laserguy | peacock inbox

[This has been a message too long in the making. Loki feels ridiculous for taking so long to apologize and hopefully set the record straight, but he also doesn’t really know what to say. But, as they say, the start of a new year is the best time to try and start fresh.]

Hello,

I have been meaning to message you for some time but for once in my life, have been uncertain as to what to say. But that is only an excuse and I am trying to start this year off better.

So, my apologies for how I acted when we met a few months ago. I was not myself and I wish you to know that I would not normally act that way. Not anymore. I know you do not remember me, so I understand if you have no desire to speak with me again, but it felt wrong to not say something.

-Loki

[Scott's honestly surprised to see this message from Loki. He, of course, hadn't forgotten about that day, and a part of him can't stop the rising anxiety as he hears from him again, but... he can admit that he also acted out of line. Sort of. Okay, so he still mostly blames the other man for most of what happened, but he knows he could've handled it better.

He thought that Loki would never try to reach out to him after that whole incident, but here's this message, directly addressing him. Apologizing.

Should he ignore it? He could, but that feels like a coward's approach.]

You were influenced by all that monster stuff, right? It's fine. I don't hold it against you or anything. So, um, apology accepted.

I was indeed. It seems you showed up during one of the more interesting times I’ve seen here this year.

Thank you. I truly do not typically act that way and would like to make it up to you, if you are ever interested. Perhaps we could get a coffee or tea sometime?

[He wonders if this is a trap at all, something to lure him in, but even if it was, he should just face it head on. Besides, there's something in Loki's message that seems genuine.

There's still some nervousness, but there's also that reckless energy in him that's been ever present, more on the surface than ever before, since living in this casino. He's not sure if it's the environment, the fact he's the only X-Men here, or something else, but.]

If you're offering to pay.

I want a sandwich to go along with it.

I could certainly arrange for that. When are you free?

[Loki doesn’t really pay for much around here, but he’ll make sure Scott doesn’t pay anything either. All he cares about is the chance to reunite with a friend, even if he knows it’s not the same Scott. The young man’s variant had been very good to Loki early on in his time at the hotel, and he would be remiss if he didn’t try to make things better with this version.]

I'm hungry right now, so if you're free this afternoon, we can meet then. You can buy me food and feel like you've repaid your debt.

[Is that sass? Yep. Some typical teenage reactions now...]

I am indeed free. Shall we meet at the Red Cardinal? Around 1?

[Unsurprisingly, Loki appreciates the sass.]

Yeah, sure. I'll try not to stand you up.

[Of course, Scott will do no such thing, and will actually arrive right on the dot like a responsible teen, if that's not an oxymoron or anything. He's not really dressed well, partly because he's pretty much broke and can only buy jeans and shirts, along with the basic things to live. So, that's what he's in as he walks over to the entrance at Red Cardinal, fully expecting Loki to be there.

If nothing else, maybe he can ask Loki about his 'future' self, since he knows now that wasn't just bullshit. Although, it's not really a topic he fully likes getting into.]

[This might be a different Scott from the one he knew before, but Loki suspects he’s not that much different. Just like he has things in common with all of his variants, both good and bad. Because of this, he does not believe Scott’s threat.

Promptly at 1, Loki teleports himself to the entrance of the Red Cardinal and sees Scott immediately. He smiles to himself before pulling it into a smirk. He doesn’t want to put him off, but it’s a bit of a self-defense mechanism.]

Mr. Summers. It is nice to see you again. Shall we get a table?

[Luckily, perhaps, since he already knows that Loki has the ability to teleport, he's not all that surprised to see the man suddenly appearing in front of the entrance. Hell, one of his best friends can teleport around like that, but Scott doesn't quite have as positive of a connection with the god's ability as Kurt's. Maybe that will change in the future, but for now, Scott does his best to remain neutral. Calm.

He doesn't want let Loki to know he's feeling just a little nervous, despite all that bravado earlier. At least putting up that bratty teen front helps a bit, the reckless sort of energy pushing away those dumb feelings. He's glad to feel that way for once.]

Just call me Scott, you make me sound old. [He doesn't exactly return the warm welcome, but he at least nods to Loki's suggestion.] But yeah, table's fine, unless you have second thoughts. I said earlier that I am going to make you spend a bunch of money.

[It may appear as though Loki is being casual himself, but he’s also a little nervous. When the older Scott had been here before, Loki had considered him a good friend. He’s mostly kept it to himself, but he knows what happens to those who leave. He also found Scott’s visor not long after he disappeared so to see him here now, younger or not, is a jolt to Loki. It only makes matters worse that Loki was not himself when they ran into each other this time.

It brings up all sorts of questions, mostly how different is the timeline for this Scott? Loki knows from personal experience that a different timeline can make for a different person, if his own variants are anything to go by. So how different is this Scott? Do they even have the chance of being friends? Loki honestly doesn’t know, but he plans to find out.]

Is being older such a bad thing? [He smirks, giving Scott a bit of a sideways glance. He really just wants things to be normal, but he’s not really sure how to do that, especially not with how badly Scott must think of him after their first meeting. Loki’s just not very good at normal.] But no, no second thoughts, Scott. You may order anything you wish.

[Loki doesn’t mind paying. Mostly he doesn’t need cash for much and he just got a decent amount of chips after his birthday fiasco. Though really, he’s not sure he really deserves punishment for things out of his control back on Halloween, he’s still willing to try with Scott.]

Only when you make me sound like my dad. Or a teacher.

[Scott snorts, still giving Loki some of that teenage attitude, but his posture eases from its tense posture just a little. His shoulders unknowingly loosen in their tension, because at least snarking with Loki like this is... sort of comfortable? It's okay, definitely better than before. But he can't fully ease up, not yet, maybe he'll get there at some point when he's stuffing his face with food. He doesn't even really feel bad at the thought of taking advantage of Loki at this point.

He slides his hands into the pockets of his plain jacket, still trying to put up that confident front. Maybe someone that looks unaffected by the awkward encounter they had a couple of months ago.]

Get your wallet ready, Loki. [Unfortunately, with Scott trying so hard to control his feelings about all this, he's a little unobservant to how Loki may be dealing with all this. He just assumes that the god is fine and mostly just trying to assuage his own guilt.

But without waiting for a response, Scott makes his way into the restaurant.]

Well, I cannot see a problem with being a teacher, but duly noted about fatherhood.

[Loki is well aware of the many myths about him and the one that has always struck him as the strangest is that some believe him to be a parent. Or, more likely, one or more of his variants are parents. He can’t imagine it himself.

Scott might not be totally at ease, but Loki does notice that he’s not quite as stiff anymore either. And really, he’ll take what he can get. Hopefully it’s a sign that all is not lost because truly, Loki has missed his friend. He may not be the Scott he knew, but there at least seems a chance that he is not so different either.

He doesn’t expect Scott to notice his discomfort. The young man doesn’t actually know him, after all and he actually feels something like relief that Scott hasn’t noticed these things. It’s a bit of a sign that Loki isn’t wearing all his emotions on his face. As much as he’s gotten better with dealing with his own issues, this moment is one he recognizes as not the time to lay such things out. He’s here to try and salvage a possible friendship and nothing more.

Or at least to try and start over again. Scott is a good person and Loki thinks it might be a good idea to have him on side.

Loki smiles and shakes his head as Scott walks off into the restaurant before following him to a table.]

I will watch my wallet and hope you do not eat so much that you make yourself sick.

[He wouldn’t want Scott to make himself sick out of spite.]

Edited (Forgot to add something.) 2025-01-20 22:58 (UTC)

[The Red Cardinal is one of the few places in the entire casino where he's not judged for being such a low rank, so he's almost familiar with the staff here, giving a small wave before he settles on a corner table. Of course, he never ordered anything too expensive here, because he's been keeping a tight budget, but it's honestly kind of exciting to grab the menu before him and look at the more expensive side of things.

Which, admittedly, they only really offer a few 'pricey' meals and they still probably pale in comparison to some of the offerings in the more ritzy restaurants. Red Cardinal truly tends to focus on more simple dishes.

Still, Scott seems to be in a better mood as he looks over the menu.]

So, after all this, you're going to stop feeling guilty, right? [And then let Scott just carry on with his 'life' in this casino. Unless...] Or did you have something else in mind for bringing me here? I... you already know that I'm not the Scott you knew, or at least, not yet. Which. Okay, I believe you about that.

[Loki is also not of a high rank himself. He knows some have managed to move up, but mostly he’s found himself coasting a long at a 5 without much issue. Though he does miss the brief time he had a bathtub available to him in his suite. It makes him think perhaps he should try just a little harder, if only to be able to have a nice soak alone on occasion. Well that, and he thinks he might be able to get more information if he’s not looked down on by almost everyone. Really, though, he’s kind of glad he got used to the accommodations at the TVA. They really aren’t that much different.

The eagerness with which Scott takes the menu makes Loki laugh slightly. It actually makes him happy to see Scott excited about something, even if it’s just food. The man he’d known before had often felt sad and somewhat down about some things in his past. This younger version is missing some of that. It’s interesting to see.]

I am hoping to stop feeling guilty about this at least. I’m sure I have many other things to feel guilty about though. I am not alone in that, I am sure. [Quick and to the point. Loki has to appreciate that. Loki takes a breath and considers his answer before continuing.]

I suppose I did have two purposes. I did honestly wish to make things up to you. I promise who you met at Halloween is not who I usually am and I did want to show that to you. And yes, I know you are not who I knew before, but I did consider him to be a very good friend of mine. I suppose I was hoping for a second chance.

[He's got a couple of appetizers and an entree already in mind, maybe a couple of drinks as well. Should he feel bad about taking advantage of this opportunity? Maybe, but also, Loki offered and he's feeling a bit famished right now. It's not too often that he gets to spoil himself and that bratty side of him isn't gone. Besides, he totally deserves this for putting up with Loki!!

Okay, that was probably mean.

Now that the god is in his right mind... he really is different. Maybe it's okay to actually trust him, although isn't he supposed to be a trickster deity? He knows that much about mythology. But losing control of yourself is such a shitty feeling and the casino is well-known for that sort of thing. It's happened to him a couple of times already and. It sucks.

It's that understanding that helps Scott.]

You'll stop feeling guilty after you look at the bill later on. [Scott lightly snarks, but he quiets and waits for him to continue.]

It's hard when you lose control. [He acknowledges, briefly, but it's clear that he doesn't want to fully get into it. Instead, Scott tilts his head at him, face unreadable.] ...Wait, you want to be friends with me? I'm probably not like him that much.

[Which feels weird saying. He won't be like his future self at all??]

[As he watches Scott flip through the menu, he can’t help but wonder just how different he might be from his friend. If anyone knows how much someone can change in their lives, it certainly must be Loki. From trickster to villain to possible saviour of the multiverse. Loki has worn many hats and he knows he’s not alone in that.

Still, he thinks he can see the man Scott will become, the man he almost is. There couldn’t be that much of an age difference, could there be? Humans have such a short lifespan, the difference couldn’t be more than a few years at most, right? But even if that turns out not to be true, Loki wants to know, wants to find out what this Scott is really like.]

Likely, though depending on how high the bill is, I might have to feel guilty about leaving without paying. [He smirks, wondering how the young man would react to a good old dine and dash.]

It is not my favourite thing, no. [It’s also not something Loki particularly enjoys talking about, but he will if Scott presses.] Well, that remains to be seen. I understand that you might turn out to be very different from your variant, but I wouldn’t want how I was when you first met me to determine whether or not we might become friends ourselves.

What-- come on man. [BIG FROWN.] We're not doing that to the owner of this place. She's cool.

[Scott folds his arms across his chest, sending Loki a mild disapproving glare towards his way. Look, if it would be one thing if they were stealing or dining and dashing from a place that's run by an asshole, but the staff at the Red Cardinal is one of the few areas in this whole casino that doesn't look down at him for low rank. So, he has to defend against stealing, especially in this instance.

Guess he shouldn't have expected anything else from a trickster god though.]

My 'variant?' [That's an interesting way to describe his other self. Future self? He doesn't know, so maybe Loki is onto something by referring to the other Scott like that. But more than that... Scott watches Loki for a moment, eyes almost assessing behind his glasses, like he's putting things together, and--]

You really miss him, huh? [Guess it should've been obvious, but.]

[Loki chuckles softly behind his hand. That is precisely the reaction he expected.] I also do not wish to do such a thing. The Red Cardinal has fast become my favourite establishment in the whole resort and while I do have enough money to ensure you have a good meal, I am still only a level 5. If you go overboard, it is still possible that I will not have enough to cover.

[It’s unlikely, but then Loki remembers how much he could eat when he was a bit younger which causes him some concern. He’ll work it out with Jin Mingming if it comes down to it, but he’d rather not have to.

Besides, it was fun to see Scott’s reaction.]

Yes, variant. Though I suppose it is possible you are the same version but only from a different point on the same timeline. That is rather hard to determine for sure though.

[Loki startles at the assessment. It wasn’t as if he had really been trying to hide that he missed his friend, but he also hadn’t expected this Scott to come right out with it.]

I do, yes. He was one of the first friends I met here and I was not happy when he disappeared. [Things were only made worse when he found Scott’s visor, not to mention when he discovered what happens to those who disappeared without finishing Game 52.]

Maybe you should've mentioned that sooner!

[What?! He didn't know that Loki was also a broke ass bitch. He just sort of figured that a Norse god would be a higher rank! Or he'd have a ton of money, just because. Well, guess it's a good thing he didn't fully plan on emptying Loki's wallet, and he's definitely keeping this in mind for the future because now he almost feels like an asshole for doing this. Almost.] Look, just so that we both don't get banned from this place, I'll just order a couple of things. Geez.

[Huff!! What a pain! Trying to be responsible now after everything that just happened...]

Guess you could ask me a ton of questions and see if what's happened to me aligns with what he told you. [Scott suggests, almost flatly. Is he willing to answer those questions? Maybe. Hearing Loki's admittance, his demeanor becomes less prickly, returning to that more calm and maybe even understanding stance.]

Especially if he was important to you.

Did I not? I thought I mentioned something about not being of a high rank. My deepest apologies. Do not overly concern yourself with it though. It was a simple warning. As I believe I mentioned, I earned some extra money recently. I only wanted to be upfront about how much extra is extra.

[Loki really isn’t sure if he mentioned his rank, at least not specifically. He might just not be used to paying for others and it didn’t particularly occur to him. Money has never been something he really thought much about.]

I would appreciate that, though please do feel free to order a proper meal. I can always eat later.

[Relaxing back in his seat, Loki ponders that. He does want to know some of these things. Wants to know the differences, if there are any, but the only real major life event Scott spoke to him about was the death of the love of his life.

How does one casually bring that up?]

I, um, hmm. I am rather curious, but it is not usually a good idea to speak to people about their possible futures. It could cause irreparable damage to your timeline.

[...He's definitely not going to be ordering a bunch of things. Scott's sure about that now. Even if Loki earned a little bit of some extra money, it feels like he's taking advantage of him in some way. Yeah, making up for what happened, but he doesn't hold it against him. Well, not anymore-- he'll just save his anger for the people in charge of this casino.]

No, you're eating too, especially if you're hungry. I'm not just gonna eat in front of you like an asshole.

[Or guess he can just share with Loki if it comes down to it. Scott's fine with that too. He's hungry, yeah, but he can also deal.]

Okay, how about I mention something big and important and we can see if he's been through that?

[It's honestly kind of stressful confirming if the 'future him' in this place actually is him from the future and not a variant. He hasn't learned much about his future self, just small characteristics, but it'd still be a lot having that confirmation. Maybe it could still be a variant, but...

Maybe he just needs to confront this in his own way and this is the best way to do it.]

