daniel larusso (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
miyagimagic) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
deercountry2023-02-06 07:48 pm
miyagimagic) wrote in deercountry2023-02-06 07:48 pm
(closed) february catchall
Who: Ange (entreats), Chizuru (tealeafs), Daniel (miyagimagic) and various others.
What: February shenanigans.
When: During all of February.
Where: Locations vary.
Content Warnings: Nothing right now, specific warnings will be in headers when they come up.
( starters in the comments! if you want to plot anything with me, feel free to either pm the journal or contact me at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
queeningsquare, i'm always open to new ideas and threads! )
entreats), Chizuru (tealeafs), Daniel (miyagimagic) and various others.What: February shenanigans.
When: During all of February.
Where: Locations vary.
Content Warnings: Nothing right now, specific warnings will be in headers when they come up.
( starters in the comments! if you want to plot anything with me, feel free to either pm the journal or contact me at
no subject
There's no way it stops Daniel from doing what he was doing already, but the man just can't help but wonder what ever happened to Peter. How he was treated. Did he just.. have no one to rely on before? Was no one nice to him? Surely there must've been someone, right? (But then again, thinking of Robby's own situation-- It's not impossible.)
Daniel frowns a little, mostly since Peter isn't looking and can't misinterpret it as anger or disappointment when it's just worry. ]
Peter..
[ He could easily say that it's not like he feels like he has to be nice out of some sense of obligation or anything. But would the boy just believe that, when he's breaking down over this?
.. maybe it's time to try a different angle, even if he isn't so sure whether that will work either. ]
You know that everyone in class has got a lot going on, right? Robby went through-- through a lot of crap back home. [ Even now Daniel is upholding his no-swearing-in-front-of-the-kids policy, huh.. ] Izuku is some sort of superhero in training where he comes from. Shigeo can bend spoons with his mind. And Jun has.. well, he's seen some stuff.
[ Even though Peter can't see him, Daniel smiles a little. Sadly, though. It hurts, thinking about just how much all of these kids seem to have gone through. Peter is no different. ]
I mean, even I-- when I was your age, I was forced into sudden karate deathmatches. [ And that wasn't even the worst of it, but there's no way Daniel is going to acknowledge the worst of it out loud.. no, thanks... ] I know maybe none of that compares to what you're going through, Peter, but I'm just saying-- It's really easy to have something about you that sets you apart, or bad stuff keeps happening to you and it makes you wonder if there's something about you that deserves it.
[ A freak of nature, Peter had said. It hadn't felt too far off, with how Daniel kept attracting aggressive karate rivals against his will, like there was something personally wrong with him. Like it was a crime to just be Daniel. ]
But if we've all got something going on, that means you just fit right in with us, don't you think..?
[ There's a pause, and then perhaps a more direct, less packed in metaphors: ]
I want you to be a part of Miyagi-do for as long as you want to be that as well. Demon or no demon.
I'M SORRY FOR THE NOVELS OF INTROSPECTION, oh my god.............
And sure, most people around here come from worlds that do involve supernatural stuff, and things like demons maybe aren't even that big a deal, but even around those friends, it's... hard for Peter to sincerely think deep down that they’re okay with him at the core. There has to be some part of people that fears him, or at the very least feels uneasy.... but Peter's maybe tried to just swallow down those insecurities around those friends, because he knows it's got to be irritating to keep hearing about it when they've known other equally bizarre things. People who've been through some supernatural war, or... have been cursed or something; hell, often times they've been possessed, too.
Which is maybe why those insecurities are rushing out around someone who doesn't come from a world that has such things in it. Weird as it may seem, all of this is maybe needed, in Peter. He needs to express how insecure he is. Needs to make it... known. And like with Robby, it's... a really, really big deal that someone like Daniel accepts him.
And maybe it's hard for Peter to accept that so easily in return, his mind responding in the kneejerk — giving the poor guy allowance, permission, to not be so nice to him. If Daniel wants him gone, to stop coming to practice, to stop coming over here at all, even to stop seeing Robby — all of those things are warranted. That upset, combined with the emotions of the incident with Robby, with disappointing and hurting one of the best friends he's ever made all on his own..... Peter's kind of an emotional mess.
He's pausing when Daniel calls his name, head still lowered, but it's clear he's listening — going very still and silent.
