The fall of a house was from a lack of nurturing. They might not mean much to each other now, not in the way that comes from long-term bonding. They would. Kysaly was a dream that Nobu wanted to make real. When he was on their bed, he didn't have to feel the heat of the sun on his hands. He didn't have to remembered what it was like to break bone and rend flesh. That was the remnants of a warrior's curse that needed something so pure and good to drown it out.

There, he could redefine what it meant to be Nobu. Dreams were as tangible as reality, they just fleeted much faster. "None of us are the best version of ourselves. To bear witness to change is a beautiful thing." With a weak smile, only a little bit of fear had shown through his confident gusto. "My change won't always be beautiful, but I'll protect you so that yours is."

If the pain behind Nobu's words weren't apparent, the psychometry of their touch would tell it all. The pain of loneliness, of betrayal, of loss. He's let so much go because he didn't think he was worth it. He's lost so much because he was naive. He's had so little because he wasn't healing properly. The difference maker was how he opened and shut his emotional shutters. The core within that drove him with wrathful thunder and spiteful lightning had gone without calm for years.

That's why he wanted to explore something new with them. Kysaly saved his life, but had also shown him beauty in the world. As the beauty had taken hold of his face, there was raw excitement that felt like droplets of panacea had washed away the world's poisons. The cold, hurt Kysaly was cured just as much as those wounds of his were tended to. It would only stay on the right path as long as the right work was put in.

With every intent to do so, Nobu nodded gently with baited breath. "Come get it, beautiful." As much as he wanted more, he knew they had to be careful. Still, he couldn't resist sharing more than pain with them. Happiness, relief and admiration that all aimed towards the doctor were just as strong as those aching wounds. "I think it's just the medicine that I need."

Kysaly

What was a commitment to Nobu? He's made a lot of his commitments in his life. A commitment to heroism through his enrollment into a university that led to the greatest betrayal in his life. A commitment to a career that threatened to drain his body of his blood. A commitment to take matters into his own hands that has nearly broken him now. The one thing he never committed to was a search for peace, especially with another.

Could Nobu promise that he wouldn't be committing self-harm by engaging in his ways? The question needed to be answered if they were going to date. The storm-bearer pondered it quietly; it was not something easily changed or promised when it came to his strong sense of justice. Justice wasn't kind or always entirely good. Necessary evils brought necessary consequences, he felt. Cambion beating him within an inch of his life was karmic reward for storming the streets of Tokyo to assault Rui.

"I've needed an anchor for some time, but I don't want you to think it's your job to fix me as a whole. Fix my wounds, sure." Commitment was important when it came to taking dating seriously. They weren't talking about getting married tomorrow, but intentions were important to air out if they were going to set aside more and more pieces of themselves to be laid out in full view. Eventually, something could bring their truest, most naked selves into view and judgment.

"It's not childish. Dating isn't about fun, it molds to your intentions. Dating with purpose can be serious or frivolous -- as long as it's honest." As Kysaly would close into his space, there would be such friction that he could feel palpable storms of repressed passion between them. Like lightning bridging the land and sky, he wouldn't let hesitation stop him from seizing the moment.

A kiss would steal Kys' breath, a hand smoothly slipping between hip and back and gripping firmly. Nobu played it cool usually, but that grip felt so wanting. So needy. Underneath that tough skin was someone who felt so... alone.

When it finally ended, Nobu looked with hungry eyes into theirs. "Don't live in fear of being left, Kys. You deserve it all." Moving his lips just barely spaced from their skin, they would orbit their head around and exhale softly. Breathing along their neck, he would lift his head and gently whisper in their ear.

"Be kind to yourself." Nibbling and teasing their ear with his tongue, he would draw back with a wicked grin before laying his back against the bed. What did he just instigate in the midst of his sweet words? "I'm serious.

Kysaly

When it came to the work of vigilantism, those casting aside due process had to find help in the most unconventional of places. Whether it be some back-alley narcotics dealer killing the pain after having several broken bones from point-blank lightning punches or getting lucky and stumbling on a vigilante's dream doctor. Kysaly really was the dream in more ways than being someone who could provide proper treatment for those that didn't follow society's rules on heroism.

Nobu didn't know what made him feel right with vigilantism. All his thoughts were so confusing that he hardly handled them. Morals were in question, but he did it regardless. No matter who he became as Raiden, he was going to continue. With that, he needed Kysaly. He also needed stability in his civilian life. Would Kysaly provide that? No, that was not a realistic expectation. He just liked Kysaly and what started as a manipulative whim became an ominous prescience nagging at him.

