gaze. His willpower unwavering.]
It's in my nature to fight. And to try to protect the people I care about. And I'm really angry at what she's done to you... and your mom.
So if I get the chance? I'm probably taking it.
[Katsuki's so passionate when it comes to his sense of justice... he's already upset another person saying he'd go to their homeworld and help fight their Villains. He knows everyone is just worried about him, and his reckless behaviour, though. So he tries to say something that could help quell Mike's fears just a tiny bit.]
But... if it happens before I replace my arm, and master how to use the new one, I'll leave it be and let someone else fight her. I can at least promise that much.
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She is a god of viciousness and heinous acts.
He swallows as his face falls a little. He can't stop Bakugo from being who he is. But he's still worried and hopes beyond hope the magic that brings them here is smart enough to not grab her. She won't help this world recover. She'll bend it to her will, one way or another. Seasonal magic would be even more terrifying in her hands.]
...If any of this happens...if. And I hope it never does but if...if she kills you, I will never forgive myself.
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But hopefully that time will never come. This conversation is mostly about "what-if" scenarios, not anything set and stone. Yet they're both so serious about it as if it was just around the corner.]
...can't you have at least a little faith in me?
[He finds himself feeling hurt at how quick everyone was to assume Katsuki would die if he fought their Villains for them. Of course he doesn't know how strong they are, and can't REALLY judge if he'd be able to win against them or not. But at the same time-- these people don't know how strong the Villain that Katsuki killed was, either.]
I didn't fuck my arm up over nothing. It wasn't some accident or mishap that took it from me. It's a scar from a battle that not even the Pros who have been Heroes for decades could win.
[Katsuki hasn't had the chance to tell Mike what happened, not in full detail anyway. It's not like he hurt himself doing a normal battle, though. And he needs to make that clear.]
But I did win. I was the final boss for a Villain who made everyone's lives a living hell. Someone who was more or less immortal, himself. And who my idols were terrified of. Someone who stole people's powers from them. Who wiped so many powerful Heroes completely off the map.
I was the one who finished that Villain off. Me.
[He lets go of Mike, finally, so he can get to his feet as he starts to feel passionate while making a case for himself.]
Not even my best friend who had been given the most powerful Quirk on the goddamn planet could do it! I was me, with the Quirk I'd been born with who killed him! I didn't need anyone to give me their Quirk! I didn't need anyone to teach me anything special, either! I used my own special moves that I made up! I used the strategy that I thought of to fight him!
I did it all by myself and I won!
[His voice raises, and he stares Mike right in the eyes as he continues. So angry and desperate to be seen as powerful. And it might be a little egotistical to say he did it all by himself-- he did deliver the final blow, but it was thanks to the help of everyone around him that he was able to in the first place.
But. Still. He's holding onto the fact that he killed All For One as tightly as he can.]
And that was after a hole had been blown right through my fucking heart! It was after my arm had been crushed! I was so powerful on the brink of death-- do you know how powerful I'll be when I'm back to 100% again?!
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One: Bakugo wants him to believe in him. He wants Mike to believe in him that he can do anything and everything. It hits him hard in his chest. He is a young adult wanting someone parental to believe he could defeat God. Mike wants so badly to believe it too. He does. That little bit of hope that someone in some part of this gigantic ass multiverse could stop her. But that hope? That wish died long ago for Mike. Yet Bakugo wanted to bring that hope alive again.
Two: Bakugo would not be talked down. He had accomplished something on the same level as killing a god from the sounds of it. Perhaps this villain was as powerful as his mother. But he isn't sure. Maybe he was. But it sounds like this fight or fights wasn't alone. And Bakugo nearly paid for it with his life. After that, he wouldn't back down at all.
Three: If she was here, if she got ahold of Bakugo. Or Cole. Or Emeth. Or Wukong. Any of the people he's come to care for so much here, he would surrender himself to her. Get her to let them go, to not hurt them, and just go with her. Better him than any of them.
Mike stands up as Bakugo finishes and pulls the blond into a soft hug. One he can easily escape from if he wants.]
Okay. [His tone is soft and almost defeated.]
Okay. Just please...don't fight her alone. Don't rush in without a plan and help. No matter what she does. Especially to me.
At least promise me that. That's all I'll ask of you. Don't...don't do any of it alone. Please, kid. Just give me that.
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When Mike stands up, the boy tenses as he prepares to be yelled at. But rather than a harsh scolding, he's pulled into a gentle hug. One that immediately extinguishes his angry flames, and that feels unsure and like he could easily break free from. But he... doesn't. Not because he feels like he needs the hug himself, but because he feels like Mike needs it. And giving someone a hug when they need it is kind of like a heroic duty? Not one Katsuki usually partakes in, but he feels like it's important to. In this moment.
So very awkwardly, and hesitantly, he'll wrap his left around Mike and lean in. Though it's painfully obvious that he doesn't get hugs often, with how rigid he seems to be.]
