Thanks for coming. [Izuku's smile seems to soften even more when he glances at Damian. Pennyworth gets a few scritches under the chin before Izuku straightens up and ushers them both inside.
There's a meow from further in the house as a fluffy brown cat meanders into the living room, apparently drawn from the room by all the sounds. Izuku picks him up with minimal fuss and holds him up toward Damian. Two pairs of green eyes inspect Damian now.]
This is Deku. [Izuku's nose scrunches as he introduces them.] Don't ask. [Which probably sounds like an invitation to do exactly that.]
[Following Izuku, Damian goes inside. It takes a bit to get Pennyworth to come in, even calling. The cat seems uncertain about the presence of another cat not yet met. There's no aggression, but there's definitely some apprehension.]
I don't know if this is going to go like you believe it will, Izuku. Pennyworth hasn't ever been around other male ca-- [Oh. Holy shit.
This fluffy-ass thing? Adorable.
Damian glances back and forth between the cat and Izuku with a similar pair of green eyes. Honestly, he doesn't even have to ask. Slowly, he lifts a hand and allows "Deku" to smell the back of it in greeting.]
[He's a friendly thing, and it's obvious enough, once he begins purring and rubbing his face against Damian's hand. Izuku, on the other hand, just responds with something that's halfway between a laugh and a groan.]
Glad you agree with Shouto, then. [There's a wry sort of twist to his mouth.] He's the one who named him.
[With both cats now in the room, Izuku looks back down at Pennyworth, gauging the cat's reaction.] You don't think they'll get along?
Figures. [Shouto has a glaring soft spot for Izuku and a ridiculous amount of literal bluntness. (DAMIAN STILL DOESN'T KNOW THEY'RE DATING BECAUSE HE'S... an idiot. A fool. World's Greatest Detective's son right here.)] I can see why.
[The aptly named cat gets a headful of scritching and petting. If Pennyworth can feel jealousy, surely the quick tail swishing is evidence of it.]
I don't know. We can find out. [He glances down.] It's better if they're separated first and get use to each other's smell. You shouldn't force them to meet. They need to meet on their own terms.
Not you, too, Damian-kun. [Though Izuku tries to sound exasperated, the smile on his face definitely takes away from the overall effect.]
Maybe we could swap for a while. I'll hold Pennyworth while you hold Deku? We can talk while they get used to each other! [Izuku drops the cat in question into Damian's arms and then crouches down near Pennyworth and waits for the cat to approach. Accept him!!]
He's a bit surprised when Izuku just tosses Deku into his arms, but he's 1) very skilled tactically and easily takes the cat, and 2) not averse to felines at all. So Deku goes into his arms and he shifts the fluffy thing around so it can rest against his shoulder and chest.
And then he tips his head back to watch the other Deku and Pennyworth. The tuxedo cat gives Izuku the once-over, but doesn't budge at first. Hmph. Smelling like some other male cat. How dare. He grooms his face briefly, tail flapping back and forth.]
I meant they should be confirmed in separate rooms and adjust gradually to each other over the course of a few days, Izuku.
[But?? Pennyworth?? moves forward finally, begrudgingly, to sniff at Izuku's fingers and hand.]
[Normally, Izuku has an infinite amount of patience, but something about today and wanting to keep Damian distracted makes him antsier than usual.
And then Pennyworth saves the day!! Izuku looks thrilled as he reaches out to pet him around the ears, then gives Damian a sunny grin.]
Looks like it might work out after all. [He has no idea if Pennyworth would want to be picked up, so!! He just sits right down on the floor to join the cat.]
[Pennyworth, you total betrayer. WHY. He can't believe Izuku has the same gravitational resonance as Jon, pulling all things in to love them, especially the ones who are grumpy and irritable.]
Don't get so cocky. It could take a turn for the worse. [But Deku seems pretty chill now that Damian is petting. He watches Izuku sit on the floor, sighs quietly, and then joins along a few feet away so Deku and Pennyworth have room.
