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How is it hanging, Bakugo? Figured I'd check in on you. See how you are.
Say what you want. It's amazing.
That's good. Anything particular about this month you don't like or you looking forward to something?
That's good. Anything particular about this month you don't like or you looking forward to something?
My surgery is in May. I'm eager to get it over with already.
[Though there was one thing he was both dreading and looking forward to at the same time. He hasn't told anyone besides his doctor though, because he hates it when people give him attention... but maybe telling Mike would be okay.]
And I'm turning 18 soon. Finally. I'll be able to tell people to fuck off when they call me a kid.
[Though there was one thing he was both dreading and looking forward to at the same time. He hasn't told anyone besides his doctor though, because he hates it when people give him attention... but maybe telling Mike would be okay.]
And I'm turning 18 soon. Finally. I'll be able to tell people to fuck off when they call me a kid.
That's something to look forward to. And maybe be nervous about.
And that's a big milestone. I will call you kid still. Since you said I'm a dad. It's a dad perk.
And that's a big milestone. I will call you kid still. Since you said I'm a dad. It's a dad perk.
Yeah. I'm feeling a mix of both. I'm just getting used to living with my arm in a sling. So I'm dreading having to get used to another new way of living again.
Also: fuck off. I was going to tell you what day but now you get to guess.
[He has a feeling Mike might want to celebrate with him. Or.. maybe he just wants to celebrate with Mike? Either way, he'll never get to now!!!]
Also: fuck off. I was going to tell you what day but now you get to guess.
[He has a feeling Mike might want to celebrate with him. Or.. maybe he just wants to celebrate with Mike? Either way, he'll never get to now!!!]
That's fair. You'll get used to your new life after. And I'm here to help anyway I can.
[Mike knows his connection to Bakugo can be useful here. He whispers a spell to himself for the knowledge of change with Bakugo. Being a death mage was nice for learning things like that.]
lol. Your birthday is on April 20th, right kid?
[Mike knows his connection to Bakugo can be useful here. He whispers a spell to himself for the knowledge of change with Bakugo. Being a death mage was nice for learning things like that.]
lol. Your birthday is on April 20th, right kid?
[There's a noticeable amount of time that passes, without a reply from the boy. Because Mike guessed (found out) his birthday perfectly, and of course it's freaking him out a little!!! Is he that obvious..??]
No.
[Yes. After a moment, he'll relent:]
How the fuck did you guess that?
No.
[Yes. After a moment, he'll relent:]
How the fuck did you guess that?
[The answer is instant after the relenting. Like he had it typed out before Bakugo sent his.]
Magic.
[There is a pause.]
I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to.
Magic.
[There is a pause.]
I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to.
[YOU AND YOUR STINKY MAGIC!!!]
Yeah. Please don't.
I hate my birthday. And I hate parties. And I have a feeling if word got out SOMEONE here might throw something stupid thinking they're doing me a favour.
[Probably Rinku... she seems like someone who loves to throw a good party.]
Yeah. Please don't.
I hate my birthday. And I hate parties. And I have a feeling if word got out SOMEONE here might throw something stupid thinking they're doing me a favour.
[Probably Rinku... she seems like someone who loves to throw a good party.]
[Says you with your stinky explosions.]
I know a couple people who would do just that.
[Definitely Rinku.]
No parties. Why do you hate your birthday though? There a story there?
I know a couple people who would do just that.
[Definitely Rinku.]
No parties. Why do you hate your birthday though? There a story there?
I used to like it. But when I was ten my mom decided I was too old to celebrate anymore. And she made me feel stupid for being sad because there was no party by calling me names. At TEN!!
[Katsuki never needed bullies at school because he had his mom!!!!!]
Plus, I hate that kind of attention now that I'm older. The idea of people singing while I blow out candles makes me want to puke.
[Katsuki never needed bullies at school because he had his mom!!!!!]
Plus, I hate that kind of attention now that I'm older. The idea of people singing while I blow out candles makes me want to puke.
Is your mom allergic to fun? Seriously.
Okay question. What kind of attention do you enjoy?
Okay question. What kind of attention do you enjoy?
I have no idea what her problem is. She's a crazy old hag. One minute she'll be nice and sweet and act like a normal mom and then the next she'll be swearing at me and smacking me because I forgot to put my shoes away. I can never guess what mood she'll be in and it drives me nuts.
