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[Katsuki perks up a little bit when Hijikata asks that question, seemingly a little excited that Hijikata recognized the necklace.]

Oh, uh... yeah. He gave it to me for my birthday.

[Katsuki sits up a bit, so he can hold the pendant in his hand.]

He told me to keep it safe, so I'm keepin' it on my person as much as I can. Which I guess is a good thing, 'cuz it'll come in handy with the power out.

[Even though he's completely forgotten that it illuminates flowers until this very second. He's been so busy with everything else... he'll have to give it a try after they're done bathing. Katsuki doesn't particularly need the light anymore, but it could be comforting in a time like this.]

Shoto-kun doesn't leave anything to chance.

[His smile lingers as he remembers how diligently his then-squire prepared for quests and other missions, ensuring they'd have enough healing items and other useful things with them... it made a life-saving difference more than once.

But he can't keep procrastinating through these reminiscences, so he lets out a gentle sigh and starts asking the necessary questions.]

You had a shit time out there too, didn't you? I knew you'd be unable to stay cooped up in here with chaos raging outside. I wouldn't have managed either. It's human nature, isn't it? We want to apply ourselves.

[More likely, it's just them being reckless fighty bastards, but it amounts to the same difference!!]

How'd it go, Katsuki-kun?

[Katsuki was starting to smile as well, thinking about Shoto and his over-preparedness. If Katsuki was in Ellipsa all by himself, he'd probably be useless he thinks. Shoto has been so helpful ever since arrived, he can't imagine living here without him honestly.

That smile, though, fades when he's asked about what happened. And accurately pinpointed for growing too antsy to stay at home. And he sinks into the water again.]

...I wanted to help. I can provide a lotta light with my Quirk, so I thought that I could at least be useful enough to walk people home.

[What a stupid idea that was.]

I was wrong. I was really wrong... and I got attacked by a vampire of all fucking things.

[He'll lift and tilt his head a bit to show the two nasty holes in the left side of his neck. Congealed blood keeping them clotted, not that it really mattered if it kept bleeding. He couldn't die by blood loss, now.]

Edited 2025-05-22 01:08 (UTC)

[Hijikata nods - it makes sense that Katsuki wanted to make himself useful. He would have done the same in his position. As for the vampire attack... well, by now, since they've been talking, he's seen those fangs even in the weak candlelight.]

You were turned.

[He says it matter-of-factly - few things can still shock a triple isekai veteran like him. Regardless, he feels for Katsuki. His life will drastically change as a result of the incident. If he can offer him any comfort, though, it's that he's been living a semi-nocturnal life as well since the establishment of the SPOON at the start of the year.]

Welcome to the night shift.

[Katsuk feels so much dread at those words. "You were turned." It's still hard for him to swallow-- it only happened a few hours ago, after all. But he'll give a soft nod of confirmation, even though Hijikata wasn't asking for it.]

There ain't anything "welcome" about this. I've been turned into an evil monster. A Villain.

[He's the natural predator to the humankind he wants to protect so much...]

If I wasn't so weak, this wouldn't have happened.

[Hijikata remains silent for a moment, mulling over Katsuki's words. He can't very well tell him otherwise on that last point, can he? If he'd been in top form, he likely would have been able to fend off and defeat the vampire. But what's done is done, so he addresses his other concern instead.]

You're not automatically a villain just because you're a vampire. Have you harmed any civilians? Caused suffering and destruction? I'd wager you haven't.

[He steeples his hands, lifting them out of the water.]

When I caught a werebest curse on Avalon, it was an adjustment, too... the bloodlust, the impulses, the heightened senses, I had to learn to manage it all. But I made it work. I'm a werebeast, but I'm still a policeman who upholds law and order.

[Katsuki was going to argue that even if he hasn't, that he was perfectly capable of it now. That one day he very well might just because of what he's become.

But then Hijikata continues to speak, and admits to Katsuki that he, himself, is a monster. That he was a "werebeast" (which.. why so vague--) and that he has bloodlust and awful impulses, too. And that he learned to adapt, and manage it, and still continue to be a cop.

It still feels like, to Katsuki, that it won't be so easy. That his life as a Hero might as well be good as dead-- but it just happened. He'll need... so much time to process and be used to this.]

...you're a monster? Does that mean you have to hunt down humans in order to survive, too?

[He sounds a little hopeful. He knows he's being dramatic with the wording, when realistically he could just ask friends for donations. But.. needing to feed off of any part of a human was so isolating and scary to him.]