He circles his legs, letting his feet touch one another, and he puts Deku on the floor between his knees. Freedom, though Damian continues to pet.]
Yeah. [Though Izuku's still giving Pennyworth plenty of attention, he sobers up, getting a bit more serious.]
I've been doing a lot of thinking. [Then again, when doesn't Izuku?] You and the other heroes back in your world, the ones without any powers...you pick really specific weapons to use, don't you?
[For now, the cats at least seem content to regard one another without much issue.]
It depends. [His eyes lift to study Izuku's face for a moment or two, almost searching.] There's weapons we've becoming extremely proficient in, yes. They often match our fighting styles.
The Batfamily anyway.
Nightwing, for example, is well known for using escrima or arnis sticks. They've been modified to conduct electricity. Like a taser or a stun baton. Red Robin uses a bostaff. [His voice drips with disapproval:] Red Hood is a marksman.
Red Hood has broken away and uses his own methods unrelated to Batman, though he often comes in to assist us with bigger cases. He's an expert marksman, and though the use of guns is frowned upon, he's very aware of how not to kill. When he's not throwing a tantrum.
[But that just leaves himself. God.]
On the other hand, I'm highly proficient with swords. I also know how not to kill.
Don't misunderstand. These are weapons we're comfortable utilizing, but being a part of the Family means being well-rounded. We know how to use all kinds of weapons. Nothing is off limits.
Nothing is off limits... [A crooked little smile tugs at his lips now. Funny that Damian would put it that way, considering what Izuku meant to talk to him about.
Deku the cat chooses that moment to start purring loudly, making Izuku lose some of that odd tension when he shakes his head fondly.]
The more you've learned, the more options you have when you're fighting, right?
[Oh no... Cute. Damian would die for Deku. Damian is the samurai holding the white cat meme, just real. So Deku gets some non-intrusive but affectionate pets.]
Yes, but it isn't only about your options. It's about knowing how to fight against those weapons, too. Plenty of criminals use guns, or bats, or sticks, or whatever else. Plenty of more powerful criminals use worse.
Respecting them, knowing how they work. It helps you become a better fighter against an opponent.
Oh! [It's like a light's switched on in his head. Then, Izuku hunches over slightly, muttering quietly to himself for a good minute or so as he quietly, mentally goes over all his notes he's collected on heroes and villains alike.
Give him a second. Or maybe stop him, before he scares Pennyworth away.]
[Damian........ stares. He can feel the weirdly emanating vibe of muttering that accompanies Izuku's deep thoughts, and he lets it continue for a moment or so before it becomes overbearing and intrusive.
HEY. Damian is still here, dingus!] Are you finished?
Y-yes! [Izuku snaps back to attention sheepishly.] Sorry. I was just...thinking.
[Thinking way too hard, as usual.]
It's just, a lot of the villains I've seen mostly rely on their quirks to attack. Or they use their quirk with a weapon. It's the same with the heroes. I see what you mean about how knowing the weapon can help, though. For defensive and offensive capabilities.
[He pets Pennyworth again, apologetically this time.]
[Pennyworth probably wouldn't mind the muttering maybe. For a short time, at least. Damian has stepped on the poor cat at least once when Pennyworth got under his feet while training.]
Do you all have one specific quirk? I'm aware Todoroki uses fire and ice, but it's more of a complimentary quirk than two very different ones.
[That gets a shake of his head.] No... you can find new ways to use the quirk, but what you're born with is what you have. The genetic component of quirks just means you don't know how the parents' quirks will mix when they're passed down to their child.
Shouto...is kind of a special case. [There's a flicker of distaste in his eyes before it quickly disappears.] His dad has a fire quirk and his mom has an ice quirk--just because he essentially managed to inherit both equally doesn't mean any of his siblings would be the same.