As for attention I actually like? I like fans. I like people praising me. Worshipping me. Obsessing over me. I love hearing people cheer my name. Scream for me.
[he's such a weirdo!!]
As for attention I actually like? I like fans. I like people praising me. Worshipping me. Obsessing over me. I love hearing people cheer my name. Scream for me.
[he's such a weirdo!!]
[There is so much in this text message to unpack. Oh boy.]
Can I come visit you, by chance? I want to ask some things and frankly text I think is gonna take too long.
Can I come visit you, by chance? I want to ask some things and frankly text I think is gonna take too long.
Kinda.
[Mike texts and less than a minute later, there is a knock at Bakugo's door. That was fast. Magic is awesome.]
[Mike texts and less than a minute later, there is a knock at Bakugo's door. That was fast. Magic is awesome.]
[Mike knocking just a couple of seconds after that text has the blonde boy jump in his seat. And for a second he freezes, worried about some stranger being at his door rather than the man he expected.
But then he remembers that Mike can do just about anything. It's more likely to be him than some random douchebag wanting something to do with Katsuki. So he gets up to his feet, and crosses the livingroom to the door. Opening it a crack, just to humor his paranoia and double check that it's Mike, before opening it the rest of the way.
Stepping aside so Mike can come in.]
Can you let me know you're gonna teleport in front of my door next time? You scared the shit outta me.
[Mike will notice immediately that Katsuki's decorating taste is... exactly expected. Skulls adorn posters, pillows and throws, and cooking utensils. Just about anything that could have a skull on it does. There's a few paintings of explosions hanging on his walls, as well. Some he's done in his spare time to get used to his left arm being the dominant one, at the suggestion of a few different people.
The floor is also interesting, as it's covered in cat toys that lead mostly to his bedroom. Where a tortoiseshell scottish fold lays on his bed, looking at the two curiously but not wanting to leave the comfort of the room.]
But then he remembers that Mike can do just about anything. It's more likely to be him than some random douchebag wanting something to do with Katsuki. So he gets up to his feet, and crosses the livingroom to the door. Opening it a crack, just to humor his paranoia and double check that it's Mike, before opening it the rest of the way.
Stepping aside so Mike can come in.]
Can you let me know you're gonna teleport in front of my door next time? You scared the shit outta me.
[Mike will notice immediately that Katsuki's decorating taste is... exactly expected. Skulls adorn posters, pillows and throws, and cooking utensils. Just about anything that could have a skull on it does. There's a few paintings of explosions hanging on his walls, as well. Some he's done in his spare time to get used to his left arm being the dominant one, at the suggestion of a few different people.
The floor is also interesting, as it's covered in cat toys that lead mostly to his bedroom. Where a tortoiseshell scottish fold lays on his bed, looking at the two curiously but not wanting to leave the comfort of the room.]
Sorry about that.
[Mike says as he enters the apartment. His eyes scan the decor, the paintings, and then the toys. His eyes see the cat and he waves at the cute cat. He snaps his fingers and some treats appear on the bed by the cute little cat. He turns and looks at Bakugo. His fingers twitch as he casts one more quick spell on the apartment.]
There. I added the soundproofing spell I did on the castle on your apartment. I can remove it if you want. Just in case.
So. I'll jump to the first concern I have. Your mom. Has she always been violent with you?
[Mike says as he enters the apartment. His eyes scan the decor, the paintings, and then the toys. His eyes see the cat and he waves at the cute cat. He snaps his fingers and some treats appear on the bed by the cute little cat. He turns and looks at Bakugo. His fingers twitch as he casts one more quick spell on the apartment.]
There. I added the soundproofing spell I did on the castle on your apartment. I can remove it if you want. Just in case.
So. I'll jump to the first concern I have. Your mom. Has she always been violent with you?
[Katsuki is as curious as he is starting to feel anxious at Mike's demeanor. He was so serious, even when waving at Deku (his cat's name) and giving the kitty treats... and then he's suddenly soundproofing the apartment? What could he want to talk about that's so--
Oh.]
...violent?
[Katsuki had talked about this with Shoto a bit, when they were forced to accept truths about themselves that they didn't quite want to. And back then it felt just awkward. A little uncomfortable. But with Mike? Who he looks up to quite a bit and has already established a father-like relationship with? He's not so sure how he wants to talk about this with him... it suddenly feels much more serious than before.]
