e2 | UN: BOMBAF

Well, okay then!

[Wow, that is a loud inhalation.

Get ready for a doozy of a whiny-ass super storytime, Mark.]

Sooooo, first of all? My beautiful, smart, and funny now ex-girlfriend dumped my stupid ass for smashin' our mutual teammate and friend! Now, not only does said teammate know eeeexactly what my dick looks and feels like, I also go toe-to-toe with her every damn day! And y'know what, when Samson or Robot have got their eyes on us, she usually doesn't fire at the crown jewels but the minute they're off peekin' in another direction or starin' into the sunset, she just goes all ham on me!

You know what it's like to get hit in the 'nads by the superhero equivalent of a regular ol' blackbelt? The girl might be tiny, but Kate's built like a brick house and is a martial arts champion. Also?! Since she can feel every single one of her clones die every time, it's like she doesn't even know the meaning of the word "pain!" She just blazes right on through it! And then kicks me in the cajones all over again.

Not fun! Let me tell ya.

[Rex crosses his arms.]

Right before we got sent out to deal with the Daft Punk reject and super scary giant space hairball, Samson and I got into a fight. Okay, so we like, always fight, but this one was par-tic-ularly nasty. I definitely said some things I shouldn't've said!

And now I don't even know if I'll ever see him again. Not in one piece! Monster Girl either! I know it may not seem like it, but... Like, I care about them, okay? My family's a fuckin' nightmare. So, when I say "fam" in a motherfuckin' group chat, the folks I'm talkin' about are the other Guardians! The ex-Teen Team! Those guys.

They're my real family.

[Here, Rex pulls his knees up to his chest.]

I wasn't strong enough to keep them safe. Or you! How the fuck am I supposed to be responsible for the whole planet, huh?

And, and, and! To make matters worse, now I'm in this shithole. Nobody here's got a sense of humor, so many of them are dumber than dirt, and none of them like me! Not that the last part is somethin' new, but I can't sleep, can't wax my mustache or my armpit hair, and I'm gettin' uglier by the second. And I hate bein' ugly! The hot boy summer even into the perilous Chicago winter bullshit is all I've got goin' for me.

[A pause. Finally.]

I also miss making out.

[Please don't say the next few words, no, have some decency, no-]

And titties.

[MR. SPLODE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Edited 2021-09-30 03:47 (UTC)

_{[ As Rex goes on, Mark's eyes are slowly getting wider and wider and he is realizing what happens when you allow the other teenager to talk. Mark doesn't have regrets for opening up this dam, and, for once, his eyes are also settled on Rex to show that he's fully listening to each word that falls out of Rex's mouth. He just breathes quietly and allows Rex to speak, making sure he doesn't interrupt him at all.

Once he's done, Mark allow a beat to make sure, then draws his conclusion: ]}

It sounds like you're homesick.

_{[ Homesick and horny, Mark thinks, but he doesn't feel comfortable finishing his thoughts aloud. Mark sighs, really feeling like he understands Rex to a degree. ]}

Yeah.. yeah.. I've spoken with a handful of people here, but I think I just keep embarrassing myself. I'm not the best at socializing, actually. I like the robot. He's cool.

_{[ Sure, he's no kid sold to the government and lacking a childhood around other people his age, but, he was never a popular kid at school or anyone with a lot of friends. ]}

... Aaaand I can totally agree with that last thing you, um, said. Also.

_{[ Nasty boys. ]}

I do think, Rex, things could be a lot worse.

_{[ Mark, how can you say that when it's just been a month's time since your dad went all wacky and shit? ]}

Ooooof course I am! And I'm also on a diet that consists of mashed up medieval garbage which happens to, uuuuh, also? Look like someone shit into a vat of drool! Then there's the birdseed, and, oh yeah! No boobs. None of which I actually signed up for!

[Homesick and horny would be correct.]

Tryin' to make small talk with other superheroes is bullshit. Nevermind the normal-ass fuckers! Look, you're doin' your best with people who've got no damn context for your life.

[Rex shrugs, his commentary... Surprisingly sound, for once.]

It's gonna be weird. Most first impressions are, anyway!

That still doesn't make things feel any less lonely, though! Holy fuck.

Edited 2021-10-01 03:50 (UTC)

What do you mean? There's plenty of tits here.

_{[ Mark is trying so hard not to laugh. ]}

_{[ Nope, he's going to laugh lightly and almost breathlessly as he lists off names of birds: ]}

Willow tit, crested tit, great tit, long tailed tit...

[Uttered in a tone of complete bewilderment:]

...There are tits with tails on 'em?