[Scott’s reaction actually surprises him a bit. After all, he is the one who invited him out. By no means does he expect to not have a decent meal, he just wanted to be realistic about the situation. Now Loki wonders if he’s done something wrong or inadvertently made Scott feel badly? Neither had been his intention, the exact opposite in fact, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the case.

What Loki does gather from Scott’s answer is that he is still a lot like the Scott he knew before. Perhaps a bit more of a mouth on him, but Loki can still see it.]

I would not think you an asshole for such a thing. I did offer to buy you dinner after all and dinner you shall have. I will hardly starve. [Though he will still likely get something to eat.

Loki considers Scott’s suggestion and then nods.] Yes, that is a good idea. Though I admit just sitting here and talking to you has told me a lot already.

[If it worries him that much, Loki can confirm that even if they have everything in common, it is still possible they are variants and not one and the same. A branch could have happened after this Scott was taken from his world or they could just be from closely aligned branches. None of that would really matter though. Loki just wants to get to know him better. Again.]

[Scott doesn't argue further, mostly because if he sees that Loki isn't eating anything, he'll just share his food with him and be really annoying about it. He figures that will just be easier. And if Loki does end up getting food for himself, then all is good and they can continue having a regular ass conversation.

Whatever that is when you're talking about your variant and your future self.

For a moment, he obnoxiously drinks from his straw, like he's purposefully making it louder than normal just to be a little bit of an ass. Mostly, he's giving himself some time to think and to hide some anxiety what Loki may already think of him. Guess he actually sort of cares about that thing, despite their rough start.]

...I recently became a X-Man after my friends and I stopped a mutant known as Apocalypse from taking over the world. [That's a pretty big event, right?]

[Though he can see a lot of similarities between the older Scott and this one, there is one apparent difference and much of that Loki attributes to age. It’s pretty clear that this Scott is mature enough to be a hero, to fight for what’s right or whatever it is that heroes do (despite his own changes to that of a more heroic person, Loki still doesn’t not really see himself that way), but the loud slurping noises are also evidence that Scott is still quite young.

Not that Loki minds, really. He did similar things himself just to be obnoxious when he was younger. So although he gives Scott a bit of a nonplussed look, secretly he’s a bit amused. It’s not like Loki is actually all that old himself, really. He’s just been through a lot in the last few years that has changed him rather dramatically.]

Yes, I believe I remember your counterpart mentioning something about a large battle to save the world when he was younger. I wonder if that is one of your fixed points.

[ooc: For the life of me I can’t remember what all Scott told Loki before except for losing Jean. I’m just going with that one was at least casually mentioned. Let me know if I need to change that please!]

[More loud slurping from his drink.

So, guess that means the older version of himself that was here is most likely him from the future. But guess other variations are still possible, because maybe that's just a thing that happens for teenagers to become X-Men. He's not the one that's an expert at multiple universe stuff, that seems like it's all Loki's expertise. There's another loud noise that comes from his soda, before Scott finally stops and looks at Loki with that more serious demeanor.]

I mean, as a X-Man, we're supposed to save the world from dangerous threats. Human or mutant. [And surely other versions of him would feel the same way, right?] What do you mean by a 'fixed point?' Like something that can't ever be changed?

[ooc: You're good! Scott would probably mention that he at least fought a guy named Apocalypse in Egypt and became a X-Man right after. He probably didn't go into too many details about Jean's death, other than that it involved asshole aliens.]

[Perhaps not all his expertise. Loki has met a few others around the resort that have some knowledge of the multiverse. And considering most everyone here is from a different universe or timeline, it must be pretty evident to the residents of the Hotel that the multiverse is a real and true thing. Even if Loki understands that it’s not an easy idea to grasp. But if Scott asks, he will do his best to explain.]

Yes, that is precisely what it is. When time travelling, there are certain pivotal events that cannot be changed in that line. Of course, other branches may appear and result in a whole new timeline, but in that original line, those events remain.

[It all gets a bit message beyond that because there are so many options, so many things that can change before a fixed point is reached that it never stops a new branch from growing, and he wonders how much of that is different now that the TVA is not pruning new branches, but that is something he’ll have to investigate more once he returns home.]

[ooc: Excellent! I think all Loki really knows is that Jean is dead and it wasn’t from natural causes. But yeah I imagine he would’ve heard of Apocalypse just because they did seem to commiserate quite a bit. Thanks!]

So, you're saying that even though I shared a big event with my 'future self,' it may still be a different timeline just because other things may be different. Smaller, less important things.

[Guess he could relay his entire life story to Loki if he really wants to be sure, but that's assuming his future self told him all that to begin with. So, probably not worth it, not to mention that getting into all those details sounds so unappealing. Hell, he's pretty sure that Loki's patience with all that would tire too. He'd be fucking tired if someone just explained their entire life to him.

So, guess he'll just put a note in this. His future self here at least shared one thing with him and he'll leave it at that.]

Hey. [Instead, Scott focuses on something else. The teen's stopped obnoxiously drinking from his soda, leaning back slightly as he tilts his head at Loki.] Your encounter with time travel and timelines didn't start with the casino, huh? You're familiar with it back home.

Yes, exactly. It is possible that you were on the same line until some point after you were brought here meaning you have much in common and are essentially still the same person, but you do not have a fully shared past.

[And really, Loki hopes that is true for this Scott because then maybe he will not return home only to have to lose one of the most important people in his life. Loki is no stranger to loss and he would not wish it on the younger man. And he also remembers just how heartbroken the older Scott had been.

As much as Loki is curious to know this new Scott, he would have to admit that the man is correct in that learning about someone’s entire life in one sitting is a bit much. Besides, he would never want to intrude so thoroughly into his past. All he is really curious about is how similar the two are and he can get a lot of that information simply by speaking with him as he is now.

Loki looks at Scott consideringly.] Yes, that is true. I was working directly with the timelines and accessing them at different points in time. Is this your first experience with it?

[Still essentially the same person... it's a lot to think about. Guess he has something to new ponder about when he stares at the ceiling tonight as he's about to fall asleep. Cool, thanks. At least it sounds like the person he is in the future isn't so bad; Loki seems to have a pretty good opinion of him. Heh, impressing a god isn't so bad, right?

A trickster god, yeah, but now that that their first encounter is fading to the back of his mind, Scott thinks it's kind of cool. He's even involved with multiple timelines and everything. He can't help but wonder what he even does with that. Make sure stuff goes smoothly?? But isn't the point of multiple timelines mean that things should just play out as is?

Or maybe stopping someone from messing with them. Like a multi-universe hopper.]

Yeah, never encountered multiple timelines before coming here. [Scott huffs lightly, something amused flashing across his face.] I mean, I just took down an evil mutant god and became a X-Man. One thing at a time man.

...It must be crazy working with different timelines though.

[It could be worse. Loki thinks of his own variants that he met in the Void. There were the two he quite liked, him as a child and him as an older man, but the others? Gods he hopes he had never been quite so annoying as that group. So far, Loki sees no big difference between this Scott and the one he knew previously, which is truly a relief.

It’s true, Loki is (and was) impressed by Scott. Anyone who manages a rough start to life and turns out good without any massive life changes, but rather just is good is someone that impresses Loki, if only because he hadn’t managed that himself at all.

Loki doesn’t know about cool. He’s definitely done some things he’s proud of, and he he could understand why someone would be fascinated by what he’s been doing, but it’s been such a crazy time, such a strange sequence of events, he’s not sure he ever really stopped to think about it. Conversely, that Scott could take down, as he says, an evil mutant god, Loki finds quite amazing. That could not have been easy, even with his abilities.]

Crazy is definitely one word for it. We are all quite new to it and still figuring out exactly how to keep things running smoothly. I worry about how things are holding up while I’m here. But I wish to know more about you. Tell me about these X-men. I assume it is a team?

['We're figuring it out,' so Loki most likely has his own team back home. That's... good, yeah. Hard to imagine being the one person that has to deal with the multiverse all by himself. Scott would hate being the only X-Man out there, in fact, that would be crushing in a lot of ways. Facing the challenges of mutant/human relations, being the 'good' representative... it would suck.

So knowing all this, he can't help but smile at the god across from him, a flash of understanding appearing on the young mutant's face.]

Yeah, we're a team of mutants. [Not the first team, but he doesn't want to get into that.] You know the asshole mutant god I mentioned? Well, he fucked up things for everyone, so... we're going to repair those relations. Save both humans and mutants.

[That's the idea at least.]

[It’s not actually something Loki has thought of. To him, teams are the Avengers, a bunch of heroes coming together to stop some villain. They weren’t the kinds of groups that tended to want him as a member. But he has very much been a part of a team lately. Mobius, B-15, O.B., even Sylvie even if she has spent too much time blaming him for everything, they all had been doing their part to fix the multiverse and everything He Who Remains had done before.

Loki blinks slowly, trying to keep his face neutral as Scott smiles at him. It’s that smile that drives it home, makes him realize that perhaps it’s true. Not only has he been working on a team, but he’s maybe even one of the good guys?

He’s more than a little relieved when Scott speaks again.] I see. I assume then that things between humans and mutants were strained before and what this, what did you call him? Asshole mutant god? He only made things worse then?

Uh, obviously? That sort of happens when you publicly threaten the entire world.

[...Hopefully Loki doesn't get a headache from how quickly Scott can go from 'responsible team leader' to 'shitty little teen' because that's what's happening again. It probably helps that his mood has improved a lot since they've talked, even though the topic is back on Apocalypse's stupid face and his stupid ruining things for everyone.

He could talk about it more seriously, but he's just going with the sour attitude way.]

I mean, things weren't perfect before he appeared, but they were okay. People didn't really think twice about having a mutant walk around in public. [Granted, Scott only went to the mall once with Kurt and the others before everything Happened.]

Yes, that can cause issues.

[If Loki looks a little distant at that moment, it’s only because he’s thinking about doing that very thing himself. Though his villainous acts had nothing to do with mutants. He hadn’t known anything of mutants at the time and hardly does now. But he had threatened all of Midgard, hadn’t he? Until the Avengers had taken him down just as Scot’s X-men had taken down Apocalypse.

If Loki is going to get a headache it will be more about his own shifting thoughts between his own tendencies towards both good an evil. A bit of teen angst he can handle.]

And after you took him down? Did that help? Did the humans seeing mutants fighting to help them and everyone change how people saw you?

[He’s asking for a friend.]

[Scott at least doesn't notice Loki's expression, too busy ordering a meal for himself now that the waiter's come to ask what they want to eat. It's easy to choose something simple, nothing too expensive, but definitely filling enough for the teen to have.

It's only once the both of them put their orders in and the waiter leaves once more that Scott returns his attention to Loki. Not that he answers immediately, mouth turned into a small frown because things are more complicated than that. He wishes things were that simple, that everything went back to 'normal' after Apocalypse.]

...No, it hasn't been that simple. That's why he's the mutant ruining asshole. I don't know how long it will take.

[But it will happen, right? That's what Professor Xavier believes. He believes it too, he has to. He wants to.]

[When the waiter arrives, Loki absentmindedly orders himself a scotch and the first appetizer he sees on the menu without much thought. It doesn’t have anything to do with the money anymore and is purely because he’s distracted. A sense of dread fills him as he realizes that no matter what he does, no matter how he tries to be better or do better, some of the things he’s done are not things he can fix.

It’s not a great feeling. No one wants to find out that they are the ruining asshole of the world.]

I am very sorry to hear that. You and your kind do not deserve it. No one deserves such things.

[Yeah, great Loki. Too little too late there, don’t you think?]

...Yeah.

[He quietly agrees, because it really does suck and it feels pretty unfair at times. Even if humans have legitimate concerns about mutants, that doesn't mean they should all be lumped into one threat. But Raven's mentioned that's how they've always seen them, even with her heroic action back in 1973. It's grim thinking about it, but... they'll just have to change their minds.

Besides, Moira has been a great ally. She's proof, right? Not to mention all the people here that have accepted him without batting an eyelash.

Scott takes another big sip out of his soda, thoughts running in his mind and leaving the teen in a quiet trance, before he sets his attention back on Loki. Anyway! Back on him.]

So, how did you get roped into managing the multiverse? Doesn't feel like a job that you just fall into or send an application in.

[It’s something that seems to be true of all manner of people that Loki has come across in his life. It doesn’t seem to matter where anyone is from or how they are raised, people are scared of anything different and feel the need to fight back instead of learning. It is certainly at least part of the reason why the Jotun were so looked down on by Asgard and he’s sure it’s the same for mutants and humans on earth.

It seems to be a lesson that is never learned.]

It is not just me trying to keep everything running. There is a whole organization responsible for keeping everything going. Though I suppose I am the one that figured out that things were not as they seemed and we are now looking for a new way to run things. That is what I was doing when I was brought here.

So, more than just your team, huh? A whole organization is at work to keep everything stable and prevent the universes from collapsing. [Scott quirks a small smile. Well, guess that's a good thing? Feels a bit harder to compare the X-Men to something like that.]

Yeah, guess something like that would require more than a team of five people.

[But hmm, guess from the sound of things, the whole organization was kind of not keeping up in some way or kind of sketchy before Loki got involved. Trust the trickster god, huh? Well, Scott honestly does. He can say that with a little more certainty.]

Hey, seeing that we haven't collapsed in ourselves yet, your team's keeping shit handled.

Yes, precisely. And more recently there has been an overhaul in how that is handled. One that we have not fully worked out yet. Things were rather precarious when I was taken.

It is quite extensive, but I wouldn’t think less of smaller teams. In a lot of ways, I was working with a rather small team, but the whole operation requires many small teams, all with their own objectives that work together to make everything happen.

[If he’s honest, it’s not just him. If it weren’t for Sylvie, he wouldn’t have been in a position to find out anything more. And if it weren’t for Mobius, he never would’ve been given the chance in the first place.

He doesn’t know about Scott trusting him, but he can tell that his attitude has shifted and Loki is at least glad for the progress.]

That is about the only thing keeping me going. Though I’m sure if they find out I’m at some strange sex resort, they will be rather upset with me.

What was happening that you guys decided to overhaul the entire organization? Must be pretty bad.

[Like something was broken in the system and considering this is the organization in charge of the multiverse, that's not great to hear. Well, it would be worse if it wasn't evident that Loki seems to really care about his work-- his job and team. His friends. Scott understands that sense of duty, even if his focus is on one world and one world only.

And honestly, that's more than enough. Maybe that's why he's not overthinking this whole multiverse issue-- and the fact that they're sitting here without problem. Unless Golden Peacock itself can survive the destruction of the multiverse. Surely not.]

Heh, they would think that you're just slacking off, huh? [His teammates would probably laugh and perish if they ever found out-- at least Peter would.]

You could definitely say that. It is a rather long story, but to keep it short, the whole organization was lied to by the person in charge and in fact, did not truly know who was even in charge. Most of the workers were brainwashed into believing they were doing good, that there was no other way, so I do not blame them for that.

[If Scott is really curious, he could go into more detail, but he’s a little hesitant if only because the full story requires him knowing about Loki’s more villainous years and they’ve just made progress. Loki’s not sure he really wants anyone to know the full details of his life, not when it could mean that they change their minds about him, even if they would be fully in their right to do so.

Golden Peacock does seem to be an entity unto itself. Since he first arrived, Loki has wondered if it isn’t another place similar to the TVA in that it might also exist outside. Sex things aside, it has a lot in common with the TVA. Though it is at least possible to leave the TVA without much issue, unlike this place.]

Let’s just say I haven’t always been the most reliable sort. It would not surprise me if they thought I ran away instead of helping.

[Loki does his best to not sound hurt about that, it’s just another thing he deserves, after all. But it does hurt. Hopefully, whatever happens, they might give him a chance to explain.]