Ah.. y-yeah. Since my Quirk developed.
[The blonde reaches up to rub the back of his neck, having a hard time looking at Mike. He was four when his Quirk first started to develop, and he used to go around exploding everything in sight until his mom started to punish him for it with smacks to the back of his head. But then that made him start defending himself against her, and by the time he was fourteen they would have fights that destroyed their whole livingroom....]
But-- but I hit her back! All the time! It's not like it was all her... and she still treated me like a mom despite it!
[He defends her a little bit, feeling guilty to have made Mike worry like this.]
Oh.]
...violent?
[Katsuki had talked about this with Shoto a bit, when they were forced to accept truths about themselves that they didn't quite want to. And back then it felt just awkward. A little uncomfortable. But with Mike? Who he looks up to quite a bit and has already established a father-like relationship with? He's not so sure how he wants to talk about this with him... it suddenly feels much more serious than before.]
Ah.. y-yeah. Since my Quirk developed.
[The blonde reaches up to rub the back of his neck, having a hard time looking at Mike. He was four when his Quirk first started to develop, and he used to go around exploding everything in sight until his mom started to punish him for it with smacks to the back of his head. But then that made him start defending himself against her, and by the time he was fourteen they would have fights that destroyed their whole livingroom....]
But-- but I hit her back! All the time! It's not like it was all her... and she still treated me like a mom despite it!
[He defends her a little bit, feeling guilty to have made Mike worry like this.]
Edited 2025-04-13 04:37 (UTC)
[Mike listens. The question threw him off. The way he hesitates and it comes back to his Quirk. The controlled explosions with his hands. It's painting a more clear picture of some of it. Still, Mike doesn't like the sound of a lot of it. It's too similar, hits a little too close to home.]
Hm. Alright. But she told you you were too old to celebrate your birthday with your friends at ten. And now the thought of it makes you want to puke.
You want adulation. You want celebrity. Before we talked about romance, you were never interested in anything like that.
Do you know why you want that instead of birthday parties and things like that?
[There is an issue here and he wants to address it. Bakugo craves a certain kind of attention. One that, despite everything that comes with it, can be safer in some ways than close personal relationships, romantic or platonic. He wonders if the young man knows why or if he only knows he wants it.]
Hm. Alright. But she told you you were too old to celebrate your birthday with your friends at ten. And now the thought of it makes you want to puke.
You want adulation. You want celebrity. Before we talked about romance, you were never interested in anything like that.
Do you know why you want that instead of birthday parties and things like that?
[There is an issue here and he wants to address it. Bakugo craves a certain kind of attention. One that, despite everything that comes with it, can be safer in some ways than close personal relationships, romantic or platonic. He wonders if the young man knows why or if he only knows he wants it.]
I...
[Katsuki listens to what Mike says, and asks. But it's a bit hard for him to follow, when to him it sounds perfectly fine and normal. Why wouldn't he want things like being a celebrity instead of a dinky birthday party? Wouldn't.. anyone..?]
...i-it's just a preference.
[He doesn't know why, but he feels guarded. Unsure if he likes the prodding that Mike is doing about him and his past and the way he thinks.]
[Katsuki listens to what Mike says, and asks. But it's a bit hard for him to follow, when to him it sounds perfectly fine and normal. Why wouldn't he want things like being a celebrity instead of a dinky birthday party? Wouldn't.. anyone..?]
...i-it's just a preference.
[He doesn't know why, but he feels guarded. Unsure if he likes the prodding that Mike is doing about him and his past and the way he thinks.]
It is. ...But you can have both. You can quite literally have your cake and eat it too.
[Mike sighs and moves to sit somewhere. He runs his hand through his hair.]
Not wanting a birthday party is totally normal. Not everyone likes parties like that. Wanting instead a part to celebrate you being, Best Hero of All Time, is also normal. I'm not trying to say; hey, you're doing it wrong. But...only chasing the adulation? The celebrity? Wanting to be worshipped and adored and obsessed over might also feel safer. People then care about you without having to actually know or care about them. You don't need to. They just need to give you their adulation and praise and attention.
But there is a dangerous path to that road if you don't temper it. A path where you need more and more. That's how things like a cult of personality can be formed, even without you realizing it. Or you do realize and you like it so much, you keep going. Because it gets you more and more.
