himbomb | IC INBOX

_{[ 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.

Maybe, like...

[Rex quirks an eyebrow at that. The numbers don't really make sense to him either, but his aren't in his field of vision, so it's a bit more easy for him to do the following-]

Don't think about that right now?

[Rex's number, on the other hand, has increased to an even 700.]

You just had your entire world majorly rocked. In front of the whole world! I'm pretty sure that the news was on that fight with the cameras faster than you can say, "White on rice!" 'Cauuuse, aaah... Omni-Man goin' nuts? Oh, all the major news networks would be in a fight to the finish to get that story goin'. They'd be dukin' it out Gladiator style, but it sounds like... So were you.

Invincible? You need a fucking break.

Edited 2021-09-12 07:34 (UTC)

_{[ Here Rex was talking about his past and what information he was willing to share with Mark so he was trying to leave room on the floor for him to speak if he wanted to.. but now Rex is responding in a way that has Mark reeling, emotionally. All he needs right now is support and Rex is the only person from home who would moderately understand. He looks at the older teen with wide, glassy eyes. He never thought he would hear Rex say the words he just told him.

The tears flood out of his eyes again and he’s a little more vocal about crying now, sputtering and trying to catch his breath as his body shakes. Being here has been nice in a way where he can rightfully express his emotions without arguing and fighting with Nolan, and since it’s already happened a few times, he’s becoming more comfortable with showing his emotions around Rex even if he’s a sensitive person to begin with. ]}

I.. I didn’t tell you this, but.. all of the blood that was on me.. it was from him. We.. we were fighting before I ended up here.. the.. the train..

_{[ Oh. There’s some more crying noises. He remembers the sting of speeding steel as it crashed against his body and then feeling lifeless for a moment as he entered this strange realm. ]}

Rex, my dad is trying to conquer Earth for the Viltrum Empire. That’s been his plan all along..! And me and my mom had no idea after all these years!

We have to continue what we are doing no matter how hard it is.

[It's true- They are two heroes with the same goal, to protect and serve, but the lives that they hail from are so vast in contrast that the very idea of them cooperating sounds like a miracle. But that is the thing about Invincible and Rex Splode. When it comes down to the bottom line, the matters of life and death are not ones to joke about. And, as always, as he will do in the future...

Rex will be the first to stand alongside Invincible in the name of what is truly right.]

Invincible!

[The word is spat out, but Rex quickly curtails his outrage. His voice softens, if still a tad raspy.]

Mark.

Listen to me.

[Rex closes the distance between them, putting both hands on either of Mark's shoulders. There is an intensity to the gaze in his green eyes, a desperation. While he is usually the one to make jokes even in the most grim scenarios, the hotheaded superhero is dead serious. He presses their foreheads together, muttering through gritted teeth.]

He hit you.

[Your Father.

Mark, so far, has proved that for all his superhuman strength, he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. The point that Rex is trying to get across here is the gravity of the situation, the depth of the abuse the weeping child in front of him has endured. Invincible is like a baby bird, still in need of guidance, too soft, too trusting.

It is at this point in time that Rex realizes something. As long as the two of them are present, no matter what arguments they have, he is now responsible for this pathetic excuse for a hero, which... Could be worse.]

If you think that you can take that dude on? As you are right now? You're an idiot.

We are going to get the fuck off this kooky caboose. Okay? We will find a way back home. Portals open up and dunk aliens, wackos, and other superpowered looneys into our world all the time. This is no different. If you wanna be in the kinda shape to take on your nightmare of a dad, you need to shove your heart back down into your mothafuckin' chest! It is in your throat right now.

You need to rest. Otherwise you will never be able to kick his teeth in! If you need to cry, cry. If screaming's more your thing, you can go ahead and do that right fucking now!

But what you're not gonna do? Is overwork yourself. You are going to let those injuries heal, drink some water, and finally? Eat some fucking food!

Are we clear?

_{[ The way that Rex raises his voice is slowly something that Mark is growing accustomed to, so he doesn't bat a lash when he blurts out his hero name. Something about hearing Rex say his real name, though, is nice. It's more personal. It was a sign they were growing closer which is something that Mark hadn't thought about even bothering with back home. But here they just have each other, so it's something Mark is thinking about and watching to achieve since they started sticking with each other.