That's.... true. Everything Daniel's saying is true, Peter knows that. It may not be literal demons but there's also the metaphorical ones, god he knows that, and he's certainly gotten to know some of Robby's in a few talks here and there; he's sure things run even more deeply than what the other boy exposed then. Mob, the others— they're a hodgepodge of oddities, whether it's supernatural-inflicted or not. Even Daniel..... Peter's seen glimpses of what the man's faced, too. Spoke with his younger self, learned some of those dark, upsetting parts, and even then he's sure there's more to it; there always is.
'—bad stuff keeps happening to you and it makes you wonder if there's something about you that deserves it.'
Oh. Sometimes somebody says something the exact way that you've felt for your entire life, and it hits like a brick. Realising how many other people might also feel that way.
Peter's slowly, finally, looking up. He's not in complete pieces, the crying has been soft and quiet, the result of too much flooding up and spilling out a little. He's mostly composed, able to sniffle wetly and keep himself calm, reaching up to wipe beneath his eyes with a finger, one and then the other.
He does get the overarching thing of what Daniel's saying. He does. It's the same way that some of his friends have tried to frame his situation, and especially Luna — treating his... possession like it's a condition, like other things might be. Other things that people live with, those inhuman powers or human aches and pains and traumas, the things that give you nightmares even years after something happened, the reasons you might have odd behaviours or quirks or certain little fears that no one else can understand. Peter's been trying to perceive himself that way too, over time. It's hard, hard not to see himself as some complete Other, but he's been trying.
This is a reminder, a reiteration of it, and coming from somebody who really doesn't have any reason to care to keep him around except out of the goodness of their heart. Somebody who clearly just.... gives a shit about that hodgepodge little group of young people. Peter's staring, clearly affected by all of the older man's words, swallowing hard against that tight lump in his throat. )
I do want to. I... like it there. Not just... because it helps with him, but— I like it. For me.
( He's making friends, he feels comfortable there.... There's Robby, and even if things are weird right now, Peter wants to stay with him. He's forming a little bond with Mob, and— getting to know the others better. He likes it at the dojo. It's.... something for him. A hobby, an activity, he chose to do, and in this weird fucking world, and in his weird fucking situation, genuine choices are a precious rarity. He likes being around Daniel, too, likes learning from someone who's kind and funny and patient with him. )
I can— I promise I'll try, to keep him..... safe. Keep others safe around him, I mean. Izuku already knows, too — he's... been really nice about it.
And he's not.... evil, not the way I thought demons were. He's— if it seems like he's doing bad or something, I can... stay home that day. I won't come.
( He wipes his face with the back of his shirt sleeve this time, nodding quickly. There's probably a lot more to say about.... attending Daniel's classes while harbouring a demon, certain safety measures to be gone over, but he's only able to think of a few surface ones right now. ...The thing that sticks is that it's okay if he keeps coming. He's allowed to. And... he doesn't want to fuck that up. He wants to try to manage this. )
please i love them..........
So it's not like he's going to turn away a young man who clearly needs the company and help just to get rid of one risk in the sea of plenty. ]
That sounds good to me. [ The things Peter is proposing already here. It's not even a surprise that Midoriya knows and is cool with it, because.. well, that's just how that boy is. Even without a demon inside of them, most of his students tend to be a bit quirky in a way Daniel is quickly growing very fond of. ] We can think of more stuff too that might help, but-- later.
[ When Peter hasn't already gone through so much emotional talking. He clearly needs a break from having to think too hard on dealing-with-Paimon plans right now, and Daniel reaches out to give the other's hand a light, reassuring pat, the smile on his face not wavering. ]
.. I'm mostly just glad you like karate. [ Okay, maybe not just the karate itself as much as everything around it, but that has always been a package to Daniel. Karate was never just about the fighting for him either, not even when he was younger. ] It came into my life at a time when I really needed it too.
[ Which feels a little less like A Lot to suddenly say when Daniel does vaguely remember Peter having met his younger self, and having heard.. some things.. ]
And my teacher always taught me it's not just about the fighting. It's about-- finding balance in your life. Even with putting all that demon stuff to the side.. I hope you can find that here, Peter. [ Because he seems like he could use it in general. Peter can't just be a nervous wreck half of the time because of the demon, though Daniel is pretty sure the demon thing doesn't help either. There's got to be more that's throwing the young man off balance.