I've seen what that path looks like. What worst possible outcome it can lead to. ...That's how my mother operates. The people who follow and obey her do it because they worship her as a god. They do anything she commands because she gives them power, money, access to things they couldn't do themselves. She asks for praise, worship, and absolute loyalty.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it with you I just...want to make sure you aren't about to walk a path you can't come back from. A path many might not be able to walk with you either.
[Mike sighs and moves to sit somewhere. He runs his hand through his hair.]
Not wanting a birthday party is totally normal. Not everyone likes parties like that. Wanting instead a part to celebrate you being, Best Hero of All Time, is also normal. I'm not trying to say; hey, you're doing it wrong. But...only chasing the adulation? The celebrity? Wanting to be worshipped and adored and obsessed over might also feel safer. People then care about you without having to actually know or care about them. You don't need to. They just need to give you their adulation and praise and attention.
But there is a dangerous path to that road if you don't temper it. A path where you need more and more. That's how things like a cult of personality can be formed, even without you realizing it. Or you do realize and you like it so much, you keep going. Because it gets you more and more.
I've seen what that path looks like. What worst possible outcome it can lead to. ...That's how my mother operates. The people who follow and obey her do it because they worship her as a god. They do anything she commands because she gives them power, money, access to things they couldn't do themselves. She asks for praise, worship, and absolute loyalty.
Maybe I'm reading too much into it with you I just...want to make sure you aren't about to walk a path you can't come back from. A path many might not be able to walk with you either.
[Katsuki is silent when he listens to Mike speak. Finally turning his gaze to watch as the older man takes a seat and runs a hand through his hair. He looks stressed as he's explaining to Katsuki that he's worried about the boy taking a certain path. A path where obsession turns into something more. Something cultish. Dangerous.
The mention of it has a thick lump form in his throat, and he tries to swallow it away. Because he absolutely understands what Mike is saying. He used to live life close to something like that. He used to have students practically kiss the ground he walked on, and who would do absolutely anything he said. It went to his head. Big time. And he became the worst version of himself, because of it. And he still has fragments of that version inside of him, that peek out now and then. He wonders... was it happening now?
Quietly, he moves to take a seat next to Mike. To show him that he's not upset with Mike's assumption that he might go down a similar path.]
...I get it. I sound insane when I say shit like I want people to "worship" me, or "obsess" over me. It sounds like I just want people to think of me as a God. To put me on some kind of pedestal.
[It doesn't help that his Hero Name has "God" in it...]
But I promise it's not... like that. I don't mean it. Not that much.
[It's hard to admit when he's just saying stuff to sound cool, or tough. He hates letting other people in like this... he hates letting them know that he's maybe a bit softer on the inside than he lets on. But Mike was worried, genuinely. So he wants to let him know.]
I used to. Growing up... I used to think of myself as the best person on the planet. And I had a lot of people around me who treated me like it, too. My teachers, my classmates, my friends-- they all told me all the time how great I was. How cool and powerful my Quirk was. How I was going to grow up and be the best Hero ever. It went to my head.. way too much.
[He starts to explain about himself a bit more. About his past. Letting his gaze stick to the floor as he speaks.]
At the same time, my mom would do the opposite and try to knock my ego down a few pegs by insulting me whenever she could or hitting me over stupid shit. But as I said, she wasn't doing it all on her own. I was a real piece of shit. I would call her really horrible things myself, and throw stuff at her. Blow up her favourite things to get back at her for grounding me.
[Katsuki can feel his face heat up when he admits this. How awful he was to her in return. Yeah, it's not right for a mom to react to her son with violence but he really couldn't blame her at the same time, sometimes.]
And I... I even had a group of friends who would follow me around and bully or beat up anyone who looked at me weird. They'd act like I was this untouchable star who could do anything, and who's future was so bright and set ahead of him. And because of that... I believed them. And I let them harass the other kids. And I even joined in.
I hurt a lot of people for no reason... everyone was terrified of me. Even the teachers.
[He won't even get into the stuff with Izuku. His best friend who he relentlessly harassed for their entire lives. That would.. take way too long.]
It took going to a high school made for pros for me to snap out of it. I had to physically see that there were people just as strong-- and even stronger than me to realize that I wasn't so untouchable after all. I've grown a lot, too.