Anyway... even if you got more than one quirk, there's no telling if you'd be able to use it or not. Quirks can be a lot like physical abilities, too--there's only so much your body's equipped to handle in the first place.
[Shouto and Damian have actually had a nice conversation about shitty parents and shitty parenting, but it isn't the place to bring it up and dig for more information. Shouto was quite open with him about most things.
But Damian understands the intent--breeding specifically for a fire and ice quirk.] I see. [It's sad he isn't a Marvel so he can talk about the X-men and Xavier's school...]
I'm sorry. [It comes out of nowhere really, and Damian doesn't sound broken up about it. He also doesn't sound insincere. It sounds polite, formal.] About how I acted a long time ago in regards to the way your world functions with heroes and quirks.
Leading a team of people like you... I should have been more respectful.
[Today's just full of surprises, isn't it? Izuku smiles at him, fondness making his chest warm.]
You don't have to apologize, Damian-kun. You...weren't wrong about the flaws our world has. There's a lot of things that need fixing.
[Testing his luck, Izuku tries to pick up Pennyworth...] Maybe it's a good thing that we have this chance to talk to people from such different worlds, though. It gives us all a chance to think about how things could be different back home, and then find a good halfway point to meet. At least, that's what I think.
I'm aware both of our worlds have their flaws, but I could have been more tasteful with my argument. [He may be a right brat about a lot of things, but he at least is trying to make an effort to do what he thinks his father would be proud of.
Including admitting when you fuck up.] I still don't care for your regulations, but I suppose I can acknowledge the side it's coming from. I also still don't care for your education system's focus, though perhaps it is better than no education at all.
[His eyes drop to Pennyworth. The cat is fine with being held, but gets a bit antsy at the lack of freedom and instead, as cats do, Pennyworthy climbs up onto Izuku's shoulders to stand and lord over lesser mortals below.]
And don't think I've forgotten about wanting a fair duel. I want you to fight me with your full capabilities.
[Izuku, the sucker that he is for animals, lets Pennyworth do as he wishes, of course, only reaching up to stroke along the cat's side.]
Okay. Apology accepted, then. [If Damian's so set on giving the apology, then it's only fair that Izuku listen to him.] And don't worry, I haven't forgotten. We can spar with everything we've got whenever you'd like--I could use a lot more practice, too.
Actually... [Izuku rubs at the back of his neck, somewhat nervously.] That's what I wanted to talk about. Training. Do you... think you could teach me how to handle some of the weapons you're familiar with? I think it's time I learned how to fight without using my quirk.
[Pennyworth's tail loops around Izuku's fluffy head and bats in the way of Izuku's eyes for a moment or two. Typical cat behavior. Cutely annoying. The cat meanders to one shoulder, then shakily turns and meanders back to the other, sometimes teetering between both.
There's an attempt made to groom Izuku's head, but Izuku's hair gets caught in the cat's bristled tongue, resulting in Pennyworth having to stretch far back and smack to get the hair loose. Nevermind. No more grooming dumb humans.]
That's fine. [But Damian's eyes settle curiously on Izuku's face.] We can start with knives.
Why do you want to suddenly learn to fight without your quirk?
Yeah? [Izuku beams at him, pleased that Damian agreed so easily.] I've been thinking about it for a while, but... hearing about what happened at the Siren's island convinced me. This place's magic is really unpredictable--I don't want to be left sitting on my hands if something happens to my quirk later on.
[While they talk, Pennyworth's attempts haven't gone noticed. Deku, seeing the cat perched on Izuku's shoulder, decides to pad over, circling around and meowing. Finally, he stands up on his hind feet, front feet braced on Izuku's arm as he leans up to sniff at Pennyworth.]
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Thanks for coming. [Izuku's smile seems to soften even more when he glances at Damian. Pennyworth gets a few scritches under the chin before Izuku straightens up and ushers them both inside.