It's why Daniel is glad Robby brought his friend along to try out karate in the first place. ]
So keep coming and let me help you with that, okay?
no subject
So this... joining a team, being around other people, it's new in this regard, too. But it all falls back to the same.... things. The ways he has to handle it around Luna. On those bad days, those days when Paimon's a bit more aggressive or unsettled, Peter keeps a bit of a distance from her. He might not get too physically close, might try to stay in his room and watch a relaxing movie or listen to calming music. It's like that with his other friends too, and... at the dojo, he'll also need to be aware of it. Take a certain responsibility.
It's all still a bit scary to think about, and he's still unsure how okay with him Daniel might be if he ... does encounter Paimon for himself. But Peter is tired, and still sore from other weights, and the simple (not so simple though, not really) fact that Daniel has accepted him on this level of letting him stay a member of the team.... the fact he willingly reaches to touch Peter, offering that gentle pat of reassurance. The younger is swallowing again, and then giving a little nod. He's not crying anymore, any residue of wet on his face starting to dry, and not replaced by any fresh tears. He feels calmer. )
Thank you.
( Said quiet and soft, and Peter's slowly looking back up at Daniel. His teacher... Mister Miyagi, Peter hasn't forgotten his name. Or the way that younger version of Daniel spoke about him. How sincere he was, how... important it was to him. The role the man played in his life, when the little boy had lost his father, was dealing with the struggles of so much, the bullying.... Thinking back on it now makes Peter's heart hurt. No, he may not know Daniel all that well, or for that long, but.... he'd like to keep this person he's made a connection with. And show him the same kind of kindness that Daniel's given to him. )
Okay. ( It's said softly, but there's a sincerity, another nod, Peter finally managing a little smile. )
I do like karate, ( he adds, wanting Daniel to... know. What it means to him. ) Your type of karate, it's... it's really nice. I've tried a lot of types of.... meditation, to help with things, but... it's hard for me to do it. It's easier at your dojo. When I come home, I feel... relaxed. And like maybe I'm a little stronger.
( He's... still not so capable with the physical aspects, but it's something he can still do. It doesn't feel like he's lacking, like he's stupid or useless or unwanted. Everyone's kind, all the other students help him, Robby's there— he likes it. He wants to stay. )
It used to scare me a lot... karate. Because of... ( He doesn't say the name, doesn't directly mention Johnny, not now. ) ...because I saw a lot of people getting into fights and stuff about it, here. ( And the fact Johnny kidnapped him and had one of his students beat him up...... but he doesn't mention that. (Although of all people, Daniel would probably understand that....) ) But.... I'm not scared of it anymore, I think. Because of you.
no subject
There's no way pride can't blossom in Daniel's chest with what the other is saying. It's not even personal pride or anything, it's just-- hearing Peter saying he likes karate, that he likes this kind of karate.. It feels like a compliment towards mister Miyagi more than anything, and there's nothing that makes Daniel happier than that. It feels like the only way he can keep the man's memory alive - showing kids that there are ways to protect yourself, to feel a little more secure, without having to be a jerk or aggressive about it.
And if it's genuinely helping Peter too.. well, that's just yet another positive side to the coin. ]
Hey, I think you have to give yourself some credit for that too. [ Daniel is smiling, and he is basking in the compliment a little when Daniel has such a thing for getting praise.. but with the way the man is, he can't help but want to bounce some of it back at the same time. ] Getting over fear is never easy. And sure, some people might call being scared of karate.. silly, I suppose.
[ People in this place who have experienced Trench for long, maybe. Or people from awful worlds, where karate doesn't seem like the end of the world. ]
But I know it can be really scary. [ From.. very deep personal experience, even, though Daniel is quick to tuck away any implication of that, just.. gently moving on.. H-He can't be traumatized if he's doing breathing exercises, okay!! ] And overcoming that, and instead finding a positive place for it in your life.. It's a big transformation, and it's really admirable that you managed to do that.
[ He gives Peter's hand another brief pat before pulling his own hand back. ]
You're doing great, alright? In so many ways, so don't forget that. I know I'll be sure to keep reminding you of that fact. [ Because Peter isn't going to run away. Because he is going to continue attending the dojo, even after all this. ]