himbomb | IC INBOX

_{[ Mark's just gonna fly after him to catch up until they make it by the river. ]}

Well. Yeah. I never said you didn't. But.. I don't know.. this.. shiny material..

_{[ Mark reaches out to touch his shoulder and get a feel for the material. Oh, um. Yeah. It's definitely leather. Why does he like that on Rex so much? And also? Why is he thinking about it so much? Mark doesn't even know as a little curl of his lips forms again. ]}

It looks nice! And it's.. an improvement for the environment! And the Ren Faire.. it's a festival where people go and dress up like this. I like to go.. so it's kind of cool to see us wearing stuff like this.. so.. I like it?

Is that weird?

[Because Rex knows that appearances are everything.

When he was a scraggly, hollow-faced preteen, clad in clothes from various donation bins, ill-fitting and worn down, people treated him differently. His personality is harsh and abrasive. Even when blowing past all of his many insecurities, Rex would still say that despite what anybody else thinks, he is one of the funniest heroes out there, but others don't seem to appreciate that all that much.

It's his looks and his strength, the glitz and the glamor, that makes everybody's heads turn. Well, in a positive way. Most of the time it's his stupid mouth and that raggedy-ass voice of his.]

Holy shit.

You're right.

[Rex examines his reflection in the water, doing a little twirl.]

I look fuckin' amaaaaazee-balls, wow-ee.

I didn't really see myself as much of a brown leather man, but, honestly? The whole Earth tone jam kinda suits my skin tone and the kooky hair color.

[He says "kooky" because he knows that particular reddish-brown mane of his is... A tad uncommon. Also! The leather centerpiece covers his insecurity. Noice.]

_{[ Why is Mark thinking about him in leather pants now? No. He's pushing that thought out of the way. He never though he'd have this much interaction with Rex Splode and neither did he think he'd.. see this much of him? He's already seen his junk thanks to him being mouthy just the other day. There's no room for pointless thoughts like.. leather pants. The fuck? ]}

.. Well, I mean. Yeah. That's.. exactly what I've been saying? Anyway.
I'm thinking maybe we should head a little more... that way, maybe?

_{[ He gestures west. ]}

Do you wanna travel on foot or should we fly?

Edited 2021-09-10 05:19 (UTC)

Oh, look at you! Tryin' to ham it up and play all nice with me.

[Mark has hit on yet another one of Rex's many insecurities. To be fair, it's a long list. He is remarkably sensitive.*

*to the commentary of others, he is not at all, in fact, a kind and/or empathetic person]

Well, it's not gonna work, you floaty-ass motherfucker! Fine. We'll fly.

[He hates this.]

But that means I'm gonna need a boost.

[carry him]

Edited 2021-09-10 05:28 (UTC)

I mean, yeah. I was planning on it. Flying seems like the most effective way.

_{[ When he gave William a little ride for fun he held him in bridal style, so Mark thinks nothing of it as he closes the space between them and scoops Rex up off his feet. It's a little awkward since they're the same height but Rex is a much bigger frame. He wiggles his hold on him to try and hold him better. ]}

Wait, uhhh, hold on. Is this comfortable for you?

[Spoken a little dejectedly:]

Must you always come for my dignity? Ugggh! Next time? Just straight up punch me in the dick. Thanks.

[HE IS GRUMBLING but at least this isn't arm-pitting.]

Fine.

[He folds his arms in Mark's grasp, pouting like a toddler... ASDKJFLLKJ]

Go.

Edited 2021-09-10 05:42 (UTC)

I'm not coming for anyone's dignity. I'm just saying that flying is more effective than walking and also just making sure you're comfortable. Is that an issue?

_{[ Mark lifts his feet off of the ground, carrying Rex with ease. He's not going to go too high or too fast, but he's right. It is more effective. The wind whisks past them, producing a soothing sound and feel. Mark simply loves it.

He glances at Rex. ]}

.. You act really defensive, you know that?