[He's being vague because being a weredog is uncool no matter how you slice it!! Granted, he won't be able to keep it vague for long... but maybe his pointy ears will let him pass for a wolf (if Katsuki can ignore how thin his tail is - he should really get it docked already). At the boy's question, he shakes his head.]

It's all a matter of managing it right from the start. Werebeasts have strong hunting impulses during the full moon cycle, so I do go hunting with others who share my curse - for animals or monsters, out in the Segments. On the evening when the moon is fullest, we always hold a meat feast, too - we go out together for barbecue or whatnot.

[It's a tradition among the sworn siblings, and Shoto usually tags along despite not being afflicted - next time, it'll be a toss-up of whether they'll bring Katsuki along as well or the two boys will stay home for some alone time.]

Of course, I have it much easier than you - I only have to deal with it three nights a month; for you it's permanent. But it's all the more important that we adjust to your needs without delay. I'll get you blood from the butcher that we'll keep chilled or frozen right after we're done bathing, and we'll get some black-out blinds installed...

[He trails off, realising that he's being a little presumptuous in mentally going through all the windows in the house, so he adds:]

If you want to stay here.

[Katsuki may have other plans - but frankly, Hijikata and Shoto and even the pokémon have already gotten so used to him being here with them, sending him back to the apartment building just wouldn't feel right, all the less after what happened to him.]

[Katsuki is quiet as he listens to Hijikata, sinking further into the bath as he's told of the other man's plight. How, whenever there's a full moon, he goes out on the hunt with other were-creatures to avoid snapping and killing someone innocent in the throes of hunger. And he perks up a little at the mention of how they hunt animals or monsters, not humans. Does that mean he can drink the blood of animals or monsters, instead of humans?

Katsuki continues to be quiet as Hijikata starts to talk about how they're going to tackle his need for blood. Getting some from the butcher, to chill or freeze. And how they'll further take care of him now that he's a vampire. Talking as if he was going to be staying with them for much longer. He honestly had planned to leave after two weeks, but the healing was taking longer than he expected and now he has this new issue to deal with...

So when Hijikata suddenly asks if he wanted to stay, it takes him a little by surprise. And he clearly has to think hard about his answer. Not because he doesn't want to, but because he feels like he's already been so much of a burden to Hijikata and Shoto that the idea of staying with them feels... wrong. Almost.]

...you mean permanently?

[He double checks that's what Hijikata is offering, before making any decision. Because he could mean only for the months until his arm is able to be installed, which makes more sense to Katsuki than being asked to live with them. Again, he's already feeling like he's interrupted their lives enough that he can't entirely expect them to want him to live there as a permanent resident....]

[Alas, Hijikata really oversold his werebeast curse... while everything he said is true, his particular affliction is probably the weakest kind there is, both in terms of physical changes and loss of control. So far, he's always managed to keep a handle on his impulses, which never included killing people to begin with (though he'd be lying if the thrill of the hunt for criminals didn't get amplified during that time of the month - he does need to keep himself and his strength in check).

As for Katsuki's question, though--]

Yeah. We'd get you your own room, of course.

[There's humour in his voice, as if he thought Katsuki's apprehension resulted from a fear of remaining relegated to a pillow fort in the living room. Given the layout of the house, he'll probably get an upstairs room for want of space on the ground level, but something tells Hijikata that he wouldn't mind being on top of things.]

I haven't asked Shoto-kun, but I'd be shocked if he had objections.

[...well. Okay. There is the slight fear of being stuck in a pillow fort for the rest of time, it's true--

But... Katsuki looks a little hesitant, at the offer of a permanent residence. Of course he knows Shoto wouldn't mind, so that's not even a worry he has in the back of his mind. He's just worried about taking up too much of the other boy's time. Of disrupting a peace that he and Hijikata built with each other. Of becoming more of an issue in the long run than a boon.]

...you'd seriously build a whole other room just for me?

[Still not used to the whole "magic" thing, he's assuming it'll be built just like any other room on a house would be. With lots of hard work and money.]

Wouldn't that be expensive?

[He smiles and shakes his head. This sweet ~~summer~~ winter child doesn't even know about Riki's Rewards!]

Not at all. There's a shop that sells all sorts of magical items, and the owner gives out House Expansion spells for free. You can have a new room just like that.

[He snaps his fingers (accidentally creating a small flame that immediately vanishes).]

That's how we got this onsen.

[That's why it's slightly downstairs - if they want to keep the garden, they need to expand the house vertically.]