...okay. I won't do it alone.
[That's a promise he can actually keep. He's smart enough to know that going head first, completely by yourself, isn't the way to go. He only does that with the guys who are very obviously going to lose against him.]
And I won't go after any other crazy powerful Villains by myself, either. I'll ask for help when I need it.
We love new icons
Thank you. I really appreciate it. More than I can really say. I do want you safe. That's the crux of it. You're a good kid and you deserve to be happy and safe. Well as safe as a hero fighting powerful villains can be. Not wrapped in bubble wrap.
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I know. I know you just wanna make sure I'll be okay. I get it, and I'm not mad at it.
[There's a few people he'd be annoyed at if they said the same thing to him. But he's never upset when a mentor is just looking out for him. It's their job, and expected of them to worry at least a little. And obviously he has a soft spot for Mike, too.]
But you're a good person too, Mike. You deserve to be just as happy and safe as I do.
[Katsuki's sure there's many people who would agree with him.]
Remember that.
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Thank you. I don't often feel like a good person inside sometimes. I know a good handful of people who would say I am but I don't often feel it.
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[Katsuki can tell that Mike is a bit overwhelmed, and it makes him feel a little guilty. So he looks to the kitchen for a moment before back at Mike.]
...do you want something to drink? I can make some tea or get you some water.
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[Katsuki hates coffee, but he'll make some for Mike. He motions for him to follow, as he goes to the kitchen and prepares an electric kettle.]
...by the way. I want you to call me "Katsuki" from now on.
[The boy says this as he turns on his tap, and then holds the kettle under it to fill it.]
It's my first name. And in Japan, you only let people you really care about call you by your first name.
[And after today he thinks Mike has officially leveled up when it comes to how much he cares about him.]
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That's a big step...Katsuki. Do I need to add kun at the end? I know Japanese. Mom made me learn a lot of languages.
I know this is important. Thank you again, Katsuki.
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...well. Parents don't use -kun.
[Now that the kettle is full, he'll go put it down and turn it on. And then turn to look at Mike while he speaks to him, leaning his back against the counter as he does.]
I mean, it doesn't really matter to me either way. But if we're going to pretend like we have some kind of dad-and-son bond while we're both stuck here together... don't use it.
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Just Katsuki it is. [Because is he going to jump go with this? You bet your ass he is. ]
I should introduce you to some people then. If you feel up to it today. Got people from my world here. A couple of friends and my son.
Oh and Emeth at some point. He's a permanently ten year old girl in the castle I'm staying at.
Welcome to the family, Son.
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This place works in very weird and mysterious ways, anyway.]
I've talked to the kid already. She told me that you were a "Prince of Magic"... now I get why.
[But he doesn't want to dwell on that subject more, so quickly he moves along.]
I'll meet whoever you want, though. Just make sure they know I'm easy to piss off ahead of time.
[Katsuki will definitely do his best to be polite. But he can't promise he won't snap if someone tests him...]
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She's a sweetheart. Yeah. She is from a world with kings and stuff so I went with Prince of Magic to help her understand why I was living at the castle.
And the others I'm planning for are good at not pushing buttons on purpose. Unless you piss them off.
Cole is the big one. Fair warning for him though. He's from my world and has a crazy ass past too. Kid was kidnapped by fairies.
And then there is my biological son Max. He is kind of a fairy now but other things. He can probably explain it better than I can. I'll tell him to not piss you off on purpose. He is a shit stirrer.
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It's good that his biological son was here with him, Katsuki thinks. He'd imagine Mike freaking out at the idea of leaving his son behind with that evil wench still there... so he feels a sense of relief for him.
...and also feels a need to compete with Max. But he ignores that. Katsuki's not Mike's real son!! He doesn't need to be jealous!!!!]
What are fairies like? I've only seen them in movies or video games.
[Katsuki is curious, since Cole had been kidnapped by them and Max was apparently one himself. Is Max itty bitty then? Like how fairies usually are in media???]
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Same with others. Cole could explain it better than I can. But they also have a lot of power. In their realm of Arcadia, they have complete control of everything. And I mean everything. They write the story, the rules, and it just happens.
They don't have a lot of weaknesses either. Cold iron is the biggest one.
Apropos of Nothing, what flavors do you like in cake?
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He's about to ask Mike if they're tiny, because that's the biggest thing he's curious about, but then Mike switches the subject and asks about Katsuki's favourite cake. It's extremely obvious why he'd be asking, and Katsuki's immediate reaction is to make a face as he expects some kind of party to go with that cake.]
None of 'em.
[Which isn't a lie that he's saying to try and get Mike not to make him one. He just.. doesn't enjoy sweet stuff..]
If you're thinking of making me somethin' for my birthday, you'd be better off giving it to someone else. I don't like sweets.
[He likes red bean buns... but that's not a cake!]
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you ever flip a coin to decide if a character is lactose intolerant
I have not but flipping a coin is so valid. Done it for other things
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