_{[ HE'S GOT HIM CORNERED AND AT HIS MERCY TO MENTION THIS.. at this point, he genuinely is just trying to piece things together and figure Rex out. ]}

[Rex, at first, simply growls and does not answer. Unlike Mark, he does not enjoy flying, as he's always at the mercy of whoever's doing it, and while heights don't bother him, the lack of control does.

Instead, he lies there in Mark's grasp, like a two-hundred and fifteen pound, cybergenetically enhanced supertoddler. To make matters worse, he imitates Mark's voice in a nasally and obviously mocking tone.]

"You act really defensive all the time, you know that?"

_{[ He contemplates dropping him but is determined to be the better person here so he doesn't. Maybe if they were back home where there were other factors, but not here. It does draw. ]}

See? You're doing it again. Putting words in my mouth. I didn't say all the time, but you know what? That's kind of true. Even the way you're acting to me calling you defensive is defensive.

Forget it. I'm learning it's impossible to have a conversation with you sometimes.

_{[ And then other times you won't shut up? ]}

I only fly with people I trust.

[He snarls once more.]

This shit isn't fun for me.

[If Mark asks, it means he is mostly only comfortable flying with Eve and Robot.]

I miss my real friends.

[so... just robot then and even that relationship is questionable]

Yeah? You know what? I do too. At least talking with them was easier and they don't try to provoke me like you do.

_{[ KIDS.. YALL WERE DOING SO WELL. ]}

Do I have to say again that I'm determined to get along with you? Cause I am. I'm not leaving you and you're not going to leave me either and I think that's important that we stick to it.

Look! I get it. Your dad's an ass, and that's an understatement. It's makin' you question everything you've ever fucking known!

But, before you got superpowers? Which, from the looks of it, seems fairly recently... You've had all the good shit handed to ya.

[It's so frustrating. Rex isn't usually one to be this honest, but it's been bothering him, ad there is no one here who understands him. Samson, for all his strictness, is his teammate- And a good man.

If Rex were to die, he'd feel for him. Robot. Monster Girl, Shrink, and even Kate...

They are his friends. Invincible is a stranger. He doesn't live with them.]

I'm here because I'm lucky I survived.

Edited 2021-09-10 16:49 (UTC)

I'm not the one being rude to you for no fucking reason! You're the one that keeps starting this!

_{[ OH HE USES THE F WORD. Which is usually like.. reserved. His hold tightens on Rex cause although he wants to lose his temper and drop this guy, he is determined not to. To not severely damage whatever progress they have made over the last 48 hours. Viltrumites are super determined.. and violent.. but he's trying his best to bring out the only good features in his kind.

His voice eases considerably, not even noticing he's sped up their flying in a little flounce of aggression. ]}

I am also really truly sorry for what you've gone through, but at the same time, I don't know all you've gone through either, but it doesn't give you the right to be an asshole to me just because I was fortunate to have it better than you. It's not my fault that my early life was easier than yours.

_{[ That's what it sounds like at least. ]}

I don't take it for granted— my upbringing— but you need to be patient with me because yes, I'm trying to get adjusted to all of this.

_{[ He figures they are west enough and into some area that should have some resources so he glides down rather quickly, landing a little roughly but enough to where he can get Rex out of his grasp and distance himself from him. ]}

Edited 2021-09-10 17:37 (UTC)

[No, it's not on Invincible himself. That much is true.

That's not the problem. It's the fact that no matter what Rex has done, even he was too small to be responsible for anything at all, it has always felt like it's been his fault.]

Let me ask you somethin', Invincible.

[Rex's tone is grave. Emotionless. He's relieved to touch the ground.]

What do you know about being hungry? And I'm not talkin' about missin' just one dinner date.

I mean starving.

Edited 2021-09-10 17:47 (UTC)

_{[ Right now, Mark is investigating the area because he doesn’t want to look at Rex anymore. ]}

I don’t know. I get it. We established this already.

When you are, you can't really think about anything else.

[He waits. Let Mark have his turn to simmer.

Rex is, suddenly and somehow, eerily calm.]

Literally.

_{[ It’s better to let him simmer. So far, Mark has a record of not listening to Rex and in this instance it appears like he is doing the same thing, but he does finally cast the other teenager a look which is a clue that he is listening. Very intently.