But enough about me and the depressing state of the multiverse. How was your food? Is there anything else you would like to order?

[From here]

yeah. i understand where you're getting at. it's important to remember who we were before.

and i heard people like scars anyway.

[Does Kazuya really need a reminder? He seems pretty chill and everything... but it's clear that it's important to him.]

so you're basically saying most demons are interchangeable? kind of rude man :p as the king of demons.

but speaking of which... how did you become a demon?

Not quite... Just that there is more than one demon named "Orthrus" that looks identical to the one you saw. Ones of the same race and name are interchangable, just like theres a bunch of Shisa's or Garm's or Jack Frost's.

As for how I became a demon, I had to kill the other Bel demons and then absorb their powers. Then I had to give up my humanity and soul.

[Jack Frost is a demon. Heh. But... he's honestly reading all this with a certain seriousness, because this is basically learning more about Kazuya's powers and everything. Stuff that helps define who he is.

And...]

What makes Bel demons different?

Also you gave up your soul and humanity? You're pretty normal to me. Sans demon summoning and your healing and strength, but I don't consider those things related.

They're crowned with the name of "Bel", an ancient Akkadian word for "Lord", "Master", or "King". They're the only ones fit to compete for the title of King of Bel, and all demons serve them. Truthfully, They're just demons who managed to snatch a piece of the original Bel's power after God splintered it. But now it's been so long they have wills and goals of their own. Or did, before I absorbed them and their pieces of the original Bel.

[ Which probably begs the question, how does a regular teen who isn't demon even come across a piece of the power of Bel to even throw his hat in the ring?

Well, Kazuya won't tell unless asked. ]

That's kind of you to say, but I am pretty much every just as bit the monsters as they are. I just have some things in place here that help me to keep from losing my cool and going on human murder and eating sprees... Mostly because that sounds incredibly unpleasant and eating people sounds incredibly gross.

[ .... Well, for the most part, now that he's had a taste. :( ]

[And now all those pieces combined to form a twink--]

how did you even manage to beat the first bel demon? and how are you able to absorb them in the first place?

[Sorry this really is becoming an interrogation, but really, it is all interesting stuff!! Like at least him and his team are mutants, they're born with their powers basically. That's how they were able to take down their big threat.]

so what do you do to help with that? anything i can do? because yeah, preventing you from eating humans sounds like a pretty important thing. for everyone involved.

[Getting eaten doesn't sound sexy at all...... well, not like that. He doesn't want his blood and organs to be outside of his body.]

Would you believe me if I told you I beat an immortal demon with cellphone strap?

[Insane to type. Even more insane to remember the fact that he did, in fact, beat an immortal demon with a cellphone strap.]

As for how I was able to absorb their power, how familiar are you with the bible?

And for the other thing, I wouldn't worry if I were you. So long as my contract with someone else stands, there's nothing for anyone to worry about. And even if it did become an issue, I'd talk to other people far before it became a problem.

what? okay that needs more explanation man.

[After becoming a mutant, he sort of just goes with a lot of wild things without blinking, but this is pretty out there.]

definitely not familiar with the part that allows people to absorb demons.

so you basically have a contract with a person in this casino that stops you from eating people?? like 'kazuya can't eat others and i will give him my blood in return?' but i'm glad you got other people to back you up, just know that i'm willing to help too.

No no, I promise it has nothing to do with that!

But yes, that's... Sort of the gist of it? But it's more mutual than that. I can't go into the details of the contract without her permission, sorry.

I asked if you were familiar because of the nature of things. When I say the Bel demons, I mean those who literally have "Bel" in their name. Beldr, Belial, Jezebel, Belzaboul, Belberith, Belphagor, and so on.

There's a human who also has been crowned with the name of "Bel" in the bible too. Any guesses?

huh?? you lost me man. so how did you beat the immortal demon??

[JUST... wanting a little more clarification. Okay, a lot of it. Thanks Kaz.]

but it's cool?? i think. guess as long as the two of you are happy with whatever and you're not eating people. i really don't wanna come across you with someone's heart in your mouth. a bit of a turn off, really.

oh. right. those are demons with those letters in them. [He sure knows his stuff...... he's heard of maybe a couple of those demons??] and i guess this where i'll admit that i normally spaced out whenever my parents forced me to go to church with them??

Edited 2025-04-11 19:40 (UTC)

With a phone charm. That's not a joke, by the way.

[There is so much going on here... It's hard to keep things straight, even when he lived it!]

Don't worry, I promise I won't be eating anyones heart any time soon.

As for spacing out in church, don't worry. I'll just tell you straight, then. I'm the reincarnation of Abel. From the story of Cain and Abel, sons of Adam and Eve. Pretty messed up, right? I got to be the worlds first murder victim in a past life.

how did it die to a phone charm, kazuya?? like that's what i'm confused about.

[.....Oh. 'Bel' from Abel. He gets it now. Yes, those cogs in his brain are finally turning. At least for this part.]

okay i actually remember that story now. so, really? the reincarnation of abel? that does kind of suck. although, isn't it because you're his reincarnation that you're able to absorb the bel demons? feel like that matters more.

Apparently Devil's Fuge was his only weakness. Even in phone charm form. I don't really get it myself, if I'm honest.

That's right, though. It's because of Abel that I was able to absorb those demons in the first place to put me on the throne. Funny enough, it was Cain who wanted to see Abel on the throne of Demonkind, to rally an army and kill God in revenge for his punishment for killing Abel.

well, okay. guess what matters is that you guys managed to beat him.

uh didn't cain kill you-- kill abel out of his own jealousy? shouldn't he have been punished for doing something like that?

Something like that. I don't know the specifics, but don't you think something like eternal punishment is wrong? Cain's punishment was to forever reincarnate with the memories he has of his previous lives. To forever be burdened by what he did.

Immortality isn't a blessing, it's a curse. And God cursed Cain in an awful way.

okay yeah that's a bit excessive. and seems unfair that his reincarnations have to remember everything from past lives, it's not like they're the ones that killed abel. just stick with the one guy.

so in a weird twist, cain's reincarnation supports you, huh? after what happened thousands of years ago.

Not quite how it works. He reincarnates, but he's still Cain. He's still the same person who murdered Abel. The only time he'd be a different person would be if he had his memories scrubbed from his soul in the sea of souls.

But yeah. It's a pretty weird twist, but I think God set him up, personally. God's a pretty underhanded being to begin with, so he probably did it to prove a point to other humans about what he could do to them.

still feel like it shouldn't count. like you're still kazuya, even if you're abel's reincarnation.

but who would've guessed, god's actually a dick. :p

He's a huge dick. Do you know that he wanted me to bow to him and be his messiah and lead people into everlasting peace under his rule? Which sounds great and all, but he's the one who got me stuck in that lockdown to begin with! He's the one who had his angels kill people who were only protecting themselves, just because they had to use demons to do it. And he's the one who told his angels not to help us humans, and to let us suffer and die until we figured it how to get rid of the demons.

Or He'd take away our free will, or kill us all. Depends on how uncharitable He was feeling.

[... Turns out, Kazuya has Big Feelings about this.]

not gonna lie man, i just assumed god didn't exist. maybe he doesn't in my timeline. hah.

but he does sound like a massive dick in your world. i can see why you ended up hating angels and shit if that's how they treated you and the others in the lockdown. glad you beat their asses.

and what's the point of living if you don't have any free will? yeah hard pass for me too. well, that and the genocide thing. never a fan of that. heard it enough back home.

That's what I'm saying! And now, humans where I'm from won't ever have to worry about potential "losing" any of His stupid trials ever again. They're free from his tyranny entirely.

And once I cart all the demons back to the demon realm, humans will only have to worry about human problems.

[ There are several issues with killing a religious icon like God, however, as a teen, Kazuya has not thought about any of that.

It helps when you have demons chortling in your head about how much they wanted to kill God and how bad he was. Something something, you are not immune to propaganda. ]

i guess that's the best outcome? god isn't trying to take away everyone's free will and demons aren't trying to kill humans.

just let humans fuck up their own future. :p

That's the plan, honestly.

I don't plan on stepping in for anything less than completely apocalyptic scenarios, or things caused by outside influences.

oh wait, so you're going with the demons back to demon world?

[Guess that makes sense, but...] what about your friends and family?

I never said that.

But honestly I'm not sure. I want to stay with my friends, but considering I'm probably public enemy #1 back home right now, it might be too dangerous for them.

i thought that's what you meant by carting all the demons back to demon world and not getting involved until something really awful happens. but i'm glad. cool. can't imagine there being good arcades over there.

right cause you killed god and you're the lord of demons. can't you try and change their perception? that you really saved them from some asshole guy? not saying it'd be done overnight, but you shouldn't have to worry about endangering your friends just for existing.

It's not just those two things that put me at the top of the list.

I basically destabilized the entire Japanese Government and caused the public to lose faith in them. To save face, it's likely that they'll declare me a national and international threat. I wouldn't be surprised of other governments around the world also thought the same.

yeah of course they'd do something like that, blame someone else instead of improving their own shit.

but if the world's unstable after everything with the demons and angels, you still have a chance to rally people to your side, right? like show them that you really are helping out. just start off with the public.

The thing is... I don't really want to rally anyone to my side. I don't want to really be considered a threat at all, you know? I'd rather just live as much of a normal life as possible back home, and that includes the government being normal and not trying to kill me despite it being impossible.

well, the point of rallying people to your side is to hopefully get the government to see that you aren't a threat, because you'll make it obvious that you're only trying to help.

i mean you could try hiding, but the moment you surface, they might throw whatever they got at you.

The problem with rallying people is that also could be seen as an act of aggression... especially if someone does something stupid, you know?

Maybe I only really need to hide out a few years... Or maybe I can just turn myself in to make it clear that I don't want to start problems?

then you condemn that person who does something stupid. i know you mentioned about not getting involved with humans after this, but maybe you still have to. help out those that still need it.

you shouldn't have to hide. or turn yourself in. especially if you haven't done anything wrong, kazuya. that's not right. or fair.

It's a pretty complex situation. And as much as I'd like to say you're right, things never work out that smoothly when it comes to reality, you know?

I'll be alright, no matter what happens or what I decide to do. I think right now the smarter thing will be to turn myself in. I have some friends in the SDF, they might be able to pull some strings to make things less terrible.

then you just keep trying. we have to.

it still isn't right that you're getting punished for only saving everyone.

If you look at it like that, then I suppose I also could have saved everyone by becoming God's Messiah too. Or if somehow I had found a way to send all the demons back without becoming Overlord.

I don't know if the latter was even possible, but it was also another avenue we could have maybe looked into if we had more time.

Either way, you can't just say that I've "saved" people. Maybe I made a lot of peoples lives worse, doing what I did.

god's an asshole though and shouldn't be followed. you established that much. you have control over the demons and you're making them go back.

it just feels like it shouldn't be the end.

Not everything works out like it does in movies, unfortunately. Not everyone gets a happy ending. I'm touched that you're upset on my behalf though. It does mean a lot to me, to hear you say that.

not envisioning a perfect ending, just one that's remotely fair to you.

because. obviously. you're my friend.

From Here]

wow. nice one, man.

[Scott's smiling so stupidly at the watch though......]

thanks. just want to do right by them, you know? [Don't want to see any of them dead. Raven said that only she and Hank are left from the original X-Men and....... it feels bad if he thinks about it for long.]

Edited 2025-04-09 14:01 (UTC)

i do know. it's hard to shake that sense of. . . "these are my people, i have got to take care of them," you know?

what was your team like back home?

yeah. especially at some point, you team starts to feel like your family. then you really have to watch over them.

they're a good group. there's five of us, including me and excluding my instructors. honestly? wasn't sure how we'd all fit together, but i think we're making it work. i want to make it work, i mean, that's part of my whole job, right? us relying on each other despite our different personalities and backgrounds.

Edited 2025-04-10 01:27 (UTC)

[. . . heh. he supposes, in that respect, he and Scott are pretty similar]

right. and sometimes, it can be pretty hard for those different personalities to mesh. i can't say my team was without its moments of friction.

[the fight Ryuji and Morgana had that nearly tore them apart comes immediately to mind]

but i'd say those moments can really strengthen those bonds, you know?

[Ororo and Kurt really don't have families and despite Jean living in the mansion basically for most of her life, she was an outcast. Besides him, Peter is really the only one that kind of led a 'normal' life and he lived in his mom's basement until this X-Men stuff started.]

heh, you're telling me. there's been times where i wanted to kick peter's ass. he probably felt the same too. we've mostly been training so far in battle simulations, but even those things can get frustrating.

but yeah. if we can't tough it out through the hard stuff and only the easy things, then we won't make it.

[a team of misfits. . . of people with nowhere else to go, who just need somewhere to carve out a niche for themselves. . .]

i have faith in you guys.

peter is your friend who steals stuff, right? [how does he remember that when he was on hearts juice at the time] what's his code name?

yeah, i'm pretty sure he's still hoarding boxes of twinkies somewhere in the mansion. and i will find them.

[If just to prove that he can. And also steal some of his twinkies.]

and his codename is 'quicksilver.' yeah, all our names are kind of on the nose.

[Except for Jean, she hasn't picked one yet. Maybe Marvel Girl? But...]

a twinkie hog. . . how devious. he sounds like a villain among villains.

[for HOARDING SNACKS away from his fellow teammate!!]

i like that one, too. quicksilver. it's snappy and evocative. what about the others?

truly the worst, right? complete asshole.

[And he's like ten years older than him and the other mutants! Scott sometimes forgets that himself with the way Peter acts.]

just don't let him hear that ever, in fact, we're keeping this conversation between us. his ego doesn't need to be inflated. but my other teammates go by Storm and Nightcrawler. The last one is still trying to figure out her name.

[the mention of Twinkies gets Akira's curiosity flowing]

what's a twinkie taste like? i've heard of them, but i've never had one.

[since they aren't really a common snack in Japan. he has probably only heard of their existence through all the American television he watches]

cyclops. storm. nightcrawler. quicksilver. you guys sound so cool.

what options does your last teammate have?

[So he could describe the flavor to Akira....]

nah man, this is something you have to try for yourself. i can't tell you beforehand. it'd just fully ruin it. we'll find some in this casino.

[Not that Scott super loves Twinkies or anything, but principle of the matter. This is like another American icon, the same way Han Solo is.]

she was considering 'marvel girl,' but not sure she's sold on that. she has both telepathy and telekinesis, so probably something that's connected to those abilities.

[WOW!!]

now you're making it sound like some big secret. [HAH. . .] if you find one i'll trade you a tokyo banana for it.

[they are not the same thing, but hey! one cultural exchange for another, right?]

"marvel girl," huh. [yeah he can see why she isn't sold on it yet] i can't blame her for being picky. code names are serious business.

tokyo banana?? how is that different from a regular banana?

[Although all this talk about Twinkies is making him actually want one... maybe he'll grab a box for his room.]

yeah, doesn't quite have the same ring as the other names. i'd like to throw ideas at her and help out, but. haven't seen her in a while.

[...He really misses his friends now. MOVING ON:]

so all this talk about code names. you and your team must have them, right?

because it's a fluffy cake filled with banana cream

[duh, Scott!!]

[. . . the "haven't seen her in a while" comment throws Akira for a brief moment, but. . . he does get it. Scott has been here just a few months longer than Akira, and Akira is already missing the friends that haven't found their way to the resort]

[hashtag just leader things, he thinks]

mmyep. i'm joker, of course. then we have mona, skull, panther, fox, queen, oracle, and noir. those are our main members.

beyond that, there's also violet, sophie and wolf.

[. . .]

[the last text comes on its own, after a brief delay]

and crow.