[That little flame that Hijikata snaps almost gets Katsuki to smile. Because it reminded him immediately of his (actual) father, who's Quirk worked similarly to Katsuki's. Explosions out of his hands-- only his father's had to use friction in order to get it to work. So you can imagine how little snaps of the fingers would make a tiny "poof" of an explosion-- not exactly the same thing as Hijikata's fire, but close enough to make the boy a little homesick.

And that gets him thinking... would he be happy if he went back to living by himself in his apartment? If he went from having housemates that he could talk to almost whenever he needed, like right now, back to having no one to interact with besides his cat. Would he even be able to sleep after getting used to the sounds of other people in the house?

And if it's magic, and won't require any money or hard work... then would it really be that big of a burden for him to move in? He could always stick to his room, and not bother the other two if he felt like he was being annoying...]

...you're really okay with this? With changing your whole house, your routine-- everything for a piece of shit like me?

[He wants to double-- triple-- quadruple check.]

Edited 2025-05-25 00:45 (UTC)

If you're a piece of shit, then I'm one too. Call it shit-to-shit magnetism.

[Now you've done it, Katsuki... the Gintama vulgarity is coming out! (And he was doing so well, being a respectable mentor and all!)]

Don't ask me how Shoto-kun factors into that, but what I can say for sure is that you'll fit into our routine just fine - if you can keep up with our training regimen.

[Nothing like challenging an ambitious kid into accepting an invitation, right?]

Pff--

[There's a little scoff of a laugh that Hijikata's vulgarity gets from Katsuki. one which he hides by covering his mouth with his hand, a shy habit he's developed over the years. Always having the hardest time letting people see him enjoy himself around them... what a weirdo.

But it is nice to have Hijikata be so casual about this. And it's hard for Katsuki to deny a challenge when it's being laid right out in front of him like that!]

Even better than keep up-- I'll surpass the both of you in no time!

[Is this Katsuki's way of accepting the invitation to live with them? Yes. Yes it is.]

I've got super strength and speed now, remember? It's only a matter of time before I'm healed up enough that I can kick your ass!

Don't underestimate us veterans! We've been here for well over two years already and mastered all our seasonal powers!

[Well, except for those newly unlocked ones - but he's just goading Katsuki, anyway, pleased to see that he bit the bait for everybody's benefit, and moreso that he's starting to see some positives to his condition.]

Even so, you'll keep us on our toes alright... I look forward to going up against you under the full moon; that should put us about even.

[Granted, the only other vampire he really knows - Saya - absolutely kicked his ass even during a full moon spar... but she's a queen while Katsuki is a fledgling, and hell if he doesn't like a challenge! Grabbing his towel, he gets up from the water, having steamed in the heat for long enough.]

I'll go get you some blood - you're not feeling totally famished, are you?

[The first days and weeks (or, for werebeasts, months) are the hardest, with the new urges still overwhelming and hard to resist, and if Katsuki isn't sure if he can hold on to his rational thoughts, he'll let him feed on him, much as it wouldn't be ideal - he needs his blood to do his part for the restoration of order in Nightwake.]

[Katsuki smiles wide, at Hijikata's retort. He didn't expect to be living with him and Shoto, but... this might end up a really good thing, he thinks. And he can more confidently take over the kitchen, now that he's a permanent housemate. Shoto could really use the break from the kitchen, and the two of them deserve a good meal!

Speaking of. When he's asked if he's hungry, Katsuki's smile fades and he looks a little sheepish. It's been a couple of hours since he fed with Mike, so he was feeling a tiny bit peckish but... he's shy to say so.]

N-not totally, no. But... I could probably eat a little.

[Unlike Hijikata, he'll stay in the bath for the moment. Enjoying the warmth way too much now that his body was almost dead-cold.]

Hm. Let's be on the safe side, then.

[He gets back into the onsen, not having started to dry himself yet, and moves next to Katsuki.]

Just don't take too much. Neck or arm?

[He's awfully casual about this, but to him, it really is a matter of practicality. He's not risking Katsuki going on a bloodlust-fueled rampage he'd regret!]

[Oh... Katsuki wasn't expecting Hijikata to offer his own blood up so easily like that. He figured he was going to rush to get the butcher's blood back to him as soon as possible, after mentioning that he was still a little hungry. So he's obviously a little taken aback, and stares at Hijikata in silence for a few seconds as he mulls over whether or not he wants to drink his blood.]

...no offense. But with how much mayo you eat, I'm worried your blood's gonna taste like it.

[That is also something he's worried about, yes.]

[He scoffs, albeit with amusement.]

Damn. Newly turned and already a picky drinker, are we?

[He gets back out and, this time, does start toweling himself dry.]