He keeps silent though which just indicates that what Rex is saying is starting to strum at his empathy strings.

Not enough to comfort him though. He’s still mad. ]}

Edited 2021-09-10 20:27 (UTC)

[Rex, too, remains quiet. If Mark doesn't engage, that's up to him.

His eyes scan the area for anything that lurks within the dark. They are right at the edge of the woods, angrily sauntering past tall trees. He thinks he hears something and turns in the direction of the sound, only to see nothing at all.]

You don't have to stick it out, y'know. If you need to go, just fuckin' beat it.

[His words are harsh, but again, there is an oddly serene air when he speaks. Or, perhaps, serene isn't the right word.

Rex's shoulders stiffen. If Invincible leaves, he wouldn't be any different.

Everyone always does- And recently, as of late?]

I don't give a damn. You don't have to like me.

[That has mostly been Rex's own damn fault.]

If there's somethin' goin on and you need back up, you can call or text.

But there's no need to worry about me of all people.

[It's true.]

I've been to hell and back, butt boy. I'll live through this shit, too.

[Strangely...?

His number is going down, but only slightly.]

_{[ Rex still doesn’t know. He doesn’t know about the real reason Nolan apparently went berserk and killed the Guardians of the Globe. He doesn’t know the true purpose and nature of Viltrumites and how Mark is torn between two drastically different fates. Fortunately, he has no interest in becoming a conquerer for a planet he has zero personal attachment to, but it certainly has put a kink in his identity when he just figuring things out.

He’s going against what Viltrum would want— what Nolan would want. He could be vicious and completely change his personality like his father did— take a hold of Rex’s head and crush it between his hands like his nature and lineage would want for those who resist him. He could. It could be over.

But he can’t. Rex is a person, though altered to be something else then just a normal person, he is a human. A human that has lived a very real life with a lot of real struggles that Mark still doesn’t understand. Like some of the people who live in the rougher parts of the city; he had trouble understanding their struggles, but he was learning. He was caring. He could be like Nolan cause it’s easier. It’s easier to conquer and destroy rather than uplift and create. It is so much easier. But he won’t. He always wanted to be like Nolan, but now he doesn’t want to be anything like that. He wants to save humanity and not rule over it. Rex is part of humanity, but it’s more complicated than just that. He’s sharing his pain with him; he is slowly becoming more than just a colleague and human to Mark and that’s enough to prevent him from acting out no matter how much he wants to argue with this guy.

He’s definitely not looking at Rex now, fretting he’s going to tease him again for allowing complex emotions flourish once more. It’s brief, but tears surface over his eyes and he lifts a quivering hand to dry them. ]}

You have, and I hate that for you. But I’m still not going to leave you. I can’t do that.

_{[ He can’t leave humanity’s side so easily like his father did. He doesn’t want to be like that. ]}

I’m trying.

_{[ He won’t expound on what he means by that. ]}

[Rex doesn't know what it is exactly that's going through Mark's brain, although he's well aware that playing with fire isn't exactly in his best interest. He's seen the boy lose his shit and snap during a battle, and especially since this guy is the Spawn of Omni, it could do him many favors to be more careful.

What he does notice, even from afar, is the way that Mark is turning his face pointedly away, back bent. His posture is defensive. Rex reaches into what is supposed to be his utility belt, but instead is now a medieval version of whatever the fuck holds shit, searching for something he did manage to pick up at the tavern.]

Yeah?

[Rex walks over to Mark and stops at a distance, but he holds the object out towards the younger boy.

It's a napkin. A peace offering.]

Me too.

_{[ He’s trying to get it together. He’s trying to figure everything out. He’s trying to not be a failure. He’s trying to understand. He’s trying to care and specifically, he’s trying to be cooperative with Rex in this situation. It’s not his time to mope or draw the attention on him, though. He is realizing that Rex is being gracious with how much he’s telling him about his life and he’s grateful.