[It almost sounds like a Twinkie... except it's filled with banana cream instead of regular cream. Okay, consider him kind of curious. It sounds pretty good.]

you have quite a team.

[Joker, huh? Yeah Akira sure is one-- OKAY NO but huh, those are a wide variety of names. He notes how 'Crow' comes in later, wondering if there's something more there, but.]

do your codenames represent your abilities too?? or is there something else going on there?

they're the best team a guy could ask for.

[Scott cannot hear the affection in his words, but they drip from each letter like sugary syrup. Crow is a complicated story. . . but one that Akira isn't yet ready to tell. even if he doesn't feel right leaving that particular "member" of the "team" out]

we chose them based on our outfits, and what felt right in our hearts. i picked "joker" because it's the wild card in a deck of cards. it can be as low as a two, or as high as an ace, depending on what you need.

and that's what i do. i'm adaptable.

sounds like it.

[He may not be able to hear Akira's tone or see his face, but Scott can still feel the affection from those words. Maybe because it's how he feels about his own team, but maybe even a little bit stronger. After all, they literally just became a team not too long ago and still working things out. He's sure that Akira has been with his group longer than him.]

guess that was pretty useful when you landed here. adapting to a whole sex casino out of nowhere. but i guess that's how leaders are supposed to be, right? adjusting to the situation the quickest so you can help your teammates out.

exactly.

[as expected, Scott gets it]

if i wasn't not capable of reading the field and adjusting my strategies to help out my teammates, then i wouldn't be a very good leader.

yeah. getting everyone coordinated. knowing their abilities and your own to strike back at whatever challenge is facing you.

[...It's actually kind of nice talking to another teen that leads a group. He hasn't had a conversation like this before in the casino.]

oh i forgot to ask, what is the name of your group?

[. . . man. he hasn't officially told Scott, has he? all he has done is hint about it in light jokes and cheeky commentary]

[well. here it is!]

the phantom thieves of hearts.

Edited 2025-04-18 01:22 (UTC)

so you actually are a thief. i knew it. :p

so how does defeating shadows tie into being a phantom thief? i'm not quite following.

i never tried to hide it.

[he never elaborated on it, either!]

it's complicated. i DID tell you what shadows are, right?

guess not, chocolate snatcher.

[When will Scott ever let that go......] no, we didn't get that far yet. we were talking about our code names and everything, but this seems like a good time for you to explain.

i shared it in the end!

[AKIRA WILL NEVER LIVE IT DOWN. . . not that he should]

and it's as good of a time than any. okay. so.

what do you know about carl jung?

[With his entire chest--]

i have no idea who that is.

[He... paid attention to school. Somewhat. Enough where he isn't outright failing, but definitely not doing amazing either.]

[SO. . . FROM THE BEGINNING]

he's some guy who did a lot of writing on the human subconscious. where i come from, that writing refers to a whole separate world created from humanity's cognition. we call that place the metaverse, or the cognitive world.

shadows live in the cognitive world. they're created by the repressed desires and emotions of humans.

does that make sense so far?

[Nodding to himself. He totally understands all this......]

right, everyone knows that.

[Scott you just said you had no idea.] so. there's another dimension in your world born from everyone's brain thoughts. with shadows and desires. and you have to kill them because too much is a bad thing??

[. . . TEASINGLY]

everyone, huh? you can say you don't understand something if i get too far into the weeds, you know.

[this shit is complicated! it took him months to properly wrap his head around it]

and no, not exactly. it's not the amount that's the problem. humans are flawed creatures, so we all have desires, both good AND bad. desires are a necessary part of being alive.

but when those desires become DISTORTED. . . that's when the problems start.

what's hard to understand? we're just talking about a separate world within your own that was created by humanity's cognitive awareness. :p

[OKAY he's actually struggling. Sometimes his response takes a little longer because he's rereading Akira's past messages.]

okay so desires sometimes become distorted and that's the whole shadow thing?? or even worse than that? how did they become distorted in the first place?

[he may be struggling, but he got the basics down! that's in and of itself impressive]

[Akira exhales on his end of the watch, eyes slipping shut as he considers his words carefully]

imagine the worst villain you can. someone who uses and abuses others for their own gain and doesn't care about the bodies they leave behind.

THOSE are the kind of distorted desires i'm talking about. there usually isn't a reason they become so bad, except. . . well.

humans are imperfect creatures, aren't they?

[A certain mutant appears in Scott's mind without a second thought. The ancient mutant from Egypt or whatever. He's gone, dead, but he's still the worst person that he's ever had to deal with. His desire was already distorted in his opinion, but if it ever became a shadow or whatever...

Yeah, okay. He seems the problem there.]

it's not hard imagining something like that.

maybe they're just so bad they become like that on their own. and if it helps, it's not just humans that are imperfect. anyone can suck from any species.

but that's when you and your team come in and fight those shadows with your personas? defeat those distorted desires?

[. . . aha. good point. Scott comes from a world entirely different than Akira's, where the line between "human" and "mutants" is sharp. though in his mind? "mutants" are still pretty darn human]

we do more than just defeat them. we STEAL them, which in turn forces the person to have a change of heart.

[And he's back to being lost.]

what??

okay you steal them from the other reality and put them in your back pocket? and then the person that was connected with the distorted desire suddenly becomes good? realize that they've been a huge asshole and repent for the rest of their life.

[well. . . confused or not, Scott sure does have the basic gist of it down!]

yep.

though most treasures-- oh, that's what we call those distorted desires, by the way-- are too big to fit in our pockets.

so. what do you do with them?

that depends. treasures usually take on the appearance of something significant to the person with the distorted desires. the object can be different in the cognitive world vs the real world, too.

once we stole a crown, which turned into an olympic gold medal in the real world. we sold it for 30000 yen

[.....This is definitely more complicated than 'fight some asshole trying to hurt people' back home.]

you sold some guy's olympic gold medal?? damn akira. cold. guessing he deserved it though.

okay i don't think i really understand everything, but i think i got the most important bits. the phantom thieves of heart fight shadows and distorted desires to help people. what happens if those distorted desires remain too long? the metaverse becomes unstable? or just the person in reality just continues to do horrible shit?

he deserved a LOT more than that. trust me.

[it wasn't even his real gold medal, just one created by the cognitive world. . .]

and it's the last one. they'll just keep doing horrible things and hurting a lot of people. there's no actual danger to the metaverse in letting their desires continue to exist/

[. . .]

. . . and even then. . . stealing hearts and forcing wrongdoers to confess. . . that's just a bandaid for a much bigger problem.

it almost sounds like the metaverse exists just so that you can change what's happening in real life, if you're not worried about shadows or anything else in it.

but what's the bigger problem?

do you really think a small group of thieves can steal the hearts of every asshole in the entire world?

[that's an impossible task. the Phantom Thieves had done what they could, but until society changes as a whole for the better. . . there is only so much they can accomplish]

no. but you can still change the minds of society itself.

hard to eliminate assholery entirely, but if there something that needs to be changed, then you have to continue working for it.

[. . . heh]

that's a much bigger project than just stealing the hearts of one or two criminals. one better fought in the real world, and not the metaverse.

but. . . i'm glad you understand.

[that the only way to fix the broken world is to revolutionize society itself]

yeah, i guess you can't change everyone's minds through something that only exists for people that have personas.

have to be visible for this sort of thing.

[Something that he'll have to confront at some point, he's sure. He and the others are still in training, but they can't remain hidden, right? Not if they want the world to trust mutants once more.]

yeah. exactly.

[and if he is being honest about his limitations, there isn't much he can do as nothing more than a third-year high school student]

[. . .]

[idly]

i think. . . when i eventually graduate high school, i'm going to try to work in politics.

wait really? you're going to be a politician?

going to become the president? [oh wait.] prime minister?

[oh my god. A BARKED OUT LAUGH]

prime minister. and absolutely not.

politics isn't just about being the guy in office, you know? i don't know if i'd want to go that far.

[no. . . he just enjoyed the work he did with Yoshida; that's all. taking a more background role in effecting change from a real, concrete level. . . that feels more right to him]

i don't know 'prime minister kurusu' has a certain ring to it.

but i think i get it. [No he doesn't--] spreading certain issues around. getting people energized.

mmm. i think you can easily do that.

[genuinely touched]

. . . thanks.

that actually means a lot to me.

sure man.

politics are a pain, but i'd vote for you if i could. uh. or whatever.

[He just has his back.....]

[From here.]

a blast. uh-huh.

[He wonders if Prompto did that on purpose, but Scott huffs a laugh anyway.]

bring a ton of snacks. and if you want, i could show you other things i can blow up. been using the training rooms at the talon for that.

[From here.]

[What the hell, he'll just say it upfront.]

so you're saying that you don't want me to massage you? you seemed to enjoy it last time in the showers.

[DAMMIT, SCOTT!!]

I SAID "IF I FEEL LIKE IT"!!

[that's a "yes" to the massage by the way.]

are you seriously telling me with a straight face that you only want that on rare occasions? calling your bluff, bakugo.

when did i say "rare", shades?

[straightest face]

you did say 'when i feel like it.'

you're going have to be more clear.

[Scott's deliberately trying to piss him off!]

HOW'S THAT NOT CLEAR?!

[Bingo.]

not naming how often?? the time or place?? obviously.

[He's gonna kick his door down.]

THOSE ARE MY CHOICE!

[Is he going to hear an explosion right outside his door soon--]

it almost sounds like you need a massage now. with all the capslock happening.

[Maybe. If Bakugo thinks it's worth the trek to Scott's room.]

you gonna come over and give me one?

[said the boomspider to the fly.]

i don't know man.

do you 'feel like it?'

i'll feel more like it around 8pm tonight.

see? now we're working with something.

although i have to wonder if i'm feeling it now

[He is. Just giving him a hard time still.]

what, you're gonna wear out your hands on something else before 8?

maybe.

or i just decided that i have other things to do.

but you're gonna be free at 8.

[right? RIGHT?]

i'll think about it.

[yeah he's showing up because he's a dumbass.]

it was your idea, dammit!

[well technically bakugo picked the time.]

[okay maybe he had enough fun this time.]

yeah i'll see you tonight.

all right.

tell me if something comes up.

i will.

wouldn't leave you hanging.

[He's serious about that at least.]

[ ... ]

bring your night clothes.

[This has been upgraded to a sleepover.]

[Huh? His night clothes??

....Oh. OH. Well, sure?]

asking me to stay the night?

no i'm gonna judge your damn pajamas!

[WHY ELSE WOULD HE TELL HIM TO BRING NIGHT CLOTHES?!]

wow feeling self-conscious now.

see you tonight, jerk.

[THIS BASTARD!!]

SHUT UP!! I NEVER FEEL THAT!!

[Hardly ever. Growling at the watch now.]

later.

[Ferociously hanging up! However you do that on the watch.]

[One day he will stop teasing Bakugo-- okay that's a lie.

But later, he will actually be at the door of Bakugo's suite, dressed in regular clothes but with a small overnight bag.]

[Some people like hitting the beehive. It's fun. Right?

Bakugo's definitely not gonna sit around waiting for Scott! ... Totally does. He'll be there to let him in, figuring a massage isn't gonna be the only thing that happens tonight.

Guess it kinda feels a bit like home.]

[ ← ]

"Genocide"...
Did I say that?

[ look sometimes you just have a bad day ]

I guess I did.

yeah, you pretty much did.

glad you remember. great. if you're planning on bringing it again, don't. just saying that now.

It's all just a thought experiment anyway. I've never killed an innocent.

[ ... ]

An innocent by your standards, even.
So there's no need to treat me like a dangerous criminal.

[Never killed an innocent..... says this guy. Even if he says by 'his standards.' Definitely some squinting still.]

long as you don't try and kill anyone here, then i won't. sounds simple enough, right?

Is that really fair?
The games this resort plays, even good boys like you can be driven to kill.

[ hell, life does that. ]

can't say i really got the urge yet.

maybe because i've found people that haven't entirely sucked.

[Pretty much everyone that he's personally talked to doesn't care about the whole mutant thing. It's nice.]

Until now anyway.

okay yeah you mostly suck.

but i don't want to actually kill you.

I'd argue that's the problem.

how is that the problem?? do you want me to kill you?? what the hell?

Don't you think it'd be better than my proposed alternative?

what? you killing someone?

i can stop you without killing you.

[In fact, he's going to make a point of it now!! Just ignore the fact that he'd definitely get his ass kicked--]

You'd better hope for a better gimmick than cat toys for eyes.

wow.

do you go out of your way to be as unlikeable as possible?

Ironically, it's usually the opposite.
You caught me on a bad day.

[ he's had a lot of those lately. ]

i always seem to catch you on a bad day then.

or i just piss you off all the time.

It's really just the one bad day that left you with an impression you keep revisiting, isn't it?
But.
I can't deny your unrealistic attitude pisses me off a little.

kind of hard to forget someone that talks about mass murder. leaves a certain impression.

feel like punching me in the face? get in line.

Punching you?
Ha. You really misunderstand me.

We're family.

[wat.]

huh?

[Did he miss something somewhere? Scott even double checks their messages so far as if to make sure that he didn't skip something.]

Mutants, sorcerers... Not so different.
We're the next stage of evolution.
You might disagree with me, but I wouldn't hurt you unless I had to.

[Oh. One of those types.]

yeah heard that before. you really do remind me of someone back home.

but. sure. feeling's mutual really. i don't want to hurt you unless i have to. the feeling of not fully belonging is not as strong here, but i get it.

I know you do.
An enemy of yours?

not really? it's kind of complicated, honestly.

he was known as a terrorist for years, but last time i saw him, he helped out. turned on a mutant that was hell bent on ruling the world or whatever. i doubt he changed his mind on humans entirely, but clearly there's a line even he wouldn't cross.

[Or maybe it's something else?? He's not sure, he... didn't really get to talk with Erik all that much.]

Sounds complicated.
I wonder if that would've happened to me if I had left my school after all.

A line he wouldn't cross or a seat he wasn't willing to relinquish?

so you attend school with other sorcerers? yeah maybe stick with that. that's what i'm doing. it's not bad.

what? like him trying to rule the world himself? he knows that we'd kick his ass if he tried that.

Sure, the school itself is fine.
I'd have stayed forever if I could.

Sounds like there are a lot of you.

oh you graduated then? what do you do now? just fight curses with other sorcerers?

yeah, i guess. probably helps that mutants are known to the public at home, they have been for ten years. we don't need to hide. and we shouldn't.

[...Even if tensions are rising back home.]

No... I was just thinking of leaving before I came here.
Sorcerers start going on missions freshman year, especially a Special Grade like me and one of my my classmates. There aren't enough of us to go around, so it's a necessity.
You're only supposed to take missions your rank or lower, but it isn't foolproof.

No, you shouldn't. But it sounds complicated, being public.
How much influence do the humans have over your society?

wait you guys are sent on missions, no matter what? that's kind of fucked up. like it's one thing if you volunteer for it, but as a requirement?? do you work in a team at all??

['There's not enough of us to go around.' There's far less Sorcerers than mutants, huh? Still, it feels wrong, and as such, he can't help but type something back.]

we live in one society, so we're not really separated. and humans have control over most governments, i'm pretty sure. so, guess you can say all the influence.

Freshman and lower ranks are often paired or chaperoned, but it's part of the curriculum.
Why? It's not like normal students get out of doing homework or going on educational field trips. Being a sorcerer means dealing with death no matter what. Even before we're scouted, we're usually

[ what's the word... "traumatized"? ]

haunted. Exposed. Our powers manifest around 4-6, and there's no place on earth that hasn't been touched by evil.