Alright, I'll get you some grain-fed cattle blood. Stay here, alright?

[Whether "here" means the bath or just the house, he'll leave up to Katsuki's interpretation.]

I'll pick up some candles on the way... and some flowers.

[The more they have to use the Floral Illuminator on, the better.]

[Katsuki huffs at Hijikata's comment, and he snaps back at him as he dries himself off and lets him know that he's going to get more candles and flowers to light the place up.]

I ain't picky! You're the one that feels the need to go through a billion bottles a day!

[Okay he's exaggerating. But still!! Anyone would be worried that his blood would taste bad!!!

But he'll stay put as instructed. After Hijikata leaves, he stays in the onsen for a few more minutes before deciding to get out and dry off himself. And he'll go back to the main sitting room, where he sits and waits patiently for the Vice Commander to arrive.]

[For what it's worth, Rinku's Zubat doesn't like his blood - but it's the nicotine moreso than the mayonnaise that makes it taste bad.

Despite his best efforts, he only returns after a couple of hours. With the state the city is in, many shops are closed for fear of looting, robbery or other violence, and procuring just about anything has become a challenge. Even so, he was successful on all fronts! If Katsuki lit up the flowers in their home already, it'll be helpful, but otherwise, he has regenerated enough mana to summon a few floating green flames.]

Alright, here we are. First things first--

[He hands Katsuki a blood bag - not the kind that's used in hospitals, but a literal blood-filled plastic bag (at least of the non-crinkly, more smooth and durable kind) with a straw poking out.]

They ran out of the proper bags at the butcher's, so drink this right now, okay? It's cold, so if you want it warm, heat it up first.

[He stows the rest, filled into something like juice boxes, away in the fridge. Between Katsuki's blood and his mayonnaise, there's hardly any space left for anything else...]

We'll get you your own fridge, too.

[Katsuki hadn't lit any of the flowers yet, because he was waiting for Hijikata to come back with the new ones before doing so. May as well use the spell just the one time, rather than having to use it a second for the new flowers brought in. He hasn't had the chance to use it yet, either, because he's a little embarrassed about how the spell works.

However, he'll give it a shot now that Hijikata is here. Taking the pendant into the palm of his hand, and whispering:]

"Please light the way."

[As Shoto had explained, every petal within a 100 foot radius lights up. Which brings such bright, and pretty colours into the home. The lights were just bright enough to bounce off the walls and furniture closest to them.

And now that it's a bit easier to see, (well it's still pretty easy for him in the dark), he takes the bag from Hijikata with a hungry look in his eyes. It's weird.. the smell was both disgusting to the human half of Katsuki, making his stomach churn but at the same time it made his stomach growl, too. And his human brain telling him that drinking this would be gross was extremely over powered by the hungry vampire that just wants to dig in as soon as possible.

But he won't drink it cold. Luckily, his Quirk works in two parts. The sweat that explodes, which is the main and most important part. But there's also the hand that warms up like a stovetop burner, and he uses that part of his Quirk to slowly heat the bag up. Keeping the temperature warm rather than hot, so he doesn't melt the plastic.]

...yeah, we'll need the extra space. Especially if I'm movin' in. 'Cuz Todoroki's cooking is shit, and you need a REAL chef in the kitchen!

[Katsuki might not get nutritional value from normal food anymore, but he'll still cook goddammit!!]

No more noodles! I'm making you both restaurant quality meals from now on!

[Seeing the old familiar spell activate the flowers' glow is comforting to Hijikata, and in the current situation, he'll take any comfort he can get. Hearing Katsuki's complaint about the food they've been eating, though, puts a surprised look on his face.]

Hm? What's wrong with Shoto-kun's cooking?

[If Katsuki already had doubts about Hijikata's tastes, this surely cements it. Having realised neither how much Shoto's been struggling to figure out the art of cooking nor the questionable quality of most of his efforts, he's apparently found no cause for complaints this entire time.]

[Katsuki raises an eyebrow when he's asked what's wrong with Shoto's cooking. Isn't it obvious??]

You're so used to it you can't see that he doesn't use enough spices? Or that he cuts the vegetables all wonky? Or undercooks meat sometimes?

[Shoto does do his absolute best, and it's not like it's inedible. But Katsuki feels like they deserve so, so much better! Especially Shoto himself!]

I mean, he's way better than he was back home. Back then, he didn't even know how to cut chives so he's improved a lot. But I still think the both of you could use someone more experienced in the kitchen.

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mayoninofukucho - 2025-05-27 16:56 (UTC) - Expand