There's a meow from further in the house as a fluffy brown cat meanders into the living room, apparently drawn from the room by all the sounds. Izuku picks him up with minimal fuss and holds him up toward Damian. Two pairs of green eyes inspect Damian now.]
This is Deku. [Izuku's nose scrunches as he introduces them.] Don't ask. [Which probably sounds like an invitation to do exactly that.]
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I don't know if this is going to go like you believe it will, Izuku. Pennyworth hasn't ever been around other male ca-- [Oh. Holy shit.
This fluffy-ass thing? Adorable.
Damian glances back and forth between the cat and Izuku with a similar pair of green eyes. Honestly, he doesn't even have to ask. Slowly, he lifts a hand and allows "Deku" to smell the back of it in greeting.]
The resemblance is uncanny.
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Glad you agree with Shouto, then. [There's a wry sort of twist to his mouth.] He's the one who named him.
[With both cats now in the room, Izuku looks back down at Pennyworth, gauging the cat's reaction.] You don't think they'll get along?
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[The aptly named cat gets a headful of scritching and petting. If Pennyworth can feel jealousy, surely the quick tail swishing is evidence of it.]
I don't know. We can find out. [He glances down.] It's better if they're separated first and get use to each other's smell. You shouldn't force them to meet. They need to meet on their own terms.
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Maybe we could swap for a while. I'll hold Pennyworth while you hold Deku? We can talk while they get used to each other! [Izuku drops the cat in question into Damian's arms and then crouches down near Pennyworth and waits for the cat to approach. Accept him!!]
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He's a bit surprised when Izuku just tosses Deku into his arms, but he's 1) very skilled tactically and easily takes the cat, and 2) not averse to felines at all. So Deku goes into his arms and he shifts the fluffy thing around so it can rest against his shoulder and chest.
And then he tips his head back to watch the other Deku and Pennyworth. The tuxedo cat gives Izuku the once-over, but doesn't budge at first. Hmph. Smelling like some other male cat. How dare. He grooms his face briefly, tail flapping back and forth.]
I meant they should be confirmed in separate rooms and adjust gradually to each other over the course of a few days, Izuku.
[But?? Pennyworth?? moves forward finally, begrudgingly, to sniff at Izuku's fingers and hand.]
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[Normally, Izuku has an infinite amount of patience, but something about today and wanting to keep Damian distracted makes him antsier than usual.
And then Pennyworth saves the day!! Izuku looks thrilled as he reaches out to pet him around the ears, then gives Damian a sunny grin.]
Looks like it might work out after all. [He has no idea if Pennyworth would want to be picked up, so!! He just sits right down on the floor to join the cat.]
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Don't get so cocky. It could take a turn for the worse. [But Deku seems pretty chill now that Damian is petting. He watches Izuku sit on the floor, sighs quietly, and then joins along a few feet away so Deku and Pennyworth have room.
He circles his legs, letting his feet touch one another, and he puts Deku on the floor between his knees. Freedom, though Damian continues to pet.]
You said you wanted to ask me something.
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I've been doing a lot of thinking. [Then again, when doesn't Izuku?] You and the other heroes back in your world, the ones without any powers...you pick really specific weapons to use, don't you?
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It depends. [His eyes lift to study Izuku's face for a moment or two, almost searching.] There's weapons we've becoming extremely proficient in, yes. They often match our fighting styles.
The Batfamily anyway.
Nightwing, for example, is well known for using escrima or arnis sticks. They've been modified to conduct electricity. Like a taser or a stun baton. Red Robin uses a bostaff. [His voice drips with disapproval:] Red Hood is a marksman.
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I thought you said guns and swords, or anything like that, isn't allowed?
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[But that just leaves himself. God.]
On the other hand, I'm highly proficient with swords. I also know how not to kill.
Don't misunderstand. These are weapons we're comfortable utilizing, but being a part of the Family means being well-rounded. We know how to use all kinds of weapons. Nothing is off limits.