Rex treated Eve wrong and broke her heart, but Mark is becoming aware that he makes many mistakes too. Amber left him. He just recently witnessed many people dying from his destructive father’s hand and blames himself for not being able to rescue them and for not being honest with Amber. It’s his fault.

He should correct the mistakes he’s made though. He should believe more in himself even after everything. He can do better.

Mark’s number goes goes down and it’s now a little less than what he started off with. He realizes this and glances as his hand as he takes the handkerchief and just makes a frustrated sound as he dries his eyes. He hadn’t expected a kind response from Rex, and as much as he wants to turn away and act coy, he allows his damp gaze to settle on the older teen. His lashes somehow look thicker when they’re damp. ]}

Thanks. I mean, for this.. but also telling me about yourself.

_{[ Theres a reason that Rex is defensive and Mark has an idea that it has to do with an ill up bringing and not just the fact Rex can be an asshole. From here on out, he understands that he shouldn’t take Rex’s mouthy and aggressive defensiveness personally. It’s goes deeper than just him being a jerk. ]}

You’re doing it though. Cause like you said.. you went through that and survived. So.. you’re trying well enough.

_{[ He fidgets with the cloth he was given before handing it back to Rex with a big sniff. Okay, he’s getting it together. ]}

Edited 2021-09-11 01:18 (UTC)

[Mark also doesn't know why.

Rex, a self absorbed and seemingly pompous asshole, wouldn't dick over his girlfriend of four years who literally saved his ass from the streets for no goddamn reason. Now, was it fair to bring in their mutual teammate of three years and not only lie to her, but humiliate her too? Be openly disrespectful in front of both of them, all while failing to communicate his feelings and being vindictive. And what if Eve hadn't walked in on them? What the fuck was Rex planning on doing? Telling her? Or would he have tried to have the best of both worlds and just dicked them both over! Who the hell knows.]

It's okay if you fall down sometimes, y'know.

[Metaphorically speaking too. Not just physically.]

It happens.

[He waits for Mark to settle himself a bit, watching the boy cry, and feels a tinge of sadness. Rex is not one to communicate his feelings in a healthy way, as he is primarily fluent in Douchenozzle and Sarcasm, but gestures have always been more his thing.

He gives one of Mark's shoulders a gentle squeeze. This is easier than talking.]

The first thing I learned about bein' a superhero? Is that you're just constantly eating shit!

_{[ There it is. Mark had thought recently, sometime between yesterday and right now, that Rex is a veteran at all of this. Mark has recognized this and that’s honestly part of the reason he has some amount of respect for him. Feeling himself in Rex’s arms as he was carried away (which was unnecessary but the big baby liked it) struck some kind of realization with him.

They have the same goal. To protect people. And Rex has been doing it longer. Maybe he could actually learn something from the other guy.

He exhaled when his shoulder is touched and finally looks away. ]}

I’m.. really learning that right now, but..

_{[ His eyes glisten again as he breaks his gaze from the ground to lift to the sky. Oh, honey. Your empathy. ]}

It is worth it to protect other people. To protect Earth. For awhile there.. I thought maybe I shouldn’t be doing this, but now..

I have to more than ever.

Oh, dude.

[Rex shakes his head slightly a that, the rasp in his throat evident. That sound isn't a rude one, for once. It's a murmur, an acknowledgement.]

The world's a fuckin' shitshow.

[Spoken like someone who really, truly knows.

There is a subtle weight to Rex's words, which are uttered with an even temper, at almost an uncharacteristically quiet volume for him.]

If people like us don't try to make it a better place, Iiiii'm not really sure who would.

[He lets go! But that was a lingering hand touch. Once again- Gay.]

_{[ Mark’s number goes down and he’s now at a glorious 227. It distracts him enough to break the serious tension in the air, even if it isn’t directed at each other anymore. The air is just thick. ]}

Ugh!! Seriously!! What is this thing? How is it even doing that and what does it mean?

_{[ Mark exhales sharply. ]}

Sorry. I just .. everything is frustrating right now but at least I do know that I want to keep being a hero. After everything, I have to be. You’re right.

We have to keep doing this.

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mark just drop him he is SO annoying

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