[Not him imagining a singular boob with a tail...]

And they're long, too? So that means... There's also short ones?

Edited 2021-10-01 04:08 (UTC)

_{[ Mark just cracked himself up so it's okay. ]}

Tit is a name for a category of birds. Ahh, it's alright. Don't worry about it.

_{[ At least Mark is amused in his attempt to try and cheer Rex up even if he didn't get it. The younger teen starts to climb back up to his feet. ]}

Hey, listen. You wait right here for a moment and don't move. I'll be right back

_{[ He leaps up into the air and takes off in the blink of an eye, only to return a few moments later with a damp rag and some bandages. He's learned by now it's better to just be assertive with Rex rather than ask for permission, so he goes straight for the other teens hands, attempting to take him by one of his wrists, focused on tending to those beaten up knuckles. ]}

Let me look at this.

[If Rex was familiar with the necessary context for that joke, he'd have rated it as a solid one. A little dad jokey for his own personal taste, but still creative and funny.]

Why are there so many birds named after boobs? There's, like, a red-footed booby and blue footed booby, right? Why the fuck are there so many booby birds...

[Before he can even lift a finger to protest, Mark is up, up, and away.

When he returns, Rex scowls, drawing his hands inwards and practically hissing like a feral cat.]

N-no! They'll heal on their own. It just, y'know! Takes a minute? Or twenty...

Edited 2021-10-01 05:06 (UTC)

_{[ He had expected this kind of reaction from Rex, so he’s prepared to use his strength to pull one of those hands forward. His grip is tight— not threateningly so— but enough to where he gets the message across that if Rex resists, it’ll be in vain. His lips draw tight, but they’re still perked upwards in a lingering smile. ]}

It also doesn’t take long for an infection to set in if they aren’t cleaned and don’t heal. Come on. Just relax. It’ll make them at least feel better and help with the swelling.

_{[ He doesn’t give Rex a choice, still holding his wrist firm with one hand and dabbing the rag against the broken skin with the other. Yeah. Get a feel for that iciness at least. ]}

Um, ow?!

[His heart is beating even faster than it usually does, which to be fair, is quite fast. Rex Splode's metabolism is yet one another of the quiet technological marvels that the scientists who created him would boast about in the following years. To support his cybergenetically enhanced muscle density and multitude of additional superpowers, he emerged from the operation with a slightly elevated body temperature and accelerated heart rate, although his breathing is fairly normal. With a heart that had been strengthened as well, as the organ is made of its own special kind of muscle, the uptick is now possible.]

Why are you doing this?

[Rex inhales sharply, his anxiety kicking in.

As a child, some of the natural byproducts of being sent out to steal the family dinner and parkouring over cars were a multitude of cuts, scrapes, and bruises, all of which he had to shoddily treat with home remedies or "ice" with stolen cold cuts. To make matters worse, his parents never gave a flying fuck about it; his father simply made snide remarks and complained that an eleven or twelve year old boy's supposed indiscretions meant the family would have less food for consumption later. No health insurance meant no help, period.

Eve had been the first one to tend to his injuries with care, because while Radcliffe's facilities and professional had done a bang-up job repairing their banged up child lackey, they were always so sanitary and insincere. To have his body paid attention like that is...

Strange. Unfamiliar.

He only knows it as an act of love.

This isn't love.

Invincible doesn't love him.]

S-stop that! It's fucking weird!

_{[ The scolding that follows after is also expected and Mark grimaces, but something encourages him to hold on and to finish this task. Sure, it was definitely having to do with the fact that Mark felt indebted to Rex for caring about him the first few days on this train, but Mark is beginning to realize there’s more to it then him just being a nice and good person. Rex is suddenly someone who is important to him and Mark isn’t sure what that means.

He sincerely cares about Rex, and it hurts that he’s noticing Rex doesn’t trust him still. Why does it hurt to realize that? His smile disappears entirely and he can feel his face growing tense. ]}

Because. You’re hurt. And.. you cared for me first!

_{[ Oh. His voice grows more frustrated and louder. ]}

Just let me help you, damn it! I promise you it’s fine!

Well, yeah, of course I do!

[Whoops.]

Did, do-did, I...

[The yelling subsides as Rex sucks air in behind gritted teeth, his eyes darting to the side as he struggles to communicate his feelings for the umpteenth time.]

I'm used to it, okay? The whole banged up thing, I...

It comes with the territory.

[Mark's hands, despite his monstrous strength, are surprisingly soft. This is not a boy who spent his life working out back or doing hard labor with his father, and due to the fact that both of them have skin that heals and bones that clickety-clack back into place when they crack, their palms are free of callouses.]