Doctor, barista, beauty, spitfire. Kysaly was tough in their own way, but elegant and a textbook example of the paradoxical nature of rough and soft edges intersecting. "Don't worry, the second date will be better." He winked quickly at them, taking their comment on their first date as an opening. It felt like it was, despite the witty bite of the doctor's words. "Well, physical touch and acts of service are pretty big for me. Imagine your back after a long day of stiff posture...needing a pair of hands to soften the tissue."

Rubbing the bed gently as a gesture to Kysaly, the flirting hadn't ended with just taking a bunch of flak from the Doc. Nobu wanted to play at the "you can't stay mad at me" game, but he knew that action was going to speak way louder than words. Kysaly wasn't stupid, they'd need follow-through most likely. "I'm not crazy to think I'd bag you with how worrisome my life is. No, I'm a hard-worker. I'll earn it or I won't. It'll work or it won't, but I want someone tough like you."

This is where Nobu wanted to be honest about what attracted him most. What drew him in wasn't just their chemistry or how physically attractive the barista was. Sure, it would've opened the door for an ongoing fling that might've ended once he was bored or felt like he was too much of a danger. Nobu knew at that very moment that there was nothing more attractive than brutal honesty and the gritty work they engaged in.

"There's nothing sexier than telling me when I fucked up or taking on sporadic, hours-long surgeries for those that need it. I see that and I'm spellbound instantly." Snapping his fingers, he made a mystical gesture while not breaking eye-contact. "Yes. That would make me interested." Without saying it, he wanted to imply that he was interested beyond belief. His ideal partner wasn't some delicate flower, it was someone who could challenge him and at least somewhat put up with him.

An anchor for his damaged soul.

Kysaly

Yikes, Nobu knew he was going to be taking a lot of grilling for how their date went. Him being there and needing to rest for some days was a perpetual reminder that the date invited a lot more than just a charming man. Would they deal with having to know both Nobu and Raiden? Kys didn't really know Raiden, but maybe they would now. He was indebted to the dear doctor, he also wanted things to be better.

It struck him, however, that while venomous...maybe Kysaly was playfully saying their date was ongoing? "You know, quality time is one of my love languages." Winking at them, he would cooperate when being taken to the bed. Putting a hand over his gut, Nobu controlled his breathing as well as he could to quiet the pain. As they explained what people do, the last implication would be clear as day for him.

Why was he jealous? They went on one date, he was a huge pain in their ass to boot. "I see. Well, I'm not one for transactional sex." Turning away, he couldn't help but blush a little. Ironic, such a stern demeanor and yet when he mentally flirted with the idea of liking Kysaly, he was shy. "I'll do anything to help you for saving my life, but I take my intimacy seriously."

Nobu might've loved the idea of seducing Kysaly, the game being fun and all. A multi-faceted lie came to be. He didn't have pure intentions when flirting, but maybe it was just instinct. He was truthful about being more serious about his intimacy, but maybe that was a confession to himself. He couldn't be frivolous with a person nor proceed with ill intentions. They'd know what the moment was for before it really happened.

Trusting that they could easily undo the healing they provided, Nobu put his hands up jokingly like he was some sort of hostage. "I believe you! Don't worry, I won't let any harm come to you and when Kyss Cafe is hurting, I'll help. But you don't just want charity." Resting a hand on the edge of the bed in their direction, Nobu gave one of those warm smiles he keeps as a sweet secret behind closed doors.

"I'd like to treat you right. With respect."

Kysaly

Thunder clapped and echoed, but no terrifying ruptures followed inside of this belly of acid. Raiden felt relieved as the battle would continue, the cracks in his armor visible. He needed to be careful not to use his quirk in melee combat, or else he would shatter the gauntlets and possible damage his armor further. With the lack of support in the Vigilante field, he was going to burn through money and contacts working with petty contractors and con artists.

"Fuck it, I'll do it myself." He spoke quietly as he looked at the damage in his armor and the juggernaut reeling from the thunderous roar. Gripping his hands, he cast aside his desire to learn how to fix his own armor and darted forward. As Mood Ring would strategize, she pointed out that he could, in fact, fire long distance. As he jumped and elbowed the juggernaut, the cracks of his armor were agitated but it did not break. "Don't worry, I may be a brute...but lightning knows no limits."

Following up with a body pivot into a knee, the juggernaut let out an incredibly embarrassing sound and fell into the acid. For the distance, he would need to amp up the voltage. Crossing his arms, he resumed his energy with the classic yellow lightning. Hot and bright, he would cast the illuminating spears across the battlefield. They would erupt with great explosions with the distant rat herders and other bordering nomu being struck one after one.