And how do you feel about that?
Should the ignorant majority have control over you and your kin?

okay but when students go on field trips they aren't usually asked to kill curses or be prepared to die. can't believe i had to type that out.

look the mutants at my school. most of them aren't expected to fight like that. that falls on me and my team. some of them shouldn't be fighting, especially if they don't want to.

no. but we're going to make sure they don't put out policies that will hurt mutants.

I've already explained to you why it isn't an equivalent comparison. Sorcerers are faced with violence and death regardless of whether or not they decide to join a school, so the moral outrage isn't relevant.
There are irrefutable truths to being a sorcerer, as I'm sure there are to being a mutant.
One of them is death.
Most of us don't live to 30, school or otherwise.

Sure. Some don't. They still die.
Maybe things are better where you're from and you know more than 3 mutants who made it to middle age.

And how will you do that? They have greater numbers, greater influence in their world.
What happens when they don't listen? You bribe them? Manipulate them?

well i can still think that it sucks for you and the other sorcerers in your world. something obviously needs to be changed. so that there's more than just 3 of you guys that make it to their 50s.

it shouldn't be some fucking expectation or something set in stone.

and i'll keep on showing that they're better with us than against us. we can do things they're fully incapable of doing.

Haha.
You're not wrong, it does suck.

To be fair, attending the schools is voluntary. We're informed of this when we join.
Sometimes the big clans teach and train their own.

Where's the line? That's what I'm asking you specifically.

doesn't sound like much of a choice still

the line? when they start putting out policies or whatever that hurts mutants. but i'm not going to punish all the humans just for that. we'll. we'll deal with whoever if that happens.

[This conversation is so uncomfortable and Scott doesn't like it. But in a stupid strange way, he can't help but really think about this too.]

You're right, it isn't much.
The method you find so distasteful is a way of fixing it. No humans, no curses.
No need for our children to run the same rat race.
If you can come up with something better, I'm all ears.

A reactive response. "When" they do it, "after" it happens... People die before the bills get passed.
Sacrifices you're willing to make, even when we are so few.

because mass murder isn't an option either.

[He'll come back to Getou about a solution though. Later on.]

i don't want mutants to die, obviously! [...He is just reacting though, isn't he?] we'll just stop those bills from being passed. we'll have to.

[ ...stupid. optimistic, but stupid. Getou wonders at whether or not it's permissible. ]

Well, it's all just hypothetical anyway.
The house has our souls now.

If I'm black and you're white, maybe we cancel each other out in the end.
The way is probably somewhere between us.

for the time being.

no i think the correct way is still towards my end. [...] but being prepared for the worst isn't a bad idea either.

You shouldn't have told him.

[ well hello to you too ]

[oh hi.]

didn't realize it was a big secret.

also he's your best friend, isn't he? that's what he said anyway.

It wasn't. That doesn't mean you don't have a big mouth.

What does that have to do with anything?

and that doesn't change the fact that you're an asshole.

uh i'd want to know if my best friend started having genocidal thoughts?? do i really have to say that?

Be that as it may.

But you're not involved so your feelings aren't relevant. There's a lot you don't understand here.

you got me involved the moment you talked to me about mass murder and how things are really bad for sorcerers.

also him knowing now isn't going to change. so you might as well get used to it.

Did I? To an issue you know nothing about on a world you'll never visit?
How I feel about it isn't relevant here; you're being held accountable for your actions.

Stop being an asshole.

it's still an issue i care about because you and your people are dying. i'm not just going to be all 'oh okay, sucks, anyway.'

find, hold me accountable. i don't regret telling him.

why is it such a big deal that your best friend shouldn't know about this??

Why would I tell you more when you just told me you have no idea how to be discreet?

because you're trying to tell me how dumb and wrong i am, which i thought was one of your favorite past times

You forgot "loud". Which is the crux of the issue here.

i can hold a secret if i knew it was a secret to begin with.

but whatever i'm not about to beg you to tell me.

Do you think he's well-adjusted?

[. . .]

he is annoying and kind of weird.

looks like i'm missing something big.

I was just interested in your opinion, for the little it counts.

yeah i ask all the people i know if my best friend seems well-adjusted.

he's a sorcerer like you. so i guess 'well-adjusted' is not something easily applicable anyway.

[ooc: Sorry for the late! Came back from vacation + dealing with sickness.]

That's probably one of the more observant things I've heard you say.

and yet you're still not being the asshole accusations.

but look. you already told me that most of your kind doesn't survive to an old age. and curses exist and you're expected to fight them. highly doubt that shit isn't stuff that gojou doesn't think about too.

It's different for him. He was born into it.
He's... how do I put it.
A god in jujutsu society. His birth changed the world.

Edited 2025-07-08 12:13 (UTC)

Forget it. I shouldn't be telling you this anyway.

and yet i'm still listening.

so. he's extremely powerful, even by your standards. how he views the world is different even to you, because he himself is treated differently.

[ annoying. frustrating. he does want someone to talk to about it, aches for it, but Gojou hates this, the violation of some kind of intimate boundary, when Getou sees it as nothing of the sort. ]

[ it isn't the last time he'll betray it. ]

How he views the world now is what I made him see.

and he wants to protect those weaker than him.

wait. so you used to think that way?

[Actually, that would make sense, given how surprised Gojou seemed when he brought it up.]

He always told me I was riding a moral high horse to make myself feel better.
I don't know. Maybe he was right.

Edited 2025-07-26 16:57 (UTC)

there's nothing wrong wanting to protect others.

why did you change your mind anyway? woke up one day realizing that you just hate humans?

No, I...
We failed a very important mission.
It's a long story, but that's how it ends and everything else begins.

In that failure, someone died. I asked myself, "For what? For whom?"
When I couldn't find any good answers, I started questioning who really needed protection.

i said i'm here and willing to listen. if you want to talk about it. how they died. who they were.

whatever else i guess.

Sure. But for now, you know enough.
Still the monster you thought I was that first night?

look man i'm still not giving you a pass to commit mass murder.

but i don't plan on just brushing you aside either, alright?

Anymore?

god seriously dude

but whatever. sure. yeah.

Seriously what?

that you asked me that!

we're friends now. however you want to call this. do i need to say more?

What in the hell would make you think we're friends?

don't you know? i argue with all my friends like this.

What does that have to do with me?

everything now. because i don't plan to brush you away, as i said earlier.

you can continue to think whatever of me.

Do whatever you feel you need to do.

fine.

( log. )

Dude, I'm still seeing stars from the third ride.

[ half-hearted as it is, this isn't the first time he's whined about it and it won't be the last. not until he hits seven complaints. for symbolism. seven roller coaster rides in a row and the trials of giant plushie acquisition? the mind was willing but the body was weak.

though he feels better now that they've been sat in the ferris wheel long enough for its slow rotations to feel the same as sitting in an idling car. a really comfortable idling car, with a seat big enough for yosuke, scott, and the giant plush toy sat between them.

yosuke still hasn't figured out exactly what the plush is but that's okay. its face is inoffensively cute, though its round ears remind him of someone… which is why yosuke's arm rests atop its head, as if he's bodily petting it (or giving it a noogie).

at least now he has the presence of mind to offer scott his pick of their snacks. just the two: tri-coloured dango threaded together on its red string hanging from one hand, blushy-face patterned chocolate-covered banana sat on a stick in the other. he holds them up above the plush's head. instead of saying here, take one, he says, ]

Oh God, now I'm seeing stars from the fourth ride. Remind me to never do one of your challenges ever again.

[Scott would never do something as petty as forcing his friend to ride the same ride seven times in a row because of some prior challenge that he ended up failing on. Nope. Of course not. He just promised Yosuke that this is the actual way for someone to experience the carnival, because you have to get sick or else what is the point!! Okay, it might be a little bit of revenge, but Scott is definitely having fun-- even leaning against his friend at certain points because his world is a bit wobbly still.

It's nice. Scott even laughing a few times without care, especially when he hears Yosuke complain about the roller coaster. And after all that, after winning a giant stuffed plushie... it is honestly nice to just sit and relax with his friend. Actually enjoy this slower paced thing that they got going on, instead of going from one challenge to the next. Less of that upfront stupid teen behavior... even though it was fun being like that.

But leaning against the plush, Scott looks up when he sees the snacks offered above its head and he reaches up to take the dango. He's never tried something like this before, but sure, why not. He's actually in a mood for that today. Maybe because of Yosuke? First time they really spent a lot of time together since the virtual reality thing. It's nice though.]

But now you can tell everyone that you had a true carnival experience. This isn't a day you'll ever forget. [Uh, because of the rides, really.]

You're right about that.

[ he Will be telling everyone about this true carnival experience. more importantly, remembering a day that has been nothing but pure fun is fantastic; to drive that home, he winks and adds playfully, ]

I won't forget, I'll see you laughing in my head every time I get dizzy. But bragging rights… yeah, I can live with that too.

[ left with the choco-banana, yosuke gives it a good look. he sees why scott picked the dango. why does it look like this? (not that it changes much. yosuke's viciously leaving those blushy faces halved and quartered with his first few bites.) and why does the passenger car look like that love hotel… ]

This is nice too though, even if it's tacky in here. [ which comes out muffled, because he finishes swallowing after verbally backhanding the car's interior. ] By the way, should we name this guy?

[ yosuke's already leaned on the (poor) giant plushie but, because he's still holding one end of the dango, feels the need to lean in closer. it's strange, but not strange enough to bother him. what gets to him is the way his attention keeps wandering to scott's mouth… ]

Or should we just… call it… what is it, anyway?

[Scott snorts at his friend's running commentary, the sound coming out half muffled as he chews on the treat that Yosuke offered to him. Honestly... not bad, especially since he feels pretty content right now. Sitting with Yosuke in something that's actually relaxing and eating a treat that has a texture that he's not used to. Overall, it's not overly sweet, but in a strange way, he really likes it. Not hard at all to start polishing off his end of the dango, tongue licking off the remnants from his lips before he looks at the plush that's situated between them.

And look, as much fun as it was to win this giant stuffed... whatever it is, it sort of feels in the way right now. Scott huffs at the plush, hand pushing it slightly out of the way so he can lean just a little bit closer to his friend-- eyes focused on him behind his glasses.]

Dogbear? Yogi?

[Another snort, a small laugh coming from him.] Man, I'm shit at giving names to things.

[ oh no—sure, yosuke's usually interested in people's mouths but in a casual situation he should not be so focused on scott's tongue swiping up those bits of dango…

yosuke distracts himself with a bite of his own snack— ]

Haha, nah, those work!

[ —which worsens his fixation. scott's small laugh makes it clear. a friend's laugh usually makes yosuke think he's glad to hear it. not what they might have done, might even do with- ]

How about Yogi… [ actually, with how close they are, will scott catch him looking? yosuke's smile goes a touch bashful, cheeks warming, ] for its nickname. His government name's gotta be Dogbear.

[ with the plush nudged aside, his arm on its head is the only thing between them. despite himself, he scoots closer; he really doesn't know why! but he might as well! he tips his head as if he might be able to see scott's eyes through the ruby lenses if he can find the right angle. that might not be the case but he can't resist the overwhelming curiosity tugging him closer in the first place. ]

We're [ kinda close is what he wants to say, but he doesn't want to risk scott moving away (why?), so instead, ] gonna have to keep it somewhere. Pretty sure you get custody, right?

He's got a whole government name to him... probably because we discovered a whole new species. Okay, we'll call him 'Yogi' to protect him from the FBI and CIA.

[Scott?? What are you even talking about... but he seems to be having fun anyway, the mutant grinning broadly at Yosuke as he leans in just a little bit closer to his friend. He really just wants to right now, that attraction building-- and it's not hard to see why, Yosuke is pretty attractive. And he's fun and dumb in that teenage way that feels familiar and comforting. Like being normal dumbass teens together. The fact that they went on a coaster like seven times speaks for itself.

Wait, where is this all coming from? ...But it doesn't feel wrong either.

Huh, is he imagining things, but is there a certain flush to his friend? Probably because he's having fun with all this too... but Scott can't stop himself from scooting even closer to him.]

We can have joint custody. He can stay at your place for a couple of weeks and then he can stay at my place. [Despite talking about 'Yogi' though... Scott's focus is clearly on Yosuke.] How does that sound?

You want to join me at the arcade?
It seems my lack of hobbies truly has me in a predicament that filling my time is sometimes an arduous affair.

[He's a little surprised by the sudden invite, but he has no reason to say no. Quite the opposite, in fact.]

sure, just be prepared to lose. :p

but i'll show you around the different games.

You'll likely win. This kind of establishment and these kind of things don't exist where I'm from.
It's all new technology to me.

I haven't played many of the games, but I've found myself fond of the crane machines.

heh, at least you know what you're getting into.

but we can start there. plan on winning me something? you know, so you can win at something.

[Why is he a brat?????]

Hmm, maybe I'll just rescind my invitation.
It sounds like my hard earned prize wouldn't be appreciated.

[It's easy to banter through text, but also, please come.]

i'll meet you there dumbass

[And true to his word, Scott will get to the arcade in about ten minutes or so. He's still dressed in his usual casual clothes, jeans, shirt, and jacket, but he seems to be in a pretty good mood as he makes his way over to Wriothesley.]

[Wriothesley is dressed down. Ever since arriving here, he had become more than just waist coats and button ups. He now wore ripped jeans and blank shirts with leather jackets. He looked a little more unkempt, though it was hard to tell whether or not that was intentional or if there was more to it.

When Wriothesley smiles at Scott though, there's something off about it. Like it wasn't as bright as it usually was.] What took you so long, slowpoke?

[Getting closer to Wriothesley, the lingering scent of cigarette smoke was more obvious. It wasn't that he didn't smoke every so often, but the scent lingered more heavily.]

[Scott's own teasing smirk starts to fade as he takes in the other's appearance. It's not that he's dressed down, as the teen has seen Wriothesley in more casual clothes here and there, but it's the overall aura that he seems to be giving off. It might've been easy to think that he's just looking too much into it, but as the older man smiles over at him...

It's fully obvious now that there's something off with him.

All of that earlier bratty attitude dissipates, replaced by a concern that the teen doesn't even bother to hide. Wriothesley has been there for him many times now and while he often rolls his eyes because of his antics, there's no ignoring the fact that Scott really cares about him.]

Wriothesley. What's wrong?

[His nose twitches smelling the cigarette smoke off him, but Scott otherwise doesn't comment about it.]

[For what it's worth, Wriothesley doesn't seem to falter in anyway to betray how he's really feeling. He has long since learned how to hide his injuries like a wounded animal trying to survive. He does inwardly curse though. He knew that Scott was far more perceptive than one would think a teenager might be. He was a perceptive teenager too though and that's why he knew better than to underestimate.]

Hmm? What makes you think something is wrong? Aren't arcades supposed to be fun?

[He rests one hand on his hip with an eyebrow raised.]

I'm here to have a little fun just like anyone else.

[How does he explain that he can just tell? That his smile from before was off and he really only knows that because he's grown attached to Wriothesley ever since they met? That's like, way too much!! Though Scott doesn't let himself be distracted or led to a different topic, the teen still standing there with that small worried frown as he looks at him.

Yeah, he's really not thinking too much about playing a game right now, despite the sounds of the arcade beeping around them.]

You're here to distract yourself from something, aren't you? ...What happened?

[He's always been just a little more preceptive, even back home and despite his attitude. Aware of how the other mutants felt cooped up, how they just wanted to feel normal, and that observational trait has only grown since coming here.]

[Ah, ah. Scott really isn't going to budge is he? It isn't like Wriothesley wasn't aware. He knew that his friends weren't going to so easily be fooled and he knew that his mask was far from perfect. After all, he never been in this situation before. He didn't know how to navigate it.

Still, he would have liked to fall into a delusion for just a short while before having to go back to his empty suite.