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Deku the cat chooses that moment to start purring loudly, making Izuku lose some of that odd tension when he shakes his head fondly.]
The more you've learned, the more options you have when you're fighting, right?
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Yes, but it isn't only about your options. It's about knowing how to fight against those weapons, too. Plenty of criminals use guns, or bats, or sticks, or whatever else. Plenty of more powerful criminals use worse.
Respecting them, knowing how they work. It helps you become a better fighter against an opponent.
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Give him a second. Or maybe stop him, before he scares Pennyworth away.]
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HEY. Damian is still here, dingus!] Are you finished?
What are you thinking about?
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[Thinking way too hard, as usual.]
It's just, a lot of the villains I've seen mostly rely on their quirks to attack. Or they use their quirk with a weapon. It's the same with the heroes. I see what you mean about how knowing the weapon can help, though. For defensive and offensive capabilities.
[He pets Pennyworth again, apologetically this time.]
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Do you all have one specific quirk? I'm aware Todoroki uses fire and ice, but it's more of a complimentary quirk than two very different ones.
Do any of you have more than one?
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Shouto...is kind of a special case. [There's a flicker of distaste in his eyes before it quickly disappears.] His dad has a fire quirk and his mom has an ice quirk--just because he essentially managed to inherit both equally doesn't mean any of his siblings would be the same.
Anyway... even if you got more than one quirk, there's no telling if you'd be able to use it or not. Quirks can be a lot like physical abilities, too--there's only so much your body's equipped to handle in the first place.
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But Damian understands the intent--breeding specifically for a fire and ice quirk.] I see. [It's sad he isn't a Marvel so he can talk about the X-men and Xavier's school...]
I'm sorry. [It comes out of nowhere really, and Damian doesn't sound broken up about it. He also doesn't sound insincere. It sounds polite, formal.] About how I acted a long time ago in regards to the way your world functions with heroes and quirks.
Leading a team of people like you... I should have been more respectful.
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You don't have to apologize, Damian-kun. You...weren't wrong about the flaws our world has. There's a lot of things that need fixing.
[Testing his luck, Izuku tries to pick up Pennyworth...] Maybe it's a good thing that we have this chance to talk to people from such different worlds, though. It gives us all a chance to think about how things could be different back home, and then find a good halfway point to meet. At least, that's what I think.
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Including admitting when you fuck up.] I still don't care for your regulations, but I suppose I can acknowledge the side it's coming from. I also still don't care for your education system's focus, though perhaps it is better than no education at all.
[His eyes drop to Pennyworth. The cat is fine with being held, but gets a bit antsy at the lack of freedom and instead, as cats do, Pennyworthy climbs up onto Izuku's shoulders to stand and lord over lesser mortals below.]
And don't think I've forgotten about wanting a fair duel. I want you to fight me with your full capabilities.
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Okay. Apology accepted, then. [If Damian's so set on giving the apology, then it's only fair that Izuku listen to him.] And don't worry, I haven't forgotten. We can spar with everything we've got whenever you'd like--I could use a lot more practice, too.
Actually... [Izuku rubs at the back of his neck, somewhat nervously.] That's what I wanted to talk about. Training. Do you... think you could teach me how to handle some of the weapons you're familiar with? I think it's time I learned how to fight without using my quirk.
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There's an attempt made to groom Izuku's head, but Izuku's hair gets caught in the cat's bristled tongue, resulting in Pennyworth having to stretch far back and smack to get the hair loose. Nevermind. No more grooming dumb humans.]
That's fine. [But Damian's eyes settle curiously on Izuku's face.] We can start with knives.
Why do you want to suddenly learn to fight without your quirk?
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[While they talk, Pennyworth's attempts haven't gone noticed. Deku, seeing the cat perched on Izuku's shoulder, decides to pad over, circling around and meowing. Finally, he stands up on his hind feet, front feet braced on Izuku's arm as he leans up to sniff at Pennyworth.]
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