[Very hesitantly, he reaches out with his left hand to gently pat at Mike's back. Reassuringly.]
And I refuse to go back to how I used to be. So... don't worry so much about me.
The mention of it has a thick lump form in his throat, and he tries to swallow it away. Because he absolutely understands what Mike is saying. He used to live life close to something like that. He used to have students practically kiss the ground he walked on, and who would do absolutely anything he said. It went to his head. Big time. And he became the worst version of himself, because of it. And he still has fragments of that version inside of him, that peek out now and then. He wonders... was it happening now?
Quietly, he moves to take a seat next to Mike. To show him that he's not upset with Mike's assumption that he might go down a similar path.]
...I get it. I sound insane when I say shit like I want people to "worship" me, or "obsess" over me. It sounds like I just want people to think of me as a God. To put me on some kind of pedestal.
[It doesn't help that his Hero Name has "God" in it...]
But I promise it's not... like that. I don't mean it. Not that much.
[It's hard to admit when he's just saying stuff to sound cool, or tough. He hates letting other people in like this... he hates letting them know that he's maybe a bit softer on the inside than he lets on. But Mike was worried, genuinely. So he wants to let him know.]
I used to. Growing up... I used to think of myself as the best person on the planet. And I had a lot of people around me who treated me like it, too. My teachers, my classmates, my friends-- they all told me all the time how great I was. How cool and powerful my Quirk was. How I was going to grow up and be the best Hero ever. It went to my head.. way too much.
[He starts to explain about himself a bit more. About his past. Letting his gaze stick to the floor as he speaks.]
At the same time, my mom would do the opposite and try to knock my ego down a few pegs by insulting me whenever she could or hitting me over stupid shit. But as I said, she wasn't doing it all on her own. I was a real piece of shit. I would call her really horrible things myself, and throw stuff at her. Blow up her favourite things to get back at her for grounding me.
[Katsuki can feel his face heat up when he admits this. How awful he was to her in return. Yeah, it's not right for a mom to react to her son with violence but he really couldn't blame her at the same time, sometimes.]
And I... I even had a group of friends who would follow me around and bully or beat up anyone who looked at me weird. They'd act like I was this untouchable star who could do anything, and who's future was so bright and set ahead of him. And because of that... I believed them. And I let them harass the other kids. And I even joined in.
I hurt a lot of people for no reason... everyone was terrified of me. Even the teachers.
[He won't even get into the stuff with Izuku. His best friend who he relentlessly harassed for their entire lives. That would.. take way too long.]
It took going to a high school made for pros for me to snap out of it. I had to physically see that there were people just as strong-- and even stronger than me to realize that I wasn't so untouchable after all. I've grown a lot, too.
[Very hesitantly, he reaches out with his left hand to gently pat at Mike's back. Reassuringly.]
And I refuse to go back to how I used to be. So... don't worry so much about me.
Edited 2025-04-13 05:32 (UTC)
[This time it is Mike's turn to listen. He watches the young man as he explains things about himself and his past. Not the whole story but one that Mike can follow. An ego stroked by those around him, by a world and culture who favors such strong Quirks. That obsesses over their power. It would be hard for anyone to not grow a huge head with so much praise.
He is glad Bakugo sits next to him and pats him on the back. That speaks volumes. Mike smiles softly and nods.]
I won't tell anyone that some of the things you say is you being a try hard. And I'll remind myself of that too.
It takes a lot to admit that kind of stuff, that kind of change.
If your mom ever shows up, I'm definitely going to talk to her still. But parents make mistake. What's important is if they learn from them and help their child heal and understand they were mistakes.
I'm glad I don't need to worry about you so much there then. Makes me proud to know that you've already overcome some of that in yourself. And are keeping it in check. That's good work, Bakugo. Keep it up.
He is glad Bakugo sits next to him and pats him on the back. That speaks volumes. Mike smiles softly and nods.]
I won't tell anyone that some of the things you say is you being a try hard. And I'll remind myself of that too.
It takes a lot to admit that kind of stuff, that kind of change.
If your mom ever shows up, I'm definitely going to talk to her still. But parents make mistake. What's important is if they learn from them and help their child heal and understand they were mistakes.
I'm glad I don't need to worry about you so much there then. Makes me proud to know that you've already overcome some of that in yourself. And are keeping it in check. That's good work, Bakugo. Keep it up.
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