His smile stays, but it no longer tries to be a smile. It's something bittersweet.] I thought those glasses of yours was supposed to make it harder to see. [He's teasing.]

I just don't want to go back to an empty suite right now. [Bastard is still being vague, of course.]

[Some staring. And silence from the teenager, Scott for once not rising to the bait as he observes the older man while putting pieces together. Something clearly happened and he's not sick like last time, so it's something else-- an emotional wound? Luckily for him, he really doesn't have to wait long, as that admittance leaves Wriothesley and in those few words, he understands it all.

Kizuna is gone.

He's lucky that he managed to talk to Kizuna and know about their relationship before all this, and Scott doesn't hide how he frowns, something concerned tugging down at him.]

...Kizuna isn't there anymore. The guy you love.

[Hearing it from someone else stings the hardest, he has decided. It forces a reality down onto even the most delusional dream; forcing him to acknowledge an ugly truth he had been staring passed because he simply didn't want to process the pain it would bring. It bring finality. It rings in reality.

Kizuna is gone.]

You make it sound like he died. [And maybe it might as well be just that. Honestly, maybe he would have preferred it that way. Death doesn't have finality here, given that some guests were spirits and it sounds like it is far from permanent, but it might have been better if Kizuna had died because Kizuna being a statue brings an assortment of uncertainty. Uncertainty breeds discourse in his already aching heart.

Love is a word he has never fully grasped properly because his life had been devoid of it for so long. He knew the word in definition and theory and had even learned certain layers of it. Heartbreak for someone whom he had wanted to entwine his fate with was...

It's messy in his mind.] So we're not playing at the arcade? [He's deflecting, but it's obvious that it's clumsy now.]

[Scott watches Wriothesley for a moment, quiet once more. It's clear that the older man is trying to keep himself together and he's honestly doing a really good job about it, but he can see the hurt and grief that's covering him like a cloak. Not overly explicit, but it's there, and what does one say about something like this? He's sorry? ...He guesses, but it doesn't feel enough. Maybe nothing can be. He just has to help the other in any way he can think of.

Stepping forward, he reaches for his hand, before intwining it with his own. Some offer of comfort right now.

He hasn't lost someone like that-- not in the way that Kizuna meant to him.]

Later. [They can play at the arcade. Maybe it would be a nice distraction, but he doesn't want to let Wriothesley go that easily.] ...You're not alone, remember that, okay?

[While he hadn't been down to the gym Talon himself yet, Akihiko had talked about it and tried to drag him enough times that he knows exactly where it is. A strange first stop for a date, but he and Scott had decided that they were going to kick each other's asses first and foremost.

Classic teenage boy dates.

When Scott walks in, he lifts his head in acknowledgement, arms unfolding as he stands up from where he'd been leaning on the wall. Despite it supposedly being a date, Shinjiro definitely did not take any effort to dress up or out of the ordinary- Just a dark, neutral colour sweater and some jeans. Besides, it's also a fight, so why do anything fancy?

He lifts a hand to scratch at the pale mark on the side of his neck, going ahead and asking:]

Hey. You got any rules in mind?

[Is Scott just a little bit excited to ~~shove Shinjiro to the ground~~ spar with Shinjiro? Yeah, of course. That's probably the easiest thing to admit, because he likes it-- likes training against new people and see how he stacks against others. Oh, sure, it sucks when he loses, but it's a good reminder about how much he still needs to prepare, how much he needs to be better if he's going to lead the X-Men someday.

Definitely a weird first date though. Scott's aware enough to admit that. Hell, he sometimes feels like the normal one amongst some of his friends. Sometimes a funny feeling since he shoots lasers out of his eyes. But in a way, not unfamiliar either. He's kind of the most... 'normal' person of his team back home. It's fine, they're going to have a burgers and arcade after this, and that's completely normal.

Still, a sharp little grin is sent Shinjiro's way as the other teen greets him. He notices his current dress, something that is pretty ordinary, and he rolls his eyes.]

Seriously man? You're gonna go to our date dressed in sweaty clothes after this?

[He's wearing a gray shirt with sweats, but that's mostly because he's also carrying a bag over his shoulders that has a change of clothes-- jeans and a red t-shirt, nothing too special, but won't be drenched in sweat!!]

But sure, how about no powers this time? So, don't knock my glasses off.

[He shrugs at the accusation that he'd just be going on the date in sweaty clothes, obviously not concerned about it.]

Don't worry about it, I run pretty cold. I'd do most of my fighting in a wool coat and turtleneck back home. [Hell, even his new battle gear had gloves and a neck warmer. Very thoughtful, if weird, on the part of whatever Kirijo executive had designed them. Honestly, he kind of misses the layers, but whatever. He'll eventually get more clothes and maybe even somewhere to put them.

No powers is a good call, though. First off, he's pretty sure there's not a lot he could do against the concussive blasts. Second, he didn't even bring his evoker. But he does lift a hand in caution.]

Good idea. Some of mine don't turn off, though. You want me to tell you about 'em so it's fair? [Despite having taunted Scott by saying he'd let him figure it out, that doesn't seem very sporting.]

Though it might even things out, since I usually don't fight with my hands.

[Scott actually seems to consider this, head tilting as an unreadable expression takes over. On one hand, the feeling of getting surprised by what Shinjiro may offer is kind of exciting... figuring in the heat of battle what to do and how to counter such an attack. But on the other hand, since Shinjiro is the first person that he's met in this casino that's like him in terms of control...

Maybe it would be best for him to know about it ahead of time. Stop Shinjiro in the most effective manner before anyone gets hurt? Assuming that's what he's referencing anyway.]

Are they abilities that might be uncontrollable? [Blunt, to the point, but this is kind of the stuff he doesn't mess around with. Also, huh, he didn't know that Personas provided passive skills to their users... guess that makes sense though.] Otherwise, we can keep things in suspense.

[It's a good question Scott asks- but the way Shinjiro shakes his head is near immediate.]

Nah. It's way more passive than that. [The healing is small and slow enough not to mention. The fact that he could keep going well after what should have been a knockout blow will be a decent surprise. And then if his counter abilities kick in-- honestly, that would just be funny.]

But alright. No aiming for your eyes, no weapons, it's just on until someone gives.

[Weirdly enough, his posture relaxes, one hand even slipping into a pocket. Not that there's anything in it. It's just familiar to him, how he tends to wait for someone else to make the first move. It'd be more familiar if he had some large object to swing, but they're not really trying to kill each other here.]

Alright, whenever you're ready.

[So all passive abilities. What did Shinjiro mention before? Something about him punching himself? Maybe there was something to that actual statement, if he doesn't actually fight with his hands. Scott's posture becomes a little more alert, body stiffening even as he shifts into a more combative stance. His earlier bag he was carrying is now dropped to the ground, mostly forgotten as he takes in his opponent in front of him.

Who. Is also his date. But whatever. This is boy to boy communication. Though he still plans on having a nice little date with Shinjiro after all this. The mutual understanding they had... meeting someone that's like him. He just also has to do this with him.

The fact that Shinjiro's posture only seems to relax gets Scott's brows to furrow, but he's not here to comment about that right now. Maybe it's just his way of getting Scott off guard-- unless he's just that confident. Undeterred, however, Scott steps forward and he's already in the other teen's space, one fist raised for a light but fast jab towards his chest.]

[Having a best friend who's a boxer pays off in a lot of ways. For one? You get pretty good at telling the punches coming at you apart. And unlike Akihiko's expert footwork and precision knock-out punches, Scott's probably testing the water. So he just lets the jab connect, lets Scott close and into his space, and uses his free hand to grab and twist into his shirt, lifting slightly before hurling him bodily towards the ground with what looks like little effort.

Scott can't be that much heavier than some of the hammers he's swung around.]

C'mon, don't start out by holding back. You said you were gonna kick my ass.

[He says it as he takes a step back, giving the other guy room to get up uninterrupted.]

How do you usually fight back home? The eye things?

[One thing's for sure, Shinjiro was not lying about him being rather sturdy. His fist doesn't exactly hurt from that impact, but uh, he's definitely solid okay-- and trained, Scott's eyes widening just briefly behind his sunglasses before he finds himself thrown into the mat. A small break of air leaves Scott from the impact, mostly from the shock of it, though he's genuinely a little winded even as he hears the other teen taunt him.

Well, he's taking it as a taunt anyway. A reminder to kick his ass. Yeah, he said he was going to. He hasn't forgotten about that at all.

With a short intake of breath, Scott gets up-- knees bending before he springs back up, back straightening and fists raised once more. Though, he doesn't try to rush Shinjiro just yet, eyes reappraising him.]

Optic blasts. Mostly a long range combatant. [And then he starts getting right into Shinjiro's space again, feet projecting him forward to land another blow to his shoulder this time. Scott isn't going to try and pick up the other teen; he's really not known for his physical strength, relying more on speed and feinting-- dodging to the left before lifting his leg to kick towards Shinjiro's side.

He isn't bad, but. He hasn't had years of training either. A few months back home and a few months here.]

[He's patient as Scott gets back up, considering. For someone with massive death canons that shoot from their eyes, him getting up and in anyone's face at all is pretty impressive. Maybe that was part of his 'training'-- not using them as a crutch.]

I mean, they are pretty damn strong, from what I've seen-

[And Scott's coming back. This time Shinjiro actually moves-- a step back to lessen the impact of the punch, but it has the intended effect of creating just enough distance fir that fast kick to come up and nail him right in the lower ribs. It's a decent hit, and he gives a short, approving noise.]

You're not bad for a distance fighter. I usually use axes.

[And with that he's finally snapping forward with a real offense, different from his earlier, almost lazy movements- A messy right hook at the other teen, moving the whole of his body with it.]

Pretty damn heavy axes.

[An off handed comment, Scott obviously not focusing too hard on the conversation as he keeps his eyes alert and focused on his friend. Friend. Can they be considered that by now? When you bond with another teen about your uncontrollable powers, it's probably allowed. A little jump start to friendship. Sure. Maybe he'll just have to make sure by landing another blow on Shinjiro-- though the teen has to quickly raise his arm to block that hook and grunting from the impact of it.

Okay, definitely heavy axes.

But he's starting to really get into their spar, adrenaline keeping him going-- pushing him to throw quicker, short jabs, trying to keep on the offensive even though he probably is tiring himself out. He'll just. Push that down. Thoughts of winning sometimes float through his mind, but he's mostly treating this as an opponent that he wants to overcome. An obstacle to strategize and plan over.]

[That comment earns a short, huffed laugh-- because it's true. They are pretty damn heavy axes. It's less about the blade and more about the sheer bludgeoning weight of it. But in the middle of a friendly fistfight isn't exactly the time to get caught up nerding about weapons: especially with the way Scott ups his game, coming in faster, more frequently.

He pulls his arms in to dull some of those blows as Scott doubles down, content to watch for a few moments and let him exhaust himself a little more. The jabs are quick, but not particularly hard hitting, and he backs up slowly with it towards one of the walls, as though being pressed back.

He waits until finally there's a small flash of light like a glass wall between them during one of the jabs, right before impact-- Castor reflecting back exactly any damage that might have been caused before it connects. And that's always a good opportunity to catch people on the back foot, metaphorically. Good time to grab Scott by the shirt and the arm again and turn violently, pressing the other teen up to the wall with a forearm across his chest.

And they're probably both breathing harder, the closeness nearly fogging Scott's glasses. It's gotten fucking hot in here, and feeling close to winning, and close to flesh sends a thrill in his chest and--

His muscles slack slightly, though not fully releasing Scott. Instead he stares down to the side aimlessly, distracted.]

...Huh.

[And this close it's probably obvious at how that pale diamond on his neck is far less pale, colour deepening gradually, but visibly. Despite mentioning how he was always cold earlier, there's definitely a small glisten of sweat at his hairline, and a slight waver in his much-looser now grip of Scott against the wall.

Shit.]

[He barely has time to react to that flash of light as he feels the invisible impact of something hit him and causing him to stagger. It felt like a physical force, like a punch, and maybe he would've figured it out if he had the time, but he's not being granted that as Shinjiro suddenly grabs him by the shirt once more-- before roughly pushed back until he hits the wall behind him.

Ow.

But also, Scott exhales loudly, breaths coming in far more rapidly from the force of the impact and from tiring himself out just a few seconds earlier. Oh he can still keep going, but as he's unable to fully move right now, his muscles are granted that temporary rest even though he might be in possible danger. Though he tenses soon enough feeling the hold against him slack, with Shinjiro's attention being brought elsewhere.

He has no idea what's distracting him now, but Scott has zero qualms of using that as an opportunity-- until he sees the mark on his neck deepening to a different color of red. It's always a little harder to see these things sometimes with his vision, but he still notices the signs of a suit flaring up and. Shit.]

...Shinjiro?

[Miraculously, he doesn't sound panic or scared, his voice shifting into a steady calm as a different part of him takes over. Shoving down those more playful emotions and into someone that's just more focused on a friend-- someone that might be having trouble with control.]

[It's a completely bizarre flood of sensations. With any difficulty with his persona, it may have felt like his head was splitting open, but all the action and danger was external to himself. More like an inability to hold back another force, rather than his own body flipping against him. His eyes are unfocused as Scott calls his name, as though not quite hearing, entirely preoccupied with whatever the fuck is going on.]

--Sorry. I should... [His words trail off into nothingness, but he does manage to retreat back a step or two, even if it's something akin to a stumble. Minato had said the House would punish those who hadn't played along-- but he had? Maybe not with the recent auction, but...

His skin feels electric. Like a fever, both hot and burning and oversensitive, but simultaneously freezing and yearning for warmth. His breath comes heavier as he keeps his eyes averted, knowing that looking up and taking in someone else would likely spill the end of him with that need to touch, to feel, to physically claim and take. His mouth feels too wet as he breaths, saliva pooling at the corner of his mouth. The sheer demanding need feels so much different than whenever the House had played with him before: something having intense arousing effects was one thing. It was motivating, but not this all-encompassing and destroying and fixating necessity.

He just wants to put his hands back on someone, Scott being the closest. To be that close, to feel their breath mixing and intermingling, rut against their hip, take everything about them himself, sate the hideous painful ache in his groin. ]

...Man, fuck this place.

[It's breathed out between fast breaths, and he lets himself down to sitting on the floor, not trusting his legs to keep him up with the nightmarish colision of sensationa.]

[Shinjiro's eyes become glazed and truly, any thoughts about continuing their spar in any sort of capacity has been thrown completely out the window. Sort of disappointing, but they can always start again some other time. That's unimportant. Right now he's far more focused on the other teen's condition-- the flare of his suit. Which. Diamonds. Isn't that the one based a lot on physicality? Not that it'd matter too much, since he'd stick around no matter what, but it's good to know what he might be facing soon.

Shinjiro possibly being overwhelmed with a physical need... it's of course different for each person, but as the other steps away from him-- falls to the ground with his gaze forcefully pointed elsewhere, Scott finds himself stepping forward anyway with that same steady gaze. Is he actually ready for this? Well, he has to be now. This is the major reason why he wanted to win that bid in the first anyway. Be there in case something like this happens, the resort finding a way to fuck with the newcomers. He's been there.

He kneels in front of him, still acting calm. Maybe it'd help in some way? But this is his default when it comes to 'missions,' being single-mindedly focused on a particular task.]

Your suit is flaring up. [Maybe not the most helpful information right now... but he continues anyway.] You've been told about this, right? It normally doesn't happen unless you don't have sex for almost a month, but the resort can do whatever it wants for causing it to activate anyway.

[He reaches out, places a hand on one of those heaving shoulders. ...It's honestly pretty hard to ignore the way Shinjiro is heavily panting in front of him, but he's definitely trying.] I know. It sucks. Feels like you're losing control, right?