Those warm hands settle on the rounds of his shoulders and it is also another pleasant surprise— it's grounding— it's keeping him from completely losing it. The tears continue to flow, but he accepts whatever physical contact the other teen wants to give him. He's nodding, he's understanding and really taking in what Rex is saying. He doesn't even realize his hands lift and grip along Rex's shoulders and collarbone in response. He doesn't even mind the forehead touch right now, but it is very shockingly intimate and he will realize this in hindsight. But for now it's nice. ]}

Y..Yeah, we're clear. You're right.. you're right.

_{[ He takes in a shaking breath and releases Rex, but he doesn't seem to pull away. It's relieving enough that he knows he can be as emotional as he wants to around him.

A big ole sniff. ]}

I gotta get better. I'm going to get better and through all of this.

_{[ um yeah his number is going down again. Rex, you're just gonna make him disappear, aren't you? ]}

[As Rex watches Invincible struggle and squirm, he can feel a weight settle upon his chest. While his own heart may be buried under layers of insecurity, anger, and selfishness, it is there, ever-present and always beating. The ticking time bomb often struggles with expressing his more vulnerable emotions, which is difficult- Especially when he does actually care so damn much.

Mark is welcome to paw at him if he needs and for however long. For someone who can find his body in space whether he's submerged in a pressurized tank, blindfolded, or skyrocketing through the air, touch is actually an easier mode of communication. It hurts, being so helpless when the person in front of him is in need of real help. But superheroes are good for pulling people out of burning buildings and punching aliens into space.

They are not doctors, therapists, preachers...

It has often made him wonder. He throws himself into danger, follows orders, and does his best not to die. But is he really doing anyone any good? Even as a goddamn Guardian?]

I know I'm probably not who you wanted to see, after... Well.

That.

[And somehow, he never is.

Not the child his parents wanted, certainly, seeing as they had two after him and never bothered to contact him after all those years. Not the hero the Earth needed, just whoever they could find. Lastly, and certainly, he is not the boyfriend who was strong enough to love Samantha Eve Wilkins properly, even though she had been strong enough to save him from himself.

Rex's number rises once more- This time to 710.

How much does he have to suffer, exactly, before he becomes worthy? Of anything. A sliver of affection. Some goddamn respect.]

But I guess I'm all you've got for now, so...

We'll just... Have to make shit work.

[Rex shrugs.

It is a vicious cycle of entrapment. One from which he can never truly be free.

At least, not until the very end- But before that fateful day comes...

He would like his life to feel like it has meaning. Or had.]

Edited 2021-09-14 02:32 (UTC)

No, you're not.

_{[ There isn't hesitance in his voice when he says this as he finally allows himself to pull back slightly, his palms lifting to his eyes so the insides of his wrists can scrub at his eyes for a moment as he catches and regulates his breath. It's so odd. Rex is being so kind. Mark never thought he could be kind.

A brief, light and breathy laugh escapes him cause all of this is ridiculous. ]}

.. But it's actually been pretty good so far. Even if we've had some disagreements.

_{[ He's regarding Rex now and there is, again, the tiniest smile on his face. His nose and cheeks are all red from crying, but he feels like this is something important that Rex should know. ]}

Thanks. I feel like I've said thanks more than anything else to you right now.
_{[ He feels comfortable being emotional around Rex now? It's kind of a big deal simply because it's Rex. We know Mark is emotional but there's something special about being comfortable to be vulnerable around another person. ]}

I think I had made some wrong assumptions about you that you're disproving to me.

_{[ He gives him a strong pat on his arm. ]}

Ooookay.

[Mark is feeling better, somewhat, which quells some of Rex's worries.

He says nothing in response to those encouraging words and even the hand to the arm, muscles remaining tense all the while. Mark doesn't know who he is and what he's done.

And a boy like that, so naive and thoughtless, would never be able to forgive a person like him. Someone who at just eighteen has so much blood in his ledger that at one point it would be possible for Rex simply drown himself in it. Or so he thinks.

He is drowning still.]

Guess we're goin' monster huntin', then?

[Rex sighs.]

You ready?

Edited 2021-09-14 02:54 (UTC)

_{[ Mark feel his head lull to the side curiously when Rex takes his compliments, but it doesn't seem to have much of an effect. Huh. This guy is so puzzling, but he's at least learned that there's more than meets the eye with him.

Mark leans back and takes another deep breath. He nods. ]}

Yeah.. I think I'm.. a lot better now. Right now.. at least. Maybe doing something like that will help me get some of this stress off of me.

_{[ so would wanking off but no.. rex can never know.. he cannot know about the 🍆 it is too soon ]}

Which way do you think?

_{[ He picked west, now you get to lead! Also this can be the end of this thread for now. ]}

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