Unless they could absorb his quirk, he had the long-distance advantage. Raiden was a walking storm cloud of boundless bolts. "Mood Ring! Help me choose my targets while we press forward!" Running ahead, Raiden knew that he couldn't work alone. Still, he felt it as even Rui could make a friend. They seemed oddly excited, despite the circumstances of the war. Punching ahead, a bolt of lightning would slice through the air.

Residual static would electrify the acid lake, the body of pure energy spearing into a rat and erupting with the smell of burnt flesh as a hole was seared through. Despite his rust, the feeling of Raijin coming in full effect was giving him a rush he hadn't had in over a decade. Maybe there was something to be excited about in this raid.

Church Blackburn Jinx 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲 Yusuke Komoriya 🆁🅴🅼 junsuina yuji Rui Matsui Elias

Raiden knew that one day he would be forced to swallow his pride and his hate and work with others to fend off some great foe. As he helped the construct-summoning hero, electrifying the rats, he would see a number of despicable figures appear. Namely, he saw Mummy once more. In anger, his dark armor would flash blue for a moment as it would switch back to the red. He needed to conserve his energy. Reckless storms could jeopardize the integrity of the arena.

As this lake of terror built with enemies and allies alike, surely there would be a surprise for them to deal with. Testing waters, Raiden would fire bolts of red lightning at hyper-muscular rats, burning holes through their bodies as he moved onward after the initial wave. Everything seemed to be going fine, as four-armed titans appeared. Surely, they were just going to be mountains of muscle ready to be seized or vaporized.

Jumping up, a corona of red light blinked from his wrist as Raiden shot a bolt of lightning into one of the titans. This juggernaut...absorbed the blow and fired right back at Raiden. Thankfully, his armor could withstand his red lightning. Sent hurdling back and bouncing off the ground several times, he ended in a slide that nearly caused him to be swallowed by acid. Standing, brushing himself off, the twisted anguish and anger underneath that visor was hidden but present.

Before the construct-user would vanish, he would yell at them. "No, I am not with that vile Mummy. I'm Raiden." Outstretching his arms and amplifying his lightning all the way up to blue. If it could absorb the energy, then he'd just disorient and blind it indirectly. "I'm a storm of my own." Which was true in a sense, the others worked together while he was alone.

This wasn't a good thing. Who was there for him? Was it safe for him to thunderclap? Maybe it would sunder the bridges, it should disorient many of the rats. [color=#19e6bf"CLOSE YOUR EYES! SHIELD YOUR EARS!"[/color] As a point of self-injury, he would clap his hands forward and while it wasn't on the level of a supermove, he used the natural thunder side effect of his quirk and blinding flash as he brought both hands together.

A burst of lightning that wasn't fired at anything but his own hands, he knew he would suffer for it. Still, the thunderous roar would sound throughout and while not all, but many of the nearby rats would shriek and shake. He couldn't speak for combatants on his side that were too close. Courteously, he kept away from the allied side of the bridge system. Repelling back, his armor would crack in various spots as he simmered the lightning potency back down to red.

Raiden needed a moment to recover from the recoil after. Self-injury hurts.

junsuina 🆁🅴🅼 Yusuke Komoriya Church Blackburn Rui Matsui Elias yuji

It would be a lie to say Nobu had a poor childhood. The resources he had to join UAU when he was younger were more than most and his father had negotiated deals with marketing agencies to improve his fame. Thankfully, he never had a big moment to truly imprint on history. With his history, he's been privileged to have had many good meals. Nothing beat something grounded, made in the home of someone with soul.

Kysaly clearly took baking as an important part of their life if they used it in their business and for their patients. Nobu would get into the change of clothes that fit a bit snug, but were fine for the purpose. "Almost spot on!" He said happily, followed with a groan of pain. Taking a seat, he would gently eat his breakfast and savored it. With the abdominal damage, it was hard swallowing or taking in food.

Still, he wouldn't show them that. Nobu was tough. "It wasn't a sudden revelation, it's just funny. He's a former model, his story is pretty ugly. Look it up sometime, it's fascinating when your friend isn't a victim." To him, Cambion was a rotten soul that needed to be expelled from the world. He wasn't going to say his true feelings as they were much more violent than intended.

As Kysaly made it a point to take good care of him, he nodded and set his plate down before reaching out. "Mind helping me to the bed?" Asking politely, he really wanted an excuse to hold their hand. "I appreciate you taking care of me. When I'm better, I'll make sure to make it up to you. What do you normally charge for your 'extra' services?" He wasn't sure if he should offer money as he didn't want to offend them, but this work wasn't easy.

Medications, medical tools and general supplies cost money. Did Kyss Cafe support that?

Kysaly