[The information may not be helpful, but it is validating in confirming what exactly was happening. He'd heard about it, sure: that it hit everyone differently, that suit had something to do with it, but not much else. Mitsuru had mentioned becoming ruled by her emotions-- a personal hell for her. And so maybe it's customized for them all in the same sort of way. (And maybe the flare makes sense to hit for newcomers, then-- let them experience just how serious the House is about its game, and give them good reason to avoid the consequences.

Scott touches his shoulders and he shivers, hands gripping into fists-- but agreeing, as much as it makes his chest wrench. He can't tell if the self-awareness is better or worse. After all, it's not his mind that's being manipulated. But that means he has a chance, right?

A stilted nod, if only to show that he's still coherent enough to follow what Scott's saying.]

Yeah. Like I just have to... [Just have to what? Everything it feels like. Move, take action, make contact, sink his teeth into something. His opposite hand comes up to where Scott's is resting on his shoulders, gripping over the back of it hard. It's a basic touch, the skin on skin only satisfying enough to serve as an absolute tease, and the tightness in his muscles is either from the discomfort or the sheer attempt to not grab the other man and throw him down.

He lets out a shaky exhale, doing his best attempt at a self-depreciating smirk.]

Like you said. Controlling my body's... pretty hard. [It doesn't help that he has never felt more turned on in his fucking life, which is wild given the situation. Like an entire mental and physical disconnect, entirely aware of how his body is fighting against him.

With the closest he can get to humor:] Rain check on that date?

[If Scott feels any pain or discomfort from the sudden grip, he doesn't show it. Face still steady in its concern as he hovers nearby, only reaffirming his own hand on Shinjiro's shoulder by squeezing him. Okay, it's good to know that Shinjiro doesn't seem fully overtaken yet, still capable of conscious thought and aware of what's going on him. He's seen how bad it can get--- he's been that fucking out of it himself long ago, and it's not a great feeling.

A different loss of control compared to his normal powers, but still a loss. He can see Shinjiro trying to hold it together and. He feels that too. Trying to fight back the activation of a suit-- he wonders it's more similar to controlling his Persona compared to him taking control of his powers. His optic blasts always active, but it's never really about holding back. It's just being careful. He wonders how long Shinjiro can last or maybe, if they're both lucky, it won't be too bad, but Scott isn't betting on that. This place doesn't make it easy for its guests, not when it comes to this crap.

Still, a flicker of a smile crosses Scott's face when he hears the other teen's comment.] Yeah, rain check. But tell me, what do you need now? Does it help at all that I'm touching you? And don't give me any bullshit, I'll know.

[He can't read minds so he's kind of bullshitting, but he's also pretty good when telling this sort of crap. He's just used to everyone's shit or something like that--] I'm not letting you deal with this alone, understood?

[Even though he definitely expects this to turn sexual at some point, but he's okay with it.]

['What do you need? Don't give me any bullshit.' Scott may as well have just asked for the golden fuckin' fleece on that one. Open honesty and Shinjiro tend to be antithesis to each other. But if there's anyone it's easier with, it's probably Scott. Just removed enough from everything back home, coming from different worlds-- but also so painfully similar in their issues and struggles. He's already seen him pretty low, when he had first arrived, and there had never been any flinching or judgment there: just the quiet but firm concern and willingness to help.]

You're too much of a hero type. [It's a token gripe, but also something like a thanks. Really... Scott reminds him of Minato in that way. Always there, always observant, giving people distance when needed but pressing when necessary.

But that does mean he needs to think. What does he need? Especially that he could ask of Scott? The guy hasn't left or made any comment about getting him somewhere else, so he can only assume he's aware and understanding of the probably-sexual course things will head down, as is the nature of the Peacock. He huffs a sigh, eyes closing tightly, trying to think past the screaming of his nerves. Specific is probably what he's looking for? Even though Shinjiro honestly doesn't care what satisfies the stupid suit, as long as it does.]

Touch helps, yeah. Better on skin. [Scott was right at the beginning: Shinjiro should have worn something lighter than a hoodie for their spar session, just not for the reason they'd assumed. Need winning out over shame, his free hand tucks down to palm against the outside of his pants, if only to give some sort of actual sensation instead of the aimless, unfed, aching arousal.]

It's like... I need to move. Do. Fuck, mostly. [Action, instead of just sitting here wallowing and fighting it. Giving in, probably. Though once he does he's not sure if he'd be able to wrench it back again. He does tip his head up a bit, tipping it towards Scott. Sweat beads at his hairline already, skin way warmer than he's been used to for years.]

You sure you're good staying here? [They both know this is just how this place works. Scott had already said he wasn't going to leave him to deal with this alone. At least people had said that giving in and having some, any kind of sex would reset it. Just a stupid, awkward, mortifying situation, and then they can regroup.]

[A humourless noise, and he'll add:] Sorry. I'd usually just offer to jerk you off.

[But right now he feels like he might actually lose it with that sort of self-imposed denial.]

[A hero type, huh? It's funny because he is training to be a superhero or something like that back home, and guess he technically did help save the world, but it still is a term that he's not 100% used to. Not when he spent most of his life being some social outcast-- well, he kind of is back home, that much hasn't changed even with the X-Men.

But whatever he's being right now, whatever term is applied to him, he genuinely wants to do his best to help Shinjiro. Even if it's with his dick. Yeah that's some superhero sentence.]

Skin to skin contact, okay. [Not surprising, but.] So something like this?

[His hand moves from his shoulder, with his other soon joining, so that he can grasp the other teen's face with both of his hands, bare skin meeting his as ruby quartz stares straight down at him with a certain level of intensity. Harder to read the mutant when he's like this, and maybe unfair as he sharply focuses on every little reaction Shinjiro makes in response.

It's already pretty noticeable how warm he feels under his touch. How he's trying to fight back.]

I'm good staying here and if you need to touch me, do so. I'm saying now that I'm okay with it. [...] When I didn't tend to my suit flare, I got so close to hurting others around me. I know you don't want that to happen.

Edited 2025-08-28 20:08 (UTC)

[He wasn't expecting the touch to his face, really-- It's strangely soft and personal, Scott's fingertips resting at the angle of his jaw, framing his face. It's impossible to keep his eyes averted at something so direct, eyes flicking up and into the semi-reflective red gemstones of his glasses. There's the shadow of his eyes, but nothing truly perceptible, and of course the half-there reflection of himself staring back in stereo, gaze intense and mouth softly parted, giving in so willingly to the other man's touch.

His own hands curl forward without hesitation, tucking up underneath Scott's shirt to rove up his stomach underneath the shirt. They trail up firmly to his pecs, curling around the width of his ribs to hook his fingertips at the mutants scapula in something that could be an embrace if it were softer, with less nails threatening against flesh.

He gives a vague half-nod at Scott's words as though understanding, but the only thing that's really sinking in is the permission. His throat bobs with a hard swallow, head tilting up and into. But he does manage a response, at least, breathy though it is.]

--Yeah. You too. Just... whatever you gotta do. [He can't wrap his arms fully with Scott's hands between them, so one palm continues splaying and pressing in the center of his back, between the shoulder blades and up towards the back of his neck, the other dragging across his skin towards his hips, luxuriating in those points of contact and where their skin meets, satisfying some of that desperate need for physcal connection clawing at his throat.]

[A breathy little exhale pushes through his lips as he feels Shinjiro's hand slide underneath his shirt. He said he was ready and he was expecting something like this, but it's not like he can fully control each of his reactions either-- a warm flush rising his his cheeks as he feels the other teen's hand press against his steadily breathing chest, before it starts to explore further. His pecs, his ribs, the lean muscle lining his form while still being so careful.

His own hands keep steady against Shinjiro's face, the teen wordlessly supporting him. A small nod, like he's fully okay with everything so far, before he moves one hand to push underneath his own hoodie and shirt-- wanting to return the touch he's receiving and also curious in his own way about feeling him. He slides his hand to touch Shinjiro's abs, fingers spraying across them to feel muscle while still trying to maintain his control in all this.

If the suit is going to forcefully take it away from Shinjiro at some point, Scott thinks that he should compensate. Make sure that he doesn't lose sight of himself at any point. Though, he still can't help but arch right into the hands that are now exploring his body, a flash of willing openness coming from the mutant leader as his hand on Shinjiro's face curls just a bit firmer.]

I will. [...] I have this under control. So. Don't hold back, I can handle it.

[Does he? Well, he's trying to sound completely calm anyway.]

[He's probably trying far too hard to be careful. But there's something terrifying about losing yourself, especially with the sort of history they both have. But the positive reception, the touches back, the verbal assurances-- it really begins to erode at that fear. Scott's warning his still echoing in his head, too: If he didn't take care of things now, it would be even worse down the line. There was no true winning against The House.]

...Yeah. Yeah, you got this. [He says it mostly to affirm it to himself, get that last bit of convincing done.

At a certain point, he'll have to trust people here: and to do that, the best thing he can do is take Scott at his word. He's got it under control. He's not repulsed or under duress. He has amazingly destructive eye lasers and is hardly helpless in any capacity. He's responding himself, pressing for more contact underneath Shinjiro's clothes, doing his own careful exploration.

Fuck it. It's hot, his skin is boiling, and he pulls back just enough to grab the fabric of his hoodie and wrench it over his head and off before surging back, arms wrapping around Scott's waist and chest. The tension in his muscles has slacked a bit- no longer shaking in attempts to fight or carefully maintain it, and he tucks his head at Scott's jaw, throat, pressing into the junction between his neck and shoulder to breathe him in. His fingers resume their exploration as he wraps them about the other man again, curling up at the nape of his neck, into the short hair at the base of his skull, and dipping under the waistband at the small of his beck.

He's tempted to just haul Scott up and onto is lap to remove that (minuscule) bit of distance between them, but holds off. He does not, however, stop himself from pressing his teeth into the skin of his neck and shoulder-- nothing hard enough to be a true bite so far, though.]

[Genuine attraction sparks behind his sunglasses as Shinjiro pulls off his hoodie to reveal more of his form, even if most of it is still hidden by his shirt. Better than before, actually catching those line of muscles before he's pulled back to the other teen. Without that extra barrier, it really is so much easier to feel the heat that's emitting from him, Scott letting himself dip into that pulling need to inch his hand higher up his chest. Exploratory fingers getting a good feel of his body, nearly stroking as he runs his hand up and down before stopping in the middle of his chest-- all before Scott lets himself lean just a bit closer to him.

It's also a really good feeling when he notices how Shinjiro seems to be relaxing more himself. Accepting. Guess he's not too bad at helping others with this stuff, huh? Not that he's going to put this on his future X-Men resume or anything, but. Still good.

His thighs spray on each side of Shinjiro, before he tilts his head back with a breathy little groan as teeth begins to bite into the junction of his neck and shoulder. Giving him more access, fully signaling that he's on board with this, with his other hand cupping the back of his neck to still give those full points of contact-- that skin to skin touch.

And sure, he's maintaining control, but Scott can feel a familiar pool of want churning in his stomach as well. He likes Shinjiro, even just from their couple of conversations so far, not to mention that connection they have.]

Yeah... that's fine. [As if to encourage him, his nails dig in just slightly into his chest, applying enough pressure so that he'd feel it, though not enough to cause any real pain.]

[It's easy to gain momentum once he's started just giving into it. He bites harder at the encouragement, chest expanding into those sharp nails with a deep breath that leaves him as a sort of needingwanting rumble. The legs splaying on either side of his thighs, closing that distance, is something of a tipping point; he pulls his hands down to the underside of Scott's thighs and pulls them back while pressing forward, tongue laving along his neck, to bring him to his back on the floor.

He's kneeling between Scott's legs, doubled over to keep as close contact as he can-- one hand splaying and rolling back up Scott's chest again to drag the fabric of the shirt up and out of the way, giving him more exposed skin to run his lips and teeth over, before he moves it to rest on the floor beside Scott's neck, giving him support.

While 'emergency fuckboy' may not be what Scott wants to add to his resume, it's certainly a valuable skill here in the Peacock.

Hovering above the other teen like this, it's easy to jump right past pretenses. He reaches between them with his free hand to cup at Scott's groin, feeling at his cock, as though testing his arousal, and then rubbing his palm against him to offer some friction. There's the dual purpose of also trying to draw out more of those breathy little groans and noises, the murmured praise, the occasional flicker of his eyes moving behind the obstructing glasses.

Ordinarily he'd probably say something himself-- some kind of stupid teasing snark, or an affirmation back, anything. But in the blinding need for contact and touch and sex, the words have completely evaporated from his mind.]

[A rougher pressure against the side of his neck and yet Scott accepts all of it, his legs helping in guiding their movement until he's pressed back against the floor-- luckily cushioned by the mat and not just uncomfortable ground or hardwood. It's definitely nice, because he's in no mood to try and pull them to another location, completely and utterly focused on the teen now kneeling over him with his own hand still pressed solidly against the middle of Shinjiro's chest. It's kind of strange how comfortable he's gotten with this kind of thing, although he still vastly prefers it when he at least has some sort of rapport or friendship with the person he's with.

And despite being splayed out underneath Shinjiro, Scott doesn't yet fully lose that composure that he's decided to bury himself into. Still focused, though his cheeks are now flushed and his breaths far more uneven, with his hand moving to circle one pectoral before his fingers glide straight over one budding nipple and teasing his sensitivity right there with more passing rubs.

With Scott squeezing him just shy of pain as Shinjiro goes straight to cupping his groin, the mutant's back arching and emphasizing his own muscled chest now that his shirt is bunched up and clinging.]

Mm, yeah, keep going. It's fine. Although...

[His free hand tugs at the bottom of Shinjiro's shirt, trying to pull it up as much as he can-- fingers gripping tight around the material. A suggestion to get this taken off, although at the same time, he continues to grind down against the hand still cupping his half hard cock though his sweats. A part of him maybe unwinding just a bit, his hair becoming less tidy from its usual coil, as he lies flushed underneath him and not beating the fuckboy allegations one bit.] This is in the way, right?

[He asks breathlessly, voice tinted with arousal.]

[Scott has a point-- it is absolutely in the way. All the stupid fabric is, the other guy's sweats and shift, his own pants, annoyingly less forgiving. As loathe as he is to break the contact between them, to pull back from the rough attention to his chest,he does-- sitting up for a moment with his hands retreating so he can grab the hem of his shirt and wrench it up and over his head and off. He's immediately forgotten it wherever it lands in favor of pressing back in, this time going ahead and shoving his hand under Scott's waistband to grope him more directly.

The mutant is a visual delight. Flushed, hair splaying back on the padded training mat of the floor, chest and stomach exposed with the way his shirt is shoved up. His muscles shift and tense and relax with every movement, another display of the speed and power he'd been displaying in their earlier spar. The faint shine of sweat and skin under the harsh gym lighting really defines it, and each motion of pleasure and need only serves to wind him up more.]

You're stupid gorgeous like this, you know...

[It's growled out, just a half thought as he returns to curling back in, his second hand moving up to run through his mussed hair, fingers curling in it to turn his head, letting him press right back into his neck, his quickening pulse, and the sheer warmth from him. The hand on Scott's dick grips more, sliding probably-too-languidly over the skin there, trying to draw out even more of that arching and breathing and sheer want that looks so good on the other man.]

[Shinjiro removes his shirt and he really doesn't care where it lands, because he's too busy openly staring and admiring the lines of muscle that's now available to him. Muscles packed with strength that he's felt and sparred briefly against, all contributing to a body more muscular than his own, which is something that he can appreciate right now. Because look he really is fucking hot, okay? Scott can admit it, he has less problems with that. His body is definitely reacting anyway, the pool of heat and want building in him that only spikes in intensity as Shinjiro immediately reaches back down, with the mutant letting out a strangled noise as he feels his growing need grabbed by his hand once more.