Eve's the only one who ever bothered to-

[Rex's breath hitches.]

This is normal for me.

I'm fine.

[The pain, physical and mental.

It's just always there. And Rex has grown accustomed to feeling it.]

So?

_{[ If Rex is going to stop resisting, Mark is going to try to adjust their hands so that Rex’s settle on top of one of his and the other with the rag can come over it, squeezing the rag lightly to rinse his hand. ]}

You better stop getting used to it now that you have me around!

_{[ The annoyance lingers in his voice, his cheeks puffing slightly. ]}

It’s like pulling teeth, you know!

_{[ What is? Well. Trying to gain Rex’s trust. It is immensely frustrating, but Mark is determined to. That being such a chore alone should be enough proof that Mark’s feelings are something genuine— not something that is going to go away anytime soon.

He will keep it vague for now. ]}

[Rex sort of gets the jist of it, although he perverts the meaning.

Getting to know him, having to put up with him, just being in his general vicinity for sooo damn long-]

I know.

[It is a weak utterance, of sorts.

His shoulders slump as he tries to ignore the quiet burst of joy he feels, it's innate, he can't help it. Touch, when it doesn't involve being punched in the face or pulled by the collar, is nice.

He can't allow himself to get used to this.]

I don't really get why you're still here.

_{[ Tension subsides as Rex continues to be allowing of his care, and with that first hand rinsed and tended to, he works on tying a dry bandage around it, finishing the knot with a delicate little bow. He breaks contact with Rex and tuts, giving him another bossy command: ]}

Other hand. Here. Right now.

_{[ Mark keeps his hand up right and doesn’t respond to Rex right away, watching him and making sure he is going to be compliant or if he’s going to have to be forceful with him again. ]}

[Rex doesn't say anything for once, not with his tongue.

When he hands over his, well, hand, he offers Mark a puzzled expression. The lines between his brows, accompanied by the fear in his eyes, tell the other boy everything he needs to know.

Rex is not used to being cared for, and as a result, he's learned to do it all by himself. He's gotten lazy these past four years, in part because Eve has never slacked. She has worked relentlessly, on the battlefield and off, to give her heart and soul to anyone who needed the help.

And needed it he did.

But he wore her out and then screwed her over.]

Thank you.

_{[ Mark’s voice sounds like he’s relieved.. and it’s true. Relieved he doesn’t have to get aggressive with Rex again. This hand looks a little more busted and Mark isn’t sure what the cause of it is, but he’s not going to ask right away. Instead, he presses the damp cloth over the wound for a moment and finally lifts his gaze to meet Rex’s. His voice softens. ]}

I’m still here cause.. uh.. cause I want to be. A-And also, you have no right to be so supportive of me and not allow me to also be supportive of you, okay?

_{[ He squeezes the rag and allows it to rinse, putting it aside as another silence falls between them. ]}

You call me a baby and shit all the time but look at you— acting like a frightened animal whenever somebody even dares to help you. And I can imagine how rough it is because like you said, Eve is the only one who did.

But there are more people out there, Rex. And eventually, they’ll start to care and you just have to let them in.

_{[ Mark dips down, his eyes fanning shut as he blows cool air over Rex’s hand to further soothe it, falling quiet. He pulls away to get the next dry cloth to give this hand the same patch up. ]}

.. Like me, for example.

[Mark is right.

Why is he blowing on his fingers? That feels nice.]

That's 'cause everybody else dicked me over. Hard.

[He had expected Eve to do the same.

Being a superhero is a thankless job. After three years with the Teen Team, Rex has that much figured out. You risk your life for people every day and they don't even remember your name, confusing you with other colleagues of similar builds or color schemes. They make comments about your abilities, which feels so, so very personal. Rex could do to be a lot more selfless, sure, but he still sticks his neck out for people who don't give a rats ass whether he lives or dies.

It's not kindness, it's penance.]

And those motherfuckers are dead. Or, well, one of 'em. But, in my defense? He tried to kill me first! Mom and dad are still-

[If Eve had not stepped in, they'd be dead too.]

Fuuuuuck-in' scumbags! But, alive n' well, as far as I know. I haven't really checked.

They never really gave a shit about me.

Edited 2021-10-01 06:16 (UTC)

_{[ Mark can't explain it, but he gingerly takes both of Rex's hands in a motion that appears like he's comparing both of them now that they are bandaged up. Mark makes a note that his hands are so warm and maybe he is just seizing an opportunity to hold them. Once he realizes that, he exhales slowly and breaks all contact entirely, carefully letting go of his hands. Are his cheeks a little rosy? Possibly. It's very light. ]}

I'm so sorry.

_{[ Mark shifts, feeling a little awkward, but he feels like it might help if he makes this known now that he's grown closer to Rex. ]}

People do care about you, though. Even if they aren't your parents, so I know it's different when it's not your parents, but..

I give a shit about you. Other people do too— they're just not here to tell you that. So.. you just.. kind of have to deal with me for now. I always cared about you as a team mate, but now I can say that I care about you as a friend.

_{[ If he would have just gone about his life back home, Mark can sincerely say that he probably would have had no interest in getting to know Rex better, but because of their situation here, he's grown fond of him. ]}

[Rex simply stares at his own hands, eyeing the bandages as if they are somehow UFOS, unidentified foreign objects. He remembers being small and going around the neighborhood, sporting black eyes and ill-fitting jackets from local donation bins, as others, grown adults mostly, looked on with contempt or in pity.

The latter, they... They never did anything, though.]

It wasn't just my mom and dad.

[It occurs to Rex that this gentle exchange between Mark and himself, including the genuine concern for his own well-being, is normal.

He knows that now, and that is the knife that's been twisted into his heart for nearly a decade. When he was younger, he didn't understand that. His own experience, devoid of love or proper affection, was all he had to go off of.]

I wanted somebody to think I was cool so bad, I-

[He sucks the air in behind his teeth once more, eyes closing tightly.

There it is.

Shame.]

I did some really awful stuff.

[Oh, how it hurts him still. To know he killed all those innocent people.]

I was a kid that nobody ever saw! I just wanted to be the big guy, for once...

I didn't know any better.

[He took advantage of me.]

But that doesn't-

[That will never bring back the dead.

There are hundreds.]

Change anything, really.

Edited 2021-10-01 17:04 (UTC)

_{[ The more that Rex opens up about himself, the more Mark is realizing what a dark, dark place he came from. The redhead is vague enough in his response that Mark isn’t sure he understands what exactly was going on, but it sounds like he did something in the past that he regrets immensely. Mark somewhat understands as a hero now. There are people he couldn’t save and he thinks is hard about if there was anything he could do differently to rescue them.

But it doesn’t matter cause he can’t bring them back. It’s in the past.

The brunette closes the distance across them and wraps his arms around Rex in a warm embrace. ]}

I don’t fully understand and that’s okay. What I do understand is what happened is in the past now, and even if you can’t change that, you can continue to be your best in the present.

And I know for a fact you’re a good person in the present.

[Rex is completely still for a few seconds, so stiff he almost resembles a corpse.

He was not expecting the embrace, not from Invincible of all people, but then again Invincible isn't really... Well, a real person. Much like the boogeyman supposedly hiding under the bed of an eight-year-old child, Invincible was whoever Rex made him out to be. A rival, a girlfriend-stealer, a goob! With terrifying, unimaginable strength... The son of Omni. Omni-spawn!

But Mark couldn't be more different. He is naive and stupid, sure. The sort of boy who is sympathetic to a point where it's almost pathetic. He doesn't understand everything but he tries to, even when he doesn't have the capacity for it. It occurs to Rex that he's never met another boy who felt so... Normal. An average joe, if much kinder and somehow far more patient most goons their age.

In a way, Rex feels sorry for him. The life of a hero is miserable one, rife with picking between options that are all bad.

Slowly but surely, Rex returns the hug by wrapping his arms around Mark's torso and leaning in. At a whopping two-hundred and fifteen pounds, he's much heavier than he looks, but for a Viltrumite, that wouldn't be a fucking problem now, would it?]

Edited 2021-10-01 19:51 (UTC)

_{[ Mark isn’t sure what to expect after doing this, but he relaxes when he feels the heavier weight against him. His smile reappears and his hands smooth up and down Rex’s back.

He feels accomplished. It is paying off to force himself into Rex’s bubble and see the parts of him that truly are nasty.

Mark feels like a hero. ]}

… You feeling better now?

_{[ He asks this with some hopeful tone to his voice, but doesn’t break the hug. Instead, he tightens.
Um.
He tightens maybe a little bit too tight by accident. You might want to tap out of that, Rex. ]}

You're really pushin' it, there, Mister Rogers.

[He does nothing to wriggle out of Mark's embrace, but he does smile! Sarcastically.]

Don't ruin the moment!

[Followed by a deep inhalation, because damn, even if he wanted out of this hug, any form of escape looks to be physically impossible.]

Or my ribcage, ow! That thing has vital organs in it, hey!

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