Yeah, just passing by all pretenses now, huh? No groping him through that clothed barrier, just his hand cupping him. His dick throbs half-hard against those warm fingers, Scott unable to stop his increasing uncontrolled reactions and the way he shamelessly twitches and rotates his hips, with one leg sprayed wide and the other rising up to wrap around Shinjiro's waist as he leans back in against him. It really is gratifying to have their chests pressed against each other, one hand snaking between them to trace those visible muscles he managed to look at, with the other cupping the back of Shinjiro's head-- hands loosely gripping his strands as he buries his face against his neck.

Fuck, it's hot, almost intimate in a stupid strange way, and he likes it. All of it. Scott's face remains flushed, his voice affected and breathy as he rolls his hips again-- encouraging that grip that's captured him.]

Hey, you're not so bad yourself. Hiding all that beneath that hoodie.

[Although, he does want to explore more. The hand that's been on Shinjiro's chest starts sliding down, inching closer and closer to the waistband of his jeans. First teasing with the edge before dipping straight down to grip his need, fingers curling before he pumps him hard. Once.]

[The closeness helps, but it's not enough-- but Scott pulling him in closer, curling against him, reaching in to return that contact all helps soothe the desperate needing want, if only for a bit longer. It's a strange facade of a romantic embrace, and definitely a side of each other that they had never shown before: Scott taking everything given to him and returning it in kind, and Shinjiro having dropped all his withdrawn, careful reservations.

Scott ruts and presses his hips up into his hand, and Shinjiro can't help but encourage it-- grip tightening as he rolls up, loosening as he pulls back, keeping circled around his hardening dick.

The compliment being returned to him only gets the barest of acknowledgements, just a dismissive noise as he focuses more on everything else, his shoulders rolling back as the other man's hand trails down his waist as though to tease-- But instead directly grabs him. He's been obnoxiously hard the whole time, thanks to the suit, and is likely already damp with precum. His eyes shut and he lets out a pleased groan, tilting his hips into the grip as though expecting follow up-- but once seems to be all he's getting for this exact moment in time. He grip at Scott's hair tightens for a moment, almost pulling, before he forces his fingers to relax and just gives a frustrated huff.]

You really gonna tease right now?

[It's only a complaint on the surface, really. It's just a beginning, not nearly close enough to slake the burning frustration that's been building and burning since this started. In response, he doesn't pause his own stroking of the other man's cock, thumb slowly rolling up the shaft to press at the frenulum for an extended moment, before loosening back to the casual strokes again.]

[Okay, being a little bit of a shit? Even now? It makes Scott sharply grin, despite his whole thing about control and trying to help Shinjiro through all this. All of that is still on his mind, but it doesn't mean he can't be a huge asshole because that's also a major part of his personality. Just for a moment at least. His grin remains at the slight hair pull, the way Shinjiro huffs, prompting him to only squeeze him in his unrelenting grip.]

Yeah, I am. What are you going to do about it?

[Although, as cocky as he tries to sound-- not to mention it's mostly exaggerated anyway, there's a hitch at the end of his sentence there as Shinjiro continues to stroke his own need, body full on twitching and just so responsive still, leg tightening around his waist in encouragement. It's good, just something like this, though he can't ignore the fact that he really wants more too... and if he's feeling like this, he knows that the other is probably enduring it even harder.

He starts moving his hand, finally and actually paying attention to the other man. Fingers explorative at first, sliding up to his tip to swipe against the pre that's leaked from there, before gliding back down and spreading some of that slick against his flushed cock. All so that he can start stroking along the heat of his shaft, sometimes pausing just to tease fingertips right underneath that bulbous head-- nails edging right against sensitive skin.]

Mm, how much do you want man? I mean, like, I'm pretty okay with most shit.

[Half his blood isn't in his brain right now, so by the time he thinks of a response to 'what are you going to do about it-' Scott has moved to 'how much do you want-', as though the answer could be anything: delicious, tantalizing, and terrifying all at once. What he'd ever wanted had never been a priority or something he thought about. It was secondary. But for probably the first time for him, the answer comes instantly, tilting his hips demandingly into the toying fingertips and pressing nails. Even if the sharp ridge of them trends just into painful against his sensitive cock, it's worth it.]

I just want to fuck you, [It's said bluntly and breathily, growled right next to Scott's ear and punctuated with another nip of it. It's honestly all he can think about right now-- not even the details, just the action, the sensation, the need to have a focus and a sensation for all the energy knotted up in his gut.

The downside is that would mean pulling back and giving space to. You know.Rrearrange some things. Find some lube (though he's sure there's plenty tucked into every corner of the fucking resort, so they won't have to look hard), spend the time actually preparing so there's no intestinal perforations or whatthefuckever. Full penetrative sex with other guys is super inconvenient, actually.

He doesn't let go of Scott's cock, though, swiping a thumb over the top and slowly pumping it again as he considers what he'd said.]

Might take too long... fuck, I dunno. [Let's be real: between the two of them, Scott's been here longer and is likely more experienced.]

[ooc: From Here]

Hmmm…

[It’s the only verbal response Loki gives, at least for now. It wouldn’t surprise him if Scott did it, it’s not completely out of character by any means. And it would mean that Scott was naked in front of him, something Loki definitely wouldn’t mind. But as Scott leans up towards him, Loki thinks this isn’t so bad either.

He leans down, indeed closing the distance, but just before they kiss, he pauses, coming up just short. He’ll wait until Scott reacts in some way before fully closing the distances, anything to keep him just a little off balance. Loki is unsure why, but he really enjoys keeping Scott on his toes.]

[They're so close... the moment getting his eyes to flicker shut for a few seconds as he expects to feel the god's lips against his own. It'll probably be nice, right? Something worth waiting for.

And he waits. And waits.

But instead of feeling the warmth of his lips against his own, he feels nothing and Scott's eyes snap to catch the way Loki is almost smirking down at him-- and this asshole. His cheeks flush red at the tease and Scott's hands immediately grapple his shirt so that he can forcefully pull him down into an all demanding kiss-- one that has Scott's lips already parted while trying to claim the god's as his own.

No longer sweet and slow, just a teen wanting to bite back now.]

[Loki doesn’t know what he was expecting, but the force behind the kiss Scott gives him is definitely more than anticipated. Not that he’s complaining at all. There’s just something wonderful about teasing the young man so much that he gives into his base desires like this.

Smiling into the kiss at first, it doesn’t take long for Loki to return it. His arms slide around Scott’s waist and he pulls him closer as he tilts his head so their mouths can slot together more firmly. Loki tries to suck Scott’s tongue into his mouth, giving back as good as he’s getting, and perhaps trying to show just how good he is with his mouth.]

[A light noise leaves Scott's throat as he feels Loki's arms slide around his waist, pulling them closer before he finds himself fully enveloped. His tongue easily taken in by the god's mouth, temporarily taken off guard by how forceful Loki is being in return. It's a force that he fully reciprocates though, with the mutant tilting his head to try and deepen their kiss as he keeps his hands tight in the other's shirt.

Still pulling, still demanding, Scott not letting go like he's finally gotten something that he's wanted for a long time. It really is nice kissing Loki like this, someone that's grown to trust, and look, he is a pretty good kisser. He is interested in seeing what he else he can do.

Especially since he lost to him.

The thought almost gets Scott to smirk against his mouth, but he wants to enjoy this for a bit longer. His own tongue exploring his mouth, seeking his taste and memorizing it.]

[Loki isn’t quite sure why this is so intense at the moment, but he really is having a hard time keeping himself in check. Perhaps he’s just been far too curious about the young Scott and not even because of any possible curiosity over comparing him to his older variant. He has a very different relationship with this one and sees them now as two completely different people and yet he currently feels overwhelmed with desire. As if he’s been dreaming of having Scott for longer than he’s cared to admit.

Or maybe he’s just horny and Scott is attractive. Also entirely possible.

In some ways, it seems like Scott feels the same, like the dam has broken, the flood gates have opened, or whatever appropriate saying has happened and they suddenly can’t get enough of each other. Not that Loki minds in the least. He does so enjoy someone who can give as good as they get.

There’s hardly any finesse in this kiss, at least not for the moment. Loki feels a bit overwhelmed with how much he wants the younger man and finds himself kissing him for all he’s worth. He pulls back only slightly to suck at his bottom lip, biting slightly at the flesh, his eyes half open as he finds himself wishing he could see Scott’s eyes.

It’s a fool's wish though and Loki banishes it from his mind as he deepens the kiss again. His hands slide down from Scott’s waist to grab his ass, pulling him flush against him so he can feel all of the younger man’s body and let him feel just how interested he is in all of this.]

[A small, but pleased note escapes Scott as he's pulled into a deeper kiss, mouth lightly parted to allow Loki to suck at his bottom lip before a deeper pressure is applied and all of it gets Scott to clench his fists even tighter around the shirt he's holding. Young, desperate, both words accurate in describing the teen now as he yanks Loki back to him, demanding that their lips meet and there.

It's good, of course it is, the god probably has had a lot of experience by now, but Scott doesn't intend to lack behind.

Head tilting as he presses so close to him, body still wet and his swimming trunks still sticking to his ass, but none of that deflates his growing arousal-- that heat building in him. He almost roughly rubs his front right against Loki, grinding against him and getting Scott to gasp in their kiss as that spark of pleasure runs through his nerves. It's not enough, but it's a start, and he's only greedy for more, hips jerking against Loki to add to that warmth growing through his body.]

[Scott’s right, Loki does have a lot of experience, though really no more than most his age. In fact, if not for the Peacock, he’d actually have less than a lot of people he grew up with. But Loki has always been a fast learner and someone who enjoys sex so he likes to think he knows what he’s doing. And if the sounds Scott is making show anything, it’s that he’s right about that.

Loki pulls him in close and grinds back against Scott, wanting to show him just how much he’s into this in return. Despite the nature of the place in which they reside, Loki typically finds himself to be rather in control of himself unless aphrodisiacs are involved, but this? Loki can’t explain it and doesn’t much care to, but he feels lost to sensation.

He groans as he feels Scott grind back. He slides his hands down Scott’s still damp body as he finally breaks the kiss and rather elegantly slides down Scott’s body until he’s kneeling in front of him. A large part of him doesn’t want this to end too soon, but the desire to have Scott’s cock in his mouth sooner rather than later becomes too much for him to deny. Grinning up at the young man, he almost casually slides Scott’s bathing suit down.]

[He certainly feels Loki as well, even with both their swimsuits covering them up. They still create just enough friction to send those sparks up his spine, but he certainly wants more. Needs more. Needs Loki. And while he's still dripping water on the carpet, Scott barely seems to notice or care, the teen just so desperate for more warmth and friction. Obviously he should just take off his swim trunks, but it looks like Loki is far ahead of him on that.

Pupils expanding, a flicker of red flashing behind his sunglasses, and Scott shivers as those talented hands move down along his frame with Loki starting to kneeling down too. His face so close to his covered cock, teasing and his hot breath so close to his wet bathing suit, until fingers finally grab the material to slide it down-- and revealing just how affected the teen already is.

His need half hard and bobbing, finally free without anything setting him apart from how close he is to Loki's mouth. It's a sight that gets him to swallow deeply, with that thrumming his chest building more. Scott can't help but shiver, and not just from the water still clinging to his skin, abs pushing in and out as he stares down hard at the god.]

L-Loki...

[This is so much more fun than Loki expected. Of course, when Scott made the bet with him, Loki had agreed without overly considering things and he has no regrets about that. It’s not something he’s thought of too much since this Scott’s arrival. Perhaps in the beginning, when he was reminding himself that they were two different people, the knowledge that he finds Scott attractive came to him more often. It’s the only explanation Loki has for why meeting Scott variants hit him harder than with others. If he really felt like doing some self-reflection though, it’s more about how Scott makes him feel about himself, no matter what version of him.

A hero trusting a (former) villain does a lot to boost a guy's self-confidence. That’s all he’s saying.

It doesn’t hurt that Scott is clearly into this. Loki notes the flash behind his glasses and takes it for a good thing. A sign that Scott might be losing some control in a good way. That is only confirmed by the way Scott says his name.

Loki continues looking up at the younger man, his hands sliding slowly up his legs. One hand comes to a stop on Scott’s hip while the other wraps around Scott’s half hard cock and begins to stroke lightly.]

Yes?

[His voice is low and a little teasing.]

Is there something you need?

[His hand is so warm against his wet skin, a small reminder that Loki is rude and mean for drying himself off but leaving him like this, but the contrast is also nice in its own way. It makes him crave for more of his touch, his closeness, body lightly shaking under his grasp-- with a soft moan escaping past his lips as Loki finally wraps his hand around his need.

Looking down at himself... it really is a sight to watch the way Loki's hand is fully enclosed around his cock, running his fingers up and down and causing more blood to be pumped downward. He can feel himself hardening right in his grasp, those quiet but quick pants coming out from Scott as he buries one hand against Loki's hair. Running fingers through his strands, he takes a moment to respond, interrupted by the way a small whine pulls from him after a particular stroke.]

Please... I want more.

[A little less bossy, tone becoming more pleading as that want overtakes everything else. Besides, it's just the two of them... so it's okay. It's fine letting Loki know what he wants now.]

[Sorry Scott, Loki is enjoying seeing you all wet. Besides, he’ll dry naturally soon enough.

Loki smiles knowingly as Scott reacts to his touch. He’s not sure the younger man knew what he was getting into when he first made the bet, but Loki intends on making it well worth his while. It’s their first time and Loki has every intention of giving Scott the best blowjob of his life.

It’s not like it will be hard to do. At very least, Loki is going to put his all into it simply because he also wants this. It’s something that surprised him when he first started giving head, but he finds it as much a turn on to give as to receive. The feel, the smell, the taste, Loki likes it all and he has to admit, he’s very much excited to get this going with Scott. And yet, he’s also enjoying teasing the younger man a bit.

Loki hums softly when Scott pleads slightly, looking up at him as he moves in closer, his eyes locking with Scott’s (as well as he can with the sunglasses at least).]

Of course, whatever you wish.

[His voice is low and husky as he speaks before he leans in and wraps his lips around the head of Scott’s cock. His hand continues to stroke him as he sucks lightly before dancing his tongue around the sensitive tip.]

[Scott's head tilts back, a groan so relieved pushing out from his lungs as Loki wraps his lips around his tip. All that anticipation, all that teasing and build up, finally leading to this-- the teen's hips already bucking forward in an uncontrolled manner, any hint of control or being able to hold back gone from his person. He just lets his voice ring out just from that singular suck, lips pressed so firmly around him, and body so responsive as if this is the first time he's ever done this.

Then a tongue teasing, passing right against the sensitive slit of his flushed need, and Scott nearly whines.]

M-more, ah, your fucking tongue...

[His fingers tighten in those strands before he rolls his head back down to look at the god kneeling in front of him. As tempting it is to just moan upward and let all those sensations run through him, he wants to look back at Loki. Black hair over his shoulders, framing a narrow but attractive face, even-- especially as he continues to keep his lips securely fastened around his need. Acknowledging, watching as a part of him disappears into Loki's mouth. Already, he can feel precum drip from his tip, Scott panting down and being fully turned on by the visual before him.] Come on, more...

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Text | UN: iceicebaby

text; un: cyclops

I f’ed up that strike out SO BAD sorry!

no worries! i gotchu

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want to start wrapping things up? :>

Sure!

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@Kazuya

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closes my eyes every time i have to talk about the bible in a thread w/ kazuya.

the true lesson from the bible

🔐

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